Recent polls show more than half of Americans want President Donald Trump removed from office, a historic percentage that neither Bill Clinton nor Richard Nixon faced during their presidencies. The latest poll, from ABC News/Ipsos, shows 56% of Americans want Trump forced out of office just days after the president riled up a crowd with false election claims, urging supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from formalizing Joe Bidens victory. The mob, which included white supremacists and far-right extremists, sieged the Capitol in an attack that left five dead, including a police officer. Democrats and Republicans alike have accused Trump of leading an insurrection against his own Capitol. Several of his supporters in the mob were heard talking of executing Vice President Mike Pence, after Trump denounced Pence for refusing to try to tilt the Electoral College vote in Trumps favor. Forty-three percent said Trump should not be thrown out of office, according to ABC/Ipsos, which surveyed 570 people between Jan. 8 and Jan. 9. At least 54% of those who believe Trump shouldnt be removed say Trump did nothing wrong; 45% believed his actions were wrong but should not lead to his removal. The ABC poll follows three others showing about half of Americans want Trump out of office. An Axios/Ipsos poll of 536 Americans showed 51% want Trump immediately removed. A PBS NewsHour/Marist poll of 875 people on Jan. 7 showed 48% support his removal before the end of his term on Jan. 20. And 50% were in favor when YouGov asked 1,448 registered voters on Jan. 6 if immediate removal was appropriate. The latest polls, which average out to 51.25% in favor of removal, come as lawmakers prepare separate resolutions calling for impeachment or Trumps removal through the 25th Amendment. Invoking the 25th Amendment would require agreement among Pence and a majority of the Cabinet that Trump was unfit for office. According to CNN, support for impeachment never eclipsed 40% during the Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. In February of 1974, about 40% believed Nixon should resign or be removed amid the Watergate scandal. Only 40% of Americans wanted Trump removed in September of 2019, when Democrats kicked off an impeachment inquiry into Trumps efforts to get Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden while withholding military aid to the country. The Democratic-controlled House impeached Trump but he was acquitted by the Senate, with only Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah voting to convict. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania have called on Trump to resign, and Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska said hed be willing to review any articles of impeachment sent over by the House. Related Content: Subscriber content preview By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer DETROIT The U.S. government's auto safety agency has rejected a request to investigate unintended acceleration in Tesla electric vehicles, saying the acceleration was caused by drivers pushing the wrong pedal. Brian Sparks of Berkeley, California, petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in December of 2019 asking for an investigation. At the time the government had 127 owner complaints including 110 crashes and 52 injuries. . . . Photo: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images He arrived too late to attend any Christmas parties, and God knows we werent having them this year anyway, but on Monday TMZ reported that Emma Roberts welcomed her first child, a baby boy, with boyfriend Garrett Hedlund. According to their source, the Holidate actress gave birth on Sunday, December 27, in Los Angeles, to a little boy named Rhodes, joining Gucci Manes wife Keyshia Kaoir Davis in the Perfectly Timed Quarantine Pregnancy Club. In August, Roberts shared an Instagram photo that served as both a pregnancy announcement and a mercifully conflagration-free gender reveal. Meand my two favorite guys, she wrote, posing with Hedlund and her baby bump. The pair went public with their relationship in March of last year, after Roberts ended her five-year engagement to longtime on-again, off-again partner and American Horror Story co-star, Evan Peters. So, welcome to 2020, Rhodes Roberts-Hedlund. We promise itll be over very, very soon. A full reckoning will take months or even years, and many lawmakers have called for a formal commission to investigate Washington: Huddled in a command centre on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington and her aides saw a photograph of bloodstains on the temporary grandstands at the Capitol, a makeshift structure built for the inauguration of a new president in two weeks. The enormity of the deadly failure sank in. Rioters had broken through the thin police line on the Capitol steps and were descending on hundreds of lawmakers conducting the ceremonial, quadrennial act of certifying the presidential vote and the mayor and her aides were not able to stop the attack. Bowser and her police chief called the Pentagon, asking for additional DC National Guard troops to be mobilized to support what officials were realizing was inadequate protection at the Capitol. But they were told that the request would first have to come from the Capitol Police. In a call to Chief Steven Sund of the Capitol Police, they learned that his force was under siege, lawmakers were being rushed to safety, and rioters were overrunning anyone in authority. He kept repeating the same phrase: The situation is dire. Cutting through the cross talk, one person on the call posed a blunt question: Chief Sund, are you requesting National Guard troops on the grounds of the Capitol? There was a pause. Yes, Sund replied, I am. Yet Capitol Police and the citys Metropolitan Police had rebuffed offers days before for more help from the National Guard beyond a relatively modest contingent to provide traffic control, so no additional troops had been placed on standby. It took hours for them to arrive. It was just one failure in a dizzying list that day and during the weeks leading up to it that resulted in the first occupation of the US Capitol since British troops set the building ablaze during the War of 1812. But the death and destruction this time was caused by Americans, rallying behind the inflammatory language of an American president, who refused to accept the will of more than 81 million other Americans who had voted him out of office. President Donald Trumps call at a rally that day for the crowd to march on the nearby Capitol was surely a spark that helped ignite the deadly riots that left five dead including a police officer and a woman who stormed the building injured dozens of others and damaged the countrys reputation for carrying out peaceful transfers of power. But the tinder for the blaze had been gathering for months, with every tweet that the election had been stolen, every refusal by Republican lawmakers to recognise Joe Biden as the next president, every dog-whistle call that emboldened White supremacist groups to violently strike. A full reckoning will take months or even years, and many lawmakers have called for a formal commission to investigate. But an initial anatomy of the siege by The New York Times revealed numerous failures. The chaos showed that government agencies have no coordinated plan to defend against an attack on the Capitol especially one specifically aimed at powerful elected officials though law enforcement agencies have for years raised alarms about the growing threat of domestic terrorism groups. QAnon, an online conspiracy group well represented among the crowd, has been labelled a domestic terrorist threat by the FBI. Federal agencies and Capitol Police appeared to issue no serious warnings in the days leading up to the riots that the gathering could turn violent, despite countless posts on right-wing social media sites pledging confrontation and even bloodshed. The Department of Homeland Security invited local law enforcement agencies to its situation room held online during the pandemic only the day before the riots, which some security experts said was far too late. Poor planning and communication among a constellation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies hamstrung the response to the rioting. Once the Capitol building was breached, a patchwork group of reinforcements was forced to try to navigate a labyrinthine complex of unfamiliar passages and byways that would prove dangerous. Above all, the fiasco demonstrated that government agencies were not prepared for a threat that, until recently, seemed unimaginable: When the person inciting the violence is the president of the United States. The Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department did not respond to requests for comment. Bowsers chief of staff, John Falcicchio, said that defence officials determined the number of personnel deployed. But Pentagon officials said they made those decisions based on the specific requests they received. The recriminations began almost immediately, and the violence also carried a sobering reality: The country got lucky. Hundreds of rioters carrying long guns and Molotov cocktails breached the seat of American power some with the clear intent of injuring, holding hostage or even killing federal officials to stop them from certifying the vote. In the end, all of the lawmakers were spirited away to safety. It was such an embarrassingly bad failure and immediately became an infamous moment in American history, said RP Eddy, a former American counterterrorism official and diplomat who now runs a private intelligence firm. But it could have been so much worse. Missed warnings The Capitol is our goal. Everything else is a distraction, announced one post on Far-Right social media a day before the uprising. Every corrupt member of Congress locked in one room and surrounded by real Americans is an opportunity that will never present itself again. That was just one example of how extremists were organising on social media. In private Facebook groups, activists planning to make the trip to the capital discussed not only logistics like hotels and ride-shares, but also sleeping in cars and pitching tents should they need to occupy the city. Many comments included photographs of guns and ammunition that they planned to bring. On smaller social media platforms such as Parler and Gab that became rallying places for the far right, calls for violence were more overt. Dozens of posts in the days leading up to Wednesday listed assault rifles and other weapons that people claimed they were bringing to Washington. People discussed which types of ammunition were best and whether medics would be in place for those potentially injured. Law enforcement and other officials were aware of the chatter and took some steps to try to reduce the chances of violence. Homeland security officials put tactical agents on standby in downtown Washington. The FBI questioned neo-Nazis who were under investigation and planning to attend the demonstrations, prompting some of them to change their plans and skip the trip, officials said. And on Monday, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, a Far-Right group. The police also announced before the rally that anyone who planned to show up to the demonstrations armed, in violation of local firearms laws, would be arrested. But missed opportunities abounded. Despite the ominous social media posts, officials leading intelligence-sharing centres throughout the United States received no warnings from the federal government about the potential threat to the Capitol. We did not see any federal products related to this, said Mike Sena, the president of the National Fusion Centre Association. Such centres were formed after the 11 September, 2001, attacks to improve communication and planning among federal and local agencies. One senior federal prosecutor in the Midwest said he did not even speak with the top FBI agent in his city about local residents possibly traveling to Washington. What the FBI had been observing online, officials would later say, amounted to First Amendment-protected activity despite the incendiary language in social media posts. Intelligence experts denounced the inability or refusal of government analysts to provide proper warning about impending violence. The evidence is starkly clear that the momentum of violence has shifted to the right in this country. Weve seen this in city after city, Eddy said. There was a failure among law enforcement to imagine that people who look like me would do this. Chase Jennings, a spokesman for the Homeland Security Department, said in the days leading up the breach at the Capitol, the agency had open channels with partners and shared information on those channels. Last years protests Looming over preparation was the governments heavy-handed response to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations during the summer. Trump had deployed unidentified agents and tactical teams to the streets of Washington in June against the wishes of Bowser, and agents tear-gassed protesters, allowing the president to walk to a nearby church and stage a photo op holding a Bible. In the runup to the violence on Wednesday, the fractured relationship between federal and local law enforcement was evident. Bowser had sent a letter to top federal law enforcement officials on Tuesday warning against excessive deployments. Though the city had sought some National Guard troops for traffic control, she noted that the DC Police had not requested additional personnel from law enforcement agencies for the rallies on Wednesday and referred to the aggressive deployment in June. Still, federal law enforcement officials conveyed to lawmakers that they were prepared. Before the protest, David L Bowdich, the FBI deputy director, assured Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, that the bureau had the resources to handle the rally. The Department of Justice was treating the event as relatively peaceful, officials said. The acting attorney general, Jeffrey A Rosen, worked on Wednesday from his office rather than the FBI war room, where the crisis response unfolded. Several officials, including Sund of the Capitol Police, briefed Representative Zoe Lofgren, D-California, the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, on Tuesday. The message was similar to one that Sund had given to other lawmakers for days. I was told by the police chief and the sergeant-at-arms that everything is under control and they had provided for every contingency, Lofgren said in an interview. That turned out to be completely false. Active, hostile situation Within minutes of the mob breaching the Capitol complex, rioters were pounding on the doors of the House gallery, where a group of nearly two dozen lawmakers were trapped. The sounds of shattering glass echoed through the chamber. I thought wed either have to make a last stand or fight our way out, said Representative Jason Crow, D-Colorado, a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq. It was pretty hairy. An outnumbered force of Capitol Police had tried numerous tactics to keep the riot at bay, setting up barricades, using pepper spray and trying to push back against the mob at the building's doors and windows. All of these measures failed. Lawmakers had no clear evacuation plan and were forced to improvise. Crow said he moved other lawmakers away from the barricaded door inside the gallery, helped them don hoods to protect against tear gas, had them remove their House lapel pins to avoid being targeted and took out his only possible weapon: A pen. After nearly 30 minutes, he said, Capitol Police and unidentified SWAT team officers cleared a path outside the gallery, above the House floor, and hustled out the lawmakers. With police in the lead, guns drawn, the group stumbled through the mayhem, Crow said. Some police officers rushed to barricade other doors to block the mob. Others pinned some rioters to the ground to allow the lawmakers to pass. Because of efforts to restrict the number of people in the chamber, several lawmakers and aides were sheltering in their offices, scattered across the complex. Some were not contacted by the police, even as they barricaded themselves inside. Many of the House members remained in one secure location, where they might have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus , the Office of the Attending Physician said on Sunday. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, pushed a handful of Republicans to wear masks, to no avail. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, and Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, periodically provided updates to the room, as lawmakers called their families and checked on their staff members. On the Senate side of the Capitol, the rioters came perilously close to lawmakers. As they approached, a quick-thinking Capitol Police officer pushed one of them, then backed away, and the crowd chased him. The officers manouevre helped lead the mob away from an entrance to the Senate several feet away, according to a video taken by Igor Bobic, a HuffPost reporter. In a secure, undisclosed location, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC, screamed at the Senate sergeant-at-arms, Michael C Stenger, demanding a plan and ordering him to clear the rioters, according to a person in the room. Stenger was milling around, the person said, inspiring no confidence that he was in control of the situation. He has since resigned, as has Sund. Throughout the Capitol, urgent voices crackled across police radios giving details about the unfolding siege. There was definitely a higher sense of urgency on police radio traffic as rioters breached the east side of the Capitol, said Ashan M Benedict, the head of the Washington field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who was working with Capitol Police at the nearby Republican Party headquarters, where a pipe bomb was found. Benedict connected with a commander of the Capitol Police SWAT team who was inside the Capitol complex. The captain acknowledged that they needed immediate help but said he needed a moment to arrange the official request. ATF and FBI teams were soon headed to the Capitol. Neither bureau trains its agents for crowd control or riots, and they would have to find a way in, where they could help clear the Capitol and rescue staff members and employees. When Benedict and his deputy finally got into the building, it was madness, he recalled. Clouds of noxious gas bear spray, he guessed, from rioters floated through the halls. With the help of a Capitol Police officer, they helped usher their teams through a growing crowd of rioters on the buildings south side. We walked into an active, hostile situation, Benedict said. Some were thanking us for our service. And some were asking us not to go in and protect the Capitol, and stand with them. Chaos and confusion Thirty-six miles away, in Annapolis, Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, was on a video conference call with the Japanese ambassador when his chief of staff rushed into his office, telling him, The Capitol is under attack. The governors phone rang minutes later a call from Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House majority leader. Hes fired up. Hes agitated. Hes stressed, Hogan recalled in an interview. He says, Governor, Im in a room with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. We need help. What can you do?. By then, the mobs had breached the security outside the building, and Bowser and her staff members had begun making urgent calls to mobilise larger numbers of DC National Guard troops and move those already in the city to the Capitol. In the days before, Bowser had requested only a relatively small contingent of 340 DC National Guard troops, and only to control traffic and help protect public transportation stops, an effort to avoid the militarised federal presence that had been a major factor in the June protest response. One of the calls was to Hogan, asking the governor to dispatch Maryland National Guard troops to the city. Because Washington, DC, is not a state, the new request needed to be approved by the acting secretary of defence, Christopher Miller. Hogans phone rang again. It was Ryan McCarthy, the secretary of the army and the de facto head of the DC National Guard. He asked whether Maryland troops could come immediately. I said, Yes, weve been waiting, Hogan recalled. Bowser was having similar problems. Even during the phone call when Sund said he needed National Guard troops to beat back the rioters a request the mayor and her staff members figured would immediately prompt an order of reinforcements Pentagon officials would not commit to sending them. Lieutenant-General Walter E Piatt, the director of the Army staff who was on that call, reacted to Sunds request with caution. He said that he did not have the authority to send the troops, that the request would have to go through his chain of command, and that the group needed a plan for how the National Guard would be deployed. Chief Robert J Contee of the Metropolitan Police was livid. Are you denying the request? he asked Piatt three times. We are not denying the request, the general insisted. But he added that he would have to seek approval first. The phone call ended. Inside the mayors command centre, where officials recalled the debacle in June when the military sent a helicopter to buzz Black Lives Matter protesters, frustration turned to anger. The Capitol Police were requesting the guard, they were not getting the request fulfilled, and we are seeing blood on the ground of the United States Capitol. That was the moment for me, said Falcicchio, the mayors chief of staff. In an interview, Piatt defended his caution. The last thing you want to do is throw forces at it where you have no idea where theyre going and all of a sudden it gets a lot worse, he said. Inside the besieged Capitol, lawmakers were making their own urgent requests to the Pentagon. Representative Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, a former defense official, called General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to plead for help from the National Guard. What I was hearing is that the Pentagon was really struggling with the request, she said, because of the response to the June protests, which had brought intense criticism upon the Department of Defence and Milley himself. We all should acknowledge that this was a tough decision because of last years violence, said Slotkin. I said, Mark, I absolutely understand that you are between a rock and a hard place. But we need help here. Finally, at about 3 pm, Miller decided that all available DC National Guard soldiers 1,100 troops in all would be deployed. Help arrives As the Pentagon deliberated, city officials sent an urgent dispatch to all local police forces asking for help. Ed Roessler, the police chief in Virginias Fairfax County, was driving when his phone rang at 2.27 pm. A deputy told him that a request for help had just gone out over the police mutual aid radio system that law enforcement agencies in the Washington region. He was stunned. It was surreal, said Roessler, a 32-year veteran of the department. To get a request over the police mutual aid radio system, I dont recall something at this level. Around 40 Fairfax County officers were quickly deputised by an official from the US Marshals Service and sent to the district. At the Capitol, they assembled in a wedge formation and went inside, where they helped push out rioters. Then they stood guard while officers from other agencies built a larger security perimeter around the Capitol. Other requests for help went out, and the Capitol Police also sought assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, but not until more than an hour after the rioters had surrounded the Capitol and police had first fired what appeared to be flash bang grenades. When the request came at 2.30 pm, the Secret Service deployed both uniformed and special agents, according to Kenneth T Cuccinelli II, the acting deputy secretary of homeland security, the Secret Services parent agency. Asked if he wondered why the request from Capitol Police came at 2.30 pm, Cuccinelli said, Its pretty clear they were underprepared, unfortunately. Placing blame When the rioters breached the Capitol, Senator Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, said a quick prayer. As he and the other senators made their way out of the chamber to the basement, an officer urged them to hurry because the rioters were on their heels. Move quicker, people, the officer said, theyre right behind. It was serious, Cramer recalled. Out of immediate danger, senators took a roll. Four senators were missing, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who uses a wheelchair after suffering injuries in Iraq. She had barricaded herself in her office. Inside the secure location, some senators grew increasingly angry at Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri Republicans who had vowed to fight the election certification unless a commission was established to investigate Trumps baseless claims of voter fraud. Senator Joe Manchin III, the moderate Democrat of West Virginia, said he approached Senators Steve Daines of Montana and James Lankford of Oklahoma, Republicans who had planned to object to the election to send a message. Steve, cmon, you dont want to be part of this, Manchin recalled saying. I said, James, youre better than this. Manchin said the appeals affected them, but Hawley showed no remorse. Josh Hawley started the whole thing, and all who assisted him, theyve got to be held accountable, Manchin said. When asked to respond, spokespeople for Hawley said he had quickly condemned the violence and never claimed there was widespread election fraud, making only a narrow argument about mail balloting in Pennsylvania. Hawley has declined interviews in the aftermath of the riot. For others, the blame goes far wider. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, said she and other senators are investigating what went wrong and focusing on how to keep Bidens inauguration safe. There clearly needs to be an overhaul of security, she said. But ultimately, she said, the blame falls on the president of the United States. He convinced them this was a righteous cause to be part of an insurrection, she said. And they went for it. Mark Mazzetti, Helene Cooper, Jennifer Steinhauer, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Luke Broadwater c.2021 The New York Times Company China has a good diplomatic tradition starting from 1991 that foreign ministers have come to Africa for the first visit every year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, noting that this tradition should not be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year and that China will not flinch. BEIJING -- The fact that Chinese foreign ministers chose Africa for their first visit every year shows that China attaches great importance to Africa, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China has a good diplomatic tradition starting from 1991 that foreign ministers have come to Africa for the first visit every year, Wang said in an interview with the People's Daily as he concluded on Saturday his trips to five African nations, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles. Such a concrete action also embodies the traditional friendship between China and Africa and China's firm support for Africa's development and revitalization, Wang said, adding that it also illustrates an important diplomatic principle that China always stands together with developing countries. Noting that this tradition has been held for the past 30 years, Wang said it should not be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year and China will not flinch. African countries are also looking forward to the arrival of their Chinese friends, he added. The two sides need to overcome difficulties, promote cooperation and seek a better future together through face-to-face communication, Wang said. Wang said he held meetings respectively with leaders and foreign ministers from the five African countries, during which they have reached broad consensuses on implementing the important consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders, carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two sides and enhancing political mutual trust. The Chinese diplomat said they also reached consensuses on joint fight against the pandemic, speeding up the resumption of major cooperation projects, pushing forward the joint building of the Belt and Road, and strengthening coordination on global and regional affairs. A series of agreements were also signed during the meetings, which have deepened bilateral friendship, enhanced mutual trust, promoted cooperation and accumulated consensuses, he said. The oxygen supply at a hospital under intense strain with coronavirus patients has 'reached a critical situation', according to an internal document. Bosses at Southend Hospital said there is 'high demand for oxygen' because of rising numbers of Covid-19 patients and they 'are working to manage this'. An internal memo seen by BBC Essex revealed that the hospital has had to cut down on the amount of oxygen it uses to treat ill patients but bosses insist no-one 'will come to harm' as a result of the move. It means that patients with oxygen saturation levels of more than 92 per cent 'should have their oxygen weaned', saving supplies for the most critically-ill patients. Several hospitals have warned in recent days that the surge in Covid admissions is placing oxygen supplies under pressure. The Mail revealed last week how staff at a huge London hospital were told to prepare for an 'oxygen supply failure' in which they may have to manually ventilate patients using an 'ambu bag' a hand pumped plastic sphere which pushes air into the lungs. Fears of an oxygen shortage prompted the NHS to order its suppliers to quadruple their production back in March. Patients arrive at Southend Hospital in Essex last Friday. The oxygen supply at the hospital, which is under intense strain with coronavirus patients, has 'reached a critical situation' Some 480 deaths linked to Covid-19 have been recorded at Southend Hospital in Essex alone PRIVATE DOCTORS SHOULD BE 'SHAMED' OUT OF PERFORMING NON-URGENT OPS, NHS BOSSES CLAIM Private doctors have been slammed for performing non-urgent operations while the NHS is under 'unthinkable pressure' caused by soaring Covid cases. Medics performing elective operations privately should be 'shamed' out of it amid concerns they are 'once again taking the p*** and walking off with the money', London's top NHS medics believe. All of London's acute hospital trusts have been told to 'think very carefully' about whether it is 'appropriate' to perform elective surgeries, when the same operations have been pushed back by the NHS. A letter - signed by top medics and several of London's hospital trusts - calls for non-urgent surgeries to be pushed back for one month to allow case figures to drop. This means private medics will instead be able to work for the NHS to help ease the strain. The UK announced a further 573 coronavirus deaths yesterday in the highest Sunday rise since April, and the third-deadliest Sunday of the entire pandemic. Advertisement The document, shown to the BBC, said: 'We have reached a critical situation with oxygen supply. It is imperative we use oxygen safely and efficiently. 'All patients should have a target saturation of 88-92 per cent. Patients with a saturation above 92 per cent which are on oxygen should have their oxygen weaned within the target range. 'I can assure all that maintaining saturations within this target range is safe and no patient will come to harm as a result. 'It is imperative that this is acted on immediately.' Current NHS guidelines consider patients to be in the healthy range if their blood oxygen levels are between 94 and 98 per cent. The cut-off for hospitalisation is around 92 per cent. One doctor said it was a 'bold baseline', and another told how it was 'pretty worrying' while a third medic said there was no evidence it would harm patients. Duncan Young, a former professor of intensive care medicine at Oxford University, told MailOnline keeping blood oxygen levels between 88 and 92 per cent was 'safe' and 'doesn't usually cause significant breathlessness'. 'However, it does mean the hospital staff have to be vigilant for deteriorating patients, as their oxygen saturations could reduce to unsafe levels more quickly.' Yvonne Blucher, managing director of Southend Hospital, said: 'We are experiencing high demand for oxygen because of rising numbers of inpatients with Covid and we are working to manage this. 'The public can play their part by staying home and, where they cannot, following the "hands, face, space" advice to cut the spread of the virus.' The coronavirus can, in severe cases, lead to pneumonia and leave patients in need of life support machines which help them to breathe. The machines pump pure oxygen out of tanks and through tubes directly into a patient's airways so their failing lungs can get enough of it into their blood. Hospitals have central pipelines of high-flow oxygen which pump the gas into ventilators from a large reservoir tank. Ventilation with oxygen can be the difference between life and death for many critically ill Covid patients. NHS Providers chief exectuvie Chris Hopson said a number of hospitals were already facing pressure on their oxygen systems UK Research and Innovation - which funds scientific research in Britain - says low oxygen levels is the 'main reason' Britons suffering from the virus are admitted to hospital. 'Infected and damaged lungs are less effective at allowing oxygen to pass from the environment to the bloodstream,' they said. 'The main reason for being admitted to hospital with Covid is to receive supplemental oxygen, to increase the amount of oxygen in the lungs and blood.' They add: 'This will be sufficient treatment before recovery in most cases.' NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said today there were already a 'number' of hospitals where their oxygen supply system is under 'huge pressure'. 'If you push your oxygen levels to an absolutely critical level the thing that you can't do is to have the oxygen system break down,' he told the BBC. 'So what you will do - and we know there have been a couple of instances of this in the first wave and a couple of instances recently - is effectively you need to dial it down. In which case, you will have to transfer patients to the nearest neighbouring hospital for a short period of time.' This graphic shows how daily case rates have soared in Southend-on-Sea over the past month Daily deaths within 28 days of a positive test in Southend-on-Sea have also risen significantly South East Essex has been particularly badly hit by the new variant of Covid-19, with 480 deaths linked to the virus recorded at Southend Hospital alone. This includes 17 Covid-related deaths at the hospital announced yesterday, which happened between the latest data period of December 26 and January 6. It comes less than a fortnight after Essex declared a 'major incident' as the number of coronavirus cases threatened to overwhelm its hospitals. HOSPITAL STAFF TOLD TO PREPARE TO VENTILATE PATIENTS MANUALLY IF OXYGEN RUNS OUT Hospital staff were told to prepare to ventilate patients manually if oxygen runs out as NHS bosses warned of nail-bitingly difficult weeks ahead, it was revealed last week. Admissions are soaring as Covid rates continue to rise - with health bosses saying staff are at battle stations across the country. Nearly 23,000 beds in England were occupied by coronavirus patients on New Years Eve - significantly higher even than the 19,000 occupied at the peak of the first wave in April. Several hospitals have warned in recent weeks that the surge in admissions is placing oxygen supplies under pressure. Staff at one major London hospital were told to prepare for an oxygen supply failure in which they could be forced to manually ventilate patients using an ambu bag - a hand pumped plastic sphere which pushes air into the lungs. A note circulated to staff said: There is a very high demand for medical oxygen across the healthcare system at the moment. All hospitals are closely monitoring their use to ensure that piped oxygen supplies are safely monitored. In a stark warning, it added: You need to know what to do in the event of oxygen supply failure. Disconnect tubing from patient. Connect inflating bag to oxygen bottle. If no oxygen bottles, dont panic, just inflate with ambu bag. Manually ventilate - 12 breaths per minute. Advertisement The move allowed hospitals to transfer patients elsewhere, speed up discharging, call in extra staff and cancel non-emergency care and operations. Southend Hospital was also where Dr Habib Zaidi, one of the first frontline health workers to die in the pandemic, passed away in intensive care on March 25 last year. Hospital staff at one major site in London were ordered to prepare to ventilate patients manually should their oxygen supplies run out at the start of this month. Workers were told to prepare for the 'oxygen supply failure' in which they could be forced to give oxygen to patients using a 'ambu bag' - a hand pumped plastic sphere which pushes air into the lungs. A note circulated to staff last month read: 'There is a very high demand for medical oxygen across the healthcare system at the moment. 'All hospitals are closely monitoring their use to ensure that piped oxygen supplies are safely monitored.' In a stark warning, it added: 'You need to know what to do in the event of oxygen supply failure. 'Disconnect tubing from patient. Connect inflating bag to oxygen bottle. If no oxygen bottles, don't panic, just inflate with ambu bag. Manually ventilate 12 breaths per minute.' There are also warnings that London hospitals are 'in competition' for ventilators to keep their patients alive. NHS England has insisted that it has enough oxygen to meet current demand and is working with suppliers to manage future needs. It told them to quadruple production back in March at the start of the pandemic, amid fears they could 'run out' within hours if they were hit by a wave of patients. Adult intensive care was around 76 per cent full for England as a whole in the last week of 2020, compared to 69 per cent in the same week a year earlier. This was an average for the entire country and some hospitals were 100 per cent full in the areas worst affected by coronavirus, with no extra critical care beds for the entire week and potentially even longer. Looking at London, which is now once again the epicentre of the country's crisis, data show that 13 out of 18 hospital trusts in the city had six or fewer intensive care beds available to take new patients last week. Two hospital trusts had no spare intensive care beds and three only had an average of one extra bed throughout the week. Intensive care is usually a last-ditch attempt to save the life of someone who is starting to die of coronavirus and is reserved for only the sickest people, and usually rules out elderly patients who tend to be too weak to survive the damaging impacts of ventilators. Comparing intensive care wards in London to a year earlier shows that, in 2019, the busiest ICU wards in the city were at 86 per cent capacity, compared to 100 per cent this year. Only five hospitals are this year less full than the very busiest ones were the year before. Southend Hospital has been contacted for comment by MailOnline this morning. 3 Pakistani Christians charged with blasphemy, accused of burning Quran pages Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Three young Christians in northeastern Pakistan have been charged with blasphemy after area Muslims alleged that pages of the Quran had been burned near some Christian homes to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims, according to a report. Police charged the three Christians, identified as Azeem Mehmood, Abbas Gulshan, and Irfan Saleem, from a village named Kotli Muhammad Sadique in Punjab Provinces Narowal district, on Dec. 30, the U.K.-based group Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, known as CLAAS, learned recently. A court sent Mehmood, who is a member of the Pakistani Army, to judicial custody while it granted bail to the other two Christians, CLAAS said in a statement, adding that while Mehmood was arrested on Dec. 25, Gulshan and Saleem were arrested on Dec. 29. After the Christmas service, when the congregation of United Presbyterian Church was holding a procession around the church, a large number of policemen arrived. An officer said they had received a complaint that some people had burned pages of the Quran and they were there to investigate the matter. Some local Muslims who were standing near the church took the police to an ash pile near the homes of Christians. There are about 40 Christian houses near the church. Shahzad Masih, an uncle of Gulshan and Saleem, was quoted as saying that some local Muslims found the burned pieces of a blue letterbox, which had purportedly been installed on the wall to collect pages containing Quranic verses, near the Christians' homes. A local Christian, identified as Ilyas Masih, allegedly told police that he had seen some young men around the fire but he wasnt able to see their faces due to thick fog. After Friday prayers at a mosque the same day, a large angry mob of Muslims from surrounding villages gathered in the village, demanding the immediate arrest of all Christians. Local Christians believe that police tortured Ilyas Masih to force him to admit to seeing the faces of all three Christians so that the arrests could be made to placate area Muslims. Mehmoods wife, Marriam, was quoted as saying that her husband never left the house on Dec. 24 or Dec. 25. Mehmoods brother, Griffin, said that Mehmood had a dispute with Ilyas Masih before he was accused of blasphemy. It is very sad that blasphemy continues to be used as an easy tool to settle personal scores and grudges against Christians and other religious minorities, Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS-UK, said in the statement. Unfortunately, Pakistani society has become more intolerant than ever before. Christians are often targeted both by Pakistans blasphemy laws meant to protect Islamic sensitivities and by hardliners who carry out violence and have killed scores of believers in the past several years. The blasphemy law, embedded in Sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, is frequently misused for personal revenge. It carries no provision to punish a false accuser or a false witness of blasphemy. Pakistan is ranked as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. At the U.S. State Departments 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, Pakistani rights activist Shaan Taseer said that there are as many as 200 people jailed in Pakistan on blasphemy charges. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. said on Monday that a group of experts from the WHO will arrive in the country on Thursday for a long-anticipated probe into the origins of the pandemic, ending the uncertainty and delay which drew sharp criticism from the world health body. Experts from the WHO will conduct a field visit to on January 14, the state-run CGTN quoted China's National Health Commission as saying in a report. Confirming the visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing on Monday that supported scientists around the world to conduct a global study on the origins and transmission routes of the virus. Zhao declined to provide details of the schedule of the experts and whether they would be permitted to visit the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). US President Donald Trump, who has termed China virus, has alleged that the virus may have emanated from WIV and called for a probe into it. WIV has denied the allegation, saying it is politically motivated. The ten-member team of WHO experts is expected to visit Wuhan, but it is not clear yet whether they would visit WIV too. When asked about it, Zhao directed the questions relating to the schedule of the WHO experts to relevant authorities. "China stands ready to closely cooperate with WHO and experts. With specific details of itinerary, I refer to you to competent authority, he said. "The origin tracing may involve more countries. The WHO needs to conduct similar studies in other countries and regions," Zhao said, highlighting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent comments that China "raced against time" and was the first country to report cases to the world. More and more research suggests that the pandemic was likely to have been caused by separate outbreaks in multiple places in the world he said. The team's visit to China, especially to Wuhan where the virus first emerged in December last year, has become a bone of contention as Beijing, which questions the widely-held view about the virus' origins in Wuhan, had delayed granting permission to the 10-member team of experts. China has been proactively questioning the view that the deadly outbreak took place in a wet market in Wuhan where live animals, birds and reptiles are sold and spread to humans. The market remained closed and sealed since early last year. Monday's confirmation came after WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is often accused of being pro-China, in a rare instance of criticism, expressed disappointment over Beijing for not finalising the necessary permissions for the experts' team's arrival. "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," he said. Tedros said he "made it clear" that the mission was a priority for the UN health agency and it was eager to get it "underway as soon as possible". The delay by China to finalise the visit fuelled concerns that Beijing was obstructing global efforts to trace the origins of COVID-19. China and the World Health Organization (WHO) have reached a consensus on specific arrangements of the investigation with four video conferences, said Zeng Yixin, the deputy head of the National Health Commission. On January 9, Zeng told the media here that China and the WHO had reached a consensus on specific arrangements of the investigation with four video conferences. Once the WHO experts complete their procedures and finalise the schedule, Chinese experts will go to Wuhan with them to conduct the investigation, Zeng said. The experts team was also expected to undergo 14-day quarantine. 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". GENEVA - The World Health Organizations chief scientist warned that even as numerous countries start rolling out vaccination programs to stop COVID-19, herd immunity is highly unlikely this year. FILE - In this file photo dated Monday, June 22, 2020, a sign requesting people stay two metres apart to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is displayed in front of "Out of Order" a 1989 red phone box sculpture by British artist David Mach, in London. The World Health Organizations chief scientist warned that even as numerous countries start rolling out vaccination programs to stop COVID-19, that there will be no chance of herd immunity this year. At a press briefing on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said it was critical countries and their populations maintain strict social distancing and other outbreak control measures for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) GENEVA - The World Health Organizations chief scientist warned that even as numerous countries start rolling out vaccination programs to stop COVID-19, herd immunity is highly unlikely this year. At a media briefing on Monday, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said it was critical countries and their populations maintain strict social distancing and other outbreak control measures for the foreseeable future. In recent weeks, Britain, the U.S., France, Canada, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands and others have begun vaccinating millions of their citizens against the coronavirus. "Even as vaccines start protecting the most vulnerable, were not going to achieve any levels of population immunity or herd immunity in 2021," Swaminathan said. "Even if it happens in a couple of pockets, in a few countries, its not going to protect people across the world." Scientists typically estimate that a vaccination rate of about 70% is needed for herd immunity, where entire populations are protected against a disease. But some fear that the extremely infectious nature of COVID-19 could require a significantly higher threshold. Dr. Bruce Aylward, an adviser to WHOs director-general, said the U.N. health agency was hoping coronavirus vaccinations might begin later this month or in February in some of the worlds poorer countries, calling on the global community to do more to ensure all countries have access to vaccines. "We cannot do that on our own," Aylward said, saying WHO needed the co-operation of vaccine manufacturers in particular to start immunizing vulnerable populations. Aylward said WHO was aiming to have "a rollout plan" detailing which developing countries might start receiving vaccines next month. Still, the majority of the world's COVID-19 vaccine supply has already been bought by rich countries. The U.N.-backed initiative known as COVAX, which is aiming to deliver shots to developing countries is short of vaccines, money and logistical help as donor countries scramble to protect their own citizens, particularly in the wake of newly detected COVID-19 variants in Britain and South Africa, which many officials are blaming for increased spread. WHO, however, said that most of the recent spikes in transmission were due to "the increased mixing of people" rather than the new variants. WHOs technical lead on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said that the spike in cases in numerous countries was detected before the new variants were identified. Van Kerkhove noted that during the summer, COVID-19 cases were down to single digits in most countries across Europe. "We lost the battle because we changed our mixing patterns over the summer, into the fall and especially around Christmas and the new year," she said, explaining that many people had multiple contacts with family and friends over the holidays. "That has had a direct impact on the exponential growth that you have seen in many countries," she said, describing the case count increase in some places as "vertical." Dr. Michael Ryan, WHOs emergencies chief, said while there is some evidence variants may be speeding the spread of COVID-19, "there is no evidence that variants are driving any element of severity." He said the variants shouldnt alter countries strategies for controlling outbreaks. "It doesnt change what you do, but it gives the virus some new energy," Ryan said. AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng reported from Toronto. A number of would-be rival candidates also seized on the remarks, obliquely and more overtly seeking to cast Mr. Yang as out of step with the experiences of many New Yorkers. Asked to respond to voters who expect their future mayor to have stayed in the city in its darkest moments, Mr. Yang suggested that his location was not relevant to his work at the time, and that New Yorkers would prioritize plans to move the city forward. I was very focused on helping Joe and Kamala win, and then helping flip the Senate, he said, though Joseph R. Biden Jr.s campaign was not especially fast-paced during the early days of the pandemic. Most New Yorkers would be very excited about those goals, and are fairly indifferent to where I was doing that work from. Mr. Yangs allies hope that some of his strengths at the national level will translate in New York. During his presidential run, Mr. Yang connected with younger people, but the youth vote has not traditionally been influential in New York mayoral primaries. His candidacy will test whether he can bring more young people into the process, though he already has significant competition for the support of young progressive voters in particular. He demonstrated little traction with Black or Hispanic voters last year, but hopes that his universal basic income proposal will help him resonate across a range of communities of color, which were disproportionately hard-hit by the pandemic. That is an untested calculation in a diverse field that includes a number of candidates with much deeper ties to those communities and records of working on behalf of those voters. Mr. Yang may face an uphill battle in introducing himself as a New Yorker who understands the intricacies of the challenges at hand. Understand the N.Y.C. Mayoral Race Whos Running for Mayor? There are more than a dozen people still in the race to become New York Citys next mayor, and the primary will be held on June 22. Heres a rundown of the candidates. Get to Know the Candidates: We asked leading candidates for mayor questions about everything from police reform and climate change to their favorite bagel order and workout routine. What is Ranked-Choice Voting? New York City began using ranked-choice voting for primary elections this year, and voters will be able to list up to five candidates in order of preference. Confused? We can help. Yet despite his untraditional background and in some ways, because of it he also possesses a set of political assets that may make him formidable. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 23:33:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that it is essential to map out the next steps toward the settlement in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. "Today, it would be important, first of all, to identify the next steps in the key areas of the settlement," Putin said during talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow. (Russia-Nagorno-Karabakh) - - - - JERUSALEM -- Israel on Monday announced plans to build about 800 new settler homes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's media adviser announced the move in a statement, saying the plans include about 100 housing units in Tal Menashe, a settlement in which an Israeli woman was killed in an alleged Palestinian attack in December 2020. (Israel-Settlement-Palestine) - - - - RABAT -- The Moroccan security seized 1, 160 kg of cannabis and arrested one suspect for alleged links to drug trafficking network, Moroccan police said in a statement. The operation occurred early Monday at the entrance of the western city of Kenitra, said the statement, adding that the banned substance was hidden in a plastic shipment of a truck from northern Morocco. (Morocco-Cannabis) - - - - GENEVA -- Legendary anthropologist Dr. Jane Goodall is urging the world to take drastic actions and change its relationship with the environment to tackle the climate crisis and prevent future pandemics. The world-renowned primatologist and ecological activist told Xinhua in a recent interview that now is the moment of opportunity to change our behavior and the way humans interact with nature. (Pandemic-Goodall) - - - - ATHENS -- Pupils of primary schools, kindergartens and special education schools across Greece went back to school on Monday after two months of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although a nationwide lockdown which started on Nov. 7 is still in force until Jan. 18, officials, following experts' advice, opted for the reopening of schools for younger children under special measures, taking all precautions to avert the further spread of the coronavirus. (Greece-Education) Enditem Delhi government to launch new scheme to empower women in various parts of city If BJP makes drinking age 25 yrs in other states, we will make it 30 in Delhi: AAP AAP leader Somnath Bharti arrested in UP, youth hurls ink at him India oi-Deepika S Amethi, Jan 11: Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti on Monday had ink thrown at him in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli and was arrested later for allegedly making objectionable remarks. He was arrested for criminal intimidation and promoting enmity between groups, police said, following remarks allegedly referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state's hospitals. Minutes earlier, a youth threw ink at the Delhi MLA when he was coming out of a guest house. Farm laws row: Sonia Gandhi to meet Oppn leaders to come up with 'joint action plan' to corner govt Superintendent of Police (of Rae Bareli) Shlok Kumar said, "Ink was thrown on the AAP MLA, and the matter is being probed." According to a purported video clip, the AAP MLA said in Hindi, "Children are being born in hospitals, but they are of dogs." Shortly after ink was flung at him, Bharti also retweeted a video clip in which he is heard using a derogatory term for Yogi Adityanath, while talking about "atrocities on women" in the state. Amethi police arrested Bharti, a former Delhi minister, in Rae Bareli on Monday morning, on the basis of a complaint filed by BJP worker Somnath Sahu over the alleged remarks made last week. The arrest took place less than an hour after the ink-throwing incident. Bharti has been sent to 14 days judicial custody, he wrote on Twitter. Reacting to Bharti's remarks, Shalabh Mani Tripathi, information advisor to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, said, "Everybody has a right to contest polls and do politics in a democracy, and level allegations against each other, it is welcome." "But using indecent language for a chief minister, you are using abusive language, you are saying to a policeman who is discharging his duty that his uniform will be removed. This is the language of the goons. "Arvind Kejriwal is himself a chief minister. If he has the slightest idea about the post of a chief minister, then he should tender an apology to the entire country for the statement made by Bharti for UP's popular chief minister," Tripathi said. A case was registered against Mr Bharti under section 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) and section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the Indian Penal Code, Additional Superintendent of Police Daya Ram said. with PTI inputs Imran Khans government in Islamabad on Sunday sought to lay the blame on India for lack of progress in the 26/11 trial in Pakistan. After the United States prodded the Khan government to prosecute the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi for coordinating the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, Islamabad reacted, alleging that the trial in the case had been stalled as India had refused to send witnesses to depose before the court in Pakistan. Islamabad also asked the United States to reserve its concern for Indias alleged role in aiding terrorism in Pakistan. Also Read | 26/11 coordinator Lakhvi jailed in Pakistan, 'farcical', says India A court in Pakistan on Friday sentenced Lakhvi to 15 years in prison in a case related to financing of terror. New Delhi dismissed it as yet another farcical act by the Khan government in Islamabad. The US lauded the conviction of the LeT commander, but noted that his crimes went far beyond financing terrorism. Pakistan should further hold him accountable for his involvement in terrorist attacks, including the Mumbai attacks, the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the US State Department posted on Twitter. We are encouraged by the recent conviction of Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi. However, his crimes go far beyond financing terrorism. Pakistan should further hold him accountable for his involvement in terrorist attacks, including the Mumbai attacks. State_SCA (@State_SCA) January 9, 2021 Islamabad reacted, by blaming New Delhi for the impasse in the 26/11 trial. Pakistan is fully abiding by its own statutes and fulfilment of its international obligations. The investigations, prosecutions & (and) subsequent convictions, through due process, are a reflection of effectiveness of Pakistans legal system, which operates independent of any extraneous factors or influences, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Government posted on Twitter. Pakistan is fully abiding by its own statutes and fulfillment of its international obligations. The investigations, prosecutions & subsequent convictions, through due process, are a reflection of effectiveness of Pakistans legal system, 1/3 Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 10, 2021 The legal process in the Mumbai Case remains stalled due to reluctance by Indian side to send witnesses for cross examination by Pakistani court, it added. The State Department is encouraged to reserve its concern for the active aiding, abetting, planning, promoting, financing & execution of terrorist activities by India for which sufficient irrefutable evidence has already been provided. 3/3 Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 10, 2021 Lakhvi had coordinated the November 26-28, 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai from a control room set up by the LeT in Pakistan's Karachi. He had been arrested a few weeks after the 26/11 strikes along with Hafiz Saeed, who had masterminded the attacks, and others. They all had been released later as the trial of the case had not made much progress in the court in Pakistan. The recent legal proceedings against Lakhvi and Saeed both designated as terrorists by the UN Security Council were not related to the 26/11 cases though. The (US) State Department is encouraged to reserve its concern for the active aiding, abetting, planning, promoting, financing & (and) execution of terrorist activities by India for which sufficient irrefutable evidence has already been provided, the Pakistan Government posted on Twitter. New Delhi on Friday alleged that imprisonment of Lakhvi as well as that of his mentor Saeed and the warrant issued for arrest of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar were all farcical actions by Pakistan Government to get reprieve from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) an intergovernmental organization to coordinate initiatives around the world to counter money-laundering and terror financing. Islamabad has been desperate to get the FATF to remove Pakistan from its grey-list. A review of the progress made by the Government of Pakistan in plugging the loopholes in its measures to stop money laundering and flow of funds to the terrorists and the terrorist outfits would be on the agenda of the plenary of the intergovernmental organization next month. 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. EIRs Dennis Small Briefs Mexicos Daniel Marmolejo on Strategic Significance of U.S. Capitol Assault Jan. 10 , 2021 (EIRNS)Daniel Marmolejo, the Mexican journalist who is frequently called on by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at his early morning Mananera press conferences, last night dedicated the first hour-plus of his Incorruptibles YouTube program to a lengthy interview with EIRs Dennis Small on the strategic significance of the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol by well-organized provocateurs, and the subsequent campaign of Facebook and other social media to silence all opposition to the City of Londons Great Reset policies. On Jan. 8, Marmolejo had asked President Lopez Obrador a question at the Mananera about the U.S. information blackout by Facebook and others, which led to a sharp criticism by the Mexican President of a new Holy Inquisition to create a world government. A three-minute video excerpt of that exchange, with English subtitles, was broadcast by The LaRouche Organization as part of its Jan. 9 webcast of the LaRouche Manhattan Project Meeting. That video excerpt is posted to New Developments page. The interview with Small covered a wide range of topics, ranging from who was actually behind the Capitol assault (a British-run Reichstag Fire or 9/11-style provocation); to what their policy objective is (Green Great Reset and global depopulation); to LaRouches policy solutions (U.S.-China-Russia cooperation for bankruptcy reorganization of the trans-Atlantic financial system, and to launch global development around the World Land-Bridge). Small also elaborated on this idea with a detailed proposal for U.S.-Mexico-China cooperation to kick over the chessboard in the region, and he also discussed how the exoneration of Lyndon LaRouche was still an option on Trumps desk that could similarly up-end Londons strategic plans. Marmolejo has about 75,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, which is closely followed in Mexican political circles; the Small interview had over 9,000 views 24-hours later, along with extensive positive comments in the chat column. (Newser) The crime itself is jarring enough: Police say one man kidnapped another at gunpoint, forced him into a car, then shot him to death inside the vehicle. The chilling twist: The suspect was on duty at the time as a police officer in Memphis, Tenn., and authorities say the vehicle was his own patrol car, reports the Commercial Appeal. Patric Ferguson, 29, faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges, and he's been fired from the force, per CNN. Authorities say they found searches on Ferguson's phone about how to clean up a crime scene and destroy DNA evidence. More damning is this line from an affidavit: "Surveillance video was obtained by investigators which captured the shooting of the victim while Ferguson was on-duty." story continues below The victim is 30-year-old Robert Howard, whose girlfriend reported him missing Wednesday night, reports FOX13 Memphis. After the ensuing investigation, police say that Ferguson confronted Howard outside a home, forced him into the back of the squad car, drove less than a half-mile away, and fatally shot him. Authorities say the two knew each other but didn't speculate about a motive. Another man, 28-year Joshua Rogers, has been charged with helping Ferguson dispose of the body, which police say was later discovered near a bridge. "Knowing that a Memphis Police Officer, someone who took an oath to protect and serve, made the decision to commit this horrific crime is devastating," says MPD Director Michael Rallings in a statement. (Read more Memphis stories.) Studies have shown there is a connection between snacking and stress. The concept of stress snacking is almost universally viewed negatively, but wouldn't it be great to change the narrative of stress snacking into something positive? To help food brands provide consumers highly sought-after edible solutions to their everyday stress, NZMP , a dairy ingredient-solutions brand by global dairy mainstay Fonterra , is launching Milk Phospholipids, into the U.S. active lifestyle market. Naturally present in milk, these complex lipids are clinically proven to help manage the effects of stress, to allow consumers to stay focused and positive under stress. "The launch of our Milk Phospholipids is an exciting moment for NZMP and the dairy industry as a whole. By extending our portfolio into the mental wellness space, we're helping food brands tap into new consumers' needs, such as mood-enhancement and cognitive performance under stress issues that have recently amplified due to the pandemic. We know this innovation will be a big hit for the market and our initial industry feedback has been very positive," said Charlotte Ortiz, global marketing and communications manager at Fonterra. Made from non-GMO, rBST-free, grass-fed New Zealand cow's milk, NZMP Milk Phospholipids are high in beneficial whey protein which supports muscle build and recovery and low in both lactose and sugar content. This clean-tasting dairy solution is suitable for delivering multi-functional benefits to many food and beverage products. After 18 months of research and development, the Fonterra team has developed several ingredients-based applications for their Milk Phospholipids, including nutritional bars, ready-to-mix powders, and supplement sachets. NZMP's Milk Phospholipids are compatible with many of the brand's other health and wellness ingredients, to help offer functionality that goes beyond stress management. "As one of the largest dairy companies in the world, we are able to give brands both the functional ingredients and formulation expertise they need. We do this by helping our partners innovate, collaborate, explore health research, and develop compelling new products that address current and future health needs. Dairy ingredients are new to the mental wellbeing space, so we are excited to work with brands to deliver new solutions for this health segment to consumers around the world," said Ortiz. To learn more about NZMP's Milk Phospholipid ingredient, visit www.nzmp.com/milk-phospholipids . About NZMP NZMP is the business to business dairy ingredients brand of Fonterra. Trusted globally, NZMP ingredients are sold in more than 100 countries and can be found at the heart of some of the world's most famous food and nutrition brands. NZMP has one of the broadest ranges of ingredients in the dairy industry, providing hundreds of solutions to meet the needs of customers every day. Backed by Fonterra's New Zealand grass-fed farming heritage and expertise, world-class processing and leading quality standards, NZMP ingredients deliver real market advantage, trusted for their high performance and exceptional quality. Learn more at www.nzmp.com . About Fonterra USA Fonterra USA is an extension of global dairy nutrition giant out of Auckland, New Zealand. Owned by 100,000 farmers, Fonterra is the world's leading exporter shaping the industry in quality dairy solutions and disrupted, differentiated innovations. Headquartered in Chicago, the are the regional home of NZMP, Anchor Dairy US consumer brands and Anchor Dairy Food professionals. With roots firmly planted in New Zealand's rich land, Fonterra stands for environmental sustainability, connects communities, and delivers the most nutritious dairy products possible. Learn more at www.fonterra.com/us . Contact: Ashley Thomas, 224-234-5232, [email protected] SOURCE NZMP Related Links http://www.nzmp.com When the directors of the animated show Stillwater asked Mallika Chopra to be the shows mindfulness consultant, she was pleased. Chopra is a mother, businesswoman, public speaker and meditation teacher. Mindfulness is a persons ability to pay attention to the present moment. It is a skill that some experts say can help children learn how to deal with tension. Experts from the National Institute of Mental Health found that one in five American children have problems with anxiety. Many children spend time watching animated programs such as cartoons. It was in December that the childrens show Stillwater'' started streaming on Apple TV+. Its goal is to teach life lessons to children. The main character is a panda that develops a special relationship with a family next door. The story is based on the Zen Stories'' book, written by Jon J. Muth. Using beautiful animation, Stillwater seeks to teach children to get through difficulty with patience and kindness. Apple employed Chopra to help bring the message of Zen Stories to television. Mallika Chopra has written several childrens books and has a new one expected to come out in March called Just Be You: Ask Questions, Set Intentions, Be Your Special Self and More. She also is the daughter of Deepak Chopra, an expert in alternative medicine and health. Deepak Chopra is a doctor from India who worked in Boston. His daughter explained how he was very tense and worked long hours when she was a child. But he discovered meditation and was able to change. Mallika Chopra started meditating at the age of nine and is professionally experienced in it. Mallika Chopra helped support the show by offering her special knowledge. They have done the most incredible job of storytelling and building characters and then sharing the lessons in this way...Its joyful and really magical, Chopra said. Rob Hoegee is the shows executive producer and writer. He says Chopra helps the show better connect with preschool children and their needs and to explain what mindfulness is. The producers aim to teach skills in the show like breathing deeply and how to find inner calmness in nature. Chopra says the show is a great tool to help children experience the moment. This year, Chopra has also been trying to help others deal with the realities of COVID-19. She has been supporting people to become more at ease with the unknown. What I can offer is just moments where we can connect through breaths, be accepting of anger, frustration, and fear with our kidsBut we, as parents, are feeling that as well, Chopra said. The long-term effects of stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of the coronavirus concern Chopra. The mental health of adults and especially children is being affected. These are wisdom traditions which have lasted thousands of years, Chopra said. We tell our kids to take a deep breath in and out, to stop for a moment, we see how they can self-regulate better. Chopra surprises people when she admits that she does not meditate regularly. But she often returns to it when she needs it most. We all get angry and frustrated and need to let things go, she said. But its just when you have a technique... we know how to communicate better, have more empathy and compassion naturally. I'm Armen Kassabian. Brooke Lefferts from Associated Press reported this story. Armen Kassabian adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story animated adj. produced by a series of drawings or pictures that appear to be moving; made into a cartoon consultant n. an advisor streaming v. playing continuously as data is sent over the internet frustration n. a feeling of displeasure, unhappiness or anger because you are not able to do what you would like to do self-regulate v. to control oneself empathy n. the ability to share someones feelings meditation n. spending quiet time in thought lesson n. something learned through experience alternative adj. not traditional or usual incredible adj. very good, difficult to believe How do you manage anxiety and stress during isolation? What advice can you give to children and parents who may be stressed out? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. One Lake Charles, La., woman credits the power of social media in getting one step closer to having her hurricane-damaged home repaired after weeks of roadblocks with her insurance claim. Tara Parks recently posted several videos on the social media app TikTok. She told more than 80,000 followers about her insurance companys refusal to acknowledge the extent of damages Hurricane Laura caused to her home. Knowing I had a platform, I thought it was worth a shot, Parks, 33, said. One video has nearly 600,000 views. Parks followers eventually shared her TikTok videos on the insurance companies Facebook pages. Strangers were sharing it, she said. The fact that so many people who arent from Louisiana care when its not affecting them, I was very grateful for that. It really got the word out. Less than a week after the videos were posted, Parks said the adjusting firm called her, asking what could be done to make her home liveable again. Parks purchased her first home May 1, 2020, and was living there with her four children and her fiance, Joseph. Hurricane Laura struck Southwest Louisiana Aug. 27 as a powerful Category 4 storm, causing widespread damage throughout the region. Parks said a tree fell onto her home, damaging parts of the roof structure. Since the storm, her family has been living in a rent home in Sulphur. Its cramped, she said. Its very stressful. Parks said her insurance company had a local restoration company assess the home two weeks after Laura hit. The report indicated roof damage that caused water intrusion in all of the walls. Gutting the home and doing water mitigation work would cost more than $41,000. Parks said her insurance company claimed the assessment was bogus. The desk adjuster said, Were not going to accept that,' she said. Parks said her contractor also found clear signs of water in the walls that had come in through the damaged roof. The insurance companys initial payouts to Parks, totaling just over $28,000, were supposed to pay for other repairs, such as replacing a covered back porch and damaged shed, along with a new fence. Instead, it was spent on gutting the home and structural repairs. That didnt leave any money for a new roof, she said. Four months after Laura hit, Parks said the insurance company hired its own engineering firm to get a second opinion on the damage assessment. We were thinking the engineer would show what we already knew, Parks said of the damage. Conditions had changed in the months since Lauras landfall. The homes air conditioner was now running. Drier, cooler weather would affect a second assessment of water damage. Parks was stunned when the engineers report said gutting the home wasnt warranted and claimed the homes framing and walls were in good shape. Based on those findings, the insurance company offered a $5,622 payout for Laura, and a $2,411 payout for Hurricane Delta, a Category 2 storm that hit Southwest Louisiana Oct. 9. This is not going to replace my walls or floors, Parks said. Obviously, I was very upset. Parks frustration led her to post the videos on TikTok and shed light on the challenges Southwest Louisiana residents are facing with their insurance claims. Thats the case for a lot of people, she said. Parks already knew how many people could be reached through her social media. One TikTok video she posted in August was viewed more than 2 million times. Im fortunate to have a social platform, but what about everyone who doesnt, she asked. Parks said she had two attorneys on standby in case the insurance company didnt respond. Thats what they push people to, she said. You either have to accept what they give you or go through the process of suing. It shouldnt be that way. She advised residents who are dealing with the same issues to be resilient, whether through sharing their stories on social media or talking to an attorney. Youre going to get to a point where you cant fight anymore and you accept what the insurance company thinks youre going to deserve, Parks said. Keep fighting and keep pressing. Social media is taking a big place in this whole ordeal. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Claims Louisiana Windstorm As of Monday morning, between 85 and 90 people had been arrested in total for Wednesday's riot in DC But as many as 10,000 are thought to have taken part and the vast majority of them walked free Now, the FBI, Capitol Police, DC Metro Police and Justice Department have all launched investigations People are being arrested all over the country with a view to extraditing them back to DC to face charges Among them is the man who put his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk and the man who stole Pelosi's Lectern The Secretary of the Army says 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened; none of those suspects have been named and no other information has been given Those who have been caught so far have been charged with guns offenses, unlawful entry, making threats, disorderly conduct and assault None has been charged with murder; four rioters died, one cop died and a second cop committed suicide afterwards Fewer than 100 people are believed to have been arrested in connection with Wednesday's MAGA riot and police are now scrambling to catch up with the many who got away thanks to the outnumbered Capitol Police letting them all walk free from the scene. Some 85 people have been arrested and 55 have been charged in total across different jurisdictions but many of the indictments have not been made public. ADVERTISEMENT There are ongoing investigations by the Capitol Police, FBI, DC Metropolitan Police. The Department of Justice is assisting them all. The Secretary of the Army also revealed on Sunday that 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened. Because of the scale of the operation, hundreds of agents and cops are being deployed to track down the rioters who got away. It is being described as an 'unprecedented' effort that was hindered from the start because the vast majority of the rioters were able to leave Washington DC last week without being arrested and have now scattered back to their various home states across the country. On Friday, the Department of Justice released information on 13 of the people they had charged to date. Since then, some of the more prolific culprits - like QAnon Shaman Jake Angeli, who stormed the Capitol wearing a horned furry hat - and stay-at-home father Adam Johnson, 36, who stole Nancy Pelosi's lectern - have also been taken into custody. Multiple others have been named as persons of interest but they haven't yet been tracked down, including one man who is reportedly in hiding after being linked to the riots. At least two cops are also under suspicion of having some role in the riots, including an NYPD officer. It's almost an impossibility that the many thousands who stormed the Capitol will all be caught. Those who have been arrested and charged face prosecution for an array of offences including unlawful entry, firearms possession, assault and making threats. ADVERTISEMENT No one has been charged with murder. Four rioters died in the chaos, as did one cop who collapsed after allegedly being hit over the head with a fire extinguisher. A second cop killed himself days later. Among those who have been arrested or connected to the riot so far are; Bradley Rukstales, Chicago CEO of suburban tech company Brad Rukstales heads up Chicago-based data analytics firm Cogensia Rukstales issued a groveling apology after being charged by the Department of Justice along with 12 others in a sweeping indictment. He said it was the 'single worst decision of my life'. He was fired from the company he worked for - Consegnia - who said his actions did not align with their stance as a company. 'This decision was made because Rukstales actions were inconsistent with the core values of Cogensia. Cogensia condemns what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and we intend to continue to embrace the values of integrity, diversity and transparency in our business operations, and expect all employees to embrace those values as well,' said Joel Schiltz, who was promoted from senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer to acting CEO after Rukstales was fired. Proud Boys leader who took a selfie smoking inside the Capitol Proud Boys leader Nicholas Ochs who shared an image of himself smoking while inside the Capitol last week, was arrested in Hawaii Nicholas R. Ochs was arrested in Hawaii. He claimed that he took part in the MAGA raid as a 'professional journalist'. Shortly after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday, Ochs shared the photo of himself smoking with another man. 'Hello from the Capital[sic] lol,' the caption reads. ADVERTISEMENT Ochs was arrested Thursday evening after he landed at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Before his arrest, he boasted to CNN about breaking in: 'We didnt have to break in, I just walked in and filmed. 'There were thousands of people in there they had no control of the situation. 'I didnt get stopped or questioned.' On Friday, the Justice Department unsealed a criminal complaint against Ochs, charging him with unlawful entry into restricted buildings or grounds. His initial appearance will be in federal court in Honolulu. A lawyer for Ochs could not be identified. According to court filings, the government will seek his removal to the District of Columbia to face this charge. Unhinged retired Texas cop who took cable ties onto the floor of the Senate and was turned in by his ex-wife Retired Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock Jr., 53 Retired Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock Jr., 53, was among the violent mob of Trump supporters who stormed the US Capitol Wednesday in a riot that left five including one police officer dead. The father-of-three, who now lives in Dallas, was pictured on the Senate floor Wednesday after the group had broken through barricades, pushed back law enforcement and sent lawmakers fleeing for safety. Images show him wearing a combat helmet, body armor and a vinyl tag with the Punisher skull on - a symbol adopted by white supremacists and believers of conspiracy theory QAnon. He carried zip-tie handcuffs and appeared to be speaking with fellow rioters, several of which were dressed in MAGA caps. He was arrested Sunday in Texas and charged with knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, according to the Justice Department. Brock's family members and a former Air Force comrade have painted a concerning picture of the veteran - one of a man who has become increasingly radical and been influenced by white supremacy in recent years. 'Torch got all in on Trump. He went all in on the alternative-news-source world,' said Leake. 'He actually believes liberals and Democrats are a threat to the country. You can see how the logical conclusion to that is, "We've gotta take over",' one former colleague said. Trump fan who also went to Charlottesville rally in 2017 Douglas Sweet, asked if he regretted being there, replied: 'From our actions, come reaction' Click here to resize this module Douglas Sweet from Hudgins, Virginia, was held in jail for eight hours and then released. He told WKTR he traveled to Washington because 'Trump asked all the patriots to show up, so I did.' He said: 'I didn't go with any malice or intention of malice of those that committed those the fights - the tear gas and just, you know, throwing stuff at police. 'That wasn't in my game plan at all.' Asked if he has any regret, being involved in a riot where four people died, Sweet said: 'From our actions, come reaction.' Sweet had also attended the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, his daughter, Robyn Sweet, told BuzzFeed News on Thursday. Doug Jensen, 41, led mob that charged at cop Eugene Goodman Jensen from Des Moines, Iowa, was filmed leading the mob that chased officer Eugene Goodman up a flight of stairs at the Capitol. He was booked into the Polk County Jail early Saturday on five federal charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct counts, according to news releases from the FBIs field office in Omaha, Nebraska and the county sheriffs office. Sgt. Ryan Evans of the county sheriffs office said Jensen was being held without bond and that he didnt know if he had an attorney. Doug Jensen was arrested on Saturday, having led the mob against Eugene Goodman He was booked into the Polk County Jail early Saturday on five federal charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct counts, according to news releases from the FBIs field office in Omaha, Nebraska and the county sheriffs office. In a seven-second, expletive-laced TikTok video posted Thursday under the username @dougjensen, a man who appears to be Jensen suggests hes being made a poster boy for what happened and ends by saying, 'Dont believe the news.' Video posted online during the storming of the Capitol on Wednesday showed a man who appears to be Jensen, who is white, pursuing a Black officer up an interior flight of stairs. A mob of people trails several steps behind. At several points, the officer says get back, to no avail. The rioting has raised serious questions about security at the Capitol and the treatment of the mainly white mob compared to the often aggressive tactics used last year at protests over the killings or shootings of Black people by police. Richard Barnett, 60, who put his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk Barnett has been charged for breaking into Pelosi's office. The self-proclaimed White Nationalist boasted about it afterwards. He even left a threatening note on Pelosi's desk which read 'we will not back down'. Barnett, 60, left the Capitol unstopped. He was eventually arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he is from. Richard Barnett, 60, who put his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk. knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison Richard Barnett, 60, who put his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk. knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison He has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Jake Angeli Chansley aka QAnon Shaman, 33, who was living at home with his mom Jacob Angeli Chansley was arrested on Saturday in connection with the riot. Jacob Angeli Chansley was arrested on Saturday in connection with the riot. His mugshot has not been released He was one of the stand-outs from the insurrection because of his outlandish outfit. He has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. DailyMail.com tracked Chansley down last week to his mother's home in Arizona. He was photographed over the weekend without any of his rioting gear. The 33-year-old has no job and, say neighbors, is often seen wandering the streets near her $199,000 Glendale home dressed in his horned shaman get-up. Another neighbor, who asked not to be named, said he often sees Chansley dancing on the roof of his mothers home describing it as bizarre. Adam Johnson, 36, stay-at-home dad who took Pelosi's lectern Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. Johnson, a psychology graduate turned furniture maker from Bradenton, Florida, was seen parading through the Capitol on Wednesday with Pelosi's lectern. Johnson is a stay-at-home dad to five children; his wife is a doctor, according to The Bradenton Herald. He has previously faced possession of marijuana and violation of probation charges, the paper reports. Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. The Parrish, Florida, resident's charges are pending Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. The Parrish, Florida, resident's charges are pending Photos on his now-deleted social media accounts show him posing next to a sign reading 'closed to all tours' inside the building. Johnson, who was pictured inside the Capitol making off with a lectern, appears to have removed his social media platforms in the aftermath of the siege. Court documents reveal that the FBI consulted with members of the Speaker's staff to determine that the lectern was stored in the Speaker's Suite, located under a staircase to the third floor on the House side of the building. The lectern was found on January 7 by a member of the Senate staff in the Red corridor of the Senate wing off the Rotunda in the Capitol building. It is worth more than $1,000, according to the House of Representatives' curator. West Virginia Delegate who filmed himself inside the Capitol West Virginia Delegate Derrick Evans was was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds. Evans was taken into custody Friday. He was shown leaving court in a grey sweatsuit. West Virginia delegate Derrick Evans was charged on Friday. He is shown left, in a Facebook live from the riot, and right, leaving court West Virginia Republican state Del. Derrick Evans exits the Sidney L. Christie U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building after being arraigned, Friday He broadcast his participation in a Facebook Live video he took of himself as he entered the Capitol building during the riots, shouting: 'We're in! We're in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!' He was among those charged on Friday. Nashville bartender who brought zip ties to the Senate pictured in the Senate chamber on Wednesday clad in military-style clothing who went with his MOTHER Eric Munchel has been named as the man pictured with a bundle of flex-cuffs. He told The Times of London that both he and his mother wore bullet proof vests. 'We wanted to show that were willing to rise up, band together and fight if necessary. Same as our forefathers, who established this country in 1776. It was a kind of flexing of muscles.' Munchel, 30, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. It carries a one year prison sentence. Eric Munchel has been named as the man pictured with a bundle of flex-cuffs Eric Munchel MAGA RIOTERS MAY CLAIM TRUMP TOLD THEM TO ACT OUT AS DEFENSE Some of the Trump MAGA rioters may use what is known as a public authority defense to try to get out of jail sentences if and when they are caught. According to opinion writers for The Washington Post, they may argue under the defense that because Trump whipped them up into a frenzy at the rally beforehand. It has been used in the past by a convicted felon who argued that a guns dealer told him he was allowed to have the weapon when he wasn't. The felon used it as a defense. NOT PICTURED BUT CHARGED Lonnie Coffman, 70 Possession of an unregistered firearm and carrying without a license. He had 11 Molotov cocktails in his truck. Michael Curzio Charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. Mark Leffingwell Charged with entering a restricted building and punching a cop Christopher Alberts Charged with carrying a 9mm handgun into the riot Joshua Pruitt Charged with entering restricted building Matthew Council Charged with entering restricted building and disorderly conduct Cindy Fitchett Charged with entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct and violent entry Terry Brown Charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct Thomas Gallagher Charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct NOT CHARGED BUT LINKED TO THE RIOTS Virginia welder who wore Camp Auschwitz sweater Robert Keith Packer, the Virginia welder wearing an anti-Semitic sweater Robert Keith Packer is among the most despised members of the mob. He wore a sweater with the words Camp Auschwitz and 'Work brings freedom' which is a known translation of a Nazi German phrase about prisoners in concentration camps. Shockingly, he has not yet been arrested despite being identified yesterday by the public. His neighbors in Virginia told CNN he was a known extremist with a long criminal record. 'He's been always extreme and very vocal about his beliefs,' the source said. His criminal record includes a conviction for forgery. It's unclear why he has not yet been arrested. Stop the Steal organizer now 'in hiding' Ali Alexander is in hiding and has had his Twitter account suspended after being connected to the riot on Wednesday The Daily Beast reports that Ali Alexander is in hiding and has had his Twitter account suspended after being connected to the riot on Wednesday. The Beast reports that he, on December 19, said his group wasn't violent 'yet'. 'One of our organizers in one state said, "Were nice patriots, we dont throw bricks." 'I leaned over and I said, "Not yet. Not yet!" Havent you read about a little tar-and-feathering? Those were second-degree burns!' He is a convicted felon who previously admitted property theft and credit card fraud in 2007 and 2008 respectively. He previously tweeted that Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was 'not American Black'. The post was retweeted by Donald Trump Jr. As of Monday morning, he had not been named by any law enforcement agency as among those charged in connection with the riot last week. MTA worker suspended after being recognized by his boss Metro North employee Will Pepe, 31 was suspended by his boss Will Pepe who worked at Metro-North's Brewster rail yard in upstate New York is now being investigated by the FBI who are looking into what role he played during the rally. Pepe, 31, from Beacon, New York, had been with the MTA for seven years earning $74,000-a-year but decided to call out sick to head to the event which in itself is a 'false use of sick leave'. He has now been suspended as the agency looks to fire him in the coming days. 'Effective immediately this individual has been suspended from Metro-North without pay and will be disciplined in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement pending an investigation,' said MTA spokesman Ken Lovett in a statement. 'This alleged conduct is abhorrent and goes against the values of Metro-North, New York and the nation.' 'We had no knowledge of this individual's participation in the events of that day, and we are disappointed that anyone would engage in that type of conduct,' said Dean Davita, a rep for Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Rocky Mount Police Sgt. T.J. Robertson and Officer Jacob Fracker were pictured in front of a statue of John Stark. Cops including one from NYPD two off-duty North Carolina officers who posed for a Facebook photo inside the Capitol but say they did nothing wrong An unidentified NYPD cop has been linked to the riots. 'There is one investigation that is active on one member,' Commissioner Demot Shea told NY1 on Monday morning. 'There is no name yet released because we dont know if its true or not. But I can tell you anyone committing crimes certainly would have a very short shelf life with the NYPD.' Rocky Mount Police Sgt. T.J. Robertson and Officer Jacob Fracker were pictured in front of a statue of John Stark. The image circulated on Facebook over the weekend, then Fracker defended it in a now-deleted post. The pair were off-duty and say they did not engage in any violent activity. The police force they work for contacted the FBI. ADVERTISEMENT It's unclear if either has faced any disciplinary action. Dianne Feagans Wilbourn, 68, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 after a courageous battle against COVID pneumonia. Chattanooga has always been Diannes home. She was a graduate of Red Bank High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and an active member of the North River Church of Christian and Missionary Alliance. Dianne was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She proudly attended every performance, game, match, and competition involving one of her children or grandchildren. Her family was her pride and joy. Dianne loved camping and beach vacations with her children and spending holidays and special occasions with extended family. Her smile and laugh always filled her familys hearts with joy! She was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Fannie Feagans; in-laws Frank and Ollie Mae Wilbourn; her loving husband of 37 years, Dana Wilbourn; brother and sister-in-law, Dub and Barbara Feagans, and brother-in-law Calvin Wilbourn. Dianne is survived by her son, Bryan Wilbourn (Jordan) of Chattanooga; daughter, Emily Fernandes (Diego) of Ringgold, GA; siblings, Gene Wilbourn and Larry Wilbourn; grandchildren, Gabriela and Noah Fernandes, Gracey and Lola Wilbourn; and several nieces and nephews. The family expresses our sincerest gratitude for all of the prayers, compassion, and love that family and friends from around the world have poured over Dianne, Bryan, and Emily during this most difficult season. A funeral service to commemorate Diannes life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Hamilton Funeral Home with Pastor Daune Mabee officiating. Interment will follow the ceremony at Chattanooga Memorial Park. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. prior to the Chapel service at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the North River Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, 5954 Highway 153, Hixson, Tennessee 37343. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services; 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343. 423-531-3975. SPRINGFIELD State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, on Monday called for the resignation of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affair director in the wake of the fatal outbreak at the state-run LaSalle Veterans Home. Plummer said IDVA Director Chapa LaVia should resign immediately and take responsibility for her role in the COVID-19 related deaths at the facility. Early Saturday morning, James Bynum, one of the last two surviving Tuskegee Airmen in San Antonio, donned the traditional wear of the local chapter that honors the famed units legacy. He dressed in blue pants, neatly pressed white shirt, tie, shiny black shoes, maroon jacket and his Tuskegee Airmen ball cap. His stepdaughter Dolly Adams-Willis had told him he needed to get dressed for a photograph at his Northwest Side assisted living residence, and he wanted to be ready. When the retired Air Force senior master sergeant reached the opened main door, familiar drumbeats welcomed his arrival. His face lit up as he saw a parade led by the Warren High School JROTC and band members bearing banners and flags come marching past the center. He heard the drum line play the booming beats he liked to hear while sitting on the porch of his old house near the school on the Northwest Side. Who is this for? he asked, surrounded by residence staff. This is for you, Adams-Willis said, smiling at her fathers delighted surprise. On ExpressNews.com: Mystery Good Samaritan surprises neighbors with hidden gifts throughout North San Antonio neighborhood The festive sights, sounds and lights were honoring Bynum on his 100th birthday and recognized him as one of the Tuskegee Airmen survivors. Dr. Eugene Derricotte is San Antonios other surviving Tuskegee Airman. More than 100 vehicles made up the hourlong procession led by the Warren High School students, the San Antonio police motorcycle unit and a fire engine from the San Antonio Fire Department. Motorcyclists from the Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers roared by. Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert was grand marshal of the celebration. The parade was a part of DreamWeek, a 10-day summit that features hundreds of events celebrating achievements and civic engagement. Valerie Sisk, principal of Warren High School, said participating students did research to learn more about the first Black pilots who fought during World War II, when the military was segregated. They were in awe, Sisk said. The extension of the invitation opened their eyes a little more. This was very thoughtful, and the timing couldnt be more perfect. On ExpressNews.com: Youngster and older San Antonio neighbors maintain friendship by way of window in backyard fence Bynums stepdaughter and the San Antonio Chapter-Tuskegee Airmen Inc., of which Bynum is a member, conferred for three months over Zoom meetings to plan the event. The chapter is a nonprofit comprised of members who help preserve the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. See More Collapse It was heartwarming, exciting and a blessing for them to honor someone who gave 31 years of service to the military, Adams-Willis said. And for the Tuskegee Airmen to be there, it was amazing. According to the Tuskegee Airmen website, the pilots flew more than 1,200 missions. The airmen escorted Allied bombers on long-range missions over Nazi Germany. They were known as the Red Tails, after pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group painted the tails of their P-47s and later P-51s red. The Tuskegee Airmen were not only pilots, but support personnel who included instructors and mechanics, said local chapter president Rick Sinkfield. Bynum, a highly respected administrator, once worked for Air Force Gen. Daniel Chappie James Jr. after World War II. Because of his acumen, James chose him to work with him at Lockbourne AFB, outside Columbus, Ohio, where Tuskegee Airmen were stationed after the war. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, who was commander of the group in World War II, was the base commander. Davis was the first African American promoted to general in the Air Force. On ExpressNews.com: Skycap Herb from the Curb brightens days Sinkfield, 71, said Bynum is a revered member of the organization. He said Bynum has a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal that President George W. Bush awarded to surviving members in 2007 at the U.S. Capitol. They fought honorably and did well in the fight, Sinkfield said. They opened the door for a lot of African Americans. It was the birth of the civil rights movement. The work that they did and achieved broke down the attitudes that African Americans were second-class citizens, and thats not the case at all. It pushed the movement forward and President Truman to create executive order 9981 that eliminated segregation in the military. Sinkfield said the military was key in moving American culture to embrace all races, a legacy, he said, shared with the Tuskegee Airmen. After the last vehicle was out of sight, guests lingered to offer Bynum a friendly word or a fist bump. Before he retired to his room, the Tuskegee Airman had a request he wanted the band to play one more song, like the ones he once heard sitting on his porch. It made the kids feel like they were very special, Principal Sisk said. This was rich in history for the students, and they were able to learn that history. vtdavis@express-news.net Bamako, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :West African envoys landed in Mali for talks on the country's transition to civilian rule Monday, amid concerns over the slow pace of reforms and the army's role in government. The mediator for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, arrived in the Sahel state's capital Bamako, an airport official confirmed, for two days of meetings with political and civil-society figures. He was accompanied by ECOWAS President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and the Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, according to the same official. Their visit comes amid increasing questions over the post-coup government's ability to reform the constitution and stage elections within roughly a year, all while tackling the country's brutal jihadist insurgency. Army officers ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18, after weeks of protests fuelled by frustrations over his failure to tackle the eight-year conflict, as well as perceived corruption. In response, ECOWAS quickly levied a trade and financial embargo on Mali, a poor nation of some 19 million people. The 15-nation bloc only lifted the sanctions after the military junta on October 5 handed power to a caretaker civilian government, which is meant to rule for 18 months before staging democratic elections. The junta had initially pushed for the interim government to last for three years. Figures with army links have retained strong influence over Mali's government, however, raising questions about the military's role. Coup leader Assimi Goita was appointed interim vice president, for example. And the interim president, Bah Ndaw -- a civilian -- was an army officer before retiring from the military. Ndaw nonetheless pledged on December 31 to return Mali to civilian rule on schedule. Goodluck Jonathan is expected to meet both Ndaw and Goita during his visit, according to a programme published by ECOWAS. Developer: Fengate Asset Management (Fengate) and Gilbane Development Company Design-Build Contractor: Gilbane Building Company Designer & Architect of Record: Stantec Services Provider: Honeywell International Inc. Formally known as the Blueprint Schools, the agreement between PGCPS and the lead member of PGCECP was finalized in mid-December. The project, an innovative approach to address aging facilities, will create six new schools by July 2023. Through the initiative that supports approximately 8,000 students, PGCECP will design, build, finance and maintain the new Drew-Freeman, Hyattsville, Kenmoor and Walker Mill Middle Schools, as well as a new middle school and K-8 school in the Adelphi and southern areas of the county. This pioneering delivery approach is the first of its kind for a U.S. public school system and is designed to build new schools faster, cutting the delivery time in half with lower construction costs and preventative maintenance. Following commercial and financial close, PGCPS and PGCECP together announced the creation of a $1 million endowed fund supporting scholarships, student internships, mentoring opportunities and apprenticeships valued at $4.7 million, as part of the school system's Alternative Construction Finance Program. Other community benefits include the guaranteed procurement of at least 30 percent of total eligible costs of the program to minority-owned businesses, community-based enterprises and community-based small businesses that will serve as a much-needed economic stimulus. In addition, approximately $174 million in savings is expected in deferred maintenance and construction costs, compared to a traditional construction procurement model. "It is vital that we continuously invest in our students' future and today's announcement will allow us to do just that," said Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer. "Throughout this process, Prince George's County Public Schools has remained committed to our goal of supporting our students at every stage of their educational experience, ensuring they have every tool needed for success. We cannot afford to wait another 10 years to provide our students, teachers and communities with new state-of-the-art facilities. I look forward to working with Prince George's County Education & Community Partners to complete an investment that is long overdue." "We are pleased to have reached commercial and financial close on this critical project and to be a part of the new scholarship, internships and apprenticeships program announced today," said Mac Bell, Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments, Fengate. "We are honored to partner with PGCPS to deliver this much-needed infrastructure for Prince George's County and its students, and we are committed to ensuring the benefits of this project extend beyond the buildings, in support of student development and community businesses through the endowment fund and work and training opportunities." "This is an important step toward realizing new critical school improvements for Prince George's County while offering new educational resources to support its students," said Darin Early, Managing Director, Public Private Partnerships, Gilbane Development Company and Principal-in-Charge, Prince George's County Education & Community Partners. "Gilbane Development Company and Gilbane Building Company are honored to be a part of this innovative partnership that will modernize schools for 8,000 students while driving local participation and apprenticeship opportunities, and boosting economic inclusion." "Having built schools in the state of Maryland for more than 25 years, we know how transformational they can be to a community and we look forward to this impactful collaboration with Prince George's County Public Schools," said Paul J. Choquette, III, Executive Vice President, Gilbane Building Company. "Our partnership will support economic inclusion for the county while we build vital new schools for the community." "This critical milestone allows us to now focus on the design and construction of education spaces that will meet the growing needs of the community," said Laura Sachtleben, Education Sector Leader for Stantec. "We are honored to be designing these new schools which will offer innovative learning environments through small and large group instruction and peer-to-peer engagement while helping students discover their skills and interests." "Honeywell is proud to be a part of this effort to not only create and service new schools but also build learning opportunities in the Prince George's County community," said Keith Fisher, vice president and general manager of Services for Honeywell Building Technologies. "As the services partner for this effort, we understand the unique needs of the education sector and the need to keep buildings in prime condition to foster and enhance the learning environment." For additional details, please visit https://www.pgcps.org/newsroom. For more information on the PGCPS Blueprint Schools initiative, visit pgcpsblueprintschools.com. About Fengate Fengate is a leading alternative investment manager focused on infrastructure, private equity and real estate strategies. With offices in Toronto and Oakville, Ontario, and Houston, Texas, Fengate is one of the most active real asset investors in North America and the firm has been investing in and developing public-private partnerships and infrastructure across North America since 2006. Learn more at www.fengate.com About Gilbane Gilbane, Inc., a private holding company marking its 150th year in business, is one of the oldest and largest family-owned construction, investment and real estate development firms in the world. Gilbane Development Company is the project development, financing and ownership arm of Gilbane, providing a full slate of real estate development and property management services. Gilbane Building Company is a full-service construction services firm providing preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services on some of the nation's most complex projects. Gilbane's Public Private Partnership Group has delivered or has underway more than $3 billion in P3 projects for healthcare, higher education, K-12 schools, and federal/state/municipal clients. To learn more, visit www.gilbaneco.com . About Stantec Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind. We care about the communities we servebecause they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success. We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe. Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at www.stantec.com or find us on social media. About Honeywell Honeywell ( www.honeywell.com ) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom . SOURCE Fengate Asset Management Queensland billionaire Clive Palmer has pledged not to spend one dollar on the upcoming WA election while launching an extraordinary spray aimed at Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup. Mr Palmer released a statement on Monday saying West Australians would be better off voting for Labor instead of Mr Kirkup, who lacked experience and was "caught crying when he was elected Liberal leader". Queensland billionaire Clive Palmer has penned an extraordinary salvo against WA opposition leader Zak Kirkup. Credit:WAtoday The statement came after Mr Kirkup went on 96FM on Monday morning and said he was glad Mr Palmer had ruled himself out of the election over the weekend. "We're not going to take any of his donations or support," Mr Kirkup said. Seoul, Jan 11 : South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday that his government can hold a dialogue with North Korea anytime, anywhere and even in a contactless way. "Our willingness to meet at anytime and any place and to hold dialogue even in a contactless way has not been unchanged," Moon said in a nationally televised New Year's speech. Moon said the main power of the Korean Peninsula peace process is dialogue, coexistence and cooperation, hoping to open a way for peace and coexistence in the process of addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency. He proposed to North Korea joining a regional dialogue for anti-epidemic, healthcare cooperation in Asia, saying inter-Korean cooperation to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak could expand into a cooperation in dealing with other safety issues such as the infectious disease of domestic animals and the natural disaster. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the two Koreas becoming members of the UN simultaneously, Moon pointed out. The two sides should "join hands to prove that peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula are helpful to the international community as well," he said. "It's our duty to pass on a Korean Peninsula of peace without war and nuclear weapons to our descendants," Yonhap News Agency quoted the President as saying. He also said his government will strengthen the Seoul-Washington alliance after US President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President on January 20. Moon vowed to make a "last-ditch effort" to pull off a "great transition" in the stalled North Korea-US dialogue. Americans agree that we should judge others by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, and that should also apply to promotions and raises. Almost 85 percent of whites think their employer should strive for ethnic diversity, according to a new study. Other research estimates 98 percent of U.S. employers run diversity and inclusion programs to fight racism and discrimination. Most people say they really want our nation to live up to the founders promise of equal opportunity. But while we talk the talk, rarely do we walk the walk. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Ending racism would add trillions to US economy Jamillah Bowman Williams, who teaches law at Georgetown University, and sociologist Jonathan Cox from the University of Central Florida, surveyed 311 mostly white adults to understand their views on race, diversity and workplace decision-making. The professors hoped to square the circle of how racial disparities persist even while almost everyone denounces them. Study after study has shown that hiring managers routinely pass over applicants with ethnic-sounding names. Whites are twice as likely to get a job offer as an equally-qualified Black person. One study found that recommendations only helped Blacks if the referrer was white. Blacks and Latinos with a clean criminal record fare no better than, or are even less likely to be hired, than whites just released from prison, one study found. These are persistent, hard-to-explain facts. Even if a minority member gets a job, they have a very different experience in the position. One set of researchers visited five law firms and circulated the same memo with 22 deliberate errors to 60 partners. Half were told the author was Black, while the rest were told he was white. The researchers asked the attorneys to rate the memo on a scale of 1 to 5. Those who received the white attorneys memo gave it an average score of 4.1. The partners who were told the author was Black gave it a 3.2. Despite so many clever studies demonstrating unconscious bias, many Americans insist they are color-blind. I cannot count the number of bosses who have said to me they dont care if someone is white, black, brown, yellow, red or blue; they just want the best person for the job. Our subconscious, though, makes that impossible. In most cases, the best person for the job turns out to be the white candidate even when the minority is demonstrably superior. Color always counts, especially when people claim it doesnt. Social scientists have found that while self-proclaimed color-blind people vociferously oppose racism, they also blame racial inequities on individual inadequacies. Somehow the non-white person never measures up. Researchers call this abstract liberalism. Individuals who frame their views of workplace diversity using abstract liberalism are more likely to believe Blacks are responsible for their own poor outcomes in the workplace and less likely to recommend a Black male job candidate for promotion as compared to those who acknowledge the existence of discrimination, Williams and Cox found in their survey. A Pew Research poll showed that about 54 percent of whites and 48 percent of Hispanics declare they are color-blind. On the other side are those who see color and acknowledge discrimination. People are more likely to support diversity programs when they acknowledge the existence of racism and discrimination that perpetuates unequal opportunity, the authors wrote. However, even when individuals both acknowledge racism and value diversity (e.g. saying diversity is an important goal), it does not necessarily mean they will act to take meaningful steps to include Black people in the workplace, they added. When given a scenario where a Black candidate clearly suffered racial discrimination, most whites said they would not do anything about it. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Texas executive tackles nationwide, systemic racism in asset management for SEC Acknowledging the existence of racism, particularly structural forms that impact spaces like the workplace, has become somewhat of a trendy thing to do, the paper reports. This trendiness allows whites in particular to reap the benefits of superficial recognition of racism and white advantage-they signal wokeness but can avoid any real responsibility for enacting changes. Williams and Cox acknowledge that this behavior is a completely subconscious process for some. But that is cold comfort to the people of color who suffer the consequences. U.S. corporations are spending tens of billions of dollars on diversity and inclusion programs to defeat workplace bias. But these programs show mixed results. The only action proven to work is integration; companies need more people of color in the workplace if they want to fight discrimination. Defeating generations of subconscious learning is difficult and necessarily uncomfortable. But most of all, it takes courage to call out racism when you see it, even when it works to your advantage. Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy. twitter.com/cltomlinson chris.tomlinson@chron.com Salmon crowd a river in Washington State in the US as they swim upstream to spawn. Credit: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock Greater London is crisscrossed by 14,800km of public roads, each with an average width of 8m. This network accounts for 8% of the metropolitan area, and motorways and A-roads alone cross the Thames and its tributaries at least 400 times. A similar picture is seen in cities across the world. You've heard of, and maybe seen, hedgehogs and deer meeting sticky ends while trying to traverse the tarmac labyrinth. But fish need to cross roads too. Where roads cross small riversand they do, hidden underfoot, a lot more than you realizeyou get structures like culverts. These are tunnels installed under roads and rail lines which are supposed to help the rivers flowing underneath stay connected. But culverts, like dams and weirs, can limit the movement of water, nutrients and species in the rivers they conceal. Globally, the numbers of monitored migratory fish species have declined by an average of 76% since 1970. Culverts have contributed to this by disrupting the access of these species to food and spawning areas. Poorly installed, aging, damaged, and "perched" culverts that form mini waterfalls on the downstream side of the structure modify water flows and prevent fishes from migrating up and downstream. But this is not the only effect that roads have on rivers. Roads carrying high volumes of traffic are also sources of toxic chemicals, which can run off tarmac and into nearby streams. Combined, culverts and chemicals create unhealthy environments that migratory fishes cannot avoid. Migratory fish can struggle to pass through culverts with raised outflows. Credit: Maximillian cabinet/Shutterstock That's not a roundabout, it's a trap Like London, many of the world's largest cities are nestled at river mouthsthe first ports of call for migratory fishes. In the UK, Atlantic salmon return to rivers from the sea to spawn as adults, while European eels return to the same waters to feed as they grow from juveniles to adults. So salmon and eels both need to make it upstream and back again to the sea, navigating these large cities with their heavily trafficked roads to complete their lifecycles. In the US city of Seattle in the 1990s, the habitats of some urban rivers were restored and culverts that had acted as barriers to migratory fish were removed. Despite this positive change, it was subsequently found that within these rivers, up to 90% of Coho salmon migrating upstream to spawn would suddenly die after rainstorms. Scientists determined that the deaths were related to the density of roads and high traffic volumes, but it wasn't enough to pinpoint the exact cause. It wasn't until 2020, more than two decades later, that scientists discovered Coho salmon were dying en masse from exposure to a toxic chemical called 6PPD-quinone, which leaches from tire particles that wash into streams. The researchers believe this compound is probably found on busy roads globally. A similar study from 2019 mapped the roads which contribute the most runoff pollution to rivers across Greater London, using the number and types of vehicles that travel on a given road each day and monthly rainfall figures. The hotspots of pollution the researchers were able to map corresponded with river catchments already classified as "poor" or "bad" by a recent EU Water Framework Directive assessment. Roads and water quality in catchments of Greater London. Credit: Stephanie Januchowski-Hartley, Author provided Avoiding the traps Around the world, more roads and higher traffic volumes lower the water quality of urban rivers, increasing deaths among migratory fish species. Modifying or replacing culverts that limit fish movements will only be part of the solution if the toxic chemicals that run off tarmac and into rivers aren't also addressed. In pollution hotspots, this will mean capturing and filtering stormwater before it enters rivers. While much of the concern about cars has focused on air pollution and climate change, it's increasingly clear that shifting to battery-powered alternatives alone won't reverse the impacts that roads and driving have on rivers and the wider environment. Explore further Water and genes flow between the two largest Baltic salmon rivers This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Head of Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries Ismail Demir said on Monday that Russian S-400 missile defense systems are ready to be commissioned in Turkey, the 24TV channel informs. "The S-400 are ready for use, the armed forces will decide when such a need arises," the TV channel quotes Demir as saying. The Presidency of Defense Industries confirmed this report. "Yes, [Ismail Demir] did state this in Ankara today," TASS cited the presidency as saying. Besides, Demir informed that Turkish enterprises continue working on the project of developing US F-35 fighters, despite Washingtons decision to exclude Turkey from this program. Russia and Turkey signed a deal on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ankara in 2017. Turkey was the first NATO state to purchase those systems from Russia. Turkeys decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems caused a sharply negative reaction from the United States and NATO as a whole. The United States is not abandoning its attempts to make Turkey give up the Russian air defense systems. In October 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara was not going to give up the S-400 systems despite the US pressure. He also rejected the threats of sanctions and suggested the United States should finally stop threatening Turkey and try to impose them in reality. As 2020 came to an end, I did the thing I do several times a day. I checked my Instagram. But on this fortuitous evening, one Story stopped me from mindlessly tapping through each of the tiny bubbles above my feed. The post, from one of my internet pals, announced sign-ups for the 1B vaccinations were now being administered through University Health in San Antonio. I, like most Texans, assumed the state would focus on making sure all those eligible under the 1A tier (first responders, those in long-term care institutions) would be inoculated before offering the vaccine to others. Then again, the Lone Star State's Covid-19 response has been...patchy at best. Sure, the state shut down in March, but the minute Governor Greg Abbott deemed it necessary to reopen businesses, he did. That was in May, and now, as Texas rivals California for total cases, we're reaping those results. Relief, economical and emotional, has been scarce. As we watched the disease take the lives of whats now more than 370,000 fellow Americans, I kept a watchful eye on those who were most affected by Covid-19. Those with lingering symptoms who still struggle to this day. When the Pfizer vaccine was approved for emergency use by the Federal Drug Administration this past Dec. 12, and its Moderna counterpart just a few days later, I figured I wouldn't be lining up for it until mid-March at the earliest. Dr. Anthony Fauci himself estimated the public wouldn't have access until early spring. Fast-forward to New years Eve, as I stared at my phone and realized I could possibly get the vaccine a lot sooner than "spring." Per the 1B guidelines for the state, people 65 and older, and those 16 and older with chronic pre-existing conditions are eligible to sign up. Pre-existing conditions run the gamut: cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies, solid organ transplantation, obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. This past Wednesday, I received the first of two doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The process handled by University Health was seamless. There was some mild aching the first night, which snowballed into tenderness the next day, but that was to be expected. What I didn't expect was the guilt that set in. Per my BMI (a system that's archaic at best, and wildly awkward at worst), I'm very much so eligible to receive the vaccines. But what of my parents in the Rio Grande Valley, who are just over 60 and don't qualify yet? Theyre also part of the community affected by the digital divide, and currently dont have access to high-speed internet. What of my sister who works in the service industry and is exposed to far more people than I am? What of the love of my life, and newly minted husband who just barely crosses that BMI threshold? Turns out I wasn't alone in my guilt. After I posted about receiving the first dose, several friends reached out asking about their own family members and how to sign up. Another reached out about whether she qualified due to organ transplantation, but shared the same guilt: "Ugh, Im gonna feel so guilty if I get this thing before my RGV family but that rollout is a damn mess down there." And almost a full year after having to shut down the country, our government doesn't have a cohesive plan (this might be too much to ask of folks too busy whipping up baseless election fraud claims, alongside a fervor in their base that resulted in a coup last Wednesday, but that's neither here, nor there). State governments are filling the gap, and per Texas, the state is opening up priorities in order to get a bulk of the population vaccinated. County and city officials are now tasked with flexing serious event planning muscle, while still providing drive-thru testing sites. As of this writing, San Antonio's Alamodome, Wonderland Mall of the Americas, Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center and the Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior One-Stop Center, as well as some pharmacies, have been tapped as mass vaccination hubs. Making an appointment will take some time. When appointments opened this past Saturday morning, 9,000 vaccine slots for the first week of the Alamodome's vaccine hub were filled in less than 10 minutes. According to the San Antonio Report, 124,000 calls were made to the Southside senior centers; operators were able to answer just over 1,100. With an estimated 60 percent of San Antonians eligible to receive the vaccine under the 1B group, it stands to reason this will take time. So far, I've joined 48,000 people in Bexar County in receiving their first dose, and about 3,000 people have received both doses, DSHS data shows. Days out from my first dose and as I wait for my second, my guilt has given way to determination. Sitting in guilt won't give my loved ones antibodies. Guilt doesn't serve me, action does. The overwhelming demand in San Antonio is encouraging because just this Sunday, the city reported the largest Covid-19 caseload to date. San Antonians are trying to get back to pre-pandemic life sooner rather than later. Guilt won't get 70 percent of Texans vaccinated, pushing our leaders while allowing for some grace, and advocating for a better process will. SALEM Oregon lawmakers gathered at the state Capitol building Monday morning under a heavy police presence, as reelected and newly elected legislators prepared take their oaths of office. Officers and police vehicles were stationed on the Capitol mall early Monday and carefully monitored all vehicles arriving in the area. Police on bicycles also patrolled the area. Demonstrators were expected outside the Capitol but none were in evidence as of mid-morning Monday. Inside the Capitol, a large number of Oregon State Police and troopers monitored entrances to the building and checked the identify of everyone who entered with a key badge. Oregons Capitol has been closed to the public for months in an effort to prevent a coronavirus outbreak, although lawmakers and staffers can enter it and journalists are allowed inside to observe the proceedings. Legislative meetings are streamed and archived online here. The Legislature increased security efforts after violent demonstrators forced their way into the building through a door opened by Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence and later attempted to break in by smashing a door window. Doors with glass windows on the east and west sides of the Capitol have since been replaced with windowless ornate metal doors. Several hundred pro-Trump and other demonstrators also gathered at the Capitol Jan. 6, as Trump supporters were also storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the presidential election result. After that gathering grew violent, police declared it an unlawful assembly. The states five-month session will officially get underway on Jan. 19 but lawmakers expect to spend the first weeks or couple months mostly holding remote public hearings and work sessions on proposed legislation. Hillary Borrud All international travellers, including British nationals, will require a negative coronavirus test from next week onwards to be allowed to enter England and Scotland, the UK government announced. The test will have to be taken up to 72 hours before their departure and failure to comply will result in an immediate fine of 500 pounds ($678), Xinhua news agency quoted a government statement as saying on Friday. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said all inbound passengers arriving by boat, plane or train will have to take a test. "We already have significant measures in place to prevent imported cases of Covid-19, but with new strains of the virus developing internationally we must take further precautions," Shapps said. "Taken together with the existing mandatory self-isolation period for passengers returning from high-risk countries, pre-departure tests will provide a further line of defence, helping us control the virus as we roll out the vaccine at pace over the coming weeks," he said. There will be a limited number of exemptions to the new requirements, including for hauliers, children under 11, crews and for those who travel from countries without the infrastructure available to deliver the tests. There will also be no need for pre-departure testing for arrivals from the Common Travel Area with Ireland. Meanwhile, passengers arriving from countries not on the government's travel corridor list will need to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of their pre-departure test result, according to the government statement. Also Watch: The new rules currently only apply to England and Scotland. The UK Department for Transport is said to be working with the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland to roll out similar measures. On Friday, the country reported 1,162 new coronavirus-related deaths, the highest single-day spike since April 21, 2020. This brought the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 79,965. The UK also recorded another 52,618 coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 2,966,235. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Mark and Patricia McCloskey stand in front of their house holding firearms as activists walk through the gated neighborhood in the Central West End of St. Louis, Mo., on June 28, 2020. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) Missouri Court Rejects St. Louis Prosecutors Appeal in McCloskey Case A Missouri appellate court on Friday rejected St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardners appeal to prosecute lawyer Mark McCloskey. The judges decision upheld a previous ruling in December by Judge Thomas Clark to remove Gardner from prosecuting the case. Clark disqualified Gardner and her office after discovering she had used the case in her campaign fundraising. A spokesperson said Gardner will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court in an effort to reverse the ruling, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Clark said in his Dec. 10 order that the court does not seek to interfere with the democratic process but strongly believes the present circumstances justify disqualification, but that campaigning without tainting the right to a fair trial is equally compelling and constitutionally sacred. The Daily Caller reported that Fridays ruling does not apply to Patricia McCloskey, so the couples attorneys are trying to find a way to make the decision cover both of them. Gardner, a Democrat, featured the case prominently in fundraising emails while campaigning for reelection over the summer. The emails raise an appearance of impropriety and warrant disqualification, according to the judge. In one campaign email Gardner accused President Donald Trump and Republican Gov. Mike Parson of fighting for the two who pointed guns at citizens during the Black Lives Matter protests, according to local TV channel KSDK. Mark and Patricia McCloskey, both lawyers, were charged in June with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony, after brandishing their guns when Black Lives Matter protesters barged into their private neighborhood on their way to the house of Mayor Lyda Krewsons home. The couple pleaded not guilty in October. Gardner charged that waving weapons around violated the law, while the McCloskeys asserted they were in fear for their lives, calling the group of activists a mob and citing violent incidents that had happened at other protests. The case drew nationwide attention. Both Parson and Trump indicated they would pardon the couple if they were convicted. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. One man has been arrested after an incident near The Mall in Armagh city centre where a lorry shed its load of a portable building on Monday afternoon. A man, who was the passenger in a vehicle involved, has been taken to Craigavon Area Hospital by ambulance after the crash on Russell Street, which happened shortly after midday. The ambulance services despatched two emergency crews to the scene as well as the charity air ambulance. Fire crews were also called after the incident. SDLP MLA Justin McNulty thanked the emergency services for their efforts. A lorry has shed its load on the Mall East in Armagh. Air Ambulance, Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Services are at the scene. Praying everyone will be ok and feeling thankful for our brave paramedics and firemen. pic.twitter.com/qD79bopJFV Justin McNulty (@JustinMcNu1ty) January 11, 2021 Police remain at the scene of the crash and The Mall is closed off as police deal with the collision. Drivers are advised to find an alternative route for their journey. In 2021, everyones future is at stake. Cardinal Piat invites all to work for the common good. Vatican News Service In his New Year reflection and wish for the year 2021, the Bishop of Port-Louis in Mauritius, Cardinal Maurice Piat invites all to work towards the common good, listening to the Word of God and promote solidarity. A most trying time in our history Everyones future is at stake. We must be able to listen to each other, to think together, to seek the common good of the country and not only our interests, whether economic or political, Cardinal Piat told the local diocesan weekly La Vie Catholique, over the weekend. The Cardinal stressed that Mauritius was undergoing one of the most difficult times in its history, partly because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our economy is doing badly, and the outlook is not rosy, he explained. It seems urgent to me that women and men of experience and wisdom in this nation, from all walks of life and all communities, meet with the authorities to reflect seriously on how our country can recover, said the Cardinal. The solidarity needs to be sustained Cardinal Piat indicated two ways out of the crisis facing the Island nation: In addition to collaboration between people and the authorities, the other is solidarity, which should be spontaneous and generous, but this must not be as a passing flash; something momentary, but rather lasting over time, he said. To keep the solidarity impulse alive, the Cardinal suggests that the first thing to do is, not to practise solidarity alone, but in a group, to support each other fraternally particularly when the inevitable difficulties arise; evaluating the path travelled and learning from it in order to start again in an increasingly suitable approach. Sharing the Gospel in small communities The second method is that of frequenting the Word of God, which invites us to contemplate how Jesus himself lived solidarity even in the midst of the worst of trials. For this reason, the Bishop of Port-Louis invites Christians to take up or resume the habit of reading the Gospel together, in small groups and communities of friends, neighbours or with colleagues. This apparently simple, unimportant gesture is actually a real source of courage to maintain strong ties, despite the distances caused by the health emergency, he emphasised. A new way of living for Mauritians Looking at the pandemic itself, the Cardinal warned that the new year will certainly not mark the end of this ordeal. However, the lesson to be learnt from this dramatic experience is for us to have understood the great vulnerability of our economy and the fragility of our sources of income. Consequently, to have (also) learnt to live more soberly and to experience at first hand that one can be happy with a simple life. At the same time, Cardinal Piat expressed his appreciation for all the creativity demonstrated by parishes during the pandemic. He praised the close bonds cultivated among the faithful and the many solidarity initiatives, as if the unexpected shock of Covid-19 had awakened the best in many people. The Bishop of Port-Louis hopes that all this will not just be an isolated success, but the beginning of a new way of living, among Mauritians strengthened by a life of faith that is no longer satisfied with mere attendance at Sunday Mass. That faith needs to be nourished more by listening to the Word of God and its essential resonance in these difficult times, Cardinal Piat said. During the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin declared that he anticipates that an agreement on all issues related to Nagorno-Karabakh will be reached. In my opinion, truly, in spite of the issues that you stated and that remain unsolved, I hope that, nevertheless, an agreement on all issues, including humanitarian issues is reached, Putin said, adding the following: Overall, in my opinion, this meeting is helpful in the sense that it will be possible to determine the future of the region and the establishment of relations in the region, and, of course, first between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I would like to say that our relations have been, are and will be allied relations. We are close partners in all regards. Today we talked a lot about the economy. In this regard, I would like to state that, in spite of the difficult past, we have increased our trade turnover by almost 4%. All this serves as a ground to hope that we will find solutions for a settlement of the situation surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh that will benefit the Armenian people, Armenian statehood and our bilateral ties. A Syrian refugee in the Netherlands has been arrested and accused of committing war crimes in his home country and being a leader of Ahrar al-Sham. Dutch police have arrested a Syrian citizen accused of being a former leader of the Islamist movement, Ahrar al-Sham. On Friday, the Dutch Public Prosecutors Office said that the police had arrested, last Tuesday, an alleged former leader of the Islamist Ahrar al-Sham movement, on suspicion of committing war crimes. The police did not reveal the name of the person, who was arrested in a center for asylum seekers in the north of the country. They did indicate that he is a 29-year-old Syrian national, though. The police based their accusations of war crime on the individuals appearance in a picture with the corpse of an enemy fighter, and in another picture depicting him kicking a body in a battle in Hama in 2015. The Prosecutors Office confirmed that the accused was at that time a leader of the Ahrar al-Sham movement. The accused also appeared in a video clip on YouTube in which he chanted slogans celebrating the killing of his opponents and referring to them as dogs. The accused will be imprisoned for a two-week period, according to the order of the investigating judge, and is likely to face life imprisonment if convicted. The accused had applied for asylum in the Netherlands earlier this October, but was also registered with the German authorities as an asylum seeker in 2015. Last September, in an incident that was the first of its kind, the Dutch court convicted a Syrian refugee on charges of committing war crimes. The accused (nicknamed Abu Khdeir) is facing charges of murder, participation in a field execution, and joining the al-Nusra Front, which is classified as a terrorist organization, before submitting his asylum application to the Netherlands. The court relied on a video recording that spread on the Internet showing the execution of a soldier of the Syrian regime army, in July 2012, by extremist groups, in which Abu Khdeir was present. 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. The availability of vaping products would be sharply curtailed in Connecticut under bills that are being introduced in the General Assembly, including a ban on the sale of all nicotine products in pharmacies, and e-cigarettes within five miles of schools. Lawmakers are also expected to reintroduce legislation from Gov. Lamont that failed in the closure of the General Assembly last March, to ban flavored vaping devices, in attempt to prevent teenagers and young adults from starting what data show can become lifetime habits. Several of the bills, including the outright ban on refillable e-cigarettes and vaping products in the state, have been introduced by state Sen. Saud Anwar, a physician from South Windsor who serves as vice chairman of the Public Health Committee. Many of the children are facing life-long addictions and we must do something, Anwar, a Democrat, said in a Friday interview. He said that it is hypocritical for pharmacies on the one hand to be places where health aids, drugs and vaccines are available, while the nicotine-based e-cigarettes and vaping materials are in the same place. In some of the pharmacies, they will walk through areas where there are cigarettes and other products that are not safe for their health and well-being, Anwar said. This is unethical. We have data that the lifespan of a child is determined by the distance from a tobacco outlet from their schools. The national chain of CVS pharmacies stopped selling tobacco and e-cigarettes in the fall of 2014. The five-mile zone around schools would also include neighborhood variety stores and gas stations. Another bill would require Connecticut buyers of online nicotine-delivery products to produce proof of their age before transactions can be completed. State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, co-chairman of the Public Health Committee, said Friday that the focus of committee discussions is likely to include many options in changes to state law, but banning flavored vapor products will be a key goal. We think we are at a point, with all due respect to the business of vaping, we want to make sure that young people do not follow a path that leads to addiction, Steinberg said in an interview. Theres plenty of documentation about how exposure to addictive products at a young age makes it hard for people to extricate themselves. Steinberg commended Anwar for the creativity of his proposals. Some of them are easier than others, Steinberg said. Kevin OFlaherty, regional director of advocacy for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said Friday said the organizations main goal this year is to eliminate all flavored tobacco products, including cigarettes, mirroring a law that took effect last year in Massachusetts. Weve got to protect kids from these flavors, OFlaherty said. We really want all flavors off the market. You just have to do it that way. Smoking overall is going down. If we are serious about ending the cycle of addiction, we have to nip it in the bud. All of Connecticuts neighbors have banned all flavored e-cigarettes, but only Massachusetts has banned flavored tobacco too. A spokesman for the vapor company Juul Labs, said Friday that with a customer base of one billion adults, it is committed to keeping children away from using its products, while helping grown-ups wean themselves from smoking. In September of 2019, the company ceased all marketing and advertising. We will continue to reset the vapor category in the U.S. and seek to earn the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, legislators, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and transition adult smokers from combustible cigarettes, the spokesman said. At Puff City on River Road in Shelton, Matt Genc, a partner in the three-year-old smoke shop, says any state laws are part of the cost of doing business. He said that banning flavored vapes would hurt sales, but that the store obeys all rules. Whatever is legal, were selling and whatever is not legal, were not selling, Genc said in a Friday phone interview. A recent Food and Drug Administration survey found a sharp decline in youth tobacco use, including vaping. The study found in 2020, 4.5 million youths used tobacco products, compared to 6.2 million in 2019. Another study, by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, found that teen vaping had leveled off but remained high as of early 2020. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT A look inside the upgraded cargo Dragon spacecraft as time-sensitive payloads bound for the International Space Station on SpaceXs CRS-21 mission are loaded. The spacecraft delivered more than 6,400 pounds of science investigations and cargo to the orbiting laboratory. Credits: SpaceX By capsule, helicopter, boat, plane, and car, space station science experiments are about to make a first of a kind journey back to researchers on Earth. On Jan. 11, the SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft carrying out the company's 21st commercial resupply services (CRS-21) mission for NASA undocks from the International Space Station, heading for splashdown off the coast of Florida about 12 hours later. This upgraded Dragon transports significantly more science back to Earth than possible in previous Dragon capsules and is the first space station cargo capsule to splash down off the coast of Florida. In addition, science returns from the space station through NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the first time since the retirement of the space shuttle. "I am excited to finally see science returning here again because we can get these time sensitive experiments into the lab faster than ever," says Kennedy Space Center utilization project manager Jennifer Wahlberg. "Sending science up to space and then receiving it again on the runway was definitely something in the shuttle days that we really took pride in, and being able to rejoin that process is great." As the spacecraft returns to Earth, the experiments start to experience the effects of gravity again. Splashdown sets into motion rapid operations to return the samples and experiments back to researchers around the world. After a SpaceX boat scoops the capsule out of the water, a waiting team pulls time-critical science out of the spacecraft and loads it onto a waiting helicopter. The helicopter will deliver this science to shore a few hours after splashdown. Any remaining scientific cargo will come back either in a second helicopter load or stay aboard the boat and be removed at the port. Space station experiments coming back include: Cardinal Heart, which studies how changes in gravity affect cardiovascular cells at the cellular and tissue level using 3D engineered heart tissues, a type of tissue chip. Results could provide new understanding of heart problems on Earth, help identify new treatments, and support development of screening measures to predict cardiovascular risk prior to spaceflight. A Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency study, Space Organogenesis, which demonstrates the growth of 3D organ buds from human stem cells in order to analyze changes in gene expression. Results from this investigation could show advantages of using microgravity for cutting-edge developments in regenerative medicine and may contribute to the establishment of technologies needed to create artificial organs. The Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion experiment, which identifies the bacterial genes used during biofilm growth, examines whether these biofilms can corrode stainless steel, and evaluates the effectiveness of a silver-based disinfectant. This investigation could provide insight into better ways to control and remove resistant biofilms, contributing to the success of future long-duration spaceflights. Fiber Optic Production, which includes the return of experimental optical fibers created in microgravity using a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum. The return of the fibers, called ZBLAN in reference to the chemical formula, will help verify experimental studies that suggest fibers created in space should exhibit far superior qualities to those produced on Earth. Rodent Research-23, which involves the return of live mice. This experiment studies the 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 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. "Rodent Research-23 was designed to start studying rodent gravity readaptation responses as quickly as possible, making it an ideal candidate for this flight," said Jennifer Buchli, deputy chief scientist for the International Space Station program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The helicopter will land the experiments at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), previously used for space shuttle return activities. Then a team will move most of the cargo to the Kennedy Space Center Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) by truck, where science teams will be waiting. "We are going to have a parade of researchers ready at Kennedy Space Center waiting to receive samples," said Kennedy's Research Integration Office utilization flight lead Mary Walsh. Traditionally used to prepare experiments for launch to space, the SSPF is home to world-class laboratories that provide the tools and workspace to immediately take data and analyze samples. "The scientists will take a quick look to get initial results and then ship it back to their home bases," says Wahlberg. "The benefit of being able to observe the science earlier is the ability to negate any gravitational effects on the research after it has been in space." From the hub at Kennedy Space Center, the science samples and experiments will head around the globe to California, Texas, Massachusetts, Japan, and more locations. "For every flight, we have hundreds of people all over the world preparing to put science on a vehicle. Likewise, we have all those people all over the world preparing to receive these items," says Walsh. The large amount of science returning to Earth on this mission is possible thanks to upgrades to the SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft, which has double the powered locker capability of the company's previous capsules. On return, it can support up to 12 powered lockers, enabling transport of more cold cargo and power for additional payloads. "The old capsule was like a cream filled doughnut. You packed everything around the walls, and then in the middle we put a big giant stack of bags," said Walsh. "This upgraded cargo Dragon is more like a three-story house. You put stuff in the basement, then you pack that second story, then you go upstairs and pack the third story. So it's really different from a design perspective." This design also allows for quicker unloading of the research at splashdown, which, paired with the new splashdown location off the coast of Florida, gets scientific samples back to the researchers in record time. "Using the previous Dragon spacecraft, it could take up to 48 hours from the time the capsule hits the water in the Pacific Ocean for it to be back in Long Beach, California. We then started distributing those samples about four to five hours after that," says Walsh. "Now we are going to have early return science in hand and turn it over to researchers at just four to nine hours after splashdown." On future missions, more scientists around the world can take advantage of these faster return capabilities to expand into new areas of microgravity research. "This allows us to do different types of science," said Buchli. "In the past if you wanted to watch an organism readapt to gravity, the best case was by the time you got it back to the lab from splashdown, you were getting data within 18 hours. However, you start to see gravity readaptation responses within organisms within 13 hours. This quicker return of just a few hours opens up a whole new area of science." Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune wwwnewsofbahrain.com The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) announced that it has started the first phase in volunteering registration for civilians to join the reserve force, for relatives of workers and retirees in BDF and the National Guard militarians and civilians. The applicant shall fulfill the following conditions; to be a Bahraini national; applicants age should not be less than (18) years old, and not more than (55) years old, technicians and specialists are excluded from the upper age limit, or according to the requirements of duty; applicant must be of good conduct and have not convicted a felony or a misdemeanour that breaches honour or trust; applicant must be medically fit for military service in the reserve force, and to successfully pass the medical examination prescribed according to the military medical committees system in BDF; applicants must submit a volunteer request form on the website. The reserve force has regulated all rights and duties of the reserve force as an auxiliary force for the BDF, and it also includes the benefits and entitlements resulting from that. In the first phase, registration to volunteer will only be for male citizens, whose relatives are members of BDF and the National Guard, militarians, civilians and retirees. In the second phase registration to volunteer will be for the rest of society, males and females, as the first phase ends. Elon Musk is not only the worlds richest person, he lays claim to the biggest net worth ever recorded: $209.3 billion as of Friday. What he does with it will be closely watched. Judging by Twitter, the Tesla Inc. co-founders preferred medium of communication, philanthropy is on his mind. One of his first reactions on becoming the wealthiest human -- after an initial shrug -- was to solicit advice on how to give it away. Musk, 49, is a philanthropy neophyte compared with those he just leapfrogged on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index of the worlds 500 wealthiest ... 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. Democrats have charged the outgoing US president with 'incitement of insurrection' over his role in Wednesday's storming of the US Capitol US Democrats began the process Monday of impeaching President Donald Trump for a historic second time, accusing him of "incitement of insurrection" over his supporters' deadly storming of the US Capitol. The move, which threatens to torpedo the single-term president's future political ambitions, could make for a frenetic culmination of four years of controversy ahead of Joe Biden's 20 January inauguration. Here is the article of impeachment I just introduced, along with 213 colleagues, against President Trump for Incitement of Insurrection. Most important of all, I can report that we now have the votes to impeach. pic.twitter.com/RaJIjzQSvm David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 11, 2021 Democrats introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet to remove Trump, who has been absent from the public spotlight for days, as unfit for office under the Constitution's 25th amendment. But Republicans blocked an immediate vote on the resolution and Democrats followed up by introducing an article of impeachment of Trump for "incitement of insurrection". "This was an attempted coup, to overthrow the government, and we have a responsibility as Congress to respond to that," Congressmen David Cicilline, who introduced the resolution, told reporters afterward. "We have a particular responsibility to hold everyone accountable who was involved in any way, from the president on down," he said. Trump has been largely silent in recent days, making few statements and holding no news conferences. Twitter, his favored public platform, has banned him for language that could incite violence. He plans to travel to Texas on Tuesday in one of his final trips as president, reportedly to claim success in delivering on his pledge to build a border wall to keep immigrants from Mexico out of the US. As Democrats began to act, the US Capitol building was open to lawmakers and staff but under tight security and ringed by a metal fence after Wednesday's assault by Trump supporters that left five people dead. Historic second impeachment Inside, some windows and doors that were broken and breached by rioters remained boarded up with plywood, while reinforced glass on the outside doors near the Rotunda bore cracks from repeated battering. The attack on Congress shook the core of American democracy and drew international condemnation. It has ignited a new effort to remove Trump, who is accused of inciting the mob before it stormed the capitol where lawmakers were certifying Biden's 3 November win. Trump was already impeached once by the Democratic-controlled House in December 2019 for pressuring the Ukrainian president to dig up political dirt on Biden. He was acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate. If the House again votes to impeach, Trump would be the first US leader to be formally charged for a second time with "high crimes and misdemeanors." Though time is running short, Democrats likely have the votes in the House to impeach Trump again and could draw increased Republican support for the move. In introducing the resolution, Cicilline said that while it has no Republican co-sponsors, he expects it will find Republican backing. Although two Republican Senators Pat Toomey and Lisa Murkowski have urged Trump to resign, Democrats are unlikely to muster the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump in the 100-member Senate and remove him from office. But the effort is nevertheless seen by Democrats as worthwhile. Although any conviction would likely occur after Trump has already left office, it would lead to a secondary vote on banning Trump, who is thought to be considering a run in 2024, from holding federal public office again. 'I want him out' Authorities are still seeking to arrest more Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol following a rally by the president repeating false claims that he had lost the election to Biden due to fraud. Hundreds of off-duty police on Sunday lined Constitution Avenue in Washington and saluted as a hearse rolled slowly by carrying the body of Brian Sicknick, the police officer who died in the attack on the Capitol. Capitol security has been stepped up and Trump supporters have threatened new action in coming days both in Washington and state capitol buildings. Senate rules mean the upper chamber would likely be unable to open an impeachment trial before 19 January. Some Democrats, for their part, have expressed concern that a Senate trial would overshadow and hamper Biden's efforts to quickly lay out his agenda, starting with the fight against the coronavirus and the need to support the economy. Mike Pence unlikely to invoke 25th Amendment against Trump Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on such a course, which would involve invoking the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, including a vote by a majority of the Cabinet to oust Trump before he leaves office on 20 January. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on that date. Lawmakers were set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Trump's own false statements about his election defeat to Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. A violent mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the legislation said. The bill from Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Ca., said Monday on CBS, "We need to move forward with alacrity. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat, Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues emphasizing the need for quick action. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, Its over. Thats what has to happen now, she said. Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president" with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment advanced rapidly after the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide. With inputs from AFP and AP Using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at ESOs Paranal Observatory, astronomers have imaged a 5,000-light-year-wide star-bursting ring in the center of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097. NGC 1097 lies in the southern constellation Fornax at a distance of only 45 million light-years. This galaxy was discovered by the German-British astronomer William Herschel on October 9, 1790. Also known as Apg 77, ESO 416-20, LEDA 10488 and UGCA 41, it is a relatively bright barred spiral galaxy, seen face-on. At magnitude 9.5, and thus just 25 times fainter than the faintest object that can be seen with the unaided eye, it appears in small telescopes as a bright, circular disk. NGC 1097 is also known as an example of the so-called LINER class of galaxies. Objects of this type are believed to be low-luminosity examples of active galactic nuclei. The galaxy hosts a black hole approximately 140 million times more massive than our Sun. The area immediately around the supermassive black hole shines powerfully with radiation coming from the material falling in. The distinctive ring around the black hole is bursting with new star formation. An inflow of material toward the central bar of the galaxy is causing the ring to light up with new stars. The ring spans only 5,000 light years across, being dwarfed by the full size of its host galaxy, which extends some tens of thousands of light-years beyond its center. The darker lanes seen in this MUSE image show dust, gas and debris from the galaxy (or possibly from a satellite galaxy), which are being funnelled into the supermassive black hole at its center, ESO astronomers said. This process heats up the surrounding matter forming an accretion disk around the black hole and launching huge amounts of energy into the surrounding area. Nearby dust is heated up and star formation accelerates in the area around the supermassive black hole, forming the star-bursting nuclear ring shown in pink and purple tones in the image. Last week, Tesla and SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk surpassed Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to become the richest human on the planet, with a net worth of $189 billion. Bezos and Musk have become the standard bearers for the massive enrichment of the worlds billionaires over the course of the pandemic. Since the beginning of last year, the worlds 500 richest individuals have increased their wealth by $1.8 trillion, and the worlds billionaires now control more than $10 trillion dollars in wealth for the first time in history. Elon Musk at Tesla Factory, Fremont, CA, USA. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Bezos and Musk alone account for a significant portion of this increase. Since March 2020, Jeff Bezos has increased his wealth by approximately $72 billion, according to Forbes. However, Musks wealth increased by $165 billion over the course of a year which has been marked by extraordinary levels of mass suffering and death in the US and all around the world. The same day that Musk became the worlds richest person, 4,245 people died from COVID-19 in the US, according to Worldometer. By the end of the year, according to the US Department of Labor, 10.7 million American workers remained officially unemployed, and according to analysis of Census data by the Economic Policy Institute, 50 million Americans, including 17 million children, had gone hungry due to the effects of the pandemic on the economy. It is worth noting, before going further, that the response of the newly crowned worlds richest man to last weeks historically unprecedented coup attempt by President Donald Trump was to fire off a series of idiotic non-sequitur memes on Twitter. Musk treated the event, which involved high-level state involvement and reportedly aimed at kidnapping and even murdering high-ranking Democrats, as the occasion for snide jokes. The best possible interpretation one can put on this is that Musk, who now controls wealth greater than the annual GDP of Iraq, is an uncultured ignoramus. This is certainly true. But given Musks close relationship to the Trump administrationhe sat on the presidents business advisory council in 2017 and praised Trumps support for his business ventures in the 2020 electionsit may well indicate his support for the attempt to violently overthrow the US Constitution, or at least a wait and see attitude. Moreover, Musks tweet earlier last year clumsily attacking Karl Marx is an indication of the intense nervousness, both of Musk and the corporate financial oligarchy as a whole, that the unprecedented levels of inequality in American and world society will inevitably produce a revolutionary response by the working class. Trump himself has presented himself for years as the only bulwark standing between the United States and socialism. But regardless of Musks immediate calculations, the drive towards fascism is the inevitable outcome of the staggering levels of inequality which exist in the United States and around the world, which is incompatible with democratic forms of rule. The response of both parties to the pandemic, which has been to funnel trillions into Wall Street while forcing workers back into unsafe workplaces, can be summed up as sacrificing hundreds of thousands of human lives to the profits of Wall Street. Musk is not merely a beneficiary of these policies but played a leading role in implementing them. Last May, Musk violated local lockdown orders and kept Teslas assembly plant in Fremont, California, running full speed ahead. At the time, Musk owned only $40.1 billion and was the 22nd-richest person in the world. Despite this brazen violation of the law, California Democrats did nothing. Trump tweeted in support, California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely! This was a major milestone in the reopening of the US auto industry, after it had been closed for months after a wildcat strike wave in mid-March. Perhaps more than anyone else, Musk personifies the parasitic character of the corporate-financial oligarchy which dominates society. Musks wealth is almost purely a product of the stock market bubble. Musks actual business ventures are comparatively insignificant. The main source of his wealth is his stock in Tesla, an electric vehicle company which controls less than one percent of the global auto market. Tesla delivered 499,550 cars in 2020, short of its annual target of 500,000 vehicles, according to the Motley Fool website. In contrast, Toyota produced 8.8 million vehicles globally in the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year and General Motors sold more than 6 million trucks and cars worldwide in 2020. Nevertheless, shares of Tesla, the California-based electric carmaker, closed at $816.04 on Thursday, an increase of 8 percent from the day before and 20 percent overall in the first week of 2021. In the last year, its stock price has skyrocketed over 720 percent. The company itself has reached over $760 billion in market value, according to BBC News more than the total market value of carmakers Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, [General Motors] and Ford combined. Moreover, Tesla is not even particularly profitable. Last month Musk sent a desperate email to management demanding that Tesla find ways to cut costs in any way possible. When looking at our actual profitability, it is very low around 1% for the past year. Investors are giving us a lot of credit for future profitability but if, at any point, they conclude thats not going to happen, our stock will immediately get crushed like a souffle under a sledgehammer! The rise of Tesla stock out of all proportion to its actual productive activities is so unreal that BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones put it bluntly: To believe the electric car-makers worth could rise so rapidly in just 12 months is the ultimate example of irrational exuberance. However, and this no doubt plays a significant role in Wall Streets embrace of Tesla, its 48,000 workers are among the most exploited in the industry. Factory workers at its main plant in Fremont, California, make between $1423 an hour, according to Glassdoor.com, barely enough to afford the monthly rent of a two-bedroom apartment in the Bay Area city. They work as much as 12 hours a day, under conditions which have led to such a high rate of injury for workers that Musks plant has been documented as one of the most dangerous places to work in the US by the National Council for Occupational Health and Safety. As for rocket company SpaceX, it is the forum in which Musk gives vent to aristocratic delusions to personally one day own the entire planet of Mars. On the same day that he became the wealthiest person, Musk proposed selling most of his possessions, with the exception of all his stock, in order to build a colonial city on the Mars through SpaceX. The terms of service for SpaceXs satellite-based broadband internet services reportedly contain provisionsof dubious legalityrequiring that subscribers acknowledge Mars as a free, self-governing planet. Musk also effectively proposed indentured servitude as a way for future colonists to book passage for the Red Planet, declaring in an interview with Axel Springer that he planned to send people to Mars with loans available for those who dont have money for space travel and jobs for working off the immense debts. The US manned space program, meanwhile, has been largely reduced to a marketing and moneymaking venture for Musk and others. The rapid rise of Musk is the embodiment of a social and economic order, capitalism, which has become so alienated from the needs of society that it must provoke social protest and uncompromising political opposition, as the World Socialist Web Site said in its New Years statement. Society can no longer tolerate the piling up of such huge amounts of wealth, which finds its source in the exploitation of the working class, in the hands of so few. The response of the working class must be to develop an independent political movement to expropriate this wealth and use it in the interests of society, instead of the selfish interests of the ruling class. This is the program of socialism. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. [January 11, 2021] Thanks to Schools like Platt College, 2,000 Adult Students Go Back to Class, Earn High School Diplomas TULSA, Okla., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kari Donavan never finished high school but knew she needed a high school diploma in order to take college level classes to become a Medical Assistant. That's when she learned about a high school completion program funded by Platt College that covers the cost of the coursework and is offered online by Penn Foster High School, with in-person support provided at the Platt College Tulsa campus. "Graduating from Penn Foster has been a blessing" said Kari Donavan who took advantage of the funding provided by Platt for the high school completion program. "I'm very thankful that I got the opportunity to better myself and show my children that anything is possible with lots of hard work and dedication. It has led me to college to become a medical assistant." Kari is one of more than 2,000 students who have gone back to class since 2016 and earned a high school diploma thanks to funding from schools like Platt which are part of the Acora Education group of private, post-secondary schools located across the U.S. Penn Foster issues the final diploma to students who graduate from the online program. Students interested in the high school completion course must apply and interview for the program through Platt and agree to attend the online classes on the Platt campus three days a week for two-to-three hours per day. Platt does not teach the classes but provides community-facing support throughout the process, which varies for each student depending upon the number of credits they have coming into the program. Since 2016, Ancora Education schools have funded 3,500 students without a high school diploma into the Penn Foster high school completion program. A high school diploma improves eligibility for better employment and secondary education opportunities. Both of which have a significant economic impact within the communities they serve. Students enrolled in the high school completion program are under no obligation to take future classes or programs at Platt. About Platt College Platt College in Tulsa, Oklahoma offers vocational training for anyone looking to become successful in today's job market. Our school offers convenient class schedules, industry-experienced instructors, and career services to help with job placement assistance. Our dedicated team of admissions and financial advisors are ready to assist you in your career training and beyond, including access to employer partnerships that will help you identify potential positions in your field for which you may be qualified. Whether you are looking to start a new career or expand on your current one, Platt College is ready to help you gain the skills to pursue the career of your dreams. Learn more at plattcolleges.edu View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thanks-to-schools-like-platt-college-2-000-adult-students-go-back-to-class-earn-high-school-diplomas-301205021.html SOURCE Platt College [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The University of Pennsylvania on Monday canceled the classes of a professor captured on video last week using rhetoric and a hand gesture associated with Nazism during an academic conference after the video spread and drew calls for his firing. In an online thread and short video documenting how the episode unfolded during a Society for Historical Archaeology virtual discussion on Wednesday, Robert Schuyler, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Museum curator, is heard berating a participant, then using the phrase Sieg Heil, accompanied by a Nazi salute. The episode happened the same day as insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol over the results of the 2020 presidential election. In a video of the full exchange shared with The Inquirer, Schuyler interjects about 15 minutes into the talk with membership concerns unrelated to a prior speaker, Liz Quinlan, a researcher and doctoral student at the University of York, who was discussing issues of accessibility. Quinlan told Schuyler that this is not the place for you to bring up this. Im sorry, but I have freedom of speech and youre not going to tell me its not the place for me to bring this up, he said. As Quinlan explained she was using her platform the society gave her, Schuyler said: Sieg Heil to you, with his hand raised in the air. In a letter to SHA officials shared with The Inquirer, Quinlan recounted what happened, shared her disappointment with the lack of reaction, and called for action to be taken against Schuyler, including for him to be censured as well as barred from future meetings. To not only be interrupted, but to be spoken to with such vitriol and anger by a senior researcher in my field is demoralizing, embarrassing, and deeply upsetting, she wrote. The apparent inclusion of a Nazi salute and reference to a Nazi victory cry, whether done in jest or otherwise, is both enormously offensive and abhorrent. Penn Museum and the Society for Historical Archaeology issued statements condemning the episode. Schuyler confirmed his actions to the Daily Pennsylvanian, which first reported the story, but said he does not think he should be disciplined. Schuyler did not respond to a request for comment from The Inquirer. He is listed as a gold sponsor and a COVID-19 financial assistance donor in the SHAs 54th Annual Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology, which was held Jan. 6-9. As the video found attention and backlash over the weekend, Kathleen Morrison, Penns department of anthropology chair, said she was appalled by the behavior and called for anyone with additional information to come forward.In an update Monday, Morrison said the university had canceled his courses and are in contact with students in finding alternatives, she said. Schuyler teaches eight total courses, including historical archaeology, African American archaeology, and themes in historical archaeology, according to Penns website. SHA confirmed it received a formal complaint on Friday and said actions have been taken internally ... to rectify the situation and ensure that a situation like this is addressed in a more timely manner moving forward in a statement. We are deeply sorry that our conference became a place where people felt threatened, unwelcome, and diminished by the actions of an individual, Barbara Heath, president of the group, said in the statement. There is no place for such behavior in the SHA. Penn Museum said it condemns this reprehensible behavior and rejects this dangerous rhetoric and that the university is initiating a review to determine the appropriate course of action. In light of recent events surrounding the siege on our nations Capitol, we reaffirm that the Penn Museum is a place that advances continuous learning and respectful discourse about diverse traditions, cultures, and beliefs, to create more understanding in a complex world, the statement read. The university did not respond to a request for comment. Resource Fiber will build its first full-scale production plant in Sulligent, creating 111 jobs. Gov. Kay Ivey today announced the project, which will pump $3.6 million into the Lamar County facility, producing engineered bamboo products, such as bamboo nail laminated timbers used in construction. This positions our state at the forefront in the commercialization of innovative bamboo products while creating good jobs in Lamar County, Ivey said in a statement. Resource Fiber relocated an experimental pilot facility in Oneida, Tenn., to the Sulligent site in west Alabama in November. The company expects to begin hiring and commence manufacturing at the Alabama facility in the second quarter of this year. Marsha Folsom, co-founder and chief development officer of Resource Fiber, said the companys new production center will attract other industries utilizing bamboo fiber to the area. The states incentives for the project are a jobs credit valued at $1.5 million over 10 years, a $540,000 investment credit over 10 years, and AIDT training services valued at $950,000. The state expects a 20-year return on investment of 675 %, with $16 million in new state revenue over 20 years, and $90.1 million in new payroll over 20 years, according to the Alabama Commerce Dept. The City of Sulligent purchased a building it is leasing to the company. The Houston-based Harry E. Bovay Jr. Foundation, which encourages revitalization through education and community grants, provided a grant. It also received a USDA Rural Business Development Grant, administered by the City of Sulligent, to purchase of manufacturing equipment. Founded in 2011, Resource Fiber focuses on bamboo products, with six U.S. patents and five U.S. patent applications pending. It has developed bamboo railroad ties and a laminated timber system to replace steel roof and floor decks in commercial buildings. Last year, the company analyzed seven buildings in four Alabama communities before making its decision, receiving support from the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance. According to Resource Fiber CEO David Knight, the company operates the nations largest commercial-scale bamboo nursery in Greene County. We are grateful to have found the right facility and are honored to be a part of the Sulligent community, Knight said. Gardai have turned the tide against feuding gangland criminals since the Regency Hotel attack, by locking up murder squads, seizing firearms and confiscating millions of euro in drug money. Gangland murders have fallen to their lowest level in over 20 years while cash seizures from crime gangs have jumped to unprecedented levels. This year we have only had to intervene twice in situations where we believed there was an imminent intent to commit murder which is a significant drop when compared to previous years, says Assistant Commissioner John ODriscoll in an interview the Irish Independent. Since the Regency attack our main focus in tackling organised crime has been dealing with threats to life. We have had a significant impact on the situation when there have been no further murders attributed to the feud and the number of gang-related murder incidents has also dropped significantly. Assistant Commissioner ODriscoll heads up the Organised and Serious Crime Service (OSCS) which oversees the forces six specialist investigation bureaus. The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is separate from the OSCS although its garda members also come under ODriscolls command. In terms of the Kinahan organisation, the threat to life has diminished, he says. There are only so many people who will commit murder for money as a significant number of hit teams are now behind bars we have taken a lot of people out of circulation and they are no longer available. Losing hit teams and firearms are not good for business. The criminals involved have caused immense damage to themselves and we plan to keep it that way by making the best use of the extra resources we have been given, he added. There were two gang-related killings in the State in 2020. Meanwhile, specialist garda units staged armed interventions to prevent two further assassination bids as they were about to be carried out. More than 17m in cash was seized during garda raids, which does not take account of the value of money and property frozen by CAB. A combination of a well-resourced offensive against organised crime spearheaded by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GDOCB) and the effects of the pandemic has made it a bad year for the crime gangs. Operations mounted by the specialist unit led to the seizure of drugs worth 36m and a further 8m in cash, accounting for almost half of the total cash seized over the last 12 months. Working closely with other international law enforcement agencies, the GDOCB also continued to pummel the Kinahan cartel from all sides. To date over 30 individuals, most of them considered to be the hardcore members of the drug trafficking organisation, are behind bars in Ireland, Britain and Spain. Since the eruption of the mismatched Kinahan/Hutch feud in the wake of the attack at the Regency Hotel in 2016, gardai have prevented 75 gangland murder attempts. The efforts involved the use of high-tech surveillance methods in which eavesdropping devices were planted in cars and premises used by Kinahan hit men as they planned the crimes. Many of them were convicted by their own words. It has brought the killing spree that claimed 18 lives to an end with no feud-related assassinations taking place for more than two years. But while the Kinahan cartel may be on its last legs, Assistant Commissioner ODriscoll stressed that the battle with organised crime continues apace as new groups and gangs have emerged to fill the vacuum. We have to tackle other aspects of organised crime which is all about the accumulation of wealth which gives them power. Removing the power from the organised crime group is about taking the money from them because without that they are nothing, cash is very important to them. In the five years since the GDOCBs establishment it has seized a total of 18.5m in cash including the 8m seized in 2020. During the same time frame, it has also captured 132 high-powered firearms, including 17 handguns and five machine guns they took off the streets over the past year. From our perspective in assessing success it is not a matter of whether its 1m or 100m seized, what impacts the criminals most is apprehending those involved and taking their cash and firearms, said Assistant Commissioner ODriscoll. The senior officers retirement was deferred by the Government so he could continue leading the charge against the gangs which, he said, is community focused. When planning operations we are very focused on the community and trying to create a better situation for them. We now have the resources whereby our specialist units can be proactive. The critical thing about our approach is that every day we are planning strategies in relation to organised crime targets. This year has seen the lowest number of gang-related murders since 1997, which came in the wake of the garda backlash following the assassination of Veronica Guerin. In January a 17-year-old boy was murdered and dismembered in one of the most shocking incidents in many years. Then in July, Thomas McCarthy (55) was shot dead in Ballyfermot, West Dublin, in what is believed to have been part of a dispute between local gangs. In April notorious Dublin hitman Robbie Lawlor was shot dead in Belfast, in an attack also believed to be part of the Drogheda feud. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE 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. | Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rupee surges 17 paise to close at 72.60 (provisional) against US dollar. West Bengal to hold Class 12 board exams in late July, Class 10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. How many battles can Turkey fight at once? One year ago, Turkey launched a military incursion into Northern Syriawith U.S. President Donald Trumps blessingto push Kurdish rebel forces away from its southern border. Earlier this month, Turkeys parliament voted to renew the mandate for the mission for another year. Turkey has also intervened in Libya, sending military equipment, funding, and Syrian mercenaries to back the internationally recognized government in the countrys civil war. Turkey also sent Syrian fighters to back Azerbaijana majority-Turkic countryin its conflict with Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On top of all this, Turkey is clashing with another historic rival, Greece, over potential gas resources in the Mediterranean, deploying warships to accompany a survey mission in Greek-claimed waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And theres yet another conflict brewing. Turkeys relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi kingdoms ally, have been rocky since the Arab Spring, when the countries backed opposite sides in the Egyptian revolution, and have only gotten worse since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul (and the Turkish governments subsequent use of the killing to inflict maximum diplomatic and public relations damage on the Saudis). Recently, more Saudi businesses have been pledging to boycott Turkish products. Turkey also recently threatened to suspend diplomatic ties with the UAE over the latters decision to recognize Israel, which is a little odd given that the Turkish government, despite its frequent and fierce criticism of Israel, has itself had diplomatic relations with the Jewish state for decades. One Saudi official recently told the Financial Times that tensions with Turkey are beginning to rival those with Iran. If you look at the threat matrix in the region, Turkey has very quickly gone into a prominent spotthey are everywhere, he said. Advertisement Turkeys foreign adventurism has certainly raised the countrys international profile and helped President Recep Tayyip Erdogan consolidate power at home, but its less clear how sustainable it is in the long run. Advertisement Relations with Turkeys NATO allies in the west have also hit a new low. Though Trump seems genuinely fond of Erdogan, the Pentagon is less enamored, and last week threatened sanctions in response to Turkeys purchase and test of a Russian-made air defense system. France has emerged as Turkeys main Western critic on several fronts, and the two countries came close to a naval clash in the Mediterranean in June. After President Emmanuel Macron recently made a controversial speech vowing to defend secularism against radical Islam, Erdogan said the French president needed a mental check, prompting France to withdraw its ambassador to Turkey. Advertisement Turkey seems to have gone from a policy of fighting with no one to one of fighting with everyone. Turkeys foreign policy didnt always look like this. Just a decade ago, Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkeys former foreign minister and former prime minister, championed an idea he called zero problems toward neighbors, a policy of achieving influence through maximum diplomatic engagement throughout the countrys region, including with traditional foes like Armenia and Greece. Zero problems looked to be paying off in 2011, when revolutions broke out throughout the Middle East, in several cases bringing to power Islamist governments that were natural allies for Davutoglu and Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP). AKP members were also viewed in Washington as the sort of Islamists who make good business partners for the West. Erdogan had a famously chummy relationship with Obama, and Davutoglu was feted in the American media for his diplomatic savvy. Advertisement Advertisement Ten years later, Turkey seems to have given up on this approach. To put it crudely, it seems to have gone from a policy of fighting with no one to one of fighting with everyone, to the point where its deploying actual military force. A few crucial developments are important to understanding how Turkey pivoted to its more aggressive approach. One was the Arab Spring, in which Turkey invested a significant amount of its foreign policy capital to back democratic Islamist parties around the region, without much to show for it. In Syria, the goal of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad turned out to be harder to accomplish than originally thought, and the resulting civil war resulted in Turkey hosting more refugees than any other country on Earth. Erdogan has now more or less given up on the idea of regime change in Syria, instead emphasizing border security and containing the Kurds. Turkish foreign policy since the Arab Spring has appeared to be guided by an equally ambitious but less idealistic conception of the countrys security interests. Advertisement Turks see an outside world that endangers Turkeys core interests. They see themselves as under siege from foreign actors. The conclusion is that Turkey needs a strong regime and a strong leader, says Sinan Ulgen, chairman of the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies in Istanbul. The narrative is very akin to Making Turkey Great Again. Turkey becomes a regional or even global actor. That has captured the imagination of the Turkish electorate. Advertisement Another key event came in 2015, when the AKP suffered an unexpected election setback, losing its majority as the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) surged in support. Erdogan cut off ongoing peace talks with Kurdish separatists in what many saw as an attempt to undermine support for the HDP. The disappointing result also nudged the ruling party into an alliance with a far-right nationalist party. That alliance is at least partly responsible for Erdogans turn toward a more militaristic foreign policy and clashes with Western governments. Advertisement Then came a failed 2016 coup attempt, which Erdogan blamed on supporters of the U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and used as a pretext to crack down on critics domestically and put blame on perceived foreign adversaries, including the U.S. Just this week, a court sentenced a Turkish U.S. Consulate employee to jail over allegations that he aided the coup. This helped build the sense of an external threat, useful for further consolidating power. Gonul Tol, director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute, is skeptical that Erdogans new militarism will last forever. There are so many real problems that Turkish people are facing, from economic decline to a COVID surge, that I think using foreign policy to boost your support and mobilize your base is going to be less and less effective for Erdogan, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turkish governments position, managing economic decline at home while projecting power abroad, is similar to that of its rival across the Black Sea, Russia. The Russian-Turkish relationship is complex. In most of their conflicts, Ankara and Moscow are backing opposite sides, and just this week, Russian airstrikes killed dozens of Turkish-backed fighters in Syria. But despite some scary moments over the years, Turkey and Russia have at least kept up a communicative relationship, including in the recent fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. Erdogan also seems to have taken a few lessons from Vladimir Putin when it comes to flexing Turkish muscle abroad. Both are budding superpowers on a budget. Without the financial or military resources of a U.S. or China, they have to choose their battles. Just as Putin used the annexation of Crimea in 2014 to shore up domestic support at a time when the economy was flagging, Erdogan similarly used the intervention against Kurdish rebels in Syria, which was extremely popular with the Turkish public. Both have kept costs down by employing mercenaries rather than regular army troops: In Russias case, the private security firm Wagner Group, and in Turkeys case, desperate Syrian rebels. Advertisement Both nations have contradictory relationships with the Trump administration: The U.S. president lavishes praise on both Putin and Erdogan and brags about his friendly relationship with them, even as his administration slaps sanctions on their governments. The current U.S. posture in the Middle East, or rather the lack of one, may be another reason for Turkeys recent adventurism. Erdogan and his circle love Trump, says Tol. But when people in Turkey look at all the nonsense thats going on in Washington, it feeds the narrative that the U.S. is a power in decline that cant get its act together, that Turkey has to act alone. A Biden administration might take a more hands-on approach, but just as the Obama administration often appeared flummoxed by Russias ability to project power abroad despite what appeared to be dire conditions at home, more pressure might not accomplish much. Erdogan has made Turkey into a quasi-superpower at minimal cost and minimal political risk. Its likely to remain one for some time. CAE USA became the prime contractor on the USAF KC-135 Training System program in 2010 and has now won the competitive recompete to continue delivering classroom and simulator training for KC-135 pilots and boom operators. CAE USA will also continue to provide updates and upgrades to KC-135 training devices, including KC-135 operational flight trainers and boom operator trainers. In addition, the KC-135 Training System contract now includes training support for the Air National Guard's Boom Operator Simulator System (BOSS). In total, CAE USA will support the training of more than 4,500 KC-135 crewmembers annually. "CAE USA did an outstanding job supporting the U.S. Air Force on the KC-135 training program over the past decade, and we are extremely pleased to win the recompete competition and remain the KC-135 training partner," said Ray Duquette, President and General Manager, CAE USA. CAE USA will be supported on the KC-135 Training System program by a team of industry partners, including Delaware Resource Group (DRG), Cardinal Point, FAAC, and CymSTAR. "The KC-135 Stratotanker plays a vital role in the U.S. Air Force's ability to deliver global reach, and we are honored to contribute to the training and readiness of the KC-135 aircrews who fly these essential tanker missions," said Dan Gelston, Group President, Defense & Security, CAE. KC-135 Training System Site Background CAE USA will deliver KC-135 aircrew training to USAF active-duty, Air National Guard and reserve crewmembers at 12 sites in the United States and internationally: Altus Air Force Base (AFB) in Oklahoma , which is the site of the formal training unit; Air Force Base (AFB) in , which is the site of the formal training unit; Fairchild AFB, Washington ; ; March Air Reserve Base (ARB), California ; ; Scott AFB, Illinois ; ; Grissom ARB, Indiana ; ; MacDill AFB, Florida ; ; General Mitchell Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Wisconsin ; ; Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio ; ; Pittsburgh ANGB, Pennsylvania ; ; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii ; ; Kadena Air Base, Japan ; ; Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall, United Kingdom . In addition, the new KC-135 Training System contract includes training support for the Air National Guard KC-135 BOSS, which will be delivered at an additional 12 sites in the United States: Sioux City ANGB, Iowa ; ; Lincoln ANGB, Nebraska ; ; Forbes Field , Kansas ; , ; Phoenix ANGB, Arizona ; ; Ronald Wright ANGB, Utah ; ; Eielson AFB, Alaska ; ; Bangor ANGB, Maine ; ; McGuire AFB, New Jersey ; ; Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama ; ; Selfridge ANGB, Michigan ; ; McGee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee ; ; Key Field, Mississippi . KC-135 BOSS training support will also be provided at Joint Base Pearl Harbor; Pittsburgh ANGB; General Mitchell ANGB; and Rickenbacker ANGB. About CAE Defense & Security CAE's Defense & Security business unit focuses on helping prepare our customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness. We are a world-class training and mission systems integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of training and operational support solutions across the air, land, sea and public safety market segments. We serve our global defense and security customers through regional operations in Canada; the United States/Latin America; Europe/Middle East; and Asia-Pacific, all of which leverage the full breadth of CAE's capabilities, technologies and solutions. About CAE CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. Testament to our customers' ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE's revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with approximately 10,000 employees, 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. www.cae.com Follow us on Twitter @CAE_Inc and @CAE_Defence Facebook: www.facebook.com/cae.inc LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cae CAE USA recently won the recompete of the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Aircrew Training System contract and will continue providing training to more than 4,500 KC-135 crewmembers annually. SOURCE CAE INC. Related Links http://www.cae.com/ The state has several important issues to resolve, and the new House that gets sworn in Wednesday cant tackle any of them until a speaker is elected. The longer that process drags on, the greater the pressure on anti-Madigan lawmakers to compromise which could allow the speaker, a politician known for brokering deals, to recapture the gavel. WALHALLA Every year, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources stocks a remote Upstate river with trout: rainbow, brown and eastern brook. But the Chattooga River, which comprises more than 20 miles of the northernmost border between South Carolina and Georgia, isn't an easy place to reach. It was declared a "wild and scenic" river by the U.S. Forest Service decades ago and after that happened, several accesses to the waterway via old logging roads were closed. That's where helicopters come in. Every year around this time, wildlife officials with the help of the Forest Service uses a chopper that's typically a firefighting tool to get there. Instead of dropping water to squelch a blaze, the craft lifts an orange basket filled with fish into the harder-to-reach stretches of the stream. The bottom of the "Bambi basket" is synched, and the pilot of the helicopter can release the line that keeps it closed so that fish and water spill into the stream below. "It's an amazing design with all the moving parts that it works as well as it does," said Dan Rankin, DNR's lead trout biologist. One load in the basket might carry 300 to 400 larger fish, Rankin said. Loads of smaller fingerlings that are not yet adults might number as many as 1,000 per drop. The trip requires a deft touch, as the pilot has to carefully maneuver the basket hanging several feet below the helicopter, over pines, hemlocks and oaks and finally atop the Chattooga. The annual drops support popular fly-fishing spots at Burrells Ford Campground and near Highway 28. Anglers who pick other spots on the river largely have to hike there. It's not uncommon to use creative means to get fish past obstructions. A "salmon cannon" that became an internet sensation in 2019 is also crucial to allowing those fish to spawn when dams stand in the way, The Seattle Times reported. In South Carolina, there's a fish elevator to move some species past Santee Cooper's hydroelectric dams. In this case, there isn't a blockage to the fish there simply aren't enough being spawned in some parts of the river to support a fishery, Rankin said. The agency has plenty of experience in hatching the fish in its nearby Walhalla facility, which has been growing trout since the 1930s. But, like farming, "you have good years and bad years," Rankin said. A future threat to all trout species is the potential for the coldwater streams they frequent to get warmer. Rankin called rising temperatures due to climate change "a big concern" for trout, which do best in waters that are around 70 degrees or colder. While research is still being conducted on threats to the fish, one U.S. Geological Service study in 2016 found that in warmer waters, brown trout, which are not native to the eastern United States, outcompeted brook trout. For now, DNR will continue its stocking program, which is also supported by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and nonprofit Trout Unlimited. Rankin, himself an angler, said the program supports a fishery in one of the most pristine areas of the state. The Chattooga River is "just a special place to be," Rankin said. Jeremiah Johnson gets threats after Trump prophecy apology; slams some in prophetic movement Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Evangelical prophet Jeremiah Johnson said hes now getting death threats from Christians after apologizing to his followers Thursday for inaccurately prophesying that President Donald Trump would win a second term. Johnson, who also called out Christians for their idolatry of the outgoing president, revealed in a statement on Facebook Sunday that the attacks have shown him that parts of the prophetic/charismatic movement are far SICKER than I could have ever dreamed of. Over the last 72 hours, I have received multiple death threats and thousands upon thousands of emails from Christians saying the nastiest and most vulgar things I have ever heard toward my family and ministry. I have been labeled a coward, sellout, a traitor to the Holy Spirit, and cussed out at least 500 times. We have lost ministry partners every hour and counting, said the leader of Jeremiah Johnson Ministries. I have been flabbergasted at the barrage of continued conspiracy theories being sent every minute our way and the pure hatred being unleashed. To my great heartache, Im convinced parts of the prophetic/charismatic movement are far SICKER than I could have ever dreamed of, he explained. I truthfully never realized how absolutely triggered and ballistic thousands and thousands of saints get about Donald Trump. Its terrifying! Its full of idolatry! If I helped to prop up this ideology concerning him, I will need to repent again and stir up even more hell. Police shot and killed an unarmed woman as she attempted to climb into the House chamber, three others died from health emergencies, and a Capitol Hill police officer died Thursday after he sustained injuries while responding to the riots. At the time of the riots, lawmakers were undergoing the electoral certification process and were forced to stop. The confirmation of President-elect Joe Biden's victory was affirmed by Congress early Thursday morning after Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers reconvened. I would like to repent for inaccurately prophesying that Donald Trump would win a second term as the President of the United States. I refuse to blame the saints and say, It didnt come to pass because they did not pray enough. Nor will I proclaim, Donald Trump actually won, so I was right, but now it has been stolen from him, Johnson confessed. I specifically want to apologize to any believer in whom I have now caused potential doubt concerning the voice of God and His ability to speak to His people. As a human being, I missed what God was saying; however, rest assured, God Himself is NOT a liar and His written Word should always be the foundation and source of our lives as Christians. On Sunday, Johnson said he was beyond relieved that President Trump was only an assignment for a season and never a mandate. Revival is never dependent upon who sits in the White House but rather who sits on the Throne in Heaven. I will continue to preach the Cross and the power of the resurrection. I will continue to help prepare the Bride to meet our Bridegroom, he noted. As we head into 2021, expect me to be more committed to the gospel and making disciples than ever before. By Gods grace I will walk in a greater measure of humility and repentance than ever before. I will learn from my mistakes and seek correction from Godly leaders always. House Democrats are expected to file one article of impeachment against President Trump on Monday morning that charges him with "incitement of insurrection," according to a copy of the article cited by CNN. The article also references Trumps call with the Georgia Republican secretary of state in which Trump urged him to find enough votes to help him win the state. In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the resolution notes. He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Trump, who has claimed voter fraud impacted the election outcome, condemned the Capitol riot, saying, The demonstrators who infiltrated the capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country and to those who broke the law, you will pay. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. on Monday said it has entered an agreement to acquire Servian, a Sydney, Australia-based, privately-held enterprise transformation consultancy specializing in data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), digital services, experience design, and cloud. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021. Financial details were not disclosed. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Upon the close of the acquisition, Servians more than 500 technology and consulting professionals based primarily in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) will join Cognizant, doubling the size of Cognizants cloud and data team in the region. The acquisition of Servian expands Cognizants digital transformation capabilities in ANZ to help clients move to the cloud and build digital products and services by unlocking value from data. Servian is Cognizants 10th digital-focused acquisition announced since January 2020, highlighting Cognizants strategy to accelerate capabilities and growth in its priority areas of data and AI, digital engineering, cloud, and internet of things (IoT) across the globe. Enterprises in Australia and New Zealand are at an inflection point in their digital adoption," said Jane Livesey, CEO, Cognizant Australia and New Zealand. Cognizants extensive digital expertise combined with Servians strengths as the premier technology partner in the region will open up the full power of digital transformation for our Australasian clients. We look forward to welcoming Servians talented digital-native professionals to Cognizant." Cognizant already has more than 1,200 professionals in Australia serving more than 110 clients, including top Australian banks, insurers, retailers, and communications companies. In the last few years, the company has strengthened its in-country cloud, product engineering, platform, Salesforce, and Workday capabilities to expand its digital business in Australia," Cognizant said in a statement. Founded in 2008, Servian has worked with more than 190 major companies in ANZ in the banking, telecommunications, insurance, retail, and government sectors, including eight of ANZs 15 largest companies. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Charleston region is getting a new Women's Business Center affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the largest-ever expansion in the program's 30-year history. Increasing H.O.P.E., a North Charleston nonprofit that bills itself as a one-stop shop for financial training, was chosen to create one of the 20 new centers the federal agency announced last week that it would launch across the U.S. It will be the only center operating in the Charleston region and the third in South Carolina. Last year, the SBA launched the first at Benedict College in Columbia, its second-ever center based at a historically Black college or university. The other is at CommunityWorks, a nonprofit in Greenville. Dorothea Bernique, executive director at Increasing H.O.P.E., said her group first applied to host one of the centers early last year. It applied again when the SBA put out another call months later, and she learned just before the holidays that the nonprofit had been chosen. It was "perfect timing," Bernique said, because of how the center's launch will coordinate with the development of The Opportunity Center, a facility being set up in a former warehouse off Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. Similar to the SBA Women's Business Center program, the goal is to support under-represented entrepreneurs in the Charleston region, in addition to being an economically sustainable way to house the offices of a few nonprofits behind its creation. Increasing H.O.P.E. will be moving its offices to the Opportunity Center along with its partners in the project: Homes of Hope, the Center for Heirs Property Preservation and the S.C. Association for Community Economic Development, or SCACED. The building also will house a business incubator, a career training facility and, now, the SBA-affiliated Women's Business Center. "It's just an amazing addition to the entrepreneurial ecosystem we're building," Bernique said. 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 SBA center will be operated separately from Increasing H.O.P.E., Bernique said, so her first task is finding a staff to run its programming, which will eventually include one-on-one counseling, networking, workshops and technical assistance for women entrepreneurs. It will offer services to help women at any stage in their business, Bernique said, whether they're at the point of developing an idea or have been running their own companies for years. Knowing how many small businesses have had to close amid the coronavirus pandemic Black-owned businesses, in particular, were closing at rates twice that of other businesses Bernique said it's likely people will need help either getting their business back on track or charting a new course. In the last year, the existing network of Women's Business Centers has helped small businesses to "pivot with confidence to stay afloat during the pandemic, SBA administrator Jovita Carranza said in an announcement about the rollout of new centers last week. The expansion of the program will "boost timely resources to our nations female economic drivers," Carranza said. Locations for the new centers prioritized "rural and underserved markets," per the SBA. Accessibility to the communities they are trying to serve was key when they chose the location for the Opportunity Center, Bernique said. It's located on a main thoroughfare in North Charleston with a nearby bus stop. In mid-2019, the Opportunity Center project received a $2.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The funding came from an Economic Development Administration Program that provides assistance to "regions experiencing adverse economic changes." A groundbreaking event will be hosted at the Opportunity Center later this month, Bernique said, and a move to the center will likely happen early in the summer. The SBA will support the business center with annual grants of $125,000 for up to five years, but those funds have to be matched, so Bernique said they are currently seeking sponsors for the facility. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021 schedule has been released as the now virtual event will begin on Jan. 11 until Jan. 13. This is the first time the tech giants like Sony, Samsung, LG, Intel, Microsoft, AMD, and Nvidia will convene out of Las Vegas hotels to online conferences as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the United States and other countries worldwide. The all-virtual CES 2021 is a unique experience for the tech event, which will feature over 1,800 expected exhibitors and more than 100 conference sessions. According to NDTV, some major brands such as Lenovo and Dell already rolled out their offerings while others gave sneaks before the CES 2021 begins on Jan. 11. CES 2021 full schedule Here is a full Jan. 11 CES 2021 schedule, which consumers can look forward to as it features some of the biggest tech brands: January 11 Schedule 7:00 a.m. EST - Hisense 8:00 a.m. EST - LG 9:00 a.m. EST - Samsung 10:00 a.m. EST - Panasonic, Phillips, Skyworth 11:00 a.m. EST - Canon, TCL, Mercedez-Benz with a Live Q&A that follows. 12:00 noon EST - Magna International, Kohler 1:00 p.m. - Intel/Mobileye 2:00 p.m. - OMRON Healthcare, Indy Autonomous Challenge from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a Live Q&A that follows. 3: 00 p.m. - Caterpillar, CTA'S 2021 Tech Trends to Watch 4: 00 p.m. - Schneider Electric, Taiwan Tech Arena 5: 00 p.m. - Sony At 3 p.m., CTA will have its anticipated annual presentation, entitled Tech Trends to Watch. The presentation will preview tech latest tech trends and highlight the latest research that will be unveiled during CES 2021 and throughout the year. The media will also have a Live Q&A session after the presentation. For the remaining days of CES 2021, here are other events to watch out until Jan. 14: January 12 schedule 11:00 a.m. EST - AMD 12:00 noon EST - Nvidia 12:15 pm EST - Intel 1:00 pm EST - Asus ROG 1:45 p.m EST - Sony North America January 13 schedule 9:00 a.m. EST - Microsoft 12:00 noon EST - Asus 2:00 p.m. EST - MSI Read also: Panasonic OLED TV Offers New Extreme Game Mode to Cut Lag Time, AI Processor for Optimized Picture CES 2021: What to expect CES 2021 Microsoft plans remains a secret, unlike Sony and LG, which already revealed some details of what they would offer during the event. Meanwhile, consumers can expect the Korean electronics giant to showcase the recently unveiled Eyesafe-certified TV, the first in the world to reduce blue light emissions, a new OLED TV for gamers that creates sound even without speakers as well as the TV software webOS 6.0 for its TV lineup for 2021. Sony already has unveiled its 2021 TV models, which they all supports PlayStation 5's HDMI 2.1 features ahead of CES 2021 while it is expected to launch the WF-1000XM4, the updated version for its flagship truly wireless WF-1000XM3. Similarly, Samsung already launched its brand new TV models, so the Korean brand it expected to highlight other products during it CES spot. This includes a food and wine pairing service, the portal oxygen device Air Pocket, an EZCal-based automatic TV picture calibration as well as the Galaxy S21, which is expected to take the spotlight at the end of CES 2021. Meanwhile, Nvidia and AMD have already launched their newest graphics cards before the event. However, Asus is expected to unveil new consumer (TUF) and gaming (ROG) laptops during its Jan. 13 schedule on CES 2021. They are likely to run newest Nvidia's RTX 3000 series and powered by Intel. Related article: CES Convention Las Vegas 2021 Schedule: What to Expect from Acer, Asus, Lenovo, LG and More! This is owned by tech Times Written by CJ Robles 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Smoking marijuana exposes the body to some of the same toxic chemicals released from tobacco, but at lower levels, according to a new study. Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at the levels of several dangerous chemicals in the blood and urine of 245 volunteers. Some of the volunteers didn't smoke, some smoked either weed or tobacco and dome smoked a combination of both. They found that those who only smoked marijuana still had several smoke-related toxic chemicals in their system - but at lower levels than those who also or only smoked tobacco. These included napthalene, acrylonitrile and acrylamide - toxic chemicals that can cause liver damage, are linked to cancer and a range of other health issues, researchers claim. However, another chemical, acrolein, which is known to contribute to cardiovascular disease in tobacco smokers - only increased with tobacco smoking not marijuana. The team say reducing acrolein exposure from tobacco smoking and other sources could be a strategy for reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Those who only smoke marijuana still had several smoke-related toxic chemicals in their system - but at lower levels than those who also or only smoke tobacco Marijuana use is on the rise in the US with a growing number of states legalising it for medical and nonmedical purposes - including five more states in the 2020 election. 'The increase has renewed concerns about the potential health effects of marijuana smoke, which is known to contain some of the same toxic combustion products found in tobacco smoke,' said the senior author, Dana Gabuzda, MD, of Dana-Farber. 'This is the first study to compare exposure to acrolein and other harmful smoke-related chemicals over time in exclusive marijuana smokers and tobacco smokers, and to see if those exposures are related to cardiovascular disease.' The study involved 245 HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants in three studies of HIV infection in the US. HIV infected people were used because of high tobacco and marijuana smoking rates in this group. The researchers collected data from participants' medical records and survey results and analysed their blood and urine samples for substances produced by the breakdown of nicotine or the combustion of tobacco or marijuana. Combining these datasets enabled them to trace the presence of specific toxic chemicals to tobacco or marijuana smoking. They could also see if any were associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Acrylamide, one of the chemicals found in both tobacco and marijuana smoke, is used to make paper, plastics and dyes and produced when vegetables are heated to a high temperature. The chemical is regarded as a 'probably human carcinogen' by the US National Toxicology Program and the American Cancer Society. The team say reducing acrolein exposure from tobacco smoking and other sources could be a strategy for reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Stock image Meanwhile acrylonitrile, found as a by-product of smoking weed and tobacco, is used to make plastics and fibres. The World Health Organisation said cigarette smoke can be a significant source of acrylonitrile in indoor air pollution and is seen as a probable carcinogen. The investigators also suggest that high acrolein levels, found in tobacco smokers, may be a sign of increased risk of cardiovascular disease and that reducing exposure to the chemical could lower risk. 'This is important for people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, given high rates of tobacco smoking and the increased risk of heart disease in this group.' 'Our findings suggest that high acrolein levels may be used to identify patients with increased cardiovascular risk,' Gabuzda said, 'and that reducing acrolein exposure from tobacco smoking and other sources could be a strategy for reducing risk.' The findings have been published in the journal EClinicalMedicine. 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 11, 2021] MaxLinear, Inc. to Present at Upcoming Financial Conferences MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits, today announced that it will attend the following financial conferences. Financial Conference Schedule 23rd Annual Needham Growth Conference on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. The presentation will be made virtually and there will be a webcast in the IR section of www.maxlinear.com. Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conferene between March 1 and March 4, 2021. SIG Ninth Annual Technology Conference on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Loop Capital's Inaugural Investor Conference between March 11 and March 12, 2021. Roth 2021 Conference between March 15 and March 17, 2021. About MaxLinear, Inc. MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE: MXL) is a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits for access and connectivity, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications. MaxLinear is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. For more information, please visit www.maxlinear.com. MxL and the MaxLinear logo are trademarks of MaxLinear, Inc. Other trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111006050/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. That made for a combustible mix when the stakes were highest. The elements had been coming together in plain sight, often in missives delivered by tweet. Twitter has since banned Trump's account, denying him his megaphone of choice, "due to the risk of further incitement of violence. I wish we could say we couldnt see it coming, President-elect Joe Biden said of the Capitol melee. "But that isnt true. We could see it coming. Mary Trump saw it coming from her unique vantage point as a clinical psychologist and Trump niece. Mary Trump and her book that sold nearly 1 million copies within 24 hours of its release. Credit:Simon & Schuster Its just a very old emotion that hes never been able to process from when he was a little kid terrified of the consequences of being in a losing position, terrified of being held accountable for his actions for the first time in his life, she told PBS a week after the election. He is in a position of being a loser, which in my family, certainly ... was the worst possible thing you could be, she said. So hes feeling trapped, hes feeling desperate ... increasingly enraged." Post-election trouble was predictable because Trump all but said it would happen if he lost. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Months before a vote was cast, he claimed the system was rigged and plans for mail-in voting fraudulent, assailing the process so relentlessly that he may have hurt his chances by discouraging his supporters from voting by mail. He pointedly declined to assure the country in advance that he would respect the result, something most presidents don't have to be asked to do. There was no evidence before the election that it would be tainted and no evidence after of the massive fraud or gross error that he and his team alleged in scores of lawsuits that judges, whether appointed by Republicans, Democrats or Trump himself, systematically dismissed, often as nonsense. The Supreme Court, with three justices placed by Trump, brushed him off. Loading That didn't stop him. I hate defeat," he said in a 2011 video. I cannot stand defeat. But the election aftermath ultimately left him with no fallback except his foot soldiers, who couldn't countenance his losing, either. Trump's history of advancing false and sometimes racist conspiracies rooted in right-wing extremism is long. He's praised supporters of QAnon, a convoluted pro-Trump conspiracy theory, saying he didnt know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much and it is gaining in popularity. QAnon centres on an anonymous social media user, or users, known as Q who shares "information" about an anti-Trump "deep state" - essentially the online-born QAnon conspiracy that regards Trump's opponents as Satan-worshipping blood-drinking paedophiles. The FBI has warned that such conspiracy theory-driven extremists are domestic terrorist threats. A protesters holds a Q sign while waiting to enter a campaign rally with President Donald Trump in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 2018. Credit:AP In 2017, Trump said there was blame on both sides for deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, the site of a stand-off between white supremacist groups and those protesting against them. He said there were fine people on both sides. And, during a debate with Biden, Trump wouldnt criticise the neo-fascist Proud Boys. Instead, Trump said the group should Stand back and stand by. The remark drew a firestorm and a day later he tried to walk it back. Trump didnt condemn the actions of an Illinois teen accused of fatally shooting two people and wounding a third during summer protests on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to charges. In October he chose not to denounce people who plotted the kidnapping of the Michigan Governor. When our leaders meet, encourage or fraternise with domestic terrorists, they legitimise their actions and they are complicit, Whitmer said. When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was the target of a kidnap plot, police said. Credit:Ann Arbor News/AP To Mary Trump, the manner of her uncle's defeat helped to set the stage for the toxicity she presciently said in November would happen. Republicans in the Senate and House races outperformed him, enlarging their minority in the House and holding their Senate majority until Georgias two elections this month tipped the Senate balance to Democrats. His defeat on November 3 was on him, not the party. So he also doesnt have anybody else to blame, his niece said. So I think that he is probably in a position that nobody can help him out emotionally and psychologically, which is going to make it worse for the rest of us. Loading Worse came. Oren Segal, vice-president of the Anti-Defamation League's Centre on Extremism, called the attack last Wednesday the logical conclusion to extremism and hate going unchecked during Trumps presidency. If youre surprised, you havent been paying attention, said Amy Spitalnick of Integrity First, a civil rights group engaged in lawsuits over the 2017 Charlottesville violence. On Thursday night, Trump took a stab at a unifying message, after months of provocation, saying in a video this moment calls for healing and reconciliation". But Friday he was back to tending his great American Patriots and demanding they be treated fairly, and he said he won't go to Biden's inauguration. He acknowledged his presidency was ending, but did not could not, may never acknowledge defeat. For all of the insulting nicknames he's tagged on his political foes sleepy, shifty, cryin, corrupt, crazy, little, brain-dead, wacky, pencil neck, low-IQ, watermelon head, dummy, deranged, sick puppy, low energy none was meant to sting more than loser. And nothing, it seems, stung more than when the loser was him. The AIMIM foray may not amount to much in Bengal, given the distinctly Bengali identity of Bengali Muslims. Nevertheless, that will play into the equation. But BJP can't rely on Owaisi to mount a challenge to the TMC, especially with Banerjees latest slew of welfare schemes pulling a lot of popular heft. The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), now chasing the big ask of a change of regime, is proving itself adept at self-incineration, despite having much going for it. At one point, it did appear that it had built up some momentum. The defection of Purba Medinipur Trinamool Congress (TMC) satrap three weeks ago also seemed to promise the party getter traction, but for a variety of reasons it seems to be losing the plot. The first theatre in which the BJP seems to be so gaffe-prone that it is alienating itself from, especially, the urban middle class is that of culture. Before we list its missteps, we need to remind ourselves of one characteristic of Bengals public life and, for want of a better phrase, the Bengali psyche. Bengalis are inordinately proud of their linguistic communitys cultural heritage and attainments. Most relatively homogeneous communities are, but with the educated Bengali this is an article of faith. By way of qualification, we must mention that the word educated is being used here in a latitudinous sense, because very often the adjective is a self-ascription. Now, to get to the point of the BJPs serial gaffes, we have to go back to the multi-phase Lok Sabha elections of 2019. Days before the last phase of polling on 19 May, when nine constituencies in Kolkata and the neighbouring districts of North and South 24 Parganas were to vote, a bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was desecrated in the wake of a roadshow led by then party president Amit Shah. It was fairly conclusively established that BJP cadres had been responsible. The BJP failed to win a single constituency in this phase, though it had won 18 of the 33 that had gone to the polls previously. The TMC ran a successful campaign against the BJPs lack of respect and understanding of Bengals culture and traditions. Since then the party has been guilty of a number of embarrassing self-goals. To begin with the latest, BJP president JP Nadda visited Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district on Saturday. While visiting the Jagadanandapur temple in Katwa, he described it as the place where the Bhakti saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had been initiated. In actual fact, the initiation had taken place at a temple about 10 km away. The Jagadanandapur temple had been built 329 years after the initiation. It didnt help matters that on Sunday BJP state president Dilip Ghosh countered questions on the issue in an unnecessarily combative way, offering absurd arguments instead of admitting to an honest error. On 5 November 2020, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while on a tour of the Jangalmahals, garlanded the statue of an unknown tribal hunter identified by the state BJP as Birsa Munda, the millenarian tribal leader who had led a revolution ulgulaan in the local language against the British colonialists at the end of the nineteenth century. This misidentification, too, created, an uproar, but state BJP leaders refused to acknowledge the mistakes, alienating influential tribal leaders in the region. To top these, vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty has taken on Nobel-winning economist Amartya Sen in a spat. From describing a conversation with Sen, which the latter claims is imaginary, to accusing him of encroaching land and trying to protect vendors of vegetables and other commodities because his daughter (a journalist who does not live in Santiniketan) buys stuff from them, Chakraborty has not only alienated the academic community in Visva-Bharati, who accuse him of blatant attempts to saffronise the campus, but the old Santiniketan community as well. Given Sen's stature among Bengalis, this gratuitous confrontation has angered the educated middle class and others on a broader scale as well. Finally, we get to the man who defines Bengal Rabindranath Tagore. It all began on 9 November 2020 when a tweet attributed to Nadda (but posted on the state units handle) said Tagore was born in Visva-Bharati. Apart from the fact that no such thing as Visva-Bharati existed in 1961 when Tagore was born, practically all Bengalis, or people who have close connections with Bengal, in addition to millions of tourists who have ever visited Kolkata, know that Tagore was born in Jorasanko in north Calcutta. This provoked both outrage and derision, which was further fueled by a poster controversy. Less than a fortnight later, ahead of a visit by Shah on 20 December to the commercial town of Bolpur, adjacent to Santiniketan, which is essentially a university town, posters appeared all over the place in which Shahs image overshadowed Tagores. Though the BJP claimed it had nothing to do with the posters, the damage was done in the form of escalating outrage. All this might seem a bit arcane and, frankly, beyond the ambit of electoral arithmetic. But its not. These cultural tropes play seriously into shaping political perceptions and calculations. Observers and analysts of Bengals political scene have been discerning since before the 2019 elections, a shift in urban upper-caste, middle-class preferences towards the BJP. This was traditionally a CPI(M) constituency and had never taken to TMC chief Mamata Banerjees plebeian political style. But these controversies, which dont seem to be going away, could easily swing this constituency back towards the Left, or even the TMC, as the desecration of Vidyasagars statue demonstrably did. Mamata and her party, on their part, have not missed these sitters in their attempts to score points. Thus, the repeated reference to the BJP as a party of outsiders. It is not easy to predict what kind of dividend the TMC will gain from this line of attack. But its unlikely to hurt the party, while it is likely to hurt the BJP to an as yet unpredictable extent. There are other indications at this point that the BJP is losing momentum somewhat. The operative bit is, at this point. There is every possibility that lost ground can be recovered. But let us cut to the pointers going against the BJP now. First, Subhendus defection was touted as a big coup. It hasnt proved to be one yet just as current BJP national vice-president Mukul Roys defection in November 2017 proved somewhat underwhelming. Subhendu joined the BJP on 19 December, after making it clear for weeks that he would be quitting the party. When he left, one MP, five MLAs and a handful of lower-level functionaries, whose numbers cannot be accurately ascertained. In the three-plus weeks that have passed since then, Subhendus younger brother Soumendu joined the BJP on New Years Day, with 14 councillors of the Contai municipality of which he was the administrator/chairperson before being removed by the TMC days before his switch. Apart from the fact that this means that the Contai municipality has changed hands, Soumendus switch is of no great significance, given that he is the lightweight in the Adhikari family. Until patriarch Sisir Adhikari makes a move, not much will have changed. Subhendus much-vaunted connections in other districts do not seem to have triggered any seismic events. And that finally brings us to Asaduddin Owaisi who plams to put up over 50 All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidates in the Bengal Assembly elections. In the past, Owaisi has wittingly (or less likely) unwittingly helped the BJP by putting up candidates in constituencies with Muslim concentration in various states. His first electoral success outside his Telangana base was in the Bihar elections last November. It was reported that on 3 January Owaisi met Pirzada Abbas Siddique, the secretary of Furfura Sharif, a prominent shrine in Hooghly district and came to a political understanding. Siddique is an influential cleric and his support could boost Owaisis deal. But the Furfura Sharif hierarchy itself is divided, with one group close to Banerjee. In the ultimate analysis, the AIMIM foray may not amount to much, given the distinctly Bengali identity of Bengali Muslims. Nevertheless, that will play into the equation. But the BJP cant rely on Owaisi to mount a challenge to the TMC, especially with Mamata's latest slew of welfare schemes pulling a lot of popular heft. The BJP will have to re-invent itself for Bengal, which it hasnt yet managed to do. Relying on defectors will almost certainly exacerbate existing tensions between loyal cadres and leaders, as opposed to opportunistic arrivals. . Saudi Arabia welcomed on Monday the United States' decision to designate Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as terrorists, as it continues to lead a military coalition supporting the government against them "The foreign ministry welcomes the American administration's decision to designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist organisation," reported the official Saudi Press Agency. "It is in line with the legitimate Yemen government's calls to put an end to the activities of the militia supported by Iran." Search Keywords: Short link: Some restaurants in Upstate New York have reopened for indoor dining, defying Gov. Andrew Cuomos orange zone restrictions. WETM reports BCs Texas Hots in Elmira and The Diner in Horseheads, both located in Chemung County, opened for indoor dining last week despite still being designated in an orange zone. Another four restaurants in the county Lights Bakery, Turtle Leaf Cafe, Curlys Chicken House and Annes Pancakes said theyll reopen for indoor dining this week. Were drawing the line, Turtle Leaf Cafe owner Adam Bunce told the Southern Tier TV station. We were no longer going to be blamed responsible for the spread of COVID for the COVID numbers in this area. Cuomo introduced the zones in the fall as Covid-19 cases began surging again, with differing restrictions based on coronavirus infection rates. Eateries in yellow zones are still allowed to offer indoor dining, many of which are a short drive from orange zone businesses. But state data released last month showed restaurants and bars were responsible for just 1.4% of Covid exposures. The biggest issue, by far, is household/social gatherings, where 73.8% of exposures are linked. Three other factors health care delivery, college students and education workers still ranked ahead of restaurants and bars. Cuomo admitted last week that the zone system has issues after complaints from restaurant owners, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and others. That is the problem with the whole zone concept, he said Friday during a press conference in Albany. Its geographic and people drive outside the zone. According to WETM, Chemung County restaurants have been under orange zone restrictions for more than 11 weeks, struggling to stay in business by serving takeout only. Areas can only move from the orange zone to the yellow zone if it has a 4% average positive rate (7-day average) over the last 10 days and the region has at least 85% hospital capacity. As of Sunday, Chemung County has a 6.10% seven-day rolling average, according to WETM. MORE ON CORONAVIRUS Coronavirus in NY: Cases, maps, charts and resources See detailed list of who is now eligible for Covid vaccine in NY 3 more UK Covid-19 variant cases in NY as state positive rate drops slightly Exclusive: 2 of every 3 people killed by Covid-19 in Onondaga County lived in nursing homes Complete coronavirus coverage on syracuse.com Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) continued discussing Friday the various bills passed within the latest COVID-19 relief package. Cuellar commented on the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief package. According to the congressmans office, the bill helped secure language that will create a Latino museum in the nations capital, increase economic partnerships between the United States and Mexico, continue the Donations Acceptance Program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, end surprise medical billing and expand universal charitable giving deduction for the tax year 2021. The partnership is to make sure that we work with Mexico with a focus on health, entrepreneurship and the education sectors, so this basically calls on the U.S. Department and of course working with Mexico to make sure that we work in energy, health, business and education sectors, Cuellar said. He said there are various community colleges and other educational institutions in the country that have already begun implementing programs where they work with Mexican students and that this helps the Republic of Mexico greatly. However, he hopes this bill helps foster even more economic partnerships. In terms of health, he believes the need to look for healthcare workers that come from distant areas such as Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries is something that could also be done with the Republic of Mexico. He said it could help both countries foster more ties while also having more easy access to the resources needed for medically underserved areas. In terms of vaccine distribution, he said this bill helps show how the federal government has done its part, but it is up to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and for individual states to modify how they will distribute the funds for vaccines. I only think that the State of Texas has only distributed about 44%, Cuellar said. I call on the state to find a way to look for more vaccination hubs to get them out there faster as I understand the CDC had certain guidelines such as Phase 1A and 1B, and under 1B that covered law enforcement, of course that was the federal government, and the state then changed it to the elderly and those who had preexisting conditions, so there is a low difference between there. Cuellar said the new policy also attempts to prevent people from receiving any surprise bills when seeking medical care. He said many people who seek medical assistance and get a procedure tend to get a bill that is surprisingly high, and this is often caused by the individual going out of their network. We now have language there that requires health plans to hold patients harmless from surprise medical bills, Cuellar said. This would be applied to everybody and make sure that patients are only required to pay the in-network cosign amount and deductible if they will be charged for out-of-network procedures. According to Cuellar, this has even happened to him where he has gotten large medical bills that do not match with the networks they have. Many people around the county and the district he represents have had this happen to them as well. Another focus of the omnibus bill is the construction of a Latino museum in the nations capital. Cuellar said this is needed as Hispanic and Latino influence has existed even before any other European influence in the United States as Spanish was the first European spoken language in the country. The first colony was also Spanish in Florida, and the way coins are made comes from Spain as well. We have put the authorization to make us look at the collection and the study and the research and the establishment of exhibitions whether it is Hispanic life, Latinos, history, culture, and now there will be a place in Washington D.C. just like the Native Americans and the African Americans, Cuellar said. Cuellar said the museum is needed as Latino influence in the area is often not highlighted or showcased as it is with other minorities. The fact that Hispanics are now the largest ethnic group in the country is another major reason why he believes this needed to be done. A program called the Donations Acceptance Program for CBP that he enacted in 2014 was another policy found within the authorized bill. The policy allows for the port of entries to take donations by various entities including private, public, city and even county governments to make sure that the personnel at the ports continue to have all the resources they need to continue their services. Cuellar said he worked with Texas Senator John Cornyn to ensure that this program could be put in place. Taxes, especially regarding the charitable tax dedications, was another topic put into the bill. We were able to put in our legislation, Chris Smith (NJ-4) and myself, to make sure that we continue to have a deduction, and its up to $300 for a qualifying nonprofit organization, or if its a married couple that will go up to $600 for them, Cuellar said. The bill also included language that makes much more feasible for parents and children to get federal aid assistance. Also, the Pell Grant, which is one of the main grants offered by the federal government for college students, will be increasing for the first time in 10 years. More information about these changes will soon be offered. We will certainly be working in expanding outreach and awareness, Cuellar said. 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. The digital divide that has widened during the pandemic has been more than a stumbling block for many college students trying to adjust to online learning -- it's been a closed gate. But there could be at least some relief in sight from the federal government. The coronavirus relief package signed into law last month includes a $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund that will help low-income families with a $50 monthly reimbursement for internet services. College students who receive federal Pell Grant aid are also eligible. "This is great news for -- among others -- low-income/minority college students who have not been able to attend in-person classes or study at the library and thus need to rely on broadband access at home for classes and assignments," said USC professor Hernan Galperin, a researcher of internet policy and digital inequality. The relief comes as higher education researchers and advocates are detailing how the pandemic has increased college dropout rates and is lengthening times to graduation. As the pandemic pushed colleges to move education online, some of the students most affected have been those with the least access to high quality internet before the pandemic: low-income students and Black and Latino students. "The lack of access to devices and internet is threatening college students' education," said Manny Rodriguez, senior legislative associate with The Education Trust-West. "We need to craft solutions with low-income students, students of color at the center, because they're the ones that are being impacted the hardest during this time." EVEN WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU'RE SHUT OUT OF CLASS UC Berkeley student Sadia Khan shares a campus apartment and its WiFi service with her kindergartener and her sister, who is enrolled at UC Davis. (Courtesy Sadia Khan) For many students, poor internet access means disrupted classes. "I would log on, get dropped, log on, get dropped. And that would happen like four or five times," said Sadia Khan, a UC Berkeley senior who lives on campus. "Then you kind of just get frustrated and tired because you want to be in there, you want to participate in class. But what do you do when everything that you're trying is no longer working?" Khan shares her apartment, and the internet service, with her 5-year-old son and her sister, who's enrolled at UC Davis. Khan's son and sister have also had the same connectivity struggles. On bad days, Khan shuts off her computer and listens to her lectures by phone. Cal State Northridge graduating senior Kelly De Leon also shares a home with others. Two of her three roommates work from home and another takes college classes at home. "We call it Zoom University, and it was just a horrible experience overall," she said. Their internet access costs $70 a month but doesn't meet their needs. The problems didn't derail her college plans, but this is not how she wanted to remember her last year of college. Even with their connectivity issues, Khan and De Leon are fortunate compared with many of their peers. ADVOCATES WANT MORE HELP FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Education Trust-West laid out stark numbers in an October report: More than 1 in 10 California college students don't have access to the internet Roughly the same proportion don't have a device to be able to engage in distance learning The group used federal college student data and estimated that more than 100,000 California students have been left in the dark as education has shifted online. They are largely students of color from low-income households. CSU Northridge student Kelly De Leon has struggled with unreliable internet service during the pandemic. (Courtesy Kelly De Leon) The group included UC undergraduate survey data from Spring 2020 that suggested a third of students had concerns, some serious, about the impact of reliable internet on their learning. "The digital divide conversation has been very focused on K-12, which is critically important, but we cannot lose sight of the digital divide in higher education," Rodriguez said. "K-12 has received a good chunk of money through the learning loss mitigation fund -- $5.3 billion -- but we haven't seen anything similar for higher education." That $5.3 billion allocation is in the current state budget. WHAT IS BROADBAND AND WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL? The Federal Communications Commission defines Broadband internet -- which includes wireless, cable, DSL, fiber optic, or satellite -- as the ability to download at a rate of 25 megabits per second and upload at a rate of at least 3 megabits per second. When multiple people share, those speeds can get slow. In a letter sent to the California Broadband Council, 20 advocacy groups, including Education Trust-West, said the 25 mbps/3 mbps standard isn't enough for households where multiple members are using video conferencing platforms and are uploading documents and streaming video. The group called for a 100 Mbps/100 Mbps speed per household. The Broadband Council released a 50-page action plan right before the New Year that acknowledges the critical need for wider broadband access as workplaces, schools and health services become more dependent on remote learning and employment. "Californians' ability to access and use broadband became the difference between being able to fully engage in life, and being cut off," the plan says. It lists three main goals for all Californians: High-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries and businesses Access to affordable broadband and necessary devices Access to training and support to enable digital inclusion. Page 2 of BB4All-Action-Plan-Final Contributed to DocumentCloud by KPCC Documents (Southern California Public Radio) View document or read text There is no specific timetable in the plan for implementing these reforms. INCLUDING COLLEGE STUDENTS IN CALIFORNIA'S BROADBAND FUTURE The November letter from the 20 advocacy organizations -- including the Cal State Student Association, UC Student Association, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and Public Advocates -- also asked the council to: Improve marketing and visibility of low cost and free broadband programs, as well as removing data limits on those programs so that households can more easily accommodate multiple devices Help establish a low-income benchmark, such as Cal Grant or Pell Grant eligibility, for college student eligibility for those programs Increase use of antennas and other technology on college campuses to allow students to come onto campus to use WiFi at places such as parking lots "We need to build those high-speed networks such as fiber, just as we have roads, highways and railroads," said Carmen Lidz, chief information officer for the nine-campus Los Angeles Community College District. Since the pandemic began, the district has handed out more than 40,000 laptops and other devices for students, but not nearly as many portable hotspots. That's led to connectivity issues for many students. Lidz lists a patchwork of solutions her district has used to help students, such as the L.A. County Hotspot Locator, and internet reimbursement programs for students. But that's not enough. The L.A. Community College District enrolls more than 200,000 students. Even a system that large can't fix the digital divide on its own. "What the commercial companies can do is increase affordability and accessibility to the broadband services to those underserved residential areas, and provide free wireless services in some of the public spaces across our communities," she said. The California Broadband Council did not include such a direct recommendation in its state broadband action plan, but did list ways companies have increased access to services for low-income families. BROADBAND REIMBURSEMENT OPEN FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS For now, students can look to the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program for some relief. To qualify, a household must have a person who is eligible for the public school free and reduced-price lunch program, has suffered economically because of a layoff or furlough during the pandemic, or has a member who has received federal college financial aid, known as Pell Grants. Qualifying families will have access to a $50 monthly reimbursement ($75 if the household is on tribal lands) on their internet service provider bill. The FCC is expected to release more details about the implementation of the federal broadband benefit in the coming weeks. [January 11, 2021] The Salt Lake Tribune Names Code Corporation a Winner of the Utah Top Workplaces 2020 Award Code Corporation has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Salt Lake Tribune. "We are very grateful to the Salt Lake Tribune for recognizing Code Corporation as one of the top workplaces in Utah," said Kent Hansen, CEO of Code Corporation. "This honor is a tremendous validation of the work-ethic, creativity and determination of every member of our team. This has been a challenging year on many fronts and the fact that we have been able to come together to serve our clients, including many healthcare organizations, in the midst of a global pandemic is a testament to effective teamwork. Our ability to innovate has resulted in bringing new products to market including a Dark Gray version of our flagship barcode scanner that is disinfectant-ready, which enables more employees in more industries to stay safe and efficient." The Top Workplaces 2020 Award is based solely onemployee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, connection and more. "In times of great change, it is more important than ever to maintain a connection among employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward based on real-time insights into what works best for your organization. The Top Workplaces program can be that positive outcome your company can rally around in the coming months to celebrate leadership and the importance of maintaining an employee-focused culture, even during challenging times." About Code Corporation For more than 20 years, Code Corporation has been an industry pioneer, leader, and champion for data capture innovation and has garnered more than 100 patents. By crafting and continuing to perfect its unique decoding algorithms, Code and its line of image-based scanning and decoding technology consistently deliver unparalleled performance companies around the world depend on every day. Code designs and manufactures a complete line of market-leading hardware and software data capture solutions. Code products are not only valued for providing a consistent level of workflow efficiency year after year, but also for their ergonomic design, durability, ease of customization, and seamless integration. For more, please visit www.codecorp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005860/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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 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. ALBANY The state and Capital Region saw a slight decline in percent positive COVID-19 cases Sunday. The seven-day average of percent of positive test results has dropped in the Capital Region from 10.16 percent Thursday to 9.25 percent Saturday. Though there has been a decrease, it still leaves the region one of the highest-ranking COVID-19 areas in the state, just trailing behind the Mohawk Valley (10.02 percent), Long Island (9.6 percent) and the Finger Lakes (9.55 percent). The Capital Regions seven-day average percentage of positive test results is also about two points higher than the statewide average Sunday of 7.43 percent. Like other regions, however, the states average has slightly dropped from Thursdays 7.88 percent. In line with officials warnings, the regions hospital capacity has dwindled significantly in the aftermath of the holiday season and continues to be overextended. Currently, only 25 percent of hospital beds in the Capital Region are available, which is the lowest percentage in the state and far behind the statewide 34 percent availability. The intensive care units in the area are similar overstretched, with only 18 percent of ICU beds available again, the lowest percentage in the state, and trailing behind the statewide 27 percent. After witnessing what took place in our country over the past two days, I wish to share my thoughts as to how we could frame what took place so we can model the civil discourse and character that can help our country and academic community heal and grow. I am appalled by the violence that took place in the United States Capitol on Wednesday. Divisiveness, false information, and even alternate realities have populated many minds, which led to the riotous and unlawful acts perpetrated in the worlds most symbolic halls of democracy. We are at an inflection point in history. Disruptive forces have the potential to fracture what we stand for as a nation. It is the time for unity, not recklessness. We have the opportunity to uphold truth. Each and every one of us can choose to represent the best of what America is, stands for, and has to offer. As our nation faces these challenges, it is essential that we continue to be the place where civil discourse is taught, role modeled, and where character is developed. Higher education aids us in considering other points of view and understanding factors that may have precipitated these points of view. It is our job to engage in discovery and discourse, and to do so with civility and a sense of humanity, while focusing on what we can learn from even the most painful circumstances. Despite the shocking and tragic events that culminated in Wednesdays insurrection, I see and commend many instances of strength and wisdom. These are profiles in courage, and I note just some of them: Courage on the part of those serving on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemicin caring for the afflicted, and in researching, creating, and deploying remedies. Courage on the part of those who have peacefully marched and demonstrated for racial, social, and economic justice in cities and communities large and small across and in every corner of the nation. Courage on the part of the governor and secretary of state in Georgia who certified the votes and reaffirmed that the law would not be broken. Courage on the part of those who stood up for truth, who took their oaths of office and responsibilities seriously, and defended our democracy. Courage on the part of members of the House and Senate who came together after an egregious disruption, got back to their work, and fulfilled their constitutional duty by certifying the election results. It is my hope that these examples provide us the motivation and strength to use our collective best thinking, imbued with a sense of humanity, to forge a path forward. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education. As educated citizens, living in a global world with a population of more than 7 billion people, we are privileged. Thus, we all have a social responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. The way we respond to hardship can deepen our passions, allow us to gain a more profound understanding of our place in a global society, and shape our legacy in positive ways. This is the essence of building character. My clarion call to the WNE family and the broader civic community is simple: to come together as a community of citizens and to continue to promote the best in all of us. It is our responsibility to contribute to a society where all people are accepted and treated equally, regardless of where they are from, what they look like, or what they believe. It is our responsibility to uphold the ideals of American exceptionalism and democracy. We must learn from the actions of this past week. Our actions will define our character and how we will be remembered. As citizens of the world, dedicated to the ideals of American democracy, let us call on our better angels and come together in a way that positively impacts ourselves, our nation, and humanity. Robert E. Johnson is president of Western New England University Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said a perfect storm in terms of Christmas socialisation, the new UK variant of the virus, and potential seasonality factors has led to the rapid transmission of the virus. He also shot down suggestions the government should be ashamed at the way it has presided over the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland. The Taoiseach is under pressure to defend the Governments handling of the crisis as Ireland has gone from having the lowest infection rate in Europe at the beginning of December to having the highest in the last week. Asked by Pat Kenny on Newstalk on Monday if he and the government are ashamed about what they have presided over, Mr Martin responded: Im not. I think thats a very unfair presentation and assertion in the sense that Im very concerned about it." Expand Close The Government, led by Micheal Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamonn Ryan, is considering banning the sale of alcohol after a certain time of day / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Government, led by Micheal Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamonn Ryan, is considering banning the sale of alcohol after a certain time of day Read More Were doing everything we possibly can to get the numbers down, to get infection reduced in the community and to deal with this in a very resolute and firm way, Mr Martin added, saying that has Ireland has always responded effectively to the various waves and surges of Covid-19 since it impacted on Ireland early last year. Mr Martin argued that Ireland had entered into a perfect storm regarding the circulation of the virus in the community, with socialisation over Christmas and the presence of the UK variant of the virus which he said was detected in 45 per cent of virus samples and was a significant factor in the current surge contributing to the huge rise in cases. Our focus is in getting the current wave under control, getting the numbers down relieving the pressure on our hospitals and protecting the vulnerable and elderly in our community. Thats my entire focus now, Mr Martin added. He also defended the Government's decision to reopen hospitality and allow household visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas. He said: Ireland has been in a fairly prolonged period of restrictions of one kind or another coming into the December period we had a six-week period of level five lockdown before that we had level three. Various sectors and people did want relief from that lockdown all parties welcomed the decision at the end of December. I think the levels came way down as a result of the level five lockdown [in November] the measures worked. There were no mixed messages there." Read More Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is 'extremely disappointed' with her Vogue cover a source has revealed, after the magazine made the decision to swap out her chosen image for another photo at the last minute without consulting the 56-year-old. Harris' debut for the magazine sparked outrage when it was published over the weekend, with hundreds of social media users hitting out at Vogue and its editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, accusing them of 'lightening' the the VP-elect's skin in the images, while basting the 'lazy' editing. A source told DailyMail.com that Harris had thought her preferred image - which shows the VP-elect in a powder blue suit - would be used on the cover, and said she was only made aware that the more 'casual' photo of her wearing Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers had been swapped in when the cover was leaked online. However, a Vogue insider denied that Harris' team ever requested photo or cover approval, and insisted that a specific cover shot had not been agreed upon. Still, the source close to Harris suggested that she privately agrees with much of the online criticism of the chosen cover shot, revealing that the VP-elect is 'extremely disappointed' with the choice - despite the fact that her own team chose her outfits for the shoot. Controversy: Kamala Harris was 'extremely disappointed' with her Vogue cover and the resulting backlash, a source has revealed to DailyMail.com 'Disrespectful': Vogue released two covers, one for the print issue, and one digital alternative (pictured), which is the image that Harris, 56, and her team had approved The backlash marks the latest in a long line of controversies to cloud Vogue editor-in-chief's Wintour's leadership and comes just months after she admitted to allowing 'hurtful and intolerant' behavior at the magazine, as well as failing to do enough to champion black staffers and designers. But, just seven months after Wintour issued her mea culpa as part of a company-wide memo, Vogue is once again being accused of racial prejudice over the apparent 'lightening' of Harris' skin in her cover shot. The image was quickly condemned by social media users, who insisted that the low-quality photo fell short of Vogue's usual style standards, with some accusing the publication of 'white-washing' Harris' skin. In the image, Harris is seen wearing an incredibly casual ensemble: a shiny black suit jacket, a white T-shirt, black cropped pants, and her Converse sneakers, which she occasionally wore on the campaign trail. She is pictured posing in front of swathes of green and pink fabric, which are meant to represent the colors of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically African American Greek-lettered sorority. DailyMail.com's source declined to denounce specific aspects of the shot, but suggested that Harris and her team agree with much of the negative criticism circulating online. 'She is... they are of course extremely disappointed with the photo,' the source said, while adding that Harris hopes the backlash around the image doesn't take away completely from the 'historic' moment: her first magazine cover as the first female US Vice President of color. 'This is a really important [moment] for her,' they continued. 'Vogue symbolizes so much for young women and women of color. These are the type of magazines that don't always have women of color on the cover. Not just this magazine but other magazines like it, so this was a big moment for her.' Despite the backlash over the image, Harris still hopes that the cover will still serve as an 'inspiration' to people of all genders, races, and ages, and demonstrate that 'your dreams are achievable', the source added. Harris' preferred cover option, which will feature on the front of its digital issue, has been reviewed far more favorably by many - and it is understood that this is the image that was Harris' preferred cover option. It was initially claimed by journalist Yashar Ali that Harris and her team had actually agreed with Vogue and Wintour that the blue suit shot would be used on the cover, however an insider at Vogue insists that the VP-elect did not request any kind of photo approval. 'In the cover that they expected, Vice President-elect Harris was wearing a powder blue suit,' Ali tweeted alongside the print cover. 'That was the cover that the Vice President-elect's team and the Vogue team, including [Editor-in-Chief] Anna Wintour, mutually agreed upon...which is standard for fashion magazines.' Under fire: The controversy over Harris' Vogue cover is the latest in a long line of upsets for editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has been accused of marginalizing people of color Details: Journalist Yashar Ali tweeted a photo of the print cover on Sunday and claimed that Harris' team had actually signed off on a different image than the one used Outrage: Dozens of fans came out to condemn the cover, saying the low-quality photo fell short of Vogue's usual style standards and appeared to have lightened Harris' skin Vogue's insider shut down this claim, insisting that Harris' team did not ask to approve a specific cover shot, while adding that magazine staffers chose the image that they felt best reflected the her 'approachable' personality. 'If [Harris] is disappointed with the cover that is obviously regretful, but the team that worked on the shoot was so excited,' the source said. 'They are all her biggest fans.' In an official statement, a spokesperson for Vogue told DailyMail.com that its team 'loved' the 'more informal' image of Harris that was chosen for the cover. 'The team at Vogue loved the images Tyler Mitchell shot and felt the more informal image captured Vice President-elect Harris's authentic, approachable nature - -which we feel is one of the hallmarks of the Biden/Harris administration,' a spokesperson said. 'To respond to the seriousness of this moment in history, and the role she has to play leading our country forward, we're celebrating both images of her as covers digitally.' Many online critics of the shoot were in agreement that the second cover, which shows Harris in a powder blue suit posing in front of a gold background, was far more suitable and flattering, raising questions about why it was shifted to the front of the digital issue. When the cover first emerged several Twitter users questioned whether it was real, saying the quality of the photo and the styling seemed way too low for America's leading fashion magazine. 'Wait that Kamala Vogue cover is real?!' one user questioned. 'I thought it was fake that's how bad it is. Did they just ask her to send them photos her husband took or..?' 'Vogue has Kamala Harris in some f**king Converse. Someone needs to throw a cinderblock at Anna Wintour,' another wrote. 'Kamala looks beautiful in whatever she wears- and I love that she's brought Chucks back- but this Vogue cover is unworthy of the first woman, POC, Vice President of the United States,' a third added. Activist Charlotte Clymer tweeted: 'Folks who don't get why the Vogue cover of VP-elect Kamala Harris is bad are missing the point. 'The pic itself isn't terrible as a pic. It's just far, far below the standards of Vogue. They didn't put thought into it. Like homework finished the morning it's due. Disrespectful.' When the cover first emerged several Twitter users questioned whether it was real Some critics slammed Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour for putting Harris in sneakers Several users pointed out that the lighting washed out Harris' skin Author Wajahat Ali called the cover 'a mess up' and criticized its coloring Activist Charlotte Clymer said the cover is 'far, far below the standards of Vogue' Others critics submitted photos that would have been better to use on the cover Some users shared various photos of Harris that would have been better for the cover, while others noted that her skin appeared to have been lightened in the one that's set to go to print. 'What a mess up. Anna Wintour must really not have Black friends and colleagues,' author Wajahat Ali wrote in response to Yashar Ali's tweet. 'Kamala Harris is about as light skinned as women of color come and Vogue still f**ked up her lighting. WTF is this washed out mess of a cover?' another user, E. Vaughan, tweeted. 'Vogue knows Kamala Harris loves her sorority, suits, comfortable pants and chuck taylors. So they just jumbled it all together for the cover. Except they couldn't decide whether she is going to a luxe French salon, the Senate floor, or taking a jog.' Several critics pointed out that this isn't the first time Vogue has faced backlash over its handling of minority cover stars. 'Anyone shocked by the poor quality of Kamala's Vogue cover hasn't paid attention to Anna Wintour's bulls**t w/people of color. It spans decades. Team Kamala should've known better,' a user named Trish wrote. Some even called for Wintour to be fired. 'Anna Wintour needs to go,' a particularly frustrated critic wrote. 'If the only time her team can properly style a black women is when she's covered in couture then her tenure has ran it course.' Several critics pointed out that this isn't the first time Vogue has faced backlash over its handling of minority cover stars Wintour came into the cross-hairs of America's reckoning on race over the summer after she was accused of discriminating against employees because of the color of their skin. The 71-year-old from London, who has been at the helm of Vogue for more than three decades, responded to the outrage by issuing an extraordinary mea culpa in June. In a company-wide memo, Wintour admitted to allowing 'hurtful and intolerant' behavior at the magazine and conceded that she had not done enough to champion black staffers and designers. 'I want to start by acknowledging your feelings and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through: sadness, hurt, and anger too,' Wintour began. 'I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team I can only imagine what these days have been like. But I also know that the hurt, and violence, and injustice we're seeing and talking about have been around for a long time. Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue.' However Wintour's letter did little to quell the controversy surrounding her decision to remain in her role - and in October, a group of 18 black journalists who have worked with her over the years accused her of favoring employees who are thin, white, and from elite backgrounds in a piece published by the New York Times. Eleven of them called for her resignation following offensive incidents involving her use of the word 'pickaninny', and other cultural appropriation controversies, including outrage over a 2017 Vogue shoot that featured Karlie Kloss posing in a geisha outfit, with her face in pale makeup and her hair dyed black. The photo shoot in Japan drew immediate accusations of 'yellowface', however Wintour reportedly shut down concerns from her staff, insisting that the pictures could not be cut because it would incur an 'enormous expense'. Wintour responded to the Times piece with another apology, writing: 'I strongly believe that the most important thing any of us can do in our work is to provide opportunities for those who may not have had access to them. 'Undoubtedly, I have made mistakes along the way, and if any mistakes were made at Vogue under my watch, they are mine to own and remedy and I am committed to doing the work.' In December Wintour was promoted to become the first-ever chief executive of Conde Nast, in addition to her roles as Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Conde Nast artistic director. Her new title, global chief content officer of Conde Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, gave her control over all of the publications 25 editions across the globe. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuse Cobalt Inc. ("the Company" or "Fuse") (TSXV: FUSE) (OTC: FUSEF) (FRA: 43W3) would like to provide its shareholders with additional information regarding the history and current status of the Company, as well as, its proposed operating plan for 2021. LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS AND PARTNERS: Since February 2020, the Company has accomplished quite a bit during a time of global uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, including a company rebranding and financing. Now that a vaccine is on the horizon, there has been a renewed interest on clean tech solutions, including purchasing of electric vehicles. Tesla Inc. continues to be one of the most valuable car companies by a long-shot and is on the list of some of the most valuable public companies worldwide. We are now planning our 2021 Canadian exploration programs in Cobalt Ontario, and plan to further enhance and move our mineral exploration properties forward. The Company's exploration team is in the process of reviewing our past exploration work, to provide a realistic exploration plan for 2021. Mr. Setter further comments: "Recall that not that long ago, our past drilling results on our Ontario cobalt properties revealed Intersections of 21.9% Cobalt Over 0.36 M and 18.7% Cobalt Over 0.15 M at Teledyne Cobalt Property (News Release Jan 18, 2018), and Intersections of 8.42% Cobalt Over 0.30 Metres on the Glencore Bucke Property (News Release Jan 17, 2018). These are spectacular results. These results along with other high-grade cobalt drill results found during past exploration programs, are the reason why we are excited to continue to work on our properties." In addition to adding working capital and re-claiming 100% of our Canadian cobalt assets over the past year, Fuse has added several experienced people to our team which will allow the Company to drive results on these two properties. "We look to add to both our management team and board over the remainder of calendar 2021, and stay tuned for these announcements," comments Mr. Setter. Furthermore Mr. Setter states: "Long-term, the Company believes in the market for cobalt and we will continue to explore and develop our mineral exploration properties in Ontario. They are great and important Company assets largely because of the emergence of the overall Electric Vehicle market and the need for new global sources of cobalt. For example, a Tesla Model S needs 51 lbs of cobalt for its battery and cobalt is an essential component in a lithium ion rechargeable battery. Electric Vehicles are expected to drive a large part of this increased future metal demand and are projected to grow from a small number today to 140 million vehicles by the year 2035. Because of this demand, our neighbour in Ontario is restarting North America's only licensed cobalt refinery, alongside an investment by mining and commodities trader giant Glencore of $45 million (Glencore Investment News). We are excited that this refinery, once operational, will provide a nearby facility to refine any and all cobalt from the region, especially since we have an existing offtake agreement in place with Glencore on these properties. As you can see, the future for cobalt is certainly bright and Fuse management is extremely positive on the future demand for this metal." These changes have positioned the Company for a bright future for our shareholders. "We are very happy that our shareholders continue to support our company and our exploration programs in Canada," comments Mr. Robert Setter, President & CEO of Fuse. "The funds that we have received recently are earmarked for our various exploration programs in order to improve the value of what we have underground and ultimately work towards getting these properties closer to becoming producing cobalt properties. This will take a lot of hard work, but our team is up for the challenge." Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to a great 2021. Sincerely, Robert Setter President & CEO Qualified Person Joerg Kleinboeck, P.Geol., a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed this news release and concludes it correctly reflects information as reported in the various news releases and assessment reports from which it was derived and approves the scientific and technical disclosure cited in the news release. About Glencore plc. https://www.glencore.com Glencore plc is a leading integrated commodity producer and trader, operating worldwide with diversified operations comprising around 150 mining and metallurgical, oil production and agricultural assets. Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries where they employ around 155,000 people, including contractors. Glencore trades in and distribute physical commodities sourced from third party producers as well as their own production. The company also provide financing, processing, storage, logistics and other services to commodity producers and consumers. About Fuse Cobalt Inc. www.fusecobalt.com Fuse Cobalt Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company that trades under the symbol FUSE on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's focus is on exploration for high value metals required for the manufacturing of batteries. Ontario Cobalt Properties: Fuse owns a 100% interest its Glencore Bucke Property, situated in Bucke Township, 6 km east-northeast of Cobalt, Ontario, subject to a back-in provision, production royalty and off-take agreement. The Glencore Bucke Property consists of 16.2 hectares and sits along the west boundary of Fuse's Teledyne Cobalt Project. The Company also owns a 100% interest, subject to a royalty, in the Teledyne Project which consists of 785 hectares of land and is also located near Cobalt, Ontario. The Teledyne Property adjoins the south and west boundaries of claims that hosted the Agaunico Mine, a former producer of both silver and cobalt. Nevada Lithium Property: Fuse owns a 100% interest in 100 placer claims covering 2000 acres (809 hectares) at Teels Marsh, Nevada. The property, called Teels Marsh West is highly prospective for Lithium brines and is located approximately 48 miles northwest of Clayton Valley and the Rockwood Lithium Mine. Rockwood is North America's only producing brine-based Lithium mine supporting lithium production since 1967. Access to Teels Marsh is via dirt road, west of Highway 95 and northwest of Highway 360. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Robert Setter" Robert Setter, President &CEO 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. Contact: Phone: +1 (236) 521-0207 FuseCobalt.com SOURCE Fuse Cobalt Inc. Related Links https://fusecobalt.com BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CHN) (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund's annual stockholder meeting (the "Meeting") will be held Tuesday, March 9, 2021 via a virtual forum at 11:15 a.m. Stockholders of record as of January 11, 2021 will be entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, the Meeting. Matthews Asia, International Capital Management, LLC, the investment manager, will be in attendance at the meeting and will provide an update on the China market. The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with the objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (i) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is the People's Republic of China ("China"), or (ii) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is outside of China, or constituting direct equity investments in companies organized outside of China, that in both cases derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods and services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in China. Shares of the Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CHN." For further information regarding the Fund and the Fund's holdings, please call (888)-CHN-CALL or visit the Fund's website at www.chinafundinc.com. SOURCE The China Fund, Inc. Related Links http://www.chinafundinc.com US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks during a turnover ceremony of defense articles at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila on Nov. 23, 2020. (Eloisa Lopez/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) US Examining Further Options to Respond to HK Arrests, CCPs Handling of Pandemic: National Security Adviser White House national security adviser Robert OBrien said the United States is considering further options to respond after the arrests of more than 50 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong. OBrien, in a Jan. 11 statement, said the politicized arrests last week were the latest of many successive nails that Beijing has driven into the coffin of Hong Kong democracy. A total of 55 pro-democracy activists were arrested on Jan. 6, the largest action since Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the city that went into effect just over six months ago. Most of those arrested had taken part in an unofficial primary for a legislative election that was later postponed. Hong Kong authorities allege the primary was part of a plot to take control of the legislature in order to paralyze the government and force the citys leader to resign. On Jan. 10, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the United States voiced serious concern in a joint declaration about the arrests. The governments said the national security law was a clear breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and is being used to eliminate dissent and opposing political views. In the Joint Declaration, a 1984 treaty governing Hong Kongs handover to Chinese from British rule, Beijing had promised the citys inhabitants autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed in the mainland, under a framework known as one country, two systems. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week said the administration will consider sanctions and other restrictions on officials involved in the arrests. The United States has previously placed sanctions on nearly 30 Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for subverting the citys freedoms. Among those arrested last week were many former lawmakers, local activists, and politicians, as well as human rights lawyer John Clancey, who is a U.S. citizen. The police also raided his law firm, Ho, Tse, Wai & Partners. According to Hong Kong media, Clancey has since been released on bail. OBrien also criticized the Chinese regimes handling of the CCP virus pandemic. In May, the Administration demanded answers from Beijing about the origins of the virus and accused the World Health Organization of enabling a cover-up by deferring to the CCP, he said. Just as China ignored its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, it continues to do so with the International Health Regulations. The Trump administration has repeatedly called for greater transparency from Beijing regarding the CCP virus outbreak, and blamed its initial coverup for causing the diseases global spread. Last year, it withdrew from the World Health Organization in protest of its deference to Beijing. The United States was the first major country with the courage and conviction to candidly acknowledge the true nature of the CCP regime, OBrien said. It is critical that nations around the world demand accountability from Beijing. The world cannot continue to pay heavy prices for its naivete and complicity in Beijings irresponsible and harmful practiceswhether it is ending the rule of law in Hong Kong or not cooperating with health officials on the pandemic. The United States is examining further options to respond. Epoch Times staff 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. In 2009, then-Vice President Joe Biden made a visit to the Syracuse, N.Y., elementary school where his late first wife, Neilia, once taught. Amid a crowd of enthusiastic fifth-graders, one had an important question for the vice president: Have you ever petted a dog? Biden grew animated, reported the local paper, the Post-Standard. "Have I ever petted a dog?" he said. "Oh, yeah! And guess what! I got one that lives with me! The smartest, coolest dog in the world. His name is Champ, and he's a German shepherd, and he is the neatest dog!" He went on to tell the kids about another dog he had while living in Syracuse, where he attended law school, in the 1960s: "He was a German shepherd, and I trained him, I used to show him in dog shows - obedience trials - and you know what his name was?" Children shouted their guesses at him. "Senator. I named him Senator. Truly," said Biden. Biden's predecessor - the first inhabitant of the White House not to own a pet since James Polk in the 1840s - had a favorite fallback insult, often saying that someone was "like a dog." But President Donald Trump is being replaced by someone who, well, likes dogs. A lot. That smart, cool, neat dog, Champ, now an elder statesman at age 12, has since been joined by another German shepherd, Major - the first dog adopted from a shelter to live in the White House. And the Biden family has announced that they plan to add a cat to their menagerie soon. The president-elect is "passionate about dogs because he loves them," said Mark Tobin, a Delaware dog trainer who has worked with the Biden dogs. Tobin said that Biden is a hands-on dog owner. "He's going to do it himself," Tobin said. "He's going to walk the dog." Champ and Major are just the latest in a long line of German shepherds for the president-elect. There was the aforementioned Senator, as well as a dog named Governor. (Sorry, he has never named one of his dogs "President.") "I've always had a big dog my whole life since I was a kid, big German shepherds, and Great Danes, and Labs, and golden retrievers," he told reporters on a 2008 campaign plane trip. After his wife, Jill, told him they could get a dog if he and President Barack Obama won the 2008 election, they purchased a German shepherd puppy from a Chester County, Pa., breeder, sparking controversy and disappointing animal advocates who had hoped for an adoption. The Biden granddaughters chose the name Champ, which was a childhood nickname of the president-elect - his father famously used to encourage him by saying, "Champ, when you get knocked down, get up!" Tobin prepared Champ for a life in the spotlight - training him to be able to handle the plane rides, noises and crowds that a Second Dog might encounter. "Champ had the right personality and demeanor for the job," Tobin said. "He was great around people, but he also was extremely attentive to the vice president." Ten years later - the "Adopt, don't shop" message having sunk in - the Bidens looked to the Delaware Humane Association for their second German shepherd. The president-elect's daughter Ashley Biden noticed on Facebook that the group had posted photos of a litter of German shepherd puppies that had been taken in, and the Bidens fostered one, later adopting Major. Tobin facilitated the introduction between the puppy and the elder dog. "The meet and greet with Champ was funny, because you could tell Champ is like, 'Oh, my gosh, this guy's got way too much energy,' " said Tobin. But now, "They're friends. They do everything together." That friendship is even the subject of a new children's book, "Champ and Major: First Dogs," that will be published Jan. 19. "I sort of looked at Champ as the older and wiser, and Major as the puppy who was just excited and off on a new adventure," said author Joy McCullough. "We see Champ showing Major the ropes on how to be a dog to their dad, which is a very important job." She did take some creative liberties. The book depicts the dogs celebrating a Biden victory on election night, even though it didn't exactly work out that way in real life. "The dogs are lucky not to understand" what's been happening for the last two months, she said. First Dogs aren't just a fun piece of trivia. "I think they remind us that presidents are people who need family, loved ones and downtime," said McCullough. "Caring for animals who rely on us completely shows a capacity for compassion, which I think is really important in a leader, especially one who has as much power as the president of the United States." Major, now 2, has retained that bouncy puppy energy - which recently became an issue when the president-elect suffered a hairline fracture in his foot after he slipped on a rug while playing with the dog. (Not his first dog-related injury: The AP reported in 2015 that Biden suffered a "a dark, penny-sized contusion just below his lower lip" from a tussle with Champ.) Patrick Carroll, the DHA's executive director, hopes that seeing a shelter dog in the White House will encourage more people to adopt their pets. "Sometimes people think shelters only have broken animals," Carroll said. "The cool thing is, we can say that if a dog is good enough for the White House, it's certainly good enough for your house." PETA thinks so too. The animal rights organization is hosting an invite-only inauguration party - a drive-in movie at Union Market in D.C., so people can remain safely in their cars, and bring their dogs, too - to celebrate having animals in the White House again. But the invitation conspicuously mentions only Major. "PETA's inaugural eve party will absolutely include Champ, as it's a celebration of all 'first dogs' (FIDOs) and the presidents who loved them, but we're particularly delighted to see Major join their ranks because President-Elect Biden set an example for all Americans by adopting him from an animal shelter," said Colleen O'Brien, the group's vice president of communications, in an email. As for the cat: D.C.'s Humane Rescue Alliance is hoping that the Bidens will be stopping by. In December, they named three newborn kittens Rehoboth, Lewes and Bethany, after the Delaware beaches, as an incentive. And once the First Cat arrives, all of the pets are going to have to learn the art of feline-canine bipartisanship. "Major's got a high drive. So we'll see if he's going to have the ability to not want to play with the cat all the time," said Tobin. "It's going to be a work in progress." Awe and reverence. I remember the first time I entered the U.S. Capitol. I was 14 or so. I came down from Pennsylvania by train, and I was overwhelmed by the glory of the place. This was where Lincoln and Henry Clay had worked. This was where the 13th Amendment was passed, the Land Grant College Act, the New Deal, the Civil Rights Act. It was such a beautiful building, I was stunned. I got inside, found the tunnels and explored the complex. I figured if I walked really fast, people would think I belonged there, so I trucked along as fast as my little legs would carry me heart racing and imagination aflame. Its decades later. I live a few blocks from the building now and have been inside thousands of times. The awe and reverence have never diminished an iota. The people who work there have their human frailties, but at moments of great crisis, like 9/11 or Wednesdays mob rampage, most of them show a devotion to our common enterprise that makes me cry with admiration. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio once took me on the Senate floor and showed me how generations of senators had carved their names in the drawers of the desks ancient hands with their penknives scratching away in the wood, a centurieslong parade of lives dedicated in their imperfect ways to our country. That is why the Capitol, not the White House, is the altar of our democracy, the sacred gathering spot of those who served, strove and died building this nation. One day in 2013 a freshman senator named Ted Cruz shut down the government. He was months into his first term, a time when his eyes should have been wide with wonder and his heart full of humility. But he co-opted the Senate, with no realistic prospect of serving any cause, but simply for the purpose of making Ted Cruz famous. He gave a 21-hour filibuster speech on the Senate floor that riveted right-wing media for a news cycle. I was in the Senate Dining Room shortly afterward when he walked in. The emotional temperature plummeted. Everybody, of both parties, despised Cruz for putting himself above the Senate, for his own arrogance and narcissism. But it worked. Cruz became a prominent GOP figure, a fundraising machine. The model of being a Republican lawmaker changed. It was no longer somebody who passes legislation; it was someone who pulls a publicity stunt that owns the libs. Millions of Americans felt scorned by a cultural and media elite. They were willing to follow anybody who could make himself despised by the people they felt despised them. Donald Trump came in the wake of that. And then, this week, Josh Hawley. As of Wednesday morning, Hawley was the model of what a Republican senator was going to look like in the post-Trump era. He cannily understood what the party faithful wanted. Publicity stunts. Owning the libs. But there are dark specters running through our nation beasts with shaggy manes and feral teeth. They have the stench of Know-Nothingism, the hot blood of the lynchers, and they ride the winds of nihilistic fury. Read the history books. They have always been lurking in the shadows of our nations greatness. Hawley didnt just own the libs, he gave permission to dark forces he is too childish, privileged and self-absorbed to understand. Hawley sold his soul to all that is ugly for the sake of his own personal celebrity. Human beings exist at moral dimensions both too lofty and more savage than the contemporary American mind normally considers. The mob that invaded that building Wednesday exposed the abyss. This week wasnt just an atrocity, it was a glimpse into an atavistic nativism that always threatens to grip the American soul. And it wasnt just the mob that exposed this. The rampage reminded us that if Black people had done this, the hallways would be red with their blood. We are a flawed and humiliated nation, but when well led, we can be more self-sacrificial than we have any right to expect. I despised the sight of the Confederate flags being paraded through Capitol halls, but I loved everything Mitt Romney said and did on Wednesday. Romney showed what moral leadership looks like, and how just a few voices can shift a herd. Leadership matters. Character matters. The thousands of people who work in the Capitol complex were chased from their chambers or barricaded in their offices by the furies that are ravaging this nation. The shock of this atrocity is bound to have a sobering effect. Im among those who think this is an inflection point, a step back from madness. Were a divided nation, but we dont need to be a nation engulfed in lies, lawlessness and demagogic incitement. We look to you, our 535 representatives, to simply do the peoples business, to cut deals so people can stock their pantries and school their kids, and so that a 14-year-old, or a 59-year-old, can enter your building with eyes of wonder, awe and devotion. David Brooks is a columnist for The New York Times. A male teenager is due to appear before the courts this morning following the robbery of a service station on Parnell Road in Crumlin last night. A female, who is also in her teens, has been released pending referral to the Youth Diversion Programme following the incident. Gardai said that at approximately 8.30pm a man and woman entered the premises and produced an imitation firearm and a hammer and threatened staff members. They took a small amount of cash and items from the service station and fled the scene on foot. Gardai, responding to the activation of a panic alarm, rushed to the scene. The pair were arrested a short distance from the premises and the stolen cash and property was recovered. They were both taken to Crumlin Garda Station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. The male has been charged and is scheduled to appear in CCJ this morning at 10.30am and the female has been released pending referral to the Youth Diversion Programme, gardai said. John Gibbins, FILE / TNS WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump is expected to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border on Tuesday to highlight his administration's work on the border wall, the White House said Saturday. Trump will travel to the town of Alamo, Texas. He will mark the completion of 400 miles of border wall and his administration's efforts to reform what the White House described as the nation's broken immigration system. WASHINGTON (AP) As the House prepares for impeachment, President Donald Trump faces a single charge incitement of insurrection over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. Lawmakers are set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week. Pelosis leadership team also will seek a quick vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Trumps own false statements about his election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the legislation said. The bill from Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Ca., said Monday on CBS, We need to move forward with alacrity. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat, Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues emphasizing the need for quick action. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, Its over. Thats what has to happen now, she said. Pence has given no indication he would act on the 25th Amendment. If he does not, the House would move toward impeachment. Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trumps presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment advanced rapidly after the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. Potentially complicating Pelosis decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide. The story that billionaire Elon Musk has made a R1-million donation to Pretoria Boys High School, but asked never to be contacted again, has been widely circulated over the last few years. After Musk became the worlds richest man last week, the same piece of information started doing the rounds on social media again. It has become so pervasive that most people do not question the truth of the story. It is, however, false. Musk did indeed have an unpleasant time at Bryanston High, where he was bullied and assaulted to the level that he had to spend two weeks in Sandton Clinic. His dad, Errol Musk, said he moved Elon from Bryanston High to Pretoria Boys High School, where he completed his matric. Musk left for Canada soon after completing his matric to skip compulsory military service and to explore economic opportunities in the United States. He quickly became a Silicon Valley hotshot after he founded, built, and sold Zip2 for $307 million to Compaq. He then founded X.com, which ultimately became PayPal, which was sold to eBay in October 2002 for $1.5 billion in stock. Musk used his cut of $180 million to invest $100 million in SpaceX, $70 million in Tesla, and $10 million in Solar City. These companies showed tremendous growth in recent years, which helped to make Musk the richest man in the world with a net worth of over $195 billion. Donations to Pretoria Boys High School Bill Schroder, who was headmaster of Pretoria Boys High School from 1990 to 2009, headed a fundraising exercise over a four-year period. I feel it is important to set the record straight in terms of donations received from Elon Musk who matriculated at Boys High in 1988, he said. He confirmed that Elon Musk did, at his request, give the school a donation of R1 million. What is not true is that he disliked the country or the school so intensely that he told me not to approach him again, said Schroder. Schroder added that he did indeed approach Musk again at a later stage, and that he sent a second donation to Pretoria Boys High School. The former Pretoria Boys High School headmaster said it is well documented that Musk was bullied and an unhappy schoolboy at Bryanston High. However, Schroder said, there is no evidence that he was poorly treated at Boys High. Full statement by Bill Schroder, headmaster of Pretoria Boys High School from 1990 to 2009 (courtesy of Biznews) I was the Headmaster of Pretoria Boys High School from 1990 to 2009 and subsequent to my retirement was asked to head a fundraising exercise over a four-year period. As such, I feel it is important to set the record straight in terms of donations received from Elon Musk who matriculated at Boys High in 1988. It is true that Elon Musk did, at my request, give a donation for R1 million. What is not true is that he disliked the country or the school so intensely that he told me not to approach him again. I, in fact did, and he sent a second donation per that request. I lost contact with him for a while as he changed PAs and on re-establishing contact, a new network for consideration of donations had been put in place and it must be understood that people with that amount of wealth have teams of people who deal with huge numbers of requests for donations. At that point we received nothing further from him. It is well documented in a number of biographies that Elon was bullied and an unhappy schoolboy in a school in Johannesburg and was moved to Pretoria Boys High in Grade 10 (Standard 8). There is no evidence that he was poorly treated at Boys High and when he matriculated, he went to Canada where his mother was living. Possibly what upsets me more is that the size of his donation was leaked somehow. I did the fundraising alone with the help of my secretary of 20 years and one of the bases of the fundraising was that the amount of a donation was treated in the strictest confidence. I only targeted alumni and close friends of the school and believe that our success in raising R32 million in four years was based on the confidentiality factor. Until the publication of this article, the only thing a member of the Pretoria Boys High community would know is that Elon Musk did donate as his name appears on a donor board together with his year group, making no differentiation between some who gave R100 or R1 million. Now read: How Elon Musk became the richest man in the world Cherry features significant advancements in the end-to-end integration of O-RAN Architecture components The software now contains new functions aligned with the latest O-RAN specifications, such as the E2, A1 or O1 interfaces, and new SMO elements In December 2020, the O-RAN Software Community (OSC), working with the Linux Foundation, published its 3rd open software release within 18 months, dubbed "Cherry". This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005829/en/ O-RAN Logical Architecture (Graphic: Business Wire) Cherry moves the O-RAN ecosystem closer to commercial deployments in mobile networks around the globe. On top of new functions aligned with the latest O-RAN specifications, such as the E2, A1 and O1 interfaces, this release also features significant advancements in the end-to-end integration of O-RAN Architecture components to meet the needs of early adopters. In addition, new software projects in the area of Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) have been initiated to drive the development of auto-configuration and management of O-RAN elements. The main use cases delivered in Cherry include: Policy based Traffic Steering using the A1 and E2 interfaces Automated Monitoring and Health check of selected components using the O1 interface Configuration, Fault and Performance Management Services aligned with OAM models and specifications newly approved by O-RAN Life Cycle Management Framework of rApps and xApps using SMO O-DU Low and High pairwise testing in O-RAN Software Community lab Simulators for testing and integration, such as E2, A1, Open Test Framework, and more "It is gratifying to see the continued momentum of the OSC's open-source O-RAN implementation," said Jack Murray, co-chair of the OSC Technical Operating Committee (TOC) and Assistant Vice President of AT&T. "AT&T is proud to have continued its contributions to enable RAN AI/ML through the Near-Real Time RIC implementation, and to provide a platform for software testing and integration." "We are glad to see Cherry has made big progress by building on the base of Bronze," said Chih-Lin I, the Co-Chair of O-RAN Technical Steering Committee. "It not only realizes more 3GPP-defined models, but also brings O-RAN defined interfaces including E2 and A1 closer to commercialization. More ML and AI technologies are implemented in the RIC, RICAPP and NRTRIC projects to push the traffic steering e2e use case forward, which makes it a more intelligent RAN. The newly created SMO project is also worth special mention for the quick momentum that it has gained in contributing to O-RAN automation and management within just 3 months." "Nokia continues to be very active in O-RAN and a major contributor to the O-RAN specifications," said Pasi Toivanen, Head of Edge Cloud Platforms at Nokia. "With the Cherry Release, Nokia is contributing to the Near-Real-Time RIC and the E2 interface to advance RAN programmability, network openness, and the introduction of AI/ML intelligence to the network. The contributions also deliver increased robustness, more xApp framework capabilities and enhanced manageability of RIC platform and xApps." "Radisys continues to contribute actively to O-RAN standardization and open source development. In the Cherry release, Radisys enhanced O-DU L2 implementation to support UE attach, and integrated with PHY (O-DU Low) through the FAPI interface to enable end-to-end testing," said Ganesh Shenbagaraman, Head of Integrated Products and Ecosystems at Radisys. "highstreet technologies substantially contributes to O1/OAM within both O-RAN and OSC," said Alfons Mittermaier, Managing Director of highstreet technologies. "We expect the disaggregated O-RAN architecture to become a door opener for small and medium sized enterprises and will deploy the Cherry release in a 5G reference network in Berlin." "HCL has contributed to the O-RAN Software Community across different Work Groups starting with the Cherry Release," said Ramesh Sriraman, the Head of Telecom Center of Excellence at HCL. "We Improved Near-Real-Time RIC platform CI/CD deployment, automation, performance scale; introduced AI/ML intelligence to RAN network via xApps; and contributed the initial implementation of the O-RAN O1 interface in the O-DU. It is a great honor for HCL to develop together with the OSC team." To learn more about the O-RAN Software Community Cherry release please read this O-RAN Blog post, and to access the code, check out the O-RAN Software Community website. The O-RAN Software Community continues to be open to any participants that want to get involved in the creation of software for future RAN for more details please visit https://www.o-ran.org/software. About O-RAN ALLIANCE The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a world-wide community of more than 240 mobile operators, vendors, and research academic institutions operating in the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry. As the RAN is an essential part of any mobile network, the O-RAN ALLIANCE's mission is to re-shape the industry towards more intelligent, open, virtualized and fully interoperable mobile networks. The new O-RAN standards will enable a more competitive and vibrant RAN supplier ecosystem with faster innovation to improve user experience. O-RAN based mobile networks will at the same time improve the efficiency of RAN deployments as well as operations by the mobile operators. To achieve this, the O-RAN ALLIANCE publishes new RAN specifications, releases open software for the RAN, and supports its members in integration and testing of their implementations. For more information please visit www.o-ran.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005829/en/ Contacts: O-RAN ALLIANCE PR Contact Zbynek Dalecky pr@o-ran.org O-RAN ALLIANCE e.V. Buschkauler Weg 27 53347 Alfter/Germany Iran plans to import AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from India, China, Russia 01/11/21 Source: Tehran Times TEHRAN - Iran plans to import some two million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from India, China, and Russia by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20). "The Iranian-made vaccine is more reliable than many foreign-made vaccines, but it takes a long time to be approved. So, the health ministry plans to import some two million doses of vaccines from India, China, and Russia by the end of the year," IRNA quoted Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, head of the Iranian Medical Council, as saying on Monday. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were never on the agenda to be purchased by Iran due to their high prices, transportation problems, and the need to be kept extremely cold, Zafarghandi added. "But, the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is produced by Sweden and only its scientific studies have been done in Britain's Oxford, can be purchased. Moreover, it is possible to be kept in Iran," he explained. In a televised speech on Friday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibited the import of American and British coronavirus vaccines to Iran, saying if the Americans were able to produce vaccines they weren't in such dire circumstances. "I really don't trust them. They sometimes want to test the vaccine on other nations," Ayatollah Khamenei added. Following the Leader's remarks, Mohammad-Hassan Qossian-Moqaddam, the Iranian Red Crescent Society spokesman, said that importing Pfizer vaccines made by the United States 'is no more the question'. "We are ready to cooperate, if necessary, in case the Ministry of Health puts in a request [for importing vaccines] from eastern countries," IRNA quoted Qossian-Moqaddam as saying. President Donald Trump was permanently banned from Twitter in last days of his presidency due to the risk of further incitement of violence, following the mob attack at Capitol Hill where lawmakers convened to confirm Bidens presidential win. Trumps downfall hasnt ended there. Theres been a slew of social platforms that have banned or suspend him indefinitely, and Lehigh University and Wagner College have revoked his honorary degrees. Democrats are pushing for the removal of Trump from office, while the U.S. House has introduced an article of impeachment. Trump faces the charge of incitement of insurrection. Twitters ban of Trump was made official days after a 12-hour suspension for posting a video sympathizing with rioters who attacked Capitol Hill in support of him, saying I know your pain. I know youre hurt. But you have to go home now. While tech companies and lawmakers are deciding the repercussions to Trumps actions, fans of Home Alone: Lost in New York are calling for the removal of a scene with him in it. Digitally remove him from Home Alone 2 next Joseph Longo (@josephlongo_) January 8, 2021 IMDB, coming in hot with that Home Alone 2 trivia. pic.twitter.com/n8DvmJ83vF PJ Campbell (@pj_campbell) January 9, 2021 While some may or may not be joking about his removal from the film, Disney Plus has cut controversial and offensive scenes from some Disney films. While some critics are calling for Trumps legacy to be erased, others are saying you cant erase history, one user calling his presidency another stain in U.S. history. "disappear" The Donald? No. We can't remove him from our history. He is another stain on US history. Own it Americans. When future generations ask us "what were you thinking" we have to explain. This is why populism like other "ism's" can be so dangerous. btw: we were all warned Mark DuPriest (@Marcos989) January 9, 2021 Read More: .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal An environmental and academic consortium is looking for projects to research the treatment and reuse of produced water the salty mixture that surfaces from wells along with petroleum. The industry wastewater, which can contain traces of fracking chemicals, has prompted statewide debate since the Legislature passed the Produced Water Act in 2019. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Environment Department are partners in the research team, the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, which recently issued a request for project proposals. Mike Hightower, the consortiums program director and a civil and environmental engineer, said many companies interested in participating already employ their reuse technology in other oil-producing states. We are not looking at taking just regular produced water and dumping it on the ground, Hightower said. Were focused on treatment first. If we put that water back into the Pecos River, it would probably have to be treated to a different quality than what we might use for rangeland grasses or industrial uses. The state Oil Conservation Division now requires companies to report how much water they use to drill and complete wells. The consortium wants to build on that database by detailing fracking chemicals in produced water that would be treated before reuse, said technical research director Pei Xu. We have the (U.S. Geological Survey) produced water quality database, but the data is old, and its difficult for a regular person to process the data, Xu said. We are collaborating with the (national) Groundwater Protection Council to develop a data portal that meets the needs of the general public and the experts. Research sponsors include NGL Energy Partners, which contributed $1 million. ExxonMobil has added $250,000. Many companies will fund their own research projects, Hightower said. A technical steering committee will select projects in April. Review teams will follow each projects progress and cost. The consortium could submit project reports to the Environment Department as early as September. New Mexicos fracked wells generate about four times as much produced water as petroleum. Groups including Youth United for Climate Crisis Action and WildEarth Guardians are against any potential reuse of the wastewater outside of the oil field. Last October, the groups staged a produced water protest outside the state Capitol in Santa Fe. We are calling on you to stop the routine poisoning of our states precious land, water, and communities, the groups wrote in a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Hightower said research could turn the waste into a resource for New Mexicos drought-stricken communities. Our focus is making sure that if we can use this water, that we do it in a manner thats good for New Mexico, good for the environment, and also something that addresses the water needs of the state, he said. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. On January 1, a small story in the Cuban media was all but overlooked: Cuba and the Pasteur Institute of Iran reached an agreement for the production of an Iranian vaccine against Covid-19. While in Iran the news was delivered by the spokesman of its Organization for Food and Medicines, and then touted with enthusiasm by various official media, including state television, almost all the official media in Cuba preferred to ignore it. Only one local radio station, Radio Bayamo, reported the story. The Cuban regime has sought to hush-hush the carrying out of clinical trials of the Iranian vaccine in Havana. The second phase of experimentation in humans, according to the brief account from Radio Bayamo, will also be conducted on the island. If the results are good, they will proceed with them in Tehran as well. In Iran, the development of medicine and biotechnology forms part of a governmental policy that does not skimp on resources to finance projects in these areas through the foundation of the Executive Headquarters of Imam's Directive (Setad), a massive state conglomerate overseen by the president himself. Iran has invested so much in these issues in the past two years that it is currently the Middle East's leader in biotechnology research, as well as one of the top five scientific powers in the region. It is evident that, in addition to exploiting Cuba as a guinea pig, Iran is taking advantage of these ties with the island to pressure and provoke the United States with its presence in the region, as the prospective leader of what US President George W. Bush once called "the Axis of Evil". The Cuban regime, which sees the opportunity for an era of detente with President Joe Biden, and a possible easing of its economic crisis, seems reluctant to publicize the Iranian presence much. But Cuba could very well assume a role, yet again, as a satellite dependent upon the whims of a world power that is a declared enemy of the United States. Strategy: pressure from all sides If there is one country that has garnered a good number of headlines in the international press thus far in 2021, it has been the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran, which appears on lists of countries sanctioned by the US for "sponsoring terrorism," emerged as a loser in some tense political situations in 2020, but in 2021 Iran seems ready to counterattack. Several international media sources agree that the escalation of provocative moves by the Iranian government is a reaction to Biden's imminent return to the White House. To date the future Democratic president has exhibited openness to multilateralist positions allowing for the recuperation of areas of influence in foreign policy lost by a blundering Trump Administration. Against this backdrop, Iran is expected to exert pressure to shake off the strong economic sanctions that the US and the European Union (EU) have imposed on it for years. The first of these political actions came on January 4, with the news that Iran had violated the 2015 nuclear agreement by beginning to enrich 20% of its uranium. For more evidence that this act represented a direct challenge to the West, the news was not even revealed by a news outlet, or intelligence center, but rather by the regime itself, through its spokesmen. The measure was carefully calculated, the production of consultation with and approval by the Iranian Parliament, with the explicit aim of pressuring the EU to reduce economic sanctions, and Joe Biden, who has declared his intention to resume the nuclear agreement, after Trump abrogated it in 2018 in order to have greater latitude to strangle the regime in Tehran. Hassan Rohani, a religious leader and President of Iran, despite admitting the enrichment of uranium, continues to insist that the work with radioactive elements in his country is not being done with a view to manufacturing nuclear weapons. But the West's intelligence services, apparently, are not convinced. Also on January 4, another event put Iran on the front pages of several European, American and Asian media when it hijacked a South Korean oil tanker, using speedboats of the Revolutionary Guards, an elite military force. The news set off alarms at the Ministry of Defense in Seoul, which, when it asked for an explanation, was told by Tehran that the reasons for the ship's capture were related to "laws to protect the marine environment." Although the detention of foreign vessels in the Arabian-Persian Gulf is a common practice by Iran, to the point of even involving the British Navy on one occasion, the diplomatic clash with South Korea is for reasons that transcend any alleged protection of the environment. South Korea, closely linked to the Western powers, has kept a group of Iranian financial assets frozen in its territory for years as part of the sanctions imposed on Iran. Several experts speculate that these assets amount to some 7 billion dollars. Thus, the hijacking of the South Korean oil tanker may constitute a warning salvo by the Tehran regime announcing its willingness to flout a good part of the financial and commercial restrictions it has been subjected to. Meanwhile, Iran has managed to generate a kind of constant state of alarm in the US, whose intelligence services were worried enough about the Iranians' capacity to make nuclear weapons. Now they are on the lookout for an act of revenge in response to the assassination of military leader Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 by drones sent by Trump. The retaliation promised by Tehran hangs over the US like a Sword of Damocles; in this regard, alarm bells have gone off more than once. One of these situations came at the beginning of this year, when a covert radio transmission was picked up by a passenger flight and other aeronautical institutions promising a terrorist attack in the United States in response to Soleimani's death. It could not be proven that the threat came directly from Iran, but US Homeland Security is still leery and on the lookout. Iran, Venezuela and Cuba Iran is not the only country being sanctioned by the US, nor the only one with a bad reputation among Western democracies. However, it is one of the nations that, despite these traits, can be considered a serious power in several areas, including the sciences. Isolated in a politically turbulent region dominated by Israel, the Tehran regime has sought to create its own zones of influence inhabited by other "rogue states", as Acting US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Kozak once called countries like Cuba and Venezuela. Throughout 2020, for example, Iran worked with Venezuela as a "trade partner"; though financially unprofitable, the move paid geopolitical dividends. The Maduro regime, which drove the Venezuelan oil industry to an unprecedented collapse, was suddenly saved by Iran, which sent it a whole fleet of ships loaded with crude. The vessels, moreover, were left at Maduro's disposal to be used as export instruments. The most curious thing about this aid is that it came at a time when neither Russia nor China dared to defy the US naval cordon on Venezuela. Since then Iran's influence over Venezuela has only grown, making it a privileged partner of the South American country in terms of energy, health and even food. While many Venezuelan markets closed in 2020 due to the economic crisis, Iran seized land expropriated from a French-Colombian company in Venezuela and opened what promises to be the first of many Iranian supermarkets in Caracas. This close relationship with Venezuela is little more than a provocation of the United States, another act of pressure on the part of Tehran, though, for the Maduro regime, it has been like a life saver in the midst of a shipwreck. Perhaps Iran's most daring ploy to gain influence in Latin America is the one it just carried out in Cuba. Iran is expected to continue with this policy throughout 2021, and become the power around which the rest of the world's rogue states revolve, like satellites. If this alliance continues, the Cuban regime will delve into some very dangerous territory, as Iran is a cunning power that engages in blackmail with the prospect of nothing less than nuclear weapons as its leverage. Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other security forces on Monday arrested two terrorist associates of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) from Awantipora in Pulwama district. Security personnel from 42 Rashtriya Rifles and 130 Batallion Central Reserve Police Force carried out the arrests of the two JeM terrorists, J-K Police stated in a press release. The arrested terror associates have been identified as Shezaan Gulzar Beigh from Gadhikhal Chersoo and Waseem-ul-Rehman Sheikh from Midoora Awantipora. Incriminating material including explosive material and ammunition has been recovered from both the arrested persons. The Jammu Kashmir Police further stated that the arrested terror associates have been in touch with Pakistan-based terror commanders through various social media platforms. One of the arrested terror associates had also gone to Pakistan and met some terrorist commanders there, Police further said. Blood of relationships ends in property disputes, younger brother shot killed elder brother Newly married man kills wife in Maharashtra's Palghar, know the matter MP: Three accused arrested, gang-raped woman for not giving water WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump enters the last days of his presidency isolated and shunned by former allies and members of his own party as he faces a second impeachment and growing calls for his resignation after his supporters launched an assault on the nation's Capitol in an effort to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. Cut off from the social media channels that have been the lifeblood of his presidency, Trump will nonetheless try to go on offense in his last 10 days, with no plans of resigning. Instead, Trump is planning to lash out against the companies that have now denied him his Twitter and Facebook bullhorns. And aides hope he will spend his last days trying to trumpet his policy accomplishments, beginning with a trip to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to highlight his administration's efforts to curb illegal immigration and border wall construction. Trump's decision to travel to Alamo named after the San Antonio mission where a small group of Texans fighting for independence against the Mexican government were defeated after a 13-day siege served as a symbol of his defiance as he faces the most volatile end of any presidency in modern history. Trump has not taken any responsibility for his role in inciting Wednesday's violence amid a rebellion from members of his own party and ongoing efforts to remove him from office. A second Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, on Sunday called for Trumps resignation after Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told the Anchorage Daily News: I want him out." It was a stunning reversal for a man who had once been considered the leading contender for his partys nomination in 2024, and could now be stripped of his ability to run for a second term. A new ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday found that over half of Americans 56% believe that Trump should be removed from office before his term ends. And two-thirds of respondents - 67% said he deserves a good amount or a great deal of blame for the rioting last week. Trump had delivered a speech to his supporters in which he repeatedly said the election was being stolen and urged them to fight" before they rushed the Capitol as lawmakers were in the process of certifying Bidens wins. The violent crowd forced its way inside, ransacked the building and sent terrified staff and lawmakers, including the vice president, into hiding. Five, including a Capitol police officer, died. Rattled by the violent insurrection and images of MAGA-loyalists hunting for them in the Capitol's hallways, House Democrats moved quickly toward a second impeachment this week, though Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has said a trial in his chamber would not begin before Biden takes office. While people close to Trump said they would certainly prefer he not become the only president in the nation's history to be impeached a second time, Jason Miller, a close adviser, noted that Trump's popularity rose after his first impeachment trial. And he argued that, if they moved forward, Democrats risk turning public sentiment against them and impeding Biden's agenda by continuing to focus on Trump even after he has left the White House. As I said to the president this morning, never discount national Democrats' ability to galvanize the Republican base behind you," said Miller, arguing that, if national Democrats were to go down that path, I think it would boomerang on them very severely. Joe Biden doesn't want to spend the first 100 days of his presidency having to own a vindictive and overreaching impeachment trial," he added. Concerns continued to bubble through the weekend about how Trump, who thrives on chaos and attention, might respond. Wednesdays episode cut to the core of the nations self-identity that of a functioning, stable republic sparking soul searching in Washington and around the world. But Trump, who once delighted in how quickly the missives hed type on his smartphone would land as BREAKING NEWS chyrons on the cable news networks, has not expressed contrition, and has instead been consumed by anger. Trump has been described as apoplectic over the loss of his Twitter platform and is now without an outlet for releasing that anger. And he remains surrounded by an ever shrinking coterie of aides as more mull early departures and he rages at others, including Pence, who had spent the last four years as his most loyal soldier. The two men have not spoken since Wednesday when Pence informed Trump that he would not be going along with Trump's unconstitutional scheme to throw out legal electoral voters in his bid to overturn the election. Pence had never had that power in the first place, but that didn't stop Trump from insisting he did, both publicly and privately, turning Pence into a scapegoat who could be blamed for Trump's defeat. Pence allies are now livid about the president, whom they believe not only set him up for failure, but put his life and the life of his wife, daughter and brother, who were with him at the Capitol in physical danger. After repeatedly claiming Pence could unilaterally reverse the election's outcome at Wednesday's rally, Trump then tweeted that Pence lacked the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country as the siege was underway and never bothered to check in on Pence's safety, according to a person close to Pence. What Ive heard from fellow Republicans is that theyve had enough Still, there is no indication that Pence is seriously considering moving to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from power, as calls continue for him to make that move. Aides have not, however, ruled it out explicitly, keeping the option on the table in case Trump takes further action that might warrant discussion, according to two people close to him who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal planning. What Ive heard from fellow Republicans is that theyve had enough, said former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a longtime friend and informal adviser. He told ABCs This Week" that he considered Trumps conduct grounds for impeachment, saying, If inciting to insurrection isnt, then I dont really know what is." Christie also criticized Trump for refusing to lower the White House flags to half-staff in honor of Brian Sicknick, the Capitol police officer who died of injuries sustained as he tried to ward off the riotous mob, calling it a national disgrace. Hours later, the White House quietly lowered the flags, though Trump has still offered no public comment on the officer's death. Meanwhile, Trump has largely been absent from his presidential duties since he lost the election, consumed instead with base conspiracies about mass voter fraud that his own government has rejected, even as the coronavirus pandemic spirals further out of control. While his legacy will surely forever be stained by Wednesdays violence, aides nonetheless are pushing Trump to spend his final days trumpeting his policy achievements. Events have been discussed to highlight his administrations efforts to bolster Mideast peace, roll back regulations, support jobs and manufacturing and curb Chinas power, though previous such efforts have been rebuffed. While it is unclear whether such action would have any practical impact, Trump is also mulling potential executive action as he escalates his war against big tech after he was banned by Twitter and Facebook and as Amazon moves to shut down platforms like the conservative favorite Parler amid concerns about potential future violence ahead of President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration on January 20. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 16:47:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Technicians prepare large UAV, Ganlin-1, meaning "sweet rain" in Chinese, for its maiden flight at Jinchuan airport in Jinchang City in northwest China's Gansu Province, Jan. 6, 2021. (Xinhua) LANZHOU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Ganlin-1, recently made a successful maiden flight for generating artificial precipitation in northwest China's Gansu Province, in the latest efforts to use technology for ecological protection. During the flight, Ganlin-1 conducted operations such as atmospheric detection and catalyst spreading to generate precipitation. "The use of UAVs for precipitation enhancement will help increase ice and snow reserves, promote the ecological restoration and protection of the Qilian Mountains and mitigate water shortage in parts of Gansu Province," said Wang Chenghai, a professor at Lanzhou University, adding the glaciers and snow resources of the mountain range are shrinking as a result of climate change. The deployment of the UAV is one of the efforts for Gansu to strengthen ecological environmental protection after some long-standing environmental issues were dealt with to restore the damaged environment. Aerial photo taken on Dec. 11, 2020 shows scenery of snow-covered mountains in Qilian County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang) The Qilian Mountains is a major vast mountain range standing across the border of Gansu and Qinghai Province, with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. The range is an important water source of the Yellow River, China's second-longest, and a key ecological shield in western China. Due to prominent problems such as over-exploitation of mineral resources, illegal construction and operation of hydropower facilities and excessive emissions by local enterprises, the ecological environment of the Qilian Mountains suffered serious damage for a period of time, which aroused high attention from the central authorities. President Xi Jinping made important instructions several times on tackling the long-standing environmental violations in the Qilian Mountains, demanding resolute rectifications. In 2017, the central authorities punished local senior officials in Gansu for their failure to undertake their duties. In the same year, the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform, headed by Xi, passed a plan to establish the Qilian Mountains National Park and explore coordinated ways to protect the environment, improve local standards of living and supervise the exploitation of natural resources. Gansu also launched an ecological restoration campaign to protect the Qilian Mountains. Authorities have closed 117 exploration and mining projects and eight hydropower stations. Meanwhile, all 484 residents of 149 households in the core area of the nature reserve were relocated by the end of 2017, and one-third of residents in the buffer area have also been displaced, said Yang Weijun, Party chief of Zhangye City, a key place for restoring the damaged environment. The city also imposed a grazing ban on some 63,300 hectares of grasslands. In an inspection tour in Gansu in 2019, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said protecting the ecological environment of the Qilian Mountains is of great strategic significance to safeguarding the national ecological security and promoting the sustainable development of Gansu and the Hexi Corridor. He urged proper balance of the relationship between production and environment, active development of eco-friendly and sustainable industries and better protection of the grassland resources. Photo taken on July 27, 2019 shows a flock of goats in a pasture at the foot of Qilian Mountains in northwest China. (Xinhua/Wu Gang) The Qilian Mountains National Park covers 50,200 square km -- 34,400 square km in Gansu and 15,800 square km in Qinghai. It is home to many rare animal species, including snow leopards, wild donkeys and blue sheep. After years of intensive restoration efforts, the populations of snow leopards, Tibetan wild donkeys, white-lipped deer and alpine musk deer have been expanding as the quality of their habitats were significantly improved. "Continuous monitoring shows that the populations of wild animals have proliferated and their distribution areas have expanded," said Ma Duifang, an official with the administration bureau of the park's Gansu section. In December 2020, a video clip recorded by herdsmen in Kazak Autonomous County of Aksay in the city of Jiuquan showed over 100 Tibetan wild donkeys grazed on snow-covered land. A group of goitered or black-tailed gazelles were captured on video in another area of the park in Gansu. The footage showed 12 goitered gazelles hunting and running together in the vast Gobi Desert near Zhangye City. "In the Gansu section of the Qilian Mountains, it is rare to see goitered gazelles move in groups," said Ashing, a Tibetan forest ranger who shot the video. "With the further construction of the Qilian Mountains National Park, the ecological environment in this region will see sustained improvement," said Zhao Xumao, a researcher in ecology at Lanzhou University. By Scott Murdoch and Anshuman Daga HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A term sheet for Singapore Airlines' first U.S. dollar bond has been circulated by bookrunners for the potential issue, and calls were being held with prospective investors on Monday, according to the document seen by Reuters. The size of the deal will be determined on Tuesday following the briefings with investors in Asia and Europe, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The term sheet showed the airline had appointed Citigroup as sole global coordinator, along with BofA Securities and HSBC ... 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 BALTIMORE, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United Urology Group (UUG) is pleased to announce that the Arizona Institute of Urology (AIU) and the Urological Associates of Southern Arizona (UASA) have become its newest affiliates. AIU and UASA are leading urology practices in the greater Tucson area, serving patients in 10 medical offices and two radiation therapy centers. UUG is a management services organization that supports its member urology group practices, which include Arizona Urology Specialists, Chesapeake Urology Associates, Colorado Urology Associates and Tennessee Urology Associates. As the nation's premier urology group practice, UUG has a mission focused on ensuring a superior experience for all patients and preserving the independent urology group practice model across the nation. "We are extremely pleased about our new relationship with AIU and UASA, and look forward to working with them to support the exemplary urologic care that they provide to their patients," said Dr. Robert Maha, Chief Executive Officer of UUG. "With their dedicated physicians and staff and a culture focused on serving patients and the community, this relationship will be synergistic with our successful expansion in Arizona and beyond." Dr. Michael Levin, Arizona Institute of Urology, and Dr. Mitzi Barmatz, Urological Associates of Southern Arizona, on behalf of their physician colleagues, expressed their excitement about the partnership with UUG and the many opportunities the relationship affords their practices. UUG's expertise, depth of operational capabilities, and financial resources will enable both practices to expand their range of clinical services for patients and extend their reach in the Tucson area. The providers for AIU and UASA will continue to care for patients in their existing offices. AIU Urologists - Kenneth Belkoff, DO; Michael Levin, MD; Jenne Myers, MD; Jay Page, MD; Kalpesh Patel, MD; Michael Patton, MD; Radiation Oncologist Shelli Hanks, MD; Advanced Practice Providers - Robert Hoy, MPAS, PA-C; Adriana Lucia, PA-C; John Sullivan, PA-C. UASA Urologists - Mitzi Barmatz, MD; Curtis Dunshee, MD; Awet Gherezghiher, MD; Susan Kalota, MD; David Killion, MD; James Macdonald, MD; Jules Manger, MD; Karen Wheeler, MD; Andrew Wright, MD; Advanced Practice Providers - Jenna Bumgardner, PA-C; Danielle Lara, PA-C; Monica Mettille, PA-C; Rebecca Meunier, CNP; Samantha Meakin, PA-C. About United Urology Group United Urology Group (UUG) is the nation's leading urology management services organization whose member groups of urology practices include: Arizona Urology Specialists with offices in the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area; Chesapeake Urology, with offices located throughout Maryland and Delaware; Tennessee Urology, based in the greater Knoxville area and Eastern Tennessee; and Colorado Urology, located in the greater Denver and Front Range areas. UUG members' collective staff number more than 1,500 employees, including 220+ physicians and advanced practice providers. UUG's vision is to be the nation's leading urologic group practice through our commitment to accessible, high quality, cost effective care, patient satisfaction and community involvement. This will assure sustainable growth and security for our physicians and employees. For more information, visit the UUG website at www.unitedurology.com. Contact: Patricia Schnably, SVP Marketing & Communications, United Urology Group 25 Crossroads Drive, Suite 306, Owings Mills, MD 21117 443-738-8107 [email protected] SOURCE United Urology Group Related Links https://www.unitedurology.com 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. A female Chinese People's Liberation Army soldier takes military training at Pamir Mountains in Kashgar, northwestern China's Xinjiang region on Jan. 4, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) China Develops Helmets for Soldiers With Self-Destruct Button: Report The Chinese military is equipping soldiers stationed in Tibet with newly developed helmets embedded with a self-destruct button. The button triggers an embedded bomb to go off, killing the soldier. At a battalion or brigade level command center, a commander monitors a soldier who is far away by using the navigation system. The commander can activate the self-destruct function of the soldiers helmet if he cant get in contact with him, state-run media China Observer reported on Dec. 27, 2020. Soldiers can also press the button themselves. If a soldier is seriously wounded and doesnt want to be captured, he can activate the self-destruct function himself. This can maintain his dignity, as well as prevent the enemy from obtaining this system, the report stated. The new helmet is part of an individual soldier digital combat system given to troops in the Tibet theater command. They face Indian troops at the border, where there were recent skirmishes over disputed territory in the Ladakh region. The system includes an antenna and bomb, night-vision multifunctional glasses, and a digital control terminal that can be worn on the arm. After being equipped with the system, soldiers at the frontline can communicate with the battalion commander at the command center via radio, according to the report. Meanwhile, the commander can see the frontline via video footage captured by the soldiers camera-equipped jacket. By viewing the footage, the commander can order to fire artillery targeting Indian soldiers, the report stated. It further claimed that soldiers can push the button to detonate when they approach Indian forces. This system would ensure that the Chinese side would win any potential conflict with the Indian army, the report stated. Soldiers in special forces units, the squad infantry, as well as the artillery, aviation, and armor divisions will be equipped with this system. Hours after the Observer published the report, the content about the embedded bomb and suicide-style attacks was deleted. But the original report was archived by multiple websites. A Chinese Peoples Liberation Army soldier takes part in military training at the Pamir Mountains in Kashgar, northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region, on Jan. 4, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) U.S.-based China affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan noted that this new equipment is evidence that the Peoples Liberation Army (Chinas military) struggles to manage its soldiers, and has to use extreme methods to ensure they dont desert their posts or disobey their commanders. Since 2018, the Chinese regime has issued increasingly severe punishment on deserters, such as banning them from public transportation, attending school, operating a business, working in government posts, and applying for passports. Now PLA soldiers are forced to fight after wearing the helmets. Otherwise, they will be killed by their commander, Tang said. In a move likely to anger China, the United States on Saturday lifted its self-imposed restrictions on the interaction of American diplomats with their Taiwanese counterparts. Chinese media has reacted to this move by criticising Pompeo and accusing him of "seeking to maliciously inflict a long-lasting scar" on bilateral ties. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday announced that the United States was lifting self-imposed restrictions on the interaction of American diplomats with their Taiwanese counterparts. This move by the US has angered China eliciting a sharp response from its official media on Sunday criticising Mike Pompeo. As per a press statement, Mike Pompeo said that Taiwan was a vibrant democracy and reliable partner of the United States, and yet for several decades the State Department had created complex internal restrictions to regulate their diplomats, service members, and other officials interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts. Pompeo added that the United States government took those actions unilaterally, in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. He said, No more. Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions. Also read: US Capitol Violence: After Twitter ban, Trump hints at plan to launch his own platform Today, I am lifting all self-imposed restrictions on executive branch agencies interactions with their counterparts from Taiwan. This action will benefit both of our great democracies. https://t.co/JmxE5jsZYf Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 9, 2021 Also read: Concern over WhatsApps new privacy policy escalates; users turn to Signal and Telegram Pompeo also said that the United States government maintained relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and Taiwan was no exception. He added that the two democracies shared common values of individual freedom, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity. Pompeo said that the statement recognizes that the US-Taiwan relationship need not, and should not, be shackled by self-imposed restrictions of their permanent bureaucracy. Also read: Bangladesh reminds Pak of 1971 Genocide; demands apology YEREVAN, 11 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 11 January, USD exchange rate up by 0.97 drams to 523.76 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.90 drams to 636.84 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 7.03 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.23 drams to 706.71 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 903.33 drams to 31369.88 drams. Silver price down by 7.32 drams to 448.68 drams. Platinum price up by 185.95 drams to 18725.27 drams. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. According to the IMARC Group: the pneumococcal vaccine helps in protecting both children and adults against pneumococcal infections. Pneumococcal infections are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus bacteria, which can cause severe lung infection (pneumonia), blood infection (bacteremia), and infection in the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Children in the age group of 2-5 years and geriatric individuals are the most at-risk population for pneumococcal infections. The pneumococcal vaccine stimulates the immune system and prevents the spread of infection, thereby eliminating the need for hospitalization and reducing the fatality rate. Request for a free sample copy of this report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/pneumococcal-vaccine-market/requestsample The rising parental concerns towards the high prevalence of pneumococcal infection in infants are propelling the demand for pneumococcal vaccines. Furthermore, the growing geriatric population who are more prone to chronic respiratory diseases is also augmenting the market growth. Additionally, the increasing consumption of cigarettes, snugs, cigars, hookah, etc., has further led to the rising incidences of severe lung diseases, thereby driving the global market. Additionally, the emergence of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) for immunizing infants will continue to bolster the market growth in the coming years. Key Market Segmentation: IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global pneumococcal vaccine market report, along with forecasts for growth at the global, regional and country level from 2021-2026. Our report has categorized the market based on region, vaccine type, product type, distribution channel and end user. Explore full report with table of contents: https://www.imarcgroup.com/pneumococcal-vaccine-market Breakup by Vaccine Type: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Breakup by Product Type: Prevnar 13 Synflorix Pneumovax 23 Breakup by Distribution Channel: Distribution Partner Companies Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Government Authorities Breakup by End User: Pediatrics Adults Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Middle East and Africa Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Astellas Pharma Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Plc., Merck & Co. Inc., Panacea Biotec Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi S.A., Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd and Walvax Biotechnology Co. Ltd. Browse Related Report https://www.imarcgroup.com/nucleic-acid-testing-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/polyvinyl-alcohol-technical-material-market-report https://www.imarcgroup.com/digestive-health-products-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/transformerless-ups-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/mobile-commerce-market About Us IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise. Contact US: IMARC Group 30 N Gould St, Ste R Sheridan, WY 82801, USA Website: https://www.imarcgroup.com/ Email: sales@imarcgroup.com USA: +1-631-791-1145 Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobal Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imarc-group Umesh Mehta The stock market will remain a buy-on-dips one since stocks are now in a structurally long-term bull market, feels Umesh Mehta, head of research at SAMCO Group. Mehta, who has over 20 years of experience in the capital market, says that the market scaled a new peak on account of support coming in from both mid and small caps, and this was seemingly driven by the optimism around the Budget which comes in February. Here's an edited excerpt of his interaction with Moneycontrols Kshitij Anand. A) The markets scaled new highs with support coming in from both mid and small caps. This was seemingly driven by the optimism around the Budget which comes in February. Moreover, tech stocks drove markets higher as there are expectations of robust Q3 numbers despite the usual furloughs seen during the quarter. Metals was another sector that led the momentum as metal prices continued to see hikes in prices and reported optimistic production numbers. The cyclical theme is indeed playing out now and is expected to continue going forward. Lastly, healthy deposit growth by private lenders also drove the rally in Bank Nifty which traded close to its lifetime highs. All these factors led to the price action in the markets this week. Q) What are the important levels which one should watch out for in the coming week? A) With the optimism seen in the markets, the Nifty might continue its momentum and achieve new highs as we go forward. It seems like Nifty is heading towards 14,500 levels in a swift manner. While the overall market is bullish, it continues to remain overbought in the short-term, and investors should maintain a cautiously bullish outlook unless the market breaches the short term support level of 13,950. Q) Small & midcaps outperformed in the week gone by. What is supporting the broader market indices? A) While the large caps were the first ones to react to the faster-than-expected economic recovery, a large part of the small and mid-caps were left untouched due to them being deemed riskier bets. As the economic scenario has become more stable and optimism is running high in the markets, small and midcaps are playing catch up as they trade at much attractive valuations compared to their larger-cap peers. The flow of investments to catch these companies at better valuations has driven this growth in the broader market indices and is expected to continue to do so over the coming weeks. Q) What is your view on the December quarter earnings? Do you think the road to double-digit earnings will only broaden from here? A) With strong liquidity and macro-based tailwinds supporting the economy, the December quarter is expected to report a strong set of gains, particularly from the IT and the Metal sectors which have seen multiple deals wins and strong production numbers, respectively. The majority of sectors will report strong growth but the stock price has factored in most of the positives. Hence, investors should wait for a dip before jumping into majority stocks at these levels. Also, as the economic recovery theme starts to cool down earnings across different sectors might take a breather since the pent-up demand is almost drying up. However, from a YoY growth perspective, they could still be higher since 2020 saw minimal growth due to the pandemic. Q) FII flows seem to be losing momentum something which can be seen from the week gone by. Do you think the momentum seems to be fading? A) India has seen record-breaking FII inflows over the past couple of months which have been one of the critical reasons driving markets to new all-time highs. Since then, the FII investment flows have mellowed down to more normal levels as the market trades at higher valuations. With that happening, all eyes are now on how the budget pans out which will possibly determine future flows. Q) Has the market texture changed from buy on dips to sell on rallies? A) The momentum for the market has been strong enough to drive Nifty to new all-time high levels. With this achievement, the market seems to be stretched on the valuation front at the higher end. Despite an impending short term correction, markets will remain a buy on dips market since stocks are now in a structurally long term bull market. Q) Your top 3-5 trading ideas for the next 3-4 weeks? A) With the result season starting, the IT sector will continue to remain in focus. There are expectations of a positive set of numbers by IT majors just as TCS supported by strong deal wins and adoption of new technologies globally. But, these technology stock prices have rallied a lot and seem to have discounted most of the positives. Hence, traders should get into these bets after watching the sentiment on the Street because it can happen that the trade is overbought and corrects in the short term. : The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. State Duma MPs propose granting state protection to National Guard and military personnel duma.gov.ru 16:02 11/01/2021 MOSCOW, January 11 (RAPSI) A bill envisaging that state protection is to be granted to the personnel of the Interior Ministry, the military, and the National Guard has been submitted to the lower house of the Russian Parliament, according to a statement on the State Duma official website. The document introduces legislative changes permitting to apply the state protection means (where there are respective grounds) with respect to the said categories, an explanatory note to the bill reads. The bill was developed by Chair of the Committee on Security and Countering Corruption of the State Duma Vasily Piskarev and Chair of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Alexander Khinshtein. Currently, the state protection means including measures aimed at ensuring of confidentiality of protected persons may be applied with respect to prosecutors, investigators, penitentiary officers, personnel of FSB, Investigative Committee, Bailiff Service, State Guard, officers of customs and tax agencies, antimonopoly service, federal public oversight agencies, Federal Financial Monitoring Service, Account Chamber. Ansar al-Tawhid have responded to Syrian government shelling by firing artillery at a government position in the Idleb province reports North Press. On Sunday, the armed group Ansar al-Tawhid shelled Syrian government sites in the south of Idleb Governorate in retaliation for earlier government shelling of their own defences in the Jabal al-Zawiya area, in the de-escalation zone. Field sources told North Press that Ansar al-Tawhid declared that they targeted government military sites in al-Dar al-Kabira village with heavy artillery. The shelling came as a result of Syrian government shelling of al-Fatira and Kansafrah in Idleb governorate. Russian reconnaissance aircraft also flew in the airspace of Idleb, Hama, and Lattakia during the shelling. Local sources say the increasing number of mutual bombardments indicates the possibility of an upcoming operation in the de-escalation zone. On Thursday, two members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Ansar al-Tawhid were killed, and others were injured, on the al-Fatira and Kansafrah frontline. Recently the safe zone witnesses daily outbreaks of violence between Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed armed opposition groups. 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. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has emerged as a leading candidate to be President-elect Joe Biden's commerce secretary, according to people familiar with the matter. Why it matters: Raimondo, a Rhodes scholar who co-founded a venture capital firm in Rhode Island earlier in her career, has prioritized good relationships with the business community, the target audience of commerce. Nonetheless, Raimondo has also clashed with unions as she worked to reform Rhode Islands public employee pension plans. She also served as a national co-chair for Mike Bloombergs presidential campaign, endorsing Biden only after the former New York mayor dropped out. A Biden transition official declined to comment. The big picture: Biden had been considering a prominent CEO or a Republican to lead the Commerce Department. In considering Raimondo, he appears to be moving to a more traditional choice. Raimondo, 49, and former chair of the Democratic Governors Association, is seen as a rising star in her party. The intrigue: Raimondo also was under consideration to serve as secretary of health and human services, a job that eventually went to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. All key workers unable to work from home in England will be eligible for a test twice a week to try to break the chain of coronavirus transmission by asymptomatic carriers. The announcement yesterday by Matt Hancock will make lateral flow tests which take 30 minutes to get a result a key way to avoid tightening the lockdown. Two million of the tests will be supplied by SureScreen Diagnostics, of Derby, with the first million to be delivered by the end of this week. All key workers unable to work from home will be tested twice a week to 'break the chain' of transmission Councils and employers will be invited to carry out the tests and to identify eligible workers, with an aim of identifying asymptomatic spreaders. Around one in three people infected with the virus show none of the symptoms such as a dry cough, loss of taste, or high temperature. So far around 14,800 asymptomatic cases have been identified in the community testing programme currently run by 131 councils. The plan is now for the scheme to be expanded to cover all 317 English local authorities. Around one third of the UK workforce are key workers totalling 10.61million people and include food manufacturers, warehouse employees and healthcare staff. Mr Hancock, the Health Secretary, said yesterday: I am thrilled to announce that testing for those who do not have symptoms will be available to every local authority in England. He added that he was working closely with the devolved administrations so every corner of the UK can benefit from this life-saving work. Matt Hancock will make lateral flow tests a key way to avoid tightening the lockdown Covid-19 has spread most rapidly in London and the South East according to the Office for National Statistics. Key workers have been calculated to have around 29 daily contacts with other people, seven times as many as someone working from home. Just one in six key workers is able to work from home. Professor Peter Horby, chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, said current measures might have to be tightened if there is evidence they are not working against the virus. He told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show: Were in a situation where everything that was risky in the past is now more risky. Whether the current restrictions are enough, I think it remains to be seen. It will be a week or two before it becomes clear. If theres any sign that theyre not, then were going to have to be even stricter. A Department of Health spokesman said: This programme is crucial given that around one in three people have coronavirus without displaying any symptoms. The single most important action we can all take to protect the NHS and save lives is to stay at home. 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. Two men photographed carrying zip-ties in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday were charged Sunday in a federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots. The charges followed those of three men on Saturday, including a man seen wearing Viking garb and one photographed carrying the Speakers lectern in the Capitol while mugging for the camera. Eric Gavelek Munchel was arrested in Tennessee, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia said in a statement Sunday. He was photographed with the restraints in the Senate chamber. Photos depicting his presence show a person who appears to be Munchel carrying plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cellphone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward, ostensibly to record events that day, the Attorneys Office said. The second man, Larry Rendell Brock, was arrested in Texas. Both face charges of knowingly entering a restricted building and a count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. White Flex Cuff It is alleged that Brock was identified as one of the individuals who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol wearing a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches, black and camo jacket, and beige pants holding a white flex cuff, which is used by law enforcement to restrain and/or detain subjects, authorities said. On Saturday, the Justice Department announced the arrest of three men who allegedly took part in the riots at the U.S. Capitol. Jacob A. Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, was charged with illegally entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and with violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds, the department said in a statement on Saturday. Chansley was identified as the man seen in media coverage who entered the Capitol building shirtless and wearing horns, a bearskin headdress and red-white-and-blue face paint. Adam Johnson, 36, of Florida was arrested on multiple charges including one count of theft of government property. The U.S. alleged he removed the House Speakers lectern from where it was stored on the House side of the Capitol building. Widely circulated photos showed a man wearing a Trump beanie inside the Capitol, carrying the lectern while smiling and waving. New Lawmaker Derrick Evans, 35, of West Virginia, a recently-elected member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, faces illegal-entry and disorderly-conduct charges, the DOJ said Saturday. He streamed a video of himself joining and encouraging a crowd unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol live on Facebook, according to the department. In the video, Evans is allegedly seen crossing the threshold of the doorway into the U.S. Capitol and shouting, Were in, were in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol! Following the announcement of his arrest, Evans resigned from the House of Delegates. I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians, he said in a statement. All five men charged over the weekend are in custody. ___ For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC On Friday, he posted an apology on the FOPs website for the poorly worded statements he made to the radio station. I ask that you consider the totality of my comments, he wrote. What is almost totally overlooked was the fact I said the President needs to accept responsibility for (the) events and that he should formally concede the race to put everything to bed once and for all. About 1,100 farmers in Karnataka signed an agreement to sell their paddy directly to Reliance Retail, arm of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), above the minimum support price (MSP) through an agro-based company at Sindhanur in the state's northern region, an official said on Sunday. "On behalf of 1,100 farmers, who are our company's shareholders, an agreement has been signed on January 6 to sell about 1,000 tonne of their paddy (Sona Masoori rice variety) to Reliance Retail at Rs 1,950 per quintal (100 kg), which is Rs 100 above the MSP of Rs 1,850 per quintal," Swasthya Farmers Producing Company (SFPC) Managing Director V. Mallikarjun told IANS on phone. Sindhanur in Raichur district is 420km from Bengaluru in the southern state. "The agreement has been signed under the recently amended Karnataka Agricultural Marketing Committee (KAPMC) Act, 2020, which allows farmers to directly sell their produce even outside APMC yards to anyone and above MSP," asserted Mallikarjun. With the consent of state Governor Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka on January 1 notified the KAPMC Act, which restricts powers of the APMCs and omits penal provisions to help farmer sell their produce directly even outside the APMC yards (mandis) to anyone who pays more than the MSP, fixed by the state government. "Since the agreement was signed, the farmers have till Saturday delivered about 100 tonne to Reliance Retail, which has taken a warehouse of the state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) on lease in the town," said Mallikarjun. The balance 900 tonne will be delivered to Reliance Retail warehouse over the next 9-10 days at the rate of 100 tonne per day. "Though the farmers are getting Rs 100 more per quintal than the MSP, they have to bear the cost of sacks (gunny bags), transport and loading/unloading charges of the paddy at the warehouse from their fields where they harvested recently," noted Mallikarjun. The 2-year-old company (SFPC) has been Promoted by the state-run Nabard (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), an apex development finance institution, to help farmers in not only ensuring higher food production, but also get maximum returns on their investment. "We will credit the sale proceeds of the paddy to the farmers' bank accounts directly after Reliance Retail makes the transaction with us. A third party will assess the moisture content in the paddy, which should be 16 per cent for good quality," added Mallikarjun. Companies can procure farm produce across the state under the Direct Purchase Centre License granted by the state Cooperation department. Karnataka has about 160 APMCs across the state on which about 60,000 traders and middlemen depend for livelihood. Set up in January 2019 with Rs 10-lakh authorized capital and Rs 10,000 paid-up capital, SFPC grows a variety of crops, including rice, wheat, jowhar and millets in the agricultural lands of farmers, many of whom are its shareholders. BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD As of Monday, Baltimore County has a total of 42,307 positive new coronavirus cases, according to the Baltimore County Health Department, and 972 deaths. The state has 309,686 confirmed cases and 6,129 deaths total, reports the Maryland Department of Health. More than 28,731 people have been hospitalized to date. The number of confirmed cases in Baltimore County nursing homes stands at 4,728. The number of death cases in Baltimore County nursing homes is at 510. The following zip codes have the highest confirmed case counts in Baltimore County as of Jan. 11: 21222 with 3,248 cases 21234 with 3,221 cases 21228 with 2,809 cases 21117 with 2,670 cases 21221 with 2,521 cases The county health department has its own website created to monitor the situation, broken down by new cases per day and other data. The CDC advises doing the following to stop the spread of the virus: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Keep 6 feet of space between people. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. This article originally appeared on the Catonsville Patch MONTAGUE Trinity Health Of New England Senior Communities said transfer of Farren Care Center residents to Holyokes Mount Saint Vincent Care Center will begin after residents of both facilities complete their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Both Farren Care Center and Mount Saint Vincent Care Center have begun the process of vaccinating residents and colleagues against COVID-19, said Christine Looby, Trinity spokesperson. Both had successful first clinics, and will complete the vaccination process in the third week of January. The resident transfer process will begin sometime after completion of the second round of vaccination. The state Department of Public Health gave Trinity approval in early November to close Farren, a 122-bed skilled nursing and long-term rehabilitative services facility in the Turners Falls section of Montague, by the end of 2020, and to transfer patients to Mount Saint Vincent, which has been managed for Trinity by iCare Health Network. At the beginning of December, the state approved the transfer of ownership from Trinity to iCare as well as an extension of the time to plan for the transfer of patients to the 125-bed skilled nursing facility for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. Trinity had cited Farrens aging physical plant which dates to the 1900s, when the building opened as a municipal hospital as a reason for closing, as well as what it called workforce challenges. The plan drew much criticism at public hearings after it was announced in August, as the nursing home has served patients with both psychiatric and chronic medical conditions, a particularly vulnerable population in terms of care needed and scarcity of facilities in New England able to provide it. It was also criticized for taking placing during the pandemic. COVID-19 has shown itself to be particularly fatal for older residents in long-term care facilities. In October, the state asked for additional data from Trinity addressing some of these concerns, and Trinity responded with what information would be provided residents on transfer options and what documentation and safety procedures would be involved. Connecticut-based iCare, which has said it operates other facilities with dual-diagnosed patients, had said it would consider hiring employees impacted both by Farrens closing and its acquisition of Mount Saint Vincent. Looby said the current patient census at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center is 54, and the current census at Farren is 85. She added Mount Saint Vincent has approximately 95 colleagues currently employed as final offers are issued and employees make their final decisions while 130 remain employed at Farren. She said the closing date on the real estate transaction for Mount Saint Vincent, which is owned by the Sisters of Providence Ministry Corp., is Feb. 1. iCare Health Network will assume operation of Mount Saint Vincent Care Center on Feb. 2, 2021, Looby said. According to papers filed with the state for the facilitys change of ownership, Holyoke Care Center, the domestic limited liability corporation acquiring Mount Saint Vincent, includes license holder iCare as well as Commonwealth Capital Investors and Preston Capital Investors, both sole member limited liability corporations based in Lakewood, Colorado, and Vantage Capital Investors and Active Investments, sole-member limited liability corporations associated with iCare in Manchester, Connecticut. Related Content: .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Theres a groundswell in state and grassroots efforts in New Mexico to tap into the burgeoning economic development and job-creation opportunities associated with building a green energy economy. Advocates say the benefits can substantially outweigh the costs, although to be clear, the state will face significant disruptions as traditional dependence on the extractive fossil fuel industry declines. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ In fact, transitioning the electric grid to renewable generation is already bringing real hardship to some communities, particularly in northwestern New Mexico, where coal mining and coal-fired generating plants have provided thousands of high-paying jobs for decades, especially for members of the Navajo Nation. And now, with the oil and gas industry facing a historic bust in the pandemic and a rocky road to recovery, pain is also widespread in southeastern New Mexico, with potential for a lot more hardship if President-elect Joe Bidens administration opts to ban new leases and drilling on federal lands as promised during last years election campaign. Paul Gessing, president of the conservative Rio Grande Foundation, said renewables wont replace the extensive employment offered by the traditional energy industry, nor will they provide enough state revenue to offset the wealth generated by fossil fuels. I dont think green energy will produce a real boom for New Mexico, nor for the nation, Gessing told the Journal. Im very concerned about our financial future. Were racing full bore into wind and solar with government subsidies and mandates, and I dont believe thats a net winner for the state. But green energy advocates say building a non-carbon economy does open a major, novel path to economic diversification across New Mexico that can help to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuel industries while simultaneously generating a huge number of jobs. Cristopher Moore, a professor with the Santa Fe Institute an interdisciplinary research center that analyzes complex issues said New Mexico needs a fundamental shift in perspective. Moore is co-author of a new Institute report that offers strategies for harnessing climate action as a growth industry. We hear a lot of rhetoric that solving the climate crisis means holding the economy back and sacrificing jobs, but its completely the opposite, especially for a state like New Mexico thats rich in renewable resources, Moore said. The U.S. has emerged from previous economic downturns like todays pandemic-induced slump by building new infrastructure, Moore said. And given the immense construction needed to add transmission capacity, modernize grid technology, and build renewable generation facilities, transitioning to a green economy could provide a robust path to recovery while also laying the foundations for new, sustainable industries. Demand, jobs The transition to clean energy is creating immense demand across the West for renewable generation, providing opportunities for New Mexico to export wind and solar electricity to other states if the needed generation and transmission gets built. A new report by New Mexicos Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, or RETA, estimates that the states gusty eastern plains have enough wind potential to supply about 137 gigawatts of electricity. To date, New Mexico has built less than three gigawatts of wind facilities. RETA projects New Mexico will need to build 11.5 GW of new wind generation over the next 12 years to satisfy local and regional demand. Constructing the transmission and renewable infrastructure needed to supply that power could create and sustain up to 3,700 jobs per year over the next decade, according to the report. The American Clean Power Association estimates New Mexico could generate nearly 14,000 new jobs over 10 years under plans to convert the grid to 50% renewables by 2030 something the state is already pursuing and the Biden administration is expected to push nationwide. But even those estimates contained in a new report that the association published in December may be conservative, because the study only analyzed direct employment in the renewable industry, said John Hensley, vice president of research and analytics. It doesnt cover indirect and induced jobs supported by investment in renewable infrastructure, Hensley told the Journal. Spending by companies in local communities supports a lot more jobs at regional businesses, including retail, restaurants, hotels and so forth. Construction would account for most new employment, meaning only temporary jobs as things get built. But employment would be spread out over 10 years, with more growth likely even after the nation reaches 50% renewables in 2030 and then strives to convert the entire grid to non-carbon generation, Hensley said. As construction finishes on one project there will be a whole pipeline of more projects down the road to move onto, he said. By 2030, we expect there to be more than two times more renewable jobs for every fossil fuel job that exists today. In addition, permanent, high-paying jobs in operation and maintenance of facilities are created with every renewable project. The new Sagamore Wind Farm, for example a 522-megawatt facility that Xcel Energy inaugurated in Roosevelt County in December created 25 permanent jobs. Local pull Meanwhile, many local organizations are now working to tap economic development and job opportunities beyond the electric industry as the state and nation embrace the broader goal of building a clean energy economy. New Mexico State University and the North American Intelligent Manufacturing Initiative, or NAIMI, are working together on a statewide initiative to help local communities particularly the coal-heavy counties in northwestern New Mexico take advantage of emerging green-business endeavors. That could include an array of new products and services in everything from energy-efficiency retrofits for homes and businesses to developing new technologies for things like clean hydrogen production. It also includes efforts to attract more firms like Facebook to New Mexico that want to plug into the states ability to offer low-cost solar and wind generation to power facilities with 100% renewable energy, said NAIMI co-founder Fred Mondragon. The partners hosted an online Town Hall in the summer with 150 representatives from around the state to discuss economic development, workforce training and advanced renewable energy technologies in local communities, Mondragon said. Others are hosting similar forums to build collaborative ties among counties. The pro-renewable group Powering New Mexico, for example, facilitated an online panel in October among economic development professionals around the state to discuss ways to attract more clean energy investment in their communities. Myra Pancrazio, executive director of the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association, told participants that wind development has helped sustain the Torrance County economy throughout the pandemic. Renewable energy company Avangrid, which already operates a 298-megawatt wind farm near Eunice, just finished construction on its new, 306-megawatt La Joya wind complex in the same area. When the coronavirus hit, economic development in Torrance County didnt slow because the wind projects boosted gross receipts taxes and employment, Pancrazio said. We were lucky. La Joya was just breaking ground when the pandemic started, and it put a lot of people to work, with 200 to 300 construction jobs. Learn more Turn to todays Business Outlook to read more about New Mexicos place in the clean energy landscape going forward. All of Michigans Democratic representatives in Congress support removing President Donald Trump as the U.S. House plans votes on articles of impeachment this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a Monday vote will be held on a resolution calling Vice President Mike Pence to mobilize the Cabinet and invoke the 25th Amendment to declare Trump unfit for office. Pelosi indicated the House will proceed with introducing impeachment legislation seeking to charge the president with inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. All seven of Michigans Democratic representatives in the House and both senators expressed support for removing Trump either through the 25th Amendment or impeachment. In interviews and public statements, Michigan Democrats said Trump instigated the violent mob of supporters who broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 to disrupt the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Lawmakers were forced to evacuate the Capitol as pro-Trump rioters vandalized the building. Five people were killed in the chaos, including a Capitol Police officer. A second Capitol Police officer died by suicide over the weekend, and police categorized the death as a line of duty casualty. Two pipe bombs were found outside the Republican and Democratic party headquarters in Washington D.C. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, is one of the leading sponsors of an impeachment resolution set to be filed Monday. The resolution attracted more than 210 Democratic co-sponsors. The four-page impeachment resolution states Trump incited violence, endangered the security of the legislative branch and threatened the integrity of American democracy. The resolution also cites a Jan. 2 phone call where Trump asked the Georgia Secretary of State to find enough votes to overturn the election. Five of Michigans seven House Democrats support impeaching Trump if members of his Cabinet dont invoke the 25th Amendment. Two Cabinet members -- including Education Secretary Betsy DeVos -- resigned last week citing Trumps responsibility for the riots. U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said they support removing Trump through the 25th Amendment but havent voiced support for impeachment. Both voted to impeach Trump in 2019. Michigans U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, joined calls to remove Trump through the 25th Amendment or impeachment. Trump, whose term ends on Jan. 20, could become the first president to ever be impeached twice. The last Congress impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in December 2019, though the Republican-majority U.S. Senate cleared him of both charges. The Constitution requires a two-thirds supermajority in the U.S. Senate to convict the president; otherwise, he is acquitted. Democrats would need at least 17 Republicans to join them. The House only needs a majority of representatives to vote in favor of pressing charges to start a trial in the Senate. Democrats will likely have enough votes to make it happen. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, held a Monday press conference calling to remove the president through impeachment. Kildee, who was in the House chambers when rioters tried to break in, said Trump should be held accountable for provoking supporters to overturn the election. Impeachment is not the best solution. The 25th amendment is, Kildee said. It has become clear the attack was a well-planned attack on the United States of America from a whipped-up mob, sadly, encouraged by and, to a great extent, led by the president of the United States. Trump rallied supporters from across the country who answered the call of conservative groups that spent weeks promoting a stop the steal protest in Washington D.C. The president encouraged them to peacefully march to Capitol Hill while repeating false claims that the election was rigged. Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore and thats what this is all about, Trump said. The president asked his supporters to go home in a video message hours after the Capitol siege, telling them in a video message that they were very special. The next day, Trump condemned demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills, said Trump has proven himself to be a threat and a danger to our republic and our national security in a Sunday CNN interview. U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, said she supports using impeachment articles to remove Trump if his Cabinet does not invoke the 25th Amendment. U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, said Congress shouldnt allow Trump to serve the last days of his term. Biden will be sworn in on Jan. 20. I will not wait patiently as Donald Trump desecrates the Constitution he swore to uphold, because I swore an oath, too, Levin said in a statement. I swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. As of Monday, no Michigan Republicans have voiced support for removing Trump from office. U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, criticized Trumps response to the violence in a Friday interview but stopped short of calling for his removal. Theres a number of practical and legal factors to consider so thats not something that Im prepared to speak about at this time, Meijer said Friday. READ MORE ON MLIVE: Republicans pushed election lies and armed protests, but say their rhetoric didnt spur U.S. Capitol chaos Domestic terrorism represents growing threat to United States Congressman Meijer says Republicans should take responsibility for lies about election fraud after Capitol attack 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. Firefighters have extinguished a bus on fire on Monday evening, as it caught alight on a busy street near Sydneys CBD. The bus caught fire on Parramatta Road in the inner-city suburb of Glebe, with emergency services called to the scene at around 6pm on Monday. Firefighters were quick to respond to the blaze, a spokesperson from NSW Fire and Rescue told Yahoo News Australia. All passengers who were on board the bus at the time of the fire were evacuated by the driver. Source: Nine News Fortunately, no passengers onboard the bus at the time of the fire were injured. Through the quick action of the bus driver, everyone was evacuated, including the driver, the spokesperson said. Operations are ongoing. Initially roads were closed and drivers were told the avoid the area. Since then two eastbound lanes on Broadway and Parramatta Road in Glebe have reopened. The diversion into Derwent St has been lifted, Live Traffic Sydney tweeted. Continue to allow extra travel time while traffic returns to normal. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. People who witnessed the bus alight and the aftermath have shared confronting images to social media. Connor Wherrett told the Sydney Morning Herald he was on a bus heading in an opposite direction when he saw police shutting the road, adding that five minutes later the firefighters showed up. On Twitter, Mr Wherrett described the scene as insane and shared a video of the bus completely engulfed in flames. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. 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. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Jan, 2021) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today received a telephone call from President George Weah of Liberia. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed ways of strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation to serve the mutual interests of the two friendly countries in several fields. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Weah discussed the latest regional and global developments and issues of common concern and exchanged views on them. The two sides also reviewed the latest situation regarding COVID-19 pandemic and the global efforts to contain the impact of the virus. President Weah thanked the UAE for its positive role in the development of Liberia and the rest of Africa. Sheikh Mohamed underlined the UAE's keenness to strengthen ties with the African countries, including Liberia for the common good of their peoples. DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "US Data Center Colocation Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Country Analysis by Type, by Enterprise Size, and by Industry" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. US Data Center Colocation Market is expected to reach US$ 35.10 billion by 2027 from US$ 13.18 billion in 2019. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% from 2020 to 2027. The report provides trends prevailing in the US data center colocation market along with the drivers and restraints pertaining to the market growth. increasing enterprise demands for cost-effective solutions to reduce overall it cost and growing disaster recovery and business continuity requirements are the major factor driving the growth of the US data center colocation market. However, high initial and maintenance costs hinder the growth of US data center colocation market. The US data center colocation market is segmented into type, enterprise size, and industry. Based on type, the market is segmented into retail and wholesale. In 2019, the retail segment held the largest share US data center colocation market. Based on enterprise size the US data center colocation market is divided into SMEs and large enterprises. Large enterprises is expected to the fastest growing segment over the forecast period. Similarly, based on industry, the market is bifurcated into BFSI, telecom & IT, healthcare, retail, and others. The telecom & IT segment contributed a substantial share in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic situation in the US has forced companies to implement work from home (WFH) process as a contingency for the continuity of the business. As per CBRE's North American Data Center Trends Report 2020, the region's data center sector was strong in the first half of 2020 because hybrid IT infrastructure is being widely implemented by the organizations to develop remote working capabilities. Data center business have never dealt with a global pandemic COVID-19. Nearly all industries got impacted by the ongoing spread of the virus and are creating potential IT and related business opportunities for data center business. Equinix Inc., Cyxtera Technologies, Inc., Digital Realty Trust LP, CoreSite Realty Corporation, CyrusOne, Inc., QTS Realty Trust, Inc., 365 Data Centers, UnitedLayer, LLC, Telehouse, and NTT Communications Corporation are among the leading companies in the US data center colocation market. The companies are focused on adopting organic growth strategies such as product launches and expansions to sustain their position in the dynamic market. For instance, in 2020, Equinix, Inc. acquired 13 Bell Data centers in Canada for US$780 Million. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 1.1 Study Scope 1.2 Research Report Guidance 1.3 Market Segmentation 2. Key Takeaways 3. Research Methodology 4. US Data Center Colocation Market Landscape 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 PEST Analysis 4.3 Ecosystem Analysis 4.4 Expert Opinion 5. Data Center Colocation Market - Key Market Dynamics 5.1 Market Drivers 5.1.1 Increasing Enterprise Demands for Cost-Effective Solutions to Reduce Overall IT Cost 5.1.2 Growing Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Requirements 5.2 Market Restraint 5.2.1 High Initial and Maintenance Costs 5.3 Market Opportunity 5.3.1 Developments in Edge Computing 5.4 Future Trend 5.4.1 Surge in Demand for Advanced Data Center Infrastructure due to Advent of 5G Services 5.5 Impact Analysis Of Drivers and Restraints 6. Data Center Colocation Market - US Analysis 6.1 Data Center Colocation Market US Overview 6.2 US Data Center Colocation Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (Us$ Billion) 6.3 Market Positioning - Key Players 6.4 Positioning Map 7. Data Center Colocation Market Analysis - by Type 7.1 Overview 7.2 US Data Center Colocation Market Breakdown, by Type, 2019 & 2027 7.3 Retail 7.4 Wholesale 8. Data Center Colocation Market Analysis - by Enterprise Size 8.1 Overview 8.2 US Data Center Colocation Market Breakdown, by Enterprise Size, 2019 & 2027 8.3 SMEs 8.4 Large Enterprises 9. Data Center Colocation Market Analysis - by Industry 9.1 Overview 9.2 US Data Center Colocation Market Breakdown, by Industry, 2019 & 2027 9.3 IT & Telecom 9.4 BFSI 9.5 Healthcare 9.6 Retail 9.7 Others 10. Impact of COVID-19 on US Data Center Colocation Market 10.1 Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Data Center Colocation Market 10.1.1 US: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic 11. US Data Center Colocation Market- Industry Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Market Initiative 12. Company Profiles 12.1 Key Facts 12.2 Business Description 12.3 Products and Services 12.4 Financial Overview 12.5 SWOT Analysis 12.6 Key Developments Equinix Inc. Cyxtera Technologies, Inc. Digital Realty Trust LP CoreSite Realty Corporation CyrusOne, Inc. QTS Realty Trust, Inc. 365 Data Centers UnitedLayer, LLC Telehouse NTT Communications Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6k9nl4 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 [January 11, 2021] Mastercard Pioneers Cloud Tap on Phone, its First Pilot of Cloud Point of Sale (POS) Acceptance Technology Mastercard has partnered with NMI and Global Payments Inc. to launch its first live Cloud Tap on Phone (News - Alert) pilot with Computer Engineering Group (CEG), a Napa, Calif.-based independent IT Services provider. Cloud Tap on Phone is one of Mastercard's innovative next generation acceptance products, with the software hosted on Microsoft's (News - Alert) Azure cloud platform. Mastercard has been spearheading the transition to contactless payments for years. The demand for faster, more convenient, safe, and now cleaner ways to pay has driven the transition to contactless, and it's a one-way street with touch-free experiences expected to be permanent for consumers and businesses even after the pandemic ends. In fact, in the third quarter of 2020, contactless penetration represented 41% of in-person purchase transactions globally, up from 37% in the second quarter and 30% a year ago. With Tap on Phone, any business - regardless of size - can deliver new and best-in-class contactless consumer experiences using a device they already own: a smartphone. Tap on Phone democratizes point-of-sale technology by turning an Android (News - Alert) smartphone or tablet into an acceptance device, allowing businesses to accept contactless payments minimizing the need to invest in hardware terminals or extra features. Merchants can offer enhanced and accelerated curbside pick-up or payment on delivery, or provide faster line-skipping checkout in-store, options that are increasingly important as consumers look to touch-free cash alternatives. With the introduction of Cloud Point of Sale (POS), Mastercard is enhancing its Tap on Phone product and empowering ecosystem partners to develop their own cloud-based products with new tools and capabilities. Cloud POS moves key parts of the acceptance software - the components1 which enable the processing of contactless transactions and certain security functions - from the individual smartphone to the cloud, offering robust security, reducing development and maintenance costs, and creating scalable distribution channels by allowing immediate connectivity to partners. Cloud POS also becomes a new channel for Mastercard and our partners to bring value added services to customers and businesses. Mastercard will make its pre-certified Cloud POS software development kits (SDKs) openly available in multiple cloud environments, encouraging solution providers, fintechs, acquirers and processors to innovate and co-create new cloud-first products. Mastercard's pilot with CEG represents the first live deployment of Mastercard Cloud Tap on Phone anywhere in the world. "We continue to see an accelerating shift to digital payments, with businesses of all sizes wanting to provide swift, secure, compelling point-of-sale experiences. Cloud POS enables us to make these experiences available to our partners with greater speed and efficiency," said Milan Gauder, Global Head of Mastercard's Acceptance Solutions Group. "Our partners are the center of everything we do, and our trusted technology powers innovative experiences, choice, flexibility and certainty, creating the products they need. Mastercard's Cloud Tap on Phone delivers on our promise of ground-breaking products and innovation." Mastercard has convened an ecosystem of partners to launch Cloud Tap on Phone. Leading payments enablement technology company NMI operates as a key integration partner and distributor. operates as a key integration partner and distributor. Global Payments , a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, will provide point of sale acceptance technology. , a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, will provide point of sale acceptance technology. Continuing the company's commitment to empower small businesses, CEG, an independent IT services company rom California, serviced by an ISO BNG Payments, becomes the first company to pilot Mastercard's Cloud Tap on Phone. The company will conduct further Cloud Tap on Phone pilots and commercial deployments in other markets in 2021. Currently, Mastercard's Tap on Phone solution is in 16 markets across Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America and Middle East & Africa. Pilots are taking place with partners in Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Poland, Kazakhstan, Romania, Canada, Belarus, Russia, Turkey, United Kingdom, among other countries. Notes to Editors: What Our Partners are Saying "Tap on Phone technology perfectly complements the acceleration of contactless payments in the U.S. market. This is a ground-breaking step in creating a world that enables merchants to turn their smartphones into a payment acceptance device without the need of an externally paired physical card reader." - Nick Starai, Chief Strategy Officer, NMI "The pandemic has permanently shifted the way global commerce operates, forcing companies to respond to increased demands for safe commerce solutions, such as mobile ordering and contactless payments. These waves of innovation will continue to accelerate, driving more and more technological advances across the payments industry. As an innovation leader in the payments industry, we are proud to partner with Mastercard on the new Cloud POS acceptance technology solution that will better equip merchants of all sizes to provide a faster, safer and more secure experience to help better serve consumers and their preferences for more advanced digital commerce solutions." - Jim Egbert, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Global Payments "CEG is very excited with the opportunity to work on the Mastercard pilot program. We are looking forward to using the contactless tap on phone technology to enhance our service experience with our retail customers. As a technology company we are always interested in exploring ways to stay at the cutting edge of technology development for our business and our IT customers. The Mastercard Tap on Phone program fits the bill!" - Eric Ross, General Manager, Computer Engineering Group (CEG) "We have been selling and supporting a wide range of mobile POS software and hardware solutions since the inception of mPOS. BNG Payments is constantly striving to increase our support excellence, and one way to do this is to find new and innovative ways to minimize hardware and software issues. With traditional solutions, we are relying on Bluetooth or audio jack connected credit card acceptance devices that are all prone to connectivity issues between the device and smartphone, causing merchants to have transaction issues and down time. With Cloud Tap on Phone, we are reducing potential failure points to just a smartphone and data connection as well as reducing upfront cost by eliminating the need for additional hardware. This will be the future of mobile card-present transactions, and I am happy to see that merchants and cardholders stand to gain the most from this innovation." - Ryan Theis, Chief Strategy Officer, BNG Payments [1] An EMV Kernel is a set of interface routines, security and control functions, and logic defined in EMVCo Standard (www.emvco.com), to interact with a contact or contactless payment device, for instance a card or mobile, and retrieve the necessary data for the transaction authorization. About Mastercard (NYSE:MA): Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. About NMI: NMI is one of the world's leading card payment gateways, processing over 1.2 billion transactions a year from retail POS, e-commerce and self-service terminals. Our mission is to use our expertise to enable more payments, in more ways, and in more places, all with the utmost security and reliability. To do this, we provide ISOs, fintech innovators, and technologists with the software tools to easily work with us. It gives them the freedom to focus on what they do best, liberates them from restricted payment methods, and gives them access to the latest payment technology now and in the future. Our team spans the globe and has a twenty-year track record of delivering innovative payment solutions across specific retail sectors and has unparalleled experience in EMV technology. About Global Payments: Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) is a leading pure play payments technology company delivering innovative software and services to our customers globally. Our technologies, services and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of solutions that allow our customers to operate their businesses more efficiently across a variety of channels around the world. Headquartered in Georgia with nearly 24,000 employees worldwide, Global Payments is a member of the S&P 500 with worldwide reach spanning over 100 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. For more information, visit www.globalpaymentsinc.com and follow Global Payments on Twitter (News - Alert) (@globalpayinc), LinkedIn and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005278/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] President Donald Trump The Democrats on Monday asked Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove outgoing US President Donald Trump from office, otherwise they will go ahead with the unprecedented second impeachment of Trump in the last few days of his term. Even as the Democrats unveiled a single article of impeachment charging Trump with "incitement of insurrection", the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a copy of a resolution, calling on Pence to act. Accusing Trump of encouraging "rioters and insurrectionists to 'march on the Capitol' and 'fight'" last Wednesday, the resolution seeks Pence to "declare what is obvious to a horrified nation: that the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office". It also charges Trump with "at least 3 attempts to intervene in the lawful vote counting and certification process in Georgia". If no action is taken on the resolution, Democrats have signalled their intention to impeach President Trump instead. The impeachment resolution cites Trump's repeated unsubstantiated claims that he won the November elections, his speech in Washington on the day of the riot, and his plea with Georgia's top voting official to "find" more Republican votes even after the tally had been finalised, the BBC reported. "In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government. He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States," it said. The Stone Age period may have continued 20,000 years longer in some part of Africa than was previously thought, recent archaeological finds revealed. The new discoveries at sites in Senegal on the West coast of Africa, by Max Planck Institute researchers, are fuelling a rethink of the passage of human evolution. Previous discoveries suggested humans in Africa stopped using certain tools and methods - including simple points and scrapers - in favour of more complex and crafted equipment including spears and blades about 30,000 years ago. This distinction in equipment, and a move to a more artistic and regionally diverse approach to tools marks the transition from Middle to Later Stone Age. Archaeologists found ancient West African inhabitants were still using simple tools about 11,000 years ago - up to 20,000 years after they went out of favour elsewhere. This disproves a long-held theory that humanity evolved in one uniform way towards our modern lifestyle - and instead evolved at different speeds around the world. The new discoveries at sites in Senegal on the West coast of Africa, by Max Planck Institute researchers, are fuelling a rethink of the passage of human evolution The stone age is split into three periods - the lower stone age before homo sapiens, the middle stone age where early homo sapiens used simple tools such as points and scrapers - and the late stone age where craftsmanship began to take hold. Middle Stone Age finds most commonly occur in the African record between around 300 thousand and 30 thousand years ago, after which point they largely vanish - although new research suggests this continued in some isolated areas much later. The exact transition varies from region to region, but the last stage of the later stone age - the Neolithic - game way to the bronze age around 3,500 BC. Archaeologists say their research supports the idea that - for most of humanity's prehistory - groups of humans were relatively isolated from each other. The discovery comes as archaeologists take some of the first steps in uncovering the prehistoric past of West Africa, which they say has been under-studied in comparison to the eastern and southern reaches of the continent. The lead author of a new study, Dr Eleanor Scerri, said West Africa is a real frontier for human evolutionary studies - as almost nothing is known about its prehistory. 'Almost everything we know about human origins is extrapolated from discoveries in small parts of eastern and southern Africa,' explained Scerri. Her colleague, Dr Khady Niang, of the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal, added: 'These discoveries demonstrate the importance of investigating the whole of the African continent, if we are to really get a handle on the deep human past. 'Prior to our work, the story from the rest of Africa suggested that well before 11,000 years ago, the last traces of the Middle Stone Age were long gone.' The team don't know exactly why West Africa's Stone Age inhabitants took longer to adopt new tools, but speculate it could be because of geographical isolation. Other theories suggest it could also be due to less radical changes in climate which meant humans living there didn't need to find new ways to adapt. Archaeologists say their research supports the idea that - for most of humanity's prehistory - groups of humans were relatively isolated from each other. These drawings show some of the tools in use 11,000 years ago in West Africa that had already gone out of use elsewhere Dr Niang said: 'All we can be sure about is that this persistence is not simply about a lack of capacity to invest in the development of new technologies. 'These people were intelligent, they knew how to select good stone for their tool making and exploit the landscape they lived in.' The team said their findings, along with genetic discoveries which show a huge amount of diversity among humans living on the continent, fit with a newer view of human evolution that Stone Age groups lived and developed separately. Dr Niang said: 'We aren't sure why, but apart from physical distance, it may be the case that some cultural boundaries also existed. Perhaps the populations using these different material cultures also lived in slightly different ecological niches.' Team fieldwalking along the Gambia River, Senegal. The team don't know exactly why West Africa's Stone Age inhabitants took longer to adopt new tools, but speculate it could be because of geographical isolation Around 15,000 years ago, a major increase in humidity and forest growth in central and western Africa linked different areas and provided corridors for groups to disperse - spelling the end for Middle Stone Age tools. Dr Scerri added: 'These findings do not fit a simple unilinear model of cultural change towards 'modernity'. 'Groups of hunter-gatherers embedded in radically different technological traditions occupied neighbouring regions of Africa for thousands of years, and sometimes shared the same regions. 'Long isolated regions, on the other hand, may have been important reservoirs of cultural and genetic diversity. This may have been a defining factor in the success of our species.' The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. 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. UPDATE: Portland man who escaped from California jail back in custody MERCED, Calif. Authorities in central California were searching Sunday for six inmates, including one from Portland, who used a homemade rope to escape from a county jail, sheriffs officials said. All six escapees should be considered armed and dangerous, the Merced County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Staff at Merced County Downtown Jail noticed late Saturday that the six inmates were missing, the release said. A preliminary investigation has determined that the inmates were able to gain access to the roof of the facility and utilize a homemade rope to scale down the side of the jail, the sheriffs office said. Anyone who spots the fugitives is asked not to approach them and immediately call 911. All but one of the suspects are charged with violent felonies, including murder. They were identified as Jorge Barron, 20, of Atwater, California; Gabriel Francis Coronado, 19, of Atwater; Manuel Allen Leon, 21, of Vallejo, California; Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., 21 of Planada, California; Fabian Cruz Roman, 22 of Los Banos, California; and Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22 of Portland. Ventura is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang and violation of probation. Roman is facing a murder charge. Coronado and Rodriguez Jr. face charges including attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Leon is charged with assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, reckless driving to evade an officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and violation of probation. Barron faces a probation violation charge. --The Associated Press New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday exchanged greetings at the Astana Opera in Kazakhstan. During the short meeting, PM Modi enquired about Nawaz Sharifs health and also asked about PM Sharifs mother and family. Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived in Kazakhstan on Thursday on a two-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit where India and Pakistan will be inducted as full members of the bloc, in the first ever expansion since its inception in 2001. Also read: PM Modi meets Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev in Astana, India set for SCO Also read: SCO membership to give India greater say in fighting terror For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Allies of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange have ramped up a push for a last-minute pardon from President Donald Trump, enlisting a lobbyist with connections to the administration, trying to rally supporters across the political spectrum and filing a clemency petition with the White House. The effort comes at a delicate moment for Assange and during a period of tension between the United States and Britain over a case that his supporters say has substantial implications for press freedoms. Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange outside his Westminster Magistrates Court trial in London. Credit:AP The Justice Department announced last week it would appeal a British judge's ruling blocking the extradition of Assange to the United States to face trial on charges of violating the Espionage Act and conspiring to hack government computers. The charges stemmed from WikiLeaks' publication in 2010 of classified documents related to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Assange's supporters had been optimistic about the prospects of a pardon from Trump, who has issued dozens of contentious clemency grants since losing his reelection bid. But they now worry that pressure over his supporters' ransacking of the Capitol last week could derail plans for additional clemencies before he leaves office on January 20. As South Carolina breaks coronavirus case records and courthouses limit indoor hearings, Charleston Countys criminal justice leaders are beginning the new year with a look at how the local justice system has handled the pandemic. The Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will gather experts for an hour-long virtual forum Tuesday, where they'll discuss how the virus has forced local leaders to innovate in health care, law enforcement and prosecution. The panel will include Sheriff Kristin Graziano, sheriffs Maj. Dorothy Harris, 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, Charleston police Capt. Jason Bruder and Latasha Foggie, the director of nursing at Wellpath. The forum, which has compiled some of the most detailed data about criminal justice and community perceptions in the county, has pledged to research the pandemics impacts on the justice system. Leaders have worried that COVID-19s hearing delays and courtroom shutdowns will exacerbate the countys collection of pending cases, which as of March was already higher than the State Court Administrations standard of fewer than 20 percent of cases pending for more than a year. The councils case processing workgroup, as part of the 2020 strategic plan, had hoped to investigate the justice systems handling of the pandemic, along with reviewing jail population and pretrial communication. Its the forums first event of the year, with seven new community representatives: Michael Bowman, the president of the board of directors at Father to Father; Adrian Cain, senior vice president of leadership at the Charleston Metro Chamber; Marcus McDonald, director of Charleston Black Lives Matter; Keith Smalls, the founder executive director of My Communitys Keeper Mentor Group; Adrian Swinton, project planner for the Medical University of South Carolinas Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan; the Rev. David Truluck, executive director of SHIELD Ministries; and Lauren Williams, an attorney at Williams & Walsh. The forum, which runs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday is free and open to the public. Sign up online at http://bit.ly/01122021cjf. Though the courts had earlier dealt with the tussle between the government and SEC, the present case has gained significance in the backdrop of what Justice Rakesh Kumar pointed out in one of his judgments as the Chief Ministers undue advantageous position following the transfer of Chief Justice J.K. Maheshwari. Hyderabad: All eyes are on the judiciary as the bitter battle over conduct of local body polls between the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government and the State Election Commission (SEC) has landed before the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The HC, which is on vacation, will take up on Monday the house motion moved by the state government challenging the SEC notification on holding the gram panchayat polls in February. The legal tussle may even reach the Supreme Court as both parties are keen to have their way and the aggrieved side is expected to pursue the legal options till the highest judicial body decides on the contentious issue. Official sources told Deccan Chronicle that the state government would convey what it feels is a genuine concern, that the polls would severely hamper the Covid-19 vaccination drive on the one hand and on the other possibly revive the spread of Coronavirus which is on the decline at present. Several employees organisations have also expressed concern over their safety in the event of the polls being held. Though the courts had earlier dealt with the tussle between the government and SEC, the present case has gained significance in the backdrop of what Justice Rakesh Kumar pointed out in one of his judgments as the Chief Ministers undue advantageous position following the transfer of Chief Justice J.K. Maheshwari. Justice Rakesh Kumar, who recently retired, made several sensational observations in his order in a public interest litigation and even apprehended that the people may draw an inference that the Supreme Court collegium transferred the Chief Justices of two the Telugu states after Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys letter to the Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde. The SEC, sources said, is confident that there were several precedents where the courts refused to intervene after the Election Commission announced the poll notification. There were umpteen number of rulings by the courts including the apex court declining to interfere in the poll process or direct the postponement of elections, said sources in the SEC. The courts role is all the more important in view of several employees organisations openly declaring that they will not be part of the poll process, a senior SEC official pointed out. 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. 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 Victoria Lifts Travel Ban on Regional NSW Victoria will reopen to regional NSW, with the introduction of a new traffic light system for interstate travel. Permits which designate regions in other parts of Australia as green, orange or red zones depending on coronavirus risk will go live from 6 p.m. on Jan. 11. Regional NSW will be classified as an orange zone. Greater Sydney and Greater Brisbane will remain red, although Premier Daniel Andrews says the classifications could change late in the week. Whilst the restrictions that have been imposed in Greater Brisbane come off at 6 p.m. tonight, the public health team is still not 100 percent confident that we could have people from Brisbane returning to Victoria, he said. There are still many close contacts that have not been tested. Thats a relatively new outbreak. Andrews conceded it was a deeply inconvenient and challenging time for Victorians stranded interstate, but insisted he had to follow public health advice. The stakes are very high here. We have built something that is precious and it needs to be safeguarded, he said. He said Victorians planning interstate travel need to be aware to the possibility their plans could change. That has got to be part of your thinking because this is not normal, he said. We are in a global pandemic. There is no vaccine (in Australia) yet. Anyone wanting to come to Victoria from regional NSW will need to apply for a permit via the Services Victoria website. A $4957 fine will apply for arriving without a permit and police will continue to patrol the Victoria-NSW border. Monday marked the fifth consecutive day the state recorded no new local or interstate COVID-19 cases, though a returned traveller in hotel quarantine tested positive. It brought the states active case total to 40. VICTORIAS NEW TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM FOR INTERSTATE TRAVEL: RED ZONE: If you have visited a red zone in the past 14 days you will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception or exemption. If you try, you will be fined $4957 and turned away. Greater Brisbane and Greater Sydney remain red zones. ORANGE ZONE: If you have visited an orange zone you will be able to apply for a permit and need to take a coronavirus test within 72 hours after arriving in Victoria, isolating before and after your test, until you receive a negative result. From 6pm on Monday, Regional NSW to become an orange zone. GREEN ZONE: A green zone means you will be able to apply for a permit and enter Victoria. Benita Kolovos in Melbourne MDC researchers have developed a new approach to CAR T-cell therapy. The team has shown in Nature Communications that the procedure is very effective, especially when it comes to fighting follicular lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common type of blood cancer in adults. The body's defense system generally does not recognize cancer cells as dangerous. To correct this sometimes fatal error, researchers are investigating a clever new idea, one that involves taking a handful of immune cells from cancer patients and "upgrading" them in the laboratory so that they recognize certain surface proteins in the malignant cells. The researchers then multiply the immune cells and inject them back into the patients' blood - setting them off on a journey through the body to detect and attack all cancer cells in a targeted way. In fact, the first treatments based on this idea have already been approved: So-called CAR T cells have been used in Europe since 2018, particularly in patients with B-cell lymphomas for whom conventional cancer therapies have not worked. T cells are like the immune system's police force. The abbreviation CAR stands for "chimeric antigen receptor" - meaning that the cellular police force is equipped with a new, laboratory-designed special antenna that targets a surface protein on the cancer cells. Thanks to this antenna, a small number of T cells can round up a large number of cancer cells and destroy them. Ideally, the CAR T cells patrol the body for weeks, months or even years and thus prevent tumor relapse. A kind of signpost for B cells Until now, the antenna on the CAR T cells was primarily directed against the protein CD19, which B cells - a type of immune cells - carry on their surface. Yet this form of therapy is by no means effective in all patients. A team led by Dr. Uta Hoepken, head of the Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer Lab at the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), has now developed a new twist on this therapy that sensitizes the T cells in the laboratory to a different identifying feature: the B-cell homing protein CXCR5. "CXCR5 was first described at the MDC more than 20 years ago, and I have been studying this protein myself for almost as long," says Hoepken. "I am therefore very pleased that we have now succeeded in using CXCR5 to effectively combat non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, such as follicular and mantle cell lymphoma as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemias, in the laboratory." This protein is a receptor that helps mature B cells move from the bone marrow - where they are produced - to immune system organs such as the lymph nodes and spleen. "Without the receptor, the B cells would not find their way to their target site, the B-cell follicles of these lymphoid organs," Hoepken explains. A well-suited target "All mature B cells, including malignant ones, carry this receptor on their surface. So it seemed to us to be well suited to detect B-cell tumors - thereby enabling CAR-T cells directed against CXCR5 to attack the cancer," says Janina Pfeilschifter, a PhD student in Hoepken's team. She and Dr. Mario Bunse from the same research group are the lead authors of the paper, which appeared in the journal Nature Communications. "In our study, we have shown through experiments with human cancer cells and two mouse models that this immunotherapy is most likely safe and very effective," says Pfeilschifter. The new approach may be particularly well suited for patients with a follicular lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). "Both types of cancer involve not only B cells but also follicular T helper cells, which also carry CXCR5 on their surface," Bunse explains. The special antenna for the identifying feature, the CXCR5-CAR, was generated by Dr. Julia Bluhm during her time as a PhD student in the MDC's Translational Tumorimmunology Lab, which is headed by physician Dr. Armin Rehm. He and Hoepken are the corresponding authors of the study. First successes in the petri dish Pfeilschifter and Bunse first showed that various human cells, for example, from blood vessels, the gut and the brain, do not carry the CXCR5 receptor on their surface and are therefore not attacked in the petri dish by T cells equipped with CXCR5-CAR. "This is important to prevent unexpected organ damage from occurring during therapy," Pfeilschifter explains. In contrast, experiments with human tumor cell lines showed that malignant B cells from very different forms of B-non-Hodgkin's lymphoma all display the receptor. Professor Joerg Westermann, from the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology in the Medical Department of Charite - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin at the Campus Virchow Clinic, also provided the team with tumor cells from patients with CLL or B-non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. "There, too, we were able to detect CXCR5 on all B-lymphoma cells and follicular T helper cells," Pfeilschifter says. When she and Bunse placed the tumor cells in the petri dish together with the CXCR5-targeted CAR T cells, almost all of the malignant B and T helper cells disappeared from the tissue sample after 48 hours. Mice with leukemia were cured The researchers also tested the new procedure on two mouse models. "The CAR T cells are infused into the blood of cancer patients," Hoepken says. "So animal research is needed to show that the cells home to the niches where the cancer resides, multiply there and then do their job effectively." One model consisted of animals with a severely suppressed immune system, which could therefore be treated with human CAR T cells without causing rejection reactions. "We also developed a pure mouse model for CLL specifically for the current study," Bunse reports. "We administered mouse CAR T cells against CXCR5 to these animals by infusion and were able to eliminate mature B cells and T helper cells, including malignant ones, from the B-cell follicles of the lymphoid organs." The researchers discovered no serious side effects in the mice. "We know from experience with cancer patients that CAR T-cell therapy increases the risk of infection for a few months," Rehm says. But in practice this side effect is almost always easily managed. A clinical trial is in the works "No laboratory can tackle such a study on its own," Hoepken emphasizes. "It has only come about thanks to a successful collaboration between many colleagues at the MDC and Charite." For her, the study is the first step toward creating a "living drug" - similar to other cellular immunotherapies being developed at MDC. "We are already cooperating with two cancer specialists at Charite and are currently working with them to prepare a phase 1/2 clinical trial," adds Hoepken's colleague Rehm. Both hope that the first patients will begin to benefit from their new CAR-T cell therapy in the near future. ### The German Jose Carreras Leukemia Foundation has funded the research with around 240,000 euros over a period of three years. The non-profit organization supports forward-looking research projects and infrastructure projects that investigate the causes of leukemia and improve treatment, as well as social projects. Literature Mario Bunse, Janina Pfeilschifter et al. (2021): "CXCR5 CAR-T cells simultaneously target B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and tumor-supportive follicular T helper cells". Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20488-3. The Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Elvis Presley isnt just known for his music. He also had quite a reputation when it came to his love interests. While everyone knew about his marriage to Priscilla Presley, the King of Rock n Roll died an engaged man to model Ginger Alden. Alden was the last person to see Presley alive. And shes also recalled what her final vacation to Hawaii was like with him. Heres what she said about her tropical trip and why it was cut short. Ginger Alden was the last person to see Elvis Presley alive Ginger Alden, fiancee of Elvis Presley | Anwar Hussein/Getty Images RELATED: Elvis Presleys Fiancee, Ginger Alden, Said She Doubts the Rumors Claiming Presley Was Seeing Another Woman Alden and Presley technically met when Alden was just 5 years old. And 15 years later, they reconnected and started a romance. Presley was 20 years older than Alden, but this didnt stop the model from believing she and the King were meant to be. And they planned to walk down the aisle in December 1977. Unfortunately, Presley and Alden never got to wed. Presley died in the bathroom of Graceland in August 1977. And Alden was the one to find him. On the night of his death, Presley told Alden he was heading into the bathroom to read and Alden noticed Presley was still there several hours later. She finally opened the bathroom door and found him slumped over. I didnt want to think he was dead, she said. God wouldnt want to take him so soon. Alden explained why their final vacation together was cut short Elvis Presley and Ginger Alden in Hawaii | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images There were plenty of rumors that surrounded Alden and Presleys relationship. From affairs with other women to Presleys difficult temperament, many wondered what it was really like for the beauty queen and the musician behind the scenes. But Alden has fond memories of Presley. Elvis Australia notes Alden talked about her final vacation with Presley in March 1977 during an interview. My time with Elvis was so special and the Hawaiian vacation was a lot of fun, Alden explained. Elvis knew I had never been to Hawaii and wanted to take my whole family but only my sisters could go at this time. My sisters and I stayed with Elvis in the back of the Lisa Marie during the flight as he joked, laughed, and sang. Unfortunately, the Hawaiian vacation was interrupted by a medical issue. The trip was so beautiful but unfortunately cut short when Elvis irritated one of his eyes and we had to return to Memphis, Alden added. I stayed at Graceland and administered eye cream for a few days so I could help him be prepared for his next tour. Presley reportedly adored Hawaii Joan Blackman and Elvis Presley | Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images It seems Presley had a special place in his heart for the tropical state. The Graceland Blog notes he spent a ton of time vacationing, recording, and performing in Hawaii. Presley was so taken with Hawaii that he even created one of his most beloved living spaces in Graceland, The Jungle Room, to look as lush and beautiful as the state. He often hung out and recorded music in that space. His first trip to the state was reportedly in 1957, as he had a concert at Honolulu Stadium and then another performance at Schofield Army Barracks in Oahu. In 1961, Presley performed a benefit concert on the Pearl Harbor naval base. The concert aimed to raise money to create a memorial for those who died in the Pearl Harbor bombing. Aside from performances, it seems Presley enjoyed taking his family and friends there, too. Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley vacationed in Hawaii in 1969, though they used the last name Carpenter to get there undetected by fans. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! TN Man Arrested in Ballard County on Drug Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff BALLARD COUNTY - A Tennessee man was arrested Saturday night in Ballard County on multiple drug charges.The Kentucky State Police said Troopers observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation on US Highway 51 in Wickliffe at approximately 11:00 pm. During a search of the vehicle, Troopers reportedly found approximately eight pounds of marijuana.The driver of the vehicle, 23-year-old Jamahl J. Reese of Nashville, TN, was arrested and transported to the Ballard County Detention Center. After being escorted inside the jail, Reese was allegedly found in possession of unidentified pills. Reese was charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance (drug unspecified), promoting contraband and other traffic offenses. NEW DELHI (AP) As the coronavirus tears through India, night watchman Sagar Kumar thinks constantly about getting vaccines for himself and his family of five amid critical shortages of shots in the country. But even if he knew how to get one, it wouldnt be easy. 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. Photo: (Photo : Lucrezia Carnelos / Unsplash) Once the pandemic struck, families began to ask, "are the elderly more vulnerable to the coronavirus disease?" Health experts revealed that older people are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 die to ageing, underlying health conditions, and other physiological changes. COVID-19's lethality is double for those over 70 than those age 60, Statnews reported. Further, over 50% of COVID-19 related deaths were people aged 80 years and older. One can say it is a miracle when people over 100 years old survive COVID-19. Without further ado, here are the centenarians who survived the pandemic, in most cases, even two pandemics. ALSO READ: Middle-Aged Group with Obesity: More Susceptible to Severe COVID-19 than the Elderly Oldest COVID-19 Survivor Hamden resident Anita Murphy, 108 is likely the oldest survivor of COVID-19 in America, revealed Whitney Rehabilitation & Care Center, Fox 61 reported. She turns 109 on February 6. Manor beat COVID-19 last spring. Afterward, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Hamden Mayor Curt Leng issued proclamations in honor of the centenarian. Jennifer Coratelli, Anita's nurse of two years shared Anita's secrets to a long life-keep moving, dance, and drink lots of water. Coratelli revealed Anita also has good genetics as many of her family members are in their 90s. Anita was married to her late husband for 72 years. She has one son, two grandkids, 7 great-grandkids, and one great-great-grandchild. Anita also lived through the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 when she was only 6 years old. Not Scared When She Saw COVID-19 Positive Result Meanwhile, Rubena Wenzel, 106 revealed that she was not scared and "did not think much" when her COVID-19 results returned positive. Her daughter, Beverly Smith was more scared for her mother saying, "it was a feeling of doom. You see, younger people died due to COVID-19, much less someone who is now 106." Wenzel survived the Spanish flu in 1918. After determining the results, the Good Shepherd Villa retirement home staff monitored Wenzel whose oxygen and temperature never fluctuated. Further, she did not show symptoms. Staff noted how she remained positive all throughout. The retirement home had a total of 5 COVID-19 positive cases, three residents and two staff. Wenzel was the first resident to test COVID-19 positive. Beats Cancer and COVID-19 107-year-old Tillie Dybing of Minnesota revealed that fatigue was the only symptom of COVID-19 she felt. She did not know she had COVID-19 until she received her test results. She was kept in isolation and celebrated her 107th birthday without loved ones. Dybing previously survived the Spanish flu pandemic. She also beat uterine cancer at age 95. 'If the time has come I have to leave, I will go; but I'm still here," the cancer and COVID-19 survivor proclaimed. ALSO READ: Survey Reveals That Couples Are Closer Due to the Pandemic Sisters Beat COVID-19 Anna Del Priore was only 6 years old when she beat the Spanish flu. Over a century later, she recovered from the novel coronavirus. She celebrated her recovery dancing as revealed by Sunrise Senior Living in a Facebook photo. "Dancing makes me feel good. It's how I keep my health," the centenarian revealed. Del Priore's younger sister Helen Guzzone, 105 also successfully beat the Spanish flu and COVID-19, Web MD reported. Mokopane, South Africa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :Rhinoceros calf "Jessie" was just four-months-old when she arrived at a shelter in northern South Africa, bleeding from a cut to the shoulder and deeply traumatised. Rescuers suspect the animal was injured by poachers who took out its mother, hitting the calf with a machete to keep it away. Jessie was lucky to escape alive and land in a unique centre devoted to rehabilitating rhino orphans. "It took two days of giving her Valium for her to calm down," carer Zanre Van Jaarsveld recalled. "She was very dehydrated too." The Rhino Orphanage is tucked away in the lush forests of South Africa's Limpopo province, hidden at the end of a red-dirt track dotted with potholes. Mischievous monkeys dart across the road as a tower of giraffe galop away elegantly in the distance. A large metal gate guards the entrance to the centre -- surrounded by several dozen game reserves at an undisclosed location. "If farm workers give information to poachers... they will make more money than they would make in a year's wages," said founder Arrie Van Deventer. Security and vigilance are therefore key to protecting the orphanage, which survives on private donations. - 'We're their mothers' - Van Deventer, a former history teacher turned game breeder, started the project after he was called to help with a poaching incident in 2011. Two white rhino females had been found dead in the area, presumably killed for their horns. One of their two calves was still alive and needed a new home. Van Deventer, 67, made several enquiries to no avail. The only options for the traumatised calf, he said, were tourist facilities where it would be pestered by visitors. "I found out there was nothing, nowhere ethical," Van Deventer recalled. "Then I heard myself saying over the phone: I'll build one." Today the orphanage is home to a number of rhino calves. Most are of the square-lipped species, also known as white rhino, but some of the rarer critically endangered black rhino are also housed there. The mission is clear: rescue, rehabilitation and release. No tourists allowed, very few visitors and minimal human contact. "If they get too accustomed to people it makes it more difficult to release them into the wild," Van Deventer explained, adding that the grounds were also closed to the public for "security reasons". Four staff and two volunteers, all women, work around the clock to nurse the rhinos, sometimes even sleeping next to the youngest calves in an open faced barn. "We're their mothers," said manager Yolande Van Der Merwe, 38. "They sleep very close for warmth and comfort. "Someone brings (us) food, or if we want to take a dinner or a bathroom break someone comes to stay with them," she told AFP. "As soon as they are left alone they start screaming." Their cries are high-pitched, something like the sound of a dolphin, according to Van Deventer. - Voracious orphans - Most of the calves have been orphaned by poachers. Rhinos are killed for their horns, highly prized across Asia for traditional and medicinal purposes. One kilogramme of the keratin, obtained from their horns, can sell for over $110,000 (90,000 Euros) on the black market. The trade is lucrative and thousands of rhinos have been poached in South Africa over the past decade as a result. At the orphanage, the three youngest residents -- two females and a male -- impatiently wait for large baby bottles brimming with a mix of milk and boiled rice. Rhinos gain over 350 kilogrammes in their first year of life and calves need to feed every few hours. "At five or seven days old they are tiny, knee-high," gestured Van Der Merwe. "They gain a kilo a day at least." By their first birthday, rhinos generally weigh close to half a tonne. As the calves grow restless, Van Jaarsveld, 26, affectionately scratches their thick leathery skin. "It's close to milk, now they are getting cranky," she chuckled. Among them is Jessie, still skittish eight months after her rescue. "She's very jumpy," said Van Jaarsveld. "She gets frightened very easily."Calves stay at the orphanage until the age of five, when they are deemed strong enough to defend themselves from predators. They are then released in a nearby game reserve where a conservationist keeps the orphanage updated on their progress. After months of speculation, Lori Harvey and Michael B. Jordan have gone public as a couple with some stunning Instagram photos. There had been hints that the pair had something going on, but theyd both remained tight-lipped about it until now. On Jan. 10., both Jordan and Harvey posted some stunning New Years photos on their respective Instagram accounts. While Jordan did not use a caption, Harvey captioned her photos with a single brown heart. Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey | Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic and Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Tadashi Shoji Rumors have been swirling about Lori Harvey and Michael B. Jordan for months Since her breakup with rapper Future in the summer of 2020, Harvey has focused on her friendships and family. However, eyebrows were raised in November 2020 when TMZ spotted the model getting off a plane with the Creed actor in Atlanta. Around that time, Jordan had been named Peoples Sexiest Man Alive. He said that he was single and shared what he was looking for in a relationship. A sense of humor, true understanding, because [an actors] life is not conducive to a relationshipits really not, he said. Somebody thats nurturing. Ive got a list. Thats probably why my a** is still single, but yeah, its a list. In December 2020, The Sun published photos of Jordan and Harvey getting off a plane in Salt Lake City. They both shared snowboarding photos from similar locations on their Instagram stories but didnt acknowledge they were together. Lori Harvey was reportedly hesitant to go public with Michael B. Jordan Though she has been linked to celebrities Diddy and Future in the past, Harvey has never been one to share details about her personal life on social media or in the press. In fact, it has been reported that she was in no rush to go public with her relationship with Jordan. Lori isnt trying to hide, everyone knows shes spending time with him, but she hasnt chosen to put it all over social media, a source told HollywoodLife. She is hesitant to feed into the attention. But it looks like Harvey and Jordan decided it was finally time to share their happiness with the world. Now that the influencer and the Black Panther actor have gone Instagram official, fans are desperate to know how they connected in the first place. Though theyve never worked on anything together, Jordan and Harvey have undoubtedly crossed paths at certain events. It would make sense that they were able to connect over social media or through mutual friends. Though theyve gone Instagram official as a couple, we doubt theyll be sharing too many more details of their life on social media. Jordan told People about his perfect date, The freedom to go wherever I wanted in public, not worry about paparazzi. Enjoy somebodys company. Go for a drive, dope playlist. Drive somewhere just for dessert. Im definitely a movie guy, and then Id ride the vibe for the rest of the night. 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. The first Arts Society lecture of the year, From Downton to Gatsby, Jewellery and fashion 1890 - 1929, will be given by Downton Abbey jewellery designer, Andrew Prince. The lectures will be held via Zoom on Monday 10 January at 4.30pm (Costa del Sol) and Wednesday 12 January at 6pm (Nerja). Andrew was commissioned to produce jewellery for the main characters for both the series and the film and this inspired him to create a talk based on the changing styles of the era. Andrew will guide his audience through 1890 to 1929, when the big fashion houses collaborated with the finest jewellers to produce "works of art". Andrew, 49, has had a passion for the jewellery since he was a small child; at the age of three he swallowed one of his mother's pearl earrings. He went on to make a necklace with the beads 'stolen' from his mother's wedding dress. "She was not happy," he admits. Andrew's mother forgave him and, at the age of nine, took him to an exhibition of Renaissance jewels. Andrew says that he "decided there and then that creating jewellery" was what he wanted to do. Film debut In 2002, the Victoria & Albert museum commissioned a collection of jewels to accompany an exhibition about tiaras and the exposure led to Andrew's jewellery appearing in film and TV. He has gone on to create pieces for Dame Judi Dench in Mrs Henderson Presents, The Young Victoria starring Emily Blunt and Miranda Richardson, and, since 2012, Downton Abbey's actors, including Maggie Smith, have worn his jewellery. Andrew told SUR in English that he should have been flying out to give the lecture and he would have brought some of the Downtown jewellery with him. Instead he says he will be showing slides, which he says "allow the audience to see the jewellery much closer up". Andrew is no stranger to the Costa del Sol, having spoken to Arts societies here and in Gibraltar in 2018. Guests are welcome to join the lecture. For further information visit: www.theartssocietynerja.com. A cunning fraudster who rorted Chinese international students out of $200,000 was brought undone after 20 of her victims banded together and ambushed her in the streets of Sydney, a court has heard. Student visa holder Xiaoxin Zeng, 30, preyed upon Good Samaritans by approaching them at shopping centres and casinos and begging them to withdraw money for her from ATMs. Zeng would tell her victims she hadn't received her debit card in the mail yet, but could transfer them the money she needed. She then showed them screenshots apparently proving she had done just that, court documents said. But the screenshots were fake and the money never arrived in the victims' bank accounts. Court facts said Zeng pulled the same devious trick when she met up with luxury goods sellers, showing fake screenshots so they would hand over items such as Bvlgari necklaces, Gucci handbags, Burberry coats and Apple iPhones. However, the fraudster's trail of deceit began to catch up with her 18 months ago when her many furious victims banded together online to set a clever trap. Xiaoxin Zeng, 30, was arrested and charged with 38 fraud-related charges over the spree. She will be deported in May Zeng was ambushed on the streets of Sydney by up to 20 of her victims in mid-2019 (above) but she wasn't arrested and charged until last May Video obtained by the Sydney Today Chinese language news website showed the moment the scammer was ambushed (shared with permission) Members of the WeChat group 'Xiaoxin ZENG pay us back our money' placed a fake ad for a luxury product on a classifieds website in June 2019, court facts said. The victims hoped the fraudster would take the bait, and she did, agreeing to meet at Sydney's Town Hall to purchase the item. When Zeng turned up, as many as 20 of her victims swooped in to confront her, the facts said. Video obtained by the Sydney Today website shows Zeng being surrounded by her alleged victims in Haymarket. The Chinese language news outlet claims she called the police on her victims, and video shows officers milling about. Court facts said Zeng wasn't arrested at the time, but fled New South Wales shortly after for Queensland, and then Victoria. NSW Police launched a fully fledged fraud investigation in early 2020 following a series of victims' complaints. She was eventually charged with 38 fraud offences in May. 'Zeng has avoided detection by moving between states and changing her appearance with the use of wigs, using multiple alias names and changing mobile numbers and phones constantly,' court documents said. The items Zeng allegedly obtained through fraud: an $1100 Celina handbag (left) and an $870 Bvlgari clutch (right) Other items included a rose gold Bvlgari necklace valued at $4,100 (left) and an older model iPhone valued at $650 Police said Zeng managed to pull off the scam by sending an unknown person the victim's bank details, and instructing them to mock up fake screenshots with the details. 'Zeng has defrauded so many victims that a WeChat group, formed in 2018 by her first victims, now has a group member total of 70 people with a combined total loss of approximately $200,000 AUD dollars,' court documents said. Zeng played with her hair and read from a book when Magistrate Philip Stewart sentenced her to a minimum 12-month jail term last month. A court heard Zeng had claimed she was trying to sustain a gambling addiction and was sorry for her actions. But Magistrate Stewart said: 'I do not accept on balance that she is remorseful.' She will be eligible for parole on May 9, when she is expected to be deported back to China. Do you know more? Daniel.piotrowski@mailonline.com SPRINGFIELD Massachusetts needs to ramp up the number of people receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses each day in order to meet a timeline that would see the process done by early summer, the president and CEO of Baystate Health said Monday. We definitely need to pick up the pace, and I know the state has a number of plans to make that happen, Dr. Mark Keroack said during the citys weekly update on the pandemic. Right now about 6,000 to 7,000 people are receiving vaccine doses each day. Thats nowhere near fast enough, Keroack said, explaining that about 40,000 to 50,000 doses will need to be administered each day to finish vaccinating the general public in June. The state is in the first phase of its plan to distribute the vaccine. The effort began with hospital workers and residents in long-term care facilities, which have been hit hard by the virus. Regional vaccination sites for first responders, including one at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, opened Monday. A site in East Longmeadow began administering vaccines Monday to police and firefighters from that community as well as Chicopee, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Ludlow and Palmer, according to East Longmeadow Town Manager Mary E. McNally. Also included in the first phase will be workers and individuals in congregate facilities such as jails and shelters, as well as home health care workers. The second phase will begin with at-risk patients and people over 75, Keroack said, and will include essential workers outside the health care industry such as teachers and grocery workers. Hospitals hit end of supply Keroack also said Baystate Health has depleted its vaccine supply, and officials do not know when new doses will arrive. Mercy Medical Center also reported depleting the first-dose supply for its workers and being eager for more, but said it has second doses in reserve. Baystate Health, which operates Baystate Medical Center and three community hospitals in the region, has provided the first dose to about 7,800 of its 12,000 employees, Keroack said. Sadly, Im sorry to report were going to have to stop today because we have run out of supply, Keroack said. And we dont know when our next shipment is going to be coming. About 1,900 Baystate Health employees have declined the vaccine, Keroack said. Of those declining vaccines, many are deemed soft declines, waiting to see side effects and to hear from others, he said. Of those vaccinated, Keroack said, sore arms have been common and some workers have reported flu-like symptoms particularly after the second dose. But fewer than 10 of those vaccinated in the Baystate system have had allergic reactions that required medical treatment. We figure that thats an acceptable safety performance, Keroack said. Another 1,900 Baystate employees have already gotten their second dose. Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center, said the hospital has provided more than 2,000 first doses. Keroack noted the variability among states across the country and within Massachusetts itself in terms of how quickly the vaccines are being administered. Part of the problem has been that the supply from the federal government has been unpredictable, he said. The state doesnt know one week to the next how much its going to get, and they tend to find out at the last minute so its hard for them to coordinate with the folks that they themselves are supplying. Related Content: ADVERTISEMENT Gunmen on Sunday night kidnapped a prominent petroleum dealer, Suleiman Akinbami, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. The Police Command in Ekiti State, on Monday, confirmed the abduction of the businessman and said a manhunt had been launched with the collaboration of other security agencies. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Akinbami was abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday night at about 9:00 p.m. at one of his filling stations located along Ado Ekiti Ijan Ekiti road, close to the Odo Ado Divisional Police Headquarters. Mr Akinbami is also one of the leaders of the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). According to witnesses, he was suddenly approached by the gunmen numbering four, who came to the filling station without firing shots into the air to scare anyone, apparently because the filling station is located close to the Odo Ado Divisional Police Headquarters. The witnesses said it was after then that Mr Akinbami was ordered into his jeep, parked in the environment after which they drove him into unknown destination. A spokesman for the police command in the state, Sunday Abutu, described Mr Akinbamis abduction as unfortunate. He said the command had deployed a special team of policemen to be assisted by the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the vigilantes to comb the bush and track the suspects to ensure the rescue of the victim. Mr Abutu said the wife of the victim, Mariam Akinbami, reported the abduction of her husband at the Odo-Ado Divisional Police Headquarters Sunday night. He said the wife narrated that four unknown men quietly approached her husband, ordered him into his Toyota Jeep and whisked him away to an unknown place. Upon receipt of the information, the DPO led his team to the scene to find clues that could aid the prompt arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victim. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Mobayo has called for calm and assured the people of the state that the police would do its best to ensure the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the abductors. The Commissioner also advise everyone to be wary of strange and suspicious faces around their domains, he said. Mr Abutu appealed to anyone with useful information concerning the incident to please contact the nearest police station or call 0806 233 5577. (NAN) Its no secret that the FBI kept civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. under heavy surveillance. The agency tapped phones he used, bugged his hotel rooms, paid numerous informants and infiltrated civil rights groups. Its also not a secret that the FBI sent a tape recording of Kings extramarital affairs to King and his wife, Coretta Scott King. But information from unsealed FBI documents detailing the agencys actions provide some of the starkest details in director Sam Pollards engaging documentary, MLK/FBI. The film makes clear that the FBI didnt just spy on King, it agitated to discredit him and end his public activism. The government learned that King had extramarital affairs and taped activities in his hotel rooms. That it didnt release those recordings directly seems like an unusual point of restraint by the agency, but another issue raised in the movie is that the FBIs array of surveillance recordings of King will become public documents in 2027. The documentary is no tabloid affair, and it revisits Kings civil rights work as FBI director J. Edgar Hoover focused the agency on him. It also places the civil rights struggle in the context of the eras politics. Kings opposition to the Vietnam War and his campaign against poverty cost him powerful allies and support. Onscreen interviews feature civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Clarence Jones, as well as a handful of historians and documentarians. For commentary from an official whos familiar with the FBIs files on King, the documentary turns to taped interviews with James Comey, the FBI director who was fired by Donald Trump over the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Pollard has produced, directed and edited many films and TV projects about civil rights. He also worked on Spike Lees Hurricane Katrina documentary series When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Most of MLK/FBI focuses on the period of Kings rise to national leadership, from his emergence as a leader during the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott to his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize to his assassination on April 4, 1968. While King has come to be viewed as a hero, his stature has been elevated over the decades. He was less popular than Hoover in American polls when the two met in 1964. Despite the long struggle for freedom and equality in the U.S., the FBI entertained suspicions that King was a communist. One of Kings friends and advisors, Stanley Levison, had been associated with communists. Hoover was militantly anti-communist, and some people in the government believed that a poor and politically disenfranchised population of Black people was highly susceptible to communist ideas. But the agencys opposition to King was specific. Following the March on Washington, King was referred to in an FBI document as the most dangerous Negro in America. There was a distinct personal animosity to King by Hoover, and the film notes a symmetry to the FBI directors own sexual secret life. Pollard deftly examines Kings messages and the resistance to him, including the prejudice of some in the media. MLK/FBI paints a damning picture of the fight for justice in the U.S. Theres bitter irony to the question of how the FBI could have kept such a thorough watch on King and failed to tip him off to an assassination attempt. MLK/FBI was the closing night film at the New Orleans Film Festival in November and opens at Prytania Theatres at Canal Place Jan. 15 and at Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge Jan. 22. Shana griffin's 'DISPLACING Blackness' opens at CAC At her new show at the Contemporary Arts Center, Shana griffin positioned installations of found objects, photos and new artwork facing each o MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Republicans from Muskegon County who took buses to Washington, D.C., last week were shaken by the violence, according to the Republican Party chairman who insists rioters who broke into the Capitol were supporters of the left-wing antifa. Zach Lahring, chair of the Muskegon County GOP, was at the Lansing Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, but met with those who traveled from Muskegon to the nations Capitol last week. He contends the local Trump supporters were not part of the chaos at the Capitol and he said he still believes the election shouldnt have been certified by Congress. Lahring also said Trump supporters arent going away. He told MLive he reviewed video and photographs taken by those he met with and is convinced that the violent attack was carried out by supporters of antifa, a shortened form of anti-fascists thats used as an umbrella term by members of the far-left movement. Its our view that most of those people werent Trump supporters, Lahring said. It was all antifa that seemed to be surrounding the Capitol building. The Associated Press has reported that Steven DAntuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Washington field office, said theres no indication at this time that antifa activists were disguised as Trump supporters in Wednesdays riot. 40 Rioters breach U.S. Capitol Building As the violence grew, the local travelers immediately got on buses back to Muskegon and were near but not a part of the chaos that occurred that day, said Lahring, who is a Muskegon County commissioner. They were quite shaken by the events of the day -- some of them to tears, Zahring said. It was very unnerving for them. Related: Republicans pushed election lies and armed protests, but say their rhetoric didnt spur U.S. Capitol chaos When Trump spoke to the gathering that day, in no way shape or form did he promote violence in any way, said Lahring who listened to a live feed of the presidents comments. People on our buses love Trump, he said. They were there to support Trump They didnt get that message that they were supposed to go inside the Capitol and create a ruckus. At the same time, Lahring said he, and those travelers, felt a deaf ear was turned to those who were trying to be heard outside the Capitol. We definitely think the electoral votes should not have been counted, he said. Congress certified President-elect Joe Bidens 306 electoral votes early Thursday morning. Three Michigan Republicans -- U.S. Reps. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet; Tim Walberg, R-Tipton; and Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township -- objected to Electoral College votes in Arizona and Pennsylvania. Related: Congressman Meijer says Republicans should take responsibility for lies about election fraud after Capitol attack The local GOP is not planning any additional trips, including to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Lahring said. Instead, the party is going to focus on recruiting candidates and making change through a political movement, he said. He said that grassroots movement is not necessarily about President Trump, but about average working stiffs like himself who are standing up to our government for our constitutional rights. I think that what youre going to see happening is all of these Trump supporters are not going away, Lahring said. Weve had it with the elected officials. They get in office and do the opposite of what they promised. Also on MLive: Open carry of firearms banned inside Michigan Capitol Michigan Democrats support Trumps removal as House moves to start impeachment Mother warns of terrifying syndrome linked to COVID-19 that hospitalized 8-year-old son Naya Gaon (Madhya Pradesh): Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he can waive loans of the countrys rich but cant do the same for farmers. The Congress vice president said this just before he was detained by the police. Rahul lashed out at Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government, saying both PM Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan were responsible for the deaths of farmers in Mandsaur. He said that Modi could waive loans worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore of the rich but not for farmers. He cant give the right rates for their agricultural produce, cant give them bonus, cant give compensation... He can only give them bullets. ALSO READ | BJP asks Rahul Gandhi to refrain from 'politicising the death of farmers' Hundreds of Congress workers as well as senior leaders like Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and Madhya Pradesh legislator Jaiwardhan Singh also courted arrest while trying to make their way to Mandsaur. They were taken to a guesthouse of a cement company, a police official said. ALSO READ | Farmers' protest in MP: Rahul Gandhi arrested on way to Mandsaur under Section-151; terms 'arrest' unreasonable (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Large restaurants providing prepared meals to supermarkets for sale is causing the Government some concern as it says this is adding to additional customer traffic at those supermarkets, as it wants less movement of people during the State of Emergency. Press release no. 1-2021 Sborg, January 8, 2021 Konsolidator enters onboarding agreement with KPMG Switzerland To support the market expansion in Switzerland, Konsolidator has entered an onboarding agreement with KPMG Switzerland. KPMG is one of the worlds four largest public accounting and consulting firms and a leading service provider in the areas of Audit, Tax and Advisory in Switzerland. Konsolidator has been present in the Swiss market since 2017 when signing Zurich Airport as the first customer. The onboarding agreement is the first in Switzerland with a big four accounting firm and KPMG will assist Konsolidator in the Swiss market with onboarding of customers. The agreement will also close the language gap that may be a barrier for some companies during the onboarding. We see strong demand in Switzerland for a simple and effective consolidation solution. Our clients have been looking for a cloud-based tool which they can manage in their finance team; a system which allows them to spend their time primarily looking at their data, rather than the mechanics of consolidation. The agreement between KPMG and Konsolidator provides the solution that meets those needs and reduces costs for our clients, says Director Martin Stevka. Being able to sign this first onboarding agreement in the Swiss market with a highly trusted accounting and consulting company such as KPMG means that we will be able to offer our customers a German speaking person in the onboarding. It also provides Konsolidator with a valuable reference. says CFO and head of Customer Experience, Jack Skov. About Konsolidator Konsolidator A/S is a financial consolidation software company whose primary objective is to make Group CFOs around the world better through automated financial consolidation and reporting in the cloud. Created by CFOs and auditors and powered by innovative technology, Konsolidator removes the complexity of financial consolidation and enables the CFO to save time and gain actionable insights based on key performance data to become a vital part of strategic decision-making. For further information: CEO Claus Finderup Grove, mobile. +45 2095 2988, e-mail: cfg@konsolidator.com Konsolidator A/S Tobaksvejen 2 A 2860 Sborg www.konsolidator.com Attachment New Delhi, Jan 11 : A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice S. A. Bobde on Monday toughened its stand on the farm laws and said the court has made up its mind to stay the implementation of the three farm laws, which have led to the protest by thousands of farmers at various Delhi borders. "We do not believe the Centre is handling the situation correctly. We do not believe your negotiations are effective. We are attempting to make the atmosphere conducive by keeping the implementation of the laws in abeyance," the Chief Justice told Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre. The Attorney General (AG) insisted that the top court should not pass any order in a hurry. The CJI replied: "You should not lecture us on patience." Four senior lawyers -- Dushyant Dave, Prashant Bhushan, H.S. Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves -- represented eight farmer unions before the top court. The Chief Justice told these lawyers to ask the protesting old men, women and children to go back home. After learning that they are not inclined to go back, the Chief Justice told the lawyers of the farmers, "I am taking a risk and making a personal request. Please convey this message." The top court has indicated that it may give a part of the order on Monday, as it insisted that the Centre must stay the implementation of these farm laws. For the purpose of constituting a committee to examine the farm laws, the Chief Justice sought the name of former Chief Justices, who could probably be on the committee which would determine what provisions are good for farmers and what is going to hurt the interest of the farmers. Dave suggested the name of Justice R.M. Lodha. The Chief Justice said he had spoken with Justice P.S. Sathasivam, but he declined as he is not good in Hindi. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Wild Turkey The biggest difference between Scotch and bourbon isnt where theyre made, what theyre made from or even the use of peat smoke. Its the new, charred oak barrel that bourbon legally must be aged in. Thats why a 10-year-old bourbon is ruddy and brown, full of vanilla and caramel, and wrapped round with firm oak spice and a hint of tannic structure. Building a Whiskey Empire in 85 Years Are the Manhattan & the Martini the Same Cocktail? On the other hand a 10-year-old Scotch is aged in a used barrel. While some brands use old sherry casks, most Scotch is aged in used bourbon barrels. Either way, the barrels influence has mellowed, with its robust colors and strong flavors already pulled out of it. That 10-year-old Scotch is just coming of age, but the 10-year-old bourbon may be at the crest of the hill. Ten Kentucky summers have hammered it deep into the fresh wood of that barrel, and ten ice storm filled winters have pulled it back, carrying vanillin, tannin and other flavors with it. Most bourbons dont even go that long in the wood. Sure, the flagships, like Jim Beam White, Evan Williams and Old Forester are under 10 years, but so are whiskies that get wide critical acclaim, like Bookers, the Thomas H. Handy Rye from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Because of that new barrel and the hot Kentucky climate, bourbon gains color and flavor quickly. If aging goes too long, it will become almost undrinkable. The trick is finding the sweet spot. Seven years ago, I talked with Jimmy Russell, the iconic master distiller for Wild Turkey, at WhiskyFest New York. In front of 400 steaming whiskey geeks (who couldnt wait to get their lips on a promised 21-year-old Stitzel-Weller sample that looked dark as espresso), I asked Russell how he felt about the age of bourbon. Right around eight years was best, I recall him saying, and no real need to go past 12; after that, the wood takes over. Wild Turkey I called him recently to confirm his feelings about that sweet spot for bourbon. Anywhere from 6 to 12 years old, Russell said. You see where the Russells Reserve is: 10 years. I like anything from 8 to 10 years, maybe 12. No older than that. Story continues When were tasting, he continued, if we taste something thats aging well, well put [those barrels] aside and keep tasting them. When they start getting that woody taste, well start moving them down to the [cooler] bottom floors. We cant move thousands, but 100 to 150 barrels, we can control the aging of it. Weve always done that. At the perfect age, well bottle them. That made me think of something that Fred Noe, Jim Beam master distiller, told me his father, bourbon legend Booker Noe, used to say about making bourbon by taste, not age. Dad said its like being the guy that owns the orchard; you want to pick the apples when theyre ripe. We pull the barrels when theyre ripe. If Russells sweet spot for bourbon is 6 to 12 years (and pretty much everyone else I talked to agreed), what are you looking at on either side of that range? When Wild Turkey is younger than that, Russell doesnt want to use it. To me, it hasnt matured yet, he said. I call it a grain taste, a yeasty taste. I get a grainy yeasty taste in 4- to 5-year-old whiskey. It takes a little longer. And so, what does too old taste like? I like to tease, Russell said, and chuckled. If its over 12 years old and it wasnt controlled, you could just get a stick of white oak and start chewing on it! Thats that woody taste, and I just dont like a lot of woody taste. I like the combination of the wood and the whiskey. Russell is what we call a practical distiller, who learned the art of distillation by observation and apprenticeship. Over at Heaven Hill, master distiller Conor ODriscoll is much more a scientific distiller. He will tell you about esters and acidification, numbers and compounds. But hes also practical. I asked him about bourbon aged for more than 20 years. Expensive whiskey that tastes like a dirty old stick? he asked with a hoot. Mind you, this from the master distiller/blender at a company that has put out a 27-year-old bourbon. So I asked him about that. The 27 we brought out was interesting. The most interesting thing is that it was 27-years-old, and it was still decent, he said. But of all the 27-year-old barrels we had, we bottled a third of them. The other two-thirds were not drinkable. We have younger barrels that taste a lot better. Look at Elijah Craig: 8 to 12 years old, and nailing that sweet spot, he explained. Elijah Craig was designed to showcase how we mature. We have 1.9 million barrels in 61 warehouses. The [warehouses are] old, new, in the city and country, made of brick, wood, whatever. As we build a batch of Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Henry McKenna, we have all those levers to pull. Heaven Hill Catch a bourbon too young, and what is it like? The easiest answer: its raw, ODriscoll said. There might be multiple different flavor components, but theyre episodic. Youre going to taste grainy whiskey, green apple, barrel character, but theyre not going to be a complex harmonious whole, theyre going to be one after another, not the mellow blend we expect from good bourbon. And on the other side? Too much wood extraction, first, he said. Youve gone through the red and toasted layers, and now youre getting those raw wood notes. Youre getting more oxygen, and youre getting acetone. Its one of the last stages of the degradation of complex organics. Thats where that nail polish remover [aroma] comes from. All those critical components that make a good bourbon great have gone too far. Youre getting dirty old stick flavors, breaking alcohols into acetone, and its getting thicker and thicker, and concentrating stuff that might be better at a dilute concentration. That sounds nasty. So, when did we decide we wanted really old bourbon, and why? American whiskey wasnt really aged at all until the 1850s, says Chuck Cowdery, author of several books on bourbon and publisher of The Bourbon County Reader. James Crow was the first person to sell only aged whiskey; that was his distinction, besides perfecting the sour mash process. It probably wasnt even two years old, but it had gone into a new barrel. New make, what they called common whiskey, was selling for a dime a gallon, and Crow was getting a quarter. Through the 1850s, you might see advertising for whiskey advertised as 1 year old, or two years old. Even after this lightly aged whiskey caught on, government policy led to younger whiskey being the common product. Before 1894, according to Reid Mitenbuler, author of Bourbon Empire, bourbon was sold younger because distillers had to pay taxes after it was aged for just a year in a bonded warehouse. While they could age it longer, thanks to the angels sharethe annual loss of whiskey to evaporationthere was no incentive to go past one year. Distillers thought, I paid my taxes, but the liquid I paid taxes on is going to evaporate, so Im going to sell it. he said. In 1894, John Carlisle got the bonding period pushed to 8 years. Thats Secretary of the Treasury John Carlisle, a Kentuckian, and one of the conservative Democrats who were known as the Bourbon Democrats. With the bonding period set at a maximum of 8 years, there was no advantage to aging whiskey any longer than that. After 8 years, you had to take it out of bond, pay the taxes and sell it, said Michael Veach, author of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey; An American Heritage. If you put it back [in the warehouse], you were losing money. Eight years of aging worked for the industry, for the government and for the happy drinkers, for about 20 years. Then came Prohibition, followed relatively quickly by World War II, which left bourbon brands scrambling for whiskey to sell. After running through the terribly woody whiskey that had been made before Prohibition and somehow survived, they sold desperately young whiskey at cheap prices, barely staying afloat. Bill Samuels Jr., the emeritus head of Makers Mark, told me his father used to refer to those sales as swapping dollars, with suppliers, distillers, and retailers making just enough to pay each other. When the Korean War exploded in 1950, distillers were determined they wouldnt get caught short again. They made bourbon as fast as they could, stuffed it into warehouses and congratulated each other on their wisdom. But the Korean War didnt last long enough to have anywhere near the impact that World War II had on the industry. Now the distillers were on the other end of a supply problem. They had all over-produced, said Mitenbuler. It was enough for eight years of consumption at the time. It was way more whiskey than they knew what to do with...and all that tax is coming due in eight years. The Hunt for Rare Geo-Targeted Whiskies Get These Limited-Edition Whiskies Before They Sell Out After intensive lobbying, the bonding period was extended to 20 years in 1958, giving the industry more time to sell the whiskey before the tax was due. (It also allows you to just let it evaporate out of existence so you never get taxed on it, Mitenbuler shrewdly noted.) Thats when age became a selling point for bourbon. A lot of industries are moving to luxury at this point, said Mitenbuler. How can we improve the image and get more money for it? Age. Scotch sells on older is better, and so does wine. Thats when you started seeing premium bourbons at 10 and 12 years old. The image of bourbon changed from a Southern guzzle to Americas spirit, a noble drink. Everything was looking great for American whiskey. Then Americans gradually stopped drinking bourbon. Not entirely, of course, but the volume dropped by half, which was catastrophic for the industry. Once again, brands had a glut of whiskey to deal with that would last for years. What to do? The answer was starting to appear on liquor store shelves: single malt Scotch with age statements, building the idea that older is better. It had pulled Scotch whisky out of their glut situation in the early 80s; maybe bourbon could do that, too. We soon had small batch, single barrel vintage bourbons that were 7, 10, 15 and 20 years old. And it worked! Older bourbon sold for higher prices and it burnished bourbons image. But it led drinkers, in our inexperience, to think bourbon should be compared to Scotch and to Scotchs age in the barrel. Again: bourbon isnt Scotch. Theres a lot of difference between 20-year-old single malt and 20-year-old bourbon, and folks, for bourbon, it aint a good difference. I can remember when I first realized that the reason bourbon wasnt as old as Scotch wasnt because it wasnt as good, or because it was cheap; it was because it was fundamentally different in how it was made. Ive talked to a number of distillers, blenders and brand ambassadors about this, and off the record, they almost uniformly will tell you that whiskey aged in a new barrel should rarely go past 15 years. But we got the idea that older is better from Scotch whisky, and we ignore the very different aging regimens: new, charred oak barrels aging in hot warehouses in hot summers. We want 20-year-old bourbon, dammit! Well, if thats what the market wants, maybe theres a way to make a whiskey that tastes consistently great at 15, 18 and even 22 years old. Buffalo Trace is taking a radical approach with what it calls Warehouse P. Its a simple proposition. The company aims to create a 50-year-old bourbon by aging the whiskey at a constant 45 F. Its not as simple as youd think. It turns out that the whiskey is aging in ways that are not just slower, but significantly different. Master distiller Harlen Wheatley isnt ready to release details yet (he notoriously keeps his cards close to his chest), but he did say that the aging has taken different pathways. It has introduced different interactions that have developed the flavors. We are still reviewing the evaporation, but it appears that it is similar to the standard evaporation rates. However, we know that it will be altered along with the flavor. Coopers have been doing a lot of experimenting with treatments to oak barrel stavesdeep toasting, flash-charring, slow-roastingthings that sound almost culinary. Maybe there is a way to make a barrel that could age a great 20-year-old bourbon, without pounding too much tannin and such into it? I asked Andrew Wiehebrink about that. Hes the director of spirit research and innovation at Independent Stave Company, the outfit that makes the barrels for much of the bourbon industry. He started his explanation at the other end of whiskeys sweet spot. Theres all sorts of things we can do to make bourbon taste better at 4 or 5 years, he said. Thats the normal aim. Take that char profile and set it closer to the inside surface of the stave; you get all the complexity of a char number 4, but you just get it sooner. That gets you good-tasting whiskey sooner, and more of it, with less evaporation. But what about the far end? Can you make a slow-aging barrel? The question is, Wiehebrink said, without quite making it sound like I was nuts,why do you want to create a 30-year-old bourbon if the 12-year- old tastes good? For some reason, this concept of making a 30-year-old bourbon has taken hold. Its kind of a strange goal. It costs more money, it takes more time and for what? It tastes great at 8 years old. He laughed then, and said, it does make my job really interesting, so thats good. Ill leave the last word to Fred Noe. I got in touch with him because it had occurred to me that unlike some of the other distillers, you rarely see anything older than 12 years from Beam. One such whiskey that they did release was the Bookers Rye at 13 years old. He allowed that Beams rye, typically, is not as beautifully balanced as that one was at such an advanced age. (Okay, I added the beautifully part, because it was.) Jim Beam Can we do it again? he wondered. We dont know. We looked at it. When youre looking at wood, barrels, seasonsyou can put the same whiskey in the same warehouse and it might not come out the same. There are variables you cant control 100 percent. They all come into play in creating something special. And then he said, more times than not, old bourbon is just old bourbon. 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. The piercing sound of the whistle cut through the rubble where the Twin Towers once stood. It could be heard as often as 10 times a day at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. And each time it resounded through the ruins. The throngs of workers on The Pile like Matthew Flood would stop, hold their hardhats over their hearts and pause. Another body had been found. And then the grind would resume until the next time the whistle blew. Flood can still hear the sound when he reflects on those grim days. The retired New York City corrections officer was part of the bucket brigade, a crew that removed all kinds of debris from the site. Mangled steel. Feces. And body parts. You can taste the smell of death, recalled Flood, a 54-year-old Metuchen resident who grew up in Manhattans Washington Heights. Im no stranger to death. You can just smell it in the air. Soon after, Flood developed rhinitis and sinusitis nasal and sinus inflammations that affected his breathing. In 2014, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He joined thousands of other responders, who according to researchers, have developed cancer and respiratory conditions after being exposed to toxins at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. And now, 20 years later, that exposure has also left them especially susceptible to the complications of COVID-19. If you have cancer, youre a more fragile person, said Dr. Iris Udasin, the director of the WTC Clinical Center of Excellence at Rutgers University, which provides care for those affected by 9/11-related illnesses. In that sense, because thereve been an excess of World Trade Center responders who have cancer, of course our patients would be vulnerable people. In the same way the people in nursing homes are vulnerable. Udasin estimated that five of her 3,000 patients at the clinic have died from complications related to COVID-19. Michael Barasch, Floods New York-based attorney, said hes had well over 100 clients who were sickened at Ground Zero and have died from the coronavirus. (His office did not provide NJ Advance Media with documentation to support that figure.) From 2002 to 2013, researchers followed 28,729 of the more than 50,000 people who were involved in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. When compared to the general public, responders had a 9% increased rate of cancer, according to a study published in February 2020 in the peer-reviewed medical journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum. The risk for some cancers like prostate and thyroid is even higher. Former Environmental Protection Agency officials have since conceded that they erred in telling people the air around Ground Zero was safe to breathe. Im very sorry that people are sick, Christine Todd Whitman, the head of the EPA at the time, told the Guardian on the 15th anniversary of the attacks. Im very sorry that people are dying, and if the EPA and I in any way contributed to that, Im sorry. We did the very best we could at the time with the knowledge we had, the former New Jersey governor added. A fireman walks amongst the rubble and smoldering wreckage of the World Trade Center on Oct. 11, 2001, a month after the attacks that brought down the Twin Towers. Many of the rescue and recovery workers at the site have suffered serious health effects from inhaling toxins.AP Two decades after 9/11, the pandemic has put a spotlight on this vulnerable population, as it has with others with preexisting conditions. Their lungs have been damaged by toxins. Their immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy and other treatments. Theres no denying that the coronavirus can be more harmful to those with respiratory issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists respiratory diseases as one of the leading comorbidities mentioned in COVID-19-related deaths. Flood is not taking any chances. He always wears a mask and hasnt seen many people besides his wife and two children, ages 14 and 16. I try to play it close to the vest within reason, he said. Julia M. wasnt as fortunate. The 51-year-old Montclair resident, who did not want her last name published, worked at Ground Zero preparing meals for first responders as a Red Cross volunteer. Living in Queens at the time, she felt a strong desire to contribute after the attacks. She volunteered at Ground Zero for one day, working eight hours. You could smell the air was different there, Julia said. You could smell how thick it was. She then had breathing problems and developed severe allergies. She visited doctor after doctor, but those issues persisted. It was baffling as to how did this happen to me, Julia said, adding that no one in her family ever experienced similar problems. One day she received a notice from the Red Cross about volunteers experiencing illnesses after being at the World Trade Center site. Thats when she realized her issues could be linked to her time as a volunteer, she said. A doctor who specializes in treating Ground Zero responders diagnosed her with asthma. Then Julia contracted COVID-19 in November. She believes she got it from her oldest daughter, who was a teacher and required to go to school, she said. She spent a day in the hospital, but has since recovered. It was really bad, Julia said. I had a lot of body aches and headaches. I got pneumonia right after that. The excruciating body pains have lingered, she said. They told me in the hospital it takes months for that to wear off, she said. The irony, she believes, is that if people were as serious about wearing masks at Ground Zero as they are during the pandemic, not as many would have gotten sick in lower Manhattan. William Cordova shares that sentiment. The 65-year-old retired Verizon employee worked at Ground Zero to restore communications in the area. The Teaneck residents only regret is not wearing more personal protective equipment. If I knew how dangerous it was, I probably would have been more diligent, keeping my mask on most of the time, Cordova said. It seems as though everyone was just not being totally cautious. He, too, developed asthma after working at the site and continues to use an inhaler, he said. William Cordova has avoided COVID-19, but about five of his former coworkers have died from the disease, he said. Two of them worked with him in lower Manhattan after 9/11. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media Cordova learned from his past mistakes and is extra cautious during the pandemic, he said. He wears a mask whenever he leaves the house. His family has evaded the virus, but about five of his former coworkers have died from COVID-19, he said. Two of them worked with him in lower Manhattan after 9/11, including one who had COPD, a group of diseases related to breathing. The older you get, the more cautious you become, Cordova said. Julia, Cordova and Flood plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine when its made widely available. Despite their vulnerabilities, they dont think they should be first in line, they say. Let the people right now that are on the front lines, let them get it first, Flood said. Workers at Ground Zero like Julia, Cordova and Flood have received compensation from the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The law is named after a retired New York police detective who died of a respiratory disease he developed after 9/11. The 34-year-old North Arlington native died in 2006 at his parents Little Egg Harbor home. An autopsy report concluded his death stemmed from his rescue activities at the trade center site. Flood, the former New York corrections officer, says he owes a great deal of gratitude to Barasch, his attorney, and Dr. Udasin of Rutgers. Theyre the best cornermen you can have, he said. Flood was hesitant at first to seek compensation, he said. I thought it was blood money, he said. But then a friend reminded him of his two children, and he had a change of heart. Floods cancer is in remission, he said. Every now and then he gets pains in his abdomen. But he knows how grateful he is to be alive to raise his two kids a luxury 16 close friends from his old Manhattan neighborhood dont have because they died on 9/11. These guys were not just associates. They were friends, he said. When he was still living in Washington Heights, he would see his friends widows walking on the street. He didnt know what to say. As time went on, he got better at the small talk. But even a casual phone call from an old friend who also experienced the trauma at Ground Zero can bring back haunting memories. Its hard for me to relive all of that stuff constantly, Flood said. NJ Advance Media reporter Katie Kausch contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Are you sitting by the door waiting on an online delivery? There may be an explanation for the wait. Parcel delivery company DPD has said that it will be pausing all its road delivery services from the UK to Europe, including Ireland, as it deals with the customs changes caused by Brexit. These services will be paused until at least Wednesday 13 January, the company said. In a statement, DPD said that its been a challenging few days for its teams as the UK leaving the Single Market and Customs Union has required significant changes to the way it takes parcels cross-border. It said: It has now become evident that we have an increased burden with the new, more complex processes, and additional customs data we require from you for your parcels destined to Europe. This has placed extra pressure on our turnaround and transit times. We are seeing up to 20% of parcels having incorrect or incomplete data attached, these will have to be returned to you so that the required data can be provided. In addition to this we are seeing delays and congestion at UK ports and more rigid requirements for channel crossings. DPD UK said the pausing of services until 13 January will give it a chance to validate the data we have in our system, reduce the delay and give you the opportunity to give us the correct data we need in order that we can export, from next week, successfully. New documentation and red tape is now required between EU member states and Britain, which is anticipated to cause massive delays at ports in the coming weeks. The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a COVID-19 briefing at the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Ontario, on Dec. 18, 2020. (Lars Hagberg/AFP via Getty Images) Trudeau Condemns China for Blocking WHO Investigation of COVID-19 Origins Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned China for blocking a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) from investigating the origins of COVID-19 within its borders. Trudeau pledged to ensure WHO investigators are allowed entry into China during an interview with City News on Jan. 6. Theres certainly going to be a time for necessary accountability and understanding exactly how the world ended up plunged into this terrible, terrible situation and the role China had to play in this as the origin of the virus is going to need to be known, Trudeau said. For China to not cooperate and not participate in that is unfortunately very predictable, given the recent stances by the Chinese government on collaborating with international authorities, but [its] not going to be able to protect them from making sure that the truth does come out. The probe comes after months of negotiations with Beijing, which finally agreed to it in December 2020. The expeditions were to unfold in Wuhan, the capital of Chinas Hubei Province, where the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus was first detected in 2019. China denied entry to WHO investigators at the last minute, saying that they lack visa clearances. We learned that Chinese officials have not yet finalised the necessary permissions for the teams arrival in China, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said at a press conference on Jan. 5. 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. Australia also urged China to grant access to the health officials, as suspicions of a cover-up in China of the origins of the CCP virus grows around world. We hope that the necessary permissions for the WHO teams travel to China can be issued without delay, Marise Payne, Australias foreign minister, told reporters on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed China for allowing the virus to escape and spread across the world. Last year, the United States withdrew its membership from the WHO, as the Trump administration has criticized the organizations dependency on China and its response to the pandemic as it rampaged. Trudeau said Canada will work with other countries to force the issue on the Chinese regime. We will find out how this virus started. Trudeau said. Were working with partners around the world to continue to put pressure on China on a large range of issues, whether its cooperating with international organizations like the WHO, whether its respecting international law, whether its not using the kind of coercive diplomacy that has two Canadians [spending] another Christmas in arbitrary detention. These are things we take very seriously and well continue to work with our partners on, he said. Trudeau was referring to Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who have been detained in China since December 2018, after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant. Meng was accused of bank fraud when she reportedly lied to HSBC about her companys business relations with Iran. The arrest of the two Michaels is widely believed to be Chinas retaliation against Canada. ADVERTISEMENT The money laundering trial of a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to his absence on Monday. His lawyer, Kanu Agabi, who is also a former AGF, told the judge, Inyang Ekwo, that Mr Adoke was stranded in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), where he had travelled to for a medical check-up. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the judge on December 15, 2020, granted Mr Adoke permission to travel to UAE on health grounds and directed him to return to Nigeria on January 10 ahead of the Mondays scheduled hearing. This newspaper also reported on Sunday that while in Dubai, UAE, Mr Adoke tested positive for COVID-19, a status which only turned negative following a repeat test he underwent at a Dubai hospital Sunday. Mr Agabi told the judge on Monday that his client had earlier tested positive to the virus at his point of returning to Nigeria as a result of which he was held back by the UAE authorities. He said the former minister tested negative after he was treated but was unable to immediately fly back to Nigeria as ordered by the court. He said, My lord, me apologise to you that the first defendant in the matter, Mohammed Bello Adoke, is not in court today due to circumstances beyond his control. I thank this court for granting him permission to travel abroad for medical examination. Before he left the country, he tested negative but unfortunately, while in the UAE, he tested positive at his point of return to Nigeria. However, he is now negative after the treatment, but he was unable to get a flight back to the country. He said Mr Adoke would be able to return to the country on Tuesday. Mr Agabi further pleaded with the judge to extend the time given to the defendant to appear in court to enable him to take care of himself and be fit for the continuation of his trial. The prosecuting counsel, Bala Sanga, and the second defendants lawyer, Emmanuel Ikechi, did not oppose Mr Agabis request. The judge granted the request and adjourned till March 1 to 4. Mr Adoke and his co-defendant, Aliyu Abubakar, are being prosecuted on 14 amended counts involving alleged transaction involving cash payments above the cash limit set by the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended). [January 11, 2021] Reputation.com Welcomes Jen Bruno to Lead Human Resources REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reputation.com , provider of the first and only complete Reputation Experience Management (RXM) platform, today named Jen Bruno as the companys vice president of human resources. In this role, Bruno will draw on her extensive experience to recruit, train and retain talented employees while creating a winning culture in a rapidly growing business. She will also serve on the companys executive team. Bruno will oversee all aspects of human resources, including the companys talent and leadership development function, diversity and inclusion initiatives, employee relations and total rewards, and will report to Amir Jafari, chief financial officer at Reputation.com. Bruno joins Reputation.com from LPL Financial, where she served as senior vice president of human capital. At LPL Financial, Bruno was responsible for the planning and execution of the companys culture transformation strategy. Bruno brings to Reputation.com over twenty years of organizational design and change management experience that spans across an array of industries, including technology, finance and hospitality. Jen Bruno is a strong, experienced human resources leader with a diverse background who is not only passionate about the empowerment of employees, but also about creating built to last organizations through smart talent acquisition and retention efforts, said Amr Jafari, chief financial officer at Reputation.com. She brings a great perspective to this new role at a time of rapid expansion for the company and will be a great addition to our leadership team. Prior to joining Reputation.com, Bruno worked in leadership roles in human resources, enablement, and people solutions at CVS Health, Proudfoot and Hansgrohe. She holds a bachelors degree in communications and business management from Rhode Island College and is a graduate of the renowned Walt Disney World Disney Management Development Program. About Reputation.com Reputation.com pioneered the online reputation management (ORM) category and now extends its leadership position to include its award-winning Reputation Experience Management (RXM) platform that consistently delivers innovative, customer-driven solutions. The SaaS-based platform manages tens of millions of reviews and interactions across hundreds of thousands of customer touchpoints. The patented algorithms behind Reputation Score X are based on more than a decade of deep machine learning and data science expertise, providing businesses with a reliable index of brand performance that they can use to make targeted improvements. Reputation.com has over 250 integration partners, including Google, Facebook, Salesforce, J.D. Power, Amazon and Web.com, and helps businesses of all sizes across industries Get Found, Get Chosen and Get Better. To learn more, visit www.reputation.com . Media Contacts: Kalie Marsch Reputation.com kmarsch@reputation.com Brigit Valencia BOCA Communications 360.597.4516 reputation@bocacommunications.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/797f5e41-d9ed-4602-8f8e-d2c18fab9bed [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] United Arab Emirates' top diplomat says the dispute with Qatar is over, but much is needed to be done to rebuild trust. "There can't be a kind of an extended disagreement like this without the need for confidence-building steps afterwards. There are some issues, some difficult issues that will come up in the next phase that we must deal with maturely and in a transparent matter," said Anwar Gargash, The United Arab Emirates' Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He did not elaborate on what those steps would be.Gargash's comments come after Saudi Arabia ended a three and a half year blockade of Qatar, opening its airspace and looking forward to opening up its land crossing to its tiny Gulf neighbour.On Tuesday, Gulf Arab leaders and a representative from Egypt gathered in Saudi Arabia and signed a declaration to start a new page in brotherly relations, effectively ending Qatar's isolation among the quartet.The declaration touched on some topics that were previously a point of contention between the countries. "Respect for a country's sovereignty, viewing any threat as a collective threat, and the attitude towards extremism and terrorism, these are all major factors that exist as an overarching framework towards the relationship for the future," Gargash said. The diplomatic breakthrough followed a final push by the outgoing Trump administration and Kuwait to mediate the dispute.It also came as Saudi Arabia seeks to unify Arab ranks ahead of the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, which is expected to take a firmer stand toward the kingdom and re-engage with Iran.Gargash rejected the idea that Trump's administration was under any sort of pressure to negotiate an agreement before the outgoing president leaves office. "I think that they have reached a belief that this is one of the achievements of the current administration in its last months," he said. The four countries that jointly boycotted Qatar were hoping their embargo and media campaign would pressure it to end its close relations with Turkey and Iran.Egypt and the UAE view the support by Qatar and Turkey of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood as a security threat.Saudi Arabia and Bahrain meanwhile are primarily concerned about Qatar's ties with Iran.However, the boycott failed to change Doha's stance, instead buoying its young ruler domestically as patriotic fervor swept through Qatar in support of his resolve. It also pushed Qatar closer to Turkey and Iran, which rushed to assist the ultra-wealthy Gulf state as it faced medical and food supply shortages in the first days of the embargo.But now Gargash struck a lighter tone on the issues of Turkey and Iran, stressing that the UAE wants to have good ties with Turkey and that the solution to the Iran problem must be a political one. "We want to tell Turkey that we want normal relations that respect sovereignty between us. For example, we want Ankara not to be the main supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood. We want Ankara to restore its Arab relationship. We have no reason to disagree with Turkey," Gargash said. Is there a problem (with Iran)? Yes, there is a problem, but how do we solve the problem? Solving the problem is by avoiding escalation, by diplomatic and political means,he added. (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) President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. on Jan. 8, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo) Biden Plans to Prioritize Minorities for Access to COVID Relief Needed to Reopen, Rebuild President-elect Joe Biden said on Jan. 8 that his administration plans to prioritize minorities for access to resources needed to reopen and rebuild amid the ongoing CCP virus pandemic. In previewing his priorities for spending to address the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, the former vice president said the priority for the small business stimulus will be on black, Latino, Asian, and Native American-owned small businesses, and women-owned businesses, finally having equal access to the resources needed to reopen and rebuild. Biden added that his administration will focus on making real efforts to assist communities that have faced systemic barriers to relief. He said a key focus of his administration will be to correct the current administrations failures to get relief to Main Street, small businesses that are most in need. Mom and pop stores are the backbone of the economy, Biden said. Theyre the glue that holds communities together. But today, more than one in four small businesses are not open. At least 400,000 are closed for good. As the month goes by, a third of black-owned businesses and more than a fifth of Latino-owned businesses and more than a quarter of Native American-owned businesses, have less than one month of reserves to cover expenses. Previous rounds of economic relief last year helped millions of small businesses stay afloat and keep employees in the payroll. But there were clear problems. Black and brown-owned small businesses had less access to that relief. Mom and pop shops were often the last in line, while big well-connected businesses jumped in front of the line and got more relief and got it faster. The Trump administration in May 2020 set aside $10 billion of additional Paycheck Protection Program funding to ensure that small business owners in all communities had access to needed capital to keep American workers employed. Biden made the remarks in outlining a plan which could cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and would include $2,000 direct payments to individuals and support for small businesses. The president-elect on Jan. 8 said that its time to raise the minimum wage to $15, but did not explain how the move would help small businesses already struggling to pay their staff. The Congressional Budget Office estimated (pdf) in July 2019 that raising the federal minimum wage to $15 would result in the loss of 1.3 million jobs nationwide. Bidens transition team didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Bidens latest statement on support for small businesses has been met with widespread criticism on social media, with many suggesting that the move will fuel divisiveness nationwide. Can we please just help Americans without further dividing us into competing subgroups? Jon Gabriel, editor-in-chief of conservative news outlet Ricochet, said. President Donald Trumps campaign adviser Steve Cortes, meanwhile, accused Biden of blatant prejudice. So much healing Cortes wrote on Twitter. Ana Rosa Quintana, Latin America policy analyst for The Heritage Foundation, wrote: My skin color doesnt make me more important than my fellow white Americans. Make us all the priority. Luke Negron, 2020 Republican nominee for Congress in Pennsylvanias 18th District, wrote: As someone with black and Hispanic heritage who would directly benefit from this, the Biden standard of racial and sexual discrimination disgusts me. This level of racism and sexism is impeachable if and when executed by a president. Biden is scheduled to be sworn in as 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20. Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. Blackening in the little "yes" box on a ballot bond measure, any bond measure, requires a certain leap of faith, but when that leap must clear .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal New Mexico continues to be a major player in the film industry, all while keeping up with COVID-safe practices. In December, there were nine film projects and eight TV projects in production in the state. And according to the New Mexico Film Office, from Nov. 1 through Jan. 5, 24,000 COVID tests have been administered through productions in New Mexico. This gives you an idea of how rigorous we are testing, said Amber Dodson, state Film Office director. Thats an amazing amount of tests. We are keeping our finger on the number of tests and positive cases. Just like other businesses, productions are required to report to the state and we take it a step further to have them report to our office as well. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Those rigorous practices mean New Mexico-based productions have been able to forge ahead even as productions in other parts of the country have had to pause amid case surges. Productions in New Mexico were on pause from March until September. Production slowly rolled out, and the only production to take a pause due to COVID is Netflixs The Harder They Fall. We have quite a lot of productions going into prep, Dodson said. If you are coming to New Mexico to film, there are rules, and we take it seriously to keep New Mexicans safe. New Mexico has remained rather safe compared to other states when it comes to in-person filming. On Jan. 3, the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Producers Guild of America recommended a pause in production in Southern California as the hospitalizations and COVID numbers continue to surge. Southern California hospitals are facing a crisis the likes of which we have never seen before, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said in a statement. Patients are dying in ambulances waiting for treatment because hospital emergency rooms are overwhelmed. This is not a safe environment for in-person production right now. The call to delay production has also been endorsed by the PGA, which asked producers to avoid production work in Southern California until more hospital beds become available. Independent producers can help hold the line in this crisis by taking the difficult but responsible step of postponing production for now. We can and will do what it takes to protect our cast and crew, and our community, said Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher, PGAs presidents. Dodson said the New Mexico Film Office is aware of whats happening in California and has steps in place to help make sure similar problems dont occur in New Mexico. She said the film industry has been a beacon for New Mexico and in March during the industry shutdown, the film office worked with other organizations to develop protocols for productions. The Film Office created Back2One, a catch-all document for New Mexico film and TV production in a COVID-19 world. It will be a continually evolving resource, and were very happy with its first iteration, Dodson said. The state also adheres to the Industry White Paper, a set of rules that require mandatory testing, personal protective equipment, and department specific procedures for productions. The restrictions include operating with limited capacity, as well as daily disinfection and social distancing. Because productions vary in size, Dodson said testing both its cost and frequency is up to each production, which must report to the film office daily. Dodson said the productions that have filmed in New Mexico have been great at following the protocols. Its another step for each production to work with, and its a new normal, she said. But it costs more time and money to the production when its shut down because of too many cases. Our goal is to keep all New Mexicans safe. The rampaging coronavirus is revealing new unpredictability as the promised post-holiday surge continues, with some hospitals now seeing a rise in patients sick with COVID-19 who had no underlying medical conditions, officials say. Hospitals in the Bay Area and beyond are seeing an increase in such patients, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert with UCSF, said Sunday. Its not just people in nursing homes or people who are ill with immuno-compromising conditions who are the ones getting sick, Chin-Hong said. With COVID, its an equal opportunity disease, in some sense. That lends more uncertainty to predicting who will become seriously ill. Earlier in the pandemic, only 7% of COVID-19 deaths in Los Angeles County occurred among people with no underlying medical conditions, while now, 14% of deaths are among that group, the Los Angeles Times reports. Santa Clara County recorded its highest COVID-19 death toll to date over the weekend 40 lives lost to the virus were recorded Saturday as case numbers and deaths reached troubling new heights and health leaders braced for more weeks of tragic post-holiday-gathering outcomes. Stanford University canceled plans to bring freshmen and sophomore students back to campus for winter quarter because of the worsening pandemic. The Bay Area overall passed yet another depressing milestone Sunday, with more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic. More than 303,000 Bay Area residents had been infected as of Sunday. California surpassed 30,000 deaths on Sunday. Overwhelmed hospitals across California continue struggling to find intensive care beds, while experts predict the surge will get even worse this month before possibly leveling out in February. The Bay Area regions hospital ICU capacity was at just 3% availability, based on Friday records, and the greater Sacramento region nearly as tight at 6.4%. The hospitals currently most impacted by the pandemic, in the Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions, continued to struggle with zero percent ICU capacity available and used ad-hoc facilities set up by the state to ensure all patients can get care. Vaccination rates continued to lag behind distribution. California had administered 734,405 vaccine shots as of Saturday, out of nearly 2.2 million doses shipped to local health departments and health care systems in several counties. Globally, more than 90 million people have been infected and nearly 2 million people have died, including more than 374,000 Americans, data tracked by Johns Hopkins University shows. Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff member. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez UC San Diego researchers have found that the shells of California mussels, a critical species found along the Pacific Coast, are weakening as a result of ocean acidification. Credit: Roy Lab, UC San Diego The large mollusk known as the California mussel makes its home in the rocky shoreline along the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Alaska. Considered a "foundational" animal, Mytilus californianus provides homes for hundreds of other species and offers a rich food source for species ranging from spiny lobsters to humans. As the waters off our coasts change due to human influences, scientists at the University of California San Diego are finding that the composition of California mussel shells is weakening as it becomes more tolerant of acidic conditions. Scientists have known that rising levels of human-produced carbon dioxide that are increasingly absorbed into the world's oceans will have an impact on sea life. But as ocean waters increasingly acidify, tracking impacts on specific species has been difficult to gauge over time. Most of what we know about species' responses to acidifying waters comes from short-term experiments that suggest these increases in ocean aciditycausing a lowering of seawater pH and less availability of carbonate ions to make shellscan lead to less fortified shells and more vulnerable animals. But not every species from these studies responds the same way, with some even appearing to do better under these conditions. This makes long-term studies looking at how increases in temperature and ocean acidification impact species extremely valuable for understanding and ultimately making predictions about future vulnerability of these species. Comparing new data with samples collected in the 1950s, UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences graduate student Elizabeth Bullard and Professor Kaustuv Roy found that ocean acidification is transforming the composition of California mussel shells from mostly the mineral aragonite to the mineral calcite. The results are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Aragonite is much stronger than calcite and makes for a better shell to protect against predators and wave energy, two things that are expected to increase with warming waters. Calcite, on the other hand, is much weaker but does not dissolve as easily as aragonitemaking a better shell material if the waters are acidifying. Experts had expected aragonite, the stronger of the two substances, to emerge as the dominant mussel shell mineral due to its preference to form in warmer waters. Instead, the new study has shown that the weaker but more stable calcite mineral is now the dominant shell substance, a response linked to increases in ocean water acidity. UC San Diego Biological Sciences graduate students Elizabeth Bullard and Alex Neu traveled the Pacific Coast from La Jolla to Washington state collecting mussels that would form a comparison to mussels collected in the 1950s. Credit: Roy Lab, UC San Diego "We found that these mussels are indeed secreting more calcite today than they were 60 years ago," said Bullard. "Lower pH eats away the shells these animals are able to create, so it's considered a major problem for marine organisms. There are 303 species that are associated with the California mussel, so if we lose the mussel we lose other species, some of which are really important to things like our fisheries and recreation." In the late 1950s, Caltech scientist James Dodd traveled the Pacific Coast from La Jolla to Washington state, collecting mussels along the way. His specimen sampling led to a valuable baseline of information about mussels and their shell composition, including the ratio of aragonite to calcite. One of the results of his work was a stark geographical contrast between cold northern waters, where mussels mostly featured calcitic shells, with the warmer southern waters where aragonite was the dominant shell mineral. To find out how the shell mineral profile has changed across six decades, Bullard similarly traveled the coastline with her lab mate, graduate student Alex Neu, in 2017 and 2018 to collect new specimens in a survey that geographically replicated Dodd's sampling. With more than 100 shell samples collected, Bullard then spent days meticulously grinding each shell down to a fine dust to dissect their compositionup to 16 hours of grinding for one shell in some cases. "If you put too much heat or pressure on aragonite it will convert to calcite," said Bullard. "Calcite is extremely stable but aragonite isn't. In order to really make sure the ratio is accurate you have to be super careful and hand grind the specimens down to a super fine powder." Finally, project collaborator Professor Olivia Graeve and her materials science group in the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering conducted X-ray diffraction analysis on each sample to determine their mineral profiles. "By combining our expertise in crystallography of materials with our collaborator's expertise in ecology, we were able to make a real impact on our understanding of humans' long-term effects on other species," said Graeve. "This type of interdisciplinary research is what's required to continue advancing science and engineering for the benefit of our world." California mussels collected during the new study were sampled, measured and eventually ground to a fine dust in order to reveal how the mineral composition of their shells have changed over 60 years. Credit: Roy Lab, UC San Diego The results told a new story. Instead of a geographical boundary between north and south California mussel shells, the new survey revealed that acidic waters are reducing shell aragonite throughout the coast, leading to calcite as the dominant shell mineral. "James Dodd's data fit in a world where the balance of temperature and ocean pH was very different from that today," said Roy, a professor in the Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (EBE). "For me it was surprising how big the effect was in 60 years. That's not a huge amount of time as these things go, but the effect was striking." The researchers were surprised to find that ocean pH and changing amounts of carbonate availability, not temperature, played such a strong role in influencing shell mineralogy. It's a finding that would not be possible without Dodd's critical baseline work. "This study highlights the importance of utilizing long-term data sets and large spatial comparisons to understand and test predictions about species responses to a changing world," the authors write in the paper. Bullard and Roy are now probing deeper into shell viability questions. They are conducting lab experiments to test how this change from aragonite to calcite might impact the strength and overall function of the mussel shell. Explore further Ocean acidification makes some marine snails less able to resist predators More information: Elizabeth M. Bullard el al., "Shell mineralogy of a foundational marine species, Mytilus californianus, over half a century in a changing ocean," PNAS (2020). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Elizabeth M. Bullard el al., "Shell mineralogy of a foundational marine species, Mytilus californianus, over half a century in a changing ocean,"(2020). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2004769118 The cost of vaccinating healthcare workers and frontline workers against coronavirus will be born by the central government. Centre will pay for the first 3 crore COVID-19 vaccines administered in the country at the beginning of the vaccination drive, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. India is set to kick off its vaccination drive against COVID-19 from January 16. The vaccination drive will prioritise healthcare workers, from public and private hospitals both, the Prime Minister said during a virtual assessment meeting with chief ministers ahead of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Frontline workers, including sanitation workers, other frontline workers, defence forces, police and central forces, home guards, disaster management volunteers, civil defence personnel, revenue officials associated with containment and surveillance, will be the next to receive the vaccine in the first phase. The total number of healthcare workers and frontline workers stands at 3 crore, PM Modi said. ALSO READ: Covishield to cost Rs 200 a vial; Serum Institute receives purchase order from government "The first 3 crore people in the first and second round are people associated with our [COVID-19 management] framework engaged in this work for the past one year. We will have to continue with public awareness, but it will become more important after first and second round of vaccination when we inoculate 3 crore people," PM Modi said. PM Modi also suggested that elected public representatives should be excluded from the 3 crore recipients who will receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first and second round of Phase I in vaccination drive. Centre has already clarified in its plan for the vaccination drive that healthcare workers and frontline workers will be prioritised in the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive. After them, people aged above 50 years of age and those with co-morbidities. ALSO READ: Budget 2021: How will govt fund COVID-19 vaccination? There's a cess coming! India has given emergency use authorisation two coronavirus vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin. The former has been jointly developed by University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, and will be manufactured and marketed in India by Serum Institute of India. The latter has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV). Earlier today, Centre placed an order with Serum Institute for millions of doses of Covishield. Involved paperwork has been cleared at both ends. The vaccine manufacturer will make supply the jab to government at Rs 200 per vial. Both vaccines approved for emergency use in India will be made in the couuntry, PM Modi said, adding that they are more cost-effective than inoculations available in the foreign countries. 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 Diverse Income Trust plc The Company advises that it will enter into a closed period (in accordance with the provisions of the EU Market Abuse Regulation) on 11 January 2021 in relation to the announcement of the Company's results for the six months ended 30 November 2020. The Company confirms that all inside information which the Directors and the Company may have had to the date of this announcement has been notified to a Regulatory Information Service. Accordingly, in the absence of any new undisclosed inside information arising, the Company is not prohibited from dealing in its own securities during this closed period. 11 January 2021 LEI: 2138005QFXYHJM551U45 Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 74F. SW winds shifting to NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. The online classes also added to the problem of obesity. A study revealed the children ate extra food with rich fats and were sleeping an extra two hours per day. (Representational photo:AFP) ANANTAPUR: Obesity among students during the year-long lockdown has emerged as a serious worry for parents, also as they need to buy new outfits for their children, including uniforms. A Class X private school student in Anantapur had a waist size of 39 inches prior to the lockdown, but within a few months the size swelled to 43 inches. The parents say they purchased more than 10 pairs of outfits including two pairs of uniforms for the student. Similar situations arose for students and parents across the country. Uniform-making and supplying agent Rajesh of Anantapur said a corporate school recently started classes for Class-IX and X. It ordered new sets of uniforms in bulk for all students. I was shocked to collect measurements of children who have all become fatter or grown in size, he said and added at least four students were found having a waist size of 43. Parents of a Class IX girl student from a private school in Anantapur purchased more than 15 new dresses for her, saying the old dresses did not fit anymore. This is an inevitable situation and I had to spend more than Rs.17,000 to get new clothes for my daughter excluding what I spent by way of ordering new school uniforms, a mother stated on condition of anonymity. She confided that the old clothes were donated to the granddaughter of her housemaid. Private schools make uniforms for their students via dress supply agents. The agents are now getting new clothes stitched for these schools. "Children and teens are seriously struggling with obesity due to lack of minimum physical exercise during the lockdown home-stay period, when they also ate more, Dr. Ravi Srinivas, general physician and obesities specialist, observed. Children also took a fancy to search for new types of food and cooking tips on Google during this period, and engaged in cooking experiments as time was hanging heavy on them. This resulted in obesity among many of them. Among many, noted writer Yendamuri Veerendranath had cautioned children against eating food while watching TV as the intake would be more and lead to obesity and other physical disorders. The online classes also added to the problem of obesity. A study revealed the children ate extra food with rich fats and were sleeping an extra two hours per day. They spent nearly five hours a day with phone, computer and television screens. This dramatically increased their consumption of junk food in addition to routine traditional foods. Jayachandra, correspondent of Radha School of Learning in Anantapur, said his institution was planning to provide physical exercise to students by following Covid lockdown regulations so as to help students overcome the problem of obesity. As we work through the month May, I want to give a couple of updates from the last few weeks. My priority bill, LB 644, has advanced from the first and second round of debate and will be heading to final reading soon. This bill was designed to help give the taxpayer clear and concise informa In the wake of the attacks on the Capitol this past week, Google announced Friday the social networking app Parler is suspended from the Google Play store, with company leadership citing awareness of continued posting in the app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the U.S. In a statement the internet monolith outlined the suspension would only be lifted when robust content modifications are made to the platform: In order to protect user safety on Google Play, our longstanding policies require that apps displaying user-generated content have moderation policies and enforcement that removes egregious content like posts that incite violence. What, Parler, you say you didnt get the memo? Google further emphasized that all developers agree to these terms and we have reminded Parler of this clear policy in recent months. Tech giant Apple in turn announced Friday that Parler would have 24 hours to submit a detailed moderation plan. Such a move elicited a swift retort from Parler chief executive John Matze, who described the decision as a horrible way to handle this," according to Business Insider's Kevin Shalvey. While in a statement to Reuters Matze acknowledged coordinating riots, violence and rebellions has no place on social media, the CEO claimed in subsequent posts that Apple was subjecting the platform to standards and requirements Apple did not apply to itself, and was in violation of users right to free speech, according to John Koetsier at Forbes. Following the ban by Twitter and other major social media platforms, many Trumpers expressed outrage at the disruption of access to the stream-of-consciousness edicts from their favorite demagogue. Actor Antonio Sabato, Jr., scripted his own scathing response: You evil dirtbags Twitter @jack ASSES! Just please suspend all of us who support The Greatest President in History @realDonaldTrump and cut to the chase. And the Presidents son himself issued this diatribe: We are living Orwells 1984. Free-speech no longer exists in America. It died with big tech and whats left is only there for a chosen few. But whats left (or "right," har) actually is not just for the chosen few. Although the actions by Twitter, Google, and Apple have significantly hampered the flow of communication between Trump supporters, they have not resulted in a complete kibosh. Legions of Trump followers have already begun to gather through other apps such as Gab that continue to be in operation. Insurance access, travel distance, and lack of awareness of options contribute to transplant waitlist disparities, according to new Journal of the American College of Surgeons study findings CHICAGO (January 11, 2021): A new study of liver transplant centers confirms that non-Hispanic white patients get placed on liver transplant waitlists at disproportionately higher rates than non-Hispanic Black patients. However, researchers went a step further as they identified key reasons for that disparity: disproportionate access to private health insurance, travel distance to transplant centers, and a potential lack of knowledge among both practitioners and patients about available options. The study was selected for the 2020 Southern Surgical Association Program and published as an "article in press" on the website of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons in advance of print. "We found that the Black population was underrepresented at the vast majority of centers, meaning that the percentage of the Black population in a donor service area (DSA)--the geographic area the center serves--was significantly higher than the percentage of the Black population on waitlists," said lead author Ali Zarrinpar, MD, PhD, FACS, a transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Dr. Zarrinpar and colleagues analyzed deceased donor liver transplant and waitlist data obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for 109 high-volume liver transplant centers (250 or more transplant operations over a five-year period from 2013 to 2018), excluding Veterans Affairs centers and Hospital Auxilio Mutuo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, because of its nearly 100 percent Hispanic population. The researchers used five-year U.S. Census Bureau estimates from 2017 to calculate demographics of each center's DSA. Of 30,353 patients on waitlists at the 109 centers, 69 percent were non-Hispanic white, 7.9 percent were non-Hispanic Black, 17 percent were Hispanic, and 6.1 percent were of other racial or ethnic categories. By comparison, the overall national racial/ethnic distribution from the 2017 Census update was 61.5 percent white, 12.3 percent Black, 17.6 percent Hispanic, and 8.6 percent other racial/ethnic groups. The disparities shifted a bit when actual liver transplant operations were evaluated: 70.9 percent in whites, 9.4 percent in Blacks, 14 percent in Hispanics, and 5.7 percent in other racial/ethnic groups. Nonetheless, resolving disparities on transplant waitlists would go far toward a more equitable distribution of transplants, the researchers found. "When we looked at the characteristics of each individual center that correlated with that difference, we found that the more each center transplanted people with private insurance, the less they were representative of the Black population in their donor service area," Dr. Zarrinpar said. "Further, the longer amount of time people traveled to that center for liver transplantation, the less the center was representative of the percentage of the Black population in their donor service area." Other potential reasons the study evaluated but did not correlate with the disparity include DSA poverty rates, educational levels, the proportion of public and private insurance within the DSA, and whether the center was a public or private institution, Dr. Zarrinpar said. The findings raise multiple questions about why Black patients are placed on liver transplant waitlists at a much lower rate. "Are underrepresented populations just not getting referred to the transplant centers?" Dr. Zarrinpar asked. "Another issue is primary care access. Patients need to be made aware earlier on that transplantation is a potential solution for certain liver conditions. If aware, they next need to know what it takes to be placed on a waitlist. Also, we must address the false perception that patients may have that liver transplants aren't covered by insurance, specifically those covered by Medicaid." In fact, Dr. Zarrinpar added, Medicaid covers liver transplant, and "the vast majority of transplant centers will take public insurance." Although the study did not look at barriers to liver transplants for underserved populations, they could exist at any number of points along the care spectrum, Dr. Zarrinpar said, including transplant centers, referring centers, referring physicians, or even patients themselves. "The patients may not have insurance at the time they develop their liver disease, but it's possible for the transplant centers to obtain coverage for people who are not just underserved but don't have the means," he said. "Many publicly available insurances exist for these patients." The authors conclude that increased awareness of these trends may promote equitable access to liver transplant waitlists. Strategies include targeting physicians who could potentially refer these patients, Dr. Zarrinpar said. "As long as a patient has medical need, the ability to undergo a transplant operation successfully, and a support system to ensure long-term success with the transplanted liver, being placed on a transplant waitlist is an option," he said. "We don't want people to rule themselves out before seeking help." ### Study coauthors are Curtis Warren, MPH, CPH; Anne-Marie Carpenter, MD; Daniel Neal, MS; Kenneth Andreoni, MD, FACS; and George Sarosi, MD, FACS, all with the department of surgery at the University of Florida. "FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. The study authors have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Citation: Racial Disparities in Liver Transplantation Listing. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. DOI: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1016/ j. jamcollsurg. 2020. 12. 021 . About the American College of Surgeons Protesters call for an end to lockdowns at California's state Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., on April 20, 2020. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) California Doctors, Officials Call for Reopening State at Conference Doctors in California who say science related to COVID-19 has been weaponized and decision-making has been fear-fueled, business owners who spoke of great losses, and elected officials who say Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken precautions too far all have called for reopening the state at a conference in Sacramento from Jan. 8 to 10. When the governor says he is listening to science, what he means is that he is listening to a particular group of scientists whom he happens to have some shared opinion, said Dr. Joseph Ladapo, a University of CaliforniaL.A. Medical Center physician and policy researcher, during the live-streamed conference. Ladapo and Dr. George Fareed, who trained at Harvard Medical School, shared other science-based approaches to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. Everyone has felt the harms of these lockdownsthe psychological impact, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, professor of medicine at Stanford University, said. U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) criticized lockdowns for their psychological effects and derided the governors 10 p.m. regional curfew, saying scientists have apparently discovered that COVID can tell time. Dezyan Iranian-American veteran who owned Dezy Market in Orangevale, Sacramento County, before going bankrupt amid the pandemicsaid: I was forced to close my business, and I didnt know what to do. But the good thing about me is the United States Army taught us very well not to quit. So Im opening another business. Doctors Suggest Other Solutions During a panel discussion among doctors on the second day of the conference, Ladapo answered the question, If you had a magic wand, what would you change in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation? The fear-fueled decision-making, he said. Something that hasnt been fun to watch is the weaponization of science throughout this pandemic, and it stretches across many controversial areasfrom the effect of the lockdown, the role children play in transmission of COVID-19, debate of the effectiveness of the mask, the role of outpatient therapy. He said the medical community has become overcautious, preventing the use of potentially life-saving drugs that have shown beneficial results in randomized clinical trials. Doctors and researchers who speak to those benefits have been silenced or marginalized, he added. For diseases with established treatment options, holding out for certainty may be prudent. But when options are limited and there are safe treatments with evidence for effectiveness, holding out for certainty can be catastrophic, Ladapo wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled Too Much Caution Is Killing Covid Patients. Fareed agreed, saying, By far, for me, the worst thing has been the suppression of early treatment and the consideration of a number of [medicines] that can suppress the early viral replication and allow the individuals not to progress to be hospitalized and die. He said medications such as hydroxychloroquine, fluvoxamine, bromhexine, and ivermectin should be offered from the get-go and not be stigmatized as testing them continues. A pharmacy tech pours out pills of hydroxychloroquine at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on May 20, 2020. (George Frey/AFP via Getty Images) While people die from the CCP virus, doctors withhold promising treatments, Fareed said, and take the approach of its better safe than sorry. Both Fareed and Ladapo support vaccination against the CCP virus; they say the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and front-line medical workers, should receive vaccines first. Mental Toll of Lockdown Financial distress and isolation are causing serious mental health problems as a result of lockdowns, experts and business owners said at another panel discussion on Jan. 9. Christine Dariotis and her family run the Old Spaghetti Factory in Sacramento. Her 70-year-old husband grew up in the restaurant business, she said. Hes been battling stage 4 cancer and is currently being treated at a hospital in Texas. She has watched him deteriorate because of stress related to their business. She said people need to talk more about the emotional toll of the lockdowns. We were in Houston in February of 2020. My husband had full-body scans and a doctor visit then and the cancer was at bay, everything was status quo. And then when COVID hit and the shutdowns [happened]. To just see what it has done to him, the stress that hes been under, Ive never seen anything like it, Dariotis said. Unfortunately, we found out he had a tumor by May, and hes undergoing chemo now. A waitress delivers orders to diners seated outdoors under tents in a restaurants parking lot in Alhambra, Calif., on Nov. 17, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) Matthew Oliver is the owner of House of Oliver in Roseville, California, just north of Sacramento. He told the story of a mother who came to his restaurant with her 14-year-old daughter, who was recently released from hospital after attempting suicide. The daughter said, I just want to go somewhere where I can feel normal, Oliver recalled. Right now, we have an opportunity to be that resource, to be that hope for our community. Thats why its so vital that we stay open, Dictatorship Republican elected officials spoke against the Democratic governors response to the CCP virus. Your lifes workthe ability to put food on your familys table, keep a roof over your familys head[is being] brutally eradicated, McClintock said on the first day of the conference. He said people are being prevented from using your own best judgment. The virus should not be taken lightly, he said, although the problem is that we have fixated on one danger to the exclusion of all else. While he said hes worried about his 90-year-old mother catching the virus, she might have a stroke, get the flu, or experience negative effects from social isolation. Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said the governors actions exceed his authority. Its not consistent with democracy or representative government, he said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (L front) takes a tour of businesses in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, on June 3, 2020. (Genaro Molina/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) said: We use the analogy of a dictatorship in ancient Rome, which is exactly the way it works. When theres a state of emergency, you just literally forfeit all power and put it in the hands of one person. We think thats ultimately whats at stake in this case. Sutter County Superior Court Judge Sarah Heckman sided with Republican lawmakers in November who challenged Newsoms use of emergency powers to change voting laws by sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters. Though the legislature later passed a similar law, meaning the act of sending the ballots remains legal, Heckmans ruling stated that it was beyond the power of the governor to make such a change unilaterally. Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, said at the conference, that a state of emergency isnt a reason to neglect the Constitution. The Constitution is never on the shelf, he said. Since the onset of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which is sweeping the whole world, scientists have been sequencing the RNA genome of the virus. The viruss genome has undergone numerous and frequent changes, which have led to first one, and then another viral strain becoming dominant in some countries and now the world over. A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* describes the results of genomic sequencing of the virus, which may help trace the routes of transmission of the virus from person to person, and from country to country. Original sequencing results showed that the viral genome was very similar to two other SARS-like coronaviruses originally derived from bats, namely, RaTG13 and RmYN02, both from Yunnan province of China. Tracing SARS-CoV-2s descent confirmed its close identity with these viruses and also showed that it to be different from the earlier coronaviruses, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Some scientists think that the current virus might be descended from one of the bat variants through an intermediate host. The current study focused on over 4,000 full-length sequences of the viral genome retrieved from the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) EpiFlu database, for the most part. However, 11 came from a Chinese database. The sequences were uploaded over 14 weeks from the start of the Wuhan outbreak. The researchers looked at the mutations to characterize the genotypes. They also analyzed another ~2,61,000 genomes collected globally over the 12 months since the pandemic began. This comprises all the genomes in the database. Major genotypes identified in the study. (a) Unsupervised mutaion clustering of all samples. Mutations concurently called from at least 5 samples were included. 11 distinctive major mutation profiles were identified based on clustering tree branches and were named mainly based on the geographic locations where a certain genotype was initially or mainly reported from. The two-letter ISO country codes were used to indicate the countries associated with the mutation profiles (as shown at lower color bar). The upper color bar demonstrates genotypic homogeneity within each clustering tree branch. (b) Pedigree chart of major genotypes. In combination of mutation clustering and available epidemiologic information, 11 distinctive main genotypes were characterized and the pedigree chart demonstrated the relationship of each genotype. The genotypes from Diamond Princess and Grand Princess derived from M type and SEA type respectively, were indicated with dashed arrows. Superspreaders introduced distinct genotypes The researchers were able to identify distinct genotypes based on how commonplace certain mutations were. This helped trace superspreaders since they shaped the pandemic to a large extent. These individuals passed on specific genotypes with certain highly prevalent mutations. A single introduction of such genotypes led to an outbreak of infection, increasing evolution with spread. Among these superspreader genomic sequences, the M type variant accounted for over 80% of the sequences in the study. From their estimates of the expected rate of substitutions in the genome, the researchers conclude that this can be called a true founder effect rather than being due to many identical superspreading genomes. Six descendant genotypes They found six descendant genotypes that were directly derived from the ancestral strain via characteristic mutations. The most prevalent genotype among these was the WE1 type, defined by four mutations. Three of the four defining mutations of the WE1 strain were found in three early samples collected in January 2020. Among WE1 genomes, 70% came from Western Europe (the UK, Iceland, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, perhaps by traffic across the borders. It also made up ~35% of cases in the US. The SEA type is the most common in the USA, however, but was isolated from three other countries, namely, Australia, Canada, and Iceland, indicating that cases from the USA had been imported there. This is also called the Washington State outbreak clade. The other four descendant genotypes were confined regionally. Looking at the mutations of the infective strains in four areas, the researchers concluded that the M type spread from Wuhan to other regions in China before the Wuhan lockdown. Examining 34 sequences from early Wuhan cases showed two clusters, 30 belonging to the M type, but with extensive diversity. The remaining four formed another co-circulating cluster. Thus, at this early stage, there were 18 different genotypes among the 34 sequences. In the USA, the prevalent strains belonged to the non-M types, probably from 12 cases imported from the Hubei province. These, in fact, were the earliest cases reported in the USA, with each showing a distinct genotype. Half the US cases were SEA type, while ~35% were WE1. It indicates that the USA endured the first wave of case importation from China and the second wave from Europe, which is consistent with the recent COVID-19 study of Washington State. Among the 32 patients on the two cruise ships, the Grand Princess and the Diamond Princess, there were 25 different genotypes. This indicates that the virus mutates rapidly and extensively during person-to-person transmission. Strain of origin algorithm more accurate The researchers developed a Strain of Origin (SOO) algorithm to match each genotype to its genome by mutational profile. When compared with mutation clustering, this approach showed a 90% agreement. SOO represents a more accurate approach to define genotypes as it only takes into consideration the specific mutations of the particular genotypes with little influence from the rest random mutations. Using the same approach, they found that three of the top four GISAID clades were descendants of WE1. They estimated that one of three nucleotides in the viral RNA had undergone mutation over the 12 months of the pandemic. The story of the pandemic They analyzed the top 100 mutations and generated a lineage-based pedigree chart. This story begins with a putative first case, supposed to be a patient with an ancestral SARS-CoV-2 genotype, and postulated to be present on November 17, 2019. This led to more infections. By January 1, 2020, the Huanan market was locked down, and 19 M type genome samples were documented. However, the M type had already been incubating in the market for weeks, which accounts for the vast majority of genomes belonging to the M type at this time. With the expansion of the outbreak into Wuhan city at large, the city was locked down on January 23, 2020, with 80% of the viral genomes being of the M type. However, the Spring Festival had already prompted extensive travel to and from Wuhan, leading to the Chinese and then the global outbreak of COVID-19. By April 7, 2020, more than 80% of cases worldwide were M type, but in September, 70% belonged to WE1, in three clades, namely, GR, G, and GH. The rise in M type continued, making up ~98% of cases by December 25, with almost 90% being caused by WE1 strains. The importance of the study The researchers conclude that beginning with a single superspreader incident, the M type exploded over the world, following a few initial weeks when it passed unrecognized and uncontrolled. The M type acquired two concurrent mutations first, with another four defining mutations that led to the emergence of WE1 strains, and finally, another three that led to the WE1.1 strain. The rate of viral evolution, at ~27 substitutions per year, is not unusual, but the mechanism is still unclear. Of the two new mutant strains attracting much attention, namely, the D614G point mutation and the N501Y mutation in the receptor-binding domain, both in the spike protein, are thought to be highly transmissible compared to the ancestral strain. The former was first documented in Western Europe in February 2020 and now makes up ~90% of strains, while the latter was first found in New York City on April 21, 2020, and makes up only 0.02% of cases. The researchers caution that this study does not allow neutral mutations to be distinguished from adaptive mutations. However, they say, the genotypes of this virus serve as unique identifiers, helping to trace the transmission pattern of the virus backwards and reveal its pattern of expansion forwards. They point out that their algorithm can help correlate the viral genome to the genotype, if known, very accurately, aligning with its mutation profile. New genotypes can also be incorporated into it as they arise to further improve its performance. This study not only provides an unprecedented window into the global transmission trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 in the early phase, but also reveals the subsequent expansion patterns of the pandemic. Large-scale genomic sequencing could therefore be very helpful in tracing such patterns in an outbreak caused by a new pathogen, helping to develop rapid countermeasures to contain it in the worst-hit areas. *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. ADVERTISEMENT A cross-section of customers have commended Polaris Bank for its payment of US dollars to beneficiaries of money transfer in line with the Central Bank of Nigerias (CBN) recent payout policy directive. The Bank noted, shortly after it sent out notices to customers that beneficiaries of money transfer who received their remittance in US dollars in cash or directly into domiciliary account have been very impressed with the Banks seamless service. 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Flown by four women pilots, the first non-stop flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru landed at Kempegowda International airport in Bengaluru at 3.07 am on Monday, flying over the North Pole and covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometers. The flight was operated by an all-women cockpit crew of Captain Zoya Aggarwal (P1), Captain Papagari Thanmai (P1), Captain Akansha Sonaware (P2) and Captain Shivani Manhas (P2), who responded to the cheers and clapping by showing the thumbs-up sign. In an interview with CNN-News18, Captain Zoya Agarwal, the Commander of that historic flight, talks about her journey in becoming a pilot when there were very few women to climbing up the ladder. The captain of the all-women flight crew shared her experience of creating a historic moment for India. ALSO READ: Air India Operates over 50 'All-women Crew' Flights on International Women's Day Excerpts from the interview here: Captain Zoya, so so glad to meet you because back home, here in India, we were all cheering for your commendable feat. We were so happy about it. Its a symbolic moment. What did it feel like to command a historic flight such as this and what was your team feeling at the moment? I believe the entire world was looking upon the North Pole as we were in the air and I got to know about all this after we landed. I think there was a fervour in the air, there was a lot of excitement and of course there was a lot of excitement, a lot of responsibility. We were training for it for the last 3 days, we were preparing in SF non-stop at it, just making sure, tying up all the loose ends. At the end of the day, we were the first people, first set of women pilots, Bharat ki betiyaan who were flying across North Pole for Air India; one of the worlds longest flight for Air India, any Indian carrier. It was a matter of great responsibility and pride and it was crazily exciting. However we had to hold back on our nerves, stay calm and stay positive, pray a lot because to go polar wouldve meant that you need to have a lot of weather gods looking up, you know, at least ...So you wouldve had to have the weather absolutely perfect to go polar. There are so many other parameters over and above the normal flight which need to be met in case you have to go polar and there are a lot of other requirements that also have to be met. So we were just praying and hoping. I think, not just me but the entire senior management of Air India, our CMD, our Director of Operations, the Government of India, the MOCA, everyone was looking up at the weather gods to make this polar flight happen and as it were to happen. This dream, indeed, is a reality now and were extremely happy about it. Your happiness and your passion is contagious indeed. So let me tell you about this particular flight. The aircraft Boeing 777-200LR is one that is capable of connecting point A to point B anywhere in the world and which is why this was the longest flight to India by any Indian carrier. And you were also the first woman pilot to fly over the North Pole and the youngest woman pilot in India to say so. Your journey is beautiful. Tell us something about that. Before that, I think you have stolen those words from my announcement because every single time I do make an announcement, and I always make an in-flight announcement because I feel for me to reach out to my passengers is by the way of making announcements. I always announce that this beautiful airplane that youre flying in is a Boeing 777-200LR which is capable of connecting any two points on the globe. So I think youve probably heard that. Im from a very humble background as a matter of fact. But from the very beginning, I used to sit on top of my terrace and I was always a night bird. Now that Im with Air India, I only work in the night and day time is like you know when I sleep because international flying is such. I used to sit on top, looking upon the sky, star gazing and I would spot those jet planes and I would always wonder looking upon those jumbo jets, "Would I ever be able to fly one of them? I came from moderate, humble backgrounds and I was an only child. Being the era I grew up in, it took a lot of courage and guts to come out. I remember the tears in my moms eyes when I told her for the first time that I wanted to become a pilot. She was like oh, whos going to get married and have children? and I said Mom! You know, this is what I want to do. Then I enrolled in St. Stephens college. I burned the midnight oil, shuttling between my college studies and my aviation studies. Then my parents eventually saw that dedication, the zeal, the perseverance in me and eventually they gave up. They realised that this is what I really want to do. And, there started my journey of flying. Its been an exciting and overwhelming journey. When I joined Air India I was amongst the first few women pilots. There were hardly a handful of young women pilots, and I was a little girl who came from nowhere and I made my way up. Air India has been an extremely equal opportunity employer and I would say that I have learned a lot and I have risen to the position of being a 777 Captain who has commanded a flight over the North Pole in 2021 and I think that definitely gives a great start to the year. Its been a commendable journey for me, definitely filled with a lot of struggles, a lot of hopes and dreams. But, by God's grace, I have been able to achieve them with my parents' blessings and everybody elses blessings and Im extremely happy about it. ALSO READ: 'Happy and Proud': Air India Flight's All-woman Crew Welcomed by Elated Crowd in Bengaluru Well thats lovely to hear. You know women achievers like you have to break the glass ceiling more times than one. We were discussing off-camera as well about how there was always a perception about women, we were not very gracefully accepted back then. Yes Now it's a different society. Now Im sure when there are little girls watching you right now as we speak, they would want to become pilots. What is your message to them? Zeba, a few years back till maybe half a decade back, a lot of the worlds major carriers would not even accept women as their pilots because theres a lot fo financial cost that's associated, which is understandable from their perspective, however it does look like a discriminatory act. Air India, however, has been extremely accommodating and equal opportunity. They have given women a chance to break the glass ceiling. In 2013, I was a captain on 777 and it was a record of all sorts for me. Its amazing what a woman sets her eyes on, you can achieve it despite a society that is very limiting. Where we come from, we are taught to walk behind or in the shadows of the men or of the elderly, to break out its not a thought that a lot of little girls would go through, especially in the rural areas. In fact, I go to so many schools and so many of these young girls are struggling with the dilemmas of what they want to do in life vis-a-vis what they are expected to do in life. And you know what my message is to them? I tell them, I write impossible as a word to them, I put it on the board, and I say how do you read that word and some of them simply read the word impossible. But there are a couple of them, amongst those 50-100 children, and they will read I-M-Possible and I see myself in them. But my job doesn't stop there, I tell the remaining 98, Hey, do not stop dreaming, believe in yourself because remember every great reality begins with a great dream and every great dream begins with a great dreamer and that is you. So keep dreaming, stay focussed, stay driven and youll get there. Thats an amazing message to all the young girls. It was an all-women crew, your entire team was filled with girl power, there was a lot of girl power yesterday and I can see so many appreciation letters that were left by passengers who were on board this very remarkable, landmark flight. So, what was the team feeling at that time? What about your co-pilot? What was their mindset at this time? Everyone was supercharged. I was myself so electrified, that everyone that was to be with me was equally electrified if not more because I feel the effervescence was about passing on, you know its always about passing on the torch. And, I always like to feel when you have a team even if there's a certain amount of nervousness or hesitation, it's up to how you motivate the rest of the team, right? So, my girls, I call them polar girls, were super amazing. Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware, and Captain Shivani Manhas were amazing girls and I am truly grateful to each and every single one of them to make this flight memorable, to make our first maiden polar journey memorable, to make Air Indias longest flight an amazing experience because it's all about teamwork and I think we all did it well and in a very happy, excitable and it was an awesome flight. Indonesia has extended its ban on foreign arrivals for another 14 days in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, said a report. The government has said the reason for the stricter measures against international visitors, which were imposed on January 1, was to try to keep out the new Covid-19 variant first detected in Britain, news agency WAM reported. On December 31, just a few hours before Britain definitively exited the European Union, Spain and the United Kingdom, along with Gibraltarian representatives included in the British delegation, reached a preliminary agreement that will change relations between the British Overseas Territory and Spain more significantly than any other event of the past 300 years. Gibraltar, which sits at the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, was ceded to Britain in 1713 during the War of Spanish Succession, although disputes over sovereignty and jurisdiction issues remain to this day. In the Brexit referendum of 2016, Gibraltarians overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU. Eliminating the physical barriers between Spain and Gibraltar will require reinforcing harmonization Framework agreement on Gibraltar In a statement released on December 31, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab described the new agreement as a political framework to form the basis of a separate treaty between the UK and the EU regarding Gibraltar. He said the document would be sent to the European Commission to initiate negotiations on a formal treaty reflecting the contents of the deal. The document describing this preliminary agreement, to which EL PAIS has had access, contemplates demolishing any physical barrier between the British territory and Spain, in a reference to the 1.2-kilometer boundary separating Gibraltar from the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion, in Cadiz province. This border has traditionally been known as La Verja, or the fence, and it was closed for 13 years under Franco, from 1969 to 1982. Customs checks are conducted by officials on both sides, and greater border fluidity has been a long-standing demand of local residents and businesses. The Proposed framework for a future EU-UK legal instrument setting out Gibraltars future relationship with the EU also talks about implementing a double-key system (controlled by both Gibraltarian and Spanish officers) for entry through the port and airport of Gibraltar, which would in effect be joining the Schengen area, a European free-travel zone made up of 26 countries (22 from the EU, plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein). As a part of this zone, the international boundary would no longer be at La Verja, but at Gibraltars port and airport. The UK is not a part of Schengen. The document, to be distributed to the 27 members of the European Union, contains guidelines for negotiating a formal treaty on Gibraltar that should be ready to enter into force six months from now. These are the main points of the agreement: Sovereignty. Articles 1 and 3 underscore that the framework is without prejudice to the issue of sovereignty and jurisdiction of Gibraltar, and that the future treaty will safeguard the respective positions of Spain and the UK on this matter. In his letter presenting the agreement, the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow demands effective bridging arrangements to prevent new barriers in relations between the EU and Gibraltar while work on the future treaty is underway. Mobility. According to the preliminary agreement, the future treaty will contain provisions to enable the implementation of the most relevant aspects of the Schengen acquis in order to eliminate controls on the movement of people between Gibraltar and the Schengen area, by eliminating all physical barriers. Role of Spain. Spain, as a member of Schengen, will be in charge of the implementation of relevant Schengen checks. These will not be implemented by the UK (Gibraltar). The document insists that Spain will be responsible before the EU for applying the relevant aspects of Schengen in Gibraltar, including the Schengen Borders Code and the protection of its external limits. Double key for entry. Gibraltar will be the first to decide whether to allow or deny entry to a traveler, using its own database. After that, Spain will decide whether it allows or denies entry into the Schengen area (which Gibraltar will be a part of), using the Schengen database. Both decisions will be cumulative, reads the text, meaning that both authorizations will be required to enter Gibraltar. Port and airport. Spain and Gibraltar will conduct people and baggage checks at the port facilities, besides other controls on cruise ships and at the marina. Similar procedures will apply to air travelers. Spanish and Gibraltarian officers will share office space at an airport facility created for this purpose, according to the text. Transition period. During a reasonable period of implementation lasting four years, Spain will seek operational assistance from Frontex, the European border agency, to conduct tasks relating to Schengen controls and the protection of external borders, in what will be a joint mission. In the event that, after four years, one of the parties (Spain or the UK, including Gibraltarians) is not happy with the results, the agreement will be terminated following a period of consultations. Visas. Spanish embassies and consulates will have the power to issue short-term Schengen visas of up to 90 days to people seeking to enter the European border-free area through Gibraltar. Spain will inform Gibraltar of the visas it has issued, and the latter must align itself with the EUs visa policy. Spanish embassies and consulates will also issue long-term visas of more than 90 days to people with permits granting them residency in Gibraltar, although they could be delivered to applicants through the corresponding British embassy. Spain will also be in charge of handling ETIAS, the new European Union Travel Authorization System due to go into effect in 2022, and which will introduce security screening and entry fees for travelers to the EU from countries whose citizens do not require a visa. Residence permits. Gibraltar authorities will be able to issue residence permits that will only be valid to reside in Gibraltar. The document warns that Gibraltarian authorities must take into account any potential opposition formulated by Spain. The government of Gibraltar must guarantee that its residency policy will adapt to Spanish and European standards, and be based on the existence of real links with Gibraltar. Return and asylum. Travelers rejected at the border in Gibraltar will be subject to Schengen rules on sending them back to their countries of origin. Gibraltarian authorities will have the power to grant asylum, but their decision will be subject to consultation with the European Commission to ascertain that it aligns with EU legislation. Judicial and police cooperation. Spain and Gibraltar will conduct joint surveillance of external borders through fluid judicial and police cooperation that will be reinforced. Customs union. The future treaty will include a bespoke solution based on adapting the EUs customs union to Gibraltar, which had been excluded from the border-free zone until now. The customs checkpoint at La Verja will be eliminated, but there will be a need for safeguards to avoid distortion in the internal market, particularly in the economy of the nearby Spanish region of Andalusia. To that effect, Gibraltar will have to apply substantially the same duties and trade policy measures as the EU, which includes customs, excise and value-added tax legislation, prohibitions and restrictions for security reasons, and sharing reliable statistics on its imports with the EU. Safeguard mechanism. Specific customs procedures will be formalized on Spanish territory, although there will be control points at the port and airport of Gibraltar. Customs officials from Spain and Gibraltar will work together to monitor the latters imports. A mechanism will be implemented to monitor the application of EU customs legislation, and if breaches are detected, controls could be reintroduced. Eliminating the physical barriers between Spain and Gibraltar will require reinforcing harmonization, says the document, adding that the small volume of goods moving from Gibraltar to the EU should mean that the paperwork will not represent an excessive administrative burden. Tobacco. The document discusses excise duties for sensitive products (tobacco, alcohol and fuel) and the need to adopt measures that will guarantee a level playing field and ensure the traceability of tobacco products. The document calls for administrative agreements between Spain and Gibraltar authorities to develop mutual cooperation in this area. Environment. Gibraltar, says the text, will not adopt or maintain any measure that weakens the EUs environmental protection levels. Mutual cooperation on this issue will be reinforced. Cohesion fund. The agreement could include the creation of a financial cohesion mechanism between Gibraltar and the surrounding Campo de Gibraltar covering training. skills and employment. The EUs funds could contribute to this mechanism. Cross-border workers. The definition will be as broad as possible and include both employees and self-employed workers. They will be guaranteed the same treatment as nationals in terms of employment, pay and working conditions. Their work permit will give them preferential access to the labor market regardless of their situation, working authorization will not be limited by types of occupation, and it will be possible to change employers. The application may be filed either by the worker or the employer, and just the fact of filing it could include the right to personal mobility as part of the job-seeking process. Successful applicants will receive a physical document accrediting that they are cross-border workers. Social Security. The agreement will include a chapter on coordinating social security benefits for individuals who work in Gibraltar and reside in Spain and vice-versa. Provisions will be similar to those included in the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK, and never inferior in terms of protection levels and rights. Personal data. In order to facilitate the flow of personal data, European legislation on this matter will continue to apply to Gibraltar, while adapting to any changes. Dispute resolution. Differences over the implementation of the agreement will be arbitrated by a dispute mechanism agreed to in the general Brexit treaty between London and Brussels. English version by Susana Urra. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BEIJING Chinas state media lashed out at the latest move on Taiwan by the departing Trump administration, accusing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of seeking to maliciously inflict a long-lasting scar on China-U.S. ties. A writer for the official Xinhua News Agency also said in a commentary Sunday that the lifting of longstanding restrictions on U.S. government contacts with Taiwanese counterparts proves that Pompeo is only interested in stoking unwarranted confrontations, and has no interest in world peace. Another commentary posted online by CGTN, the English-language channel of state broadcaster CCTV, called Pompeos announcement a cowardly act of sabotage of the next U.S. administration. The Trump administration, in its continuing efforts to burn the house down before leaving office, has crossed a dangerous red line with China days before incoming President Joe Biden takes office, the commentary read in part. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Biden takes office on Jan. 20. There was no immediate comment from the Chinese government on Pompeos decision to end State Department restrictions on how U.S. officials can interact with Taiwan, which he said had been implemented to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. No more, Pompeo declared in a statement Saturday. Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions. Taiwan is a sensitive issue for Chinas ruling Communist Party, which considers the self-governing island of 23.6 million people a renegade province that should be brought under its rule. Under the one-China policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the government of China and doesnt have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, it maintains unofficial contacts including a de facto embassy in Taipei, the capital, and supplies military equipment for the islands defense. Taiwans leaders welcomed Pompeos announcement. We are expressing our gratitude toward the U.S. for speaking out and supporting Taiwan, Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters. We also hope to interact actively with each other further, so that Taiwan could have an even bigger space in the international society. He and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, who thanked Pompeo on Twitter, emphasized the values of freedom and democracy shared by Taiwan and the U.S. a contrast to Chinas authoritarian one-party state. Pompeos announcement came two days after he said he would send Kelly Craft, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, to Taiwan for meetings this week. She is due to arrive on Wednesday. Crafts trip follows one by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in August, the first Cabinet member to visit Taiwan since 2014, and another by Under Secretary of State Keith Krach in September. China, which opposes Taiwan having its own foreign relations, sharply criticizes all such interaction. It stepped up aerial patrols off Taiwan last year and used its diplomatic clout to block Taiwan from participating in international forums, such as the World Health Organizations annual meeting. Hu Xijin, the editor of Chinas state-owned Global Times newspaper, tweeted that if Pompeos announcement is the new starting point for Americas Taiwan policy, it will also mark the start of the countdown for the survival of Taiwans government. (Chinas) fighter jets can fly over Taiwan island anytime, he tweeted. The option of using military means to solve (the) Taiwan question will also be put on the table. Hus tweet was later deleted, but the reason was not clear. Pompeo said that the U.S. maintains relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and that Taiwan is no exception. ___ Associated Press writer Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (January 11, 2021) heard a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing farmers' protests at the borders of the national capital. The bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde criticized the Central government for its handling of farmers' protests. It said that either the implementation of these statutes be held back or the top court itself will proceed to do so on the recommendation of a court-appointed committee which is to be constituted. Here are the top highlights of the Supreme Court's hearing: - The SC said that it doesn't think that the Centre is handling the issue correctly. - The bench said that it has to take some action today as it doesn't think that the Centre is being effective. - It observed that if the laws are put on hold, then negotiations will have a chance to work out. - The bench headed by CJI said that it is extremely disappointed with the negotiation process and don't want to make any stray observations on Centre's negotiations but are extremely disappointed with the process. - The CJI also told the lawyers of the farmers to ask the protesting old men, women and children to go back home. "I am taking a risk and making a personal request. Please convey this message to them," CJI Bobde said. - The bench stated that it doesn't see why there is an insistence on implementation of the law. It added, "We are not experts on the economy and you (Centre) tell us whether you are going to hold on these laws or we will do this?" - The top court asked the parties to suggest two-three names of former CJIs including former CJI RM Lodha who can head the apex court-appointed panel. - The bench said that till date it has not been told anything by the Centre on the proposal given by the top court to keep the implementation of these laws at abeyance for some time. - It suggested that stay on implementation of these laws will help the committee in finding a solution. - The bench told the advocates appearing for various farmer organisations that after the implementation of farm laws are put on stay, they can carry on protest. "We don't want anyone to say that we stifled the protest," added the bench. Notably, thousands of farmers have camped at the Delhi borders since late November in 2020 and have been protesting against the three laws that were enacted in September - The Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. (@ChaudhryMAli88) DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Jan, 2021) The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) revealed that the list of generic medicines currently available in the UAEs pharmaceutical market includes 6,176 products, while the number of factories operating in the medical and pharmaceutical industry reached 16 factories, in addition to 3 other factories working in the fields of intravenous fluids, laboratories, and medical supplies. "Such numbers clearly reflect the flexible and attractive legislation and investment environment and the availability of experiences, research capabilities, initiatives, and incentives that help establish competitive medical and pharmaceutical industries," MoHAP added. "The provision of generic drugs enables patients to receive appropriate and affordable treatment, owing to the lower costs of these medicines by 60% compared to the originally branded medicines," said Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, the Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Preventions Public Health Policy and Licenses. Al-Amiri pointed to the ministrys keenness to expand the UAE- manufactured generic drugs and to pave the way for local plants to focus on manufacturing new and innovative medicines in various fields, in addition to updating the manufacturing policies to cope with the international developments. This is in line with the attention paid by the UAE to drug safety as a strategic priority, especially in times of crisis and pandemics. Concluding his remarks, Al-Amiri underlined that the UAEs health policies encourage the manufacturing of innovative medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials and vaccines in order to achieve self-sufficiency. This is achieved by stimulating the investment in this sector, expanding the cooperation with global pharmaceutical companies, and enticing highly competent and skilled workforce and state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Earlier, the Health Ministry issued Ministerial Decree 321 of 2020 which regulates the use of data and information related to innovative pharmaceutical products registered inside the UAE. According to the decree, the data exclusivity period is set to 8 years from the date of marketing approval inside the UAE, while generic companies can apply for marketing approval within the last 2 years from the end of the Data Exclusivity Period, provided they produce evidence on the absence of valid patent protection of the originator drug inside the UAE. Decree 321 leaves a space for MoHAP to grant exceptions to generic companies, despite the Data Exclusivity Period, for public health or other reasons which are decided on a case-by-case basis. NEW YORK, NY (Jan. 11, 2021)--Thousands of different genetic mutations have been implicated in cancer, but a new analysis of almost 10,000 patients found that regardless of the cancer's origin, tumors could be stratified in only 112 subtypes and that, within each subtype, the Master Regulator proteins that control the cancer's transcriptional state were virtually identical, independent of the specific genetic mutations of each patient. The study, published Jan. 11 in Cell, confirms that Master Regulators provide the molecular logic that integrates the effect of many different and patient-specific mutations to implement the transcriptional state of a specific tumor subtype, thus greatly expanding the fraction of patients who may respond to the same treatment. More specifically, rather than looking for drugs targeting mutated genes associated with increasingly smaller patient subsets, the new study suggests that a much larger fraction of patients may respond to novel drug classes designed to target Master Regulator proteins. The new analysis of thousands of tumors from all types of cancers also found that the key genetic programs necessary for the survival of cancer cells are mechanistically controlled by only 24 Master Regulator modules--dubbed MR-Blocks--each one comprising just a handful of such proteins working in concert. The analysis, which has the potential to streamline and improve cancer treatment in the future, was led by Andrea Califano, Dr., Cory Abate-Shen, PhD, and Mariano Alverez, PhD, at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. "In today's personalized medicine, we try to identify which one out of thousands of possible genetic mutations or, even worse, mutational patterns may have triggered an individual's disease, and then we hope we have drugs that can target the activity of the related proteins," says Califano, the Clyde and Helen Wu Professor of Chemical and Systems Biology and chair of systems biology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. "But instead of requiring drugs targeting each different mutation, our study suggests that we may just need a few dozen different drugs that can target MR-Blocks," he adds. "Identifying the handful of MR-Blocks that are active in each individual's cancer will guide us in selecting the most appropriate drug or drug combination to treat them," Califano says. This hypothesis is already being tested in a number of clinical trials, including in breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors, as well as in the Columbia Precision Oncology Initiative, a large-scale program aiming to assess the value of genomic, immunotherapeutic, and Master Regulator-based treatments in 3,000 patients across eight aggressive tumor types. Personalized Therapy Benefits Only a Few Cancer Patients Most cancer patients receive the same treatment, which has been tested on thousands and thousands of patients. When those options fail, however, patients may opt for a personalized approach, which involves identifying the genetic mutations in the patient's tumor to guide the selection of drugs that target those mutations. But few patients actually draw benefit from this approach, Califano says, because most tumors lack druggable mutations and the few that have them often fail to respond or relapse rapidly following an initial response. "Relying solely on the identification of genetic mutations to guide personalized treatment has not turned out to be the slam-dunk that we were all hoping for. Large-scale studies have shown that only to 5% to 10% of patients benefit and most of them eventually progress to a drug-resistant form of the tumor. Additional approaches are thus sorely needed," he explains. "For instance, targeting the oncogene BRAF with inhibitors such as vemurafinib provides extraordinary short-term response in melanoma patients with mutations in this gene. Yet relapse occurs within a few months, such that little if any overall survival benefit is observed." Califano and his colleagues have focused on a different approach to personalized therapy. Using advanced mathematics and physics-based methodologies to model complicated biological systems, such as the molecular interactions that implement the biological logic of the cell, Califano and his team crunch data from thousands of cancer samples to understand how genetic mutations influence the activity of all of the proteins in a malignant cell. Indeed, genes are important only because they represent the blueprint to make proteins, while the latter are the molecules that preside over specific functions in the cell, including turning a normal cell into a tumor. "If you model the cell like a complex electronic circuit, it becomes easy to identify the specific components where the aberrant signals arising from mutated genes eventually converge," he says. "Rather than the individual mutations, these components represent the most universal vulnerabilities of the cancer cell." Many of these points of convergence are proteins that ultimately determine the cell's fate, even though they are rarely affected by mutations. Califano calls these proteins, which are both necessary and sufficient for cancer cell maintenance across virtually all cancers, "Master Regulators." "You can think of Master Regulators as the narrow opening at the bottom of a funnel," he says. "The top of the funnel collects the effects of all relevant genetic mutations in the cell and 'canalizes' them into that narrow opening. "We think it will be more effective and efficient to simply plug the end of the funnel, by targeting one or more Master Regulators, than to target all the mutated proteins feeding into it." Master Regulator Blocks Though master regulators have been identified in several specific cancers, the new study looked for Master Regulators across 20 different cancer types, as well as for any overlap they may have across multiple cancers. To accomplish this goal, Califano's team developed a computational tool called Multi-Omics Master-Regulator Analysis (MOMA) to analyze gene expression and gene alterations in tumors. They used MOMA to analyze 9,738 tissue samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas repository of the National Cancer Institute. The analysis identified 407 Master Regulators across the various cancers and found that these are organized into only 24 unique and highly interconnected modules, or Master Regulator Blocks (MR-Blocks). Each MR-Block contains only a handful of Master Regulators working in concert to control particular hallmarks of cancer cell behavior. For example, MR-Block:2, the most frequently activated block in the most aggressive cancers, comprises 14 regulators of cell growth, DNA repair, cell division, and cell proliferation. Activation of this block was found to be predictive of poor outcomes in many different types of cancer. In contrast, MR-Block:24 was found to be associated with inflammatory programs and immune response and was thus a predictor of good outcome in melanoma. On average, between two and six MR-Blocks were activated in each individual tumor. Targeting MR-Blocks as Therapy Califano's team also demonstrated that the activity of MR-Blocks in cell lines could be modulated with drugs, favorably affecting cell behavior in several types of cancer. Targeting MR-blocks, rather than individual mutated proteins, promises to potentially prevent cancer cells from developing resistance, since individual MR-Blocks capture the effect of an extremely large number of potential mutations in their upstream pathways, which would otherwise inevitably lead to drug resistance. "We've shown that if you target MR-Blocks, it's very hard for the cell to go around the blockade," Califano says. "The cell would have to reprogram itself, and that's something that a cell doesn't like to do and most often, albeit with some exceptions, of course, leads to cell death." Califano envisions that in the future, each patient's cancer may be decomposed into its specific MR-Blocks and be treated with drugs designed to target them, either individually or in combination. The good news is that a tumor needs to aberrantly activate and inactivate many genetic programs to survive. Thus, even targeting just one of several MR-Blocks is likely to induce cancer cell demise, Califano says. Unfortunately, even though the technology to readily identify which MR-Blocks are active in a patient's cancer already exists, few if any drugs have been developed specifically to target them. As a result, Califano's lab developed algorithms to assess the ability of existing drugs to inhibit or activate individual MR-blocks. For instance, the study shows that four FDA-approved and experimental drugs already exist that are capable of activating MR-Block:14 in prostate cancer, thus dramatically reducing the cell's ability to migrate and metastasize. Drugs designed specifically to target Master Regulators should outperform existing drugs, Califano says. As a result, a number of collaborations are under way to start developing this new class of inhibitors despite the fact that, until very recently, Master Regulators were considered to be largely "undruggable" proteins. "This is a new concept, so there's been little development of such drugs," Califano says. "But we're already testing drug candidates, and initial validation in both pre-clinical and clinical studies has very much exceeded our expectations" ### More Information Andrea Califano also is director of the JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The study is titled "A Modular Master Regulator Landscape Controls Cancer Transcriptional Identity." Other contributors: Evan O. Paull (Columbia University), Alvaro Aytes (Columbia and Catalan Institute of Oncology, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain), Sunny J. Jones (Columbia), Prem S. Subramaniam (Columbia), Federico M. Giorgi (University of Bologna, Italy), Eugene F. Douglass (Columbia), Somnath Tagore (Columbia), Brennan Chu (Columbia), Alessandro Vasciaveo (Columbia), Siyuan Zheng (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center), Roel Verhaak (Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine), Cory Abate-Shen (Columbia), and Mariano J. Alvarez (DarwinHealth). The research was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (R35-CA197745, U54-CA209997, U01-CA168426, R01-CA173481, R01-CA196662, S10-OD012351, and S10-OD0217640); Instituto de Salud Carlos III/Ministerio de Asuntos Economicos y Transformacion Digital (Spain); and a Fundacion BBVA-Young Investigator Award. The authors report the following conflicts of interest: Andrea Califano is founder, equity holder, consultant, and director of DarwinHealth, a company that has licensed from Columbia University some of the algorithms used in this manuscript. Mariano J. Alvarez is chief scientific officer and equity holder at DarwinHealth. Columbia University Irving Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Irving Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cuimc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org. Elvis Presley was a lot of things over the course of his decades-long career. According to his fans, he was the king of rock and roll. To his music industry colleagues, few were as accomplished as him, winning numerous Grammy awards (including earning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award when he was only in his mid-30s) and breaking records for the most top-performing albums ever on the Billboard charts. While his musical career is what the world focuses on, theres one shocking fact about Elvis star-studded career: In an alternate life, Elvis says he might never have been a rock-and-roll celebrity. Elvis Presley smiles with a toy gun | Getty Images Elvis Presley was fascinated by guns and law enforcement Sandwiched between the release of his King Creole album and his Elvis is Back! album, Presley served in the U.S. Army from March 1958 to March 1960. But this was hardly the only instance where Presleys time and energy was devoted to guns and law enforcement. In fact, the king of rock and roll was also the king of collecting police memorabilia and guns. In fact, according to the Smithsonian, Presley once spent more than $100,000 on handguns for Christmas presents. He also loved to collect police and law enforcement items, and maintained an extensive collection of police badges. The Smithsonian reports that Presley was so obsessed, he once wrote to President Richard Nixon. Presley volunteered his celebrity status and endorsements if Nixon would give him a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs officer badge. The king traveled to Washington, DC, with his collection of police badges and guns, met with Nixon, and got his wish: A federal badge. However, this obsession was more than just about collecting police memorabilia. The King wanted to be a police officer RELATED: Richard Nixon Once Gave Elvis Presley a Very Surprising Gift After He Called the Beatles Anti-American Before he was wooing millions of fans on stage, Presley dreamed about being a police officer. If Elvis Presley had not grown up to be the King of Rock n Roll, theres a chance he would have been a police officer, such was his deep respect for law enforcement, reports Australias Official Elvis Presley Fan Club. As a youngster, Presley wanted to grow up to be a policeman, according to press accounts in the 70s. And one retired deputy police chief, Denvers Robert Cantwell, agreed. He always thought he would become a police officer, the late Cantwell told Colorado Public Radio back in 1977. However, Presley told Cantwell that his childhood career dreams changed because God blessed him with a voice. But in a twist of surprising fate, Presley got his wish. Elvis Presley actually became a police officer before he died RELATED: Elvis Presley Had a Strange Habit of Impersonating Law Enforcement and Pulling Over Speeders According to Cantwells book The Elvis Presley I Knew, as reported by the Elvis Presley Fan Club, Presley grew so close to the Denver police force that he was named an honorary captain of the force. The Denver police even gave Elvis a Denver police captains uniform, which Elvis wore as a disguise, reports the historians at the Denver Public Library. When Presley passed away, the Denver police force even broadcast news of his death on their police radio network. And thats not all. The fan club also points out that Presley was named an honorary chief deputy by the Memphis sheriffs department, and the National Security Archive reports that Nixon named Presley a federal agent at large. Leave it to Presley to achieve both of his dream careers. The King was quite the character. Yemen, China, Cuba top Mike Pompeo to-do list as time runs down International oi-Madhuri Adnal Washington, Jan 11: As time runs down on the Trump administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top aides are rushing to complete actions they believe will cement the legacy of the president and themselves, according to U.S. officials. In the coming days, Pompeo is poised to announce new measures against Yemen''s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and likely re-designate Cuba as a "state sponsor of terrorism," according to three officials. Both moves will impose or re-impose sanctions on the targets and may complicate the incoming Biden administration''s diplomacy and could be announced as early as later Sunday or Monday, the officials said. The officials were not authorized to discuss the steps publicly because they have not yet been announced and spoke on condition of anonymity. The expected announcements will follow a surprise step that Pompeo took on Saturday when he declared restrictions on U.S. diplomatic contacts with Taiwanese officials to be null and void, angering China which regards the island as a renegade province. In addition, Pompeo plans before leaving office on Jan. 20 to draw explicit links between Iran and al-Qaida and hit more Iranian entities with sanctions. The administration has been weighing the formal designation of the Houthi rebels as a "foreign terrorist organization" for months. But that effort had been bogged down in internal disagreements over whether sanctions could be effectively enforced without worsening the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Objections from the Treasury Department were apparently overcome last week after certain exemptions to the sanctions allowing for aid work to continue were arranged. The extent of those exemptions was not immediately clear on Sunday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says House will impeach Trump, pushes VP Mike Pence to oust him Consideration of the designation has already prompted complaints from relief organizations that have warned the sanctions could prove catastrophic for efforts to help starving Yemeni civilians who have been caught in the conflict between the Houthis and the Yemeni government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi role in the Yemeni war has been hotly debated by U.S. lawmakers who have tried unsuccessfully to block the sales of advanced weapons that could be used in the fighting. President Donald Trump has taken a tough line on Cuba and rolled back many of the sanctions that the Obama administration had eased or lifted as part of a broader rapprochement with the communist island. Removing Cuba from the "state sponsors of terrorism" list had been a key component of that effort and re-listing the country has been a long-term goal of Pompeo''s. Such a designation is a legal one and it was not immediately clear on Sunday if all the technical criteria needed to restore Cuba to the list had been met, according to the officials. In removing Cuba from the list, the Obama administration had determined that the country no longer supported international terrorism, but Pompeo is expected to cite Cuban support for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as a major justification for the move, the officials said. Pompeo is also expected to deliver remarks later this week denouncing Iran for its alleged harboring and support for members of Osama bin Laden''s al-Qaida network. In November, U.S, officials said Iran had been harboring al-Qaida''s No. 2, Abu Muhammad al-Masri, who had been killed in August by Israeli agents in Iran along with his daughter, the widow of bin Laden''s son Hamza bin Laden. The Trump administration has steadily ratcheted up pressure on Iran since the president withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and began to re-impose sanctions that had been eased under the agreement, which aimed to curb Iran''s atomic program. On Saturday, Pompeo announced that he was rescinding all restrictions on contacts between U.S. diplomats and Taiwanese officials. Those restrictions had been in place since the U.S. formally adopted its "one China" policy in 1979 and recognized Beijing after dropping formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Pompeo has been at the forefront of the administration''s push to go after China for its actions in Taiwan, crackdowns on dissent and human rights in Tibet, Hong Kong and the western Xinjiang region, as well as Beijing''s disputed maritime claims in the South China Sea. (AP) RS RS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 10:52 [IST] Want to watch a prosecutor say positive things about the work of a defense attorney? Watch an appellate court. Thats where, every so often, prosecutors must dispute the arguments of appellate lawyers who claim that criminal defendants received ineffective assistance from their defense attorneys at trial. Ineffective assistance of counsel is a tough appeal argument to make successfully. And it can create strange bedfellows -- Albany County no exception. On Tuesday, District Attorney David Soares' office had to once again argue that Albany defense attorney Lee Kindlon a one-time political foe provided an effective defense for Joseph Sposito, a man convicted in 2012 of the Oct. 3, 2010 rape and sodomy of a 27-year-old woman in a home in Loudonville. Sposito, 36, is serving a 20-year sentence at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County. Sposito appellate attorney Donna Aldea, a respected defense lawyer and former appeals prosecutor in Queens she appeared before the state's top court in 2007 to defend the capital case against a gunman in a massacre that took five lives in a Wendy's in 2ooo argued against Kindlons lawyering to the Appellate Division of state Supreme Courts Third Department. If Aldea's name sounds familiar, she was part of the defense team for Cal Harris, the Binghamton-area car dealer who went to trial four times accused of the Sept. 11, 2001 murder of his wife, Michele. before being acquitted at a nonjury trial in Schoharie County in 2016. Kindlon's father, high-profile and now-retired defense attorney Terence L. Kindlon, had been a lawyer for Harris in one of his previous trials. On Tuesday, Aldea argued that Kindlon failed to consult with or call any expert to refute the prosecution's scientific and medical proof put forth at trial. She argued Kindlon should have fought to exclude Sposito's videotaped interview with Colonie police from being shown to the jury. Aldea described the video as a damning confession. "This was not a surgical defense," Aldea said, countering an argument from prosecutors. "It was not a defense at all." Assistant District Attorney Michael Wetmore countered that Kindlon, as Sposito's trial defense attorney, could have strategically decided not to attack side issues made by prosecutors. Wetmore said physical injury had not been an element of any charge Sposito faced. Wetmore said when the case was previously before the Third Department in 2016, justices determined it was not unreasonable for Kindlon to conclude that Sposito's videotaped interview was more favorable than unfavorable. Wetmore said while the video was not perfect for Sposito, there were a variety of reasons why Kindlon might have wanted the jury to see it. "As this court is aware, an ineffective assistance of counsel claim is not trying to figure out what the best defense could be, what the best trial tactics were or even scrutinizing trial counsel in that sense," Wetmore told the Third Department. Instead, Wetmore noted, the question is whether Kindlon's legal performance at the time was objectively unreasonable, whether it prejudiced Sposito, or if it deprived him of a fair trial or meaningful representation. Wetmote urged Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry and Justices Christine Clark, Sharon Aarons, Stanley Pritzker and John Colangelo to use that "lens that we look at the decisions of trial counsel in this case." In 2016, the Third Department including Garry and Aarons rejected Spsoito's direct appeal but allowed the case to be sent back to the trial court, ruling that since-retired Judge Stephen Herrick should have afforded Sposito a post-verdict hearing to argue for his conviction to be reversed on the claims of ineffective counsel. Sposito's lawyers also tried to get the Court of Appeals to overturn the case, but were rejected in 2018. If defending a defense attorneys work in a rape case was not awkward enough for any prosecutor, remember that the Sposito trial took place as Kindlon was running against Soares in a bitter Democratic primary. Soares, in office since 2004, won the primary. He has since been elected two more times, including in November. In 2012, the Sposito trial became part of the primary for various reasons. Sposito wrote a letter to the Times Union claiming Kindlon was consumed with the primary. Soares office made an issue of Kindlon's timesheets because, at the time, the defense attorney was an assistant alternate public defender. And Soares highlighted Kindlon's cross-examination of the victim at trial and that, in his opening statement, Kindlon said the woman "asked for it." At Sposito's sentencing, the woman said: "I will never forget the sickness I felt in my stomach as he asked me about an invented sexual encounter with the rapist sitting at the defense table. The sickness I felt at the time was similar to how horribly violated I felt the night I was attacked." Kindlon later told Law Beat: "As a defense attorney, sometimes my job means standing in a courtroom next to a defendant accused of terrible crimes, and defending that person to the best of my ability. It's not easy, and it's not enviable, but my oath requires it." Kindlon said he would reserve decision on the latest Sposito argument until the Third Department rules. WASHINGTON As the House prepares for impeachment, President Donald Trump faces a single charge incitement of insurrection over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. Lawmakers are set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week. Pelosis leadership team also will seek a quick vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. (Update: Republicans blocked the measure Monday.) The four-page impeachment bill draws from Trump's own false statements about his election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the legislation said. The bill from Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Ca., said Monday on CBS, "We need to move forward with alacrity. GOP leaders in Louisiana with Trump even as other Republicans split with him after the Capitol riot Two members of his Cabinet have resigned, and other prominent Republicans are distancing themselves from President Donald Trump after he encou House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat, Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues emphasizing the need for quick action. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, Its over. 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 Thats what has to happen now, she said. Pence has given no indication he would act on the 25th Amendment. If he does not, the House would move toward impeachment. President Trump won't attend Joe Biden's inauguration He will be the first incumbent president since Andrew Johnson to skip the event. Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president" with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment advanced rapidly after the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide. By LISA MASCARO, DARLENE SUPERVILLE and MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press. Superville reported from Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe, Alan Fram and Zeke Miller contributed to this report. A Sriwijaya Air jet with 62 people onboard lost touch with air traffic controllers minutes following take-off from Indonesia's capital on a domestic flight on Saturday. Now, "black boxes" from the passenger plane have been located. Boeing 737 Black Boxes Found Navy divers affirm that they will be able to retrieve the two flight recorders upon the search operation's resume on Monday. Pieces of the plane and human body parts were also recovered. According to Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Flight SJ182 was delayed for one hour prior to take-off at 2:36 PM. The Boeing 737 vanished shortly after take-off from Jakarta. Fifty-six passengers and six crew members were on board the flight as reports indicate the jet was carrying seven children, including three babies, reported The Sun. A search and rescue mission was underway on Saturday following the loss of contact, reported The World News. FlightRadar24 tracker indicated Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182, said to be a Boeing 737-500, lost over 10,000 feet of altitude in less than a minute, approximately four minutes after departure from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The National Search and Rescue Agency head, Bagus Puruhito, stated officials believe they identified the location of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. This is due to the fact that emergency signals transmitted by the devices were detected by a navy ship's sonar system. The Boeing 737-500 took off from Jakarta at about 1:56 PM and lost touch with the control tower at 2:40 PM, according to Indonesian Transportation Ministry spokesperson Adita Irawati. The airline indicated in a statement that the plane was on about a 90-minute flight from Jakarta to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province on the Borneo island, reported Evening Standard. Boeing 737-500 reportedly lost over 10,000 feet in altitude in one minute, four minutes following its departure. The plane's last known altitude was 250 feet, the highest altitude being 10,900 feet. The plane is suspected of having crashed into the sea. Flight tracking data displayed the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 plunged into a steep dive an estimated four minutes after its departure from Soekarno-Hatta international airport. Also Read: United Airlines Flies Pfizers COVID-19 Vaccine Across the United States The suspected crash location is near tourist islands just off the coast of Jakarta. The plane departed on Saturday afternoon. A search and rescue operation has commenced with no official results available on Saturday night. The Boeing 737-500 vanished from radar four minutes after its took-off, following the pilot's contact with air traffic control to soar to an altitude of 29,000 feet (8,839 meters). The airplane was not the 737 MAX model involved in the two latest fatal crashes. Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 descended 10,000 ft in less than a minute then plunged into the Java Sea. According to locals on Thousand Island, they heard two blasts prior to discovering debris floating in the sea. The declaration came two days after Boeing stated it would pay $2.5 billion to settle a United States Justice Department probing and admit that employees misled regulators regarding the safety of its 737 Max aircraft. The aircraft experienced two fatal crashes shortly after entering airline service. In the middle of 2017, the first airlines began flying the 737 Max. As it flew over the Java Sea, the plane dived 10,000 feet in less than 60 seconds. The plane, identified as a 27-year-old Boeing 737-500, was in decent condition, according to the airline's chief executive, Jefferson Irwin Jauwena. An investigation is underway regarding the vanished plane and under cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Committee and National Search and Rescue Agency. Boeing spokeswoman Dana Salloum remarked they are working to gather more information. Related Article: VIRAL VIDEO: Influencer Licking Plane Toilet Seat in 'Coronavirus Challenge' Slammed on Social Media @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 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 Mayor isn't so caution when it comes to impressive and highly coveted Chiefs seats. Credit where it's due, this is worthwhile pushback as the mayor attempts to use Chiefs branding to support his sketchy agenda. Link tease . . . Share prices of BVH decreased more than 4 percent despite an increase of 29.4 percent in the company's profit after taxes. (Photo: baoviet.com) Hanoi - Insurance companies performed well in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their shares have not attracted much attention from investors. There are 11 insurance firms listed in Vietnam's stock market with three companies on UPCOM. In 2020, Bao Minh Insurance Corporation (BMI) shares recorded a growth of nearly 22 percent, while Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) and BIDV Insurance Corporation (BIC) decreased by 4.3 percent and 9 percent respectively. In the third quarter of 2020, BMI reported revenue from premiums of 905.48 billion VND, an increase of 2.1 percent year-on-year, while profit before tax increased nearly 47 percent to 78.89 billion VND, according to third quarter financial results. In the first nine months of 2020, profit after taxes reached more than 158.4 billion VND, up 15 percent year-on-year. BVH and BIC also witnessed big returns during the same period. BVH earned 9,593 billion VND from premiums in the third quarter, up 6.2 percent year-on-year, while profit after tax up 29.4 percent to 473.31 billion VND. Similarly, BIC saw an increase of nearly 13 percent year-on-year to 697.3 billion VND in premiums revenue, with profit after tax of 755.9 billion VND, up nearly 21 percent. Data from the Ministry of Finance showed in the first eleven months of 2020, premiums revenue from insurance firms rose 16 percent year-on-year to 449.4 trillion VND. Of which, revenue from non-life insurance reached 54.2 trillion VND, and from life insurance 111.6 trillion VND. In 2020, total premiums revenue was expected to reach 182.7 trillion VND, up 15 percent year-on-year. The growth of the insurance market has been stable so far, but its size in the market is still small compared to its capability. Experts see further room for the market to expand. According to a report from Bao Viet Securities, Vietnam is among countries with the fastest growth in the insurance sector during the 2016 2020 period, on the back of perse needs in social welfare and medical care, as well as rising insurance needs in retirement, especially in a health crisis like last year. Some companies, such as BVH, PVI Holdings (PVI) and Post-Telecommunication Joint Stock Insurance Corporation (PTI), have attracted more new customers than others. With potential in expanding activities in many areas and connecting to big financial organisations, the demand for capital among insurance providers will increase gradually. Focus on small companies Instead of big companies, investors sought more interests in small insurance firms such as Bao Long Insurance Corporation (BLI), Agriculture Bank Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (ABI), PTI or Petrolimex Insurance Corporation (PGI). In 2020, the price of small insurance companies' shares also rose sharply, such as BLI shares price increased nearly 49 percent, ABI rose 34.8 percent, PTI up 24.3 percent, and PGI up nearly 20 percent. However, the growth can not be compared to other sectors like banking which was up more than 100 percent, such as Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) which increased more than 153 percent. Since insurance is a part of the financial sector, it's market expectation is as high as banking or security, Nguyen Hong Khanh, head of analytics of Vietnam International Securities Joint Stock Company (VISE), told tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn. But the number of insurance stocks in the market is still low, so investors' attention is perted to other sectors. While investors are still searching for new and promising investments, there is a possibility they will only focus on well-known insurance firms with a proven track record and high potential for growth. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Mumbai, Jan 11 : Actor Manav Kaul is being talked about for his portrayal of a multi-layered characterisation in the OTT-released film Nail Polish. He says he did not expect his performance to create such an impact. In the courtroom drama, Manav essays contrasting personalities as Veer Singh, Ranjit and a woman named Charu Raina. "I think the energy of both the characters were very different. So, when it comes to Charu, my body language was very tender, because that was the essence of Charu. I remember how, everyone who was present on the set, from our makeup artist, light and every other technician would leave me alone. After every scene that we shot, I would feel how the energy changed around me," Kaul told IANS. "Never did I imagine the impact and overwhelming response I got for 'Nail Polish'. I did not think of it when I was playing the character," he added. Considering the character was so intense, was there any hangover of the performance that Manav carried home, once shooting was over? "Yes, and that is natural because I never played such a character in any film ever. I really do not have any process to get out of that hangover. See, acting is a lie but you tell your brain all this is true. You convince your mind. So, there is a reaction that happens in mind I guess, even when you are done shooting, it cannot be just switched off like that. The character leaves you gradually," shared the actor. Nail Polish also features Arjun Rampal, Anand Tiwari, Rajit Kapur, and Madhoo among and is directed by Bugs Bhargava Krishna. The film streams on Zee5. (Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A triptych portrait of Vicky Phelan, which was unveiled on the Late Late Show on Friday night, is to be auctioned for the charity Heroes Aid by Sheppard's of Durrow next month. The charity supports frontline workers battling Covid-19. The stunning portrait, which has been described as a summation of the life of the women's health advocate, is by Tullamore based artist, Vincent Devine. In an emotional interview Vicky Phelan revealed on the Late Late Show that she will be travelling to the US this Sunday to participate in a clinical trial in a bid to combat new tumours. The only pain I get is in my back... If I stand for too long I get an unmerciful pain in my back, she told Ryan Tubridy. Vicky spoke about her battle with cancer and how treatment has helped her in the last three years. She said she will be leaving her family behind and staying for up to six months in Maryland while the treatment is ongoing. If this trial works I will get more time with my kids. The Pembro drug has helped her for three years and she is hoping that the next phase of treatment will extend her life by at least the same length of time. Vicky has written a bestselling book about her life and her experience during the cervical check controversy since she was diagnosed in 2014. She told Ryan Tubridy that the three-part portrait represents the past, present and future, with each element, especially the horses, one black and one white, representing parts of her life, including a car crash which happened before she developed cancer. The inclusion of a shamrock in the centrepiece, which depicts Vicky sitting on a chair on Doonbeg beach, was her idea. That's to represent the Irish people who have taken me to their heart, she said. It's a painting of hope and I hope that's the way people will see it. Elsewhere in the portrait the bird resting on her left hand is a crimson rosella and represents her daughter Amelia, who is 15. The oak leaf in her left hand is for her boy, Darragh aged nine. He is a sapling and will grow big and strong. Vicky Phelan sat for the portrait on Doonbeg beach, one of her favourite places. Artist Vincent Devine mixed some of the sand of Doonbeg with paint for one portion of the portrait. Sheppard's Auction House was hired by Heroes Aid to auction the painting which Philip Sheppard described as a really, really important work of art. It will come up for auction at 2pm on Thursday, February 4 and the sale will be live online and open to a global audience of bidders. We're absolutely delighted. The work that frontline workers are doing is incredible. They're under huge pressure and anything we can do to support them, we're happy to do so and it's a privilege to do so, said Philip. We think that Vincent is an up and coming and talented artist and it's great to see it happening in the Midlands. Vincent has built up a very good relationship with her and that's reflected in the artwork which is full of symbolism. The auction house has waived all fees. Our fees will be donated along with the hammer price, said Philip. Anyone can watch or bid online at sheppards.ie Recent statistics from colleges and universities on the democratic island of Taiwan show a sharp rise in the number of students from Hong Kong, RFA has learned. Since city-wide mass arrests targeting last year's pro-democracy and anti-extradition movement, and a broader crackdown on dissent under a draconian national security law imposed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on July 1, the number of Hong Kong students enrolling in higher education on the island has risen by around 28 percent, according to an international admissions body. Meanwhile, some colleges are reporting that they have nearly double the number of students from Hong Kong compared with this time last year. Taiwan has been a vocal supporter of pro-democracy protesters and opposition politicians, and last year rolled out an immigration pathway for Hongkongers fleeing arrest in connection with their political activities. While the country has no formal law allowing refugees to seek political asylum there, an easing of restrictions resulted in applications from more than 7,400 residents of the city for residency in Taiwan, a prerequisite to both work and study, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) reported in December 2020. According to Taiwan's University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students, applications from students are booming. "The number of [Hong Kong] applicants during 2020 was at the highest point in the past five years," a committee official surnamed Chou told journalists. The island's high-ranking National Chengchi University said it had 131 students from Hong Kong enrolled at the beginning of this year, compared with 63 at the same point in 2020. Many graduates stay in Taiwan Liu Hsiang-lin, director of the international division of National Taiwan Normal University said the school currently has 61 Hongkongers enrolled, compared with more than 30 in 2018. Many who do graduate in Taiwan are staying, too. "I heard that many students hope to stay and work in Taiwan after they get their degree," Liu told RFA. "We welcome students from Hong Kong, Macau, overseas Chinese, and other international students." "I think they should be allowed stay in Taiwan and contribute what they have learned to Taiwan's [economy and development]," he said. An immigration consultant surnamed Tan said he is dealing with ever-increasing numbers of clients from Hong Kong. "The numbers seeking consultation are higher than before; they tend to spike higher immediately after some kind of political incident," Tan said. "For example, there was an immediate increase following the mass arrests of pro-democracy politicians last week," he said. "Our appointments for consultation are almost full, but many are still calling to make an appointment." Taiwan's Ministry of Education announced last month that it plans to amend the rules to enable schools to recruit high-schoolers from Hong Kong, too. City-wide crackdown On Jan. 6, Hong Kong's newly minted national security police 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. Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam moved soon after the democratic primary 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 Lau Siu Fung for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. 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 The United Arab Emirates has been added to the UKs travel quarantine list (Gareth Fuller/PA) The United Arab Emirates has been added to the UKs travel quarantine list. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that anyone who arrives in England from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after 4am on Tuesday will need to self-isolate. Travellers who are heading to England, Northern Ireland, and Wales from the UAE on or after 4am on January 12 will have to self-isolate on their return, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website states. Scotland has already announced that similar measures will be imposed for anyone arriving from the UAE on or after 4am on January 12. The LATEST data indicates we need to immediately remove the #UAE from the #TRAVELCORRIDOR list. From 0400 Tuesday 12 Jan anyone arriving from the UAE will need to SELF-ISOLATE. Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) January 11, 2021 It had already confirmed that anyone returning to Scotland from Dubai on or after 4am on January 11 would have to self-isolate. Scotland Transport Secretary Michael Matheson described imposing quarantine on those arriving in the UK as our first defence in managing the risk of imported cases from communities with high risks of transmission. Dubai has recently come under the spotlight after a number of UK-based athletes tested positive for the virus following trips there. Celtics decision to fly to Dubai for a training camp is set to come under further scrutiny after an unnamed player tested positive for coronavirus. The squad and staff were tested on arrival back in Scotland on Friday. Foreign training camps are within the rules for professional sports, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week questioned whether Celtic had been adhering to social-distancing guidelines after seeing photos from their hotel. Earlier this month, Formula One McLaren driver Lando Norris tested positive for coronavirus while on holiday in Dubai. Manchester United boss Casey Stoney told BBC News she is sincerely sorry for giving her players permission to travel to Dubai over the festive period. Her sides Womens Super League (WSL) game at Everton on Sunday was postponed because of Covid-19 cases and injuries in the hosts camp. Stoney, whose side were covered by Tier 3 rules at the time, said the trip was within Government guidelines and at least one of her players had been to Dubai. Players from other WSL teams who had also visited Dubai, including from Manchester City and Arsenal, had matches called off after positive coronavirus tests. Olawale Bakare, a protester arrested in Osun State during the nationwide protest against bad governance in 2019, is now in the United Kingdom to pursue an academic programme. Mr Bakare (also known as Mandate) was arrested in August 2019 and detained by the State Security Service (SSS) alongside the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, for organising a protest tagged #RevolutionNow. The detention of the two activists, despite court orders, generated opposition on the social media and was also condemned by local and international activists. They were charged with treasonable felony, fraud and for insulting President Muhammadu Buhari. For most of the period, they were detained despite being granted bail by the court. While that protest called for better governance in Nigeria, the security agencies accused them of planning to overthrow the government of Mr Buhari. They were later released on December 5, 2019 after condemnation by many. Mr Bakare was subsequently restricted to Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Admissions In August 2020, Mr Bakare took to the social media to announce that he was offered admission to study law at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in East Anglia, United Kingdom. Mr Bakare called on Nigerians to support him with funds, so he could pay his tuition. A popular broadcaster, Adeola Fayehun, also used her platform to solicit funds for Mr Bakare. Ms Fayehun, in her latest skit on Sunday, announced that Mr Bakare is now in the United Kingdom, having paid the necessary fees. She confirmed that N10 million was donated to make the journey successful. Im happy to inform you that because of your support, Olawale was able to pay his first semester and part of his second semester. He went for his Visa interview and he got his Visa, she said in the video. Ms Fayehun also disclosed that Mr Bakare shared pictures of his arrival in the UK with her, asking that she should thank Nigerians who donated funds to make his dream come true. As expected, the activist is currently in quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Bakare reportedly got a donation of 15,800. When contacted about the status of Mr Bakares trial, his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, said although there is a court order restricting him from leaving Osun State, he cannot be kept idle without pursuing his career. ADVERTISEMENT Weve been waiting on them (SSS) till eternity. The SSS are not serving us evidences and all. They just present summary in court which is not the case. We have opened defense already and we will let the court understand why he needs to proceed to United Kingdom for his academics. Mandate is a Nigerian whose right to good academic and life must not be put on line because he is demanding what is right. We will make all of these facts known to court in the next sitting. Matters cannot wait for years when we truly understand that there is no case to answer in all charges leveled against Mandate and Sowore. Greylock to Accept Payroll Protection Applications PITTSFIELD, Mass. As the only certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) located in Berkshire County, Greylock Federal Credit Union will be the first local lender allowed to accept applications for the next round of the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The online application will give priority to minority, underserved, veteran, and women-owned businesses as well as existing Greylock business members. They have reached out to a number of Berkshire County community partners to help get the word out about this opportunity. The recently passed Economic Aid Act included the funds to restart the PPP program with revisions intended to get the money into the hands of small local businesses. The US Treasury Department's network of CDFIs has been granted early access to the program to allow these small businesses first access to the funds. "Greylock's focus on community development and our designation as a CDFI create a unique obligation for us to enable access to the PPP program as rapidly as possible," Greylock Senior Vice President Jodi Rathbun-Briggs said. The SBA is prioritizing underserved populations in this round so they have turned to Greylock and other CDFI's to reach out to specific businesses in the early stages of the program. "According to official guidance, first time applicants to the PPP program will be able to apply through their local CDFI as early as Monday and qualifying companies seeking a second round of loans may be allowed to apply as soon as Wednesday," Rathbun-Briggs said. "However, the actual application was not published as of Friday. This makes it very unlikely that the program will begin as planned, but we hope to be ready." Details will be published on Greylock's website at www.greylock.org/business- updates as they are released. Greylock also has a hotline for PPP related questions at (413) 236-4041. HOUSTON - (Jan. 11, 2021) - Rice University engineers hope to make life better for those with replacement joints by modeling how artificial hips are likely to rub them the wrong way. The computational study by the Brown School of Engineering lab of mechanical engineer Fred Higgs simulates and tracks how hips evolve, uniquely incorporating fluid dynamics and roughness of the joint surfaces as well as factors clinicians typically use to predict how well implants will stand up over their expected 15-year lifetime. The team's immediate goal is to advance the design of more robust prostheses. Ultimately, they say the model could help clinicians personalize hip joints for patients depending on gender, weight, age and gait variations. Higgs and co-lead authors Nia Christian, a Rice graduate student, and Gagan Srivastava, a mechanical engineering lecturer at Rice and now a research scientist at Dow Chemical, reported their results in Biotribology. The researchers saw a need to look beyond the limitations of earlier mechanical studies and standard clinical practices that use simple walking as a baseline to evaluate artificial hips without incorporating higher-impact activities. "When we talk to surgeons, they tell us a lot of their decisions are based on their wealth of experience," Christian said. "But some have expressed a desire for better diagnostic tools to predict how long an implant is going to last. "Fifteen years sounds like a long time but if you need to put an artificial hip into someone who's young and active, you want it to last longer so they don't have multiple surgeries," she said. Higgs' Particle Flow and Tribology Lab was invited by Rice mechanical and bioengineer B.J. Fregly, to collaborate on his work to model human motion to improve life for patients with neurologic and orthopedic impairments. "He wanted to know if we could predict how long their best candidate hip joints would last," said Higgs, Rice's John and Ann Doerr Professor in Mechanical Engineering and a joint professor of Bioengineering, whose own father's knee replacement partially inspired the study. "So our model uses walking motion of real patients." Physical simulators need to run millions of cycles to predict wear and failure points, and can take months to get results. Higgs' model seeks to speed up and simplify the process by analyzing real motion capture data like that produced by the Fregly lab along with data from "instrumented" hip implants studied by Georg Bergmann at the Free University of Berlin. The new study incorporates the four distinct modes of physics -- contact mechanics, fluid dynamics, wear and particle dynamics -- at play in hip motion. No previous studies considered all four simultaneously, according to the researchers. One issue others didn't consider was the changing makeup of the lubricant between bones. Natural joints contain synovial fluid, an extracellular liquid with a consistency similar to egg whites and secreted by the synovial membrane, connective tissue that lines the joint. When a hip is replaced, the membrane is preserved and continues to express the fluid. "In healthy natural joints, the fluid generates enough pressure so that you don't have contact, so we all walk without pain," Higgs said. "But an artificial hip joint generally undergoes partial contact, which increasingly wears and deteriorates your implanted joint over time. We call this kind of rubbing mixed lubrication." That rubbing can lead to increased generation of wear debris, especially from the plastic material -- an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene -- commonly used as the socket (the acetabular cup) in artificial joints. These particles, estimated at up to 5 microns in size, mix with the synovial fluid can sometimes escape the joint. "Eventually, they can loosen the implant or cause the surrounding tissue to break down," Christian said. "And they often get carried to other parts of the body, where they can cause osteolysis. There's a lot of debate over where they end up but you want to avoid having them irritate the rest of your body." She noted the use of metal sockets rather than plastic is a topic of interest. "There's been a strong push toward metal-on-metal hips because metal is durable," Christian said. "But some of these cause metal shavings to break off. As they build up over time, they seem to be much more damaging than polyethylene particles." Further inspiration for the new study came from two previous works by Higgs and colleagues that had nothing to do with bioengineering. The first looked at chemical mechanical polishing of semiconductor wafers used in integrated circuit manufacturing. The second pushed their predictive modeling from micro-scale to full wafer-scale interfaces. The researchers noted future iterations of the model will incorporate more novel materials being used in joint replacement. ### Philip and Marsha Dowd and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) supported the research. Higgs is also Rice's vice provost for academic affairs and faculty director of the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership. Read the abstract at https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1016/ j. biotri. 2020. 100156 This news release can be found online at https:/ / news. rice. edu/ 2021/ 01/ 11/ rice-model-offers-help-for-new-hips/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews Related materials: Particle Flow & Tribology Lab (Higgs group): https:/ / higgslab. org Department of Mechanical Engineering: https:/ / mech. rice. edu Department of Bioengineering: https:/ / bioengineering. rice. edu George R. Brown School of Engineering: https:/ / engineering. rice. edu Images for download: https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 01/ 0111_HIP-1-web. jpg Rice University engineers have designed a computational model that will ultimately serve as the engine to predict how long a hip implant could last for a specific patient. It incorporates fluid dynamics and the physics of implant wear and aims to streamline trial-and-error in the design of future implants. (Credit: Wikipedia) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 01/ 0111_HIP-3-web. jpg CAPTION: Fred Higgs. (Credit: Rice University) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 01/ 0111_HIP-4-web. jpg CAPTION: Nia Christian. (Credit: Duke Pratt) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 01/ 0111_HIP-5-web. jpg CAPTION: Gagan Srivastava. (Credit: Rice University) Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Washington: Congressional Democrats have formally launched their push to remove Donald Trump from office in the last days of his presidency by introducing a single article of impeachment accusing him of inciting insurrection over a violent attack on the US Capitol last week. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is expected to vote to impeach Trump as early as Thursday (AEDT). If they are successful, Trump would become the only president in US history to be impeached twice. If the move is successful, Trump would become the only president in US history to be impeached twice. Credit:Getty Images "In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both," Pelosi wrote to her fellow House Democrats on Monday (AEDT). Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, forcing the Congress members who were certifying President-elect Joe Biden's election victory into hiding. VENICE, JAN 11 - The education councillor in the northeastern Veneto region has sparked a row by singing a popular Fascist-era song on Italian radio. Elena Donazzan of the nationalist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party sang 'Faccetta Nera' (Little Black Face), a marching song about Italian colonial troops in Ethiopia rescuing an Abyssinian girl from slavery and teaching her about civilised life, on the Italian radio show La Zanzara. The regional and national centre left called on her to resign. Even Veneto Governor Luca Zaia, a member of the nationalist League party, distanced himself from his education pointwoman after she said freedom of expression was a Constitutional right. Zaia said he was confident Donazzan would apologise. "The councillor must, at least, say she is sorry," said Zaia, a heavyweight in the party led by former interior minister Matteo Salvini. "And I know her sensitivity". he said he had not spoken to her but that "an apology is due". (ANSA). 3 1 of 3 Danielson Fire Department / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 / Danielson Fire Department / Contributed Show More Show Less 3 of 3 KILLINGLY A Plainfield man is in the hospital after crashing his vehicle off the road and plummeting into the Five Mile River, police say. Connecticut State Police said a car driven by Mohammed Elkennaw, 86, was traveling north on Main Street and rounding a corner when it crossed over the right shoulder, jumped a curb and traveled off the roadway. Police said the call came in just before 11:20 a.m. Saturday. I was intrigued the other day when one of our farmers reported that his bank manager had brought along a consultant on the latest visit to his farm. The consultant was a specialist in critical thinking. I quizzed the farmer as to whether the critical thinking consultant was there to evaluate the farmers decision making or the bank managers. The farmer replied that either conclusion was possible. A good conclusion, I thought, being open to more than one conclusion. As a veterinarian, we get training in making subjective evaluations (what we see and think) and objective evaluations (what we see and can measure). We assess the two evaluations and then plan potential diagnoses and treatments. The idea is not to jump to one conclusion and then find all the information to support that potentially wrong conclusion. We frequently have clients who have already reached conclusions. It might be a farmer deciding that a summer crop chosen was a waste of time and they are not going to replant that crop because it was useless, when the real issue with the crop was that it was planted four weeks later than was ideal. Or the client who thinks that a certain flea product was useless and doesnt work when the real issue was that the time interval between flea treatments was greater than the product required. Eli Goldratt, author of The Goal suggests that the best approach is not to directly attack the conclusion, but question the assumptions made to reach that conclusion. Farmers are being blamed for being significant greenhouse gas producers and were being told that farming is bad. Our government has made a significant commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Many farmers have concluded that they arent going to do it, and many urban people have concluded that its the farmers who are bad, we dont have to do anything. Both are poor conclusions. We all need to re-evaluate our environmental footprint. Thomas Ingenlath, the chief executive of Polestar, recently admitted that their Polestar 2 (an electric vehicle) has a carbon footprint of 26 tonnes when it leaves the factory, compared to the 14 tonnes for the Volvo XC40 SUV. Also, there is a carbon footprint associated with disposing of the battery at the end of the electric vehicles life. Yet many people and politicians believe that all new cars should be electric to save the environment. A lot of the power generated in New Zealand is from water or hydroelectric, but some is generated from fossil fuels, mostly natural gas. Increasing the demand for electricity will result in more natural gas use because the hydroelectric and water sources of electricity are already maxed out. Many New Zealanders conclude that electric cars are better for the environment, yet if tomorrow we suddenly replaced all the cars in New Zealand with electric cars, our carbon footprint would increase significantly. When considering these issues, critical thinking and re-evaluating conclusions is a good place to start. Stephen McAulay, CEO and head vet, Wellsford Vet Clinic www.vetsonline.co.nz/wellsfordvet Some 330 Shoreline first responders have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. The East Shore District Health Department staff nurses and Medical Reserve Corps volunteer nurses administered the Moderna vaccination to emergency responders and EMS personnel in Branford, Guilford, Madison, East Haven and North Branford. For Barbara Naclerio, East Shore District Health Department public health educator, this was a positive step toward protecting people against the coronavirus. Its a wonderful feeling to know that people are getting vaccinated, she said. Its like the sun coming up. Like a ray of hope coming through the clouds, she added. The more people who get vaccinated, the more you think, Ah, maybe there will be an end to this. The East Shore District Health Department, in partnership with the Madison Health Department and the Guilford Health Department, held three vaccination clinics between Dec. 29 and Jan. 6. Connecticut is in Phase 1a of vaccine distribution. This phase includes healthcare personnel, long-term care residents and first responders, including Emergency Medical Technicians , police and fire personnel. All recipients of the vaccine will require a second dose one month after the first vaccination. Guilford Chief of Police Warren Butch Hyatt, Jr. said that everyone within his department attended the vaccinations clinic, including dispatchers and administrative staff. It doesnt matter if youre the person out on the frontline or the person actually back in the building, we cant afford to have anybody getting sick because then if could jeopardize everybody, he said. Naclerio said individuals sat for 15 minutes after the vaccination, to be watched for any adverse reactions. In addition, an ambulance was on site. She said there were no critical reactions. Hyatt said the only side effect he experienced was a sore arm for a couple of days. He said this is a very positive development in the fight against COVID-19. I think it makes everybody feel a little hopeful, he said. I think it makes everybody feel a little bit safer, but we still have to remain diligent in taking care of ourselves with wearing masks and other PPE. The East Shore District Health Department will continue to provide vaccinations to those whose turn it is to receive the vaccine. The Health Departments goal is for all residents to have access to the vaccination, although this will likely not occur until late spring or early summer 2021. This is the most promising step forward, to date, in protecting our community through this pandemic, said Michael Pascucilla, health director for the East Shore District Health Department. The health departments stress that everyone should remain diligent in following guidelines to slow the spread of the virus. These measures will help protect the community against a widespread outbreak: Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when out in public. Adhere to a minimum 6-foot social distancing from others Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Quarantine for at least 10 days if you are in contact with someone who is sick or has tested positive for Covid-19 Stay home if you are sick except to get medical care. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and for at least 20 seconds. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands after. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Hyatt stressed that the vaccine is so important for the frontline workers who are in such close contact with the public and find it harder to feel totally safe. Its hopeful because for a long time everybody has been trying to do everything they can to try and stay safe, try to stay healthy and keep everyone around them safe and healthy, Hyatt said. It makes them much more hopeful and I think feel a little bit more confident that they wont bring that home to their family, he said. For the most current updates and recommendations, visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccination---Phases . For general questions, call 2-1-1 Contact Sarah Page Kyrcz at suzipage1@aol.com Police arrest two men in Quebec City for breaking a new curfew in the province of Quebec, Canada, on Jan. 9, 2021. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) Quebec Police Fine Residents Protesting Against New Curfew Measure Quebec police issued more than 150 tickets to residents who did not comply with the provinces newly enacted curfew measure that began Saturday night, police said. The curfew, which mandates Quebecers other than exempt groups to stay off from the streets between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. until Feb. 8, is the latest measure imposed by Quebec Premier Francois Legault, which he says will serve as an electroshock for Quebecers to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We are obliged to provide a type of shock treatment so that people reduce their visits, Legault told reporters last week, adding that the police are important allies in the fight against the virus. Quebec Premier Francois Legault responds to a question during a news conference in Montreal, Canada on Dec. 16, 2020. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press) The provincial police said they targeted about 20 locations across multiple municipalities in response to protests against the curfew on the first night, and issued more than 150 tickets. Fines for not complying with the curfew rules can range from $1,000 to as high as $6,000, police said. Quebec police spokesman Sgt. Etienne Doyon said they issued fines to about 20 people protesting outside the Museum of Civilization in Old Port around 8:20 p.m., and detained some protesters who refused to identify themselves. In Montreal, tickets were issued to protesters in the citys Plateau borough, according to spokeswoman Const. Caroline Chevrefils. Montreal police said Sunday that they issued 84 tickets in total, including 17 to protestors. Police said no tickets were issued to people who were homeless. In Sherbrooke, a city in southern Quebec, police fined about a dozen people protesting the curfew. Another 11 tickets were issued in the city of Trois-Rivieres, and according to local police, they managed to dissuade a group of people who intended to protest against the curfew, with no one being issued a ticket eventually. One planned protest in the Montreal suburb of Longueuil appeared to fizzle, said Longueuil police Capt. Jean-Christophe Fortin. In nearby Chateauguay, police had stopped 143 vehicles and 161 people by midnight, and issued six tickets. The majority of vehicles intercepted and citizens stopped had a valid reason that is on the list of exceptions, spokeswoman Const. Jenny Lavigne said. As of Jan. 10, the province has reported 1,869 new infection cases, 18 new associated deaths, and another 56 hospitalizations. Square Jacques-Cartier, near the Old Port, which usually attracts tourists, is pictured deserted moments after the curfew was implemented from 8 p.m. local time until 5 a.m. in Montreal, Canada, on Jan. 9, 2021. (Eric Thomas/AFP via Getty Images) Whether implementing a curfew is effective in curbing the COVID-19 spread, the province health director Dr. Horacio Arruda said there is no hard evidence to back it up. Theres no science that can tell you what measure will have what percentage effect, Arruda said last week, adding that the curfew is part of a series of measures that seeks to reduce social gatherings and contact between people. Matt Strauss, a journalist and a critical care physician at Guelph General Hospital, disagree with Quebecs curfew. No. No. No. Curfews are not a way to communicate. You do not trample on civil liberties to communicate, Strauss wrote on Twitter, citing an article by the Globe and Mail. In his opinion article published in Toronto Star last November, Strauss argued that lockdown measures have yet to be proven effective. The benefits of lockdowns to prevent deaths from COVID-19 are far from proven. The very best paper evaluating whether lockdowns save lives was performed by researchers at the University of Toronto, Drs. Chaudry and Riazi, and published by the Lancet. They took data from 50 countries reporting COVID-19 mortality and performed statistical analyses to see whether those that enacted strict lockdowns had fewer COVID-19 deaths. They did not, Strauss wrote. A similar analysis, by a Dr. Leffler and colleagues, used data from 200 countries and was published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. It likewise found no effect of lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality. He added that while those papers could be criticized, and perhaps better data could one day supersede them, but the cold, hard fact is that lockdowns do not seem to achieve what one might hope as of now, and thus he called for a more focused protection plan in which resources can be poured in protecting societys most vulnerable, rather than subsidizing less vulnerable people to make unnecessary sacrifices. With files from The Canadian Press [January 11, 2021] Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates Elects New President During Latest Board Meeting - Scott LeClair, PE, LEED AP WOBURN, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc. (F&T https://www.f-t.com/) recently announced it had named engineer Scott LeClair to serve as the new company President during the latest meeting of the Board of Directors. LeClair previously served as Executive VP of Client Services and will transition into the role of F&T President over the course of the next year. LeClair will be responsible for executing the strategies approved by the Board, including an increased focus on diversifying our services and the regions we serve. Ted Fitzemeyer will continue his role as CEO/Board chair. "I am happy to congratulate Scott LeClair on his new position as President of F&T," said Fitzemeyer. "Scott has been with the company since 2002 and has been an integral part of F&T's growth. He was originally hired as Special Projects PM, and grew that specialty into a Healthcare studio which comprised 50% of F&T's total revenue. He has continuously and successfully grown his client base and was instrumental in building our commissioning, life safety, and technology services as well as our Construction Management company. I am pleased to see him take an increased leadership role in the future of F&T, and I knw he will continue to be one of our most influential leaders." LeClair is an award-winning engineer with over 30 years of experience in the management and design of infrastructure systems, with a focus on healthcare institutional clients. LeClair is a retired Air Force veteran, having served in base level engineering groups and organization-wide as mechanical engineering design expert and instructor for the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is a healthcare infrastructure strategist who is an acknowledged industry-leader in sustainable and energy efficient healthcare design. A pioneer in the field of health and research design, LeClair has worked for distinguished clients like the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Yale New Haven Health, Brigham & Woman's Hospital, and Maine Medical Center. And with a deep devotion to education, LeClair has also participated on multiple prestigious healthcare and engineering panels, including the New England Healthcare Engineers' Society (NEHES) Conference; MEDED Facilities Conference; the ASHE Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Summit; and the Healthcare Design Conference. About Fitzemeyer & Tocci: Providing Thoughtful Practical Engineering Leadership F&T is a full-service MEP engineering firm with specialized expertise in a diverse range of institution and facility types, including Academic, Healthcare, and Science & Technology. From concept to construction, F&T forms lasting partnerships with architects, owners and construction managers, providing logical, clear and concise intelligence in a rapidly changing building environment. With a collaborative approach and multi-discipline engineering teams, F&T implements strategies that improve coordination and quality to make each client's project a success. Learn more at: www.F-T.com. Media Contact: Ariana Fitzemeyer, Marketing Coordinator (781) 285-2296 262118@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fitzemeyer--tocci-associates-elects-new-president-during-latest-board-meeting--scott-leclair-pe-leed-ap-301203435.html SOURCE Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Postcard from Cortez in southwestern Colorado Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Its not easy to top the list in a state known for everything outdoors. Yet, visitors to Cortez in southwestern Colorado, near where the Centennial State meets Arizona, Utah and New Mexico at Four Corners, discover a remarkable destination that includes natural wonders, national parks, archaeological landmarks and a vineyard in arguably one of the most unexpected of locations. My visit started at Sutcliffe Vineyards situated in McElmo Canyon, an oasis surrounded by the sagebrush and cottonwoods of Colorados high desert. The drive to and from Cortez, the seat of Montezuma County, takes about 20 minutes on a winding county road. Proprietor John Sutcliffe somehow manages to produce wine at 5,340 feet in elevation, which is quite the accomplishment given the blazing hot summers, cold winters and late spring frosts. Sutcliffes wines are not novelty wines. Rather, they are serious wines with several receiving ratings above 90 points from the critics at Wine Enthusiast. Across the road is the trailhead at Sand Canyon on the southern edge of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. From here several trails pass by Navajo sandstone formations and ancient ruins. Also nearby is the Hovenweep National Monument. On the other side of Cortez is the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park, which contains 600 Ancestral Puebloan (also called Anasazi) cliff dwellings from the 12th and 13th centuries. The ruins, which include a massive 150-room dwelling, are considered among the best-preserved ruins anywhere in North America. More about the people and culture who lived at Mesa Verde can be learned by visiting the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum. Unfortunately, both are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. If you go The tasting room at Sutcliffe Vineyards is open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, year-round. National parks are also open year-round, though some access is seasonally restricted. Consider staying at either the Holiday Inn Express Mesa Verde-Cortez or the Retro Inn, a vintage roadside motel that punches well above its weight. For restaurants, Farm Bistro and Main Street Brewery are recommended. Cortez is best reached by car, though the local airport is served by commuter airline Boutique Air. Driving from airports in Grand Junction, Albuquerque, Phoenix and Salt Lake City takes between four and six hours. Spires and Crosses is a weekly travel column. Follow @dennislennox on Twitter and Instagram. If youre in the market for a unique kind of house, this $149,000 Vermont property may spark your interest. It doesnt look like anything special from the outside, but it actually comes with its own creepy jail. Located in Guidhall, a small Vermont town, this 2,190-square-foot white and green home has been listed on online real-estate marketplace Realtor for two months, with an asking price of $149,000. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, wood floors and high ceilings, a nice backyard, as well as its own adjacent seven-cell jail. Thats right, an actual jail, the kind where people used to be locked-up in up until a few decades ago. This used to be the town jailers home, and even though the property has changed hands several times since then, the jail has remained intact. Photo: Joe Martin / Realtor This house was the jailers house, with the attached jail. Over the years, the house has been updated. Its been a single-family home for many years, and the jail has just kind of been there, listing agent, Jennifer Allen, told Realtor. It is still fully intact. Its got the bars, its got everything, but its deteriorated, so its definitely not something that someone could just go in and start using it. It needs work. But it is still there and is attached to the house, Allen added. There are no creepy tales of hauntings or strange noises related to the 28-foot-by-40-foot wing that once used to house inmates, but the old jail still doesnt look like the most inviting place. Still, Im sure there are people who would kill for a chance to live right next door to a creepy old jail. If thats not you, though, maybe the jail could be put to better use. There are some historic thingslike the old brickthat wouldnt be able to be taken out, but somebody could take out the bars and turn it into living space, the listing agent said. The sellers were considering making it into a big family room or gathering room thats attached to the house. Built in 1880, the former Essex County jail was taken out of commission in 1969 and has since served as a single-family home. The Standing Committee of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV&AIDS (SCORA) operating under the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association (FGMSA) has donated items in excess of GHs4,000 (Four thousand Ghana Cedi) to the Motherly Love Orphanage in Kwabenya, Accra. SCORA in partnership with Women First Digital (WFD) launched a campaign to raise money for the Motherly Love Orphanage. The week-long campaign, dubbed Clicks4Charity, allowed young people to go online on the Women First Digital websites and obtain information on reproductive health and other information that affect them. Every visit to the site during the campaign week was counted and converted to cash by WFD at a rate of 1 Ghana cedi per visit. Through publicity by SCORA, many young people visited the site raising a total of 2,900 Cedis. To reach the goal of 4,000, the deputy head of SCORA in the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) contributed 100 Ghana Cedis, whilst the National head for SCORA, also donated 1,000 Ghana Cedis worth of vouchers. The funds raised were then used to purchase among other items 5 bags of rice,4 large bottles of oil, Toiletries including sanitary pads, and medical supplies such as paracetamol, ORS and multi-vitamins, gloves, face mask as well as refreshments like soft drinks, biscuits and toffees to celebrate the festive season. The Motherly Love Orphanage houses 52 children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDs. HIV/AIDs and other STIs form part of SCORAs focus areas. This campaign served to provide education on reproductive health, including HIV to student populations as well as to impact on the vulnerable in society. The campaign followed months of engagement with the Women First Digital and other key stakeholders since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. A 3-member team from SCORA presented the items and interacted with the children who shared with them their dreams and aspirations for the future. Speaking at the ceremony, Dennis Arnold Tsegah, the National Head of SCORA said: One of the challenges that young people face across Ghana especially during the Covid-19 pandemic is the limited access to health information, especially concerning their reproductive health. He said SCORA was committed to helping young people to make informed decisions that impact their lives. This he indicated would be achieved by working with them to make their voices heard. He further said SCORA was also delighted to have the opportunity of supporting the vulnerable. He called on other organizations and corporate bodies to emulate what SCORA had done. The head of the Institute thanked SCORA and its partners for the donation. They took them on a tour to view their facilities and provided insights into how the orphanage was formed and some of the challenges that they experienced during the pandemic. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/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 Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have conducted a study exploring how the spatial patterning of certain genomic RNA regions in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) promotes compaction, packaging, and cyclization of the viral genome. The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that continues to sweep the globe posing an unprecedented threat to global health and the worldwide economy. A significant challenge for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 is the specific and efficient packaging of a large genome into a relatively small capsid while excluding viral subgenomic fragments and cellular nucleic acids. How these viruses select the genome from the sub-genomic RNAs that the virus and host transcriptome generate and manage to compress it into a virion is not yet clear. Now, using a coarse-grained polymer model, Amy Gladfelter and colleagues have shown that a process called phase separation promotes conditions that favor singular packaging. However, the arrangement of phase-separation-promoting-sequences at the ends of the genome is crucial for genome compaction. The elements must also be positioned at both ends of the genome for cyclization to occur. The teams say the models presented here may be applicable to other viruses and cellular systems that involve long nucleotide chains and proteins. A pre-print version of the paper is available on the bioRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review. 5 end and FE RNA with N-protein have opposing phase behavior. A) N-protein is represented as a two-bead chain, with the first bead participating in isotropic homotypic interactions, and the second bead participating in anisotropic homotypic interactions. Both 5 end and FE RNA segments are roughly three times larger than N-protein and are represented by six beads each. N-protein interacts with all 5 end RNA beads via isotropic binding with its first bead, and it interacts with all FE RNA beads via anisotropic binding with its second bead. This interaction with FE competes with N-protein dimerization. B) N-protein phase separates (PS) in a narrow concentration and temperature range on its own. C) N-protein with 5 end RNA at temperature 1 a.u. phase separates across a wider concentration range than on its own. D) N protein with FE RNA at temperature 1 a.u. is solubilized at sufficiently high FE RNA concentrations. Understanding coronavirus replication The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired great research efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying coronavirus replication. Viruses must selectively package their large genomes into a relatively small capsid while excluding host nucleic acids and viral sub-genomic fragments. Studies have recently demonstrated that viral proteins required for genome packaging can undergo a process called liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), where one or two proteins that bind viral nucleic acid condense with the genome. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the genomic RNA can condense with the nucleocapsid (N) protein, a protein that is essential for genome packaging in many viruses. Importantly, some regions of the genomic RNA drive condensation of the N protein, while others solubilize it. Previous work by Gladfelter and colleagues found that the N protein undergoes LLPS in an RNA sequence-specific manner within different regions of the genome. Remarkably, RNAs of the same length can either promote or limit phase separation depending on their sequences, say the researchers. They found that the LLPS- promoting sequences are in the 5 and 3 ends of the genome. This led the team to hypothesize that phase separation could be relevant to packaging since these sequences occur specifically on the whole genome and would not occur together on sub-genomic or host nucleic acids. What did the current study involve? The researchers used a coarse-grained polymer model to explore how the spatial patterning of LLPS-promoting or LLPS-inhibiting RNA regions in the genome might promote the specific packaging of a single genome. Firstly, the team analyzed portions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome that exhibit opposing phase behavior once mixed with the N protein. The researchers showed that while the 5 and 3 ends of the genome promote phase separation, the frameshifting element (FE) and central regions solubilize N protein. Next, the team examined the spatial patterning of these opposing elements within a full genome model and the effects this patterning had on phase separation and single genome packaging, compaction and cyclization. The model revealed that the most optimal arrangement for genome packaging and compaction was the localization of LLPS-promoting elements to the 5 and 3 ends of the genome and that this localization is necessary for cyclization. Future applications of the model The researchers say the model can inform future studies investigating spatial patterning of genomic features that are experimentally intractable because of the large genome size. We hypothesize that this model should be generalizable to multiple viruses as well as cellular organelles, they write. Components from several viruses have been shown to undergo phase separation, raising the possibility that spatial patterning of specific LLPS-promoting RNA or DNA sequences may have evolved to promote optimal genome packaging in other viruses in addition to SARS-CoV-2, concludes the team. *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. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. According to the IMARC Group, Trade finance, also known as export finance, refers to various financial products used by organizations to manage international trade and commerce. It is majorly used by banks, export credit agencies, trade finance companies, exporters and importers, etc. Unlike general finance, trade finance introduces a third party to the transactions and is primarily used to streamline cash flow and facilitate protection against the risks of international trade, such as instances of non-payment, currency fluctuations, and political instability. For more information about this report, visit: https://www.imarcgroup.com/trade-finance-market The market for trade finance is primarily driven by rising number of international trade activities. Furthermore, the integration of several advanced technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), etc., with trade finance solutions is also augmenting the market growth. These technologies allow organizations to use chatbots, natural language processing (NLP), and predictive analysis to recognize market patterns, resolve concerns, and take appropriate measures. The market is further bolstered by the increasing utilization of electronic systems, such as quick response (QR) codes and optical character recognition (OCR), which streamline the manual process of document identification and enhance digitalization of trade financing operations. Besides this, the growing investments in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector will continue to drive the market for trade finance in the coming years. Buy this report @Request to get the sample report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/trade-finance-market/requestsample Breakup by Finance Type: Structured Trade Finance Supply Chain Finance Traditional Trade Finance Breakup by Offering: Letters of Credit Bill of Lading Export Factoring Insurance Others Breakup by Service Provider: Banks Trade Finance Houses Breakup by End-User: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Large Enterprises Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Middle East and Africa Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being Asian Development Bank, Banco Santander SA, Bank of America Corp., BNP Paribas SA, Citigroup Inc., Credit Agricole Group, Euler Hermes, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., HSBC Holdings Plc, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mitsubishi Ufj Financial Group Inc., Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., etc Browse Related Report https://www.imarcgroup.com/data-quality-tools-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/big-data-software-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/3d-printing-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/cloud-security-software-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/molecular-cytogenetics-market About US IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise. Contact US: IMARC Group 30 N Gould St, Ste R Sheridan, WY 82801, USA Website: https://www.imarcgroup.com/ Email: sales@imarcgroup.com USA: +1-631-791-1145 Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobal Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imarc-group Note: As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis takes over the world, we are continuously tracking the changes in the markets, as well as the purchase behaviours of the consumers globally and our estimates about the latest market trends and forecasts are being done after considering the impact of this pandemic. If you want to need latest primary and secondary data (2020-2025) with Cost Module, Business Strategy, Distribution Channel, etc. click request free sample report, published report will be delivered to you in PDF format via email within 24 to 48 hours of receiving full payment. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 94F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Jacksonville City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session by 7 p.m. today in the Municipal Building at 200 W. Douglas Ave. The meeting will follow a 6 p.m. workshop. The meeting will be available via teleconference at 217-479-3599 with access code 8004. P resident Donald Trump faces a single charge of incitement of insurrection over the deadly riot at the US Capitol, according to a draft of the articles. Politicians are set to introduce the legislation later on Monday with voting by the middle of the week. House speaker Nancy Pelosis leadership team also will seek a quick vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Trumps own false statements about his election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. Also cited is his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building last Wednesday. A violent mob of pro-Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing politicians to scatter as they were finalising Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. AP Five people died including a Capitol police officer. The legislation said: President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government. The bill from Representatives David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Mr Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated. Judges across the country, including some nominated by him, repeatedly dismissed cases challenging the result. Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat, Pelosi said in a letter late on Sunday to colleagues emphasising the need for quick action. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired on Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon: Its over. Thats what has to happen now, she said. Pence has given no indication he would act on the 25th Amendment. If he does not, the House would move towards impeachment. On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. Meanwhile, the New York State Bar Association is launching an inquiry into President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. In a major landmark decision, air travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia resumed effective from January 11 after the two nations normalised ties in a historic agreement that now dissolves the long-standing blockade between Qatar and the Gulf quartet. Qatar Airways took off from Dohas airport as the first commercial flight between Qatar and Saudi in nearly three and a half years. The flight departed at 10:45 GMT from Dohas airport and touched down in King Khalid International Airport at 12:10 GMT. Meanwhile, a Saudi Airlines plane flew from Riyadh to Doha departing the kingdom on Monday. #QatarAirways resumes services to King Khalid International Airport with a daily flight to #Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/f34fvV0QVa Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) January 11, 2021 Gulf nations the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt had closed their airspace for Qatar in June 2015 as relations between the Gulf countries thawed over Dohas cementing of relations with Iran and concerns of terrorism. Sources of Al Arabiya TV revealed that Qatar will reroute the aeroplanes once again that will fly above Saudi Arabia's airspace as the kingdom removed the travel ban and reopened air borders with the Gulf state. Last week, a Doha-Johannesburg trip flight unofficially flew above Saudi, making it the first plane to make a historic journey since 2015. Meanwhile, sources at Al-Arabiya also revealed that Egypt will soon be the next Gulf nation to open its airspace to Qatar flights basis Dohas fulfilment of 'Egyptian requirements'. Read: Another Breakthrough In Gulf As Saudi Arabia Lifts Land Blockade On Qatar After 3 Years Read: Saudi Arabia, Qatar Agree To Reopen Airspace, Maritime Borders Following Kuwaiti Mediation Airtravel time for Qatari planes 'shrink' The resumption of air travel between the Gulf nations will have a distinct impact on aviation in the region after the blockade against Qatar hampered travel and trade between two nations for over three years. The Qatari national carrier will now reduce the flying time to roughly two-and-a-half hours from the previous 4 hours when the plane avoided Saudi Arabia and the UAE airspace. While Qatari planes are avoiding the Saudis route of now, theyre expected to start flying after Qatar Airways enters Saudis space today. Earlier, Qatars ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani landed at the Saudi city of al-Ula on Qatar Airways Airbus A340 for the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and was received by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The plane emblazoned with the text QATAR landed northwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi, in a historic move, opened its airspace and land and sea borders with Qatar for the first time after the two nations reached a breakthrough agreement, ending Saudis long-standing dispute with Doha. Read: Jaishankar Meets Business Leaders In Qatar; Highlights Investment Opportunities In India Read: Jaishankar On 2-day Visit To Qatar; Set To Meet Gulf Nation's Leadership & Strengthen Ties ANKARA, Turkey Few would have thought that Turkeys political divide running deep on myriad issues, from economic woes and femicides to pandemic measures and university rectors could extend to critically ill infants in need of costly treatment to survive. The new rift, involving ministers and opposition figures, has come as a stunning milestone in the divisions of Turkish society, leaving the families of the sick children dismayed. Lying at the core of the controversy are the limits Ankara has set in covering the ultra-expensive treatment of infants with spinal muscular atrophy, a deadly genetic disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells controlling the muscles. After monthslong efforts, Mehmet Rifat Bacanli a lawyer for families of children with the most severe type of the disease, estimated to number between 150 and 300 in Turkey won a court ruling Nov. 27 that approved the procurement from overseas of a relatively new drug, needed for the treatment of the 16-month-old son of one of his clients. The treatment costs up to $2.5 million in the United States. The ruling paved the way for an import permit for the drug, giving hope to many families grappling with spinal muscular atrophy, which strikes one in 6,000 babies in Turkey. Things, however, did not progress smoothly. In Turkey, infants with spinal muscular atrophy have thus far used a drug covered by the state, which is administered periodically to stop the advance of the disease, with each dose costing about 73,000 euros ($89,500). The treatment of many infants, however, has been interrupted as the authorities tightened the eligibility criteria over time. As a result, many families have pinned their hopes on the new drug, Zolgenisma, which offers a one-time gene treatment with 95% efficacy in halting the advance of the disease, if taken in the early stages. The drug often described as the worlds most expensive medication has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in the past two years, with Germany offering state coverage for the treatment. In Turkey, it has fanned political and societal tensions amid pressure on the government to follow suit. The issue flared up on the first day of 2021 over a social media campaign, joined by celebrities and opposition leaders and mayors, urging the government to use 75 million Turkish liras ($10.3 million) in lottery funds for spinal muscular atrophy treatments. The sum was a remainder from the grand lottery prize on New Years Eve, won by a ticket divided into four. Only one of the quarter tickets had been sold, and the prize slated for the other three went to the countrys sovereign wealth fund. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca called it a dirty campaign that no one with good intentions should join. He argued that the efficacy of gene therapy had yet to be sufficiently proved, charging that the campaign sought to portray the state as weak and defend [the interests of] global pharmaceutical companies. Family and Labor Minister Zehra Zumrut Selcuk said 40 billion liras ($5.5 billion) had been allocated yearly for spinal muscular atrophy treatments. Some physicians lent support to the health minister. Dont exploit children for your political ambitions, a surgeon tweeted. Government supporters lashed out at Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other opposition figures who backed the campaign, charging that they were not really concerned about sick children but sought to fuel political tensions. Bacanli said the controversy disrupted efforts at a solution. We were planning a meeting with the company that would supply the drug. The company had agreed to a discount to enter the Turkish market. But after being portrayed as participants in a big, dirty ploy, both we and the company halted the initiative, he told Al-Monitor. The families of children with [spinal muscular atrophy] have no political aspect, the lawyer said. They are very much worried over the politicization of the issue. They are fighting for their children to live another day. Criminalizing the people who stand by them, ignoring the recommendations of doctors who prescribe the treatment is a gross injustice, he added. On Jan. 4, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged, Any treatment deemed appropriate will be covered, leading Bacanli to apply to the Social Security Institution to pay for the therapy. The families of the sick infants are racing against time, as patients need to be younger than 2 years old or weigh less than 21 kilograms (46 pounds) to receive the treatment. Thus far, donations have been collected for the treatment of 12 sick infants, with celebrities and social media influencers backing the campaigns. On Dec. 27, however, parliament approved legislation that conditioned online fundraising to the permission of governors offices. Citing the existing state coverage for the other drug, governors offices have denied permission for donation campaigns for the new treatment. Families cannot access the drug even if they can pay for it, Bacanli said. Pressure is growing on doctors and we are struggling to find any to prescribe the drug. Nagihan Sadiklar, the coordinator-general of Turkeys Muscular Diseases Association, told Al-Monitor, Polarization on such an important issue is not right. Gene treatment should be included into the scope of [social security coverage], along with all treatments with proven efficacy, so that children can have access to that treatment as soon as they are diagnosed. Sadiklar called also for a patient-centered review of the criteria for the existing treatment covered by the Social Security Institution or even the removal of all conditions. There are now so many criteria that patients often lose eligibility after four months of treatment, she explained. More than 200 civic and professional groups issued a joint appeal last month for equal treatment opportunities for all patients and a compulsory, free-of-charge genetic carrier screening before marriage. The Dimensions of Polarization in Turkey a joint survey by the German Marshall Fund and Istanbuls Bilgi University, released in December shows that voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly see the provision of health care for the sick as the responsibility of the state. Thus, the issue theoretically is above politics. Emre Erdogan, the Bilgi professor who coordinated the survey, told Al-Monitor, When the problem is too poignant, there is no partisanship we unite on the need to help people in need. But when it comes to who should resolve the problem and who is responsible for the solution, we begin to differ. Such politicization is the biggest impact of polarization. And without unity on solution, efficient solutions cannot be produced. Referring to the health ministers criticism of the latest campaign, Emre Erdogan said the government could have easily met the appeal. But the academic said that because members of the opposition were seen as part of those seeking action, The campaign was portrayed as an attempt to show the government as weak. He said, The government moved to defend itself and used the issue as a subject of polarization, trying to show itself as totally successful, while demonizing the other side and portraying it as connected to foreign forces. 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 brown tree snake, which is nocturnal, was accidentally introduced to Guam in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Credit: Bjorn Lardner, United States Geological Survey A team of researchers from Colorado State University and the University of Cincinnati have discovered a new mode of snake locomotion that allows the brown tree snake to ascend much larger smooth cylinders than any previously known behavior. This lasso locomotion, named because of a lasso-like body posture, may contribute to the success and impact of this highly invasive species. It allows these animals to access potential prey that might otherwise be unobtainable and may also explain how this species could climb power poles, leading to electrical outages. Researchers said they hope the findings will help people protect endangered birds from the snakes. The study, "Lasso locomotion expands the climbing repertoire of snakes," is published Jan. 11 in Current Biology. 'Unexpected' locomotion discovered on U.S. island territory of Guam For nearly 100 years, all snake locomotion has been traditionally categorized into four modes: rectilinear, lateral undulation, sidewinding and concertina. This new discovery of a fifth mode of locomotion was the unexpected result of a project led by CSU Emeritus Professor Julie Savidge aimed at protecting the nests of Micronesia starlings, one of only two native forest species still remaining on Guam. Savidge, part of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at CSU, said that the brown tree snake has decimated forest bird populations on Guam, where the discovery took place. The snake, which is nocturnal, was accidentally introduced to Guam in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Shortly thereafter, bird populations started to decline. The scientist conducted her doctoral dissertation research on Guam in the 1980s and identified the snake as the culprit for the loss of birds. The animal has caused extensive damage and is responsible for numerous power outages across the island each year. "Most of the native forest birds are gone on Guam," said Savidge. "There's a relatively small population of Micronesian starlings and another cave-nesting bird that has survived in small numbers. The starling serves an important ecological function by dispersing fruit and seeds which can help maintain Guam's forests." Researchers have worked for years to protect the nests of Micronesia starlings, one of only two native forest species still remaining on Guam. Credit: Julie Savidge, Colorado State University CSU's Tom Seibert, co-author and emeritus faculty, said the team was attempting to use a three-foot long metal baffle to keep the brown tree snakes from climbing up to bird boxes. These same baffles have been used to keep other snakes and raccoons away from nest boxes in the yards of bird-watchers. But this new study suggests these might pose little obstacle to brown tree snakes. "We didn't expect that the brown tree snake would be able to find a way around the baffle," he said. "Initially, the baffle did work, for the most part. We had watched about four hours of video and then all of a sudden, we saw this snake form what looked like a lasso around the cylinder and wiggle its body up." Seibert said that he and CSU biologist Martin Kastner almost fell out of their chairs when they first observed this new form of locomotion. "We watched that part of the video about 15 times" Seibert said. "It was a shocker. Nothing I'd ever seen compares to it." Brown tree snake is a 'champion climber' To confirm the discovery, the team subsequently reached out to University of Cincinnati's Bruce Jayne, an expert on different aspects of locomotion and muscle function, especially in snakes. Brown tree snakes, in particular, are champion climbers, said Jayne, study co-author and professor of biological sciences. "Brown tree snakes are especially good at getting almost anywhere," Jayne said. "It's impressive. They can climb vertically using even the tiniest projections on a surface, and they can bridge enormous gaps in the tree canopy. They can push themselves up vertically more than two-thirds of their body length." Jayne said snakes typically climb steep, smooth branches or pipes using a movement called concertina locomotion in which the snake bends sideways to grip at least two regions. But with lasso locomotion, the snake uses the loop of the lasso to form a single gripping region. This lasso locomotion may contribute to the success and impact of this highly invasive species. Credit: Tom Seibert, Colorado State University Seibert returned to Guam to record high-resolution video of this new climbing method so that Jayne could better interpret the snakes' movements. "It wasn't obvious how they were able to climb a cylinder," Jayne said. "The snake has these little bends within the loop of the lasso that allow it to advance upwards by shifting the location of each bend." Lasso locomotion is more physically demanding than other climbing methods, Jayne said. "Even though they can climb using this mode, it is pushing them to the limits. The snakes pause for prolonged periods to rest," he said. Savidge said the discovery of a new mode of snake locomotion is "quite exciting." A self-described ecologist, the scientist said she has worked with brown tree snakes for over 30 years. This video shows a brown treesnake lasso climbing. Credit: Thomas Seibert "Hopefully what we found will help to restore starlings and other endangered birds, since we can now potentially design baffles that the snakes can't defeat," she said. "It's still a pretty complex problem." Jayne said what the team discovered shows how amazing brown tree snakes are. "I've been working on snake locomotion for 40 years and here, we've found a completely new way of moving," he said. "Odds are, there is more out there to discover." Explore further Invasive snakes 'hitchhiking' on planes More information: Current Biology, Savidge et al.: "A novel mode of locomotion expands the climbing abilities of snakes" www.cell.com/current-biology/f 0960-9822(20)31763-2 , DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.11.050 Journal information: Current Biology , Savidge et al.: "A novel mode of locomotion expands the climbing abilities of snakes" Sydneysiders are no closer to knowing when they can travel interstate as border bickering between premiers worsens amid a handful of new coronavirus cases in the city's west and fresh venue alerts for the northern beaches. Under a new "traffic light" system introduced by Victoria from 6pm on Monday, people in regional NSW and the Central Coast (an "orange zone") can now apply for a permit to travel south of the border provided they have a coronavirus test within 72 hours of arrival. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian responded to comments from Western Australia that she was not adequately suppressing virus spread. This includes Victorians stranded in regional NSW after the border was shut at midnight on New Year's Day. But anyone who has been in Greater Sydney a "red zone" defined as Sydney, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains are not allowed to enter Victoria without an exemption. If they do enter the state unauthorised they will be fined $4957 and either returned on the next flight or, if they are a resident, required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. Days after the US Capitol was stormed, First Lady Melania Trump broke her silence to condemn the violence. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nations Capitol, she said in a statement. Violence is never acceptable. She also asks that Americans take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives. Supporters of the president breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, prompting the building to go on lockdown. Videos and photos show those at the Capitol clashing with police, property destroyed and items taken from the Capitol. President Donald Trump has since ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for the two U.S. Capitol Police officers who died since last Wednesdays attack. The statement was the first tweet from her since the attacks. Her husband was banned from multiple social media platforms last week, including Facebook and Twitter. After a brief ban, Trump returned to Twitter Thursday night. He tweeted a video that addressed the heinous attack on the United States capitol. Like all Americans I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem, he said in the video. Those who engaged in the act of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. He also told viewers that serving as your president has been the honor of my lifetime. On Friday, however, Trumps tweets had returned to their infamous tone. Twitter said it then permanently suspended the presidents account due to the risk of further incitement of violence. In her statement, Melania echoed similar words to her husbands video, saying it was an honor of my lifetime to serve as your First Lady. She also thanked her and her husbands supporters. I want to thank the millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past 4 years and shown the incredible impact of the American spirit, she said in the statement. Related Content: She arrived in Australia in September last year to begin production on the Marvel sequel Thor: Love and Thunder. And Natalie Portman enjoyed some downtime with her family in Sydney on Sunday, as she took a break from filming at Fox Studios. The actress, 39, and her husband, Benjamin Millepied, were spotted at the beach with their three-year-old daughter, Amalia. Beach day: Natalie Portman enjoyed some downtime with her family in Sydney on Sunday, as she took a break from filming Thor: Love and Thunder at Fox Studios Natalie dressed casually in a purple top and denim cut-offs, and concealed her gaze behind stylish sunglasses. Click here to resize this module She collected seashells with her little girl, who dressed for the sunny weather in a red top and striped skirt. ADVERTISEMENT Elsewhere, the Oscar winner was seen ramping up the PDA with her dance choreographer husband. Bonding time: She collected seashells with her three-year-old daughter, Amalia, who dressed for the sunny weather in a red top and striped skirt Lovebirds: Elsewhere, the Oscar winner, 39, was seen ramping up the PDA with her husband, dance choreographer Benjamin Millepied Canoodling: In a rare public display of affection, the couple, who also share a nine-year-old son named Aleph, were seen cuddling on the shoreline Daddy cool: Benjamin, 43, wore black boardshorts, a matching cap and a vintage Led Zeppelin T-shirt Relaxed: Natalie dressed casually in a purple top and denim cut-offs, and concealed her gaze behind stylish sunglasses Chic: The mother of two styled her brunette hair in a tidy bun at the nape of her neck In a rare public display of affection, the couple, who also share a nine-year-old son named Aleph, were seen cuddling on the shoreline. Benjamin, 43, blended in with other beachgoers in black boardshorts, a matching cap and a vintage Led Zeppelin T-shirt. The sighting comes after Natalie arrived Down Under in September to start filming Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Chris Hemsworth. Come 'ere! Natalie smiled as she reached out to assist her daughter, who was standing on a rock Exploring: At one stage, Natalie ventured under the shade of a rock as she searched for shells Mummy duties: She clutched a handful of her daughter's toys while presenting a tiny seashell On location: The sighting comes after Natalie arrived in Australia in September to start filming Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Chris Hemsworth By her side: She brought along her husband and children while filming the movie Down Under Her rock: She placed a hand on Benjamin's arm as they explored the beach together Stepping up: Thor: Love and Thunder sees Natalie's character, astrophysicist Jane Foster, take up the mantle of Thor after transforming into a female version of the Norse god The film sees Natalie's character, astrophysicist Jane Foster, take up the mantle of Thor after transforming into a female version of the Norse god. 'It's going to be really silly and funny and great,' Natalie recently said of the project. Explaining how she was approached for the film, she told ET last year: 'They came to me with the idea and said, "We have this idea for you that was a storyline in some of the comics where Jane becomes Lady Thor," and I was like, "This is very exciting!"' ADVERTISEMENT Natalie appeared in 2011's Thor and the 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark World, but skipped 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. Optimistic: 'It's going to be really silly and funny and great,' Natalie recently said of the project Back in the saddle: Natalie appeared in 2011's Thor and the 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark World, but skipped 2017's Thor: Ragnarok The Mumbai airport already handles 600 tonnes of polio vaccines, produced by SII, a month. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Mumbai airport will be handling over half of the Covishield vaccines coming out of Serum Institute of India's (SII's) Pune facility, helping them distribute within the country, and overseas. "The Mumbai airport will be catering to Serum Institute of India (SII). While the Pune airport will handle about 40-45 percent of the volumes, MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Ltd) will distribute the rest," MIAL's Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Jain told Moneycontrol. The Indian government will launch the vaccination drive from January 16, and the transportation of the vaccines may begun from January 11, to ensure a steady supply chain. Covishield is being jointly developed by Oxford University and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca, in collaboration with SII. Jain added that 25 tonnes of vaccines will come to the Mumbai airport everyday. "These vaccines have low shelf life and transportation has to be done as soon as possible. We have created a system such that it won't take more than 25 minutes for the vaccine shipment to cross the cargo terminal and board the aircraft," the senior executive 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 MIAL already has a capability in handling sensitive pharmaceuticals shipments, with a capacity to handle 200 tonnes of vaccines a day. "We have the cold storage facilities needed to store these vaccines," Jain said. The airport already handles 600 tonnes of polio vaccines, produced by SII, a month. "That is nearly about 20 tonnes a day. We are equipped in vaccine logistics," said Jain. MIAL runs Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the second largest in the country. Apart from the Mumbai airport, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad will also have a critical role, as the southern metro is home to Bharat Biotech, which is making Covaxin. Also, Dr Reddy's Lab, which won the contract to test and manufacture Russia's Sputnik vaccine, is also based in Hyderabad. Covishield and Covaxin have got the nod from the government for emergency use. SII, which is the world's largest maker of vaccines, exports to more than 100 countries, but Pune's airport is not fully capable to handle the volumes. The Pune airport is controlled and owned by the Indian Air Force, and is undergoing runway resurfacing. It is closed from 8 pm to 8 am, limiting its ability to transport vaccines. Update: Portland man who died in January plane crash was not certified to fly the aircraft The pilot of the flight that left Troutdale en route to Boise Jan. 9 was identified as Richard Boehlke, 72, of Portland, by the Warm Springs Police Department. Early reports indicated there was also a passenger on board but authorities determined Boehlke was alone when the plane went down. A pilot and passenger were killed when a small private jet crashed into a mountainous area of Warm Springs tribal land. The AP reports that air traffic control notified Warm Springs Tribal Police Saturday afternoon of the possible crash in the Mutton Mountains. According to the FAA, air traffic controllers lost communications with the Cessna C560 business jet at 1:30 p.m. near Pine Grove, just north of the reservation in Wasco County. The FAA said it then issued an alert at 1:51 p.m. to public safety agencies, pilots and airports to notify them about the missing plane. Oregon State Police and U.S. Air Force flyovers confirmed the crash, officials said. According to a Facebook post from Warm Springs police, access to the area was difficult due to snow and mud and officials used ATVs to reach the crash site. On 01/09/2021 at about 2:30 PM, the Warm Springs Dispatch Center received a report from Seattle Air Traffic Control of a... Posted by Warm Springs Police Department on Saturday, January 9, 2021 Names of the victims have not been released. The AP reported that the pilot had filed a flight plan from Troutdale Airport to Boise, Idaho, according to National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Christopher ONeil. ONeil said there didnt appear to be significant weather along the flights path. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker 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 Town of Onondaga, N.Y. The driver of a pickup truck suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday night after he crashed into a tree on Split Rock Road, officials said. The man, whose name has not been released, was driving east on Split Rock Road when he crossed over into the westbound lane and struck a large tree on the north side of the road, Onondaga County sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Jon Seeber said. Someone in the area called the Onondaga County 911 Center at 9:05 p.m. to report the crash in front of 3804 Split Rock Road, between Smoral and Wright roads in the town of Onondaga, dispatchers said. When Tauntons fire chief arrived at the scene, he asked for more help at the scene and said heavy extrication would be needed, according to police dispatches. Thats because the impact of the crash heavily damaged the pickup truck and trapped the driver, police and firefighters said. The small pickup truck was in the center of the road when emergency crews arrived. It appeared the pickup truck driver crashed into the tree about five feet off the road, then bounced back into the center of Split Rock Road, Taunton Fire Chief Michael Phelan said. The front end, drivers side was heavily damaged, the chief said. About 15 Taunton volunteer firefighters, five Fairmount volunteer firefighters, sheriffs deputies, state police and American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance responded, Phelan said. Firefighters extricated the man from the drivers seat of the badly damaged pickup truck, the chief said. Taunton EMTs assisted AMR crews in the ambulance as they rushed the man to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. His injuries are considered life-threatening, Seeber said. Deputies closed Split Rock Road from Howlett Hill to Wright roads after the crash. The road remained closed at 11:45 p.m. Members of the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office Accident Investigation Team were processing the crash scene Monday night. The crash remains under investigation, Seeber said. A small pickup truck crashed into a tree in front of 3804 Split Rock Road in the town of Onondaga. The driver suffered life-threatening injuries.Photo provided by Taunton Fire Chief Michael Phelan Check back for updates Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook Brisbane's new pandemic restrictions will be extended beyond January 22 if another case of the UK strain of COVID-19 is detected outside quarantine, with the city poised to go into lockdown again if cases surge. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has left the door firmly open for another strict lockdown, if the state's chief health officer thinks it will help stamp out the mutant strain of COVID-19 before it gathers momentum. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says masks must be worn in indoor public places. Credit:Jono Searle/Getty When asked if one new case could trigger another lockdown, Ms Palaszczuk said: "It depends if it is from this UK variant." "This is a highly contagious strain, 70 per cent more contagious, and we don't want to see that in our community," she said. WASHINGTON - As expected, the Supreme Court refused Monday to fast-track a batch of challenges to the presidential election filed by President Donald Trump and his allies. The rejections came without comment or noted dissent, and were formal notifications of what already had become clear. Some of the petitions asking for the court to move quickly were filed in early December, and the court had not even called for responses from officials in the states where the results were challenged. President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in Jan. 20, and the cases presumably will become moot after that. Among the cases the court declined to expedite were Trump v. Biden and Trump v. Boockvar, which challenged the results in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, respectively. Other cases filed by Trump allies objected to the outcomes in Michigan and Georgia. The Supreme Court has uniformly rejected challenges to the election results. On Dec. 11, it dismissed a bid by Trump and the state of Texas to overturn the results in those four battleground states won by Biden, blocking the president's legal path to reverse his reelection loss. The court's unsigned order was short, and it denied Texas's request to sue the states over how they conducted their elections. Texas has not shown it has a legal interest "in the manner in which another state conducts its elections," the order said. It dismissed all pending motions about the case. While Chief Justice John Roberts has drawn the ire of the right for the rejection, no justice on the court said they would have granted Texas the remedy it sought, which was to disallow the electors certified by the states. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they did not think the court had the authority to simply reject a state's filing and not consider the issue, but both said they were not prepared to grant the relief Texas sought. Earlier that week, the court without noted dissent had rejected a similar request from Republicans in Pennsylvania. Conservatives hold a 6-3 majority on the court, and Trump has nominated three of the justices. He said after the decisions that the Supreme Court "really let us down," and has expanded his criticism of the justices since then. The court has taken no action on whether to take up a case from Pennsylvania concerning the ability of state courts and officials to alter voting procedures put in place by the state legislature. It concerns increasing the time for the state to count mail-in ballots, but the number of those votes is too small to affect the outcome of the results there. The court also decided not to take up a request from Texas Democrats who wanted to force the state to offer universal mail-in voting to everyone, not just older residents. The party argued that the state's restrictions violated the 26th Amendment, which extended the vote to 18-year-olds and says the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age." The Supreme Court had refused to make the state offer mail-in voting to all during the campaign, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit rejected the 26th Amendment claim. It said Texas was within its rights because its decision did not make it more difficult for anyone to vote than it has previously been. A district judge had agreed with the Democrats, saying that if the state was making it easier for those over 65 to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic, it should offer the option to everyone. Centre in response to an RTI filed said that it currently has no proposal to indemnify or exempt vaccine manufacturers from any liability in case of serious side-effects/adverse reactions due to inoculation of their vaccines. On 3 January, the Government of India gave its final approval for the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVISHIELD vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and for COVAXIN developed by Bharat Biotech and Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). Both have been provided green signal for restricted emergency use. The news garnered a variety of reactions. Experts questioned how such an approval can be provided, especially for COVAXIN, which is yet to provide data on its efficacy from Phase 3 trials. Amidst all this, the Government of India in response to an RTI filed by this reporter said that it currently has no proposal to indemnify or exempt vaccine manufacturers from any liability in case of serious side-effects/adverse reactions due to inoculation of their vaccines. Recently, SIIs CEO Adar Poonawala , at a virtual panel discussion on the challenges to vaccine development, had floated this idea as he believed that frivolous lawsuits may add to the fear about vaccines. He had also said that it will bankrupt vaccine manufacturers or distract them if they have to, just all day, fight lawsuits and explain to the media what is happening. In the United States last year, the Health and Human Resources Secretary had invoked the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, which empowers him to provide legal protection to companies making or distributing critical medical supplies, such as vaccines and treatments, unless there is willful misconduct by the company. In other words, unless willful misconduct is proven, vaccine manufacturers will be immune from any lawsuits suing them for any unintentional harm from their vaccines. Poonawala seeks a similar immunity from the Indian government. A source from the SII, who requested anonymity, told the reporter that so far there has been no development as such. This (immunity) is an industry demand and since the vaccine manufacturing was required to be expedited, this is a reasonable demand, especially during the pandemic. However, the source was not aware if any such request has been sent already. Maybe on industrys behalf, the proposal may be sent. Companies fear that despite their best efforts and highest care taken in making the vaccine, they may face frivolous lawsuits, draining companys resources and reputation. Bharat Biotech refused to comment and share its views on the matter. Lawyers, specialising in pharmaceutical laws, refused to come on record with their views stating that the current situation is as too sensitive and controversial. They, however, on condition of anonymity said that the demand for indemnity is reasonable. Of course, blanket immunity as such cannot be given but a reasonable indemnity is a completely legitimate demand. Manufacturing companies cannot be absolutely immune from litigations because they will eventually make profits. Also, they should have some insurance protection as well. Companies will probably export their vaccines in the future and they can't expect all jurisdictions around the world to give them the same protection, a lawyer from a top leading law firm said while also suggesting that the companies should invest in pharmacovigilance arrangements for adverse event monitoring. The reporter reached out to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for their comments but despite several reminders, no response was forthcoming. The story will be updated if and when a response is received. Not everybody is in favour of providing such an indemnity to vaccine manufacturers. Dr Amar Jesani, senior physician and editor of Indian Journal for Medical Ethics has the same view. "On one hand, they will make profits and on the other, they want no liability? The way the companies succeeded in getting emergency approval from Govt clearly shows that they have colluded," Dr Jesani said. On being asked about companies concern over frivolous litigations, he said that people are not willing to get into a fight against such big and powerful companies, if the claims are not genuine. Litigations take years and drain one of their resources. If I am harmed, I have a right to be compensated. What is the harm in this? Why should it affect companys credibility and reputation? It is the companies that file frivolous litigations against other companies and the government. A common man does not. On immunity provided by the US government to vaccine manufacturers, Jesani said that the US has tighter regulations for health sector whereas in India it is a jungle raj. If you want the US model, then bring in the entire model first, including their regulations. Cherry picking one thing (blanket immunity) is not acceptable. He also recalled that these companies have not got any immunity for other vaccination drives and there is no reason to get it now. The author is an independent investigative journalist. (ISRAEL21c) Unless youre a dairy farmer, bovine mastitis is the killer disease youve probably never heard of. This infection around the udder is now the most frequent disease of dairy cows. Its costing the industry between $20 billion and $30 billion a year and contributing to an increasing number of deaths among humans that result from a proliferation of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The scourge of the superbugs comes from the fact that antibiotics are the main therapy used in treating bovine mastitis. The overuse of antibiotics in cows allows antimicrobial-resistant pathogens to make their way to people via the milk they drink. ADVERTISEMENT Resistant superbugs cause an estimated 700,000 deaths a year around the world, with the total predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050. Costs associated with death and loss in productivity could run $100 trillion globally, according to a UK government report. Israeli biopharmaceutical startup Mileutis has developed its first product, Imilac, an injectable product that stimulates the cows immune system to fight mastitis. Its similar to immunotherapy medications that are transforming cancer treatment in humans. Mileutis is a portmanteau of mil for milk, eut from therapeutics, and is, Greek for knowledge. Safe for humans Because Imilac is based on peptides that already exist in cows milk, the formulation is considered safe for human consumption. The European Medicines Agency ruled that Imilac, which contains the protein casein hydrolysate, doesnt require a Maximum Residue Limit evaluation to determine if there is a dangerously high concentration of a pharmacologically active substance from a food of animal origin. Imilac was developed originally at the governmental Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization in Rishon LeZion. Mileutis CEO David Javier Iscovich tells ISRAEL21c that he and his father were looking for an innovative biological technology they could build into a company. The two, originally from Argentina, werent thinking about cows at first. The senior Iscovich Jose is an experienced immunobiologist who focused on the epidemiology of cancer in human health for most of his career. David worked in his fathers lab as a research assistant from a young age. We reviewed 14 projects in Israel and the US until someone offered us a project on animal health, David Iscovich recalls. We saw the results and we said, Wow, this is the one. This is going to change the industry. Theres no solution Its a big industry: an estimated 275 million dairy cows worldwide. A survey by the US Food and Drug Administration found that 95% of dairy cows are treated with antibiotics at least once a year. The problem of antibiotic overuse is a direct result of the growth of industrial farming, Iscovich points out. Fifty years ago, when a cow got infected with mastitis, she would be given time to rest while her immune system did its work. But now, each cow is pumped for so much milk, theres no flexibility to give the cow a break to get better. Antibiotics were introduced to kill the pathogen so that it does not infect the milk. Today, some 70% of the antibiotics administered in the world today are for animals. The problem arises when pathogens learn to resist antibiotics in animals and then leap to humans. Antibiotic overrun from farms can seep into the surrounding ecosystem, which can also reach humans. We go to the hospital, the antibiotics dont work, and we die, Iscovich says bleakly. Theres no solution. Overuse of antibiotics in animals has led some European countries to begin restricting their use. Will Imalic replace antibiotics entirely? I dont think it will be 100%, Iscovich says. But for mastitis, I think we will be able to reduce antibiotic use by 90% to 95%. Second product in development Imilac is intended to be used once a year as a preventative. A second Mileutis product in development, Milac, attacks the pathogen itself and is used if a cow gets infected during the lactation period. Imilac has passed several clinical trials in Israel. It has received support from the Hachaklait Veterinary Services group, which has supplied it to dairy farmers. Mileutis submitted its application for full approval to the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture in 2019 and is awaiting authorization. It is in advanced stages with regulators in the US and the European Union, as well. In the meantime, the company has built a production line in Israel. Were ready to go, Iscovich says. In October, Mileutis raised $20 million from NovaQuest Capital Management to bring its products to markets beyond Israel. This is NovaQuests first investment in the animal healthcare field and its first in an Israeli company. Mileutis previously raised money from private investors. Mileutis, which has a staff of 30 and its office and factory close to the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, has been working on its residue-free, biologically based antibiotic alternative since 2004. At the time, there were few competitors. Now theres a buzz on antibiotic solutions but [other companies] are at a very early stage compared with Mileutis, Iscovich explains. It will take them many years to get to where we are today. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) Ten relatives who were exposed to the Filipina earlier diagnosed with the new COVID-19 variant in Hong Kong all tested negative for the virus through antigen and antibody tests, a local official revealed on Sunday. Manuel Mamba, governor of Cagayan province where the Filipina domestic helper hails from, said the relatives are all asymptomatic. However, he noted that results of the RT-PCR tests, considered as the gold standard in detecting the coronavirus, are still pending. Sa Cagayan po sampu lang 'yung na-identify, may exposure sa kanya. At awa ng Diyos, [sila ay] asymptomatic, negative sa antigen at negative din sa antibody [test], Mamba said in an interview with CNN Philippines Newsroom Weekend.Pero sa RT-PCR, wala pa po. [Translation: Here in Cagayan, only 10 were identified that had exposure to her. By Gods grace, they are asymptomatic, negative in antigen, and negative also in antibody. But no results yet for RT-PCR.] Mamba added the individuals, who all come from the same place in the province, are still under home quarantine. Hong Kong health authorities earlier bared that a Filipina domestic worker, who arrived from Manila in December, was detected with the new United Kingdom COVID-19 variant which initial studies cited as potentially more contagious. The Philippines Department of Health later on confirmed the passenger is a 30-year-old woman from Cagayan Valley. Authorities said they are tracking her other close contacts in Metro Manila, as well as the passengers who boarded the same Philippine Airlines flight to Hong Kong last Dec. 22. The country also earlier imposed restrictions to travelers from nations with reported cases of the new variant from the UK, and of another mutation discovered in South Africa. READ: PH adds Austria in travel restrictions list over new COVID-19 variant Police are investigating reports of shots fired overnight in the Ballymagroarty area of Londonderry. It comes as a video was circulated on social media showing a masked man, armed with a pistol, firing shots into the air. The gunman was flanked by other males believed to be members of the INLA's Derry brigade holding flags before the shots rang out. Shortly after the incident, residents took to social media to report how PSNI armed response officers had arrived in the area. A short time later police were alerted to a suspicious object in the Racecourse Road area of the City. The road was closed overnight as a major security operation was put in place. The object was later declared an elaborate hoax. Police have linked the security alert to the hijacking of a silver-coloured Mitsubishi Outlander on Ballyarnett Road at around 9.30pm. The incidents come following a week of unrest in the northwest. Last week two cars were set alight and two men shot during separate incidents linked to The New IRA's Derry brigade. Foyle SDLP MP Colum Eastwood condemned last week's incidents saying: "The people of Derry do not want this. They (New IRA) must stop terrorising our community now." It is not known if there is a link between the security alert and the firing of shots. The Sunday Life reported that PSNI patrols have been warned to be wary of being lured into parts of Derry due to fears of an impending New IRA attack. Intelligence indicates the gang plans to use hoax calls about house parties breaching coronavirus restrictions to trick cops into an ambush. A police spokesperson added: Police are aware of a social media post showing a video of a masked man firing a volley of shots, and are making enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 102 of 11/01/21 Larry Brock, a retired Air Force Lt. Col. from North Texas, has been arrested after being reported by multiple people to the FBI for his participation in this month's attack on the Capitol. One of the informants who helped investigators was his Brock's ex-wife of 18 years. CAPITOL RIOT: A Texas woman took a private jet to D.C. to 'storm the Capitol' ABC 13 reports that an affidavit sent to the D.C. District Court states that Brock's ex claims to have seen her former husband in photos from the U.S. Capitol. "I just know that when I saw this was happening, I was afraid he would be there," she said according to court documents. "I think you already know he was there. It is such a good picture of him, and I recognize his patch." Brock was seen wearing a combat helmet, bandana, body armor and a tactical vest that included a Texas flag, and was holding multiple pairs of zip-tie handcuffs. He was photographed in the Senate chamber and with a group that breached Speaker Nancy Pelosis office suite, though it is unclear if he entered the suite. Win McNamee/Getty Images NPR's Greg Myre reports that Brock was also named by John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, who has been gathering clues and crowdsourcing information to identify rioters at the Capitol. Scott-Railton focused on those who seemed prepared to take hostages. "I kept finding footage of men wearing body armor, communicating with each other and moving with purpose," Scott-Railton told NPR. "It made me think there were people in there who had specific ideas of what they wanted to accomplish and had come prepared to execute on them." Scott-Railton worked with New Yorker reporter Ronan Farrow to identify Brock. Brock gave an interview to the New Yorker in which he admitted he was the man in the photos and repeated Trump's baseless claims of election fraud. The President asked for his supporters to be there to attend, and I felt like it was important, because of how much I love this country, to actually be there, he told Farrow. Brock claimed he found the zip-tie handcuffs on the floor and did not intend to use them. I wish I had not picked those up, he told Farrow. My thought process there was I would pick them up and give them to an officer when I see one... I didnt do that because I had put them in my coat, and I honestly forgot about them. Brock was arrested in Texas on Jan. 10 and faces charges of knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority and of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. The Government has been pressed to urgently release a report into compensation for victims of IRA attacks linked to Libyan explosives. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary of state Louise Haigh made the call on behalf of victims of the 1996 Docklands bombings in London. Two people were killed and scores left injured in the blast powered by semtex supplied by the regime of former Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Expand Close Louise Haigh (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Louise Haigh (Liam McBurney/PA) Ms Haigh has written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warning that the intolerable delay in the release of the report has left victims feeling abandoned. Gaddafi supplied weapons, including semtex explosives, to the IRA during the Troubles. The semtex is also thought to have enabled blasts at a Remembrance Day service in Enniskillen in 1987 which killed 12 people and the Warrington bombings in 1992 which left two children dead, as well as other IRA attacks. A decade on from Gaddafis death, relatives of those killed continue to campaign for compensation from the current Libyan authorities. Expand Close Office buildings in Londons Docklands, which were devastated in a bomb blast which signalled an end to the IRA ceasefire (PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Office buildings in Londons Docklands, which were devastated in a bomb blast which signalled an end to the IRA ceasefire (PA) William Shawcross was appointed special representative on UK victims of Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terrorism by the Government to look at levels of compensation for victims. The report he produced was delivered to the Government last year, but has so far not been published. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said ministers are carefully considering the complex issues raised. In her letter to Mr Raab, Ms Haigh said those acts of terror have left both a physical and emotional toll across generations. It is clear to the opposition that the government must communicate the findings to victims as a matter of urgency, she wrote. It is time the report was urgently released and victims were given answers and the redress they have fought so long for. Further delays are simply intolerable. Docklands Victims Association chairman Jonathan Ganesh has accused the Government of cruelty. It is shameful the UK government would raise our expectations and then so cruelly deny us access to this report, he said. Expand Close Ihsan Bashir (left) with the head of the Docklands victims campaign group Jonathan Ganesh (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ihsan Bashir (left) with the head of the Docklands victims campaign group Jonathan Ganesh (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The present UK Conservative government have put the victims through immense pain by the lack of genuine care. Joyce Brown, a toilet attendant who was working and injured in the Docklands bombing, added: How can a Government do this to victims of terror. It is not fair that we have been treated like this. We have campaigned for years to end this discrimination. If they cared they would have resolved this by now. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson responded: We are taking this work forward. Ministers are carefully considering the complex issues captured in Mr Shawcross internal report, giving due respect to the victims. Inhalio Air Sanitizing Scent Cartridge Launched At CES2021 the Inhalio platform is transformative to health and wellness in a variety of markets such as rideshare, home, and hospitality - Keith Kelsen, CEO of Inhalio Inhalio announced today at the #CES2021 all-digital event that it has released its Rev 3.2 Scent-as-a-Service solutions for Automotive OEMs, Tier-1s, Rideshare Fleets, Home and Hospitality clients to further health, wellness, and well-being in their offerings. New developments to the Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 platform include: A new version of the intelligent Air-Sanitizer Scent Cartridge that was independently lab tested in December and found to kill airborne pathogens; A new intelligent Malodor Scent Cartridge field tested and found to eliminate smoke within three minutes; New release of Inhalio Nomad SD3 dry-air mobility diffuser with new algorithms now in production and available for distribution in rideshare fleets; New release of the Inhalio Scent (iScent) Cloud to support advanced customer usage insights with visualization tools. As the leader in intelligent, cloud-based digital scent delivery systems, the Inhalio platform is transformative to health and wellness in a variety of markets such as rideshare, home, and hospitality, said Keith Kelsen, CEO of Inhalio. In mobility markets, we pioneered the concept of a Wellness Ride to deliver, through precise in-vehicle scent diffusion, a breakthrough that gives customers healthier and new emotive in-vehicle experiences. Were very excited to announce at CES2021 these new releases to equip and empower clients interested in scent systems manufacturing and integration. New Nomad SD3 Scent Diffuser - Release 3.2: The new Inhalio Nomad SD3 is an all-in-one, dry-air scent diffuser in the shape of an upscale coffee cup that fits into a vehicles cup holder and gets power through the provided USB cable and power port. The Nomad SD3 comes delivered with up to four custom intelligent scent cartridges that are formulated to eliminate bad odors, kill airborne pathogens, improve passenger moods, and relieve motion sickness. The system is controlled through a downloadable smartphone app available from Apples or Googles marketplace, and is controlled and monitored through the cloud. The system can be integrated with a Rideshare companys application using APIs, giving both the driver and passenger a seamless experience. Using the Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 Platform and by offering the concept of a wellness ride, rideshare companies can quickly and conveniently deploy dry-air mobility, or embedded, scent diffusers into their fleets to improve customer satisfaction, increase per-ride revenue, create more brand loyalty, and further differentiate their rideshare service from competitors. The new Nomad SD3 diffuser has been recently updated and now includes elegant and ruggedized design features, customizable logo placement for OEMs, a variety of color options, a more powerful and quieter dry-air release fan, and a wider array of intelligent scent cartridges the system is in production and availability is scheduled for February. OEMs, Tier 1s, can get earlier access through the Inhalio Demo Mobility Kit. New Intelligent Scent Cartridge Releases: The Nomad SD3 diffuser comes pre-installed with up to four intelligent scent cartridges, each formulated for a specific purpose: 1. Sanitize to sanitize the cabin air from airborne pathogens; 2. Refresh to eliminate odors from smoke, sweat, pets, and food; 3. Relax to calm through a mood-mapped scent; 4. Alert to invigorate through a mood-mapped scent; and 5. Relief to get relief from motion sickness in medium to mild cases. The new Intelligent Cartridges include the availability of additional mood-mapped scents, as well as culturally tuned fragrances to maximize the appeal in specific countries and regions. In addition to this, Inhalio has worked with two independent labs in France and in the US to assess the effectiveness of its V-313485 Air Sanitizer Cartridge that is specifically designed to reduce the number of viable airborne pathogens in a cabin. The V-313485 Air Sanitizer Cartridge has already been certified as safe-to-breathe in accordance with IFRA standards. Inhalio Scent Cloud - Release 3.2: The Inhalio Digital Scent-as-a-Service solution was born in the cloud. From its very beginning the companys cloud-based iScent system was designed to control, monitor, manage and collect data on every single intelligent scent cartridge, every dry-air diffuser, groups of diffusers in a fleet, or across a worldwide network of diffusers. The iScent Cloud captures data on each diffusers actions as requested by each user and knows the scent ingredient payload contained within each cartridge. Inhalio collects an unprecedented amount of data: what was released, when it was released, the users scent preferences, cadence and intensity delivery preferences, survey data, and supply chain data on cartridge depletion and reorders. Recent updates to the iScent Cloud included the ability to support tens of millions of devices and concurrent connections, as well has enhanced data sets and visualization tools to understand customer usage patterns and preferences to gain business insights. Having detailed customer usage data is key to understating demands for specific scents and seasonal trends, managing intelligent cartridge lifespans, along with advanced lifecycle analysis and management for what scents should be manufactured, inventoried, shipped, and resupplied. About Inhalio: Inhalio is a global leader in cloud-based digital scent technology. The Inhalio Digital Scent 3.0 Platform is transformative to personal wellness and well-being by diffusing scents that sanitize airborne viral pathogens, eliminate malodors, and create mood-mapped experiences. We focus on the science of scent using a data-centric process of precise scent infusion, molecular dry-air diffusion, and detailed customer insights. http://www.inhalio.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. By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is facing the worst weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, its chief medical officer said on Monday, with the health service entering a "dangerous time" as deaths and cases hit record highs while a mass vaccination programme picks up steam. Deaths from the virus have now exceeded 81,000 in the United Kingdom - the world's fifth-highest toll - with more than 3 million people testing positive. A new, more transmissible variant of the disease is surging through the population, with one in 20 people in parts of London now infected. In a bid to get on top of the pandemic and to try to restore some degree of normality by the spring, Britain is rushing out its largest ever vaccination programme, with shots to be offered to all those in its top four priority categories - about 15 million people - by the middle of next month. But the government's chief medical adviser Chris Whitty warned the situation would deteriorate in the meantime. "The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of numbers into the NHS (National Health Service)," he said. "Anybody who is not shocked by the number of people in hospital who are seriously ill at the moment and who are dying over the course of this pandemic, I think, has not understood this at all. This is an appalling situation," he told BBC TV. "SIGNIFICANT CRISIS" During the peak of the first outbreak in April, about 18,000 people were in hospital but now there are 30,000, Whitty said, adding the health service was facing "a significant crisis". "Everybody says that this is the most dangerous time we've really had in terms of numbers into the NHS," he said. On Friday, London's mayor said the British capital's hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed by COVID patients, and ministers and health chiefs have pleaded with people to respect lockdown measures and stay at home unless it was essential to go out. Story continues Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is pinning its hopes on a mass vaccination programme to offer a way out of the pandemic by the spring. Britain was the first country to approve vaccines developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and by Pfizer/BioNTech, and on Friday approved Moderna's shot. It is aiming to offer shots to 15 million people by the middle of next month. To reach that target, which will require delivering 2 million vaccines a week, the government is opening seven big vaccination centres while additional doctors' surgeries, hospitals and some pharmacies will also start delivering shots. "The vaccinations are really beginning to ramp up, 200,000 a day, we've done an incredible job this past week," Nadhim Zahawi, the minister in charge of the vaccination programme, told Sky News. Those in the four highest risk levels, including those over 70, the most clinically vulnerable and frontline health workers, will be offered the vaccines by Feb. 15, he said. "I hope they do. Lets hold them to that," opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has repeatedly accused Johnson of being too slow to respond to the pandemic, said of the target. "Britain shouldnt have one of the highest death tolls in Europe, and the deepest recession. We shouldnt be facing the slowest recovery and we shouldnt be suffering the tragedy of so many deaths every day from this virus." There have been calls for the government to take harder action against those who break the lockdown rules, but Zahawi said ministers did not want to "go any tougher". However, he cautioned there was concern about the spread of the virus in supermarkets and there was a need to ensure people wore masks while in them. [L8N2JM1EK] (Additional reporting by Kate Holton, William Schomberg and James Davey; writing by Michael Holden; editing by Estelle Shirbon, Guy Faulconbridge and Angus MacSwan) New Delhi: Union Budget 2021 which is scheduled to be presented on February 1 will go paperless as the Finance Ministry has decided not to print the budget documents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Touted to be a historic move, it will be for the first time in the history of independent India that the budget 2021 papers will not be printed. News Agency IANS quoting sources said the government has received permission for the same from both the Houses of Parliament. The decision has been taken as the printing process would require several people to stay at the press for around a fortnight amid the coronavirus fears. The budget documents are generally printed at the Finance Ministry`s in-house printing press in the North Block. Union budget 2021 may see several conventions being broken as the sources said that the traditional `Halwa` ceremony may also not take place this year or a subdued function may be held with limited gathering, IANS added. This ceremony, which normally starts around January 20, is attended by all the people involved in budget-making, and marks the beginning of printing. Once printing starts, printing staffers stay inside the press till the presentation of budget. Only a few high-ranked officials are allowed access and that too on the basis of a special identity card. The entire facility, loading-unloading and transportation are manned by the special security forces. This is not the first time that there would be a change in tradition in the presentation of the budget under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Last year, she did away with a colonial-era tradition of carrying Budget papers in a briefcase, and introduced the Budget `Bahi Khata` or a ledger, enclosed in a red cloth folder and tied with a string. Live TV #mute With Agency Inputs TOKYO: Japan is preparing to expand a coronavirus state of emergency to the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo by the end of the week, Jiji news agency reported on Monday, citing unidentified government sources. The three prefectures on Saturday asked the government to impose a state of emergency, which is already in place in Tokyo and surrounding regions, to include them in an effort to contain the latest spread of the coronavirus. Separately, the governor of the central prefecture of Aichi said he and authorities in the neighbouring prefecture of Gifu aimed to ask the government as early as Tuesday to expand the state of emergency to their areas. Stronger restrictive measures as well as more decisive changes in our citizens behaviour - thats what I am seeking," the Aichi governor, Hideaki Omura, told media. Prime Minister Yoshihide Sugas government on Thursday declared a limited state of emergency in the capital, Tokyo, and three neighbouring prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba to stem the spread of infections. Restrictions under the one-month emergency to Feb. 7 centre on combating transmission in bars and restaurants, which the government says are main risk areas. The new curbs are narrower in scope than those imposed in April under an emergency that ran to late May. At that time, the curbs were nationwide and schools and non-essential businesses were mostly shuttered. This time, schools are not being closed. Japan has seen coronavirus cases total around 289,000, with 4,067 deaths, according to public broadcaster NHK. Since the outset of the pandemic it has tried to balance controlling the spread of the virus while limiting damage to the worlds third-biggest economy. Under a law revised in March to cover the coronavirus, the prime minister can declare a state of emergency if the disease poses a grave danger to lives and if its rapid spread threatens serious economic damage. That gives local authorities legal basis to ask residents and businesses to restrict movements and work. 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 Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain. Low near 50F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain When buying a new car, insurance costs should also be taken into consideration. Otherwise, owners may have unpleasant surprises when trying to purchase coverage. Generally, new cars are packed with the latest technological innovations and are more expensive to insure. To get better rates, follow the next tips: Choose the right car. SUVs, mini-vans, and crossovers are cheaper to insure than other car models. The typical drivers of these car models are considered to be responsible parents who put safety first, ahead of speed or horsepower. These cars are usually equipped with several safety devices like rearview cameras, additional airbags, cruise control, and other devices that lower the policy rates. Install safety devices. In addition to the standard safety devices found on the recently purchased car, drivers can add other devices in order to decrease insurance rates even more. These safety devices are forward collision warning, auto brake, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, adaptive headlights, blind spot detection, GPS tracking, and others. Consider usage-based insurance. Allow the insurance company to install a small monitoring device. This device will send real-time data about, how many miles are driven, time of day when the car is driven, braking, acceleration, speed, cornering, distance traveled, back to the insurer. Good drivers can expect to receive customized, better rates. Raise deductibles. Drivers can lower their new car insurance rates by agreeing to pay more money from their own pockets when making a claim. Shop online for quotes. Before purchasing a new car, it is important to compare multiple quotes from different insurers. Get at least five quotes, and start comparing estimates. When finding a good deal, contact that insurer for more info. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. A bundle of police crime scene tape in a file photo. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images) Santa Ana Police Probe Shooting Death Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a man fatally shot in Santa Ana. The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) discovered the victim Jan. 10 at 5:43 a.m. He suffered gunshot wounds to his upper torso, and was found at the 800 south block of Townsend Street. Orange County Fire Authority employees pronounced the man dead, and the SAPD was called upon to assume the investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to call (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb on an inauguration platform on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) PHOTO:AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana Capitol Police Were Little Defense Against Rioters By The Associated Press WASHINGTON - Despite ample warnings about pro-Trump demonstrations in Washington, U.S. Capitol Police did not bolster staffing on Wednesday and made no preparations for the possibility that the planned protests could escalate into violence, according to several people briefed on law enforcement's response. The revelations shed new light on why Capitol Police were so quickly overrun by protesters. The department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day. While some of those officers were outfitted with equipment for a protest, they were not staffed or equipped for a riot. Once the crowd began to move on the Capitol, a police lieutenant issued an order not to use deadly force, which explains why officers outside the building did not draw their weapons as the crowd closed in. Officers are sometimes ordered against escalating a situation by drawing their weapons if superiors believe doing so could lead to a stampede or a shootout. In this instance, it also left officers with little ability to resist the crowd. In one video from the scene, an officer puts up his fists to try to push back a crowd pinning him and his colleagues against a door. The crowd jeers You are not American! and one man tries to prod him with the tip of an American flag. They were left naked, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California. said of the police in an interview with AP. It turns out it was the worst kind of non-security anybody could ever imagine. In an interview with The Washington Post, Capitol police chief Steven Sund said he had asked House and Senate security officials ahead of time for permission to request that the D.C. National Guard be placed on standby in case he needed quick backup, but he said he was turned down. If we would have had the National Guard we could have held them at bay longer, until more officers from our partner agencies could arrive, he told the Post. He said his superiors had been uncomfortable with the optics of formally declaring an emergency ahead of Wednesdays demonstration. The Capitol Police's response have drawn condemnation from lawmakers and prompted the ouster of the department's chief and the Sergeants at Arms of both the House and Senate. Investigators are particularly focused on why some had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate, according to an official. Larry Rendell Brock, of Texas, and Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, who both were photographed with plastic restraints as they broke into the Capitol, were arrested by the FBI on Sunday. Prosecutors said Brock also donned a green helmet, tactical vest and camouflage jacket. The rioters had more equipment and they werent afraid to use it, said Ashan Benedict, who leads the Washington field division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was there that day. They had apparently more bear spray and pepper spray and chemical munitions than we did, Benedict said. Were coming up with plans to counteract their chemical munitions with some of our own less-than-lethal devices, so these conversations are going on as this chaos is unfolding in front of my eyes. Officers have been criticized for their actions after snippets of videos taken by the demonstrators showed some posing for selfies, acquiescing to demands by screaming rioters to move aside so they could stream inside the building. But other videos show officers trying in vain to keep the crowd from breaking into the building. One disturbing video shows a bloodied Metropolitan police officer screaming for help as hes crushed by protesters inside the Capitol building. The young officer is pinned between a riot shield and metal door. Bleeding from the mouth, he cries out in pain and screams, Help! In another stunning video, a lone police officer tries to hold off a mob of demonstrators from breaking into the lobby. He fails. One officer died in the riot and at least a dozen were injured. The officials confirmed that the numbers of officers posted were on par with a routine protest and day where lawmakers would be present. Capitol Police officials did brief lawmakers ahead of Wednesday, saying they expected large numbers of protesters to attend a rally near the White House, but offered no indication they were making preparations for a movement of the crowd to the Capitol, according to one Republican congressional aide. Still, they advised lawmakers to plan to use the underground tunnels that connect House office buildings to the Capitol. Benedict was at the bomb scene when Capitol Police captains there told him their officers were being overrun. He immediately activated the special response team that was standing by and began to call in every ATF agent who works for him in Washington. When they began entering the Capitol complex at 2:40 p.m., the hallways were packed with protesters. Eventually, federal agents were able to secure the Capitol Rotunda. We just started moving crowds of people out of the Capitol Complex and then going through one by one, each room and rooms off of rooms, to identify friendlies from hostiles, he said. Kansas Dems lash out following the pummeling they took in November 2020. Here's their call to remove Republicans following this eventful week. And the response. Read more . . . According to a press release published on January 11, 2021, Duqm Naval Dockyard (DND), the Joint Venture between Babcock International and the Oman Drydock Company (ODC), has successfully completed a four week fleet time support program (FTSP) for the UK Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose. According to a press release published on January 11, 2021, Duqm Naval Dockyard (DND), the Joint Venture between Babcock International and the Oman Drydock Company (ODC), has successfully completed a four week fleet time support program (FTSP) for the UK Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link British Navy HMS Montrose Type 23 or Duke-class frigate. (Picture source British Navy) The maintenance period enabled the DND team to complete essential repairs and performance improvements, ensuring an on-time on cost turnaround of HMS Montrose back to operational duties in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. This contract underpins Babcocks response to the Royal Navys commitment to forward-deployed Task Groups. Putting greater emphasis on global partnerships and digitally enabled support solutions, Babcocks investment with ODC to develop the DND for international navies ensures it is well placed to provide sustainable support to customers. Its regional capability in the Gulf is a key component and the success of the FTSP at Duqm demonstrates Babcocks global support to customers. The program incorporated repair and maintenance activities throughout the ship, with more than 250 critical elements in the scope. Extensive surveys determined a schedule of ship-wide pressure testing and maintenance, including air weapons handling systems, fire systems, and ventilation. Activities extended to the hangar, flight deck and bridge, as well as throughout living quarter areas. All had to be undertaken under strict COVID regulations applying at the dockyard. Strategically located outside the Gulf of Arabia, DND offers customers a competitive, comprehensive facility with a full suite of modern waterside infrastructure. Its 2,800 meters of the quayside, complete with new-build workshops and specialist-manufacturing facilities, operate alongside two 480m graving docks capable of supporting Ultra Large Crude Carriers and large Warships, allowing the most complex of programs to be efficiently delivered. Established as an Omani company in 2017, DND combines the ship repair skills and dockyard infrastructure of ODC with the naval design, engineering and programming expertise of Babcock, firmly putting our customers requirements at the heart of our operations. The HMS Montrose is a Type 23 or Duke class of frigates in service with the British Navy. She was laid down in November 1989 by Yarrow Shipbuilders on the Clyde, and was launched on 31 July 1992. She was commissioned into service in June 1994. The Type 23 or Duke-class frigate was designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare missions, but the ship is equipped with an additional vertical-launched Seawolf naval surface-to-air missile system and the Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface missile to be used as anti-surface warfare (ASuW) ship. The ship is armed with one 32-cell Sea Wolf GWS.26 VLS canisters for able to fire Sea Wolf (range 110 km) or Sea Ceptor missiles (125+ km), two quad Harpoon launchers, two twins 12.75 in (324 mm) Sting Ray torpedo tubes, one BAE 4.5 inch Mk 8 naval gun, two 30 mm DS30M Mk2 guns, or, 2 30 mm DS30B guns, two Miniguns, and four General-purpose machine guns. DOUG MILLS /NYT On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will be visiting Alamo, Texas to highlight his administration's work on the border wall. While his visit to the Rio Grande Valley comes on the cusp of intense times between Trump supporters and opponents, officials in Texas are making sure the President's arrival remains peaceful. Here are things to know about the President's arrival in Texas. 1. Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez is asking for people to keep their passions in check. In a statement he said, "Passions are running dangerously high among supporters and opponents of President. I urge both sides to keep those passions in check because ultimately the Rio Grande Valley has a unique opportunity to demonstrate the wort that peaceful public discourse is far more effective than public violence." The Chickasaw Nation Productions documentary First Encounter from the Chickasaw Heritage Series will air this month on Winchester Public Access and Medias (Wincam) Public channels Comcast 8, Comcast 22, Verizon 35 and Verizon 38 in Winchester, Massachusetts. Broadcasting of First Encounter will take place Jan. 14 at 9:20 p.m.; Jan. 16 at 6 p.m.; Jan. 19 at 9:30 p.m.; Jan. 21 at 9:20 p.m.; Jan. 23 at 6 p.m.; Jan. 26 at 9:30 p.m.; Jan. 28 at 9:20 p.m.; and Jan. 30 at 6 p.m., on Winchester Public Access television, and Media's (Wincam) Public channels Comcast 8 and Verizon 35. Wincam Education channels Comcast 22 and Verizon 38 will broadcast First Encounter on Jan. 13 at 5:57 p.m. and Bearer of the Morning Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. The Chickasaw Heritage Series is a video project initiative from Chickasaw Nation Productions designed to inform, educate and entertain audiences about the resilient and persevering spirit of the Chickasaw Nation. To purchase online in DVD or Blu-ray format, to find a local retailer, or for more information, visit ChickasawFilms.com. First Encounter First Encounter explores the actions taken by Chickasaws in 1541 during their first contact with Europeans. The documentary highlights the encounters, struggles and perseverance of the Chickasaw people throughout the attempted conquest by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. This encounter helped establish the reputation for which the tribe would be recognized for centuries and remains today unconquered and unconquerable. Bearer of the Morning The story follows the life of Mary Te Ata Thompson Fisher as she embraces the Chickasaw tradition of storytelling and transforms herself into the world-renowned performer, Te Ata. By studying and performing traditional First American stories, Te Ata worked to help overturn negative stereotypes and advocate for the preservation of First American cultures. Te Ata kept her Chickasaw heritage close to her heart and shared the unique story and spirit of the Chickasaw people. In this one-hour documentary, discover how this dynamic Chickasaw woman successfully navigated the social, geographic and cultural distances to become one of the most successful First American performers in history. Chickasaw curriculum The Chickasaw Heritage Series First Encounter documentary has been incorporated into an online curriculum produced by the Chickasaw Nation for elementary and secondary school levels. These and other lessons are available to homeschool and public school educators by visiting Chickasaw.net/AtHome. These lessons might also interest anyone looking to dig deeper into the history and culture of the Chickasaw people, with reference materials and photographs presented much like a textbook. Every lesson of the Chickasaw Nation curriculum is aligned with Oklahoma Academic Standards as outlined by the Oklahoma State Department of Education social studies guide. Areas of study include history, social studies, geography and government. Students who dive into these studies will develop skills, including reading, writing, critical thinking, test taking and artistic creation. Each lesson is complete with its own lesson plan, reading material, discussion questions, student activity and reference list for convenience. This material can be easily incorporated into any educational setting. MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioFocus, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib), announced today that it has expanded its existing French distribution partnership agreement with MicroPort CRM in France to include both Spain and Portugal. "We are pleased to be represented by MicroPort CRM in France and have been very impressed by MicroPort's launch of HeartLight X3," said Burke T. Barrett, Chief Executive Office & President of CardioFocus. "Based on the success in France, we believe MicroPort will achieve rapid HeartLight X3 adoption in both Spain and Portugal." "We are convinced our collaboration in Europe with CardioFocus is a win-win partnership," said Philippe Wanstok, SVP Global Sales and Marketing at MicroPort CRM. "The HeartLight X3 ablation system is the perfect complement to our MicroPort EP range of catheters and Columbus 3D imaging system. Innovation leading to simplifying AFib ablation procedures, while gaining in efficiency, is key to success." "The precision of the HeartLight X3's laser technology is truly remarkable," said Dr. Jean-Marc Sellal, from the University Hospital of Nancy. "The HeartLight X3 System has become my tool of choice for pulmonary vein isolation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. It allows the cells responsible for the arrhythmia to be destroyed very effectively while preserving the surrounding atrial tissue." More than 33 million patients worldwide suffer from AFib,1 which has been associated with significant symptoms, functional impairment, stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure, and reduced longevity. In Europe alone, it is estimated that the number of patients may rise up to 17 million by 20302. In 2019, European CE Mark approval for the next-generation HeartLight X3 System was obtained. Extensive clinical studies of the HeartLight System and the new HeartLight X3 System demonstrated that AFib patients can be treated quickly and with excellent procedure time predictability3. During the pivotal confirmatory study of 60 patients, the HeartLight X3 System achieved very rapid pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), in as few as three minutes for a single pulmonary vein. About the HeartLight System The HeartLight X3 System is a treatment option for some patients whose Afib is insufficiently controlled with medication4. The HeartLight X3 System is a next-generation AFib ablation technology, building upon the advanced features of the HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System. The system performs pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using laser energy to create lines of scar tissue to block the abnormal electrical pathways that cause AFib. Using direct tissue visualization, titratable laser energy and compliant balloon technology, the HeartLight X3 System offers a unique RAPID mode. This third generation HeartLight X3 System offers a unique RAPID mode, which includes precise motor control that enables uninterrupted, high-speed, circumferential lesion creation under direct visual control of the physician resulting in consistently reduced procedure times5. About MicroPort CRM MicroPort CRM is a pioneering company in the field of Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), whose world headquarters are in Clamart, France. Through our long-standing expertise in CRM, MicroPort CRM develops, manufactures and markets around the world cardiac pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization systems and ECG diagnostic solutions for the management of cardiac rhythm disorders and heart failure. MicroPort CRM also distributes the Electrophysiology and Coronary Stents products of the MicroPort group in Europe. For more information, please visit www.microport.com. About CardioFocus, Inc. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Marlborough, MA, CardioFocus is a medical device innovator and manufacturer dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common heart arrhythmia. The HeartLight balloon catheter, endoscope, sheath, console and balloon fill media are all manufactured in the USA. For more information, visit www.CardioFocus.com . 1 Chugh SS, Havmoeller R, Narayanan K, et al.; Worldwide Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: A Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Circulation. 2014 Feb 25;129(8):837-47. 2 Zoni-Berisso, Massimo et al. "Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: European Perspective." Clinical Epidemiology 6 (2014): 213220. PMC. Web. 25 July 2017. 3 X3 total procedure time was statistically significantly shorter than the original HeartLight and irrigated radiofrequency ablation (RF) ablation based on a comparison to the original HeartLight pivotal study (historical control). 4 In the United States, the HeartLight System is indicated to treat drug refractory, symptomatic, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib). 5 Predictability is determined by the standard deviation of the procedure time. Contact: Helen Winkler 1-949-606-2008 [email protected] SOURCE CardioFocus, Inc. Related Links http://www.cardiofocus.com The vanishing Robert E. Lee By D. Paul Thomas With the removal (12/21/20) of the Robert E. Lee statue from the U.S. Capitols National Statuary Hall to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA., the memory of General Lees stained legacy will continue to fade from public consciousness, inspiring the removal of dozens of statues still standing that pay homage to the fallen military leader of the Confederacy. And why not?the revisionists of history will resoundingly ask! After all, monuments of Hitler are not permitted in Germany, and even Russia has removed numerous statues of Lenin and Stalin. If its good enough for the communists it should be good enough for the USA! Not satisfied with the removal of controversial monuments located on its campus, the faculty of Virginias Washington and Lee University have voted (188 to 51) to remove Lees offensive name from the its illustrious name, leaving it Washington University, that is until the radical revisionists among them demand Washingtons name be excised as well, contemptuous slaveholder that Washington was. I can easily imagine a Radically Inclusive Renaming Committee appointed by W&Ls board of trustees suggesting that the school be renamed George Floyd University, capturing the heightened passions of our zeitgeist. And why not, we should ask ourselveswhy shouldnt we revise, remove, expunge, abolish, and tear down all vestiges of racism wherever they may be found? Whether penned by philosopher George Santayana or another, the adage Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it has withstood the test of time. Americas Robert E. Lee is not Germanys Hitler or Russias Stalin. Slavery, in all of its horror, has been a fact of life for millennia, including for many of our forebears. And though revisionist history now explains earlier slavery as a tribal issue vs. a racial issue (which, conveniently, makes racism distinctly American, circa1619), Robert E. Lee was not an aberration of history, but every bit a man of racisms provenance and his turbulent times. A graduate of West Point (second in his class), he served his nation with honor alongside Ulysses S. Grant in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Subsequently, Lee was appointed Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and following the attack on Fort Sumter, he was asked by President Lincoln (through intermediary, Francis P. Blair) to serve as a commander of the Federal forces (April 18, 1861). He declined and eventually was a commander of the Confederate States Army. If a tragic flaw is inherent in greatness, Lees declination to serve the Union glaringly exposed his fault lines. Four year later (April 9, 1865) when surrendering the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox, General Grant, in a gesture of reconciliation, allowed Lee and his officers to retain their horses and personal luggage, and soon paroles were issued en masse to the rank-and-file soldier. As Lee rode away from the McLean house where the two Generals had agreed to the terms of surrender, Grant asked his men to take off their hats as a sign of respect for their vanquished enemy. Later that same year, Lee was made President of Washington University (renamed Washington & Lee shortly after his death in 1870) and publicly supported the Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery. Ironically, in 1869, Lee vocally opposed plans to build Confederate monuments at Gettysburg, the aging general exemplifying those words of Lincoln to bind up the nations woundsto do all which may achieve a just and lasting peace. But since that time, those highly-contested Confederate statues and monuments have been built around the country by the hundreds. Of the 1,328 monuments, memorials, markers and plaques at the Gettysburg National Memorial Park, approximately a quarter commemorate those southern states whose soldiers fought in the Confederate Army. In Stone Mountain, Georgiathe Confederate Memorial and Carvingthe largest (76 by 158 ft.) bas-relief sculpture in the world, depicts Lee on his trusty horse, Traveller, riding with Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, and General Stonewall Jacksonthe triumvirate clasping their hats over their hearts. Richard Rose, former President of the NAACP, called the bas-relief, The largest shrine to white supremacy in the history of the world. Joining the outcry, the armed Not F**king Around Coalition militia is demanding the demolition of the monument. Other groups, equally expressive in rhetoric, are demanding all Confederate representations at Gettysburg be taken down. And on and on it goes, including the 2017 deconsecration and removal of the stained-glass windows in Washingtons National Cathedral depicting Generals Lee and Jackson. As Robert E. Lee vanishes into the historical dustbin, it will be an inevitable progression for many of our slave-holding founders to be condemned in absentia, potentially resulting in the removal of Jefferson and Washington and other luminaries from our cultural landscape. Conspicuously absent from this historical purge will be any measure of forgiveness and reconciliation, ignoring, as it does, Lincolns admonition to treat ones enemies with malice toward none, with charity for all. Curiously, there is room in our cathedral windows for the thief on the cross and for Judas Iscariot who betrayed our Lord, but no room for the Judas Robert E. Lee who betrayed his country. It is not enough that some 300,000 Union soldiers shed their blood that this nation might experience a new birth of freedom, the sin of slavery must be paid for over and over till the last drop of racism has been drained. One would hope that some sense of decency would protect the Confederate dead still buried on Union battlefields, but persuasive groups want all potential Confederate remains removed, unheeding those ominous words on Shakespeares tomb, Blessed be the man that spares these stones, and cursed be he that moves my bones. Not since the Civil War have our nations wounds been so pregnable. One need not be a Lee apologist to know that there is a spirit of malice at work in the heart of todays anti-racist movement. Their goal transcends the fading memory of Robert E. Lee. There will be no endpoint till every plaque, painting, naming, statue, memorial and representation of white supremacy are brought downculminating in that eternally offensive symbol of forgivenessthe cross. Until Americas checkered history is obliterated, the revengeful antiracist will never be satiated. There is no room for forgivenessits payback timewith retribution and reparations the ultimate goal. Tragically, this racist, anti-racist movement has laid the groundwork for a new civil war, with communities, families, and generations pitted against each other once again. The cultural revolution of the 60s was nothing more than a harbinger of the destruction to come: our inner cities will be abandoned, our urban schools shuttered, neighborhoods blighted, white-flight accelerated; homelessness will explode, drug use soar, gangs will flourish, and lawlessness prevail. Unless Recently, in The Church of St. Nicholas, in the tiny village of Moreton, England, a controversial stained-glass window was installed. The churchs windows were blown out by an errant German bomb in World War II, and years after makeshift windows had been installed, the eminent glass artist, Laurence Whistler, was engaged to redo all the panels. Brilliantly, he designed windows depicting butterflies, birds, rabbits, wild flowers, candles, stars and planets and local scenes, garnering national attention. After completing 12 windows, he offered to create and donate a final 13th panel. The window was dark and shadowy in appearance, slowly revealing to the eye a man dangling from a tree with pieces of silver falling from his hand. Yes, it was Judas, the 13th apostle and betrayer of Christ. For over thirty years the congregation resisted its installation, finding its subject matter appalling. Whistler, dubbing his window, the forgiveness window, loaned it to the county museum with the caveat that if the church ever wanted it, it should go to them. Finally, in 2014, fourteen years after Whistlers death, the congregation grasped the windows emblematic message of forgiveness, and it was formally dedicated and blessed by the Bishop of Salisbury and installed at the parish church in Moreton. This window of an unholy figure, as Whistler compared it to, has become a symbol of forgiveness and reconciliation for the local parish and greater community at large. That forgiveness window should serve as our inspiration. Can America find the space and cultural context for its Judases? Can the totality of our complicated and nuanced history be a teaching tool rather than a divisive one? Can the spirit of condemnation, which now prevails, be replaced with a spirit of understanding and cooperation? Unless this spirit of forgiveness sweeps through our nation, we are condemned to repeat the past. We need not. We dare not. We can learn from the past. We can learn to forgive one another. We can learn, with Gods help, to love one another, help one another, and strive to live with one another in peace, working together to build, in the words of Lincoln, a more perfect union. D. Paul Thomas is an actor, playwright and essayist. Currently, he is Creative Director of TGA Productions - tgaproductions.org. Reach him at: dpaul@tgaproductions.org. Home Since President Donald Trump incited violent rioters to storm the U.S. Capitol last week, lawmakers and members of his own Cabinet have mulled whether hes too dangerous to complete the final days of his presidency. Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat have decided hes currently unfit to operate social media accounts on their platform. But he still has the power to kill. During his last full week as president, the Trump administration plans to execute three people on death row, capping a historically unprecedented six-month execution spree. The people scheduled for execution just days before the inauguration of a president who opposes the death penalty include a woman with a mental illness untreated at the time of her crime, a man with an intellectual disability that should render him ineligible for execution, and a man who did not pull the trigger in the killing he was convicted of. Trumps executions, which began this past summer and will culminate on Jan. 15, have coincided with a pandemic that has reached directly into the prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where federal death row is located. At one point in December, the prison had at least 410 incarcerated people infected with COVID-19, more than any other Bureau of Prisons facility in the country. After members of BOPs execution team fell ill with COVID-19, the government failed to conduct thorough contact tracing in an effort to keep the identities of those involved in the killings secret. Corey Johnson and Dustin Higgs, scheduled to be killed on Thursday and Friday, respectively, were diagnosed with COVID-19 last month and are still experiencing symptoms. The lung damage from their illness is likely to make their deaths by lethal injection even more painful, according to medical experts. Basically, he will be waterboarded to death, he will be drowned, said Shawn Nolan, one of Higgs attorneys. Autopsy reports show that the governments execution protocol, a lethal injection of pentobarbital, may torture as it kills even in healthy individuals. When used in executions, the drug often causes a condition called pulmonary edema, where fluid enters the lungs while the person is still conscious, creating a painful sensation similar to suffocating or drowning. There is ongoing litigation over the constitutionality of the process, given the apparent cruel and unusual punishment it would inflict. Several of the plaintiffs were executed before seeing the result of their legal fight. Some medical experts now warn individuals with COVID-19 who are injected with a lethal dose of pentobarbital will likely experience pulmonary edema faster, resulting in more conscious pain and suffering. The outbreak at Terre Haute has also put family and loved ones of those facing execution and the families of their victims in an impossible situation: To bear witness to the killing, they must risk contracting a potentially fatal disease. The man who administered last rites to death row prisoner Orlando Hall came down with COVID-19 following the November execution. Others, including the lead attorneys for Lisa Montgomery, scheduled to be killed on Tuesday, contracted COVID-19 during legal work for her case. Beyond the risk of infection, executing people during a pandemic also limits access to effective counsel for the individuals on death row. Travel restrictions hinder lawyers ability to interview sources for clemency petitions and coronavirus-related lockdowns at the prison complicate lawyers access to their clients. Here are the stories of those condemned to die. Shes lived a tortured life and she has been broken, says Diane Mattingly, the sister of Lisa Montgomery, who is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. (Photo: Illustration: HuffPost; Photos: Handout) A Broken Woman Lisa Montgomery, 52, the only woman on federal death row, is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. Her lawyers say that she should be spared the death penalty, citing her severe mental illness and history of extreme childhood trauma that contributed to the breakdown in her mental health. She was born into a home of poverty, domestic violence, neglect and sexual abuse. Her mother, who drank while she was pregnant with Montgomery, lacked the necessary skills to care for her children, beating them and denying them basic care. Montgomerys first words, according to one account, were Dont spank me. It hurts. After Montgomerys father left, her mother remarried Jack Kleiner, a violent man who terrorized the children in the home. When Montgomery was 11, he began molesting her, according to family statements. He built a special room onto a trailer on an isolated tract of land in Oklahoma where he would rape Montgomery. Later, her parents trafficked her out to other men, telling the teen that she had to pay for her room and board. The men raped, sodomized and even urinated on her, she told a cousin at the time. Montgomery began to disconnect from reality in response to the abuse. Mental health experts who have examined her believe that she developed an extreme dissociative disorder as a way of coping with the sexual and physical violence that was a mainstay of her childhood. She grew into adulthood with a disconnected sense of her emotions, a tenuous hold on reality, a completely warped view of human relationships, and a split and damaged sense of herself and of her body, concluded Katherine Porterfield, a clinical psychologist at the Bellevue/New York University Program for Survivors of Torture who evaluated Montgomery in prison and provided expert testimony for the defense. As an adult, Montgomerys life mimicked that of her childhood. She lived in poverty and was unable to care for the four children she had in the course of four years. Her mental health deteriorated. Lisa was so out of touch that she often did not respond to her own name, her lawyers wrote in her clemency petition. She mistook ammonia for vinegar while cooking. Her home was filthy. She could not dress her children or help them with their hair. Still, being a mother was a key part of her identity, and her delusions manifested there. Even after she had undergone a sterilization procedure, she pretended to be pregnant on multiple occasions. In 2004, Montgomery, then 36, drove from her home in Kansas to Missouri to meet up with Bobbie Jo Stinnett, 23, who was eight months pregnant. Then she did the unthinkable. Montgomery strangled Stinnett and cut open her abdomen, removing the fetus. She then transported the baby home, telling her husband shed given birth at a clinic. The next day, the police arrested Montgomery. The baby, who was physically uninjured, was returned to her father. Montgomery confessed and was sentenced to death. Mrs. Montgomery was psychotic at the time of the crime, one of her lawyers, Amy Harwell said. She has always accepted responsibility. This is someone who was deeply remorseful, once she became appropriately medicated and had full contact with reality, although that is a situation that waxes and wanes. Montgomery is diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. She has been under constant psychiatric care since her arrest and takes antipsychotic medications. She was initially scheduled to be executed on Dec. 8, but her two lead attorneys Harwell and Kelley Henry both got sick with COVID-19 following visits with Montgomery in prison. A district court delayed her execution and gave her lawyers more time to finish her clemency petition. Henry, who has been working on Montgomerys case since 2012, said she was frustrated and angry that her client was scheduled to be killed during the pandemic, since it has hampered efforts to save her life. When I have had clients executed, I could always say I know I did everything I possibly could, she said in an interview. I know Im doing everything I possibly can for Lisa under these circumstances, but if the circumstances were different I dont know what it would be. The pandemic has also impeded Montgomerys familys visits. Diane Mattingly, Montgomerys sister, said that prison officials canceled her last scheduled visit with her sibling because of a COVID-19 outbreak. She is afraid she will never see her again. Shes lived a tortured life and she has been broken, Mattingly said. I understand she needs to stay in prison the rest of her life, I do. But the death penalty? It doesnt feel like justice. So many people let her down. Im just begging that somebody will stand up for her for once. Corey Johnsons trial was the first federal capital trial of a man with an intellectual disability, according to his lawyers. (Photo: Illustration: HuffPost; Photos: Handout) I Knew Hed Never Make It On His Own Corey Johnson, 52, is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, despite a Supreme Court ruling that executing people with intellectual disabilities like his violates Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Johnsons lawyers are fighting his execution, citing evidence of intellectual disability and evidence that lung damage from his recent COVID-19 diagnosis will make death by lethal injection a painful experience akin to drowning. When he was tested in his early 20s, Johnsons reading and writing abilities were at a second-grade level. As a teenager, he could not prepare snacks for himself or make purchases and check to ensure he received the correct change. At the age of 16, an aide at his school would accompany him to the bathroom to prevent him from getting lost or distracted on the way back to his classroom. Yet Johnson has never had a meaningful opportunity to present evidence of his disability and, therefore, his ineligibility for the death sentence in court. Johnson was born to a 17-year-old mother who struggled with drug addiction and a father who was imprisoned for most of his childhood. He grew up in New York City in poverty and moved often. He attended 10 different schools before he was 13. Because he switched schools so often, Johnsons records often didnt follow him, making it difficult to diagnose his intellectual disability. Moreover, because Black students had been overly classified as intellectually disabled, educators and health experts may have been reluctant to apply the label to Johnson, Daniel J. Reschly, an intellectual disability expert, wrote in an evaluation of Johnson. Johnsons mom dated men who were violent and abusive to her and her kids; one tried to set fire to her apartment. When Johnson struggled with his homework, his mom would beat and insult him. She surrendered him to social services when he was 13 and he was placed in a residential facility. Richard Benedict, one of Johnsons special education teachers at the facility, described him as a likable kid who needed a high level of structure and support to survive. I knew hed never make it on his own, Benedict said in an interview. Johnson was self-conscious about being stupid, as he put it to Benedict. He wanted to be liked and could be talked into things that would get him in trouble in his pursuit of acceptance. When he was 16, Johnson was transferred to a group home with less structure to prepare him to eventually live on his own. Odette Noble, a social worker who knew Johnson at the time, described him in a 2011 affidavit as a very sweet kid who was not capable of consequential thinking. The following year, another resident in the group home talked Johnson into helping him steal a paycheck from another teen. Johnson was sentenced to 20 days at Rikers Island as a youth offender. After Rikers, Johnson was frustrated by his lack of progress in school and struggled to follow the group homes rules. In 1987, when he was 18, staff told him to go to his mothers home for 10 days to consider how to improve his attitude. But he never returned. With little family support or ability to get work, Johnson eventually joined a group of guys he knew selling drugs in New Jersey. The group recognized Johnsons limitations but knew he was loyal and would do what he was told, group leaders later said in affidavits. After police raided the groups New Jersey home, several members moved to Richmond, Virginia, and became involved in violent territorial disputes with other dealers. Johnson was convicted of murdering seven people and injuring three others in five different incidents. The victims included rival drug dealers, a person who owed a drug debt to the group, a person who had a personal dispute with a group member, a person the group believed to be a police informant, and bystanders. Corey was a follower. Corey would go along with anything anyone in the family our group would say, Darold Brown, a member of the New Jersey group, said in a 2011 affidavit. If, hypothetically, you would say to Corey, lets rob a bank, Corey would be there with you. He wouldnt analyze whether it was a good idea. Coreys view was that hed do anything for the people he considered his family. Johnsons trial was the first federal capital trial of a man with an intellectual disability, according to his lawyers. Although federal law at the time prohibited the death sentence for anyone who was mentally retarded a now-discredited term that was used to describe a range of intellectual disabilities courts had limited experience dealing with intellectual disability claims. Johnsons own trial lawyers relied on a psychologist with no expertise in intellectual disability. That psychologist claimed Johnson did not have an intellectual disability, based on an interpretation of Johnsons IQ test score that is now considered inaccurate. Therefore, the jury was never asked to consider whether Johnson had an intellectual disability that would disqualify him from a death sentence. Since then, multiple experts have reviewed records from Johnsons youth and concluded he has an intellectual disability. Under the Constitution, Mr. Johnson is barred from execution, Johnsons lawyers wrote in a court filing last week. Decades ago, evidence was presented in Mr. Johnsons capital sentencing hearing that decisively asserted he was not intellectually disabled. That evidence was and is decisively and conclusively invalid and unreliable, under current medical standards. Dustin Higgs "was not the shooter. He didnt kill anybody. And he shouldnt be executed, said his lawyer. (Photo: Illustration: HuffPost; Photos: Handout) Arbitrary And Inequitable The last person scheduled to be put to death by the Trump administration is Dustin Higgs, a 48-year-old Maryland man who is recovering from a recent COVID-19 infection. Higgs has been on death row since 2001. He was sentenced to death for his role in the 1996 deaths of three women in a national park. The government does not claim he actually murdered the women. The convicted shooter in the case, Willis Mark Haynes, received a life sentence for the womens deaths. Higgs was prosecuted on the theory that he ordered Haynes to shoot the victims and was the ultimate mastermind behind the crime. It is arbitrary and inequitable to punish Mr. Higgs more severely than the actual killer, Higgs lawyers argued in a clemency petition to Trump, urging the outgoing president to commute their clients sentence to life without the possibility of parole. Mr. Higgs has adjusted exceptionally well to life in prison and has long been a model prisoner. His demonstrated record of positive adjustment makes him particularly well-suited to peacefully live out the remainder of his life in custody. Higgs path to death row began on Jan. 27, 1996, when he and two friends, Haynes and Victor Gloria, were hanging out with three women inside Higgs apartment. At some point, the women Tamika Black, 19, Tanji Jackson, 21, and Mishann Chinn, 23 left on foot after an argument. The men followed in Higgs van and picked them up. Higgs drove the van into the Patuxent wildlife refuge, a federal property within the jurisdiction of the United States Park Police. At some point, the van stopped. The women got out. It was there that Haynes shot them. Haynes, who is serving a life sentence, strongly disputes that Higgs ordered him to kill the women. The prosecutions theory of our case was bullshit, he wrote in a 2012 affidavit. Dustin didnt threaten me. I was not scared of him. Dustin didnt make me do anything, that night or ever. Haynes said he was drunk and high when he shot the women and was not thinking straight. He added that Higgs was angry at him for killing them. Shawn Nolan, one of Higgs attorneys, said that it was unjust for Higgs to receive the death penalty when Haynes was able to live out his days in prison. He added that the governments theory was supported almost entirely by an unreliable eyewitness the third man there that night, Gloria who received a deal in exchange for his cooperation. The basis for which Mr. Higgs is on death row has been dismantled. He was not the shooter. He didnt kill anybody. And he shouldnt be executed, he said. Nolan said he was extremely worried about how Higgs recent COVID-19 diagnosis in late December might interact with the lethal injection drug scheduled to be administered on Friday. He presented an X-ray to a district court last Tuesday showing that Higgs has lung damage. According to medical experts who testified on Higgs behalf, he is at a higher risk of consciously experiencing pulmonary edema which induces terrifying and painful sensations of drowning and suffocation during the execution. COVID causes lung damage that takes many weeks to resolve, Nolan said. Moving forward the execution now is just awful and unconscionable. Higgs has a close relationship with his son DaQuan, who was born after he was arrested. My father ... hes very special to me. He cares deeply for me. He always wants me to be on the right track, DaQuan said in a clemency video filmed for Higgs. Every time I feel like Im about to do something wrong, I hear my father telling me: Choose the right friends. Dont be a follower, he went on. Hes my motivation in life. If he wasnt in my life, I dont know where I would be. In an interview with HuffPost, Enidsia Darby, DaQuans mother, urged the government to think about how executing Higgs might impact his son. Higgs is a very caring and compassionate person, she said, with a lot of love to share with his family. Its an injustice, she said. He is being executed for something that he did not do. Related... This Is How Trumps Executions Are Spreading The Coronavirus 2 Men On Death Row Say Having COVID-19 Will Increase Their Suffering During Execution Inside The Race To Save The Only Woman On Federal Death Row This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. After criticism and condemnation, a former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, has withdrawn his suit filed against Jack Dorsey, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Twitter International Company. Mr Garba, a 2019 presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, also apologised to Nigerians for his actions during the period of #EndSARS protest. PREMIUM TIMES in October reported how protest against police brutality rocked many parts of Nigeria with protesters calling for the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the police. The protest later turned bloody on October 20 after the military opened fire on protesters, at Lekki toll gate, the epicentre of the rally. In the aftermath of the attack on the protesters, many properties and police stations were vandalised. Mr Garba, through his lawyer, Abbas Ajiya, sued Twitter and its founder before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over his role in the #EndSARS protests. He accused Mr Dorsey of actively supporting the funding of the #EndSARS protests across the nation. The motion on notice was brought pursuant to order II Rules 1, 2, 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009 and Sections 34(1), 35(1) and 41(1), and 43 of the 1999 Constitution. Others joined in the suit include the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Communications Commission. He sought an order that Twitter founders should pay him $1 billion as damages. He also wanted the court to stop Twitter from operating in Nigeria. Mr Adamus action later generated furore on social media. The matter, which came up on November 25, 2020, before a judge, Giwa-Ogunbanjo, was adjourned until April 22, 2021, for the continuation of the hearing. But on Sunday, Mr Adamu took to Twitter to announce that he is withdrawing the case. UPDATE ON MY CASE WITH JACK & TWITTER Why I took @jack to Court. I think the action have served its purpose. Ive written to our lawyers to withdraw the case from court I also tendered my sincere apologies to Nigerians who are pained by my #EndSARS actions Nigeria shall rise https://t.co/JlSWzCRsfP ADVERTISEMENT He said in the video attached to the tweet that his effort was to ensure that international communities do not play politics with Nigerian lives in the name of #EndSARS. Despite withdrawing the suit, he is still being criticised by Nigerians who did not find sense in his earlier actions. Following the protests, the Nigerian government asked state governments to set up panels of inquiry to look at cases of police brutality and related matters in their states. Over 20 states have inaugurated the panels and cases are currently being heard by the panels. Nearly a year after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) first proposed a policy that would give airlines the option of banning emotional support animals from flights as opposed to trained service dogs, which are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the new animal restrictions are going into effect as of Monday. Those who use emotional support animals are speaking out about the policy changes, sparking an uptick in petitions requesting a reversal. One such petition was started by Leana Rendon, a 24-year-old in Orlando, Fla., who is seeking to have emotional support animals like her 2-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd, Charlie, protected by the ADA. I do have extreme anxiety that spikes in different situations, including social, Rendon, whose petition has received more than 400 signatures so far, tells Yahoo Life. My anxiety has been severe for so long that I also have chronic stomach issues. When were in public, [Charlie] knows I need him to be in tune with me. When he senses any type of anxiety or stress from me, that is his cue. He immediately starts rubbing his head against my legs relentlessly until I pet him, which then releases all my feel-good hormones. Airlines are banning emotional support animals thanks to a Department of Transportation revision. (Photo: Getty Images stock photo) Last month, the DOT passed a revision to the Air Carrier Access Act which rules that emotional support animals will now be considered pets rather than service animals, and may fly only in the cargo hold or in a kennel stowed underneath a cabin seat, for an extra fee determined by the airline. The revision also defines service animals, which are allowed to fly for free, untethered, in the cabin, as a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. Eligible passengers are also now limited to boarding with just two service animals and must file paperwork confirming their status and training. Story continues This comes after concerns that passengers were fraudulently representing their pets (including snakes, squirrels and peacocks), aided by a cottage industry of services offering doctors notes and emotional support animal certificates, as the DOT noted in its revision. The DOT also cited an increase in misbehavior and disruptions caused by untrained animals, as well as complaints from passengers with disabilities, many of whom travel with their own service dogs. The crackdown has since been implemented by American, Delta, United, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, which will no longer take bookings for emotional support animals beginning Monday, though there will be a grace period for passengers traveling with emotional support animals with existing flight reservations for the next few weeks. Rendon says that she will not be traveling under the current ban, as Charlie is too large to fit in a kennel underneath her seat and would have to go in the cargo hold. I will not be putting the animal who has saved my life in cargo he must be at my side at all times, she says. Rendon says she understands frustrations within the disability community about having untrained or disruptive animals on-board, as well as attempts by some passengers to fly with, for instance, an emotional support horse. But she feels that reforms are the answer, rather than blanket bans. Rules and regulations for emotional support animals must change to be more strict, she says. Emotional support animals should be required to have basic obedience training and must have certifications. Mental health is a very serious issue and with these bans, many have felt discriminated against, especially the ones who are not taking advantage and have well-behaved dogs. Even when I go to places with Charlie (where we are currently allowed), it makes it hard for him to focus if other dogs are not being handled by their owners. I cant imagine how much more of a stress and inconvenience that would be for someone who is disabled. Delta, United, American, Alaska and JetBlue are a handful of the airlines which will implement the emotional support animal restrictions starting Jan. 11. (Photo: Getty Images stock photo) Joy G., who lives in the Bay Area of California and requested to not disclose her last name, tells Yahoo Life that she too gets anxiety at the thought of having to leave my little guy behind. That little guy is Max, the 7-pound Yorkshire terrier she credits with helping her pull through bouts of depression in the five years shes had him. Under the new restrictions, she would no longer be able to travel with him as an emotional support animal. Having him in the cargo hold makes her uncomfortable, though she hasnt ruled out the in-cabin kennel option. Although we don't do much traveling these days due to COVID, it is still alarming that when the time comes to travel that I will have to leave my best friend behind, she says, adding, I know some people may think it's just downright strange to have such a bond with an animal, but when humans let you down animals never give up on you. She adds, I understand that everything changes and that nothing is permanent, but this is one of those things that I wish they really could have left alone. Jazmine Valencia, who runs a music marketing agency in Los Angeles, is also disappointed by the new policies, which will prevent her from traveling with her French bulldog, Sir Daxton, as an emotional support animal. Valencia, who regularly travels for business, tells Yahoo Life she got the dog last year after feeling overwhelmed and anxious as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. After getting approval from a doctor, she had him certified as an emotional support animal, rather than a carry-on pet who would have to stay in a carrier under her seat, after finding the latter experience to be really horrible. The flight attendants werent very accommodating, and they were just very rude about it, even though hes very small, she says of traveling with Sir Daxton as a standard pet. With her usual airline, Delta, joining others in cracking down on emotional support animals, she is now looking to have Sir Daxton trained and certified as a service dog. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. These reactions to the new bans from those who rely on emotional support animals are understandable, says Margaret Cochran, a transpersonal psychotherapist and clinical social worker who uses emotional support animals in her therapy practice. Emotional support animals have powerfully positive effects on peoples lives, she tells Yahoo Life. They can help reduce anxiety and enhance social interactions. But she says a lack of regulations regarding animals aboard flights to protect all concerned has allowed the situation to get out of control, pointing to instances of animals dying or being injured in transit. By taking action against emotional support animals rather than reforming airline standards and safety protocols, deserving people have been denied access to an important source of love, empowerment and emotional well-being, Cochran says. Service dog trainer and behaviorist Russell Hartstein, meanwhile, tells Yahoo Life he has mixed feelings about the new restrictions, which he expects to improve the experience for airline employees and other passengers (including those with disabilities and service dogs) while at the same time depriving those who depend on having their animals close when they fly. Yes, many people were (and are) abusing the rules by taking their untrained pets on flights and calling them emotional support dogs and service dogs, he says. So I understand that the majority of emotional support animals are untrained and have poor behavior and thats why airlines and passengers have had enough. On the other hand, many people need their legitimately trained emotional support animals to fly with them and for them, its not fair, he adds. Many people who previously classified their dogs as emotional support dogs do not qualify for service dogs because under the ADA they may not have a disability. The issue, he explains, is that there is a distinction between having an emotional impairment and having a psychiatric disability that falls under the legal protections of the ADA, and between emotional support dogs and psychiatric service dogs. An emotional support dog, while extremely valuable to many people and enhancing the quality of life for many, are not considered service dogs, he explains. There is a difference between an emotional support dog that makes a person feel better, more secure, comfortable, confident, socially engaging, etcetera, versus a psychiatric service dog that performs specific tasks to mitigate a disability. Without the psychiatric service dog, a person with a disability would not be able to function and perform minimum life activities. That hasnt stopped some dog owners from trying to find a workaround as the new restrictions take effect. While the new laws are unfortunate for people who need emotional support, I get dozens of calls daily from people now scrambling trying to get their dogs certified as a service dog, he says, adding that some owners are also now trying to claim they are disabled to get a psychiatric service dog, even if they dont qualify. People call me as if I can change the law, he says. I cant. The law is the law. If they classify for a psychiatric service dog I work with them to train their service dog. If they do not qualify for a psychiatric service dog or any other type of service dog, they are unfortunately not able to fly with their pets any longer regardless of the emotional need. There are no amount of certifications or doctors' letters that can bypass the law unless the person is disabled. Read more from Yahoo Life: Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. East China's Anhui province was honored by the central government for its outstanding performance in blood donations from 2018 to 2019, according to the Health Commission of Anhui Province. All the 16 cities around the province received the same honor. In addition, 16,571 people were hailed for donating their blood, and 426 for their voluntary services to blood donors. The province has won the honor for ten consecutive years. Up to 543,600 blood donations were collected in 2020. The total volume reached 1.8 trillion milliliters, up 3.8 percent from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the province sent 2.9 million milliliters of blood to Hubei province and 14,200 milliliters of blood plasma to Wuhan, capital of the province, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ranking 1st in the country. The commission said it will work together with its counterparts in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to promote the homogeneity of blood-related work in the Yangtze River Delta region. Retired AFL star Dane Swan is joining Melbourne breakfast show Jase and PJ on KIIS FM. The 36-year-old made his debut on Monday, and will appear on the radio program as a regular commentator one day a week. He told Radio Today: 'I can't wait to get started. I love to tell a story I've got a fair few to share.' Making (air)waves! Retired AFL star Dane Swan will join KIIS FM's Jase and PJ breakfast show as a weekly commentator The former Collingwood star also spoke to the Herald Sun about his new radio gig, and told the publication he was surprised that he was offered the role on the hit breakfast show. 'I think it will be good. Obviously I will play to my strength and talk a little bit of footy and a lot of nonsense. We should have a fair bit of fun,' he said. 'Obviously we can't travel this year and I have a baby on the way, so life is going to be a bit different,' the father-to-be, who is expecting his first child - a son - with longtime girlfriend Taylor Wilson, added. And Dane makes three! He will appear on the Melbourne-based breakfast show, opposite hosts Polly 'PJ' Harding and Jason 'Jase' Hawkins, every Monday. Pictured left is PJ and right is Jase 'I am sure I will have plenty to complain about when I get on the radio and it will give me a chance to get out of the house for an hour to get away from a screaming baby.' Dane joining the show is quite fitting as he first revealed his exciting baby news on the Jase and PJ show, back November. 'The cat's out of the bag!' Dane proudly declared at the time, before revealing their baby is due in February. Baby on the way: Dane joining the show is quite fitting as he first revealed his exciting baby news on the Jase and PJ show, back November. He expecting his first child - a son - with longtime girlfriend Taylor Wilson 'Not that I was hiding it, it's very, very hard to hide a pregnant woman for the rest of your life, or hide a kid in the basement for the rest of its life,' Dane joked. 'Heard that doesn't end well,' the former sportsman quipped. Dane said that Taylor, who he has been in a relationship with since 2010, enjoyed lockdown in Melbourne because it's allowed her to spend her pregnancy at home with her partner. Parents-to-be: Back in November, Dane told the show that Taylor enjoyed lockdown in Melbourne because it's allowed her to spend her pregnancy at home with her partner. He explained: 'I'd be sitting there, blowing up... and I look over and she's smiling and laughing' 'Because I haven't had the chance to get out and have the... every time we'd go back into lockdown, I'd be sitting there, blowing up, going, "I want to go out and get my last few months of freedom in," and I look over and she's smiling and laughing.' Dane shared photos on social media with Taylor on the beach during their trip to Byron Bay, last month. He donned a pair of board shorts that showed off his intricate tattoos, while his stunning other half showed off her blossoming baby bump in a bikini. Schools in regional NSW are scrambling to find staff for crucial roles ahead of the school term, with some principals turning to social media to fill positions as teacher shortages continue. One principal had given up on finding teachers in key disciplines and instead took to Twitter to invite "anyone who wants to have a crack at teaching science and is an enthusiastic and competent teacher" to apply. NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said many regional and rural schools that had begun trying to find staff last year were still searching 12 months later. "We now even have principals desperately taking to social media, trying to fulfil a function that is ultimately the responsibility of the government," he said. "We now even have principals desperately taking to social media," says NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Several school leaders in regional NSW have been posting advertisements for teachers on Twitter or commenting about their difficulty filling roles. One western NSW high school was looking for four teachers to start in term one next year. Former president George W. Bush's childhood home could soon become a permanent part of history. The National Park Service said it has started a special resource study to examine the eligibility of the home on West Ohio Avenue in Midland, Texas, for designation as a new unit of the national park system. The Bush family, including late former first lady Barbara Pierce Bush, lived in the home between November 1951 and November 1955, as reported by the service, before later moving on to Houston. CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL: George W. Bush 'appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders' Midland is really underappreciated as an influence on George W. Bush, said Jeffrey A. Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, as reported by the New York Times' Maria Cramer According to its website, the National Park Service preserves sites permanently for "enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations." Adding the George W. Bush childhood home is a must for the National Park Service, said Rice University professor, author and presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, as reported by Cramer. The service will hold a virtual meeting on Jan. 26 for the public to learn more about the former home, which has already been turned into a museum, they said in an announcement last month. The comment period will be open through Feb. 28. | Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rupee surges 17 paise to close at 72.60 (provisional) against US dollar. West Bengal to hold Class 12 board exams in late July, Class 10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Apple, Google, Amazon ban Parler; conservatives decry censorship Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Conservatives, including Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson, blasted Apple, Google, and Amazon for banning the social networking app Parler based on the claim that it allowed violent comments before pro-Trump protesters and others breached the U.S. Capitol building last week. At midnight on Sunday, Amazon will be shutting off all of our servers in an attempt to completely remove free speech off the internet, Parler Chief Executive John Matze wrote on the networking app Saturday. Hours earlier, Matze had written, Amazon, Google, and Apple purposefully did this as a coordinated effort knowing our options would be limited. Matze said Apple will not restore the app until we give up free speech, institute broad and invasive policies like Twitter and Facebook and we become a surveillance platform by pursuing guilt of those who use Parler before innocence. Responding to the ban and supporting Parler, Robertson said millions of people use the platform to share Jesus and hear the Gospel. You cant pull the plug on Jesus," he wrote. They dont mention that in the mainstream media. Now theres a joint effort by Big Tech companies to shut us down. Well be on Parler till Amazon pulls the plug, and well be back here hollering about Jesus when Parler finds a new home. Apple claimed it has always supported diverse points of view being represented on the App Store, but there is no place on our platform for threats of violence and illegal activity, according to CNET. It sought to explain that Parler has not taken adequate measures to address the proliferation of these threats to peoples safety. We have suspended Parler from the App Store until they resolve these issues. Google has also said it will restore Parler only when it moderates its service better. Matze argued against the claim that Parler was banned due to violence. The community disagrees as we hit number 1 on their store today. The same day Hand Mike Pence, a disgusting violent suggestion, was trending nationally on Twitter, displaying the horrible double standard Apple and their Big Tech pack apply to the community. The CEO made it clear that "violence and coordinating riots ... and insurrections has no place on social media," and noted that "most people on Parler are non-violent people." Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee also called out Big Tech's double standard, writing on his website that there are countless legitimate users on Parler, including me. These tech giants have allowed leftist groups such as Antifa and BLM to use their sites to organize protests that turned into riots, they allow violent rhetoric and death threats aimed at conservatives, and theyve even turned a blind eye to Iran posting death to America rhetoric. But they ban the U.S. President and those who support him, he wrote. Huckabee said Republicans in Congress made a big mistake in not reining in their partisan monopolistic practices when they had the chance. But that cannot be expected now, the former governor added. But I expect to see a flood of lawsuits following this, along with product boycotts and a mass exodus of millions of users. Huckabee asked, But where will they go if these leftist corporations abuse their power to strangle or force censorship onto alternative sites? Matze said Google didnt have a conversation with Parler about an objective standard. Our position is that all the content they wanted us to remove was already removed or existed only on Twitter. He said Google employees met with some staff of Parler a week earlier through a Zoom call. After they realized the call was being recorded, they asked for clarity. Then they claimed they didnt know how to properly use Zoom and asked to reschedule the call. They never did and we have not spoken since. He said he heard about their decision in the press. "We value free speech per what the U.S. constitution allows," Matze stated. "What the media is doing is by continuing to attack is disgusting. We need to get together and Parley and heal and move on. He said Parler is now rebuilding from scratch. We will try our best to move to a new provider right now as we have many competing for our business. The bans come after pro-Trump protesters who claim voter fraud impacted the election outcome breached the Capitol building on Wednesday and forced an evacuation on the day when Congress was scheduled to count Electoral College votes and confirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The riot led to five deaths. Last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that President Trump had been banned from the platform indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks following the rioting at the Capitol. We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great. Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete, Zuckerberg said in a statement. Twitter followed suit. After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence, Twitter said in a statement. President Trump responded. I predicted this would happen, he said in a statement. We have been negotiating with various other sites, and will have a big announcement soon, while we also look at the possibilities of building out our own platform in the near future. We will not be SILENCED! Students appearing for JAM 2021 will be required to carry an original photo identity proof along with their admit card to the exam centre Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore will release the JAM 2021 admit card on Monday (11 January) on its website - jam.iisc.ac.in. JAM 2021 admit cards will be available for download from JOAPS portal from January 11, according to the notification on IISs website. IISc Bangalore will conduct JAM 2021 examination will be held in computer-based test mode on 14 February. The test will be held in two shifts - from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm. The JAM 2021 admit card was earlier schedule to be released on 5 January. Candidates appearing for the exam can visit the official website and take mock test to know the pattern of the question paper. Students appearing for JAM 2021 will be required to carry an original photo identity proof along with their admit card to the exam centre for verification. The hall ticket will not be sent to the candidates on email, they will have to download it from the official portal. Steps to download IIT JAM admit card 2021: Step 1: Open the official website of JAM 2021 - jam.iisc.ac.in. Step 2: On the homepage, under the JAM 2021 latest updates tab, click on the link to download the admit card. Step 3: You will be directed to JAM JOAPS portal. Step 4: Enter your enrolment ID/ Email ID and password. Step 5: Solve the arithmetic problem displayed on the screen and press the Submit button. Step 6: Your JAM 2021 admit card will be displayed on the webpage. Step 7: Verify details including name, roll number, subject of the exam before saving and taking a print out. MOSCOW, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund) announces the registration of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus by the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine. The vaccine was registered under the emergency use authorization procedure without additional clinical trials in the country. Sputnik V had been registered under the same procedure earlier in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia and Serbia. Sputnik V delivery to Palestine is planned for the first quarter of 2021 with the first batch expected to arrive within a month. Supplies of the vaccine will be facilitated by RDIF's international partners in India, China, South Korea and other countries. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said: "The Sputnik V vaccine's high quality and efficacy are stimulating growing interest from more and more countries. This translates into a wider geography of its registration, delivery and production. We are happy that on top of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America Sputnik V will now also be present in the Middle East. This will allow us to further combine forces for a quicker joint victory over the coronavirus infection by guaranteeing access to an effective and safe vaccine for more countries and their people." Sputnik V was registered thanks to a number of key advantages: Efficacy of Sputnik V is over 90%, with full protection against severe cases of COVID-19. The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a proven and well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors, which cause the common cold and have been around for thousands of years. Sputnik V uses two different vectors for the two shots in a course of vaccination, providing immunity with a longer duration than vaccines using the same delivery mechanism for both shots. The safety, efficacy and lack of negative long-term effects of adenoviral vaccines have been proven by more than 250 clinical studies over two decades. Over 1.5mn people have already been vaccinated with Sputnik V. The developers of the Sputnik V vaccine are working collaboratively with AstraZeneca on a joint clinical trial to improve the efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine. The Sputnik V vaccine has been approved in Russia , Belarus , Serbia, Argentina , Bolivia and Algeria , the process to approve the vaccine in the EU has been initiated. There are no strong allergies caused by Sputnik V. The storage temperature of Sputnik V at +2+8 C means it can be stored in a conventional refrigerator without any need to invest in additional cold-chain infrastructure. The price of Sputnik V is less than $10 per shot, making it affordable around the world. 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 www.rdif.ru LOGO: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1140939/Russian_Direct_Investment_Fund_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Amcor's A- grade for climate change disclosure reflects its 36% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity since 2008 ZURICH, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor (the "Company"), a global packaging leader, has been awarded an A- grade for Climate Change in the CDP's annual ratings, highlighting the Company's decisive actions towards a more sustainable future. Amcor's score reflects the success of its EnviroAction program, which reduced all greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 36%* since 2008. The Company has been an industry leader in packaging design innovation, implementing operating efficiencies and increasing the use of post-consumer recycled content in packaging products. David Clark, Vice President for Sustainability at Amcor said: "We're proud that CDP has recognized Amcor's enhanced sustainability efforts and results. We will continue to lower our greenhouse gas emissions, and to meaningfully reduce water consumption through our EnviroAction program. Amcor recognizes that sustainability is our greatest opportunity, and we will continue to embed this philosophy into our business." In addition to CDP scorecards, Amcor has reported annually on its sustainability metrics in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework for the last nine years and to MSCI's ESG Ratings assessment. Learn more about Amcor's sustainability activities at www.amcor.com/sustainability. Note to editors: *Compared to a 2006 baseline, inclusive of scope 1,2 and 3 emissions. GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions intensity is measured by dividing absolute GHG emissions by total units produced. The CDP's 2020 assessment of Amcor excluded Bemis legacy sites; however, Bemis is included under the umbrella of Amcor's account should details be requested. Scope 1 and 2 emissions are under the direct control of companies; examples include the electricity purchased to run facilities and fuel used for vehicles and production. Scope 3 emissions comprise all other indirect emissions from a company's activities, from raw materials purchased to end of life treatment and transportation. About CDP CDP is a global non-profit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. CDP is voted number one climate research provider by investors and works with institutional investors with US$106 trillion in assets. Over 9,600 companies disclosed environmental data through CDP in 2020. About Amcor Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging that uses less materials, is increasingly recyclable and reusable, and is made with more recycled content. Around 47,000 Amcor people generate $12.5 billion in annual sales from operations that span about 230 locations in 40-plus countries.NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Facebook I Twitter I YouTube SOURCE Amcor 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. Seeing the spread of COVID-19 grip Massachusetts, as hospitals fill up while a second surge of the virus continues, local nursing students want to help on the front lines. But graduation has been delayed for nursing students at Mount Wachusett Community College because of a lack of clinical placements, and the need to have in-person clinical hours before completing the program. The decision has left students feeling frustrated and discouraged, yearning to put their skills to use during the pandemic. I think the most frustrating thing, honestly, is that theres this massive global pandemic going on and now were held back even further from being able to help, said student Stephani Maillet. If it was any other circumstance it wouldnt be that big of a deal. We could deal with it, its a couple of months, but were supposed to be nurses. College President James Vander Hooven in a letter last month told class of 2021 nursing students that their degrees would be deferred until August because of a lack of clinical placements during the spring. The Board of Registration in Nursing, which oversees the number of clinical hours required to graduate and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination licensure exam, is requiring 150 clinical hours this semester. As so many of your clinical hours up to now have been in a simulated clinical learning environment, those required 150 clinical hours need to be in person, reads the letter from Vander Hooven. Students clinical practicum experiences will be pushed back to the summer semester. Lectures will continue as planned and students can still participate in 2021 graduation ceremonies. However, the nursing students degrees are deferred until August and then they will be able to sit for the licensure exam. I have worked so hard the past two years to be told that I cant graduate on time, I need to go through the summer, it pushes all of my plans back, student Yvone Brown said. The letter was sent on Dec. 11, a Friday, and a Zoom meeting to address the issue happened Monday, Dec. 14. Brown said the letter completely blindsided the students, who had a final the morning of the Zoom meeting and another the next day. It was super stressful on top of trying to study for two finals ... so we really didnt have time to prepare what we wanted to say to the president of the college or the [director of nursing] of the nursing program, Brown said. Vander Hooven in an interview with MassLive said he understands and shares students frustration about the delayed graduation. I think what we did was proactive in securing summer clinical sites, Vander Hooven said. The college usually does not have clinical hours in the summer semester, but because of the lack of placements available now, has already reached out to secure summer placements. In our region, weve really been shut out, Vander Hooven said. With the pandemic, those slots have not been open to us the way that we need, and so we do have them secured for the summer. We didnt make the decision to close the clinical sites. Since last year, the program has included a lot of virtual learning because of the pandemic. It gets into the ethical and academic readiness question of sending students out into the field who have potentially never had an actual in-person clinical situation, Vander Hooven said. Equity is also a concern of college administrators. Vander Hooven said the college has only one clinical site currently open, which could only have placements for a small handful of the 106 nursing students in the class. Vander Hooven said it wouldnt be equitable to try and choose which few students could go into those placements. Weve had to make a lot of decisions at our institution, and all colleges and universities have had to make really painful decisions as a result of the pandemic, and we also need to keep in mind what the greater good is of what the students are doing, Vander Hooven said. Students like Maillet are concerned that clinical sites could still be closed to students during the summer depending on how the virus develops in the coming months. Were trying to do the best that we can in securing sites so they can get out into the field as soon as possible, Vander Hooven said. Im well aware of how important this particular field is right now ... As soon as we can get these clinical sites open, well start sending the students out. Vander Hooven said there is a meeting scheduled in the coming weeks focused on the effort to open up clinical sites. The simulated hours of clinicals have felt pretty close to the quality of an in-person experience, Maillet said. Brown said the simulated hours arent as helpful but are better than nothing. I know that this final semester is where we get a lot of our hands-on practice, but would you rather postpone [106] students from graduating and being able to help the community or make sure that we have the in-person practice, Brown said. Students now have to push back future plans. Maillet says nursing is in her blood because her grandmother was an operating room nurse. She also has a masters degree in psychology, so she wants to do psych nursing. After graduation, Maillet was planning to go into an RN to MSN program. Now, shell have to wait a little longer to apply. This is essentially putting my life plan behind at least a year now, Maillet said. Brown said she was planning to apply to Fitchburg State University for a bachelors in nursing. I would prefer to be able to graduate on time ... because I want to get out in the field and I know that as a nursing student, Im going to learn 110% more once Im physically working in the field, Brown said. Brown said she knew she wanted to pursue nursing even when she was young, but her desire amplified after her older sister had a heart transplant. Aside from this hiccup, Brown wanted to stress that she has enjoyed the program, particularly the faculty. Mount Wachusett has been fantastic, she said. Ive enjoyed my time there. Ive enjoyed my program. I love the staff. The students are amazing ... But just this bump is so heartbreaking for me and everyone else involved. Related Content: RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- The School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, has received a grant aimed at halting further isolation of people aging with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-year, $245,000 grant from the multinational pharmaceutical company Merck will enable a study, starting later this month, involving the participation of people living with HIV, or PLWH, in Riverside County, Los Angeles, and the Tampa Bay area in Florida. "This is a very timely study with enhanced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said epidemiologist Brandon Brown, an associate professor in the Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health, and the grant's principal investigator. "High levels of social isolation, anxiety, and depression during this pandemic differentiates PLWH from others. We are interested in finding out ways to keep people engaged with each other and with care while isolated and identifying low-intensity methods for reducing depression. Importantly, the idea for this study came from the HIV community itself and builds upon our previous PCORI-funded work engaging the community." Brown said he will start the study by forming a steering committee composed of community members living with HIV in Riverside County, Los Angeles, and Tampa Bay. His team of researchers will partner with them and co-develop all study materials including initially helping the researchers characterize issues related to depression, isolation, and basic needs of people aging with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers will develop ideas also for a virtual village, including whom the village will include, how it will connect PLWH with each other and providers, and what the most useful content would be for users. "The virtual village, which will be accessible on smartphones and computers, will provide ample resources to participants," Brown said. "Seniors aging in place with HIV can log into the virtual village, connect with peers, share resources with one another, access providers and community-based organizations, and stay socially connected in this time where we are all physically distanced. The plan is to pilot the virtual village in a low-cost platform." Brown explained the platform will be low-tech so people with older computers and limited technological skills can access it. "We will create an initial platform and explore how it can be enhanced to make the virtual village more accessible and more user friendly," he said. "We are optimistic that people will use and build upon the virtual village to stay connected with peers, providers, and community-based organizations in different ways. Initially, we envision it will feature message boards, office hours with doctors, virtual meetings, telehealth, and a buddy system. Over time, participants will increase content to improve and strengthen the village. We're thinking: If they build it, they will use it." ### This study will be conducted in close collaboration with Jerome Galea at the University of South Florida; Jeff Taylor and Christopher Christensen at the HIV + Aging Research Project--Palm Springs; and Annie Nguyen at the University of Southern California. The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), India's leading 'Navaratna' company under the Ministry of Defence, has called for applications in a prescribed format from eligible and interested Indian nationals who are Graduate Engineers for filling numerous vacancies to the post of Graduate Apprentices in Electronics, Telecommunication, Computer Science, IT, Civil, Chemical, Industrial, Environmental, etc. engineering disciplines through direct recruitment to be posted at BEL's Bengaluru unit in Karnataka, India on a fulltime basis. The offline application process towards the same started on January 07, 2021 and closes on January 23, 2021. CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Graduate Apprentices Organisation Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) Educational Qualification B.E/B.Tech in Electronics, Telecommunication, Computer Science, IT, Civil, Chemical, Industrial, Environmental, etc. engineering disciplines Experience Freshers can apply Job Responsibilities null Skills Required Desirable Job Location Bengaluru Salary Scale Monthly stipend of Rs. 11,110 per month Industry Electronics Application Start Date January 7, 2021 Application End Date January 23, 2021 BEL Recruitment 2021: Age Criteria And Fees Candidates interested in applying for BEL Apprentice Jobs 2021 through BEL Recruitment 2021 must not be more than 25 years of age, with relaxation (upper age limit) up to 3 years (OBC) and 5 years (SC/ST) respectively as specified in the BEL Recruitment 2021 Notification. For details regarding application fee for BEL Apprentice Jobs 2021 under BEL Recruitment 2021, refer to the BEL Recruitment 2021 Notification given at the end of the article. Also Read: UPSC Specialist Grade Recruitment 2021 For 56 Asst. Professor And Asst. Director Jobs, Apply Before January 28 BEL Recruitment 2021: Education And Eligibility Desirous candidates applying for BEL Apprentice Jobs 2021 through BEL Recruitment 2021 must possess a B.E/B.Tech in Electronics, Telecommunication, Computer Science, IT, Civil, Chemical, Industrial, Environmental, etc. engineering disciplines from a recognised University/Institute as detailed in the BEL Recruitment Notification 2021. BEL Recruitment 2021: Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates to BEL Graduate Apprentice Jobs 2021 through BEL Recruitment 2021 will be done through Shortlisting based on the marks scored in the examinations of B.E/B.TECH as notified in the BEL Recruitment Notification 2021. Candidates selected as BEL Graduate Apprentice Jobs 2021 through BEL Recruitment 2021 will be paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 11,110 per month. Also Read: NIA Recruitment 2021 For Stenographer, Assistant, UDC And Accountant Posts. Apply Offline Before January 30 BEL Recruitment 2021: How To Apply Candidates applying for BEL Graduate Apprentice Jobs 2021 through BEL Recruitment 2021 must register enroll on the official BOAT/NATS portal. Post-enrollment, candidates must fill the application form attached with the BEL Recruitment Notification 2021 and send the same to the "Deputy Manager (HR/CLD), Centre for Learning and Development, Bharat Electronics Limited, Jalahalli Post, Bengaluru - 560 013" along with relevant supporting documents on or before January 23, 2021. Download BEL Recruitment 2021 Notification PDF for Graduate Apprentices posts The Marine Corps hit a big milestone last month when three women completed drill instructor school at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, which has historically trained only men. In February, the women will lead a platoon of female recruits there -- another historic moment for the 100-year-old base. But a dozen female drill instructors have been assigned to the all-male recruit depot in years past, only to see roles in training recruits limited once they arrived. The women had more experience training recruits than most of their male colleagues, having already completed three-year drill instructor tours at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina, where the service typically trains female enlistees. Still, none of the second-tour drill instructors were assigned to training battalions in San Diego. Read Next: The Pentagon Has 6 Months to Disclose What It Knows About UFOs Instead, they were given support roles: receiving incoming recruits, working with those too sick or injured to return to training, or teaching courses. When one female staff noncommissioned officer asked to be moved to a traditional training battalion, she said a colonel kept giving her the same answer: "We need to find the best man for the job." "It's such a common expression that it didn't register with me at the time, but that was the excuse every time," the staff NCO told Military.com. She spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing career reprisal for speaking out since she's still on active duty. The unspoken policy was embarrassing, she said, and left her feeling angry and disillusioned. Most of the women had more than 10 years in uniform. Some served in combat, others as instructors at the Marine Corps' Officer Candidates School. It also put them in a bad position in terms of how they were viewed by male drill instructors at the base, the staff NCO said. "The majority of them resented the fact that we get the extra pay -- the special duty assignment pay -- but from their view, we're not having to do the work," she said. "It's not that we didn't want to. They weren't letting us." The Marine said she never got a clear explanation as to why her request to serve with a training battalion went ungranted. She had the support of her battalion leaders, she said, but the move ultimately had to be approved by Col. Dan Kazmier, who was commanding officer of Recruit Training Regiment at the time. There weren't any policies prohibiting women in San Diego from serving in traditional training battalions, said Capt. Sam Stephenson, a Training and Education spokesman. Second-term drill instructors are assigned duties "based on their knowledge, experience, capability, as well as the needs of the command," he said. Kazmier, who retired in October, didn't respond to questions about why requests from female drill instructors who wanted to be assigned to recruit training battalions weren't approved, saying only that he's "very proud of the progress we made [on gender integration] and how MCRD San Diego is continuing to lead in that effort." Commandant Gen. David Berger said in September that the service would "run a couple of trials this wintertime" in which it would move female drill instructors to train recruits on the West Coast. "All of our female drill instructors are on the East Coast," Berger said. The female drill instructor who spent two years at San Diego said few know that women have been assigned there for years. She said she wishes the Marine Corps hadn't squandered the chance to train new women drill instructors on the West Coast while she and other experienced female DIs were assigned to the San Diego recruit depot. They could have guided them, she said, adding that she feels sorry that they can't. The first female drill instructor arrived at MCRD San Diego in 2003, Stephenson said. They've served as physical training, academic, martial arts and water-survival instructors, he added. They've also trained other drill instructors at the San Diego schoolhouse. The purpose of having female drill instructors at the all-male depot was to "provide additional leadership roles and experiences for our Marines and recruits," he said. The staff NCO said that, at times, it felt like the Marine Corps put female drill instructors on the West Coast to appease members of Congress who have pushed for more gender-integrated training at boot camp. Even though they weren't allowed to serve in training battalions, the women were regularly expected to represent the depot at air shows and other events off base. Another female drill instructor who was at the depot when the staff NCO was there served in an administrative role. But whenever someone from Congress, a diplomat or member of another service or foreign military showed up, the female Marine was tasked with showing them around. "They would put her out there to lead them around, give them the tour, and give the idea that we have females here," the staff NCO said. Stephenson said it's common for the recruit depots' "strongest performers" to be selected for VIP visits and base tours. Several second-tour male drill instructors who had worked with women at Parris Island knew the female Marines were capable of more than was being asked of them, the staff NCO said. But fear of retribution was strong, so they didn't take their complaints up the chain. "The one thing that we, as females, are constantly aware of in the Marine Corps is that if you push too hard for something, if you draw too much attention to an issue, you may get what you were asking for, but you also may be set up for certain failure or even sabotaged," the Marine said. "When I brought the issue up to my company commander, he had the company first sergeant complete a written, negative counseling on me. "If I had pressed the issue any more than I did, they would have made sure that I failed," she added. Stephenson stressed that open and honest communication up and down the chain of command, without fear of retribution, is consistently reinforced through verbal and written communication. Everyone, he added, is expected to treat their fellow Marines with dignity and respect. "It is unfortunate and disappointing that this individual felt she experienced neither," he said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Female Recruits to Train at Marines' All-Male San Diego Boot Camp in Historic First Russias Ministers back bill prohibiting officials to hold dual citizenship RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 15:19 11/01/2021 MOSCOW, January 11 (RAPSI) Russias Government has backed a Presidential bill prohibiting state and municipal officials to hold dual citizenship, according to the database of the lower house of the Russian Parliament. The bill was introduced by President Vladimir Putin in furtherance of the national Constitution on November 30, 2020. In case the document is approved, state officials will be obliged to report about termination of their Russian citizenship and obtaining of documents confirming their rights to reside abroad; otherwise they could be dismissed from their posts. CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In today announced its 2021 Best Places to Work winners, companies who raise the bar for fostering meaningful employee experiences through cultural programs and benefits. The annual awards include companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, in the eight markets Built In serves, plus companies across the U.S. Click to see the 2021 winners . "We're thrilled to congratulate our 2021 winners," says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "And this year was special. Being an employer of choice in tech is not static but ever evolving. Today, tech professionals are rethinking what they want from employers. We're responding and so are employers of choice. In this year's algorithm, we added weight to cultural aspects like remote opportunities and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion all factors that tech professionals are searching for more often." The Best Places to Work program is growing both in terms of categories and reach. In addition to existing lists, this year includes new nationwide categories, including 50 Best Large Companies to Work For, honoring nationwide companies with 2,000+ employees, and 50 Best Remote-First Places to Work. For the first year, the awards also include San Francisco, the newest city added to the markets that Built In serves. By highlighting these workplaces across varied categories, Built In gives its audience of sought-after tech professionals the chance to discover companies with benefits they want and cultures they believe in. Since the program's inception three years ago, online views to the Best Places to Work lists have grown to a million. As such, for the winning companies, Best Places to Work provides broad exposure to otherwise hard-to-hire, hard-to-find tech professionals. ABOUT BUILT IN Built In, a revolution in tech recruitment, serves more than 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, delivering content and digital recruitment solutions that work. The platform amplifies companies' brands as national, local or remote employers of choice, as well as leaders in DEI. Monthly, 2.5 million tech professionals rely on Built In to stay up on trends, grow in their roles and discover companies with missions they want to join. The platform publishes stories about companies' tech, culture and people. This activates sought-after professionals to apply to customers' open roles. http://www.builtin.com ABOUT BUILT IN'S BEST PLACES TO WORK Built In's esteemed Best Places to Work awards, now in its third year, honor companies across numerous categories: 100 Best Places to Work, 50 Best Small Places to Work, 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, 50 Companies with the Best Benefits and 50 Best Paying Companies. Two new national categories reflect what candidates are searching for, including 50 Best Large Companies to Work For and 50 Best Remote-First Places to Work. BEST PLACES TO WORK: METHODOLOGY Built In ranks companies algorithmically based on compensation data, benefits and culture programs. This year, based on data showing tech professionals' current desires, the Best Places to Work algorithm added weight to companies' commitment to DEI, remote culture and compensation. Rank is determined by combining a company's score in each of these categories. Contact: Tiffany Meyers [email protected] 917 741 6750 SOURCE Built In Related Links http://www.builtin.com WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2021) The US House of Representatives will call on Vice President Mike Pence to remove President Donald Trump from power, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "I want to call to your immediate attention the action to be taken tomorrow morning, when Majority Leader [Steny] Hoyer will request Unanimous Consent to bring up the [Jamie] Raskin resolution. This resolution calls on the Vice President to convene and mobilize the Cabinet to activate the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office, after which the Vice President would immediately exercise powers as acting President," Pelosi said in a statement. "If we do not receive Unanimous Consent, this legislation is planned to be brought up on the Floor the following day. We are calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours," Pelosi added. 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. Lucknow: Following the arrest of Bhim Army founder Chandrasekhar, the main accused in the recent violence in Saharanpur, internet services have been blocked for two days to prevent social media being misused to foment tension in the district, the police said on Thursday. "Internet facilities have been blocked for two days by District Magistrate, Saharanpur", IG, (Crime), Hariram Sharma told mediapersons here. He said that a total of 46 FIRs have been registered ever since inter-caste violence broke out in Saharanpur last month. As many as 206 arrests have been made so far, including that of Chandrasekhar, who has been booked under three FIRs, he said. Chandrasekhar, 30, was nabbed from the Dalhousie area of Himachal Pradesh, Additional DG (Meerut Zone) Anand Kumar told PTI over phone. Read more: Ready to surrender if 37 innocent Dalits are released on bail, says Bhim Army leader Chandrasekhar He will be brought to Saharanpur on a transit remand. Earlier, two members of the Bhim Army were also arrested in Saharanpur over their alleged involvement in the Ramnagar caste violence that took place on May 9. The Saharanpur district saw repeated violence after one person was killed and several others injured in a clash between Dalits and Thakurs at Shabbirpur village on May 5. Chandrasekhar had since been evading arrest and the police had declared a reward of Rs 12,000 for information about his whereabouts. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News: Schroder AsiaPacific Fund PLC - investment firm focused on capital growth through investment primarily in equities of companies located in the continent of Asia excluding the Middle East and Japan - Says, alongside, Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Co PLC, will abide by US executive order which prohibits US persons from engaging in any transaction in publicly traded securities in Communist Chinese military companies, which will first become effective on January 11. "Schroders, the company's investment manager, as a group complies with US Sanctions and hence will be taking steps to comply with the executive order. The board and investment manager are closely monitoring this matter as it continues to evolve. None of the company's current portfolio holdings are affected by the executive order," company adds. RTW Venture Fund Ltd - New York-based investment company focussed on life sciences, biopharmaceutical, and medical technology companies - Investee Immunocore Ltd completes USD75 million series C fundraising. RTW confirms it took part in fundraising, which follows positive Phase 3 trial interim analysis data for tebentafusp in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma that Immunocore presented in December. VPC Specialty Lending Investments PLC - provides asset-backed lending to businesses with aim of long-term, sustainable income generation - Says special purpose acquisition company, VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings, enters into a definitive agreement to combine with Bakkt Holdings LLC, a company launched by Intercontinental Exchange Inc in 2018. Through VPC Sponsor, VPC Specialty Lending Investments currently owns 2.2 million Class B Shares and 2.7 million private placement warrants in VIH, held at an aggregate cost basis of USD2.7 million. "The transaction implies a USD2.1 billion post-merger enterprise value at a USD10.00 price per Class A Common Stock. Upon the consummation of the transaction, VSL's Class B Shares shall be automatically converted into one share of Class A Common Stock of Bakkt with an aggregate implied transaction value of USD22.2 million to the company," VPC says. Argo Blockchain PLC - London-based cryptocurrency mining - Says 1,058 S19 and S19 pro miners from the company's order of 4,500 leased mining machines, made in November 2020, will be delivered ahead of schedule. These machines will be fully installed and hashing by the week of January 25, three weeks early, Argo says. These units will add 103 petahash to the company's current SHA-256 mining capacity of 645 petahash, bringing the total to 748 petahash before the end of January. The remaining 3,442 machines in the order are expected to be delivered on time, and to be fully operational by mid-February 2021. Chief Executive Peter Wall says this is "great news". He adds: "At a time when our mining margins for the first 10 days of January are well over 70%, having these new, efficient machines up and running early will increase our monthly revenues and help to continue to achieve these excellent margins. 2021 is off to a great start." Supply@ME Capital PLC - fintech company providing monetisation service - Enters into an agreement with Lenovo Financial Services META LLC. Says own platform "will be positioned as an alternative solution to compliment LFS's existing vendor programme offerings to their network of customers in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region." Company adds: "The purpose of the co-operation agreement, made with the strategic support of iMASS, is to deliver a dedicated inventory monetisation programme to LFS's customers which may also allow them to evaluate the opportunity to adopt the upcoming Shari'a version of the platform." AdEPT Technology Group PLC - information technology provider based in London - Says it has helped the UK National Health Service succeed in a major technology transformation. In November, the NHS transferred hundreds of NHS and social care sites from a legacy data network to an updated version in a project expected to save the heath service GBP75million a year. "The credibility arising from delivering such a substantial programme positions AdEPT to secure further infrastructure projects across the UK; whilst the presence AdEPT now has facilitates conversations about additional services from the AdEPT portfolio across the NHS," company adds. Block Energy PLC - development and production in Georgia - Completes construction and commissioning of the early production facility and gas gathering line at West Rustavi field. Now gas sales hinge on Bago LLC and include finalising the construction of the compressor station, which is well underway, and hooking it up to the state's main gas line. Delivery of first gas is now forecast to occur by late January or early February. Octagonal PLC - financial services firm - Strongly disagrees with complaints filed by the US Securities & Exchange Commission against subsidiary Global Investment Strategy UK Ltd. Despite this, believes it would not be "beneficial to the business or GIS's clients" to "engage in a protracted dispute" with the SEC and has elected to cease the conduct cited by the SEC. "As a result, GIS will no longer carry accounts for, or provide financing services to, US persons and believes that this action should eliminate any future concerns the SEC," company adds. Notes the subsidiary remains in "good standing" with UK's Financial Conduct Authority. Also notes Hong Kong subsidiary is attributing positive earnings to the group and expects trend to continue through 2021. Finally, says if shareholders vote to delist firm it plans to offer to shareholders a scheme to buy back shares from those shareholders who wish to dispose at a fair market rate. Zenith Energy Ltd - independent oil & gas company with production, exploration and development assets in Africa and Italy - Enters cooperation agreement with Fleet Oil & Gas SA, a privately owned oil and gas company led by the former Egyptian petroleum minister, Mahmoud Latif Amer. The purpose of the deal is to jointly identity and pursue oil and gas production and exploration acquisitions in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa. "Under the terms of the CA, Zenith and Fleet will jointly identify certain potential acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence on any transaction that is deemed to be a suitable potential acquisition," company adds. Keras Resources PLC - AIM-listed mineral resource company - Completes USD2.5 million loan to Falcon Isle Holdings LLC first agreed in July, allowing to up stake in Faclon to 51%, which owns Diamond Creek phosphate mine in Utah, US. Keras notes positive results from third party granulation tests, with commercial production and associated sales planned for mid-January. Says processing plant is currently in transit to the US and expected to arrive in Utah by the end of January with commissioning on track for the first quarter. Chief Executive Russell Lamming says: "Keras Resources CEO, Russell Lamming said: "It is less than six months since the transaction was concluded and commercial production commenced, so progress from a standing start to a fully integrated mine-to-market project has been very encouraging. The commissioning of the Utah processing plant will increase both our production capacity and flexibility to produce a variety of high grade, organic phosphate products, which will underpin the drive to grow market share whilst driving down costs." Ascent Resources PLC - onshore energy in Caribbean and Europe - Receives warrant notice for 833,333 new shares for a total of GBP62,500. The warrants are being exercised by Align Research, Ascent says, in consideration for surrendering an equivalent value of loan notes. Additionally, the company has agreed to issue 66,667 new shares at 7.5 pence, being the coupon conversion price, in lieu of the 8% cash coupon that is incurred on the converted loan amount. The company has therefore today issued 900,000 new shares and admission of these shares is expected to take place on or around January 15. By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. 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. Pressure group, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is calling for an independent investigation into the incidents that marred the inauguration of the 8th Parliament. The election of the Speaker of Parliament for the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic was charatarised by chaos with the assault on a female MP who was forcefully shoved off the chair, snatching and chewing of ballot papers by Mr Carlos Ahinkrah, kicking of ballot box and polling booths by Mr John Jinapor and others. The aforementioned according to a press statement issued by the leadership of the AFAG on Monday, January 11, 2021, cannot be left uninvestigated. AFAG further stated that it does not expect Parliament to conduct an impartial investigation, so it (parliament) must appoint an independent body to conduct the investigation into its misconduct. The group said the investigation should further address the issue of the deployment of heavily armed military men into the Chamber of Parliament. The investigation should further address the issue of the deployment of heavily armed military men into the Chamber of Parliament. AFAG would want to know who sanctioned this deployment and for what purpose, AFAG added in a statement The group also stressed that the complete breakdown of law and order which resulted in several hours of chaotic scenes during the swearing-in of MPs elect and the election of speaker for the 8th parliament is possibly the worst incident in the Chamber of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana, hence must be investigated. The contest for the Speaker of parliament was between the immediate past Speaker, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, nominated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin, who was backed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mr Bagbin won by 138 votes as against 136 votes by Prof Oquaye. Also elected (per consensus) are Messrs Joseph Osei-Wusu (MP for Bekwai-NPP) as 1st Deputy Speaker and Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Independent MP for Fomena as 2nd Deputy Speaker Read the full statement from AFAG below: PROBE MISCONDUCT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS The complete breakdown of law and order which resulted in several hours of chaotic scenes during the swearing-in of MPs elect and the election of speaker for the 8th parliament is possibly the worst incident in the Chamber of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. Footage from the overnight confrontation showed numerous pockets of free-for-all brawls between NPP and NDC members which disrupted the night-long program. AFAG calls for an immediate independent investigation into the incidents of the night; Assault on a female MP who was forcefully shoved off the chair Snatching and chewing of ballot papers by Hon. Carlos Ahinkrah Kicking of the ballot box and polling booths by Hon. John Jinapor Unruly behaviour of Hon. Muntaka and others AFAG does not expect Parliament to conduct an impartial investigation, so it must appoint an independent body to conduct the investigation into its misconduct. The investigation should further address the issue of the deployment of heavily armed military men into the Chamber of Parliament. AFAG would want to know who sanctioned this deployment and for what purpose. The investigation should recommend the appropriate sanctions for all actors. The sanction should be in line with the standing orders of Parliament and the laws of the land. The honour and dignity of Parliament is at stake. SIGNED AFAG LEADERSHP 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 The bitterly cold weather is here to stay in northern Vietnam, with chances of temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas, whereas people of the Mekong Delta are facing another wave of saltwater intrusion. The continuation of cold weather is anticipated by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. As of Sunday morning, Hanois Ha Dong District had seen temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius, while those in various northern upland locations dropped to one digit or lower, with Mount Mau Son of Lang Son Province recording minus two degrees Celsius and Sa Pa Town minus 0.7 degrees Celsius. Frost appeared in many high-altitude locations in the north, namely Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai Province, Ta Xua in Son La Province, and O Quy Ho in Lao Cai Province. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting expects the sweeping cold front in northern Vietnam to strengthen on Sunday, causing prolonged cold weather in northern areas as well as the central provinces from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue, said Hoang Phuc Lam, the center's deputy director. The northern region will see cold weather in tandem with low humidity, with sunlight during the day and biting cold at night," Lam remarked. "Meanwhile, frost will recede due to the sunlight. "In the early morning and during the daytime on Monday, sleet might occur on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range." The central provinces from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien Hue will encounter temperatures of 9-12 degrees Celsius, while those from Da Nang to Quang Ngai will see mecury readings of 15-18 degrees Celsius. The Central highlands will also witness cold weather at night and early in the morning. In a similar fashion, southern provinces will see dry, mildly cold nights and from January 10 to 17. The cold might sustain until the early morning, which will then recede as the sun rises. Threats of saltwater encroachment are on the rise in Vietnams Mekong Delta region, with saline water levels expected to peak between January 14 and 16 before falling off gradually. The highest salinity level recorded at monitoring stations in the area is still lower than the peaks witnessed in early 2020, with affected areas spanning a length from 35 to 55 kilometers. It is anticipated that saltwater intrusion this year will be more severe than average, but not as extreme as the historical occurrence in early 2020. Waves of peak saline water encroachment at inlets of the Mekong Delta are expected to take place in February or March, except for the Vam Co River and Cai Lon River, which may hit peak levels around March or April. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Goutham Reddy pointed out that it was the previous TDP government that had given permission for establishment of Divis Laboratories in 2015. (DC Image) NELLORE: Industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy has criticised Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan for his remarks against the state government that it ignored social and environmental impact studies before granting permission to industries. He also found fault with the actor-turned-politicians claim that the government allocated 75 percent of jobs to locals at Divis Pharmaceuticals in view of his visit to the region. Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, Goutham Reddy reminded the Jana Sena chief that the YSRC government had passed a resolution on July 19, 2019, earmarking 75 percent jobs to locals in all industries within Andhra Pradesh. Under it, the first preference will be given to those families who part with their land for establishing the industry. Next in order will be for those in the mandal where the industry is being established, while the third preference will for people belonging to the same district. The minister underlined that the state government is also providing free training to unemployed in various skills based on requirements of the local industrial units. He accused Pawan Kalyan of guiding youth in the wrong direction with his baseless utterances. Goutham Reddy said industrial licenses are being given only after conducting social and environmental impact studies, which are basic requirements for sanctioning an industry at a location. On the actors charges pertaining to Divis Pharma, he pointed out that it was the previous TDP government that had given permission for establishment of Divis Laboratories in 2015. Pawan Kalyan was associated with the TDP during that period. He wondered why the Jana Sena chief did not go against the TDP government then. The minister maintained that the state government had clearly directed the management of Divis not to proceed further without resolving the issues raised by locals. 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. (Natural News) It has been five years since David Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress broke the story that body parts retrieved from aborted babies were being used for medical research in a modern-day feticidal Frankenstein story. Abortionists, it was revealed, were amending surgical procedures to ensure that some body parts werent crushed so that they would still be usable by researchers. StemExpress overnighted baby body parts by FedEx from Planned Parenthood to keep them fresh. Each news cycle spawned new horrors. (Article by Jonathon Van Maren republished from LifeSiteNews.com) David Daleiden and the heroic undercover journalists who spent years working to expose these hidden brutalities are still bogged down in a snarl of court battles with the abortion industry, but new revelations that confirm their exposes continue to emerge. Chemistry expert Dr. Stacy Trasancos, for example, recently released an investigation into laboratory practices at the University of Pittsburgh where the body parts of aborted babies killed in the second trimester are used for experiments. According to Trasancos, the experiments utilizing aborted baby parts include grafting the scalps of aborted babies onto mice to create humanized mice. Once this was completed, the impact of the fusion of baby hair on the immunity of the mice to various pathogens was then recorded by researchers. Photographs show little tufts of childs hair sprouting from the side of rodents where researchers have replanted it after slicing it from the skulls of children killed in their mothers wombs. According to Dr. Transancos, the University of Pittsburghs study utilized a number of aborted babies between 18 and 20 weeks, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to examine full-thickness human skin on the humanized mice and rats: Full-thickness human skin from fetuses was grafted onto rodents while simultaneously co-engrafting the same fetuss lymphoid tissues and hematopoietic stem cells from the liver, so that the rodent models were humanized with organs and skin from the same child. The human skin was taken from the scalp and the back of the fetuses so that grafts with and without hair could be compared in the rodent model. Excess fat tissues attached to the subcutaneous layer of the skin was cut away, and then the fetal skin was grafted over the rib cage of the rodent, where its own skin had been removed. Human hair was evident by 12 weeks but only in the grafts taken from the fetal scalps. In the scalp grafts, fine human hair can be seen growing long and dark surrounded by the short white hairs of the mouse. The images literally show a patch of baby hair growing on a mouses back. It isnt just the University of Pittsburgh, either. The University of California-San Francisco used the corpses of 249 second-trimester children for research, removing their livers for various tests. Yale University utilized fifteen dead second-trimester babies for dissection, using their bone marrow, spleens, and livers for research into immune levels. At UCSF, the reproductive tracts and fetal intestines were actually removed from aborted babies and transplanted into rats. The University of Pittsburghs baby scalping isnt a one-off atrocity. It is common practice. It is also the inevitable consequence of the pro-choice worldview. Children in the womb are not human enough to qualify for protection under the law, but are human enough to have their corpses pillaged for medical research. Those of us who understand that these are children being killed and that this is childs hair sprouting from ratssoft, delicate, and grotesquely misplacedare sickened by all this. But those who deny, in the face of all evidence, that these children are human have no solid grounds to object to these experiments besides the shrieking of their own consciences. Why throw out a perfectly good body when we could recycle it? The very crimes we commit against these tiny people confirms their humanity, because if they were not human, they would not be useful for human research. These experiments confirm their humanityand that we are losing ours. Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com Organisers of the Chinese GP admit it is "highly unlikely" the Shanghai event can take place as scheduled on 11 April. We have reported that with Melbourne's season opener set to be postponed amid the ongoing covid crisis, the same is true for China. "We are in contact with the leadership of Formula 1 by videoconference almost every week," said Yibin Yang, general manager of the race promoter Juss Event. "It is highly unlikely that the race can take place in the first half of the year, in April. We hope to have it in the second half instead and have formally sent that request," he added. "But if all international events are postponed to the second half of the year, the city simply will not have enough opportunities to hold them," Yang admitted. "Activities such as this require the involvement of significant community resources, so there would be a shortage of resources and also conflicts in terms of marketing." Roger Benoit, a veteran correspondent for Blick newspaper, claims F1 authorities are working on a plan for travelling members of the F1 circus to be vaccinated. Haas boss Gunther Steiner thinks the 2021 season will begin, notwithstanding the likely postponements. "I think Bahrain is going to happen," he said. "They did a fantastic job last year and when we got there we felt very safe." (GMM) The new Harbour BridgeClimb experience in collaboration with the Sydney Festival is fantastic and long overdue: the first Indigenous storytelling bridge climbing tour, led by Indigenous guides. One glaring disappointment cannot be fixed by the politically agnostic BridgeClimb, nor by Wesley Enoch, the festivals Indigenous artistic director. It sits with the Premier a directive she should make now she has returned from leave: gently change protocol and replace the NSW flag atop the Harbour Bridge with the Aboriginal flag, to fly alongside the national one. An Aboriginal flag should fly from the top of the bridge permanently. Credit:SMH I was one of the journalists invited on the media day for the "Burrawa" climb, which opened on Friday and runs until January 24. With ochre smeared across our foreheads and the fumes of a smoking ceremony filling our nostrils, we learnt about the Indigenous land on which the bridge stands, along with Indigenous history, culture and language. Professionalism and concentration Tuan, 28, from HCMC, is on his way to the headquarter of Baemin in District 3 to take part in a training course. He said, by the end of the course, he would have had to take an entrance exam before being granted an account as a Baemin rider. Before that, during the online application process, Tuan also had to undergo a pre-qualification exam before attending the intensive training. Most riders joining the Baemin network have to pass two entrance exams, a paradox compared to other food delivery businesses today. "We want to leave a good first impression on our customers with Baemin's well-mannered and polite rider team," said Nguyen Trung Thanh, COO of Baemin Vietnam, Woowa Brothers' leading online food delivery service. A Baemin rider delivers food to a customer. Photo by Baemin. Right after taking the lead in South Korea, Woowa Brothers expanded its market to Vietnam, where more than 40 percent of the population is of working age, loves technology and is quite familiar with Korean culture. However, Baemin still joined the Vietnamese market later than many other competitors. The boom in delivery applications has resulted in a shortage of riders and problems with service quality. Therefore, Baemin chose its own path by starting with careful training of its rider team in each market then gradually expanding within the city where the demand for food delivery is up to 90 percent (according to market research company GComm). Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are two typical examples of Baemin's approach. "In Vietnam, FoodTech is still a very new market, so companies in this field have to invest a lot in building their own delivery team and putting them into operation," Thanh noted. Accompany with partners Baemin focuses on building professional food delivery services, its professionalism helping it success in a short period. According to a recent Asia Plus survey, although Baemin only appeared in Vietnam from mid-2019, it quickly caught up with Gojek, another application in food delivery, in its proportion of users (up to 46 percent). Baemin also takes up 16 percent among the most frequently used apps. According to the report, GrabFood is said to be popular among the old while Baemin suits younger generations. GrabFood is more popular at the elders while Baemin is more popular at youngsters and Now is supported by female. Graphics by Q&Me Vietnam Market Research. Investing in rider partners is not enough in Baemin's long-term development strategy in Vietnam. "In Korea, where third-party logistics infrastructure is already developed, Woowa Brothers focuses on customer care, advertising and tradition," said Thanh. "However, in Vietnam, it is a completely different story." In addition to delivery resources, Baemin also has to pay attention to connecting with partners participating in its platform by providing flexible payment methods, with the most important being accompanying partners in the transition of business model into online format. According to Thanh, in new markets like Vietnam, restaurants and stores, especially traditional ones, are yet to grow accustomed to online sales. Thus, during this period, the most practical thing is generating a revenue stream. Baemin's strategy is to send staff to guide restaurant owners on how to achieve greater profits. At the same time, the company has also developed a department to timely respond and make payments so restaurant owners could continue to operate. "These are very basic steps, but they create real value from which the restaurant has confidence to establish a closer relationship with us," Thanh emphasized. In the coming time, Baemin plans to help restaurant owners create products suited to online business models. According to Thanh, this would allow transformation from a pure traditional restaurant to an online model in order to gradually expand with increasing revenue. "More than anyone, Baemin understands that the success or failure of a company depends greatly on its partners. Although Baemin is newly launched in Hanoi, brand awareness of customers here is much higher than in Ho Chi Minh City. It may be a new city, but the market has heard a lot about us," Thanh said. If someone cannot see the difference between 1. Someone throwing a water bottle while protesting the videotaped killing by police of an unarmed Black man and, 2. An armed group of avowed neo-Nazis and white supremacists breaking in to disrupt the formal counting of votes in a free and fair election literally defecating on the Capitols walls and floor, threatening elected officials (of their own party) in the midst doing their sworn duty and assaulting police officers using the very flag they claim to love then there is no hope for that person. They are insensible to truth. [January 11, 2021] AppSumo is Named the Number One Best Small Company to Work for in Austin, in Built In's 2021 Best Place to Work Awards AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AppSumo, the go-to software community for everyday entrepreneurs, announced today that Built In has honored the company through its esteemed 2021 Best Places to Work Awards. AppSumo was named number one on Austin's 50 Best Small Companies to Work For. It also received top 15 placement on the rankings for Austin's 100 Best Places to Work and Companies with the Best Benefits. The annual awards include companies of all sizesfrom startups to the enterpriseoperating in the eight largest tech markets and nationally. "For the past 10 years, AppSumo has been able to grow thanks to our resourceful, lean team that approaches every business challenge head on," says Ayman Al-Abdullah, CEO of AppSumo. "Through the pandemic, our team leveled up and supported one another. We were fortunate to hire and scale, furthering our mission of serving everyday entrepreneurs. While we have remote team members worldwide, Austin is our home, and we are grateful to be recognized in a city that celebrates and supports small businesses." Built In determines winners for Best Places to Work based on a refined algorithm that uses company data about compensation benefits, and cultural programs. To reflect the latest attributes candidates are searching for on Built In today, this year's program weighed specific criteria more heavily, like remote opportunities and programs for diversity, equity and inclusion. "These companies raise the bar for cultural excellence and the ability to adapt to meet changing needs of employees," says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "The 2021 winners show a commitment not just to creating meaningful cultures but to delivering talent needs as they change in a dynamic landscape. We're thrilled to extend our congratulations to the winners." ABOUT APPSUMO AppSumo is the go-to software community for everyday entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneur Noah Kagan in 2010, AppSumo was built on the core idea that the tools you need to grow your business shouldn't put you out of business. Customers can shop Select Deals, which offer lifetime access to SaaS products, and browse the Marketplace, a collaborative digital space for up-and-coming hustlers. For more info, visit www.appsumo.com . ABOUT BUILT IN Built In, a revolution in tech recruitment, serves more than 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, delivering content and digital recruitment solutions that work. The platform amplifies companies' brands as national, local, or remote employers of choice, as well as leaders in DEI. Monthly, 2.5 million tech professionals rely on Built In to stay up on trends, grow in their roles, and discover companies with missions they want to join. The platform publishes stories about companies' tech, culture, and people. This activates sought-after professionals to apply to customers' open roles. https://www.builtin.com Contacts: Julie Richter, 4808188022, 288845@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/appsumo-is-named-the-number-one-best-small-company-to-work-for-in-austin-in-built-ins-2021-best-place-to-work-awards-301205289.html SOURCE AppSumo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Times Union is providing free access to this developing coverage to provide critical information to our community. To support our journalists work, consider a digital subscription. The chart shows daily new cases of COVID-19 in the eight counties of the Capital Region. Graphics by Cathleen F. Crowley and Bethany Bump/Times Union (About the data) Get the latest in your inbox: Sign up for the free Coronavirus Updates newsletter . 7:40 p.m.: New York county leaders say there's 'chaos' with vaccine registration County leaders and other local officials on Monday accused Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's vaccination team of fueling "chaos" and "bedlam" as phone banks are being overwhelmed and much of the general public remains confused about when they can receive the shots. The Times Union was allowed to listen to the conference call although the governor's administration had requested in its invitation that members of the press be excluded from the Zoom call. The local officials expressed frustration at what they described as a continuing breakdown in information-sharing, a shortage of doses and overlapping and redundant efforts to vaccinate the first two groups who are authorized to receive the shots a cohort that includes nursing home residents, front-line health care workers and teachers. Read more ___ 11:47 a.m.: UAlbany to open for mass coronavirus vaccinations Friday The University at Albany is the location of one of 20 mass COVID-19 vaccine distribution sites the state is planning to open in the coming weeks. Candidates must have appointments in order to receive the vaccine. Other sites scheduled to open this week include the Javits Center in Manhattan, the State Fair Expo Center in Onondaga County, the Westchester County Center, and Jones Beach in Nassau County (drive-thru). Read more. ___ 11:18 a.m.: Warren County launches coronavirus vaccine hotline Warren County has launched a hotline for residents seeking updates about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, sign-ups and clinic information. The hotline can be reached at 518-761-6200 and will include information as it becomes available, the county said. Residents should check back often. Read more. ___ 10:54 a.m.: Albany County confirms 4 coronavirus deaths, 216 new cases Albany County officials say four more people have died due to complications from COVID-19 as another 216 cases of the disease were confirmed among residents overnight. The countys latest victims were all women, and included one in her 50s, two in their 80s and one in her 90s. A total of 254 county residents are now known to have died from the disease, County Executive Dan McCoy said Monday. Read more. ___ 10:23 a.m.: Several schools in the region went remote or canceled school Monday The Averill Park Central School District said it is closing its three elementary schools and moving the middle and high schools to full remote learning for Monday to allow time for contact tracing after five recent positive COVID-19 cases. Read more The Heatly Schools 4-12 grade students have moved to fully remote learning until at least Jan. 18 as a result of mandatory quarantine for people exposed to coronavirus in the Green Island Union Free School District. Read more Kindergarten students in Hoosick Falls Elementary School will use remote learning until Jan. 19 due to a positive COVID-19 case at the school, the district said. Read more. ___ 9 a.m.: New York's hotline for vaccination sign-up for those 75 and older The state published a phone number Monday morning that will allow residents who are 75 and older to sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccination. The state says people age 75 and over primarily will be vaccinated at pharmacies and other sites that are part of a "retail network." Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo cautioned last week that it could take months to administer the vaccinations. At 4 p.m. Monday, the state will open a vaccination hotline to schedule appointments at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). Read more ___ Sunday: Administration conceals records behind controversial nursing home study After months of furor from mourning families, the administration Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued a report in July absolving itself of blame for thousands of COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes in New York. Although Cuomo portrayed the findings as definitive proof, six months later, his administration is refusing to back up the findings by providing copies of the records that were the basis of the reports conclusions. In response to a written request from the Times Union, the administration last week cited exemptions in the state Freedom of Information Law which the Department of Health contends allows the agency to keep the records secret. Read more Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the next tranche of commercial mines auction will be launched this month and stressed that further rounds will continue thereafter. Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony for commercial and launch of single-window clearance system, he said commercial has been made a part of the system now. "The next tranche of commercial mining auction would be launched in January 2021, and further tranches will continue thereafter," the minister said. Speaking at the function, Home Minister Amit Shah said the country has reached a position where the coal sector can be the biggest contributor towards the target of India becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. He said despite having the world's fourth-largest coal reserves, India is importing coal and this is not right for the country. The Coal Minister said the single-window clearance portal is in the spirit of minimum government and maximum governance. It would be a milestone for ease of doing business in the country's coal sector. Presently, about 19 major approval or clearances are required before starting a coal mine in the country. In the absence of a unified platform for grant of clearances, the companies were required to approach different departments leading to delay in operationalisation of coal mines, Joshi said. Now, the complete process will be facilitated through the single-window clearance portal in a phased way. The Centre, he said, has been progressing with a focused plan - bringing in transparency in the sector and opening it for the industry. "As the government we just have to be the invisible force behind. Given the opportunities, businesses will grow and carry India on their shoulders along," he said. Stating that, there is no dearth of coal anywhere in the country, the minister said the stock of dry-fuel at thermal power plants in the country has attained the highest-ever level, sufficient for 30 days. "To give a perspective, in 2014, two-third of the major power plants had critical coal stocks of less than seven days. Today, India is the second largest producer of coal with a record production at 729 million tonnes (MT) in 2019-20," he said. The coal minister said that according to the International Energy Agency and the US Energy Information Administration, coal will continue to meet most of the world's increasing energy needs over the next two decades. The demand for coal is projected to increase substantially over the next several decades. "I often say that we should make the maximum use of our coal reserves while shifting to cleaner forms of energy. We cannot crush the energy aspirations of this nation in our quest to follow the West," the minister said. He also appealed to all states to facilitate the opening of all the mines auctioned for commercial so that India could make use of its abundant coal resources. "It will help our nation become Aatmanirbhar in Coal. It is impossible to operate an industry or even grow crops without using some form of energy. And energy will continue to mean coal for several decades," he explained. Based on the experience of various mineral rich states and feedback received from the stakeholders, the government is bringing out reforms in the mining sector. These reforms will generate huge employment opportunities and increase the production of minerals leading to self-reliance. "Several industry friendly measures which promote ease of doing business in the mining sector will be brought in. I hope the upcoming reforms will unleash the potential of the mining sector in India," 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.) MIDDLETOWN A city architect who recently donated a dozen handmade desks to a North End school said he did so to help the families of children constrained by their circumstances while studying remotely. Steve Nelsen, who sits on the Russell Library board of trustees, said he knows very well the difficulties facing parents and their students using the hybrid learning learning model during the pandemic. That is particularly true for children at Macdonough Elementary School, which has a large underserved population, Nelsen said. We are keenly aware of how poorly kids who are challenged with media at home have trouble finding a place and time to stay properly in touch with school. The donation was made two days before the Christmas break, Principal Damian Reardon said. He didnt want payment for it. He just wanted to do it, and were so appreciative, Reardon said. Nelsen is neighbors with kindergarten teacher Kelly Lenihan, whose classroom assistant is his sister-in-law, Reardon said. The two women emailed families letting them know the desks were available. The response we had was huge, Reardon said. Nelsen dropped off the wooden desks to Macdonough and asked the principal to make sure each went to a family in need. Because the architect used materials he had around the house, they were diverse in design. I finally standardized it with new materials, and that went a little easier, he said. He used countertops for the desktops. Each has an open cubby for supplies directly underneath the work surface. The design is simple, Nelsen said. This is something that can tuck away in a corner and be a reserve space for the child. Because of an overwhelming response from the school community, Reardon is distributing the desks on a first-come, first-served basis, giving out one per household. Some parents are picking them up. The principal will use his truck to deliver the others. Nelsen is fortunate that the children in his family have enough, he said. My grandkids have just about anything they need, so it was something I could do for the school, he said. His livelihood and love of the design process made him well-suited for the project, the architect said. My abilities and interest went into the tables, Nelsen said. The desk giveaway aligns with the schools mission of keeping tabs on the welfare of families who may be struggling during the pandemic, Reardon said. His staff members and parents made it a goal to call every Macdonough family to see how they were faring just before the holiday break, Reardon said. There are times when schools try to have all the answers as to what families need, but we dont actually ask our families what they need, the principal said. We assume, and we want to move away from that. A volunteer, assigned to each household, asked parents how they were managing their utilities, rent, groceries, clothing and other responsibilities, Reardon said. The data was compiled into an online document, which enabled staff to do a keyword search for food or clothing, the principal said. St. Vincent dePaul Middletown held a Farmers to Families food and toy drive-through at the Amazing Grace food pantry down the street from Macdonough Dec. 21. When the event was over, there were several boxes left. Peter Keast at St. Vincent dePaul brought them to the school, said Reardon, who handed them out at dismissal time. All but eight were taken. To distribute the remainder, staff used the list of families who had said food was the biggest challenge they were facing during the pandemic to pick out eight. We were really psyched we could reach out, say food is an issue, and provide them with food, Reardon said. Such charitable efforts are common at the school. The Family Resource Center has a large collection of clothing, so staff can fill requests from those who need outfits, boots and outerwear for the cold weather. They were able to give out bags in a socially distanced way just before a recent snowstorm, the principal said. These items are donated by parents whose children outgrow their clothing. They, in turn, can then pick out larger sizes of whatever they need, Reardon said. Each is washed beforehand. Its a nice swap. The desks are a piece of this. Families dont have places to work we have desks for you, he said. Second-grade teacher Joanne Jukins shared one parents appreciation: It has changed everything for us with homeschooling, hes organized and comfortable, the person said. Staff also learned child care was of big concern to about 16 families, Reardon said. As a result of the pandemic, the school district partnered with the Middlesex YMCA on a project to help parents. They also connect families with Care 4 Kids, which helps low- and moderate-income households pay for day care. In all, 90 percent of Macdonough children either walk to school, or are dropped off by their parents. Many dont have dependable transportation, the principal said. To ease one of those barriers to child care, and help those who are walking their kids the mile from the school to the YMCA on Union Street, the district has set up busing, Reardon said. Teachers at Macdonough, with the exception of three or four new hires, have been there for 12 or more years, Reardon said. When people hear about Macdonough and the great things going on there, people want to help, the principal said. Under the headline, A divided nation asks: Whats holding our country together? a Dec. 27 Associated Press article noted that, The foundations of the American experiment have been shaken by partisan rancor, disinformation, a presidents assault on democracy and a deadly coronavirus pandemic. Although shaken, they remain durable because an independent judiciary has protected, and individuals exercised, constitutional freedoms, especially the mutually reinforcing ones of speech, press, petition, peaceable assembly, and the opportunity to vote to bend the arc of the countrys history toward justice. READ MORE: America hit rock bottom on January 6, 2021. Will there be an epiphany? | Will Bunch The role of the courts in protecting basic rights: The right to freely and fairly choose the nations leaders is a hallmark of a representative system of government. Because that right is protected by a governmental branch that deals in fact, not fabulation, and proof, not conjecture, the outcome of the 2020 election was not undone by what judges recognized as speculative accusations unsupported by evidence and inadmissible hearsay within hearsay As federal District Court Judge Diane J. Humetewa put it when dismissing a suit in Arizona, Allegations that find favor in the public sphere of gossip and innuendo cannot be a substitute for earnest pleadings and procedure in federal court. The role of the press in exposing injustice: The fact that the AP, in existence since 1846, could, without fear of governmental retribution, identify the behavior of an incumbent president as a factor destabilizing a countrys foundations is another sign that their footings are intact. Protected by the First Amendment, it was journalists who exposed the deceptions of leaders about the Vietnam War, Watergate, Iran Contra, and the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo Bay, and alerted the public to the Trump administrations separation of children from their families at the border. That same constitutional guarantee protected the right of television stations to carry the images of peaceful protestors, including 25-year-old chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), John Lewis, being beaten by Alabama state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in 1965, and in 2020 of George Floyd dying under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. The former propelled enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The latter, a ban on neck restraints in 32 of the 65 largest police departments and promises of police reform from the person who will assume the presidency Jan. 20. The power of an unfettered press also was on display last week when broadcasters documented a president inciting an insurrection that profaned the nations Capitol, the resolute return of our elected representatives to those chambers, and their confirmation early the next morning that a new president and vice president had been elected. In reports and editorials, journalists and outraged members of the public condemned the presidents appeals and the mobs actions as leaders reminded the president that the Constitution contains the means of removing a president from office through impeachment, or exercise of the 25th Amendment. The role of speech, assembly, and petition in making real the promises of democracy: John Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., and Benjamin Franklin each used their constitutionally protected freedoms to tell the public and those in power that, in Kings words, Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. In the final months of his life, for example, Franklin drew on the language of the founding documents to urge Congress to grant liberty to those degraded into perpetual bondage. Where the printer whose birth we celebrate on Jan. 17 dispatched his petition in print, the preacher born more than two centuries later on Jan. 15 peaceably assembled more than a quarter-million people in front of the Lincoln Memorial on a hot August day in 1963. Lewis, who was on the same stage as King at that 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was just 25 years old when, two years later, he led peaceful protesters across that bridge in Selma, Ala., where they encountered club-wielding Alabama state troopers who fractured Lewis skull. When President Lyndon Johnson submitted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to Congress eight days later, he called Selma a turning point in mans unending search for freedom akin to Lexington, Concord, and Appomattox. READ MORE: Rep. Brendan Boyle: I never imagined Id live through an insurrection at the Capitol | Opinion Those who doubt that the voices and actions of individuals can advance the cause of justice might recall that, thanks in part to the Voting Rights Act, a record number of Americans voted in 2020. Those who doubt the resilience of our institutions might recall that secretaries of state, judges, and both Democrats and many Republicans who serve in the U.S. House and Senate protected the integrity of the 2020 presidential ballots. And those who surmise that rancor and division will inevitably win the day might take note that Alabama state troopers saluted as Lewis flag-draped casket crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in July. And the major networks, including Fox News, preempted their regular programming to carry his funeral. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is the director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania and recipient of the 2021 Benjamin Franklin Founders award, to be presented at the Benjamin Franklin Birthday Celebration on Jan. 15 as an online event with free registration. Connecticut residents age 75 and over who are not in long-term care will be able to register for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday and inoculations will begin Jan. 18, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday. Dont call or show up at your doctors offices, Lamonts chief operating officer warned residents, because the free vaccines will be given in larger clinics that can handle the crush of patients. Opening the shots up to those over 75 with registration on a federal website marks Connecticuts first step toward vaccinating people in the general population, Phase 1B. Its an effort to minimize the chaos other states, notably Florida, have seen as they opened up the vaccinations. The first groups in Phase 1A, which began in December, include health care workers, residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities and medical first responders. The rollout came as the state announced 7,364 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Friday, a positive test rate of 6.3 percent. The number of people in Connecticut hospitals with COVID-19 increased by 33 to 1,142, still below the recent peak of 1,269. Lamont reported 92 more deaths reported Monday, increasing the Connecticut death toll to 6,416. Registrations for elderly people living independently will be in two steps: A sign-up, followed by a message from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enabling people to make an actual appointment. On Thursday, the governors office plans to give out a website those who qualify can visit and a phone number they can call to help them set up an appointment if theyre not able to do it online. But on Monday, the town of Fairfield Health Department jumped out early, posting a link to the federal Vaccine Administration Management System, or VAMS, where residents over 75 could go to register. Proof of age will be required at the clinic, the department noted in a post on its Facebook page. Were going to make sure that no vaccines are left on the shelf at the end of the day, Lamont said at his regular Monday briefing from the state Capitol. While those 75 and over make up about 5 percent of the population, they represent about 60 percent of the fatalities attributed to the coronavirus. Debate continues on which groups should be included in Phase 1B, which will likely include front-line non-medical workers and state prisoners. Were doing this carefully, just so we can measure the flow-in, Lamont said.Its not a question of how big I expand 1B. Theres only so many vaccines. Please be patient. Were going to get this the best we can. Connecticut rejected the first-come, first-served vaccination centers, which have created long lines, headaches and disappointment in some states, in a system the governor called unwieldy and time-consuming. His guest of the day, Patrick H. Charmel, president and CEO of Griffin Hospital in Derby, backed him up. I think it would create a negative scenario, Charmel said of the first-come, first-serve system. A more-disciplined, structured approach, we believe will work. Charmel said 10,000 people in the six-town Lower Naugatuck Valley have been vaccinated since Dec. 15 in the hospitals program, which will soon expand to a site on Progress Street in Shelton that can vaccinate 1,200 people a day, twice the current total. There will be a program to supply free rides for seniors to get to vaccination locations. Charmel said the hospital is working with social service agencies, religious organizations and physicians offices to contact the elderly directly to register, especially those with transportation challenges. Church basements are also being considered for vaccination centers. We are setting up a call center, he said. We know that there may be challenges with access to technology, so were actually going to be calling those individuals weve identified that we need to get to and schedule appointments with them so that we can get them vaccinated as soon as possible. The Phase 1B roll-out does not include unpaid caregivers for seniors, such as family members who care for elderly relatives. The allocation subcommittee of the Governors Vaccine Advisory Group will meet on Tuesday and will likely discuss caregivers, as well as other groups, Lamonts chief operating officer, Josh Geballe, said. One thing needs to be clear here: Dont call your doctor, Geballe said. They dont have vaccine in their office, theyre not going to be able to help you get an appointment. The Fairfield site informed people that people who register can expect an email from CDC within 24 hours, instructing them on how to make an appointment for their vaccination through the federal system. Health officials believe that the proliferation of mask wearing in the state has cut down on the number of flu infections so far in the season by 95 percent. The number of flu cases at Griffin is down dramatically, which is wonderful only because it creates capacity for the number of individuals presenting with COVID, Charmel said. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was on vacation in French Polynesia as the company debated about how to handle President Donald Trump's Twitter account, according to The New York Times. Dorsey reportedly called into meetings as the company worked internally to manage the fallout following Trump supporters' violent insurrection in Washington, DC, last Wednesday. On Friday evening, Twitter announced that it was permanently banning Trump's account. Dorsey has traveled often throughout the pandemic. In August, he was spotted in the Hamptons with Jay-Z, and in November he was photographed in Hawaii with the music mogul and actor Sean Penn. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Burhaan Kinu/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Jack Dorsey was reportedly on vacation in the South Pacific as Twitter debated what to do about President Donald Trump's Twitter account following riots at the Capitol last week. According to The New York Times' Kate Conger and Mike Isaac, Dorsey was vacationing on an island in French Polynesia, calling into meetings as Twitter worked internally to handle the fallout from the violent insurrection. On Friday evening, the company decided to permanently ban Trump's account "due to the risk of further incitement of violence," the company said in a tweet. A spokesperson for Twitter declined to comment on Dorsey's vacation. French Polynesia is two hours behind San Francisco, where Twitter is based, but the time difference likely didn't bother Dorsey. The CEO is known for waking up around 5 a.m. each day and, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, walking five miles to Twitter's headquarters, a journey that took about an hour and 20 minutes. Dorsey is typically based in San Francisco's Sea Cliff neighborhood, an exclusive enclave where he owns $30 million worth of real estate. But the billionaire, who is worth an estimated $13.8 billion, has been traveling throughout the pandemic: In August, he was spotted on a walk in the Hamptons with Jay-Z. Soon after, he was photographed on a yacht with the music mogul, Beyonce, and their three children. Story continues In November, Dorsey traveled to Hawaii, where he was seen on the beach with Jay-Z and accompanied by actor Sean Penn. Last month, reports surfaced that Dorsey's other venture, Square, has held talks to purchase Jay-Z's streaming service, Tidal. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on January 6, 2021. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Twitter's decision to ban Trump on Friday followed a temporary shut-down of his account last Wednesday. As police worked to contain the rioters in Washington, DC, Trump posted a video on the platform in which he made a baseless claim of election fraud and told the rioters, "Go home. We love you; you're very special." Twitter said it was locking down Trump's account until he deleted the tweet, along with two others, which he did sometime after the riots ended on Wednesday. The deletion started a 12-hour clock, after which Trump could regain access to his account. But on Friday, Trump posted a tweet calling the rioters "American Patriots" and announcing that he won't attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Twitter said in a blog post about the ban that those statements, when viewed in the context of the riots and Trump's baseless claims of election fraud, violated its policies against glorifying violence. Following the ban, Twitter has lost about $5 billion in market value. Read the original article on Business Insider IT outsourcing giant Atos has put in a bid to acquire DXC Technology, which would give the French IT giant a big foot in the door to the U.S. market. The rumor first ran last week on Reuters, which put the purchase price at $10.1 billion. Atos issued a rather short statement confirming the talks, but did not confirm the rumored price. It said there was no certainty of an outcome and further announcements would be made when appropriate. For its part, DXC said it had indeed received an offer from Atos, again without mentioning the price, and said it would be evaluating the proposal. DXC has been struggling for some time. It was born in April 2017 out of the merger of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services, formerly known as Electronic Data Systems (EDS), and Computer Sciences Corp (CSC). After the merger, DXC had 150,000 staff and revenues of $24.5 billion in fiscal 2018. By fiscal 2020 it was down to 138,000 employees and $19.6 billion in revenue. There were significant writedowns for goodwill, depreciation, and amortization, but those are paper losses. DXC has been selling off business it considers legacy and non-essential. Its most recent sale is its healthcare-provider business, which it is selling to Italys Dedalus for $525 million. It is also selling its Fixnetix financial-services business to Options Technology, an IT infrastructure provider in London. For its part, Atos has been on an acquisitions tear. It has purchased more than a dozen IT consulting and outsourcing firms in the past year alone. Earlier big purchases include Siemens IT in 2011, Bull in 2014, Xeroxs IT-outsourcing unit in 2015, cloud-services provider Syntel in 2018, and Maven Wave in 2019. DXC would certainly boost Atoss North American presence, although both firms have a global reach. For their most recent fiscal years, Atos saw North American revenue of approximately $3.3 billion while DXC reported North American revenue of approximately $7.4 billion. A lot of DXCs business is legacy on-prem IT services which are falling out of favor as more and more enterprises migrate to the cloud. Accenture, for example, launched a $3 billion cloud-first initiative last year, and Atos in November announced it was committing $2.4 billion over five years to a new service called Atos OneCloud, designed to accelerate digital transformation. Sad to see such a fate for two venerable outsourcing firms, but they failed to adapt to the times and Atos did. Its a story told a thousand times over. The devastating effect of Covid-19 is visible in its terrible death toll but it has also affected millions of us in other, very different ways. Here, eight people share their stories with Lucy Laing. Often moving but inspirational, too, what unites them is the way the infection has changed their lives... Mother-of-two Christine Fildes was treated for both cancer and coronavirus last year. Christine, 67, who works for the National Blood Service assessing donors, lives with husband Alan, 72, a retired businessman, in Prestwich, Greater Manchester Double blow with cancer and Covid Mother-of-two Christine Fildes was treated for both cancer and coronavirus last year. Christine, 67, who works for the National Blood Service assessing donors, lives with husband Alan, 72, a retired businessman, in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. She says: Until I had advanced ovarian cancer diagnosed in September 2019, Id always been healthy. The news was devastating all sorts of emotions were running through my mind: would my sons and Alan be planning my funeral? Then, just as I finished six months of chemo, I got Covid, pneumonia and sepsis all in one go, and was back in hospital. Its been a really tough year. The cancer is incurable but treatable. After surgery to remove the tumour, my womb and both ovaries, I had my last chemo just a week before lockdown. I felt ecstatic but didnt celebrate because I felt so unwell. I was exhausted and couldnt get my words out properly I blamed the chemo. Then one night, a week after my last treatment, I collapsed. I managed to shout out to Alan and was blue-lighted to hospital. I was very ill and was put in an isolation room [for Covid patients]. It was very scary seeing the nurses and doctors in their face masks and gowns, like some horror film. After a week, I went home but was very breathless and couldnt get up the stairs. I feel unlucky cancer robbed me of 12 months and I was set to enjoy life again when I got Covid. But then Im lucky to still be here. In May, Cancer Research UK asked me to take part in its fundraising TV advert about people who had battled through cancer and Covid. Now strangers stop me in the street, saying: Ive seen you on TV, which is a funny feeling. But it gives me a sense of achievement after all Ive battled through recently. Tracy Maguire's baby Peyton was three weeks old when she contracted Covid in hospital, one of the youngest coronavirus patients in the UK. Tracy, 27, an IT student, lives in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, with husband AJ, 29, a personal trainer One of the youngest infected in the UK Tracy Maguire's baby Peyton was three weeks old when she contracted Covid in hospital, one of the youngest coronavirus patients in the UK. Tracy, 27, an IT student, lives in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, with husband AJ, 29, a personal trainer. She says: Eight weeks before my due date, Id gone to the midwife for a check-up it was in April and Covid restrictions meant AJ couldnt come: suddenly I had pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) diagnosed, which can be fatal for the mother and the baby. I was sent to Wishaw Hospital, where Peyton was delivered six days later by Caesarean, weighing just 3lb 5oz. AJ was allowed in for the birth but had to leave an hour later and I was only allowed to see Peyton for an hour a day. She developed a sniffle at three weeks and had a Covid test it was horrific seeing it done on a baby so small. When they called me later to say she had coronavirus, I couldnt stop crying. I thought she was going to die. At first I was told I couldnt stay, but I said I wasnt leaving her and they let me stay in her room. AJ wasnt allowed in I kept video calling him and each time he hung up, he was terrified it would be the last time hed see his little girl alive. It was such a new virus they couldnt say what was going to happen to Peyton we didnt know whether we were going to wake up the next day and find shed taken a turn for the worse. Fortunately, after a week, she was well enough to come home. The look on AJs face when he could hold her for the first time brought tears to my eyes. She doesnt stop laughing now and to see her you wouldnt know what a traumatic start she had. Its nothing short of miraculous. Steve Banks, 45, was given just a one per cent chance of surviving Covid. The building site manager lives in East Tilbury, Essex, with wife Lisa, 38, a clothing store manager, and their two children Given 1 per cent chance of survival Steve Banks, 45, was given just a one per cent chance of surviving Covid. The building site manager lives in East Tilbury, Essex, with wife Lisa, 38, a clothing store manager, and their two children. He says: When I first woke up after 50 days on a ventilator, I was completely confused there was a nurse there clapping and saying well done and I had no idea where I was or what had happened. Then she helped me video call Lisa: there were lots of tears. Id started feeling unwell on March 17, like someone had clouted me on the head. I went home early something I never do and went straight to bed. Lisa rang 111 and they said it sounded like Covid and that we should self-isolate. By day six my cough was so bad I couldnt breathe and my temperature was 40c. Paramedics came and checked me out but said I should carry on at home, as they were trying to avoid taking people to hospital unnecessarily. Two days later I was panting and taking very shallow, quick breaths but was so ill I didnt really register what was happening. A midwife friend told Lisa to get me straight to hospital I was put into an induced coma and Lisa was told I had a one per cent chance of survival as my organs were shutting down. Nurses told her to write messages to be read out at my bedside before I passed away. Lisa wasnt allowed back into the hospital and had to call each evening to see if I was still alive. She has since told me she couldnt sleep at night, as she was so terrified I was going to die. Amazingly, I managed to hang on and, by May 12, I was off the ventilator. Two days later, the nurses had to use a hoist to get me up off the bed even then my body felt like a dead weight. A few days later, I managed to walk a couple of steps with a Zimmer frame and was finally allowed home on May 26. It was so emotional as I was helped out of the ambulance, a few friends had gathered outside to see me. One of the doctors said as I left that I was one of the sickest Covid patients they had treated I was a bit overweight but they dont know the reason I got it so badly. Ive had blood tests sent to a trial at Edinburgh University to see if theres a genetic predisposition. Ive since had pneumonia twice and been readmitted to hospital. Ive also lost 4 st 6 lb and needed counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder Im now paranoid about people getting too close to me, even in the street, as Im frightened of getting it again. Im still breathless, though I hope to be back at work by the spring. Made visors for NHS after own battle Siobhan Brennan, 50, a GP in Stockport, provided PPE for 1,000 NHS staff. Siobhan lives in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, with partner Noel, 50, an IT specialist, and their two sons Siobhan Brennan, 50, a GP in Stockport, provided PPE for 1,000 NHS staff. Siobhan lives in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, with partner Noel, 50, an IT specialist, and their two sons. She says: It was terrifying when the pandemic began, as we didnt have any PPE: patients were coming in with Covid symptoms and we werent protected at all one of the nurses fell ill and I got it, too. I was floored by it. I couldnt leave my bed for days. My breathing was so bad I struggled to finish a sentence and Im someone who runs 50 miles a week! While I was recovering, I saw on Facebook that people were using 3D printers to make visors, so I asked on neighbourhood apps if anyone had any printers. I set up an online fundraiser through GoFundMe and raised 4,000 a great reflection of community spirit at that time. I sourced plastic sheets and elastic all from online shops then made enough visors for 1,000 staff and split them between our GP surgery and three hospitals. I also made wellbeing bags for the hospital staff, who were so rushed off their feet they didnt have time to source their own toothbrushes and so on, and couldnt bring their own from home because of the risk of spreading the virus. People were taking hand sanitiser from our GP surgery, so I contacted local companies making it and distributed hundreds of gallons of that to local GP surgeries, hospitals, hospices and care homes. Since having Covid, Ive been wearing PPE at work a visor, gloves and mask. The other major change is that while we still see some patients face-to-face, there has been a shift to phone calls and video links and I can see this is something that will definitely go on in the future. Wearing PPE will also become normal. It was wonderful to spend time together as a family over Christmas, but it was tinged with sadness as I havent seen my parents in a year, as they are shielding. Hopefully 2021 will bring us all some cheer. Fear as kidney op was shelved Rob Thomas was waiting for a life-saving transplant that was cancelled in lockdown. Rob Thomas was waiting for a life-saving transplant that was cancelled in lockdown Rob, 49, a project manager, lives in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, with wife Christine, 50, a customer care adviser, who was donating the kidney. Rob has two children and Christine three from previous relationships. He says: We couldnt believe it when the doctors told us my transplant couldnt go ahead. Wed been waiting for months and, finally, it was due to go ahead in April. Then days before lockdown (in March), it was cancelled. There was nothing we could do but wait. It was really worrying I was poorly, with end-stage kidney failure, and I didnt know what would happen if I caught Covid. Id been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, where your kidneys enlarge to the size of rugby balls, in 2010, after suffering from high blood pressure. I gradually became more exhausted and had regular kidney infections. I met Christine in spring 2018, out walking our dogs. We married 12 months later. In spring 2019, doctors told me that without a kidney transplant, by the next year I could have kidney failure and need dialysis three times a week. I knew you couldnt stay on dialysis for ever, so it was not good news. Christine offered her kidney straightaway and the tests showed she was compatible. During lockdown one day in May, I collapsed at home and had to be taken to hospital Christine wasnt allowed to come and I was concerned about catching Covid. Fortunately, I was OK and I was discharged the next day. But this just emphasised the worry we had about waiting for the transplant. Then lockdown ended and, in August, I was the first live donor transplant to be done in Cardiff, after everything had been cancelled. The relief when we got the call was indescribable. Christine had her operation first the surgeon came to see me a few hours later to tell me the kidney had been taken out and she was fine. But after my operation, because of Covid restrictions, I could only see Christine by video call, which was very hard. Two days later, the nurses wheeled me to her doorway and we were allowed to wave to one another. Christine went home after four days and I was in for seven days recovering. It was amazing to get home and be back together. The surgery has transformed my life. My energy levels have soared and my appetite has come back. And we can spend the evenings together without me falling asleep exhausted by 7pm. But I work from home, I dont go into shops or see people often, as Im shielding, because I take anti-rejection medication which suppresses your immune system. Surgeon helped out as a nurse Joel Dunning, 48, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, worked as an ICU (intensive care unit) nurse to help out Joel Dunning, 48, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, worked as an ICU (intensive care unit) nurse to help out. Joel lives in Cumbria with wife Sarah, 50, who works in a motorway service station, and teenage children. He says: As a surgeon Im used to having a big team, with people to fetch things for me working as a nurse was a lot harder. Two weeks before lockdown, all lung cancer surgery my field of expertise was stopped for six weeks. An ICU nurse told me how much they needed more nursing staff, so I offered to help. I spent the next two months there 20 per cent of staff were sick with the virus at any time, so the unit needed us all. My role included turning patients to keep them from getting bedsores, cleaning teeth and giving medication through nasal tubes. It was heartbreaking seeing patients without families to visit. I organised a video call for one and it was lovely to see how much better they felt after speaking to their mother for the first time in a month. Unlike surgery, 12 hours in full PPE was physically demanding and Id be exhausted at the end of a shift. But nothing could dampen the Dunkirk spirit of the unit. It was strange going back to my day job but crucial; six weeks of not operating on lung cancer patients is a terrible thing. Yet I learnt lots as an ICU nurse. As surgeons we think we save patients, but its the nursing staff who spend hours by a patients side who also keep them alive. Last chance of IVF was threatened Jemma Green, 28, got her last chance at IVF before lockdown Jemma Green, 28, got her last chance at IVF before lockdown. Jemma lives in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, with partner Gary, 38, a chip shop assistant, their daughter, two, and two-month-old twins. She says: Just a few weeks after the lockdown, I was told to stop taking the steroid medication that could stop me having a miscarriage. Id just had my last two embryos transferred and I couldnt stop crying at the thought of losing them. Wed tried to have a family for seven years when doctors found I had problems with my fallopian tubes. IVF was my only hope. Our daughter Ivy was born in March 2018 after our second attempt. Id always wanted a big family and we had two viable embryos left in the freezer but we didnt have the money to store them for another three years. I managed to get an appointment for the transfer two weeks before lockdown. Then, four weeks later, I had to stop taking the steroids (because they suppress your immune system, a risk for Covid). It was terrifying being pregnant during lockdown, especially as a twin pregnancy can be more risky. So we didnt set foot out of the house for three months I only went out for my scans. Between 20 and 30 weeks I couldnt feel the twins moving as much but I was too frightened to go to hospital, so I just had to hope they would be all right. The twins were both born by caesarean on November 4. We are just so relieved they are here, safe and well. Family told three times he would die Brian Mearns, 63, a printer and father of two, survived a UK record of 172 days in intensive care with Covid Brian Mearns, 63, a printer and father of two, survived a UK record of 172 days in intensive care with Covid. He lives with wife Gillian, 63, in Edinburgh. His eldest daughter Leah, a finance assistant, tells his story. Between May and July we were called in by the hospital three times to say goodbye to Dad, as they didnt think hed make it. He started to get poorly in the middle of March and kept saying he felt shivery and his back ached. The GP initially thought he had a kidney infection but, after 13 days, he was coughing and exhausted. I phoned 111 after he fell asleep in the middle of a phone call to me. The operator told him to drive himself to hospital as there was a backlog for ambulances. Dad was put on a ventilator and, just over a week later, we were called in for the first time. It was such a shock to see him he was unconscious and I could hardly find the words, I was so upset. But I told him how much we all loved him and how he needed to fight. At one point, he opened his eyes, looked at Mum and squeezed mine and my sisters hands. We were called in again to say goodbye in June, then again in July. I rang the hospital every four hours every day and the consultant called me daily. We only got through it because of the ICU staff. Dad regained consciousness in August and was moved into a rehabilitation centre in September he needs an oxygen tank and we have to get a stairlift as his muscles have wasted away. He came home for good on Christmas Eve. It has changed how I look at life. I dont take anything for granted any more. Hyderabad, Jan 11 : Covid-19 vaccines will be administered at 1,213 centres across Telangana from January 16. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday directed officials to make all preparations for the Covid vaccination. He said arrangements should also be made to treat people who may develop side effects after the jab. He reviewed the arrangements for vaccination programme during a meeting with the ministers and district collectors. Later, the Chief Minister participated in the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A doctor and a room will be made available at each vaccination centre for those who may suffer side effects after the vaccination. An ambulance will also be kept as stand by. A statewide call centre will also be put in place. The Chief Minister asked officials to strictly follow Covid protocols while administering the vaccine. "The government of India has identified Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin as the effective vaccines. We have decided to administer these vaccines in Telangana. Initially, ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, medical and health employees will be given the vaccine. Later, police, security personnel, sanitary workers and other frontline workers will be covered. Subsequently, the vaccine will be administered to those above 50 years and people with co-morbidities," the Chief Minister said. Rao said gram sarpanches and panchayat secretaries should take the responsibility to get the people on priority basis to the vaccination centres. Police Station House Officers and Sub Inspectors should take the responsibility of getting the vaccine for the police and other security personnel. The government has already made the necessary arrangements to give vaccine in all the primary health centres. In all, 866 cold chain points have been created to transport the vaccine, and volunteers are ready at all the stages. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary will monitor the vaccination programme. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... With regard to Elizabeth Buchens Onate indefensible, deserves no statue, letter to editor, it is felt by many that these situations have gotten out of hand in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, due to the awkward, limited riot control measures taken and overall mishandling of these situations on the part of both Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber. Statues, monuments and other such recognitions are not just off-handedly selected and placed on a moments notice and with no prior authorization and planning by those charged with such responsibilities. Thus, for some reckless, not duly elected or appointed, individuals to just arrive at any given locale and begin the process of creating unlawful and criminal havoc, and instilling fear, divisiveness and mistrust among the citizens of two communities, this harkens back Wild West times. Many of these protesters were outsiders called in by the likes of Red Nation and Three Sisters and their reckless, lawless followers, to instill fear and create havoc in our two beautiful, historic and wonderful cities. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ And both mayors seemingly buckled under some degree of desperation, allowing a mob-rule scenario to take over, in what could have led to truly violent situations, with insufficient law enforcement to handle it. With regard to behind the scenes planning on the part of these groups, they have continually and selectively targeted Hispanic statues, monuments and historic activities, and with some prior knowledge, and/or seemingly a tacit degree of understandings from those charged with the responsibility of providing protections. Thus, in targeting Hispanic-oriented objects and activities, these Native American groups have quite hypocritically not chosen to attack, knock down/destroy, smear red paint or jump atop other obviously targetable objects dedicated to Anglos and/or African Americans cases in point: the various statues, monuments or naming of New Mexico geographic areas dedicated to historic figures, such as: Kit Carson, who led his troops in fierce attacks against Navajos then force- marched them out of their homelands to a poorly chosen Bosque Redondo reservation. Many Navajo and Apache prisoners died en route, or later of malnutrition and diseases. The Black Buffalo Soldiers. U.S. Army units were formed and trained to fight/kill Native Indians in the early American Southwest, including in New Mexico. The Mormon Battalion, whose volunteer soldiers were sent to fight/kill Mexicans. A monument honoring the Mormon Battalion was dedicated and placed in north-central New Mexico, and its plaque reads, in part: History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness, where nothing but savages which has since been scratched off and wild beasts are found. However, in the end, it is entirely foolhearted, criminal and reckless to attack any statue, monument, other object, or the naming of a geographic area (e.g. Carson National Forest). And how would the Native Americans take to the same treatment from those who strongly object to the PoPay statue in the U.S Capitols Statuary Hall? Should it be jumped on and smeared with red paint? As PoPay did lead the Pueblo Indian Revolt against New Mexicos early Spanish settlers, some of whom did oppress the Natives, the revolt resulted in the killings of 400 Spaniards, mostly women and children. Many were killed violently, including 21 Franciscan priests, whom for the most part ministered and taught the Natives various helpful trades. So, let us see who the other figure representing New Mexico is at the U.S. Capitols National Statuary Hall. He is U.S. Sen. Dionisio Dennis Chavez, who was born to poor farming parents and had to drop out of school at an early age to work and help support his family, but who also later graduated from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., and served as a U.S. representative and U.S. senator, and championed causes of American Indians and Puerto Ricans, among other truly significant deeds and legislative accomplishments. Thus, ya basta, enough damage has already been caused and it is now time for the Red Nation, the Three Sisters and their supporters and our mayors to look inside their own hearts for answers. 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. I asked, during our last meeting, no less than five separate times, for changes, because many in law enforcement have specifically talked about the qualified immunity elimination as their issue, Sims said. Whats your proposed solution on the other side? As I said to them and I say now, the perspective to do nothing and to just say no, is not an option. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny delivers a speech during a rally to demand the release of jailed protesters, who were detained during opposition demonstrations for fair elections, in Moscow, Russia, on Sept. 29, 2019. (File photo via Reuters) Russian Dissident Alexei Navalny Rebukes Twitter for Censorship of Trump Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny chastised Twitter at length for permanently banning President Donald Trump. Navalny barely survived an alleged poison attack from Russian agents after spending more than a month in the hospital in August last year. He started a Twitter thread by saying that the censorship imposed on the president is an unacceptable act. 1. I think that the ban of Donald Trump on Twitter is an unacceptable act of censorship (THREAD) Alexey Navalny (@navalny) January 9, 2021 The 44-year-old dissident said that appealing against the results of an election should be allowed, and that, The ban on Twitter is a decision of people we dont know in accordance with a procedure we dont know. Referring to the ban, he opined that there was bias against the president. 4. In my opinion, the decision to ban Trump was based on emotions and personal political preferences. Alexey Navalny (@navalny) January 9, 2021 He questioned the decision by pointing out that the reason for Trumps ban is not consistently enforced, adding that he has gotten death threats on Twitter daily for years. Dont tell me he was banned for violating Twitter rules. I get death threats here every day for many years, and Twitter doesnt ban anyone (not that I ask for it), he wrote. He also criticized the platform for hosting political leaders he considers to be murderers, referring to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among the people who have Twitter accounts are cold-blooded murderers (Putin or Maduro) and liars and thieves (Medvedev). For many years, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have been used as a base for Putins troll factory and similar groups from other authoritarian countries, he wrote. This handout photo published by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on his Instagram account, shows himself and his wife Yulia, posing for a photo in a hospital in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 15, 2020. (Navalny Instagram/AP Photo) Navalny continued the thread by calling the ban a selective act of censorship, remarking that there are people who remain on Twitter that freely deny the existence of COVID-19. Acknowledging that Twitter is a private company, he referred to how Chinese and Russian companies have a record of becoming enablers for censorship for the state. Of course, Twitter is a private company, but we have seen many examples in Russian and China of such private companies becoming the states best friends and the enablers when it comes to censorship, he stated. Navalny also believes that by setting this precedence, enemies of free speech will use it as an excuse. He said that if a state wants to silence somebody, they will exploit this event by saying: this is just common practice, even Trump got blocked on Twitter. Jessie Wallace has been pictured for the first time after she was seen speaking to police officers near her London home two weeks ago. The EastEnders star did some grocery shopping in her London neighbourhood on Monday, dressed down in sweats and a winter coat. Wearing a face mask, the actress looked relaxed as she carried bags of food home to her North London house. Shopping: Jessie Wallace was pictured for the first time on Monday after she was seen speaking to police officers near her London home two weeks ago Two weeks earlier, Jessie appeared strained as she spoke to police near her London home alongside her daughter Tallulah, 16. The EastEnders icon, 49, emerged in her slippers to speak to two police officers, who parked their squad car in the middle of a suburban street on 28 December. She was flanked by Tallulah, who she shares with her policeman ex Dave Morgan, as they engaged in the strained conversation with the law-enforcement officers. Jessie and her daughter were similarly-clad in comfortable garb as they spoke to and gesticulated at the police officers, who were pointing at a Range Rover. MailOnline has contacted police officials and Jessie's representative for comment. Police: Two weeks earlier, Jessie appeared strained as she spoke to police near her London home alongside her daughter Tallulah, 16 Tallulah's father Dave was a policeman when he was dating her mother over 10 years ago, before the couple split shortly after Jessie gave birth in 2004. The actress, who plays Kat Slater in EastEnders, previously blasted Met Police's failure to investigate when Tallulah was mugged in north London in 2018. Jessie recalled how Tallulah was robbed by a gang in Muswell Hill when she was just 14. She detailed how police failed to investigate the crime after calling at the house in the early hours of the next morning, seven hours after the attack. Jessie's appearance comes after it was revealed her firm owed around 40,000 in unpaid tax as her company was 'fully wound up', official documents show. The report, shared by Companies House last month, follows the aftermath of her firm Thatcher Promotions Limited being placed in voluntary liquidation in 2015. According to the agency, Jessie's company owed a total of 69,614 to the HMRC in unpaid corporation tax and VAT which liquidators have since been trying to regain. Back then: The actress previously blasted Met Police's failure to investigate when Tallulah (pictured aged 14) was mugged in north London in 2018 A legal charge was later placed on the EastEnders star's home to ensure she repaid the money, the Mirror reported. She returned a total of 60,000, but much of this went to cover legal fees. Jessie ended up with enough to pay back around 27,000 of the 69,614 owed to HMRC, it was said. The report, published as Thatcher Promotions Limited was 'fully wound up', reportedly showed she had agreed to return 1,000 per month. However, she reportedly did not meet these instalments and 'continued chasing was required.' Therefore, to secure the debt, I instructed solicitors to place a charge upon her property,' the report said. Jessie is listed as the director of Thatcher Promotions Limited on Companies House. The report concluded: 'There are no other matters outstanding and the affairs of the company have been fully wound up.' More New Yorkers will be able to get the coronavirus vaccine as of Monday while residents in New Jersey are waiting to hear when the next categories of people in the Phase 1b group will be eligible, including residents who are over 75 years old. In New York essential workers and adults over age 75 can now line up to get their doses, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Friday. We are establishing a network of thousands of providers statewide to both supplement the work of hospitals to vaccinate health care workers, as well as begin the vaccination of other essential workers and individuals 75 and older, Cuomo said. The federal government controls the supply, so as we continue to receive more, New York will not only ensure doses are distributed in the most fair and socially equitable way possible, but that health care workers continue to be prioritized so our hospitals remain safe and staffed. Some 3.2 million New Yorkers are included in the 1b group, including 870,000 education workers, 207,000 first responders, 100,000 public safety workers, 100,000 public transit workers and 1.4 million people who are 75 and older, the state said. So far, New Jersey has only opened its vaccines up to a smaller segment of 1b members: police and fire personnel. There are ongoing discussions in New Jersey to see which of the different groups in the 1b category would be next, said Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, medical advisor to the New Jersey COVID-19 response team and chairman of the states COVID Professional Advisory Committee (PAC), last week. Thats something that still needs to be discussed, he said. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage The Department of Health didnt immediately respond when asked how New Jerseys 1b group breaks down by the numbers, but it includes adults who are over age 75, 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 released in December. Other critical and essential workers are also included in 1b, the plan said. Phase 1c will include people between the ages of 16 and 64 with high-risk conditions and other adults aged 65 to 75, according to the state 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. New Jerseyans can make a reservation for their vaccine on the states vaccine website, but its unclear when the state will open up more groups in 1b to be eligible. Those who sign up will get an email telling them when they are eligible, and they will be able to choose a vaccination location and sign up for an appointment. Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday that the state could administer more doses of the vaccine if the federal government would send more. We dont have the supply from the feds that we need, theres no doubt about that, Murphy said at the opening of the states first vaccination mega-site. Within the context of a large supply-demand imbalance, I like everything were doing inside of the state to get prepared and things like today but they dont have the doses they ultimately could use at full capacity. As of Friday, the state said it has received 572,250 doses and it has administered 200,024 first doses, including some second doses to frontline healthcare workers who already received their first dose. Murphy said there are lags in reporting and some doses are already earmarked for administration. For instance, CVS and Walgreens are dealing with long-term care facilities that theyre going to be going through in January and February, so it looks like (vaccines) are not being used but theres a plan explicitly for them to get that out, he said. CVS, Walgreens, know what theyre going to do over the next four to eight weeks. It may look like theyre sitting on a shelf but in fact they are dedicated to a particular game plan thats been laid out. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@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. 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. Whenever possible, I give credit where its due, whether borrowing an insight from a friend, quoting from a book, or even using something Ive read on social media. However, recently I came across a list called Things That Really Matter in Life and although I would like to give proper attribution, I have to admit I dont know the originator. Nevertheless, its too good not to discuss. So Ill cite and comment on parts of it, with appreciation to Mr. or Ms. Anonymous. Each item on the list starts with, 3 things in life that. Here they are, for your consideration: 3 things in life that never come back when gone: Time. Words. Opportunity. 3 things in life that should never be lost: Peace. Hope. Honesty. 3 things in life that are most valuable: Love. Faith. Prayer. 3 things in life that make a person: Hard work. Sincerity. Commitment. 3 things in life that are constant: Change. Death. God. Reading through this thoughtful list, Ive noticed one common theme: Not one of these can be purchased with money. They are, in fact, priceless. Which is interesting, because of the things we spend the most money on cars and houses and clothes and gadgets, education, travel, power, career advancement, status none of them appear on the list above. We can spend money on time management systems and devices, but in reality, time passes at the same pace, no matter what we try to do. We cant stop its passage. All we can do is decide how to use the time we have when we have it. The saying, Talk is cheap, is true to an extent. But talk can also be costly, when we say the wrong things to the wrong people at the wrong time. When we miss out on an opportunity, we usually cant buy it back no matter how hard we try. With the chaos and turmoil of the past year which threatens to continue into this new year what we wouldnt pay for peace and hope, right? And honesty? These days that seems in shorter supply than toilet paper! Most of us received gifts for Christmas; some got lots of them. But you cant buy genuine love. Faith is another priceless intangible. Ive learned its worth more than the combined net worth of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey and as many other multi-billionaires you can think of. And you cant put a price tag on prayer, the sacred privilege of communing and communicating with the Creator of the universe. In todays world, so many people seem determined to get free stuff, things they have not earned and, probably, dont deserve. But what employer wouldnt want to hire people dedicated to working hard, are sincere in everything they do, and committed to doing their very best, regardless of the circumstances? Many of us like change only when its on our terms, but things still change whether we like them to or not. And often, the changes are not of our preference. Death was much in the news over the past 12 months, but its the destination for us all, pandemic or no pandemic. Which leads us to the last, but most important of the three constants listed: God. In his grand, but often cynical Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon essentially affirms the theme of the above list. He opens by declaring, Meaningless! Meaningless, says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless! (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Tell us exactly how you feel, Solomon! Dont beat around the bush, okay? He proceeds to explain, I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). Wow! Clearly, the great king of Israel didnt have the spiritual gift of encouragement. But after elaborating about how futile are many of the things we pursue so earnestly, he arrives at a reasonable conclusion: So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun (Ecclesiastes 8:15). What Solomon meant by this becomes clearer as we read the book of Proverbs, most of which he wrote. He speaks extensively about such things as discipline, hard work, wisdom, prudence, faithfulness, relationships, generosity, humility, honesty, integrity and right living. Maybe this wise man served as the inspiration for the list above. As Solomon observed, [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Another wise man, C.T. Studd, famously wrote, Only one life, twill soon be past. Only whats done for Christ will last. We could do worse than make these things the focus of our lives. * * * Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:47:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A young woman wearing a face mask works at Liz Fashion Industry Limited, a garment manufacturer, in Gazipur on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh on Jan. 3, 2021. (Xinhua) -- Indonesia reports 8,692 new cases, health minister says 36,000 more hospital beds needed; -- Cambodia reopens schools as community outbreak is over; -- Philippines logs 2,052 new cases, gov't secures 55 mln doses of vaccine; -- India's COVID-19 tally rises to 10,466,595 with 16,311 new cases. HONG KONG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia-Pacific countries on Monday: DHAKA -- Bangladesh reported 849 new COVID-19 cases and 22 new deaths, making the tally at 523,302 and death toll at 7,803, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. The official data showed that 14,097 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh. A health worker dressed in protective gears takes a swab sample from a person at a community health center in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 9, 2021. (Photo by Demy Sanjaya/Xinhua) JAKARTA -- The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 8,692 within one day to 836,718, with the death toll adding by 214 to 24,343, the Health Ministry said. Indonesia needs 36,000 more hospital beds in anticipation of a spike in COVID-19 cases until early February, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said. Te number of beds needed to treat COVID-19 patients account for about 30 percent of the total active cases. The government decided to extend its travel restrictions for foreign nationals for another two weeks amid COVID-19 concerns, a senior minister said. Students queue for temperature checks before being allowed into their classrooms at the Bak Touk High School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 11, 2021. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia reopened public schools across the kingdom after the first community outbreak of COVID-19 was over late last year. In a message to mark the new academic years 2020-2021, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen urged all schools to strictly adhere to the safety measures set by the Ministry of Health. Another Cambodian migrant worker back from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of infected laborers from Thailand to 27 so far, said a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement. A staff member wearing a face mask cleans a multi-purpose bubble pod at a hotel in Manila, the Philippines on Jan. 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) MANILA -- The Philippines has logged a total number of 489,736 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with the report of 2,052 new daily infections, the highest since Dec. 18. The Department of Health (DOH) said in its daily bulletin that the death toll climbed to 9,416 after 11 more patients died from the coronavirus epidemic. It added that 10 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 458,206. A policeman checks the body temperature of people on a bus in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) BANGKOK -- Thailand reported 249 new COVID-19 cases, including a nine-month-old infant, according to the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Of the new cases, 224 were local infections while 25 others were those in quarantine upon arrival from abroad, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin told a daily press conference. An Indian health worker mocks the vaccination process during a dry run of COVID-19 vaccination inside a COVID-19 vaccination center at a Hospital in Mumbai, India, Jan. 8, 2021. (Str/Xinhua) NEW DELHI -- India's COVID-19 tally rose to 10,466,595 as 16,311 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours, said the latest data from the health ministry. According to the data, the death toll mounted to 151,160 after 161 more COVID-19 patients died since Sunday morning. People wearing masks walk in Brisbane, Australia, Jan. 8, 2020. (Photo by Yuheng Wu/Xinhua) SYDNEY -- A three-day lockdown of Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane will be lifted after no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the weekend, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. The lockdown was introduced in response to a hotel quarantine worker testing positive for a new more contagious strain of COVID-19 being reported in Britain. Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2020 shows houses in suburbs of Wellington, New Zealand. (Xinhua/Guo Lei) WELLINGTON -- New Zealand reported four cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation since the last media statement on Sunday, with no new cases in the community. A woman wearing a face mask talks with a vendor in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang) SEOUL -- South Korea reported 451 more cases of COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 69,114. The daily caseload fell below 500 in 41 days since Dec. 1, but it hovered above 100 for 64 days since Nov. 8 owing to small cluster infections in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province as well as imported cases. On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a particularly strong swing at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She drew a parallel between BJP cadres and US President Donald Trumps supporters, who forced their way inside the US Capitol recently in a dramatic protest against the election result. BJP cadres will behave like Trump supporters the day they lose elections: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 11, 2021 "The day the BJP loses elections, its cadre and supporters will behave like that," claimed Mamata Banerjee. Heres how people on Twitter gave mixed reactions to her statement: @MamataOfficial TMC cadets behaves violently even when elected Karthik Dharmapuri (@KDharmapuri) January 11, 2021 So to ensure that they don't behave like that, WB will ensure that they win in West Bengal. KitaabNashin (@AnInvectiveGuy) January 11, 2021 Well they have lost in Delhi. And in Odisha too. And many more states. S K Mohanty (@skm503) January 11, 2021 So will you and Congress they Day you loose elections... N shout EVM hacked... Sugandha (@sugandha_03) January 11, 2021 Furthermore, she called BJP a junk party for inducting "rotten" leaders from other political outfits. Referring to the ongoing farmers agitation, the Trinamool Congress chief said that India is staring at a food crisis due to the BJPs "adamant" approach towards the three new farm laws. "The country is staring at a food crisis. If the BJP continues to remain adamant on the farm laws, there will be a food shortage in our country. The farmers are assets of our country and we should not do anything that goes against their interest," said Banerjee while addressing a rally in Nadia district ahead of 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections. Reuters Mamata further sought the immediate withdrawal of the three farm laws, as being demanded by farmers agitating at borders of Delhi. While hitting out at the BJP over the induction of a raft of leaders from other political parties, Mamata said: BJP is the biggest junk party in the country. It's a dustbin party that is filling up its rank and file with corrupt and rotten leaders from other parties. "You must have seen some (TMC) leaders switch over to the BJP. They have done it to protect the public money they had looted. The BJP runs the party like a washing machine, where corrupt leaders turn into saints the moment they join them," she said. Given the potential for Trump to incite further violence through his smartphone, there is a strong argument for the restrictions. No law prevents Facebook and Twitter from enacting them. But the significance of Twitter and Facebook's decisions merit discussion. The day after Donald Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol, Facebook said it would suspend his account until he leaves office, and potentially for longer. Twitter, the pulpit that the President has used to great effect throughout his term, went one better, banning him completely. A host of other platforms, from Snapchat to YouTube, took some form of action. San Francisco: Were it not for the rest of last week's startling events in Washington, the actions taken by a few technology companies to muzzle the US President would have seemed even more dramatic. A democratically elected head of state has been blocked or restricted from communicating with tens of millions of followers through the world's most popular online services. Reaction to the move would perhaps have been stronger were it not for years of pressure on the platforms to confront Trump. Since the 2016 election, tech companies have fretted over their supposed role in the fake news and advertising that allegedly contributed to his victory. Activists, as well as employees, have demanded they rein in Trump. The suspended Twitter account of US President Donald Trump on a smartphone. Credit:Bloomberg Last summer, Twitter began hiding some of Trump's tweets and restricting how they were shared. When Mark Zuckerberg demurred about Facebook taking similar action, it sparked a walkout among staff. By the time of the election, Trump's repeated claims of voter fraud were accompanied by disclaimers. Banning Trump completely felt like closing a door that had been gradually been sliding shut, rather than slamming it in his face. And yet the companies' actions will have far-reaching consequences. For one thing, banning Trump will do little to appease a Democrat party that will soon have control of the White House and Senate, and has promised tech regulation. If anything, it may serve as evidence of the power wielded by internet companies, bolstering calls to break them up or limit their growth. It also sets a precedent for more forceful content moderation: the primary message from Democrats towards Silicon Valley last week was not so much a welcome for Trump's suspensions, as a demand for further action. Mark Warner, a senator and prominent critic of tech companies, said Facebook and others had become "core organising infrastructure" for real-world violence. Zuckerberg is nothing if not political, and has seen the way the wind is blowing. Last week's ban would probably have happened even if the run-off votes in Georgia had not handed Democrats effective control of the US Senate, but it certainly gave Facebook more cover. Derrick Evans PHOTO:By West Virginia Legislature - Image sourced from website run by the West Virginia Legislature. Presumably copyrighted, usage governed by About tab which states: "Photos are high resolution and can be downloaded and printed at home, posted to social media, or shared with your local newspaper."https://westvirginialegislature.zenfolio.com/p512156471/hf4362d7d, Copyrighted free use, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98628320 Lawmaker Charged with Entering Capitol Resigns By The Associated Press HUNTINGTON - A West Virginia state lawmaker has resigned to face federal accusations of entering a restricted area of the U.S. Capitol after he livestreamed himself with rioters.Republican Del. Derrick Evans notified Gov. Jim Justice on Saturday that he was resigning effective immediately.Evans said he took full responsibility for his actions and deeply regretted any pain or embarrassment he may have caused.He said he hopes his resignation can remove any distraction from the Legislature and help begin the healing process.Evans appeared before a federal judge on Friday afternoon after his arrest.He faces misdemeanor charges of entering a restricted area and disorderly conduct. Molson Coors Beverage Co has agreed a distribution deal in the US with actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson for his energy drink brand, Zoa. The Zoa energy drinks brand launches in the US in March Self-described as "the world's first healthy energy drink", Zoa will be handled nationwide exclusively by Molson Coors from its release in March. Johnson, who already owns Tequila brand Teremana as part of his Siete Bucks Spirits company, will serve as chairman of the brand. The five-variant line, details of which have not been announced, claims to contain "100% Vitamin C, 100% B-complex vitamins and the essential vitamin D" in one 16oz can serving. According to Molson Coors, the energy category in the US is forecast to deliver a Compound Annual Growth Rate of around 8.6% between 2021 and 2024. "We are committed to transforming into a beverage company, and adding Zoa is another indication of the strength of our conviction," said the president of Molson Coors' emerging growth division, Pete Marino. The group's senior director of non-alc business, Marlon Hernandez, added: "The energy drinks category is a key area of focus for our non-alcohol business this year and even a small share is meaningful." The partnership is the latest move in Molson Coors' ongoing plans to up its efforts outside of the beer category and follows recent expansion plans announced for its hard seltzer portfolio as well as a foray into the Nootropic drinks sector. Almost exactly a year ago, Mast-Jagermeister acquired the international distribution rights for Johnson's Teremana Tequila just two months after its launch. Why Strava's explosive lockdown growth presents digital opportunities for sports drinks - click here for a just-drinks comment The new UK-EU trading regime is an unmitigated disaster for Northern Ireland, an MP has warned. The Northern Ireland Protocol between the EU and UK is designed to reduce friction on trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland following a divorce deal avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland. The country is following the rules of the EU single market to avoid a hard Irish border and has shifted checks on food standards to Irish Sea ports. Customs declarations are also required in many cases on products coming in. Following an economic update from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) told the Commons: Northern Ireland is facing a double-whammy. First of all we are coping with the economic consequences of Covid we thank the Chancellor for the help with that. Expand Close Rishi Sunak giving a statement on the economy in the Commons (House of Commons/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rishi Sunak giving a statement on the economy in the Commons (House of Commons/PA) But at the same time were also trying to deal with a protocol that is crippling businesses in Northern Ireland. South of the border the Irish revenue authorities have said that all companies can circumvent customs to deal with this problem, while on our side of the border HMRC is increasing the red tape. This protocol is an unmitigated disaster. PPE equipment can no longer get into Northern Ireland. Foodstuffs cant get into Northern Ireland. Marks & Spencer have produced a list of 400 goods that they wont bring into Northern Ireland. We now must invoke Article 16 and I would encourage the Chancellor to do that and Im sure Scot Nats are delighted they dont have a protocol now. Responding, Mr Sunak said: I know that he and other colleagues are speaking to my right honourable friend (Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove) about individual issues and I will be sure to follow-up with him later today. We funded with 200 million a Trader Support Service which is helping businesses in Northern Ireland adjust to the new arrangements and I think 25,000 at last count had signed up, and I know the response has been pretty good but theres always more we can do. The export of fish and seafood has been brought to a grinding halt by new trade rules, Liberal Democrat former minister Alistair Carmichael said. Expand Close Depleted shelves in a Marks and Spencer store in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Depleted shelves in a Marks and Spencer store in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) The Orkney and Shetland MP told the Commons: The Chancellors assertion that the Prime Ministers trade deal means that businesses can now start to do things differently and better will have been heard with total incredulity by anyone whose business involves the export of seafood. The new procedures for export are a bureaucratic mess that has brought export trade to a grinding halt. One local fish trader told me this morning that a single consignment now has to go with no fewer than 17 different attachments and another told me on Friday that he had lost 50,000 on a single consignment that he had been unable to export. Responding, Mr Sunak said: What this deal provides is ensuring all those businesses that he mentioned have tariff-free access to European markets otherwise there would have been significant tariffs on those exports. He is right there are changes to our trading relationship. That has always been the case and both the Prime Minister and the Government have been clear about that. I know my right honourable friend (Mr Gove) is working through individual issues as we look over time to streamline and improve all our processes and he will also know that we have invested a huge amount of resource in both the IT systems at Defra but also in providing support for those businesses who need help to fill out various customs forms and meet new procedures. SNP MP Patrick Grady said musicians were struggling because of new post-Brexit visa rules. He added: Musicians and performers in Glasgow North have already been excluded very often from his support packages and theyll find it difficult to look towards a brighter future when at the end of the year the Government failed to negotiate visa-free touring for them across the United Kingdom. Many of us have been warning that Brexit would simply compound the economic crisis caused by the pandemic and this kind of decision seems to be proving the point, doesnt it? Mr Sunak replied: Weve provided significant support to our cultural industries and I think its right that we highlight the contribution they make both to our society but also to our economy. I struggle to find any other countries who have matched the 1.5 billion of support we have provided which has now gone out to over 3,000 different cultural institutions. He is vying for $100,000 for his chosen charity on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Now Jack Vidgen has revealed his personal connection and secret heartache behind raising funds for the Trish MS Research Foundation on the series. Jack, 23, and his family have been fighting a painful battle for almost two decades, as his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early 50s. Scroll down for video 'I've felt so helpless': I'm A Celebrity star Jack Vidgen (pictured) has revealed the secret heartache behind his chosen charity on the series Jack's parents amicably separated when he was about three years of age, with his father Steven, 68, living thousands of kilometres away in north Queensland. His dad has been battling MS for about 17 years and was at one stage confined to a wheelchair. Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease with no known cure. Speaking to TV Week on Monday, Jack revealed: 'I chose the Trish MS Research Foundation because of my personal connection.' 'I've always felt so helpless with my dad's illness. It feels good that it can be my charity,' he added. 'One of the biggest challenges has been my dad's illness': Jack's father Steven (left) has been battling MS for about 17 years and was at one stage confined to a wheelchair Personal connection: With his mind set on raising money for his charity, Jack is determined to tackle all the challenges in the jungle to the best of his ability Jack, who is based in Sydney, once detailed how difficult it was to visit his father when he was growing up strapped for cash with his single mother. 'One of the biggest challenges has been my dad's illness and how it's affected our relationship,' Jack explained. 'It's a work in progress, but it has definitely been super-challenging dealing with it.' With his mind set on raising money for his charity, Jack is determined to tackle all the challenges in the jungle to the best of his ability. My, how you have changed! Jack debuted a VERY glamorous new look over Christmas. Pictured: left in 2011, right in 2020 That's different: When Jack returned to the spotlight for The Voice in 2019, many fans suspected 'cosmetic procedures' were behind Jack's altered appearance Honest: In May last year, Jack admitted to getting lip fillers and said he had finally found happiness in himself Since rising to fame as a baby-faced teenager on Australia's Got Talent almost a decade ago in 2011, Jack has completely transformed his look. He has previously spoken about his cosmetic procedures, and even addressed them i the jungle with his camp mates in recent episodes. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Tuesday from 7.30pm on Channel 10 On Monday, Rajinikanth took to Twitter to make a strong appeal to his fans. In his message, the 70-year-old veteran actor appealed to his fans to stop pressuring him with protests as it was clearly, hurting him. For the unversed, he made a shocking u-turn and dropped his political plans last month. Rajinikanth's debut in politics had been anticipated by his supporters for nearly 25 years and only recently, with months to the Tamil Nadu election, he had indicated that he was finally ready. Reuters But reports of his reluctance emerged in October when he said he was advised by doctors to stay away from the heat and dust of a campaign. He called it a sign from God. Now, he has put out a fresh statement after his fans organised a protest yesterday urging him to withdraw his decision to opt out of politics. "I have explained the reasons for my inability (to enter politics) in detail. I have conveyed my decision. Please don't pain me, again and again, asking me to enter politics by organising such events," Rajinikanth said, berating his fans for "defying" his wish. "Some of my fans along with expelled cadres of Rajini Makkal Mandram have protested in Chennai against my decision of not entering politics. I have taken my decision, I appeal to everyone to not indulge in such things (protest) as it pains me," he added. In December, Rajinikanth, on the brink of launching his political party after years of speculation, backed out citing his health. "My hospitalisation was a warning given by God. My campaign will impact health amid the pandemic," he said, days after he was hospitalized for blood pressure fluctuations during a shoot in Hyderabad. Before that, the megastar was all set to reveal his political party plan on New Year's Eve. "It is now or never," he had said on December 3, after meeting with his closest advisers. Two days after his discharge from hospital, he put out a statement saying: "With extreme sadness I say that I can't enter politics. I alone know the pain I went through while announcing this decision. Without entering electoral politics, I will serve the people. This decision of mine will disappoint my fans and people but please forgive me." 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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| 2021-01-12 00:25:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A member of the Iraqi parliamentary security committee Mahdi Amerli said on Monday that militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group are unable to seize any Iraqi area, a local news agency said. Amerli told Baghdad Today News Agency that there are some IS sleeper cells in some provinces that launch surprise attacks against security forces and civilians. "These cells are unable to repeat the 2014 scenario by controlling some Iraqi provinces," the news agency quoted Amerli as saying. Amerli's comments came in response to foreign media reports, which warned of a possible return of IS militants in Iraq and Syria. Amerli said "such foreign reports, which warn of the return of IS militants to Iraq, aim to prolong the presence of U.S. and foreign forces in the country," according to the news agency. He also said that the Iraqi security forces are fully prepared to face any threat to the country, it added. The security situation in Iraq has been improving since Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017. However, IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Enditem The rapidly spreading UK variant of Covid-19 is feared to be behind a significant infection surge in Co Mayo. The latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), released last Thursday, show that one in every 50 people in Belmullet had caught Covid-19 over the previous 14-day period. Health chiefs in the county believe the high influx of returning emigrants for Christmas from the UK is behind the spike in cases. Belmullet has the highest individual incidence rate in any local electoral area in the State, with 266 positive cases in a population of 12,600, or 2,111 cases per 100,000. Local GP Dr Keith Swanick said that while the situation appears to be easing in terms of transmission, he believes there are difficult times ahead. In recent days, Dr Swanick has called for the Government to introduce local curfews for hotspot areas like Belmullet. "Calling for a curfew is almost past tense now that the figures have plateaued, thankfully," he said. "But it has been a challenging period for the town. "We have to crush the transmission of this virus. It is about fostering that inner strength in the community, and I know it's there. "The seriousness of this has landed and people will come together, I have no doubt. "But introducing local curfews in hotspot areas is something the Government should consider in the future. "We don't know what this South African variant is going to bring. The situation here is that Covid-19 is affecting all cohorts of society. "People diagnosed a week ago are now becoming ill. Young people are getting very sick with this too. Severe "All we want to do as medical professionals is preserve life. There is no other agenda in this. All we want is to keep people safe." Dr Swanick also called for the Government to offer priority vaccination for frontline healthcare workers in areas in the grip of a severe surge. "If frontline workers go down with illness, an already serious situation gets even worse," he said. On Friday, in an unusual move, the HSE, An Garda Siochana, and Mayo County Council issued a joint statement urging people in Mayo to follow health advice. They said the recent rise in figures for those contracting the virus in the county was "extremely concerning". Dr Breda Smyth, HSE director of public health in the west, described Mayo's infection rate as "really worrying". A 45-year-old woman has been grievously injured after four men allegedly raped her and inserted an iron rod into her private parts in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Saturday night following which the woman has been undergoing treatment in a hospital in neighbouring Rewa district, Amiliya police station in-charge Deepak Baghel said. The four accused have been detained, he said. State Home Minister Narottam Mishra told reporters in Bhopal on Monday that no culprit will be spared. A speedy trial will be conducted into the case and the accused will be punished, he said. According to the police official, the woman's husband died about four years back and she was living with her two children and 40-year-old sister in a shanty on a hillock near Hardi village, about 60 km from the district headquarters. She ran a shop from her shanty to earn her livelihood, the official said. Around 10 pm on Saturday, four men approached her and asked for water. When the woman told them that she did not have water, the accused broke into the home. They then allegedly raped her and inserted an iron rod into her private parts, the official said quoting the victim's complaint. The woman subsequently fainted due to excessive bleeding, he said, adding that her two sons, aged 16 and 18, were not at home at the time of the incident. Her sister could not call anyone for help at that time as their house is located in a desolate place, the police official said. Later, the woman's sister called an auto-rickshaw from Hardi village and took her to Amiliya police station, from where she was taken to Sidhi district hospital, he said. The woman was initially admitted to the district hospital and later referred to a medical facility in Rewa for treatment as her bleeding continued, he said. The police detained the four accused on Sunday and were questioning them. The accused belong to the same village as the woman, the official said. Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against the accused under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 (rape), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) and 34 (common intention), he said. The victim's condition is improving, he said. Denton, TX (76205) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 86F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. S winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 10:16:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A record 12,400 China-Europe freight train trips were made in 2020, up 50 percent from the previous year, according to China's railway operator. This is the first time freight train trips between China and Europe exceeded 10,000 per year, said the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The trains transported 1.14 million twenty-foot equivalent unit containers last year, up 56 percent year on year. The solid performances of the freight trains can help boost the construction of a new development paradigm and facilitate global cooperation to fight COVID-19, the railway operator said. 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. | Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rupee surges 17 paise to close at 72.60 (provisional) against US dollar. West Bengal to hold Class 12 board exams in late July, Class 10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Thiruvananthapuram: Displaying unity across party line, the ruling LDF and opposition UDF in Kerala joined hands in the assembly on Thursday to resist the Centres ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in the animal market and termed it as fascist move. During the one-day session, called exclusively to discuss the cattle ban notification, members of ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-headed UDF opposition-held that it was not only an intrusion into states rights, but also an infringement on the rights of people on the choice of their food habits. The House also passed a resolution asking the Centre to withdraw the notification, which saw the lone BJP MLA, O Rajagopal, dissenting. Members from both sides also attacked the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and termed the ban as a fascist move. Attack on CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury at A K G Centre in New Delhi yesterday also had its echo in the assembly here with the party members alleging that Sangh Parivar was trying to silence political rivals through muscle power. The members of both the Fronts said the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in the animal market was not only communal, but also essentially anti-working class and anti-farmer. It thus has to be withdrawn, they said. They also alleged that the move was an attempt at corporatisation of the meat-trading sector, which was now an additional source of income for small and medium farmers. Rajagopal said the coming together of LDF and UDF in the assembly was a sign of a grand alliance forming at the national level to take on BJP. He said the House has been misused for political purposes as the Centre has already made it clear that it was ready to make changes in the notification after getting suggestions from states. Moving the resolution Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the the Centre, saying the ban was to implement the political agenda of Sangh Parivar. The NDA government, that has failed to fulfil any of its promises, was raking up issues such as cattle slaughter to divide the people through communal polarisation for political gains, he said. Special session of Kerala Legislative Assembly passed resolution agnst Centres unconstitutional usurpation of State rights,tweets Kerala CM pic.twitter.com/fOhQIwlB6i ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 Vijayan also brought to the notice of the assembly the serious adverse consequences the ban would have on various sectors including agriculture, dairy, leather industry and meat export trade. The notification is impractical in Kerala where 95 per cent of the population is non-vegetarian. It is clearly an intrusion into the citizens choice of food, he said. On the impact on states meat trade, Vijayan said every year 2.5 lakh tonnes of meat worth Rs 6,552 crore was sold in Kerala annually. Vijayan also mentioned about the farmers unrest in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and said the community was already in crisis and the new decision would further add to their woes. The Chief Minister said the state government would implead in the connected case pending in the Supreme Court. Describing the notification as another surgical strike by the Modi government like the note ban, opposition leader in assembly Ramesh Chennithala said this was a sign of arrival of fascism in the country. Modi has transformed himself into abhinava Hitler (neo Hitler), he alleged. Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan said there seems to be an indirect interest behind the notification. CPI(M) veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, KC-M leader K M Mani were among those who spoke on the occasion. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 on May 25, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter. Kerala government was the first to protest against the Centres notification. It has also decided to convene a meeting of all Chief Ministers to discuss the issue. Vijayan has also written to his counterparts in other states asking them to stand together and oppose the ban and urged the Prime Minister to withdraw the new regulations. The Chief Minister has also written to Modi opposing the ban and urging him to withdraw the new regulations. Also Read: Ban on cattle sale has nothing to do with state laws, says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Beef fests were held in various parts of the state last month to protest against the ban with some youth Congress activists in Kannur publicly slaughtering a calf to register their protest. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. 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| 2021-01-10 21:06:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People wearing face masks cross a street in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2021. Iran's health authorities announced on Sunday 5,968 new COVID-19 confirmed cases, raising the overall count in the country to 1,286,406 infections. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's health authorities announced on Sunday 5,968 new COVID-19 confirmed cases, raising the overall count in the country to 1,286,406 infections. And 417 of the newly infected in the past 24 hours had to be hospitalized, Sima Sadat Lari, the spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said at her daily briefing, as reported by the ministry's official website. Between Saturday and Sunday, 71 new deaths related to the coronavirus were registered, taking the death toll from the virus in Iran to 56,171 so far, according to the spokesperson. She added 1,074,887 COVID-19 patients have recovered or been released from Iranian hospitals, but 4,664 others are currently in critical condition. Also on Sunday, Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki confirmed four people infected with the new variant of the virus have been detected and placed under quarantine and medical services. Namaki also pointed to the need to test and place under quarantine all travelers entering Iranian territory from Europe, directly or indirectly, as reported by official news agency IRNA. Meanwhile, Iran will start vaccinating those vulnerable to COVID-19 in the next two months, Alireza Raisi, the spokesman for the Iranian National Headquarters for Combating the Coronavirus, said on Sunday in an interview on state TV. The timetable for the inoculation was approved on Sunday in a meeting of the headquarters, and around 1.3 million people including health staff and elderly people in nursing homes will be vaccinated in the first stage of the plan, Raisi said. Preparatory procedures for the vaccination have been implemented in 300 hospitals and 4,000 health centers, the spokesman added. Enditem Boehringer Ingelheim announced today a collaborative agreement with Google Quantum AI (Google), focusing on researching and implementing cutting-edge use cases for quantum computing in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D), specifically including molecular dynamics simulations. The new partnership combines Boehringer Ingelheims leading expertise in the field of computer-aided drug design and in silico modeling with Googles outstanding resources as one of the leading developers of quantum computers and algorithms. Boehringer Ingelheim is the first pharmaceutical company worldwide to join forces with Google in quantum computing. The partnership is designed for three years and is co-led by the newly established Quantum Lab of Boehringer Ingelheim. We are really excited about joining forces with Google, the leading tech company when it comes to quantum computing, says Michael Schmelmer, Member of the Board of Managing Directors of Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for Finance and Corporate Functions. Quantum computing has the potential to significantly accelerate and enhance R&D processes in our industry. Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology. However, we are convinced that this technology could help us to provide even more humans and animals with innovative and groundbreaking medicines in the future. The new collaboration is part of Boehringer Ingelheims comprehensive digital transformation strategy with the aim to better leverage and accelerate the companys promising pipeline and ultimately bringing more medical breakthroughs to patients in need. Boehringer Ingelheim is significantly increasing its investment in a broad range of digital technologies, encompassing key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science to better understand diseases, their drivers and biomarkers, and digital therapeutics. Extremely accurate modelling of molecular systems is widely anticipated as among the most natural and potentially transformative applications of quantum computing. Therefore, Google is excited to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim to explore use cases and methods for quantum simulations of chemistry. Boehringer Ingelheim brings both an impressive quantum computing team and deep expertise in real world applications of these capabilities in the pharmaceuticals space, says Ryan Babbush, Head of Quantum Algorithms at Google. Computational approaches are already a cornerstone in the design and development of innovative new medicines, making a significant contribution to improving the health of humans and animals. However, given their algorithm structure, today's computers are not able to solve many of the real complex challenges which are essential for the early stages of pharmaceutical R&D, most importantly simulating and analyzing molecules related to disease mechanisms. Quantum computing has the potential to accurately simulate and compare much larger molecules than currently possible, creating new opportunities for pharmaceutical innovation and therapies for a range of diseases. Researching and developing new, groundbreaking therapies for diseases with high unmet medical need is what our work at Boehringer Ingelheim is all about, says Michel Pairet, Member of the Board of Managing Directors of Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for the companys Innovation Unit. Together with Google, our goal is to apply the use of quantum computing in biopharmaceutical R&D and thus continue to make a decisive contribution to medical progress for patients around the world. The thought leadership of Boehringer Ingelheim's quantum research effort is very impressive. This is reflected in the quick turnaround time that their strong quantum research team got assembled, and their commitment to open research. We are looking forward to jointly working on the field with fundamental research and a joint vision for solving relevant pharma problems in the beyond-classical regime over the next decade, says Markus Hoffmann, Google Quantum AI Partnerships. Boehringer Ingelheim will invest significantly in the coming years to realize the full potential of quantum computing. The company has already set up a dedicated Quantum Lab and hired outstanding experts in the field of quantum computing from academia, industry, and quantum providers. Partnerships from Industry and Academia will complement the respective teams. Colleagues mainly from the Boehringer Ingelheims Innovation Unit and IT support these experts in their work. Please click on the following link for Notes to Editors: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/partnering-google-quantum-computing View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005440/en/ January 11, 2021 / 07:36 PM IST Coronavirus LIVE Updates | UK scammers tricking victims into paying for fake Covid-19 vaccines Scammers have been defrauding people by falsely offering them COVID vaccines in return for payment, with some victims receiving unidentified jabs, the Welsh health minister said on Monday, echoing warnings from police in other parts of Britain. A mass vaccination programme is being run across the United Kingdom by the state-owned National Health Service (NHS), which provides all care including vaccines free of charge. "There are a number of scams involving COVID, including a particularly nasty one in which people have been tricked into paying for a COVID vaccine and then jabbed in the arm," said Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health in Wales, at a briefing. "I want to be clear, our NHS will never ask anyone to pay for a COVID vaccine. These are free. The NHS will never ask for your bank details and vaccines are not being delivered to your front door by people who have not been identified as NHS staff." The minister's warning came after the National Crime Agency (NCA) last week urged the public to be vigilant, reporting that scammers were asking elderly and vulnerable people for payment in return for access to vaccines that were fake or non-existent. "The current level of reported fraud in relation to the vaccine remains very low but is increasing," said Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA. The City of London police reported on Friday that a scammer had obtained 160 pounds from a 92-year-old woman and had jabbed her in the arm with what she described as a "dart-like implement" after he turned up unannounced at her home. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune wwwnewsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today toured Bahrain International Airport, to review developments on the Airport Expansion Project, and the readiness of the new Passenger Terminal Building, in advance of its opening. During the visit, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister noted that strategic infrastructure projects such reflect the Kingdoms progress developing its national economy and supports the Kingdoms comprehensive development, led by HM the King. In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister directed for operations of the new Passenger Terminal Building to begin on 28 January. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister praised the skill and dedication demonstrated by Bahrainis working together to enhance important national assets in the Kingdom, adding that the Airport Expansion Project will expand enhance the Kingdoms connectivity and further strengthens its position as an increasingly important hub in the region. Moreover, the program project provides quality opportunities for citizens within the Kingdoms logistics sector, a key priority sector of Bahrains diversifying economy. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister then toured the new Passenger Terminal Building, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Finance and National Economy, HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. During the tour, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister was briefed by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication, HE Kamal bin Ahmed, on the latest developments of the Airport Expansion Project as well as the completion of the new Passenger Terminal Building, designed and constructed using the latest in innovative technologies and consistent with international standards and environmental best practice. The Airport Expansion Project is one of the Kingdoms largest national development projects within air transportation in the last twenty years. The project includes a new Passenger Terminal Building, four times the size of the current building, with increased capacity of 14 million passengers annually. Furthermore, the Project includes a central utility complex, 5,500 parking spaces, a greatly expanded duty-free shopping area, two reception and hospitality lounges for first-class and business-class travellers, a private aviation building providing services for private jet owners and passengers, in addition to a central security gate, a private building for rescue and firefighting services, and an aviation fuel field. For his part, HE Kamal bin Ahmed expressed his gratitude for HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Ministers continued commitment to the Kingdoms logistics sector, adding that developments within the sector will contribute to achieving Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, supporting the development of a sustainable and diversified economy. HE Kamal Ahmed further added that the project will serve as a major driving force for the Kingdoms trade, tourism and travel sectors. Mayor Bowser Urges People to Avoid DC for Presidential Inauguration Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Jan. 11 that Americans shouldnt travel to her city to take part in the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. We are all focused on preparing for the upcoming presidential inauguration. Our goals right now are to encourage Americans to participate virtually and to protect the District of Columbia from a repeat of the violent insurrection experienced at the Capitol and its grounds on January the 6th. Bowser, a Democrat, told reporters at a press conference. As Bowser spoke, a slide stated, We are asking Americans NOT TO COME TO WASHINGTON, DC for the 59th Presidential Inauguration on January 20, and to instead participate virtually. Bowser later released a joint statement with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan urging Americans to participate in the event virtually. Primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the inauguration are more muted than typical swearing-in ceremonies. The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced earlier this month an inauguration parade was canceled in a bid to limit in-person attendance; the parade will be virtual. Military members will be in attendance so President-elect Joe Biden can review their readiness but the participants will be socially distanced and have to pass through vigorous health and safety protocols, the committee said. The committee announced on Jan. 11 that Biden would be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton in a wreath-laying ceremony on the day of the inauguration. According to the committee, the theme of the inauguration is America United. At a time of unprecedented crisis and deep divisions, America United reflects the beginning of a new national journey that restores the soul of America, brings the country together, and creates a path to a brighter future, the committee stated. President-elect Joe Biden arrives at the Queen in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 10, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) Bowser has asked President Donald Trump to issue a pre-emergency declaration for the District of Columbia, which was granted for Barack Obamas inauguration in 2009. She said the declaration is necessary because of the pandemic and the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. In addition, Bowser sent a letter over the weekend to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, requesting his department extend the national security event period to Jan. 24 from Jan. 11. She asked for the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with the Pentagon, Department of Justice, Congress, and the Supreme Court to establish a plan to protect all federal property during that time. Bowser also asked Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to direct the FBI to give an intelligence and threat briefing on a daily basis from Jan. 11 to Jan. 25 to law enforcement officials in Washington, and that Interior Secretary David Bernhardt cancel all public gathering permits and deny all applications for permits during the time period. The National Park Service, which is part of the Interior Department, said Jan. 11 that it was shutting access to the Washington Monument until Jan. 24 because of credible threats to visitors and park resources. Groups involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration, the agency stated. 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 Lucknow, Jan 11 : The Yogi Adityanath government has decided to establish IT and Software Technology parks in all divisions across Uttar Pradesh. According to Additional Chief Secretary of IT and Electronics, Alok Kumar, under the state's IT and Start-up policy of 2017, the state government will set up IT parks in all divisions of the state. He said the government proposes to set up an IT park on three acres of land in Pilkhani Industrial Area, and 200 acres in Saharanpur, with Plug-and-Play and other facilities. The work of setting up IT parks in Meerut and Agra is almost complete, while Gorakhpur and Varanasi IT Parks are expected to be established by September in the current year, the official said. The state government has provided land free of cost for all the above-mentioned IT parks and the process of selecting local information technology and startup companies for these IT parks is also being done simultaneously. He further said the transfer deed of Jawaharlal Nehru Commercial Complex of Varanasi Development Authority in favour of IT and Electronics Department was under process for the establishment of IT Park in Varanasi. The STPI would soon commence construction on available land in Kanpur (Panki), while the process was on for obtaining land of the Indian Turpentine and Rosin Company, for the IT park project in Bareilly. IT parks under construction at present would attract an estimated investment of about Rs 200 crore and create 15,000 employment opportunities. MBABANE Six churches were yesterday closed by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for non- compliance with the COVID-19 regulations which banned gatherings. These are churches which were found recording their services to broadcast live through Facebook and YouTube platforms. The Straight Gate International Church is among the churches which were closed by the police. Information gathered from a reliable source, who preferred to comment on condition of anonymity, was that they were fined E500 as an admission of guilt before being allowed to record again. This, she said, interrupted their service as they had already alerted people that they would be live- streaming the service from 9:30am. She said there were five people who were found inside the church who were to assist in recording the sermon to be live-streamed. Just before the pastor could come in, the police officers ordered the team to leave everything and follow them to the police station as we were being arrested, she said. The source said they were surprised as there was no church service going on and the gate was locked and the fact that most churches were live-streaming as well. Most churches had brought their entire praise and worship teams, but were not forced to close. With us, it was only selected members for the live-streaming, she said. The source said once they were at the police station, they were told that the regulations clearly stipulated that churches should be closed. According to the source, they were unable to pay the fine and promised to report to the police station today to settle it. When reached for comment, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed that there were some churches that were closed for having gathering. She said the regulations were against people gatherings. Vilakati stated that they would continue to arrest church members if they were found to have contravened the COVID-19 regulations. Meanwhile, some churches in the country seemed to have adhered to governments call to shut their doors. Following the Acting Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masukus announcement on the ban of all gatherings, churches opted to live-stream their services. Masuku said; All gatherings of all sizes are prohibited except gatherings for burials. Physical meetings, when absolutely necessary for the first line respondents are limited to 20 people, beyond which only virtual meetings should be held. Guangzhous Liwan district carried out nucleic acid tests throughout Wednesday night and Thursday in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19. The southern metropolis is under pressure to prevent imported infections, after a person was confirmed Friday to have contracted a strain of the coronavirus first found in India. The city reported three new cases, one local and two imported, on Wednesday May 27, 2021 05:09 PM Michael Kelly said he remembers his first day at the Jersey City Police Academy like it was yesterday. Kelly and his classmates were lined up outside of a building at Caven Point, where the academy used to be. A drill sergeant marched from the distance and appeared before them wearing high leather boots, a leather strap across his chest and a big hat. The man began yelling at them to get in line and Kelly, for the first time, said to himself, What the hell am I doing? But now, over three decades later, Kelly said it took him a while to even think of hanging up his uniform for the Jersey City Police Department. I turned around and looked back (at my career) and thought, Wow, Im in my 34th year, He laughed. It sneaks up on you. When you have assignments that you truly enjoy and are grateful for, you dont think about retiring. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop announced on Thursday Kelly will retire as police chief effective on Feb. 1. Its his effective leadership that has led to historic downward trends in crime in recent years and kept us from seeing the spikes in violence that most other cities have experienced throughout the pandemic, Fulop said in a statement. Im grateful for Chief Kellys leadership and his 34 years serving our community. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement. Kelly, 58, began his career in 1987. He was part of the midnight patrol in the North District, which mostly consists of The Heights and Journal Square area of the city. Just two years later, in 1989, he was moved to the Narcotics Division, which gave him a look at the underbelly of the narcotics trade and an awful lot of arrests, he said Thursday in a statement. And Kelly continued to rise through the ranks serving as: East District Detective in 1991 Homicide Detective in 1995 Warrant Squad in 2000 West District Sergeant of Operations in 2003 Lieutenant, Night Detective Commander; Major Case Commander in 2004 Captain, Patrol & Investigations Executive Officer in 2011 West District Commanding Officer in 2013 10 Jersey City Police Stations It wasnt until 2017 that Kelly said he finally got his dream job Deputy Chief, Chief of Detectives. I said to myself, OK! Were probably going to have to stay and work this a little bit, Kelly told The Jersey Journal. Then the following year, in 2018, the mayor asked me after a series of interviews to be the chief of police and geez, who can turn that down? Kelly topped 40 other candidates to replace former Police Chief Phillip Zacche. Since then, hes been credited with crime reduction citywide, which he told The Jersey Journal on Sunday was one of his main goals in the role. Since Kellys served as police chief, one statistic thats steadily declined in the city is homicides. Jersey City had 16 homicides in 2020, according to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office three more than 2019, and one less than the 2018 total. City officials list their total at 17 for 2020, counting a victim from a previous year who died in 2020. In 2015, the city recorded 30 homicides, which was an all-time high for the first time in years. But Kelly said another reason he stepped up to the plate was because the JCPD was brought to its knees in 2017. 10 people pleaded guilty in a federal investigation of the JCPDs off-duty job program. (JCPDs) name was dragged through the mud..., Kelly said. When I took this job, I told every single cop that my job was to restore the reputation of this department and to make sure that, not only the citizens here, but those around the state understood that we were back. I think weve accomplished that. I think our crime numbers speak for themselves, the way officers handle themselves whether its Dec. 10, the protests or crime-fighting every single day. Dec. 10, 2020 was one of the tragedies Kelly witnessed with the department. Jersey City Detective Joseph Seals was fatally shot near Bayview Cemetery and Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, Leah Minda Ferencz and Moshe Deutsch were killed at a city kosher market along with . In 2013, Melvin Vincent Santiago, a rookie cop, was shot and killed at a drug store near the police precinct. In 2009, Detective Marc DiNardo was fatally shot after a shootout with suspected armed robbers on Reed Street. The most challenging part of this job is its been dotted with connections to a lot of line of duty deaths, Kelly said. Every single day, its somewhere in the front of my mind. In the JCPD veterans office, theres some remembrance of those who lost their lives on the job. Thats the first thing I see when I walk through the door every morning, Kelly teared. Still, Kelly said there are rewarding parts of the job helping people. He said theres no better reward than that. As the countdown to his retirement continues to tick, Kelly said a few words to the community and the department hes served for over three decades. Jersey City is a very, very different place. Its different because the diversity factor is incredible. Unless you live here, you dont get to understand how that diversity makes such a great city unless you live here and see it every day, Kelly said. ... Ive been around a long time. Ive seen a lot of police departments, interacted with a lot of police departments, and (JCPD) is the best police department that any city can have... I want the citizens to know that, yeah, we do make some mistakes and were human, but they are incredibly professional and caring. Phuket Red Cross calls for blood donations as reserves run low PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC) is calling for Thais and foreigners to donate blood, as they are facing the shortage of blood to supply Phuket hospitals. COVID-19health By The Phuket News Monday 11 January 2021, 12:41PM The Red Cross is calling for more blood donations as the COVID-19 situation has left blood reserves dangerously low. Photo: Thai Red Cross The Red Cross is calling for more blood donations as the COVID-19 situation has left blood reserves dangerously low. Photo: Thai Red Cross The Red Cross is calling for more blood donations as the COVID-19 situation has left blood reserves dangerously low. Photo: Thai Red Cross The Red Cross is calling for more blood donations as the COVID-19 situation has left blood reserves dangerously low. Photo: Thai Red Cross The Red Cross is calling for more blood donations as the COVID-19 situation has left blood reserves dangerously low. Photo: Thai Red Cross At this stage, we do not have many units of blood in stock, and we are unable to supply enough blood to patients in need, a PRBC staffer told The Phuket News today (Jan 11). All people are invited to help replenish the blood stocks and save lives, the staffer said. The local explanation came after the state news agency National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) reported that the COVID-19 outbreak has had a big effect on blood reserves throughout the country. According to the Thai Red Cross Society, more than 340 hospitals in Thailand lack sufficient blood reserves. The Thai Red Cross cannot provide enough blood to meet the demand as regular donors have been coming in less often than usual due to the pandemic, NNT reported. The Thai Red Cross is able to provide only 700-900 units of blood a day, while daily demand requires 2,200 units, said the report. Stringent measures are in place at all blood-donation facilities to ensure the donors safety, NNT noted in its report. All donors are required to report their travel history before donating blood, and donors must wear a plastic sleeve on their arm before putting their arms into a blood pressure monitor as part of the process. Other equipment including blood donor beds, chairs and more are cleaned with sanitiser many times during the day, the report added. Those in the greater Phuket area who want to donate blood can do so at mobile stations from today (Jan 11) through Jan 29 at the following locations, as follows: January 11: 12am-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Thalang) 12am-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Phuket Town) January 12: 9:30am-1pm at Plai Phraya District Office (Krabi Town) January 13: Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Thalang) Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Phuket Town) January 14: 9am-midday at Rajaprajanugroh 35 School (Phang Nga) 1.30pm-4pm at Pullman Khaolak Resort (Phang Nga) January 15: 1pm-4am at Great Glove (Thailand Co Ltd) factory (Thalang) Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Phuket Town) January 18: 1pm-4pm at J.D. Pools Co Ltd (Koh Kaew) Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Phuket Town) January 19: 9.30am-1pm at Klongtomratrangsan School (Krabi) 9.30am-1pm at Klongponsaritpittaya School (Krabi) January 20: Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Phuket Town) 1pm-4pm at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Mai Khao) January 21: 9am-midday at Phang Nga Technical College (Phang Nga Town) 1.30pm-4pm at Deebuk Phang-nga Wittayayon School (Phang Nga Town) January 22: 10am-3pm at the Thai Nepali Association (Kathu) January 25: 9.30am-1pm at Ao Luk Prachasan School (Krabi) January 26: 10am-4pm at Domestic Terminal, Phuket International Airport January 27: 9.30am-1pm at Nuaklongprachabumrung School (Krabi) January 28: 1-4pm at Takua Tung District Office (Phang Nga) January 29: Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus (Thalang) Midday-6pm at Tesco Lotus Phuket (Phuket Town) See also: Q&A Passing all the rules for donating blood in Phuket Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low of Santa Clara County has called for the resignation of Phil Reynolds, an elected member of the County Republican Central Committee, for comments he made on Facebook last Wednesday, as the U.S. Capitol was under attack. The War has begun! Citizens Take Arms! Reynolds posted to his Facebook page, before heightening the urgency with capital letters: FREEDOM SHALL PREVAIL!!! WE MUST DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION TO THE DEATH. Reynoldss call to arms stirred immediate opposition on social media, and it was not long before he posted another note in all capital letters: NO FURTHER COMMENTS FROM ME! SIGNING OFF ALL SOCIAL MEDIA! Out.......... But that was not enough for Low, who has known Reynolds for two decades since they both served in government for the City of Campbell. Low said Reynolds was a a genuine and warm human being who had been radicalized by President Trumps poison and lies. Lows Friday Tweet called for Reynolds to resign and tagged the county Republican Party. He is an elected representative and clearly the language that he used was inciting violence, Low told The Chronicle on Sunday This person should be shamed, disgraced and removed from office. Reached by phone on Sunday at his home in Campbell, Reynolds, 61, denied that he was inciting violence and claimed that he was only responding to images he saw on his cell phone, of mobs attacking the Capitol. I observed what I felt was an attempt to overthrow our government. I didnt know who these people were, and I got very emotional about it, he said, noting that he was eating lunch at home at the time and not paying close attention. Though he describes himself online as a conservative Republican, pro-life Christian and strong Trump supporter, he said he did not know Trump was at the rally and did not know how it started or who started it. He is an Air Force veteran, and responded as such. You take an oath to protect your nation from enemies foreign and domestic and that oath never expires, he said, adding that his comments on Facebook were non-partisan. My statement was that this cant happen. I was condemning it with my words. It was taken out of context. Reynolds is a 1977 graduate of (now-closed) Sunnyvale High School who has real estate holdings across Northern California. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in March, in a bid to represent the 18th Congressional District. He finished fourth in the nonpartisan primary, with 7.8% of the vote. He is serving a four-year term at the Republican Central Committee and said he is not stepping down, despite the calls by Low as well as Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. They are just fanning the flames, Reynolds said, adding that they were both spending taxpayer time hounding him on social media when they should be attacking major problems. Reynolds said he considers Low a friend and has supported him for office and had him to his house for dinner. He would still be willing to sit down to lunch together. There would be much to talk about because because they are both calling for the other one to resign from office. Im really frustrated at his priorities, Reynolds said. Our state has major problems, and hes spending time on a tax dollar chasing people on Facebook. Low said that Reynolds should be removed by the Republican Central Committee, but the group has taken no action. Representatives of the Santa Clara County Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We do not have the luxury as elected officials to just shoot from the hip, Low said. He has not retracted his statements and he has stood by what he said. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @samwhitingsf James Bond star Tanya Roberts will be cremated and her ashes scattered in one of her beloved hiking spots, her partner announced on Monday. The iconic actress, 65, died on January 4 from a urinary tract infection that spread to her kidney, gallbladder, liver and bloodstream, after collapsing on Christmas Eve following a dog walk. Her partner Lance O-Brien told TMZ he is planning a celebration to mark the star's life, and will scatter her ashes in the hills behind their home in Laurel Canyon beforehand. RIP: James Bond star Tanya Roberts will be cremated and her ashes scattered in one of her beloved hiking spots, her partner announced on Monday (pictured 2017) Tanya would go on a four mile hike with her two dogs five times a week, with Lance saying her pets were 'very much' missing her. Adding that it had been an 'incredibly difficult' week, O'Brien said he is now trying to work out plans with loved ones for a memorial service to the star. 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. Dog walking spot: Her partner Lance O-Brien told TMZ he is planning a celebration to mark the star's life, and will scatter her ashes in the hills behind their home in Laurel Canyon beforehand where she walked their dogs 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.' Trails: Tanya would go on a four mile hike with her two dogs five times a week, with Lance saying her pets were 'very much' missing her (pictured the trails where Tanya walked) 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.' Beloved actress Tanya best known for her role as a Bond girl in 1985's A View To Kill, died on January 4 from a urinary tract infection 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. 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. Shock: 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 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. What happened? Pingel (left with Roberts) did not explain what sparked the confusion over her health status '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. 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 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. 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. 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. Role: She 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 at left Return: 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) 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. Much missed: Roberts appeared to be looking healthy and in good spirits late last year. She is pictured with a fan in a recent photo A criminal court in Geneva on Monday began hearing charges of corruption and document forgery against the French-Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz over the securing of lucrative mining deals in the West African country of Guinea, the latest chapter in a yearslong international investigation. Swiss prosecutors have accused Mr. Steinmetz, a mining and real estate magnate, and two others of paying $10 million in bribes to a wife of Lansana Conte, the president of Guinea who died in 2008, to win access to iron ore deposits in the countrys Simandou region. They also accused Mr. Steinmetz of forging fake documents to cover the bribes, which they say started in 2006 and continued until 2012, and of funneling the money through Switzerland. Mr. Steinmetz, 64, who was indicted in 2019 and traveled from Israel to appear at the trial, denied the accusations through his lawyer, Marc Bonnant. | Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rupee surges 17 paise to close at 72.60 (provisional) against US dollar. West Bengal to hold Class 12 board exams in late July, Class 10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "As millions of Americans await their turn to receive the critical COVID-19 vaccine, the entire healthcare industry is working diligently to ensure effective communications between providers and patients surrounding distribution," said Michael Morgan, president, Updox Updox, a complete healthcare communication platform for in-person and virtual care, today announced the results of a new study designed to better understand the publics view on the COVID-19 vaccine. The survey underscores the strong need for more frequent communications between healthcare providers and patients and demonstrates the critical role technology plays in ensuring an effective vaccine rollout, with information such as vaccine education, eligibility and scheduling. The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Updox among 2,057 U.S. adults aged 18+. Notably, 87% of Americans say they want to receive information from their healthcare provider on COVID-19 vaccine related news/updates, with their healthcare providers cited as the most trusted source on the topic (34%) -- behind health protection agencies (32%), government entities (9%), and the biotechnology companies developing the vaccines (4%). When it comes to means of communication with their healthcare provider, consumers preferred method for receiving COVID-19 vaccine news and updates is by email (46%), followed by phone call (34%) and text message (33%). As millions of Americans await their turn to receive the critical COVID-19 vaccine, the entire healthcare industry is working diligently to ensure effective communications between providers and patients surrounding distribution, while simultaneously facilitating safe, efficient delivery of immunizations, said Michael Morgan, president, Updox. But these efforts must be taken a step further. Nearly 2 in 5 Americans would like to hear from their healthcare provider weekly or more often about the vaccine, demonstrating that even if providers are not the ones physically distributing the vaccine, patients rely on them for insights and information. Physicians play a role more vital than ever before as trusted resources for their patients in todays healthcare environment. Consistent communications both inside and out of the office is key. Additional survey findings include: Americans ages 55-64 are more likely than those ages 18-34 and 65+ to say they would like to ask questions or receive communications from their healthcare provider regarding vaccine-related news and updates via their patient portal (34% vs. 17% and 24%) 28% of Americans would like to hear from their pharmacist about COVID-19 vaccine-related news and updates weekly or more often Males are more likely than females (44% vs. 33%) to say they would like to receive vaccine-related news and updates from their healthcare provider weekly or more often The survey findings follow the recent launch of Updoxs COVID-19 Vaccine Response Package, which includes Secure Text, Broadcast Messaging and Electronic Forms to enable providers to quickly and easily communicate updates on vaccine availability and appointment details, answer patient questions, encourage adoption, support documentation and keep patients and staff safe through contactless check-ins and digital intake forms. Updoxs COVID-19 Vaccine Response Package improves communications between providers and patients. For more information on implementing the suite of solutions into your practice, visit info.updox.com/covid-19-vaccine-delivery-solutions or tune into Updoxs webinar, Vaccine Communication Workflows on Jan. 13, at noon EST, to learn new strategies for how healthcare organizations can use virtual care solutions to simplify the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. Survey Methodology This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Updox from December 28-30, 2020 among 2,057 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact cortney@arpr.com. About Updox A complete healthcare communication platform for in-person and virtual care, Updox offers one consolidated inbox for healthcare providers to manage the entire patient journey and office productivity. Through an all-in-one platform, Updox provides a broad set of capabilities for virtual health, patient engagement, and paperless office efficiency that work together to reduce costs and drive revenue. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Updox, an EverCommerce company, is integrated with more than 100 electronic health records (EHR) and pharmacy management systems and serves more than 560,000 users and 210 million patients. Updox customers also benefit from an engaged user community for benchmarking, idea exchange and networking. Learn how we simplify the business of healthcare. Visit http://www.updox.com or follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. This week, one of the five trusts that oversees hospitals in the region closed its abortion clinic when a health care provider went on medical leave. Another trust shut its abortion services from October until Jan. 4 because of a lack of financial resources. Travel restrictions have also exacerbated an already difficult situation, as many women in Northern Ireland have travelled to England to have the procedure. But the risk to their own health and the travel restrictions throughout the last year have made that all but impossible, rights groups say. The regions Department of Health has failed to issue any guidance on how abortion services should be provided. The department previously issued a statement to the Belfast Telegraph saying it was not required to commission abortion services. It said further decisions about commissioning abortion services would come from the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly after a public consultation. But the Northern Ireland Executive, the devolved government of the region, received requests from the department in April and May seeking to commission abortions, and has yet to bring forth a debate. Critics say the inaction is an excuse to delay the implementation of a robust program over an issue that remains contentious, with some of the political parties in power still advocating against access to abortion. The Department of Heath and Northern Ireland Executive did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But lawmakers in British Parliament have voiced concern about the issue. The deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Stephen Farry, tweeting on Sunday: It shouldnt fall again to the courts to ensure delivery of the law. The law on abortion is now settled. While the rest of the United Kingdom has made way for telemedicine services for those seeking abortions, Northern Ireland has not, despite the health minister being given specific powers to allow for telemedicine if necessary, which he declined. Dr. Dre remains in intensive care following his shock brain aneurysm in case he suffers another one. TMZ reports that doctors are running a series of tests to discover what caused him to have the aneurysm and to prevent any more from occurring. Sources connected to the musician told the site: 'Dre's where he's been since last Monday, in ICU at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA. Taking care: Dr Dre remains in intensive care a week after his brain aneurysm, in case he suffers another one... as doctors battle to work out the cause (pictured in 2018) 'Our sources say doctors continue to do a battery of tests to get to the root problem. Doctors also want him in ICU in case, God forbid, he suffers another aneurysm ... if that happens, time would be of the essence.' 'We don't know if Dre has gone into surgery, but that's usually the case to stop bleeding.' The site reports that the musician is resting comfortably, and doctors are said to have informed his family that a 'bad outcome' doesn't appear to be on the horizon. The latest news comes after it was reported that Dr Dre, real name Andre Romelle Young, has agreed to pay $2 million in temporary spousal support to his estranged wife Nicole Young amid their ongoing divorce battle. The rapper, 55 signed the deal from his bed at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Young was initially seeking $2 million monthly on top of $5 million in legal fees, but Dre will not be paying the legal fees she originally asked for. Divorce battle: The musician has agreed to pay $2million in temporary spousal support to his estranged wife Nicole Young amid their ongoing divorce battle (pictured in 2018) The amount Dre agreed to pay his ex is a one-time fee, however that might change depending on their upcoming court hearing in April 2021. On top of the millions Dre has agreed to pay, he will also continue to pay for the Malibu and Pacific Palisades homes where Young and her mother live for the next few months. Currently, Dre has been paying Young $293,306 a month in temporary support. Young filed for divorce from The Next Episode artist earlier this summer after 24 years of marriage, and they share two children - son Truice Young, 24, and daughter Truly Young, 20. Payments: Young was initially seeking $2 million monthly on top of $5 million in legal fees, and Dre had already been paying her $293,306 a month in temporary support The new development comes amid a turbulent time for Dre. Dre recently updated fans on his health and revealed he would be leaving the hospital soon. '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 posted on Instagram. However the rapper was dealt another blow when it emerged four burglars had attempted to break into his $40 million mansion as he recovered in the hospital. The intruders targeted his Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, home on Wednesday at around 2am when they saw news reports that he was getting life-saving treatment. The home's security team spotted the men 'casing' the house and confronted them, according to TMZ, causing the men to flee. The security guards called police before they could get on the premises. Cops arrived, chased the men down and took them into custody. Brisbane Lockdown Ends but Masks Remain for 10 Days The Queensland government has lifted Brisbanes three-day CCP virus lockdown, but people will need to continue wearing masks for another ten days. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters on Monday the lockdown will end on Monday at 6 pm, and people will be able to leave their homes for any reason. The new mask rule and some restrictions on businesses are in place for a further ten days in the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, and Redlands. Palaszczuk otherwise reported no new cases of community transmission, but there were four new cases confirmed in hotel quarantineEmirates aircrew and passengers from the UAE. Two of them travelled from the UK, but it is unknown if they have the UK strain. The three-day lockdown in the Greater Brisbane region came in response to a single case of the highly contagious UK strain of the virus, which was confirmed in a hotel quarantine cleaner. The highly contagious case was potentially active in the community since Jan. 2, but no further locally acquired cases have yet been detected. A general view of Brisbane city in Brisbane, Australia on Jan. 11, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images) Can I thank people in the greater Brisbane region for responding in the way that they did, it has been absolutely truly remarkable, Palaszczuk said. So, I can announce that the reward for their sacrifice is that we are able to end our lockdown. People living in the region will need to carry and wear a mask when indoors over the next ten days. Masks will be required in supermarkets, shops, indoor markets, hospitals and aged care facilities, places of worship, libraries, indoor recreational facilities, such as cinemas and art galleries, and gyms. However, people working in places where they can socially-distance do not have to wear masks, the premier said. As we know this UK variant, the reason why we did it (lockdown) and why were continuing to wear our masks in those public areas, is because this is a highly contagious strain, 70 percent more contagious, and we dont want to see that in our community, Palaszczuk said. Dr Jeannette Young looks on at a press conference in Brisbane, Australia on Jan. 11, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images) Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said contact-tracers have found 370 contacts of the quarantine hotel cleaner with 172 testing negative for the virus and the others still getting tested. However, theyre racing to find less risky contacts who visited three venues at the same time as the woman in southern Brisbane last week. They include Woolworths at Calamvale North between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Jan. 3, Coles Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown between 7.30 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Jan. 5 and a Sunnybank Hills newsagent between 8 a.m. and 8.15 a.m. on Jan. 5. Im not sure weve found everyone who attended those three venues yet, Young said. So its really important that anyone who has attended one of those three particular venues comes forward as soon as possible. Young urged people to come forward and get tested, especially those from the suburbs of Calamvale North and Algester after 18,904 tests were conducted on Sunday. Please make sure if youve got any symptoms at all you come forward and if youve been in any of those venues during those timeframes, please come forward, she said. ILLINOIS State health officials on Monday reported 4,776 new cases of the coronavirus and 53 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Last week, Illinois marked two grim milestones more than 1 million coronavirus infections have now been reported across the state and more than 17,000 Illinoisans have died from COVID-19. The latest deaths in Illinois include: Cook County: 1 female 30s, 1 female 40s, 2 males 40s, 2 females 50s, 2 males 50s, 1 female 60s, 7 males 60s, 5 females 70s, 2 males 70s, 7 females 80s, 7 males 80s, 3 females 90s, 3 males 90s DuPage County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s Kane County: 1 female 80s Lake County: 1 male 80s LaSalle County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s Livingston County: 1 male 40s McDonough County: 1 female 70s Will County: 1 male 60s Winnebago County: 1 female 70s In a pandemic that has contained far too many tragic milestones, todays marking of one million cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Illinois deserves particular recognition, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. As this disease continues to wreak havoc on our nation with the United States setting another record for the most COVID-19 deaths in a day just yesterday it is critical that we take extra caution today and in the months ahead to reduce the spread, bring down hospitalization rates, and save lives. Now that vaccine distribution has begun, we can see the light at the end of this difficult time lets do everything we can to ensure all of our neighbors are able to be there as we cross that finish line, healthy as well. With that goal in mind, I encourage all Illinoisans to choose to receive the protections of the COVID-19 vaccine when its your turn in line. State health officials said earlier last week that they are on the lookout for a new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus recently identified in the United Kingdom. The B.1.1.7 variant of the virus could be 70 percent more transmissible thanks to a mutation in its spike proteins that allows it to more easily stick to cells in the nose, British officials said. It's not clear how the new strain or others like it could complicate the vaccine rollout. Story continues "Viruses are constantly changing through mutation and variant virus are expected," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "At this time, we have no evidence that infections by this variant cause more severe disease or death." Ngozi also released a statement as the state passed a million coronavirus infections. As the vaccine rolls out, our hope, and goal, is that the number of new cases we see each day will decrease, said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. Reporting more than one million COVID-19 cases in Illinois seemed like an unlikely number at the beginning of the pandemic, and weve now all seen how devastating this disease can be. I urge everyone to continue to wear their mask, avoid social gatherings, and get vaccinated when its your turn. Vaccinations started across the state three weeks ago, but federal officials say the process has been slow-going and distribution is behind schedule. According to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office, not quite 2 percent of the state's total population has received the first of two shots necessary for vaccination. As of Tuesday night, 207,000 shots had been administered across the state, including the first round of second doses. According to the governor, about a third of Illinois health care workers have been vaccinated. Officials said the next phase of the vaccine rollout will begin once the first stage has been "substantially completed." It will include seniors over 65 and front-line essential workers such as police, firefighters and teachers. As of Sunday night, 3,540 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois, including 759 in intensive care and 401 on ventilators. The statewide case positivity rate a rolling, seven-day average is now 7.6 percent. The test positivity rate is 8.9 percent. According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted, and state officials have said a rate higher than 8 percent will trigger new restrictions in a given region. See how your region is doing here. The United States now has more than 22.4 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 374,632 Americans have died from COVID -19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 405,000 to 438,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Jan. 30. Globally, more than 90.4 million people have been infected and more than 1.9 million are known to have died. As local and state economies slowly emerge from pandemic lockdowns, it's often hard for customers to know the conditions under which local businesses are open. The business center contains easily accessible and up-to-date information about scores of local businesses, including everything from operating hours to the availability of by-appointment services, quick website links and other contact information. It's free to use and free for businesses to join. Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois: But a slight increase in Region 7's coronavirus positivity rates or hospital bed availability could prevent a loosening of restrictions. A current lack of available hospital beds and insufficient decline in coronavirus hospitalizations both prevent a loosening of restrictions. Everyone aged 65 and over will be included in the next phase of vaccinations, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced. Health officials in Lake County are urging all who intend to get the vaccine to register through its online portal or phone line. Kane County residents can register to get the latest information on coronavirus vaccines, but they won't be guaranteed a spot in line. WCHD said that it will take some time for residents to find out when and how they can be vaccinated. As we head into 2021, mass vaccination, which could happen by summer, is being lauded as our ticket out of the pandemic. Carol Bruno was admitted to the hospital on Thanksgiving Day and died two weeks later. Her husband Mike died just days before Christmas. Students but not staff must participate in the district's COVID-19 saliva screening program to come to campus in Northfield or Winnetka. Testing at Flick Park Field House begins Monday. Dr. Jason Robin, a cardiologist with NorthShore Medical Group, is a consultant with the Illinois High School Association. The Deerfield-based company has begun administering Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine to 3 million residents in long-term care facilities. Illinois Coronavirus Helpline: Illinois officials say a state helpline has been set up to provide emotional support and quick answers to questions about the coronavirus pandemic. Illinoisans can test "TALK" to 55-2020 (or "HABLAR" for Spanish), and within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor. Residents can also text keywords such as "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics. Coronavirus by the numbers: Illinois: Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,033,526 Confirmed Deaths: 17,627 People tested: 14,169,986 Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 97 percent. Nationwide: Total number of coronavirus cases: 22,429,685 Deaths: 374,521 People tested: 265,555,566 Recovered: latest data unavailable Global: Total number of coronavirus cases: 90,435,754 Deaths: 1,938,004 People tested: No data available Recovered: 50,118,270 Sources: Johns Hopkins University and IDPH While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends taking these actions to prevent the spread of viruses: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. What to do if you're sick: Call head if you're planning to visit your doctor: If you have a medical appointment, call the health care provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the health care provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. Stay home unless you must see a doctor: Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis. Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home: Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. Limit contact with pets and animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just as you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information. Avoid sharing personal household items: Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. Masks: CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. Face mask instructions sew- and no-sew masks To donate personal protective equipment (PPE), email PPE.donations@illinois.gov. For health questions about COVID-19, call the state coronavirus hotline at 800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch With Article 370 gone, terror in J&K came down by 63.93% India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: The number of terror incidents in. Jammu and Kashmir until November 15 2020 reduced by 63.93 per cent, the Ministry of Home Affairs said. There was also a decrease in the fatalities of special forces personnel by 29.11 per cent. In terms of civilian casualties there was a decrease by 14.28 per cent upto November 2020 when compared to the corresponding period in 2019, the MHA also said. Pakistan finding very little success in terror infiltration bids On August 5 2020, a year had passed since the abrogation of Article 370. On August 5, 2019, the Indian Parliament abrogated the article that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status. In the past one year, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a considerable decline in the number of youth joining terror groups. While infiltrations or attempts to infiltrate into the Valley from J&K have remained high, terror groups operating in the Valley have suffered considerable losses. A report prepared by the Union Ministry shows that the number of terror incidents have decreased since the abrogation of the Article. Between January to July 15 2019, there were 188 incidents that had been reported and for the same period this year, the number stood at 120. Between January to July 2019, the number of terrorists killed stood at 126, whereas this year for the same period it was 136. In terms of grenade attacks last year the number was at 51 in comparison to 21 this year. Last year between January and July 75 security personnel were martyred when compared to the 35 this year. In terms of civilian deaths, the number stood at 23 last year when compared to 22 this year between January and July 15. In terms of IED attacks, there were six last year and just one between January and July 15, 2020. In terms of terrorist deaths, 110 have been killed. The Hizbul Mujahideen lost 50 of its men, while the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad lost 20 each. 14 terrorists of the Ansar and ISJK were also killed. Hizbul Mujahideen narco-terror case: NIA files supplementary chargesheet against 2 more accused SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News While the Hizbul Mujahideen lost Naikoo, the JeM lost its commander Qari Yasir. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba's top commander Haider was killed, while the Ansar lost Burhan Koka. Following the abrogation of Article 370, the security forces have busted 22 hideouts while seizing 190 weapons. 22 terrorists and 300 of their associates have been arrested. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 10:31 [IST] News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. The inaugural CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, which will foster the growth of future journalists, is now underway, said a report. The first classes took place on January 10, including a two-hour welcome and introductory session with Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi and Anchor of Connect the World, said a report in WAM. Anderson said: "I am thrilled to welcome this talented group to the first CNN Academy Abu Dhabi. My colleagues and I at CNN are proud to support emerging talent, both from the region and abroad, and provide an immersive course in multiplatform storytelling to equip upcoming journalists with the skills they need to thrive in the industry." Michael Garin, CEO of twofour54 Abu Dhabi, who joined the session said: "Our team at twofour54 have always invested in future generations and developing the local media community by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers." Throughout the course, the twofour54 training hub, which houses its Creative Lab and Image Nations Arab Film Studio, will be providing essential facilities and infrastructure including equipment, learning resources, student liaison and outreach along with the graduation ceremony, the report said. The first group of 16 students was selected from 100 applicants who each submitted a one-minute video demonstrating suitability for the course and a written pitch outlining a story idea for the CNN audience. The international group of students, all currently based in the UAE, comes from eight different countries and includes six Emiratis. Throughout the five-week course, the participants will receive tuition from CNN journalists, content creators and production specialists from the Abu Dhabi and Dubai bureaux, as well as from other CNN hubs around the world to learn important skills in newsgathering, content verification and multiplatform news report production. Alongside CNN, twofour54 will also provide equipment, student liaison and offer resources and facilities at its Creative Lab and Image Nations Arab Film Studio, it said. Dana Abdulrahman, a participant at CNN Academy Abu Dhabi, said her expectations for the course are, "To work alongside like-minded individuals and collaborate on multiplatform content which contains the potential to reach millions of individuals throughout the world." There will be virtual lessons using The CNN Academy Hub, a brand-new e-learning platform featuring resources that participants will need during their learning journey. In addition to live seminars, workshops and recordings of the sessions, participants will also have access to hours of self-learning modules on a wide range of topics including covering breaking news, crafting strong narratives and storytelling during a pandemic. In-person workshops are also planned for later in the course, subject to local guidelines and following Covid-19 safety protocols, at CNNs Abu Dhabi bureau and the training hub at twofour54. Never trust politicians. They are craven. Its an occupational attribute. Sure, there are some who are good people, tell the truth most of the time and chose careers in politics for the right reason public service rather than personal aggrandizement. But, politics as a genre is about power, and power corrupts. The higher up the political ladder a politician climbs, generally speaking, the more vicious they have likely had to be and the more viciousness they have had to endure. Also, they have had to shake more and more dirty hands to raise the obscene amounts of money now needed to run campaigns, and they have likely had to make unsavory compromises in service of their own advancement. Now, I can name some politicians who I think have largely avoided these pitfalls, but their numbers are few. I do not seek to draw a false equivalence between the political parties in America. While I find all politicians suspect, the utter moral collapse of Republican conscience and character under Donald Trump still stands out as an outrageous aberration. Republican politicians by and large knew how lacking in every aspect Trump was, not just in experience but also character, morality and intellect. Many said as much before he was elected. A landslide tragedy in West Java was made worse after a second mudslide took place while rescuers were searching for survivors, leading to 11 confirmed deaths, 18 injured as reported by the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB). BNPB reported that the initial landslide took place on a 20 meter tall cliff, which slid along for 40 meters at 4:00 PM Saturday night. The emergency was made worse three and a half hours later when a second landslide took place, causing fatality and injuries among rescue workers who were helping victims. Latest reported deathtoll The death toll stands at 11 AM on Sunday morning as reported by BNPB with 3 sustaining serious injuries and another 15 minor injuries. According to the local rescue team Sumedang District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD)'s knowledge, many more are expected to be buried in the rubble. Thanks to the effort of the emergency response, 150 residence were successfully evacuated from the affected area, and are currently under BNPB and BPBD's care. Among the fatalities, Infantry Captain Setio Pribadi and the Head of the Emergency and Logistics Section of the BPBD Sumedang are among the victims to the second landslide as they were the responders to the first. Disaster management board head: More trees need to be planted Head of Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management Doni Monardo expressed condolence to the victims of this disaster, especially to the officers who gave their lives to the disaster. Monardo also urged the many Indonesian residents living on slope areas to plant trees, as the practice of vegetable planting leads to the loosening of the soil, and during heavy rain - which has been blamed for this recent landslide - will cause serious erosion that can lead to catastrophe. Sharp increase in Indonesia landslides since 2019 According to a published report on Statista, there has been a sharp increase in landslides in Indonesia in 2019 compared with previous years, which accounted for more than 10% of the total natural disaster occurrences in the Southeast Asian nation. This latest landslide tragedy in West Java took place merely a week after another landslide that left more than 60 dead in Indonesia's capital, according to the AHA Centre which caused a reported 36,000 people displaced from their homes. BJP chief JP Nadda on two-day visit to Assam; All set to address rally today India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 11: BJP president JP Nadda will be on a two-day visit to poll-bound Assam from Monday during which he will address a rally in Silchar and attend a number of other party programmes. It is said that he will address the rally on Monday. Nadda is also scheduled to attend a meeting with state party leadership, including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The assembly poll in the northeastern state is likely to be held in April. The BJP, that stormed to power in the state for the first time in 2016, is confident of keeping the throne after putting up an impressive show in recent local polls and also due to perceived feebleness in the ranks of main opposition Congress, more so after the death of its heavyweight and three-term chief minister Tarun Gogoi. India going ahead with induction plan for Russia S-400 systems despite US warning SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News However, opposition parties hope to put the BJP on the defensive over a host of issues, including the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 8:29 [IST] The National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the National Accreditation Board (NAB) have been merged under the new Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023). The Act, which was given a Presidential Assent on August 21, 2020, provides for the establishment of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). Governing Board A statement signed and issued by the Director-General of the GTEC, Professor Mohammed Salifu, explained that, pursuant to the establishment of the commission, its governing board was inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, on November 25, 2020. The board has Professor Kwame Boafo-Arthur as Chairman with Prof. Salifu as the Director-General. The statement, therefore, advised the public to kindly take note of the development and ensure that all transactions, correspondence or other business dealings with the now-defunct NTCE and NAB are addressed to the Director-General of the commission. 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 Kurt Listug, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, added, "While Bob and I are not retiring, we have been preparing for our eventual exit. Master guitar designer Andy Powers is not only the wellspring of our guitar designs for the future, but he also joined our leadership team several years ago, and strengthening our leadership team has been essential to our succession planning." Listug views the transition in ownership as the next step to ensure a sustainable future for the company, while also providing a valuable financial benefit to people who have contributed to its success. "We believe we've created a special company, where passionate people can engage in problem-solving innovation, collaboration and respect," he said. "Securing our independence through an ESOP allows us to strengthen this culture." Taylor's new ownership structure supports continuity. Taylor Guitars will serve its customers, suppliers, and broader community with the same passion and innovation it has before. Bob Taylor, Kurt Listug, Andy Powers and other members of Taylor's leadership team remain committed to the company. There will be no changes to management structure, operations policies, or practices. About ESOPs The ESOP is a type of tax-qualified defined contribution plan through which employees receive a retirement benefit linked to Taylor Guitars' future equity value. Employees at Taylor's production facility in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, will participate in its US-based ESOP plan, and European Union employees will be participants in a similar incentive plan available under EU regulations. Taylor Guitars will be joining many other successful ESOP companies, such as Clif Bar & Company, King Arthur Flour Baking Company, and W.L. Gore & Associates, which are committed to their independence, their values, their employees, and providing the best quality, innovation and service to its customers and external partners. More information about ESOPs can be found at esopinfo.org. Chartwell Financial Advisory, Inc. advised Taylor Guitars on all aspects of the ESOP transaction and creation of the optimal ESOP capital structure. About Taylor Guitars Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug and has grown into the leading global builder of premium acoustic guitars. Taylor now employs over 1,200 people and currently produces hundreds of guitars per day in its state-of-the-art factory complexes in both El Cajon and in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. The company maintains an active dealer network, with Taylor guitars sold through hundreds of retail locations in North America and with international distribution to 60 countries, including a distribution warehouse and factory service center in the Netherlands. Contact North America Europe Alex Jessup, JESSUP PR Conny Calvert, Big Fish Studios 323.529.3541, [email protected] 0044 1206 382224, [email protected] SOURCE Taylor Guitars 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 Delhi, Jan 11 : India is not likely to immediately lower tariff rates even as the US and European Union (EU) raised their concerns over "rising trade barrier" as sources said that the steps have been taken to eliminate instances of dumping. They said that the prime concern of the government is protection of the domestic producers. However, the Narendra Modi government, in a bid to increase imports of critical raw material required to manufacture finished products, is ready to have a relook into the import duties of key raw materials and if need be, lower them to boost their availability. "This is aimed at increasing necessary supplies of input materials for Indian manufacturers," an insider said. Recently, the US, EU along with China have registered their concern over India's rising trade barriers. "We have to protect our own interests first and whatever 'trade barrier' is being talked about is within the ambit of the WTO guidelines. Any country is entitled to take such measures which include anti-dumping duties and several economies have implemented those steps," Gopal Krishna Agarwal, the BJP's national spokesperson on economic affairs, told IndiaNarratives.com. Agarwal said that the focus is to promote the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. "Promoting the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme, however, does not mean that India does not want to integrate with the global supply chain. We are keen looking at every possible way to see how well our manufacturers get integrated into the global chain," he said. Several manufacturers have been complaining about non availability of raw materials. "The issue of non availability has come up and the government is now looking at addressing them," another insider said. Earlier, the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) pointed out that supply side challenges must be addressed at the earliest to ensure healthy growth in the exports sector. According to the an 8 per cent growth in the exports is critical to achieve the milestone $5 trillion economy. India keen to ink bilateral trade deals Besides, India, which has not signed any trade agreement since 2012, is now actively working towards inking bilateral trade agreements with its key trade partners including the EU, UK and the US. Even as New Delhi opted out of the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), it is keen on inking trade deals with other economic blocs, a highly placed source said, adding that India could gain significantly amid a growing anti-China sentiment in many parts of the world. The EU is India's largest trading partner accounting for 11.1 per cent of total Indian trade, on par with the US and ahead of China (10.7 per cent). (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 00:27:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- China has over the past few years expanded the scale and diversified the forms of its international development cooperation. -- China has been assisting other developing countries to reduce poverty, boost agricultural progress, support equal access to education, improve infrastructure, and speed up industrialization. -- China will implement more projects for improving living standards in developing countries, especially the least developed countries. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China has contributed more to the well-being of humanity as the country has been upgrading its foreign aid to a model of international development cooperation, with new initiatives taken and greater results achieved. This was revealed by the latest government white paper, titled "China's International Development Cooperation in the New Era," and backed by observers. Xu Xiuli, dean of the College of International Development and Global Agriculture at China Agricultural University, said it is the first time China has issued a white paper under the name of "international development cooperation" instead of foreign aid. She said the upgrade has produced ample results, including new cooperation models, partnerships, platforms and better coordination. According to the white paper, China has over the past few years expanded the scale and diversified the forms of its international development cooperation. Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2020 shows a new bridge built with the aid of China in Ban Xor village in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) From 2013 to 2018, China allocated a total of 270.2 billion yuan (about 41.4 billion U.S. dollars) for foreign assistance in three categories -- grants, interest-free loans, and concessional loans. Of the total, grants accounted for 47.3 percent and concessional loans 48.52 percent. The main recipients were the least developed countries in Asia and Africa. Speaking on the importance of China's development cooperation with Africa, Cavince Adhere, an international relations scholar in Kenya, said developments like the implementation of the Africa 2063 Agenda "cannot take place" in the absence of some of the aspirations behind the Belt and Road Initiative. "China has built many roads, railways, ports, and power facilities for Africa," said Stephen Ndegwa, a lecturer at the United States International University-Africa, adding that "a lot has been done." Photo taken on April 29, 2020 shows the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yan) The white paper also noted the increasingly diverse forms of international development cooperation, ranging from complete projects, goods and materials, technical cooperation, the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to medical teams and volunteers. The mission, the white paper said, is to "promote a global community of shared future." Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, said in conducting international development cooperation, China -- the largest developing country in the world -- has shown its global vision, which is a vision that can be shared, particularly by neighbors in the developing world. The white paper said China has been assisting other developing countries to reduce poverty, boost agricultural progress, support equal access to education, improve infrastructure, and speed up industrialization. Zigani Saturnin (L), a student from Burkina Faso, checks crop growth in the field at an agricultural experimental base in Quzhou County, north China's Hebei Province, July 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong) For example, China promoted its experience in village-by-village poverty reduction in Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Chinese technicians and agricultural professionals went to developing countries and taught impoverished farmers how to grow viable plants to increase their income. "China conducts international development cooperation with a focus on improving local people's well-being," the China International Development Cooperation Agency said in a statement, explaining the white paper's significance. Experts said the concept of eco-environmental protection is another notable highlight of China's international development cooperation. Beatrice Matiri-Maisori, lecturer at Riara University in Kenya, said China has set an example, "not only as a major industrial manufacturer," but also as a country that delivered on its commitments to sustainable development. Looking into the future, the white paper said China will "do everything within its means" to promote cooperation and inject Chinese strength into global development. A member of the 21st batch of China medical team in Ethiopia makes preparation for work at Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Aug. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) China will implement more projects for improving living standards in developing countries, especially the least developed countries, to ensure food security and guarantee basic needs, and prevent secondary disasters in the world economy, the white paper said. As a builder of world peace, a contributor to global prosperity and a defender of international order, China will continue to cooperate on international development and contribute even more to improving the common well-being of humanity and building a global community with a shared future, it said. (Video reporters: Li Xinying, Fan Haoyu; Video editors: Zhu Longchuan, Xu Liang) Twitter suspended the account of former U.S. Rep Lou Barletta over the weekend, around the same time that social media platforms of President Donald Trump, whom Barletta ardently supports, were silenced as well. Barlettas account was reactivated around midday Monday after Twitter told him his profile had been mistakenly flagged. But Barletta, who is no longer in public life, said in an interview that he remained outraged that the company took the step against a private citizen voicing his opinions and is not buying the companys reasoning for the temporary ban. Twitter said in a statement that the account was suspended in error for perceived violations of our impersonation policy. This has been reversed and the account has been reinstated. I believe theyre picking and choosing First Amendment rights, Barletta said, noting Twitter restored his account after several inquiries from reporters. This is a dangerous road where a private citizen really has nowhere to go if this happens to them. READ MORE: Does Twitters ban violate Trumps free-speech rights? Likely not, but it raises questions about social media platforms, Philly experts say. There is no evidence the suspension was purposeful. Twitter suspensions were not widespread among Republican users. However, Barlettas team shared a screenshot of an earlier email from Twitter support that said his suspension was due to systems that find and remove multiple accounts in bulk, and yours was flagged by mistake. First Amendment lawyers say the Constitution protects against the government, not a private company such as Twitter, censoring a citizens speech, but recent events raise questions about what could be considered protected speech. Twitter didnt notify him of the suspension in advance, said Barletta, who found out about it Sunday when he got a call from a reporter with the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader asking why Barlettas account was down. READ MORE: As Lou Barlettas immigration law failed his political brand was born The call came two days after Twitter permanently suspended Trumps account due to the risk of further incitement of violence, it said, after he spurned a mob of his supporters to siege the U.S. Capitol in an attack that left five dead, and as extremists talked online of further violence ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Barletta stands by Trump, defending his actions on Wednesday and calling the presidents social media suspension a slippery slope. Barletta also stood by messages sent on a separate Twitter account on Sunday and Monday before his main profile was reactivated, indicating he remained outraged and shocked. No one person or business should have the power to pick & choose what voices are heard, he wrote Sunday. Barlettas recent messages did not incite violence. He tweeted of the insurrection: What is happening in DC is totally unacceptable and un-American. Violence and destruction are NEVER the answer. He criticized lawmakers calling for impeachment or the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which would remove Trump from office. He also called on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to pass fair election laws and restore election integrity, and hours before the riot at the Capitol, he urged Congress to delay certification of Bidens win due to baseless claims of voter fraud in Pennsylvania. I didnt see anything on there that was offensive, he said. Questioning the integrity of the election here in Pennsylvania doesnt seem over the top. He said he would never encourage anyone to commit violence, and the attack on the Capitol saddened him as a former member of Congress. In 2018, the former Hazleton mayor did not seek a fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and was instead handpicked by Trump to challenge U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. in an unsuccessful bid for Caseys Senate seat. Since then, Barletta started the Leaders Only Unite political action committee, or LOU PAC, which supports candidates who are tough on immigration and private construction of the border wall, and campaigned for Trump. He continues to support the president, he said, and will continue to express his opinions online and elsewhere. Im not going to silence my voice. Im going to continue to speak out for what I believe, he said. Hopefully this [suspension] wont happen again by mistake. But nobody should be silent in America. Thats what makes our country different than other countries. We have the right to speak out, whether your voice is conservative or liberal. Everyone should be treated the same. Job offers hit six-year low The number failed to exceed 200,000 last year. Font size: A - | A + Career & Employment Guide Source of contacts and up-to-date content for all who want to learn more about the Slovak HR sector. For more details visit our online shop. The number of job offers published on the largest job portal in Slovakia, Profesia.sk, only slightly exceeded 190,000. It is quite a big drop compared with the previous year, when the number of job offers was more than 262,100. The annual fall accounted for 28 percent. The last time the number was this low was in 2014, when there were only some 160,000 on the website. More responses to job offers Job offers dropped the most in the Bratislava Region, where employers published altogether 75,243 job offers, down by some 35,000 compared with the previous year. On the other hand, they dropped the least in the Banska Bystrica Region, which reported a fall by some 2,000 offers, or 15 percent. The record number of job offers was published on the website in 2017, with nearly 275,000 job ads. At the time, there was a discussion in Slovakia on simplifying the rules for employing workers from non-EU countries. Due to the high supply and low unemployment rate, companies struggled with recruiting a labour force. On the other hand, the response of job applicants to published job offers has risen significantly. More than 26 people on average replied to one offer in 2020, the most in the past years. As a result, employers often increased their demands, Profesia.sk wrote, adding this was reflected, for example, in the requirements for previous experience. While in 2019, 64 percent of job offers were suitable for people with some previous experience, the share rose to 67.4 percent in 2020. Most people sought in commerce, production and IT Related article Career Guide: Exploring Slovak labour market trends and human resources in the wider EU context Read more The most job ads were published in the fields of trade, production and IT. The top five sectors that sought the highest number of new staff included transport and logistics, as well as administration. Paradoxically, administration belongs to the sectors with the highest annual drop, according to Profesia.sk. Other sectors that saw quite a big drop in the number of job offers were leasing, travel, gastronomy and the hotel industry, where it fell by more than 40 percent. Companies were mostly searching for the production operators, shop assistants and administrative workers in 2020. The offers dropped the most in the case of positions like hostesses, florists, tourist guides, waiters, fast food employees, make-up artists, decorators and chambermaids. 11. Jan 2021 at 18:11 | Compiled by Spectator staff [January 11, 2021] Indy Autonomous Challenge Unveils Racecar for World's First Head-to-head, High-speed Autonomous Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Energy Systems Network (ESN) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), organizers of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), today unveiled at CES (News - Alert) 2021 the official racecar that will be autonomously driven by scores of university teams in the world's first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous race at the Racing Capital of the World on Oct. 23, 2021. The goal of the IAC is to advance technologies that can speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), leading to increased safety and performance. In addition, the IAC challenges the best and brightest university students worldwide to engage in hands-on engineering. "The Dallara-built IAC racecar is the most advanced, fastest autonomous vehicle ever developed," stated Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of ESN. "IAC sponsors are providing radar, lidar, optical cameras and advanced computers, bringing the value of each vehicle to $1 million." The IAC, scheduled for October 23 at IMS, will hold a qualifying simulation race during the Indy 500 week in May. The total prize purse is $1.5 million: $1 million awarded to the winning team in October, and an additional $500,000 for winners of hackathons and simulation races, awarded by IAC sponsor, Ansys (News - Alert) . More than 500 university students, PhDs and mentors who excel in artificial intelligence software, have responded to the challenge, representing 39 universities in 11 countries on four continents and 14 U.S. states. Seastian Thrun, winner of the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge, said that the DARPA race served as inspiration for the IAC. "It proved that robots can drive themselves in very confined environments, but that they don't have the agility and skill of a really well-trained human race driver to act in extreme situations. IMS is the best place in the world to challenge the robotics community to test self-driving cars. By going into a racing context, we will stretch self-driving cars to the absolute limit." The Autonomous Racecar Since 2002, Dallara has been the sole racecar supplier of the Indy Lights series, and now the modified Dallara IL-15 is the official IAC racecar. The racecar has been retrofitted with hardware and controls to enable automation to enhance safety, control and performance. Components include rugged-edge on-board computing, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, perception systems, high-end graphics processing units, drive-by-wire, and artificial intelligence acceleration and powerful central processing units to run IAC teams' software and algorithms in the racecar. One of the challenges for autonomous racing is solving edge case scenarios - challenges that occur only at extreme operating parameters, such as avoiding unanticipated obstacles at high speeds. "Dallara is the best racecar engineering company in the world, yet designing the chassis for autonomous racing was really challenging," explained Stefano dePonti, CEO and general manager of Dallara USA. "We know how the world's best race drivers react in the Dallara in high-speed scenarios, but now we have to anticipate the actions of a robot." Innovation at IMS IMS has been a catalyst and proving ground for motorsport and transportation innovation since its inception in 1909. IMS hosts the crown jewel of the NTT (News - Alert) INDYCAR SERIES, the Indianapolis 500 - annually the world's largest single-day sporting event. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America's premier open-wheel racing series. "The IAC is going to bring the best minds from around the world to solve a very complex problem, right here at the Racing Capital of the World," IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. "As the birthplace of motorsports' innovation, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a fitting setting for this event, and we can't wait to see the winning entry cross the Yard of Bricks into history." IAC Sponsors and Contributors Indiana Economic Development Corporation, ADLINK, Ansys, Aptiv, AutonomouStuff, Bridgestone, Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), Dallara, Microsoft (News - Alert) , New Eagle, PWR, RTI, Schaeffler and Valvoline. About the Indy Autonomous Challenge Press Kits are available at IndyAChallenge.com. Follow the race and join the discussion on Twitter (#IAC2021) and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005409/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Global TimesImagine if the Capitol riots took place in a country whose government the US is hostile toward, the following is probably how US media would have reported it. The US, a former British colony, has just ended a turbulent year. The US government seems to be hanging by a thread. When lawmakers on Wednesday met to confirm the president-elect's win, the incumbent president's supporters rallied in Washington DC from all over the country in an attempt to uphold the fairness and impartiality of the election, defend democracy and protest against election fraud. When these protesters breached the Capitol to prevent the certification of the election, they clashed with police. The latter drew their guns and used tear gas to clear the Capitol of demonstrators. Unfortunately, it resulted in the deaths of four protesters and a police officer, and the arrests of 52 people. Among the dead protesters, one woman, a former US soldier, was shot. Amid a rocky time of a power transition, the incident has escalated the unease in Washington. Policing in the US has been controversial. In this country where racial discrimination is rampant, police abuses of power have become common. In the Wednesday incident, US police cracked down on the freedom and human rights of ordinary Americans. US police brutality should be condemned and the US government should investigate them. But the international community witnessed how bold the US protesters were in the face of police brutality. They are champions of democracy and presented the world with a beautiful sight to behold. The international community is also seeing this incident with great concern. The UK, the former colonial power, continues to keep an eye on this country and denounced the moves of US police. Leaders of other Western countries condemned the US and urged Washington to respect the will of the people and release the arrested protesters as soon as possible. Some analysts said the chaos was a result of grave divisions in US society. Some Americans and British believe even though the US has been independent from the UK for over 200 years, the US government is still incapable of independently governing this country. Americans cannot be granted the rights and freedom they deserve and democracy and rule of law have been violated. Yet US politicians, in a bid to safeguard their governance and political interests, spare no effort to blame the UK's interference in their internal affairs. Democracy defenders must solidify to sanction such moves of the US. The international community has warned Washington that the abuse of guns will expose Americans to the risk of political violence. In response, other countries should reduce the exports of firearms to the US. Furthermore, toward those police and officials participating in preventing the protesters, we should freeze their US assets and impose a visa ban on them. It is expected more like-minded countries will join to stand up with these democratic heroes. Of course, what has been said in the above paragraphs is just a hypothesis. Since the incident took place in the US, the riots were not "a beautiful sight to behold," and it is the protesters, not the police, who received harsh criticism from most US mainstream media outlets and political elites. The demonstrators have not been portrayed as "champion of democracy," but "those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol." This is US blatant double standards. 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. Beijing: China says a group of experts from the World Health Organisation is due to arrive this week for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. A one-sentence announcement from the National Health Commission said on Monday the experts would arrive on Thursday and meet with Chinese counterparts, but it gave no other details. China has been criticised heavily by the WHO over delays in the investigation. Investigators wish to determine the source of the virus, which has been linked to the Huanan Seafood Market. Credit:Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images It wasnt immediately clear whether they would travel to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected in late 2019. [January 11, 2021] Achiko Strengthens Leadership Team with New President and New SVP Commercialization Appoints New President, Biotechnology Research Scientist and Entrepreneur Dr. Morris S. Berrie Appoints New SVP Commercialization, Business Leader in Life Science Richard Lingard New Senior Leadership Expected to Drive Production and Commercialization for Gumnuts, Achikos Test Kit for Covid-19 ZURICH, Switzerland, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achiko AG (SWX: ACHI, ISIN CH0522213468) appoints biotechnology research scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Morris S. Berrie to the position of President, and business leader in the life science industry Richard Lingard to the position of SVP Commercialization. The Company continues to reinforce their senior leadership team with these appointments. Dr. Berrie and Mr. Lingard will be responsible for the diagnostics and biotechnology part of the business, helping to drive the production and commercialisation of Gumnuts (patent pending DNA aptamer test kit for Covid-19) into global markets. Dr. Berrie brings over 20 years of scientific, business and financial experience in the biotechnology and healthcare industries. He served as Co-Founder/Chairman of TTS Global Initiative which globally facilitates deal flow in the early stage/SME biotech sector and was a partner of several EU Horizon 2020 multi-million Euro projects aiding the European SME sector. He is also Director of Tech Investor Ltd. which consults and advises government organizations, regions, and companies throughout the biotech sector on the commercialization of science, including business development and capital raising. Prior, Dr. Berrie was the Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of the Biotechnology Investment Today Group where he worked with numerous prestigious clients from both the healthcare and the financial industries, including the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Pfizer, GSK, Needham & Co, Orbimed, TVM, JPMorgan and many more. Previously, he was Head of Global Intelligence and Business Development for the Nature Publishing Group and before that he was the Director, Compound Registry, Patent Database for the Investigational Drug database (IDdb3) of Current Drugs, which was subsequently acquired by Thomson Reuters. He has worked at Schering AG, is a Chartered Chemist (CChem), a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and was the recipient of a European DG Post-Doctoral Fellowship upon completing his PhD in Organic Cheistry at Imperial College, London. I am delighted and excited to be joining Achiko at this pivotal moment, said Dr. Morris S. Berrie. The opportunity to harness the talented team and drive forward the commercialization of an exceptional and unique diagnostic product is inspiring. To do so with a product that can both do good and affect rapid change in the control and management of pathogenic disease, not least Covid-19, is truly a worthy endeavour. Mr. Lingard is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years experience in the life science industry. He has a chemistry background and has worked with a range of multinational corporations, contract research organisations (CROs) and start-up companies. Previously, he was CEO of Adroit-DI, where he developed a software platform to unify research. Mr. Lingard was Head of Europe, Middle East, India and Russia for Taconic Biosciences, creating a partner ecosystem and structuring his division to assist with the sale of Taconic to H.I.G. Capital. Mr. Lingard was SVP Global Commercial Operations for Dotmatics, a global software solution and service provider, where he doubled his international team of PhD scientists, sales, and marketing to triple the business turnover in three years. Prior to that, he led business development, sales, commercialization and partnership positions at Clarivate Analytics, Thermo Fisher, Charles River, Biovia, Exelixis and Merck & Co Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and Chemical Sciences from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Achikos team and technology are positioned to democratize rapid, accurate, non-invasive Covid-19 diagnostics. We defeat pandemics one test at a time, said Richard Lingard, SVP of Commercialization. Im thrilled to join Achikos senior leadership team. The pandemic represents a disruption in diagnostics and telehealth, especially in moving from point of care to point of need, said Achiko CEO Steven Goh. The addition of new senior leadership further builds on our commitment to our transformation into a leading player in diagnostics. About Achiko AG We create solutions with a great user experience, for the transforming healthcare industry. The development of our patent pending diagnostic testing kit (Gumnuts) provides for an easy and effective way to help people get the information they need. This is complemented by our mobile check-in app (Teman Sehat), enabling users to manage their own diagnostic experiences on their own terms, safeguard their privacy, share experiences and find community. We are headquartered in Zurich, with offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore and Seoul. www.achiko.com Media contacts: ACHIKO AG Investor Relations E: ir@achiko.com Switzerland Marcus Balogh Farner Consulting Ltd. E: achiko@farner.ch T: +41 44 266 67 67 Germany and Austria Axel Muhlhaus / Dr Sonke Knop edicto GmbH E: achiko@edicto.de T: +49 69 90 55 05-51 DISCLAIMER This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Achiko AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Achiko AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Achiko AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Columbia, MO (65201) Today Strong thunderstorms likely, some with very heavy rain during the afternoon hours. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 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. The Michigan State Police increased its visible security presence at the Capitol in Lansing after deadly riots in Washington D.C. that could be followed by armed protests at state capitol buildings across the country. A spokesperson for the Michigan State Police said law enforcement officials are aware of demonstrations organized by online groups for Jan. 17, three days before President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated. The FBI reportedly distributed a memo to law enforcement agencies across the U.S. warning armed protests are being planned at state capitols and at least one group is calling for storming government buildings if President Donald Trump is removed from office before Jan. 20. We are aware of online promotion of a march on state capitols on January 17, MSP Public Affairs Director Shanon Banner said in a statement. Security enhancements that can be put in place include both seen and unseen measures. In general, we dont discuss security measures, but I can confirm that out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing our visible presence at the Capitol for the next couple of weeks starting today. Related: Open carry of firearms banned inside Michigan Capitol The Michigan Capitol Commission banned the open carry of firearms inside the Capitol Monday, reversing its stance after a pro-Trump mob forced its way into the U.S. Capitol last week. The violent demonstration drew comparisons to a May 2020 event in Michigan where armed protesters marched into the state Capitol and pressured lawmakers to end COVID-19 restrictions. Armed protesters held dozens of demonstrations outside the Capitol last year, raising concerns about the potential for violence. Michigans Capitol was closed due to a bomb threat a day after the riots in Washington D.C. last week. An internal FBI bulletin first reported by ABC News reportedly describes evidence of credible threats related to events planned across the country on Jan. 17. According to the FBI memo, extremists warned a huge uprising would follow attempts to impeach Trump or invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office early. An FBI memo from the Minneapolis field office dated Dec. 29, 2020 outlines demonstrations planned in Minnesota and Michigan. The memo states a Michigan-based member of the boogaloo movement suggested using a gasoline-based to cause a distraction while other individuals storm the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. The same movement follower considered himself at war with the government, particularly with politicians and federal agents, and wanted to make a statement with the actions, the memo read. A spokesperson with the Detroit FBI office declined to comment on specifics of the memo but said the FBI is coordinating with local law enforcement partners. Our efforts are focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals that are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity, the spokesperson said. As we do in the normal course of business, we are gathering information to identify any potential threats and are sharing that information with our partners. A copy of the document shared by Yahoo News shows the memo was shared with the Lansing Police Department and Michigan State Police. Information sharing with the FBI and other states related to potential threats is common practice, Bannon said when asked whether MSP had received information about potential threats. So-called boogaloo bois are extremists preparing for a civil war against the government; proponents of the movement were among men charged with state and federal crimes for allegedly plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Megan Squire, a professor at Elon University in North Carolina who tracks online extremist activity, has been collecting online flyers advertising Jan. 17 rallies organized by members of far-right militia movements. I drew the lines on so they would be less likely to be used as propaganda. pic.twitter.com/1GudElQZ2m megan squire (@MeganSquire0) January 8, 2021 Squire said the cache of fliers, which express grievances with COVID-19 orders and government corruption, come from boogaloo groups that may not be affiliated with last weeks attack on the U.S. Capitol. Squire said the Jan. 17 rallies could be in recognition of the anniversary of a rally held last year in Virginia to protest gun control legislation. The pro-Trump mob which stormed into Congress were mobilized around unproven allegations of election fraud. Members of boogaloo militia groups did participate in the incident. Twitter also referenced concerns about protests planned for Jan. 17 in a statement explaining its decision to permanently ban Trump from its website. The Department of Homeland Security warned extremists could represent an elevated threat this year in an October assessment of national security issues. The report warned violent extremists will continue to target individuals or institutions that represent symbols of their grievances. Demonstrations are a common occurrence, with the vast majority being entirely peaceful gatherings, Banner said. We continually monitor for security threats and maintain situational awareness of what is happening in Michigan and across the country. Our security planning is fluid and adjustments are made as needed, from day-to-day. READ MORE ON MLIVE: Michigan Democrats support Trumps removal as House moves to start impeachment Republicans pushed election lies and armed protests, but say their rhetoric didnt spur U.S. Capitol chaos Domestic terrorism represents growing threat to United States India reported 16,311 new COVID-19 cases and 161 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Monday. With the addition of fresh infections, the overall cases in the country reached 1,04,66,595 including 2,22,526 active cases. After 19,299 discharges in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recoveries reached 1,00,92,909. The death toll climbed to 1,51,160. At present, there are 64,179 active cases in Kerala, the highest in the country, followed by Maharashtra with 54,179. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches "Maharashtra reported 3558 new COVID-19 cases, 2302 discharges and 34 deaths today. The total cases in the state are 19,69,114 while total recoveries are 18,63,702 and the death toll is 50,061," the state health department said. "Kerala reported 4545 new COVID-19 cases and 4659 recoveries today. The total recoveries are 7,43,467 while active cases are 64,179," the state health department said. "Uttar Pradesh reported 699 new COVID-19 cases, 769 recoveries and 13 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total recoveries in the state are 5,73,542 while death toll is 8495. The active cases are 11,134," the state health department said. "Haryana reported 234 new COVID-19 cases today. The total cases are 2,64,955 while total recoveries are 2,59,495. The death toll is 2950 while active cases are 2510," the state health department said. "Punjab reported 304 new COVID-19 cases, 312 recoveries and six deaths today. The total cases are 1,69,033 while total recoveries are 1,60,655. The death toll in the state till today is 5445 while the active cases are 2933," the state health department said. "Andhra Pradesh reported 227 new COVID-19 cases, 289 recoveries and one death in the last 24 hours. The total cases are 8,84,916 while total recoveries are 8,75,243. The death toll is 7129 and active cases are 2544," the state health department said. "Rajasthan reported 475 new COVID-19 cases, 476 recoveries and three deaths today. The total cases are 3,12,996 while the total recoveries are 3,03,536. The death toll is 2734 and active cases are 6726," the state health department said. Days after COVID-19 vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech were granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced that the coronavirus vaccination drive in the country will start from January 16. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Globe Newswire The medical loupes market in the Middle East & Africa is expected to grow from US$ 24. 3 million in 2019 to US$ 34. 4 million by 2027; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4. 6% from 2019 to 2027. The evolving medical technologies have offered various growth opportunities for medical device players operating in the market.New York, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Middle East & Africa Medical Loupes Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis By Type ; Lens Type ; Application ; Distribution Channel" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06075709/?utm_source=GNW Growing number of laser procedures and changing requirements for therapies demand additional features in the existing devices. The number of cosmetic procedures through laser therapy is significantly increasing across the world. Laser procedures are widely preferred for hair removal, tattoo removal, skin tightening, skin rejuvenating, and many more due to their minimally invasive nature. The constant use of laser is harmful to the surgeons and professionals performing laser therapies. To protect them from radiations emitted from laser devices, protecting covers are essential. Thus, the use of laser technologies is likely to enhance the demand for laser-protected medical loupes.Various companies have introduced laser-protected medical loupes for surgeons and professionals performing laser procedures.For instance, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG offers a range of ZEISS EyeMag Smart, EyeMag Pro F, and EyeMag Pro S laser-protected medical loupes in the market.Laservision offers a wide range of F series laser safety medical loupes.Moreover, companies such as ViewMax Solutions LLC (LightScalpel) and Orascoptic, offer laser-protected medical loupes.Thus, these add-on features are likely to provide growth opportunities for market players and eventually lead to the growth of the market.Based on type, the market is segmented into through the lens (TTL) loupes and flip up loupes.In 2019, the through the lens (TTL) loupes segment accounted for larger share of the Middle East & Africa medical loupes market, whereas the flip up loupes segment is expected to grow at faster CAGR during the forecast period.The growing developments in medical technology that are enabling various product launches in the market, are expected to boost the market growth.For instance, in April 2018, Schultz Optical launched its prismatic loupes innovation The Feather Series Prismatic TTL Medical Loupes.The Feather Series Prismatic TTL medical loupes are designed with higher magnification power but with lesser weight than the standard dental and surgical loupes. Such innovations are expected to influence the growth of market during the forecast period.Several possibilities for transmission of COVID-19 have been explained, both decided on transmission of droplets, with an expected distribution significantly greater than that for seasonal influenza.Dental practice operations can create a fog of aerosol; hence, dental offices are among the highest risk groups for COVID-19 transmission.Owing to this, normal dental treatment has been discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of infection.However, dentists are ethically bound to offer emergency dental treatment to patients who require medical attention regardless of their health condition.It is the legal and ethical duty of the dentist to balance the interests of patients and public health issues.The growing fear of transmission of COVID-19 infection has demanded the creation of new guidelines and recommendations by health authorities.The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Saudi Arabia reacted promptly to this epidemic by following the guidance and advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) accessible to all dental practitioners on the MOH website.The overall Middle East & Africa medical loupes market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources.To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market.The process also serves the purpose of obtaining overview and forecast for the Middle East & Africa medical loupes market with respect to all the segments pertaining to the region.Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic.The participants who typically take part in such a process include industry experts, such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants, such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the Middle East & Africa medical loupes market. Carl Zeiss Meditec AG; SurgiTel; Sheervision Loupes & Headlights; Keeler Ltd (Halma plc); Neitz Instruments Co., Ltd; Univet S.r.l.; and Den-Mat Holdings, LLC are among the key players operating in the Middle East & Africa medical loupes market.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06075709/?utm_source=GNWAbout ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.__________________________ CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 PwC Middle East and Strategy&, part of the PwC network, welcomed 17 new partners across the region from January 2021 to support client demands in a transforming market and a challenging economic landscape. The firm continues to invest in the region and its digital capabilities reflecting its commitment to the transformation agenda as a priority to a more & yet required digital future. The new intake will bring the firm to almost 300 partners across 6000 people in the region. The admitted partners, from various lines of service, hold skills and expertise in an array of industries including Government & Public Sector, Financial Services and M&A with a focus on Riyadh, UAE and Egypt. Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner said: We are proud of our new partners who have demonstrated their resilience, dedication and commitment to our clients and people in what has been an unprecedented year. He added: Our commitment to solving important problems and building trust in our region is unwavering, and our new partners have demonstrated that they have the skills, capabilities and relationships to lead in the new normal. 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. Here's why South Africa to store COVID-19 vaccines from India at secret place International oi-Madhuri Adnal Johannesburg, Jan 11: The South African government will store the 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that it will receive from India in the next few weeks at a secret place because of the risk of theft for sale at black market prices, according to a media report. "The vaccines are a highly-rated commodity once they're stolen and reach the black market," Department of Health spokesperson Popo Maja told the weekly City Press on Sunday, adding that if this occurs, there is a risk that the prices of these illegally-obtained vaccines will be hiked significantly. PM Modi to meet chief ministers today over Covid-19 vaccine rollout "There will be a central place where the consignment will be stored and from where we will distribute it to hospital and clinic pharmacies that can store it," Maja said. "There's a security issue too because countries which have already begun rolling out the vaccines have warned us that there is a huge theft of it, so we may not even disclose where it is being centrally stored," Maja said. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said during an address to the South African parliament last week, that the government had secured 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India as South Africa battles exponentially rising infections and deaths daily amid a second wave of the coronavirus and a new variant of the virus. Overnight on Sunday there were over 21,600 new infections and 399 more deaths. A million doses are expected from India before the end of this month and a further 500,000 in February, with healthcare workers in both government and private facilities being prioritised for vaccination. Mkhize also allayed concerns that the vaccine to be supplied by India had not yet been approved by South African regulators. He said teams from the department of health as well as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) were fine-tuning and aligning all the regulations and processes to ensure that there were no unnecessary delays or impediments to rollout the vaccine. Vaccine transport from SII to start on Jan 11 or 12: Report "We are all happy that the Serum Institute of India and the AstraZeneca vaccine have already been approved by various regulators and is being rolled out in other countries," he said. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Addressing concerns that corruption might make the process costly, as had been the case in the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health workers for months during the COVID-19 lockdown, Mkhize gave an assurance that there would be no corruption as the deal was being done directly between the government and the manufacturer, unlike the middlemen used in the PPE acquisitions who had exploited the situation. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 9:53 [IST] JSC Lekhim (Kyiv) within the framework of a contract with the Ministry of Health for the supply of 1.9 million doses of vaccines from COVID-19 of the Chinese manufacturer Sinovac Biotech will deliver the first 700,000 doses to Ukraine in March, chairman of the company's board Valeriy Pechayev has said. "Under the contract, we must deliver the first 700,000 doses of vaccines by the end of March, the second 1.2 million doses by the end of May. But we are trying very hard to have the first 700,000 doses delivered by the end of February," he told reporters. Lekhim plans to submit an application for registration of the vaccine in early February. The expert noted in this contract the company acts as a distributor of Sinovac company, which has exclusive rights to supply vaccines from this manufacturer to Ukraine. Moreover, further cooperation with the Chinese company, with which Lekhim signed a five-year memorandum of cooperation, provides for the production of this vaccine and influenza vaccine in Ukraine. "We have invested EUR10 million in organizing the production of the vaccine at our plant in Kharkiv. At the first stage, we will supply 1.9 million doses of the vaccine in 2021, which will be produced at facilities in China. In 2022, we plan to start production of the finished form of this vaccine. In future, we are considering a possible full transfer of technology for the entire cycle of vaccine production in Ukraine," he said. He also said that the pricing policy when signing the contract with the Ministry of Health on the supply of vaccines was based on prices announced by the world's leading manufacturers - Moderna and Pfizer. At the same time, the price of the vaccine to be supplied by Lekhim is 15% lower than the one announced by Pfizer. The vaccine, supplied by Lekhim, can be stored at temperatures from +2 to +8 degrees Celsius. In addition, Sinovac expects the prequalification of the vaccine by the WHO in early 2021. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said that there is apprehension are among those who should be having apprehensions. Doctors told IANS that their fellow colleagues are approaching them with doubts regarding the safety aspect of the vaccines approved in India. He informed that the part making people, including healthcare workers, worried, is the aspect of safety and side effects of the vaccines. "The first question I get asked is whether the vaccines are safe. People including doctors are wary of the fact that the vaccines have come out so early. They are not able to fully rely on the safety the vaccines are supposed to provide," Chatterjee said. Besides, the likeliness of having side-effects is also building more scepticism around acceptance of the vaccines, he added. Neha Gupta, Infectious Diseases Specialist at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, also said that patients and even people working in healthcare have concerns regarding side-effects of the Covid vaccines. "Concerns such as fever and severe body ache post the vaccination are shared even by people of my fraternity despite working in close quarters with immunisation programmes," she added. The doctors said that the reports of adverse events occurring abroad after vaccination have raised suspicion among the public as well the healthcare fraternity about the vaccines' safety. Besides, the controversy around approval of Bharat Biotech's vaccine has further fuelled the existing apprehension. Sonali Malhotra, ENT specialist at Centre-run Lady Hardinge Medical College, said that many of her colleagues are hesitant before taking the vaccine jab citing the adverse events being reported in countries where vaccination has started. "They are particularly wary of the complications associated with the vaccine, especially the severe ones being reported elsewhere. My family members have also shown unwillingness for the vaccination fearing the side-effects that may follow," she told IANS. However, Malhotra added that she is all in for the vaccination. Chatterjee also said that people are sharing news articles and videos of some random self-proclaimed experts on social media claiming that vaccines are not safe or developed hurriedly. "However, I don't find merit in such claims. They remain a rumour and people, especially healthcare workers should not go by them," he clarified. "Doctors having apprehensions are not good for the public since we ought to lead the way," Chatterjee commented. Neeraj Nischal, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, informed that the side effects, also called the adverse events of a vaccine, are very common to occur and indicative of a fact that it is actually working. "Vaccines help develop immunity by imitating an infection forcing the immune system to produce T-lymphocytes and antibodies. The process can cause minor symptoms (adverse events), such as fever, swelling or soreness at the injection site, which are normal and should be expected as the body builds immunity," he said. Speaking on the safety aspect, Nischal agreed that the scepticism around vaccines' safety is bound to arise since the vaccines were developed at an extraordinary pace. "However, the apprehension that corners were cut in the development are unfounded," he clarified. "The technological advances and prior research steadfast the development process. The initial trials have confirmed that the vaccines are safe and well-tolerated," Nischal said. Meanwhile, another query doctors have been frequently receiving is whether the vaccines would worsen the previous illnesses of the receivers. "Many people, even among the healthcare workers, are suffering from comorbid conditions. They are afraid whether their blood pressure, sugar, or any other underlying condition would aggravate post inoculation," Chatterjee said. Sanjay Roy, Head, Department of Community Medicine, AIIMS Delhi and the principal investigator of Bharat Biotech's Covid vaccine which is under phase 3 trial, said that the vaccines are safe and were approved after testing on all kinds of people, including patients with underlying health conditions. "There's always a risk-benefit ratio involved in the development of any drug. Even Paracetamol tablets have side effects. However, the benefit of vaccines outnumber the side effects involved," he said. Roy advised people read more read and research scientific literature to allay their fears about vaccines' safety. "Rather than consuming information from unverified sources like social media and Whatsapp forwards, people should look for the same through reliable sources like medical journals, websites of government and ICMR, medical experts, and then take an informed decision," he added. Nischal commented that "people should remember that the disease is deadly but the vaccine is not". --IANS str/kr/ksk/ This partnership is the bridge we, and other companies, have been long seeking to put much-needed technology in the hands of those who need it most All For One Charity Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of children around the world by improving social conditions, educational opportunities, and healthcare availability, today announced that a donation by Hospitality Business Network Solutions (HBNS) that will provide 100 laptops to students in Uganda at the Child Prosperity Centers in Kaioma and Sierra Leone. HBNSs gift comes at a crucial time, said Newton Myvett, President and CEO, All For One Charity Foundation. Now more than ever, its imperative that children furthest from educational justice are provided with resources needed to build their best future, said Myvett. We are grateful to HBNSs deep commitment to helping to advance All For Ones critical mission to ensure every child receives an equitable chance in life, Myvett said. Since 2006, All For One has inspired organizations and volunteers from around the world to improve social conditions, access to education, and healthcare to children impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and civil unrest in Uganda with the construction of two child prosperity centers in Kaioma and Sierra Leone. Computers will be distributed in the next six to 12 months upon the completion of construction. The All For One/HBNS partnership is the bridge we, and other companies have been long seeking to put much-needed technology in the hands of those who need it most, said Marc Whinnem, Vice President, Operations, Hospitality Business Network Solutions. Access to computers is something we take for granted in the United States, said Jeff Levitan, Founder, All For One Foundation. It remains an honor and privilege in many developing countries for children to have the chance to learn and develop using technology. We are very thankful for our ongoing partnership with HBNS. Help the children at the Child Prosperity Centers in Uganda and Sierra Leone by donating your used or new computer or laptop. Learn more about this initiative and how to donate: https://allforone.org/our-impact/uganda. ABOUT ALL FOR ONE Founded in Chicago, Illinois, by Jeff Levitan in 2002, All For One Charity Foundation is a growing international childrens nonprofit charity currently working in 19+ countries. All for Ones relentless dedication has been changing the lives of children around the world by improving social conditions, educational opportunities, and healthcare availability through thoughtful collaborations and partnerships with leading world organizations. All For One provides Help Beyond Hope to empower communities while actively working toward building sustainable systems for those in need. For more information, visit http://www.allforone.org. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. ABOUT HBNS HBNS is a nationwide IT service management company offering technology integration, business systems solutions, IoT Smart Environment, nationwide managed IT coverage, and networking, cabling, and electrical services. Founded in 2003 serving hospitality, healthcare, and small business markets, in 2016 HBNS partnered with the Innovation Institute, strategically focusing on innovation and growth in the healthcare industry. Partnering with All For One Foundation is a chance for HBNS to give back and help to empower the less fortunate. This is another great collaboration designed to build on All For One Foundations mission and to enhance the four pillars of its mission. For more information, visit http://www.hbns.net. It's been eerily quiet on Twitter since Donald Trump was kicked off the platform last Friday evening, silencing the world's biggest social media foghorn. There was an immediate and urgent imperative to temporarily shut Trump down given the horrendous rampage at the US Capitol on Wednesday that he had so outrageously and recklessly fuelled, which was the very genuine fear there will be more violence from his frenzied mob of supporters - a threat that remains extremely high given just how dangerously brain-washed they have become thanks to Trump's incessant false claims to have had the election 'stolen' from him. But this wasn't just a suspension. Twitter announced it was banning Trump for life. (I refuse to call him 'President' anymore because he shouldn't be, and very soon won't be.) It said: 'After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence. In the context of horrific events this week, we made it clear on Wednesday that additional violations of the Twitter Rules would potentially result in this very course of action.' Trump was directly responsible for his supporters attacking the Capitol and therefore attacking the very heart of American democracy to try to overturn a fair and democratic election result. Trump screamed at supporters to 'STOP THE STEAL!' and, his thuggish goons, like Rudy Giuliani urged them to use 'combat' The message Trump gave his supporters was crystal clear: go to the Capitol and stop democracy happening. So, they went there and tried, and thankfully failed but six people died as a result of events that day including a police officer brutally murdered in the line of duty, and the mob being seen on camera chanting 'HANG MIKE PENCE! It's hard not to argue with the logic of this statement if you believe, as I do, that Trump was directly responsible for his supporters attacking the Capitol and therefore attacking the very heart of American democracy to try to overturn a fair and democratic election result. He screamed at them to 'STOP THE STEAL!' and Trump's thuggish goons like Rudy Giuliani urged them to use 'combat'. The message was crystal clear: go to the Capitol and stop democracy happening. So, they went there and tried, and thankfully failed but six people died as a result of events that day including a police officer brutally murdered in the line of duty, and the mob being seen on camera chanting 'HANG MIKE PENCE!' It was one of the darkest days in American history and the buck starts and stops with Donald Trump who didn't just lose the election but has lost his mind too. As I wrote in the aftermath, he should be removed from office immediately and barred from ever running again. But that doesn't necessarily justify Twitter's permanent ban on him, at least not if the tech giant wants to even pretend to be fair and consistent about their censorship policies. In its statement, it explained: 'Our public interest framework exists to enable the public to hear from elected officials and world leaders directly. It is built on a principle that the people have a right to hold power to account in the open. However, we made it clear going back years that these accounts are not above our rules and cannot use Twitter to incite violence. We will continue to be transparent around our policies and their enforcement.' Fine words, but how does Twitter square this with the fact that Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran still has an account? The man who tweeted this in June 2018: 'Our stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. Israel is a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.' Khamenei is self-evidently a world leader using Twitter not just to incite violence against a whole country and its 8.8 million people, but to have it and them 'eradicated'. He also made a direct threat against Americans for the killing of Iran's military supremo General Soleimani a year ago, tweeting on December 16, 2020: 'Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out shall be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time.' That threat has not been deleted, presumably meaning Twitter doesn't consider that it contravenes its policies. And Khamenei's Twitter account remains active, which is truly ironic given that he has banned 83 million Iranians from using it. How does Twitter square banning Trump with the fact that Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran still has an account. The man who tweeted this in June 2018: 'Our stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. Israel is a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.' Khamenei made a direct threat against Americans for the killing of Iran's military supremo General Soleimani a year ago, tweeting on December 16, 2020: 'Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out shall be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time' Indeed, he's been gleefully using it to taunt America since the Capitol Hill atrocity, sneering: 'Have you seen the situation in the U.S.? This is their democracy and this is their election fiasco. Today, the U.S. & 'American values' are ridiculed even by their friends.' On that last point, he's sadly not wrong. But how can Twitter justify letting Khamenei continue tweeting such threats if banned Trump? And here lies the problem for Twitter and all the other social media firms like Facebook who've belatedly raced to silence Trump after allowing him to spew his bellicose propaganda for five years. It's not just the Ayatollah of Iran who gets a pass. Several days ago, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. tweeted an outrageous defence of China's appalling genocidal abuse of Uighur Muslims. It read: 'Study shows that in the process of eradicating extremism, the minds of Uygur [sic] women in Xinjiang were emancipated and gender equality and reproductive health were promoted, making them no longer baby-making machines. They are more confident and independent.' The truth is that over a million Uighur Muslims have been incarcerated in concentration camps over the past few years and the women inmates have been subjected to a vile programme of forced sterilisation. Initially, and shockingly, Twitter said the tweet didn't violate its policies. Then, under pressure, it decided it did and replaced it with a message saying: 'This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules.' (This is not the first time Twitter's policy violation bar has twisted in the moral wind. In the run-up to the election, it was rightly condemned for blocking The New York Post's account after the newspaper published revelations about Hunter Biden's foreign business interests, only unblocking it after it came under huge criticism). But the Chinese Embassy's account has not been permanently banned for endorsing genocide. Neither have accounts belonging to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro or Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud both of whose many human rights abuses make Trump look like a choirboy. The account of former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also has not been shut down. After a teacher in France was murdered last October by an 18-year-old terrorist angered by him showing his class a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad, Mohamad tweeted: 'Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past' And nor has the account of former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who after a teacher in France was murdered last October by an 18-year-old terrorist angered by him showing his class a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad, tweeted: 'Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past.' So, it would seem you can threaten to 'eradicate' whole countries, promote genocide, or tell 1.8 billion Muslims they have a right to kill 'millions of French people', and keep your Twitter account. But if you're Donald Trump - and let me stress that I have no desire to defend the man ever again for anything - you can never tweet again. I don't like the idea of banning people from expressing their opinions. It goes against everything I believe about freedom of speech, especially in this dreadful cancel culture era. But even the First Amendment has restrictions, categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection under the Constitution including speech integral to illegal conduct and speech that incites imminent lawless action. It can be legitimately argued that Trump's constant lies about a 'stolen election' and his demands that the result be forcefully resisted, incited the mob to commit 'illegal conduct' and 'imminent lawless action' at the US Capitol. And that his tweeting after the attack made it clear he was going to carry on inciting the mob. It can be legitimately argued that Trump's constant lies about a 'stolen election' and his demands that the result be forcefully resisted, incited the mob to commit 'illegal conduct' and 'imminent lawless action' at the US Capitol Trump's stunningly reckless rhetoric prompted an incident that shamed America, attacked democracy, and ensured his presidency will now go down as the most ignominious in US history But it has been quite sinister to witness the speed in which the tech world has conspired to use the Capitol riot to silence not just Trump but entire right-wing social media platforms like Parler which has been effectively driven offline by Google, Apple and Amazon. Again, there are perfectly legitimate concerns surrounding Parler's failure to properly censor extremist material. But its users are already screaming that this is all a liberal conspiracy to shut down conservative voices. And this will only serve to inflame rather than dial down the terribly toxic partisan atmosphere in America right now. On balance, I think Donald Trump deserves to be kicked off Twitter following the terrible events of last week. His stunningly reckless rhetoric prompted an incident that shamed America, attacked democracy, and ensured his presidency will now go down as the most ignominious in US history. He can't be trusted not to continue inflaming a mob prepared to murder police officers and if they got the chance, and we heard this from their own mouths, elected officials. But if Trump has to go then Twitter and other social media firms have to be consistent and kick out everyone else whose rhetoric incites such violence or worse - starting with Iran's Supreme Leader. Otherwise, the censorship looks the way its targets claim it is: hypocritical and politically motivated. Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has announced the opening of a new 18-km-long stretch of the Adam-Haima-Thumrait dual carriageway for traffic, reported Oman News Agency. It is the longest dual carriageway in the sultanate, starting from the Wilayat of Adam in the Governorate of ADhakiliyah to the Wilayat of Haima in the Governorate of Al Wusta. It represents an important asset to the economic activities, serving Duqm Economic Zone and the oil fields in the desert areas. The ministry had recently awarded the contract for the remaining 400 km strech from Haima to Thumrait, stated the ONA report. With the opening of the 18-km stretch, now 280 km of the total 317.5-km Adam-Haima-Thumrait dual carriageway is open for traffic. This road will also contribute to the economic, tourism and social activities in the areas along the road path and in the Governorate of Dhofar, especially during Khareef season, it added. (Natural News) An expert virologist, pathologist and former chairman of a prominent medical association in Canada told officials in the province of Alberta that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a great hoax. This is why policies and mandates regarding face masks, social distancing and destructive economic lockdowns should all stop tomorrow. On Nov. 13, city councilors in Albertas provincial capital of Edmonton met to discuss the possibility of extending the citys mask mandate for public places to the end of the year. Listeners of the meeting were allowed to phone in to discuss their support or opposition to the mandate. One of the people who called in was Dr. Roger Hodkinson. Hodkinson introduced himself as a former chairman of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canadas Examination Committee in Pathology and the CEO of Western Medical Assessments, a biotechnology company that manufactures COVID-19 tests and which has offices in Edmonton and North Carolina. Hodkinson is also a certified general pathologist, a fellow in the College of American Pathologists and is recognized by the Court of Queens Bench in Alberta as an expert in pathology. (Related: Canadian Armed Forces launch investigation after soldier calls for public disobedience on coronavirus vaccinations.) There is utterly unfounded public hysteria driven by the media and politicians, said Hodkinson, who made it very clear he was against mask mandates and any attempt to continue or strengthen the lockdowns. Hodkinson continued by calling the coronavirus pandemic the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public. He added that he firmly believes that COVID-19 was just another bad flu. Positive test results do not, underlined in neon, mean a clinical infection, he added, stating that many people who have COVID-19 but are asymptomatic should stop driving public hysteria around the virus because it is leading to more lives being ruined by mask mandates and economic lockdowns. Watch this special Brighteon Conversations episode with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he interviews Dr. Paul Cottrell regarding the lies being propagated regarding the coronavirus vaccines, PCR tests and more. Hodkinson argues against masks and lockdowns Hodkinson went on to talk about how he believes face masks do not work in the way people think they do, saying that policies that promote or require the use of paper or fabric masks are simply virtue signaling. He continued by saying that face masks are utterly useless, that there is no evidence base for their effectiveness whatsoever and that any attempts to push mask mandates are utterly ridiculous. Theyre not even worn effectively most of the time. Its utterly ridiculous. Seeing these unfortunate, uneducated people Im not saying that in a pejorative sense seeing these people walking around like lemming obeying without any knowledge base to put the mask on their face. Hodkinson also lambasted social distancing protocols, calling them as useless as face masks because the coronavirus is spread by aerosols which travel 30 meters or so before landing. Social distancing rules in Alberta recommend that people stay at least two meters away from each other. There is a lot of evidence to support Hodkinsons claims against masks and social distancing. A major Danish study has found that face masks do not provide clear protection to the wearer from being infected by COVID-19. This study, which involved around 6,000 participants, found that the difference in infection rates between people who wore masks regularly and people who didnt is not big enough to conclude with certainty a benefit of using face masks with regard to protecting oneself from infection. Another study concluded that while so-called non-pharmaceutical interventions like social distancing, lockdowns and face masks may help slow down the spread of COVID-19, it will most likely result in a massive surge of flu cases next winter. Hodkinson continued by saying that nothing can really be done to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and that all people can really do is to protect those most vulnerable and most likely to succumb to the disease, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. The expert virologist noted that only one in 300,000 under 65 have died from the coronavirus in Alberta. Based on these statistics, it is outrageous for Alberta and the rest of Canada, for that matter to lock down their entire economies, especially for a disease that he believes is just another bad flu for younger demographics. Its politics playing medicine, and thats a very dangerous game, concludes Hodkinson. Im absolutely outraged that this has reached this level. It should all stop tomorrow. Medical groups in Canada strongly criticize Hodkinson Other prominent groups and individuals in the medical field have since come out against Hodkinson for his statements. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada claimed that Hodkinson was never a chairman. They did not deny that he has been a certified general pathologist since 1976. Their statement went on to say that they believe COVID-19 is a serious threat to the health of Canadians, and that the Royal College supports all health recommendations and orders given to the public by the Public Health Agency of Canada, including mask mandates, social distancing regulations and economically restrictive lockdowns. The Alberta Medical Association also came out against Hodkinson. They released a statement on social media that laboratory physicians in Alberta endorse the use of masks, hand washing and physical distancing along with all other public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Associated Press has attempted to reach out to Hodkinson but has not received a response. Learn more about how local, state and federal governments like in Alberta are using the pandemic as a justification to pass mandatory mask mandates, social distancing regulations and regressive economic lockdowns by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news. Sources include: WakingTimes.com APNews.com Alberta.ca TheLocal.dk DailyMail.co.uk TheWatchtowers.org you are here: John O. Brennan, the former C.I.A. director in the Obama administration, noted that Mr. Burns had long experience working with the agency during his ambassadorial postings and senior State Department posts. Mr. Brennan recounted how he and Mr. Burns gave a classified briefing to the Senate Intelligence Committee on a C.I.A. covert action program. He has deep substantive expertise, a wealth of experience working with C.I.A., and he understands the intelligence mission very well, Mr. Brennan said. The selection of Mr. Burns suggests that Mr. Biden is putting an emphasis on traditional national security threats. Mr. Burns has extensive experience with Iran and Russia. He was instrumental in starting the secret talks with Tehran during the Obama administration, which ultimately resulted in the agreement in which Iran agreed to give up its nuclear program in exchange for relief from punishing sanctions on its economy by six world powers, including the United States. Mr. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, and Mr. Burns could prove critical in aiding the administration in restarting discussions with Tehran. Mr. Burns sensed an opening with Iran in 2013, with the landslide election of Hassan Rouhani as president. He teamed up with Mr. Sullivan to meet with key Iranians to scope out the parameters of a possible deal. That mission was successful, though it took two more years to negotiate the deal. Mr. Burns also served as the ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008, making him a keen observer of President Vladimir V. Putin. Russian interference in American elections has been one of the most important intelligence issues in recent years. In all, Mr. Burns did two tours in Moscow and speaks Russian, deep knowledge that will serve him well in the new role, colleagues said. 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 IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-30921 According to this study, over the next five years, the IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions business, shared in Chapter 3. This IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP CreditPoint Software FundCount ProTrak International Broadridge Investment Management Solutions QED Financial System eFront Financial Solutions SoftTarget Inc. SunGard Finacials SimCorp Inc. Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-30921 This study considers the IT Asset Management Solutions 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. On-premise Cloud-based Hybrid Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Portfolio Management Compliance Risk Management Client Statements & Reporting Trade Order Management Workflow Automation Benchmarking Cash Flow & Accounting 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 IT Asset Management Solutions Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-30921 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions 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 IT Asset Management Solutions 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-it-asset-management-solutions-market-report-2020-by-regions-upcoming-trends-industry-analysis-and-global-demand-till-2025/ Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, and Cindy Williams, the movie told the tale of what a group of high-school teenagers was up to during a single night. And their activities included tons of racing in custom cars, including Ford Thunderbirds, Chevy Impalas, and One-Fifties , and even a Citroen 2CV.But there was another Ford in the flick, a very in-your-face, bright yellow 5-Window coupe from 1932 powered by a Chevy engine, one that, for all intents and purposes, reignited the industrys appeal for old Fords and directed it down the path that led to countless hot and street rods being made ever since.The Ford you see here is the latest tribute to American Graffiti, completed in 2019. It copies a lot of the original cars design, and even the choice of powertrain producer, although in this case, things get pumped up quite a bit.Were told the build took 4 years to complete, and what we got at the end is a Russ Nomore fiberglass body strapped over a custom chassis and powered by a massive GM 502ci (8.2-liter) engine, topped by a Demon 4-barrel carburetor and linked to a 5-speed manual transmission for ultimate kicks.The engine spins the American Racing staggered wheels (15-inch front and 18-inch rear), behind which sit independent front and 3-link rear suspension systems.The interior is as simple as they get in such builds, sporting a split bench with lap belts, Speedhut gauges behind the steering wheel, and an aftermarket audio system.The street rod is for sale , and if you want a shot at having this 1932 Ford American Graffiti in your garage, youll have to pony up $89,900 for it. A heartbroken wife is pleading for advice about saving her marriage after her husband 'found God' and now forbids her from using contraception. The man, who became 'very religious' over the past two years, was recently baptised into the Catholic Church, which teaches that birth control is 'intrinsically evil' and only permits natural methods of family planning such as menstrual cycle tracking. During his wife's second pregnancy, he told her he believes contraception 'is a sin' and banned her from taking the pill and other forms of hormonal birth control. The 36-year-old mother-of-two is not religious and doesn't want any more children due to health complications arising from her last pregnancy - differences that are driving a widening wedge between the couple. 'Telling him this lead to disagreement, then argument, then resentment,' the wife posted anonymously in an Australian parenting group on Facebook. A heartbroken Australian wife is pleading for advice about saving her marriage after her husband 'found God' and now forbids her from using contraception (stock image) 'We've been at odds for over a year now and there is still no resolve. Apparently all forms of contraception are sinful besides cycle tracking, which doesn't work for me.' She said she is devastated that her husband - who is a 'good man, wonderful father' and overall a supportive spouse - has allowed his strict interpretation of Catholicism to jeopardise their marriage. 'I'm so tired of it all,' she wrote. 'I feel that religion has no right to govern who loves who and how they do so, which has lead to more arguing.' The wife said she doesn't want to divorce her husband because he's 'such an amazing father' but feels 'lost' about how to resolve their growing differences. 'I never imagined in a million years I'd be in this situation,' she wrote. 'We were both agnostic all our adult lives. He said having children made him seek God, I feel so lost on what to do.' Her post has drawn dozens of sympathetic responses since it was uploaded online on Saturday. 'This is so hard. I respect all religions but don't understand how people cannot accept modern medicine,' one woman replied. A second added: 'I feel so so much for you deep in my heart. I'm so sorry.' 'Narcissistic control disguised as religious belief. Girl, red flag. Run,' said a third. A fourth felt the husband should take responsibility for birth control given the complications his wife suffered during pregnancy. 'He needs to really consider having a vasectomy,' she said. 'You have birthed his children, your body has grown both your children and if you have had complications and do not wish to have any more children your husband needs to respect your wishes.' Others offered advice they felt would save the marriage without leaving the wife in misery. What is the Catholic Church's stance on contraception? The Catholic Church forbids sex outside marriage, so its teachings about birth control should be understood in the context of husband and wife. The Church believes using contraception is 'intrinsically evil' in itself, regardless of the consequences. Catholics are only permitted to use natural methods of birth control. However the Church does not condemn things like the pill or condoms in themselves. What is morally wrong is using such things with the intention of preventing conception. Using them for other purposes is fine - for example, using the pill to regulate the periods of a woman who is not in a sexual relationship is not wrong. The Church teaches that using artificial contraception is wrong because - among other things - it breaks the natural connection between the procreative and the unitive purposes of sex, turns sex into a non-marital act and gives human beings the power to decide when a new life should begin - that power belongs to God. Source: BBC Religion Advertisement 'Take the pill hidden from him,' one woman wrote, while a second suggested getting a contraceptive IUD inserted in secret. 'I'm Catholic and believe in doing what is right for you! I take the pill, basically my theory is the church isn't raising my children, I am, so I will choose when to have my children,' said a third. A fourth implored the wife to stay true to her beliefs, even if it means ending her relationship. 'He can still be an amazing father to your children. My ex is. Don't ever live your life in unhappiness,' she wrote. But some saw the dilemma from the other side, suggesting the wife seek guidance 'from a priest' or a marriage counsellor. 'As a Catholic I can relate to your husband's point of view, and so it is a shame that natural family planning does not work you,' one woman wrote. 'This should not mean you have to feel lost, alone and powerless. This is never the aim of the Catholic church although at times it can seem you are left with no option. Many implored the wife to stay true to her beliefs, even if it means ending her marriage (stock image) 'I would suggest seeking advice from a priest - I am not saying this to be biased but rather so that you have a platform your husband will be happy with. Perhaps once you explain your issue with cycle tracking you will be given some other options.' A second said she understood the husband's aversion to the pill and encouraged the wife to find a middle ground for the sake of her marriage and children. 'I'm Catholic and don't believe in contraception either, natural family planning is just as if not more effective than contraception if used correctly,' she wrote. 'Having said that, it sounds like you both have very different and conflicting views. A marriage counselor may help you reach a compromise somehow?' Credit: University of Pennsylvania Scientific advancements can both heal and harm. The discoveries that underlie technologies from the gun to the atomic bomb emerged from the minds of scientists. Consequently, the creators of those and many other technologies have found themselves in moral quandaries resulting from the violent application of their insights. In a new book, "Rational Fog: Science and Technology in Modern Warfare," published by Harvard University Press, M. Susan Lindee, a professor in Penn's Department of History and Sociology of Science, explores how science and scientists have engaged in the advancement of military might. In nine chapters that span the invention of guns in the Middle Ages to the emergence of drone warfare, she charts the nuanced moral terrain scientists have walked in developing these technologies. Without labeling the work itself as moral or immoral, Lindee notes how some researchers embraced the implications of their studies and innovations, while others distanced themselves from the consequences. The book is already generating discussion among historians of science and technology; Japanese and Russian translations are in the works. Lindee spoke with Penn Today about "Rational Fog," including how it emerged from her teaching at Penn; the moral crises some scientists faced; and what the flashpoints for science's application in violence may be in years to come. What is the origin story of the book? It's a long set of thought processes. I've been teaching the course Science, Technology, and War for almost 20 years. As I taught the course I've been continually trying to think, "How do you convey this subject to students? How can you help them see what escapes them? What will they read that will really connect with them?" My own research has been about the atomic bomb and the Cold War and how geneticists and biological scientists navigated this era, how they reacted to the idea that military interests could shape their interests. I got interested in the bigger theme and the more personal theme: How do individuals navigate these complex and morally vexing circumstances? So I thought, "Let's pay attention to how individuals make their way through circumstances they consider vexed or contradictory to their core values." I didn't want to say, "Here are the good guys, and here are the bad guys." It's a way of making yourself innocent. What do you mean by 'making yourself innocent?" One thing I'm trying to suggest is, in the complexity of the culture we live in now, it's hard to see how you get to an innocent place, how you don't have a connection to suffering. So given that, I'm interested in what it means to move forward with integrity. In the book, these guysand it's mostly guys I'm talking aboutthey were caught in a system that violated some core values of what it meant to be a good person. I focus on the individual, what happens to the individuals who are caught inside these massive systems. The book runs essentially chronologically, with each chapter focusing on different time periods or different wars. Why did you choose that structure? The book very much reflects my lectures. The first chapter, on the gun, asks how a gun is to be understood as part of a sociotechnical system. It's about using the gun and even rejecting it. That lecture began as, "What does it mean to stand with a gun in your arms? What is the culture you're inside when you hold this thing steady, an object capable of inflicting injury at a distance?" So it is chronological in some ways, but it's not a conventional history. It starts not with a detailed history of the gun but rather an exploration of what you learn if you think about the gun in that way. I'm interested in what the historical experiences of these technological systems help us see. What do they bring out into the open? Some readers might be surprised to see the links between social science and war, which you talk about in a later chapter, "Battlefield of the Mind." The social science stuff is fascinating. When debates about the creation of the National Science Foundation began in 1946, it was in theory a replacement for the wartime Office of Scientific Research and Development. OSRD did so much. It started work on the atomic bomb; it oversaw the development of penicillin. Scientists came out of the Second World War feeling like they had transformed the war; they won the war not just with the bomb but with healing technologies, too. When the NSF was finally approved by Congress in 1950, it included no money for the social sciences. Social sciences were considered a lower form of technological knowledge productionway below physics for example! But eventually it was understood by U.S. leaders that the social sciences were going to be important for learning how you can persuade people, how you can control human behavior. The Cold War was a war of display of weaponry, but it was also a war of persuasion. They had to persuade people in what was then called the Third World or what we call the Global South or the poor world that democracy and capitalism were better than communism. Social science could help address this with investigations of how the human mind works, how can you educate people because education is a form of persuasion. Anthropology became a hand maiden to the Cold War, and of course psychology was also really important. A lot of this work obviously happened at universities, like Penn. Can you describe how research ties together the modern university and war? The modern university was invented as a site of defense funding. Who went to college in the early 1900s? A very small percentage of the population. Many colleges were not accessible to women, many were not accessible to people marked by race in any way. It was a very narrow thread of wealthy white guys who went to college. So what happened to universities in the U.S. and elsewhere was shaped by the Second World War and the realization that victory might depend on having good scientists. And there is not any scientific field that did not at some point get pulled into defense interests in the course of the 20th centuryeven fields like archeology and ornithology. The number of faculty went up like a balloon in the '50s and '60s. People would finish their Ph.D. and have seven job offers. And as a result, there were shifts in who was supposed to go to college. It became plausible for someone from the working class to attend university. And this period also sees the opening of many universities to women, especially public universities. You can talk about all the liberal ideas at universities. But they are also defense hubs. They make new knowledge for national defense organizations. And you note that the reverse is true, that war is a hub for new scientific knowledge. One of the key arguments in the book proposes that battlefields have been significant scientific field sites over the last century. I show how scientific research could be built into invasion plans, and knowledge could be one downstream result of violence, just as violence was one downstream outcome of knowledge production. The idea that war generates 'collateral data' in this wayunexpected knowledge produced by the chaos of warhas been noticed by reviewers and picked up by other scholars. I also propose, somewhat controversially, that those injured and killed by weapons systems should be understood, in our historical accounts, as 'consumers' of weapons systems. So much historical attention has been afforded to those who make weapons, use them, and decide to deploy them. But understanding technological systems of all kinds requires attention to those who consume them. The experiences of these involuntary consumers on the ground are crucial to any historical assessment of military technology. I actually find it a bit odd that entire books can be written about guns without mentioning people who were shot and killed. Your title references the "fog of war," but what do you mean by "rational fog?" In my field there's a lot of attention to modern rationality. The concept comes out of the scientific revolution. It's the valorization of the idea that reason can get us somewhere new, somewhere different, with a better understanding of the world. When Carl von Clausewitz, a Prussian military analyst, talks about the fog of war, he means that the view of a commander moving into a battlefield is obstructed, that the situation is uncertain and unpredictable. Decisions about when to attack, when to withdraw, take place in a kind of a dream state of intuition, experience, guessing. My title extends this idea to technical experts. I suggest that my actors, the scientists I write about, who valorize reason and who take reason as the purpose of their work and their life, are also themselves inside the fog. The fog is a moral and ethical fog. They're moving forward, trying to make decisions about what questions to pursue and technologies to produce, often doing so without foresight, reflection, or overt ethics. What do you see as the major moral scientific quandaries to come in the future? The brutal stuff that's coming is drones and cyberwar. I talk about both in the book's conclusion. Cyberwar is now where significant funding is going. States and nonstate actors are already engaged in manipulating information in cyberwar. But there are also equally scary efforts aimed at intrusion into corporate networks, disruption of banking systems, having an impact on water purification systems, or, most recently, disrupting the cold chain for the new coronavirus vaccine. These are nightmare scenarios. Drones are somewhat different. I talk in the course and in the book about how drones affect the concentration of military power. They remove what we might call a natural brake on military action. Individuals can and do sometimes refuse to fight; soldiers can shoot their guns above people's heads, they can desert, they can protest, all forms of resistance. All through the history of warfare, in order to have an effective army, it has been necessary for states to persuade relatively large numbers of people to fight. The new prospect of drone warfare is roughly this: A billionaire can have an army of 100,000 and doesn't have to persuade a single person that their cause is just. We're not there exactly yet, but drones are a way of concentrating power in corporate actors, or extremely wealthy individuals. Military theorists propose that the robot or the drone eliminates the risks to individual soldiers, but the risks to individual soldiers are part of what puts a brake on violence. How did you get interested in the questions of science applied in war in general? I was raised in an intense Catholic environment. I grew up in a world where the words of a priest determined what truth was. Even then I began to think, "Do priests have a reason for what they believe? Do they know what they're talking about?" It was a very powerful system for policing truth. And when I got interested in science it was exactly that property of scienceas a philosophical system for policing truth and deciding what's truethat interested me. In looking at these difficult subjects what I'm saying is, "Let's notice this; let's not turn away from this." Why do we how to send a missile around the curve of the earth while we don't know how to cure malaria? There's an inherent critique in the book: What if we turned knowledge to human needs and human benefits instead? One of my friends says the book is subversively pacifist. Maybe that's true. Explore further Killer apps: New book explores media systems and the rise of military automation Near Bab al-Khalil on the western side of Jerusalem's walls and to the north of the King David Hotel lies the Jerusalem branch of the Rome-based Pontifical Biblical Institute that is affiliated with the Jesuit Catholic order. The Jerusalem institute is composed of a church, a library and a museum that displays rare relics dating back thousands of years. To emphasize the sanctity of the site, a photo of Saint Ignatius of Loyola hangs on the entrance to the institute. Saint Ignatius, who was born in 1491 in the city of Azpeitia in the Basque Country, Spain, is the co-founder and first leader of the Jesuit order. He had visited Jerusalem in 1523. Al-Monitor spoke to archaeological researcher Abeer Zayyad, who is also the former director of the Arab department at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. The building housing the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem was built by the Vatican in the 19th century as a scientific and research institution affiliated with the Catholic Church. The three-story building is dedicated to teaching the Bible to students of various nationalities enrolled in the institute. She said, On its first floor, the building houses a small church and a museum that contains a rare archaeological collection, dating back to the first Paleolithic period until the Islamic era. The museum is home to many artifacts discovered by the monks of the monastery who conducted archaeological excavations in the Dead Sea and the Jordan River during the 1930s. These artifacts are mostly related to the Ghassulian civilization in the region that ended at about 4000-3900 BC, and the archaeological findings date back to the Chalcolithic period. Zayyad added, The museum contains findings from the eponymic site of Teleilat el-Ghassul such as drawings symbolizing the Ghassulian civilization, in addition to the bones of a baby buried in a jar, a ritual practiced in Palestine for burying children at the time, as well as a large collection of ancient pottery utensils and cooking tools. She noted that the museum also houses a mummy brought from Egypt to Jerusalem, distinguished by its distinctive mummification technique that preserved its structure intact. She asserted that the mummy is the only one in Palestine. Many museums in Palestine and even inside Israel borrow the mummy to introduce their visitors to some of the Pharaonic civilization antiquities, she said. The museum [at Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem] opens its doors to visitors weekdays to view its rare collections." She further said the museum displays copper and stone Pharaonic seals and statues along with various figures of a Pharaonic scarab. It also includes pottery and glass utensils from the Abbasid, Umayyad and Ottoman periods, in addition to a large collection of oil lamps and small sharp weapons dating back to the Stone, Greek, Bronze, Byzantine and Islamic periods. Robin Abu Shamsiyya, a researcher in the history of Jerusalem, told Al-Monitor, The Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem includes a library, a church, a museum and a kitchen on the first floor. The second and third floors include classrooms and rooms for accommodating students coming to the institute from Italy and France to study the four Gospels of the New Testament, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John during the fourth century. Abu Shamsiyya said, The Jerusalem branch includes antiquities dating back to the Bronze, Copper and Stone ages up to the Islamic and Ottoman periods such as tools for agriculture and adornment, as well as statues of the gods worshipped during these periods in the Levant. These findings were brought by the monks from the Dead Sea, the Jordan River and the Negev as well as from northern Palestine in Safed and Galilee. He noted, The papal museum is qualified to preserve all the archaeological finds just like any international museum. Many artifacts are preserved in glass boxes designed in a professional manner, with lighting from all sides to ensure an attractive display. He concluded, The Old City of Jerusalem is witnessing an increasing tourist movement. Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are also popular historical sites. Roughly 6.5 million pilgrims visited the church during 2019. Yet there are no official statistics about visitors to Al-Aqsa Mosque amid the Israeli restrictions imposed on movement from and to the mosque. Regarding the reasons why most Christian churches and institutes in the Old City of Jerusalem are affiliated with a number of European countries, Abu Shamsiyya explained, These countries sought to control the city of Jerusalem and Palestine indirectly during the Renaissance in the 19th century. European countries would dispatch archaeologists and researchers as well as missionary monks whose task was to spread the message of the Latin Church by establishing schools and printing houses. This brought many of the archaeological sites in the Old City of Jerusalem under European control. Hanna Issa, secretary-general of the Islamic-Christian Commission in Support of Jerusalem and Holy Sites, told Al-Monitor, Palestine includes 15 Christian sects, including the Greek, Catholic, Coptic, Latin, Greek Orthodox, Syriac, Circassian, Armenian, Ethiopian, Maronite and Protestant. He said, "The Old City of Jerusalem includes churches that house several museums and archaeological assets such as the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, the Armenian Cathedral of Saint James, and the Catholic Church of Saint Anne. Issa added, Christian churches and institutions just like Islamic institutions are exposed to continuous Israeli attacks in the Old City of Jerusalem, most notably the attack on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 1967, and the burning of the Greek Orthodox Church in 2015. Most recently, on Dec. 4, an Israeli settler attempted to set fire to East Jerusalem's Gethsemane Church in the Mount of Olives area. He poured fuel on the wooden church benches, but his attempt failed after the residents of the area intervened to control the fire before it consumed the entire church. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 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. DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Humacyte, Inc., a leading innovator in regenerative medicine and biotechnology, announced that Founder and CEO Laura Niklason, M.D., Ph.D. will present virtually at the 39th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 11 at 8:05 a.m. EST. Dr. Niklason will present an overview of Humacyte's groundbreaking regenerative medicine therapies, including its extensive technology platform, product pipeline, and late-stage clinical programs in vascular trauma repair and AV access for hemodialysis. Founder and CEO Laura Niklason, M.D., Ph.D. The annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is the largest and most informative healthcare investment symposium in the industry, bringing together industry leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators, and members of the investment community. With speakers from more than 400 public and private companies and 8,000 participants, the three-day invite only conference is the largest healthcare investment symposium of its kind. The audio webcast of Dr. Niklason's presentation will be streamed online and can be accessed here. https://jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healthcare21/sessions/35813-humacyte-inc/webcast?gpu_only=true&kiosk=true About Humacyte Humacyte, Inc., a privately held regenerative medicine company based in Durham, North Carolina, is pioneering the development and manufacture of off-the-shelf, universally implantable, bioengineered human tissues designed to improve the lives of patients and transform the practice of medicine. Our technology has the potential to overcome limitations in existing standards of care and address the lack of significant innovation in products that support tissue repair, reconstruction and replacement. Leveraging our novel, best-in-class, scalable technology platform, we are developing proprietary, bioengineered, acellular human tissues that are designed to regenerate and have been demonstrated to become the patient's own living tissue. Our goal is to develop and manufacture these tissues for the treatment of diseases and conditions across a range of anatomic locations in multiple therapeutic areas. These efforts, if approved, would benefit people with traumatic vascular injuries, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD); and could potentially help patients needing vascular reconstruction and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Humacyte was co-founded in 2004 by Laura Niklason, M.D., Ph.D., a world leader in cellular therapies/regenerative medicine; biomedical engineer Dr. Shannon Dahl; and molecular biologist Dr. Juliana Blum. Visit humacyte.com for more information. Contact Investor Relations Mike Piccinino, CFA (Westwicke, IR for Humacyte): [email protected] Media Relations Nirav Suchak (ICR, PR for Humacyte): 646-277-1257; [email protected] humacyte.com SOURCE Humacyte, Inc. India on Monday delivered relief supplies, including dignity kits containing hygiene and sanitary items and sleeping mats to Fiji for the cyclone-affected families. The relief materials were handed over to India Seruiratu, Minister for Defence and Disaster Management. "Relief supplies from India were handed over by the AHC Suva to Minister for Defence and Disaster Management, Hon. @ISeruiratu for supporting the @FijianGovt's recovery efforts after #TCYasa. India providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Indo-Pacific #IPOI," India in Fiji tweeted. Having been received the aid, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Fiji expressed gratitude to India for providing humanitarian assistance for the cyclone-affected families. On January 2, India delivered the first consignment of relief materials to the cyclone-hit Fiji, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said. Fiji was hit by a Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasa on December 17-18, 2020, which caused extensive damage and destruction of critical infrastructure. The Ministry had said that India has firmly stood by Fiji during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters like Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016. US Democrats to step up their bid to impeach Donald Trump Nepal PM vows to retrieve three territories from India Indonesian divers find parts of plane wreckage in Java Sea New cases of Covid-19 in Laois have soared again today, with Ireland now having the highest infection rate in the world. There have been 63 new cases in Laois reported this Monday, according to the latest figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) which reported nearly 5,000 more new cases as the third wave continues to surge. NPHET's daily update on Monday, January 11 shows the 63 new cases in Laois by midnight, Sunday, January 10. The new cases mean that the incidence in Laois is now 911.1 per 100,000 population on the back of 772 new cases in the past 14 days. There have now been a total of 2,004 cases in Laois since February 2020. More than a third, or 777, of the officially confirmed cases in Laois during the entire pandemic, have emerged in Laois since Christmas Day. The daily figure contrasts with just six new cases emerging on Friday but 102 yesterday for Laois. Ireland was shown to have the highest rate of infection in the world last week. Read more here. Across Ireland, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 8 additional deaths related to COVID-19. There has been a total of 2,352 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Sunday 10th January, the HPSC has been notified of 4,929 more confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 152,539* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The backlog cases in Ireland since Christmas have now been dealt with according to Professor Philip Nolan, and 80% of the cases reported today are swabs taken in the last three days. Over the last 5 days the daily the average case count has stabilised. Positive swabs have stabilised at around 5,000 per day since January 2. The national incidence is now 1378.7 per 100 k on the back of 65,650 new cases in just two weeks. However Laois now ranks fourth best in Ireland for having the lowest 14 day incidence. SEE TABLE AT END OF STORY. The situation is going to get worse before it improves, Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said today. While we are seeing the first glimmer of hope in respect of our daily case figures and positivity rates, the situation in hospitals and ICUs around the country continues to worsen day on day. We know that hospitalisations occur some weeks after a confirmed case is notified, and mortality after that again. That means we are unfortunately set for a period of time where the situation in our hospitals gets worse before it gets better. The best way forward now is for all of us to stay at home. Staying at home and cutting your contacts right down to only those in your immediate household is the one vital way we will protect our healthcare system as it struggles with the burdens brought on by this surge in COVID-19 infections," Dr Holohan said. Read also: SHARP RISE IN ADMISSIONS TO PORTLAOISE HOSPITAL Of the cases notified today NPHET highlighted 1,513 in Dublin, 695 in Cork, 320 in Limerick, 305 in Wexford, 225 in Galway. The remaining 1,871 cases are spread across all other counties. COUNTY BREAKDOWN IN TABLE AT END OF STORY. It also noted that of the new cases 2,250 are men / 2,641 are women, 59% are under 45 years of age while the median age is 39 years old. As of 2pm Sunday, 1,582 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 146 are in ICU. 156 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. Dr Michael Power, HSE Clinical Lead for Intensive Care gave the ICU update today. Over the past weeks, we have seen a swift and sharp spike in admissions into critical care units across the country. As of this morning, we have 146 people sadly in ICU. This is nearing the springtime peak of 155 people in critical care. The potential long-term impacts on these patients health is stark and significant. ICUs are not where we want anyone to be. They are our very last line of defence against COVID-19. The best way we can protect our ICU capacity and those that work in them is to stay at home. Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group said staying at home for the next week is vital. "The alarming level of disease is unprecedented in terms of our experience of the levels of COVID-19 in the community. We are seeing numbers of cases per day, and numbers in hospital, that we just could not have comprehended prior to Christmas. The tools to address this accelerated growth rate are in our hands and we know from experience how we can significantly suppress transmission of the virus. We are beginning to see the first signs of the impact of the latest public health measures, with test positivity falling and case numbers starting to stabilise, but this will only continue if every one of us is committed to following the public health advice to stay at home and work from home as much as possible. This is vital in order to make significant headway over the next 7 days and to reduce the pressure on our health services and healthcare colleagues. Dr Cillian De Gascun, Medical Virologist and Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory gave the latest on the UK variant of Covid-19 in Ireland. Further testing of COVID-19 samples indicates that the UK variant continues to account for an increasing number of cases more than 40% of the positive cases tested in the last 7 days can be traced back to this variant. The greater risk of infection posed by this new variant increases the risk of transmission of the disease in the community. Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for vigilance in our individual response to the disease, which is spread through close proximity to others. This virus cannot spread when households do not mix together, when social gatherings do not occur and when people stay at home for all but essential reasons. Professor Karina Butler, Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee said vaccines are rolling out. The roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine programme is underway. The recent authorisation of the 2nd COVID-19 vaccine for Europe, Moderna, and the latest news on the Astra Zeneca approval process gives us cause for hope for rapid community vaccination against COVID-19 in coming months. Every time we wash our hands, wear a face covering and keep a two metre distance from others, we are protecting the most vulnerable in our society and our frontline healthcare workers and giving all of us much needed additional time for more vaccines to be administered. The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community. *Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 3 confirmed cases. The figure of 152,539 confirmed cases reflects this. A woman and three children have died in a horror house fire in Melbourne Kaoru Okano and her three girls tried in vain to take cover in home's en suite A man was able to escape the home but is in a serious condition in hospital It took firefighters several hours to bring the deadly blaze under control Devastated neighbours have paid tribute to the young mum and her children Her husband had not been seen by neighbours for up to three weeks A mother who died along with her three young daughters in a catastrophic house fire had allegedly separated from their father just weeks earlier, according to neighbours. Emergency crews rushed to the townhouse on Tulloch Grove in Glen Waverley in Melbourne's eastern suburbs at about 1.40am on Sunday after the property's garage caught alight. ADVERTISEMENT Kaoru Okano and her three girls - aged three, five, and seven - had tried in vain to take cover from the blaze in the en suite bathroom as the suburban home became engulfed in smoke. Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia her husband, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, was black with soot as he attempted to douse the flames. Scroll down for video Kaoru Okano lost her life alongside her three young daughters (pictured) in a horrific house fire in Melbourne's east in the early hours of Sunday morning The young family had no chance of escaping the inferno (pictured, the rear of their home) Kaoru Okano (pictured with one of her daughters) had tried to take cover from the blaze in the home's en-suite bathroom as the property became engulfed in smoke Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia her husband, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, (pictured) was black with soot as he attempted to douse the flames 'He was out the front. His face was black,' Hanish Poonia said on Monday. Neighbours had noted Mr Kikuchi had been been notably absent from the property for the past few weeks. It is not suggested that Mr Kikuchi was in any way involved in starting the house fire. Police investigators are treating the blaze as suspicious and the home remained cordoned off as detectives combed through the scene on Sunday. A 50-year-old man, believed to be the father of the dead children, escaped the flames but was taken to hospital in a serious condition where he remains under police guard. Click here to resize this module Neighbours have described seeing the family return home in the hours before the tragedy. They had appeared happy, with the children enjoying ice-creams. Alex Rodriquez said it appeared like any ordinary night in the neighbourhood until they woke to the sounds of screams and 'banging'. 'My brother told us to get out as quickly as possible,' he said. Mr Rodriquez said the tragedy had shocked residents across the adjoining townhouses. 'The mother was beautiful. She was a wonderful, devoted, loving mother - the girls were beautiful and that's what's the saddest part about it. ADVERTISEMENT 'I saw them every single day going to school, the mum taking them. They were beautiful.' On Monday, friends and strangers alike attended the property to leave flowers and other tributes to the family. Strangers attended the home on Monday to lay flowers and other tributes People continued to bring flowers throughout Monday Hanish Poonia lived directly next door to the family. He saw their father covered in black soot as he attempted to help stop the blaze Ms Okano regularly posted loving photos to Facebook of her children smiling and playing together Fire investigators returned to the home, checking licence plates in the car park underneath the rows of townhouses. Police said it may be 24 to 48 hours before the man taken to hospital is capable of being interviewed. Neighbours have spoken of the chaotic moments that claimed the lives of the young family. It took only minutes for the fire, which is believed to have started in the garage below the property, to turn into an inferno. The garage was reportedly full of flammable materials such as oils, chemicals and rubbish. Mr Rodriguez, whose partner is on crutches, said they had no time to render assistance. 'We had to get out as quickly as possible and the fireys were all screaming at us to leave, so we had to just get out,' he said. Neighbours have described the family as 'ordinary', with no apparent signs of conflict within the home. Hiroyuki Kikuchi remains in hospital with serious burns after attempting to save his family from the fire Hiroyuki Kikuchi in happier times Tributes have been left outside the home where the young family perished Alex Rodriguez (right) and his partner were forced to flee their own home as the inferno took hold. The mother's body was found by emergency crews huddled together with those of her young girls Police take a look at the boarded-up garage where the inferno is believed to have started The house fire has also left another man in hospital with serious injuries (pictured, police at the scene on Saturday night) 'We've just noticed that the father hasn't been around the past few weeks. And he lived here,' a neighbour said. Ms Okano had regularly posted loving photos of her children on Facebook as they smiled and played together. Her husband is believed to own a Japanese restaurant in Richmond in Melbourne's inner-city. Detective Senior Sergeant Neville Major said the bodies were found 'huddled together' in the bathroom. ADVERTISEMENT 'There has been a very tragic incident here. There is a lot of damage in the garage area and the house has been engulfed in smoke,' he said. It took 35 firefighters several hours to bring the blaze under control, at which point they found the four bodies in the wreckage. Authorities are working to determine the cause of the fire, but the arson squad has been drafted in to investigate. The tragedy comes just a month after another fire, allegedly deliberately lit, claimed the lives of three Melburnians. Abbey Forrest, 19, Inda Sohal, 28, and their baby daughter Ivy were all killed in the blaze at Point Cook in Melbourne's south-west. Jenny Hayes, 46, was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and arson causing death after allegedly starting the fire. Anyone with further information on the Glen Waverly blaze is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Hiroyuki Kikuchi remains in hospital after the tragic fire A view of the backyard of the home where four were killed The backyard of the house where four perished in a tragic fire on Sunday Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The first batch of coronavirus vaccines is set to arrive in the Philippines next month, but lives will not yet return to pre-pandemic times for at least two years, an official said on Monday. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said during a Senate inquiry that the shipment carrying 50,000 doses will be delivered on February 20. He refused to name which brand of vaccine will finally reach the country, but said it's either from Sinovac, Novavax, or AstraZeneca. The Philippines recently secured 25 million doses from China's Sinovac, 30 million doses from US drugmaker Novavax, and six million doses from UK-based AstraZeneca through a tripartite agreement with the private sector. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the initial 50,000 doses from Sinovac will arrive next month. Galvez was pressed by Senator Panfilo Lacson when the vaccination program will be carried out. "Para naman umasa 'yung mga kababayan natin na sa February 28 or sa March 1 mababakunahan sila, pwede ba i-share mo sa amin kailan yung unang bakuna sa tantya mo?" he asked during the Senate Committee of the Whole's hearing into the government's vaccine plan. [Translation: So the public can be excited to know if they can be vaccinated by February 28 or March 1. Share when the first vaccination will be carried out based on your estimate.] Galvez replied it may happen in the "third or fourth week of February," hopeful that at least two million Filipinos will be vaccinated by April. He said Metro Manila, Cebu City, Davao City, and other areas with high attack rates will receive the first shots. Of the three brand options given by Galvez, only AstraZeneca has applied for emergency use in the country. Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said its approval may come in the next few weeks. The FDA's authorization is necessary for the vaccines to be legally used in the country. Late in queue? With neighboring countries like Singapore and Indonesia already starting or about to start their vaccination drives, Senator Richard Gordon questioned why the country was late in procuring the vaccines. Hindi kaya pinagbibigyan natin 'yung isa bansa diyan na gusto magbili sa atin? Pero medyo nakaantala 'yun sa atin dahil umaasa tayo na mabibigyan tayo ng libre, pressed Gordon as he cited the governments preference for Chinese vaccines. [Translation: Are we not just waiting for a specific country to sell us their vaccines? But it just delayed our plans because we are expecting that we would be granted free vaccines.] In response, National Action Plan against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon denied that the government is favoring some vaccine manufacturers. Hindi po 'yun ang rason. Wala po tayong policy na pinapaboran ang isang vaccine o isang bansa. Lahat po ng vaccines na safe and effective ay ipu-pursue ng national government, vaccine czar, at vaccine cluster, said Dizon. [Translation: Thats not the reason. We dont have a policy which favors a specific vaccine brand or country. All vaccines that are proven safe and effective will be pursued by the national government, the vaccine czar, and the vaccine cluster.] The country is expected to receive 25 million doses of vaccines from Chinese firm Sinovac this year, with the initial 50,000 doses available as early as February. Despite concerns and criticisms on Sinovacs 50% efficacy rate, the FDA said it will await the final clinical trial report as some countries have reported better results with the Chinese vaccine. Moreover, Dizon said the Philippines is not being left behind when it comes to vaccine procurement, as Galvez immediately talked with vaccine manufacturers after he was named vaccine czar. Yung mga finalization po ng ating mga agreements sa kanila [vaccine manufacturers] ay nangyayari na po ngayong buwan ng January, he said. [Translation: The finalization of our agreements with them are already taking place this January.] Simulation Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the simulation for the COVID-19 vaccine process will be conducted in Pasig City on the third week of January. He clarified that it will not include actual inoculation. This is going to be an exercise in simulation, not necessarily giving the vaccines already. We will subject the process to stress test, said Duque. During the Senate hearing, the Health chief said some 4,512 sites are targeted as vaccination hubs. He added that in each site, 300 individuals can be vaccinated daily. Once the COVID-19 vaccination program starts, everyone will be asked to sign a consent form and watch a video about vaccines before inoculation. The Health Department would also conduct a post-vaccination monitoring and surveillance on possible side effects of the vaccines. The government aims to vaccinate 50 million to 70 million Filipinos this year using vaccines from at least seven pharmaceutical companies. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III wishes to achieve herd immunity this year, admitting this is the best-case scenario. Galvez hopes to restore normalcy in the lives of Filipinos by 2023 three years since the pandemic started. He said this is only possible though the cooperation of the national government, local government units, the public, and other stakeholders. "It is only through this that we can implement a sustainable immunization program to recover the economy and restore normalcy in the lives of the Filipino people by 2023," he said. DUBAI, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UnionPay International (UPI) and PayTabs, MENA's award-winning payment solutions powerhouse, today announced a strategic partnership that allows PayTabs merchants to offer UnionPay Cards as an alternative payment method to customers who purchase goods and services online in the United Arab Emirates. The collaboration aims to service thousands of PayTabs merchants in retail, travel, hospitality, healthcare, education, F&B, and other industries, to improve the checkout experience of their customers and thereby increase their online sales conversion. At the same time, with access to PayTabs merchants in the UAE, UnionPay Cardholders can benefit from multiple transaction categories which include everything from booking a taxi, ordering food, making a hotel reservation, to shopping for clothes or groceries online. To date, eight billion UnionPay cards have been issued globally, giving PayTabs merchants in the UAE access to tap into this profitable segment of cardholders that have higher spending potential. Commenting on the collaboration, PayTabs CEO and founder, Abdulaziz Al Jouf said, "We are in the business of assisting thousands of merchants globally to understand their customer's local alternatives to making payments. Our partnership with UnionPay International aims to facilitate online shopping for billions of UnionPay customers around the world who can proudly use their cards to make purchases from our premium merchant base in the United Arab Emirates. Empowering both merchants and customers is a game changer in today's payment ecosystem." "We have been actively improving various convenient and safe innovative payment services to provide UnionPay cardholders with better payment experiences. With no doubt, smooth online payment solutions provided by UnionPay bring convenience and ensure safety during the pandemic," said James Yang, General Manager of UnionPay International Middle East Branch. "In addition, the collaboration will also help boost local e-commerce and the overall economic development in the UAE and assist local merchants in expanding their customer base and transaction volume." About UnionPay International UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with more than 2300 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 179 countries and regions with issuance in 63 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost-effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants. For more information, please visit http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/. About PayTabs PayTabs is an award winning, B2B, payments solutions powerhouse founded by Saudi entrepreneur Abdulaziz Al Jouf in June 2014. Today, PayTabs processes transactions in 168 currencies, safely and securely. Using API plugins, PayTabs facilitates seamless B2B ecommerce, m-commerce, and social commerce solutions for SME's across 49 industries to 'plug and play' payment features onto their websites. PayTabs prides itself on offering electronic invoicing services enabling businesses to enjoy paperless invoicing and pay via secure payment links. Over the years, PayTabs has in-built and exported a full stack of game changing solutions, including mobile applications, hospitality, governmental, education, airline, travel, transport, and biller solutions, to interlink the multi-billion-dollar enterprise market chain in the MENA region. For more information, please visit https://site.paytabs.com/en/. While the COVID-19 pandemic presents risks for directors and officers (D&O), it is far from the only force these insureds and their insurers will be dealing with in the year ahead. Rising insolvency exposures, growing cybersecurity threats and persistent securities class action activity are among the other key risks where executives of companies could be held liable, according to a new report, Directors and Officers Insurance Insights 2021, from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). In 2021, companies will also need to be on guard against event-driven litigation caused by inaction on diversity, poor sustainability performance or for underestimating or misrepresenting COVID-19 related risks. The report contends these factors will exacerbate an already-strained D&O insurance market. Growth in the number of lawsuits, as well as rising claims frequency and severity, has already resulted in a difficult environment for the D&O insurance sector in recent years. Underwriting results have been negative in many markets around the world, including Australia, the UK, the U.S. and parts of Europe. While the market was correcting itself at the beginning of 2020, it was then hit by the current pandemic and economic crisis. Many insurers are still digesting the effect of previous pricing inadequacy and exposure and loss trend increases from prior-year policies, says Shanil Williams, global head of Financial Lines at AGCS. This is also at a time of great uncertainty around forward-looking exposure assessments, in particular the impact of COVID-19 on the economy in general and on specific industries. Williams said these conditions, when combined with climate change, cyber risks or ESG (environmental, social or governance) factors, create a lot of nervousness in this sector. Top Concerns The sector will also be watching insolvencies, which are a key cause of D&O claims as insolvency administrators usually look to recoup losses from directors. According to Euler Hermes, the bulk of insolvencies is still to come through the first half of 2021, with its global insolvency index likely to hit a record high for bankruptcies, up 35% by end of 2021, and with top increases expected in the U.S., Brazil, China and core European countries such as the UK, Italy, Belgium and France. We expect markets to remain fragile in view of the recent extreme bullish reaction to positive COVID-19 vaccine news, said David Van den Berghe, global head of Financial Institutions at AGCS. Further, the tech war between the U.S. and China, and the end of the Brexit transition period, will remain top of mind as well, and adds to an overall high level of economic uncertainty. Companies also face a constantly evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats as ransomware attacks and data breaches continue to be on the rise, while the shift to remote working due to COVID-19 is believed to have generally increased security vulnerabilities. Investors view cyber risk management and adequate security standards as a critical component of a boards oversight responsibilities, the authors note. Class Actions and COVID Cases New U.S. securities class actions filings were pacing about 18% behind rates seen in 2019 during the first half of 2020, according to Cornerstone Research, largely due to the disruption of business and court activity caused by the pandemic. Nonetheless, the report says, the frequency of court filings is on track to match rates in 2017 and 2018 and will be well in excess of every year prior to those. The percentage of new filings in 2020 targeting foreign-domiciled, U.S.-listed companies has been nearly twice the average in recent years, with around half of these against Asia-domiciled companies. Outside of the U.S., securities class actions are being filed in record numbers and the threat of facing an action has increased in many jurisdictions, as highlighted in a recent AGCS and Clyde & Co report. New initial public offerings (IPO) dramatically increased as 2020 was coming to a close, suggesting the potential for a wave of new IPO-related securities litigation. Approximately 20% of U.S. IPOs launched between 2009 and 2018 gave rise to securities class action suits within four years of the offering. Shareholders have filed the first class action lawsuits directly related to COVID-19. These include suits against cruise ship lines that suffered COVID-19 outbreaks, as well as litigation regarding the business impact of the pandemic on companies financial performance or operations and misrepresentations about coronavirus-related therapies. Another threat looming on the horizon comes from the return-to-office steps taken by businesses. Such decisions are fraught with peril, with regard to shareholder derivative actions, but also in relation to other forms of litigation stemming from employees or customers, Williams warns. The report adds companies that are slower to recover from the pandemic compared to their competitors could face litigation from shareholders and consumers claiming underperformance. Current and future D&O underwriters need to be aware of ongoing global ESG matters from activist investor campaigns to social justice protests or money laundering schemes in order to adequately assess potential perils. ESG and Private Company Issues Beyond financial performance and shareholder value, so-called soft management topics are increasingly triggering what is known as event-driven litigation against boards: diversity, climate change or ESG concerns are increasingly seen as opportunities to bring class actions or to force settlements. For example, Oracle, Facebook and Qualcomm are among the technology companies that have been subjected to diversity derivative lawsuits. In such cases, shareholders typically allege that directors violated their fiduciary duties by their inaction on diversity issues including remuneration or nomination of new black board directors. While the financial impact of such lawsuits remains to be seen, there will be legal defense costs involved in their settlement and this growing threat may further drive U.S. securities class actions, the authors warn. Also in the area of ESG, climate change, water management, biodiversity degradation, exploitation in supply chains and corporate governance are some of the topics companies and boards will be expected to focus on in 2021 with regard to disclosure and internal risk management, according to the report. Corporates particularly in Europe and boards are increasingly being challenged by investors and stakeholders with climate change concerns and allegations that companies have failed to adjust business practices in line with changing climate conditions. Current and future D&O underwriters need to be aware of ongoing global ESG matters from activist investor campaigns to social justice protests or money laundering schemes in order to adequately assess potential perils, notes Joana Moniz, global head of Commercial Financial Lines at AGCS, in the report. Ultimately, underwriters must assess how these matters may develop into a litigation trend and/ or impact a companys risk management practices. While publicly listed companies are generally more highly exposed to D&O risks, the situation of private companies also is aggravating and, the report contends, often understated. While the majority of private company lawsuits are employee-related matters, a private companys officers can also be sued over the sale of a company, anti-trust claims or regulatory actions, including securities regulations for alleged misrepresentations to prospective investors and others. The report notes that the COVID-19 pandemic is currently placing private companies and their executives under considerably higher litigation risk. D&Os of privately held companies are typically closely involved in business decisions, which can become even more challenging than usual in a crisis environment such as COVID-19. The business decisions will also have a long-term impact on these organizations, according to the report. Topics COVID-19 Directors Officers The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. More than 100,000 total vaccinations have been administered in health agency's region - Marie-Claude Boisvert and Patrick Daignault hired to build Sagard Private Equity focused on middle-market in Canada MONTREAL, Jan. 11, 2021 /CNW/ - Sagard Holdings Inc. ("Sagard") today announced the launch of its Canadian middle-market private equity strategy, under the leadership of Marie-Claude Boisvert. A known and respected leader in the private equity space, Mrs. Boisvert has over 25 years of operational and financial experience in Canada and Europe, and brings significant transaction, investment and sector expertise, as well as a proven track record of returns. Prior to joining Sagard, Mrs. Boisvert was a Partner at Clearspring Capital Partners and a Managing Partner at Kilmer Capital Partners, where she was responsible for building the firms' investment activities in Quebec, including deal sourcing, execution and portfolio management. "What attracted me to Sagard is the quality of the people and network, the values-based culture and Sagard's ambitious plans for the Canadian private equity space, which it is backing with its own capital," Mrs. Boisvert said. "Building a business of scale, focused on middle-market investments within the fast-growing Sagard platform, is a unique and exciting career opportunity." Joining Mrs. Boisvert as a partner is Patrick Daignault, who was previously Senior Director, Direct Private Equity at PSP Investments, based in Montreal, where he led several successful investments in business and financial services verticals. Mr. Daignault's career in finance began 15 years ago in London, UK, working in progressively senior roles in leveraged finance and private debt at CIBC, Barclays and Ardian. "We are delighted to partner with Marie-Claude and Patrick to build Sagard's private equity platform. They have the depth of experience, networks and sourcing capabilities to scale quickly as we continue to build our strategy of addressing the needs of middle-market business leaders and entrepreneurs across Canada," said Adam Vigna, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Sagard Holdings. Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sagard, said: "The launch of Sagard's Canadian private equity business is an important milestone in Sagard's growth into one of the leading alternative asset managers in Canada. It builds on our many years of successful PE investing in Europe as well as our middle-market lending business in North America. I am particularly proud that Sagard will operate one of the only private equity funds in the country launched and led by a woman, highlighting our commitment to diversity across our businesses." Sagard's Canadian private equity fund will be based in the Montreal offices of Sagard, with plans to operate and grow Canada-wide. The team will be active in the market in the first quarter of 2021 with external fundraising efforts beginning in the middle of 2021. About Sagard Holdings Sagard Holdings is a multi-strategy alternative asset manager with professionals located in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, New York, San Francisco, Paris and Singapore. Sagard looks to generate attractive returns by matching investment opportunities with flexible capital solutions and pairing entrepreneurs with teams that have deep industry knowledge. Sagard develops long-term partnerships and empowers the growth of its investments through a unique global network of portfolio companies, limited partners, advisors and other valued relationships. Today, Sagard invests across four asset classes: private equity, private credit, healthcare royalties, and venture capital. Sagard Holdings is a member of the Power Corporation of Canada group of companies. For more information about Sagard, visit sagardholdings.com . SOURCE Sagard Holdings For further information: For press inquiries, contact: Adam Daifallah, 514.316.7089, [email protected]; For investor inquiries, contact: Leslie Hill, 646.774.1580, [email protected] Related Links https://sagardholdings.com/ Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 23:05:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 18 members of the newly established Libyan Political Dialogue Forum's Advisory Committee will meet at the United Nations (UN) headquarters here on Jan. 13-16, the UN Information Service said on Monday. The committee's main mission is to discuss outstanding issues related to the selection of a unified executive authority in Libya and to present concrete and practical recommendations upon which the forum's plenary shall decide, the UN said in a message emailed to journalists. "The national elections date of December 24, 2021 remains a sine qua non for the UN, a guiding principle and an unrenounceable goal," the message said. On Jan. 3, the UN Support Mission in Libya announced the establishment of the Advisory Committee, saying that its mandate would be "strictly time-bound." Libya's eastern-based army and its UN-backed government fought for more than a year in and around the capital Tripoli before the conflicts ended last June. On Oct. 23, 2020, Libyan delegations in Geneva signed a UN-sponsored permanent ceasefire agreement. At a meeting held last November, 75 representatives of the social and political spectrum of the Libyan society agreed to hold general elections in the country on Dec. 24, 2021. They also agreed on a mechanism to select a unified executive authority in the country. Enditem DENVER, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In announced today that Pie Insurance , an insurtech specializing in workers' comp insurance for small businesses, was honored in its 2021 Best Places To Work Awards. Pie Insurance earned a place on Built In Colorado's Best Midsize Companies to Work , Best Places to Work , and Best Paying Companies lists. "We are thrilled to be honored again by Built In as one of the top places to work in Colorado," said Dax Craig, co-founder and president of Pie Insurance. "We're proud of the supportive and inclusive culture we've built at Pie, and the results speak for themselves: while 2020 brought immense challenges, Pie achieved record growth. We look forward to growing the team in 2021 and beyond." Built In's annual awards include companies of all sizes in the eight largest tech markets and nationwide. Built In determines winners for Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation, benefits, and cultural programs. To reflect the attributes today's candidates are searching for on Built In, this year's program weighed certain criteria more heavily, like remote opportunities and programs for diversity, equity and inclusion. About Pie Insurance Pie Insurance is modernizing small business insurance by automating the entire coverage experience. Pie's use of advanced analytics enables savings of up to 30% for small business owners on AM Best A- (Excellent) rated workers' comp insurance directly through its website or through partner agents. Since its founding in 2017, Pie has received $188M in funding, grown its gross written premium to over $100M, and partnered with over 1,000 agencies nationwide. Headquartered in Denver, CO and Washington, DC, Pie has been recognized by Intelligent Insurer as an Insurtech Hot 100 and as a top workplace by The Denver Post , The Denver Business Journal , and Built in Colorado . About Built In Built In , a revolution in tech recruitment, serves more than 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, delivering content and digital recruitment solutions that work. The platform amplifies companies' brands as national, local or remote employers of choice, as well as leaders in DEI. Monthly, 2.5 million tech professionals rely on Built In to stay up on trends, grow in their roles and discover companies with missions they want to join. The platform publishes stories about companies' tech, culture and people. This activates sought-after professionals to apply to customers' open roles. SOURCE Pie Insurance Related Links pieinsurance.com This collaborative approach offers comprehensive critical care designed to help patients easily transition from hospital care to home care Nightingales, a pioneer in home healthcare in India, in association with Cloudphysician, a leader in intensive care management, has launched first-of-its-kind intensive care at home services to provide specialised world-class intensive care services to critically ill patients in the comfort of their home. The service has currently been introduced in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The intensive care at home service will be delivered through a comprehensive multidisciplinary team effort led by Cleveland Clinic trained intensivists and an on-site team of experienced clinicians, nurses, and physiotherapists. This collaborative approach by Nightingales Home Healthcare and Cloudphysician offers comprehensive critical care designed to help patients easily transition from hospital care to home care. Commenting on the launch, Dr Sweta Choudhary, Head - Medical Products & Services at Nightingales, says With a multidisciplinary team of experts, including certified intensivists, the Nightingales-Cloudphysician combine will offer hospital-like care at home. Talking about the partnership, Dr Dileep Raman, MD, Co-Founder, Cloudphysician Healthcare said We are delighted to partner with Nightingales to create a distinctive intensive care at home offering. This is an ideal extension of our remote critical care expertise through which we have managed thousands of patients across several hundred ICU beds across India. 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By Fang Xiaozhi The website of The Diplomat published an article titled India's New Maritime Theater Command: A Quantum Leap recently. The article said that India would establish a maritime theater command, and the maritime theater command will be the first new "geographical" theater command to be created, as part of the biggest-ever military restructuring plan since India's independence in 1947. The chaos of internal management, the severe inner conflicts and waste of resources among various services have seriously affected the overall operational planning and efficiency, and seriously hampered the operational capability of the armed forces. To this end, the Indian government and the military have reached a consensus to accelerate the joint system reform. One of the important measures is to reorganize the military and establish a theater command system to achieve efficient command, quick mobilization and resources saving in wartime. The establishment of the maritime theater command by India this time is an important step made toward the reform of the theater system. India wants to conform to the basic operational form of future wars through coordinated operations of various services. According to reports, the maritime theater command will be based at Karwar on the west coast of India. It will exercise full operational control over extant western and eastern naval fleets, maritime strike fighter jets and transport aircraft from both the air force and the navy, and two amphibious infantry brigades and other assets under the Andaman and Nicobar Joint Command. It can concentrate all naval and air forces on the west coast of India at one time, thereby effectively defending the island territories in the maritime direction of India and keeping the sea passages unobstructed and not affected by external pressure. According to India's vision, its armed forces will be reorganized based on five theater commands. In addition to the maritime theater command, there have also been a northern command, a western command, a peninsula command, and an air defense command. These theater commands will have their own combat areas and establish a seamless command structure for synchronized operations to facilitate the mobilization of the troops. According to senior officials familiar with the situation, all five theater commands will be led by a lieutenant general or equivalent. The chiefs of staff of the army, air force, and navy will no longer be responsible for combat functions. Instead, they will mobilize resources for theater commanders just like in the US military, so that the rights and responsibilities of all parties are more clear-cut. If the reform is completed in 2022 as expected, India will form the capability for coordinated operations of the navy, army and air force for the first time and take an important tentative step towards establishing a modern defense system by then. From the perspective of strategic objectives, India hopes that through the reform of the theater system, it can play an important role in the coordination of various services, multiply its military efficiency and power while expanding its jurisdiction, have more agile reaction speed during wartime, efficiently mobilize and commanded, and save a lot of resources. Under the guidance of this strategic goal, India will continue to seamlessly integrate forces at all levels of the three services in the future and propose new joint theories and strategies accordingly to help it improve its joint combat capabilities and enhance its position and influence in the Indian Ocean region. However, judging from the prospects, various Indian military services have been constraining each other for a long time and often cause discord due to the unfair allocation of resources. The interests of all parties in the armed forces will be deeply involved in the military reform of the theater system. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause a severe financial situation, and it will be difficult for the Indian army to obtain the necessary budget in the foreseeable future. All of these will inevitably pose a great constraint on its "drastic" theater system reform. It remains to be seen if India can complete its military reform smoothly. (The author is a researcher at the Center for Asia-Pacific Development Studies of Nanjing University. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.) Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is on a visit to Ladakh to review the country's overall military preparedness as thousands of Indian and Chinese troops remained deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in the region amid the eight-month-long border standoff. Official sources said on Monday that Gen Rawat will be briefed by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, popularly known as Fire and Fury Corps, and other senior military officials on the dynamic security matrix in eastern Ladakh. The visit of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to Ladakh comes days after he toured several key installations including "forward most air maintained" posts in Dibang Valley, Lohit sector and Subansiri valley near the Line of Actual Control(LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. "The CDS will review the overall security scenario in the eastern Ladakh region," said a source. Gen Rawat is also expected to travel to Kashmir from Ladakh on Tuesday. The Army and the Indian Air Force(IAF) have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the nearly 3,500-km LAC with China in view of the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Nearly 50,000 troops of the Indian Army are deployed in various locations in eastern Ladakh as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks between the two sides have not yielded any concrete outcome to resolve the faceoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The eighth and last round of military talks had taken place on November 6 during which India and China broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. The CDS has been part of the top military brass framing strategies to enhance India's military prowess in view of the Sino-India standoff. Last month, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane had visited eastern Ladakh to review the ground situation in the region that is also experiencing harsh winter. The standoff erupted on May 5 last year following violent clashes between the troops of the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) in the Pangong lake area. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9. Germanys Merkel Considers Twitter Ban of Trump Problematic German Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that banning President Donald Trump from Twitter is problematic, her spokesman said on Jan. 11. Twitter permanently removed Trumps account last week, saying that his recent posts were in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy. Trump has since been removed from several other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch, Stripe, and Shopify. Merkels spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said that freedom of opinion is an essential right of elementary significance. This fundamental right can be intervened in, but according to the law and within the framework defined by legislatorsnot according to a decision by the management of social media platforms, Seibert said. Seen from this angle, the chancellor considers it problematic that the accounts of the U.S. president have now been permanently blocked. In reference to the permanent ban of the president from the platform, Twitter said in a statement: After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around themspecifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitterwe have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence. President Donald Trump speaking on video posted on his Twitter released on Jan. 7, 2020. (Screenshot/@realDonaldTrump) Two posts cited to justify the ban on the president were removed. The first post that Twitter considered to be inciting violence said: The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!! The other post by Trump read: To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th. The complete ban came after the latter statement. Subsequently, the president responded to the ban on the official POTUS account. As I have been saying for a long time, Twitter has gone further and further in banning free speech, and tonight, Twitter employees have coordinated with the Democrats and the Radical Left in removing my account from their platform, to silence meand YOU, the 75,000,000 great patriots who voted for me, the presidents statement read before it was taken down. Using another account to try to evade a suspension is against our rules, Twitter responded in a statement. We have taken steps to enforce this with regard to recent Tweets from the @POTUS account. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo commented on the ban with his personal account, condemning the act and comparing it to something the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would do. The CCP exercises ironclad control over internet content and has a strong firewall that blocks people in mainland China from accessing the web freely. Silencing speech is dangerous. Its un-American. Sadly, this isnt a new tactic of the Left. Theyve worked to silence opposing voices for years, Pompeo wrote. We cannot let them silence 75M Americans. This isnt the CCP. Silencing speech is dangerous. Its un-American. Sadly, this isnt a new tactic of the Left. Theyve worked to silence opposing voices for years. We cannot let them silence 75M Americans. This isnt the CCP. Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) January 9, 2021 Pompeo posted another statement with a picture that apparently shows a massive unfollowing of Republicans on Twitter and a massive increase in followers for Democrats. This is how you create an echo chamber, he said. Six inmates escaped from a California county jail late Saturday using a piece of "homemade rope," sheriff's officials announced. The Merced County Jail in California bore witness to the said jailbreak, the county's sheriff's office confirmed on Sunday afternoon. The county jail staff believe the inmates escaped the prison at around midnight, as it was the time they were noticed to be gone from their cells, said a report from Fox News. Under the authorities' initial investigation, they found that the inmates escaped through the roof of the California facility and used "homemade rope" to get down from the side of the jail, reported NBC Bay Area. Related story: Hispanic Man Caught on Cam Killing Ex-Girlfriend in Front of Her 3-Year-Old Daughter Police in central California are working towards apprehending the men. Any additional information or updates about the jailbreak will be provided by the sheriff's office as it becomes available. County Jail Escapees Considered Armed, Dangerous The police warned that the prison escapees should all be considered armed and dangerous given their current charges. Only one of the suspects was clear of harmful felonies while the others were charged for violent cases, including murder and participation in a street gang. A report from ABC News said they are all Hispanic males in the ages between 19 to 22 years old. They were identified as Jorge Barron, Gabriel Francis Coronado, Manuel Allen Leon, Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr, Fabian Cruz Roman and Edgar Eduardo Ventura. Barron is a 20-year-old from Atwater, California. His current charge is for violation of his probation. He stands 5 ft 5 in and 140 lbs. Coronado is a 19-year-old also from Atwater. He was charged for attempted murder, gang activity, shooting an inhabited home, possession of a firearm and violating probation. He is 5 ft 10 in and 225 lbs. Leon is 21 years old and resides in Vallejo, California. He was charged for assault with a firearm, street gang participation, evading a peace officers and other violent charges. He is 5 ft 10 in and 165 lbs. Rodriguez Jr. is 21 years old, from Planada, California. He was charged for attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang and possession of a firearm. He is 5 ft 7 in and 145 lbs. Roman is 22 years old, from Los Banos, California who was charged with murder. He is 5 ft 6 in and 145 lbs Lastly, Ventura is 22 years old from Portland, Oregon. He was charged with possession of a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang and violation of probation. He stands 5 ft 11 in and 129 lbs. All of them have black hair and brown eyes. Officials Form Task Force to Track County Jail Escapees A task force has been spearheaded by the Merced County Sheriff's Office in order to track down and apprehend the fugitives. Read also: Woman Shot Dead in Possible Attempted Carjacking in Koreatown Reports have not yet clarified what exactly the "homemade rope" was made out of. Anyone who has information about them or has seen them after the jailbreak was urged to approach the appropriate authorities and to call 911 immediately. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 02:05:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with Myanmar's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on Jan. 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Dongqiang) NAY PYI TAW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Myanmar's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi here on Monday, with the two expressing willingness to strengthen cooperation. Wang said China firmly supports the smooth administration of the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, and backs the Myanmar side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interest. The two sides have reached consensus in principle on the action plan to jointly build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future following Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Myanmar last year, injecting strong momentum to the cause, he said. Wang said China is willing to continue to support Myanmar to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, and provide the Myanmar side with a batch of anti-epidemic materials as well as COVID-19 vaccines. China is also willing to work with Myanmar to implement the five-year plan for economic and trade cooperation, speed up the construction of the west, north, and east ends of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), promote an early implementation of the Kyaukpyu deep sea port, the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone and the New Yangon City, to boost Myanmar's development, he added. As Myanmar will assume the roles of the country coordinator of China-ASEAN relations and co-chair of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, Wang said China is willing to push the China-ASEAN relations to a higher level, and promote the development of the Lancang-Mekong cooperation. For her part, Suu Kyi said the Myanmar side attaches great importance to Myanmar-China relations, and hopes to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the Chinese side. The Myanmar side pays much emphasis on the CMEC construction, and is willing to jointly push forward relevant projects. Myanmar thanks China for providing aid of COVID-19 vaccines, and hopes to further expand exports to China as well as to enhance cooperation of labor service, she said, adding that Myanmar is willing to promote China-ASEAN relationship to further develop. Wang also met with U Kyaw Tint Swe, minister of the State Counsellor's Office here on Monday. Wang is on a four-nation official tour from Jan. 11 to 16, which will also take him to Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. Enditem Businesses yesterday called for tougher lockdown measures, with some going as far as proposing a long curfew spanning from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. The curfew now starts at 9 p.m. and goes till 5 a.m. Businesses also called on the Government to free up the importation of Covid-19 vaccines to allow private sector participation and to allow people to travel overseas to get vaccinated. U.N. human rights bodies accuse Vietnam of violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by clamping down on freedom of expression and denying critics due process and a fair trial. The sentences given to three independent journalists earlier this week are the latest example of a further erosion of freedom of expression in Vietnam. The men were found guilty of national security offenses and sentenced to up to 15 years imprisonment. U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani says an increasing number of independent journalists, bloggers, online commentators and human rights defenders are being arbitrarily detained based on vaguely defined laws. Three members of journalists association were sentenced to 11 or 15 years in prison this week. In the case of the recently sentenced journalists, she says all three were held in lengthy pre-trial detention. She adds there are serious concerns their right to a fair trial was not respected. Many of them are kept effectively incommunicado in detention. They do not have access to their families, said Shamdasani. "They also do not have access to lawyers In other cases, we do have indication of ill treatment, and we also have indications that there are individuals who have medical needs whose needs are not [being] taken into account. Shamdasani also expresses concerns that individuals who try to cooperate with the U.N.s human rights bodies are subjected to intimidation and reprisals. She says that effectively inhibits them from cooperating with the U.N. and sharing information about human rights issues. Now the kinds of reprisals and intimidation that they face can include harassment, travel bans, loss of employment, physical attacks as well as arbitrary arrest, detention and tortureSo, it is very important for us to send an alarm on this, said Shamdasani. Shamdasani says the U.N. human rights office continues to raise those cases with the Vietnamese government, urging it to stop criminally charging people for expressing their right of freedom of expression. She adds people should be able to exercise their fundamental rights without fear of reprisals. 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. The PlayStation 5 will finally be available for pre-order from 12th January at 12 PM on e-commerce websites and offline stores. The console saw a delay for its launch in the country however it will finally be available from online and offline retails stores. The PlayStation 5 will be available via Amazon, Flipkart, Reliance Digital, Croma, Games The Shop, ShopatSC, Vijay Sales and other official partners. Interestingly enough, listings for the console have also appeared on other retailers such as Gameloot and PrepaidGamer.com. There is a good chance that the console will also be available for pre-order at retail stores in your neighbourhood. Having said that, Sony advises calling your local retailer before placing an offline pre-order. Sony PlayStation As of now, select Sony Centers and GamesTheShop are confirmed to offer the console for pre-order. IGN India reports, some Sony Centres are issuing PIN numbers and time slots for customers who want to place orders for the console at the physical outlets. Customers without a PIN number will not be allowed to place orders offline at participating Sony Centers. Sony India also issues a statement for customers who wish to place orders at offline stores: PS5 will be available for pre-order on various online and offline channels (until stock lasts at respective retailer) such as Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital, Games The Shop, Shop at Sony Center, Vijay Sales and select other authorised retailers taking pre-orders. Keeping the current situation in mind, Sony India urges all customers to keep their health and safety in mind before physically visiting any store for pre-order and advise them to call the local retailer before visiting. For contact details and address of the local retailers taking pre-orders, customers can also call our toll-free number 1800-103-7799. unsplash It is worthy to point out that Sony India is currently only taking pre-orders for the physical disk version that retails for Rs 49,990. As of now, no listings for accessories such as the media remote, controller charging station and HD camera have been made available on any of the participating stores. We still dont know how many units will be available for pre-order in India however according to our sources at some of the retailers, pre-order units are going to be very limited. Yes, along most or all of the coast Yes, but only places where an entry fee can cover their cost No, people can continue swimming at their own risk Vote View Results Taiwan should expect one or two senior visitors this month and an open door in the years ahead following the U.S. governments decision Saturday to lift its ban on high-level contacts, a rule it had observed to get along with the Asian islands political rival China, scholars believe. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo declared Saturday that previous restrictions on Taiwan-bound travel by American diplomats, service members and other officials were null and void. He said the U.S. government had been living by the self-imposed rules in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. Trumps administration has warmed toward Taiwan diplomatically and militarily since 2017 as the U.S. clashes with old Cold War foe China over trade, technology sharing and consular issues. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and gets angry when the United States supports Taipei. US State Department Ends Restrictions on Contacts with Taiwan Officials Pompeo says Taiwan is a reliable' and unofficial partner. The U.S. government that has catapulted relations with Taipei to their strongest since the 1970s part of a joint resistance against China already confirmed last week it would send its U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft to Taiwan January 13-15. Taiwan, despite years of protests, cannot join the United Nations nor its agencies, such as the World Health Organization, as Chinese allies block most bids for Taiwanese participation. Pompeo himself could reach Taiwan before Trumps scheduled departure from the White House January 20, some analysts say. Pompeo has not made such an announcement, but the Chinese state-monitored Global Times news website raised the possibility of a a surprise visit to Taiwan before he steps down to make the upgrade of official exchanges between the U.S. and the Taiwan island an established fact. A trip by Pompeo would carry more U.S. foreign policy weight compared to officials who have visited Taiwan before, meaning a stronger jab at China, said Kwei-bo Huang, vice dean of the international affairs college at National Chengchi University in Taipei. That seems to be what the Chinese are targeting the most, said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate at the Stimson Center research group in Washington. They just want Trump to go away quickly and quietly without getting into any trouble. Beijing Warns US Will Pay 'Heavy Price' if UN Ambassador Goes to Taiwan China deems it crazy provocation China stepped up military flights into Taiwans air defense identification zone after U.S. health secretary Alex Azar traveled to Taiwan in August and state department undersecretary Keith Krach arrived a month later. If Pompeo can come over, the Peoples Liberation Army will definitely intensify its stance, and it will become stronger, Huang said. Trump himself could technically visit Taiwan but would gain little from a trip as mounting transfer-of-power issues swirl in Washington, Sun said. U.S. officials began liberalizing high-level contact with Taiwan in 2018 when Congress passed the Taiwan Travel Act, which says U.S. policy should let officials visit Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese counterparts. The Communist leadership in Beijing has called Taiwan its own since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists lost to Mao Zedongs forces and rebased on the nearby island. Most Taiwanese said in government surveys two years ago they oppose unification with modern China. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen supports that sentiment and seeks closer U.S. ties as a counterweight. The United States cut ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favor of the fast-growing China but retains a strong informal relationship with the island. China-Taiwan ties deteriorated last year as Taiwan-U.S. relations improved. Chinese military aircraft increased flights near the island in mid-2020 and the two sides lack a mechanism to hold formal talks. The Taiwan government welcomed Pompeos statement Sunday and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted that the curbs on high-level visits were unnecessarily limiting our engagements these past years. President-elect Joe Biden is widely expected to engage China more fervently than Trump. He will support a peaceful resolution of China-Taiwan issues, Taiwan government-funded Central News Agency reported Sunday, citing a member of Biden's transition team. Pompeos order Saturday on lifting travel rules seeks to make Taiwan policy direction irreversible, Sun said. Biden can leverage Pompeos edict to reach out to Taiwan as needed without excessive anger from China, said Derek Grossman, senior analyst with the U.S.-based Rand Corp. research institution. I think when a soon-to-be past administration makes a decision, then the new administration doesnt have to worry as much about that, because its already been done, Grossman said. Cairo: Egypt, Germany, France and Jordan have launched a renewed effort to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, in anticipation of a more agreeable new Biden administration in the United States. Their foreign ministers met in Cairo on Monday and called for practical steps to launch credible negotiations to achieve a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital in territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. The ministers said they were ready to work with the US to facilitate negotiations that would lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region. A Palestinian protests Israeli settlements in the outskirts of the village Kafr Thulth near the West Bank town of Qalqilya, on Saturday. Israel has ordered another 800 Jewish homes be built in the West Bank. Credit:AP There is a willingness to see a close relationship with the United States on the revival of the peace process that will have to be carried out at some point, Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a joint news conference following the 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. On Jan. 6, supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in a chaotic riot, aiming at forcing lawmakers to overturn Trump's election defeat. One woman was shot and killed during a violent clash with police, and three other supporters of Trump died after suffering medical emergencies. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Today, the U.S. has to swallow its own bitter fruit, with the actions denounced as a "violent clash" by the mainstream media in the U.S. This ironic circumstance is summed up by Mohamad Safa, a Lebanese diplomat and Permanent Representative to the United Nations: "If the United States saw what the United States is doing in the United States, the United States would invade the United States to liberate the United States from the tyranny of the United States." The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the values of democracy, freedom and human rights that the West has taken delight in talking about. People seem to find out that the reality has revealed contradictions and double standards. If, in the face of such a straightforward, transparent, and thorough reality drama, some people's myths and obsessions about democracy, freedom, and human rights in the West cannot be shattered, then the only hope for the time being should be pinned on more rational analysis. Is democracy a means or an end or a combination of both? Should democracy solve the problem of fairness or efficiency? Should democracy safeguard procedural justice or substantive justice or give consideration to both? Mankinds exploration and thinking over democracy has never stopped. This kind of thinking and exploration, including the experience from the western world, is generally beneficial. The democratic system of the West, including the U.S., did play its due role in history when it comes to exploring the human system. However, anyone, who tries to put an end to such exploration and thinking with a specific form to realize democracy, such as the democratic system in the West, and is ambitious to believe in "the end of history, is bound to face a "backlash" from democracy. It is clear that the democratic arrogance boosted by economic power and the calculation of interests driven by global expansion have made the U.S. dizzy. It brazenly wants to sell its own democracy to the world, at all costs, including the use of force. The problem is that the West overestimates its strength in the evolution of human society. Facing the history of human society, it should be in awe and understand that its exploration cannot represent human society and that it cannot build a comprehensive picture of human society. The democratic exploration and practice in the West are more like regional records, incomplete generalizations and periodic summaries of human exploration of systems, which are simply not universally applicable. This reality has been proved by more and more practices, and western countries, including the U.S. The U.S. regards itself as a "decision-maker" of the international community, whereas other countries seem to have no choice but to obey its orders. However, due to the lack of fairness and justice, the countrys self-righteous morality seems to be inappropriate. As the general trend of "the rise of the East and decline of the West" has become increasingly prominent, the U.S. ambition to dominate the world is becoming more and more untenable. It is evident that the negative consequences of the export of "democracy" by the U.S. have appeared in many countries. The gunshot at the U.S. Capitol shows that the bitter fruit of "democracy" will eventually have to be swallowed by the U.S. itself. House Democrats formally introduced their resolution to impeach President Donald Trump on Monday, charging him with "incitement of insurrection" for his role in last week's riots at the US Capitol. The impeachment resolution that the House is poised to vote on later this week is the Democrats' first step toward making Trump the first president in history to be impeached twice. LIVE UPDATES: House pushes for Trump's removal after deadly Capitol riot Democrats also tried to move a resolution Monday urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from power, but House Republicans blocked the request. The single impeachment article, which was introduced when the House gaveled into a brief pro-forma session Monday, points to Trump's repeated false claims that he won the election and his speech to the crowd on January 6 before pro-Trump rioters breached the Capitol. It also cited Trump's call with the Georgia Republican secretary of state where the President urged him to "find" enough votes for Trump to win the state. "In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government," the resolution says. "He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States." The resolution, which was introduced by Democrats David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Ted Lieu of California, also cited the Constitution's 14th Amendment, noting that it "prohibits any person who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion against' the United States" from holding office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats on Sunday evening that the House would proceed with bringing an impeachment resolution to the floor this week unless Pence moves to invoke the 25th Amendment with a majority of the Cabinet to remove Trump from power. Pelosi's letter was the first time she explicitly said that the House would take up impeachment on the floor this week, though it was clear that House Democrats have rapidly coalesced around an impeachment resolution in the days following the riots at the Capitol where five people died, including a US Capitol Police officer. The level of unity in the Democratic caucus is being driven by the visceral reaction to what happened on January 6, when lawmakers had to be evacuated from the House and Senate chambers with rioters banging on the doors outside as the insurrectionists tried to stop the counting of votes to affirm President-elect Joe Biden would become President on January 20. Still, as Democrats race toward impeachment, the President-elect's advisers have expressed concerns about an impeachment trial in the Senate hampering the opening days of Biden's presidency, and Democrats are still debating how to handle the timing of the impeachment articles and a possible Senate trial. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Monday that he expects the vote to impeach Trump to occur on Wednesday, and he wants the articles sent to the Senate without delay. Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he won't bring back the Senate from recess before January 19, that would push the trial into the beginning of the Biden administration. Cicilline told CNN Monday that he supports sending impeachment articles to the Senate right away, too. He said "we have the numbers" already to impeach Trump, and he predicted some Republicans would vote for it, too, unlike the House's December 2019 votes to impeach Trump. "I expect that we'll have Republican support," Cicilline said. "I think it's urgent that the president be removed immediately." Democrats on Monday sought to take up a resolution from Raskin urging Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. Hoyer asked for unanimous consent to bring up the resolution, but West Virginia GOP Rep. Alex Mooney objected to the request. Pelosi has said the Democrats will move to bring the resolution for a floor vote on Tuesday. Pelosi said she was calling on Pence to respond within 24 hours of the House passing Raskin's 25th Amendment resolution. If that does not happen, Democrats will bring their impeachment resolution to the floor. Pelosi said in an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" that she liked the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment "because it gets rid of him," but explained, "one of the motivations people have for advocating for impeachment" is to prevent Trump from holding office again. "There's strong support in the Congress for impeaching the President a second time," she said. House Democrats are holding a caucus-wide call on Monday to discuss their path forward. House Republicans have urged Democrats not to move forward with impeachment, arguing that such a move would be divisive in the face of Biden's calls for unity. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is also holding a conference call with the GOP conference Monday, according to a source familiar. Still, there's been little to slow momentum toward impeachment since Wednesday. Two Senate Republicans, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, have called on Trump to resign in the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol. Biden has said he is leaving the response to Congress, but House Democrats' impeachment push threatens to complicate his agenda when he takes office on January 20, and his advisers have been consulting with the House. A Senate impeachment trial beginning on January 20 -- Biden's inauguration -- would grind the chamber to a halt, unable to confirm nominees or enact legislation until the trial was finished. One option being considered is waiting until later to send the articles to the Senate: House Democratic Whip James Clyburn said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday the House might wait until after Biden's first 100 days in office before sending the impeachment articles to the Senate to begin the trial. But Hoyer's comments Monday seemed to suggest that was an unlikely move, since it would cut against Democrats' argument that removing Trump is an urgent priority. This story has been updated with additional developments Monday. Examples of the postcards that members of the Berkshire Democratic Brigades sent to voters in Georgia ahead of that states runoff election to the U.S. Senate. Marriott, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and Commerce Bank have all suspended contributions to lawmakers who voted against certifying President-elect Joe Biden's win. Those lawmakers 139 Republican representatives and eight Republican senators "voted to undermine our democracy," the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said. Commerce Bank echoed these sentiments, saying the officials "impeded the peaceful transfer of power." Marriott is the world's largest hotel chain, and its political action committee is funded by employee contributions. Federal Election Commission data shows that during the last election cycle, the company's PAC gave more than $410,000 to lawmakers. In a statement, Marriott condemned "the destructive events at the Capitol" that were meant to "undermine a legitimate and fair election." Major companies that have yet to take similar stances should prepare for an upcoming advertising blitz by the Lincoln Project. Launched by current and former Republicans in late 2019, the group's goal was to defeat President Trump, and now that he's almost out of office, their attention is shifting. The Washington Post reports that in the next few days, the Lincoln Project will start a huge TV ad campaign targeting companies that are still giving money to GOP lawmakers who voted against certifying the election results. Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt told the Post between $80 and $90 million was "spent by corporate America on political committees ... on extremist groups that have destabilized American democracy. After this point, nothing goes back to normal." He didn't name the companies that will be targeted, but did note that Charles Schwab, BlackRock, and AT&T all donate to Republican lawmakers. More stories from theweek.com What 'Blue Lives Matter' was always about The Democrats' false choice on impeachment What Mike Pence should learn from Judas This week we watched an insurrection of domestic terrorists, incited and fomented by the President of the United States. We saw the attack on our Capitol, the desecrating of the seat of our democracy, the harming of innocent human lives, and the murdering of a Capitol Police officer. We saw a mob threatening to lynch the Vice President of the United States and Members of Congressall in an attempt to stop a constitutional process and to overturn an election by the American people. Part of me hesitates to address this at all. Thats because my views are well known and havent changed. But thats also because I dont at all want to be heard as saying, I told you so. Thats not for me to say, and Ill leave whatever judgements are to be made to others. In any case, I know that Ive been wrong about many things in my lifeand might even do a whole series here on Stuff I Was Wrong About. But for now, I will simply speak honestly about these things as I see them. Throughout all these years, I held out the possibility that maybe I am crazy, that I am completely unable to see what others were seeing. And all of this was even more confusing because many of the people who would say boldly in public how great this leader was and would say, privately, the exact opposite. Behind closed doors, they said he was mentally unstable. That he was an immoral man worse than LBJ ever dreamed about being. But, again, I told my wife in 2017: I am almost all alone here. I am going to pray that my critics are rightand that I am just incapable of seeing what they see. Im voting for a platform, not a person; an administration, not an individual, people would tell me. I could not do thatin good consciencebut my attitude was, and is, Who am I to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls (Rom. 14:4). We could disagree on all that, and still bear with one anotherknowing that all would be sorted out in Gods timing. This is a different situation from all of that. This is not about politics. This is about our country, about the rule of law, and about the sanctity of human life. The President invited mobs to Washingtonpromising a wild timeand told them to march to the Capitol. Despite the fact that there was not one thing that Vice President Pence could have lawfully done, the President called him a coward, and whipped up crowds against him who, many of them, then chanted Hang Mike Pence! while constructing gallows on the Capitol grounds. An American flag was thrown down and replaced with a Trump flag, while another insurrectionist paraded a Confederate flag through the Capitol. Police officers were attacked. Congressional leaders hid while the doors buckled from mobs seeking to attack them. People are dead. The Capitol is ransacked. Administration officials are resigning in protest. If you read nothing else, read this: If you can defend this, you can defend anything. If you can wave this away with well, what about or by changing the subject to a private platform removing an account inciting violence as Orwellian, then where, at long last, is your limit? The country must turn to our Constitution, to the founding principles of this nation, in order to address this. And, as Christians, we must be the people who are shaped and formed by the Word of God. As a teenager in a Southern Baptist church, I was taught to evangelize using what was called the Roman Road. What that meant was that, while all Scripture is profitable and able to be used to share the gospel, one could guide someone through the plan of salvation using verses all found in the Book of Romans. Rather than flipping all over the canon, one could just turn pages in this one book and show people Gods love, Gods judgment, the necessity of the cross, the power of the resurrection, the meaning of faith and repentance, how to live in the Spirit, etc. This is not a gospel presentation, but I would suggest that, while the entire Bible speaks to the roots of this crisis, we can, just from the Book of Romans, see where we are to go from here. Here are some thoughts. Truth Cannot Be Brought About by Lying From the very onset of Pauls letter, he wrote about Gods holy judgment on deceit and ruthlessness. That includes those who know Gods decree on sin but nonetheless not only do such sins themselves but who give approval to those who practice them (Rom. 1:32). In establishing the sin that God judges, Paul wrote of those who use their tongues to deceive as well as those whose feet are swift to shed blood (Rom. 3:13-15). It is not trueand it never was truethat this election was stolen. Thats why such a charge was never even made in any court of law, where perjury penalties would hold, but only in social media streams and demagogic rallies. No matter what one wanted to happen in the election, as the saying goes, facts dont care about your feelings. Joe Biden was elected and, as Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday, it was not particularly close. The crowds attacking the Capitol were not antifa plantswe know, in many cases, their names and faces and backstories. Some will argue that any Democratic president will mean the loss of religious liberty forever, the inability to ever again protect the lives of the unborn, or some other outcome. Lets just assume for a minute that such were trueit would still not justify lying about who won the election by a landslide or by lying about whether Congress could just set aside electors or by lying about whether the Vice President was a part of a conspiracy to defraud the American people by refusing to do what the Constitution clearly forbids him to do. Paul wrote: Let God be true though every one were a liar (Rom. 3:4). And to those who suggest that if through my lie Gods truth abounds to his glory why am I still being condemned as a sinner? Paul charged them with slander and said that their condemnation is just (Rom. 3:8). He warned about those who would serve their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery deceive the hearts of the naive (Rom. 16:18). The truth is that many of the people making these claims knew they were false, and thought that some outcomeraising money, establishing their political futures, assuaging their egoswould make those lies alright. God forbid. Good Cannot Be Brought About by Committing Evil Along with the slander of lying for Gods glory, Paul quoted those who would say, Let us do evil that good may come (Rom. 3:8). Later he tells us that vengeance cannot bring about good because of the command: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). Murder is wrong. Insurrection is wrong. Rioting is wrong. Terrorism is wrong. If someone says in response to the brutal attacks on innocent people on September 11, 2001, Yes, but try to understand the desperation of the people of Afghanistan, they are wrong to do so. If someone says, Yes, abortion takes a human life, but poverty is worse, they are wrong. And if someone sayswhen confronted with a violent insurrection on the nations Capitol, Yes, but what about. they are wrong. You cannot stand for law and order while waving away lawlessness. You cannot champion the pro-life cause while waving away murder. You cannot support police by the murder of police officers. You cannot support religious liberty by trashing the United States Constitution. Beyond that, good policy cannot absolve bad character. Character matters. Integrity matters. That is not just about manners or self-righteousness or elitism or aesthetics, but the ethics of Christ. Evil means are justified by no ends. Thus, the Scriptures tell us, Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good (Rom. 12:9). Justice Demands Accountability Christians have sometimes disagreed about the meaning of Romans 13, but there is no interpretation of Romans 13 that would support murderous and violent insurrection, or the inciting of the same. The powers-that-be, Paul wrote, are instituted by God, and are to operate within limits: For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad (Rom. 13:4), and the sword is to be exercisednot by vigilante mobsbut by those legitimate authorities and only against the wrongdoer (Rom. 13:4). The governing authorities do not have a choice as to whether or not to hold people accountable for inciting and carrying out insurrection. To do otherwise would be to cease to be a just society, and to empower future evildoers to do the same. Everyone who attacked our Capitol or planned or directed such a storming of the Capitol, should be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. You will hear people saying that for the sake of unity we should quietly put such things away. God forbid. The unity of the people cannot come with a lack of accountability. The police do not have the option to ignore these mobs. The Congress does not have the option to ignore their constitutional obligations on high crimes and misdemeanors. The Vice President and the Cabinet cannot put aside questions of their responsibilities for fear of their futures. To hope that this all will just quietly go away and resolve itself is to incite future terrorists and is to do exactly what the Bible forbidsto justify the wicked and to condemn the righteous (Prov. 17:15). Unity demands accountability. Justice demands accountability. Without such, all we are left with is lawlessness leading to more lawlessness (Rom. 6:19). You dont have to agree with me. I might be wrong. I dont speak for anyone else, only myself. But you deserve to hear from me what I honestly think. If I were the President, I would resign. If I were the Vice President, I would assemble the cabinet in accordance with the 25th Amendment. If I were a Member of Congress, I would vote to impeach. And if I were a United States senator, I would vote to convict. And I would be willing, if necessary, to lose my seat to do so. As a matter of fact, I am willing, if necessary, to lose this seat. Again, I might be wrong. But, if so, propose what can be done to make sure that justice is done and that this never happens to our country again. Is that easy? No. Will people say youre a closet liberal. Yes. Will people threaten psychological warfare or conduct endless investigations against you? Maybe. Will people send threats to kill you and your family or to destroy your reputation and ministry? Perhaps. You can survive all that. Trust me. Integrity Demands Consistency Paul wrote, Those of you who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (Rom. 2:21-22). The lack of consistency is a lack of integrity, he warned, and that has consequences not just for ones own conscience. For, as it is written, The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you (Rom. 2:24). People are watching. People are overhearing. Some of them are your children. The sight of Jesus Saves and God Bless America signs by those violently storming the Capitol is about more than just inconsistency. It is about a picture of Jesus Christ and of his gospel that is satanic. The mixing of the Christian religion with crazed and counter-biblical cults such as Q-Anon is telling the outside world that this is what the gospel is. Thats a lie, and it is blasphemous against a holy God. Look around us, five years into this experiment. Every family I know is divided over this personality. Every church I know is too. Friendships are broken, for almost everyone I know. And, most importantly, every survey shows that the church is hemorrhaging the next generation because they believe that evangelicalism is a means to an end to this political movement. You may say, Well, we cant make decisions based on what people want: true. If I were speaking every week to people who are leaving because they reject the Trinity or the Incarnation or the bodily resurrection or sexual morality or whatever, I would agree with you. But if people are walking away not because we believe too much for them, but because they dont think we believe what we say we believe, what then? How can the witness of the church be rebuilt? What are the consequences? A starta small but necessary startis for the church to say, clearly, conspiracy theories and insurrections and riots and murders and incitement are out of step with the Word of God and we will notnot one of usspend one second hemming or hawing about that. If President Obama tried to overturn an election, and incited his supporters to storm the Capitol, to desecrate the flag, to kill innocent people and to terrorize many others with pipe bombs and hand-ties and weapons, every evangelical Christian would be, rightly, denouncing such with the strongest possible terms (and many would be suggesting that we were in the reign of the Antichrist), and every one of us knows that is true. If the world rejects us because of Christ and him crucified, so much the worse for the world. If the world rejects us because they think Christ is just a mascot for what we would already be supporting or doing even if Jesus were still dead, then God have mercy on us. Let us sin all the more that grace may abound or Let us lie our way into the truth or Let us riot our way to peace or Let us murder our way to lifethese things are all completely contradicted by the words of our Bible, by our gospel. Does our mission field know that? If not, is it our fault? Hope Starts in Lament The situation in this country looks bleak. We have been here before. The church at Rome to which Paul wrote would see the empire fall a few centuries later. At the time, they seemed pinned against the wall by Caesar and the imperial cult. For many, God seemed to be invisible in the promises he had made to Israel. And yet, Paul presented a gospel in which we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and that endurance produces character, and that character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 5:3-5). God is not unfaithful to his purposes, Paul wrote, but has always worked through a remnant (Rom. 11). Our hope of salvation starts with repentance, grieving over our own sins (Rom. 6:20-23). And our hope of the future glory in which we will share starts with our groaning by the Spirit, with the creation around us, that this is not the way it is supposed to be (Rom. 8:19-27). The times look dark, and we are tempted to despair. But, in Christ, we are more than conquerors because nothingnot rulers nor things present nor things to come, nor powers can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:37-39). A version of this first appeared in my weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. Photo credit: GettyImages/YayaErnst Russell Moore is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The ERLC is the moral and public policy entity of the nations largest Protestant denomination. Britain's chancellor Rishi Sunak. Photo: REUTERS/Simon Dawson. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned Britains economy will get worse before it gets better, in a sombre message about the year ahead. Sunak used a statement in parliament to highlight recent official figures showing the economic downturn has been the worst in 300 years, costing around 800,000 jobs. He told MPs on Monday: While the vaccine provides hope, the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. Many people are losing their jobs, businesses are struggling, our public finances have been badly damaged and will need repair. He said the road ahead will be tough, but said firms efforts and the governments 280bn ($377.4bn) comprehensive package of support for business and jobs would help the country get through the crisis. READ MORE: Will Britain face higher tax and interest rates any time soon? There are some signs of hope however, he added, pointing to not only the vaccine but also household savings and corporate cash buffers he said were at high levels. Sunak also hit out at claims Britain economy was struggling more amid the pandemic than other comparable economies, saying the UK's own official data on public sector output 'flatters other countries and disadvantages us. He suggested the UKs performance was in line with other nations when corrected. Labours shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds criticised Sunak for unveiling funding for devolved administrations that had already been announced last year. She said she had also heard almost nothing in his speech about furlough support for recent new starters, the broken support provided to those self-isolating and gaps in income schemes. The finance ministers statement comes amid increased focus on the Treasurys plans over the past week: The former Goldman Sachs staffer hinted this week at the prospect of a Big Bang 2.0 a reference to the financial de-regulation of the 1980s, in a bid to support the City of London. He also told CityAM Britain had to show humility in not taking low interest rates for granted, reiterating his pledge to put the public finances on a sustainable footing. Potential tax hikes look set to be delayed beyond the Budget in March however, with a senior government source telling the Times it was the wrong time. Any plans are reportedly unlikely until autumn at the earliest. Sunak came under pressure from Labour leader Keir Starmer to scrap plans to allow a 1.9bn council tax bombshell and 20-a-week cut to benefits later this year. The chancellor announced 4.6bn ($6.3bn) in new grants of up to 9,000 for businesses last Tuesday, as Britain returned to full-scale lockdown. Business groups called for more help for the self-employed, company directors and supply chains. WATCH: Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlines new support measures for firms READ MORE: Rishi Sunak told lockdown support for firms does not go far enough VATICAN CITY, JAN 11 - Pope Francis on Monday gave official approval to the current practice of lay women proclaiming God's Word during services. With a Motu proprio released on Monday, Francis established that from now on the ministries of Lector and Acolyte are to be open to women, in a stable and institutionalized form through a specific mandate, Vatican News reported. There is nothing new, the Vatican news service noted, about women proclaiming the Word of God during liturgical celebrations or carrying out a service at the altar as altar servers or as Eucharistic ministers. In many communities throughout the world these practices are already authorized by local bishops. However, up to this point, this has occurred without a true and proper institutional mandate, as an exception to what Pope St Paul VI had established when, in 1972, even while abolishing the so-called "minor orders", he decided to maintain that access to these ministries be granted only to men because they were considered to be preparatory to the eventual admission to holy orders. Now, in the wake of the discernment which has emerged from the last Synods of Bishops, Pope Francis wanted to formalize and institutionalize the presence of women at the altar. With the Motu proprio Spiritus Domini, which modifies the first paragraph of Canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law, Pope Francis, therefore, establishes that women can have access to these ministries and that they be recognized through a liturgical act formally instituting them as such. Pope Francis specifies that he wanted to welcome recommendations which have emerged from various synodal assemblies, writing that "a doctrinal development has been arrived at in these last years that has brought to light how certain ministries instituted by the Church have as their basis the common condition of being baptized and the royal priesthood received in the Sacrament of Baptism." The Pope, therefore, invites us to recognize that what is under discussion are lay ministries "fundamentally distinct from the ordained ministry that is received through the Sacrament of Holy Orders." The new formulation of the canon reads: "Lay persons who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops can be admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte." The specification "lay men" qualifying the laity and present in the Code until today's modification, is, therefore, abolished. The Motu proprio is accompanied by a letter addressed to the Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, in which Pope Francis explains the theological motivations behind his decision. The Pope writes that "within the spectrum of renewal traced out by the Second Vatican Council, the urgency is being ever more felt today to rediscover the co-responsibility of all of the baptized in the Church, and the mission of the laity in a particular way." And, citing the Final Document of the Synod for the Pan-Amazon Region, the Pope observes that "regarding the entire Church, in the variety of situations, it is urgent that ministries for men and women be promoted and conferred It is the Church made up of baptized men and women that we must consolidate, promoting forms of ministry and, above all, an awareness of baptismal dignity." In his letter to the Cardinal, after recalling the words of Saint John Paul II that "regarding ordained ministries, the Church does not have the faculty in any way to confer priestly ordination on women," Pope Francis adds that "regarding non-ordained ministries, it is possible, and today it seems appropriate, to surmount this reservation." The Pope explains that "to offer to lay persons of both sexes the possibility of accessing the ministries of Acolyte and Lector, in virtue of their participation in the priesthood of the baptized, the awareness will grow, through a liturgical act (of institution) as well, of the precious contribution that many lay persons, including women, have been offering for some time to the life and mission of the Church." He concludes that "the decision to confer these offices even on women, which entails stability, public recognition and a mandate on the part of the bishop, will make more effective everyone's participation in the work of evangelization." This provision comes after extensive theological reflection on these ministries. Post-conciliar theology has, in fact, recovered the relevance of the ministries of Lector and Acolyte, not only in relation to the ordained priesthood, but also, and above all, in relation to the priesthood of the baptized. These ministries are situated within the dynamic of the mutual collaboration that exists between these two priesthoods, and their specifically "lay" nature has become ever more pronounced, in connection with the priesthood exercised by all the baptized in virtue of their baptism. (ANSA). Two of the biggest carriers at Charleston International have joined two of their rivals in cracking down on furry freeloaders. Under policies that took effect Monday, Delta and United are no longer allowing passengers to bring emotional-support and therapy animals along for the ride without their owners paying for them. Exceptions will be made for prior bookings, which will be honored. The moves follow similar policies announced earlier last week by Alaska and American, which also serve CHS. The changes follow a newly finalized U.S. Transportation Department rule that gives airlines the power to rein in the growing number of emotional-support animals taking up space in their cabins in recent years. It replaces a regulation that some carriers and flight crews said travelers had increasingly abused. That rule allowed passengers to bring an animal on board for free, simply by claiming that it provided them with emotional support. Atlanta-based Delta, which is the oldest airline at Charleston International and the largest based on passenger volume, has seen a nearly 85 percent increase in animal incidents since 2016, including urination, defecation and biting, said David Garrison, a senior vice president in charge of security. Our top priority is the health, safety and comfort of Delta customers and our people," he said in a statement last week. "We strongly believe this policy change will enhance the overall travel experience for everyone. Frontier, which also offers flights from Charleston International, announced Monday that it had joined the others in adopting the new policy. Most of the airlines that are cracking down will only allow trained service dogs in their cabins without being secured in a crate. And even those four-legged flyers will need a government-approved form attesting to their training, vaccines and disposition. Pet owners can still transport animals in the cargo hold or in pet carriers that fit under a seat in the cabin for a fee that typically starts at around $125 per flight. But the days of a free ride for Rover is over. Closing the gap The Palmetto State is catching a glimpse of a narrowing gap between its pre-COVID and current tourism numbers. For the week ended Jan. 2, about 44 percent of South Carolina's hotel rooms were full. While that's not a particularly large share, it's notable in one way: It's the closest the occupancy figure for the state has gotten to the corresponding year-earlier figure since the pandemic began in mid-March, according to a weekly report from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. In the same week, occupancy in the U.S. was down 17 percent, and for the Southeast region, down 11 percent. The Charleston and West Ashley area had the highest occupancy rate in the state at 63 percent, which had been common pre-pandemic but not since then. For most of last year, the Holy City's hospitality numbers have been trailing the statewide average, likely because the loss of travel business from the "fly market" has been felt most acutely in Charleston. Lidls lot Lidl is taking ownership of the land under its future North Charleston store. The no-fills European discount grocery chain recently acquired the 4.84-acre site on Dorchester Road near Riverbluff Parkway. The German company's Arlington, Va.-based U.S. division paid $3.05 million for the property, according to Dorchester County land records. The seller is an affiliate of Charlotte-based Collett Real Estate, which is developing a neighboring 83,500-square shopping center to be called Cedar Grove that will include retailers and restaurants spread over four buildings. The newly carved-out Lidl outparcel will accommodate a 30,000-square-foot store, according to an online marketing brochure. Construction has not yet started on the supermarket and an opening date has not been announced. 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! Lidl, which operates in similar fashion to rival grocer Aldi, opened its first Charleston-area store more than three years ago in Goose Creek. It also owns that site, paying an even $3 million for the 6.2-acre St. James Avenue property in 2016. The North Charleston location would be Lidl's second in the region and, as of last week, its 14th statewide. The company announced plans in August to invest more than $500 million to open 50 stores employing an average of 40 workers each by the end of 2021. Lidl's U.S. operations are within a nine-state East Coast footprint stretching from New York to South Carolina. One new supermarket was earmarked for the Palmetto State under the latest expansion push. Labor cost A big South Carolina manufacturer is facing a six-figure staffing bill. Giti Tire has been ordered to pay more than half a million dollars to a firm that provided it with temporary workers at its Chester County plant. As part of an arbitration proceeding in federal court, Reliable Management Solutions is due $520,000 from the company for labor invoices dating back to 2018. David Shelton, director of industry relations for the manufacturer, described the lawsuit as a "good-faith dispute" over billing and alleged damage caused to the Richburg factory, which is south of Charlotte. The judge said it was "apparent" that the reason Giti didn't pay was because it was having "cash flow problems." Since announcing that it would build its first North American factory in South Carolina in 2014, Singapore-based Giti has received tens of millions of dollars in public taxpayer money in exchange for its promise to invest $560 million and create 1,700 new jobs over 10 years. The state put up $39.9 million through a state grant to help purchase the land and improve the 1,100-acre factory site. In late 2018, the company became eligible for up to $30 million in future tax incentives from the state for creating a set number of jobs. And in 2020, the company was granted a $7.9 million loan through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Safe for now South Carolina has avoided the latest round of bloodletting at Bed Bath & Beyond. The household-goods retail chain known for its 20 percent discount coupons announced last summer it would shutter 200 locations, or 21 percent of the total, over two years in an effort to right-size the company and pump more resources into its online business. The store optimization plan" will save an estimated $250 million to $350 million a year. Last month, the retailer identified the first 63 locations that will go dark. None was in the Palmetto State, which also escaped a previous round of closings announced a year ago. A new list of 43 stores that are shutting their doors by the end of February was released last week. Once again, South Carolina gets a pass. The retailers website shows a dozen stores around the state, with six split between the Charleston and Columbia markets. The others are in the Upstate, Aiken, Bluffton, Florence and Myrtle Beach. But none is safe at this point. The New Jersey-based company still has about 80 stores left to shed under the cost-cutting plan. Pet-friendly Fido and Fluffy apparently feel right at home in the Lowcountry. A new study from rent.com placed Charleston as one of the top 10 U.S. cities for pets based on its availability of pet-friendly apartments (93 percent), the number of pet businesses per 10,000 residents (14) and the average veterinarian costs ($50.50). The math was good enough for the No. 2 ranking. Greeley, Colo., topped the list. It was followed by Ann Arbor, Mich.; Boulder, Colo.; Tyler, Texas; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Arvada, Colo.; Naperville, Ill.; Vacaville, Calif.; and Davie, Fla. Viral outreach At a local health care system, the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine has turned into a job opportunity. By definition, it's temporary. But Tidelands Health, which is based in Georgetown, says it needs additional staff to help as it deals with a wave of COVID-19 that has "stretched our workforce to the limit." Tidelands wants to recruit workers with previous health care experience in the vaccination effort. But others who know a thing or two about data entry or customer service may also find openings as a clinic registrar. Gayle Resetar, the health systems chief operating officer, called on the community to pitch in. "If you are a retired nurse, if youve left the work force or even if youre already working in our community but would like to earn additional income, this is a great opportunity to serve," she said in a statement. In the interim, Tidelands Health, which operates two hospitals along the South Carolina coast, is leaning on help from the state's National Guard. And an additional bonus: Those who get the new jobs will also be inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, which for the time being is limited to essential health care workers and the staff and residents of nursing homes. Deprived of his major online megaphones, Donald Trump is seeking alternative ways to spread his messages in his last days in the White House. After Twitter, Facebook and Instagram shut the president off for inciting rebellion in the aftermath of the Washington riot, Mr Trumps main options appear to have much smaller reach. Chief among them is the far right-friendly Parler though Google and Apple have both removed it from their app stores and Amazon decided to boot it off its web hosting service. Mr Trump may launch his own platform. But that will not happen overnight, and free speech experts anticipate growing pressure on all social media platforms to curb incendiary speech as Americans take stock of Wednesdays violent takeover of the US Capitol by a Trump-incited mob. Twitter ended Mr Trumps nearly 12-year run on Friday. In shutting his account it cited a tweet to his 89 million followers that he planned to skip President-elect Joe Bidens January 20 inauguration that it said gave rioters license to converge on Washington once again. Facebook and Instagram have suspended Mr Trump at least until Inauguration Day. Twitch and Snapchat also have disabled Mr Trumps accounts, while Shopify took down online stores affiliated with the president and Reddit removed a Trump sub-group. Twitter also banned Trump loyalists including former national security advisor Michael Flynn in a sweeping purge of accounts promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory and the Capitol insurrection. Some had hundreds of thousands of followers. In a statement on Friday, Trump said: We have been negotiating with various other sites, and will have a big announcement soon, while we also look at the possibilities of building out our own platform in the near future. The immense power that the social media platforms have as gatekeepers of public discourse had been flexed as never before a power that should be troubling even for supporters of the Trump ban, tweeted Jameel Jaffer, director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the Capitol on Wednesday (Jose Luis Magana/AP) Experts are betting Mr Trump pops up on Parler, a two-year-old magnet for the far right that claims more than 12 million users, and where his sons Eric and Don Jr are already active. Parler hit headwinds, though, on Friday as Google yanked its smartphone app from its app store for allowing postings that seek to incite ongoing violence in the US. Apple followed suit on Saturday evening after giving Parler 24 hours to address complaints it was being used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities. Public safety issues will need to be resolved before it is restored, Apple said. Amazon struck another blow on Saturday, informing Parler it would need to look for a new web-hosting service effective midnight Sunday. It reminded Parler in a letter that it had informed it in the past few weeks of 98 examples of posts that clearly encourage and incite violence and said the platform poses a very real risk to public safety. Parler CEO John Matze complained on his site of being scapegoated. Standards not applied to Twitter, Facebook or even Apple themselves, apply to Parler, he said, adding he would not cave to politically motivated companies and those authoritarians who hate free speech. Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple whose operating systems power hundreds of millions of smartphones severely limits Parlers reach, though it will continue to be accessible via web browser. Another potential landing spot for Mr Trump is Gab though both Google and Apple removed it from their app stores in 2017. Online speech experts expect social media companies led by Facebook, Twitter and Googles YouTube to more vigorously police hate speech and incitement in the wake of the Capitol rebellion, as Western democracies led by Nazism-haunted Germany already do. David Kaye, a University of California-Irvine law professor and former UN special rapporteur on free speech, believes the Parlers of the world will also face pressure from the public and law enforcement, as will little-known sites where further pre-inauguration disruption is now apparently being organised. They include MeWe, Wimkin, TheDonald.win and Stormfront, according to a report released on Saturday by The Althea Group, which tracks disinformation. Mr Kaye rejects arguments by US conservatives including the presidents former UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, that the Trump ban savaged the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from restricting free expression. Silencing people, not to mention the President of the US, is what happens in China not our country, Ms Haley tweeted. But Mr Kate countered: Its not like the platforms rules are draconian. People dont get caught in violations unless they do something clearly against the rules. While initially arguing their need to be neutral on speech, Twitter and Facebook gradually yielded to public pressure, drawing a line especially when the so-called Plandemic video emerged early in the Covid-19 pandemic urging people not to wear masks, noted civic media professor Ethan Zuckerman of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Donald Trump has hinted at building his own social media platform (Steve Parsons/PA) Mr Zuckerman expects the Trump de-platforming may spur important online shifts. First, there may be an accelerated splintering of the social media world along ideological lines. Trump will pull a lot of audience wherever he goes, he said. That could mean more platforms with smaller, more ideologically isolated audiences. A splintering could push people towards extremes or make extremism less infectious, he said. Perhaps people looking for a video about welding on YouTube will no longer find themselves being offered an unrelated QAnon video. Alternative media systems that are less top-down managed and more self-governing could also emerge. Mr Zuckerman also expects major debate about online speech regulation, including in Congress. I suspect you will see efforts from the right arguing that there shouldnt be regulations on acceptable speech, he said. I think you will see arguments from the democratic side that speech is a public health issue. The next time your child plays with a remote controlled car, watch it, as it might well be manufactured in Karnataka. Bhanapur, a remote village in Koppal district, is poised to attain star status with the Karnataka government the laying foundation stone for the country's first toy manufacturing cluster in the village on Saturday. Spread over 400 acres of land, the toy manufacturing cluster is expected to attract Rs 5,000 crore worth of investments and comes with the potential to generate direct employment for about 30,000 people. The manufacturing campus is being promoted by Aequs SEZ Pvt Ltd in partnership with Karnataka. Bhanapur village in Koppal district, which has a population of less than 2,000 people, is located 365 km from Bengaluru. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Vocal For Local', and to boost toy manufacturing, Koppala will have India's first toy manufacturing cluster. After taking part in the foundation stone laying ceremony here, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said that the toy manufacturing cluster will contain over 100 units with a potential to generate 25,000 to 30,000 direct jobs and over one lakh jobs indirectly. He added that the toy manufacturing industry is labour intensive and most of the workers are women, hence this toy cluster coming up at Koppal is a bold step towards empowering women. "This is a momentous occasion as the Koppal toy cluster is the first in the country. The construction of the campus is expected to be completed by December this year. If it happens, we will invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the toy cluster," Yediyurappa said. The CM said that preference would be given to women for employment in the manufacturing cluster in Koppal. "Women who are earning Rs 200 per day now will be able to earn Rs 600 per day. We will prioritise employment for women and Aequs has promised to train the locals in skill development," he said. Karnataka is the third-largest market for toys in India and is worth $159 million, 9.1 per cent of the national market. The industries department said the state has invited domestic and global toy makers in line with the Prime Minister's vision of boosting toy manufacturing in India. Karnataka is poised to emerge as a leading toy-making cluster due to the robust ecosystem the state has created to support toy-making industries, the industries department claimed. The state has supported and nurtured tool manufacturing and precision engineering (TMTP), polymers manufacturing clusters in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Tumkuru and Mysuru, robust design capacity and testing certification agencies in Bengaluru, Dharwad and Koppala and GTTC (Government Tool Room and Training Centre). "Koppal has a tradition of making traditional toys such as Kinnala. It is against this backdrop that we aim to make Koppal the country's toy-making hub by promoting this art. I want to thank Aequs and other toy industries who have joined hands with the government initiative," Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar said. He said the foundation of this toy cluster has played a vital role in unlocking Karnataka's toy-making capacity. The Koppal toy cluster will be a one-stop destination, facilitating globally competitive and reliable manufacturing solutions with co-located facilities. Regarding apprehension among the locals that the promised jobs would be given to those from outside the district, Shettar said that 80 per cent of the jobs would be given to the locals from Koppal and other parts of the state. "We are implementing the Sarojini Maharshi report which calls for employment for locals. We will give companies a margin of 10-20 per cent of their workforce to be hired from outside the state. These will be the high-level skilled jobs. First preference will be given to the residents of Koppal," Shettar said. Prior to the BJP coming to power in the state, the toy manufacturing cluster was to come up in Ramanagara district. However, Koppal was chosen in 2018 by former Industries Minister and Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande as it is 380 km away from Bengaluru, 400 km from Hyderabad, 95 km from Hubballi and 215 km from Belagavi, all of which have airports. Koppal also has a well-connected railway network and is strategically closer to Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Thoothukudi, which have major ports. The global toy industry experienced continued growth, reaching a value of $90.7 billion in 2019, posting a 0.5 per cent growth over 2018. On the other hand, India's toy industry has grown at a CAGR of 15.9 per cent during 2011-19 to $1.75 billion in 2019, principal secretary (industries) Gaurav Gupta said. "Karnataka's toy market grew at a CAGR of 17.54 per cent between 2010 and 2017. Currently, Karnataka is the third-largest market for toys in India. It constitutes 9.1 per cent of the national market valued at $159 million," he claimed. The six companies that signed the MoUs include Playgro Industries Pvt Ltd, which is investing $15 million to manufacture remote controlled cars in Koppal with its manufacturing unit spread across 4 lakh sq ft; Sterling New Horizons Pvt Ltd, whose manufacturing unit will be spread across 50,000 sq ft and it will invest $10 million; Hotshot Tooling and Engineering Ltd, which will invest $6 million in a manufacturing unit spread across 1 lakh sq ft; Aequs Force Consumer Products Pvt Ltd, which will invest $60 million for a unit spread across 6 lakh sq ft; and Aequs Engineering Plastics Pvt Ltd, which will invest $80 million in a manufacturing unit spread across 8 lakh sq ft. Moscow on Sunday confirmed its first case of the new UK coronavirus strain, despite an earlier decision by officials to suspend flights from Britain to stop the mutation reaching Russia. One person returning to Russia from the UK was found to have been infected with the new strain, the head of Russia's health regulator Rospotrebnadzor told state-run television. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Watchdog head Anna Popova did not specify when the individual tested positive for coronavirus or any other circumstances surrounding the discovery. The B117 coronavirus strain is thought to have first emerged in southeastern England late last year, and has since been detected in dozens of countries around the world. Officials in Moscow temporarily suspended flights to and from the UK in December, following a similar move by dozens of other countries in the wake of the emergence of the new strain. Russia has one of the highest infection rates in the world and officials on Sunday confirmed a total of nearly 3.5 million cases. Health officials last month admitted the country's virus toll was much higher than previously reported, making Russia the third-worst hit globally. The Kremlin has placed its hope on the homegrown Sputnik V vaccine to counter the pandemic instead of the return to lockdown measures being imposed in many other European countries. 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 Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate has climbed to reach 1.7646, 0.58% higher on the day, after the Bank of England's Bailey downplayed the possibility of negatives UK interest rates. Also boosting Sterling was the news that the UK had achieved 2.6 million coronavirus vaccinations to date. GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Rises Despite Concerns of Harsher UK Restrictions The Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate fell by 0.2% today, with the pairing currently fluctuating around AU$1.74. Sterling fell today as the UK Governments Chief Medical Advisor, Chris Witty, warning that the nation was now at the worst point of the coronavirus epidemic. Nadhim Zahawi, the UK Vaccines Minister, also commented he was in the process of reviewing the nations restrictions and lockdown rules. Zahawi said: Were reviewing all the restrictions, but these are pretty tough at the moment. I am worried about supermarkets and people actually wearing masks and following the one-way system and making sure when its at capacity they wait outside the supermarket. As a result, GBP investors are becoming increasingly jittery over the prospects of even stricter lockdown restrictions as Coivd-19 cases continue to soar. GBP traders will also be awaiting todays speech from the Bank of Englands (BoE) Governor, Andrew Bailey. Any downbeat remarks about the state of the British economy would be GBP-negative. Australian Dollar (AUD) Exchange Rates Struggle on Risk-Off Trade The risk-sensitive Australian Dollar (AUD) struggled today owing to risk-off trade because of jittery global trade conditions. Rising Covid-19 cases in China has also sparked concerns over the worlds second largest economy and Australias biggest trading partner. As a result, demand for the Aussie has slipped as the global economic picture continues to darken. Nonetheless, some AUD investors are becoming more hopeful that the new US President-elect Joe Biden administration could boost stimulus payments to $2,00 and extend unemployment insurance. If the outlook for the US economy which is the largest in the world improves, then we could see demand for the risk-sensitive AUD improve. In Australian economic news, today saw the release of Novembers Retail Sales report, which rose by 7.1%. Analysts at Bloomberg commented: Australias economy has been recovering rapidly since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in Victoria and its state capital, Melbourne, with consumer confidence and hiring surging. The data precede a recent outbreak in Sydney and isolated cases in other states, however. However, this was not enough to boost the AUD/GBP exchange rate today as the outlook for Australias economy remains largely uncertain. GBP/AUD Outlook: Sterling Could Fall on Harsher Covid-19 Lockdown Rules Pound Sterling (GBP) investors will be awaiting tomorrows publication of the UK BRC Like-for-Like Retail Sales report for December. If this shows a surge in retail sales last month, we could see the GBP/AUD exchange rate head higher. However, if Downing Street announces more stringent lockdown rules, we will see Sterling suffer. Australian Dollar (AUD) traders will be eyeing global risk sentiment. Any signs of improvement in the global economic situation would be AUD-positive. The GBP/AUD exchange rate could become more subdued as the week unfolds, with the UKs Covid-19 situation expected to get worse before it gets better. WASHINGTON - Under battle flags bearing Donald Trump's name, the Capitol's attackers pinned a bloodied police officer in a doorway, his twisted face and screams captured on video. They mortally wounded another officer with a blunt weapon and body-slammed a third over a railing into the crowd. Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) WASHINGTON - Under battle flags bearing Donald Trump's name, the Capitol's attackers pinned a bloodied police officer in a doorway, his twisted face and screams captured on video. They mortally wounded another officer with a blunt weapon and body-slammed a third over a railing into the crowd. Hang Mike Pence!" the insurrectionists chanted as they pressed inside, beating police with pipes. They demanded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's whereabouts, too. They hunted any and all lawmakers: Where are they? Outside, makeshift gallows stood, complete with sturdy wooden steps and the noose. Guns and pipe bombs had been stashed in the vicinity. Only days later is the extent of the danger from one of the darkest episodes in American democracy coming into focus. The sinister nature of the assault has become evident, betraying the crowd as a force determined to occupy the inner sanctums of Congress and run down leaders Trumps vice-president and the Democratic House speaker among them. This was not just a collection of Trump supporters with MAGA bling caught up in a wave. That revelation came in real time to Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., who briefly took over proceedings in the House chamber as the mob closed in Wednesday and Pelosi was spirited to safer quarters moments before everything went haywire. I saw this crowd of people banging on that glass screaming, McGovern told The Associated Press on Sunday. Looking at their faces, it occurred to me, these arent protesters. These are people who want to do harm. What I saw in front of me," he said, was basically home-grown fascism, out of control." Pelosi said Sunday the evidence is that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people. She did not elaborate on that point in a 60 Minutes" interview on CBS. The scenes of rage, violence and agony are so vast that the whole of it may still be beyond comprehension. But with countless smartphone videos emerging from the scene, much of it from gloating insurrectionists themselves, and more lawmakers recounting the chaos that was around them, the contours of the uprising are increasingly coming into relief. In an image provided by CBS News and "60 Minutes," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, right, is interviewed by correspondent Leslie Stahl, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington. It was Pelosi's first interview since the insurrection at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6. The interview aired Sunday, Jan. 10 on "60 Minutes." (60 Minutes/CBSNews via AP) THE STAGING The mob got stirring encouragement from Trump and more explicit marching orders from the president's men. Fight like hell, Trump exhorted his partisans at the staging rally. Lets have trial by combat, implored his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, whose attempt to throw out election results in trial by courtroom failed. It's time to start taking down names and kicking ass, said Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama. Criminals pardoned by Trump, among them Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, came forward at rallies on the eve of the attack to tell the crowds they were fighting a battle between good and evil. On Capitol Hill, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri gave a clenched-fist salute to the hordes outside the Capitol as he pulled up to press his challenge of the election results. The crowd was pumped. Until a little after 2 p.m., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was at the helm for the final minutes of decorum in partnership with Pence, who was serving his ceremonial role presiding over the process. Both men had backed Trump's agenda and excused or ignored his provocations for four years, but now had no mechanism or will to subvert the election won by Biden. That placed them high among the insurrectionists' targets, no different in the minds of the mob from the socialists. If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral," McConnell told his chamber, not long before things spiraled out of control in what lawmakers call the Peoples House." Far-right social media users had openly hinted for weeks that chaos would erupt at the Capitol when Congress convened to certify the election results. As the attack unfolded, they urged followers to trust the plan and hold the line. Just what the plan might have been is central to the investigation. The FBI is investigating whether some of the attackers intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage. Authorities are particularly focused on why some in the mob were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate. THE ASSAULT 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) Thousands had swarmed the Capitol. They charged into police and metal barricades outside the building, shoving and hitting officers in their way. The assault quickly pushed through the vastly outnumbered police line; officers ran down one man and pummeled him. In the melee outside, near the structure built for Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20, a man threw a fire extinguisher at the helmeted head of a police officer. Then he picked up a bullhorn and threw it at officers, too. The identity of the officer could not immediately be confirmed. But Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who was wounded in the chaos, died the next night; officials say he had been hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. Shortly after 2 p.m., Capitol Police sent an alert telling workers in a House office building to head to underground transportation tunnels that criss-cross the complex. Minutes later, Pence was taken from the Senate chamber to a secret location and police announced the lockdown of the Capitol. You may move throughout the building(s) but stay away from exterior windows and doors, said the email blast. If you are outside, seek cover. At 2:15 p.m., the Senate recessed its Electoral College debate and a voice was heard over the chamber's audio system: The protesters are in the building. The doors of the House chamber were barricaded and lawmakers inside it were told they may need to duck under their chairs or relocate to cloakrooms off the House floor because the mob has breached the Capitol Rotunda. Even before the mob reached sealed doors of the House chamber, Capitol Police pulled Pelosi away from the podium, she told 60 Minutes. I said, No, I want to be here,she said. And they said, Well, no, you have to leave. I said, No, Im not leaving.' They said, No, you must leave. So she did. At 2:44 p.m., as lawmakers inside the House chamber prepared to be evacuated, a gunshot was heard from right outside, in the Speaker's Lobby on the other side of the barricaded doors. That's when Ashli Babbit, wearing a Trump flag like a cape, was shot to death on camera as insurrectionists railed, her blood pooling on the white marble floor. The Air Force veteran from California had climbed through a broken window into the Speakers Lobby before a police officer's gunshot felled her. Back in the House chamber, a woman in the balcony was seen and heard screaming. Why she was doing that only became clear later when video circulated. She was screaming a prayer. Within about 10 minutes of the shooting, House lawmakers and staff members who had been cowering during the onslaught, terror etched into their faces, had been taken from the chamber and gallery to a secure room. The mob broke into Pelosi's offices while members of her staff hid in one of the rooms of her suite. The staff went under the table, barricaded the door, turned out the lights and were silent in the dark, she said. Under the table for two and a half hours. On the Senate side, Capitol Police had circled the chamber and ordered all staff and reporters and any nearby senators into the chamber and locked it down. At one point about 200 people were inside; an officer armed with what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon stood between McConnell and the Democratic leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer. Authorities then ordered an evacuation and rushed everyone inside to a secure location, the Senate parliamentary staff scooping up the boxes holding the Electoral Collage certificates. Although the Capitol's attackers had been sent with Trump's exhortation to fight, they appeared in some cases to be surprised that they had actually made it in. When they breached the abandoned Senate chamber, they milled around, rummaged through papers, sat at desks and took videos and pictures. One of them climbed to the dais and yelled, Trump won that election! Two others were photographed carrying flex cuffs typically used for mass arrests. But outside the chamber, the mob's hunt was still on for lawmakers. Where are they?" people could be heard yelling. That question could have also applied to reinforcements where were they? At about 5:30 p.m., once the National Guard had arrived to supplement the overwhelmed Capitol Police force, a full-on effort began to get the attackers out. Heavily armed officers brought in as reinforcements started using tear gas in a co-ordinated fashion to get people moving toward the door, then combed the halls for stragglers. As darkness fell, they pushed the mob farther out onto the plaza and lawn, using officers in riot gear in full shields and clouds of tear gas, flash-bangs and percussion grenades. At 7:23 p.m., officials announced that people hunkered down in two nearby congressional office buildings could leave if anyone must. Within the hour, the Senate had resumed its work and the House followed, returning the People's House to the control of the people's representatives. Lawmakers affirmed Bidens election victory early the next morning, shell-shocked by the catastrophic failure of security. Associated Press writers Dustin Weaver in Washington and Michael Casey in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. Reeves reported from Birmingham, Alabama. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Current estimates suggest that less than one in five women who freeze their eggs will return to use them later. With more women needing donor eggs to conceiveoften sourced from overseas countriesresearchers are encouraging those who no longer need their frozen eggs to consider donating them. There are currently 4048 women who have eggs in storage in Victoria, an increase of almost 30 percent since 2019. Of those, only 159 women who came back to use their eggs in the last yearjust 3.9 percent. University of Melbourne researcher and IVF clinician Dr. Alex Polyakov said the low rates of frozen egg usage raised ethical concerns and limited the cost effectiveness of this process for women. "Freezing eggs is an expensive process, so women who have frozen eggs but no longer require them, as they have completed their family or do not wish to use them in the future, could donate their eggs and be reimbursed for the egg freezing costs they had incurred," Dr. Polyakov said. "This would increase the supply of donor eggs, with less women having to travel overseas, and at the same time for women freezing their eggs, reduce the number of eggs discarded and improve the cost effectiveness of the process." Published in BMJ Ethics, researchers undertook a narrative review to explore whether the two treatments of egg freezing and women needing donor eggs could be combined to benefit both parties. In Australia, it is illegal to buy or sell any human tissue including eggs and embryos. Women who donate their eggs can have expenses reimbursed, but anonymous donorsthose not known to the recipientare very rare. Researchers say the shortage of donor eggs locally results in many women traveling overseas to countries with less stringent rules and regulations where eggs can be purchased for money. "This is termed 'reproductive tourism' and has significant ethical, financial, and legal issues," University of Melbourne researcher and IVF clinician Dr. Genia Rozen said. "Neither the donors, or recipients are protected from exploitation and fraud. Moreover, in the past year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this avenue of obtaining donor eggs has been severely restricted." Researchers say donating eggs would benefit both parties and is ethically acceptable, legally permissible and consistent with the current practice of egg donation in Australia. "Few would disagree that wider availability of donor eggs in Australia is a desirable goal that would greatly benefit many women and couples," Dr. Polyakov said. "This dual method would allow wider access to social egg freezing, particularly for young women who may not currently consider it due to cost, and most importantly, increase the availability of donor eggs to those in need and desperately wanting to start a family. "It is also consistent with current egg donation process since no financial inducement is offered, only expenses occurred are reimbursedhelping the donor recover their costs." Explore further Only 21% of women who use their frozen eggs become mothers More information: Alex Polyakov et al. Social egg freezing and donation: waste not, want not, Journal of Medical Ethics (2021). Journal information: Journal of Medical Ethics Alex Polyakov et al. Social egg freezing and donation: waste not, want not,(2021). DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106607 More than 3,300 hopefuls have applied for selection to the commission that will rewrite Chile's dictatorship-era constitution, the top electoral body said Monday. Applicants had until midnight to register their interest, after which the Electoral Service will publish the official list. The 14 million eligible voters will then elect on April 11 the 155 members of the Constituent Assembly, who will rewrite the constitution, which dates from the rule of military dictator Augusto Pinochet (1973-90). The Electoral Service said that as of 5:00 pm (2000 GMT), 2,226 independent candidates had registered, 185 from indigenous communities -- who are competing for 17 reserved seats -- and more than 900 representatives of political parties, bringing the total to 3,311. Indigenous people make up 12.8 percent of Chile's 18 million population. Chileans voted overwhelmingly in October to rewrite the constitution, which had been one of the key demands from protesters who rose up in October 2019 to lead months of protests against social inequality. A previous law passed by Congress deemed that the commission must be equally split between men and women. It's a crucial year for Chileans, who will return to the voting urns on November 21 to elect a successor to President Sebastian Pinera, who cannot stand for re-election. apg/pb/llu/bc/wat/jh/to 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. Gias generates 30% of turnover outside Italy Gias, the Italy-based frozen-food manufacturer, has sold a majority stake in its business to expand at home and overseas. Two private-equity firms, Italy's IDeA Agro and Spain's Cleon Capital, have acquired the shareholding, with Gias retaining 49%. Financial terms were not disclosed. Gias, based in Mongrassano in southern Italy, is a ready-meals manufacturer. It generates annual turnover of around EUR50m (US$60.8m). In a statement announcing the deal, it was stated Gias had "recorded a growth rate in the last five years of approximately 10% per annum". Get the best in data analysis & reporting - Alchemer. Please take my survey now Gloria Tenuta, who will remain Gias' chairman and CEO, said: "Thanks to the support of IDeA Agro and Cleon Capital, we hope to give further impetus to the growth of GIAS on the national market and, above all, on foreign markets." Around 30% of Gias' turnover is made outside Italy. The new investors said they wanted to help Gias complete a production project at its site in Mongrassano, as well as increase the company's "commercial presence abroad". "This is about making markets," said Berners-Lee, who is Inrupt's chief technology officer. Inrupt introduced in November its server software for enterprises and government agencies. And the startup is getting a handful of pilot projects underway in earnest this year, including ones with Britain's National Health Service and with the government of Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Inrupt's initial business model is to charge licensing fees for its commercial software, which uses the Solid open-source technology but has enhanced security, management and developer tools. The Boston-based company has raised about $US20 million ($26 million) in venture funding. Startups, Berners-Lee noted, can play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of a new technology. The web, he said, really took off after Netscape introduced web-browsing software and Red Hat brought Linux, the open-source operating system, into corporate data centres. Over the years, companies focused on protecting users' privacy online have come and gone. The software of these "infomediaries" was often limited and clunky, appealing only to the most privacy conscious. But the technology has become faster and smarter and pressure on the big tech companies is mounting. Loading Tech companies have formed a Data Transfer Project, committing to make personal data they hold portable. It now comprises Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Twitter. The Federal Trade Commission recently held a "Data to Go" workshop. "In this changed regulatory setting, there is a market opportunity for Tim Berners-Lee's firm and others to offer individuals better ways to control their data," said Peter Swire, a privacy expert at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. Inrupt is betting that trusted organisations will initially be the sponsors of pods. The pods are free for users. If the concept takes off, low-cost or free personal data services similar to today's email services could emerge. The National Health Service has been working with Inrupt on a pilot project for the care of dementia patients that moves from development into the field this month. The early goal is to give caregivers access to a broader view of patients' health, needs and preferences. Each patient has a Solid pod with an "All About Me" form with information submitted by the patient or an authorised relative, supplementing the person's electronic health record. The pod might list that the patient needs help for daily tasks like getting out of bed, tying shoelaces or going to the bathroom. It might also include what soothes the patient when agitated perhaps country music or classic old movies. Later, activity data from an Apple Watch or Fitbit could be added. The medical goal, said Scott Watson, technical director on the pilot project, is improved health and better care that are less stressful for the patient. "And it's a fundamental change in how we share information in health care systems," he said. The initial project will begin with up to 50 patients in the Manchester region and be evaluated in a few months. In Flanders, a region of more than 6 million people, the government hopes the new data technology can nurture opportunities for local entrepreneurs and companies and new services for citizens. Personal data in pods can be linked with public and private data to create new applications, said Raf Buyle, an information architect for the Flanders government. One potential app, Buyle said, might suggest routes and modes of travel for work commutes, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Such an app, he said, could combine location data from a person's smartphone, with preferences for exercise and reducing the carbon footprint, and weather and public transport schedules and bike or scooter rental pickup sites. Loading "Most of the cool use cases will come from companies building new apps on top of the data," Buyle said. For Berners-Lee, the Solid-Inrupt venture is a fix-it project. He has spent his career championing information sharing, openness and personal empowerment online as director of the World Wide Web Consortium, president of the Open Data Institute, and an academic at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford University. His accolades include a Turing Award, often called the Nobel Prize of computer science. In his native England, he is a knight Sir Tim. "But Tim has become increasingly concerned as power in the digital world is weighted against the individual," said Daniel Weitzner, a principal research scientist at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. "That shift is what Solid and Inrupt are meant to correct." The push to give individuals greater control over their data, Berners-Lee said, often begins as a privacy issue. But a new deal on data, he said, will require entrepreneurs, engineers and investors to see opportunities for new products and services, just as they did with the web. The long view is a thriving decentralised marketplace, fuelled by personal empowerment and collaboration, Berners-Lee said. "The end vision is very powerful," he said. Whether his team can realise that vision is uncertain. Some in the field of personal data say the Solid-Inrupt technology is too academic for mainstream developers. They also question whether the technology will achieve the speed and power needed to become a platform for future apps, like software assistants animated by a person's data. "No one will argue with the direction," said Liam Broza, a founder of LifeScope, an open-source data project. "He's on the right side of history. But is what he's doing really going to work?" Others say the Solid-Inrupt technology is only part of the answer. "There is lots of work outside Tim Berners-Lee's project that will be vital to the vision," said Kaliya Young, co-chair of the Internet Identity Workshop, whose members focus on digital identity. Berners-Lee said that his team was not inventing its own identity system, and that anything that worked could plug into its technology. Inrupt faces a series of technical challenges, but none that are "go-to-the-moon hard," said Bruce Schneier, a well-known computer security and privacy expert, who has joined Inrupt as its chief of security architecture. And Schneier is an optimist. "This technology could unlock an enormous amount of innovation," potentially becoming a new platform as the iPhone was for smartphone apps, he said. "I think this stands a good chance of changing how the internet works," he said. "Oddly, Tim has done it before." The New York Times Romeo's Pizza Were confident that the residents of Tampa will respond positively to the new Romeos Pizza locations in the works. An engaged and consistent customer base will prove to be an invaluable resource for our longer-term success in Florida. Romeos Pizza, the award-winning franchise that offers pizza with a purpose, announces plans to open upwards of 10 new locations in Tampa, Florida within the next two years. The first few locations included in the franchise area agreement are set to open later this spring, the first of which will be the second Romeos Pizza in Florida. The development effort is led by Patrick Howlett, CEO and President of Howlett Restaurant Group. Patrick and Howlett Restaurant Group have played a part in growing the franchise in Ohio. They have plans to open 30 Romeos Pizza locations, with three currently open in the eastern part of Ohio. Patrick has decades of business development and managerial experience working in the restaurant industry. After working with Romeos Pizza in 2020 to bring new locations to Ohio, Patrick looked for opportunities to branch out to new markets with the international pizza franchise. By establishing a strong base in Tampa further south along the peninsula from the existing Romeos Pizza location in Destin, Patrick and Howlett Restaurant Group will help encourage the expansion of the franchise to additional markets in Florida. The ongoing and constructive support from the Romeos Pizza team, combined with our signature sweet sauce, sets us up for success in Florida, says Patrick Howlett. Our standing partnership with Romeos Pizza has been a valuable resource from the very beginning and we cant wait to help bring our handcrafted excellence to more Floridians than ever before. Ryan Rose, CEO of Romeos Pizza, has worked to build a connected, collaborative network of relationships between the company and its franchise partners since 2015. Romeos commitment to their franchisee-first focus has helped facilitate their rapid international growth and record sales in recent years. In comparison to other major markets in Florida, Tampa is unique in that it is less reliant on business from the tourist and travel industry, says Romeos Pizza CEO Ryan Rose. With that in mind, were confident that the residents of Tampa will respond positively to the new Romeos Pizza locations in the works. An engaged and consistent customer base will prove to be an invaluable resource for our longer-term success in Florida, Rose continued. With his work in Ohio, Patrick has taken the Core Values of Romeos Pizza to heart, and we couldnt be prouder to grow our partnership further with this development effort. The franchise area agreement is the next stage of Romeos Pizzas strategy to grow the company in Florida and other southern states. All ten of the Romeos locations included in the area agreement are expected to open and begin operation within the next two years, with additional markets in Florida being considered for future expansion. Romeos Pizza is recognized by Entrepreneur as a Top Food Franchise and by Pizza Today as one of the Top 100 Pizza Companies in the United States. The company plans to have 60 open franchise locations by the end of 2021, with the goal of reaching 250 total locations in the next five years. For more information about Romeos Pizza, visit https://www.romeospizza.com/. About Romeos Pizza Founded in 2001 in Medina, Ohio, Romeos Pizza is an award-winning, food-first, pizza community. With 46 open locations and counting, the growing international franchise delivers handcrafted excellence through our local pizza champions. Romeos Pizza delivers purpose-driven, handcrafted excellence through our team of local pizza champions. We believe pizza is always the answer. We deliver sweet smiles, one slice at a time. We will positively impact our communities and environment through our Pizza with a Purpose initiative. This initiative supports local, national and worldwide organizations that believe in making a positive impact on people and our planet. Learn more about Romeos Pizza at https://www.romeospizza.com/. To learn more about Romeos Pizza franchising opportunities, visit https://romeospizzafranchise.com/. Yamaha is offering farmers and farm workers free ATV training in 38 centres across the UK in a bid to improve the industry's safety record. Those buying a new Yamaha ATV will be offered the a rider competency training course from the European All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (EASI). According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the total cost of workplace injury to agriculture, forestry, and fishing is estimated at between 108m and 274m. To reduce risk, improve operator competence, and help safeguard workers, the HSE advises that ATV operators complete a training course. Amy Morris, EASI UK Regional Operations Manager, said that with the ever-increasing popularity of ATVs, many operators had little or no experience. Even experienced riders can find themselves in potentially hazardous situations that can, without the correct training and knowledge, result in serious accidents. Our courses highlight general machine checks, upkeep, weight distribution and active riding, which is imperative when operating on uneven, rutted terrain which is so often found on farms. Taking a basic course to learn riding skills and use the correct equipment can help prevent the risk of accidents, she added. "An ATV handles very differently to cars and motorcycles so it is vitally important that all users should learn how to safely operate an ATV by taking an operator course." The training can be completed in one day and there are 38 centres across the UK. New Delhi: India on Monday (January 11, 2021) expressed its concerns on acts of terrorism in West Africa at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) pointing out to increased activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP). Highlighting out how terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime have 'continued unabated', the Indian envoy to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti said, "The terror attacks in Burkina Faso, particularly in regions bordering Mali and Niger, have again underscored the urgent need to intensify efforts to combat terrorism, which is spilling over into other countries and regions." He explained that the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria and Lake Chad have not subsided either and added that the recent terror attacks by the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) are more brutal than those carried out by Boko Haram. #IndiaInUNSC PR @ambtstirumurti speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on @UN_UNOWAS and explains position on the West Africa and the Sahel. pic.twitter.com/jXgJqOGeoL India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) January 11, 2021 Notably, the ISWAP which is supported by elements in West Asia and North Africa is emerging as a radicalized and brutal terrorist entity, posing a serious threat to peace and stability in the region" TS Tirumurti was speaking at a security council meeting on West Africa and the Sahel region. The council had taken up the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) between June 23 and December 14, 2020. The Indian envoy called for closer coordination in counter-terrorism cooperation in the region and its periphery, to counter the growth of terrorist entities effectively. Watch PR of India @AmbTSTirumurti speaks at the UN Security Council meeting today on @UN_UNOWAS pic.twitter.com/N71RGBY1nM India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) January 11, 2021 In fact, India has also commenced counter-terrorism training in the region. New Delhi also conveyed its deep condolences for the terror attack in Niger earlier this month that killed around 100 people and the deaths of French soldiers involved in Operation Barkhane in Mali. Operation Barkhane is an ongoing anti-insurgent operation by France and five countries of Sahel--G5 Sahel--Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The British and Estonia have also extended support to it. The Indian envoy commended the efforts of regional counter-terrorism initiatives such as G-5 Sahel Joint Force, and Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which is a model that illustrates the ownership taken by countries of the region for their collective security. The Council and the international community need to actively support these initiatives. India expressed its concern vis a vis 'piracy hotspot' of Gulf of Guinea that has seen 17 incidents in the last six months. Several Indian sailors have been victims of piracy and kidnappings in that region for which Tirumurti called for 'urgent need to increase surveillance' to ensure maritime security in the area, through increased international collaboration. 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 pandemic first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. A World Health Organization (WHO) team of international experts tasked with investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic will arrive in China on January 14, China's national health authority said on Monday. The team was initially aiming to enter China in early January for the investigation but their arrival was delayed due to lack of authorisation from Beijing for their entry, Reuters reported. Read alsoU.S. immunologist: Time to prepare for new pandemicsThe National Health Commission, which announced the date, did not offer details on the team's itinerary. The pandemic first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. More news reports Reporting by UNIAN [January 11, 2021] IDX President and CEO Tom Kelly Briefs Congressional Delegation on SolarWinds Hack, Privacy Policy Implications PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom Kelly, president and CEO of IDX, the leading consumer privacy platform and data breach services provider, recently briefed numerous United States government officials on the implications of the recent SolarWinds cyberattack, an online assault unprecedented in depth and scope. The hack is believed to have been spearheaded by the Russian SVR Intelligence Service, having breached up to 12,000 organizations and gained access to sensitive data, such as unclassified emails from government officials and correspondence from gas, oil, technology companies, and more. "It was an honor to speak among such a powerful group of decision-makers and executives in the space. As we know, the SolarWinds hack has had a profound impact on U.S. government and commercial organizations compromised by this foreign actor," said Tom Kelly. "I predict that the implications of the hack will prove far-reaching and ultimately result in significant compromise to the privacy of American consumers." The timely virtual forum was hosted by Principal to Principal, which convened senior government and policy officials from all over the country to focus primarily on the risks resulting from this cyber copromise to organizations, government agencies, as well as to the privacy of consumers. Tom Kelly was joined in this forum by the Honorable Mike Rogers, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. The forum specifically addressed concerns surrounding the SolarWinds hack, which was discovered on December 8, 2020, and compromised many United States Treasury, Commerce, and other government offices, as well as numerous corporate enterprises. Rogers and Kelly discussed the level of sophistication and ongoing impact of the SolarWinds hack, including the need to balance homeland cybersecurity and our citizens' online privacy. The hackers were excellent at identifying privileged access management, where they were able to hack into the highest level of security and carefully monitor traffic of the organization that was actively involved in alerting government agencies of the data breach risks. "It's imperative that companies take this event as a major wake-up call and respond by carefully evaluating their security protections in light of the sophistication demonstrated by nation-state perpetrators. Further, while this hack appears initially motivated on cyber intelligence, the downstream effect is very likely to impact consumer digital privacy in a significant manner," continued Tom Kelly. Prominent attendees included Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI-2), Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO-5), Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA-1), and more. To learn more about IDX, visit www.idx.us . About IDX IDX is the only consumer privacy company built for agility in the digital age. Thousands of organizations trust their privacy platform to empower consumers to take back control of their privacy with their identity and privacy protection products. As the nation's largest provider of data breach response services, IDX is trusted by government and enterprise customers, as well as employee benefits and strategic partners, to protect more than 40 million consumers. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idx-president-and-ceo-tom-kelly-briefs-congressional-delegation-on-solarwinds-hack-privacy-policy-implications-301205390.html SOURCE IDX [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Two studies in today's Nature Neuroscience, led by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), and Harvard Medical School (HMS), implicate mosaic mutations arising during embryonic development as a cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The findings open new areas for exploring the genetics of ASD and could eventually inform diagnostic testing. Mosaic mutations affect only a portion of a person's cells. Rather than being inherited, they arise as a "mistake" introduced when a stem cell divides. A mutation in a stem cell will only be passed to the cells that descend from it, producing the mosaic pattern. When mosaic mutations occur during embryonic development, they can appear in the brain and affect the function of neurons. The earlier in development a mutation happens, the more cells will carry it. Characterizing mosaic mutations in the brain The two studies were part of the Brain Somatic Mosaicism Network, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. The first study used deep, ultra-high-resolution whole-genome sequencing to quantify and characterize mosaic mutations in the frontal cortex of people with and without ASD. It was led by Rachel Rodin, MD, Ph.D. and Christopher Walsh, MD, Ph.D., of Boston Children's, and Yanmei Dou, Ph.D. and Peter Park, Ph.D., of HMS. When the researchers examined samples of brain tissue from 59 deceased people with ASD and 15 controlsthe largest cohort of brain samples ever studiedthey found that most of the brains had mosaic "point" mutations (alterations in a single "letter" of genetic code). They calculated that embryos acquire several such mutations with each cell division, and estimate that about half of us carry potentially harmful mosaic mutations in at least 2 percent of our brain cells. In the brains of people with ASD, however, mosaic mutations were more likely to affect parts of the genome that have a pivotal role in brain function. Specifically, they tended to land in "enhancers," portions of DNA that do not code for genes but regulate whether a gene is turned on or off. "In the brains of people with autism, mutations accumulate at the same rate as normal, but they are more likely to fall into an enhancer region," says Rodin, first author on the paper. "We think this is because gene enhancers and promoters tend to be in DNA that's unwound and more exposed, which probably makes them more susceptible to mutations during cell division." "Mutations in enhancers are a hidden kind of mutation that you don't see in typical diagnostic exome sequencing, and it may help explain ASD in some people," notes Walsh, chief of genetics and genomics at Boston Children's and co-senior author on the paper with Park, who led the study's computational analyses. "We also need to better understand the effects of these mutations on neurons." Mosaic deletions and duplications The second study is the first large-scale investigation of copy number variants (CNVs) in people with ASD that occur in a mosaic pattern. As opposed to point mutations in a single gene, CNVs are deletions or duplications of whole segments of a chromosome, which may contain multiple genes. A team led by Maxwell Sherman, MS of BWH, Po-Ru Loh, Ph.D. of BWH, Park, and Walsh studied blood samples from about 12,000 people with autism and 5,500 unaffected siblings provided by the Simons Simplex Collection and the Simons Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) datasets. They used blood as a proxy for brain tissue and applied novel computational techniques to sensitively detect mosaic mutations that likely arose during embryonic development. "People have been interested in CNVs in autism for a long time, and would occasionally notice that some of them were mosaic, but no one had really looked at them in a large-scale study," says Loh, co-senior author on the paper with Walsh and Park. From these large samples, the team identified a total of 46 mosaic CNVs in the autism group and 19 in siblings. The CNVs affected 2.8 to 73.8 percent of blood cells sampled from each subject. Size matters Notably, the people with ASD were especially likely to have very large CNVs, with some involving 25 percent or more of a chromosome. The CNVs spanned a median of 7.8 million bases in the ASD group, versus 0.59 million bases in controls. "This is one of the more interesting and surprising aspects of our study," says Sherman, the paper's first author and a Ph.D. student at MIT. "The kids with ASD had very large CNVs that often hit dozens of genes, and likely included genes important for development. If the CNVs were in all their cells, rather than in a mosaic pattern, they would likely be lethal." The study also suggested that the larger the CNVs, the greater the severity of autism as assessed with a standard clinical measure. Another surprise was that smaller CNVs already known to be associated with ASD when found in all cells, such as deletions or duplications of 16p11.2 or 22q11.2, were not associated with autism when they occurred in a mosaic pattern. "This suggests that in order to get autism, you have to mess up a large number of cells in the brain in a pretty substantial way," says Walsh. "We're fairly sure that these large CNVs change the behavior of the neurons that carry them." "We don't really know what cell fraction is important, or what particular chromosomes are most susceptible," notes Loh. "These events are still very rare, even in people with autism.As larger cohorts are assembled, we hope to get some finer-grained insights." The findings of these studies could eventually be incorporated into diagnostic testing in children with autism. Testing could incorporate the non-coding portions of the genome, such as gene enhancers and promoters, and include higher-resolution chromosomal analysis to identify large mosaic CNVs. For now, the findings add to the ever-evolving autism puzzle, deepening the mystery of why so many different genetic mechanisms can lead to the same presentation of autism. Explore further Studying the human genome to understand the risk of autism More information: Maxwell A. Sherman et al. Large mosaic copy number variations confer autism risk, Nature Neuroscience (2021). Maxwell A. Sherman et al. Large mosaic copy number variations confer autism risk,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00766-5 Zhu, X. et al. Machine learning reveals bilateral distribution of somatic L1 insertions in human neurons and glia. Nat Neurosci (2021). doi.org/10.1038/s41593-020-00767-4 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Syrians in northern Syria are taking to trading in cryptocurrencies as a way of securing an income, amid difficult economic conditions reports Iqtissad. From his makeshift camp in northern Syria, Taha Zeid has been working in cryptocurrency trading for a while, after learning how to trade on specialized platforms. Zeid, 28, couldnt take advantage of Bitcoins recent jumps because his trading is depending on other currencies, he told Iqtissad. My capital is very modest and I cant buy Bitcoin, which has a high value compared to other cryptocurrencies, he said. Taha uses his mobile phone to register with platforms and websites specialized in trading virtual currencies such as Ethereum, OX, Tether, and NEM, and keeps a close watch on their market movement in order to secure some profits. Mohamed Halawa, 35, another displaced Syrian and a computer sciences graduate, has also followed training courses to enter the cryptocurrency market in the last rebel-held stronghold in Idleb region. Halawa told Iqtissad that dealing in cryptocurrencies has become very easy as we rely on well-known platforms to buy and sell through. Halawa adds that there is no specific capital requirement to enter the trading market but it is better to have at least 100 dollars to collect a good profits. Halawa also explains that the process of buying and selling is not arbitrary but by following the methods of cryptocurrency analysis, and using classical and technical analysis of each currency, indicators for up and down movement can be determined. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The Philippines has among the worst traffic situations in the world, data from online database Numbeo revealed. In the website's traffic index, the country garnered a score of 198.33, placing highest among six of 11 Southeast Asian countries included in the list. A higher score in the index means a worse traffic situation for the country. The traffic index is a "composite index of time consumed in traffic due to job commute, estimation of time consumption dissatisfaction, CO2 consumption estimation in traffic and overall inefficiencies in the traffic system," explained the website. Indonesia trails the country closely at 195.80, followed by Thailand at 172, Malaysia at 169.33 and Singapore at 147.77. Vietnam, meanwhile, has the least horrible traffic state in the region, scoring 110.26 in the index. In global terms, the Philippines managed to crack the top 10 countries worldwide with the worst traffic, placing 9th in the index with a score of 198.33. Colombia, which ranked 10th at 196.41, is less than two points away. When asked about the country's ranking, Malacanang said it is optimistic the Philippines will place lower eventually with major infrastructure projects hopefully reducing heavy traffic in the metro. "Siguro po bababa na tayo ng ranking [Perhaps our ranking will go down]," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during his briefing Monday, citing his pleasant experiences passing through the North Luzon Expressway - South Luzon Expressway (NLEx-SLEx) Connector road and NLEX Harbor Link. "Alam mo itong mga imprastruktura pong ito, talaga naman pong magbabawas ng trapik dahil ang pinaka-trapik naman talaga, EDSA," explained the official. "So ngayon po, di na kayo kinakailangan dumaan ng EDSA kung kayo po'y papunta ng norte lalong-lalo na sa North Luzon Expressway, noh." [Translations: You know these infrastructure will really reduce traffic, especially since EDSA has the heaviest traffic. Now you don't need to pass through EDSA anymore if you're heading north particularly through the North Luzon Expressway.] Roque likewise thanked San Miguel Corporation for the said project. The diversified conglomerate partially opened in late December Skyway Stage 3, which connects both expressways, for free to motorists for a month. The official further said that improving public infrastructre and mass transit is key to reducing traffic flow, citing ongoing projects like the Metro Manila subway and extensions of the Light Rail and Metro Trail Transit lines as examples. Nigeria topped the traffic index worldwide with a score of 311.39, followed by Kenya at 277.72. Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, which held the top two spots in the Asia traffic index, followed both African countries with a score of 274.01 and 271.69, respectively. Egypt came in fifth, with a score of 237.95. Iran, Peru and India held the sixth, seventh, and eighth spots in the index, scoring 216.09, 215.46 and 206.74, respectively. At least 250,00 small businesses across the UK are set to fold unless they are given more help to fight through the pandemic, industry leaders have warned. A record number of companies have said they are planning to shut up shop over the next 12 months, according to a survey from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), as they feel unable to carry on. This number, the highest since the FSB began collecting data in the aftermath of the financial crisis, does not include thousands more of the UK's 5.9 million small firms which are struggling but hope to continue trading. A sign notifying customers that a shop is closed in Oxford last week. At least 250,000 UK small businesses are set to fold unless they are given more help to fight through the pandemic Mike Cherry, national chairman of the FSB, said: 'The development of business support measures has not kept pace with intensifying restrictions. 'As a result, we risk losing hundreds of thousands of great, ultimately viable small businesses this year, at huge cost to local communities and individual livelihoods.' The pressure being piled on by the pandemic poses a risk for the 16.8 million people who work in small companies across the UK. In the three months to December, one in five firms surveyed by the FSB had axed staff, and one in seven expect to do so over the first three months of this year. The worrying number of redundancies comes as the latest lockdown is expected to put millions more employees back on furlough, with the taxpayer covering the lion's share of their wages. The scheme has already cost the Treasury more than 46 billion, and is still spiralling higher. Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the development of business support measures 'has not kept pace with intensifying restrictions' The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) thinks school closures could ramp up the number of people using the furlough scheme to between 5 million and 6 million - even more than during the second lockdown in November. This is up from an estimated 3 million at the end of December, and would hit levels last seen in July at the end of the first lockdown. John Philpott, a labour market economist, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'The prospect of a vaccine route out of lockdown later this year will give a boost to furloughing by offering firms an opportunity to hold fire on longer-term staffing decisions until the actual business outlook becomes clearer.' But Mr Cherry said small businesses needed more support than just furlough. 'At the outset of the first national lockdown, the UK Government was bold,' he said. 'The support mechanisms put in place weren't perfect, but they were an exceptionally good starting point. That's why it's so disappointing that it's met this latest lockdown with a whimper.' An empty high street in Shrewsbury last Thursday during England's third national lockdown While he welcomed the grants of up to 9,000 for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, Mr Cherry said the Government 'needs to realise that the small business community is much bigger than these three sectors'. He added: 'Company directors, the newly self-employed, those in supply chains, and those without commercial premises are still being left out in the cold.' He advocated loosening repayment terms on emergency loans, so firms can focus on surviving without being bogged down by debt, and giving funding to exporting businesses so they can take advice on how to trade with the EU under new Brexit rules. A Business Department spokesman said: 'We understand these are extremely challenging circumstances for businesses, which is why we have put in place one of the most comprehensive and generous packages of business support in the world worth 280 billion. 'This includes a new one-off grant worth up to 9,000, VAT relief, various loan schemes, a business rates holiday as well as the extended furlough scheme.' As the 87th legislature kicks into high gear in Austin tomorrow, a new bill introduced in both the Texas House and Senate is aiming to make to-go alcohol from restaurants and bars permanent. Venues in Texas have been able to sell beer, wine and liquor with takeout food orders since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, when Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency waiver in an effort to help the struggling service industry as it navigated shutdowns and other safety regulations. The governor allowed to-go mixed drinks in June 2020 after bar and restaurant operators lobbied him to ease the restrictions further. Before that, many offered cocktail kits with the liquor in its original package. On HoustonChronicle.com: Abbott OKs mixed drinks to-go for certain bars and restaurants Sen. Kelly Hancock and Rep. Charlie Green filed Senate Bill 298 and House Bill 1094, respectively, on Jan. 7. The bills would allow Texans to buy alcohol from licensed venues, via pick-up and delivery, for off-premise consumption. "Without Governor Abbotts temporary waiver allowing restaurants to safely sell alcohol with their to-go food orders, Texas would have seen many more restaurants small and large close their doors and lose their employees because of this pandemic," said Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), in a statement. "We know the road to recovery will be long, which is precisely why we need tools like alcohol to-go to become permanent." The TRA, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and stakeholders from the restaurant industry worked with Sen. Hancock (the chairman of the Senate's Business and Commerce Committee) and Rep. Green (the chairman of House Administration) over the last few months to introduce the bill this session. "Texas is a reliably pro-business state," said Sen. Hancock in a release. "That's why our top-ten global economy was so strong and well-positioned before the virus hit, and its why were determined to learn and adapt just like businesses across our great state are doing." On PreviewHouston.com: Canceling Dry January? Here are Houstons new beer releases. When the initial waiver expired at the end of April, Gov. Abbott extended it, then tweeted: "From what I hear from Texans, we may just let this keep on going forever." In June, he explicitly offered his support for a bill making the measure permanent. If the bill passes in both houses, it appears the governor will sign it. Syracuse, N.Y. Two more Syracuse restaurants have decided to shut down, at least temporarily, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo has given no signal he is considering lifting local orange zone restrictions that prohibit indoor dining. Anything But Beer, a brewery taproom/restaurant on South Salina Street, and The Preserve at 405 in Syracuses Inner Harbor, are the most recent restaurants in the orange zone to announce a temporary shutdown. Both posted on social media in the last few days that they hope to reopen when the indoor dining ban is lifted. They have been in the local orange zone, only able to offer outdoor seating and takeout, since late November. But both restaurants have decided staying open without indoor seating is not worth it. ... After much deliberation we have decided to close our kitchen temporarily until it is deemed safe to reopen for indoor dining again, Anything But Beer owners Brittany Barry and Logan Bonney posted to Facebook on Saturday. Due to COVID-19 zoning restrictions set on us based on our zip code, we have been put at a severe disadvantage, The Preserve at 405 posted today. At this time, it does not seem viable to continue to stay open. We very much hope this closure will be short-term, as the governor has admitted to the shortcomings of the zoning system. The join other restaurants like Oh My Darling on Salina Street downtown; Shiftys Bar & Grille and Dominicks Restaurant, both on Burnet Avenue; and Danzers German restaurant, on Ainsley Dive, in deciding to shut down and wait for relief from the restrictions. Read more: Why CNY restaurants are opting to shut down and wait for better times. Meanwhile, many other restaurants, including more than 20 in Central New York, have decided to shut forever amid the Covid-19 pandemic. And restaurants in the orange zones around the state continue to lobby Cuomo to lift the restrictions, which they say are unfair and not based on evidence. They point out that diners can simply go to other places that are open just minutes away. And they say that the states own evidence does not support the idea that restaurants are sources for spreading the Covid-19 virus. One local effort is even sending Cuomo a crate of specially marked oranges to get his attention. In Buffalo, a lawsuit is challenging the zone restrictions, and restaurants in the Elmira area and preparing to open in defiance of the rules. Both Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon have asked Cuomo to either lift the orange zone restriction or put the entire county in a less restrictive yellow zone, to achieve fairness. (The orange zone, with the ban on indoor dining, currently includes the city of Syracuse and parts of DeWitt, Solvay and Lyncourt. Other parts of the county are in the yellow zone or no zone at all, meaning they can seat limited parties inside). In their social media posts, both Anything But Beer and The Preserve at 405 thanked the patrons who have supported them during the takeout-only phase in recent weeks. Thank you for supporting us and other orange zone businesses last night!!!, Anything But Beer posted. We are so grateful to be apart of a community that supports local! You guys are the absolute best! Here are the initial posts from both businesses announcing their shutdown plans: Important ABB Update: First off, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us through this lengthy pandemic! You... Posted by Anything But Beer on Friday, January 8, 2021 It is unfortunate and with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to temporarily close The Preserve At 405. Due to... Posted by The Preserve at 405 on Monday, January 11, 2021 Don Cazentre write for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. AN 18-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly raped by a 33-year-old man during a private photoshoot in Bulawayo. Police, who are hunting for the perpetrator urged models not to go to such photoshoots unaccompanied. The alleged perpetrator is still at large while police are investigating the matter. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, confirmed the case that occurred on December 28 last year at a studio in the city centre. The complainant went to the studio for a photoshoot at around 9AM. She was wearing a dress and the photographer took some photos of her and after some time she asked for a room for her to change her clothing for another photoshoot. The suspect provided her an office for her to change her clothes. As she was changing, the accused knocked and entered the room and instructed her to take off her skin tight so that the photo could be of greater quality. She told him that she wasnt comfortable with that, said Insp Ncube. After voicing her concerns, the alleged marauding would-be rapist, left the office, the victim changed then proceeded to continue with the photoshoot. When they were done and she went to change again, that was when the rapist pounced. After the photoshoot, she went back to change her clothes and the man now followed her into the office, held her by the waist and told her that she looked good, despite her being pregnant. She asked him to stop and he became aggressive, forced her to lean against the table in the office and raped her once, without protection. During the ordeal, she screamed for help, but people didnt hear her. Afterwards, he then apologised for his actions and told her he would send some photos, said Insp Ncube. A report of the rape was made on December 31, after the victim narrated her ordeal to another woman. Insp Ncube said investigations are in progress. Police on Twitter on Friday night urged models not to go to photoshoots alone. Models are urged not to go for private photo shootings without being accompanied by other women, police said. Chronicle Sorry! This content is not available in your region On Sunday, Jan. 10, the Korean Brand Research Institute revealed their girl group brand reputation rankings for January. Keep on reading to see who made their top rankings. The Korean Brand Research Institute analyzed 42,652,998 pieces of data from Dec. 10, 2020, to Jan. 10, 2021, to measure the brand reputation index of girl groups. The organization determined each girl group's participation index, media index, communication index, and community index. Compared to December's 42,395,989 pieces of data concerning girl groups, the number decreased by 11.87%. The brand reputation index is an indicator created through data analysis that finds the online habits of consumers and what had an impact on brand consumption. The girl group brand reputation index can measure the positive and negative influence of a girl group, the media's and the consumers' interest in them, and their communication volume. BLACKPINK (Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa) ranked first with a brand reputation index of 4,695,457. The girl group has a participation index of 348,568, a media index of 988,320, a communication index of 1,398,613, and a community index of 1,959,455. Compared to their brand reputation index of 4,786,776 in Dec., their index fell by 1.91%. Coming in at second place is TWICE (Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu) with a brand reputation index of 4,178,019. The girl group has a participation index of 405,416, a media index of 1,402,440, a communication index of 1,258,002, and a community index of 1,258,002. Compared to their brand reputation index of 4,234,719 in Dec., their index fell by 1.34%. Sitting at third place is IZ*ONE (Kwon Eunbi, Miyawaki Sakura, Kang Hyewon, Choi Yena, Lee Chaeyeon, Kim Chaewon, Kim Minju, Yabuki Nako, Honda Hitomi, Jo Yuri, Ahn Yujin, and Jang Wonyoung) with a brand reputation index of 3,802,710 The girl group has a participation index of 540,464, a media index of 1,074,150, a communication index of 979,199, and a community index of 1,208,886. Compared to their brand reputation index of 3,365,110 in Dec., their index rose by 13.00%. Fourth place goes to (G)I-DLE (Miyeon, Minne, Soojin, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua) with a brand reputation index of 2,973,921. The girl group has a participation index of 220,932, a media index of 914,080, a communication index of 1,186,214, and a community index of 652,695. Compared to their brand reputation index of 1,954,512 in Dec., their index rose by 52.16%. In fifth place, we have Oh My Girl (Hyojung, YooA, Seunghee, Binnie, and Arin) with a brand reputation index of 2,759,787. The girl group has a participation index of 323,816, a media index of 815,480, a communication index of 991,576, and a community index of 628,915. Compared to their brand reputation index of 2,712,338 in Dec., their index rose by 1.75%. From 4-45, the rankings are: 4. GFRIEND 5. MAMAMOO 6. Aespa 7. ITZY 8. Girls' Generation 9. Lovelyz 10. Red Velvet 11. LOONA 12. WJSN 13. woo!ah! 14. Weeekly 15. STAYC 16. fromis_9 17. Ladies' Code 18. Dreamcatcher 19. Weki Meki 20. Berry Good 21. Rocket Punch 22. Girl's Day 23. LABOUM 24. Apink 25. EXID 26. CLC 27. After School 28. Blah Blah 29. GWSN 30. Secret Number 31. BESTIE 32. Stellar 33. Brown Eyed Girls 34. PRECIOUS 35. DIA 36. Cherry Bullet 37. cignature 38. PRISTIN 39. NATURE 40. ELRIS 41. Hello Venus 42. TWEETY 43. CAMILA 44. Bling Bling 45. Girls' Alert Did your favorite girl group make the rankings? For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns This Written by Alexa Lewis Fortenova's frozen brands - the subject of acquisition talks UK-based Nomad Foods is in exclusive negotiations to buy Balkans-based Fortenova Group's frozen-food portfolio. The Birds Eye, Findus and Aunt Bessie's frozen-food owner said the prospective transaction is in line with its strategy of "complementing strong organic growth in the base business with the acquisition of market-leading frozen-food brands across Europe". Croatia's Fortenova, which emerged from the restructuring of the now defunct Agrokor, once the largest consumer goods business in the Balkans, confirmed it was putting its frozen-food assets on the block in November as part of plans to reduce debt and concentrate on growth in other areas. The assets are made up of Ledo, Ledo Citluk and Frikom. Ledo is the largest manufacturer and distributor of ice cream and frozen food in Croatia while Ledo Citluk is a business based in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Frikom is a Serbian maker of ice cream and other frozen foods. A number of potential buyers have been linked with their purchase. Aside from Nomad, Nordic food group Orkla was suggested as a possible buyer. Czech-Slovak investment funds were also said to be interested in the assets. But in announcing exclusive talks with Zagreb-based Fortenova today (11 January), Nomad Foods appears the favourite to get a deal over the line. Nomad said the acquisition, if completed, would extend its portfolio into new and developing European markets while also "creating a beachhead for potential future consolidation within Central and Eastern Europe". The company stressed the discussions are preliminary and there can be no assurance that a transaction will be completed. It said it would not be commenting further until the discussions are completed. During the final weeks of 2020, everyone agreed we were a bit frayed and holding out for a much-needed rest. With New Year traditionally a time to review and plan, we have good reason to celebrate our achievements and resilience in navigating the past year. Looking ahead, our economy is in better shape than anticipated, but continued uncertainly means it would be brave to predict the course of 2021. Might a factor in our planning be the significance of well-being and resilience as contributors to individual and organisational success? Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness. Or the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape elasticity. Certainly, 2020 called for that capability. A business able to respond to disruption will out-perform less-prepared competitors. Perhaps we should view resilience as a type of active insurance a readiness for unexpected contingency. Digitalisation is an example. Companies with cloud-based platforms more easily maintained business continuity and the transition to working from home. Technology also enabled new delivery models in response to supply chain disruption. Digital solutions strengthen resilience and will continue to distinguish success. Well-being gained prominence during 2020. Business leaders and teams were under pressure. Decisions had to be made quickly with shifting goalposts. Resourcing had to be managed, with uncertainty fostering anxiety. Working parents were juggling home-schooling. Winter holidays were off the agenda. Why is well-being important? Because it influences safety, decision making, responsiveness and productivity. It impacts competitive advantage and bottom-line results. Fostering a culture where resilience and well-being form part of the conversation strengthens the ability to manage challenges and adapt. Results include more effective decision making and avoidance of burn-out by agreeing priorities. Being known as a workplace that invests in people and promotes well-being will elevate your employer brand and attract and retain the people you need. It will also positively engage customers, suppliers, unions and investors. Influencers on business culture include fair remuneration, clear communication, continuing learning, safety, sustainability, innovation and flexibility. Robyn Webb, Career Consultant robyn@robynwebb.nz Support for President Donald Trump has been consistently strong among evangelicals, with some professing that he has been the best friend Christians have had in the White House. On the first Sunday since a mob of his supporters seeking to overturn President-elect Joe Bidens election stormed the US Capitol and five people including a police officer died, the messages from the pulpits of Christian leaders whove backed Trump were as disparate as the opinions of the nations citizenry. They ranged from recitations of debunked conspiracy theories of who was responsible, to calls for healing and following Jesus Christ rather than any individual person, to sermons that made no mention of Wednesdays chaos and what it means for the future. Here is a look at what some were preaching to their flocks: Brian Gibson in Owensboro, Kentucky Brian Gibson, pastor and founder of HIS Church, spoke to his Christian congregation and online viewers about his bus tour around the US the past month to speak with supporters of President Trump. I stand up and represent Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I preach to stand for the First Amendment. I intend to keep this nation a free nation. HIS Church, we intend to keep this nation a free nation, he said, referencing both the presidents recent banning from social media platforms and restrictions on church assembly during the pandemic. Gibson was onstage January 5 at a Prayer to Save America event billed as a combination worship service and rally for Trump the day before congressional certification of the electoral votes. As he described the events of the 6th, Gibson questioned how easily the Capitol was breached, raising debunked assertions that antifa supporters were among the violent mob. So now I know some, some bad actors went in and I believe potentially there were antifa up there. I think more and more I know there were antifa up there, insiders up there that started that action. And I also know that some Trump supporters followed their lead without a shadow of a doubt because you dont get 2 million people together without having some radicals in the crowd or some simple people in the crowd that you could lead anywhere, right? he asked. Samuel Rodriguez in Sacramento Samuel Rodriguez, the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference who delivered a prayer at Trumps inauguration and has also advised him, told his congregation Sunday that America needs to hear a message of repentance. We must all repent, even the church needs to repent. The American nation will be healed when the American church repents, he said to some cheers and applause. We must repent for making the person who occupies the White House more important than the one who occupies our hearts. We must repent for permitting the donkey and the elephant to divide what the Lamb died for on the cross, Rodriguez said. We must repent for voting for individuals whose policies run counter to the word of God and the spirit of the living God. Rodriguez, the lead pastor of New Season, said he was praying for a season of instead ofInstead of destroying property, building altars. Instead of confrontation, conversations. ... Instead of many under fear, one nation under God. John Hagee in San Antonio John Hagee of Cornerstone Church, a staunch supporter of Trump, did not mention the president by name but criticized the assault on Congress by what he called a rebellious mob. The Secret Service had to escort the vice president of the United States to safety out of the Capitol building. Gun shots were fired. Tear gas was deployed in the Capitol Rotunda. People were killed. ... This was an assault on law. Attacking the Capitol was not patriotism, it was anarchy, Hagee said. His words drew tepid applause from the crowd at his megachurch, but they soon after gave Hagee a standing ovation when he rallied support for law enforcement: This is what happens when you mob the police. This is what happens when you fire the police. This is what happens when you watch a policeman shot and belittle his sacrifice for the public, he continued. Wake up, America! America and democracy cannot function without the rule of law. We back the blue. Paula White-Cain in Apopka, Florida Paula White-Cain, a longtime spiritual counselor to Trump and who served as a faith adviser in his White House, made a subtle allusion to the insurrection ahead of her Sunday sermon. Calling the nation deeply divided, White-Cain condemned lawlessness and added that my hope is never rested in any person, any man. My hope is in Jesus Christ. White, who delivered a post-election prayer service in which she called upon angelic reinforcement to help achieve victory, also reaffirmed her commitment to the First Amendmentan echo of the warnings from some conservatives this week that their freedom of speech was threatened. Tim Remington in Coer DAlene, Idaho Tim Remington, the conservative Christian pastor of The Altar church, avoided specific references to Trump and the attack on the Capitol, but offered plenty of politically charged warnings. The next two weeks are probably the most important two weeks in the history of America, said Remington, who in the spring led in-person services in defiance of a stay-at-home order issued by the governor. I pray the army of the Lord is ready. He targeted the media in particular for criticism. I rebuke the news in the name of Jesus, Remington said. We ask that this false garbage come to an end. ... Its the lies, communism, socialism. I dont know how weve put up with it this long. And without going into specifics, he said America is not seeking the truth. For them to suppress another persons opinion its wrong, its unconstitutional, he said. God have mercy. Darrell Scott in Cleveland Heights, Ohio Darrell Scott, the black senior pastor of New Spirit Revival Center, did not mention the events in Washington. Scott, an early supporter of Trumps 2016 campaign who worked with the administration on urban and prison issues, once praised the administration as probably the most proactive administration regarding urban America and the faith-based community in my lifetime. But there was no talk of the president Sunday in a livestreamed service entitled What God Has for Me, in which Scott focused on encouraging congregants to recognize Gods involvement in their lives. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) As local government units secure deals with some Western vaccine makers, President Rodrigo Duterte has narrowed down his personal options to only two countries: China and Russia. This was bared by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during his briefing in Malacanang on Monday. He even noted that if only possible, Duterte would like to get a dose from both countries. "Si Presidente po malinaw, gusto niyang maturok agad. Gusto niya Tsina at Russia," Roque said. "Gusto niya pareho." [Translation: For the President, it's clear he wants to be inoculated as soon as possible. He wants China and Russia. He wants both.] However, Duterte, who has long been vocal about his preferable ties with Russia and China, was told to just choose one vaccine, Roque added. In the latter part of his briefing, Roque also addressed criticisms of the government's supposed preference for China-made vaccines, noting that Sinovac Biotech is among the first ones that will be provided in the country. He even pointed to Filipinos' "colonial mentality" for preferring Western vaccines that will only likely be available in July. Amid criticisms on its effectivity, the Philippines is set to receive 25 million doses from Sinovac this year, with the first 50,000 available as early as February. READ: PH secures 25 million Sinovac doses, first 50k available in February Numerous local government units have announced they have secured deals to acquire hundreds of thousands of doses for their constituents. Majority of the local chief executives said they have sealed tripartite agreements with the national government for Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines, which has an efficacy rate of up to 90% for those who received a half dose followed by a full dose. READ: LIST: Local governments secure vaccine doses in advance Roque noted, however, that Filipinos cannot be "picky" with the COVID-19 vaccine that they will receive from the government, which will prioritize frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and uniformed personnel. READ: Can Filipinos choose their vaccines? 'Walang pilian, pilitan' says Malacanang LGUs must also follow the tripartite deal with the national government and the pharmaceutical firms for an effective rollout of the vaccines. Those who fail to do so may face corresponding sanctions, Malacanang said. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Panaji, Jan 11 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is packing her bags and will not be able to retain power, BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said on Monday, reiterating his party's claim of winning more than 200 seats in the Assembly election in the eastern state later this year. "In the (recent) Lok Sabha election we won 18 seats in West Bengal. We have resolved to win more than 200 seats in this election. Mamata Banerjee is only packing her bags in panic now," Hussain said. Addressing a press conference in Panaji at the party's state headquarters, he also said that the West Bengal Chief Minister was losing her cool because her defeat was imminent. "Mamata Banerjee, who used to speak about 'Ma, Maati, Manush', is now speaking the language of guns and bullets. It is certain that the lotus will bloom in West Bengal, just the same way that the sun will rise tomorrow," the former Union minister said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Iraq is expected to receive its first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine by February, according to Iraqs Health Minister on Monday. Last month, the ministry announced it had signed a preliminary deal with the vaccine makers to import 1.5 million doses by early 2021. Health Ministry spokesperson Saif al-Badr confirmed this week with state-owned newspaper al-Sabah that Iraqs share of the vaccine is now 8 million doses, enough to cover 20% of the countrys population. Troops, health care workers and the elderly are prioritized for vaccines, Badr had said in December. The distribution will be made to all governorates through hospitals to be determined through the media and according to priority, he told al-Sabah on Monday. The vaccine will not be compulsory at all. Iraq is still in talks to receive more vaccines through COVAX, an international body to promote global access to coronavirus vaccines for those in greatest need, as well as being open to other channels. Iraqi leaders have expressed their desire to provide the vaccine for free to their citizens. But the country would need international assistance to distribute the vaccine on the governments dime, President Barham Salih urged the United Nations in December. Iraq is among the countries whose governments will purchase and distribute vaccines free of charge to their citizens, Salih said. But this project is taking place in a volatile and complex economic situation, one that is already causing our people to suffer. Iraq has pushed hard in recent months to be among the worlds first countries to receive the vaccine. In October, Baghdad committed $170 million to COVAX to secure the vaccine, according to the World Health Organization. That same month, the World Bank announced a $12 billion fund to assist countries in financing the purchase and distribution of vaccines, tests and treatments for its citizens. Riyadh al-Halfi, head of the general directorate at Iraqs Health Ministry, confirmed to state media that Iraq would be among the countries receiving World Bank assistance. Iraq has been among one of the hardest-hit countries in the region. As of Sunday, the country has registered over 600,000 confirmed cases of the virus and nearly 13,000 deaths; however, after a surge in September, cases dropped significantly by the end of 2021. Elders at Ochekwi Sipi Personal Care Home in Fisher River Cree Nation will be among the first long-term care residents in Manitoba to get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday as doses are rolled out to select homes in Manitoba. Elders at Ochekwi Sipi Personal Care Home in Fisher River Cree Nation will be among the first long-term care residents in Manitoba to get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday as doses are rolled out to select homes in Manitoba. Chief David Crate said the First Nation of just under 2,000 people, about 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg, will carefully roll out its immunization campaign beginning with elders residing in the 32 bed home, those over 65 years of age or older and health care providers. Reported COVID-19 deaths: Click to Expand A Winnipeg woman in her 70s, linked to an outbreak at Southeast Personal Care Home; A Winnipeg woman in her 80s; A Winnipeg woman in her 80s, linked to the outbreak at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg; A Winnipeg woman in her 80s, linked to the outbreak at Deer Lodge Centre (Lodge 4 West); and A Winnipeg woman in her 90s, linked to the outbreak at Seven Oaks General Hospital (4U4-7). At the outset, 190 people in Fisher River will receive their first dose of the vaccine over the coming days, Crate said. "Overall for the membership here, I know (the vaccine) is a sign that things are going to change soon," Crate said Sunday in a phone interview. "I would imagine too that a lot of people are relieved that the vaccine is here." "I think, to our members, it also means freedom from the restrictions," Crate said. "Its going to be a different picture three months from now for the community." Last Friday, the province sent an initial shipment of Moderna vaccines to First Nations communities with the first deliveries arriving in Fisher River, Cross Lake (Pimicikamak), Peguis First Nation and Norway House. As of Sunday, Manitoba had received 7,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine, of which 5,300 are earmarked for First Nation communities. Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which must be kept in ultra cold freezers, the Moderna brand injection can be frozen between -25 C and -15 C and is more easily transported. The remaining 2,000 Moderna doses are reserved for personal care home residents throughout Manitoba. Inoculation of residents will begin today at four homes: Boyne Lodge in Carman; Charleswood Care Centre, Oakview Place and Tuxedo Villa in Winnipeg; Hillcrest Place in Brandon; St. Pauls Residence in The Pas; and Tudor House in Selkirk. The province estimates 1,157 long-term care residents will be immunized throughout the week. In Fisher River, Crate said there are currently four active cases of COVID-19 and 24 people isolating. So far, no residents of the local personal care home have fallen ill with the disease, he said. A community lockdown has been extended until February. Crate said there are mixed feelings among members about getting the jab, and outreach, in collaboration with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs pandemic response team, is ongoing to answer questions and address concerns related to the new vaccine. He expects all 190 doses will be spoken for. Crate said the community is preparing to receive more doses over the coming weeks and hopes to have much of the community immunized in the next three months. "We all realize its going to take time to have a large group of our members vaccinated and the timeline we looked at is by the end of March to have a good percentage of our population vaccinated in the community," Crate said. On Sunday, the province reported the deaths of five more Manitobans due to COVID-19 and 151 new cases of the virus. The bulk of the cases stemmed from Winnipeg (73), followed by Northern Health (44), Southern Health (14), and 10 cases in both the Interlake-Eastern and Prairie Mountain health regions. The five-day test positivity rate was 10 per cent provincially and 9.2 per cent in Winnipeg. Data show 1,539 tests were completed on Saturday. According to the province, there were 322 COVID-19 related hospitalizations, including 239 people who were infectious, and 36 in intensive care. Since March, 738 Manitobans have died from the disease. In northern Manitoba, Pimicikamak Chief David Monias said 80 people in the community 520 kilometres north of Winnipeg have already had their first dose of the vaccine. The community has so far received 200 doses and is prioritizing elders 70 years old or older, those living in long-term care at the Kasayak Center, and health care providers. About 8,000 people live on reserve, Monias said. "The elders, they stepped up themselves and actually called and wanted to take the vaccine. So that speaks volumes in terms of setting an example for the younger generation," Monias said. As of Sunday there were 43 active cases of COVID-19 in Pimicikamak and hundreds more identified as contacts and self-isolating, Monias said. Testing is ongoing. Monias said he hopes to hear from the province about plans to open a vaccination centre in Thompson to increase access to the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine in the region. "Were all anxious about receiving it but Im very much aware of where the province is in terms of not knowing how many vaccines theyre getting as well," Monias said. The provincial government reported Sunday that a total of 9,498 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given to Manitobans. To date, Manitoba has received 22,230 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 7,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine. According to the government, 12,500 Pfizer vaccine doses will be given at appointments for first- and second-dose immunizations at the Winnipeg supersite this week. A delivery of 9,360 more Pfizer doses is expected next week with a third being sent to Brandon to open a vaccination clinic at the Keystone Centre on Jan. 18. Home-care workers employed by a regional health authority, a RHA-contracted service provider, or a self- and family-managed care client, born on or before Dec. 31, 1960 are now eligible for vaccinations. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca Incident at McCracken Home Was Not a Shooting By Tim Brockwell PADUCAH - Authorities have released more information about a reported shooting incident early Monday morning at a McCracken County home.West Kentucky Star reported early Monday morning about a possible shooting at the home on Olivet Church Road. We later spoke with Sheriff Matt Carter, who gave us additional details about the incident.Carter said deputies and Paducah Police officers responded at around 4:30 a.m. to a report of a shooting at a home in the 2100 block of Olivet Church Road. He said a man told deputies he had shot an intruder in his home. Deputies arrived to find the man was actually home alone, and no one had been shot.Carter said it turns out the man was suffering from a mental health crisis. Deputies were able to contact the man's family members, as well as arrange for him to be treated at a local hospital for a mental evaluation. He added the incident shows how sometimes initial details about a situation end up being incorrect, which sometimes makes it difficult to know exactly what's happening until deputies arrive to investigate."Our dispatchers do an excellent job at getting what information is reported, but they can only convey what information they get at the time of the call," Carter said. "Often times when we respond and get on scene the actual facts and details of that call could vary. That was our situation in this particular incident."Carter said his department has a policy when firearms are involved in a mental health crisis situation to try to make sure the weapons secured by family members."Any time that we run into a situation like that obviously we take precautionary efforts to try to get firearms in a family member's hands, and that happens a lot of times. As far as this particular case I don't have the particulars on that, but can certainly say without any doubt that if that's the case in this particular situation that would have been the protocol that they would've taken." He said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... LOS LUNAS After years of saving and planning, The University of New Mexico-Valencia campus will be able to begin construction on a new workforce training center in the village of Los Lunas early next year. We knew that Los Lunas was going to (be an area) of considerable development and we began to feel very strongly with all the business and industry coming into that area, it would be the perfect location, said Alice Letteney, UNM-Valencias chancellor. The new training center will be located at 1020 Huning Ranch East Loop SW. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The center will offer classes and training focused on manufacturing and industry, as well as soft skills that local business owners say are needed in the workforce. We did a survey a couple years ago and interestingly enough, one of the major things business people asked for was soft skills communications skills, the ability to work in a team that is critical, Letteney said. The center will also offer hands-on training for skills such as welding and computer skills, she said. With this space, we can offer any kind of course local industry wants. For those industries located right there, we could use their operation to do some on-site education, the chancellor said. We also have a big space for all kinds of career technical training. Rick Goshorn, director of business operations for UNM-Valencia, said the plans for the center include a large bay area where the university can bring in equipment, such as a large plastic injection mold so students can use machines that are on factory floors. Additionally, the Small Business Development Center will have space at the training center. The SBDC will maintain its offices at the UNM-Valencia campus in Tome, Letteney said, as well as continuing to meet with business owners and business start ups in Belen and Socorro as well. After working closely with Albuquerque-based Studio Southwest Architects, Letteney said the 19,400 square-foot facility will complement the local landscape. It is a beautiful site; you can see the mountains and Studio Southwest has designed some buildings that are perfectly designed to fit into the landscape, she said. Because the new center is near residential areas, Goshorn said the building will be only one story. We met with citizens and the village council and views are very important to people who live around there, Goshorn said. The nearly $8 million for the center wont cost the state or local community anything, Letteney said. Since before 2006, we have set aside a little every year through very frugal work with the budget, Letteney said. Thanks to those incremental set-asides, we have the money we need. Goshorn added no state capital appropriations or bond funds are being used for the project. Local bond funding was instrumental in helping us with facility maintenance and renovation costs, (at the campus in Tome) which facilitated the ability to save for the workforce training center, he said. The center will be built on nine acres donated to the university by the Huning Ltd. Partnership, Letteney said, with an option to receive an additional nine acres immediately to the north in the next five years. This building uses about 45% of the original nine acres, Goshorn said. The new campus, which is west of Interstate 25 and south of N.M. 6, Los Lunas Main Street, is roughly halfway between N.M. 6 and the future I-25 interchange that connects a new roadway near Morris Road to N.M. 47 east of the interstate. We think it will draw people from Belen, maybe even Socorro, he said. The new center was almost a go in 2017, after receiving approval from both chambers of the Legislature, but was ultimately vetoed by then Gov. Susana Martinez. Any capital project has to be approved by the State Board of Finance, which is overseen by the sitting governor; the new center received board approval on Dec. 15. Goshorn said the plans for the new center should be completed this week and anticipates a ground-breaking ceremony in late January or early February to kick off building. Letteney said community members have been asking when the project would be completed for several years now. This project, other than our nursing program at the Tome campus, has been really the most popular in the community. Its had the support of all our legislators, all the mayors, local business people, the chambers of commerce, she said. Its been an absolutely wonderful experience to know how much support this program has. Letteney said she didnt anticipate any conflict or competition for students between the new training center and the existing UNM-Valencia campus in Tome. The current campus is east of the Rio Grande, just off of N.M. 47, a rural two-lane road, between Belen and Los Lunas. If you think about the population growth and people coming home from work, the center is right off the highway and people can go right to that new site, she said. Our existing campus has wonderful science labs, computer labs, our nursing program. This (new) campus will not only cater to the workforce, but we see it as a feeder campus for Tome. I think a lot of people will start by taking a computer class and then want to take English and communications, and I think its very clear they are going to come to the Tome campus. The chancellor continued, saying the university also participates in a great deal of dual enrollment with local high schools. We are very grateful to the people of the county because they have invested so much in the Tome campus, she said. We do a lot of classes in different places. I dont anticipate there being a conflict. Ralph Mims, recently retired economic development manager for the village of Los Lunas, said he saw a lot of economic spill over coming from the training center. Any time a facility like this is off a freeway, youre seeing retail, you see other industries that want to connect with a university, Mims said. I can also see further business growth around the new interchange. We have land available on N.M. 6 that is zoned for retail and business. We have the Los Morros and Huning business parks, the rail park. When an industry is looking at coming to the village and we have a campus that can train a workforce right there, that could be a carrot to bring in those businesses. The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday opened a library (Gyanshala) dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse. The library will inform the young generation about aspects of the partition of India and it would provide information and knowledge about various leaders, Dr Jaiveer Bhardwaj, Vice-President, Hindu Mahasabha told ANI on Sunday. "Today we want the young generation to know the truth and understand their responsibility towards nationalism. We opened the library to inform the youth why Godseji opposed partition and why he retaliated against it," he said. He added that the Mahasabha had given sacrifices for the freedom of the country while Congress was responsible for 'partitioning' of the country. He further said, "Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha had given sacrifices for the freedom of the country. Congress partitioned the country for making Nehru and Jinnah Prime Ministers. Hindu Mahasabha opposed this. Hindu Mahasabha inaugurated Godse Gyanshala at its Bhawan in Gwalior," "Godse took training in Gwalior and purchased a pistol. Later, he went to Delhi to execute his plan. In the first attempt, he was not successful... When Gandhiji met Godse, the latter fulfilled his resolution to retaliate against him. Since then we have said that you partitioned the country and you have to bear the consequences. No matter how big the leader, we stand by Godse's act," he 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.) India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B. S. Yeddyurappa flashes the victory sign after taking oath as Chief Minister of the southern state of Karnataka inside the governor's house in Bengaluru,karnataka lok sabha polls 2019,yeddyurappa dynasty watch,yeddyurappa family Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday said the much-awaited expansion or reshuffle of his cabinet will take place on January 13 or 14, and BJP National President J P Nadda will be invited for the swearing-in. Though the Chief Minister indicated that seven new faces will be inducted, he did not make it clear whether it will be cabinet expansion or reshuffle. "On January 13 or 14 according to convenience of our national President J P Nadda and Karnataka in-charge (general secretary Arun Singh), by inviting them, swearing in ceremony will be organised," Yediyurappa said. Speaking to reporters here after paying tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his death anniversary, he said, about seven members will be inducted. Asked whether it will be cabinet expansion or reshuffle, he said, "let's see, you will get to know." Yediyurappa on Sunday had held discussions with Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi about the cabinet exercise. On returning from New Delhi late on Sunday, the Chief Minister had said that seven members will be inducted on January 13 afternoon, and that he will finalise the names on Monday after discussions. Yediyurappa has been waiting for some time now to carry out the cabinet exercise, as he was asked by the BJP president during their meeting in New Delhi on November 18, to wait for the clearance from the central leadership. The cabinet expansion or reshuffle is expected to be a tightrope walk for the Chief Minister, considering that there are too many aspirants, from the party old guard to Congress- JD(S) rebels who are now BJP legislators. While several of the old guards like Umesh Katti (eight-time MLA) and Arvind Limbavali are waiting for a chance to be inducted into the Ministry, Congress-JD(S) rebels like Munirathna, R Shankar and M T B Nagaraj, who helped the BJP come to power and are now party legislators, are also aspiring for slots. While Munirathna is now BJP MLA from RR Nagar, Shankar and Nagaraj are MLCs. Yediyurappa had recently also indicated that MLC C P Yogeshwar, who is said to have played a key role by managing Congress-JD(S) rebel MLAs, during the political turmoil in the state in 2019, that eventually led to BJP to come to power, will be inducted into the Ministry. The cabinet currently has 27 members, and seven berths are still vacant. News last week that Modernas vaccine has been approved in the UK warrants hope, optimism, and a huge sense of relief but on the other hand, does it? While the US-developed Covid jab was busy becoming the third to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), a number of Britons began rejecting foreign vaccines. They were opting to wait for the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, they said or put more plainly: the one made in England. At least thats what an NHS doctor in Stockton claimed was happening, when some local patients began turning down vaccines over the weekend, telling him they were going to wait for the English one instead. These are people at risk of death in the depths of a pandemic, Dr Paul Williams a former Labour MP reminded anyone reading his tweet. It is, he said, a lesson that nationalism has consequences. And can we be surprised? Since the 16th century, and roughly five centuries hence all the way up to 23 June 2016 and beyond this countrys leaders have convinced its people that British is best. Its produce, its citizens, its way of thinking, its government, its monarchy: all of it. For some people, Im sure, its why they voted Leave. And now, apparently, our medicine is superior too. When education secretary Gavin Williamson told LBC in December that the UK was receiving a Covid vaccine before France, Belgium and the US, because we are a much better country than every single one of them, the seemingly abstract phrase vaccine nationalism became a terrifying reality. One in which government ministers freely promote the message that Britain and its people are simply better than everyone else. How ironic that he was boasting about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine developed in Belgium. The same goes for health secretary Matt Hancock who last year suggested that because of Brexit the UK had been able to approve the Pfizer vaccine, rather than wait for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to do so. A fact that was later echoed by leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, before finally being debunked by the BBCs official fact checker. NHS to face worst weeks of pandemic, Whitty warns Clearly, the damage had already been done. So influential were these ministers insinuations that Britain is better on its own, better at administering and making medicine that people are now risking death to ensure they are injected with British goods and British goods alone. In these moments it is easy to blame the small-minded and the arrogant members of the public who hold views either too archaic or ridiculous to repeat here and its true, those people should be held to account. But lets be clear, we are in this dangerous and if were being totally honest, xenophobic situation because of issues that begin and end at the top. As medical staff plead with people to accept any vaccine offered to them, its time we also accept that this governments constant messaging that the UK is a cut above the rest is not patriotism it is propaganda. And it was only a matter of time before that ideology became so ingrained in peoples minds it began affecting the way they understood, approached and did their bit to stay safe, protect the NHS and save lives. This pandemic is, as Boris Johnson said at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday night, a national challenge like we have never seen before and one Britain can only overcome with an unprecedented national effort. However, and as Dr Williams words signal, there seems to have been a point where the fight against coronavirus stopped being a national effort and instead became a nationalist one. Fake: No new clash took place in Galwan Valley in early May Chinese PLA soldier captured in Ladakh's Chushul sector, handed back India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 11: Chinese PLA soldier who was apprehended on 8th January was handed back to China at Chushul-Moldo at 10.10 AM today, Indian Army said. A Chinese soldier was apprehended by the Indian Army at the southern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh on Friday after he transgressed across the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Indian officials said on Saturday. The capture of the soldier comes amid a massive deployment of troops by the Indian Army and the Chinese People''s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh in view of the tense border standoff that erupted following a clash between the two sides in the Pangong lake area in early May. In Beijing, the Chinese military confirmed that one of its soldiers "went astray" along the China-India border areas. China calls for immediate return of PLA soldier held by Indian Army "Due to darkness and complicated geography, a soldier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army frontier defence force went astray in the China-India border early Friday morning," China military online, an official website of the PLA said. "The PLA frontier defence force notified the Indian side of the information the first time, hoping the Indian side could assist in search and rescue of the lost Chinese soldier," it said. "Nearly two hours later, the response from the Indian side came, confirming that the missing soldier had been found and would be returned to the Chinese side after receiving instructions from the superior authority," it said. "The Indian side should strictly adhere to relevant agreements reached by the two countries and waste no time to return the lost soldier to the Chinese side, so as to add positive factors for de-escalating the border tensions between the two countries and jointly maintaining peace and tranquillity in the China-India border areas," it said. China and India are working on the situation of a Chinese soldier who lost his way in the China-India border area, state-run the Global Times quoted official sources as saying. "The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area. Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops," the Indian Army said in a statement in New Delhi. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News "The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated," it said. On October 19 last year, Indian troops had captured a Chinese soldier after he "strayed" across the LAC in the Demchok sector of Ladakh. Corporal Wang Ya Long of the PLA was handed back to China at Chushul-Moldo border point in eastern Ladakh following laid down protocols. INDIAN BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY HITS RS 29,000 CR WITH 12% GROWTH IN 2019-20 Indian BioServices industry comprising over 1000 players in the field of clinical research, contract research, contract development and manufacturing has seen significant growth in the recent past and witnessed a 12 per cent growth in 2019-20 by reaching Rs 29,120 crore as against 19 per cent growth recorded in 2018-19. Contract research, development and manufacturing are contributing the most in BioServices industry with less than 10 per cent coming from clinical research organisations. For Feedback, please email us at : communications@mmactiv.com -- BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Theodore Roosevelt Institute at Long Island University announced today the launch of its annual Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest. High school juniors and seniors from around the country are invited to compete in the national contest designed to enhance their critical thinking, leadership and independent research skills. Student contestants are asked to submit a recorded video speech of approximately four minutes in length on the topic of "Why Theodore Roosevelt Matters in the 21st Century." The submission deadline is Monday, March 1, and 10 finalists will be selected on Friday, March 12. Students selected to compete in the finals will deliver their speeches live during a virtual event on Saturday, April 24 in front of a panel of seven judges comprised of LIU faculty/administrators and leaders of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. For complete submission guidelines and contest details, please visit https://liu.edu/roosevelt/contest. The contest winner will receive a $2,500 award, the second-place contestant will receive a $1,000 award, and the third-place contestant will receive a $500 award. The winner will also receive a $25,000 scholarship to Long Island University, and the nine other finalists will receive a $10,000 scholarship to Long Island University. According to Tweed Roosevelt, who is chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute, professor at LIU, and great-grandson of the former president, "Theodore Roosevelt embodied the principles of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to accomplish one's goals. TR also believed that by challenging young people to strive for greatness, they would have the tools to lead successful lives. We look forward to the contest submissions from future leaders that will illuminate the life and legacy of America's 26th president and his relevancy to the challenges we face today." "The Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest is designed to challenge students to develop their critical thinking and research skills on a national stage," said Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline. "LIU is committed to giving deserving students the opportunity to take the next step in their academic journey and make college more accessible by awarding millions of dollars in scholarships each year. The winners of this contest will be given the opportunity to study with like-minded students in our vibrant campus community." About the Theodore Roosevelt Institute (TRI) The Theodore Roosevelt Institute serves as a home for research, public seminars, workshops, educational programs, and conferences about Roosevelt, his times, and contemporaries. As a hands-on learning space, the TRI showcases many of the 26th president's writings and collections. As a forum for academic assessment and discussion of his legacy, conferences and events led by preeminent scholars offer public access to local history and an ability to connect with that history in a very real way. About Long Island University Long Island University, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high-quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU offers over 250 degree programs, with a network of 270,000 alumni that includes industry leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information. SOURCE Long Island University Related Links https://www.liu.edu CAMPAIGNERS have succeeded in having a former village pub relisted as an asset of community value despite opposition from the owner. They want to re-open the White Lion at Crays Pond as a community hub with shops selling local produce, a coffee shop or bar and other amenities. The pub was first registered as a community asset after it closed in 2013 and was bought by businessman Satwinder Sandhu. He failed to re-open it and lived at the property unlawfully with his family until being forced to leave in 2019. The protection order expired in 2018 but was renewed by South Oxfordshire District Council last year following an application by residents who have campaigned for the pub to be re-opened. Mr Sandhu lodged an appeal but this has now been rejected by a first-tier tribunal of the General Regulatory Chamber. The ruling means he cant put the property on the market without giving residents six months to bid for it, although he isnt obliged to accept any offer. If he seeks planning permission to convert the former Greene King pub into a house, which he has tried and failed to do previously, its asset status would be taken into consideration. In his appeal, Mr Sandhu argued that the pub hadnt been operational in the recent past and there was little chance of it re-opening in the next five years, which is a legal requirement for a community asset. He said the community hadnt offered to buy it so there was no reason to think it would suddenly do so now. Mr Sandhu also argued there was no evidence that a pub would be viable as a series of previous managers had struggled before quitting and there was too much competition from neighbouring villages. He said it would be particularly expensive to reinstall the kitchen and other amenities which he had ripped out when he made it his home. Mr Sandhu said that if the tribunal rejected his appeal, he would either seek planning permission for a change of use or just leave the building empty until the listing expired. Michael Lee, for the council, said the White Lion had been a social meeting point for elderly residents, patients at the nearby Flint House police rehabilitation centre and parents and teachers at Woodcote Primary School and Langtree School. It was also used to host large summer and Christmas events and was a meeting point for groups such as the Woodcote Rally and various Morris dancing sides. In his ruling, Judge Mark OConnor said the campaigners now had a potential investor on board so the prospects of re-opening the pub had increased. There was nothing to stop Mr Sandhu selling or leasing the premises below the market rate, he added. He said that despite the pubs troubles in the years before its closure, it had been successful for more than a century and thrived in the early years of the century. Although two reports had concluded a pub alone was unprofitable, this didnt prove the campaigners community hub or any other scheme was doomed to fail. Judge OConnor said: Although Mr Sandhu points out that the property has been idle for the past seven years, he was of course unlawfully using it as his family residence during most of that time. Consequently, the premises were being put to a use that was of significant advantage to Mr Sandhu. The property can no longer be put to such use unless planning permission is granted. Substantial funding for a bid has now been promised and there is also the possibility of a grant to assist in this regard... the purchase by the community group remains a realistic possibility. I accept that its future is fraught with uncertainty, which is only fuelled by the current uncertain trading conditions for such establishments. The fact that the reports conclude the White Lion isnt viable as a public house does not rule out that within the next five years the premises will be used in a way which furthers the communitys social wellbeing or interests. The campaigners say that if the property continues to be left empty, they could seek a compulsory purchase order by which the council would force Mr Sandhu to sell at a fair price to stop it falling into disrepair. Since he moved out, the site has become overgrown and travellers have camped in the car park illegally several times. Fiona OBrien, leader of the campaign group, said: The judgement is great news and next year were hoping to get all the funding in place before asking if he will sell it, although were expecting a refusal as were probably the last people hed sell to. Well have a meeting to discuss things in more detail and hopefully our supporters will put their money where their mouth is when the time comes. We havent been doing this for six years only to give up at the final hurdle and hopefully well be able to demonstrate to the district council that were serious about running it for the benefit of the community. Peter Dragonetti, a member of Goring Heath Parish Council and the district council, said: Were very, very pleased with the outcome and it shows the community was right to seek relisting as a community asset. We look forward to opening negotiations with Mr Sandhu to return the pub to its proper use and we thank the district council for recognising the White Lions importance to our social fabric. The new listing will not expire until 2025. Mr Sandhu, who now lives nearby, was prosecuted twice for disregarding an enforcement notice and ordered to pay a total of more than 6,000 in fines and legal costs. He moved out of the building after the council took the case to the High Court. In a last-ditch bid to remain, he re-opened the pub as a whisky bar with limited capacity and opening hours but the judge ignored this and ordered Mr Sandhu to pay another 20,000 in costs. He says he originally bought the pub with the intention of opening an Indian restaurant but learned this wouldnt work. Mr Sandhu didnt respond to a request for comment. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. 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 A shocking new video shows the moment a MAGA rioter threw a fire extinguisher at a cop's head during last week's riot at the Capitol. In the video, police officers are seen trying to fight off a chaotic mob of Trump supporters surging towards barriers and trying to get up steps towards the House and Senate chambers. One of the rioters is seen pushing an officer off the ledge of the building and into a group of cops who were trying to keep others at bay. Moments later, another rioter comes out of nowhere and throws the fire extinguisher at the head of police officers in the crowd. The extinguisher hits one cop in the helmet and then bounces towards another. It is the same weapon that killed Capitol cop Brian Sicknick, but it's not clear if he is hit in the video. In the video, police officers are seen trying to fight off a chaotic mob of supporters of President Donald Trump. One of the rioters is seen pushing an officer off the ledge of the building and into a group of cops who were trying to keep others at bay Moments later, another rioter comes out of nowhere and hurls the fire extinguisher at the head of police officers in the crowd It does appear that an officer struck by the extinguisher falls to the ground, but it's unclear if they get back up Brian Sicknick (pictured), died on Thursday after reportedly having been hit over the head by a fire extinguisher during MAGA riots at the Capitol on Wednesday. It's not clear if he is the cop in the video Other rioters are seen launching objects in the three-minute clip that captures the horrifying moment the Capitol building was overrun by members of far right groups, white nationalists, Neo-Nazis and supporters of conspiracy theory QAnon. Only a few dozen police guarded the West front of the Capitol when they were rushed by thousands of pro-Trump demonstrators bent on breaking into the building. Armed with metal pipes, pepper spray and other weapons, the mob pushed past the thin police line. 'They're getting into the Capitol tonight! They're getting in,' the man filming shouts in delight. They breached the line moments later, and rioters soon broke into the building, taking over the House and Senate chambers and running wild in Statuary Hall and other hallowed symbols of democracy. The mob ransacked the place, smashing windows and waving Trump, American and Confederate flags. The lawmakers who were voting to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory were forced into hiding for hours. Throughout the melee, police officers were injured, mocked, ridiculed and threatened. Sicknick died Thursday night from injuries suffered during the riot. The melee was instigated by a mob of supporters of Trump who have professed their love of law enforcement and derided the mass police reform protests that shook the nation last year following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Other shocking footage emerged from last week's riot, showing a police officer being yanked out of the building and beaten with a flagpole bearing the American flag. The MAGA mob is seen holding down a cop, who has not been identified, and beating him with a baton 'We backed you guys in the summer,' one protester screamed at three officers backed against a door by dozens of men screaming for them to get out of their way. 'When the whole country hated you, we had your back!' The rampage shocked the world and left the country on edge, forcing the resignations of three top Capitol security officials over the failure to stop the breach. Lawmakers have demanded a review of operations and an FBI briefing over what they called a 'terrorist attack'. Sicknick was the fifth person to die because of the Capitol protest violence. One protester, a woman from California, was shot dead by Capitol Police, and three other people died after 'medical emergencies' related to the breach, including at least who died of an apparent heart attack. Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher during a struggle, two law enforcement officials said. The officials could not discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Another disturbing video shows a bloodied police officer screaming for help as he's crushed by protesters inside the Capitol building. The young officer is pinned between a riot shield and metal door. Bleeding from the mouth, he cries out in pain and screams, 'Help!' Other images show police completely overwhelmed by protesters who shoved, kicked and punched their way into the building. Dozens of rioters, including Jake Angeli (right), have been arrested for the violent siege of the Capitol last week The Federal Bureau of Investigation has continued to ask for the public's help with identifying Trump supporters who participated in a riot at the Capitol last week FBI Cleveland also shared these images on Monday asking for help with identifying the above individuals who actively instigated violence on January 6 in Washington, DC THE RIOTERS AND THEIR CHARGES SO FAR Hundreds remain unaccounted for and not everyone who has been arrested has been named. These are some of the most prominent who have been named and shamed. Richard Barnett, 60 Charged for breaking into Pelosi's office. The self-proclaimed White Nationalist boasted about it afterwards. He even left a threatening note on Pelosi's desk which read 'we will not back down'. Barnett, 60, left the Capitol unstopped. He was eventually arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he is from. Jake Angeli Chansley aka QAnon Shaman, 33 Jacob Angeli Chansley was arrested on Saturday in connection with the riot. He was one of the stand-outs from the insurrection because of his outlandish outfit. He has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Adam Johnson, 36 Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. Lonnie Coffman, 70 Charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and carrying without a license. He had 11 Molotov cocktails in his truck, two handguns, and an M4 Carbine assault rifle. Bradley Ruskelas - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Mark Leffingwell Entering a restricted building, punching a cop Christopher Alberts - Carrying a 9mm gun Joshua Pruitt- Entering restricted building Matthew Council - entering restricted building, disorderly conduct Cindy Fitchett - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, violent entry Michael Curzio - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Douglas Sweet - entering a restricted buulding , disorderly conduct Terry Brown - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Thomas Gallagher - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Advertisement Protesters attacked police with pipes, sprayed irritants and even planted live bombs found in the area. Sicknick's family said Friday that he had wanted to be a police officer his entire life. He served in the New Jersey Air National Guard before joining the Capitol Police in 2008. Many details regarding the incident remain unknown, and Sicknick's family urged the public and news media not to make his death a political issue. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned Thursday under pressure from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leaders, defended his department's response, saying officers 'acted valiantly when faced with thousands of individuals involved in violent riotous actions'. Two other top security officials, Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger and House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving, also resigned. By Friday, prosecutors had filed 14 cases in federal district court and 40 others in the District of Columbia Superior Court for a variety of offenses ranging from assaulting police officers to entering restricted areas of the Capitol, stealing federal property and threatening lawmakers. Prosecutors said additional cases remained under seal, dozens of other people were being sought by federal agents and the US attorney in Washington vowed that 'all options were on the table' for charges, including possibly sedition. Among those charged was Richard Barnett, an Arkansas man who was shown in a widely seen photo sitting in Pelosi's office with his boots on the desk. He also wrote a disparaging note to Pelosi. Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen called the photo of Barnett a 'shocking image' and 'repulsive'. 'Those who are proven to have committed criminal acts during the storming of the Capitol will face justice,' Rosen said. Also charged was a West Virginia state lawmaker who posted videos online showing himself pushing his way inside the Capitol, fist bumping with a police officer and then milling around the Rotunda as he shouted 'Our house!' The lawmaker, Derrick Evans, was arrested by the FBI at his home on Friday and charged with entering restricted federal property. Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the Capitol Police Officers' Union, said he was 'incredibly proud of the individual officers whose actions protected the lives of hundreds of members of Congress and their staff'. Once the breach of the Capitol building was inevitable, officers prioritized lives over property, leading people to safety, he said. 'Not one member of Congress or their staff was injured. Our officers did their jobs. Our leadership did not. Our law enforcement partners that assisted us were remarkable.' Rep Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who leads a subcommittee that oversees the Capitol Police budget, said Friday that rank-and-file officers 'were put in a incredibly dangerous situation. And that's really where my frustration comes in'. Sund and other leaders are charged with protecting lawmakers, 'but also making sure that the rank-and-file members are put in situations where they're as safe as possible and they have the support that they need. And that clearly isn't the case,' Ryan said. Pelosi ordered flags at the Capitol lowered to half-staff in Sicknick's honor. Other shocking footage emerged from last week's riot, showing a police officer being yanked out of the building and beaten with a flagpole bearing the American flag. The footage, circulating online, shows the moment the first officer was hauled out of a door on Wednesday afternoon, and set upon by the frenzied mob of Trump supporters. The officer has not yet been identified. It emerged on Sunday night as fresh fears grew over another violent insurrection that is being planned for January 17-19 - Trump's last weekend in office. The plot was being discussed on sites including Parler, which has now vanished from the internet after being ex-communicated by Amazon, Apple and Google. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also said she is 'extremely concerned' about security over Biden's inauguration. She asked for National Guard back-up before the riots last week but was only given 340 unarmed troops. The Capitol Police presence was the same as any ordinary day and the force only has 2,300 cops in total - a fraction of the 10,000-strong mob. They were 'left naked' against the mob in what is now being labeled as one of the worst security lapses in modern history. The last time the Capitol was breached was 1814. So far, at least 82 people have been arrested and more than 55 have been charged over the insurrection. Hundreds more are being hunted by the authorities but are yet to be found, including 25 people who are being investigated on terrorism charges. The acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, Michael Sherwin has called the scope of the multi-agency hunt for the rioters 'unprecedented'. He has also fumed at Capitol Police for letting so many of them get away, saying it now makes the task of tracking them down more difficult. He told NPR that staffers are now working round-the-clock to try to identify the criminals from photos and videos taken on the day. 'I don't want this tyranny of labels saying this was sedition, this was a coup. But what I will say is, it was criminal,' he said. There is no running list of all those charged because the investigation into what happened is being handled by multiple authorities; the DC Metropolitan Police, Capitol Police and the FBI are all running probes, along with prosecutors from the Justice Department. The Capitol Police did not request National Guard back-up or any other kind of back-up. According to Congressman Jason Crow, the Department of Defense offered support to both Capitol Police and the DC Metropolitan Police but they were told it wasn't necessary. They thought that only a few thousand protesters would be there. On January 6, when they realized the crowd was much larger, back-up was requested at around the same time that the crowd started storming the Capitol. FEARS OVER MORE ATTACKS ON CAPITOL ON TRUMP'S LAST WEEKEND IN OFFICE AND INAUGURATION Mayor Muriel Bowser says she is 'extremely concerned' about security in the Capitol over the next two weeks. There are expected to be more than 10,000 cops and active military on the ground There are fears of more attacks on the Capitol over Trump's last weekend in Office and on Inauguration Day. According to NPR, one post on Parler - which many of the rioters used to discuss their plans before the attack and which has now vanished from the internet - read: 'Many of Us will return on January 19, 2021, carrying Our weapons, in support of Our nation's resolve, to which [sic] the world will never forget!!!" 'We will come in numbers that no standing army or police agency can match.' DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says she is 'extremely concerned' about security in the Capitol on January 20 - Inauguration Day. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy also told Congressman Jason Crow that the army was aware of possible further threats and was working to dismantle them. It remains unclear how many police and armed guards are going to be on the streets of DC over the next two weeks. After last week's attack, a 7ft wall was built around the Capitol Building to try to deter more rioters. Advertisement By then, the situation was out of hand. There was no plan in place for how to tackle the chaos. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy told Crow that 25 domestic terrorism cases have now been opened. He also said that there are 'further possible threats' leading up to Inauguration Day. In the new video of the cop being attacked, the officer is shown being flung face first onto the Capitol steps and set upon by rioters, who beat him while he was lying defenseless. One used a black baton on him. Another man is seen giving the middle finger to officers still inside the building, desperately trying to keep the mob back. The officer dragged from the Capitol has not been identified, but is believed to be a member of the DC Metropolitan Police, not the Capitol Police. A second member of the Capitol Police, Howard Liebengood, was on duty on Wednesday and died by suicide on Saturday. Four rioters also died - one woman shot by Capitol Police, and three during medical emergencies. One of those was apparently trampled in the melee. At around the same time as the police officer was being dragged from the Capitol and set upon, Trump was recording a video in which he said he 'loved' the rioters. The video was later removed by Twitter, and Trump has since been banned from social media due to his incendiary comments. At least one Capitol cop is being hailed as a hero for leading the mob away from the Senate floor. Eugene Goodman was filmed by a reporter trying to fend off the ferocious crowd as they stormed the building. Armed apparently only with a baton, he was charged by the mob, with Doug Jensen, 41, of Des Moines, Iowa, leading the charge in a QAnon hoodie. Jensen was arrested on Saturday. Goodman appears to have noticed that the rioters came right up to the entrance of an open door leading straight to the Senate. At that moment, 2:15pm, according to a detailed analysis by The Washington Post, the Senate doors were unlocked as security tried frantically to protect the Senators inside. Goodman was filmed glancing to his left and looking at the unlocked door. He then shoved Jensen and started running. The mob gave chase, following him up the stairs. One minute later, the Senate door was locked. It's unclear if Goodman knew the door was unlocked at the time, and if him running away was a deliberate diversion tactic. In either case, it stopped the mob from getting into the Senate floor while the lawmakers were there, and allowed for them to be evacuated. Goodman has now been widely praised on social media, with mounting calls for him to be awarded the Medal of Valor or Medal of Honor. 'Thank you, Officer Eugene Goodman,' tweeted Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King. Benjamin Crump, the crusading civil rights lawyer known for representing the families of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others, heaped praise on the officer. 'Eugene Goodman deserves the Medal of Valor!' he said. 'He could have stepped aside and let Trump insurgents get to the Senate chamber while Senators were still there. 'Instead, this heroic officer got them to follow him the other direction, giving lawmakers time to escape!' Jaime Harrison, former candidate for the Senate representing South Carolina, said he may have single-handedly 'saved our Republic'. 'The word hero does not appropriately describe officer Eugene Goodman,' he said. 'His judgment & heroism may have saved our Republic. I hope consider him for the Congressional Medal of Honor. It is the least we can do.' Goodman himself hasn't yet spoken out. The farmers have turned a stretch of highway into the site of a well-organised community. Many of the farmers are Sikh, and they said their beliefs and sense of tradition had helped them make the sacrifices to sustain the protests. The protesters, which one leader estimated at about 50,000, have organised a rotation to ensure their numbers do not shrink. When protesters tire or fall sick, they often arrange for replacements from their village before they leave the site. People line up for free food at the farmers protest in Singhu on the border with Delhi. Credit:Saumya Khandelwal/The New York Times Singh said about 5000 people alone from his village of 14,500 in the Faridkot district of Punjab had joined the protest, nearly 1000 of them women. Asked if he was nervous about his grandfather falling sick or getting infected with the coronavirus, he smiled. "My grandfather doesn't fear corona," he said. "He fears for our future." The protests have laid bare the dire reality of inequality across much of the country. More than 60 per cent of the 1.3 billion population still primarily depend on agriculture for their livelihood, though the sector accounts for only about 15 per cent of the country's economic output. Their reliance has only increased after COVID-19 badly struck the urban economy and sent millions of labourers back to their villages. For years now, debts and bankruptcies have been driving farmers to high rates of suicide. An aerial view of the farmers protest camp on the Singhu border with Delhi, India, on Friday. Credit:Saumya Khandelwal/The New York Times Government support to farmers, and regulation of the market, with guaranteed minimum prices for certain essential crops, helped the country move past the dire hunger of the 1960s to producing a surplus of grain in recent years. But with the economy being liberalised in recent decades, Modi who wants to see it to nearly double in size by 2024 sees such a large role for the government as no longer sustainable. Farmers, however, say they are struggling even with the existing protections. They believe market-friendly laws will eventually eliminate regulatory support and leave them bereft. India's weakened economy offers them little chance at a different livelihood. "The laws are a shoddy attempt at liberalisation. You just enacted them without thinking of farmers," said Vikas Rawal, a professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi who studies agrarian distress. "What you have to do is make farming remunerative for farmers by achieving a balance between public support, private investment and ecological concerns." Loading At first, Modi's government tried to paint the protesters as misguided, stoked by bitter opposition or even foreign hands a tactic used against previous waves of demonstrations. More recently, the administration's willingness to negotiate suggests it finds itself against a highly organised and motivated movement. As several rounds of talks failed, the farmers have threatened to drive their tractors into the capital. Modi's ministers have offered concessions on some issues, such as exempting farmers from penalties under a new air pollution law. But the farmers insist on nothing short of repealing the laws and enshrining minimum prices. With each passing week, the farmers said, they are growing embittered against a government that is holding fast while protesters gather in the elements amid a pandemic. Protest leaders say about 60 of their ranks have died from illness or suicide, though an exact figure could not be determined. "I have just one message for him," Harjinder Singh, 48, a ninth-generation farmer, said of Modi: "'Fear God'." Despite the difficulties, the protesters have found ways to rally support. Some have built elaborate stages, big and small, throughout the tent city in Singhu, where farm leaders and politicians can hold rallies. During breaks in the speeches, organisers read the list of the latest donations from across India and the world. There were also gifts sent by farmers from other parts of the country, from pineapples to almonds. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs the groundbreaking ceremony of a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ram in Ayodhya, India, last year. Modi wants to see the Indian economy double in size by 2024. Credit:AP Tech-savvy protesters disseminate videos and photos across social media to keep the crowds back in the villages energised and to keep the donations coming. Up and down the protest row, music blares from the sound systems installed on the tractors and seeps from the openings of the many tents. In one corner, a makeshift gym was established before it was turned into a "farmers mall" by an aid group offering free essentials like toothpaste, thermal underwear and soap for bathing and for laundry. In several spots, there are even laundry stalls with washing machines. Volunteers at medical tents take care of minor illnesses paracetamol for headaches, amlodipine for blood pressure. "Diabetes is the worst," said Manisha Sharma, 27, a paramedic who attended one medical tent. Despite the size of the crowd and the chaos of so many people surviving in the cold and mud, the protesters try to stay calm, wary of provocations that might give the government a pretext to discredit the movement or crack down in the name of law and order. "Last night, we caught a young local who had stolen a mobile phone," said Harjot Singh, a protester who was helping serve rice at one of the food tents. They let him go without punishment, he added. In interviews, many of the Sikh protesters portrayed farming and their fight for justice as a duty, and the sacrifice and organising that has made the protests possible as religious service. "It's cold, and it's hard to arrange water every morning for a bath," said Shabek Singh, who was dressed in a deep blue robe and a big round turban. "But we're not going anywhere. We will make this our temple." 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. [MUSIC PLAYING] speaker [SINGING] When you walk in the room, do you have sway? kara swisher Its been a busy week for Vogue and Anna Wintour. I spoke with her last Friday about her 32-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Vogue. We also discussed the February cover featuring Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. But the very next day, the February cover photo leaked and the internet reacted and not in a good way. In the photo, Harris is standing in front of a green and pink backdrop in a black jacket, skinny pants and converse sneakers, which have become famous in social media. The Twitter reactions I saw were overwhelmingly negative. Some took issue with the styling and the pose, others with the lighting. When we spoke last week, Wintour told me that she found the cover welcoming and relaxed. But the general consensus online was that it was too casual, that it did not rise to the historic occasion of the first woman Vice President, the first Black woman Vice President that it was disrespectful. It certainly didnt bode well for Conde Nast or for Wintour, who has been here before, having been accused of racially insensitive coverage and workplace discrimination by some of her staff just seven months ago. According to people familiar with the matter on both sides, there was not a written formal agreement in place. These people also say the Vice President-elects team had an expectation of a different cover one in which Harris is wearing a blue suit and standing in front of a gold backdrop. Its a more stately and serious photo, and one that is clearly more fitting for a Vice President. By Sunday, that photo was released as a digital cover, along with the one that was originally leaked. At the time of this recording, people familiar with the matter said the photo with the sneakers will be the only physical cover. They added that Vogue is considering using the more formal portrait in a second print edition. After the cover leaked, I went back to Wintour for comment. She said, quote, obviously, we have heard and understood the reaction to the print cover, and I just want to reiterate that it was absolutely not our intention to in any way diminish the importance of the Vice President-elects incredible victory. We want nothing but to celebrate Vice President-elect Harriss amazing victory and the important moment this is in Americas history, and particularly for women of color, all over the world. She also said, there was no formal agreement about what the choice of the cover would be. And when the two images arrived at Vogue, all of us felt very, very strongly that the less formal portrait of the Vice President-elect really reflected the moment that we were living in, which we are in the midst- as we still are of the most appalling pandemic that is taking lives by the minute. And we felt to reflect this tragic moment in global history, a much less formal picture, something that was very, very accessible, and approachable, and real, really reflected the hallmark of the Biden-Harris campaign and everything that they are trying to and, Im sure, will achieve. Im not exactly sure with the pandemic has to do with it. But heres my conversation with Anna Wintour. And just as a reminder, again, this interview was recorded before the cover leaked. Can you tell me about the cover shoot, and how you got her to do this? anna wintour Well, were very honored that we have the current vice president-elect on the cover. I think by the time we publish, she will be the vice president. And, obviously, its a historic moment for women of color, for America. And it was an ongoing conversation for some time. And, obviously, with everything that was going on with the election, we were thrilled when we knew that she would make the time for the shoot, and honored. And we had featured her in Vogue before and, obviously, covered the campaign in many different ways over the campaign season. And we very much wanted to have this cover around the time of the inauguration because we felt that it would be such a moment of celebration and joy. kara swisher Did you pitch her directly? Did you pitch her yourself? anna wintour No, that was done by my features team. And they were in touch with her office, but it was very much a conversation between Vogue and the vice president-elects office. kara swisher I cant believe Im asking this, but, what is she wearing? anna wintour Well, the favorite item of clothing that shes wearing on the cover, for me, is that shes wearing sneakers. kara swisher Well, of course. Converse, correct? anna wintour [LAUGHS]. Thats right. And the picture was taken by a wonderful young photographer, Tyler Mitchell, who had previously photographed Beyonce for us, and also a wildly successful December cover of Harry Styles. And he had the wonderful idea of putting her in front of the colors of her sorority, which are sort of like a pink and a green. And shes standing in a black pantsuit, and a white t-shirt, and sneakers. kara swisher Is this her clothing? These are her own clothes? anna wintour Yes, and she looks fantastic. kara swisher Did you want to put her in other clothes? Or anna wintour We were very open. I mean, I think that she has a very assured sense of style. I think, if you look at any images of her during the campaign season, she has a very strong sense of self and what she wants to wear. So she was very clear on what she wanted to wear. And on the inside picture, she has a super chic blue pantsuit. And I think its very much in character. And I think the fact that the cover itself is so charming and so relaxed and for me, so surprising and so real and as I listen to the President-elect and the Vice President-elect talk about empathy, and unity, and bringing people together, to me, this cover symbolizes that. I feel its a very welcoming image. kara swisher Do you expect to be on the receiving end of any controversy about it? I mean, obviously a lot of politicians are on covers. But recently, President Trump tweeted about you not putting Melania on the cover. Do you think about that at all? Or what did you think about that tweet, by the way? Shes been on the cover. anna wintour Yes. She was on the cover when they got married. kara swisher Quite a wedding dress. Yeah, quite a wedding dress. That was some dress. anna wintour Well, President Trump is no longer relevant. And I think that whats amazing about the February cover, to me, is that it is just so joyful and optimistic. And I cannot imagine that theres anyone that really is going to find this cover anything but that, and positive, and an image of a woman in control of her life whos going to bring us where the President-elect, the leadership, that we so need. And to me, its just a very important, but positive, statement about women, and women in power. kara swisher So last May, you actually wrote an op-ed for Vogue.com, urging President-elect Joe Biden to choose a woman of color to be his Vice President. Why did you feel the need to weigh in on that? anna wintour I think the reason that I felt so strongly about it like so many of us, we were so disappointed and let down by the last election results. And I respect and think that the President-elect is a wonderful choice for the country at this time. But that it was, I think, so important to the United States, and to women, and really to the world, that he choose a woman. That it couldnt just be that the guys are in charge. kara swisher Do you consider yourself a political person? You just said President Trump is irrelevant, or is not relevant. anna wintour He is irrelevant. We have a new President. We have a new Vice President that is going to solve all the many problems that he created, and are going to take the current situation in hand, and organize a correct distribution of the vaccine, and put us back where we should be on the world map. And so am I political? I am a concerned citizen. And I think there is no way that you cannot be involved in politics, particularly during the last four years. kara swisher Im curious do you pay attention to British politics as well? anna wintour Yes. Well, my brother works for The Guardian newspaper, first as a political editor and then the diplomatic editor. So its hard for me not to be concerned and interested. kara swisher And your thoughts? anna wintour [LAUGHS]. Well, I feel, like we have here, theyve mismanaged the messaging on the virus. And I think thats been very confusing and damaging. And I think theres been a lack of leadership on the pandemic, theres no question. kara swisher So the past year has been really eventful for Conde Nast from a business point of view, but also from a social point of view. Employees were very publicly talking about racism and diversity issues. These discussions took place at company-wide meetings. Can you talk about those meetings and what employees were saying? anna wintour I think what was happening at Conde Nast was happening, also, at many other businesses whether they were media or other companies throughout the United States, and indeed, throughout the world. So I dont think it would be correct to single out Conde Nast as being the sole place where this was happening. And obviously, it was a moment of change and social unrest. And I think everybody everywhere, throughout the world, questioning so many different issues. So I think Conde Nast is a company that is extremely committed to diversity, and inclusion, and to listening to everyone that works within the company. I think everything was obviously being heightened, Kara, by the time and by the fact that we were all living and working in the way that we are continuing to live and to work. And the fact that one couldnt be physically together to discuss things possibly made conversations a little bit more heated than they might be under more normal circumstances because it was definitely a sense of being disconnected. But I feel that we have certainly had very fruitful discussions. We heard the complaints and the issues that have been raised by everybody who works at Conde Nast, and were working towards, I think, a lot of very positive change. kara swisher I want to press you a little more. Words like fruitful are somewhat opaque to me. What did you hear the employees saying specifically? anna wintour Well, there were many different discussions. And I think a lot of it was rooted in the social unrest that was happening at that time. And I think that this was definitely heightened by the leadership that we have in this country. And I think that the sense of some of it was panic but a sense of not fully understanding what Covid was meaning to the United States in a sense that there was not enough leadership, that leadership was incredibly divided, that there wasnt a sense of anyone being in charge and really understanding what Covid was going to mean. The messages were very, very mixed. So I think that fed into the social unrest that there was just a general sense of unease. But in terms of specifically at Conde Nast, I mean, obviously there was discussion about diversity and inclusion. There was just a very open discussion about many different subjects. And I think, you may not like the word fruitful, but it is a word that I like. kara swisher I think fruit is fantastic I eat it frequently. But what Im talking about is, what did you hear that really struck you, specifically? anna wintour I dont think that it was about one specific issue, Kara. I think it was about just listening. You have to understand that Conde Nast is a global company. So issues that may exist in the United States are somewhat different elsewhere in the world. And its important for us to hear all the issues that are being raised. But to me, what one needs to do as a leader is really just hear listen and hear, and then act. Weve made a lot of progress, fruitful progress. kara swisher [LAUGHS]. anna wintour And I just would like to emphasize again that I think that these were conversations that were happening in companies all over the world at that particular point in the summer, and that we have moved to a much better place. kara swisher OK. All right. So let me get to the email you wrote to the staff acknowledging that Vogue hadnt done enough they hadnt elevated Black creators, youve published some hurtful stories. And you said, quote, I take full responsibility for those mistakes. What do you think those mistakes were? anna wintour I think it was a reflection of just what you and I have been talking about, is that I wasnt listening, or listening enough. And I think whats important is to be seen as someone who does listen and will hear any number of complaints, or questions, or suggestions. So I think it was a statement whereby I was trying to make it very clear in that email, specifically, to Vogue that I was available, that I wanted to listen, that I acknowledged there had been mistakes made in the past and that we wanted to move forward and make sure, as much as we possibly could, that it would not happen again. kara swisher When you talked about that, did you reflect, for example let me take one, not hiring enough Black creators or Black photographers, for example. Its just one of the many different things people had raised. Have you thought and self-reflected on why that didnt happen given you were the editor of the publication? anna wintour Well, I think we reflect on a lot of things in hindsight. But my belief is that we have to move forward, and we have to see what we can do in the present and in the future. And we have discussed all numbers of kinds of content, and who contributors to that content should and would best be to fulfill those roles. And we are definitely being far more careful as we move forward. And I think the most positive result that you can give to your workforce is action and results. And I think, if you look at what we have been doing within the company, and our many diversity and inclusivity initiatives, and the mentorship programs that we have started, and the incredible woman that weve hired to head up diversity and inclusivity globally, I think that anyone who works at Conde Nast would see of course were not perfect and theres a lot more work to be done that we have heard, we have listened and we are moving forward. kara swisher So I cover a lot of Silicon Valley. And one of the things Ive reflected on when I watch these issues, and theyre rife throughout Silicon Valley as you know its mostly white men who run everything there and occupy all the positions of power. And one of the things Ive thought about is how they do talk about diversity inclusion, but they often rank it lower. Why hadnt that been stack-ranked as a leader? Is that something that you were not trained in? Or why do you think anna wintour Well, I think that we actually did have a diversity and Inclusion council at Conde Nast that was very active. But I think where we, maybe, were not active enough was involving enough people throughout the company to make sure that the initiatives that we were launching and discussing were hearing enough voices. And I think thats the lesson learned from the summer, is that it isnt about a singular initiative, or a singular committee. That one has to listen to everybody within the company, and to hear all voices, and to make sure that those voices and those people within the company, feel free to raise their voices when they feel its necessary. kara swisher So how does that manifest in your day-to-day in terms of listening? Because right now you are now, Conde Nast worldwide content chief and global editorial director of Vogue. Some people were wondering that you might resign from Vogue, or leave Conde Nast, last year. And, obviously, Bon Appetits editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport did after staff accused him of discriminatory practices. And you gained a couple of titles. So can you give me an example of what youre doing to change the culture. anna wintour Yeah. I mean, I think that throughout Conde Nast, were encouraging all of our editors to work with a wide range of writers, and photographers, and videographers, and really to be very open to everything that were seeing in the world. And then within the company, we have launched several really strong programs a mentoring program within different titles, and then a reverse-mentoring program. I lead several committees myself, including a diversity and inclusivity committee group at Vogue, where we have monthly discussions and that covers everything from whatever might be going on in the world to things that are very specific to the company. Im mentoring a number of young people within the company, and encouraging others within the company in leadership positions to do exactly that. So thats certainly where were being exceptionally proactive, as well as widening out the range of writers, photographers, et cetera, that were working with. kara swisher But do you have actual targets of measurable milestones. Im going to hire this many people of various kinds. Im going to hear this many voices. Im going out to lunch with anna wintour Who goes out to lunch? kara swisher Thats right. Thats right. Correct. Fair point. anna wintour Yeah. I meet with a huge amount of people within the company that are on different roles. The chief people officer is very committed to putting forward, whenever there is an opening, a very diverse slate of candidates. Every job is posted within the company. So everybody is free to apply, and theres full transparency. We committed to a 15% outside contributor pledge with Aurora James 15% pledge. We are very committed to being a much more diverse workplace and more diverse in our content. kara swisher OK. So lets talk about representation on Vogue covers. In the last six months, there have been five, including the September 2020 issue, featured a Black woman. Those numbers are of just solo covers. Is that the piece we can expect going forward? anna wintour Well, I think that we certainly want to be diverse, and inclusive, and to reflect the culture as we see it. I think that my very first September cover for Vogue was Naomi Campbell, and that was considered a little bit surprising at that time. But I thought that she was absolutely the right face and the right person to put on that cover. I feel very strongly about the women that have graced our covers in the past few months. More diversity, more inclusivity is very much the direction that were going. And I think I would like to say, also, I think, for Vogue globally. kara swisher So one of the things that someone told me about you when you got this job is, the worry was that you were, and this is a quote, locked into your generation. I understand that completely. I am locked into my generation. Do you feel that about yourself? That you are locked into your generation, and youre not able to make those changes. anna wintour Well, obviously, Im so excited about the changes, and I think its exhilarating. And I think one of the joys of my position is that I am so lucky, and that I can surround myself with editors, writers, people from all different generations. And I think, if you look at the editors in-chief that I brought into the company since I became artistic director, its an extremely diverse group of people. And so I think age is a number. kara swisher Right. But Im talking more is, when youre a leader, for a long time, many leaders not you in particular surround yourself by similar people, or the same people, or people youve relied on, and its harder and harder to hear and listen. Im thinking of someone like Mark Zuckerberg doesnt listen, hasnt been listening. Hes a young person its not an age thing. Its when you get to a certain level of power. Do you think its difficult to change those behaviors when youre surrounded by those behaviors? anna wintour I actually work in an industry that is all about change, and that embraces change. And I think its one of the reasons that I was drawn to fashion journalism in the beginning, is because youre always thinking about whats going to be new and exciting. And, of course, fashion reflects the culture and the times that were living in. And that has been always whats fascinated me about the world that I work in, that youre always meeting a new generation that is looking at the world of fashion and culture completely differently from the generation before. And I think if you look at a number of the great designers whove defined different decades, and then you look at the next generation and you see that its very different and has a completely sometimes opposite point of view, but a completely different point of view. And being able to report on that, and reflect on that, is what I love. [MUSIC PLAYING] kara swisher Well be back in a minute. If you like this interview and want to hear others, hit subscribe. Youll be able to catch up on Sway episodes you may have missed, like my conversation with Parler C.E.O. John Matze. And youll get new ones delivered directly to you. More with Anna Wintour after the break. [MUSIC PLAYING] So Ill be honest with you, Im not really a fashion person although my mother was the head of fashion at Bonwit Teller back in the day. anna wintour Oh, really? kara swisher Oh, yeah. Shes a stylist. And I didnt get the gene, I suppose. She calls me a fashion black hole. But Id love to ask you about some current trends. First of all, with everyone wearing more comfortable clothes from home I think I even saw a photo of you wearing sweatpants tell me about your sweatpants situation. anna wintour [LAUGHS]. Those are the pants that I play tennis in, and I was, I think, on my way to play tennis when that picture was taken. So theres no deep significance to that image. kara swisher But there is this idea someone sent me a note saying the runway is now the bathroom to the kitchen. So what do you think about the work-from-home wardrobe? And what impact will it have? anna wintour I think whats going to happen is that a lot more people are going to continue to work remotely. Because I feel that, even though its driving us all insane right now, I think theres been a complete switch in many peoples mindsets that they find that they enjoy it, and they like it, and it works for their family situation, or whatever. So I think that well be moving towards much more of a hybrid situation in terms from how we work. I think the workplace is going to be completely redefined. But I also would argue that, once we do reemerge and hopefully, that will be over the summer and into the fall I think people are going to really want to dress up, and have fun with fashion, and enjoy it, and want to go, out and think about what theyre wearing not just from the waist up. So, yes, it may be more relaxed when youre working from home, as it is right now. But I think when people do go back to a more relatively normal life, theyre going to go back to enjoying and loving fashion. I think one thing that we were talking about, even before the pandemic, was the cycle of fashion was moving far too fast and the emphasis was so much on whats new. And it was way too much excess. So I do feel and weve seen this already that houses are pulling back, theyre only going to be doing two shows a year. That I think the emphasis will be much more on quality, and creativity, and clothes having emotional meaning. I mean, the way maybe a piece of jewelry does. That it is something that can bring you a memory of a wedding dress, or a moment in your time. That, that dress means something, its something that you might want to give to your children. So I think the emphasis is going to be much more on quality, creativity. And does that house, does that label, are they in step with the values that I have myself? kara swisher Yeah. So there are a lot of major changes in the fashion landscape. Direct-to-consumer. Reformation. Fast fashion, like H&M. Shared economy on fashion, rent the runway, the RealReal, how do you reflect on the shifts that are happening? Theyre not un-similar to whats happening in entertainment or media. anna wintour Yeah. And I think a lot of it has been emphasized by the learning that weve had during Covid, and the fact that so many stores have been closed. And particularly designers that are not backed by huge houses, theyve had to work much more closely with their customers. And whether its through Zoom events, or however it may be, they are talking much more directly to their customers, to their consumers. And, obviously, that is something that is going to continue. And I think that the reason that these virtual fashion shows although many of them have been exceptionally creative and interesting theyre not having the same emphasis as the physical fashion show is, it is important to have a personal exchange with the designers. Whether youre a customer, or youre a journalist, whoever it may be. Not everything can just exist on a screen. So I think well be moving towards a mix of virtual and physical. kara swisher When you look at fast fashion, what has been your reaction to watching its growth? And its been hit pretty hard in the pandemic, for sure. anna wintour I think that its wonderful if fashion can be available to everybody. That we want fashion to be available to all people. But I do feel this emphasis on disposable fashion is very difficult when you look at sustainability, and you look at climate change, that I think that we do all need to slow down and think about what values we care about. And I do think that the fast fashion houses, the less expensive fashion houses, are very focused on that right now. And, again, were going to see a lot of changes. kara swisher So one of the companies that has gotten very heavily into it Amazon, in its quest for world domination is now number one fashion retailer in the US. They own Shopbop. Theyre using smartphone data to make customized t-shirts on Made For YOU. Theyre even a partner with Vogue. Is Jeff Bezos, the next Anna Wintour? anna wintour [CHUCKLES]. I think that Jeff has a wonderful leader for Amazon Fashion in Christine Beauchamp. Hes obviously aware of everything that shes doing, but trusts her implicitly. And I think its going to evolve over time. But I believe that fashion needs to change and to evolve. And its distribution needs to evolve and change as well. kara swisher But how do you feel about it, Jeff Bezos controlling fashion in this anna wintour [LAUGHS] Well, I dont think kara swisher Well, its number one seller. anna wintour Its a distribution system, though. Its like you have Apple in your phone. Its like electricity. kara swisher Well, they said that, and then, now, theyre making shows. Same thing with Apple. Theyre making TV shows. Theyre moving into areas that you didnt think they were moving into. anna wintour But I think we all have to be open to change. Its going back to what you were talking about at the beginning of our conversation, Kara. We cant be stuck in the old ways. And if people are seeing new ways to get fashion, or film, or entertainment to people, I think we have to look at that, and understand that, and support it in ways that make sense for us. kara swisher All right. In that regard, your opinions on fashion have been critically important. But now there are influencers, and thinkfluencers, and social media accounts. Do you think the decentralization of editorial voice is a good or bad thing? anna wintour Well I think Vogue is the biggest influencer of them all. I really do. I mean, if you look at the power of Vogue throughout the world, I cant remember the exact numbers, but I think our role in todays unbelievably crowded world is to curate and to make sense of everything thats out there. Because there just is so much. And thats why we have editors that work at Vogue around the world that really understand the world of fashion, and are on the lookout all the time for new talent, and help surface that new talent because thats so much of what we do, and reflect it, and bring it to the attention of customers, and to stores, and to audiences around the world. So I think you need to look at us as both a huge influencer, and a curator, and first and foremost, as fashion journalists. kara swisher Do you follow any of the influencers on Instagram, or anywhere else? anna wintour I follow a number of different people on Instagram. And, obviously, very intrigued by everything that we see happening on new platforms like TikTok and Twitch. And I think looking at all these platforms, from our point of view, and seeing how we can partner with them in ways that makes sense for us, there are huge opportunities. kara swisher Do you use TikTok and Instagram heavily? Do you spend a lot of time on it? anna wintour I look at it, I see it. I dont engage in it myself. You dont engage in it yourself. Theres no Instagram version of you. No. kara swisher No. No dancing. anna wintour [LAUGHS]. No. Not yet, kara swisher No tie-dyeing. You know tie-dyeing is a big thing on TikTok, in case youre interested. anna wintour [LAUGHS]. Yeah, I know. kara swisher And what do you think of that? anna wintour Tie-dye never goes away. kara swisher All right. OK. So many journalists are moving away from large companies. A whole bunch have moved to Substack for example, and are doing really well, and making money. Is that a threat to institutions? Like whether its the Vogue, or the New York Times, or whatever. anna wintour I think that when journalists, and editors, and writers, and young people coming into the media landscape think about Conde Nast, I do think that they know that we believe in quality, that we believe in journalism, we believe in truth, that we are curious. And I understand the appeal of having your own voice. And there is also a sense of, I can be independent and I can make my own way. But at the same time, I do feel that having a sense of community and being involved and connected to a title whether its GQ, or Wired, or Teen Vogue, whatever it may be I think that is very important to journalists. kara swisher But the business, obviously, is changing too. Its not just that people are doing this and using these new forms of communication. But I think you and I are both painfully aware that the glory days of publishing are long-gone. Print is dying, the margins on digital content are still low although rising. Conde Nast has lost hundreds of millions in the past few years, and the pandemic has led to more layoffs during the pandemic. You have a much bigger role now, a business role. Correct? anna wintour Yes. And I think that were looking at where the growth opportunities are. And a very strong growth opportunity that already has huge revenue for us is video, whether its short form or long form video. And as print and more traditional revenue streams decline, were very focused on the consumer whether thats through paywall, or subscriptions, or membership, or e-commerce, or events, or experiences, or all the things that involve our consumer, that obviously is another area that we are deeply committed to investing in as well. kara swisher You have been at Conde Nast since 1983. Is there anything else you want to do? Do you have ambitions in other sectors? anna wintour You mean if I was to leave Conde Nast? kara swisher Yes, yes. I mean, there was a rumor that you were interested in being an ambassador. Is there anything else you want to do? anna wintour Id like to run the Tennis Channel in my next life. kara swisher Really? anna wintour Theres always things that Im interested in doing. But right now, Im really focused on what the next chapter is for Conde Nast. kara swisher OK. All right. I think thats it. Thank you so much. anna wintour Thank you. kara swisher We appreciate it. Thanks a lot, Anna. anna wintour OK. Bye. kara swisher Well Trump, you were successful in getting five people dead with your stupidity. Sure glad we only have two more weeks of your nonsense, and just hope you dont start a nuclear war with someone before you leave office. I sincerely hope that there are some lawsuits that will take you down to where you belong after your reign of garbage is over. I wish you nothing but bad luck in the future, and I feel sorry for Melania. I hope she bids you farewell, and gets away safe from you. You will go down as one of the worst presidents this country has ever had, if not the absolute worst. Pope Francis has advised the United States government to promote national reconciliation and protect the democratic values rooted in Ameri... Pope Francis has advised the United States government to promote national reconciliation and protect the democratic values rooted in American society. The Pope said this as he prayed on Sunday for those who lost their lives during the siege at the U.S. Capitol. He extended an affectionate greeting to the people of the United States of America, shaken by the recent dramatic moments. I pray for those who lost their lives. Recall about five persons lost their lives after Trumps supporters besieged the US capitol. The Pope warned that violence is always self-destructive and nothing is gained with it. I was astonished, by the attack on Capitol Hill because Americans are people so disciplined in democracy. Even in the most mature society, things can go wrong, and some people take a path against the community, against democracy, against the common good. Pope Francis asked the Virgin Mary, the patroness of the United States, to help keep alive the culture of encounter and the culture of care so that Americans can build the common good together. 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Facebooks shares were down 2%. Free-speech-centric network Parler, led by Chief Executive Officer John Matze, was taken offline early on Monday after Amazon Web Services shut down access to its servers, leaving it without an online home. Both Google and Apple Inc. kicked Parler from their stores, making it almost impossible to download the app. The tech giants are trying to distance themselves from accusations they helped fuel the violence during the storming of the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6 by a mob encouraged by Trump. So far, Parler hasnt been able to find other web hosting services willing to step in because of the negative publicity stemming from the violence, organized in part on its own platform. This is not due to software restrictions -- we have our software and everyones data ready to go, said Matze. Rather its that Amazons, Googles and Apples statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well. Even ecommerce or payments sites are now reassessing doing business with companies linked to Trump. Stripe Inc. will stop processing payments for Trumps campaign website, according to a person familiar with the decision. Shopify Inc. also shut down e-commerce stores affiliated with Trump. Before last weeks violence, lawmakers and civil rights advocates had long been pressuring social media platforms to crack down on posts that encourage violence or hatred. While regulators in Europe have passed laws fining firms that fail to act on hate speech, the U.S. has largely left regulation to the companies. first put warning labels on Trumps tweets that supported the Capitol rioters, then hid them, before suspending the account. Reactions from politicians outside of the U.S. have been mixed. On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel questioned the decision to shut down Trumps accounts, arguing it should be for lawmakers to sets the rules governing social media platforms. Despite his success on Twitter and Facebook, Trump has been among those calling for reforms to the social media platforms. The president has long demanded that Congress revoke Section 230, a liability waiver that social media companies depend upon to allow relatively unfettered speech on their platforms. During his last week in office, Trump may look to push through changes to Section 230. Trump has also prepared several executive orders related to the big tech companies but its not clear if any will be issued, Bloomberg reported. Im more determined than ever to strip Section 230 protections from Big Tech (Twitter) that let them be immune from lawsuits, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican of South Carolina, tweeted. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Several local government units shared the good news that they have closed deals to secure hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses for their constituents. Majority of the local chief executives announced that they have sealed tripartite agreements with the national government for doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines, which has an efficacy rate of up to 90% for those who received a half dose followed by a full dose. Their shot is relatively cheaper. It is also easier to store and distribute since it does not need to be stored at super-cold temperatures. Other local government units are also in talks with other vaccine manufacturers. UK-based AstraZeneca has applied for emergency use in the Philippines. It has secured emergency use authorization from the United Kingdom and India. The following local governments have signed advanced marketing commitments with vaccine makers, as of January 13: Bacolod City: No details yet on the number of doses from AstraZeneca Baguio City: AstraZeneca doses for 190,000 residents Caloocan City: 600,000 doses from AstraZeneca Dagupan City: 40,000 doses from AstraZeneca Davao City: AstraZeneca doses for 1.2 million residents Ilocos Norte: 120,000 doses from AstraZeneca Iloilo City: 600,000 doses from AstraZeneca Mandaluyong City: AstraZeneca doses worth 200 million Makati City: 1 million doses from AstraZeneca Manila City: 800,000 doses from AstraZeneca Muntinlupa City: 100,000 doses from AstraZeneca Navotas City: 100,000 doses from AstraZeneca Ormoc City: 270,000 dozes from AstraZeneca (scheduled rollout: July) Paranaque City: 200,000 doses from AstraZeneca Pasig City: 400,000 doses from AstraZeneca worth P100 million Quezon City: 1.1 million doses from AstraZeneca San Juan City: 50 million allocated for AstraZeneca doses Taguig City: No details yet on the number of doses from AstraZeneca Valenzuela City: 640,000 doses from AstraZeneca (scheduled arrival: second half of 2021) Vigan: 100,000 to 120,000 doses from AstraZeneca Zamboanga City: 410,000 doses from AstraZeneca President Rodrigo Duterte on January 6 allowed local government units to enter into tripartite agreements with the national government and vaccine manufacturers to purchase COVID-19 vaccines in advance. RELATED: COVID-19 vaccines: Where is PH in the procurement, clinical trials? Some local government units nationwide have announced how much they would be spending for the inoculation of their residents. 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. The government aims to vaccinate 50 million to 70 million Filipinos this year. This story will be updated as more information comes in. A post made by a presumed high school friend of Aespa member Karina has started gaining traction from both local and international fans. To protect Karina, fans have started trending #ApologizeToKarina. Keep on reading to learn more. The high school friend of Karina, who chose to remain unnamed, made a post to the South Korean online community forum TheQoo, where they begged people to stop sending Karina hate. In their post, they described Karina as having a bright personality and that she had a good relationship with her peers. She was also famous in her school and was well-known for being warm and kind. The poster stresses that the rumors spread against her are all baseless and mentions that Karina had once helped her through a difficult time in their life. Her whole post reads: "I can guarantee that Yoo Jimin (Karina) is a very kind person, She went to the same school as me and we attended school together. She was famous for her warm personality. Yoo Jimin has always gone out of her way to help people who struggled or were isolated and bullied ever since she was a middle school student. She always had a good relationship with her peers, whether they were older or younger than her, due to her good-natured personality. Yoo Jimin has never discriminated against people. In fact, she even invited me to her house because I did not have any friends. She always cared about the underdogs and approached people first and befriended them. She also personally helped me when I was going through a time where I was thinking about ending my life. I truly hope people do not people the absurd rumors made against Jimin. She has suffered a lot due to those rumors. Please... She is so young, she is only 20 years old." This is not the first time a school mate has spoken up to defend Karina. Back in Oct. 2020, old school mates of Karina made a post to numerous online community forums debunking the rumors made against the Aespa member. The two, who call themselves Karina's best friends, have stated that all of the posts made against her are from acquaintances and church mates who were not close to Karina, and they deleted the posts after being asked to. They also defended Karina by saying that she never drank alcohol as a minor. There was also a time in which an alleged friend shared text messages shared between her and Karina in which the idol is seen supposedly insulting EXO, NCT, and label mate Kai. However, they claimed the texts were fabricated, as Karina was busy filming at the time and could not be texting. RELATED: Netizens Upset Over Yoo Jimin's Addition to Aespa Due to Visuals and Past Controversy They also defended Karina against claims that she bullied fellow trainees. Instead, they claimed that Karina is actually close to the trainees and had taken care of them. RELATED: Old Schoolmates of Aespa's Karina Make Lengthy Post Defending Her Character Fans of Karina have since trended the hashtag #ApologizeToKarina. Fans are using the hashtag to clear the searches of anything negative about Karina and inform people about her true nature; about how kind she is and how much she cares for her fans and the other members of Aespa. Others have used the hashtag to expose those who have spread malicious comments against Karina despite how it was proven that the rumors against her are false. What do you think of the situation? For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Alexa Lewis The number of persons infected with the UK strain of the coronavirus has increased to 96, the health ministry said on Monday even as flights from Britain resumed after a 16-day suspension to prevent the spread of the mutant strain in India. According to the ministry, all the 96 persons have been kept in single-room isolation in designated healthcare facilities by the respective state governments and their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Till Saturday, the number of such people was 90. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is also on, the ministry had said. Flights from the UK resumed on Friday after the government had suspended all the services on December 23. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH India first detected the more transmissible UK strain of SARS-CoV-2 on December 29 when six passengers who had returned from Britain were found to be positive with the new variant genome. The tracing and testing were initiated after the British government announced that a newly identified strain of the virus, which is up to 70 per cent more transmissible, was found in their population. Countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore have also reported the mutant strain of the virus. India has initiated heightened surveillance measures to detect the UK strain of the coronavirus by making it mandatory for passengers travelling from Britain to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival at airports here. (With PTI inputs) 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. If Twitter is going to start banning leaders and government officials for repeatedly justifying atrocities, the company is going to have its work cut out for it. The day before President Donald Trump was permanently banned from the platform for violating the sites glorification of violence policy, the Chinese embassy in the United States tweeted that Uighur women in the countrys Xinjiang region had been liberated by the Chinese governments policies, and were no longer baby-making machinesa disturbing spin on a draconian campaign of population control that has involved the forced use of IUDs, sterilization, and abortion. Twitter deleted the tweet over the weekend, without specifying what rule it had violated, though another one from the same day claiming that young people in Xinjiang benefit from the governments policies remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the same day Trumps account was deleted, the site removed a tweet from the account of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that described coronavirus vaccines developed in Britain and the United States as untrustworthy. @khamenei_ir is an odd case: an unverified account that frequently shares the supreme leaders statements and is generally considered to be associated with him. As of Monday, its still tweeting. If Trumps behavior on Twitter was grounds for a permanent ban, why are officials from autocratic governments allowed to continue using the site to spread propaganda, justify repressive violence, and promote conspiracy theories? Surely, justifying genocide is as egregious an offense as justifying an insurrection. Trumps ban has led some Iranian activists to call for the Khamenei account to be banned as well. Outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai got in on the action, asking why Khamenei tweets calling for the destruction of the Zionist regime dont also constitute glorifying violence. Advertisement Twitter has suspended state-linked accounts in a number of countries in the past, often without much explanation, and has gotten more aggressive about taking down individual tweets that violate rules. It also recently began labeling the accounts of government officials of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, a practice the company says it plans to extend to more governments. But the Trump ban is a major escalation and raises the question of whether a new precedent is being set. Advertisement Its tempting to say that Twitter should just have a no dictator policy. However, its hard enough for governments and NGOs to define what constitutes a democratic or autocratic government, and its probably not a job we want to delegate to @jack. And given that Twitter and other social media companies are already often portrayed in many parts of the world as an agent of U.S. influence, the company is going to have a hard time portraying itself as a neutral arbiter. Its not only Trump supporters who are concerned about the precedent set by the Trump ban. Steffen Seibert, spokesman for German chancellor and Trump Twitter abuse target Angela Merkel, said that it was problematic for political speech to be subjected to the decisions of the management of social media platforms. (Merkel doesnt tweet.) Russian dissident Alexei Navalny called it an unacceptable act of censorship that would be exploited by enemies of freedom of speech around the world.* At the very least, it makes sense for Twitter to be wary about doing this too often. Advertisement And at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions, we should also be wary about removing modes of communication for governmentseven the most repressive ones. For all its flaws, Twitter messaging can still serve as a useful diplomatic tool. The world saw this a year ago when, following an Iranian missile strike on U.S. bases in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, both Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif put out dueling statements about the event on Twitter. Both statements were misleading spin, but they also helped both governments save face enough to prevent a further escalation toward war. Advertisement Theres also the awkward fact that Twitter often complies with government takedown requests, including from autocratic governments like Russia and Turkey. Its hard to see how Twitter could simply ban authoritarian governments until it stops cooperating with them. Advertisement In general, a blanket no-autocrat policy makes less sense than flagging and removing individual problematic tweets, except for the most egregious repeat offenders. However, there is one simple standard that Twitter can and should enforce: If a government blocks its citizens from using Twitter, its officials should not be allowed to use the site either. China has blocked Twitter since 2009, and its leaders, ministries, and embassies should not be allowed to use the site to propagandize to foreign audiences. Same goes for Iran and North Korea. Russian officials would get to keep their accountsfor now at least. Turkey has temporarily blocked Twitter in the past. Leaders that do this should lose access to their own accounts until access is restored to their citizens. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Arab Spring uprisings, probably the last time social media companies like Twitter were genuinely viewed as an emancipatory force and an agent of democratization. Its probably not possible to go back to those times, but at the very least, authoritarian rulers shouldnt be allowed to keep Twitter all to themselves. Correction, Jan. 11, 2021: This piece originally misspelled Alexei Navalnys surname. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. 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. Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 9:25PM Source: Lenovo Lenovo introduces a new pair of enterprise-grade smart glasses that it says is "one of the most advanced and versatile" available. The ThinkReady A3 can be used for tasks like 3D visualization and augmented reality-guided workflows. It comes at a time when the world is "looking to adopt new technologies for smart collaboration. Unlike Lenovo's first ThinkReality model (the A6), these glasses look like a pair of chunky sunglasses. Lenovo says it can modify these to have industrial frames to make them sturdier and safer. The ThinkReality A3 runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 chipset for virtual and mixed reality headsets. It can display up to five virtual 1080p screens and has an 8-megapixel camera that can produce 1080p clips, too. It also has dual fish-eye cameras for room-scale tracking. You still need to connect this pair of smart glasses to a PC or a Motorola handset running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series processor or better via USB-C to work. It will run Windows software and apps if you connect it to a PC, while the mobile connection will rely on Motorola's ThinkReality software platform for hands-free AR activities. Lenovo is working to offer different applications across industries to use these pair of glasses when space and privacy are limited. It can work in retail, laboratories, and hospitals, among others. Lenovo plans to release this for the enterprise market in some regions starting mid-2021. Source: Engadget You can read the rest of our CES stories over here. The District of Columbia's Attorney General is considering potentially charging President Trump and others for inciting violence in the speeches they gave to MAGA supporters prior to the US Capitol siege. AG Karl Racine said his office is investigating last week's breach of the Capitol and is weighing whether he could bring charges against Trump and others, including his son Don Jr. and lawyer Rudy Giuliani. 'I'm looking at a charge under the DC Code of inciting violence and that would apply where there's a clear recognition that one's incitement could lead to foreseeable violence,' Racine told MSNBC on Monday. He noted that the Justice Department has already said they can't bring charges against a president. District of Columbia's Attorney General Karl Racine said his office is investigating last week's breach of the Capitol and is weighing whether he could bring charges against Trump and others, including his son Don Jr. and lawyer Rudy Giuliani Racine is looking at whether that still applies once Trump is out of office. 'As it turns out the president has about nine days left of office and, of course, the investigation is going to go on for more than nine days,' Racine said. 'It will be another legal question as to whether the president can be prosecuted after his term of office. I think the better weight of authority answers that question affirmatively.' Racine described the comments made by Trump, his son and Giuliani during the crowded Save America Rally that directly preceded the Capitol riot were 'outrageous'. The trio were among those to give speeches to the raucous crowd of Trump supporters right before they stormed and overran the Capitol building. 'Those were outrageous comments that those individuals, including the President of the United States made,' Racine said. Racine described the comments made by Trump (above), his son and Giuliani during the crowded Save America Rally that directly preceded the Capitol riot were 'outrageous' 'Clearly the crowd was hyped up, juiced up, focused on the Capitol and rather than calm then down or at least emphasize the peaceful nature of what protests need to be, they really did encourage these folks and riled them up.' Trump used his speech to rail against the election and called the vote in Congress to certify Joe Biden's election results an 'egregious assault on our democracy'. He urged his supporters to 'walk down to the Capitol' in a 'Save America March'. Trump had promised to march with his supporters but didn't actually go with them. Meanwhile Giuliani had called for 'trial by combat' and Don Jr., like his father, urged MAGA supporters to fight. Racine has denied that he is specifically targeting Trump. 'I'm not targeting the president or anyone else... we're going to follow the facts and go exactly where the facts lead,' he said. It comes after Acting US Attorney Michael Sherwin said last week that he was going to investigate all 'bad actors' and the New York State Bar Association considered removing Giuliani for telling the crowd to use 'trial by combat'. 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 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 Police officers lined a street in Washington D.C. on Sunday to honor a fallen comrade, Officer Brian Sicknick who was murdered while attempting to police the U.S. Capitol during Wednesday's riots. Sicknick was struck in the head by a fire extinguisher as he tried to prevent Trump supporters from entering the building, trying to stop Trump supporters from storming in. Capitol were flown at half staff at the request of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Four days on from his tragic death, president Trump has still not reached out to Sicknicks family, although Vice President Mike Pence called to offer condolences, an aide said. The pain is too much to bear for this police officer with the US Capital police after the casket with fallen police officer, Brian Sicknick, passed during a funeral procession in Washington, DC on Sunday A US Capitol Police officer rests her head on the shoulder of a fellow comrade as Sicknick's hearse passes by Capitol Hill police line up in preparation for the passing of the funeral hearse for slain Officer Brian Sicknick, who died in the rioting Wednesday US Capital police stand at attention as the casket with fallen police officer, Brian Sicknick, passes Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, was killed after a mob of President Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building on Wednesday. Sicknick, a military veteran, was a 12-year member of the force. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) There is beefed up protection in the days before the January 20 Inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with heavy security around US Capitol in aftermath of last week's rioting A memorial for Brian Sicknick, U.S. Capitol Police Officer who died from injuries following the U.S. Capitol building siege Sicknick was a veteran with the armed forces and had served 6 years in the New Jersey Air National Guard, as a leader of the 108th Security Force Squadron. The Capitol Police said in a statement that Sicknick was injured 'while physically engaging with protesters.' During the struggle he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, two law enforcement officials said. 'I don't think Brian had a nasty bone in his body. He just was a good person and wanted the best for everyone around him,' Chief Master Sgt Lance Endee told Fox 29. 'When you are told he died such a horrible death, I was very sad about the whole thing. He really optimized the air force core value of service before self,' Endee said. Sicknick was from New Jersey. The state's Governor Phil Murphy released a statement: 'Officer Sicknick gave his life protecting the United States Capitol, and by extension, our very democracy from violent insurrection. 'His needless murder at the hands of a mob bent on overthrowing the Constitution he had dedicated his life to upholding is shocking. It is my fervent hope that the rioters whose actions directly contributed to his death are quickly identified and brought to justice.' Police officers salute as a hearse carrying the body of Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was killed by rioters Wednesday, passes members of the Capitol and Metropolitan police during a procession on Third Street on Sunday Anne Seymour, a crime victim advocate, adds a sign at a memorial for Brian Sicknick,the U.S. Capitol Police Officer who died People pay their respects at a memorial for fallen police officer, Brian Sicknick who was reportedly struck in the head with a fire extinguisher on Wednesday while struggling with the rioters who swarmed through the halls of Congress A hearse carrying the casket of Brian Sicknick turns onto Constitution Avenue during a police procession on Sunday A Metropolitan Police officer salutes as a hearse carrying the casket of Brian Sicknick A makeshift memorial for Officer Sicknick has been set up close to the ground of the U.S. Capitol The American flag flies at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the building's flags be lowered A GoFundMe page dedicated to Officer Sicknick has raised almost $550,000 for his family. 'Officer Sicknick joined the United States Capitol Police in July of 2008 and on his most recent assignment he served on the First Responders Unit. Officer Sicknick shared a passion for the outdoors and became a member of the mountain bike unit with Capitol Police, patrolling the grounds daily. His fellow officers remember him as someone they could always count on to be there and also could always bring a smile or laugh to them. Brian also shared a love for dogs as many of us at USCP do,' the page reads. 'There are no words to describe the loss of Officer Brian Sicknick. He will forever be remembered for his bravery and service to our country as a member of the military and a United States Capitol Police Officer.' Sicknick's death has shaken America as it grapples with how an armed mob could storm the halls of the U.S. Capitol as the presidential election results were being certified, sending hundreds of lawmakers, staff and journalists fleeing for safety. Videos published online show vastly outnumbered Capitol Police officers trying in vain to stop surging rioters, while other videos show officers not moving to stop rioters in the building. Police leadership badly miscalculated the threat despite weeks of signals that Wednesday could get violent and they refused Pentagon help three days before the riot, and again as the mob descended. Under withering criticism, the police chief resigned as have the chief security officers for both the U.S. House and Senate. Two police officers from the Capitol police stand to attention as the hearse of Sicknick passes by One police officer, right, was unable to hold many tears as the cortege made its way by. Another officer looked down Biking officers stand by to salute the hearse and casket off Officer Sicknick as his casket made its way to a funeral home Metropolitan Police bike officers patrol following a police procession of the hearse carrying the casket of Brian Sicknick A memorial to honor slain Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick sits just outside the Capitol building A memorial to honor slain Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick sits on the west side of the U.S. Capitol building on Capitol Hill Flowers are left as a memorial in the aftermath of rioting at the US Capitol on a newly-erected barrier. The security is part of beefed up protection in the days before the January 20 Inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden Flowers are placed at a memorial at a barrier just outside the Capitol building. Heavy security is now all around US Capitol in aftermath of rioting People pay their respects at a memorial for fallen police officer, Brian Sicknick in Washington, DC Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., says she has asked Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. that Sicknick be buried with posthumous honors at Arlington National Cemetery. 'Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer but did so living up to the oath he swore in the military: to protect and defend the Constitution,' she said in her request. She got an encouraging early response from the Army. 'The Office of the Secretary of the Army has received requests on behalf of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, a veteran, and fully supports the request for posthumous special honors and burial at Arlington National Cemetery, ' said the official who asked to remain anonymous to discuss internal deliberations. Sicknick is survived by his parents, Charles and Gladys Sicknick, his brothers Ken and Craig, and his longtime girlfriend, Sandra Garza. The family asked the public to respect its wishes 'in not making Brians passing a political issue.' 'Brian is a hero and that is what we would like people to remember,' the family said. Officer Sicknick joined the United States Capitol Police in July of 2008 and on his most recent assignment he served on the First Responders Unit A memorial of signs and flowers for slain Capitol Hill Police Officer Brian Sicknick. The officer shared a passion for the outdoors and became a member of the mountain bike unit with Capitol Police, patrolling the grounds daily An American flag flies at half-staff above the White House in Washington on Sunday A study found that China reported far less COVID cases than it actually had, a report reveals. Different scholars and scientists from Wuhan University have revealed that the reported cases from Wuhan, where COVID-19 had been discovered, were much higher than what the Chinese government put out--three times at that. China still claims that it only had 87,331 COVID-19 infections and 4,634 fatalities in total, Breitbart reported. Further, it was revealed that 168,000 Wuhan residents were infected with the said virus. In a report from SCMP, Wuhan University dean of health sciences Yu Xuejie warned that people should still "stay vigilant as the coronavirus may still exist." The team that examined the reported cases added that these virulent strains are more difficult to detect, leaving more people to be asymptomatic. Even if they had lower strain, it is still a cause for concern since this may "reignite the epidemic." The study suggests that two-thirds of the total number tested were asymptomatic cases. The total amount of population in Wuhan amounts to 10 million and the researches indicated that about an estimated number of 168,000 residents were found to be positive of the virus. In fact, the study found that 1.68-percent of those from Wuhan contained the antibodies for the virus, making it higher than the reported national percentage of 0.59 released by the Chinese government. A 10-man team from the World Health Organization (WHO) is set to conduct an investigation as to where COVID-19 as originated in China. However, the Chinese government has yet to give them the green light to start the investigation and an authorization to enter the country. China continuously dismissed the criticisms of how they have handled the virus and are now suggesting that the COVID-19 virus was circulating in the continent of Europe months before the outbreak in Wuhan happened. In the tail end of 2019, the city of Wuhan was the first city to be associated with the virus and the outbreak--specifically in the seafood market of the city. It was only on the 23rd of January of the following year that the government of China locked down the city and the whole province. One could only wonder what would have happened if they acted sooner. In the second month of 2020, the Trump administration has successfully declared a public health emergency in the country--alerting all Americans. It was a timely decision done by President Trump since the outbreak in the country has not yet started. In the third month, President Trump declared it as a National Emergency, unlocking billions of dollars to fight the pandemic--assuring all Americans that the administration has everything under control. Thus by the end of 2020, the Trump administration has started giving out vaccinations to the American people--giving more people a chance in life and to be free of masks. With the timely response of the Trump administration, it could be compared to the emergency response of the Chinese government who has concealed and fabricated the truth from the public by not disclosing the real numbers to the public. It took more than a year to reveal the real numbers. The election is not until November, but Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and his slate of city council candidates have been endorsed by Rep. Albio Sires, D-West New York. The endorsement comes after Fulop announced that Amy DeGise, chairwoman of the countys Democratic party and County Executive Tom DeGises daughter, had joined his ticket in the non-partisan election. Fulop was first elected in 2013 and easily won re-election in 2017. Mayor Fulop has shown true leadership by bringing people together with one goal in mind, which is to keep moving Jersey City forward, and Im proud to add my support for him and his entire team, said Sires, whose 8th District includes the Heights, Downtown and several other city neighborhoods. The endorsement also comes at a time when the mayor has no official opponent. Rob Menendez, son of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, has said he is considering a run for mayor. Fulops city council ticket includes incumbents Joyce Watterman, Daniel Rivera, Denise Ridley, Mira Prinz-Arey, Rich Boggiano, Yousef Saleh and Jermaine Robinson. The final member of the mayors slate will be announced soon, a spokesman said. Ive learned over the years that we can get much more done for Jersey City with the right partners working with us, both here in our community and at the county, state and federal levels, Fulop said. Our team has worked closely with Congressman Sires on so many important issues, most recently by utilizing federal funding he delivered to become the first city in New Jersey to offer COVID-19 testing to all residents, to support our local small businesses and to offer rent relief to working families in need. Koala advocates say the NSW government is not doing enough to save the animal from extinction after it backed without qualification a quarter of the recommendations of an upper house inquiry into the marsupial's populations and habitat. In its formal response into the koala inquiry, the government supported 11 of the 42 recommendations, while offering "support in principle" to 17 others. It "noted" the remaining 14. The Berejiklian government has given only partial support to the findings of an upper house inquiry report into stopping the slide of koalas towards extinction in NSW. Credit:Cole Bennetts Among the recommendations supported was the suggestion the government rule out opening old-growth forests within the state reserve for logging, and that it create Georges River National Park to secure habitat on Sydney's southern fringe. However, it only "noted" the call to investigate setting up a Great Koala National Park in northern NSW. SAGINAW, MI - Saginaw County seniors can now sign up to reserve a COVID-19 vaccination for when they become available, according to a news release Monday, Jan. 11, from the Saginaw County Health Department. The health department has not said when the vaccine will be available for that group. Currently only health care workers and long-term care residents are being vaccinated. For now, adults 65 and older can register their name, age, address, cell phone number and email address with the department through the link here. A friend or family member can register for someone who isnt comfortable with technology, according to the release, and can list their own contact information to receive notifications. Residents can also call the Saginaw County Commission on Aging at 989-797-6880 to have a staff member take down the information for them. The health department will send an email or text notification with a time, date and location once a dose is available. Possible locations include a hospital, clinic or drive-thru vaccination site, according to the release. The county is currently vaccinating its health care workers and long-term care residents as part of Phase 1A of Michigans vaccination plan and hopes to begin vaccinating seniors and other essential workers through Phase 1B as soon as it has the available doses. The county continues to recommend practicing prevention measures like hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing and avoiding large indoor gatherings. Read more: Next in line for vaccines, Michigan teachers are feeling optimistic Whos eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and what else to know about program expansion Coronavirus changed everything in 2020. Will the pandemic wind down in 2021? Covaxin, the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, will be sold at 295 per dose after a price agreement was arrived at with the government, news agency PTI reported. The Central Government has asked Bharat Biotech to supply around 55 lakh doses at 12 centres before 14 January, the report said, adding at least 38.5 lakh to be provided in the first stage and 16.5 lakh in the second stage. Dispatch of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin from Hyderabad is likely to start by early morning tomorrow. The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, issued the supply order on behalf of the Union Health Ministry. The first order of 1.1 crore doses will be worth 231 crore, while the total amount, including the commitment for 4.5 crore doses, with the total estimated to reach 1,176 crore at current rates, the report said. "It is further informed that there is a commitment to purchase further 450 lakh doses from Serum Institute of India Pvt Limited, a manufacturer (through subsidiary Serum Institute of Life Sciences Pvt Limited) at 200 per dose plus GST if applicable by April 2021," the letter of comfort signed by Prakash Kumar Singh, Additional Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India (SII) and R S Manku, Vice President (Govt Business) stated. "This is in continuation to the supply order dated January 11 for supply of 1.1 crore doses of Covishield vaccine as approved by DCGI vide permission dated January 3 for restricted use in emergency situation," it stated. Meanwhile, the government earlier today placed a purchase order with Serum Institute of India (SII) for 11 million doses of Oxford's coronavirus vaccine, Covishield, each costing 210 including GST. Each dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has been priced at 200 and with GST of 10 it would cost 210. Dispatch of the Covid-19 vaccine is likely to start by late Monday evening. With the Centre placing the order today, Serum's vaccine is expected to roll out of Pune facilities at 4.30 am on Tuesday. The process of administering the coronavirus vaccine will start on 16 January, the government has said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting to review vaccine preparation. "After a detailed review, it was decided that in view of the forthcoming festivals including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, the Covid-19 vaccination will start from January 16," a statement read. Serum's vaccine, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca, was cleared by India's drug regulator for emergency use along with Bharat Biotech's indigenous "Covaxin" earlier this month. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting today with the chief ministers of all states to review the Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan set to begin this week. PM Modi also said that both the vaccines -- Covishield and Covaxin -- are "more cost-effective", adding that dependency on foreign vaccines could have been costly for us. "Both the approved vaccines are highly cost-effective in comparison to other vaccines from across the world, adding that India would have faced great difficulty if it would have had to depend on foreign vaccines," PM Modi said. India has authorised two Covid-19 vaccines - indigenous Bharat Biotechs Covaxin or even the Oxford-Astra Zeneca and Serum Institute of India vaccine Covishield for emergency use. The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive is expected to start by Saturday with health care workers, frontline workers and the elderly. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Former Member of Parliament(MP) for Adentan constituency, Yaw Buaben Asamoa says the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithful, particularly the Majority in Parliament, should not be afraid of the election of Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin as Speaker of Parliament. Yaw Buaben Asamoa allayed the fears of his party folks stressing Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin has a rich experience in Parliamentary affairs and solid integrity. He disbelieved that Rt. Hon. Bagbin will, by virtue of his party affiliation, do the bidding of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Hon. Alban Bagbin is the Speaker of the 8th Parliament under the Fourth Republic of Ghana. He was elected by Members of Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021, after the dissolution of the 7th Parliament. Making his submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, Yaw Buaben Asamoa told sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh that, ''Hon. Bagbin doesn't misconduct himself. We all know him already to be a man of integrity. Also, he has become the father of Parliament. It was Parliament that elected him, not the NDC. It's true that he is a member of the NDC and has stayed in the NDC for a long time but his service to Ghana is unquestionable and I don't believe he is going to change his character now''. 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 It doesn't look like it at the moment, but should all Grands Prix continue in 2021, the F1 teams will face their biggest logistical challenge so far. 23 race weekends in a year in which their work is also complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. Gerrard O'Reilly, the man responsible for logistics at Red Bull Racing, explains to Speedweek.com how they are going to tackle it. "Thorough preparation is all-important. When a box is unpacked somewhere, we already start thinking about how we can pack everything again as efficiently as possible. That sounds trivial, but you just have to know exactly where everything is. We have become better at this, but we are slower now, for the simple reason that we take much more material with us than we used to." Different circuits have their advantages and disadvantages How much time you spend in total on this constant relocation depends entirely on the circuits you visit in a season. On large complexes such as Bahrain and Shanghai, teams have all the space in the world and mechanics can work quickly. On the other hand, it also helps if most GPs are held in Europe, as was the case last year. Then they can simply drive their trucks into the pits. However, there are special circumstances in which the team works extra quickly. For Red Bull and Max Verstappen it is to be hoped that these will often occur in 2021 because the best way to pack quickly is: "A victory! We never packed faster than after our triumph at Silverstone [last year]. When we win a race, the whole team works as if they were under power," O'Reilly said. Bangladesh visit: PM Modi uses new VVIP aircraft for 1st time on foreign trip Elderly couple move HC for compensation over lack of food, medicine in Air India flight COVID-19: Air India to bring 600 oxygen concentrators from US in next 2 days for private entities Air India flight returns from Sydney with just cargo after crew member tests positive for COVID-19 Air India's all-women cockpit crew scripts history by flying over North pole on world's longest air route India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bengaluru, Jan 11: With four women pilots, Air India's longest direct route flight landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from San Francisco, flying over the North Pole and covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometres. The flight number AI176 left San Francisco on Saturday at 8.30 PM (local time) and arrived at 3.45 AM on Monday. Members of the crew are: Captain Zoya Aggarwal, Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware and Captain Shivani Manhas. Speaking to media, Captain Zoya Aggarwal said,''Today, we created world history by not only flying over the North Pole but also by having all women pilots who successfully did it. We are extremely happy and proud to be part of it. This route has saved 10 tonnes of fuel.'' Air India's all-women pilot team set to script history by flying over North Pole on world's longest air route ''It was an exciting experience since it was never done before. It took almost 17 hours to reach here,'' Shivani Manhas, one of the four pilots who operated Air India's inaugural San Francisco-Bengaluru flight said. Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, "Way to go girls! Professional, qualified & confident, the all women cockpit crew takes off from San Francisco to Bengaluru on @airindiain''s flight to fly over the North Pole.Our Nari Shakti achieves a historic first." Air India too expressed its elation when it tweeted, "Imagine this : -All Women Cockpit Crew. -Longest flight into India. -Crossing the North Pole It''s here & happening! Records broken. History in the making by AI176 from @flySFO to @BLRAirport. AI 176 is cruising at 30000 feet." SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Shocking footage has emerged of a man kicking in a glass door at a Sydney McDonald's after allegedly being asked to scan a QR code for Covid. Security cameras caught the man's violent tantrum at a McDonald's store on Lane Cove Rd, North Ryde, in the city's northwest, about 11.25pm last Monday, January 4. Witnesses claim the man, aged in his 30s, went berserk after a staff member asked him to check in using a QR code as part of the state's coronavirus regulations, 7 News reported. The man waited to get his food then kicked in the glass panel of an automatic sliding door as he left, smashing and shattering the glass, and causing it to malfunction. He can be seen trying to force it open using the full force of his body before leaving the store. McDonald's customers appeared to be shocked by the man's outburst. NSW Police are now hunting the alleged offender who is caucasian, aged in his 30s, 185cm tall, of solid build with short dark hair. He was wearing a black polo shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers. Police have urged anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers in confidence on 1800 333 000. Police have now found and charged a second Covid-rage bandit who allegedly smashed an order register to the ground at McDonald's on Windsor Rd, Kellyville Ridge just before 8pm on Saturday. The man, aged in his 30s, went berserk at the North Ryde McDonald's on January 4 after refusing to scan a QR code, taking out his temper tantrum on a glass door which he kicked in After the glass shattered, the door malfunctioned and the man tried to jemmy open the doors Police say the man had begun to order his food when staff asked him to do the covid-safe check in, by scanning the QR code. The man from St Marys in Sydney's West refused and became aggressive, police said on Monday. Police allege the man verbally abused staff, before he pushed the register and a printer off the counter and left the restaurant. No injuries were reported. Police arrested a 25-year-old man at Riverstone Police Station at 4.15pm on Monday and charged him with destroying property, using offensive language in a public place, and not complying with the covid public health directions. The man was granted conditional bail and will next appear before Blacktown Local Court on February 1. McDonald's released a statement on Monday saying they will not tolerate abuse in their stores. 'We do not tolerate any form of abuse or violence in our restaurants, and any anti-social behaviour will be reported to the relevant authorities,' McDonald's said, as quoted by 7News Sydney. A moustachioed man allegedly became agitated after being asked to scan the coronavirus QR code at Kellyville McDonald's on Saturday The order register and displays can be seen flying off the back of the counter NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said on Monday that anybody who thinks it's OK to attack staff who are simply doing their jobs by asking for a QR code must be prosecuted. 'Somebody who has crawled out from somewhere and decided to actually start abusing staff needs to have the full force of the law thrown at them,' he said. The two restaurant rage incidents show a worrying trend of community frustration with the new coronavirus rules aimed at curbing an ongoing outbreak in Sydney while keeping the city open. The man allegedly snapped and flung the order register and displays off the counter. A 25-year-old St Marys man has been charged and bailed to appear in court on February 1 Instead of locking Sydney down and closing businesses, the NSW Government is trying to use contact tracing to manage the virus, for which it needs people to co-operate with QR code scanning. Face masks have been made mandatory in public places to reduce any spread of the virus from asymptomatic people who don't know they have been infected. With the widespread rollout of the vaccine that will end the virus just months away, health authorities are desperate for their good work not to be undone right at the end. Community frustrations are simmering however with police announcing on Monday they had fined several people for not wearing masks in shopping centres and on public transport. Police charged one 55-year-old man for not wearing a mask at Central Railway Station on Friday at 7am. They then charged the same man again when they found him at Campbelltown Railway Station on Sunday at 5.30pm without a mask. Both times the man said coroanvirus was 'a hoax', police said. The first time he was charged with not wearing a facemask in a public transport waiting area, he was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on February 3. However the second time he was charged not only with not wearing a face mask, but with breaching his bail. Bail was refused the second time and he was remanded in custody to face Campbelltown Local Court today. The infamous phrase the show must go on was thrown a curveball when musical theatres across the nation shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. But for The Muny in St Louis, the Muny U has been a way to bring artists back together. Muny U is a free online program that connects Broadway talent and theatre professionals with area high school theatre classes. In early December, Muny U connected a professional sound designer for the Manhattan Theatre Club, Chontol Calvin, with Edwardsville High School theatre director, Ashley Melton, and her class for a special Zoom meeting. It was a really amazing opportunity for us and the kids, said Melton. She sat in her apartment in New York City and spent time talking about her journey. She went to Webster University and then made the big leap to New York. Her being a local made it feel accessible and real. After hearing Calvins biography, students in Meltons Theatre Arts 2 class proceeded to ask questions about her career and shows she has worked on over the years. Students were totally engaged. It was a really nice supplement to the curriculum we have built at Edwardsville High School, said Melton. Muny U grew out of a necessity when schools first started going on lockdown in the spring. Once online learning picked up steam, Muny Director of Education Tali Allen was bombarded with questions from friends about how to teach choir, Theatre and band classes and would often get asked to be a guest Zoom speaker. I started to get overwhelmed with invites, so I asked one of my actor friends who just left Broadway if they could help with a few meetings, Allen said. I realized, we have an idea here. We could employ not just friends, but all sorts of furloughed artists to help teachers with content and help kids stay excited about learning, and it will help the artists get a paycheck. She went to The Muny, which is a nonprofit touted as having Americas oldest and largest outdoor theatres, to compile a list of professionals who could potently be interested in the initiative. They cover every facet of theatre, from start to finish, onstage and backstage, said Allen. Some members put together a full-scale curriculum, while others tell their biography and open up for a question and answer session. The Muny U website is geared toward high schoolers. With lockdowns, so many decisions were taken away from kids. I wanted to let kids decide who they wanted to hear, said Allen. The free program allows The Muny to interact with high schools in a different way, also. We usually only talk with high schools for the annual St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Award, where we are critiquing them. This is a totally different vibe. Its way more personal and fun-spirited, Allen said. Allen hopes that the relationship between theatre professionals and high schools in the area will continue long past the time of covid. The Muny and the artists think it would be great to continue this after Broadway comes back, said Allen. How great would it be for St. Louis and Illinois high schoolers to be able to talk to Broadway professionals the day after a show? Until then, Melton plans to use Muny U a few more times for her students. It connects with students in a different way. Im already looking at some speakers for our next subjects, said Melton. Brattleboro Town Clerk Hilary Francis feeds the mail-in ballots for the Vermont State Primaries into a tabulator on July 29. Hilary said her office received 1,100 ballots from the 3,100 that were mailed out ahead of the August 11 primary. Ships and boats are pictured during a search for the Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182, which crashed to the sea, in Jakarta, Jan. 10, 2021. Reuters South Korea said Monday it has sent a research vessel to waters near Jakarta to join the ongoing operation to search for victims of a deadly plane crash. The 12-ton research vessel, set to arrive at the scene later in the day, will utilize high-end equipment to carry out underwater search operations, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The research ship was built under an official development assistance project for Indonesia. A boss has been hailed a 'legend' for standing by his employee after a Twitter user tried to get her fired by emailing her company to complain that she 'mocked his spelling' in a row over Brexit. Viking Beard Company, based in York, tweeted on January 4 that it would no longer be able to ship orders to Europe after Brexit due to paperwork and custom costs, and apologised to customers. But when a row erupted between their staff and Brexit-supporting Twitter users, the company responded laughing at one commenter's 'terrible grammar and punctuation'. The enraged unidentified Twitter user, who is dyslexic, emailed the company bosses to make a complaint. Viking employee Sarah, who was still unaware that the user was dyslexic, then tweeted that the individual 'bombarded' her boss with four emails in the space of an hour demanding she be fired or they'll take 'legal action'. However her boss Simon, believed to be sales and marketing director Simon Hildreth, appeared to hit back in an email that told him to 'put on your big girl pants and grow up'. A boss has been hailed a 'legend' for standing by his employee (above) after a Twitter user tried to get her fired by emailing her company to complain that she 'mocked his spelling' in a row over Brexit Sarah, the UK business manager for the Viking Beard Care, was threatened with legal action for mocking a Twitter user Simon called the angry emailer's bluff and told him to 'please try to sue Sarah' as they would pay for her legal representation and counter sue him - before branding him 'nasty'. However the row did not end there - as the furious Brexiteer continued to harangue the company on social media, demanding the company bosses 'act like a CEO not like a bully'. He claimed they were 'picking on someone because they can't spell and their brain works in a different way'. Sarah had shared her boss' response, which quickly went viral with more than 34,000 likes and retweets. She said: 'It's a shame more bosses are not as supportive of their staff. We realise how lucky we are that our bosses love us like family.' Viking Beard Company, based in York, tweeted on January 4 that it would no longer be able to ship orders to Europe after Brexit due to paperwork and custom costs, and apologised to customers. But when a row erupted between their staff and Brexit-supporting Twitter users, the company responded laughing at one commenter's 'terrible grammar and punctuation' (above) Sarah's tweet read: 'Someone's emailed my boss to try get me fired. They're threatening legal action cos I hurt his feelings. My boss responded with this email. My boss has my back.' She then wrote: '[He] bombarded my boss with FOUR emails in the space of an hour demanding I be fired or he'll sue! '[My] boss Simon [said] 'He's chatting sh*t. He's a gobsh*te bully. Let him try sue. I'll defend you to the hilt and have far deeper pockets than this c*nt.' I LOVE my boss!' Viking Beard Company had tweeted at the Twitter user: 'Your grammar, and punctuation is terrible. We are not surprised. Bet you voted Brexit. As for spelling - that is NOT how you spell babies. The Viking Beard Company sell male grooming products, including beard wax (pictured) Social media users were quick to heap on the praise for Simon's no-nonsense response The user responded: How is only remainers that have a go at my spelling and grammar, let me tell you that there are lots of other reasons for that like how your brain works, it does not make you thick. Before the Viking Beard company hit back and remarked: That's probably because remainers are more educated and can spell. Plus in your tweets you were using incorrect words. Lol. Many celebrated the boss's email response and hailed him a 'legend'. 'I didn't think I could admire your bosses any more than I already do, but I was wrong - now I bloody LOVE them! Well done Simon,' one fan wrote. 'Wow. Your boss is a superstar. Great response,' added another. 'Simon rocks. I love his way of dealing with thick bullies, and wish we'd all been that firm with them five years ago,' commented a third. Many were so pleased with the response they said they were going to start buying Viking products 'Simon the legend! If only all bosses were like that. I guess maybe some depends on the industry you're in,' another added. 'I don't know if your boss is on Twitter but I'm pretty sure he become the most loved boss on Twitter after that response! How cool,' commented another. 'Now THAT is a boss,' wrote another. However not everyone was as supportive of Simon's response. 'He backs you clearly so [clap emoji], but it's not really a very professional letter in reply is it,' said one. 'Don't stoop to the same level, the content that has been written in reply could and should have been articulated a lot better,' another added. 'Not that it would get much traction on Twitter but clearly the best course of action would simply be not to reply / engage. I mean this is ok but a bit childish,' said a third. Sarah said: 'At no point was the chap ridiculed for dyslexia. I would never do such a thing. He brought this up after the exchange. 'This is a mountain out of a molehill. People disagree on Twitter all the time.' The Twitter user in question has since been revealed as Rob, a 55-year-old specialist floor layer and former British Armed Forces gunner, who claims he's on Twitter as the platform helps with his spelling and writing. He maintains that he contacted the company in a bid to prevent others from being criticised because of their spelling and grammar in the future. 'She'd been gobbing off online about how she hounds people on Twitter by being abusive. 'I said 'try that on me' because I'm that sort of person that can stand up for myself and the first thing she came back to me was about my spelling and my grammar. 'I don't like it [the tweet about his grammar], I think it's wrong, I can't change it - I am who I am and shouldn't be picked up for it all the time. 'You don't put abusiveness on a company Twitter account - that's not good business - and if a bully's done it you pull them up on it.' The defamation action between Clive Palmer and WA Premier Mark McGowan will still end up in court after Mr Palmer's media adviser revealed he bungled a media statement on Sunday declaring the mining magnate was no longer pursuing the case. The adviser clarified on Monday the matter of the Premier defaming Mr Palmer had not been withdrawn, instead he had written to Mr McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley offering to withdraw the contempt of court action. Clive Palmer and Mark McGowan. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Trevor Collens "The statement should have referred to the High Court legal action of contempt of court against the WA Premier Mark McGowan and his Attorney General John Quigley where this action has been offered to discontinue," the adviser wrote. "I released a media statement [on Sunday] on behalf of Clive Palmer without Mr Palmers approval. I issued the incorrect statement which inadvertently mentioned legal proceedings in the defamation case. The Zangilan region, located in the south-west of Azerbaijan, on the border with Armenia and Iran, is of great strategic importance - the lines of the Baku-Julfa-Nakhchivan main railways and highways passed through Zangilan. During the First Karabakh War, the inhabitants of Zangilan resisted the invaders for 67 days, but on October 29, 1993, the Armenian military units completed the occupation of the last region around Nagorno-Karabakh. Only 27 years later, the Azerbaijani army liberated Zangilan. It was from here that the officer of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan conveyed his "greetings" to the blogger Vadim Arutyunov, known in the Armenian segment of the Russian Internet as a brawler and forger, who created the "Antitopor" group on the Vkontakte social network, which was unleashed on scandals, after which, using pseudo-patriotic rhetoric, began to support then the Armenian authorities, then the radical opposition. "Vadim, for several years you were talking nonsense, telling tales, throwing mud at our people and our country, calling yourself a soldier of the information war, and representing us as rams and robbers," the Azerbaijani serviceman said. He invited Arutyunov to reflect on the history of Armenians, recalling that the land of Karabakh, on which peace has finally come, historically belongs to Azerbaijan. "You said that the Armenians are the most civilized nation in the world. Every civilized person should call people to peace, but you sowed enmity. After going through your battle, I saw what you did to our land - there are ruins all around. Destruction and looting cannot to inflict representatives of the most civilized nation on earth. You tried to sow enmity between the peoples who live in Azerbaijan, but, thank God, you did not succeed. Among our children who fought here, became martyrs on this land, there were representatives of different peoples of Azerbaijan , and at the right time they stood up to defend their homeland, "the Azerbaijani officer said. He stressed that he does not feel hostility towards the Armenian people, but he called the occupiers who defiled their land "impiety", saying: "Now Armenia is behind me, and it is up to you how we will live - in peace or to be at enmity again" COVID-19 patients who also suffer from high blood pressure are more likely to fall severely ill with the disease, which also leaves them at greater risk of death. Scientists from the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, in collaboration with partners in Heidelberg and Leipzig, have now found that the immune cells of patients with hypertension are already pre-activated, and that this pre-activation is greatly enhanced under COVID-19. This most likely explains the augmented response of the immune system and the more severe disease progression. However, certain hypertension-reducing drugs known as ACE inhibitors can have a beneficial effect. They not only lower blood pressure, but also counteract immune hyperactivation. The scientists have now published their findings in the journal Nature Biotechnology. More than one billion people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension. Of the more than 75 million people around the world who have become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide so far, more than 16 million also have hypertension. These patients are more likely to become severely ill, which in turn results in an increased risk of death. It was previously unclear to what extent treatment with antihypertensive drugs could be continued during a SARS-CoV-2 infection - and whether they were more likely to benefit or harm the patients. This is because antihypertensives interfere with the exact same regulatory mechanism that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter the host cell and trigger COVID-19. Professor Ulf Landmesser is Medical Director of the ChariteCenter 11 for Cardiovascular Diseases, Director of the Medical Department of Cardiology and BIH Professor of Cardiology on the Charite's Campus Benjamin Franklin in Berlin. He recognized early on that patients with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases often experienced a particularly critical disease progression with COVID-19. "The virus uses the receptor ACE2 as an entry portal into the cells, and the formation of this receptor is potentially influenced by the administration of antihypertensive drugs," explains Landmesser. "We had therefore initially feared that patients receiving ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers might have more ACE2 receptors on their cell surfaces and thus become more easily infected." Certain drugs that lower blood pressure could also help with COVID-19 To clarify this suspicion, the scientists analyzed individual cells from the respiratory systems of COVID-19 patients who were also taking medication for high blood pressure. Dr. Soren Lukassen, a scientist in Professor Christian Conrad's group at the BIH Digital Health Center, explains that they were subsequently able to give the all-clear: "We found that the drugs do not seem to cause more receptors to form on the cells. As a result, we do not believe that they make it easier for the virus to enter the cells in this way and thus cause the more severe course of COVID-19." On the contrary, cardiovascular patients taking ACE inhibitors actually displayed a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19. In fact, they displayed almost the same level of risk as COVID-19 patients without cardiovascular problems. Severe course of COVID-19 linked to pre-activation of the immune system The blood of hypertensive patients usually shows elevated levels of inflammation, which can be fatal in the case of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. "Elevated inflammation levels are always a warning signal that COVID-19 will be more severe, regardless of any cardiovascular issues," explains Landmesser. The scientists therefore employed single-cell sequencing methods to investigate the immune response of hypertensive patients with COVID-19. "We analyzed a total of 114,761 cells from the nasopharynx of 32 COVID-19 patients and 16 non-infected controls, with both groups including cardiovascular patients as well as people without cardiovascular problems," reports Dr. Saskia Trump, research group leader in the lab of Irina Lehmann, who is BIH Professor for Environmental Epigenetics and Lung Research. "We found that the immune cells of the cardiovascular patients displayed strong pre-activation even before infection with the novel coronavirus," explains Lehmann. "After contact with the virus, these patients were more likely to develop an augmented immune response, which was associated with the severe disease progression of COVID-19. However, our results also showed that treatment with ACE inhibitors, though not with angiotensin receptor blockers, could prevent this augmented immune response following infection by the coronavirus. ACE inhibitors could thus reduce the risk of patients with hypertension from experiencing severe disease progression." Delayed reduction in viral load Furthermore, the scientists found that the anti-hypertensive drugs can also impact how quickly the immune system is able to reduce the viral load, i.e., the concentration of the virus in the body. "Here, we observed a clear difference between the different forms of treatment for high blood pressure," notes Roland Eils, Director of the BIH Digital Health Center. "In the patients treated with angiotensin II receptor blockers, the reduction in viral load was significantly delayed, which could also contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19. We did not observe this delay in the patients who were receiving ACE inhibitors to treat their hypertension." Interdisciplinary collaboration speeds up research More than 40 scientists have been working at a breakneck pace on this extensive study. "The ability to quickly provide answers to urgent questions during the ongoing pandemic requires interdisciplinary collaboration among many committed individuals," explains Eils. "COVID-19 is such a complex disease that we brought together experts from cardiology, immunology, virology, pulmonary medicine, intensive care and computer science for this study. Our goal was to provide a scientifically sound answer as quickly as possible to the question of whether simultaneous treatment with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers could have beneficial or even adverse effects during the COVID-19 pandemic." No evidence of increased risk of infection Thanks to the study, the teams from the BIH, Charite and collaborating institutions in Leipzig and Heidelberg can now reassure both patients and the physicians treating them: "Our study provides no evidence that treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs increases the risk of infection by the novel coronavirus," says Ulf Landmesser, summarizing the results. "However, treating hypertension with ACE inhibitors could be more beneficial for patients suffering from COVID-19 than treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockers - a hypothesis that is currently being further investigated in randomized trials." ### Original publication: Saskia Trump#, Soeren Lukassen#, Markus S. Anker#, Robert Lorenz Chua#, Johannes Liebig#, Loreen Thurmann#, Victor Corman#, Marco Binder#, Jennifer Loske, Christina Klasa, Teresa Krieger, Bianca P. Hennig, Marey Messingschlager, Fabian Pott, Julia Kazmierski, Sven Twardziok, Jan Philipp Albrecht, Jurgen Eils, Sara Hadzibegovic, Alessia Lena, Bettina Heidecker, Christine Goffinet, Florian Kurth, Martin Witzenrath, Maria Theresa V.lker, Sarah Dorothea Muller, Uwe Gerd Liebert, Naveed Ishaque, Lars Kaderali, Leif- Erik Sander, Christian Drosten, Sven Laudi*, Roland Eils*, Christian Conrad*, Ulf Landmesser*, Irina Lehmann*, Hypertension delays viral clearance and exacerbates airway hyperinflammation in patients with COVID-19, Nat. Biotechnology DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-00796-1 About the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) The mission of the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) is medical translation: transferring biomedical research findings into novel approaches to personalized prediction, prevention, diagnostics and therapy and, conversely, using clinical observations to develop new research ideas. The aim is to deliver relevant medical benefits to patients and the population at large. The BIH is also committed to establishing a comprehensive translational ecosystem as translational research area at the Charite - one that places emphasis on a system-wide understanding of health and disease and that promotes change in the biomedical research culture. The BIH is funded 90 percent by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and 10 percent by the State of Berlin. The two founding institutions, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), were independent member entities within the BIH until 2020. As of 2021, the BIH has been integrated into the Charite as the so-called third pillar; the MDC is privileged partner of the BIH. Theres so much changing information day by day, week by week, I want to go on the record as saying I do not believe we should be planning to open schools at the second wave of a pandemic, King said. And I also believe there will never be an ideal time, but there will certainly be a better time, when we are more optimally prepared. Texas health officials this week will ramp up vaccine distribution as COVID-related deaths inch closer to 30,000 statewide. The Department of State Health Services on Sunday released a list of 28 vaccination hubs as part of an effort inoculate more than 100,000 people and streamline the sign-up process. An additional 158,825 doses a combination of both Pfizer and Moderna will be distributed at the hubs. Another 38,300 will be sent to other Texas providers. Three Harris County hubs will receive a total 26,725 doses of the vaccine, with 8,000 going to Harris County Public Health, another 8,000 to the Houston Health Department and 10,725 to Houston Methodist Hospital. The announcement came as the state reported another 186 COVID-related deaths for a total of 29,877 statewide. More than 13,000 people remain hospitalized. The majority of the states Trauma Service Areas, including Houston, continue to see COVID-19 hospitalizations make up more than 15 percent of total hospital capacity, the threshold that signifies high hospitalizations. Rafael Lemaitre, a spokesman for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, said the new vaccine supply is encouraging but should not distract from the surging numbers. Given where the hospitalization numbers are, we all need to focus on the current emergency situation, which wont be solved by the relatively small amount of vaccine weve received, he said. As of Sunday, 1.86 million doses of the vaccine had been distributed statewide and 752,324 doses had been administered, according to state data. Among those, 687,846 Texans had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 64,478 Texans were fully vaccinated. Of 363,100 doses allocated for Harris County so far, 117,610 people have been vaccinated, including 12,226 who are now fully vaccinated. The new batch of doses this week will be sent to providers in 104 Texas counties. Peter Hotez, professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told the Houston Chronicle last week that the vaccine appears to be the last line of the defense in Texas and the United States. Thats all we have left, our last arrow, and weve got to shoot that one straight, he said. If we dont, its catastrophe and were already having a lot of missteps in the beginning. Not so much here in Houston: The mayor and county judge have put together a good program, but it needs to be scaled up. And Im worried for our state. Texas also will reserve 121,875 doses for the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program, which facilitates on-site vaccination for residents and staff at long-term care facilities. This fulfills the amount of doses Texas is required to set aside, freeing up more vaccines to be sent directly to providers in the coming weeks, health officials say. Vaccine eligibility is divided into two phases. The first, or 1A, prioritizes health care workers who have contact with COVID patients and to residents and staff at long-term care facilities. The second phase, 1B, includes those over 65 or anyone over 16 with at least one serious health issue that puts them at higher risk. Despite those designations, the first weeks of the vaccine rollout have proven hectic, according to earlier reporting in the Chronicle. County registration hotlines have crashed under the volume of applicants while some doctors reported fielding calls from friends asking how to move to the front of the line. Critics have called it yet another chapter in the failed government response to a virus that arrived nearly a year ago. But the Department of State Health Services said supply is expected to increase in the coming months and noted that additional vaccines may be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration in that time. Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated, the agency said. Jenny Deam , Gwendolyn Wu and Jay Root contributed to this report. julian.gill@chron.com [January 11, 2021] Prudential partners with US Department of Veterans Affairs to support military community's financial well-being Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), is partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers and their families with access to financial wellness resources to improve their economic well-being and financial stability at no cost. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005150/en/ Andy Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Businesses, Prudential (Photo: Business Wire) The partnership agreement was signed on Nov. 25 and Prudential's financial wellness resources will be available to the military community through Veterans Affairs beginning March 2021. "We are excited to partner with Veterans Affairs to help Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers and their families manage their unique and often complex financial challenges," said Andy Sullivan, executive vice president and head of U.S. Businesses at Prudential Financial. "Our financial wellness programs, tools and solutions are helping people build financial resiliency and secure their financial future through the workplace, and it's important to offer these same resources to those who have served our cuntry." As part of the partnership, Prudential will provide transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans and their families access to its financial wellness digital portal. The customized portal includes a multitude of financial education resources, including a financial wellness self-assessment, budgeting tool, and access to student loan debt assistance. Prudential will also provide in-person and virtual financial education seminars covering a broad range of topics through its Pathways program. In addition, transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families will have access to a credit counseling and debt management session available at no cost through Prudential's partnership with GreenPath. The resources are designed to help individuals manage their money more effectively, improve their financial resiliency, and reach their financial goals. "Now more than ever, our military families are looking to make smart financial decisions that will positively impact their future," said Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie. "Financial wellness education tools and solutions are important to achieving future success and this partnership will help us increase access for and enhance services to Veterans and their families." Prudential's collaboration with Veterans Affairs is just one of several partnerships the financial services company has formed over the past three years to support the financial well-being of the military community. In addition to providing financial wellness resources, Prudential has also done extensive work creating and implementing employment programs for transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans, and military spouses. About Prudential Financial Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial wellness leader and premier active global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2020, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees help to make lives better by creating financial opportunity for more people. Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com. 1044138-00001-00 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005150/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Khaled Salem, who is running for the U.S. Senate in New York, today issued a statement demanding that Donald Trump pay for the damages he caused to the U.S. Capitol building by inciting a violent riot there on January 6. He urged all Americans to file lawsuits against Trump, as an individual, for the destructive consequences of the lethal spree conducted by his followers. In his view, the insurrectionist violence and vandalism will cause real financial harm to Americans in the forms of increased taxes and borrowing to pay for repairs and increased security over the long term. Khaled Salem, U.S. Senate Candidate for New York "This is not an abstraction," Khaled explained. "We all know that this little man's temper tantrum led directly to hundreds of thousands of dollars in physical damages to the Capitol. But, going forward, the increased security services and adding of security features to government buildings everywhere as the result of this violence is going to cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. Why should we shoulder this burden? It's a worthwhile matter to pursue, in my view." In addition, Khaled condemned the anti-democratic actions of the rioters and their primary instigator. "This is now what America is about, and everyone who participated in this disgraceful incident is well aware of this fact. The irony is that the protesters were demanding democracybut they were engaging in fascist tactics. We elect representatives to govern in the name of the people. If we don't like them, we vote them out. We don't threaten to kill them if we disagree or contest an election." As a U.S. Senator, Khaled is committed to serving the people of New York state with dignity and honor, two qualities that were sadly lacking on January 6. In his view, the attacks and threats made on that day are an unfortunate extension of the personal attacks that are now so common in American politics. "If you don't agree with someone, you can be productive and make a difference by engaging in an argument with their policies. But if you degenerate into personal attacks, you're accomplishing nothing for the country," he added. Khaled also remarked, sadly, "Let's also never forget that a brave police officer was beaten to death by this mob. Trump and his supporters essentially engaged in a terrorist act against all Americans. This tragic event should negate Trump's chance to run again for the presidency in 2024. The rule of law must prevail." Khaled, a longtime resident of Brooklyn, is renowned as a fighter for human and religious rights for Americans at home and abroad. In addition to advocating for the release of American detainees in the Arab world and elsewhere, he advocates for less restrictive immigration laws. His other policy positions include the following highlights: A stop to the policy of showing place of birth on U.S. passports, a practice that leads to discrimination and harassment of American citizens when they travel abroad. Laws and procedures to reduce domestic violence nationwide. A reduction in U.S. Military activity and presence in the Middle East . . A policy that requires these regions pay for American military services. The establishment of a home loan program for middle class single parents. Khaled is running in the next general election, scheduled for November 8, 2022. Thirty-four of the Senate's 100 seats are being contested in these elections. For more information, visit https://www.khaled2022forcongress.com/ Or visit https://www.facebook.com/Khaledforcongress/, https://twitter.com/KhaledYork, Contact: Khaled Salem 518-348-6868 [email protected] SOURCE Khaled for U.S. Senate in New York Interpreter for Google Home If you have a Google Home device or if you fire Google Home on your mobile phone, you can ask Google assistant to translate your conversation with someone who does not speak your language. The languages you can use to start interpreter mode, depends on your device. Once you have started interpreter mode, you can ask Google assistant to translate between more languages. You can start the interpreter mode by saying Ok Google, be my Hindi interpreter or Ok Google, turn on interpreter mode and then select a language of your choice. Once you get started, you can speak in any one language and get an audio translation in the other language. So, if you started with English and Hindi, you could speak in any of the two languages and Google will respond in the other language. You can, thus, have a conversation with a person who cannot understand your language at all, using Google Interpreter as your intermediary! Its very cool and, once you try it out, you will be amazed with the flexibility and ease with which Interpreter works, with few mistakes, if any. Sudan signs US-brokered deal to normalize economic relations with Israel Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Sudan has officially signed a peace agreement with Israel, becoming the latest Muslim nation to normalize relations with the Jewish state through the United States-brokered Abraham Accords. The signing took place last Wednesday at the U.S embassy in Khartoum, the capital of the northeast African nation. An initial agreement between the two countries was announced in October but the Sudanese government warned that a final decision on the deal rested with a transitional parliament, Reuters reports. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin signed on behalf of Washington, while Sudanese Minister of Justice Nasereldin Abdelbari signed on behalf of Khartoum. The signing comes after the U.S. State Department removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in December, giving the country access to international loans. The U.S. also agreed to give Sudan a $1 billion bridge loan towards its debt to the World Bank. They are choosing a future in which Arabs and Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and Christians can live together, pray together, and dream together, side by side, in harmony, community, and peace, President Trump said in a statement released by the White House last October. Israel and Sudan would cooperate in agriculture, economy, trade, aviation, migration issues, and other mutual benefit areas, according to the statement. After decades of living under a brutal Islamist dictatorship that supported terrorism, the people of Sudan are in charge and democracy is taking root, the White House noted at the time. The deal carries symbolic value" for Israel because Khartoum hosted the 1967 Arab League summit where eight Arab nations approved what became known as the "Three Nos no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations with Israel, The Wall Street Journal explained. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom had earlier cautiously acknowledged improvements in Sudans religious and political atmosphere under the transitional government since the ousting of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The commissions former chair, Tony Perkins, visited Sudan last February. It is heartening to see a spirit of cautious optimism infuse so many of our conversations with government, religious, and civil society representatives in Sudan, Perkins said. We are grateful to Prime Minister Hamdok and other members of the countrys bold transitional leadership who met with USCIRF to convey their explicit desire to bring a new era of openness and inclusivity to their country that suffered for 30 years under brutal and autocratic religious repression. After regularly being included among the worst countries in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, Sudan was removed from the U.S. State Departments list of countries of particular concern" in December 2019. The "CPC" list designates nations that tolerate or engage in egregious violations of religious freedom The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco have also signed the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel. U.S. officials hope to encourage the Palestinian Authority to return to negotiations with Israel, according to Reuters. However, Palestinians have said there can be no resolution of the core conflict unless they are involved. Last September, U.S.-brokered talks also led to the leaders of the rival nations of Serbia and Kosovo to normalize economic ties after decades of dispute. Chinese internet search giant Baidu Inc announced on Monday its plan to establish a company to produce intelligent electric vehicles, and auto manufacturer Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will serve as a strategic partner for the new company. The new company, which will operate as an independent subsidiary of Baidu, will oversee the entire industrial chain, from vehicle design to research and development, as well as manufacturing, sales and service. Baidu will provide intelligent driving capabilities to power the passenger vehicles to be produced by the company, while Geely will contribute its expertise in automobile design and manufacturing. In addition, Baidu will support the company's rapid growth with its full portfolio of core technologies, including Apollo autonomous driving, DuerOS voice assistant for Apollo and Baidu Maps. The new company aims to reshape intelligent vehicle offerings and bring about a revolution in intelligent transportation. The two parties will collaborate closely in vehicle manufacturing and will leverage Geely's new sustainable experience architecture or SEA, a world-leading EV manufacturing platform, to jointly develop the next generation of intelligent vehicles. "We have long believed in the future of intelligent driving and have over the past decade invested heavily in artificial intelligence to build a portfolio of world-class self-driving services. China has become the world's largest market for EVs, and we are seeing EV consumers demanding that next-generation vehicles be more intelligent," said Robin Li, co-founder and CEO of Baidu. Li added as a top Chinese automaker with global reach, Geely has the unique experience and resources to design, produce and market energy-efficient, reliable and safe automobiles on a large scale. He believed that by combining Baidu's expertise in smart transportation, connected vehicles and autonomous driving with Geely's expertise as a leading automobile and EV manufacturer, the new partnership will pave the way for future passenger vehicles. 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. A mother who stabbed her newborn son to death with a pair of nail scissors before throwing the body into a rubbish container has been sentenced to two years in prison. Mother-of-three Anastasia Skorychenko stabbed the boy with the scissors 22 times only moments after delivering him on her balcony, a court in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, heard last week. The 30-year-old confessed to the crime during the sentencing hearing saying 'the baby was unwanted' and 'she could not afford it', according to reports. Skorychenko, who kept her third pregnancy secret, went into labour at home. Mother-of-three Anastasia Skorychenko, 30, (pictured) was sentenced to two years in prison at a court in Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, after stabbing her newborn son 22 times to death with nail scissors She began having contractions at night when her two daughters, aged 7 and 4, and their grandmother were sleeping. Not wanting to wake them up, Skorychenko reportedly went to the balcony where she crouched over a plastic basin and gave birth to a healthy boy. The woman used her nail scissors to cut the umbilical cord, the court was told. After that, she pressed her left hand against the newborn's face to prevent him from crying and started stabbing him with the scissors she was holding in her right hand, according to the court records. A prosecutor said during the sentencing: 'The mother inflicted 22 stab and cut wounds in the neck, chest, abdomen and limbs of the baby. The newborn's mutilated body was spotted by a local female resident in a rubbish container near Skorychenko's apartment. The resident then called an ambulance and the police (pictured) 'The injuries of varying degrees of severity were inflicted shortly before the child's death.' When the boy's body went limp, Skorychenko put him into a plastic bag, carried it outside and threw into a rubbish container near her apartment block, investigators said. The following morning, the newborn's mutilated body was spotted by a local female resident who called an ambulance and the police. Skorychenko confessed to the murder during a police check and was arrested several hours after the corpse was found, it is reported. Forensics said she gave birth to a healthy full-term boy, who died from horrific injuries following the attack. On January 5 Anastasia Skorychenko was charged with premeditated murder of her child and sentenced to two years in prison The woman did not want the baby believing the third child would worsen her family's financial situation, the Zavodskoy District Court found out. The mother had not been suffering from any mental disorders or postpartum depression and planned the crime beforehand, examinations showed. On January 5 Anastasia Skorychenko was charged with premeditated murder of her child and sentenced to two years in prison. Judges took into account the fact that the mother admitted her guilt and softened their decision, say local media. The liberation of Shusha, which became the final chord of the second Karabakh war, enabled the conflicting parties to come to an agreement and sign a cease-fire statement on November 9 last year with the mediation of Russia. Lachin was returned to Azerbaijan by the Armenian side on December 1. A Russian peacekeeping contingent is deployed along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor. And 30 years ago, terrible events unfolded in these places. On January 9, 1991, on the Lachin-Shusha road near the village of Galaderesi, Armenian separatists killed journalist Salatyn Askerova, battalion commander, lieutenant colonel of the Soviet army Oleg Larionov, chief of staff of the military commandant's office of the Lachin region of Azerbaijan, major Igor Ivanov and the driver, sergeant Ivan Goyek. Their car was shot from machine guns and a sniper rifle from two directions - in the direction of travel and behind on the left side. Three died almost immediately. The wounded Larionov managed to jump out of the car and fired back to the last bullet, after which the bandits approached the wounded officer and finished him off with point-blank shots. Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Larionov was from Taishet, Irkutsk region, known as the place where the BAM begins; for more than five years he commanded a battalion that in the spring of 1990 withstood attacks by Armenian nationalists on the village of Baganis Ayrum in the Gazakh region. There Larionov was called the "Gazakh battalion commander." For his head, Armenian nationalists promised a reward of 10 thousand rubles ... In the car in which Larionov was shooting from the bandits, then they counted 113 bullet holes ... ... Salatyn Askerova was not even 30 years old. She worked as a special correspondent for the newspaper "Youth of Azerbaijan", and after the start of Armenian nationalist protests, she began to travel to villages in the zone of the flared conflict - both for information and with a conciliatory mission. Colleagues say that once in the Lachin district, Salatyn wanted to make a report from an area where journalists were not allowed - it was too dangerous. Realizing that persuasion would lead nowhere, she jumped on the commandant's horse and at a gallop shouted to the soldiers: "If you catch up, I promise not to break your rules anymore!" Two months before the tragedy, Salatyn was already on the verge of death, when, accompanied by an officer of the Russian army, she went to a village inhabited mainly by Armenians. There nationalists attacked her. The officer covered the girl with himself, hid her in the car, but he himself was fatally wounded by a stone in the head. After that, relatives and colleagues begged Salatyn not to go to the zone of the beginning of the conflict anymore, but she was adamant: "If not me, then who?" This is how she saw her journalistic duty, this is how her love for her homeland, her family, her son Jeyhun, who, when he grew up, also became a journalist, manifested itself. The tragedy on the Lachin-Shusha road shocked everyone: this was the first case of the murder of a journalist in Nagorno-Karabakh. By the decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Salatyn Askerova was awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan (posthumously). Salatyn was buried in the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, and a street in the Azerbaijani capital was named after her. Streets in Ganja are named after Soviet servicemen. Four months later, in May 1991, their killers were detained on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The names of the criminals are known: Mkrtchyan Arno Mikhailovich, Petrosyan Hrachik Armenakovich, Mangasaryan Arvid Ashotovich, Arustamyan Gagik Mayorovich (sentenced to death); Mkrtchyan Artashes Mikhailovich, Zakharyan Artur Artashesovich, Sarkisyan Anvel Shabagatovich, Osipyan Yenok Rubenovich (to 15 years in prison), Grigoryan Garagen Serikovich (to 5 years in prison). In May 1996, all of them were transferred to Armenia for the execution of a court sentence, but for some reason they were released there. Perhaps in Armenia they were not considered murderers, but heroes. Perhaps, now some of them are no longer alive, but those who remain, I would like to believe, will suffer deserved punishment, like other criminals who committed lawlessness during the Karabakh conflict. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Families and a small-business economy ravaged by the coronavirus and a state agency torn by a related fraud that could exceed $2 billion are at the top of California lawmakers fix-it list as they return to the state Capitol. They have already introduced numerous bills in response to the pandemic. They plan to convene Monday in Sacramento. These bills range from extending protections for renters, to attempting to regain some decision-making authority that they had delegated to Gov. Gavin Newsom. They pushed back their usual start by one week because of the coronavirus surge. Among their most urgent priorities, lawmakers are racing to extend eviction protections that otherwise will soon expire. California's District 4 State Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) is the Vice-Chair of the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee. He said on Friday that he wants the $15-$26 billion dollars in one-time unexpected revenue from the Department of Finance to be used on one-time expenses, encouraging support for those struggling with joblessness, those who own small businesses, and for supporting children's' needs. Senator Nielsen said of the state's Employment Development Department (EDD), "EDD must be fixed to ensure that Californians receive the help they need." CALIFORNIA FREEZES UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS DUE TO PRISON-RELATED EDD FRAUD California froze 1.4 million unemployment claims during its recent efforts to fight fraud related to the coronavirus unemployment relief program. The Los Angeles Times revealed there were 6,000 claims that were potentially fraudulent, many in the name of people incarcerated in California. At least 2,000 people with claims in California were found to be incarcerated in Florida's jails and prisons. The Times said EDD representatives acknowledged that roughly $400 million dollars were distributed by the EDD in the name of California prisoners. STATE SENATOR NIELSEN PROVIDED HIS RESPONSE TO CONSTITUENT INQUIRIES State legislators in Northern California have been contacted by a large number of citizens who are having difficulty straightening out their unemployment claims and receiving funds. Senator Nielson said, "There needs to be an independent audit of the internal procedures that have caused this chaos." "The solution has got to be within the organization and substantial changes must be made," he added. Nielsen said the EDD has informed his office that those who have received notice that their claim was suspended for suspected fraud will receive a link to ID.me between January 6 and January 14, 2021. He said claimants will use the provided link to verify their identity in order to clear their claim. Press Release January 11, 2021 Villanueva welcomes expansion of govt priority list in inoculation program The government has expanded its priority list in its COVID-19 vaccination program to include essential workers, heeding the call of Senator Joel Villanueva who sought their inclusion as early as December last year given their vital role in ensuring basic services are provided to the people. The lawmaker likewise asked officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force to ensure that its priority targets are clearly identified so that there would be no overlaps in the selection of beneficiaries, thus maximizing the limited vaccine supply. "We thank the government for heeding our call to include essential workers in the priority list, as well as our OFWs, including seafarers. Essential workers include jeepney and bus drivers, retail workers, security guards, hospital and laboratory personnel, waste collectors, food and delivery riders, among others. They are responsible for keeping essential businesses continue operating, even while people are on lockdown and most are working from home," Villanueva explained. "While it is good that the government has expanded its target beneficiaries to 35 million individuals, which we have already sought as early as December last year, we ask that our IATF to make their targeting precise. They should come up with a masterlist detailing the profiles of essential workers across sectors and geographic locations. This is to ensure that no one gets left behind," Villanueva said in a statement. "Just like the other priority groups, they are more prone to catching the virus because of the nature of their jobs. There should be no debate on their inclusion in the government's priority list in the government vaccination program," he continued. Villanueva also cited Indonesia's strategy of prioritizing essential workers in their vaccination program. While Villanueva noted that he also believes that the elderly should be prioritized, the national policy adopted by Indonesia regarding their vaccination program showed that workers should also be given attention to in the national vaccination program, pointed out the lawmaker, who chairs the Senate labor committee. In his response to Villanueva, Galvez said the Inter-Agency Task Force made adjustments in its target beneficiaries, which it initially set at 24.6 million individuals, to include essential workers, seafarers, and OFWs. Pressed by Villanueva to specify the kinds of essential workers to be included, Galvez mentioned "transportation, power, electricity and other life cycle workers, seafarers and OFWs" are already included in the priority list. In his earlier presentation, Galvez said the IATF would also include teachers, social workers, and other government workers, "essential workers outside health, education, and social welfare sectors such as agriculture food industry, and tourism," among others, socio-demographic groups, other remaining workforce and citizens. While the national government continues to finalize its vaccine supply contracts with pharmaceutical firms, Villanueva urged the government to make a more detailed targeting of beneficiaries to ensure that there would be no overlaps among those in the priority list. He explained that a beneficiary may "fall under two or more categories in the priority list, which includes seniors and the elderly, indigent, government workers, etc." In his opening remarks, Villanueva also said he was hoping that government would put its act together in the implementation of the national vaccination program so that poor Filipinos, especially ordinary laborers, will not be prejudiced. He lamented reports that Chinese nationals or the so-called POGO workers were given vaccine injections way ahead of Filipinos. SALEM, Ore-- Late Sunday evening, Governor Kate Brown issued an order that on January 13, all flags at Oregon public institutions will be flown at half-staff until sunset. The order was made to honor two fallen police officers who were killed during the Capitol Hill riots. "Violence answers nothing, solves nothing, and offers nothing," said Gov. Brown. "Last week, we saw attacks on our democracy, the Constitution, and the American people. This is not who we are. Dan and I send our condolences to the families of Officer Sicknick and Officer Liebengood as they mourn and grieve. We remember their dedication and determination, their service, and sacrifice." President Trump also has ordered that all flags at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, all military posts and naval stations, be half-staff as well. Five people have been confirmed dead so far from those riots in Washington D.C. this past Wednesday, as well as 83 arrests so far. A total of 77 new affordable housing units could become available to Napans at a new development named Monarch Landing. Napa Valley Community Housing has submitted an application with the city for design review of the 100% affordable multifamily residential development. The 3-acre parcel is located at 1000 Shetler Ave., almost across the street from an ARCO gas station at the corner of Soscol and Shetler avenues. The need for affordable housing in Napa has always been great but now, more than ever, with the pandemic, the fires, the job losses, etc. its become a critical need for Napas hardworking residents and families, said Karina OBriain, senior project manager with Napa Valley Community Housing. Napa Valley Community Housing is developing the site, said OBriain. Partners include HKIT Architects, RSA+ Engineers, Studio 1515 Landscape Architecture and Pound Management. Kuwaits Al-Sumait Prize for African Development today called for nominations for its 2021 award in the Health category Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 01:08:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on July 1, 2020, shows Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong, China. (Xinhua/Li Gang) In response to a joint statement issued by politicians from some Western countries including the United States, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region urged foreign forces to stop interference in Hong Kong affairs and other Chinese internal affairs. HONG KONG, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday strongly condemned and firmly opposed the blatant violation of international law and the basic norms of international relations and interference in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs by some politicians of U.S. and other Western countries. The remarks came in response to a so-called joint statement issued by the politicians from U. S. and other Western countries, commenting on the arrest by the Hong Kong police of a number of anti-China elements in accordance with the law. The spokesperson for the office said that the 53 arrested persons were blatantly plotting to paralyze the HKSAR government and were suspected of crimes of subversion of state power stipulated in Article 22 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR. These people are by no means the so-called "democratic activists" as whitewashed and beautified by the politicians, but criminals suspected of subverting state power and seriously endangering national security, the spokesperson said, adding that no one has the right or freedom to endanger national security or to be above the law. The Hong Kong police took actions in accordance with the law to protect the majority of law-abiding people to better exercise their rights and freedoms and to effectively protect national security, social stability and social peace in Hong Kong. The spokesperson said that it is a typical double standard for these politicians who choose not to mention their own national security legislation, but repeatedly and viciously attack the national security law in Hong Kong. This shows that the national security law in Hong Kong has mended the loopholes in tackling the collusion between external forces and anti-China elements, who undermined Hong Kong's stable development. Gone are the days when internal and external anti-China and anti-Hong Kong forces tried to do whatever they wanted in Hong Kong and endangered national security, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson stressed that China is a country under the rule of law and Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. The office firmly supports the HKSAR government in its administration according to law and the police in strictly enforcing the law to promote the steady and far-reaching development of "one country, two systems" under the protection of the national security law in Hong Kong. The office urged these politicians to recognize history and reality, abide by international law and the basic norms of international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. Contact was lost on Saturday with a Boeing 737-500 jet, Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182, four minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia. Recovery teams have begun to recover wreckage, including the planes two black boxes. Rescue divers have also started bringing body bags to the surface. It is expected that DNA sampling will confirm that all 62 passengers and crew of the flight were killed in the crash. Initial witness reports indicate that part of the jet exploded. These reports coincide with a sharp turn by the plane followed by a plunge of more than 10,000 feet in the span of some 60 seconds, recorded by the air traffic tracking website Flightradar24. A worker sprays disinfectant at body bags containing human remains recovered from the waters where Sriwijaya Air passenger jet crashed, at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) The crash is the third of a Boeing 737 class aircraft in 27 months. While there is as yet no definitive information on what caused the most recent crash, it is possible that the age of the Boeing 737 model played a significant role. The 737 airframe is 50 years old. As a cost-cutting measure, Boeing continues to add new features to this model instead of designing and producing a new aircraft. The tragedy coincides with a $2.5 billion legal settlement between Boeing and the US Department of Justice over two recent crashes of 737 Max 8 planes. The first, Lion Air Flight 610, occurred in October, 2018, also outside of Jakarta. The second, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, crashed in March of 2019. Both 737 Max crashes occurred several minutes after take-off, killing a combined total of 346 men, women and children. The settlement in the 737 Max crashes involves the dropping of criminal charges alleging that Boeing defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and worked throughout the development and production of the Max 8 to conceal deadly design flaws. The most infamous of these involves the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) software, which was installed to compensate for the Max 8s tendency to stall, an inherent flaw caused by adding new and larger engines to an outdated airframe. The settlement is part of a massive whitewash and coverup of criminal negligence on the part of the company and its top executives, aided and abetted by the FAA. The lives of hundreds of passengers and crew were sacrificed to the drive of the giant airplane manufacturer and defense contractor to cut corners on safety for the sake of market share and profits. The settlement, however, does allow for criminal charges to be brought against Boeing employees. David Burns, an acting assistant attorney general, claimed that This resolution holds Boeing accountable for its employees criminal misconduct, addresses the financial impact to Boeings airline customers, and hopefully provides some measure of compensation to the crash victims families and beneficiaries. Federal prosecutors issued summonses early last year to several Boeing employees to appear before a grand jury on charges of lying to the FAA about the MCAS software. These employees may include Mark Forkner, Boeings chief technical pilot at the time, who called MCAS egregious, and said it was running rampant in Boeings simulators, causing crashes. Many others, including Forkners colleague Patrick Gustavsson, were aware of the flaws in the design of the aircraft. In internal messages, one worker proposed darkly that one could avoid the dangers of the Max 8 by committing suicide. He wrote: Get silencer, put on end of gun, place adjacent to temple, and pull triggerthe problems stop. At this point, how can they consider continuing? Any guilt on the part of Boeings lower echelon employees pales in comparison to that of the companys top executives, up to and including ex-CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who oversaw the final development and initial production of the Max 8. Documents that have been revealed through internal leaks and congressional hearings indicate that Muilenburg was very aware of the fatal design flaws of the Max 8, and did everything he could to keep the FAA, pilots and the general public in the dark about these dangers. Instead of jail time, Muilenburg was rewarded for his time at Boeing with $80.9 million in salary and bonuses. He has since joined the Silicon Valley startup Monarch Tractor as an adviser and investor. The Justice Department will not impose an independent monitor to ensure that Boeing adheres to the terms of the agreement. It claims that the misconduct was neither pervasive across the organization, nor undertaken by a large number of employees. This free pass for the entire upper echelon of Boeing executives, most of whom are still with the company, speaks to the importance of Boeing to American capitalism. The company is one of the worlds largest aerospace manufacturers and Americas second largest defense contractor. It also plays a leading role in securing the interests of the American ruling elite abroad through its competition with European-based rival Airbus. The dropping of criminal charges underscores as well the criminality that pervades the operations of American capitalism and its oligarchic ruling class. The monetary penalty is a slap on the wrist for the aerospace giant. Of the $2.5 billion it will be forced to pay, $244 million will be paid to the federal government as a fine. Only $500 million will go to the families of those who died, a mere $1.4 million per person. Boeing will pay more than three times that amount, $1.77 billion, to the airlines that were unable to use or take deliveries of the Max 8 during the planes grounding, which began in March 2019 and lasted until November. The cost of the settlement to Boeing is in addition to more than $18 billion in losses caused by the 737 Max 8 grounding. The company is expected to lose even more due to the impact on the airline industry in 2020 of the coronavirus pandemic. Boeing lost more than 1,000 orders for the Max 8 last year, though it still has more than 4,000 orders outstanding. However, the US government and the Federal Reserve have handed Boeing many billions of dollars in the form of subsidies and low-interest bond purchases as part of the multi-trillion-dollar CARES Act corporate bailout. The settlement does not resolve claims brought by the families of those aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, who have stated that the agreement between Boeing and the US government represents only the tip of the iceberg of Boeings wrongdoing. 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. Help India! By Sutapa Baksi & Rishabh Jain, TwoCircles.net Goa: The conflict associated with the IIT Goa project that encompasses the village of Shel-Melauli in the Sattara district of Goa has been given fresh fire as demarcation work was set to begin on the morning of January 5. Support TwoCircles A couple hundred villagers sat blocking roadways as the govt deployed a police force of upwards of 500 personnel for the task of surveying approximately 10 lakh sq km of the disputed tribal land. The latter were equipped for the ensuing trouble with tear gas, riot gears etc., and were prepared to lathi charge the villagers if such requirement arose. Nikita Naik, who was one of the villagers protesting at the site, said, The demarcation was done without our consent. We dont recognize such process. She also believed that the villagers had been protesting peacefully till now, but the time has come that they will need to be more aggressive, to save our land. The villagers managed to defer the land survey till 1 p.m. around which time the police force moved to survey the other end of the stretch adjacent to the Jhamli temple. Soon afterward, the officers were driven out of the site as the villagers rushed to the area. However, the demarcation was completed and clashes ensued between the villagers and policemen after the land survey officials had vacated the site. The situation only grew more tense. On the morning of January 6, several policemen were injured as a result of stone pelting by villagers when the former attempted to traverse the forest routes to the village. Their arrival was anticipated and residents gathered in wait. Some residents were reported to have attacked the policemen physically. Clashes continued throughout the day as villagers pelted stones and set police shields on fire. Several people on both sides were injured and rushed to the community health centre. Police Inspector (PI) Sagar Ekoskar is being alleged to have mistreated a woman who was lying on the ground in protest. A villager named Unati Melekar said, The clash started when police started moving forward towards the villagers lying on the ground. Valpoi PI Sagar Ekoskar stamped on the chest of a woman. Following this incident, hundreds of villagers gathered outside the Valpoi police station, filing an FIR and demanding the inspectors suspension. The villagers have also demanded that the CM should visit Valpoi and hear the woes of the residents. They have pledged to continue their protest until their demands are met. The most recent response from the CM with regards to these events has been, Shel-Melauli villagers are at fault, they have taken law and order in [their] own hands, everything will be done as per law; Govt will go ahead with the IIT project. When protests began last Sunday over the transfer of land and the setting up of a police outpost in Melauli, the CM had commented, I visited the village and interacted with the people. I heard their demand and didnt decline them. I have assured them that I will not do injustice to the people of Melauli. But if we agree that government land belongs to some people, then there wont be any land left with the government. The Goa Cabinet in August last year had cleared a proposal for allocating 10 lakh sq metres of land for the IIT-Goa campus in the Sattari subdistricts Guleli panchayat in North Goa. The ownership of much of this land was contested by local and tribal communities of Shel and Melauli villages who had lived and worked on said lands for over 80 years. The livelihood of these tribals depended primarily on cashew plantations and forest produce. However, the disputed community lands were not registered in their name. Shubham Shivolkar, whose family has been involved in cashew farming for years, said the government announced the project during the lockdown and no correspondence was made with the residents of the village. We came to know about it through newspaper. Following protests by villagers that a number of ancient temples fall within the proposed land area, the plan was tweaked to exclude 45,000 sq metres of ground containing the temples. However, the more practical and essentially more tumultuous repercussions of redirecting vast stretches of fertile agricultural land, as voiced by the farmers and residents, remained largely ignored. Mohammad Shakeel, the Registrar in-charge of IIT Goa had said on this issue, Currently we are functioning from within the space given to us by the Goa engineering college. We know that IIT is the premier-most institution of higher education in this country, and we often receive researchers and noble laureates from various countries. For these reasons, Shakeel stresses on the need for a proper space where they are able to function to the best of their ability and requirements. He says that it is the job of the government to allocate land for this purpose and that they will build the IIT wherever they get the land. Despite being a small state of just over three thousand square kilometres, Goa has the highest per capita GDP in comparison to all other Indian states twice that of the nation as a whole. But resistance can be seen at multiple locations as the state tries to accommodate ground-breaking infrastructure projects to enrich the grandeur of the future on the backs of little and local communities. While governments naturally push for big development ideas, local residents resist the tides of irreversible change for as long as they can hold their ground. In the words of American economist and social theorist, Thomas Sowell, The most basic question is not what is best but who shall decide what is best. Its no secret that the royal family spares no expense on, well, anything. The family, whose total net worth is somewhere in the realm of $90 billion, could easily drop millions on their wardrobe each year. But it turns out they know how to spend on royal trips, too. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles once spent more than $500,000 on one royal tour. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles | Georges DeKeerle/Getty Images Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles spend more on travel than any other royals Each year, the royal family releases a Sovereign Grant Report, which details exactly how the family spends the money given to them by the government. This is meant to keep tabs on the royals, though it mostly just reminds us that theyre not nearly as relatable as they wish to be. Between 2018 and 2019, Charles and Camilla spent more on travel than any other royal couple. Charles has come under fire for his travel methods in the past, since he claims to be pro-environment, yet often flies private helicopters or jets to his destinations. Still, the future king and queen consort dont seem to mind how much they spend on their royal needs. The two racked up a $1 million+ tab on only three royal trips between 2018 and 2019. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles sip mojitos on their Caribbean tour in 2019 | Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images RELATED: Inside the Moment Prince Charles Realized Camilla Parker Bowles Was The One Charles and Camillas royal Caribbean tour cost about $560,000 In early spring 2019, Charles and Camilla jetted off to the Caribbean on a 12-day tour, where they visited 10 total islands, including Cuba. (The two made history as the first royals to make an official visit to Cuba.) Over the course of less than two weeks, though, the couple spent around $560,000. While the trip did entail some more serious aspects, it was also a time for the two to have fun. They drank rum and made mojitos in Cuba, strolled on the beach in Grenada, and even broke royal protocol by hugging people in Barbados, according to Insider. Somewhere along the line, though, they spent an unbelievable amount of money. The cost of the trip likely comes from the amount of travel and security required throughout its duration. The couple visited 10 different islands and had more than 50 official royal engagements, which certainly inflated those travel and security costs. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles take a stroll on the beach in Grenada in 2019. | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Fans have scolded the royals over being out of touch with the public Charles and Camilla arent the only ones who have been accused of overspending on lavish things such as travel. Prince William and Kate Middleton took heat last year for flying on private jets after making a big deal about their efforts on helping the environment. Now, they fly commercial when its possible and safe. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also found themselves in poor taste with the public at times; the two spent nearly $3 million on home renovations at Frogmore Cottage only to leave the royal family a short time later (they have since repaid the money). Prince Harry came under fire again in late 2020 for his speech on environmental practices; the public called him out for living in a 16-bathroom mansion while he spoke about saving water. MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted his counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss reopening transport routes in the region that have been paralyzed for nearly three decades amid a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, greets Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev prior to their talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Putin hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for talks after six weeks of fierce fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh that ended with a Russia-brokered peace deal in November. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted his counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss reopening transport routes in the region that have been paralyzed for nearly three decades amid a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The talks came two months after a Russia-brokered truce ended weeks of fierce fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces that left more than 6,000 people dead. Greeting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin, Putin said that the peace agreement has been successfully implemented, creating the necessary basis for a long-term and full-format settlement of the old conflict. The Nov. 10 peace deal ended 44 days of hostilities in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces and reclaimed control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev waits prior to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted his counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan, their first meeting since a Russia-brokered truce ended six weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but had been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands. Hostilities flared up in late September and the Azerbaijani military pushed deep into Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, forcing Armenia to relinquish control over a significant part of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Under the peace deal, Russia has deployed about 2,000 peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh for at least five years. The peace agreement was celebrated in Azerbaijan as a major triumph, but sparked outrage and mass protests in Armenia, where thousands repeatedly took to the streets demanding Pashinyan's resignation. Scores of protesters on Monday tried to block a highway linking the Armenian capital with the airport to prevent Pashinyan from travelling to Moscow, but police dispersed them. The Armenian prime minister has defended the deal as a painful but necessary move that prevented Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey have shut their borders with Armenia ever since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted decades ago, a blockade that has crippled the economy of the landlocked country. The Russia-brokered peace deal envisaged the reopening of transport routes, including a corridor linking Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave that borders Armenia, Turkey and Iran. Armenia, in its turn, will be able to use transit routes to Russia and Iran via Azerbaijan's territory. Putin noted Monday that senior officials from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia will set up a working group to discuss specific moves related to the restoration of transport routes in the region. The implementation of those agreements will benefit both the Armenian and Azerbaijani people and the entire region, Putin said after four hours of talks in the Kremlin before sitting down for separate meetings with Aliyev and Pashinyan. Aliyev hailed the importance of reopening transport links, saying it will help bolster regional stability. It opens completely new perspectives that we couldn't even imagine in the past, he said, adding that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has become history. Pashinyan contested that claim, arguing that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is yet to be determined, but he also hailed the plans to restore transit routes. Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access The Ministry of Health has issued a press release to announce the arrival of the second EU-approved Covid vaccine in the Grand Duchy on Monday. Luxembourg is the first member of the European Union to receive a Moderna delivery, which contains a total of 1,200 doses. Furthermore, an additional 4,875 units of the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine arrived on Monday. The administration has reserved 110,462 doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 414,210 doses of the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine. Read also: How many vaccines has Luxembourg ordered with the EU Commission? Delhi Deputy Chief Minister on Monday said that after was confirmed in the capital, the government was keeping a close watch on the situation and there was no need for citizens to worry. Sisodia said the government was keeping a close eye on avian influenza and discussing it with experts and officials. "I reviewed the situation this morning and I urge you not to worry. I assure you that there is nothing to panic about. Only duck samples collected from the Sanjay Lake in Trilokpuri have tested positive so far. The area has been sanitised. is here in Delhi but there is no need to panic and the government is doing its best to stop the spread," Sisodia said. Earlier in the day, the Animal Husbandry Department of the Delhi government confirmed cases of in the capital. Eight samples from dead crows and ducks had tested positive for avian flu. Amid the panic, Sisodia assured the public that while humans can contract the flu, it cannot spread from one human to another, and had ordinary symptoms like cough, fever and headache. "This is a common influenza in birds and does not spread via human to human contact. Human beings can only contract the disease directly through infected feathers or droppings. Even if you are infected, you will see ordinary symptoms like cough, fever and some headache," he added. He further confirmed that consuming chicken and egg was safe, provided it is cooked and cleaned properly. The Deputy CM said that along with the existing ban on live bird imports, packaged and processed chicken will also not be allowed. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the ban on Saturday and said that the Ghazipur poultry market will remain closed for 10 days. Meanwhile, a total of 44 crows have also been reported dead at several spots around the capital. All the dead crows were buried deep into the ground, and requisite preventive measures are being taken as per the advisory of the Animal Husbandry Department, a statement said. Other states that have confirmed the presence of the flu include Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, among others. (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.) One year ago, China announced the first death from a new virus in Wuhan -- 12 months later, Covid-19 has claimed 1.9 million lives in an unrelenting march across the world. But in the central Chinese city of 11 million where the first known outbreak started, the virus has been extinguished and residents are proud of its revival. On Monday morning, the anniversary slipped by unmarked in Wuhan -- commuters moved freely to work while parks and riverside promenades buzzed with walkers in a city determined to banish its tag as the coronavirus ground zero. In a sparse report on January 11, 2020, China confirmed its first death from an unknown virus -- a 61-year-old man who was a regular at the now-notorious Wuhan wet market linked to many of the early cases. The world would soon become grimly familiar with the disease that killed him as Covid-19. Little is still known about the first victim, including his name, while the market where the first reported clusters of cases were traced back to has remained closed, surrounded by boarding. After a long wrangle, China on Monday said independent experts from the WHO will be allowed into the country from Thursday, with the international community hoping they can visit the market and retrace in detail those early days of the virus in Wuhan. - 'Safest city in the world' - The city has now bounced back and residents are revelling in the freedoms they enjoy. "Wuhan is the safest city in China now, even the whole world," 66-year-old resident Xiong Liansheng told AFP on Monday. Commuters headed to work and others strolled along the riverfront -- a sharp contrast to the countries still under strict lockdowns and restrictions. "The Wuhan people's awareness of epidemic prevention and control is very high -- even my two-year-old grandson will wear a mask when going out," said Xiong. Elderly couples danced, some masked, but hands clasped as social distancing withered in the winter sunshine in a busy park next to the Yangtze river. Story continues "Most cases in China are imported from overseas now and our country has a good control of it," said Zhong, an 80-year-old woman giving only one name. "All the Wuhan people feel very safe in the city, and we come here and dance happily everyday." China has faced criticism at home and abroad over its initial handling of the virus, including attempts to silence whistleblowers and failure to report cases for days in early January. Two weeks after confirming the first death, Wuhan and the surrounding province were put under lockdown. Chinese authorities are trying to stamp out a series of local outbreaks, reporting 103 new infections on Monday -- the highest figure since July last year -- most in northern Hebei province. Transport links have been cut and schools closed in an effort to contain the cluster. There are also mounting fears that travel plans for hundreds of millions of people for the Lunar New Year next month may be ruined as virus controls tighten. But it is a fraction of the daily infections in the United States, Britain and many European countries. China's official toll stands at 4,634 deaths from Covid-19. bur-rox/apj/rma FP Trending Scientists have discovered a black hole at the centre of a bright cluster of a distant galaxy that has baffled them for its 'recoiling' nature. The enormous black hole keeps slipping through the astronomers' nets. The galaxy, at the core of the cluster Abell 2261, about 2.7 billion light-years from Earth, should have a large central black hole, weighing as much as 3 billion to 100 billion suns, according to scientists. However, strangely enough the supermassive black hole has evaded detection so far. Researchers said they have previously used X-rays streaming from the galaxy's centre, since they are potential black-hole signatures. As material falls into a black hole's maw, it accelerates and heats up tremendously, emitting lots of high-energy X-ray light. Now, scientists have conducted an even deeper search for X-rays using Chandra X-ray Observatory, that even considered the possibility that the black hole was knocked toward the vicinities after a monster galactic merger. According to scientists, when black holes and other massive objects collide, they throw off ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves. However, if the emitted waves are not symmetrical in every direction, they could very well push the merged supermassive black hole away from the centre. Such recoiling black holes are however, hypothetical creatures since no one has definitively spotted one till date. According to researchers, Abell 2261's central galaxy could be a good place to study them, since it shows signs of a dramatic merger. The new study was carried out by a team of researchers led by Kayhan Gultekin from the University of Michigan. They found that the densest concentrations of hot gas were not in the galaxy's central regions. But the Chandra data didn't reveal any significant X-ray sources, either in the galactic core or in big clumps of stars farther afield. So the mystery of the missing supermassive black hole persists. The mystery could be solved by the James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled for launch in October 2021. However, if it too does not spot a black hole at the centre of the galaxy, then the only plausible explanation is that it has recoiled well out of the centre of the galaxy. The new study is published in the journal of the American Astronomical Society. CVT EV Described as "understated yet impressive, the Elantra presents an exceptional blend of left- and right-brain attributes. Looking beyond this interesting wording, I think we can all agree that Hyundai developed a very honest means of personal transportation that doesnt cost an arm and a leg.Priced from $19,650 excluding destination charge, the Elantra undercuts the Kona and Venue crossovers in the South Korean automakers lineup. SE is how the entry-level trim is called, which comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Highlights also include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot collision avoidance, a 2.0-liter four-pot engine mated to a Smartstream, and 37 MPG (6.3 liters per 100 kilometers).Turning our attention over to SUVs, the Ford Motor Company bested Genesis and Land Rover with the Mustang Mach-E . The first properfrom the Blue Oval is a proper competitor for the Tesla Model Y, and looking at the bigger picture, it leapfrogs many European rivals as well. I mean, would you even consider the bland-looking Volkswagen ID.4 over the Mach-E?Available from $42,895 excluding destination, the all-electric sibling of the Mustang isnt too shabby in the most affordable specification available at the time of writing. The standard battery and rear-wheel drive are rated by the EPA at 230 miles (370 kilometers), which is more than adequate for a compact crossover that tips the scales at two tonnes (4,394 pounds).Last but certainly not least, the best-selling vehicle in the United States takes the cake in the truck category. The F-150 is the undisputed leader in the half-ton segment, and for the 2021 model year, the Blue Oval has also pushed the envelope with a proper hybrid based on the EcoBoost V6.PowerBoost is how the Ford Motor Company calls the fuel-sipping powertrain, which integrates an electric motor into the 10-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to 25 MPG (9.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined cycle, the hybrid truck offers a maximum range of 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) on a full tank of gas. 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. Chicago and Evanston police investigate a crime scene after a gunman went on a shooting spree before being killed by police during a shootout in Evanston, Ill., on Jan. 9, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Chicago Shooter Who Killed 3 Posted Social Media Rants CHICAGOA man who police say killed three people and wounded four others during a series of shootings in and around Chicago posted nonsensical and expletive-laced videos in the days and hours leading up to the attacks. Investigators on Jan. 10 were trying to determine a motive for the Jan. 9 attacks in which police say 32-year-old Jason Nightengale apparently chose his victims at random. Police killed Nightengale in a shootout just north of the city about four hours after authorities say he shot his first victim in the head in a South Side parking garage. Those killed included a 30-year-old University of Chicago student from China named Yiran Fan, Anthony Faukner, 20, and Aisha Nevell, 46, a security guard. Wounded were a 77-year-old woman, 81-year-old woman, and a 15-year-old girl, according to Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown. Another woman was shot in the neck in Evanston, police in the suburb said. Authorities didnt release many details about Nightengale, a Chicago man whose LinkedIn page listed work over the years as a janitor, security guard, and forklift operator. But a series of disturbing videos posted to Facebook over two years under Nightengales middle name, Oliver, offered clues as to his state of mind. In one posted Jan. 7, Nightengale held a gun to the camera and muttered unintelligible statements as he appeared to be driving. A police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation confirmed it was Nightengale in the video. No music. No. No music, Nightengale says in the video, his speech slurred. I dont need no seat belt. Im coming, girl. He posted dozens of other short videos, including several in the hours before the first attack, which were viewable until the page was taken down Jan. 10. In one, he says, Im going to blow up the whole community. In another, Nightengale appears to groove to the Bee Gees Staying Alive while laughing. The shootings began shortly before 2 p.m. Jan. 9 with the killing of Fan, who was shot in the head while sitting in his car in a parking garage in the Hyde Park neighborhood, Brown said. After that, Nightengale just randomly walked into an apartment building a block away, where he shot the female security guard and the 77-year-old woman, who was getting her mail, Brown said. The guard was pronounced dead at a hospital, and the other woman was hospitalized in critical condition. From there, Nightengale went to another nearby building and stole a car from a man he knew. He then opened fire at a convenience store, killing the 20-year-old man and wounding the 81-year-old woman in the head and neck. The woman was in critical condition. After leaving the store, Nightengale shot a 15-year-old girl who was riding in a car with her mother, leaving the girl in critical condition, police said. He then went back to the convenience store and fired on officers who were investigating the earlier shooting. None of them were injured, Brown said. Nightengale then drove about 10 miles north to Evanston, which borders Chicago, where police responded to a report of shots that had been fired inside a CVS. Nightengale had apparently walked into the pharmacy, announced that he was robbing it, and fired off shots that didnt hit anyone, authorities said. He then went across the street to an IHOP restaurant, where he shot a woman in the neck. She was in critical condition, Evanston police Chief Demitrous Cook told reporters. Nightengale left the restaurant and was confronted by officers in a parking lot, leading to a shootout in which he was shot and killed, Cook said. Evanston police Sgt. Ken Carter said Nightengale appeared to have a connection to Evanston, but he didnt have further details. He said on Jan. 10 that an outside agency would take over the investigation, since Evanston police were involved in the fatal shooting. Chicago police released an October 2018 booking photo of Nightengale that was taken after he was charged with multiple driving-related offenses, including driving on a suspended license. His criminal record started in 2005 and included arrests for gun and drug violations, aggravated assault, and a 2019 domestic battery case, according to WLS-TV. An attorney for Nightengale couldnt be located on Jan. 10. Friends were shocked to hear of the shootings, describing Nightengale as a devoted father to twin girls, who had a charismatic personality and a sense of humor but who had been through tough times. Tommy Taylor remembered meeting Nightengale at a movies-in-the-park event in Rogers Park, a Chicago neighborhood that borders Evanston. They hung out over the years. From all the years I knew him, he had always been a good guy and funny guy, Taylor said. Something had to happen in order for him to break him like that. University of Chicago officials said Fan was working toward a doctorate in a joint program between the universitys schools of business and economics, and that his family in China had been notified of his death. We know that this shocking incident brings grief to our entire community and concern for the wellbeing and safety of others, the university said in a news release. In the days ahead we will come together as a community to mourn, and to lift up fellow members of our community in this difficult and very sad time. Please join us in wishing consolation and healing for our students loved ones. Brown said the information he shared at the news conference was preliminary and could change. He said investigators had little information about Nightengale but plan to release more details as they get them. When you hear this whole story, it seems that you have a crystal ball of what hes doing next, and we all know we dont have a crystal ball where he goes next nor do we have this on any of our police surveillance cameras, Brown said. We are responding to the scene as these crimes are happening, getting information, and again, hes going to the next while we are trying to keep up with whats happened previously. By Sophia Tareen The three leaders met in Moscow two months after Putin brokered an Armenian-Azerbaijani ceasefire agreement that stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. In a joint statement issued after the meeting that lasted for about four hours, they said the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani governments will set up a joint working group that will deal with practical modalities of restoring transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to the statement, the group will submit by March 1 a timetable of measures envisaging the restoration and construction of new transport infrastructure facilities in line with the November 9 ceasefire deal. The group is to comprise teams of experts who will calculate the cost of these projects. I am confident that the realization of these understandings will benefit both the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples, the region as a whole and, therefore, the interests of the Russian Federation, Putin said at a joint news briefing with Aliyev and Pashinian held after the talks. This is an area which could give a lot of dynamism to the regions development and reinforce security because the opening of transport links meets the interests of the people of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia and our neighbors, Aliyev said, for his part. The truce agreement specifically commits Yerevan to opening rail and road links between the Nakhichevan exclave and the rest of Azerbaijan that will presumably pass through southeastern Armenia. The Armenian government has stressed that Armenia will be able, for its part, to use Azerbaijani territory as a transit route for cargo shipments to and from Russia and Iran. Pashinian indicated in the run-up to the Moscow talks that the opening of the transport links will be conditional on Baku releasing dozens of Armenians remaining in Azerbaijani captivity and facilitating the ongoing search for other soldiers and civilians who went missing during the six-week war. Unfortunately, we did not manage today to solve the issue of prisoners of war, Pashinian told the press after the talks. He said that Baku is still not fully complying with another provision of the truce agreement that calls for the exchange of all prisoners of war and civilians held by the conflicting sides. I hope that we will succeed in finding a concrete solution very soon, added the Armenian premier. The November 9 agreement locked in sweeping territorial gains made by Azerbaijan during the war that killed thousands of Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers. It also led to the Armenian withdrawal from four other districts around Karabakh. In his opening remarks at the talks, Putin noted with satisfaction that the ceasefire is holding thanks to 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in Karabakh. This, he said, is creating necessary prerequisites for a long-term and full-fledged resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Pashinian cautioned that the conflicting parties continue to disagree on many issues, including the main bone of contention: the status of Karabakh. Boluda France & HST Marine have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Joint Venture company providing Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and offshore services to support to the offshore wind market in France. HST, a vessel owner and operator of seven CTVs, specialised in delivery and support for offshore projects, has carried out over 50,000 technician transfers to offshore structures in the offshore wind market. Established in Le Havre in 1864, BOLUDA FRANCE has become, since 2007, a subsidiary of BOLUDA CORPORACION MARITIMA -one of the largest towage operators worldwide. BOLUDA FRANCE has over 1,200 employees to operate a fleet of 75 tugs and 30 service vessels in 15 harbours and terminals in France, Africa and the Indian Ocean. BOLUDA FRANCE delivers maritime services such as harbour and terminal towage, deep sea towage, piloting, mooring and offshore crew transfer. It has six operational bases, located in Saint Nazaire, La Rochelle, Brest, Le Havre, Dunkirk and Marseiille-Fos. HST CEO Tom Nevin commented: We are very excited to work with Boluda France to establish a high quality service for the French Offshore Wind Market, we are likeminded, quality driven and will form a great team, Boluda Frances history, network and structure along with our industry expertise will be a fantastic package for our clients, current and new. BOLUDA FRANCE CEO Denis Monserand said: We are delighted to step in the offshore wind industry together with HST to provide clients with a combination of industry expertise and strong local content. HSTs philosophy of quality services has been very successful and we are convinced that by joining forces we will become an effective and reliable supplier for the offshore wind industry in France. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a moving video on Sunday recounting his childhood in Austria while denouncing the riot last week in Washington that left five people dead. In the nearly eight-minute clip, the actor turned politician directly invoked Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi attack against Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues that was a prelude to the Holocaust and addressed his own fathers Nazi past. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. President Trump sought a coup by misleading people with lies. My father and our neighbors were misled also with lies, the Austrian-born Schwarzenegger said, adding that Kristallnacht was conducted by the Nazi equivalent of the Proud Boys, one of the right-wing groups that assembled in support of Trump's false claims about the election. Egged on by Trump, the rioters stormed the Capitol Building and temporarily halted Congresss certification of President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. Congress reconvened and certified Bidens win later that night. Wednesday was the Day of Broken Glass right here in the United States; the broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol, Schwarzenegger said in the video. But the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol; they shattered the ideals we took for granted. They did not just break down the doors of the building that housed the American democracy; they trampled the very principles upon which our country was founded. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Screenshot: Twitter) He went on to discuss a painful memory from growing up in Austria in the immediate aftermath of World War II. I was surrounded by broken men drinking away the guilt over their participation in the most evil regime in history, he said. My father would come home drunk once or twice a week, and he would scream and hit us, he continued. I did not hold him totally responsible because our neighbor was doing the same thing to his family, and so was the same neighbor over. Schwarzenegger, Californias last Republican governor and a frequent critic of Trump, did not hold back in his latest attacks against the outgoing president. President Trump sought to overturn the results of an election ... by misleading people with lies. ... And I know where such lies lead. President Trump is a failed leader. He will go down as the worst president ever. The good thing is he will soon be as irrelevant as an old tweet, he said. A worker cleans broken glass from one of the entrances to the U.S. Capitol. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) The former bodybuilder and Terminator star went on to dramatically end the video by holding up a sword and comparing it to the strength of American democracy. This is Conans sword, said Schwarzenegger, who also starred in Conan the Barbarian. Our democracy is like the steel of this sword. The more it is tempered, the stronger it becomes. Read more from Yahoo News: Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted a trilateral meeting in Moscow with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, nearly two months after a Russia-brokered cease-fire agreement ended six weeks of fierce fighting over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Following the talks on January 11, Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian issued a joint statement on the Kremlin website announcing the creation of a trilateral working group to oversee the "unblocking of all economic and transport links" in the region. The group will be jointly chaired by deputy prime ministers from the three countries and will hold its first meeting before January 30, the statement said. Aliyev called Putin's invitation for the trilateral meeting "very useful and productive," saying afterward that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "remained in the past." However, Pashinian said the conflict was still not resolved, insisting that key issues surrounding the conflict were in suspension and needed to be resolved immediately. "Unfortunately, this conflict is still not settled," he told journalists after talks that lasted nearly four hours. Putin at the start of the meeting thanked the two leaders for their cooperation with Russia's mediation efforts aimed at "stopping the bloodshed, stabilizing the situation, and achieving a sustainable cease-fire." Under a cease-fire agreement reached on November 9, a chunk of Nagorno-Karabakh and all seven districts around it were placed under Azerbaijani administration after almost 30 years of control by ethnic Armenians. More than 4,700 people were killed in the flare-up of violence. Putin said that the truce had been successfully implemented, laying the foundation for a fair settlement of the decades-long conflict. Around 2,000 Russian peacekeepers are deployed along frontline areas and to protect a land link connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. They are also engaged in demining, returning displaced Armenians, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Many details of the agreement remain unclear, including the final political status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the exact contours of the border separating the two sides along a still militarized front line, and economic issues. Pashinian said several issues remained unresolved, and that the meeting did not render a solution to the "most sensitive and painful question" of prisoners of war. Armenia and Azerbaijan exchanged their first prisoners in early December, more than a month after the peace deal was signed. It remains unclear how many more prisoners the two sides intend to exchange. The truce agreement envisages a Russian-guarded transport corridor running through southern Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to its enclave of Naxcivan, and thereby to its regional ally, Turkey. Thomas de Waal, an expert on the Caucasus region, told RFE/RL in December that it would be "incredibly difficult" for the Armenians to facilitate the creation of such a corridor through their territory. The trilateral meeting came as Pashinian is under mounting opposition pressure over the cease-fire agreement and loss of territory to Azerbaijan in the war. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the region's population reject Azerbaijani rule. They had been governing their own affairs, with support from Armenia, since Azerbaijan's troops and Azeri civilians were pushed out of the region and seven adjacent districts in a war that ended in a cease-fire in 1994. With reporting by dpa, Interfax, TASS, Tagesschau, and RFE/RL's Armenian Service Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. ANN ARBOR TWP., MI An Ann Arbor Township family is grateful for the many strangers who helped bring their dog back home after a journey that spanned two weeks and more than 200 miles. Cynthia Stiles and her daughter, Emily Kaldjian, credit the help of a professional dog finder, as well as farmers in Chelsea and Lodi Township for returning their missing pup. Stiles and her family are owners of Titan, a 4-year-old Maremma sheepdog who was raised on a sheep farm in northern Minnesota. Maremmas are livestock guard dogs that have been used for centuries by Italian shepherds to guard sheep from wolves. Titan joined his new Michigan family on Dec. 4. and had been on his new farm for only 18 hours when he was spooked at the noise of a door opening and bolted, breaking the clasp on his leash, Stiles said. I needed my hands free to grab some hay, so I attached him with a carabiner and a leash to a pasture fence, Stiles said. He broke the carabiner and then he took off running. After a frenzied search, Stiles and Kaldjian realized Titan had made it off their property. They began calling their neighbors, printing hundreds of flyers and posting information to Facebook and Reddit. Several people shared Titans information on social media, which led to sightings, Stiles said. I would get messages from three in the morning when people were driving and would see him and it was always, Come get your dog, but being 25 minutes away from where we knew he was, it was never really easy to just jump in the car and find him because he was so often on the move, Stiles said. After days of driving around Washtenaw County in hopes of capturing Titan at the places he was sighted, the family said it enlisted volunteers, as well as the professional help. We went door-to-door talking to dozens of farmers and homeowners and did our very best to make sure people were aware he was lost and frightened, so they wouldnt chase him, Kaldijan said in a post to Reddit, where her posts the lost dog received hundreds of hits and comments. Titan sightings, Dec 7-20. Each color represents a different day. Traps are in black. He was caught at the trap northeast of Lima Center. Titan ran from Ann Arbor Township, north of M-23 between Nixon and Earhart roads, to the Brass Creek subdivision near Dexter on the first day alone. During his two-week journey, trail camera video caught Titan running between fields, farms, woods and subdivisions, averaging about 15 miles a day, according to the family. Stimulating Titans senses proved to be the most effective way to lure him back to his new home, Stiles said. Capitalizing on this, the family finally managed to get him to enter an enclosure trap with the help of farmer Doug Trinkle, she said. The trap was placed northeast of Lima Center and contained articles collected and shipped to Stiles from the dogs former owner, including a stinky shirt and shaved fur from two of the previous owners dogs that Titan knew, Stiles said. As soon as a human showed up, Titan settled down, Kaldjian said. Titan stayed calm while we further secured him with a martingale collar and leash. Then Titan politely followed us to our vehicle and jumped in for the ride home. Titan was covered in burrs and debris that had attached to his heavy white coat of fur, but after a visit to the vet, he was found to be in perfect physical health, Stiles said. The family said it plans to use a GPS collar to keep tabs on Titan going forward. Social media, the flyers and phone calls are really what helped us to catch him, Stiles said Without it we wouldnt have had the community support that was essential in getting him back. That was the most surprising and amazing part of the whole adventure for me. READ MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Ypsilantis Bomber Restaurant gets financial boost from The Barstool Fund Man faces terrorism charges after threats to Michigan lawmaker, Capitol building Michigan reports 3,625 new coronavirus cases, 38 new deaths Gov. Whitmer reiterates calls on feds to ship more coronavirus vaccines NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC" or the "Company") (OTCQX: SMICY) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California, and docketed under 21-cv-00067, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired SMIC securities between April 23, 2020 and September 26, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Plaintiff seeks to recover compensable damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission. If you are a shareholder who purchased SMIC securities during the Class Period, you have until February 8, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] SMIC purports to be an investment holding company principally engaged in the computer-aided design, manufacture, testing, packaging, and trading of integrated circuits ("IC"), as well as the provision of other semiconductor services. The Company is also involved in the design and manufacture of semiconductor masks and various types of wafers. The Company distributes its products in China and to overseas markets, such as Europe and the U.S. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements, and failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operational, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and failed to disclose to investors that: (1) there was an "unacceptable risk" that equipment supplied to SMIC would be used for military purposes; (2) SMIC was foreseeably at risk of facing United States restrictions; (3) as a result of the restrictions by the United States Department of Commerce, certain of SMIC's suppliers would need "difficult-to-obtain" individual export licenses; and (4) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. On September 4, 2020, after market hours, Reuters published an article entitled "EXCLUSIVE-Trump administration weighs blacklisting China's chipmaker SMIC". On this news, SMIC's ADR price fell $3.08 per ADR, or over 20%, to close at $12.02 per ADR on September 8, 2020, the next trading day. Then, on September 26, 2020, Reuters published an article entitled "U.S. tightens exports to China's chipmaker SMIC, citing risk of military use". On this news, SMIC's ADR price fell $0.57 per ADR, or 4.7%, to close at $11.47 per ADR on September 28, 2020, the next trading day. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 888-476-6529 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Related Links http://www.pomerantzlaw.com NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee county health departments are now booking appointments for people in Phase 1 populations of the Tennessee COVID-19 Vaccination Plan and those aged 75 and up who wish to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Tennesseans can follow a simple, three-step process to learn when theyre eligible for vaccination and register for a vaccination appointment: 1. Find Your Phase Tennesseans can find out what phase of the vaccination plan theyre in by visiting https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/eligibility/. 2. Find the Phase Your County is Vaccinating To learn what phase your county is vaccinating, visit https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/. 3. Register for a Vaccination Appointment People who are in a phase currently being vaccinated in their county can register online at https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccine-phases/ for an appointment time to receive a vaccination through their county health department. Click your county on the map and then click Make an Appointment to register. Those who register will be asked to enter their name and contact information to be notified of their appointment date, time and location as soon as vaccine becomes available. Were excited to begin this process to help deliver this vital service in the most efficient way possible while managing the limited and somewhat unpredictable supply of vaccines, said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. The COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require two doses for the best protection against the virus. People who receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a county health department will be contacted to make an appointment to receive their second dose of vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine supply is still limited, and Tennessee counties may progress through COVID-19 vaccination phases at different times, depending on supplies of COVID-19 vaccines. Tennessee county health departments will announce additional opportunities for residents to receive vaccinations as vaccine supplies become available, and as the county moves to new phases of the vaccination plan. Those with general questions about COVID-19 may call the COVID-19 Public Information Line at 877-857-2945 or 833-556-2476 between 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Monday Friday and 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. TDH reminds all Tennesseans that in addition to vaccination, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic. The Tennessee Department of Health updated the Tennessee COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Dec. 30. COVID-19 vaccines remain limited at this time, and Tennessees allocation plan prioritizes those most at risk of illness and death from COVID-19. Tennessees COVID-19 Vaccination Plan is available online at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccination_Plan.pdf. Find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccine_FAQ.pdf. The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health. Connect with TDH on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @TNDeptofHealth! Contractor admits role in Sisseton housing project bribery scheme A contractor has admitted to his role in a bribery scheme and his partner has now been charged. Maps showing how two of the alternatives identified in the Central Yukon Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement would shape Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) or Research Natural Areas (RNAs) within the plan area. The map at left shows the preferred alternative (C2) while the map on the right shows alternative C1. News-Miner screen grab/BLM 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. Chapman University, the private university based in Orange, California, will not fire a professor who spoke at a rally for President Donald Trump that was staged mere hours before the Capitol siege. Law professor John Eastman was a speaker at the "Stop the Steal" rally Wednesday, where he repeated multiple falsehoods about fraud in the 2020 election during his rambling, three-minute address. In response, more than 150 Chapman staff members including professors, deans and board members published a letter to the editor in the Los Angeles Times calling for his firing. But in two separate statements, Chapman University President Daniele Struppa simultaneously called Eastman's role in the riots "in direct opposition to the values and beliefs of our institution" and refused to fire him, citing the university's manual on faculty conduct. "I am not the Emperor of Chapman University, nor I am the Supreme Leader of Chapman University. I am the President of the university, and as such, I am bound by laws and processes that are clearly spelled out in our Faculty Manual," he wrote in a Saturday statement. He continued: "The Manual says that if a jury finds a faculty member to be guilty of a felony, or if they are disbarred, THEN the university can dismiss them. The university has no right to substitute itself for these formal bodies." "When you are asking me to simply fire a faculty member without that, you are asking me to act as if I am indeed above the law. I continue to think this would be a terrible mistake for the institution, and I am troubled that so many are willing to sacrifice our process and our rules, in order to protect our reputation," Struppa said. Chapman staff condemned Eastman's part in a December Supreme Court filing that requested that votes in the election be invalidated in key battleground states. That, however, did not include a call for his firing. At least five people died following last week's storming of the Capitol, including a Capitol police officer. House Democrats formally began the process to impeach Trump on Monday. Pressure leads to Christian college president turnover, school heads say Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In the last three years, 38 Christian college presidents have left their jobs, according to statistics from the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Before now, college presidents in the CCCU have often stayed at universities longer than their counterparts, said Gordon College President D. Michael Lindsay. But as the pressures and complexity of university operations have increased, the number of years Christian presidents serve has decreased. Lindsay said he plans to end his 10-year job as president because he felt God was calling him to another task. Although future prospects for the Massachusetts college look excellent, he will leave his position this year. During his presidency, he has seen the field of higher education change. Time horizons for expectations in the presidency have really shortened. Higher education used to be a sleepy field where change came very slowly and gradually. But for most of us, you now have to be nimble and responsible to a marketplace that changes year by year, he told The Christian Post. In past generations, college presidents navigated less market pressure, smaller technological change and fewer layers of government bureaucracy, he noted. Today, these factors all complicate a presidents work significantly. The job [of president] is exponentially harder than it has ever been before, he said. Today, once a president joins a college, he starts a relatively brief honeymoon period where people like him, Lindsay said. Eventually, the president makes controversial decisions that anger some people. People stop wanting to work with the president. Eventually, he becomes a scapegoat. In a faster-moving world, controversial decisions come up more often, Lindsay pointed out. Over time you carry everyones accumulated grievances against the institution, he lamented. To start afresh, a president must create a new vision for the university, take a sabbatical or change his life significantly, he explained. In effect, he either becomes a "new" president or gets replaced by a new president. For modern universities, the system runs best with rapid change. So many of our secular colleagues continue to hold onto these roles, clutching them within their grip as if the more they hold their identities, the more secure they will be, said Lindsay. Christ followers are at a bit of an advantage when it comes to transitions. Although it might be difficult, rapid change also leads to more innovation and job experience. Bill Peterson, a parter in executive job search firm Carter Baldwin, said that the term lengths of Christian college presidents he works with have been decreasing slowly. I havent noticed that theres a large influx [of new people]. I do notice that the tenure is decreasing, he told CP. Were beginning to see Baby Boomers retire. Its just time. I think theres a natural opportunity for new leadership. A change in leadership often helps refresh institutions, as new executives bring in new ideas, Peterson said. The most important traits for Christian college presidents today are strong moral character and an ability to create a compelling story for their institution. Im pretty positive about [faster turnover rates], said Lindsay. Its going to increase the variety and opportunities for more people to rise to leadership in Christian colleges. It will also deepen the bench that we have across the Christian educational mosaic. Many of the CCCU presidents who have stepped down in the past three years have already served long terms, said Asbury University President Kevin Brown to The Christian Post. They stepped down from their jobs because they felt ready to, not because of any more complex reason. Brown became the new president of Asbury in 2019. Hes part of the next generation of leaders who will help form Christian students into maturity. I think if you just hear the [CCCU] statistic, it sounds ominous, he said. [The older presidents are] women and men who have served for longer periods of time. I think they have arrived at a point where its time to step down and let someone with a fresh set of eyes step in. The previous president of Asbury, Sandra Gray, did a great job of preparing the college for new leadership, Brown said. Brown and Lindsay both agreed that the rapid onslaught of controversial decisions for presidents has influenced increased turnover rate in schools. Brown said that it has become more common for leaders to become unwitting interim presidents whose terms last shorter than they would have first imagined. A president would enter with the prospect of being in 15 or 20 years, but because of the controversial decisions people had to make immediately, they expended all political and social capital, he said. The future of the presidency could be 10 or 15 years. We may see the timeline adjust so it may not be as long as in years past. Christian college presidents starting leadership now face a turning point in education, said Brown. People have stopped thinking of university education as a way to become a citizen and started to think of it as a primarily economic decision that needs to deliver returns. After the financial crisis, there was a shift in how parents and prospective students thought about education. Traditionally, the purpose of a university was to produce good citizens. Theres kind of a careerist assumption that has taken over, why marketplace, he said. These are enormous existential questions that I think would not have been immediately considered in a presidents first year. But in a rapidly changing educational environment, the questions wont wait. Christian colleges also face higher pressure to justify their value to society at large, said Brown. As American society has rejected Christian values, the cultural and political forces that once supported Christian schools have weakened. Now faith-based schools must make a case for their own relevance to a different culture than the one they started in. When you look at the time ahead, I am increasingly convinced that the longevity of schools like Asbury will be tied to the perceived social value that we give to society not our right to be at the table, but why we are fruit bearers, were light bearers, we provide salt and light to the world, Brown contended. One way Christian colleges impact society is through their students, he stressed. Students from Christian schools have high graduation rates, high rates of volunteering, low debt rates and work at lower-paying jobs that help other people more often than their secular counterparts. The next generation of Christian college presidents must explain to the public how Christian universities impact the world in beneficial ways, he said. In some pockets of society, Christian education is a euphemism for inferior education. We have to make a case that its just the opposite. We are very much in the business of rigorous relevant education, said Brown. The country also recorded the lowest daily spike in cases and deaths in nearly eight months, the Union health ministry said on Monday As 16 January, the scheduled date of India's COVID-19 inoculation drive draws near, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the vaccines approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) are the "most cost-effective in the world". This, as the Centre placed an order for 11 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The order was placed at the Serum Institute of India (SII), which is a partner in the manufacture of the vaccine 'Covishield'. The vaccine costs Rs 210 per dose, PTI reported. The Union health ministry also said that the number of people who have tested positive for the new UK variant of COVID-19 has climbed to 96 on Monday. Till Saturday, that number was 90. The country also recorded the lowest daily spike in cases and deaths in nearly eight months, the Union health ministry said on Monday. The total caseload rose to 1,04,66,595 with 16,311 new cases in the last 24 hours, which is the lowest in around six and a half months. Additionally, the total toll rose to 1,51,160 with 161 new deaths, which is the lowest in the last seven and half months, the data updated at 8 am showed. Meanwhile, UK's chief medical officer (CMO) Chris Whitty was in the media as saying that the UK will go through the "most dangerous time" as it enters the worst weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new strain of the virus was detected in Britain in December and is reportedly 70 percent more transmissible. 'Centre to bear expense of inoculation of 3 crore people' After his discussion with chief ministers of all states, Modi announced that the Centre will bear the expenses of vaccinating nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers in the first round of inoculation. Interacting with state chief ministers, Modi underscored the enormity of what he described as the world's biggest vaccination exercise, which begins from 16 January, saying over 30 crore citizens will get the jabs in the next few months in India against only 2.5 crore people vaccinated so far in over 50 countries in around a month. The two already approved made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines are more cost-effective than any other in the world and have been developed as per the country's needs, he said at the meeting held over video conference to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination roll-out. Besides the two vaccines Covishield developed by Oxford and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin four others are in the pipeline, Modi said, asserting that India's fight against the pandemic will enter a decisive stage with the vaccination roll-out. The prime minister also sought to dispel concerns expressed by some Opposition leaders and experts over the approval given to Covaxin without the availability of efficacy data, asserting that scientists have taken all precautions to provide citizens with effective vaccines. Centre places order for 11 mn doses of AstraZeneca vaccine After the Centre placed an order for 11 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, officials were quoted by PTI as saying that the dispatch of of the vaccine is likely to start by late Monday evening. The health ministry is also likely to soon sign a purchase order for Covaxin, another anti- Coronavirus vaccine that has been indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech, PTI reported. Covishield vaccine doses will be initially shipped to 60 consignee points from where those will be distributed to various vaccination centres across India. As many as 2,54,500 doses of Covishield are set to be delivered at Delhi's central storage, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality hospital, in Tahirpur. The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, issued the supply order on behalf of the Union health ministry in the name of Prakash Kumar Singh, additional director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India. "The Ministry of Health has nominated HLL Lifecare Limited vide letter dated 11 January as procuring agency for procurement of vaccine. For the purpose of this order, the Ministry of Health, Government of India is the 'purchaser' and HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL) is 'procuring agency'," the order said. Vaccine-laden trucks will travel from Manjari in Pune, where SII is located, amid elaborate police security. The Maharashtra government has decided to provide police security to the trucks carrying the vaccine up to airports and to the borders of the state. According to the health ministry, two doses of the vaccine need to be taken by an individual 28 days apart to complete the immunisation schedule. Protective levels of antibodies are generally developed two weeks after receiving the second dose, it has said. Number of new COVID-19 deaths below 170 after 229 days A declining number of new COVID-19 cases and a high rate of recovery have resulted in a continuous fall in the country's active caseload, which accounts for only 2.13 percent of the total infections, the health ministry said on Monday. The number of daily new fatalities has also declined substantially in the country. On Monday, less than 170 such deaths were recorded after 229 days, the ministry said. India's total active caseload has fallen to 2.25 lakh. A total of 16,959 COVID-19 patients have recovered in a span of 24 hours. This has led to a net decline of 809 from the active caseload, the ministry said. The total number of recovered cases in the country stands at 1,00,92,909. "The gap between recoveries and active cases, that is steadily increasing, is nearing 99 lakh and presently stands at 98,70,383," the ministry said. "The national COVID-19 recovery rate has also improved to 96.43 percent as on date. This is amongst the highest the world over," it highlighted. Ten states and Union territories have accounted for 78.56 percent of the new recoveries. Kerala has reported the maximum number of 4,659 single-day recoveries, followed by Maharashtra (2,302) and Chhattisgarh (962). The ministry said 80.25 percent of the new cases are concentrated in nine states and Union territories. Kerala has also reported the highest number of 4,545 fresh cases, followed by Maharashtra (3,558). A total of 161 case fatalities were reported in the country in a span of 24 hours. Six states and Union territories have accounted for 69.57 per cent of the fresh deaths. Maharashtra (34) saw the maximum number of casualties, followed by Kerala (23) and West Bengal (19). 'UK at worst point of COVID-19 pandemic' Whitty, England's chief medical officer (CMO), also urged the public to strictly follow the stay-at-home lockdown to help curb the transmission of infections. He added that the only way to help an already overwhelmed National Health Service (NHS) is to minimise all unnecessary contact with other people while the vaccination programme is accelerated in parallel. "I think everybody accepts that this is the most dangerous time we've really had in terms of numbers into the NHS. The next few weeks will be the worst of the pandemic for the NHS,'' Prof Whitty told the BBC. "This is everybody's problem. Any single unnecessary contact you have with someone is a potential link in a chain of transmission that will lead to a vulnerable person," he said. He said there were over 30,000 people in England hospitals with COVID-19 , compared to about 18,000 at the peak last April. He added that "anybody who is not shocked" by the number of people in the hospital "has not understood this at all". "This is an appalling situation," he said, pointing to the more than 80,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic and an estimated one in 50 people infected in the UK. His latest warning comes as the UK's new mass vaccination centres opened their doors to vulnerable categories, with eligible over-80 individuals being informed by letters from the NHS. With inputs from PTI (BJP) leader on Monday said that he would meet Chief Electoral Officer Baldev Singh to submit a complaint against Chief Minister The complaint will be filed against him for non-disclosure and concealment of properties of 19 bungalows in Korlai Alibag. "Today 11 January 3.30pm I will meet CEO Baldeo Singh Election Commision Mantralaya Mumbai, to submit Complaint against CM for Non Disclosure/Concealment of Properties 19 Bunglows (Korlai Alibag) Rs 5 Crore in his election affidavit," Singh tweeted today. (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.) Kate Mara recently celebrated the holidays with her growing family. And the Emmy nominee is getting back into her routine, as she steps into 2021 in style. She put on an angelic display in head-to-toe white, as she donned a chic baby doll dress with a ruffled collar and billowy sleeves, while running errands in Beverly Hills. Angelic display: Kate Mara put on an angelic display in head-to-toe white, as she donned a chic baby doll dress with a ruffled collar and billowy sleeves, while running errands in Beverly Hills The 37-year-old put on a leggy display, finishing the look with some white sneakers, a matching face mask and some round sunglasses. She welcomed her first child in May of 2019 with husband Jamie Bell, 34, whom she married in 2017, following their 2015 superhero film Fantastic Four. Mara told Us Weekly back in October about juggling work and motherhood: 'I find it quite easy to switch it on and off. 'Thank God, because as a new mom when you have a baby on your boob screaming in the trailer, and then you've got to go pretend to be sexy, it's kind of a complete nightmare.' Leggy display: The 37-year-old put on a leggy display, finishing the look with some white sneakers, a matching face mask and some round sunglasses Proud parents: She welcomed her first child in May of 2019 with husband Jamie Bell, 34, whom she married in 2017, following their 2015 superhero film Fantastic Four (pictured in October, 2019) She also explained how becoming a mother influenced her decision to star in her latest series A Teacher, which recently aired its finale. The House of Cards actress said: 'Eventually she's going to be able to look at the work I've done. And now more than ever, I want it to mean something and for there to be a point to it. 'Sometimes you do just have to work for money. Sometimes you're lucky enough that you can make choices based on more than that.' Leading lady: She recently explained how becoming a mother influenced her decision to star in her latest series A Teacher, which recently aired its finale Meaningful roles: Mara said: 'Eventually she's going to be able to look at the work I've done. And now more than ever, I want it to mean something and for there to be a point to it' Controversial series: She stars as Claire, a teacher at a Texas high school who begins an illicit affair with her student Eric (Nick Robinson), which comes with consequences that leave permanent damage on both their lives She stars as Claire, a teacher at a Texas high school who begins an illicit affair with her student Eric (Nick Robinson), which comes with consequences that leave permanent damage on both their lives. Mara told The Wrap of the controversial show: 'Some people are definitely going to feel uncomfortable watching the show. It wasn't something that we made thinking that it would be a super-easy watch. Comfortable is not the word we were going for.' The native New Yorker added: 'I don't think you normally see the story told from this perspective or this point of view. It was one of the reasons why I was excited to tell it... 'And I think it's because it isn't something that people necessarily want to talk about. The fact that it's a female doing the abuse and being the groomer and all of these things I think is also something that is rarely discussed.' San Francisco, Jan 11 : After Google and Apple took down Parler, a social media app for conservatives and far-right extremists, from their respective app store for encouraging violence in the US, Amazon has now decided to terminate Parler's web hosting services. Amazon told Parler of its decision last week in a letter to chief policy officer Amy Peikoff. According to The Verge, Amazon Web Service (AWS) "cannot provide services to a customer that is unable to effectively identify and remove content that encourages or incites violence against others," the letter to Peikoff stated, adding that Parler "poses a very real risk to public safety". As per reports, posts on Parler that encouraged violence leading up to the attack on the Capitol that left five people dead were circulated on other platforms in the wake of the riot. "Parler has not taken adequate measures to address the proliferation of these threats to people's safety. We have suspended Parler from the App Store until they resolve these issues," Apple said in a statement on Sunday. "Parler has not upheld its commitment to moderate and remove harmful or dangerous content encouraging violence and illegal activity, and is not in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines," it added. Parler is touted as a free-speech alternative, allowing posts that include conspiracy theories, threats and hate speech, among other things, to remain on the platform. Parler CEO John Matze also posted a statement, accusing Apple of applying a "horrible double standard" in its decision. "Apple, Google and the rest of the anti-competitive pack of big tech tyrants coordinate their moves and work together to stifle competition in the marketplace," Matze said. Google had earlier removed Parler from its Play Store after it found that Parler did not take stronger action to remove posts that sought "to incite ongoing violence" in the US. "We're aware of continued posting in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the US. In light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat, we are suspending the app's listings from the Play Store until it addresses these issues," Google said. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global rubber gloves market size is expected to reach USD 22.1 billion by 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14.7% from 2020 to 2027. Rising government expenditures towards the healthcare industry across countries including Germany, Italy, India, Australia, and the U.K., is expected to drive the market over the forecasted period. Key suggestions from the report: Natural rubber accounted for 41.2% of the global revenue share in 2019, on account of wide usage in medical and food and beverage industries, and useful properties including high elasticity and chemical resistance The disposable product segment is estimated to witness a CAGR of 15.1% from 2020 to 2027, owing to its less cost and single use property that prevents transmission of pathogens from one patient to another during testing operations The powder-free type segment is estimated to witness a CAGR of 15.8% from 2020 to 2027, as they are ideal to be used in wet conditions and due to presence of strict mandates towards usage of powdered gloves, as they can cause skin allergies Europe accounted for revenue share of 34.8% in 2019, owing to high adoption rate in heavy duty industries, to prevent hand injuries and infection, and high demand in countries such as Italy , Ukraine , France , and Croatia , due to COVID-19 outbreak Strategies adopted by market participants include supply chain development, collaborations, value chain integration, and distribution network expansion to gain a competitive edge in the market Read 181 page research report with ToC on "Rubber Gloves Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Latex, Nitrile, Neoprene), By Type, By Product, By Distribution Channel, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027" at:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/rubber-gloves-market The market is driven by rising adoption in industries such as automotive, oil and gas, construction, cleanroom, metal and machinery, and chemicals to prevent injuries at workplaces. This can be attributed to the presence of stringent regulations in various countries towards workers safety, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and high costs associated with workplace hazards. The demand for rubber gloves is expected to rise, with growing concentration of industry players associated with the food and beverages industry, such as bakeries, packaged foods, and restaurants, towards making their products free from direct touch. This can be attributed to growing consumers awareness towards hygiene level of foods, and prevent infections caused due to spoilage, and mishandling of foods. The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has resulted in increase in the demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, face shields, and gowns. Governments across various countries across the world are collaborating with rubber gloves manufacturers, to maintain proper supply in the market, and prevent further transmission of the virus. Grand View Research has segmented the global rubber gloves market on the basis of material, product, type, distribution channel, end use, and region: Rubber Gloves Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Natural Rubber/Latex Nitrile Neoprene Others Rubber Gloves Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Powdered Powder Free Rubber Gloves Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Disposable Durable Rubber Gloves Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Online Physical Rubber Gloves End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Medical & Healthcare Automotive Oil & Gas Food & Beverage Metal & Machinery Chemical & Petrochemical Pharmaceutical Cleanroom Others Rubber Gloves Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) North America The U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany Italy U.K. Russia France Spain Asia Pacific China India Thailand Malaysia Indonesia South Korea Australia Japan Central & South America Brazil Argentina Middle East & Africa & UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa List of Key Players of Rubber Gloves Market Ansell Ltd. Top Glove Corporation Bhd Hartalega Holdings Berhad Unigloves (UK) Limited The Glove Company MAPA Professional Find more research reports onAdvanced Interior Materials Industry, by Grand View Research: Nitrile Gloves Market - The global nitrile gloves market size was valued at USD 3.12 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1% from 2020 to 2027. The global nitrile gloves market size was valued at in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1% from 2020 to 2027. Heat Treated Steel Plates Market - The global heat treated steel plates market size was valued at more than USD 5.8 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2020 to 2027. The global heat treated steel plates market size was valued at more than in 2019 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2020 to 2027. Acoustic Insulation Market - The global acoustic insulation market size was valued at USD 9.33 billion in 2015. Increasing awareness regarding noise pollution, health awareness, and rising standard of living. Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg 'Netanyahu irresponsible' for West Bank housing, Lapid 'Superfluous battle with US president not yet in office' (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JANUARY 11 - Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid described as an ''irresponsible move'' the decision taken by Premier Benyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to push ahead with the construction of 800 housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. ''The Biden administration has not been sworn in yet and the government drags us into an unnecessary confrontation. A rational government would not wage a useless battle with the US president as soon as he takes office'', he added. Naftali Bennett, leader of the nationalist party Yemina did not agree. He assured that, in the event of a victory in political elections scheduled on March 23, he would ''never consent to withdrawal from even one centimeter of Israeli land''. He added that he would instead work for the ''regularization of the position of 20,000 Israelis living today in outposts in Judea-Samaria'', or the West Bank, if he were to be part of the next government. (ANSAmed) (ANSA). 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. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. While insurers continue to win four out of five cases in early rounds, in the past month two property owners with policies that contained endorsements specifically providing coverage for diseases survived motions to dismiss their COVID-19 business interruption claims. On Thursday, the Stark County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio denied State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co.s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the owners of Sylvesters North End Italian Grille in North Canton seeking damages for lost income after being forced to close its dining room because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Taryn L. Heath cited an endorsement in the policy that specifically added coverage for income lost because of contagious or infectious disease. On Dec. 21, the U.S. District Court in San Diego denied Markel Insurance Co.s motion to dismiss a business-interruption lawsuit filed by the Baldwin Academy, a private preschool. Judge Marilyn L. Huff said she cannot conclude without more evidence that a communicable disease endorsement in the schools policy does not provide coverage for income that was lost after the school was forced to close after one of its students parents contracted COVID-19. The Tzangas Plakas Mannos law firm in Akron, Ohio said in a press release that the Sylvesters case is one of seven lawsuits the firm is pursuing on behalf of restaurant owners in Stark and Summit Counties whose business-interruption claims were denied. Situations like this are exactly why Sylvesters and other local businesses and their hard-working business owners made the significant financial investment in business interruption coverage, stated attorney Gary A. Corroto. We are committed to doing everything we can to get financial justice for Sylvesters, and our numerous other clients who we are fighting for and whose business interruption claims were wrongfully denied. A litigation tracker maintained by the University of Pennsylvanias Carey Law School shows that 1,320 lawsuits have been filed in state and federal courts seeking coverage for business income lost because of COVID-19 shutdowns. In cases that have resulted in initial rulings, insurers have won 107 motions to dismiss or for summary judgment, while plaintiffs won 25 of those motions. The Claims Journal reported previously that business owners with policies that had no virus exclusions were faring better in early rounds than those with exclusions in their policies although there still were more wins for insurers than policyholders. The lawsuits filed Sylvesters and Baldwin Academy allege that they has even greater protection than policies with no virus exclusion: Their policies had endorsements that said income lost because of diseases were covered. In both cases the judges decided that because of those endorsements, the policyholders arguments can survive the insurers arguments that actual physical damage must exist, or at the very least, the coronavirus must be physically present on the property. The Sylvesters Grille policy with State Automobile included an endorsement titled Business Income Limited Extension for Food-BorneIllness. Under that header, the narrative says that coverage is available for actual or alleged exposure of the described premises to a contagious or infectious disease. There is no mention of food-borne other than in the title. State Automobile cited previous Ohio cases that held there is no coverage under a property insurance policy unless there is some physical alteration to the property. The insurer cited an appellate court case that found no coverage for black mold that had attached to the wall of a property. Judge Heath, however, said none of the policies in the cases that the insurer cited contained an endorsement that specifically provided coverage for communicable diseases. The judge also rejected State Automobiles argument that the use of the term foodborne Illness in the title shows that the intention was to provide coverage only for risks emanating from food. The policy language contains no limitation that the risk must be related to food, but rather applies to a contagious or infectious disease, the judges order states. In the San Diego case, Baldwin Academys policy contained an endorsement providing coverage for communicable disease such as, but not limited to, meningitis, measles, or Legionnaires disease The preschool filed a claim after it decided to close the school last March when a parent notified the school that she had tested positive for COVID-19. The state and the mayor of San Diego issued stay-at-home orders a few days later. The insurer argued that no coverage was owed because the policy language requires that there be an actual outbreak on the property. Judge Huff, however, said the parent who contracted the virus may be construed by a jury to constitute an outbreak. Whats more, state and local public health orders prohibited any gatherings of more than 50 people. At this time, without sufficient development of the record, the court declines to decide whether plaintiffs claim is outside the scope of the Endorsements coverage as a matter of law, Huffs order denying the insurers motion to dismiss states. The Baldwin Academy and Sylvesters Grille lawsuits are not concluded. The Sylvester Grille case now proceeds to discovery and a potential trial. In the Baldwin Academy case, the judge suggested that the evidentiary record might be better developed in a motion for summary judgment rather than a motion to dismiss. Beaudoin and his colleagues recognized that Brandzooka's model of giving small and midsize agencies and in-house marketing teams access to powerful digital advertising technology was a huge opportunity. Brandzooka makes it possible for companies of any size to place targeted ads on primetime TV and premium digital properties worldwide for as little as $5. Mark IV was also struck by Brandzooka's explosive growth in 2020. The company's monthly recurring revenue has increased five-fold since the beginning of the year. Beaudoin directs and manages Mark IV Capital's investments in private equities, including venture capital rounds, and is focused on Series A and Series B. Specifically, he's been focused on technology companies that measurably improve productivity for business and government customers. Prior to joining Mark IV, Beaudoin participated in AT&T's Leadership Development Program, where he rotated through various management positions across the company and started the AT&T Aspire Accelerator. "Our team is looking to invest in platforms that empower a new generation of companies, and we found Brandzooka's story to be compelling right away. Led by CEO Kelly Dotseth, the team is fantastic, and we're confident that they'll continue to execute at the highest level," Beaudoin said. "It's also clear that the pandemic has accelerated the shift to consumption of OTT media, making it essential for small and midsize agencies and brands of any size to leverage video-advertising technology in order to reach their customers in a cost-effective manner. Brandzooka is well-positioned to reach a broad range of targeted customers and help brands and/or agencies improve the ROI of digital campaigns by providing easy-to-use tools." "We started the company to empower people and teams who haven't historically had access to the digital media table," said Alex Bogusky, an investor in and cofounder of Brandzooka. "At a time of economic upheaval, Brandzooka's growth is accelerating, fueled in no small part by people who've decided to dust off their marketing degrees and start an ad agency instead of driving an Uber." Beaudoin joins Dotseth, Bogusky and Adam Edelman (who contributed to the Series A through his fund, Boulder Heavy Industries) to round out Brandzooka's Board of Directors. The $5.6 million Series A round led by Mark IV Capital brought the company's total funding to $10.1 million since it was founded in 2015. About Brandzooka Brandzooka believes in a world where the size of your idea matters more than the size of your budget. We place the power of digital advertising into the hands of any company or agency with any size marketing budget. Our advertising platform makes it easy and cost-effective for anyone to execute highly targeted video and digital advertising campaigns across the biggest sites online and on TV. We democratize online and connected digital advertising by giving users large and small the same access and reach formerly available only to giant advertisersreaching every channel and every network. Visit www.brandzooka.com for more. About Mark IV Capital Mark IV Capital, Inc. is a privately held boutique investment firm founded in 1974. The company develops or acquires commercial real estate and private equity assets utilizing a disciplined long-term approach to deploy capital in markets where existing drivers will deliver enhanced alpha returns. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, with offices in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Northern California, as well, Mark IV Capital's vision is to be a world-class developer and provider of working environments for businesses. For additional information, please visit www.MarkIV.com. Contact: Steve Sapka, (305) 479-5208, [email protected] SOURCE Brandzooka Related Links https://www.brandzooka.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. ADVERTISEMENT A former military administrator of Benue State, Aminu Kontagora, has died. Mr Kontagora, 65, a retired colonel of the Nigerian Army, died on Sunday according to a statement by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. Mr Ortom has already directed that all flags be flown at half mast in honour of the deceased while also declaring January 12 a work-free day in the state to enable the people mourn the him. The governor, who described Benue as the second home of Mr Kontagora, said he remained in touch with the state during happy and trying moments. In a similar vein, President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of Mr Kontagora, who once also served as a military administrator of Kano State. Mr Buhari urged the family, friends and associates of the deceased to accept the will of God, and find solace in Mr Kontogoras good works. A statement by the presidents spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Monday, quoted Mr Buhari as saying that he believes the career military officer, who served in many leadership positions and military formations across the country, lived a life of sacrifice and dedication to the betterment of others, and making remarkable impacts, with the Benue State Arts Theatre Complex named after him. The President affirms that Col. Kontogoras experience, wisdom and cherished political support will be sorely missed, praying that the Almighty God will forgive his sins, and accept his soul in eternity, Mr Shehu said. Mr Kontagora, from Niger State, was military administrator of Benue State from August 1996 to August 1998 during the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 20:04:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Kim Jong Un, congratulating him on election as the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Xi said he is glad to hear that the 8th WPK Congress has elected Kim as the WPK general secretary, and would like to extend warm congratulations to Kim and the WPK Central Committee on behalf of the CPCCC and in his own name. The 8th WPK Congress, which has made a series of arrangements for the development of the socialist cause of the DPRK, is of great significance, Xi said. He added that Kim's re-election as the top leader of the WPK fully reflects the trust, support and expectation held by all WPK members and the DPRK people for him. Xi said he is confident that under the strong leadership of the WPK Central Committee headed by Kim, the WPK and the DPRK people will take the congress as an opportunity to strive to fulfill economic and social development goals and push for new and greater achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK. China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Xi said, stressing that it is an unswerving policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to preserve, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations. Noting that the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation, Xi said he stands ready to work with Kim to strengthen strategic guidance for the relations between the two parties and between the two countries. Xi also called for concerted efforts to carry out the series of important consensuses the two sides have reached, continuously write new chapters of China-DPRK friendly cooperation, and advance the socialist cause of both countries. In addition, he suggested that the two sides stay committed to the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, so as to deliver more benefits to both countries and their people. Xi wished Kim every success in his work and in leading the party and people of the DPRK to new and greater achievements. Enditem Sahel region: the African Development Bank pledges to mobilise $6.5 Billion in support of the Great Green Wall Initiative New Delhi: Team India captain Virat Kohli and his wife Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma have become parents. Anushka has given birth to a daughter. Virat-Anushka had been waiting for her first child for a long time. Now, after all, their house has been buzzing. Virat Kohli has returned to India from Australia before the birth of his child and is with Anushka. It may be noted that Virat married Bollywood-renowned actress Anushka on December 11, 2017. The wedding in Italy was called by very close friends and some relatives. Virat Kohli shared the good news with his official Twitter handle and wrote, "We are delighted to be told that we have had a daughter this afternoon. We are heartily grateful for your love and wishes." Kohli further wrote that both Anushka and our daughter are all right and it is our privilege to experience this chapter of this life. "We know that you must understand that at this time we all need a little privacy," he said. Also Read:- Very poor from Smith: Vaughan on player scuffing up area around batting crease Japan's Kazuyoshi Miura to play on at 54 after signing extension Ind Vs Aus: Sourav-Sachin shocked by Team India's performance, said it was winning match The institutional case is clear. The president attacked the states, in their right to set their own election procedures. He attacked the courts, state as well as federal, in their right to settle the election challenges brought before them. He attacked Congress, in its right to conduct orderly business free of fear. He attacked the vice president, in his obligation to fulfill his duties under the 12th Amendment. He attacked the American people, in their right to choose the electors who choose the president. Ive spent much of my life listening to conservatives extol the Madisonian system of checks and balances, not to mention the rule of law. If these conservatives want to have any claim to be the champions of republican government as opposed to the mobocratic spirit that Lincoln warned against they have an obligation to impeach Trump now. The philosophical case is clear. Senator Mitch McConnell was eloquent and right: If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral. Wed never see the whole nation accept an election again. Every four years would be a scramble for power at any cost. Conservatives who like to see themselves as guardians of Christian ethics might remind themselves of a familiar admonition: Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them. If Republicans dont want to see a future Democratic president attempt what Trump just did, they have an obligation to follow the Golden Rule and impeach him now. And the political case is clear. Republicans in Congress spent four years prostrate to the lower mind. What, other than the judges who helped affirm the legitimacy of Joe Bidens election, do they have to show for it? The president, whom they fear, despises them merely for failing to steal the election for him. They are verbally assaulted at airports by the same angry losers whose paranoid fantasies they did so much to stoke. And Republicans will continue to live in political fear of Trump if Congress doesnt bar him from holding office ever again. Now they have a chance to make a break not clean, but at least constructive with the proven loser in the White House. Not many Republicans deserve this shot at redemption, but they still ought to take it. The G.O.P. came back after Watergate only after its party leaders Howard Baker, George H.W. Bush, Barry Goldwater broke unequivocally with Richard Nixon. Youll hear Republicans like the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, talk about the need for healing. Fine. But this sort of healing first requires cauterizing the wound. Its called impeachment. Republicans mustnt shrink from it. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Police investigation underway into anti-Semitic incident at MEIS in north Italian city of Ferrara. Italy's culture minister Dario Franceschini has strongly condemned an incident in which a letter containing anti-Semitic messages and images was sent to the National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah in the northern city of Ferrara. A police investigation is underway to identify the person who hand-delivered the threatening letter to the museum over the Christmas period. The exact contents of the anonymous letter have not been revealed but it has been reported that it contained a phrase highly offensive to the Jewish community while the images reportedly relate to a concentration camp. Franceschini described it as a "vile and despicable act, which strikes a cultural institution intended to remember the suffering, persecutions and atrocities suffered by the Italian Jewish community due to the infamous racial laws." The letter was also condemned by the leader of the Emilia Romagna region, Stefano Bonaccini, who expressed his "indignation" over the incident which comes ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January. The National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah - MEIS is located in a complex of buildings that once housed a prison in Ferrara, a city with a Jewish history dating back to early mediaeval times. Photo Il Resto del Carlino [January 11, 2021] Bain & Company acquires Pangea to further enhance its digital offering MILAN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bain & Company today announces the acquisition of Pangea, an Italian data science boutique. Pangea's team will join Bain & Company's existing Advanced Analytics Group based in its Milan Digital Innovation Hub, bringing specialised knowledge in the area of data science technologies applied to improve management decisions and business performances Since 2009, Pangea has supported numerous clients to innovate and improve their internal processes. The team is composed of exceptionally qualified individuals with backgrounds in maths, science and engineering. One of their key areas of expertise is offering hands-on training to senior client executives to enable them to apply theoretical data tools to practical, real-world applications. "Advanced analytics has become core to enabling business transformation," said Roberto Prioreschi, managing partner for Italy at Bain & Company. "We continue to grow our teams and anticipate the challeges that our clients will face so that we can help them navigate the rapidly changing business environment. Our new colleagues from Pangea have an exceptional track record of applying scientific research skills to the business world, and we are thrilled to welcome them to Bain & Company." "Having already partnered with Bain & Company on multiple client projects, we have seen first-hand the dedication to achieving remarkable client results," said Francesco Piccolo, co-founder and CEO of Pangea. "Together we will continue to increase the expertise available to clients who want to understand and leverage data to enable their digital transformation." "The acquisition of Pangea is a substantial addition to our digital capabilities in Europe and enhances our analytics toolset both in Italy and beyond," said Domenico Azzarello, EMEA managing partner at Bain & Company. "In the current climate, the need to leverage data to shape business strategy is more important than ever and our four Digital Innovation Hubs spread in key European locations allow us to work hand-in-hand with our clients in their transformation journeys." Editor's Note: To arrange an interview, contact Aliza Medina at aliza.medina@bain.com or +44 207 969 6480 About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 59 offices in 37 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development and the environment. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry. About Pangea Since 2009, Pangea applies the science of rational behavior to strategic decisions mainly in business and industrial environments. Pangea designs models and algorithms, and develops related software, in order to use the Bayesian probabilistic approach as a scientific tool to reason under uncertainty and to support the decision process. The key feature is the ability to implement the most advanced techniques of scientific research in solutions for business problems: from marketing to customer care, from production to logistics, helping to model real-life situations and anticipate issues in order to resolve them in advance. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bain--company-acquires-pangea-to-further-enhance-its-digital-offering-301204998.html SOURCE Bain & Company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to California Requiring Nonprofit Donor Lists The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from two conservative charities that fundraise in California, challenging demands by that state for a list of financial contributors, which the Trump administration argues violates the two tax-exempt groups constitutionally protected freedom of association. The appeals concern then-California Attorney General Kamala Harriss conduct in office. Currently, a U.S. senator representing the Golden State, Harris is scheduled to be sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20. The case is Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Becerra, and a companion case, Thomas More Law Center v. Becerra, which have been consolidated and will be heard together by the court on a date thats yet to be decided. The Trump administration had urged the high court to take the case in a friend-of-the-court brief. Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) and its sister organization, Americans for Prosperity, are influential libertarian-conservative nonprofits funded by businessman Charles Koch and his late brother David Koch that have chapters across the country. The Thomas More Law Centernot to be confused with the Chicago-based public interest law firm, the Thomas More Societyis a conservative Christian public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The center is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom. All Americans should be free to organize around deeply held beliefs, Emily Seidel, CEO of AFPF, said in a statement. Stripping citizens of their privacy is a tool wielded by some in political power to silence their opposition and stifle individuals from engaging in educational and charitable efforts. Tens of thousands of Americans each year participate in AFPFs educational programs, which inspire them to make a greater impact in their community and our country. Their rightsas well as the rights of every person who participates in organizations that seek to reform our justice system, protect the rights of our veterans, or make progress on other issues as diverse as Americans themselvesare at stake. The courts decision to hear the case signals the importance of these foundational civil liberties. California regulations require charities to file a copy of their IRS Form 990, an informational return for tax-exempt organizations, annually with the state. Schedule B to the form contains the names and addresses of the top donors. While the form is made available to the public, Schedule B donor information must be kept confidential, under pain of federal civil and criminal penalties. When a Schedule B is released to the public, identifying information about the donor is redacted. Since about 2005, California has demanded that charities file with the state unredacted Schedule B documents, giving state officials the names of donors. The states policy is to keep the information confidential but there are no legal penalties for breaching confidentiality. The charities concerned refuse to file their unredacted Schedule B documents with the liberal, Democratic Party-dominated California government because they dont trust its officials to keep the information secret. They say that their donors have in the past been harassed and been the victims of reprisals when their names became public. A U.S. district court agreed with the charities and preliminarily enjoined California from requiring petitioners to submit their Schedule B forms. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit reversed. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat named as respondent in the lawsuits, was dismissive. Californias donor reporting rules simply require charities to provide the state, on a confidential basis, the same information about major donors that they already provide to the federal government, Becerra said in a statement. This information helps the state protect consumers from fraud and the misuse of their charitable contributions. We look forward to defending our rules before the Supreme Court. President-elect Joe Biden has said he plans to nominate Becerra to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Harris, who was Becerras predecessor as the states attorney general, was respondent in the lawsuits while she held that post. Her Senate office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. On the same day, the Supreme Court granted writs of certiorari, or review, in a total of 14 new cases. The justices will weigh in on the First Amendment rights of students and charitable organizations, as well as sentencing reductions for inmates serving time for small amounts of crack cocaine, court watcher Amy Howe writes at SCOTUSblog. Perhaps just as notably, the justices did not act on several high-profile petitions that they considered at Fridays conference, involving (among other things) abortion, a dispute over the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts extension of the deadline for absentee ballots for the 2020 election, and the right to sue the president under the Constitutions emoluments clause. The Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company, Mr Edwin Alfred Provencal at the end-of-year media engagement has outlined some concerns of BOST which inure to the benefit of every Ghanaian when they are addressed. According to him, every Ghanaian stands to benefit from the operations of BOST when the company is retooled with adequate support from the right shareholders to make its work become very effective. In an interview with Peacefmonline.com, Mr Edwin Provencal said that the price build-up has transportation cost and so when BOST works very well, the transportation will be efficient and bring lower cost and lower taxes to the consumer. He noted that BOST being a state agency can partner other agencies like Go Energy and GOIL to import products in volumes as they together carry about more than half of the market in the industry to impact positively on the taxpayer who buys fuel every day. When BOST works very well, BOST is a state agency and it can partner other agencies like Go Energy and Goil and together, we carry about more than half of the market in the industry. So when we come together and we import products, with those volumes, we will benefit from the economics of scales. Those economies of scales can eventually impact positively on the taxpayer who buys fuel every day, he explained. He further indicated that BOST will be able to achieve its mandate in terms of petroleum security when it works very well; thus, when the company has a lot of fuel in the system, whenever prices go up, BOST can still cushion the Ghanaian taxpayer. . . when BOST works very well, our mandate in terms of petroleum security will be achieved. That means that we will have a lot of fuel in our system. If we have a lot of fuel being stored, at the juncture when prices go up we can still cushion the Ghanaian taxpayer. When prices go down, we can still reap the thing back because the market is that there are ups and downs. When BOST works very well, we will be able to cushion the taxpayer when prices go up, he articulated. Highlighting on the way forward to make BOST work effectively, the Managing Director of BOST said that the company needs the support of the right stakeholders, efficient regulation and access to funds to make the company work very well to inure to the benefit of the taxpayer. What we need to make BOST work very well is the support of the right stakeholders. It is true we got an increased in BOST margin, but the increase was not what we asked for. So, if we are to get to that point in 1 year, it will take us about 4 to 5 years to get to that point. Another point is regulation; if we are regulated efficiently enough, we will get there quicker. Access to funds is another way to make BOST work very well. Access to funds is the function of so many things; it is the function of management capability, balance sheet, the trust the owners of surplus cash have for you; today, we are not there yet. We are on a journey; we hope to get there quicker and if we get there quicker, we may have access to the right partners, the right institutions to give us the needed funds to grow this entity we call BOST. I believe within the next two to three years we should be there but we can get there faster, he noted. 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 Leonard Guthrie Jr. said he left his Cape May County home Wednesday for Washington, D.C. believing he would be participating in a peaceful protest where he would be able to pray for honesty and integrity on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. He was arrested at 1:50 p.m. for crossing a police barrier on the Capitol grounds, he said, so he was already in police custody when the angry Trump-inspired mob forced its way into the Capitol building. The rioters injured dozens of police officers as they ransacked the building, forcing legislators, staff and media into hiding. Five people died, including a Capitol police officer originally from New Jersey and a woman shot by police as she climbed through a window near the House chambers. It broke my heart. Nobody should have died that day, Guthrie said, getting emotional in the interview outside his home in Lower Township. Asked whether he regretted going to the protest and crossing the police line, Guthrie didnt answer directly. We just wanted to be heard, he said, then added, I doubt Ill ever do anything like that again. Guthrie told NJ Advance Media his motivations for going to Washington, D.C. that day were both political and religious. A self-described street preacher, he said he crossed a police barrier in an act of civil disobedience and was arrested as he tried to get close to the building. He said he did not try to go inside. Guthrie rejects the belief that Trump incited the riot, which is now echoed on both sides of the political aisle. The president urged the crowd to march on the Capitol, repeating lies and conspiracy theories about the election being stolen via voter fraud. His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, called for trial by combat. President Trump said, Its time for the world, time for the Capitol to hear our voice. Its time to hear the American people out in force, Guthrie said. It was the final push, for the election, and the Constitution was being used to its fullest. And it was an opportunity to get down there, be around the building, and just make a play in the name of God not for Trump to win, but for honesty and integrity and truth. A mob breaks into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.TNS Guthrie called a lot of the rhetoric about the election being stolen fake stuff just trying to get people motivated, but also said he did have questions about voter fraud. We also saw a lot that wasnt answered, and we wanted answers. We wanted the truth. And those that felt that, you know, if theres any signs of fraud in an election, we need to deal with the truth before we move forward with that, he said. No evidence of widespread voter fraud in the election won by Democrat Joe Biden exists. The courts have thrown out dozens of the Trump teams legal challenges to the election results in multiple states. Guthrie said he is upset that the violent actors who broke into the Capitol hijacked what was supposed to be, in his view, an opportunity to voice concerns and pray together for change. But some people who went to the Capitol that day, erecting symbolic gallows and calling for a coup, clearly had different ideas. Videos show they tried to find lawmakers once inside and attacked police and members of the media. Someone left pipe bombs at the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees. I went to celebrate my nation, my country, and pray and do what we were founded on... I wanted to pray for our country. I wanted to pray for healing. I have a beautiful little girl that I want to grow up proud to live in her country. I dont want her to grow up around this, Guthrie said. He said he has a court date in June. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Avalon Zoppo can be reached at azoppo@njadvancemedia.com. The agreements reached after the meeting of leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia Vladimir Putin, Ilham Aliyev and Nikkol Pashinyan will allow to restore all infrastructures in Nagorno-Karabakh and regulate the life of peaceful residents. This is what Chair of the Committee on International Relations of the Russian State Duma Leonid Slutsky told reporters today, TASS reported. The results of the trilateral meeting devoted to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reinforce the results of the [work] of 9 November 2020 in regard to the cessation of hostilities in the region. The new agreements will provide the opportunity to restore all infrastructures and regulate the life of peaceful residents step-by-step, Slutsky said. According to him, the conflict that had been going on in Nagorno-Karabakh for 30 years is becoming history more and more, and sustainable peace is replacing that. Russia plays a major role in this as an effective mediator. The Azerbaijani and Armenian sides acknowledge this, Slutsky emphasized and added that Russia will continue to support the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh, and Russian peacekeepers will continue to maintain peace in the region. VISAKHAPATNAM: A day after 10 infants were killed in a fire accident at a hospital in Bhandara city of Maharashtra, the fire wing of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has issued notices to several hospitals, including government ones, over their failure in adhering to fire safety norms. Shockingly, King George Hospital, the premier teaching hospital in north Andhra having 1,100 beds, does not have an NOC (no-objection certificate) from GVMCs fire unit. The hospital has a 200-bed paediatric wing that has 40 intensive care units (ICUs). KGH superintendent Dr. P. Mythili, however, informed Deccan Chronicle n Sunday that modern fire safety equipment is being installed in all wards, including the paediatric wing. All fire safety norms will be in place within a few days. The work would have been completed much earlier if not for the Covid-19 pandemic. GVMC regional fire officer Niranjan Reddy said notices had been issued to over 40 hospitals in August last year and 20 hospitals recently. We have not issued any notice to KGH since its anti-fire installation works are nearing completion, he maintained. Reddy admitted that there are over 250 hospitals within the jurisdiction of GVMC, which have no fire NOCs. The civic bodys fire officials had recently conducted a survey in view of Covid-19 and served notices to hospitals with no adequate fire-safety measures. He said major designated Coronavirus hospitals are adhering to fire safety norms but need to conduct mock drills at regular intervals. He pointed out that after notices were issued in August last year, 60 hospitals, including 10 dental ones, obtained NOCs. However, 200 hospitals are yet to respond. Letters have been sent to the government for initiating action against these hospitals, said the fire officer of GVMC, which is responsible for supervising safety measures at hospitals below 15 metres in height. It may be recalled that a major fire accident had been averted in an operation theatre of King George Hospital with timely intervention of staff. In another incident, the entire paediatric ward of port citys Victoria General Hospital, popular as Gosha Hospital, was gutted. Here too, there were no casualties due to immediate evacuation by the staff. There are about 340 hospitals, including private and government, in the entire Vizag region. Only 80 of them have fire NOCs. Over 250, including 20 government hospitals, have not obtained the NOC so far, Niranjan Reddy added. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE 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. Qatari real estate company Diar will resume work at its New Cairos CityGate project after getting the approval from the New Urban Communities Authority, as the crisis between Doha and Cairo is over. Diar inaugurated last week its luxury Regis Cairo Hotel in Cairo suspended for several years owing to the diplomatic crisis that erupted in June 2017 between Qatar on one side and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain on the other, over accusation that Doha sponsors terrorism. Tiny gas-rich country denied charges. Early last week, both Saudi Arabia and Egypt agreed to open their borders to Qatar following mediation by Kuwait and the United States. The agreements came hours before the 41st summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, which in a final declaration said all sides agreed to work towards peace in the region and form a joint front against Iran. Egypt froze Diars projects in the country in 2018. The projects included Hurghada resort, City Gate project and a 300k square meter resort in Sharm el Sheikh. Tensions seem to have reached breaking-point during Monday's episode of ITVBe's The Real Housewives of Jersey as the seven glitzy women clash in an explosive row. A tense clip from the upcoming episode sees Jane Rayner reveal to the other six housewives that her fiance of six years, Andy, is still married to his former partner. At an extravagant dinner party, hosted by Australian Mia Ledbury, Jane, 56, admits that Andy is still waiting on a divorce from his wife - and has been for six years. Fury: Tensions seem to have reached breaking-point during Monday's episode of ITVBe's The Real Housewives of Jersey as the seven glitzy women clash in an explosive row And the housewives did not shy away from sharing their shock at Jane's revelation, with Tessa Hartmann insisting she shouldn't wait '20 years' for him to get divorced. But Midlands-born Jane, who has been twice divorced herself, said that she didn't understand 'what the big deal' was, insisting that Andy plans on getting divorced. During a confessional, she explained: 'As much as I'd like to get married tomorrow, I don't know what the big deal is. It's just taking longer than everyone thought.' However Tessa, the mother of reality star Talia Storm, tried to persuade Jane that sometimes you have to 'walk away' to make a man realise 'what he needs'. Shocking: A tense clip from the upcoming episode sees Jane Rayner reveal to the other six housewives that her fiance of six years, Andy, is still married to his former partner Speaking to a shocked Jane at the party, Tessa, 50, insisted: 'If you love him, then sometimes you need to walk away from him to make him realise what he needs. 'And if he doesn't realise that, you can't stand around for 20 years waiting on somebody to divorce their wife.' Ex-model Mia, 44, and Kate Taylor both could not help but agree with Tessa, piling on their honest opinions as Jane gradually became annoyed at the dinner table. But Ashley Cairney, the youngest of the seven housewives, described the increasingly heated row as 'uncomfortable' during a separately filmed interview. Speaking to camera, the Jersey-native explained: 'Poor Jane, this is quite uncomfortable. Opinionated: The housewives did not shy away from sharing their shock at Jane's revelation, with Tessa Hartmann insisting she shouldn't wait '20 years' for him to get divorced Tense: Ex-model Mia, 44, (above) and Kate Taylor both could not help but agree with Tessa, piling on their honest opinions as Jane gradually became annoyed at the dinner table 'It's her relationship, her decision and it could be happening tomorrow for all that we know. Girls, back off a little bit.' And at the tense party, a sympathetic Ashley even tried to stand up for Jane during the argument, as the other women continued to oppose Jane's engagement. She said: 'He could be two days from getting a divorce we don't know guys.' But Kate, 51, was completely outraged by Ashley's support of Jane, as she said: 'He's still married, that's called bigamy!' While Mia agreed, saying: 'Don't ask someone to marry you when you're not even divorced!' Awkward! But Ashley Cairney (right), the youngest of the seven housewives, described the increasingly heated row as 'uncomfortable' during a separately filmed interview Kate added that 'you can't be half pregnant' as Jane remained quiet across the table, looking angry and teary-eyed as the women loudly commented on her romance. Speaking to camera, Jane insisted that neither her or Andy wanted to be in the situation, and raged that the women did not 'listen' to the reason why her fiance wasn't already divorced. She fumed: 'Look I don't want to be in this situation, neither does Andy, but it is what it is. What do these girls expect? They don't want to listen!' But caving into peer pressure at the dinner party, Jane pulled her engagement ring off as she was left furious at the housewives criticising her relationship. She said: 'Girls! OK so my engagement ring is on the table!' Cheating? Kate Taylor, 51, was completely outraged by Ashley's support to Jane, as she said: 'He's still married, that's called bigamy!' The other housewives then immediately changed their tune, with outspoken Kate shouting 'no' and looking gobsmacked at Jane removing her sparkling ring. And Ashley, who had previously been annoyed at her co-stars' comments, asked Jane: 'Why would you do that?' Their sudden change in reaction only seemed to aggravate Jane more, as she seethed in that they had all been keen to tell her that her relationship is a 'sham'. Speaking in a confessional, she angrily said: 'Don't you dare look at me like that, you've all just told me my relationship's a sham. Don't look shocked!' But it remains to be seen if Jane will patch things up with the housewives after the explosive row... and whether she will put her engagement ring back on. Furious: Caving into peer pressure at the dinner party, Jane pulled her engagement ring off as she was left annoyed at the housewives criticising her relationship The show is the second UK version of The Real Housewives franchise there are more than a dozen covering various parts of the US but the only British location until now has been the award-winning The Real Housewives Of Cheshire. The Real Housewives of Jersey follows the women's lavish lifestyles in the little-known Channel Island - described as 'a cross between St. Tropez and St. Ives' and like 'Ibiza meeting Minorca'- across 10 drama-filled episodes. Giving a taste of what life on Jersey is like, the housewives previously described the idyllic island, which measures at a mere nine-by-five miles, as a 'judgy place' where 'everyone knows your business'. The gossip-fuelled reality TV series first launched on ITVBe on December 28, with the entire show being available to binge-watch on ITVHub in a first for the TV channel. The Real Housewives of Jersey continues on ITVBe at 9pm on Monday. Glitz and glamour: The show is the second UK version of The Real Housewives franchise, following The Real Housewives Of Cheshire. Jersey is home to some of the most extravagant homes in the British Isles and promises no shortage of glamour Amaravati, Jan 11 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday suspended the schedule for the rural local bodies elections declared by State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar. Observing that he did not take an objective decision in this matter, the court said that it is of the view that elections will hamper the vaccination programme, and pointed out that the SEC did not objectively consider the state government's view, which was conveyed by the Chief Secretary. It said that the decision to go ahead with elections at this juncture amounts to the violation of fundamental rights. On Friday, Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das wrote to Ramesh Kumar that the halted rural local body elections could be resumed once the total vaccination programme along with coronavirus management is allowed to proceed unhindered. He also highlighted that most functionaries of the state government would be engaged in the massive vaccination operation, being undertaken in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry. Despite the government's request, the SEC went ahead in issuing the election schedule within a short time of meeting Das, a move termed as unilateral by the government. Hours before the HC ruling, Ramesh Kumar even suspended one of his subordinates -- joint director G. V. Sai Prasad -- for going on leave as it may affect the conduct of polls. Following Ramesh Kumar's move, almost all government employee associations, including police employees, demanded that the election schedule be withdrawn, considering their health amid the pandemic, fears of a second wave of infections with a stronger variant of the virus and the crucial vaccination drive. A few employees even indicated that they will even approach the court and do not care even if he suspends them. They said panchayat elections are a gigantic task, requiring thousands of employees, interacting with many departments which may lead to rising infections. A host of ruling YSR Congress Party leaders welcomed the Court's decision. Sattenapalle MLA Ambati Rambabu observed that the SEC thought something but a different result came from the HC. "Poor Nimmagadda, please tell us if you will go to the Supreme Court or Chandrababu's home. Please tell," wrote Rajya Sabha member V. Vijaysai Reddy mockingly. The conduct of elections has emerged as a major flash point between the SEC and the state government, which have been at loggerheads for more than a year already. When the state government was keen on conducting the elections, during the initial days of the pandemic, prior to the lockdown in March 2020, Ramesh Kumar did not go ahead and now when the government does not want to, he was eager to hold them. The SEC's tenure is expected to get over by March 31 and it remains to be seen if he will choose to escalate the issue to the Supreme Court. A record number of people of color will be sworn in as new and returning members of the Legislature at the Capitol Monday. With the addition of a Vietnamese American, a Latina, a Latino and a Somali immigrant, the Legislature will include a record 13 people of color, including three Black men in the Senate. The House will be 17% non-white. Those increases, while notable, do not change the fact that white people have a disproportionate hold on power in the Legislature, as people of color make up 25% of Oregons population. All but one of the 35 Republicans already in the Legislature or being sworn in Monday are white. Rep. Raquel Moore-Green, R-Salem, is the first Republican of direct Puerto Rican heritage elected to the House, according to caucus official Jihun Han. If 2020 can be taken as a guide, however, the lawmakers of color will play a highly influential role in setting the Legislative agenda and getting laws passed, as the Black, Indigenous and People of Color Caucus, led by Rep. Janelle Bynum of Happy Valley and Sen. James Manning Jr. of Eugene, did with police conduct and accountability laws last year. The new crop of lawmakers is more diverse by age as well. It includes the youngest woman member in Oregon history: Wlnsvey Campos, a Latina representing the Aloha area, who turned 25 in November. The record was previously held by Portland lawmaker Mary Wendy Roberts, who was elected to the House in 1974 when she was 27. It also includes two doctors, pulmonologist Maxine Dexter and pediatrician Lisa Reynolds, who are newly elected to the House. They join three other health care professionals already in the Legislature, whose voices will carry special weight as lawmakers look for ways to help Oregonians survive the pandemic. All four new people of color in the Legislature replaced voluntarily departing white Democrats, three by winning contested Democratic primaries and one, Kayse Jama, by winning appointment to the Senate seat vacated by new Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. One of them, Ricki Ruiz, a Latino representative-elect from Gresham, also won a serious challenge from a Republican in the fall general election. Khanh Pham, a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, and Campos, whose parents immigrated from Mexico, were not seriously opposed in the fall contests to represent their heavily Democratic districts. -- Hillary Borrud; hborrud@oregonian.com; @HBorrud -- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OregonianPol Samsung Galaxy S21 price and specifications will be confirmed later at this week. The Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event is scheduled for January 14 for the Galaxy S21 series launch event. The company is tipped to launch three smartphones - Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. Ahead of the official Galaxy S21 series launch, here is everything you need to know about the three Samsung Galaxy flagships. Samsung Galaxy S21 series launch: Where to watch the Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Samsung Galaxy S21 series launch event will be hosted on January 14 at the Galaxy Unpacked 2021. The launch event is scheduled to begin at 9.30 am ET. The Galaxy S21 series launch in India will begin at 8 pm IST on the same date. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021: Galaxy S21 series price (rumoured) As per rumours, Samsung Galaxy S21 price will start at 879 (roughly Rs 79,000). For the price, users will get 128GB internal memory. There is likely a 256GB storage variant as well. The Galaxy S21+ price in Europe is said to start at 1049 (roughly Rs 94,500) for the 128GB storage option. The 256GB storage option will be priced at 1099 (roughly Rs 98,500). Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra price will start at 1399 (roughly Rs 1,26,000) for the 128GB model. Samsung is expected to launch the device in 256GB and 512GB storage options as well. Prices in Europe are generally higher due to the countrys high taxes on smartphones and electronics. The Samsung Galaxy S21 India price is expected to be relatively lesser than the European pricing. Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S21 price in India shortly after the global unveiling. Samsung Galaxy S21 series India sale Samsung has already started taking the Galaxy S21 series pre-orders in India ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2021. Customers in India can pre-book the Galaxy S21 series before January 14 by paying a token amount of Rs 2,000. Customers who pre-reserve the next Galaxy flagship will get a cover worth Rs 3,849 for free. Samsung Galaxy S21 series specifications (rumoured) Samsung Galaxy S21 series have been leaked numerous amount of times over the past couple of months. As stated above, Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra on January 14 at the Unpacked 2021 launch event. Among the three smartphones, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will come with a 6.8-inch WQHD+ display. It will have an adaptive 120Hz LPTO panel, which will adjust the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the task. The standard Galaxy S21 will have a 6.2-inch Full HD+ display, whereas the Galaxy S21+ will come with a 6.7-inch Full HD+ panel. Both the models will come with a flat-screen and support up to 120Hz refresh rate support. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra official images leaked following Galaxy S21 series price tip At the back, the Galaxy S21, and Galaxy S21+ will come with a triple-camera setup. As per the Galaxy S21 leaked images, the camera module blends in with the aesthetics of the phone with the flash shifted to the side. The two smartphones will feature a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto camera at the back. For selfies, the two smartphones will have a 10MP f/2.2 front camera. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera will come with some major upgrades. The premium smartphone will feature an improved 108MP sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, a 3x optical telephoto, and a 10x optical "super" telephoto lens. Samsung is said to have added 130 percent larger pixels and dual pixel autofocus on both the 3x and 10x optical lens. The Ultra model is also likely to feature 100x Space Zoom and come with laser autofocus. Under the hood, the devices will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100. The India variant is likely to get the latter. As expected, the three smartphones will run on Android 11-based One UI 3.1 out-of-the-box. Galaxy S21 Ultra is tipped to come with S Pen support. However, unlike the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (Review), there will not be a dedicated slot for S Pen on Galaxy S21 Ultra. The Samsung Galaxy S21 will come in Phantom Violet, Phantom Gray, Phantom White, and Phantom Pink. The Galaxy S21+ will be available in Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, and Phantom Violet. The Galaxy S21 Ultra will only come in Phantom Silver and Phantom Black. Only the Ultra model is tipped to come with a glass back, with the other two slapping a plastic rear panel like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE US President-elect on Monday announced William J Burns as his nominee for Director of the CIA. A career diplomat, who served in the US Foreign Service for 33 years and also served in a number of national security positions across five Democratic and Republican presidential administrations, is currently president of the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, the oldest affairs think tank in the United States. Bill Burns is an exemplary diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage keeping our people and our country safe and secure, Biden said in a statement. Burns is a consummate professional full of integrity who will bring the facts and independence that our national security demands, the transition said. Whether its cyber attacks emanating from Moscow, the challenge China poses, or the threat we face from terrorists and other non-state actors, he has the experience and skill to marshal efforts across government and around the world to ensure the CIA is positioned to protect the American people, the transition said. Burns, Biden said, shares his profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical and that the dedicated intelligence professionals serving the nation deserve their gratitude and respect. Ambassador Burns will bring the knowledge, judgment, and perspective we need to prevent and confront threats before they can reach our shores. The American people will sleep soundly with him as our next CIA Director, Biden said. Burns retired from the US Foreign Service in 2014 after a 33-year diplomatic career. He holds the highest rank in the Foreign Service, career ambassador, and is only the second serving career diplomat in history to become Deputy Secretary of State. Keeping our nation safe and secure requires intelligence that is apolitical and puts the American people first. A national security expert with decades of experience serving under Democratic and Republican presidents, Ambassador Bill Burns has a deep understanding of the global threats and challenges facing our country, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said. He will lead the CIA with independence and integrity, always honouring our nation's intelligence professionals. And President-elect and I will work closely with Ambassador Burns and our entire national security team to prevent and prevail over any threat against the United States of America, she said. Burns is a crisis-tested public servant who has spent his career working to keep Americans safe and secure. Prior to his tenure as Deputy Secretary of State, he served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2008 to 2011, US Ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from 2001 to 2005, and US Ambassador to Jordan from 1998 to 2001. He was also executive secretary of the State Department and special assistant to former Secretaries of State Warren Christopher and Madeleine Albright; minister-counselor for political affairs at the US embassy in Moscow; acting director and principal deputy director of the State Department's policy planning staff; and special assistant to the president and senior director for Near East and South Asian affairs at the National Security Council. Burns has received three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honours from the Pentagon and the US intelligence community. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from LaSalle University and master's and doctoral degrees in relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. (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.) TYUMEN, Russia -- Russian authorities say a fire at a private nursing home in western Siberia has killed seven people. Officials in Russia's Tyumen region said on January 10 that the retirement home in the town of Borovsky wasn't registered with authorities. The owner and two elderly people managed to escape the house when the fire hit the building overnight, officials said. The victims were more than 70 years old. The Investigative Committee said in a statement that the retirement home's owner, a woman, whose identity was not disclosed, was detained and could face charges of unintended manslaughter and violating safety regulations. Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin took the probe into the incident under his personal control, according to the statement. Deadly fires caused by violations of safety regulations or faulty wiring are common in Russia. Less than a month ago, a fire in a private retirement house in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan killed 11 people. Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella held true to his commitment to his final days in office of donating to charity any pay increase above the $160,000-plus salary attached to his executive branch post when he first assumed the elective office. Torsella announced on Monday he had written a personal check for $7,762 the cumulative amount his salary has increased over the past four years to donate to Keystone Scholars, a program that provides a $100 starter deposit in the PA 529 college savings plan for every baby born to or adopted by a Pennsylvania family.. When I took the job of state treasurer, both I and the taxpayers knew the salary of the position. Being the state treasurer to me was always about service, and rebuilding a sense of community in the commonwealth that I love, Torsella said in a statement. I never asked for a pay raise, yet in most years a pay raise came due to laws already in place. I said at the start of my term that I would donate the amount of those pay raises to charity, and thats a promise Ive been proud to keep. Torsella, along with other executive branch officials including Gov. Tom Wolf who also donates his entire salary to charity, as well as state lawmakers and judges, received an automatic pay increase last year linked to a 1995 state law that provides these officials with the year-over-year change in the Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Department of Labor for urban consumers in the mid-Atlantic region. For 2021, a law was passed freeze these officials pay and forgo the automatic pay hikes. The Keystone Scholars program was initiated by Torsella in 2018 as Pennsylvanias first universal childrens savings account program. It became law with bipartisan support as part of the 2018-2019 budget making Pennsylvania the first state to legislate a universal opt-out savings program for children at birth. An expansion of the program was announced last month to include a $50 Bright Future Booster in addition to the $100 starter deposit to benefit babies born in the first six months of this year to mothers enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Torsella lost his bid for re-election in November when he was defeated by GOP challenger Stacy Garrity. Garrity assumes the post on Jan. 19 and will be sworn in at 11 a.m. at the Forum before a limited number of attendees due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Her swearing in ceremony will be broadcast on PCN. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Yes, no matter what Yes, but it depends on variety No, for medical reasons, uncertainty No, principle Vote View Results Foreign energy firms and contractors have to accept Irans new terms and conditions if they return to work in the country, Irans Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Monday. If foreign companies come (to Iran), we will cooperate with them, but it doesnt mean that we would abandon what we have achieved, Iranian Tasnim News Agency reported, quoting the minister as saying on the sidelines of a ceremony on the signing of contracts with local firms to boost Irans crude oil production capacity. Foreign oil companies and contractors, however, are not particularly eager to work with Iran, considering the current sanctions on Irans oil industry and exports. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the so-called nuclear deal in 2018, slapping sanctions on Irans oil, shipping, and banking industries and threatening sanctions on anyone dealing with Iran. Major foreign companies, such as Frances oil supermajor Total, hastened to pull out of energy projects in Iran because of potential secondary U.S. sanctions for doing business with the Islamic Republic. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to offer Iran a path back to diplomacy and a return to the nuclear deal. If the U.S. and Iran return to a path of diplomacy, there is a chance that the strict U.S. sanctions on Irans oil exports could be eased, potentially paving the way for around 2 million bpd of Iranian crude oil exports returning to the market. Last month, Iranian authorities seemed confident they could be able to sell as much as 2.3 million bpd of oil in the next Iranian year that begins in March 2021, according to Irans budget bill. Last week, Iran said that the U.S. should pay Tehran as much as US$70 billion as compensation for lost oil revenues due to the U.S. sanctions, as a prerequisite for a return to the nuclear deal. On Monday, Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for International Affairs, said that the U.S. must lift the sanctions on Iran before returning to the nuclear deal. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Nancy Bush Ellis, a longtime Democrat who helped her Republican brother and nephew get elected president, has died of complications of coronavirus at the age of 94. We are sad to share that President Bushs beloved sister, Nancy Bush Ellis, has passed away. Our condolences and prayers are with the Ellis and Bush families as we remember a remarkable woman who brought joy and light to the world, the George and Barbara Bush Foundation posted on social media. She died on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Concord, Massachusetts, her son Alexander Ellis III told The New York Times. George W. Bush (Stephen Wilson/PA) She was in hospital on December 30 with a fever and tested positive for coronavirus, he said. Although she was a Democrat for decades who backed environmental and antipoverty causes, she was first and foremost fiercely loyal to her family. She was a Democrat for whom family came first, George H.W. Bush biographer Jon Meacham told the Times. She supported and campaigned not only for her brother George H.W. Bush, and her nephew George W. Bush, but for other family members running for public office, including nephew Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida. If I wrote 5,000 words, I could not express adequately how I felt, listening to that speech, she wrote in The Boston Globe of watching her brother accept the nomination at the 1988 Republican convention. One of five children who was born and spent much of her life living in Massachusetts, she is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. There is one thing that unites "FOBs, Asians and white people", says writer Winnie Dunn, and that is pork rolls. The ubiquitous Vietnamese snack happens to be a convergent and climactic plot point for a Quentin Tarantino-esque multi-channel art installation premiering at Sydney Festival that explores the lived experience of growing up in multi-cultural western Sydney. Inspired by life in western Sydney, the creators of Sex, Drugs and Pork Rolls on the streets of Bankstown. Credit:Steven Siewert Sex, Drugs & Pork Rolls is the first directorial project of S.Shakthidharan since his debut play, Counting and Cracking, swept the Helpmann awards. It features the talents of Prime Minister Literary Award winner Omar Sakr and novelist Michael Mohammed Ahmad. 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. 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. Nellore, Jan 11 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday credited Rs 6,673 crore into the bank accounts of nearly 45 lakh mothers as part of the Jagananna Amma Vodi (mother's lap), an education encouragement scheme. As many as 84 lakh students across the state are set to benefit from the scheme. "With the constant efforts by the state government through Amma Vodi, Goru Muddha and Vidya Kanuka schemes, an additional four lakh students were enrolled in government schools this year, as the schools have the facilities on par with corporate schools," said an official. Reddy said no mother should be deprived from sending her child to school due to poverty and aspired that no child should end up as a labourer instead of going to school for education. "Within eight months of forming the government, Rs 15,000 was credited to the account of mothers for sending their children to schools," said Reddy as he described the Amma Vodi scheme as Sri Rama Raksha for every child who wants to study. In 2021, the Andhra Pradesh government will credit Rs 14,000 each to the beneficiaries' accounts as part of the scheme even as it deviated the balance Rs 1,000 into the district toilet management fund (DTMF) for the upkeep of toilets in government schools. "The government has taken this decision as around 12 to 23 per cent of girl students are quitting education every year due to the absence or poor condition of toilets in schools, as per UNICEF and WHO reports," he said. Reddy also cited a World Bank report which stated that every rupee spent on toilets yields an economic benefit of Rs 34. Likewise, the state government also doled out an option for IX to XII standard students to take a laptop in lieu of the Amma Vodi scheme from next year. "In order to enhance computer skills of students studying in government schools and provide feasibility for online classes, the state government has brought this option and all the laptops will be offered with a warranty of three years," said the official. The government is envisaging to give laptops powered by 4 GB RAM and a 500 GB hard disk with a Windows 10 operating system interface costing up to Rs 27,000. Similarly, the government also aims to introduce a computer literacy programme from Class VIII onwards as part of the curriculum. Further, the Chief Minister said that internet facility will be provided in every village in the next three years through underground cables at an estimated expenditure of Rs 5,900 crore. According to Reddy, starting February 1, all the 55,607 anganwadis will be renamed as YSR Pre-Primary-1, YSR Pre-Primary-2 and YSR Pre-First class with English medium instruction at an expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore. In a new initiative, the state government is also planning to send text messages to the parents of the students in case a child doesn't attend school for even a day. If a student is absent for three days, a village volunteer will be deputed to his home to check on his health condition or the reason for his absence. "It is the responsibility of the parents to send their children to schools and it's the responsibility of (village) secretariat staff, volunteers, parent committees and teachers to ensure that children are attending school regularly," said the CM. Reddy asserted that the government aims to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the next three years as he reminded that Rs 24,000 crore has been spent on education alone in the space of 19 months. "The previous TDP government had closed several schools, maintained government schools in dilapidated conditions and left dues to mid-day meal workers for over eight months," he alleged. Sydneysiders hoping to enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches in the Jervis Bay Territory are being turned away from the area on the Shoalhaven peninsula under strict Commonwealth coronavirus restrictions. The popular holiday destination is usually filled with beachgoers and campers at this time of year. But now, entry is restricted as the area tries to prevent COVID-19 from hitting the local community. At the only entry point to Booderee National Park, drivers' details and where they've come from are checked. The territory is subject to similar public health directions that are in place in the ACT, with people who have been to ACT-declared hotspots, including Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong regions, not permitted to enter without a valid exemption. String Theory at the Hunter, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will host No Strings Attached!, a virtual event allowing audience members to experience behind-the-scenes conversations and impromptu performances with Sandbox Percussion on Tuesday, Jan. 19. String Theory was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director and pianist Gloria Chien to expose new audiences to chamber music, invigorate the local classical music scene, and cultivate a future generation of music lovers. Our new twist on concerts offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with our favorite artists, said Dr. Chien. These informal social events on Zoom will give our audience members a chance to chat with guest artists and the rest of the String Theory family. Heralded by The Guardian as ...virtuosic and utterly mesmerizing, members of the award-winning quartet Sandbox Percussion will give participants a special look at their life during COVID as friends and musicians. The quartet shares meaningful musical experiences with communities worldwide through performance, collaboration, and education to inspire and cultivate creativity, conscientiousness, and cooperation. To learn more, visit https://sandboxpercussion.com/about/. This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee. String Theory @ Home will continue Season 12 on Feb. 16 and April 13 with a two-part concert featuring two-time GRAMMY nominee violinist Jennifer Frautschi. Frautschi will make her String Theory debut with String Theory favorites violist Paul Neubauer, cellist Edward Arron, and bassist Thomas Van Dyck, along with Dr. Chien. While I miss seeing our guests and members at the Hunter, it has been amazing to connect with everyone this season through String Theory @ Home, said Dr. Chien. A second No Strings Attached! event will take place on March 9 with the Neubauer Quartet. For more information about Season 12 or to register for the Jan. 19 virtual event, visit http://stringtheorymusic.org/. Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisia has continued to register high figures of coronavirus with the authorities describing the situation as "critical" Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 The longer this goes, the worse it gets for the New York Yankees. Talks with free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu are not making progress, opening the door for the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB Networks Jon Heyman. As mentioned on @MLBNetwork the Yankees will go 4 years for DJ LeMahieu. Theres still a $ gap, however; it appears theres still a standoff with all the very top free agents. Dodgers, Jays, Mets among others interested but itll still be a surprise if DJ leaves. ... Dodgers are interested in DJ LeMahieu but their first 3B choice remains their own Justin Turner. As with other top free agents, quite a gap remains. Turner reportedly seeks 4 years (via @latimessports ); Dodgers so far prefer 2. Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers Heymans reporting came one day after Yahoo Sports Tim Brown reported LeMahieu has become dismayed by the slow-play tactics of the Yankees, along with other clubs. Teams that have engaged with the LeMahieu camp say LeMahieu expects more than Josh Donaldsons four-year, $92 million deal with the Minnesota Twins and at least on par with J.D. Martinezs five years and $110 million with the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees, LeMahieus preferred club after two successful seasons in the Bronx, have not met those terms. The 32-year-old LeMahieu has, therefore, asked his representatives to re-engage with teams that have previously shown the most interest, the source said, among them the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, and to reconnect with teams that reached out early in the free agent period, including the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and others. LeMahieu, who finished third in voting for the American League MVP Award, led the majors with a .364 batting average in 2020. That made him the first person in the modern era to win batting titles in both leagues. He led the National League with a .348 batting average for the Colorado Rockies in 2016. Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Emergency responders are on the scene of an ultralight aircraft crash in South Jersey. The small craft crashed around 12:45 p.m. in a wooded area near the 300 block of Tuckahoe Road in Franklin Township, Gloucester County. The scene is a quarter mile from Downstown Airport on Route 40. The pilot, who was the only person on the craft, was killed and efforts are being made to notify next-of-kin, Franklin Township Police Lt. Matt DeCesari said. The Federal Aviation Administration referred questions about the crash to local authorities. TV news helicopter footage shows the crumpled remains of the yellow aircraft among trees a short distance from a roadway lined with emergency vehicles. Reports of a small plane crash near the Downtown Airport in Franklin Township, NJ Posted by WRGB CBS 6 News, Albany on Monday, January 11, 2021 Its not clear if the aircraft originated from the nearby airfield or was heading there. A call to the airport went to voicemail. A spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office confirmed the agency was heading to the scene to assist in the investigation. Ultralights are not considered aircraft by the FAA and it doesnt investigate these crashes. These vehicles are not registered with the agency and pilots are not required to have federal certification. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. China's state-run media called for retaliation after the Trump administration removed decades-old restrictions on interactions with Taiwan officials just days before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, one of its biggest moves yet to reshape U.S. ties with the Asian democracy. The Communist Party-backed Global Times warned that Secretary of State Michael Pompeo's moves were pushing the world's biggest countries toward conflict. Hu Xijin, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, said on Weibo China had a "precious window of opportunity for mainland China to teach a heavy lesson to the 'Taiwan independence' forces" and re-establish "strategic leverage" in the Taiwan Strait. "While Pompeo tries to cross Beijing's red line on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he should not expect that China will sit back and do nothing," said a commentary published in the official Xinhua News Agency on Sunday. "Those political clowns will be punished for what they have done to harm China's core interests." China's Foreign Ministry opposes official U.S.-Taiwan interactions and has condemned a planned trip this week by Kelly Craft, who will become the first U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to visit Taiwan since it was excluded from the global body in 1971, calling her visit "a breach of the One-China principle" and accusing Pompeo of "staging a final show of madness" to "sabotage China-U.S. relations." The U.S. guidelines on meetings with Taiwanese officials, which are updated periodically, were put in place after its recognition of China in 1979 to distinguish interactions with Taiwan from those with official diplomatic partners. They required written permission from the State Department for diplomats and military personnel above a certain rank to visit Taiwan, and restricted the venues where meetings with Taiwan representatives could take place. "For several decades the State Department has created complex internal restrictions to regulate our diplomats, service members, and other officials' interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts," Pompeo said in a statement Saturday in Washington. "The United States government took these actions unilaterally, in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. No more." The announcement was the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to increase ties with Taiwan. Before taking office in January 2017, President Donald Trump accepted a telephone call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and said his support for the "One China" policy was contingent on getting better trade deals. Although he later endorsed the policy that has governed U.S.-China ties for decades, Trump increased arms sales and sent the most senior officials in decades to visit Taipei. "While the implications of the announcement are not yet clear, it seems the intent is to nudge unofficial U.S.-Taiwan relations toward something more akin to official ties," said Maggie Lewis, a law professor at Seton Hall Law School who has written extensively on Taiwan and China. Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu said in a tweet that he was grateful to Pompeo for "lifting restrictions unnecessarily limiting our engagements." "The closer partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. is firmly based on our shared values, common interests and unshakable belief in freedom and democracy," the minister said. China said it "firmly opposes and strongly condemns" the U.S. move, repeating that Taiwan is an "inalienable" part of its territory. "We will allow no attempt to obstruct China's reunification process," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a daily briefing in Beijing on Monday. "We will allow no attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the Taiwan question." Beijing's "One China" principle states that Taiwan and China are part of the same China. While the U.S. recognizes that the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of China, it only acknowledges that the PRC claims Taiwan is a part of China. Taiwan's government views the island as a de-facto independent, sovereign nation. "Best case, the Biden Administration sees this as a blank slate and starts an internal process to develop what the ideal U.S.-Taiwan engagement structure and process looks like, consistent with the unofficial relationship, shared democratic values, and the benefits the bilateral relationship brings," said Drew Thompson, a former U.S. Department of Defense official responsible for Taiwan policy. The announcement by Pompeo is one of a number the administration has launched or strengthened in the final days of its term, including an initiative to punish companies with close ties to the Chinese military. He also issued a joint statement on Saturday with the foreign ministers of the U.K., Canada and Australia expressing "serious concern" about the arrest of 55 activists and politicians in Hong Kong last week. Hong Kong's government later rejected that criticism. China has repeatedly said no other nations have the right to interfere in its internal affairs, including in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's National Security Law is a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and undermines the "one country, two systems" framework, according to the statement. The legislation "has curtailed the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. It is clear that the National Security Law is being used to eliminate dissent and opposing political views," the governments said. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said on Sunday the U.S. was "examining further options to respond." The Japanese Health Ministry has found a coronavirus variant in people arriving from Brazil that's different from the ones in Britain and South Africa. The variant was found in airport tests on a man in his 40s, a woman in her 30s and two teens, the ministry said Sunday. Japan was working with other nations, the WHO and other medical experts to analyze the new version of the virus, and it was still unclear whether available vaccines would work. The man who tested positive had no symptoms upon arrival but was hospitalised after his breathing became difficult. The woman suffered head aches, one teen, a male, had a fever, while the other female teen had no symptoms, according to the ministry. About 30 cases of variants from Britain and South Africa have earlier been reported in Japan. Experts are worried the variants appear to spread faster. Japan has declared a state of emergency for the Tokyo area, which kicked in Friday, asking restaurants and bars to close at 8 pm. Some have complained that's not enough, noting train stations and eateries are still packed, including at night. Japan has had about 4,000 deaths related to COVID-19 so far, and more than 280,000 confirmed cases. (AP) . LINTON, Ind. (WHIT) -- Long-term care facilities along with health care workers were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Some long term care facilities just recently received their first dose. Glenburn Home is a senior living center in Linton, Indiana who received its first dose just recently. Residents and staff received the vaccine at the end of December, and theyre very thankful they did. Kevin Hanni is the CFO of Glenburn home. He told News 10 that he got the vaccine for personal and professional reasons. He said he wanted to see his grandchildren again, and he wanted to protect those with who he worked around/with. He told News 10 he decided to get the vaccine one week after speaking with his doctor. He said, I asked him, and he said he had been researching, he saw absolutely no reason to not get the vaccine at that point. So, I really didnt hesitate. All I had was, the day following, was a sore arm. Hanni told News 10 hes looking forward to getting his second dose. He said getting the vaccine has helped him feel like we are making some progress to end the pandemic. While there is hope that one day Glenburn Home can return back to how it was before the pandemic, Hanni said that day wont be anytime soon. He said, Not that well change our current habits of masks and social distancing, we have to keep doing that even though we have the vaccine. But, its just a big step forward. Hanni encourages you to get the vaccine when you can. He told News 10 this is the best way to protect everyone. He said, The risk of going ahead and getting the vaccine far outweighs not getting it, just from a general public and our long-term care perspective as well. MBABANE While there are calls to merge some parastatals, especially those which are mainly regulatory in nature; the ones which are profit-making have had mixed fortunes in the past year. A closer look at some of the major parastatals, especially the profit-making ones, does not paint a rosy picture. This is based on their 2019/20 financial results covering the period ending March 31 last year. An analyst, on condition of anonymity, said merging of the other State-owned enterprising performing almost similar duties could help in saving millions of Emalangeni that could be diverted into other income-generating projects. The Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) made a loss of E177.6 million in the 2019/20 financial year, a complete shift from the E190.1 million profit registered the previous financial year. The credit impairment losses were said to be the major contributors to the loss incurred. Impairments EswatiniBank recorded a loss of E64.191 million in the financial year under review and the slump was attributed mainly to COVID-19-related impairments. According to the banks abridged financial statements, the impairments amounted to E102.373 million and they comprised COVID-19 relief of E30.418 million; gross domestic product (GDP) contraction impact of E55.607 million and normal loan impairments totalling E16.348 million. Meanwhile, despite not being granted a tariff increase and the stagnant Eswatini economy, Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) net profit for the year under review was recorded at E438 million compared to E650 million in 2019. For the Eswatini Water Services Corporations (EWSC) profit for the year amounted to E26.7 million. The figures were at E25.7 million in the previous year. When it came to the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporations (ESRIC) profit for the year was said to be over E157.52 million. This publication had reported yesterday that parastatals, which are also known as State-owned enterprises (SOEs), were believed to be one of the largest drains to governments coffers alongside the wage Bill. In December, government announced that it had undertaken a study to merge and or abolish some of them. This decision by government was also articulated in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2019/20 -2021/22. The NDP was tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Thambo Gina, on February 12, 2020. When tabling the plan, under Strategy four of the NDP, government relayed that it would review parastatals with a plan to decrease subventions and increase dividends. Intervention The intervention was set to have a comprehensive review of all parastatals and to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of State-owned entities in achieving outcomes. Consequently, Cabinet, through Circular No. 4 of 2020, called upon the suspension of establishment of new entities, amendment of legislation, acquisition and construction of new structures by all Category A public enterprises. According to the communication, the implementation of the circular was with immediate effect. The memorandum is dated December 21, 2020 and was addressed to all principal secretaries (PSs). It states that Cabinet, through Cabinet minute CM 9084, approved the use of Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC) services to carry out the study to streamline, strengthen governance and improve performance of SOEs in Eswatini. "Cherry Bekaert is on a journey to bring in new talent and new capabilities, allowing us to deliver digitally-driven and industry-aligned solutions that help elevate our clients from mid-market players to market leaders in a hypercompetitive landscape," said Michelle Thompson , Chief Executive Officer and Firm Managing Partner. "We are pleased to welcome such experienced, forward-looking leaders who will drive a transformative, client-centric mindset during a time when companies need both digital and risk specialized support across their end-to-end value chains." "We are using disruptive technology not only to change how we deliver services to clients, but also to provide new digital solutions that guide our clients forward," said Srikant Sastry, Managing Principal, Advisory Services. "Through the smart application of technology, we can help address today's complexities in ways that are accessible and intuitive to our clients. Both Kevin and Brian bring deep functional, technical and industry expertise that enable us to further expand upon our reputable assurance and tax capabilities by unlocking the power of data-driven insights for our clients, allowing them to achieve new levels of speed and agility." Kevin will provide managerial oversight and direction for the firm's Digital Advisory services, which includes Analytics & Business Intelligence, Business Applications, IT Infrastructure & Managed Services, and Strategy & Operations. He will also work closely with our strategic alliances: Tableau, Alteryx, Microsoft and Nintex. He brings more than 30 years of experience in technology transformation and systems implementation to the role from leadership positions at companies including IBM and a big four accounting firm. Kevin joins Cherry Bekaert from a global big six accounting firm, where he served in several roles including National Managing Principal of Innovation and National Leader for the Information Technology Strategy & Management practice. As leader of the firm's Risk and Accounting Advisory services, Brian will drive the advancement of solutions across a full-suite of areas including Accounting Advisory and IT Audit & Consulting, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, and Regulatory Compliance. He has gained deep risk and compliance expertise from various leadership roles at three of the big four accounting firms over the last 30 years, and most recently served as Managing Partner of IBM's North America Financial Services Risk & Compliance Analytics Advisory practice. About Cherry Bekaert Ranked among the largest audit, tax and advisory firms in the U.S., Cherry Bekaert LLP offers solutions in the areas of transaction advisory, risk assurance and advisory, digital solutions, cybersecurity, specialty tax, benefits consulting, and wealth management. With clients in all 50 states and internationally, we have industry knowledge in technology, healthcare and life sciences, industrial manufacturing, private equity, real estate and construction, professional services, hospitality and retail, government and not-for-profit. We exercise a deliberate curiosity to know our clients' industries and work collaboratively as one team to guide them forward. Cherry Bekaert LLP is a founding, independent member of Baker Tilly International, a top-ten global accountancy and business advisory network. Visit us at cbh.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. 2021 Cherry Bekaert LLP. All Rights Reserved. This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as tax, accounting, or other professional advice. Before taking any action, you should consult a professional advisor familiar with your particular facts and circumstances. SOURCE Cherry Bekaert LLP Related Links https://www.cbh.com The Associated Press checks out some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. This one is bogus, even though it was shared widely on social media. Here are the facts: CLAIM: An NPR story headlined Trump Supporters Storm U.S. Capitol, Clash With Police was published on Wednesday at 9:33 a.m., before the insurrection, proof that the violence was staged. THE FACTS: NPR did not publish news about the insurrection before it occurred. The story provided a running account of developments around protests at the Capitol as Congress met to certify electoral votes in the presidential election. The story was initially published at 9:33 a.m. The link shows the original headline referenced the electoral college tallying votes. President Donald Trump called on followers to gather in Washington on Wednesday to demonstrate against the certification of the vote electing Joe Biden president. In addressing the protesters Trump repeated numerous unfounded claims of election fraud and then encouraged demonstrators to go to the Capitol as lawmakers debated the electoral votes. The demonstration turned violent as thousands stormed the Capitol, breaching security and rampaging through the building, where lawmakers had to be evacuated. Following the violence, posts circulated on social media showing a screenshot of an NPR headline along with a time stamp from hours before the events occurred to falsely claim that the rioting was staged. The posts were used as part of a false narrative that suggests the rioters who stormed the nations capital were left-wing activists, not Trump supporters. Seriously, howd they know? STAGED, said a Twitter post shared Thursday morning with a screenshot of the article with the 9:33 a.m. time stamp. If social media users had read the article before sharing the screenshot, they would have seen that the article was updated at 3:08 p.m. Wednesday, about two hours after Trump supporters headed to the Capitol following Trumps rally. A spokesman for NPR confirmed to the AP that the original story was posted at 9:33 a.m. and that the text was updated throughout the day. I can confirm that NPR is neither clairvoyant nor were we a part of a conspiracy of people who staged the events yesterday, Ben Fishel, a media relations spokesman, said in an email. Munich, Germany, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :Simon Rattle will leave the London Symphony Orchestra to become chief conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich from 2023, in what has been described as a blow to Britain's classical music world. Rattle, one of the world's most renowned conductors and a vocal opponent of Brexit, has signed a five-year contract with the German orchestra. "The Bavarian Radio Orchestra is very pleased that Sir Simon will come to Munich as our new chief conductor," said Ulrich Wilhelm, general director of the public broadcaster, Bavarian Radio. "With his passion, his artistic versatility and his engaging charisma, he will be a most worthy successor to Mariss Jansons," he added. Jansons died of a cardiac arrest aged 76 in December 2019. Rattle, who turns 66 next week, is a prominent figure in Germany, where he led the Berlin Philharmonic from September 2002 to June 2018. He still lives in Berlin with his third wife Magdalena Kozena and their three children. "My reasons for accepting the role of Principal Conductor in Munich are entirely personal, enabling me to better manage the balance of my work and be close enough to home to be present for my children," he said in a statement. New Delhi, Jan 11 : Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Monday announced its partnership with National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) to accelerate the digital transformation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. NSIC is a Government of India Enterprise having its mission "to promote and support MSME sector by providing integrated support services encompassing marketing, technology, finance and other services". This partnership with NSIC envisages digital transformation of this critical sector as key to the Central government's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' for enabling MSMEs to scale up faster by ways of adopting digital ways of doing business. "We are delighted to join hands with NSIC to fast-track their digital transformation journey. Airtel's pan-India network, deep distribution reach as well as easily accessible digital platforms would give MSMEs the flexibility and convenience of addressing all their digital connectivity requirements through a single window," said Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO, Airtel Business. The offerings would come with the trusted support from Airtel that ensures high customer satisfaction through industry leading service uptime. Airtel already serves more than one million medium and small businesses across India with best-in-class products that are available to customers in highly flexible formats. "This partnership with Airtel is envisaged to serve multiple ICT needs of MSME sector for sustained growth and increased productivity," said P. Udayakumar, Director (Planning and Marketing), NSIC. MSMEs are an important growth engine of the Indian economy. With more than 60 million business units, the sector contributes to 29 per cent of India's GDP, 40 per cent of exports and employs more than 110 million people. These businesses are looking for reliable, secure connectivity and digital platforms that would add to their efficiency and competitiveness, the company said. The Philadelphia police detective reassigned after attending President Donald Trumps rally in Washington which ended with the president inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol called Vice President Mike Pence a traitor and a cabal operative after he condemned the violence and publicly lamented an officers death. Youre a swap creature and fooled us all! Detective Jennifer Gugger posted on Twitter on Friday, according to a screenshot reviewed by The Inquirer before it was taken down. You sold your soul to the devil, she wrote two days earlier. Guggers social media postings emerged Monday as the citys police union came to her defense and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw pledged to take swift and definitive action against any Philadelphia police officer found to have participated in the lawlessness that took place at the Capitol. The PPD supports all lawful expressions of First-Amendment rights, but the attack on the Capitol Building went well beyond the rights of free speech, Outlaw said in a statement. I can assure the public that a full and thorough investigation will take place, and ask that anyone with additional information reach out to our Internal Affairs Bureau. Gugger, 51, was removed from her position in the Recruit Background Investigations Unit last weekend amid an investigation into whether she participated in any wrongdoing at the Capitol. A tipster had sent the department social media posts showing that Gugger had been in Washington for the rally. The tip to police did not include evidence that she had been inside the Capitol or had participated in the violence. Gugger could not be reached for comment Monday. Sgt. Eric Gripp, a spokesperson for the department, did not say where Gugger had been reassigned, but said she had not been placed on restricted duty. On Monday, FOP President John McNesby defended Gugger, saying she had attended the rally on her day off and exercised her First Amendment rights to attend an event. We believe she has done nothing wrong and we await the results of a complete, internal review, said McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, which, along with the national FOP, endorsed Trump in 2020. We strongly condemn the violence and loss of life at the Capitol and hope those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Until Saturday, Gugger worked as a background checker for police recruits. Part of her job included monitoring their social media posts. But Gugger has used her own social media accounts as a repository for increasingly virulent far-right rhetoric. In October, she changed her profile picture to a reference to Q, the false theory that posits that Trump is fighting a secret war against the deep state and that Democrats are led by Satan-worshipping pedophiles. That same month, the FBI declared the movement a domestic threat. She posted on Facebook from Washington last week, using the name Jenny Lynn, according to a screenshot reviewed by The Inquirer and wrote that she was drinking beers with fellow patriots. She hashtagged her post #StoptheSteal, a reference to another false claim that Trump was the rightful winner of the presidential election. Friends Gugger had tagged also posted videos of the crowd, as it moved on the Capitol, with one describing the scene on the Capitol steps as insurrectionists breached the building. And after the rally which ended in the deaths of five people, including a Capitol Police officer who died from injuries sustained amid the sacking of the Capitol Guggers posts became even more vitriolic. On Friday, when Pence tweeted that he and his wife were saddened by the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, Gugger, using the name Jennifer Traynor, replied with outrage and apparent references to the QAnon conspiracy. Youre a traitor and cabal operative and pedophile! she wrote. You preach of god and that god will judge you! Gugger is only the latest Philadelphia police officer to face scrutiny for offensive posts on social media. In 2019, advocates with the Plain View Project published a database of officers in several cities, including Philadelphia, making racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive posts on Facebook. After its own investigation, the department benched 72 officers amid the probe, and 15 were ultimately forced off the job. Seven more officers were suspended for 30 days, the department later reported, and 148 faced lesser command-level discipline. Then-Commissioner Richard Ross said at the time that the department had contracted with the law firm Ballard Spahr to determine which posts amounted to constitutionally protected speech under the First Amendment, and which clearly seemed to promote racism, intolerance, or violence. Gugger did not have any posts flagged in Plain Views database. Gripp, the department spokesperson, said Monday it was too early in the investigation to comment on whether Guggers posts violated department policy. Each and every case is different, he said, and yes, there can be a very fine line. Inquirer Staff Writer Chris Palmer contributed to this article. US Capitol police did not bolster staffing ahead of planned protests at the building last week which led to deadly rioting, despite ample warnings about pro-Trump demonstrations in Washington, according to sources. Officials revealed that no preparations were made for the possibility that the planned protests could escalate into riots, and the department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day. The revelations shed new light on why Capitol police were so quickly overrun by rioters, leading to five deaths. While some of those officers were outfitted with equipment for a protest, they were not staffed or equipped for a riot. Once the mob began to move on the Capitol, a police lieutenant issued an order not to use deadly force, which explains why officers outside the building did not draw their weapons as the crowd closed in. Officers are sometimes ordered against escalating a situation by drawing their weapons if superiors believe doing so could lead to a stampede or a shootout. In this instance, it also left officers with little ability to resist the mob. In one video from the scene, an officer puts up his fists to try to push back a crowd pinning him and his colleagues against a door. Expand Close A Trump protester outside the US Capitol on Sunday (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Trump protester outside the US Capitol on Sunday (AP) The crowd jeers You are not American, and one man tries to prod him with the tip of an American flag. They were left naked, Democratic representative Maxine Waters said of the police in an interview with the Associated Press. She had raised security concerns in a meeting of House Democrats on December 28, and grilled Steven Sund, the Capitol police chief, during an hour-long private call on New Years Eve. It turns out it was the worst kind of non-security anybody could ever imagine, Ms Waters said. Expand Close The Peace Monument on Capitol Hill (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Peace Monument on Capitol Hill (AP) The Capitol polices lacklustre response to the riots, poor planning and failure to anticipate the seriousness of the threat have drawn condemnation from members of congress and prompted the removal of the departments chief and the Sergeants at Arms of both the US house of representatives and senate. As the full extent of the insurrection becomes clear, the FBI is also investigating whether some of the rioters had plans to kidnap members of congress and hold them hostage. Investigators are particularly focused on why some of them were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate, according to an official. Larry Rendell Brock, of Texas, and Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, who both were photographed with plastic restraints as they broke into the Capitol, were arrested by the FBI on Sunday. Prosecutors said Brock also donned a green helmet, tactical vest and camouflage jacket. The crowd that arrived in Washington on Wednesday was no surprise, as US president Donald Trump had been urging his supporters to come to the capital and some hotels had been booked to 100% capacity setting off alarm bells because tourism in Washington has nosedived amid the coronavirus pandemic. Moments ago, I spoke with Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy about the military response to the January 6 Capitol attack and ongoing security measures. Here are the notes from my call: pic.twitter.com/WB155iJoJn Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) January 10, 2021 Justice officials, the FBI and other agencies began to monitor flights and social media for weeks and were expecting massive crowds. A leader of the far-right extremist group Proud Boys was arrested coming into the city with high-powered magazine clips emblazoned with the groups logo, police said. The clips were not loaded, but he was planning to attend a rally near the White House. Capitol Police leaders, however, had prepared for a free speech demonstration. No fencing was erected outside the Capitol and no contingency plans were prepared in case the situation escalated, according to the insiders. Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, said army secretary Ryan McCarthy told legislators on Sunday that the US defence department and law enforcement officials had prepared for a crowd similar to protests in November and December in the low thousands, and that they had been preparing for small, disparate violent events, like stabbings and fist fights. Yes! We must investigate the security breach at the Capitol today. I warned our Caucus and had an hour long conversation with the Chief of Police 4days ago. He assured me the terrorists would not be allowed on the plaza & Capitol secured. What the hell? Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) January 7, 2021 Mr McCarthy also said Mr Sund and mayor Muriel Bowser had called for urgent reinforcements from the defence department as the crowd surged towards officers, but were unable to articulate what resources are needed and in what locations, due to chaos. Ms Waters grilled Mr Sund on exactly these kinds of questions about the Proud Boys and other groups coming, about keeping them off the Capitol plaza. The police chief insisted they knew what they were doing. He kept assuring me he had it under control they knew what they were doing, she said. Either hes incompetent, or he was lying, or he was complicit. Those decisions left the officers policing the Capitol like sitting ducks, officials said, with little guidance and no cohesive plan on how to deal with the flood of rioters streaming into the building. Officers have been criticised for their actions after snippets of videos taken by the rioters showed some posing for selfies, acquiescing to demands by screaming rioters to move aside so they could stream inside the building. But other videos show officers trying in vain to keep the crowd from breaking into the building. One disturbing video shows a bloodied Metropolitan police officer screaming for help as he is crushed by protesters inside the Capitol building. The young officer is pinned between a riot shield and metal door. Bleeding from the mouth, he cries out in pain and screams for help. One officer died in the riot and at least a dozen were injured. Five people in total died during the mayhem. 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. Boeing Co. escaped heavy punishment in a U.S. criminal investigation into two deadly crashes of the 737 Max, according to an array of the companys closest observers on Wall Street and in Washington, D.C. The $243.3 million fine in a $2.5 billion settlement with the Justice Department was small, said JPMorgan Chase & Co. Prosecutors attempt to force a change in corporate behavior was pathetic, said U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio, who investigated Boeing. And Senator Richard Blumenthal said the deal was a disgrace that allowed the company to avoid larger changes. This shameful settlement does nothing to change the rotten corporate culture that allowed Boeing to mislead and deceive regulators, Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said in a statement Friday. Boeings deal in the waning days of the Trump administration resolved a two-year probe without blaming executives or throttling company finances. The settlement focused narrowly on the actions of two former Boeing employees involved in drafting pilot manuals, and the Justice Department found that the misconduct was neither pervasive across the organization, nor undertaken by a large number of employees, nor facilitated by senior management. The aerospace titan agreed to a single criminal count for misleading U.S. regulators who certified the Maxs design. The charge will be dropped after three years if Boeing complies with the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement filed Thursday in federal court in Texas. The settlement was a step that appropriately acknowledges how we fell short of our values and expectations, Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun told employees in a message after the filing. This resolution is a serious reminder to all of us of how critical our duty of transparency with our regulators is, and the consequences our company can face if any one of us falls short of these expectations. Boeing fell 1.3% to $209.90 at the close in New York. JPMorgan analyst Seth Seifman had predicted earlier that investors wouldnt be fazed by the pact with prosecutors, because the fine was small and in part because this is another step in moving beyond the 737 crashes and grounding. Modest Positive The settlement terms are a modest positive for Boeing, Seifman said. The Chicago-based company had already established reserves for 70% of its agreement with $1.77 billion in compensation due to airlines and lessors affected by a worldwide flying ban after the crashes. Based on the agreement, Boeing plans to report a $743.6 million charge with its fourth-quarter earnings later this month. Investors were already girding for a grim quarter, after deliveries of a different jet, the 787 Dreamliner, ground to a halt as mechanics expanded their search for tiny manufacturing imperfections. The company wont actually book the cash outflows for the fine and another $500 million for a fund for the beneficiaries of crash victims until the first quarter of this year, said Christopher DeNicolo, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings. The settlement of the criminal case doesnt spell the end of Boeings legal woes. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration are conducting separate probes. Potential settlements in wrongful death lawsuits related to the two Max crashes could amount to $2 billion, said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Holly Froum. Flying Ban The Max was banned from the skies for 20 months, the longest jetliner grounding in U.S. history, while the FAA and regulators in other nations oversaw design changes to address flaws in a flight-control system and other problems revealed in investigations. The FAA lifted its grounding on Nov. 18, provided that airlines complete a list of repairs and put pilots through simulator training. The flight-control system wasnt the only fault that came to light in the Max. The FAA told Congress in 2019 that Boeings decision to sell most Max aircraft with a malfunctioning cockpit warning light was a violation of federal regulations. The warning system was designed to alert pilots to the very problems that contributed to both accidents. The FAA hasnt commented on whether it will bring a case against the company, but similar alleged violations have prompted the agency to seek fines and other penalties in the past. A possible civil enforcement action by FAA against Boeing is also looming in the background. The company agreed in 2015 to pay $12 million to settle numerous violations involving manufacturing breakdowns and other issues unrelated to the Max. Wrist Slap As for the Max, a probe by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee revealed numerous points during the design process when Boeing should have identified shortfalls, said DeFazio, the U.S. Representative who oversaw the Congressional investigation. This settlement amounts to a slap on the wrist, the Oregon Democrat said in a statement. From where I sit, this attempt to change corporate behavior is pathetic and will do little to deter criminal behavior going forward. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. 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. MOSCOW -- A court in Moscow has postponed handing down its verdict and sentence for Azat Miftakhov, a young mathematician charged with hooliganism who says he was tortured while in custody. The verdict and sentence were expected to be pronounced on January 11, but the Moscow City Court, in a last-minute decision, said it had moved the hearing to January 18. Miftakhov, 25, a postgraduate mathematics student at the Moscow State University, has denied the charges, which his lawyers say stem from his anarchist beliefs and support for political prisoners. Miftakhov's mother, Gulnur Khusainova, who traveled to Moscow from the Republic of Tatarstan to attend the court session, told RFE/RL that no reason was given for the decision to change the hearing date. "I want to see my son free," she said, complaining that it is not easy for her to travel some 800 kilometers (480 miles) from Kazan, Tatarstan's capital, to the Russian capital. Miftakhov, 25, a postgraduate mathematics student at the Moscow State University, was arrested on February 1, 2019, and accused of helping make an improvised bomb found in January in the city of Balashikha near Moscow. Miftakhov was released on February 7, 2019, after the initial charge failed to hold, but he was rearrested immediately and charged with involvement in an arson attack on the ruling United Russia office in Moscow in January 2018. The Public Monitoring Commission, a human rights group, has said that Miftakhov's body bore the signs of torture, which the student claimed were the result of investigators unsuccessfully attempting to force him to confess to the bomb-making charge. A prominent Russian human rights organization, Memorial, has recognized Miftakhov as a political prisoner, while Russian mathematician, Professor Anatoly Vershik, told Novaya gazeta that 2,500 mathematicians from 15 countries had signed a letter urging the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) to assist in Miftakhov's release, warning that many of them may not attend the ICM's gathering in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, scheduled for July 2022. Others who were detained along with Miftakhov, but later released, have also claimed to have been beaten by police. On December 23, 2020, the prosecutor in the high-profile trial asked the court to sentence Miftakhov to six years in prison. Air India said, "The flight will be operated by an all women cockpit crew of Capt Zoya Aggarwal (P1), Capt Papagari Thanmai (P1), Capt Akansha Sonaware (P2) and Capt Shivani Manhas (P2)." The airline plans to start its first ever non-stop service between Hyderabad and Chicago from Jan. 15, a move surely to be welcomed by the Indian American community. (IANS photo) An urgent push by Democrats in Congress to impeach Donald Trump for a second time is running into resistance in the US Senate, with senior lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voicing their opposition to the move. House Democrats plan to hold a vote on impeaching the president for inciting an insurrection on Tuesday or Wednesday, having gathered nearly 200 signatures in support. Mr Trump would become the first president in history to be impeached twice if the vote passes in the Democrat-controlled chamber. But while a growing number of Republicans have criticised the president for his role in the leadup to the violence in the US Capitol last week, none have said they will vote to convict him of wrongdoing in the Senate. And several said this weekend they did not think impeachment to be the best way to hold Mr Trump accountable for his actions and those of his supporters. The best way for our country is for the president to resign and go away as soon as possible, Pat Toomey, one of the Republican senators who has led the condemnation of the president, told NBC News on Sunday. He doubted it would be possible to impeach Mr Trump either in the limited time he has left in office or afterwards. Mr Toomeys concerns were echoed by Joe Manchin, the Democratic senator, who said he did not want impeachment proceedings to distract Mr Biden in his first few months in office. Mr Trump has been roundly condemned for urging on a crowd of supporters who went on to storm the Capitol building, resulting in the deaths of five people, including a police officer. The rioters briefly stopped the certification of Mr Bidens electoral victory, which Mr Trump continues falsely to claim was illegitimate, trashed furniture and posed for photographs. And while members of Congress sheltered in a secure room amid the violence, they may have been exposed to coronavirus, it emerged on Sunday. Brian Monahan, the attending physician to Congress, emailed members on Sunday, warning: Individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection. The siege has caused a split in the GOP between Trump loyalists and establishment Republicans who want a post-defeat break from the presidents brand of politics. Several members of Mr Trumps administration have resigned, while others have called for him to face criminal charges once he leaves office. Mick Mulvaney, the presidents former chief of staff who stood down last week from his role as special envoy to Northern Ireland, said on Sunday the events of Wednesday were a fundamental threat to the United States. He predicted Mr Trump would be ostracised by his party as a result. I thought the president would be presidential . . . I dont know whats going on inside the Oval Office now and I dont know whats going on inside the presidents head, Mr Mulvaney told NBC News. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Republican former governor of California, on Sunday compared Wednesdays violence to Kristallnacht. Wednesday was the Day of Broken Glass right here in the United States . . . [Mr Trump] sought a coup by misleading people with lies. Donors have also started to turn their backs on Mr Trumps Republican allies, with at least three major corporate donors saying they would no longer give money to certain members of the party. Marriott International, the hotel chain, said it would not donate to Republican senators who voted against certifying Mr Bidens election. While Democrats are preparing to impeach the president this week, they are likely to postpone referring the matter to the Senate for a trial until after he leaves the White House. At that point Senators could vote on whether to bar the president from future office, in a move which would scupper his hopes of running again in 2024. Jim Clyburn, the Democratic House majority whip, said this weekend they could even delay starting a Senate trial until after Mr Bidens first 100 days in office. Winning a Senate vote is likely to prove far harder, however, than impeaching Mr Trump. Doing so would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate, and while several Republican senators have called on Mr Trump to resign in the next 10 days, none has said they will definitely vote to convict him. Ben Sasse, the Republican senator from Nebraska, said this weekend he would consider voting to convict Mr Trump. The outgoing president himself has been uncharacteristically silent, having had his preferred megaphone removed when Twitter suspended his account on Friday. That move, along with the decision by Amazon, Google and Apple to remove rightwing social network Parler from their platforms, has provoked a fierce conservative backlash against technology companies. Big Techs PURGE, censorship & abuse of power is absurd & profoundly dangerous, tweeted Ted Cruz, the Texas Senator who led the movement to deny certification of Mr Bidens electoral college win. Meanwhile, authorities continue to announce more arrests over Wednesdays violence. Michael Sherwin, the acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, told NPR that hundreds of people might ultimately face charges over the storming of the Capitol Building, which left five people dead. Financial Times The reopening of schools and religious centres without adherence to safety protocols contributed to the rise in COVID-19 cases across Nigeria, an official has said. The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, made this known at its briefing on Monday. He noted that reopening of airports and increased local and international travels also fuel the rise in coronavirus cases from late November 2020. It is however very instructive to stress that factors that have contributed to rise in numbers from late November 2020 included increased local and international travels, business and religious activities, reopening of schools without strict compliance with COVID-19 safety measures, Mr Mustapha said. Since early December, there has been a spike in coronavirus cases across Africas most populous country, an indication that the country had entered the second wave of the pandemic. A recent review by PREMIUM TIMES shows that one in every six persons (16 per cent) tested for COVID-19 in Nigeria in the past two weeks tested positive, indicating how fast the virus is spreading. 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. They warn that the situation could get worse if citizens keep violating safety protocols. The federal government recently warned that a significant increase in COVID-19 infections in Nigeria appears imminent this January due to the violation of safety protocols during the Christmas period. To tackle this, federal authorities have ordered the reopening of all isolation and treatment centres. The Nigerian government also reintroduced new restrictions to check the spread of the virus, including the closure of bars and nightclubs and limiting the number of people allowed in a public gathering. COVID-19 cases Nigeria, on Monday, crossed the 100,000 milestone in infections. The country, as of the time of this report, had recorded 100,087 cases of the virus and 1,358 deaths. The number of coronavirus infections worldwide also surpassed 90 million on Sunday morning, about a year since the highly infectious disease began spreading around the globe. Africa accounts for over 3 million of the confirmed cases, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overwhelmed facilities At the briefing in Abuja on Monday, Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the rising cases of infections impose an enormous burden on Nigerias health facilities. With the increased number of confirmed cases, the number of active cases has increased. As of today, we have 18,699 active cases on treatment both in facility and in the community using the treatment protocols. Many of the active cases may require care in one of the treatment or isolation centres thus imposing enormous burden on our facilities, he said. Mr Mamora also said results from the tests conducted on prospective NYSC members have confirmed that no part of the country is free of COVID-19 disease. ADVERTISEMENT We safely and comfortably draw this conclusion because corps members are mobilised from all the states of the country for each of the orientation camps, he said. The minister noted that plans regarding activation of oxygen availability in various states is on course with a view to effecting immediate repairs of non-functional oxygen plants. Do not hesitate to get vaccinated, listen to scientists: Delhi's first coronavirus patient India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 11: Days ahead of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, the city's first coronavirus patient urged people on Monday to get immunised without hesitation and listen to the scientific community, and not get swayed in by naysayers or those "spreading misconception" about it. The massive drive, whose first phase will begin from January 16 with healthcare workers to be the top priority group to receive the dose, will comprise 89 vaccination centres in Delhi. With final preparations underway and the vaccine set to arrive in the national capital in the next couple of days, Rohit Datta, who was the first person to be diagnosed with coronavirus infection on March 1, said "it feels surreal". "Till a few months ago, we were struggling, people were dying in large numbers and fear of an unknown virus was at its peak. But our doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers fought a tough battle in 2020. And the first dose is rightfully to be given to all those corona warriors," he said. New COVID-19 variant: Four more UK returnees test +ve in Bengaluru Datta, a businessman and resident of east Delhi's Mayur Vihar, praised the scientists who have worked tirelessly in labs to make these vaccines a reality. "When I had been detected with COVID-19, a lot of lay people had sort of become self-proclaimed medical experts, giving their opinions on the new virus, many spread misinformation and wrong information about it, even though the scientific community was struggling to understand this novel virus. Now, same thing is happening about the COVID vaccine too," he said. "Many are spreading misconceptions about it even before the roll-out. Let us give our scientists a chance," the leather businessman said. India's drugs regulator has approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and the indigenously-developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country. Fact check: Did Obama urge Africans not to take COVID-19 vaccine from US "I would appeal to fellow citizens to not hesitate and get vaccinated, whenever an opportunity presents itself. The Queen of England and her husband Prince Philip just got vaccinated, and Indian leaders also should come to the forefront and lead the way, to instil confidence among people," Datta told reporters. He cautioned that many "misconceptions" with no scientific basis are being spread about the vaccine by a section of lay people, including by some religious leaders, and urged people to be wary of it and "not get swayed in by those unscientific arguments". Coronavirus cases: India records 16,311 new COVID-19 cases, 161 deaths Datta, who was diagnosed with the infection much before the nationwide lockdown was implemented from March 25, said it was strange that when the time for vaccination has come, bird flu has hit many parts of the country, including Delhi. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News The businessman, whose house is near Sanjay Lake where several ducks have been found dead, hopes 2021 will be kinder to all creatures unlike the year gone by, which saw a pandemic of the century after the Spanish Flu of 1918. "I did quarantine for 14 days at the hospital, and then 14 days of home isolation, when these were technical jargons. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 12:56 [IST] 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. New Delhi: After witnessing tumult in the last few days, anti-riot paramilitary forces on Thursday moved into violence-hit areas of Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur district, but the situation appeared to be improving in the troubled regions where farmers have been protesting for over a week demanding debt relief. As contingents of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fanned out into the district, the state government shunted out Mandsaur collector Swatantra Singh and Superintendent of Police O P Tripathi. Curfew, imposed Wednesday after escalating violence, was relaxed for two hours from 4 pm, as officials said the situation appeared to be improving. Madhya Pradesh: Curfew relaxed in #Mandsaur from 4 pm to 6 pm today pic.twitter.com/oG948l7LqC ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 The police, however, said some areas were still tense. In Naya Gaon, about 70 kms from Mandsaur, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by senior Congress leaders and the JD(U)s Sharad Yadav, was detained by the police when the opposition leaders tried to make their way from the Rajasthan border to Mandsaur, the ground zero of the farmer protests. There was high drama as the police tried to stop what had turned into a rally of sorts with Rahul Gandhi leading from the front. When police tried to push him back, he ran into a field nearby from where he was detained. Gandhi was released after over four hours of detention in the guest house of a cement company. Also Read | Mandsaur farmers protest: Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi only interested in waiving loans of rich Farmers in Mandsaur have been protesting since June 1 demanding loan waiver and better crop prices. Five farmers were killed in police firing on Tuesday as the agitation turned violent. The government has brought in Manoj Kumar Singh from Neemuch as the new SP of Mandsaur. The collector of Shivpuri, O P Srivastava, who took charge of the district, said he faced a challenging situation. Divisional Commissioner M B Ojha told PTI, For the last two to three days, farmers were stopping vehicles and setting them on fire. Police said seven cases were lodged and 62 people detained in connection with the violence. Burnt vehicles were removed from the Mhow-Neemuch highway today, and traffic had resumed. Rajnath Singh on Mandsaur violence Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said some forces were instigating the agitation and the issue was under investigation. I feel there is no need of security forces when it comes to farmers protest. But as per the available information, there are some forces instigating the agitation (in MP). As the state government has ordered an enquiry into the matter, we should wait for its findings, he told reporters to a query on the police firing in Mandsaur district leading to the death of five farmers. NDA-BJP ki sarkaar koi aisa kaam nahi karegi jisse kisaan aur aam aadmi ka bharosa tute: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/VS6RpjzKpM ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 Another cabinet minister M Venkaiah Naidu accused the Congress of "instigating violence and politicising" the farmers' stir in Madhya Pradesh and termed party leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Mandsaur as "another photo opportunity". Also Read | Farmers agitation in MP: Widespread violence, incidents of arson reported from Mandsaur, Dewas districts For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Patrizia Reggiani strolls in Milan with her pet parrot on her shoulder - Eyevine An Italian socialite nicknamed the Black Widow has revealed that she was so desperate to murder her husband, an heir to the Gucci fashion empire, that she went around asking everyone if they could do it, even the local grocer. Patrizia Reggiani is out of prison, having served 17 years for hiring a hitman to shoot dead her husband, Maurizio Gucci, on the steps of his office in Milan in 1995. She was furious that after 13 years of marriage he had abandoned her for another woman, leaving her to bring up their two young daughters. She was also angry over his management of the $170 million fortune he had accrued after selling the family business in 1993 to an investment group. Patrizia Reggeni at her trial in Milan - Ansa/Reuters The former socialite, who kept a pet ferret in prison, has given a candid interview about ordering her husbands murder and her life behind bars in San Vittore prison in Milan, which she ironically nicknamed Victor's Residence. I was furious with Maurizio. I went around asking everyone, even the local grocer, is there someone who has the courage to murder my husband? the 72-year-old said in a documentary that was released on Monday. I cant aim a gun very well I couldnt have done it myself. With the help of a friend who was a psychic and fortune-teller, she eventually found someone willing to carry out the murder. The hitman, Benedetto Ceraulo, was a debt-ridden pizzeria owner. He drew up in a green Renault Clio to the office block where Mr Gucci worked and shot him four times. He was eventually caught, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Maurizio Gucci was gunned down as he walked into his office building in central Milan on March 27, 1995 - AP It took police two years to figure out who had ordered the killing. "I didn't think they'd catch me," Ms Reggiani, wearing an elegant pink trouser suit, told the Discovery documentary. After a trial that captivated Italy, she was found guilty of commissioning the hit and sentenced to 26 years in prison. The trial heard that on the day her ex-husband was gunned down, she wrote in her diary the word paradeisos, Greek for paradise. Story continues Ms Reggiani said in the documentary that she had quite enjoyed incarceration. I was absolutely fine in prison, she said. For me they were years of peace. I slept, I worked in the garden. A decade ago, she was offered the chance of day release on the condition that she would accept menial work. She refused. I've never worked in my life and I'm certainly not going to start now, she told a court in Milan. That attitude echoed one of her more famous quotes: I would rather weep in a Rolls-Royce than be happy on a bicycle. In the end, her sentence was cut short for good behaviour and she was released in 2017. She lives in Milan with a pet parrot and can sometimes be seen walking around the city with the blue and yellow macaw on her shoulder. Her daughters, now grown-up, reportedly want nothing to do with her. On December 19, Israel announced mandatory quarantine rules for those arriving into the country from abroad. According to ANI, the Israeli Ministry of Health said that all overseas travellers will have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine effective December 20. This comes as the country started to rigorously test Israelis returning from the UK amid fears of the more contagious variant of the coronavirus that lately started to spread in England. Israeli Health Ministry told Ynet news that officials held meetings and discussions to consider the ramifications and the necessary steps that needs to be taken. The Health ministry ordered those travelling from the UK to quarantine separately at hotels, meanwhile asking the foreigners to mandatorily isolate themselves. The Israeli government has been weighing the possibility of shutting down Ben Gurion Airport to all international arrivals, according to sources of Kan public broadcaster. "Starting from 20.12.20 all foreign countries will be considered 'red,' and thus all people arriving from abroad will have to undergo a 14-day self-isolation," ANI confirmed the Israeli health ministry as saying. Furthermore, health authorities proposed that the arriving foreigners can take a COVID-19 diagnosis on the 9th day and in case of at least two negative tests they would be required to quarantine for 9 days. Read: As Temperatures Drop, Coronavirus Particles On Surfaces May Remain Infectious Longer: Study Read: Coronavirus Three Times Deadlier Than Flu, Leads To More Respiratory Complications: Study All Israelis to isolate post December 26 Meanwhile, the new guideline exempts Israeli citizens who return to the country from low infection rate nations that Israel dubs as green countries before December 26. Such citizens will not be subject to mandatory quarantine. However, all the citizens entering Isreal after December 26 will have to isolate immediately. All travellers, including Israelis returning from countries with high covid infection rate dubbed as red nations, will quarantine effective Dece. 20. Earlier Dr. Gila Rahav, director of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan had criticized the Israeli government speaking to Ynet for not testing and sending those that travel from abroad into mandatory isolation. Read: Deal On Fed Removes Obstacle To Agreement On COVID Relief Read: COVID-19 Antibodies Found In Babies Born To Coronavirus Positive Mothers: Study The conservative social network Parler was forced offline Monday, tracking websites showed, after Amazon warned the company would lose access to its servers for its failure to properly police violent content. The site's popularity soared in recent weeks, becoming the number one download from Apple's App Store after the much larger Twitter banned US President Donald Trump from its platform for his role in inciting a riot at the US Capitol last week. Messages of support for Wednesday's attack in Washington DC -- along with calls for more demonstrations -- had flourished on the platform, leading Google to remove it from its app store on Friday, followed by Apple on Saturday. Amazon then confirmed it would suspend the platform from its cloud hosting services for allowing "threats of violence." In a letter to Parler's owners, the web giant said it would suspend service by 11:59 PM on Sunday (0759 GMT Monday). Tracking website Down For Everyone Or Just Me showed Parler offline from just after midnight, suggesting its owners had not been able to find a new hosting partner. In a series of posts on Parler before the site went down, CEO John Matze accused the tech giants of a "war on free speech." "They will NOT win! We are the worlds last hope for free speech and free information," he said. Parler did not respond to a request for comment from AFP. The social network, launched in 2018, operates much like Twitter, with profiles to follow and "parleys" instead of tweets. In its early days, the platform attracted a crowd of ultra-conservative and even extreme-right users. But it now attracts many more traditional Republican voices. Fox News star host Sean Hannity has 7.6 million followers, while his colleague Tucker Carlson has 4.4 million. Elected officials present include Republicans Devin Nunes, a California congressman, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Trump is not known to have a Parler profile. Story continues - Safe haven - Parler's recent growth was supercharged after last weeks violence in DC as new users, furious over Twitter's ban on Trump, flocked to the app. In one now-deleted post, an account purporting to belong to Lin Wood, a pro-Trump lawyer, called for Vice President Mike Pence to be put in front of a firing squad -- threats which US media have reported led to a secret service investigation. Supporters of President Trump expressed outrage at the news of the website being taken down. Ahead of the shutdown, the President's son, Donald Trump Jr., complained that "big tech has totally eliminated the notion of free speech in America." Prominent pro-Trump commentator and conspiracy theorist Mark Dice took to Twitter to accuse "Marxists" of taking Parler offline, urging followers to register on secure messaging app Telegram and Gab, another site popular with the far-right. With tech giants making their opposition clear, conservative sites such as Parler are likely going to have to find ways to adjust. The DLive video streaming service, used by several protesters during the invasion of the Capitol, closed seven of its channels and pulled more than 100 videos from the site. Gab may now also become a model for other websites, with CEO Andrew Torba claiming it had atrracted 600,000 new users Sunday. The platform drew fierce criticism in 2018 when investigators found that the shooter who killed 11 people in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue had earlier posted anti-Semitic messages on the site. It has installed its own servers so as not to be dependent on outside providers. oho/fox NEW DELHI : An investigation of alleged unlawful practices at Carlsberg India found "potential improper payments" to government officials and other regulatory lapses, its former auditor said in a document seen by Reuters. Reports by a different global consultancy, also seen by Reuters and previously unreported, disclosed other lapses at Carlsberg India Pvt Ltd in 2018, including child labour. The findings cast a fresh shadow on operations and compliance practices at the Indian joint venture of Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S, which according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has a 17% share of India's $7 billion beer market. Carlsberg's probes and a boardroom dispute come amid other challenges: an antitrust investigation last year concluded Carlsberg India colluded for years on prices with rivals, though a final ruling is pending. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches An India affiliate of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) network recently resigned as Carlsberg India's financial auditor after declining for two years in a row to give an opinion on the brewer's financials, amid boardroom tussles and internal probes into local practices, Reuters reported in November. Since at least 2019, Carlsberg had been probing allegations levelled by some past and current employees around promotion of alcohol in prohibited areas, kickbacks and bribery, according to regulatory filings and the document prepared by local PwC affiliate Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP. The investigation "concluded that there were internal control weaknesses ... potential improper payments made to government officials/other persons and possibility of misappropriation of company's funds over past years by certain customers," says the PwC document, which details the basis of the firm's resignation. "However, the amount of misappropriation and other amounts relating to inappropriate practices could not be ascertained." Responding to questions from Reuters, Carlsberg said, "We cannot rule out breaches of our policies and code of conduct." The company said it does everything possible to prevent such incidents. The investigations "specified that Carlsberg Group's policies were breached in the period until 2018" and the probes identified the need for further strengthening of controls, the company said. "Carlsberg India has taken several actions as a consequence of the findings, including ... dismissal of and formal warnings to employees," it said. PwC declined to comment. Carlsberg told Reuters in November the auditor had quit because of "highly disruptive side-effects" of a commercial conflict with its India joint venture partner, the Nepal-based Khetan Group. Three nominee directors from Khetan refused to approve the last two annual results. In a filing for the 2018-19 financial year, PwC said it was withholding an opinion due to "divergent views" among board members, ongoing forensic reviews and the possible impact these could have on legal compliance. Results for the year through March 2020 have not been published, but the PwC document says the "complaining directors" had divergent views on the scope, manner and findings of the investigation into Carlsberg's local practices. C.P. Khetan, who manages the Carlsberg India partnership for the Khetan Group, did not respond to a request for comment. Other audits, child labour Separately, three documents by Ernst & Young (EY) in India showed regulatory lapses in 2018, including child labour at a warehouse. A May 2018 EY internal report on an audit of two Carlsberg warehouses found underage labourers at a location in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. Calling it a "high" risk finding, EY said 24 of 41 workers there were under 21 - the legal minimum age of employment for those engaged in alcohol sales in the state - with some as young as 16 to 18. The report also showed apparent violation of environment rules, such as incorrect disposal of scrap material. A draft of that report contained two images - a young boy carrying a box of Carlsberg's Tuborg beer on his head, and another of a boy smiling while sitting atop beer cartons with packaging material in hand. It also contained photos of workers on the job in slippers rather than safety shoes. On child labour, Carlsberg told Reuters, "The third-party provider was terminated immediately in 2018 following the findings in the internal report." EY declined to comment. Another EY audit, which analysed Carlsberg's logistics operations in 2018, found lapses on transportation, revealing there were more than 22,000 instances of overloading trucks. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Election 2020 Oaths FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi administers the oath of office to members of the 117th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The oath, which normally doesnt attract much attention, has become a common subject in the final days of the Trump presidency, being invoked by members of both parties as they met Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 to affirm Biden's win and a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. (Bill Clark/Pool Photo via AP, File) Before they take office, elected officials swear to uphold the U.S. Constitution. But what happens when they are accused of doing the opposite? As some Republicans in Congress continued to back President Donald Trump's doomed effort to overturn the election, critics including President-elect Joe Biden alleged that they had violated their oaths and instead pledged allegiance to Trump. The oaths, which rarely attract much attention, have become a common subject in the final days of the Trump presidency, being invoked by members of both parties as they met Wednesday to affirm Biden's win and a violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Video: Investigation into Capitol breach They also swore on a Bible to uphold the Constitution, and thats where they really are stepping outside and being in dereliction of duty, said former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican who served as EPA administrator during former President George W. Bush's administration. They swore to uphold the Constitution against all our enemies, foreign or domestic, and they are ignoring that. The oaths vary slightly between government bodies, but elected officials generally swear to defend the Constitution. The Senate website says its current oath is linked to the 1860s, drafted by Civil War-era members of Congress intent on ensnaring traitors. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, vowed to honor the oath she took and affirm the results of the presidential election while urging colleagues to do the same. Republican Sen. Todd Young, of Indiana, was seen in a video posted to social media telling Trump supporters outside a Senate office building that he took an oath to the Constitution under God and asked, Do we still take that seriously in this country? Corey Brettschneider, a political science professor at Brown University and author of The Oath and the Office: A Guide to the Constitution for Future Presidents," said the oath must be taken seriously and that Americans have to demand its enforcement or the risk is to the entire system. He said he would support censures, a formal statement of disapproval, for officials who clearly violate their oaths. The worst that could happen is that people roll their eyes at the oath and they say, Oh, none of them mean it, and I think what we've got to do at a time of crisis is exactly the opposite is to say, this does mean something, Brettschneider said. When you break the law, you need to be held to account, and that's what's really up to the American people to be outraged when Trump does what he's done. Republicans who have filed or supported lawsuits challenging Biden's win in November have claimed, without evidence, that the election was rigged against Trump. Their cases have failed before courts all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Both Republican and Democratic officials have deemed the election results legitimate and free of any widespread fraud. The oaths were mentioned often Wednesday during a joint session of Congress meant to confirm Bidens victory. Some Republicans who launched objections to the election results claimed their oaths required them to do so, while Democrats urged their counterparts to honor their oaths and affirm Biden as the next president. The oath that I took this past Sunday to defend and support the Constitution makes it necessary for me to object to this travesty, said Rep. Lauren Boebert, a newly elected Republican from Colorado. As lawmakers met, violent protestors loyal to Trump stormed the Capitol in an insurrection intended to keep Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. While authorities struggled to regain control, Biden called on Trump to abide by his oath and move to ease tensions. I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege," Biden said. The GOP effort to block the formal confirmation of Biden's win eventually failed after Republicans recycled arguments of fraud and other irregularities that have failed to gain traction. Democrats were quick to condemn Republicans who continued to oppose the results. Rep. Adam Schiff of California asked, Does our oath to uphold the Constitution, taken just days ago, mean so very little? I think not. He added that an oath is no less broken when the breaking fails to achieve its end. Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat from Missouri, said she would introduce a resolution calling for the expulsion of Republicans who moved to invalidate the election results. I believe the Republican members of Congress who have incited this domestic terror attack through their attempts to overturn the election must face consequences, she tweeted. They have broken their sacred oath of office. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said officials who continued to support Trump's baseless claims of fraud violated their oath, and their rhetoric emboldened the rioters who stormed the Capitol. They have an allegiance that they have sworn not to the Constitution and not the United States of America, but to one man, and that man is Donald Trump," she said. "And they refuse to walk away from that no matter what he says, no matter what he does, and I think history will not judge them kindly for that." ___ Izaguirre reported from Lindenhurst, New York. Associated Press Writer Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press coverage of voting rights receives support in part from Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Syracuse, N.Y. A Syracuse man was sent to jail after police accused him of shooting one woman and pistol-whipping another woman on the citys West Side. James Bell, 45, got into an argument with the women shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 300 block of Rowland Street. The dispute escalated, police said, when Bell shot a 20-year-old woman in the leg and struck a 42-year-old woman in the head with a gun. City police responded to the 300 block of Rowland Street at 7:18 p.m. When they arrived, they found the injured women; officers later tracked down Bell at his home, nearby in the same block of Rowland Street, Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Malinowski said. It was not immediately clear why Bell was arguing with the woman, or if or how they knew each other, but according to police dispatches, Bell lived two houses away from where the shooting and attack happened. The 20-year-old Syracuse woman was taken to Upstate University Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, Malinowski said. The woman is expected to survive, he said. The 42-year-old Syracuse woman suffered a head injury, Malinowski said. EMS crews treated her at the scene, he said. Bell was charged with second-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies. He was transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center. Jail records show Bell remains in jail Sunday night and his next court date is Friday. Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook On This Day The Day the Burma Road Between Myanmar and China Opened Somewhere on the Burma Road / US Army Center of Military History / public domain via Wikimedia Commons Microsoft unexpectedly launched the Surface Pro 7+, a refreshed Surface Pro tablet with Intels 11th-gen Tiger Lake processors inside, LTE options, and the removeable SSD that Microsoft first introduced with the Surface Pro X. Microsoft will begin taking orders for the Surface Pro 7+, part of the Surface Pro for Business line, on Monday via its business partners. Prices begin at $900. Adding the LTE Advanced option essentially tacks on a substantial premium, with the option only available on more powerful configurations whose price begins at $1,150. Neither price factors in a Signature Type Keyboard and Surface Pen, which cost about $160 and $100, respectively. Matte black and platinum color options are available. The Surface Pro 7+ name is appropriate, as the Surface Pro 7 included Intels 10th-gen Ice Lake processors but was otherwise just a spec bump from its predecessor. With the Surface Pro 7+, Microsoft is not only upgrading the internal components, but adding the LTE option off the bat, something that it hasnt always done. (Unfortunately, 5G isnt yet included.) The only apparent physical changes is the SSD drawer. Microsoft Microsofts Surface Pro 7+ is almost physically indistinguishable from its predecessor, the Surface Pro 7. Microsoft positioned the design of the Surface Pro 7+ as at least a partial response to the pandemic, which has forced many of its customers to work from home and adapt to what you might call extraordinary working conditions. For one, Microsoft said that customers have been forced to move around their homes unexpectedly, and work from odd setups; the unexpected demands of Zoom/Teams calls, downloads, and other loads on a home wireless network has made offloading the wireless data burden to a cellular network a convenience, if not a priority. Internally, users will have a choice of buying versions of the Surface Pro 7+ with either a dual-core Core i3-1115G4 processor, or two quad-core options: the Core i5-1135G7 and the Core i7-1165G7. A change no one will mind: Mircosoft has retired the 4GB RAM option, offering 8GB, 16GB, and a new 32GB LPDDR4x memory option. Microsoft The Surface Pro 7 adds an SSD drawer, and the ability to swap out the SSD inside. Users are now accustomed to camera to camera is the new face to face, added Robin Seller, the corporate vice president of Microsoft Devices, in a blog post. The new emphasis on videoconferencing has turned the high-resolution cameras built into the Surface Pro 7 and the new 7+ from luxuries to essentials. The 5MP user-facing camera and an 8MP rear camera both capture 1080p video, and a pair of far-field mics to pick up your voice. It appears that the Surface Pro 7+ speakers have been upgraded to use Dolby Atmos audio technology, which has also been used on the Apple iPad Pro and Amazon Fire HD 10. Somewhat ironically, the new Tiger Lake processors theoretically offer the new Thunderbolt 4 port option. But Microsoft, which pioneered the high-speed I/O dock with the Surface Dock and its successor, the Surface Dock 2, still chooses to use its own Surface Connector. Microsoft Microsoft still apparently hasnt changed its stance toward the removable SSD that the company built into the Surface Pro X and the Surface Laptop 3. Then, Microsoft Store representativeswhen Microsoft still operated Microsoft Storestold us that the removable SSD was being used as a means to migrate data from one Surface Laptop 3/Surface Pro X to another, rather than as a way to allow end users to upgrade their storage options. Microsoft says the Surface Pro 7+ introduces a removable SSD for data retention. Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ basic specs Because the Surface Pro 7+ is a Microsoft Surface for Business device, it ships only with Windows 10 Pro. Microsoft 365 apps come standard, with a 30-day trial period before requiring a license. Display: 12.3-inch PixelSense display (2736x1824) 12.3-inch PixelSense display (2736x1824) Processor: Core i3-1115G4 (Wi-Fi), Core i5-1135G7 (Wi-Fi/LTE) Core i7-1165G7 (Wi-Fi) Core i3-1115G4 (Wi-Fi), Core i5-1135G7 (Wi-Fi/LTE) Core i7-1165G7 (Wi-Fi) Graphics: UHS (Core i3), Iris Xe (Core i5, i7) UHS (Core i3), Iris Xe (Core i5, i7) Memory: 8GB, 16GB LPDDR4x (Wi-Fi, LTE); 32GB LPDDR4x (Wi-Fi) 8GB, 16GB LPDDR4x (Wi-Fi, LTE); 32GB LPDDR4x (Wi-Fi) Storage: 128GB or 256GB (Wi-Fi or LTE); 512GB or 1TB (Wi-Fi) 128GB or 256GB (Wi-Fi or LTE); 512GB or 1TB (Wi-Fi) Ports: 1 USB Type C, 1 USB Type A, MicroSDXC reader, Surface Connect, 3.5mm audio jack, nanoSIM 1 USB Type C, 1 USB Type A, MicroSDXC reader, Surface Connect, 3.5mm audio jack, nanoSIM Camera: 5MP front-facing, 8MP rear-facing, w/1080p video 5MP front-facing, 8MP rear-facing, w/1080p video Battery: 15 hours / 13.5 hours with LTE Advanced 15 hours / 13.5 hours with LTE Advanced Wireless: WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5, Qualcomm X20 modem WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5, Qualcomm X20 modem Operating system: Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro Dimensions (inches): 11.5 x 7.5 x 0.33 inches (8.5mm) 11.5 x 7.5 x 0.33 inches (8.5mm) Weight: 1.7 pounds 1.7 pounds Colors: Platinum, Matte Black Platinum, Matte Black Price: $899 to $2,799 $899 to $2,799 Optional accessories: Surface Pro Signature Type Cover ($160 on Amazon), Surface Pen ($100 on microsoft.com). Surface Pro 7+ available configurations Core i3/8GB RAM/128GB SSD: $900 Core i5/8GB RAM/128GB SSD: $1,000 Core i5/8GB RAM/128GB SSD (LTE): $1,150 Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD: $1,300 Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD (LTE): $1,450 Core i5/16GB RAM/256GB SSD: $1,500 Core i5/16GB RAM/256GB SSD (LTE): $1,650 Core i7/16GB RAM/256GB SSD: $1,600 Core i7/16GB RAM/256GB SSD: $2,000 Core i7/16GB RAM/512GB SSD: $2,400 Core i7/32GB RAM/1TB SSD: $2,800 Between January 1 and 10, 2021, the Crisis Management Center of the State Service for Emergency Situations of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) received 806 calls from citizens who mainly reported the detection of arms and ammunition that remained in the territory of Artsakh during the war, as well as accidents, as reported the State Service for Emergency Situations. In particular, the State Service for Emergency Situations received 70 calls regarding unexploded and hazardous ammunition. The sapper squads of the State Service for Emergency Situations have detected, cleared or stored over 2,000 explosive objects in Stepanakert and regions. There have been 15 reports on fires in the first ten days of 2021. Thanks to firefighters and rescuers, the fires have been put out on time. A big fire was recorded at a distance of nearly 12 kilometers from Stepanakert due to a careless citizen, and the fire was put out on time. In the same period, the 911 Alarm Center of the State Service for Emergency Situations recorded two road accidents and 1 victim, who was transferred to a medical center (the victim is in satisfactory condition). During the first days of the New Year, rescuers provided consulting for over 150 citizens. Since November 13, 2020, the personnel of the special unit for rapid response continues search and rescue operations in the areas that are now under the control of Azerbaijan. In the period between January 1 and 10, 2021, the bodies of 74 deceased servicemen were detected and returned. Overall, since November 13, 1,211 bodies have been found, and there are bodies of civilians among them, the press release of the Service reads. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks during his meeting with Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev, left, and Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin in Moscow (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan, their first meeting since a Russia-brokered truce ended six weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. As he sat down for talks in the Kremlin with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan, Mr Putin said that the peace agreement has been successfully implemented, creating the necessary basis for a long-term and full-format settlement of the old conflict. The November 10 peace deal ended 44 days of hostilities in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces and reclaimed control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas. Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but had been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. Expand Close Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev (Mikhail Kilmentyev/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev (Mikhail Kilmentyev/AP) That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands. Hostilities flared up in late September and the Azerbaijani military pushed deep into Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas in six weeks of fighting involving heavy artillery and drones that left more than 6,000 people dead on both sides. Under the peace deal, Russia has deployed about 2,000 peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh for at least five years. The peace deal was celebrated in Azerbaijan as a major triumph, but sparked outrage and mass protests in Armenia, where thousands repeatedly took to the streets demanding Mr Pashinyans resignation. Scores of protesters on Monday tried to block a road linking the Armenian capital with the airport to prevent Mr Pashinyan from travelling to Moscow, but police dispersed them. Expand Close Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP) The Armenian prime minister has defended the deal as a painful but necessary move that prevented Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey have shut their borders with Armenia ever since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted, a blockade that has weakened the economy of the landlocked country. The Russia-brokered peace deal envisaged the reopening of transport routes, including a corridor linking Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave that borders Armenia, Turkey and Iran. Mr Putin noted on Monday that senior officials from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia will set up a working group to discuss further moves to restore traffic links in the region. [January 11, 2021] 4.6 Million New Users Joined BiP in the Past 3 Days Within the past 3 days 4.6 million new users have participated in BiP, the communication and life platform of Turkey witnessing daily growth. BiP has made a difference in the field of communication apps by bringing many superior features into action before its competitors. All the data is stored in the data centers of Turkcell (News - Alert) in Turkey with highly secured encryption. Brought into use as operator free application in 192 countries, BiP offers uninterrupted and secure communication with its messaging, voice and video call features. Recently, Digicel (News - Alert) has brought BiP into the use of its customers in 32 countries in which it operates by means of the partnership 'Lifecell Ventures', the affiliate of Turkcell. BiP has over 1 million customers in the Caribbean region alone. Atac Tansug: We receive no data without permission Atac Tansug, Executive Vice President - Digital Services and Solutions of Turkcell, has stated that users may continue using BiP without the obligation to share their data with third parties. "BiP have been developed by Turkcell engineers since 2013 has been welcomed with a great interest within the past 3 days. We store the data of our BiP users in the most highly secured Turkcell data centers within the boundaries of Turkey. What is important in communication applications is that, for the service to be able to be rendered, the necessary data are received from users, processed within their approvals, and shared to the extent necessary for provision of the service. For instance, BiP being a communication application requests permission for access t directory in order to be able to provide its users with call and messaging services" said Tansug. Emphasizing that they do not receive, process and share any data without permission of users at BiP, Tansug has stated: "All our users may feel at ease on this subject. We do not in any way discriminate between our users in 192 countries. We listen to customer feedback and act in the swiftest manner to meet their demands. Hence, if there is something to be remedied, we are ready to do our best to remedy the same." All information are secure at BiP All BiP data is stored at the data centers of Turkcell in Istanbul and Ankara which hold international security certification (Transport Layer Security-TLS). The entire communication between the devices and servers by means of which the messages on BiP are transmitted is transported securely using TLS encryption. Not any third party is able to have access to and read the messages by intervening in the system. If the back-up setting on BiP is not switched on, the messages are kept for a temporary period by being encrypted until they are transmitted to other party on systems and erased fully from the systems upon message transmission. If user switches on the back-up setting, sharing is kept in data centers by being encrypted. BiP is developing with each passing day While competing on global platforms with its superior features that BiP's competitors do not have, BiP makes also a difference with its features developed according to the needs of Turkey. For instance, providing its users with informative and entertaining contents by means of various channels available in the section 'discover', BiP has also opened Coronavirus Information and Service Hotline in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. Without any discrimination among operators, BiP users are able perform coronavirus test and freely have access to ALO 184 Ministry of Health Communication Center Information Hotline in necessary circumstances over this channel. Thanks to the Emergency Button feature of BiP, users are able to communicate with each other on an uninterrupted basis over BiP with a single click in emergency cases even if there is a network interruption by sharing their wellbeing information and locations. The feature 'translation' enables users to chat in 106 different languages during instant messaging. BiP ensures that its users view the incoming messages as translated message and translates the messages sent by them spontaneously. Thanks to the 'disappearing message' feature offered exclusively by BiP, the messages sent appear on chat window during the period chosen by the user and are deleted automatically when the period expires. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005897/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A Philadelphia police detective from the unit that investigates the backgrounds of potential recruits has been temporarily reassigned based on a tip that she attended the rally in Washington where President Donald Trump incited his followers to storm the Capitol. Detective Jennifer Gugger was removed from her position in the police departments Recruit Background Investigations Unit on Saturday after Internal Affairs received social media posts indicating that she had been at the Wednesday event, departmental sources said. Sgt. Eric Gripp, a police spokesperson, confirmed that a detective had been reassigned from that unit pending the outcome of the investigation, but would not confirm the detectives identity. He said the detective had not been placed on restricted duty. The detectives new assignment was not available. The tip did not include evidence that Gugger had been inside the Capitol or had participated in the violence. Five people died in or near the Capitol, including a Capitol police officer who apparently was struck by a fire extinguisher in the chaos. The allegation was that she was at the event, Gripp said. Due to what unfolded at the event, we have opened an Internal Affairs investigation to see precisely what, if any, participation she had in it. In a screenshot of a Facebook post that has since been taken down, but was reviewed by The Inquirer, Gugger, using the name Jenny Lynn, tagged friends she said were at the rally and posted photos of the Washington Monument and a small crowd on the street. #StopTheSteal Drinking beers with fellow patriots! she wrote. READ MORE: What I saw inside the House chamber as the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol closed in The friends whom Gugger tagged later posted videos of the crowd as it amassed outside the Capitol, with one friend described as being near the Capitol steps when insurrectionists breached the building. That friend wrote in a post that the only people looking to start trouble were a few Antifa scumbags wearing Trump stuff walking toward the Capitol with bats. Yep, Gugger agreed. (There is no credible evidence that the siege was instigated or led by members of antifa, short for anti-fascists, or members of any other far-left group.) Until recently, Guggers Facebook profile photo was a reference to the QAnon conspiracy movement that the FBI has described as a domestic terror threat. It showed lightning bolts striking the Washington Monument behind the letter Q. Underneath the photo were the words, The storm has arrived, an apparent reference, according to QAnon believers, to the day when Trump would overthrow an elitist global cabal working against him. Guggers unit in the police department is responsible for performing background checks on potential recruits. That includes examining social media activity. Gugger could not be reached for comment on Sunday. A spokesperson for John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, said the union had not yet received details of the investigation. READ MORE: He organized a bus of Trump supporters from Pa. for the first day of the rest of our lives. He died in Washington. The national FOP in 2016 endorsed Trump, stating that he has the full and enthusiastic support of the union because he calls for law and order across our nation. The Philadelphia FOP fell in line with that endorsement, with McNesby saying the local union was bound by the national unions decision. In July, when Vice President Mike Pence visited the Philadelphia FOP headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia, members of the alt-right group the Proud Boys attended the rally and after party. Hundreds of pro-Trump police supporters gathered outside, some chanting blue lives matter and hurling racist insults at a smaller group of Black Lives Matter protesters. McNesby later said the Proud Boys had not been invited. The Washington Post reported Saturday that police departments across the country are investigating members who might have taken part in the riot, including two police officers from Seattle who posted on social media from inside the Capitol as well as an officer from Zelienople, Pa., a small borough near Pittsburgh; a police chief from Troy, N.H.; and a sheriffs deputy from Texas. Gripp said the Philadelphia Police Department has not received reports of other officers attending the event. Washington, Jan 11 : US President-elect Joe Biden has recently announced a controversial shift in Covid-19 vaccination strategy, aiming to release all available doses as soon as possible. According to a CNN report, it could also be a risky strategy as both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines require two doses, administered at specific intervals and vaccine manufacturing has not ramped up as rapidly as many experts had hoped. "The President-elect believes we must accelerate distribution of the vaccine while continuing to ensure the Americans who need it most get it as soon as possible. He supports releasing available doses immediately, and believes the government should stop holding back vaccine supply so we can get more shots in Americans' arms now," TJ Ducklo, a spokesman for Biden's transition team, told CNN in an exclusive interview. "He will share additional details next week on how his administration will begin releasing available doses when he assumes office on January 20," Ducklo added. The Biden team believes that vaccine manufacturers will be able to produce enough second doses in a timely fashion while administering first doses to more Americans, a transition official said. It also plans to use the Defence Production Act to produce vaccine materials and other supplies in order to ensure there's enough vaccine for both doses. The official added that the Biden team may hold back a small amount of doses in case of unforeseen circumstances. Outgoing President Donald Trump's administration also does this -- in addition to holding back the second doses -- in the event of incidents such as shipment errors or vaccine spoilage. The comment from Biden's transition comes after a group of governors wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Operation Warp Speed Chief Operating Officer Gen. Gustave Perna pressing the federal government to distribute "reserved doses" of the Covid-19 vaccine to states that need them. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS James B. Morris, 68, of 19 Clarke Drive was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Sunday on a disorderly conduct charge. Collin D. Thomas, 24, of 521 Stratford Lane was arrested at 1:19 a.m. Saturday on charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer after police said he refused to leave West Morton Depot at 213 W. Morgan St. A 16-year-old boy was cited on a charge of criminal damage to property at 11:04 a.m. Friday after being accused of hitting his sister and damaging her vehicle. THEFTS, BURGLARIES Several items were taken from a vehicle in the 100 block of East Michigan Avenue between 12:30 and 10:20 a.m. Sunday. A car was taken from the 100 block of East Walnut Street between 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, according to a report filed at 11:23 a.m. Sunday. A safe containing a firearm was taken from a vehicle parked in the first block of Greenbriar Drive between Dec. 28 and Saturday, according to a report filed at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. ACCIDENTS A 16-year-old girl was cited on a charge of failing to yield after the car she was driving and one being driven by Bryan Q. Branch, 27, of Jacksonville collided at 9:57 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of East Morton Avenue. Branch and a passenger in his car, Amanda L. Blackwell, 26, of Jacksonville, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. Lora Jo Cave, 51, of Virginia was cited on a charge of following too closely after the car she was driving struck a car being driven by Ronnie D. Lindsey, 44, of Bath at 6:37 p.m. Friday while he was stopped at West Morton Avenue and South Diamond Street. OTHER REPORTS Police are investigating a report that a man was assaulted about 12:40 a.m. Sunday in an alley in the 200 block of East State Street. A customer tried to use a counterfeit $100 bill at Circle K, 602 N. Main St., at 1:51 a.m. Saturday, but an employee would not accept the bill. Someone hit a utility box, a tree and a pole at Morton Avenue and Massey Lane overnight, according to a report filed at 8:11 a.m. Friday. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer 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 10, 2021] UnionPay International and PayTabs Partner to Power E-commerce in the UAE DUBAI, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UnionPay International (UPI) and PayTabs, MENA's award-winning payment solutions powerhouse, today announced a strategic partnership that allows PayTabs merchants to offer UnionPay Cards as an alternative payment method to customers who purchase goods and services online in the United Arab Emirates. The collaboration aims to service thousands of PayTabs merchants in retail, travel, hospitality, healthcare, education, F&B, and other industries, to improve the checkout experience of their customers and thereby increase their online sales conversion. At the same time, with access to PayTabs merchants in the UAE, UnionPay Cardholders can benefit from multiple transaction categories which include everything from booking a taxi, ordering food, making a hotel reservation, to shopping for clothes or groceries online. To date, eight billion UnionPay cards have been issued globally, giving PayTabs merchants in the UAE access to tap into this profitable segment of cardholders that have higher spending potential. Commenting on the collaboration, PayTabs CEO and founder, Abdulaziz Al Jouf said, "We are in the business of assisting thousands of merchants globally to understand their customer's local alternatives to making payments. Our partnership with UnionPay International aims to facilitate online shopping for billions of UionPay customers around the world who can proudly use their cards to make purchases from our premium merchant base in the United Arab Emirates. Empowering both merchants and customers is a game changer in today's payment ecosystem." "We have been actively improving various convenient and safe innovative payment services to provide UnionPay cardholders with better payment experiences. With no doubt, smooth online payment solutions provided by UnionPay bring convenience and ensure safety during the pandemic," said James Yang, General Manager of UnionPay International Middle East Branch. "In addition, the collaboration will also help boost local e-commerce and the overall economic development in the UAE and assist local merchants in expanding their customer base and transaction volume." About UnionPay International UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with more than 2300 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 179 countries and regions with issuance in 63 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost-effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants. For more information, please visit http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/. About PayTabs PayTabs is an award winning, B2B, payments solutions powerhouse founded by Saudi entrepreneur Abdulaziz Al Jouf in June 2014. Today, PayTabs processes transactions in 168 currencies, safely and securely. Using API plugins, PayTabs facilitates seamless B2B ecommerce, m-commerce, and social commerce solutions for SME's across 49 industries to 'plug and play' payment features onto their websites. PayTabs prides itself on offering electronic invoicing services enabling businesses to enjoy paperless invoicing and pay via secure payment links. Over the years, PayTabs has in-built and exported a full stack of game changing solutions, including mobile applications, hospitality, governmental, education, airline, travel, transport, and biller solutions, to interlink the multi-billion-dollar enterprise market chain in the MENA region. For more information, please visit https://site.paytabs.com/en/. SOURCE UnionPay International [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] She released her own skincare line after leaving her Radio 1 job in May 2020. And Maya Jama reportedly wants to go one step further by becoming the latest celebrity to launch a make-up range. It's understood that the presenter, 26, wants to release the line this year but is 'taking her time with the cosmetics', according to The Sun. Coming soon? Maya Jama wants to release her own make-up range, following the success of her skincare line last year, which she would like to release this year Maya will launch the line, which will include lip-kits, eyeshadows, foundations and primers, when 'it's right', the source said. She released her skincare line, MIJ Masks, last year which included face masks as well as eye patches. A friend told the publication: 'Maya is a shrewd businesswoman and is determined to make a name for herself in the cosmetics market. 'Her debut skincare range, MIJ, has been a runaway hit, with her face masks selling out in the first week, making her around 250,000 in seven days. Successful: The presenter and former Radio 1 DJ, 26, released her skincare line, MIJ Masks, last year which included face masks as well as eye patches 'Maya has now trademarked cosmetics under the brand name.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Maya for comment. It comes amid claims Maya and ex-boyfriend Stormzy, 27, reunited to spend Christmas Day together. Maya and the rapper called it quits on their relationship in August 2019 after four years together however are thought to have stayed pals. When it's right: Maya will launch the line, which will include lip-kits, eyeshadows, foundations and primers, when 'it's right', the source said It has now been claimed that some friends of the former flames are hoping their festive meet-up could rekindle their romance and see them become a couple again. A source told The Sun: 'Stormzy and Maya remained friends after their split and they decided to spend some time together over Christmas. 'This is very much friendship but their mates think something could happen between them in the future. 'They made a lovely couple and given everything that's happened this year, it seems they could grow closer again.' The source added that Stormzy and Maya kept things 'low key' for the time spent at her home in London over the celebrations. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Stormzy and Maya for comment. The pair started dating in January 2015 after meeting the previous year and went public with their romance in 2016, however they split in August 2019. Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday proposed a stimulus package exceeding $1 billion suggesting the state's poorest families should get $750 payments as soon as possible to help buffer the economic calamity of the coronavirus pandemic. His proposal, which requires General Assembly approval, would also effectively send more cash to the state's 709,000 unemployed people by waiving state and local taxes on unemployment benefits and entitling them to a big tax refund. Another piece of his coronavirus relief plan would let small businesses keep up to $12,000 worth of sales tax levied on their customers, and implement other changes to reduce tax bills. The Maryland General Assembly convenes Wednesday for its annual legislative session, and Hogan urged lawmakers to quickly approve the aid. "I could not imagine anything that could possibly be more important for the legislature to pass," the governor said during an Annapolis news conference. He said swift action was necessary to "immediately get these much-needed dollars out the door." Hogan and the General Assembly's Democratic leaders have conferred for months on a potential stimulus package, but have developed their own proposals. House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, and Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, said Hogan's plan incorporated "our priorities," but that Democrats in the legislature also have additional goals. Those include sending more aid to nursing homes and essential workers, fixing the state's broken unemployment system and giving schools more money to help get children back to in-person learning. They did not commit to quickly passing Hogan's proposal. "We look forward to the Governor working with us to accomplish these goals and demonstrating for the country what the true value of bipartisanship can be," their joint statement said. Hogan repeatedly described his plan as "targeted." The proposed stimulus checks would only go to residents who qualify for the state's earned income tax credit. Eligibility is determined on a sliding scale by annual income and family size, capped at $15,820 for a single person and $56,844 for a family with three or more children. In Maryland, which has one of the nation's highest median incomes, more than 400,000 people qualify for the tax credit and would get checks under Hogan's proposal. Money would be distributed in two tranches. Individuals would receive $450 total, while families would get $750. "Every day that goes by without passing a stimulus and tax relief package means more jobs that will be lost, more families will lose their homes, more businesses who will go out of businesses, and more people that suffer," Hogan said. "Struggling Marylanders and small businesses who are barely hanging on cannot afford the kind of partisan bickering and needless delay that we have seen in Washington." The proposal falls far short of one pushed by a frequent Hogan ally, Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat who is running for governor in 2022. For weeks, Franchot has publicly and privately called on the governor to send $2,000 checks to every state resident, an action he says the governor could take unilaterally. Hogan said spending that much money would be an "irresponsible" action and said he could not do it without legislative approval. Franchot accused Hogan of "passing the buck." "The thousands of Marylanders who are on the verge of homelessness, who are going to bed hungry every night, and who are accruing unsustainable debt cannot - and should not - wait one more day until their state government provides the help they desperately need," Franchot said in a statement. "His plan doesn't include assistance to struggling families and small businesses NOW." Hogan said he would pay for plan by using $100 million from the state's rainy day fund; cash the state accumulated because the economy rebounded better than expected from the pandemic-triggered recession; and money stashed away by the Board of Public Works in July during an unprecedented round of early budget cuts. Meanwhile, Maryland's largest public employee union called Monday for legislation that would create workplace protections for workers during the pandemic, including a right to refuse dangerous work, free testing and reporting of positive tests and an additional $3 an hour for hazard pay. The union, AFSCME Council 3, is at an impasse with the Hogan administration over pay for the upcoming year. - - - The Washington Post's Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report. A Spring Brook Twp. man faces charges of arson and witness intimidation in connection with a Dec. 2 explosion and fire at a Scranton home. Jonathon R. Melucci, 31, of 47 Regials Road, was arrested Friday in connection with what was initially reported as smoke coming from a residence after an explosion that night at 1610 Wyoming Ave., according to an affidavit filed by Scranton Fire Marshal Martin Monahan. Monahan said porch furniture at the home of Robert Lettieri had been destroyed from a possible explosion of some kind. A witness described a man in a red pickup who had fled the scene. Dunmore police stopped a red pickup driven by Melucci a short time later, but he was released because of a lack of information on the incident. A later investigation, Monahan said, revealed that Melucci was a criminal defendant in a prior road-rage incident in Covington Twp. involving Lettieri. A preliminary hearing in that case had been scheduled Dec. 2 but was postponed because Melucci didnt have an attorney. Monahan said the investigation by city Fire Inspector James Lunney, Bomb Technician Scott Moran and Investigator Anthony Loureiro showed Lettieris porch furniture was set on fire by some type of explosive that was placed or thrown. Moran found that evidence indicated the device was either a commercial-grade or homemade device that included a cardboard disc with a hole in the middle to accommodate a fuse covered in wax. The investigation was conducted by Scranton police, state police, the Lackawanna County SWAT team, the county district attorneys office, the citys Fire Investigation Bureau and the citys Hazardous Device Unit, according to Monahan. Charges against Melucci include arson/recklessly placing an inhabited building in danger, arson risking catastrophe, and intimidation and retaliation against a witness or victim. Melucci was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Paul Ware in Dunmore. Bail and hearing information were not immediately available. DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Political Organizations Global Market Report 2020-30: COVID-19 Growth and Change" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Political Organizations Global Market Report 2020-30: COVID-19 Growth and Change provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global political organizations market. Major players in the political organizations market are Democratic Party, Republican Party, Communist Party of China, Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Justice and Development Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Workers' Party of Korea and United Russia. The global political organizations market is expected to grow from $8.88 billion in 2019 to $8.98 billion in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.18%. The slow growth is mainly due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, the closure of industries, and other commercial activities resulting in a slowdown of the economy forcing the government and other organizations to reallocate grants to emergency relief funds. The market is then expected to recover and reach $11.15 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 7.48%. The political organizations market consists of revenue generated through political services by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that are engaged in promoting the interests of national, state, or local political parties or candidates. This market includes political groups organized to raise funds for a political party or individual candidates. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included. In October 2020, the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), a regional political party in Mizoram, merged with People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) to form the People's Conference Party. The new party formed after the merger will work towards fulfilling the aspirations of underprivileged people in the region. PRISM was an anti-corruption watchdog before becoming the political party for the 2018 state polls. The political organizations market covered in this report is segmented by organization into national; regional and by scope and services into campaign organizations; constituency associations; local political organization; political action committees (PACs); political campaign organizations; political organizations and clubs; political parties; riding association. Social media platforms are increasingly being used by political organizations for campaigning. The utilization of social media is viable in reaching out to young voters. There are various ways by which a political party can conduct social media campaigns such as engaging with the public through live video, asking questions on social media such as Twitter and Facebook, being active on social platforms by posting daily updates of their political work, and many more. For instance, in the ongoing US presidential election campaign, the two candidates are paying millions of dollars to Facebook and Google ads to increase their visibility in the perspective of the users to increase their chances of a win in the November 2020 elections. The initiatives taken by political organizations to improve the support from businesses in the region drive the market. For instance, the Bhartiya Janata Party government in India has promoted reforms that may boost the economy helping small and medium enterprises to expand their businesses. It launched the Make in India initiative to bring in businesses into the country to boost the economic activity and create jobs. These initiatives will help businesses to expand their revenue streams and in turn, encourage businesses to support the political organizations by funding them. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Political Organizations Market Characteristics 3. Political Organizations Market Size and Growth 3.1. Global Political Organizations Historic Market, 2015 - 2019, $ Billion 3.1.1. Drivers of the Market 3.1.2. Restraints on the Market 3.2. Global Political Organizations Forecast Market, 2019 - 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 3.2.1. Drivers of the Market 3.2.2. Restraints on the Market 4. Political Organizations Market Segmentation 4.1. Global Political Organizations Market, Segmentation by Organization, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion National Regional 4.2. Global Political Organizations Market, Segmentation by Scope and Services, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Campaign Organizations Constituency Associations Local Political Organization Political Action Committees (PACs) Political Campaign Organizations Political Organizations and Clubs Political Pparties Riding Association 5. Political Organizations Market Regional and Country Analysis 5.1. Global Political Organizations Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 5.2. Global Political Organizations Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Companies Mentioned Democratic Party Republican Party Communist Party of China Bharatiya Janata Party Indian National Congress Justice and Development Party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf United Socialist Party of Venezuela Workers' Party of Korea United Russia For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/99yw29 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: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com A HSBC branch in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images HSBC (HSBA.L) is facing pressure from investors to stop lending to fossil fuel companies, starting with those in the highly polluting coal sector. Fifteen institutional investors and 117 individual investors have backed a shareholder resolution calling for HSBC to set clear targets on reducing financing for fossil fuel companies and projects. The resolution, which was coordinated by climate change activist group ShareAction, calls on the bank to set out a clear strategy in-line with the international Paris climate agreement. Signatories of the HSBC resolution include Amundi, Europes largest asset manager, and Man Group (EMG.L), the worlds biggest publicly traded hedge fund. The institutions backing the resolution manage a collective $2.4tn (1.7tn), according to Share Action. READ MORE: HSBC pledges to go carbon neutral by 2050 Engaging with companies on the energy transition and decarbonisation of their activities is one of our key priorities, said Caroline Le Meaux, head of ESG research, voting and engagement at Amundi. Phase out from coal is paramount to achieve this goal, and we believe that the adoption of climate strategies by companies is a critical factor of investment of which shareholders should be fully informed. HSBC investors will get the chance to vote on the resolution at Aprils AGM. It requires 75% of investors to back it to force change at the company. Investors have come to realise that we need rather urgent action, Anders Schelde, chief investment officer of AkademikerPension, told Yahoo Finance UK. READ MORE: COVID-19 pushes HSBC to do 17 years-worth of business loans AkademikerPension manages the retirement funds of Denmarks higher education teachers and has around DNKr 137bn (16.6bn, $19bn) in assets under management. The fund has about 2m invested in HSBC and is one of the signatories to the ShareAction resolution. For us the climate crisis is very high up the agenda, Schelde said. The burning issue is we need an urgent phase down of coal. Story continues Last October, HSBC publicly committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. However, climate groups have said the timescale is too long and criticised the bank for continuing to fund companies and projects contributing to climate change. READ MORE: HSBC axes 6,000 jobs so far this year as cost cutting accelerates In a report last year, the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) found HSBC was the second biggest fossil fuel financier behind Barclays (BARC.L). HSBC has provided $87bn to fossil fuel companies since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016. The message from the resolution is clear: net zero ambitions by top fossil fuel financiers are simply not credible if they fail to be backed up by fossil fuel phase out plans, said Jeanne Martin, a senior campaign manager at ShareAction. Five years after the Paris agreement was signed, HSBC continues to pour billions into the coal sector, a behaviour that is at odds with limiting global warming to 1.5C. READ MORE: HSBC plans 'conservative' dividend after better-than-expected quarter The focus on HSBC comes after ShareAction led a successful pressure campaign against Barclays last year. The bank committed to going net carbon neutral by 2050 shortly after ShareAction organised a similar shareholder resolution pushing Barclays to ditch fossil fuel lending. HSBC did not respond to a request for comment. WATCH: The future of energy companies So if you heaven forbid, lets say, next week you go out and commit another crime, or lets say you turn in a positive urine sample that shows you are using drugs, those would be examples that would suggest to the government that you are really not accepting responsibility; and if you did something like that, they would not be bound to ask me to give you a lower sentence on that basis, Simon said in the transcript. David Matas testifies at a U.S. Congressional hearing on organ harvesting, in this file photo. (Lisa Fan/Epoch Times) Investigator of Chinas Forced Organ Harvesting Wins First Global Humanitarian Leader Award He is known to the Uyghurs, Falun Gong practitioners, and other oppressed minorities in China for his battle against the regimes human rights violations and courageous investigations into brutal organ harvesting. David Matas, a Canadian lawyer and human rights defender, has become the first to be awarded the Global Humanitarian Leader of the Year award by the human rights group Canadians in Support of Refugees in Dire Need (CSRDN). The CSRDN works with the Canadian government to bring relief internationally and provide an opportunity for a new life to those in desperate need. This award is given to individuals or organizations for distinguished contributions in promoting the values of integrity, equality, and respect for international law. We want to recognize Davids tremendous contributions to saving lives and justice by speaking out against the horrific crimes of forced organ harvesting in China. Killing people for their organs is a most cruel and barbaric practice and must be stopped, CSRDN co-chair Dr. Aliya Khan said in a press release on Jan. 6. In his effort to end this brutality in China, Matas co-founded the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China, a not-for-profit company that consists of lawyers, academics, ethicists, medical professionals, researchers, and human rights advocates who are dedicated to the cause. Organ Harvesting in China Falun Dafa parade in Manhattan, N.Y., on May 16, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Matas, along with former Edmonton MP David Kilgour, were jointly nominated for the 2010 Noble Peace Prize for their investigation of the Chinese regimes persecution and forced organ harvesting of practitioners of Falun Gong, a type of spiritual cultivation from the Buddhist tradition. I value the award because it gets publicity to the issues that I am concerned about and it also give credibility to the positions that Ive taken, Matas told The Epoch Times. The Matas-Kilgour report was later published in the 2009 book Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organs (pdf). The government of China and its agencies in numerous parts of the country, in particular hospitals but also detention centres and peoples courts, since 1999 have put to death a large but unknown number of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience. Their vital organs, including kidneys, livers, corneas and hearts, were seized involuntarily for sale at high prices, sometimes to foreigners, who normally face long waits for voluntary donations of such organs in their home countries, the report wrote. The Evolution of Atrocity: From Falun Gong to Uyghurs Today, fifteen years after the report was released, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has continued and even accelerated such acts, Matas says. Its accelerating because the transplant capacity in China keeps on increasing, and with a real obvious increasing [in] alternative resources besides prisoners of conscience, Matas said. He said that although the CCP still uses Falun Gong practitioners for organ harvesting on a mass scale, the population of the group has depleted over time and the CCP has been looking for additional sources, such as the Uyghur population. A member of the Uyghur American Association rallies in front of the White House after marching from Capitol Hill in Washington, in support of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act which has passed the House and now will go on to the Senate, in Washington on Oct. 1, 2020. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo) The organ harvesting industry in China has developed more sophisticated technologies and supply chains for distributing the extracted organs. In 2006, there wasnt an organ distribution system nationally, and everything, all organs are being sourced locally. That really made the Uyghurs who are in Xinjiang not that easily accessible, Matas said. Theres also a development in transplant technology. Organs can last longer outside the body today than they used to. So organ harvested today in Xinjiang can be shipped around in China. The Magnitsky Act, a Global Human Rights Effort The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, a bipartisan bill that expanded on the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012, has been used to address human rights violations around the world. Sanctioned offenders can be banned from entering the United States and their assets can be frozen. On July 9, 2020, the United States sanctioned one Chinese government entity and four current or former government officials who are reported to have committed serious rights abuses against ethnic Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Huang Yuanxiong, a police chief at the Wucun police station in Xiamen city, Fujian Province, who interrogated and abused Falun Gong practitioners, was also named as a human rights offender in a list of offending officials released by the U.S. State Department on Dec. 10, 2020. Canada also enacted its version of the Magnitsky Act in 2017, but it has not been used to address any human rights issues in China. Matas said the use of this legislation is an encouragement for victimized communities and can show that the Canadian government cares about what is happening to them. Identifying perpetrators is a step towards bringing them to justice. Once named, they cannot be unnamed. Naming under the Magnitsky legislation is a signal that justice awaits the perpetrators, whether it comes sooner or later, he said. Naming disincentives the crime. Others will think twice to avoid their also being named. Not naming has the opposite effect, giving perpetrators a free ride, telling them that mass criminality has no adverse consequences. That is not a message we should want to give. Countries and international entities are joining the cause with similar precautionary legislations. The European Union passed the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Sanctions Regime on Dec. 7, 2020. Australia and the United Kingdom have also introduced similar Magnitsky-styled bill or legislation. Although the Magnitsky Act listing has not yet been used against offenders of organ harvesting, similar precautionary legislation has been developed in a number of countries, such as Taiwans Human Organ Transplant Act, all of which would discourage atrocities. I would encourage people to get informed, get involved, Matas concluded. Welcome To SpoilerTV We bring you a comprehensive and up to date spoiler service on all the major US TV shows and Movies. You can find specific show content by clicking the menu system at the top of the screen. We scour the Internet for spoilers as well as posting our own exclusive spoilers (Scripts, Casting Calls, Set Photos etc) as well as recaps and other fun articles and polls. We hope you enjoy your stay. Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput are one of the most adorable Bollywood couples whose cute banter on social media always makes us smile. Recently, the Kabir Singh actor shared a hilarious message on his Instagram page to 'please' his wife Mira, after she gave him a suggestion with respect to his choice of films. Shahid Kapoor Has A Request For Filmmakers Talking about how Mira has fired him for not doing entertainers which are fun and in which he can dance, Shahid wrote, "My wife has fired me about how I am not doing a film which is fun and where I dance. Open invitation pl gimme something that allows me to please her. . #typecast hero in need !! @mira.kapoor I am committed to the cause." Mira Rajput Has This To Say About Shahid's Open Invitation Reposting Shahid's post on her Instagram story, Mira wrote, "Unbelievable". Mira Rajput's Reaction To Shahid Kapoor's Films Earlier, in an interview with Vogue magazine, Shahid had opened up about how his wife had reacted after watching Udta Punjab. "We sat together on a sofa and somewhere around the interval she had moved five feet away to the other edge. She looked at me and said, You're not this guy, right? Is this guy anywhere inside you? Tell me now while I can still walk away!" the actor had told the magazine. Shahid had further revealed that his wife was starstruck after watching Kabir Singh. After the blockbuster success of Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor's next is the sports drama Jersey which also stars Pankaj Kapur and Mrunal Thakur. The movie is a Hindi remake of Nani's 2019 Telugu hit of the same name. Jersey revolves around a talented but failed cricketer, who decides to return to the field in his late 30s driven by the desire to represent the Indian cricket team and fulfil his son's wish for a jersey as a gift. ALSO READ: Shahid Kapoor's Wife Mira Rajput Rubbishes Pregnancy Rumours ALSO READ: Mira Rajput Takes A Hilarious Jibe At Shahid Kapoor Over His Culinary Skills! 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. Britains hospitals are on the brink of being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and the countrys National Health Service is facing its worst crisis in living memory, a senior government official warned Sunday. The blunt warning from Englands chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, came as members of the governments main advisory panel, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, warned that nationwide lockdown measures introduced after Christmas were too lax and, being flouted too often by people meeting friends in parks and congregating at supermarkets. They are urging the closure of nurseries and the end of support bubbles that allow for two households to mix. Ministers say they are not planning to tighten up the measures more but will start enforcing lockdown rules strictly and have ordered police to be forward-leaning and issue fines. Strong enforcement of coronavirus restrictions is needed, the countrys Home secretary, Priti Patel, said Sunday. Patel said she is instructing police forces to focus their resources and personnel on people who are clearly breaking lockdown rules to safeguard our country's recovery from this deadly virus. The coronavirus causes the COVID-19 illness. In his stark description of the desperate place in which the NHS has found itself, Whitty warned hospitals will have to start turning away non-COVID emergency patients, if the number of coronavirus patients doesnt begin to drop. Everyone who meets friends and family unnecessarily is a link in a chain that threatens vulnerable people, he said. The NHS risked being overwhelmed within a couple of weeks, he said, and in some areas was facing the most dangerous situation anyone can remember. He added, Hospitals wont have room to take redirected emergency cases... staff-to-patient ratios, which are already stretched, will become unacceptable even in places like intensive care. There will be avoidable deaths. Some medical workers say the breaking point has already been reached in London and parts of southern England. British coronavirus deaths Sunday surpassed 80,000 for the pandemic, 10,000 more than the civilian death tally during World War II. The country has seen four consecutive daily increases of more than 1,000 deaths. Dr. Zudin Puthucheary, a critical care consultant, told Sky News the NHS is breaking in front of us. He said he was scared and angry. The majority of hospitals in Britains capital have already reportedly reached over-capacity. Londons mayor, Sadiq Khan, declared Friday a major incident. In a statement, he said, The threat this virus poses to our city is at crisis point. The number of cases in London has increased rapidly with more than a third more patients being treated in our hospitals now compared to the peak of the pandemic last April, he added. Puthucheary, who works at the Royal London Hospital, said theres a shortage of critical care nursing staff and warned intensive care units are full beyond bursting. He also said, We've cannibalized staff from all around the hospital volunteers are pouring in to try and look after these patients and deliver the best care we can. Staff are breaking themselves to make this happen and keep our patients safe and it's not going to be enough. Speaking on the BBC, Health Secretary Matt Hancock declined to speculate on whether the government would introduce stricter rules because the most important message is not whether the government will further strengthen the rules. The most important thing is that people stay at home and follow the rules that we have got. Almost 60,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in Britain Saturday. Ministers say they are in a vaccine race against the virus and plan to open seven mass vaccination centers this week, with more in the pipeline. Neil Ferguson, a government adviser and professor at Londons Imperial College, predicted the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 would soar by another 20 percent. It will be quite difficult to avoid another 20,000 deaths, he told reporters. But with one in 30 Britons having the virus, he said the country could be through the pandemic within nine months, as a consequence of the vaccination program and the development of herd immunity. I think we will see growth rates slow, Ferguson said. We may see a decline, and that may be slightly aided by the fact that there is quite a lot of herd immunity in places like London, he added. Paramedics are also reporting they are being forced to treat patients in ambulances for hours at a time because no beds are available. Many hospital managers have ordered staff not to speak to the media unless they have prior clearance to do so and unlike last year, television crews are finding it hard to get permission to film wards. Some doctors have written anonymously of their experiences in hospitals and paint a grim picture of patients being treated in corridors because intensive care units (ICU) are full. We have several patients who are not fit for ICU in the current climate, wrote one consultant for the new site Unherd.com. Before COVID, they most likely would have been given a chance, but not now. When we think that these patients have suffered enough, and are unlikely to ever recover, we start talking about making them comfortable. Its partly that we need the beds for patients with a better chance, and partly that we feel it is cruel to keep these people suffering when their chances of survival are slim. Its difficult to work out which of those is your true motivation. Governments across Europe say their hospitals are also stretched, especially in Sweden. And theyre watching with rising anxiety developments in Britain, where transmission rates are being driven by a more contagious mutant strain thats now being identified across the continent. Spains health minister, Salvador Illa, warned at a press conference Friday the country faces difficult weeks ahead. With coronavirus cases surging, he warned, The data is bad. The incidence rate, the pressure on hospitals, the positivity rate of PCR tests and the number of deaths are rising. The evolution of the pandemic is worsening. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are considered the most reliable in detecting the coronavirus. ROME, JAN 11 - Italy's annual music extravaganza, the Sanremo Song Festival, is set to try and persuade legendary Swedish pop group ABBA to get back together and perform at this year's fest, sources said Sunday. Bringing a reunited ABBA to the stage of the Ariston Theatre in the northwestern riviera town is one of the coups that organiser and host Amadeus is considering, they said. The mooted ABBA reunion for Sanremo was the subject of a weekend radio show put out by the RAI state broadcaster which each year broadcasts the Sanremo fest in Italy and abroad. However, Amadeus dampened enthusiasm for the improbable reunion by saying "there are many desires and inventions circulating. You'll know from me when guests become official". ABBA, who broke up in 1982 after selling over 400 million discs worldwide with hits such as Waterloo and Mamma Mia, have consistently denied rumours of a stage reunion. However, they got back together in the studio to record a reunion album in 2018. The Swedish music legends, who also had other platinum-selling hits like Dancing Queen, Fernando, Honey Honey, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and The Winner Takes It All, are now in their early 70s. Earlier this year they topped a British poll of most popular Eurovision winners, with their 1974 hit Waterloo. (ANSA). Flash A man on Saturday afternoon killed three and wounded another four in a series of shootings that ran from South Chicago to North Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported on Sunday. The suspect, identified by Chicago police Superintendent David Brown as 32-year-old Jason Nightengale, was shot dead during a shootout with Evanston police North of Chicago. No officers were injured. The shooting rampage started at 1:50 p.m. local time (1950 GMT) in the East Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, when police believed Nightengale entered a garage and shot a 30-year-old student of the University of Chicago in the head while the man was sitting in his vehicle, Brown told reporters. The man died at the scene. The motive for the shooting is not yet known. ADVERTISEMENT The Federal Road Safety Corps in Osun on Monday said a road accident has claimed one life on Osogbo-Gbogan road, due to speeding and non-adherence to the road traffic regulations. The Sector Commander, Kudirat Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement by the command spokeswoman, Agnes Ogungbemi, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo. Ms Ibrahim said the deceased lost his life after a vehicle with an unknown registration number collided with his motorcycle and ran away without stopping to face the consequence of his action. The accident occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on Sunday on the Osogbo-Gbongan expressway, after the Adolak filling station, Sekona, she said . According to her, the traffic situation has returned to normalcy, while the body of the deceased has been taken to LAUTECH mortuary by the FRSC ambulance. Ms Ibrahim, however, cautioned road users to remember that safety is a shared responsibility which must not be left in the hands of the commission alone. (NAN) NEW DELHI : The Central government on Monday told the Supreme Court of India that a proposal to give an extra chance to civil service aspirants affected by COVID-19 is under active consideration by the government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar was informed by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju that the government and UPSC are actively considering the proposal to give one more opportunity to affected students due to COVID-19. ASG Raju said the government is actively considering the matter and he has instructions for seeking an adjournment to first week of February. The bench told ASG that it should not happen that the last date of filling the forms passes by, and further posted the matter for hearing in February. The bench was hearing a petition seeking an extra attempt in the UPSC exams for those candidates who had their last attempt in the preliminary exam held in October 2020. It also sought an extra opportunity for students who could not appear for civil service exams due to COVID-19. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the petitioners had earlier submitted that the court has directed the Centre to consider grant of an extra chance considering the difficulties raised due to the pandemic. On September 30, the top court had directed the Centre and the UPSC to consider granting an extra chance to candidates who otherwise have their last attempt in 2020, with a corresponding extension of the upper age-limit. The Department of Personnel and Training on October 26 had informed the court that the issue regarding grant of extra attempt to last chance candidates was under the consideration of the authorities. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. VISALIA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Schuil & Associates, an industry-leading, family-operated ag real estate firm, today announced a cooperative relationship with New Current Water and Land, LLC - a Fresno-based firm specializing in the assessment, development, management, acquisition, and banking of water supplies throughout the Western U.S. - to counsel those interested in purchasing farmland in the San Joaquin Valley including, importantly, the fertile Westlands Water District of California. Providing water to farms in an area of approximately 600,000 acres (2,400 km) in Fresno County and Kings County in California's San Joaquin Valley, the Westlands Water District is the largest agricultural water district in the United States. The recent repayment of the District's capital obligations to the Central Valley Project has resulted in a lifting of the acreage limitation provisions of Reclamation Law which previously had restricted allowable ownership of irrigated land to 960 acres (3.9 km). This change has made Westlands' farmland more compelling and accessible to farmers and investors alike. Land in the Westlands Water District contains some of the best soil in the country but historically has sold for nearly half of the cost of the Eastside of the Central Valley (which has similar soil composition), presenting a unique investment opportunity. This highly productivity, lower-cost land also offers two sources of water - surface water and groundwater. "It is important that those interested in purchasing farmland in California, particularly on the Central Valley's Westside, be provided excellent counsel on water issues," said Marc Schuil, Principal and Agent, Schuil & Associates. "With our relationship with New Current Water and Land and their decades of water experience, we are better able to help clients navigate this critically-important sector." Fresno-based New Current Water and Land provides multi-faceted strategic planning services to investors, farming organizations, and others seeking to develop long-range approaches to water supply, water development, and water management. "When it comes to agriculture, water is key," Gary Sawyers, Principal, New Current Water, and Land said. "We're excited to work with Schuil to help counsel their clients on the nuances of water issues in Westlands and open this region to investors." Interact with Schuil & Associates: Visit our website: https://schuil.com Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schuilandassociates Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SchuilRE Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schuil-&-associates-diversified-real-estate Download our iOS and Android applications About Schuil & Associates Schuil & Associates is the top dairy broker in the world, doing business in the No. 1 dairy-producing county in the country. Its team brings generations of industry experience and unmatched reach and relationships in the Western United States. Based in Visalia, Schuil has sold over $1 billion in properties since 2014. For information, visit www.schuil.com or call 559-734-1700. Contact: Paige Sweeney (Gilkey) Marketing Director Mobile: (559) 212-7685 Email: [email protected] Related Images image1.png SOURCE Schuil & Associates [January 11, 2021] TechAssure Members Gain Access to CyberCube's Broking Manager TechAssure, the global network for insurance brokers specialising in technology risks, is partnering with CyberCube to roll out its Broking Manager product to the network's members worldwide. Formed in 2000, TechAssure is a not-for-profit association headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina. TechAssure's network consists of 30 retail brokerages servicing over 5,000 technology and life science clients globally. Broking Manager is the first software-as-a-service application CyberCube has built specifically for the insurance broking community. It offers a streamlined approach to generating financial exposure impact that helps clients make informed decisions on coverages and limits. Broking Manager will allow TechAssure's member firms to quantify and explain to their clients the sources and financial impact of cyber risk exposure. The platform also produces reports that can be used to educate prospects and clients on potential sources of loss, recent and relevant cyber events, and peer-to-peer benchmarking. Pascal Millaire, CEO for CyberCube, said: "As trusted advisers to technology businesses all around the world, TechAssure's member firms are only too aware of the rapidly changing nature of cyber risk. That makes it particularly pleasing that they've chosen to partner with us. This is a real vote of confidence in CyberCube's products and the insights they generate." TechAssure Executive Director Garrett Droege added: "TechAssure is very excited about partnering with CyberCube to add value to our members through analytics. y using a state-of-the-art software product, TechAssure members will be able to deliver best-in-class guidance on cyber risks for their clients in the innovation ecosystem. As leaders in the technology risk space for over 20 years, TechAssure sees CyberCube's Broking Manager as one of the leading analytics platforms available for cyber risk management." Broking Manager complements CyberCube's two other products: Portfolio Manager and Account Manager, which are designed for risk carriers and are used by leading companies across the insurance ecosystem. ENDS About CyberCube CyberCube delivers the world's leading cyber risk analytics for the insurance industry. With best-in-class data access and advanced multi-disciplinary analytics, the company's Software-as-a-Service platform helps insurance companies make better decisions when underwriting cyber risk and managing cyber risk aggregation. CyberCube's enterprise intelligence layer provides insights on millions of companies globally and includes modelling on thousands of points of technology failure. The CyberCube platform was established in 2015 within Symantec (News - Alert) and now operates as a standalone company exclusively focused on the insurance industry, with access to an unparalleled ecosystem of data partners and backing from ForgePoint Capital, HSCM Bermuda, MTech Capital and individuals from Stone Point Capital. For more information, please visit www.cybcube.com or email info@cybcube.com. About TechAssure Established in 2000, TechAssure is a unique consortium of risk management experts serving innovative industries, such as technology, telecommunications, life sciences, clean tech, as well as the venture capital and private equity firms that fund them. Comprised of over 30 specialist firms located in technology hubs across the world, TechAssure members collectively serve over 5,000 clients and represent over $8 Billion in premium volume. The association also produces a proprietary annual benchmarking report for the industries it serves. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005533/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the congress of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang on Sunday, state media reported Monday. Yonhap North Korea has endorsed leader Kim Jong-un as the general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party at its ongoing congress, state media said Monday, in an apparent move to tighten his grip on power. The election took place at the sixth-day session of the party's eighth congress in Pyongyang on Sunday, following the North's revision of party rules to reinstate the secretariat system that was scrapped in 2016, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The 8th Congress ... unanimously adopted a decision on electing Kim Jong-un as general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea in reflection of the unanimous will and desire of all the delegates and other Party members, all the people and service personnel of the People's Army," the report said. The general secretary title was previously held by Kim's late predecessors, his grandfather Kim Il-sung and father Kim Jong-il. Since Kim took office following his father's death in late 2011, the North has called Kim Jong-il the "eternal general secretary" of the party and Kim Il-sung the "eternal president" of North Korea. During an election that took place the same day, Kim's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, was not included as an alternate member of the party's powerful political bureau. Speculation has swirled that the younger Kim, previously an alternate member of the politburo, could be promoted to a higher position as she appeared to have undertaken a prominent role in inter-Korean affairs and other key issues. Jo Yong-won, a senior party official who was often spotted accompanying the leader during his field trips last year, was promoted to a member of the presidium of the political bureau, a position held by only five people in the North including leader Kim. 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 Prince of Wales today called on business leaders across the world to invest in green issues and sustainability as he launched a 7.3billion recovery plan to right a string of 'broken promises' over the environment. Marking 50 years since he first began campaigning on green issues, Charles unveiled his 'Terra Carta', a pioneering multi-national agreement between some of the biggest firms in the world to put sustainability at the heart of the global post-pandemic recovery. Charles urged business leaders to support his Earth Charter and 'bring prosperity into harmony with nature, people and planet' over the next decade. He told delegate at the One Planet Summit in Paris: 'I am making an urgent appeal to leaders, from all sectors and from around the world, to give their support to this Terra Carta, to bring prosperity into harmony with nature, people and planet over the coming decade.' French president, Emmanuel Macron and the Chinese vice premier, Han Zheng, also addressed the summit today. The Prince of Wales launched an ambitious 7.3billion recovery plan to right a string of 'broken promises' over the environment The 17-page, 85-point Terra Carta, designed by Sir Jony, sets out an immediate ten-point action plan for businesses which will provide a roadmap to a more sustainable future for the private sector As he addressed the summit today, Prince Charles made reference to the coronavirus pandemic PM announces 3bn funding on climate action Boris Johnson addressed the summit The UK will spend at least 3 billion of its international funding for climate action on efforts to protect nature over the next five years, Boris Johnson has said. Funding from the existing commitment of 11.6 billion for international climate finance will go towards projects such as preventing the destruction of forests, marine conservation efforts and protecting mangrove swamps. The move is in response to the close connection between climate and nature, which has seen 68% declines in populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians since 1970 and massive deforestation. Rising temperatures harm wildlife, and deforestation, agriculture and other land uses contribute nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gases (23%), but healthy forests and ocean habitats can store carbon and reduce the impacts of climate change. The Prime Minister made the announcement about the funding at the One Planet Summit. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is announcing the UK will pledge up to 38 million to a programme supporting developing countries to accelerate their shift to green energy while boosting their economies. The Government hopes the announcements on nature and clean energy demonstrate the UK's leadership in fighting climate change ahead of key UN Cop26 talks being hosted in Glasgow in November. But recent decisions to allow a new coal mine in Cumbria and temporary use of pesticides linked to harming bees has prompted some, such as climate activist Greta Thunberg, to question the credibility of the UK's green agenda. Advertisement Charles' project has been inspired by the Magna Carta, which defines fundamental rights and liberties. Now, 805 years on, his ten-year 'Earth Charter' is designed to give 'fundamental rights and values to Nature'. The prince hopes it will put an end to decades of unfulfilled agreements on the environment and give 'our children and grandchildren the future they deserve'. He believes harnessing the private sector and big business is the way to do it. The prince has spent the past year meeting world leaders from industry, government, philanthropy and technology to convene a 'coalition of the willing', who have vowed to bring sustainability 'to the heart' of their work. Those that have signed up include Bank of America, AstraZeneca, Schroders, HSBC, Heathrow Airport, Coutts, BP and Sir Jony Ive, the British-born former chief design officer at Apple. Charles launched his Terra Carta via video link at the One Planet Summit in Paris. The heir to the throne told delegates: 'Today, I am making an urgent appeal to leaders, from all sectors and from around the world, to join us in this endeavour, and to give their support to this Terra Carta - to bring prosperity into harmony with nature, people and planet over the coming decade. 'I can only encourage, in particular, those in industry and finance to provide practical leadership to this common project, as only they are able to mobilise the innovation, scale and resources that are required to transform our global economy.' He added: 'Ladies and gentlemen, a sustainable future is, in fact, the growth story of our time - but it is up to us to seize the opportunity it presents. 'It is my profound hope that the Terra Carta might help us to do just that. 'Therefore, as we look to a brighter and more sustainable future, with our promises kept, let us join forces and waste no more time. 'With the clock ticking, it really is up to us to make each day count.' The launch of Charles' project comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK will spend at least 3 billion of its international funding for climate action on efforts to protect nature over the next five years. The move is in response to the close connection between climate and nature, which has seen 68% declines in populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians since 1970 and massive deforestation. Charles' global project complements the Duke of Cambridge's international Earthshot Prize, which has 50 million in prize money to award to ideas and technologies that safeguard the environment over the decade. French President Emmanuel Macron told delegates: 'We know even more clearly amid the crisis we are going through that all our vulnerabilities are interrelated' 'The interdependence between human health and planetary health has never been more clear': Prince Charles urges leaders to take action in impassioned speech Prince Charles told the summit today: 'The current pandemic exemplifies the devastating impact global threats can pose to human and economic wellbeing after all, nature is central to all aspects of our existence; from the air we breathe, our nourishment and shelter, to out spiritual, cultural and recreational wellbeing. 'The interdependence between human health and planetary health has never been more clear. For so many of the problems we face, nature - with the benefit of billions of years of evolution - has already provided us with the solutions. 'As we urgently seek to rescue the situation we must now look to invest in natural capital as the engine of our economy. 'With growing interest in natural capital as an investment theme, the financial sector has come to see that natural capital can come to play a decisive role in addressing climate change as well as supporting the sustainable development goals. 'Integration of biodiversity, related risks and opportunities into the finance sector is already underway. 'We also need to think holistically about land, food, and health systems. Climate change, land use change, food production and human health are all deeply interconnected. 'Regenerative agriculture, including practices such as organic and no-till farming, to restoring soil fertility or using silvopastural or agroforestry systems, could enable agriculture to become a net carbon sync - rolling climate change backwards profitably as it revitalises rural communities and enhances human health. 'As we look towards the United Nations biodiversity conference in China later this year, the Great Green Wall has the potential to serve as an example of large scale natural capital investment in critical areas such as wider Africa, the Amazon, small island states and the Great Barrier Reef. 'It can also be instrumental not only in bringing together Commonwealth countries ..but around landscape restoration in Africa in particular. 'This is why I am so grateful to all of you here today for taking an interest in natural capital and the Great Green Wall initiative. 'It is also why have created a natural capital investors alliance targeting $10bn in investment by 2022 to help us arrive at a common language on natural capital investment so that we can start putting money to work and improve the flow of capital.' Advertisement Those that have signed up include Bank of America, AstraZeneca, Schroders, HSBC, Heathrow Airport, Coutts, BP and Sir Jony Ive (pictured), the British-born former chief design officer at Apple Greta mocks UK eco vows Greta Thunberg has rubbished Boris Johnson's promises of a 'green revolution' after the Government approved the use of a bee-killing pesticide and a new coal mine. Environment Secretary George Eustice gave farmers in England permission to use a chemical that is a known risk to bees and is banned by the EU. Climate-change activist Miss Thunberg, 18, wrote on Twitter: 'New coal mines and pesticides... the UK's so-called 'green industrial revolution' is off to a great start.' The approval for a deep coal mine in Cumbria comes despite the Government's vow to cut carbon levels. The Department for Environment insisted the pesticide would be controlled. Advertisement The 17-page, 85-point Terra Carta, designed by Sir Jony, sets out an immediate ten-point action plan for businesses which will provide a roadmap to a more sustainable future for the private sector. Writing in the foreword to the document, he says: 'To guarantee our future, we have no other choice but to make each day count and it must start today.' Most eye-catching is the creation of a 'Natural Capital Investors Alliance', promising an ambitious $10billion (7.3billion) in investment for green initiatives by 2022. All those who are involved in the initiative will have to commit to an allocation of that figure to invest in 'natural capital' reducing emissions, restoring biodiversity and boosting sustainable economic growth. Other aspects include a demand for industry to recognise the importance of local traditions, culture, products and jobs. He added: 'I can only encourage, in particular, those in industry and finance to provide practical leadership to this common project, as only they are able to mobilise the innovation, scale and resources that are required to transform our global economy.' A senior royal source said the prince sees the charter as a 'pivotal moment' in his life's work on green issues which began when he warned against the perils of plastics in a speech in 1970, aged just 21. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX Phoenix city officials, residents and prominent members of the Black community will honor late civil rights icon, city leader and longtime Arizona resident Calvin Coolidge Goode in the coming weeks. Goode died on Dec. 23 from an illness not related to COVID-19. He was 93. A virtual memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it will be livestreamed online by the Historic Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Facebook. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Next week, the city will celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday with a virtual award ceremony honoring the newest honoree of the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award. The events follow a public, open-casket viewing hosted on Saturday outside of the former city hall, renamed after Goode. Dozens of people gathered donning facial coverings and sharing memories in celebration of Goodes life. Mayor Kate Gallego said it was a rare occurrence to have someone laid in state in the city. But she also said it was an honor for her and the city to celebrate his life in front of a building named after him one of only two buildings in Phoenix named for city officials. Goode was the second Black councilmember for the city of Phoenix and the longest-tenured elected official in its history, serving on the Phoenix City Council from Jan. 2, 1972 until Jan. 3, 1994, including as vice mayor in 1974 and 1984. Goode often disagreed with other council members during his 22-year tenure, voting in the 1980s against freeway expansion projects he argued would destroy neighborhoods already struggling to repair from segregation. As late as 1960, half of the Black residents in Phoenix lived south of downtown, and the neighboring city of Tempe was considered a sundown town where Black people could work during the day but had to be gone by nightfall or risk arrest or physical violence. Goode spent his time fighting to improve the quality of life in Phoenix for low-income Black residents long after his last days on the council. He retired in 1994, but continued advocating for equal opportunity, affordable housing and education through multiple organizations, including the Eastlake Neighborhood Association and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Originally from Oklahoma, Goode and his family moved to Arizona when he was a child. He attended Carver High School, a school in Phoenix for Black students, before earning his bachelors and masters degrees from Arizona State University. First Institutional Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr., who was a friend and neighbor to Goode in Eastlake Park, recalled the late councilors work from pushing the city to observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday before the state, creating the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center and helping the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church become a designated historic landmark. Goode was also a longtime member of the church, which opened in 1886 and is known as the states oldest African American church. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams, who attended the viewing with her family, even said Goode had his own bench in the sanctuary at the AME church where they both attended. In 1977, Stewart said Goode welcomed him to Phoenix and spoke at his installation as pastor of First Institutional. But Stewart said the most prestigious memory he had was receiving the Calvin C. Goode Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. The award was created in 1994 when Goode retired. It recognizes one person who made the city better by promoting social and economic justice and defending civil rights. Im not overwhelmed with grief because he lived until he was 93 and was active until his last moments, Stewart told The Associated Press. Im thankful to God he was able to be around. Im filled with lots of thanksgiving. Mary Rose Wilcox shared in Stewarts sentiment, calling Goode a very principled and grounded man, who brought the right aspects of his Christian faith and principles into public service. He lifted the people around him and made everyone else a little bit better, she said. Wilcox, who was the first Hispanic women to serve on both the City Council and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, said Goode was on the council when she was elected in 1982. He was a mentor to me and took me under his wing. We became really good colleagues and formed a strong coalition representing south, west and intercity Phoenix. We served together for a decade and were very much involved in civil rights and human rights, Wilcox said, adding that he was unafraid to speak on behalf of the Black and Latino communities. Several current council members and other state politicians highlighted the influence he had on their lives and work, including Arizona Democratic Party Chair Felecia Rotellini and councilmembers Carlos Garcia, Michael Nowakowski, Thelda Williams and Debra Stark. Mr. Goode was a soft-spoken man, but lion-hearted an unshakeable force for progress, equality and civil rights, Democratic state Rep. Reginald Bolding said in a statement. It is up to all of us who knew him, who loved him, or who are just learning about him, to keep that fire burning. Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego said Goode left our neighborhoods and this world better than he found it, and that is a legacy that his family, his friends, and all who knew him should hold dear. Goode is survived by three sons, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Georgie, who he married in 1960, died in 2015. She was 87. Fresh students of some public universities have started arriving on the various campuses for registration and preparation for academic work, in compliance with the directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for schools to reopen. Meanwhile, some of the universities have asked their freshers to report on their campuses today. A visit to some of the universities last Saturday showed that some of the freshmen had arrived and were going through registration processes, while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. University of Cape Coast At the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the freshmen went through the registration process without difficulty, as they described the exercise as smooth, reports Shirley Asiedu-Addo and Edith Mensah. A freshman, Anthony Yeboah, said: "I did not encounter any difficulty at all. I got here early this morning with my father and we were asked to put on our face masks and go through the process." Another fresher, Mercy Amedzakeh, said even though the process was quite new to her, she had no challenges with the registration. Some of them, however, expressed fear about contracting the COVID-19 on campus. "I am glad to have gained admission, but my biggest fear is contracting the COVID-19 here on campus, it is very scary," Malaika Nyamekeh said. Others said it was scary to know that schools had been reopened with the disease still around. University of Ghana At the University of Ghana, Legon, Severious Kale-Dery reports that freshers will begin arriving today and prepare for orientation on January 14, 2021. The university has adopted a double-track system as a temporary measure to minimise any possible spread of the COVID-19. The Dean of Student Affairs of the university, Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, who disclosed this, said final-year students would report on January 17, 2020 for full lectures to start on January 19. He explained that the freshers would go through the registration exercise online, and that those who would have difficulty doing so could report on the campus for assistance. He said students in levels 200 and 300 would remain home till March 2020, by which time the first and the final-year students would have ended the semester. Vincent Amenuveve reports from Bolgatanga that 1,500 fresh students are expected to report on the campuses of two universities in the Upper East Region for the new academic year. They are the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) in Navrongo and the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU). While the CKT-UTAS expects not less than 500 freshers, about 1,000 students will report at the BTU. First-year students of the CKT-UTAS will report on campus on Friday, January 15, while continuing students will report on Sunday, January 17, 2021. Meanwhile, a virtual orientation will be held for all first-year students of the CKT-UTAS from today. A programme outline released by the university said lectures will commence on Monday, January 18, 2021 for all students, while registration will be done online. First-year students were to come along with their original certificates for authentication, it said. For the BTU, its interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, said students were expected to report today to begin registration. He said orientation for freshers would begin within the week when a reasonable number of the students report to campus. He further said face-to-face lectures would start the following week, by which time all students would have reported. The management of this university will not compromise on its efforts at ensuring that students adhere strictly to the COVID-19 safety protocols, Prof. Alnaa said. 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 You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Agence France-Presse Global leaders will try to reignite international environmental diplomacy on Monday, with a biodiversity summit that launches a critical year for efforts to stem the devastating effects of global warming and species loss. Momentum on climate and biodiversity stalled in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a health crisis that experts say illustrates the many diverse dangers of environmental destruction. The One Planet Summit, a largely virtual event hosted by France in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank, will include French President Emmanuel Macron, UN chief Antonio Guterres, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU chief Ursula Von der Leyen. Organisers want to lay the groundwork for crunch UN biodiversity talks postponed because of the pandemic that are set to be held in China in October and will see nearly 200 nations attempt to thrash out new goals to preserve Earth's battered ecosystems. France hopes next week's summit will bring together issues around climate and the protection of ecosystems, a source from the Elysee Palace told AFP, adding that along with global warming, preservation of biodiversity is "our collective life insurance". So far, efforts to protect and restore nature on a global scale have failed spectacularly. The planet is on the cusp of a mass extinction event in which species are disappearing at 100 to 1,000 times the normal "background" rate, most scientists agree. The UN's science advisory panel for biodiversity warned in a landmark 2019 report that one million species face extinction, due mostly to habitat loss and over-exploitation. Human activity, it concluded, had "severely degraded" three-quarters of ice-free land on the planet. Climate Emergency The picture on climate change is just as dire. Under the 2015 Paris deal, the world's nations vowed to cap global warming "well below" 2C, and 1.5C if possible. With just over 1C of warming so far, the world has seen a crescendo of deadly droughts, heatwaves, flood-inducing rainfall, and superstorms made more destructive by rising seas. The European Union's climate monitoring service has said 2020 tied 2016 as the hottest year on record. Guterres warned last month that nations were not doing enough to avoid devastating temperature rises and urged world leaders to declare a "climate emergency" in their countries. The UN's next major climate summit, COP26, was also postponed because of the pandemic and is now due to be held in November. Participants at Monday's talks are "ready to demonstrate that their commitments are leading to concrete actions to preserve and restore biodiversity, and to lead systemic transformations of economies", according to a summit statement. Leaders will present initiatives on four themes the protection of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, agro-ecology, funding for biodiversity and the link between deforestation, species and human health. Last October, the UN's biodiversity panel warned future pandemics will happen more often, kill more people and wreak even worse damage to the global economy than Covid-19 without a fundamental shift in how humans treat nature. The summit will also launch the High Ambition Coalition a group of 45 countries led by Costa Rica, France and Britain which aims to secure a global agreement to protect at least 30 percent of the planet's land and oceans by 2030. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- While serving as Ohios top utilities regulator, former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo worked to amend a controversial nuclear bailout bill to hurt renewable energy projects while helping a former client that had just lost a major court case, recently released emails show. Records released by the Ohio House last month show Randazzo in emails to House staff suggested wording revisions to an early version of House Bill 6, which now is at the center of a federal corruption probe, along with other minor later changes to the bill language. But they also show Randazzo helped develop new language for the bill to make it harder for wind energy projects to get exceptions to setback rules requiring a certain amount of distance between windmills and adjoining properties. The language, drafted as an amendment that didnt make it into the final bill, would have benefitted Randazzos former client, a group of Huron County property owners who were fighting state approval for a wind farm. Randazzo had filed the case with the Ohio Supreme Court, and had withdrawn from the case six months before when Gov. Mike DeWine hired him as Ohios top utility regulator. Renewable energy advocates, who long have criticized Randazzo, say his involvement with House Bill 6 was inappropriate, given his role approving energy projects and setting utility rates. Theyve also questioned his impartiality in light of FirstEnergys disclosure that Akron power company paid $4 million to someone matching Randazzos description shortly before DeWine hired him. Randazzo as PUCO chairman subsequently issued rulings that benefitted FirstEnergy, including one in November 2019 that rescinded a requirement that FirstEnergy undergo a comprehensive review of its electricity rates in 2024. The company was a driving force behind House Bill 6, which otherwise bailed out two Ohio nuclear plants owned by a former FirstEnergy subsidiary. Randazzo resigned from his job leading the PUCO in late November, the same week the FBI searched his house in Columbus, and the day after FirstEnergy disclosed the $4 million payment, which prompted the company to fire its then-CEO and two other senior executives. The FBI has not said why they searched Randazzos house, and he hasnt been charged or accused of wrongdoing. It is clear from these emails that Sam Randazzo, while employed as the top energy regulator in the state of Ohio, assisted in writing components of House Bill 6, and specifically pieces of that legislation that would impede development of wind energy and damage the renewable portfolio standard, said Miranda Leppla, vice president of energy policy for the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund. It is absolutely inappropriate for someone charged with being an independent arbiter of energy policy for the state of Ohio to be involved in drafting legislation that picks winners and losers in the types of generation operating in our state. His job as chair of the PUCO was to implement the law--not create it. Randazzo did not respond to a message seeking comment, and a House spokeswoman said the messages speak for themselves. The emails from Randazzo were contained in a batch of thousands of pages of records that included text messages, memos, proposed law changes and other files provided to the FBI in response to a subpoena seeking records on HB6, a nuclear bailout bill thats at the center of a federal corruption probe. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer obtained the records as part of a public records request. Energy News US was the first to report that they showed Randazzo offered input on HB6. In a July 5, 2019 email to Pat Tully, then a top House policy staffer, Randazzo complained to Tully about an Ohio Supreme Court decision from two weeks before that ruled against a case he brought while serving as a private attorney, saying the court decision rewrote the setback limits as they apply to wind farms. He said the proposed changes would address the core issue the court ruled against, and also might overcome opposition from the state Senate to a related House anti-wind energy provision in the bill. At the time, the version of HB6 passed by the House would have allowed townships to hold a referendum vote to block wind farm projects. The Senate apparently didnt favor the provision, which Tully in an email to Randazzo described as a possible poison pill. If the House language establishing a referendum option... is not viable moving forward, there are alternative means to giving local interests more control, Randazzo wrote. Randazzo, a longtime energy lawyer, had filed the case in January 2017, representing a coalition of property owners in Huron County who challenged a state approval of a wind farm there. He withdrew in January 2019, shortly before DeWine hired him to run the PUCO, which approves energy projects and regulates utility rates throughout the state. Randazzo suggested language requiring adjoining property owners to approve any waivers to setback rules, according to the email. With these changes, all owners of property adjoining the wind farm project area would need to waiver the application of the minimum setback violations(s) before the wind farm could evade the minimum setbacks (The result which I believe was intended by the GA [General Assembly]), Randazzo wrote in the email. Randazzo used a private email address associated with the Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio, a company he owns, to send the proposed setback law changes to Tullys private email address. Later that morning, Tully sent an email directing the Legislative Service Commission, the nonpartisan organization that writes and researches laws for the state legislature, to draw up the new wind farm setback language as an amendment, describing it as a House Bill 6 concept, House records show. The wind setback change proposed by Randazzo didnt make its way into HB6. The referendum language was introduced as a standalone bill, House Bill 401, but the proposal never made it out of committee, receiving its last hearing in November 2019. Shortly after he proposed revisions to an early version of House Bill 6, Randazzo also in April 2019 emailed then-House Speaker Larry Householder, who pushed the bill through the legislature, commenting on objections raised by the Ohio AARP that the bill would raise electricity rates for consumers. Regardless of the clean air benefits of HB6, HB6 reduces the current mandate cost burden on customers and is better for Ohio customers than the status quo, Randazzo wrote. Federal officials are investigating House Bill 6 and say it was passed in exchange for $61 million in bribes from FirstEnergy, although the company hasnt been charged or officially named in charging documents. In exchange for the money, used on political spending that helped Householder become Ohio House speaker and defend the law against a repeal effort, federal prosecutors say Householder agreed to pass HB6 and help keep it in place. Householder has pleaded not guilty to a federal corruption charge and denied wrongdoing. He has been ousted as speaker, but remains in the legislature and was re-elected in November. DeWine is the process of picking Randazzos replacement, narrowing the process down to four finalists. Leppla said the documents showing Randazzo was involved with writing HB6 provide further evidence that when Governor DeWine is selecting a new PUCO chair and additional commissioners over the next few months, he must select someone with no connection to the utilities the PUCO regulates. The emails contained in the House records show others were closely involved in writing House Bill 6, particularly lobbyists for American Electric Power, FirstEnergy and Energy Harbor, the company formerly known as FirstEnergy Solutions. The bill, now law, will send more than $1 billion to two financially troubled Ohio nuclear plants owned by Energy Harbor, $50 million annually two coal-fired plants co-owned by AEP, Duke Energy, and Dayton Power & Light, and $20 million for three solar projects. It also includes a decoupling provision requested by FirstEnergy that critics say will send the company a total of $355 million more through 2024 by guaranteeing the company a yearly revenue of at least $978 million. House Bill 6 pays for the new subsidies, tacked on to most Ohioans electricity bills, by gutting different ones that paid for renewable-energy projects and energy-efficiency programs. DeWine and legislative leaders have called on HB6 to be repealed, given what prosecutors say is its corrupt origins. But state lawmakers have failed to repeal the bill, disagreeing on what specifically should be done with it. The nuclear fees in HB6 were to have taken effect in January. But the Ohio Supreme Court has delayed them while it considers a challenge filed by the Ohio Manufacturing Association. GEORGETOWN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wood Partners, a national leader in multi-family real estate development, announced today the groundbreaking of its newest luxury residential community - Alta Austin Avenue - in Georgetown, Texas. Construction is underway, and the community is scheduled to open in Winter 2021. Floor plans will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes. "We are excited to continue to expand our footprint in the Greater Austin MSA," said Bart Barrett, Managing Director for Wood Partners. "Georgetown is one of the fastest growing cities in America with booming economic growth. We are excited for the opportunity to meet the needs of the ever expanding population by providing high-quality, reasonably priced housing." Alta Austin Avenue will feature best-in-class amenities and finishes. The community's 312 apartment homes will feature Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, designer tile backsplashes, 42" cabinets, wood-style flooring, tile in the bathrooms and full-sized washer and dryers. Floor plans will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes. Resident amenities will lead the Class A market with a luxurious clubroom, 24/7 fitness center, business center with micro-office spaces and conference room, expansive entertaining spaces, an outdoor kitchen, dog park and resort-style swimming pool. All common areas will also feature Wi-Fi. Located at 2601 North Austin Avenue, the new community is centrally located along heavily traveled I-35, offering convenient access to surrounding residential communities including Round Rock, Leander, Hutto, and Cedar Park. I-35 also provides quick access to Austin which is only 30 miles south of the community. The community will be located just north of Georgetown High School and is directly across the street from the school district's stadium. The North Austin area has increasingly become a preferred location for large corporate tenants and is home to major employers including Dell, Samsung, GM, Emerson, The Home Depot Technology Center and HID. Oracle Corporation and Tesla are two of the latest tech companies to announce their relocation to the Austin area. The Georgetown area also has a robust health system including Baylor Scott & White Health, St. David's Georgetown Hospital, St. David's Round Rock Medical Center and Seton Medical Center Williamson County. Additionally, Georgetown's first master-planned industrial business park - NorthPark35 - is in phase one of development and is expected to be completed in spring of 2021. The project is located one mile from Alta Austin Avenue and will include two buildings totaling more than 330,000 square feet, as well as the extension of Aviation Drive. One building will be partially occupied by Georgetown-based Texas Speed and Performance, and the remaining space will be available for future industrial tenants. Convenient retail options within close proximity include H-E-B, Walmart, Round Rock Premium Outlets and other everyday retailers like Target, Michael's and The Home Depot. Local restaurant destinations include Monument Cafe, The Uptown Social and the Hat Creek Burger Company as well as fast-casual options like Panera Bread, Chik-fil-A and Starbucks. About Wood Partners Wood Partners is a national real estate company that acquires, develops, constructs and property manages multifamily communities. The company has been involved in the acquisition and development of more than 85,000 multifamily homes with a combined capitalization of more than $15.6 billion nationwide. The company currently owns 68 properties across the United States with a combined total of more than 18,000 homes. Wood Partners has offices in 20 major markets nationwide including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orange County, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and West Palm Beach. Lillian Iffert [email protected] 317-989-9804 Related Files Wood_Partners_Logo1 2.jpg Related Images wood-partners-announces.jpg Wood Partners Announces Groundbreaking of Alta Austin Avenue in Booming Community of Georgetown, Tex Floor plans will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes. SOURCE Wood Partners Gardai are investigating the organisation of a planned protest which saw a vehicle convoy attempt to drive from Dublin Airport to Newry in the North. According to a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana, one male was arrested in Dublin city centre, while details of other participants were verified following lawful demands under the Health Act 1947. Gardai intervened in the protest at Dublin Airport, the M1 motorway J18, and Dublin city centre over the course of the day, the spokesperson said. Gardai are carrying out an investigation into the organisation of this event. An Garda Siochana will be submitting files on any identified organiser and those in attendance for the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to this matter, they added. The operation saw gardai co-operate with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The Health Act 1947 (section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.10) Regulations 2020 in accordance with the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act, 2020 are currently in force, the spokesperson said. The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with public health guidelines and regulations, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives, they added. From today, members of An Garda Siochana can prosecute breaches of travel restrictions under Covid-19 regulations by means of fixed charge notice. Where breaches of the travel regulations are detected and the person in question does not comply with a direction of An Garda Siochana, a prosecution now can be commenced by means of a 100 fixed charge notice. Where more appropriate, An Garda Siochana may seek a direction from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Deputy Garda commissioner John Twomey, policing and security, said: "An Garda Siochana continues to see significant compliance by the public with public health regulations, however, we also continue to see some activity which is in contravention of these regulations introduced to stop the current spread of Covid-19 and protect our communities. "I appeal to every person without a reasonable excuse for travel stay at home, this is your duty as a citizen and will save lives and support our frontline services, nurses, doctors, hospital staff, and my Garda colleagues at this time," he said. While 'mindfulness' was once a term only known by devoted yoga fans, the form of meditation has grown in popularity in recent years. Mindfulness involves sitting silently and focusing on your thoughts in the present moment, and is said to help reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Now, a study has warned that these mental health benefits don't work for everyone. Researchers from the University of Cambridge say that we shouldn't assume mindfulness works for everyone, and highlight that exercise may be just as effective for some. Researchers from the University of Cambridge say that we shouldn't assume mindfulness works for everyone, and highlight that exercise may be just as effective for some (stock image) WHAT IS MINDFULNESS? Mindfulness is a popular form of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment. The practice involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. It is often touted as a universal tool for boosting mental wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Advertisement Mindfulness involves sitting silently and focusing on your thoughts, sounds and sensations in the present moment. It is often touted as a universal tool for boosting mental wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Randomised control trials (RCT) have been conducted around the world to determine whether this is the case, but results have varied. Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge have reviewed these studies to provide more 'robust conclusions'. Dr Julieta Galante said: 'For the average person and setting, practising mindfulness appears to be better than doing nothing for improving our mental health, particularly when it comes to depression, anxiety and psychological distress. 'But we shouldn't assume that it works for everyone, everywhere.' People often practice mindfulness in community settings such as universities, workplaces or private courses. The researchers identified 136 RCTs, which looked at whether mindfulness in a community setting promotes mental health. Mindfulness involves sitting silently and focusing on your thoughts, sounds and sensations in the present moment (stock image) These trials included 11,605 participants aged 18 to 73 years from 29 countries, more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of whom were women. The researchers found in most cases mindfulness did indeed reduce anxiety, stress and depression compared with doing nothing. But in more than one in 20 trial settings, it did not work. Dr Galante said: 'Mindfulness training in the community needs to be implemented with care. 'Community mindfulness courses should be just one option among others, and the range of effects should be researched as courses are implemented in new settings.' It could also be that meditation works best for people who are highly strung to begin with. When compared with other feel-good activities such as exercise, mindfulness was no more effective, the researchers also found (stock image) WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION? Meditation can be traced back to as early as 5000 BC. It is associated with some philosophies and religions but is practiced as a secular, stress-relieving activity more and more. A recent study revealed that meditation can reduce one's risk of heart disease by decreasing risk factors that can lead to the illness. Specifically, it found that the practices can lower one's blood pressure and their anxiety and depression levels. It can also help people quit smoking, which can lead to a fatal heart attack. Experts are warning that healthy lifestyle changes such as being more physically active are still the surest way to ward off the disease, but adding that meditation can also decrease one's chances. Advertisement Dr Galante said: 'The courses that work best may be those aimed at people who are most stressed or in stressful situations, for example health workers, as they appear to see the biggest benefit.' When compared with other feel-good activities such as exercise, mindfulness was no more effective, the researchers also found. Co-author professor Peter Jones said: 'While mindfulness is often better than taking no action, we found that there may be other effective ways of improving our mental health and wellbeing, such as exercise. 'In many cases, these may prove to be more suitable alternatives if they are more effective, culturally more acceptable or are more feasible or cost effective to implement. The good news is that there are now more options.' The number of mindfulness classes on offer has jumped significantly over the past few years and particularly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the effectiveness of online courses has yet to be determined, preliminary research suggests they work, despite the lack of direct contact. Dr Galante said: 'If the effects of online mindfulness courses vary as widely according to the setting as their offline counterparts, then the lack of human support they offer could cause potential problems. 'We need more research before we can be confident about their effectiveness and safety.' Other factors could be responsible for the variation in success between settings, the researchers caution. For example, where and by whom the courses are implemented or who they targeted towards, is likely to have an impact. Dr Galante said: 'The techniques and frameworks taught in mindfulness have rich and diverse backgrounds, from early Buddhist psychology and meditation through to cognitive neuroscience and participatory medicine. 'The interplay between all of these different factors can be expected to influence how effective a programme is.' The findings were published in the journal PLOS Medicine. One country, one company cant have complete monopoly over something, because look: it took something like COVID-19 for the whole world to realize, including myself, that even the pharmaceutical industry is dependent on China for some of the most basic things, which should not be the case, according to Akhtar Ali. POWER10 processor in its CPU socket (Pic credit: IBM) He was responding to my question on why India hasnt matched up to China in terms of technology-related manufacturing, despite having some of the smartest people innovating in tech. Even on the back of the year weve all lived through, Akhtars assessment couldnt have been more logical. After all, we know monopolies are bad, they stifle innovation, ultimately hurting the customer and the ecosystem in the long run. But China didnt become a monopoly overnight. Why do you think all the multinational companies went into China, Akhtar asked me, rhetorically. They had expected this huge, billion plus people market will open up and it hasn't opened up. But de-coupling from China isnt that easy and comes with its own challenges, money being the biggest one of them all. Getting businesses to agree to do that -- (look beyond China to make their stuff) -- is hard because as a first step your costs are going to go up. But with some of the geopolitical shifts happening, I think there is a big role for India to play in all of this, Akhtar added. Made in India for IBM In two years, this was my second conversation with Akhtar Ali, Vice President of India Systems Development Lab and Technical Computing at IBM. Hes fast approaching his 30th anniversary working at IBM, overseeing development of a unique hardware and software solutions portfolio in the HPC space. His team of hardware-software architects works on the foundational building blocks, the nuts and bolts, bits and bytes, zeroes and ones of some of the most critical infrastructures powering our 21st century world. Compared to other innovation labs out there, Akhtar Ali told me how IBM Indias Systems Development Lab is unique in the world because it works on all three aspects of the holy trinity -- IBMs Z mainframe, POWER systems and Storage solutions. And India did a lot of heavy lifting in the latest POWER10 processor which was launched by IBM in August 2020. We are pretty much involved with all aspects of the processor, Akhtar said, handling everything from chip development to physical design, the electronic design automation that goes into designing these complex chips, validation of the chips, and building the worlds first enterprise-scale 7nm processor. For those who dont know, IBM designs and manufactures POWER series of microprocessors for high-performance computing workloads, especially servers and workstations used widely by the IT industry and beyond. IBMs POWER10 is the most recent processor in this series, manufactured in partnership with Samsung on a 7-nanometer node, offering world-class data security at multiple levels but also being flexible and open standards-based to enable hybrid cloud for memory-intensive and high-bandwidth workloads. The POWER10 semiconductor wafer from which individual microprocessors are carved out (Picture credit: IBM) POWER10 has been in the making for nearly four years and the India team has been involved right from the beginning of the blueprint stage, said Rahul Rao, a Senior Technical Staff Member in Akthar Alis team, who also leads the POWER Processor Design Team at IBM India. He joined IBM as a research staff member over 16 years ago, and is still going strong in a leadership role. Everything from what should be the dimensions of the chip, how much stuff do you want to put in it, figuring out how to put it together in different blocks and trying to make it as packed as possible so that you get the best performance in the smallest possible area, Rahul told me, apart from also figuring out how to validate the POWER10 processor, measuring and testing it across different workload scenarios. We have a strong design automation team here in IBM India, using our own software to design these next-gen chips, Rahul explained, and also work closely with worldwide organizations, in terms of how do we get better in terms of software and supported applications? What are the things we can do? How do we not use certain things computationally when they're not needed? How do we make them kick in when they are really needed? How do we put things to sleep and have them wake up without wasting energy? Basically, we asked and also tried to answer all of these questions for POWER10 right here from India. Indians innovating for the world Adding to what Rahul mentioned, Akhtar further elaborated the role of IBM India engineers achievement in POWER10s design and overall build, contributing techniques that are on the cutting-edge of hardware design and automation. According to Akhtar Ali, IBM India team used a lot of pioneering AI techniques to make the whole design automation of POWER10 go faster -- right from physical design and timing to making things go faster by learning from simulation runs. The India team has actually improved the internal IBM design tools by bringing in AI feature functions, mentioned Akhtar. Theyre not looking at AI as an end goal of what the customer will run an application on for a third-party use case, but theyre using the same principle and practices for improving internal processes. Thats one example of how people are being innovative here in IBM Indias lab, he added, underlining how thats possible only because the India team is involved in all aspects of the chip design process, from hardware blueprints to software stack and beyond. The POWER10 wafer close-up (credit: IBM) This also had a remarkable effect on the development team, according to Rahul Rao. By using the same algorithms in our design classes itself, to some extent as we are, we're running into some kind of bottleneck issues, which gives us an insight into the challenges our customers will face and reveal what are some of the common problems they have, which allows us to course correct accordingly right at the chip design level, Rahul mentioned, while emphasizing how IBM India has put in a lot of innovation into POWER10, which included contributing to hundreds of patents under processing and review right now. Time will tell how many of those patents get granted, of course, but patents remain one of the litmus tests of true-blue cutting edge innovation, which involves pushing the needle of progress forward -- another area where Indians seem to be doing remarkably well on the global stage. In fact, IBM inventors from India received over 900 patents in 2019 alone, the second-highest contributor to the global tally after the US. Manufacturing high-performance chips in India Theres no doubt India has a lot of incredible talent, which is evident from Akhtar Ali and Rahul Raos Indian roots. So why dont we make these POWER10 processors, or any other cutting-edge processors of any kind, here in India? We dont make them in India because we dont make them anywhere else in the world either, Akhtar responded with a wry smile, explaining how semiconductor fabrication plants (also known as fabs) are an extremely expensive business, something that IBM doesnt do by themselves anymore -- they partner with Samsung to manufacture the POWER10 chips, for instance. We realized that being in the fab business only to build chips for yourself isnt a good business model because the fixed costs of owning and running a fab are extremely high, and thats why there are only a few of them in the world, Akhtar emphasized, while listing Intel, TSMC, Samsung and GlobalFoundries as the big chip-manufacturing companies that are still doing it. Semiconductor manufacturing plants or fabs need billions of dollars to set up, they have very high day-to-day operating costs and need upgrading every few years -- how else will it be at the cutting-edge of microprocessor production, if the fab itself isnt modernized constantly? Needless to say, all of this sucks in a lot of money. Akhtar Ali, IBM You not only need the volume but also the ability to put in a lot of fixed capital which is really tough, which is why not just IBM but even Intel hasnt put a chip-manufacturing or fabrication site here in India, Akhtar pointed out. No ones putting a lot of different fabs all over the globe, other than countries where these companies already started building out fabs in to begin with. Ultimately, its all business-driven, Akthar emphasized. In terms of high-tech manufacturing, the principal determinant of where you invest your money is a function of how cheap it is to produce at scale, because the pieces that you need to put it all together can be gotten from anywhere, including India. Still a long way to go I definitely think it is not a question of technical ability or technical merit as to why we dont have some of these high-tech manufacturing infrastructure here in India, because its all business driven, Rahul Rao added to the discussion, while speaking about the lack of a high-end fab in India. He pointed out how there are certain pockets in India where high-level chip design and manufacturing does happen, while referring to IIT Madras Shakti processor in particular. IBM does encourage people like me to strongly collaborate and help in these initiatives, which in a way provides more momentum to indigenous technology development and intellectual capital build-up which is absolutely critical, Rahul mentioned. I go to IIT Madras and teach there myself at least six-seven times a year, thanks to IBMs CSR initiatives that enable people like me to give back to the local community and make an impact where it matters the most. Rahul Rao, IBM Having a lot of Indians in positions of power in technology companies also helps, according to Akhtar Ali, and he underscored this with an interesting little story about current IBM CEO, Arvind Krishna. Arvind and I both hail from IIT Kanpur, and IBM in the US has something called Employee Charitable Contribution where employees can contribute through their paycheck into their favourite charity and IBM matches that contribution, Akhtar mentioned. Many years ago, it was Arvind Krishna who managed to put IIT Kanpur as one of the charitable contributions for furthering technical education in India, making it not only easier for all of us at IBM to contribute to IIT Kanpur but also have IBM match our contributions to be able to make an even bigger impact. In India, IBMs doubling down on furthering STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education for girls and women. We are heavily pushing for it, we believe we have some very good women role models within IBM, both at the technical and business leadership level and the executive team, and thats another thing thats extremely important for IBM, according to Akhtar Ali. It doesn't take a genius to figure out Indias high-tech manufacturing process wont kick into gear any time soon and China will continue to be the biggest game in town. Of course, India needs to stay the course and be in it for the long haul -- not just as an alternative to China for the world, but simply to pursue its own growth story, which promises to be an eventful journey. When India does finally reach the promised land in the future, it will be thanks to all the behind-the-scenes work done by industry veterans like Akhtar Ali and Rahul Rao at IBM along the way. For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. 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 [January 10, 2021] KKR Closes Inaugural Asia Pacific Infrastructure Fund at US$3.9 billion Cap KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the final close of KKR Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors SCSp (the "Fund"), a US$3.9 billion fund focused on infrastructure-related investments across Asia Pacific. "We are thrilled to announce the close of our inaugural Asian infrastructure fund, coming at this pivotal time for the infrastructure sector," said Ming Lu, Head of KKR Asia Pacific. "We believe that Asia Pacific contains some of the most favorable macroeconomic dynamics in the world, and that the region is expected to account for more than half of the world's economic growth in the coming years. However, the demand to develop or upgrade critical infrastructure assets outpaces the available public funding in many markets. Private capital is playing an increasingly important role to fill the gap in the region, and through our new fund, KKR is committed to investing in essential infrastructure solutions over a long-term horizon." KKR's infrastructure investment approach combines a disciplined selection process with distinctive deal sourcing and structuring capabilities executed by a dedicated investment team based in markets across Asia Pacific. In line with this approach, the Fund will focus on critical infrastructure with low volatility and strong downside protection where KKR believes it can achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns by leveraging its global network of industry experts, its highly experienced team in Asia Pacific and long history of operational value creation. The Fund has a broad investment mandate across both emerging and developed Asia Pacific, in sectors, including waste, renewables, power and utilities, telecommunications and transportation infrastructure. At the time of close, the Fund reached its hard cap to become the largest pan-regional infrastructure fund to have been raised for Asia Pacific. The Fund's size aligns with KKR's expectations for infrastructure deal flow in the region through the long-term horizon. KKR invested approximately US$300 million in capital alongside external investors through its balance sheet and employee commitments. David Luboff, Head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure at KKR, said, "Infrastructure is a key priority for KKR in Asia Pacific and we ae proud to have built one of the leading infrastructure investment platforms in the region. The size of this fund and the caliber of our limited partners reflect the strength of both our Asia Pacific and infrastructure businesses, and speaks to our ability to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns to our investors through a careful investment approach. Bringing together our deep, local market knowledge with decades of global industry expertise uniquely positions us to flexibly meet the crucial infrastructure needs of both developed and emerging Asia Pacific." The Fund, which was significantly oversubscribed and closed at its hard cap, received strong backing from a diverse group of prominent global infrastructure investors, including public and corporate pensions, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, private banking platforms, family offices and high net worth individual investors. "The successful close of our new infrastructure fund demonstrates the compelling value proposition that KKR offers to investors. We are grateful for the confidence investors have placed in our Asia Pacific infrastructure strategy and talented team as they look for investments that can deliver stable capital appreciation in today's volatile environment," said Alisa Amarosa Wood, Head of KKR's Private Markets Strategies Group. KKR first established its global infrastructure team and strategy in 2008 and has since been one of the most active infrastructure investors around the world. Over this period, the Firm has deployed more than US$24 billion across approximately 40 infrastructure investments, and currently has a team of approximately 45 dedicated investment professionals. "One of our differentiators is KKR's ability to provide flexible capital solutions to meet the needs of its portfolio companies across all asset classes," said Raj Agrawal, Global Head of Infrastructure at KKR. "This unique blend of deal sourcing and structuring, along with our deep operational management and active engagement allows us to take advantage of the full range of investment opportunities created by Asia Pacific's continued emergence as an economic engine for the 21st Century." In Asia, KKR has committed US$1.8 billion across six investments as part of the Firm's dedicated Asia Pacific infrastructure strategy, which was launched in 2019. KKR's Asia Pacific infrastructure portfolio includes India Grid Trust, India's leading infrastructure investment trust; Virescent Infrastructure, a renewable energy company in India; Eco Solutions Group, a leading environmental services provider in South Korea; First Gen, a leading Philippines power producer; TSK Corporation, an environmental services management company in South Korea; and Pinnacle Towers, a leading telecommunications infrastructure provider in the Philippines. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP represented KKR as primary fund counsel for this fundraise. About KKR KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, credit and real assets, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter (News - Alert) @KKR_Co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210110005079/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 2021 is off to a great start for everybody named Kevin Hart. Netflix announced on Monday that it had signed a multi-year distribution deal with the comedians HartBeat Production company. Under the terms of that deal, Netflix would be the exclusive host for four upcoming feature films, as well as have first look rights for any future films produced under that banner. Hartbeat Productions is the company behind 2018s Night School, starring Hart opposite Tiffany Haddish; 2019s autobiographical docuseries Kevin Hart: Don't F*ck This Up; and last years hit stand-up special Zero F*cks Given. Netflix has enjoyed a long relationship with Kevin and we've been lucky enough to partner with him many times. Hes a hands-on producer and its been great to watch him build an incredible company with HartBeat, Netflix head of original films, Scott Stuber, said in a press statement. There are very few artists who can attract audiences of all ages and succeed in making comedies, dramas and family films. Were excited to partner with Kevin, and his great team at Hartbeat, to entertain our audience for years to come. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese-born director Chloe Zhao's feature film "Nomadland" became a big winner on Saturday with four trophies at the annual National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) Awards, and is continuing to sweep the awards circuit in the United States. "Nomadland," an American contemporary Western drama distributed by Searchlight Pictures, was named best film of 2020 at the virtual NSFC's 55th awards voting meeting, and is Zhao's second film after the cowboy drama "The Rider" two years ago. Zhao also nabbed the best director award. Best actress went to Frances McDormand for her performance, and Joshua James Richards walked away with the best cinematography award. It was at least the fifth top prize in film directing this week for Zhao from the country's critics' groups, with the others from the Columbus Film Critics Association, the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle, the Alliance Of Women Film Journalists, and the North Carolina Film Critics Association. An adaptation from a 2017 non-fiction book, the film stars McDormand, a two-time Oscar winner, as an out-of-work woman who packs her van and sets off from her small town across the vast landscape of the American West, exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. Earlier, "Nomadland" had won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, making history as the first to win both honors. Awards have piled up from coast to coast in the United States in recent weeks, putting it on the fast track for Oscar contention. Voting of the NSFC, consisting of 60 prominent movie critics from major papers and outlets across the United States, is conducted via a weighted ballot system this year. Delroy Lindo nabbed best actor for his role in Netflix's war drama "Da 5 Bloods." Eliza Hittman in "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" was awarded best screenplay, and the Romanian film "Collective" won the best foreign language film award. The South Korean film "Parasite" was the best film at the NSFC Awards last year. It went on to make history at the 92nd Academy Awards, winning four top prizes, including the one for best picture. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will make a public reunion with the royal family this spring for the first time since their renouncement of duties as senior working members of the royal family in January 2020. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to reunite with Royal family The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to attend Queen Elizabeth II's yearly birthday parade, Trooping of the Colour, on June 12 in London. The Queen, 94, is reportedly determined to get "back to business" after she was forced to cancel a series of royal events in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Royal aides stated the parade is both an official and a "family occasion." Megxit saw the Queen's grandson, his wife, and Majesty's great-grandson moved to the United States in 2020, since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The birthday parade will be held on June 12 to mark her official birthday and will fall two days following Prince Philip's 100th birthday, reported Daily Star. Members of the royal family traditionally join Queen Elizabeth II on the Buckingham Palace balcony. It is not clear if this courtesy will be extended to Prince Harry and Markle. All royals are expected to attend the event. The military parade, which will mark Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday, will also be the first national celebration in the U.K. since the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen appeared in 2020 without her family at the parade, which was scaled down and moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle because of the quarantine. According to a royal aide, "The current plan is for the Queen's birthday parade to go ahead in London as normal, with the acceptance that it may need to be adapted or scaled back depending on what guidelines are in force at the time. But the aspiration and the ultimate desire is to make it happen," reported Page Six. Also Read: Prince Harry Mistaken For Christmas Tree Salesman While Tree Shopping With Meghan Markle Trooping the Color is usually held in public, with the Duchess of Sussex previously joining other royal family members on Buckingham Palace's balcony. Prince Harry and Markle are hopeful that 2021 will be a "time of healing for their family," according to a source. The Troop of Color has been celebrated for 125 years. Last year, it first occurred at Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace. It was due to the Queen shielding there from COVID-19 with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. On June 10, Prince Philip's 100th birthday would be held simultaneously, with grandson Prince Harry being back in Britain if he and Markle visit overseas. Last year's parade also featured fewer than 100 Welsh Guards. Prince Harry and Markle's last public appearance with the royal family was held at the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth service on March 9 after sorting out their deal of stepping down from their royal duties. The Sussexes recently relocated to Montecito, California, along with their one-year-old son Archie. According to a source, "Family disagreements tend to lose heat with distance and time. [They] are hoping 2021 can be a time of healing not just for the world but for their family," reported The Sun. Related Article: Prince Charles Portrayed as Villain on 'The Crown,' 'Should Carry Fiction Warning' @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. File image: A medical worker receives experimental H1N1 flu shot at a hospital in Tokyo, Japan in October 19, 2009. (Image: Reuters/Yuriko Nakao (Japan Health Society) A history of vaccine controversies in Japan may cast a long shadow over the coronavirus jab rollout, experts warn, even as the country battles a severe third wave of infections. While vaccine hesitancy, and outright opposition, has been growing in developed countries in recent years, public suspicion dates back much further in Japan. Even as millions in the UK and US are being inoculated against Covid-19, Japan has yet to approve a single jab, and vaccinations will not start before late February at the earliest. This week, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would be among the first to be vaccinated, in an apparent attempt to bolster lukewarm confidence about the jab. Just 60 percent of Japanese respondents in a December Ipsos-World Economic Forum survey said they want the vaccine, compared with 80 percent in China, 77 percent in the UK, 75 percent in South Korea and 69 percent in the US. 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 figure was still significantly higher than the 40 percent recorded in France. Another poll, by Japanese broadcaster NHK, showed just half of respondents want the vaccine, with 36 percent opposed. Mistrust in Japan dates back decades, with experts pointing to a vicious cycle of lawsuits over alleged adverse events, media misinformation and government overreaction. "The reason why Japanese are hesitant, I think, is because there is a lack of trust in government information," Harumi Gomi, professor at the Center for Infectious Diseases at the International University of Health and Welfare, told AFP. Loss of confidence As early as the 1970s, class action lawsuits were filed against the Japanese government over side effects linked to smallpox and other vaccines. And two deaths that followed vaccination with the combined diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus shot prompted the government to temporarily withdraw the jab. It was reintroduced shortly after with new rules but confidence did not recover. Then in the late 1980s and early 1990s, cases of aseptic meningitis among children who received locally produced combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccines caused renewed outcry, prompting withdrawal of the combined jab. A key turning point was a 1992 court ruling that held the government liable for adverse reactions to several vaccines, including side effects -- even without scientific evidence of a link. "Following the lawsuits, I think the government must have thought they would be sued if they actively introduced vaccines and there was a problem," said Tetsuo Nakayama, a project professor at the Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences who focuses on clinical virology. "People thought something (negative) might happen if they get vaccines," he added. "As a result, Japan's vaccine programmes did not advance for 15 to 20 years." There has been grassroots work by doctors to build trust, with some success, notably with the Hib vaccine, given to young children to prevent an infection that can otherwise lead to meningitis. "Hib vaccines became available in 2008 thanks to efforts by pediatricians," Nakayama said, adding Japan's vaccine programme "began to change course then". But there was another setback soon after, with massive media attention on adverse reactions allegedly tied to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Despite scientific doubt about the links, the outcry prompted the government to remove the vaccine from its list of actively recommended shots. 'Proper risk communication' Subsequent investigations have found no cause for concern, and the HPV vaccine is widely administered elsewhere. But in Japan, uptake has plummeted from 70 percent to less than one percent, according to an article in the Lancet medical journal. "This is a very disappointing situation to me as a specialist," Gomi said. For now, Japan is weeks, if not months, from any large-scale roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine, which will be provided for free. It has secured sufficient doses for all 127 million residents in deals with Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer, which filed for approval of its jab in December. A decision on that is unlikely before February, and Nakayama said the government should work to build trust before then through "proper risk communication with the public". "They need to explain the risks when infected with the virus, the benefits of vaccines and their side effects," he said. Gomi, who is treating virus patients, said vaccine uptake would depend on clear explanations by healthcare workers and responsible media coverage. "No vaccine is 100 percent safe. Vaccine programmes won't work if that's what people want," she said. By Natsuko Fukue AFP Online News DETROIT -- A fire that was contained in one unit of a large Detroit apartment building has sent eight people to the hospital, with three of the victims being listed in critical condition. According to Fox 2 Detroit, a man who was in the apartment where the fire happened suffered burns on 90% of his body. The man was saved by another man who was visiting his mother at an apartment on the same floor. Lamont Shirley said he heard the fire alarm go off and decided to go look for where the fire was coming from. He said he checked some of the apartments before finding the one where the fire started. He said he kicked the door in and pulled the 67-year-old man to safety. Seven other people inside the building suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The fire was reported around 5 p.m. Sunday night at the Parkview Place Apartments located on Chene, north of Lafayette. Its unclear what started the fire and an investigation is ongoing. READ MORE: 7 teens injured in northern Michigan rollover crash Police investigate possible murder-suicide in Ottawa County West Michigan husband accused in strangulation death of pregnant wife, a teacher Two grass fires in Melbourne's north-west have been brought under control after residents of Taylors Lakes were told to leave their nearby homes. As temperatures peaked at 36.7 degrees in Melbourne, Fire Services Victoria were called to a car fire in a paddock at Rowlandson Place in Taylors Lakes just before 3.30pm on Monday. An air-crane drops water to assist firefighters as they battle a grass fire in Taylors Lakes on Monday. Credit:Luis Ascui The fire quickly turned into a fast-moving grass fire that spread from Calder Park in a south-westerly direction towards homes in Taylors Lakes. A watch and act warning was issued for nearby suburbs but has since been downgraded to advice level. 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. Cut off from the social media channels that have been the lifeblood of his presidency, Trump will nonetheless try to go on offense in his last 10 days, with no plans of resigning. Instead, Trump is planning to lash out against the companies that have now denied him his Twitter and Facebook bullhorns. And aides hope he will spend his last days trying to trumpet his policy accomplishments, beginning with a trip to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to highlight his administration's efforts to curb illegal immigration and border wall construction. Trump's decision to travel to Alamo named after the San Antonio mission where a small group of Texans fighting for independence against the Mexican government were defeated after a 13-day siege served as a symbol of his defiance as he faces the most volatile end of any presidency in modern history. Trump has not taken any responsibility for his role in inciting Wednesday's violence amid a rebellion from members of his own party and ongoing efforts to remove him from office. Two Republican senators have now said they want the President to resign immediately following the deadly riots at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. The President whipped up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five dead. Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video I think the President has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. A growing number of lawmakers want to prevent him from ever again holding elected office. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the President's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas on Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Lets give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running, Clyburn said. Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trumps conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Senator Roy Blunt, did not go that far, but on Sunday warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired on Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, Its over. Loading Thats what has to happen now, she said. Corporate America began to show its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying lawmakers to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's chief executive and president Kim Keck said it would not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy", Keck said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citis head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law. Loading House leaders, furious after the insurrection, appear determined to act against Trump despite the short timeline. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day. While many have criticised Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Senator Marco Rubio said that, instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president with just days left in office. Loading Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois lawmaker Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riots. Democrat David Cicilline, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said on Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. Loading The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the Vice-President. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide. A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalising Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. AP, Bloomberg Schools are ignoring government guidelines and refusing to allow children into class unless BOTH parents are key workers, MailOnline has learned. Department for Education guidance states that only one parent needs to be a critical worker for their child to attend class even if both parents are working from home. It adds parents who are key or critical workers should keep their children at home 'if they can'. Schools are ignoring government guidelines and refusing to allow children into class unless BOTH parents are key workers But head teachers in many areas say increasing pressure on spaces has meant they now have to ration places, and many have chosen to prioritise families where both parents are classed as key workers. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has called on the Government to tell heads how many pupils on-site is 'too many' as it says high pupil attendance could 'seriously undermine' the impact of lockdown and risk longer closures. In a survey of almost 5,000 heads, nearly half (48 per cent) said they have had to prioritise places for children of key workers or vulnerable pupils in their school 'due to an excess of demand'. Nearly three-quarters say that demand for places has 'greatly increased' compared to the lockdown in March last year, after the government expanded the list of who qualified as a key worker. Local Education Authorities are leaving the final decision to head teachers, but Norfolk County Council said in a statement: It is likely that in some schoolsboth parents are expected to be critical workers, with priority given to those whose parents work in emergency life-saving services. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged key workers to keep their children at home if possible Cllr John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Childrens Services, added: Although the national criteria states that only one parent needs to be a keyworker to be eligible for a place, in many schools that would mean nearly every child could still attend and schools simply cannot manage that at this time. In Richmond, south-west London, no limit has currently been imposed on key worker children, but Council Leader, Cllr Gareth Roberts, said: We are urgently seeking clarification from the Government about the maximum number who should be in school while protecting public health. We know that for parents it is tough having to juggle home schooling whilst working from home. But, it seems completely illogical that we have such a high number of children returning, given the fact that the Government has taken the drastic action of a full national lockdown precisely in order to limit contacts. An Essex County Council spokesperson said in a statement: We have written to parents who are critical workers to ask them to consider if they need to take up a full-time place in school or whether their child(ren) can remain home on some or all days. We need to balance the needs of critical worker parents with ensuring the numbers in a school or college is kept as low as possible. This will support the reduction in the number of contacts children and households have during this time. One school in Lincoln, Fosse Way Academy, announced the two key worker rule to last week, with parents required to show a letter from their employer or an ID badge too confirm their status. Headmaster Robert Cowling, said in a message to parents and carers on Tuesday morning he had received over 300 requests for places for children during this lockdown. He said: This is a huge number, much higher than the original lockdown back in March. Year 9 student Isla Stanton, 14, begins her home learning in Ashford, Kent. One school in Lincoln, Fosse Way Academy, announced the two key worker rule to last week, with parents required to show a letter from their employer or an ID badge too confirm their status Due to staffing issues, and in our efforts to protect all members of the school community whilst offering quality home learning to those children not in school, I am now forced to require both parents to be critical workers before being able to offer a place to a child in school during the current closure. A DfE spokesperson said: 'If critical workers can work from home and look after their children at the same time then they should do so. 'Otherwise, schools are open the children of critical workers. We expect schools to work with families to ensure all critical worker children are given access to a place if this is required, to enable them to provide vital services. We encourage all vulnerable children to attend. 'The protective measures that schools have been following throughout the autumn terms remain in place to help protect staff and students, while the national lockdown helps reduce transmission in the wider community.' 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 11, 2021] Cybin Partners with Kernel to Leverage its Breakthrough Neuroimaging Technology for Psychedelic Therapeutics Cybin Inc. (NEO:CYBN) ("Cybin"), a life sciences company focused on psychedelic therapeutics, is excited to announce that it has entered into an agreement with neurotech pioneer HI, LLC dba Kernel ("Kernel") to leverage its innovative technology, Kernel Flow ("Flow"), for its upcoming sponsored clinical work. Click here to view the accompanying film. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005430/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Flow is a full-head coverage, time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy system designed to detect hemodynamic changes in the brain that pulses light through the skull and into the bloodstream in order to measure how much oxygen the blood is carrying at any given time. Flow measurements can be used as analogues of local neural activity during a psychedelic experience. Cybin expects the quantitative measurements enabled by Flow may improve the development, delivery and scaling of its psychedelic therapeutics. "Access to Kernel's innovative Flow technology adds another exciting dimension to the investigative work that Cybin is doing to develop breakthrough treatments for mental health disorders such as depression and addiction. Currently, clinical investigators rely on limited subjective information from patients. The ability to collect quantitative data from our sponsored drug development programs is potentially game-changing in terms of our ability to measure where psychedelics work in the brain in real time, and how we ultimately design our future therapeutics. We are delighted to partner with Kernel to study the utility of Flow in sponsored clinical settings. This new cornerstone component of our sponsored clinical programs follows a record-setting capital raise, listing on the NEO Exchange and the acquisition of Adela Therapeutics Inc., which added significant scientific capabilities, novel molecules, delivery mechanisms and intellectual property," stated Doug Drysdale, CEO of Cybin. "Cybin's visionary approach to understanding and treating mental illness through psychedelic therapeutics opens a new frontier for addressing human health and wellness. This opportunity with Cybin will assist the transition from subjective self-reporting to longitudinal, quantitative measurements and insights, thereby offering the promise of data-driven, personalized treatment protocols that may significantly improve safety and efficacy," stated Bryan Johnson, Founder and CEO of Kernel. Cybin intends to take delivery of Flow in the second quarter of 2021. Cybin plans to undertake sponsored studies in a range of clinical conditions and utilize insights gained from the data collected by Flow technology to inform the design of future clinical studies, support regulatory submissions and aid in the design of future molecules to address the needs of mental health patients. About Cybin Cybin is a life sciences company advancing psychedelic therapeutics for various psychiatric and neurological conditions. Cybin is developing technologies and delivery systems, aiming to improve bioavailability, to potentially achieve the desired medicinal effects of psychedelics at low dosage levels. The new delivery systems are expected to be studied through sponsored clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy. About Kernel Kernel is a team of neuroscientists, physicists, engineers, programmers, and experiment and operations experts driven by the belief that exploring and quantifying the human mind is the most important and consequential opportunity of our time. Based in Los Angeles, California, Kernel was founded in 2016 and has raised US$104 million to date including investment from founder Bryan Johnson, General Catalyst and Khosla Ventures. Prior to Kernel, Johnson was the Founder and CEO of Braintree Venmo, which was acquired by eBay (News - Alert) for US$800 million in 2013. About Flow Flow is a headworn, scalable, non-invasive neuroimaging system. Flow leverages time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy, a gold standard optical method for detecting hemodynamics of the cerebral cortex. Time-domain systems acquire richer brain signals than traditional near-infrared spectroscopy devices by applying light in short pulses and precisely capturing the arrival time distribution of scattered photons from each pulse. This "time-of-flight" measurement reveals depth-dependent information and absolute optical properties of the brain. Changes in these measured optical properties allow inference of spatially localized neural activity. Cautionary Notes and Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding Cybin's future, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding the results of Flow technology on Cybin's sponsored clinical studies, insights to be gained from the data collected by Flow technology, the ability of Flow technology to achieve the stated objectives, the potential success of Cybin's therapeutics, formulations, delivery mechanisms and therapeutic program. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Cybin's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guaranteeing future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Cybin does not undertake an obligation to update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities law. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Cybin makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about Cybin's proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin, dimethyltryptamine (" DMT (News - Alert) "), psilocybin analogues, or other psychedelic compounds or nutraceutical products. The efficacy of such products have not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin or nutraceuticals can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Cybin has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that Cybin verified such in clinical trials or that Cybin will complete such trials. If Cybin cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Cybin's performance and operations. The NEO Exchange has not approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005430/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. BEIJING (Reuters) - China's search engine giant Baidu Inc said on Monday it will set up a company to partner with car maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to make smart electric vehicles (EV), the latest move by a tech company in the fast-evolving sector. Baidu, which has been developing autonomous driving technology and internet connectivity infrastructure, said the new EV company will count on Baidu's intelligent driving capabilities and Geely's car manufacturing expertise. Geely will also be a strategic investor in the new company, which will be an independent ... The head of the National Guard Bureau said Monday that there could be as many as 15,000 Guard troops in Washington, D.C., for Inauguration Day, more than doubling the number of personnel rushed to the city in the wake of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach. "We have received support requests from the Secret Service, Capitol Police and Park Police, and have been authorized to provide up to 15,000 Guard members to meet current and future support needs," Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters during a call-in roundtable. By 6 p.m. Jan. 6, the Pentagon had authorized up to 6,200 Guard members from Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania to deploy to D.C. on federal status to maintain security through Inauguration Day after hundreds of Trump supporters pushed past police and began smashing windows and destroying offices inside the Capitol. Read Next: Army Investigates Fort Bragg Soldier for Attending Rally That Ended in US Capitol Breach Most of the originally authorized 6,200 Guard members are scheduled to arrive in the city Monday; that number is expected to grow to "up to 10,000 or potentially more by Saturday," Hokanson said. "Right now, we have a plan for 10,000; we have been authorized up to 15,000," he said. "The number of folks we have here is really directly dependent on the Secret Service, Capitol Police or Park Police." Some active-duty units will participate in the inauguration activities, but those units will be strictly ceremonial in nature -- such as the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard -- and not part of the security mission, Pentagon officials said at the roundtable. Hokanson's announcement came after lawmakers raised questions over the weekend about the National Guard's initial delayed response to the Capitol riot, as well as concerns that some members might be supportive to demonstrators looking to disrupt the inauguration. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., requested that Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy have the service's Criminal Investigation Command review National Guard troops deployed for the inauguration "to ensure that deployed members are not sympathetic to domestic terrorists," according to a readout released from Crow's call with McCarthy. McCarthy agreed to the request, according to the readout. But Hoakenson told reporters, "I am not tracking that." "We work very closely with law enforcement agencies and, if they identify any personnel of interest or concern, obviously we will work with them on that, but I am not aware of any specific concerns at this time," Hokanson said. Military.com sent a query to McCarthy's office about Crow's request but has not received a response. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund requested urgent, but nonspecific, support during calls with McCarthy and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley that took place minutes before 2 p.m. Jan. 6, according to the readout. It took an hour and 10 minutes for McCarthy, Milley, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and Hokanson to process and concur on the "unfolding situation at the Capitol" and approve deployment of Guard assets, including the full mobilization of the D.C. National Guard. There was no functioning operations center in the Pentagon to manage the Guard presence and direct additional resources, so senior DoD officials had to manage the situation by tracking down previously unknown contacts in local law enforcement and making ad hoc calls in an office environment, the readout states. The Pentagon offered details of the decision-making process amid criticisms that Virginia and Maryland experienced delays in receiving mobilization orders for Guard forces on Jan. 6. Hokanson told reporters that he spoke to Virginia's adjutant general at 3:46 p.m. and with Maryland's adjutant general at 3:55 p.m. that day and confirmed that both states had activated their response forces. "Each of our 50 states, three territories and D.C. have an identified National Guard response force," he said. "The general standard we use is that the initial element, or about a quarter of that force, should be at their armory within eight hours. And within 24 hours is when we expect really the full force to be there." Hokanson said both the Maryland and Virginia Guard units met their timelines. "They were the first units in Washington to support the D.C. National Guard, and I believe they arrived at about 9 a.m. on [Jan.] 7, the next day," he said. "So, when we look at the timelines for the requests for the National Guard response force, they met all the general guidance that we provide them." Once Guard members arrive in D.C., they will fall under the responsibility of Maj. Gen. William Walker, commander of the D.C. Guard, Hokanson said, adding that the troops have been requested to support security, logistics, liaison duties and communication missions. Guard members were mobilized under Title 32, so they are authorized to perform law enforcement duties if requested, Hokanson added. "In many cases, we ask the National Guard to do those mission sets like protect the locations to free up the law enforcement officers so they can perform the law enforcement capabilities," he said. If the need arises, Guard members will have the capability to carry weapons but only as a last resort, Hokanson said. "With respect to arming -- obviously, you know, we will work very closely with the federal agencies, the FBI and law enforcement to determine if there is a need for that," he said. "Obviously, we are very concerned that we want our individuals to have the right to self defense, and so that will be an ongoing conversation. And if the senior leadership determines if that is the right posture to be in, then that's something we will do." As a general rule, Guard units deploying to other states bring all assigned equipment in case the need arises, Hokanson said. "Anytime that our National Guard go somewhere, we make sure they bring all of their equipment. ... We actually ask them to make sure they do bring their weapons as well, just so they are here locally," he said. "So, when they need them -- and ideally, we hope they never do, but if [they] do -- we want to know that they are close by and they are readily accessible." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: Lawmaker to Army Secretary: Investigate Troops Deploying to Inauguration for Domestic Terror Sympathies Western Australias Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson insists he isn't "being muzzled" after it was revealed he hasn't spoken at a government press conference in more than 100 days despite Premier Mark McGowan regularly referring to his health advice when it comes to the state's border decisions. In the past six months, the states top adviser during the coronavirus pandemic has fronted government press conferences on two occasions, one on September 26 while in Port Hedland responding to an outbreak on an iron ore carrier, and another on November 16, when he sat in the front row as Mr McGowan outlined WA's decision to close its border with South Australia. Every other state and territory in Australia has its Chief Health Officer at most press conferences. In the past six months, WA's Chief Health Officer has fronted the media's questions just twice. Credit:Nine During the latter, Health Minister Roger Cook invited the media to ask questions of himself, Mr McGowan, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson and Dr Robertson, however only the Premier was queried. Dr Robertson's absence comes amid Mr McGowan regularly fielding questions from journalists about WAs testing regime and border policies and often responding: it would depend on the health advice. Spencer Platt/Getty After a feverish couple of hours on Jan. 6, during which fascists on social network platforms dared to utter the word revolution, they came crashing down to realityhopes ruined and friendless in the world after the deadly but ultimately fruitless attack on the U.S. Capitol. Now, with far-right groups feeling backed into a corner by the impending end of Trumps presidency, divisions among them are becoming more palpable as a feeling of failure grows and extremists nihilistically turn away from talk of a political solution and towards white supremacist terror. Cracks within the extreme right already presented themselves on the eve of the Trump putsch, when the outgoing president exhorted his supporters to march on the Capitol in an effort to intervene in the peaceful transition of power to the next democratically elected leader. Just days before Jan. 6, a story written by the alt-right podcaster Erik Striker reignited an ongoing row by accusing the occult Satanist branch of fascism of being a front for the FBI, a psychological operation intended to demoralize activists and farm white terrorists they can parade for an eager, anti-white media. Not only was the satanic branch of fascism an unwitting tool, Striker claimed, it was actually a federal psyop. Strikers article, which was mostly sourced from a Scribd account attributed to Yahoo News, relied on what appeared to be an unclassified special analysis report by the FBI and British National Counter Terrorism Centre dated from last November, which offered a summary of the fascist cult Order of Nine Angles and its influence on terrorists. More specifically, the report called for raising awareness about the occult groupknown for fusing extremist tendencies from different religions into a syncretic, ultraviolent form of fascist Satanismand assisting disengagement from terrorism-related activities. Man Charged in Capitol Riots Texted About Putting a Bullet in Pelosis Head: Court Docs Story continues Of particular interest to Striker was the reports mention of the Siege network, a loose-knit network of channels that spread fascist propaganda on the encrypted social network Telegram. According to a Daily Beast analysis of 20 leading channels that associate with, share, and engage in the Siege network (also called Terrorgram), the total number of subscribers across channels amounts to more than 120,000, with an median following of around 3,000 and the most popular channel maintaining over 30,000 subscribers alone. The Siege network becomes important because it represents the legacy of recent fascist terrorists and their ideological adherence to Satanic ideology. Striker zoomed in on the reports mention of prior conflicts between the Order of Nine Angles and the alt-right anti-Semitic website Daily Stormer, in which the latter argued against the Satanic doomsday cultists gaining power in the terrorist group Atomwaffen Division. While he didnt openly take sides in his article, it was obvious that he opposed the satanic cult. Striker also appeared to misconstrue the reports observation that law enforcement might aid disengagement from cultists, claiming that the feds wanted to manipulate the cult in a nefarious scheme to utilize Satanism in dissident groups as a means to demoralize activists, splinter groups, and cause individuals to disengage. To say that fascists across the Siege network did not take Strikers article particularly well would be an understatement. Accusations of federal law enforcement collaboration echoed across a number of leading accounts within Terrorgram, as people attempting to develop political organizations were accused of providing a service to federal agents. Some on the far right took Strikers article in stride at first. The would-be far-right Telegram personality Brandon Martinez, who posts under the name Martinez Perspective, shared the article, saying, The Feds are more active than ever before, infiltrating, spying, subverting. Their MO is to stir up drama/division in our ranks, playing on contentious themes like religion to do it. Others fought back. The Terrorgram anti-mask channel, Corona Chan, shared Martinez Perspectives post with the aggressive commentary, Of course religious infighting is bad but Eric Striker is against extremism altogether. Hes [sic] a grifter and a bad actor. Much like face f**ging streamers like yourself. Telegram is our turf. Here, it appears Terrorgram provides a forum for fascists associated with satanic cults, reactionary Catholicism, and other sects to get along, unless their fascist tendency is deemed not extremist enough. The channel Catholic Nazi was among the dissenters opposing religious infighting and it also slammed Ron Unzwho runs the anti-Semitic, Holocaust-denying Unz Reviewfor syndicating Strikers article, highlighting a line on Unzs Wikipedia page about his Ukrainian-Jewish immigrant background. Catholic Nazis anti-Semitic tweet was shared by more fascist channels, such as Dixie Apocalypse and BreadPilled. While he agrees with anti-Semitism, Striker is not considered extremist enough by his detractors, because he cofounded the new National Justice Party, which appears to be an effort to draw a far-right constituency from disillusioned Trumpists together with some hard-left populists over promises of a national-socialist state. Such efforts have always been shunned by the Siege network, which hopes to dismantle the political apparatus of representative parties in a democratic system through terror attacks and race war. In another post shared by Breadpilled, Dixie Apocalypse dug in even deeper, declaring, Eric Striker and other movement f**s want you to join a public group to grift off of you and other naive whites and when these naive whites get arrested for doing stupid public shit, Striker and the other grifting movement fags kick these naive whites to the curb without hesitation, thought, or remorse for their own actions which got these naive whites into trouble in the first place. Think about that. Even as far-right channels geared up for Jan. 6, the drama spread to a broader sectarian crisis when Terrorgram channels began pointing the finger at channels tied to the Boogaloo Boys, a memetic tendency on the far right to intensify conflict within political society in order to accelerate what they see as an inevitable second Civil War. Responding to Strikers article, a Boogaloo channel called Boogaloo Intel Drop supported the accusations against Order of Nine Angles. Satanism in right wing groups has always been recognized as a fed well poisoning tactic, the channel insisted, and Seige [sic] was always gay, hoping you would swallow satanic f**gotry just to hear someone admit theres no political solution. In a rebuttal to the Boogaloos, Corona Chan fired back, Ive been calling out the /BMW/ channel and Boogaloo Intel Drop as likely feds we ban all discussion about firearms, illegal shit, or religious infighting in the chat room. In short order, a channel appeared impersonating Boogaloo Intel Drop, attempting to doxx one of the channels admins and calling them BoogaJew Boys. The Far Right Is Already Scheming for a Sequel to the Riot Amid the infighting between Third Positionists, the Siege network, and Boogaloo Boys, far-right Trump supporters are increasingly moving toward revolutionary, anti-government positions. With Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio facing a felony charge after police found two high-capacity magazines in his car in D.C. on Jan. 4, the most aggressive street fighters in Trumps coalition are threatening violence not just against Washington, D.C., but against a Republican Party they feel betrayed them. In the wake of his arrest, a Telegram channel associated with Tarrio posted an angry statement from white nationalist Vincent James Foxx: We must completely destroy the GOP. Growing to prominence within the Proud Boys is their own Third Positionist faction, led by a Terrorgram-promoting channel called Proud Boys: Uncensored, which railed against the GOP in a post issued on Friday that ended on an ominous note, Heres the point: There is no political solution. Terrorgram channels eagerly noted that the Proud Boys are going on the warpath, and widely shared a survey hosted by Uncensored asking Do you want total war? following the failed putsch. As of time of writing, the survey had nearly 9,000 responses, 77 percent of which answered Yes. With the refrain no political solution broadcast across the far right, even Trumps seemingly solid leader cult, QAnon, seems shaken, as right-wingers ask if Trumps strange concession message was part of the Plan. Images of Trump, depicting the president as a Jewish person stabbing a MAGA soldier in the back, ricocheted around far-right social networks as the realization of the putschs failure started to sink in. Amid this chaos, the white nationalist Groyper movement, named after a meme variation of Pepe the Frog, has rushed into the center of the Trumpist efforts to overturn the elections in December, using the moment to gain notoriety and legitimacy on the populist right. At the heart of their push is an effort to seize the America First brand for a leadership of white nationalists like Foxx, Patrick Casey, and Nick Fuentes, who joined what some call the Jan. 6 siege against the Capitol. With America First members featuring prominently in the so-called Stop the Steal efforts in D.C. and Atlanta, the Groypers hold themselves up as the new ambassadors of the far right. While Fuentes doesnt reject political violence or organizing within political parties, he hates police and generally calls for building far-right infrastructure. But given ongoing splits and a recent deplatforming by Fuentess streaming site, Dlive, such efforts may prove an uphill struggle. In the meantime, it appears, the broad rejection of the political solution and growing despair has disparate fascist and far-right groups moving toward sectarian militancy. From Jan. 5 to Jan. 8, just hours after the news of Trumps suspension from Twitter, the 20 accounts tracked by Daily Beast on Terrorgram increased by an average of 5 percentthe highest gains coming to the nihilist Blackpilled channel (33 percent) and the Proud Boys: Uncensored (12 percent). The growth continued through the weekend, averaging 10 percent across the board, as the rump of the revolutionary faction of Trumpism continues to reconstitute in the wake of his defeat, with fresh recruits arming up and preparing to take back the country. 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. Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the licence of Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank on Monday citing failure to meet regulatory requirements. The central bank barred the Osmanabad-headquartered urban co-operative bank from undertaking banking business with effect from the close of business on January 11, 2021. The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS), Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank, RBI said in a statement on Monday. ALSO READ: RBI Financial Stability report: Higher govt debt, rising bad loans among key red flags RBI said Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank failed to comply with requirements mandated in Banking Regulation Act. The apex bank added that the co-operative lender has become disentitled to carry on the business of banking in India, because of the cancellation of its licence issued to it. The banking regulator noted that continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors, and it would be unable to pay its present depositors in full in its present financial position. "It is necessary in public interest and for preventing the affairs of the bank being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of its depositors to wind up the affairs of the bank," RBI said. ALSO READ: RBI raises red flags over zero-coupon bonds for PSB recapitalisation "Consequent to the cancellation of its licence, Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank Ltd., Osmanabad, Maharashtra is prohibited from conducting the business of 'banking' which includes acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits as defined in Section 5(b) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 with immediate effect," it further added. With the cancellation of licence and commencement of liquidation proceedings, the process of paying the depositors of Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank as per the DICGC Act will be set in motion. More than 99 per cent of depositors of the bank will get full repayment of their deposits, RBI said. On liquidation, depositors are entitled to repayment of their deposits up to Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) as per usual terms and conditions. ALSO READ: RBI cancels registrations of 3 NBFCs, 6 others surrender their lincences The chief of staff to the departing auditor general has been tapped by Gov. Tom Wolf to be Pennsylvanias next executive director of the Office of Open Records. Liz Gerloff Wagenseller will take over the offices reins on Jan. 19, becoming the third person to hold that $147,000-a-year position, according to the governors office. That position is currently held by Erik Arneson whose term expires on Wednesday. Arneson said he had hoped to be reappointed to a second six-year term, which is the most permitted by state law. Liz brings a wealth of experience to the Office of Open Records, Wolf said in a statement issued on Monday. She is an astute administrator with a deep commitment to transparency. Liz will be an asset to the Office of Open Records and a key player in my administrations efforts to improve transparency in government. She will serve for a six-year term, leading the office that has binding authority to settle record disputes between citizens and state and local governmental agencies as well as educates the public about their government transparency rights. In her current role, Gerloff Wagenseller of Lancaster County offered input to Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on departmental issues. According to the auditor general departments website, she also oversaw the daily operation of the departments 350-plus employees, directed strategy for its communications and legislative initiatives, and collaborated with citizens, legislators, and other stakeholders on various issues. Her appointment does not require Senate confirmation. Unlike the first two executive directors of that office, this South Dakota native is not a former newspaper reporter. However, Gerloff Wagenseller brings 16 years experience in working in the political and communications arena, including serving as DePasquales first campaign for auditor general and at two public opinion research firms in Washington, DC Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and Peter D. Hart Research Associates. Erik Arneson will soon depart as the state's Office of Open Records executive director after serving a six-year term. Submitted photo Arneson said he wishes my successor nothing but the best and will do everything possible to make the transition seamless. He said, Working at the Office of Open Records for the past six years has been an absolute dream. I love the Right-to-Know Law, I love the OOR, and most of all I love the staff at the OOR. I cant say enough about how talented and professional the staff at the OOR is. I hope people think Ive done a pretty good job, but the staff is amazing. Arneson credited Wolf and his administration for allowing the agency to work independently and said that is critical to its work. All Pennsylvanians should be thankful for that. Id like to thank Governor Wolf and his staff, in particular Eric Hagarty, for their support over my tenure, Arneson said Id also like to thank the General Assembly for their incredible support. Republicans and Democrats, Senate and House, leadership and rank-and-file -- theyve all been remarkably supportive of the OOR and I will forever be grateful. Wolf extended his gratitude to Arneson, saying his hard work and dedication were critical to maintaining and improving the open records process. Arnesons appointment to the offices executive director got off to a rocky start. The longtime Senate GOP staffer, who was instrumental in the development of revisions to Pennsylvanias Right-to-Know Law that were enacted in 2008 that created the open records office, was appointed to the post in the final days of former Gov. Tom Corbetts administration in 2015. After then-incoming Gov. Tom Wolf took office, he dismissed Arneson from the post because he felt his predecessor rushed the appointment to rob Wolf of the opportunity to appoint a person of his own choosing to the statutorily set six-year term. Arneson, backed by the Senate Republican Caucus, challenged the dismissal in Commonwealth Court, which reversing Wolfs decision and ruled in Arnesons favor. Wolf appealed that ruling to the state Supreme Court, which upheld the lower courts ruling and reinstated Arneson. Since he took over, Arneson oversaw the Office of Open Records has experienced its two busiest years. According to the Office of Open Records most recent annual report, the office handled 2,658 appeals of record denials in 2019, which is second highest only to 2015 when it received 2,926 appeals. The offices first executive director, Terry Mutchler, said she stands ready to offer any assistance to the incoming executive director. A very important torch in fact, Id say a sacred torch has been passed to the new and third executive director of the Office of Open Records during an unprecedented time in the Keystone State and nationally, said Mutchler, who served a six-year term in the post. She has a herculean and exciting job ahead of her. Transparency is the bedrock of democracy and the OOR is the cornerstone of that. Pennsylvanians can rest assured - as can the new director - that she has a strong and tireless staff to get her up to speed in the records-access world, and help bridge the transition. Mutchler said she doesnt know Wagenseller in a Right to Know Law context but if memory serves correctly, I worked with her and Auditor General DePasquale in ensuring transparency in charter schools. She was very focused on that good-government accountability and that seems a very good baseline for her next six years. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. UPDATE: MENENDEZ CALLS ON TRUMP TO RESIGN All 10 House Democrats from New Jersey were among the more than 200 sponsors of a new resolution introduced Monday to impeach President Donald Trump after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol last week. The resolution, introduced on Monday, is scheduled to be considered on Wednesday, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. It would make Trump, already only one of three U.S. presidents ever to be impeached, the first to impeached twice. Its shock that the president of the United States was encouraging a mob to attack the Capitol and overturn the election, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist. told NJ Advance Media Monday. Thats perceived, rightly so, as an effort to overthrow the government. I and my colleagues feel that this was essentially an act of treason, saying we should invalidate the presidential election because (Trump) lost. The measure accused Trump of inciting the supporters who broke into the Capitol last Wednesday, vandalizing the building and forcing Congress into hiding. One Capitol Police officer, South River native Brian Sicknick, was killed during the violence. The president willfully incited violence against our government and our democracy, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist. said Monday on Twitter. Also mentioned was Trumps attempt to get Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, to overturn the certified results in that state. We now have the votes to impeach, said the resolutions chief sponsor, Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I. Here is the article of impeachment I just introduced, along with 213 colleagues, against President Trump for Incitement of Insurrection. Most important of all, I can report that we now have the votes to impeach. pic.twitter.com/RaJIjzQSvm David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 11, 2021 As for New Jerseys Republicans, Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who voted against Trumps first impeachment, has not expressed a view. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., who was one of only two Democrats to vote no and then switched parties, told Fox News on Sunday that President-elect Joe Biden should stop his party from moving ahead with trying to oust Trump. Lets try to come together, Van Drew told Fox. The way to do that is not call for another impeachment. If the House votes to impeach Trump, then the Senate will decide whether to convict him. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez on Tuesday called on Trump to leave office now, saying there must be accountability, while U.S. Sen. Cory Booker applauded efforts to impeach him as he incited a violent insurrection against our own government. A slight majority of U.S. voters, 52%, favored Trumps removal from office in a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday, with 45% disagreeing. By 56% to 42%, they said Trump was responsible for Wednesdays riot. And Trumps job approval rating dipped to 33%, tying his all-time low, while 60% disapproved. First, House Democrats on Tuesday plan to take up a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to convene the Cabinet and take power from Trump under the 25th Amendment. An effort on Monday to expedite its passage was blocked by Rep. Alex Mooney, R-West Virginia. The U.S. House must never adopt a resolution that demands the removal of a duly elected president, without any hearings, debate or recorded votes, Mooney said after the vote. Mooney last week voted with a majority of other House Republicans, including Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., to reject the Pennsylvania votes that Joe Biden won. He also joined Van Drew and a majority of House Republicans in their unsuccessful effort to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the election in favor of Trump based on disproven and baseless charges of voter fraud. Van Drew in a statement after the Capitol riot continued to insist that Trumps fraud claims, rejected by about 60 judges, a majority of Congress and election officials in all 50 states, were legitimate concerns and needed to be addressed so the American people can once again have confidence in our election process. Also introduced Monday was a resolution co-sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist., to begin the process to expel those lawmakers who tried to throw out Bidens votes and give Trump a second term, including Van Drew. Any House members who tried to overturn the election and install a dictator violated the Constitution and should not sit in Congress, Pascrell tweeted on Monday. Pallone, a member of the Democratic leadership as chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, said the House needed to investigate what role congressional Republicans played in the riots. Did they incite the crowd? Falsely blame the violence on groups other than Trump supporters? Say nothing even as they voted to overturn the election results? Theres a feeling that some of these Republicans were actually supportive of the attack or trying to act as if it never happened, Pallone said. We need to investigate this and see to what extent some of these members were involved. Depending on what they did, some of them might have to be held responsible or punished in some way. One of the House Republicans, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, spoke at the rally along with Trump before the presidents supporters descended on the Capitol. Todays the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass, Brooks said at the rally. Republican senators and congressmen will either vote to turn America into a godless, amoral, dictatorial, oppressed and socialist nation on the decline or they will join us or they will fight and vote against voter fraud and election theft and vote for keeping America great. Following the riot, Brooks told AL.com: I make no apology for doing my absolute best to inspire patriotic Americans. That led Reps. Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist., and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., the former Democratic National Committee chairwoman, to introduce a resolution Monday to censure Brooks. Representative Brooks knew perfectly well what he was doing and whom he was inciting when he encouraged the mob set on storming the Capitol to commit violence on Wednesday, Malinowski said. His actions endangered the lives of his fellow members of Congress, the vice president, and the police officers who bravely tried to defend the Capitol, and he deserves at the very least the formal condemnation of the House. 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. There was a nasty disease apparent at the SCG Test on Sunday. This disease always bubbles below the surface but often manifests in groups of people. It is spread by shouting, ignorance and stupidity. It is called racism. John Byrne, Randwick Racial abuse is unacceptable but sledging has been an undeniable part of cricket for years, both of players by a lively crowd and between players on the ground. Richard Tainsh, Potts Point Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: Any spectator who resorts to racial abuse at any sporting venue should be photographically named and shamed by the media after investigations by police and sporting authorities prove conclusively that this individual was responsible. A life ban should be imposed to ensure the guilty party is never allowed back into any professional sporting venue. Eric Palm, Gympie (QLD) Racial abuse at the Sydney Test and Cricket Australia tells us it is not acceptable. Then there is Adam Goodes forced out of football. Leadership on racism comes from the top; no less a personage than federal minister Peter Dutton said in 2018: People in Melbourne are afraid to go out to restaurants because of African gang violence. The racist attack at the Sydney Test is just the latest episode and tacitly accepted by those who are supposed to lead us. Who from the federal government has condemned it? Nobody. Is this another triumph for Australian Exceptionalism? Michael McMullan, Five Dock The alleged racial abuse of Indian cricketers Bumrah and Siraj during the SCG Test is deplorable and must be condemned. Some of my friends from India were rightly critical of this on social media and in phone calls to me derided Australia as being a racist country. I responded by showing them television and print news coverage of this event where it was being headlined and included a condemnation from the Acting Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, for this alleged bigotry. In many countries such an event would have been ignored both on and off the field, and the attention we have given this, even at the highest level of government, should silence and reassure everyone that such sad occurrences are not the norm in our sport-loving country. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy Be careful what you ask for In any new form of democracy in Australia, we certainly dont want a governor-general who can sack a legally elected government, or a Trump-style power maniac who thinks he/she is answerable to nobody (Letters, January 11). Be careful what you ask for in any changes to our current, not perfect, but better than most, democracy. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach Lets keep it simple. Just remove constitutional references to the monarch and let the title, identity, powers and mode of appointment of the governor-general be the same. And call ourselves a federation, not a republic. Philip McCouat, Mosman Your correspondent who believes we will barely notice anything has changed when an Australian president is declared is reflecting a shell be right, mate perspective. Unless something changes, a rogue president will have the reserve power to dismiss a government. We could be plunged into the mayhem of 1975, and we wouldnt be able to blame the Queen. Brian Jeffrey, Gunnedah If we become a republic, the office of president will simply replace that of governor-general; the office of prime minister will remain our head of government. The way this country will be governed will not change. Christopher Jobson, Monash (ACT) Lets not talk about a republic and a president in our march to constitutional independence. Surely we can simply remain the Commonwealth of Australia and retain the position of governor-general, perhaps called the head of state as the minimalist strategy. Brian Roach, Westleigh I blanched at the suggestion of Princess Mary. My nomination is Paul Keating, so we can enjoy his fiery wit while we still have him. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills We dont need a president of Australia; we are a Commonwealth, and when Britain was a Commonwealth, its head of state was the Lord Protector (Cromwell). Admittedly, the lord bit is a tad quaint, but changing the title of the governor-general to protector of the Commonwealth would be appropriate, as the persons function would be to protect our constitution and our democracy. John Grinter, Katoomba Australia should have its own resident monarch. Im available. Adrian Connelly, Springwood Alt shift elites I am surprised that Tim Soutphommasane should recommend taking notice of Plato and recommending rule by elites (Republic needs to revisit Plato, January 11). He usually is on the side of the underdog. The most important thing in governance is consistency. That is: treat citizens equally. This is not happening. Not only in the US but here, too. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. The poor do not need contempt, they need respect and equal rights. Plato talked of the aristocracy, the philosophers who should govern, but also with recognition of what would be best for the polis; the people of Athens. And that meant the men. Not the women, not the slaves. We have fought hard for equality of rights. Let us not allow the elites to take over. June Zentveld, Newrybar Alt thrift receipts For some time, we have been told that Australias niggardly contributions to foreign aid are ill-considered and dangerous (Aid budget spread very thin: experts, January 11). My own experience tells me the Coalition is always relatively mean with money, but this governments trademark short-sighted and counterproductive parsimony may have disastrous consequences as China takes our place as the major ally of those nations we once assisted. The same trait shows in the failure to provide decent support to the poor and unemployed, which would be the best economic stimulus possible at this time. Misguided thrift may haunt us in future. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay Wing them home Sarah Homewoods article (Pregnant pause on the way home, January 11) hits the spot. Many of us seem to carry a smug and privileged viewpoint from our relatively safe abodes about the reasons these people should have come home earlier. The truth is, as Sarah states, its complex and complicated and its not always possible to just pack up and leave another life in a hurry. Surely we can reclaim the compassionate and egalitarian outlook for which we were once known worldwide, put aside our sniping and holier-than-thou viewpoints, and urge our recalcitrant and parsimonious government to pull the stops out and bring them all home? Were all Australians here. Judy Finch, Cedar Party Grim reaper Your correspondent (Letters, January 11) offered an observation from the Bible apropos Trumpism and the Capitol riot. We can also add this: As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it (Job 4:8). Lets pray this will not come to pass in the next week and a half, or beyond. Hendry Wan, Alexandria Needling reminder There has been much discussion about the priority groups for the coronavirus vaccine (Letters, January 11), but so far I have seen no comments about the geographically targeted areas. Surely it should be possible for our state and federal leaders to ensure that Liberal electorates are prioritised? This was such a success in the bestowing of public funds for the sports rorts, council grants et cetera. Such a well thought-out tactic should be repeated when necessary. Sandra Sullivan, Oatley Loony new year Can we agree that 2021 doesnt start until the Lunar New Year on February 12 and acquit all this current nonsense as 2020? Peter Fyfe, Enmore Did I hear right? Tell me its not the first day of April (Irish pub tells Sirius developer to amp up noise-proofing, January 11). Margaret Hogge, North Curl Curl Read all about it Try reading Cormac McCarthys The Road. Winston Paul Etingoff-Lourie, Murwillumbah It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of Pride and Prejudice must be in want of a life. Steve Cornelius, Brookvale How to turn children off reading for life my school text for year 7 was Lorna Doone, full of regional dialects. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath We were at a ballet with an audience of young people. At one point a ballerina returned to the stage and a little voice said, Not her again! John Brown, Kianga A reviewer wrote of Joan Sutherlands autobiography: This is a book that once you have put it down, you cant pick up again. David Isaacs, Eastwood She is following in her famous father's footsteps as a musician. And Tiger Lily Hutchence, the daughter of late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, was the spitting image of the rocker when she stepped out in Perth last month. Rarely in the public eye, the songstress looked just like her dad with her long brunette locks down in messy waves as she spent time with her boyfriend, Pond frontman Nick Allbrook, 32. All grown up: Tiger Lily Hutchence, 24, looked the spitting image of her late INXS frontman father Michael while out in Perth last month Tiger Lily has maintained a quiet life outside of the spotlight since the tragic deaths of both her parents, first father Michael in November 1997, followed by mother Paula Yates in September 2000. Tiger Lily took to the stage for the first time in Perth in September 2020, just four months after releasing her first album. Performing under the stage name Heavenly, the brunette rocker was joined on stage by her rocker boyfriend Nick. Tiger - full name Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily - lives in Fremantle, Perth with Nick, whom she's been dating for more than three years. Spitting image: Rarely in the public eye, the songstress looked just like her dad with her long brunette locks down in messy waves, left. Tiger Lily's late father Michael Hutchence is pictured right in 1997 - just six months before his tragic death Boho chic: Tiger Lily wore an orange dress with floral stitching around the bust and toted a bright blue crochet bag with a rainbow design The low-key couple were both dressed very casually for their outing, opting for boho chic ensembles. Tiger Lily wore an orange dress with floral stitching around the bust and toted a bright blue crochet bag with a rainbow design. She appeared to go without makeup, showcasing her natural beauty and striking features. Meanwhile, Nick wore ripped denim jeans, an oversized grey singlet and a flannel over shirt. Relaxed pair: Low-key couple Tiger Lily and boyfriend, Pond frontman Nick Allbrook, 32, were both dressed very casually for their outing Settling down? Tiger - full name Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily - lives in Fremantle, Perth with Nick, whom she's been dating for more than three years Natural beauty: Tiger Lily appeared to go without makeup, showcasing her striking features Tiger Lily recently sparked rumours she is secretly engaged to her musician boyfriend Nick. Nick, a former bassist in hit band Tame Impala, has shared a handful of Instagram photos and a video of Tiger Lily, calling her his 'dream gal' in one such post. The couple sent the rumour mill into overdrive in September after their housemate uploaded a romantic photo of them kissing. The black and white image showed Tiger Lily, 23, passionately embracing the former Tame Impala bassist, 32, and featured the caption: 'Yay for love!' Tiger Lily, who is known to be extremely private, commented on the photo, 'Whoop!' Something to announce? The couple sent the rumour mill into overdrive in September after their housemate uploaded a romantic photo of them kissing Following in her father's footsteps: Tiger Lily took to the stage for the first time in September 2020, just four months after releasing her first album under the stage name Heavenly Tragic: In 1997, when Tiger Lily was just 16 months old, her father Michael killed himself in a Sydney hotel room. Pictured with her father as a baby In 1997, when Tiger Lily was just 16-months-old, her father, Michael Hutchence, killed himself in a Sydney hotel room. Her mother, Paula Yates, was found dead at her home in London less than three years later. Tiger Lily was raised by her mother's ex-husband, Sir Bob Geldof, alongside her three older sisters, Fifi, Peaches and Pixie. Tragically, Peaches died of a heroin overdose in 2014. Tiger graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London in July 2019. Her two half-sisters attended her graduation ceremony. Robert Nichols is the state senator for Senate District 3. First elected in 2006, Nichols represents 19 counties, including much of East Texas and part of Montgomery County. He can be reached at 699-4988 or toll-free at (800) 959-8633. His email address is robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov. Gurgaon: The police on Thursday said that a former judge who was irked over frequent power cuts allegedly opened fire at Haryana electricity board workers while they were fixing the transmission line outside his house in Gurgaon. No one was injured in the incident that occurred at Civil Lines area here last evening, police said. The accused, A K Raghav, opened fire on a group of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (DHBVN) technicians and linesmen, ACP (Crime) Manish Sehgal said. An FIR has been lodged and the former judicial magistrate has been booked for attempt to murder, he said. He fired a few shots in the air and four towards the workers. The bullets hit a tractor-trolley and its tyres, the ACP said. DHBVN Superintending Engineer, Naveen Sharma, said there were eight to 10 technicians and linesmen present at the spot, which is close to the residences of the police commissioner and the deputy commissioner. The retired judge opened fire when the workers were replacing the wires to improve transmission in the area, he said. The act is unacceptable from a person who has served such a critical post in the judiciary. A written complaint was given to the Civil Lines Police immediately after the incident, Sharma said. The Superintending Engineer denied any power crisis in the area. Also read: Delhi: Kejriwal wants daily reports on power cuts Also read: Rahul Gandhi to lead rally against AAP, BJP on May 28 over power cuts, water shortage For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. According to his own testimony, Donald Trump has lost billions in the last four years in the form of money he would have made if he had continued running his business instead of getting into politics. It's probably costing me from $3 to $5 billion for the privilege of being and I couldn't care lessI dont care. You know if youre wealthy, it doesn't matter. I just want to do a great job, Trump said. Without income tax returns, there was little evidence to digest this one way or another, but regardless, the outgoing president may have to work extra hard to make up for additional losses not that he has become not only a target for censorship by social media, but has also been rendered toxic by businesses. In the wake of his support for a mob that stormed the US Capitol earlier this week, his social media accounts were locked. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube all took steps to restrict Trumps ability to use their platforms, some for good. Even Canada-based Shopify has shuttered the Trump Organizations TrumpStore.com, as well as the e-commerce portion of the presidents election website. Based on recent events, we have determined that the actions by President Donald J. Trump violate our Acceptable Use Policy, which prohibits promotion or support of organizations, platforms or people that threaten or condone violence to further a cause. As a result, we have terminated stores affiliated with President Trump. PayPal also shut down an account raising funds for Trump supporters who traveled to Washington, DC. As for his supporters, some of those who participated in the Washington riot are getting fired. Initially calling them patriots and peaceful protesters, in the last couple of days President Trump-and his family members have attempted to distance themselves from the storming the Capitol. Describing the riots as "a heinous attack" on the country, Trump said he expected those involved to be prosecuted. His daughter and advisor, Ivanka, initially tweeted that the rioters were American patriots. She deleted that post and later tweeted, Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. And sure enough, Ivanka Trumps business was the first to suffer from an attempt to create distance from the Trump brand--even before the Capitol Hill debacle. Back in early 2017, Nordstrom Rack dropped her fashion brand from its stores. Even though Nordstrom said her products were not selling and the decision was purely business-related, the company was attacked by Donald Trump who said his daughter was being treated unfairly because of her name. So now, with Trump having lost his expected second term, and his potential 2024 candidacy unknown, everyone is wondering about his plans after Joe Biden inauguration. The fastest way for the Trump Organization to raise money is to re-launch its international deal machine, licensing the Trump name to real estate projects such as hotels and residential towers. That may work in Riyadh, but it wont work everywhere, particularly in China, where the Trump Organization was eyeing major expansion prior to his presidential bid Trump may also seek to return to a once-lucrative career in television, or as many other former presidents, perhaps hell write another book. Considering that he still enjoys the support of some half of the country, its likely to do well enough. But there is a dark cloud looming, and it goes beyond censorship and businesses who are presently afraid to link up with his brand. Prosecutors in New York are increasing their investigations into his business. The Manhattan district attorneys office is investigating Trump and his company for an array of potential financial crimes and is seeking his tax returns. In the meantime, though, Trumps antics have unleashed a fascinating example of the new censorship. Its a censorship that is not perpetrated by the government--a development that suggests that our social media behemoths have grown so powerful as to become the censors themselves. The only question is: Once we get past the coups and hate speech, is this private censorship monster something that can be put back in its cage? And who is censoring the censors? By Fred Dunkley for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: New Delhi, Jan 11 : Now that the government is close to initiating a vaccination plan for Covid-19, fresh hope is riding among inbound tour operators about resumption of their business which is the hardest hit during the pandemic. The Indian Association of Tour Operators, has urged the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Home Affairs to announce the dates for restoration of e-visas and tourist visas and for normalisation of international flights or prepare a road map with some tentative dates. Such a move, the association has said, will not just send a positive signal to international tourists about India being ready and prepared to receive them but will also allow inbound tour operators to plan ahead for 2021. This will also give some encouragement to the pandemic-hit industry, where earnings had almost hit zero levels with limited support coming from the government under Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme. "To save the tourism jobs and the industry, it is imperative that the plan for inbound tourism should start as early as possible for which the Ministry of Tourism and the stakeholders should start international marketing. This can only be possible if the industry stakeholders know of the government's plans of opening e-visa and tourist visa and resumption of international flights, so that accordingly we can inform our foreign tour operators and clients and they can promote India as a safe destination well in advance," said Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO. Besides, announcing the dates for opening e-visa and tourist visa, IATO has said that the government should also announce the dates for commencement of international flights. This is very important because international tourists take at least 3 to 6 months to commence their journey for their holiday travel to any destination, the association has said. Foreign tourists plan their tours well in advance and they will not travel immediately. "Once above decisions are taken, it will create confidence among foreign tour operators and foreign tourists and will send a positive message that India is ready to receive and welcome them. If no timely action is taken by us, foreign tour operators/tourists will look for other destinations and India may lose the chance for the rest of the winter and summer season of 2021," added Sarkar. IATO has also requested the government that in order for the inbound tour operators to start global marketing campaign along with the Ministry of Tourism, the government should immediately announce SEIS scrips for the financial year 2019-20 which have been held up by the government at this critical time, when tour operators are in dire need of funds. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi: A penalty notice of Rs 10,000 has been slapped by the Income Tax Department on Shailesh Kumar, husband of RJD MP Misa Bharti, for non-compliance of summons in connection with its probe in the Rs 1,000 crore alleged benami land deals and tax evasion case. Kumar has been issued fresh summons. He was supposed to appear before the investigating officer (IO) of the case on Wednesday, but officials said he failed to keep the date. Bharti, daughter of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, too had not deposed before the IO on Tuesday in the same case. The IO issued a similar penalty notice, like that against Bharti, to Kumar as to why a penalty of Rs 10,000 be not slapped against him for non-compliance of summons under section 131 of the Income Tax Act, the officials said. Kumar has now been asked to appear on June 13, a day after Misa has been summoned, they said. Read more: Income Tax Department issues fresh summons to Misa Bharti; slaps Rs 10 K penalty on her It was not immediately clear if Kumar gave any reasons to the department for his non-appearance. The department wants to question the couple to take the probe further in this case, where the taxman had conducted multiple searches last month. A chartered accountant, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, allegedly linked to Bharti and others, was also arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 22. Agrawal is alleged to have aided in illegal transactions involving Lalu's kin. Officials have earlier said that the summons to Bharti and Kumar were part of the probe in the case and their statements will be recorded. The couple allegedly have links with a firm -- Ms Mishail Packers and Printers Private Limited-- which is suspected to have entered into benami deals for purchase of a farm house in Delhi's Bijwasan area. Certain other property deals were also under the scanner of the taxman, they had said. The department is expected to slap provisions of the newly-enacted Benami Transactions Act, 1988, which became operational from November 1 last year, in this case. The law provides for a maximum punishment of seven years in jail and a fine. Benami properties are those in which the real beneficiary is not the one in whose name the property has been purchased. Tax department officials had said Lalu's kin held some of the properties under their scanner in a 'benami' way. Read more: Income Tax Dept cautions people against cash dealing of Rs two lakh The RJD chief, however, had sought to put up a brave face after the raids, saying he was "not scared at all" and will continue to fight against "fascist forces". "BJP mein himmat nahi hai ki Lalu ki awaz ko daba sake...Lalu ki awaz dabayenge to desh bhar me karoron Lalu khare hojayenge... Main gidarbhabhki se nahi darne wala hoon (BJP does not have the courage to stifle my voice... If it tries tosilence one Lalu, crores of Lalu will come forward. I am not scared of empty threats)", he had said in a series of tweets after the search operation. The BJP had also accused Lalu, Bharti and his two sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, both ministers in the Bihar government, of involvement in corrupt land deals worth over Rs 1,000 crore, and asked the central government to probe one such transaction in Delhi. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. India stood up Chinas disruptive use of technology and my way or no way attitude: CDS At meet with PM, CDS says medical personnel of armed forced who retired in last 2 years being recalled Gen Rawats assertion that China tried to change status quo in eastern Ladakh 'inconsistent with facts' General Bipin Rawat in Ladakh to review overall security situation India pti-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 11: Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat is on a visit to Ladakh to review the country's overall military preparedness as thousands of Indian and Chinese troops remained deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in the region amid the eight-month-long border standoff. Official sources said on Monday that Gen Rawat will be briefed by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, popularly known as Fire and Fury Corps, and other senior military officials on the dynamic security matrix in eastern Ladakh. The visit of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to Ladakh comes days after he toured several key installations including "forward most air maintained" posts in Dibang Valley, Lohit sector and Subansiri valley near the Line of Actual Control(LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. "The CDS will review the overall security scenario in the eastern Ladakh region," said a source. Gen Rawat is also expected to travel to Kashmir from Ladakh on Tuesday. The Army and the Indian Air Force(IAF) have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the nearly 3,500-km LAC with China in view of the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Nearly 50,000 troops of the Indian Army are deployed in various locations in eastern Ladakh as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks between the two sides have not yielded any concrete outcome to resolve the faceoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. China, India in talks to hold 9th round of Commander-level meet on Ladakh standoff: Def Ministry The eighth and last round of military talks had taken place on November 6 during which India and China broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. The CDS has been part of the top military brass framing strategies to enhance India's military prowess in view of the Sino-India standoff. Last month, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane had visited eastern Ladakh to review the ground situation in the region that is also experiencing harsh winter. The standoff erupted on May 5 last year following violent clashes between the troops of the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) in the Pangong lake area. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9. Linking demand for financing with investors key to recovery From:ChinaDaily | 2021-01-11 10:40 An extraordinary year is behind us, and the global community entered 2021 with the hope that both the public health and economic situation will normalize when the COVID-19 vaccines become widely available. The global virus count is expected to drop sharply by the second half of this year. We expect over a third of the global population to have been vaccinated by the end of this year. Our above-consensus forecast is for global growth of 6.3 percent this year, after an unprecedented contraction of 3.5 percent last year. We expect China to grow by 8.2 percent this year, up from 2.1 percent last year. The Chinese economy stood out from the crowd last year as the only major economy that did not shrink. It was the first to overcome the crisis, benefiting from rigorous crisis management, the rapid containment of the virus and the ability to quickly retool its manufacturing base to meet surging global demand for work-from-home products and medical protective gear. When the rest of the world went into lockdown, China effectively became a replacement supplier for many economies whose manufacturing was disrupted. As such, it contributed greatly to the much faster than expected recovery in global trade. China will also be a key driver of the economic recovery this year: 23 percent of this year's global economic growth in current dollar terms (that is, almost a quarter) will be attributable to the Chinese economy, which is significantly more than the 16 percent the US economy is expected to contribute to global growth this year, according to IMF forecasts. Although China has been the largest contributor to global growth for some time, the Chinese economy is still smaller than the US economy when measured at market exchange rates. However, China's exceptional economic performance during the pandemic has caused the gap to shrink significantly. Extrapolating from IMF forecasts, China's GDP is expected to overtake that of the US in 2028. In terms of purchasing power, the Chinese economy overtook the US economy back in 2017. Despite an aging population and external challenges, we expect the Chinese economy to remain the biggest contributor to global growth for many years to come. With an expanding middle-income group, China's total consumption market will increase by $8 trillion to $9 trillion in the next decade, the largest increase in the world, creating opportunities for many companies to grow. Last year, China only used a relatively small amount of fiscal and monetary stimulus, in contrast to other major economies, and also in contrast to its own stimulus during the global financial crisis 12 years ago. China thus has more policy levers to pull to offset future economic shocks than other major economies. In particular, given its relatively high yields amid zero or negative rates in other major economies, it has more leeway with regard to easing monetary policy and is thus better insulated from future adverse shocks than other major economies. High yields also make China an attractive market for global investors. The further development and opening of the financial industry is crucial to realizing this potential and attracting capital and investors, especially those from abroad. Well-functioning and competitive banks and open capital markets are a key prerequisite for economic growth. We have experienced this in Switzerland, the home country of UBS. International rankings such as the WEF Global Competitiveness Report and IMD World Competitiveness Ranking have repeatedly listed Switzerland as one of the most competitive countries in the world, confirming that the exceptionally good access to financial services and capital markets has been an important factor contributing to the country's success. China has been driving innovation and technological progress, pursuing sustainable growth in light of its commitment of being carbon neutral by 2060, and adapting its economy to global trends and the changing needs of its population. Connecting the economy's demand for financing with local and international investors will be key on this path. There is still considerable potential, given that the market share of foreign banks has actually decreased over the past 10 years. The further development of a diverse and sophisticated asset management industry is an important step toward attracting more institutional investors to the Chinese capital market. Institutional investors are better able to protect the rights of shareholders and thus contribute to better corporate governance of listed companies. Moreover, increasing the participation of foreign institutional investors, such as pension funds and insurers, typically leads to a better allocation of income and growth, which benefits society as a whole. Over time, this may also lead to reduced volatility in the A-share market and Chinese equities in general, and increase the attractiveness of Chinese equities as an asset class to global investors, thus enhancing stabilitysignificant volatility has been a drawback for foreign long-only investors in Chinese equities. Open markets also lead to more investment opportunities for both firms and individual investors. This way they can better diversify their assets internationally in a controlled and structured manner. The development of a functioning derivatives market is another priority for the completion of the Chinese financial market. Derivatives provide investors with the benefits of risk management. To further internationalize the Chinese currency and develop a highly effective open capital market, it will also be necessary to address the concerns of, and protect the interests of, global and domestic investors and lenders. It is encouraging to see regulators in China taking a positive attitude toward strengthening standards as well as enhancing enforcement and transparency, such as in cases of financial fraud involving listed companies and potential misconduct related to recent credit defaults. As a large global bank and the world's largest wealth manager, UBS is fully aligned with China's strategy of opening up its financial services industry and capital markets. The writer is an economist, professor and banker, and chairman of the board of UBS, a Swiss multinational investment bank and financial services firm with operations in over 50 countries and regions. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily. Investors rushed to plough money into funds as the vaccine rally and US election arrived in November 2020, the latest data from the Investment Association has confirmed. The race to invest saw net retail fund sales reach a record monthly high of 8.3billion, half of which went into equity funds invested in shares. The optimism driven by news of successful coronavirus vaccines and the seemingly-settled election in the US of Joe Biden, despite President Trump disputing the result, delivered a level of investment significantly higher than the previous record of 5.7billion net retail sales in September 2017. Global Equity funds were the biggest winner, with their own record-breaking net retail sales of 1.7billion, but UK All Companies funds continued to struggle with 425million pulled out overall in November. Net fund retail sales reached a record monthly high of 8.3billion in November 2020 The figures are released with a time lag and it remains to be seen whether anticipation of a potential deal, followed by that coming to fruition just before Christmas, will see a reversal of fortune for UK funds in December. In November, stock market-invested funds as a whole did well with a total net retail equity fund sales of 4.1billion, as investors bet on a way out of the coronavirus pandemic with news of a vaccine breakthrough. US politics also had a big part to play in investor confidence, as November saw Democrat Joe Biden's election victory over Republican Donald Trump. Despite President Trump disputing the election, investors took it that the matter was largely settled and another big stimulus package would be on the way to further boost share prices. Unsurprisingly therefore, funds in the North American sector were the fifth best-selling for the month with inflows of 533million. This is a huge increase from the mere 14million in sales for US-focused funds in October, and an outflow of 34million the month before that. The second best-selling sector for November was Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares with inflows of 993million followed by Global Bonds at 911million. The worst-selling sector was UK All Companies with an outflow of 425million. This follows on from a loss of 214million in the previous month. Property funds have had a torrid time of late, with many being forced to suspend trading Shares lead the way as they outstrip bond funds In terms of asset classes, shares were the biggest beneficiaries with stock market-invested equity funds enjoying net retail sales of 4.1billion. Fixed income also saw positive flows of 1.2billion. Property funds experienced net outflows of 147million. Four leading open-ended property funds remain closed including Janus Henderson's 1.8billion UK Property PAIF and M&G's 2.1billion Property Portfolio. While global equity funds topped tables by a way, other regions also saw positive flows showing investors still believe diversification is still the best medicine for a healthy portfolio. Asia funds were the second best-sellers, with inflows of 688million, followed by North American funds at 642million. European funds were also in the green, with inflows of 244million though UK equity funds, once again, saw outflows of 461million. Tracker funds saw 3billion added in November and in total amounted to 251billion under management. Their overall share of industry funds stands at 17.9 per cent. Responsible investment funds continued their positive trajectory with 1.1billion added and funds under management stood at 43billion by the end of the month. Their overall share of industry funds under management was 3 per cent. When will the tide turn on UK shares? The rush out of UK stock market invested funds was not as significant as the 782million outflows in October or the huge 1,047million in June. While we do not yet know the total flows for 2020, it is likely to remain in the negative territory for UK equity funds when the data is released next month. Whether it will be higher or lower than the 1,235million pulled out in 2019, remains to be seen. However, the start of 2021 has seen a rush back into UK shares despite fresh lockdown, off the back of a Brexit deal and optimism over vaccination. The FTSE All-Share climbed almost 6 per cent in the first trading week of January, off the back of this. This has led to questions over whether the tide has finally turned for the UK stock market and the year ahead will see more back British companies. The federal authorities arrested two rioters who broke into the Capitol and carried cuffs onto the Senate floor during Wednesday's violent takeover at the U.S. Capitol. Feds Arrested Two Rioters During Capitol Siege More than a hundred Trump supporters went into the Capitol on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the certification of the results of the recent Presidential election. A few of the rioters were able to broke into the Capitol that forced lawmakers to flee the place. According to Criminal Online, the federal authorities have already arrested two persons who carried cuffs onto the Senate floor. The authorities identified them as Larry Rendell Brock and Eric Gavelek Munchel. They are charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Their arrest is the result of the FBI's efforts to post their pictures n different social media accounts. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, both of them were taken into custody on Sunday after their arrest. Brock in Texas while Munchel in Tennessee. Read also: Teacher Arrested for Spraying Disinfectant to 4 Students Who Refused to Wear Masks Properly Rioters Identified Using the Captured Photos Authorities said that Brock was photographed in a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches, black and camouflage jacket, and beige pants with flex cuffs attached when he broke onto the Senate floor. This made them easy to identify the rioter. Meanwhile, Munchel was photographed carrying plastic restraints, a holster with something in it on his right hip, and a cell phone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward. Both of them were seen carrying plastic cuffs inside the Senate floor. Additionally, the photos of Munchel and Brock were among the several captured pictures that the FBI used to identify and arrest the rioters. According to a report in NBCDFW, 53-year-old Larry Rendell Brock was fired from his job after he confirmed to the New Yorker that the photographs did show him on the floor of the Senate chambers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also confirmed that Larry Rendell Brock surrendered and turned himself into Grapevine police. Read also: Hispanic Man Caught on Cam Killing Ex-Girlfriend in Front of Her 3-Year-Old Daughter Social Media Led to the Arrest of a Rioter According to News Channel 5, social media has led to the arrest of Munchel who described himself as a "hidden patriot" from Nashville. He was photographed inside the Senate floor leaping over a railing with several flex cuffs in his hand. His identification led to videos he live-streamed through Facebook on Wednesday during his march to the Capitol. In the video Livestream, he discussed how they might get inside the Capitol. However, Munchel disabled his personal Facebook page. Munchel said, "It's just a taser, but the police came and took it away from me. They didn't like it because of tonight. They said I couldn't open carry a Taser." He said this after another video showed Munchel in the lobby of a hotel after the riot. 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. YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. The former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has spoken out about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, expressing hope that Russia will be able to assist in reaching a resolution. Its a very difficult issue, Gorbachev told RIA Novosti in an interview. Its an old issue with roots going into the past. When it started, we tried to help the two republics, the two nations, in finding a solution. Gorbachev, who ruled the Soviet Union when the Karabakh conflict began, said that now, when the military actions are halted, the conflict should not be left unresolved for another decade and further efforts should be made towards a resolution. I am hopeful that Russia will be able to assist, but the parties to the conflict have the primary role. Armenia and Azerbaijan have assumed obligations to hold talks in the direction of resolving this conflict. A resolution must meet the interests of both sides, without winners and losers, Gorbachev said. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan In an interview, Mr. Feibleman said he chose to sue under his own name, after discussing it with his parents and his fiancee, because he wanted to put the case behind him. Do you own this for the rest of your life, but make sure that the truth is out there? he asked, Or do you keep this some secret and hope or just wait, living looking over your shoulder, waiting for someone to do a career assassination at any given point? In the fall of 2016, as he began the one-year masters degree program in journalism, Mr. Feibleman was 33, a former Marine from Salem, Ore. He enlisted at 17, served six months in Iraq and was discharged as a sergeant after five years; his accuser was 22 and a recent college graduate. They were acquainted from class and began flirting at a journalism school reception, Mr. Feibleman said. They continued their tryst on the roof of a nearby Manhattan apartment building, where the woman scampered up a ladder to the sloped top of a water tower atop a 13-floor building. She taunted Mr. Feibleman for cowering at the top of the ladder and for being too scared to stand up, saying, Im making a Marine scared, according to court papers. The woman straddled Mr. Feibleman as he sat at the top of the ladder before performing a reverse tumble roll off the edge of the water tower, according to Mr. Feiblemans court complaint, and catching the ladder below, he said in the interview. Mr. Feibleman sees her daredevil behavior as evidence that she was in control of her faculties; Columbia saw it as evidence that she was intoxicated, according to court papers. They ended up in her bedroom, where, at 1:37 a.m., Mr. Feibleman pressed the record button on his cellphone. (He also chronicled part of the evening, including on the water tower, on his Nikon D750 camera.) The de-platforming of US President Donald Trump has sparked a debate in the US that could reshape the internet. Following the storming of the Capitol by his supporters last week Trump has been banned permanently by Twitter and indefinitely by Facebook. Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers Credit:AP Photo/Manuel Balce As Trump and his supporters tried to migrate to Parler, a small social network that boasts its lack of regulation, its apps were removed from Apple and Google app stores and Amazon announced it would eject it from its web-hosting service. With Apple and Google providing the operating systems for almost all smartphones, Parler, if it survives, faces a much-diminished future. The actions of the social media giants were an understandable response to the pressure from Democrat and Republican politicians and the broader communities in the US to avoid any repeat of their perceived role in facilitating the inciting and organising of the assault on the Capitol building. Have you been receiving spam WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers recently and wondering how your number ended up in sender's contact list? This could be due to a problem first discovered and fixed last year by the messaging platform WhatsApp, which seems to have reappeared once again. Last year, a report had revealed a flaw that exposed thousands of phone numbers associated with WhatsApp on the internet. Following the report, WhatsApp somehow found a way to fix the flaw and the links showing user's phone numbers were removed from the search results but security researchers claim that it has made a comeback. Reported first in June 2020, a security researcher revealed how WhatsApp phone numbers were accessible via search engines. "I discovered this privacy issue in the WhatsApp web portal that leaked thousands of WhatsApp user's mobile numbers in plaintext accessible to any internet user in plaintext" security researcher Athul Jayaram tells India Today. Pointing towards the possible repercussions, Jayram warns that users could get a lot of spam and unwanted messages from fraudsters, cybercriminals and spammers in this way, using the dataset. Following the reports last year report, Whatsapp had managed to settle the flaw and even rolled out an update, successfully removing such links, most likely with cooperation from Google, however, that now looks like "more of a temporary fix". Jayaram explains that as of now, a number of random Whatsapp users' mobile numbers can once again be accessed using a simple Google search query which can be further narrowed down to a country using the country code in the search query. Users affected are from all the countries including those from the US, UK and India. Talking about a more permanent solution, he suggests that such a privacy issue could have been avoided if Whatsapp encrypted or hashed the user mobile numbers as well. In that case, "WhatsApp URLs appearing in search engines would be totally unpredictable and random". In that case, even if it shows up somewhere on the internet the phone numbers of the users remain inaccessible in plaintext. Earlier WhatsApp said that such internet search results "merely contained a search engine index of URLs that WhatsApp users chose to make public". " Since March 2020, WhatsApp has included the "noindex" tag on all deep link pages which, according to Google, will exclude them from indexing. We have given our feedback to Google to not index these chats. As a reminder, whenever someone joins a group, everyone in that group receives a notice and the admin can revoke or change the group invite link at any time. Like all content that is shared in searchable, public channels, invite links that are posted publicly on the internet can be found by other WhatsApp users. Links that users wish to share privately with people they know and trust should not be posted on a publicly accessible website," a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement. While there are some reports on the Internet that claim the issue is resolved; however, it seems too early to claim that as there are still chats being pulled on Search. This means that WhatsApp will have to again work closely with Google to resolve the issue like it did in June 2020. 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. Porterville, CA (93257) Today Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High 91F. SSW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 55F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Army officials at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are investigating a psychological operations captain for her involvement in the Washington, D.C., rally that led to the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol last week. In the aftermath of the riot, Army officials pledged to investigate whether any soldiers joined hundreds of Trump supporters in pushing past law enforcement officers to enter the Capitol and smash windows, damage offices and force lawmakers to halt their official count of Electoral College votes in order to shelter in place. "I can confirm our command is investigating the involvement of Capt. Emily Rainey at the Capitol on Jan. 6," Maj. Dan Lessard, a spokesman for 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), said in a statement to Military.com. Read Next: Army Leader Reveals Spc. Vanessa Guillen's Entire Chain of Command at Fort Hood Was Fired Rainey, who is assigned to the 4th Psychological Operations Group at Bragg, told The Associated Press on Sunday that she had a right to attend the rally. "I was a private citizen and doing everything right and within my rights," Rainey told the AP. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy agreed to a request from Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., for any soldiers suspected in the breach of the Capitol to receive fast-tracked investigation and courts-martial, according to a readout Crow released of his call with McCarthy on Sunday. Rainey said she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom, a self-described nonpartisan network that promotes conservative values, to Washington to "stand against election fraud" and support President Donald Trump, the AP reported. Trump has repeatedly alleged there was widespread fraud in the Nov. 3 election but has not produced proof of his claims. This is not the first time Rainey has been in the spotlight. In May, she posted a video online of her pulling down caution tape at a playground that was closed under North Carolinas COVID-19 restrictions, the AP reported. Police in Southern Pines, a community about 30 miles west of Fort Bragg, charged Rainey with damage to personal property over the incident, after letting her off with warnings twice before when she tore down the tape closing off the playground, according to the AP. Rainey officially resigned her commission as an officer in October and is scheduled to leave the Army in April, Lessard told Military.com. Rainey said she attended the Trump rally while on leave and didn't advertise that she was an Army officer, the AP reported. "I told my bosses before I went that I was going, and I told them when I got back," she told the AP, adding that her group did not enter the Capitol and left the city long before the 6 p.m. curfew that was imposed after the riot. Members of the U.S. military are permitted to take part in political organizations and events while out of uniform, but the Pentagon prohibits active-duty service members from sponsoring partisan organizations. "It's not clear at this time whether she broke any laws or regulations with her travel to the Capitol," Lessard said in the statement. "That's why we are gathering all of the facts surrounding this case so we can determine whether actions are appropriate." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: Lawmaker to Army Secretary: Investigate Troops Deploying to Inauguration for Domestic Terror Sympathies Omans Al Mazunah Free Zone is currently working on Phase Two of the infrastructure development project (second package), which is about 88 per cent complete. Work is also underway in the design of the Facility Building, which is valued at more than RO3 million ($7.79 million) and is expected to be completed by mid-2022. Additionally, work is in progress with the expansion design project of Phase Four for a total area of three million sqm. Moreover, work is currently taking place to assign the security fence project, which will implement integrated security systems in the free zone. This was briefed to Eng Ridha bin Juma Al Saleh, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), who visited Al Mazunah Free Zone, which is managed and operated by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates Madayn. Al Saleh was also briefed on the characteristics of the free zone and the incentives and facilities it offers to the investors. Said bin Abdullah Al Balushi, Director General of Al Mazunah Free Zone, explained that the incentives offered to the investors in the free zone comprise customs exemptions, 100 per cent foreign ownership, no minimum capital requirements, and simplification of procedures for non-GCC investors to obtain residence visa in Oman. During the field visit, Al Saleh was familiarised with the tasks undertaken by the customs area in the free zone including the handling operations that are operated by Al Madina Logistics Services Company. Al Saleh also visited a number of operating units at Al Mazunah Free Zone to get acquainted with their services. -- Tradearabia News Service Sydneysiders are no closer to knowing when they can travel interstate as border bickering between premiers worsens amid a handful of new coronavirus cases in the city's west and fresh venue alerts for the northern beaches. Under a new "traffic light" system introduced by Victoria from 6pm on Monday, people in regional NSW and the Central Coast (an "orange zone") can now apply for a permit to travel south of the border provided they have a coronavirus test within 72 hours of arrival. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian responded to comments from Western Australia that she was not adequately suppressing virus spread. This includes Victorians stranded in regional NSW after the border was shut at midnight on New Year's Day. But anyone who has been in Greater Sydney a "red zone" defined as Sydney, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains are not allowed to enter Victoria without an exemption. If they do enter the state unauthorised they will be fined $4957 and either returned on the next flight or, if they are a resident, required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. HALIFAX - Air Canada's service cuts in Nova Scotia and in New Brunswick risk slowing the entire region's economic recovery, the CEO of a regional airport authority said Monday. An Air Canada jet takes off from Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S. on Thursday, March 8, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX - Air Canada's service cuts in Nova Scotia and in New Brunswick risk slowing the entire region's economic recovery, the CEO of a regional airport authority said Monday. The airline's decision to cut service to Saint John, N.B., and to Sydney, N.S. which leaves those cities without any commercial air service will have far-reaching effects, Derrick Stanford, president of the Saint John Airport Authority, said in an interview. Commercial planes stopped flying out of those airports Monday morning. Air Canada announced last month it would be cutting all service to the two airports and reducing service to Deer Lake, N.L., Charlottetown, Fredericton and Halifax. The withdrawal from all of the services is really going to put Atlantic Canada's ability to participate in the recovery at risk, he said. His airport will continue operating for private jet service, medical evacuations and as a centre for the Canadian Coast Guard. We're already disadvantaged geographically because of where we are, Stanford said, adding that the break in air service cuts residents in the Atlantic region off from the rest of the country. The cuts have also set back the region's progress in creating hubs for travel outside Canada, he said. Unfortunately, Stanford added, demand for flights out of the region has dropped to historic lows. The last commercial flight out of J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport departed at 5:30 a.m. Airport CEO Mike MacKinnon said Monday his airport will also shift to non-commercial service, including medical and cargo flights. MacKinnon said the airport will cut its daily operating hours by half, to 12 from 24, adding he didn't know when commercial air traffic would return. It's really frustrating to be one of the airports to lose service all together, he said. "We've seen the service here die a death of a thousand cuts. This isn't the first blow Sydney's airport has faced, as Air Canada had previously suspended flights from Sydney to Halifax. WestJet, the only other airline serving the airport, suspended its flights in October as part of cuts that also affected Moncton, N.B., Fredericton, Charlottetown and St. John's, N.L. " MacKinnon said he and his team are optimistic the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines will help restart the region's aviation industry but said getting to pre-pandemic levels of demand and service for air travel is still a long way off. It is what it is and we've got to ride this out as best as we can." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2021. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship. CAYIN Embeds QR Code Generator to Facilitate Contactless Interactions CAYIN Technology, a key digital signage solution provider, adds the QR code feature in its latest software version for all SMP-NEO2 series digital signage players, including SMP-2300, SMP-2310, and SMP-8000. This new QR code generator feature embedded in digital signage software provides contactless interaction solutions for retailers, corporates, and many other businesses. The QR code can contain a variety of information such as URL, business contact information, text messages, email content, and Wi-Fi network details, widening the applications of touch-free interaction solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways we work and live. Everyone puts safety and health as the top priority whether in daily shopping or the working environment, booming the demand for contactless interaction solutions that fetch information without touching digital signage screens, kiosks, or other public surfaces. As the QR code is the key medium of contactless interaction solutions, CAYIN supports QR code generator in its newest software version for SMP-NEO2 series digital signage players, to bring a safer way for retailers to communicate and engage with customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, CAYINs latest digital signage software allows retailers to create QR codes by entering URL links of websites or landing pages, and display the QR codes on the screen. By scanning the QR code, customers get instant access to the website, wayfinding maps, or detailed information about products on their mobile phones. CAYINs solution offers automatic customer service, maintaining high-quality service while protecting the employees. Additionally, the QR code can also contain text messages consisting of discount codes or promotional information. Customers can get a discount or promotion through QR code, avoiding touching the screens and rest assured to enjoy shopping at stores. Whats more, CAYIN also makes it possible to turn customers' mobile phones into a remote controller through QR code. The two-way contactless engagement not only better engages with clients and boosts sales but also eliminates the risk of virus spread. Besides, CAYINs contactless solutions through QR codes can apply to office life as well. Employees can create a virtual business card via QR code to exchange contact details without face-to-face contact, send an email with just a scan on the QR code, and get the company announcements through QR code containing URL links or text messages. CAYINs solution keeps up effective employee communication while maintaining social distancing in the time of COVID-19. For more details of the QR code applications on digital signage for contactless interaction solutions, please visit CAYINs website: https://bit.ly/3ooltCI CAYIN Technology in Brief CAYIN Technology is a 16-year professional digital signage solution and software developer from Taiwan. By offering a complete portfolio of appliance-based digital signage solutions, CAYIN dedicates itself to being a reliable partner to clients worldwide and has successfully set up various applications globally. In order to best facilitate the deployment of its products, the company also provides tailored services to satisfy the ever-growing market demand for almost limitless applications. Media Contact CAYIN Technology Co., Ltd. Tel: +886-2-2595-1005 Fax: +886-2-2595-1050 Email: press@cayintech.com Website: https://www.cayintech.com Address: 3F., No. 57, Sec. 3, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City 104, Taiwan Frankfort, KY (40601) Today Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Crye-Leike Real Estate Services announces that Erik Palmer has been named the managing broker of its Fort Oglethorpe branch office. Mr. Palmer will be responsible for the recruitment, training and management of the offices sales associates. Mr. Palmer has lived with his family in Ringgold for over 18 years. As an affiliate with Crye-Leike for four years, Mr. Palmer acted as the sales manager for its Chattanooga East Brainerd office for this past year and has over 20 years of experience in servant leadership, learning and development. Mr. Palmer has dedicated much of his real estate career to continuing his education and training others. Most recently, Mr. Palmer has earned the master graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) designation, a FAA UAS drone remote pilot license, his brokers license in Tennessee and his associate brokers license in Georgia. He is a pre-license course instructor in Georgia, is a licensed real estate course instructor in Tennessee and is an instructor for the Tennessee Real Estate Education Foundation. Mr. Palmer also served on the 2018 and 2020 Professional Development Committee for the Greater Chattanooga Realtors association and is applying to serve on the 2021-2022 MLS Committee. During this next year, Mr. Palmer hopes to lead the Fort Oglethorpe team of real estate experts to their best sales year ever, to become an approved instructor with the Georgia Partners in Education (P.I.E.) and become consistently involved with the local chamber of commerce, NWGA community and local real estate associations. I love living in Northwest Georgia and having this new amazing opportunity to work with our Fort Oglethorpe team of expert realtors, said Mr. Palmer. I am excited and honored for the opportunity to embark on this new endeavor to assist, serve and support our local office. I love to teach, support and mentor others to foster positive, prosperous growth that promotes personal achievements, success and happiness. For more information regarding real estate in and around Fort Oglethorpe, visit Crye-Leikes branch office, 69 Crye Leike Dr., or visit the Crye-Leike website at www.clhomes.com. Managing Broker Erik Palmer may be reached at 706-861-2400 or via email at erik@ihomein.com. A woman accused of murdering her elderly neighbour has protested her innocence while being led away by police in handcuffs. Narelle Fiona Smith, 46, was arrested by officers at a unit block in Sydney's east and charged over the death of 77-year-old Peter McCarthy. Mr McCarthy was found dead in his Elphinstone Road, South Coogee home on December 20 with severe head and facial injuries. Homicide detectives returned to the street on Monday afternoon and arrested Smith in a unit next to Mr McCarthy's home. A 46-year-old woman was arrested by police at a unit block in South Coogee, Sydney's east, on Monday afternoon and charged with the murder of her elderly neighbour Peter McCarthy, 77, was found dead in his apartment in South Coogee by his ex-wife on December 20 with severe head and facial injuries Media were there at the time of the arrest, with Smith telling a Nine News reporter: 'Peter was my friend. I was there on my birthday.' She claimed she had nothing to do with Mr McCarthy's death. 'No, not at all. I wouldn't do that, he's my friend,' she said. Mr McCarthy's last confirmed sighting was at The York Club in the Sydney CBD on December 16, with his ex-wife discovering his body four days later. Police would not say when they believe he was fatally assaulted. Mr McCarthy's family remain in contact with detectives and were informed of the woman's arrest. Narelle Fiona Smith was charged with murder and a fraud offence following her arrest Mr McCarthy was last seen at the Club York in Sydney's CBD (pictured) on December 16 'I think it's mixed emotions for them,' Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said. 'They've just gone through Christmas without a father and a grandfather. 'They're still getting over the grief of losing Peter.' Mr McCarthy's neighbour Michelle Turneley said: 'Peter was a nice old guy, and he was very frail'. Det Supt Doherty said 'there's very significant forensic and physical evidence to make this a strong and compelling case'. 'Mr McCarthy suffered severe head and facial injuries but I won't go into circumstances of what was used,' he said. Smith was refused bail and will appear before Waverley Local Court on Tuesday In December, Det Supt Doherty said the post-mortem examination and crime scene suggested Mr McCarthy was the victim of a 'violent and brutal' assault and robbery. His satchel and phone had also been stolen from his home. Smith has been charged with murder and a fraud offence. She was refused bail ahead of an appearance at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. Favorable context to improve relations with EU, Turkey Detente with France on agenda, Cavusoglu to travel to Brussels (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JANUARY 11 - ''There is a favorable context to create a positive atmosphere'' in relations between Turkey and the European Union, the spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin, told CNN Turk, commenting a conversation held over the weekend by Ankara's leader with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The spokesman added that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is scheduled to travel to Brussels soon. Cavusoglu last week carried out a first European tour in Portugal and Spain, in which he also manifested Ankara's intention to define a ''road map to normalize'' relations with France after the harsh clashes recorded over the past few months also at a presidential level. Kalin also explained that he expects positive developments in relations with Greece, which were mainly complicated over the last month by disputes on the eastern Mediterranean. (ANSAmed) (ANSA). A mother who died along with her three young daughters in a catastrophic house fire had allegedly separated from their father just weeks earlier, according to neighbours. Emergency crews rushed to the townhouse on Tulloch Grove in Glen Waverley in Melbourne's eastern suburbs at about 1.40am on Sunday after the property's garage caught alight. Kaoru Okano and her three girls - aged three, five, and seven - had tried in vain to take cover from the blaze in the en suite bathroom as the suburban home became engulfed in smoke. Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia her husband, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, was black with soot as he attempted to douse the flames. Scroll down for video Kaoru Okano lost her life alongside her three young daughters (pictured) in a horrific house fire in Melbourne's east in the early hours of Sunday morning The young family had no chance of escaping the inferno (pictured, the rear of their home) Kaoru Okano (pictured with one of her daughters) had tried to take cover from the blaze in the home's en-suite bathroom as the property became engulfed in smoke Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia her husband, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, (pictured) was black with soot as he attempted to douse the flames 'He was out the front. His face was black,' Hanish Poonia said on Monday. Neighbours had noted Mr Kikuchi had been been notably absent from the property for the past few weeks. It is not suggested that Mr Kikuchi was in any way involved in starting the house fire. Police investigators are treating the blaze as suspicious and the home remained cordoned off as detectives combed through the scene on Sunday. A 50-year-old man, believed to be the father of the dead children, escaped the flames but was taken to hospital in a serious condition where he remains under police guard. Neighbours have described seeing the family return home in the hours before the tragedy. They had appeared happy, with the children enjoying ice-creams. Alex Rodriquez said it appeared like any ordinary night in the neighbourhood until they woke to the sounds of screams and 'banging'. 'My brother told us to get out as quickly as possible,' he said. Mr Rodriquez said the tragedy had shocked residents across the adjoining townhouses. 'The mother was beautiful. She was a wonderful, devoted, loving mother - the girls were beautiful and that's what's the saddest part about it. 'I saw them every single day going to school, the mum taking them. They were beautiful.' On Monday, friends and strangers alike attended the property to leave flowers and other tributes to the family. Strangers attended the home on Monday to lay flowers and other tributes People continued to bring flowers throughout Monday Hanish Poonia lived directly next door to the family. He saw their father covered in black soot as he attempted to help stop the blaze Ms Okano regularly posted loving photos to Facebook of her children smiling and playing together Fire investigators returned to the home, checking licence plates in the car park underneath the rows of townhouses. Police said it may be 24 to 48 hours before the man taken to hospital is capable of being interviewed. Neighbours have spoken of the chaotic moments that claimed the lives of the young family. It took only minutes for the fire, which is believed to have started in the garage below the property, to turn into an inferno. The garage was reportedly full of flammable materials such as oils, chemicals and rubbish. Mr Rodriguez, whose partner is on crutches, said they had no time to render assistance. 'We had to get out as quickly as possible and the fireys were all screaming at us to leave, so we had to just get out,' he said. Neighbours have described the family as 'ordinary', with no apparent signs of conflict within the home. Hiroyuki Kikuchi remains in hospital with serious burns after attempting to save his family from the fire Hiroyuki Kikuchi in happier times Tributes have been left outside the home where the young family perished Alex Rodriguez (right) and his partner were forced to flee their own home as the inferno took hold. The mother's body was found by emergency crews huddled together with those of her young girls Police take a look at the boarded-up garage where the inferno is believed to have started The house fire has also left another man in hospital with serious injuries (pictured, police at the scene on Saturday night) 'We've just noticed that the father hasn't been around the past few weeks. And he lived here,' a neighbour said. Ms Okano had regularly posted loving photos of her children on Facebook as they smiled and played together. Her husband is believed to own a Japanese restaurant in Richmond in Melbourne's inner-city. Detective Senior Sergeant Neville Major said the bodies were found 'huddled together' in the bathroom. 'There has been a very tragic incident here. There is a lot of damage in the garage area and the house has been engulfed in smoke,' he said. It took 35 firefighters several hours to bring the blaze under control, at which point they found the four bodies in the wreckage. Authorities are working to determine the cause of the fire, but the arson squad has been drafted in to investigate. The tragedy comes just a month after another fire, allegedly deliberately lit, claimed the lives of three Melburnians. Abbey Forrest, 19, Inda Sohal, 28, and their baby daughter Ivy were all killed in the blaze at Point Cook in Melbourne's south-west. Jenny Hayes, 46, was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and arson causing death after allegedly starting the fire. Anyone with further information on the Glen Waverly blaze is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Hiroyuki Kikuchi remains in hospital after the tragic fire A view of the backyard of the home where four were killed The backyard of the house where four perished in a tragic fire on Sunday (@FahadShabbir) The crew of an Indonesian passenger jet that crashed off Jakarta at the weekend with 62 people aboard did not declare an emergency or report technical problems before it suddenly plunged into the sea, an investigator said Monday Jakarta, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :The crew of an Indonesian passenger jet that crashed off Jakarta at the weekend with 62 people aboard did not declare an emergency or report technical problems before it suddenly plunged into the sea, an investigator said Monday. So far, inspectors have so far been unable to say why the 26-year-old plane crashed just four minutes after takeoff, but they do know the location of the black boxes. A recording of conversations with air traffic control pointed to routine exchanges, and there was no communication as the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 plunged about 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) in less than a minute before slamming into the Java Sea, said National Transportation Safety Committee investigator Nurcahyo Utomo. "It's like a normal conversation and nothing suspicious," he told AFP. "There's no talk of an emergency or something like that." The preliminary data suggested it was "most likely" that the plane was intact when it hit the water Saturday, he added. "But we don't know at this stage" what caused the crash, Utomo said. His comments came as divers searched waters off Jakarta for black boxes -- cockpit voice and flight data recorders -- that could be crucial to help explain why the plane went down. To make up for the additional expenses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government is planning to impose a Covid-19 cess. The discussion regarding the same is underway and a final decision on whether the tax will be in the form of a cess or surcharge will be taken closer to the Budget announcement. "Proposal for a cess has been discussed," the Economic Times reported, citing sources. The preliminary talks revolved around a small cess on taxpayers who fall under the high-income bracket and some indirect taxes, the report said. The Centre may also add a cess to excise on petroleum and diesel or on top of customs duties, it said. The Centre is likely to bear the cost of vaccination, although distribution, manpower training and logistics are being handled by the states. Covid-19 cess will allow the government to quickly generate funds as opposed to raising taxes. Additionally, the government will not have to share it with states as central cess collections belong to the Centre. As per initial estimates, the coronavirus vaccine rollout may cost between Rs 60,000 and Rs 65,000 crore. The government on January 9 said that it will launch the nationwide Covid-19 inoculation drive on January 16 and priority will be given to nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers. The decision, the government said, was taken at a high-level meeting where Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the Covid-19 situation and vaccination drive preparedness across states and Union Territories. India had recently granted emergency use authorisation to two vaccines, Oxford's Covishield being manufactured by Serum Institute in India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Both vaccines, the statement from the Health Ministry said, have established safety and immunogenicity. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The country is expected to experience an increase in COVID-19 cases this week due to the holidays, the OCTA Research Team said on Monday. OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Metro Manila's reproduction rate is at 1.13 as of January 9, which means more than one person can be infected by COVID-19. The region last recorded an above 1 reproduction number in August, when it was reverted to a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine. David also mentioned Cebu Province, Davao del Sur, Isabela, Misamis Oriental, and Agusan del Sur as areas of concern due to an increase in COVID-19 infections during the past week. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, also an OCTA Research fellow, said their recent virus projections do not yet include the New Year and Feast of the Black Nazarene celebrations. "What we are anticipating is the gradual increase of cases over the weeks to come. The Black Nazarene feast, it will still be at least one to two weeks for us to see if it was a super-spreader event," Austriaco told CNN Philippines' Rico Hizon. The country on Monday added another 2,052 coronavirus infections to its total case count, which is now at almost 490,000. This marks the first time in over three weeks that single-day infections breached 2,000. The OCTA researchers appealed to national leaders to strictly enforce minimum health and safety protocols among Filipinos to beat the rise in coronavirus cases. "We have to change some measures. We have to be stricter in enforcing social distancing, curfew, and wearing of face mask measures," David said. "We have to be prevent that further increase so as not to overwhelm our health systems," said Austriaco, who compared the country's situation in July when it tallied 4,000 COVID-19 infections per day. Michigan school districts are evaluating how quickly they can move toward getting more students into the classroom on the heels of Gov. Gretchen Whitmers encouragement to do so late last week and teachers now being eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. The governor strongly encouraged schools to offer an option for in-person instruction no later than March 1 during a news conference on Friday, Jan. 8. She said the goal is for every student to have the option of face-to-face learning, especially younger children. With teachers among the groups eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the next phase, which began Monday, Jan. 11, heres a look at how school districts across the state are responding to vaccinate teachers and staff and get more students back to face-to-face classes. Kalamazoo Public Schools remains in virtual mode as educators await vaccine Despite news from the state that teachers are next in line for the vaccine, Kalamazoo Public Schools is expecting large delays due to shortages in Kalamazoo County, KPS Superintendent Rita Raichoudhuri said. A timeline released by the state estimates that teachers could be vaccinated in mid-January, though Raichoudhuri said the timeline for KPS will be significantly delayed. KPS has remained in virtual mode since the beginning of the pandemic and plans to remain so until March 12, which is the end of the second trimester. The teachers union -- among other KPS leaders -- has advocated against in-person learning while the risk of COVID-19 remains. Kalamazoo evaluates safety of in-person learning as Portage students returning to school this month While Kalamazoo Public Schools remains in virtual learning with more than 1,000 employees interested in receiving vaccinations, Portage Public Schools noted the governors announcement will not change its back-to-school plans in 2021. The district brought elementary students back to the classroom on Jan. 4. Before the holiday break, the district had planned to bring secondary students back to classrooms for the second semester, which begins on Jan. 25. Grand Rapids, Muskegon school leaders applaud governors calls for in-person learning Whitmers call for in-person learning was welcomed by school leaders from the two largest districts in Muskegon and Kent counties, which have conducted fully remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic. Muskegon Public Schools and Grand Rapids Public Schools are among the few West Michigan districts to remain online-only since August, although both have plans to reopen this semester. The administrators commended Whitmer for continuing to give parents the option to send kids to school, given some families skepticism about COVID-19. Muskegon teachers already getting COVID-19 vaccines while nearby counties may have weeks to go Special education and elementary school teachers and staff in Muskegon County began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations this past week, making educators there the first in West Michigan to get the injections. Dozens of teachers and school staff for special education and elementary students have since been vaccinated in Muskegon County, school leaders said Friday, Jan. 8, including roughly 10% of the 400 staff members at Mona Shores Public Schools. Saginaw Public Schools will decide spring semester format at upcoming meetings While it has been in remote learning for much the first semester, Saginaw Public Schools will decide the learning format for its spring semester during meetings this week and next week. The board will meet for a Committee of the Whole meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13 and an action meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. Ann Arbor schools taking definitive, positive steps toward in-person learning, superintendent says While Ann Arbor Public Schools has been in remote learning throughout the school year, the district is taking definitive, positive steps toward in-person instruction, Superintendent Jeanice Swift told families Friday. Swift sent a message to families on Jan. 8 outlining the districts ongoing work in preparing its buildings for reopening. Swift did not provide a target date for a return to in-person classes in Ann Arbor, but she said she is optimistic about a return, especially since teachers are in the next group to get the COVID-19 vaccine. To help you navigate this complicated school year, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up. READ MORE: Michigan governor calls for in-person learning to resume by March 1 Next in line for vaccines, Michigan teachers are feeling optimistic Whos eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and what else to know about program expansion Intertek, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, announced today (January 11) that it has awarded Arabian German Manufacturing Company W.L.L in Bahrain (AGMA), the ISO 22716:2007 certification for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for cleaning products. AGMA is one of the main producers of cleaning products in Bahrain, and it is the first time it has achieved certification for the ISO 22716:2007 standard, a statement said. AGMA produces a range of cleaning products, including bleach, all-purpose cleaners, detergents, fabric softeners, disinfectants as well as cleaning products for automobiles. ISO 22716:2007 is an international standard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that provides guidelines and requirements which an organisation must meet to assure its products meet industry standards. ISO 22716 introduces a management systems approach to documenting and regulating the production, control, storage, and shipment of products. The ISO standards guidelines also provide manufacturers with practical methods for managing the many factors that can affect product quality and is aimed at enhancing the safety and quality of the products. The award was presented to Sana A Aleem Abdullah, Head of Quality at AGMA by Hesham Abbas, Area Manager at Intertek Business Assurance Bahrain and KSA Western Region. Abdullah said: We are very proud of this certification and would like to thank the Intertek team for their expertise and professionalism throughout the certification journey. The auditing process for Good Manufacturing Practices has not only added value to our operations, but the certification has also enabled AGMA to enter into new export markets. Abbas, said: We would like to congratulate everyone at AGMA for this accomplishment. Obtaining the ISO 22716 certification is a milestone worth celebrating in the journey for excellence, and it shows AGMA has implemented manufacturing practices that follow the highest international standards. --TradeArabia News Service U.S. Representative Terri Sewell said Monday she was disappointed in her colleagues in Congress from Alabama after Wednesdays violent protests in the nations capital city. Its a sad day. Its a sad week. Its a sad chapter in Americas history, Sewell said in a live video interview. She said it was deeply disappointing that she and Sen. Richard Shelby were the only members of Congress from Alabama who didnt object to the Electoral College count affirming President-Elect Joe Bidens victory. A violent protest, comprised of Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol to protest against lawmakers finalizing Electoral College votes that secured Bidens victory over President Donald Trump, broke out Wednesday afternoon. The crowd broke through security and into the Capitol building, leaving five people dead. One of the dead was from Alabama, and at least one of those arrested was also from Alabama. Sewell called the experience, where she and her colleagues in the House chamber put on masks to protect themselves from tear gas and hid in an undisclosed bunker, surreal and absolutely unacceptable. We cannot be intimidated by such violence, she said. I cant tell you how horrifying it was to not feel safe in your own space, where you work every day, the representative said. I cannot tell you that I close my eyes sometimes and I literally cannot get to sleep because those memories, those sounds, are so implanted in my brain. She also said she was concerned about security in Washington D.C. on Inauguration Day, January 20. It is imperative that such incitement of violence be answered. And, some action has to be taken for those people who stormed the Capitol. Sewell said shes been hesitant on speaking out against Rep. Mo Brooks, who told the crowd it was their day to start kicking ass, because Alabama congresspeople have historically really prided ourselves on having a level of civility with one another. Brooks said Friday he would not apologize for the speech. Actions have, you know, consequences, Sewell said. And the words that Mo Brooks did fuel the flame. And the fact that he would not apologize is not only unacceptable to me, its actually personally offensive as a fellow member of our delegation to know that, someone I work with and have worked with on behalf of the state of Alabama, would fuel those flames and incite that violence is deeply, deeply offensive. Earlier Monday, members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump, charging Trump with incitement of insurrection. Sewell said while she supported impeachment and believes Trump is a danger to the country and must be removed from office, she had hoped the 25th Amendment would be invoked and members of the presidents Cabinet would ask him to resign. When asked about the comparison of security at the Capitol on Wednesday versus security measures taken over the summer of 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests in D.C., Sewell said she had no doubt that if the protest was something like BLM, heightened security measures would have been taken. Its unfortunate that racism is still alive and well in America, she said. We have to call it out when we see it, and we have to do better. Watch Sewells interview above to hear all her comments about the violent protest, impeachment, and more. You can also watch the interview on Facebook here. 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. MILWAUKEE, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE: MTG) has announced plans to release its fourth quarter 2020 financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. A conference call/webcast has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 to discuss the Company's results for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. Individuals interested in joining by telephone should dial 1-866-834-4126 ten minutes before the conference call begins. The call is also being webcast and can be accessed via the company's investor website http://mtg.mgic.com under Newsroom. A replay of the webcast will be available on the company's website through March 24, 2021. MGIC also today issued selected operating statistics for its insurance subsidiaries for the month of December 2020 for their primary mortgage insurance. The summary is also available on the company's investor website under Newsroom, Press Releases. The information concerning new delinquency notices and cures is compiled from reports received from loan servicers. The level of new notice and cure activity reported in a particular month can be influenced by, among other things, the date on which a servicer generates its report, the accuracy of the data provided by servicers, the number of business days in a month, transfers of servicing between loan servicers, and whether all servicers have provided the reports in a given month. Notices of delinquency are typically reported to us when loans are two payments past due (for example, for December we report as a new delinquency any delinquent loan that missed its November 1st (or earlier) payment that was not previously reported to us.) Delinquency activity will be influenced by various factors, including the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the length of time that measures intended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 remain in place, the resulting level of unemployment, and the impact of various government initiatives to mitigate the economic harm caused by COVID-19 and efforts to reduce its transmission. The information concerning the percentage of loans in forbearance is based on the most recent information provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs), as well as loan servicers, and we believe substantially all reported forbearances are related to COVID-19. While the forbearance information provided by the GSEs refers to delinquent loans in forbearance as of the prior month-end, the information provided by loan servicers may be more current. October November December Beginning Primary Delinquent Inventory (# of loans) 64,418 61,521 59,236 Plus: New Delinquency Notices 5,228 5,024 4,941 Less: Cures 8,020 7,212 6,352 Less: Paids 105 95 112 Less: Rescissions and Denials - 2 3 Ending Primary Delinquent Inventory (# of loans) 61,521 59,236 57,710 % of New Delinquency Notices in Forbearance 54% 49% 46% % of Primary Delinquency Inventory in Forbearance 66% 63% 62% About MGIC Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation "MGIC" ( www.mgic.com ), the principal subsidiary of MGIC Investment Corporation, serves lenders throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and other locations helping families achieve homeownership sooner by making affordable low-down-payment mortgages a reality. From time to time MGIC Investment Corporation releases important information via postings on its corporate website, and via postings on MGIC's website for information related to underwriting and pricing, and intends to continue to do so in the future. Such postings include corrections of previous disclosures, and may be made without any other disclosure. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll to receive automatic email alerts and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings. Enrollment information for MGIC Investment Corporation alerts can be found at https://mtg.mgic.com/shareholder-services/email-alerts . For information about our underwriting and rates, see https://www.mgic.com/underwriting . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward looking statements. Forward looking statements consist of statements which relate to matters other than historical fact, including matters that inherently refer to future events and involve certain important risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. More information about the risks, uncertainties and assumptions affecting the company can be found in the risk factors included as Exhibit 99 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No investor should rely on the fact that such statements are current at any time other than the time at which this press release was issued. SOURCE MGIC Investment Corporation Related Links https://www.mgic.com You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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 latest round of talks between farmers unions and the Union government has produced little more than deja vu: Both sides stuck to their positions and decided on the date on which the next round of talks would be held. However, there are reports about the government suggesting to the farmers unions that the issue be settled in the court of law. As per them, the government has said if the court pronounces them unconstitutional or illegal, then it will repeal the laws and if the court sustains them, then the farmers should withdraw their agitation. Representatives of the farmers unions have made it public that they have no plans to go by the suggestion. Leaving such an important issue to the court is not the way to settle it. This is so for several reasons. The farmers have consistently made it clear that they are not questioning the constitutionality or legality of the issue. For them, its a policy decision by the government to withdraw from supporting agriculture and leave it to the whims and fancies of the corporate sector. This will undermine whatever sense of security the farming community enjoys at present, they say. They have opposed the proposed amendment to the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which, they feared, will cut power subsidies for the farming sector. Their grouse has been that all the bills together reflect the policy of the government it is plotting to eliminate the agriculture market system in the garb of giving farmers more options, as the laws allow corporates unbridled freedom to monopolise procurement of agriculture produce and make farmers their captive producers. They warn the government to abandon it, legal or not. There is a section of legal experts who hold the view that the Centre has legislated on agriculture which is a state subject and hence moving the court makes sense. And the courts are expected to make use of the all-powerful tool of judicial review to test pieces of legislations against the Constitution. They have done it in the past and held several of the laws unconstitutional. However, courts, especially the Supreme Court, show no enthusiasm to wield that constitutional power when it is required, and required urgently. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the virtual annulment of Article 370 are two legislative steps this government has taken which many perceive to be questioning the very idea of India as reflected in the Constitution. They have moved the apex court but the court has not found it compelling enough to take up. The petitions have been pending with the court for more than a year now. There is no guarantee that the courts will treat this issue differently. Democratic governments have the right to legislate and the government has exercised that power, though in a questionable way that the bills were rushed through Parliament is a fact even the government would not oppose. Now, the affected people are exercising their right, the right to protest, to compel the government to go back on its move. It is a matter to be decided in the spirit of democracy; calling upon an even-otherwise-reticent judiciary to decide on policy is hardly an option. Marie Kondo on Tidying Up in a Pandemic Beyond the empire-building that Ms. Kondos Container Store collaboration represents, how has she fared this past pandemic year, and what are her thoughts, going forward, about 2021, already a very messy year indeed? (The interview below, which was conducted via email, has been condensed and edited for space. Ms. Kondos new collection is available immediately at konmari.com and containerstore.com; and at all Container Stores nationwide Jan. 15.) Can you tell me a little bit about what cultural traditions you bring to a new year? Happy New Year! This is a time of rich tradition in Japan, and some of my favorite new year rituals are kakizome, hatsumode and eating osechi ryori. Kakizome is the ritual of writing a Japanese kanji character (glyph) that captures your wish or principle for the year ahead. We did this as a family and chose the Japanese character (pronounced Su), meaning natural or as you are. My intention is to honor my truest self and remain grounded in my purpose in 2021. Writing this down serves as a helpful reminder throughout the year. Hatsumode is the tradition of attending a local shrine at the beginning of the year to thank the land for allowing you to live upon it and use its resources. We were not able to do that this holiday, so we expressed gratitude from our home in Southern California! Are there New Years rituals that are particular to you and to your family, ones you might have developed as a tidiness expert, as a partner and as a parent? Tidying is a powerful reset, and in my experience, there is no better time to tidy up than at the start of a new year. The first step of my tidying method is to imagine your ideal lifestyle. Consider what kind of house you want to live in and how you want to live in it. By doing this, you are really clarifying why you want to tidy and envisioning your best life. Embrace the symbolic timing of the new year and use this mind-set to guide you through the tidying process. How have you stayed organized, emotionally and practically, this past year? The world has been very chaotic this past year, but because I spent most of it at home, it served as an opportunity to confront and organize my thoughts and emotions. There was no escaping, so to speak; therefore, I used this time to reflect, re-evaluate my priorities and ground myself. I experienced a heightened appreciation for all that I have. The will kick-start on Tuesday a two-day multi-agency military exercise covering India's 7,516 km-long coastline, involving 13 coastal states and Union Territories, to further bolster maritime security and surveillance, officials said. Billed as India's largest coastal drill, the second edition of exercise 'Sea Vigil' is being organised to check the efficacy of the measures initiated to plug gaps in coastal security following the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, they said. "The scale and conceptual expanse of the exercise is unprecedented in terms of the geographical extent, the number of stakeholders involved, the number of units participating and in terms of the objectives to be met," the said. "The exercise will provide a realistic assessment of our strengths and weaknesses and thus will help in further strengthening maritime and national security," it added. Officials said will deploy a sizeable number of its ships and other key assets in the Sea Vigil exercise. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard have taken a series of measures to bolster India's coastal security after the Mumbai terror attack in which over 166 people including 28 foreigners from 10 nations were killed by a group of Pakistani terrorists. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists carried out the coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian sea. The inaugural edition of the Sea Vigil exercise took place in January 2019. The exercise is taking place at a time when India and China are locked in a bitter border standoff in eastern Ladakh. In sync with the national security doctrine, the Indian Navy significantly increased its deployment of warships, submarines and other assets in the Indian Ocean Region, in an attempt to send across a message to China that Indian armed forces are fully prepared to deal with any challenge. The two-day drill is a build-up towards Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) which the Indian Navy conducts every two years, officials said. "Sea Vigil and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum of maritime security challenges, including transition from peace to conflict. Assets of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs and other maritime agencies will participate in Sea Vigil," the Navy said in a statement. It said the conduct of the exercise is also being facilitated by the ministries of defence, home affairs, shipping, petroleum and natural gas, fisheries, customs and state governments among others. "While smaller scale exercises are conducted in coastal states regularly, including combined exercises amongst adjoining states, the conduct of a security exercise at national-level is aimed to serve a larger purpose," the Navy said It provides opportunity, at the apex level, to assess the preparedness in the domain of maritime security and coastal defence, it 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.) Petroleum Secretary Tarun Kapoor believes that a large number of products, which are used in the oil and gas sector, and are imported at present, should be manufactured in India. We are looking at a large number of products which are currently being imported. We want them to be made in India. We have asked Engineers India Ltd (EIL) to work on vendor development. The government sector alone in the oil industry has a capital expenditure of over Rs 1 trillion a year, there is operating expenditure also and the private sector is spending too. In all around Rs 1.5 trillion to Rs ... Actor Arjun Rampal's sister Komal Rampal has been issued summons by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for the second time in connection with the ongoing probe in a drugs case, stated ANI. A tweet by the news agency read, "Mumbai: Komal Rampal, sister of Arjun Rampal has been summoned by Narcotics Control Bureau in connection with a drugs case." Mumbai: Komal Rampal, sister of Arjun Rampal has been summoned by Narcotics Control Bureau in connection with a drugs case. ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2021 Earlier, the NCB had summoned Komal on 6 January. However, her lawyer had informed the investigating agency of her inability to appear citing ill-health. The NCB had said it would examine her response since she did not seek any further date to appear. Previously, the NCB had also grilled Arjun Rampal and his partner Gabriella Demetriades in relationship with the drugs probe which emerged after Sushant Singh Rajput's death. Komal Rampal has been summoned days after the NCB questioned Arjun Rampal. The Ra. One actor was probed by the agency after banned tablets were found at his residence. Arjun had told the NCB that one of the two banned medicines found in his Mumbai home during a raid in November was for his sister. NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede was earlier quoted by Times of India as saying, "The investigation is on in Arjun Rampal case we have not given him a clean chit." On the other hand, Arjun had assured that he is fully co-operating with the investigating agency in the ongoing probe. Further, in his Instagram post on New Year, the actor had penned a post in which he had mentioned that he would never be on the wrong side of the law. "I would like to assure each and every one of you that I am well aware of my responsibility as a celebrity, a father and a citizen of a country I love dearly that I have never been on the wrong side of the law. You all have nothing to fear or speculate as I have done nothing wrong. I love you all and going forward we shall only spread love and peace together. There is no room for any negativity in our space," a part of his post read. ALSO READ: Arjun Rampal's Sister Summoned By NCB For Questioning In Drugs Case ALSO READ: Bollywood Drugs Case: Arjun Rampal Seeks Time Till December 21 To Appear Before NCB Several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for the coronavirus in what is believed to be the first known cases among such primates in the United States and possibly the world. The park's executive director, Lisa Peterson said that eight gorillas that live together at the park are believed to have the virus and several have been coughing. It appears the infection came from a member of the park's wildlife care team who also tested positive for the virus but has been asymptomatic and wore a mask at all times around the gorillas. Members of the gorilla troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, pictured, have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2coronavirus which causes the Covid-19 disease The park's executive director, Lisa Peterson said that eight gorillas that live together at the park are believed to have the virus and several have been coughing Veterinarians are closely monitoring the gorillas and they will remain in their habitat at the park, north of San Diego, Peterson said. For now, they are being given vitamins, fluid and food but no specific treatment for the virus. 'Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well,' Peterson said. 'The troop remains quarantined together and are eating and drinking. We are hopeful for a full recovery.' While other wildlife has contracted the coronavirus from minks to tigers, this is the first known instance of transmission to great apes and it is unknown if they will have any serious reaction. The great apes continue to be observed closely by the San Diego Zoo Global veterinary team. Research studies have verified that some non-human primates are susceptible to infection Wildlife experts have expressed concern about the coronavirus infecting gorillas, an endangered species that share 98.4 percent of their DNA with humans and are inherently social animals. The gorillas infected at the San Diego safari park are western lowland gorillas, whose population has declined by more than 60% over the last two decades because of poaching and disease, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The safari park tested the troop of gorillas after two apes began coughing January 6th. Zoo authorities tested some of fecal samples of the park's gorillas and preliminary results two days later found the presence of the virus. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the positive results. "The test results confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in some of the gorillas and does not definitively rule out the presence of the virus in other members of the troop," it said. The test results were confirmed by the U.S Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Zoo officials are talking to experts who have been treating the coronavirus in humans in case the animals' develop more severe symptoms. It is not yet known if the gorillas will have a serious reaction to the disease that has killed 1.94 million humans. This is the first known instance of natural transmission to great apes and it is unknown if they will have any serious reaction They will remain together since separating them could be harmful to the gorillas that live in tight-knit groups. 'This is wildlife, and they have their own resiliency and can heal differently than we do,' Peterson said. The safari park on Monday added new precautionary measures for its staff, including requiring face shields and eye goggles when working in contact with the animals. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where the gorillas are kept, has been closed to visitors since early December as record cases began surging through Southern California. Workers are all required to wear personal protective equipment such as masks when near the gorillas, the zoo said. The San Diego Zoo, like many public facilities, has been closed to the public since December 6 The coronavirus has also been found in a number of other wild-animal species in captivity, including several lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York and four lions at the Barcelona Zoo in Spain. But the gorillas in San Diego are believed to mark the first known case of infections confirmed in apes. The virus also has shown up in a number of household dogs and cats. Last month, the USDA said it had confirmed the first known case of the coronavirus in an animal in the wild, a mink, following an outbreak among farmed minks that killed 15,000 of the animals. (Alliance News) - Residential property firm Grainger PLC on Monday said it has acquired a forward fund build to rent scheme in the "key target city" Bristol for GBP63.1 million. Real estate developer Cubex Land Ltd bought the 231-home site in 2016 on behalf of Fiera Real Estate Opportunity Fund IV UK. The fund is a joint venture by London-based property investor Fiera Real Estate UK Ltd that is exclusive to the clients of real estate investor CBRE Global Investment Partners UK Ltd. Grainger said Cubex Land will be the development manager and Dartford, England-based construction and property services firm Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd will be the contractor, with the acquisition backed by Fiera Real Estate. "Bristol is a key target city for Grainger and, in line with Grainger's cluster strategy, this new investment generates further economies of scale in conjunction with Grainger's nearby asset, Hawkins & George," Grainger added. The company said it will now have 425 rental homes in Bristol, including those at nearby Hawkins & George site. Grainger expects the latest investment to generate a gross yield on cost of around 6% when stabilised. "This acquisition in Bristol is an exciting addition to our growing portfolio of high-quality rental homes in Bristol, a city which meets our strict investment criteria. Demand for high-quality rental homes in Bristol continues to grow, and this scheme will add greater scale to our city cluster, improving our ability to drive efficiencies while delivering a great service to our customers," said Chief Executive Helen Gordon. Grainger said it expects construction to begin this month, with a completion target of the second half of 2023. Shares in Grainger were down 0.1% at 288.55 pence each in London on Monday morning. By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. "Penn Foster gave me a second opportunity to get my high school diploma and improve my career. I am forever grateful for that, and to be able to say that I graduated high school. First and foremost, I'd like to say thank you to STVT and the people involved in my career for pushing me to keep going," said Krystal, who always dreamed of being a businesswoman. "Coming from a broken family, and not having that push and motivation was very hard. I had no choice but to do it all on my own. Now my motivation is my kids, and I want to be successful and leave a legacy from which they can benefit." Krystal is one of more than 2,000 students who have gone back to class since 2016 and earned a high school diploma thanks to funding from schools like STVT which are part of the Ancora Education group of private, post-secondary schools located across the U.S. Penn Foster issues the final diploma to students who graduate from the online program. Students interested in the high school completion course must apply and interview for the program through STVT and agree to attend the online classes on the STVT campus three days a week for two-to-three hours per day. STVT does not teach the classes but provides community-facing support throughout the process, which varies for each student depending upon the number of credits they have coming into the program. Since 2016, Ancora Education schools have funded 3,500 students without a high school diploma into the Penn Foster high school completion program. A high school diploma improves eligibility for better employment and secondary education opportunities. Both of which have a significant economic impact within the communities they serve. "My experience during the Penn Foster program helped me elevate myself psychologically. This guided me to receive my high school diploma. One instructor was very essential in motivating me to stay focused and accomplish my goal," said Ricardo Guient, who took advantage of STVT funding of the Penn Foster program. Students enrolled in the high school completion program are under no obligation to take future classes or programs at STVT. About South Texas Vocational Technical Institute South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) offers career training at five campuses in Weslaco, Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio, and Brownsville. Starting with enrollment, our trained staff works closely with students to understand their interests, ambitions and career goals so we can help their dreams become a reality. Our programs are taught in facilities designed to simulate actual working conditions and promote quality career training through hands-on student participation. Through action-based training, and dedicated staff, STVT students gain the knowledge and skills to help them succeed in a career and life. Learn more at stvt.edu SOURCE South Texas Vocational Technical Institute In UP villagers get cocktail vaccine dose: Covishield first, Covaxin next ICMR to study effectiveness of Covishield, Covaxin in preventing progression of COVID into severe form Covid Vaccine Rollout: PM Modi warns against politicians jumping vaccine queue India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that public representatives do not jump queues and take vaccines ahead of other citizens but wait for their turn for the shot. Public representatives are not part of the three-crore corona warriors and frontline workers to be vaccinated first, Modi said while nteracting with chief ministers of all states to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination roll-out in the country. In the first phase, the cost of vaccination for these 3 crore people would be borne by the central government, he added. Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout: Covishield to cost Rs 200 per dose, 11 million doses to be shipped in first tranche The Prime Minister's statement comes days after the Haryana government's request to include public representatives like MPs and MLAs to be included in the list for vaccination in the first phase. The two approved COVID-19 vaccines in India more cost-effective than other vaccines in the world and have been developed as per our needs and situation, he said. India is entering a decisive phase of vaccination in the fight against COVID-19, he asserted, pointing that the world''s largest vaccination programme will start from January 16. India''s drugs regulator has approved Oxford vaccine Covishield, being manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country. On Saturday last week, Modi had reviewed the status of COVID-19 and vaccine preparedness across states and union territories at a high-level meeting where. with PTI inputs Seychelles, one of the top tourist destinations for GCC travelers, leaps towards immunization as the country launched its national Covid-19 Immunization Campaign on January 10. Being the first country in Africa to start a Covid-19 national vaccination program, Seychelles aims to be the first country in the world to vaccinate 70 per cent of the over 18 years of age population in order to achieve herd immunity. Leading by example, is the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, as he takes the SinoPharm Covid-19 Vaccine, making him the first Head of State in Africa to take the first jab. The campaign launch, held at the Seychelles Hospital, started on a high note as about a 100 people including leaders, health workers, media personalities received their first shot of the SinoPharm Covid-19 showing their support towards the countrys immunization efforts. Following the launch, the Ministry of Health will roll-out the administering of the vaccine to key groups in the country as January 11, starting with Health Care Workers and other front-line groups including the tourism industry operators. President Ramkalawan restated the need for the country to unite as a nation and to rally behind the Health Authorities to help curb the spread of this deadly virus, protect the lives of all citizens and restore economic development in the country. Attending the ceremony was the Former President of the Republic, Danny Faure, who thanked President Ramkalawan for having him present and receive the vaccine. This greatly shows solidarity in the country, from previous to present leaders, as it battles the Covid-19 pandemic. President Ramkalawan also gave special thanks to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the donation of 50,000 doses of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, which was offered during President Ramkalawans visit to Abu Dhabi in December. The President added that this is a testimony of the excellent friendly ties that exists between the two nations that have been further consolidated through continuous support for the mutual benefit of both peoples. With such a robust vaccination campaign, Seychelles aims to be the first country in the world to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of its over 18 population. From there we will be able to declare Seychelles as being Covid safe, President Ramkalawan emphasised. The president added that the UAE Government would also be donating another batch of vaccines to the country soon. President Ramkalawan also thanked the Indian Government for an offer of 100,000 doses of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine which is due to arrive in the country at the end of January. Speaking of the vaccination, Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde mentioned the importance of this move by the government for the industry. "The Covid-19 immunization campaign is an important milestone for the restart of our tourism industry as the country balances its efforts to maintain its tourism activities and protect its population from further spread of the virus. The world has not come to a standstill and there are people who are still keen to travel. We need to fast rebuild our industry for our economic prosperity depends on it," said Radegonde. Radegonde further restated the need for the tourism industry partners to remain vigilant for their safety and the safety of the population. - TradeArabia News Service Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday said that his country will not import COVID-19 vaccines from the United States and Britain, citing trust issues. Khamenei, during a televised speech, said that import of COVID-19 vaccines from the US and UK are forbidden, calling them "untrustworthy". Khamenei further highlighted the HIV contaminated blood supplies from France in the 1980s to justify Tehran's decision. Read: Iran Is In 'no Rush' To See US Return To 2015 Nuclear Agreement, Says Khamenei Iran is one of the worst affected countries in the world with over 1.2 million cases and 56,000 COVID-19 deaths so far. Iran's decision to not import vaccines from the United States and Britain is also the outcome of deteriorating relations between Tehran and the West, which has only worsened since President Donald Trump's White House takeover in 2017. According to The Guardian, Khamenei also added that Iran is in no hurry in renegotiating the 2015 nuclear deal with the new Biden administration as he mocked the recent Capitol Hill riots in Washington DC. Read: US Capitol Siege: Iran's Rouhani Mocks Western Democracy, Terms It 'weak And Fragile' 'Iran will think of restarting talks if sanctions lifted' Khamenei said that if the United States decides to lift the economic sanctions from Iran, his country would think of restarting talks with Washington. The issue of compensation for sanctions could be taken up in the future. This comes days after the Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, targetting the key steel sector, which Washington said was helping fund the "corrupt regime" in Tehran and their ambition to develop weapons of mass destruction. Read: Europeans Press Iran To Back Down On Uranium Enrichment Read: US Imposes Sanctions On Iran's Key Steel Companies In Final Weeks Of Trump's Presidency As far as the vaccines are concerned, Iran is developing its own COVID-19 treatment. Human trials have been launched by the country in December 2020. Experts also suggest that for the time, Iran may procure the COVID-19 vaccine from China, which has developed the Coronavac drug with the help of state-run pharmaceutical company Sinopharm and is said to be 70 per cent effective. The boss of the NHS Test and Trace app has been appointed as the new chief executive of Royal Mail with immediate effect. Simon Thompson, 54, who was Ocado's chief product officer before taking the NHS role during the pandemic, is already a non-executive director at Royal Mail. He will receive a base salary 525,000. New boss: Simon Thompson has been appointed as as the new chief executive of Royal Mail with immediate effect During the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Thompson served as Managing Director of the NHS Covid-19 App and was in charge of Test and Trace. Thompson was appointed to run the controversial programme in June, just before the first contact tracing app was ditched after it encountered technical problems. He was replaced in October, though sources claimed it wasn't because of his performance and that it had always been his intention to hold the position for a short period of time. He appeared to avoid much of the anger at the programme's struggles, though he appeared alongside supremo Baroness Dido Harding in front of a House of Lords Committee in July to defend the roll out of the app. Who is Simon Thompson? Simon Thompson, 54, is the new chief executive of Royal Mail having previously served as chief product officer at Ocado until last May. Thompson also headed digital commerce at HSBC, was in charge of Apple's online stores in EMEA and held senior executive positions at WM Morrison Supermarkets, Motorola and Honda Europe. He still holds a position on Coca-Cola's European digital advisory board. During the coronavirus pandemic, he also served as Managing Director of the NHS COVID-19 App and the boss of NHS Test and Trace. Thompson was appointed to run the programme in June, just before the first contact tracing app was ditched after it encountered technical problems. He was replaced in October, though he appeared to avoid much of the anger at the programme's struggles. Thompson studied Computer Science at De Montfort University in Leicester, graduating in 1987. Mr Thompson replaces interim chief executive Keith Williams, who was parachuted in after previous boss Rico Back left the company in May. Williams will now move into a non-executive role. Mr Thompson previously also worked for companies including Apple, Honda, Lastminute.com and Morrison's. He still holds a position on Coca-Cola's European digital advisory board. The move is part of a raft of leadership changes which will also see Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of logistics firm GLS, join the board from April. His appointment comes less than a month after Royal Mail reached a 'landmark' deal with unions that put an end to a two-year dispute over pay and conditions. Thompson said Royal Mail needed to build on 'the great trust' people have in the company. 'We need to develop a razor-sharp focus on the customer, making sure our services are delivering exactly what our customers need and want. And we need to explore new opportunities for growth,' he said. 'We now have a unique opportunity to grow our business, and I look forward to working with our colleagues and stakeholders to take this great company forward,' he added. Mr Williams said: 'Royal Mail in the UK is in a period of significant transition and needs to move quickly, put the customer at the heart of everything we do, and adapt our business to better serve changing customer needs. The appointment comes less than a month after Royal Mail reached a 'landmark' deal with unions that put an end to a two-year dispute over pay and conditions Thompson was Ocado's chief product officer before taking the NHS role during the pandemic 'Simon has been a non-executive director of the group since November 2017 and already has significant knowledge of the group and its operations. 'He also has a wealth of experience, both in digital transformation and customer experience, and is ideally placed to lead the opportunity to grow and expand our UK parcels business and to meet our customers' needs across both letters and parcels. In December, Royal Mail struck a landmark deal with unions that ended a two-year dispute over pay and conditions. The agreement paves the way for the postal service to focus on parcel deliveries and to push ahead with technology improvements. In exchange, posties will receive a 3.7 per cent pay rise over two years and work one hour fewer per week. Royal Mail shares were flat at 360p in morning trading on Monday. Nur-sultan, Jan 11 : Kazakh voters headed to parliamentary polls, with five political parties vying for seats in the Majilis, or the lower chamber of the parliament. According to the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, a total of 10,060 polling stations have been set up at home and abroad. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, with an exit poll expected later Sunday night, Xinhua news agency reported. In total, 312 candidates are applying for seats in the Majilis. About 400 international observers will monitor the voting process. Each party needs to gain more than 7 per cent of the vote to enter the parliament. Currently, three parties are represented in the parliament, including the ruling Nur Otan Party, the Ak Zhol Democratic Party, and the People's Party, formerly known as the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan. This year, the Auyl Party and the Adal Party have also joined the parliamentary race. To prevent the spread of Covid-19, voters are required to wear masks and gloves and observe social distance. Visitors should avoid handshakes and use their own pens. Kazakhstan amended legislation in 2020 by allocating a mandatory 30 per cent quota for women and young people in the Majilis to encourage their participation in politics. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also called on the parliament to provide high-quality legislative support for socio-economic reforms last year. The Kazakh Parliament consists of two chambers: the upper Senate and the lower Majilis. The lower house consists of 107 deputies who serve a five-year term. Among them, 98 are elected directly from party lists during the election, while the remaining nine are elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, an advisory body representing the country's major ethnic groups. January 11, 2021 Dear Congress - Stop Wasting Time With Impeaching Trump - End His Famine In Yemen The pompous U.S. Secretary of State informed Congress that he will designate the Ansarallah movement in Yemen as Foreign Terrorist Organization. As Ansarallah, also known as the Houthi, is ruling over some 80% of Yemen's population such a designation will make aid deliveries to those people impossible: The designation is to take effect on President Donald Trumps last full day in office, a day before President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20. Several aid groups pleaded on Monday for Biden to immediately reverse the designation. The Biden transition team has not yet expressed his intentions. Acting on day one cannot only be a figure of speech, Oxfam Americas Humanitarian Policy Lead Scott Paul said. Lives hang in the balance. Six years of war between a U.S.-backed Arab coalition and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been catastrophic for Yemen. Most of its 30 million people rely on international aid to survive. The U.N. says 13.5 million Yemenis already face acute food insecurity, a figure that could rise to 16 million by June. The threat of the designation has immediate consequences: Yemen Solidarity Council @YSCouncil - 5:58 UTC 11 Jan 2021 We are ceasing all operations in the United States for the time being, as well as putting a temporary halt to our intended plans for humanitarian fundraising. Let it be known that the Trump Administration just criminalized foreign humanitarian aid to #Yemen. The famine in Yemen is already acute: [Seven-year-old] Faid weighs only 7 kg (just over 15 lb) and his tiny, fragile frame takes up barely a quarter of a folded hospital blanket. His family had to travel from Al-Jawf, 170 km (105 miles) north of Sanaa, through checkpoints and damaged roads, to get him there. Unable to afford Faids medication or treatment, the family relies on donations to get him treated. Mohammed says malnutrition cases are on the rise and impoverished parents are forced to rely on the kindness of strangers or international aid to get their children treated. Missing in almost all reports about the ghastly State Department act is the fact that Congress can easily prevent that the terrorist designation becomes reality. The State Department's designation of the Houthi comes under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Paragraph 219 (8 USC 1189) a.3.B.ii of the law says: Any designation under this subsection shall cease to have effect upon an Act of Congress disapproving such designation. In April 2019 Congress voted to end all U.S. support for the Saudi/UAE war on Yemen: The House voted 247 to 175 to send the resolution to the presidents desk, where it is likely to be met with a veto. Sixteen Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats in the effort. The Senate passed the resolution last month, with seven Republicans voting in favor of it. It is likely that a similar majority could be found now to stop the designation of Ansarallah. To immediately do this would only need some initiative from Congress leaders. Unfortunately those leaders are currently busy with nonsensical stuff: As the House prepares for impeachment, President Donald Trump faces a single charge incitement of insurrection over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. Lawmakers are set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week. Pelosis leadership team also will seek a quick vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Trumps own false statements about his election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. ... On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. The 'insurrection' (as noted in the 14th Amendment, Section 3) apparently relates to last Wednesday's short and seemingly unplanned intrusion into the Capitol building by some Trump supporters. But that was more pantomime or slapstick action than a serious operation against the state. It followed after a Trump rally speech which, yes, spoke of a 'fight' but only in the sense that any other political rally is calling on supporters to fight for the cause. In the context of Trump's other remarks at the rally it becomes obvious that was a purely rhetorical not literal use of that word: After this, were going to walk down and Ill be there with you. Were going to walk down. Were going to walk down any one you want, but I think right here. Were going walk down to the Capitol, and were going to cheer on our brave senators, and congressmen and women. Were probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them because youll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. To construe an 'incitement of insurrection' out of request to people to make 'peacefully' and 'patriotically' their 'voices heard' is pure nonsense. There is no passage in his speech that can be construed as the opposite. There is no call to storm the building or to tackle the police. This second attempt to impeach Trump is purely for show. It would have little real world consequences. Trump will leave his office nine days from now and Biden will move in. This impeachment is a political stunt which will only increase the rift within the U.S. electorate. Congress should stop wasting its time with such nonsense. It should immediately take action to prevent the State Department's terrorist designation of Ansarallah from coming into force. That move would allow aid flow to continue and it would prevent a worsening of the famine The Capitol building incursion needs further investigation. Even while there was a lot of chatter in open source media that some of the Trump supporters might get rowdy, there was astonishingly little done to prevent them from causing trouble. There are questions: Why did the Mayor of Washington DC explicitly reject federal help before the Trump rally happened? Mayor Muriel Bowser @MayorBowser - 18:53 UTC Jan 5, 2021 To be clear, the District of Columbia is not requesting other federal law enforcement personnel and discourages any additional deployment without immediate notification to, and consultation with, MPD if such plans are underway. Why was Capitol Police chief Steven Sund told to not call for timely backup by the National Guard? In an interview with The Washington Post, Sund said he had asked House and Senate security officials ahead of time for permission to request that the D.C. National Guard be placed on standby in case he needed quick backup. But he said he was turned down. If we would have had the National Guard we could have held them at bay longer, until more officers from our partner agencies could arrive, he told the Post. He said his superiors had been uncomfortable with the optics of formally declaring an emergency ahead of Wednesdays demonstration. There was also a well timed diversion of police forces with a pipe bomb placed near the Republican National Committee headquarter. This delayed the arrival of more police forces at the Capitol: There was definitely a higher sense of urgency on police radio traffic as rioters breached the east side of the Capitol, said Ashan M. Benedict, the head of the Washington field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who was working with the Capitol Police at the nearby Republican Party headquarters, where a pipe bomb was found. Mr. Benedict connected with a commander of the Capitol Police SWAT team who was inside the complex, who acknowledged that they needed immediate help but said he needed a moment to arrange the official request. A.T.F. and F.B.I. teams were soon headed to the Capitol. ... When Mr. Benedict and his deputy finally got into the building, it was madness, he recalled. Who placed that diversion? And who are the people who let all this happen? Posted by b on January 11, 2021 at 18:51 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page Credit: Aalto University Big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), the Industrial Internet and Industry 4.0 and later, 5G and artificial intelligence were presented as drivers of productivity, and experts predicted that the productivity of industry and services will increase significantly thanks to digitalisation. For example, Accenture predicted that artificial intelligence alone would provide an annual 2% rise in value added potential in Finland. In reality, huge sector-specific differences are seen in growth leaps. "Although the productivity of work in Finnish industry has improved by 22 percent over the past decade, the increase in the production of machinery and equipment has been just 4 percent in ten years and 8 percent in construction," says Research Professor Heikki Ailisto from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. On the other hand, productivity has increased in the information and communication sectors by 38% and in the financial and insurance sector by 35%. The differences between companies in the same sector are also extensive. The productivity benefits of digitalisation vary dramatically by sector The Digital Disruption of Industry Consortium has researched the impact of digitalisation on Finnish society. Researchers found that the differences in productivity within sectors can be explained as follows: The information, communication and financial sector are pioneers in the utilization of digitalisation that have been able to increase their productivity. International studies confirm the view that these differences are due to the ability of different sectors to utilize digitalisation: Banking operations are easier to digitalise than a construction site. A report published by the OECD classifies the information and financing sectors are those that are furthest in overall digitalisation. The utilization of digitalisation is also essential for the competitiveness of companies in these sectors, as the sectors are also subject to international competition and their competitors utilize digitalisation. As a whole, construction and the manufacture of machinery and equipment are not at the forefront of digitalisation, even though many companies have already done a great deal in this respect. In its report, the OECD classifies construction as a low-digitalisation sector. Construction is a typical domestic sector in which international competition does not create any pressure to increase efficiency. Labor costs in the labor-intensive construction sector have been influenced by the entry of cheap foreign labor into the market, which has reduced the pressure to develop productivity. Although the manufacturing industry has engaged in automation for numerous decades and in the 2010s, the Industrial Internet and investments in Industry 4.0 were expected to significantly improve productivity, the sector is no more than average in digitalisation, according to assessments by the OECD and McKinsey. Productivity development will determine Finland's future well-being Increasing the amount of work done in society, for example, by increasing the employment rate or immigration, will certainly increase the GDP. However, growth in the employment rate will likely occur in low-productivity sectors and may even require government subsidies, for example in the form of wage subsidies. In other words, the net impact on central government revenue will be small or, at worst, negative. The development of Finland's well-being and Finland's prosperity will depend on the ability of industry and other sectors to get the same amount of work done with less labor, especially as the population ages. For this reason, increasing the productivity of work is a necessity. Productivity increases by increasing the value of production, i.e. the value of a product or service, or by improving production efficiency. Digitalisation can have an impact on both. The value of the product to the customer may increase, for example, by integrating services produced with digitalisation into the product. On the other hand, the increase of efficiency is often achieved by integrating digitalisation into the production process to streamline it or by automating routines. "The time is now ripe for the digitalisation of the manufacturing industry and construction, and through this for increasing productivity," says Professor of Practice Timo Seppala from Aalto University. Researchers recommend that decision-makers undertake the following measures to increase productivity: Analyze projects financed with public funds that have aimed at promoting digitalisation from the perspective of productivity development. The Government's analysis, assessment and research activities are a good means for the implementation of an impartial analysis. The launch of development and research projects that will aim at an increase in efficiency in manufacturing industry and the construction sector through digitalisation utilizing the lessons learned from the analyses completed by means of the first recommendation. Develop digital features and services that increase the value of products in research and development projects to increase the value of manufacturing and construction products. As digitalisation requires new skills, in particular continuing education that will focus on teaching digitalisation and skills for the use, application and implementation of new technologies also to those already in working life. Explore further Coronavirus has the highest impact on nature-based tourism UPDATE: Malta official resigns after involvement in U.S. Capitol siege ROUND LAKE A Malta town board member is calling for the resignation of a zoning board member after photos showing her in the midst of the U.S. Capitol siege have been circulating online. Malta Town Board member Timothy Dunn, a Republican, told the Times Union he spoke with the town's GOP chairman after photos were shared on social media sites by Saratoga County Democrats over the weekend. One image shows a woman being led off the Capitol grounds by police with her hands behind her back. A GOP official in Saratoga County confirmed the pictures are of Sharon Pineo of Round Lake, a member of the Malta zoning board of appeals. The dispute in the GOP has been if Pineo was arrested or just escorted off Capitol grounds; there is no evidence the Times Union has found that she has been criminally charged in connection with the siege. The Times Union has called multiple phone numbers listed for Pineo, as well as sent her an email, with no success. Later Sunday night, after the Times Union published the story online, the Malta GOP Committee provided a statement that Pineo would be calling the town supervisor in the next 24 hours to resign from the zoning board. Pineo helped organize a charter bus trip that took Capital Region residents to Wednesday's "March on Congress," which eventually devolved into a violent criminal raid on the U.S. Capitol while Congress was meeting to certify the 2020 Electoral College vote. Pineo's bus was one of several that went down from the Capital Region to DC, former GOP Congressional candidate Liz Joy told the Times Union. Hundreds carrying flags in support of President Donald J. Trump stormed the Capitol, with some forcing their way past police in riot gear, as well as breaking doors and windows. Rioters were pictured with confederate flags inside the Capitol building, and gallows were constructed nearby with a hanging noose. A pipe bomb was found at the Republican party headquarters and another suspicious package at the Democratic counterpart. Five people died as a result of the siege, including a rioter who was shot and a Capitol police officer who was struck in the head with a heavy object; another Capitol police officer who responded to the incursion took his own life on Saturday. READ MORE: New York's Washington delegation responds to violence at the Capitol Ted Willette, the Malta GOP chairman, could not be reached for comment. Multiple calls to Saratoga County GOP chairman Carl Zeilman had not been returned this past weekend. Malta Supervisor Darren O'Connor said earlier Sunday he had received texts with photos alleging the woman is Pineo. But he said in a message to the Times Union Sunday that "I don't have confirmation (it's her), and I still lack enough info to commit to a particular course of action." A different photo taken by the Associated Press shows a woman being lifted up by Capitol police amongst the rioting, the same woman who seen in the other photo being taken away by police. "While my understanding is that this individual has not been charged with a crime, the actions and intentions of the group that stormed the Capitol are reprehensible and not consistent with the values of our community," Dunn wrote in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon. "I've spoken with both the town supervisor and the GOP chair and have requested they ask for the resignation of this resident from the zoning board of appeals." "I pray our community and our nation can start seeking paths to unity, not division. And for all of our sake, I hope this happens quickly," Dunn wrote. A Dec. 22 Facebook post to the Upstate Conservative Coalition provides Pineo's email address for people to contact her to sign up for the bus trip to Washington. On Dec. 26, the same Facebook account that posted about the bus trip uploaded a photoshopped image of Donald Trump in despair in the arms of Jesus Christ. The profile picture on the account also shows a winged figure holding a sword with the statement, "Not all angels play the harp and sing, some are called to battle." Pineo has been involved in her village as well, having run for Round Lake trustee in 2018. Malta Town Board member Cynthia Young, the lone Democrat on the board, said Sunday the photos "are all anybody's talking about today." She said she "has no objection" to peaceful protesting, but that if Pineo participated in the siege on Capitol grounds, then the zoning board member should resign. "If she was there and part of the insurgency, then I think the acts that happened down there were reprehensible," Young said. Madonna, 62, continued to document her trip to Malawi and Kenya with her boyfriend Ahlamalik Williams, 26, and her four youngest children on Sunday. The songstress jetted to Africa with the dancer, David Banda, 15, Mercy, 15, and twins Stella and Estere, eight, on December 30 and they have been spending time with the Pokot Tribe in the Baringo Valley - something she branded a huge honour. All four of her adopted children hail from Malawi, and Madonna has been spending time in their home country, which she calls: 'Home away from home', before jetting to continue their tour in Kenya to meet tribes and locals. Sweet: Madonna, 62, continued to document her trip to Malawi and Kenya with her boyfriend Ahlamalik Williams, 26, and her four youngest children on Sunday Madonna shared a stunning video showing their visit to the Pokot Tribe, which she shared alongside a caption gushing over the experience. She penned: 'Visiting the Pokot Tribe in the Baringo Valley was a special moment for all of us. They invited us to dance with them and shared their daily prayer of thanks'. Two days before, the group met with the Samburu Tribe, with the meeting also being recorded on video, while she added another impassioned message. She wrote: 'Spending time with the Samburu tribe is always an honor. They are nomadic warriors and here the men are singing, dancing and telling stories to attract the attention of the females.' An honour: The songstress jetted to Africa with the dancer, David Banda, 15, Mercy, 15, and twins Stella and Estere, eight, on December 30 and they have been spending time with the Pokot Tribe in the Baringo Valley - something she branded a huge honour Enjoying her time: All four of her adopted children hail from Malawi, and Madonna has been spending time in their home country, which she calls: 'Home away from home', before jetting to continue their tour in Kenya to meet tribes and locals The started the tour in Malawi and Madonna shared details earlier this month, as she capped off amazing week in Malawi' with her four youngest children by visiting the Jacaranda School for Orphans near Blantyre. The Queen of Pop was officially at the school to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Madame X Dance Studio. Madge proudly posed beside the sign at the studio, which was paid for through the non-profit organization, Raising Malawi, she co-founded with Michael Berg in 2006. Out and about: The started the tour in Malawi and Madonna shared details earlier this month, as she capped off amazing week in Malawi' with her four youngest children by visiting the Jacaranda School for Orphans near Blantyre Madonna adopted David in 2006 when he was 13 months old and he was born in the village of Lipunga, which is located in Western Malawi, Africa. She previously spoke to Vogue about their similarities, saying: 'What he has more than anything is focus and determination. I'm pretty sure he got it from me... 'He's the one I have the most in common with. I feel like he gets me; he has more of my DNA than any of my children so far. Let's see what happens it's still early days for everyone'. Mercy meanwhile, also from Malawi, was adopted in 2007 when she was four and suffering from Malaria. Family: Madonna is parent to Lourdes, 24, David Banda, 15, Stella and Estere, eight, Rocco, 20, Mercy James, 14 (left-right) In a stunning display of love, Mercy previously said to her mom: 'Even though sometimes I'm like, 'Oh my god, I can't deal right now.' But I really love you and I want to thank you for everything, Mom. 'I know you're going through a hard time right now with your hip and all the injuries, but I want to say that you're a really strong person. You deserve everything you want.' Her youngest - Stella and Estere - were adopted from Malawi at the start of 2017. They lived in the Home of Hope orphanage in Mchinji for two years before their adoption. When asked what drew her to her kids, Madonna said: 'It's inexplicable. Why do you fall in love with the people you fall in love with?' You look into the eyes of somebody, you feel their soul, you feel touched by them that's it.' Newspaper hat: Madge proudly posed beside the sign at the studio, which was paid for through the non-profit organization, Raising Malawi, she co-founded with Michael Berg in 2006 Sir Richard Branson has announced his mother Eve has died after battling coronavirus. The entrepreneur said he wanted to celebrate her wonderful life, her tremendous spirit, the joy she brought to so many, and the love she gave us all. Sir Richard said Eve, 96, who was an author and philanthropist, died as a result of fighting off the illness. Iam sorry to share that, sadly like a lot of peopleas mums and dads right now in these days of Covid, my mum Eve has also passed away. Rather than mourn her loss, I wanted to celebrate her wonderful life & the joy she brought to so many https://t.co/i7rHAnBtBD pic.twitter.com/iDGASlAS0M Richard Branson (@richardbranson) January 11, 2021 The founder of the Virgin Group, who is the eldest of her three children and her only son, wrote on Twitter: Im sorry to share that, sadly like a lot of peoples mums and dads right now in these days of Covid, my mum Eve has also passed away. Rather than mourn her loss, I wanted to celebrate her wonderful life & the joy she brought to so many. Writing on his blog he said: Im sorry to share that, sadly like a lot of peoples relatives and friends right now, my mum Eve has also passed away from Covid. Expand Close Sir Richard Branson and his mother Eve (John Stillwell/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Richard Branson and his mother Eve (John Stillwell/PA) She held on for one last victory, managing to fight off the virus, but had expended all of her energy in the process. One of my wonderful sisters, Vanessa, and nephew Louis were with her until the end, as were the wonderful nurses who she entertained with tales from her life and much laughter over glasses of whisky. Rather than mourn her loss, I want to celebrate her wonderful life, her tremendous spirit, the joy she brought to so many, and the love she gave us all. Mum was 96 years old, but had the same enthusiasm and energy she had when I was a boy. As for so many of us in these days of Covid, it feels so strange that the person who has always been there for us, with such zest for life, is gone. Expand Close Eve Branson (Chris Radburn/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eve Branson (Chris Radburn/PA) My sisters Lindy and Vanessa and I were so lucky to grow up with mum and dad as our parents, instilling values that have lasted a lifetime. They taught us the importance of hard work, of not taking yourself too seriously, of treating people how you wish to be treated, of entrepreneurship, and so much more. They showed us how family is the most important thing in the world, and surrounded us with love and encouragement. Sir Richard described his mother as a force of nature, who lived many remarkable lives, adding that she took glider lessons disguised as a boy, enlisted in the Wrens during the Second World War, toured Germany as a ballet dancer after the war, acted on the West End stage and worked as an air hostess on the British South American Airways routes. She made headlines in 2011 after it was reported she was saved from a fire on Sir Richards private Caribbean island Necker by actress Kate Winslet. However she later denied this is what happened, telling The Guardian: It was the hurricane of hurricanes and we were on fire and we would have all been burnt alive if it wasnt for my grandsons. It was four or five in the morning and they went around getting everyone out of bed. I remember saying: Id better put my mac on because I wanted to cover up and Jack (her grandson) saying: No, not right now. Anyway, Id just about got outside and the rain was pouring down and I didnt have my contact lenses in, but I was making my way out and Kate and her two children were behind me. Then she just sort of picked me up and took me down four steps and that was it. Im sorry, I cant make a story out of it. Vancouver, British Columbia - January 11, 2021 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Media alert for Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals") (TSX-V:DEFN / OTCQB:DFMTF / FSE: 35D). The company was featured in the following article: DEFENSE METALS, MILLENNIAL LITHIUM, OROCOBRE: METALS ARE EXPLODING! Full article and Original source https://news.financial/comments/defense-metals-millennial-lithium-orocobre-metals-are-exploding Excerpt: The rally in industrial commodities continues - precious metals, on the other hand, are experiencing the biggest daily slump since November. The reasons are simple, although not always obvious: The economic momentum has been underestimated since the middle of last year, analysts are currently gradually moving away from their gloomy forecasts. In particular, mines in the industrial metals sector have seen lower production and exploration following the pandemic outbreak, resulting in closures. Some have closed following price collapses. Currently, things are going the other way: metals, especially copper and lithium, are in strong demand and are soaring, with the producers' shares following suit. The situation is different with precious metals: The need for hedging is decreasing, the propensity to take risks is increasing: precious metals are thus tending to decline. The overall market follows the general battle cry: RISK-ON! DEFENSE METALS - 100% PREMIUM IN 4 WEEKS Rare earths are needed to make high-tech gadgets. It is also not groundbreaking news that "rare" literally equates to "very little." Deposits of rare earths are found mainly in China (more than 80% of the world's reserves) and North America. We are talking in particular about electromagnetically important metals, such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. According to current studies, the demand in 10 years will be 5 times the current demand. Here, the current e-mobility and electricity storage industries are simply extrapolating. But who will supply these quantities? Currently, governments around the world agree that we have long been talking about strategic metals, and a supply-side dominated by China cannot be the solution. So they are looking for new deposits that could fill the successive supply gaps as they are developed. The explorer Defense Metals is one aspirant, taking a big step forward with significant financial successes. First, warrants (call options) were exercised and flushed CAD 631,000 into the coffers, and then there was a private placement at CAD 0.20 equivalent to CAD 200,000. With this, the feasibility study can be completed; it is the next step in calculating a mine financing - or an indication of how valuable the deposit in Wicheeda, British Columbia is. Usually, shares fall first when new plays are announced, but in the case of Defense, there was a buying spree to almost CAD 0.40. Market participants have probably realized that there needs to be at least 50% more mine supply in the next few years, but it can only be possible with rapid new developments. Defense's capitalization currently reaches CAD 22.8 million, which is still a clear buy for the coming shortage situation. Author About Defense Metals Corp. https://defensemetals.com/ Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, military, national security and the production of "GREEN" energy technologies, such as, high strength alloys and rare earth magnets. Defense Metals has an option to acquire 100% of the 1,708 hectare Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol "DEFN" on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under "DFMTF" on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under "35D". For further information, please contact: Todd Hanas, Bluesky Corporate Communications Ltd. Vice President, Investor Relations Tel: (778) 994 8072 Email: todd@blueskycorp.ca Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forwardlooking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements relating to finding partnerships, securing potential offtake agreements, and other business opportunities, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its project and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of rare earth elements, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. Paid News -Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Disclosure: this news release featuring Defense Metals Corp. is a paid for service on Investorideas.com ($750) more disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp About Investorideas.com https://www.investorideas.com/About/ Sign up for free stock news alerts at Investorideas.com https://www.investorideas.com/Resources/Newsletter.asp Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy 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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 [January 11, 2021] Shuman, Glenn & Stecker Investigates JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. Shuman, Glenn & Stecker announces that it is investigating potential claims against certain officers and directors of JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. ("JELD-WEN" or the "Company") (NYSE: JELD). JELD-WEN manufactures doors and windows. The Firm's investigation relates to allegations raised in antitrust litigation against JELD-WEN, as well as a securities class action against JELD-WEN and certain of its senior officers, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. These lawsuits arise from allegations that JELD-WEN participated in a collusive price-fixing scheme with one of its major competitors. Following a trial in the antitrust litigation, on February 15, 2018 a jury found JELD-WEN liable for violating federal antitrust laws. Next, on October 5, 201, the federal judge presiding over the antitrust litigation issued detailed factual findings about JELD-WEN's anticompetitive behavior and ordered JELD-WEN to divest a manufacturing facility. Then, on October 15, 2018, after previously downplaying its exposure in the antitrust litigation, JELD-WEN disclosed that it would take a $76.5 million charge related to an expected judgment in the case and the sudden resignation of its Chief Financial Officer. JELD-WEN's stock price dropped by 19% the next day. Meanwhile, the securities class action lawsuit alleges between January 26, 2017 and October 15, 2018, JELD-WEN and certain of its senior officers falsely stated publicly that JELD-WEN's products compete against those of other manufacturers based on price, and falsely described the market in which JELD-WEN sells its products as "highly competitive." The lawsuit also claims JELD-WEN falsely attributed its strong margins and anticipated margin growth to legitimate business factors such as "strategic pricing decisions" and an increased emphasis on "pricing optimization." On October 26, 2020, the federal judge presiding over the securities class action denied the defendants' motion to dismiss the claims, paving the way for the case to proceed towards trial. If you currently own JELD-WEN common stock and are interested in discussing your rights, or have information relating to this investigation, please contact Kip Shuman toll free at (866) 569-4531 or email Mr. Shuman at kip@shumanlawfirm.com. Shuman, Glenn & Stecker represents investors throughout the nation, concentrating its practice in stockholder litigation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005945/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] President Moon Jae-in delivers a New Year address to the nation at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok By Do Je-hae President Moon Jae-in underlined an unwavering commitment to his peace process on the Korean Peninsula by improving relations with North Korea, Monday, despite rising concerns over a possible continued deadlock in both inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea relations under the incoming Joe Biden administration. In a 27-minute New Year speech, President Moon said he would sit down with the North "at anytime, anywhere" to discuss cooperation, even in a non-face-to-face manner. "This year marks the 30th anniversary of the two Koreas' simultaneous membership of the United Nations. The South and North must join hands to prove that peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is beneficial for the international community," Moon said during the nationally-televised address. "It is our duty to pass on a Korean Peninsula without war and nuclear weapons to the next generation. In line with the launch of the U.S. Biden administration, the government will strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and make a last-ditch effort to achieve a major turnaround in stalled U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korea dialogue." President Moon Jae-in delivers a New Year speech at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae The President said that there was still a lot to be achieved through inter-Korean cooperation, such as jointly taking part in a regional dialogue for healthcare and anti-pandemic cooperation. "I hope that we can start coexistence and peace in the process of responding to COVID-19," Moon said. "When cooperation gets wider and wider, we can take a step forward on the path of unification. The key driver of the peace process on the Korean Peninsula is dialogue and win-win cooperation. Our willingness to talk anytime anywhere remains unchanged, even in a non-face-to-face manner." Moon's remarks come after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said during the ruling Workers' Party of Korea Congress meeting last week that inter-Korean relations had returned to state before April 27, 2018, when Moon and Kim held a summit in the border village of Panmunjeom, the first of their three summits that year. During the party congress, the North Korean leader slammed South Korea for offering cooperation in what he called "non-essential" areas such as healthcare and tourism, and underlined his focus on improving the economy. Pyongyang has also vowed to take its nuclear weapons development to the next level, despite its pledge for denuclearization in Kim's meetings with Moon and outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore 2018. This situation is bringing into question the effectiveness of Moon's last-ditch efforts in the twilight of his presidency to achieve a fundamental breakthrough in diplomacy with North Korea. President Moon Jae-in, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrive at the Northern side of Panmumjeom for a summit in May 2018. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae (Natural News) (Article by Natalie Winters republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Other outlets involved in the propaganda operation include Forbes, the Financial Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC News, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, AFP, TIME magazine, LA Times, The Hill, BBC, and The Atlantic. The relationship is revealed in the Department of Justices Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) filings, which reveal a relationship spanning over a decade between establishment media outlets and the ChinaUnited States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF). Neutralize Opposition. CUSEF is a Chinese Communist Party-funded initiative founded by Tung Chee Hwa. The group also targets American universities with offers to fund policy research, high-level dialogues, and exchange programs. Tung also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), identified by the U.S.-China Security and Economic Review Commission as a key component of the Chinese Communist Partys United Work Front. The effort, according to the U.S. government report, aims to to co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party. The United Front strategy uses a range of methods to influence overseas Chinese communities, foreign governments, and other actors to take actions or adopt positions supportive of Beijings preferred policies, it continues. This strategy appears to have been deployed in conjunction with outlets such as CNN, New York Times, and the Washington Post. Targeting Reporters, Journalism Students. A 2011 FARA filing highlighted by Axios detailed CUSEFs agreement with American lobbying firm BLJ. It outlines how CUSEF set out to effectively disseminate positive messages to the media, key influencers and opinion leaders, and the general public regarding China. To do so, CUSEF targeted working journalists and journalist students: In order to develop favorable coverage in key national media, BLJ will continue to organize and staff familiarization trips to China. This includes recruiting top journalists to travel to China, selected for effectiveness and opportunities for favorable coverage. In 2009 alone, CUSEF generated 28 media placements as a result of its four journalist visits and BLJ secured the publication of 26 opinion articles and quotes within 103 separate articles on behalf of CUSEF. Outlets included Newsweek, the National Journal, the Nation, Congressional Quarterly, U.S. News, World Report, The Chicago Tribune, and the Washington Note. BLJ directly contributed to or influenced an average of three articles per week. Guilty. While universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, have divested from CUSEF in light of its Chinese Communist Party ties, the same cannot be said for dozens of Western media outlets. FARA filings from CUSEFs American lobbying firm BLJ reveal American media organization participating in private dinners at BLJs CEOs home on behalf of CUSEF, trips to China, and meetings with CUSEF officials. A filing dated January 1st, 2012, show outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNN, and more participating in private dinners at the home of CUSEFs American lobbying firms CEO. The same filing reveals that outlets including National Public Radio (NPR), The Atlantic, MSNBC, and Reuters had journalists visit China to meet with CUSEF officials. Since then, filings continue to reveal a host of Western outlets attending private dinners and visiting China. Most outlets are included more than once. In 2013, The Washington Post joined a China-bound journalism delegation, in 2014 Harvard Business Review also joined a delegation, and in 2015, the Los Angeles Times and The Huffington Post also visited the communist country. A 2014 filing reveals that lobbying firm BLJ arranged private dinners in New York and Washington DC on behalf of CUSEF with over 20 attendees including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, and more: Images in CUSEF brochures shed light on the entities visited by journalists. Between 2011 and 2013 images reveal journalist touring Huawei a telecommunications firm labeled a national security threat and military collaborator by the U.S. government along with Chinese military bases: Results. Following the ongoing pressure campaigns, CUSEF has escaped significant criticism in the corporate press. There have only been a few mentions in broader pieces concerning Chinese Communist Party influence operations on American college campuses. Such behavior from news outlets implies a conflict of interest, or worse: that the ostensible news outlets have been bought off. Even when CUSEF is criticized, such as in The Washington Post article Chinas reach into U.S. campuses, CUSEFs Executive Director Alan Wong was offered a rebuttal: something that even Americans on the political right fail to obtain from outlets such as the Post. Vox, another outlet participating in CUSEFs journalism trips, prefaced an article on President Trump and North Korea by noting author Yochi Dreazen wrote it while on a trip to China sponsored by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF): The author of this article wrote it while on a trip to China sponsored by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), a privately funded nonprofit organization based in Hong Kong that is dedicated to facilitating open and constructive exchange among policy-makers, business leaders, academics, think-tanks, cultural figures, and educators from the United States and China. Vox.coms reporting, as always, is independent. The article, which featured quotes from Chinese Communist Party officials, appeared to regurgitate the party line, noting Beijing won big. As Foreign Policy magazine noted, to its credit, CUSEF is scarcely a privately funded non profit but rather is a registered foreign agent bankrolled by a high-ranking Chinese government official with close ties to a sprawling Chinese Communist Party apparatus that handles influence operations abroad. Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com Chandigarh: Amid agitations in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said the problems of the farmers could be resolved by the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report and sought the Centres intervention in the matter. He also reiterated the Congresss demand for farm debt waiver in all states, with urgent steps to fix the MSP of crops in line with the recommendations of the Commission. The key to resolving the farmers problems in the country lies in the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, which had recommended fixing the minimum support prices (MSP) for crops at levels at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production, he said. His request for the Centres intervention comes amid an escalating farmers crisis in the country and continuing spate of farmer suicides in various states, including Punjab. Read | Live updates on day 8 of farmers' protest in Madhya Pradesh Five people were on Tuesday killed in farmers agitation in western Madhya Pradesh. The farmers are protesting since June 1 demanding higher MSP for their produce, among others. Protest on similar lines is on in Maharashtra since the beginning of the month.In a statement issued here, the Punjab chief minister called for a holistic policy by the Centre to address the problem. Though the commission set up by the Centre to work out the debt waiver modalities was already on the job, it was important to resolve the crisis at a national level, he added. As pointed out by the commission, this would help enhance the profitability in agriculture, by ensuring a minimum of 50 per cent profits over the cost of production, he said. Pointing out that a fair price mechanism for farmers would go a long way in ensuring better remuneration for their crops, the chief minister appealed to the central government to come out with a national framework for the same. He referred to his own request to the central government for fixing MSP for maize, in addition to wheat and paddy, to stress the need to encourage the farmers to diversify their cultivation habits and shift towards the more lucrative cash crops. Read | Farmers Protest in Madhya Pradesh: Why Mandsaur is burning? Here are the four demands by farmers Singh had a few days ago written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his direct intervention in fixing the procurement price of maize at the central governments MSP to boost crop diversification. Lamenting delay in allowing the purchase of maize at MSP through central agencies, including FCI and NAFED, the chief minister had, in his letter, said an early decision on this was necessary to facilitate timely procurement of maize. He had also pointed out that the Centre had already noted that the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies should procure Maize at MSP as it was one of the important food crops. 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 brown tree snakes movements seemed strange, but the time-lapse footage did not make it entirely obvious if the movements marked a new mode of locomotion. So in 2019, Dr. Seibert returned to Guam to replicate the experiment, this time with a 4K-resolution camera and two baffles stacked on top of each other. The new video showed that a brown tree snake could climb the baffle by forming a loop with its body, crossing over itself at least once, and forming small bends in its body to inch its way up. The motion seemed to exhaust the snakes, which paused frequently, breathed heavily and sometimes slipped down the pole. After viewing the video, Dr. Jayne tried and failed to get the brown tree snakes in his lab to climb a pole using lasso locomotion. Maybe theyve gotten fat, old and lazy, he said. Dr. Jayne believes lasso locomotion is an entirely new type of slithering. Lasso locomotion is in outer space, he said. Its different enough that it doesnt fit into any of the four categories. When a snake climbs a tree using concertina, the distance between its head and tail shrinks and swells as it alternates between gripping uphill and gripping downhill on the tree, sometimes at the same time. In contrast, in lasso locomotion, the looping region of the body the snake uses to grip does not change, and the animal moves itself upward with little sideways bends around the circumference of its cylinder. Given the right circumstances, its clear that snakes can find a way, and this new form of locomotion is an example of that, said Gregory Byrnes, a biologist at Siena College who was not involved with the research. Its possible that other snakes in the same genus as the brown tree snake are also capable of lasso locomotion, Dr. Jayne said. But one cannot simply walk into the woods and expect to observe a nocturnal snake using an exhausting and specific type of locomotion. One of the problems of studying snakes is their secretive nature, he said. We may not have observed the behavior in the wild because were barely observing the animals in the wild. Although Dr. Savidge and Dr. Seibert were also amazed by lasso locomotion, their awe was tempered with the realization that they would need to take down all the nest boxes they had installed on narrow metal poles. Fruit-eating Micronesian starlings are one of two remaining native forest birds on Guam. This bird is all there is, Dr. Savidge said. Theres nothing else to disperse those native fruits in the forest anymore. The researchers also tested a new baffle design shaped like an ice cream cone, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. Snakes cannot climb that, Dr. Seibert said, and so far, hes been right. [Like the Science Times page on Facebook. | Sign up for the Science Times newsletter.] 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. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. By Ritah Kemigisa The United States has over the weekend announced fresh sanctions against the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda. The U.S. Secretary of State Department Mike Pompeo says the US is not party to the Rome statute and as such will not allow Americans to be threatened by a kangaroo court. His remarks come at a time the ICC is planning to launch new investigations into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan by both US and Afghan forces alongside a probe into crimes against humanity by the Taliban. He has also condemned the courts plan to investigate Israel as they push to investigate alleged war crimes committed by forces in the West Bank and in the Gaza strip. Pompeo alleges that the ICC court is corrupt and unjust. Lebanon on Monday tightened novel coronavirus measures by imposing a 24-hour curfew for an 11-day period and introducing new travel restrictions to stem an unprecedented spike in infections. The latest measures came as officials and health professionals warned that hospitals were quickly running out of beds, leaving many scrambling for treatment, even though a lockdown has been in place since January 7. The new measures will be enforced from Thursday until January 25, according to a statement released after a meeting of the Higher Defence Council, the country's top security body. All citizens are to remain at home with few exceptions, including health professionals, journalists, those working in the food sector and other essential workers, said the statement. Land and maritime borders will be closed to all travellers except those carrying a valid transit visa and passenger traffic at the Beirut airport will be slashed to 20 percent of arrivals in January 2020. Travellers arriving from Baghdad, Istanbul, Adana, Cairo and Addis Ababa will need to quarantine in a hotel for seven days at their own expense. They must take a PCR test upon landing in Lebanon and then again six days later. Lebanon, a country of more than six million, has recorded 219,296 Covid-19 cases, including 1,606 deaths, since February. Over the past seven days, it has recorded a 70 percent increase in infections, placing it among the countries currently experiencing one of the world's steepest virus upticks, according to AFP data. It trails behind Portugal, which as seen a 73 percent increase, Nigeria, with a 77 percent rise, and Ireland, with a 190 percent uptick. Firas Abiad, the head of Lebanon's main coronavirus hospital, said the country recorded more than 30,000 new cases between January 3 and 10 , hitting a peak of 5,440 new infections on Friday. Overwhelmed by the influx of new patients, hospitals have had to turn people away, sending many families into a desperate hunt for hospital beds. One hospital at the weekend said it was treating patients in cars because it had reached capacity. Short link: HOLYOKE City Councilor Rebecca Lisi launched her mayoral campaign Monday outside the Holyoke Public Library in a speech that focused on unity and building bridges. As mayor, my priority will be helping our city build bridges that connect us. Holyokes power to grow rests in each and every single one of us. My job as mayor will be to develop opportunities that let your talents, visions, and your passions create a bridge to our collective tomorrow, Lisi said. The longtime city councilor became the second candidate to declare a run for Room 1 at City Hall after Mayor Alex B. Morse decided not to seek reelection. School Committee member Devin Sheehan announced his bid last week. While promising to preserve historic buildings, Lisi wants to pursue innovative designs and technologies that reconnect neighborhoods, based on government decisions that reflect the citys diversity. I promise to help build a bridge between old and new Holyoke, one that connects families who have lived in Holyoke for generations to those who love Holyoke enough to make it their home for the first time. She added, And I promise to help build bridges between the government and the people, one that ensures that government decisions are reflective of the diversity of our city. Lisi said she fought for the green renovation of Lyman Terrace Apartments, preserving Mater Dolorosa Church and adapting historic mills for the expanding cannabis industry. Years of landlord neglect is deteriorating the rich history of our citys building stock. Buildings left in poor condition compromise our ability to preserve that history and stands in the way of future growth. We need aggressive legal strategies that hold absentee landlords accountable, Lisi told her supporters. Lisi wants to work closely with the city Office of Planning and Economic Development to expand indoor marijuana growing operations and bring small shops and restaurants back to downtown. She also called for a partnership with Holyoke Gas & Electric to expand natural gas capacity and municipal fiber optic internet service. While the COVID-19 vaccines offer hope, Lisi said the coronavirus pandemics effects would not disappear anytime soon. She said her political drive began as a canvasser and organizer after college for Clean Water Action. Lisi supports a more open and accountable local government, establishing a capital stabilization account and investment plan, paying city employees fair wages, and predictable purchases and maintenance of service vehicles, equipment and buildings. As mayor, I will: Continue to work through the 2007 and 2015 DOR/DLS reports on to adopt a series of policies that will serve as financial best practices that will improve our financial standing and avoid falling into state receivership, she said. Lisi was elected to an at-large seat on the City Council in 2008 and currently serves as chair of the Ordinance Committee. For the past year, weve had to watch COVID-19 sicken our loved ones, compromise our businesses, and keep us away from our family and friends. Its disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, she said. Lisi added that robust home internet has become as essential as heat and electricity for some Holyokers, especially in the age of remote work and learning. She is a doctoral candidate in the political science department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has a bachelors degree in biology from Binghamton University in New York. Lisi and her husband, Damien Cote, the citys building commissioner, have a son, Lucien. The field of candidates is expected to widen. City Councilor Mike Sullivan formed an exploratory committee and is expected to make his intentions known soon. Billy Glidden, a former aide to Morse, is mulling a run. Former state Rep. Aaron Vega and Patrick Beaudry, who ran unsuccessfully for state representative in the September Democractic primary, nixed the mayoral candidacy idea. Only months after graduating from Brown University, Morse became the citys youngest mayor at 22 years old. He easily beat back challengers in three subsequent elections. In 2020, he lost a Democratic primary challenge to U. S. Rep. Richard E. Neal.

Malaysia is drawing up dozens of charges against a rubber glove maker supplying the U.S. and other countries after labor inspectors found the firms migrant workers living in squalid, congested conditions.

A surge in global demand for personal protective gear brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has drawn international attention to the living and working conditions of migrant workers making rubber gloves in Malaysia, which churns out nearly 2 in every 3 pairs worldwide.

The government announced plans to file the first 19 charges under a new worker housing law against another leading glove maker, Top Glove, in early December. A COVID-19 outbreak at the companys crammed migrant worker dorms the month before had sparked what was until then the largest cluster of infections in the country.

The latest spate of 30 planned charges takes aim at Brightway Holdings and two subsidiaries, Biopro and La Glove, following a rash of government raids on its facilities in the final days of 2020.

The group of Malaysian companies runs five factories in the country, according to its website, and employs some 2,900 workers making more than 4 billion gloves a year for clients around the globe.

Malaysia is pressing companies to quickly upgrade staff housing after major outbreak of COVID-19 in teeming dormitories for migrant workers providing world with personal protective equipment

Like modern slavery

Malaysian Human Resources Minister Saravanan Murugan, who accompanied labor inspectors on some of the raids, with local reporters in tow, blasted the company over its worker housing.

I dont know how anyone could live like this, he told a local broadcaster, Astro Awani. This looks like modern slavery.

Photos of the dorms shared by the ministry and media show poorly lit and ventilated halls in ramshackle buildings jammed with bunk beds and basic cubicles, and several workers packed into shared bathrooms absent masks or any social distancing.

Human Resources Ministry officials told VOA last week that authorities were still preparing the charges and that it may be another month or two before they are filed. They refused to answer any other questions about the case.

A Brightway worker from Bangladesh told VOA of sharing a cramped and stuffy hall and just one bathroom with more than 200 others. Xs on the floor marked out in yellow tape make a show of social distancing measures. However, with three men to a bunk in beds packed side by side, he said they do little good.

They always say to socially distance. But there are so many people living and working together in one place, so its hard to do, he said. I dont think the company has taken the necessary steps to protect us from COVID. They give us only soap to wash our hands.

With only two face masks a month per worker from the company, he said, many of them buy more out of their own modest pay.

I feel bad here. With 200 people it gets very hot and very noisy at night, he added. Sometimes we cant sleep; it depends on the weather.

At least five firms have pledged more than $60 million to reimburse migrant workers for steep recruitment fees.

Some good plans

Brightway conceded that some of its dorms are overcrowded but said workers were moved into a few of the buildings the inspectors visited recently from their original hostels for their own safety during the pandemic.

There was congestion, yes, because they all wanted to sort of move into a safer place, Brightways managing director, Govindasamy Baskaran, told VOA.

But they have been of course provided everything, whatever they required. They knew it was congested, but to them they feel its much safer because back home in their country they have so many cases, next of kin dying because of COVID.

Most of the migrant workers in Malaysias glove factories come from Bangladesh and Nepal in hopes of earning higher wages than they might at home.

Baskaran said the company also had all of its workers tested for COVID-19 just after the raids. A letter he shared from the clinic that conducted the tests says all the samples came back negative.

After the December 24 raid on the Biopro site, Saravanan, the minister, confirmed local reports that the company had been tipped off to the visit by a government source, giving the company time to move workers out and make some hasty improvements.

Baskaran denied that the company had gotten advance notice. He said workers were moved out of the Biopro dorms a day or two ahead of the visit because the company anticipated the inspection after the raid on La Glove on December 21.

He said the company has bought land to build new dorms that would meet the governments worker housing codes and was looking to buy more.

We are going to put up some, I wont say state-of-art hostels, [but] a good living place for all of them, including leisure areas and so forth. We have some good plans, Baskaran said.

Not alone

Labor rights advocates say Brightway and Top Glove are not alone in jamming their migrant workers into shoddy housing.

The conditions uncovered at Brightway were shocking but no surprise, said Adrian Pereira, executive director of the North South Initiative, a local nongovernment group and a member of the Migrant Workers Right to Redress Coalition.

I suspect its in almost every sector of migrant labor. I think if not for the international auditors and ethical trade organizations, I think almost all sectors involving migrant workers would be as horrible as this, he said.

Pereira said the government would need to push for much deeper reforms of the industry to reverse conditions that have been allowed to fester for decades.

Two or three raids are not enough to change their behaviors, he said. This is what we have seen over the last 20, 30 years. It will take much more than raids to make them comply with not just the law but international standards of labor.

Business associations dont dispute that some staff dorms fall short of the governments new codes but they have urged authorities to give them more time to comply.

ADVERTISEMENT The Borno State Government has enrolled 1,163 children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in schools in Mobbar Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. This was disclosed in a statement by Isa Gusau, Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum, on Communications and Strategy, in Maiduguri, on Monday. Mr Gusau said the enrolment was supervised by Mr Zulum in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar LGA during a three-day visit to the area, adding that the measure was part of efforts to ensure that all school-age children were enrolled in school. He said the governor was on a three-day visit to LGAs along the shores of Lake Chad for schools enrolment and other humanitarian support to returnees. In the third and final day of Zulums humanitarian trip to Damasak, at the shores of Lake Chad, a total of 1,163 children of IDPs were enrolled in primary school as part of the governors enrolment campaign. The pupils, who were from Guzamala and Abadam LGAs in northern Borno, had been out of school since their parents were displaced by Boko Haram fighters, following attacks on their communities. Zulum appealed to parents to allow their children to enrol in schools, saying that there were functional schools provided by government, he said. Governor Babagana Zulum with children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) [PHOTO CREDIT: @GovBorno] Governor Babagana Zulum with children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) [PHOTO CREDIT: @GovBorno] Governor Babagana Zulum with children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) [PHOTO CREDIT: @GovBorno] The governor said social welfare and other assistance from government will be restricted to parents who allow their children to attend schools. Zulum also launched the distribution of water pumps, fertilisers, seeds, chemicals and N5,000 cash support for 1,200 irrigation farmers to enable them embark on food cultivation in dry season. ALSO READ: Gov Zulum orders UBEB to appraise private schools in Borno The governor also supervised the distribution of food combination to 10,000 IDP families in need of support. Each of the 10,000 families received 25kg of rice, 25kg of beans, 25kg of maize and 5 litres of cooking oil as part of interventions before they can generate livelihoods for themselves in Damasak, Gusau said. Damasak, a border community, was a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists before it was liberated by the Nigerian military, leading to resettlement of the IDPs. (NAN) President Donald Trump has been warned that he faces potential civil liability over the Capitol riots an event that has reshaped the pardon landscape with questions about whether Trump might pardon himself, Rudy Giuliani or those who carried out the riots during the electoral count. There have been reports for weeks about a potential flood of pardons in Trump's final days in office. Trump has long spoke publicly and privately about a potential self-pardon a potential act that gained new currency after the leak of Trump's call to the top election official in Georgia. That call featured Trump asking Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' 11,780 votes. Former Attorney Gen. Bill Barr and White House counsel Pat Cipollone have counseled President Trump not to seek to execute a self-pardon Now, on top of his existing legal woes, Trump is being advised he faces potential legal exposure over the Capitol riots, ABC News reports. 'Think O.J.,' an advisor reportedly told him, referencing how O.J. Simpson faced a civil trial for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson even after being acquitted of murder. CNN reported that White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and former Attorney Gen. Bill Barr have repeatedly advised Trump not to pardon himself. In Barr's case, it came before his resignation in December after publicly splitting with Trump on the president's repeated claims of election fraud that stoked up his supporters before last week's rally. The Constitution is silent on self-pardon, so it Trump were to take such an action, it would be up to the Justice Department under President-elect Joe Biden to determine whether to challenge such a move by bringing charges anyway. White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who defended Trump during impeachment, has counseled him against seeking to pardon himself, according to reports Trump also faces potential civil liability, as did O.J. Simpson despite his acquittal on murder charges in 1995 President Donald Trump has spoken only through White House videos since his supporters ransacked the Capitol Wednesday Trump supporters gather as supporters storm the Capitol Building following the 'Stop The Steal' rally where they assembled to protest the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021 in Washington DC. Trump Supporters Protest Certification of President-Elect Biden Tear gas is dispersed as Trump supporters gather on the steps of the Capitol Building following the 'Stop The Steal' rally where they assembled to protest the 2020 election results There have already been reports that Cipollone has been considering resigning amid a flood of other resignations, and that Trump only released a video acknowledging a transition but still failing to congratulate Joe Biden under pressure and following warnings about his own potential exposure. One issue is whether Trump himself could be charged with inciting rioters who stormed the Capitol, after Trump urged them to 'fight.' Trump could push back in court on First Amendment grounds. He is facing impeachment on a single article of 'incitement of insurrection,' but that is a political process that doesn't need to meet any burdens of existing case law on incitement. Scholars are split on the efficacy of a self-pardon. Trump also has considered pardons for family members several of whom also spoke at the 'stop the steal' rally that immediately preceded the storming of the Capitol. Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Lara Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle all spoke at the event. Rudy Giuliani, Trump's lawyer throughout his series of claims of massive election fraud that have been rejected by courts and states who all certified the vote for Joe Biden, has also been mentioned in multiple reports about a final batch of Trump pardons. Giuliani faces his own exposure from last week's events. He urged fired up Trump supporters to engage in 'trial by combat' shortly before they broke windows and streamed into the Capitol, placing lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence at risk. The U.S. attorney in D.C. has kept alive the possibility of probing people besides rioters themselves for incitement. 'The situation in DC has raised issues within the White House even on the pardons,' one source told CNN. Hollywood actor Jon Voight has released a video in which he calls for unity following last week's siege at the the U.S. Capitol and President Trump's final acknowledgment that his presidency will end later this month. Voight, a longtime Trump supporter who spoke out against the election results in a video in November, said that 'this violence isn't who we are' but added that the rioters 'will be heard'. Filmed while seated before an American flag, Voight opened by addressing his 'fellow Americans'. 'We shall not weep, but let us give thanks to President Trump for his four years of hard work and love for America. Let us not put our heads down, let us rise and look to a better future. Let us praise God. Let us understand that His plan is far greater.' Jon Voight appeared to send a message of unity to Republicans in a video shared on Twitter Voight's delivery can often appear as a mix between a rallying cry and a religious sermon. He acknowledged last week's deadly riots that saw Trump supporters force themselves past Capitol security just as the Senate was in the process of voting to confirm the electoral college votes. 'I know all are disappointed, but this violence is not who we are. We are love, respect, honor. The ones who destroyed will be accountable but the ones who truly wanted to share love and respect will be heard,' said 82-year-old Voight. Voight attempted to deliver a message of unity for the American people despite the enormous political and cultural divide facing the country. He suggested Trump's fight to overturn the election is still not done. 'Let us put aside our differences and let America grow. Let us stand again with pride and we as a nation will hold on to the love that President Trump shared with us all. It's not over. The truths of justice will prevail for God's glory shall as well. Love to you,' he said as he signed off. Voight attended Trump's Salute to America 4th of July event at the Lincoln Memorial in 2019 His message of unity was far removed from another recent video that he put out just before Election Day in which he offered a scathing rebuke of Joe Biden, calling him 'evil.' 'Biden is evil. Trump must win. He's real. He will bring back the people's trust,' Voight began. 'These leftists are not for the American people. It's the biggest cover-up ever,' he said. Soon after November's election he then issued a warning to those celebrating the win, saying they were only welcoming the 'horror they will be in for' because the promises 'being made from the left to the American people will never come to be.' 'My friends of all colors, races and religions, this is now our greatest fight since the civil war,' Voight said in the video. 'The battle of righteousness versus Satan - yes, Satan. Because these leftists are evil, corrupt and they want to tear down this nation. 'We must not allow this. We must fight this corruption that has taken over and fight for the good that seems lost,' he added. Voight went on to urge Americans to give their 'trust to God', calling the ballot count 'corruption' before closing his statement with a quote from Muhammed Ali. 'Let us not back down, let us fight this fight as if it is our last fight on earth. As Muhammed Ali said, it's not over until the last punch you have.' President Donald Trump (right) stands next to actor Jon Voight (left) after presenting him the National Medal of Arts in the East Room of the White House in Washington in November 2019 Voight, whose role in Midnight Cowboy and Deliverance catapulted him to Hollywood fame, is the father of actress Angelina Jolie. He has previously appeared at campaign rallies and events to support Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump on two occasions as the coronavirus pandemic spread across the nation. In a March video, Voight talked about American overcoming the pandemic, which at that time had started taking a toll on the epicenter, New York City. A little less than two months later, he praised Trump for being a 'hero' who 'will protect his country till the end, with dignity, honor, respect and love'. Voight also narrated a video that kicked off the first night of the Republican National Convention in August. Capitol Police Name New Acting Chief Following Breach of Capitol Building The Capitol Police Board has designated a new acting chief of police after the departments previous chief resigned in the wake of last weeks breach of the U.S. Capitol. Yogananda Pittman, who joined the agency in 2001, has been named as acting Capitol chief of police, according to a statement. Pittman joined the U.S. Capitol Police Department (USCP) in 2001 and rose through the ranks to the post of assistant chief for protective and intelligence operations. She is the first woman and the first African American to lead the law enforcement agency, USCP says. USCP Police Chief Steven Sunds resignation takes effect on Jan. 16, a police spokeswoman told news outlets. Sund said that police had planned for a free speech demonstration and didnt expect a violent attack, which he said was unlike anything he had experienced in his 30 years in law enforcement. Lawmakers had gathered on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol for a joint session of Congress to count and certify Electoral College votes for the 2020 presidential election, but proceedings in the chambers to debate whether to reject votes for Arizona were interrupted in the afternoon when a group of people stormed the Capitol. Protesters storm the Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Ahmed Gaber/Reuters) Its unclear who instigated the breach of the building, at around 2:15 p.m. Officials declared around 6 p.m. the Capitol building had been secured. Congress in the early hours of Jan. 7 certified the Electoral College vote for former Vice President Joe Biden. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons, and making death threats against lawmakers. U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a member of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, during a phone call that at least 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened as a result of the assault on the Capitol, according to the Democratic lawmakers notes from their conversation. The Army confirmed to The Epoch Times that the account of the discussion is accurate. Workers begin to clean up the debris and damage caused by protesters at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 7, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) Crow said McCarthy told him that the Pentagon was aware of further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists in the days up to and including the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Thousands of protesters followed President Donald Trump to gather near the Capitol on Jan. 6 after his speech outside the White House, during which he asked protesters to peaceful and patriotically make your voices heard at the Capitol. Some people breached the Capitol building, however, and what followed were numerous acts of lawlessness and violence. Four people were confirmed dead on Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, among then a woman who was shot inside the Capitol building. The District of Columbia Police Department identified her as 35-year-old Ashley Babbitt (also spelt Ashli) of Huntington, Maryland. The department said the three others died in separate medical emergencies. They were 50-year-old Benjamin Philips of Pennsylvania, 55-year-old Kevin Greeson of Alabama, and 34-year-old Rosanne Boyland of Georgia. A USCP officer, Brian Sicknick, also died due to injuries while on duty responding to the unrest. The agency confirmed in a statement that he died at about 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 7. His death is being investigated by the D.C. Police Departments Homicide Branch, the USCP, and its federal partners. On Jan. 9, USCP confirmed the off-duty death of officer Howard Liebengood. The cause of Liebengoods death hasnt been released. Its unclear whether the death is related to the unrest on Jan. 6. Trump ordered U.S. flags across the nation and abroad to be flown at half-staff until Jan. 13 in honor of the service and sacrifice of law enforcement, the USCP, and the two USCP officers who died in the wake of unrest at the Capitol. Isabel van Brugen, Janita Kan, Mimi Nguyen Ly, and Zachary Stieber 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. The Indian stock market continues trading in the green with Sensex up 371.46 points or 0.76 percent at 49153.97, and the Nifty jumping 101.70 points or 0.71 percent at 14449. Among the sectors, the IT index jumped over 3 percent led by HCL Tech, Wipro and Infosys which jumped 4-5 percent each followed by Mphasis, TCS and Tech Mahindra. From the auto space, the top gainers included Tata Motors which spiked over 6 percent followed by Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, TVS Motor, Hero MotoCorp and Bharat Forge. Over 470 stocks hit new 52-week high on BSE including names like Tata Motors, Indiabulls Ventures, HCL Tech, Infosys, Wipro, Tata Elxsi, Ashok Leyland, Varun Beverages, Godrej Consumer, Maruti Suzuki, Presistent Systems, TCS, TVS Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Colgate Palmolive, Tata Consumer Products, Mindtree, Alkem Labs, MRF and Avenue Supermarts among others. India VIX jumped 8.96 percent and was trading at 22.49 levels. On the other hand, the metal index was down over a percent dragged by Hindustan Copper, Hindustan Zinc, SAIL, Tata Steel, Vedanta, NALCO and JSW Steel. Nifty midcap along with the smallcap index was trading in the red with the top losers from the midcap space being Indiabulls Housing Finance, LIC Housing Finance, L&T Finance, GMR Infra, RBL Bank and Vodafone Idea among others. From today members of An Garda Siochana can prosecute breaches of Travel Restrictions under Covid-19 Regulations by means of Fixed Charge Notice. A Regulation in the Health Act states that 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 has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting Public Health Regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce. From today, where breaches of the travel regulations are detected and a person does not comply with a direction of An Garda Siochana, a prosecution now can be commenced by means of a 100 Fixed Charge Notice. Where more appropriate, An Garda Siochana may seek a direction from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Speaking today Deputy Commissioner John Twomey, Policing and Security said, "An Garda Siochana continues to see significant compliance by the public with Public Health Regulations, however we also continue to see some activity which is in contravention of these regulations introduced to stop the current spread of Covid-19 and protect our communities. I appeal to every person without a reasonable excuse for travel - Stay at Home, this is your duty as a citizen and will save lives and support our front line services, nurses, doctors, hospital staff and my Garda colleagues at this time. The COVID-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives. More details on the fixed charge notice system can be found on the Garda website. As highlighted by An Garda Siochana 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. 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 Nepal's PM KP Sharma Oli, who was badly stranded in domestic politics, has again called the areas of Hindustan to divert the attention of the people of his country. Oli said that he would get back from India to Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh region. Oli triggered a border row last year after which his government came out with a new political map that showed Indian territories as part of Nepal, now the foreign minister-level talks between the two countries on the border dispute are also going to be held. Nepalese PM, who was trapped in China's clutches, made this attempt to incite India in his address to the National Assembly. Oli said that the withdrawal of these three areas is the most important task on the agenda of External Affairs Minister Pradeep Gyavali, who is going to India to discuss the border dispute. At the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Gyawali is likely to arrive in Hindustan on January 14 to attend the 6th Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting at the level of External Affairs Minister. Oli said that as per the Sugauli agreement, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh are located in the east of Mahakali River and part of Nepal. We are going to have diplomatic talks with India and our foreign ministers are also going to India. Today, we are facing difficulties in taking back our land, because after the Indo-China War in 1962, when the Indian armed forces started building their havens in these areas, the Nepalese rulers did not try to take back these areas. Continuing, Oli said that some people had said that after Nepal had shown these three areas in its map, its relationship with India could have deteriorated, but nothing happened. Now, there is a dialogue with India on the basis of friendship. He said Nepal will continue to take back its land at all times. Also Read:- Putin, Emmanuel Macron Discuss upcoming Moscow Meeting on Karabakh BJP chief JP Nadda to start from place where PM Modi blew up bugle of 2019 Farmers' Agitation: Tikait's warning 'Tractors should also run in parade on January 26' [January 11, 2021] Engine Media Appoints New Director Lawrence Rutkowski TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2021 /CNW/ -- Engine Media Holdings, Inc. ("Engine Media" or the "Company" (TSX-V: GAME) (OTCQB: MLLLF) has appointed Lawrence R. Rutkowski to its Board of Directors, effective January 8, 2021. Concurrently, Engine Media director, Peter Liabotis, has resigned from the Company's Board. "We are excited to have Larry join Engine Media's board as an independent director and member of our audit committee," said Tom Rogers, Engine Media's Executive Chairman. "We look forward to relying on his depth of experience in leading private and public companies as we continue our path forward." Mr. Rogers also offered his "appreciation to outgoing board member, Peter Liabotis, for his dedication, energy and insights in helping to bring Engine Media to where it is today." About Mr. Rutkowski Before joining Engine Media, Mr. Rutkowski has had a distinguished career as an executive for a diverse array of companies, including: Petco Exec. Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Warnaco Exec. Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Primedia Exec. Vice President & Chief Financial Officer NBC / General Electric SVP & CFO, Strategic Business Development Walt Disney Company, - Director/VP Finance, Network Television, Animation; VP/Controller Walt Disney Studios Mr. Rutkowski received a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in Education from the University of Michigan and received a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University. About Engine Media Holdings, Inc. Engine Media is focused on accelerating new, live, immersive esports and interactive gaming experiences for consumers through its partnerships with traditional and emerging media companies. The company was formed through the combination of Torque Esports Corp., Frankly Inc., and WinView, Inc. and trades publicly under the ticker symbol (TSX-V: GAME) (OTCQB: MLLLF). Engine Media will generate revenue through a combination of: direct-to-consumer and subscription fes; streaming technology and data SaaS-based offerings; programmatic advertising and sponsorships; as well as intellectual property licensing fees. To date, the combined companies clients have included more than 1,200 television, print and radio brands including CNN, ESPN, Discovery / Eurosport, Fox, Vice, Newsweek and Cumulus; dozens of gaming and technology companies including EA, Activision, Blizzard, Take2Interactive, Microsoft, Google, Twitch and Ubisoft; and have connectivity into hundreds of millions of homes around the world through their content, distribution and technology. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Engine Media to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Mr. Rutkowski's tenure on the Company's Board of Directors. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Engine Media's 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: expectations regarding existing products and plans to develop, implement or adopt new technology or products; expectations regarding the successful integration of recent acquisitions of WinView, Inc. and Frankly Inc.; the expectation of obtaining new customers for the Company's products and services; requirements for additional capital and future financing options; the completion of and our use of the proceeds of the Offering; and, those factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators, which may be viewed at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statement prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Engine Media cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Engine Media has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Engine Media as of the date of this press 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 Engine Media may elect to do so, Engine Media does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engine-media-appoints-new-director-lawrence-rutkowski-301205616.html SOURCE Engine Media Holdings, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (Courtesy of Sibonga Police Department's Women and Children Protection Desk via Hope for Strays) Dog Barks Relentlessly at Biker, Leads Him to Newborn Baby Abandoned at Dumpsite The residents of the Philippine town of Sibonga witnessed a double Christmas miracle last year all thanks to an incessantly barking dog and a caring motorcyclist. Junrell Fuentes Revilla, 36, was riding his bike on Christmas Eve morning when a black stray started barking at him. Pulling over to heed the dogs message, the motorcyclist was led toward a bundle near a garbage dumpsite. The bundle turned out to be a newborn baby boy wrapped in a towel and left unattendedcrying, with his umbilical cord and placenta still attached, reported Cebu Daily News. Revilla sprang into action and took the infant to Deiparine Community Hospital, reported Sibonga Police Departments Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD). The baby received treatment and is now safe under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The police launched an investigation, asking the residents of Sibonga, 50 kilometers southeast of Cebu City, to contribute any information that may lead to the identification of the mother, reported Cebu Daily News. Meanwhile, everyone thought the adorable heroic canine was a stray until a local rescue group, Hope For Strays, tracked down the dog and found that he is one out of the 10 pups owned by an animal lover, Kuya Lyndon. The founder of Hope For Strays, Gea Chei Ybarita, told The Epoch Times that the baby boy was placed in isolation for two weeks owing to the pandemic. After the quarantine period, the boy was discharged from the hospital and placed in the safe care of Sibonga MSWDO social welfare. Ybarita said the investigation to locate the babys family is still ongoing. Blacky, identified as one of 10 dogs owned by Kuya Lyndon Olingay of Barangay, Magcagong. (Courtesy of Hope for Strays) Hope For Strays shared that their organization functions with limited resources with nothing but a bike for their outreach ventures. Nonetheless, the rescue group didnt hesitate to partner with @pawssionproject to organize a fundraiser for Blackys family in hopes to give back to this amazing family for having raised such an intelligent and friendly dog. The rescue group posted on Facebook that Blackys owner told them although his family struggles financially, he ensures to feed all his dogs and take good care of them. The team gifted them groceries worth 10,000 Philippine pesos (approx. US$207), two sacks of rice, pet supplies worth 5,000 Philippine pesos (approx. US$104), and 5,000 Philippine pesos of monetary help for the family. Hope for Strays, in collaboration with @pawssionproject, presenting Blackys family with a reward for the smart dogs heroism. (Courtesy of Hope for Strays) It shows how compassionate and kind Blackys family is, the rescue group wrote. Kuya Lyndon was teary-eyed and could not express how grateful he is. This is a reminder to everyone that dogs too can save lives. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter After Twitter banned President Trump last week and Apple, Amazon, and Google all outlined plans to deplatform Parler the social network that became known as a home for the far right and followers of the conspiracy theory QAnon many Parler users began to post the same notice: Follow me on Gab. Thats the social network born in 2016 in a Philadelphia coworking space, and now based in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to SEC filings. It first drew national attention in 2018, after Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue shooter was revealed to be a Gab regular. As of April 2019, Gab claimed to have 900,000 registered accounts. Its now counting 600,000 new users per day [and] 39 million visits this week, Gab chief executive Andrew Torba said in an email Monday morning. He declined an interview request. In other posts, the company said it added 10 new servers to keep up with swelling demand. Functionality on the site, however, showed signs of straining its infrastructure. Loading speeds slowed to a crawl at times on Monday, and the site was for a time taken down for maintenance. Gabs claims about its user base have drawn skepticism in the past, in part based on its server capacity: The Southern Poverty Law Center, which calls Gab an organizing hub for white supremacists, reported last year that, based on its internet infrastructure, there was no way its user base was nearly a million strong. But many new accounts purported to be affiliated with Trump administration loyalists and Republican media figures have popped up in the last few days. And posts are drawing hundreds or thousands of likes and responses. Some have used the site to promote further militia activity, including an armed response to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. After Trumps Twitter account was removed, Torba tweeted that users should get in the ark, leaving Silicon Valley. Some of those who participated in last weeks insurrection were already there, and posted video and photos to Gab. Torba received at least one notice from a federal lawmaker urging Gab to preserve all content that may be relevant to investigations of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This mob was organized, coordinated, and in many cases broadcast via your communications services and products, Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, wrote in a letter to Torba last week. Efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice will inevitably involve digital evidence associated with those products and services. Torba, in a public response, claimed that Gab routinely cooperates with, and even proactively notifies, federal authorities when there is content which evidences a serious threat to life. But he seemed to defend the right to any speech that stops short of that. In their zeal to bend to woke political agendas or outside pressure groups, our contemporaries in the Valley forget the social importance of letting off steam and of exposing bad ideas, and bad people, to public scrutiny, he wrote. [January 11, 2021] OneLegacy Leads Nation in Deceased Donor Organ Transplants OneLegacy, the not-for-profit organ, eye and tissue recovery organization serving seven Southern California counties, announced today that in the year just concluded it once again led the nation in deceased donor organ transplants. In 2020, OneLegacy enabled the transplant of a record 1,661 organs from 548 donors, which is especially noteworthy given the dramatic impact and disruption the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the nation, the health care field, and donation and transplantation. "Even during the current pandemic, the generous act of donation and transplantation has continued, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services identified transplantation early on as a 'Do Not Postpone' procedure," said OneLegacy CEO Tom Mone. "During the uncertainty of 2020, donor hospitals and staff have been incredible in continuing to recognize the importance of fulfilling the wishes of donors and enabling donation. To these health care providers, donor families, recipients and transplant colleagues, we owe a world of gratitude for their continued caring about our community and our world." The record number of organs recovered by OneLegacy and transplanted in 2020 represents an increase of 2.5% over 2019 and marks the sixth consecutive year of record-breaking increases in lifesaving and healing organ donation and transplantation. In addition, more than 190,000 lives were healed, and their vision was restored through cornea and tissue donation in 2020; a number especially impressive given the COVID-caused ban on elective procedures. "Lifesaving transplants would not be possible without generous donors and their families who, in the midst of tragedy as they lose a loved one, find the courage to say 'yes' to donation," said Mone. "Our 2020 numbers reflect an increased understanding that donation is really about life, not death, as the act of donation leaves a legacy of life by saving and healing the lives of recipients, even during a pandemic." Setting a record number of donations during the current pandemic was not without challenges. Central among those were the need of transplant centers and donor hospitals to free p ICU beds, ventilators and staff for COVID-19 patients, all resources which normally support organ donors. As such, in the spring of 2020, OneLegacy made arrangements to either transport organ donors to its Redlands Recovery Center, transfer donors to less-impacted facilities, and/or work with hospitals to recover organs more rapidly than usual in order to help free up ICU beds. OneLegacy also instituted practice modifications designed to prevent contagion and to ensure the health and safety of recipients, family members and health care staff. Due to these additional measures, OneLegacy was able to report no cases of workplace-acquired COVID among the team. Among those reflecting on OneLegacy's commitment during the pandemic was Abril Guerrero, mother of a deceased donor who expressed thanks for "everything that you did to honor my son. You honored him with a flag and the honor walk when I could not be there for him due to COVID-19. Donation is a lovely thing to do for others. It takes lots of love when the medical team saves lives, and it makes them very happy to be able to help people." The 2020 performance by OneLegacy is part of a nationwide increase in donation as the number of people on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ has decreased by 10% over the past five years. The result is that the United States has a world-leading deceased organ donor transplant rate of 111 organs transplanted per million population; and when living donors are included, the U.S. also leads the world at 134 organs transplanted per million population. Further, preliminary data from Europe suggests that the U.S. will likely lead the world with 38 deceased donors per million population. "Organ donation performance in 2020 shows the U.S. donation and transplantation system continues its decadelong continuous growth as the international leader in caring for the population suffering from organ failure," said Mone. Despite these numbers, Mone says that "there is still a lot of work to be done" as the need for transplants is growing far faster than potential donors. More than 108,000 Americans are still waiting to receive a lifesaving heart, liver, lung, kidney and/or pancreas; and, tragically, 22 people die needlessly each day while waiting for a second chance at life. "The opportunity to donate and to receive a lifesaving transplant knows no national, ethnic or religious boundaries, nor sexual orientation," said Mone, while pointing out that one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can help as many as 75 others heal. "That drives us to help every Southern Californian to choose to register to be an organ donor at the DMV and at donatelifecalifornia.org and to explore the option to be a living donor for a friend or family member." About OneLegacy OneLegacy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in seven counties in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange (News - Alert) , Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern. It serves more than 200 hospitals, 10 transplant centers, a diverse population of nearly 20 million, donors and families across the region, and waiting recipients across the country. For more information, visit onelegacy.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005960/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Malaysian authorities have not been helpful in providing medical assistance to the ill crew members. Ukrainian diplomats are exploring the possibility of providing assistance to two citizens of Ukraine sick on COVID-19, who are part of the crew of the SFL Kate vessel anchored in Malaysia waters. Oleh Nikolenko, speaker for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, made the relevant statement via Twitter on Monday, January 11. "The Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia is in touch with Ukrainian sailors. In cooperation with the ship owner, the possibility of a doctor's visit to the ship to provide emergency medical assistance is urgently being worked out," Nikolenko said. Earlier today, RFE/RL reported that the Malaysian authorities, despite promises, have not been providing assistance to eight COVID-19 patients among the crew of the SFL Kate bulk vessel for several days after the vessel anchored in the country's waters. Read alsoChina says WHO COVID-19 origins probe team to arrive Jan 14 mediaAmong them are two Ukrainians - Captain Ihor Starytsky (Crimea) and chief engineer Valery Hryhoriev (Kyiv). Before anchoring off Malaysia coast, the captain was refused entry to the Singapore waters on reports that eight crew members had tested positive for coronavirus. Memo SFL Kate is transporting coal from Indonesia to India. It sailed off on December 25 and the sick captain experienced the first symptoms of COVID-19 on January 1-2. Reporting by UNIAN Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Portugal has suffered record numbers of coronavirus deaths and infections, making a new lockdown unavoidable, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said Monday. At a cabinet meeting Wednesday, the government will decide restrictions similar to those imposed during the first lockdown last March, Costa said. He was speaking after health officials reported a record 122 deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing Portugal's overall toll to 7,965. On Friday, officials logged a record 10,176 new cases over a 24-hour period. A total of 3,983 COVID-19 patients are currently in hospitala new highincluding 567 in intensive care. "We are certainly facing a third wave" of the virus, Costa told journalists Monday. Health Minister Marta Temido, blaming the recent surge in cases on the Christmas period and the cold snap, said the only solution is to bring down infection levels. The government will consult public health experts on Tuesday before discussing how best to strengthen the restrictions already in place since early November. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said on Saturday that "there's no alternative but a general lockdown." The remark came during a debate ahead of January 24 polls in which Rebelo de Sousa is seeking re-election. 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. BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tesla CEO Elon Musk has recently praised the Chinese government for being very responsive to its people's needs and happiness, suggesting it could be "better" than the U.S. government in addressing such concerns. Dedicating itself to the mission of serving the people, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the world's most populous country to major victories in its fights against COVID-19 and poverty, winning applause from foreign experts and officials. PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST With a strong leadership core, a people-oriented governance philosophy and well-established organization and operation mechanisms, the CPC immediately took decisive measures after the COVID-19 outbreak. Starting on Jan. 3, 2020, on a regular basis, China began to update the World Health Organization, relevant countries and regional organizations, as well as its own regions of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, on the development of the disease. Meanwhile, the country has released authoritative and detailed information to its people as early as possible to effectively respond to public concerns and build public consensus. The Chinese government has provided free medical treatment for COVID-19 patients. All COVID-19 patients, confirmed or suspected, received subsidies from the state for any medical bills not covered by basic medical insurance, serious disease insurance, or the medical assistance fund. Severe cases were treated by the best doctors using the most advanced equipment, and critical supplies were pooled to save lives at all costs. Temporary treatment centers, or Fangcang shelter hospitals, were built in pandemic epicenters, a major innovative solution that helped turn the tide in the battle against COVID-19 in China. During the fight, some 4 million Chinese community workers were working in around 650,000 urban and rural communities to guard against the disease, while millions of Chinese medical workers were grappling with the epidemic at the frontlines across the country. To help other countries plagued by the pandemic, China has pledged to make its vaccines a global public good and called for joint efforts to build a community of health for all. POVERTY ALLEVIATION The remarkable achievements made on the front of poverty alleviation also epitomize the people-centered philosophy of the CPC. In 2020, all of China's nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line had left poverty behind after eight years of efforts. All 832 poor counties have now been lifted out of poverty. The per capita net income of the poor rose from 3,416 yuan (about 510.90 U.S. dollars) in 2015 to 9,808 yuan (about 1,466.80 dollars) in 2019, an average annual growth of 30.2 percent. Financial support, medical resources as well as technological elements have been pouring into the country's rural areas, the frontier of the historic anti-poverty fight. As of the end of August 2020, the China Development Bank had issued 1.5 trillion yuan (about 224.3 billion dollars) in loans to support poverty relief during the past five years, the policy bank said. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 major urban hospitals in China have delivered paired assistance to hospitals in over 800 poor counties during the country's 13th Five-Year Plan period, official figures showed. Moreover, people in 98 percent of poor villages in areas of extreme poverty now have broadband access, which has vastly narrowed the urban-rural digital gap. At the same time, China has built 1,290 innovation and entrepreneurial platforms in poor areas and sent 289,800 sci-tech experts to rural areas since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. APPLAUSE FROM THE WORLD Musk's praise of China has been echoed by other foreign experts and officials, who hold the opinion that the CPC regards the interests of the people as its top priority. The fundamental aim of the CPC is to serve the people heart and soul, said Kingphet Mongkhonvilay, a senior official from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. In the face of the pandemic, the CPC has clearly demonstrated its dedication to the interests of the people, Mongkhonvilay added. "As soon as the Chinese government knew about the severity of this epidemic, they moved the priority to saving lives," said Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club. No other country could get thousands of doctors and nurses to Hubei, once the hardest-hit province in China, within days, said Perry, adding China's response was "first class." The CPC has united "the sectors of the society to act together as a single entity," said Martin Albrow, a British sociologist based in London. "This aspect of social governance is the secret behind China's success in combatting COVID-19 that leaves the West scratching its head for an explanation," Albrow added. Ali al-Hefny, Egypt's former ambassador to China and former deputy foreign minister, said he agrees with Musk's praise of China. "Musk's comment came after what he had experienced during his business expansion of eco-friendly cars" in China, where the government has emphasized many times it would raise the people's living and welfare standards, said al-Hefny. "China has been praised for taking millions out of poverty," said Misheck Mwanza, an ex-diplomat and former director of the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies. It is the leadership of the CPC that helped achieve this, Mwanza said. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is apparently taking a break from politics until after Vision 2030. The impeached county boss made the announcement during the funeral ceremony of Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnrs uncle on Saturday, January 9. Citing President Uhurus 11 year sabbatical from politics, Sonko said he will be taking a decade-long break. At the same time, the controversial political figure said he will withdraw a case stopping Nairobis gubernatorial by-election. I will stay away from politics for 10 years since people say Gods time is the best. Even when Uhuru failed in 2002 he waited until 2013. Nairobi is bigger than anyone. Because Nairobi is big and it needs a leader, Im ready to withdraw the case for people to elect their own chosen Governor, he said. Sonko added that Nairobians deserve to elect the governor they want. It is a must for Nairobi residents to get the Governor they want. Not to bring in someone who was elected which is not lawful. They need to go for a by-election and elect the person whom they love through the ballot, he stated. While businesses in the Lake Houston area had to cope through nearly a year of turmoil from a pandemic, local leaders suggest that there is a sense of cautious optimism for 2021. The more established a business is, the easier it has been to manage through the economic difficulties brought on by the pandemic, according to Mark Mitchell, chief economic development officer for Partnership Lake Houston. Businesses that have been open for less than five years have struggled the most due to the pandemic, Mitchell said. ECONOMY: Unemployment claims rise in Texas It feels like since the (COVID-19) vaccine has been made available, I think companies and smaller businesses are feeling a little bit more confident now, Mitchell said. And so were starting to see a lot more activity as the beginning of the year roles out. Region-wide, the outlook is more bleak experts expect Houstons economy to recover more slowly after suffering the additional blow of an oil bust. Job growth in greater Houston is forecast to be weak in 2021. The Greater Houston Partnership, a business-financed economic development group, projects job gains of between 35,000 and 52,000 jobs next year, compared to gains of 62,000 in 2019 and 82,000 in 2018. Bill Gilmer, a University of Houston economist, forecasts regional employment will grow by just over 1 percent, or about 40,000 jobs, before accelerating in 2022. Yet, even the rosiest job growth projections next year will barely make a dent in the more than 200,000 jobs the region has lost so far during the pandemic, said Patrick Jankowski, senior vice president of research at the Greater Houston Partnership. The recovery isnt going to happen by the government simply telling us to go back to work, Jankowski said. Its going to be hard. However, there are some additional relief options available to businesses in the Lake Houston area. Partnership Lake Houston will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 13 with U.S. Small Business Administration Houston Director Tim Jeffcoat to discuss financial information for businesses in the community now available due to the 2021 COVID-19 Relief Bill. According to representatives from Partnership Lake Houston, getting in touch with local financial advisers and banks is the first step toward making a plan under these circumstances. The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, now known as Partnership Lake Houston, was a major leader in the community in resiliency efforts following Hurricane Harvey. However, a pandemic has had longer-lasting effects than a typical natural disaster. They are still working now to couple businesses with resources, including connecting owners with local bankers. I mean the difference with like Harvey versus the pandemic is Harvey lasted for a week, and then we were in a rebuild mode for the next 24 to 36 months, Mitchell said. The pandemic has gone on for the better part of a year, and were still trying to come out of the woods with it. So its a different dynamic. BUSINESS: Construction workers claim wage theft at Sheldon ISD project Businesses have been adjusting through the pandemic but Jenna Armstrong, President and CEO of Partnership Lake Houston, said those adjustments are include layoffs. The ones Ive talked to, theyre ready to get the business back to hire their staff back, Armstrong said. So theres a lot of small businesses that are stretched thin, and theyre hanging on. And they do have the mindset that were going to get through this, but its still challenging for them, for sure. For an area that has already been victim to a natural disaster, some financial support can overlap. By joining the webinar Armstrong said business owners will be able to have essential questions answered. While there are a lot of different opportunities and funding sources, it can be a little bit overwhelming not knowing whats the right strategy, Armstrong said. To register for the SBA Business Webinar: Covid Relief Funding, visit Partnership Lake Houstons website here. Additional reporting by Paul Takahashi savannah.mehrtens@chron.com [January 11, 2021] CES 2021: Kingston Digital Introduces Workflow Product Series Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announces the Workflow Station and accompanying Readers. Aptly named, the dock enhances content creators' post-production workflow. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005202/en/ Kingston's Workflow Station and Readers give users the freedom to create and customize a file offload setup that fits their needs allowing them to transfer video, photos, and audio from multiple sources at once. (Photo: Business Wire) Kingston's Workflow Station and Readers give users the freedom to create and customize a file offload setup that fits their needs allowing them to transfer video, photos, and audio from multiple sources at once1. Whether on a 4K/8K multi-cam shoot with portable audio recorders or filming B-Roll with drones and GoPros, with the customizable Workflow Station Dock you can simultaneously connect the USB miniHub, SD or microSD readers that the shoot requires to transfer footage quickly. Workflow Readers can also be used standalone by connecting to a laptop via the included USB-C cable giving users the flexibility to have their workflow on-the-go. Whether shooting on location or working back at your desk, Kingston Is With You. "It's not just the flexibility of the Workflow Station and its Readers that is sure to aid content creators, but also the speed," said Carissa Blegen, product manager, Kingston. "Workflow Station products support incredible USB 3.2 speeds, which together with Kingston's high-performance memory cards and USB flash drives get users through the post-production process faster than ever." Workflow Station and Readers are backed by a two-year warranty with free technical support. For more information visit kingston.com. If you're virtually attending CES (News - Alert) and would like to schedule a meeting with Kingston, members of the media may email pr@kingston.com. Workflow Station and Readers Features and Specifications: Offload Files Quicker 1 : Transfer video, photos, and audio from multiple sources at once. Transfer video, photos, and audio from multiple sources at once. Flexible Workflow System 1 : Use only the hub and readers that fit your setup. Use only the hub and readers that fit your setup. Portable Versatility: Use the card readers on-the-go via their included USB-C. Use the card readers on-the-go via their included USB-C. Incredible Performance: Workflow Station products support USB 3.2 speeds which get you to editing quicker. Workflow Station (Dock and USB miniHub): Interface: Dock: USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB miniHub: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connector: Dock: USB-C USB miniHub: USB-C Supported USB Inputs: USB miniHub: USB-A, USB-C Package Includes: [Workflow] Dock, USB miniHub, USB-C to USB-C cable, power adapter, 4 power adapter country converters, and quick start guide Dimensions: Dock: 160.27 x 70.27 x 55.77 mm USB miniHub: 62.87x16.87x50mm Weight: Dock: 292g USB miniHub: 30g Operating temperature: -0C~60C Storage temperature: -25C~85C Warranty/support: 2-year warranty with free technical support Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, Mac OS (v.10.10.x +) [Workflow] SD Reader Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connector: USB-C Supported Cards: Supports UHS-II SD cards. Backwards-compatible with UHS-I SD cards Package Includes: Dual slot SD reader, USB-C to USB-C cable, and quick start guide Dimensions: 62.87mm x 16.87mm x 50mm Weight: 31g Operating temperature: -0C~60C Storage temperature: -25C~85C Warranty/support: 2-year warranty with free technical support Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, Mac OS (v.10.10.x +) [Workflow] microSD Reader Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connector: USB-C Supported Cards: Supports UHS-II microSD cards. Backwards-compatible with UHS-I microSD cards Package Includes: Dual slot microSD reader, USB-C to USB-C cable, and quick start guide Dimensions: 62.87mm x 16.87mm x 50mm Weight: 29g Operating temperature: -0C~60C Storage temperature: -25C~85C Warranty/support: 2-year warranty with free technical support Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, Mac OS (v.10.10.x +) Workflow Product Series Workflow Station Workflow SD Reader Workflow microSD Reader WFS-U WFS-SD WFS-SDC Operating System USB 2.0 USB 3.0/USB 3.1/USB 3.2 Windows 10 Yes Yes Windows 8.1 Yes Yes Windows 8 Yes Yes Mac OS (v. 10.10.x +) Yes Yes USB Type-C and USB-C are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. 1 Compatible with Kingston [Workflow] Products only. [Workflow Station] includes Dock and USB miniHub. SD/microSD readers sold separately. Kingston can be found on: YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kingston Is With You About Kingston Technology Company, Inc. From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver the solutions used to live, work and play. The world's largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com. Editor's Note: For additional information, evaluation units or executive interviews, please contact David Leong, Kingston Technology Company, Inc. 17600 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, CA (News - Alert) USA 92708, 714-438-1817 (Voice). Press images can be found in Kingston's press room here. Kingston and the Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. IronKey (News - Alert) is a registered trademark of Kingston Digital, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005202/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Giant megatooth sharks among the largest predators ever to exist on Earth grew so large by feeding on the unhatched eggs of their siblings in the womb, new research suggests. Also known as Megalodons, the now-extinct carnivores dominated the oceans 15 million to 3.6 million years ago, growing up to 50 feet (15 metres) in length. According to a new study published in the journal Historical Biology, they were typically already larger than most humans when they emerged from the womb, with a length of around 6.6 feet. This suggests that Megalodons gave live birth to possibly the largest babies in the shark world. The giant fish has a rich fossil record but, like most other extinct sharks, its biology remains poorly understood because it is primarily known only from its teeth. However, some remains of gigantic vertebrae have been discovered. Recommended Ancient megalodon shark tooth a big as human hand found In a bid to shed more light on the role large carnivores play in the evolution of marine ecosystems, researchers used a CT scanning technique to analyse incremental growth bands similar to tree rings in Megalodon vertebral specimens housed in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences to discover more about the creatures reproductive biology, growth and life expectancy. Measuring up to 6 inches in diameter, the vertebrae were previously estimated to have come from an individual about 30 feet in length, based on comparisons with the vertebrae of modern great white sharks. The images revealed the vertebrae to have 46 growth bands, thought to form annually, suggesting the Megalodon specimen died at the age of 46. However, a growth curve model based on the vertebrae appears to indicate a life expectancy of at least 88-100 years, according to lead author Kenshu Shimada, a paleobiologist at DePaul University in Chicago. And by back-calculating its body length when each band formed, the scientists were able to deduce its likely length at birth around 6.6 feet which indicates that the giant sharks were sufficiently large at birth to compete with other predators and avoid being eaten. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary Results from this work shed new light on the life history of Megalodon, not only how Megalodon grew, but also how its embryos developed, how it gave birth and how long it could have lived, said co-author Martin Becker, of New Jerseys William Paterson University. Researchers say the data also suggests that, like all present-day lamniform sharks a group containing some of the most recognisable species, such as great whites embryonic Megalodon grew inside its mother by feeding on unhatched eggs in the womb a practice known as oophagy, a form of intrauterine cannibalism. The outcome is that only a few embryos will survive and develop, but those that do will be considerably larger at birth. Although likely to be energetically costly for the mother, this process gives newborns an advantage by reducing the chance of being eaten by other predators, Dr Shimada said. These early-hatched embryos, at least in the case of sandtiger sharks, can occasionally even feed on other hatched siblings for nourishment, the researchers noted. "As one of the largest carnivores that ever existed on Earth, deciphering such growth parameters of O. megalodon is critical to understand the role large carnivores play in the context of the evolution of marine ecosystems," Dr Shimada said. The discoveries were made by the same team of researchers who established the Megalodons vast size in a paper published in October, which noted that sharks were able to grow larger than they had previously after the age of dinosaurs came to an end. Co-author Matthew Bonnan, of New Jerseys Stockton University, said: My students and I examine spiny dogfish shark anatomy in class and to think that a baby Megalodon was nearly twice as long as the largest adult sharks we examine is mind-boggling. Amazon booted Parler, a social media platform popular with President Donald Trumps supporters, off its web-hosting service over night after Apple and Google removed it from their app stores. Parler could be offline for a week due to Amazons action, Parler CEO John Matze said. That prediction may be optimistic since the platform will need to be rebuilt from scratch, The Associated Press reports. On Friday, Google yanked it from its app store for allowing postings that seek to incite ongoing violence in the U.S. Apple joined Google on Saturday after giving Parler a day to address complaints it was being used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities, the report said. Apple could reinstate the app if public safety issues are resolved, the company said. On Saturday, Amazon informed Parler of its intention to pull web-hosting services for the platform. That went into effect at midnight Sunday, The AP reports. In the weeks prior, Amazon had informed Parler of 98 examples of posts that clearly encourage and incite violence and said the platform poses a very real risk to public safety. Without access to the Google and Apple app stores, Parlers reach is severely limited - though it had continued to be available through web browser, the report said. Losing Amazon Web Services means Parler needs a new web host and must re-engineer its platform. Matze decried the punishments as a coordinated attack by the tech giants to kill competition in the marketplace. We were too successful too fast, he said in a Saturday night post, The AP reports. Parler is having a lot of trouble rebuilding because vendors are refusing to work with the company following the tech giants actions. Founded in 2018, Parler claims 12 million users, the report said. However, mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower says its 10 million worldwide, with 8 million in the United States, the report said. READ MORE: Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday extended the interim relief of no coercive action against actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel till January 25 in connection with an FIR registered against them under sedition and other charges. The HC also directed the city police not to summon the duo for questioning till then. Ranaut and her sister appeared before Bandra police in Mumbai on January 8 for recording their statement in the case, pursuant to an assurance given to HC in November last year. The FIR, under sedition charges and for allegedly trying to create hatred and communal tension" through their posts on social media, was registered pursuant to orders passed by the Bandra magistrates court, directing the police to carry out an inquiry against Ranaut and her sister following a complaint lodged against them. A division bench of Justices S S Shinde and Manish Pitale was hearing a petition filed by the sisters, seeking to quash the FIR and the order passed by the magistrate on October 17 last year. Public prosecutor Deepak Thakare informed the court on Monday that the petitioners appeared before the police on January 8 from 1 pm to 3 pm. She (Ranaut) left even before we could complete the interrogation, claiming she has professional commitments. We will call her again for interrogation. What is wrong in cooperating," Thakare said. To this, Justice Pitale said, She (Ranaut) was there for two hours. Is this not enough? How many more hours do you (police) need for cooperation?" Thakare then said the police want to question her for three more days. Advocate Rizwan Merchant, appearing for complainant Sahil Ashraf Ali Sayyed, sought time to file an affidavit in response to the petition. The court then adjourned the matter till January 25. The interim relief by way of no coercive action against the petitioners shall continue till then. The police shall not call the petitioners till that day," the court said. Justice Shinde then said this is not the only case the Bandra police have. The police can investigate other cases until then," he said. The court also reiterated its remarks made on the last hearing over the polices action of invoking Indian Penal Code Section 124(A) for sedition in the case. We anyways have serious reservations about invoking section 124(A) in this case," Justice Shinde said. Merchant and Thakare told the court that despite an assurance given by the petitioner (Ranaut) that she would not post anything on her social media pertaining to this case, Ranaut posted several messages on Twitter, including one on the day she went to the police station. She went to the extent of saying that she is being tortured," Merchant said. The court said it would consider all these issues on January 25. The sisters in their plea have termed the magistrates order as arbitrary and perverse". Their petition said the magistrate passed the order without proper application of mind". The petition sought that the HC quash the magistrates order and the FIR lodged by the Bandra police. The plea also sought interim orders to the police to not take any coercive steps against the sisters and stay the summons issued to them. A Bexar County Sheriffs Office bailiff is facing termination after he was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a female family member that was reported in December. Gerard Mamorno, 40, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Sheriff Javier Salazar said the allegations against Mamorno were brought on Dec. 8. Mamorno was placed on administrative leave that day. The girl, who is now 7-years-old and lives in another state, told authorities at her school that she was assaulted by Mamorno in either 2016 or 2017 when she was living in Texas, Salazar said. Let me take this time to commend her for having the courage to come forward and for the authorities she outcried to to get in touch with the right people that she needed to, Salazar said. According to the affidavit, Mamorno immediately requested a meeting with his supervisor when he learned of the allegations and admitted to touching the girl as a medical check. The girl, however, told authorities Mamorno forcibly touched her a second time while the two were sleeping in a hammock together, the affidavit said. On Friday, Salazar said detectives found enough evidence to arrest Mamorno and search his home. He declined to speak with a detective when brought to BCSO headquarters, the sheriff said. In April 2017, Mamorno was rehired to work for the sheriffs office, where he has served off and on for about seven years, Salazar said. Officials said they will serve Mamorno termination papers while he is in jail. Mamorno's bail was set at $85,000. He has since been released from jail, court records show. KURNOOL: An Intermediate first-year girl student of the Gurukula social welfare college was found dead on the steps of the hostel dormitory in Veldurthi mandal headquarters town late on Saturday night. The deceased was N. Pushpalatha (16), a native of Dhurgapeta of Bethamcherla mandal. District collector G. Veera Pandian ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death. According to police, she reached the hostel from her native village on Monday when the college hostel reopened. She was found in a lifeless state by hostel students who immediately informed the hostel authority and the police. She was rushed to Kurnool Government General Hospital at night and the doctors confirmed her death. On Sunday, the collector along with district SP K. Fakeerappa visited the hospital and also the college hostel and made preliminary enquiries. The collector later ordered a magisterial inquiry. A special committee with Atmakur DSP Y. Shruthi has been formed to probe the matter. The collector and the SP met parents of the girl and consoled them. The collector said arrests will be made once the culprits are identified. Denton, TX (76205) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 86F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. S winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressing rally in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (Image- ANI) The country is staring at a food crisis because of the "adamant" approach of the BJP to the continued agitation by farmers for withdrawal of the three new farm laws, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday. She also called the BJP a "junk" party for inducting "rotten" leaders from other political outfits. "The country is staring at a food crisis. If the BJP continues to remain adamant on the farm laws, there will be a food shortage in our country. The farmers are assets of our country and we should not do anything that goes against their interest," she said. The TMC supremo also demanded immediate repeal of the three farm laws, as being demanded by farmers agitating at Delhi's borders. She also unleashed a stinging attack on the BJP over the party inducting a raft of leaders from other political parties. "BJP is the biggest junk party in the country. It's a dustbin party that is filling up its rank and file with corrupt and rotten leaders from other parties. "You must have seen some (TMC) leaders switch over to the BJP. They have done it to protect the public money they had looted. The BJP runs the party like a washing machine, where corrupt leaders turn into saints the moment they join them," she said, addressing a rally here in Nadia district. She also drew a parallel between BJP cadres and supporters of US President Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol recently. "The day the BJP loses elections, its cadre and suppoters will behave like that," she claimed. We hope you enjoyed winter break and were excited to welcome you back to campus but dont bother returning without a negative COVID-19 test, is the message many New Jersey universities are sending students in advance of the spring semester. Policies range in strictness some are requiring anyone returning to campus to produce a negative test, while others are only designating certain groups, like students in dorms, for required testing. With perhaps the most robust pre-semester testing policy, Rowan University is insisting any students coming to campus in any capacity produce a negative COVID-19 test result within 10 days of their arrival on campus. Their spring semester begins on Jan. 25 and the university plans to phase back in in-person instruction, starting a number of courses remotely but then expecting to increase in-person meetings. Nasal swab test kits will be sent to students homes for free through LabCorp. Theyll then be asked to self-collect a sample and send it back to a lab by dropping it off at a FedEx dropbox. Once they learn their results, theyll have to upload their test results online before receiving the OK to attend any in-person classes or move into a dorm. Students can also provide proof of a negative test result elsewhere, without submitting the pre-paid, pre-addressed package back to the lab. At Stevens Institute of Technology, where first-year, transfer, graduating senior and new graduate students can take in-person classes in the spring, students and faculty must be tested five days or earlier before returning to campus and once a week for the rest of the semester. Students will also be asked to upload their results to a university portal and will then receive an email permitting them to return. The requirement includes anybody teaching, doing research, taking classes, working or living on campus as well as any property leased by the university. Beyond which groups are required to test, the timeline for providing a negative result differs school to school. Only students living in residence halls will be asked to show a negative test result at Montclair University for its hybrid semester, but the test must be performed no more than three days before returning, a University Communications staff member said. Inversely, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is directing all students attending in-person classes to provide a negative test, though it may be performed within three weeks of returning to campus. Rutgers will require two tests, though the directive only applies to students moving into on-campus housing, as almost all classes will be conducted remotely. Students will be asked to test one to three weeks prior to moving in and then again during move-in. Some universities are suggesting students test beforehand, without mandating it. Seton Hall University is asking that students either quarantine at home for two weeks or provide a negative test prior to the start of its hybrid semester. Stockton University, on the other hand, is not requiring testing at all, though students coming from out of state for its hybrid semester will be asked to come to campus early to quarantine, according to a school spokesperson. Once students arrive back on campuses around the end of January, most schools will continue to require testing throughout the semester. After a number of schools opted for almost entirely remote instruction in the fall, the spring start represents a new phase for students and universities, with some re-opening their campus gates to the entire student population for the first time since a frenzied exodus back in March. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. (Alliance News) - Lekoil Ltd on Monday said it has named Michael Ajukwu as its new chair, just days after he was formerly appointed to the Nigeria-focused oil firm's board. Lekoil shares were 13% higher at 1.98 pence each in London on Monday morning. The stock is however down 79% from a year ago. Ajukwu, Thomas Richardson and George Maxwell joined Lekoil's board on Friday after voters at an extraordinary general meeting backed motions proposed by shareholder Metallon Corp Ltd. Ajukwu replaces UK Conservative Party MP Mark Simmonds who was in the post for a year before saying on Friday he would step aside. Back in December, Metallon, which has a 15% stake, proposed the addition of three non-executive directors to "bolster the management oversight and governance" at Lekoil. Metallon at the time said it was not seeking to take control of the company. Days later, Lekoil fired back, labelling Metallon's proposals as "no more than an ill-disguised attempt" to take control of the company. It had said that should Metallon's proposals be passed, the shareholder's appointees would represent 50% of Lekoil's board and also would have a casting vote. "The board does not believe that it would be appropriate for a 15% shareholder, to enjoy that level of board representation and control over the company. Metallon has been a shareholder for less than six months," Lekoil said last month. The friction between Lekoil and Metallon brought more unwanted attention to the oil firm, which roughly a year ago confirmed it had duped by fake investors. The company at the start of January 2020 said it had agreed a loan with the Qatar Investment Authority to fund drilling and development at the Ogo field off the coast of Nigeria. However, Lekoil later said representatives from the QIA had questioned the validity of the loan agreement. It also confirmed it had paid USD600,000 to Seawave Investment Ltd which acted as an introducer to those "purporting to be the QIA". By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. BROOKLYN, New York, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 -The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has received a Student Support Services TRIO grant for more than $2.0 million over five years (~$430,000 per year beginning in 2021) to fund the TRIO Scholars Program , designed to identify, prepare, support, and motivate college students from less financially advantaged and underrepresented in STEM backgrounds. The TRIO programs , administered, funded, and implemented by the U.S. Department of Education, are focused on low-income, first-generation college students -- or students who have a documented disability -- to ensure their success in the completion of their post-secondary education. A comprehensive lineup of services and activities available to TRIO Scholars includes academic tutoring, financial aid counseling, career and college mentoring, workshops, cultural and social opportunities, guidance in course selection, grants and scholarships, peer instruction, tutoring, and exam prep. NYU Tandon has participated in the TRIO Program, awarded every five years, since 1978. Authorized by the Higher Education Act, TRIO recognizes that students whose parents do not have higher degrees experience more challenges at college than others. The approximately 10,000 TRIO Scholars who have graduated since the program's inception at NYU Tandon have gone on to careers in chemical, electrical, software, network, and other engineering fields, as well as in animation, game and software development, consulting, and much more. Currently, 250 Tandon undergraduate students are participating in the TRIO Program, with a projected 1,000 to participate during the period of the grant. This support is even more essential at a time of a global pandemic. We need to encourage, support and do everything in our power to grow diversity in STEM and increase the pipeline to STEM jobs that are increasing every day. "I want to extend my congratulations to the NYU Tandon School of Engineering on receiving vital funding for its TRIO program," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) New York. "For decades, this program has served as a launchpad for America's low-income and first-generation students to access quality higher education, while helping to diversify our STEM workforce. These scholars help drive innovation and foster vigorous economic growth, which we need more than ever to help rebuild New York after this devastating pandemic." "It is our top priority -- and an essential part of our history and our identity -- to make engineering diverse by creating opportunities for students from communities underrepresented in STEM," said Jelena Kovacevi? , Dean of NYU Tandon. "By providing a broad range of services to help students succeed, Student Support Services has made a vital difference in our efforts to cultivate a diverse student body through outreach, engagement and support of those who may very well be the first in their family to go to college." "For over 40 years, the TRIO Scholars Program has played an invaluable role in our efforts to provide a rich secondary education experience in STEM for those who otherwise may have never had this opportunity," said Nicole Johnson, Assistant Dean for Opportunity Programs and Director of the TRIO Scholars Program. "We are especially gratified to have the program's support at a time when a global pandemic is creating even more hurdles for students without the kinds of support that many of us take for granted." "The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the systemic inequality and financial hardship which keep promising students from succeeding in college," said Maureen Hoyler, the president of the nonprofit Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C., which is dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. "Student Support Services is needed now more than ever." ### About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences as part of a global university, with close connections to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. NYU Tandon is rooted in a vibrant tradition of entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and innovative solutions to humanity's most pressing global challenges. Research at Tandon focuses on vital intersections between communications/IT, cybersecurity, and data science/AI/robotics systems and tools and critical areas of society that they influence, including emerging media, health, sustainability, and urban living. We believe diversity is integral to excellence, and are creating a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable environment for all of our students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu . If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. California Rep. Devin Nunes said on Sunday that federal authorities should start an investigation on Apple, Amazon and Google for racketeering after the tech companies imposed a Parler ban. The Parler ban was done by the tech giants after they said the app, which is popular among right-wing users, was not doing enough to moderate talks about violence, reported Newsmax. Prior to the Parler ban, the social network branded itself as a "free speech app" in place of Twitter and Facebook. Since Amazon cut ties with them, Parler will be temporarily down until a new hosting service takes them in, reported BBC. Talking to Fox News, Nunes called on the Department of Justice and the FBI to act on the Parler ban. Related story: Google, Apple Suspend 'Free Speech' Parler App in Wake of Capitol Riot "This is clearly a violation of anti-trust, civil rights, the RICO statute," Nunes said. "There should be a racketeering investigation on all the people that coordinated this attack on not only a company, but on all of those like us." He was making a reference to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, that was used by federal prosecutors to disband organized crime syndicates, noted a Newsweek report. Nunes Said Parler Ban Blocks 'Very, Very Safe Platform' Also during the Fox News interview, Nunes talked about his experiences in using Parler. He said that with the app's temporary shutdown, he will no longer to able to communicate with his three million Parler followers. He also labelled other social media sites as "fake" and touted Parler for allowing its users to get certified. "There's a number, it's actually a very, very safe platform," he said. Nunes also said that if someone did break the law on the app, the FBI can subpoena to find out who was responsible for the illegal activity. For Nunes, the Parler ban prevents people from using a "free and open social media company or site for any American to get on" and also "destroyed" the right-wing heavy site. Amazon, Google and Apple's ban on the Parler app was made after President Donald Trump was suspended from his personal Twitter account due to "the risk of further incitement of violence" following Wednesday's Capitol riot. The DOJ and FBI did not offer immediate comment on Nunes' calls. Social Network Sites Demand Changes Before Lifting Parler Ban The three tech companies reiterated that they found that the app was in violation of their terms of service and argued that their choice to impose a Parler ban was within the parameters of freedom of speech. Hours before Amazon reportedly planned to suspend Parler from the Amazon Web Services (AWS) it said the app did not effectively deal with a steady increase of violent content. Read also: Fact Check: Did President Trump Watch Live Streams of Capitol Riot From a Private Party Nearby Screenshots were taken from the app showing user posts that openly discussed violence at the rally prior to the Capitol riot. Some discussed bringing weapons and how they could be used on political opponents. The app was also booted of the Google and Apple App Stores for the same reasons. Until Parler made adequate measures to address this, they will stay off the said App Stores. However, it may still be available in other android app stores. New South Wales has recorded three new local cases of coronavirus and a further eight in hotel quarantine. All the local cases are linked to the Berala cluster and are close contacts of a previously reported case. Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who has returned from a week of leave, said contact tracers are in the process of 'mopping up' the western Sydney outbreak, which emerged on 29 December and has infected 26 people. In a press briefing on Monday, the premier also revealed she wants major sporting events in NSW to go ahead this year with Covid restrictions in place. Paramedics were told to bypass Mount Druitt Hospital after a patient with Covid-19 attended the emergency department for treatment. Pictured are ambulances outside the emergency department on Sunday 'The government is looking very closely based on health advice, how we manage these major events in a Covid-safe way,' she said when asked if the Sydney derby A-League soccer game will go ahead on Saturday. 'I do want to stress our intention in New South Wales is to always continue with life as normal as possible including hosting major events, but the question is how can you make them Covid-safe? 'And that always depends on what's happening at the time and the pandemic, what phase we're up to, what the level of risk is.' There were 18,073 tests reported in the state to 8pm on Sunday, compared with the previous day's total of 23,763. Meanwhile, the case of a patient who visited Sydney's Mount Druitt emergency department on Saturday while coronavirus-positive remains under investigation. The department of the western Sydney hospital was deep cleaned on Sunday night after the 40-year-old attended the emergency department. Ambulances were diverted to other hospitals, including nearby Blacktown. Footage shows staff dressed in personal protection equipment loading patients into ambulances to be transferred to other medical facilities. Western Sydney Local Health District said the patient had coronavirus symptoms when they presented to the emergency department on Saturday. The patient was tested and moved to an area of the department reserved for suspected coronavirus cases. 'A positive Covid-19 result was received on the evening of January 10 and the patient was transferred to Westmead Hospital for treatment,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 'The Mount Druitt emergency department is undergoing deep cleaning. 'Ambulances have been diverted to nearby hospitals, including Blacktown Hospital while this occurs. 'The deep clean is expected to be completed by 9am Monday.' GPs were urged to redirect patients who require hospital treatment to Blacktown. 'There has been doctors, nurses and security personnel available in an ambulatory care space for any patients who present directly to the hospitals emergency department,' the health district added. Investigations are underway to identify and assess potential close contacts, including staff and patients. Anyone deemed to be at risk of possible exposure will be contacted by the Public Health Unit. KCR said before the vaccination process starts, officials must put in place each step needed to be taken promptly in case any of the vaccine recipients show an adverse reaction. A separate room with doctors and medicines must be ready at each vaccination centre to deal with such cases.(Photo:@TelanganaCMO) HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has ordered that the entire state government machinery be fully geared up for successfully implementing the Covid-19 vaccination drive starting from January 16 in Telangana as well as the country. Addressing a meeting of district collectors, senior officials of various departments and ministers at Pragati Bhavan on Monday, the CM took stock of the entire situation. Subsequently, he participated in the video conference on Covid-19 vaccination drive addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. KCR said before the vaccination process starts, officials must put in place each step needed to be taken promptly in case any of the vaccine recipients show an adverse reaction. A separate room with doctors and medicines must be ready at each vaccination centre to deal with such cases. The Chief Minister said a committee headed by Chief Secretary will monitor the entire exercise. He wanted all MLAs, MLCs, MPs, ZPTCs, MPPs, and ministers to actively involve themselves in the vaccination drive. Arrangements are already in place for administering the vaccine at 1,213 centres in the state, which include the Primary Health Centres (PHCs). There are 866 cold chain points for storing and transportation Coronavirus vaccines. Government of India has already decided that Covishield vaccine from Serum Institute of India and Covaxin from Bharat Biotech will be first given to Asha workers, staff at Anganwadis, and health, police and sanitary personnel, apart from others who are in the frontline during Phase I of the vaccination drive. Subsequently, those over 50 years will be vaccinated. It will be responsibility of police officials to ensure their personnel are vaccinated. Sarpanches and village secretaries will be responsible in making the vaccination drive a success at the village level, the CM said. [January 11, 2021] Ritase Digitizing Container Services in Tanjung Priok JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the renewal of the national logistics ecosystem or National Logistic Ecosystem launched by President Jokowi, Ritase, is a pioneer in digitizing logistics in Indonesia that continues to make innovations for its stakeholders. Most recently, Ritase finished developing an integrated Trucking Haulage System with NPCT 1, one of the largest container terminal companies in Tanjung Priok, which can handle more than 1.5 million containers per year. With a total of more than 300 transporters and 15,000 connected drivers, the Ritase application can serve online requests from trucks to enter and exit the port. This system will increase productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, this digital activity is also safer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as all processes are integrated online and in real time. "Ritase is ready to provide full support to all business players in Tanjung Prok, especially NPCT1 terminal users. Our system is integrated with ECON, NPCT1's terminal online billing system, making it possible to access all processes on one platform. This is a breakthrough that will be able to shorten the process for NPCT1 shippers or consignees with traffic reaching more than 15,000 containers per week," said Ritase's CEO & Founder, Iman Kusnadi. The booking process can be done through retail.ritase.com after registering a personal or company NPWP, an administrative requirement required by NPCT1. Ritase makes it easy for shippers who won't have to bother with troublesome export and import processes anymore because everything is integrated with the Ritase application. This system allows NPCT1 customers to access various services ranging from truck order management, real time track & trace containers, to E-document management (NPCT1 Gatepass). NPCT1 customers also have online digital access to customs clearance, payments and transactions with the terminal to pick up shipments or send containers to NPCT1, without having to travel to different offices to process or access multiple platforms. Quoted from NPCT1's press release on 6th January 2021, NPCT1 director Hudadi sees a good opportunity in this collaboration. "This collaborative resource also has a unique opportunity to explore and implement processes and further technological improvements. Our goal is to support global and regional sustainability as well as digital and physical connectivity, to offer the best current and future customer services and reliability," he said. In addition to digitizing trucking haulage to the port in Tanjung Priok, Ritase offers B2B digital logistic ecosystems such as Marketplace, Software as a Service (SaaS), Supply Chain Financing, Retail, Business Innovation Solution to digital wallets for drivers. Currently Ritase serves national as well as multinational clients from various industries. Visit www.ritase.com to join the most comprehensive B2B digital logistics ecosystem in Indonesia. About Ritase Established in 2018, Ritase is an Indonesian startup company that focuses on the B2B digital logistics ecosystem. Ritase uses a cloud-based platform enabling shippers and truck drivers to process shipments through logistics planning software with automation, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Ritase provides unique experiences and opportunities to reduce the number of empty trucks, increase transparency, cut waiting time, enable efficiency using transportation management software, supply chain financing, e-commerce, and the trucking marketplace. SOURCE Ritase [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay the order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court directing a probe into the allegations of a telephonic conversation between one of its former judges and a suspended trial court magistrate. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R. Subhash Reddy and M.R. Shah asked former judge Justice V. Eswaraiah to file an affidavit on the conversation and the transcript of the same. "Learned counsel for the petitioner does not dispute the conversation. He prays that he be permitted to file an affidavit of the petitioner with regard to above conversation. Let the affidavit be filed," the bench said in its order. The top court posted the matter for further hearing on January 18. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing Justice Eswaraiah, argued before the bench that how could a private conversation become a subject of inquiry even if it is about a Supreme Court judge? Bhushan insisted that the High Court passed the order without hearing his client. "Prashant Bhushan, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the transcription of the talk between the petitioner with Ramakrishna dated 20.07.2020 is filed as Annexure P16," said the bench. Justice Eswaraiah admitted that it is his private conversation and does not disclose any crime and sought stay on the inquiry. Bhushan submitted before the bench that the conversation took place, but the transcript is a bit incorrect. Then, the top court asked Bhushan to file the correct transcript. "let us see what you have stated about this conversation and what does your affidavit say," noted the bench. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing an intervenor Mellam Bhagya Rao, national general secretary of the Dalit Bahujan Front, sought a notice be issued on the intervention application and there is nothing private about this conversation. Sibal said "This is a motivated attack on the system. What is private about this conversation?" Senior advocate Harish Salve and advocate Vipin Nair, representing another intervenor advocate P. Samuel John, said the applicant is troubled by continuous attack against Andhra Pradesh's judicial institutions. The Andhra Pradesh High Court ordered the inquiry on the basis that the conversation discloses an attempt to denigrate and destabilise the Supreme Court and the High Court. The alleged conversation merely contained some references to the misconduct of a Supreme Court judge and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Justice. According to the plea filed by Justice Eswaraiah, the conversation was recorded by the suspended district munsif magistrate, brought before the High Court in an intervention in an unrelated PIL and thereafter the conversation was released to the media by the suspended magistrate himself. According to the plea, the phone conversation purportedly pertained to the corruption allegations in the Amaravati land scam. The High Court had requested former Supreme Court judge Justice R.V. Raveendran to inquire into the matter. Four children were arrested by a Fourth Division patrol and held for a number of days, during which time they were tortured reports Sowt Al-Asima. Earlier this month, a patrol of the Fourth Division arrested four children from the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, while they were passing through the al-Aab Farms area on the outskirts of the city. Sowt Al-Asimas correspondent said that the officers arrested the children while they were transporting a quantity of copper and electrical wires into the city of Douma, adding that their ages ranged from 13 to 14. The correspondent added that the officers arrested the children because they were working in the destroyed farms and old tunnels that were used by Jaish al-Islam during its control of the area, collecting electrical wires to sell them later in Douma. According to the correspondent, the patrol escorted the children to the market in Douma city to identify the scrap dealer who buys copper from them. It transpired that the dealers is a well-known merchant in the market, from the Morjana family, pointing out that he had contacted a Fourth Division officer after the arrival of the patrol, preventing them from arresting him. The correspondent confirmed that the four children were taken to a checkpoint belonging to the Fourth Division, stationed near the Kilani Gas Station in Douma, to be eventually released after four days in custody. According to the correspondent, the children were subjected to torture during the custody, in addition to being forced to carry out forced labor for the checkpoint personnel. The Fourth Division has been preventing the people of the al-Aab Farms area on the outskirts of the city of Douma from reaching their homes since the regime took control of the area under the settlement agreement to displace the opposition Jaish al-Islam faction that used to control the area towards northern Syria in 2018. The Fourth Division also established, in cooperation with Military Security, 16 checkpoints inside and on the outskirts of the neighborhood, amid excavation operations to search for the bodies of the regimes members and the foreign militias fighting alongside it, and another to search for gold, antiquities, and weapons depots. Sowt Al-Asimas team documented the arrest of 453 people during 2020, including 15 women, 56 children, and two people with special needs, on charges related to security and criminal issues, communicating with opposition parties, and others related to terrorism. 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. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Local engineering firm Setty & Associates today praised area schools for the swift and effective planning that enabled them to quickly put Federal CARES Act dollars to work for students. "When the city of Washington, for example, came to us for help making their HVAC systems safer, we were able to put together meaningful and actionable clean air building assessments (CABAs) for them," Setty & Associates President Raj Setty said. "Implementing the recommendations as part of those assessments means the air in DCPS classrooms will be cleaner, safer and better for students when they return. Our understanding is that they have every intention of doing that, and soon." The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, commonly known as the CARES Act, includes $1.6 billon in funding for improvements and upgrades to the nation's educational facilities. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education (available at https://covid-relief-data.ed.gov/), the District was allocated $100M of that total. To date, it has spent roughly $40M, far outpacing other districts' ability to put these dollars to work. Proactive and aggressive planning made that possible and means the city is far ahead of other states and cities in terms of improving their educational facilities, and particularly the air quality within them. DC's KIPP Charter School Managing Director of Operations Lorraine Ramos said, "Working with Setty and with the facilities management firm PMM, we were able to quickly put together a game plan. We identified the upgrades we needed, the filtration systems we could update and the priority from building to building on our campus. We moved fast, and that was critical." Area charter schools are similarly putting CARES dollars to work. Luis Fermin, Facilities Manager at Oneness Family School in Chevy Chase said, "Using Setty's risk calculator and having them walk me through it step by step, helped me get educated and prepare for the highest level of indoor air quality to help mitigate the risk of transmission." In addition to the work with DCPS and other Washington-area charter schools, Setty is also working with 40-50 public and charter school systems nationwide, as well as colleges and universities including the University of the District of Columbia here locally. The most recent stimulus measure includes an additional $82 billion for education and allows for a broad range of uses for those dollars to stabilize schools. The measure specifically "repairing school facilities, especially ventilation systems, to improve air quality and reduce spread of Covid." To learn more about this work, about CABAs, or to request similar assessments on your campus, workplace or residential or industrial building, please visit www.setty.com. Contact: Caryn Alagno 202-236-9073 SOURCE Setty & Associates Related Links https://www.setty.com/ Border closures and a divided nation have played starring roles in the latest cheeky ad campaign for Australian lamb. Meat and Livestock Australia's popular annual summer television ad for the classic Aussie dish aired for the first time on Monday. There's no shortage of Australian larrikin humour in the ad, which takes a tongue-in-cheek swipe at state border closures which have divided the nation during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The 'Make Lamb Not Walls' ad is set in 2031, when states and territories have been divided by giant concrete walls. The latest television ad for Australian lamb aired for the first time on Monday, set in the year 2031 when Australia's states are divided by concrete walls (pictured, a man being offered barbecued lamb through a crack in the imaginary border wall) 'Today marks ten years since our once united nation was divided by the Great State Walls as tensions continue to escalate,' a news announcer states. A crack begins to emerge through the wall much to the excitement of an elderly man who gets a whiff of barbecued lamb on the other side. But not everyone is aware of what they're missing out on. 'What's on the other side, Mummy?' a concerned-looking girl asks. 'They're called... Queenslanders,' the woman replies. The ad takes a tongue-in-cheek swipe at border closures (pictured) and a nation divided by the pandemic - showing the 'New South Wall' blocking off Queensland The crack in the wall gets bigger as lamb lovers run from everywhere to help break down the wall before Australians finally unite over a barbecue. 'You made it,' the elderly man exclaims to a Western Australian miner who emerges from a hole in the ground. She replies: 'Yeah, sorry for trying to become our own country again' - in reference to Premier Mark McGowan's strict border closures to most of the country during the pandemic. Victorians are also mocked in the ad, along with Sydneysiders and Tasmanians. Prime Minister Scott Morrison gets the treatment as well. Even Prime Minister Scott Morrison look-a-like (pictured) makes a cameo appearance at the end wearing a Hawaiian shirt - a reference to his 2019 holiday The ad ends with a cameo appearance from the Prime Minister donning a Hawaiian shirt and lei with a refreshing cocktail in hand. 'Ahh! What did I miss?' a look-a-like asks he prepares to alight from an Aloha Airlines plane. The cameo is a cheeky reference to Mr Morrison's controversial Hawaiian holiday during the horror bushfires last summer. It wouldn't be a lamb ad without an appearance from 'Lambassador' and former VFL player Sam Kekovich, who has featured in the campaigns since 2005. The ad also mocks residents from each of the states, including Western Australia and Tasmania 'We love a bit of a giggle, we don't take ourselves too seriously and I think this ad is absolutely perfect,' Kekovich told Sunrise on Monday. 'The overriding message is that we are better and stronger when we come together.' The full ad, which is two-and-a-half-minutes long, was directed by Ariel Martin. 'As a brand that celebrates unity and the power of coming together, this year in the ad, we wanted to remind Australians that we are always stronger together,' MLA domestic market manager Graeme Yardy said. Border closures have plagued Australians since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, with premiers controversially shutting up shop when the virus picks up in other states and territories. Former VFL player Sam Kekovich has starred in many lamb ads, including the new one Many online viewers hailed the latest campaign as the best one yet. 'Now THAT'S an advertisement worth watching,' one woman commented. Another added: 'You cannot possibly out do this ad next year. Give your marketing dude a pay rise! Others found the ad hilarious. 'Love the subtle humour.. 2031, NBN still not rolled out, Sydney votes itself best city again, the guy using the tongs the wrong way.... brilliant campaign, hilarious ad,' one wrote. Another quipped: 'A wall around south-east Queensland isn't such a bad idea.' But a few remained unconvinced and believe cricket great Richie Benaud's starring role in the 2015 campaign just months before his death was one of the greatest. 'Has to be the worst one yet. I thought these ads were meant to be funny. Bring back Richie,' one wrote. South Africa: Minister Pandor to host Algerian counterpart This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. With many businesses expected to reopen on Monday following the festive season break, the Department of Employment and Labour has called for the observation of health and safety measures that will not expose employees to COVID-19. In a statement, the departments Director-General (DG), Thobile Lamati, said it is crucial that industries,... See more February 26, 2020, looms large for Carol Juel for a number of reasons. It was her twins seventh birthday, and the executive vice president and CIO of Synchrony was scrambling to get home to join the festivities. The day also took on new contours as a routine meeting exploring AWS Workspace technology subsequently laid the groundwork for the firms near-real-time transition to remote work as COVID-19 took hold as a global pandemic. Synchrony sent its 4,000 knowledge workers home on March 13 and followed up with a plan that set up 12,000 call center employees with remote operations a scant two weeks later. Shortly thereafter, Juel and the executive leadership team formally launched an enterprise transformation effort to embrace the very agile business practices that got the remote work effort up and running so quickly. Their goal: to favorably position Synchrony to quickly adapt as it stared down a future of continuously changing scenarios and uncertain markets. Carol Juel, executive vice president and CIO, Synchrony It was a logistics and communications exercise, but also a leadership exercise, she says. Its not just about technology; its about an agile mindset and the cultural changes that allow for digital transformation. The role of the CIO is to connect those dots and help the organization move and adapt quickly. As Juels experience shows, digital transformation has catapulted CIOs into the epicenter of organizational change, not just as a cheerleader for technology, but as a key change agent for promoting the cultural shifts necessary for successful transformation. According to CIO.com's 2020 State of the CIO research, CIOs are spending more time on transformational responsibilities (89%) and business strategist work (67%), including leading change efforts (34%). While playing a hand in organizational and cultural change isnt exactly new to the CIO role, its newly important as the pace of digital efforts steps up and the pandemic forces massive shifts in day-to-day business operations, the future of work, and how companies engage with customers and business partners. The role of the CIO is to move the organization from thinking about building digital strategies to building a strategy that works for a digital world, says Randy Gaboriault, CIO and senior vice president for innovation and strategic development at Christiana Care Health System. CIOs dont just implement technology; they implement organizational change through applications or technologies. What youre trying to do when putting in a new ERP system or electronic health record is asking people to change their behavior. Partnering with the business CIOs have typically dabbled on the edges of change management, focused mainly on promoting the technology piece but leaving the organizational and cultural issues to others in leadership positions. Now that the CIO role is all in, CIOs are building out a toolkit of sorts, which includes embracing agile business practices and launching training initiatives and communications campaigns, all while burnishing their own ability to take on new challenges related to leading organizational and cultural transformation. As roles shift, Darren Ash, assistant CIO for the USDA Farm Production and Conservation Mission Area, says its critical for CIOs to act as an enabler and a partner with the businessnot just to identify and deploy technologies to solve business problems, but to get everyone on board with new ways of working. Ash and his IT team do that through direct and sustained outreach to frontline workers in the various mission areas that comprise the USDA agency, including soliciting feedback from agency personnel and final customers to promote transformation. These efforts are designed to increase the stickiness of any digital initiative and to ensure everyone is onboard with the art of the possible when it comes to new implementations. Its our responsibility to better educate the business on technology and how it can be used, Ash explains. For us to drive change, we have to be better partners with the business, specifically the frontline employees across the mission areas and not just IT employees. Ash and his CIO agency peers also make a point to have their teams capture the voice of the customerin this case, farmers and ranchers dependent on agency servicesto gauge what works or what can be done better and to foster organic support. We talk to them about something as simple as workflow or how many clicks are too many or are we asking the right questions, he says. Ash and his team recently deployed their change management playbook to help employees and agency clients embrace a new electronic signature application and secure document sharing software designed to address the challenges of in-person transactions during the COVID-19 shutdowns. Through training and how-to guides, Ashs IT group worked with business partners to make sure everyone knew how to use the technology and was comfortable with the changes. Rolling out technology like this is not IT-centricit has to be done in partnership with the agencies to appropriately communicate how it should be used, he explains. The vitality of training Robust training and e-learning initiatives are a central pillar of Avery Dennisons cultural change strategy in support of its digital business initiatives, whether they are targeted at improving employee, customer, factory, or product experiences. As part of its Digital Innovation Center of Excellence (DICE), the training aims to nurture digital dexterity across the workforce with an emphasis on design thinking, agile methodology, DevOps, and digital technologies. The multifaceted program leans on a combination of webcasts, instructor-led training, e-learning, and targeted communication to get Avery Dennison employees up to speed and comfortable with the ongoing changes as the business becomes more digital, according to Nicholas Colisto, vice president and CIO for the global manufacturer of labeling and functional technologies. Its a push to educate the masses on what different technologies and practices exist, Colisto says. Nick Colisto, CIO, Avery Dennison In addition to the learning initiatives, Avery Dennison offers a six-month Digital Leadership Acceleration Program to 20 non-IT leaders, providing them with in-depth technology and leadership training and setting them up as digital business champions. Proof of concept work at DICE is the third component for promoting a digital culture. If we left it to the masses, you wouldnt get a lot of traction with [new digital initiatives], he explains. Everyone has a day job working on ERP or CRM, so time is limited to experiment with emerging technologies." Brushing up on leadership skills CIOs themselves need to take the time to learn a host of new skills, most significantly in the area of communications, in order to effectively lead the cultural change that goes hand in glove with digital transformation, according to Noreen Duffy, CEO and founder of Red Bridge Consulting, an organizational change management consulting firm. Not only not only do CIOs need to speak the language of business, they also need to be able to communicate effectively in the language of C-level executives, with the board and with the development team, which is increasingly leaning on agile, not waterfall, methodologies. The CIO needs to have a different mindset to be a partner, to be change resilient, and to be able to communicate that up and down several levels of an organization, Duffy says. CIOs need to be multilingualthey need to be able to effectively communicate with their team with an understanding of what agile looks like, then up and out to business partners in their language and to VPs and the board in their language. Mihai Strusievici, vice president of technology, global, at real estate giant Colliers International, went back to get his MBA in preparation for leading the change that comes with digital transformation. He views his role as an educatornot in explaining the various technologies, but in clarifying, in terms the business understands, how the new digital capabilities can empower the business. Mihai Strusievici, vice president of technology, global, Colliers International While Strusievici has made progress leveraging business-speak to forge alliances with key colleagues like the CFO as well as deep within the business ranks, he believes its crucial to think of cultural shifts as a marathon, not a sprint. We are enjoying a moment because of the [COVID] crisis and because everyone understands that technology is carrying them forward, he explains. While the last five months have changed the culture, its still too early [to consider the work done]. COVID-19 accelerates change At Synchrony, agile business practices are part of a longer term cultural shift, but the do-or-die effort back in March kicked everything into high gear, Juel says. Once knowledge workers were up and running successfully at home, the management team prioritized creating a healthy, safe environment for all contact center employees, launching the #GetOurRepsHome campaign, creating a 24/7 command center to work through all of the logistics and hosting twice-daily standup meetings between C-suite executives to get the effort over the finish line. After the rollout in mid-April and a couple of months to stabilize, the management team realized agile business practices would be crucial going forward. Handpicked leaders were tasked with being champions to help drive the change efforts along with executive team sponsors, and there was regular communication to acclimate employees to agile business practices such as continuous improvement or the dos and donts of a standup meeting. We want to continue to be adaptable and nimble, and we realized we had to make this cultural transformation a priority for the company, Juel says. The company is ripe for transformation because we are all hyperconnected but physically isolated, and because of that, we have a real opportunity to change how we operate. David Behen, VP and CIO, La-Z-Boy Incorporated With all the COVID-induced changes over the past six monthsclosing retail shops and manufacturing lines and transitioning to remote workDavid Behen, vice president and CIO at La-Z-Boy, also sees an upside to the pandemic. He says the efforts to get employees working safely at home and ensuring business continuity helped establish a foundation of trust between employees and management and IT and the business, which aids in cultural transformation. We sent people tutorials and emails walking them through all the new tools and processes, and they embraced it, he says. We spent the last five years telling them technology was an enabler that would make their jobs easier, then this happened. Once the rug was pulled out from under their feet, they realized this is real. Sharon Kennedy Vickers, CIO, City of St. Paul, Minn. Even with the stepped-up focus on organizational change and the goodwill that COVID-19 has engendered in getting people to pull together, it remains difficult to change culture. Applying a one-size-fits-all approach or directing change through top-down mandates will not move the needle, cautions Sharon Kennedy Vickers, CIO in the Office of Technology and Communications for the city of St. Paul. Inertia is a formidable force, which is why transparency and soliciting buy-in at every level of the organization is so critical to successful change management, she adds. In any type of change, sometimes the headwind is this is the way weve always done it, adds USDAs Ash. Mandating change doesnt work without explanation, without understanding or without the opportunity to listen to concerns. The better we are at explaining and listening and, in some cases, adjusting, the better off well be. Zoe Foster Blake, the beauty mogul wife of comedian Hamish Blake, moved into a $9million home in Vaucluse, Sydney, last month. And it seems the journalist-turned-businesswoman, who previously lived in Melbourne, has already settled into her new neighbourhood. Zoe, 40, stepped out on Sunday in a colourful maxi dress as she visited a local cafe with her children, son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three. New neighbourhood: Zoe Foster Blake happily snapped photos while heading to a local cafe with her children on Sunday, just weeks after buying a $9million home in Sydney's Vaucluse The best-selling author teamed her look with oversized sunglasses, a nude Louis Vuitton shoulder bag and metallic pink sandals. Click here to resize this module The mother of two held hands with her little ones and documented their sunny stroll by taking photos on her iPhone. ADVERTISEMENT Just before Christmas, the Blakes spent $8.925million on a property in the upmarket suburb of Vaucluse. Weekend vibes: The Go-To skincare founder, 40, stepped out in a colourful maxi dress as she held hands with her children, son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three Stylish mama: The best-selling author teamed her look with oversized sunglasses, a nude Louis Vuitton shoulder bag and metallic pink sandals The five-bedroom, six-bathroom estate sits on 885 square metres and features two sets of garages. While the four-level home does not have ocean views, it is considered architecturally noteworthy and was featured on Grand Designs Australia in 2013. The beauty guru and her husband, 39, inspected 'a number of properties' across the eastern suburbs before finally settling on their home. Nice digs: Zoe and her husband, comedian and TV host Hamish Blake, spent $8.925million on a property in the upmarket suburb of Vaucluse just before Christmas The house is just a short drive from the Surry Hills headquarters of Zoe's highly successful Go-To beauty company. Before the big move, Hamish had announced on social media his family was moving from Melbourne to Sydney. 'Exciting times ahead: we are moving to Sydney baby! For a long time I have known that stealing my wife from Sydney would mean one day we'd venture there to live for a while,' wrote the Lego Masters host. 'The loose plan is for a few years, but however long it's for, we're excited for this adventure with our little family.' Fancy: While the four-level home does not have ocean views, it is considered architecturally noteworthy and was featured on Grand Designs Australia in 2013 Relocating: Before the big move, Lego Masters star Hamish (left) had announced on social media his family was moving from Melbourne to Sydney The family's move comes after Zoe made her debut on Australia's 2020 Young Rich List. She has an estimated net worth of $36million after her skincare company enjoyed a boom in sales during the Covid-19 pandemic. In August, Go-To's peach-packaged facial oil named Face Hero was crowned the number one skincare product in Australia. ADVERTISEMENT Zoe founded Go-To six years ago, and the brand launched in the U.S. in 2018. Florence aims to follow Milan in banning smoking outdoors in certain public places. Florence is set to ban smoking in parks and at bus stops as part of new measures designed to improve air quality in the Tuscan capital, writes Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica. The smoking ban is due to be approved next month and is expected to come into force in June 2021. The ban is based around "an important cultural change," the city's environment councillor Cecilia Del Re told La Repubblica, saying that the covid-19 pandemic has put renewed focus on the importance of safeguarding public health and air quality. Moves by Florence to restrict smoking in public comes as Milan introduced a ban on smoking at bus stops, stadiums, cemeteries, playgrounds and parks, effective from 1 January 2021. Supporters of President Donald Trump flock to the National Mall by the hundreds of thousands for a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) Establishments Threat of Impeachment a Confession of Failure Commentary The whole world is now witnessing the most lethal episode to date in the national bipartisan political establishments effort to destroy Donald Trump. Approximately half the country believes that the presidential election was rigged, and no honest person can deny that there are legitimate questions about the vote in five or six states. The fact that the election went off smoothly in the other 44 states highlights the irregularities that may have determined the result. Now, practically the entire media and social media have locked arms in an airtight pretense that any question of the legitimacy of the election is nonsense (veteran Fox News commentator Brit Hume), and any suggestions to the contrary are banned on the major social media outlets. This is a totalitarian suppression of legitimate public concerns; its unconstitutional, and its not a demonstration of confidence by Trumps tormentors. The pretense that it has been fairly and judicially determined to have been a just election is required to make the case that the great Trump meeting on Jan. 6 in Washington was a criminal enterprise, and not what it really was: a peaceful gathering of some of the scores of millions of people who feel that the election was stolen from them. Trump didnt incite violence, as anyone can ascertain by listening to his remarks. The trials of the chief perpetrators will reveal who among them were professional hooligans and who were really active Trump political supporters. But in either case, what occurred is the last thing Trump himself wanted. (Theres no excuse for the insufficient security protecting the Capitol.) But in order to try once again to destroy Trump and disperse his immense following, his enemies have had to try to stamp out any public airing of the continuing doubts about the validity of the election, and to confect the demonstrable fraud that he incited violence. This was necessary to promote the applicability of the 25th amendment, which deals with presidents who have lost their mental capacities, and impeachment, which requires egregious and generally criminal behavior. All of this is lacking, and the president will not be removed from office other than on the expiry of his term next week. Distraction and Fear It all begs the question of why Trumps enemies are still so fanatical in their efforts to separate him from his huge following and destroy him politically, in Stalinist fashion. In part, the Democrats seem now to be addicted to the practice of distracting the public from the political unacceptability of their own program and record by a febrile defamation of the president. He is not and never in his adult life was a racist or sexist. He has a number of annoying mannerisms. They can be seen by everyone, and voters decide for themselves whether they outweigh the presidents better qualities and achievements. The obsessive desire to destroy Trump even as he leaves the presidency cannot be based on anything but fear of a man who has successfully defied the political establishment, exposed it as substantially a failure, and exploited the fact that the pre-Trump status quo was despised by a majority of Americans. The logical and creditable response to the collapse in the prestige of the countrys orthodox leaders is to raise their game, put up better candidates in both the parties (not the dismal selection of senatorial candidates available to Georgias voters last week), and produce some original policies. Instead, they have just tried to stone to death the person who did produce original policies. Serving the Country Well The political establishment has tragically missed the point: if it had been serving the country well, Trump would not have been elected four years ago. If he had not been a capable president, most of his policies would not have been effectively endorsed in the congressional and state elections across the country. Those whom he displaced would not have had to resort to such extremes to evict him from the White House. Polls indicate uniformly that barely 10 percent of Americans respect the legislators in Congress and no more than 15 percent of Americans believe their media. Even the questionable election revealed that 48 percent of Americans preferred Trump to the candidate of Wall Street, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, academia, and the media and social media, despite the Democrats huge financial advantage and wall-to-wall media defamation of the incumbent. The pre-Trump decades brought endless, fruitless war in the Middle East, with an accompanying humanitarian disaster; the greatest economic crisis in the world in 80 years; more than 10 million unskilled illegal migrants flooding across the southern border; immense trade deficits; alarming advances by China at Americas expense; and Trumps predecessors were swindled by North Korea and Iran. Trump addressed these problems; the dire predictions of his dangerous incompetence came to nothing, his vote total grew by 20 percent between elections, and his party did well in congressional and state elections. Yet his opponents didnt respond with better candidates or policies, they exhumed the defeated candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and set them atop a Sanders-Warren far-left program, ignored the worst rioting in the country for over 50 years, apart from defunding police and engineering huge spikes in violent crime, and exploited the COVID crisis to adopt election laws that incite the inference that the election has been stolen. And they got a free pass when the Supreme Court declined to hear the complaint from Texas, supported by 18 other states, that four states had failed to assure a fair presidential election. Trumps 74 million supporters were left with nothing to do except protest. Only Alternative In falsely accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, they have again ignored the public desire for better government and have effectively confirmed Donald Trump as the only alternative to the present familiar source of poor government. Joe Bidens response to the outrages at the Capitol were that Trump had deliberately incited it, that the motives of the rioters were racist, that the Capitol Police were racists, that Trump was reminiscent of Nazi propaganda minister Josef Goebbels, and then Biden called for national unity. Trump made a serious mistake in imagining and publicly asking that Vice President Pence reject the determination by the Senate of the Electoral College vote. Pence had no authority to do anything of the kind. But Pences election was as much violated as Trumps, and if he attends the inauguration now, Pence will be choosing the Democratic antics over his own party and needlessly compromising his political future. Impeachment is nonsense, Trump wont resign, and an inept government wont be able to use defamation and dirty tricks as a substitute for public service for long. If Trump is the only person who can defend the people against incompetent administration, cowardly legislators and jurists, and a system that has become largely rotten and doesnt run honest elections or even fair trials, (98 percent conviction rate and a quarter of the worlds prison population), while a totalitarian woke media and dictatorial censors of social media silence dissent, his influence will rise and not be dissipated. Conrad Black has been one of Canadas most prominent financiers for 40 years, and was one of the leading newspaper publishers in the world. Hes the author of authoritative biographies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, and, most recently, Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other, which has been republished in updated form. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green construction technology company Nexii Building Solutions Inc. (Nexii) is on track to open the companys first production facility in the U.S. in Hazleton, Penn. in Spring 2021. The plant will be operated by Pennsylvanias John Wolfington and NEXUS-1 through Nexiis Certified Manufacturing program, and will produce green building and retrofit products using Nexiis breakthrough process and proprietary material, Nexiite. Wolfington is bringing his deep ties to Pennsylvania, and experience in real estate development, to the facility. With an investment of more than $20 million, NEXUS-1 will create more than 180 new, skilled, green manufacturing jobs to the city of Hazleton. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to produce more than 8 million square feet of building panels every year, serving projects in Northeast U.S. markets, including New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Current open positions can be found at www.nexii.com/careers. Nexii entered into a licensed manufacturing agreement with John Wolfington through his NEXUS-1 entity in order to grow the company quickly, manufacture building products at scale and deploy Nexiis innovative approach to sustainable design, manufacturing and construction, using its proprietary material, Nexiite. NEXUS-1 is working with the city of Hazleton, the Governors action team, NEPA Alliance and CAN DO, Inc. to support financing, job creation and training capital toward the opening of the plant. Stephen Sidwell, CEO of Nexii, said: The demand for sustainable and affordable buildings in the Northeastern U.S. market is greater than ever. From constructing new residential and commercial buildings that meet and exceed new sustainability and energy efficiency standards to retrofitting existing structures to improve durability and lower operating costs, Nexii is affordably reducing the climate impacts of buildings. John Wolfington said: We are excited to bring innovation back to Hazleton with clean technology that will help transform major markets across the Northeast corridor into greener cities. Nexii is committed to tackling the global environmental crisis by accelerating the supply of more sustainable and durable buildings. The companys innovative green technologies allow for the rapid development of sustainable, cost-efficient, durable and disaster-resilient buildings. Nexii is growing rapidly to meet skyrocketing market demand for cost-efficient green buildings. Currently, Nexii has one fully operational plant in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with three new production facilities in development in BC, Alberta, and Ontario, Canada. Nexiis clients companies leading the charge to design, build and operate sustainable buildings include Starbucks, Popeyes and A&W Restaurants. -- About Wolfington: For nearly 150 years, the Wolfington family legacy has been the pursuit of excellence. From the early days of manufacturing elegant horse-drawn carriages to pioneering the most transformational auto-financing and marketing programs in history, the Wolfingtons continue to develop innovative new transportation, real estate and media ventures across the globe. About Nexii: Through its innovative building solutions, Nexiis mission is to create sustainable, durable, cost-efficient and disaster-resilient buildings. Nexii engages in ongoing third-party testing to ensure the quality and safety of its products across a range of test categories, including strength, durability, and structural integrity. Nexii is well-suited for most building options, including industrial/commercial/institutional, mixed-use, multi-family residential, single-family homes, as well as for the growing retrofit market. As a company concerned with environmental and social impacts, Nexii is committed to building a vibrant future for people and the planet by manufacturing and retrofitting truly sustainable buildings. Coronavirus cases and deaths are once again rapidly rising in Spain. After a brief lull in new daily infections in late November and early December, the holidays saw a renewed surge, with cases returning to levels last seen at the height of the second wave in late October. Last Thursday, Spain passed the grim threshold of 2 million coronavirus cases, recording 42,360 new infections since Tuesday. Wednesday, 6 January is a public holiday in Spain, so case figures were not announced on this day. Over 25,000 new infections were recorded on Fridaythe second highest figure of the whole pandemic. As of that day, Spain had officially registered a total of 2,050,360 cases and 51,874 COVID-19 deaths. Public broadcaster RTVE reported that a staggering 8 percent of all residents in care homes for the elderly died of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in 2020. This is 24,933 of the 312,753 who had been living in these facilities last year. These deaths make up around half of all recorded coronavirus fatalities in Spain, as these homes became killing fields due to the Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos governments inadequate measures to contain the contagion. People walk along a boulevard in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this year. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Also on Friday, government figures showed that the accumulated incidence rate per 100,000 people had risen to 350.48a rapid increase from 321 a day earlier. This figure has nearly doubled in a month, having stood at 180-190 per 100,000 in early December. In the western region of Extremadura, this indicator shot up to 803 per 100,000 by Friday, with the Balearic Islands, Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia and La Rioja provinces all recording rates of 400 to 525. The Spanish government considers an incidence rate of less than 25 per 100,000 to be a sign that the pandemic is under control, and 250 or more to indicate extreme risk. By this measure, every region in Spain bar the Basque Country, Andalucia, Asturias and the Canary Islands are currently in or nearing extreme risk. In a sign that many cases still go undetected, official figures show that around 14 percent of coronavirus tests return positive results across Spain. This figure rises to a huge 25.89 percent in the Community of Valencia, 23.4 percent in Castilla-La Mancha, 20.91 percent in Extremadura and 17.73 percent in Murcia. World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria state that a positivity rate of above 5 percent indicates that the virus is out of control. Meanwhile, the vaccine roll-out in Spain has proceeded at a glacial pace, with only 277,976 having received at least one dose of the vaccineor 0.6 percent of the Spanish population. While many European countries imposed certain limited lock-down restrictions as cases rose in November and December, the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government refused to do so. It left it up to the 17 different autonomous regions to decide which measures should be implemented. Many regional governments imposed limited restrictions, like night-time curfews and curbs on travel between regions. However, schools and workplaces stayed open, continuing to spread the virus. In response to the rising infection rates in recent weeks, several regions have been compelled to introduce new, limited restrictions to contain the virusthough all are far short of full lock-down measures. In Andalucia, bars and restaurants must now close at 6 p.m.; travel into or outside of the region is restricted. The Balearic Islands regional government closed bars, shopping centres and gyms on the island of Mallorca. Galicia extended current restrictions on travel in and out of the area until the end of January and decreed that hospitality must close at 6 p.m. in the cities of Ourense, Santiago and A Coruna. The Madrid region also limited travel between several municipalities inside the region. On January 5, the Castilla y Leon regional authority requested that the PSOE-Podemos central government grant permission for a stay-at-home lock-down similar to that imposed last March. On Friday, this region had an incidence rate of 326 per 100,000 people, and 32.1 percent of the intensive care beds in this area were occupiedone of the highest figures in Spain. Test positivity rates also increased to 12.2 percent in the week ending 4 January, up from 6.91 percent only the week before. Despite the regions grave situation, the PSOE-Podemos government refused the local authoritys request. Health Minister Salvador Illa declared on Thursday that the measures currently in place provide sufficient scope for action. Echoing Illas comments, Deputy Director of the Centre for the Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES), Maria Jose Sierra Moros, declared in a press conference the same day that there is no need for a hard lockdown, but [we should] take serious measures around some of the activities which we clearly know are a risk. Sierra Moros, along with CCAES Director Fernando Simon, was one of 13 signatories of a lying letter to medical journal The Lancet in early December, in which health officials defended the governments politically criminal handling of the pandemic. There are many measures to take before another hard lock-down. Measures that have also proved to be effective, Sierra Moros continued in Thursdays press conference. Explicitly rejecting measures to close education centres, she declared: At the moment, we do not have a recommendation from the Ministry [of Health] to close schools In reality, there have not been major outbreaks in schools there have been isolated cases that have immediately been controlled and confined. Schools staying open is important for childrens development, including to [overcome] the social divides in this country, she said. There are many more measures that can be taken before closing schools. She added, Obviously everything helps, but we dont believe that now is the moment to make a broad decision like that. This feigned concern for childrens educational prospects aims to obscure the real class interests behind maintaining in-person education during a deadly pandemic. Schools are being used as glorified child-minding services, to ensure that parents can continue going to work and generating profits for the financial aristocracy. The governments refusal to take serious action to curb the spread of the disease is meeting with broad popular opposition. Nearly 60 percent (59.2) of Spaniards believe that the government should have taken stricter measures to control the virus, according to a survey conducted in early December by the state-funded Centre for Sociological Research (CIS). Only 25.8 percent of Spains population believed that the PSOE-Podemos government had done enough to combat the virus. The study also revealed that more than a quarter (27.9 percent) of Spains population knew someone who had died from the virus. Strikes are breaking out across Spain against official back-to-work policies and the attacks on workers living conditions in recent years. Strikes have been called on every Monday this month by call centre workers at Konecta, a company providing telephone contact services to major firms including Santander Bank, Openbank, Bankia, Vodafone and Orange. Hundreds of workers at the call centre company, based on Spains north coast, are protesting the enforced return to in-person working, after having spent the last months working remotely to protect themselves against COVID-19. Workers spend hours speaking on the phone in enclosed, overcrowded officesperfect conditions for airborne transmission of the virus. Workers must take matters into their own hands to protect themselves from the disease. This necessarily entails a break with the trade unions and the PSOE-Podemos governmentwhich knowingly implemented a policy leading to mass deathsas part of a broader movement of workers across Spain and internationally. 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 senate of the Lagos State University (LASU) has appointed Damola Oke, the deputy vice-chancellor, administration, of the institution, ... The senate of the Lagos State University (LASU) has appointed Damola Oke, the deputy vice-chancellor, administration, of the institution, as the acting vice-chancellor. His appointment was announced on Monday during the varsitys emergency senate meeting. Oke is expected to replace Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the outgoing vice-chancellor, whose tenure expired on January 11. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, had cancelled the previous process for the appointment of a new VC on the back of petitions arising from the selection procedure. He had thereafter asked Fagbohun to convene an emergency senate meeting towards appointing one of the deputy vice-chancellors as acting vice-chancellor. It is understood that over 18 professors from about 10 universities applied for the job. There was, however, controversy over the qualification of some candidates selected to replace Fagbohun. SAO PAULO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Simpar S.A. (" Simpar ") announces that its finance subsidiary, Simpar Europe (formerly JSL Europe), a public limited liability company (societe anonyme) organized under the laws of Luxembourg, has commenced an offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 7.750% notes due 2024, guaranteed by Simpar (the " Notes ") (the " Tender Offer "). The following table sets forth the material pricing terms of the Tender Offer: Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding Purchase Price (1) 7.750% Notes due 2024 Rule 144A: 46590PAB9 / US46590PAB94 Regulation S: L5800PAB8 / USL5800PAB87 US$625,000,000 US$1,067.50 __________________ (1) The amount to be paid for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase. In addition, accrued interest up to, but excluding, the settlement date (" Accrued Interest ") will be paid. The Tender Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 15, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated as described herein (such time, as it may be extended, the " Expiration Time "). Holders of the Notes (" Holders ") who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Notes or deliver a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery (the " Notice of Guaranteed Delivery ") at or prior to the Expiration Time will be eligible to receive US$1,067.50 for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase, plus Accrued Interest. Validly tendered Notes may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to the Expiration Time, unless extended or earlier terminated as described below, but not thereafter. The consideration for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be the purchase price set forth in the table above. Holders of Notes validly tendered or with respect to which a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is delivered at or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will receive the purchase price for the Notes. In addition to the purchase price, all Holders of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will receive Accrued Interest. Simpar Europe's obligation to purchase Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer is subject to market conditions and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, including completion by Simpar Europe of new debt financing on satisfactory terms and conditions, in Simpar Europe's sole discretion (the " Debt Financing ") (the " Financing Condition "). However, the Tender Offer is not conditioned on any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. Settlement of the Tender Offer is expected to occur on the fourth business day following the Expiration Time, unless the Tender Offer is terminated prior to such date. Tendered Notes may be withdrawn at any time at or prior to the earlier of the Expiration Time and, in the event that the Tender Offer is extended, the tenth business day after commencement of the Tender Offer. Tendered Notes may be withdrawn at any time after the 60th business day after commencement of the Tender Offer if for any reason the offer has not been consummated within 60 business days after commencement. Simpar Europe may, in its sole discretion, subject to market conditions, issue New Securities (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) at any time on or prior to the settlement date, pursuant to the Debt Financing. Tendering Holders of Notes who wish to tender their Notes and subscribe for New Securities should quote an allocation identifier code (" Allocation Identifier Code "), which can be obtained by contacting the Dealer Managers, in The Depository Trust Company's automated tender offer program (" ATOP ") Electronic Acceptance Instruction. An Allocation Identifier Code is only relevant (but is not required) if a tendering Holder wishes to subscribe for New Securities. An Allocation Identifier Code is not required for a Holder to tender its Notes and will not be taken into account in the acceptance of Notes in the Tender Offer. The Allocation Identifier Code is only being provided to facilitate identification of tendering Holders of Notes that may be interested in subscribing for New Securities and should not be considered consideration or an entitlement of any nature. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any New Securities in connection with the Debt Financing. The receipt of an Allocation Identifier Code in conjunction with any tender of Notes in the Tender Offer is not an allocation of the New Securities. In order to apply for the purchase of the New Securities, if and when the Debt Financing occurs, such tendering Holders must make a separate application in respect of the New Securities for the purchase of such New Securities pursuant to the Debt Financing. We will review tender instructions received on or prior to the Expiration Date and may give priority to those investors tendering with Allocation Identifier Codes in connection with the allocation of New Securities. However, allocations of New Securities will be determined by us, together with the joint bookrunning managers in the Debt Financing, in our sole discretion, and no assurances can be given that any Holder that tenders Notes and submits an Allocation Identifier Code will be given an allocation of New Securities in the amounts it may subscribe for, or at all. Any New Securities will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), and will be offered only in transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Tender Offer set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated January 11, 2021 (the " Offer to Purchase "), all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn or with respect to which a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as described in the Offer to Purchase) is delivered at or prior to the Expiration Time, as applicable, will be accepted for purchase. Simpar Europe reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the Tender Offer, including if the Financing Condition or other conditions are not satisfied, subject to disclosure and other requirements under applicable law. In the event of termination of the Tender Offer, the Notes tendered and not accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering Holders without compensation or cost to such Holders and will remain outstanding. Furthermore, Simpar Europe reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any tenders of Notes for any reason. The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, copies of which may be obtained from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender agent and information agent (the " Tender and Information Agent ") for the Tender Offer, by telephone at +1 (866) 620-2535 (toll free) and +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect), in writing to 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005, Attention: Andrew Beck, or by email to [email protected]. Simpar Europe has its registered office at 1, rue Jean-Pierre Brasseur, L-1258 Luxembourg, and is registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies (R.C.S. Luxembourg) under the number B209067. Simpar Europe has engaged Banco BTG Pactual S.A. Cayman Branch, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Santander Investment Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC to act as the dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") in connection with the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the terms of the Tender Offer may be directed to Banco BTG Pactual S.A. Cayman Branch at +1 (212) 293-4600 (collect); J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at +1 (866) 834-4666 (toll free) or +1 (212) 834-3424 (collect); Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at +1 (800) 624-1808 (toll free) or +1 (212) 761-1057 (collect); Santander Investment Securities Inc. at +1 (855) 404-3636 (toll free) or +1 (212) 940-1442 (collect); and UBS Securities LLC at +1 (888) 719-4210 (toll free) or +1 (203) 719-4210 (collect). Disclaimer None of Simpar Europe, Simpar, the Dealer Managers, the Tender and Information Agent or the trustee for the Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether Holders of the Notes should or should not tender any Notes in response to the Tender Offer, or expressing any opinion as to whether the terms of the Tender Offer are fair to any Holder. Holders of the Notes must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Notes and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender. Please refer to the Offer to Purchase for a description of the offer terms, conditions, disclaimers and other information applicable to the Tender Offer. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Tender Offer is being made solely by means of, and pursuant to the terms of, the Offer to Purchase. The Offer to Purchase has not been filed with, and has not been approved or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any other documents related to the Tender Offer, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. The Tender Offer is not being made to Holders of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require any tender offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of Simpar Europe by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. None of Simpar Europe, Simpar, the Dealer Managers, the Tender and Information Agent or the trustee for the Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the Tender Offer other than the information and representations contained in the Offer to Purchase. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including those related to the Tender Offer. Forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. Simpar undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason. Simpar S.A. Denys Marc Ferrez Executive Vice President of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations Officer SOURCE Simpar Europe DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Class D Audio Amplifier: Global Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In this report, the market has been segmented based on device, speaker channels, audio input signal, and geography. The report provides an overview of the global Class D audio amplifier market and analyzes market trends. Using 2019 as the base year, the report provides estimated market data for the forecast period 2020 through 2025. Revenue forecasts for this period are segmented based on device, type, by audio input signal, and geography. It also focuses on the major trends and challenges that affect the market and the vendor landscape. The report estimates the global market for Class D audio amplifier in 2019 and provides projections of the expected market size through 2025. This report also considers the economic slowdown caused by lockdowns across the world owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the major drivers for the growth of the Class D audio amplifier market include growth in demand for smart consumer electronics, an increasing trend towards stereo audio in portable audio devices, and growing demand for vehicle infotainment systems in automobiles. The rising penetration of 5G smartphones will provide a major opportunity for the market. However, the high cost of integrating an LC filter can act as a challenge for the growth of the Class D audio amplifier market. Factors such as increasing installation or penetration of infotainment systems in mid-segment and premium cars, escalating popularity of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and growing demand for comfort, luxury, and convenience are propelling the demand in the Class D audio amplifier market for automotive applications. The Report Includes: 39 data tables and 22 additional tables An overview of the global markets for class D audio amplifier Estimation of the market size and analyses of market trends, with data from 2019, estimates for 2020 and projection of CAGR through 2025 A detailed description of types of audio amplifiers, trends in the Class D audio amplifier market and analysis of drivers, challenges, and opportunities affecting market growth Evaluation of current market trends, market size, market forecast, and technological advancements within the industry Discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on Class D audio amplifier market Coverage of events like mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and other key market strategies Company profiles of major players of the industry, including Analog Devices Inc., Cirrus Logic Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments Inc. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights Chapter 3 Market Overview Introduction Impact of COVID-19 on the Class D Audio Amplifier Market Types of Class D Audio Amplifier Solutions Multilevel Class D Audio Amplifiers Multichip Modules (MCMs) Discrete Audio Amplifier Driver IC Market Dynamics Drivers Growth in Demand for Smart Consumer Electronics Increasing Demand for Vehicle Infotainment Systems in Automobiles Market Opportunity Rising Penetration of 5G Smartphones Growing Trend of Stereo Audio in Smartphones and Portable Devices Market Challenge High Cost of Integrating LC Filter Chapter 4 Market Breakdown by Device Type Overview Mobile Phones Television Home Audio Devices PCs Tablets Automotive Infotainment Systems Chapter 5 Market Breakdown by Speaker Channel Type Overview Mono-Channel Stereo (2-Channel) Amplifiers 4-Channel Amplifiers Others Chapter 6 Market Breakdown by Audio Input Type Introduction Analog Input Amplifiers Digital Input Amplifiers Chapter 7 Market Breakdown by Region Introduction Overview North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany U.K. France Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan South Korea Rest of Asia-Pacific Rest of the World South America Middle East and Africa Chapter 8 Competitive Landscape Market Ranking Texas Instruments STMicroelectronics Infineon Technologies Product Development and Launches Acquisitions and Agreements Chapter 9 Company Profiles Analog Devices Inc. Cirrus Logic Inc. Icepower Infineon Technologies Ag Maxim Integrated NXP Semiconductors N.V. ON Semiconductor Qualcomm Rohm Semiconductor Stmicroelectronics N.V. Texas Instruments Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bfhp8x 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 Journalist and Afghanistan War veteran Chris Jones found himself face to face with a former Marine at the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6, as he covered the breach of the building for a West Virginia news publication. The man, dressed in a Marines hoodie, screamed at him, saying he "deserved to be shot" as a member of the press. After the encounter, Jones, a machine-gunner who deployed twice to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, said he needed to take 20 seconds and "go bounce his head off a tree" before he could return to work. Read Next: After Complaints, White House Lowers Flag to Honor Slain Capitol Police Officer "To see stuff I think is ... important to my identity, and people who consider [being in the military] a huge part of their identity being part of a hateful movement that directly stands in the face of the values the Marine Corps tries to instill, it definitely hurt," he said while recounting the day's events with Military.com. Jones, who served from 2010 to 2014, deployed to Helmand province, first in late 2010 for nine months and again in late 2012. The first tour, he lost three friends. On the second pump, he worried what would happen once the U.S. pulled out of the area. That feeling arose again Wednesday as he shot photos of the lightly armed U.S. Capitol Police trying to stave off the swarm of agitators, he said. In one faceoff, he watched an officer grab a megaphone and don a Make America Great Again ball cap to distract the crowd surging toward an open door of the building. Chris Jones, 100 Days In Appalachia As the officer waded into the frenzied group, he became surrounded, giving other police officers the chance to shut the doors behind him. "The doors slammed, and [the officer] had no choice but to push through. But rather than leave the area, he stayed nearby. I heard on a call on a Capitol Police radio that the Metropolitan Police weren't coming. ... the National Guard wasn't coming. It was kind of a Broken Arrow situation," Jones said. Protesters began assembling Wednesday morning at the Ellipse near the White House for what was dubbed the "Save America Rally," scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. the day that Congress met to certify the Electoral College results for President-elect Joe Biden. Speakers included Eric and Donald Trump Jr.; Rudy Guiliani; and Rep. Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican who whipped up the crowd, saying the day was for patriots to begin "kicking ass." President Donald Trump took the stage just before noon, and as his speech drew to the close, he urged attendees to "walk down ... to the Capitol" and "cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women" who supported opposing certification of the Electoral College results. Thousands proceeded to walk to the Capitol. At 1:10 p.m., those protesters begin tussling with the Capitol Police; within minutes, hell broke loose. The police ordered the evacuation of residences near the Capitol, followed by several House office buildings. Rioters breached the building around 2 p.m. And Jones was there through all of it, taking photos. "I'm surprised I got any shots at all because my eyes were closed. I was covered in tear gas and hammered by flash-bangs. Just the fact that I got any pictures was kind of a miracle," he said. Jones' road to the U.S. Capitol had begun seven months earlier, when the former corporal moved from Brooklyn, New York, to West Virginia to cover extremist groups and white supremacists for a nonprofit newsroom, 100 Days in Appalachia. Although Jones is a regional reporter, when he heard that a group of neo-fascist Proud Boys from West Virginia, as well as West Virginia Delegate-elect Derrick Evans, planned to attend the rally, he decided to go. When he arrived in the city Tuesday, he said, he worried there would be violence based on what he saw on the streets. "There was a lot of energy. ... [People seemed] very excited to inflict violence on someone or something. And I think because there was not a left-wing counter-protest present, it was inevitable they would go after the government," Jones said. The gathering, he said, seemed less than a "secular political rally ... it transcended into being a pseudo-religious experience with Trump as the focus." At the Capitol, he saw many people in the crowd wearing parts of military uniforms, patches or unit badges. One person, he said, had body armor bearing both a Marine Corps and a "PRESS" patch. It wasn't a fellow journalist, however; it was a rioter bent on breaking into the building. "He was happy; he was giddy. This insurgent thought it was a lot of fun, and I watched him just do wanton acts of violence. There was just something very disgusting he was doing, wearing these two patches that were mine. I earned them," Jones said. But he also saw Trump supporters who looked like they had gotten "in over their heads" -- a man crying by a door inside the Capitol with a younger man who seemed overwhelmed by their surroundings. "I'm projecting a bit, but it was an encapsulation of how little self-awareness some of the people who participated in this had of what was really happening to them," he added. Jones said he actually got inside the Capitol but spent just 45 seconds there before rioters realized he was a journalist and physically ejected him out onto the steps. "It's pretty inside, but I couldn't see much of it because of all the screaming and the chaos and the tear gas," he said. Chris Jones, 100 Days In Appalachia Jones, 29, landed his job in West Virginia through a program called Report for America, an initiative that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Following his stint in the Marine Corps, he spent a half a year hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine and then attended Columbia University, where he majored in nonfiction writing and "hung around the offices of the graduate journalism school" trying to learn what he could about reporting and photojournalism. He freelanced for local papers and The Village Voice and saved his Department of Veterans Affairs housing money to fund a trip back to Afghanistan before graduating and moving to West Virginia. Jones is one of five veterans among the 226 journalists placed in newsrooms by Report for America this year, which he says put him in a place where he could apply his experiences and skills to tell the story of the disenchanted in America. "The same social and personal forces that compel a 16-year-old kid in Kandahar to join the Taliban are the same forces that convince an 18-year-old Chris Jones to join the Marine Corps ... or a young man to join a local militia group. It's a way to exert control over themselves, be a part of a community and be someone others look up to. It's just a race for who gets a hold of that person first," he explained. Jones said that, after he went back to his rental home Wednesday, a friend from Afghanistan reached out for a safety check. It was a turning of the tables that he didn't find unexpected. "I really wasn't surprised at all, just incredibly disappointed," Jones said. "The most dangerous thing in American society is American exceptionalism -- the idea that, you know, we are somehow unique or special. We are a country that suffers from all the same issues that plague other countries." After the events of Jan. 6, he stayed in D.C. for one more day to file photos and stories and then planned to head back to West Virginia for a COVID-19 test and quarantine. Jones, who has an underlying health condition that makes it riskier for him to contract the coronavirus, said he believes the riot was a super-spreader event. "There was definitely a moment where this guy ... just started hacking up a lung behind me, while he was talking about going back to Minnesota the next day," he said. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime Related: Rioter Seen on Senate Floor is Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel The Portland Police Bureau is investigating after at least three Portland Israeli restaurants were vandalized with Free Palestine graffiti late Saturday and early Sunday, according to a bureau spokesman. Aviv, a hummus-focused vegan restaurant from Israeli chef Tal Caspi, and two locations of Shalom Yall, formerly part of the Toro Bravo restaurant group, were targeted. Neither restaurant describes itself as exclusively Israeli, and each recently removed the Israeli descriptor from its signage. Officers took a report on Sunday. Bias crime detectives have been notified of the case, according to police spokesman Derek Harmon. Spokespeople for both restaurants said they didnt want to get into the politics behind the incident. In a statement, Shalom Yall owners Kasey Mills, Jamal Hassan and Laura Amans described the vandalism, which included Free Palestine tags and other graffiti, as anti-Semitic. According to Aviv daytime manager Zach Hoffman, taggers spray-painted the restaurants two-day-old Pearl District location at 100 N.W. 10th Ave. during open hours Saturday evening. Confronted by employees, the vandals fled. Most of the employees at Aviv are not Israeli, Hoffman said. Our chef is from Israel, but I dont think he wants to be involved in the politics side of it, noting the the restaurant had previously removed the word Israeli from its signage. Aviv, which opened in Southeast Portland in 2017 after Caspi first drew notice for the shawarma fries at his Gonzo food cart, closed its original location in December. Just three days after opening its new Pearl District location, the restaurant plans to launch a spin-off restaurant, Little Aviv, at 1640 N.E. Killingsworth St. tonight. Shalom Yalls locations at 117 S.E. Taylor St. and 1128 S.W. Alder St. were targeted early Sunday, according to a Shalom Yall spokesperson. Graffiti at the Southeast Portland location included Yuppie Scum as well as arguments that Israeli cuisine appropriates dishes from its Middle Eastern neighbors. Hummus is not Israeli, reads one. Falafel is from Palestine, reads another. Shalom Yall was first opened by former Portland chef John Gorham and his business partner Ron Avni, whose family owns the Israeli dude ranch Vered Hagalil, where Shalom, Yall hangs above the reception desk. The Toro Bravo restaurant group was dissolved in July after Gorham, incensed over vandals spray painted the groups catering vans, directed a violent Facebook outburst toward a trans woman of color. Operating as the new Sesame Collective, longtime Toro Bravo employees Mills, Hassan and Amans took over both Shalom Yall locations as well as sister restaurants Mediterranean Exploration Company, the then under-development Yalla as well as two outposts of burger spot Bless Your Heart. At the time, the new group removed its Israeli street food descriptor, while keeping its menu the same. We are committed to operating inclusive spaces, and do not tolerate messages of hate or racism in any form, Mills, Hassan and Amans wrote in their statement We are so thankful for the outpouring of support we have received from the community over the last 24 hours. Michael Russell, mrussell@oregonian.com, @tdmrussell 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 Siegfriend Fischbacher, 81, is 'terminally ill with pancreatic cancer,' according to a report from German publication Bild. The famed magician is reportedly at home in Las Vegas following a '12-hour operation' to remove a malignant tumor. Siegfried was 'released from a clinic at his own request' and is being taken care of by 'two hospice workers' just nine months after his partner, Roy, died from complications following a COVID-19 battle. Sad: Siegfriend Fischbacher, 81, is 'terminally ill with pancreatic cancer,' according to a report from German publication Bild; seen in 2013 DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives. Fischbacher is not allowed to see any friends or family members due to the coronavirus pandemic. 'I take my brother with me in every one of my prayers and I am deeply connected to him', his sister, the Munich nun Dolore said to Bild, in transcripts from vip.de. Post surgery: Siegfried was 'released from a clinic at his own request' and is being taken care of by 'two hospice workers' just nine months after his partner, Roy, died from complications following a COVID-19 battle In May, his longtime partner, Roy Horn, died at the age of 75 following complications from the coronavirus. Siegfried said in a statement at the time: 'Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend. 'From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried. Tragic: In May, his longtime partner, Roy Horn, died at the age of 75 following complications from the coronavirus; seen in 2015 'Roy was a fighter his whole life including during these final days. I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy's life.' Horn was left partially paralyzed and using a wheelchair after being attacked by a 400-pound white Bengal tiger named Montecore during a Siegfried & Roy performance at The Mirage hotel-casino in Las Vegas in 2003. He had severe neck injuries, lost a lot of blood and later suffered a stroke. Horn underwent lengthy rehabilitation, but the attack ended the long-running Las Vegas Strip production. The showmen - born in Germany as Siegfried Fischbacher and Uwe Ludwig Horn - met one another while working on a cruise ship in 1957. In many years of working inside emergency communications centers, Ive personally experienced the benefits of well run wellness programs and how powerful they can be for successfully recruiting, retaining, and improving the work life happiness and performance of emergency services teams. Zetron, a global leader in integrated mission critical communications technology, today announced it will host a complimentary webinar on Integrating Peer Support for Public Safety Emergency Services Professionals: Benefits and Challenges, on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The webinar will be led by Pam Opoka, ENP, Regional 911 and Commander Level Peer Support Program Planner, Mid-America Regional Council; JC Ferguson, Commander, Austin-Travis County EMS; and Alice Johnson, Director, Business Development, NG9-1-1, Zetron. 2020 presented new challenges for virtually everyone and hit our critical first responder communities especially hard as they stood strong on the front lines through the unrelenting impacts of a global pandemic, widespread civic unrest, natural disasters and more, said Irene Amundson, Director of Human Resources at Zetron. The job of public safety professionals is taxing in a good year, so finding new and creative ways to support them during this particularly challenging time inspired Zetrons wellness webinar series. In Part 1 of the Zetron Wellness and Peer Support series, now available to view on demand, participants learned the importance of developing and implementing a support program for both the first responder and the first responders family, regardless of agency size. During the upcoming webinar, participants will learn how to successfully develop and tailor sustainable wellness programs that provide critical support to public safety professionals. Part 2 will dive deeper, reviewing important long term benefits of establishing structured wellness and peer support programs, as well as revealing common obstacles to setting up a resilient program and ways to overcome them. Webinar attendees will learn how to: Set the foundation: survey the state of the agency and start a small wellness program Develop internal agency values, find partners and leadership supporters Showcase the benefits to individuals and the agency as a whole Be prepared for the probable challenges and change management requirements While were not in the wellness services business, the enduring health and well being of the public safety professionals using our solutions has always been a vested interest at Zetron, said Alice Johnson, Business Development Director, NG9-1-1 at Zetron and a webinar presenter. In many years of working inside emergency communications centers, Ive personally experienced the benefits of well run wellness programs and how powerful they can be for successfully recruiting, retaining, and improving the work life happiness and performance of emergency services teams. What: Integrating Peer Support in the PSAP: Benefits and Challenges When: Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time Registration: Online registration Who: Pam Opoka, ENP, Regional 911 and Commander Level Peer Support Program Planner, Mid-America Regional Council; JC Ferguson, Commander, Austin-Travis County EMS; Alice Johnson, Director, Business Development, NG9-1-1, Zetron Cost: Complimentary Accreditation: Webinar attendees qualify to earn .5 CEUs toward ENP re-certification. About Zetron, Inc. Zetron has been a trusted provider of mission critical communications systems since 1980. It is ALL we do. With a comprehensive portfolio of technology solutions, including integrated next generation call taking, dispatch, CAD, mapping, fire station alerting, logging/reporting systems and more, Zetron is relied on by communications centers in public safety, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other markets on all seven continents of the world. Zetrons relentless pursuit of quality, durability and interoperability has made it one of the most enduring and consistently trusted brands in mission critical communications for 40 years. Our solutions are backed by world class technical support, training, project management and professional services, as well as a global network of highly capable partners and system integrators dedicated to exceeding the unique needs of Zetron customers. Zetron is a wholly owned subsidiary of JVCKENWOOD Corporation. For more information, visit: http://www.zetron.com Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was able to get to Zvartnots International Airport to visit Moscow for trilateral talks with the participation of Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev. This morning, opposition activists blocked the road to the airport to prevent Pashinyan from boarding the flight. One of the protesters stressed that "Nikol Pashinyan is an illegitimate leader," so the documents he signed in Moscow will have no legal force tomorrow. In addition, the opposition stated that if the prime minister signs any documents at the trilateral meeting, the airspace of Armenia will be closed for him. Former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Parliament Arsen Babayan also said Pashinyan does not represent Armenia and Karabakh. Homeland Salvation movement leader Vazgen Manuky shares the same point of view. He claims that Pashinyan does not have the mandate to make decisions. The activists chanted "Nikol is a traitor". The prime minister managed to drive along the road to the airport 10 minutes before the demonstration started, Sputnik Armenia reported. Soon the protest ended and the road was unblocked. 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. 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 Telugu Desam on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the alleged 140 attacks on temples, idols and priests in the last one year. DC Image VIJAYAWADA:, Strongly opposing SIT investigation, the Telugu Desam on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the alleged 140 attacks on temples, idols and priests in the last one year and claimed that party boss N Chandrababu Naidu had not offended Christians in any manner. TD politburo member Varla Ramaiah said that it was a conspiracy of YSRC to betray Hindu devotees that they had ordered a 'downgraded' investigation by Special Investigation Team (SIT) replacing the ongoing investigation by AP CID. Stating that the temple attacks were offences of a grave nature, Ramaiah urged the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy not to hoodwink people with eyewash measures as cases related to religious matters were highly-sensitive by nature. Addressing a press conference, Ramaiah asserted that the state government had ordered countless SITs into different offences in the past 19 months but not a single case has been cracked till date. He recalled that the SIT that was investigating Y.S. Vivekananda Reddys murder was yet to solve the mystery. Ramaiah deplored that SIT had lost credibility under YSRC regime. He stated that even the SIT ordered into land scams around Visakhapatnam did not prove worthwhile and the same was the case with the one looking into the Cabinet Sub Committee findings with respect to Amaravati lands. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The US State Department intends to notify Congress of its plans to designate Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2021) The US State Department intends to notify Congress of its plans to designate Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday. "The Department of State will notify Congress of my intent to designate Ansarallah - sometimes referred to as the Houthis - as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity, pursuant to Executive Order 13224," Pompeo said. Pompeo also revealed the plans to designate three Houthi leaders - Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. "The designations are also intended to advance efforts to achieve a peaceful, sovereign, and united Yemen that is both free from Iranian interference and at peace with its neighbors," he said. "Progress in addressing Yemen's instability can only be made when those responsible for obstructing peace are held accountable for their actions." Pompeo note that the United States recognizes concerns the designations will affect the humanitarian situation in Yemen and is set to put in place measures to reduce their impact on certain humanitarian activities as well as imports into the country. "We have expressed our readiness to work with relevant officials at the United Nations, with international and non-governmental organizations, and other international donors to address these implications," he said. "As part of this effort... the US Department of the Treasury is prepared to provide licenses pursuant to its authorities and corresponding guidance that relate to the official activities of the United States government in Yemen, including assistance programming that continues to be the largest of any donor and the official activities of certain international organizations such as the United Nations." Pompeo pointed out the licenses and guidance will also apply to certain humanitarian activities carried out by non-governmental organizations in Yemen and to certain transactions and activities concerning exports to Yemen of critical commodities. "We are working to ensure that essential lifelines and engagements that support a political track and return to dialogue continue to the maximum extent possible," Pompeo said. The ongoing hostile US policy against the Houthi rebel movement could force the group to interact with Washington in the same manner, the movement's spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, told Sputnik on Monday. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, jailed three times in six months for anti-government tweets, on Monday vowed to "fight" for freedom of expression in a fiery statement penned from his prison cell Harare, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, jailed three times in six months for anti-government tweets, on Monday vowed to "fight" for freedom of expression in a fiery statement penned from his prison cell. Chin'ono, 48, was arrested in July last year for backing banned protests against alleged state corruption on social media. The award-winning investigative journalist landed behind bars again in November after tweeting about a gold smuggling case involving political elites. He was jailed a third time last week for posting a video allegedly showing a police officer beating a baby to death. In court on Monday after a weekend in the dreaded maximum security Chikurubi prison, Chin'ono handed journalists a crumpled hand-written media statement before facing prosecutors. "I have a choice today, to immediately apply for bail and go home, or to fight the constitutionality of the law used to charge me," said the message, penned in blue biro on a lined notebook. "I have chosen to fight," he wrote. "If I choose to take bail without exposing the use of unconstitutional law, the same law will be used against other journalists and ordinary citizens to muzzle them." Chin'ono has been successively charged with inciting violence, obstructing justice and publishing false information. He claims the latest charge falls under an "unconstitutional" law. Lawyers have backed his claim, noting that the criminal code cited by prosecutors was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2014 for being "unfair". "Constitutionally he cannot be convicted on a law that does not exist," defence lawyer Harrison Nkomo told AFP. State prosecutors have insisted there is a legal basis for the charge as the video "undermines public confidence in the police". The case was postponed until further notice and Chin'ono was remanded in custody. The journalist said he was prepared to spend a "couple more weeks" in custody in the name of "the media's right to free speech". Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has grown increasingly intolerant of dissent since he took office in 2018. Government critics and human rights advocates are easily jailed and sometimes abducted by hit-men believed to be operating on behalf of the regime. Zimbabwe's main opposition party spokeswoman Fadzayi Mahere was also arrested on Monday for posting the same video. The top lawyer had already landed behind bars in July for taking part in the protests Chin'ono promoted. Mahere confirmed her arrest via her Twitter handle. "This regime will never break my spirit," she posted. "We need new leaders." President Moon Jae-in said Monday that the government will provide all South Korean people with free-of-charge COVID-19 vaccines in phases starting next month. "(The government) will make sure that all of the people will be inoculated free of charge in accordance with priorities," he said in his New Year's address, assuring that inoculation will begin in February. Having signed contracts with some foreign vaccine makers, South Korea expects the first-batch delivery of products within the coming weeks. Moon also cited the ongoing process of reviewing the effectiveness and safety of a treatment developed by a South Korean firm and promised to make public all relevant procedures transparently. "(The government) will continue to encourage South Korea's own vaccine development" as part of efforts for "vaccine sovereignty" and global health care cooperation, he added in the televised 26-minute speech. The end of a "dark tunnel" in the antivirus fight "is seen, at long last," the president said, adding that for South Korea, 2021 will be a year of "recovery" from the coronavirus crisis and a "leap" toward becoming a leading nation. What's more important than any other thing is "inclusive recovery" to reduce social gaps and disparities, which have deepened because of the pandemic, he said. In response to public criticism over soaring home prices, Moon apologized to those who suffer difficulties from the problem and pledged "swift and various" measures for the supply of new houses. "Especially with a focus on expanding supply, (we) will swiftly map out various measures to have a quick effect," he said. On diplomacy, he said the government will strengthen the Seoul-Washington alliance on the occasion of the upcoming launch of the Joe Biden administration. Soldiers swoop on Muyuka WhatsApp At least 10 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly gunned down Sunday, January 10, 2021, in Mautu Village, Muyuka. On Sunday afternoon, videos and pictures went viral on social media depicting corpses of people allegedly shot dead by government forces who were in search of armed separatist fighters. One of the videos shows a woman of advanced age shot in the leg and her grandson, a kid, shot in the palms, destroying his fingers. They could be seen lying on the floor and heard crying in pain. The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) reports that State Forces invaded Mautu and committed the act. CHRDA strongly condemns the heinous killing of at least eight civilians in Maotu Village in Muyuka Cameroon, said the international NGO headed by Barrister Agbor Nkongho. On Sunday 10 January 2021, CHRDA received with dismay, reports about the killing of at least eight civilians in Maotu village. Alleged members of the State Defence and Security forces reportedly invaded Maotu village in the Muyuka Subdivision, Fako Division of the South West region and committed the act, CHRDA said in a dispatch. The report reads, CHRDA received and analyzed some videos and images from the scene, which all depict that the victims were shot dead. Sources revealed that there was a military invasion in the village that kept everyone running for safety. So many people were killed including a grandmother and her grandchild, we do not know what that old woman and the innocent child did to deserve death an eyewitness recounted to CHRDA. The persons killed included women and children, who are classified under the group of vulnerable persons. Young and unarmed boys were also killed. This attack brings back to the minds of Cameroonians the Ngarbuh and Kumba Massacres, which occurred in 2020. Sequel to this, CHRDA strongly condemns this attack and killing of civilians. CHRDA notes that the recent attacks on the civilian population in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon has become rampant in the first 10 days of 2021. CHRDA extends its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families. CHRDA calls on the state authorities to investigate this heinous act and let justice be served for the victims. We also call on all combatants to fully respect International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. Shunyi district of 1.2m people in Beijing city sealed off all of its rural areas today Villagers are banned from leaving their homes until they receive negative results Wangkui, a county in north-eastern China, also isolated all 440,000 residents China is bracing a fresh virus outbreak that has infected hundreds within a week China has locked down all rural areas of a district in its capital Beijing to battle its worst coronavirus crisis in six months. All villages in the Shunyi district of north-eastern Beijing with over 1.2million residents were put under isolation while officials carry out mass testing for the virus, the local government announced today. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, Wangkui, a county of 440,000 people in north-eastern China's Heilongjiang Province, has been sealed off today after reporting 20 asymptomatic cases - people infected with the virus but not yet showing symptoms. China is bracing the country's largest COVID-19 outbreak in six months after reporting its highest coronavirus daily cases since last July. China has locked down the rural areas of a district in its capital Beijing and a northern Chinese town to battle its worst coronavirus crisis in six months. In this photo, residents in Beijing line up to be tested for the coronavirus on January 11 after a new cluster emerged in Hebei On Monday, the city of Beijing, where more than 30 people have been sickened in an outbreak centred in Shunyi, reported a new confirmed infection and four asymptomatic patients. Residents in Beijing are pictured waiting to be tested for the virus on Monday Click here to resize this module Since last week, China has sealed off two cities south of Beijing, cutting transport links and banning millions of residents from leaving to stem the latest crisis. It came after a wave of cases was found in Shijiazhuang, a city of several million in Hebei province whose surrounding areas take the total population to 11million. Infections were also detected in the neighbouring city of Xingtai, whose area covers 7million people. On Monday, the city of Beijing, where more than 30 people have been sickened in an outbreak centred in Shunyi, reported a new confirmed infection and four asymptomatic patients. All villages within Shunyi have been sealed off and left with only one entrance each, Zhi Xianwei, the vice district chief of Shunyi, said on a conference today. District-wide coronavirus screening is underway while residents are banned from leaving their homes until they receive their test results and are confirmed to be virus-free. Couriers and takeaways must be left at a designated point outside the villages to be disinfected before being delivered to residents by local community workers. The Heilongjiang town of Wangkui also went into lockdown today with no cars allowed to leave the area, local officials said. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of Chinas most serious in recent months. A resident scans a QR code held by a volunteer before passing through the gate of a residential compound in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province on Saturday The Chinese province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, has emerged as a new virus hot spot All roads, apart from emergency lanes, in Wangkui County have been closed while workers are placed at checkpoints 24/7. Public transportation has also fully stopped operating. ADVERTISEMENT Residents are banned from leaving the town unless for 'emergencies'. They also need to provide negative test results produced within three days. The draconian measures came after the town of 440,000 residents recorded 20 asymptomatic COVID-19 infections today after detecting its first case on Saturday. The news comes as a year ago China confirmed its first death from an unknown virus found at the now-notorious Wuhan wet market - 12 months later, the coronavirus has claimed 1.9 million lives in an unrelenting march across the world. In recent months, China appeared to have largely contained the health crisis as citizens gradually returned to their normal lives. But over the past week, a new outbreak has erupted in the Hebei Province surrounding Beijing. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of China's most serious in recent months. In June, a cluster of infections was detected at Xinfadi, a massive seafood market in Beijing, triggering a local outbreak that infected hundreds. China is battling a fresh wave of cases as authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale to curb the further spread during next months Lunar New Year holiday. Residents are tested for the coronavirus in Heihe, north-eastern China's Heilongjiang Province on January 7 Six months later, China is battling a fresh wave of cases as authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale to curb the further spread during next month's Lunar New Year holiday. The National Health Commission said Monday that another 82 people had tested positive in Hebei and were showing symptoms. Around the country, another 76 people had tested positive without displaying symptoms. Hebei has recorded 265 confirmed cases and at least 203 asymptomatic cases over the last eight days. China does not include those who test positive but do not show symptoms in its official case count. ADVERTISEMENT As of Monday, China has now recorded a total of 87,536 confirmed cases with 4,634 deaths. Hospitals were treating 673 people for COVID-19 while 506 people were in isolation and under observation after testing positive without showing symptoms. 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. Home Search ICH Question Everything! Purpose and Intent of this website: Violence in the Capitol, Dangers in the Aftermath From the Cold War to the War on Terror: the harms from authoritarian "solutions" are often greater than the threats they are ostensibly designed to combat. By Glenn Greenwald January 11, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - In the days and weeks after the 9/11 attack, Americans were largely united in emotional horror at what had been done to their country as well as in their willingness to endorse repression and violence in response. As a result, there was little room to raise concerns about the possible excesses or dangers of the American reaction, let alone to dissent from what political leaders were proposing in the name of vengeance and security. The psychological trauma from the carnage and the wreckage at the countrys most cherished symbols swamped rational faculties and thus rendered futile any attempts to urge restraint or caution. Nonetheless, a few tried. Scorn and sometimes worse were universally heaped upon them. On September 14 while bodies were still buried under burning rubble in downtown Manhattan Congresswoman Barbara Lee cast a lone vote against the Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF). Some of us must urge the use of restraint, she said seventy-two hours after the attack, adding: our country is in a state of mourning and thus some of us must say: lets step back for a moment, lets pause just for a minute, and think through the implications of our actions today so that this does not spiral out of control. For simply urging caution and casting a single no vote against war, Lees Congressional office was deluged with threats of violence. Armed security was deployed to protect her, largely as a result of media attacks suggesting that she was anti-American and sympathetic to terrorists. Yet twenty years later with U.S. troops still fighting in Afghanistan under that same AUMF, with Iraq destroyed, ISIS spawned, and U.S. civil liberties and privacy rights permanently crippled her solitary admonitions look far more like courage, prescience and wisdom than sedition or a desire to downplay the threat of Al Qaeda. Others also raised similar questions and issued similar warnings. On the left, people like Susan Sontag and Noam Chomsky, and on the right people such as Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan in different ways and at different times urged U.S. politicians and Americans generally to resist unleashing an orgy of domestic assaults on civil liberties, foreign invasions, and an endless war posture. They warned that such a cycle, once initiated, would be very difficult to control, even more difficult to reverse, and virtually guaranteed to provoke even greater violence. o Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter These few who dissented from the instant consensus were, like Congresswoman Lee, widely vilified. Both Sontag and Chomsky were branded anti-American Fifth Columnists, while David Frum, writing in National Review, denounced Buchanan and others questioning the excesses of the War on Terror from the right as Unpatriotic Conservatives: no different, proclaimed the neocon, than Noam Chomsky, Ted Rall, Gore Vidal, Alexander Cockburn, and other anti-Americans of the far Left. David Frum, National Review, Mar. 25, 2003 In retrospect, it is hard to deny that those who defied, or at least questioned, the potent 2001 emotional consensus by urging deliberation in lieu of reactionary rage were vindicated by subsequent events: the two-decade expansion of the war in Afghanistan to multiple countries, the enactment of the Patriot Act, the secret implementation of mass surveillance systems, the trillions of dollars of taxpayer wealth transferred to weapons manufacturers, and the paramilitarization of the domestic security state. At the very least, basic rationality requires an acknowledgement that when political passions and rage-driven emotions find their most intense expression, calls for reflection and caution can only be valuable even if ultimately rejected. Yesterdays invasion of the Capitol by a Trump-supporting mob has certainly generated intense political passion and pervasive rage. It is not hard to understand why: the introduction of physical force into political protest is always lamentable, usually dangerous, and, except in the rarest of circumstances that are plainly inapplicable here, unjustifiable. It was foreseeable that an action of this type would result in deaths. The most surprising outcome is that only four people died: an unarmed woman, a Trump supporter and Air Force veteran, who was shot in the neck by a law enforcement officer, and three other protesters who died from unspecified medical emergencies (one reportedly died due to accidentally tasering himself, inducing a heart attack). The U.S. Capitol remains a potent and cherished symbol even for Americans who are deeply cynical about the ruling class and political system. Its nobility is something continually engrained deep into our collective psyche since childhood, and that meaning endures even when our rational faculties reject it. It is therefore not hard to understand why watching a marauding band of hooligans invade and deface both the House and the Senate, without any identifiable objective other than venting grievances, reflexively engenders a patriotic disgust across the political spectrum. It is unhinged to the point of being obscene to compare yesterdays incursion to the 9/11 attack or (as Sen. Chuck Schumer did last night) to Pearl Harbor. By every metric, the magnitude and destructiveness of those two events are in an entirely different universe. But that does not mean there are no applicable lessons to be drawn from those prior attacks. One is that striking at cherished national symbols the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Capitol ensures rage and terror far beyond body counts or other concrete harms. That is one major reason that yesterdays event received far more attention and commentary, and will likely produce far greater consequences, than much deadlier incidents, such as the still-motive-unknown 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 59 or the 2016 Orlando shooting that left 49 dead at the Pulse nightclub. Unlike even horrific indiscriminate shooting sprees, an attack on a symbol of national power will be perceived as an attack on the state or even the society itself. There are other, more important historical lessons to draw not only from the 9/11 attack but subsequent terrorism on U.S. soil. One is the importance of resisting the coercive framework that demands everyone choose one of two extremes: that the incident is either (a) insignificant or even justifiable, or (b) is an earth-shattering, radically transformative event that demands radical, transformative state responses. This reductive, binary framework is anti-intellectual and dangerous. One can condemn a particular act while resisting the attempt to inflate the dangers it poses. One can acknowledge the very real existence of a threat while also warning of the harms, often far greater, from proposed solutions. One can reject maximalist, inflammatory rhetoric about an attack (a War of Civilizations, an attempted coup, an insurrection, sedition) without being fairly accused of indifference toward or sympathy for the attackers. Indeed, the primary focus of the first decade of my journalism was the U.S. War on Terror in particular, the relentless erosions of civil liberties and the endless militarization of American society in the name of waging it. To make the case that those trends should be opposed, I frequently argued that the threat posed by Islamic radicalism to U.S. citizens was being deliberately exaggerated, inflated and melodramatized. I argued that not because I believed the threat was nonexistent or trivial: I lived in New York City on 9/11 and remember to this day the excruciating horror from the smell and smoke emanating throughout Lower Manhattan and the haunting missing posters appended by desperate families, unwilling to accept the obvious reality of their loved ones deaths, to every lamp post on every street corner. I shared the same disgust and sadness as most other Americans from the Pulse massacre, the subway bombings in London and Madrid, the workplace mass shooting in San Bernardino. My insistence that we look at the other side of the ledger the costs and dangers not only from such attacks but also the solutions implemented in the name of stopping them did not come from indifference towards those deaths or a naive views of those responsible for them. It was instead driven by my simultaneous recognition of the dangers from rights-eroding, authoritarian reactions imposed by the state, particularly in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. One need not engage in denialism or minimization of a threat to rationally resist fear-driven fanaticism as Barbara Lee so eloquently insisted on September 14, 2001. Human memories are usually short and the dominance of social media has abridged them even further. Many have forgotten that the Clinton administration seized on the 1995 courthouse bombing in Oklahoma City to radically expand law enforcement powers and escalate its demands for full-scale backdoor access to all encrypted internet communications. The fear necessary to justify such draconian measures was fueled by incessant media hyping of weekend citizen militias in places like Idaho and Montana said to be plotting armed insurrection against the federal government. One of the first major War on Terror attacks on core Constitutional rights which I wrote about was Newt Gingrichs 2006 speech suggesting that the First Amendments free speech guarantee to fight terrorism should be modified. The former House Speaker approvingly cited a Commentary article by former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy entitled Free Speech for Terrorists? insisting that some ideas are so dangerous, especially in the era of terrorism and the internet, that the First Amendment must be limited to permit greater censorship powers: With an enemy committed to terrorism, the advocacy of terrorismthe threats, the wordsare not mere dogma, or even calls to action. They are themselves weaponsweapons of incitement and intimidation, often as effective in achieving their ends as would be firearms and explosives brandished openly. . . . Do we so lack confidence (except in the sacrosanct status of speech itself) that we are unable to say with assurance that some things are truly evil, and that advocating them not only fails to serve any socially desirable purpose but guarantees more evil? Must our historical deference to opinion, however noxious, defer as well to a call to arms against innocents, or a call to destroy a form of representative government that protects religious and political freedom? May we not even ban and criminalize the advocacy of militant Islam and its metier, which is the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians? . . . In America's bumptious, bounteous marketplace, there are no limits on words as the building blocks of ideas, or on ideas as the legitimate instruments of persuasion. Terror has no place in such discourse. It is the function of law to express our society's judgments. Ours should be simple and humane: words that kill are not words we need abide. As a free speech advocate and civil libertarian, I was naturally repelled by this notion that some political ideas could be deemed so dangerous by the state that they can be legally suppressed. In response, I asked rhetorically in 2006: Are there any American values at all in which Bush followers and neocons actually believe -- any constitutional principles that are sacrosanct and whose violations they would oppose if undertaken in the name of fighting The Terrorists? I concluded: It certainly doesn't appear so. Beyond raising alarms about civil liberties erosions, I also often insisted that the underlying causes of terrorism aimed at the U.S. should be considered if for no other reason than to understand how to address it without destroying core liberties for Americans. While religious fanaticism may sometimes be the cause, far more often, I argued, such attacks were motivated by rage over the killing of innocent people, including children, by the U.S. Governments bombs, drones and tanks in Muslim-majority countries. Right-wing advocates often demonized such arguments as pro-terrorist or as justifying terrorist attacks, but the left largely supported the inquiry into motivating causes, just as they have long supported the attempts to understand what motivates violent crime, on the ground that misguided actions are often driven by valid or at least widely shared redressible grievances. But the view that we should attempt to identify the core motives of terrorist acts or violent crime, rather than just label them evil and vow to destroy their perpetrators, was largely deemed taboo in mainstream discourse. ===== It is stunning to watch now as every War on Terror rhetorical tactic to justify civil liberties erosions is now being invoked in the name of combatting Trumpism, including the aggressive exploitation of the emotions triggered by yesterdays events at the Capitol to accelerate their implementation and demonize dissent over the quickly formed consensus. The same framework used to assault civil liberties in the name of foreign terrorism is now being seamlessly applied often by those who spent the last two decades objecting to it to the threat posed by domestic white supremacist terrorists, the term preferred by liberal elites, especially after yesterday, for Trump supporters generally. In so many ways, yesterday was the liberals 9/11, as even the most sensible commentators among them are resorting to the most unhinged rhetoric available. Within hours of the Capitol being cleared, we heard truly radical proposals from numerous members of Congress. Senators and House members who objected to Electoral College certification, or questioned its legitimacy, should be formally accused of sedition and expelled from the House if not prosecuted, argued Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), with other House members expressing support. Even those unarmed protesters who peacefully entered the Capitol should, many argued, be hunted by the FBI as domestic terrorists. Calls proliferated for the banning of the social media accounts of instigators and protest participants. Journalists and politicians cheered the decision by Facebook and Twitter to temporarily bar the President from using their service, and then cheered again when Facebooks CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday that the ban on Trump extended through Bidens inauguration. Some journalists, such as CNNs Oliver Darcy, complained that Facebook had not gone far enough, that more mass censorship was needed of right-wing voices. The once-radical 2006 Gingrich argument that some opinions are too dangerous to allow to be expressed because they are pro-terrorist and insurrectionary is now thriving, close to a consensus. These calls for censorship, online and official, are grounded in the long-discredited, oft-rejected and dangerous view that a person should be held legally accountable not only for their own illegal actions but also for the consequences of their protected speech: meaning the actions others take when they hear inflammatory rhetoric. That was the distorted mentality used by the State of Mississippi in the 1970s to try to hold NAACP leaders liable for the violent acts of their followers against boycott violators after hearing rousing pro-boycott speeches from NAACP leaders, only for the Supreme Court in 1982 to unanimously reject such efforts on the ground that "while the State legitimately may impose damages for the consequences of violent conduct, it may not award compensation for the consequences of nonviolent, protected activity," adding that even "advocacy of the use of force or violence does not remove speech from the protection of the first amendment." The complete reversal in mentality from just a few months ago is dizzying. Those who spent the summer demanding the police be defunded are furious that the police response at the Capitol was insufficiently robust, violent and aggressive. Those who urged the abolition of prisons are demanding Trump supporters be imprisoned for years. Those who, under the banner of anti-fascism, demanded the firing of a top New York Times editor for publishing an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) advocating the deployment of the U.S. military to quell riots a view deemed not just wrong but unspeakable in decent society are today furious that the National Guard was not deployed at the Capitol to quash pro-Trump supporters. Antifa advocates are working to expose the names of Capitol protesters to empower the FBI to arrest them on terrorism charges. And while Rep. Cori Bushs proposal to unseat members of Congress for their subversive views went mega-viral, many forget that in 1966, the Georgia State Legislature refused to seat Julian Bond after he refused to repudiate his anti-war work with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, then considered a domestic terrorist group. Those who argued in the summer that property damage is meaningless or even noble are treating smashed windows and looted podiums at the Capitol as treason, as a coup. One need not dismiss the lamentable actions of yesterday to simultaneously reject efforts to apply terms that are plainly inapplicable: attempted coup, insurrection, sedition. There was zero chance that the few hundred people who breached the Capitol could overthrow the U.S. Government the most powerful, armed and militarized entity in the world nor did they try. Perhaps many view it as more upsetting to see august members of Congress hiding in fear of a riot than to watch ordinary small-business owners weep as their multi-generational store burns to the ground. Undoubtedly, national reporters who spend much time in the Capitol and who have long-time friendships with Senators and House members are more horrified, far more so, by violent gangs in the Capitol rotunda than on the streets of Portland or Kenosha. But that does not mean that rational restraint is unnecessary when searching for sober language to accurately describe these events. There is a huge difference between, on the one hand, thousands of people shooting their way into the Capitol after a long-planned, coordinated plot with the goal of seizing permanent power, and, on the other, an impulsive and grievance-driven crowd more or less waltzing into the Capitol as the result of strength in numbers and then leaving a few hours later. That the only person shot was a protester killed by an armed agent of the state by itself makes clear how irresponsible these terms are. There are more adjectives besides fascist treason and harmless protest, enormous space between those two poles. One should not be forced to choose between the two. Tweet of Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Jan. 6, 2021 It has long been clear that, in the post-Trump era, media outlets looking to keep viewers hooked, and government officials looking to increase their power, will do everything possible to center and inflate the threat posed by right-wing factions. Ive said this more times than I can count over the last year at least. Like all inflated threats, this one has a kernel of truth. As is true of every faction, there are right-wing activists filled with rage and who are willing to engage in violence. Some of them are dangerous (just as some Muslims in the post-9/11 era, and some Antifa nihilists, were and are genuinely violent and dangerous). But as was true of the Cold War and the War on Terror and so many other crisis-spurred reactions, the other side of the ledger the draconian state powers clearly being planned and urged and prepared in the name of stopping them carries its own extremely formidable dangers. Refusing to consider those dangers for fear of standing accused of downplaying the threat is the most common tactic authoritarian advocates of state power use. Less than twenty-four hours after the Capitol breach, one sees this tactic being wielded with great flamboyance and potency, and it is sure to continue long after January 20. Glenn Greenwald is a journalist, constitutional lawyer, and author of four New York Times bestselling books on politics and law. His most recent book, No Place to Hide, is about the U.S. surveillance state and his experiences reporting on the Snowden documents around the world. Prior to co-founding The Intercept, Greenwalds column was featured in The Guardian and Salon. Glenn is one of the three co-founding editors of The Intercept. He left The Intercept in October 2020. https://greenwald.substack.com/ Suscribe to his newsletter 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. 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. Lax Security at Capitol on Jan. 6 Unbelievable, War and Protest Correspondent Says The lax security at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was unbelievable, according to war and protest correspondent and writer Michael Yon. Yon, a former member of U.S. special forces who was at the Capitol protests himself, said that in the areas he was in near the Capitol, there was no real security on Jan. 6. There was no real security at all, really. It was like a straight shot, like Atlanta airport, with lights telling you where to land, Yon said. It was a clear shot to the Capitol. Where was the security on a day like this? It was unbelievable. Yon said that lack of security looked like an invitation to proceed to storm the Capitol. They had taken down the barriers, which were nothing, they were like the snow fenceyou know, the plastic ones that you can unfurlso those were nothing. I mean, literally, a child can take them down, he said. He said he believes the storming of the Capitol was influenced by some typical crowd control methods, though he didnt say if the tactics were intentionally used or not. He recounted that some people started the walk toward the Capitol building before President Donald Trump had concluded his speech. At that point, Yon decided to take an Uber to a location 400 meters away from the Capitol. As soon as he got out of the ride, one guys already gassed. And hes, you know, he said that he had just been tear-gassed. He added that, according to a photo from earlier, somebody had been shot in the cheek maybe with a pepper ball. But then I saw people directing traffic, he recounted. Follow me, were going this way, were going to take our house back, that sort of thing. Yon saw a lot of people, some with megaphones, encouraging the crowds to move forward. He said that some of these people directing traffic were likely to have been agent provocateurs, explaining that its an old technique. Basically, you can take somebody elses crowd and make it do what you want it to do. Or you can take your own crowd and make it do what you want it to do, he explained. A small contingent of rioters and protesters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6the same day Congress was counting the electoral votes and confirming former Vice President Joe Biden as the president-electwhile tens of thousands of Trump supporters were gathering in Washington to call for election integrity. Trump had asked supporters gathered adjacent to the White House for his speech to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard at the planned gathering at the Capitol. But a subgroup of protesters eventually breached the building and vandalized the iconic structure, causing outrage from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran and Trump supporters who decided to enter the building, was killed during a scuffle with a plainclothes U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officer as she was tried to enter the House chamber via a broken window. In another confrontation, USCP officer Brian Sicknick died from injuries he sustained while engaging with protesters. Yon also said he believes that some of the protesters were likely members of the anarcho-communist group Antifa or a related group. He was able to spot some signs on some peoples helmets such as ACAB, which stands for all cops are [expletive]a sign intrinsically related to Antifa but not to supporters of Trump, who are usually strong advocates for law enforcement. The Epoch Times cannot verify the allegations independently. Journalist Andy Ngo, an expert on Antifa, has expressed doubts that the group was behind the Capitol Hill protests. The people occupying the Capitol building do not look like Antifa people dressed in Trump gear or Trump costumes, he told The Washington Examiner. I have seen no evidence that they are able to coordinate a mass infiltration on this scale before, so Im really skeptical that they would have been able to do it here without any of that information leaking out. Yon said it was very sad that weve come to this and noted that tensions in America are high. Hopefully, the United States will calm down soon, he said. Do I think thatll happen? I dont feel like it. Allen Zhong contributed to the report. Let us be clear at the outset. Brexit was always going to be a lose-lose situation for both Ireland and the UK and not least for Irish agriculture. Having said that, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) agreed on Christmas Eve between the UK and the EU which provisionally entered into force on January 1 this year was a very significant achievement for the two negotiating teams. It represents a significant improvement over the no deal Brexit that had threatened in the previous weeks. Critically, it prevents the imposition of tariffs on UK-EU trade, although subject to rules of origin to determine eligibility for the zero-tariff preferences. As important, it provides an agreed basis on which to develop the longer-term relationship between the two parties. This is far preferable to the outcome we would have faced if there had been a bad-tempered break-up followed by a debilitating blame game. The Agreement is only provisionally applied and is not yet home and dry. It has been adopted by the UK Parliament but has yet to be approved by the European Parliament. It will also require unanimous approval in the EU Council. This is expected to happen by the end of February, although this date can be postponed. Although in EU legal terms the TCA is an association agreement, Member States will not be parties to it and it will not require ratification by the individual Member States in their own right. The Agreement provides for zero tariffs or quotas on trade in goods between the two parties, the first time the EU has agreed full liberalisation in a trade agreement. However, this is not as unrestricted as it sounds. Any free trade agreement (as distinct from a customs union) comes with a set of rules of origin. These rules determine whether a particular product originates in the partner country and thus can benefit from tariff-free access. They are designed to avoid tariff-hopping where a third country tranships its goods through the United Kingdom to avail of the zero tariff preferences that the Agreement offers. Food products Rules of origin lay down the minimum amount of processing that must take place in the exporting country to claim origin and thus the right to benefit from the tariff preference. For example, for electric cars exported between the UK and the EU after 2027, at least 55pc of the content must be of UK or EU origin if the car is to benefit from the zero tariff preference. Rules of origin are also relevant to trade in food particularly for composite food products where some ingredients, such as sugar, cereals, coffee or cocoa, are sourced from third countries. Rules of origin create an incentive to use locally-produced inputs in the production of food and drink for export to ensure eligibility for the zero tariff preference. Read More Another instance concerns distribution channels where goods are exported from an EU country to a supermarket distribution centre in the UK. Some of these goods may be sent further to the supermarkets stores in Ireland. Even though the product originated in the EU, it appears such trans-shipped goods may not qualify for zero-tariff preferences under current EU rules. Even if trade is in principle free of tariffs, the TCA does not avoid the introduction of additional trade costs due to customs procedures, additional physical inspections when goods enter the UK or the EU, the need for health certificates for specific food products, changes in the treatment of VAT, and time and transport delays. These are an inevitable consequence of the UK leaving the EU customs union and single market. The full implications of these additional trade costs may have been masked in the first two weeks of the TCA as traffic volumes have been considerably lower than normal, due to pre-Christmas stockpiling, COVID restrictions, and because exporters are taking a wait-and-see attitude to how the new regulations will be implemented. Stena Line has cancelled Irish Sea sailings due to a slump in freight demand, although additional direct services between Ireland and the EU may also be a contributory factor. Still, there have been many reports of disruption to trade in the press and social media in recent days. Many of those affected are small companies that are not used to handling the requirements for exporting to third countries. Larger companies that handle the great majority of agri-food exports will have such systems in place and are likely to be less affected. The full impact of these additional trade frictions will take time to become apparent. The TCA provides for arrangements such as mutual recognition of trusted traders programmes to ensure lighter customs formalities and smoother flow of goods. The Agreement also allows for the possibility that Member States can enter into bilateral agreements with the UK concerning administrative cooperation in the field of customs and VAT, subject to Commission consent. Ireland should explore this option to increase co-operation with the UK authorities and to minimise the cost of these new trade arrangements. An innovative part of the Agreement concerns what are called level playing field provisions in various areas including subsidies as well as environmental protection and climate change. These are important for Irish farmers as they limit the extent to which UK producers can gain a competitive advantage through higher farm subsidies or laxer environmental regulations. The Agreement includes reciprocal commitments not to reduce the level of environmental or climate protection or fail to enforce laws in a manner that affects trade. Both sides have the right, in certain circumstances, and subject to arbitration, to take countermeasures if they believe they are being damaged by measures taken by the other party in subsidy policy, labour and social policy, or climate and environment policy. How this will work out in practice remains to be seen. The Agreement does not require both parties to have harmonised standards, and divergence in regulations can be expected over time. Already last week, at the Oxford Farming Conference, the Defra Minister, George Eustice, announced a public consultation on easing the regulatory framework for gene-editing at least in England. We may also see a situation where pesticides that are banned in the EU may be permitted for use by arable farmers in the UK if the authorities there take a different interpretation of the scientific evidence. Read More Irish agri-food and drink exports have slowly become less dependent on the UK market over time. In 2010, 42pc of exports went to the UK; this had dropped to 34pc in 2019. However, for specific segments, the UK still remains our most important market. It accounts for 45pc of cheese exports, 50pc of meat exports, and 67pc of exports of prepared consumer foods. Higher trading costs Brexit means this market is now less remunerative due to higher trading costs, although much will depend on how the sterling exchange rate evolves in the coming months. The returns from selling in the UK may also reduce over time if the UK enters into free trade agreements with significant third country agricultural exporters. The Irish government has responded by announcing a 100 million scheme for the food processing sector, intended to support the production of new or improved value added products and investment in production processes required by new markets. The EU has also included a 5 billion contingency fund in the EU budget to support sectors adversely affected by Brexit. The extent to which Irish farmers and processors will need to draw on these funds will only become evident over time as the realities of Brexit take hold. Alan Matthews is Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at Trinity College Dublin In Zimbabwe, some girls are forced to marry as young as the age of 10 because of poverty or for traditional or religious reasons. One Zimbabwean teenager is using the sport of taekwondo to give girls from a poor community a fighting chance to have a better life. Natsiraishe Maritsa has been a fan of taekwondo since she was very young. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. Today, the 17-year-old holds taekwondo lessons outside her parents home in the poor settlement of Epworth. The area is about 15 kilometers south of the capital, Harare. Not many people do taekwondo here, so its fascinating for the girls, both married and single, Maritsa said. I use it to get their attention. Children as young as four follow her instructions to stretch, kick, strike and punch. After class, the group talks about the risks of child marriage. Newly married girls led one recent discussion. One by one, they describe extreme abuse they have experienced in their marriages. They describe being raped and being hungry. We are not ready for this thing called marriage. We are just too young for it, Maritsa told The Associated Press. She described her small group as a safe space for the girls to share ideas. I use their voices, their challenges, to discourage those young girls not yet married to stay off early sexual activity and marriage, Maritsa said. Zimbabwe law says boys and girls cannot legally marry until they reach the age of 18. That law was passed in 2016. Child marriage, however, is widespread in the southern African nation. For some poor families, the reason is an economic one. Marrying off a young daughter means fewer costs. The rights group Girls Not Brides says the bride price paid by husbands of these girls is used by families as a means of survival. An estimated 30 percent of girls in Zimbabwe are married before they reach 18, the United Nations Childrens Fund says. Rising poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased pressures on families around the world to marry off their young daughters. Maritsas group is called Vulnerable Underaged Peoples Auditorium. She started the project in 2018 after seeing her friends leave school for marriage. She hopes to increase the confidence of both married and unmarried girls through the martial arts lessons and discussions. She accepts 15 students in each lesson, she said. The only support I get is from my parents. After class, her parents usually provide fresh juice and sweets. Zimbabwe recently announced a ban on public gatherings. The measure is meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The ban has forced Maritsa to suspend her lessons, but she hopes to restart as soon as the countrys lockdown is lifted. Maritsa said, From being hopeless, the young mothers feel empowered...being able to use their stories to dissuade other girls from falling into the same trap. Im Ashley Thompson. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story martial art n. one of several forms of fighting and self-defense that are widely practiced as a sport lesson n. something learned from experience fascinating adj. very interesting or appealing punch v. to strike with a closed hand challenge n. a difficult task or problem confidence n. a feeling of belief that you can do something lockdown n. an emergency situation in which people are not permitted to move around freely dissuade v. to persuade someone not to do something We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. New Delhi: The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice SA Bobde, will hear key petitions related to farmers' protests here on Monday (January 11, 2021). Several PILs have been filed in the top court citing law and order situation and inconvenience to people living in the Delhi-NCR region due to the protesting farmers. Petitions have also been filed by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva and other opposition leaders challenging the constitutionality of the new farm laws. After eight round of talks between the Centre and the farmer, unions have failed to yield any result as the agitating farmers are adamant on the repeal of new farm laws. Now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court, which will look at the legality of the three contentious laws. A cursory look at the earlier observations by the apex court indicated that it would facilitate in breaking the ongoing deadlock between the Centre and the farmers. On December 17, 2020, the SC had acknowledged the right of farmers to non-violent protests while suggesting the idea of putting on hold the new farm laws to enable negotiations with agitating farmers. The apex court had said, "It will not interfere with the farmers' protest against the three farms laws. We are of the view at this stage that the farmers' protest should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or police." The top court had also observed that the farmers' right to protest should not infringe the fundamental rights of others to move freely and in getting essential food and other supplies as the right to protest cannot mean blockade of the entire city. Live TV The Centre, however, had said that agriculturists would then not come forward for the talks. The court was told by both the sides that the negotiations are not happening at the moment. The top court said it would pass an order on constituting a committee only after hearing all the parties, including the protesting farmer unions. It also said that farmers cannot keep on protesting without talking to the government. Notably, thousands of farmers have camped at the Delhi borders since late November in 2020 and have been protesting against the three laws that were enacted in September 2020. These laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. The agitating farmers, however, have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. The 8th round of talks with the representatives of 41 farmers' unions was attended by Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Railways, Commerce and Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on January 8. The Agriculture Minister, who had expressed that the farmers' unions have kept the agitation disciplined which was praiseworthy, said the government is willing to continue discussions with an open mind. 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 65-year-old North Portland woman suffered a bullet wound to the foot when a suspected car thief fired into her house in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday morning. Police said the encounter unfolded when two residents who lived near the woman confronted two people who appeared to be trying to steal the residents car parked outside their home near the 9300 block of North Wall Avenue, about one block from Northgate Park in the Portsmouth neighborhood. One of the suspected car thieves fired a gun at the residents, who werent struck. But one of the bullets entered the 65-year-old womans home and struck her, police said. She was treated at a local hospital. Police were summoned to the area at 4:42 a.m. Police are asking the publics help in tracking down the suspected car thieves and shooter. Anyone with information is asked to email crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 21-8543. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers rewards of up to $2,500 to tipsters who report information to Crime Stoppers, if that information leads to arrests in unsolved felony criminal cases. The identity of tipsters can be kept confidential. Those who have information to share can do so online at https://www.p3tips.com/823. This was the third shooting that Portland police reported in a roughly two-hour period early Sunday. In one, police said a man with a gunshot wound to the back walked into a hotel in the South Waterfront area, after gunfire was heard at about 3:36 a.m. In another, police responded to a Buckman neighborhood apartment complex and discovered a man inside had shot multiple rounds into other units. No one was injured in that shooting. -- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee The spokesman for Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, the same day the country detected its first case of a potentially more contagious COVID-19 variant that is spreading in the United Kingdom Spokesman Jesus Ramirez Cuevas wrote on his Twitter account, I am in good health and I will be working from home. There was no word on whether the president had been tested. Ramirez Cuevas is close to Lopez Obrador, often handing him documents or going on trips with the president. Lopez Obrador is 67 and has high blood pressure, but almost never wears a mask. On Sunday, Lopez Obrador toured the Pacific coast seaport of Manzanillo and gave a speech, as usual without a mask on. Also on Sunday, health authorities in the northern border state of Tamaulipas detected a case of the U.K. variant, known as B.1.1.7. That strain has also been found in the United States, Canada, Italy, India and the United Arab Emirates. Scientists in the U.K. have said the variant may be more contagious than previously identified strains. The Tamaulipas state health department said the case was detected in a 56-year-old man who arrived on Dec. 29 at an airport in the border city of Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, aboard a flight from Mexico City. Later, federal health authorities said the man was a U.K. citizen who travelled from Amsterdam to Mexico City, and then caught a connecting flight to Matamoros, where he apparently had a work assignment. The man was tested only because his company required it; Mexico does very little testing of its own. The man was asymptomatic when tested, but has since been hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Officials said 31 of those aboard the flight had shown no symptoms and two others tested negative, but that 12 more could not be located. This is the first confirmed case of the new variant in Mexico. Mexico reported about 10,000 newly confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide Sunday and about 500 more deaths. Hospitals in Mexico City, the current epicenter of the pandemic in Mexico, were 92% full. Only about 6,320 people received vaccines in Mexico Sunday, for a total of 107,250 so far. Nine minutes after the opening of the City of Laredo's COVID-19 vaccine appointment system on Monday morning, all the appointments offered by the city health department had been booked, city leaders reported. The website, vaccinatelaredo.com, opened at 8 a.m. Monday morning, and as has been the case with almost all phases of the vaccine's rollout, demand far exceeded the supply. While the total number of citizens on the website this morning is not yet known by the city's IT department, many citizens reported having difficulty booking an appointment through the site. City IT director Homero Vazquez-Garcia said the website remained stable despite the demand for appointments. However, as time slots were quickly being exhausted, sometimes the time slot would expire while citizens were filling out their personal information. According to the city leaders, 1,200 vaccinations allocated directly to the City of Laredo health department will be distributed those those who fall under tier 1A and 1B tier of the state's vaccine distribution plan and sign up through the site. This includes healthcare professionals, those 65 years or older and anyone over the age of 16 with an underlying health condition that puts them at higher risk of COVID-19. Laredo health director Richard Chamberlain said that the Laredo area has been allocated a total 1,400 doses of the vaccine this week, but is still seeking clarification on any additional shipments to the health department. The shipment of 1,200 doses to be used in the vaccination drive was expected to be received at the city health department this week, but was actually received by the city on Friday. However, Chamberlain said the city is reaching out to the state for clarification if any additional doses should be expected. As the health department receives a more ample supply of the vaccine, further appointments will be opening through the website. However, city leaders continue to remind citizens that the health department not the only way citizens can receive the vaccine. A list of of vaccine providers in Laredo and their supply of the vaccine is available through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Though supplies fluctuate on a daily basis, more and more shipments of the vaccine are being received every week. City officials recommended citizens reach out to the clinics directly as different clinics might have different distribution priorities. In the report, city leaders also confirmed 414 new cases and five fatalities due to the virus. With today's data, the city has surpassed over 30,000 COVID-19 cases since the emergence of COVID-19 in Laredo. 533 deaths have been reported. 1,474 cases remain active, with 28,008 persons estimated to have recovered from a previous infection. A total of 213,426 tests for the virus have been administered. As of noon Monday, 219 people are hospitalized in the Laredo, 72 of which are in the intensive care unit. The resulting COVID-19 hospitalization rate stands at 44.47% which leads the state by a large margin. No other hospital region in Texas is above 30%. However, additional forms of relief are being implemented to lessen the burden on the local healthcare system. Emergency management coordinator Guillermo Heard said a tent has already been built at Doctors Hospital, which will serve as additional space for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Specifically, the hospital will be using the additional space to provide antibody infusion treatments to low-risk patients. A tent will also be erected at Laredo Medical Center for the infusion treatments, as well as for evaluation of patients suspected of having COVID-19. Additionally, Heard announced that the first five patients will be seen Monday at the infusion treatment center now in operation at the Haynes Health & Wellness center. In a study released by farm-insights, a new age consultancy offering insights and analytics, powerd by Talkwalker, on sentiment analysis of the Fortune Rice Bran Oil Sourav Ganguly case, obtained from online conversations across platforms on worldwideweb. The study saw a large number of young executives mostly married took to social media to voice their concerns online. With over 51% falling in the age bracket of 25 to 34. The audience was primarily male (72%). While the brand is mainly targeted towards people with 40 years and above, their share of voice in these conversations was way less than 5% in the overall chatter. North Indian mainly stormed the social media with maximum the SOV coming from Delhi and Punjab. The outcome of the report was after a methodical pan India listening of conversations across social media and other platforms like FB, Twitter, news portals, blogs, forums etc. the total number of conversations were 515 that had an engagement (Social Media) of over 16.5k with a potential reach of 450 Mn online consumers. Consumers showed more of anger on the brand / corporate for being reckless and making claims while the other majority showed sadness / concern for their icons sudden ailment and prayed for his recovery. More than personal attack, the news of Adanis temporarily halting the ad campaign was retweeted by maximum netizen. While initial reaction from netizens primarily showed anger with hashtags like #boycottfortune which eventually fizzled out as reports of Souravs health being fine was out. Most consumers who voiced their concerns were Managers, engineer, entrepreneur, consultants, health workers and teachers. Surprisingly food and beverages was not in the top interests, that goes on to show the level of belief the audience has in terms of healthy living and any brand that promotes it. The conversations were mainly saw a spike mainly after it appeared in the news. The news carried adjectives like mild cardiac arrest, healthy heart and temporarily halted the ad campaign. This aided in having a lesser impact on the audience. 5 1 of 5 Danielson Fire Department / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Danielson Fire Department / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Danielson Fire Department / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 5 of 5 KILLINGLY A driver was flown to the hospital with injuries and hypothermia after his car plummeted 25 feet off the road and into the File Mile River over the weekend, officials said. It was a little after 11 a.m. Saturday when first responders were dispatched to the intersection of Main and Water streets for a reported crash where a vehicle had gone off the road and into the water. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 18:56:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli defense electronics company Elbit Systems said Monday that it will provide new training technologies to the British navy in a 166-million-dollar deal. This is included in a 12-year agreement between the Israeli company and the British Ministry of Defence, after Elbit was selected for the Royal Navy Future Naval Training Program. As part of the contract, Elbit's subsidiary in Britain will develop and deliver a new trainer for combat system operators, and modernize and manage legacy synthetic training systems across the Royal Navy. "The new training technologies will improve the British Defence Operational Training Capability (Maritime) program, while facilitating availability and efficiency of legacy capabilities", Elbit said. Enditem 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 rise of free-speech apps has gained traction in social media now. Various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have employed stringent measures to ensure their users are observing community guidelines. On the contrary, unbiased, free speech apps like Parler are more lenient in their speech rules. What is Parler Social Media? Parler is a social media app founded in 2018. Parler, which means "to speak" in French allows users to interact in a platform that promotes free speech and participation. According to Parler, "Users can be responsible to engage content as they see fit. We are not regulators. We are not governors. We are a community." The app was founded with the intention of removing ideological censorship and privacy abuse by big social media platforms. Although there are still existing guidelines to the page, their restrictions are not as rigid as that of other social media giants, hence the rise of their popularity. For users who want to express unrestrained political, economic, and social opinions, Parler has been a better alternative to sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Trent Read from the Salt Lake City area in an interview via USA Today says that he will make a huge move to switch from Twitter to Parler. "If I can be a small part of sending a message to them to tell them to stay out of my business, that would be a positive thing.", he says. Parler has now reached about 8 million members from its launch since 2018. See more: What is Parler? Social Media Users Leave Facebook and Twitter to Join New Platform Parler App May not be Available Soon However, Vox reports that Parler may not be available anymore anytime soon. Recently, Amazon has announced that it will kick out Parler from its platform. Amazon's decision to remove Parler from its system came after Apple Store and Google Play store decided to also remove the Parler App from their respective systems. This series of actions has been made after political uprisings in the US Capitol have happened due to incitements that have been occurring in social media sites like Twitter. In an attempt to prevent any further uprisings from happening, free speech apps have been constrained by numerous servers. According to the report, if Parler cannot secure their own host server, they may disappear from the web completely anytime soon. Alternatives to Parler Social Media Thus, users are now looking for more ways to access free speech social media apps. Thankfully, there are still apps to date that are still available in Play Store, App Store, and in their own respective websites. Here are some alternatives to Parler: MeWe MeWe is also one of the free-speech apps that believes censoring users for political reasons is not necessary. This next -gen social media app has user-friendly social issues which claims that their site has "No BS, No ads, No Targeting, No facial recognition, and no Newsfeed Manipulation. The app features dedicated newsfeeds for connections, friends, families, and common interest groups. The chat app has group chats, camera features, GIF creations, live video and voice posting, personal social cloud, and more. Users can see their connections' posts in real time. MeWe members has the luxury of owning their own data and enjoying under the protection of MeWe's Privacy Bill Of Rights. Gab Gab, another social networking website that is popular among users who want to continue expressing free speech, with mostly political intentions. It was founded by Andrew Torba in 2016. The app has a similar layout with Twitter, which features trending posts, and the compiled news for the day in the right side. There's also an option to explore more on what's happening. It has an interface in the center that shows recent posts where you can react and comment. Similar to Twitter, it also allows you to follow, unfollow people, and add them to your groups/networks. As of 2020, Gab has reportedly 3.7 million monthly visitors worldwide. Rumble Rumble is a video-themed social media app. The page claims that users will "never be censored for political or scientific content...We firmly believe in the ability for creators to openly discuss, challenge, and debate topics across various categories. Subscribe to your favorite channels, watch, upload, and swipe for your favorite videos.", they add. It's pretty similar to youtube or Tiktok, where you will be allowed to upload your videos, as well as subscribe to other users' channels. You can also build your own followers and make money by earning tickets every time you vote for your favorite video. You can also access videos that you want to discover through the Rumble battle. While there may be various free speech and uncensored apps online, it may still pay in the long run to know your rights and limitations as a responsible user. Make sure to at least adhere to one principle: to respect others' opinions just like how you want them to respect yours. See related article: Heard of MeWe? Parler Rival Trails Second as Facebook and Twitter Alternative!-Is This a Worthy Option? 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 A small village in Serbia has been making pottery the same way for over 400 years. Now it's been recognized as part of the world's "intangible heritage." The Savic family is one of 18 pottery-making households in Zlakusa, whose ancient craft has won the village a place on UNESCOs list of "intangible heritage." The practice of making clay pots in Zlakusa dates back at least 400 years. The techniques used in the village today are virtually the same (minus the occasional stone-crushing machine) as they always were. The village is uniquely placed to source both clay and stone from nearby deposits. The combination of high-quality clay and stone give the Zlakusa cookware strength and an intangible but widely attested flavor boost to traditional foods that bubble for hours inside the pots. The husband-and-wife team has worked as potters in Zlakusa for over 20 years. In its densely worded official inscription of Zlakusa, UNESCO describes the treasure of the village as the knowledge and skills involved in making unglazed vessels for thermic food processing (also known as cooking). The drying process lasts several days and, as the water evaporates, the pots shrink significantly. The final step of firing is sometimes done on open bonfires in Zlakusa, but only if stable weather permits. Firing in Zlakusa is done at a relatively low temperature of around 700 to 800 degrees Celsius, and the pots are not glazed, giving them a rough texture and ensuring a slow, even heat during cooking. According to Food And Wine magazine, which conducted a rigorous blind test of clay pots, Everything cooked in clay tasted better than the same recipes cooked in metal pans. Rice smelled more floral and toasty.... Beans were creamy and tender without their skins falling apart. The main disadvantage of clay is that it can break when subjected to heat shock from a sudden change in temperature. 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 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK) (Takeda) will present virtually at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference at 5:20 p.m. ET on Monday, January 11, 2021 / 7:20 a.m. JT on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Investors and the general public are invited to listen to the live webcast with Christophe Weber, president and chief executive officer, here. A replay of the webcast will also be archived at the same location. A link to the webcast and slides for download will also be available on Takedas website at https://www.takeda.com/investors/ir-events/. ABOUT TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LIMITED Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Genetic and Hematology, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in peoples lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005289/en/ President Donald Trump is expected to visit Texas this week to highlight his administration's work on the U.S.-Mexico border wall. A White House official said Trump would be in Alamo, Texas on Tuesday, Fox News reported. The announcement came a week after the Department of Homeland Security officials touted the completion of around 450 miles of border fencing under the Trump administration. "President Trump is expected to travel to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to mark the completion of more than 400 miles of border wall - a promise made, promise kept - and his Administration's efforts to reform our broken immigration stem," White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere in a statement as reported by Breitbart. Trump's visit is scheduled the same week that the House of Representatives will vote for Trump's impeachment after the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Related story: Congress to Approve $1.3 Billion for Border Wall on Monday The Border Wall Last year, Trump had promised to have 450 miles of the wall completed by the end of 2020. Only 100 miles were done in January 2020. Trump earlier told MSNBC that a wall was needed along 1,000 miles of the border that does not already have natural barriers. The administration then said they had made progress towards achieving most of that during Trump's term. During the 2016 election campaign, Trump promised that if would be elected president, he would build a wall along the Mexican border with a cost. He said he would build a great wall but noted that it would be very inexpensive. In 2017, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said that the wall would cost around $15 billion at most, adding that it ranges from $12 billion to $15 billion, according to a CNBC News report. Future of the Border Wall Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden has said that if he were chosen the next president, he would not tear down the barrier's parts along the border. However, he would cease its construction. Biden said that there would not be another foot of wall constructed during his presidential term. He noted that he would make sure that the country has border protection, and it's going to be based on a high-tech capacity to deal with it, as reported by NPR. However, Customs Border Protection (CBP) head cautioned that shutting down the wall's construction could cost taxpayers billions. According to acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan, a total of 800 miles have already been funded. Fox News reported that Morgan said those miles had been funded with an overwhelming amount, and the contracts have already been awarded. He added that if Biden stops the construction, there would be some areas that they would have to pay extra for them to remove the rebar and fill in the trench. Morgan also warned that thousands of jobs would be lost if the project stops. However, some reports are challenging Morgan's claim as with the case to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates. According to a Washington Post report, the U.S. Army Corps said that halting the construction could save around $2.6 billion. Read also: Google AI Tech to Be Used in Virtual Border Wall of Trump Admin: Report Sebamed, a German personal care brand, has launched a new campaign, wherein it names well-known soap brands such as Lux, Pears, Dove and even Rin. Titled Filmstars ki nahi, science ki suno, the ad starts with women taking bath in a bath tub and questioning the pH level in the soap brands that are endorsed by celebrities (Pears, Dove and Lux) and comparing that with the pH level of Rin, which is used to wash clothes. They go on to emphasise that one should listen to the scientists and use Sebamed instead as its pH level is 5.5, which is just right for the skin. This is not the first time that a brand has mentioned its competitors in its ad to showcase its superiority. Earlier, we have seen brand campaigns of Rin Vs Tide, Colgate Vs Pepsodent, Complan Vs Horlicks, Coca Cola Vs Pepsi, Apple Vs Samsung and many others who have used their competitors name and logo directly in their ads. Colgate Vs Pepsodent Complan Vs Horlicks Tide Vs Rin Adgully reached out to some leading ad consultants to know about whether the idea works. Consumers dont understand the concept of pH, or whats ideal for the skin. There is nothing explained in the ad, its only a comparison of numbers, opined Vani Gupta Dandia, Founder, CherryPeachPlum Growth Partners, and former Marketing Director, PepsiCo. She further said, The execution of the idea is badly done in my view. There is no logic for the girl to be sitting naked in a Turkish spa to make the point. I understand its a bathing soap. But the overt sensuality feels out of place to me. There is arrogance and smugness in the girls attitude too, which will rub off badly on the brand persona. As they say, negative advertisement also gets you good amount of attention. Rajesh Sikroria, founder Pontem Integrated, and ex-president BBDO, remarked, Imagine, within two days of releasing the advertisement, we all are talking about it. Two days back, if you had asked anyone about Sebamed, chances are you would have got a hollow response, and ask around today. So, did it work? On the awareness level, full marks! What they did on traditional media has set social media on fire. Did the communication create conversations? Again, look at what you and I are doing right now. Full marks again. Can you imagine how many people would have Googled what is the right pH for skin? The (beauty) soap market is already cluttered and Sebamed has managed to break through the clutter by hitting out at leading brands through its comparative advertising campaign. Anup Sharma, an independent communication consultant, was of the view, "Today, the consumers are looking for more than a product and see what the brand purpose is and also want the organisations narratives reflecting their values." Sharma further added, The campaign looks to be extended with the hashtag #SachComingSoon and hope the brand will be able to communicate their values and purpose through engagement to turn the attention and the one-time purchase to a loyal consumer. At the same time, Gupta Dandia felt, This brand could have taken the high ground on educating consumers in a sensitive and genuinely concerned tone. They could have repositioned all other soaps as those that take advantage of your ignorance, those that seduce you with big celebrities and big budgets. They could do this by taking on an infomercial tonality like the smart thinking girls soap. She is informed and discerning, makes deliberate and considered choices rather than following the herd. With this ad, they have actually proven they are just another one out to seduce. The execution is out of place. This was a missed opportunity for Sebamed. Its definitely been noticed, both by the consumer as well as the market leader. As far as getting the conversations started, Sebamed has ticked a lot of boxes. "As a consumer whos just seen the ad, I havent been told about any other FBAs (features, benefits, advantages), nor have I been deterred to use my current brand by educating me about the harms of high pH. Plus theres a wide gap between the price ranges of the competition called out and Sebamed, so strictly speaking, even though Ive seen the ad, I might not even be a potential customer. All these will matter once the bubbles pop. For now, theyve definitely got the attention they intended for," concluded Deepak Krishna, ACD, Schbang Bangalore. The Vietnam Railways Corporation has lost VND1.32 trillion (US$57.4 million) in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding in the central region. The continuing pandemic might mean another difficult year for the railways sector. Speaking at a conference held to discuss the railways plans for this year last week, its chairman, Vu Anh Minh, said revenues last year were down 21.7 per cent to VND6.56 trillion ($284.5 million). The continuing pandemic threatened another difficult year for the railways, he said. It also faced severe competition from low-cost airlines, he said. Work to upgrade the Ha Noi- HCM City route at a cost of VND7trillion ($303.6 million) reduced its capacity by 25-30 per cent during the construction period, he said. The company had not received enough funds for developing basic infrastructure, making it difficult to attract private investors, he said. Its market share had significantly fallen. The number of passengers in some months last year plunged to record lows, he said. If business does not improve this year, the company foresees a loss of VND3.25 trillion ($140.9 million) for its two subsidiaries, Ha Noi Railway Transport and Sai Gon Railway Transport, in the next two years, according to Minh. It expects the performance to start recovering once COVID vaccines are rolled out across the world and the pandemic is under control. Minh also hoped a plan to restructure VNR would be approved soon so that the firm can restructure its finances, investments, human resources and organisation and invest more in technology and services. At the conference, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong admitted that the railway sector experienced a tough 2020. Over the past decade, the sector failed to mobilise resources for its development. Meanwhile, the investment in the sector had increased slightly by VND4-4.5 trillion, mainly for infrastructure maintenance and social welfare and not for development. Dong also said it would be difficult to eliminate the difficulties facing the sector in a short time. VNS The financial issues clouding ambitious North-South railway The North-South high-speed railway line is a large-scale project with a total investment of around $58.7 billion which could facilitate not only cargo transport at an operational speed of up to 200km/h but also reduce travel time 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that the government and people of a country are the only ones who have the right to assess the human rights situation in their nation, and that other countries have no right to interfere in Egypts internal affairs. In a press conference held on Monday following the meeting of the quartet commission on the Palestinian cause along with his counterparts from France, Germany and Jordan, FM Shoukry tackled the issue of human rights in Egypt. Each society has its own conditions, according to the challenges it faces. Germany, for example, has a present that differs from that of 70 years ago, as does Europe in general, he said. The FM also said that no journalist in Egypt, whether Egyptian or foreign, has been charged for expressing their opinion, but that they have faced charges of committing criminal offences, and were given the opportunity to defend themselves before the Egyptian judiciary. Shoukry stressed that Egypt has an independent judiciary. Concerning the incoming Joe Biden administration, Shoukry said that Egypt hopes its evaluation of human rights in the country will be real, fair and based on documented information, and not focus on groups that do not represent the orientations of the Egyptian people. He also emphasised that what is being promoted concerning human rights in Egypt is done by organisations that pursue extremism and violence. Shoukry called on the foreign ministers to tour Egypt and speak with Egyptian citizens to closely get acquainted with the reality of the situation in Egypt. He also expressed his hope that other countries would consider Egypts specific situation and not resort to criticism or make unfounded accusations. Short link: Surveying works in several areas of Kildare are well underway for the implementation of the national broadband plan (NBP), according to National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company rolling out the new high-speed fibre broadband network. NBI said contractors have been on the ground across Ireland for eight months and over 150,000 premises nationwide have been surveyed to date. This involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This will enable network design solutions for the provision of a fibre network to every premises in the Intervention Area a map of over 544,000 premises nationwide identified by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) - as not being served with adequate broadband speeds, it said. It said that in Kildare, there are 13,859 premises in the Intervention Area (IA), which includes homes, farms, commercial businesses and schools. This equates to 46% of all premises in the county. Under the National Broadband Plan, Kildare will see an investment of 53 million in the new high-speed fibre network. It said the following areas in Kildare are being surveyed: Athy, Coneyboro, Aughaboura, Ballinapark, Castlemitchell, Bert, Kilberry and Kilkea. All NBI contractors will also carry official ID cards and essential worker letters, and have received training on adhering to all Covid 19 guidelines. They will have vehicles, PPE and signage with both their own, and NBI logos. The company said that In advance of the fibre to the home roll out, the NBP provides for the delivery of BCPs nationwide. Over 60 of these sites are now live and have both internal and external broadband access. These facilities - which include GAA clubs, community centres and tourist sites will provide free public access to high speed internet in the rollout area. These will pave the way for rural communities to receive the benefits of broadband, from mobile working, e-learning and mobile banking, to digital tourism. A full list can be found at /bcp-map/ Primary schools in the IA are also being connected for educational access as part of the NBP. Locations of Broadband Connection Points in county Kildare will include Back Gate Lodge at Kilkea Castle, Cookstown Further Education, Training and Community Centre, Bigstone Community Hall, and Lullymore Heritage Park. NBI chief executive, Peter Hendrick, said the company was pleased with the progress being made. NBIs website www.nbi.ie has a search tool to enable the public to check whether their premises is within the rollout area, and to show indicative dates for areas being surveyed. There is also a facility to register for updates on this. Detailed designs for the fibre area network are drawn up following these surveys. The network build has started in parts of Cavan, Cork, Galway and Limerick, and some connections are expected by the end of this year. NBIs contact centre can be reached at 0818 624 624 (lo-call) or contactus@nbi.ie Mike Flynns homecoming gift to the city of Jacksonville is a living legacy that will continue to provide beauty and enjoyment for generations to come. I grew up here as a kid and when I moved back about ten years ago I noticed that there was a lack of trees along our pretty old boulevards around town, our historic streets and parks, Flynn said. So I thought that maybe we could solve that problem somehow. Flynn solved the problem by creating the Jacksonville Tree Project through the Jacksonville Rotary Club, an effort that to date has planted about 150 live trees throughout the city valued at $40,000. Flynn got the idea from the state where he lived most of his adult life. More Information If you have a suggestion about someone who should be profiled, send their name and any contact information available to communitynews@myjournalcourier.com. See More Collapse There was a program in Texas that was very successful, there was a huge buy-in and everybody did their civic duty and planted a tree. It was very popular and everybody jumped on board, the 55-year-old Flynn said. Quincy has a similar project as well, so I reached out and asked how they did it and then I modified it for this market. Flynn was a member of the Jacksonville Main Street board at the time the organization decided to plant some trees in the downtown area. Once that work was complete, Flynn convinced the Rotary Club to take over the project, re-brand it, and take it city-wide. We started centrally in the old historic district. Most of the trees were starting to age out in that area so there were a lot of holes in the tree canopy along State, College and Lafayette, Flynn said. Those areas often have wide boulevards and are perfect for planting beautiful old hardwood trees. We focused initially on where you could plant larger trees so you could get more bang for your buck. The Jacksonville Tree Project has since expanded to plant trees in Diamond Grove and East Cemeteries; the Illinois School for the Deaf campus; the Illinois and former MacMurray College campuses; Community, Nichols and Duncan parks; and several trees in the downtown Central Park area. Project trees have been planted in special locations to honor individuals such as Ken Bradbury, Paul Findley, JoAnn Parlier, Wolf Fuhrig and other Jacksonville residents who have made a difference in peoples lives. The Rotary Club has also planted trees in Community Park to honor several Rotary Exchange students. The trees are designated on the jacksonvillerotary.org/rotary-trees website, where a map provides information about each tree. Donations to the project are tax deductible and can also be made through the website. Project funding comes from individual and business donations, the Rotary Club, and Jacksonville Night at Busch Stadium. Our Tree Project Committee reached out this year to local expert Pat Ward and landscaper Chris Hardwick who helped us to pick the right types of trees, getting a wide variety of trees so we dont have what we had in the 1950s and 1960s with the Dutch elm disease, Flynn said. We tried to keep it as varied as possible but still plant high-quality trees. Turner Tree Service and Hembrough Tree & Lawn Service have assisted us with our project in the past as well. Flynn said that sugar maple, oak, linden, sycamore and disease-resistant elm have been the projects most often-planted trees because they are beautiful, long-living hardwood shade trees. We think people want to make an investment and leave trees for future generations, put the city back in a place where it used to be and we can all enjoy them and watch them grow, Flynn said. We are also starting to plant a few smaller trees that can go under power lines. Most of the trees are pretty large because we dont want to plant saplings around town, Flynn said. We dont want to wait that long to see them grow, but also when they are really small there can be more damage from lawn mowers or little kids who may want to play with them. Flynn said the Jacksonville Tree Project has been well-received. People who have been in Jacksonville for generations like my family remember us being known as Elm City and our great history with being a tree-filled city, Flynn said. I think that strikes an emotional chord with a lot of people and they want to see that returned. A lot of the trees we are planting are in areas where people walk a lot, especially during this pandemic, Flynn said. People are spending much more time outside with their children, biking and walking, and they like to see trees when they are walking and it is encouraging them to want to donate toward something that they can watch grow when they are outside. Flynn has no specific training as an arborist but works closely with the experts on tree selection and planting. Flynn knows what he likes, and that is a green city. I have always lived in areas that have been pretty tree-filled and had an appreciation for it, Flynn said. When you move away you see things through a different set of eyes sometimes, you have a nostalgic feel for your home town. That played a big part in my wanting to get involved and create something to make Jacksonville as good as it can be. Progressive cities have great parks, they have neighborhoods that are full of mature trees and people want that in a neighborhood they live in, Flynn said. I notice that when I go someplace and it makes me want to live in a place like that. Photo: (Photo : GoFundMe) A plumber has helped over 10,000 families for free. During the pandemic, he has already spent $77,000 to help a lot of affected families keep their homes warm through the cold weather. A family called James Anderson in 2017 to get a second opinion about their heater at home. The elderly and disabled man from that home sought the help of a heating company before that and had to pay $6,000 for fixing his heater. Started a nonprofit organization to help the needy Anderson was disgusted and disheartened about the company that tried to con someone of their money, so he decided to start a nonprofit organization to help those in need. He founded Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Response (Depher) to help the needy. Since then, it has already helped more than 10,000 families. For whatever plumbing and heating cost, Anderson promises to help the elderly and disabled. INTERESTING READ: Baby Formula Surprise: Family in Need Finds Cash in New Can of Formula However, because of the pandemic, he knew he had to do more. He decided to help pay bills for other people. Apart from that, he also buys PPE and gives food parcels to the people in the community. Provided more service during the pandemic The 53-year-old said that he had already spent $69,000 during the pandemic. Even so, he said it was "worth every penny" because his service helped keep people warm and alive. The dad-of-six explained how hard it is for a parent to keep their household, especially for those with disabilities. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Girl Donates Birthday Money to Homeless Man After He Returned Her Grandma's Wallet He said that issues could sometimes make things difficult to overcome. So he said that he wanted to make sure that they take care of the families' needs. He added that people want to be there for each other because it is a social responsibility. Currently, the tradesman from Burnley, Lancashire, works with many different plumbers around. His organization already works with people in Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, and some parts of Scotland. Plans to cover the whole UK Soon, he hopes to cover the whole UK and has started a GoFundMe page for donations. Anderson has been humbled and emotional due to the people's reactions. He and a local team with three volunteers, four engineers, and three apprentices have helped take on 93 jobs for free between Christmas Day and New Year. READ: Secret Santa Leaves $250 Gift Cards to Needy Families on Christmas The kind plumber has been working non-stop. He said that each week, he works for 70 hours, seven days a week. He said he has not taken a single day-off because he will have enough rest when he is dead. The fundraising page has already raised over $22,800 to give free repairs for families. Some of the people whom the nonprofit has helped became a member of their community. With 2020 at an end, most of us are looking forward to starting afresh in 2021. With vaccination under way, optimism is definitely in the air. The sense that the new year will be a good one for locations that offer what people want. I believe that Malaga is one of them. And one of the best because the city brings together exactly what tourists and would-be relocators will be looking for in 2021. Heres why. Safety first. Top of visitors priorities will be health and safety guarantees and Malaga offers several: -The Malaga Safe for You campaign provides weekly antigen tests to employees working in tourism, culture or retail. -Malaga city has the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels stamp recognising tourist destinations that have health and hygiene protocols in place. -Guaranteed Covid-19 insurance from the Junta de Andalucia for non-resident foreigners staying in registered accommodation. It provides cover for hospital healthcare, accommodation in an apartment and repatriation. All that sunshine and light. Malaga is one of the few places in Europe offering 320 guaranteed days of sunshine a year. Plus, the winters are mild and the city enjoys a daily 10 hours of daylight. By mid-January, the thought of a weekend or short break in the sunshine will be irresistible for many Northern Europeans, virus or no virus. Expect big interest in Malaga this winter. Plenty of new investment. Despite the effects of the pandemic, businesses have continued to invest in Malaga. More construction cranes have sprung up on the skyline and theres big investment in hotels and high-end residential property. Malaga is already looking ahead to the next five years and betting on strong tourism and relocation markets. A top place to live. Malaga regularly features on best place to live rankings and the latest came from Forbes last November. Malaga is one of the 20 best places for Americans to live in Europe because its family friendly and also very suitable for single digital nomads or couples, as well as retirees who wish to live an active, culturally rich and lively retirement. Great communications. Malaga does communications very well. The Airport has direct flights from dozens of European cities and down on the ground, well-maintained roads connect the city to the rest of the Costa del Sol and beyond. Online connectivity is just as important in todays work-from-home world 5G arrived in the city in 2020 and fibre-optic internet is widely available. Something for everyone. As Forbes pointed out, Malaga caters for any demographic and from all walks of life. Best of all? They all get a warm welcome. Looking forward to 2021. My glass is always half-full, but natural optimism aside, I genuinely believe that 2021 will be Malagas year. The year when the city emerges as one of Europes preferred destinations for safe, sunny and quality short-breaks and relocation. And the year that the citys best businesses reap real rewards. Joanna Styles is CEO of Guide to Malaga, a provider of information in English about the city for tourists and residents. www.guidetomalaga.com BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov -- who was serving a 10-year prison sentence for kidnapping just a few months ago -- has called for national unity after winning a weekend presidential election that observers said "generally respected" fundamental freedoms even though the vote was not "fully fair." Candidates in the January 10 vote "could mostly campaign freely" but the campaign was "dominated by one candidate who benefited from disproportionate financial means and misuse of administrative resources, resulting in an uneven playing field," the observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) said in a preliminary report on January 11. With nearly all ballots counted, the Central Election Commission said Japarov received almost 79.2 percent of the vote, cementing his hold on power just three months after a popular uprising over a parliamentary vote widely seen as rigged sent the country into political chaos. In a referendum held in tandem, voters opted for a presidential system in the Central Asian nation of some 6.5 million that will give Japarov greater powers when a new constitution is passed. Japarov, speaking to supporters in Bishkek's central square promised a "dictatorship of law and justice" on January 11 and dismissed fears of a strongman crackdown. "There will be no dictatorship as some scaremongers say. There will be a dictatorship of law and justice," Japarov said, borrowing a phrase from Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whose country is a key ally for Kyrgyzstan. "We have waited for this moment for 30 years," he told supporters at a concert of traditional music, asking them to "criticize, advise, and guide" him in his work. "Now we need unity, Japarov said. He also pledged that Russia will remain the country's "main strategic partner. Among the 16 other candidates in the presidential race, Japarovs closest rival, Adakhan Madumarov, won nearly 6.7 percent of the vote. 'Far From Reality' There were no reports of major violations during the vote, but Madumarov described the early election results as "far from reality" and vowed to "seek justice through legal means." The turnout was less than 40 percent, but there is no legally imposed threshold for the presidential vote, while 30 percent is the minimum threshold for the referendum to be considered valid. Kyrgyzstan has been in crisis since parliamentary elections in October led to protests that triggered the toppling of the government and the resignation of then-President Sooranbai Jeenbekov -- the third time since 2005 that a Kyrgyz president and his government had been ousted by protests. Japarov, 52, was among several prominent politicians freed from prison by protesters during the unrest. He had been serving a 10-year prison sentence for hostage-taking during a protest against a mining operation in northeast Kyrgyzstan in October 2013. He has steadfastly denied the charge. "The past months have been dramatic for the people of Kyrgyzstan and chaotic for its politics, but yesterday we saw a generally well-run process," said Peter Juel-Jensen, special coordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission. "However, if Kyrgyzstan is going to live up to the aspirations of its people for a functioning democracy, fully fair competition on a level playing field is critical. This was not the case here," he said in a statement. Extreme cold was blamed for low turnout and glitches that caused lines to form at some of more than 2,300 polling stations, along with a change that prevented people from voting where they currently reside if they are still registered in their birthplace. Reinhold Lopatka, head of the OSCE PA delegation, said another factor may also account for the relatively low turnout. "While Kyrgyzstan has previously distinguished itself within the region for its level of political debate, discussion was more centered on personalities than programs," he said. After polls closed on January 10, Japarov, said that the fight against deeply rooted corruption in Kyrgyzstan will be among his priorities as president. Putin's Congratulations Putin was among the first leaders to congratulate Japarov on his victory, noting that further cooperation between the two countries "meets the fundamental interests of our friendly nations and contributes to stronger stability and security in the Central Asian region." In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek said on January 11 that the United States looked forward to working with "newly elected President Japarov to deepen cooperation and partnership between our countries through strengthening democratic institutions, economic development, a joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and cooperation in the fight against corruption and international organized crime." The Central Election Commission reported around 60 complaints from polling stations, most of them allegations about the use of administrative resources or accusations of vote-buying. The election team of presidential candidate Klara Soorunkulova claimed that they had received reports of "vote-buying" but didnt say which candidates supporters were involved. Gulgaaky Mamasalieva, a member of Soorunkulova's team, said the reports came from the Southern District of Osh. "Also, local residents complained that certain people were putting pressure on them telling them who they should vote for. But when we arrived in the polling station, they ran away." Mamasalieva told RFE/RL. Meanwhile, Kloop.kg news agency conducted its own project to monitor the voting process, deploying more than 1,500 observers in polling stations across the country. Elvira Sultanmurat, Kloop.kg news agency's editor in Osh, said that the "majority of the irregularities [reported by Kloop.kg observers] were linked to technical problems, like an automatic ballot box not functioning, or being broken." The vote comes after the results of the October 4 parliamentary elections were annulled following protests to condemn large-scale vote-buying campaigns benefiting parties close to Jeenbekov. The protests turned violent as clashes with police left one protester dead. A day later, the government was chased from power, and Jeenbekov resigned soon afterward. In the ensuing power vacuum, Japarov became prime minister and was then voted in by lawmakers as acting president. In a series of questionable maneuvers, he used the old parliament to rush through motions for the referendum on a presidential system. A second referendum must be conducted, tentatively in March, to vote on a new draft constitution. Japarov said that, if the switch to a presidential system won voter support, the Constitutional Council would resume work on January 11 to prepare a new draft constitution. Critics, including Human Rights Watch and legal experts, say Kyrgyzstan's caretaker parliament did not have the legitimacy to initiate far-reaching constitutional amendments because its term had expired. It's still not clear when new parliamentary elections will be held. Japarov and his supporters have pushed for the referendum saying the country needs the change to strengthen the role of the president by adding extensive legislative and executive powers similar to those in other neighboring Central Asian countries. Critics have pointed out that those powers are often abused. With reporting by Interfax OnePlus Band price in India and specifications will be unveiled on January 11. The companys first smart band is confirmed to be available for purchase via Amazon India upon launch. OnePlus Band specifications and features have been teased on the Amazon microsite ahead of the launch. Rumours also suggest that the OnePlus Band India price will be set at around Rs 2,500. OnePlus Band India launch The OnePlus Band launch in India is scheduled for 11 am on January 11. The companys first smart band will be available via Amazon India. OnePlus Band price in India (rumoured) The OnePlus Band official price in India will be unveiled on January 11. As per rumours, the fitness wearable will launch in India for Rs 2,499. It will compete against the likes of Xiaomi Mi Band 5, Honor Band 5, etc. OnePlus Band specifications OnePlus has confirmed some of the OnePlus smart band specifications ahead of the launch. The OnePlus Band Amazon India microsite confirms that fitness band will come with sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring system and blood oxygen saturation monitor (SpO2). It will also come with water and dust resistance. The OnePlus Band is rumoured to sport a 1.1-inch touch rectangular AMOLED display. The listing also confirms that the OnePlus Band will come in three colour options with a dual-tone finish. These would include Black, Silver and Orange, and Blue. The OnePlus Band is claimed to offer a 14-days worth of battery life on a single charge. It will also come with 13 workout modes. To offer seamless connectivity, the OnePlus Band will work with the OnePlus Health app, which can be downloaded via the Google Play Store. 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 Hanks has revealed the one Australian creature he is absolutely terrified of. In an interview with The Late Show on Sunday, the American actor and filmmaker, 64, said beach worms made him squeamish because 'they 'look like something that the Mandalorian has to flee from'. He branded the worms the 'scariest animal' he's ever encountered Down Under after being questioned by host Stephen Colbert. 'That would be a type of worm that lives in the sand of beaches in Australia. I'll send you a picture. It'll haunt your dreams,' Tom said. 'They're these things and they come up and they have these heads that if you look at them close, they honestly look like something that the Mandalorian has to flee from out of the Tatooine.' Beach worms can be found on the eastern and south-eastern coasts of Australia, according to the Australian Museum. They can grow up to 300cm in length and are found in sandy beaches at the low water mark. 'It'll haunt your dreams': Tom Hanks (pictured), 64, has revealed the unlikely Australian creature he is absolutely terrified of - beach worms - in an interview with The Late Show on Sunday 'What's the scariest animal?' Tom told host Stephen Colbert (pictured) he was squeamish around beach worms - aka australonuphis parateres - as 'they 'look like something that the Mandalorian has to flee from' Birds and fish eat beach worms, and they are commonly used by fishermen as bait. Tom's is currently based in Australia, filming Baz Luhrmann's biographical drama about Elvis Presley on the Gold Coast. The film stars the father-of-four as Elvis's formidable manager, Colonel Tom Parker, with Austin Butler as the king of rock'n'roll. Beach worms can be found on the eastern and south-eastern coasts of Australia, according to the Australian Museum . They can grow up to 300cm in length and are found in sandy beaches at the low water mark The Queensland-based shoot was postponed while Tom and his wife Rita recovered from COVID-19. He returned to the project six months later, all shook up but unbowed. The movie is expected to be released in November 2021. WASHINGTON : House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. The House action could start as soon as Monday as pressure increases on Trump to step aside. A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible." Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches A stunning end to Trump's final 10 days in office was underway as lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden was inaugurated Jan. 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. Pelosi emphasized the need for quick action. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat," Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action." On Monday, Pelosi's leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment, with a full House vote expected on Tuesday. After that, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. During an interview on 60 Minutes" aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, Its over." Thats what has to happen now," she said. With impeachment planning intensifying, Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again," Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way." Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out." A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful" in his final days in office. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated Jan. 20. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. Lets give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running," Clyburn said. Corporate America began to show its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy," Kim said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citis head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law." Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president" with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way" if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide." A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. Toomey appeared on CNN's State of the Union" and NBC's Meet the Press." Clyburn was on Fox News Sunday" and CNN. Kinzinger was on ABC's This Week," Blunt was on CBS' Face the Nation" and Rubio was on Fox News Channel's Sunday Morning Futures." Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. As expected, OnePlus is jumping into the wearable market. The company announced the OnePlus Band today, a cheap and cheerful fitness tracker bound for India. The centerpiece is a 1.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a 126 x 294 resolution and, according to XDA Developers, P3-wide color gamut. The processor and RAM are a mystery, but the company has revealed the battery size 100 mAh, which should last up to two weeks on a single charge. (An early review by GSM Arena pegs the battery life at seven days, however.) It also sports 1P68 dust and water resistance, meaning it should be fine if youre caught in a fleeting rain shower. The OnePlus Band can track your steps and, like the Apple Watch, will let you know if youve been sitting for too long. It can also monitor your workouts, with 13 dedicated exercise modes including yoga and running. The Band isnt a medical device, but it can also monitor your heart rate, sleep and, thanks to a SpO2 sensor, your blood oxygen levels. Basic information will be visible on the Band, but for a better understanding of your health, youll want to gaze at the companion Health app for Android. It connects over Bluetooth 5.0 and can also be used for basic smartwatch functionality, such as notifications, music playback, alarms and timers. Unfortunately, iPhone users are out of luck. Spport for iOS and corresponding OnePlus Health app (for iOS) will only be available post launch, the official OnePlus Band page reads. If thats not a problem, the Band can be picked up for 2,499 Indian Rupees (roughly $34). The removable module only comes in one color black and every customer will get a black strap as standard. It will be possible, however, to buy additional strap colors separately. If you live in the West, bad news: for now, the company has no plans to launch the device outside of India. Last month, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed that the company would announce a smartwatch in early 2021. The manufacturer, best known for its flagship killer phones, had explored a watch before but ultimately cancelled the project in order to focus on its core business. It's not clear if the Band is what Lau was referring to, or a separate announcement. (Were guessing its a different device, but have reached out for confirmaton.) The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington on June 13, 2005. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Supreme Court Wont Fast-Track Remaining Lawsuits Challenging Presidential Election Results With just over a week before Inauguration Day, the Supreme Court on Jan. 11 threw out a batch of requests by President Donald Trumps campaign and Trump supporters for expedited consideration of legal challenges to election results in multiple states. The actions came after Congress voted on Jan. 7 to reject objections by senators and representatives challenging Electoral College votes from disputed states won narrowly by the Democratic Party ticket of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Republican lawmakers support for the objections collapsed after multiple individuals bearing Trump campaign flags and paraphernalia ran amok in the U.S. Capitol building while lawmakers were attempting to certify the results of the Nov. 3 election, delaying the process several hours. Although the lawsuits the high court acted on remain pending, the terms of office of the unsuccessful Republican Party ticket of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are scheduled to end at noon on Jan. 20, at which point Biden and Harris will be sworn in, replacing them. Trump has said he wont attend the ceremony. The Supreme Court, as is its custom, didnt explain why it dismissed the emergency applications seeking to fast-track the lawsuits. There were no noted dissents from any of the nine justices. The lawsuits, which concern the presidential elections held in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, are now in a state of legal purgatory waiting to be processed at the high court. They could be heard later this year after Biden and Harris have taken office. Many of the lawsuits challenge the election results on the basis of allegedly unconstitutional changes made to state election procedures. Article II of the U.S. Constitution states, Each State shall appoint [electors for president and vice president] in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct. Litigants point out that the legislative power here is plenary, meaning unqualified and absolute. State officials, they say, arent allowed to modify election procedures without the consent of the legislature. Trump campaign attorney John C. Eastman of Anaheim, California, told The Epoch Times in an email he still hopes the Supreme Court will take up the case known as Trump v. Boockvar. The petition for certiorari and motion to expedite were filed on Dec. 21, 2020. By failing to act on our motion to expedite for over three weeks, the motion to expedite had effectively been denied already, Eastman said, adding the issue of whether the petition is moot remains to be decided. There is a well-recognized exception to mootness called capable of repetition yet evading review. It is invoked quite frequently in election litigation, as oftentimes the issues are as applicable to the next election as to the current one. Our legal issuewhether non-legislative election and judicial officials in the state have the ability to ignore or alter state election law in the manner of choosing presidential electors violates Article II of the U.S. Constitution, remains important and in need of the Courts review. The petition states that the plenary power and the statutory provisions enacted by the legislature in the furtherance of that constitutionally-assigned duty may not be ignored by state election officials or changed by state courts, citing the Supreme Courts landmark 2000 ruling in Bush v. Gore, sometimes called Bush II. Yet, during the 2020 presidential election, that is what the Pennsylvania Supreme Court did in four cases. The lawsuit brought by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) against Pennsylvania began on Dec. 3, 2020, as an emergency application aimed to prevent state officials from taking any further action to perfect the certification of the results of the election. The Supreme Court denied the emergency application on Dec. 8, 2020. Then, in a petition filed on Dec. 11, 2020, Kelly asked the high court to invalidate Act 77, which Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, signed into law on Oct. 30, 2019. The no-excuse mail-in voting system implemented by Act 77 was substantively unconstitutional and violated 158 years of standing legal precedent, Kelly argued. Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia A. McCullough issued a ruling on Nov. 27, 2020, finding that the petitioners met, in Kellys words, all six factors for injunctive relief. Petitioners appear to have a viable claim that the mail-in ballot procedures set forth in Act 77 contravene Pa. Const. Article VII Section 14 as the plain language of that constitutional provision is at odds with the mail-in provisions of Act 77, McCullough wrote. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania disagreed and reversed the judges ruling. The Supreme Court of the United States refused Jan. 11 to expedite the appeal. The Trumps campaign petition, filed Dec. 29, 2020, challenging results in Wisconsin raised the Article II argument. Trump supporter and attorney L. Lin Woods lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger argues in his petition filed Dec. 8, 2020, that the Republican secretary of state usurped the plenary authority of the Georgia Legislature by entering into a Settlement Agreement with the Democratic Party earlier this year and issuing an Official Election Bulletin that modified the Legislatures clear procedures for verifying the identity of mail-in voters. The March 2020 settlement with the Democratic Party of Georgia, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee violated voters rights by setting forth totally different standards to be followed [by] a poll worker processing absentee ballots in Georgia. A Georgia election-related petition filed by attorney Sidney Powell in a case known as In Re Coreco J. Pearson also named Raffensperger as a respondent. Another petition filed by Powell in King v. Whitmer states that there were widespread voter irregularities and fraud in the State of Michigan in the processing and tabulating of votes and absentee ballots, and that the trial court completely and utterly ignored the dozens of affidavits, testimonials, expert opinions, diagrams and photos that supported the petitioners claim. A petition and motion to expedite brought Dec. 11, 2020, by Kelli Ward, head of the Arizona Republican Party, asked the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the dates/deadlines of December 8th, 2020, and December 14th, 2020, as applied to state-court litigation over presidential electors in Arizona. 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 modest retirement account belonging to Samantha Velezs family has been reset to zero. Just last month, with the coronavirus pandemic gutting jobs and slashing the familys incomes, that money was used for something more pressing: rent. Sometimes, you got to do what you got to do, Velez said. For now, were looking at the short-term goal, which is to make sure we have what the kids need. Across the Pikes Peak region and Colorado, people are scrambling to pay rent and stay off the streets dipping into retirement savings, moving in with relatives and frantically searching for the few remaining job openings still available. But many experts say those measures can only go so far, and over the next few months, thousands of people could lose their apartments and houses to eviction without more financial help or flexibility from landlords. As many as 392,000 Coloradans are at risk of eviction by Sept. 30, according to a joint study by the Aspen Financial Security Program and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, which was formed in March to pair attorneys with struggling tenants. For the past few months, a one-time $1,200 federal stimulus check and an extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits have been all that's kept many of them afloat. With the extra unemployment benefits about to come to an end, housing advocates fear a spike in homelessness not seen since the Great Recession. Evicted tenants would receive a black mark on their rental history that could make finding another apartment or house exponentially more difficult. Before the pandemic hit, communities across Colorado had faced a severe shortage of affordable housing. The addition of more than 630,000 Coloradans since March to the states unemployment rolls including nearly 66,000 people in El Paso and Teller counties could turn that shortage into an unmitigated crisis. Already, nonprofits say they are being slammed with calls for help. This is extremely unique. (In) 2008 we saw the economic recession, but it wasnt nearly as dramatic as this is right now, said Capt. Doug Hanson of the local Salvation Army chapter. We dont really see the end in sight. Some doubt whether that predicted tsunami of evictions will come to pass. Laura Nelson, executive director of the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado, said delinquency rates remain at levels comparable to previous years. She added that apartment owners and property management firms will do all they can to avoid evictions. They dont benefit from having an empty unit, so if they can work with folks, they certainly will, Nelson said. Still, she added that Congress needs to approve another stimulus plan if those delinquency rates are to hold steady. The big concern is going to come when the unemployment (stimulus) stops, which is the end of this month, Nelson said. Some, depending on how they budgeted, may have money for August rent. "But then September is going to be the real kicker, probably. Protections starting to lapse So far, tenants unable to pay rent have been shielded by a menagerie of state and federal orders. A statewide moratorium on evictions lasted from April 30 until June 13. Afterward, Gov. Jared Polis temporarily extended the time that landlords must give tenants to pay overdue rent from 10 days to 30. For Velez, that added time was pivotal. But keeping up on rent meant using every penny from her husbands retirement account to pay $2,400 that was past due. Their bills started stacking up when her husband left his job at a car dealership where he worked for quickly-evaporating commissions to, instead, deliver food for DoorDash. Velez also saw her hours cut at a local hospital, where she helps supply nurses and doctors with equipment. With three children to house and feed, she said having extra time to pay rent was critical. But she worries about not paying rent in the future, especially with the retirement account empty. We have a chance of falling behind again," Velez said. "Because if a second wave is to happen like they're predicting, then hours at the hospital will be cut. So there's no guarantee that we'll stay ahead. Many of those state and federal protections are starting to lapse. In general, landlords were able to begin filing eviction complaints for nonpayment in El Paso County court a few days ago, though it wasn't immediately clear if there was a sizable rush to the courthouse. Instead, the vast majority of eviction filings likely wont come for several weeks, experts said. A moratorium on federally-subsidized housing, as well as on homes covered by federally-backed mortgages will expire in about a week. And a key date looms on Saturday, when federal stimulus funding that added $600 a week to unemployment checks comes to an end. Advocates said those benefits were critical in keeping people housed while the economy bled jobs at an unprecedented rate. The checks were the only thing helping Flora Rodriguez, 56, and her three teenagers from ending up on the street. She was furloughed from her job as a hospice worker in April and has yet to be called back. She isnt sure whats going to happen at the end of the month when her unemployment checks drop to their typical levels. She pays about $1,600-$1,700 a month in rent and utilities for their house. Its going to be tough thats the only way Im making it now, she said, of the additional $600 a week in unemployment benefits. Its going to be really tough. A lot of people are going to end up homeless. Bombarded with requests for help More unemployment assistance may be needed as the pandemic drags on, said Robert Carr, vice president of operations for Weidner Apartment Homes. But talk of a pending deluge of evictions appears premature and overblown, he said. The overwhelming majority of tenants in the firm's 3,000 units across the Pikes Peak region have paid rent on time so far during the pandemic, Carr said. The key is being flexible with clients impacted by the pandemic, he said. About 4% to 5% of Weidners tenants in the area have accepted payment plans intended to keep them in their homes. The company even extended some apartment leases up to a year, to give tenants more time to pay. Some tenants also have been released from their leases without termination fees, so they could move in with relatives. The last thing we want is to evict a bunch of people in the middle of a global pandemic, Carr said. Thats not in anybodys best interest He said Weidner also has expenses to consider mortgages, employee salaries, utilities, taxes and maintenance costs that have continued during the pandemic. While Weidner can cover those costs for the time being, other landlords may not be able to. Some landlords who are not being as flexible, its because they cant be, Carr said. Theyre in a situation where if they dont get rent back, they wont be able to pay their mortgage, theyre not going to be able to keep the lights on. Local nonprofit leaders, however, say it's only a matter of time before tenants end up on the street. Already, organizations across the Pikes Peak region are being bombarded with requests for help paying rent. Calls to the Pikes Peak United Way's 211 line from March through June jumped nearly 90% from the same period last year. That included calls it took in a partnership with the county's emergency operations center. Most of the requests sought help paying for rent, utilities or food, said Deana Hunt, the organization's senior vice president of community impact. Catholic Charities of Central Colorado has helped 189 households with rent payments since the start of May. That compares with less than 80 households all last year. And while it's given away about $150,000 in rental assistance so far, it field another $40,000 in requests that weren't granted, largely due to having to cap requests. The people seeking that help have rarely, if ever, come to its doors seeking rental assistance, said Andy Barton, the organizations president and CEO. This situation is touching not just the most vulnerable that we usually see, but a whole new population of folks who were living right on the margins, Barton said. To cope, some people are moving in with family members or friends. A traveling nurse for nine years, Sandy Maestas, 55, saw several potential positions dry up during the pandemic. The only real opportunities are in COVID-19 wards, work she preferred to avoid. Instead, she moved into her grandfathers house in Colorado Springs with a few other relatives and a family friend. She shudders to think what would have happened without help from her family. I never thought that this would happen again, Maestas said. But when things get rough, families pull together. Need for help is rising The rush of federal stimulus, as well as a rise in private donations throughout the region, has thus far helped many tenants weather housing crises. The state Legislature set aside nearly $20 million in federal stimulus funding specifically for rental and mortgage assistance and other housing issues. And the Federal Emergency Management Agency is pumping money into the region, including several hundred thousand dollars to nonprofits for rental assistance. Other federal stimulus pots also added millions of dollars to help nonprofits and bolster the area's response to homelessness and, to a lesser extent, rental woes. The local Salvation Army chapter gave away about $200,000 in government funding and private donations over the last few months, with each household receiving an average of $1,150, said Hanson, who oversees the nonprofit. It's waiting for word on another round of funding, and until then, has stopped taking rental assistance applications due to a lack of money. And Family Promise of Colorado Springs has received several new donations and grants since the pandemic hit, increasing its rental assistance fund more than seven fold to $375,000. Other entities, such as Westside CARES and Brothers Redevelopment, also are helping renters. But the need for help is rising. About 90% of the inquiries to Mercys Gate over the past few months were for rental assistance, said Jason Dilger, the nonprofits executive director. Recent donations have nearly doubled his rental assistance budget for the year from $53,000 to $103,000. Another check could arrive any day pushing that total even higher. Even so, he said that still wont be enough to meet demand. Before the pandemic hit, his organization struggled to answer every call for rental help, turning away hundreds of people a year seeking rental assistance. In 2018, for example, he calculated that his organization would have needed $387,000 a year to help everyone seeking help to pay rent. Thats our number one volume of calls, is housing, Dilger said. Aid donated to Family Promise also is going fast, and it coincided with an uptick in requests for help, said Kat Lilley, the organizations CEO. Normally, three to five people a week would approach the agency seeking help. Now, it fields requests from 10 to 15 people a day. And the longer the pandemic goes on, the more people will need help. When you look at all of the organizations that provide homeless prevention services and rental assistance, historically there's never been enough to meet the demand, Lilley said. And then we have a pandemic and an influx coming. So were working as best as we can to keep up, but the reality is that I think were all very concerned. CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Winsight and FoodService Director, the leading noncommercial foodservice media brand of Winsight, are excited to add the FSD Community to its product portfolio. The mission of this new online platform, launching March 23, 2021, is to serve the noncommercial foodservice industry year-round through educational content and create a space for operators and suppliers to learn, connect and grow. "Noncommercial operators are foodservice professionals who are always seeking new ideas and best practices to improve their operations. And happy to share their ideas, too," said William Anderson, SVP of noncommercial foodservice for Winsight. "Our FSD Community is the ultimate help desk." As a member of the FSD Community, noncommercial foodservice operators and suppliers will have exclusive access to: Interviews with noncommercial industry experts and presentations from FoodService Director editors. editors. Culinary demonstrations and targeted educational workshops to share ideas, insights, products and solutions. Discussion boards, moderated by the FoodService Director editorial team, will facilitate questions and allow viewers to take an active role in the answers, information and data. A key component of FSD Community is Share Groups, which offers discussions based on shared interests and responsibilities, product discovery and one-on-one virtual meetings between operators and suppliers. Membership to the FSD Community is complimentary for operators. Suppliers can join via one of FSD Community's many sponsorship opportunities. To learn more about FSD Community, visit https://www.foodservicedirector.com/community/fsdc About Winsight, LLC Winsight LLC is a business-to-business information company serving the restaurant and noncommercial foodservice, convenience and petroleum retailing and grocery industries. Winsight provides research and analytics, branding solutions, face-to-face opportunities, lead generation initiatives, and content marketing services through products including subscription data products, reports, research tools, research programs, fully custom studies, conferences, custom marketing services, meetings, print and digital trade media. To learn more, www.winsightmedia.com. Contact: Britta Baarstad, [email protected] SOURCE Winsight, LLC Related Links www.WinsightMedia.com Nashville Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, along with the attorneys general of 27 states, has entered into a settlement with Sabre Corporation that resolves an investigation into the 2017 data breach of Sabre Hospitality Solutions hotel booking system. The breach exposed the data of approximately 1.3 million credit cards. The settlement requires a payment of $2.4 million, of which the State of Tennessee will receive $61,909.08 and injunctive relief. Sabre Hospitality Solutions, a business segment of Sabre, operates the SynXis Central Reservation system, which facilitates the booking of hotel reservations. SynXis connects business travel coordinators, travel agencies, and online travel booking companies to Sabres hotel customers. On June 6, 2017, Sabre informed its hotel customers of a data breach that occurred between August 2016 and March 2017, which the business had disclosed in a 10-Q SEC filing the month before. The hotels, which were responsible for informing their customers of the breach, did not issue some notifications until 2018. When a data breach occurs, everyone down the line should be informed immediately, said General Slatery. This settlement seeks to protect both consumers and the customers who have provided sensitive information to a third-party vendor. The settlement requires Sabre to include language in future contracts that specifies the roles and responsibilities of both parties in the event of a breach. It also requires Sabre to try to determine whether its customers have provided notice to consumers, and to provide the attorneys general a list of all the customers that it has notified. In addition, the settlement requires that Sabre implement and maintain a comprehensive information security program, implement a written incident response and data breach notification plan, implement specific security requirements, and undergo a third-party security assessment. Joining General Slatery are the attorneys general of Vermont, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. To read the settlement, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2021/pr21-01-order-avc.pdf ### #21-01: AG Slatery Resolves Data Breach Investigation of Sabre Hospitality Solutions Foreign nationals seeking medical care and their medical escorts, diplomats, and foreign dignitaries are exempted from the ongoing travel ban the Philippine government has imposed on travelers from the United States, including those from Guam and the CNMI. The travel ban was put in place due to the threat of the new COVID-19 variant, and will last through Jan. 15. On Wednesday, the Philippines added six more countries to the list of areas subject to the travel ban: Brazil, Finland, Indian, Jordan, Norway and Portugal. Filipinos and dual citizens are allowed entry from the expanded list of countries, but are required to complete a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Filipinos who are now U.S. citizens are not allowed entry. The Philippine Consulate General, however, issued another advisory listing further exemptions from travel restrictions related to the SARS-COV2 variant detected in the U.K.: Diplomats and representatives of international organizations accredited to the Philippines and their dependents. Foreign dignitaries who shall observe existing testing and quarantine protocols upon arrival in the Philippines. Foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines for medical and emergency cases, including their foreign medical escorts, if any. Moreover, any individual arriving in the Philippines who may have received vaccinations for COVID-19 in other countries shall still be required to observe the mandatory testing and quarantine protocols, the Philippine Consulate General said. Guam and the CNMI, being U.S. territories, are included in the travel ban, the office said earlier. Many from Guam and the CNMI go to the Philippines for medical care. Travel time by air is less than four hours. Despite the ban, United Airlines flights between Guam and the Philippines continue. According to Philippine Airlines, the flights from Manila to Guam every Thursday and Sunday continue, except Jan. 7 and 14. Flights from Guam to Manila every Monday and Friday also continue, except Jan. 8 and 15. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. Shrugging off the disruptions of the year gone by, businesses and agencies are looking for a strong revival in 2021. Over the next few weeks, Adgully as part of its annual TRENDING NOW endeavour will be presenting the strategies and views of a cross-section of industry leaders as they go about reclaiming lost time and market opportunities and build for a stronger future, armed with the lessons of 2020. Deba Ghoshal, Vice President and Head of Marketing, Voltas Ltd, looks to capitalising on the momentum garnered by the festive season of 2020. In 2021, he expects the demand for need-based products to be high. He also anticipates a lot of business coming in from the Tier 2 and 3 markets over the next 2-3 years. Outlook for 2021 The festive season played a crucial role in making up for most of the lost sales in the early months of the lockdown; but it is the post-festive period that will be critical for making that growth sustainable. Evidently, there is a clear demand for need-based products as consumers seek products to ease their daily lives in the new normal. We expect this demand to be high in the coming few months as well, owing to an increased need for automation of household chores due to the work-from-home culture. With the second wave of pandemic hitting several cities, people are already looking for white goods that help with the burden of household chores. In 2020, we witnessed a good pickup in demand for newer categories like dishwashers and air purifiers, which we expect will continue to gain popularity in 2021, as the market penetration is currently low and there is a lot of room to grow. In addition to these categories, we also witnessed the microwave category gaining momentum. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect a lot of business coming in from the Tier 2 and 3 markets in particular, where we have the highest distribution reach and market share as well. Going forward, for our Cooling products, we are confident of a robust growth in the upcoming summer season, starting with South India, from February 2021 onwards. Consumer behaviour trends While there has been a substantial change in consumer behaviour, the white goods market is witnessing a slow yet steady return towards normalcy. People are buying on a need-of-the-hour basis as they seek products to ease their daily lives in the new normal. Thankfully, almost all the product categories are already gaining momentum as people continue to spend on these functional and necessary products, which are essential in the post-COVID-19 world. We are closely monitoring post-COVID-19 trends related to five key spaces Consumer Sentiments, Behaviour, Lifestyle, Life-space and Consumption and are continuously seeking insights to improve upon our offerings. The pandemic has reiterated on the need for holistic wellness and people are increasingly becoming conscious of the health-centric features of their home appliances. Keeping this in mind, we ensured that our innovations were addressing the need of the hour. This led us to introduce the new Super UVC LED based PureAir inverter AC, that is effective in killing 99.9% germs and pathogens. We have also launched a portable disinfection unit called UV Hand-Held, designed for rapid sanitation of any surface, especially for offices and commercial places. It is safe for use even on food items. Both these launches have been very well-received by the consumers and we are confident that this is a category that will continue to grow in the coming years. We are also mindful of the market sentiments as the consumers are looking at more value offerings and not necessarily mere discounts. Hence, we will continue with our consumer offers to reduce the barriers for adopting a new category. Consumer finance and Cash back offers will continue to play a vital role, along with Credit Card finance in boosting the growth of the white goods segment. All in all, the year 2021, will be a year of higher order gratification of consumers. Learnings from 2020 As we are all aware, 2020 was a year of transformation, not only disruptions. As an organisation, and as professionals, we all had a huge amount of learning, which will play an equally important role as we steadily get back to normalcy of business operations. Going back to the period between March and May, which usually accounts for over 50% of sales of Cooling products like Air Conditioners, Air Coolers, and Refrigeration products, the year 2020 witnessed a major challenge due to complete lockdown in these peak months. However, the market started picking up with the gradual unlocking of the market in June. Recovery came back on track, which was visible in our growth in the subsequent months, which continued till the festive season. We took advantage of the opportunities that resulted from the pent-up demand in Cooling products and Home Appliances, and continued to consolidate our leadership position in the Air Conditioner business, with the ever highest market share this year. Along with the pent-up demand that resulted from the lockdown, the festive season also played a major role in maintaining the positive momentum. Our mass media and digital initiatives for promoting our consumer offer, and also promoting individual product propositions; helped in maximising secondary sales. Our consumer offers, which were especially created for easing out the barriers of higher down payments, generated a good response. Besides Voltas cooling products, our range of Voltas Beko home appliances witnessed a very high growth during the festival period. We also received traction from Tier 2, 3 and 4 towns, which have performed better due to early lifting of restriction. To address the ongoing demand, we have taken steps like shifting stocking focus to high demand goods, deeper penetration in semi-urban markets, and increasing our manufacturing capacities. SACRAMENTO A coronavirus outbreak among gorillas at the San Diego Zoo suggests humans can transmit the disease to some of their closest primate relatives. At least two gorillas at the San Diego Zoo have tested positive for the virus and multiple others could be infected, zoo officials said Monday. Its the first known case of natural transmission to great apes, the branch of primates most closely related to humans. Gov. Gavin Newsom said state health officials are researching how it happened and possible implications for people. Were currently confirming the source of the infection and the strain, Newsom said during a news conference in Sacramento County. There is some question, did it come (from) human to animal? Its being determined. The gorillas are suspected to have contracted the virus after interacting with an asymptomatic park worker, though the staffer wore protective equipment and followed other safety precautions, according to the zoo. Even with all those precautions, we have an exposure that we think happened with that team member, Lisa Peterson, executive director at the zoo, said in a video statement. As weve seen in the public, this virus has been very, very tricky, she said. We know that its evolving, its changing, and the best that we can do for humans and wildlife is just to ensure that... we remain nimble. Peterson told the Associated Press that eight gorillas that live together at the park are thought to have the virus. Zoo officials did not give the precise number of infected gorillas in their statement. Charles Chiu, director of viral diagnostics at UCSF, said its unclear if the infected gorillas have spread the virus among themselves or whether a zoo handler gave it to all of them. He said thats the key question for researchers. If the virus is capable of spreading within more species, Chiu said, it would drastically complicate efforts to eradicate the virus because it could evolve separately in an animal population. Then you can have an ongoing source of infection, and ongoing source of new variants that in turn can be transmitted back to humans, Chiu said. Its very worrisome. People can help prevent that from happening by being vaccinated as quickly as possible and taking public-health measures to slow the spread of the virus, including measures to prevent spread to animals. We have to do everything possible to try to get community-wide herd immunity, Chiu said. Theres a lot of potential for bad outcomes if this pandemic is allowed to continue. Fecal samples from the San Diego Zoo gorillas were tested last week after two animals began coughing. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories at the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the results Monday. Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well, Peterson said in a statement. The troop remains quarantined together and are eating and drinking. We are hopeful for a full recovery. Since the outset of the pandemic, Peterson said, the zoos staff has been working tirelessly, with the utmost determination to protect each other and the wildlife in our care from this highly contagious virus. Newsom said the status of the gorillas was of particular concern to his four young children, given our love for animals. What tends to resonate in my house, I want to make public to you, he said. Its an area thats long been of concern human-to animal-transmission. But our beloved gorillas, obviously, we are concerned about. Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner An Australian man has been found dead on a popular surf beach in Bali. Father-of-two Taras Mulik was discovered lying face down under some stairs leading to Suluban Beach, South Kuta on Sunday morning, local authorities said. The 50-year-old was bleeding from the mouth and his chest was blue when he was found but the cause of his death is not yet known. Mr Mulik is believed to have been from Perth but had been living in Bali for most of the past decade. Australian surfer Taras Mulik was found dead on a beach in Bali, Indonesia on Sunday morning The body of Mr Mulik, a father-of-two, was discovered by a surfer lying face down under some stairs leading to Suluban Beach, South Kuta Mr Mulik, 50, is believed to be from Perth but had been living in Bali for most of the past decade His body was discovered near Single Fin, a popular spot for tourists in Bali and Uluwatu, a world famous surf break. Pecatu beach lifeguard supervisor, Wayan Somer, told AAP the Australian was found by a surfer heading to surf about 8.30am on Sunday. 'We immediately co-ordinated with the village's COVID task force and police. The victim was evacuated by lifeguards and the team and taken to hospital,' Wayan said. 'We knew the victim... he rents a house not far from the area.' Authorities in Bali said a surfer heading into the water about 8:30am on Sunday discovered Mr Mulik's body Mr Mulik's body was taken from the beach by lifeguards, police and the local village COVID taskforce Wayan said he did not know the cause of death, saying the man was bleeding from the mouth and his chest was blue. A local, Imam Wahyudi, said he had recognised the man as someone he knew from the area. Mr Mulik's death sent shockwaves through the close-knit local surfing community. 'We awoke to the sound of sirens. I went down the beach and heard the grim news,' one man posted on Facebook. 'He was a real gentleman and he will be sadly missed here on the Bukit (Peninsula).' Friends of Mr Mulik took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved surfer. 'You were not just a friend, you were more like a brother to me,' one person wrote. Mr Mulik rented a house not far from where his body was uncovered in South Kuta The cause of Mr Mulik's death is not yet known. He was found bleeding from the mouth and his chest was blue Friends took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Mulik, describing him as an 'absolute legend' Another posted: 'Rage in paradise Taras Mulik. Gone too soon, great memories of ya mate'. 'Taras Mulik you absolute legend... you gave everybody a room or your shirt off your back... you're going to be sadly missed,' read another tribute. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in Bali. Crude oil futures were steady at Rs 3,799 per barrel on January 11 as participants increased their long position, as seen by the open interest. Crude gained 7.42 percent in the previous week on the MCX to surge over 10-month high. The demand increased after lockdown, as many countries allowed travel in the festival season and people choosing personal vehicles over public transport. Also, supply came down after a surprise production cut from the world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia. The number of rigs drilling crude oil in the US increased by 8 to 275 rigs for the week to January 8, said Baker Hughes in a weekly report. The rigs count rose for the seventh straight week. Crude traded under pressure on a stronger dollar and rising coronavirus cases across the globe as countries imposed strict lockdown measures to curb the spread. "Crude oil prices traded lower, with benchmark NYMEX WTI crude oil were trading half a percent down to $51.90 per barrel on Monday. MCX Crude oil January futures were trading marginal up to Rs 3,817 by noon session, Tapan Pate, Senior Analyst (Commodities), HDFC Securities, said. Crude witnessed selling on worries over fuel demand recovery with a surge in coronavirus cases. The rising count of cases in China created selling pressure as well, he said. Patel expects crude to trade sideways to up with support at $50 and resistance at $53. MCX January crude has support at Rs 3,760, resistance at Rs 3,870. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 1.05 percent quoting at $51.70 per barrel, while Brent crude, the London-based international benchmark, fell 1.57 percent to $55.11 per barrel. MCX iCOMDEX Crude Oil Index inched lower 7.98 points, or 0.18 percent, at 4,327.44 at 1534 hours. In the futures market, crude oil for January delivery touched an intraday high of Rs 3,831 and an intraday low of Rs 3,791 per barrel on MCX. So far in the current series, crude has touched a low of Rs 3,130 and a high of Rs 3,831. Crude oil delivery for January eased Rs 3, or 0.08 percent, to Rs 3,799 per barrel at 1536 hours, with a business turnover of 2,496 lots. Delivery for February gained Rs 29, or 0.76 percent, to Rs 3,821 per with a business volume of 16 lots. The value of January and Februarys contracts traded so far is Rs 298.29 crore and Rs 0.61 crore, respectively. Trading strategy Kshitij Purohit, Product Manager, Currency & Commodities, CapitalVia Global Research Limited Technically, MCX crude is trading firm above Rs 3,800. We expect another round of volatility near this level, Major support in WTI Crude oil: $48.82 - $44.99, Major resistance: $54.57 - $59.99 Major support for MCX crude: Rs 3,570 3,420 and resistance at Rs 3,900-3,970. Ravindra Rao, VP- Head Commodity Research at Kotak Securities NYMEX crude was trading 1 percent lower near $51.7 per barrel. Crude has turned mixed as support from Saudi Arabias production cuts, tensions over Iran and hopes of a higher US stimulus are countered by the rise in US rig count, recovery in the dollar index and a rise in virus cases. Oil has rallied sharply in the last few days, however, the march has halted amid mixed factors and we could see some profit-taking before it resumes its up move. For all commodities-related news, click here : The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. ROCHESTER, Minn. - With bars and restaurants opening for indoor dining Monday in Minnesota, it's important to keep moving in the right direction to fully open the state. The president of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce said reopening to some degree is without a doubt a step in the right direction, but there are stipulations that everyone needs to remember as we move forward. First and foremost, the businesses reopening will significantly help job preservation in the Med City. Kathleen Harrington explained keeping the balance between people staying both employed and healthy is their main priority. She said we must protect the progress that's been made, meaning now that we're starting to get back to normal, it can quickly shut down again. "That requires the business owners to make certain that all their employees are playing by the rules absolutely," explained Harrington. "That their customers are playing by the rules and that we as a community make certain that we're masking, we're social distancing, we're doing the hand washing thing. It can't be taken for granted." Harrington said Rochester's unemployment numbers are slowly improving and she's hopeful with the hospitality industry starting to reopen, more people will be able to get back to work. She also said some businesses might not open for indoor dining, even though they can, because they don't want to risk having to shut down again. "I think that's why you see some businesses saying, 'you know what, I can't keep reinventing my business every 60 days, so I many not open up for 25% - especially restaurants - but I may keep continuing to do carry out alone,' Harrington explained. "So we'll see some real innovations occurring here." Bowling alleys, movie theaters and museums will also be reopening Monday at 25% capacity. 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. Our new partners epitomize what it means to be a Pond Lehocky attorney with an ultimate combination of trial advocacy, legal knowledge and confidence, founding partner Thomas J. Giordano, Jr said. Pond Lehocky named Melissa Chandy, Frank Ciprero, Kevin Harchar, Andrew Ruder and Keld Wenge as partners effective January 1, 2021. They join the leadership ranks of Samuel H. Pond, Jerry M. Lehocky, Thomas J. Giordano, and Stephen R. Miller as seasoned professionals and longtime advocates for clients. Together the new partners bring over 50 years of experience. Chandy and Ciprero have been with the Firm since its inception in 2010. Harchar has made Pond Lehocky a house-hold name in the Scranton area growing the firms reach in Pennsylvania. Ruder and Wenge have been fighting on behalf of thousands of Pond Lehocky clients since 2012 and 2013 respectively. Their vast knowledge, advocacy, loyalty, networking and never-ending display of teamwork made them an easy choice, founding partner Thomas J. Giordano, Jr said. Our new partners epitomize what it means to be a Pond Lehocky attorney with an ultimate combination of trial advocacy, legal knowledge and confidence. Chandy has focused her practice exclusively on Pennsylvania workers compensation law since graduating from Penn State Dickinson School of Law. Chandy was born and raised in Canada where she attended the University of Toronto and was accepted into a highly competitive Specialist Program in Commerce and Finance. Chandy is a certified specialist in Pennsylvania Workers Compensation by the Pennsylvania Bar Associations Section on Workers Compensation Law as authorized by the PA Supreme Court. She was also elected to the Pennsylvania Association of Justices Board of Governors and is also an active member of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the American Bar Association. Additionally, Chandy has been chosen to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. She also serves as the Chair for the firms diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee. Ciprero graduated from Dickinson College in 1995 with a B.A. in Anthropology and earned a law degree from The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University. He served as a legal intern for the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud Control Division. Since joining the firm in June 2010, he continues to focus his practice on Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Law and protecting the rights of injured workers as a Senior Associate. Ciprero has been admitted to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is certified as a specialist in the practice of Workers Compensation Law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers Compensation Law Section as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Harchar is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, is a Certified Workers Compensation Specialist, and is a member of both the American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He obtained his J.D. from Widener School of Law, graduating in 2008. During his time in law school, he was a law clerk at the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole and a law clerk at a Harrisburg, PA criminal/insurance defense firm. Mr. Harchar was also a certified legal intern at the Harrisburg Civil Law Clinic in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at the Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Harchar is based out of Pond Lehockys Scranton office. Ruder earned a B.S. degree from Towson University in 2007 and went on to receive his J.D. from Rutgers School of Law in Camden in May of 2012. Ruder interned with the Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and also with the Honorable Shelley Robins New in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Ruder is admitted to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Tech2Educate, a non-profit that raises money to provide new technology to charter schools in the Philadelphia area. Wenge joined Pond Lehocky in 2014 as an attorney in the workers compensation department prior to becoming a partner. He has dedicated his practice solely to representing injured claimants. Wenge is admitted to practice law in both Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to his leadership with the Bar Association, Wenge is a frequent volunteer for Philadelphia VIP. He received his bachelors degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and graduated from Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in 2007. ### About Pond Lehocky Giordano Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Pond Lehocky Giordano is one the largest law firms in the region and helps Americans nationwide with injury and disability legal matters. The firm also has a booming nationwide referral network, which helps Americans across the nation with all legal matters. Since opening its door in 2010, the firm has won more than 80 awards, including U.S. News and World Reports Best Law Firms, The Philadelphia Inquirers Top Workplaces, Philadelphia Business Journals Best Places to Work, and recognized by The Legal Intelligencer as one of the top law firms in Philadelphia for gender diversity. Local News, Crime By Ls Cohen Published: January 11 2021 Officer Brian Sicknick died from injuries received when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol building. In honor of Officer Brian Sicknick, a 42-year old member of the U.S. Capitol Police who was killed in the line of duty during the riots in Washington DC last week, flags across Long Island have been ordered to be flown at half-staff. In a statement Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said he also ordered the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to be lit in blue in honor of Officer Sicknick. The actions come following National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, in which local communities recognize our law enforcement officers throughout the nation who work tirelessly to protect and serve the residents of their communities, hje said. National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was on Saturday, January 9. On Twitter, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran honored law enforcement with a message. Today and everyday Nassau residents are grateful for the brave men and women in uniform who keep our communities safe, she wrote. Professor Clare Turnbull, from the Institute of Cancer Research and an NHS consultant in clinical cancer genetics, warned today that delaying cancer treatment to focus on coronavirus will 'quite simply' cost lives A top expert warned today that delaying cancer treatment to focus on coronavirus will 'quite simply' cost lives, after it emerged the NHS is seeing fewer than half the number of cancer patients it normally would. Professor Clare Turnbull, of the Institute of Cancer Research and an NHS consultant in clinical cancer genetics, said patients with the disease have suffered a lot less in other countries with dedicated cancer facilities. Her comments come as hotspot hospitals start to scrap cancer treatment to focus efforts on tackling the winter wave of Covid admissions pouring into wards. Figures leaked yesterday showed NHS hospitals in London treated just 122 cancer patients last week, while 101 were seen in private hospitals. The capital needs to treat more than 500 cancer patients a week to remain on top of demand, according to the NHS' cancer resilience plans. Professor Turnbull told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'I think unfortunately there has been a lot of collateral consequence in other areas of healthcare on account of Covid-19 crisis. 'Although delaying hip replacements or cataract surgery means people are suffering unpleasant symptoms longer, delaying cancer surgery can quite simply be the difference between life and death.' Asked if the NHS was 'over-prioritising' coronavirus at the expense of cancer care, Professor Turnbull added: 'A lot of us in the cancer community would argue for that.' It comes after Professor Chris Whitty today warned the next few weeks are set to be the worst yet for the NHS, with the Government having begged people not to 'push the boundaries' of the lockdown. More than 3,800 cancer patients in London have waited more than two months for their first treatment, as the number of non-Covid patients in Britain's hospitals fell by 10,000 in less than a month, new figures reveal As well as struggling with record numbers of Covid patients, the NHS is also dealing with record staff absences. About 46,000 medics are off sick with coronavirus, according to the Doctor's Association. Another 40,000 equating to around a tenth of the total workforce are absent for other reasons. Separate figures have also revealed three times as many frontline health workers are currently off sick compared to the average for this time of year. It has meant that vital services have had to be scrapped, particularly in London and the South East where the new, highly-infectious Covid strain has taken hold. The Sunday Telegraph also revealed there were 3,840 cancer patients in London that have been waiting more than two months for their first treatment. As of January 5, there were 56,126 non-Covid patients in general and acute beds, compared to 19,878 patients with the virus. Craig Stevens was due to have treatment for his stage three skin cancer this month but his operation has been postponed indefinitely The NHS is in the most dangerous situation in history, Chris Whitty warns The chief medical officer took to the airwaves to highlight the scale of the threat Chris Whitty today warned the next few weeks are set to be the worst yet for the NHS as the government begs people not to 'push the boundaries' of the lockdown - and threatens to make it even tougher. The chief medical officer took to the airwaves to highlight the scale of the threat, saying that there are 30,000 people in hospital compared to the peak of 18,000 in April. Amid a crackdown on stopping to chat in the street and in shops, Prof Whitty urged people to remember that 'every unnecessary contact' was an opportunity for the virus to spread. He insisted that although the NHS was in the 'most dangerous situation anyone can remember' vaccines mean the UK can be back to normal in 'months not years' - but he cautioned that the situation is a long way from that currently. The intervention came amid fears that the number of daily deaths is on track to rise to 2,000, with Boris Johnson looking at tightening the national lockdown rules even more dramatically if cases keep surging. A Whitehall source told MailOnline ministers have discussed going as far as saying people can only leave the house once a week - although No10 today denied this was on the cards saying the focus was on 'bolstering enforcement and policing'. Other ideas include compulsory mask-wearing outdoors and a ban on extended bubbles. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi this morning suggested that shops are in the firing line, stressing the need for everyone to wear masks and follow one-way systems in supermarkets. He appealed for people not to stop and chat to friends they bump into while outside their homes - and also made clear that sitting on park benches during 'exercise' sessions was not recommended. Limits on individuals from different households exercising together also look to be in the pipeline as the government scrambles for ways of lowering transmission. Prof Whitty told BBC Breakfast: 'We have a very significant problem. The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of the numbers into the NHS.' He added: 'This is everybody's problem.' Prof Whitty said: 'This is the most dangerous time we have really had in terms of numbers into the NHS at this particular time.' Advertisement In December there were 65,324 patients without coronavirus in Britain's hospitals and 11,334 with Covid. Across the country, there are 32,294 patients in hospital with Covid as of Friday. Sarah Joel, from Cambridge, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June after first presenting with symptoms in March. Despite being 'urgently referred' for vital checks and scans, she had to wait three months to confirm she had the deadly virus. Catching cancer in its early stages is crucial to boosting survival. If bowel cancer is diagnosed at a localised stage, the survival rate is 90 per cent. But if it is able to spread to surrounding tissues or organs, this drops to 70 per cent, according to Cancer.net. Ms Joel was due to have surgery to remove part of her liver to prevent the tumour from spreading. But on New Year's Eve she received a call to say it had been cancelled at the last minute, which she described as 'completely devastating'. She told the Today programme she had to make 'frantic calls' to try to get her treatment plan back on track but is still waiting to hear when she'll get the crucial operation Craig Stevens was diagnosed with stage three skin cancer last month and was assured surgery would take place at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital this month. But surgeons this week told the 43-year-old there was now no indication of when it would be carried out. He says they told him they are used to getting theatre availability once a day but theatre slots were becoming increasingly scarce due to demand. The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, confirmed some procedures could be delayed 'due to the large and increasing number of very sick patients we are caring for'. Craig, who lives in Edgbaston and works in financial services, has lodged a formal complaint but said he feared the delay would cost him his life. He said the complaint was not against the doctors or surgeons but about the failure to manage the situation. He told BirminghamLive: 'I was told the cancer will spread if they take no action and operate. This stalling could cost me my life. 'I am shocked, appalled, and worried to death about my prospects going forward. I have been turned away from the hospital with no hope and date of treatment and operation. I have written a letter of formal complaint to the hospital. 'This is not a complaint against any of the doctors or surgeons I have seen, it is about the failure to manage this situation, which I consider to be gross negligence. Basically, they are putting my life at risk. 'There must be lots of other people in the same position as me. I know we are in the middle of a pandemic but Covid is not the only disease which is taking people's lives.' Craig was diagnosed with grade 3 skin melanoma on December 7. The cancer is in his lymph nodes and under his arm and neck. He said two surgeons assured him on December 17 his operation would take place in January due to the severity of the cancer and a 31 day target from diagnosis to treatment. But he said he was told on Thursday, January 7, that no date was available and there was no indication as to when it would take place. A spokesperson for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We are working to ensure urgent treatments and cancer surgery are maintained as far as possible for patients, however some procedures and surgical activity may be delayed due to the large and increasing number of very sick patients we are caring for. 'We regret that any procedure must be delayed and apologise for the understandable distress this can cause.' 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. People tend to think they know what intellectual disability looks like, and feel erroneously certain that they would recognize it if they saw it. A 2004 opinion by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, for instance, supplied the simple-hearted, hapless character Lennie Small from John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men as an example of a person whom the majority of Texan citizens would agree ought to be exempted from the death penalty, as opposed to less obvious cases, which, the court implied, could be fictitious. Yet intellectual disability doesnt necessarily look like Lennie Small, or Forrest Gump, or Charlie Gordon of Flowers for Algernon." Lawyers, jurors, and judges can overlook it. By the time Dr. Cornell met Mr. Johnson, the young man had taken no fewer than five I.Q. tests. Born to a single teenage mother who struggled with drug abuse and poverty, Mr. Johnson lived in at least 12 residences between birth and the age of 13 and suffered varying kinds of neglect and abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriends. At times he would flee to his godmother, Antoinette Joseph, for refuge. At one point, Ms. Joseph told me, Mr. Johnsons mother hit him in the head with her high heel, and she called me and told me, Come and get this boy before I kill him. Hes just not acting right. He dont do what I ask him to. Ms. Joseph rescued the boy and took him in. While in Ms. Josephs care, her daughter Courtney Daniels, would help him with his schoolwork. He just couldnt grasp it, Ms. Daniels told me. My godbrother wasnt like the rest of us. Understanding some things, she said, he could not get it. Reading, writing basically when it came to school, he sucked. Educators tried to understand why Mr. Johnson couldnt keep up with his peers. At the age of 8, tests found he possessed the cognitive skills of a child 4 to 5 years old; he remained in the second grade for three years as a result. He was placed in special education at the age of 10, and by 13, he was placed in the care of the Pleasantville Cottage School, a residential center for children with difficult backgrounds. Pleasantville sorted Mr. Johnson into its Mount Pleasant School, which focused on children with special needs. There, Richard Benedict, a career special educator, took a shine to him. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary today revealed the depths of cuts in his airline's flight schedule from the UK and Ireland after the country was plunged into a third national lockdown earlier this month. The airline's boss said the company would operate 'around ten or 20 flights a day' compared to the 'normal 2,000' from January 21 amid the country's new travel restrictions. But he went on to say that countries across Europe could see travel restrictions begin to ease by the summer due to the mass vaccine rollout. Speaking on Radio 4's Today show Mr O'Leary, who is worth an estimated 3.8 billion, said: 'We're taking significant bookings from people going on holiday somewhere. 'On the one hand there's a huge upper spike in the third wave but the vaccines are coming. If the UK vaccinate all of the high-risk groups, the elderly, the nursing homes and the NHS by the middle of February why are you restricting people's movement thereafter? 'I think the vaccine is a solution to this. Whether it will be in place by Easter is too early to call but certainly by the summer. By the time we get to the school holidays we'll see few restrictions across Europe because of the rollout of these vaccines.' Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary will cut the airline's flight schedule from the UK from 2,000 to 'around ten or 20 flights a day' amid the travel restrictions It comes as figures revealed that Heathrow Airport saw a drop of 58.8 million passengers last year, with just 22.1 million people travelling through the west London airport in 2020 - down 72.7 per on the previous 12 months. In December, passenger numbers fell by 82.9 per cent year on year to 1.1 million while November saw just one million people fly from Britain's largest airport - an 88 per cent drop from the seven million passengers recorded the year before. During the show Mr O'Leary questioned why the Government had not yet issued an end date to the travel restrictions and said it was 'beyond him'. He continued: 'That's one of the great contradictions of the Government's mismanagement of the Covid travel restrictions. 'On one hand Boris Johnson is telling us that all the high-risk groups will get vaccinated by the middle of February and yet they introduced these travel restrictions which meant passengers arriving to the UK needed a negative polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours of arrival. 'But there's no end date on when that restriction is going to be ended. Why it's not ending in the middle of February along with the vaccine rollout is beyond us. 'The challenge for the airline is nobody can make a booking for two weeks out in February and March if they have to wait until they get a negative PCR test four days before departure. Bookings have collapsed and air travel will collapse to and from the UK.' Mr O'Leary's comments comes just days after Heathrow's chief executive John Holland-Kaye said he welcomed pre-departure testing for travellers as a temporary measure amid the pandemic. Mr Holland-Kaye told Times Radio: 'There needs to be a plan for what's going to come next so that we can start to get aviation back to some level of normality while keeping people safe. 'What we'd like to see is that testing before you take off becomes the standard as an alternative to quarantine.' However Mr O'Leary said the move would not work for short haul flights and 'the vast majority of air travel within the UK'. Mr O'Leary explained that no date had yet been as to when the travel restrictions would be eased. Pictured: Air stewards at London's Heathrow Airport walk past the Covid-19 Testing Centre this month Figures reveal that passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport had dropped by 58.8 million in 2020 amid a new strain of Covid-19. Pictured: A plane taking off from Heathrow Airport last week He said: 'It's easy for someone in Heathrow who has spent most of the last six months trying to get the regulation to increase his charges so that he can charge the airlines and our customers higher fares to pay for his Covid losses to be warbling on about pre-flight testing. 'It may have some impact on long haul travel where people are paying extortionately high fares and are flying for specific reasons many months out. 'It doesn't work for the short haul and the vast majority of air travel within the UK is short haul where people may travel with reasonably short notice. 'The challenge for us now as airlines is we can't cancel a flight inside 14 days without paying huge compensation and we can't run the risk of putting on lots of flights where we run the risk that lots of passengers won't travel because they have failed PCR testing so what they've actually done is simply grounded all the airlines in effect.' He added: 'We're calling today on Grant Shapps to tell us when this restriction is going to be lifted because if you're vaccinating all of the high-risk groups by the middle of February then there's no requirement for these travel restrictions.' His comments come after it was revealed that Heathrow Airport saw passenger numbers drop by 58.8 million last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In December, passenger numbers fell by 82.9 per cent year on year to 1.1 million, amid a new strain of Covid-19. Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: 'The past year has been incredibly challenging for aviation. 'While we support tightening border controls temporarily by introducing pre-departure testing for international arrivals, as well as quarantine, this is not sustainable. 'The aviation industry is the cornerstone of the UK economy but is fighting for survival. We need a road map out of this lockdown, and a full waiver of business rates. 'This is an opportunity for the Government to show leadership in creating a common international standard for pre-departure testing that will allow travel and trade to restart safely so that we can start to deliver the Prime Minister's vision of a global Britain.' MONTREAL, Jan. 11, 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 and Chair of PyroGenesis, is scheduled to present at the Sidoti Winter 2021 Virtual Conference on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 2:30 PM Eastern Time. To access the live presentation, please use the following information: Sidoti Winter 2021 Virtual Conference Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021 Time: 2:30 PM Eastern Time (11:30 AM Pacific Time) Webcast: https://sidoti.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qCf2QWYEQwC79n6-di9USg 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://www.meetmax.com/sched/event_68483/investor_reg_new.html?attendee_role_id=SIDOTI_INVESTOR. 1x1 meetings will be scheduled on January 13th and 14th 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 for a period of 90 days after the event on the conference event platform. About Sidoti & Company LLC For over two decades, Sidoti has been a premier provider of independent securities research focused specifically on small- and micro-cap companies and the institutions that invest their securities, with most of their coverage in the $50 million - $3 billion market cap range. Their approach affords companies and institutional clients a combination of high-quality research, a small- and micro-cap focused nationwide sales effort, broad access to corporate management teams, and extensive trading support. They serve 500+ institutional clients in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., including many leading managers of portfolios with $200 million to $2 billion of AUM. Sidoti promotes meaningful interaction between issuers and investors in the small- and micro-cap space through their conferences www.sidoticonference.com and the hundreds of non-deal roadshows they host each year. 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 www.pyrogenesis.com Homicide detectives have identified a person of interest after a 20-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach while walking from a friends house in north Queensland on Sunday. It is alleged the local man, who died later in hospital, was walking along Mcilwraith Street in Ingham, about 95 kilometres north-west of Townsville, with two women about 11.30pm, when a man approached. An argument broke out between the two men and the young man was stabbed in the stomach, Detective Inspector Chris Lawson told reporters on Monday. "First aid was carried out by the people that were there, and also some passersby and police as well when they attended," he said Paramedics rushed the man to Ingham Hospital in a critical condition. He was declared dead at 12.40am on Monday. A crime scene was set up and the search continues for the male attacker. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. Significant progress made in the commercialization of Cresemba and Zevtera with 2020 revenue contributions of CHF 112 million in line with guidance Advancement in the FIDES clinical program with derazantinib CHF 167 million year-end cash and financial investments, above guidance Basel, Switzerland, January 11, 2021 Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today the unaudited preliminary revenue and year-end cash-position for the financial year 2020 as well as provided an update on its key clinical programs. Total revenue is expected to amount to approx. CHF 128 million (FYR 2019: CHF 134.4 million). Total revenue contributions from Basilea's marketed products, the antifungal Cresemba (isavuconazole) and the antibiotic Zevtera (ceftobiprole), are expected to amount to approx. CHF 112 million (FYR 2019: CHF 114.3 million) with non-deferred revenue contributions increasing by 13% to approx. CHF 78 million (FYR 2019: CHF 68.7 million). Basilea also reported preliminary CHF 167 million cash and financial investments at year-end 2020. Basilea had guided for total revenue of CHF 128-138 million with total revenue contributions from Cresemba and Zevtera of CHF 110-120 million and a year-end cash position of CHF 150 million. David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are very pleased with the significantly increased non-deferred revenue contributions from Cresemba and Zevtera, which are reflecting the continued progress that we, together with our partners, are making in the commercialization of our brands. We expect that the global in-market sales of Cresemba will have exceeded 250 million US dollars in 2020. Both Cresemba and Zevtera have been approved and launched in new markets throughout 2020, which has triggered multiple milestone payments to Basilea." He added: "We have also made significant progress in the development of our anti-infectives and oncology clinical assets. Specifically, in our FIDES clinical study program with our FGFR inhibitor, derazantinib, we have not only moved closer towards establishing the clinical proof-of-concept as monotherapy in the first indication, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but we have also taken an important step in our urothelial cancer study towards exploring derazantinib's therapeutic potential in combination with other anti-cancer therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The initiation of the gastric cancer study, a potential first-to-market opportunity, underscores the broad potential that we see for the compound." Adesh Kaul, Chief Financial Officer, added: "The continued double-digit growth in our Cresemba and Zevtera non-deferred revenue is indicative of the robust global in-market performance of our brands and the continued commercialization progress made by our partners. The performance is particularly remarkable considering the continued strength of the Swiss franc and the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second half of 2020, which has pushed the expected timing of potential commercial milestone events to 2021. Our strong year-end cash position provides us with the required financial flexibility to execute on our strategic priorities." The audited full financial statements as well as the annual report 2020 will be published on February 16, 2021. The final audited revenue for 2020 and the cash position as of year-end 2020 may differ from the preliminary reported numbers. Oncology pipeline In 2020, Basilea has made significant progress in the clinical development of its FGFR inhibitor derazantinib2: Enrolment was completed into the first cohort of the phase 2 study FIDES-01, which explores derazantinib as monotherapy in patients with FGFR2 gene fusion positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA).3 The publication of topline results is now projected to be in Q1 2021 because source data verification is taking longer than previously expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from a pooled analysis presented at the ESMO MAP Virtual Congress 2020 show that derazantinib is also active in iCCA patients with FGFR2 gene mutations and amplifications. Basilea is exploring this patient population in a second cohort of the FIDES-01 study, which is expected to report further interim results in H1 2021. To date there is limited clinical evidence from other FGFR inhibitors in this patient population. Confirmed clinical activity in this patient population would underscore the broad therapeutic potential of derazantinib as a monotherapy in FGFR2-positive iCCA. A recommended phase 2 dose for the combination with Roche's PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, atezolizumab, in the phase 1/2 FIDES-02 study in patients with advanced urothelial cancer and FGFR genetic aberrations was established.4 No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Both therapies can be combined at standard doses, i.e. the derazantinib monotherapy phase 2 dose used in the FIDES-01 study and the approved standard dose for atezolizumab as a single agent in urothelial cancer. This adds further evidence to the manageable safety and tolerability profile of derazantinib. The phase 1/2 study FIDES-03 in patients with advanced gastric cancers and FGFR genetic aberrations was initiated.5 The study assesses derazantinib as monotherapy and in combination with Lilly's anti-VEGFR2 antibody ramucirumab and paclitaxel or with atezolizumab. Dr. Marc Engelhardt, Chief Medical Officer, commented: "We expect the publication of a number of interim and topline results across the entire FIDES clinical program throughout 2021 and 2022. In the near-term, we are looking forward to seeing topline results from the FIDES-01 study in FGFR2 gene fusion positive iCCA. If the data is consistent with the interim results published in 2019, this would provide the clinical proof-of-concept for derazantinib as monotherapy in its first indication and confirm the safety and tolerability profile of the compound. Based on its unique kinase inhibition profile, derazantinib has potential for enhanced activity in combination therapy. We are therefore particularly excited to see the first efficacy data on the combination of derazantinib with other anti-cancer agents in our urothelial and gastric cancer studies, which may allow us to strengthen the evidence for its differentiation versus other FGFR inhibitors both from the efficacy and safety perspective." For lisavanbulin, Basilea has initiated in 2020 a phase 2 study in patients with advanced glioblastoma, whose tumor tested positive for end-binding protein 1 (EB1), a potential response-predictive biomarker.6 Interim results from this study are expected in H2 2021. Anti-infectives pipeline In January 2021, Basilea's partner Asahi Kasei Pharma completed patient enrollment into a phase 3 study with isavuconazole in Japan. 7 Topline results from the study are expected in H2 2021. Topline results from the study are expected in H2 2021. We are working towards the completion of patient enrolment into the ceftobiprole phase 3 study ERADICATE, which is the second and last study necessary for a regulatory filing in the U.S. The ERADICATE study explores ceftobiprole in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB).8 Completion of patient enrolment is expected in Q4 2021 and topline results in H1 2022. About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development of products that address the medical challenges in the therapeutic areas of oncology and infectious diseases. With two commercialized drugs, the company is committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com (mailto:media_relations@basilea.com) investor_relations@basilea.com (mailto:investor_relations@basilea.com) This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. References IQVIA, September 2020. In-market sales reported as moving annual total (MAT) in U.S. dollars corrected for currency fluctuations. Basilea in-licensed derazantinib from ArQule Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. FIDES-01: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03230318 FIDES-02: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04045613 FIDES-03: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04604132 ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02490800 Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03471988 Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03138733 Attachment Covid restrictions and overseas travel bans are likely to continue even as a vaccine is rolled out, Australia's Chief Medical Officer has conceded. Face masks have been compulsory on public transport and at shopping malls in greater Sydney since January 4 following a spate of cases on the Northern Beaches and in the city's west. Brisbane went even further during this weekend's three-day lockdown, mandating face masks in private cars, even in vehicles that aren't an Uber ride share or a taxi as Queensland tackles the arrival of a new UK strain. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has conceded Covid restrictions are likely to continue through most of 2021, even though an AstraZeneca vaccine is due to be administered from mid-February followed by Pfizer jabs. Annoying Covid restrictions and overseas travel bans are likely to continue even as a vaccine is rolled out, Australia's Chief Medical Officer has conceded. Masks have been compulsory in Sydney shopping malls since January 4 . Pictured is Westfield Bondi Junction in the city's east 'There will be a time sometime this year where we will have reached a certain amount of vaccination in the community where we might be able to adjust some of those settings,' he said. Professor Kelly said the ban on Australians travelling overseas for short holidays - which was brought in on March 20 - is likely to continue. 'The border measures will have to continue for some time,' he said. 'But as we get more vaccinations into the community, that will improve.' Even seemingly ridiculous restrictions that aren't compulsory are being endorsed by state government authorities. Australians have been banned from travelling overseas for a short holiday since March 20 last year and Professor Kelly said this was likely to continue. Pictured is Sydney airport Brisbane went even further during this weekend's three-day lockdown, mandating face masks in private cars, even in vehicles that aren't an Uber ride share or a taxi as Queensland tackles the arrival of a new UK strain New South Wales Health told Daily Mail Australia it backed the idea of having tenants ask their guests to sign in using a QR code whenever they enter their home. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has conceded Covid restrictions were likely to continue through most of 2021, even as a vaccine was administered from mid-February 'While residential buildings are not required to use QR codes under the public health orders, any proactive use of sign-in technology could be of benefit to contact tracers in the event of a resident or visitor being at the building while infected with COVID-19,' a spokeswoman said. Landlords at the Macquarie Park Village apartment complex in Sydney's north last week installed signs asking tenants to make visitors scan and sign a QR code. A resident described the signs in the Perth section of the complex as an invasion of privacy. 'It's one thing to contact trace at public venues but I refuse to f***ing do this in my own home,' she said. 'This is beyond government overreach and a violation of privacy.' Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said Brisbane's three-day lockdown was designed to avoid the introduction of long-term restrictions requiring face masks. 'Sometimes those restrictions go for weeks or months so we want to act quickly to try and get on top of this so we don't have long-term restrictions,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. Queensland ended the three-day lockdown on Monday but residents will be under tough restrictions for the next 10 days, including mandatory mask-wearing where social distancing is not possible. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last week a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine would be administered from mid-February, with frontline health and aged care workers to get priority. After eight rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmers have proven to be inconclusive, the Supreme Court is hearing pleas challenging the new laws today. It is now the 47th day of the Delhi Chalo farmers protest, where thousands of farmers have been staging a sit-in protest along Delhi borders. The farmers have demanded a rollback on the new farm laws passed by the Centre and a guarantee of receiving the Minimum Support Price (MSP). There have been eight rounds of talks between the farmers and the Centre, but those have ended in deadlock. Today, the Supreme Court heard a bunch of petitions challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders. As the hearing started, the Chief Justice of India said, We are disappointed with the way the process is going. While hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the three farm laws, the CJI asked, We dont know what negotiations are going on? Can the farm laws be put on hold for some time?. The CJI then asked, Some people have committed suicide, old people and women are a part of the agitation. What is happening?. He further added that not a single plea has been filed that said that the farm laws are good and that if the Centre has any sense of responsibility, laws should be put on hold. The CJI stated that they did not want any side to be injured or violent and that the intention is to bring about an amicable solution. In order to do this, the CJI has asked the Centre to not enforce the laws and put the laws on hold till committees report. The apex court has suggested names of former CJIs including RM Lodha to head the panel for exploring the possibility of a solution over farm laws protests. The bench said that it will pass orders on the issue in parts, and is likely to do so today or tomorrow. Also read: US lifts restrictions on contacts with Taiwan, leaves China rattled The hearing which is to take place today is of significance, as the Centre and the farmer leaders are scheduled to hold their next meeting on January 15. In the previous hearing, the Supreme Court, which had observed that there had been no improvement on the ground regarding farmers protests, was told by the Centre that healthy discussions were taking place between the government and the unions over all the issues and there was a good chance that both sides may reach a conclusion in the near future. On December 17, when the top court heard the pleas on the farmers protest, it stated 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. Meanwhile, the Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar was forced to cancel his visit to Karnal as the venue for his event was taken over by the protesting farmers, who also tried to damage the helipad so his helicopter could not land. As Republic Day approaches, the protesters are gearing up for a large protest on the day during which farmers would bring their tractors into the capital, farm unions are carrying out a mass recruitment drive in villages across Punjab which has thousands of people signing up for it. Also read: Nepal Foreign Minister to visit India on January 14; territorial issues on agenda COVID-19 infections are once again rising at an alarming rate in San Francisco's Latinx community, predominantly among low-income essential workers, according to results of a massive community-based testing blitz conducted before and after the Thanksgiving holiday by Unidos En Salud -- a volunteer-led partnership between the Latino Task Force for COVID-19 (LTF), UC San Francisco , the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (CZ Biohub), and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). Unidos En Salud launched their "Healthy Holidays" initiative the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22-24) in San Francisco's Mission District, where they have been perfecting their community-based surveillance testing and response program and solidifying relationships with community members through the LTF since April. The initiative then expanded testing after the holiday (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) to three additional highly impacted neighborhoods -- the Bayview, Excelsior, and Tenderloin. "Cases have been surging for weeks, and it was clear that the holiday season this year was going to present a high risk for accelerating the spread of the virus," said UCSF infectious disease expert Diane Havlir, MD, co-Founder of the Unidos En Salud initiative, who presented initial findings to LTF community partners on December 7, 2020. "Rather than wait and see what would happen, UCSF and the Latino Task Force decided to respond proactively with a surge of our own, in partnership with DPH, focused on the communities where we knew the hammer was going to fall hardest." "As the region enters a renewed phase of lockdown, these results are a reminder the brunt of this disease is still being felt by Latinos and people without the economic privilege to easily shelter in place. Because existing disparities, it is often those with the least who are being hurt the most, people who are often working multiple jobs just to make rent and keep food on the table for themselves and family," said LTF Health Committee Chair, Jon Jacobo, one of the initiative's organizers. "If we truly want to turn this pandemic around, we need to fundamentally change how we are addressing the pandemic and how we are supporting the most vulnerable among us." Findings Show Continued Outsize Impact on Latinx Community, Ongoing Asymptomatic Spread Following six days of intensive and strategic door-to-door community canvassing by LTF volunteers -- which focused on census tracts with the highest number of cases according to SFDPH data -- the Healthy Holidays initiative ultimately tested more than 6800 people before and after the Thanksgiving holiday. Organizers reported a test positivity rate of 4.4 percent across the initiative's four post-holiday test sites, exceeding the city's 2.9% 7-day average during the current surge, as of December 9. Although just over half of those tested were Latinx, a disproportionate 79 percent of positive results came from the Latinx community. At the Mission test site at 24^th St. BART Plaza, where overall cases were highest, one in ten Latinx individuals tested positive for the virus. Infection rates were also particularly high among low-income workers, including food and beverage workers and day laborers, as well as among people with indigenous backgrounds, particularly from Mexico and Central America. The initiative found that about a third of infected individuals were asymptomatic at the time of testing and more than half were unaware of having been exposed to the virus, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance in combating a disease that can spread rapidly without detection. "These ongoing partnerships for prevalence studies in high-impacted communities continue to inform local health strategy and policies," said Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. "The information and data gathered help guide not only health policy but the city's overall approach to supporting communities disproportionately impacted by this virus." Rapid Antigen Tests Enabled Results, Quarantine and Support Within Hours Unidos En Salud previously conducted one of the first field tests of the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test, manufactured by Abbott, in a community setting at their September testing pop-up at the 16^th and Mission BART Plaza. Collaborators at CLIAhub, the joint UCSF/CZ Biohub COVID diagnostic laboratory that has provided test analysis for all of the group's initiatives, compared BinaxNOW results to PCR results from the same individuals and found the rapid test to be extremely reliable at identifying infected individuals during the most infectious phase of the disease. In the much larger holiday testing event, the group put the BinaxNOW tests to use for the first time as a proof-of-concept of their potential usefulness in broader surveillance testing efforts. As in September, individuals at the group's Mission District test site gave two nasal swabs, one to be sent for standard PCR analysis at CLIAhub, and the second inserted on site into a BinaxNOW card, which is similar to a pregnancy test, providing results within 15 minutes. The speed of the results allowed team members to notify those who tested positive within hours rather than days, and to provide on-site counseling and support for immediate quarantine. The rapid results also allowed SFDPH to quickly initiate contact tracing. Comparison to PCR results from the same individuals, completed 24 to 48 hours later, showed the tests had accurately identified more than 99 percent of individuals considered to be highly contagious. The researchers also found the tests to perform well in children, contrary to recent reports. The CLIAhub and Unidos En Salud teams published their analysis of the performance characteristics of the BinaxNow rapid tests in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in this community setting January 4, 2021 in the Journal of Infectious Disease. The study's corresponding author is CLIAhub director Joe DeRisi, PhD, who is co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, a UCSF professor of biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Community Wellness Teams, Home Visits Connect People with Resources to Isolate For all who tested positive, whether on PCR or rapid tests, LTF Community Wellness Team members followed up to connect infected individuals to support for successful quarantine, including food, cleaning supplies and referrals to resources such as city-funded isolation and quarantine hotels. "The LTF Community Wellness Teams are unique compared to the traditional test and contract trace approach," said Valerie Tulier-Laiwa, Coordinator of the LTF. "This additional support from our Community Wellness Teams is essential to make isolation and quarantine successful and stop the spread of the virus among Latinx and low-income people." The initiative also complemented SFDPH contact tracing with a follow-up home testing program for infected individuals living in large households, connecting as many as possible with resources for effective isolation through LTF's Community Wellness Teams. "Community members I spoke with at the testing site who tested positive on rapid tests were eager to get close contacts tested out of a sense of responsibility for protecting loved ones, coworkers, and the larger community," said UCSF infectious disease clinical fellow Luis Rubio, MD, who was part of the initiative's clinical response team. Volunteers provided rapid and PCR-based testing to household members within a day of the initial positive result and then again after a week. These visits included a trusted community health worker who could answer questions and give households specific guidance on how to safely isolate. "Having rapid COVID-19 test results and dedicated time and space for household contacts to ask the community health worker questions was very much appreciated by families and we hope these services will support people in large households to effectively isolate and quarantine and decrease transmission," said UCSF infectious disease specialist Carina Marquez, MD, who led the household testing program. To Halt Pandemic: Low-Barrier Community-Based Testing and Rapid Response Unidos En Salud organizers, who have now provided free COVID-19 testing to 14,000 people since April through their regular weekly and larger pop-up initiatives, believe the community-based test-and-respond approach they have developed in their work in the Mission District could be a model for more effectively controlling the virus amidst the current frightening surge. "We need to be making it as easy as possible for everyone in communities most affected by the virus to get tested regularly, symptoms or no, and to get people who test positive into isolation as quickly as possible with supportive services to cut off the chain of transmission. This approach will continue to be critical as the new vaccines become available," said Havlir, who is chief of the UCSF Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine. To reach as many people in affected communities as possible, regardless of symptoms or resources, the group's low-barrier testing is not only free, but requires no reservations, no health insurance, and no identification -- anyone can walk up and get tested. It is also community based and staffed -- located at convenient public transit hubs and community centers in the most affected neighborhoods, and organized, staffed and operated by members of the community being served. "A critical component of our success is the many volunteers from the community who are involved in initial canvassing, coordinating testing onsite and the Community Wellness Teams that follow up with people who test positive," Jacobo said. "This has let us provide wrap-around services that are tailored to the need of each patient but are also culturally competent, and all are built upon the trust we have been building through our deep relationships with the community." ### 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 The Venezuelan government on Monday denounced the alleged presence of a U.S. coast guard ship near its jurisdictional waters and rejected the holding of military exercises between the United States and Guyana in a disputed territory. The complaint came at a time when Admiral Craig Faller, head of the U.S. Army Southern Command, is expected in Guyana, where he will discuss the bilateral security partnership with a view to strengthening cooperation to combat the operations of drug traffickers, illegal fishing, transnational criminal organizations, among others. As part of that cooperation, the U.S. Coast Guard and Guyana recently began joint exercises, the Guyana Chronicle of Georgetown reported Monday. Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez said the exercises were equivalent to "threatening Venezuela". (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Posted Monday, January 11, 2021 9:07 am A Seattle man has been charged with assaulting a federal police officer during the siege of the U.S. Capitol. Mark J. Leffingwell, 51, of Seattle, was also charged Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with entering a restricted building and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. The siege on Wednesday left five people dead, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer. The assault charge against Leffingwell stems from a separate assault on a federal law-enforcement officer. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington D.C. confirmed Sunday that Leffingwell is from Seattle, which Leffingwell stated on the record during a proceeding before a magistrate judge on Friday. Leffingwell was released on his personal recognizance to a third-party custodian his wife and is required to call into pretrial services on a weekly basis pending trial, according to a message conveyed by a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Leffingwell's attorney said in court that he intended to return to Seattle, and the magistrate judge ordered him to stay away from Washington, D.C., according to reporting by Inner City Press journalist Matthew Russell Lee. Leffingwell and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment. In the criminal complaint filed against Leffingwell, a Capitol Police officer Daniel Amendola stated that while forming a barrier with other officers to block a crowd from entering the Senate wing of the Capitol through a first-floor window, Leffingwell attempted to push past. "When he was deterred from advancing further into the building, Leffingwell punched me repeatedly with a closed fist. I was struck in the helmet that I was wearing and in the chest," Amendola stated. Officers arrested Leffingwell, and, before being read his Miranda rights, he apologized for striking the officer, Amendola said. ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 knifeman is facing years in jail for a frenzied attack on a mother and her three daughters in which he stabbed them more than 50 times with such force he bent blades out of shape. Liban Malhamoub, 45, inflicted more than 50 wounds during a 'sustained and savage' knife attack, the Old Bailey was told. Malhamoub originally denied four counts of attempted murder but admitted the offences today, two days after the trial began. He tried to kill his victims at an address in Palmers Green in north London on July 6, 2019. Blood stains were pictured on the curtain of a child's bedroom at the property in Enfield He used so much force while trying to kill his victims that he bent more than one knife out of shape during the onslaught, jurors were told. Malhamoub also faces jail for glassing a customer at a pub on 17 November 2017, after he was convicted by a jury of wounding with intent at Isleworth Crown Court in November 2019. The judge ordered he be assessed for dangerousness ahead of sentence on 12 March. Prosecutor James Brown said the attack was 'relentless' and pre-planned, with the defendant going to the house with at least one knife. He targeted his victims' necks, and some injuries penetrated deep into vital organs, the court heard. Police at a house on Livingstone Road in Enfield, north London, where a woman and three children aged under 12 were found, all suffering from stab wounds A police officer stands outside the front of the property after the stabbing Mr Brown added: 'These consisted of eight stab wounds to her (the mother's) face and neck, a puncture wound to the left side of her back, three superficial wounds and a superficial laceration to her stomach and abdomen. 'Three wounds to the back of the right forearm and hand; nine wounds to her left arm and hand, in addition one of the muscles in the left wrist had also been injured. 'She remained in hospital until 11 July.' 'One of her daughters suffered a total of 21 stab wounds, including seven wounds to the right side of her neck and to her right ear. 'Three wounds to her chest; a wound to one of her armpits; four wounds to her right arm and hand and six wounds to her left hand. A patch of sawdust, covering what appears to be blood, near the property in Enfield A woman shows blood stain on a car to the police officer parked opposite the victims house on Livingstone Road, Bounds Green in Enfield 'Her right lung had been punctured causing her right lung to collapse. This had also resulted in blood collecting in the space between her lungs. 'One of the nerves in her right arm had been completely cut through and one of the muscles in her right arm had almost been completely cut through. 'Two of the muscles in the back of her left hand had also been completely cut through. She was discharged from hospital on 16 July.' The other two other girls were stabbed nine times in total. In a prepared statement afterwards, the defendant said: 'The police is responsible for everything. I've never had any issues until the police got involved.' Malhamoub initially denied four charges of attempted murder but changed his plea following the opening of his trial on Monday. Judge Mark Lucraft QC remanded him into custody to be sentenced on March 12. Vicky Kaushal on Monday shared glimpses of his new superhero film with his Uri: The Surgical Strike director Aditya Dhar, on the 2019 military action film's second anniversary. The actor shared a couple of posters of the new film, titled The Immortal Ashwatthama, along with the announcement. "Overwhelmed and ecstatic! On the 2nd anniversary of 'URI-The Surgical Strike', the team gives you a glimpse into the world of #TheImmortalAshwatthama. Cannot wait to get onto this journey with the dream team of @adityadharfilms #RonnieScrewvala @rsvpmovies @soniyeah22," Vicky posted on Instagram along with two posters that have a touch of mythology and modernity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) Aditya also posted the same posters from the film, and actress Yami Gautam, who had also starred in Uri: The Surgical Strike, wrote, "Amazing." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) "Raising the bar higher for the superhero genre not only in India but across the world, this film is a high-concept visual spectacle in the making. From the team that brought to you URI The Surgical Strike, presenting @vickykaushal09 in and as #TheImmortalAshwatthama," said a message on the Twitter site of RSVP Movies. Uri: The Surgical Strike is about a covert Army operation against a group of militants who had attacked a base in Uri, Kashmir, in 2016 and killed many soldiers. The film had won four National Film Awards -- Best Background Music Award, Best Sound Design, Best Actor Award (Vicky) and Best Direction. A new strain of COVID-19 initially discovered in the United Kingdom has been found in Nueces County, officials said Sunday. A Corpus Christi resident, a male between 60 and 70 years old, tested positive for variant B.1.1.7. The man returned from the United Kingdom in late December after travelling for a family emergency. He believes he contracted the virus there, officials said. Since returning to Texas, the man has been quarantining at home with a severe headache. He will be kept in isolation by the local health authority to prevent further spread of the variant. READ ALSO: Rank: The 20 San Antonio ZIP codes with the highest number of active COVID-19 cases The new variant is known to be more contagious, according to Nueces County health official Dr. Srikanth Ramachandruni. It has been found in eight U.S. states and more than 33 countries around the globe. "Currently there is no evidence that B.1.1.7 causes more severe illness or increased risk of death," Ramachandruni said. In Texas, the new strain was first identified Thursday in a Harris County man with no travel history, leading Houston scientists to conclude the strain may be well established in the community. The variant can still be detected by current tests, Ramachandruni noted, and does not affect the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ramachandruni advised residents to keep wearing masks, practicing social distancing and washing their hands as often as possible. He also told people to seek the vaccine, as the virus has become "out of control again" in the area. "In order to develop immunity to the virus, we only have two options," Ramachandruni said. "Getting infected or getting vaccinated. I believe the second option is the brightest." The county southeast of San Antonio reported 149 new COVID-19 cases and five related deaths Sunday. There are 2,839 active cases in the community. This picture of the mobile mammogram van was taken at the event outside the Bay Mills Health Center, in Bay Mills, Michigan (Bay Mills Indian Community Reservation). I recently lost a relative to cancer. I think its important to get these screenings done, said a member of the tribal council of the Hannahville Indian Community in northern Michigan. But women who live on Indian reservations and in rural areas of Michigans Upper Peninsula often find it hard to get screened for cancer. Many women in these communities have low incomes. They often live more than 30 minutes away from a screening facility and have little or no access to public transportation. These problems were made worse in early 2020, when women and clinics cancelled cancer screening appointments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, unemployment increased across Michigan, so many more women needed the councils services for uninsured women. From March to June 2020, the Inter-Tribal Council of Michiganexternal icon couldnt hold mobile mammography van events to reach women in the Upper Peninsula. It also had to cancel a large breast cancer screening event planned for May. In March 2020, the council met with their partners and determined that it was best to reschedule the event to September 2020. Finding Ways to Reach Women During the Pandemic In August 2020, the council began reaching out to women through social media, radio, newspapers, and patient reminders to help them keep their breast cancer screening appointments. It also worked with Spectrum Healths Betty Ford Breast Care Services to reschedule the cancelled screening event. In September, the partners hosted a mobile mammography van in the Hannahville and Bay Mills Indian communities. They took several steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They asked COVID-19 screening questions when appointments were scheduled, during patient reminder calls, and on the day of the appointment. They also gave women masks and made sure everyone stayed at least six feet apart. During the five-day event, 118 women got mammograms. Thats 20% more women than the year before, despite the pandemic! On a survey, nearly half of the women said they wouldnt have gotten a mammogram in 2020 without the mammogram van, and almost all of them said they felt safe getting screened there. As a result of this event, more than one-third more women in the Hannahville and Bay Mills Indian communities are up-to-date with their mammograms. I hope more girls realize that once you get older you need to be aware of your body and getting things checked for health, the member of the tribal council of the Hannahville Indian Community said. Entrepreneurial duo launch Scottish brand Harpalion Spirits A Scots duo is preparing to launch a new rum portfolio into the burgeoning Scottish rum scene. Harpalion Spirits has this week unveiled its first release - a premium spirit comprising five aged rums, finished in Speyside - which will be on sale in on-trade, off-trade and online channels from March. The new company is backed financially by its chairman Richard Dixon, who sold his successful Vets Now chain in 2018, and CEO Claire Kinloch, who is also CEO of strategy consultancy Genoa Black. It came about after Richard approached Genoa Black to carry out a feasability study on the worldwide spirits industry. Claire explained: "We quickly uncovered a strong and unmet demand for a high-quality 'sipping' rum. So we decided to establish our own company, Harpalion Spirits, to create the premium spirits we understand consumers desire." Richard added: "The spirits sector is fascinating - it constantly needs to reflect the changing nature of consumer behaviour and is always innovating. Never more so than in the current climate where, despite a real shift in consumer behaviour and the obvious current challenges in the sector, tthere are real opportunities to think differently." Their first release contains single source rums from the Caribbean, Guyana, Guatemala, Trinidad and Panama. It is finished in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, bottled at 43% ABV, and is uncoloured and non-chill filtered. Following an initial launch in the UK this spring, the Harpalion Spirits team is forecasting a move into international markets from year two. Claire said: "This is an exciting opportunity to create and build an authentic and engaging spirits business and brand that is relevant in the current social climate, and to bring positive energy to every stakeholder and community we will be working with." 11 January 2021 - Bethany Whymark Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form MERCED, Calif. - Six inmates have escaped from the county jail, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Office. On Sunday the jail staff discovered that six inmates were missing from their cell. Deputies believe just before midnight Saturday the inmates were able to gain access to the roof and then used a handmade rope to scale down the side of the building. The Sheriff's Office has formed a task force to track down and apprehend the escaped fugitives, who are considered to be armed and dangerous. Citizens are asked to call 9-1-1 if they see any of the men who escaped and are being advised not to approach them. ESCAPED INMATES (Booking photos of these men are located in the gallery section of this article) BARRON, JORGE - 20-year-old Hispanic male adult from Atwater, CA - 505 140 lbs, black hair, brown eyes - Current Charges: Violation of probation CORONADO, GABRIEL FRANCIS - 19-year-old, Hispanic male adult from Atwater, CA - 510, 225 lbs, black hair, brown eyes Current Charges: Attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm, violation of probation LEON, MANUEL ALLEN - 21-year-old Hispanic male adult from Vallejo, CA - 510 165 lbs, black hair, brown eyes Current Charges: Assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, evade peace officer, reckless driving, participation in a criminal street gang, carrying a loaded firearm RODRIGUEZ JR, ANDRES NUNEZ - 21-year-old Hispanic male adult from Planada, CA - 507145 lbs, black Hair, brown Eyes, from Planada, Ca Current Charges - Attempted Murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm ROMAN, FABIAN CRUZ 22-year-old, Hispanic male adult from Los Banos, CA - 506, 145 lbs, black hair, brown eyes Current Charges: Murder A search is underway for two suspects sought in the November murder of a 26-year-old man in Andalusia. One suspect was taken into custody Friday, but Central Alabama Crime Stoppers said two more remain at large. They are wanted in the Nov. 16 shooting death of Micah Spencer Coon. Coon was found dead about 9:30 p.m. that Monday inside a George Street home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities on Friday arrested 22-year-old Brittany Head. She is charged with one count of murder and one count of first-degree burglary. Her bond is set at $1.15 million. Andalusia police have obtained murder and burglary warrants for Courtney Lee Porter, 29, and Tyquise Jamal Jenkins, 22. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Andalusia police at 334-222-1155 or Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). Tipsters can also submit tips via the P3-tips app. One of the many reasons Hillary Clinton did not succeed Barack Obama as US president in 2016 was her use of the phrase basket of deplorables to describe half of Donald Trumps supporters. Theyre racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, she warned. The next day, she expressed regret for saying half. Her prescience was a hostage to fortune. Clinton conceded, in her 2017 book What Happened, that the phrase was one of the rocks her ambitions crashed on and denied her the White House. The Trump campaign, then guided by Stephen Bannon, goaded Clinton with the phrase. Many Trump supporters adopted the deplorable moniker as a gesture of defiance. Those who accused Clinton of arrogance, of elitism, and of being out of touch, were strident, revelling in the opportunity to goad the Ivy League-educated candidate, all the while turning a blind eye to their own champions unshakeable, in-the-marrow ignorance. After last weeks events in Washington, Clinton may feel vindicated, though it would be wrong to judge the 70m-plus Americans who voted for Trump by the actions of those thousands who brought the fight to weak politicians. Read More White supremacists and members of the military: Records reveal fervent Trump supporters fuelled US Capitol takeover That polls show that almost half of Republicans supported the attack brings urgency to understanding how this momentum has such weight. That event already has had profound consequences. Many of Trumps inner circle have, as they scented change and opprobrium, quit. Many of his supporters have followed and so the battle for the recovery of the Republican Party, the one that respected democracy and so much more, begins. One strand of that process must be an effort to understand why so many embraced beliefs that and there is no cheering way to say this are so unhinged that they defy rational analysis. For many of those in the vanguard at Washington, and at Trumps rallies, it was as if anger had swamped any capacity to winnow fact from fantasy. Read More How Ireland can stop the rise of the far-right That anger was channelled and amplified through social media, which, as we report today, imposes a growing responsibility on Ireland, as we host ever more data banks, some of which facilitate peddling of the most noxious views. Once again, our Government, like governments everywhere, struggles to match technological innovation with appropriate legislation and oversight. Those social media conversations highlighted another aspect of this collapse and there is no cheering way to say this, either: All too many of those exchanges show what happens when educational opportunities are either derided or denied. Many of the Maga online contributions were profound indictments of the education system their authors used. Access to education, and its restoration, as a central ambition in the USs culture was never more important. It is, of course, all too easy to be condescending while discussing extreme Trumpistas, but it is difficult not to see even a basic education as a foil to energies such as the QAnon lunacies. That we also report soaring book sales today is reassuring, but we, and the US, must do much more to repel the ideas unleashed by the worst president in US history. And our best weapon is education and then more education. To prevent the reopening of schools, Chicago educators must organize independently of the CTU through the formation of an Illinois Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, which will unite educators, parents, students and the broader working class, to prepare strike action to close all schools and nonessential workplaces. We urge all those who want to join this struggle to send us your contact information today send us your contact information today. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and officials at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) continue their aggressive push for in-person learning in the face of widespread opposition among educators and parents. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), far from opposing the public health disaster that will occur if schools are reopened before widespread vaccination is available, has simply demanded that union officials be brought in as junior partners in managing schools. Sign encouraging students to social distance posted in a grade school (image credit: One of our reporters) It is currently unclear how many of the 6,000 Pre-K and special education students eligible to return to classrooms Monday will actually show up at school buildings. Out of roughly 2,000 teachers ordered to report last Monday, half refused, and out of the 5,800 total educators ordered back, only 60 percent reported. Just recently, 147 school nurses signed a letter opposing the plan as unsafe. In the latest threat issued to teachers and staff who refuse to report to school buildings, CPS CEO Janice Jackson warned Friday that they will be considered absent without leave and have their pay docked. Further, their access to district computer systems will be cut off, preventing them from continuing to teach remotely. Such a move would mean these teachers students would have to be assigned to other teachers, exacerbating the already-existing difficulties with remote learning that are the consequence of overcrowded classrooms throughout the district. It would also add to the immense difficulties teachers and students face with CPS plan to require teachers in school buildings to teach in-person and remote students at the same time. Against scientific research published in Nature Human Behavior, which indicates that closing schools is the second most effective intervention that can be carried out to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community, Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) have continued to insist that schools can be reopened safely. This is also despite the admission by CDPH Medical Director Dr. Marielle Fricchione that the new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, is likely circulating already in Chicago. New research suggests the new variant spreads much more quickly, and a report from Imperial College London indicates it may spread more easily among young people than previous variants. Notably, on Sunday Lightfoot extended the citys stay-at-home advisory through January 22 in response to a sustained level of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. In the face of this mounting evidence of the danger of reopening schools, city and school district officials have touted a study by CDPH published in The Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, in which they attempt to give a scientific-sounding cover to their reopening plan. However, any objective examination of this article, a so-called Practice Brief Report with lower publication standards than would be expected of research articles, would conclude it is weak and politically motivated. The centerpiece of CDPHs argument is a study conducted in collaboration with the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which brought almost 20,000 of its roughly 78,000 students back for in-person learning in August. Based entirely on reports of infections from the Archdiocese itself, which has a heavy financial incentive to keep its tuition-paying students in classrooms, the data systematically under-represents the role of open schools in the spread of COVID-19 and ignores the reality that many Catholic schools have closed at various points throughout the past months due to outbreaks. Nonetheless, even with this suspect source of data, the report says there were 59 cases at 31 schools between August 17 and October 1, a time period when around 7,000 cases were reported among school-aged children throughout the state, many of whom had returned to in-person learning at least part-time. Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) contact tracing data also suggests schools are the second-most common location of infection behind business/retail. The real concern of the article is revealed in the authors concluding remarks, which discount the use of test positivity rates. They write, Metrics such as citywide test positivity used by other large urban public school systems have not been proven to improve safety and increase the risk of interrupting education. Contrary to their fraudulent statements, the concern of Lightfoot and the corporate elites that run Chicago is not at all that the citys working class students will fall behind academically. The state General Assembly is presently debating whether to repeal restrictions on CTUs ability to bargain over classroom conditions and other matters, which if passed would require CPS to come to an agreement with the union before reopening. In response, Lightfoot penned a letter to state senators, noting that such a repeal at this critical time would impair our efforts to reopen Chicago Public Schools and jeopardize our fiscal and educational gains. In other words, what Lightfoot is concerned about, in line with the Trump and incoming Biden administrations, is to get students back into classrooms so their parents can go back to work. Even with mounting opposition among educators and parents to the reopening of schools, the CTU has continued to steadfastly oppose the call for a strike or any type of coordinated action among educators to put a stop to it. On a Friday Zoom meeting with parents, an anonymous attendee posed the simple question Will there be a strike? CTU executive board member Chris Baehrend answered, We certainly hope not! With parents continued support, we believe we can win a safer return without a strike, although we may have to prepare for one. The call for a safer return and not a safe return is significant, and entirely of a piece with the latest proposals that CTU has made to the school district in order to sell a plan to teachers. These proposals, which would all make the ongoing public health disaster even worse, include waiting to reopen until teachers get just a first dose of the vaccine and then extending the school year into the summer, and even offering to reopen schools with volunteers and mass testing. At the Friday meeting, CTU President Jesse Sharkey, a former leading member of the pseudo-left International Socialist Organization (ISO) stated, Were going to keep working hard at the table, and added, Hopefully we can get a compromise and come up with a safe way to do this. Rather than organizing educators and other workers to oppose the reopening plan on a mass basis, Sharkey and the rest of the union bureaucracy are working hard behind the scenes with their allies in the Democratic Party to force Lightfoot to come to an agreement giving the CTU a seat at the table. The fundamental role of the CTU is to help manage the ruling classs deep political and economic crisis by shutting down any struggles which might threaten the profit system. The unions longstanding hostility to teachers and other workers finds acute expression in their collusion with the ruling class campaign to throw them back into classrooms in the midst of the pandemic. The life-and-death struggle confronting Chicago educators underscores the real need to join educators across the country and internationally who are organizing independently of the unions and the capitalist political parties. We urge all Chicago educators to get involved with the formation of an Illinois Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee by signing up today at wsws.org/edsafety ! Egypts stance regarding the Palestinian cause has not changed and Egypt still supports the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday in Cairo. In a press conference Shoukry held with his counterparts from Jordan, France and Germany following their meeting on ways to revive the peace process in the Middle East, the Egyptian foreign minister said that Egypt welcomes any effort to find a fair solution to the Palestinian issue. Minister Shoukry said that the quartet meeting discussed the revival of a serious peace talks process. There is a responsibility for the quartet committee to re-launch the peace talks, which have been frozen for years now, to reach a fair and comprehensive peace agreement, he said During the press conference, Shoukry said that Egypt understood the pivotal role of the United States in the Middle East. He also referred to the important role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in providing services to Palestinian refugees, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic. Shoukry called on donors to donate to UNRWA, which serves at least 5 million Palestinian refugees, to enable the organisation to continue offer its services during this critical time. In 2018, the administration of US President Donald Trump cut funding for UNRWA and US Aid in Gaza, which was a major blow to the two organisations. The US has long been the largest individual donor to UNRWA. According to observers, the move was taken to pressure the Palestinian Authority to accept the Trumps administrations terms in the peace process. Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the next meeting of the quartet committee would be held in Paris to continue consultation regarding ways to boost the peace process. Le Drian added that restoring and establishing relations between Arab countries and Israel was a positive development that supports stability in the Middle East, referring to the recent agreements to normalise relations between Israel and Bahrain, the UAE and Morocco. On the other hand, the French foreign minister said that Israel must respect the past agreements it had signed. We will reach a solution that meets the needs of the two people, the Palestinians and Israelis, he said. Le Drian also called on the US to play a role in resolving the Palestinian issue. The French ministers statement comes days before US President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in along with his administration. Germanys Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said during the press conference that the quartet meeting focused on steps that should be taken to rebuild confidence between the Palestinians and Israelis in order to encourage them to return to talks He also said that the quartet committee agreed to speak with officials in the EU and the US to revive dialogue. We know that this conflict affects a lot of conflicts in the region, and we want to solve it permanently, Maas said. Germany sees that the best solution to the conflict is the two-state solution, he said, adding that Germany is committed to supporting the UNRWA financially. Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman El-Safai stressed the urgency to move quickly in order to stop Israel from expanding in building illegal settlements in the 1967 territories. He added that matters are deteriorating in the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met earlier on Monday with the ministers of the quartet committee where they discussed the latest developments in the peace process. During the meeting held earlier in Cairo, the four ministers agreed on 11 provisions in order to revive the peace process, at the top of which is the immediate return to talks between the Palestinians and Israelis. The 11 provisions included the committees commitment to the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and UN Security Council resolutions. The ministers also called on both parties to avoid any unilateral actions that might negatively impact the revival of the peace process. The committee also renewed its call for an immediate cessation of constructing illegal settlements in the 1967 Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as this is a clear violation of international laws and resolutions. The committee also stressed the need to preserve the character and culture of the 1967 occupied Palestinian territories and the importance of preserving the historical and legal status of the holy places in Jerusalem, and asserted the importance of having the historical Hashemite guardianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem. The committee also welcomed the recent developments concerning the reconciliation between different Palestinian political factions. The ministers also asserted their full support for the UNRWA and its activities and called on countries to support it financially. Short link: Kristin Eberhards new book, Becoming a Democracy: How We Can Fix the Electoral College, Gerrymandering and Our Elections (Sightline Institute, 228 pages, $31.99), focuses on practical steps we can take right now to address problems with our democratic systems. Eberhard is the Portland-based director of democracy for Sightline Institute, a Seattle-based think tank focused on Northwest issues and policies. Her book addresses three broad themes: the right to vote, moneyed special interests, and how to make every vote matter. To this day, Eberhard writes, many Americans are still, in practice, excluded or undervalued. She notes basic inconsistencies such as the absence of a constitutional guarantee of a right to vote and the Supreme Courts track record of vacillating on the issue, sometimes declaring boldly that the right to vote is indeed fundamental, but other times treating it as a privilege rather than a right. She argues convincingly that the U.S. has fallen behind other democracies in assuring that every voter is truly represented and can cast a ballot as efficiently as possible, and that our two-party system has swung from balancing interests to exacerbating divisions. Oregon is held up as a role model for its motor-voter law, which automatically registers eligible residents to vote when they obtain drivers licenses or permits, and for its vote-by-mail system. The state also earns praise for participating in the national Electronic Registration Information Center, which maintains voter rolls accurately and securely. But big money is as much of an issue here as elsewhere in the nation. Eberhard writes that in Portland, it routinely costs nearly $1 million to run for mayor, and hundreds of thousands to run for city council. And Portland comes off unfavorably in a comparison of its elections with those in the Boston suburb of Cambridge. There, with all candidates running in a single pool and voters ranking them in order of preference, more than 90% of voters see their first- or second-choice candidates elected; in Portland, by contrast, up to half of voters didnt cast a ballot for the person who ends up representing them, Eberhard writes. Becoming a Democracy is nothing if not thought-provoking, particularly when it presents situations such as a majority of the 50 states having only spectator status in presidential elections, or more than 90% of statehouse incumbents in Oregon facing no primary challenge. Eberhard showcases solutions that have been road-tested in various cities and states but does so without always noting their limitations. A write-up of the Oregon Citizens Initiative Review, which convenes voters to study a statewide ballot issue and offer their recommendations, doesnt include that in 12 years of existence, its addressed just eight out of 60 ballot initiatives, or that it hasnt received state funding in recent years. Still, Becoming a Democracy offers a rousing call to action for anyone frustrated by the current state of our political systems. Portland author Elizabeth Ruschs You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People , published last spring, makes an excellent companion to Eberhards book. Ruschs book is aimed at teens and tweens but has a lot to offer adults as well. the anthology On a more literary note,the anthology Dear America: Letters of Hope, Habitat, Defiance, and Democracy , edited by Simmons Buntin, Elizabeth Dodd and Derek Sheffield, is a call to find common ground, especially on the environment and social justice. Contributors include Oregon Book Award winners -- Jose Angel Araguz, Kathleen Dean Moore, Elena Passarello, Joe Wilkins -- and a former Oregon poet laureate, Kim Stafford. What we cannot do alone, Moore writes, we can do together. awang@oregonian.com; Twitter: @ORAmyW TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evergold Corp. (TSX-V: EVER, OTC: EVGUF, WKN: A2DVQM) (Evergold or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter Agreement for an option to purchase the Rockland property, including the past-producing Rockland Mine and adjacent exploration claims, located in the Walker Lane geological belt, Nevada, from Enigma Resources LLC (Enigma). As reflected in the significant historical intercepts cited below, the property hosts known zones of high-grade and bulk-tonnage style gold-silver mineralization that are open for further expansion and that the Company believes it can grow, and add to, with new discoveries. Completion of the acquisition of the option (the Transaction) is subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Rockland Property Highlights: Hosts a large, robust, epithermal gold-silver vein system with characteristics akin to the neighbouring high-grade Aurora (Hecla Mining) and Bodie vein districts, each with +1.5 million ounces (Moz) of gold production at grades of +1 ounces per ton (opt) gold, excellent potential for the expansion of known zones of mineralization, and the discovery of new ones; (Hecla Mining) and vein districts, each with +1.5 million ounces (Moz) of gold production at grades of +1 ounces per ton (opt) gold, excellent potential for the expansion of known zones of mineralization, and the discovery of new ones; Numerous significant historical intercepts such as: 182.9 metres of 0.40 grams per tonne (g/t) Au in Romarco hole PG-33; 109.7 metres of 0.96 g/t Au including 12.2 metres of 1.88 g/t Au in Romarco hole PG-32; 59.4 metres of 1.03 g/t Au including 6.1 metres of 4.80 g/t Au in BHP hole RK-11; 39.6 metres of 1.16 g/t Au including 3.1 metres of 8.56 g/t Au in BHP hole RK-17; 1.5 metres of 19.80 g/t Au in Romarco hole PG-36C; 1.5 metres of 5.08 g/t Au and 354 g/t Ag in B2Gold hole RK18-27; in Romarco hole PG-33; including in Romarco hole PG-32; including in BHP hole RK-11; including in BHP hole RK-17; in Romarco hole PG-36C; in B2Gold hole RK18-27; Excellent location within the Walker Lane structural belt, globally endowed with +80 million ounces of gold and +700 million ounces of silver, and rapidly developing with advanced prospects and/or new mines such as Bullfrog ( Bullfrog Gold/Barrick/Augusta ), Mother Lode ( Corvus Gold ), Silicon ( Anglo Gold), Castle Mountain ( Equinox ), Tonopah ( Blackrock ), and others; ), Mother Lode ( ), Silicon ( Castle Mountain ( ), Tonopah ( ), and others; Historic production from the Rockland Mine of an estimated 50,000 ounces of gold-silver grading as high as 2.8 opt gold equivalent (96 g/t AuEq); Drive-on access and workable year-round, meaning low discovery and development costs Evergold was founded to create shareholder value and our two flagship properties in B.C., Golden Lion and Snoball, yielded exploration discoveries in our first field season post IPO, said Kevin Keough, President & CEO. This year we plan to advance both these discoveries. We are nonetheless moving dynamically to take advantage of good exploration opportunities as they arise, and Rockland is an exciting one, complementary to both Golden Lion and Snoball for its known gold-silver zones and immediate exploration upside, and its potential to provide year-round news flow and mitigate the share price winter flu that most Golden Triangle plays catch. Note: Evergold personnel recently visited the Rockland property. The historical assays referenced in this news release have not, however, been independently confirmed. Nonetheless, the historical drilling and sampling is believed to have been carried out by competent personnel working for reputable companies, as cited. Intercept true widths are not known. Readers should further note that mineralization hosted by neighboring districts and properties, though believed to be of generally similar style, may not necessarily be representative of the mineralization found on the Rockland property. About the Rockland Property The Rockland property is located approximately 25 miles south of the town of Yerington in western Nevada, along the northern portion of the Walker Lane trend. The property consists of 71 unpatented claims encompassing 594 hectares, and is underlain by a large, robust, low-sulphidation, quartz-adularia epithermal gold-silver system with excellent potential for the expansion of known zones of mineralization, and the discovery of new ones. Mineralization on the property is spatially and genetically associated with Late Miocene-age rhyolite intrusive activity and occurs in intensely altered rhyolites, associated sedimentary rocks, and pre-Tertiary granodiorite. The best gold grades are associated with quartz veins and rhyolite feeder dikes that cut the basement granodiorite at the Rockland Mine. Alteration and mineralization is primarily controlled by NNE- to NE-trending structures which are common orientations of the high-grade veins at Aurora and Bodie. The strong association of gold mineralization with shallow rhyolite intrusions also suggests comparisons to the Sleeper and Midas high-grade vein districts elsewhere in Nevada. The property hosts two key target areas: the historic Rockland Mine and Rockland East. Five companies - BHP, Hecla, Inmet, Romarco and B2Gold - explored the property between 1987 and 2019, drilling 78 holes totaling 50,385 feet. Many of the holes bottomed in mineralization. Rockland Mine Target Area The historic Rockland Mine is located within the western portion of the property. Production between 1870 and the late 1930s was largely undocumented but is estimated by the Geological Society of Nevada to have approximated 50,000 ounces of gold and silver, with grades as high as 2.8 opt gold equivalent (96 g/t AuEq). The Rockland Mine area has yielded surface values up to 50.9 g/t Au and 1,758 g/t Ag, and underground values up to 91 g/t Au. Stopes along the Rockland Mine adit level are reported to be several feet wide and semi-continuous for nearly 1,000 ft. along strike, and up to 1,400 feet down dip. In the vicinity of the Rockland Mine, drilling by BHP in the late 1980s returned relatively shallow, broad intercepts of low-grade mineralization encompassing intervals of higher grade (true widths unknown), including: 39.6 metres of 1.16 g/t Au including 3.1 metres of 8.56 g/t Au in BHP hole RK-17; including in BHP hole RK-17; 59.4 metres of 1.03 g/t Au including 6.1 metres of 4.80 g/t Au in BHP hole RK-11; and including in BHP hole RK-11; and 67.1 metres of 0.34 g/t Au in BHP hole RK-8 Much of the approximately 1 kilometre strike length of the Rockland Mine en echelon vein system remains untested for high-grade mineralization, particularly below the Rockland Mine adit level. A hole by B2Gold in 2018 intersected a vein with 5.08 g/t Au and 354 g/t Ag over 1.5 metres in hole RK18-27, which is interpreted as the down-dip extension of the main vein historically mined. Rockland East Target Area Limited historical drilling indicates a large low-grade gold zone at depth at Rockland East, with broad lower-grade intercepts commonly encompassing narrower intervals of higher grade. The geometry of this zone is still poorly understood. Map relations coupled with abundant associated pathfinder elements (particularly As and Sb) characteristic of the upper levels of low sulphidation systems found at Nevada mines such as Sleeper, Hollister and Midas, and El Penon in Chile (all +1.5 Moz deposits), indicate that the Rockland East target area is down-dropped relative to the Rockland Mine area western block, and that the entire epithermal system in this area may be largely preserved. Significant Rockland East historical intercepts include (true widths unknown): 30.5 metres of 1.29 g/t Au including 3.1 metres of 6.13 g/t Au in Inmet hole PG-13; including in Inmet hole PG-13; 16.8 metres of 1.05 g/t Au and 9.1 metres of 2.82 g/t Au including 1.5 metres of 9.20 g/t Au in Inmet hole PG-15; and including in Inmet hole PG-15; 109.7 metres of 0.96 g/t Au including 12.2 metres of 1.88 g/t Au in Romarco hole PG-32; including in Romarco hole PG-32; 182.9 metres of 0.40 g/t Au in Romarco hole PG-33; and in Romarco hole PG-33; and 59.4 metres of 1.09 g/t Au including 3.1 metres of 19.80 g/t Au in Romarco hole PG-36C As at the Rockland Mine area, many of the Rockland East holes bottomed in gold mineralization. Other target areas with anomalous surface geochemistry occur on the property and have had little or no drilling, including an area with high grade vein boulders containing up to 30 g/t Au and 140 g/t Ag. Evergold Exploration Approach Few of the companies that previously carried out work on the Rockland property executed systematic exploration programs, with most drilling limited to one or two phases and occurring two or more decades ago. Evergold believes that its exploration team, advancing a program of methodical exploration, can potentially expand known zones of mineralization and generate new discoveries, possibly leading to the definition of significant gold-silver resources. This work will commence with digital compilation and modeling of previous results (most of the historical data is available) followed by mapping, geophysics (airborne magnetics and induced polarization), soil geochemistry and hyperspectral imaging. Work on the property will be possible year-round. Terms of the Letter Agreement Under the terms of the Letter Agreement, the Company will have the right to earn a 100% ownership interest in the Rockland property in exchange for staged outlays to Enigma over five years which cumulatively total US$805,000 cash and 500,000 common shares payable in installments as set out below, in addition to escalating work commitments of US$1,675,000 over the same time frame, and a 3% Net Smelter Returns royalty granted to Enigma, two percentage points of which can be bought back by the Company for an aggregate of US$3 million, with a right of first refusal granted to the Company by Enigma to purchase the remaining one percentage point. Schedule of Cash and Share Payments: DATE PAYMENT (US$ & Shares) On signing $5,000 On TSX Approval of Transaction $35,000 and 40,000 shares January 1, 2022 $40,000 and 40,000 shares January 1, 2023 $50,000 and 45,000 shares January 1, 2024 $75,000 and 100,000 shares January 1, 2025 $100,000 and 275,000 shares January 1, 2026 $500,000* TOTAL $805,000 and 500,000 Shares *the final $500,000 payment may be made in cash, shares or any combination thereof, at the discretion of Evergold, based on a price per share equal to the greater of $0.30 or the twenty-day volume weighted average price of the shares on the TSX Venture Exchange. Schedule of Work Commitments: Evergold will be required to incur a minimum of US$1,675,000 in exploration expenditures as follows: US$75,000 on or before January 1, 2022 US$175,000 on or before January 1, 2023 US$250,000 on or before January 1, 2024 US$1,175,000 on or before the later of January 1, 2025, or 18 months from the receipt of drill permits, and to include drilling (with assaying costs) that includes 5,000 feet in the Rockland Mine area and 15,000 feet in the Rockland East target area. Andrew J. Mitchell, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Evergold Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. About Evergold Evergold Corp. has been assembled by a team with a record of recent success in British Columbia, combining four 100%-owned properties in prime geological real estate from one of BCs best-known geologists, C.J. (Charlie) Greig, with seasoned management and a qualified board. The Companys flagship assets consist of the 3,545 hectare Snoball property, located in the heart of BCs famed Golden Triangle only 12 kilometres off highway 37, where drilling in the 2020 field season achieved the discovery of a new high-grade gold-silver system on Pyramid Peak, and the 5,099 hectare Golden Lion property, located well to the east of Snoball in similar Stikine terrane rocks, at the north end of the Toodoggone region, where drilling by the Company in the 2020 field season confirmed the presence of a >100 metres true width, >500-metres long, gold-silver bearing zone carrying bulk tonnage-style grades near surface and encompassing local higher-grade intervals. For additional information, please contact: Kevin M. Keough President and CEO Tel: (613) 622-1916 www.evergoldcorp.ca kevin.keough@evergoldcorp.ca 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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain forward-looking statements which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, an inability to complete the second tranche of Offering on satisfactory terms or on the timeline as announced or at all and the expected expenditure of the proceeds of the second tranche of the Offering; an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. A teenager in Virginia was killed two days before Christmas after a Second World War era hand grenade that was thought to be inactive exploded, the authorities said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the grenade was likely purchased from Fancy Flea Antique Mall in Shallotte, North Carolina, in June. It said other grenades were possibly sold from the same vendor in June and that law enforcement officials were concerned the grenades purchased from the vendor may contain live explosives and could be hazardous to the public. The authorities may be unable to determine the exact number of grenades sold at the mall in Shallotte, a coastal town nearly 100 miles south of Fayetteville, because the transactions were made in cash during the busy summer season, a bureau spokesman said. A similar style grenade that was sold around the same time has yet to be accounted for, the spokesman said. In a statement, the mall said there was only one other grenade sold the next day by the same vendor, that it was very sorry that this has occurred, and that we all felt that the grenade was inert. The grenades chain of ownership before its sale at the mall is unclear. The MK2 grenade exploded 23 December, the bureau said, killing the teenager in Abingdon, Virginia, a town in southwest Virginia near the Tennessee border. The bureau did not identify the teenager and it was not clear whether the teenager was the one who had bought the grenade. The spokesman for the bureau, which is helping the Abingdon Police Department in the investigation, said officials had spoken with the mall. The Police Department did not respond to a request for comment. Active grenades can fall into the wrong hands after former members of the military keep them as wartime souvenirs, said Bob Morhard, an explosives safety consultant in North Carolina. Who knows what happens to them afterward? he said. Grandpas box somewhere, and someone thought they can sell them on consignment. The mall should not have taken the device if it was offered, or should have called the authorities to investigate when the grenade came into its possession, Mr Morhard said. There are a lot of subtle cues that can show a grenade is still dangerous, he said. The grenade that exploded in Virginia was likely noticeably heavy, he said, adding that inert grenades, having been cleared of the explosive material inside, often have a hole to see in the cavity that its empty. More than 20 million MK2 grenades were manufactured from the 1920s until a new model replaced it in the late 1960s, Mr Morhard said. Its pineapple casing is designed to fragment when it explodes, he said. A three to five second delay precedes the explosion after the pin is pulled, he said. The grenades explosion is lethal within a 16 foot zone, Mr Morhard said, and within a 50 foot zone, injuries can vary from life-threatening to maybe nothing. New York Times Having served as Chairman of the African Group of Governors of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), I am aware of the principal objective of these biggest financial institutions. While the Marshall Plan focused on the rehabilitation of post-World War Two Western Europe, these Bretton Woods entities focused on providing funds globally, especially for the developing countries, who constitute most of the membership of these institutions, but the majority of the shareholdership remains in the hands of the Group of Six (United States of America, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, and Japan), led by the USA, with over 50 percent of the shares. Therefore, the decision-making of the WB/IMF remains under the control of the Group of Six. It was the Group of Six that approved the USD 1.2 billion loan to the apartheid regime of South Africa when Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu led a global campaign, in which I served as Coordinator, to block the loan.The principal objective of the WB/IMF is profit-maximization in their benefit. Whatever these institutions do has to do with the enhancement of their profitability position. It is within the foregoing context, that grants, and concessional loans are made, not forgetting the evaluation of the performance of members like Liberia.Although the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund make forecasts and evaluations respectively at times, they make decisions in line with their profit-maximization objective. According to the World Bank, the Liberian economy experienced an average 0 percent growth during the 2014-2016 period, with negative growth of -1.2 percent in 2016. The World Bank made a forecast that growth of the Liberian economy in 2017, 2018, and 2019 would be 3 percent, 5.3 percent, and 5.7 percent, respectively; however, growth has less than 1 percent in 2019 (WB, CBL, 2020 Annual Message of the President of Liberia).The Executive Board of the IMF concluded its Article IV Consultation on Liberia at the end of May 2019, predicting that the growth of the Liberian economy would be 0.4 percent in 2019 and remain less than 2 percent over the medium-term. The assessment report of the IMF Board on the Liberian economy, published June 11, 2019, indicated that the government of Liberia should formulate realistic budgets, avoiding extra-budgetary spending, and implement a borrowing plan to ensure debt stability and progress in public financial management. With the printing of LD 4 Billion, the government perceived solution comes during a time of high and rising unemployment (CBL, WB, AfDB). The solution to the LD shortage problem, as presented by me publicly, is in the better management of money rather than in the printing of money. The government should cut drastically its luxurious spending, as seen in non-salary expenditures, and place the savings in the CBL to be made available to the commercial banks for circulation in the economy. Grants should also be placed in the CBL and made available to the commercial banks. With an adequate supply of LD in circulation, the confidence of depositors will be restored, and hoarding will stop, and the circulation of LD will be returned to its acceptable pre-2018 level. Let us take a non-violent action now to end the long lines of people at commercial banks that have insufficient money, as corruption and the possibility for frustration-induced violence mount.The problem of the LD shortage has been known publicly since the beginning of 2018 when such was announced by the commercial banks. Any problem becomes worse when there is a lack of Will to solve the problem. The LD problem remains unsolved because there is a lack of Will to solve the LD shortage problem. Clearly, with the persistence of, the placement of more money into the den of corruption remains a Non-Starter! Cut luxurious State spending and place the savings into commercial banks to increase the money in circulation adequately to restore the confidence of depositors, to stop the hoarding of LD, and promote the boarding of depositors on the Liberian Ship headed for a better landing through smooth winds. The solution to the LD shortage problem is Better Money Management Not More Money Printing.On December 21, 2020, the IMF donated USD 38 million to the government of Liberia as additional financial assistance amid the dismal consequences of the Corona Pandemic on the already fragile Liberian economy. The Acting Chairperson and Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, Tao Zhan, praised the government of Liberia for its fiscal discipline and further improvements in cash management, transparency, and accountability in spending and domestic revenue mobilization to finance its development agenda, which was approved earlier by the IMF Board. The IMF went ahead to project a 2021 economic growth rate of 3.2 percent for the economy of Liberia. The WB/IMF global financial institutions are well known for making predictions on the economic growth of their members to suit the enhancement of their principal objective. Witness how the Liberian economy experienced negative growth rates during the pre-Civil War period with negative zero and low growth rates in the postwar period, yet the WB/IMF projected a 3.2 percent growth rate for the Liberian economy in 2018 only to have a less than one percent growth rate in 2019 (CBL Governor at the Liberian Senate; 2020 Annual Message of the Liberian President).Furthermore, some World Bank senior staffers, in their Liberian Economy Update, predict a 3.7 percent growth rate in 2021/2022, but the World Bank is not taking responsibility for their prediction although it is made in a document bearing the letterhead of the World Bank. In the same vein, the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures growth on key socio-economic indicators of a country, puts Liberias ranking as 177 out of 188 countries, placing Liberia in the low development category and the second poorest country in Africa (UNDP). With the donation of US 38 million, the IMF is predicting another 3,2 percent growth for the Liberian economy in 2021.The praising and prediction of the IMF are forthcoming while there is persistent lack of confidence on the part of depositors in the financial management capability of the government, leading to massive hoarding by depositors, and unemployment remains high (above 80 percent) and rising (CBL, WB/IMF, AfDB).Finally, let it be known in this 2021 New Year that the Way Forward for the Better is Better Money Management Not More Money Printing Napoli are reportedly eyeing a move for Kieran Tierney with the Arsenal left-back on a list of long-term transfer targets for the Italian side. Tierney has been one of the Gunners' most consistent performers this season and scored a stunning solo goal in the 4-0 victory over West Brom earlier this month. Arsenal beat Napoli to the Scotland international's signature in 2019 but The Telegraph report that the Serie A club have not given up hope of signing him in a future transfer window. Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney is reportedly on a list of long-term transfer targets for Napoli The left-back has been a standout player for the Gunners and scored a stunning solo goal against West Brom earlier this month According to the report, Napoli will look for a short-term solution at left-back before making another attempt at signing Tierney. The Gunners signed the 23-year-old for a fee of 25million in August 2019. A shoulder injury disrupted his season but he returned to fitness during Project Restart and has been a regular since. Tierney has made 16 Premier League starts in the 2020-21 campaign, the most of any outfield player and he has been a key figure in the club's recent upturn in form. Tierney has made 16 Premier League starts this season which is the most of any Arsenal player Arsenal legend Martin Keown even suggested he could go on to be their captain in the future. 'Right from the beginning I could see there was a determination about him', Keown said on BT Sport after Arsenal's victory at The Hawthorns. 'He's just the right type that you need... his personality, character. He's a driving force and he's a throwback. 'In training, they have to tell him to calm down because he's tackling ferociously. I really like that attitude that he brings. 'He has got everything in his game, it's about building around him. Perhaps an Arsenal captain in the making.' Technology companies tried to contain a mounting backlash against their social media sites, with shares of Twitter and Facebook falling and rival platform Parler forced offline by Amazon. Many conservatives said the moves to expunge US president Donald Trump from the social networks and take down an app popular with his supporters went too far. Twitter shares were down sharply, reflecting shareholder uncertainty about the permanent removal of one of the sites biggest accounts and the legislative consequence that could follow. Facebooks shares also fell during the session. Parler, whose chief executive John Matze pitches the network as a safe place for free speech, went down early today after Amazon Web Services shut off access to its servers, leaving it without a home. Both Google and Apple kicked Parler from their stores, making it almost impossible to download the app. The big tech companies justified their actions by citing posts stoking riots in Washington DC last week and sought to avoid further incitements to violence. The bans underscore the power these companies hold over how information is disseminated and the impact their decisions have. Previously, it was their stance to allow incendiary speech from Mr Trump and his allies that drew heavy criticism from the left. Regulatory risks for social media companies will persist even though Democrats will control the Congress and White House, wrote Bank of America analyst Justin Post in a note to clients. Read More Donald Trump looking for new social media presence with Parler offline Twitter is also likely to see some usage decline as a result of dismissing the president, he wrote. Meanwhile, Parler has so far been unable to find other web hosting services willing to step in, because of the negative publicity stemming from the violence, organised in part on its own platform. This is not due to software restrictions, we have our software and everyones data ready to go, said Mr Matze. Rather, its that Amazons, Googles, and Apples statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well. Even some e-commerce and payments sites are now reassessing doing business with companies linked to Mr Trump. Stripe will stop processing payments for Mr Trumps campaign website, according to a person familiar with the decision. Shopify shut down online stores affiliated with Mr Trump. Before last weeks violence, lawmakers and civil rights advocates had long been pressuring social media platforms to crack down on posts that encourage violence or hatred. While regulators in Europe have passed laws fining companies that fail to act on hate speech, the US has largely left regulation to the companies. Twitter first put warning labels on Mr Trumps tweets that supported the Capitol rioters, then hid them, before suspending the account. Local ISDs will continue to strictly observe coronavirus protocols as schools reopen for the spring semester. The students wear masks, apply hand sanitizer and wash their hands regularly. Some classrooms have transparent dividers installed. If a student feels ill, they are sent to the nurses office and then sent home. EMisting (electrostatic spraying) is conducted regularly. Fort Bend ISD is currently operating dual learning models, said Amanda Bubela, communications director for Fort Bend ISD. We continue to encourage all students and staff to stay vigilant and not come to school if they are exhibiting symptoms, or if they are exposed to COVID-19 or test positive for the virus. It is also important that they continue to report symptoms, exposures and positive cases in the daily wellness checker. Some students are returning after traveling during the winter break. There was steep spike in nationwide COVID numbers over the holiday season. Local school districts continue to offer a combination of virtual and in-person lessons, while enforcing strict social distancing measures. We ask the parents of the kids if theyve come into contact with anyone showing symptoms of the virus, said Dr. Thomas Randle, Lamar CISDs superintendent of schools. If they indicate they have, then they have to be quarantined for 14 days. Typically, those kids are moved to virtual classes if they were in-person. If we have concern about cases in a classroom area, that area is immediately sanitized. About 66 percent of LCISD students are in person, Randle said. He praised students, staff and parents for adhering to the safety protocols, adding that LCISD saw fewer influenza cases this fall due to regular handwashing. All our staff are wearing masks as well, said Mike Rockwood, deputy superintendent at LCISD. Certainly, people are making choices of their own outside of Lamar CISD. When anyone comes onto our campus, the big thing weve found is that theyre not spreading COVID-19 rapidly. So, while other school districts have had to close campuses or make other adjustments, we have not had to do those things. Rockwood said LCISD maintained a good relationship with Fort Bend County health officials, who visit campuses regularly to offer feedback. We appreciate the hard work of our staff, said Rockwood. They continue to do whats necessary to make sure everyones wearing masks and making good choices. The Texas Education Agency, with whom LCISD worked over the summer, advised against conducting temperature checks at school entrances. Not only are many students asymptomatic, but a lot of time is lost in screening everyone entering a school building. Rockwood said the schools had other measures in place. Every employee has to complete a digital questionnaire before going to work every single day, said Rockwood. We have communication out to all of our parents. So, if kids are feeling ill, or having any of the COVID-19 symptoms, they keep them home. And weve had good success, we found parents take it very seriously. juhi.varma@hcnonline.com A new car racing movie produced by pop megastar Jay Chou and starring his wife Hannah Quinlivan will be released on Friday. The film's English title, "Nezha," refers to the young Chinese deity and protagonist of numerous tales, and more recently, films, that have been created in his name. However, this latest film has nothing to do with the mythological character but is rather a modern racing story that captures the growth of young racers and the teamwork required to find success. The film was directed by Chen Yi-xian and stars Quinlivan, Tsao Yu-ning, Van Fan, and Alan Kuo, as well as cameo appearances from Jay Chou and pop idol Karry Wang. Chen, a former professional racer, said during a virtual premiere on Saturday that the film is a reflection of his own life and that he wanted the audience to understand the trials that real racers face. In particular, he wanted to highlight how racers may look awesome on-screen but are in fact constantly battling great danger. "I hope this film can bring positivity to the audience at beginning of the new year after having suffered through the hardship of last year," Chen said. Chou, as executive producer, spoke about how he was happy to see his wife play the leading role as a driven female racer. Quinlivan, meanwhile, when not modeling, has always had ambitions for the big screen and previously featured in commercial blockbusters such as "Skyscraper" and "SkyFire." Quinlivan described how she experienced claustrophobia during filming because of long hours wearing suffocating racing overalls and sitting in the narrow cockpit, adding that Chen helped her overcome her fear. Jay Chou is a long-time fan of car racing and 16 years ago starred in Andrew Lau's popular street racing film "Initial D" adapted from Japanese manga by Shuichi Shigeno. The pop star said he became involved with the project in 2018 because he appreciated Chen's ability to present the thrill and excitement of high-octane racing on screen. Chou also composed the theme song for the film. "Nezha" will hit Chinese theaters on Jan. 15, and is the first film from Taiwan to be screened on the Chinese mainland in 2021. Madrid: Emergency crews in central Spain will form vaccine convoys through the snow, after clearing 500 roads and rescuing some 1500 stranded people, allowing a weekly shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to be distributed to regional health authorities. The Spanish government said it would on Monday send convoys carrying the COVID-19 vaccine and food supplies to areas cut off by Storm Filomena, the country's worst snowstorm in recent memory, which has killed four people. Across central Spain, over 600 roads were affected by the rare blizzard and hundreds of travellers were stranded at Madrid's Barajas airport after it was forced to close at the weekend. Forecasters warned of dangerous conditions in the coming days, with temperatures expected to fall to up to minus 14 Celsius and the prospect of snow turning to ice and damaged trees falling. KONKA debuted in the U.S. market a year ago with three Series of Android TVs that underscored the company's mission of offering consumers high quality products that utilize the latest innovative technologies while still providing amazing consumer value. KONKA Smart is an extension of that mission and notably, KONKA has integrated features to tie these great products together. "KONKA has developed a Smart Home line-up that includes the most important products in each sub-category and all of them are controlled by our OneApp with IFTTT," said Scott Ramirez, KONKA North America's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We have created a One-Stop Shop opportunity that provides both ease of use and ease of mind. Plus, our new CameraView App creates a unique synergy between KONKA Smart Cameras and Android TVs, making the TV the Hub of the KONKA Smart Home. This creates a great experience for consumers and new merchandising opportunities for retailers." The 2021 KONKA Smart Home When developing the KONKA Smart Home, the company prioritized simplicity of installation, ease-of-use, and effortless interoperability. Consumers entering the Smart Home category will find KONKA Smart simple, and those who already have Smart Home products will be able to integrate them seamlessly. All KONKA Smart products utilize KONKA's OneApp, eliminating any switching between Apps. Plus, KONKA Smart products are Wi-Fi enabled, so No Hub is needed. To ensure interoperability, all models work with IFTTT, allowing the user to create "recipes" and scenes with other products. And, for convenient hands-free operation they all work with Google Assistant and Alexa. KONKA Smart Video Doorbells and Smart Cameras KONKA's initial smart camera offering includes two Video Doorbells and two Smart Cameras. Together, these four models will meet the needs of most homes. Key Standard features found in all four models are 1080p Full HD, Night Vision, Motion Detection, Live View, 2-Way Communication (with Mic, Speaker and Audio Noise Cancelation), 128-bit AES Encryption, multiple Video Playback Options including an SD Card Slot, KONKA's elegant white with rounded edges Family Design, and they are all Water Resistant. In addition, with the new CameraView App, you can view the feed from your KONKA video doorbell or smart camera on your KONKA Android TV. The KONKA Video Doorbell is wired and replaces an existing traditional doorbell. In addition to all the standard KONKA Smart camera features, this model includes a 140-degree Diagonal Field of View, and Camera Based Motion Detection with Motion Zones and Human Detection. The KONKA Anywhere Video Doorbell is a battery powered video doorbell, so it can be mounted almost anywhere, including by a side door or back door where there had been no standard doorbell before. In addition to all the standard KONKA Smart camera features, the Anywhere Video Doorbell includes a 130-degree Diagonal Field of View, and true PIR Motion Detection with adjustable sensitivity. The KONKA Anywhere Cam is a battery powered smart camera with Quick Release Batteries for easy access. By combining water resistance with rechargeable battery power, this camera can be used virtually anywhere, inside, or outside. In addition to the standard KONKA Smart camera features, the Anywhere Cam includes a 130-degree Diagonal Field of View, true PIR Motion Detection with adjustable sensitivity, and includes a wall mounting bracket. The KONKA LED Floodlight Cam combines the key features of the Anywhere Cam with Dual LED Floodlights that provide 2,200 Lumens. The floodlights are adjustable to match the light coverage to the specific need and are dimmable. In addition to the mic and speaker for 2-way communication, this model features a built-in 90db Siren for added security. KONKA Smart Smart Plugs KONKA Smart Plug models include the Single Outlet Smart Plug, the Two-Outlet Smart Plug Duo, and the Four Outlet Smart Power Strip. These three models can be used on their own, or in conjunction with other Smart Home products. In addition to working with Google Assistant, Alexa and IFTTT, key features include Surge Protection, the ability to Set Timers, and Individual Outlet Control. KONKA Smart Smart Lighting KONKA is also introducing three Smart Lighting models. The focused offering starts with the highly popular 60-watt equivalent A19 and also includes a directional BR30 for use in high hats and a Light Strip for a wide variety of creative applications. In addition to working with Google Assistant, Alexa and IFTTT, key features of these LED Lighting models include Dimming, Tunable White (from Warm 2,800 to Cool 6.500 Kelvin), and Multi-Color RGB capability. KONKA Smart Lighting models include: The Smart Light Bulb is a Color A19 LED Light Bulb with 25,000 Hour Life (or 22.8 years at 3 hours per day). At 9 Watts and 750 Lumens, it is a 60-Watt Equivalent Bulb. This model will be sold as a 2-Pack. is a Color A19 LED Light Bulb with 25,000 Hour Life (or 22.8 years at 3 hours per day). At 9 Watts and 750 Lumens, it is a 60-Watt Equivalent Bulb. This model will be sold as a 2-Pack. The Directional Smart Light Bulb is a Color BR30 LED Light Bulb with 30,000 Hour Life (or 27.4 years at 3 hours per day). At 13 Watts and 1,300 Lumens, it is a 90-Watt Equivalent Bulb. is a Color BR30 LED Light Bulb with 30,000 Hour Life (or 27.4 years at 3 hours per day). At 13 Watts and 1,300 Lumens, it is a 90-Watt Equivalent Bulb. The Smart Light Strip is a Color LED Light Strip. It is 5 Meters long with 7.5 Watts, 700 Lumens, and can create 16 Million Colors. All of the KONKA Smart models announced at Digital CES 2021 are scheduled for March/April availability. KONKA A Global CE Powerhouse Based in China and one of that country's "Top 10 most valuable brands," KONKA now sells products in over 100 countries worldwide, using its 40 years of experience as a prime manufacturer to develop, design and engineer products specifically for each market. KONKA's extensive product range includes Television, Audio, Smart Home, Appliances and Mobile. As part of its overall growth plan, KONKA has significantly increased investment in several key technology areas including AIoT (combining AI with Home Control), 5G and Semiconductor (including a new 8K SoC). About KONKA Group Co., Ltd. As a platform-based company driven by technological innovation, KONKA's scope of business covers consumer electronics products, semiconductor technology, eco-friendly technology, industrial parks, platform service and investment & finance. Established in 1980, publicly traded KONKA Group Co Ltd (Shenzhen Stock Exchange) is China's first Sino-foreign joint consumer electronics enterprise. Since 1999, KONKA has been ranked among China's top 100 best companies and has also been named one of the "Top 10 most valuable brands in China". With annual revenue of over $7.9 billion, KONKA has more than 60 subsidiaries, 300 sales offices, more than 3,000 service outlets and over 19,000 employees. In 2020, KONKA Group ranked 186 in top 500 companies in China. To learn more about KONKA North America's current products, visit KONKA-USA.com, Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Product Images and Videos SOURCE Konka North America, LLC Parler is down for the foreseeable future. Amazon removed social media platform Parler from its cloud hosting service Amazon Web Services this weekend, the move coming shortly behind Google and Apple's removal of the platform from app stores, according to Buzzfeed News' John Paczkowski and Ryan Mac. PARLER SHUT DOWN: Right-wingers will need to find somewhere else to gather Favored by conservatives as a haven for free speech, Parler became overrun with violent rhetoric in its short life span. Messages that included calls for the assassination of public officials disseminated across Parler in the days and weeks leading up to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. A number of disgruntled users took to Twitter to react to the news of Parler's de-platforming in the wake of Twitter and Facebook suspending President President Donald Trump's accounts. Comedian Rob Schneider likened the moves to the 1933 burning of the Reichstag building, home of the German parliament in Berlin, which led to the Nazi Party passing the Reichstag Fire Decree and suppressing news publications that were not supportive of the Nazis. Fox News Channel's "Justice with Judge Jeanine" host Jeanine Pirro also compared the deplatforming of Parler to Kristallnacht, where members of the Nazi party destroyed Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues across the country. The Night of Broken Glass culminated in the arrest of 30,000 Jewish men and the deaths of more than 90 people on Nov. 9-10, 1938. While the platform itself is in limbo, Parler's data is not gone. Gizmodo's Dell Cameron reports that a hacker has archived 99.9% of its content, including all of the platform's posts. A court in Sweden has sentenced two Russian citizens from Chechnya to lengthy prison terms for their roles in last year's attempted killing of Tumso Abdurakhmanov, an exiled Chechen blogger and outspoken critic of the North Caucasus region's Moscow-backed leader. Swedish media reports said on January 11 that a court in the city of Gavle sentenced Ruslan Mamayev and Elmira Shapiayeva to 10 and eight years in prison, respectively. Abdurakhmanov, who fled Russia in 2015, said he survived the February 26 attack by overpowering a suspect armed with a hammer. Mamayev testified when the trial started on November 2 that he was acting on orders from Chechen officials and had since sought political asylum in Sweden. He said he secretly planned to be seen to have failed in order to discourage Chechen officials from punishing him. Mamayev also claimed Chechen authorities promised to pay him 50,000 euros for Abdurakhmanov's assassination. The attack against Abdurakhmanov was one of several assaults outside of Russia in recent months on critics of Chechnya's Kremlin-backed leader Ramzan Kadyrov. In late January last year, the body of Imran Aliyev, another Chechen blogger known for his criticism of Kadyrov, was found dead with stab wounds in a hotel room in the northern French city of Lille. Austria has arrested two Chechen asylum seekers as part of an investigation into the July 4 killing in the Vienna suburb of Gerasdorf of another Kadyrov critic, Mamikhan Umarov. In August 2019, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a former Chechen separatist fighter who had fled from Georgia to Germany, was shot dead in Berlin. A Russian national suspected in that killing went on trial in Germany in October. Human rights groups have accused Kadyrov of widespread rights and other abuses in the region, allegations he denies. Critics say Kadyrov is ultimately responsible for the violence and intimidation of political opponents by Chechen authorities, including kidnappings, forced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Defenders claim Kadyrov has brought relative calm to the volatile region following two wars between Moscow and separatists after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. With reporting by Aftonbladet "Assassins" Is A Conspiracy-Filled Nail Biter Politically speaking, so much has changed recently that events from three years ago might feel like they happened in another lifetime. Or maybe, while preoccupied with Trump and Brexit, you missed the wild story behind the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the onetime heir apparent to former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. In February 2017, Kim Jong-nam was assassinated in a crowded airport terminal by two young women who snuck up behind him and rubbed the lethal VX nerve agent into his eyes. Many believed they were acting on behalf of Kim Jong-un, his half-brother, who currently serves as North Koreas Supreme Leader. In his comprehensive documentary, filmmaker Ryan White plunges into the strange, twisty, conspiracy-filled story of Kim Jong-nams death, his assailants, and the Kim dynasty. While the storytelling is fairly straightforward, White also takes care to provide viewers with different theories and historical perspectives, making this ripped-from-the-headlines subject matter consistently intriguing. The film truly comes alive when White focuses on the assassinsSiti Aisyah, a single mother from Indonesia; and Doan Thi Hoang, an aspiring actress from Vietnamand, with empathy and nuance, explores both how these women ended up in such an unbelievable situation, and why their stories matter now. LYDIA WANG ADVERTISEMENT Assassins hits theaters and virtual cinemas on December 11th and is out on VOD on January 15th Image: Courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment This article originally appeared in the Winter 2021 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! ADVERTISEMENT More from BUST: "Annihilation" Is An Ambitious, Creative Sci-Fi Thriller Led By Five Women: BUST Review "Little Woods" Is A Stunning Film About Sisterhood "Brand New Old Love" Is An Honest Dramedy About The Pressures Of Adulthood Some residents in the Ho Municipality say Ghana was the winner despite the unruly behaviour of Parliamentarians during the election of a Speaker on Thursday. They said Ghana's democracy remained strong and a bulwark for others to emulate. They said some members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle misconducted themselves in disrupting the election processes. They were, however, happy about the election of National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Mr Alban Bagbin, which is a novel in the annals of the fourth Republic. They say Mr Bagbin's election was a win for all. Some residents said the lowest point in the unfolding drama was the appearance of the military into the chamber, calling for an investigation. Others say the military presence was timely as beyond that anything nasty could happen and would be difficult to quell. The residents told Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that Alban Bagbin just like any other candidate deserved the position and for that matter was a win to the country. Mr Collins Agbevadi, a resident, lamented on how lawmakers in Ghana tended to disrespect and portray unpleasant behaviour in the chamber of Parliament. Mr Newton Adzimahe, a resident, said the events were a test for the resilience of the country's democracy and offered a time for introspection. He expressed hope that many lessons were learnt towards strengthening the countrys fledgeling democracy. "We are fortunate this unfolding drama in Parliament did not end in a loss of lives and destruction of state properties, Mr Adzimahe 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 Sorry! This content is not available in your region CLEVELAND, Ohio-- The Ohio Department of Health has released a new ad fashioned like a Jenga game, urging Ohioans to limit their risk of spreading the virus. During a pandemic, every move you make comes with risk, the ad says. Maybe you get away with it once, twice. But what happens when your luck runs out? The advertisement, which aired during Sundays Cleveland Browns playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, depicts a Jenga tower with everyday outings inscribed on them -- from bowling without masks to grabbing a beer with the guys. Hands remove wooden pieces until the entire structure topples. I think it gets across what we have been trying to say for a period of time. Its perfect timing, said Joseph Khabbaza, pulmonary and critical care physician at Cleveland Clinic. I mean, just recently, I had a patient of mine who went to a poker party with friends and then ultimately caught COVID. The patient later spread the virus to his immediate family members, landing them all in the hospital. That kind of benign gathering, even with small groups of people that you know, has the potential to end up poorly, Khabbaza said. Khabbaza says people should treat anyone outside their household as if they have the virus. Until youre vaccinated, you almost have to treat as if any person youre around, who does not live under your roof is infected, Khabbaza said. Dan Tierney, spokesman for Gov. Mike DeWine, says the state is continuing efforts to keep the public aware of the best practices to stay safe. Obviously, there are two parts here; its what you can do to protect yourself and what you can protect others, Tierney said. Tierney noted that reducing interaction with people outside the household is a key factor in stopping the spread. If you are out amongst others, its very important you continue to socially distance, continue to wear a mask, and people should also keep mindful the proper ways to wear your mask, Tierney said. Masks should be tight-fitting, disposable, or reusable cloth with multiple layers and cover the mouth and nose. Dr. David Margolius, director of Internal Medicine for MetroHealth, says you dont have to stay in your home all the time to be safe. We want people to know that it is not an either-or decision, you dont have to stay in your home to stay safe. The three Ws are a safe way to spend time with your friends and family, Margolius said. The three Ws are: wear a mask at all times when youre with people who dont live with you, watch your distance and wash your hands. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close DHAKA/NEW DELHI : Serum Institute of India will sell the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Bangladesh at $4 a dose, three sources with knowledge of the mater told Reuters, about 47% more than India will pay for its inoculation campaign. The pricing for Bangladesh, the world's eighth-most populous country, provides a first glimpse of what it will cost other low- and middle-income countries that are seeking to secure the vaccine developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca with Oxford University. Bangladesh, a country of more than 160 million people, in November signed a preliminary agreement to buy 30 million doses of the shot from Serum - the world's biggest vaccine maker by volume. A Bangladeshi government official told reporters on Monday that the first batch of the vaccine, which Serum calls COVISHIELD, should arrive in the country by Jan. 25 so that inoculation can start early next month. One of the sources said the price for Bangladesh would "eventually average out to $3" per dose, without giving details. All the sources declined to be named ahead of an expected official announcement by the Bangladeshi government. Bangladesh's health minister and the health secretary did not answer calls to their mobile phones late in the day. Serum, which has stockpiled 50 million doses of the vaccine in India, has signed an initial deal to sell 11 million of the shots to the Indian government for 200 rupees ($2.72) per dose. The rate for India is lower given the massive demand for vaccines in the country of 1.35 billion. Indian regulators have already approved COVISHIELD for emergency use. Serum has partnered with AstraZeneca, the Gates Foundation and the Gavi vaccine alliance to produce more than a billion doses of the vaccine for supply to lower-income countries. Brazil is expecting at least 2 million doses from Serum. Bangladesh has so far reported 523,302 COVID-19 cases, including 7,803 deaths. 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!! 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. 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. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday vowed to reclaim the territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura from India. While addressing the National Assembly, or upper house, the Nepal PM said that Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh belong to Nepal as per the Sugauli Treaty and that he will get them back through diplomatic talks with India." Olis statement came at a time Nepal's bilateral relations with India seemed to be stable after the recent visits of Army Chief General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to the country. Earlier in May, the Nepal PM had said that the three territories belong to Nepal and pledged to "reclaim" them from India through political and diplomatic efforts. The ties between India and Nepal deteriorated last year after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8, 2020. Nepal objected to the inauguration of the road asserting that it passed through the territory belonging to it. Nepal also came out with the new map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its territories, drawing a sharp reaction from India. Also Read: Indonesian divers find parts of plane wreckage in Java Sea China mentions WHO team to probe COVID-19 origins will arrive on January 14 Man in shooting rampage kills 3, injures another 4 in Chicago Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) -- Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is returning to the Duterte administration, this time as commissioner of the National Police Commission. Malacanang on Monday confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Aguirre's appointment as NAPOLCOM commissioner, representing the private sector. "Mr. Aguirre served as Department of Justice Secretary during the early years of the Duterte Administration. This bodes well in his new position to make the police service competent, effective, credible and responsive to our people's needs," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. In a statement, Aguirre thanked the President for his "continuing trust and confidence." "My appointment to the NAPOLCOM carries with it the challenge to address the concerns and the stumbling blocks toward a better police force that will serve and protect our countrymen," he said. "Our countrymen have my solemn assurance that all my God-given talent, time, effort, and sacred honor will be invested toward this effort." Aguirre was DOJ chief for the first two years of the Duterte administration, before resigning amid controversies hounding the department. Before Aguirre left his post, the DOJ drew criticism over several decisions, including the dismissal of charges against alleged drug lords Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa, and the provisional admission of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to the Witness Protection Program. Last year, he was tagged by columnist Ramon Tulfo as protector of the "pastillas" bribery scheme, which allowed Chinese nationals to pay their way for easy entry to the Philippines. Aguirre has repeatedly denied this allegation, saying he knew nothing of the scheme before it was exposed. 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 Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 11 (ANI/NewsVoir): SKF India has partnered with IFB Industries Ltd for providing SKF Drum Support Unit specifically for use in front-loading washing machines. The SKF Drum Support Unit is the latest solution from SKF to improve the performance and manufacture of domestic washing machines. With the volume of 3 lakh pieces to be produced per year at the Bangalore unit of SKF India, the association aims to introduce an appliance that aims at delivering improved performance, comfort and energy savings. With manufacturers under constant pressure to meet energy-efficiency targets and control production costs in the face of increasing material prices, the SKF Drum Support Unit provides an alternative to aluminium or cast iron solutions, helping bring cost and energy saving to washing machine manufacturers. Manish Bhatnagar, Managing Director, SKF India Ltd said, "SKF has always been at the forefront of innovation and tailored engineering solutions. IFB 's capabilities and market reach make them a very strong partner for bringing SKF India to the domestic washing machine market. The innovative Drum Support Unit for washing machines will help IFB's customers to save energy consumption at home, while simultaneously contributing to cost-effective manufacturing and improved washing machine performance." Like many home appliance maker, IFB have traditionally used conventional cast iron and ball bearings fit to them and assembled with a plastic tub. The SKF Drum Support Unit is a single unit that comes with integrated bearings that are greased and sealed for life, so the number of assembly operations is reduced and no additional machining operations are required. Despite its lighter weight compared with metal equivalents, the drum support unit is a robust, compact and low-maintenance design. As a result, the unit cuts manufacturing and assembly costs and efforts while delivering end-users savings in terms of energy and improved performance SKF's mission is to be the undisputed leader in the bearing business. SKF offers solutions around the rotating shaft, including bearings, seals, lubrication, condition monitoring and maintenance services. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2018 were SEK 85 713 million and the number of employees was 44,428. For more information, please visit: . SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukraine is awaiting a decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the next few days on the admissibility of Ukraine's claim against the Russian Federation due to the occupation of Crimea, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska said. "The ECHR will post the date of the announcement of the decision on the admissibility on its website within the next few days. If the ECHR finds the case admissible, the court will proceed to consider Ukraine's complaint on the merits. If not, we will continue litigation in other cases," Maliuska wrote on his Facebook page on Friday. The minister recalled that on March 13, 2014, the Ukrainian government filed with the ECHR the first interstate complaint against Russia regarding the events in Crimea. The ECHR immediately adopted a statement to its proceedings and the case "Ukraine vs. Russia" was assigned No. 20958/14 with the granting a priority status to it. According to him, the content of the interstate complaint "Ukraine vs. Russia" covers the complaints of the Ukrainian government on violation of the rights of citizens by Russia. The case is now pending admissibility. At this stage of the consideration of the case, Ukraine proves the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation in relation to the violations alleged by Ukraine. According to Maliuska, Ukraine is awaiting the decision of the ECHR on admissibility. "This will not yet be a solution to the merits of the requirements, but it will be an important intermediate result," he concluded. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Union minister of state for defence Shripad Naik was injured late on Monday, while his wife Vijaya died after the car they were travelling in met with an accident at Hosakambi village of Ankola taluk in Karnataka's Uttar Kannada district. Officials said that Naik's close aide and RSS pracharak Deepak Dube has also been killed in the accident. There were four occupants in the car, who were travelling from Yellapur to Gokarna, they said. Sources have told News18 that Naik is critical and rushed to Goa Medical College (GMC). Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and state health minister arrived at the hospital after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled the CM to ensure proper arrangements for Naik's treatment. Union minister's son has also reached. "He is out of danger and his health condition is stable. Two minor surgeries would be performed on him tonight. As of now, there is no requirement to shift him to Delhi for treatment," Sawant told reporters. Meanwhile, Deputy commissioner of Uttara Kannada Harish Kumar has arrived at the hospital where the driver is admitted, a source said, adding that they had gone on a "private programme" in Yellapur and were on their way to Gokarna for a temple visit. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Sawant about speedy medical treatment of Naik (68). "I am shocked and extremely saddened by the news of the Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik being injured in a road accident. I have had a conversation with the Chief Minister of Goa Shri Pramod Sawant. The state government is properly managing the treatment of Shripadji," Singh tweeted in Hindi. Sources said Singh discussed with the Goa chief minister the option of bringing Naik to Delhi for better treatment, if required. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa condoled the demise of Naik's wife and conveyed his wishes for Naik's speedy recovery. "Shocked to know that the car which Union Minister Shripad Naik ji was travelling met with an accident in Uttara Kannada and the death of his wife. My heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Smt Naik and prayers for the speedy recovery of Shri Naik and those injured," Yediyurappa said. "Shocked to hear Hon Union Minister @shripadynaik has met with an accident near Ankola and his wife who was travelling with him has tragically died. My deepest condolences to their family and friends. Praying for speedy recovery of Shripadji and hope he will be out of danger soon," Karnataka revenue minister RV Deshpande tweeted. It is a return to sender as the CCP virus have outbreaks in China that activate Wartime mode COVID-19. The virus is returning with more efficiency compared to the Wuhan virus causing great alarm. Surges in cases of the Sars-Cov-2 has an uptick in several provinces in China. The virus has even breached inner Mongolia that activated a similar condition to arrest the spread. These provinces are Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Henan, and Ningxia provinces, inner Mongolia, and Beijing. Activation of wartime mode in the affected provinces engages severe residents' severe restrictions, including leaving their homes. Furthermore, city officials will control access to all relevant public spaces where people can converge, reported The Epoch Times. Xu Hejian, Beijing spokesperson, said during a press meet last January 8, formally acknowledge outbreaks in parts of the mainland. He added there would be monitoring of the outbreaks near. The central government will assume tighter control The advent of these outbreaks come when the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday is on February 12. This holiday has Chinese traveling all over to visit their home provinces and to be with families. But this year might not make it easy to travel. Rules will be imposed all over the Chinese mainland as conditions will be imposed on holiday travel this year. One of them is to ask employers to get permission to leave work during the holidays. In the city of Meizhou City in Guangdong Province, a notice circulated last January 8 that everyone in the city government departments, like staff and workers, will not be allowed leave for the Lunar New Year. A citywide wartime mode COVID-19 circular includes state-run enterprises and private companies in the blanket order to reduce the spread of the CCP virus. Also read: South Africa Variant Virus and What to Know About This Strain Special exemptions are reached if any approval is obtained from the company/department's management team. However, the order orders ensure that all travel will be limited. Outbreaks in Shijiazhuang province Located in northern China with 11 million inhabitants, this city is experiencing a massive outbreak. More cases are cropping and causing concern for city authorities too. Last Sunday, the city officials organized a press meet that announced residents in the city must have a test for COVID-19 in the next two days. Also, the residents were to stay indoors for strictly another week. Those allowed to move about are couriers and medical staff with special travel privileges. Shijiazhuang got locked down a week before. Early stages of lockdown allowed 60 large-scale grocery stores for customers to shop last Sunday. A proclamation was issued by the evening, and buying supplies are available online; no one goes out. Food prices got more expensive According to a Shijiazhuang resident, Gung Huo, posted on social media, not all stores allowed singles purchases. The online stores preferred multiple items. More problems, like who gets their deliveries first, and if more than 100 people were ordering from when Gung lived. It made getting supplies very difficult. Other affected provinces One resident from Nanpi county, Cangzhou city in Hebei province, said that his family had to relocate to a quarantine facility after a week's isolation at home. According to city officials' precautions were taken because both went to another city recently. Surges of the CCP virus in outbreaks-initiated wartime mode COVID-19 to slowdown the contagion. Related Articles: Sinopharm: China Gives Approval For Homegrown Vaccine with Alleged 79.3% Efficacy @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Update: Nathan Nickerson has reached out to MassLive and denounces events at US Capitol. It was beyond reprehensible, he told MassLive. The owner of Arnolds Lobster & Clam Bar in Eastham is receiving backlash after describing what he saw in Washington, D.C. last week as the U.S. Capitol Building was breached by insurrectionists. Restaurant owner Nathan Nickerson III was at the U.S. Capitol Building to show his support for President Donald Trump, although he himself did not breach the wall, he said in an interview on the Howie Carr show. I was actually enjoying it all, Nickerson said. It was kinda fun just to watch everyone. During the interview he said there was not any real trouble at the Capitol and that people werent going inside the building, rather it was symbolic. Since then, videos and photos have shown people inside the U.S. Capitol building, which was put on lockdown. Those at the Capitol beat police with pipes, had makeshift gallows, complete with sturdy wooden steps and the noose, and guns and pipe bombs were stashed nearby, The Associated Press reported. It also left five dead, including a police officer. I saw this crowd of people banging on that glass screaming, Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told the AP. Looking at their faces, it occurred to me, these arent protesters. These are people who want to do harm. Nickerson said at one point people just started climbing over the walls. They were just taking over, he said on the podcast. Police, he said, didnt know what to do. Eventually Nickerson said police brought out tear gas, which was various colors including white, blue and pink. It looked kinda pretty, actually, he said, noting that he was also tear-gassed. He described a moment when a woman was leaning against a fence and police pushed her. They werent very friendly, he said. But eventually, he said, police backed off and let us do what we had to do. Those at the capitol, he said, were there because they didnt want to get screwed by the election results. These are not gangsters, theyre not lowlifes, he said. Theyre wonderful people. Since the airing of the interview on the Howie Carr show, Nickerson has received backlash. Nickerson posted an apology on the Eastham Community Space Facebook group, which has since been deleted. Although screen shots of the original are being share on social media and within the group. I certainly dont think anyone should be threatening him but you cant support an aspiring dictator and not expect blowback, one person wrote. Some have called for a boycott of the restaurant, while other have simply stated that they will not be going to his restaurant anymore, adding that there are plenty of other lobster rolls on the Cape. Another Massachusetts restaurant owner, Jeff Eller, who traveled to D.C. also received backlash after saying it was peaceful. If anyone chooses not to patronize Ellers Restaurant because I as the owner have a differing political view than they do, I wish that werent the case but I respect that completely, Eller wrote on his restaurants page. But people trying to hurt the business itself and in turn, its staff, for that reason is the current trend of cancel culture that is destructive and seems quite fascist to me. Arnolds Lobster & Clam Bar has 4.3 stars with 1,530 reviews, however more recent reviews are giving the restaurant one star with comments regarding Nickerson being at the Capitol on Wednesday. Eastham is full of lovely people, and many wonderful mom and pop businesses, one person tweeted. There are many alternative restaurants to Arnolds. Arnolds Lobster & Clam Bar has not returned MassLives request for further comment. Related Content: Advertisement Pensioners arriving to be vaccinated at London's ExCel Centre today complained they had been left 'breathless' by tackling 'gruelling' ramps and queuing for 20 minutes in bitterly cold temperatures. Patients were forced to climb banks of stairs or negotiate their way up steep ramps to reach the entrance of the vaccination centre. One man had to call for a wheelchair having negotiated the first of the two ramps. NHS sources said 400 senior citizens and key workers were vaccinated against Covid-19 at the ExCel Centre today, on its first day of operation. They advised that numbers were likely to increase massively over the next few days. Numbers were kept to a manageable figure today, to test how the centre will run over the coming weeks. Retired painter and decorator Ron Heath, 85, from Leytonstone, managed to make it halfway up the ramps with the help of his wife Anne and daughter Michelle. But Mr Heath, who was having the vaccination with his wife at noon, got into difficulties half way up. He then had to endure a 20 minute wait in plummeting temperatures as security officials from the centre went to find a wheelchair for him to allow him to complete the rest of the journey. Asked how old he was as he sat in a chair on the ramp, he said: 'I'm 85, but it looks like I'll be 86 by the time I get out of here!' Mrs Heath added: 'We don't want to complain or make a big deal of this, but it will be good for people to know when they come here that access is very difficult. 'I should've asked really about access, because he has a wheelchair at home and I could have brought it with us. But we are just relieved overall to be getting the vaccination. 'My husband hasn't been out of the house since March and we've had our first new great grandchild and seen the child just once. We haven't seen our grandchildren since August. We hope this will help change things and in the better for us.' A queue for covid vaccine at London's ExCel centre today. They're hoping to deliver 200 vaccines in the first day of opening Londoner Joanmes De Gallerie receiving an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine inside the Excel Vaccination Centre this morning Retired painter and decorator Ron Heath, 85, (pictured) from Leytonstone, managed to make it halfway up the ramps with the help of his wife Anne and daughter Michelle Members of the public queue up at the NHS vaccine centre at the ExCeL centre, the site of the London Nightingale Hospital, in east London The mass vaccination centres - like the one at the Excel, pictured - are part of the Government's strategy to dramatically increase the jab rollout A long queue stretches around the Centre for Life in Newcastle today as people wait for their vaccinations. as the Newcastle Covid Vaccination Hub Reacting to comments from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that 2.4 million jabs had been administered, vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: '2.4 million!' Pictured is the queue for jabs in Newcastle today Newcastle is one of seven key centres across the country, with early emergency care workers having their first vaccinations People queuing to receive an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up at the Millennium Point centre in Birmingham Patients were 'emotional' and 'quite teary' as they received their coronavirus jabs at a mass vaccination centre in Stevenage (pictured), a clinical expert said An aerial photo showing cars parked outside Epsom Racecourse today after nurses began vaccinating patients at the famous venue People arrive at Epsom Racecourse, which is one of the major vaccination centres that have been set up across the country Covid vaccines are being offered to all elderly people in Britain in the next five weeks as the Government aims to get jabs to all those most at risk of dying from coronavirus by mid-February (Pictured: A man receives his jab at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey) Medical workers are pictured with members of the public at the vaccination centre in Epsom, Surrey, today Doctors are reportedly having to throw away doses of coronavirus vaccines because patients aren't turning up to their appointments Seven mass vaccination centres have opened today in Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Stevenage, Bristol, Surrey and Newham in central London (Pictured: The facility at the Centre for Life in Newcastle) People are pictured queuing outside the vaccination centre in Newcastle this morning After the 20 minute wait, officials produced a wheelchair and helped his family to wheel Mr Heath the remaining few minutes to the vaccination entrance. Another elderly man from Woodford was pushed up the ramp in his wheelchair, while his wife struggled up the ramp a minute behind with the aid of a walking stick. Retired shop worker Bill Stansale, 82, said he found the ramps 'a bit gruelling' as he kept his vaccine appointment. Mr William Eels, 88, of Chingford, battled to catch his breath after making his way up the ramps with his wife June. With parking restrictions heavily enforced and only NHS workers given spaces in the car park opposite, the pensioners mostly arrived by cabs which dropped them off at the bottom of the ramps and stairs. More than 2.4 million people in the UK have received a Covid-19 vaccine, vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi announced today, after the Government dramatically scaled up the programme. Seven major vaccine centres opened today in the hope of inoculating the 13million most vulnerable residents by mid-February and easing the endless cycle of restrictions. Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to hit 200,000 jabs per day by Friday. But the sluggish scheme has been hit by hiccups since it began last month. And it was revealed today that one hospital in London has had to bin doses of vaccines because people aren't turning up for their appointments, with staff reportedly phoning friends and family to rush in and use up leftover supplies, which only last for hours out of the freezer. Meanwhile IT problems known to be the health service's Achilles heel have led to patients having to queue outside for their vaccines while staff try to get systems working. The British Medical Association (BMA) said the programme being used to organise the jab schedules was running 'unbelievably slowly' and crashing. Seven huge mass vaccination centres opened today, in Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Stevenage, Bristol, Surrey and Newham in central London. There are at least another 1,000 sites across Britain giving out jabs made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Regulators last week approved a third vaccine, made by US firm Moderna, but No10 will not get any doses until the spring at the earliest. One nurse at a West London hospital, who spoke on the condition she remained anonymous, said her colleagues were having to bin supplies of the vaccines. Pfizer's vaccine in particular must kept in tightly controlled conditions, and only lasts for a few days after being defrosted, with an even shorter shelf-life when it has been removed from the fridge. Supplies must be used as soon as possible after being prepared. As doses have to be prepared quickly so medics can get through patients at speed, some will be got ready to use but then left standing if people don't turn up, and may ultimately have to be thrown away or given to someone else at random. The nurse said: 'It's happening all over London, and probably right across Britain. 'Loads of people are not keeping the appointments their GPs have made for them. The trouble is the vaccine has to be given or it has to be thrown away. 'On Thursday night we had something like 45 people who were booked for jabs but didn't turn up, and didn't let us or their GP know in advance. 'Had we known they weren't coming, someone else could have been slotted in in their place. 'We were left hanging around, and then when they didn't show up, we were faced with the choice of throwing the vaccine away or trying to get it into someone's arm. Above are the locations of the seven mass vaccination centres that will begin operating from today The first person to be treated at Birmingham's mass vaccination superhub was 46-year-old hospital worker Selina Wilson. Pictured is a queue at the centre The occupational therapist received her first dose of the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine just after midday today at the city's Millennium Point. The multi-use meeting and conference venue which includes the Thinktank Science Museum has been converted into one of seven UK mass injection centres The NHS estimated 600 people aged 80 and above, as well as health workers, will receive the vaccine at the site throughout this afternoon Rita Passey receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up at the Millennium Point in Birmingham The first patient at Epsom racecourse in Surrey was 88-year-old Moira Edwards, who received the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab at around 8.15am. Pictured are people arriving at the site later Speaking at Epson (pictured) Health Secretary Matt Hancock said 'supply is the rate-limiting factor', but added that the UK has 'one of the biggest supplies in the world including the home-made Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine' 'I rang some friends and said 'How quickly can you drop everything and get here? Other staff were doing the same. 'Some people we rang were able to come in at short notice and they had the vaccine, but a lot of it had to be thrown away because we can't keep it beyond a certain time. SUPPLY SHORTAGE THE BLOCK TO 24-HOUR VACCINATIONS, MINISTER SAYS Britain's vaccines minister today blamed a shortage of the Covid-19-killing medicine for not having jabs 24/7 across the country as England's new mass vaccination hubs opened this morning offering an injection every 45 seconds. Nadhim Zahawi also admitted that said that most people currently had 'about a 45-minute drive' to the seven NHS sites opening their doors this morning, most of whom are over 80, amid claims the vulnerable face 'gruelling' trips to get their jab because not enough GP surgeries are taking part. Mr Zahawi has said the vaccine rollout could take place 24 hours a day 'if we need to', but only when there are high enough levels of jabs vaccine. He also suggested those mainly elderly Britons needing vaccinations now are unlikely to want an appointment in the middle of the night, meaning the current opening hours will continue to be 8am to 8pm. Pressed on whether it could be administered night and day when there is sufficient vaccine, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'If we need to go to 24-hour work we will absolutely go 24 hours a day to make sure we vaccinate as quickly as we can'. Fears remain that the government may be overpromising how much can realistically be delivered - or not pushing hard enough to vaccinate the entire population and release the UK from lockdown. Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said today that Boris Johnson's 'first priority' must be to accelerate the scheme to 'round the clock', adding: 'This is now the only way out of the darkness'. Sir Keir also believes the Government's 2million jabs per week should be doubled to 4million by the end of February. Advertisement 'I think it's deplorable and a scandal that people are offered a slot and then just don't turn up, and never get in touch.' The Government is not yet publishing data revealing how many people are turning down or failing to attend appointments to get the vaccine. Weekly figures show that 1.3million people had been vaccinated by last Thursday, January 7, and daily updates are expected to begin today. The Government's plan is to vaccinate 13.9million people by February 15, aiming to cover the people most at risk of dying of Covid-19 if they get it, as well as health and care workers. These include everyone over the age of 70 and people who are on the shielding list because of serious long-term health conditions. This will require vaccines to be given at a rate of between 2million and 3million per week, a massively ambitious requirement that could be hampered by speed bumps already emerging at clinics. The nurse added: 'I know from the grapevine it's not just our hospital, it's happening across London, and probably across the entire country. 'We didn't fell guilty calling friends and family - what else were we to do?' As well as issues with getting all the precious doses used, NHS staff they the IT system they are using to run the programme called Pinnacle is unreliable. The British Medical Association has warned the computer problems were raised with senior managers a month ago but are still persisting. Patients have been pictured queuing outside of vaccine clinics and staff resorted to making notes with pen and paper when their computers stopped working, The Telegraph reported. Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the association's GP committee, said: 'We find we're trying to upload important information and that we can't, or the system crashes altogether. 'It's unacceptable. When trying to get through as many patients as possible, you can't afford to waste a minute, you can't afford for the entire system to be a hindrance.' Britain's vaccines minister today blamed a shortage of the Covid-19-killing medicine for not having jabs available 24/7 across the country. Nadhim Zahawi also admitted that said that most people currently had 'about a 45-minute drive' to one of the seven major NHS sites that opened their doors this morning, amid claims the vulnerable face 'gruelling' trips to get their jab because not enough GP surgeries are taking part. The Centre for Life in Newcastle - where people are seen queuing - has been transformed into one of England's seven 'super sites,' and will be vaccinating thousands of people a week when it is at full capacity After preparations over the weekend, the city centre site officially opened its doors to over-80s and key workers with pre-booked appointments on Monday morning The first person to receive the jab at the venue was 81-year-old great-grandfather Nana Kwabena Edusei - a former chief from Ghana who moved to the UK 55 years ago and lives in Heaton. Pictured is the queue outside the centre Mr Zahawi has said the vaccine rollout could take place 24 hours a day 'if we need to', but only when there are high enough supplies of jabs. He also suggested the mainly elderly Britons needing vaccinations now are unlikely to want an appointment in the middle of the night, meaning the current opening hours will continue to be 8am to 8pm. Pressed on whether it could be administered night and day when there is sufficient vaccine, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'If we need to go to 24-hour work we will absolutely go 24 hours a day to make sure we vaccinate as quickly as we can'. Fears remain that the government may be overpromising how much can realistically be delivered - or not pushing hard enough to vaccinate the entire population and release the UK from lockdown. Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said today that Boris Johnson's 'first priority' must be to accelerate the scheme to 'round the clock', adding: 'This is now the only way out of the darkness'. Sir Keir also believes the Government's 2million jabs per week should be doubled to 4million by the end of February. It came as Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said the NHS is in the 'most dangerous situation anyone can remember' but the new vaccines mean the UK can be back to normal in 'months not years'. The mass vaccinations centres which are also open to health and care staff offer an alternative to receiving the jab at GP surgeries and in hospitals with Moira Edwards, 88, among the first to get her jab at the Surrey hub today. They cover all seven NHS regions in England, including the Centre for Life in Newcastle upon Tyne. The others are the Nightingale Hospital at the Excel Centre in London, Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, Epsom Racecourse in Surrey, Millennium Point in Birmingham, Robertson House in Stevenage and the Etihad Tennis Centre in Manchester. Each can inoculate a patient every four minutes which means someone is given a jab around evert 45 seconds across all seven of the hubs - with each patient in and out in four minute. The hubs are coming online as Boris Johnson discusses plans for a stricter lockdown including exercise limits, compulsory masks outside, nurseries shut and no support bubbles amid fears the current lockdown isn't curbing the spread of Covid. Today there are concerns that the centres are forcing the NHS to throw their net too wide, with an estimated 130,000 people living more than 45 minutes away from the sites invited to have their vaccinations in the coming weeks. Many are in the most vulnerable age categories with underlying health conditions and there are concerns the journey is too far for them. Mr Zahawi admitted some of the most vulnerable do have to travel 45 minutes for a jab, but added that he wanted to reach the point where people could simply walk into their community pharmacy or local GP to receive a vaccine. Earl Sanders, the stylish, tough homicide detective who became San Franciscos first African American police chief and who championed the hiring of minority officers, died Monday after a lengthy battle with kidney failure. Sanders was a San Francisco cop for 39 years, working some of the most difficult murders in the citys history, from the Zebra Death Angels killings of the 1970s to the 101 California mass murder of the 1990s. He was 83 and died at an assisted living facility in Burlingame. Known for showing up at homicide scenes in the dead of night dressed in his trademark fedora, Sanders had a way of coaxing information from all varieties of reluctant, dubious and shifty characters. How do you get people to talk? By bullsing em, Sanders said. Sometimes you play the good guy, sometimes the bad guy. Whatever works. To those who knew him, however, he was very much the good guy gracious, polite, down-to-earth and smart. But he was also no-nonsense tough when he needed to be. He was also a man of many interests cooking, fishing, hunting and, above all, reading. Sanders so often had a book in his hands that his nickname on the force was School. My dad was a renaissance man, said his son, Marcus Sanders. He was a caring father and he had an indomitable smile. No matter what came at him, he had that smile. He became my best friend from the time I was 16, 17 years old. And he always told me, Sanders back-to-back could change the world. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott on Monday praised his predecessor for his trailblazing legacy whose bravery in standing up to racism in his early days as an officer ultimately made the Police Department better and more inclusive. Members of the San Francisco Police Department today take justifiable pride in a legacy of progressive innovation that animates our quest for improvement and reform to be a national model of 21st century policing, Scott said. That legacy owes in large part to the leadership and courage Earl Sanders demonstrated throughout his career here. A native of Nacogdoches, Texas, Prentice Earl Sanders came to San Francisco as a teen, washed dishes at the Fairmont Hotel and graduated from Washington High School and Golden Gate University, earning a masters degree in public administration. In the 1950s, he served as a second lieutenant in the National Guard. In 1964 he was sworn in as one of about two dozen Black San Francisco police officers. As Police Chief Thomas Cahill was presenting him with his badge and asking him what kind of officer he wanted to be, Sanders replied with a smile that one day he wanted Cahills job. Sanders served as chief from 2002 to 2003. Four years after joining the force, Sanders helped form the Officers for Justice group that later sued the department for failing to hire minority officers. A 1978 trial ended with a consent decree that set new rules for hiring and promotions. Sanders rose quickly through the ranks, serving in the robbery bureau for five years before being named to the homicide squad in 1971. His cases included the Zebra killings of the 1970s, a six-month series of random slayings of 14 white people by four Black suspects, who were eventually convicted, and the 1993 mass shooting at 101 California, a skyscraper where eight people and the gunman died. And with Rotea Gilford, the first Black homicide Inspector in the city, he worked the baffling case of the Doodler, a mid-1970s serial killer who stabbed gay men to death after luring them with sketches and has eluded capture to this day. For 16 years Sanders was paired with homicide Inspector Napoleon Hendrix. The two detectives worked more than 300 cases and were known throughout town as the partners in the big hats who were diligent, fair, honest and respectful, whether working a case in the Hunters Point projects or the mansions of Pacific Heights. In a 1995 Chronicle interview, the pair like other longtime partners responded to a reporters questions by finishing each others sentences. We know what each other are thinking , Hendrix said. so we dont need to say anything, Sanders said. Both men were known for practicing the good cop, bad cop routine, switching from jovial to forceful and back. We use what works, Sanders said. Weve worked together so long that we both know when to switch gears. Hendrix died of cancer in 2009. In a lengthy 2017 interview, Sanders told The Chronicle that the technique for interviewing murder suspects was not much different from the technique his mother used when questioning him and his brother about childhood misdeeds. She put the two of them in separate rooms and probed for inconsistencies in their stories, until one of them cracked. It worked, Sanders said with a smile. In 1996, newly elected Mayor Willie Brown appointed Sanders as assistant chief. Six years later, Brown named Sanders to succeed Fred Lau as the citys first Black chief, calling him a great street investigator, a fine administrator (and) the right man to take this department forward. Sanders at the time called his appointment a dream come true and vowed to increase recruitment and community policing, especially by investigators. He was almost like a television cop, Brown said Monday. The tie, the hat, the sport coat, raincoat if necessary. He was a cops cop. Nothing pleased me more than to have sworn him in as chief, because it was the end of a lifelong effort, the pinnacle of his career, Brown said. He was the symbol of all those efforts to get African Americans into leadership positions in law enforcement. Sanders tenure was not without controversy. Four months after his appointment, three off-duty San Francisco officers were involved in a street brawl with two young men over a bag of Mexican takeout food. District Attorney Terence Hallinan indicted Sanders and nine other officers on obstruction of justice charges. He alleged they had improperly investigated the incident which came to be known as Fajitagate in an attempt to cover for the three officers, one of whom was the son of an assistant chief. Charges against Sanders were dropped 11 days later. Two of the officers were acquitted in criminal trials relating to the brawl; the third was not charged. I am happy that truth has won out and justice has been served, Sanders said, after a judge threw out his indictment. Sanders, citing the stress of Fajitagate, retired in 2003 after serving only a single year as chief. The next year he sued Hallinan and the city for $33 million. The suit was dismissed. Sanders said the affair might have contributed to a mild stroke he suffered that led him to walk with a cane. He suffered another stroke in 2010 and underwent dialysis three times a week, but it did not prevent him from leading an active retirement. He cultivated roses, took in ballgames and regularly engaged in his favorite game, dominoes. Sanders wife of 58 years, Espanola Sanders, died in 2019. He is survived by his son, who lives in San Francisco; a daughter, Marguerite Sanders of Foster City; and three grandchildren, Prentice Sanders, Jessica Sanders and Bailey Sanders, all of Oakland. A funeral, open to the public, will be held via live stream at 10 a.m. Friday. The link is: https://bit.ly/3sYMvn0 Flowers, cards and comments can be sent to Duggans Serra Mortuary in Daly City. The mortuary is at 650-756-4500, 500 Westlake Ave. Daly City, Calif., 94014. Kevin Fagan and Steve Rubenstein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle, srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron, @SteveRubeSF BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has issued a plan on building the rule of law. The plan to build the rule of law in China (2020-2025), issued by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, states that the rule of law is a hallmark of human civilization's progress, as well as the basic way of governance. It is also an everlasting pursuit of the Party and the Chinese people, it adds. The plan calls for efforts to resolutely adhere to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. It emphasizes that law-based governance in all areas must be elevated to a position that has overall, strategic and fundamental significance, as China embarks on a new quest to fully build a modern socialist country. The plan lays out basic principles for building the rule of law in China, including upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC, following the people-centered philosophy, and focusing on solving problems. The plan states that effective checks and supervision of the exercise of power, full protection for the legitimate rights and interests of the people and the establishment of faith in the rule of law are among the overall objectives. A system of distinctively Chinese socialist rule of law shall take shape by 2025 and be basically formed by 2035, according to the plan. The plan puts forward reform and development measures in a range of areas, including comprehensively implementing the Constitution and putting in place a complete system of laws, an efficient system for law enforcement, a rigorous legal supervision system, a strong system of legal guarantee, and a sound system of intra-Party regulations. It also includes chapters on safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests in accordance with the law, and strengthening the Party's centralized and unified leadership over the initiative to build rule of law in China. As the first special plan for advancing rule by law in the country since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the document is a guiding document for promoting law-based governance in China in the new era and meets the people's new demands and expectations on democracy, rule of law, fairness, justice, security and environment, according to the Office of the Commission for Overall Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee. All localities and departments should formulate implementation plans in light of their actual conditions to ensure that all planned tasks and measures are implemented, it said. As a pro-Trump mob beat down the door to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Wednesday, her staff ran into a conference room, barricaded the door, switched off the lights and cowered under a long table. Eight of them stayed there for 2hours as rioters pounded on the door and ransacked and defaced the speaker's office, Pelosi told "60 Minutes" on Sunday. As the California Democrat walked CBS's Lesley Stahl through her vandalized office, she again urged Vice President Mike Pence to remove President Donald Trump from office under the 25th Amendment - and promised that Congress will pursue impeachment if he does not. "Sadly, the person that's running the executive branch is a deranged, unhinged, dangerous president of the United States," Pelosi said. ". . . He has done something so serious that there should be prosecution against him." Pelosi made the case for impeachment as House Democrats are divided over the move, with some citing concerns that it could interfere with President-elect Joe Biden's early push to take immediate action on the pandemic and a foundering economy. Speaking to "60 Minutes," Pelosi said she would prefer that Trump be removed through the 25th Amendment, which "gets rid of him" immediately. "He's out of office," Pelosi added. The amendment allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to remove the president if he's unable to fulfill his duties. Impeachment would take longer, and it's uncertain how a Senate trial would play out. But Pelosi said that impeachment and conviction would serve as a just punishment and could prevent Trump from running for office again. "That's one of the motivations that people have for advocating for impeachment," Pelosi said. Washington Post photo by Melina Mara. Another reason for the urgency, Pelosi said, would be to prevent Trump from pardoning "these people who are terrorists on the Capitol." Pelosi said her demands for Trump's removal are informed by her own terrifying experience during the riots. The speaker told Stahl that her security detail swiftly removed her from the House chamber and rushed her to a safe location. "I think [it] was universally accepted that what happened was a terrible, terrible violation," Pelosi said, pausing for what appeared to be an emotional moment, " . . . of the Capitol, of the first branch of government, the legislative branch, by the president of the United States." Pelosi showed Stahl where the rioters broke down her office door and shattered an antique mirror, scattering glass. The mob stole computers and rustled through documents. One man sat at a desk, which has since been removed, and "defamed" it, Pelosi said, posing for pictures while leaning back in the chair and resting his boot on the desk. That man has since been identified as 60-year-old Richard Barnett of Gravette, Ark. He was arrested Friday and charged with three counts of entering restricted grounds, violent entry and disorderly conduct at the Capitol and theft of public property, prosecutors said. As the vandals wreaked havoc through Pelosi's office, her staff members remained hidden under a table, listening as the mob called out for them and their boss. "They were vocally saying, 'Where's the speaker? We know she has staff. They're here someplace. We're going to find them,' " Pelosi told Stahl. "The evidence is now that - that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction," the speaker added. "And the direction was to go get people." The FBI has confirmed that agents are investigating whether some rioters stormed the Capitol with the intent to kill lawmakers or take hostages. Once the Capitol was clear, lawmakers returned to work to confirm Biden's victory. But many Republican lawmakers stuck with their original plan to challenge election results in some states that Trump lost, making baseless claims of mass fraud. Pelosi condemned those lawmakers, which included two-thirds of the House's Republican caucus. "These people are enablers of the president's behavior," Pelosi said. "I remember when Republicans in the Senate went to see Richard Nixon and said, 'It's over.' That's what has to happen now." Pelosi also reiterated that Trump's actions were so grave that he deserves severe punishment. "This president is guilty of inciting insurrection," Pelosi said. "He has to pay a price for that." After a five-day span that saw President Donald Trump incite his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol, subsequent calls for his impeachment, and his banning on several major social media platforms, his wife, first lady Melania Trump, has seen fit to weigh in. The main takeaways: She thinks the riots were bad (though inspiring?) and that the nation should healbut most of all, none of it is any excuse to criticize her. Early this morning, Melanias thoughts were published to the White House website in a strange, rambling official statement titled Our Path Forward. (This forum, a kind of first lady Medium.com, has previously hosted thoughts from Melania ranging from a bizarre account of her experience with COVID to a dressing-down of a former friend and staffer who published an unflattering memoir.) Despite the historic events of last week, it takes Melania some time to get to the point. After some preamble about COVID-19 and the Americans who have inspired Melania during these times, she turns her attention to a few in particular whom her heart goes out to: Ashli Babbitt, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Rosanne Boyland, Brian Sicknick, and Howard Liebengood. Advertisement 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. I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week, Melania goes on after listing these names, still not having said what happened last week or to these people. They are, of course, the names of those who died following last weeks riot.* But Melania follows this lament with another, more well-articulated grievance: that she find[s] it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me. Yes, the attacks on Melania last week were, according to Melania, one of the more outrageous results of the seizure of the Capitol. In case you were too busy focusing on the big-picture coup stuff to absorb said attacks: Melania might be annoyed that news outlets covered her chief of staffs resignation, that the aide-cum-memoirist who wronged her a few months ago criticized Melanias silence in an opinion piece, or that the press got wind that the first lady was overseeing a photo shoot of rugs while the mob violence broke out. Advertisement Here one might note that we are nearly 200 words into a 623-word note and Melania has not yet mentioned her husband, whose claims that the presidential election was stolen were the reason for the riot in the first place, but its actually still a while before he comes up, which wont be until 548 words in. Before she gets there, though, Melania condemns violence, which she notes is never acceptable. Still, perhaps wanting to show some appreciation for the rioters, she adds, it is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election. It is in this same vein that Melania may have listed Ashli Babbitts name first earlierbest to give the most reverence to the insurrectionist who was shot by police and has been claimed as a martyr on the right over the others who died. Not exactly We love you. Youre very special, but not exactly not that. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, Melania proclaims, not altogether unlike our actual president-elect, that Americans ought to focus on what unites us. If she is at all sincere about this, maybe its notable that the first lady doesnt hint in the post that the vote was stolen or that there will not be a transition of power. But her platitudes about the true spirit of our country and the promise of our future are also vague enough that she doesnt plainly acknowledge that Trump lost the election, either. Maybe shes being careful not to concede defeat, in typical Trumpian fashion. But it seems just as likely that, as long as she is left alone to do her rug photo shoots in peace, she doesnt actually care. Correction, Jan. 11, 2021: This piece originally misstated that all six people Melania Trump named died during the riot. Sicknick and Liebengood died after the riot. Quartix Holdings PLC - vehicle tracking - Expects revenue, profit and free cash flow to be in line with current market forecasts for 2020. Anticipates 2020 revenue of GBP25.8 million, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of GBP7.8 million and free cash flow of GBP5.3 million. "The company will have therefore recorded growth in both revenue and adjusted Ebitda during a year in which the markets for its services were severely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic," says Quartix. Says vehicle subscription base increased by 15% to 173,793. "It is very pleasing to be able to report excellent growth in our fleet subscription base during the year, despite the difficulties encountered through the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in the first half. The strength of the business in the second half, despite further restraints in November and December, was extremely encouraging," says Chief Executive Andy Walters. Walters adds: "We expect that the latest UK lockdown will have an impact on new subscriptions in the short-term, though we anticipate a lesser impact than that seen during the 2020 lockdown. Looking beyond the pandemic, we have a significant opportunity to accelerate growth in our fleet business and we look forward to 2021 and beyond with confidence." Current stock price: 403.00 pence Year-to-date change: up 3.9% By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. 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. Comcast Corp. on Monday joined several other major American corporations in taking a tough stance against the 147 Republican politicians who voted against accepting the presidential vote totals cutting off campaign money to them. The giant cable firm, one of Philadelphias largest employers, condemned the appalling violence we witnessed at the U.S. Capitol. Our focus, it said in a statement, needs to be on working together for the good of the entire nation. Consistent with that view, we will suspend all of our political contributions to those elected officials who voted against certification of the Electoral College votes, which will give us the opportunity to review our political giving policies and practices. The funding suspension by Comcast, as well as the same move by Marriott and many other firms, was the most aggressive step in a continuum of campaign-finance action by some of the nations biggest companies. Other large firms, such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft and, locally, the Vanguard Group, halted all political contributions to both Republicans and Democrats. READ MORE: Where Pa. and N.J. members of Congress stand on impeaching Trump after the Capitol attack Finance firm such as Goldman Sachs, BlackRock and JP Morgan said they were doing the same. BlackRock told employees in a memo that its decision was spurred by the horrific events in the nations capital. But Comcast and Marriott, the worlds largest hotel chain, and others zeroed in on only the GOP vote objectors. The hotel firm said its suspension of giving to 139 Republican U.S. representatives and eight senators was driven by the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said it would do the same, pledging to halt giving to to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy. American Express also provided a targeted response, telling its workforce it was halting contributions to the Congress members who voted to subvert the presidential election results and disrupt the peaceful transition of power. Hallmark Cards took an especially pointed line. The card makers PAC asked that Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R., Kan.) return its donations. The committee gave $7,000 to Hawleys campaign and $5,000 to Marshalls in the last two years. Hawley, in particularly, was a leader in the bid to reject the Electoral College votes for Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. Hallmark believes the peaceful transition of power is part of the bedrock of our democratic system, and we abhor violence of any kind, JiaoJiao Shen, a Hallmark official, said in a statement Monday. The recent actions of Senators Josh Hawley and Roger Marshall do not reflect our companys values. With myriad regulatory issues in Washington, Comcast is a major political player, known for its heavy campaign giving and lobbying clout. In the last two-year election cycle, the corporations PAC gave $916,000 to the 147 U.S House members and senators who voted against certifying Biden as the next president, according to analysis by Center for Responsive Politics. READ MORE: House speeds ahead with push to impeach Trump for Capitol insurrection Comcasts PAC was seventh among the top 10 PACs in terms of giving to the 147 GOP politicians. Ahead of it were a PAC associated with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (no. 1 at $1.3 million), and PACs for banks, Realtors, Koch Industries, AT&T, and the National Auto Dealers Association. In other decisions, Dow Chemical said its decision to cut off political donations to the 147 Republican U.S. representatives and senators would last for an entire election cycle two years for House members and six years for senators. Commerce Bank with branches in five mostly Midwestern states said in a statement that its PAC has suspended all support for officials who have impeded the peaceful transfer of power. Some of the corporate decisions were first reported by the newsletter Popular Information. Charles Schwab, after spending nearly $550,000 on PAC contributions in the last two years, said it was halting contribution to all politicians for the rest of this year. Airbnb said in a statement it was withholding PAC money from the GOP politicians who voted against the certification of the presidential election results. Some political operatives doubted that companies would be able to refrain from PAC donations for too long. READ MORE: Gab, a Pennsylvania-based social network, is the new online hub for the far-right fringe "The vast majority of these guys will be back at the table," said a former White House official who departed last year, requesting anonymity to speak candidly. "When they see policies that threaten their business, they'll have to be." The PACs of tech giants Facebook, Google, and Microsoft donated more than $4.2 million over the last two years, according to Center for Responsive Politics. Marriotts PAC gave more than $410,000 in the last election cycle, according to Federal Election Commission data. Its PAC, like others tied to businesses, is funded by employee donations. Corporations are forbidden from giving directly to federal candidates. More pressure looms: The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group, says that in the coming days it will launch an ad campaign targeting companies that bankroll Republicans who voted against certifying the vote. This article contains information from the Washington Post. GBP/USD Technical Outlook GBP/USD spent most of the week of 4th January in the sideways channel between 1.3550 and 1.3650. Having fallen on Monday from under 1.3700 to 1.3550, the Brexit deal influence hedged the pair from further losses until the end of the week despite the aggravating coronavirus situation in the U.K and a third nationwide lockdown stated by Boris Johnson to continue until 15th February, after which the restrictions can be loosened. On Monday, 4th January, the pair closed at 1.3571 and traveled down 92 pips since the open, while traders were hedging their pound bets amid mounting COVID-19 fears. On Tuesday, 5th January, traders tried to claim the 1.3600 handle twice. The first attempt at around 07:00 UTC was met with a quick downside reversal toward 1.3560 between 07:00 and 09:00 UTC. The second attempt taken between 14:00 and 18:00 UTC proved much more successful and took the trading pair to 1.3630 and above the 50-period simple moving average on the hourly timeframe. GBP/USD closed Tuesday at 1.3627. Wednesdays trading session began with a dip to 1.3592. But starting from 03:00 UTC, the pair started an upside reversal that almost reached 1.3660 at 08:00 UTC. But British PM Johnsons rhetoric that the end of the new lockdown would not be a big bang but a slow unraveling increased selling pressure on sterling, which pushed GBP/USD to a local low of 1.3540 from 11:00 to 15:00 UTC. But the drop was transitory, and the price rebounded to 1.3600 1.3610 in the evening. Starting the trading session above 1.3620 on Thursday, 7th January, the pair edged down from the start and continued steadily downward until 18:00 UTC, reaching the days low at 1.3533 between 17:00 and 18:00 UTC. A slight bounce let the pair stay above 1.3560 until the end of the day. After an early dip in the first hour on Friday, 8th January, cable was in an ascending move from 02:00 to 14:00 UTC. The pair briefly broke above 1.3630 but edged lower toward 1.3550 at the end of the day, finishing the week at 1.3555. Above: GBP/USD exchange rate chart A local support has been formed at 1.3550 during the first full week of 2021 in GBP/USD. It may continue to act in the favour of sterling, but the fundamental background has been severely marred by the worsening situation with COVID-19 in the U.K. and London. On Friday, the U.K. set a new record for newly infected and fatalities: 69,053 and 1,325 respectively, which may put a spoke in the wheel of a GBP/USD rally which was expected after a happy ending of trade talks between the EU and the U.K. A brief drop below 1.3550 could be a possible scenario for GBP/USD in the near term against a backdrop of a negative U.K.s COVID-19 outlook, but in the long perspective the upward course remains more probable for GBP/USD. In case of a drop below 1.3550 the next support level will be around 1.3450. In the week of 11th January, should keep in focus the numerous economic reports from the U.S. and the U.K. The U.S. Decembers CPI is due on Tuesday, 12th January; the U.K. manufacturing production, industrial production and GDP for November and the U.S. retail sales are due on Friday, 15th January. GBP/EUR Technical Outlook GBP/EUR also began the week of 4th January with a drop from 1.1166 at the open to 1.1058 at 17:00 UTC. After continuing sideways, the pair closed Mondays session at 1.1076. On Tuesday, 5th January, GBP/EUR attempted a rebound but was not able to climb higher than 1.1093. From 07:00 to 09:00 UTC, it dipped to 1.1046. The following upside retracement briefly took the pair back to 1.1090 at around 15:00 UTC; in the following two hours, the pair tried to claim 1.1090 twice again but was twice rejected, stabilizing around 1.1080 at the end of Tuesday. On Wednesday, 6th January, GBP/EUR continued Tuesdays decline and tested 1.1060 between 08:00 09:00 UTC. Having rebounded above 1.1070, it attempted a second breakdown below 1.1060 at 11:00 UTC, which was a success and saw GBP/EUR reach 1.1010 at around 14:00 UTC. A rebound from 14:00 to 18:00 UTC let the pair bounce back to 1.1060, but being pressured by the 50-period SMA, the pair edged lower and finished Wednesday at 1.1042. On Thursday, 7th January, GBP/EUR began with a drop to 1.1020, and continued sideways around 1.1030 from 03:00 to 08:00 UTC. Between 08:00 and 09:00 UTC, a sudden spike took GBP/EUR to 1.1070, and another bullish hourly candlestick between 12:00 and 13:00 UTC sent it to 1.1090. But the local resistance formed there on Tuesday, 5th January, did not let the pair hold the gains and sent it lower to 1.1040 1.1050, where the pair was trading between 16:00 and 19:00 UTC. A slight upside move sent GBP/EUR to 1.1060 and above the 50-period SMA at the end of the day. In couple with the upside intersection of the 50-period SMA by the 20-period one, it was a meaningful upside signal for Friday. On Friday, 8th January, GBP/EUR was trading in between 1.1060 and 1.1070 until 07:00 UTC, when a bullish move began. In it, GBP/EUR reached 1.1110 at 09:00 UTC. Later in the day, the pair fell to 1.1080 at around 17:00 UTC, recovered to 1.1110 two hours later and closed the day and week at 1.1102 right under the 50-day SMA. Above: GBP/EUR exchange rate chart GBP/EUR has finished the week of 4th January above the 1.1093 weekly resistance level and capped under the 50-day simple moving average. The pair is keeping to its upside trajectory formed in December 2020. The technical picture is moderately bullish for GBP/EUR as COVID-19 presently seems to have more damaging consequences on the U.K.s economy than on the EUs. On the other hand, the trade deal achieved between the U.K. and the EU before Christmas is a key fundamental factor supporting the pound against its EU peer. The week of 11th January will not have many notable economic reports for sterling and euro: the only important day will be Friday, 15th January. On it, the U.K.s manufacturing production, industrial production and GDP for November 2020 will be published. Gov. Whitmer declares January 2021 Radon Action Month Gov. Whitmer declares January 2021 Radon Action Month FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 11, 2021 Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, GreenbergJ@Michigan.gov, 517-897-4965 Aaron Berndt, Indoor Radon Specialist, Radon@Michigan.gov, 800-723-6642 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared January 2021 as Radon Action Month in Michigan, and she encourages all Michigan residents to learn more about this environmental hazard and test their homes during the heating season. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, and there are no short-term side effects that could cause alarm or warn of its presence. However, long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer, which accounts for more deaths in both men and women than any other form of cancer in the United States. Behind smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is considered a leading environmental cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Radon testing takes on increased importance with many Michiganders now working from home. It is easy, inexpensive, and the only way to determine if a radon problem exists. Residents are encouraged to test for radon every two to five years. If a radon mitigation system was previously installed in the home, residents are encouraged to test every two years to make sure that radon levels remain in the acceptable range. One in every four Michigan homes is expected to have radon levels exceeding federal action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter. Radon poses a serious threat to our communitys health, but high radon concentrations are also easily fixed. Watch a video about a Michigan family that installed a mitigation system after discovering their home had elevated levels of radon. To obtain a radon test kit, go to Michigan.gov/Radon, call 800-723-6642, email Radon@Michigan.gov, or just stop a local hardware store. To access new resources and information including radon testing, mitigation, and levels across the state, visit Michigan.gov/Radon. For a packet of information about radon, e-mail Radon@Michigan.gov, or call 800-RADONGAS (800-723-6642). # # # I TVs latest true crime offering The Pembrokeshire Murders charts the painstaking process of bringing one of Wales most notorious serial killers to justice. In the Eighties, two brutal double murders terrified the people of Pembrokeshire, South Wales, and baffled police officers, with no one ever charged in either case. Set 20 years on from the shocking crimes and starring Luke Evans as Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins, The Pembrokeshire Murders tells the story of how a reassessment of the cold case finally brought the so-called Bullseye killer to justice - almost three decades on from the first killing. The series gives the usual true crime formula a shake-up. Before the first advert break, it becomes clear that there is one prime suspect: John Cooper, a local man serving a 16-year sentence for a spate of burglaries throughout the Eighties and Nineties, many of which followed a similar modus operandi to the two double murders. Its less a case of whodunnit, more how can we prove hedunnit. The series follows Wilkinss teams efforts to finally catch the killer - decades after the murders / World Productions for ITV As such, The Pembrokeshire Murders focuses on how Wilkins and his team painstakingly searched for new evidence that could incontrovertibly convict Cooper for the two double murders, using newly available forensic and DNA technology - all while racing against the clock: having served around half of his sentence, Cooper was up for parole, and the officers were painfully aware that he could soon be released from prison and could kill again. The three-part series, from the producers of Line of Duty and Bodyguard, is based on Wilkins account of the case, which he wrote with journalist Jonathan Hill, the ITV News reporter who covered the investigation, and sticks closely to the facts - as with so many captivating true crime stories, it provides further proof that the truth is often much stranger than fiction (spoilers for The Pembrokeshire Murders, naturally, abound below). The Scoveston Park murders In December 1985, a shocking double murder horrified the residents of Milford Haven, when the bodies of brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas were discovered in the remains of their farmhouse, Scoveston Park, which had been burnt to the ground by their attacker. The siblings had been shot, and despite a team of more than 100 officers being placed on the case, the killer was never identified. The Coastal Path murders A second, similar case followed in 1989, when husband and wife Peter and Gwenda Dixon, whod travelled to the area for a camping trip, were shot at close range; their bodies were later discovered on the picturesque Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. The murderer stole Peters wedding ring and wallet, and was spotted using his bank card at a cash machine not long after the attack before heading off on a bike. Despite an appeal broadcast on BBCs Crimewatch - which prompted more than 1,700 calls - police failed to find enough conclusive evidence to charge anyone with the crime, though an artists impression based on eyewitness accounts showed a man with a shoulder-length mullet, wearing khaki shorts. Keith Allen plays killer John Cooper / World Productions for ITV The investigation remained dormant for years, though in 1998 John Cooper was charged with 30 cases of burglary and an armed robbery involving a shotgun, thanks to the efforts of a police campaign named Operation Huntsman. When officers looked at the locations targeted by the prolific robber, it appeared that they formed a radius around Coopers home in the village of Jordanston; a search of the house revealed 3,800 items linked to the case, including keys from properties targeted in the burglaries. Coopers property was not far from Scoveston Park, and he had been questioned in connection with both double murders at the time of the investigations, but the police had been unable to charge him. Operation Ottawa The case remained cold until 2006, when Detective Superintendent Wilkins returned to Dyfed-Powys police after a two year stint with the National Criminal Intelligence Service (now part of the National Crime Agency) in London. Aware that a number of historic cases had recently been solved across the country thanks to advances in DNA profiling, he launched Operation Ottawa, appointed a small team of officers to review major unsolved crimes across Pembrokeshire, including both double murders, as well as another outstanding case from 1996, when five teenagers had been attacked by a man wearing a balaclava, who threatened them with a sawn-off shotgun. One girl was raped and another was sexually assaulted. Just as Wilkinss team started to reassess the evidence that could help convict Cooper once and for all, ITV journalist Hill found himself caught up in the investigation. He had been intending to produce a documentary series focusing on unsolved cases; after meeting with Wilkins, though, he agreed to put his plans on hold. Instead, aware that Cooper would always tune in to the evening news, they decided to collaborate on a televised broadcast, suggesting that the police were close to tracking down the Pembrokeshire killer thanks to new DNA evidence. David Fynn, left, plays ITV journalist Jonathan Hill / World Productions for ITV This was, however, a bit of an exaggeration: though the team had spent plenty of money on expensive forensic reevaluations, theyd failed to pinpoint any new evidence that would seriously enhance the case against Cooper. With budgets tightening and time running out before Coopers release, it was imperative to organise an interview with their prime suspect. Wilkins and co decided to take a new approach, pandering to Coopers ego (conversations with a psychologist suggested that he possessed many of the personality traits of a psychopath). As we see in The Pembrokeshire Murders interrogation scenes, Cooper tried to shift the blame onto his son; however, he did end up inadvertently revealing further details about the murder weapon, which he had also used during the armed robbery hed been convinced for back in 1998. The Bullseye tape In a bizarre twist, the one of the final pieces of the puzzle came courtesy of some retro footage from the ITV game show Bullseye. Police research revealed that Cooper had been a contestant on the darts-themed programme (which aired for almost 15 years in the Eighties and Nineties) and Hill used his connections at ITV to help hunt down a tape of the episode for Wilkins and co. It transpired that Cooper had made his television appearance just a few weeks before the Coastal Path murder. Freezing the video as the suspect appeared on screen, the police noted the striking resemblance between the younger Cooper - with shoulder-length hair - and the artists impression of the killer. DNA evidence Then came a game-changing DNA breakthrough. Analysis revealed that a pair of khaki shorts taken from Coopers bedroom had a drop of Peter Dixons blood ingrained into them. Cooper had taken them from the murder scene and worn them when he withdrew money using the Dixons bank card - as noted by an eyewitness at the time, though they appeared shorter than the garments pictured in the artists impression. The DNA traces were trapped in the shorts when his wife Pat turned up the seams. The police re-examined evidence using new technology / World Productions for ITV The police also managed to recover the murder weapon, which had originally been taken from the scene of the armed robbery he had previously served a sentence for. The barrel of the shotgun had been painted over; when the forensics team removed that layer, they found further traces of Dixons blood. Finally Wilkins and his team had enough evidence to charge Cooper, who was eventually convicted of the two double murders, as well as the rape and sexual assault of the teenagers, in 2011. He denied all the charges, but was eventually given four life sentences in line with what the judge described as the evil wickedness of his crimes. Now 76, he remains in jail. Pipeline 11 January 2021 Crowne Plaza Danang Waterfront will open in 2023. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Minh Dong Travel Service and Trading Company Limited - a member of PGT Group - to open the second Crowne Plaza in Danang. The 300-room Crowne Plaza Danang Waterfront will welcome guests in 2023. With unobstructed views of the ocean, the 38-storey hotel will be highly sought-after by business and leisure travellers seeking a single destination for work, meetings and relaxation. Ideally located next to the beachfront on the city's main thoroughfare Vo Nguyen Giap street, and only a five-minute drive to central Danang, it will perfectly complement the existing low-rise Crowne Plaza Danang, situated further south along the beachfront and linked to the popular, integrated resort. This expansion of Crowne Plaza is part of the rejuvenation of the brand in Vietnam and designed to fulfil the needs of the modern business traveller. The hotel features the brand's signature Social Workspace lobby concept that affords guests a seamless transition from work to that all-important downtime. With 1,500 square metres of dedicated space, there will be a strong focus on meetings and events, ranging from corporate functions to weddings for up to 400 people. Backed by the IHG Clean Promise and enhanced Meet with Confidence programme, Crowne Plaza prioritises guest safety and wellbeing, while providing flexible, creative solutions for all meeting and event needs. When it's time to unwind, guests may relax in their Crowne Plaza's WorkLife concept room or take a dip in the rooftop infinity pool, complete with ocean views. A wide range of facilities at the hotel will also include three restaurants, a gym and spa. Crowne Plaza Danang Waterfront is situated within easy access of the city's main attractions including its expansive beach and a varied selection of popular restaurants and bars. Located just 2km from Danang city centre and 5km from Danang International Airport, guests will have great connectivity to Vietnam's gateway cities and overseas destinations. IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures at all its hotels worldwide and understands that cleanliness, health and safety are top priorities for customers, especially at this challenging time. To this end, IHG has introduced additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices, in partnership with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab, and Diversey, as well as launching the IHG Clean Promise. Once open and part of the IHG family, Crowne Plaza Danang Waterfront will follow IHG's Way of Clean and offer guests the IHG Clean Promise. ADVERTISEMENT The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has said that 350 debtors in Nigeria owe it N3.6 trillion. The corporations Group Head of Enforcement, Joshua Ikioda, disclosed this at two-day training for Federal High Court legal assistants and court registrars in Abuja. Mr Ikioda spoke on the theme: Overview of AMCON from Cradle to Date and the Implication of the Bad Debt to the Nigerian Economy. If recovered, he noted that the N3.6 trillion would be enough to complete the revival of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State, and capitalise over two million micro-businesses with N2 million each or 200,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with N20 million per SME. The move will create jobs for Nigerias unemployed youth and help develop the economy. He also revealed that the debtors represent 80 per cent of the N4.4 trillion of the total outstanding debt to the corporation, adding that all agencies of the government and other stakeholders must support AMCONs debt recovery efforts. This colossal outstanding debt of N4.4 trillion is bigger than the N3.85 trillion capital expenditure budget of the federal government of Nigeria in 2021, he said. It is also bigger than the N3.12 trillion total foreign debt service and N3.7 trillion personnel cost for the year. It is also bigger than the N3.12 trillion for total foreign debt service for 2021. AMCON was created in 2010 to look into non-performing loans (NPLs) that crippled banks balance sheet positions. The corporations mandate was to recover the NPLs from the debtors and return the funds to government coffers to support the economy. After over nine years into its operation, AMCON has recovered only N1 trillion through assets seizures, forfeiture or cash payments. Meanwhile, the amended AMCON Act, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, gave AMCON powers to recover debts owed by obligors. UPPER THUMB Long term care facilities across the Upper Thumb have started the new year by distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to employees and residents, with many having received their first dose. It feels like the first step toward normalcy for many residents, who havent seen their families in months. Staff and residents of the Huron Medical Care Facility who wanted to receive the vaccine received their first dose Jan. 5, with a second dose scheduled for Feb. 2. According to Bette Pierson, head of infection control at Huron County Medical Care Facility, a total of 138 vaccines were administered to residents and staff of the facility. Any staff members unable to receive their first dose earlier this month due to illness or vacation time will start their vaccination process at the next clinic. I truly think that since our vaccine clinic was held, there is a glimpse of hope and relief among our staff and residents, Pierson said. Everyone is hopeful that sooner than later, we can have residents families back in the building. After almost a year of longing for clarity and guidance, or a light at the end of the tunnel, I feel as though we are one step closer to normalcy, she added. The Huron County Medical Care Facility received the Moderna vaccine, like many other hospitals and care facilities in rural areas. Partnering with Walgreens, the pharmacy staff came in and vaccinated the facility's staff and residents. The clinic was set up in a large multipurpose room, allowing for both social distancing and privacy. The process ran through a detailed schedule as to who got vaccinated at what time. Pierson received her first dose of the vaccine during the first clinic, along with many of her coworkers. If a resident is not capable of making their own decision on receiving the vaccine, the decision is made by their guardian. According to Pierson, no matter what decision is made, the resident always has the right to refuse. The COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine and even though it may be new, it is important to know that mRNA technology has been studied for vaccine purpose for nearly two decades, Pierson said. These vaccines do not use the live virus and cannot give you the coronavirus. Vaccines have been scientifically proven to save lives, she added. In the 20th century, smallpox claimed the lives of more than 300 million people, and like COVID-19 it was spread through a cough, sneeze, or touch. According to a recent article published in the New York Times by John Florio, the smallpox pandemic was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization in 1980 due to the vaccine that had been developed. I am hopeful that with how far we have come in this day and age, this vaccine will eventually eradicate this strain of COVID-19, Pierson said. The best thing we can do right now is to take preventative measures to protect ourselves and others. Long term care workers and residents of Lakeview Extended Care in Harbor Beach have also received their initial dose of the vaccine. According to Laura Janks, marketing and foundation coordinator for Harbor Beach Community Hospital, said that those who wished to receive the vaccine did so on Dec. 29. Several months ago, we created an internal vaccine committee comprised of administrators, the director of nursing, assistant director of nursing, pharmacy and several others, Janks said. This committee planned for distribution and now administration of the vaccine. They are the ones coordinating the scheduling of individuals and registered nurses from that committee are administered the vaccine to staff outside of the long-term care unit, she added. Walgreens administered to the residents of our Lakeview Extended Care unit and its staff. A member of the vaccine committee has been available to answer staff questions regarding the vaccine and everyone has been given the option to receive the vaccine. According to Janks, anyone who works at Harbor Beach Community Hospital, including Lakeview Extended Care, who wanted the vaccine has received it, although they are not disclosing the number of individuals who have been vaccinated. Side effects from the vaccine have varied from person to person, Janks said. Some of the vaccine recipients have had very few, mild side effects including headache, fever, and body aches. Most individuals however have not reported any side effects at all, and no one has reported any severe side effects at this time, she added. We have encouraged all staff to sign up for the Vsafe texting check-ins to help the CDC collect data for the vaccine. At this point, Harbor Beach Community Hospital is reaching out to other groups included in Priority 1A of the vaccine distribution who have not received the vaccine but would like to. This includes medical students, dentists and dental hygienists, chaplains, hospital security guards, pharmacists and other workers who may interface with patients. Anyone who meets requirements and does not receive the vaccine through their employer can reach out to Harbor Beach Community Hospital at 989-479-3201 to inquire about receiving a vaccine. Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is genocide, not another fight: human rights head Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Theres a genocide of Armenian Christians, according to the head of a human rights group, but its largely going unnoticed because of conflicts between world powers. Although people often perceive the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan as another forgotten and meaningless conflict in a distant part of the world, its actually a genocide of Christians that springs from over a 100 years of history, Christian Solidarity International President John Eibner told The Christian Post. Disinformation campaigns by the government of Azerbaijan have covered up the truth. Armenia and Azerbaijan are in conflict over a small area of land called Nagorno-Karabakh. The area is claimed by a small, independent Armenian republic. From an Armenian perspective, this area is their historic homeland. There are many different ways to describe it. Armenians will say this is part of Armenia, but it is not formally a part of the state of Armenia, said Eibner. Internationally, Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as Azerbaijani land, but its mostly populated by Armenians and self-governed. After six weeks of war, Russia brokered a peace deal last year that left Armenia in control of most of the land and Azerbaijan in control of the rest. The conflict killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands. Its not just a local pushing and shoving. This problem has erupted as a part of a longer historical process and its erupted now because local geopolitical conditions have enabled it to erupt, said Eibner. In 1915, the Muslim Ottoman Empire killed over 1.5 million Armenians. Turkey still refuses to admit today that the event was a genocide. Most Armenians are Christians, and Armenia was the first nation to establish Christianity as a state religion. Azerbaijan was once a province of the Ottoman Empire, and human rights groups have called out ongoing discrimination against Armenians and state-supported policy of Armenophobia. People dont understand Azerbaijanis are Turks. They speak a dialect of Turkish, said Eibner. Whenever there is a weakening in the protection that Armenians have and confusion in the international system, theres another attempt to drive Armenians out of their lands. The last major attack on the Armenians happened in the 1990s, he said. Because Russia is the major Christian power in the region, Armenia usually works with Russia for protection from its Islamic neighbors. Eibner believes American leaders often dont pay attention to threats to Armenia because Russia and the United States rival each other. The United States works with Azerbaijan to oppose Iran. Because Azerbaijan borders Iran, American leaders give it money in exchange for a presence in the country, said Eibner. Support from America, Israel and NATO to oppose Iran makes local leaders feel they have free rein. Often, American leaders do a better job of advocating for persecuted Christians in countries where they are strategically useful, he contended. Why does Azerbaijan feel empowered to make another move? It has done so because it has become oil rich. It has done so because its a member of NATO. It has done so because it has received sophisticated drones from Israel. It feels it has the cover to do so, he said. To cover up its genocidal attacks on Armenians, Azerbaijan has publicized stories of Armenian war crimes while minimizing its own, said Eibner. Atrocities happen in every war, but evidence suggests that Azerbaijans atrocities are far worse than the atrocities on the Armenian side. Azerbaijani communities have not suffered the way Armenian ones have. Information warfare is a part of any war. One has to understand not to take anything one hears from either side at face value, he said. Who lost? Where are the Armenians now who lived in areas now controlled by Azerbaijan? Why arent they living in their own homes today? In Turkey and in Islamic warfare, victors in war have a long tradition of treating the losers as less than human, said Eibner. Christians who want to help Armenians should write their leaders in Congress, connect with local Armenian organizations and ask their pastors to speak about these issues in church, Eibner said. This is a tragedy at many different levels. People are homeless, people are killed, but its very much connected with the disappearance of Christians, he said. Washington has cared much more about Chinese Christians that Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh. If the trend continues, there simply wont be viable Christian communities in the Middle East. 10 Shares Share Oh, but dont worry, theyre fresh! We were not talking about produce, and this was not reassuring. The conference speaker was scheduled to teach a Botox training session the next day using cadaver heads. When I had initially signed up for this physician seminar on facial cosmetic rejuvenation, there was no mention of cadavers. I left the session wondering exactly how fresh he meant and feeling a sense of dread. And, oh yes, Halloween was only five days away. The next morning, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, I rushed to the conference. Joining a line of physician participants getting gowned and gloved, I could see centered on each of 16 tables a silver pan about the size of a turkey roaster. A blue cloth matching our gowns draped over each pan and discreetly covered a bulging mass underneath. A corpulent eye doctor with a Texas twang boasted cheerfully, You would not believe the Peking duck I had last night fantastic! My stomach lurched. Surveying the scene, I heard someone say, Three to a table, please. I quickly glanced around to see who my prospective partners would be. Most of the tables were filling with men, not surprising as ophthalmology was even more male-dominated at the time. Instinctively, I gravitated toward the one table occupied by two female physicians. We introduced ourselves and chatted, willing ourselves to ignore the cloaked centerpiece between us. Sima, a lovely young eye doctor from Iran, practiced in notoriously youth-obsessed and disposable income-blessed Marin County. Her stylish rectangular eyeglasses and perfectly coiffed hair highlighted her fine bone structure and complexion. Donna, a sturdy and congenial eye doctor from Michigan, had brown, flyaway tresses pulled back with a plastic hairband. Displaying her own prominent asymmetric forehead crease, she explained, Im just learning Botox so I can do it on my girlfriends a pulmonologist and a cardiologist. (How thoughtfully Midwestern!) My guess is that Donna was not hoping for one of their procedures in return. Marguerite, a petite oculoplastic surgeon and one of the lab instructors, joined our table. She whisked away the blue cloth, uncovering the very fresh decapitated head. I think we all gasped. This looked nothing like my medical school cadaver. It seemed one step away from being alive reminding me of corpses that I had declared deceased as a medical intern. He was an elderly Caucasian man, with his prominent nose squashed to the side as if he had fallen on it. A bruised area with a fresh scab on the bridge of his nose may have been recently biopsied for skin cancer. The head was trussed up under the chin with a disposable diaper, which sported pastel images of cartoon animals and a velcro tab. I felt grateful for that diaper as it spared us from viewing the severed neck. The skin was pale and chilly to touch but still supple. Under the nearly closed lids, I could see the eyes intact. With our goal of mastering facial enhancement, we were fortunate to have a head with significant wrinkles. Scanning the room, I noticed that most of the cadaver heads were male. Few had likely ever dreamed of getting Botox. Marguerite showed us how to prepare and administer the Botox injections. She described the muscles between and above the brows, then used a black marker to make five dots between the cadavers brows. Those were the landing spots for our injections. Sima asked Marguerite where she would apply the injections on an actively frowning face. (The cadaver was ill-prepared to frown.) Marguerite obligingly prompted Sima to frown. She lightly touched the eleven lines between Simas eyebrows using the marker. Sima jumped back and shrieked, You touched me! With that! She pointed accusingly at the marker. There was a moment of tension mixed with disbelief, quickly broken by Marguerite reassuring, No, no, the marker was capped. See? Nonetheless, Sima was already grasping for an alcohol wipe. We resumed with the lab, but with a lingering sense of how we, even as doctors, were uncomfortable in the face of death. We then took turns injecting the cadaver. With her lilting Persian accent, Sima peppered Marguerite with questions and did more than her share of injections. With Marin county matrons desperate for wrinkle relief, getting up to speed with Botox was apparently an urgent matter. When she was about to forge ahead with yet another practice injection, Marguerite suggested, Uh, maybe Donna can take a turn now? After a single attempt, Donna retreated. Perhaps it was hard to get too serious when the only patients shed be injecting with Botox were her two best friends. After Botox, we performed injections using cosmetic fillers that plump up facial wrinkles. After making her third injection to the marionette lines on the cadavers chin, Sima again recoiled and let loose a scream. I thought body fluids from the cadaver had splashed onto her face. Marguerite asked if she was okay. Yes, yes. Its just that suddenly, he seems so alive! We stopped to marvel at how the wrinkles had nearly disappeared. Rejuvenation, indeed. Framing the cadavers head between her two gloved hands, Marguerite cooed, There, sir, now you look much better. Authors note: Although I portray this 2009 experience with a light touch, I do feel that demonstrating such procedures on live models would be far preferablefrom an emotional and practical standpoint. Participants can then identify active frown lines and observe the models reactions to the injections. Following the training conference, I sent two letters detailing my thoughts to the meeting coordinator. The letters have been unanswered. Jade Wong is an ophthalmologist and can be reached at Physician Friends. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Michmerhuizen has been teaching high schoolers since 2000. He taught during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and dozens of school shootings around the nation. Hes watched teenagers process trauma for two decades. Benito Juarez serves a student body that is 94% Latino, in a community that has been hit hard by the illness, death and economic hardships brought on by the novel coronavirus. One of his students lost her mom to COVID-19 on Christmas Eve. Finland took over on Monday as rotating chair of the Nordic Defense Cooperation, a five-nation bloc formed a decade ago in a bid to improve interoperability HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2021) Finland took over on Monday as rotating chair of the Nordic Defense Cooperation, a five-nation bloc formed a decade ago in a bid to improve interoperability. Under Finland's chairmanship, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden will review the impact of the pandemic on military supply chains, according to the Finnish Defense Ministry. "Finland considers it important to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on military security of supply, especially on defence materiel projects, defence industry and industrial base," it said. The year will see Nordic defense ministers hold two meetings possibly by video to push ahead with their Vision 2025 plan to improve their countries' ability to act together "in peace, crisis and conflict." Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen wrote in an op-ed for the Defense news that Europe needed to focus on greater self-reliance amid uncertainty in relations between world 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. Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah, a Governance lecturer at Central University in Accra, has lambasted Members of Parliament for misconducting themselves during the dissolution of the 7th Parliament of the Forth Republic of Ghana. The Members of Parliament (MPs) engaged in caustic arguments resulting in a near brawl as some of them violently kicked ballot boxes, run with ballot papers and almost ended up throwing punches at one another in the Legilative House. The scenes at Parliament on Thursday, 7th January, 2021 were an eyesore. The Military, at some point in time, stormed Parliament to prevent the further escalation of chaos; however their presence was against Parliamentary rules. Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah, in a panel discussion on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', bemoaned the activities that characterized the Legislative House. To him, the MPs must bow their heads in utter shame for not conducting themselves honorably. He also questioned ''who ordered for the Military to come [to] inside of the chamber?'' Citing scenes like the Tema West MP, Carlos Ahenkorah running away with ballot papers and Asawase MP, Hon. Mubarak Muntaka chasing after him with an aim to beat him up and Yapei Kusawgu MP, John Jinapor tumbling a security guard and further kicking ballot boxes coupled with many other incidents in the House, Dr. Okyere Ankrah was convinced some people don't deserve to be in Parliament or be called Members of Parliament. "Was he struck by kporporblibli or what?", he asked about Carlos Ahenkorah. ''It was 'nkurasesem' that happened in Parliament," he added. He charged the Parliamentarians to apologize to Ghanaians for demeaning themselves. "I would have expected that they will come and apologize . . . They must render an apology to the nation. I was shocked. At some point in time, when watching Muntaka, I thought I was watching an action movie," he expressed his disappointment. 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 An illustration combines two possible types of surface layers for a catalyst that performs the water-splitting reaction, the first step in making hydrogen fuel. The gray surface, top, is lanthanum oxide. The colorful surface is nickel oxide; a rearrangement of its atoms while carrying out the reaction made it twice as efficient, a phenomenon researchers hope to harness to design better catalysts. Lanthanum atoms are depicted in green, nickel in blue and oxygen in red. Credit: CUBE3D Graphic Scientists crafting a nickel-based catalyst used in making hydrogen fuel built it one atomic layer at a time to gain full control over its chemical properties. But the finished material didn't behave as they expected: As one version of the catalyst went about its work, the top-most layer of atoms rearranged to form a new pattern, as if the square tiles that cover a floor had suddenly changed to hexagons. But that's ok, they reported today, because understanding and controlling this surprising transformation gives them a new way to turn catalytic activity on and off and make good catalysts even better. The research team, led by scientists from Stanford University and the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, described their study in Nature Materials today. "Catalysts can change very quickly during the course of a reaction, and understanding how they transform from an inactive phase to an active one is crucial to designing more efficient catalysts," said Will Chueh, an investigator with the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences (SIMES) at SLAC who led the study. "This transformation gives us the equivalent of a knob we can turn to fine-tune their behavior." Splitting water to make hydrogen fuel Catalysts help molecules react without being consumed in the reaction, so they can be used over and over. They're the backbone of many green-energy devices. This particular catalyst, lanthanum nickel oxide or LNO, is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in a reaction powered by electricity. It's the first step in generating hydrogen fuel, which has enormous potential for storing renewable energy from sunlight and other sources in a liquid form that's energy-rich and easy to transport. In fact, several manufacturers have already produced electric cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. But this first step is also the most difficult one, said Michal Bajdich, a theorist at the SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis at SLAC, and researchers have been searching for inexpensive materials that will carry it out more efficiently. Since reactions take place on a catalyst's surface, researchers have been trying to precisely engineer those surfaces so they promote only one specific chemical reaction with high efficiency. A new study shows how tweaking the surface layer of a catalyst can make it work better. This particular catalyst is used to split water, the first step in making hydrogen fuel. It consists of alternating layers of materials rich in nickel (blue spheres) and lanthanum (green spheres; the red spheres represent oxygen atoms). When the material is grown at relatively cool temperatures so a nickel-rich layer is on top (left), the atoms on that surface layer rearrange during the water-splitting reaction (middle) in a way that allows them to carry out the reaction more efficiently (right). This surprising result gives scientists a new way to tune catalytic activity and engineer better catalysts. Credit: Tomas Duchon/Forschungszentrum Juelich Building materials one atomic layer at a time The LNO investigated in this study belongs to a class of promising catalytic materials known as perovskites, named after a natural mineral with a similar atomic structure. Christoph Baeumer, who came to SLAC as a Marie Curie Fellow from Aachen University in Germany to carry out the study, prepared LNO in what's known as an epitaxial thin filma film grown in atomically thin layers in a way that creates an extraordinarily precise arrangement of atoms. Dividing his time between California and Germany, Baeumer made two versions of the film at different temperaturesone with a nickel-rich surface and another with a lanthanum-rich surface. Then the research team ran all the versions through the water-splitting reaction to compare how well they performed. "We were surprised to discover that the films with nickel-rich surfaces carried out the reaction twice as fast," Baeumer said. Tuning a catalyst's surface for better performance To find out why, the team took the films to DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where a group led by Slavomir Nemsak looked at their atomic structure with X-rays at the Advanced Light Source. "It was surprising that the difference between the 'good' and the 'bad' catalyst was only in the last atomic layer of the films," Nemsak said. Those investigations also revealed that in films with nickel-rich surface layers that were prepared at cooler temperatures, the top layer of atoms transformed at some point during the water-splitting reaction, and this new arrangement boosted the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, Jiang Li, a postdoctoral researcher and theorist at SUNCAT, performed computational studies of this very complex system using Berkeley Lab's National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). His conclusions agreed with the experimental results, predicting that the version of the catalyst with the transformed surfacefrom a cubic pattern to a hexagonal onewould be the most active and stable one. Bajdich said, "Is the transformation of the nickel-rich surface driven by the way the catalyst is prepared, or by changes it undergoes while it carries out the water-splitting reaction? That's very hard to answer. It looks like both have to occur." Although this particular catalyst is not the best in the world for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, he said, discovering how a surface transformation boosts its activity is important and could potentially apply to other materials too. "If we can unlock the secrets of this transformation so we can accurately tune it," he said, "then we can leverage this phenomenon to make much better catalysts in the future." Explore further Scientists find cheaper way to make hydrogen energy out of water More information: Christoph Baeumer et al, Tuning electrochemially driven surface transformation in atomically flat LaNiO3 thin films for enhanced water electrolysis, Nature Materials (2021). Journal information: Nature Materials Christoph Baeumer et al, Tuning electrochemially driven surface transformation in atomically flat LaNiO3 thin films for enhanced water electrolysis,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-00877-1 More deets on recent gunfire as this town struggle to keep up more shooting and rising desperation on local streets. Read more . . . KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A standoff occurred overnight after a woman was shot in Kansas City, but police were not able to take the suspect into custody. According to the Kansas City Police Department, officers were called to the 5500 block of Michigan Ave. for a shooting just before 9 p.m. Vitners, founded in 1926 on Chicagos South Side as the C.J. Vitner Company, was one of the oldest family-run snack food companies in the U.S. when it was purchased by California-based Snak King in 2011. Snak King, which has manufacturing facilities in California as well as in Freeport, Illinois, makes private-label snacks for large food corporations as well as under The Whole Earth, El Sabroso, Granny Goose and Jensens Orchard brands. Campbell- impacted by Covid As we move into 2021, just-food continues to provide daily updates on how the Covid-19 pandemic is still affecting the world's packaged food sector and how the industry's executives see the market and consumer behaviour taking shape in the months ahead. Don't subscribe to just-food? Click here for a trial This article is now closed. These rolling updates built on our previous bulletins, published throughout 2020. Wednesday 10 March Campbell expecting sales slowdown as world emerges from lockdown US food giant Campbell Soup Co. has said it expects its full-year sales to fall as Covid vaccines lead to society opening up again. It is forecasting fiscal 2021 sales will fall between 3.5% and 2.5% as consumers gradually return to their pre-pandemic lives and, by leaving their homes more regularly, reduce their reliance on ready-to-eat soups and snacks. Reporting its Q2 results today (10 March), Campbell revealed that net sales rose 5.4% to US$2.28bn in the three months to 31 January, compared to the same period last year, but the company missed estimates of $2.30bn, partly because of declines in its foodservice segment due to the Covid lockdown. Adjusted EBIT was up 8%, year-on-year, to $393m. Mark Clouse, Campbell's president and CEO, said: "We delivered another quarter of strong results, with top-line growth in both segments - partly tempered by foodservice and supply constraints caused by Covid-19 - as well as continued growth in EBIT and EPS." Thursday 4 March Olymel's Alberta pork plant starts phased reopening Canadian pork and poultry processor Olymel said its Red Deer plant in Alberta province will resume slaughtering operations today (4 March) as it plans a phased reopening following a temporary 14-day closure due to a Covid outbreak. Cutting room operations will recommence on Friday, Olymel said in a statement, following inspections on Monday and Wednesday this week by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Occupational Health and Safety authority (OHS), and the Environmental Public Health department. "AHS made several recommendations aimed at adjusting and reinforcing certain measures that were already in place and gave the green light to gradually resume operations," the company said. It added: "The employees that are needed to ensure that the gradual restarting of operations goes smoothly will be recalled in accordance with applicable collective agreement provisions. Since March 3, employee groups have been recalled to take part in training sessions covering all implemented health measures, adjustments and additions made to some of them, and the action plan developed for reopening. The training sessions also focus on the important role information plays in compliance with all the health measures that are in place at the plant." Olymel, which is majority-owned by the Sollio Cooperative Group, will continue to work closely with AHS and the OHS throughout the entire gradual reopening process." The processor said "most of the employees" who had Covid-19 have since recovered, while three "have unfortunately passed away". "Although 1,370 employees at the Red Deer plant have been tested since January 1, 2021, AHS experts will be on site when operations resume and will offer rapid testing to anyone who has not tested positive and wishes to be tested," Olymel said. -- Wednesday 3 March Two Hilton workers die from Covid after outbreak at UK seafood plant Two employees of UK-based Hilton Food Group have died after contracting Covid-19. The workers were employed within the company's Hilton Seafood division and were based at a processing facility in Grimsby in north-east England. -- B&G to invest in online operations following Covid sales surge US-based B&G Foods has said it plans to invest in its e-commerce operation this year to build on sales momentum achieved during the Covid lockdown period. Talking to analysts after the release of its full-year 2020 results, The Green Giant and Clabber Girl brands owner said online sales had grown substantially in 2020, CEO David Wenner said: "The great majority of our brands grew in fiscal 2020 substantially because of the dramatic effects of Covid on consumer buying and dining patterns. E-commerce was a growing driver of those trends and we invested during the year to follow consumers as they bought more through various online means and we saw sales through those means of buying grow and return. "Although, there's no precise way to measure this, using IRI and other data sources, we believe that our online sales grew by roughly 150%, albeit from a relatively modest base. We expect that trend to continue in 2021 and are investing further in building out our online presence and on marketing with various retailers on their site so that we can be at the forefront of this new way of selling." B&G's 2020 net sales were up 18.5% to US$1.97bn, while its adjusted EBITDA was up by 19.4% to $361.2m. UK government urges regular food industry Covid testing The UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has called on the country's food manufacturers to introduce regular Covid testing for asymptomatic employees. In a letter to food businesses signed by environment secretary George Eustice, it said: "We now have a roadmap to open up our communities and restart our lives, but we need to remain vigilant and continue to protect our sectors and the workforce as we go forward. "That means taking all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection in the workplace." Defra has called on employers to adopt the government's workplace testing programme. "Providing the tests is quick and easy, and results are received rapidly. Employers should be aiming to test staff members twice each week," Eustice said in the letter. The programme of free tests is open to all employers of more than 50 staff and will run until 30 June but firms must register by 31 March. Tuesday 2 March Lindt & Sprungli forecasts sweeter sales in 2021 Covid-19 soured Lindt & Sprungli's sales in 2020 but the Swiss chocolate maker is expecting its top line to recover this year. The Lindor owner saw its sales fall more than 6% on an organic basis last year, with its retail business hit by lockdown-related closures and gift sales hampered by families being less able to get together. However, Lindt today (2 March) forecast a 6-8% rise in its organic sales in 2021. The upmarket chocolatier added it's "convinced that it will master the current economic downturn and emerge even stronger from this global crisis". In 2020, Lindt's sales fell 10.9% on a reported basis to CHF4.02bn (US$4.38bn), which equated to a 6.1% decline on an organic basis. The company's EBIT tumbled to CHF420.3m, contributing to a 37.5% slide in net income to CHF320.1m. Lindt's EBIT margin was 10.5% and the business today forecast that would return to 13-14% this year. During 2020, Lindt's online sales doubled to account for around 5% of its business. -- FrieslandCampina profits hit by Covid-19 Dutch dairy major FrieslandCampina said that the coronavirus pandemic has led to it recording a "significantly lower profit" in it full-year 2020 results. Announcing its results this morning, the dairy revealed its profit has declined by 71.6% year-on-year to EUR79m (US$95m). Revenue also declined, by 1.4% to EUR11.1bn. CEO Hein Schumacher said: "The direct and indirect impacts of the corona pandemic that really became evident within the company starting in March, overshadowed the excellent results in the first quarter. "FrieslandCampina's operating profit was hard hit by this." He added: "While there is light at the end of the tunnel now that vaccination programmes are getting underway throughout the world, for the next couple of months we are still totally immersed in the corona crisis. In the first half of 2021, the results will therefore still be under pressure." Monday 1 March Coming to the crunch during Covid-19 UK snack bars deep dive, part one On our analysis pages today, Andy Coyne takes a close look at the UK snack bar category and at how it has adapted to the unique trading conditions created by Covid lockdown restrictions. Many people have assumed the UK snack-bar category would have come under significant pressure over the last year as the on-the-go market has been hammered by the slump in mobility wrought by Covid-19, with a huge chunk of the population working from home, emptying city centres with their express supermarkets and meal-deal outlets. However, the stats suggest UK snack bar manufactures have adapted to change more successfully than was widely thought. -- Maple Leaf to relaunch plant-based brands after Q4 sales disappointment Canada's Maple Leaf Foods is planning to relaunch its Field Roast and Lightlife brands after seeing sales from its meat-free division slow while the company also pointed to the pandemic as a factor in the "category deceleration" it saw. Friday 26 February A2 Milk Co. has reacted to pressure on its sales in China, a key market for the New Zealand-based dairy and infant-formula business, and lowered its forecasts for annual sales. The changes to the forecasts came alongside half-year financial results that included a slide in sales and profits. In the first six months of the company's current financial year, revenue fell 16% to NZD677.4m (US$491m), with its EBITDA down 32.2% at NZD178.5m. A2 Milk Co.'s net profit after tax stood at NZD120m, versus NZD184.9m a year ago. A factor in the first-half results was, A2 Milk Co., said "challenges resulting from Covid-19 disruption experienced in the daigou/reseller channel with a flow on impact to the cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) channel". Wednesday 24 February Trident Seafoods resumes operations at Alaska facility US-based Trident Seafoods has resumed operations at its Akutan, Alaska, processing plant following a Covid outbreak-enforced temporary closure. The outbreak among its employees at the plant, which processes seafood such as crab and pollock, spurred a pause on operations on 21 January but now the facility is back up and running. Trident said surveillance testing, symptoms screenings, PPE and distancing protocols will remain in place. It added that additional measures are in place to support a swift response if Covid-19 risk is detected again in the future. These include a redesign of shift and break schedules to limit instances of close contact and capacity limits to allow distancing in all areas outside work stations. Stefanie Moreland, the company's VP of government relations, said: "The management team on site has been working to make sure these operational changes do not come as a surprise, and to ensure our employees know their safety is our priority." Monday 22 February UK food manufacturers respond to roadmap for easing lockdown After UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson this afternoon (22 February) set out the Government's "roadmap" for removing lockdown measures, the trade body representing food manufacturers in the country has given its response. A phased timetable includes a plan to allow hospitality venues to serve punters outside from 12 April at the earliest, the Government said. From 17 May at the earliest, indoor hospitality is slated to re-open. Hotels, as well as indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, are also lined up to open again from this date. Next week, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce the country's Budget, which will include details on how the Government plans to support businesses and employees affected by the lockdown measures and the phased lifting of the restrictions. The measures announced today apply to England but the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are setting out similar plans. Ian Wright, the chief executive of The Food and Drink Federation, the association representing food and soft-drink manufacturers in the UK, said: "It is disappointing but wholly expected that the Prime Minister's roadmap shows no signs of taking account of any input from business. "For a great many of the food and drink manufacturers supplying the hospitality and food service sectors, a return to 'business as usual' seems an awful long way off. As such, it is only correct that the Chancellor outlines significant extensions to the furlough and credit insurance schemes as part of his Budget announcement next week. The food and drink industry is the UK's largest manufacturing sector. It will therefore be key to the country's economic recovery, with a footprint in every region. "Now is the time for government to provide additional support to ensure those businesses most at risk can play their part in putting the country back on its feet." -- Australian rice grower SunRice warns of possible sales pressure SunRice Group, an Australia-based rice grower, has warned disruption to shipping traffic linked to Covid-19 could impact its sales in the second half of the fiscal year, exacerbating what it says are already "difficult market conditions" driven by the pandemic. -- Olymel shifts production to US after Canada plant closure The Canada-based pork processor, which has had to temporarily close a factory after a Covid-19 outbreak among staff, has issued an update on the changes it has made to production. Olymel said its hog production division, which supplies the Red Deer plant in Alberta now closed, will "move a substantial amount of company-owned production" to the United States to create enough plant capacity. The company, majority-owned by Sollio Cooperative Group, made the comments in a statement framed as a "message to Alberta pork producers". It said: "The temporary shutdown of Olymel's hog slaughtering, cutting and deboning plant in Red Deer is affecting the many Albertans hog producers, including Olymel's company owned farms that ship market hogs to Red Deer on a weekly basis. The company understands the strain this has put on their operations as we estimate the backlog to be approximately 80-90,000 animals. The company has implemented several strategies to mitigate the impact as much as possible including a clear path to reducing the backlog as quickly as possible." The meatpacker added: "With the added capacity Olymel anticipates that the backlog of market ready hogs will be cleared up within 4-5 weeks after the plant is able to resume activities." Last week, Olymel said its hog slaughtering, cutting and deboning plant in Red Deer had seen "a resurgence of positive cases of Covid-19 among plant employees". Olymel said that, despite close collaboration with Alberta Health Services to deal with the problem, it believed the conditions meant it could not continue normal operations in a safe and efficient manner. The company, which has suspended all pending deliveries at the plant until further notice, has not said how many workers have been affected by the outbreak. 19 February Fazer assesses staff count again at Finnish candy plant Finland's Fazer Group is planning another round of potential lay-offs linked to Covid-19 at its confectionery plant in the city of Vantaa, located in the south of the country. 18 February US meal-kit firm Blue Apron sees sales soar during lockdown Blue Apron, the US meal-kit firm saw its year-on-year sales increase by 22% in Q4, 2020, to US$115m, partly as a result of stay-at-home consumers ordering its products during the Covid-19 lockdown. But the company has cautioned that growth levels may dip as lockdown restrictions ease. The fourth quarter marked the third consecutive quarter of double-digit year-on-year year increase in net revenue for the business. The company said that there have been changes in consumer behaviour due to the pandemic as customers ordered more frequently and added more meals per order. "Since late March 2020, Blue Apron has experienced increased demand for its meal kits reflecting, in part, changes to consumer behaviour in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to meet the increased demand, the company continued to focus on increasing capacity at its fulfilment centres, including hiring new employees, increasing wages for frontline workers, and temporarily reducing menu options, which limits the need to change production lines and allows for more time to pack meal kits," it said. But it added a note of caution. "Management continues to monitor the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the company's business, including changes to consumer behaviour relating to cooking at home. While the company believes that a portion of the increased demand it has experienced over the last few months can be sustained through the first half of 2021 and potentially beyond, this will likely occur at varying levels as the impact of the pandemic changes over time," it said. 16 February Canada's Olymel temporarily closes Alberta meat plant Canadian meatpacker Olymel has announced the temporary closure of its plant in Red Deer, Alberta, following a Covid outbreak The hog slaughtering, cutting and deboning plant has seen "a resurgence of positive cases of Covid-19 among plant employees", Olymel said in a statement. Olymel said that, despite close collaboration with Alberta Health Services to deal with the problem, it believes that the conditions are such that it cannot continue normal operations in a safe and efficient manner. After notifying the union, Olymel management drew up a temporary closing plan for an indefinite period. Over the next few days, plant management will mobilizs the staff necessary to cease operations and complete the facility closure as soon as possible. Olymel said it will strongly encourage all staff to get tested before returning to work. In the meantime, it will continue ongoing investigations to determine what may have caused such a large outbreak of Covid-19 cases since 20 January. Olymel, which has suspended all pending deliveries at the plant until further notice, has not said how many workers have been affected by the outbreak. 15 February JBS reveals 700 workers vaccinated at US plant Brazilian meat giant JBS has announced that 700 workers at its Beardstown, Illinois, pork production facility in the US have been vaccinated against Covid-19. In partnership with the Cass County Health Department, employees were vaccinated on site at the plant in what is understood to be the largest vaccination effort to date at a US red-meat facility. Bob Krebs, president, JBS USA Pork, said: "We remain committed to providing a safe working environment for our team members and doing all we can to ensure our workforce across the country is given the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as possible. They have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to provide food for all Americans, and their access to the vaccine should absolutely be prioritised." Vaccination at the Beardstown facility is voluntary and all employees who choose to be vaccinated receive a US$100 incentive bonus. Vaccines were administered on site by trained third-party nurses and the second dose of the vaccine will be provided to Beardstown workers in March. -- 2 Sisters poultry plant in Devon comes down with cases again 2 Sisters Food Group's Willand plant in Devon, south-west England, has once again seen a number of cases of Covid-19 following a bout of infections at the same site last summer. The poultry-processing facility in the town of Cullompton, which employs around 1,000 workers, saw a cluster of cases emerge a few days ago. Local media reported workers as saying a testing centre had been set up in the car park of the plant. A spokesperson for the 2 Sisters' Cullompton site said in a statement provided to just-food: "Colleague safety remains the number one priority at our Willand site. "We are currently working closely with external agencies and are offering our colleagues the opportunity of voluntary Covid-19 testing. This testing opportunity further strengthens our Covid prevention measures, which have been in place for almost a year and are regularly independently assessed." 12 February US baker Flowers Foods sees sales going stale in 2021 Another major US-based food company is, perhaps unsurprisingly, cautioning its sales in 2021 may fall after pandemic-fuelled growth in 2020. Flowers Foods, one of the country's largest bakery businesses, has forecast a 2-4% decline in its sales in 2021 after a 6.4% rise last year, which was also helped by an extra selling week. As well as lapping a year when Covid-19 boosted at-home consumption, Ryals McMullian, Flowers' president and CEO, said other factors could also dampen sales. "Our guidance for fiscal 2021 incorporates our expectation of some mix reversion during the year as the impact of the pandemic dissipates, as well as the potential for a higher promotional environment, back-half commodity headwinds, and investment to implement our digital initiative. Partly offsetting those factors are expected benefits from our brand investments and continued savings from portfolio optimisation and operational efficiencies. We are investing in our business at a time when visibility may be more limited than normal, but it is clear that we are on the right path." Flowers, home to brands including Dave's Killer Bread and Tastykake, generated sales of $4.39bn in 2020. The company's net income fell 7.4% to $152.3m amid expenses linked to a pension-plan settlement. Income from operations stood at $321.5m, up from $225.4m in 2020. Expo West goes digital, while Expo East will go ahead in person in September Expo West, the annual organic food industry event normally held in March in Anaheim, California, will now be held virtually in May after the organisers decided against holding a physical gathering due to Covid-19. The event had been pushed back to May, but will now be held digitally instead from 24-27 May, Informa Market's New Hope Network, which organises the trade fair, said. Meanwhile, New Hope is promoting its "enhanced" Natural Products Expo East trade show as an opportunity for people to get together in person, designed to serve both Expo East and Expo West customers. It will be held from 22-25 September in Philadelphia. 11 February Kellogg expects dip in underlying sales in 2021 With lockdowns seeing most meals switch to being made and eaten indoors, breakfast-cereal giant Kellogg saw its sales rise in 2020 but the US group is forecasting a decline this year. The Corn Flakes and Coco Pops owner today (11 February) forecast its net sales would fall 1% on an organic basis in 2021, pointing to a comparison with "unusually-strong, Covid-related growth" last year. In 2020, Kellogg's net sales rose 6% in on an organic basis to US$13.8bn. Kellogg, home to brands including Pringles snacks and Eggo frozen waffles, said a 1% decline would still mean "a two-year compound annual growth of about 2.5%". The company also said it expects its adjusted operating profit to fall in 2021, forecasting a drop of around 2%, Again, Kellogg pointed to Covid-19 but also said the 2020 fiscal year had 53 weeks. In 2020, Kellogg's adjusted operating profit rose 2.6% to $1.81bn. The company made a net income of $1.25bn in the year to 2 January 2021, up from $960m 12 months earlier. 10 February Londoners leading surge in home delivery of snacks during lockdown - research New research has revealed a surge in the home delivery of snacks in London during the Covid lockdown period. Analysis firm The NPD Group's research showed that demand for home delivery of snacks and coffee in London was up by 95% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This is significantly ahead of the 11% increase in orders placed by families across the country as a whole. Dominic Allport, insights director (foodservice) at The NPD Group said: "The main reason is the greater use of delivery subscriptions such as Deliveroo Plus in the capital, where customers pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited free deliveries. "As these subscriptions become increasingly common across the country, we expect to see a growth in people ordering snacks and drinks to be delivered to their homes more regularly." The average amount spent per person on snack delivery increased by 20% nationally in 2020 vs. 2019 to reach GBP5.66. The number of items bought during each snacking occasion in London has increased significantly and is now +18% higher than the national average. Allport added: "Once lockdown is over, this trend is likely to remain embedded in the population." Danish Crown closes German slaughterhouse after 13 Covid infections Meat processor Danish Crown has closed a beef slaughterhouse in Germany for a week after 13 of the approximately 300 workers tested positive for Covid-19. The facility in the town of Husum, situated in the county of North Frisia near the border with Denmark, has been shut as a precautionary measure to prevent the further spread of the virus, a spokesperson for Danish Crown confirmed. Danish Crown plans to reopen the site on 14 February subject to prevailing conditions at the time. -- 8 February Covid cases identified at Cargill meat plant in Canada US agri-food giant Cargill has seen a small number of its employees at a meat plant in Canada test positive for Covid-19. Some six employees at the company's High River facility in Alberta have tested positive for the virus, Cargill told just-food. They are in isolation and receiving medical care and support. The High River facility, which employs more than 2,000 people, is continuing to function as normal. It is the second Covid outbreak at the plant. It was shut down for two weeks in April 2020 because of an outbreak that affected more than 350 of its workers and saw two employees die. In relation to the newly-announced Covid cases amongst its High River workforce, a Cargill spokesperson said: "We continue to learn how to help slow the spread of the virus and are working with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to add safety measures as they become available to safeguard our valued co-workers." 5 February 2 Sisters recruiting 500 workers as pandemic pushes up poultry demand 2 Sisters Food Group plans to hire hundreds of workers to meet growing demand for poultry products in the UK with consumers confined to the home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With factories situated around the UK, 2 Sisters said it had hired approximately 800 workers over the past 12 months to across the entire business to cater to the increased demand. But Covid has also taken a toll, with a number of sites seeing staff test positive for the virus. 3 February Premium Brands-owned Belmont Meats shuts Toronto plant amid Covid outbreak Belmont Meats, a protein business owned by Canada's Premium Brands Holdings, has seen an outbreak of Covid-19 at its factory in Toronto. The Toronto Public Health agency said 78 cases of the virus have been confirmed at Belmont's North York site, a district in Toronto, and two of those workers have been identified as having the B.1.1.7 strain of the virus, a variant that first appeared in the UK. -- Baxters to close visitor centre and retail outlet in Scotland Baxters Food Group, the UK-based soups-to-condiments maker, plans to close its visitor centre, restaurant and retail outlet in Edinburgh, Scotland, as the pandemic curtails foot traffic across the hospitality sector. The Highland Village centre is located in the same village as Baxter's headquarters in Fochabers, Moray, in north-east Scotland. The site employs around 30 people, according to a media report, all of whom face the prospect of losing their jobs. 2 February Nestle seeking to help with Covid vaccine rollout Food giant Nestle is seeking ways to help with the Covid-19 vaccine programme in countries in which it operates. News agency Reuters reported the Switzerland-based company's chief executive Mark Schneider as saying that while it has already donated to the Red Cross and other organisations to help cover the financial cost of vaccination programmes, it wants to go further. Schneider told the Forum Horizon event in Lausanne: "We will also try to find ways to either sponsor the payment for the vaccine or sponsor the way it gets applied in communities where we are present. "The price of a vaccine for an advanced economy is negligible...but to a developing country which has been struggling already with all the impacts of Covid, on top of that to pay for the vaccine and for the services to get it applied is going to be very significant," he said. Reuters reported that the specific details of how Nestle will help still need to be worked out, according to Schneider, who described the project as a "work in progress". 1 February US Congress probing meatpackers over Covid deaths A US Congress panel is investigating three of the country's largest meatpacking businesses in relation to worker deaths at their facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. -- Muller reports fatality at another UK plant Another UK plant owned by Germany headquartered dairy giant Muller has been affected by Covid-19. An employee at the facility run by Muller Milk & Ingredients in Droitwich, a town in the English Midlands county of Worcestershire, has died from the virus, although the staff member had been off work since 30 December due to a "personal matter", a company spokesperson confirmed in a statement. A further 26 workers are currently self isolating out of a total employee count in Droitwich of 607. "It is important to stress that fresh milk processing is highly automated, ensuring no risk to products," the statement read. 26 January Greencore's food-to-go revenues slide in Q1 amid lockdowns Greencore, a major supplier of food-to-go products to UK retailers, has reported an across-the-board drop in revenues for the group and its business units due to Covid-19-related restrictions. In a trading update this morning (26 January) for the first quarter to 25 December, the Ireland-based private-label manufacturer said reported group revenues fell 15% to GBP312.7m (US$425.9m) and were down 15.1% on a pro-forma basis, "impacted by the reduction in mobility arising from tiered restrictions and lockdowns in the UK". The food-to-go category saw reported and pro-forma revenues decline 21.7% to GBP188.5m, while other convenience foods fell 2.1% to GBP124.1m. "[The] latest lockdown significantly impacting demand in food-to-go categories, though not as marked as the initial lockdown in March 2020. Currently, pro-forma group revenue is approximately 20% below prior year levels, with performance in food-to-go categories down approximately 35% on [the] prior year, while other convenience categories remain stable," Greencore said. "The recovery in demand that was evident at the end of FY-20 was impeded by the tiered regional restrictions on mobility introduced across the UK in October, and then by a subsequent national lockdown until early December, followed by the implementation of tiered regional lockdowns." Greencore also provided an early assessment of the impact of a free trade deal reached between the UK and the EU on Christmas Eve. "The operational impact has been modest to date as the group had completed extensive Brexit planning and was well prepared for any near-term volatility in the supply chain. "The ongoing uncertainty regarding the duration and impact of Covid-19 on the group's trading environment, and in particular on demand in its food-to go-categories, continues to make it difficult to predict FY-21 performance. In this context, the group's financial guidance remains suspended." -- Chocolate maker Godiva to close North America retail outlets Chocolate maker Godiva, owned by Turkey's Yildiz Holding, plans to close or sell its 128 retail stores in the US and Canada after consumers switched to online purchases during the pandemic. "Demand for the in-person shopping experience offered through Godiva's brick-and-mortar locations has waned as a result of the pandemic and its acceleration of changes in consumers' shopping behaviour. In response to these market dynamics, Godiva will exit its 128 brick-and-mortar locations in North America, partially through sales and partially through closures, by the end of the first quarter," it said in a statement. However, Godiva's products will still be available online in those North American markets, along with grocery and drug stores and other retail outlets. Europe, the Middle East and China are not affected by t 25 January Food companies among UK Covid testing scheme Meat company Moy Park and sugar refiner Tate & Lyle Sugars are among what the UK says are "dozens" of employers in the country to have signed up to a scheme testing workers without symptoms who cannot work from home. Lateral flow tests are being used to see if staff have Covid-19 without realising they are carrying the virus. The UK government said around one in three infected people have no symptoms and may be unknowingly spreading the virus. More than 730,000 tests have been distributed across the UK public and private sectors so far. Frozen-food group Apetito and cheese-products maker Primula are also among the companies to have joined the scheme. Gerald Mason, senior vice president of Tate & Lyle Sugars, said: "Mass testing has really helped us get one step ahead of the virus by identifying colleagues who were infectious but showed no symptoms. This has been especially welcome over the last few weeks at our east London factories as the levels of virus in the local area have been extremely high." 22 January Trident Seafoods closes Akutan plant for three weeks Trident Seafoods, which claims to be the largest vertically-integrated seafood harvesting and processing company in North America, has had to temporarily close a plant in Alaska amid a number of Covid-19 infections. The first of four cases at the processing facility in Akutan became apparent last weekend with an employee testing positive, and the other infections were discovered when the worker's three room mates were tested. All four had tested negative for the virus two weeks earlier. In a statement issued yesterday (21 January), privately-owned Trident, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, said it will pause operations for three weeks while it undertakes "comprehensive" testing and to "support a preventative quarantine" for the 700 workers. -- JBS, Pilgrim's Pride offer US workers $100 vaccine incentive Meat packers JBS and Pilgrim's Pride are offering to give US employees a US$100 bonus if they voluntarily take a Covid-19 vaccine. "The new initiative is designed to encourage maximum participation in the Biden administration's accelerated pandemic response efforts and ensure that every JBS USA and Pilgrim's team member who wants to get vaccinated can do so as soon as vaccines are made available," the two companies said in a joint statement. JBS, headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is the majority-owner of US poultry processor Pilgrim's Pride. Both companies have, in the recent past, reported Covid-19 cases at their plants in the US and the UK. "With nearly 66,000 US team members, we are hopeful this initiative will lead to high vaccination participation rates that will benefit our workforce and the rural communities and cities in which they live and work across America," said Andre Nogueira, the CEO of JBS' US division. "Throughout the pandemic, JBS USA and Pilgrim's have adopted industry-leading measures to protect our essential frontline workers who continue to provide food for the nation. Our goal in offering this extra pay to our team members is to remove any barriers to vaccination and incentivise our team members to protect themselves, their families and their co-workers." China confirms first cases of Covid among meat workers - report China has reportedly detected its first cases of Covid-19 among meat workers, with ten confirmed cases at a poultry factory owned by Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods. The facility in question is located in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province in China's north-east region. Reuters reported from an official Chinese news briefing that a further 28 employees at the plant, along with three family members, were asymptomatic amid a wider community outbreak in the region. The news agency added that samples taken from inside the slaughterhouse, its cold storage area and the outside of product packaging earlier this week came up positive for the virus. Officials at Charoen Pokphand's Bangkok headquarters "made no immediate comment", Reuters said. 21 January Muller hit by Covid-19 infections at UK plant, worker dies Unternehmensgruppe Theo Muller, the Germany-headquartered dairy giant, has confirmed a slew of Covid-19 infections at one of its UK plants, along with the death of an employee. 20 January Trident Seafoods reports cases at Alaska plant Trident Seafoods, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, has reported four cases of Covid-19 at a processing plant in Akutan, Alaska, despite "rigorous preventative measures". CEO Joe Bundrant, the son of Trident's founder Chuck Bundrant, said in a statement: "Health and safety are our absolute priority. We have said from the beginning of this pandemic that if we have an issue, we're going to shed a light on it. We want to be sure people are aware and know that we are taking this very seriously." The first case became apparent last weekend with an employee testing positive, and the other infections were discovered when the worker's three room mates were tested. All four had tested negative for the virus two weeks earlier. One of the workers is currently in hospital, while the three others are self-isolating. Stefanie Moreland, Trident's vice president of government relations and sustainability, said the company is working to try and establish the source of the infections among the 700 staff at Akutan. "We have notified the state of Alaska, the city of Akutan and our medical partners and are coordinating with all to conduct further tests, implement protocols and contain exposure," Moreland said. 19 January Lindt & Sprungli annual sales drop on pandemic-related challenges Lindt & Sprungli, the premium chocolate maker based in Switzerland, has reported a 6.2% decline in annual organic sales to CHF4.02bn (US$4.53bn). The drop minus 10.9% on a reported basis - was put down to "major global challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic", namely the closure of its store network and reduced shopping visits, and also strength in the Swiss franc. Still, the decline in organic sales was within the company's expectations for a 5% to 7% decrease (Stifel -5.2%), while the company said it notched up market share gains in "practically all countries" in which Lindt & Sprungli operates. "The global restrictions and regulations to contain the pandemic unfortunately had an impact on important areas of Lindt & Sprungli's business. The restrictions on the foodservice area in North America and the traditional speciality stores in Italy had a major impact on sales. The travel retail business also recorded a sharp drop in sales due to the restricted air traffic," it said in a statement. Sales in Europe fell 2.9% on an organic basis and were down 6.8% in North America. It was worse in the rest of the world segment, where sales dropped 16.1%, although China and Japan posted growth. Lindt & Sprungli said the medium- and long-term organic growth targets remain unchanged at 5-7% per year, while the operating profit margin of 10% realised in 2020 is expected to "return to a level of around 15% in 2022". 18 January UK trade bodies lobby government to support foodservice suppliers A group of trade associations are pressing the UK government to provide financial support for food manufacturers supplying the out-of-home sector, warning they risk going out of business without some form of aid. The 18-strong group is led by the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) which have written a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak and other government ministers pointing out how pubs, restaurants and cafes have received extended financial support but the businesses that supply them have not. They are calling for an extension to the 12-month exemption period for local business rates for companies operating in the hospitality and foodservice sector and the introduction of capital and tax break allowances aimed at retaining staff. The group is also pressing the Government to formalise the deferment of PAYE and NI payments until the end of 2021 for the sector. And to increase the level of funding for the Additional Restrictions Grant and to make the funding accessible, along with providing grants for those companies that have had to dispose of stock because of lockdown restrictions. BFFF CEO Richard Harrow said: "England's national lockdown, plus restrictions in the UK's other nations, have been devastating for our many businesses supplying the hospitality and foodservice markets and they are facing a bleak winter. Their continued existence will be critical as the economy starts to recover." 14 January Bakkavor annual revenues decline on pandemic impact trading update Private-label fresh food supplier Bakkavor has said revenues fell in the fiscal year through December amid a new round of Covid-19-related lockdowns in the final quarter. In a trading update today, the London-based business said group revenues were down 4.9% on both a reported and like-for-like basis in the 12 months ended 26 December ahead of the final results on 16 March. The decline was more protracted in the UK, where like-for-like sales fell 5.3%. On the international front, revenues dropped 21.6% in China, which was the Bakkavor division "most severely impacted by the pandemic", offsetting a 12.7% increase in revenues in the US. Bakkavor currently anticipates adjusted EBITDA will be in line with the previous annual print of GBP138m (US$188.3m). CEO Agust Gudmundsson said: "Notwithstanding the ongoing impact of Covid-19, we have a sound business model and solid platform that leaves us well-placed to navigate the current environment and achieve long-term sustainable growth." 11 January Maple Leaf Foods to acquire facility for plant-based unit Greenleaf Canadian meat processor Maple Leaf Foods is set to purchase a production facility in the US for its plant-based unit Greenleaf Foods amid challenges to its expansion strategy in the country caused by Covid-19. 8 January Cases rise at 2 Sisters' Coupar Angus facility in Scotland 2 Sisters Food Group, a UK-based poultry processor, has seen the number of Covid-19 cases rise at its Coupar Angus facility in Scotland. Earlier this week, the company reported five infections amongst workers at the poultry plant in South Lanarkshire and now, according to NHS Tayside, the number has since climbed to 30. The same site had to be closed temporarily last August after a number of employees tested positive. A spokesperson for 2 Sisters said the company had nothing to add to the statement from NHS Tayside when contacted by just-food. Dr Emma Fletcher, a director of public health for Tayside NHS, said a "comprehensive risk assessment" has been conducted at the facility a noted the safety measures 2 Sisters has put in place to protect workers. "For several reasons the public should be reassured that it is possible for the factory to remain open at this time as we are in a very different position to when there were Covid-19 cases at the factory last August. The rate of community infection is much higher compared to August's outbreak," she said. "The factory is continuing to work closely with NHS Tayside's Public Health team and Food Standards Scotland to help manage the situation." 7 January BMPA urges UK government to prioritise meat workers for vaccines The British Meat Processors Association is urging the UK government to prioritise "frontline workers in meat factories" for the coronavirus vaccines. "The risk of more rapid spread of the virus amongst key workers, coupled with expected disruption of food supplies at our ports as the full effects of Brexit begin to unfold, pose a severe challenge to the industry and to the smooth running of the nation's food supply chain," the BMPA said in a statement today. As well as the meat industry, BMPA members also include some of the major UK supermarkets, food retailers and ingredient suppliers. It said there is an increased risk that meat plants could close as the new strain of coronavirus pushes up absenteeism rates, which could possibly lead to food shortages. "Given the specialised nature of the meat-processing industry, if absences go above a certain level, it becomes impossible for a plant to continue operations. If this starts happening, plants would be forced to close entirely and a sizeable chunk of food supply would disappear from supermarket shelves," it said. Nick Allen, the CEO of BMPA, continued: "As the new coronavirus variant takes hold across the whole of the UK, we are hearing widespread reports of rapidly rising absences in the food-supply chain. In some cases, notably in the supermarket sector, companies are seeing a tripling of staff having to take time off work through illness or enforced self-isolation. "We are therefore calling on Government to include meat-factory workers in the initial roll-out of vaccinations. This would provide much-needed protection and comfort to this at-risk group and the communities in which they live, as well as ensuring that the critical food-supply chain continues to run smoothly." 6 January Thai Union says all plants operating amid dozens of Covid cases The seafood giant has issued a statement to say it is "proactively testing" employees in a province south west of Bangkok and confirmed some 69 of its staff at its sites in the region have tested positive for the virus. Thai Union Group said it had tested 23,630 out of 27,552 employees in the province of Samut Sakhon, with the rest of the workers to be tested by next week. "We have comprehensive protocols in place in case of positive test results; these protocols include ensuring taking care of the affected employees while isolating them according to government guidelines, identifying and testing close contacts and deep cleaning of visited work areas," Thai Union CEO Thiraphong Chansiri said. "It is very important to note that, due to the extremely small number of impacted employees, all Thai Union's factories currently remain open and operational at capacity." Samut Sakhon province is one of the regions the Thai government has designated as a "red zone", or area with high infection rates. It is also Thailand's chief hub for seafood production. -- Foster Farms faces lawsuit from workers union over Covid-19 safety The US poultry processor, has become the subject of a lawsuit filed by the United Farm Workers union, which claims the company "refused" to follow safety guidelines after a number of workers died from Covid-19 at two of its plants in California. 5 January UK announces grants for retail, foodservice businesses The UK government has said it will make available "one-off, top-up grants" to the country's retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in the wake of the country's the fresh lockdown measures. Firms can apply for grants worth up to GBP9,000 (US$12,200), with the Government suggesting the cash will benefit more than 600,000 companies. "This will help businesses to get through the months ahead and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen," Rishi Sunak, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, said. "Throughout the pandemic we've taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we're announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the spring." The UK's furlough scheme had already been extended until the end of April. -- 2 Sisters plant operating "as normal" amid Covid cases The UK food manufacturer has reported a fresh clutch of positive cases of Covid-19 at a plant in Scotland that was hit by the virus during the summer. 2 Sisters said its Coupar Angus facility was "working as normal", with five of its staff having tested positive. Last August, the site, located in south Lanarkshire, halted production for two weeks to after a number of employees caught the virus. -- Cargill re-opens Covid-hit Canada plant The US agri-food giant has resumed production at a meat plant in Canada closed before Christmas due to dozens of cases of Covid-19 among staff. Cargill called a halt to output at the facility in Ontario in the week before the festive period. The company said at the time around 60 of its workers at the site in Guelph in Ontario had been diagnosed with Covid-19 amid a "community spread" of the virus. Approximately 1,000 staff are employed at the factory, which is located in the city of Guelph. According to the Cargill website, the plant processes 1,500 head of cattle per day and is one of its two beef facilities in Canada. Combined, the plants make up 55% of the beef processing market in Canada, Cargill says. "The health and safety of our employees continue to be our top priority," Cargill said in a statement on the re-opening of the factory. "In addition to safety measures we implemented at our facilities months ago, we have taken time during the idle to conduct a full, deep-clean of the facility as an additional step to respond to the community-wide impacts of the virus." Like food manufacturers across the industry, and particularly in the meat sector, Cargill saw its production affected in the early months of the pandemic after positive cases were diagnosed among staff. 4 January Nestle to expand US site to meet Covid demand Nestle is to up the production capacity of a plant in the US to meet changes in demand sparked by the virus. 23 December FDF calls for compensation for exporters following border "chaos" UK industry association The Food and Drink Federation has called on the country's government to compensate businesses affected by the closure of the border between Britain and France. 21 December "We see consumer behaviours evolving in ways we think will stick beyond the pandemic" General Mills' CEO Jeff Harmening on H1 results General Mills reaped rewards from Covid-19 shopping behaviours in its fiscal first half as organic growth notched up a print of 8% compared to last year's flat performance. And the benefits look set to continue judging by the emergence of a new strain of the virus in the UK and Italy, while the US still grapples to contain the disease. Simon Harvey looks at the key talking points behind the results. -- FDF warns of disrupted food supplies as France closes border with UK The Food and Drink Federation is warning that supplies of food into the country face disruption as a result of France closing its border with Britain. 18 December Cargill halts output at Canada meat site amid Covid-19 cases Cargill has called a halt to production at a meat-processing facility in Canada after dozens of staff tested positive for Covid-19. The US agri-food giant said around 60 of its workers at the site in Guelph in Ontario had been diagnosed with Covid-19 amid a "community spread" of the virus. Approximately 1,000 staff are employed at the factory. -- Tyson Foods in spotlight over Covid protective measures Following cases of Covid-19 at a number of Tyson Foods' meat plants since the virus erupted, the comptroller for New York City is calling on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the company's methods to protect workers. Comptroller Scott Stringer has criticised Arkansas-headquartered Tyson of "flagrantly misrepresenting its poor pandemic response" to investors. He has called out Tyson's Form 10-K, a financial results document presented to the SEC annually, for containing scant information on the company's workplace safety measures. Tyson has been plagued by Covid-19 infections at a large number of plants, some of which have been forced to temporarily shutdown or pause production as the appropriate cleaning and sanitisation processes are carried out. The affected sites have included factories in: Portland, Maine; Waterloo, Iowa; Goodlettsville and Shelbyville, Tennessee; Pasco, Washington; Dakota City, Nebraska; and Longansport, Indiana. Six workers died from coronavirus at the Waterloo site, which witnessed more than a 1,000 infections. "There is human cost to Tyson's failures preventable deaths, hospitalisations and sick workers," Stringer said in a letter to Tyson. "These failures have material impacts on its business operations that carry serious risks for shareholders." Tyson has yet to respond to just-food's request for comment. 17 December Tyson Foods sacks seven managers linked to Covid-19 betting pool Tyson Foods has sacked seven plant management employees at the US meat giant's site in Waterloo, Iowa, following an independent probe into a betting pool linked to Covid-19 infections. 16 December Greencore's Nottingham factory hit by Covid Greencore, a food-to-go manufacturer headquartered in Ireland, has a "number" of Covid-19 cases at a UK plant in the county of Nottinghamshire. In a statement, the ready-meals to sandwiches maker said coronavirus infections in the Bassetlaw district in north Nottingham have been rising and Greencore now has an unspecified number of cases at its Manton Wood facility. All are currently self-isolating. "We have arranged for testing to be carried out at the site, and have wide-ranging social-distancing measures, stringent hygiene procedures and regular temperature checking in place," the statement read. "We are liaising closely with the Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire County Council and Public Health England. Our thoughts are with all those affected, who are currently recovering at home, and we will continue to monitor their welfare as the situation develops." Jonathan Gribbin, a director of public health for Nottinghamshire County Council, added in the same statement provided by Greencore: "We have been carefully studying the cluster of cases across Bassetlaw district. We are working with Greencore and Public Health England to provide testing and to understand more about how people are acquiring the infection. Greencore has an extensive range of controls in place, has responded quickly and decisively to the situation and is working closely with us." Other Greencore sites have seen cases of Covid during the year. 15 December EU food-manufacturing workers "should be priority for vaccines" FoodDrinkEurope, the trade body for representing food manufacturers operating in the EU, has called on the bloc's member states to take up a recommendation from The European Commission to include workers in the agri-food sector as "a priority group" for vaccines against Covid-19. A joint statement issued with European trade union federation EFFAT said the Commission had provided guidelines to member states when developing their vaccination strategies and had included agriculture and food sector workers as one of six priority groups. "The approval and availability of vaccines against Covid-19 is a huge step forward in the fight against the global pandemic. Vaccinating the entire EU population will take significant time, and due to the limited number of doses available not everybody can be immunised immediately," the statement read. "Food security can only be ensured when the health and safety of the workers in the food and drink industry is protected and production can run smoothly. This holds true in the workplaces, as well as when considering a vaccination strategy." Quoting an unnamed German government source, Reuters said The European Medicines Agency is set to issue a positive verdict on the first Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine next Wednesday (23 December). 9 December Six new Covid cases confirmed at Bakkavor's Tilmanstone plant since Friday Bakkavor, a UK private-label supplier, has said its salads plant in south-east England where two workers have unfortunately died after contracting Covid-19 has seen a further six new cases since last Friday (4 December), although numbers are declining. A two-day mass-testing exercise was started at the Tilmanstone site in Kent on Monday (7 December) with 375 staff out of a workforce of "over 900" tested so far. In an update provided by Bakkavor yesterday afternoon, the company said 48 employees are now off work having tested positive, with another 44 self-isolating as a precautionary measure. The testing programme was due to end at midnight yesterday. The Tilmanstone plant is currently operating at "reduced capacity", the company said, although a spokesperson for the business told just-food it is "a temporary adjustment, [with] no impact on service levels". Bakkavor said in a statement: "As a business, we have fully followed PHE guidelines for the duration of the pandemic. We are currently working closely with Public Health England (PHE) South East and Kent County Council to monitor the situation and we will take whatever appropriate action is necessary to limit the spread of Covid-19 and to ensure that our staff on site are safe. We will follow PHE advice and, if and when further steps need to be taken, we will communicate any new developments." -- 4 December Bakkavor to test all staff at Covid-hit plant The UK private-label manufacturer is to test all staff working at a factory in south-east England for Covid-19 in the wake of two employees at the site dying after being diagnosed with the virus. After talks with local government and health officials this week, Bakkavor will start conducting the tests at the facility, located in Tilmanstone in Kent, on Monday. On the two members of staff who died, the company said: "We have sadly had two colleagues pass away following positive tests for Covid-19. These were valued members of our team and we are doing everything to support their families during this tragic time. At this early point in our investigation there is no evidence that either case was contracted in the workplace." More than 900 employees work at the factory, which manufactures salad products. Bakkavor said 59 staff that have tested positive for Covid-19 are off work and a further 54 are self-isolating as a precautionary measure. -- Survey reveals Covid, Brexit outlook for UK hospitality A UK business survey reveals Covid-19 has "wrecked confidence" among company chiefs in the hospitality industry, with the majority (82%) downbeat on prospects for the coming year. The poll by Manchester-based research consultancy CGA and Fourth, a provider of cloud-based cost control solutions to hospitality, shows the figure was up from 40% in a similar survey conducted in February. "Extended restrictions on trading and socialising over the autumn have led more than a quarter (27%) of multi-site business leaders to predict their groups will be unviable within the first six months of 2021 if current levels of support continue. Single-site businesses are at even greater risk of failure," the survey reveals. Looking at the impact on the hospitality sector when the Brexit transition period ends this month, the majority of company chiefs anticipate a hit to profits (65%) and increased costs on imports (80%). In terms of investment, the survey of 121 business leaders across management roles, reveals "widespread closures" are expected next year, with 38% having no plans to open new sites. "Substantial market churn, especially in London, where closures of offices, retail and tourist venues has hit footfall, can be expected," the researchers said. CGA's research and insight director Charlie Mitchell said: "As we near the end of hospitality's toughest year in memory, the bleak picture of the sector will come as little surprise. Suffocating restrictions across Britain will devastate trading in what should be businesses' busiest time of the year. "Leaders' optimism is at least rising from the rock bottom level of our last survey, and news of a vaccine is a reason for cautious hope of recovery in 2021. However, this week's Tier 2 restrictions in England and strict new limits in Wales could be fatal for smaller business in particular, making the case for more relaxed trading conditions and better government support even more urgent." 3 December Second Covid death reported at Bakkavor salad plant A second employee at a UK salad plant owned by private-label major Bakkavor has died after contracting Covid-19. -- PepsiCo 'temporarily closed US plant due to Covid outbreak' US food and beverages giant PepsiCo is reported to have temporarily closed a Frito-Lay snacks plant in its home market due to an outbreak of coronavirus. On Tuesday (1 December), media outlets in the US quoted Clark County officials as confirming 17 cases among employees at the plant in Vancouver, Washington State. Public health officials said the first worker tested positive on 29 October. PepsiCo confirmed in a statement emailed to local media that multiple employees had tested positive for the virus although it did not list a specific number. It described the decision to close the Vancouver plant as "a precautionary measure and in partnership with the Clark County Health Department". It said that the plant was being sanitised during the closure. Reports suggested the plant was closed from 25 November but was due to re-open on Tuesday evening. just-food has asked PepsiCo for an update on the situation at the plant. 1 December Union calls for mass testing at Bakkavor UK site after Covid outbreak The GMB trade union has called on private-label major Bakkavor to introduce mass Covid-19 testing at a salad facility in southern England after an outbreak of the virus among workers there. -- BRF plant hit by Covid outbreak cleared to resume exports to China A plant in southern Brazil operated by meat major BRF has been given the all-clear to resume exports to China following an earlier Covid-19 outbreak. BRF said on Monday (30 November) its Lajeado pork unit has been authorised to resume exports to China, according to a statement sent to news agency Reuters. The plant, which saw an outbreak of the virus among workers in May, employs about 3,000 people. The unit should resume exports over the coming days, the statement said. "After an inspection by the Chinese authorities, it was possible to prove the commitment that all of us at BRF have always had regarding the health and safety of our employees and our products," Reuters quoted BRF as saying. The news agency reported that least three other Brazilian meat factories remain blocked by China over coronavirus concerns, All are located in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. BRF's Lajeado unit had been suspended by China since July. Credit: CC0 Public Domain German company BioNTech, which developed the first coronavirus vaccine approved in the West, said Monday it expects to produce two billion doses in 2021, up from the 1.3 billion previously forecast. "We now believe that we can potentially deliver approximately 2 billion doses in total by the end of 2021, which incorporates the updated six-dose label," said the company, referring to an additional dose that could be extracted from each vial of the vaccine. European regulators last week approved doctors drawing six doses from each vial, boosting dosage capacity by 20 percent. The Mainz-based company, which developed the jab with US giant Pfizer, is planning to open a new factory in Marburg, Germany, in February, expected to ramp up production capacity by 750 million doses a year. The site will join five other sites in Germany, Belgium and the US shared with Pfizer. The company said it had shipped nearly 33 million doses by January 10, more than a month after Britain became the first Western nation to approve any vaccine on December 2. BioNTech's announcement comes after the EU agreed to raise its orders of the vaccine by 200 million doses, with an option for another 100 million. But the vaccination rollout has been criticised across Europe, with sluggish starts in nations like France and the Netherlands. The company added that COVID-19 will "likely become an endemic disease", and that vaccines would need to fight against the emergence of new viral variants and a "naturally waning immune response". The German company said last week that studies show its vaccine works against the new mutation found in variants uncovered in Britain and South Africa. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP Rowan Atkinson is best known for his work in the British sitcom Mr Bean. The show had received positive reviews and attracted large television audiences from all over. Recently, the actor accused Friends of stealing one of the jokes from his show. Mr Beans Rowan Atkinson has claimed that the Mr Bean's turkey gag, which was originally featured in 1992 episode Merry Christmas Mr Bean was stolen by Friends. Friends used the same joke in their episode named The One With All The Thanksgivings in 1998. The episode displayed the sight of Joey running around with his head stuck inside the turkey. Also read: Rowan Atkinson Reveals He Doesn't Enjoy Playing Mr Bean, Calls It 'stressful & Exhausting' While celebrating the 30th anniversary of the character Mr Bean, Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson spoke about the show. In the video, Rowan said that some US audiences believed that the UKs Mr Bean plagiarised Friends but it was the other way around. Rowan said, In the end, you cant steal jokes. Richard said, But jokes are there to be stolen or to inspire. Inspire others. Im absolutely dazzled by the Friends thing. I only saw it the other day. I literally cant believe what happened there. Bizarre. More about Mr Bean - Mr Bean is created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis. It consists of 15 episodes. The series was originally broadcast on ITV from 1990 to 1995. The show was based on the character of a child in a grown man's body. He solved various problems presented by everyday tasks and often disrupted the process. The series has been sold in 245 territories worldwide and also inspired an animated show with the same name. Also read: Cynthia Bailey Shares Her Take On 'The Wendy Williams Show' Of January 7 More about Rowan Atkinson - Rowan Atkinson is known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder, Not the Nine O'Clock News, The Secret Policeman's Ball. He has worked in movies such as Never Say Never Again, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and more. He has voiced in the 1994 film The Lion King. He was listed as one of the 50 funniest actors in British comedy in 2007. He is well known for theatre works too. He has received various awards for his performances. Also read: Jimmy Fallon Enacts Harry Styles On 'The Tonight Show', Performs 'When Harry Met Phoebe' Also read: 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' Head Writer Quit The Show Due To Jokes On Trump? 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. IBM argues corrective action creates problems in $786M Army ERP solicitation IBM has filed a fresh protest in its ongoing fight to win a $786.7 million enterprise resource planning support contract with the Army. The contract is intended to consolidate support services for several ERP systems. Accenture was the original winner. Both Accenture and IBM are incumbents on some of the contracts being consolidated. IBMs original protest in February 2020 resulted in the Army taking a corrective action. After that second look, the Army again awarded the contract to Accenture. IBM then protested again, and again the Army has taken a corrective action. The most recent protest from Big Blue claims that changes the Army made to the solicitation with this latest corrective action has resulted in an improperly written request for proposals. In essence, IBM has filed a pre-award protest this time around. The Government Accountability Office can decide a couple of ways. GAO can rule that IBMs protest is premature, signaling that a protest is more appropriate after a contract has been awarded again. GAO can deny the protest outright, or agree with IBM and send the solicitation back to the Army for more revisions. Of course, the Army might see some validity to IBMs complaints and take a corrective action. But whatever happens with this protest, the bottom line is just more delays for the contract. The current contracts have been in place for at least five years. They will continue to support systems including the Logistics Modernization Program, the Army Enterprise Systems Integration Program Hub, Global Combat Support Systems-Army, General Fund Enterprise Business Systems and GFEBS-Sensitive Activities. IBM filed its protest Jan. 7 and a decision is expected by April 19. BEIJING -- Tesla CEO Elon Musk has recently praised the Chinese government for being very responsive to its people's needs and happiness, suggesting it could be "better" than the U.S. government in addressing such concerns. Dedicating itself to the mission of serving the people, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the world's most populous country to major victories in its fights against COVID-19 and poverty, winning applause from foreign experts and officials. PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST With a strong leadership core, a people-oriented governance philosophy and well-established organization and operation mechanisms, the CPC immediately took decisive measures after the COVID-19 outbreak. Starting on Jan. 3, 2020, on a regular basis, China began to update the World Health Organization, relevant countries and regional organizations, as well as its own regions of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, on the development of the disease. Meanwhile, the country has released authoritative and detailed information to its people as early as possible to effectively respond to public concerns and build public consensus. The Chinese government has provided free medical treatment for COVID-19 patients. All COVID-19 patients, confirmed or suspected, received subsidies from the state for any medical bills not covered by basic medical insurance, serious disease insurance, or the medical assistance fund. Severe cases were treated by the best doctors using the most advanced equipment, and critical supplies were pooled to save lives at all costs. Temporary treatment centers, or Fangcang shelter hospitals, were built in pandemic epicenters, a major innovative solution that helped turn the tide in the battle against COVID-19 in China. During the fight, some 4 million Chinese community workers were working in around 650,000 urban and rural communities to guard against the disease, while millions of Chinese medical workers were grappling with the epidemic at the frontlines across the country. To help other countries plagued by the pandemic, China has pledged to make its vaccines a global public good and called for joint efforts to build a community of health for all. POVERTY ALLEVIATION The remarkable achievements made on the front of poverty alleviation also epitomize the people-centered philosophy of the CPC. In 2020, all of China's nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line had left poverty behind after eight years of efforts. All 832 poor counties have now been lifted out of poverty. The per capita net income of the poor rose from 3,416 yuan (about 510.90 U.S. dollars) in 2015 to 9,808 yuan (about 1,466.80 dollars) in 2019, an average annual growth of 30.2 percent. Financial support, medical resources as well as technological elements have been pouring into the country's rural areas, the frontier of the historic anti-poverty fight. As of the end of August 2020, the China Development Bank had issued 1.5 trillion yuan (about 224.3 billion dollars) in loans to support poverty relief during the past five years, the policy bank said. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 major urban hospitals in China have delivered paired assistance to hospitals in over 800 poor counties during the country's 13th Five-Year Plan period, official figures showed. Moreover, people in 98 percent of poor villages in areas of extreme poverty now have broadband access, which has vastly narrowed the urban-rural digital gap. At the same time, China has built 1,290 innovation and entrepreneurial platforms in poor areas and sent 289,800 sci-tech experts to rural areas since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. APPLAUSE FROM THE WORLD Musk's praise of China has been echoed by other foreign experts and officials, who hold the opinion that the CPC regards the interests of the people as its top priority. The fundamental aim of the CPC is to serve the people heart and soul, said Kingphet Mongkhonvilay, a senior official from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. In the face of the pandemic, the CPC has clearly demonstrated its dedication to the interests of the people, Mongkhonvilay added. "As soon as the Chinese government knew about the severity of this epidemic, they moved the priority to saving lives," said Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club. No other country could get thousands of doctors and nurses to Hubei, once the hardest-hit province in China, within days, said Perry, adding China's response was "first class." The CPC has united "the sectors of the society to act together as a single entity," said Martin Albrow, a British sociologist based in London. "This aspect of social governance is the secret behind China's success in combatting COVID-19 that leaves the West scratching its head for an explanation," Albrow added. Ali al-Hefny, Egypt's former ambassador to China and former deputy foreign minister, said he agrees with Musk's praise of China. "Musk's comment came after what he had experienced during his business expansion of eco-friendly cars" in China, where the government has emphasized many times it would raise the people's living and welfare standards, said al-Hefny. "China has been praised for taking millions out of poverty," said Misheck Mwanza, an ex-diplomat and former director of the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies. It is the leadership of the CPC that helped achieve this, Mwanza said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. An NYPD deputy inspector being probed by City Council investigators in regard to racist remarks about public officials posted online has been suspended without pay, according to multiple reports. James Kobel, 50, was the head of the departments workplace discrimination office when the remarks were posted in an online forum where police can vent under anonymous screen names. He was relieved from the post in early November, when the allegations first surfaced. Kobel denied using the pen name investigators had zoned in on in an interview with the New York Times, which first reported the allegations. Messages posted under the name Clouseau an apparent nod to Det. Clouseau from the Pink Panther called former President Barack Obama a Muslim savage, referred to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark as a gap-tooth wildebeest, and called Mayor Bill de Blasios son, Dante, a brillohead. According to a NBC News 4 report, reporters obtained a summary of the investigation, where officials claim they linked the messages to Kobel by matching information in the Clouseau messages to publicly-available details about Kobels life and career, including, but not limited to: Both allegedly had fathers who died in the same year at the same age after serving in the NYPD; both of their mothers allegedly died on the same day, both are allegedly the youngest of seven children and have at least two brothers who were NYPD officers; and both allegedly served in the NYPD Housing Bureau under former Chief Joanne Jaffe Commencement of Phase 1 exploration and drilling program Forage M3 and Nordmin appointed to undertake this exploration & drilling program We are adjacent to the Hardrock Project -- which recently changed ownership -- within the Geraldton Gold Camp Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2021) - Tombill Mines Limited (TSXV: TBLL) (the "Company" or "Tombill"), a mineral (mainly gold) company which owns various exploration and past-producing gold properties in the Geraldton and Beardmore Region, Ontario, is pleased to announce it has started its drilling program at Tombill Main Group, following the appointment of Forage M3 Drilling Services Inc. ("Forage M3") and Nordmin Engineering Ltd. ("Nordmin") to undertake drilling and exploration. The Company also welcomes the new strategic ownership of Greenstone Gold Mines ("Greenstone Gold"), comprising its Hardrock Project. Highlights Commencement of Phase 1 drill campaign : Targeting ~16,000 metres : Targeting ~16,000 metres Appointed experienced execution teams to undertake the exploration program: Highly capable and Geraldton seasoned drilling team from Forage M3 Respected geological consultancy group Nordmin will manage the program alongside Tombill's team Neighbouring ownership: Tombill believes the commencement of its Phase 1 program is very timely, with more attention likely to be devoted to the Geraldton Gold Camp given the recent announcement of Orion Finance Mine Finance Group's ("Orion") acquisition of Centerra Gold Inc.'s ("Centerra") 50% position in Greenstone Gold -- including its Hardrock Project -- for U$225M at closing plus a contingency of U$75M; and immediately and subsequently, Equinox Gold Corp.'s ("Equinox") friendly acquisition of Premier Gold Mines Limited ("Premier"), which includes the remaining 50% of Greenstone Gold (see Premier & Centerra press release December 15, 2020 ) ( see Premier & Equinox press release December 16, 2020 ) . Tombill believes the commencement of its Phase 1 program is very timely, with more attention likely to be devoted to the Geraldton Gold Camp given the recent announcement of Orion Finance Mine Finance Group's ("Orion") acquisition of Centerra Gold Inc.'s ("Centerra") 50% position in Greenstone Gold -- including its Hardrock Project -- for U$225M at closing plus a contingency of U$75M; and immediately and subsequently, Equinox Gold Corp.'s ("Equinox") friendly acquisition of Premier Gold Mines Limited ("Premier"), which includes the remaining 50% of Greenstone Gold (see Premier & Centerra press release December 15, 2020 see Premier & Equinox press release December 16, 2020 . Tombill Mines website is now live: www.tombillmines.com Adam Horne, CEO - commented; "Our technical team have rapidly mobilized onto site, and started the drilling program on the Tombill Main Group. This marks the first milestone of our Company's current exploration and development program, as we look to define the extension of strike of the F-zone, and identify further nearer surface targets. Coupled with the fresh and exciting news surrounding our neighbouring Hardrock Project with its two new owners -- Orion and Equinox -- we feel there is a lot to be enthusiastic about at Tombill and the Geraldton Gold Camp, and that the probability of progress is naturally greater and more accelerated." Ian Stalker, Technical Advisor and Director, commented; "The Geraldton Gold Camp is fast becoming a reality. The combination of the start on Tombill's fully-funded Phase 1 drill and exploration plan coupled with the acceleration and evolution of the Hardrock Project marks real progress in the Geraldton Gold Camp becoming more germane and relevant as a gold producer." Start of the Fully Funded Phase 1 Exploration and Drilling Plan at Tombill Main Group Focus on defining extension and continuity -- especially the F-zone -- from the neighbouring Hardrock Project's east to west resource plunge, including their western most drill hole (MM170 18.49 g/t - 20.5m), and additional zones that may continue onto Tombill's property Initial results expected to be available early March 2021 Team has mobilised quickly off the Trans-Canada Highway, which splits Tombill's patented claims Initial drill holes are directly adjacent to Hardrock Project claim border. Phase 1 plan comprises: 15 drill holes (5 hub-holes + 10 daughter holes) campaign over ~16,000 m On average, 100 m distance between hub-hole collars Further surface and near surface exploration across property planned for Q1 and Q2 2021 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7659/71722_tombil2.jpg Recent Purchase of Greenstone (Hardrock Project) by Orion and Equinox The Company believes this is a very timely transaction that emphasises the sustainability and growth of the Geraldton Gold Camp, of which Tombill is an integral part. Extensive investment, drilling, and exploration over the adjoining Hardrock Project has yielded gold mineralisation over 2 km from the ultimate west wall of the proposed open pit mine to Tombill Main Group's east boundary. Mineral resources established on the Hardrock Project to date: Proven and probable reserves 232k and 5.3mm [1] Indicated and inferred 1.5mm, and 3.1mm 1 Some 2.1mm was extracted between 1938-70[2] Source: Greenstone, 06/28/19. The blue boundary marks the Tombill Main Group. The purple marks the Hardrock Project, owned by Greenstone. The striped portions mark mineral rights owned by Tombill, surface rights owned by Greenstone. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7659/71722_tombil4.jpg The permitted, construction and development-ready Hardrock Project, previously owned by Premier and Centerra was recently acquired by Equinox and Orion, respectively. This new 50/50 venture between Equinox and Orion is expected to accelerate the construction of the Hardrock Project, and Equinox has announced that they hope to begin construction during the 2nd half of 2021. This bodes well for Tombill's adjacent property considering both the exploration potential and the relevance of the Geraldton Gold Camp. Premier Corporate Presentation (Dec, 2020) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7659/71722_tombil6.jpg The Company cautions that its Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information concerning the Hardrock Project and that this information is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Tombill Main Group. Qualified Person Tim Twomey, P.Geo, is the Company's designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. About Forage M3 Forage M3 is a diamond drilling contractor with extensive experience across Ontario. They have had strong legacy experience in the Geraldton and Beardmore region for several years, and have strategic relationships with various local First Nation communities. About Nordmin Founded in 2005, and headquartered in Thunder Bay, Nordmin has over 120 employees offering solutions in geology, engineering, construction management, and consulting. Nordmin is a part of the Nordmin Group of Companies, which is 100% North American owned. About Tombill Tombill owns various royalty-free mineral exploration and past-producing gold properties in the Geraldton and Beardmore region, Ontario. The Company's business is mineral exploration, primarily gold. It has 74 claims: 60 are owned and patented, five leased, and nine where it owns the mineral rights. Of these, the Tombill Main Group property comprises 58 claims: 54 owned patents, and four owned mineral rights. The Tombill claims was originally staked in the first Geraldton Gold Rush in the 1930's by Tom Johnson and his brother Bill. For more information, please visit www.tombillmines.com, and contact: Adam Horne Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Email: adam@tombillmines.com / Tel: +44 (0) 207 529 2351 Reda Jalabi Strategic Development & Investor Relations Email: reda@tombillmines.com / Tel: +44 (0) 207 529 2361 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the trading date of the Company's common shares on the TSXV. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. 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. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. [1] Premier Gold Feasibility Study Press Release on SEDAR (Dec 16, 2020) [ 2 ] Premier NI 43-101 Tech report Hardrock Project (Dec 21, 2016) To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71722 BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon announced a tightening of its lockdown on Monday, introducing a 24-hour curfew from Thursday as COVID-19 infections overwhelm its medical system. The new all-day curfew starts at 5 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Thursday and ends at 5 a.m. on Jan. 25, a statement by the Supreme Defense Council said. Lebanon last week ordered a three-week lockdown until Feb. 2 that included a nighttime curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. But tighter measures were now necessary as hospitals run out of capacity to treat critically ill patients, President Michel Aoun said in the statement. "We have seen dreadful scenes of citizens waiting in front of hospitals for a chair or a bed," he said. The new measures also include stricter procedures at the airport for passengers arriving from Cairo, Addis Ababa, Baghdad, Istanbul and Adana. Travellers arriving from these destinations will have to quarantine for seven days at a hotel while all others will quarantine up to 72 hours. Overall air traffic at the airport will also be cut to 20% from normal operating levels and supermarkets will be limited to delivery services. Anticipation of stricter measures on Monday had driven many Lebanese to wait in long queues in front of supermarkets and empty shelves. Lebanon registered 3,743 new infections on Sunday, bringing its total to 219,296 cases and 1,606 deaths since Feb. 21. Adherence to social distancing and other preventive measures has been lax prompting government fears of a significant rise in cases after the Christmas and New Year holidays. Daily infections reached an all time high of 5,440 on Friday. "Sadly we are being faced with a frightening health situation," Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said. "The corona pandemic is out of control because of the stubbornness of people and their rebellion against measures we take to protect them from its dangers." The lockdown faces resistance amid concerns over soaring unemployment, inflation and poverty. Story continues Lebanon is still dealing with a devastating financial crisis that has crashed the currency, paralysed banks, and frozen savers out of their deposits. Medical supplies have dwindled as dollars have grown scarce. (Reporting By Maha El Dahan and Laila Bassam; Editing by Toby Chopra) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has described the leaking of the report into the mother and baby homes as grossly insensitive and unacceptable. She said the lives of those who lived in the homes were marked and marred by their experience and the information contained in the report should not have been released before survivors were briefed on its contents. It is due to be published by the Government this week but details were reported in the Sunday Independent. Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to make a formal State apology to survivors of the mother and baby homes in the Dail on Wednesday. I hope the minister commits to establishing how this happened because the concern will be that there is a little bit of media handling in advance Mary Lou McDonald The report will contain an estimate that 9,000 children died in 18 institutions between 1922 and the closure of the last such home in 1998. It will focus on 14 mother-and-baby homes and four county homes. Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman is expected to brief survivors of the institutions about the contents of the report ahead of its release. Ms McDonald told RTE Radio 1s This Week programme: Those whose lives were marked and marred by this experience know the full extent of the horrors they and their families went through. I think it is not just grossly insensitive, it is in fact unacceptable that any part of this report has been leaked in advance of families and survivors having access to the report. To be honest, I had a worry even before the leak that so little advance notice would be given to victims and advocates to study what will be a very comprehensive report. This situation today certainly makes that worse. I hope the minister commits to establishing how this happened because the concern will be that there is a little bit of media handling in advance. She added that a formal State apology was long overdue and necessary but she said redress needed to be provided after the publication of the report. 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 Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie offered a thumbs-up as the needle carrying the COVID vaccine entered his left arm. He later described the experience as phenomenal. To Lavoies left, Police Chief Steve Sargent also received Modernas version of the vaccine. He looked up at Worcester medical director Dr. Michael Hirsh, who provided the chief with the vaccine, and thanked him for the shot. He turned to reporters looking on and said, No pain. Sargent and Lavoie represented the first and second first responders to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Worcester as the city launched its vaccination hub inside the Worcester Senior Center. Monday represented the first day first responders could obtain the vaccine across Massachusetts. The city will also help vaccinate the first responders in the six surrounding health alliance communities, which include Grafton, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Shrewsbury and West Boylston. Officials in Worcester anticipate distributing about 290 vaccines on Monday and are hoping to vaccinate 2,200 within the next few weeks. Its really exciting. Its tremendous for our community, Sargent said. The men and women of the police department, the fire departments and EMTs, we worry about bringing it home to our families but also working with the community, we dont want to be super-spreaders. Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie (right) and Police Chief Steve Sargent encouraged everyone to get the COVID vaccine. Hirsh said about 70% of first responders in the area have registered to receive the vaccine in Worcester. City officials said about 70% of members of the Worcester fire department have registered. It didnt have a figure for the police department. Its a personal decision obviously, but I would say that thats why were here to show were all for it, Sargent said. The science shows it does work and there are some side effects, but the side effects are pretty minimal. Get out there. Get it done. We want to be a part of the solution. Lavoie echoed Sargents comments also believing in the science behind the vaccine. Im no scientist but a long time ago the life span was about 40 years. And now its about 80 years. Thats all due to science, Lavoie said. And thats all due to genetic modification, no matter how you look at it. This is a genetically modified vaccine that were going to be receiving and I dont see any problem with it. The coronavirus has affected each department by causing dozens of officers and firefighters to quarantine. Lavoie said his department is seeing an uptick in cases as the virus continues to surge in the city following the holidays in December. At one point, Lavoie said, more than 30 firefighters were out of service due to the virus. Since firefighters congregate at one station, a single positive test can result in an entire station having to quarantine. Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie receives the COVID vaccine on Monday at the Worcester Senior Center on Providence Street. Its been months, Ive been looking forward to [the vaccine], Lavoie said. We do have an uptick in the department now. This is the time. Its the beginning of the end. The police department has had to take more time to sanitize cruisers. Sargent said one cruiser could be used by up to three officers in a 24-hour period. Each cleaning takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The virus has also stripped the department, Sargent said, of its philosophy. Our whole philosophy is community policing, to be out in the community, its hard to be a part of the community when youre so distant and you have to stay six feet away, Sargent said. The modifications take away from our true philosophy of community policing but we got through it. Were going to continue to get through it and well be better off on the other side. Worcester Police Chief Steve Sargent registers to receive the COVID vaccine on Monday at the Worcester Senior Center on Providence Street. Neither Sargent nor Lavoie took issue with where first responders fell on the list of priority occupations to receive the vaccine. First responders were third in line behind health-care workers and long-term care facilities. The health care workers have been taking a beating, Lavoie said. Not only from the virus but taking care of people with the virus. Health care workers should have gone before us and did. The Worcester Senior Center on Providence Street is currently the only site where the city is administering the vaccine to first responders. However, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. envisions opening other locations after the staff at the senior center gains a rhythm. Once we get people trained and a rhythm of how to do this and more vaccines come into the pipeline, maybe we have three or four or five sites throughout the city, opening that funnel, if you will, for more and more people to get vaccinated, Augustus said. Related Content: Fear of coronavirus is nothing when compared to the love for their favourite stars. Large crowds gathered in and around multiple theatres in Chennai after tickets became available for Master, Vijays next release. The film will be releasing later this week on January 13, 2021. The star has a massive fan following in the South, particularly young men. They came out in huge numbers to line up outside the theatres to book their advance tickets. Even though the pandemic is still raging, with newer strain striking fear among some, these crowds through all caution to the wind. Crowds outside Rohini theatre for #mastertickets . Theatre owner had to call the police as they had limited staff to handle the lines with no physical distancing. pic.twitter.com/OXTVdzUnID priyankathirumurthy (@priyankathiru) January 10, 2021 As seen in the pictures and videos uploaded by multiple people on Twitter, the mostly young male crowd followed none of the protocols associated with the pandemic. There was no social distancing, majority of the folks had uncovered faces i.e. they went maskless. The government advisory in multiple states have made masks compulsory (a fineable offence) but the news hadnt reached these ardent fans. Some media outlets that reached the spot asked the fans about this lack of caution, to which many responded that their masks were lost due to the crowd. Some of the most popular theatres like Rohini in Koyambedu and Ganga theatre in Kolathur were so overcrowded that people can be seen pushing one another to simply stand. The News Minute reported that some of these people had been waiting since 1 AM the previous night to grab their tickets. Others stood in line for whole day so that they could watch the movie first day, first show. The crowds became so unmanageable that Rohini Theatre called the police. They later closed their booking counter and moved the entire process to only online bookings. Though some of those who had been waiting in line were allowed to buy the tickets before it got out of hand. This is not the first time this film has caused concerns regarding the pandemic. Lead actor Vijay met with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to allow 100% occupancy for the film. Following the pandemic, movie theatres were allowed to open on the condition of 50% occupancy. But Vijay managed to convince the government to allow his film to go house-full. This had caused many health officials to come out against this decision citing public safety. Following outcry and intervention from Madras High Court, the government decided to revert to the 50% occupancy rule. While its safer than a fully crowded theatre to some extent, many health experts are still against the idea of going to theatres or malls even a year into the pandemic. As closed areas like these use recycled air, and have little ventilation, it gives the virus a better chance at spreading. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:23:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia, supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), on Monday launched a national back to school campaign to encourage children to return to classrooms while practicing safe behavior to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As the new school year starts, and with COVID-19 still a global challenge, this campaign will be crucial in making school environments as safe as possible, said a joint press statement. The campaign also aims to reach those families and children whose education has been most disrupted by the pandemic, encouraging them to prioritize learning despite the challenges, the statement said. The campaign is themed "Act Now" and will reinforce proven safe behaviors around COVID-19, as well as other cross cutting messages to make schools safe, healthy and a flourishing environment for children. These messages are captured in creative videos, posters, radio spots, and text messages that will be broadcast across the country, it said, adding that some materials, such as flyers and games, will be printed for children to take home, ensuring the messages engage families and communities in fun and playful ways. In addition, an illustrated booklet for teachers and school principals featuring safety guidelines, checklists and tips has already been produced and delivered to all 16,500 schools so that teachers can start the new school year fully prepared. "Our priority throughout the pandemic has been keeping children safe, while also doing all possible to maintain their education," Hang Chuon Naron, minister of education, youth and sports, said in the statement. "We're proud of the Cambodian government's efforts in keeping infections amongst the lowest in the world, while also ensuring distance learning was available for all students," he said. Enditem Credit: CC0 Public Domain Nursing homes have been slow to roll out COVID-19 vaccines, but federal, pharmacy and nursing home officials said they are on track to finish the job before the end of the month. Only about 16% of vaccines distributed for use in nursing homes have been injected into residents and the staff who care for them, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said those figures underestimate actual vaccinations, because there is a lag between the time shots are given and when they are recorded. Azar said the pace of vaccination has been slowed by the need to get consent forms from residents or their family members, but he expects vaccination rates to speed up soon. "We will be seeing a significant ramp-up of those vaccines getting into nursing home patients," Azar said in a Wednesday call with reporters. But Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday that the process is not moving as fast as she expected. "This is a problem that's happening all across the country," she said shortly before meeting with fellow governors and the drug store chains responsible for distributing the vaccine. "None of us are happy with the way this is being executed." Nursing home chains appear to be more satisfied. Dr. Richard Feifer, chief medical officer of Genesis HealthCare, said vaccinations at his company's more than 350 nursing home facilities are on track. "The nursing home program is going pretty well at this point," he said. Genesis started vaccinating patients and staff on Dec. 21 and is about halfway done, he said. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country, also said its original timeline seems to be holding. "As of right now, we are not aware of widespread issues or delays with this vaccine rollout, and if there were, we would be among the first to sound the alarm," according to a prepared statement. "We continue to assist a minority of member providers who come to us looking for assistance or clarity, but the majority of providers tell us that their clinics have been scheduled or have already occurred and that overall, the program is running smoothly." Feifer said he was concerned vaccine side effects might require staff members to take time off. But the rate of symptoms "has been much, much lower than we anticipated," he said. "We've had very few if any call-outs from staff." Still, staff members at many of Genesis' facilities have declined to get vaccinated, Feifer said. In some facilities, 80% of employees are signing up for the shot, while in others, less than half are willing to get it. 'We have new patients ... every single day' Both vaccines authorized for use so farmade by Pfizer-BioNTech and Modernarequire two doses to become fully effective. The government has contracted with CVS and Walgreens to visit long-term care facilities three times with vaccine: first to give initial doses as many people as possible; then to give second doses to those already vaccinated and cover everyone who didn't get a first dose; and finally to ensure that everyone has received a second dose. Those visits began in late December. There is no federal plan, Feifer said, nor one in any of the 25 states where Genesis has facilities, for how to vaccinate people who miss those opportunities. "Yet we have new patients and new staff every single day," he said. Both companies began delivering doses in December and say they are on track to provide initial doses to all 15,000 U.S. nursing homes by Jan. 25. But it is slow going. "Our work with long-term care facilities isn't a mass vaccination effortquite the opposite," Larry Merlo, CVD Health president and CEO said in a statement. "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 those challenges, both CVS and Walgreens say they remain on schedule and will vaccinate more people as states direct them to and vaccine becomes available. The companies both plan to expand into more than 30,000 assisted living facilities, each in the coming weeks, and to offer shots to the general public at their thousands of pharmacy locations once doses become available for mass distribution. People will be able to schedule vaccination appointments via company apps, websites and toll-free numbers. CVS Pharmacy said it has the capacity to administer 20-25 million shots per month. Gen. Gus Perna, who has been in charge of distribution for the national vaccine effort, said CVS and Walgreens have done a great job so far of getting vaccines out to nursing homes. "It's really positive momentum throughout the country on this," Perna said. But the momentum doesn't feel very fast in Iowa. "We need CVS and Walgreens to move more quickly," said Brent Willett, president of the Iowa Health Care Association, which represents most of the state's nursing homes and assisted living centers. The state has nearly 700 such facilities, with about 31,000 residents and 37,000 staff. Iowa nursing home residents represent less than 1% of the state's population, but have accounted for more than a quarter of the state's deaths from COVID-19. Kim Bahrenfuss of Davenport, Iowa, was initially told that vaccine would arrive on Dec. 28 in the Kahl Home where her mother, Paulette Hradek, lives. But that date slipped, and now, the first doses apparently won't be given until Jan. 20. That means her mother won't be fully protected until the end of February or early Marcha few weeks after her second dose. "I was crushed," Bahrenfuss said, "when I heard about the delay." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 USA Today Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Joan Burton hopes the commission will give adopted people the right to their own information. Photo: Frank McGrath My adoptive mother, Bridie King Burton, told me everything she knew about adoptions, orphanages, mother and baby homes, baby homes and institutions for children. One comment she made has always stuck in my mind. Children, she said, died like flies in those places. This week the Report of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes will reveal in forensic detail just how true that remark was. Read More We will learn that 9,000 children died in the care of those homes. Bridie met me as a lively two-year-old in the Sisters of Charity baby home at Temple Hill in Blackrock, Co Dublin. From there, the St Patricks Adoption Society gave babies to Catholic adopters from Ireland and America. Apparently, I reached out to Bridie from my cot with my bandaged fingers, and it was love at first sight on both our parts. Both she and her older sister, my auntie Maggie, told me that the bandaged fingers were to stop me sucking my thumbs and finger. Sadly, by the time I was 20, Bridie was dead from cancer. But when I started my quest for my own birth story, it turned out that what she told me was amazingly accurate. Ireland is one of the few countries in the world which still resolutely denies adopted people the legal right to their own information and files. Ironically, the writ of the supreme ecclesiastic of modern Ireland, Dr John Charles McQuaid, who was the essential overseer of adoption practice and law in Ireland, still runs. Both Church and State set out to erect barriers akin to the fabled Walls of Jericho to people who wanted simple answers to their questions of identity. For me, and for many of the 50,000-plus people adopted after legal adoption was introduced in the early 1950s, the journey of discovery took almost three decades. In my search for my own story, I sat repeatedly in rooms under holy pictures of Gentle Jesus Little Lamb, meeting nice nuns and difficult nuns. I recall one who almost shouted at me: What do you want? Havent you got two arms and two legs go home. I promised your mother on this side of the grave Id never tell. By the time I was finally given information I was in my fifties, had graduated, married, given birth, served as a TD and minister. I had started the search in my mid-20s, about to get married. I sent a letter to the adoption society to pass on to the parish priest of the church where I had been baptised, to let my birth mother know I was alive and well and getting married. A year or so later, the letter was returned unopened by the society. The casual brutality of Irelands systems for dealing with to use the language of the day unmarried mothers and illegitimate babies, was cruel beyond belief. This weeks report of the Commission into Mother and Baby Homes will be a landmark event. The report will reveal, particularly to a new generation of younger people, what Ireland once did to women who had the audacity to love outside of marriage and to bear children who had to be given up. It will give us as a society an opportunity to ask why this form of brutality was tolerated for so long. Or was this the religious madness of an Irish Salem for whom sex outside of marriage was an abomination and the child of such a union illegitimate? I hope the commission will recommend that adopted people have the basic right to information and to see their files, as children in most countries can once they reach 18 years of age. As a politician, it has been my privilege and responsibility to be a campaigner for key social changes in Ireland divorce, marriage equality, and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. But the right of adopted people to their own information has never been conceded. It is amazing that this legacy remains in an era of so much progressive change. I do hope the commission will address this astonishing omission. Perhaps sometime too, well also get the full story of the American adoptions and why hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of babies in Irish institutions were shipped to America. Did money change hands, and how much? One of the stories that Bridie always told me was that I was meant to go to America, but wasnt strong enough and the arrangements for my adoption to the US fell through twice. When I asked about this, it was vehemently and repeatedly denied, until finally in the late 1990s I was called to another meeting with St Patricks Guild. Lo and behold, what was taken from my file but an Irish passport for me as a child with an entry visa to Newfoundland and the US. On that day when Bridie came to Temple Hill, there were two possible paths in life for me, one to the unspeakable cruelties of a Magdalene Laundry when I came of age, the other through adoption into a loving and caring family, one which ultimately led to the office of Tanaiste. This week will bring many tears, as did the earlier Ryan and Murphy Reports. I will welcome the public apologies and justifiable redress schemes. I will welcome even more the essential law reforms that must come as the true memorial to Irelands banished babies. ARLINGTON, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leader Bank, N.A. has been recognized for the second year in a row as the Lender of the Year to Minorities by the Massachusetts office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). With small businesses having been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Leader Bank was particularly active, lending over $1,836,000 to small businesses, 56% of which was allotted to minority-owned businesses. These loans provided aid for a wide variety of businesses such as restaurants, medical research offices, convenience stores, and accounting firms. "We are very proud of the work we have done in 2020 to support small businesses," said Sushil K. Tuli, CEO of Leader Bank. "To be recognized by the Massachusetts Office of the SBA for our dedication to minority-owned businesses in particular is a great honor and we look forward to continuing to help small businesses recover and grow in the coming year." Leader Bank was also a proud participant of the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in 2020, assisting over 1,500 small businesses by lending more than $129 Million, with an average PPP loan size of $89,000. The Bank has been a Preferred Lender of the SBA since 2010 and maintains a diverse suite of SBA products including term loans and lines of credit. These loans help small businesses by providing working capital, financing acquisitions of property or equipment, funding the purchase of existing businesses, and refinancing higher cost debt. Since 2015, the Bank has made over 404 SBA loans to small businesses across New England totaling more than $43 Million in lending. About Leader Bank With assets of over $2 billion, Leader Bank, N.A. is a nationally chartered bank founded in 2002 with seven full-service branches in Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Burlington, and Cambridge. Leader Bank offers a full range of personal and business banking products including personal and business checking accounts, commercial and residential lending products, home equity lines of credit, deposit products with highly competitive rates and free online banking and bill payment services. Visit Leader Bank's website at www.leaderbank.com or any one of the Bank's convenient branch locations for more information. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #449250. SOURCE Leader Bank Related Links https://www.leaderbank.com For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. GEORGETOWN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Embree Group comprises three affiliated entities that work seamlessly together to provide turnkey construction, real estate development, and capital markets services nationwide. Embree Group has proudly announced a comprehensive rebrand that ushered in a new progressive era for the company. Coinciding with the company's 41st anniversary, this new development expands upon the existing brand toward future growth. Complete with new logos, brand messaging, and an overhaul of their visual identity, the rebrand signifies a new chapter in the company's long 41-year history while still staying true to its roots. Four new logos were unveiled for Embree Group and its three companies, Embree Construction Group, Inc., Embree Development Group, Inc., and Embree Capital Markets Group, Inc. The rebrand also consisted of the renaming of the organizationfrom Embree Group of Companies to Embree Groupand their development entity, Embree Development Group, Inc., formerly known as Embree Asset Group, Inc. To further showcase their new brand assets, Embree Group launched an ambitious website that hones in on user experience while further expressing the company's culture. Featuring stunning designs, engaging messaging, and a user-friendly interface, the website serves as a hub of information for each entity. In celebration of the rebrand, Embree Group held an internal virtual event with all team members to commemorate this significant milestone. Many of the C-suite members of the companies were in attendance. Jim Embree, Chairman of Embree Group, issued the following statement: "The Embree Group rebrand pays homage to our 40-year history while positioning the company for future growth and prosperity. This is more than a rebrand. This is the next evolution of the company, allowing us to further align our efforts and deliver unsurpassed services under a cohesive flagship brand." As the new year begins, Embree Group looks forward to using its new website and brand assets to their fullest potential. To learn more about Embree Group and experience their recent rebrand, visit www.embreegroup.com. About Embree Group Once named Embree Group of Companies, Embree Group is an organization with three entities that provide a wide range of real estate services, with a focus on nationwide turnkey services. The three entities include Embree Construction Group, Inc., Embree Development Group, Inc., and Embree Capital Markets Group, Inc. With over 41 years of industry experience, Embree Group has completed more than 14,000 projects since 1979. These projects served numerous industries, including restaurant, automotive, healthcare, financial, and much more. The Embree Group headquarters is currently located in Georgetown, Texas. Nicolle Poche' Phone: 512.819.4823 Email: [email protected] www.embreegroup.com Related Links Embree Group, INC. SOURCE Embree Group, Inc. In a recent and timely paper, currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers from Israel and France demonstrated how in vitro evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor-binding domain (RBD) follows contagious mutation spread but can also generate an efficient infection inhibitor. Both structural and functional research endeavors have revealed that a single RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 homotrimer spike glycoprotein is sufficient for interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) viral receptor. The binding process and subsequent cleavage by the host protease transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) lead to the fusion between the cell and viral membranes and results in cell entry. Consequently, this can be circumvented by blocking the ACE2 receptors with specific antibodies. There is also the role of the increased affinity towards the receptor, which is (at least partially) responsible for SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Recently evolved viral mutations within the spike glycoprotein's RBD gave additional credence to this hypothesis. And we are now faced with specific examples. The "British" mutation (N501Y or variant B.1.1.7) was suggested to enhance binding to ACE2 from deep sequencing mutation analysis. Likewise, the "South African" variant (501.V2) that includes K417N, E484K, and N501Y is spreading swiftly and turning into a dominant lineage in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. Hence, potential treatment targets that aim to halt the viral entry in cells should entail molecules blocking the spike glycoprotein, the ACE2 receptor or the TMPRSS2 protease. Accordingly, multiple high-affinity neutralizing antibodies have recently been suggested and developed. A yeast display selection strategy Remarkably, the RBD domain itself may be utilized as an effective competitive inhibitor of the ACE2 receptor binding site. Nonetheless, its affinity has to be substantially optimized in order to work basically, it has to reach picomolar affinity. Recently, an enhanced strategy for yeast display was developed based on C- and N- terminal fusions of exceptionally bright fluorescence colors that can observe expression at minute levels, enabling the selection to proceed down to picomolar bait concentrations. In this study, a research group (led by Dr. Jiri Zahradnik from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel) decided to use two different detection strategies based on surface exposure tailored reporters eUnaG2 and DnbALFA, and eliminate tedious DNA purification step. For optimal surface expression, various sizes of the RBD were tested prior to library construction. High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy was employed for structure determination of RBD, which was then used to appraise electrostatic complementarity. Global comparison between RBD-WT and RBD-62. A) The RBD-62 preserves its typical twisted five-stranded antiparallel sheet (1, 3-5, and 10) with an extended insertion containing the short 5-9 strands, 4, and 3 helices and loops. The biggest differences are pronounced between M470 and F490 (black circle). B) The upper part comprised of three segments: R357-S371 (2, 2), G381-V395 (3), and F515-H534 (11) is not resolved in the electron density map (blue ribbon, added from PDB ID: 6M0J). Tighter binding to ACE2 This study has shown that naturally selected mutations S477N, E484K and N501Y of the spike glycoprotein RBD that are known to confer higher infectivity were actually selected by yeast surface display affinity maturation in the first round, giving rise to the E484K, N501Y, South-African and British variants with 3.5-fold tighter binding to ACE2 in comparison to wild type RBD. Moreover, after three additional rounds of yeast display selection, there was 600-fold tighter binding compared to wild-type RBD. This selection process capitalized on combinatorial selection without compromising protein stability. "Plotting the binding affinity to ACE2 of selected RBD mutations against their incidence in the population shows a strong correlation between the two", say the authors of this study. "Further in vitro evolution enhancing binding by 600-fold provides guidelines towards potentially new evolving mutations with even higher infectivity", they add. In addition, the researchers also appraised the role of high-affinity binder RBD-62 as a potential therapeutic agent and showed it could competently block ACE2 without influencing its prominent and necessary enzymatic activity. Intriguing questions and implications Notwithstanding the fact that natural virus selection is not as efficient a process when compared to in vitro selection, the obtained information on the more critical mutations can be implemented as a tool for quick identification of emerging mutations. "An intriguing question is whether the spreading of the tighter binding SARS-CoV-2 variants in humans is accidental", say study authors in this bioRxiv paper. "From the similarity to yeast display selection, where stringent conditions are used, one may hypothesize that stringent selection is also driving the rapid spread of these mutations," they add. The most abundant low-quality face masks would actually provide such selection conditions since they decrease exhaled viral titers, providing tighter binding variants an advantage over wild types for rapid spread in the population. And this is something that should be urgently looked into, as higher quality face-masks may become mandatory to reduce viral titers below infection levels (which is actually the case with medical personal) and halt the spread of these tighter binding virus mutations. *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. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Ryanair suspends most flights from Kyiv Flights from Kharkiv and Kherson will also be suspended until the summer season. Reporting by UNIAN If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter The Married At First Sight all-stars reunion airs in just a few weeks' time, and while plenty of brides and grooms were welcomed back, a few were left without an invite. According to New Idea, one of the franchise's most popular stars was 'blacklisted' - even though his outspoken ex was offered a spot. Channel Nine apparently made sure Telv Williams wasn't involved in any way, but interestingly his former 'wife' Sarah Roza will be making a comeback in the two-part special. Scroll down for video Not invited! Married At First Sight star Telv Williams (left) was reportedly 'blacklisted' from the all-stars reunion, despite his ex-'wife' Sarah Roza (together, right) being offered a spot For his part, Telv strongly denies New Idea's claims, and insists he was invited to return but turned producers down. 'This is the first I've heard of this,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I wasn't blacklisted because I was asked to go and I said no.' 'I'm pretty sure that comment came from one of the three people I don't like [from Married At First Sight].' Meanwhile, a source told New Idea 'only season five and six stars were called back because participants from earlier seasons were thought to be 'too boring'. No-show: While Telv was supposedly 'blacklisted', others such as Samuel Ball (pictured) were invited but simply didn't show up for the shoot, reports New Idea While Telv was supposedly 'blacklisted', others such as Samuel Ball were invited but simply didn't show up for the shoot. A handful of notorious ex-contestants were also offered generous contracts but couldn't be persuaded to return. Former 'villain' Davina Rankin apparently turned down the offer, with New Idea's source saying: 'She's a mum now, I think she's just moved on.' Gone! The reunion special was filmed in Lilyfield, Sydney, over two nights in December. Nasser Sultan dramatically stormed out on night one of the shoot after a clash with Cyrell Paule The reunion special was filmed in Lilyfield, Sydney, over two nights in December. Nasser Sultan dramatically stormed out on night one of the shoot after an explosive clash with Cyrell Paule. According to fellow cast member Jessika Power, the fame-hungry star decided to leave because he was 'butt hurt' after the entire cast turned on him. The blonde, 28, opened up about what really happened in the lead-up to Nasser's exit on the Reality TV & Me podcast, in an interview recorded shortly after the event. 'I think he was a bit butt hurt when he got off his season that he didn't get on that level [of fame] that his other co-stars were at,' she said. 'Nasser has hurt a lot of people with his words the Internet. He hides behind a lot of fake accounts, he constantly trolls everybody,' she added. 'He's trolled people's family members, he's trolled people's relationships, he's trolled our appearances. He trolled the fact that we as influencers just get things handed to us, but he doesn't understand the marketing strategy behind a lot of things as well.' Truth exposed: According to fellow cast member Jessika Power, fame-hungry Nasser decided to leave because he was 'butt hurt' after the entire cast turned on him Speaking to Daily Mail Australia after his exit, Nasser revealed he'd argued with Cyrell and then the entire dinner party turned on him. Nasser said Cyrell had demanded he apologise for 'trolling her baby' when she was pregnant. She was referring to her son, Boston, now 10 months, whom she shares with her partner, former Love Island star Eden Dally. 'She wanted me to me to apologise. She said I'm a troll, that I trolled her when she was pregnant, which there's no way I did,' Nasser said after the clash. Feud: Nasser had stormed out of the dinner party after Cyrell (left, with her son, Boston, and partner, Eden Dally) accused him of trolling her while she was pregnant You okay, hun? Jessika was also left shaken during the cast reunion. She was pictured in tears as she returned to her hotel following night one of filming Things became so heated between them that it was difficult to watch, Jessika said. 'He definitely did deserve what he got, [but] at one point I did feel a bit bad for him because he had everyone come at him,' she said. The MAFS all-stars reunion will be aired across two consecutive Sunday nights, with the first episode being shown on January 31 and the second on February 7. SPRINGFIELD Three Kings Day was celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, Jan. 10. The religious observance commemorates the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The magi represent the non-Jewish population and the feast day marks the revelation to the gentiles. Blessed Sacraments congregation includes many of Latino heritage, including Puerto Ricans. In Puerto Rico, children fill a box with fresh grass or hay and put it underneath their bed for the camels of the three kings. In return, the kings leave gifts under the bed as a reward. Three Kings Day in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas or the feast of the Epiphany. Western Australia's top-performing schools have been revealed, with the usual suspects dominating the top 20 in what was a particularly tough year for students. According to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority data, calculated using median ATAR scores and released on Monday, big private schools sit at the top of the tables, but public schools Shenton College (14), Rossmoyne Senior High School (16), Willetton Senior High School (18) and Mt Lawley Senior High School (20) all made the top 20 cut. Hale School dropped three spots to sixth place with a 90.35 median ATAR, while Christ Church Grammar remained in third spot with the same score as last year and 2016, when it placed fourth with 92.50. Christ Church produced the states top academic, Beazley Medal winner Josh Green, while independent Jewish school Carmel College soared 22 spots up the leaderboard to 13th place after previously falling from second spot to 35 in 2019. The White House pushed the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta to resign before Georgias U.S. Senate runoff because President Donald Trump was unhappy that he wasnt doing enough to investigate Trumps unfounded claims of election fraud, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday. The Justice Department on Tuesday tapped a new federal prosecutor to lead the Atlanta office, a day after the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Byung J. BJay Pak, abruptly resigned. Paks resignation drew attention because Trump appeared to refer to him in a recent phone call with Georgias secretary of state in which the outgoing Republican president asked state officials to try to find enough votes to overturn the results of the Nov. 3 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. In a recording obtained by numerous media outlets, Trump appeared to complain during the call about Pak without naming him, saying there was a Never Trumper U.S. attorney in Georgia. The Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, said that at the behest of the White House, a senior Justice Department official called and told Pak he needed to step down because he was not pursuing the voter-fraud allegations to Trumps satisfaction. The White House declined to comment while the Justice Department and Pak did not respond to Reuters requests for comment on Saturday. Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Jon Ossoff unseated Republican David Perdue in Tuesdays runoffs, giving Democrats control of the U.S. Senate. Los Angeles: Actor-writer Mindy Kaling, who is penning Legally Blonde 3" with Brooklyn Nine-Nine" co-creator Dan Goor, says the new movie will definitely pay homage to the original. Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon will be returning as attorney Elle Woods for the much-anticipated MGM project and will also be producing via her Hello Sunshine banner along with franchises original producer Marc Platt. In an interview with Access, Kaling said as a fan of the franchise she was thrilled to come on board to write the upcoming installment. I love the franchise so much. I love Elle Woods as a character and when Reese asked me to write it I was like, Absolutely!'" the Office" alum said. The first Legally Blonde" movie, which released in 2001, revolved around a lively sorority sister trying to win back her ex-boyfriend by getting a law degree from Harvard University. The film also featured Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge and a Chihuahua named Bruiser. The sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde", set in Washington, DC, came out in 2013. Kaling teased that there will be a good dose of the iconic bend and snap" and other fan favourites moments from the first two movies. Bend and Snap is forever. We definitely have a lot of fan favorites from the original movie," she said. Asked about the tentative release date of Legally Blonde 3", Kaling said audiences will have to wait a bit longer for the movie as the team is still figuring out the ways to shoot the film amid the coronavirus pandemic. I dont know when well be able to shoot movies again but it would be great to, if Reese likes the script, shooting it this year would be awesome." . 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 Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? That lament from Indiana Jones still resonates as one of the great movie lines of all time, though one could argue its the snake scene itself rather than the dialogue that makes the line truly memorable. The scene certainly wasnt easy to shoot. Director Steven Spielberg used a number of tricks to make the sequence work, though one of those tricks has vanished. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones | CBS via Getty Images How did the Indiana Jones snake scene come about? Indiana Jones as a whole came about because Spielberg wanted to make a James Bond movie. However, producer Albert R. Broccoli was not keen on bringing in outsiders to the 007 franchise and that included even outsiders as successful as Spielberg. The director went on vacation with his friend George Lucas, who said he had an even better idea: a story about an archaeologist who travels the world searching for historical artifacts and getting in all manners of scrapes along the way. The movie, 1981s Raiders of the Lost Ark, was very much modeled on adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s short movies in which our hero would get into major peril and all would seem to be lost until they made a daring escape. Some of these episodes of peril in the Indiana Jones franchise involved a variety of intimidating animals. While Raiders of the Lost Ark included thousands of snakes, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom gave us the scene of countless insects crawling around said temple. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade had a scene overrun by rats, while Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull served up fire ants. Still, for many viewers, the snake scene remains indelible so much so that it became a running gag throughout the series. RELATED: Indiana Jones 5: Lucasfilm Confirms Harrison Fords Return and Sets Release Date How did Steven Spielberg film all those snakes and the actors? According to Mental Floss, Spielberg at first thought he didnt have enough snakes. Originally, the filmmakers brought 2,000, but even that number couldnt cover the whole Well of Souls set. So Spielberg and crew upped the ante, eventually filling the set with around 10,000 slithery reptiles. And still that wasnt enough. According to Goliath, the filmmakers had hoses cut into snake-like lengths, which snake-fearing Indiana would have preferred. The same goes for Marion Ravenwood, as played by Karen Allen, though those are not her legs you see in some shots. They are the legs of the snake handler, who shaved his legs and borrowed Marions dress. With all those snakes crawling around, safety precautions were taken, including installing a plexiglass shield between Harrison Ford and a very threatening cobra. That shield can be seen in older copies of the movie; it has since been removed digitally. Luckily, Ford is not afraid of snakes in real life. RELATED: Harrison Ford Wants Indiana Jones 5 to Be More Like the Marvel Movies Will there be a snake scene in the fifth Indiana Jones movie? Snakes have figured into all Indiana Jones movies in some way, shape, or form. Having thrown down the gauntlet with the snake scene in Raiders, Spielberg and company showed few if any actual live snakes in Temple of Doom. They do figure in the infamous dinner scene with snake surprise, and we see statues of snakes. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade showed us the origin of Indys snake phobia when we see that he fell into a crate of snakes in a circus train. Finally, a large rat snake came to an unnerved Indys rescue in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. So the logical question becomes: How will snakes figure in the fifth Indiana Jones movie? Perhaps not as much, given that Spielberg is sitting out the directorial duties this time. Taking the reins will be James Mangold of Logan and Ford v Ferrari fame. Well have to wait until 2022 to find out whether Mangold has a new creepy-crawler scene in mind. TRUMBULL Chester Hill Farm is opening its stables during January to interested equestrians willing to ride socially distanced during its new outside program. Every Thursday during the month, riders ages 6 to 12 can sign up for 90 minute sessions. Dress warmly as all rides will be outside. Reports Jan. 6 revealed that the Israeli military had deployed about a week earlier Iron Dome and Patriot air defense batteries around the southern city of Eilat and in other locations in the region. The reason for the deployment was apparently concerns of an attack from the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. More specifically, Israel was afraid that Iran via its proxies would retaliate at Israeli targets on Jan. 3, the one-year anniversary of the killing by the United States of Gen. Qasem Soleimani. The deployment of the two systems reveals the nature and extent of Israeli concerns. We are no longer talking about a geopolitical threat of Iran expanding its influence zone, but a much more concrete danger. The Iron Dome system is generally used against rockets, and has mostly been deployed against fire from the Gaza Strip. Still, experts explain that it can also intercept small drones and cruise missiles. As for the Patriot system, it can be used against ballistic missiles and larger aircraft like fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles. Facing the Iranian/Iran-proxies threat, Israel did more than deploy defense batteries in the south. Already in late December, public radio station KAN reported that an Israeli navy submarine transited into the Red Sea, passing the Suez Canal on Dec. 19, with Egyptian approval. The same week, the Americans dispatched their Navy guided-missile submarine Georgia into the Persian Gulf. Much like the Israeli submarine, Georgia did not conceal its passage, in an apparent show of force against Iran. Over the years, Israel has followed closely on movements of countries and armed groups in the Red Sea. One important reason was guaranteeing the security of Israeli merchant ships. The second reason was fear of Iranian attempts to smuggle arms by sea. Danger could emanate from both shores of the Red Sea, either the Arab Peninsula or Africa, and from different countries. But lately, it seems that Israeli security agencies are particularly concerned over Yemen. On Nov. 23, the Houthi group in Yemen announced it had fired a missile on the Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco facility in Jeddah. A year earlier, the Houthis attacked by drones two other major Aramco facilities, causing fires and disrupting exports of petrol. These Houthi attack capabilities, improving from year to year, worry Israel. Especially now, with Israel proposing that the Emirates promote the construction of a land pipeline between Saudi Arabia and Israel, using the existing infrastructure of the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline company (EAPC). Ironically, it is the same company that was originally set up in the late 1960s as a joint Israeli-Iranian venture, when the two countries still maintained diplomatic ties. According to publications, Iran already started encouraging Hamas to target EAPC facilities. Israel fears that the Houthis could also pick up that mission, and that Tehran may transfer (or have already transferred) other long-range weapons to the Houthis. An attack against Israel by the Houthis could well serve Iran. It would send a clear menacing message to Israel, without Iran taking openly the blame for it. Israel estimates that Iran could prefer this way of operating, especially with President-elect Joe Biden soon taking office. Tehran, it is believed, is expecting Washington to resume talks on the nuclear deal in the near future. And it is this situation exactly that worries Jerusalem that Iran will resume nuclear talks with world powers while the Houthis are charged with targeting Israel. Outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Jan. 10 that the United States plans to designate Yemens Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization. He intends for the decision to be approved by Jan. 19. Keeping a low profile on the issue, Jerusalem has not reacted to Pompeos announcement. South Africa: Temporary grant recipients urged to appeal by providing referral reports The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has called on temporary grant recipients affected by the recent pay suspensions to contact regional offices with detailed referral reports. This comes after the agency in December suspended 210 778 disability grants nationally and 40 875 Temporary Disability Grants and 2986 Care Dependency Grants in KwaZulu-Natal, as the extended period for which they were awarded had expired. Last year, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown, government extended to December 2020 the payment of Temporary Disability Grants that were supposed to lapse from February. This was to cushion affected beneficiaries against the pressures brought about by the State of National Disaster. The cost of continuing to pay these grants totalled in excess of R1.5 billion. In a statement, the agency urged affected beneficiaries to report to the nearest SASSA office, with a detailed referral report from their treating doctor, which confirms the impact of the medical condition or disability. The SASSA staff will then take the personal and contact details of the client, and contact him/her to confirm when he/she can return to the office to complete the process, reads the statement. The agency said the information in the referral letter will be used to inform the SASSA doctor who is required to complete an assessment and recommend whether the grant should be awarded or not. SASSA, after taking into account all factors, including the medical assessment and a means test, will either award the grant or not. The new award may be for a temporary or permanent period, depending on the circumstances of each applicant, said the agency. SASSA said it was important for any applicant for a disability grant to be aware that, if the grant is awarded for a temporary period, or not approved, that he/she has the right to request SASSA to reconsider the decision. This must be done within 90 days of being informed of the outcome of the application. If the reconsidered decision is still unfavourable, then the applicant has the right to appeal to the Independent Appeals Tribunal. This again, must be done within 90 days of receiving the reconsidered outcome, reads the statement. The agency said it would continue to do everything in its power to provide services to those who need these. The inconvenience caused by the suspension of the temporary grants, particularly at this time, is acknowledged. However, compliance to the legislation and the cost implications have informed this challenging decision, said SASSA. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Data from Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico has been used to help detect the first possible hints of low-frequency disturbances in the curvature of space-time ORLANDO, Jan. 11, 2021 - Data from Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico has been used to help detect the first possible hints of low-frequency disturbances in the curvature of space-time. The results were presented today at the 237th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, which was held virtually, and are published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Arecibo Observatory is managed by the University of Central Florida for the National Science Foundation under a cooperative agreement. The disturbances are known as gravitational waves, which ripple through space as a result of the movement of incredibly massive objects, such as black holes orbiting one another or the collision of neutron stars. It's important to understand these waves as they provide insight into the history of the cosmos and expand researchers' knowledge of gravity past current limits of understanding. Although the gravitational waves are stretching and squeezing the fabric of space-time, they don't impact humans and any changes in the relative distances between objects would change the height of a person by less than one one-hundredth the width of a human hair, says Joseph Simon, a postdoctoral associate in the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy at the University of Colorado Boulder. Simon presented the findings at the society today, is lead researcher of the paper, and is a member of the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, or NANOGrav, the team that performed the research. NANOGrav is a group of more than 100 astronomers from across the U.S. and Canada whose common goal is to study the universe using low-frequency gravitational waves. In 2015, NSF's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) made the first direct observation of high frequency gravitational waves using interferometry, a measurement method that uses the interference of electromagnetic waves. The new findings made by NANOGrav researchers are unique because the astronomers found possible hints of low-frequency gravitational waves by using radio telescopes, since they cannot be detected by LIGO. Both frequencies are important for understanding the universe. Key to the research were two NSF-funded instruments - Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia and Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Arecibo Observatory, with its 1,000-foot diameter dish provided very precise data, while the Green Bank Telescope, which has much larger sky coverage, sampled a wider range of information needed to discriminate gravitational wave perturbations from other effects, Simon says. "We time roughly half the pulsars with each telescope," he says. "Each telescope provides about half of our total sensitivity in a complementary way." Although the researchers used Arecibo data for the study, they are no longer able to make observations with it since the observatory collapsed in December following broken cables in August and November. "It was a truly horrible day when the telescope collapsed," Simon says. "It feels like the loss of a good friend, and we are so saddened for our friends and colleagues in Puerto Rico. Going forward, we hope to increase the amount of time we use on the Green Bank Telescope to at least partially compensate for Arecibo's loss. Another large collecting area radio telescope must be built in the U.S. soon if we want this research area to flourish." The researchers were able to detect possible hints of low-frequency gravitational waves by using the telescopes to study signals from pulsars, which are small, dense, rotating stars that send out pulses of radio waves at precise intervals toward Earth. This regularity make them useful in astronomical study, and they are often referred to as the universe's timekeepers. Gravitational waves can interrupt their regularity, causing deviations in pulsar signals arriving on Earth, thus indicating the position of the Earth has shifted slightly. By studying the timing of the regular signals from many pulsars scattered over the sky at the same time, known as a "pulsar timing array," NANOGrav was able to detect minute changes in the Earth's position possibly due to gravitational waves stretching and shrinking space-time. NANOGrav was able to rule out some effects other than gravitational waves, such as interference from the matter in the solar system or certain errors in the data collection. To confirm direct detection of a signature from low-frequency gravitational waves, NANOGrav researchers will have to find a distinctive pattern in the signals between individual pulsars. At this point, the signal is too weak for such a pattern to be distinguishable, according to the researchers. Boosting the signal requires NANOGrav to expand its dataset to include more pulsars studied for even longer lengths of time, which will increase the array's sensitivity. In addition, pooling NANOGrav's data together with those from other pulsar timing array experiments, a joint effort by the International Pulsar Timing Array, may reveal such a pattern. The International Pulsar Timing Array is a collaboration of researchers using the world's largest radio telescopes. At the same time, NANOGrav is developing techniques to ensure the detected signal could not be from another source. They are producing computer simulations that help test whether the detected noise could be caused by effects other than gravitational waves, in order to avoid a false detection. "It is incredibly exciting to see such a strong signal emerge from the data," Simon says. "However, because the gravitational-wave signal we are searching for spans the entire duration of our observations, we need to carefully understand our noise. This leaves us in a very interesting place, where we can strongly rule out some known noise sources, but we cannot yet say whether the signal is indeed from gravitational waves. For that, we will need more data." Benetge Perera, a scientist at Arecibo Observatory who is a specialist in using observations of pulsars for the detection of gravitational waves, says the research aims to open a new window in the spectrum of gravitational wave frequencies. "A low-frequency gravitational wave detection would enhance our understanding of supermassive black hole binaries, galaxy evolution, and the universe," says Perera, who is also a member of NANOGrav. He says that despite the collapse of Arecibo Observatory, there are still much archived data to pore through to continue to learn about gravitational waves. "Arecibo was very important as its timing data provided about 50 percent of NANOGrav's sensitivity to gravitational waves," he says. "I want to ensure that the sensitive data we collected before Arecibo's collapse has the highest possible scientific impact." ### CONTACT: Robert H. Wells, Office of Research, robert.wells@ucf.edu Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) Police Staff Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, who was caught on video last month killing a mother and son in Tarlac, has been dismissed from police service, Philippine National Police chief Debold Sinas said Monday. Sinas announced in his media briefing that Nuezca's dismissal was deemed effective on Monday, after the PNP Internal Affairs Service resolved an administrative case against him for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The dismissal was already implemented by National Capital Region Police Office regional director Vicente Danao Jr., Sinas added, as Nuezca was last assigned in Paranaque. "As to the criminal case, ongoing po ang criminal case," Sinas said. The next hearing on Nuezca's case will be on February 4. In his noontime briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Nuezca's case "must be proven beyond reasonable doubt." He earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte will not protect Nuezca, since the crime was not connected to his work as a police officer. Nuezca earlier pleaded "not guilty" to murder charges filed against him during his arraignment and pre-trial, after killing his neighbors Sonya and Frank Anthony Gregorio last December 20. The 52-year-old Sonya and her son 25-year-old Frank Anthony were shot dead by Nuezca in Paniqui town during a heated argument. The officer is facing two counts of murder as a result of the incident, which was caught on video that has since gone viral. This has sparked nationwide cries for justice and calls for police reforms. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. WESTPORT A 27-year-old Westport woman was charged with second-degree assault after allegedly striking a victim with an electronic weapon. On Dec. 13 at 10:25 p.m., Westport police responded to a local residence for a reported assault. The victim alleged Felicia Sajetta came to her door, made an accusation, and then proceeded to attack her with an electronic defense weapon, police said. The victim said she was tased and ... her injuries were consistent with being assaulted with that type of weapon, Lt. David Wolf said. Sajetta later admitted to having words with the victim, but denied assaulting her. An arrest warrant was then sought and granted for her arrest. On Jan. 10, Sajetta was taken into custody by Bridgeport Police for the active warrant. She was then turned over to Westport police and charged with second-degree assault. Sajetta was unable to post $25,000 bond and was transported to state Superior Court in Stamford on Jan. 11 for her arraignment. dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Nicola Sturgeon is to hit back at 'absolute nonsense' claims that she misled parliament and gave untrue evidence regarding sexual harassment allegations against predecessor Alex Salmond. Mr Salmond said the First Minister breached the ministerial code in relation to a meeting with him in her home, where she was told about the allegations made against him. In evidence to the committee established to look into the process of the complaints, which were deemed unlawful and saw Mr Salmond win more than 500,000 in public money, the former first minister accused Ms Sturgeon of misleading Holyrood. Deputy First Minister John Swinney has now told Politics Scotland he has confidence in what Ms Sturgeon will say when she appears before the committee later this month. If the claims are proved to be true then it is likely Miss Sturgeon's political career could be over In an explosive intervention, the former First Minister (pictured in March) accused his successor of making 'ridiculous' and 'wholly false' claims about their meetings to discuss the handling of complaints against him 'The First Minister will set out clearly, openly and transparently all that she has got to say on this issue, and I'm very confident in the points the First Minister will put across,' he said. 'The First Minister looks forward to setting out, in detail, all of the views and perspectives she has on this issue, to put to rest some of the absolute nonsense that has been circulating about this particular issue.' Swinney added: 'We've got to remember that we faced a very difficult situation of having to investigate complaints about inappropriate behaviour, a lot of which have now been conceded by Alex Salmond in court, and that issue had to be addressed. 'An incredibly difficult situation, and the First Minister will set out exactly her perspective when it comes to all the relevant inquiries into this issue.' Initially, Ms Sturgeon said the April 2 2018 meeting in her Glasgow home was the first she had heard of the allegations; however, it later emerged that she had met Mr Salmond's chief of staff, Geoff Aberdein, in her Holyrood office four days earlier. Mr Salmond said omission of the meeting with his aide was 'a breach of the ministerial code'. Allegations, discussions, denials and a 'forgotten' key meeting November 2017: Allegations regarding Alex Salmond's behaviour are raised with the SNP by Sky News. Nicola Sturgeon said she spoke to him about this and he 'denied it'. No further action was taken. March 29, 2018: Miss Sturgeon meets Geoff Aberdein in her Scottish parliament office where she has admitted they discussed the possibility of a meeting with Mr Salmond. Miss Sturgeon after initially forgetting about this meeting says there was 'the suggestion that the matter might relate to allegations of a sexual nature'. April 2, 2018: Miss Sturgeon and Mr Salmond meet at the First Minister's home. According to Miss Sturgeon, this is the first time she heard of the complaints made against him. Despite this, she has insisted that the matters discussed were party business. April 23, 2018: Miss Sturgeon and Mr Salmond hold a 'substantive' phone discussion. During this call, Miss Sturgeon claims that Mr Salmond asked whether she would speak to Leslie Evans about 'mediation' with the complainants. A special adviser was in the room at the time. June 6, 2018: Miss Sturgeon writes to Mrs Evans to inform her that she has held discussions with Mr Salmond. June 7, 2018: Miss Sturgeon again meets Mr Salmond, this time in Aberdeen ahead of the SNP party conference. July 14, 2018: Miss Sturgeon meets Mr Salmond at her home near Glasgow. July 18, 2018: Miss Sturgeon and Mr Salmond speak again on the phone. Miss Sturgeon said that 'by this time' she was 'anxious as party leader and from the perspective of preparing my party for any potential public issue to know whether his handling of the matter meant it was likely to become public in the near future.' This is the last time Miss Sturgeon and Mr Salmond speak. During this time they also exchange a number of WhatsApp messages in which they discuss the affair including Mr Salmond's decision to seek a judicial review over the government's probe into the two complaints. He goes on to win this and is awarded 500,000 in legal fees. Advertisement Ms Sturgeon said in her evidence to the committee that Mr Aberdein had stopped by her office while in Holyrood for another reason, an assertion Mr Salmond described as 'simply untrue'. An inquiry is currently ongoing into whether Ms Sturgeon did violate ministerial rules in relation to the matter. Both Mr Salmond and the Scottish Conservatives pushed for the remit of the inquiry, being conducted by James Hamilton QC, to be widened. However, Mr Swinney said the investigation is already able to investigate any breach of the ministerial code. He said: 'I'm really surprised by this line of argument from Alex Salmond and the Scottish Conservatives, because it appears they're not keeping up with events. 'I answered a parliamentary question in November which made clear the James Hamilton Inquiry on the ministerial code could look at any aspect of a breach of the ministerial code.' Mr Salmond said: 'I can confirm that I submitted evidence to Mr James Hamilton, the independent adviser on the ministerial code, at his repeated request at the end of last year. 'The same evidence has now been given to the parliamentary committee, at their request, to assist with phase 4 of their Inquiry into the actions of ministers and civil servants. 'It is a matter for Mr Hamilton and committee members what they do with my evidence but I stand by the contents of the document and I am prepared to do so under oath in front of the committee.' In early 2019, Miss Sturgeon bowed to pressure from opponents and referred herself for an official investigation into whether she broke strict Scottish Government rules by failing to report details of her meetings with Mr Salmond. During these meetings, they discussed sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Salmond but she did not publicly disclose that these meetings had happened. The ministerial code states that ministers must 'arrange for the basic facts' of meetings concerning Government business to be recorded. Miss Sturgeon has insisted that she did not record details of the first meeting because she thought it was going to be about 'party business'. In his submission, Mr Salmond brands the claim 'ridiculous'. He said: 'In her written submission to the Committee, the First Minister has subsequently admitted to that meeting on 29th March 2018 (with Mr Aberdein), claiming to have previously 'forgotten' about it. That is, with respect, untenable. 'The pre-arranged meeting in the Scottish Parliament of 29th March 2018 was 'forgotten' about because acknowledging it would have rendered ridiculous the claim made by the First Minister in Parliament that it had been believed that the meeting on 2nd April was on SNP Party business and thus held at her private residence. 'In reality all participants in that meeting were fully aware of what the meeting was about and why it had been arranged. The meeting took place with a shared understanding of the issues for discussion - the complaints made and the Scottish Government procedure which had been launched. 'The First Minister's claim that it was ever thought to be about anything other than the complaints made against me is wholly false.' Mr Salmond was awarded more than 500,000 in costs after a judicial review found the handling of complaints against him was unlawful and tainted with apparent bias because of prior contact between the investigating officer and complainants. In his submission, Mr Salmond claims that 'at the very latest by October 31st 2018, the government and the First Minister knew of legal advice from external counsel that 'on the balance of probability they would lose the Judicial Review and be found to have acted unlawfully'. He said: 'Despite this the legal action was continued until early January 2019 and was only conceded after both Government external counsel threatened to resign from the case which they considered to be unstateable. This, on any reading, is contrary to section 2.30 of the Ministerial Code.' New Delhi: President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Ronny Abraham will on Friday discuss the further procedure in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case with both India and Pakistan. According to sources, India will be represented by its agent who also appeared during the last public hearing on May 18. The Ministry of External Affairs joint secretary in-charge of Pakistan division, Deepak Mittal, represented the case during the hearing. The further procedure will be discussed by the ICJ president with both the parties, sources said. India moved the ICJ against the death penalty to Jadhav on May 8. The next day, the global court gave Jadhav, 46, a lease of life and stayed the death sentence as a provisional measure. Also Trending: Kulbhsuhan Jadhav will not be executed till he exhausts all mercy appeals: Pakistan Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. UW in the News State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage: With the U.S. Senate now controlled by Democrats, UW economist Chuck Mason said any overhauls to the nations energy policies would take time to trickle down to oil and gas. He made his comments in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) article focusing on what this means for Wyomings energy sector. The Laramie Boomerang included quotes from UW President Ed Seidel and UW political science Professor Jim King in an article that focused on last weeks break-in at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. King also was quoted in an Associated Press (AP) article that focused on Wyomings congressional delegations split over contesting Joe Bidens presidential victory. The Minneapolis Star Tribune published the AP story. Futures Magazine noted that blockchain companies are waiting to see if the Biden administration will deliver blockchain reform. The article reported that Wyoming is a friendly blockchain state and noted that UW has recently unveiled the Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation. UW researchers tested turning pulverized coal powder into nano-graphite using relatively simple materials: copper foil, a glass container and a microwave oven, according to The C-ST. WyoToday.com and The Wyoming Tribune Eagle published UWs release, which noted that the researchers work was published in the journal Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects. Chem Europe, IFL Science, World-Energy, Design Products & Applications, and Technology Times published related articles on the UW research. Wyoming Public Radio featured an in-depth piece on how UWs COVID-19 testing program works. UW economist Rob Godby told The CS-T that about 1,600 coal jobs could disappear in Wyoming over the next decade due to coals structural decline. Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW College of Law Professor Darrell Jackson and UW Art Museum Director Nicole Crawford about a book chapter they co-wrote. They, along with a former UW law student, contributed to the book, titled Critical Race Theory in the Academy, which explores the effects of race and culture on American society. Pepper Jo Six, who recently was hired as program coordinator to launch the Ranch Management and Agriculture Leadership Program in UWs College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was among five women appointed to new administrative positions in higher education in the latest Women in Academia Report. Sheridan Media published UWs release noting that the university and Central Wyoming College are offering a six-week course to provide Wyoming residents with knowledge and tools to be successful entrepreneurs. Mike Borowczak, the founding director of UWs Cybersecurity Education and Research Center, presented a virtual Codebreaker seminar last week. KGAB Radio published UWs release on the seminar. Sheridan Media and High Plains Journal published UWs release noting that UW Extensions Cent$ible Nutrition Program helps Wyoming residents eat healthier, while also saving them money. Despite delays, the Wyoming Department of Health says COVID-19 vaccine distribution is moving forward, according to Wyoming Public Radio. UW has laid out its plan on how the vaccine will be distributed. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle featured UWs Food Security Task Force, which is focused on dismantling the pervasive idea that college students cannot have access to nutritious food. STOCKHOLM, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Around 100 children in Sweden have developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) after contracting COVID-19, raising alarm about a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, local media reported Saturday. Of the around 100 cases, 30 were linked to the second wave of the pandemic, causing doctors to be increasingly concerned, the newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported. While few children get seriously ill from COVID-19, the Astrid Lindgren's Children's Hospital in Stockholm is currently treating six children for MIS-C, and one child has been admitted to a hospital in the Gothenburg region with the same condition, where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. "They are severely ill and all are near the verge of needing ICU treatment," Stefan Berg, a pediatrician at Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska hospital said of the young patients. "We are trying to treat some patients who ought to be in ICU at other departments as far as possible since we know there's a shortage in beds right now," Berg said. Berg's colleague, Karin Palmblad in Stockholm, said that so far all children afflicted with MIS-C after contracting COVID-19 have recovered thanks to a swift and aggressive treatment and thanks to what Palmblad labeled a "unique national collaboration, where all rheumatologists and several other experts are in contact every two weeks." However, at the group's latest meeting on Thursday, several doctors raised concerns about a potential shortage in ICU beds for children. Also, the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital has had to loan staff members to adult COVID-19 wards due to a shortage in personnel. Berg said that MIS-C is a rare condition and that there is great expertise in Sweden regarding its treatment, but Palmblad also said that while no child has been denied hospital care up until now, she is worried it might happen in the future. Children who get MIS-C have often experienced just mild COVID-19 symptoms but then develop the condition around three to six weeks after being infected with the novel coronavirus. Symptoms include high fever, diarrhea and/or vomiting, rashes, red eyes and headaches. The head of Georgias ruling party and the countrys wealthiest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, said on Monday he was leaving politics for good, according to the politician's letter. In an open letter released earlier today, Ivanishvili stated that the current leadership of the party could replace his hard work, authority and skills in a worthy manner. "I have made the decision to finally retire from politics and fully distance myself from the reins of power. I am leaving the post of party chairman, as well as the party itself and am returning to my pre-2011, private lifestyle. I will turn 65 years old in just a few weeks, and this is one of the important factors in making the decision to retire from politics," Ivanishvili said, adding that the step "which is dictated by the desire to advance young people to the forefront...will not only not weaken, but will, in fact, further strengthen the ruling party." Ivanishvili said that in coming into politics in 2011 he had two goals - putting an end to Mikheil Saakashvili's (the third president of Georgia) violent, inhumane, and undemocratic regime through elections and to allow the countrys Euro-Atlantic integration. Ivanishvili founded the Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia political party in 2011. In 2012, it won the parliamentary elections as part of the Georgian Dream coalition, which included other opposition forces, ousting the party led by former President Mikhail Saakashvili. Ivanishvili became Georgias Prime Minister. However, in 2013 he resigned and temporarily quitted politics. In 2018, he returned to the party and was elected the Chairman of the Georgian Dream. 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. By Sigmar Gabriel BERLIN "The U.N. was not founded to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell," the United Nations' first secretary-general, Dag Hammarskjold, once said. The hell he had in mind, of course, was World War II and the Shoah, next to which most of today's challenges pale in comparison. Nonetheless, disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and Britain's withdrawal from the European Union have called into question many beliefs that Europeans previously took for granted. Thanks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's leadership within the EU, Europe survived 2020 relatively unscathed. In fact, her stint in the European Council's rotating presidency during the second half of the year will probably be remembered as one of the great political masterstrokes of post-war European history. When the pandemic erupted last spring, it looked as though it would be every EU member state for itself. Germany, for example, temporarily banned exports of medical aid and equipment, despite the horrific, rising death toll in nearby Italy. But since then, Europeans have shown impressive solidarity in facing down the pandemic. More recently, the emergence of a highly contagious strain of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom gave Britons and Europeans a small taste of what would have happened had a final Brexit deal not been agreed on Christmas Day. Border crossings between Europe and the U.K. were suddenly closed, leaving trucks lined up for miles on decommissioned airfields. The EU-U.K. trade agreement that did emerge can be described as the best of a set of bad options. That it was reached at all owes something to the U.S. presidential election. Having cozied up to Donald Trump (and having previously insulted U.S. President Barack Obama in racist terms), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson knows that the Biden administration will not be eager to do his government any favors. In the absence of a deal with Europe, the U.K. would have found itself utterly alone. For their part, EU leaders welcomed the agreement because they understand that Brexit has already damaged the Union. Given the U.K.'s considerable geostrategic experience and capabilities (not least its nuclear arsenal), it was crucial for Europe to avoid a full rupture. But, Brexit aside, the EU is also divided internally over economic policy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. And as if these challenges were not great enough, developments in recent weeks have revealed a deepening divergence between France and Germany. These two traditional motors of European unification pushed through the EU's new recovery fund, thereby securing cohesion between southern and northern member states. But the EU's ongoing debate about foreign and security policy, led primarily by French President Emmanuel Macron, has opened a rift over the question of Europe's strategic position. Calling for "strategic autonomy," Macron is reacting to America's disengagement from Europe and its re-orientation toward the Indo-Pacific and China. He is right to conclude that an American withdrawal from the neighborhood will force Europe to assume significantly more responsibility for its own security. The implication for Germany is that it is approaching a moment of truth. Though it is the EU's economic powerhouse and its most populous member state, Germany mindful of its responsibility for the unimaginable suffering of WWII has refrained from acting strategically for 75 years. To be sure, German strategic abstention is what enabled the European project in the first place. But things have changed since the end of WWII, and the fact is that the EU cannot become a credible geopolitical force without Germany contributing its full economic, political, and, yes, military weight. The problem, of course, is that too many Germans themselves remain suspicious of "geopolitics" or are clinging to a sense of moral superiority that leaves them disinclined to defend European interests. In this context, the French were fully justified in initiating a debate about European strategic autonomy. The ball is in Germany's court. Would a future German government consisting of the conservative Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union and a pacifist Alliance 90/The Greens grouping respond to pleas from a Libyan government of national unity asking Europe to use force to dismantle the human-trafficking camps that have been set up in militant-controlled areas there? France would certainly answer the call, but it would expect Germany and others to join in. With his push for European "strategic autonomy," Macron is vying to fill the geopolitical leadership gap that has been created by the U.K.'s departure and Germany's ongoing refusal to engage with geopolitical issues. As Europe's remaining nuclear power and permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, France is obviously the most appropriate candidate for the job; but it cannot go it alone. Germany has at least pulled its weight when it comes to internal political issues, particularly concerning the preservation of European unity. Merkel demonstrated this recently by brokering a compromise with Hungary and Poland, which had threatened to veto the recovery fund and the seven-year EU budget over a new "rule of law mechanism" for the disbursement of EU funds. The German government has also repeatedly stressed that any push for "strategic autonomy" must complement and strengthen, rather than jeopardize, the transatlantic partnership. Brexit raises long-dormant strategic questions about Europe's internal unity and external position, and few of these are likely to be decided quickly. As such, France and Germany must seek out common paths for Europe, seizing on the opportunities that autonomy offers while remaining mindful of the limits. Even the most starry-eyed Euro-optimists cannot reasonably claim that Europe can succeed in the twenty-first century without a close strategic partnership with the US. Sigmar Gabriel, former federal minister and vice chancellor of Germany, is chairman of Atlantik-Brucke. His article was distributed by Project Syndicate ( New rumours from a Japanese Blog Mac Otakara have sprung up, claiming that Apple is planning to release their next generation AirPods Pro and 3rd generation iPhone SE in April 2021, based on information from Chinese suppliers. There have been multiple reports of Apple working on the 2nd generation AirPods Pro for quite some time now. Most of them suggest that Apple is trying to get rid of the short stem in the current AirPods Pro, making them more compact. This would make the AirPods Pro similar to the design on the Google Pixel Buds, however it is unclear if Apple will be able to achieve this. The report from Mac Otakara also claim that the AirPods Pro will have a smaller charging case, its width measuring 54mm. For reference, the current AirPods Pro case has a thickness of 60.6mm. There are also rumours of Apple planning to release a third generation of the iPhone SE smartphone. The information on the size of the devices screen is conflicting however, as some claim that the 3rd generation iPhone SE might have a larger 5.5-inch or 6.1-inch display, while others claim that Apple will continue to use the same 4.7-inch size for the display. If the sources from Chinese suppliers are to be believed, Apple may release these two products in April 2021. Source | Via London: It is more than 50 years since the Prince of Wales delivered his first landmark speech on the subject of the environment, warning of the dangers of plastic and pollution. Charles has since conceded that at the time, people thought he was "dotty" but undeterred, he ploughed on, questioning why action should only be prompted by "catastrophes and chaos." Prince Charles has launched a major initiative to raise money for environmental projects. Credit:AP The Prince on Monday (British time) unveils his biggest environmental initiative to date, an ambitious Magna Carta-style charter that marks the culmination of his five decades of work. The Terra Carta will encourage the private sector to safeguard the planet by adopting sustainability and investing $US10 billion ($13 billion) in "natural capital". The Treasury Department announced a new spate of sanctions on Monday targeting the inner circle of Andrii Derkach, the pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker who aided Rudy Giulianis efforts to probe unsubstantiated allegations of wrongdoing by President-elect Joe Biden and his family. The department had previously designated Derkach himself for sanctions related to foreign interference in the 2020 election in September. But on Monday, the department took additional action against seven individuals and four entities that it alleged were part of a Russia-linked foreign influence network associated with him. Russian disinformation campaigns targeting American citizens are a threat to our democracy, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The United States will continue to aggressively defend the integrity of our election systems and processes. In his own statement acknowledging the sanctions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Derkach has been an active Russian agent for more than a decade, maintaining close connections with Russian intelligence services. Those designated for sanctions on Monday included former Ukrainian government officials Konstantin Kulyk, Oleksandr Onyshchenko and Andriy Telizhenko, as well as current Ukrainain lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky. Also designated for sanctions were Petro Zhuravel, a key member of Derkachs media team; Dmytro Kovalchuk, a long-time supporter of Derkach who assisted with his media efforts; and Anton Simonenko, who served as Derkachs assistant for nearly a decade and helped Derkach hide financial assets, according to the Treasury Department. Derkach met with Giuliani, President Donald Trumps personal attorney, in Kyiv in December 2019. He is also suspected of sending packets of disinformation on the Bidens to prominent Trump allies around the same time. And in August 2020, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence accused Derkach of being part of the Russian governments efforts to damage Bidens presidential candidacy. 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. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Ireland is to join in an international effort to designate a third of the Earth as a protected area within a decade in a push to halt the spiralling losses of habitats and species. Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan will confirm Irelands participation in the 30 by 30 endeavour when he takes part in the One Planet Summit hosted by France today. Mr Noonan and Biodiversity Minister Pippa Hackett will take part remotely in the summit, which is a forerunner to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to be held later in the year. Around 50 countries have committed to a High Ambition Coalition on Nature and People as part of the summit. Read More The key ambition is to protect 30pc of the earths land and seas by 2030. Participants also pledge to promote farming methods that protect ecosystems, commit funding to biodiversity and, in light of Covid-19, to focus on the links between deforestation, species and human health. The current health crisis posed by Covid-19 has challenged the scope and ability of countries to act collectively for nature and biodiversity, Mr Noonan said. It has also, however, led to a re-evaluation of humanitys relationship with nature, particularly in the context of how future zoonotic pandemics can be avoided. Facing up to and addressing the damaging loss of biodiversity is vital if we are to do this, he said. The move by Government to make the pledge will raise fears among farmers over controversial land designations. IFA President Tim Cullinan recently emphatically rejected further land designations and told Minister Noonan that the restrictions were having a detrimental effect on rural areas. The IFA President said any increase in designated land will be strongly resisted by farmers. "The Programme for Government has no mention of more designations and IFA will be holding the Government to account on this," Mr Cullinan said. He also pointed out that IFA had commitments from previous Ministers for Heritage Josepha Madigan and Heather Humphries that there would be no more designations. A shocking report from the Worldwide Fund for Wildlife last year showed wildlife populations had plummeted by almost 70pc in 50 years. Padraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust welcomed the ministers comments but pointed out that just 13pc of Irelands land and 2.5pc of the seas were designated as protected. He said the commitment to the coalition must be backed by creating Marine Protected Areas, restore bogs, rivers and forests, and to create a nature-friendly farming system. Weve had decades of talking so we really need to start acting in a way that reflects the state of emergency declared by the Dail nearly two years ago, he said. Were still waiting on delivery of commitments made in the 1990s and 2000s, which were to have seen extinction and pollution as a thing of the past. The British actress, 33, uploaded a cheery image of her baby to Instagram on Sunday as he recovers from the virus On Tuesday, the screen star confirmed he contracted the virus as she posted pictures of his hospital bed On Thursday, she confirmed he had been sent home from Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and thanked fans for their support Jessie welcomed Abraham in October and the newborn spent the first days of his life in the neo-natal unit following her 'terrifying and humbling' pregnancy It is not yet clear whether any other members of her family have been infected Jessie, who shot to fame playing Lavender Brown in Harry Potter, shares Abraham, son Donnie, six, and daughter Margot, four, with Alfie Brown Her father David Lloyd is a GP and her brother Robbie Lloyd is an A&E doctor Harry Potter star Jessie Cave shared a sweet snap of her son Abraham to Instagram on Sunday evening as he recovers from coronavirus. In the cute image, the three-month-old flashed a wide smile as he sported his mother's huge red sunglasses while relaxing on a changing mat. ADVERTISEMENT The actress' youngest child was discharged from Chelsea & Westminster Hospital earlier this week, two days after the thespian, 33, confirmed her baby's diagnosis. Recovery: Harry Potter star Jessie Cave shared a sweet snap of her son Abraham to Instagram on Sunday evening amid his coronavirus battle Little Abraham looked adorable in a white and grey bodysuit as he gazed at his doting parent. Click here to resize this module In another photo, the artist's daughter Margot, four, sweetly planted a kiss on her younger sibling's cheek. Cartoonist Jessie has Abraham, Margot and son Donnie, six with comedian partner Alfie Brown. Update: The actress' youngest child was discharged from Chelsea & Westminster Hospital earlier this week, two days after the thespian, 33, confirmed her baby's diagnosis Adorable: In the cute image, the three-month-old flashed a smile as he sported his mother's huge red sunglasses while relaxing on a changing mat Doting sister: In another photo, the artist's daughter Margot, four, sweetly planted a kiss on her younger sibling's cheek On Thursday, the London native revealed Abraham had been sent home as she shared a series of images from his stay in hospital, including her diary of his sleep and his bandaged arm. Jessie shared her thankful note alongside the images, writing: 'Baby is home now. Thank you for all the well wishes and messages of support. Be safe everybody amazing care from everybody at Chelsea & Westminster'. The film star previously confirmed her baby was 'okay and doing well' having been stricken with the 'powerful and contagious' strain of the virus. Jessie was doting on Abraham in the snap as she shared the news with her 162,000 Instagram followers that he was now at home. Home again: On Thursday, the London native expressed her gratitude towards the NHS for their help after her little one was released from hospital In the images she posted, she showed the bed she had been given next to his hospital cot, his sterilised bottles, her various creams and a video of Abraham. On Tuesday morning, the actress shared a snap of her baby in a hospital cot in an isolated room, with an iPad playing Boris Johnson's national address announcing lockdown in the forefront in her initial announcement. In her caption, Jessie - who has Abraham, son Donnie, five, and daughter Margot, three, with comedian Alfie Brown - confirmed her baby is 'okay and doing well' having been stricken with the 'super powerful and contagious' strain of the virus. ADVERTISEMENT London-based Jessie welcomed Abraham in October and the newborn spent the first days of his life in the neo-natal unit following her 'terrifying and humbling' pregnancy, before being discharged in November. Having left the hospital in November, Jessie was back with her youngest after he contracted the new strain of the virus. Her strong boy: The media personality shared a series of images from his stay in hospital Temporary lodging: The film star also posted a picture of the bed she was given in the hospital next to her son Notes: Jessie kept a feeding diary for her son A caption alongside the shot read: 'I watched the news about lockdown from an isolated room in hospital. Poor baby is covid positive. 'He's okay and doing well but they are being vigilant and cautious, thankfully... 'This strain is super powerful and contagious so I do hope that people take extra care in the coming weeks. 'Really didn't want this to be the start of my families new year. Really didn't want to be back in a hospital so soon after his traumatic birth... 'Once again I'm in awe of nurses and doctors. It makes me even more proud of my brother, a&e doctor and my father, king GP... Tough times: The doodlist previously confirmed her baby was 'okay and doing well' having been stricken with the 'powerful and contagious' strain of the virus 'Please wish baby a speedy recovery': She asked for well wishes from her followers as she confirmed he tested positive for the virus 'Please wish baby a speedy recovery. He's 9llbs 7 now so he's a stronger and bigger boy than he was when we were last in a hospital room (and the needle went into his hand with louder more powerful screams) Love and best wishes to everyone'. She later took to Instagram stories to share more snaps from inside the hospital, including stethoscope hanging over the bed, a breakfast of Cornflakes and juice and a sweet image of Abraham. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jessie for comment. It is not yet clear whether any other members of her family have been infected. ADVERTISEMENT In her caption, Jessie praised her father David Lloyd, who is a GP, and her brother Robbie Lloyd - an A&E doctor. She grew up in London and attended Hammersmith's Latymer Upper School. The family still live in the capital. In November, research found that newborn babies are very unlikely to become severely ill with Covid-19, with researchers also concluding that the chances of a baby catching the virus from their infected mother is very slim. Babies and COVID-19 Although rare, children under one are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID-19 than older children. This is due to their immature immune systems and smaller airways, which make them more likely to develop issues with respiratory virus infections. Newborns can become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 during childbirth or by exposure to sick caregivers after delivery. Research shows that only about 2% to 5% of infants born to women with COVID-19 near time of delivery test positive for the virus in the days after birth Infants who have COVID-19 or who can't be tested due to a lack of availability and have no symptoms might be discharged from the hospital, depending on the circumstances. It's recommended that the baby's caregivers wear face masks and wash their hands to protect themselves. Frequent follow-up with the baby's health care provider is needed by phone, virtual visits or in-office visits for 14 days. Infants who test negative for COVID-19 can be sent home from the hospital. Source: Mayo Clinic Just 66 babies out of 118,000 born in the UK between March and April, at the peak of the first wave, caught the illness in their first month of life the equivalent of one in 1,785 births or 0.06 per cent. Imperial College London researchers revealed the extremely low risk Covid-19 posed to infants after sifting through births between March and April registered by the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU). Of the babies that got the disease 28 were classed as severely ill and suffered a high temperature, breathing problems, or bouts of coughing or vomiting. Whirlwind: Jessie famously became pregnant with her first child after a one-night stand with her on-off partner in 2014 (pictured with their kids Donnie, six, and Margot, four) Between six and 30 per cent of newborns need to be admitted to intensive care for specialist treatment with other respiratory illnesses, studies have showed. In October, when announcing Abraham's arrival, Jessie posted a picture of herself breastfeeding and revealed he's 'in the neo natal unit but he's a strong boy'. Earlier this year, stand-up star Alfie revealed he and Jessie rekindled their relationship after splitting up when Margot was only 10 weeks old. Together again: Earlier this year, stand-up star Alfie revealed he and Jessie rekindled their relationship after splitting up when Margot was only 10 weeks old On maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the actress told Bustle in 2018: 'I learned pretty early on you can't do much work with children around. 'When they were babies maybe, but now they don't sleep so I'm basically on my feet the entire day. My mum is brilliant; she helps me most days. 'And, actually, up until a few weeks ago I was living with her and my sister. My partner Alfie and I split up when Margot was only 10 weeks old.' ADVERTISEMENT The cartoonist, who juggles her stand-up and acting career with her successful 'doodle' company, famously became pregnant with her first child after a one-night stand with her on-off partner in 2014. NEW HAVEN Police are continuing to investigate the deaths of two people found Sunday in a Winthrop Avenue apartment, but were focusing on the likelihood that it was a double homicide, Capt. Anthony Duff said Monday. Police have yet to positively identify the two people who died, who were found by a visiting nurse. Officers responded to a 911 call and found two severely injured people inside the home late Sunday morning and pronounced the adult male and adult female dead shortly thereafter at the scene, police said. Personnel from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner removed the two deceased people from the apartment later Sunday. The first-floor apartment is in a large apartment house at 280 Winthrop Ave. between Chapel Street and Derby Avenue. New Haven Police Department Major Crimes detectives and Bureau of Identification forensic detectives are investigating, Duff said. As of Monday afternoon, police officers had continued to maintain a crime scene at the Winthrop Avenue location. Detectives ask anyone with information to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304, Duff said. Callers may remain anonymous. The deaths were the citys first and second homicides of 2021. According to Vision Appraisal online tax records, the building is owned by 280 Winthrop Holdings LLC. The 6,922 square-foot building was constructed in 1920, the records show. A woman who said she was the regular visiting nurse but not the one who discovered the two people Sunday morning said a woman who was in her care lived in the apartment. My stomach dropped when I got a call from one of the other nurses, she said. The night nurse called me because he thought it was me who found her. The nurse, who asked not to be identified by name, identified the deceased woman but police have yet to confirm her identity, pending notification of next of kin. Neighbor Steven Peery, who lives across Chapel Street, said that police had asked to look at video from a security camera on his front entryway but it didnt show anything. He said police have been (to the building) a number of times, noting he was referring to the building, not that particular apartment. Another neighbor who was walking by Monday afternoon called the fact that there was a homicide in the neighborhood horrible, and pointed out that there was another recent shooting recently at the nearby corner of Orchard and George streets. Its no good, said the woman, who would only identify herself as Miss Ramos. I think Im going to move. Alder Tyisha Walker-Myers, D-23, who lives about a block and a half away on Winthrop, offered her condolences to the families of the deceased. She said neighbors have worked hard with police and the city in recent years to make the neighborhood safer than when our neighborhood used to be really violent ... and we dont want to go back. Overall, weve done a really good job and the neighborhood and the residents will remain safe, she said. Nevertheless, we have our challenges and things happen in the neighborhood just like any other neighborhood. Anyone with information is asked to call 203-946-6304. Callers can remain anonymous. Tara ONeill contributed to this story. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that essential diving operations will take place on behalf of Leitrim County Council at Carrick-on-Shannon today, Monday 11 January, from 11am to 2pm. Following on from dives scheduled for last month, locations of the diving operations are along the quay wall some 30 metres downstream and upstream of the bridge, and along the quay wall near the boat club. Masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and all inland waterways users are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of these diving operations. Also read: Woman stabbed multiple times in Fermanagh School officials have been in contact with the health department to discuss immunizing teachers, who will be eligible for immunizations once the county moves into Group 1B. School districts in the Lincoln-Way area have been working together to formulize a plan that likely would involve a mass clinic, similar to the flu shot clinics held in some districts for employees. School nurses in the district have agreed to help inoculate district employees. MedSkin Solutions Dr. Suwelack AG announces receiving FDA 510(k) clearance for its flagship Med Care product portfolio MatriDerm. HAMBURG, Germany, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MatriDerm is a single-use three-dimensional acellular dermal matrix composed of bovine collagen fibers and bovine elastin. MatriDerm is indicated for use in the management of full thickness and partial wounds. The technology is supported by over 150 peer reviewed published articles and currently sold across the world having treated over 300,000 patients worldwide. "We are pleased with receiving 510(k) clearance for our unique MatriDerm products. This significant milestone represents our commitment at MedSkin Solutions Dr. Suwelack in bringing innovation and differentiated technologies to healthcare professionals and patients around the world," said Diana Ferro, President & CEO of MedSkin Solutions Dr. Suwelack AG. "Like we have done across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America our focus will be educating and supporting healthcare professionals and our partners as we look to commercialize MatriDerm in the largest medical device market globally," said Jason Gugliuzza, Vice President Med Care Division. About: MedSkin Solutions Dr. Suwelack AG is a Germany-based expert in biotech solutions for tissue regeneration and skin health. Our technological core competence is our proprietary Advanced CryoSafe Method that allows us to maintain and refine the response of bioactive materials. Our science-based solutions create effective and easy-to-use treatments that deliver added value and serve equally patients and physicians. For our Customers, we develop the most effective, targeted and cost-efficient solutions in Regenerative Medicine, Advanced Wound Care and Professional Skin Care. Contact: Henrike Lesch MedSkin Solutions Dr. Suwelack AG Colonnaden 72 20354 Hamburg Germany P +49 40 356 204-711 E presse@medskin-suwelack.com W www.medskin-suwelack.com Related Images image1.jpg Filing Period Opens Wednesday For May City, School Elections The filing period for candidates seeking area city and school positions in May elections will open Wednesday, January 13, and continue through Friday, February 12. After the filing period ends, any cities or school districts requiring elections to fill seats will hold them Saturday, May 1. The City of Hillsboro will accept applications for the position of mayor and places one, three and five on the council. The seats are currently held by Mayor Andrew Smith and council members Eric Fleming, Dana Robinson and Leann Richmond, who was recently appointed to the council. The City of Hillsboro elects council members by precinct/places. The city is divided into five precincts/places and candidates must live in the precincts they serve. They are designated council member places one through five. The mayor and place six on the council are elected at-large, which allows every registered voter to cast a vote for those positions. The mayor and places one, three and five are elected in odd-numbered years, and places two, four and six are elected in even-numbered years. All positions serve two-year terms, and there are no term limits. Information on qualifications for candidates and applications are available by contacting City Secretary Karen Warren at 214 East Elm Street, by calling 254-582-3271 or by emailing kwarren@hillsborotx.org. The City Council will officially call for the election at the regular City Council meeting set for Tuesday, February 2. Hillsboro Independent School District (ISD) will have two seats available on its Board of Trustees. The school board spots currently held by Dr. Chris Teague (at large) and Amanda Scarborough (District 1) will be expiring. Those interested can apply at the Hillsboro ISD Administration Building, located at 121 East Franklin Street in Hillsboro, or call 254-582-8585 for more information. The City of Whitney will have the mayor's position and two council seats available. They are currently held by Mayor Trey Jetton and council members Brian Burkhart and Robin Sliva. Anyone interested in filing for one of the two-year terms may do so at Whitney City Hall, located at 115 West Jefferson Avenue in Whitney, or call 254-694-2261. Whitney ISD will have three school board positions open, with the three-year terms of Jill Hall, Annette Ayers and Jason Sneed expiring. Those interested can file at the Whitney ISD Administration Building, located at 305 South San Jacinto Street, or call 254-694-2254 for more information. The City of Blum has announced that it will have three council seats and the mayor's position on the ballot. The two-year terms of Mayor Chryle Hackler and council members Brandon Munn, Roy Hackler and Jack Williams will be expiring. For information about filing, call Blum City Hall at 254-874-5772. Blum ISD has two three-year terms available. They are currently held by Joe Maxwell and Jonathan Arrington. The school is located at 310 South Avenue F, or call 254-874-5231 ext. 603. Abbott ISD will have the three-year school board terms currently held by Craig Sustala and Tiffany Stalker available in May. Filing will be at Abbott ISD, located at 219 South First Street, or call 254-582-3011. Bynum ISD has two three-year terms currently held by Robert Hopson and Kenneth Brown available. The school is located at 704 Toliver, or call 254-531-2341. Mount Calm ISD will have three board positions available for three-year terms. The seats are currently held by Keith McCaghren, Brian Dunlap and Janice Andrews. The school is located at 200 North Coates, or call 254-993-2611. Covington ISD has three seats available on the school board. They are three-year terms currently held by Shane Johnson, Dusty McLain and Kevin Ray. The school is located at 501 North Main Street, or call 254-854-2215. Malone ISD has two seats available on its Board of Trustees, with the three-year terms of Enereo Pineda and Jamie Stephens expiring. The school is located at 202 West Hackberry Street, or call 254-533-2321. Milford ISD will fill three, three-year school board seats. Currently serving in those positions are Carlos Phoenix, Karen Powell and Gary Wimbish. The school is located at 205 Third Avenue, or call 972-493-2911 for more information. Any additional openings will be announced as cities and school districts release information. Requirements For School Candidates To be elected to a school board, an individual must be: a qualified voter, 18 years of age or older, a United States citizen, a Texas resident, a registered voter, not determined to be totally or partially mentally incapacitated by an appropriate court, and not finally convicted of a felony. Requirements For City Candidates General qualifications to serve in an elected city position include: must be 21 years of age or older at the beginning of the term; must be a registered voter of the city; must have lived in the city for the previous 12 months; must not owe back taxes or liabilities to the city; must not be an employee of the city. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip New Years Eve was different this year in the Gaza Strip. Instead of hosting parties and organizing celebrations, hotels hosted individuals kept in quarantine as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic. Since March, and as part of the strict measures taken to combat the virus that causes COVID-19, the Ministry of Interior in the Gaza Strip has transformed Gaza hotels into quarantine centers for those returning to Gaza. This prevented hoteliers from hosting New Year's Eve events. By the end of 2020, the total number of coronavirus deaths in the Gaza Strip amounted to 371, with more than 4,000 positive cases, including 164 seriously ill patients. The decision to turn hotels into quarantine centers came as part of the state of emergency that President Mahmoud Abbas announced for the first time on March 5. According to the decision, the full capabilities of the private sector shall be put in place to support the state of emergency. Moein Nashwan, director of the Beach Hotel, told Al-Monitor, The coronavirus pandemic has literally drained us, and we were unfortunately unable to host any New Year's Eve celebrations. The Beach Hotel with its 25 rooms is among 10 large hotels the Ministry of Interior in Gaza has converted into quarantine centers. Nashwan said that he was forced to terminate work contracts with local and foreign institutions and call off several weddings and evening events due to the health crisis. He also had to lay off and terminate contracts signed with more than 30 workers during 2020, as the ministry did not cover any expenses for turning the hotels into quarantine centers, nor did it offer compensation for hotel owners. He noted that the hotel operated for only two months last year before the first case was reported in the Gaza Strip in March and was subsequently converted into a quarantine center. Nashwan pointed out that in 2020, the hotels losses amounted to about $250,000, adding, Things are not likely to improve as hotels are expected to remain closed. During a special ceremony organized July 27, Hamas honored hoteliers in the Gaza Strip for their role in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the number of individuals quarantined in Gaza hotels reached 7,473, according to figures Al-Monitor obtained from the Ministry of Social Development in Gaza. Haitham Handuka, director of the Gloria and La Rosa hotels on the Gaza beachfront, which were both turned into quarantine centers, described 2020 as a very exceptional year during which the hotels were only open for one month. Handuka employs 45 workers in both hotels, and they were all laid off due to the absence of any bookings. We had no income in 2020, he told Al-Monitor. Handuka said that his losses for the past year amounted to $350,000 and that he did not expect things to improve in the new year. Khaled al-Lulu, an employee who used to work for Al-Mathaf Hotel in Gaza City, lamented that he had to leave his job at the hotel and move to another sector after the hotel turned into a quarantine center. He told Al-Monitor that they did not host any New Year's Eve celebrations because of the pandemic. There are 17 hotels operating in the Gaza Strip that have a license from the Ministry of Tourism, and most of them are four-star hotels according to the international hotel classification. According to Zakaria al-Hor, director of the General Administration of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Gaza, all of these hotels have suffered great losses due to the coronavirus pandemic and the harsh economic conditions plaguing the Gaza Strip. Hor told Al-Monitor that the hotel occupancy rate did not exceed 5% in 2020, and that his ministry is preparing a plan to address the difficult conditions that hotels are going through by stimulating domestic tourism so that this sector does not collapse. The deputy chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Committee for Restaurants, Hotels and Tourism Services, Eman Awad, told Al-Monitor, Hotels in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have responded to the state of emergency and have come under the command of the executive authority. She said that the losses incurred by hotels in Gaza exceeded $100 million and we are still counting. Awad explained that the committee called on the Palestinian government in Ramallah to provide aid and grants for hotels and restaurants in order for those affected to not go bankrupt. Awad added that the committee resorted to the European Union in October and requested grants or low interest loans to hoteliers after Gaza hotels started being used as quarantine centers. She said that based on the EU request in December, the committee is set to discuss the details of the matter with the EU this week. Tecan participates as lead investor in series B financing round of Labforward, a provider of smart lab software tools for research labs Investment of EUR 4 million builds on ongoing collaboration with Labforward in the area of connectivity tools for Tecan detection devices Mannedorf, Switzerland, January 11, 2021 - The Tecan Group (SIX Swiss Exchange: TECN) announced today that it has participated as lead investor in a series B financing round of Labforward GmbH, a provider of smart lab software tools for research labs. With the EUR 4.0 million investment (CHF 4.3 million) in the Berlin-based company, Tecan has acquired a 10% stake in Labforward. The investment builds on an ongoing collaboration in the area of connectivity tools for Tecan detection devices and supports Tecan's strategy to expand its growing digital offering in an open digital ecosystem. Laboratories increasingly require an easy-to-use solution that integrates lab equipment into the larger workflow with access to key instrument functionality and electronic data capture. Labforward's flagship offering, the electronic lab notebook (ELN) Labfolder, helps scientists document their experiments and allows them to retrieve their data in seconds. It already has more than 40,000 registered users, mainly in life science research. The company also commercializes the Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform Laboperator, which can remotely control and monitor laboratory devices and equipment as well as execute structured and automated workflows with automated data collection. "We truly believe that in addition to innovative instruments and consumables, the lab of the future will need open digital solutions with broad connectivity and integrability of multiple devices. This equity investment strengthens our relationship with Labforward, an innovation leader in smart lab software tools," said Erik Norstrom, Executive Vice President and Head Corporate Development at Tecan. "Tecan has developed a growing suite of software solutions such as Introspect and Tecan Connect, which provide lab users with data on instrument uptime, consumables usage, error handling and real-time information on each instrument's status. Partnerships and select equity investments in innovative lab digitalization players are a great way of complementing our own development efforts and are part of our overall digitalization strategy." Dr. Simon Bungers, co-founder and CEO of Labforward commented: "The investment by Tecan shows us that we are in the right place at the right time with our software suite. At the same time, together we are showing the industry that an open software platform such as Labforward is an opportunity for laboratory equipment manufacturers to actively participate in the digitalization of the industry in a customer-oriented manner." In an ongoing collaboration entered into last year, Labforward introduced Well Plate Templates to provide a straightforward user interface for the control of Tecan microplate readers and electronic data capture in Labfolder. This versatile app allows operators to design multi-well experiments, document sample preparation steps and execute detection protocols, as well as record and manage the experimental data. For more information on Labforward: https://www.labforward.io/ About Tecan Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of automation solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2019, Tecan generated sales of CHF 637 million (USD 643 million; EUR 574 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TECN; ISIN CH0012100191). For further information: Tecan Group Martin Brandle Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & IR Tel. +41 (0) 44 922 84 30 Fax +41 (0) 44 922 88 89 investor@tecan.com www.tecan.com Attachment The Indian government has been negotiating with the Serum Institute of India to bring down the price of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine , people close to the matter said, delaying the roll-out of the country's immunisation programme. India's drug regulator has approved emergency use of the vaccine developed by Oxford University as well as another developed by Indian firm Bharat Biotech, but the government has not placed firm orders with either firm. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Senior officials have been discussing the terms of the deal with the Serum Institute for weeks, hoping to bring down prices below $3 per shot, one of the sources with direct knowledge told Reuters. Serum chief executive Adar Poonawalla had told the CNBC-TV18 channel in November the vaccine would be priced at about 1,000 ($13.55) per dose for the private market in India and would cost the government about 250 ($3.40) per dose. Some officials are seeing the possibility of a further lowering of prices, the source said. To vaccinate a country of over 1.3 billion people involves a large cost and every rupee saved would help, the source said. "Any government would do this, we need to keep costs down," the source said. "Price is an issue with Serum. The government needs to control it," another official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. India's health ministry and Serum Institute did not respond to requests for comment. On Saturday, the government announced the immunisation programme will begin on Jan. 16. The plan is to cover 300 million people in the first part of the programme, kicking off with health workers, frontline staff such as police and then people over the age of 50 and those with co-morbidities. That will require 600 million doses and Serum, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines has stockpiled 50 million doses for immediate distribution. There is no word yet on negotiations with Bharat Biotech whose vaccine developed in collaboration with the Indian council for Medical Research was given an emergency licence although it has not completed efficacy trials. With the Serum Institute, the government is also trying to close in on a price it wants before clearing any shipments for exports or private sales, officials said. "More than 150 countries want this vaccine. But nothing will move until the government reaches an agreement on prices," the official said. India has said no restrictions on exports were in place, but is yet to formally announce export clearance despite pressure from Brazil that has sought 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine made in India. The AstraZeneca shot, locally branded as COVISHIELD in India, is expected to meet 90% of India's mass immunisation programme needs, the official said. The government aims to secure 600 million doses for the country's vaccination drive aimed at inoculating 300 million citizens over the next six to eight months. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Mam | Marketing More than hygiene, Svish sanitisers offer a lifestyle upgrade It was a chance visit to Delhi from Toronto a few weeks before the Covid2019 lockdown was announced here that pushed advertising veteran Jaideep Mahajan to end his sabbatical and start a completely new entrepreneurial journey with Svish On The Go with founder and CEO Ishan Grover. Read More... Mam | Marketing Saloni Arora Nanda moves on from Forever21 Forever21 general manager and head of marketing Saloni Arora Nanda has moved on from the organisation. She announced the development on her social handle. Nanda was leading marketing activities on the Indian front, including digital and social media strategy, store launches, strategy execution, and CRM programme. Read More... Mam | Marketing Pepsi signs Blackpink as its APAC brand ambassador Latching on to the growing K-pop craze gripping the region, Pepsi has recently named South Korean girl group Blackpink its brand ambassador for APAC. Pepsi will work with the popular group for its "Go all in for what you love" campaign. Read More... Mam | Media And Advertising Sebamed attempts to show the 'reality' behind celeb-endorsed beauty bars German personal care brand Sebamed, with the aim to urge customers to make informed personal care choices based on science, has launched a disruptive evidence-based Film stars kee nahi, science kee suno (Listen to science, not film stars) campaign. Read More... Burma Local Militia Officer Behind Controversial Chinese Casino Hub on Thai-Myanmar Border Quits BGF members on the Asia Highway in Myawaddy Township, Karen State / Kyaw Kha / The Irrawaddy YANGONMajor Saw Maw Tho, also known as Saw Mote Thone, who was the second-highest-ranking officer in the Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF), which is implementing a new city project with alleged ties to Chinese mafia on the Myanmar-Thai border, resigned on Saturday, according to sources with Myanmars military and the BGF. His departure comes amid tensions between the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw) and the BGF, a military-aligned armed group formerly known as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), over the controversial China-backed project in the border town of Myawaddy in Karen State. Maj. Saw Maw Tho was reportedly among a group of BGF leaders pressured by the Tatmadaw to resign, including Colonel Saw Chit Thu and Major Saw Tin Win. According to sources, the BGF leaders were summoned twice by the Tatmadaws South Eastern Command based in Mawlamyine, Mon State and asked to resign of their own volition. Maj. Saw Maw Thos exit notwithstanding, the BGF leaders said it was unacceptable for the Tatmadaw to use casinos as an excuse to pressure them into resigning. They also pointed to the existence of casino and gambling businesses in other border regions and said they were working toward the legalization of the casino business in Myawaddy. The new city project, known as Shwe Kokko for its location in Shwe Kokko Myaing, a Moei River village on the Thai border, is reported to be a US$15-billion (19.45-trillion-kyat) collaboration between the Chit Lin Myaing Co. run by the BGF, and a Hong Kong-registered company, Yatai International Holding Group. After the project came under the spotlight over a lack of transparency, suspected illicit activity and concerns about the social impact of casinos, among other things, the Union government launched an investigation into the development. The BGF also said it had suspended the project. In October, three Tatmadaw officers were dismissed for alleged negligence and corruption in connection with the Shwe Kokko project. Since then, the Tatmadaw has put pressure on the BGF, and as of the second week of December had tightened security in the area, with a battalion being stationed in Shwe Kokko Myaing. Reports have also emerged that the Tatmadaw told Col. Saw Chit Thu in 2019 to resign from the BGF if he wanted to engage in business. According to sources in the region, the Tatmadaw is also putting pressure on the BGF to axe its auxiliary forces. The DKBA transformed into the BGF in 2010 as required under the 2008 Constitution, which made it mandatory for rebel groups to transform into BGFs in order to engage in peace talks with the government. Work began on the Shwe Kokko project in 2017. Allegations soon emerged that Chinese criminal gangs are involved in the project and using it as a base for illicit activities including money laundering. Chit Lin Myaing Co. has denied ties to the Chinese mafia and illegal online gambling activities, insisting that the BGF has total control over the project. Despite their claims, illegal online gambling activities are believed to have been based at the project until recently. At a government press conference on Friday, President Offices spokesman U Zaw Htay said the government had ordered the project suspended because its scale far exceeded the dimensions included in the proposal submitted to investment authorities. The government is working to take over the management of the project, and is also formulating standard operating procedures for such projects to prevent similar issues from arising in the future, he said. Shwe Kokko is a little complicated and sensitive. There are legal and peace issues that need to be taken into account. There is regional development on one hand, and there is regional stability on the other. Certain things need to be handled by the government, and certain things need to be handled by the Tatmadaw, U Zaw Htay said. The recent moves by the government and military suggest that authorities have decided to target gambling centers including casinos near Myawaddy. According to Thai news agencies, the Sky Complex casino near Myawaddy, which employs hundreds of Thais, has been closed, and some of those returning to Thailand have tested positive for the coronavirus. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: China Has to Remove Any Permanent Border Fences in Buffer Zone: Myanmar President Office Myanmar, China to Conduct Feasibility Study on Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Rail Link Myanmars Migrants Face Discrimination Amid Surging COVID-19 in Thailand An American-Chinese socialite has reportedly died in Hong Kong after plunging from her penthouse naked while carrying her five-month-old daughter in her arms. Luo Lili, 34, who had rubbed shoulders with the likes of Hillary Clinton and Rita Ora, reportedly jumped to her death with her baby after suffering post-natal depression, according to multiple reports from local media. As the only daughter of a real estate tycoon mother who owns multiple luxury development projects in China, Ms Luo appeared to have lived a lavish life, studying and travelling around the world from a young age. An American-Chinese socialite has allegedly died in Hong Kong after plunging from her penthouse naked while carrying her five-month-old daughter in her arms. Ms Luo was pictured meeting with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to her Instagram Luo Lili, 34, who had rubbed shoulders with the likes of Hillary Clinton and Rita Ora, reportedly jumped to her death with her young child last week after suffering post-natal depression The Hong Kong police found the bodies of a 34-year-old woman and her five-month-old daughter at the bottom of an apartment block last Wednesday in Yau Ma Tei, the police confirmed to MailOnline through an email statement. The officers were deployed to the scene after receiving a report from a local security guard who spotted the corpses. 'The woman and the baby girl were certified dead at scene. Initial investigation revealed that they fell from a unit. No will note was found at scene,' said the police said, who are still investigating the incident. 'Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of deaths of the deceased.' The police only identified the deceased by their surname Luo. However, local news outlets, including HK01 and Ming Pao, have named them as the American-Chinese business woman Ms Luo and her young daughter. Ms Luo appeared to have enjoyed a charmed life as a socialite as she was frequently pictured with influential figures around the world including Hillary Clinton and Rita Ora Ms Luo, a single mother, was believed to have taken her life after suffering post-natal depression, reported Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao. She was said to have jumped to her death without wearing clothing from her 5,000-square-foot penthouse while carrying her baby in her arms. Ms Luo appeared to have enjoyed an extravagant life as a socialite as she was frequently pictured with influential figures around the world including former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and English pop superstar Rita Ora. In a recent Instagram post, Ms Luo shared a photo with her daughter, Aier, while celebrating her baby girl's 100-day birthday. The mother wrote: 'She is God's way to give me perspective on life. Thank you for showing up in my life my beloved daughter.' Ms Luo, 34, appeared to have lived a lavish life, studying and travelling around the world Ms Luo was reportedly the only daughter of Luo Lin, the chairman of Jinlin Real Estate in south-western Chinese metropolis Chengdu, who owns multiple luxury development projects across the country. Her father is said to have come from a doctor family who have practised Chinese traditional medicine for six generations. Born in Chengdu, Ms Luo moved to Hong Kong at the age of four before studying in Australia and the United States. She was said to be a fluent English speaker and have worked as a translator for her mother before founding her own company in 2014. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details Online marketplace Etsy has removed T-shirt with a 'Camp Auschwitz' slogan after being slammed by the Holocaust memorial for allowing the sale of 'disrespectful' items. The Auschwitz Memorial condemned the shirt, which was being sold by a US-based seller that shipped them to buyers across the world, including the United Kingdom. The T-shirt featured a skull and crossbones with the phrase 'Camp Auschwitz' emblazoned on the front. The slogan referenced the infamous Nazi concentration camp, where more than 1.1 million people were killed during World War II. The shirt was removed after a man who wore a sweatshirt with the slogan was pictured among supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump who last week stormed the Capitol in Washington D.C. , ransacking legislators' offices and stealing computers and documents in an assault that left five people dead. The shirt, worn by former welder Robert Keith Packer, also appeared to be printed with the phrase: 'Work brings freedom' - a translation of the German phrase on the camp's gates; 'Arbeit macht frei'. On Etsy's website, the product description said the T-shirts were: 'Everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. 'It's comfortable and flattering for both men and women.' The item was listed for sale yesterday, drawing instant criticism from the memorial who said the product was disrespectful to the memory of Holocust victims. The products were removed by Etsy following the backlash and the seller has now been banned permanantly from the site. One of those pictured at the Capitol protest wore a racist t-shirt which read 'Camp Auschwitz'. He has been identified as Robert Keith Packer T-shirts with the slogan 'Camp Auschwitz' were listed for sale on online marketplace Etsy for 19.85 before they were removed following criticism from the Auschwitz Memorial who said the products were disrespectful to Holocaust survivors The product description said the T-shirts were: 'Everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch' Writing on Twitter in response to the Etsy listing, Auschwitz Memorial said: 'Please remove this. It is painful to survivors and disrespectful to the memory of all victims of Auschwitz.' Their thoughts were echoed by scores of other social media users, some of whom called for a boycott of the online site. @drlneah7 wrote: 'What the actual f*** @etsy? Do you really want to be a platform for Nazis?' @sk1138-Stephan added: 'Outrageous, this needs to be removed right away.' @MARIA63602581 said: 'That's disgusting. It's atrocious that you would sell that on your site.' @SCOUTtheDOG commented: 'Boycott Etsy until they take this garbage down.' The 'offensive' shirt was listed for sale by independent seller ASSID, but the products were removed this morning following the backlash. Etsy confirmed it had also banned the seller from the site. The Etsy listing invited criticism from the Auschwitz Memorial who contacted the online market place via their Twitter account Their post prompted an outpouring of criticism with some calling for customers to boycott the site This Twitter user slammed the company and asked if they 'wanted to be a platform for Nazis' Others called for the immediate removal of the products, calling the listing 'disgusting' One social media user slammed the products as 'outrageous' and also called for their removal The Auschwitz Memorial thanked Etsy for the removal of the products once they were removed Auschwitz Memorial works to preserve the largest of the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, in Oswiecim, Poland. The memorial and museum was created in 1947 and holds a variety of archives and collections as well as research, conservation from the past horrors of the camp and seeks to educate people on the crimes of the Nazis while remembering those who lost their lives. The controversy surrounding the shirt comes just weeks before the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust on January 27. A spokesman for Auschwitz Memorial said: 'The 'Camp Auschwitz' sweatshirt was noticed during the violent riots in the US Capitol. 'Many people tagged us on Twitter to let us know about this particular situation. 'First of all it is clear that the instrumentalization of the tragedy of people who suffered and were murdered in the concentration and extermination camp as a result of ideology of hatred is always painful. 'It is painful to survivors and disrespectful to the memory of all the victims. 'We noticed that this situation raised discussion not only about the symbol itself and about the man who wore the sweatshirt, but also about companies that make profit from selling such products. More than 1.1 million people were killed at the infamous Nazi concentration camp during World War II 'People began to search such companies and request removal of those products and it seems some of these actions have already been successful. 'They also contacted us for help. In recent days we have asked several online stores to remove such disrespectful products joining many people who expressed their indignation. 'We believe that selling and making profit from items with such reference to the Auschwitz camp - a place of enormous human suffering caused by hateful ideology, where over 1.1 million people were murdered - is simply not acceptable.' An Etsy spokesperson told Mail Online: 'We are deeply saddened by the events that took place at the US Capitol. 'Etsys long-standing policies prohibit items that promote hate or violence, and we are vigilantly monitoring our marketplace for any such listings that may have been inspired by recent unrest. 'We removed this item immediately when it was brought to our attention and have also banned the shop that attempted to list this item. 'Items that glorify or violence have no place on Etsy and we are committed to keeping our marketplace safe.' Local News, Business & Finance By Long Island Published: January 11 2021 Assemblymembers Michaelle Solages and Phil Ramos have joined local activists and union members for the Long Island launch of the Invest In Our New York Act Invest In Our New York Act is a historic state legislative package to rebuild New Yorks economy and end tax breaks for the wealthiest New Yorkers. Solages and Ramos were joined at Thursdays event by former Central Islip Superintendent Howard Koenig, local activist Joseph Sackman, representatives from Make the Road New York, New York State Nurses Associate, New York Communities for Change, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Long Beach Reach, and STRONG Youth, in addition to impacted community members. If passed, the Invest In Our New York Act would represent the single largest measure taken to close New Yorks inequality gap in decades, marking a massive reversal away from years of budgets that have decimated public schools, affordable housing, healthcare, immigrant workers, and localities, while providing tax breaks to the wealthiest New Yorkers. During one of the most tumultuous times in our modern history, some individuals were able to add massive amounts to their wealth as everyday working-class people fell farther into financial ruin. It is time for each of us to do our part in building back a better and more equitable New York. To that end, we cannot allow any draconian cuts to our schools, stated Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus. We know how effective a quality education can be in promoting social mobility and greater health outcomes. We have to maneuver strategically and keep investing in the sectors that produce the most returns on our investments. That is why I join this diverse coalition of Long Islanders today in calling for our wealthier New Yorkers to pay their fair share. The road to recovery for New Yorkers is gonna be a difficult one if our State doesnt take bold action to address the impacts that COVID-19 has had on immigrant, Black, brown, and TGNCIQ+ communities across our state. This week, outside of Cuomos office, the Invest In Our New York Coalition showed that we have a solution to help New York State not only get out of this pandemic efficiently, but also help the communities hit the hardest thrive for months and years to come. We have a legislative solution to help address our current economic crisis. Today, our Long Island members and allies call on the Governor and legislators to support the Invest In Our New York Act, to help raise the $50 billion needed to ensure a just recovery for all, said Deborah Axt, Co-Executive Director at Make the Road NY. Gov. Cuomos New York leads all other states in inequality thanks to years of austerity policies that have grinded down the working class but shielded the rich, who have seen their already massive fortunes soar, Lisa Tyson, director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition, said. From education to housing, the pandemic has exacerbated every pre-existing inequity in our state, and some folks in Albany would be happy to cut our way out of this crisis by slashing already decimated essential services. This is unconscionable, especially as millionaires and billionaires exploit peoples suffering to make record profits. Its time to stop giving the wealthy a free ride, which is why the Long Island Progressive Coalition has joined this statewide call to raise new revenue by taxing the rich. Equitable education funding has been a problematic issue for years. Since the Pandemic it has become a crisis damaging the future for students in less wealthy districts throughout New York State and indeed the Nation. In the Central Islip School District where I was privileged to serve for many years as Superintendent of Schools our motto has been Children our Future Diversity our strength. These students are being prepared and are preparing to become important and contributing parts of our community, State and Nations future. Since the Pandemic, the response from Washington and Albany to cutting essential services in lieu of providing support for our less affluent public school districts and students is nothing less than a crime against the future of our nation and its students. The success of our schools and what they can provide for their students must not be a factor inexorably tied to their zip codes and the wealth of their neighbors, said Dr. Howard Koenig, former superintendent of Central Islip Schools. Communities across Long Island have been hit particularly hard by Governor Cuomos rolling budget cuts throughout 2020, compounding previous disinvestment from hospitals, schools, social services, and localities. $49.4 million in state aid cut from Long Island public schools\ $100,000 cut from Long Island addiction and mental health treatment services Support & shelter shortage for over 3,800 people on Long Island without homes Hunger across Long Island at an all-time high, creating unprecedented shortages at food pantries The Long Island campaign launch came as legislators and advocates held public events for the Invest in Our New York Act across the state, including New York City, Rochester, and Albany. The campaign is led and supported by over 100 community organizations, and is championed by dozens of Assembly Members and Senators from every region of New York. About the Invest In Our New York Campaign: The Invest in Our New York Campaign is a legislative effort to pass the Invest In Our New York Act: a package of six state bills that raises more than $50 billion to ensure we can take care of each other and rebuild our economy by ending tax breaks for the richest New Yorkers. The campaign is led by Alliance for Quality Education, Citizen Action, Empire State Indivisible, Make the Road New York, New York Communities for Change, New York Working Families Party, NYC-DSA, Strong Economy for All, VOCAL-NY, New York Communities for Change, and Upstate Downstate Housing Alliance/Housing Justice for All. This historic coalition is prioritizing revenue-raising as the single top priority for the 2021 legislative session through a statewide campaign including town halls, lobby days, phone banking, canvassing and more. Democrats are moving quickly to hold President Donald Trump accountable for the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters, with House lawmakers on course to possibly make him the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the House will begin voting Monday on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to have the Cabinet declare Trump unable to carry out his duties. She said the House will begin voting on Trump's impeachment as soon as Wednesday. The main challenge is the short timeline before Trump's final day as president on Jan. 20, when Joe Biden will take the oath of office. The way the process is handled in the House and Senate will affect how quickly Biden will get his Cabinet confirmed and his legislative agenda moving. Here's a look at some of the options on the table as Washington grapples with the aftermath of last week's violence. Pelosi's plan for this week - On Monday, Democrats will introduce several versions of impeachment articles, one of which has nearly the entire House caucus as co-sponsors. In the 11 a.m. session, Democrats will also try to pass without objection a resolution calling on Pence and the Cabinet to remove Trump from office using the 25th Amendment. - This is all but certain to fail because just one member can block it. If so, then the measure will be put on the floor for a full House vote on Tuesday. The resolution gives Pence 24 hours to respond. - If Pence and the Cabinet don't act to remove Trump from office, the House will begin the process of voting on impeachment as soon as Wednesday. - Pelosi said Democrats would also discuss using a provision of the 14th Amendment, which was added to the Constitution after the Civil War to prohibit any government official who participated in or supported an insurrection against the U.S. from holding office in the future. - House Democrats will have a conference call at 12 p.m. Monday to discuss this plan and other options. Republicans will have a call at 4:30 p.m. Monday. The House's 25th Amendment resolution gives Pence 24 hours to "declare what is obvious to a horrified Nation: That the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office." The measure is nonbinding. The amendment, added to the Constitution after John F. Kennedy's assassination, provides a way to remove the president, either temporarily or permanently. It can be exercised with or without the president's consent if the president becomes ill or is deemed unfit for office. Though Pence has expressed some displeasure with Trump for putting him in the difficult position of having to rule against the president's wishes during the Electoral College count, he has given no indication that he would be willing to invoke the 25th Amendment and has privately dismissed the action, according to a person familiar with the matter. Even if Pence and a majority of the president's Cabinet were to invoke the 25th Amendment, Trump could contest the move, kicking the whole matter to Congress for consideration. In that case, two-thirds of both chambers would have to back the president's removal. Several members of Congress have circulated articles of impeachment. An article authored by Democratic Reps. Ted Lieu of California, David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Jamie Raskin of Maryland has at least 210 co-sponsors and will be introduced Monday, according to the members. Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said she also expects to introduce two articles of impeachment on Monday. And Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has drawn up articles of impeachment. Pelosi said the House will begin voting on impeaching Trump as soon as Wednesday, which would require only a simple majority in the House. Some Republicans, including Trump critic Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, have indicated they would vote in favor of impeachment. But Trump still has support among House Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana. McCarthy and Scalise were among the 121 Republicans who voted to reject the electoral results from Arizona and the 138 Republicans who voted to reject Pennsylvania's results, even after the attack. McCarthy has argued that impeaching Trump "will only divide our country more." There are 222 Democrats and 211 Republicans in the 117th Congress. In December 2019, when Democrats had a larger majority, the House voted 230-197 to charge Trump with abuse of power and 229-198 to charge him with obstruction of Congress for soliciting help from the Ukrainian president to dig up dirt on Biden, then one of several candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. A House vote to impeach Trump for a second time would send the matter over to the Senate for another trial. A year ago, after his first impeachment by the House, Trump escaped conviction by senators. Proceedings in the Senate are likely to wait until after he leaves office, in part because the chamber is on recess until Jan. 19. With two new Democratic senators from Georgia still to be sworn in, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will be majority leader until the Senate reconvenes. House Democrats may decide to wait on handing their impeachment of Trump over to the Senate for adjudication to allow senators to focus on getting Biden's agenda launched, including confirmation of his Cabinet picks. That's because once the Senate receives impeachment articles from the House, all other business must be put on hold. South Carolina's James Clyburn, the No. 3 House Democrat, has suggested the chamber could hold the articles of impeachment for 100 days or more to avoid sidetracking the beginning of the Biden administration. The president-elect has expressed concern that an impeachment proceeding risks becoming a distraction. Pelosi also mentioned the Constitution's 14th Amendment, a post-Civil War measure to prohibit any government official who participated in or supported an insurrection against the U.S. from ever holding a state or federal governmental position again. A resolution citing the 14th Amendment may not require the same two-thirds Senate vote as an impeachment conviction, and it would sidestep a lengthy trial. The measure could declare that those who participated in or gave "aid or comfort" to the attack were in violation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Deepak Gupta, an appellate lawyer who has argued different 14th Amendment cases before the Supreme Court, said he believes Wednesday's attack to be a textbook definition of insurrection: a group of people using force to prevent the government from lawful acts. Whether Trump's incitement would make him a guilty party is a different question, but Gupta believes it would be an act covered by the constitutional provision. The amendment was last invoked in 1919, when former Rep. Victor Berger of Wisconsin, the first socialist elected to Congress, was prevented from being seated due to a conviction, later overturned, related to his opposition to U.S. involvement in World War I. But after the Supreme Court overturned Berger's conviction in 1921 he was again elected to the House and seated without objection. The constitutional amendment allows Congress to overturn the ban by a two-thirds majority. Calls have come from members of parties for Trump to resign, as former President Richard Nixon did. Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Penn., said Sunday it would be the most expedient resolution. It also appears to be the least likely outcome. "It does not look as though there is the will or the consensus to exercise the 25th Amendment option. And I don't think there's time to do an impeachment," Toomey said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "The best thing would be a resignation." In Nixon's case, he was confronted on Aug. 7, 1974 by three senior congressional Republicans, Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott, House Minority Leader John Rhodes and Sen. Barry Goldwater. They made it clear to him that his political support had collapsed and he faced almost certain impeachment in the House and conviction in the Senate for his role in the Watergate scandal. Nixon, who had already been considering the move, resigned two days later. By contrast, Trump still appears to have significant support among GOP voters and there is scant public support among Republicans in Congress for impeaching him. In a show of defiance, he is planning a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border area in Texas this week to highlight the building of a wall on the frontier, a new round of pardons and a renewed fight against the social media companies that have suspended him from their platforms in the wake of the events of Jan. 6. This Designer Built a Transforming Bike With Instructions to Create Your Own 5 Here Is a Robot Going All Shepherd on a Bunch of Sheep 1 Boston Dynamics Robots Put On an Awesome, Eerie Dance Show Just for You More on this: Spot Is Worlds Largest, Most Expensive Thermometer Working for the Police Boston Dynamics makes awesome, incredibly versatile, and useful robots. One of them, the famous dog robot Spot, also makes for a good, albeit too expensive, thermometer. 9 photos City spending data obtained by the media outlet reveals that the Honolulu PD spent a little over $150,000 on their new Spot, which is actually double the base price. Boston Dynamics offers a series of add-ons to the $74,500 Spot (shipping included), which drives up the final tally. No word on what these are in this particular instance. Moreover, the money came from federal relief funds meaning, it should have been used to assist those most affected by the ongoing health crisis. As for how the PD is using their new robot, thats the most unbelievable part. Spot patrols the HPDs tent city for the homeless and takes peoples temperatures, for which reason the PD is being criticized for buying the worlds most expensive and In a statement to the media, HPD Deputy Chief John McCarthy denies such claims, saying that Spot will be of further use during this difficult time and beyond. It will be used for touchless field screening and interaction, provide telemedicine, deliver medical supplies and food, and conduct continual thermal imagining of an area. Currently, much of this work is done by officers, some of whom are on overtime pay. In the long run, the Spot robot will save money while keeping officers safe, McCarthy says. We plan to use the Spot robot in other HPD operations. A dancing mascot would also be an excellent fit for Spot, as the Civil Beat reports that the Honolulu Police Department from Hawaii now counts with its very own Spot . Considering that the four-legged robot is suitable for a variety of work , the fact that it joined the PD isnt much of a surprise. However, its current use and the provenance of the money it was bought with are.City spending data obtained by the media outlet reveals that the Honolulu PD spent a little over $150,000 on their new Spot, which is actually double the base price. Boston Dynamics offers a series of add-ons to the $74,500 Spot (shipping included), which drives up the final tally. No word on what these are in this particular instance.Moreover, the money came from federal relief funds meaning, it should have been used to assist those most affected by the ongoing health crisis.As for how the PD is using their new robot, thats the most unbelievable part. Spot patrols the HPDs tent city for the homeless and takes peoples temperatures, for which reason the PD is being criticized for buying the worlds most expensive and technologically advanced thermometer in the world.In a statement to the media, HPD Deputy Chief John McCarthy denies such claims, saying that Spot will be of further use during this difficult time and beyond. It will be used for touchless field screening and interaction, provide telemedicine, deliver medical supplies and food, and conduct continual thermal imagining of an area.Currently, much of this work is done by officers, some of whom are on overtime pay. In the long run, the Spot robot will save money while keeping officers safe, McCarthy says. We plan to use the Spot robot in other HPD operations.A dancing mascot would also be an excellent fit for Spot, as the latest Boston Dynamics viral video has shown. Editor's note: Photos in the gallery show Spot and its robots friends dancing to Do You Love Me by The Countours. Photos in the gallery show Spot and its robots friends dancing to Do You Love Me by The Countours. 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. Ross Belhomme, Managing Director, Asiaciti Trust Singapore As one of a few global fiduciary firms remaining truly committed to maintaining its long term stable family ownership, I truly believe that we can build on the last 40 years of success and develop one of the highest pedigree client-focussed firms fit for serving their needs in the 21st century. Asiaciti Trust announced today that it has appointed Ross Belhomme as Managing Director for its Singapore office. Belhomme brings with him over twenty years of proven management expertise and strong client-centric experience in trust and fiduciary services. Jerome Briggs, Chief Executive Officer, Asiaciti Trust Group said, We are pleased to welcome Ross to our management team. I am confident that with his impressive background, in-depth knowledge of our industry and proven client management skills, Ross will bring immense value to our clients as he leads our Singapore office in its next phase of growth. After a twenty year career in Europe developing and implementing structuring solutions for families and businesses whose lives are increasingly complicated as they operate more and more globally, I am excited to join Asiaciti Trust, which has an impeccable track record of providing the highest quality service for over four decades, Belhomme added. As one of a few global fiduciary firms remaining truly committed to maintaining its long term stable family ownership, I truly believe that we can build on the last 40 years of success and develop one of the highest pedigree client-focussed firms fit for serving their needs in the 21st century. Belhomme relocates from Switzerland, where he was concurrently the Managing Director of Alvarium Investments fiduciary business and a Director of Guggenheim Investment Partners. Prior to that, he held key positions at major US and UK banking and financial services firms. As the Deputy Chairman of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEPs) Digital Assets SIG Steering Committee, Belhomme is heavily involved in leading the evolution of the industry as it enters the digital age. He is a former representative at the Swiss Association of Trust Companies and has been a European committee member of the International Business Structuring Association since 2015. Belhomme is a graduate of the IE Law Schools inaugural legal and technology LLM programme, holds a law degree from the University of London and attended Harvard Business Schools inaugural Private Equity & Venture Capital programme. Kenneth Braithwaite said that US Arctic patrol vessels would be active in Antarctica. Other countries like Russia and China are attempting to capitalize on a foothold for military purposes. The US Navy will be sending naval ships close to Russian land claims while the arctic ice sheet rolls back. Melting ice allow more traffic in the earth's coldest region. According to Navy Secretary Braithwaite, American presence will be a priority for US Naval forces. He noted that more activity by the US would be prominent above the Arctic Circle, reported Breaking Defense. After January 20, he says it will be his last interview before a change of administration. He made it clear that the Navy's new Arctic Strategy paper involves a "Tri-Service" that includes the Marines and Coast Guard. All services combined will use an assertive posture for everyday operations to stopgap the movement of several nations. They are Russia and especially China, which seem not to be content in the South China Sea. Braithwaite told reporters via a phone conference about what comes next of the Blue Arctic strategy. He explained that the US would have a more dominant presence in the far north to counter Russian expansion. China is not a priority but is eyeing the territory. One of the questions to Braithwaite is whether the US will be doing a Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) close to the Russian coast as a calculated response. The Navy secretary Kenneth Braithwaite stated that US arctic patrol vessels would do the same thing in the South China Sea as Fonops can say freely in international waters. It is a right that the United States adheres to, especially when some dispute is concerned. Also read: US Navy Submarines to Be Equipped with Anti-Ship Missiles to Take on More Surface Threats He added that the Barents Sea territory moves to around the Kola Peninsula, where Russian assets are. This needs to be done to signal a more active American presence. Sea lanes in the northern straits become more passable. The US Navy will guarantee access for allies. Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) is vital for the US and its allies. Sources determine that the Kola Peninsula is right in the arctic with an impressive military presence. Housed in Kola is the mighty Northern Fleet of Russia, with a submarine force that rivals Americans. It is where the Kremlin wants to project military force in the northern seas. Just like Beijing's loose claims in the South China Sea, the Russians are claiming bodies of water as theirs. But the international community says they are not applicable because it is international waters, and anyone can sail there. Braithwaite said that the US must be there and establish itself more. Russia has a lot of investment in improving its arctic flank defense and even economic activity. Its combo complements its militarization of the far north. Some criticisms point that most have not abided by the rules of the sea. The security in the region might be volatile and insecure too. One of the problems is bases and deep-water ports for maritime assets and only one ice breaker. The US Navy needs to develop logistics to support a full-time arctic presence. Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite says that US Arctic patrol vessels might be submarines. The US has 48 of them in operation too. Related articles: US Navy: New Type Lightweight Torpedo in Development for Naval Vessels Coming Soon @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The young couple was the last to make it across. As water raged at their feet, they crossed Granthams rail bridge as the devastating flood rushed through Lockyer Valley town. The couple's bid to reach safety was photographed by Grantham rural fire brigade officer Geoff Purton at 4.13pm on January 10, 2011. A young Toowoomba couple desperately cross the Grantham rail line as floodwaters rise on January 10, 2011. Credit:Geoff Purton Up to 20 cars were jammed under this Grantham rail bridge 10 years ago. This show how high 2011's floodwater rose. Credit:Tony Moore The previous night, he had stayed up until 1.30am with his wife Marieanne, known as "Ma", watching the water rise and seemingly subside. The next morning, Mr Purton left his home in Victor Street, beside Grantham State School, to see how high the water had risen. "I called Marieanne and said 'you had better come down and have a look because this is not a normal flood'," he said. Advertisement "I think there was 20-plus cars that got jammed in underneath the bridge." The flood came from the severely swollen Sandy and Lockyer creeks. "The cars that were originally trying to drive down Railway Street were flowing upstream because there was just so much water backing up because Lockyer Creek had already burst its banks," Mr Purton said. Grantham residents tell of a three to four-metre high wave "taller than the trees" flowing across the valley west of Brisbane. "I didnt see that initial big wave from there, but there are photos of that torrent that went through the town," he said. Mrs Purton said: "It came down the range to the Lockyer, down Lockyer Creek, because all of our creeks turn into one basically." The young Toowoomba couple, captured in the photograph, was returning from Brisbane after collecting a car. Advertisement Swirling floodwaters destroy homes and sheds as it rushes through Grantham on January 10, 2011. Credit:Geoff Purton "As far as we know they went to Brisbane to collect a second car and they were turned off the bypass and sent through Grantham," Mrs Purton said. Her husband interjected: "But Grantham was as far as they made it." "For some reason, they ended up there, literally surrounded by water,'' he said. "The water was up to their knees. So they are walking over the railway line and they are already up to their knees in water. They were the last two people to come across the railway line. Marieanne (Ma) and Geoff Purton remember how one of his photographs captured the tense emotion of the floods on January 10, 2011. Credit:Tony Moore "We are not sure where their vehicle ended up for them to get to that spot." Advertisement Brothers Rob and Jimmy Wilkin helped the Purtons get the couple across the rail bridge. "Jimmy and Rob were rescuing people in boats until some debris got caught in the propeller and they couldnt use it," Mrs Purton said. "The three of us waded into the water and pulled them out. We just used the railway yard fence to guide ourselves in and got a hold of them and got them out." The railway bridge has open sleepers across it. In dry times, the significant gap between the sleepers is evident. But the young man miscalculated, slipping through the gap while scrambling through the floodwaters. His female companion was quick to act. "He had fallen through and you can see how big she is, not," Mr Purton said. "He had misjudged where his feet were going and his feet went through the sleepers. She has just leaned down with one hand and just reefed him out of the water." Advertisement The young man was airlifted out the following day, Mr Purton said. Loading "He was one of the first ones to be airlifted to hospital the following day because of his injuries," he said. Grantham has recovered over the past decade, but scratch the surface and painful memories are just beneath. The Purtons paused for a few moments as they remembered how awful the transformational Grantham experience, where 12 people died, became before town crawled back. "I remember the police doing door knocks through here on the Tuesday (January 2011) and saying we need to get you on a chopper today, we are getting you all out of here," Mrs Purton said. "I said Why? He said it is not safe for you any more. I said surely the worst of it has gone. Advertisement Newly elected Alabama Congressman Barry Moore has deleted his personal Twitter account following two controversial tweets that appeared to inject a racial element into Wednesdays mob assault on the U.S. Capitol. Attention was drawn to the Tweets on Sunday by journalist Jamie Dupree. In one, Moore commented that we have more arrests for stealing a podium on Jan. 6th than we do for stealing an election on November 3rd and went on to say that Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Detroit would be places I recommend you start. In the other, Moore referred to the case of Ashli Babbitt, a military veteran shot by Capitol Police while she was among people trying to force their way into the House Chamber. I understand it was a black police officer that shot the white female veteran, tweeted Moore, A Republican from Enterprise. You know that doesnt fit the narrative. Moore also made this tweet on Saturday night about the US Capitol Police officer who shot and killed a woman as she tried to get into a lobby off the House floor, where lawmakers were sheltering from the attack by Trump supporters. pic.twitter.com/BsYL2DzedZ Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) January 10, 2021 Moores account initially was suspended, and later deleted. On Sunday evening Moores chief of staff, Shana Teehan, said that after the account was suspended Moore deleted it because of the censorship of conservative voices he saw happening. Moore still has an official account, @RepBarryMoore. As of Sunday night, that account made no mention of the other account. In recent days most Tweets from the official account have been biblical quotations; on Jan. 7 Moore posted a statement condemning Tuesdays attack as a disgrace to the principles we long have embraced, expressing gratitude for the Capitol Police another law enforcement agencies and supporting an orderly transition of power on Jan. 20. 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. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that he no longer considers himself a Republican following the riot that broke out at the Capitol last week Powell said he believed 'fellow Republicans' who refused to criticize Trump 'encouraged this wildness to grow and grow' Last week he said he wished that Trump would resign from office like Nixon did Powell served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush and as national security adviser under President Reagan Trump rioters breached the Capitol amid protests in Washington, D.C. calling on officials to block the certification of the Electoral College vote Former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell says he no longer considers himself to be Republican. Powell shared his thoughts on CNN on Sunday about Wednesday's attack on the U.S. Capitol. ADVERTISEMENT The violence led to the deaths of five people and succeeded in temporarily interrupting congressional hearings to verify the election of President-elect Joe Biden. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that he no longer considers himself a Republican following the riot that broke out at the Capitol last week Anchor Fareed Zakaria asked Powell if he thought Republicans who refused to condemn President Donald Trump realized that they 'encouraged this wildness to grow and grow.' 'They did,' Powell agreed. 'And that's why I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican,' he stated. 'I'm just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat throughout my entire career and right now I'm just watching my country and am not concerned with parties,' Powell explained. Powell said that he is 'not a fellow of anything right now.' Anchor Fareed Zakaria asked Powell if he thought Republicans who refused to condemn President Donald Trump realized that they 'encouraged this wildness to grow and grow.' 'They did,' Powell agreed. 'And that's why I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican,' he stated 'I do not know how Trump was able to attract all these people,' Powell said speaking of the president's apparent magnetism. 'They should have known better but they were so taken by their political standing they would not stand up and tell the truth or criticize him, or criticize others,' he said. 'We need people who will speak the truth and who remember that they are here for their fellow citizens and our country, and not just to just to be re-elected again.' On Friday, Powell argued for Trump to resign immediately just as President Richard Nixon did following the Watergate scandal. 'I wish he would just do what Nixon did and step down. Somebody ought to go up there and say it's over. The plane is waiting for you, you're out. That way he would not only step down. He would in addition sort of cut the guts out from underneath this group of people who he has working for him,' he told Today. 'I do not know how Trump was able to attract all these people,' Powell said speaking of the president's apparent magnetism in gaining the support of fellow Republicans 'What he is responsible for is one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen in all my years as a government employee here in the United States of America and in Washington, D.C.,' Powell continued. ADVERTISEMENT 'He should be totally ashamed of himself, and he should take that shame and turn it into a resignation as quickly as possible.' In August, Powell endorsed Joe Biden, calling him 'a president we will all be proud to salute.' Powell, 83, served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security adviser in the 1980s and 1990s. After retiring from the military in 1996 he joined the Republican Party and at one point was thought to have been a possible contender for a presidential run. He was secretary of state under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. Richard Nixon announces his resignation from the White House in August 1974 following the Watergate scandal Click here to resize this module A sign is posted on the exterior of Twitter headquarter in San Francisco, on July 26, 2018. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Prominent Conservatives Abandon Twitter, Citing Censorship A number of conservative media figures have left Twitter in recent days following the suspension of President Donald Trumps account. Greg Gutfeld, Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs, and Mark Levin all have left for different platforms. Okay, this IS my last tweet: CNN tries to get FNC [Fox News] banned. Apple targets Parler. Publishers dump writers. music labels drop artists. twitter bans/removes thousands. tech companies join hands. this redefines who the true rebels are. if you like the purge, youre the servant, Gutfeld wrote on Twitter. Levin wrote: I have suspended my own Twitter account in protest against Twitters fascism. I ask all my followers to join me now on Parler and Rumble. Dobbs also said: I dont believe any American should ever tolerate those who deny us freedom of speech or who would ever be so arrogant as to censor our President. Im withdrawing from Twitter as of right now, he added. Please join me on Parler @LouDobbsTonight, God bless you and America. Last week, Twitter, Facebook, and other tech firms announced they were suspending Trumps access to the platforms. Several prominent conservatives accounts were also deleted. Limbaugh appeared to delete his Twitter page, without comment. Twitter in a statement on Jan. 8 argued that Trump violated its terms of service, citing the breach of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6. After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them, we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence, Twitter said in a statement. The social media application logo from Parler displayed on a smartphone in Arlington, Va., on July 2, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) It comes as Parler, a social media platform largely used by conservatives, was banned by Googles and Apples app stores, respectively. Amazon also confirmed it would suspend Parler from using its Amazon Cloud Services starting on Jan. 10. Parler CEO John Matze said it was a coordinated attack by large tech companies to kill competition. You can expect the war on competition and free speech to continue, but dont count us out, he said. The wave of censorship prompted a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Twitters decision to suspend Trump from social media sets a precedent for tech companies to silence voices, Kate Ruane, a senior legislative counsel at the ACLU, said in a statement. We understand the desire to permanently suspend him now, but it should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billionsespecially when political realities make those decisions easier, the ACLU statement reads. President Trump can turn his press team or Fox News to communicate with the public, but others who have been censored by social media companieswill not have that luxury. It is our hope that these companies will apply their rules transparently to everyone. 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 have used a "galaxy-sized" space observatory to find possible hints of a unique signal from gravitational waves, or the powerful ripples that course through the universe and warp the fabric of space and time itself. The new findings, which appeared recently in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, hail from a U.S. and Canadian project called the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav). For over 13 years, NANOGrav researchers have pored over the light streaming from dozens of pulsars spread throughout the Milky Way Galaxy to try to detect a "gravitational wave background." That's what scientists call the steady flux of gravitational radiation that, according to theory, washes over Earth on a constant basis. The team hasn't yet pinpointed that target, but it's getting closer than ever before, said Joseph Simon, an astrophysicist at the University of Colorado Boulder and lead author of the new paper. "We've found a strong signal in our dataset," said Simon, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences. "But we can't say yet that this is the gravitational wave background." In 2017, scientists on an experiment called the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the first-ever direct detection of gravitational waves. Those waves were created when two black holes slammed into each other roughly 130 million lightyears from Earth, generating a cosmic shock that spread to our own solar system. That event was the equivalent of a cymbal crash--a violent and short-lived blast. The gravitational waves that Simon and his colleagues are looking for, in contrast, are more like the steady hum of conversation at a crowded cocktail party. Detecting that background noise would be a major scientific achievement, opening a new window to the workings of the universe, he added. These waves, for example, could give scientists new tools for studying how the supermassive black holes at the centers of many galaxies merge over time. "These enticing first hints of a gravitational wave background suggest that supermassive black holes likely do merge and that we are bobbing in a sea of gravitational waves rippling from supermassive black hole mergers in galaxies across the universe," said Julie Comerford, an associate professor of astrophysical and planetary science at CU Boulder and NANOGrav team member. Simon will present his team's results at a virtual press conference on Monday at the 237th meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Galactic lighthouses Through their work on NANOGrav, Simon and Comerford are part of a high stakes, albeit collaborative, international race to find the gravitational wave background. Their project joins two others out of Europe and Australia to make up a network called the International Pulsar Timing Array. Simon said that, at least according to theory, merging galaxies and other cosmological events produce a steady churn of gravitational waves. They're humungous--a single wave, Simon said, can take years or even longer to pass Earth by. For that reason, no other existing experiments can detect them directly. "Other observatories search for gravitational waves that are on the order of seconds," Simon said. "We're looking for waves that are on the order of years or decades." He and his colleagues had to get creative. The NANOGrav team uses telescopes on the ground not to look for gravitational waves but to observe pulsars. These collapsed stars are the lighthouses of the galaxy. They spin at incredibly fast speeds, sending streams of radiation hurtling toward Earth in a blinking pattern that remains mostly unchanged over the eons. Simon explained that gravitational waves alter the steady pattern of light coming from pulsars, tugging or squeezing the relative distances that these rays travel through space. Scientists, in other words, might be able to spot the gravitational wave background simply by monitoring pulsars for correlated changes in the timing of when they arrive at Earth. "These pulsars are spinning about as fast as your kitchen blender," he said. "And we're looking at deviations in their timing of just a few hundred nanoseconds." Something there To find that subtle signal, the NANOGrav team strives to observe as many pulsars as possible for as long as possible. To date, the group has observed 45 pulsars for at least three years and, in some cases, for well over a decade. The hard work seems to be paying off. In their latest study, Simon and his colleagues report that they've detected a distinct signal in their data: Some common process seems to be affecting the light coming from many of the pulsars. "We walked through each of the pulsars one by one. I think we were all expecting to find a few that were the screwy ones throwing off our data," Simon said. "But then we got through them all, and we said, 'Oh my God, there's actually something here.'" The researchers still can't say for sure what's causing that signal. They'll need to add more pulsars to their dataset and observe them for longer periods to determine if it's actually the gravitational wave background at work. "Being able to detect the gravitational wave background will be a huge step but that's really only step one," he said. "Step two is pinpointing what causes those waves and discovering what they can tell us about the universe." ### NANOGrav is a U.S. National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center. It is co-directed by Maura McLaughlin of West Virginia University and Xavier Siemens of Oregon State University. Rakhi Sawants brother Rakesh Sawant said that his sister has found real love in her husband, Ritiesh. Rakhi has entered the Bigg Boss 14 house as a challenger. In an interview with Etimes TV, Rakesh said, I know many people think she lied about her marriage but just imagine why will a girl lie about her wedding. I was part of the wedding. The lockdown has affected Rakhi badly and we all are trying our best that at least once Ritesh jiju comes to India. Even he is trying his best and wants to tell people that marriage is not a lie. He added that her family is very happy for her because she has finally got a really good life partner and she is happy. Rest everyone like Abhishek Awasthi and others used Rakhi to make their career and enter industry. They used Rakhi's name and fame that she had then, to make their careers. He alo said that Rakhi and Ritesh had decided to visit Siddhivinayak and announce the wedding before the media. But their plans got ruined because of the lockdown. During family week in Bigg Boss 14, Rakhi was seen asking her mother to request to her husband to meet her once. ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Lela Eldredge braves chilly Wyoming mornings twice a month to stand in the local food line, which the homemaker relies on to feed her four children, ages 7 months to 6 years old. She knows it could disappear as state Republicans consider slashing government services to help address a budget deficit that rose as high as $1.5 billion last summer. But Eldredge - who often voted for Democrats in the past - cast her ballot for several Republicans in November. "People will do what they need to do to survive," said Eldredge, 32, who voted for President Donald Trump because she felt the media was biased against him. "I honestly don't think the government should be paying for everything, because that will just cause more of a deficit." This community, in Sweetwater County, elected a Republican state senator for the first time in decades in November, part of the backlash against state Democratic candidates in predominantly White, working-class rural communities. The GOP gains, which were particularly extensive in coal-producing regions, all but assure that Trump's rigid brand of politics will persist in state capitols, becoming incubators for a new generation of politicians who reject compromise and bipartisanship. Republicans picked up a net 295 state legislative seats nationwide last year, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislators - giving the GOP complete legislative control in 31 states, including veto-proof majorities in at least 15. When the Wyoming legislature convenes Jan. 12, Republicans will hold the biggest advantage that any party has held in the Cowboy State in at least a century, according to Kerry Drake, who has reported on local politics for more than four decades. Nine of 90 Wyoming legislators will be Democrats. Those gains were made just as Wyoming and many other states are facing massive budget shortfalls fueled by the coronavirus pandemic and shifting economic fortunes, including the decline of the fossil fuel industry. According to a December report from the National Association of State Budget Officers, 32 states experienced a decline in revenue last year. States are on track to collect $135 billion less in general-fund revenue in fiscal 2020 and 2021 than they had expected before the pandemic hit, the report estimated. Those known for energy production are being hit especially hard, with Wyoming's revenue expected to drop 31%. Wyoming's budget shortfall has coincided with a sharp move to the right in the statehouse, where a coalition of "Freedom Caucus" lawmakers formed last year on a fierce objection to tax hikes. State Rep. Dan Laursen, a Republican who helped form the Freedom Caucus, reflected voters like Eldredge in questioning whether services such as mental health and substance abuse treatment are "really government's job." "Is that really what our Constitution says we should be doing?" Laursen said. "Or have we just let [spending] get so far out of hand?" That perspective has left some Democratic politicians and moderate Republicans worried about the consequences in a largely rural state, which can be especially isolating for poor and sick residents. "I am terrified for the future of Wyoming," said Liisa Anselmi-Dalton, a Sweetwater County Democrat who lost her reelection for the state Senate. "This state is in a fiscal free fall, but we elected all of these people who say they won't raise taxes no matter what." - - - Composed of mining and railroad towns that were carved into the Rocky Mountain plateau 170 years ago, Sweetwater County has deep ties to the nation's labor movement. For generations, miners and rail yard workers flocked here for work, and they were reliable Democrats, especially in state and local races. During the 20th century, as underground mines closed, the region's economy continued to flourish from oil and natural gas production and strip mining. In recent years, however, the county of 42,000 residents has been battered by the drop in oil and natural gas prices, as well as declining demand for coal, as power companies increasingly turn to cleaner energy sources. As the economy has tumbled, Sweetwater County residents have been re-registering as Republicans. Twelve years ago, Democrats held a 1,500-person registration advantage here. Today, Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 2 to 1, and Trump won nearly three-fourths of the vote in November. "People out here really don't like [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi, and they don't like the Green New Deal" to fight climate change, said Stan Blake, a Sweetwater County Democrat who served seven terms in the state House but lost in November to a little-known Libertarian candidate. "People just feel like the Democratic Party has forgotten people in rural states in the West." As a result, the state's budget crisis has been left in the hands of its most conservative legislature in recent history. Arch conservatives unseated six moderate and more mainstream conservative GOP incumbents in state primary contests, accusing them of being too willing to compromise with Democrats on taxes and social issues, such as abortion and transgender rights. "I think we will keep pushing [the legislature] to the right and expose the Republicans who aren't really Republicans," said Laursen. "They are trying to find any excuse that they can to tax our people more. The government thinks they can spend our money better than [residents] can spend their own money." Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, often has tried to straddle the moderate and staunchly conservative wings of his party since being elected in 2018, but the formation of the Freedom Caucus has set up a possible bitter intraparty battle this year over the budget. Over the summer, Gordon suggested that Wyoming's budget crisis is so severe that the state could eventually have to abandon some towns, effectively allowing the Western prairie to reclaim them to save money. Gordon already has cut funding for senior citizen programs, health-care initiatives - including support for hospitals - and substance abuse and mental health treatment clinics. He is asking state legislators to make deeper cuts this year, which has alarmed social services advocates as well as some who rely on government assistance. "If I didn't have this, I wouldn't eat as much," John Warren, 69, who is disabled and relies on home-delivered meals under a state-funded program now slated for budget cuts, said from the door of his Sweetwater trailer as a volunteer dropped off spaghetti and meatballs. "No one wants to give up money to the government, but you got to support these programs," Warren added. Wyoming is among the least-taxed states in the nation. There is no state income tax, and most counties and cities rely on the state for the bulk of their funding. A typical family living on $65,000 a year pays an average of $3,200 in sales, vehicle and property taxes. But they receive about $27,000 in public services, according to an analysis by the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information's Economic Analysis Division. Gordon declined to be interviewed for this report. But Frank Eathorne, chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party, said state GOP conservatives increasingly believe that the "core values" of the party are "nonnegotiable," including limiting "the size and scope of government." Party activists adopted a rule last year that elected officials had to adhere to the state GOP platform at least 80% of the time to still receive support. "The overall message we are hearing - and this is emanating from activists in the counties in Wyoming - is that we are looking to right-size our government," said Eathorne, who helped engineer staunch conservatives' takeover of the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee over the past decade. Republican state Sen. John Kolb, who defeated Anselmi-Dalton in Sweetwater County, said GOP leaders are wise to consider whether Wyoming can still afford robust public services as the wealth from minerals and natural gas extraction evaporates. "Small towns and counties in Wyoming have always come and gone with the minerals," he said. "We've got counties in the state of Wyoming that are on life support with state money . . . and maybe it doesn't make sense to keep doing what we are doing with counties, or cities." But Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, a moderate Republican who in the past has relied on Democratic support to help block initiatives from the far right, said he does not see how the state can make the changes without keeping higher taxes on the table. "Wyoming is going to have to do something to raise revenue to get us out of this hole," Zwonitzer said. "We could fire every state employee and still not have a balanced budget - that is how bad this is." Rock Springs Mayor Tim Kaumo, a Republican, said he doubts that voters who flocked to the polls to support Trump understood the consequences of their down-ballot votes on city services. He fears his city might have to trim its police force or consolidate it with that of a town 20 miles away, because of expected cuts in state aid. "Sometimes when people vote straight party line, we get candidates and officials that are maybe not what we asked for," Kaumo said. Anselmi-Dalton, the former state senator who lost in November, believes that's exactly what happened in her reelection bid. She could sense a few weeks before Election Day that her town's history and heritage would be no match for the wave of anti-Democrat sentiment in Sweetwater County politics. She received phone calls from close childhood friends saying their parents planned to vote straight Republican ballots to send a message that they supported Trump and no longer trusted Democrats to represent them in any office. "When I heard them say that, I was like, 'Oh no, this is really going to be a bad year to be a Democrat in Wyoming,' " she recalled. - - - The new GOP legislative majority has left many Democrats - who account for about 1 in 5 registered voters in the state - anxious and fearful that government will become less empathetic and responsive to the needs of struggling residents, said Joe Barbuto, chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party. Some state legislative committees are unlikely to have any Democratic members. "We are electing people who think the government is the enemy, and truthfully, all of us are the government, so this is really scary," Barbuto said. "Things were already not looking good for Wyoming, and we have just doubled and tripled down on that with an agenda of cut, cut, cut . . . and at the end of the day, the losers are going to be the people of Wyoming." Social services advocates are also worried that the absence of Democrats in the legislature will make it harder for moderate Republicans to build the coalitions that support funding for state government programs. Tom Lacock, associate state director of AARP Wyoming, said state budget cuts could spell the end of a program that delivers hot food and other services to homebound senior citizens, a rapidly growing share of the state population. "That is kind of a big deal in Wyoming," Lacock said. "In some cases, you are serving people who can be 50, 60 miles from another provider." Linda Acker, executive director for Southwest Counseling Service in Rock Springs-Green River, said state leaders also are proposing millions of dollars in cuts to mental health and substance abuse programs in Sweetwater County. The county has some of Wyoming's highest rates of substance abuse, she said. "If a person comes and says they have no money, or are unemployed, they are still going to get services from us, because the state was paying for that," Acker said. "But that is probably going to disappear." Gordon, the governor, also requested last summer that school districts and public universities cut 10% from their budgets, to help close an estimated $300 million to $500 million shortfall in education funding. Administrators with Sweetwater County School District 1 fear they may have to cut as much as 30% of their budget if state lawmakers do not raise more revenue. "That would devastate education in this county," Superintendent Kelly McGovern said. "You could close all the elementary schools and still not have enough" savings. As a new lawmaker, Kolb, the Sweetwater senator, may play an outsize role in determining how severe the budget cuts may be. During the campaign, he signed a no-new-tax pledge, and he plans to abide by it, at least for now. "We will see how much backbone I have as time goes by," Kolb said. And even if he one day decides he has to break his pledge, Kolb said one thing will never change: To live in Wyoming, you should be hardy and self-reliant. "If you need government to support your life," he said, "this probably is not the greatest place to live." National Guard troops walk through the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Moore/Getty Images) Outgoing Chief of Capitol Police Says Efforts to Summon National Guard Were Thwarted: Report Steven Sund, outgoing chief of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), says House and Senate security officials rejected or slow-walked multiple requests by the agency to call in the National Guard for assistance on Jan. 6. Sund told The Washington Post in an interview published on Jan. 10 that, in the days leading up to the Jan. 6 incident in which protesters and rioters breached the Capitol building and committed acts of violence, he had asked House and Senate security officials to let him request that the D.C. National Guard be put on standby. He told the outlet that the officials denied or postponed his requests six times. House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving said he wasnt comfortable with how a declaration of an emergency would be received ahead of the protests, said Sund, who resigned following the Capitol breach. We knew it would be bigger, Sund told The Washington Post. We looked at the intelligence. We knew we would have large crowds, the potential for some violent altercations. I had nothing indicating we would have a large mob seize the Capitol. Protesters storm the Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Ahmed Gaber/Reuters) According to Sund, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger recommended that Sund make an informal request to the National Guard to be put on standby. The Washington Post couldnt reach Irving for comment, while Stenger declined to comment. Both officials have resigned following the incident, in which five people died, including a woman shot to death inside the Capitol building and a USCP officer who was beaten and died of his injuries. If we would have had the National Guard, we could have held them at bay longer, until more officers from our partner agencies could arrive, Sund told The Washington Post. Workers clean up the debris and damage caused by protesters at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 7, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) Pentagon officials have said USCP didnt ask the National Guard to deploy ahead of the protest, nor ask for a riot contingency plan involving guardsmen. We rely on Capitol Police and federal law enforcement to provide an assessment of the situation, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said last week, according to The Washington Post. And based on that assessment that they had, they believed they had sufficient personnel and did not make a request. According to a Department of Defense (DoD) planning and execution timeline for the National Guards involvement in the Jan. 6 incident (pdf), the Pentagon checked in with USCP on both Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 and confirmed that Capitol Police made no requests nor indicated a requirement for DoD support at the Capitol protest. Thousands of protesters followed President Donald Trump to gather around the Capitol on Jan. 6 after his speech outside the White House, during which he asked protesters to peaceful and patriotically make your voices heard. Some people breached the Capitol building, however, and what followed were numerous acts of lawlessness and violence. Its unclear who instigated the incursion. These individuals actively attacked United States Capitol Police Officers and other uniformed law enforcement officers with metal pipes, discharged chemical irritants, and took up other weapons against our officers, Sund said in a Jan. 7 statement. They were determined to enter into the Capitol building by causing great damage. At around 1:49 p.m. on Jan. 6, Sund spoke by phone with several Pentagon officials, asking for immediate assistance, the DoD timeline shows. Then, at around 2:22 p.m., a phone call took place involving D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials, along with D.C. Metro Police Department (MPD) officials, requesting additional National Guard support. At 2:30 p.m. senior Pentagon officials met to discuss both requests, and at 3 p.m. determined that all available National Guard forces were required to reinforce MPD and USCP at the Capitol. The first National Guard personnel arrived at 5:40 p.m. and deployed on the scene. Following a series of actions by USCP, MPD, and the National Guard, the Capitol building was declared secured at 8 p.m., according to the timeline. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons, and making death threats against lawmakers. Law enforcement officials have opened at least 25 domestic terrorism cases related to the breach. 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. 1,281 new cases Monday, three deaths: At the start of January, hospitals were caring for 1,100 patients, 328 of whom needed intensive care and 178 relied on ventilators to breathe. Those figures have soared since then: Hospitals on Monday were caring for 437 patients who needed intensive care and 260 relying on ventilators to breathe. Patients with COVID-19 now make up nearly 38 percent of all those hospitalized in San Antonio more than double the 15-percent threshold that triggers the business occupancy restrictions and bar closures. Area hospitals were caring for 1,520 patients with COVID-19 on Monday 253 more than the record set this summer, when state leaders shut down bars and mandated masks to stave off the virus. January 17 Hospitals at the brink: In the past 24 hours, San Antonios hospitals admitted 130 people with COVID-19, pushing the total number of infected patients to 1,439, six patients higher than the previous record that was set a week ago. Officials also reported 1,676 new cases on Sunday, plus 536 backlogged cases from more than two weeks ago. As of Sunday, 436 patients with COVID-19 are receiving intensive care, up from 424 Saturday, and 244 patients need a ventilator to breathe, a slight increase from 241 Saturday. January 16 COVID-19 update: Coronavirus cases continue to infect thousands of San Antonians daily, with 2,840 new cases and six new deaths reported by Metro Health on Saturday. More than a third of hospital patients Saturday tested positive for the coronavirus, making up 1,394 patients seven more than Friday. The most coronavirus patients hospitals have seen so far was 1,433 patients just a few days before on Jan. 11. January 15 Severe risk: Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced 2,889 newly diagnosed coronavirus cases and six more deaths of people who tested positive for the virus. San Antonios new seven-day rolling average of cases has exceeded 2,000 for the first time and now stands at 2,041. The citys risk level is classified as severe. COVID-19 pandemic leads to layoffs: Frost Bank cut 68 jobs this week, its first layoffs in 20 years and said pandemic related recession was to blame. The layoffs were across all of the banks regions and departments, and it is unknown how many of them were in San Antonio. January 14 COVID-19 numbers: The 1,829 cases added Thursday tipped the countys total since the pandemic began to 140,614. Half of those cases about 70,000 have been reported within the last two months. Yet the number of cases confirmed by positive test results represent just a fraction of the number of people currently infected across Bexar County. Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger, San Antonios coronavirus czar, said Thursday that health officials estimate there are nearly 18,000 active infections this week alone. January 13 Increasing deaths: Officials on Wednesday reported a staggering death toll of 25 residents killed by COVID-19, the second highest number recorded in a single day since the pandemic began. There were 1,378 new cases, down nearly 1,000 from the previous days tally of 2,303. Cowboys Dancehall faces shutdown: The City of San Antonio has warned Cowboys Dancehall that it will shut the entertainment venue down if it receives another COVID-19 citation. On Monday, the dance hall, located at 3030 N.E. Loop 410, was given two citations for not adhering to safety guidelines set by the city, bringing its total to seven since the city's emergency declaration went into place March 18 to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. January 12 COVID-19 numbers: Bexar County added 2,303 new COVID-19 cases the second-largest daily number of new cases. Eleven more residents have died of the virus, officials reported Tuesday. As case numbers and hospitalizations climb, University Health System is putting tighter restrictions on who can visit patients at University Hospital, allowing only visitors deemed necessary to the patients care. January 11 COVID-19 numbers: San Antonios coronavirus hospitalizations continued on a frightening upward trajectory Monday, as officials reported a record number of pandemic patients for the seventh straight day. Officials reported 1,585 new cases Monday and a rolling seven-day average of 1,769 cases per day. One new COVID death was reported on Monday. New strain reaches Texas: A new strain of COVID-19 initially discovered in the United Kingdom and thought to be more contagious has been found in Nueces County, officials said Sunday. A Corpus Christi resident, a male between 60 and 70 years old, tested positive for variant B.1.1.7. The man returned from the United Kingdom in late December after traveling for a family emergency. He believes he contracted the virus there, officials said. January 10 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. 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. Government minister James Brokenshire is taking leave to have surgery on a lung tumour. The Security Minister was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago which required surgery to remove the upper lobe of his right lung. But he said, 'frustratingly', there had been a recurrence of a tumour in the same lung. Conservative MP and securities minister James Brokenshire (pictured) has announced that he will take leave to have 'curative surgery' on his lung after a recurrence of a tumour The Old Bexley and Sidcup MP said he was 'in good hands' with the NHS team looking after him and was 'keeping positive'. He said he was 'blessed to have the love' of his wife Cathy and three children 'to support me through this'. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with Mr Brokenshire and his family, adding: 'Wishing you all the best for your treatment and looking forward to welcoming you back on the team soon.' Mr Brokenshire's ministerial boss, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said she was 'saddened' by the news. 'All my thoughts and prayers are with James and his family during this time,' she said. 'All colleagues across government send James our love and best wishes and we look forward to having him back soon.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock joined other cabinet colleagues in wishing Mr Brokenshire well. He tweeted: 'So sorry to hear this James. Sending my best wishes for a speedy recovery.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: 'Wishing you all the best for your treatment, James. Get well soon.' Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Raynor said: 'Really sorry to hear this James. Wishing you and your family all the best and hoping for good news for you. Look after yourself and I know the NHS will look after you.' Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: 'So sorry to hear this James. Praying for full and speedy recovery.' Mr Brokenshire was first elected to Parliament in 2005 as MP for the former constituency of Hornchurch and has also previously served as housing secretary under former Prime Minister Theresa May. Paris, Jan 11 : The European Investment Bank (EIB) on Monday announced that it aims to provide new financial and technical support to back sustainable agriculture, clean energy, water, infrastructure and private sector financing in 11 Sahel countries most vulnerable to a changing climate by 2025. The EIB financing and technical support will enhance the impact of the Great Green Wall initiative to improve biodiversity in the Sahel and better tackle climate and environmental challenges facing the region. Targeted high-impact investment will enable more inclusive economic growth and strengthen resilience in the region to foster peace and stability. EIB President Werner Hoyer outlined the expected strengthened engagement to back high-impact investment essential to create jobs, improve economic opportunities and increase access to clean energy and water during the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. "Communities across the Sahel are threatened by climate change, increasingly frequent droughts and floods, and unreliable and limited access to energy, water and food. The European Investment Bank, as part of Team Europe and member of the Sahel Alliance, recognises the need to scale up investment that tackles these challenges, delivers sustainable development and improves stability in the region. "The EU Bank is pleased to join African and international partners in ensuring that the Great Green Wall biodiversity initiative improves lives and opportunities across the Sahel. Looking ahead, the EIB expects to back transformational public and private sector investment in 11 Sahel states most vulnerable to climate change as part of our commitment to accelerate high-impact investment across Africa. "This will complement our broader strategic engagement across Africa and 58-year track record of backing transformational investment on the continent," European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer said. Hoyer addressed the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity alongside the Prince of Wales, President of the African Union Commission and heads of the French Development Agency, African Development Bank, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. During his address to the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity, Hoyer highlighted the impact of recent EIB support for water investment in Mali and Niger, clean energy across West Africa and private sector support with local microfinance and banking partners. The EIB is currently supporting projects to address land degradation and enhance access to finance by rural communities and small holders in Mali and Ethiopia, and to redress and prevent soil erosion in Nigeria, all initiatives that provide a model for successful biodiversity investment elsewhere in Africa. Future EIB investment for sustainable agriculture and environmental projects across Africa will benefit from the EIB being the first international financial institution to issue bonds to support biodiversity investment. This week the EIB, the world's largest supranational bond issuer and pioneering of green bonds, will include biodiversity in the eligibility of the established EIB Sustainable Awareness Bonds. The Great Green Wall initiative aims to restore Africa's degraded landscapes and transform the lives of people living in the Sahel. The 11 countries selected as intervention zoned for the Great Green Wall are Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan. News Around the Republic of Mexico Jalisco Leads Mexico in Honey Production & Exportation Honey is an important export for Mexico. Crops from hives produce somewhere around 50,000 tons a year and Mexico is sixth in line of honey producing nations, shipping out at least half of their yield each year. Guadalajara, Mexico - Last year, Jalisco positioned itself as one of Mexico's most important states for the production and exportation of honey. According to a preliminary report by the federal Ministry of Agriculture, from January to November 2020, international sales of honey reached 26,077 tons, equivalent to $65,373,000 dollars. With this data, Mexico ranks as the third largest exporter of the product, which stands out for its quality and flavor, and in addition to Jalisco, where 5,703 tons were produced, the states of YucatAn, Campeche, Veracruz and Chiapas closed 2020 with good numbers. In case you didn't read it: The Ministry of Agriculture's report adds that the national production between January and November of 2020 was 47.7 thousand tons, with Germany being the main buyer nation of Mexican honey with sales at $30,630,000 dollars, which is equivalent to 46% of Mexico's total exports. They are followed in importance by the United States, with sales of $8,937,000 dollars; The United Kingdom, with $4,698,000 dollars and Saudi Arabia, with $4,197,000 dollars, an increase of 121% in the value of Mexican honey exports compared to the same period of the previous year. Other countries that registered increases in the demand for the product were Belgium, with growth of 89.5%, Japan with 146% and Colombia with 465%. Original article, published by El Occidental, translated and edited by Luis Antonio for BanderasNews.com. - Last year, Jalisco positioned itself as one of Mexico's most important states for the production and exportation of honey. According to a preliminary report by the federal Ministry of Agriculture, from January to November 2020, international sales of honey reached 26,077 tons, equivalent to $65,373,000 dollars.With this data, Mexico ranks as the third largest exporter of the product, which stands out for its quality and flavor, and in addition to Jalisco, where 5,703 tons were produced, the states of YucatAn, Campeche, Veracruz and Chiapas closed 2020 with good numbers.In case you didn't read it:The Ministry of Agriculture's report adds that the national production between January and November of 2020 was 47.7 thousand tons, with Germany being the main buyer nation of Mexican honey with sales at $30,630,000 dollars, which is equivalent to 46% of Mexico's total exports.They are followed in importance by the United States, with sales of $8,937,000 dollars; The United Kingdom, with $4,698,000 dollars and Saudi Arabia, with $4,197,000 dollars, an increase of 121% in the value of Mexican honey exports compared to the same period of the previous year.Other countries that registered increases in the demand for the product were Belgium, with growth of 89.5%, Japan with 146% and Colombia with 465%. Site Map Print this Page Email Us Top He said his tenants have not expressed hardship during the pandemic or asked for a break on their rent. But with leases expiring in the spring, Harper said hes ready to be honest with himself about the markets condition, and that other landlords should be, too. ROCHESTER, Minn. - For National Law Enforcement Awareness Day, one organization is saying 'thank you' to the Rochester Police Department. The 125 Castle Quilters have been thanking law enforcement, veterans and countless of others for over 20 years now. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, but the organization never stopped their work of wanting to help and support others and it hasn't stopped law enforcement from serving the Med City either. The Executive Director at 125 Live, Sylwia Bujak Oliver said it's been a way for all the hard work officers do every day, they deserve to be recognized and that's what they quilters are doing. "It's very important to recognize their good work and every single group in our society that tries their best," she explained. "Especially law enforcement that's here in Rochester to protect and serve, particularly if there's a group of volunteers who feel the need to recognize them, we should be giving them a space and opportunity to say a few words of thanks." Bujak Oliver said the 125 Castle Quilters want to honor those who put their lives on the line for us and she's thankful for a group who will voice their appreciation. "I think they've been an amazing group of local volunteers. Countless of hours, countless of energy, so many ideas," she emphasized. There are so many organizations in Rochester that have benefited from this and their hard work and volunteer hours. So I just want to say a sincere 'thank you' and I'm so grateful that we can represent them here at 125 Live." The 125 Castle Quilters created a special quilt to hand over to the Rochester Police Department on Monday. You can watch the live presentation beginning at 10:30 a.m. on 125 Live's Facebook page. CARNAMA Newbie Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Fremont,Kolkata Posts: 19 Thanked: 88 Times Mighty 5 trip in 2019 PC (Pre Covid) - 5 national parks! This is pre Covid era, when we could travel freely and maintained social distancing with anti-socials only. This is about our trip in Dec 2019. Im always eager to go on a road trip, drive for long distances & see new places. Here in US, flights are super convenient & people prefer to take flights & rent car for the destination, but I prefer driving mainly for below reasons: Driving lets you see the change of landscape. From flat roads, to dry deserts & curvy roads & snow. You know what I mean. For me it gives a sense of control. Difficult to express in words, kind of I control the trip and gives sense of freedom. Personally, I believe, road trips generate memories. I have never heard people saying when I was child I flew with my parents. Also in TBHP Ive seen people posting photos of their parents & their beloved cars, those things are etched in their memory. I want my son to have great memories also with his parents. I did not have car till I was 28. I did not travel at all when I was growing up, maybe I want my son to have something which I did not. Anyways, lets come back to trip. Christmas in US is Happy Holidays for my son & my office is also closed for Christmas & opens on Jan 2nd. So, its almost 10 days for us including weekends. Ive heard about mighty 5 ( 5 National parks) & always wanted to do it. I set up plan& my Friend Soumyo & neighbor Vivek agreed to join. Soumyo does not drive, so hell with us. Vivek & family will travel in his sedan. Mighty 5- Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park. My plan was slightly diverted from this, but eventually I did more than Mighty5 , thanks to my wife. This was my plan: Day 1 Dec 25/2019: Home to Hotel near ZION National park. Stay overnight. Day 2 Dec 26/2019: Visit ZION National Park. Come back to hotel. Day 3 Dec 27/2019: Zion to Bryce Canyon park. After visiting park check in to hotel. Day 4 Dec 28/2019: Zion to Page, Arizona- visit Lake Powell. -Lake Powell to Monument Valley. -Monument Valley to Moab, UT. Day 5 Dec 29/2019: Visit Arches National Park. Come back to hotel. Day 6 Dec 30/2019: Arches to Canyonland National park. Drive to Las Vegas & check out Fremont St. Day 7 Dec 31/2019: Visit Hoover Dam & return to home. I was travelling with 6 adults & 2 kids in my 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. If you notice carefully Capitol Reef was missing from the list. I skipped it as I thought it was not that important. How my thought process was changed, well see that later. How I Plan I dont drive adhoc & without a plan. I always like to drive with peace of mind so I could enjoy the drive & arrive at the destination tension free. Usually I can drive for 8-10 hrs in a day if Im driving to a hotel. If Im visiting a National Park, I select 4-5 viewpoints daily where we can stop for photo op. For navigation I use a 2014 Garmin NUVI & IPHONE 8s Plus. However, cell service is limited in most National parks. I search for Vista Points to Visit or Scenic viewpoints in google for that destination. It gives 7-8 lists typically. I read reviews & look for photos online. I select 4-5 points depending on how far they are stretched. Now I go to GPS Coordinates and search for that place. Once that place is located, I find the nearest parking lot from Satellite View & grab the coordinates. I do this for all the points. I also create a route covering where to start and end. I maintain checklist of which to visit in Day 1, Day 2 etc. Something like below: Wed, Dec 25 3:00 PM MST Check In La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham La Verkin, Gateway to Zion 101 E. 500 N. La Verkin UT, 84745, United States Thu Dec 26 Day 1: Visit Viewpoint 1. Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on. Fri, Dec 27 12:00 PM MST Check Out La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham La Verkin, Gateway to Zion 101 E. 500 N. La Verkin UT, 84745, United States Visit Viewpoint 1. Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on Fri, Dec 27 4:00 PM MST Check In Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel 30 North 100 East, Bryce Canyon, UT, 84764 United States of America Sat, Dec 28 11:00 AM MST Check Out Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel 30 North 100 East, Bryce Canyon, UT, 84764 United States of America Visit Viewpoint 1. Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on Sat, Dec 28 3:00 PM MST Check In Hyatt Place Moab 890 North Main Street, Moab, UT, 84532 United States of America Sunday Dec 29 Visit Viewpoint 1. Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on Mon, Dec 30 12:00 PM MST Check Out Hyatt Place Moab 890 North Main Street, Moab, UT, 84532 United States of America Visit Viewpoint 1. Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on Mon, Dec 30 3:00 PM PST Check In Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel 704 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV, 89005 United States of America Tue, Dec 31 11:00 AM PST Check Out Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel 704 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV, 89005 United States of America Visit Viewpoint 1. Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on The night before travel, I update my Garmin GPS. Then use POI loader. As most of youre aware of you can save the Latitude & Longitude with description in .csv file. You can send the file to Garmin & voila, just drive selecting the points. Looks like below: -112.9876761 37.199091 Zion Visitor Center -112.9604336 37.2365225 Court of Patriarch -112.946535 37.272872 Big Bend Viewpoint -112.9475294 37.2842699 Temple of Sinawava -112.881645 37.227677 Checkerboard Mesa -112.2411535 37.475348 Rainbow Point Bryce -112.260411 37.531947 Natural Bridge -112.247199 37.544578 Farview Point Now what happens if Garmin stops working? For that I found an Iphone app Maps.me. This is an offline map where you can send coordinates & navigate. Its also available for Android. This link explains the process: What if mobile stops working also? Hmmm, I dont know. God wants me to get stranded. Good thing I have other mobiles with my passengers. The whole process may sound elaborate, but if you keep practicing this wont take more than 2-3 hrs. It gives me a lot of peace of mind. Some additional preparation I do: - Note the name, address, contact & hours of operations for food joints. - Typically write address of Car repair shops like Oreily, Tire shop, Jiffy Lubes etc. Just in case. - Carry portable tire pump- a 12 V one. - Note towing options, toll free numbers. - Highway emergency numbers. One most important tip as part of planning- Always call hotel before leaving and confirm reservations & local weather. Ive seen a family denied booking despite having confirmation from Booking.com. The hotel lady told me sometimes 3rd party websites will generate confirmation but not necessary the hotel will have the same information. I make it a practice to always check with hotels before leaving. They can also tell you about local situations. Enough of Planning, lets start journey: Day 1- Dec 25- 3:30 am I wanted to start late at night so I could reach hotel around evening & get some rest. Car filled to brim with luggage. Destination La Qinta hotel in La Verkin. Total miles 682 miles. Time 10 hr 46 mins. Stopped at 3 places. Quick stop for loo & coffee, 2nd stop at Barstow for breakfast & 3rd stop at an Indian restaurant for lunch. We had packed food for dinner as well. Barstow: McDonald's, 1611 E Main St, Barstow, CA 92311 Indian Restaurant in St George, UT- Red Fort Cuisine Of India, 148 S 1470 E, St. George, UT 84790 Reached hotel on Christmas day. Kids seem to be happy. Day 2- Dec 26- Some trivia on ZNP( courtesy Google)- Zion National Park is a southwest Utah nature preserve distinguished by Zion Canyons steep red cliffs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through its main section, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. Morning started with yawn: Destination was Zion Visitor center. Normally at the entrance we pay for the entrance fee, but since well be siting 5 National Park we decided to buy the Annual pass. This was a cheaper option. My goal was to drive the Zion Canyon Scenic drive from the Visitor center. Then go to Zion Mt Carmel tunnel to view Checkerboard Mesa. As luck would have it all private vehicles were prohibited for December last week & we had to take the free Park Shuttle. Parked car at visitor center & stood in line to board the shuttle. The shuttle stops at different viewpoints along the route & you can hop on /hop off any time. Visitor Center Shuttle boarding point: We decided to go straight to End of route- Sinawava Temple & visit different stops while coming back. Photography at Sinawava Temple : The great Soumyo Photography at other spots while coming back to Visitor Center: We thought of taking lunch at any of restaurants along the route but there was waiting time of 3 hrs. we did not waste time & decided to cover Checkerboard Mesa through the tunnel. Took the shuttle to come back to Visitor Center, hopped into car & drove to Checkerboard mesa. En route to tunnel: Checkerboard Mesa: 1st encounter with snow in this trip. No Photo is complete without my car in it. Came back to hotel after having lunch/dinner at a local restaurant- If I remember name correctly it was Switchback Grille, 1149 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767. To be contd... After all these long years reading through captivating travelogues, Im going to try to narrate my own. Hope this is going to be a nice read for fellow BHPians.This is pre Covid era, when we could travel freely and maintained social distancing with anti-socials only. This is about our trip in Dec 2019.Im always eager to go on a road trip, drive for long distances & see new places. Here in US, flights are super convenient & people prefer to take flights & rent car for the destination, but I prefer driving mainly for below reasons: Driving lets you see the change of landscape. From flat roads, to dry deserts & curvy roads & snow. You know what I mean. For me it gives a sense of control. Difficult to express in words, kind of I control the trip and gives sense of freedom. Personally, I believe, road trips generate memories. I have never heard people saying when I was child I flew with my parents. Also in TBHP Ive seen people posting photos of their parents & their beloved cars, those things are etched in their memory. I want my son to have great memories also with his parents. I did not have car till I was 28. I did not travel at all when I was growing up, maybe I want my son to have something which I did not.Anyways, lets come back to trip. Christmas in US is Happy Holidays for my son & my office is also closed for Christmas & opens on Jan 2nd. So, its almost 10 days for us including weekends.Ive heard about mighty 5 ( 5 National parks) & always wanted to do it. I set up plan& my Friend Soumyo & neighbor Vivek agreed to join. Soumyo does not drive, so hell with us. Vivek & family will travel in his sedan.Mighty 5- Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park.My plan was slightly diverted from this, but eventually I did more than Mighty5 , thanks to my wife.Day 1 Dec 25/2019: Home to Hotel near ZION National park. Stay overnight.Day 2 Dec 26/2019: Visit ZION National Park. Come back to hotel.Day 3 Dec 27/2019: Zion to Bryce Canyon park. After visiting park check in to hotel.Day 4 Dec 28/2019: Zion to Page, Arizona- visit Lake Powell.-Lake Powell to Monument Valley.-Monument Valley to Moab, UT.Day 5 Dec 29/2019: Visit Arches National Park. Come back to hotel.Day 6 Dec 30/2019: Arches to Canyonland National park. Drive to Las Vegas & check out Fremont St.Day 7 Dec 31/2019: Visit Hoover Dam & return to home.I was travelling with 6 adults & 2 kids in my 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander.If you notice carefully Capitol Reef was missing from the list. I skipped it as I thought it was not that important. How my thought process was changed, well see that later.I dont drive adhoc & without a plan. I always like to drive with peace of mind so I could enjoy the drive & arrive at the destination tension free. Usually I can drive for 8-10 hrs in a day if Im driving to a hotel. If Im visiting a National Park, I select 4-5 viewpoints daily where we can stop for photo op. For navigation I use a 2014 Garmin NUVI & IPHONE 8s Plus. However, cell service is limited in most National parks.I search for Vista Points to Visit or Scenic viewpoints in google for that destination. It gives 7-8 lists typically. I read reviews & look for photos online. I select 4-5 points depending on how far they are stretched. Now I go to GPS Coordinates and search for that place. https://www.gps-coordinates.net/ Once that place is located, I find the nearest parking lot from Satellite View & grab the coordinates. I do this for all the points. I also create a route covering where to start and end. I maintain checklist of which to visit in Day 1, Day 2 etc. Something like below:3:00 PM MSTCheck In La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham La Verkin, Gateway to Zion101 E. 500 N. La Verkin UT, 84745, United StatesDay 1: Visit Viewpoint 1.Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on.12:00 PM MSTCheck Out La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham La Verkin, Gateway to Zion101 E. 500 N. La Verkin UT, 84745, United StatesVisit Viewpoint 1.Visit Viewpoint 2 & so on4:00 PM MSTCheck In Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel30 North 100 East, Bryce Canyon, UT, 84764 United States of America11:00 AM MSTCheck Out Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel30 North 100 East, Bryce Canyon, UT, 84764 United States of AmericaVisit Viewpoint 1.Visit Viewpoint 2 & so onSat, Dec 283:00 PM MSTCheck In Hyatt Place Moab890 North Main Street, Moab, UT, 84532 United States of AmericaVisit Viewpoint 1.Visit Viewpoint 2 & so onMon, Dec 3012:00 PM MSTCheck Out Hyatt Place Moab890 North Main Street, Moab, UT, 84532 United States of AmericaVisit Viewpoint 1.Visit Viewpoint 2 & so onMon, Dec 303:00 PM PSTCheck In Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel704 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV, 89005 United States of AmericaTue, Dec 3111:00 AM PSTCheck Out Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel704 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV, 89005 United States of AmericaVisit Viewpoint 1.Visit Viewpoint 2 & so onThe night before travel, I update my Garmin GPS. Then use POI loader. As most of youre aware of you can save the Latitude & Longitude with description in .csv file. You can send the file to Garmin & voila, just drive selecting the points.Looks like below:-112.9876761 37.199091 Zion Visitor Center-112.9604336 37.2365225 Court of Patriarch-112.946535 37.272872 Big Bend Viewpoint-112.9475294 37.2842699 Temple of Sinawava-112.881645 37.227677 Checkerboard Mesa-112.2411535 37.475348 Rainbow Point Bryce-112.260411 37.531947 Natural Bridge-112.247199 37.544578 Farview PointNow what happens if Garmin stops working? For that I found an Iphone app Maps.me. This is an offline map where you can send coordinates & navigate. Its also available for Android. This link explains the process: http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/i...to-maps-me-app What if mobile stops working also? Hmmm, I dont know. God wants me to get stranded. Good thing I have other mobiles with my passengers.The whole process may sound elaborate, but if you keep practicing this wont take more than 2-3 hrs. It gives me a lot of peace of mind. Some additional preparation I do:- Note the name, address, contact & hours of operations for food joints.- Typically write address of Car repair shops like Oreily, Tire shop, Jiffy Lubes etc. Just in case.- Carry portable tire pump- a 12 V one.- Note towing options, toll free numbers.- Highway emergency numbers.One most important tip as part of planning- Always call hotel before leaving and confirm reservations & local weather. Ive seen a family denied booking despite having confirmation from Booking.com. The hotel lady told me sometimes 3rd party websites will generate confirmation but not necessary the hotel will have the same information. I make it a practice to always check with hotels before leaving. They can also tell you about local situations.Enough of Planning, lets start journey:Day 1- Dec 25- 3:30 amI wanted to start late at night so I could reach hotel around evening & get some rest.Car filled to brim with luggage.Destination La Qinta hotel in La Verkin. Total miles 682 miles. Time 10 hr 46 mins. Stopped at 3 places.Quick stop for loo & coffee, 2nd stop at Barstow for breakfast & 3rd stop at an Indian restaurant for lunch. We had packed food for dinner as well.Barstow: McDonald's, 1611 E Main St, Barstow, CA 92311Indian Restaurant in St George, UT- Red Fort Cuisine Of India, 148 S 1470 E, St. George, UT 84790Reached hotel on Christmas day.Kids seem to be happy.Some trivia on ZNP( courtesy Google)- Zion National Park is a southwest Utah nature preserve distinguished by Zion Canyons steep red cliffs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through its main section, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River.Morning started with yawn:Destination was Zion Visitor center. Normally at the entrance we pay for the entrance fee, but since well be siting 5 National Park we decided to buy the Annual pass. This was a cheaper option.My goal was to drive the Zion Canyon Scenic drive from the Visitor center. Then go to Zion Mt Carmel tunnel to view Checkerboard Mesa.As luck would have it all private vehicles were prohibited for December last week & we had to take the free Park Shuttle. Parked car at visitor center & stood in line to board the shuttle. The shuttle stops at different viewpoints along the route & you can hop on /hop off any time.Visitor Center Shuttle boarding point:We decided to go straight to End of route- Sinawava Temple & visit different stops while coming back.We thought of taking lunch at any of restaurants along the route but there was waiting time of 3 hrs. we did not waste time & decided to cover Checkerboard Mesa through the tunnel. Took the shuttle to come back to Visitor Center, hopped into car & drove to Checkerboard mesa.Came back to hotel after having lunch/dinner at a local restaurant- If I remember name correctly it was Switchback Grille, 1149 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767.To be contd... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by CARNAMA : 10th January 2021 at 12:07 . 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. Fuel shortages continue to plague Damascus and long lines are forming at gas stations, with no indication as to when the problem will be solved writes Sowt Al-Asima. Most of the petrol stations in the capital Damascus stopped dispensing gas, while cars formed lines amid the absence of gasoline. Sowt Al-Asimas correspondents said on Saturday that most of the petrol stations in Damascus announced that they did not have any more gas. The line in front the al-Jalaa Station reached the Mazzeh highway, while the length of the line for the al-Fayhaa Highway Station stretched approximately two kilometers. As for the Dummar and the Mashrou Stations and their surroundings, the lines reached the Qasiyoun Road. The most prominent stations that announced a lack of gas are al-Jalaa and Sinbad in Mazzeh, al-Siyasa, al-Rabwa, Destro al-Balad, al-Midan Corniche, al-Mujtahid, al-Jad, al-Tahrir Square, al-Qusour, among others. According to the correspondents, the existing queues are not the same as those formed when the gas e-cards were activated. They quoted the owners and workers of the fuel stations as saying, we have not been able to access the tanks and we have not been supplied with gasoline. Sources told Sowt Al-Asima that there are indications that the Banias refinery stopped operating last week, but it was not possible to verify the accuracy of the information. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in the regimes government did not comment on the new queues. Last week, Sowt Al-Asima released a report about signs of an impending gasoline crisis, when the number of cars waiting to get gas from the al-Azbakeya station started to increase. 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. The late-December announcement of a five-year funding enhancement for Ontario's racetracks has been welcomed by horsepeople in the Peterborough area for the stability it brings to Kawartha Downs. On Thursday (Jan. 7), Infrastructure minister and Haliburton Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott confirmed the funding enhancement, which insures all of Ontario's 15 racetracks can continue to race through the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal also insures that Kawartha Downs casino can continue to operate for the next five years. We can kind of plan ahead, said Ontario Harness Horse Association representative Dave Gibson to The Peterborough Examiner. We purchased horses this past fall we hope to race this year and again next year. We think ahead like that. Having a five-year deal will ease the tensions of what will be next. Alongside the deal, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) awarded Kawartha 18 race dates for 2021, down from the usual 21 the track received in years past. Racing, as approved by the AGCO, is slated for Sundays with a 4 p.m. post time. However Jim Huck, Manager of Racing at Kawartha Downs, has filed to change Kawartha's race dates from Sundays to Saturdays, citing a conflict with some of the track's regular horsepeople. At the end of last year our general manager Kevin (Goetz), along with the rest of us, thought it would be best to possibly move to Sunday in order to use the facility for concerts or stock car racing etc. (on Saturday), said Huck. "If we race on Sunday it will drop our entries down significantly." Kawartha's application to change its race dates to Saturdays in 2021 awaits approval from the AGCO. Upcoming political events in the Bay Area. Events take place online unless otherwise noted: THURSDAY EMILYs List: Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILYs List and author of Run to Win: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World, in discussion at the Commonwealth Club. 3 p.m. More information is here. Cost of racism: Author and advocate Heather McGhee discusses her new book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. Hosted by Holy Names University. 4 p.m. More information is here. Abortion rights law: Mary Ziegler, law professor at Florida State University, discusses her new book, Abortion and the Law in America: Roe v. Wade to the Present, with Mother Jones reproductive rights reporter Becca Andrews. Hosted by the Booksmith, Mother Jones and the Bindery. 6 p.m. More information is here. Biden and nuclear weapons: How the Joe Biden administration may deal with nuclear weapons policies toward North Korea, Russia, Iran and others. With Jackie Cabasso, executive director of the Western States Legal Foundation. Hosted by the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center. 7 p.m. More information is here. FRIDAY MLK going forward: A four-day webinar and film festival marking the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, on the theme, Where do we go from here? Hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Full schedule is here. SUNDAY Virtual inaugural ball: A salute to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, hosted by the Oakland Symphony. 3 p.m. More information is here. MONDAY MLK Day online celebration: Virtual celebration hosted by the Museum of African Diaspora San Francisco. 11:30 a.m. More information is here. MLK Day in Oakland: Groups organizing under the banner of Reclaim Kings Radical Legacy Day of Action mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a car caravan starting at the Port of Oakland. Noon. More information is here. TUESDAY Climate change: The future of climate change action and politics under the Joe Biden administration, with Michael Mann, director, Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University, and Leah Stokes, assistant professor of political science at UC Santa Barbara. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. Noon. More information is here. Obama book club: Reading and discussion of former President Barack Obamas book A Promised Land, with Brian Bond, LGBT liaison to Obama. Hosted by Mannys. 5 p.m. More information is here. WEDNESDAY Inauguration watch party: A virtual watch party of President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration. Hosted by Mannys. 8:30 a.m. More information is here. Socially responsible corporations: Can corporations put social responsibility in front of profits? Panelists include filmmakers Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan, whose works include The New Corporation; Elizabeth Davis, dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration at St. Mary's College; Kevin McGarry, St. Marys College assistant professor of accounting and director of the Elfenworks Center for Responsible Business; and Elizabeth Carney, chair of the Commonwealth Clubs Business and Leadership Forum. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 6 p.m. More information is here. JAN. 21 Biometrics: Journalist Annie Jacobsen talks about her new book, First Platoon, on the governments use of biometric personal recognition technology. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 3 p.m. More information is here. Rep. Eric Swalwell: East Bay Democrat on the siege of the Capitol and impeachment of President Trump. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 6 p.m. More information is here. JAN. 26 Dolores Huerta and Luis Valdez: A conversation with United Farm Workers civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, and playwright, Luis Valdez, on the history, land and people of Santa Clara Valley and greater California. Hosted by the Peninsula Open Space Trust. 7 p.m. More information is here. JAN. 28 How to Make a Slave: Jerald Walker on his new book about being a Black man in America, How to Make a Slave and Other Essays. Hosted by KPFA-FM. 7 p.m. More information is here. FEB. 3 Jennifer Siebel Newsom: Californias first partner and filmmaker discusses the documentary The Great American Lie with student filmmakers whose work looks at social justice and gender equity issues. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club. 3 p.m. More information is here. FEB. 4 Black womens history: Historians Daina Ramey Berry of the University of Texas and Kali Nicole Gross of Rutgers University discuss their new book, A Black Womens History of the United States. Hosted by KPFA-FM. 7 p.m. More information is here. To list an event, please email Chronicle politics editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Tax experts have warned Irish workers to brace themselves for a bill from Revenue emanating from emergency payments paid during the Covid-19 pandemic, with thousands expected to receive the unwelcome news. Taxback.com said thousands of workers would receive notification from Revenue in the coming days that their preliminary end-of-year statement is now available, and they now have a tax liability after receiving either the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) or the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). The only saving grace for many is that the bills will not have to be paid this year or next, Taxback said, urging people "not to panic". The amount people owe will vary "vastly" and will take many workers by surprise that they even owe such a sum, it added. Factors that will determine what is due will depend on factors such as pre-payment income, and employer top-ups, Taxback said. Consumer tax manager for the firm, Marian Ryan, said: The notification of the tax liability from Revenue is likely to come as a surprise to many and a shock to others. A lot of PUP and TWSS recipients are simply unaware that these payments will have given rise to a tax liability and even of those who expected it, many will be surprised as to exactly how much they owe." For many more, the news will simply be the source of anxiety for people who are already financially stretched, she added. "The main thing to bear in mind at this point is that Revenue have already said that this tax liability will not fall due this year, or even next year. "Although the option is available to taxpayers to clear the underpayment, people are not expected to make a lump sum payment. Instead, what will happen is that Revenue will reduce a persons tax credits over a period of between two to four years, commencing in 2022." Read More Taoiseach: Government not ashamed of its response to pandemic In relation to TWSS, the amount people will owe will vary greatly from person to person, depending on their circumstances, their earnings before and after the payment, and if their employer subsidised it with additional income and topped up the employees gross weekly wage, according to Ms Ryan. "For example, a typical worker on 35,000 who received the TWSS payment which wasnt topped up by their employer can now expect to owe Revenue approximately 429. "If the same employee received the TWSS and their employer topped-up their gross weekly wage, they can now expect to owe approximately 1,334 in PAYE and USC," she said. She cautioned that the examples did not take into account additional tax credits and expenses that TWSS recipients can claim in order to reduce their liability. In Q2 2020, general government spending in Ireland was almost 30% higher than in the same quarter of 2019, driven by increases in transfers (PUP) and subsidies (TWSS). From @EU_Eurostat, here are the equivalent changes across (what was) the EU15. pic.twitter.com/er6smjYhgo Seamus Coffey (@seamuscoffey) January 7, 2021 In relation to PUP, Ms Ryan said the potential PAYE and USC underpayments for those in receipt of the PUP will vary greatly depending on the pre-Covid earnings, how long they received the PUP for, and if they have returned to work on a similar or reduced income. Revenue said it was important to note that each year, there is very much a normal end-of-year process for all PAYE taxpayers, and that this year is no different. "In short, employers are required to confirm their monthly December 2020 employer PAYE return by January 14. From January 15, Revenue will then make a preliminary end-of-year statement available in myAccount for all PAYE taxpayers." Lucknow, Jan 11 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has claimed that women are safer in the state compared to other states. The government has based its claim on the 2019 report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). According to the government spokesman, the report states that the all-India rate of crime against women in 2019 was 62.4 cases per one lakh population while Uttar Pradesh recorded only 55.4 cases per lakh. Despite being the most populous state in the country, Uttar Pradesh stood on 22nd rank in terms of crime against women. As compared to Uttar Pradesh, crime rate was 63.1 (per lakh population) in Maharashtra, 64 in West Bengal, 69 in Madhya Pradesh and 110 in Rajasthan. Even in a small state like Kerala, the rate of crime against women stood at 62.7. A government spokesman said that the schemes introduced by the state government for women's security helped in controlling crime. In 2016, at least 3,289 rape cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh but the figure dropped to 2,232 in 2020, showing a depreciation by 32 per cent. Similarly, 11,121 cases of abduction of girls and women were recorded in 2016 which went down to 11,057 in 2020, a drop of 27 per cent. The state government also strengthened technology which helped in investigation and quick disposal of cases, officials said. According to ADG, prosecution, Ashutosh Pandey: "We improved and strengthened our system under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This helped in ensuring speedy justice to victims of crime against girl child and women. Efforts made by the department of prosecution have successfully got us convictions in cases of rape (89), kidnapping for marriage (15), dowry death (97) and sexual harassment (13) between January 1 and December 15, 2020." The ADG said five rape convicts have been hanged while others in 193 similar cases are serving life sentences. The government has also given a strong defence on the basis of which punishment was handed to culprits in 721 cases. Recently, the Union Home Ministry had also appreciated Lucknow for implementation of schemes under Nirbhaya Fund. "Along with deployment of anti-Romeo squad across the state, women police in civvies, 100 lady constables on pink patrol two-wheelers and presence of pink booths at major intersections in Lucknow bolstered women's security. Inauguration of women help desk at all 1,535 police stations in the state has made women feel safer," he said. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Second Respondent in the Election Petition filed by Former President John Dramani Mahama has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition because it's not backed by facts The instant action is a ruse and face-saving gimmick by the petitioner after the petitioner and many senior members of the NDC party had prematurely claimed outright victory in the election, only to be badly exposed by results of the 1st respondent (EC), corroborated by all media houses of note in the country as well as many independent local and international observers, President Akufo-Addo argued. The President who was speaking in response to the petition through his lawyers; dated 8 January 2021, also indicated: that Petitioners persistent and strange claim to being entitled to all the votes of registered voters in Techiman South, contrary to Petitioners knowledge that the actual results from that constituency were declared shortly after 1st Respondents statement in Exhibit A, is not only mischievous but a deliberate attempt to mislead this Honourable court". Read the full document below 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 Over the past decade, many people have felt conflicted about whether they should visit a functional medicine practitioner as opposed to a doctor that practices traditional medicine. Thankfully, there are many doctors that see the benefit in both traditional and functional practices. Although there are still families that have not yet begun taking a holistic approach to health, the demand continues to grow for alternative methods of treatment. In this [January 11, 2021] Infosys Implements Global Warranty Solution to Simplify Factory Warranty Processes for Johnson Controls SAP S/4 global warranty solution to augment customer-centricity and cost-efficiency BENGALURU, India, Jan. 11, 2021 /CNW/ -- Infosys (NYSE: INFY), the global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it has successfully implemented a global warranty solution on SAP S/4 HANA, across all Johnson Controls ducted products. This enables Johnson Controls, the global leader in smart and sustainable buildings, to simplify factory warranty processes, enhance visibility into assets, and become more responsive to customers. Johnson Controls selected Infosys as a technology services partner for its in-depth knowledge of business priorities and the ability to develop best-fit solutions for Johnson Controls for over two decades. Infosys replaced the legacy system with a global warranty platform solution, leveraging the latest UI/UX technologies such as SAP Fiori combined with SAP S/4 HANA. These technologies, along with the application of the agile methodology for execution, delivered an end-to-end, integrated, and centralized warranty process for Johnson Controls. The solution also offers a digital-first experience for both B2B and B2C customers while supporting equipment integration and warranty claims on finished products. Krzysztof Soltan, Vice President Information Technology - Building Solutions North America & Global Retail at Johnson Controls, said, "Warranty management of assets in smart and healthy buildings are playing an increasingly important role at a process as well as operational level. In order to address the next generation digital needs, we partnered with Infosys to create a solution for our customers with most relevant information through Johnson Controls OpenBlue digital platform." Jasmeet Singh, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, "The implementation of the Global Warranty Solution on SAP S/4 is a testament to our 20-year partnership with JohnsonControls. The global warranty solution integrates seamlessly with legacy systems to harmonize business processes. Through this transformation journey, we will also help Johnson Controls develop digital strategies for warranty processes. With a comprehensive warranty solution, Johnson Controls will be able to provide digital consumers with a superior after-sales experience." About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 46 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With nearly four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infosys-implements-global-warranty-solution-to-simplify-factory-warranty-processes-for-johnson-controls-301205053.html SOURCE Infosys [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Fox News host Jeannine Pirro MIKE THEILER/AFP via Getty Images Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Monday compared tech companies severing ties with the social media app Parler to Kristallnacht, a deadly Nazi pogrom in the buildup to the Holocaust and World War II. "And now that they've won, what we're seeing is the kind of censorship that is akin to a Kristallnacht, where they decide what we can communicate about," Pirro said on "Fox & Friends." Pirro said companies like Apple and Google taking Parler off of their app stores in addition to Amazon suspending its use of their servers amounted to dangerous censorship. In the buildup to the deadly attempted coup last week, pro-Trump insurrectionists openly planned storming the Capitol on Parler. A Fox News spokesperson pointed Insider to Pirro's recent monologue where she condemned the violence on Capitol Hill. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro compared tech companies dropping Parler from their cloud services to the Kristallnacht Nazi pogrom on Monday morning on "Fox & Friends." Following the deadly attempted coup last week, Pirro's comments came as Apple, Amazon, Google and other companies pulled their business relationships with the social media app many Trump supporters flocked to as an alternative to Twitter. "Well look, they gave us a taste of this pre-election when they suppressed the Hunter Biden story," Pirro said, referring to when Twitter limited the circulation of an error-laden New York Post story linked to a Russian disinformation campaign ahead of the 2020 election. "And now that they've won, what we're seeing is the kind of censorship that is akin to a Kristallnacht, where they decide what we can communicate about," Pirro said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Parler was where many of the pro-Trump insurrectionists openly planned storming the Capitol. Pirro said the deplatforming by big tech was tantamount to killing the app, though the move may not be fatal as long as Parler can find somewhere else to offer server space. Story continues Estimates from historians put the death toll at Kristallnacht at a minimum of 91 people, with 267 synagogues destroyed across Germany, Austria and parts of what are now the Czech Republic over two days in 1938. Pirro's comparison was quite different from that of former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who denounced the Capitol Siege as eerily similar to the Kristallnacht attacks in his home nation of Austria. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A Fox News spokesperson pointed Insider to Pirro's recent monologue where she condemned the violence on Capitol Hill. Pirro also addressed the controversy later in the day, but did not apologize. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "My reference was in context of books," Pirro tweeted. "The Holocaust was the greatest hate crime the world ever tolerated. I abhor all violence." Expanded Coverage Module: capitol-siege-module Read more: Inside the rapid and mysterious rise of Parler, the 'free speech' Twitter alternative, which created a platform for conservatives by burning the Silicon Valley script Read the original article on Business Insider As if having to run from a riot wasnt enough, several members of Congress, including Rep. Scott Perry, might have been exposed to COVID-19 during last weeks mayhem at the Capitol. The Washington Post reports that the Office of Attending Physician has issued just such a warning. On Wednesday January 6, many members of the House community were in protective isolation in room located in a large committee hearing space, Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician to Congress, wrote in an email that was sent to members of Congress on Sunday morning. The time in this room was several hours for some and briefer for others. During this time, individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection. The Post said House aides confirmed that room was where Perry and scores of other House members sheltered when Pro-Trump rioters surged through the Capitol on Jan. 6. Perry was among several GOP lawmakers who refused an offer of protective masks while in that room, according to a video. Monahan urged House members who were in that room to be tested for the virus, to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Press Release 11 January 2021 Brown Investments Acquires 55.65% Controlling Stake of Serendib Hotels Advertisements Sri Lanka-based LOLC Holdings PLC's strategic Investment arm, Brown Investments PLC ("BI"), has acquired the controlling stake of 55.65% of Serendib Hotel PLC's ("Serendib") through its subsidiary, Eden Hotel Lanka PLC, for approximately INR792 million. With this, BI will now hold 56.67% of voting shares and 53.48% of non-voting shares. This acquisition will then add Club Hotel Dolphin, Hotel Sigirya, Avani Bentota Resort and Lantern Beach Collection, Mirissa along with their management companies to their current line-up. BI's chairman, Ishara Nanayakkara, has emphasised the company's strategy to focus on the leisure sector and has stated that the group plans to capitalise on the post-COVID growth in the tourism business. The Serendib acquisition is also said to complement BI's long-term strategy of building a diverse leisure portfolio in Sri Lanka and in the Maldives. In the Maldives, the company also has several leisure properties under construction including the 100-key Bodufinolhu in the Ari Atol and Nasandhura Palace Hotel in the city of Male, a mixed-development consisting of 118 luxury apartments, a five-star hotel with 135 keys and an upscale mall. BI also has the lease rights to three islands reclaimed in North Male, Bodufaru and Kaafu Atol which will be developed as three five-star properties with a total of 470 keys. The Big Banana Set to Embark on AUD50 million Masterplan Over 20 Years in Australia Australia-based developers, Village Building Co. Limited, has announced an AUD50 million masterplan for The Big Banana Fun Park. Situated in Coffs Harbor, between Sydney and Gold Coast, the investment comes more than 50 years after the Water Park first opened in 1964. This masterplan aims to expand the park's offerings, through the development of 15 hectares of unused land within its vicinity. The masterplan plan is expected to span over the next 20 years, with certain attractions expected to be completed as early as 2023. This includes the expansion of the current waterpark, a new brewery and restaurant, two new amusement rides, and 50 family friendly holiday cabins for accommodations. Beyond 2023, the park plans to further increase the number of attractions, retail, food and beverage options, and conference and event facilities. A four and a half star, multi-level resort is also expected to be constructed as part of the masterplan. Mr Michael Lockman, general manager of The Big Banana, stated that this investment would further solidify the park's position as a key destination for Coffs Harbor, and would further boost tourism and employment in the local region. Tripartite Partnership to Launch Stimulus Recovery Plan Campaign in Malaysia Tourism Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Hotels and Shopee Malaysia have embarked on a new strategic partnership to revive domestic tourism and unveil the Stimulus Recovery Plan (Pre 1.0) campaign "Jom Cuti-Cuti Malaysia! Experience Malaysia Like Never Before". Taking place from 31 December 2020 until 31 March 2021, the campaign offer holiday-goers e-vouchers for hotel rooms including an e-voucher of MYR50 with a minimum 3D2N stay at one- to three-star hotels, or an e-voucher of MYR100 with a minimum 3D2N stay at four- to five-star hotels across the country. The first 18,750 early-birds purchasers will also enjoy an additional MYR20 shopping voucher to shop online. The e-voucher is only redeemable for Malaysians, eligible for one-time use only and on a first-come-first-serve basis. All commissions and transaction charges on Shopee platform will be waived for this campaign as an added boost for the industry players. New MYR425 Million Ipoh Convention Centre to Boost Business Tourism Slated to be fully operational this month, the new MYR425 million Ipoh International Convention Centre ("IICC") is expected to attract more business travellers into the city. The IICC will consist of a 0.56-hectare convention centre, a 0.34-hectare five-star hotel and a 0.38-hectare serviced apartment. A collaboration agreement for the management of the 2,600-square metre IICC was signed last month by Malaysia-based, property developer, Bond Holdings Sdn Bhd ("Bond Holdings") as the manager, the Ipoh City Council ("MBI") as the landowner, and construction firm, Sycal Bhd. Bond Holdings will be managing the Bond Suites located next to the IICC, to provide business travellers with ideal workspace facilities. Ipoh Mayor, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, commented that the IICC will help rebrand the city due to their strategic location and state-of-the-art facilities. He added that the main purpose of the collaboration was to manage the IICC more effectively, including the banquet halls. Datuk Saarani Mohamad, the head of government in Perak, mentioned in his speech that he hopes that the MBI could continue to explore strategic collaborations to position Ipoh as an internationally renowned city with quality investments, job opportunities, sustainable physical developments, and sophisticated infrastructures. DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Spontaneity will be the word of the year for 2021 travelers as a new global study reveals 89% of U.S. travelers intend to be more impulsive than ever, following 2020's cancelled trips, boredom and all round 'year of nothing'. The new report from Hotels.com, 'The 2021 Upgrade', has uncovered how this new lust for spontaneity will have a ripple effect on the hotel and travel industries, as travelers say 'yes' to more. Take me awayand quick! The global study showed that 32% are dubbing 2020 the 'lost year' for travel prompting more than a third (35%) to be more likely to drop everything to vacay if they can in 2021. Hotels.com's booking data supports this, with almost half of bookings in June 2020 (when lockdown rules eased for the first time for many) being made three or fewer days from the time of search. It's all about being spontaneous AF these days with over a quarter revealing they would say yes to more last-minute trips (28%). All rules are out the window with one in five (26%) saying they would take off on a long-haul trip for just a few days or make no plans for the trip in favor of being spontaneous when they arrive (25%). A further 17% are ready to live their best luxury #HotelLife and will be booking a five-star hotel for their 2021 getaways. Experts at Hotels.com also predict this extravagant attitude will have a dramatic impact on hotel booking behavior, with 2021 being the year to really 'treat yo self'. Compared to pre-pandemic times over a quarter (26%) would now book a better hotel room, and nearly a quarter would spontaneously say yes to a room upgrade if offered when booking (24%). "2020 was the year of staying home, postponing trips and posting old vacation pictures on social media. This year, travelers are ready to 'seize the stay' when travel returns and they feel comfortable to take the trips they missed out on" shared Josh Belkin, Vice President, Global brand Hotels.com. "We saw that when travel restrictions eased for many in July and August 2020, over half of bookings were made three days or less ahead of their stay, compared to 40% in 2019. People are ready to channel their inner spontaneous self, dropping everything at the last minute to get away and enjoy the best that hotel life has to offer." Dear hotel, we miss you Travelers are ready to get in that robe and raid the mini bar again with a quarter of people saying the thing they miss most about traveling is being able to stay in an awesome hotel. They have been craving that sweet #HotelLife, missing relaxing in a plush robe (13%), the peace and quiet (30%) breakfast buffets (23%), hotel restaurants and bars (29%), rooms with a view (26%), ordering room service (18%), visiting the hotel pool (20%), treating themselves to the hotel spa (17%) and of course the incredible hotel bed (18%). This craving means travelers will take a different approach to hotel bookings in 2021 it will be all about upgrading the experience. When asked what new experiences they would say 'yes' to, around one in five (20%) would splurge on a spa treatment, uber-luxe hotel restaurant (20%), or a fancy cocktail in the hotel's bar (24%). Travelers will also be finding ways to 'seize the stay' as much as they can, with nearly one in five stating they would spontaneously book a fancy hotel for a staycation for the weekend (24%) or take advantage of a mid-week deal in their local trendy hotel (23%). The rise in spontaneous travel To plan or not to plan? Travelers want to be carefree and relaxed by making spontaneous decisions (32%), not having to plan and just doing what they wanted (28%) and saying 'yes' to new experiences (24%). Time to turn on the 'out of office' and switch off for that vacation. The research also revealed the lengths that many will go to for a vacation and a hotel stay in 2021, with travelers admitting do all the cleaning in their house (29%), give up sweets (24%), not leave their house (23%), social media apps (17%) and even sex (16%) for a month. 2020, you have pushed us to our limits! Same day travel driven by need to be spontaneous Travel-hungry hotel-lovers are ready to commit to spontaneity, with 29% claiming they'd be ready to drop it all and leave the same day if given the opportunity. With spontaneity comes packing pressure. Most would go nowhere without their digital lifelines, with over half (55%) prioritising their phone, laptop and charger - beating out a change of clothes (46%), a swimsuit (29%) and sleepwear (30%). Hotels.com is one of the most rewarding ways to book a place to stay and we even have a 'Reward Winning' loyalty program that includes free cancellations should your travel plans change. Check out our Hotels.com Rewards* program and see for yourself how to bag a reward night. Notes to Editors 1Research was conducted by One Poll in December 2020. 1,000 respondents across the United States. 2Statistics from Hotels.com booking data pulled on 10th December 2020 About Hotels.com (or Hotels.com) Hotels.com is the most rewarding way to book a place to stay. We really love travel and we know you do too. That's why we make it really easy to book with us. With hundreds of thousands of places to stay around the world and 90 local websites in 41 languages, Hotels.com has it all. So, whether you're looking for value in Vegas, treehouses in Thailand or villas with views, it's all just a click away. And with our "Reward-winning" loyalty program you earn free* nights while you sleepwhat could be better? Booking just got smarter too. With over 25 million real guest reviews and an app so easy to use that it's been downloaded 70 million times, you can be sure to find the perfect place for you. *Exclusions apply. Reward night worth average price of previous 10. Taxes/fees payable on each Reward Night redeemed. A $5 fee is charged on each Reward Night redeemed, unless redeemed on the app. See T&Cs. https://www.hotels.com/customer_care/terms_conditions.html?pos=HCOM_US&locale=en_US 2020Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST #2083949-50 SOURCE Hotels.com Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. (Natural News) The fascist techno-tyranny purge against humanity is under way. Rep. Devin Nunes has called for the arrest of all the Big Tech CEOs, demanding they be charged with criminal racketeering and civil rights violations. The CCP-led effort to take down America is now under way. Internet outages are already happening, and power grid failures are being reported around the world (Pakistan, the Vatican, Paris, Berlin, etc.). The Marxist Left will shortly unleash death squads across the country to seek out and execute all conservatives they can find. (See my podcast below: First they silence you, then they disarm you, then they KILL you.) Apple, Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo, Pinterest, Mailchimp and other tech giants are all committing treason against America. All their top managers and CEOs should be arrested and charged with treason. Their entire operations should be seized and shuttered, with their assets seized and distributed to all those who have been censored for the last five years. We call upon Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately order the State Dept. to seize the domain names of Apple.com, Google.com, YouTube.com, Twitter.com, Facebook.com, Vimeo.com, Pinterest.com and other techno-tyrants now involved in this fascist conspiracy to take down the United States of America. All these corporations were part of the rigging of the elections as well. They are enemy combatants engaged in acts of cyber warfare against the United States. Many suspect that the domain names of conservative platforms will be removed from all DNS servers worldwide. This would make it impossible for anyone to reach a website via their usual domain name such as NaturalNews.com. For this reason, we have set up an offshore backup emergency IP website that will carry out emergency audio and text messages as the global takedown accelerates. WRITE THIS DOWN. You can enter this into your browser to reach our backup site: http://45.89.97.6/ We have also launched a Telegram channel to carry emergency alerts. Heres the URL for Telegram: https://t.me/RealHealthRanger Additionally, we run our own email servers so we cannot be deplatformed by other email providers. Subscribe to our email newsletter immediately, at this link: https://www.naturalnews.com/readerregistration.html I will continue to post daily podcast updates at Brighteon.com, at the Health Ranger Report channel, but Brighteon may be taken down by the DNS purge, and we do not have an IP address backup for Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport I am also posting on Brighteon.social, which is being expanded with additional servers to handle the high traffic load there. My username on that platform is @HealthRanger I am also on Parler.com at @HealthRanger but Parler, as you know, is being deplatformed by Amazon AWS later today, in the latest act of criminal treason and cyber warfare against the United States people. I am currently scheduled to appear on the Alex Jones Show tomorrow (Monday) at 12 noon central, subject to changing circumstances of course. There, I will be talking about the criminal coup the online massacre now being unleashed against America. Note that the silencing of conservatives is only the first step. Next, they will seek to disarm all conservatives, followed by the launching of government death squads to carry out genocide against Whites, conservatives, Christians, gun owners and Trump supporters. I explain this in todays urgent Situation Update podcast: Brighteon.com/3ff72957-4e00-4716-b524-79ec7d508d17 If any of our sites go down, check the alternative sites and check Telegram. Use the emergency IP backup site when necessary. We are physically secure and fighting like mad for the survival of our republic. And so is Trump. Prayers appreciated. God bless America. We have built no temple but the Capitol. We consult no common oracle but the Constitution. Those words, from former Massachusetts Sen. Rufus Choate, are inscribed on the wall of the U.S. Capitol the same walls desecrated by rioters who ransacked the building. For many Americans, seeing such acts of violence and vandalism occurring in the Capitol was something unimaginable. In fact, our civic temple has a surprisingly bloody history. It was still under construction when British troops seized it during the War of 1812. The Brits torched the structure, also destroying the U.S. Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, which were both housed there. Only a violent thunderstorms arrival put out the flames, thus sparing the original walls, which are incorporated in todays building. Just 21 years later, it was the site of the first known presidential assassination attempt. Andrew Jackson was leaving a congressional funeral when a deranged house painter fired two pistols at him. Both guns misfired. Old Hickory was unhurt; the painter was later declared insane and spent the rest of his life in mental institutions. Incidentally, Jacksons supporters had caused a melee of their own during his first inauguration festivities nearly six years earlier, when their whiskey-drenched partying trashed the White House interior. Fast-forward to 1856, when the longer-simmering dispute over slavery in the runup to the Civil War reached the Senate floor. After Massachusetts Sen. Charles Summer excoriated an elderly Southern colleague during a heated speech, that senators younger cousin South Carolina Rep. Preston Brooks savagely beat Summer with a cane as he sat at his desk in the Senate chamber. Summer took three years to recover from his injuries. An explosion rocked the Senate side of the Capitol on the Fourth of July weekend in 1915. Nobody was hurt, though a chandelier was blown to pieces and doors were ripped open, including one leading the vice presidents office. A former Harvard professor planted three sticks of dynamite in the Senate Reception Room, which he claimed was a protest of U.S. bankers loaning money to Britain during the early part of World War I, despite Americas proclaimed neutrality. The bomber later committed suicide in jail. The next round of violence was especially terrifying. In 1954, four terrorists seeking Puerto Ricos independence randomly fired 30 rounds into the House chamber from the visitors gallery. Five Members of Congress suffered non-life-threatening wounds. If you know where to look, you can still see signs of damage caused by the gunfire today. Another bombing, this time by the radical Weather Underground, caused extensive damage when it detonated in a Senate bathroom in 1971. No one was hurt. And a third bomb exploded underneath a bench outside the Senate Chamber in November 1983, rattling nerves and causing minor damage. An extremist group called the Armed Resistance Unit said it planted the bomb to protest American military action in Grenada and Lebanon. Once again, there were no injuries. But it was a far different story in 1998, when an armed man rushed through a security station. In the exchange of gunfire that followed, the assailant and two Capitol Police officers were killed. Officers Jacob Chestnut Jr. and John Gibson became the first private citizens to lie in honor inside the Rotunda. Ironically, what might have been the greatest act of violence targeting the Capitol didnt happen. It is widely believed the hijacked United Flight 93 was intending to be used in a suicide attack on the Capitol, until passengers forced it to crash into a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11, 2001. Now, another ugly incident is added to the Capitols long history as a venue for violence. However, those who seek to abuse the historic structure would do well to recall the words of another former Massachusetts senator, Edward Kennedy: Violence is an admission that ones ideas and goals cannot prevail on their own merits. J. Mark Powell is vice president of communications at Ivory Tusk Consulting, is a former TV journalist and an author of the political thriller Tell It Like Tupper. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Sorry! This content is not available in your region (Natural News) Yes, Google does blacklist sites, target conservative news sites, and manipulate its algorithm to benefit big businesses and even the Wall Street Journal is concerned. According to their report, Google has been blacklisting certain sites since the early 2000s to ensure they do not appear in search results. These changes are separate from those involving sites they are legally required to block, such as those featuring copyright infringement or child abuse and those aimed at demoting spam sites. In particular, the WSJ said it had seen documents demonstrating that Google News has blacklisted conservative publications. Among the sites on the list of those that wont appear in Google News or Featured Products were the right-wing sites The Gateway Pundit and The United West. The WSJ also said it had seen a draft policy document that says the goal of the blacklist is to bar the sites from surfacing in any Search feature or news product sites. A person familiar with the matter, meanwhile, told the publication that changes to the blacklist must be carried out by at least two people, with one making the change and another approving it. This casts serious doubt on Googles often-disputed claims that it does not make decisions based on politics as well as its congressional testimony that it does not use blacklists. When asked in a 2018 hearing if the search giant has ever blacklisted any company, group, individual or outlet for political reasons, Googles Vice President of Public Policy, Karan Bhatia, replied: No, maam, we dont use blacklists/whitelists to influence our search results. Not surprisingly, Google attacked the WSJ story, claiming that it gives a very inaccurate impression of how they operate. They also said it contained old, incomplete anecdotes. Google favoring big businesses who also happen to be big advertisers The WSJ also reported theyre rigging their system to favor big businesses. Algorithmic changes to search results are made to promote bigger companies over smaller ones. In at least one case, the paper claims, they made changes on behalf of eBay, who also happens to be one of their major advertisers. How convenient! Other insiders have said they change algorithms to boost sites like Facebook and Amazon in their search results. These moves are reportedly hotly contested within the company, with those in favor claiming that customers are more likely to find what they need at bigger outlets yet Amazons products are boosted even if the items in question are discontinued. Although the issue has come up many times in meetings discussing algorithm changes, the company has repeatedly opted not to reverse the changes. They also update their index of sites like Amazon and Facebook more frequently, which helps them show up more often in peoples search results. In addition, some of their biggest advertisers are given direct advice on improving their organic search results, which is a perk not extended to businesses who lack contacts at Google. The companys advertising revenue in 2018 was $116.3 billion. In July, Google came under fire when several conservative websites disappeared from their search results, including the Drudge Report, Breitbart and the National Pulse. They claimed it was due to a bug they have since fixed. But because its targeted right-leaning websites, former Google engineer Mike Wacker told the media that the glitch might have inadvertently exposed an internal blacklist targeting conservatives. He said: The glitch is that sites on this blacklist disappeared from Google search results, but the existence of the list is very much by design. And that raises a major question: Why was this blacklist created in the first place, and what else is it used for? Google claims it cannot share how its algorithms work to prevent people from gaming their system, which may sound plausible but is also an expedient way to cover up their efforts to silence conservative sites and place their biggest advertisers front and center. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk SearchEngineLand.com WSJ.com Potato prices have crashed nearly 70 percent across primary agricultural markets from their peak of Rs 2,900-2,750 a quintal in the last week of November on higher arrivals. Prices are actually below Rs 800 a quintal in most growing regions. The new crop is higher than last year as many farmers went for the crop as prices ruled high during the sowing time, said Patit Paban De, former president of West Bengal Cold Storage Association. At Agra's agricultural produce marketing committee (APMC) market, most arrivals are trading between Rs 850 and Rs 900 a quintal from the November peak. In Punjab, prices in most markets in Jalandhar district are ruling lower than Rs 1,000 a quintal as also in West Bengal. During the same time last year, prices were at Rs 1,250 in Agra, Rs 1,600 in Punjab and Rs 1,500 in Bengal. According to the consumer affairs ministry, potato prices in Delhi were Rs 21 a kg on January 11 against Rs 45 on November 30, while in Mumbai they dipped to Rs 32 from Rs 52. During the same period a year ago, the kitchen staple was selling at Rs 28 and Rs 36 a kg. The crop this year is good as well as production. The weather, too, has been conducive for harvest, Federation of Cold Storage Associations of India (FCAOI) president Mahendra Swarup said. According to the agriculture ministry data, 4.65 lakh tonnes of potato arrived in Uttar Pradesh in the past month compared with 2.13 lakh tonnes the previous month and 4.48 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. Swarup said the weather was a little warm in Uttar Pradesh, which favoured harvesting. Had the weather been a little cold, then the story would have been different. There will be least damage to the crop from the current weather, he said. Paban De said warm weather was putting pressure on the prices. If the weather turns a little cold, then prices could rise again, he said. Farmers could be affected if prices drop further, Paban De said. There are chances of the prices dropping further to Rs 600-700 a quintal but it will hurt the farmers, he said. Farmers who bought potato seeds for cultivation would feel the pinch while those who reused their seeds could see some marginal gain, said Paban De. According to him, farmers paid a higher price of Rs 800-1,000 a quintal for seeds and other costs such as labour were also high. If farmers opt to store their crop in cold storage, then it will cost them an additional Rs 1,000 quintal. They will look for such options only if prices crash and after cold storages begin to store the crop. In Bengal, cold storages will not start storing before the last week of February, said Paban De. No crop has come to us for storage. It will take mid-February before farmers approach us for storage, said Swarup. One reason for prices to drop sharply is that potato farmers went in for early cultivation to take advantage of high prices in November. Potato was cultivated early in many parts of the country. In Bengal, farmers in districts such as Bankura and Medinipur went for early cultivation, Paban De said. If there is an exception to prices ruling low, it is Madhya Pradesh, where potato is quoting at more than Rs 1,200. Madhya Pradesh potato is used for processing (products like chips). Hence, it is always sold at a premium, Paban De said. Potato prices surged in November following low production as unseasonal rainfall affected cultivation. Rains also hit the crop in Karnataka and Maharashtra. According to the agriculture ministry's third advance estimate of horticultural crops, potato was cultivated on 20.56 lakh hectares during the 2019-20 crop year (July-June) against 21.73 lakh hectares in the previous year. Potato production declined to 48.66 million tonnes in 2019-20 against 50.19 million tonnes the previous year. Higher consumption due to the lockdown also aided the price spike. (Subramani Ra Mancombu is a Chennai-based journalist who writes on commodities and agriculture) HEFEI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- As his conversation in a mountain village museum proceeded, all the familiar laughs that Zimbabwean youth Albert Mhangami saw during his trip flashed into his mind, warmly and inspiringly. It was "a laugh that was shared by the people of that village, by the hundreds of millions of people that had been pulled out of destitution," as he wrote later. Also participating in the conversation were South African teacher Shaun Nish, his daughter Rebecca Nish and Malaysian media worker Michael Chick, which was the final part of their five-day trip to Jinzhai County, east China's Anhui Province. In the once-impoverished county, the group of foreigners experienced rural life and saw China's poverty-alleviation efforts first-hand. At the end of 2020, all of China's nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line had shaken off poverty. All of the 832 poor counties, including Jinzhai, had been lifted out of poverty. JOURNEY OF SURPRISES Back at Tsinghua University where the 27-year-old studies, Mhangami has been a keen researcher of China's fight against poverty. Immersed in macro-level, theoretical studies, he finally got the chance to have real interactions with the people that he has been researching. "I was expecting to see a lot of old people and very few young people, less technology and the infrastructure more oriented toward getting business in rather than getting business out," Mhangami said. However, a series of surprises were in store for the group. In local villages, Mhangami met many young people working in various professions, including teachers, farmers, grocery store owners, doctors, grassroots civil servants and e-commerce entrepreneurs. One of the most impressive among them was Zhang Chuanfeng, an internet celebrity whose family used to be identified as an impoverished household. Thanks to the government subsidization and favorable policies such as free rent accommodation, Zhang set up a store in 2017 that buys local specialties from many impoverished families and then sells them online to consumers across the country. "He has a massive online presence. I think he had around 50 million views for one of his videos," Mhangami said, after collaborating on two TikTok videos with Zhang to promote local goods like dried sweet potatoes and tea. Last year, the e-commerce store achieved total revenue of more than 5 million yuan (about 773,000 U.S. dollars), with a profit of about 500,000 yuan. China's development of internet infrastructure and booming digital economy in this rural area also surprised the rest of the group. "The amount of infrastructure that is available is what really shocked me. I was expecting smaller roads and a lot less infrastructure than what there is here," Shaun Nish said. Shaun Nish and Rebecca Nish, who live in Anhui's capital of Hefei, were also delighted with the fact that there was easy access to wireless internet and TV service in the villages. "But it is not just wifi. It's internet connectivity. That's pretty much how this village is able to market its products," said Chick, who has traveled to many South East Asian countries for TV production. BASIC NEEDS AND BEYOND While visiting local residences and tourist sites, Mhangami was greeted with a smile by village community cleaner Zhou Duanqiong. Zhou told him that her husband died many years ago, and she used to financially support the whole family by running a small shop, but the income was far from enough to live a comfortable life. But in 2016, things changed for Zhou. A new housing and infrastructure project was launched in her community, which gave her family a roof over their heads. As Mhangami learned, the government's project involved purchasing the residents' worn-down houses at a high price, building better-quality residences and then selling these new homes back to them at a lower price with additional subsidization. Besides that, the government also launched a tourism infrastructure project. The influx of tourists resulted in more income and more job openings, including Zhou's community cleaning position. In a village primary school, Mhangami talked with a class of students, whose topics ranged from the new infrastructure of the entire village to subsidized meals at school. An injured child with a sling on his arm told Mhangami how his medical bill was largely covered by the government. "There is the medical infrastructure that the government has put in a decent amount of work on," Mhangami said. "The subsidization and insurance were the guardians of the millions of jobs and assets the government had created for the people." Chick's observation in a village clinic corresponded with Mhangami's comments. Chick learned that on average, villagers from impoverished households can have 95 percent of their total medical costs reimbursed. Local residents infected with COVID-19 can also have free treatment. Another memorable moment for Mhangami in the primary school was when he asked the students about their future aspirations, one of them raised his hand and replied that he wanted to study abroad. "Poverty is ultimately a conversation about options," Mhangami commented. "When a child who only five years prior would have seen the provincial capital city as the goal, but now speaks of the international community as a space for his dreams, poverty has truly been alleviated," he added. In Shaun Nish's point of view, poverty alleviation efforts should not only cover people's basic needs but also their desire for a better life, such as internet services. "Wifi may not be a need, but it can help you a lot. And that's why I think the Chinese government is very good at doing that because it can help you to fulfill your wants like TV, the internet and online shopping," Shaun Nish said. INTERACTIONS AND JOINT EFFORTS During the trip, the group saw how the locals were enthusiastically working together with the government to improve their own lives. Wang Jian, a young villager who now runs a distribution center for express deliveries, shared his entrepreneurial story with Chick. Wang's store opened in 2017. He borrowed money from the bank and his relatives and was given a financial grant from the government. "It is 10,000 yuan seed money as opposed to 300,000 yuan in personal loans. That actually shows you how much he wants to get this business going," Chick said. In his conversation with the owner of a village inn where he stayed, Shaun Nish was told that her family used to be one of the poorest households in the village. Nevertheless, two years ago, she finally managed to get her own business up and running. "The government gave her some money, and she put in three times the amount the government did," Shaun Nish said. "And now she is doing quite well." The government has been constantly helping local communities and reevaluating its own work. If something does not work, then they will change it, he said. Mhangami believed that interactions and joint efforts by the people and the government are crucial to win the battle against poverty. "If your government has the political will to engage your people, to make getting people out of poverty a priority, it makes a massive difference," he said. Another important thing "is to be a part of the people. Make sure you are going there, asking them what is happening, sitting down with them and having these conversations. It immediately changes the dynamic," he added. For him, all the genuine laughs and smiles he witnessed on the journey have said a lot about China's excellent practice in that regard. It was "a laugh that showed confidence in a government that had prioritized the people in the global battle against poverty," he wrote. Enditem Charleston, WV (25301) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. WASHINGTON - The 36-year-old West Texas florist and self-described "conservative die hard patriot" always took to Facebook when she had something to say. So just hours after Jenny Cudd and scores of fellow Trump supporters swarmed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday during a violent insurrection, she launched a live stream with a Trump flag draped over her shoulders and boasted, "We did break down . . . Nancy Pelosi's office door." Nearly 1,700 miles away in Midland, Texas, Heather Bredimus watched in disbelief. She knew Cudd. Quite well, in fact. The two women had bitterly feuded over pandemic mask ordinances. In recent weeks, Bredimus had grown frightened for her personal safety after she said Cudd, an anti-masker, became increasingly obsessed with targeting those who supported mask ordinances and openly discussed buying ammunition and a coming "revolution." Still, Bredimus says it has been truly stunning to see her "arch nemesis" in footage boldly claiming involvement in an attempted takeover of the fortress of American democracy. "I didn't think she would take it that far," Bredimus said of watching the footage of Cudd in Washington. "You don't think the people from your hometown are going to be the crazy ones on TV and in the news." Cudd did not respond to requests for comment for this report. Four days after the Capitol riot, similar realizations have unfolded in communities across the country as social media sleuths, local news accounts and, in some cases, newly filed court records have begun to fill in the identities of thousands of individuals who descended upon Washington to trumpet their support for President Donald Trump's false and incendiary claims that the U.S. presidential election was rigged. Those who made their way to the grounds of the Capitol on Wednesday hail from at least 36 states, along with the District of Columbia and Canada, according to a Washington Post list of more than 100 people identified as being on the scene of the Capitol. Their professions touch nearly every facet of American society: lawyers, local lawmakers, real estate agents, law enforcement officers, military veterans, construction workers, hair stylists and nurses. Among the crowd were devout Christians who highlighted Bible verses, adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory and members of documented hate groups, including white nationalist organizations and militant right-wing organizations, such as the Proud Boys. The list is just a limited cross section of the thousands of people who descended upon the area, yet some striking commonalities are hard to ignore. Almost all on the list whose race could be readily identified are White. Most are men, yet about 1 in 6 were women - also almost all White. Many left extensive social media documentation of their passions, ideologies and, in some cases, disillusionment and vendettas. Their paths to the nation's capital were largely fueled by long-standing grievances and distrust, and yet planned in spontaneous and ad hoc fashion. Several reported pulling together their travel funds and schedules in just a few days. Some took a solitary journey, including flying from coast to coast alone, only to find a shared community upon their final destination in Washington. Others traveled in buses that departed Wednesday at dawn, filled to the brim with other Trump supporters. In the wake of the violent mob's collective actions, five people have lost their lives. Ashli Babbitt - an Air Force veteran - was shot and killed by Capitol Police. One Capitol Police officer died of injuries and three other individuals died due to medical emergencies during the riot. Some of the most distinctive rioters captured in viral images quickly left the District of Columbia, only to be taken into custody closer to home: Authorities have charged Richard Barnett, the 60-year-old Arkansan pictured with a foot on a staffer's desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office; Jacob Anthony Chansley, a QAnon evangelist from Arizona also known as Jake Angeli, who roamed the Capitol shirtless with a horned headdress; and Adam Johnson, a 36-year-old Florida man who held a lectern in photographs. Before he was arrested, Chansley told The Washington Post that he had not committed any violent acts. Barnett told The New York Times that he had just been knocking on the door when he was pushed in by the crowd. Several of the most notorious rioters, including a man who carried a Confederate flag over his shoulder through the Capitol, have not had their identities publicly confirmed by law enforcement. Dozens of people have been arrested - some for minor offenses including breaking curfew or unlawful entry, while others face more serious federal charges, including firearm possession, violent entry and disorderly conduct at the Capitol. The count is expected to grow rapidly in the coming days. On Sunday morning, Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told NPR that his staff is working round-the-clock to sort through "potentially thousands of people that may have information about crimes . . . meaning there could be hundreds of people charged." One of those whose actions have drawn law enforcement scrutiny is Cudd, the Midland florist who spoke on camera about breaking down Pelosi's door. Bredimus and her husband confirmed that FBI agents recently interviewed them about Cudd's behavior. The acrimony between Bredimus and Cudd began in November, when Bredimus, a 37-year-old graphic designer, squared off against Cudd during a contentious city hall meeting debating the merits of a mask ordinance. They soon led rival mask groups: Bredimus, who is married to a hospital official, leads the pro-mask "Masks in Midland" club, and Cudd leads those opposed to masks. By December, Bredimus said anti-maskers began circulating photos of her van and license plate number, leading to anonymous death threats. Later that month, Bredimus says, Cudd stood outside of Bredimus's residence - with Bredimus's four children inside and home alone - and began live-streaming to her followers. Bredimus said she alerted the Midland Police Department to voice concerns over what she viewed as Cudd's erratic and potentially threatening behavior but was told that there was nothing officers could do. Cudd denied wrongdoing in an interview Friday with a Midland television station, saying she did not mean for it to be taken literally when she said "we" broke into Pelosi's office. She deleted her Facebook account late Saturday amid growing scrutiny of her digital footprint, which contained a Jan. 3 post that warned: "No matter what Trump will be President for 4 more years. Enjoy the show." Such a purge became the norm over the weekend as people who attended the Capitol event made largely fruitless attempts to scrub lives that were lived online. At least 15 people who attended the rally have been fired or suspended from their jobs, or preemptively resigned amid growing outrage, according to a Post tally. One of the fired is 41-year-old laborer Doug Jensen of Des Moines, Iowa, who is facing federal charges after he was recorded leading rioters up a staircase as a police officer attempted to hold back the crowd. Jensen's boss, Dick Felice, who owns Forrest & Associate Masonry, said he terminated Jensen's employment. "He committed a crime as far as I'm concerned," Felice said. Jensen could not be reached for comment. Some participants pleaded for forgiveness. "It was the single worst personal decision of my life," Bradley Rukstales, former CEO of a Chicago-area data analytics company, wrote in a public statement. Rukstales was fired from his job and faces two federal charges stemming from his actions inside the Capitol. He did not respond to a Post reporter's requests for comment. Others said they had been unfairly maligned. Amilee Stuckey, a 55-year-old lawyer from central Florida, said she stayed put outside the Capitol for about two hours, wanting to bear witness to what transpired. She said the resulting violence left her in tears, feeling "just appalled." Still, she scoffed in the face of social media critics who have written that Stuckey's law firm should fire her. She does not reply to them, but takes a grim satisfaction in the fact that "I own the damn firm." A Huntington Beach, Calif., hair salon owner, 32-year-old Kristopher Drew Martin, said that a viral video in which he said "we stormed" the Capitol has been taken out of context and that he did not personally storm the building. He later said those who entered the building were wrong. Martin blamed "the left" and the media for the backlash to his video, which he says has included death threats and bad reviews online about his business. "They enjoy hurting people, especially a Trump supporter," he said. "It feels so good to watch me suffer right now, but I never wanted them to suffer." Most who were interviewed by Post reporters remained resolute. Glynnda White, a 58-year-old retired local government worker and Army veteran from Winter Haven, Fla., said she had no regrets about making the trip. "We were invited by the president" to Washington, said White, who says she stood outside the Capitol but did not enter the building. "And we went." - - - Several who traveled to Washington to support the "Stop the Steal" rally told The Post that they were driven by two primary grievances: their opposition to the election results and the restrictions in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, which can cause the disease covid-19. A 39-year-old entrepreneur from Salem, Ore., Lindsey Graham, said her eventual path to the Capitol began last spring, when the six small businesses she and her husband own, including tanning salons, a gym and hair salon, were suddenly shuttered because of coronavirus restrictions. Graham said she voted for Trump in 2016 but did not become politically active until her family was financially struggling last year. She defied state orders and reopened her salon in May, racking up thousands of dollars in fines for violations. Since then, the mother of three has posted online under the moniker "Patriot Barbie," frequently railing against mask mandates and selling trucker hats, red lip glitter and American flag earrings on her personal website. "It has become a passion since my rights were taken away in March," she said. "Before this, I had nothing to do with politics." In early November, she traveled to Huntington Beach, Calif., for her first Trump rally. After the election, she said, she grew increasingly convinced that Trump's claims about election fraud had merit. "I believe that he won the election," she said. In mid-December, she sued Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, for $100,000, claiming her civil rights were violated by the state's enforcement measures. And, on New Year's Eve, Graham made her next plans clear with a simple post on Facebook: "See you in DC!!!!" She traveled alone and said she stayed at the home of a welcoming Virginia resident whom she had never met. On Wednesday, she said she watched Trump speak with great excitement and followed "the planned agenda" by marching to the Capitol. Once there, she said she stayed outside for three hours, clapping and chanting "U-S-A!" Graham said she was "peacefully protesting" with thousands of people. She said she did not enter the building and does not condone violence. "I'm glad I was there because I am one of the people that can vouch for the crowd," she said. Like Graham, 47-year-old construction worker Pete Harding said he was drawn to the Capitol by his disdain for restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Until last year, the Upstate New York resident said he had largely confined his strong political opinions to the Internet, describing himself as just a "keyboard warrior." That's all changed now, in radical fashion. The first days of 2021 found him - by his own account - charging through the chemical irritants that Capitol Police meant to deter him from entering the Capitol, rambling through the building, and then attempting to set fire to journalists' equipment outside. Last year, in his hometown of Cheektowaga, N.Y., he began regularly protesting prevention measures for individuals and businesses and was eventually arrested for refusing to leave a liquor store where staffers asked him to wear a mask. "We know that if Biden-Harris was going to get into office, they've said they're going to make the lockdowns mandatory and mask-wearing mandatory across the country," he said. Hoping to prevent a president who would take stronger action against the virus, he joined the MAGA demonstrations in November in Washington, which he described as "gorgeous" and "inspired." He drove to D.C. again for Wednesday's action. After listening to Trump's speech and marching to the Capitol, he found that "our people," as he described the mob, had already pushed police back up to the top of the Capitol steps. He waded through the crowd to join them, and he persisted up the stairs, though he says police repeatedly deployed irritants to try to deter the mob. Harding describes himself as a "peacekeeper" who charged up the Capitol stairs to protect police officers and rioters. "I started to see everybody going up the stairs at that point, and I decided I needed to be up there. . . . I knew that things could escalate and I needed to be there to de-escalate things," he said. "I was there to protect and keep the peace. That's what I do every single place that I go." Harding said the only weapon he carried was a dinner fork, which he put in his pocket because he believed he might need it to confront "antifa" or "Muslim brotherhood" fighters. It stayed in his pocket. "Fortunately, I didn't have to wield the kitchen fork menacingly," he said. Once he left the Capitol, he saw journalists with cameras protected by barricades. He says he walked over twice to taunt them, saying, "You're responsible for this" and "There's a woman shot - this is on your hands." Harding claims that only after he walked away did other Trump supporters harass the journalists to the point that they fled, leaving behind their equipment. He was delighted. "I was kind of happy about it, to be honest with you, not going to lie, because they deserve it. But that's not a crime," he said. He said he came back and piled up the abandoned equipment, then used a lighter to try to set it on fire, though he believed most of it was metal and would not burn. "The visual and the imagery was for the media to see, that they have started our country on fire," Harding said, "with their constant lies about covid and about Trump." Harding maintains that he did nothing illegal Wednesday. He said he contacted his local FBI office and offered to talk and has consulted with a lawyer. - - - Many attendees described a fervor that drew them to the Capitol. For 48-year-old Leonard Guthrie, it manifested in his faith in God. The Cape May, N.J., resident has not often been well enough to work since having two surgeries on his back. In the absence of employment, he has heavily leaned into his Christian beliefs and conservative political views. When he heard about the rally, Guthrie thought he could combine his two passions. If he and other Christians had been able to pray outside while senators voted inside, he feels certain it would have changed their votes. "I know it would have," he said. So despite the misfiring nerves in his back that made sitting in a car for hours a painful endeavor, he made the journey. And for him, it ended in the D.C. jail. He said he broke through a police barrier to reach the U.S. Capitol steps and readily admits his transgressions, bluntly saying: "I broke the law." Still, he feels aggrieved. "We've been silenced for so long," he said. "For years, because I voted for Trump, I'm called a racist, a Nazi, a bigot and all that stuff, and it's not right." Others squarely cited their fealty to the president as the force that pulled them to the nation's capital. Some, like David Ray Fitzgerald of Roselle, Ill., identified as relatively new Trump supporters. The 48-year-old tattoo artist and father of seven said he does not usually vote but became a staunch Trump fan over the past year as he spent days in quarantine reading up on the president's attitudes toward trade agreements and abortion. He posted Facebook messages and memes chastising liberals for being what he characterized as too sensitive, railing against "fake news," and glorifying Trump. "I'm not a 'deranged Trump supporter,' " he said. "I'm an American supporter, and I think that there's only one person on the ticket that has the same values as I do." Fitzgerald and friends pooled their resources to organize the drive and book a hotel room for the Jan. 6 rally, driven by their hope that Trump could still win the election. Fitzgerald said he watched the chaos from the grass and did not venture into the Capitol. Later that night, he was arrested for a curfew violation and unlawful entry as he stood in the parking lot. Fitzgerald said he hated his experience in jail but made the right decisions Wednesday. "You can't say, 'I'm here until things get difficult,' " he said. "I'm here to support everything to the end, regardless of what happens to me." Rick Saccone, a former Pennsylvania state legislator and Republican who in 2018 narrowly lost a race for Congress after campaigning alongside Trump, boarded a bus in Pittsburgh before 7 a.m. Wednesday, bound for Washington. Saccone said he believed that voting irregularities had surfaced during his own campaigns - and he suspected that Trump had fallen victim to much worse in the November election. "People are just mad,'' Saccone recalled in an interview. "I think I speak for many people: They wanted their vote counted." Saccone, 62, was not among those arrested in Washington. Nor did he join those who vaulted, squeezed and rushed into the Capitol. Instead, he said he remained outside on the l. Wearing a Trump-emblazoned, royal blue beanie, he posted a video message on his Facebook page with the caption, "We are storming the capitol. Our vanguard has broken thru the barricades. We will save this nation. Are u with me?'' Saccone took down his Facebook post later Wednesday and told The Post that the people who stormed the Capitol should be prosecuted. On Thursday, St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., where Saccone, who holds a PhD in international relations, had taught since 1999, announced his resignation amid a growing outcry. Asked whether he had regrets about his trip to Washington, Saccone cited a scarcity of portable toilets across the city, which he attributed to Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat. "I blame the mayor for that,'' Saccone said. "I think she was trying to torture us.'' Bowser's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the mayor has no authority over toilets on federal property. - - - The images from the Capitol violence have left not just a stain on the nation but disappointment that a love one chose to show up for such an event. When Robyn Sweet saw the violence break out at the Capitol on Wednesday, she immediately suspected her father, Douglas Sweet, was part of the mayhem. She and her relatives spent hours trying to reach him and eventually learned that he'd been arrested and accused of unlawful entry. She described her father as a self-employed handyman in his late 50s who lives in rural Virginia and became increasingly fixated with conspiracy theories after Barack Obama was elected president. That escalated when Trump rose to power, Sweet said. Her father attended the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 and has discussed concerns about child pedophile rings and adrenochrome, a chemical compound they believe is extracted from captive children's blood - baseless conspiracy theories spread by QAnon followers. "He wholeheartedly believes this stuff," Sweet said. "I feel like he is under a spell. Trump has got these people under a spell," said Sweet, a 35-year-old health-care worker who helped organize a Black Lives Matter protest after George Floyd's death in Minneapolis and launched a Facebook group, Bigotry Exposed, in 2018. Douglas Sweet, who could not be reached for comment, posted a message on Facebook after his arrest, saying he was released on his own recognizance and described the unlawful entry charge as "a citation equal to ticket." His daughter provided The Post with a copy of the message, which was also shared on Twitter. "Our Goal was to speak to the house and Senate about 'stop the steal' and infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party of our government," Douglas Sweet wrote. "I feel strongly about defending our Constitutional rights and will not sit on the sidelines and watch as both parties trample our Rights and commit treason with foreign enemies and Governments." Robyn Sweet said there are many people from their community in Mathews County who support her father's beliefs and she thinks the arrest will further radicalize him, rather than serve as a wake-up call. "They are hailing him like he is a martyr," she said. "It's sickening." Sweet said the relationship with her father is strained - he asked her in June whether she was a member of antifa and blocked her on Facebook - but she said they still love each other. She is isolating after being exposed to the coronavirus, which causes covid-19, a disease she said her father does not think is real. - - - The Washington Post's Julie Tate, Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson, Alex Horton, Maria Sacchetti, Amar Nadhir, Justin George, Paulina Villegas, Rachel Weiner, Alice Crites, Devlin Barrett, and Matt Zapotosky 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. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala will undertake a 'Kerala Yatra' from February 1 across the southern state, UDF sources said here on Monday. The Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly will start his yatra from Kasargod and end it on February 22 at state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The details of the yatra will be chalked out later. A meeting of United Democratic Front leaders held at his official residence decided on the yatra, though it did not finalise the proposed entry of Janapaksham leader PC George's entry to the opposition UDF. The Kerala Congress, a constituent of the UDF, had voiced strong reservations on George's entry into the UDF fold. Kerala Congress leader PJ Joseph, however, maintained that George can be accommodated as an Independent candidate supported by the UDF. Chennithala said that the UDF leadership did not hold any official discussion with George on the issue. Meanwhile, the UDF leadership has decided to hold talks with religious and social communities across the state to help settle various issues confronting them. Indian Union Muslim League General Secretary PK Kunhalikutty, speaking at the UDF meeting, called upon the opposition front to help settle various issues of religious and social groups in Kerala before the Assembly elections. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran, Chennithala, Kunhalikutty and Joseph were among those who participated in the meeting. Rajkummar Rao Becomes Part Of Dhakal Do, An Initiative To End Violence On Streets Breakthrough India, an organization seeking to make violence and discrimination against women and girls unacceptable, today announced the launch of its Dakhal Do campaign. Dakhal Do, meaning intervene is a multi-year campaign on bystander intervention designed to inspire young people between the ages of 19-25 to intervene and call out acts of violence against women and girls both in public and private spaces. Breakthrough India has joined hands with popular Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao to take the campaign to the masses. The campaign seeks to inspire young people to intervene when they witness acts of violence against women and girls, either in their own lives or in public places. The idea is to reinforce and highlight the role of a bystander in creating safe spaces for women and girls in India. The campaign will be an integral part of Breakthrough India ongoing programmes in UP, Haryana, Bihar, and Delhi. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) Commenting on the collaboration, Rajkummar Rao said, I am very excited to join hands with Breakthrough India for the Dakhal Do campaign. I strongly believe that efforts such as this will help us end violence against women and girls. I have observed that most people act or raise their voice only when physical violence occurs. But there is no understanding around the fact that violence exists in different forms and shapes such as emotional, mental, and financial. This needs to change. There needs to be a continuous discussion and sensitization on the various forms of abuse and their impact on women. This is a conversation that is still happening in limited spaces and we need everyones support to take it to a larger number of people across the country. I believe that violence against women and girls is everyones problem and we need to speak up, stop and intervene. Crimes against women and girls, especially in public spaces, have seen a steady rise in recent years. According to the National Crime Record Bureau report of 2018 (NCRB), nearly 3.78 lakh cases of crime against women were reported across the country. The Dakhal Do campaign aims to raise awareness on how bystanders can become agents of change rather than just spectators. This approach will empower bystanders to recognize unhealthy and problematic behaviours and intervene before abuse or assault takes place. Commenting on the campaign launch, Sohini Bhattacharya, President and CEO, Breakthrough, said, Breakthrough is dedicated to creating an environment in which violence and discrimination against women and girls becomes unacceptable. The Dakhal Do campaign is designed to drive awareness, inspire action, and encourage more Indians to say no more to gender-based violence and bystander apathy. The campaign will push people to understand their own role as changemakers for building safer public spaces. We are pleased to have partnered with Rajkummar Rao to take this message to a larger number of people across the country. The Dakhal Do campaign is being hosted on social media platforms in order to connect with more and more people and mobilize support for the campaign. The campaign will also announce a contest later which will be open for those between the ages of 15-25. The participants will be required to share their video stories through WhatsApp, stating how they intervened and prevented a potentially violent incident. Source: Reuters The decision by tech companies to clamp down on President Donald Trump's ability to speak to followers through mainstream social media may force him to tap more traditional methods of communication or more isolated conservative online channels during his final days in office, experts say. Twitter Inc, Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc-owned Google, Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc took their strongest actions yet against Trump to limit his reach, fearing continued violence stemming from his posts after his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol building last week. They were joined by smaller tech companies including Twitch, Snapchat, Reddit, Shopify and TikTok. Trump, who has without evidence challenged the validity of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's November 3 election victory, praised and egged on supporters before they laid siege on Wednesday to the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying the Electoral College vote for Biden. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died in the assault. Apple, Google and Amazon have suspended Parler - a pro-Trump app where users have threatened more violence - from their respective app stores and Web-hosting services, a set of moves that stand to severely handicap the service. The platform has 12 million users and Trump's sons Donald Jr. and Eric are active on it, but it will now have to find a new Web host to replace Amazon to even stay in business. HOW CAN TRUMP REACH HIS FOLLOWERS? Immediately after the Twitter ban - a platform the president has been obsessed with since he first ran for office and where he regularly spoke to his 88 million followers - Trump vowed he would "not be SILENCED!" and promised a "big announcement soon." Trump also tweeted from the @POTUS Twitter account shortly after the ban and railed against the tech company, Democrats and a law protecting internet companies called Section 230, and said he was considering building his own social media platform. His tweets were almost immediately deleted by the company. But striking out on his own will take time. For the moment, Trump, who leaves office on January 20, is left with alternatives such as online conservative platform Gab, a free-speech network with almost no censorship rules, that has far less of a reach. Aides and supporters are already turning to Gab and the platform MeWe to amplify his messages in the coming days, experts said. Other likely outlets are video platform Rumble and video streaming service DLive, along with alternate news sites such as American Media Periscope, said Monica Stephens, assistant professor at the University of Buffalo, whose research focuses on topics including social media. "I don't think Trump will join these smaller platforms himself. It is more likely he will create something on his own as opposed to joining something subjected to somebody else's controls," she said. In the meantime, he can tap Trump-friendly networks such as Fox News, OAN and Newsmax to get his message out. The other underutilized option is the White House press office, experts said. He can continue to hold briefings or distribute statements and videos until the end of his term. WHAT ARE HIS FOLLOWERS AND SUPPORTERS SAYING? Immediately after the Twitter ban, backers such as Angela Stanton-King, a Republican supporter of the QAnon conspiracy group who ran in November to represent Georgia's 5th Congressional District, and Republican Representative Thomas Massie began sharing their Parler accounts on Twitter, encouraging followers to move there. Others such as conservative media host Rush Limbaugh deactivated their Twitter accounts. Numerous Republican lawmakers denounced the social media company decisions as an attempt to stifle conservative voices and argued the moves would further polarize the country. "We're now living in a country where four or five companies - unelected, unaccountable - have the power, a monopoly power to decide, we're going to wipe people out, we're going to just erase them from any sort of digital platform," Senator Marco Rubio said on Fox News. Some liberal free-speech activists were uncomfortable with the moves too. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group, defended the right of Twitter and others to "curate their platforms," but called for more transparency and consistency in decision making. The American Civil Liberties Union said it "should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions." CAN ONLINE PLATFORMS SILENCE TRUMP AND HIS FOLLOWERS? Silicon Valley companies have frequently tried, often without much success, to go after those peddling harmful content - from election disinformation to hate speech and violent threats - but their actions in recent days have been the toughest so far. The First Amendment guaranteeing free speech does not generally apply to private-sector companies, allowing them to moderate speech that incites violence on their platforms. "I think there was a legitimate public policy interest over the last four-plus years in maintaining the president and his voice on Twitter and other platforms. But clearly, what he has done has exceeded any reasonable public policy interest," said Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Emirates NBD, a leading banking group, has became the first bank in the region to allow new customers to have their identity documents verified using contactless NFC technology when opening a bank account via its mobile banking app. The bank's TruID solution uses NFC technology to read information from embedded chips in the documents and seamlessly extract data to autofill a digital account application. The customer is then prompted to take a selfie within the app to complete the process. Emirates NBD's TruID digital identity verification solution was developed as part of the bank's collaboration with fintechs VisionLabs and Smart Engines. Apple users can have their biometric passports read using the NFC technology, while Android users can avail electronic reading of both Emirates ID and their biometric passports. Suvo Sarkar, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management said: As a front-runner in digital banking innovation, Emirates NBD continues to leverage technology to deliver superior customer experiences. Our mobile account opening service is being increasingly used by customers to open a new account instantly from their smartphones and this new verification solution ensures a more secure and robust process. Commenting on the collaboration with Emirates NBD, Anton Nazarkin, International Development Director at VisionLabs, said: I am proud that VisionLabs has become a part of the banks technology stack and would like to thank Emirates NBD team for their efforts in creating this next generation banking solution with us. I am sure that the positive experience with our KYC solution will enable further expansion of services based on biometrics in the bank for its customers and employees. Nikita Arlazarov, Chief Financial Officer at Smart Engines, added: Entering the Middle East market with Emirates NBD is an important milestone for us and I thank them for their trust in us. Not only were we able to support and fine tune data extraction for region-specific ID types, we have also developed a technology for Arabic character recognition in the process. An early mover in banking digitization and innovation, Emirates NBD's advanced digital infrastructure has enabled it to continue offering seamless banking services to customers despite Covid-19 related restrictions. TradeArabia News Service Piers Morgan has admitted to regretting his previous support of Donald Trump following last weeks Capitol riots. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Monday (11 January), Morgan and co-host Susanna Reid discussed the horrendous incident in Washington DC last Wednesday (6 January), in which Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to disrupt Congress from certifying Joe Bidens election win. What we witnessed in America last week was one of the saddest things Ive ever had to see, in a country that I love, Morgan said. "It was a mob of insurrectionists attempting a coup, encouraged to fight down at the Capitol by their own President Trumps gone mad. I think the pandemic and the realisation [that he] cost them the election have sent him nuts and now its a very dangerous situation. The pair then turned their attention to Trumps potential removal from office, which vice president Mike Pence is reportedly still considering. The 25th Amendment states that the vice president would take over if a sitting president is removed, resigns, or dies while in office. Invoking the amendment requires approval from the vice president and a majority of the presidents Cabinet. He could be removed under the 25th amendment if he is deemed to be mentally unfit, [and] I think there is a good argument for that, Morgan said. Lets be clear what happened here... This mob, if they had got into the chamber itself, they were chanting that they wanted to hang Mike Pence, they wanted to attack Nancy Pelosi... this could have been unbelievably awful." Asked by Reid whether he now questioned his former support of the president, Morgan replied: No question, I never thought he was capable of this. "He has played down to the very worst expectations of his worst critics But I never imagined the person I had known for 15 years would incite a mob to attack the Capitol in America and attack democracy itself. He didnt just cross a line, he trampled all over that line. Morgan added: To hose who warned this was what was going to happen with Trump, youve been proven right. Its a sobering moment." Five people, including one Capitol police officer, died in the riots. In California, the Equal Insurance Coverage for Mental Health law begins. It requires health plans to cover medically necessary treatment for all recognized mental health and substance abuse disorders. Before this, insurers in California were only required to cover treatments for nine specified mental health disorders. Advocates argued that without easily accessible and affordable preventative care for mental health, patients only looked for treatment when they reached a crisis point. They hope this will encourage patients to reach out for help sooner. A similar law goes into effect in Pennsylvania. It requires insurance companies to treat mental health and addiction coverage the same as a physical health care need. That includes cost sharing, in- and out-of-network coverage, and other treatment limits. Governor Tom Wolf says the measure will provide "an even better understanding of mental health parity and, therefore, better access for Pennsylvanians who seek help." Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman says leading up to this measure, they found inconsistencies with how mental health needs were covered. Now, she says "the legislation will result in greater compliance across insurance companies and improve consumer access to understandable coverage information." Massachusetts officials say a new healthcare law in their state will also help improve access to mental health treatment. It requires insurers to cover telehealth services, including behavioral health care. "This legislation continues to advance our shared goal of transforming mental health care access and delivery in Massachusetts," says state Sen. Julian Cyr, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. "This legislation will do so much good, but particularly it will expand mental health care access for rural residents, people of color, working families, and young people. State health officials say their work isn't done yet. Now more than ever do we need to ensure access to behavioral health care services, as the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need and urgency to increase behavioral health care access across the state", says Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. "I applaud the Legislature for addressing several proposals to increase coverage and address barriers to necessary behavioral health services. We plan to release our behavioral health roadmap in the coming weeks and look forward to partnering with the Legislature to implement overdue reforms to ensure we have a true behavioral health system. School leaders in North Carolina will start working on mental health plans for K-12 schools. These programs will include a mental health training program and suicide risk referral protocol. Lawmakers say the plans should address an additional number of topics including: substance abuse, sexual abuse prevention, sex trafficking prevention, and teenage dating violence. The law requires school personnel to have the initial mental health training complete by the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Delaware has announced the first $700,000 in revenue from a new opioid impact fee will be spent on treatments for substance abuse disorders in 2021. Officials at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services say the funds will help prevent overdose deaths and provide new services. They plan to increase the state's supply of medication to reverse opioid overdoses, expand clinic services to 24 hours a day, and give grants to those in treatment or recovery to be used for transportation, housing and education. There are no easy solutions when it comes to treating people struggling with substance use disorder, says Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long. "To be successful, we must take a truly holistic approach. This means supporting both the individual and their family as we attempt to remove the social determinant barriers that hinder an individual on a path to recovery." Several other states are set to start working on measures in 2021. Missouri lawmakers plan on discussing a bill that would ban health insurance companies from using loopholes to avoid paying for mental health services, or making it difficult for patients to get treatment. Mississippi lawmakers have also been working on new mental health legislation. In 2019 a federal judge there ruled the state violated civil rights law by not providing enough mental health care in communities, forcing patients to be segregated in state-run hospitals. Award caps strong year for Hyundai Motor North America and Elantra - Dramatic four-door-coupe look comes to life with "Parametric Dynamics" design theme - Segment-first wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - Segment-first Hyundai Digital Key - More than 50 MPG combined fuel EPA estimated economy rating on first-ever Elantra Hybrid - Elantra N and Elantra N Line performance models added to the family FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was named winner of the 2021 North American Car of the Year award today by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) automotive media jury. This is the second time the Hyundai sedan has won Car of the Year (2012). Only two cars have won the award more than once (Chevrolet Corvette and Honda Civic) and this marks Hyundai's third Car of the Year category win. The winner was announced during a virtual event. Images, b-roll footage, press releases and specifications for the 2021 Elantra can be found at https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/models/hyundai-elantra-2021-elantra. Hyundai Elantra Wins Prestigious 2021 North American Car of the Year (PRNewsfoto/Hyundai Motor America) Elantra is a symbol of Hyundai's blend of dynamic design, advanced technology and great fuel economy. "Thank you to all of the jurors. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire company, our Alabama and Ulsan plant employees who build Elantra and our dealers," said Jose Munoz, Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America. "Elantra is a symbol of our blend of dynamic design, advanced technology and great fuel economy. Elantra customers are going to experience all of the hard work and dedication that went into making this class-leading car." The jurors tested and evaluated more than 40 new vehicles before voting the top three cars, utility vehicles and trucks to be 2021 finalists. The Nissan Sentra and Genesis G80 were the other car finalists. Story continues Now in their 28th year, the NACTOY awards are selected through a series of three separate votes by a diverse jury of automotive journalists from numerous outlets in the United States and Canada. Jurors evaluate the finalists based on segment leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Founded in 1994, these awards are the longest-running new-vehicle awards not associated with a single publication, website, radio or television station. Because of the jurors' independence, these awards are among the most respected in the industry. Hyundai Motor America At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assuranceour promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram Hyundai Elantra Wins Prestigious 2021 North American Car of the Year (PRNewsfoto/Hyundai Motor America) Hyundai Motor America. (PRNewsFoto/Hyundai Motor America) (PRNewsfoto/Hyundai Motor America) 2021 North American Car of the Year logo. (PRNewsfoto/Hyundai Motor America) Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-elantra-wins-prestigious-2021-north-american-car-of-the-year-301205416.html SOURCE Hyundai Motor America To keep the terror machine running, Pakistan has been using narcotics as a major financing tool in Kashmir. While it has been pushing trained terrorists into Kashmir and also deadly arms and ammunition besides fake currency, narcotics are being pumped into Kashmir to reach Indian markets like Punjab, Delhi, Mumbai to generate money for terror operations and recruitment. While police have been battling the trained terrorists and have virtually broken the backbone of the network, narco-terrorism is emerging as one of the biggest challenges. The seizure of narcotics and the related arrests indicate a close link between drugs and terrorism. As per the data available with Jammu and Kashmir Police, in 2020 alone, 36.08 Kgs of pure heroin, 240.7 Kgs of Charas and 49.7 Kgs of brown sugar were recovered from different parts of Kashmir Valley. In North Kashmirs Handwara 21.155 Kgs of heroin was recovered, followed by Baramulla where 7.60 Kgs was recovered. In Srinagar (summer capital) 3.478 Kgs, while in Shopian 1.86 Kgs, Budgam 1.009 Kgs, Anantnag, 0.702 Kgs, Kulgam 0.085 Kgs, Sopore 0.062 Kgs, Awantipora 0.061 Kgs, Pulwama 0.35 Kgs, Kupara 0.03 Kgs have been seized. However, no such seizures were made in Bandipora and Ganderbal districts. READ | MHA Notes Decrease In Terrorist Incidents In J-K, Reduced Fatalities Of Armed Forces Charas or cannabis too was seized in huge quantity last year. As per the data, in Bandipora alone, 87.035 Kgs of Charas were recovered while in Shopian district of south Kashmir, recovery of cannabis was 42.572 Kgs; in Awantipora district it was 25.96 Kgs; Anantnag district 21.07 Kgs; Srinagar 20.407 Kgs; Sopore district of north Kashmir 7.605 Kgs; in Handwara 6.699 Kgs; Baramulla 6.491 Kgs; Kulgam 6.034 Kgs; Kupwara 6.9 Kgs; Budgam 5.525 Kgs; Pulwama 3.04 Kgs and; Ganderbal district 1.297 Kgs of Charas were recovered by the police department during 2020. In apple town of Sopore, 47.973 Kgs of brown sugar was recovered that was followed by Awantipora 0.252 Kgs, Bandipora 0.166 Kgs, Handwara 0.114 Kgs, Kupwara 0.93 Kgs, Shopian 0.092 Kgs Pulwama 0.057 Kgs, Kulgam 0.057 Kgs, Baramulla 0.054 Kgs, Budgam 00.044 Kgs, Ganderbal 0.003 Kgs and in Srinagar 0.01 Kgs. Sources on conditions of anonymity said, "Through sale of narcotics, Pakistan is not only funding terrorism in the Kashmir Valley, rather the enemy state is also gnawing away youngsters from within. During investigations, it was found that the Afghan variety of drugs is being pumped into the valley via Pakistan, which is further pushed into Punjab (Amritsar), Delhi and Mumbai via Jammu." "If you see the figures of banned drugs in South Kashmir, as per our intelligence wing most of the farmers there are being forced into cultivating cannabis/poppy to generate funds for terror activities," said sources. READ | J&K Police Bust LeT Hideout In Pulwama, One Terrorist Associate Arrested Drug menace is a big challenge: IGP Kashmir The J&K police, for the past couple of years, have red-flagged the growing threat of narco-terrorism. IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar believes that the drug menace is an equally big challenge like terrorism in the Valley. "There is a lot of drugs and narcotics being pumped into the Valley from across the border. It is quite clear who is pumping drugs and narcotics here. Our focus is not only on fighting terrorism but on fighting drug trafficking and drug abuse too," Police Chief of Kashmir Zone told Republic Media Network. IGPs remarks come while evaluating the big seizures and arrests that police department made in 2020 in Valley. "Last year, 26.08 Kgs of pure heroin, 240.7 Kgs of Charas and 49.7 Kgs of brown sugar were recovered from different parts of Kashmir Valley worth hundreds of crores in the international market, said IGP Kumar. READ | US Welcomes Arrest Of 26/11 Attack Mastermind And LeT Terrorist Lakhvi In 2020, illegal cash of more than Rs 1.43 crore was recovered from different parts of Kashmir. Money received by terror outfits (through sale of drugs/illegal cash) in Kashmir is used to create a network of overground workers, plan terror actions, logistic support to terrorists and also some portion of the money goes to the families of neutralized terrorists. "In 2020, JKP has broken the backbone of terror sympathizers by recovering huge consignment of drugs and illegal cash, and saved lives of hundreds of youngsters who could have been lured into terrorism by Pakistan proxies in Valley," the IGP said. "Majority of the drugs are coming from Pakistan and investigation into some cases indicates that the money generated from drugs smuggling is being utilized to finance terrorism which was also evident from the seizure of a huge quantity of narcotic substances and arrest of drug peddlers," Kumar added further. In 2020, 29 people were detained under PIT NDPS Act. "Out of 29 people, 25 are still under detention and four have been released, informed IGP Kumar. READ | NIA Special Court Sentences ISIS Terrorist To 7 Years Of Imprisonment In ISIS-Kannur Case When, seemingly out of nowhere, famed New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne, who was born Dwayne Carter, took to Twitter a week before the November election to endorse President Donald Trump, many of his fans were blindsided. President Carter with President Trump, read the boastful tweet above an image of the two side by side giving the thumbs-up. The next day at an event outside the White House, Trump described Wayne as an activist in a really positive way. Had Wayne pulled a Kanye and gone MAGA? Was a Weezy 24 campaign in the offing? Nope. Behind the scenes, the 38-year-old rapper was facing a possible 10-year prison term on gun charges stemming from a December 2019 incident in Miami, and the post appears to be the first piece of a multistage effort to win the presidents favor. The end game? A presidential pardon. Two months later, Lil Wayne is being considered for a pardon, according to a report published by Bloomberg. As well, another hit-making rapper already serving time on gun charges, Kodak Black, who praised Trump before the election, is in the running for a pardon. How did two artists who had never before spoken positively about Trumps politics land on American convicts most exclusive and legally binding list? Under most recent presidents, there have been two ways to get a pardon, says Dr. Jeffrey Crouch, assistant professor of American politics at American University and author of The Presidential Pardon Power. The first is to apply to the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Department of Justice. The other way is to get into the ear of the president. President Trump has apparently worked outside the Pardon Attorney for many of the clemency grants he has made, so for him the second option is probably more likely to succeed. Wayne has been shockingly transparent in his efforts to get a pardon for his 2019 arrest. After an anonymous tip two days before Christmas more than a year ago, authorities searched his private jet after it landed in Miami. Among his possessions, they found a gold-plated, pearl-gripped .45-caliber Glock, ammunition and drugs including cocaine, heroin, MDMA, prescription-strength cough syrup and painkillers. As a convicted felon, Wayne is barred from possessing a firearm. He said the gun was a gift. Aware that he could be sent to prison for having the Glock he wasnt charged in connection with the drugs the rapper met with Trump on Oct. 29 regarding a Trump administration initiative called the Platinum Plan, which is aimed at enabling Black-owned businesses easier access to capital. Lil Wayne wrote afterward: Just had a great meeting with [Donald Trump] besides what hes done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done. Many of his fans were apoplectic. The rapper was an expert at speaking truth to power, at least when he wanted to. Most famously, on Georgia Bush, his indictment of President George W. Bushs response to Hurricane Katrina, Wayne rapped: I was born in the boot at the bottom of the map / New Orleans baby, now the White House hating / Trying to wash us away like we not on the map. On Dec. 11, Wayne pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. Unless Trump intervenes with a pardon before Jan. 20, Wayne will be sentenced Jan. 28 and faces up to 10 years in prison. Long considered one of the positions most powerful legal authorities, a presidents ability to pardon is limited to those charged with or convicted of federal crimes. Its also a kind of ritual. Before he left office, Barack Obama granted hundreds of pardons to low-level drug offenders and those serving unreasonable sentences for drug-related convictions. All told, Obama pardoned and granted clemency to nearly 2,000 people during his eight years in office. George W. Bush did the same for 200 people across his two terms. Various means, including spending money at a Trump property or getting through to him on Fox News, have been employed to catch the presidents attention, Crouch says. Even the imprisoned star of a Netflix reality series has made a go of it: One of the more aggressive moves was made by Joe Exotic, who put up a billboard in Florida where Trump could see it. Rappers may have a leg up. Before he was elected president, Trumps name had long been used in rap lyrics as a flattering synonym for extreme wealth. So far, Trump has granted pardons to a total of 70 people, including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, George Papadopoulos and Gen. Michael Flynn, all of whom were convicted of crimes committed during the run-up to or aftermath of the 2016 election. Trump also pardoned four Blackwater guards found guilty in the killing of Iraqi civilians. In 2018 Trump granted relief to Alice Johnson, who had been imprisoned for 21 years for a first-time drug offense. He first commuted her sentence in 2017 a week after meeting with Kim Kardashian West, who was advocating on Johnsons behalf. Last year Trump delivered Johnson a full pardon. Trump is expected to issue more reprieves before he leaves office next week and has indicated that he may attempt to pardon himself. A few days before Lil Waynes endorsement, Floridian rapper Kodak Black, who was born Dieuson Octave but later changed his legal name to Bill Kahan Kapri, also made positive mention of Trump in a tweet. Tagging the president, Kodak, 23, wrote, in part, What do you think of the Platinum Plan? ... This is what the community needs more ownership. He concluded by saying, I want to help with justice reform when I am out as well. Kodak Black performs onstage during the 4th Annual TIDAL X: Brooklyn at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for TIDAL/TNS)TNS Black posted the missive from prison, where hes serving 46 months and hoping to be pardoned for firearms possession. His jail time came after agents found him with a Glock during a search at the Canadian-American border. Another gun registered in his name was used at a crime scene and traced back to the rapper. Authorities later learned that the artist had lied on his background check when buying the guns. A prodigious rapper who earned a huge following for tracks including Zeze, Roll in Peace and Wake Up in the Sky, since his rise in the mid-10s, Black seems to have spent nearly as much time in court as in the studio. Before he turned 20, hed been accused in several jurisdictions of rape, sexual violence, burglary, false imprisonment of a child and gun possession. Three years ago he was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment after he posted to Instagram a clip of drugs and a pistol near a toddler. Black hired Bradford Cohen as his attorney. The Broward County-based lawyer has personally interacted with the Trump clan; in 2009 he was a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. For the past week, Cohen has taken to Twitter to rally Trump on his clients behalf. Cohen amplified support from Blacks famous fans and peers including Yo Gotti, Jake Paul, Lil Yachty and Lil Pump, adding #freekodak to the end of each. Whether the insurrection Wednesday at the Capitol building changes the equation is not yet known. Representatives for Lil Wayne and Black havent responded to requests for comment. Such public petitioning isnt new. Before her pardon, heiress Patricia Hearst, convicted of her role in a series of bank robberies after being kidnapped by a guerrilla group, wore a T-shirt that read Pardon Me in public appearances. President Bill Clinton pardoned her as he was leaving office in 2001. Presidential pardon expert Crouch also notes the rappers wouldnt be the first musicians spared prison time: John F. Kennedy pardoned Hampton Hawes, a jazz piano player [and] Jimmy Carter pardoned Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. Add in President Ronald Reagans pardon of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, President George W. Bushs commutation of Fugees songwriter and producer John Fortes prison sentence and Obamas pardon of Studio 54 co-owner Ian Schragers conviction, and Trumps potential move seems less unprecedented. Crouch stressed, though, that Trumps approach has been different from his recent predecessors of both political parties. Most pardon recipients under Bush and Obama were largely unknown people without an apparent connection to the president, he says. Many of Trumps pardons have gone to his political allies, supporters and people who have a connection to him. ___ Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times wrote this story. 2021 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. USG Insurance Services Inc., a national wholesaler and managing general agency, has hired Cody Kinkaide as a producer/broker for Commercial Lines in the Philadelphia, Penn., branch. Kinkaide joins the USG team with seven years of insurance experience, most recently with Spotts Insurance Group in West Chester, Penn. As a producer/broker at USG, Kinkaide will focus on building his book of business and supporting the USG Philadelphia branch. This move is the most recent change that USG has implemented in its plan to continue expanding its operations nationally. Source: USG Insurance Services Inc. The city of San Antonios bid to upend $2.2 million in court costs awarded to online travel booking companies which prevailed in a lengthy legal battle over unpaid hotel occupancy taxes got a boost with the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to review the dispute. The court granted the citys petition for certiorari Friday, almost eight months after a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling directing the city to pay court costs. We were disappointed with the 5th Circuit ruling that affirmed a $2 million cost award against the city, City Attorney Andy Segovia said in a statement Monday. (We) are looking forward to making our case to the United States Supreme Court. San Antonio and 172 other Texas cities had filed a class-action lawsuit against 11 online travel companies in 2006. The companies including Hotels.com, Hotwire Inc., Expedia Inc., Orbitz LLC and Priceline.com were accused of underpaying hotel occupancy taxes, costing the cities millions of dollars in revenue. On ExpressNews.com: City of San Antonio must pay $2.2M in hotel tax battle The lawsuit resulted in a $20.5 million jury verdict for the cities in 2009. A final judgment was entered in 2016, with the amount owed swelling to $84.1 million because of added penalties and accumulated interest from the day the lawsuit was filed. The federal appeals court, however, reversed the lower court ruling, and judgment was rendered in favor of the companies in 2017. The companies then sought to have San Antonio pay almost $2.4 million in various costs associated with the case. About $2 million related to the cost of bonds the companies posted so they could appeal the jury verdict. The city opposed the companies request, arguing in a 2018 court filing that it would be grossly unfair to foist these costs on San Antonio taxpayers. Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia in San Antonio subsequently awarded the companies about $2.2 million in costs, or roughly 95 percent of what they asked for. The city appealed, but the appeals court ruled in May that the lower court correctly recognized that it lacked discretion to deny or reduce the appeal bond costs. The city asked the entire 5th Circuit to reconsider its ruling, but the court denied the request by a 10-6 vote. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox On Sept. 10, the city requested the Supreme Court take up the dispute. In its petition, the city said the 5th Circuits ruling conflicts with decisions in other federal appeals courts on the question of whether district courts have the ability to reduce or deny a cost award after a successful appeal. The 5th Circuit rejected the contrary position applied by every other circuit to have confronted the question, the petition stated. In those circuits, unlike the 5th Circuit, district courts have broad discretion to deny costs to a successful party. The 5th Circuits outlier position is wrong, and it now stands alone on the wrong side of a lopsided split, the city said. The circuit conflict is open and entrenched, and it should be resolved by the Supreme Court. The petition added that Garcia found a persuasive argument for reducing or denying the court costs but couldnt because of existing precedent established by the 5th Circuit in 1991. In their Dec. 2 reply, the online travel companies argued that the city overstates any circuit split. Even if there is a split, the companies said, it is a stale one that has existed for approximately 30 years without noticeable adverse consequences. The companies also said San Antonio taxpayers will not be on the hook if the city loses the fight. And while the city laments the alleged plight of local taxpayers, it neglects to inform the court that it will not be required to pay the appellate costs awarded because the citys contingency fee attorneys agreed to pay those costs as part of the agreement by which they were hired to handle the case, the companies said. Calls to attorneys for the companies were not returned. pdanner@express-news.net Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had extended an invitation to the Nepalese Minister on behalf of the MEA for the next round of India-Nepal Joint Commission Meeting. The visit was originally planned to take place in December last year but got postponed due to political tension in Nepal. Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali is scheduled to visit India on 14th January to discuss a gamut of issues including territorial issues that triggered tension between the neighbors last year. During his visit last year, Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had extended an invitation to the Nepalese Minister on behalf of the MEA for the next round of India-Nepal Joint Commission Meeting. The visit was originally planned to take place in December last year but got postponed due to political tension in Nepal. Last year Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand. Nepal objected to the inauguration and officially launched its new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its territories. It also amended its constitution to reflect the cartographic revision. Also Read: Concern over WhatsApps new privacy policy escalates; users turn to Signal and Telegram Also Read: Bangladesh reminds Pak of 1971 Genocide; demands apology Ministry of External Affairs released a statement last year that said, Nepal is well aware of Indias consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the Nepalese leadership will create a positive atmosphere for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the outstanding boundary issues. Nepal claims that these territories belong to it under the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 whereas India maintains that the territories belong to it and the unilateral action is not based on historical facts and evidence. However this action should not be judged in isolation. Last year, India updated its map on November 2, which included Kalapani, an area that Nepal claims to be its territory. [January 11, 2021] The Bloom Organization Advises Texas ENT Specialists on Private Equity Partnership The Bloom Organization, a healthcare and physician-focused sell-side advisor, today announced that its client, Texas ENT Specialists ("TENTS"), has partnered with Audax Private Equity's ("Audax") portfolio company South Florida ENT Associates ("SFENTA"), a Florida-based provider of ear, nose, and throat ("ENT") care. The combined TENTS and SFENTA entities will become a part of an ENT management services organization ("MSO"), but will retain their respective brands in Texas and Florida. Based in Houston, TENTS is the largest independent ENT provider in Texas. Through its new affiliation with SFENTA, TENTS will serve as a new platform for growth in the state. Currently, TENTS' 33 ENT physicians operate in 15 clinical locations throughout the greater Houston area. TENTS physicians are nationally recognized as top-quality clinicians and thought leaders. Audax Private Equity is a leading middle-market private equity investor with a history of investments in the physician practice management sector. "Today marks the successful completion of an extensive search to find the ideal private equity sponsor for TENTS' growth strategy," said Dr. Cary Moorhead, Board President of Texas ENT Specialists. "Even as the pandemic weighed onour business and the country, we worked lockstep with Bloom to navigate through it all. Our physicians are excited to join forces with many more of our colleagues throughout the country during the months and years to come." "It was an honor and privilege to have represented TENTS in this transaction," said Brian Liberty, Managing Director of Bloom. "The TENTS business leaders and physicians are second to none. I believe they have all the tools and attributes of a practice management platform that will bring incremental value to future physician partners." DLA Piper LLP (US), led by Joshua Kaye, Partner and Chair of the firm's U.S. healthcare sector, provided legal counsel to TENTS. The Bloom Organization would like to recognize Ms. Louise Eddy and Ms. Jennifer Welch for their immeasurable contributions to TENTS. Ms. Eddy served 20 years as Executive Director and CEO of TENTS before passing away in March 2020. Ms. Welch served previously as COO before assuming CEO responsibilities earlier this year. About The Bloom Organization: https://bloomllc.com/ About Texas ENT Specialists: https://texasent.com/ About SFENTA: https://www.sfenta.org/ About Audax Private Equity: https://www.audaxprivateequity.com/ About DLA Piper LLP (US): https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111006051/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Washington, Jan 11 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that he would notify Congress of his intent to declare Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity". In a statement issued on Sunday, Pompeo also said that he intended to designate three leaders of the militia, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim, as SDGTs. "These designations will provide additional tools to confront terrorist activity and terrorism" carried out by the group, he said. "The designations are also intended to advance efforts to achieve a peaceful, sovereign, and united Yemen that is both free from Iranian interference and at peace with its neighbours. "Progress in addressing Yemen's instability can only be made when those responsible for obstructing peace are held accountable for their actions," the Secretary of State was quoted as further saying in the statement. The Houthi militia has intensified attacks on the Yemeni government-held cities in the past year that killed and injured hundreds of people, according to the government of the war-torn country. Yemen has been mired in civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi rebels seized control of northern provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support Hadi's government. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : A whole village in Kerala is uniting to conduct a condolence meet for a stray dog, Beepathu, which was killed by an attack by street dogs, on Tuesday. The dog reached the residence of Shaji Oorali, a clerk with the panchayath department and a theatre artiste, in Naduvattam village in Palakkad district 13 years ago. It died after being attacked by street dogs on December 28. Shaji and his wife Smitha and few of their friends run an NGO-cum-theatre group called 'Gramini'. They shared their residential premises with Beepathu, a female dog which became part and parcel of their lives for the past 13 years. In memory of Beepathu, the local people of Naduvattam village will conduct a condolence meeting on Tuesday. A statue of Beepathu will also be erected in the premises of 'Gramini'. On the occasion, noted wildlife photographer and environmentalist N.A. Naseer will speak on the subject "human-animal relationship". The group will also felicitate a couple, Balavalyudhan and Shyamala, who are sheltering more than 40 street dogs in their property. Speaking with IANS, Oorali said, "We don't know from where Beepathu had reached our lives. She was with us for the past 13 years and she was a darling of the whole village. She used to have food from every household in the area." "That fateful day we were not at home and she was sleeping on the verandh of a neighbour's house when a group of street dogs attacked her. Being frail and old, she could not defend herself," he added. Gramini is an NGO and theatre group which conducts several environmental programmes and promotes love and care for animals. 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 Pedestrians walk along an empty shopping street in Leeds, northern England, on Jan. 6, 2021, on the second day of Britain's national lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19. (Oli Scarff /AFP via Getty Images) Nearly 1 in 20 Small Firms Set to Close Due to Pandemic, UK Business Group Says Nearly 1 in 20 British small business owners are planning to close their firms over the coming 12 months as a result of the CCP virus pandemic, a business group said on Monday. In a survey of 1,400 small firms, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that just under 5 percent of the businesses expect to close this year. If this proportion can be extrapolated to all the UKs 5.9 million small firms, the country could be on course to lose more than a quarter of a million businesses this year, the FSB said. Some 23 percent of small firms have reduced the number of people they employ over the past three months, and 14 percent say they will be forced to cut their workforce over the next quarter. The real situation could be worse, as the survey was conducted in December, before the latest national lockdown was announced last week, the group suggested. Some 16.8 million people work in smaller businesses across the UK, according to figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The FSB attributed the grave situation to the current level of government support. The development of business support measures has not kept pace with intensifying restrictions, said FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry. As a result, we risk losing hundreds of thousands of great, ultimately viable small businesses this year, at huge cost to local communities and individual livelihoods. A record number say they plan to close over the next 12 months, and they were saying that even before news of the latest lockdown came through. Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the whole of England under lockdown, the third national lockdown since the COVID-19 pandemic began last spring, in order to curb the spread of a new variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which the government said has a 50 to 70 percent faster rate of transmission. The UK government has spent hundreds of billions of pounds on its response to the CCP virus pandemic, including the furlough scheme, support for the self-employed, tax cuts, and extra funding for schools and local councils. On Jan. 5, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced an extra 4.6 billion ($6.2 billion) support package for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, which had been hit hard by new lockdown measures. But Cherry said the government needs to realise that the small business community is much bigger than these three sectors. Company directors, the newly self-employed, those in supply chains, and those without commercial premises are still being left out in the cold, he said. Simon Veazey contributed to this report. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. STATEN ISLAND N.Y. About a year ago Ginny Duffy contracted a flesh-eating disease called Necrotizing Fasciitis in one of her favorite vacation destinations, Aruba. After returning home she was unable to fight the pain in her leg. Thats when she went to Staten Island University (SIUH) South Campus. The last thing she remembers is being rushed from SIUH South to SIUH North where she was checked into the Burn Unit. Ginny woke up nearly a month later with half of her leg removed. 17 surgeries and 88 days in the hospital later she returned to her Eltingville home just two weeks before the first coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. She recalls the time alone as difficult and explained that it has taken a toll on her both, physically and mentally. However, Ginny refused to give up and is working towards gaining her strength back so she can workout and ski again. She stressed her thanks for the hospital staff, friends, and family who have been her support system during the past year. Watch the video above to hear more about Ginnys road to recovery. On March 12th, 2020, Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta held a global town hall on Corona Facts and Fears. During the discussion, Anderson said to the viewing audience, And, again, if you are concerned about coronavirus, and you havent gotten a flu shotyou should get a flu shot. Setting safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination aside, is Andersons claim that the flu shot will help people fight COVID-19 remotely true? The short answer is no. In fact, the results of many peer-reviewed, published studies prove that Andersons recommendation may have been the worst advice he could have given the public. In searching the literature, the only study we have been able to find assessing flu shots and coronavirus is a 2020 US Pentagon study that found that the flu shot INCREASES the risks from coronavirus by 36%. Receiving influenza vaccination may increase the risk of other respiratory viruses, a phenomenon known as virus interferencevaccine derived virus interference was significantly associated with coronavirus Here are the findings: 2020 Pentagon study: Flu vaccines increase risk of coronavirus by 36% Examining non-influenza viruses specifically, the odds of coronavirus in vaccinated individuals were significantly higher when compared to unvaccinated individuals with an odds ratio (association between an exposure and an outcome) of 1.36. In other words, the vaccinated were 36% more likely to get coronavirus. Many other studies suggest the increased risk of viral respiratory infections from the flu shot: 2018 CDC Study: Flu shots increase risk of non-flu acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) in children This CDC supported study concluded an increased risk of acute respiratory illness (ARI) among children <18 years caused by non-influenza respiratory pathogens post-influenza vaccination compared to unvaccinated children during the same period. 2011 Australian Study: Flu shot doubled risk of non-influenza viral infections and increased flu risk by 73% A prospective case-control study in healthy young Australian children found that seasonal flu shots doubled their risk of illness from non-influenza virus infections. Overall, the vaccine increased the risk of virus-associated acute respiratory illness, including influenza, by 73%. 2012 Hong Kong Study: Flu shots increased the risk of non-flu respiratory infections 4.4 times and tripled flu infections A randomized placebo-controlled trial in Hong Kong children found that flu shots increased the risk of non-influenza viral ARIs fivefold (OR 4.91,CI 1.048.14) and, including influenza, tripled the overall viral ARI risk (OR 3.17, CI 1.049.83). 2017 Study: Vaccinated children are 5.9 more likely to suffer pneumonia and 30.1 times more likely to have been diagnosed with Allergic Rhinitis than unvaccinated children Vaccinated children were 30.1 times more likely to have been diagnosed with Allergic Rhinitis and 5.9 times more likely to have been diagnosed with pneumonia than unvaccinated children. 2014 Study: Influenza-vaccinated children were 1.6 times more likely than unvaccinated children to have a non-influenza Influenza-like-illness (ILI) Even more published science The well-respected Cochrane Collaborations comprehensive 2010 meta-analysis of published influenza vaccine studies found that the influenza vaccination has no effect on hospitalization, and that there is no evidence that vaccines prevent viral transmission or complications. The Cochrane Researchers concluded that the scientific evidence seem[s] to discourage the utilization of vaccination against influenza in healthy adults as a routine public health measure. In their meta-analysis, the Cochrane researchers accused the CDC of deliberately misrepresenting the science in order to support their universal influenza vaccination recommendation. Nevertheless, CNN and other mainstream media outlets continually broadcast CDC pronouncements as gospel and, ironically, ridicules those of us who actually read the science as purveyors of vaccine misinformation. Police officers and reporters swarmed Twitter's heavily-barricaded headquarters Monday morning, and even a couple of counter-protesters carrying "impeach Trump" signs. But the pro-Trump mob that was expected to descend into San Francisco following the permanent banning of President Donald Trump on his preferred social media platform was nowhere to be found. "SFPD has been in contact with representatives from Twitter," a police representative told SFGATE in a statement. "We will have sufficient resources available to respond to any demonstrations as well as calls for service citywide." The San Francisco Chronicle first broke the news, and found that the calls for protest originated on a far-right forum that emerged as an offshoot of the subreddit TheDonald -- which Reddit banned last year. While the original poster branded the protests as "peaceful," some members of the forum suggested carrying zip ties -- akin to the ones held by rioters who were later arrested. It is also possible that protesters may come to the homes of Twitter employees, including CEO Jack Dorsey, though officers did not confirm to SFGATE whether there would be a police presence there due to safety concerns. While most employees at the headquarters are still working remotely, the headquarters are located close to a Blue Bottle coffee shop and the food court The Market. The Market's doors was locked. Blair Heagerty/SFGATE Last Friday, Twitter fully deplatformed President Donald Trump -- and restricted multiple accounts that he had access to -- "due to the risk of further incitement of violence." A slew of other websites, like Facebook, Pinterest and Shopify, did as well. "In the context of horrific events this week, we made it clear on Wednesday that additional violations of the Twitter Rules would potentially result in this very course of action," Twitter said in a statement explaining the suspension. The likely event comes less than a week after pro-Trump rioters descended into Washington, D.C. and stormed the Capitol building, an event that has resulted in at least five dead and multiple calls to impeach the president days before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Blair Heagerty contributed to this report. NLD leader Abhay Chautala and others announce list of candidates contesting upcoming Haryana assembly polls in Gurgaon on Aug 21, 2014. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Grandson of former Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) legislator Abhay Chautala on Monday sent a "conditional" resignation letter to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker, offering to resign from the assembly in Haryana if Image Source: IANS News Chandigarh, Jan 11 : Grandson of former Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) legislator Abhay Chautala on Monday sent a "conditional" resignation letter to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker, offering to resign from the assembly in Haryana if the Centre failed to repeal the new agricultural laws by January 26. In his letter, Chautala said it should be considered a resignation from the Assembly if the Central government failed to repeal the three farm laws by January 26. He's the lone INLD legislator in the Vidhan Sabha. His party's breakaway faction, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), is the crucial coalition partner in the state BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar. JJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala has been maintaining stoic silence in public over the issue of farmers, who have been staging protests on the border of the national capital, demanding revoking of the agricultural laws, for the past 47 days. The INLD and the JJP is primarily a rural Jat-centric party with the farmers as its core vote bank. The Jat, a dominant farming community, comprises 28 per cent of state's population. Twenty-five Jat leaders, comprising four Chautalas, were elected to the state assembly in October 2019. Coming out openly for the first time with the protesting farmers, JJP national chief and former MP, Ajay Singh Chautala, who is the brother of Abhay, on December 2 said the Centre should give, in writing, an assurance on the minimum support price (MSP) to the protesting farmers that largely comprises from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Political observers believe pressure on the JJP within the party to withdraw its support to the state government has been gaining as the BJP Central leadership has been adopting 'tough posture' on its three new agricultural laws even at the end of eight rounds of talks that remained inconclusive so far. The farmers have been insisting to scrap the 'black' farm laws in totality, but the Central government is willing to amend a few provisions of laws. Also, believe political observers, the JJP is facing an 'internal rumblings' as its leaders have been saying if BJP's Punjab ally Akali Dal could reject the lure of office and stand up for its principles to "to save the beleaguered peasantry", then why not the JJP. Besides the JJP's 10 legislators, seven independent MLAs had also extended support to the BJP, helping it reach a tally of 57 seats in the 90-member Assembly. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Its positively shocking. And scary. While Gov. Andrew Cuomo reached for lofty oratorial heights in his State of the State Address on Monday, the rest of us absorbed a grubbier reality: Wed learned that health care workers across New York State had actually dumped doses of the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine in the trash. Why? Because the providers hands were tied by the dictatorial rules laid down by Cuomo about who could receive the vaccine and when, according to the New York Times. Once they gave vaccine doses to those deemed eligible by Cuomo, health care workers were not allowed to distribute leftover doses to anyone not on Cuomos list. But the vaccine doses dont stay fresh forever. They expire. So into the trash they went. How did we come to this disgraceful juncture in New York? Weve slogged through the coronavirus pandemic for almost a year. Weve longed for the vaccine. We were told that the vaccine was the way we would win the war against COVID-19, that this was how wed get back to something resembling normal life. How does the hope for our future end up in the trash? We have to beat back the assault of coronavirus, Cuomo said in his speech on Monday. We have to vaccinate 70 to 90 percent of New Yorkers in order to achieve herd immunity, he said. How is that supposed to happen when doses of the vaccine are being thrown in the trash? It may have been noble for Cuomo to want to ensure that vaccine distribution be protected from fraud and favoritism, but his tight-fisted hold on the vaccine only served to slow distribution. Mayor Bill de Blasio was right: New York City and other localities needed more leeway to decide who gets the vaccine and when. At least give Cuomo credit for bowing to the inevitable and loosening the vaccine rules. Now more people will be able to get the vaccine, starting today. It doesnt mean all our troubles are solved. The state and city have still been woefully slow in building out the actual vaccine distribution infrastructure. Meanwhile, Cuomo continued the virus blame game in his State of the State, saying that New York was ambushed by the virus and that it was all President Donald Trumps fault. Did Cuomo not see the march of the virus across the globe last winter? The rest of us with access to cable TV and social media did. Did he think that the Atlantic Ocean would protect us from it? Did he not see that Trump declared coronavirus a public health crisis on Jan. 31, 2020? Did that not set off any alarm bells in Albany? Was it Trump who ordered COVID-positive patients into New York nursing homes? When things were going great last summer, when COVID numbers were low in New York, Cuomo puffed out his chest and proclaimed his greatness at taming the beast of coronavirus. He even wrote a book about it. But now that the numbers have taken a dive, now that hes taking heat for the poor vaccine rollout, Cuomo accepts no responsibility. Its like it has nothing to do with him. It has to be galling that the governors rigidity on the vaccine has made de Blasio look good. Trump screwed up the response to COVID-19. So did Cuomo and de Blasio, who both said as late as March that the virus was low risk. De Blasio kept encouraging New Yorkers to go about their ordinary lives right up until he decided to shutter schools. That blame game is over. The new blame game involves the vaccine and its distribution. And for that, only Cuomo and de Blasio are responsible. They must get it right. Starting now. 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 The UK's new Groceries Code Adjudicator is seeking to gather information on supplier relationships with the largest retailers, particularly if they are being treated 'fairly and lawfully'. Mark White, who replaced Christine Tacon as the GCA, said he was 'keen' to receive information on how the sector was operating in 'challenging times'. The survey is an opportunity for farmer suppliers to the largest supermarkets to tell the GCA about any issues they are facing. For the first time, the survey will also ask them to provide positive feedback to their retailers as well as saying what has not worked so well. This will be the eighth year the survey has been conducted and, as in previous years, it will be carried out by the independent polling company YouGov. The survey plays an important role in helping the GCA to achieve progress for suppliers, demonstrating where retailers efforts have improved Code compliance and identifying areas for them to make improvements. Mark White said the survey would ask suppliers if the regulated retailers were treating them 'fairly and lawfully'. This survey will be immensely valuable in helping me identify the issues the groceries sector is facing as well as guiding my future work," he said. "What suppliers can tell me is particularly important as this is my first year as GCA and the sector is still working under the challenges of Covid and Brexit so I am asking them to be as frank as possible. Their answers can help their businesses." He explained the survey's two innovations for this year: "First, I would like to hear from suppliers who think the retailers are doing a good job so I can highlight success and share good practice. Second, after the main survey has closed I will be asking YouGov to carry out some detailed interviews with suppliers on particular issues arising from the findings. "For example, in the last survey just over a third of respondents still reported Code-related issues even though the results showed progress across many areas. I would like to understand more clearly why this is the case." Farmers who supply one of the UK's regulated retailers and are interested in taking part in interviews have been told to provide contact details at the end of the survey. Survey responses and any information gathered from follow-up interviews will be treated with confidence. The survey closes on 21 February and the GCA will publish the results later in the spring or summer on its website. WASHINGTON - U.S. counterterrorism prosecutors are investigating two men who allegedly wore tactical gear and held plastic restraints or zip ties in the U.S. Senate during the breach of the U.S. Capitol last week, the Justice Department announced. The men were arrested Sunday. Larry Rendell Brock, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was arrested in Texas and charged with one count of knowingly entering a restricted building and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct, prosecutors said. Brock identified himself to The New Yorker last week as the man photographed in the well of the Senate chamber wearing a green combat helmet, tactical vest, and black and camouflage jacket. The photo shows the man holding a white flex cuff, used by police by restrain subjects, prosecutors said. The man in the photo was recorded apparently exiting the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Eric Gavelek Munchel, arrested in Tennessee, was charged with the same counts, prosecutors said, after being allegedly photographed climbing over a railing in the Senate gallery carrying plastic restraints, a holstered object on his right hip and a cellphone mounted on his chest. Information about attorneys as not immediately available for the two men, who did not respond to requests for comment by The Washington Post but have given news interviews explaining their actions. The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office in Washington and the counterterrorism section of the Justice Department's national security division, with assistance from federal authorities in northern Texas and central Tennessee. Counterterrorism authorities are involved in a wide range of cases, and their participation speaks more to the focus of the Justice Department's investigation of Wednesday's events than the actions of any particular defendant, analysts noted. FBI agents are exploring whether some of those who stormed the Capitol intended to do more than disrupt the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's November victory, including whether anyone sought to kill or capture lawmakers or their staffers, The Washington Post has reported. Their work includes trying to determine the motives of those who had weapons or other gear suggestive of a plot to do physical harm. Zip ties, for example, can be used as handcuffs. Brock joins a growing list of military veterans who have been arrested and charged in connection with extremist events over the past few years, including the August 2017 white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va. Brock, 53, a father of three from Grapevine, Texas, retired from the Air Force as deputy director of its admissions liaison officer program, which oversees personnel who recruit prospective military officers, the Air Force said. It was not immediately clear whether Brock directly interacted with students or oversaw those who did. He served as an A-10 pilot, the Air Force said. The New Yorker reported that he said he had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brock spoke to the magazine after members of the public traced him down after identifying patches on his helmet and armor, which included the insignia of the 706th Fighter Squadron and a vinyl tag of the Texas flag overlaid on the skull logo of the Punisher, a Marvel comic-book character who has been adopted by police and military groups, and, more recently, by white supremacists and followers of the QAnon far-right conspiracy theory. Brock denied to the New Yorker that he held racist views, he echoed Trump's baseless claims of election fraud and he said he assumed he was welcome to enter the building. "The President asked for his supporters to be there to attend, and I felt like it was important, because of how much I love this country, to actually be there," he said, according to The New Yorker. An FBI arrest affidavit cited two tips about Brock it received based on his photograph, one from his former wife of 18 years, and one who said Brock's associates at a defense contractor where he previously worked who knew he was traveling to the District of Columbia. Interviews with family members and a close friend indicate that Brock's political views had become increasingly radical in the past few years, to the point of alienating those closest to him. But Brock told The New Yorker that he did not identify as part of any organized group. Brock added that he wore tactical gear because "I didn't want to get stabbed or hurt," citing "B.L.M. and antifa" as potential aggressors. He said he had found the zip-tie handcuffs on the floor. "My thought process there was I would pick them up and give them to an officer when I see one . . . I didn't do that because I had put them in my coat, and I honestly forgot about them," he told the magazine. Online sleuths who linked Munchel to the man in the Senate gallery carrying zip ties said the person photographed wore a patch on his tactical vest in the shape of Tennessee with a thin blue line, a pro-police symbol. Munchel, 30, and his mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, 57, spoke with The Sunday Times as they were leaving D.C. and confirmed that they were inside the building during the riot. "It was a kind of flexing of muscles," Munchel told the publication. "The intentions of going in were not to fight the police. The point of getting inside the building is to show them that we can, and we will." Munchel did not mention to The Times whether he was carrying restraints. He, family members and neighbors did not respond to calls from The Post. Military veterans have criticized Brock, saying an active-duty service member who participated in the riot could face court-martial. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., an Iraq veteran who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, suggested on social media Saturday that military authorities should recall Brock and charge him under military jurisdiction because he is a retired officer who could still receive a pension. - - - The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett and Alex Horton contributed to this report. Reviewing the horrid global 2020 wildfire season Posted on 11 January 2021 by Guest Author This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters, PhD The 2020 global wildfire season brought extreme fire activity to the western U.S., Australia, the Arctic, and Brazil, making it the fifth most expensive year for wildfire losses on record. The year began with an unprecedented fire event in Australia, where wildfire smoke in the capital city of Canberra registered the worst air quality readings in the world on January 1. The Canberra Times reported that smoke billowing through the city exceeded the hazardous threshold by over a factor of 20. Australia in 2019 had experienced its hottest and driest year on record, which helped drive fires that burned an astonishing 46 million acres an area larger than the state of Florida during the 2019-2020 fire season. While larger areas of the nation have burnt in at least four previous years, the 2019-2020 wildfires affected a larger share of forested and populated areas than previous fires did, resulting in far more impacts to people and ecosystems. According to insurance broker Aon, the 2019-2020 wildfires were Australias most expensive on record, with damages of $4.5 billion (including physical damage and impacts to timber, agriculture, infrastructure, and direct business interruption). EM-DAT, the international disaster database, lists the Black Saturday wildfire season of 2009 as Australias second-most expensive wildfire season, with $1.6 billion (2020 dollars) in damages. Figure 1. This incredibly intense New Years Eve wildfire event in New South Wales, Australia, on December 31, 2019, created passive pyrocumulus clouds that injected record amounts of ash into the stratosphere. (Image credit: Pierre Markuse) On December 31, 2019, one of the most intense wildfire events in world history affected southeast Australia, generating a massive fire-induced thunderstorm cloud called a pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb). The fires were so intense that they created a spinning bubble of heat and smoke 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) in diameter; the smoke penetrated into the stratosphere and persisted for more than 13 weeks, circling the globe. Chemical reactions within the bubble created a mini-ozone hole that depleted stratospheric ozone by up to 100 Dobson units (over 30% of the total) at its center. The fires injected enough ash into the stratosphere to rival the impact of a moderate-sized volcanic eruption, and they were the largest source of aerosol particles to the stratosphere since the 1991 eruption of the Philippines Mt. Pinatubo, according to a September 2020 study led by Sergey Khaykin, a scientist at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Research and Satellite Observations at Sorbonne University in France. New concern for stratosphere: Wildfires, and we realize we know quite little about their impacts. The previous record-breaking wildfire, a 2017 pyroCb event in western Canada, was more than three times smaller in its impact to the stratosphere. PyroCbs infuse the stratosphere with gases from combustion and dark-colored smoke particles such as black carbon, which absorb sunlight and heat the surrounding air. The heat makes the air more buoyant, allowing the particles to persist in the stratosphere longer. There, the particles block sunlight from reaching the surface, and the December 31, 2019 pyroCb event was strong enough to produce several months of slight global cooling. During January, February, and March 2020, the sunlight-blocking impact of the New Years Eve Australian pyroCb event was similar to the impact of a moderate-sized volcanic eruption, scientists said. PyroCb events intense enough to cause global perturbations to climate are new to science, and are a concern. In a December 2020 interview with the Washington Post, Khaykin said, It has only been recently that the role of moderate volcanic eruptions on the global stratosphere has been recognized and evaluated. Now we have a newcomer, which is wildfires. What is going to happen if we have stronger wildfires and a strong volcanic eruption at the same time? Its quite scary because we realize we know quite little. An attribution study released in March 2020 found that human-caused climate change made the conditions for Australias unprecedented 2019-20 bushfires at least 30% more likely. An October 2020 report by the Australian Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements concluded that more dangerous weather conditions for bushfires are very likely to occur throughout Australia in the future due to a warming climate. A record fire season in the Arctic In the Arctic, active fires first detected by satellite in May increased in intensity and number from early June onwards, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reported. All-time record heat in Siberia during June led to the Arctics first-ever 38.0C (100.4F) temperature, measured at Verkhoyansk on June 20, helping drive massive wildfires for the remainder of the summer. More Arctic wildfire activity was measured in June-October 2020 than in the same period in any year since satellite records began in 2003. Arctic fires released a record amount of carbon dioxide in 2020: 244 megatons, beating the previous record of 181 megatons in 2019. According to an attribution study done by the World Weather Attribution group, the Siberian heat wave of 2020 would have been almost impossible without climate change. Record drought and wildfires in Brazil Severe drought gripped significant portions of Brazil in 2020, causing a devastating fire season and heavy agricultural losses. The drought contributed to record wildfires in the Pantanal rainforest the worlds largest tropical wetland. About a quarter of this subtropical area south of the Amazon burned in 2020, surpassing the previous record set in 2005. Total damage from the Brazilian drought was estimated at $3 billion. According to EM-DAT, the 2020 drought is the third most expensive drought in Brazils history, behind droughts in 1978 and 2014. Figure 2. The Lassen Hotshots hold the line on September 24, 2020, against the largest fire in Californias history: the one million-acre August Complex. (Image Credit: Tiana Huddlestun/USFS) An apocalyptic western U.S. wildfire season A veritable witchs brew seemed to conspire in 2020 to lead to an apocalyptic western U.S. wildfire season: The hottest August through October period in western U.S. history; the fourth-highest levels of October drought on record; an unusual dry lightning event caused by the remnants of an August Northeast Pacific tropical storm; and a once-in-a-generation offshore wind event in September. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that U.S. wildfires burned 10.27 million acres as of December 31, 2020 the highest yearly total since accurate records began in 1983. The previous record was 10.13 million acres in 2015. As opposed to the 2015 record, which was more than 50% the result of wildfires in Alaska, over 98% of the acreage burned in 2020 was in the contiguous U.S. In California alone, nearly 4.2 million acres burned, more than double the previous record of 1.67 million acres in 2018. Five out of six of Californias largest fires on record occurred in 2020, including the largest in state history the 1.03-milllion acre August Complex fire. That one was the largest wildfire in the continental U.S. since the Great Fire of 1910, which burned over three million acres in Idaho and Montana. Beyond California, Washington experienced its largest wildfire on record in 2020, and Colorado had its three largest wildfires on record. Figure 3. Average temperature during the three-month period August-September-October (top) and October drought conditions (bottom) for the western U.S. region, for the years 1895-2020. The year 2020 had by far the hottest temperatures on record, and the fourth most extreme October drought conditions. (Image credit: NOAA/NCEI) U.S. wildfire damages in 2020 totalled $16.5 billion, ranking it as the third-costliest year on record, behind 2017 ($24 billion) and 2018 ($22 billion). Three separate fires in California and one in Oregon generated over $1 billion in losses; 12 additional fires in California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington each caused over $100 million in direct losses. The indirect costs were much higher: A 2020 study estimated that the direct plus indirect costs of the 2018 wildfire season in California were nearly $150 billion. The direct death toll from the western U.S. fires in 2020 was at least 43, but the indirect death toll due to inhalation of wildfire smoke was likely in the thousands, researchers at Stanford University reported in a September 11 study. Their research estimated that between 1,200 and 3,000 excess deaths occurred in California among people 65 and older between August 1 and September 10 from wildfire smoke-related causes. This is likely a substantial lower bound, the researchers wrote, since Oregon and Washington are being hit very hard right now too, and non-elderly are also surely affected. These overall effects can be in large part attributable to climate change, which has dramatically increased the likelihood and severity of wildfire. In an October 2020 article, the authors explained that wildfire smoke likely is responsible for 5,000 to 15,000 deaths in an average year in the U.S., but more smoky years like 2018 or 2020 will have a much higher death toll. Figure 4. Smoke pours over the Pacific Ocean on September 9, 2020, from unprecedented wildfires in Oregon and California. (Image credit: NASA Worldview) Climate change and once-in-50-year wind event that drove western U.S. fires A 2016 study found that a warming and drying climate has increased the intensity and duration of western U.S. fire seasons in recent years, and human-caused climate change has nearly doubled the area burned in the region since 1984. But the western U.S. wildfires of 2020 were exacerbated not only by heat and drought: An early September strong offshore wind event, partially attributed to climate change, also was a key factor. With an extreme distortion of the jet stream, a record-intensity ridge of high pressure set up over the western U.S. during the first week of September, along with an unusually strong trough of low pressure over Rocky Mountain states. The ridge over the western U.S. brought all-time record heat and intense wildfire activity to many locations in California September 5-6. The Rocky Mountain trough helped bring about what may be a world record for weather whiplash (for the fastest transition from 100-degree temperatures to measurable snow). According to climatologist Brian Brettshneider, Rapid City, South Dakota, was 102F on September 5, and had measurable snow on September 7. This two-day gap between 100F and measurable snow breaks the U.S. record for any station. The difference was even more extreme in Ordway, Colorado, which went from 104F to 3.9 inches of snow in two days. The unusual distortion of the jet stream created a huge pressure difference that drove extreme offshore winds beginning on September 7. Climate scientist Daniel Swain called it a once-in-50-year event. The winds fanned fires that cloaked much of the western U.S. in clouds of choking smoke, resulting in the worst air quality anywhere in the world for multiple weeks, and skies that looked like those in the movie Bladerunner. The direct damages from Oregons Beachie Creek Fire alone totaled $1.6 billion, making it Oregons costliest fire on record. Connecting the September western U.S. wind event to a Korean typhoon The roots of the western U.S. wind event were in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, in the form of near-record warm ocean waters that a week earlier had helped fuel an unusually strong typhoon. As category 2 Typhoon Maysak plowed northwards towards Korea during early September, it was able to maintain its intensity unusually far to the north because of hot ocean waters created by one of the greatest heat waves in east Asian history. This heat wave was made more likely by global warming of a planet virtually tied in 2020 with 2016 as the warmest year on record. Ocean temperatures in late August south of Korea were 30 degrees Celsius (86F) more than two degrees Celsius (3.6F) above average. The intense heat wave that helped create these unusually warm ocean waters also brought Japan its hottest day in recorded history: on August 17, 2020, Hamamatsu, Japan, tied the record set in 2018 for hottest temperature ever measured in Japan, with 41.1 degrees Celsius (106F). The extreme 2020 heat carried over into the first week of September, with Sanjo, Japan, setting the nations all-time September heat record on September 3, with 40.4 degrees Celsius (105F). Supercharged by the remarkable late-summer ocean heat, Typhoon Maysak was able to make landfall in South Korea on September 2 as one of only five category 2 or stronger typhoons on record (since 1945) to hit the nation. After Maysak transitioned to a powerful extratropical storm, it merged with the jet stream on September 2-3. The extratropical version of Maysak was turbocharged with a tremendous amount of moisture and energy, which it injected into the jet stream, helping accelerate the winds of that mighty river of air to nearly 200 mph a wind speed nearly five standard deviations above average. As shown in the tweet by Dr. Philippe Papin of the National Hurricane Center (click this link to animate and see the full explanation), the jet stream responded by contorting into a series of amplified ridges and troughs downstream from east Asia. As explained in a 2014 paper by Kossin et al., The poleward migration of the location of tropical cyclone maximum intensity, typhoons and hurricanes have been growing more intense farther to the north in recent decades, and this effect can be plausibly linked to the changes in global circulation that are causing an expansion of the tropics, which is thought to have a significant link to human-caused global warming. Thus, the unusual jet stream behavior that drove the 2020 western U.S. wind event may plausibly be linked to a climate change-enhanced typhoon in the Pacific. A December 2020 study led by Jacob Stuivenvolt Allen of Utah State University, titled Three western pacific typhoons strengthened fire weather in the recent northwest U.S. conflagration found that Typhoon Maysak combined with two other typhoons that hit Korea within a 12-day period in late August and early September to perturb the jet stream, contributing to the extreme wind event over the western U.S. But human-caused climate change may have also contributed to the unusual jet stream behavior via Arctic sea ice loss (though this is an area of active research see the excellent June 2020 summary at Carbon Brief). Coverage of sea ice in the Arctic reached its second-lowest minimum on record in 2020, behind only 2012, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Overall, 2020 was below-average in wildfire activity, but extremely costly Despite the record 2020 wildfire activity in Australia, the Arctic, Brazil, and U.S., very low levels of wildfire activity in Canada and tropical Africa resulted in a below-average year for global fire-related emissions of carbon to the atmosphere, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. However, the record wildfires in the U.S. made for a very expensive year: the global direct cost of wildfires in 2020 was $17 billion, said insurance broker Aon. This ranked as the fifth-costliest year for the peril behind 2017, 2018, 2015 (major Indonesian fires), and 2010 (major Russian fires). Climate change is worsening Californias hellish wildfires Bob Henson contributed to this post. Nearly a million Pennsylvania customers were late on their utility bills going into the winter after more than eight months of pandemic-induced economic recession. But utilities disconnected few customers for nonpayment, despite being allowed to resume shutoffs in November. About 968,000 mostly residential customers of large electric, gas and water utilities were more than 30 days past due on their bills at the end of November, up 34% from a year ago, according to reports filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. They owed more than $808 million, up 70% from the previous year. The numbers are likely to increase dramatically in the coming months, when winter heating bills typically soar. We have not yet hit the highest consuming month of the winter, said Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, the PUCs press secretary. Home-heating demand usually peaks in February, with bills due in March. Peco, the states largest utility, reported that 141,600 of its 1.6 million customers are past due, up 64% over the previous year. They owe $141.6 million, nearly triple the amount of arrearages from 2019. Peco supplies electricity to customers in Southeastern Pennsylvania and gas service to the Philadelphia suburbs. More than 149,000 of 500,000 customers of Philadelphia Gas Works, which provides natural gas service inside the city, are behind on their bills. They owe $80.3 million, up 67% from the previous year. The unpaid balance is more than 10% of total annual revenue of the city-owned PGW. READ MORE: Unpaid Pa. utility bills soar 68% in the pandemic State law prohibits electric and gas utilities that provide heat from shutting off most nonpaying customers from December through the end of March, so advocates expect a day of reckoning for customers will arrive at the end of winter. The PUC next month is likely to consider modifying rules it put in place last year to protect customers financially distressed by the pandemic. But somebody eventually will have to pick up the tab for the unpaid bills either the customers themselves, ratepayers at large, or the utilitys owners. With unemployment levels still high after the imposition of the COVID-19 lockdowns, consumer advocates fear that many customers will never be able to pay down their unpaid bills. Utilities typically write off uncollectible bills, and the costs are recovered from all customers in the form of higher rates. Low-income advocates and utilities, who are often at odds, see eye-to-eye on the need for a government rescue. They hope some part of the $900 billion federal spending bill that President Donald Trump signed into law in late December will filter down to pay for energy assistance. Advocates expect about $853 million of the federal stimulus package will go to rent and utility assistance for Pennsylvania families. Theres a lot of talk right now about how that program and funding gets out to people and were working hard on it, said Elizabeth R. Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project. The PUC imposed a ban on shutting off customers for nonpayment at the onset of the coronavirus crisis last March. But utilities began to express alarm in the summer at the mounting pile of unpaid bills. They say it becomes increasingly unlikely to recover past-due bills from many customers once the debt becomes unmanageable. READ MORE: Pennsylvanias COVID-19 ban on utility shutoffs remains despite push to lift moratorium The commission partially lifted the moratorium on Nov. 9, but put safeguards into place for families and small businesses that were struggling financially because of the pandemic. The key restriction prohibited utilities from shutting off protected customers whose income is no more than triple the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are set at $26,200 for a family of four, so the yearly limit for such a family would be $78,600. After lifting of the restrictions, utilities had only three weeks to shut off customers before the annual winter moratorium went into place on Dec. 1, and few utilities were able to modify their computer systems or practices to take the new guidelines into effect, said Terrence J. Fitzpatrick, the president of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, a trade group of utilities. Companies arent eager to terminate customers in the first place, he said. No electric utilities shut off customers in November, and only two gas utilities and one water utility disconnected customers for nonpayment, according to the reports filed with the PUC. Only utilities regulated by the PUC are required to report; most customers get water and sewer service provided by municipal utilities, which are not governed by the PUC. Two companies owned by Essential Utilities of Bryn Mawr Aqua Pennsylvania and Peoples Natural Gas in Pittsburgh accounted for 99% of the 1,286 shut offs by major utilities. Aqua shut off 405 residential customers and 19 nonresidential customers in November, and Peoples shut off 899 customers, all but 12 of which were residential. UGI Utilities of Wyomissing, Pa., shut off 8 non residential customers. Aqua and Peoples complied with PUC guidelines before shutting off customers, said Daniel M. Lockwood, an Essential Utilities spokesman. The guidelines included providing 20 days notification and encouraging customers to enroll in payment programs or applying for low-income assistance. READ MORE: Pa. misses deadline to spend $108M in rent, mortgage relief from CARES Act Aqua continues to notify at-risk customers to work with them before disconnection, he said in an email. Peoples Gas has suspended terminations in accordance with the winter moratorium. Representatives of Peco and PGW said the utilities used the time in November to encourage customers to enroll in payment programs, which for low-income customers usually involves paying reduced amounts with the understanding that some of the debt will eventually be forgiven if the customer does not miss any payments. PGW remains committed to helping our customers maintain their service, not accumulate higher debt during the winter, and avoid a future service termination, said Richard G. Barnes, a PGW spokesman. The impact of the moratorium on shut-offs may also show up in the PUCs upcoming annual Cold Weather Survey, which tallies the number of customers without utility service going into the winter. PGW in December reported that 981 of its customers were without natural gas service. While that number is large compared to other utilities, PGW last year reported 7,222 customers without service going into the winter of 2019, suggesting that despite the current economic troubles, more at-risk customers have heat this winter than last year. 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. Facing the possibility that a winter storm will make travel dangerous in the early hours of Monday, school systems across north and west-central Alabama have opted to delay Mondays opening. Known closures and delays: Colbert County: Closed Monday Cullman City Schools: Students, employees working remotely Decatur City Schools: Closed Monday Fayette County Schools: Closed Monday Florence City Schools: Closed Monday Greene County Schools: Two-hour delay Hale County Schools: Two-hour delay Haleyville City Schools: Virtual classes only Hartselle City Schools: Two-hour delay Huntsville City Schools: Two-hour delay Jasper City Schools: Two-hour delay for faculty and staff Lamar County Schools: Closed Monday Lauderdale County Schools: Closed Monday Lawrence County Schools: Closed Monday Limestone County Schools: Closed Monday Madison City Schools: Two-hour delay Madison County Schools: E-learning Monday Marion County Schools: Closed Monday Morgan County Schools announced Sunday evening via social media channels that a two-hour delay will apply to school openings and bus runs. 12-month employees were told to report at the normal time as conditions allow. Separately, the Morgan County system announced that West Morgan Middle School and West Morgan High School will be remote learning only on Monday due to staffing issues. Muscle Shoals City Schools: Two-hour delay Pickens County Schools: Virtual learning only Russellville City Schools: In-person learning will take place. Sheffield City Schools: Two-hour delay Tuscaloosa City Schools: Two-hour delay Tuscaloosa County Schools: Three-hour delay on start times for students, faculty and staff. Schools will dismiss at regular times. Tuscumbia City Schools: Two-hour delay Winfield City Schools: Closed Winston County Schools: Virtual classes only Bevill State Community College: Delaying until 10 a.m. Shelton State Community College: Delaying until 10 a.m. The University of Alabama is delaying operations until 10 a.m. This applies to the Gadsden campus as well. At the University of Montevallo, spring classes will be virtual, as planned. All campus offices will operate on a two-hour delay, and will open at 10 a.m. Lucknow, Jan 11 : The third dry run of Covid-19 vaccination at 1,500 centres is being carried out in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, officials said. According to a government spokesman, this will the third and final mock drill to test all preparations for the vaccination drive. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the dry run of the vaccination at the Civil hospital in Lucknow. He will virtually inspect vaccination centres in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Meerut and Siddhartha Nagar. The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the contact tracing done by the Uttar Pradesh government to control the spread of Covid-19 infection. "With the efforts made by the state government, the Coronavirus cases in the state are reducing," the WHO said. Earlier, two dry runs for Covid-19 vaccination were conducted in Uttar Pradesh on January 2 and January 5. On January 8, the second nationwide mock drill on the Covid vaccination was held at three-session sites of 736 districts across 33 states/Union Territories. The objective of the mock drill on Covid vaccination is to simulate the actual vaccine administration event. The dry run is aimed at testing the laid-out mechanisms for vaccination roll-out in the health system and to assess operational feasibility of using Co-WIN application (an online platform for monitoring Covid-19 vaccine delivery) in a field environment for planning, implementation, and reporting at the block, district, and state level. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A pro-Trump lawyer banned by Twitter is being investigated by the Secret Service for calling for Mike Pence to face the firing squad. Lin Wood, a Georgia-based conspiracy theorist and high-profile Trump supporter, had his Twitter account removed on Wednesday for a series of provocative tweets, including saying that the Capitol riot had been staged by Antifa. Wood then switched to Parler, the 'free speech platform', to continue his rant. 'Get the firing squad ready,' he posted. 'Pence goes FIRST.' Pence infuriated the president and his supporters by refusing to block the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory, and by telling Trump he did not have the constitutional power to overturn the election result. Lin Wood, a pro-Trump lawyer, is being investigated by the Secret Service for his threats Wood on Thursday posted that Pence should face the firing squad The vice-president, pictured on Thursday, enraged the president and his supporters by refusing Trump's demand that Pence halt the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory The message was deleted by Parler, the CEO, John Matze, confirmed to Mediaite. Yet Parler itself appeared likely to be shut down, after Apple and Amazon.com suspended the app from their services, saying the social networking service popular with many right-leaning social media users has not taken adequate measures to prevent the spread of posts inciting violence. The action by Apple and Amazon follows a similar move by Google on Friday. On Sunday the Secret Service confirmed they were investigating Wood for his tweet. 'We are aware of the comments and take all threats against our protectees seriously,' a Secret Service spokesman told Fox News. They are also investigating other individuals seen on a video inside the US Capitol telling: 'Hang Pence!' Pence was on Wednesday ushered into a secure section of the Capitol as the building was stormed. Trump did not get in touch with him, to check on his safety - something which reportedly left the vice president's aides furious. Trump and Pence have not spoken since Wednesday. Supporters of the president posed with a ceremonial noose, threatening to hang Pence Pence is said to be still considering whether to invoke the 25th Amendment, to remove Trump from office, but it is believed to be unlikely. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has said that unless Pence moves ahead with the 25th Amendment on Monday she will proceed with impeaching Trump for the second time. Twitter stepped in to stop 'Hang Mike Pence' trending in the wake of the MAGA mob riot, after the phrase began trending on the platform in the early hours of Saturday morning. The social media giant permanently banned Trump on Friday night, citing risks of 'further incitement to violence'. A screenshot shows that of 1.26am, over 14,400 Twitter users had used the phrase. Twitter confirmed in a statement to Newsweek that it had moved to block the phrase because it violated rules on trending subjects. Twitter has been forced to step in and stop 'Hang Mike Pence' trending in the wake of the MAGA mob riot where Donald Trump supporters called for the Vice President's execution and strung up a noose outside the Capitol 'We blocked the phrase and other variations of it from trending. We want trends to promote healthy discussions on Twitter. This means that at times, we may prevent certain content from trending,' a spokesperson said. 'As per our Help Center, there are Rules for trends - if we identify accounts that violate these rules, we'll take enforcement action.' The phrase was no longer trending later in the day and it does not appear on the Twitter Trending USA site, which tracks trending topics. On Twitter's Help Center, it has a rule to prevent violent threats against individuals as well as the glorification of violence. The threatening phrase surfaced online in the wake of Wednesday's riot where Trump supporters - among them white supremacists, QAnon fanatics and Proud Boys - violently broke into the Capitol building in an attack that left five people dead. Horrifying footage from the scene of the siege shows a mob chanting 'Hang Mike Pence' as they stormed the building. A Reuters' photographer covering the riot also claimed he heard at least three Trump supporters speak about hanging the Vice President from a tree as a 'traitor'. Jim Bourg, the Reuters News Pictures Editor in DC, tweeted Friday that he heard 'many more' speak about executing Pence as they stormed the Capitol and tried to hunt him down. 'I heard at least 3 different rioters at the Capitol say that they hoped to find Vice President Mike Pence and execute him by hanging him from a Capitol Hill tree as a traitor,' Bourg 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. LAST Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his team made their usual weekly briefing on the status of the coronavirus in Trinidad and Tobago. Given the rise in cases, the addition of a state of emergency was added to the existing public health measures, setting a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Keeley Hawes has candidly opened up about her battles with mental health and admitted that she used to be 'ashamed' of her struggles. The Bodyguard star, 44, has previously spoken about suffering from periods of depression and anxiety since her teenage years. And she has now admitted that she was 'ashamed and really embarrassed' of her mental health struggles until she spoke about her experiences around ten years ago. Depression: Keeley Hawes has opened up about her battles with mental health and revealed that she used to be 'ashamed' of her struggles But Keeley insisted that she has since learnt that depression is 'nothing to be ashamed off' as she looked back at her own struggles with mental health. She told The Times: 'It's [depression] nothing to be ashamed of, you know. 'I was ashamed of it for a long time, I was really embarrassed and now, looking back, it was only sort of ten years ago or something I think that I spoke out, maybe not even that.' She went on to say it is 'a really good thing' that people are talking more candidly about mental health, particularly with 'loneliness' amid the Covid-19 lockdown. Shame: The Bodyguard star, 44, admitted that she was 'ashamed and really embarrassed' of her mental health struggles until she spoke out around ten years ago (pictured in May 2019) The actress, who is starring in ITV's Finding Alice, said she believes the waiting lists for people to see psychiatrists are 'so long that it's just not acceptable' during the ongoing pandemic. Keeley recently wrapped up filming on Finding Alice, where she stars as the titular character, a woman who is dealing with grief after her partner of 20 years dies. After her husband Harry's death, Alice realises he has left behind a storm of secrets and debt for her to deal with, as she struggles to come to terms with her new life. Speaking about her own experiences with grief, Keeley revealed that she has recently lost a family member, who she did not want to name. She explained that her family member sadly died after battling a 'short and cruel illness' just more than a year ago. Grief: Keeley recently wrapped up filming on Finding Alice, where she stars as the titular character, a woman who is dealing with grief after her partner of 20 years dies Delving into her character's grief, she said that she hopes people will be able to relate to Alice's reaction to it amid the tragedies of the ongoing Covid crisis. She continued: 'Some people will be able to relate, some people will be shocked. But grief is unique isn't it? to each one of us.' In Finding Alice, Keeley is joined by legendary actors Joanna Lumley and Nigel Haver, who bring a comedic flare to the ITV drama playing her childish parents. Filming for the series was initially halted last March by the first Covid lockdown, but resumed six months later. Keeley has been keeping busy, having also recently starred in Russell T Davies Aids drama It's a Sin, where she plays Olly Alexander's (Ritchie) mother. Loss: Speaking about her own experiences with grief, Keeley revealed that she has recently lost a family member, who she did not want to name The Channel 4 drama follows the tragic stories of three gay 18-year-olds who arrive in London in 1981, at the beginning of the HIV epidemic. Comparing the Aids crisis to the Covid pandemic, Keeley told The Times that it is strange that the two are not compared, as people instead say they have 'never known anything like this'. During the Covid crisis, Keeley has been spending quality time with her husband of 16 years Matthew Macfadyen. The smitten pair were able to spend a massive eight months together, before the Quiz star, 46, finally had to return to New York to film Succession in the autumn. The married couple share two children together - Maggie, 16, and Ralph, 14 - while Keeley is also a mother to Myles, 20, who she had with her ex-husband Spencer McCallum. Smitten: During the Covid crisis, Keeley has been spending quality time with her husband of 16 years Matthew Macfadyen as their filming projects were halted Back in 2019, Keeley admitted that she staves off the depression that she has long battled by keeping her schedule busy. The Durrells star told The Mail on Sunday's You magazine that her depression is something that will never go away but she looks after herself by keeping busy. She explained: 'It's something that never goes away, I think it is in your DNA if you suffer with it. 'I have become better equipped at looking after myself. I've tried various things over the years. Keeping busy helps, being forced to carry on, because inevitably it will pass.' She also spoke frankly about her bouts of anxiety, saying: 'It's a very human thing, isn't it, to worry about what you say and how you are perceived?' [January 11, 2021] Blackstone Hires Joe Dowling as Global Co-Head of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) Blackstone (NYSE:BX) today announced that Joe Dowling, the former Chief Executive Officer of Brown University's Investment Office, has joined the firm as Global Co-Head of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) alongside John McCormick. Joe will oversee BAAM's investment activities going forward, while John will oversee BAAM's business and investor functions. BAAM invests in primarily liquid and semi-liquid investment strategies for institutional and retail investors seeking attractive risk-adjusted returns. BAAM manages $78 billion of AUM and is the global market leader in allocating to hedge funds. It has also diversified into newer businesses including special situations, GP stakes, liquid alternatives, and equity capital markets. Stephen A. Schwarzman, Blackstone Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, said: "Joe's experience in investing in hedge funds, public equity (particularly in faster growing sectors), commodities and currencies make him an excellent addition to our team. Our ability to attract a world-class investor to co-head BAAM is a testament to the strength of the platform and is wonderful news for our investors." Jon Gray, Blackstone President & COO, said: "We are quite excited to have attracted such a phenomenal investor to Blackstone. Joe has a leading track record in allocating capital, investing directly, and building tremendous teams. John has done an exceptional job of growing the BAAM business with new platforms and strong results. We believe that the combination of Joe and John will enable us to expand intonew areas and deliver even better returns for our investors, while maintaining our focus on downside risk, a hallmark of BAAM's business." John McCormick, Blackstone Global Co-Head and Chief Investment Officer of BAAM, said: "I am delighted to welcome Joe to BAAM. His knowledge of hedge funds, experience managing multi-asset allocations, and background in direct investing make him a perfect fit as my partner. I am proud of the momentum in BAAM's business and am excited to see how Joe and I can deliver more for our clients." Joe Dowling, Blackstone Global Co-Head and Chief Investment Officer of BAAM, said: "Blackstone is the leader in the hedge fund allocation space. The firm has a reputation for being innovative and at the forefront of new investing opportunities. I look forward to working alongside John and the talented team at BAAM." Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer overseeing Brown University's endowment in 2018, Mr. Dowling served as the University's Chief Investment Officer since June 2013. Under his leadership, Brown led the Ivy League's and other peer institutions in performance over 1,3, 5 and 7 years. Mr. Dowling also served as interim Chief Financial Officer of the University from May 2019 until January 27, 2020, leading all finance and treasury functions and cash and debt management. Before joining Brown, he was the founder and chief executive officer of Narragansett Asset Management, where he managed funds for institutions, pension funds and endowments. Mr. Dowling has also worked for First Boston, Tudor Investments and Oracle (News - Alert) Partners. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's in business administration from Harvard University. About Blackstone Blackstone is one of the world's leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $584 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter (News - Alert) @Blackstone. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111006056/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] It's been eerily quiet on Twitter since Donald Trump was kicked off the platform last Friday evening, silencing the world's biggest social media foghorn. There was an immediate and urgent imperative to temporarily shut Trump down given the horrendous rampage at the US Capitol on Wednesday that he had so outrageously and recklessly fuelled, which was the very genuine fear there will be more violence from his frenzied mob of supporters - a threat that remains extremely high given just how dangerously brain-washed they have become thanks to Trump's incessant false claims to have had the election 'stolen' from him. But this wasn't just a suspension. ADVERTISEMENT Twitter announced it was banning Trump for life. (I refuse to call him 'President' anymore because he shouldn't be, and very soon won't be.) It said: 'After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence. In the context of horrific events this week, we made it clear on Wednesday that additional violations of the Twitter Rules would potentially result in this very course of action.' It's hard not to argue with the logic of this statement if you believe, as I do, that Trump was directly responsible for his supporters attacking the Capitol and therefore attacking the very heart of American democracy to try to overturn a fair and democratic election result. He screamed at them to 'STOP THE STEAL!' and Trump's thuggish goons like Rudy Giuliani urged them to use 'combat'. The message was crystal clear: go to the Capitol and stop democracy happening. So, they went there and tried, and thankfully failed but six people died as a result of events that day including a police officer brutally murdered in the line of duty, and the mob being seen on camera chanting 'HANG MIKE PENCE!' It was one of the darkest days in American history and the buck starts and stops with Donald Trump who didn't just lose the election but has lost his mind too. As I wrote in the aftermath, he should be removed from office immediately and barred from ever running again. ADVERTISEMENT But that doesn't necessarily justify Twitter's permanent ban on him, at least not if the tech giant wants to even pretend to be fair and consistent about their censorship policies. In its statement, it explained: 'Our public interest framework exists to enable the public to hear from elected officials and world leaders directly. It is built on a principle that the people have a right to hold power to account in the open. However, we made it clear going back years that these accounts are not above our rules and cannot use Twitter to incite violence. We will continue to be transparent around our policies and their enforcement.' Fine words, but how does Twitter square this with the fact that Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran still has an account? The man who tweeted this in June 2018: 'Our stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. Israel is a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.' Khamenei is self-evidently a world leader using Twitter not just to incite violence against a whole country and its 8.8 million people, but to have it and them 'eradicated'. He also made a direct threat against Americans for the killing of Iran's military supremo General Soleimani a year ago, tweeting on December 16, 2020: 'Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out shall be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time.' ADVERTISEMENT That threat has not been deleted, presumably meaning Twitter doesn't consider that it contravenes its policies. And Khamenei's Twitter account remains active, which is truly ironic given that he has banned 83 million Iranians from using it. Click here to resize this module How does Twitter square banning Trump with the fact that Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran still has an account. The man who tweeted this in June 2018: 'Our stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. Israel is a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.' Khamenei made a direct threat against Americans for the killing of Iran's military supremo General Soleimani a year ago, tweeting on December 16, 2020: 'Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out shall be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time' Indeed, he's been gleefully using it to taunt America since the Capitol Hill atrocity, sneering: 'Have you seen the situation in the U.S.? This is their democracy and this is their election fiasco. Today, the U.S. & 'American values' are ridiculed even by their friends.' On that last point, he's sadly not wrong. But how can Twitter justify letting Khamenei continue tweeting such threats if banned Trump? And here lies the problem for Twitter and all the other social media firms like Facebook who've belatedly raced to silence Trump after allowing him to spew his bellicose propaganda for five years. It's not just the Ayatollah of Iran who gets a pass. Several days ago, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. tweeted an outrageous defence of China's appalling genocidal abuse of Uighur Muslims. It read: 'Study shows that in the process of eradicating extremism, the minds of Uygur [sic] women in Xinjiang were emancipated and gender equality and reproductive health were promoted, making them no longer baby-making machines. They are more confident and independent.' The truth is that over a million Uighur Muslims have been incarcerated in concentration camps over the past few years and the women inmates have been subjected to a vile programme of forced sterilisation. Initially, and shockingly, Twitter said the tweet didn't violate its policies. Then, under pressure, it decided it did and replaced it with a message saying: 'This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules.' (This is not the first time Twitter's policy violation bar has twisted in the moral wind. In the run-up to the election, it was rightly condemned for blocking The New York Post's account after the newspaper published revelations about Hunter Biden's foreign business interests, only unblocking it after it came under huge criticism). But the Chinese Embassy's account has not been permanently banned for endorsing genocide. Neither have accounts belonging to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro or Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud both of whose many human rights abuses make Trump look like a choirboy. The account of former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also has not been shut down. After a teacher in France was murdered last October by an 18-year-old terrorist angered by him showing his class a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad, Mohamad tweeted: 'Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past' And nor has the account of former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who after a teacher in France was murdered last October by an 18-year-old terrorist angered by him showing his class a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad, tweeted: 'Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past.' So, it would seem you can threaten to 'eradicate' whole countries, promote genocide, or tell 1.8 billion Muslims they have a right to kill 'millions of French people', and keep your Twitter account. But if you're Donald Trump - and let me stress that I have no desire to defend the man ever again for anything - you can never tweet again. I don't like the idea of banning people from expressing their opinions. It goes against everything I believe about freedom of speech, especially in this dreadful cancel culture era. But even the First Amendment has restrictions, categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection under the Constitution including speech integral to illegal conduct and speech that incites imminent lawless action. It can be legitimately argued that Trump's constant lies about a 'stolen election' and his demands that the result be forcefully resisted, incited the mob to commit 'illegal conduct' and 'imminent lawless action' at the US Capitol. And that his tweeting after the attack made it clear he was going to carry on inciting the mob. It can be legitimately argued that Trump's constant lies about a 'stolen election' and his demands that the result be forcefully resisted, incited the mob to commit 'illegal conduct' and 'imminent lawless action' at the US Capitol Trump's stunningly reckless rhetoric prompted an incident that shamed America, attacked democracy, and ensured his presidency will now go down as the most ignominious in US history But it has been quite sinister to witness the speed in which the tech world has conspired to use the Capitol riot to silence not just Trump but entire right-wing social media platforms like Parler which has been effectively driven offline by Google, Apple and Amazon. Again, there are perfectly legitimate concerns surrounding Parler's failure to properly censor extremist material. But its users are already screaming that this is all a liberal conspiracy to shut down conservative voices. And this will only serve to inflame rather than dial down the terribly toxic partisan atmosphere in America right now. On balance, I think Donald Trump deserves to be kicked off Twitter following the terrible events of last week. His stunningly reckless rhetoric prompted an incident that shamed America, attacked democracy, and ensured his presidency will now go down as the most ignominious in US history. He can't be trusted not to continue inflaming a mob prepared to murder police officers and if they got the chance, and we heard this from their own mouths, elected officials. But if Trump has to go then Twitter and other social media firms have to be consistent and kick out everyone else whose rhetoric incites such violence or worse - starting with Iran's Supreme Leader. ADVERTISEMENT Otherwise, the censorship looks the way its targets claim it is: hypocritical and politically motivated. Monday, January 11, 2021 Obituary as Play Script This creative obituary for actress Shannon Marshall shares her life story as a play script. It shares her passions in life and names the people who were special to her. Bravo to whoever wrote this obituary! A ROCK OF REFUGE An Obituary in One Act for SHANNON L. MARSHALL SCENE: Two figures stand together behind a veil of ethereal, wispy clouds. A woman is dressed in a beautiful white gown with a shawl of rainbow colors, the other woman in a simple white gown. The veil of clouds lifts as the scene opens. GOD: Welcome home, dear Shannon. SHANNON: Is this heaven? GOD: Yes my child. You have many people here looking forward to seeing you. Your father Robert, mother Jean, grandparents, aunts and uncles, nephew Eddie, step-mother Jean and many others. SHANNON: When can I see them? GOD: Well, first, we have to do our intake, you know, review the ledger balance if you will. SHANNON: Oh dear Lor.. um.. dear me. GOD: (brings forth large 3-ring binder) Well lets pick up when you were President of the regional youth council for the Disciples of Christ Church. Um, it appears that you left due to a bit of cannabis? SHANNON: Well, I did grow up in New Mexico in the seventies. GOD: Actually, I am hoping to myself that the legislature legalizes the good herb this year, so well just call this one even. Next we have a thick chapter about your early acting career in Albuquerque. Quite a lot in here, but I see you actually played me once, in Dance with the Prime Mover. Perhaps some blasphemous parts in there, but you get extra points since you got such great reviews. And then what do you have to say about the production of Equus, where you hired protestors to picket your own show to protest against the nudity? SHANNON: (smiles mischievously) That did help sell out the show. GOD: Hmmm, I suppose thats all in good fun. And then later in Flint where you directed and produced Children of a Lesser God with the Michigan School for the Deaf. You certainly earned points on the plus side of the ledger for that important production. Due to the merits of that play I think we can overlook some shenanigans with Stephanie. SHANNON: You can see everything, right? GOD: Yes, lets just keep moving and open the thickest chapter, Shannon with Liz, Suki and other girlfriends SHANNON: (eyes wide) Oy vey, are you sure you really want to see everything? GOD: (raises one eyebrow) Yes, Shannon, but lets just dig in. Certainly some, um, colorful stories in this chapter. I think I can address some of these when I see Suki and Liz- some serious good deeds will be required from the three of you to even the scales a bit a but I actually want to recognize what you did for your friends and their families. Many times, you were their rock of refuge during times of crisis, and you should know they are all eternally grateful for your love and care. Now lets take a look at this important chapter with your husband, Geoff. You had many adventures in those years, more than many people have in lifetimes. You each knew this wasnt your first life together, and I suspect this wont be the last. Geoff wants you to know that he loves you still, and that he is sorry. SHANNON: We loved greatly. GOD: There are many hearts on earth that miss you deeply. Brother John, brother Bob and wife Susan, and their children Jennifer and her husband Jim, Robert Marshall III and his wife Emily, Ulysses, Suzzann and her husband Randy, step-siblings Kimber and Devin, godson Rafael, Michaella and your husband Geoff (places hand on Shannons head) Shannon, your place in heaven is now secured, your pains washed away, your sorrows lifted. Please come now to see those who await. Oh, and when you get to the eternal all-you-can-eat buffet, youll find that some of the most popular dishes are your recipes. Its in my authority to steal them. FADE TO BLACK A memorial service for Shannon will be held on Thursday, January 14th at 2:00pm, streaming via YouTube, with Rev. Dawn Rosignol of Monte Vista Christian Church (www.montevista.org). The family asks for support of the Roadrunner Food Bank, www.rrfb.org, in honor of Shannons service to others. Related Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Thirty-two human rights organisations Monday expressed dismay over the poor handling of affairs of refugees and asylum seekers by the UN High Commission for Refugees (HCR) offices in Libya In an article posted on the presidential website, Sarkissian said Pashinians administration must be held accountable for the Armenian sides defeat in the recent war with Azerbaijan and the resulting deep political, economic, social and psychological crisis in his country. The country and the people need treatment, he wrote. The only logical and civilized prescription is pre-term elections [to be held] within reasonable time frames with necessary amendments to the Electoral Code and the Constitution, which will allow us to start a real process of state building from scratch. Until then, a government of national accord must be formed with the help of the institute of the president, he added, staking a claim to a major role in that process. Sarkissian stressed that the new government must be made up of technocrats tasked with overcoming the post-war crisis. Virtually all Armenian opposition parties demanded Pashinians resignation immediately after a Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped the war in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on November 10. More than a dozen of them joined forces to hold anti-government rallies. Pashinian has rejected the opposition demands while expressing readiness to hold fresh elections soon. He held late last month consultations with the leaders of the two opposition parties represented in the Armenian parliament. The latter insisted that the snap polls must take place after Pashinians resignation. Sarkissian held similar consultations earlier in December. The president insisted on Monday that despite his largely ceremonial powers he can become the irreplaceable platform where the constitutional ways-out and mechanisms for overcoming the crisis will be worked out through a dialogue. In his article, Sarkissian also portrayed Armenias post-Soviet history as a period of missed opportunities and made a case for the construction of a new state. In that regard, he took a critical look at the 2018 popular uprising that brought Pashinian to power. The change of government in 2018 could have been the beginning of a new phase in our history but it became the end of the previous phase, without offering a new ideology, he said. Turkey has responded negatively to news that Brett McGurk will serve as Joe Bidens National Security Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa reports North Press. On Friday, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) expressed its resentment of President-elect Joe Biden, minutes after he officially tapped Brett McGurk as as Middle East coordinator on the National Security Council. TRT reported, McGurk was a key player in the erosion of US influence with its allies and a rash of terrorism the likes of which the modern world has never experienced, and it now seems like he is back to finish the job. Biden officially tapped Brett McGurk for US National Security Advisor managing the Middle East and North Africa, Friday. McGurk was a Special Presidential Envoy leading the campaign to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), and helped build the coalition of 75 countries and four international organizationsthe largest coalition in historyto confront ISIS in cooperation with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Iraqi Army. McGurk resigned his office following Trumps surprising decision to withdraw American troops from Syria in December 2018. The New York Times described McGurk as a doer, who led a campaign against ISIS for 14 months. McGurk repeatedly accused the Turkish government of smoothing the entering of thousands foreign fighters to Syrian territory for the purpose of joining terrorist groups, which later founded ISIS. In a separate regard, the US State Department revealed in a statement on Friday, about a meeting between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US Secretary-Designate Antony Blinken. The meeting was in order to facilitate an orderly transition, and to ensure American interests are protected abroad, US Secretary of State Department Mike Pompeo tweeted. He also added that their meeting was very productive, and they will continue to work together on behalf of America throughout the transition. 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. Situation Update, Jan. 10th, 2021 First they silence you, then they disarm you, then they KILL you Hear all three episodes below. Brighteon.com is under extreme loads today and may suffer playability issues on some videos. If you experience that, try again a few minutes later: Today I have published three podcasts. They are all embedded below. Here are the highlights covered: And to all Leftists reading this, just remember: After they are done killing all of us, they will get busy killing you, too. Prepare for war to break out across America. You are now living behind enemy lines. Any who oppose the CCP and its puppets (Biden, Brennan, etc.) will be targeted for economic destruction or kinetic executions (government deaths squads). ( Natural News ) The communist / Marxist purge is on. The tyrannical Left has now deemed all conservatives, Christians, Trump supporters and gun owners to be terrorists who must be completely silenced by any means necessary. But after the silencing comes the killing fields, of course. Remember: If they dont think you have the right to speak, they dont think you have the right to exist. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 15:47:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUNMING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A critically endangered duck was spotted in the wetlands of southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to local authorities. Staff at the administration center of Qinghuahai National Wetland Park found a Baer's pochard in the city of Baoshan on Jan. 9. It is listed as a critically endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The wetland park first reported observing the species in 2020. Baoshan has launched conservation projects for the restoration of wetlands in recent years. The number of bird species in the park has increased from 172 in 2016 to 279 today. Enditem President Donald Trump has been kicked off of most mainstream social media platforms following his supporters siege on the U.S. Capitol. But it remains to be seen how fast or where if anywhere on the internet he will be able to reach his followers. The far right-friendly Parler had been the leading candidate, at least until Google and Apple removed it from their app stores and Amazon decided to boot it off its web hosting service by midnight Pacific time on Sunday. Parlers CEO said that could knock it offline for a week, though that might prove optimistic. And even if it finds a friendlier web-hosting service, without a smartphone app its hard to imagine Parler gaining mainstream success. The 2-year-old magnet for the far-right claims more than 12 million users, though mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at 10 million worldwide, with 8 million in the U.S. Thats a fraction of the 89 million followers Trump had on Twitter. Still, Parler might be attractive to Trump since its where his sons Eric and Don Jr. are already active. Parler hit headwinds, though, on Friday as Google yanked its smartphone app from its app store for allowing postings that seek to incite ongoing violence in the U.S. Apple followed suit on Saturday evening after giving Parler 24 hours to address complaints it was being used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities. Public safety issues will need to be resolved before it is restored, Apple said. A message seeking comment from Parler was sent Sunday on whether the company plans to change its policies and enforcement around these issues. Amazon struck another blow Saturday, informing Parler it would need to look for a new web-hosting service effective midnight Sunday. It reminded Parler in a letter, first reported by Buzzfeed, that it had informed it in the past few weeks of 98 examples of posts that clearly encourage and incite violence and said the platform poses a very real risk to public safety. Parler CEO John Matze decried the punishments as a coordinated attack by the tech giants to kill competition in the marketplace. We were too successful too fast, he said in a Saturday night post, saying it was possible Parler would be unavailable for up to a week as we rebuild from scratch. Every vendor, from text message services, to e-mail providers, to our lawyers all ditched us too on the same day, Matze said Sunday on Fox New Channels Sunday Morning Futures. He said while the company is trying to get back online as quickly as possible, its having a lot of trouble, because every vendor we talk to says they wont work with us, because, if Apple doesnt approve and Google doesnt approve, they wont. Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple whose operating systems power hundreds of millions of smartphones severely limits Parlers reach, though it will continue to be accessible via web browser. Losing Amazon Web Services will mean Parler needs to scramble to find another web host, in addition to the re-engineering. Trump may also launch his own platform. But that wont happen overnight, and free speech experts anticipate growing pressure on all social media platforms to curb incendiary speech as Americans take stock of Wednesdays violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by a Trump-incited mob. While initially arguing their need to be neutral on speech, Twitter and Facebook gradually yielded to public pressure drawing the line especially when the so-called Plandemic video emerged early in the coronavirus pandemic urging people not to wear masks, noted civic media professor Ethan Zuckerman of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Zuckerman expects the Trump de-platforming may spur important online shifts. First, there may be an accelerated splintering of the social media world along ideological lines. Trump will pull a lot of audience wherever he goes, he said. That could mean more platforms with smaller, more ideologically isolated audiences. ___ Frank Bajak and Barbara Ortutay of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP writer Amanda Seitz in Chicago contributed to this report. President-elect Joe Biden announced Monday he has chosen veteran diplomat William Burns to be his CIA director. A former ambassador to Russia and Jordan, Burns, 64, had a 33-year career at the State Department under both Republican and Democratic presidents. He is fluent in Russian, Arabic and French and was a specialist in Russian and Middle East affairs. He rose through the ranks of the diplomatic corps to become deputy secretary of state before retiring in 2014 to run the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace. Amid tumult in the State Department after President Donald Trump took office in 2017, Burns held his tongue until last year when he began writing highly critical pieces of the Trump administration's policies in Foreign Affairs and other publications. Veteran: William Burns, seen as deputy secretary of state in Souel in 2014, was a career diplomat who was ambassador to Jordan and Russia. He is Biden's pick for CIA director Final big name: Joe Biden has now named the full slate of cabinet-ranked officials who he wants the Senate to confirm to run his administration Burns has been a staunch advocate of rebuilding and restructuring the foreign service, positions Biden has aligned himself with. 'Bill Burns is an exemplary diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage keeping our people and our country safe and secure,' Biden said in a statement Monday. 'He shares my profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical and that the dedicated intelligence professionals serving our nation deserve our gratitude and respect. 'Ambassador Burns will bring the knowledge, judgment, and perspective we need to prevent and confront threats before they can reach our shores. The American people will sleep soundly with him as our next CIA director.' Burns was said to have been a candidate to be Biden's secretary of state. Biden chose Anthony Blinken instead. If confirmed by the Senate, Burns would succeed Gina Haspel. As the first female CIA director, Haspel guided the agency under Trump, who has frequently disparaged the assessments of U.S. spy agencies, especially about Russias interference in the 2016 election to help his campaign. Out: Gina Haspel will quit as CIA director after a career in the intelligence agency The president has placed quote marks around the word intelligence in his tweets, implying that he doesn't agree with the term, and has fired several career intelligence professionals in favor of loyalists, including some with little to no experience in the field. Burns has received three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honors from the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community. He has doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. Burns, a graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia with advanced degrees from Oxford University, joined the foreign service in 1982 and before being named ambassador to Russia in 2005, served as a top aide to former Secretaries of State William Christopher and Madeleine Albright as well as director of the State Department's policy planning office. Burns was a close adviser and confidante to Christopher, Albright, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry before his retirement. In his 2019 book 'The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal,' Burns called for a revamp of American diplomacy, while recalling his days in the field, including helping to spearhead the early stages of the Obama administrations outreach to Iran in 2013. Mr. Kulyk, who has since been fired from the prosecutors office, was accused by the Treasury Department on Monday of forming an alliance with Derkach to spread false accusations of international corruption. Mr. Telizhenko, a political consultant and former official in the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, provided information to Senate Republicans for a report on the Bidens work in Ukraine, which was released weeks before Election Day in an apparent effort to damage the Biden campaign. The report found no evidence of improper influence or wrongdoing by the former vice president. Mr. Telizhenko assisted Mr. Giuliani during the 2020 campaign, arranging meetings with Ukrainians claiming to have damaging information about the Bidens. Mr. Telizhenko helped plan a trip for Mr. Giuliani to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, in December 2019, during which Mr. Giuliani met with Mr. Derkach and recorded interviews with him and others that aired on Mr. Giulianis podcast and a special on the pro-Trump cable channel One America News Network. The Treasury Department seemed to allude to this trip in explaining its sanctions of Mr. Telizhenko, noting in its statement that he orchestrated meetings between Derkach and U.S. persons to help propagate false claims concerning corruption in Ukraine. The statement did not explicitly name Mr. Giuliani or the Bidens, but it asserted that the sanctioned Ukrainians leveraged U.S. media, U.S.-based social media platforms and influential U.S. persons in their efforts to spread damaging allegations. I will continue to fight for the truth no matter what lies are spread against me, as God is where the truth is, Mr. Telizhenko said in an emailed statement on Monday. I stood and will stand with President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Giuliani did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. After the sanctions against Mr. Derkach were announced in September, Mr. Giuliani said in an interview that he didnt do much investigation of Mr. Derkach but had no reason to believe he is a Russian agent. Loose Women viewers have criticised David Bowie's ex-wife Angie for her 'awkward and rambling' interview to mark the anniversary of the late musician's death. The Cyprus-born former model, 71, appeared on the show today to discuss their ten year relationship, revealing how she wouldn't have married Bowie had it not been for her 'lifelong commitment' to making him an international star. During the candid chat she touched on her estrangement from her now 44-year-old son Duncan, known as Zowie when he was younger, and how her marriage to David was originally nothing more than an arrangement to keep her in the UK. Viewers said they were 'cringing' while watching the interview, and accused Angie of 'cashing in' on their relationship despite it ending in 1980, more than 30 years before the late rocker died. Loose Women viewers have criticised David Bowie's ex-wife Angie (pictured on the show today) for her 'awkward and rambling' interview to mark the anniversary of the late musician's death The pair were married for ten years after meeting in London in 1969 while Angie was trying to bag a job at Mercury Records in the UK. Pictured, Angie and David Bowie in the 1970s 'Angie Bowie divorced David 40 years ago? Why are they making out she was his life long partner?' wrote one. Another wrote: 'This interview with Angie Bowie on @loosewomen is a car crash. She is making no sense at all.' A third raged: 'Can't believe you're going to have Angie Bowie on talking about David on the anniversary of his death! She has no knowledge of him for over 30 years. She's cashing in on this, why are you allowing it?? She's his ex for a reason. Think of his wife!' 'Cringing watching the Angie Bowie interview. These video interviews are a bit awkward normally, but this woman rambling on isnt nice to watch!', commented a fourth. Viewers said they were 'cringing' while watching the interview, and accused Angie of 'cashing in' on their relationship despite it ending in 1980, over 30 years before the late rocker died During the interview Angie opened up about their marriage began, claiming it was 'nothing to do with love', but because David was keen to keep her from having to return to the US after finishing university. The pair had met in London in 1969 through mutual friends while Angie was trying to bag a job at Mercury Records in the UK. 'I wouldn't have gotten involved if it hadn't been a lifelong commitment to making him an international phenomenon,' she said. 'I took my marketing first job very seriously and he was it. 'Because of the way he asked me to marry him, it was nothing to do with love, it was to do with convenience. During the interview Angie opened up about their marriage began, claiming it was 'nothing to do with love' The former model said David was keen to keep her from having to return to the US after finishing university She went on: 'He decided the things I had brought to the table, he liked me, we had the same sense of humour. So that was it, he asked me to marry him. 'Then when we were married he started to get cute and intimate and nice and unlike the person reported to be when he asked me to marry him, and there were two or three years when Zowie was born that I really cherish.' She also touched on the reason David decided to have children, claiming she had suggested starting a family to make the rocker more 'cautious' after he had accidentally stabbed himself in the groin. Angie also spoke on her relationship with her son David, who she hasn't seen since he was a teenager, confessing that she is 'at peace' with her decision. Pictured, Angie and David in 1973 'I started to think about how he could be a little more cautious and asked him would this be a good thing and he said "Oh yes I would love to have a child", okay there we go.' Angie also spoke on her relationship with her son Duncan, who she hasn't seen since he was a teenager, confessing that she is 'at peace' with her decision not to be involved in his life. 'I was always at peace with it', she said. 'It was what I decided, what could I do, if you make a decision, I made that decision. 'I said I would never fight for custody I would never do anything to threaten to use him as leverage and I never did. I sent him some letters and boxes of gifts but I don't think he ever got any of them.' 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. So the Trumplicans are going crazy because the social media companies have gotten rid of Bone Spurs accounts. Theyve barred him from Twitter, and Facebook and everything, and now the Republicans are screaming they cant take away his account. They cant cancel him out like that. Im sorry people. And the Republicans keep saying theyre going to do something about these social media companies. Well, let me tell you something, Trumplicans, that is exactly what socialism is, when the government starts telling companies what they can and cannot do. That is the very definition of socialism, you Republicans. I hope you know that. You should go back to your civics books, obviously, and maybe you should actually read the Constitution because I dont think most of you Republicans have. Or you wouldnt have let this clown into the White House like you did, and let him run roughshod over our Constitution. This is a disgraceful, disgraceful display. In a move likely to anger China, the United States on Saturday lifted its self-imposed restrictions on the interaction of American diplomats with their Taiwanese counterparts. Chinese media has reacted to this move by criticising Pompeo and accusing him of "seeking to maliciously inflict a long-lasting scar" on bilateral ties. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday announced that the United States was lifting self-imposed restrictions on the interaction of American diplomats with their Taiwanese counterparts. This move by the US has angered China eliciting a sharp response from its official media on Sunday criticising Mike Pompeo. As per a press statement, Mike Pompeo said that Taiwan was a vibrant democracy and reliable partner of the United States, and yet for several decades the State Department had created complex internal restrictions to regulate their diplomats, service members, and other officials interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts. Pompeo added that the United States government took those actions unilaterally, in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. He said, No more. Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions. Also read: US Capitol Violence: After Twitter ban, Trump hints at plan to launch his own platform Today, I am lifting all self-imposed restrictions on executive branch agencies interactions with their counterparts from Taiwan. This action will benefit both of our great democracies. https://t.co/JmxE5jsZYf Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 9, 2021 Also read: Concern over WhatsApps new privacy policy escalates; users turn to Signal and Telegram Pompeo also said that the United States government maintained relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and Taiwan was no exception. He added that the two democracies shared common values of individual freedom, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity. Pompeo said that the statement recognizes that the US-Taiwan relationship need not, and should not, be shackled by self-imposed restrictions of their permanent bureaucracy. Also read: Bangladesh reminds Pak of 1971 Genocide; demands apology Retreat and predation event near retreat of Damastes sp. (a) Spider specimen of Damastes sp. (THC140, adult female), the prosoma and opisthosoma are approximately 1.5 cm in length (smallest square = 0.1 cm)Observation 1; (b) Damastes sp. feeding on Heterixalus andrakata (frog) inside of the retreat, built of leaves of Tambourissa sp.Observation 1, (c) Predation event where Damastes sp. captured Heterixalus andrakata near the retreatObservation 1; (d) Damastes sp. hiding in the retreat, built of leaves of Cedrela odorataObservation 4. Credit: Ecology and Evolution (2020). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7102 A team of researchers from the Centre of the SAVA Region and the University of Antananarivo, both in Madagascar, and one from the University of Goettingen in Germany, has found evidence of a huntsman spider living in a northeastern part of Madagascar creating a trap for tree frogs. In their paper published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the group describes their observation of a huntsman spider pulling a dead frog into what appeared to be a custom-made leaf trap. Huntsman spiders are named for their hunting behavior, by contrast with spiders that spin webs to catch their food. Huntsman spiders kill their prey by biting and injecting victims with venom. In this new effort, the researchers have found a type of huntsman spider that appears to create traps for amphibians, making them easier to catch. The researchers were carrying out a survey of creatures living in a certain part of Madagascar when they came upon a huntsman spider in a tree eating a treefrog. Interestingly, just next to the spider was an unusual leaf structureit was made of two leaves that had been sewn together at the back and on ends with spider silk, making a pocket of sorts. As the researchers approached the spider, it pulled the dead frog into the pouch, attempting to hide. Intrigued by their finding, the researchers came to believe that the spider had created the leaf structure as a way to trap amphibians such as tree frogs. As the researchers continued their survey the following year, they found three leaf structures of the same type, though the spiders that had created them were not on the scene. Still, the discovery of other such structures suggested that they were relatively common. And logic suggested that the frogs were not creating them as a shelter as there were many other easily accessible types of natural shelters for them to use. They noted that tree frogs are known to seek out shelter during the hot parts of the day, and the kind made by the spiders appeared to be ideal. They acknowledge that more research is required to confirm their suspicions, but suggest the idea of the spiders creating traps for amphibians is not far-fetchedspiders of many species create many kinds of traps. Explore further New spider species named after Greta More information: Thio Rosin Fulgence et al. Spider traps amphibian in northeastern Madagascar, Ecology and Evolution (2020). Journal information: Ecology and Evolution Thio Rosin Fulgence et al. Spider traps amphibian in northeastern Madagascar,(2020). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7102 2021 Science X Network MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Holocaust survivors and descendants of survivors, we are profoundly saddened and angered by the violent attack on the United States Capitol and Congress to prevent our Nation's sacred peaceful transition of power. It was an insurrection, an effort to overturn the people's will in the November 3 election. For shame! We abhor the violence that threatens our ability to live together in the diverse, free, and democratic United States that we so deeply love. It is also painful, in the year 2021, to see so many people brandishing symbols of anti-Semitism and racial bigotry, such as shirts glorifying the Holocaust, a gallows and noose, and the Confederate flag, as they attacked our Democracy. We appreciate President-Elect Biden's clear denunciation of the anti-democratic riots, and his recognition of their anti-Semitic and racist elements. Dangerous anti-Semitic conspiracies once confined to dark corners of the internet are gaining traction in "respectable" quarters, without clear condemnation by all who call themselves leaders. We have previously spoken out about the painful rise of anti-Jewish rhetoric and violence including murders at religious gatherings in Pittsburgh, Poway, Monsey, and in Europe as well. We, the remaining voices for six million Jews who were murdered because of the "normalization" of these tactics in Nazi Germany and Europe, are speaking out to sound the alarm loud and clear. The poisonous political rhetoric from government leaders and media designed to arouse hateful passions, fan the flames of anger and violence, must be condemned by our leaders at every level, and by all of us in our families, businesses, religious institutions, and communities. For more information, please go to http://www.hsf-usa.com. The Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA Executive Committee: Israel Arbeiter, Boston, MA Dena Axelrod, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Magda Bader, Boston, MA Renee Firestone, Los Angeles, CA Esther Finder, Las Vegas, NV Ella Frumkin, Los Angeles, CA Jay Ipson, Richmond, VA Herbert Karliner, Miami Beach, FL Leo Rechter, Queens, NY Annette Lantos, Washington, D.C. David Mermelstein, Miami, FL Wendy Rothfield, Miami Beach, FL Shirley Rubin, Boynton Beach, FL Anita Schuster, Las Vegas, NV David Schaecter, Miami, FL Charles Srebnick, New York, NY Esther Widman, Brooklyn, NY Louise Lawrence-Israels, Washington D.C. Endorsed by the Coordinating Council of Generations of the Shoah International (GSI) Contact: David Schaecter, HSF President (305) 742-8501 Samuel J. Dubbin, HSF Counsel (305) 815-8060 SOURCE Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA 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 City of San Antonio has issued more than 4,900 warnings and 444 citations for violating the emergency declarations, according to an enforcement report. Officials had received over 26,200 calls reporting violations as of Monday. READ ALSO: FAQ: When and where Texans can get the COVID vaccine The social distancing orders, intending to slow the spread of COVID-19, first went into place on March 18. The most recent, a 10th addendum to the eighth emergency health declaration, went into effect on Sept. 21. Multiple city departments Code Enforcement, Parking Enforcement, Metro Health and the San Antonio Police Department are enforcing the order. Here are the citations issued so far: January 30 - At Subway, located at 18410 U.S. Hwy 281, the proper signs about COVID-19 symptoms were not posted. The manager told inspectors that the owner had removed the sign. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that Hops & Hounds, located at 13838 Jones Maltsberger, was over capacity. Staff were not wearing masks and customers were not social distancing. A citation was issued. - A caller reported a large party at a private residence on the 7700 block of Autumn Park. Inspectors found a large gathering and saw underage drinking. Citations were issued for minors in possession of alcohol. Also, 36 citations were issued to individuals for violating the COVID-19 emergency order. All attendees were required to leave the area. - At Roxy Sports Bar, located at 3249 Wurzbach, staff and customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. - At Bar 301, located at 23567 I-10 West, staff and customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. The bar was offering on-premises consumption but did not have the proper tag from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Two citation were issued. - At El Corona Nite Club, located at 7503 U.S. Hwy 90 West, staff and customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. The club had 731 people inside, over the max 50 percent capacity of 450. Two citations were issued. January 29 - A caller reported that employees were not wearing masks at Chevron (Luisa's Cocina), located at 418 Fair. Inspectors saw employees not wearing masks. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that Smoke BBQ, located at 501 E. Crockett, was over occupancy. Inspectors saw several customers not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. - At 301 Bar, located at 23567 I-10 West, the health and safety signs were not posted and social distancing features were not being enforced. The bar was offering on-premises consumption but did not have the proper tag from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Three citations were issued. January 28 - At Rodriguez Auto Center, located at 2521 S. Presa, employees were not wearing masks and there were no social distancing features in place. A citation was issued. - At Kennedy's Irish Bar, located at 19179 Blanco Road, employees were not wearing masks and social distancing features were not enforced. A citation was issued. January 27 - At Chelitas Mexican Restaurant, located at 550 Enrique M. Barrera, social distancing features were not in place or being enforced. A citation was issued. - At Vehicle Wrap Texas, located at 6563 Babcock, staff and customers were not wearing masks. A citation was issued. January 23 - At Taqueria El Rancho de Jalisco, located at 505 Fair, staff were not wearing masks and no social distancing features were in place. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that people were not wearing masks at Dollar General, located at 5735 West Commerce. Staff were not wearing masks. A citation was issued. - At Three Legged Monkey, located at 2313 N.W. Military Hwy., customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. - At El Corona Nite Club, located at 7503 U.S. Hwy 90 West, customers were not wearing masks or social distancing at the overcrowded club. The club had 766 people inside instead of the 450 allowed at 50 percent capacity. Two citation were issued. January 22 - At North Park Mazda, located at 9333 San Pedro, employees were not wearing masks. A citation was issued. - At Shell, located at 1753 Rigsby, the health and safety signs were not posted. Staff and customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that Hops and Hound, located at 13838 Jones Maltsberger, was over occupancy. Inspectors saw kitchen staff and customers not wearing masks or social distancing. The general manager said the restaurant had very little staff to monitor customer compliance, but that business was picking up and they will be hiring more employees to help with the mask requirements. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that people were not wearing masks at Center Court Pizza & Brew, located at 20711 Wilderness Oak. Inspectors saw several customers and employees not wearing masks properly. A citation was issued. - At El Sol Mexican Restaurant, located at 1815 Pleasanton, the health and safety signs were not posted. Kitchen staff were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. - At the Sand Box bar, located at 7280 UTSA Blvd., social distancing features were not being enforced and customers were not wearing masks. A citation was issued. January 21 - At Mega Vape, located at 2603 S.W. Military, the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - At H-E-B, located at 735 S.W. Military, a customer did not have a mask and refused to comply with the mandate. Social distancing features were in place but not being enforced. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that construction workers were not wearing masks at 7203 Wurzbach. Inspectors saw multiple workers not wearing masks and issued a citation to the property owner in charge of the workers. - At Lin's Buffet, located at 7863 I-35 South, the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - At Twin Peaks, located at 103 S.W. Loop 410, employees were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. - At the Sand Box bar, located at 7280 UTSA Blvd., multiple groups were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. January 19 - A caller reported that people were not wearing masks at Mario's Grocery, located at 2902 Guadalupe. Inspectors saw customers not wearing masks. A citation was issued. January 16 - A caller reported people not wearing masks at Midas Oil Change, located at 11000 Interstate 10 West. The health and safety signs were not posted and staff were not wearing masks in the bay area. Two citations were issued. January 15 - At Gloria's Hideout, located at 5330 S. Zarzamora, the health and safety signs were not posted. The bar had a "red tag" from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission but was offering on-premises services. Two citations were issued. - At Cowboys Dancehall, located at 3030 N.E. Loop 410, employees and customers were wearing masks and social distancing except for one employee of an outside food truck who was not wearing a mask or social distancing. The food truck employee was cited. January 14 - At Bombay Klub, located at 4542 W. Cesar Chavez, the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - At Diamonds Show Club, located at 2525 N.E. Loop 410, employees and customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. The club was operating without a certificate of occupancy. A citation was issued. January 12 - A caller reported that customers at Kwik Wash Laundry, located at 11802 Blanco, were not wearing masks. Inspectors found that no health and safety signs were posted and a customer did not have a mask. Two citations were issued. January 11 - An email reported that Cowboys Dancehall, located at 3030 N.E. Loop 410, held a large event on Jan. 9. There were no masks or social distancing. Two citations were issued. Videos showed a packed dance floor as fans gathered to watch country musician Cody Johnson. - At TX7 Clothing Store, located at 2310 S.W. Military, inspectors found no health and safety signs posted anywhere inside. A citation was issued. Jan. 9 - At Dollar General, located at 3350 S.W. Military, the manager told inspectors that health and safety signs had been removed "per corporate." A citation was issued. - At Dollar General, located at 8718 S Zarzamora, the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - A caller reported that people were not wearing masks at QuikTrip, located at 4710 Fredericksburg. Inspectors found that health and safety signs were not posted and two customers were not wearing masks. Two citations were issued. - At Dreamers, located at 2376 Austin Hwy., the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - At Streetfare SA, located at 1916 Austin Hwy., the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - At Big Bang and One Pocha Live Lounge, located at 4408 Walzem, the health and safety signs were not posted and the tables were too close to each other. A citation was issued. Jan. 8 - A caller reported that people were not wearing masks at the EZ Wash laundromat, located at 6101 S. Flores. Inspectors saw individuals not wearing masks and issued a citation. - At Little Sam's convenience store, located at 3215 Roosevelt, the health and safety signs were not posted. A citation was issued. - An email reported that masks were not being worn at Planet Fitness, located at 207 N. General McMullen. Inspectors found the business was allowing customers to walk around without masks or social distancing. Employees were wearing masks, but members were not. A citation was issued. - At Sir Winston's Pub, located at 2522 Nacogdoches, customers were not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. Jan. 7 - At My Bar, located at 6402 Callaghan, employees were wearing masks but social distancing features were not enforced. A citation was issued. January 6 - A caller reported that employees at C.D. Division Tire-Muffler Shop, located at 730 Division, were not wearing masks. Inspectors saw employees not wearing masks or social distancing. A citation was issued. January 5 - A caller reported that people at Lowe's, located at 1200 N. Loop 1604 W., were not wearing masks. Inspectors saw people inside the store without masks. A citation was issued. - At Guzman's Barber Shop, located at 414 N. General McMullen, employees and customers were not wearing masks. Social distancing was not being enforced. A citation was issued. January 4 - At Roy's Taco Hut, located at 246 Enrique Barrera, there were no social distancing features in place and social distancing was not being enforced. A citation was issued. - At Koo Kutz Barbershop, located at 10029 San Pedro, customers and staff were wearing masks but health and safety signs were not posted at the entrance. A citation was issued. Click here for all citations dating back to April. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Sadyr Japarov on winning the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan and expressed the hope that the two countries will continue to cultivate ties. "Please accept my sincere congratulations on your election to the post of the president," Putin noted in his message of congratulations to Japarov posted on the Kremlin website on Monday. "I hope that your activities as the head of state will contribute to building up the entire range of Russian-Kyrgyz ties," Putin stressed, wishing Japarov every success, good health and prosperity. At this time in 2020, Bay Area real estate experts were looking at a bright year ahead. The market was continuing its steady growth year after year, in both the housing market and the rental market. But in March, the market ground to a swift halt and an uncertain rest of the year loomed. Interestingly, and perhaps surprisingly, it ended up being a fairly good year for the Bay Area housing market just in a very different way than many predicted. As buyers sought more space, especially private space, single-family homes in both San Francisco and surrounding suburbs soared in price and demand, while rental averages plummeted and downtown condos languished. We asked Bay Area real estate experts what they foresee for the year ahead. Its time to buy a condo Almost every person we spoke with mentioned uncertainty being the continued theme of 2021. The sputtering vaccine rollout is the biggest factor, which will likely dictate how quickly life gets back to normal. That said, if youre in the market for a condo in San Francisco, that means you could get a great deal. You can buy a condo for 2018 prices right now, Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather said. I think we will see many more condo listings next year and prices could come down even more this year. As they come down next year, it could be the opportunity for those that have been wanting to buy for a while and were previously priced out. She said mom-and-pop landlords may be more likely to sell their rentals after the tumultuous year, increasing inventory further and opening up spaces for even those simply interested in an investment property. Condo prices are going to drop enough that people will see a good investment opportunity. Theyll be able to get in at a good price. There will be an increase in demand once things open up. Fairweather said. Compass real estate agent Emily Beaven said its an especially good time to get your foot in the market if youve been renting and considering buying. She just advises not to wait too long. It is a fantastic time to buy a condo, she said. I have heard that foreign buyers will be coming back though, and I think they will snatch up all these condos sitting around that are a deal. I think there are savvy people out there. The savvy people that believe in San Francisco are going to wipe out that condo inventory for us. The suburbs are still hot hot hot In their search for home offices, backyards and more space, many homebuyers began to gravitate toward the greater Bay Area in 2020, creating more demand in places where competition usually wasnt as fierce. Oakland-based Redfin agent Neal Conatser said hes seen a surge of interest in Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda that he expects to continue in 2021. [For buyers from San Francisco], instead of immediately focusing on the Oakland and Berkeley area and trying to replicate the lifestyle they were used to, theyre willing to entertain a more dramatic shift, Conatser said. That's opening up different neighborhoods and different options for people. Much of this interest is also driven by the availability of remote work, which for some employers has been decided but many have not. But, that doesnt seem to concern homebuyers. I've even had buyers say, Even if they do require me to come in [to the office] everyday, hey, maybe I'll find a new job,' Conatser said. Buyers seem confident in what theyre looking for and in terms of their employment. This could even push people to move outside the Bay Area. The trend of people moving away from city centers I think will continue this year, Fairweather said. Remote work is going to have people looking farther out, even as far as Sacramento. Real estate norms are still shifted Open houses used to be an important part of the home-buying process, but they likely wont be back in 2021. For both agents and sellers, this is actually a positive change. We haven't seen a negative consequence from not having open houses from a seller point of view, San Francisco real estate agent Danielle Lazier said. The majority of people that come to an open house are not the people that are going to buy the house. She said its also helped buyers who dont want to dedicate a whole weekend to house hunting. Instead, they can see homes on their own flexible schedule. Buyers are also expecting more transparent prices, though it doesnt necessarily mean theres less competition: Whether you have 10 offers on a property or five offers, the sellers are still in a position to reap the rewards and it's still challenging for buyers, Conatser said. Well hit the bottom of the rental market, eventually Experts agree were not at the bottom yet, but were close. There are still more renters moving out of the Bay Area than moving in, Zumper analyst Neil Gerstein said. "What were watching as things return to normal: Will renters return or will the Bay Area cities become discounted enough that new people want to come in and take advantage of those prices? No matter what, I dont think were at the bottom yet. Prices will continue to decrease in the short term. I wouldnt say were at the bottom yet, but we could be nearing it. Igor Popov, chief economist at Apartment List, said its normal for rents to be lower right now and it will likely continue through February. Ultimately, it all depends on the vaccine rollout, he said. If the public health progress continues on a good track, the normal thawing of the market is when we may see rents climb again, Popov said. We usually see the biggest rent increase in July and August. The moment when people feel safer engaging in urban amenities, and if those times line up with the rental market, those rents could bounce back pretty quickly. If the public health rebound misses that, we could see a frumpier year. If youre looking for a new rental in San Francisco, its a good time to search. Its a great time to make the Bay Area your home. The city is certainly at a discount, Gerstein said. Space is crucial, for renting and buying Outdoor space and zoom rooms were important for house hunters in 2020, but space was essential for renters, too. Weve seen a trend of more space per person. Maybe people are less willing to share space with lots of roommates, Gerstein said. More space per person could be a trend we continue to see. While this was an unexpected year, Popov said the real estate market tends to swing like a pendulum, and we can expect a swing in 2021. The pendulum really swung from cities toward suburbs last year. Now I think in 2021, and obviously, it depends on public health, naturally, everything will swing back, he said. Now everyone will adjust back to a post-vaccine world that hopefully comes soon. One thing is certain though, Popov said. I think were going to see a lot of people move in 2021. And the Bay Area will be at the epicenter of the conversation. Town of Onondaga, N.Y. A man seriously injured after his pickup truck crashed into a tree Sunday night in the town of Onondaga has died, deputies said. Dejan Topalovic, of the town of Onondaga, was in critical condition when rescuers freed him from his crumpled truck after the crash on Split Rock Road, said Sgt. Jon Seeber, Onondaga County Sheriffs Office spokesman. Topalovic was rushed to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he died early Monday morning. He was 36 years old. The accident happened around 9:05 p.m. in the 3800 block of Split Rock Road. Topalovic was driving west on Split Rock Road when his pickup truck drove across the eastbound lane, Seeber said. The truck crashed into a large tree on the south side of the road, crumpling the vehicle and trapping Topalovic inside, he said. Rescuers spent several minutes working to free Topalovic from his heavily damaged truck, Seeber said. The driver was then rushed to Upstate, where he later died. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Staff writer Samantha House covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach her at shouse@syracuse.com. (JNS) A stone bearing a Greek inscription from the end of the Byzantine period was discovered last weekend in the Nitzana National Park in the Negev, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Wednesday. The flat, round stone was used as a tombstone in one of the cemeteries surrounding the ancient settlement, the IAA said. It was found by Nitzana Educational Village director David Palmach, who came upon it while clearing hiking paths in the park. According to the IAA, Palmach noticed an inscription on the stone, which was later deciphered by Leah Di Segni of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem as referring to Blessed Maria, who lived an immaculate life. ADVERTISEMENT The stone, which is being transferred to the National Treasuries Department, dates from the late sixthearly seventh centuries C.E. Nitzana is renowned as a key site in research into the transition between the Byzantine and the Early Islamic periods. During the fifth and sixth centuries C.E., Nitzana acted as a center for the villages and settlements in the vicinity, said the IAAs Tali Erickson-Gini. Among other things, it had a military fortress as well as churches, a monastery and a road station that served Christian pilgrims traveling to Santa Katarina, which believers regarded as the site of Mount Sinai, she said. According to Erickson-Gini, Nitzana was founded in as early as the third century BCE as a Nabatean road station on a major trade route, and the place was inhabited intermittently for about 1,300 years, until it was abandoned in the 10th century C.E. and its name was forgotten. The burial stone, naming the deceased as Maria, is among other unearthed stones commemorating Christians buried in the churches and cemeteries around Nitzana. Unlike other ancient towns in the Negev, very little is known about the burial grounds around Nitzana. The discovery of [inscriptions] such as this may improve our definition of the cemeteries boundaries, thus helping to reconstruct the boundaries of the settlement itself, which have not yet been ascertained, said IAA Southern District archaeologist Pablo Betzer. She admitted to struggling with her identity off camera. And Zendaya used time away from a conventional studio to create a role of a lifetime with Euphoria's Sam Levinson for the two-person film, Malcolm & Marie. The 24-year-old actress sought out various forms of expression during the pandemic lockdown as she chatted with GQ about diving down deep into who she is outside of the big screens. Hard at work: Zendaya used time away from a conventional studio to create a role of a lifetime with Euphoria's Sam Levinson for the two-person film, Malcolm & Marie While the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown most of the country at one point or another, the film and television industry was not exempt from needing to figure out ways to safely operate. Zendaya made herself a priority during the lockdown and found new ways to work on her art. 'It was my first time just being like, "Okay, who am I without this?"' she said. 'Which is a very scary thing to confront and work through, because I don't really know Zendaya outside of the Zendaya who works. I didn't realize how much my job and my art were a part of my identity as a human.' Boss: The 24-year-old actress sought out various forms of expression during the pandemic lockdown as she chatted with GQ about diving down deep into who she is outside of the big screens Perfecting her craft: Zendaya made herself a priority during the lockdown and found new ways to work on her art Long talks with her friend and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson sparked interest in working on a drastically 'stripped down' movie. Zendaya recalled Levinson's informal pitch: '"What if I just stripped everything away? There's no gimmick, no anything. What does that look like? What if it's just a relationship piece? What if it's just two people, one's upset because the other one didn't thank them for something, and they're in one place? And that's all it is."' Levinson went on to create Malcolm & Marie, a black-and-white film about an unhappy couple exploring their relationship behind the walls of their own home. 'It was my first time just being like, "Okay, who am I without this?"' she said. 'Which is a very scary thing to confront and work through, because I don't really know Zendaya outside of the Zendaya who works' 'I didn't realize how much my job and my art were a part of my identity as a human,' she said Actor: Levinson went on to create Malcolm & Marie, a black-and-white film about an unhappy couple exploring their relationship behind the walls of their own home The movie was filmed in two weeks in a single location with a mostly Euphoria-backed crew, and also stars John David Washington. '[Marie] gave me an opportunity to use these words in a way,' Zendaya said of what drew her to the role. 'I don't yell. I'm not a very argumentative person, but it's nice to just release sh** and be able to ... I don't know, I guess emate would be the word? To just use her as this vessel to just get sh** out that maybe I had pent up or hadn't said.' Zendaya recently became the youngest woman to win an Emmy award for lead actress in a drama for her role as Rue in Euphoria, an honor she doesn't take lightly. 'In a lot of ways it feels like proving something to myself personally, yeah, but I feel like, I feel good about it for all of us,' she said. 'It feels like recognition that maybe we aren't just like that little crazy show with the crazy kids, you know what I mean? Gov. Phil Murphy has said time and again this wont be a normal school year. Now hes making sure students and teachers wont be evaluated like it is. The governor announced Monday that the state will waive its requirement this year that high school seniors pass an exit exam in order to graduate. He also said the state will not use any measure of student performance in teacher evaluations, meaning educators will be rated entirely on their supervisors opinion. To not make these sensible adjustments given the current situation would be a failure to properly serve our students, our educators and the best interests of our education communities, Murphy said. The governor also signed an executive order allowing substitute teachers in the process of getting their teaching certificate, or those who are certified for a subject area outside of what they are teaching, to remain in the classroom longer than usual. The changes come as many New Jersey students have not stepped foot in a classroom since last March and some of the states largest districts continue to push back reopening plans. Only 79 school districts are offering full in-person learning, according to the state. New Jersey has long required high school students to pass a standardized test in English and math to prove they are ready to graduate. But spring standardized testing was canceled last year, and opportunities to test this year may be limited for current seniors. Students will still need to meet all other local graduation requirements established by their districts, Murphy said. New Jersey still plans to administer standardized tests this spring as required by the federal government, acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan said. However, that requirement could potentially be waived by the Biden Administration, in which case New Jersey would weigh all of its options, she said. The state previously said it will not count student performance on standardized tests toward teacher evaluations this year. The announcement Monday also eliminates student performance on any other tests, quizzes or school work from teacher reviews. Murphy said the state cannot adequately evaluate teachers on student performance when remote learning has thrown so much uncertainty into the mix. We know our educators have all gone above and beyond this year whether in an in-person or hybrid classroom, or entirely online, the governor said. The decision could have limited impact. The vasty majority of New Jersey teachers have received positive reviews even with student performance included in their rating. 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. 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. An investigation was launched Monday afternoon after a welfare check at an Audubon home lead to the discovery of a couple dead inside, police said. Police were called a home on Oakland Avenue around 1 p.m. after someone who performed a welfare check at the home after not hearing from the Audubon couple since Saturday found them dead, according to a statement from the Camden County Prosecutors Office and the Audubon Police. Detectives found a woman, Jane Venable, 64, dead inside from visible injuries and a man, Kevin Venable, 63, dead from a gunshot wound, the office said. Their deaths remained under investigation Monday evening, and authorities said there was no active threat to the community. Anyone with information was asked to call Camden County Prosecutors Office Detective Kevin Courtney at 856-397-6770 or Audubon Police Detective Justin Tracy at 856-547-1171. Tips can also be emailed to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org. 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. Researchers reporting in Current Biology on January 11 have discovered that invasive brown tree snakes living on Guam can get around in a way that had never been seen before. The discovery of the snake's lasso-like locomotion for climbing their way up smooth vertical cylinders has important implications, both for understanding the snakes and for conservation practices aimed at protecting birds from them. "Our most important finding is a new mode of snake locomotion," says co-senior author Julie Savidge of Colorado State University (CSU). "Only four major types have been recognized for nearly 100 years, and we have discovered a fifth mode." The discovery of a fifth mode of locomotion--in additional to the known rectilinear, lateral undulation, sidewinding, and concertina modes--was a matter of serendipity. Savidge was working on a project aimed at protecting the nests of Micronesia starlings, one of only two native forest species still remaining on Guam. People accidentally introduced the nocturnal snakes to Guam in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Shortly thereafter, bird populations started to decline. It's now recognized that the invasive snakes have decimated forest bird populations on the island. They are also responsible for extensive damage and many power outages across the island each year. "Most of the native forest birds are gone on Guam," says Savidge. "There's a relatively small population of Micronesian starlings and another cave-nesting bird that have survived in small numbers." "Understanding what brown tree snakes can and cannot climb has direct implications for designing barriers to reduce the dispersal and some of the deleterious effects of this highly invasive species," says co-senior author Bruce Jayne of the University of Cincinnati. "For example," adds Thomas Seibert, also at CSU, "given that brown tree snakes can use lasso locomotion to defeat poles or cylinders of a certain size, we can design baffles to better protect bird houses used for restoring some of Guam's birds." In the new study, the researchers were attempting to use a three-foot long metal baffle to keep the brown tree snakes from climbing up to bird boxes. The same baffles have been used to keep other snakes and raccoons away from nest boxes in the yards of birdwatchers. But, they soon found, their ability to deter brown tree snakes was rather short lived. "We didn't expect that the brown tree snake would be able to find a way around the baffle," Seibert says. "Initially, the baffle did work, for the most part. Martin Kastner, a CSU biologist, and I had watched about four hours of video and then all of a sudden, we saw this snake form what looked like a lasso around the cylinder and wiggle its body up. We watched that part of the video about 15 times. It was a shocker. Nothing I'd ever seen compares to it." Jayne explains that snakes typically climb steep, smooth branches or pipes using concertina locomotion, bending sideways to grip in at least two places. But lasso locomotion is different. Using the loop of the "lasso," the snakes form a single gripping region. By recording and carefully analyzing high-resolution video of this new climbing method, the researchers found that the snakes have these little bends within the loop of the lasso. Those bends allow them to advance upwards slowly, by shifting the location of each bend. That's not to say this way of climbing isn't a struggle for the snakes. In the process of their lasso locomotion, the researchers observed the snakes moving quite slowly. They also slip often, stop to rest, and breathe heavily. "Even though they can climb using this mode, it is pushing them to the limits," Jayne says. Savidge and Seibert say they hope to continue with the development of a baffle that brown tree snakes can't get around, which could then be used on Guam for bird restoration. Jayne plans to further test what brown tree snakes can and cannot traverse. He also wants to test the limits of the locomotor abilities of other snake species and learn more about the anatomy and physiology involved. ### This work benefited from U.S. Navy, Joint Region Marianas funding for research on Micronesian starlings. Current Biology, Savidge et al.: "A novel mode of locomotion expands the climbing abilities of snakes" https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(20)31763-2 The frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions and climate events have significantly affected both human life and the natural environment. Holding capacity for atmospheric water vapor has been increasing due to global warming, and that leads to the escalation of water and/or energy circulation. That causes noticeable changes in the occurrence of precipitation extremes. A recent study by Dr. Qin Peihua and his colleagues from the IAP or the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinse Academy of Sciences investigates precipitation extremes in modern-day China using the RegCM4 regional climate model and GC or the Global Climate Models. The two models took part in the CMIP5 or the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. Qin and his team assessed data based on the joint performance of the CMIP5 and RegCM4 to demonstrate an extreme precipitation simulation in the current era. According to the study's results, there is a significantly high chance that four Chinese subregions would probably experience an increase in precipitation extremes in the nearest possible future; mid-future or MF: 2039-2058 and distant far-future or FF: 2079-2098. Those are relatively based on the RF period on both the CMIP5 ensemble mean and the RCM ensemble mean. The ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) secular (non-seasonal) trends in the extremes were predicted to increase from 2008 to 2098. The researchers also quantified the increasing rates of precipitation changes in the mid-future and far-future periods in the four Chinese subregions according to the changes in temperature of the air surface. "Finally, based on the water vapor equation, we find changes in precipitation extremes in China for the MF and FF periods have a positive correlation with changes in the atmospheric vertical wind multiplied by changes in surface specific humidity," said Qin. "This finding might help understand and predict precipitation extremes better." How can Global Warming affect Earth's precipitation? Changes in precipiation happen to be among the most critical factors in determining the holistic effect of global warming. A warmer atmospheric temperature can hold more moisture, and globally water vapor will increase by 7% for every significant heat spike. This way, this event will translate into global precipitation changes is murky at best. But, the total rainfall volume is likely to increase by 1-2% per degree of warming. Many evidence shows that some wet regions are already getting wetter. On the other hand, dry areas are also getting dries. The climate and weather extremes are direly increasing. Related Article: Study: Global Temperatures Will Rise By 2 Degrees Due to Gases Released Climate and Weather Prediction Among the types of precipitation, rainfall is the most difficult to predict. It is the changes in weather patterns that make expecting rain patterns particularly difficult. In a 2011 climate change article, weather scientists discussed that it would take time before the technology to do so would even be possible. Fortunately, because of the modern age's rapid technological advancements, that far-future possibility has been closer to our hands. A clear example of such improvement is the fact that Dr. Gin Peihua was able to conduct such a study that gave him a relatively confident result. Also Read: Earth 'Net Zero': The Race to Stabilize Global Heat Spikes For more news update about the climate change and similar topics, don't forget to follow Nature World News! The HAECO Group is one of the world's leading aircraft engineering and maintenance service providers. HAECO ITM provides services ranging from flexible inventory pooling options, Power-By-The-Hour support services and repair management to ad-hoc loans, exchanges and worldwide AOG support. With extensive component engineering and airline operating experience and strong in-house repair capabilities, HAECO ITM offers customised, innovative and cost-effective component management solutions with guaranteed service level and high-quality component maintenance at competitive cost, ensuring customer fleet performance and technical dispatch reliability whilst providing cost visibility. "Last year was difficult for the industry and we were able to work closely with our clients to create solutions for them through multiple large acquisitions," said Brandon Wesson, executive Vice President of Sales for AvAir. "We're pleased to continue our momentum into the new year with this partnership and expand our offering for customers." With this transaction, AvAir will add over 2,000 rotable components including IDG's, Starters and Avionics for Airbus A320. The entire stock will be added to AvAir's growing Dublin facility to support their A320 customers in the region. "HAECO ITM has been able to optimise and right size its rotable holding over the last few months with consolidation and improvements in our analytics and supply chain. We are happy to have found a partner in AvAir that is known for strategic solutions; and they delivered just that with our agreement," said Graham Air, Head of Asset Management and Trading for HAECO ITM. "It was great to work with a team who focused on our needs and how to meet them." "Our facility in Dublin has been key to providing timely service to our clients in the Eastern hemisphere," said Fjalar Scott, AvAir's vice president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "This acquisition adds more in-stock inventory to our growing list of components to ensure immediate deliverability." AvAir offers customized solutions for customers and suppliers to buy, sell, exchange, loan, lease or consign more than 26 million in-stock aircraft parts. The company is ISO 9001, AS9120 and ASA 100 certified, and adheres to the highest quality standards in all phases. CONTACT: Amanda Moore, amoore@evolveprandmarketing.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1396965/AvAir_Headquarters.jpg Related Links http://www.avair.aero SOURCE AvAir Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 23:29:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Monday that Russia and the United States should extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) and adjust their nuclear doctrines. "During the election campaign, he (Joe Biden) said that the treaty should be extended. However, this, I believe, is only the first step," Gorbachev said in an interview with RIA Novosti news agency. "It is necessary to agree on further reductions. It is important to negotiate and adjust their nuclear doctrines," he added. Gorbachev said that Russia and the United States should shift to a no-first-use nuclear policy rather than the current one based on limitations. In 2010, Washington and Moscow signed the New START, which stipulates limits to the numbers of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems by both. The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers, will expire on Feb. 5. Enditem .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... The acts of insurrection and sedition that unfolded in the seat of our nations republic are the result of a long and developing escalation of dangerous rhetoric, lies and half-truths from the Trump administration. The events that transpired in our nations Capitol should not be a surprise to anyone paying attention over the past four years, and as a former lifelong Republican, they will remain part of the shameful legacy of a failed presidency, a political party that abandoned its values and an electorate that obliged. As a former Republican political staffer, I was attracted to the GOP as a young Latino from a small New Mexico community. The party represented law and order, simple family values and the party of Lincoln that brought our nation back from the brink. The party was attractive to young men and women like myself who believed in lower taxes and a strong national defense coupled with a commonsense, passionate approach to immigration; policies that worked to ensure anyone could achieve the American dream through hard work and self-determination. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ As the past four years continued to unfold and the slow decline of American political and economic influence waned around the world, any semblance of leadership eroded, along with the reverence once signified by the Oval Office and the leader who occupied that office. Despite few accomplishments touted by both administration spin doctors and the Republican Party, the legacy of both will forever be one of divisiveness and an inability to unite the nation during crisis. Charlottesville provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and understanding, but instead, the nation witnessed the continued propensity of the administration to engage in and defend racist rhetoric; the utter failure to uphold the ideals of the American promise through the cold and dispassionate separation and deaths of migrant children being held in inhumane and barbaric conditions on U.S. soil; the third U.S. president to be impeached; the deaths of more than 230,000 Americans due to a lack of action in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, rejecting science and engaging in a misinformation campaign to rally his base in a scheme to cover up the administrations gross mishandling of the pandemic; and in the final days of his presidency, the unprecedented actions of questioning the legitimacy of a national election, even before the polls opened, and stoking the flames that ultimately led to the acts of sedition that followed the shameful desecration of our sacred halls of government incited by the president of the United States. As the final certification of the Electoral College neared, Republican members of Congress prepared an attempt to overturn the election, using the false and debunked accusation of mass, nationwide voter fraud. Its worth mentioning these members were elected on the same ballots, using the same machines they were prepared to challenge and invalidate, although its certain their seats were not impacted by the fraud they claim permeated our national election. The party of Lincoln and the Civil Rights Act have failed the nation through its unapologetic defense of the undefendable. Only now, as members of Congress were hastily evacuated through tunnels dawning gas masks as MAGA stormed their halls with zip ties and weapons, are Republican legislators finally breaking with their leader. For many, including myself, their unabashed support and abandonment of our national values and moral compass makes these hollow statements too little, too late. I and many others remain angry but hopeful for a revitalization of our national soul under President-elect Joe Biden. Wednesday, January 6, 2021, a day of national disgrace and heartbreak. POTTSVILLE After nearly five decades of seeing patients of the four-legged variety, a Pottsville area veterinarian will retire. Dr. Sara Thornton will leave Schuylkill Veterinary Hospital at the end of business Friday and Dr. Jessica Walters will take over the operation the following Monday and rename it River Run Veterinary Hospital. I will miss the animals and the challenge of medicine, Thornton said in an interview Friday at the animal hospital. Its like putting together a puzzle. She began work on June 1, 1983, when the operation was along North Second Street in the city. It moved to its current location along Route 61 in North Manheim Township in February 1987, and Thornton has been its owner since that year. Beyond animal care, Schuylkill Veterinary Hospital offers a K-9 learning center for puppies and dogs, behavior services and surgeries. While Thornton has primarily treated dogs and cats, she has also cared for pocket animals, such as hamsters and guinea pigs. A native of Hampton Roads, Virginia, Thornton, 62, received undergraduate degrees in biology from Virginia Tech, degrees in animal and poultry sciences from Tuskegee University and a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree from Tuskegee University. She came to Pennsylvania when she took a summer job at a pharmaceutical company in Bucks County while in veterinary school and chose to practice in Schuylkill County for its proximity to larger areas. I wanted a rural area with access to big cities and this job came open, she said. I put a compass on a map and did a circle and looked for jobs in that circle. This (job) was one that was available. Generations of pets She said the biggest highlight of working at Schuylkill Veterinary Hospital has been her relationship with clients, many of whom have been taking their animals to her since the early 1980s. Ive taken care of generations of their pets, she said, many of which she remembers. Saying goodbye to those people is really hard. One longtime client sent her a card with photos of each of their six animals she has cared for over the years. In addition to Thornton, the animal hospital has eight full- and part-time employees, three of whom have worked for her for more than 30 years: Jackie Clay, 32 years; Kathy Lischman, 36 1/2 years; and Karen Sippel, 30 years. One employee, Margaret DiMarcello, retired at the end of December after 19 years, but the others will remain. Clay said working at the animal hospital has been a good road and is proud of Thornton. Shes been an outstanding animal doctor, she said. The employees arent the only ones clients see when coming to the animal hospital. Over the years, she has brought in her dogs, beginning with a Labrador Retriever named Tiger. More recently, her Labrador Retrievers, Orchid and Bling, both retired show dogs, have greeted them. Over the years, she worked with 10 other veterinarians but has been the only one in the operation for the past few years. Thornton also bred and entered Labradors in competitions from 1995 until last year. In addition, she is an American Kennel Club judge of Labradors at dog shows throughout the tri-state area, which she plans to continue in her retirement, in addition to spending time with family and friends residing outside the area, and the animals at her North Manheim Township home. Besides Orchid and Bling, Thornton has a houseful of cats, some of which she shows at cat shows, and two quarter horses, Dir and Kitty. Im a horse girl, she said. I showed horses growing up. On to the next step Thornton said she will miss figuring out how to treat animals. Its been an adventure, but Im looking forward to the next adventure, she said. Born and raised in Auburn, Walters, 40, is a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School. She received her associate degree in equine science from Delaware Valley University, a bachelor of science degree from East Carolina University and her doctor in veterinary medicine degree from Ross Universitys School of Veterinary Medicine. She has been a practicing veterinarian for eight years, five of which were in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been working at Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Center in Shillington for three years. Her ownership of the animal hospital will mark the first time she is in charge of her own facility. Im really excited, she said Friday. Im excited to have the opportunity to offer more services. Monday, January 11, 2021 From NPR: The Massachusetts state Senate joined the state House of Representatives Tuesday in passing legislation that enshrines abortion rights in state law and expands access to 16-year-olds. The move by the two chambers overrides Gov. Charlie Baker's veto of the measure last week. The ROE Act, as it's called, will allow abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases with a fatal fetal anomaly and in instances when a physician deems it necessary "to preserve the patient's physical or mental health." It also lowers the age at which individuals can seek an abortion without the consent of a parent or a judge from 18 to 16. Read more here. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/family_law/2021/01/ma-expands-abortion-rights.html Financial technology company and platform, Stripe, decided to stop processing payments for the Trump campaign website after the Capitol siege on Wednesday. Stripe Stops Trump Campaign Website More technology platforms decided to stop Pres. Trump's websites after the Capitol siege on Wednesday where hundreds of Trump supporters went to the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of the results of the recent Presidential election. Newsmax reports that financial technology company and platform Stripe will no longer process payments for the Trump campaign website. This was first reported in The Wall Street Journal, according to the people familiar with the decision of Stripe. Stripe handles card payments for online businesses and it was reported that the move of the technology company to stop processing payment for Trump's website was made due to violations of inciting violence. This is also the main reason for other technology companies stopping Trump's online sites and pages. Read also: Google, Apple Suspend 'Free Speech' Parler App in Wake of Capitol Riot It is stated in the company's user agreement that they are refusing to accept payments for "high-risk" activities, including "engages in, encourages, promotes or celebrates unlawful violence or physical harm to persons or property," according to its website. On the other hand, Pres. Donald Trump released a video statement Wednesday night telling the rioters to go home. He described them as "special people," In a minute-long video, he said "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." Meanwhile, it was also reported that it is not only the Trump website Stripe decided to stop but also included shutting down payments for Gab.com after a gunman killed 11 people in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018. Twitter Suspended Trump's Account After the riot and Trump supporters take over the Capitol, Twitter permanently suspended Pres. Donald Trump's account on Friday, according to a published report in CNET. The social media company said that the action was made because of the "the risk of further incitement of violence." Pres. Trump's Twitter account was first temporarily locked on Wednesday. The account has more than 88 million followers. Read also: Twitter Permanently Suspends Accounts of Trump, Flynn, and Powell Twitter later blocked users from engaging with the post and flagged it with the following message: "This claim of election fraud is disputed, and this Tweet can't be replied to, Retweeted, or liked due to a risk of violence," according to a report in CBS Baltimore. The company also stated to explain the reason for their decision. It said they are working proactively to protect the health of the public conversation occurring on the service and will take action on any content that violates the Twitter Rules with regards to the situation in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Twitter added, "In addition, we have been significantly restricting engagement with Tweets labeled under our Civic Integrity Policy due to the risk of violence. This means these labeled Tweets will not be able to be replied to, Retweeted, or liked." . A 40-year-old commercial driver identified as Ernest Kwabena Afrani has allegedly committed suicide in the early hours of Thursday, January 7, 2021, at Gbetsile in the Kpone- Katamanso municipality. Confirming the incident to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Rahim Yahaya, Assembly Member for the Gbetsile electoral area, revealed that, the deceased was found dead hanging in a kiosk leaving behind a wife, and four children. According to the Assemblymember, he received a distress call Thursday morning at about 07:00 hours and he quickly moved to the scene and informed the Gbetsile Police about the incident. Mr. Yahaya added that, the traditional authorities were also invited to perform the needed rituals to pave the way for the Police to convey the body from the scene to the morgue for investigations to commence. According to the Assembly Member, it was not clear what may have pushed the man to allegedly take his life. "His death still remains a mystery". Ms. Abigail Tettey, neighbour of the deceased, stated that he had battled with some illness for some few weeks but was responding to treatment. She added that she was unable to unravel what might have triggered the incident, adding that, "I am terrified". The corpse has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary pending autopsy. 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 - Customer Account growth up 4x vs December - - Average number of trades per day have increased to 22,000 from 6,700 in December - CSE: VYGR OTCQB: VYGVF Borse Frankfurt: UCD2 NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Voyager Digital Ltd. ("Voyager" or the "Company") (CSE: VYGR) (OTCQB: VYGVF) (FRA: UCD2), a publicly-traded, licensed crypto-asset broker that provides investors with a turnkey solution to trade crypto assets, today announced that Assets Under Management (AUM) have surpassed USD$350 million, a 52% increase from USD$230 million at year end. The Company is also updating stakeholders with the following key metrics as of January 10, 2021: Average daily net deposits exceed USD$5 million , up from approximately USD$1 million per day in December , up from approximately per day in December Average daily new funded accounts have grown 4x vs the December run rate as the Company has increased its funded accounts by 25% since December 31 Principal Value Traded has increased 4x to USD$20 million per day from USD$5 million per day in December per day from per day in December Trading velocity has increased to approximately 1.25x-1.5x AUM on a monthly basis vs a historic turnover rate of .75x-1x AUM Trading spreads to date continue to track above 50 basis points "We are extremely excited at the expedited growth in our business over the last few weeks, as indicated by our January to date metrics," said Steve Ehrlich, Co-founder and CEO of Voyager. "As mainstream adoption of digital assets continues to accelerate, Voyager gains market share through customer acquisition, international expansion and product expansion, driving shareholder value. Additionally, in times of volatile markets, as can happen with this asset class, we see an increased amount of trading which increases many of the key metrics. Voyager is well-positioned in this dynamic, rapidly growing industry." For more information on Voyager Digital, please visit https://www.investvoyager.com . The Voyager app is available for Android and iPhone . About Voyager Digital Ltd. Voyager Digital Ltd. is a crypto-asset broker that provides retail and institutional investors with a turnkey solution to trade crypto assets. Voyager offers customers best execution and safe custody on a wide choice of popular crypto-assets. Voyager was founded by established Wall Street and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who teamed to bring a better, more transparent and cost-efficient alternative for trading crypto-assets to the marketplace. Please visit us at https://www.investvoyager.com for more information and to review the latest Corporate Presentation. 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. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. Certain information in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding future growth and performance of the business, momentum in the businesses, future adoption of digital assets and the Company's anticipated results may constitute forward looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements), which can be identified by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "intend," "continue" or "believe" (or the negatives) or other similar variations. Because of various risks and uncertainties, including those referenced below, actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are subject to the risk that the global economy, industry or the Company's businesses and investments do not perform as anticipated, that revenue or expenses estimates may not be met or may be materially less or more than those anticipated, that trading momentum does not continue or the demand for trading solutions declines, customer acquisition does not increase as planned, product and international expansion do not occur as planned and those other risks contained in the Company's public filings, including in its Management Discussion and Analysis and its Annual Information Form (AIF). Factors that could cause actual results of the Company and its businesses to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, a decline in the digital asset market or general economic conditions; the failure or delay in the adoption of digital assets and the blockchain ecosystem by institutions; a delay or failure in developing infrastructure for the trading businesses or achieving mandates and gaining traction; failure to grow assets under management, an adverse development with respect to an issuer or party to the transaction or failure to obtain a required regulatory approval. In connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made assumptions that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business and that current trends in respect of digital assets continue. Forward-looking statements, past and present performance and trends are not guarantees of future performance, accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, past performance or current trends. Information identifying assumptions, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company are contained in its filings with the Canadian securities regulators available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements in this press release are applicable only as of the date of this release or as of the date specified in the relevant forward-looking statement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after that date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned that past performance is not indicative of future performance and current trends in the business and demand for digital assets may not continue and readers should not put undue reliance on past performance and current trends. All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. SOURCE Voyager Digital (Canada) Ltd. The 64-year-old Bharatiya Kisan Union chief, who hails from Kurukshetra's Chaduni Jatan, had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Assembly polls from the Ladwa seat Hours after he was forced to cancel his appearance at a 'kisan mahapanchayat' in Haryana's Karnal district, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar accused Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni of "instigating the violence". Chaduni, 64, hails from Kurukshetra district's Chaduni Jatan village. He unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Assembly election from Kurukshetra's Ladwa constituency. He described himself as an agriculturist and commission agent in his 2019 poll affidavit. I could not clear Class 10 because of the pressure of agriculture works at our fields. In 1992, BKU leaders had come to my village looking for volunteers to join the farmers stir. The villagers handed me over to them. Thats how my journey started in the farmers agitation, he told Indian Express. After the 9 December talks between protesting farmers and the Centre were cancelled, he spoke on behalf of the farmers and reiterated that there was no question of withdrawing from the two issues which are legal guarantee for MSP and repealing of the farm laws. His statement came after the government agreed to drop penal provisions against farmers in an ordinance relating to stubble burning and to put on hold a proposed electricity amendment law. Chaduni, part of seven-member committee of farmer union leaders formed to devise strategies for talks with the Centre in December, was also instrumental in getting farmers from Bihar to join the agitation in the north. Soon after his Patna visit, Bihar Kisan Manch president Dhirendra Singh Tuddu announced that farmers will hold three-day protest in Patna from 5 January before moving to Delhi in trains. Chaduni continued to blame the government for misleading farmers on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as agitating farmers continued to intensify the stir. Speaking from the Tikri border in December, Chaduni said, "One thing the BJP is spreading [sic] that MSP will be given. The government is misleading everyone on MSP. Home minister Amit Shah replied to us during the 8 December meet that they can't buy all 23 crops at MSP as its costs Rs 17 lakh crore." In November, Haryana Police booked Chaduni for rioting and attempt to murder as he gave a call to the protesting farmers to dismantle all barricades. Chaduni has been the main face of the farmers agitation in Haryana against three farm laws. The FIR has been lodged in connection with the farmers movement to Delhi from Ambala, during which they broken police barricades. In October, he was booked for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, promoting enmity between different groups and provoking the breach of peace. The FIR, at the Shahabad police station of Kurukshetra district, was booked soon after Chaduni, who led the agitation against three contentious farm laws in Haryana, called on the farmers to burn Modis effigies on Dussehra. Under Chaduni, farmers had started protesting as early as July, with as many as 15,000 farmers protesting under his leadership on 20 July atop tractors. Chaduni has also led protests on issues like procurement price of paddy. The BKU in September had called on farmers to block roads in front of mandis to protest against the conditions imposed for procurement of paddy . The procurement cap was later increased. He also led a sit-in protest inside the waters of the flooded Begna river in Ambala district for five days in August 2019 for the release of dues of sugarcane farmers and had ended the agitation only after the government agreed to release the dues of Rs 70 crore. Chaduni and other farmers had also climbed an 80-feet-tall water tank in July 2019 to demand purchase of the entire sunflower crop. He alighted only after the government agreed to purchase the entire produce of the farmers. "Yes, we didn't allow Khattar sahab to hold the rally in Karnal. BJP said that they will hold 700 rallies to break our movement and we will protest against such BJP rallies," an undaunted Chaduni 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. Scenes from Quebec Saturday night paint a haunting picture of a snow-covered province coming under a police states supposed attempt of controlling a highly infectious virus, a task which many argue can not possibly be achieved through state sanctions on personal freedom. Saturday marked the first night of the Provinces new curfew put in place by Premier Francois Legault that will punish those outside their home for reasons unacceptable to the government between the hours 8 p.m-5 a.m. Those in violation of the public sanitation order will face fines up to $6,000 Canadian (US$4,728). Videos shared by Canadians on social media show police in siren-blasting vehicles moving through neighborhoods as the curfew came into effect. Police cars are driving through neighborhoods, sirens blaring, scanning for dissidents to arrest. $6,000 fines enough to destroy families, Rebel News Ezra Levant reported. MARTIAL LAW: The province of Quebec, Canada is now under police rule. Every night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. no-one is allowed onto the streets. Police cars are driving through neighborhoods, sirens blaring, scanning for dissidents to arrest. $6,000 fines enough to destroy families. pic.twitter.com/PkixRIyxIc Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) January 10, 2021 Another police car, siren blaring, driving through residential neighborhoods with the sole purpose of terrifying the public into submission. A far greater infringement of civil liberties than the FLQ crisis 50 year ago, Levant said. Another police car, siren blaring, driving through residential neighborhoods with the sole purpose of terrifying the public into submission. A far greater infringement of civil liberties than the FLQ crisis 50 year ago. pic.twitter.com/bCdP2NPTsQ Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) January 10, 2021 Other videos report to show police pulling people over for being outside of their homes after 8p.m. SWAT TEAM CHECKPOINTS: In Quebec, Canada, cars are being randomly pulled over by heavily armed police enforcing the 8 p.m. curfew. #MartialLaw #WarMeasuresAct2 pic.twitter.com/21jfIAl0OF Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) January 10, 2021 While I was walking my dogs, I witnessed the #Montreal #police pull over a car for the crime of being out past the 8 p.m. curfew. The police tried to obstruct my ability to film them by flashing their flash lights into my phones camera.#1984IsHere #Quebec #quebeccurfew #SPVM pic.twitter.com/NtLrgY3cp0 Marie O (@TheMarieOakes) January 10, 2021 Another video circulating shows a Quebecois being asked for his personal documents and threatened with arrest for being outside with his children. Footage from a Quebec resident shows police confronting him and his kid after curfew. After showing the cop his papers, the officer slaps the recording phone out of his hand and threaten him with arrest. This isn't about "Public Safety" anymore, it's about compliance. @grcqc pic.twitter.com/K6jlXD6ubY Efron Monsanto (@monsanto2000) January 10, 2021 Some residents decided to deliberately break the new rules by marching in protest through a Montreal neighborhood. Small group of protesters marching through Montreals plateau district as curfew takes effect. pic.twitter.com/8NlSjuKG4y Giuseppe Valiante (@Gvaliante) January 10, 2021 After the province reported over 3,000 daily COVID-19 cases for the first time ever this week, Premier Legault said a shock treatment was needed to curb the virus spread. The situation is critical and a shock treatment is needed, Legault said Saturday. Our hospitals are filling with COVID-19 patients. Hundreds of people are in intensive care, fighting for their lives. Tens of people die every day. CTV News reports that over 200 tickets were issued across the province during the curfews first night with 17 tickets issued to protesters and 84 tickets given for general non-compliance in Montreal alone. Under the new rules, acceptable reasons for being outside include: People going to and coming from work, or a work-related activity. Parents picking up teenagers from work. People going to or coming from an education activity at a recognized school such as a night class or lab. People who work in the transportation of goods sector. People who are providing necessary health services to someone else, or attending the bedside of a sick family member. The rather dystopic scenes from Saturday come after a viral video spread on social media of Quebec police busting an illegal family gathering on Dec. 31 at a home in Gatineau. Police would slap everyone in the home with $1,500 fines for ignoring public safety health orders against gatherings. Il faut que ca devienne viral. RT en masse les amis. La lumiere doit etre fait sur cet evenement. pic.twitter.com/nnxsGcQcOn Nusakan le recalcitrant (@Nusakan007) January 1, 2021 Nighttime curfews have also been put into effect in recent months in the Czech Republic, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Greece, India, France, California, and Ohio. In the two weeks since Gov. Kate Brown announced the state would reduce its role in deciding whether schools can open for in-person instruction and throw that decision to local school boards, families in most Portland-area districts have been left with more questions than answers on when their children might return to school. So far, signs suggest most Portland-area students are unlikely to get to go back to in-person class for most or even all of the remaining school year, even as Oregon officials tout that the state has among the lowest infection rates and death rates in the nation. The Lake Oswego School District announced last week that its elementary students, but not older students, will almost certainly return to classrooms in February. On the flip side, North Clackamas officials said theyll stick to distance learning for students in all grades indefinitely. Beaverton district officials on Friday said their preliminary plans include bringing students in second grade and younger back four days a week for 2 1/2 hour sessions, half in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. But officials gave families no date for when theyll launch those in-person sessions and said offering in-person instruction for middle- and high-school students under the states current rules is all but impossible. Thats because the Oregon Department of Education requires schools to give each student and teacher 35 square feet of unshared space inside classrooms and also mandates that students not come into contact with more than 100 other people during the school week. Our tentative plan is to have all secondary students remain online in comprehensive distance learning, district spokesperson Shellie Bailey-Shah wrote in a release. However, we are considering offering limited in-person instruction for students with disabilities, emerging bilingual students and students without reliable internet connectivity. She also said high schools might arrange for students to come to school in small groups to take part in clubs, college prep activities and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities to help teens overcome isolation amid the pandemic. Bailey-Shah and Portland Public Schools spokesperson Karen Werstein both said their districts are urging the Department of Education to revise its reopening guidelines but did not specify how. Employees in schools across the Portland district have tinkered with classroom layouts throughout the year to preview how in-person instruction might go according to the states current rules. But teachers who work at various Portland Public Schools campuses have highlighted ways in which their classrooms are ill-equipped to provide a safe learning environment as coronavirus that spreads through close contact and airborne particles surges through the state and nation. In November, representatives of the teachers union toured Woodmere Elementary in Southeast Portland and came away saying the building lacked adequate ventilation to safely return and expressing skepticism students would follow public health protocols. The union bargaining team in a note to members wrote that students would be forced to function like little machines to be able to keep proper distancing as well as continually wear masks and follow hand-washing protocols. Union leaders in Portland and other large districts have staunchly resisted a mandate to teach in person. Earlier this week, representatives from the five largest teachers unions in the state criticized the governors move to loosen the Department of Educations role in reopenings, calling Browns timeline for bringing back elementary students arbitrary and the about-face short-sighted. The fact that Oregons case numbers have remained lower than those of much of the country is a testament to the efficacy of the policies that have been in place, union presidents wrote. It is short-sighted and dangerous to use the success of these policies as justification for pulling the legs out from under them just as the vaccine is beginning to be distributed. The union leaders demanded teachers get vaccination priority and access to testing before their members return to classrooms. They also said schools must deploy more custodians to ramp up cleaning and medical personnel to monitor symptomatic students in isolation. We are unwilling to recklessly reopen schools after working so hard to minimize the impact of the pandemic in our state, the union leaders wrote. Brown and state schools chief Colt Gill addressed some of those concerns Friday, reiterating earlier announcements that teachers will follow health care workers in the next round of vaccinations. The states emergency board on Friday said it will provide the Department of Education with $325 million in federal funds to disburse to districts across the state to help with reopening schools. That money may be used for such things as ventilation upgrades and to hire educators to curb learning loss. Still, officials in many districts remain hesitant to move forward with reopening as long as the states school reopening benchmarks are not relaxed, even though the metrics are no longer mandatory. Previously, schools in the metro area could not offer in-person instruction for students across all grade levels if their infection rates in their county were higher than 50 per 100,000 residents and test positivity was more than 5% for two consecutive weeks. For students in elementary grades, those metrics were slightly relaxed: 100 infections per 100,000 residents and test positivity of 8% or lower. Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties have all registered infections of more than 300 per 100,000 residents for the last month. The Oregon School Boards Association this week warned districts against ushering students back into classrooms if their counties dont currently meet those benchmarks. Executive Director Jim Green said doing so might negate liability protections passed by the Legislature in December. Although the states guidelines are no longer a regulatory hurdle, Green urged school boards to move cautiously. Gill, the state schools chief, said Friday the state will likely revise those metrics Jan. 19. --Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook Eder is The Oregonians education reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email ecampuzano@oregonian.com. Albuquerque, NM, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As businesses explore options for expansion in the new year, one important factor keeps rising to the top of the list low-cost renewable energy. Hundreds of companies have already committed to an aggressive shift to utilize only renewable energy; others are quickly following suit. According to the RE100s 2020 annual report, 75 percent of member companies are looking to go 100 percent renewable by 2030. For many others, they are looking for renewable energy options that are both good for business and the environment. In 2019, New Mexico signed off on the landmark Energy Transition Act, which increases the states overall Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) target to 100 percent of electricity sales from carbon-free generation by 2045, up from the previous target of 20 percent renewable generation by 2020. Concurrently with that passage, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), the largest electrical utility provider in the state, committed to holding a zero-carbon portfolio by 2040. A key economic development strategy for PNM is to offer new large-scale customers a unique build-your-own approach to its energy costs and programs. Green Energy Rider No. 47 tariff is of greatest interest to companies like those in the RE100 which minimizes the exposure to volatility of wholesale market pricing by developing a predictable pricing structure that accurately forecasts costs. Its a green tariff that offers predictable costs based upon the companys needs. This green tariff is one of the reasons why Facebook chose to open a data center in Los Lunas, NM. Facebook was looking for a site that could be supported by 100 percent renewable energy. A recent study commissioned by Albuquerque-based public affairs firm Agenda and funded by one of New Mexicos leading solar and energy construction firms, Affordable Solar, supports the argument that the state is well positioned to leverage renewables as an economic development tool. Dale Dekker, Founding Partner of Dekker Perich Sabatinithe regions largest architecture firmis seeing the benefit of renewable energies in his work. In our region, many of our clients see the value of utilizing on-site renewable energy as a way to reduce their operating costs and provide sustainable eco-friendly facilities, said Dekker. The focused efforts of state legislation and partnership with the local electrical utilities is paying dividends now. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratorys (NREL) reporting, New Mexico has the lowest cost of renewable electricity in the U.S. at the grid intersection point and is 19.8 percent below the national average. In addition to ranking first in 50/50 mix of solar and wind generation, New Mexico ranked fourth when considering weighted average of current generation capacity, at 16.78 percent below national average. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) states New Mexicos climate is one of the top three in the nation with the best energy resources. And the state has the nations sixth-largest geothermal potential. Additionally, land acquisition costs are substantially lower in New Mexico than other Rocky Mountain region states. The average pasture per acre in New Mexico is $4.17 compared with neighboring states average of $6.83. Companies such as Kairos Power, which develops advanced reactor technologies for use in the energy sector, have expanded in New Mexico to take advantage of such cost savings, as well as join the vibrant renewable energy ecosystem of Albuquerques 12,700 acre master-planned community, Mesa del Sol. Mesa del Sol, true to its name, has abundant sunshine all year long, with equally abundant locations for generating solar power, said Mesa Del Sol, LLC CEO David S. Campbell. Mesa del Sol was the states first foray into smart grid technology and efficient energy systems through the partnership of Japans NEDO organization and Los Alamos National Labs. Some of the most productive wind farms in the nation are located in New Mexico, said Danielle Casey, President/CEO of Albuquerque Economic Development. This source of power is more affordable than fossil fuels, and our growing transmission infrastructure allows New Mexico to take advantage of this renewable energy resource. Albuquerque and New Mexico boast more than 310 days a year of sunshine making solar options some of the most efficient and powerful in the country. The NREL annual averages show that New Mexico gets between 5 and 5.75 kW/m2 of sunlight per day. As for wind capacity, the American Wind Energy Association places New Mexico in the top ten with 1,953 megawatts of wind energy installed and 1,447 megawatts in construction or development. In 2019, wind energy provided about 19.6 percent of New Mexicos in-state electricity production, ranking the state seventh in the country. When you add to the equation a motivated workforce and low cost of living, Albuquerque and New Mexico will rise to the top of the list for site selectors looking for a location that has it all, Casey added. About AED AED is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to recruit business and industry, help local companies grow and generate quality job opportunities throughout the Albuquerque metro area. AED provides confidential assistance to businesses considering the area for expansion and new investment. Since its creation in 1960, AED has recruited more than 250 companies and more than 35,000 jobs to the Albuquerque metro area. AED also provides retention and expansion assistance to existing industry. For more information about AED, visit www.abq.org. US First lady Melania Trump said Monday that she is 'disappointed and disheartened' by the deadly riot at the Capitol last week by supporters of her husband US President Donald Trump. But in breaking her silence, Melania Trump also lashed out at people she said have used the tragic event to spread "salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks and false and misleading accusations about me." The statement marked the first lady's first public comment in the five days since a violent mob of Trump supporters, angry over Trump's election loss and stirred up by the president himself, stormed the Capitol on Wednesday and temporarily disrupted proceedings certifying that Democrat Joe Biden will be the next president come January 20. "I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week," she wrote in a White House blog post released before sunrise. "I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda." The first lady did not say who she was referring to. Last week, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, the first lady's former friend and one-time assistant at the White House, wrote an editorial accusing Mrs Trump of being 'complicit in the destruction of America'. Their friendship ended bitterly after Wolkoff, who had worked on arranging festivities for Trump's inauguration in 2017, said the first lady failed to defend her after questions arose about inaugural spending, now the subject of federal and congressional investigations. In the post on Monday, the first lady said, "This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain. Our Nation must heal in a civil manner," she wrote. "Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation's Capitol. Violence is never acceptable." She also urged people to stop the violence, not judge people by the colour of their skin or "use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness." She made no comment about her husband or his role in encouraging his supporters to go to the Capitol. Trump has spent the weeks after losing the November 2020 US presidential contest spreading baseless claims that the balloting was tainted by massive fraud and that the election was stolen from him. Numerous state and federal officials, including former US Attorney General William Barr, said there was no evidence of fraud on a scale massive enough to have affected the outcome. Trump encouraged his supporters to flock to Washington last Wednesday, the day set for Congress to certify the presidential vote. After addressing a rally near the White House in which he encouraged his supporters to keep fighting, they stormed the Capitol. Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died. In the post she said, "As an American, I am proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution. It is one of the paramount ideals which America is fundamentally built on. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right. With that in mind, I would like to call on the citizens of this country to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives." "I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the colour of a persons skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us. It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence. Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are," she added. "Our countrys strength and character have revealed themselves in the communities that have been impacted by natural disasters and throughout this terrible pandemic that has affected all of us. The common thread in all of these challenging situations is Americans unwavering resolve to help one another. Your compassion has shown the true spirit of our country," she stated. "As I said over the summer, it is these defining moments that we will look back and tell our grandchildren that through empathy, strength, and determination, we were able to restore the promise of our future. Each of you are the backbone of this country. You are the people who continue to make the United States of America what it is, and who have the incredible responsibility of preparing our future generations to leave everything better than they found it," Melania also added. She further stated, "It has been the honour of my lifetime to serve as your First Lady. I want to thank the millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past 4 years and shown the incredible impact of the American spirit. I am grateful to you all for letting me serve you on platforms which are dear to me." Live TV The man rebuked by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard for allegedly abusing staff at a north-west Sydney McDonald's after they asked him to provide details for coronavirus contact tracing purposes has been charged by police. Police were called to the fast-food outlet on Windsor Road, Kellyville Ridge, about 8pm on Saturday following reports a man had become aggressive with staff. CCTV footage shows him shoving a sales terminal and other items onto the floor behind the counter where a female worker was standing, and becoming visibly angry. Police will allege in court that the man had started making an order at the counter when staff asked him to complete a COVID-safe check-in, in line with public health orders. 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. Hitman Caolan Smyth has joined a vipers nest of 30 Kinahan assassins and murder plotters behind bars as he awaits sentence for the attempted murder of James Mago Gately. The 28-year-old gang enforcer, found guilty of trying to kill Hutch associate James Mago Gately, joins an army of guns-for-hire and their logistics men who have been swept up in the garda offensive against the mob. Thirty criminals from five different murder cells are now in jail, along with an international hitman and two full-time cartel gunmen who were on retainers to murder. Smyth was a key member of the Gucci Gang but his life spun out of control after his group ran up a 200,000 debt to the Kinahan cartel and didnt have the money to pay it. Smyth first tried to kill Gately to cancel the bill and was later accused of setting up his friend, 22-year-old Sean Little, who was acting as a middle man for the mob and who was shot dead on a roadside in the summer of 2019. Despite being close to a female who is one of Daniel Kinahans most-trusted allies, Smyth was afforded no special write-offs from the mob and has found himself as disposable as the rest who are serving time for their roles in the feud. Expand Close Gucci gangster Caolan Smyth took a lie detector test in order to prove he had nothing to do with the shooting of his pal Sean Little / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gucci gangster Caolan Smyth took a lie detector test in order to prove he had nothing to do with the shooting of his pal Sean Little Read More He will join a long list of guns-for-hire and logistics men who have been jailed in their droves for attempted murders and assassinations in the name of the Kinahan cartel. Thirty siblings, cousins and friends have been caught in a series of undercover operations and investigations which have slowly dismantled the organised crime group. Among them are: Brother and sister Johnny and Regina Keogh, jailed for life for the murder of Gareth Hutch. Cousins Luke and Alan Wilson, serving sentences for conspiracy to kill Gary Hanley. Brothers Patrick and Stephen Curtis and Gary and Glen Thompson, jailed in connection with a failed plot to kill Patsy Hutch. International hitman Imre Arakas, who came to Ireland to pocket 200k for the murder of Mago Gately. Killer James Quinn, who was paid a retainer as a full-time killer for the gang and who is serving more than 20 years in Spain for the murder of Gary Hutch. The mobs top gun for hire in Ireland who is behind bars on a weapons offence but who is the chief suspect in the murder of Noel Duggan, Eddie Hutch and Darren Kearns. The first two kill cells identified in the months after the Regency Hotel attack were run by two north inner city thugs who were introduced to Kinahans inner circle through mutual associates. Johnny Keogh was an INLA bomb maker who grew up in the heart of Hutch territory and was a neighbour of Gareth Hutch. He drafted in his sister Regina, a mother of five, and two of his associates Thomas Tossy Fox and alleged killer Nicky McConnell, who is currently fighting extradition from Turkey for charges relating to the murder. Expand Close Eamon Cumberton with Jonathan Keogh / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eamon Cumberton with Jonathan Keogh Cage fighter Eamon Cumberton was a close friend of Kinahan lieutenant Ross Browning, and was on a mission to make a fortune when he travelled to Lanzarote to kill Gerry The Monk Hutch and later when he donned a Freddie Kruger mask to murder Michael Barr in the Sunset House. He was a north inner city native who turned on his neighbours for a pay day. He is now serving life in prison along with David Hunter, his Liverpool sidekick flown into Dublin for the job. Martin Aylmer got three years for his role in the enterprise, which involved buying six prepaid mobile phones. In court, Justice Tony Hunt said it could not be established that Aylmer knew he was contributing to a murder but must have been apparent to Aylmer that he was assisting in some serious criminal activity. A third cell of would-be killers made up of Alan and Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and cousins Liam Brannigan and Dean Howe are all behind bars too on charges relating to the conspiracy to kill Gary Hanley, a Hutch associate. They stalked their victim for weeks and were recorded as they discussed their plot from surveillance vehicles they parked outside his house. Expand Close Dean Howe and Liam Brannigan were both jailed / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dean Howe and Liam Brannigan were both jailed During his trial, a court heard how Liam Brannigan discussed a conversation he had had with Daniel Kinahan in Dubai as he plotted the murder. Cell number four comprised of a 200,000 enterprise to kill Patsy Hutch, the Monks brother and father of murdered Gary Hutch. The eight man cell was employed to kill Hutch as the Kinahan cartel became more desperate to murder him, and was made up of drug addicts, homeless dropouts and criminals with mental health issues. They included addict Mohammed Smew, slow learner Mark Capper, homeless Michael Burns and director of operations Patrick Curtis, who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder and extreme claustrophobia. Curtiss younger brother Stephen, lookout Ciaran ODriscoll and brothers Gary and Glen Thompson and former soldier Robert Browne were also jailed as part of the hit team, while their overlord, who only contacted them on an encrypted phone and was dubbed Lordnose, has so far not been positively identified in the plot. Expand Close International hitman Imre Arakas / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp International hitman Imre Arakas When Imre Arakas travelled to Ireland, disguised as a fishing enthusiast, he formed a cell in his plot to kill Mago Gately and other members of the Hutch clan who he could target. While mob boss Eric Fowler who arranged for him to be picked up and brought to his home in Blakestown cottages was murdered a week after the Estonian pleaded guilty, two other Kinahan lieutenants are before the courts in connection with the gun plot. Peadar Keating, David Duffy and Douglas Glynn are all before the Special Criminal Court in connection with the plan, while Keating is also charged with directing a criminal organisation. Stephen Fowler, Erics father, is also facing a charge for his involvement in the attempted murder. All four men are believed to have denied involvement in the murder plot. The Hutch-Kinahan feud marked the end of the murderous career of other Kinahan killers including Freddie Thompson, serving life for the murder of David Daithi Douglas, and Glen Clarke, who died accidentally when he shot himself in the face after carrying out the botched murders of innocent tourist Trevor ONeill and homeless man Martin ORourke. Expand Close 'Fat' Freddie Thompson was caged / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 'Fat' Freddie Thompson was caged Read More Investigators probing the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan oversaw the jailing of Jason Keating for his role in tracking the car and have identified the chief suspect who is currently with Daniel Kinahan in Dubai. Kinahan gunman Trevor Byrne got a nine-year sentence before Christmas when a court heard he was arrested in a house with a weapon. It was a miracle that Gately survived the murder attempt by Caolan Smyth as he was shot five times at close range by the 28-year-old, desperate for his big pay day. Following the shooting he teamed up with INLA thug Gerard Mackin as he was frightened he was going to be killed himself and installed a 5,000 reinforced door at his city centre property. His world spiralled out of control as the Kinahan mob put the squeeze on him and others in the Gucci Gang for the debt they were owed. Little was trying to collect the money from the gang on behalf of the cartel when he was killed, and his father Stephen was subsequently jailed for a firearms offence after he was nabbed in a car with a gun, telling gardai: Had you given me another hour, I would have killed that bastard that killed him. Smyth took a lie detector test in order to prove he had nothing to do with the shooting of Little as he ran scared that hed be killed in revenge for the roadside shooting. Iranian Hamid Sanambar was also murdered when he came under suspicion for the gangland double cross. 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. Screenshots of a San Antonio's man's Facebook and business pages are circulating online after a popular TikTok account tied him to being at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The Facebook account owned by Matthew Mazzocco appears to be deleted or deactivated from the site. A LinkedIn account also appears to be scrubbed. Screenshots of the Facebook page list the man as a San Antonio native and resident working in mortgage loans. RELATED: East Texas newspaper issues response for identifying Capitol rioters as 'antifa' A selfie posted on the account shows the federal building in the background. "The capitol (sic) is ours," the caption reads. The TikTok posted by @beccaboostanaccount has generated nearly 30,000 reactions. Twitter also identified Mazzocco in another video recorded inside the Capitol and shared on TikTok. A man wearing the same outfit in Mazzocco's selfie instructing others not to break or vandalize anything as the group makes a plan to head to the senate floor. "Don't break or vandalize anything," the man is seen saying in the video. "We're probably all going to get in trouble for what we're doing at some point in time." The Federal Bureau of Investigation is accepting help from the public to identify individuals involved with the riots. The FBI and its San Antonio division were tagged in the posts about Mazzocco. The San Antonio office could not be reached or comment. CMG Financial, the company listed as Mazzocco's employer on his now-deleted Facebook, addressed the controversy in a reply to comment left on a post. "This person is no longer employed by CMG Financial," the comment says. "Our HR team has requested that he remove CMG Financial from his profiles as he does not work here." In an emailed statement to MySA.com, CMG's corporate office said Mazzocco has not been employed by the company since early last year. The group pointed to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System's Consumer Access page for the former employee's job history. The site allows the public to search information on individuals licensed and registered through NMLS. Mazzocco's record shows Synergy One Lending, Inc. as his current employer. He is listed as a loan officer on his self-reported job history. The San Antonio office could not be reached for comment. Mazzocco's profile is no longer on the company's website and the NMLS record shows he represents no one. Mazzocco could also not be reached for comment. Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye Group of Ambassadors of G7 countries will continue to support Ukraine in carrying out reforms stimulating economic development The G7 Ambassadors' Support Group has announced that they will continue to support Ukraine in carrying out reforms that stimulate economic development for the benefit of all Ukrainians. "What will the G7 do under the UK presidency? As we have since 2015, we will continue to engage with the Ukrainian authorities, experts and civil society to support Ukraine in delivering reforms which boost economic development for the benefit of all Ukrainians. This will include improvement of the investment climate, promoting equitable development, eliminating corruption, and strengthening the rule of law and transparency. We will share our full list of priorities later this month stay tuned!" the UK Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv said on Twitter on Monday. The full list of priorities of the group of ambassadors of the G7 countries to support Ukraine was promised to be announced later this month. As reported, the UK in 2021 led the group of ambassadors of the G7 countries to support Ukraine. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Overall automobile retail sales grew 11 percent in December, first time in a month in this fiscal. Growth was largely due to festival spill over demand and pre-buying due to announcement of price hike in January'21. Two wheelers, Passenger Vehicles and Tractor categories grow by 11.8%, 24% and 35.5% (YoY). Commercial Vehicles and three wheelers declined 13.5% and 52.7% (YoY) Supply side challenges in PVs and price hikes may cause temporary blip in demand in next few months. Retail sales of automobiles grew for the first time in a month this fiscal in December as the industry sold 11 percent more vehicles last month as compared to December 2019. The figures that are collated by Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) and represent actual sale of vehicles by dealers to customers - and not dispatches from factories to dealerships as released by companies on the first of every month, shows the industry handed over 18,44,143 vehicles last month versus 16,61,245 units in the previous year. The growth was led by passenger vehicles--up 23.99 percent, tractors-up 35.5 percent and two wheelers-up 11.88 percent. "Automobile registrations for the first time witnessed YoY growth in this Financial Year by growing 11% in the month of December. A good crop season, better offers in 2W segment, new launches both in PV as well as 2W and a fear of price increase in the month of January kept the demand going," said Vinkesh Gulati, president, FADA. "Supply side issues in passenger vehicles continued for the 2nd straight month thus making waiting period as high as 8 months in select OEM vehicles. Tractor continues to outshine supply for 6 straight months further confirming the fact that Bharat carries on to lead India's economic recovery." Also read: Expect sales to be better in 2021 on back of new product launches: Toyota Kirloskar The strong growth has seen a reduction of inventory levels across segments, something that will soothe the nerves of dealers. For passenger vehicles the inventory has come down to just 15-20 days while for two wheelers it is 30-35 days. The joy could however be short-lived. An acute shortage of some components like semiconductor chips has created supply side constraints that may impact sales this month. Further, steep increase in cost of raw materials has forced manufacturers to hike prices which may also act an as a dampener on consumer sentiment. FADA has warned that the prospects for January are bleak. Also read: Ford Mahindra break-up: 5 times when Motown partnerships didn't work "While December saw good spill over demand continuing from festive season and pre-buying due to price hike announcement, demand for vehicles in January looks to be bleak. PV may witness growth if demand supply mismatch is resolved," Gulati added. "With recent hikes announced by all OEMs, we expect a temporary blip in demand as customers will take time to absorb the same." India received around $30 billion worth of funds through foreign direct investment during the first half of FY21, which was a 15 percent growth over same period last year, while the FDI inflow in January-September period of CY20 was around $43.5 billion, which is a strong number compared to previous periods. The 80 percent of $30 billion inflow largely came in during July-September period or second quarter of FY21, which was obvious given the destruction in Q1FY21 due to COVID-19 crisis and lockdown measures. According to data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, foreign direct investment equity inflows into India crossed $500 billion milestone during the period April to September 2020. "The continuity in receipt of FDI inflows is reflection of the firm belief by global investors that India will lead as one of the major growth engine of Asia's recovery coupled with steady state of market reforms which the country has taken since 2000 which includes opening up of various sectors of the economy to 100 percent FDI over last few years," Ajit Banerjee, Chief Investment Officer at Shriram Life Insurance told Moneycontrol. The services sector was the key beneficiary of the FDI in 2020, followed by computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trading, construction development, automobile, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Computer software and hardware ($17.55 billion), services ($2.25 billion), trading ($949 million), chemicals ($437 million) and automobile ($417 million) attracted the maximum FDI during first half of FY21. Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail Ventures received the maximum FDI of Rs 1,52,056 crore and Rs 47,265 crore respectively during CY20. Experts largely feel the sectors which can attract more FDI in 2021 could be Services, IT, Telecom, and Chemicals. Apart from that, Pharma and Automobile segment can also attract flow. "Sectors like Services, IT, Telecom, and Chemicals are likely to see continued FDI flows," Nimish Shah, CIO, Listed Investments at Waterfield Advisors said. Amit Jain, Chief Strategist - Global Asset Class at Ashika Group feels India may see incremental inflow in Computer software & hardware, Services, Pharma, Automobile, telecom & chemicals. "Apart from the services sector, the Finance Minister is expected to keep foreign investment as a key priority in the 'Make in India' initiative, especially in sectors/companies in the areas of manufacturing, electronics and automobiles," Unmesh Kulkarni, Managing Director Senior Advisor at Julius Baer India said. Ajit Banerjee feels the existing sectors are expected to continue receiving FDI inflows in 2021 as well, along with organised retail sector and affordable housing sector. Experts expect the FDI flow may easily cross $50 billion in 2021 given the government's focus, especially after COVID-19, to make India a manufacturing hub and announced several measures last year to boost the economy along with exports. Anti-China sentiment also provided a bigger opportunity to attract fund flow. "This number will keep growing from here-on, as post COVID-19; the entire world has anti-China sentiment, which will be favourable for Indian economy in the ongoing decade of 2030. In my personal view in FY2021-22, we have record inflow of FDI, which may be $50 billion or above," Amit Jain, Chief Strategist - Global Asset Class at Ashika Group told Moneycontrol. Unmesh Kulkarni, Managing Director Senior Advisor at Julius Baer India also believes the sustained momentum of FDI flow is very much on the agenda of the government. "The call for attracting FDI flows has been sounded out from the very top, with the Prime Minister himself making a strong pitch to foreign companies to take advantage of the stable tax regime and attractive FDI policies in India, as well as positioning India as a hub for global manufacturing, in the aftermath of the pandemic," he reasoned. Shailendra Kumar, Chief Investment Officer at Narnolia Financial Advisors looked confident among experts, saying ven in a pandemic hit year, with more than $35 billion during the first five months of the fiscal-2021 suggests that India will easily surpass the figures of $50 billion that it received last fiscal. Surely, India should be able to attract much higher inflows going forward due to various factors China plus one strategy, improved liquidity globally, higher FDI in defence sector, various other sectors getting production linked incentives (PLI), he said. World's leading names in mobile Samsung and Apple (through its contract manufacturer- Foxconn, Wistron, Pegatron) have already started their manufacturing base in India. Shailendra Kumar feels the per capita income will cross $3,000 mark by FY24 triggering the next round of consumer boom. A mini consumption boom took place in India post-2013 when per capita income crossed critical $1,500 levels. So, "while PLI will help India improve its manufacturing competitiveness in the global market, a rising per capita income in a large country like India will ensure consistent foreign inflows, he said. According to Sanjeev Hota, Head of Research, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, India in 2021 may surpass the 2020 numbers led by further relaxation of government norms and opening up of sectors like defence, media, insurance among others. However, Atanuu Agarrwal, Co-founder at Upside AI said unfortunately, he was afraid that the fate of FDI flows in 2021 lies in the hands of Jerome Powell (Chairman of Federal Reserve), Christine Lagarde (President of European Cenral Bank), and other central bankers much more than those of PM Modi and FM Sitharaman. "If India continues to make progress on metrics like 'ease-of-doing-business', we will continue to capture a larger pie of emerging markets FDI flows, especially given the negative sentiment around China. That's the best we can hope for, the absolute amount is out of our hands," he added. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. "Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Moneycontrol." Role of Conspiracy Theories Impact Going Forward What Will Be The International Fall Out? Will Access To The Capitol Change? (TNS) The violent assault on the U.S. Capitol last week by supporters of President Donald Trump could spark a pivotal moment of reckoning over the nation's bitter political divide, but it will take work by everyone to battle dangerous conspiracy theories and heal the divisions, according to local experts in politics and history."It's going to take a collective effort. Everyone needs to be thinking about their role: clergy, educators, parents, community leaders, etc.," said Lee Hannah, associate professor of political science at Ohio's Wright State University.People need to leave their social media and news echo-chambers, get to know others they might not agree with and intervene when loved ones fall into conspiratorial "wormholes," Hannah said."Unfortunately, we have a number of charismatic charlatans who have realized that they can profit from doubling down and tripling down on these conspiracy theories. So, we're in a bit of a downward spiral right now," he said. Unity will be hard to achieve in the current "toxic brew" created by "social media, our gullibility, narrow-casting media outlets, or craven elites on both sides who feed fear and anger," said Mark Caleb Smith, director of Cedarville University's Center for Political Studies."We see that violent and hateful rhetoric can have serious, even deadly, consequences," said Christopher Devine, assistant professor of political science at the University of Dayton.The riot happened after Trump urged protesters to come to Washington on Wednesday when Congress was counting the Electoral College votes declaring Democrat former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris the winners. They beat Trump and Vice President Mike Pence by more than 7 million votes on Nov. 3 and in the Electoral College 306 to 232.Since election day Trump and his allies have contended without proof that massive fraud and voting irregularities resulted in the election being stolen from him. Those claims, some involving elaborate international conspiracy theories, were found to be baseless across the nation in nearly 60 court cases, by state and local officials and the U.S. Justice Department."Americans are very inclined to believe conspiracies. It waxes and wanes over time," said Paul Beck, professor emeritus of political science at the Ohio State University. "What's different today is that you have a series of conspiracies and conspiracy theories that are perpetrated by the president of the United States, who has a powerful megaphone. There are a lot of people who believe what comes out of the president's mouth."Trump spoke to at a rally prior to the riot, urging protesters to march on the U.S. Capitol to protest "this egregious assault on our democracy." As they reached the Capitol, thousands broke through barriers, and clashed with police before breaking into the building, where they trashed offices, broke windows and furniture and stole things. Police killed a protester, one police officer died of injuries and three other people died in medical emergencies. Multiple police officers were injured.Congress members were evacuated but later reconvened to affirm the Biden/Harris win over the objections of 147 Republican Senate and House members.The immediate impact is playing out now, with calls for Trump's impeachment, removal using the 25th Amendment or resignation before Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20."This really opened up the divisions within the GOP. The Republicans in the House are nearly even divided among those who have accepted the results and those that continue to parrot President Trump's talking points about the election," Hannah said. "In the Senate, I will be curious to see if there are repercussions for Sens. Josh Hawley, R- Missouri, and Ted Cruz, R- Texas, in particular, who led this charge."Key questions going forward for Republicans are how much of the broader Republican Party is alienated by the violence and what will be the role of Trump's base, Beck said."He's done things that are not worthy of a president and things that basically define him as a whiner and a sore loser," Beck said. "I think there will be a number of people who voted for him who will say, 'I can't accept that.'"Marc Clauson, a professor of history and law at Cedarville University, said future historians will determine if the assault on the Capitol is a pivotal moment in the nation's history.He expects it will shore up divisions that already exist in the country and must be addressed."Maybe that's the bigger turning point. We're so polarized," Clauson said. "It's getting more radically polarized. But we'll have to wait and see exactly how this particular event plays into it."Beck said about two-thirds of the 73 million people who voted for Trump believe the election was stolen from him, despite the lack of evidence.People need to begin to look at information more critically and do fact-checks using reputable sources rather than "looking at things through partisan lenses," said Beck."There really is an effect that is caused by politicians themselves who are in what we would think are responsible positions, many of them members of the House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. And many of them governors who are lending credence to these kinds of charges that are out there," Beck said."One way to prevent it is to make sure that we don't have political leaders who are fanning these flames."The attack draws needed attention to the problem of domestic terrorism, Beck said."We know they are out there, we know that there are these militia movements that have been there a long time. Remember the Oklahoma City bombing," Beck said. "We do indeed have domestic terrorists."Repercussions of the attack go beyond the U.S., said Jacque Kahindo, a history instructor at Wilberforce University. It might make the country look weak to the international community at the moment, he said.Even so, Kahindo said the U.S. continues to be one of the strongest in the world in terms of its democracy and military power. The damage to the nation's reputation and international relationships will likely be repaired once Biden is sworn in, he said, and brings to bear his broad geo-political experience and the respect of allies he has after his years as vice president.The challenge for Biden will be to bring the country together, Kahindo said, and mend the deep wounds before things get even more out of hand."(The country) is fragile, and we're moving toward a very, very dangerous situation," Kahindo said. "So if the Biden administration can move quickly in uniting the country and (persuading people that) conflict and violence don't have a place, I'm thinking everything will be OK."While the Capitol breach is a symbol of democracy being attacked from within, Kahindo believes the incident can help the country come together, heal and show the stability of American democracy."We can be shaken, but we can stick together, and we can succeed," Kahindo said.The breach will undoubtedly lead to changes in security at the Capitol, said Clauson.That likely will include an extra ring of security fencing that expands into the Capitol neighborhood, said Glen Duerr, an associate professor of international studies at Cedarville. Tours will probably resume, but the experience will not be the same, he said, particularly for school children."In a way it's kind of sad because you'd like to know that you could just have access to those famous buildings, but what do you do?" Clauson said.Hannah said authorities need to assume that pro-Trump protesters will come back for Biden's inauguration and prepare a far more robust defense."I guess there are two major concerns now," he said. "How does law enforcement go about securing the Capitol and holding the insurrectionists accountable and how does Congress respond?" ALMATY -- Kazakhstan's ruling Nur Otan party has kept its firm grip on power in parliamentary elections called uncompetitive by international observers after the only registered opposition boycotted the vote to protest a lack of development and freedom in the Central Asian nations political landscape. The Central Election Commission said on January 11 that preliminary results from the vote a day earlier gave former authoritarian President Nursultan Nazarbaevs Nur Otan, the ruling party since 1999, 71.1 percent, while two other parties loyal to it -- Ak Zhol (Bright Path), and the Peoples Party (formerly the Communist Peoples Party) -- also exceeded the 7 percent threshold needed to win seats in the Mazhilis, or lower house of parliament. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which had observers in the resource-rich country, said in a statement that an uncompetitive campaign and systemic de-facto limitations on constitutionally guaranteed fundamental freedoms left voters without genuine choice." As all political parties contesting the elections supported the policies of the ruling party, the campaign was not competitive, and voters had no genuine political alternatives to choose from, the OSCE said. The OSCEs characterization of the vote follows what observers have reported in past elections in Kazakhstan, which have been deemed neither free nor fair, and fraught with electoral fraud, repression of opposition candidates, and restrictions on a free press. The lack of competition dashed the hopes of the countrys Western partners, who had hoped for deep political reforms. Nonetheless, some say continuity will bring the stability needed to attract foreign investment in the resource-rich country -- primarily into the oil, gas, and mining sectors. The vote was the first legislative poll in the Central Asian nation since the resignation of Nazarbaev, who ruled the nation for three decades before stepping down in favor of his handpicked successor Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev in March 2019. Despite having stepped down, Nazarbaev maintains vast influence in the countrys politics. He is the head of the powerful Security Council and enjoys almost limitless powers and immunity as elbasy -- leader of the nation. The opposition All-National Social Democratic Party (OSDP) boycotted the January 10 vote saying nothing had changed this time around despite Nazarbaev's pivot to a less conspicuous public role nearly two years ago after he stepped down. After detaining several activists in the run-up to the vote, police kept up the pressure on election day, detaining dozens in major cities across the country. Deputy Interior Minister Arystangani Zapparov said that all those detained had been released without charges. He ignored questions on how many people had been detained in total, according to RFE/RL's Kazakh Service. Internet blockages also were reported as ballots were cast in the country's largest city, Almaty, where one demonstration was organized. In at least three regions of Kazakhstan -- including Turkestan and Shymkent -- observers complained that they were prevented from entering polling stations. Other independent observers previously complained of obstacles to receiving the basic PCR coronavirus tests that authorities demanded in at least some cases of election officials and party and other observers. Several RFE/RL Kazakh Service reporters were excluded from polling stations, including one who was physically shoved out of a voting place in Almaty. The elections decided 98 of 107 seats in the Mazhilis. Nine other seats will be separately elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan -- a political body chaired by Nazarbaev designed to represent ethnic groups in the Central Asian nation. The highest turnout was reported in the remote Northern Kazakhstan Province where some 75.5 percent of the voters cast their ballots, the Central Election Commission said. The lowest turnout -- about 30 percent -- was recorded in Almaty. [January 11, 2021] Clear To Go! App Allowed Celebrities, Music Artists, TV Networks, Crews and Vendors to Safely Work the Times Square New Year's Eve 2021 Event ROCHESTER, Mich., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the 2021 New Year's Waterford Crystal Ball dropped in Times Square, New York, to ring in the New Year, efforts behind the scenes to make that event a reality during this unprecedented pandemic were hard at work via the health screening and wellness app, Clear To Go!. The metro Detroit based Clear To Go! provided an integrated process for the event co-organizers to safely bring crew, vendors, musical artists and broadcast networks on-site to set up, host and tear down the iconic event during COVID-19. With more than 1 million COVID-19 screenings completed since May 2020, Clear To Go! is quickly becoming the leading solution to safely bring employees to work, creating business resilience during the pandemic and beyond. The app is currently empowering over 100 clients in many verticals. A link to photos of the Clear To Go! app being used at the New Year's Eve in Times Square event can be found her. Times Square New Year's Eve Operations Producer Stefanie Davidowitz said, "The Clear To Go! team worked with us to create an integrated process for health screening and COVID-19 testing results for crew members, vendors and networks. The system simplified complex rules to meet strict health requirements and allowed us to safely bring workers onsite." Scott Garretson, co-founder of Clear To Go!, said, "Enhanced precautions for businesses to protect employees around illness and other safety issues are here to stay as COVID-19 has accelerated what was already changing within organizations. Processes need to be digitized to manage unplanned absences, engage remote workers, keep employees informed and businesses nimble. Clear To Go! provides organizations access to real-time data to make critical decisions on employee safety and foresee operational impact." About Clear To Go! Clear To Go! is a health and wellness solution for organizations and municipalities of all sizes looking to protect employees and customers onsite. Clear To Go! provides an efficient way to manage risk, increase safety and create effective responses to health vulnerabilities in the workplace. Visit Clear To Go! at https://cleartogo.co/ MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Baskin, CKC Agency pat@ckcagency.com C: 248.318.0095 W: 248.788.1744 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clear-to-go-app-allowed-celebrities-music-artists-tv-networks-crews-and-vendors-to-safely-work-the-times-square-new-years-eve-2021-event-301204751.html SOURCE Clear To Go! [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The female neighbour of an elderly man killed in a violent assault and robbery has been arrested by homicide detectives in Sydney. Peter McCarthy, 77, was found dead in his South Coogee home on December 20 after suffering severe head and facial injuries. Police suggested at the time Mr McCarthy may have been the victim of a violent robbery inside the Elphinstone Road unit. Detectives returned to the same street on Monday to arrest a woman, aged 46. Peter McCarthy, 77, was found in his apartment in South Coogee, in Sydney's east by his ex-wife on December 20 after suffering fatal head and face injuries She was taken to Maroubra police station where she's expected to be charged over the homicide. The precise charges are yet to be made clear, a police spokeswoman said. The unit in which the 46-year-old woman was arrested was also searched by police. In December, Detective Superintendent Doherty said the post-mortem examination and crime scene suggested Mr McCarthy was the victim of a 'violent and brutal' assault and robbery. Mr McCarthy was last seen at the Club York in Sydney's CBD on the Wednesday afternoon before his death, thought to have occurred sometime from midday to around 2.30pm. His satchel and phone had also been stolen from his home. CHICO, Calif. - A vehicle crash into a power pole caused a power outage to several hundred customers in Chico, according to the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) power outage map. PG&E officials said in an updated message, the estimated time for power to be fully restored to customers impacted is 6 p.m. PG&E crews are currently assessing the cause at the outage location. Action News Now has a reporter on the way. We will provide new information as it becomes available. Social media was rife with posts from MAGA mob rioters planning their armed attack on the US Capitol and lawmakers weeks before the deadly siege even unfolded. The revelations come as law enforcement scramble to explain how a security breach that large even managed to occur given all of the warning signs. In the aftermath of last week's deadly siege on the Capitol, local and federal law enforcement have repeatedly said they had no knowledge that rioters would actually target Congress. But some hard-line Trump supporters had spent a month posting glaring and violent warnings online of the planned anarchy, including threats to kill police and federal employees. The social media posts, which called for people to come armed with weapons and zip ties, is just one example of the missed warnings that could have prevented the attack. Local and federal law enforcement officials have spent the last few days shifting the blame after the riots were described as one of the gravest security lapses in recent US history. Capitol Police have come under fire for not bolstering the number of officers on the day of the protest and making no preparations for the possibility that it could escalate into violent riots. The department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day Despite officials saying they had no knowledge of attacks on the US Capitol, far-right social media users had been openly hinting for weeks that chaos would erupt and protests could descend into violence. One flyer that emerged on Facebook and Instagram last month was titled: 'Operation Occupy the Capitol' Capitol Police have faced the brunt of the scrutiny for misjudging the security threat given they are in charge of defending the federal building that was overrun. The agency had only prepared for a free speech demonstration and no contingency plans were prepared in case the situation escalated. It has since emerged that the FBI had warned Capitol Police of potential violence in the days prior and federal agents even visited some extremists to tell them not to travel to Washington DC for Trump's rally. Yet in the immediately aftermath, federal officials publicly said there was no intelligence that suggested Trump supporters were preparing to attack the Capitol. It has prompted questions as to whether the FBI and others actually took the threats seriously and why they didn't step in until after the Capitol was already under attack. 'Operation Occupy the Capitol': Social media users had openly hinted for weeks that chaos would erupt at the Capitol MAGA supporters had been plotting online to 'storm and occupy' the Capitol to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election win ever since Trump tweeted in mid-December that a 'wild' protest would be taking place in DC. Despite officials saying they had no knowledge of attacks on the US Capitol, far-right social media users had been openly hinting for weeks that chaos would erupt and protests could descend into violence. One flyer that emerged on Facebook and Instagram last month was titled: 'Operation Occupy the Capitol'. It directly referenced the January 6 protest that Trump had encouraged his supporters to attend. Some users posted images on Reddit of supposed underground entrances and exits to the Capitol building, while others openly discussed the need to 'overwhelm those barricades and cops'. On the 8kun message board, users spoke for weeks about storming the Capitol. They even argued whether Trump supporters should target police. 'You can go to Washington on Jan 6 and help storm the Capital. As many Patriots as can be. We will storm the government buildings, kill cops, kill security guards, kill federal employees and agents, and demand a recount,' one user said. Some users openly discussed on Reddit the need to 'overwhelm those barricades and cops' in a bid to storm the Capitol Some users posted images on Reddit of supposed underground entrances and exits to the Capitol building Numerous discussions also took place on the pro-Trump forum TheDonald and Parler in the weeks prior to the riots where users interpreted Trump's tweet as a call to revolt. The users, referring to Trump as 'daddy', spoke of whether Trump's use of the word 'wild' meant he wanted them to come armed. 'Does Daddy want as armed or not?!?!' one user wrote. Another said: 'Trumps tweet said 'Wild' implying wild West in my mind.' On that same thread, one user wrote: 'Not telling you what to do but I will be open carrying and so will my friends. We have been waiting for Trump to say the word. There is not enough cops in DC to stop what is coming.' They discussed how the protests would need to be violent in order to be heard and change history. 'We will have to achieve a an actual tactical victory like storming and occupying Congress, to have the intended effect,' one user wrote on TheDonald forum. 'I don't see Trump sending any federal resources or military in to help the local corrupt agencies. They'll be on their own,' one user predicted. Some plotted to arrest the lawmakers who would go on to vote in favor of certifying Joe Biden's election results. 'We should be there in numbers so heavy and so protected that we are able to arrest treasonous members of the government,' one wrote on TheDonald forum. As the plans escalated, many spoke of the need to bring zip ties to arrest lawmakers. When the attack on the Capitol actually unfolded, social media users urged followers to 'trust the plan' and 'hold the line.' Just what the plan might have been is central to the investigation into the violent siege. The FBI is now investigating whether some of the attackers intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage. Authorities are particularly focused on why some in the mob were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate. A number of intelligence groups, including SITE Intelligence Group, published reports in the lead up to the protests warning of what some Trump supporters had been planning on social media. Capitol Police (pictured above) have faced the brunt of the scrutiny for misjudging the security threat given they are in charge of defending the federal building that was overrun. Law enforcement officials have spent the last few days shifting the blame after the chaotic Capitol scenes were described as one of the gravest security lapses in recent US history Sources have previously said the Pentagon asked Capitol Police three days before the riots if it needed National Guard manpower but they declined FBI and NYPD warned Capitol Police of potential violence and federal agents visited some extremists in lead up to riots The FBI and New York Police Department were among those agencies who warned Capitol Police of potential violence, law enforcement officials told NBC News. Federal agents also reportedly visited more than a dozen extremists in the days prior and warned them not to travel to Washington DC. 'Prior to this event, the FBI obtained credible and actionable information about individuals who were planning on traveling to the protests who expressed a desire to engage in violence,' an FBI official told the outlet. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned a day after the siege, has claimed his request to have the National Guard on standby was declined two days before the ordeal by House and Senate security officials. It contradicts earlier statements from senior defense officials who claim Capitol Police rejected offers of federal 'The FBI was able to discourage those individuals from traveling to DC.' It is not clear exactly who, or how many people, the FBI visited prior to the riots. It also isn't clear if any of those the FBI warned still attended the rally. The source said the FBI and Capitol Police had shared intelligence ahead of the protests. Justice officials, FBI and other agencies say they had been monitoring flights and social media for weeks and were expecting massive crowds given Trump had been urging his supporters to come to DC. Some hotels had been booked to 100 percent capacity - setting off alarm bells because tourism in Washington has cratered amid the pandemic. Sources say the NYPD had also sent Capitol Police intelligence information of violent threats posted on social media in the weeks prior that were specifically related to the rally. It contradicts public comments made by the head of the FBI's Washington field office, Steven D'Antuono, who said last week there was no prior indication of the Capitol siege. DC Police Chief Robert Contee had also said publicly there was no intelligence of a Capitol breach in the aftermath. Capitol Police under fire for not bolstering number of officers, misjudging security threats and declining offers for federal help Outgoing Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned a day after the siege, has since claimed his request to have the National Guard on standby was declined two days before the ordeal by House and Senate security officials. It contradicts earlier statements from senior defense officials who claim Capitol Police rejected offers of federal help prior to the riots and also on the day it unfolded. The Pentagon had asked Capitol Police three days before the riots if it needed National Guard manpower. As the mob descended on the Capitol, Justice Department leaders also reached out to offer up FBI agents. Officials say the police turned down help from the federal agencies on both occasions. Sund told the Washington Post that his supervisors were reluctant to take steps to put the Guard on call, saying that House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving said he wasn't comfortable with the 'optics' of formally declaring an emergency before the rally. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the US Capitol. The FBI is now investigating whether some of the attackers intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger reportedly suggested Sund informally seek out Guard contacts and ask them to 'lean forward' and be on alert in case Capitol Police needed their help, without officially calling upon them ahead of time. Sund claims he tried five more times to request help but was rejected or delayed. He said he ended up calling Major General William J Walker, the head of the 1,000-member DC National Guard, to ask for help. He said he spoke to DC Police Chief Robert J. Contee III who also offered to help if trouble stirred. Despite Sund's recent statements, Capitol Police have come under fire for not bolstering the number of officers on the day of the protest and making no preparations for the possibility that it could escalate into violent riots. The department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day. While some of those officers were outfitted with equipment for a protest, they were not staffed or equipped for a riot. It also emerged that once the mob began to move on the Capitol, a police lieutenant issued an order not to use deadly force, which explains why officers outside the building did not draw their weapons as the crowd closed in. Officers are sometimes ordered against escalating a situation by drawing their weapons if superiors believe doing so could lead to a stampede or a shootout. In this instance, it also left officers with little ability to resist the mob. Sund still maintains that he had no evidence that a large mob was planning to seize the Capitol. 'We knew it would be bigger. We looked at the intelligence. We knew we would have large crowds, the potential for some violent altercations,' he told the Post. 'I had nothing indicating we would have a large mob seize the Capitol.' Milkha Singh continues to be stable, shifted out of ICU; wife admitted with COVID pneumonia Coronavirus outbreak: Schools, colleges to reopen in Gujarat today India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Ahmedabad, Jan 11: With a decline in the number of coronavirus cases, schools in Gujarat will reopen for students of Classes 10 and 12 on Monday. The classes will also reopen for graduation and post-graduation final years with mandatory compliance of COVID-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs) and consent of parents. According to reports, schools and colleges have remained shut since March last year in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 150,999 lives so far, while the caseload stood at 10,450,284, as of Sunday. PM Modi to meet chief ministers today over Covid-19 vaccine rollout The schools will have to strictly follow the Centre mandated SOP for reopening. Under this, the school administration is required to make arrangements for thermal guns, soaps, etc. for the same in coordination with the government officials. Meanwhile, the schools are asked to coordinate with the local Community health centers and Primary health care centers and follow the guidelines pertaining to social distancing, masks, etc in the classroom. India going ahead with induction plan for Russia S-400 systems despite US warning With offline classes resuming, the online education system will continue as usual. However, school administration can stop the mass promotion of online classes. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Students, who are attending the schools will require the consent of their parents. The schools have sent the forms to all the parents. Attendance is not mandatory. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 8:48 [IST] Agreement also includes the EverLatch Cargo Door Latch, an STC-derived PMA product targeted at improving airline performance and reducing maintenance costs EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATS (Aviation Technical Services) today announced an agreement with Wencor as sole distributor of its Part Manufacturer Approval (PMA) product line, approved by the FAA under ATSMRO part number references. Included in the agreement is the ATS-patented EverLatch Cargo Door Latch, a cost-effective solution designed to enhance reliability of Boeing 737NG aircraft. The arrangement targets the worldwide commercial aviation aftermarket and extends through December 2025. Engineered utilizing data from airframe maintenance and component repair workscopes, ATS PMAs replace high cost, long lead time, and high failure parts. Our PMA Program started through collaboration with one of our heavy maintenance customers and has been successful in identifying millions of dollars in savings for Boeing 737 operators, stated Brian Olsen, ATS President of Component and Engineering Solutions. We are looking forward to increasing the programs exposure to airlines and MROs through Wencors established channels. We are excited to continue to build our relationship with ATS and add their PMAs to our industry leading portfolio which now includes greater than 11,000 alternative material solutions. As the aviation industry continues to bounce back, Wencor remains committed more than ever to providing innovative solutions to our customers that enable reliability, availability and cost efficiencies. Partnering with ATS to expand our offering enhances that objective said Wencor Chief Executive Officer Shawn Trogdon. About ATS: For 50 years, ATS has been providing industry-leading, comprehensive MRO and support services for commercial and military aircraft. We are focused on making the MRO process better through reducing span times, increasing mechanic efficiency, improving airline operational performance, and lowering overall costs through maintenance prevention strategies. ATS offerings include: Airframe Services: Heavy maintenance and modification Component Repair: Providing repair and rotable exchange options for accessories, composites, electrical and fuel components, flight control surfaces, hydraulics, pneumatics and structures Engineering Solutions: PMA parts, STC offerings, as well as design and repair engineering Ranger Asset Management: Component part sales, consignment, and inventory distribution services available for virtually every commercial airframe and engine platform. Also includes asset acquisition and teardown activities For more information, please visit: atsmro.com, follow @atsmrotech on Twitter, and join ATS on Facebook and LinkedIn. About Wencor Wencor has been a trusted partner in aerospace for over 60 years, offering CMM and DER repairs, PMA and an extensive network of distribution solutions to help make flights safer and more cost effective. We support most of the commercial airlines, repair stations and OEMs worldwide through our corporate affiliates Wencor, Soundair Aviation Services, PHS/MWA Aviation Services, Absolute Aviation Services, Aerospace Coatings International, Flight Line Products, Accessory Technologies Corporation, Fortner Engineering & Manufacturing, Silver Wings Aerospace, and Kitco Defense. Wencor Group is headquartered in the Atlanta, Georgia area with additional offices in Utah, Miami, Seattle, California, Alabama, New York, Amsterdam, Singapore, Shanghai, and Istanbul. For more information, please visit wencor.com, follow @Wencor_Official on Twitter, and join Wencor on LinkedIn. Local officials (L) in protective gear help with baggage as Australian residents (R) arrive at a hotel in Adelaide for mandatory 14-day quarantine after returning from overseas on April 21, 2020. (Brenton EDWARDS / AFP via Getty Images) Victoria Aims to Step Up Hotel Quarantine Program The Victorian government will bolster its hotel quarantine program with the addition of more hotels and a senior manager as it prepares to facilitate more overseas travellers. The move comes after the Victorian government initiated new quarantine measures for flight crews, and interstate returnees who are returning from COVID-19 hotspots in Australia. Currently, the hotel quarantine program, which restarted early December, has been operating at only half its capacity. Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the breach of the highly-infectious UK strain from hotel quarantine demonstrated why the system has to be taken as seriously and assiduously as possible. Those interfaces with returned flight crew members and returning Australians poses are the biggest risk to stay ahead of this virus, Foley said at a press conference on Sunday. An international traveller is seen being escorted by hotel quarantine staff into a complex care Quarantine Hotel in Melbourne, Australia Dec. 7, 2020. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images) An estimated four of Melbournes quarantine hotels are used in the program each with a capacity to quarantine over 1,000 people. Currently, around 2,240 are in the mandatory program over 1,800 are returning Australians and 71 are airline crew. A spokesperson for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, the department in charge of the mandatory program, said the expansion plans would see more people land in Melbourne doubling the current average cap of 160 a day, the Herald Sun reported on Sunday. The state is also offering up to a quarter of a million dollars for a new Safety and Wellbeing Director who will be overseeing additional hotels as they go live to accept more overseas travellers to Victoria, the spokesperson said. New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia have all halved the number of international travellers they can accept in response to Brisbanes three-day lockdown sparked by the community transmission of the highly-infectious UK strain of the CCP virus. Victoria has recorded its fifth straight day of zero new locally acquired COVID-19 cases while one positive test from an overseas traveller. Colonel Cyrille Atonfack capture d'ecran Cameroons Military Spokesperson on Monday rejected claims that found civilian casualties caused by Defense and Security Forces during a raid Sunday, January 10, 2021, in Maumu, a village in Muyuka Subdivision, South West Region. On Sunday afternoon, videos and pictures went viral on social media depicting corpses of people allegedly shot dead by government forces who were in search of armed separatist fighters. One of the videos shows a woman of advanced age shot in the leg and her grandson, a kid, shot in the palms, destroying his fingers. They could be seen lying on the floor crying for help. The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) reports that State Forces invaded Mautu and committed the act. CHRDA strongly condemns the heinous killing of at least eight civilians in Maotu Village in Muyuka Cameroon, said the international NGO headed by Barrister Agbor Nkongho. On Sunday 10 January 2021, CHRDA received with dismay, reports about the killing of at least eight civilians in Maotu village. Alleged members of the State Defence and Security forces reportedly invaded Maotu village in the Muyuka Subdivision, Fako Division of the South West region and committed the act, CHRDA said in a dispatch. Blind massacre perpetrated in Mautu Navy Captain Atonfack Guemo Cyrille Serge, Head of Communication Division, Ministry of Defence, said the military operation in Mautu was carried out in strict compliance with the rules of engagement. The Ministry of Defence hereby informs: at midday on Sunday 10 January 2021, and based on information received from the population, elements of the 21st Motorized Infantry Battalion carried out a preventive raid on the positions of terrorist groups under the orders of the so-called Spirito and Gabonais in the locality of Mautu, Muyua Sub-division, Fako Division, South West Region, Navy Captain Atonfack said in Mondays press release. He furthered that: At the sight of the military vehicles, these armed individuals, surprised in the middle of their gathering, immediately opened fire on the elements of the Defence Forces, who provided an adequate response. As a result of the skirmish, some terrorists were neutralized, others who were injured took to their heels, weapons, and munitions recovered. Combing operations are still ongoing in the area to find any injured fugitive. It is worth underscoring that in the evening of this operation, carried out in strict compliance with the rules of engagement, terrorist leaders, proponents of secession, apparently overwhelmed by the turn of events, conceived in their occult offices, a hotchpotch of gruesome images in a bid to blame our Defence Forces, for a blind massacre perpetrated in Mautu. In any case, High Command has prescribed thorough investigation to clarify these obscure machinations and to shed light, if necessary, on the content of the gruesome images in circulation. Military press release on Mautu Attack (c) Archives Another Ngarbuh massacre? The CHRDA says Sundays attack in Mautu brings back to the minds of Cameroonians the Ngarbuh and Kumba Massacres, which occurred in 2020. Human Rights Watch reported that Cameroonian security forces and an armed militia killed 21 people in the Ngarbuh massacre on February 14, 2020, including 13 children and a pregnant woman. It was one of the worst atrocities since the conflict began, the group said. The government initially denied the reports, denouncing them as terrorist propaganda about an unfortunate accident. But after international pressure, it admitted in April that there had been a massacre and a military cover-up. An inquiry found that the military had tried to suppress the truth by burning homes and filing a false report. On October 24, 2020, gunmen killed seven schoolchildren in Kumba. Separatists were blamed for the attack. Following Sundays incident in Mautu, CHRDA calls on the state authorities to investigate this heinous act and let justice be served for the victims. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A police team with the police department of Zhangzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, was honored the title "Role Model of the Times" for pioneering in setting up the police emergency response system and its dedicated service. The title was bestowed upon the team by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee as China celebrates the first Chinese People's Police Day on Sunday. In 1990, the team upgraded the "110" emergency number into a service hotline that incorporates law enforcement, emergency response and public service functions, which was later highly praised by local residents for its effectiveness. With police forces elsewhere followed suit, the "110" phone number became the symbol of the people's police following the team's pioneering move. In the new era, the team aims to further upgrade their services by establishing grid-based community and rural police response system, so as to further enhance the ability of serving the public. What do astronauts, asteroids, orbit, galaxy, and the Jewish Childrens Museum have in common? Simply put! The Jewish Childrens Museum is launching to space: Experimenting some cool science creating a feel as if ones an astronaut orbiting space. Now thats what we call a cool fusion! Join the Jewish Childrens Museum January 10 February 11, 2021, as we Launch to Space in the Science Lab. Visit our website https://www.jcm.museum/upcoming-programs/ , for more information and booking your ticket. Space is limited A Central University Lecturer, Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah has called on President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to reappoint Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice, Madam Gloria Akuffo in his last term of office. Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah called for the immediate dismissal of the AG because, to him, she has underperformed. He also made mention of the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, the Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea and a host of others who doesn't deserve to be on the list of the President's cabinet Ministers. ''The first person that the President must disappoint is the Attorney General. He should sack her. She didn't do anything . . . Ambrose Dery must also go. All the Deputy Regional Ministers should be dismissed. Technically, Regional Minister doesn't do any work. His or her work is to coordinate the activities of the various Assemblies . . . Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation must also go . . . Minister of Aviation, Kofi Ada, slept on his job . . .The President must disappoint him.'' According to him, there are a lot of Ministers and Deputy Ministers who must not form part of the President's second term, stressing the President should reduce his Ministerial appointments to about 80 Ministers. ''President, at all cost, must reduce the number of his Ministers. Some of the Ministers don't do anything. He should merge some of the Ministries - Information, Communication, Fisheries, Agric - he should merge a lot of them. If he can get Ministers up to even 80 or at most 90, it's okay," he said. 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 Myanmar & COVID-19 China Has to Remove Any Permanent Border Fences in Buffer Zone: Myanmar President Office Myanmar government spokesman U Zaw Htay. / Thiha Lwin / The Irrawaddy Naypyitaw Myanmar says China will have to remove any new, permanent fences which encroach on the buffer zone between the two countries. When asked about the issue by The Irrawaddy at a press conference on Friday, government spokesman U Zaw Htay said: There is a border agreement. No side can build permanently within 10 meters of the border on either side. He said barbed-wire fences, which China said were preventing the spread of COVID-19, encroach on neutral land. The question is about whether the fences are permanent, he said. Foreign ministry staff from both countries are set to discuss the issue this month and Myanmar will only allow temporary fencing, he added. China started erecting the fence in October along the border in Kachin and Shan states. Myanmar said the fences in Laukkai, Muse and Hopang districts and the Wa Self-Administered Region in Shan State are temporary, made with wire, not concrete. U Zaw Htay did not mention the fences along the Kachin State border. China has erected fences around Laiza and Parjaung in Kachin State which are under Kachin Independence Army control. We will pinpoint the border and China must ensure its fence does not encroach on the neutral territory unless it is only temporary. We will negotiate for that, said U Zaw Htay. Myanmars military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun said no permanent building should be constructed within 10 meters of the border. We are cooperating with civilian agencies. The Tatmadaw [military] is cooperating in border committees to inspect the fencing, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun. Then Burmese prime minister U Nu and his Chinese counterpart, Zhou Enlai, signed an agreement in October 1960 introducing the 10-meter rule along the 2,170km border. Border posts were erected the following year. In January 2019, armed Chinese border guards removed Myanmars flag from within 5 meters of the border in Chin Shwe Haw in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone in Shan State, straining bilateral ties. An anonymous source from Myanmars foreign ministry told The Irrawaddy after the incident that the border needed to be re-demarcated in the area. Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said: Being a superpower, China pokes its nose into everything and it looks down on its neighbors. But the fence is not the national policy from Beijing. It was done for security reasons [by the regional authorities]. China must respect bilateral agreements and Myanmar should react if its interests are at risk, he said. Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, has arrived in Myanmar on a two-day visit and the border is expected to be on the agenda. Myanmar and China signed border management and cooperation agreements in 1997 to solve disputes. Myanmar says it is working to settle the issue to avoid further disputes. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: More Thais Returning From Casinos in Myanmar Test Positive for COVID-19 Myanmars Migrants Face Discrimination Amid Surging COVID-19 in Thailand Myanmar Orders 30 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses From India Canada must dismantle anti-Black racism in health care to address its harmful effects on people's health, argue authors of a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) http://www. cmaj. ca/ lookup/ doi/ 10. 1503/ cmaj. 201579 Racism has significant negative effects on the physical and mental health of Black people and people of nondominant racial groups. For example, there have been significantly higher death rates from COVID-19 among Black people in North America and the United Kingdom. Anti-Black racism also exists in the medical system, with stereotyping and bias by health care providers and an underrepresentation of Black physicians. "First, we who work in health care must acknowledge the existence of anti-Black racism in our systems and commit to meaningful, sustained change. We can do this by listening to the voices of Black Canadians, patients and health care professionals who have been grappling with anti-Black racism for generations, and by engaging with the many communities that have made recommendations for meaningful change to address the problem," write Drs. OmiSoore Dryden, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Onye Nnorom, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, co-leads of Canada's Black Health Education Collaborative. They recommend anti-racism training for health care providers, collecting race-based data in partnership with specific communities, addressing anti-Black racism in medical schools and the health system, and increasing accessibility and admission for Black students. "The field of medicine can no longer deny or overlook the existence of systemic anti-Black racism in Canada and how it affects the health of Black people and communities. It is time to acknowledge and commit to dismantling systemic racism within our institutions of care and education," they argue. ### (Alliance News) - Royal Mail PLC will name Non-Executive Director Simon Thompson as its new chief executive, Sky News reported on Sunday. Thompson, a non-executive since November 2017, has also been the former chief product officer at listed online grocer Ocado Group PLC. He was also the managing director of the UK NHS's Covid-19 test and trace application. Thompson also has experience at Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, Apple Inc and Coca-Cola European Partners PLC. Keith Williams, interim executive chair, is expected to move back into a non-executive role, Sky News added. Williams moved from non-executive chair to interim executive chair when Rico Back resigned as chief executive officer back in May. Thompson's appointment could be announced in the "coming days", Sky News added. Thompson will not be at the helm of GLS, Royal Mail's European arm, fronted by Martin Seidenberg. https://news.sky.com/story/royal-mail-picks-thompson-as-ceo-to-deliver-transformation-plan-12184461 The company's interim numbers, posted back in November, showed that in the UK business, parcel revenue exceeded letter revenue for the first time, amid a surge in e-commerce due to Covid-19. Back in December, Royal Mail agreed a deal to end a long-running dispute on job security, pay and hours for its workers. The settlement includes a two-year pay deal backdated to April, worth 3.7%, plus a one-hour reduction in the working week, said the Communication Workers Union. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. 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Ms Pelosi, who is one of Mr Trumps most vocal critics in his tumultuous presidency, said the president represents an imminent threat to democracy. PREMIUM TIMES reported how four people died and 52 were arrested after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to stop Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Bidens election victory. Mr Trump has consistently faulted the election which truncated his second term ambition. He has not provided proof of the electoral irregularities he alleges even as he said he would not be attending Mr Bidens inauguration ceremony. Ultimatum The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action, the official, who had earlier asked the president to resign, said. The Telegrah on Monday, reported that House leaders will work to swiftly pass legislation to do that. If it is blocked by Republicans, which is almost certain, the House will convene for a full House vote on Tuesday, it added. Ms Pelosi explained that the resolution calls on Mr Pence to convene and mobilise the Cabinet to activate the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office. Under the procedure, the vice president would immediately exercise powers as acting President, she explained. It is unlikely Mr Pence would invoke the 25th Amendment, according to CNN sources. But it said the vice president has not ruled it out and wants to preserve the option in case Mr Trump becomes more unstable. The vice president, who was instrumental to the certification of Mr Bidens victory, has been very diplomatic in his reaction to the crisis and has not taken his principals antagonistic stance. Invoking amendment Invoking the amendment would require Mr Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Mr Trump from office due to his inability to discharge the powers and duties of his office an unprecedented step, the Telegrpah further explains in the piece published on Monday. The president could dispute their move with a letter to Congress. Mr Pence and the Cabinet would then have four days to dispute him and Congress would then vote it requires a two-thirds supermajority, usually 67 senators and 290 House members to permanently remove him. With the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden fast approaching and with the country hit by a surging pandemic, a flagging economy, and searing division resignation is the best path forward, Republican Senator Pat Toomey said, adding, that would be a very good outcome. Mr Toomey said that since losing the November 3 election, Mr Trump had descended into a level of madness and engaged in activity that was absolutely unthinkable, and unforgivable, the outlet reported. WASHINGTON: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump, calling him a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. Pelosi made the announcement in a letter to colleagues. She said the House will act with solemnity but also urgency with just days remaining before Trump is to leave office on Jan. 20. In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both," she said. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action." Pelosi said that first the House will try to force Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to oust Trump by invoking the 25th Amendment. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches On Monday, House leaders will work to swiftly pass legislation to do that. If it is blocked by Republicans, which is almost certain, the House will convene for a full House vote Tuesday. Pelosi explained that the resolution calls on Pence to convene and mobilize the Cabinet to activate the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office." Under the procedure, the vice president "would immediately exercise powers as acting President," she wrote. Pence is not expected to take the lead in forcing Trump out, although talk has been circulating about the 25th Amendment option for days in Washington. Next, the House would move to consider the articles of impeachment, Pelosi said. The day for an impeachment vote was not set. With impeachment planning intensifying, two Republican senators said they want Trump to resign immediately as efforts mount to prevent Trump from ever again holding elective office in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated Jan. 20. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. Lets give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running," Clyburn said. Pressure was mounting for Trump to leave office even before his term ended amid alarming concerns of more unrest ahead of the inauguration. The president whipped up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five dead. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible." I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again," Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way." Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trumps conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out." A third Republican, Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful" in his final days in office. Corporate America began to tie its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy," Kim said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citis head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law." House leaders, furious after the insurrection, appear determined to act against Trump despite the short timeline. Late Saturday, Pelosi, D-Calif., convened a conference call with her leadership team and sent a letter to her colleagues reiterating that Trump must be held accountable. She told her caucus, now scattered across the country on a two-week recess, to be prepared to return to Washington this week" but did not say outright that there would be a vote on impeachment. It is absolutely essential that those who perpetrated the assault on our democracy be held accountable," Pelosi wrote. There must be a recognition that this desecration was instigated by the President." Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. Clyburn said that Pelosi "will make the determination as when is the best time" to send articles of impeachment to the Senate if and when they are passed by the House. Another idea being considered was to have a separate vote that would prevent Trump from ever holding office again. That could potentially only need a simple majority vote of 51 senators, unlike impeachment, in which two-thirds of the 100-member Senate must support a conviction. The Senate was set to be split evenly at 50-50, but under Democratic control once Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and the two Democrats who won Georgia's Senate runoff elections last week are sworn in. Harris would be the Senate's tie-breaking vote. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president" with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way" if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide." A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. Toomey appeared on CNN's State of the Union" and NBC's Meet the Press." Clyburn was on Fox News Sunday" and CNN. Kinzinger was on ABC's This Week," Blunt was on CBS' Face the Nation" and Rubio was on Fox News Channel's Sunday Morning Futures." Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The surprising results offer a way to boost the activity and stability of catalysts for making hydrogen fuel from water. Scientists crafting a nickel-based catalyst used in making hydrogen fuel built it one atomic layer at a time to gain full control over its chemical properties. But the finished material didn't behave as they expected: As one version of the catalyst went about its work, the top-most layer of atoms rearranged to form a new pattern, as if the square tiles that cover a floor had suddenly changed to hexagons. But that's ok, they reported today, because understanding and controlling this surprising transformation gives them a new way to turn catalytic activity on and off and make good catalysts even better. The research team, led by scientists from Stanford University and the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, described their study in Nature Materials today. "Catalysts can change very quickly during the course of a reaction, and understanding how they transform from an inactive phase to an active one is crucial to designing more efficient catalysts," said Will Chueh, an investigator with the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences (SIMES) at SLAC who led the study. "This transformation gives us the equivalent of a knob we can turn to fine-tune their behavior." Splitting water to make hydrogen fuel Catalysts help molecules react without being consumed in the reaction, so they can be used over and over. They're the backbone of many green-energy devices. This particular catalyst, lanthanum nickel oxide or LNO, is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in a reaction powered by electricity. It's the first step in generating hydrogen fuel, which has enormous potential for storing renewable energy from sunlight and other sources in a liquid form that's energy-rich and easy to transport. In fact, several manufacturers have already produced electric cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. But this first step is also the most difficult one, said Michal Bajdich, a theorist at the SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis at SLAC, and researchers have been searching for inexpensive materials that will carry it out more efficiently. Since reactions take place on a catalyst's surface, researchers have been trying to precisely engineer those surfaces so they promote only one specific chemical reaction with high efficiency. Building materials one atomic layer at a time The LNO investigated in this study belongs to a class of promising catalytic materials known as perovskites, named after a natural mineral with a similar atomic structure. Christoph Baeumer, who came to SLAC as a Marie Curie Fellow from Aachen University in Germany to carry out the study, prepared LNO in what's known as an epitaxial thin film - a film grown in atomically thin layers in a way that creates an extraordinarily precise arrangement of atoms. Dividing his time between California and Germany, Baeumer made two versions of the film at different temperatures - one with a nickel-rich surface and another with a lanthanum-rich surface. Then the research team ran all the versions through the water-splitting reaction to compare how well they performed. "We were surprised to discover that the films with nickel-rich surfaces carried out the reaction twice as fast," Baeumer said. Tuning a catalyst's surface for better performance To find out why, the team took the films to DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where a group led by Slavomir Nemsak looked at their atomic structure with X-rays at the Advanced Light Source. "It was surprising that the difference between the 'good' and the 'bad' catalyst was only in the last atomic layer of the films," Nemsak said. Those investigations also revealed that in films with nickel-rich surface layers that were prepared at cooler temperatures, the top layer of atoms transformed at some point during the water-splitting reaction, and this new arrangement boosted the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, Jiang Li, a postdoctoral researcher and theorist at SUNCAT, performed computational studies of this very complex system using Berkeley Lab's National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). His conclusions agreed with the experimental results, predicting that the version of the catalyst with the transformed surface - from a cubic pattern to a hexagonal one - would be the most active and stable one. Bajdich said, "Is the transformation of the nickel-rich surface driven by the way the catalyst is prepared, or by changes it undergoes while it carries out the water-splitting reaction? That's very hard to answer. It looks like both have to occur." Although this particular catalyst is not the best in the world for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, he said, discovering how a surface transformation boosts its activity is important and could potentially apply to other materials too. "If we can unlock the secrets of this transformation so we can accurately tune it," he said, "then we can leverage this phenomenon to make much better catalysts in the future." ### The Advanced Light Source and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center are DOE Office of Science user facilities. Scientists from Forschungszentrum Juelich in Germany also contributed to this research. The project was funded by the DOE Office of Science, and Baeumer was also supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program through a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship. Citation: Christoph Baeumer et al., Nature Materials, 11 January 2020 (10.1038/s41563-020-00877-1) SLAC is a vibrant multiprogram laboratory that explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by scientists around the globe. With research spanning particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology, materials, chemistry, bio- and energy sciences and scientific computing, we help solve real-world problems and advance the interests of the nation. SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. BAD AXE McLaren Thumb Region's Dr. Lindsay Straight said despite the numerous challenges faced, the entire the health system hasnt wasted a single dose of its supply of coronavirus vaccines. It was teamwork and partnership, Straight said. We gave them our clinical skills and they provided us the logistics to make sure we can do our job. McLaren Thumb Region has been involved in the administration of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines with its staff, which according to McLaren Thumb Region President and CEO Michael Johnston, have unique handling requirements. Johnston said one difference with the Pfizers vaccine is the level of refrigeration required to store it before use. From the Pfizer standpoint, it has to be stored in an extremely cold refrigeration unit, Johnston said. We dont have them here, so we store them in Bay. The Moderna vaccine also requires refrigerated storage, but Johnston said not to the level of Pfizer, which means McLaren Thumb Region is able to store Moderna on premises. Another difference between the vaccines is the number of doses contained in each vial. According to Johnston, Moderna vials contain 10 doses and the Pfizer vaccine contains five. Once a vial is removed from deep freeze and placed in refrigeration, Johnston said there is a five-day shelf life to administer the vaccine. Once the vials are started, there is an approximate five-hour window to use it or it will have to be discarded. We havent wasted one dose or vial as we have done it, Johnston said. We have a vaccine team that is managing the schedule. The logistics are pretty intense, he added. According to Straight, Johnston has first-hand experience with the logistics involved to prevent waste. Michael was personally driving vaccines between places so it wasnt wasted, she said. Our pharmacy leadership under Director of Pharmacy Susheel Vij has been amazing. Johnston said one of the key aspects of the logistics is overplanning for vaccine administration, by having employees on standby in case someone is unable to show up. If you dont have the right amount of people scheduled to take the dose, you could end up wasting it, Johnston said. We put ourselves in a very structured plan. Straight said McLaren has been top notch in handling its vaccine efforts. I think that it is outstanding to recognize the importance to put resources into logistics, scheduling, shifting staff and administer this in a safe way, she said. Straight, who spent her four-year residency working at Beaumont Royal Oak and still fills in there today, knows how important the vaccine is. Beaumont was one of the hot zones during the initial outbreak in the spring. This spring that was ground zero, Straight said. However, things have changed, Straight said, and now some of the rural health systems are facing trouble during the latest surge. The COVID-to-bed ratio is smaller this time in Beaumont than what the COVID-to-bed ratio is in the rural hospitals, she said. Straight said it is crucial that people understand the science behind the vaccine, especially considering the number of myths or misinformation out there. According to Straight, there were no corners cut in developing the vaccines, which were developed and produced in record time. Straight said the development and rollout of the vaccines was because of the resources companies, organizations and governments put into it. I want to stress there was zero breach in the protocols in the studies and regulatory process, Straight said. The science was amazing behind this. They didnt go through the process in series, they went in parallel. Straight said instead of waiting for approvals before producing the vaccines, the vaccines were produced so they were ready to ship once it cleared the Food and Drug Administration, which allowed for immediate shipment. They were ready to ship as soon as they had approval, Straight said. According to Straight, Pfizer and Moderna were transparent with medical professionals about the vaccines, which was key. There was a lot transparency in the science from the drug companies, she said. They wanted doctors to be educated and answer any question. We are there to be advocates for our patients and teachers to make them informed on their healthcare and so they can make the decisions appropriate for them, she added. Straight said the vaccine is important to her. It means safety for my family, she said. It means safety for my patients. It is inspiring the way this was done. Straight received her first vaccination on Dec. 18 at 3:50 p.m. She said in addition to receiving the vaccine herself, she brought her 4-year-old daughter to witness the event. I was thrilled, she said. I wanted to take a photo but my hands were a little tied up with my daughter. I wanted her to see part of history happening. Straight will receive her second dose of the vaccine Jan. 12. While the coronavirus vaccine is not yet available to the general public in the Upper Thumb, she said it is extremely important that people are mindful of the sensitivity in handling the vaccine, especially because there is a finite amount of vaccines available. We dont know yet when people can schedule these appointments, she said. People need to understand when they do get to make these appointments, they have to show. Johnston said before McLaren had the vaccines in hand, it surveyed staff to learn who was interested in receiving the vaccine and who wasnt. The health system did not mandate staff receive the vaccine, and those who have received the vaccine did so voluntarily. It was not mandatory, he said. Some people arent comfortable getting the vaccine and we arent forcing it. Johnston said in McLaren Thumb Region, approximately 60% of the staff has been vaccinated, and more than 14,000 people will have been vaccinated throughout the health system as of this week. Johnston said he personally hopes to see all of the health system vaccinated against COVID-19. Personally, as a CEO, I would like to see 90-100% because I believe this is the way we need to go to combat this, he said. But starting out I am very happy with our 60%. 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 Boulder City Council in Colorado has approved an $875,000 settlement with a man who was injured after a police officer shot him with a stun gun in March 2019. Christopher Mahan got into the wrong Lyft vehicle while intoxicated and ran from a police officer who removed him from the car and tried to handcuff him, The Daily Camera reported. After he was hit with the stun gun, Mahan fell and suffered multiple fractured vertebrae and broken facial bones. According to court documents, Boulder police are not allowed to use a stun gun for the mere act of fleeing from officers. The documents state that Mahans medical expenses cost about $585,000, and he lost income because he could not work. The settlement was approved Tuesday, and city officials noted it would be the best option given the unpredictability of taking the case to trial. Given the projected costs of litigation, the city attorney believes that it is unlikely that the city will be in a significantly better economic position by litigating the case as compared to approving the proposed settlement agreement, according to a staff memo. Of the $875,000 settlement, $500,000 will come from the citys propert/ casualty fund, which is designated to pay claims and settle cases. The rest will be paid by Boulders excess insurance carrier. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Colorado She's the '90s teen star who stepped away from the spotlight to start a family. And since making a return to television on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Here!, Toni Pearen has quickly won over audiences and become a fan favourite. Impressed with her down-to-earth personality, viewers flocked to social media to praise the 48-year-old former E Street star. 'Just crown her winner already': I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here's Toni Pearen (pictured) has been branded the 'Queen of the jungle' as fans admit they've have become 'emotionally invested' in her 'Just crown Toni the queen of the Jungle already,' one fan tweeted. 'Toni Pearen is quite possibly the greatest legend in Australian history,' commented a second. 'A couple of weeks ago I'd never heard of Toni Pearen and now I'm extremely emotionally invested in her. Only the best for her,' a third commented. Another named the mother-of-two as this year's big breakout star, writing: 'The warm and charisma and attitude she's shown has truly tied the first week together.' They love her! Impressed with her down-to-earth personality and warmth, viewers flocked to social media to praise the 48-year-old former E Street star Meanwhile, one fan quipped: 'Toni should be exempt from any further challenges and/or tucker trials.' Even actress Magda Szubanski was on Team Toni. 'I am ALL about Toni Pearen right now. She's the only thing getting me through the crazy of the start of 2021,' she wrote on Twitter. Famous fan: Even actress Magda Szubanski was on Team Toni. 'I am ALL about Toni Pearen right now. She's the only thing getting me through the crazy of the start of 2021,' she wrote on Twitter 'She's the only thing getting me through the crazy star of 2021': Toni was also praised by Australian actress Magda Szubanski, who wrote: 'I am ALL about Toni Pearen right now' Ouch: Last week the actress sent social media into pandemonium after she was forced to place her head in a box of snakes after bombing in a trivia challenge Last week, the actress sent social media into pandemonium after she was forced to place her head in a box of snakes after bombing in a trivia challenge. She was bitten on the face five times, afterwards sobbing that she wanted to go home and see her children. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on 10 Statistics from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) suggests that domestic fires outbreaks are on the rise, with the highest in 2019 and 2020. The years 2019 and 2020 recorded 1,822 and 1,910 fire outbreaks from January to October. The domestic fire incidents from January to October represented 39.63 per cent and 35.67 per cent of total fire outbreaks in both years. This was followed by bush fires recording 608 incidents in 2019 and 1,220 cases in 2020 during the same time period. There was an increase of fire outbreaks from January to October 2019 from 4,623 to 5,355 for the same period in 2020. 2020 statistics According to 2020 statistics made available by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire incidents also claimed 222 lives and left 1,125 people with varying degrees of injury. Ashanti Region topped the chart with 990 fire outbreaks in that same year, while Greater Accra Region followed with 662 cases. North East Region had the least cases of fire with 22 incidents. The causes of the fire outbreaks were categorised as domestic, industrial, vehicular, institutional, electrical, commercial and bushfire. Fires from domestic establishments topped with 1,758 cases in the year under review. Disregard for fire safety rules In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNFS, Divisional Officer II Ellis Robinson Okoe, attributed the situation to disregard for fire safety rules. He said the lockdown was responsible for the rise in domestic fire outbreaks during the period. According to him, a lot of domestic activities took place during the period and that resulted in over 272 domestic fire outbreaks. People engage in multiple chores when they are at home; someone could be ironing and cooking at the same time, and when that happens, you may give more attention to one. This could easily trigger a fire, Mr Okoe said. Fire safety precautions To reduce such occurrences, he advised that people should make sure they put all appliances off before leaving their homes. Mr Okoe also underscored the need to embark on some basic general cleaning to clear all cobwebs and also decongest their homes to help reduce materials which could serve as fuel during an outbreak. Cobwebs are also another major cause of fire outbreak. Any little flame that comes into contact with it can easily result in fire. I want to advise people to clear all cobweb and dispose of unwanted clothing which also serves as fuel when there is any outbreak in our homes, Mr Okoe said. He also emphasised the need for homes to have emergency exit routes to ensure easy escape and help save lives. Mr Okoe said most fires in commercial areas were caused by congested environments, and they happened especially in the latter part of the year when many people trooped in from far and near to trade ahead of the festive season. He said markets needed to have task forces to ensure traders observe fire safety protocols and safety routine plans. Mr Okoe further advised the public to establish contacts with nearest fire stations in their vicinities, as well as officers in charge of those units, to get easy access to them in times of emergency. 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 The Serum Institute of India (SII) has signed a purchase order with the Government of India to procure 11 million doses of coronavirus vaccines. Serum Institute of India officials said on January 11: "The SII has received purchase order from Government of India." As per the purchase order, each dose of the coronavirus vaccine will cost Rs 220 inclusive of 14 percent GST. SII is manufacturing Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine Covishield in India. For live updates on coronavirus, click here Apart from inking the deal with the Pune-based pharmaceutical firm, the Centre has reportedly signed a purchase order with Indian firm Bharat Biotech for its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin also. On January 3, Indias drug regulator had approved both vaccines for emergency use. On January 16, Indias nationwide vaccination drive will begin. Priority will be given to doctors, healthcare workers, and frontline workers including "safai karamcharis". The dispatch of the COVID-19 vaccines being manufactured by SII in India will begin on January 11 evening, News 18 reported. The Mumbai airport will be handling over half of the Covishield vaccines coming from SII's Pune facility . Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL)'s Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Jain has told Moneycontrol: "The Mumbai airport will be catering to Serum Institute of India (SII). While the Pune airport will handle about 40-45 percent of the volumes, MIAL will distribute the rest." The PM has assured "CoWIN will ensure that people get the second dosage of the vaccine on time. The app will generate a certificate after the first dosage of vaccine and final certificate will be issued after the second dosage. The world will follow what India will do". The cost of vaccinating three-crore healthcare and frontline workers will be borne by the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told all chief ministers on January 11. The PM CARES fund will be used to bear the cost of procuring both vaccines. 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. But a lot of people didnt want to hear it. Critics accused DHS of slandering American troops by suggesting that violent groups might recruit veterans returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. The national commander of the American Legion declared: I think it is important for all of us to remember that Americans are not the enemy. The terrorists are. Sir John Bell is one of those medical figures whose voice during the pandemic has always been clear, constructive and, even, at times, captivating. Such as his 'Yes, yes, yes!' moment when the final test results of the Pfizer vaccine came through a month ago and he was asked by the BBC's Sarah Montague if this meant we could return to something like normal life by the spring. But for his optimism to be justified, the distribution of that vaccine and, now, of the Oxford AstraZeneca one needs to be treated as a national emergency with nothing, nothing at all, allowed to delay the speed at which the vital doses are injected into our arms. Yet Sir John, an acclaimed immunologist, Regius professor of medicine at Oxford University and adviser to the Government's Vaccine Taskforce, showed his immense frustration at this process in an interview at the weekend. Sir John Bell is one of those medical figures whose voice during the pandemic has always been clear, constructive and, even, at times, captivating Protests As someone who contracted polio as a child in Canada after the vaccine had been developed but 'before they had been able to roll it out', Sir John feels more strongly than most about this, especially as he had been instrumental in putting the academic inventors of the Oxford vaccine together with AstraZeneca. Devastatingly, Bell told The Times on Saturday: 'The NHS has the theoretical capacity to immunise everybody in five days if they want to, but I don't get the sense that they are really motivated.' He is not critical of the politicians: the Government (to the outrage of some Labour and Lib Dem MPs) refused to join the EU's vaccine programme with the result that, in going solo, we have got more of the necessary products, per capita, and more quickly, too. No, Sir John's criticism is of the NHS management. He portrays the front line medics as, in effect, lions led by donkeys: 'Those guys are working harder than anyone I've ever seen. But you don't get the same sense from the hierarchy in the NHS, the bureaucrats. Did you see the list of things you have to do to volunteer to help the inoculation programme? To impose it on people who are just sticking a needle in an arm is bonkers.' This is a reference to the 21 certificates which the NHS required volunteer vaccinators to have accumulated, including 'Preventing radicalisation, level 1', 'Conflict resolution, level 1', 'Equality, diversity and human rights, level 1'. These requirements, which don't have the slightest medical relevance (and never did) have now been removed from the list, after protests by thousands of retired medics and other volunteers. But they are still required to have 15 documents of certification, including 'Safeguarding children, Level 2'. What possible point is that when it is the vulnerable elderly who need to be vaccinated with all speed? And why were these absurd bureaucratic hurdles not removed in advance, rather than requiring ministerial direction following cries of frustration by volunteers who couldn't believe how many time-consuming obstacles were obstructing the exercise of their civic duty? As it happens, I am a friend of a retired doctor who was a colleague of Sir John Bell and himself an expert in this field, so I asked for his opinion. He sent me a detailed response, full of icy anger, of which what follows is just an extract. Blocked 'Both vaccinators and patients are required to go through hoops. Some are wise, but much is unnecessary, such as the multiple courses returning doctors and nurses are required to take and the exclusion of experienced individuals who have trained in the 'wrong' speciality. 'I know of a nurse,' he continued, 'who routinely administered MMR vaccines but was blocked from giving Covid ones because she hadn't been 'trained'! Proper leadership would differentiate between the necessary and the nice-to-have. The Government has done an excellent job in finding and ordering key vaccines. But we have known for about a year that a massive and rapid vaccination programme would be required. Why are we recruiting volunteer vaccinators only now? Why was this not done three or four months ago?' My distinguished medic friend concluded: 'The injection into the deltoid muscle is very simple and safe. There are no major blood vessels that can be damaged. I see no reason why anyone who has been trained to inject a patient cannot do this. This includes physiotherapists, dentists, vets, pharmacists, health visitors, midwives etc. They should all be given blanket approval without further enquiry.' His point about pharmacists is especially pertinent, as the NHS strategy for vaccine delivery excluded any who were not able to guarantee to administer at least 1,000 doses a week. As Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said: 'Our skills are not being used as they should be for this vital vaccine rollout. If each of the 11,500 pharmacies in England alone could deliver a minimum of 15 vaccines a day, that would be one million vaccines per week.' Emergency Analogies with World War II and the 'Dunkirk spirit' can be overdone, but it is entirely appropriate in this context to invoke the 'little ships of Dunkirk' the emergency plan of the Government in 1940 which urged all those with boats, of whatever size, to let them be used to cross the Channel as part of the rescue of British troops from capture by the advancing German army. The same 'little ships' approach also applies to GP surgeries. In Saturday's Mail there was a frontline diary by a nursing leader, Louise Kyle, running one of the NHS-designated 'vaccination hubs'. The same 'little ships' approach also applies to GP surgeries. In Saturday's Mail there was a frontline diary by a nursing leader, Louise Kyle, running one of the NHS-designated 'vaccination hubs' She was thrilled to be playing her part but ended her account with something like a cry of frustration: 'If only we weren't so hampered by NHS England's obsession with running all vaccinations through specific designated 'hubs' like ours . . . there's a huge potential to upscale if only NHS England would listen.' We should be clear about this. Every unnecessary bureaucratic delay, however well-motivated by 'best practice', comes at a continuing cost in lives to Covid-19. Haven't we lost enough, already? Let there be light The taking down of the Christmas lights on January 6th has always made me feel a bit sad. Although the nights are already getting shorter and the days longer (in the sense of natural light from the sun), it can still feel pretty bleak at this time of the year. And uniquely so this January when both government regulations and common sense rule out socialising with friends. Normally, my wife is a stickler for the rule that the tree with its lights and decorations must come down on the 12th day of Christmas. But she is also a Catholic and, when I made my plea last week, reflected for a moment and then pointed out that in Catholic churches, the crib and also a certain amount of decorations remain in place until Candlemas which falls on February 2nd. So, she said, it would be entirely permissible for our festive paraphernalia to remain up until then. Result! It turns out that English Heritage used a similar argument to encourage people not to add to the current gloom by packing away the festive decorations on January 6. Its senior historian, Michael Carter, pronounced last week: There is no need for a semi-penitential January full of darkness and misery. It is an English tradition that sustained itself well into the 17th century that decorations would be kept up . . . until Candlemas. So it was the Puritans and parsimonious Protestantism that put an end to this, my wife remarked, reassured in her doctrinal decision to keep our twinkling tree up for a few weeks longer. After that, Ill have to think of something else. The founder of VLATACOM, Vladimir Cizelj, PhD, has long realized that data safety is one of the greatest challenges in the field of information and communications technology. Although beneficial for both businesses and public organizations, the digitization of information has caused many issues when it comes to data control and security. The only way to address this problem is to implement a multifaceted security solution that uses the latest fraud-proof technology to ensure outstanding data protection. Fortunately, such systems exist thanks to the solutions offered by Vladimir Cizelj and VLATACOM. ICT security explained ICT security, or information and communication technology security, refers to all kinds of security solutions, systems, and measures used to protect sensitive data and personal information that is stored online. Since ICT as a term embodies various technologies, communication channels, services, devices, and technologies used for digital data exchange, it is clear that an effective security approach has to be multi-layered in order to provide optimal results. This approach has to be designed to address information security as a whole and provide a safe pathway for data storage, organization, sharing, access, retrieval, disposal, and monitoring. Data breaches are becoming more common as we speak and information malversations are an ever-growing threat to the most sensitive national and civilian data. In order to keep critical data from being manipulated or misused, each aspect of data safety should be considered equally important. A solid ICT security strategy is particularly important for various small and medium businesses, large enterprises, and government organizations, as they are the ones who typically handle the most valuable and confidential data. Stealing or in any way manipulating such data leads to devastating consequences that can pose a threat to national security. Thats why such organizations need a strong and reliable ICT security solution that will help them keep their operations efficient and their data well-protected. The advanced ICT solutions VLATACOM offers VLATACOM Institute is a renowned research and development institute located in Serbia, Europe. Its mission is to develop high-quality, innovative, and tailored ICT security solutions that prevent even the slightest attempt of data misuse and keep all kinds of classified information safely stored, retrieved, and exchanged. Their solutions are known to provide flawless performance no matter what, so its no wonder that they often manage to exceed customer expectations. Thanks to the visionary spirit of its founder, Vladimir Cizelj, as well as the advanced technological solutions it offers, VLATACOM quickly emerged as a true technology leader in the field of ICT security. Today, this privately-held institute employs the most reputable industry experts, distinguished scientists, and well-respected university professors who use their vast knowledge and experience to conduct thorough research and testing of each individual product. Among many comprehensive security solutions delivered by this team of experts, VLATACOM Personal Crypto Platform for Voice Encryption (vPCP-V), VLATACOM Personal Crypto Platform for File encryption and Cloud collaboration (vPCP-FC), and National Crypto Center (NCC) are the most popular ones. vPCP-V enables voice encryption in order to increase the security of different voice communication systems. vPCP-FC ensures safe file exchange, whereas NCC is used to improve national security by providing reliable digital identification, communication, and authentication. About Vladimir Cizelj and VLATACOM It seems that Vladimir Cizelj has been interested in science and technology ever since he was young, so it was only natural for him to enroll in the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Belgrade, Serbia. After he got his degree from the Department for Electronics, Telecommunication and Control Engineering, he decided to continue his education in the United States of America, where he attended and graduated from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Once he returned to Serbia, Vladimir Cizelj got the position of the head of the department for the development of special devices and systems at the well-known Institute of Nuclear Sciences called Vinca. During his time there, he had an opportunity to work closely with many experts and participate in many scientific projects that were of major national importance. As a renowned scientist who possesses a strong entrepreneurial mindset and visionary spirit for innovation, Vladimir Cizelj has devoted his career to the research and development of top-notch technologies and ICT systems that aim to boost business and economic growth. By establishing VLATACOM, the leading system developer and integrator in the security sector, Cizelj has managed to create an ICT security product line that is by far one of the best on the market. Bottom line Ensuring online data security and implementing safe ICT infrastructure is one of the top priorities for all businesses and organizations looking to keep their activities afloat. Security systems developed by Vladimir Cizelj and his institute are the most advanced technological solutions when it comes to protecting the integrity and privacy of sensitive information, which is why VLATACOM is considered an undisputed leader in ICT security. OTTAWA A month into the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians were ready to pull out all the stops. Car manufacturers were looking into making ventilators, while thousands of citizens volunteered to help the health system. OTTAWA A month into the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians were ready to pull out all the stops. Car manufacturers were looking into making ventilators, while thousands of citizens volunteered to help the health system. In Ottawa, federal bureaucrats were spotting problems months before they became political crises, and tried to craft ways for governments to prevent suffering, according to internal documents obtained by the Free Press. The proposals included repurposing unused buildings into isolation wards, getting idle public servants to do contact tracing, and paying out-of-work students to help the elderly. Yet few of these proposals were ever put in place. "It is mystifying to look at this list of very, very good ideas," said Dr. David Fisman, a leading epidemiologist at the University of Toronto. "It's quite foresighted; they're looking ahead and saying 'Well these are going to be issues' and they were right; these were issues. But why didn't this get off the ground?" he said. "It's sort of upsetting." Health Canada's strategic policy branch examines trends in healthcare, and tries to create solutions for governments and non-profit groups to save money and lives. Here are some of the ideas that team proposed in the first five weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, ending in mid-April. ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux has estimated Ottawa spent at least $828 million between March and June 2020 on 241,294 federal employees who at various times sat at home unable to work. Bureaucrats suggested Ottawa redeploy staff for contact tracing, but the only publicly known federal help has come through Statistics Canada staff, who were diverted to helping provinces with calls in May. Paid to sit at home Closed offices left thousands of public servants sitting at home unable to do their normal jobs. Bureaucrats suggested Ottawa redeploy staff for contact tracing, as had been done in Ireland. Yet the only publicly known federal help has come through Statistics Canada staff, who were diverted to helping provinces with calls in May. The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates Ottawa spent at least $828 million between March and June 2020 on 241,294 federal employees who at various times sat at home unable to work while provinces struggled with contact-tracing capacity. "Health Canada leveraged federal public-service resources with access to secure systems/equipment and security screening requirements," wrote Health Canada spokesman Martin Begin, who did not specify if any agency other than Statistics Canada provided staff to provinces. Volunteer database In April, Health Canada issued an online callout for volunteers, and had 53,769 Canadians step up in just three weeks, including 1,153 Manitobans. An April 17 slideshow notes that "about 4,000 registrants have self-identified as having pertinent experience" to helping with people in long-term care. Health Canada says that by September, 24,717 volunteers with a medical background were referred out to provinces, largely for paid work, occasionally facilitated through the Canadian Red Cross. Yet the department said its hastily created database makes it impossible to tell how many volunteers provinces actually used for paid and unpaid work. "The campaign inventory continues to be active and is being used in the current phase of our pandemic response," wrote Begin. "Provincial stakeholders have indicated that the campaign inventory is an important resource." Leaning on students In late March, bureaucrats assembled a contact list of all university heads, and a formal letter asking for help recruiting students with some medical knowledge to help with testing, as well as possibly using campus lab space for COVID-19 tests. A faculty group said roughly 6,000 medical students had enough training to safely help in settings outside of hospitals, to alleviate pressure on health systems. Some universities offered equipment to be used in testing. Health Canada did not say if any of those offers were taken up. The bureaucrats also suggested leveraging the Canada Summer Jobs program to have young people help in personal care homes, anticipating burnout from spring outbreaks. The long-standing program provides 80,000 summer jobs bankrolled by the federal government, including in Winnipeg care homes like Donwood Manor. Instead of leveraging that program, the Trudeau government attempted a general volunteer scheme for non-profit needs through WE Charity, which became a political scandal. Tapping unused buildings The bureaucrats also suggested surplus federal buildings could be used to isolate residents of personal care homes with COVID-19 outbreaks. The federal government owns land across the country sitting idle or in the process of being divested, such as the decommissioned drug lab at 510 Lagimodiere Blvd. It's unclear if anyone sought to evacuate residents during the large-scale outbreaks in Winnipeg's Parkview and Maples care homes this fall. Protecting homecare The bureaucrats also warned that exhausted personal care homes would likely start turning to people who work in homecare, particularly if care homes started boosting pay. It appears Ottawa's support for provinces tried to account for this reality by allowing homecare workers to access pay top-ups for providing an essential service. The provincial dynamic The Trudeau government has offered money and guidance to provinces, leaving it largely up to them to decide how to structure healthcare and restrictions. Fisman says Ottawa's approach hasn't been perfect, but he argues provinces are largely to blame for leaving funding allocations untapped, and fumbling vaccine distribution. "The provincial nature of health is such that the feds can lead the horse to water, but the horse has to decide it's thirsty," he said. Health Canada refused an interview with the senior official who oversees the department's policy shop, making it impossible to know which ideas were logistically impossible, and which ones fell victim to red tape and inter-governmental squabbling. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca (Natural News) Matthew Pottinger, President Donald Trumps respected Deputy National Security Adviser, told politicians from around the world during a recent meeting that the most likely source of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is a Chinese laboratory. Rather than emerging at a Wuhan wet market as was initially claimed, the Chinese virus more than likely came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinas only level-four biolab. There is a growing body of evidence that the lab is likely the most credible source of the virus, Pottinger is quoted as saying. The novel virus may have been leaked, and it may have been an accident, Pottinger further suggested, adding that even establishment figures in Beijing have openly dismissed the wet market story. The meeting, which took place over Zoom, occurred at the same time as experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) were gearing up to travel to Wuhan to conduct a full investigation concerning the source of COVID-19. Many critics, including Pottinger, are already speculating that the WHO, due to being heavily influenced by China, will whitewash its findings to make the communist regime appear innocent. MPs around the world have a moral role to play in exposing the WHO investigation as a Potemkin exercise, Pottinger stated, referring to the fake villages that were created in Crimea during the 18th century, the purpose of which was to convince the visiting Russian Empress Catherine the Great that the region was in good health. Communist China owes U.S., U.K. compensation for coronavirus damages Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory Party leader who attended the meeting, commented that Pottingers statements represent a stiffening of the American position concerning the source of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). I was told the U.S. has an ex-scientist from the laboratory in America at the moment, Smith further stated. That was what I heard a few weeks ago. I was led to believe this is how they have been able to stiffen up their position on how this outbreak originated. Adding to the suspicion is Beijings refusal to allow journalists to visit the Wuhan laboratory where the China virus is now widely believed to have been concocted. The truth is there are people who have been in those labs who maintain that this is the case, Smith added. We dont know what they have been doing in that laboratory. They may well have been fiddling with bat coronaviruses and looking at them and they made a mistake. Ive spoken to various people who believe that to be the case. Since it is basically now a given that communist China is directly responsible for having unleashed the WuFlu on the world, causing massive economic and societal destruction, the time has come for the regime to pay up. Sam Armstrong, communications director at the Henry Jackson Society foreign policy think-tank, announced publicly that it is time for the British government, at least and we would also contend the American government to seek both answers about and compensation for COVID-19. Should President Trump remain in office for a second term, there is a possibility that he, too, will call on China to fork over a large sum of cash to compensate all Americans for the horrors they had to endure throughout 2020, and now into 2021. Everyone with two brain cells to rub together knew it was not a coincidence that the pandemic began within a mile of the only lab in China that does experiments with the worlds most dangerous viruses, wrote one Daily Mail Online commenter. The problem is too many western scientists have dirty hands from supporting unethical and dangerous gain-of-function experiments at this Chinese lab that create viruses capable of starting pandemics. More of the latest news about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NaturalNews.com The authorities of Patliputra Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in Dhanbad have ordered an investigation after its two women doctors accused two senior physicians of sexually harassing them, Principal Dr Shailendra Kumar said on Monday. Principal Secretary (Health) Dr Nitin Madan Kulkarni asked the PMCH management to send the probe report to the department, he said. The two resident doctors in their complaint alleged that the head of the department of skin, Dr SK Mandal, and a medical officer frequently call them in their OPD chambers and harass them. According to sources in the hospital, they also claimed that they were marked absent on January 8 for not following such a directive. The two residents alleged that they were not given special leave available to women doctors, and charged the senior physicians with using foul language in presence of female colleagues. Mandal denied the charges and said he is ready to face any investigation. The other doctor was not available for comment. "The PMCH has formed a seven-member committee under Dr Pratibha Ray, head of the department of gynaecology, to probe the allegations and submit a report within a week," the principal said. Kumar said that the report will be sent to the health department principal secretary and he will take the final decision on the issue. Cawthorn riled up a crowd of Trump supporters during a rally speech that preceded the attack on the Capitol Several Democratic leaders in North Carolina are calling for an investigation into U.S. Congressman Madison Cawthorn claiming that he had a hand in inciting the violence that occurred during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. A letter sent on Saturday, Jan. 9, to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, signed by N.C. District 11 leaders of the Democratic Party, lists examples they say are grounds for Rep. Cawthorns expulsion from Congress. Read More: Man who posed at Pelosis desk arrested, says hes ready for violent death In the letter, Cawthorns strong language in his Twitter posts on the days leading up to Wednesdays riots was cited as an example of his support and encouragement of the violence that ensued. The group also mentioned that Cawthorn had riled up the crowd of Trump supporters during a rally speech that preceded the attack on the Capitol by using violent language and referring to his colleagues as cowards. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Strengthening the groups claim that Cawthorn played a part in the Jan. 6 mayhem, they referred to a tweet the congressman posted that invited the mob inside Capitol building. Im fighting a battle for our Constitution on the House floor with other patriots. The battle is on the House floor, not in the streets of D.C., Cawthorn wrote in a Jan. 6 tweet. Read More: Madison Cawthorn says real Americans shouldnt support Warnock Since January 6, in spite of the above, he has repeatedly denied any culpability in the resulting mob action of illegally breaching the Security of the Capitol Building, of illegally taking over the US Senate and House of Representatives chambers, of the disruption of Congresss carrying out its official Constitutional duties, of destruction of federal property, and of inciting mob action resulting in the deaths of five people, the group wrote in the letter to Pelosi. Story continues In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, North Carolina congressional nominee Madison Cawthorn addresses the virtual convention on August 26, 2020. The convention is being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic but will include speeches from various locations including Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images) They implored her to hold Cawthorn accountable for his seditious behavior and for the consequences resulting from his behavior. Although Cawthorn denies inciting the crowd to violence, his tweets speak for themselves. Following President Trumps playbook to lie without compunction, Cawthorn baselessly accused Georgia-born senator-elect Reverend Raphael Warnock of disguising himself as a southern pastor to win votes, according to Newsweek. Additionally, Cawthorn echoed Trumps complaint that Warnock is a radicals radical, and questioned how Warnock can say hes a pastor while being all about abortion. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today! The post North Carolina Democrats look to oust Madison Cawthorn appeared first on TheGrio. The Volcanic Alert Level for Mount Ruapehu has been lowered to one. The Department of Conservation closed the summit area of Mount Ruapehu on December 21, 2020. The area 2km from the centre of Crater Lake was closed in response to the VAL being raised to level two by GNS Science and the increased risk of an eruption occurring. With the VAL now returned to level one, the 2km exclusion zone has been lifted and there are no longer any restrictions in place. Tongariro operations manager Connie Norgate says while the alert level has returned to level one (which is normal for Ruapehu), visitors should remember Tongariro National Park is an active volcanic area, and eruptions can occur with little or no warning. The closer people are to the Parks active volcanic vents, the higher their risk of being exposed to volcanic hazards. Eruptions can occur at any time, we recommend people remain at least 700 metres from Te Wai a-moe/Crater Lake, and do not camp within 1.5km of the Lake as a safety precaution. Please respect the maunga and familiarise yourself with the volcanic risk info on DOCs website, says Connie. 'Stay on farm laws no solution': Farmer leaders refuse to appear before SC-appointed panel India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 11: Farmers unions on Monday welcomed the suggestion of the Supreme Court for a stay on the farm laws implementation but said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by it. Pulling up the Centre for its handling of the farmers' protest, the apex court on Monday said it is "extremely disappointed" with the way negotiations between them were going and will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse. "While all organisations welcome the suggestions of the Supreme Court to stay the implementation of the farm laws, they are collectively and individually not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by it," a statement issued by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha said. "We met our lawyers this evening and after deliberation on the pros and cons of the suggestions, we informed them that we are unanimously not agreeable to go before any committee that may be appointed by the Supreme Court today due to the stubborn attitude of the government," it read. The umbrella body said the apex court was requested by their lawyers and by other counsel, including Harish Salve, to fix the next hearing on Tuesday to enable them to consult the farmer unions and seek their consent to the suggestion of the SC. "We have been told that no such hearing has been fixed for tomorrow as per the cause list already published for tomorrow till 9 PM and that only the matters are listed for pronouncements for order by the court. These events have deeply disappointed us, our lawyers and also farmers at large," the Morcha said. Earlier in the day, farmer leaders said they would continue their agitation even if the government or the Supreme Court stays the implementation of the new agri laws. The farmer leaders, who said they were sharing their "personal opinion", were also of the view that a stay is "not a solution" as it is only for a fixed period of time. They were reacting after the Supreme Court indicated that it may stay the implementation of the contentious farm laws and refused to grant more time to the Centre to explore the possibility of an amicable solution saying it has already granted the government a "long rope". Farmer protests: SC to deliver verdict on Tuesday "We welcome the Supreme Court observation, but ending the protest is not an option. Any stay is only for a fixed period of time... till the issue is taken up by the court again," Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union President Gurnam Singh Chaduni said. The farmers want the laws to be repealed completely. The protest will continue even if the government or the Supreme Court stays their implementation, he said. National spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rakesh Tikait said the Supreme Court's observations were "a slap on the face of the central government" and demanded the resignation of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. He was addressing the national executive committee of BKU at UP-gate -Ghazipur border. Bhog Singh Mansa, president of Indian Farmers Union (Mansa), said a stay on the laws is "no big deal"'. "A stay on the laws is not a solution. We are here to get these laws scrapped completely... the government has in a way already agreed to scrap the laws when it said it is willing to incorporate as many amendments as farmers want," he said. "We appeal to the Supreme Court to terminate these laws as these are not valid constitutionally," Mansa said, adding the protest will continue till 'the laws are not repealed or the BJP government completes its tenure'. Punjab Kisan Union president Ruldu Singh Mansa echoed similar sentiments, saying the agitation started with the demand of scrapping the agri laws and "it will end only when we win this fight". Eight rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions have failed to end the deadlock as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws while the farmer leaders said their 'ghar waapsi will happen only after law waapsi'. The apex court had earlier sought the Centre's response on a batch of pleas against the three contentious farm laws -- the Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. Hundreds of agitating farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, have been camping on Delhi's borders since November 26. with PTI inputs Former Bachelor star Laurina Fleure underwent Brazilian butt lift surgery last year. And on Monday, the 39-year-old former reality star showed off her peachy posterior in a tiny bikini as she enjoyed a lovely summer day out at Angelsea Beach, Victoria. She exuded confidence as she flaunted her sensational figure in a teal coloured two-piece. Flaunting it! The Bachelor's Laurina Fleure exuded confidence as she debuted her Brazilian butt lift in a tiny bikini as she enjoyed a day out Victoria's Angelsea Beach on Monday, accompanied by her pet dog, named Teddy The Melbourne-based socialite posed to the side to show off her bottom as she carried her pet dog, named Teddy. 'Feeling rather confident about the BBL (Brazilian butt lift) - thank you Dr Lanzer,' she wrote in the caption, thanking her surgeon. 'These bikinis by @tuluna are made from 100% recycled fishing nets,' she added of her swimsuit. Bikini babe: In another photo, she fearlessly showed off her scars on her torso after having surgery for Hirschsprung's Disease, a rare congenital condition of the large intestine that is present at birth and affects the way a person passes stool In another photo, she fearlessly showed off her scars on her torso after having surgery for Hirschsprung's Disease. Hirschsprung's Disease is a rare congenital condition of the large intestine that is present at birth and affects the way a person passes stool because of a lack of nerves in part of the intestine, according to NIH. Laurina underwent a Brazilian butt lift last year. Enhancement: Laurina underwent a Brazilian butt lift last year. In June, she had liposuction to remove 1.2 litres of unwanted fat from her arms, legs and hips, and transferred 300ml of her own fat back into her glutes In June, she had liposuction to remove 1.2 litres of unwanted fat from her arms, legs and hips, and transferred 300ml of her own fat back into her glutes. She also shared a photo of her bruised behind after having the procedure done. 'So less than half a Coke can into each butt cheek at the top for a little bit of extra profile. Thanks, Dr Lanzer. Pretty excited for my final results to come through,' she said in a video shared to Instagram at the time. Post surgery: She also shared a photo of her bruised behind after having the procedure done Rise to fame: Laurina shot to fame on Blake Garvey's season of The Bachelor back in 2014. Fans will not doubt remember Blake's disastrous date with Laurina to Harry's Cafe De Wheels, which she was less than impressed with Laurina shot to fame on Blake Garvey's season of The Bachelor back in 2014, before later appearing on the first season of Bachelor in Paradise in 2018. Fans will not doubt remember Blake's disastrous date with Laurina to Harry's Cafe De Wheels, which she was less than impressed with. She went viral after complaining that he had taken her out for a 'dirty street pie' at a food truck instead of on a glamorous date like the other women received. A fire ripped through a modular home companys warehouse in Headingley on Christmas Eve, destroying the property and everything inside. Its cause is still undetermined. Kelly Genns sister got a text the evening of Dec. 24 the sender had seen Best Buy Homes storage facility in flames. Genns family has owned the business for around 60 years. Four generations have helped to build it. They set up their Headingley location, 4250 Portage Ave., over 40 years ago. Genn was preparing Christmas Eve dinner when she got the news. She saw the smoke as she left her house in The Oaks for Best Buy Homes. Headingley firefighters were already on scene when she met her dad and sister there. She stayed for a couple hours, watching as the crew battled the flames. It dipped to -30 C with the wind chill, so Genns family opened the front office as a relief centre for the firefighters. Doug Hansen, the Rural Municipality of Headingleys fire chief, received a notification about the fire at 5 p.m. he was getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner and a board game with his family. He rushed from his house to the business. There, he met his crew. As soon as I pulled out onto Portage You could see it well. It involved lots of smoke and there was quite a big fire, he said. The team was there for about nine hours. There were no fire hydrants nearby, meaning the crew had to drag their hose across a field. It was windy, and the freezing temperature made everything icy. The torched building was where employees worked on mobile homes. Hansen said there was a home inside, and four motorcycles, boats and plastic. Tools, siding and skirting for around the homes all went up in flames. It was all combustible, and the smoke was basically pretty thick, Hansen said. It was brutal. The fire also damaged a couple homes parked outside, Genn said. The homes were supposed to go to northern Indigenous communities. Two dogs died in the blaze. Someone was working on their van in the shop less than half an hour before the fire started. Theyd left to take another person home, Hansen said. When they came back, the shop was on fire and the dogs theyd briefly parted with were still inside. Genn said she wasnt sure how much the damage will cost; the company will need to rebuild its warehouse, and theres homes that need replacing. This obviously is a huge setback for us, she said. However, we are a fairly large company, and we will be able to rebuild and to keep going. Hopefully its not going to set us back too much. The business has locations in western Canada, and it delivers homes across the country. Genn said shes thankful no human was badly harmed in the fire, and that shes grateful for the firefighters. Hansen also had a lot of appreciation for the crew. Our team basically worked their butts off for nine hours, 10 hours, in the freezing cold on Christmas Eve, and they deserve all the credit in the world, Hansen said, adding that many have kids and had to get up early Christmas morning. As for Best Buy Homes, Genn said the company will begin rebuilding as soon as possible. A fire ripped through a modular home companys warehouse in Headingley on Christmas Eve, destroying the property and everything inside. Its cause is still undetermined. Kelly Genns sister got a text the evening of Dec. 24 the sender had seen Best Buy Homes storage facility in flames. Genns family has owned the business for around 60 years. Four generations have helped to build it. They set up their Headingley location, 4250 Portage Ave., over 40 years ago. Genn was preparing Christmas Eve dinner when she got the news. She saw the smoke as she left her house in The Oaks for Best Buy Homes. Headingley firefighters were already on scene when she met her dad and sister there. She stayed for a couple hours, watching as the crew battled the flames. It dipped to -30 C with the wind chill, so Genns family opened the front office as a relief centre for the firefighters. Doug Hansen, the Rural Municipality of Headingleys fire chief, received a notification about the fire at 5 p.m. he was getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner and a board game with his family. He rushed from his house to the business. There, he met his crew. "As soon as I pulled out onto Portage You could see it well. It involved lots of smoke and there was quite a big fire," he said. The team was there for about nine hours. There were no fire hydrants nearby, meaning the crew had to drag their hose across a field. It was windy, and the freezing temperature made everything icy. The torched building was where employees worked on mobile homes. Hansen said there was a home inside, and four motorcycles, boats and plastic. Tools, siding and skirting for around the homes all went up in flames. "It was all combustible, and the smoke was basically pretty thick," Hansen said. "It was brutal." The fire also damaged a couple homes parked outside, Genn said. The homes were supposed to go to northern Indigenous communities. Two dogs died in the blaze. Someone was working on their van in the shop less than half an hour before the fire started. Theyd left to take another person home, Hansen said. When they came back, the shop was on fire and the dogs theyd briefly parted with were still inside. Genn said she wasnt sure how much the damage will cost; the company will need to rebuild its warehouse, and theres homes that need replacing. "This obviously is a huge setback for us," she said. "However, we are a fairly large company, and we will be able to rebuild and to keep going. Hopefully its not going to set us back too much." The business has locations in western Canada, and it delivers homes across the country. Genn said shes thankful no human was badly harmed in the fire, and that shes grateful for the firefighters. Hansen also had a lot of appreciation for the crew. "Our team basically worked their butts off for nine hours, 10 hours, in the freezing cold on Christmas Eve, and they deserve all the credit in the world," Hansen said, adding that many have kids and had to get up early Christmas morning. As for Best Buy Homes, Genn said the company will begin rebuilding as soon as possible. A fire ripped through a modular home companys warehouse in Headingley on Christmas Eve, destroying the property and everything inside. Its cause is still undetermined. Kelly Genns sister got a text the evening of Dec. 24 the sender had seen Best Buy Homes storage facility in flames. Genns family has owned the business for around 60 years. Four generations have helped to build it. They set up their Headingley location, 4250 Portage Ave., over 40 years ago. Genn was preparing Christmas Eve dinner when she got the news. She saw the smoke as she left her house in The Oaks for Best Buy Homes. Headingley firefighters were already on scene when she met her dad and sister there. She stayed for a couple hours, watching as the crew battled the flames. It dipped to -30 C with the wind chill, so Genns family opened the front office as a relief centre for the firefighters. Doug Hansen, the Rural Municipality of Headingleys fire chief, received a notification about the fire at 5 p.m. he was getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner and a board game with his family. He rushed from his house to the business. There, he met his crew. "As soon as I pulled out onto Portage You could see it well. It involved lots of smoke and there was quite a big fire," he said. The team was there for about nine hours. There were no fire hydrants nearby, meaning the crew had to drag their hose across a field. It was windy, and the freezing temperature made everything icy. The torched building was where employees worked on mobile homes. Hansen said there was a home inside, and four motorcycles, boats and plastic. Tools, siding and skirting for around the homes all went up in flames. "It was all combustible, and the smoke was basically pretty thick," Hansen said. "It was brutal." The fire also damaged a couple homes parked outside, Genn said. The homes were supposed to go to northern Indigenous communities. Two dogs died in the blaze. Someone was working on their van in the shop less than half an hour before the fire started. Theyd left to take another person home, Hansen said. When they came back, the shop was on fire and the dogs theyd briefly parted with were still inside. Genn said she wasnt sure how much the damage will cost; the company will need to rebuild its warehouse, and theres homes that need replacing. "This obviously is a huge setback for us," she said. "However, we are a fairly large company, and we will be able to rebuild and to keep going. Hopefully its not going to set us back too much." The business has locations in western Canada, and it delivers homes across the country. Genn said shes thankful no human was badly harmed in the fire, and that shes grateful for the firefighters. Hansen also had a lot of appreciation for the crew. "Our team basically worked their butts off for nine hours, 10 hours, in the freezing cold on Christmas Eve, and they deserve all the credit in the world," Hansen said, adding that many have kids and had to get up early Christmas morning. As for Best Buy Homes, Genn said the company will begin rebuilding as soon as possible. (Ad) Are you looking for a cleaner, safer way to enjoy your flower? It is a well known fact that long-term smoking can lead to negative consequences. Vapes, on the other hand, are a great alternative to make clean & efficient use of your herbs. They're hassle-free and give you full control over the usage. Vaping can be as close-lipped as possible. Unlike smoking, their odor doesnt spread and isnt a bother to others: Most companies will try to highlight their vapes as being the best. However, all are not the same, and some possess better qualities than others. Thats why we tested 20 vaporizers in the market & got you this best dry herb vaporizer list. Weve reviewed several vapes to find out which ones are the best and safest to use. It turns out that not all vapes exhibit the same positive attributes. Some vapes are more optimal, and others, just average. For more efficiency, weve created a list of the five best vapes in the market based on a well-planned criterion: Regulation of temperature. Comfort to use. Inhale quality. Value for money. Battery life. Battery charging time. Portability. The reputation of the manufacturer. Shipping and guarantees. After carefully considering all factors, we've found the five best dry herb vaporizers that you can buy. Here are our favorites: Best Dry Herb Vaporizers of 2021 1. Davinci IQ2 - Best Overall Vaporizer The Davinci IQ2 is perfect for those of you who want full control over the flavor of the herb. This dual-use vaporizer empowers you to control the experience of vaping by maximizing airflow and flavor. The air path is well-designed and has a glass-lined oven to ensure the purity of the flavor. IQ2 possesses an Air Flow Dial, which you can use to adjust your device and enjoy vapor that's 50% cooler than others. You can even control your dose on the device dosage calculation. You can easily track the active compounds per session. You can control and regulate the temperature of your vape by using the patented Smart PathTM control. You can select the degree of accuracy that you want. The IQ2 is free from metal or plastic substances that may contaminate it. The air path consists of zirconia elements to maintain the purity of the flavor. The vape also possesses an LED screen that allows you to manage the attributes such as the dose and length of your draw and battery level, etc. The IQ2 comes with a rechargeable battery that gives you an hour of continuous vape time. Unlike others in the market, the IQ2 doesn't have any loose parts, which make it convenient to load the herbs into the device on the go. The IQ2 is compatible with dry herb extracts. It weighs 5.6 oz. The heat-up time is less than one minute. It has a 0.5g dry herb oven and a 0.2g dosage pod. The heating system consists of a glass-lined oven. The airflow is adjustable up to five levels. It also has an onboard LED control. An app to connect to androids and iOS to track and keep a record of your draws. A Smart Path temperature control. A rechargeable and replaceable battery. Brushed aluminum body for a sleek appearance. A 10-year warranty. Shipping and Return Policy Two-week refund policy. Same-day shipping for orders placed before 9 am PST. Free shipping on orders over $100. Shipping Davinci offers standard shipping rates with no shipping charges on orders over $100 in the United States of America. Your order will take 2-4 business days to arrive. Free shipping orders will be shipped via USPS Ground and standard shipping via USPS Priority. International orders will take 1-2 days to be shipped out. For Canada, the European Union, and Greece, Davinci offers free shipping on orders above $100. Returns The return policy is only eligible for purchases made on the official website. If you purchased the product from an authorized dealer, you need to contact their customer service for the return process. Please note that all returns must possess the Return Authorization Number provided by the customer service. Return items without this number wont be processed. Youll get your full refund minus the return shipping fees and 15% stocking fees. If your product, which is purchased from the official website, becomes faulty after the delivery, the company recommends contacting them immediately for warranty information. You can view the warranty policy on the official website. If you receive a damaged item, contact the customer service immediately. All damaged items must be reported within seventy-two hours after the delivery. Pros: A quick heating time under one minute. Adjustable airflow. Temperature regulation and control. App for mobile connectivity. A versatile range of colors. Highly compact. Easy to carry around. It requires low maintenance. Cons: A bit overpriced. Plain appearance. Customer Testimonials IQ2 is the definition of luxury vaping, and the company has outdone themselves. Most of the customers are loving the temperature control. Many have commented that they admire the smooth airflow for a better performance of the product. These customers were in awe of the customizable vape experience. Few customers aren't happy with the size of the IQ2, which is fairly bigger than the IQ. Get the Davinci IQ2 Vaporizer here. 2. Davinci Miqro - Best Value & Pocket-Friendly Vape The Davinci Miqro is perfect for someone whos a micro-doser or new to vaping at an affordable price. The product doesn't have as many features as other Davinci products, but it gives almost the same vaping experience to the users at a lesser price. Built with a zirconium ceramic vapor path, Miqro ensures that youre getting the purest quality vapors. With on-demand controls, you can conveniently switch between Smart Paths, temperature control settings, and boost mode. For a maximized experience with less herb, you can adjust the oven size by 50% and get your desired dose. The oven also comes with an adjustable lid so that you can pack your herbs tightly and get better heating. Unlike Davinci IQ2, which gives users complete precision control, Miqro has three temperature settings, which are good enough for a smooth vapor from fewer herbs. The Davinci Miqro heats up in thirty-nine seconds, but the battery doesn't last too long. Although the battery life is less as compared to other vapes, Miqros battery is swappable. You wont have to stop halfway just because your battery ran out. The device weighs 3.53 oz. The battery is rechargeable and replaceable. The charging time is decent compared to other products. The heat-up time is thirty-nine seconds. The vape is highly affordable. The adjustable lid on the oven makes you determine the amount of herb you want to use. The ceramic and zirconium airpath give smooth inhales. It comes with a five-year warranty. Shipping and Return Policy The product is eligible for international shipping. The product requires a shipping fee. The return policy is for two weeks. Shipping Davinci offers free shipping on all orders above $100 in the United States of America. All orders that are eligible for free shipping go through via USPS Ground. The standard shipping is via USPS Priority Mail, which takes about two to four business days for the delivery of products. There are also upgraded shipping options such as FedEx Standard Overnight and FedEx 2-day. The costs for upgraded shipping are calculated at checkout. Returns The return policy is only eligible for purchases made on the official website. The return policy is for two weeks from the date of purchase. Custom designed vapes are eligible for a refund within two weeks from the date of purchase if proven to be faulty. If you purchased the product from an authorized dealer, you need to contact their customer service for the return process. Please note that all returns must possess the Return Authorization Number provided by the customer service. Return items without this number wont be processed. Youll get your full refund minus the return shipping fees and 15% stocking fees. If your product, which is purchased from the official website, becomes faulty after the delivery, the company recommends contacting them immediately for warranty information. You can view the warranty policy on the official website. If you receive a damaged item, contact the customer service immediately. All damaged items must be reported within seventy-two hours after the delivery. For more information about the product, click here. Pros: The device is pocket friendly. Its the best choice for someone whos just started vaping. The heating time is thirty-nine seconds. It exhibits decent temperature control. It has a swappable battery. It is eligible for worldwide shipping. The product is highly compact. The vape is discreet to use. The product is convenient to clean and maintain. It is eligible for a five-year warranty. Cons: The product requires a shipping fee worldwide. It only works with loose leaves. All accessories are not included. The battery life is thirty minutes only. Customer Testimonials The Davinci Miqro may not possess the features of the top runners, but it does possess optimum-quality and class within half the price of those. Users recommend this to be the perfect choice for light-users or someone who just entered the vaping game. Most customers report that it possesses the necessary features of a standard vape and is highly affordable. The price of the vape makes it a favorite among the users. Even though there is minimal waiting for the heat-up, users are unhappy that the device itself heats up as well. Several users report discomfort with this downside. Few customers even report that sometimes the vapor becomes too hot regardless of the selected temperature. Get the Davinci Miqro vaporizer here. 3. Pax 3 - Most Discreet Dry Herb Vape Pax 3 is the best choice if you want to stay under the radar. With a stylish design, this product is as discreet as it can be. Pax 3 has a short vapor path and a powerful heating unit. These attributes make it support strong vapor and produce full hits. The vape is exceptionally lightweight. You won't feel its presence if it's in your hand or your pockets. Similar to other conduction vapes, Pax 3 will give more efficient results if you stir the herbs and take more time between hits. The vape possesses four temperature settings controlled by four petals. You can control this device through the mouthpiece, which also functions as a button. You can use a lower temperature for enhanced flavor and higher temperatures for larger clouds. The Pax 3 also possesses an excellent Stealth Mode that regulates and optimizes the temperature between hits. The heat-up time for Pax 3 is about twenty seconds. You can get up to ten sessions per charge, indicating that it has a better battery life than other brands in the market. This vape has an app for androids that lets you track your draws, regulate the temperature, and manage the battery. The biggest attribute of Pax 3 is its appearance. The product has a stylish and modern design and a wide range of colors. It weighs 93g. Easy to maintain. A unique Stealth Mode. A minimalistic design. Ten sessions per charge. Oven capacity of 0.3g. Four temperature settings. A versatile range of finishes and colors. An auto switch-off function. The battery life is eighty minutes. The heat-up time is twenty seconds. A 10-year warranty. Shipping and Return Policy The product is only shipped in the USA and Canada. All products are eligible for free shipping. A one-month return policy. Shipping All Bloomgrove orders are shipped from their warehouses or purchased directly from authorized distributors. The estimated delivery time is between three to five business days from the date of purchase. All orders over $50 are eligible for USPS Priority Mail shipping. Returns You can return an item up to one month from the date of purchase. The item should be unused and in the exact condition that you received it. Your item needs to be in the original packing, and you need to have the original receipt as proof of purchase. After the returned product passes inspection, you will receive a full refund to your mode of payment. The refund doesnt include the return shipping costs. Pros: An efficient design. Highly lightweight. Easy to use. Wide range of choices. Fast heating time. Works with herbs and concentrates. An excellent temperature control. Android app connectivity. Cons: Not eligible for worldwide shipping. Not reasonably priced. Customer Testimonials Many customers highly recommend this product because it's fast, convenient to use, and pleasing to look at. Almost all users admire the sleek design of Pax 3. Several users have also liked the optimum-quality vapor, with most users saying that it provides a strong hit. However, some users report that high-quality vapor releases after thirty seconds, whereas the manufacturer states that it takes only twenty seconds. Get the PAX 3 Vaporizer here. 4. Storz & Bickel Crafty+ - Most Powerful Vaporizer The Storz & Bickel Crafty+ is one of the most well-engineered vapes in the market. The steel-lined convection heat oven ensures to utilize the smallest of active compounds from the dry herb. This vape is an excellent choice because of the powerful battery of 2660 mAh. Crafty+ is made from high-quality plastic, which excels in durability and service life. The updated design makes it quite exciting, and newer temperature features are a definite advantage. Even though Crafty+ doesn't give you the control, it does come with three temperature presets 365 F, 383 F, and 410 F, with a heat-up time of forty seconds. The battery life is thirty minutes and requires an hour and a half to recharge. In conclusion, the Crafty+ exhibits fewer features compared to other vapes such as Davinci and Pax 3 but covers up for it by delivering the most powerful hit. The vape weighs 120g. It possesses three temperature control settings. The oven capacity is 0.4g. It takes ninety seconds to heat up. The battery life is thirty minutes. The vape has an auto switch-off. It has a two-year warranty. Shipping and Return policy The product is eligible for free shipping over orders of $50. The product isnt shipped worldwide. A one-month return policy. Shipping Storz & Bickel doesnt ship products outside of the United States of America and Canada. The products can be purchased from authorized dealers of verified third party sellers. All orders over $50 qualify for express shipping through the USPS Priority mail, which takes two to four business days for delivering products. Returns The vape is eligible for a one-month return policy. The product needs to be unused and in the same condition that you received it in. You also need to have the original packing and the receipts for verification. Once the returned item is inspected, the money will be transferred back into your account. Please note the refund doesnt cover the charges of return shipping. If you have any more queries regarding the shipping and return policies click here. Pros: The vape gives off a strong hit. The product is sleek in design. Its eligible for free shipping. Its highly compact. The vape is lightweight. The vape is well-made. It has a rechargeable battery. The product is easy to use. The product is convenient to clean. Cons: Its not eligible for worldwide shipping. It doesnt have app connectivity. There are only three temperature settings. Customer Testimonials Most users whove owned the previous versions report this version of Crafty+ is a must-have because it has undergone several improvements and can give a tough competition to other vapes in the market. Although some users are complaining about the temperature controls, it gets overshadowed by the massive hits the vape provides. Get your Storz & Bickel Crafty+ Vaporizer here. 5. Arizer ArGo - Compact and Portable Arizer ArGo fits the bill if youre looking for a vape thats ultra-sleek and stylish along with high functionality. The stainless-steel vapor path and ceramic elements make way for smooth and thick vapors with high consistency. The mouthpiece made from borosilicate glass enhances the experience of vaping. The battery provides an hour and a half of continuous usage with more than ten sessions. When empty, the battery requires about three and a half hours to recharge. The battery is replaceable, so you can always carry a spare one or purchase a new one on the go. Before using the pass-through charge option, ensure to charge the battery for about fifteen to twenty minutes. You can utilize the OLED display to make use of the temperature precision control that ranges from 122 F to 428 F. The OLED display also enables you to control the brightness and helps you manage temperature, shut-off timer, and notifications. The design of the OLED display is energy efficient as it doesnt require a backlight. The company has ensured to save on battery and energy. ArGo possesses a power-on delay feature, which ensures the unit doesn't turn on by mistake. It even gives out an alert when the device is at the desired temperature and a battery indicator. ArGo has a 15g chamber capacity. It weighs 97g. It has multiple temperature control settings. It has an energy-efficient OLED display. It uses convection heating. The heating time is sixty seconds. The battery is replaceable. It comes with a two-year warranty. Shipping and Return Policy The shipping is only available within the United States of America and Canada. The vape is eligible for free shipping on orders over $50. The return period is thirty days. Shipping All USA and Canada orders are shipped from the warehouses in the USA or authorized third-party sellers. The estimated delivery time is three to five business days. All orders over $50 are eligible for express shipping via the USPS Priority Mail that takes two to four business days for delivery of the products. Returns The vape is eligible for a thirty-day return and full refund policy. The product needs to be unused and in the same packing as it arrived. You also need to have the original receipts as proof for verification. Once the returned items undergo inspection and pass, you will receive a full refund on your original mode of payment. The refund doesnt cover the costs of return shipping. Pros: The product has decent value for money. Its highly convenient to use. The battery is replaceable. Its compact. It has an energy-efficient OLED display. Its eligible for free shipping. You can regulate the temperature control settings. Its compatible with dry herbs. Cons: The battery takes a lot of time to recharge. The product is only eligible for shipping in the United States of America and Canada. Customer Testimonials Most people love ArGo because of how compact and lightweight it is. This vape is a favorite among people who want a vape with aesthetic features but isnt highly noticeable. A lot of users found the temperature control to be on point and accurate. The broad spectrum of temperatures is one of the biggest advantages of this vape, according to people. Another feature that received positive acclaim is the swappable battery, which can make the vape work efficiently without the risk of running out. Click here to Check out the Arizer Argo vaporizer. Dry Herb Vaporizer: Buying Guide Weve reviewed some great products for you. If youre still unsure about the advantages of vaping vs. smoking your flower, let us change your mind. Convenience Vapes are highly convenient. Unlike other methods, they're easy to work with. You can carry them anywhere without the risk of breaking. Several non-smoking zones allow vaporizers as well. Even while traveling, vapes are the preferred choice. Faster Results When flower is vaporized, it gives instant outcomes. Cannabis has been a source of medicine for centuries but isnt yet approved as a conventional drug. Respiratory Health Regardless of how safe vaping may be, any type of smoking is dangerous to your health. Studies show that inhalation by vaporization is a more potent and promising form of consuming cannabis. Odor Control Vapes relatively reduce the smell of the herbs that youre consuming. Though not entirely, they dont stick to the clothes or linger in the air. Subtlety Vapes are a great way to smoke while being unnoticed. Since they look discreet, you can enjoy vaping without the risk of being scrutinized. Side Effects from Vaping Prolonged and consistent use of vaping can have several side effects on your health, such as: Dizziness. Red eyes. Lack of concentration. A decline in memory. Dry mouth. An increase in appetite. Addiction. Who Can and Cannot Use Vaporizers? Just because you seem to find vaping trendy or want a replacement for smoking doesnt mean that you can use it. Any form of inhaling flower can have adverse side effects on your health. You should avoid vaporizers if: You are expecting or breastfeeding. You have an underlying medical condition. Youre taking medication that vaping may interfere with. Youre underage. How to Decide Which Vape Is the Best For You? There are several factors to consider before you spend your money to purchase a vape. Try to answer these questions to narrow down your choices. Where Do You Vape? If you're always on the go, then a lightweight and compact vape is best for you. You should also consider a vape that will last longer and has a swappable battery. How Often Do You Vape? Are you someone who vapes regularly, or are you a light user? If you're a light user, its best to invest in a less expensive vape such as the Davinci Miqro with all the features of an expensive vape. The more durable ones can come in handy for those who vape constantly. How Do You Take Your Herb? You can purchase herbs in the form of powder, loose-leaf, or as a concentrate. Not all vaporizers support all types of herbs. Purchase the vaporizer that best suits your needs and the form in which you like your herb. How Much Are You Ready to Spend? The cheap vapes often lack in features and quality. These features are usually found in expensive high-end vapes. A cheap and low-quality vape is not worth it if you're someone who vapes constantly. In that case, it's best to make a long-term investment in an expensive vape. We highly recommend the Davinci IQ2 Vaporizer for a high-quality vaping experience. Even though its one of the most expensive vapes in the market, it exhibits features that are worth the money and has impeccable quality as well. FAQs This part of the review is highly anticipated because it helps you understand how other people perceive vaporizers. The questions range from how to use vaporizers to will I fall sick if I use them. Weve answered the most asked questions to make things easy for you. Here are some frequently asked questions by prospective buyers and curious people. These questions can help you decide on vaping. Is Vaping Legal? Dry herb vaporizers are legal in all 50 states. As far as the flower, it depends on the area and the country you're living in. While hemp flower is legal in all 50 states, several states have also legalized marijuana. It is important to check with your local laws first. Is Vaping Better Than Smoking? There is debate over which is better. In terms of other products, high quality e-juice or vape fluid is essential. In this case, vaping just means no smoke is created when heating your herbs. Do Dry Herbs Produce Any Odor? Vaporizers are not entirely free from odor. But unlike smoking, they don't have the strong stench of smoke. Someone standing a few feet away from you won't be able to smell the odor coming from your vape. Will I Test Positive for Drugs If I Use A Vaporizer? It depends on what herb you smoke, how frequently you smoke, and how long ago you last smoked it. It even depends on the type of drug tests that youre undergoing. Does Using A Vaporizer Have Side Effects? As of now, there isnt any concrete proof that the device itself causes any side effects. However, if your herb contains THC, you may experience some side effects. Will I Get High from A Dry Herb Vaporizer? It depends on the type of herb you're using. If the herb contains THC, you'll experience a high state of mind. But if your herb is free from THC, you won't be affected. Conclusion Hopefully, this review has helped you in deciding which dry herb vaporizer is the best for you. A dry herb vaporizer is the best way to enjoy your herb without the strong odors that come from a raw joint. The process is discrete, and you can have your vaping session without unwanted attention. Vaping has created a new trend of e-smoking that has received both critical acclaim and criticism by the world alike. Whether you accept it or not, in some way, vaping is similar but different to smoking. Vaping is becoming highly popular amongst cannabis enthusiasts. Practical, convenient, and stylish, you can take advantage of the aroma and flavors of vaping at your own accord. Vietnams Ministry of Health announced one imported COVID-19 case on Monday evening, taking the national tally to 1,515 patients. The latest patient is a 57-year-old Polish expert, the health ministry said. He landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on board flight QR970 from Qatar on Saturday. The expert was quarantined upon entry and sampled for COVID-19 testing in the city. His test returned positive for the novel coronavirus at the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control on Sunday. He is being isolated for treatment at a makeshift hospital in the citys Cu Chi District. Vietnam has reported 1,515 coronavirus cases as of Monday evening, with 1,361 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. The country has not detected any domestically transmitted infection since December 2. The Vietnamese government allows entry to skilled workers, experts, diplomats, and Vietnamese repatriates, who are all subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival, although it still closes the border to international arrivals to stall coronavirus transmission. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc demanded on Monday that authorities limit to the maximal extent the number of flights bringing people into the country from now until the Lunar New Year festival, which is due around mid-February, given the emergence of new coronavirus variants around the world. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A threat made against U.S. Rep Bonnie Watson Coleman during last weeks violent siege at the U.S. Capitol is under investigation by police, the congresswomans office said Monday. The posting was made on the Facebook page of a former Trenton resident and Trump supporter Daryl Brooks, who maintains his account was hacked while he sat on a bus waiting to return from Washington, D.C. that day. The post has since been deleted, but was preserved and posted on Twitter by a Washington journalist, Olivia Nuzzi. Daryl Brooks, one of Rudy Giulianis witnesses at the Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference, posted on Facebook claiming to be rioting inside of the Capitol building today. He then deleted it and claimed hed been hacked. (First image sent to me from a source): pic.twitter.com/N4ffJnizC4 Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) January 6, 2021 Im inside the capital now its time for the revolutionThe showdown is happening now! Im looking for Bonnie Watson office now!!! the post says. Before the Twitter post, Watson Colemans office was aware of it, and referred it to the U.S. Capitol Police Department, according to Mike Shanahan, spokesman for Watson Coleman. Were still awaiting on a report on the situation, Shanahan said. The office declined further comment on the post. Watson Coleman was in the Capitol that day and was herded to safety as the Trump-inspired mob attacked and broke into the home of Congress during a vote to certify the Electoral College victory of President-Elect Joe Biden. On Monday, the Democrat from Mercer County revealed she tested positive for the coronavirus, and said several fellow lawmakers did not wear masks during the sequestration. Brooks told NJ Advance Media he did not write the post, and is a Christian who follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs message of nonviolence. He is not aligned with the violent people who broke the law by storming the Capitol, he says. I am not extreme like that. He has seen the post, and said Monday: Its not a threat, but I would not write that. However, a Facebook post on his page that day, with a YouTube video of a Congressional live feed, says, welcome to the revolution people. To the question of whether he believes Trump caused the violence, Brooks said the president used choice words (that) should never have been said, and should have toned down the rhetoric. He remains a Trump supporter following last week. Listen, Trump has done a lot of good things, he said. Brooks said he went to Washington on a bus with about 50 other people to hawk a book he wrote about being a Republican poll watcher in Philadelphia during the general election, and to attend the rally during which Trump spoke. They arrived very early, and Brooks says he was tired by 11 a.m. - when Trump took the stage and walked back to the bus. He says he was never closer than 200 yards from the Capitol building, and stayed on the bus for hours, until it started rolling back to New Jersey sometime from 3 to 4 p.m. Timelines of the siege shows the Capitol was breached shortly after 2 p.m. Before moving to Philadelphia in 2019, Brooks was a well-known Trenton resident who surfaced often at political events, from Trenton City Council meetings to public events, some he organized, as an activist. He also ran for elected office several times, and for years was frank with his past as a child sex offender. He supported former Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, who went to federal prison for corruption. After Trump was elected, he started showing up at Trump rallies, and last fall, he was the first person to speak at the now-infamous press conference held by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani at the Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Northeast Philadelphia last fall. Daryl Brooks, of Trenton, addresses a Trump event at the corner of Route 35 and Harmony Road in Middletown, N.J. in this February 27, 2017 photo.(Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. The Massachusetts State Police said Monday afternoon that authorities are not aware of any specific threat to government venues or public safety in the state. While police are aware of online posts calling for peaceful armed protests in all 50 state capitals, authorities dont believe threats extend to the State House in Boston. We are in contact with the FBI continue to share information through our Fusion Center with federal, state, and local partners, the statement from state police said. We will continue to monitor all available intelligence over the coming days, will be prepared for any contingencies, and will adjust our security operations accordingly. Authorities said the State House is rigorously protected by a multi-layer security operation that includes Massachusetts State Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation Rangers and building security As in all cases of protest activity, protection of lives and property and preservation of the right of lawful assembly are our objectives, state police said in a statement. We will be prepared to protect the rights of freedom of assembly in our areas of jurisdiction provided those involved abide by the law and respect the rights, safety, and property of others. According to ABC, an internal FBI bulletin said that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitals and at the U.S. Capitol. The FBI has also received information in recent days on a group calling for storming state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings if President Donald Trump is removed from office prior to Inauguration Day. The group, the report said, is also planning to storm government offices in every state the day President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated, regardless of whether the states certified electoral votes for Biden or Trump. Were not going to comment on the authenticity of the document in question. The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, the FBI Boston office said in a statement. Our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory. Like the state police, the FBI said its Boston Division is not in possession of any intelligence indicating any planned, armed protests at the state capitals in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Rhode Island from Jan. 17 through Jan. 20. Last week, a rally led by Trump and his allies spurred a mob to march toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and storm the federal building. While insurrectionists climbed the walls and broke windows at the Capitol, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate sought shelter as the building was in lockdown. Five people, including a U.S. Capitol police officer were killed during the violence. In the aftermath of the insurrection, many members of Congress have called for the removal of Trump from office. Related Content: On his first day in office as the rector of one of Turkeys most prestigious universities, Melih Bulu received a literal cold shoulder. The faculty greeted their new boss by contemptuously turning their backs to the rectorate building just as students of the same university had done four years ago. The target then was Bulus predecessor, Mehmed Ozkan, who had also been handpicked as the rector of prestigious Bogazici University by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. This time was worse as Ozkan had been a member of Bogazici faculty, but Bulu is an outsider whose academic credentials are tarnished with allegations of plagiarism. As students from Bogazici and other universities continued protesting around the campus and online, Erdogan rallied to Bulu's defense. The Board of Higher Education has provided me with nine names and I have selected Bulu based on his academic qualifications, the president said on Friday. I am certain that he will be very successful. Asked about student protests at the university, with arrests and images of gates closed with handcuffs to keep students out, Erdogan repeated his refrain from similar cases: These are not students, these are terrorists. On Sunday, presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin maintained that "questioning the appointment would be questioning presidential powers" and accused the opposition of politicizing a simple appointment that was entirely within the rights of the president. The next day, a lawyer took up the matter in court, arguing that the move was unconstitutional. The presidential appointment of university rectors has long been a source of conflict in Turkeys academic world, which has long struggled for independence. The battle became more difficult in 2016 in the aftermath of the failed coup, when a decree gave the president the right to appoint anyone as a rector. It meant an end to the intra-university elections. Right after the 2016 decree, Erdogan flexed his muscles by appointing Ozkan instead of Gulay Barbarosoglu, the sitting rector who had been voted in by the faculty of Bogazici University. Since then, many members and cronies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had been named to the top posts of universities across Turkey. In Izmir, the Aegean port known for its staunch opposition to the AKP, Nukhet Hotar, the partys vice chair and Izmir deputy, was named as the head of prestigious Dokuz Eylul. Edibe Sozen, a former AKP deputy who voiced support for Bulus appointment, was named as rector of Gazianteps Hasan Kalyoncu University. Earlier in 2020, former AKP deputy Necdet Unuvar was appointed rector of Ankara University amid protests by students and academics. It is the sheer arrogance of the ruling party in bringing their members to top posts be it to the key embassies or to the top banks, Meral Aksener, the leader of Iyi Parti, told a morning program on Fox TV right after the appointment. Where is merit, where is the state tradition? she asked, pausing for a dramatic effect and adding, Where are the diplomas? Akseners words were a thinly veiled reference to Hamza Yerlikaya, a former wrestler and an aide to the president who was appointed as the deputy chair of state-run VakifBank in 2020. Not only did Yerlikaya lack any specialized economic training, but he was convicted of fraud for falsifying his high school diploma. When the opposition brought up Yerlikas fake diploma to parliament last December, the debate inevitably turned to the presidents own controversial credentials. You (the AKP) do not favor people who have diplomas because your own founder, your presidents diploma is under doubt, said Erdal Aydemir, the Bingol deputy of the Peoples' Democratic Party. Politicians and academics point out that corruption and cronyism including Erdogans ill-fated appointment of his son-in-law Berat Albayrak as the countrys economy tsar is one of the main reasons the ruling party is losing votes. I have talked to the president many times, wrote many reports saying that nepotism should not dominate the state, Ahmet Davutoglu, Erdogans former prime minister-turned-political opponent, said in a TV interview in November. Placing a crony at the head of Bogazici University is symbolic as an important part of Turkeys academic and cultural scenes, areas the president sees as the weakest points of his grip on Turkey. Even after all the blows Turkeys academic sector has received, Bogazici is still seen as an academic idyll, Bogazici sociology professor Biray Kolluoglu told Al-Monitor. It has a beautiful campus, a rich historical heritage and wide academic as well as extracurricular activities. Some see Bogazici as an ivory tower, but this is precisely what universities should be academic towers where there is freedom of thought, expression and academic independence. The school is also an important cultural center with its own theater troupes, choruses and events. Its alumni and faculty have long been key personalities in the Turkish political and cultural scenes, from Tansu Ciller a part-time professor who became economy minister and then prime minister in the 1990s to Gorgun Taner, the chairman of the powerful Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts that organizes the Istanbul Biennial. The US-based magazine US News and World Report has put Bogazici University among the top 200 universities of the world in 2020 as #197. Turkish universities hardly ever make it to the top global rankings. My dream is to push Bogazici to the top 100, said Bulu in a tweeted statement after the appointment. However, this remark, like others he has made to woo students about liking Metallica and knowing Bogazici culture, backfired. Bogazici students protested their new rector with the metal bands Master of Puppets as they called on him to resign. Reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi Park protests, the demonstrators used humor as an effective weapon toward both Bulu and his puppet master Erdogan. Comparing the rector to the "kayyum," the many AKP-appointed trustee governors, they suggested a portmanteau for the new position: rectum. Others mocked the AKP members and cronies who called Bogazici students and faculty elitist in one tweet and scum in another, asking the AKP to make up its mind whether they were elites or untouchables. [January 11, 2021] Las Vegas Supports CES with Marquee Takeover LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Las Vegas resorts and attractions joined together to show support of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with an orchestrated marquee display hours before the start of the annual show. CES, which has been held in Las Vegas for more than four decades, is being held virtually this year in light of the pandemic. More than two dozen marquees along the famed Las Vegas Strip and downtown were lit with a 'We miss you and can't wait to welcome you back in 2022' message the evening of Sunday, Jan. 10. Footage of the marquee display will be shared with all CES attendees as part of programming today. Multiple resorts destination-wide will also deliver the message on their respective social media handles. "CES is one of the largest and longest-standing conventions in the destination and we miss the show's organizers and attendees greatly this year," says Steve Hill, LVCVA president & CEO. "We wish them a successful virtual show and we are excited to welcome them back to Las Vegas with open arms next year." "The support and long-term partnership we have with Las Vegas is invaluable," said CTA president nd CEO Gary Shapiro. "For decades the city's hotels, workers and community have welcomed us with an outpouring of hospitality. CES looks forward to returning in 2022 and having a five-sense experience that includes the magic of Vegas." The following resorts and attractions that participated include: ARIA Resort & Casino, Bally's, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Circa Resort & Casino, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, Fremont Street Experience, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Harrah's Las Vegas, Luxor Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, MGM Grand, Mirage, New York New York, Paris Las Vegas, Park MGM, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Resorts World Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The Cromwell , The D Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel + Experience, SAHARA Las Vegas, The STRAT Hotel, Casino and Skypod, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Treasure Island TI Hotel & Casino, Tropicana Las Vegas, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. For additional information on the LVCVA or the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit LVCVA.com or www.VegasMeansBusiness.com. ABOUT THE LVCVA The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide and operating the Las Vegas Convention Center. With nearly 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 13 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.visitlasvegas.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/las-vegas-supports-ces-with-marquee-takeover-301205696.html SOURCE Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] She is among a large number of reality stars who have flocked to soak up the winter sunshine in Dubai over the festive season as Brits languish in a third lockdown. And Laura Anderson showed she's still enjoying her time in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a pair of sizzling bikini snapshots. However, the former Love Island star, 31, also revealed that she was deleting 'negative' comments from her posts amid backlash over her holiday. Sizzling: Laura Anderson showed she's still enjoying her time in Dubai on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a pair of sizzling bikini snapshots In her photos, the Scottish beauty looked tanned and toned in a lilac, which she teamed with a black paisley print headscarf and oversized mirrored sunglasses. Captioning the images, which showed her sitting aboard a boat, she wrote: 'Really really thrilled not to have been [sick].' Anticipating a slew of criticism, the erstwhile flight attendant concluded: 'If you dont have anything nice to say please do not comment.' She then posted a comment under her post, explaining that she was keeping a watchful eye on the reactions that came in, in a bid to purge the negative ones. No time for negativity: However, the former Love Island star, 31, also revealed that she was deleting 'negative' comments from her posts amid backlash over her holiday Laura wrote: 'Guys Im sorry to delete negative comments. Some have valid points but I cant argue everyday. Ive so much to say but I cant win on such a fragile topic or speak for anyone other than myself. X' 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. It comes after Laura complained to her Instagram followers last Tuesday, as she recorded a rambling message ahead of another day sunning herself in Dubai. Travel: Days earlier, Laura 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 Taking to her stories, the star declared that the new lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week was 'a s****y situation'. Laura, who lived in Dubai before finding fame on Love Island, was later seen by the pool, 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. 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 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.' 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 her plans to return home, Laura appeared to be already planning another trip to the UAE 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 furled romance rumours with Laura. Jack, 29, sparked speculation that he 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 last weekend. 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. Dating? This comes after fellow Love Islander Jack Fincham fuelled romance rumours with her 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. The close pals first began sparking romance rumours after it was claimed that they had grown closer since appearing on Love Island. 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 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. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Washington: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House will proceed with bringing legislation to impeach President Donald Trump to the floor. Pelosi made the announcement in letter late Sunday to colleagues. She also pushed the vice president and Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol, said an AP report. In a letter to colleagues, Pelosi reportedly made the announcement that the House will first vote to push Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. "In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both," Pelocy said, adding "The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action." Pelosi's leadership team on Monday will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment, the AP report said. With the House not in session, there is likely to be an objection to its consideration. Pelosi would then put the resolution before the full House on Tuesday. If it were to pass, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. Live TV With impeachment planning intensifying, the pressure was mounting for outgoing President Trump to leave office even before his term ended amid alarming concerns of more unrest ahead of the inauguration. Two Republican senators have now said they want Trump to resign immediately in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol. The president whipped up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding, and left five dead. Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to "resign and go away as soon as possible." "I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again," Toomey said. "I don't think he is electable in any way." As a growing number of lawmakers want to prevent Trump from ever again holding elected office, House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated on January 20. Earlier on Wednesday, chaotic and violent scenes erupted at the Capitol as supporters of Trump stormed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and confrontations with the police. The violence came hours after Trump encouraged his supporters to fight against the election results as Congress was certifying Biden`s victory in the November vote. Shortly after the incident, House Democrats were reportedly planning to introduce several articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in encouraging the violence. Meanwhile, officials have opened at least 25 domestic terrorism investigations into Wednesday`s assault on the US Capitol. Five people died in the rampage through the seat of government by Trump`s backers after a fiery speech denouncing the Nov 3 election results by the Republican president. (With Agency Inputs) Rebecca Breeds portrays FBI agent Clarice Starling, following the events of The Silence of the Lambs, in the latest trailer for upcoming drama series, Clarice. ADVERTISEMENT Starling is back with the FBI to hunt down serial murderers and sexual predators one year after she captured Buffalo Bill, as seen in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs, in the clip released on Monday. Starling must deal with the reputation she has made for herself while also navigating the political world of Washington D.C. Clarice is set to premiere on CBS and streaming service CBS All Access on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. EST. The series will also explore Starling's past. Michael Cudlitz, Lucca de Oliveira, Kal Penn, Nick Sandow, Devy Tyler and Marnee Carpenter also star. Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet serve as executive producers. The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Russia over the past 24 hours has increased by 23,315, bringing the total to 3,425,269, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told journalists on Monday. According to the crisis center, the relative growth of new cases has not surpassed 0.7% for three days. The lowest daily growth rates were registered in the Republic of Tuva (0.2%), the Magadan Region, the Kostroma Region, the Jewish Autonomous Region (0.3%), the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the Nenets Autonomous Region, the Kemerovo Region (0.4%). Some 3,004 new cases over the past 24 hours have been detected in St. Petersburg, 1,315 - in the Moscow Region, 474 cases - in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 392 - in the Voronezh Region, and 390 cases have been detected in the Rostov Region. In all, currently, 562,321 patients continue treatment in Russia, TASS reported. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... As part of my effort to track foreign direct investment (FDI) in various parts of the world, I subscribe to updates from the Global Development Policy Center of Boston College. This organizations mission is to advance policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability across the globe. The GDPC has developed an interactive database that tracks all the power plants that China has helped finance through its two global banks and through Chinese foreign direct investment. The database is set up to display this information based on CO2 emissions, lender, deal type, technology, capacity, and status. The database is truly interactive in the sense that a globe displays all of the countries of the world, and the user is able to click on any country to see all the aforementioned information. According to a summation of the data, between 2000 and 2018, Chinese banks and private companies invested in 777 power plants in 83 countries throughout the globe. In these plants, 106.2 gigawatts of generation capacity is already operational. When completed, these plants will have a total generation capacity of 186.5GW, accounting for approximately 2% of the worlds total electrical power outside of China. When looked at as a percentage, 2% doesnt seem like a lot until one considers that this is a percentage of all non-China capacity on earth. When initially reviewing the database, I thought that the GDPCs main goal was to track Chinese investment in order to make the case for how influential China has become in virtually every part of the globe, especially in developing countries. However, as I dug deeper into the data, I realized why the GDPC carefully tracks CO2 emissions 40% of the energy projects that China has helped finance are coal-fired plants, 27% are hydroelectric, and only 11% are renewable energy. As developed countries attempt to move away from fossil fuel power to try to deal with climate change, China is doing the exact opposite, helping to construct coal-fired plants, the vast number of them located in developing countries. Forty percent of the coal-fired plants are in southeast Asia, 31% are in south Asia, and 16% are in Africa. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The completed Chinese-financed power plants throughout the globe are currently generating emissions of approximately 314 metric tons of C02 per year or about 3.5% of the annual CO2 emissions outside of China. It is estimated that future Chinese-financed projects will add an additional 211 metric tons of C02 emissions. The countries that have received the most Chinese investment in their power projects are Brazil, Pakistan and Indonesia. The GDPC uses the summed megawatts of projects to rank the biggest beneficiaries of Chinese investment, but it is easy to scroll through the data to see the total number of projects that China has helped finance. Brazil has constructed or is about to begin construction of projects producing 23,454 MW of power. However, Brazils power projects facilitated by China number in the hundreds. The GDPCs database reveals how truly impressive the spread of Chinese investment in the global energy sector has become. Aside from larger developing countries such as Brazil and India, Chinese money has also reached poorer countries such as Chad, Bangladesh and Gambia. Mexico has 3,227 MW of power generation facilitated by Chinese investment. And, powerful, developed countries are also beneficiaries of Chinese investment. With 10,088MW of power projects made possible with Chinese money, the United Kingdom is the sixth largest recipient. Australia has 5,066MW of Chinese-financed power. Although just a smidgeon of its total power generation, even the U.S. has 2,842 MW of power plants financed by China. The billions of dollars of Chinese investments in the energy sector are not altruism, nor are they simply a manner of investing money in order to maximize returns. A large part of the motive in these investments is to develop leverage and spread Chinese power throughout the world. This is especially true with developing countries, which struggle in attracting FDI to improve their infrastructure. It has become easy to accept Chinese money, but harder to oppose China if the country is struggling economically and having trouble paying back the investment. It also becomes extremely tough or even suicidal to oppose Chinese foreign policy or its actions at home when it suppresses dissidents or even the dissemination of information, such as that related to the spread of the coronavirus. Many developing countries find themselves in the unenviable position of having to give up natural resources or strategic ports to China when they are strapped to pay the money back. Other than food, it is hard to imagine an industry more important to modern human beings than the ability to generate power to support the many aspects of our lives. Years ago, China made a strategic decision to invest in this sector in diverse countries throughout the world. Through foreign policy and its quest to become a major player in the developing world, it is now reaping its rewards. Jerry Pacheco is the executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a nonprofit trade counseling program of the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers Network. He can be reached at 575-589-2200 or at jerry@nmiba.com. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. According to the IMARC Group, Isosorbide (C 6 H 10 O 4 ), also known as D-Isosorbide Dinitrate, refers to a bio-product obtained from starch. Some of the derivatives of isosorbide, namely isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate, are extensively used across several end-use industries. In the healthcare sector, isosorbide dinitrate is used as a vasodilator agent for treating angina pectoris, whereas isosorbide mononitrate is adopted as an anti-anginal agent to relax the smooth muscles of both arteries and veins. Request for a free sample copy of this report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/isosorbide-market/requestsample The growing consumer preferences towards greener alternatives of fossil fuel-based derivatives are augmenting the demand for isosorbides due to their biodegradable properties. Furthermore, the introduction of numerous government initiatives for promoting the use of isosorbide-derived bioplastics across the food and beverages, automotive, electronics, and healthcare sectors, is also driving the market growth. In line with this, the rising adoption of isosorbide-derived epoxy resins in the biomedical devices and drug delivery systems is further inducing the global market for isosorbides. In the coming years, the growing penetration of numerous high-end innovations and waste reduction strategies for minimizing waste generation during isosorbide production will continue to catalyze the market growth. Explore full report with table of contents: https://www.imarcgroup.com/isosorbide-market Breakup by Product: Oil-Based Isosorbide Water-Based Isosorbide Silicone-Based Isosorbide Breakup by Application: PEIT Polycarbonate Polyesters Isosorbide Succinate Polyurethane Isosorbide Diesters Others Breakup by End-Use: Polymers and Resins Additives Others Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Middle East and Africa Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being Alfa Aesar, Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Ecogreen Oleochemicals, J&K Scientific, Jinan Hongbaifeng Industry & Trade, JP Laboratories, Meryer, Mitsubishi Chemical, Novaphene, Par Pharmaceutical, Roquette, SK Chemicals, TCI (Shanghai) Development, etc. Browse related Report https://www.imarcgroup.com/3d-printing-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/robotics-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/e-book-reader-market https://www.imarcgroup.com/rail-composites-market Contact US: IMARC Group 30 N Gould St, Ste R Sheridan, WY 82801, USA Website: https://www.imarcgroup.com/ Email: sales@imarcgroup.com USA: +1-631-791-1145 Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobal Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imarc-group Note: As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis takes over the world, we are continuously tracking the changes in the markets, as well as the purchase behaviours of the consumers globally and our estimates about the latest market trends and forecasts are being done after considering the impact of this pandemic. If you want to need latest primary and secondary data (2020-2025) with Cost Module, Business Strategy, Distribution Channel, etc. click request free sample report, published report will be delivered to you in PDF format via email within 24 to 48 hours of receiving full payment. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts for the full episode. Over the past few days, Ive been watching the images of the insurrection at the Capitol change. They were always shocking, but as more video has trickled out, and more internet detectives have started identifying perpetrators, the story of what exactly took place has just gotten darker. On Wednesday, some of the people who broke into Congress looked like gleeful internet trolls brought to life. By Sunday, there was video of one of these men beating a police officer with an American flag. Ive seen more and more pictures of rioters in tactical gearbulletproof vests, reinforced gloves, guns in open holsters. One of them earned the nickname zip-tie guy online. Daryl Johnson, who used to work at the Department of Homeland Security, was struck by that image. That really hit me because it showed that some people came prepared to potentially take hostages, he said. If that is proven true, that is very concerning and shows the dangerous intent of these groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to talk to Johnson for Mondays episode of What Next because in some ways he predicted this. Not the details, but the coming wave of anti-government sentiment and where it might lead. Back in 2009, a report he wrote about the risks of right-wing extremism was leaked to conservative media. It was the beginning of the end of his career at Homeland Security. But with each passing year, Johnsons work seems more prescient. Below youll find a partial transcript of our conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity. Mary Harris: This week you went back online to see what the groups you used to monitor are saying. What did you see? Advertisement Daryl Johnson: The fact that Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed as she breached the windowshes starting to turn out to be a martyr figure for these groups. And Im afraid that theyre going to use her death as a recruitment and radicalization tool to mobilize others toward violence. Some experts have talked about it as a mass radicalization. And I wonder if youd agree with that. Absolutely. All of this misinformation thats out there definitely radicalizes people. And even the Capitol rally itself was a radicalization moment for these people. This is not an isolated event. Its not the end of the show, so to speak. This is the beginning of the new revolution of these people. So we need to be looking at it as something thats going to propel radicalization and mobilization toward violence for years into the future. This event is not the culmination of a decades worth of right-wing extremism and then suddenly its going to die out now because they did this. Advertisement Advertisement You worked at DHS for a while. And Im curious if you could compare and contrast how D.C. might have prepared for similar events in the past. We can do a comparison with just what we saw over the summer with the Black Lives Matter protests. There were a lot more resources devoted to defending government buildings. There were much more aggressive tactics used against those protesters. But also, law enforcement can be somewhat biased toward the far-right in underestimating the threat that they pose, because in the past they havent really had this confrontational attitude toward authorities at these rallies. The police are there to protect the far-right at the rallies. So that complacency and bias set in and gave them a false sense of security when it came to this rally. Advertisement Im glad you said bias because we saw the officers taking selfies with the people inside the Capitol. You saw them moving barriers aside, which could potentially be done for safety, but at the same time, it looked terrible. It was very strange. And we even had law enforcement officers from across the country come to this rally and participate as insurgents, basically. So now all of them are being looked at for their role in seeing if they committed any criminal acts. We actually had law enforcement officers that participated in the rioting. Advertisement I wonder how you think about dealing with that moving forward. Youve seen reports from a number of police departments of this bubbling extremism and white supremacy within them. But of course, theyre all local departments. And Im wondering if you think about how we root that out. Are there things the federal government can do to incentivize that? Because it doesnt seem like theres been priority placed on getting rid of the bad actors. Advertisement This is not an isolated event. Its not the end of the show, so to speak. Daryl Johnson Its been known for a long time that there are sympathizers and even members of these extremist groups within the military and law enforcement communities. For a long time, departments across the country had hid behind the First Amendment protection of free speech. And the departments a lot of times make these excuses that these people have a constitutional right to behave that way or to adhere to these abhorrent belief systems. But its now time to reexamine that, because we realize that when these people belong to these extremist groups or embrace these radical beliefs, it really calls into question their ability to perform the law enforcement functions that theyve been empowered with in an equitable, honorable manner. And so we need to be looking at people that have expressed these types of beliefs and start taking administrative action against them. Its not a criminal act to hate, but it does call into question the trustworthiness of these people. Advertisement Advertisement Its interesting because you saw some of the rioters get fired right away. One of the guys showed up with his work tag on, and he was fired within 24 hours of that image going out. But then when you talk about a police officer, theyre often represented by a police union. And many of these police unions came out and endorsed President Donald Trump. There are police officers belonging to the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters and other extremist groups, and a lot of internal affairs representatives responded, Well, theres nothing we can really do about that. My response to that is you have somebody thats taken an oath to an organization that is looking to subvert our government, so theyre a potential insider threat. You need to look at them from a counterintelligence standpoint. Are they leaking sensitive information to these groups about what the police capabilities are in that community or whats the physical security layout of the police department? So theres a lot of different concerns related to these extremist individuals that have been put in these positions of authority that we really need to start taking seriously. Advertisement Subscribe to What Next Get more news from Mary Harris and her team every day. Subscribe Im wondering about the language you use for what happened on Wednesday, because theres been an evolution in that as time has gone on. It sounds like youre calling it an insurrection, a riot, sedition? Advertisement Advertisement I think all of those terms are appropriate. Insurrection is probably the one that stands out to me because it went beyond rioting, because the purpose and intent was to take over the Capitol of the United States and to stop this Electoral College process. Many reporters have talked about the crowd at the event that preceded the invasion of the Capitol, how it was kind of diverse. There were families there. People brought their dogs. And I wonder if you want to talk about the value for more extreme elements to mix with this crowd that has the appearance of being more normal and whether thats part of what you see changing at this moment. Advertisement Weve seen that for protest activities on both the far-left and far-right. Youve got these radical elements that will use the cover of the protest activity to push forward their more violent agendas. Once the violence started happening Wednesday at the Capitol, there were people that were leaving once they saw what was going on. Those are the peaceful, law-abiding people. But still, they adhere to conspiracy theories. They walked away today and obeyed the law. But tomorrow they could commit a criminal act because of these conspiracy theories and disinformation that theyre getting through these different political echo chambers on the internet. Advertisement If were at this beginning point of the next stage, its also a point where people can make a choice. Ive been struck by folks whove been monitoring online extremism over the weekend saying that theres been a splintering in the groups that have supported the president. Some people are looking at what happened at the Capitol and saying, I do not want to be part of that. And other people are wishing the president had pushed harder. As a former law enforcement agent, do you see this as a unique moment of possibility where the right people could get in there and prevent bad things from happening next? Advertisement I think this Capitol siege that we had last week is going to have a similar effect that we had in the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Its a wake-up call for our legislators and for the police. Were going to have a lot more resources and laws being passed and people leaving the movement because they saw the violence that happened last week. We saw similar things happen in Oklahoma City, where people in these movements had kind of a conscience and were shocked by what happened and actually left the white supremacy, anti-government movement. But it still took years. This wasnt something that happened within a few weeks or months. Advertisement So what does that tell you about what we should do now? We saw the arrests over the weekend of a number of these rioters around the country. Theres been discussion of the 25th Amendment. Theres been discussion of a second impeachment. How do you think about the value of punishing the president and his supporters? Advertisement Well, those are more symbolic acts. I like to look at things that actually make an impact, like passing a domestic terrorism statute that delineates authorities and responsibilities between federal agencies and empowers them. Things like implementing programs in our schools, just like our anti-gang and anti-drug campaigns, something to counter extremism in our schools. People need to be more aware and vigilant of the others who are radicalizing and mobilizing toward violence and report that type of suspicious activity. We need to have the private sector policing the social media content more and working hand in hand with law enforcement to identify those users who are radicalizing and mobilizing toward violence and terrorism. So theres a lot of things we need to be doing. Its not just censoring the president. But definitely the business communities as well as our legislators definitely need to call him out for what hes done and also call this act terrorism and do so in the future when we have other violent, ideologically motivated attacks. Can we talk about what happens this week, next week, because there is this online chatter suggesting that extremists are mobilizing once again around this coming weekend to take action in D.C., but also in states. How should we be preparing for that now? As Michigan and Idaho have learned, as well as the state Capitol in Oregon, as well as what happened last week in the U.S. Capitol, we need to take this chatter seriously. And resources and physical security measures need to be put in place to mitigate the threat. You sound like youre naturally worried and apprehensive about whats going on. When do you think youre going to be letting your guard down about whats happened in D.C.? Ill let my guard down when I see this genie put back in the bottleless plotting, less attacks, lower turnout to these rallies. But more importantly, when I start seeing the federal government and state and local governments taking this threat seriously, and we see more arrests and preventions being made. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. A Chinese official on Monday denied that Beijing has imposed coercive birth control measures among Muslim minority women. The remarks followed an outcry over a tweet by the Chinese Embassy in Washington claiming that government policies had freed women of the Uighur ethnic group from being 'baby-making machines'. Xu Guixiang, a deputy spokesperson for the Xinjiang regional government, told reporters on Monday that birth-control decisions were made of the person's own free will and that 'no organisation or individual can interfere'. A Chinese government official has claimed that birth-control decisions in Xinjiang were made of the person's own free will. His remarks came after the Chinese Embassy in Washington tweeted that Uighur women were 'emancipated' and no longer 'baby-making machines' Twitter took down the Chinese Embassy's tweet (above), which was posted on January 7, following protests by groups that accuse Beijing of seeking to eradicate Uighur culture 'The growth rate of the Uighur population is not only higher than that of the whole Xinjiang population, but also higher than that of the minority population, and more significantly higher than that of the (Chinese majority) Han population,' Xu said. 'As for the so-called forcing ethnic minority women in Xinjiang to wear IUDs, or undergo tubal ligations or abortions, it is even more malign.' An Associated Press investigation in June found that the Chinese government was forcing draconian birth-control measures on Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including IUD fittings, contraceptives, and even abortions and sterilisations. Muslim women who have fled China's 're-education camps' have revealed a world of rapes, abortions and forced sterilisations as they find refuge abroad. Gulzira Mogdyn (pictured in January 2018) said officials cut her open and ripped out her fetus without anaesthetic The measures are backed by the threat of detention, with parents with three or more children swept into camps and prisons if they're unable to pay massive fines. As a result, the birth rate in Xinjiang's minority regions plummeted by over 60 per cent in just three years, even as Beijing eases birth restrictions on the Han population ahead of a looming demographic crisis. Twitter took down the Chinese Embassy's tweet, which was posted on January 7, following protests by groups that accuse Beijing of seeking to eradicate Uighur culture. Users complained the tweet was a violation of rules set by Twitter, which is blocked in China along with Facebook and other American social media platforms. Members of the Muslim Uighur minority hold placards as they demonstrate in front of the Chinese consulate on December 30, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey, to ask for news of their relatives China is accused of putting more than 1million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities in prison-like centres for political indoctrination - allegations Beijing has denied. The file picture reportedly shows detainees in a Xinjiang 're-education camp' in far-western China 'China's fascist government is now openly admitting and celebrating its use of concentration camps, forced labor, forced sterilisations and abortions, and other forms of torture to eliminate an ethnic and religious minority,' Nihad Awad, national executive director of The Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in an emailed statement. China has been waging a years-long campaign against what it calls terrorism and religious fanaticism in Xinjiang. The embassy's tweet referenced those polices, saying: 'Study shows that in the process of eradicating extremism, the minds of Uygur women in Xinjiang were emancipated and gender equality and reproductive health were promoted, making them no longer baby-making machines.' Social media footage purports to show Uighur Muslim prisoners being transferred in China With their heads shaven, eyes covered and hands bound, the detainees are seen wearing purple vests with the words 'Kashgar Detention Center' written on their backs in the clip The tweet cited a study by Li Xiaoxia, a Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences researcher who has asserted that the birth-control measures in Xinjiang are voluntary. Li's papers in past years laid the theoretical foundations for justifying mass birth-control measures. In one 2017 article, Li said having many children was a sign of 'religious extremism and ethnic separatism'. Li worried that predominantly minority districts were breeding grounds for terrorism, calling it 'a big political risk.' Monday's news conference was the latest attempt by Beijing to deflect rising international criticism over its policies in Xinjiang, particularly over alleged forced labour and the detention of more than 1million Uighurs, Kazakhs and others in prison-like centres for political indoctrination. Xu Guixiang, a deputy spokesperson for the Xinjiang regional government, looks up near a slide showing a photo of Uighur infants during a press conference to refute accusations of genocide in Beijing. Xu denied that China has imposed coercive birth control measures China says the centres are intended to combat extremism and teach job skills, but former residents and rights groups say they target Islam and minority languages and culture. Elijan Anayat, another regional government spokesperson, said all those at the centres had 'graduated' as of October 2019, countering reports that China continues to expand the system. 'With the help of the government, they have achieved stable employment, improved the quality of life and lived a normal life,' Anayat said. 'At present, there is no education and training centre in Xinjiang.' A medical team member bids farewell to his family at Changsha South Railway Station in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Jan. 10, 2021. An epidemiological investigation team of 23 members left for Shijiazhuang of Hebei Province on Sunday to help fight against the epidemic there. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan) 8 1 [ Editor: WPY ] Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. (Newser) Cell check just before midnight Saturday at a California jail yielded an alarming find: six men missing, and now on the run. ABC News reports the inmates, all between the ages of 19 and 22, made their break over the weekend from the Merced County Downtown Jail by getting up onto the roof, then using "a homemade rope to scale down the side of the jail," per a release from the Merced County Sheriff's Office. The fugitives have been identified as Jorge Barron, Gabriel Francis Cornado, Manuel Allen Leon, Edgar Eduardo Ventura, Fabian Cruz Roman, and Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr. story continues below The escapeeswith convictions against them on charges ranging from firearm possession and assault to attempted murder and murderare considered armed and dangerous and shouldn't be approached if spotted, per the sheriff's office, which advises people to call 911 instead. Meanwhile, a task force has been formed to find the men, and the sheriff's office says it will keep the public posted on any updates. (Read more prison escape stories.) Facebook, Google, and Twitter logos are seen in this combination photograph. (Reuters) Tech Giants Willing to Burn First Amendment Rights: Shark Tank Entrepreneur Prominent tech investor and star on Australias Shark Tank TV series Steve Baxter has lambasted U.S. tech giants for targeting and suspending social media app Parler as well as the accounts of U.S. President Donald Trump. This is pretty bleak stuff when this platformParleris being held to account (by the tech giants) for the actions of its users, the tech entrepreneur told The Epoch Times. All these amazing innovations (social media apps) come from the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which includes freedom of speech, he said. The United States is a powerhouse because of the freedoms it has. To think that people who are the beneficiaries of that are so willing to burn it, there is not much thought going into that is there? he added. Tech entrepreneur and Australian Shark Tank TV star Steve Baxter (Supplied) Baxter, who made his fortune in 2005 with the sale of his PIPE Networks for $300 million, described the events of the last few months as a slide into Hell. Every last part of it feels wrong, he said. Weve been saying it for a while, this encroaching sort of tyranny. First, in liberal academics, then into peoples lives, and now with COVID-19 restrictions Baxter is based in Brisbane, which just emerged from a three-day, city-wide lockdown to contain a single case of the mutated UK-strain of COVID-19. On Friday, Twitter permanently removed U.S. President Donald Trumps account for alleged violations of its Glorification of Violence Policy. The move came soon after civil unrest unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat followed with short-term suspensions of Trump from their platforms. The actions have prompted criticism from leading Republicans: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haleywho likened the move to something the Chinese Communist Party would do. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has criticised Twitter as well saying there is a double-standard at play. Michael McCormack on Feb. 26, 2018. (Michael Masters/Getty Images) Theres been a lot of people who have said and done a lot of things on Twitter previously that havent received that sort of condemnation or indeed censorship, he told ABC Radio on Monday. Most notably, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijians provocative Twitter post featuring an Australian soldier smiling and slitting the throat of an Afghan child, remains pinned to the top of his feed. The post caused national and international outrage. However, McCormack conceded that as a private company, Twitter was within its rights to censure and close accounts on its company platform. President Trump has attempted to remove Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which allows social media giants to moderate content on their platforms without repercussion. However, the U.S. Congress has been unable to pass the law. In the wake of Trumps social media accounts being removed, Twitter-rival Parler saw its popularity rocket making it the most downloaded app on the Apple store. Google, Apple, and Amazon then accused Parler of not properly moderating content on its platform and suspended the service. The app has developed a significant following of classical liberal or conservative users. The Parler logo. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Deputy Opposition Leader Kristina Kenneally lauded the suspension of Parler and pushed Prime Minister Scott Morrison to support the move and stop government departments from using internet service providers associated with the app, according to a Twitter post. She also called on Morrison to censure fellow Liberal Members of Parliament Craig Kelly and George Christensen for publishing alleged dangerous views on the merits of hydrochloroquine and reports on U.S. election fraud. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese also applauded the move by Twitter to remove Trumps account. Baxter warned that censorship was a slippery slope. The next big controversy is when other supposed safe forms of media start getting cancelled. The people who are celebrating now, will realise how bad the mob is, he said. The mob always eats itself. It goes without a shadow of a doubt. Whats the cost of censorship, compared to the cost of things that you dont want to be said? The cost of censorship is always worse than the annoying words youre free to ignore, Baxter added. Photo: James Gourley/Shutterstock Dr. Dre agreed on January 6 to advance his estranged wife, Nicole Young, $2 million and cover all of her bills for now, according to a recently filed court document. TMZ appears to have first reported on the deal. The rapper, whose legal name is Andre Young, agreed to maintain the financial status quo, including but not limited to the payment of all of Nicoles expenses consistent with her spending since date of Separation, which includes paying for all expenses relating to the Malibu residence and the residence in the Palisades, the stipulation states. As for the $2 million, he agreed to advance the sum on or before January 11, 2021. Dre is not going to pay for Nicoles protection, though. Per the paperwork, Nicole is responsible for the payment of her security expenses until April 14, when both sides are expected in court to discuss her request for spousal support and legal fees. News of the agreement comes as Dre recovers from a brain aneurysm. He reportedly had the aneurism on January 5 and was hospitalized in Cedars-Sinai Medical Centers intensive care unit. He later posted an update to Instagram, writing: Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes. 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!! While Dre was hospitalized, four burglars targeted his Brentwood home, according to reports. The suspects were arrested, the Los Angeles Times reported. Nicole filed for divorce from Dre in June, after almost 25 years of marriage, claiming irreconcilable differences. Nicole, who was married to L.A. Laker Sedale Threatt before Dre, had two children with the music mogul: son Truice, who was born in 1997, and daughter Truly, who was born in 2001. The split has been plagued by drama. Nicole has reportedly sought $2 million per month in spousal support, as well as $5 million in attorneys fees. Whether or not Nicole receives that in the end, it appears that Dre can afford it. His net worth is estimated to be $800 million. Forbes reported in December 2019 that Dre raked in the highest earnings of any musician since 2010 landing approximately $950 million because of his 20 percent stake in headphone company Beats Electronics. Tech giant Apple bought beats for $3 billion in 2014. Neither Dre nor Nicoles reps immediately responded to requests for comment. When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Its the most commonly asked question PennLive gets from readers aside from Why didnt you cover this?!?! (For the record, the answer to that second question is often, We already did. Heres the link.) The simplest, and perhaps least helpful, answer to the vaccine question is: It depends. Limited supply, delays at the federal level and staffing limitations at the local level have all slowed distribution. Theres a finite number of vaccines we get every week, Health Secretary Rachel Levine said. We cant ask for more. It doesnt change. Over the last four weeks, Pennsylvania received and passed along more than 550,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to various clinics and health systems. Those facilities, in turn, have distributed nearly 200,000 doses so far. Right now, the state is prioritizing frontline healthcare workers, healthcare students and trainees and those who live or work in long-term care facilities (assisted living, nursing homes, etc.) as part of what its calling Phase 1A. If you qualify for vaccination right now, its likely youve already been informed of your status by your employer or, in the case of residents of long-term care facilities, a facility worker. The definition of healthcare workers in Phase 1A is quite broad and includes dentists, dental hygienists, emergency technicians and pharmicists. Within the broad category, Pennsylvanias distribution plan further prioritizes those healthcare workers (and this could include volunteers) who have direct patient contact and are unable to telework, those without a known infection in the last 90 days, those who work in a specific COVID-19 facing unit (such as an ER or ICU), long-term care residents whose underlying conditions make them vulnerable to severe illness or death and employees of facilities that provide specialized nursing care. Theres good reason for the focus on long-term care faciltiies because, in the first year of the pandemic, those locations accounted for more than two-thirds of the states COVID-related deaths. READ MORE: Hospitals prepare for a post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases, deaths The health systems themselves have a great deal of latitude in how, when and to whom they distribute vaccines within this plan. Since the initial plan was released, in mid-December, the only significant change was a mandate that 10 percent of vaccines be reserved for healthcare workers outside the major systems. That would include, for example, nurses at small, community nonprofits or general physicians with an independent practice. Theres good reason for the latitude. Pfizers vaccine must be stored at extremely cold temperatures until shortly before it is administered. Once thawed, the clock for a batch to be distributed starts ticking down. Rather than discard the vaccine, many healthcare providers are being instructed to distribute them to whoever they can, even if that means (for example) vaccinating a hospital nurse outside a COVID-19 facing unit faster than they normally would. If theres no one from [Phase] 1A standing there, please vaccinate the person whos standing there, Levine said. Phase 1B, which is possibly a month or more away, expands the targeted groups for vaccination to a host of essential workers and vulnerable populations who cannot work remotely or remain socially distanced. The list includes: First responders, including law enforcement, fire/rescue, National Guard and adult and child protective services personnel. Teachers and school support staff who work directly with students, including college professors as well as child and adult day-care workers. People who manufacture medical supplies and other essential products. Other emergency service employees, such as personnel at supportive housing facilities and volunteer emergency response personnel. Energy sector employees, such as utility and oil refinery workers. Grocery and food processing workers, such as those in meat processing plants. Other employees of congregate settings, such as prisons and shelters. Public transit workers. U.S. Postal workers. Clergy. Also in this phase, anyone else living in any other type of congregate setting and anyone 75 years or older. Phase 1C, which was just added last week and will only happen once a large number of doses are available, includes anyone 65 years or older and anyone with high-risk underlying medical conditions such as: Cancer, Chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/mor higher but less than 40), Severe obesity (BMI of 40 kg/m or higher), Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies, Sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Smoking or Pregnancy. This phase also expands to the following types of workers: Transportation and logistics. Water and wastewater. Food service. Housing construction. Finance, including bank tellers. Information technology and communcations. Employees of nuclear reactors and related businesses. Legal services. All government workers. Media (yours truly). Public safety and public health workers. Phase 2, which will only happen once theres sufficient supply, aims to vaccinatee anyone over the age of 16 not already vaccinated with a larger goal of vaccinating at least two-thirds to three-quarters of the state population. That would require at least 10 million doses of vaccine. For now, state officials are hesitant to provide a timetable for when each of phases will roll out given a variety of factors largely beyond their control. Initially, Pennsylvania had aimed to complete Phase 1B by the end of January or early February, but that timetable proved an all-too-optimistic one given the pace of supplies reaching the state from the federal government. A few developments that emerged Friday could speed up the process considerably. First, the Trump administration has approved the use of pharmacies as vaccine distribution sites. The specifics are still being worked out but the state will be able to partner with private companies much like it has for COVID-19 testing to vaccinate the general public. Second, the incoming Biden administration announced that it wont hold back vaccines that are, for now, being withheld from states to ensure the availability of second doses. This is somewhat controversial. The United Kingdom, as one example, has chosen to distribute vaccines as they become available. That creates a danger that second shots, which are required for maximum immunity against the virus, wont be administered within the specified time period. Levine said Pennsylvania still supports the scientific consensus: The second shots should not be delayed, even if it means fewer people receive the first. Of course, thats not a decision hospitals or the state can make. As Levine explained, the Trump administration is itself withholding one dose for every dose that is administered. Bidens decision to release that stockpile of withheld second doses, Levine said, is fine as long as the second dose is available. Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday that he understood that Bidens decision was based on an expectation that the incoming administration will use the Defense Production Act to expedite the manufacture of COVID vaccines such that enough will be available for both shots. They may know something I dont, Wolf said. [But] were all on the same page of trying to get these vaccines out as quickly as possible. For now, here are a few things you can do to ensure you get vaccinated as soon as possible: Know which phase of distribution you fall into (see above) and discuss it with your doctor. If your employer, such as a hospital system or long-term care facility, is making the vaccine available, make sure you know their distribution schedule and pay attention to any notices your employer provides. Follow PennLive and other trustworthy news sources for information about when these phases are rolling out. Be careful about messages you see on social media and do not spread false information. If you have questions about the vaccines, you can call the state hotline at 1-877-724-3258. If youre interested in volunteering as part of the states COVID-19 response, you can sign up here If you have feedback on the plan, you can submit it directly to the state Department of Health here Once Phase 2 rolls out, you can find information about local availability here Currently, there is no statewide vaccine registry. If you live in Philadelphia, however, you can pre-commit (which signs you up for alerts when your phase begins vaccinating) here Wallace McKelvey may be reached at wmckelvey@pennlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @wjmckelvey. Find PennLive on Facebook. Read the The hunt for Ray Gricar. Press Release 11 January 2021 ASG acquires Nobu Hotel Barcelona from Selenta Group Advertisements Real estate fund manager Activum SG (ASG) has acquired the 259-room Nobu Hotel Barcelona from Catalan owner operator Selenta Group for a reported 80 million (309,000 per room). The 23-storey hotel, which is located adjacent to Barcelonas main railway station, Barcelona-Sants, reopened in September 2019 following its conversion from the former Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya. Developed by the seller, the property includes a signature Nobu restaurant on the top floor, plus more than 800 sqm of conference space. The acquisition represents ASGs further investment into the Spanish lifestyle hotel market, which includes its Hard Rock hotel projects in Barcelona and Madrid. Fastighets AB Balder buys 50% stake in Clarion Karlatornet in Gothenburg, Sweden Swedish property investor Fastighets AB Balder has acquired a 50% stake in the company currently developing the Clarion Hotel Karlatornet in Gothenburg, Sweden, from local developer Ola Serneke. The hotel is part of a mixed-use development, which includes the Nordic regions tallest skyscraper at 73 floors, with the entire development comprising approximately 600 apartments, the 300-room Clarion Hotel and 8,000 sqm of office space. While construction has already begun, after the withdrawal of Sernekes previous partner Oaktree Capital in March last year, the construction has stalled. With Balder now onboard, construction is set to recommence, with a planned opening date for the hotel in 2023. Union Investment acquires the Ruby Luna hotel in Dusseldorf, Germany German fund manager Union Investment has acquired the 215-room Ruby Luna hotel in Dusseldorf, as part of a 400 million mixed-use portfolio which contains a total of six properties in Dusseldorf and Berlin. The seller was a joint venture between a number of pension funds and Hines. The portfolio has been acquired for a newly launched fund by Union Investment focusing on prime core assets. Out of the six properties, three are under development, including the Ruby Luna which is set to open in 2021. Maritim Hotel Kaiserhof in Usedom, Germany sold to the Friedmann Kunz Family Foundation Located in the German Baltic resort town of Usedom, the Maritim Hotel Kaiserhof has been sold to the Friedmann Kunz Family Foundation from local architect Gerd Seele. The 143-room hotel was developed by Seele, and was operated by Maritim since its opening and will now be managed by German operator Arcona Hotels & Resorts under a 20-year lease agreement, with the hotel being renamed to Hotel Kaiserhof Usedom. Arena Hospitality acquires the 88 Rooms Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia Croatian hotel owner operator Arena Hospitality Group, a subsidiary of the PPHE Hotel Group, has acquired the 88 Rooms Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia from local conglomerate MK Group for a reported 5.9 million (67,000 per room). Built in 2014 , the property is located in the centre of Belgrade and includes a rooftop restaurant, lobby bar and meeting space for up to 250 people. Post acquisition the hotel is set to be operated by Arena Hospitality. Sorry! This content is not available in your region on Monday delivered relief supplies, including dignity kits containing hygiene and sanitary items and sleeping mats to for the cyclone-affected families. The relief materials were handed over to Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Defence and Disaster Management. "Relief supplies from were handed over by the AHC Suva to Minister for Defence and Disaster Management, Hon. @ISeruiratu for supporting the @FijianGovt's recovery efforts after #TCYasa. providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Indo-Pacific #IPOI," India in tweeted. After receiving the aid, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, expressed gratitude to India for providing humanitarian assistance for the cyclone-affected families. "Dhanyavaad to the people of India! Today, @MRMDFiji Minister Hon. @ISeruiratu received a donation of humanitarian supplies from the @HCI_Suva. The supplies included Dignity Kits for both men and women and sleeping mats to be distributed to affected communities in V/Levu," the Ministry said. On January 2, India delivered the first consignment of relief materials to the cyclone-hit Fiji, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said. The Ministry, in a statement, had said over 6 tons of relief supplies were put together in a short span of time by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and were airlifted to Fiji with the help of Air India and Fiji Airways via Sydney, Australia. Fiji was hit by a Category 5 Tropical Yasa on December 17-18, 2020, which caused extensive damage and destruction of critical infrastructure. The Ministry had said that India has firmly stood by Fiji during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters like Tropical Winston in 2016. "The relief material sent now in the wake of Tropical Yasa highlights India's commitment to providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Friendly Foreign Countries as a first responder," it had added. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is an important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019, the Ministry noted, adding that India remains committed to extend full support to Fiji's efforts to restore livelihoods of the affected communities and to build resilient infrastructure. (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.) TOPEKA, Kan., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), United Way of Greater Topeka and Stormont Vail Health have partnered with Healthify to launch the Northeast Kansas Community Network a connected network of health care and social service organizations committed to transforming the current system of care and dramatically improving health outcomes in Northeast Kansas. The Northeast Kansas Community Network (network) is being funded through support from BCBSKS. This community network strives to close the gap between clinical and non-clinical organizations. Through the Healthify platform and the network, healthcare providers and community resources are connected to provide whole-person care to the most vulnerable members of the community. The overall benefits of the network include stronger collaboration, better ability to measure and gauge impact of services, streamlined care coordination and an emphasis on value-based care. "Our goal is to help reduce as many barriers as possible to accessing the resources needed to live a healthy life," said Virginia Barnes, director of Blue Health Initiatives at BCBSKS. "We know that around 60 percent of health outcomes are due to social, physical, and environmental factors in our communities. This network will provide a stronger foundation for health that works with - not separate from - the healthcare systems." With this new network, a healthcare provider will be able to access the Healthify platform to search their community and surrounding communities for the resources their patients need and refer them directly to that community organization. Stormont Vail is playing a vital role in the network as the leading healthcare provider in our community and a key starting point for many of the necessary referrals. "Healthify will assist Stormont Vail Health care teams in completing timely referrals to community organizations to address and assist with the social needs of our patients," said Amy Kincade, vice president, Population Health, Stormont Vail Health. "Using a referral system such as Healthify strengthens our community relationships to improve our patient's health outcomes." The United Way of Greater Topeka brings together people, companies and nonprofits to create positive, sustainable change in our community a purpose that aligns so well with the new Northeast Kansas Community Network. "At United Way, we are committed to creating and cultivating an unbreakable network of support for a strong, healthy and equitable community. The NKCN embodies that effort in a valuable new way and allows us to be a better community partner and grant-maker," said Brett Martin, vice president of community impact, United Way of Greater Topeka. "This network will connect a range of providers who together will have a greater impact on a client's life than any one of them could have on their own. Ultimately, we can improve client outcomes and ease their journey, improve service delivery, and improve our social service systems to achieve better health outcomes for all." The network currently has 13 signed community partners in Shawnee County spanning key social service domains accepting referrals for more than 180 services. The infrastructure of the network will enable community-based organizations, such as Topeka Habitat for Humanity or Meals on Wheels, to enter deeper partnerships with healthcare providers and more easily connect with those in need of assistance. For more information about the Northeast Kansas Community Network, visit https://get.healthify.us/join-northeast-kansas-community-network. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas For more than 75 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state's largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com . About Stormont Vail Health Stormont Vail Health is a nonprofit integrated health system that has served the health care needs of Kansas for more than 130 years. Stormont Vail has been recognized as a Magnet organization since 2009 by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It is composed of Stormont Vail Hospital, a 586-bed acute care hospital, and Cotton O'Neil Clinic, a multi-specialty physician group with more than 500 providers, including more than 250 physicians. Nearly 5,300 employees provide care and support services for patients in the hospital and 35 other locations, including the Cotton O'Neil Heart Center, Cancer Center, Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, Digestive Health Center, Pediatrics clinics and ten regional primary care clinics. Stormont Vail Health is committed to its mission of improving the health of the community by being a national leader in providing compassionate, high quality and efficient integrated care through collaboration that results in a healthier community. For more information about Stormont Vail and Cotton O'Neil, visit stormontvail.org. For breaking news and videos, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About United Way of Greater Topeka United Way of Greater Topeka brings together people, companies, and nonprofits to create positive sustainable change in our community. We work to solve issues no single donor, charity, or government agency can handle alone. By focusing on education, financial stability and health, we help more children graduate and get stable jobs, help families become financially stable and improve the overall health of our community. About Healthify Powered by a mission to build a world where no one's health is hindered by their need, Healthify builds the infrastructure to support social determinants of health (SDoH) initiatives at scale. The company builds and manages accountable networks of community-based organizations and provides the necessary interoperable technology platform to allow the healthcare sector to coordinate care within the network. Healthify works with health plans, providers and community partners in all fifty states and is dedicated to community partner sustainability and demonstrating ROI for social service interventions to ensure that families receive the services they need to thrive. For more information, please visit www.healthify.us or connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter. SOURCE Healthify Related Links http://www.healthify.us Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 22:13:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The East African Business Council (EABC) on Monday called for lowering and harmonization of COVID-19 related charges in the East African Community (EAC) to ease the cost of doing business and boost intra-regional trade. The EABC said in a statement that the harmonization of COVID-19 related charges will help to support businesses to be more resilient and rebound amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, COVID-19 test is priced differently in each EAC member states, said the statement, adding that Tanzania and Burundi are now charging a standard rate of 100 U.S. dollars for both nationals and foreigners while charges in other EAC member states vary. The EAC member states are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. "The EAC secretariat should fast track regional coordination and harmonization of measures on COVID-19 for economic resilience and growth of the EAC bloc," said Peter Mathuki, the EABC's chief executive officer. Mathuki also called for the establishment of a common quarantine period in the region and fast-tracking of the waiting time for COVID-19 test results. The statement said the lack of harmonization of COVID-19 test rates in accredited laboratories and uncoordinated waiting time for the test results is disrupting cross-border trade. COVID-19 related non-tariff barriers continue to hinder cross-border trade due to different measures on COVID-19 in the region, said the statement. Enditem Charleston, WV (25301) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. 12 opposition parties extend support to farmers protest call on May 26; urge Centre to hold talks with farmers Farmers' Protest: Delhi police divert traffic as borders continue to remain closed India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Jan 11: The Delhi Police on Monday said that Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to the national capital due to ongoing farmer protests. The commuters are been advised to take alternate routes via Anand Vihar, Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway, Bhopra and Loni borders. The Delhi-Haryana borders at Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh have also been closed. The Police have suggested commuters from Haryana to take alternate routes via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu school toll tax borders. The traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Farmer union to recruit volunteers to maintain law and order at tractor rally on Republic Day Taking to Twitter, the Delhi Police said, "Traffic Alert Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh borders closed. Please take an alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu school toll tax borders.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44." SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News It also informed about alternate routes for entering Haryana and the available open borders to the state are following- Jharoda (Only Single Carriageway/Road), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders. PM Modi urges youngsters to join Startup India international summit Prarambh on Jan 15-16 With concerns that farm laws would weaken the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mandi systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital for over a month 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. Democrats could delay an impeachment trial of Donald Trump until after Joe Bidens first 100 days in office, a top official said yesterday, as Nancy Pelosi said she would also seek a vote to have the president removed from office.. James Clyburn, the House majority whip, said that representatives would take up articles of impeachment against Mr Trump today but that they werent likely to send them to the Senate for several months. The senior Democrat said this would allow senators to concentrate on approving Biden administration appointments and tackle legislative priorities such as a second coronavirus relief package. Lets give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running, Mr Clyburn told CNN, adding that Ms Pelosi, the House Speaker who controls the timetable of proceedings, was in agreement. Ms Pelosi said last night that there would be a resolution as early as today calling on Vice-President Mike Pence and the cabinet to remove Mr Trump from office, before moving to impeachment. Read More The 25th Amendment of the US Constitution allows Mr Pence and the cabinet to remove the president if he is unable to discharge his official duties. Ms Pelosi said that, after that, the House "will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the floor." Momentum for impeaching Mr Trump a historic second time grew over the weekend among rank-and-file Democrats and some Republicans. Representative Ted Lieu, of California, announced the article of impeachment drafted by him and other House Democrats had drawn more than 210 co-sponsors. Republican Senator Patrick Toomey, of Pennsylvania, spoke out, saying that Mr Trump had committed impeachable offences, a sign of growing anger over the outgoing presidents role in the January 6 assault on the Capitol building. More senior Republicans, however, have urged the Democratic-led House not to initiate proceedings, calling them inflammatory and risked creating further divide. If impeachment goes ahead,, the next step is for a Senate trial. At least 17 Republicans would have to join the Democrats to win a conviction, which would prevent Mr Trump from running again for office. However, Alan Dershowitz, a prominent attorney who has previously represented the president, yesterday questioned whether such a move was legally permissible. He said that even if Mr Trump was impeached, the Senate would not be able to hear a trial because he would be a private citizen by the time that were to happen. Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger has labelled Mr Trump the worst president ever in a video calling for unity after the US Capitol riots. The former Republican California governor likened last weeks violence to that of the Kristallnacht, during which Jewish property was destroyed in Germany in 1938. He said that rampage was carried out by the Nazi equivalent of the Proud Boys, referring to the US far-right group. In a seven-minute and 39-second video posted on Twitter, the 73-year-old actor said: Wednesday was the Day of Broken Glass right here in the United States. The broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol. But the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol, they shattered the ideas we took for granted. He said the mob of Mr Trumps supporters had trampled the very principles on which the country was founded. Mr Schwarzenegger, who was born two years after the end of World War II, spoke about the dangers of intolerance and his childhood in Austria. He said he grew up surrounded by broken men drinking away their guilt for their participation in the most evil regime in history. It all started with lies, and lies, and lies and intolerance, he said. So being from Europe, I have seen first-hand how things can spin out of control. He accused Mr Trump of seeking a coup following the results of a fair election by misleading people with lies. President Trump is a failed leader. He will go down in history as the worst president ever. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-30917 According to this study, over the next five years, the Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox business, shared in Chapter 3. This Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd Juniper Networks, Inc. Cisco Fortinet, Inc. McAfee, Inc. FireEye, Inc. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Symantec Corporation SonicWall. Lastline Inc. Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-30917 This study considers the Cybersecurity Sandbox 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. Standalone Solution Integrated Solution Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. BFSI IT & Telecommunication Retail Education Public Sector Defense 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-30917 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox 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 Cybersecurity Sandbox 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-cybersecurity-sandbox-market-report-industry-trends-growth-business-challenges-analysis-2020-2025/ A Sydney judge has quit as president of a controversial union charity, blaming a split with the board over its future direction. The exit of Michael Finnane QC comes as the benefactors of the Construction Industry Drug and Alcohol Foundation demand an explanation over why its accounts were red-flagged by auditors. Former District Court judge Michael Finnane QC. who has quit as president of the board of the Construction Industry Drug & Alcohol Foundation. Credit:Wolter Peeters The 2018 audit warned of irregularities with the entry of donations into the accounting system and was unable to confirm completeness of revenue. The boards treasurer who the Herald can reveal has links to the troubled Mascot Towers and was once found to be holding fraudulent builders qualifications did not respond to questions over the audit findings. From forcing people to wear masks outside to closing nurseries, the Government has a range of options to toughen England's third national lockdown. Other possibilities include banning support bubbles, closing places of worship again and even only allowing people out for exercise once a week. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi today raised concerns that people were not complying with the rules closely enough in supermarkets and when exercising. There are mounting suggestions that the restrictions may need to be toughened as the Government launched a drive to ensure the public abide by the rules. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to have discussed the prospect of introducing tougher controls to ensure the public abide by the restrictions. And England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty today urged the public to 'stay at home unless you absolutely have to' go out. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that 'every flex can be fatal' as he backed more stringent enforcement of the lockdown by police yesterday. Here, MailOnline looks at some of the possibilities for toughening the lockdown: Leave the house once once a week? The current exercise regulations for England mean you can go out once per day for as long as you want to take part in exercise by yourself or with one other person. However the Government fears the new lockdown rules are being exploited by people to meet up with friends for a coffee or an alcoholic drink in the park. It is currently illegal to meet 'socially' with people - and you cannot leave your home 'for the purpose of recreation or leisure; eg a picnic or a social meeting'. But the regulations could be toughened to stop people seeing others outdoors similar to the opening few months of the first lockdown in March last year. A Government source told the Daily Telegraph: 'At present people are using the exercise exemption of lockdown to basically go and socialise with friends.' A further restriction could be that exercise is limited to just one hour per day to reduce the number of people someone might come into near contact with. A source has even suggested to MailOnline that outdoor exercise could be limited to only once a week, although this would be difficult to enforce if people could say they were going out for essential shopping. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, told BBC Radio 4 this morning that fleeting contact with someone, such as a jogger running past, is 'extremely low risk'. Overnight curfew There is no currently limit on what time of the day people are allowed out of their homes for exercise or other activities permitted under law during the lockdown. But a curfew is one measure which could be considered to reduce the opportunities for people to meet - and has so far not been ruled out by Boris Johnson. There would likely be exemptions for key workers travelling to and from work, but public transport could be reduced during the curfew hours to discourage journeys. The closest Britain has come to a curfew so far is the 10pm pub and restaurants opening limit, which was later extended to 11pm with last orders taken by 10pm. Other countries in Europe already have curfews in place, such as France where it is active from 8pm to 6am but starts two hours earlier in Marseille and Strasbourg. Closure of nurseries Calls for nurseries across the country to close along with primary and secondary schools have been led in recent days by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Most infected children display no symptoms of coronavirus and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said today that the risk to children 'is very low'. But Sir Keir said nurseries 'probably should be closed', adding: 'I think there is a case for looking at nursery schools, we're talking to the scientists about that.' Nursery industry body Early Years Alliance has urged the Government to explain how nurseries can be safe while primary schools must remain shut. Schools are currently only open for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers, and there is a possibility this could be extended to nurseries. However Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has insisted that it was important to keep nurseries open so children's parents can still work. Return to queuing outside supermarkets Shoppers face a return to long queues outside supermarkets under plans for a new crackdown - while further stores deemed non-essential could be shut. Ministers have ordered local authorities to place limits on the number of people allowed into shops at any one time amid fears they could become virus hotspots. Concerns have already been raised over shoppers going to some stores for non-essential products, such as shopping at Homebase for plants or M&S for clothing. A Whitehall source suggested there could be a return to capacity limits, saying: 'There is a feeling that people have just gone back to doing whatever they want.' Capacity limits at the start of the first lockdown last March saw huge queues form at supermarkets and certain products rationed as customers began panic buying. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News this morning: 'In supermarkets we need to make sure people actually wear masks and follow the one-way rule.' Enforcing the wearing of masks outside Face masks are mandatory indoors on public transport and in churches and shops unless you have an exemption, but this rule could be extended to outdoor settings. London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the Government last Friday to make masks compulsory 'outdoors when in queues, streets and other crowded spaces outside'. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty told BBC Radio 4 this morning that there may be certain settings outdoors where people could consider wear masks. He said: 'If people, for example, are crowded together in a queue ... if they're really huddled together around a market stall or something, that is a risk with this virus. 'And people in that situation, there might be some logic to people thinking about wearing masks, but a much better thing to do is to minimise going out.' Ban support bubbles Support bubbles were first introduced in England on June 13 last year, meaning that adults who live alone can visit someone else's home and stay overnight. These were prompted following concerns for the mental health and isolation of those living alone, and were not in place for the first three months of lockdown. However the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies advised against their introduction last May - and the Government has not ruled out removing them again. But scrapping them would likely be a deeply unpopular move, especially among those rely on them as a vital source of contact, such as a single elderly grandparent. The Government advises that bubbles are formed with a local household, and those who have a child aged under one as of December 2 last year count as single adults. People are also allowed form a support bubble as a single adult if they are aged 16 or 17 and are living with others of the same age and without any adults. Close churches One of the more surprising elements of the third national lockdown is that places of worship were allowed to remain open for private prayer and collective worship. It is a rare example of gatherings involving multiple households which are still allowed, and a different policy from the ban during the previous two lockdowns. But London Mayor Sadiq Khan and council leaders have called for places of worship to close again, and this pressure could lead to the Government changing its policy. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has suggested closing places of worship could reduce the 'R' rate by 0.1, but Ministers are reluctant to do this. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said: 'It's absolutely vital that traditions of public worship can continue. I think it's a very important part of the life of the nation.' Religious leaders have urged people to take 'tremendous care' if going to a place of worship and advised those shielding to stay at home as the pandemic intensifies. Meanwhile some vicars have criticised the Church of England for not taking a harder stance on closures, saying that it 'doesn't make sense' for churches to stay open. Face coverings in offices Ministers are said to be considering bringing in rules requiring people to wear masks in workplaces as well as schools. Government advice currently states the best ways to minimise the risk of getting the virus at work are social distancing, good hygiene and protective screens. But Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said last October that masks 'have some benefit' at work and suggested the Government should take this into consideration'. However if this rule was brought in now, it would only affect a low proportion of the country still in offices - with people urged to work from home if they can. The Department of Health and Social Care has said it is guided by advice of scientific and medical experts and keeps the evidence on masks 'under constant review.' Redefining key workers Around one third of the UK workforce are key workers totalling 10.61 million people - including NHS staff, food manufacturers, building workers and warehouse workers. Other key workers include staff needed for 'essential financial services provision', 'payments providers' and those in 'information technology and data infrastructure'. But scientific advice group Independent Sage has called on the Government to narrow the definition of key workers in a bid to reduce numbers of pupils in school. Calls to limit numbers of pupils receiving face-to-face lessons are growing as attendance levels surge to more than 50 per cent in some schools. But all key workers unable to work from home will soon be eligible for a test twice a week to try to 'break the chain' of transmission by asymptomatic carriers. The announcement yesterday by Matt Hancock will make lateral flow tests which take 30 minutes to get a result a key way to avoid tightening the lockdown. Key workers have around 29 daily contacts with other people, seven times as many as someone working from home. Just one in six key workers can work from home. Increased enforcement Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that 'every flex can be fatal' as he backed more stringent enforcement of the lockdown by police yesterday. Police have been fighting to keep Britons from flouting the rules as thousands flocked to beauty spots at the weekend despite warnings over a stricter crackdown. Officers have been told to issue a verbal warning before fining those in breach of the rules 200 as Home Secretary Priti Patel warned they won't hesitate to take action. Police chiefs have urged the public to be more responsible and to stop trying to find a way around the rules, but enforcement could still become tougher still. Preventing tradespeople from visiting homes One of the few sets of people you are still allowed to have inside your home is tradespeople, and there are not yet restrictions on what kind of work they can do. But scientific advice group Independent Sage urged the Government last week to only allow tradespeople to enter people's homes for essential work. Tradespeople allowed to continue working includes but is not limited to people working in repair services, fitters, meter readers, plumbers and surveyors. However bringing in restrictions on what kind of work they could do might see the types of jobs limited, meaning redecorating might not be allowed, for example. During the first lockdown, there had been confusion of whether construction workers and tradespeople should count their jobs as essential. But Michael Gove said at the time that construction workers should still be going to work while tradespeople could attend emergencies in people's homes. Vitner's - now owned by Utz Brands Acquisitive US snacks business Utz Brands has bought the Vitner's brand from local peer Snak King Corp. for US$25m. It is its second deal in two months and follows the acquisition in November of Truco Enterprises, the Texas-based owner of the Mexican tortilla chips and salsa brand On the Border. The deal, done through its Utz Quality Foods subsidiary, will see Pennsylvania-based Utz acquire the snack brand's intellectual property, including the Vitner's trademark, and direct-store-delivery (DSD) distribution assets related to Vitner's-branded products. Utz said the deal will expand its position in Chicago and the Midwest where the Vitner's brand is best known. It said it expects the transaction, due to close next month, to be accretive to earnings in 2021 and beyond. Vitner's, established in 1926, makes potato chips, cheese snacks, corn snacks and popcorn. Most of Vitner's products are currently manufactured by Snak-King, but Utz plans to transition manufacturing of most of those products to its own manufacturing plants. Dylan Lissette, CEO of Utz, said: "This strategic acquisition will make Utz a more significant competitor in the Chicago area. Combined with our recently announced acquisition of the On the Border tortilla chip, salsa and queso brand, we create a strong brand platform to better serve the primary salty snack channels and continue to expand rapidly in this important growth market. "This transaction is a continuation of our strategy to successfully build long-term value and share by expanding in major metropolitan areas, like we did in New York City in 1994, Boston in 2004, Pittsburgh in 2006 and Atlanta in 2011." Barry Levin, CEO of Snak King, said: "Utz will be able to leverage its world-class family of brands and expertise in DSD operations to help Vitner's continue to serve the Chicago market." Utz manufactures a diverse portfolio of savoury snacks under brands including Utz, On The Border, Zapp's, Golden Flake and Boulder Canyon. Snak King, founded in 1978, is one of the largest independent snack food manufacturers in the US with brands including The Whole Earth, El Sabroso, Granny Goose and Jensen's Orchard. Black Capitol Police officers say the MAGA mob who rioted in Washington DC last week were racist a** terrorists' who reportedly hurled racial epithets at them as they sought to protect the legislature. Two members of the US Capitol Police Department (USCPD) described being subjected to vile racial abuse during the chaos that erupted Wednesday, which left five people dead including one of their colleagues. I got called a n***** 15 times, one of the officers, a veteran of the force, told Buzzfeed. After the pro-Trump mob dispersed, the officer said he broke down in tears for around 15 minutes. I sat down with one of my buddies, another black guy, and tears just started streaming down my face, the officer recalled. I said, What the f***, man? Is this America? What the f*** just happened? Im so sick and tired of this s***. One of the officers said he was upset to see how white colleagues were treating the mob, posing for selfies when some among the crowd were roaming the Capitol holding the Confederate flag Two black US Capitol police officers say they were racially abused during the pro-Trump riot that saw thousand mob Washing DC last Wednesday USCPD Officer Eugene Goodman is seen running away from the mob, leading them from the Senate chamber door which had at that time not yet been locked. He is being hailed as a hero for his quick thinking In the middle of the Rotunda, the veteran officer said he began to shout out, to no one in particular, These are racist a** terrorists. I cried for about 15 minutes and I just let it out, he told Buzzfeed. Another officer, who is a newer recruit to the department, described how he was forced to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the rioters, some of whom hurled Blue Lives Matter flags at him. He said cops were outnumbered roughly 10 to one. We were telling them to back up and get away and stop, and theyre telling us, they are on our side, and theyre doing this for us, and theyre saying this as Im getting punched in my face by one of them, the officer said. We were getting pepper sprayed in the face by those protesters, Im not going to even call them protesters, by those domestic terrorists. Shocking new footage emerged Sunday showing one Capitol police officer being yanked out of the building and beaten with a flagpole bearing the American flag. The officer, who has not been identified, is seen being flung face first onto the Capitol steps and set upon by rioters, who beat him while he's lying defenseless. One member of the mob is also seen using a black baton on him. A supporter of President Trump sprays pepper spray at members of the Metropolitan police force during the 'Stop the Steal' protest last week One officer (not pictured) said he was attacked by members of the crowd who were carrying Blue Lives Matter flags (In the above image, an officer is seen in the middle of a melee with a crowd, with a Thin Blue Line flag - a symbol of support for law enforcement - visible top left) The veteran officer, meanwhile, recounted to Buzzfeed his shock after coming face-to-face with a number of police officers from across the country among the mob. You have the nerve to be holding a Blue Lives Matter flag, and you are out there f***ing us up, he said he told one group of protesters he encountered inside the Capitol. [One guy] pulled out his badge and he said, Were doing this for you. Another guy had his badge. So I was like, Well, you gotta be kidding. Police department across the country including in Texas, Washington State, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and California have opened investigations into whether any of their own officers took part in the Capitol siege. So far, several officers and at least one police chief are facing potential termination or suspension. One USCPD officer, Brian Sicknick, died 'from injuries sustained' while responding to the attack The veteran cop continued that he believes images that have since surfaced showing the rioters marauding the Capitols halls in bizarre costumes have downplayed just how well prepared the group were to attack the legislature and potentially harm Congress members. That was a heavily trained group of militia terrorists that attacked us, the officer, who has been with the department more than a decade, told Buzzfeed. He said many among the crowd came equipped with radios, two-way communicators and earpieces, in addition to homemade explosives and pipe bombs. They were prepared These guys were military trained. A lot of them were former military. The officer said that while the scenes that unfolded last Wednesday were difficult for all officers, he believes black officers found themselves in a particularly difficult position. He said the police response to the riot also marked a stark contrast to how police handled Black Lives Matter protests in the summer. Theres quite a big difference when the Black Lives Matter protests come up to the Capitol, he told the outlet. [On Wednesday], some officers were catering to the rioters. The cop said he was upset to see images of white colleagues taking selfies with the attackers, seemingly enjoying their time with the mob, some of whose members were roaming the US Capitol clutching Confederate flags. That one hurt me the most because I was on the other side of the Capitol getting my a** kicked, he said. The officer affirmed that had it been a group of predominantly black Americans who had stormed the Capitol, he believes the police response would have been vastly different. If youre going to treat a group of demonstrators for Black Lives Matters one way, then you should treat this group the same goddamn way, he told Buzzfeed. With this group you were being kind and nice and letting them walk back out. Some of them got arrested but a lot of them didnt. Everyone who came into that Capitol should have been arrested regardless if they didnt take anything. US Capital police react after the casket with fallen police officer, Brian Sicknick, passed during a funeral procession in Washington, DC on January 10 One officer described the crowd as a well-organized militia who were very much prepared to storm the Capitol (Pictured: One demonstrator attempts to strike an officer in the face during last week's riot) In excess of 50 people were arrested during Wednesdays insurrection, with the number have increased to more than 80 in the days since, as federal authorities swoop in on some of the main agitators of the riot The police response to the rioters has drawn claims of racist double standards in the broader public too. No one can tell me that if it had been a group of Black Lives Matter protesters yesterday that they wouldn't have been treated very differently than the mob that stormed the Capitol, President-elect Joe Biden said Thursday. We all know that's true and it's unacceptable. Keneshia Grant, an associate professor of political science at Howard University, concurred, telling NBC: I think it's absolutely true that the insurgents yesterday were treated with much more care than the folks who participated in the Black Lives Matter protests. What we saw was a system of law enforcement that's designed to protect certain people. So far, at least 82 people have been arrested and more than 55 have been charged over the insurrection. Hundreds more are being hunted by the authorities but are yet to be found, including 25 people who are being investigated on terrorism charges. Five people have also died. One protester, Ashli Babbitt, was shot dead as she attempted to climb through a shattered window of a barricaded door near to the chamber. Three protesters died from medical emergencies and one officer, Brian Sicknick, died 'from injuries sustained' while responding to the attack. Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher during a struggle, two law enforcement officials told Associated Press. A second member of the Capitol Police, Howard Liebengood, was on duty on Wednesday and died by suicide on Saturday. WASHINGTON Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will designate the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, four U.S. officials familiar with the decision said on Sunday, deploying one of his last means of hard power against Saudi Arabias nemesis at the risk of exacerbating a famine in one of the worlds poorest nations. It is not clear how the terrorist designation will inhibit the Houthi rebels, who have been at war with the Saudi-backed government in Yemen for nearly six years but, some analysts say, pose no direct threat to the United States. Mr. Pompeo will announce the designation in his last full week as secretary of state, and more than a month after meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, who began a military intervention with Arab allies against the Houthis in 2015. That campaign has killed civilians, destroyed infrastructure and aggravated a humanitarian crisis that has led to millions of hungry Yemenis. Spokespeople for the State Department did not respond to requests for comment Sunday night, and the U.S. officials who confirmed the designation spoke on the condition of anonymity as it had not yet been announced. The imminent announcement was reported earlier Sunday evening by Reuters. The Covid-19 emergency has focused minds on the urgent need for improved healthcare across Africa, aligning unprecedented opportunity for positive social impact with competitive returns. Image supplied Investment Fund for Health in Africa-II Gathering pace Affordability Government initiative Property assets In Nigeria, Africas biggest economy at $495bn, public spending on healthcare amounts to just 3.75% of GDP, compared with 4.8% in Kenya, 8.11% in South Africa and 13.42% in Sierra Leone. Outside of the continent, Brazil spends 9.47% and the United States 17%, based on latest available figures from the World Bank.A massive $82bn investment in healthcare real estate assets ands an additional 386,000 additional beds are required to bring Nigeria in line with the worldwide average of 2.7 beds per 1,000 people, according to a Knight Frank report . The country needs an additional 4,000 beds and an investment of $870m just to keep up with its 2019 bed ratio, given population growth. With 206-million people, Nigerias population is forecast by the United Nations to almost double by 2050 . This would make it the worlds third most populous country after India and China and render the current healthcare trajectory unsustainable.At barely 4.5% of the Nigerian governments budget, expenditure on health is significantly below the 15% benchmark set by the African Union in 2001, according to the World Bank. The country ranks 56th out of 60 countries surveyed globally by the Economist Intelligence Unit on the ease of citizen access to quality healthcare services.Even Nigerias elites struggle to access adequate healthcare at home. Abba Kyari, President Buharis chief of staff, died age 67 in April from coronavirus, while Abiola Ajimobi, the former governor of Oyo state, died age 71 of underlying health conditions made worse by Covid-19 in June.Nigerias capacity for testing for coronavirus has been woefully inadequate. Nigeria had tested around 0.2% of its population compared with 6% tested in South Africa , as of 1 September 2020.Even before coronavirus, interest in African healthcare assets had been growing. International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank, and the biggest investor in African private healthcare, teamed up with the Investment Fund for Health in Africa-II (IFHA-II), in late 2019 to launch a $115m company to acquire healthcare service businesses in eastern and southern Africa.Backers of IFHA include European development finance organisations, such as Swedfund, along with the likes of Pfizer and Stichting Social Investor Foundation for Africa (SIFAs contributors include Aegon, Heineken, Shell, and Unilever). Nigeria-based Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Co., which operates an air ambulance service and has been rapidly building mobile testing centres for Covid-19, has invested $200m in healthcare technology companies and plans to set up a $1bn fund for further investment in healthcare and wellness across Africa.There is a very compelling opportunity for the development of world-class healthcare facilities across Africa, but especially Nigeria. Most of the public hospitals here were constructed over 40 years ago and only a handful have received any investment since then," says Hafeez Giwa, managing partner at HC Capital Properties.In the post-Covid world, investor interest in African healthcare is gathering pace, particularly among property investors. In a poll of 140 participants in a Knight Frank webinar on African healthcare in June 2020, 80% said they had changed their investment strategy to consider healthcare property due to the pandemic. International investors are focused most on hospital-related real estate and hospital operating companies, partnering with local experts to understand the domestic business landscape. Built-to-suit transactions in which the investor builds a clinic or hospital that meets the exact specifications of an operator who then pays rent on it hold the most potential, according to Knight Frank.Another option is a management agreement, similar to in the hospitality sector, where the investor retains ownership of the hospital building and business and introduces an established operator to run the business against a management fee. Under this arrangement, the investor in healthcare can benefit from reduced risk as an established healthcare operator will be managing the facility on their behalf.Key to unlocking healthcare opportunities is making services affordable. High-quality healthcare has always been a priority for Nigerias middle class, but the big issue has been balancing quality care with affordability. If affordable healthcare could be provided, the opportunities would be immense. A big part of that is delivering world-class quality property for hospitals and clinics in a cost-efficient manner," Giwa says.In Nigeria, 72% of healthcare expenditure is out of pocket more than double the sub-Saharan average of 35% putting a hefty burden on household incomes. Only 5% of healthcare costs are covered by insurance. By 2030, that proportion could jump to 20% or 30% if the federal government makes some form of health insurance obligatory for employees, says Tosin Runsewe, chief executive officer at AfyACare Nigeria.Health insurance costs will fall in line with increased take up. Up to 70% of the disease burden in Nigeria relates to primary healthcare needs. This includes vaccinations, diarrhoea, malaria and infections. If we could attain a critical mass of 40m-60m Nigerians with healthcare cover, the cost of this treatment could be met through health insurance premiums of around only 20,000 Naira ($50) a year, half the current average cost. There is an array of opportunities for investors in private primary healthcare clinics that can provide services at an affordable cost," he says.Even the wealthy, accustomed to travelling for treatment, would prefer world-class healthcare at home, especially after the restrictions on flights during lockdown. International travel for healthcare not only takes a toll on the patient but also on the caregivers and sets families back financially," Shehzad Jamal, partner in healthcare and education at Knight Frank, says.This opportunity alone is significant as Nigeria loses up to $1bn a year to outbound medical tourism due to inadequate in-country healthcare Government initiatives are unlocking the flow of private investment. In April, in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Central Bank of Nigeria started providing a 100bn Naira ($262m) credit facility for a number of healthcare-related industries, including local pharmaceutical companies, healthcare product manufacturers and healthcare service providers. Bank of Industry, a Nigerian development finance institution, is providing a further 50bn Naira.Public private partnerships (PPPs) are assisting as governments struggle to allocate the required funds to develop and operate hospitals. Nigeria has had a PPP framework in place since 2005 that is ripe for ramping up.Other countries are investing heavily in technology, such as online and distance diagnostics, with Rwanda among the pioneers in sub-Saharan Africa.African healthcare property to produce an internal rate of return in excess of 15%, in line with internal rate of return (IRR) on real estate assets across other sectors, along with the opportunity to catalyse significant social impact:There are two types of investors that are interested in backing healthcare property assets. On the one hand, there are local institutional investors and local pension funds that, in Nigerias case, are Naira investors and do not have any concerns about currency risk. On the other hand, there are development impact investors and institutions that are excited by the prospect of delivering high-quality healthcare to lower- and middle-income Nigerians."From our perspective, we are investing in healthcare because of the extreme need and as a result of the government initiatives making it easier to develop world-class assets that can be positioned to provide affordable healthcare. I do think we have seen a permanent change in thinking in which people will place a lot more emphasis on quality healthcare at home. There are huge opportunities for investors and operators who can offer high-quality healthcare at affordable prices," Giwa says. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday announced a futuristic city of 'The Line' that will have zero cars, zero streets and zero carbon emission. It will be built at NEOM, a planned smart city in the northwestern province of Tabuk. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that the city will have a million residents and will be built at a straight length of 170 kilometres across NEOM, which is where the name 'The Line' comes from. The eco-friendly city will help preserve 95 per cent of nature within NEOM. Read: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Launches COVID-19 Vaccination In Kingdom "Throughout history, cities were built to protect their citizens within confined spaces. After the industrial revolution, cities prioritized cars, machines, and factories over people. Even in cities that claim to be the most advanced, people spend years of their lives commuting. By 2050, commute durations will double. By 2050, one billion people will be displaced due to rising CO2 emissions and sea levels. Why should we sacrifice nature for the sake of development? Why should 7 million people die every year because of pollution?" bin Salman said at the event while unveiling the project on Sunday. Read: Israel PM Netanyahu travelled Secretly to Saudi Arabia To Meet Bin Salman, Pompeo: Reports 'Everything within 5-minute walk' Crown Prince bin Salman said the residents of the futuristic city will be able to fulfil their daily requirements within a minute walk and they will be able to travel from end to end within 20 minutes. Medical clinics, schools, recreational spaces and other essential places will be within a five-minute walk for everyone living in the city. "With 30% less infrastructure cost, 30% better quality products, and 100% renewable energy, The Line is a project that is a civilizational revolution that puts humans first," bin Salman said. Read: Saudi Arabia's King Salman Gets First Dose Of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Mohammed bin Salman said that it will cost $100 to $200 billion in building the city and is expected to create more than 3,80,000 jobs. According to Al Arabiya, bin Salman said that the city is expected to contribute more than $48 billion to the national GDP of Saudi Arabia by 2030. The construction of the city is expected to start in the first quarter of 2021. The Line and NEOM as a whole is a major shift towards smart renewable cities for the country, whose economy is primarily based on the crude oil business. Read: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince On Ending Blockade Of Qatar Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.coms free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m. Weather It will be partly sunny today and highs will stay in the mid-30s. It will be partly cloudy and chilly overnight as temps drop to the mid-20s. Read more. Local scores: Browns 48, Pittsburgh Steelers 37 The headlines State information: Outside of outlining the phases for who gets the vaccine, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health have not released much framework for the distribution of shots preventing the coronavirus. Local leaders expressed mixed feelings about how the rollout has been handled. But Seth Richardson reports there is a common thread: Information is coming at the last second, leaving little time to switch direction. Is Ohio ready to ramp up shots? Vaccine targeting: As daunting as it might be in a state of more than 11 million people, especially with the slow start to coronavirus vaccinations, targeting the most vulnerable for the first vaccines could make a big difference before the end of the winter. Rich Exner breaks down the groups of Ohioans in line. This Week in the CLE: Gov. Mike DeWine said he does not regret supporting Donald Trump for president. Were talking about his support, even after a mob breached the U.S. Capitol, on This Week in the CLE, cleveland.coms daily half-hour news podcast. New numbers: The Ohio Department of Health reported Sunday that the number of confirmed or probable infections of the novel coronavirus had risen to 777,065, up 6,088 since Saturday. The number of Ohioans have died with the coronavirus rose by 28, to 9,627, Jane Morice reports. On Friday, Ohio added 9,535 new coronavirus cases and 82 deaths, Laura Hancock reports. On Saturday, there were 8,374 new coronavirus cases and 55 deaths, Kaylee Remington reports. Lorain vaccination: Lorain County is the second Northeast Ohio health board to lay out vaccination plans. The county health department is creating pods, or designated locations where residents will go to be vaccinated, allowing up to 1,000 people per day per pod to be vaccinated. Julie Washington reports the health department can run up to eight pods per day, but the number open at any given time will fluctuate depending on the amount of vaccine available. Here are the number of coronavirus per 100,000 residents by ZIP code over the last 30 days in Greater Cleveland.Rich Exner, cleveland.com Cuyahoga vaccinations: The Cuyahoga County Board of Health commissioner said it could be well into February before coronavirus vaccines are administered to all willing members of the 1A group, reports Courtney Astolfi. Approximately 20% of the countys workforce is in the health-care field and eligible for early vaccinations. Cuyahoga Board of Health: The Cuyahoga County Board of Health on Friday reported 3,423 new coronavirus cases among suburban residents for the week ending Jan. 2, bringing the total number of suburban cases to 50,450, Courtney Astolfi reports. Vaccination questions: Gov. Mike DeWine finally provided some answers this week about how the next group of Ohioans would get the coronavirus vaccine. But many questions about specifics remain. Laura Hancock sent a dozen of them to spokespeople for the Ohio Department of Health and DeWine, with hopes of getting answers. Free masks: The state of Ohio has distributed about 38 million free face masks since the coronavirus crisis began last spring and plans to hand out millions more, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The Ohio Department of Aging mailed 10 million masks last month to 2.1 million Ohioans age 65 and older, and nearly 5 million masks have been handed out as part of the Ohio Department of Healths More Than A Mask campaign, which is targeted at minorities and vulnerable communities. Racial disparities: Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced Friday that he has issued four executive orders intended to address racial and gender disparities in county contracting procedure. Courtney Astolfi reports the orders align with contracting-related recommendations from the Citizens Advisory Council on Equity, which was created as part of the countys 2020 declaration of racism as a public health crisis. Cormorants: Once endangered in the Great Lakes region, double-crested cormorants dark, long-necked waterfowl often spotted in Lake Eries western basin are facing a new threat of potential extermination authorized by the federal government. Robin Goist reports on the decades-long history of cormorants angering Ohio fishermen, since the birds can eat up to a pound of fish per day and are routinely blamed for affecting the states aquaculture production. Two rioters are shown here in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.Getty Images FBI investigation: FBI agents late Friday raided the home of a former Cleveland Metropolitan School District employee, a day after she submitted a conspiracy theory-referencing resignation letter to the district. Emily Bamforth, Eric Heisig and Sabrina Eaton report that authorities posted a picture that raised questions as to whether she participated in a riot at the U.S. Capitol led by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump. Hough homes: A Westlake developer plans to build 100 houses over the next several years in Hough, a majority-Black Cleveland neighborhood officials are working to transform. Eric Heisig reports that Cleveland Custom Homes plans to buy lots from the Cuyahoga Land Bank, five at a time, to build 1,200 square-foot ranches and 1,600-foot two-story structures that start at $250,000. Don Graves: President-elect Joe Biden on Friday formally introduced former KeyBank official Don Graves as his nominee to serve as a deputy Commerce Department secretary, calling Graves a longtime trusted adviser who helped him lead efforts to get Detroit out of bankruptcy during President Barack Obamas presidential administration, Sabrina Eaton reports. Calls for resignation: Sen. Sherrod Brown accused Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas of abetting insurrection, calling for their resignation and if they do not step down their expulsion from the U.S. Senate, Marc Bona reports. Officer-involved shooting: An 18-year-old Cleveland man shot and killed by an East Cleveland police officer Tuesday morning was driving his girlfriend to work in a car a friend allowed him to drive as a favor, his stepmother tells Kaylee Remington. The familys insistence that Vincent Belmonte drove a borrowed car runs counter to East Cleveland polices initial report that says the officers tried to stop a car they say was stolen. Hang onto your face masks, even after you've been vaccinated for COVID-19, health experts say.Dave Killen Mask up: Do I need to keep wearing a mask if Ive received the coronavirus vaccine? Julie Washington reports the short answer is yes, individuals who have been immunized need to keep wearing masks because its still possible for them to get COVID-19 and transmit it to others. Coping through COVID: Licensed independent social worker Larissa Malcolm felt ashamed that she had gotten COVID-19. She felt like she had done something wrong and feared that she had infected the entire West Side of Cleveland. So Malcolm sought counseling at MetroHealth Systems, where a therapist asked, Would you feel guilty if you caught a cold? Julie Washington reports that Malcolm kept her spirits up by opening a private social-work practice, moderating a Facebook group for COVID-19 survivors, creating a website offering advice and donating plasma so her antibodies can be used to help others with the illness. Susan Allan Block: Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday that Susan Allan Block, one of his appointees to the Ohio Arts Council, had resigned following remarks on social media supporting Republican President Donald Trumps false narrative of widespread electoral fraud and calling Democratic Vice President-elect Kamala Harris a whore. Seth Richardson reports Block received widespread condemnation. Liquor violations: The Ohio Investigative Unit cited Hudsons Kepners Tavern for violating coronavirus-related health orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus Friday night. Kaylee Remington reports agents also cited Wagners Roadhouse in Chillicothe; Enzos in Steubenville; D Kays Bar and Grill in New Philadelphia; Musical Inn in Canton; and Third Base in Rayland. On Saturday, Brooklands Bar in Akron; B Stone Bar & Grill and Cebars Euclid Tavern, and Republix Cocktail and Grill, all in Euclid; and My Corner Bar in Parma Heights were cited, Jane Morice reports. Historic elm: An elm tree which towered above historic row homes on Prospect Avenue has been reduced to a stump. Anne Nickoloff reports the tree was at least 150 years old, estimated to be planted in 1868 as one of the earliest street-tree plantings in Cleveland along Euclid Avenue and Prospect. Worst cooks: One of this seasons Worst Cooks in America is from right here in Northeast Ohio. Anne Nickoloff reports that Rocky Rivers Joey Kinsley is a competitor on this season of the popular Food Network program. Gatsby house: Cleveland.coms sister site, Architectural Digest, brings you out east to visit one of the most magnificent mansions along the Gold Coast of Long Island, the inspiration behind the posh locale of East Egg in The Great Gatsby. With 14 bedrooms, a guest cottage, and nearly 400 feet of private sandy beach across 5.5 acres of land, its easy to envision Jay Gatsby hosting a few dozen well-wishers here on a warm summer night. House of the Week: This 1959-built Shaker Heights home is more modern than mid-century after a renovation. The 6,000-square-foot house offers four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a butlers pantry-laundry room, office and finished basement. Joey Morona reports the house has been on the market since October and is available for $1,095,000. Other headlines Cleveland records 228 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths: Sunday update Read more 51-year-old man shot inside home in Clevelands Lee-Miles neighborhood, police say Read more Three people injured after more than 50 shots fired into Cleveland home, police say Read more 58-year-old man fatally shot in East Akron Read more Ohio City business owner robbed at gunpoint Read more Man dies in fight in Lorain County Read more 19-year-old man killed in Bath Township crash, two others injured, police say Read more Tell it to the judge: Cleveland Heights taxpayer seeks court order to fill City Council vacancy Read more Independence School District returns to in-person learning; board leaders chosen Read more Berea extends city employees paid leave for COVID-related issues Read more Repairs under way to Coe Lake dam in Berea Read more Grants will help to transform Brook Park municipal campus Read more CHESHIRE With 2020 finally in the rear-view mirror, Town Manager Sean Kimball is excited to start the new year. However, moving forward means acknowledging how much residents have gone through in the past 12 months. Its been a really long year for us. Weve had to deal with multiple emergencies at once and residents have dealt with a lot, financially and socially, Kimball said. But the fundamental work of local government has, for better or for worse, continued in order to make sure residents are able to access what they need. When the pandemic first reached Connecticut, no one knew how long the crisis would last, but Kimball and his team decided early on that it was important to keep critical facilities open for use. (Weve) tried to keep as much as we could open. In some ways, weve continued to get things done despite the pandemic, he said. We set out the goal to not only respond to the pandemic, but to also continue to plan for the future. Weve remained focused on everything. While many local businesses have had to adapt services due to the pandemic restrictions, Kimball is confident the town will recover. Its no doubt that our businesses have struggled this year, he said. But we are resilient, and many businesses, especially our restaurants, have really done everything they can to stay open and accommodate the safety requirements. Town services, for the most part, have remained open in some capacity since the start of the pandemic. The return of full in-person town services will have to depend on many things, Kimball said. We are excited that the vaccine is here and we are rolling it out in the next few weeks. Hopefully, once more people become vaccinated, we will have a better sense of how to open certain things again, but all of our Town services are available in some capacity (either online or by phone) now. He is enthusiastic about upcoming town projects, including Bartlem Park South and the continuing work of the School Modernization Committee. The Bartlem Park project is very exciting and we are starting to see what some residents would like to see on that property, Kimball added. The SMC is working very hard to update Cheshires schools, and they have been meeting regularly to try to get the schools on track, and those meetings have been very productive. In Kimballs most recent town managers report, he outlines what he envisions is next for the school project. The next steps will include the consultants and staff incorporating the publics feedback as best as possible into a draft preferred master plan concept to be presented to the Town Council in the coming months, he wrote. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Strong thunderstorms likely, some with very heavy rain during the afternoon hours. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. A Florida gun company has agreed to stop selling large-capacity magazines and pay $135,000 in penalties to resolve a lawsuit filed by the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. Elite Aluminum Products Inc. conducting business as DaytonaTactical.com and GunPartsPlus.com was accused of violating the states Consumer Fraud Act by offering and selling large-capacity firearm magazines to New Jersey buyers and for failing to comply with a subpoena for sales records and other documents. New Jersey law prohibits the possession and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. In a suit filed in Superior Court in Essex County in December 2019 the Attorney Generals Office alleged that Elite Aluminum sold and delivered 167 large-capacity firearm magazines to New Jersey addresses in 69 transactions. Elite Aluminums lawyer, Timothy Rudd, of Braum Law in Ohio, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. The Attorney Generals Office also sued another Florida company, 22Mods4All Inc., which, like Elite Aluminum, refused to turn over documents showing prior sales, despite receiving subpoenas, the office said. That suit is pending. The settlement with Elite Aluminum, reached last week, was the second reached in recent months. In September, the attorney general announced a settlement agreement that required a Nevada firearms dealer, New Frontier Armory, to stop selling large-capacity magazines in New Jersey and to pay the state $50,000. Ensuring the safety of New Jerseyans is my top priority, and removing illegal firearms and magazines from our streets is a key part of this effort, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in a statement Monday. We will not allow merchants to flout the law of this state and put our residents at risk, Division of Consumer Affairs Director Paul R. Rodriguez said in the statement. Large capacity magazines have disproportionately been used in mass shootings and can subject those who possess them to serious criminal penalties. A Beavercreek man is accused of jumping the security fence outside the federal courthouse Friday night and firing a 9mm handgun into plywood covering the facade just days after his arrest outside the state Capitol for allegedly trespassing with a gun. Cody Levi Melby, 39, pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon in federal court in Portland to a misdemeanor charge accusing him of depredation of government property. Melby, 39, a U.S. Army veteran, last week posted a YouTube video of himself standing outside the Oregon Capitol in Salem, reading from a pad and decrying how the entire election process was subverted and how the governments mandate to wear masks and close businesses as a result of the coronavirus had wreaked havoc and devastation around our republic. In Portland, two courthouse security officers arrested Melby about 7:30 p.m. Friday after one spotted him on a closed circuit video system walking inside the fenced-in area in front of the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse, according to a federal complaint. The security officers thought he may have been a court employee and went outside to help him. When they approached and asked him what he was doing, Melby said he had a gun and the security officers drew their own guns and arrested him, the complaint says. They removed a loaded 9mm Glock pistol, which had a round in the chamber, from a holster on Melbys belt, according to Federal Protective Services agent John Dean. Cody Melby walking inside U.S. Courthouse security fencing Federal Protective Service officers later found five spent 9mm bullet casings, three spent bullets, three bullet holes in plywood affixed to the buildings stone columns, and damage to the metal soffit above the buildings main entrance, officials said. Melby told the security officers that he had been firing his gun and had been in front of the courthouse for 20 minutes and no one came out, so I fired several times into the ground, according to the complaint. He said he had entered at Southwest Main and Third Avenue. When security officers asked why he was there, he said, Because I am tired of all (expletive) you guys have to take, the complaint says. Melby, according to his YouTube statement last Tuesday, spent a career in the Army, had been in combat in Iraq and was a member of the Oregon National Guard. He also described himself as an Indigenous man who was a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Antifa you do not speak for me, he said. In his video, he railed against President-elect Joe Biden and his cabinet selections. Just saying Joe Biden won is not good enough, he said. He also called for the arrest of Gov. Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, criticized the mainstream media and lamented that his own Twitter and Facebook accounts recently had been suspended. He called on President Donald Trump to institute the Insurrection Act, have military veterans lend support in arresting traitors to our republic, voiced avid support for the Second Amendment and displeasure about not being allowed to own rifles with 10-inch barrels. Mine is purpose built, he added, on his videotaped message. In a July video on YouTube, Melby said he had been downtown during nightly protests last summer in Portland and was sympathetic to the actions of the federal officers, saying they used restraint against protesters who threw ball bearings, frozen water bottles and other objects at them. He pledged to begin hunting, the communists, the Marxist, and go after anyone committing violence against a federal institution. Items seized from Cody Melby The Government Services Administration, which manages the courthouse, couldnt immediately determine if the gunshots allegedly fired by Melby had damaged the stone or any of the metal around the courthouse building. But on Monday, workers removed the plywood and found no damage to the stone, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Maloney said in court. As a result, federal prosecutors reduced the felony charge to a misdemeanor against Melby. Maloney noted that Melby was on pretrial release for a state charge from last Wednesday, when he was accused of attempting to get into the closed state Capitol. He was arrested on an allegation of trespassing while in possession of a firearm. Melby posted $500 bond in Marion County Circuit Court and was released that day. Federal prosecutors say this was one of the bullet holes found in the plywood outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse Friday night, Jan. 8, 2021. Maloney said the offense outside the federal courthouse represented a serious escalation since his arrest in Salem. The prosecutor said Melby suffers from a mental illness and hasnt been taking his medication. Court records indicate he has a post traumatic stress disorder. He is married and a father of four, according to court documents. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman ordered Melby to remain in custody pending trial, tentatively set for March 16. Also Monday, the Multnomah County district attorney filed felony allegations against Melby stemming from the same conduct outside the federal courthouse. Hes now also accused in Multnomah County Circuit Court of possession of a loaded firearm, unlawful use of a firearm, first-degree criminal mischief and four counts of discharge of a firearm in the city. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Subscribe to Facebook page Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said coal sector will play a very important role in achieving the target of $5 trillion economy by 2022, the year marking the completion of 75 years of the country's Independence. Launching a single window clearance system for the coal sector, he said commercial coal mining auctions will now facilitate small and medium industries to receive coal supplies easily. The home minister said the coal sector has crossed an important milestone towards fulfilling the dream of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self reliant India) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thermal coal imports at major ports fall 16% to 55 MT in April-December period: IPA The coal sector will play a very important role in achieving the target of $5 trillion economy by 2022, the year marking the completion of 75 years of Independence, he said at the event, also attended by Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi. Shah said for a long time the need was felt to remove uncertainty in the coal sector and bring in transparency, which has been fulfilled by the Modi government. He said till 2014, the coal sector seemed entangled in bureaucracy and lack of transparency amidst many allegations of corruption. Till that time, it was extremely difficult to work in this field, but in 2014, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi made many changes and today with full transparency in the coal sector, equal opportunities are available for all, he said. We have the most intelligent and educated youth, hardworking labour force as well as a transparent democracy, he said. The home minister said if there is an assessment of the work done in the coal sector since Independence, it would emerge that unprecedented work has been done under the leadership of Modi in the last six years. The maximum increase in production has taken place within the same six years. Around 560 MT of coal was produced in 2014, while in 2020 it has reached 729 MT, he said. Emphasising on accelerating the pace of coal mining, Shah said the greater the pace of this sector, the faster the nation's economy will grow, and it will help achieve the target of the $5 trillion economy. The home minister also praised Joshi for the remarkable work done and said he felt assured that today the country is moving towards a new future. Today 19 successful bidders have been allotted mines under the country's first commercial coal mining auction. This will provide an estimated revenue of about Rs 6,500 crore to states every year and will also create more than 70,000 jobs, he said. Besides, Shah said, it will also lead to an investment of Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore. He said about Rs 2.50 lakh crore will be invested in the next decade under the PSU plan of coal, and about Rs 4 lakh crore is expected to be invested under the PSU-Private plan. The roadmap for this is also ready. The Union minister said the commercial coal mining auction process will open the way for development in the central and eastern tribal areas of the country. Prior to the Modi government, Eastern India did not develop at the same pace as it should have, compared to Western India, he said. The Modi government has ensured the development of all regions of the country as well as all sections of society. The government has created the Rs 46,000 crore District Mineral Development Fund for people living near the mines, with focus on the development of districts and especially the least developed villages amongst them. This has led to the development of tribal, Dalit, backward and poor people living in these areas, he said. Shah also handed over charter of letters to successful bidders of the country's first commercial coal mining auction. Presently, about 19 major approval or clearances are required before starting a coal mine in the country. In the absence of a unified platform for grant of clearances, the companies were required to approach different departments leading to delay in operationalisation of coal mines, Joshi said. Now, the complete process will be facilitated through the single window clearance portal in a phased way. On December 12, 2020, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Riots Broke out at a Wistron iPhone Plant in India today over wage issues," followed by a report on December 18, titled "The Indian Government finds Wistron guilty of serious labor violations at their iPhone Plant but investigating possible 'Middlemen' Scam." Today we're learning that Apple supplier Wistron made a statement over the weekend that they had removed Vincent Lee, vice president for India business following the violence at the Narasupara facility. The company said in a statement on Saturday that "This is a new facility and we recognize that we made mistakes as we expanded. Some of the processes we put in place to manage labor agencies and payments need to be strengthened and upgraded. We are taking immediate action to correct this, including disciplinary action. We are removing the Vice President who oversees our business in India." Wistron said that it is now enhancing its processes and restructuring teams to ensure these issues cannot happen again. Sources privy to the development have informed ET that the firm has settled the pending payments issue and it is personally contacting each employee to confirm the payment received. Wistron has also formed teams to look after wage-related issues to ensure that the factory operations get back on track as soon as possible. The teams are also in touch with the employees, the sources further said. To enable its workers and employees to voice their concerns anonymously, it has further set up a 24x7 grievance hotline in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and English. "We are deeply committed to our business and employees in India. We are working diligently on corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again," it said further. For more, read the full ET Telecom report. Nancy Pelosi fought to contain her emotions as she told 60 Minutes how her staff cowered under desks in the dark for two hours, as a frenzied mob of Trump supporters smashed through her office. 'I think there was, universally accepted, that what happened...' she said, pausing to compose herself. 'Was a terrible, terrible violation of what - of the Capitol, of the first branch of government, the legislative branch, by the president of the United States.' Pelosi's door was smashed down, and rioters stormed her private office. Nancy Pelosi closed her eyes and took a minute to compose herself, speaking about the riot Nancy Pelosi, in a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday, showed Stahl the destruction in her office Pelosi's employees cowered under this table in the dark for two hours as the mob roamed Rioters draped in Trump flags are pictured rampaging through Pelosi's office One man is seen photographing a picture from Pelosi's office, having broken into the room Trump supporters in their MAGA caps played with Pelosi's office furniture The mob of Trump supporters chanted Pelosi's name as they rampaged through the building 'The staff went under the table, barricaded the door, turned out the lights, and were silent in the dark,' Pelosi said, showing 60 Minutes interviewer Lesley Stahl the damage. 'Under the table for two and a half hours.' During this time in hiding, they listened to the invaders banging on that door. Pelosi's team cowered, praying the mob did not find them. 'You see what they did to the mirror there? The glass was all over the place,' said Pelosi. 'They took a computer and all that stuff. 'And then the desk that they actually were at was right there that they defamed in that way, feet on the desk and all that.' One of the rioters, Richard Barnett, 60, was pictured putting his feet up on her desk. The MAGA rioter who put his feet up on Nancy Pelosi 's desk was arrested at home in Arkansas Richard Barnett, 60, shows off a letter from Nancy Pelosi's desk which he stole Barnett is pictured inside Pelosi's office on Wednesday, having stormed into the Capitol Authorities said Barnett was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful entry; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records Barnett, who proudly referred to himself as a white nationalist on social media, was federally charged with unlawful entry. He was taken into custody at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. Richard Barnett, 60, has been charged with unlawful entry Another, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, allegedly wrote in a text to a friend that he was thinking of 'putting a bullet in [Pelosi's] noggin on Live TV'. Another text allegedly reads: 'I'm gonna run that c**t Pelosi over while she chews on her gums.' According to officials, a third text from Meredith, who is a married, father-of-two, says he has 'a sh*t ton of armor piercing ammo'. Meredith is one of 13 people who have been charged with federal crimes. Pelosi told Stahl: 'The evidence is now that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people. 'They were vocally saying, 'Where's the speaker? We know she has staff. They're here someplace. We're going to find them.'' Prosecutors say these charges are just the beginning. Authorities said Friday that additional cases remained under seal and dozens of other people were being sought by federal agents Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr (pictured) allegedly texted friends that he wanted to shoot or run over Nancy Pelosi While the mayhem was unfurling, Pelosi and other Congressmen had been taken to a safe location. She was unaware until later what had happened in her office. 'When the protesters were making the assault on the Capitol, before they even got to these doors, the Capitol Police pulled me from the podium,' she said. 'And I was concerned because I said: 'No, I want to be here.' 'And they said: 'Well, no, you have to leave.' 'I said: 'No, I'm not leaving.' 'They said: 'No, you must leave.'' Pelosi said that she was disgusted that some Congressmen still voted to overthrow the election results, when the session resumed. 'After the violence. Shame on them,' she said. 'And shame on two-thirds of the Republican caucus in the House supporting... so these people are enablers of the president's behavior.' In one text, Meredith allegedly wrote that he was thinking of 'putting a bullet in [Pelosi's] noggin on Live TV'. Another allegedly reads: 'I'm gonna run that c**t Pelosi over while she chews on her gums' Pelosi wrote to her Democrat colleagues on Sunday night to explain the next steps On Sunday night Pelosi wrote to her Democrat colleagues to say that, unless Mike Pence invokes the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, they will proceed with impeachment. Trump could become the only president to be impeached twice. 'In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both,' she said, and added: 'The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.' She, and other Democrats, further fear the president could pardon those involved in the storming of the Capitol in his final days. Pelosi's plan seeks a vote on Monday on a resolution calling on Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. Under rules when the full House is not convened, any objection would reject the resolution. Pelosi would then put the resolution before the full House on Tuesday. If it were to pass, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. Pelosi showed Stahl where the rioters had smashed through her office door to enter Pelosi told 60 Minutes on Sunday that she wants impeachment for Donald Trump so he can't run for office in the future Pelosi said she would prefer if Vice President Mike Pence invoked the 25th Amendment 'because it gets rid of him he's out of office' now as concerns mount that Trump could pardon the mob in his last 10 days in office With impeachment planning intensifying, two Republican senators said they want Trump to resign immediately as efforts mounted to prevent Trump from ever again holding elective office in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated on January 20. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas on Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. 'Let's give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running,' Clyburn said. Pressure was mounting for Trump to leave office even before his term ended amid alarming concerns of more unrest ahead of the inauguration. The mob overran the Capitol Police shortly after Trump urged them to 'fight' on his behalf 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 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 man in a QAnon hoodie is seen inside the Capitol on Wednesday Lawmakers and law enforcement are pursuing all available avenues to find and prosecute those involved in the Capitol riot using picture and video evidence to do so A protester struggles with a riot police officer outside the Capitol building after the 6pm curfew went into effect The president is accused of whipping up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five dead. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined his fellow Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to 'resign and go away as soon as possible.' 'I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again,' Toomey said. 'I don't think he is electable in any way.' Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trump's conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply 'needs to get out.' A third Republican, Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be 'very careful' in his final days in office. Corporate America began to tie its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group 'will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy,' Kim said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citi's head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, 'We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law.' Lisa Murkowski, senator for Alaska, has said she is considering quitting the Republicans Murkowski said that Trump should resign, saying he had done enough damage Trump supporters, egged on by the president himself, stormed the Capitol on Wednesday House leaders, furious after the insurrection, appear determined to act against Trump despite the short timeline. Mike Pence 'has not ruled out the 25th Amendment' Mike Pence and Donald Trump have not spoken since Wednesday's uprising, CNN reported, during which pro-Trump rioters charged through the Senate looking for Pence and threatening to 'hang' him. Trump was angered by Pence telling him he was not constitutionally able to overturn the election, and lashed out at his vice president on Wednesday, telling supporters: 'Mike Pence has to come through for us. If he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country.' He later tweeted: 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.' Pence has finally 'gotten a glimpse of POTUS's vindictiveness,' one source told CNN. It is the first time the normally-loyal Pence has publicly broken with the president. CNN said that Pence has not ruled out the 25th Amendment. Invoking the 25th Amendment would require Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Trump from office due to his inability to 'discharge the powers and duties of his office' - an unprecedented step. On Thursday, sources close to the VP said it was 'highly unlikely' Pence would attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment. He has not ruled it out, however. Advertisement Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Senator Marco Rubio said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to 'talk about ridiculous things like 'Let's impeach a president' with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would 'vote the right way' if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did 'is for them to decide.' While some Democrats are pushing for the impeachment route, the House Speaker told 60 Minutes that she prefers invoking the 25th Amendment because it gets Trump out of office immediately. 'There is a possibility that after all of this, there's no punishment, no consequence, and he could run again for president,' Stahl said to Pelosi in a clip released ahead of airing the full interview. 'And that's one of the motivations that people have for advocating for impeachment,' Pelosi explained. She is, however, concerned that if Trump is not booted from the White House right now, he will use his last 10 days in office to pardon those part of the mob who descended on the Capitol Wednesday or even himself and other allies. 'I like the 25th Amendment because it gets rid of him he's out of office,' Pelosi said. 'But there is strong support in the Congress for impeaching the president a second time.' 'What if he pardons himself?' Stahl asked. 'What if pardons these people who are terrorists on the Capitol?' Pelosi shot back. Congress is moving to prosecute or punish any and all they can find who were involved in the riots at the Capitol and have already found some who were pictured prominently. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday in an interview with ABC's 'This Week' that half of the members of the House were at risk of dying during the riots. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday of the pro-Trump mob descending on the Capitol House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday that Democrats will vote on impeachment this week, but said the party might wait until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office to move the articles to the Senate WHAT DOES THE 25TH AMENDMENT SAY? CAN TRUMP'S CABINET REALLY TOPPLE HIM? The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution deals with presidential authority in the event of death or removal from office, and was ratified in 1967, in the wake of John F Kennedy's assassination. What does the 25th Amendment say? It is in four sections, all dealing with the president leaving office during his or her elected term. The first section states that the vice president takes over the Oval Office if the president dies or resigns or is removed something which the original Constitution did not clearly state. Presidents of course can be removed by impeachment, a feature of the constitution from the start. They can also be removed through the 25th Amendment - of which more below. Section II states that if the vice president dies, or resigns or is fired both the House and Senate have to confirm a new vice president. Until 1967, presidents could change vice presidents mid-term on their own if they got the vice president to agree to resign - not something that actually happened, but which was possible in principle. Section III makes clear that a president can temporarily delegate his powers to the vice president, and later reclaim them when he - or she - is capable of serving. This is most often invoked if a president is under the influence of surgical anesthetic for a short period of time. Section IV is the amendment's most controversial part: it describes how the president can be removed from office if he is incapacitated and does not leave on his own. The vice president and 'a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide' must write to both the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, saying that 'the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.' The term principal officers of the executive departments would normally mean the cabinet secretaries. So at least eight of the president's 15 most senior Cabinet members together with the vice president must agree that a president should be removed before any plan can move forward. Notifying the House Speaker and the Senate president pro tempore is the act that immediately elevates the vice president to an 'acting president' role. The deposed president can contest the claim, giving the leaders of the bloodless coup four days to re-assert their claims to the House and Senate. Congress then has two days to convene unless it is already in session and another 21 days to vote on whether the president is incapable of serving. A two-thirds majority in both houses is required to make that determination. As soon as there is a vote with a two-thirds majority, the president loses his powers and is removed, and the vice president stops acting and is sworn in as president. But if 21 days of debate and votes ends without a two-thirds majority, the president gets back his powers. What could happen to trigger the 25th Amendment? Vice President Mike Pence and eight of the 15 'principal' Cabinet members would have to agree to notify Congress that President Donald Trump was incapable of running the country. That group is made up of the Secretary of State, Treasury Secretary, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Interior Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, Commerce Secretary, Labor Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretary, Transportation Secretary, Energy Secretary , Education Secretary, Veterans Affairs Secretary and Homeland Security Secretary. Their formal notification would go to the House Speaker and, in the senate, to the 'president pro tempore', the Senate's most senior member. As soon as the letter is sent, Pence would become 'acting president.' Alternatively, Congress could set up its own mechanism to decide if he is fit for office - maybe a commission, or a joint committee. Pence would still have to agree with its conclusion and then write formally to the Speaker and president pro tempore. Or another possibility is that the pool of 'principal officers' is considered to be bigger than the 15 and a majority of that group call Trump incapable. What if Trump does not agree? If Trump claims he is capable of holding office, he would write to the House Speaker and the president pro tempore of the Senate within four days, setting up three weeks of intense debate in both houses of Congress. Trump would be removed from office if both two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate agreed with Pence and his cabal. If either of both chambers fell short of that mark, Trump would retain his powers and likely embark on a wholesale housecleaning, firing Pence and replacing disloyal Cabinet members. Are there any loopholes? The 25th Amendment allows Congress to appoint its own panel to evaluate the president instead of relying on the Cabinet the men and women who work most closely with Trump to decide on a course of action. It specifies that some 'other body as Congress may by law provide' could play that role, but Pence would still need to agree with any finding that the president is incapable of discharging his duties. That commission could hypothetically include anyone from presidential historians to psychiatrists, entrusted to assess the president's fitness for office. Another loophole is that it does not spell out that the Cabinet is needed to agree, but says that the 'principal officers' of the departments are needed. That term is undefined in the constitution. In some departments legislation appears to name not just the secretary but deputies and even undersecretaries as 'principal officers', so many more people could be called in to the assessment of Trump's fitness. But Trump's cabinet has a swathe of 'acting' cabinet officer - and it is unclear if they could therefore take part in removing him. Could Trump fire Pence if he rebelled? No. The vice president can resign or be impeached and removed - but he does not serve at the pleasure of the president. Is there any precedent for this? No. Only Section III, the voluntary surrender of presidential powers, has ever been used - and only very briefly. In December 1978, President Jimmy Carter thought about invoking Section III when he was contemplating a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush both voluntarily relinquished their powers while undergoing procedures under anesthetic. Section IV has also never been invoked, although there have been claims that Ronald Reagan's chief of staff Donald Regan told his successor, Howard Baker, in 1987 that he should be prepared to invoke it because Reagan was inattentive and inept. The PBS documentary 'American Experience' recounts how Baker and his team watched Reagan closely for signs of incapacity during their first meeting and decided he was in perfect command of himself. Advertisement 'If another head of state came in and ordered an attack on the United States Congress, would we say that that should not be prosecuted? Would we say that there should be absolutely no response to that?' the New York congresswoman told ABC host George Stephanopoulos. 'No,' Ocasio-Cortez asserted. 'It is an act of insurrection. It's an act of hostility. And we must have accountability, because, without it, it will happen again. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' she said. Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New York Representative, agreed with AOC's points in an interview with NBC on Sunday, claiming: 'Donald Trump represents a clear and present danger to the health and safety of the American people, as well as our democracy' The representative, as well as the handful of members of her progressive 'squad', are fully on board with plans to again impeach President Trump. Clyburn said Sunday that articles have already been drawn and he is expecting a vote in the lower chamber in the coming day. 'I think that will come probably Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday, but it will happen this week,' the No. 3 House Democrat told 'Fox News Sunday' when asked about the House taking action to impeach Trump. 'The rest of the articles have been drawn up.' 'If we are the people's House, let's do the people's work and vote to impeach this president,' Clyburn continued in his interview with Fox's Chris Wallace. 'And then we'll decide later or the Senate will decide later what to do with that impeachment.' Ocasio-Cortez said 'every minute' Trump is still in office, there is a looming threat. 'I absolutely believe that impeachment should be scheduled for several reasons,' she said on Sunday. 'Our main priority is to ensure the removal of Donald Trump as president of the United States,' AOC added. 'Every minute and every hour that he is in office represents a clear and present danger, not just to the United States Congress, but, frankly, to the country.' While Democrats pursue impeachment, many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are calling for Trump to step down on his own volition to prevent Congress from having to intervene. Lawmakers were forced to evacuate the House and Senate chambers and shelter in offices or other locations on Wednesday after thousands of Donald Trump's supporters breached the Capitol and rioted through the halls There are also talks of banning Trump from running for president again in the future as speculation mounts he will pursue another run for the White House in 2024. 'In addition to removal, we're also talking about complete barring of the president or, rather, of Donald Trump from running for office ever again,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC. 'And, in addition to that, the potential ability to prevent pardoning himself from those charges that he was impeached for.' Jeffries also wants immediate action against Trump, expressing concern that the president still has 'access to the nuclear codes.' 'The goal at the present moment is to address the existential threat that Donald Trump presents at this time. Every second, every minute, every hour that Donald Trump remains in office presents a danger to the American people,' the Democrat representative said on Sunday during an interview on 'Meet the Press'. 'You know, Donald Trump may be in the Twitter penalty box, but he still has access to the nuclear codes,' Jeffries said, referencing Trump's indefinite ban from Twitter. 'That's a frightening prospect.' He added: 'Donald Trump is completely and totally out of control, and even his longtime enablers have now come to that conclusion.' Clyburn, however, said Sunday that House Democrats are weighing if they should hold off on sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office. This way, Democrats would allow the new president to install key members of his team and would have a new 50-50 split Senate to work with. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The first batch of coronavirus vaccines is set to arrive in the Philippines next month, but lives will not yet return to pre-pandemic times for at least two years, an official said on Monday. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said during a Senate inquiry that the shipment carrying 50,000 doses will be delivered on February 20. He refused to name which brand of vaccine will finally reach the country, but said it's either from Sinovac, Novavax, or AstraZeneca. The Philippines recently secured 25 million doses from China's Sinovac, 30 million doses from US drugmaker Novavax, and six million doses from UK-based AstraZeneca through a tripartite agreement with the private sector. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the initial 50,000 doses from Sinovac will arrive next month. Galvez was pressed by Senator Panfilo Lacson when the vaccination program will be carried out. "Para naman umasa 'yung mga kababayan natin na sa February 28 or sa March 1 mababakunahan sila, pwede ba i-share mo sa amin kailan yung unang bakuna sa tantya mo?" he asked during the Senate Committee of the Whole's hearing into the government's vaccine plan. [Translation: So the public can be excited to know if they can be vaccinated by February 28 or March 1. Share when the first vaccination will be carried out based on your estimate.] Galvez replied it may happen in the "third or fourth week of February," hopeful that at least two million Filipinos will be vaccinated by April. He said Metro Manila, Cebu City, Davao City, and other areas with high attack rates will receive the first shots. Of the three brand options given by Galvez, only AstraZeneca has applied for emergency use in the country. Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said its approval may come in the next few weeks. The FDA's authorization is necessary for the vaccines to be legally used in the country. Late in queue? With neighboring countries like Singapore and Indonesia already starting or about to start their vaccination drives, Senator Richard Gordon questioned why the country was late in procuring the vaccines. Hindi kaya pinagbibigyan natin 'yung isa bansa diyan na gusto magbili sa atin? Pero medyo nakaantala 'yun sa atin dahil umaasa tayo na mabibigyan tayo ng libre, pressed Gordon as he cited the governments preference for Chinese vaccines. [Translation: Are we not just waiting for a specific country to sell us their vaccines? But it just delayed our plans because we are expecting that we would be granted free vaccines.] In response, National Action Plan against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon denied that the government is favoring some vaccine manufacturers. Hindi po 'yun ang rason. Wala po tayong policy na pinapaboran ang isang vaccine o isang bansa. Lahat po ng vaccines na safe and effective ay ipu-pursue ng national government, vaccine czar, at vaccine cluster, said Dizon. [Translation: Thats not the reason. We dont have a policy which favors a specific vaccine brand or country. All vaccines that are proven safe and effective will be pursued by the national government, the vaccine czar, and the vaccine cluster.] The country is expected to receive 25 million doses of vaccines from Chinese firm Sinovac this year, with the initial 50,000 doses available as early as February. Despite concerns and criticisms on Sinovacs 50% efficacy rate, the FDA said it will await the final clinical trial report as some countries have reported better results with the Chinese vaccine. Moreover, Dizon said the Philippines is not being left behind when it comes to vaccine procurement, as Galvez immediately talked with vaccine manufacturers after he was named vaccine czar. Yung mga finalization po ng ating mga agreements sa kanila [vaccine manufacturers] ay nangyayari na po ngayong buwan ng January, he said. [Translation: The finalization of our agreements with them are already taking place this January.] Simulation Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the simulation for the COVID-19 vaccine process will be conducted in Pasig City on the third week of January. He clarified that it will not include actual inoculation. This is going to be an exercise in simulation, not necessarily giving the vaccines already. We will subject the process to stress test, said Duque. During the Senate hearing, the Health chief said some 4,512 sites are targeted as vaccination hubs. He added that in each site, 300 individuals can be vaccinated daily. Once the COVID-19 vaccination program starts, everyone will be asked to sign a consent form and watch a video about vaccines before inoculation. The Health Department would also conduct a post-vaccination monitoring and surveillance on possible side effects of the vaccines. The government aims to vaccinate 50 million to 70 million Filipinos this year using vaccines from at least seven pharmaceutical companies. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III wishes to achieve herd immunity this year, admitting this is the best-case scenario. Galvez hopes to restore normalcy in the lives of Filipinos by 2023 three years since the pandemic started. He said this is only possible though the cooperation of the national government, local government units, the public, and other stakeholders. "It is only through this that we can implement a sustainable immunization program to recover the economy and restore normalcy in the lives of the Filipino people by 2023," he said. A reflection of the company's continued commitment to holding itself to a higher quality standard, the brand's new, more modern looking labels help shoppers better understand the taste profile and flavor intensity of each product while also continuing to provide clear front-of-pack information on the different sources of EVOO across the company's various 100% California and global blended product lines. "We are always pushing to help consumers understand what to expect from our diverse line of products," said Michael Fox, CEO of COR, "Our labels were industry-leading in their transparency before and now with our new, more modern design are even more accurate, simple and clear." The new labels, which will appear in stores over the next several months, encompass the full brand portfolio, including the 100% California and 100% California Reserve collections, the Global Blend collection (formerly known as the Destination Series,) and a new culinary line that includes the company's new Baking Blends and Keto Blends. New tasting notes and intensity cues were added to the products to give consumers additional assistance in understanding the flavor differences across the profiles. The company's goal is to offer consumers an array of great-tasting options for every household looking to create delicious food with healthy, high-quality EVOO. "Our mission has always been to offer the highest quality extra virgin olive oil at an accessible price point," said Fox. "All of our extra virgin olive oils are crafted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Standard, which is the strictest olive oil standard for quality and purity in the world." COR is also developing a new, industry-leading technology solution that will bolster its commitment to transparency even further. Slated to roll out later this year, this new technology will give consumers even more insight into the source of the oil they purchased and the specific quality and purity certifications and attributes. Additionally, the technology will help educate consumers on creative uses as well as the unique health benefits of each EVOO in the company's portfolio. Committed to Environmental Sustainability and Growth of the California Olive Industry The company is proud to share its dedication to doing its part to advance the California olive oil industry and to help ensure there is a thriving planet for generations to come. "We are committed to helping grow the California olive oil industry and are making investments across our organization to understand and apply the latest thinking in environmental sustainability to our farming practices," said Fox. "We are also expanding our investments in regenerative agriculture to actively improve the condition of our natural resources, not just sustaining them." Below is a brief highlight of the large initiatives the company is pursuing. The company's first environmental impact report will be produced by the end of the year, providing more insight into these practices. COR has stepped up its commitment to regenerative agriculture practices to further aid in carbon sequestration and soil health across all their acres. After successful trials, the company has rolled out regenerative soil practices like planting a diverse cover crop, no to minimal tilling, reusing tree trimmings and olive pomace in its compost, minimal mowing and inoculating soil with a proprietary microbe "compost tea" to increase soil life and health, and reducing/eliminating reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The company is partnering with leading California universities and state resource centers to further study and analyze the positive impact these practices will have on the soil health and environment. to further aid in carbon sequestration and soil health across all their acres. After successful trials, the company has rolled out regenerative soil practices like planting a diverse cover crop, no to minimal tilling, reusing tree trimmings and olive pomace in its compost, minimal mowing and inoculating soil with a proprietary microbe "compost tea" to increase soil life and health, and reducing/eliminating reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The company is partnering with leading universities and state resource centers to further study and analyze the positive impact these practices will have on the soil health and environment. COR has recently completed the planting of over two million olive trees in California with family-owned farms across the state. Not only does this increase the supply of California olives for olive oil, but research from the International Olive Council also indicates that olive trees could have a meaningful impact on sequestering carbon from the air. COR has initiated its own research to better understand the positive benefits of the company's modern farming and harvesting techniques in calculating its impact on California's greenhouse gas emissions. Not only does this increase the supply of olives for olive oil, but research from the International Olive Council also indicates that olive trees could have a meaningful impact on sequestering carbon from the air. COR has initiated its own research to better understand the positive benefits of the company's modern farming and harvesting techniques in calculating its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. COR has started the transition of more than 320,000 olive trees to organic farming practices. When the conversion is complete, COR would be one of the leading, if not the leading farmer of olives for USDA certified organic 100% California EVOO. About California Olive Ranch Founded in 1998, California Olive Ranch advanced American olive oil by pioneering new ways of cultivating and harvesting olives to make their extra virgin olive oil both premium and affordable. Today, California Olive Ranch is the largest producer of extra virgin olive oil pressed from California grown olives. The company sells almost 40 products in more than 29,000 retail stores nationally. Its award-winning products are celebrated for their high quality by media, professional chefs and home cooks alike. The company's portfolio also includes the Lucini brand of high-quality olive oil, vinegars and pasta sauces sourced almost exclusively from Italy. 1 IRI/SPINS Total Retail (MULO + Natural Enhanced) latest 52 weeks ending November 29, 2020 SOURCE California Olive Ranch Related Links https://californiaoliveranch.com Nepal crisis will not come in the way of bi-lateral ties with India: Sources With Oli stunning CCP team, China would look to target his credibility Nepal-India relations will reach new height says K P Oli India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said that the 370 sq-km area of Kalapani-Limpiadhura-Lipulek at the trijunction of Nepal-India and China (Tibet) has been under the country's possession for long. Addressing the Upper House of the Nepal Parliament, he said that the issue would be raised during the visit by foreign affairs minister, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali to India on January 14. It was under Nepal's possession during the previous 146 years. Some people blame me for the downslide in India-Nepal relations. Do I have to seal my lips and maintain silence on issues, he asked. He said that all issues should be settled through dialogue as I want Nepal-Inda relations to reach a new height and things are moving in that direction, he said. COVID-19 vaccine, boundary dispute on Nepal foreign ministers agenda during India visit " title=" COVID-19 vaccine, boundary dispute on Nepal foreign ministers agenda during India visit " /> COVID-19 vaccine, boundary dispute on Nepal foreign ministers agenda during India visit Nepal has been sending some positive signals and is keen on moving forward on its relationship with India. During the nearly one hour meeting between India's foreign secretary, Harsh Shringla and Nepal's Prime Minister, K P Oli held recently, the discussions were focused around normalising relations, which have been hit due to the Lipulekh boundary row. Sources tell OneIndia that while Nepal wants the ties to be bettered, it would also like to discuss the border row. The two countries could revive negotiations over the Pancheshwar multi-modal project and also set up a travel air bubble, the source also said. However India would tread cautiously as China appears to be wielding some influence over Nepal. India on the other hand is also looking forward to the visit by Nepal's foreign minister, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in December. The dates of the same are currently being worked out. Indian Army Chief General M M Naravane's recent three-day visit to Nepal was largely aimed at resetting bilateral ties that came under severe strain following a bitter border row between the two countries. The meeting between Gen Naravane and Oli, who is also the Defence Minister of Nepal, took place at his official residence in Baluwatar, Nepal Army sources said. Prime Minister Oli said that there has been good friendship between Nepal and India, according to his foreign affairs advisor Rajan Bhattarai. Oli expressed hope that the problems between the two countries would be resolved through dialogue, Bhattarai said in a tweet after the meeting. The Nepal Prime Minister mentioned the centuries-old special relations existing between Nepal and India, and the tradition of conferring Honorary General of Army on each other's Army chiefs, Bhattarai said. As President Xis efforts in Nepal flop, China to continue covert ops in Himalayan nation SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News The Indian Embassy said that during the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on the extensive bilateral partnership between India and Nepal. Gen Naravane reaffirmed that he would work to further strengthen the defence cooperation between the two countries. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 8:09 [IST] 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 White House lowered its U.S. flag to half-staff on Sunday, three days after a police officer died from injuries suffered while fending off supporters of President Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol building. Trump later issued a proclamation directing that flags be lowered at all embassies, consular offices and U.S. facilities abroad, including military facilities and naval vessels. He called the action a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick, who died on Thursday, and Howard Liebengood, whose death was announced on Sunday, as well as all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement across this great Nation. Trump had faced calls from lawmakers from both parties to take the step in honor of Sicknick after protesters, egged on by the president, invaded the seat of Congress in Washington. Trump made the decision independently, not because of pressure from advisers, a person familiar with the matter said. He made the ultimate sacrifice, for the greater glory, and laid down his life in protection of our democracy, Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, said of Sicknick in a letter to Trump on Sunday. Noting that the flag over the Capitol dome has been lowered to half-staff, she said we ask that the flag flown above the White House be ordered to do the same. The White House flag was lowered in the early afternoon. Trump hasnt contacted Sicknicks family to offer his condolences, the New York Times quoted an unidentified aide to Vice President Mike Pence as saying. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, earlier on Sunday ordered U.S. and Virginia flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Sicknick, a resident of the northern Virginia suburbs. Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Sicknicks home state, issued a similar order. ___ Sophia Cai and Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg News wrote this story. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC (CNN) The Trump administration will designate Yemen's Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization in a move that diplomats, members of US Congress and international aid groups fear could further inflame the situation on the ground, upend UN peace talks, and exacerbate the country's humanitarian crisis. In a statement released just before midnight Sunday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US State Department would notify Congress of its intent to designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization as well as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. Pompeo said he also intends to designate three of the group's leaders -- Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim -- as specially designated global terrorists. "These designations will provide additional tools to confront terrorist activity and terrorism by Ansarallah, a deadly Iran-backed militia group in the Gulf region," Pompeo said. "The designations are intended to hold Ansarallah (the Houthi rebels) accountable for its terrorist acts, including cross-border attacks threatening civilian populations, infrastructure, and commercial shipping." Yemen has been embroiled in a years-long civil war that has pitted a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, a Shia political and military organization from the north of Yemen. The conflict has cost thousands of civilian lives and plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis. The group's leadership condemned the designations, which were praised by Yemen's Saudi-backed government. The news was also welcomed by the Saudi and Emirati governments -- some sources believe that the designation was a parting gift to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. The foreign terrorist designation will go into effect on January 19, just a day before the administration leaves office. 'A big mistake' "It's a big mistake," said former US Ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein. "It mostly is a problem for the US government more than for the Houthis. "The Houthis will be more or less unaffected by this. Obviously, Iran doesn't care whether we designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization or not," he told CNN Monday. "But it does make it much more complicated for the US government to play a positive role in helping to resolve the conflict." The move was rebuked by Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Democratic House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks called the designation "short-sighted" and accused the administration of politicizing sanctions authorities. Republican Sen. Todd Young said it "comes at the worst possible time as it will prevent the critical delivery of food, medical supplies, and other items necessary to combat both COVID-19 and famine." The top Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Michael McCaul, said in a joint statement they "fully support efforts to compel the Houthis to end their dangerous and destabilizing behavior" but "are concerned designating them as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, without mitigation measures in place, will have devastating humanitarian impacts." One congressional aide said that a Monday call with State Department officials about the action was "an absolute dumpster fire" and that the designation appeared rushed out without proper assurances that it wouldn't do significant damage to the ability to deliver crucial outside humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country. A US State Department spokesperson told CNN they "don't comment on internal deliberations or our conversations with Congress." The United Nations warned in December that the number of people facing catastrophic food insecurity could triple in the first six months of 2021, and the opportunity to prevent famine in Yemen "is slipping away with every day that passes," in the words of the World Food Programme executive director. Pompeo said in the statement that the United States is "planning to put in place measures to reduce their impact on certain humanitarian activity and imports into Yemen." "We have expressed our readiness to work with relevant officials at the United Nations, with international and non-governmental organizations, and other international donors to address these implications," he said. A UN spokesperson said they "are studying the announcement closely to assess its potential impact. But the decision is likely to have serious humanitarian and political repercussions." 'Pure diplomatic vandalism' International aid groups swiftly condemned the 11th hour move. The head of the International Rescue Committee called the decision "pure diplomatic vandalism." "This policy, in the name of tying up the Houthis, will actually tie up the aid community and international diplomacy. The opposite is needed -- effective pressure on all parties to the conflict to cease using civilians as hostages in their war games," David Miliband said. "The further immiseration of Yemenis, which will be the product of this policy, is a disgrace to the name of the US, and will have the perverse result of strengthening precisely the forces it claims to oppose." Mercy Corps CEO Tjada D'Oyen said the Trump administration's designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization will "undermine the overstretched humanitarian response in Yemen, threatening the lives of millions of Yemenis who rely on humanitarian assistance." OXFAM America's humanitarian policy lead, Scott Paul, said this "dangerous policy will put innocent lives at risk." The Norwegian Refugee Council said the "sanctions will hamstring the ability of aid agencies to respond, and without additional safeguards and broader exemptions for the commercial sector, Yemen's faltering economy will be dealt a further devastating blow." "Getting food and medicine into Yemen -- a country 80% dependent on imports -- will become even more difficult," NRC Yemen Country Director Mohamed Abdi said in a statement on Monday. "We are calling on the US government to provide unambiguous safeguards and guarantees so that humanitarian aid can still be delivered without delays and across conflict territories regardless of who is in control, and protect aid workers from being criminalized." Even if humanitarian organizations are able to continue to operate in the country, a source familiar with the situation noted that it could deter the shippers who bring affordable food to the population in Houthi-controlled areas of the country, as the rebels control the docks and customs in the key port city of Hodeidah. "They provide food to 15 million people who are now one step closer to famine because of this," this source said. Biden's ability to reverse the decision Some of the organizations called on President-elect Joe Biden to reverse the decision, with Paul of OXFAM saying, "in this instance, acting 'on day one' cannot be only a figure of speech, as lives hang in the balance." Feierstein, the former US ambassador to Yemen who also worked on counterterrorism issues at the State Department, said that while bureaucratically it is possible for Biden to reverse the foreign terrorist organization designation, it is also a question of politics and bandwidth. "You have the Trump administration saying these people are terrorists. That now requires the Biden people to come in and say no they're not terrorists," he said. "And that is fraught, and it requires a political decision that they may not be willing to make." "And then the other reality is, look, Joe Biden and his administration are going to have a gazillion things that are going to occupy their time and attention that are going to be higher on their priority list than the Houthi designation. And so it's not so much a question of can they do it, will they do it -- it's also a question of when they can get around to it. And I'm not sure that the answer is going to be very quickly," Feierstein said. The source familiar echoed this, noting that the incoming administration "cannot be seen to coddle one of the most abusive insurgent movements in the world." Houthi leader Mohamed Ali Al Houthi condemned the designation on Twitter Monday, saying "we reserve the right to respond against any designation issued by the Trump administration, or any other administration." He did not provide further detail of how the group is planning to respond. The source familiar with the situation said it is likely that the Houthis will retaliate and that they could do so by breaking up UN peace talks, banning UN entities, or taking hostages. The UN spokesperson said they "are concerned that the designations may have a detrimental impact on efforts to resume the political process in Yemen, as well as polarize even more the positions of the parties to the conflict." "Notwithstanding possible political repercussions, we will continue to work with all parties to resume and continue an inclusive political process to reach a comprehensive negotiated settlement to end the conflict," they said. Yemen's Saudi-backed government expressed support for the US government's designation. "[The government] will continue to provide full support to all UN-led efforts to reach a comprehensive peace," it said on Twitter. This story was first published on CNN.com US to designate Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Report Description A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the Global Filament Tapes Market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international Filament Tapes Market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and Global Filament Tapes Market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of Global Filament Tapes Market is offered. In accordance with the report, the Global Filament Tapes Market is projected to expand by healthy CAGR over the period of forecast. Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints ,Opportunity & Trends of the Market: Definition Global filament tapes market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This growth is expected to be primarily driven by growth in automotive and electronic sector & improved synergy between global and regional player. Moreover, growing preference of corrugated box packaging is expected to stimulate the sales of filament tapes in the near future. Furthermore, increasing demand of biodegradable pressure sensitive adhesive owing to its ecofriendly characteristics, also a reason which is anticipated to fuel the sales of filament tapes during the forecast period. In addition, Asia Pacific region is expected to witness fast pace owing to the growing end use industry along with the infrastructural development. Request for Report Sample: https://datainsightspartner.com/request-for-sample?ref=902 Market Drivers Tape manufacturing companies across the globe strategically focused on localization of tape products, as decision makers in such companies are aware that a single global brand can not resonate the customer in high potential regional market. Following the industry leaders several tier II tape manufacturing companies also replicated similar strategy to achieve success in local market, consequently transforming the dynamics of global tape market. Furthermore, these companies also leveraged the local market benefits, which is largely characterized by economic production and quick integration with existing supply chain. Multinational tape manufacturing companies outsourced production to local and regional players ensuring technical know how and industry expertise. Local companies thus created the demand for tape products such as filament tape. Albeit, producing for large tape manufacturing companies, regional players are allowed to procure raw material for tape products locally with prior approval of the brand owner Multinational brands through such synergies aims to widen their presence in local markets, which in turn is translating into the demand for tape products. Over the past three years eleven European tape brands entered the high potential Asian market, largely the countries in South and South East Asia. The trend is likely to continue as several tier II companies are also planning to foray in these markets. In addition, local tape brands are challenging the global brands, thus creating substantial opportunity for tape product supplier Market Restraints Due to the increasing competition among the end use industries for low cost products is resulting low profit margins for tape manufacturers, ultimately affecting their overall profitability. Tape manufacturers are focusing on cost reduction for their products by implementing new methods and through the use of other low-cost optional materials and technologies. Tape manufacturers are working hard to maintain their market position and to retain their customers by implementing low cost strategy for labels, thus compromising their profitability margins. Increased raw material prices have become a serious issue for manufacturers of filament tapes. Rising prices of film material, printing inks, adhesives resins, and special paper are hampering the profits of all the concerned businesses in the filament tape value chain. Recently the specialty chemicals manufacturing company named Rohm and Haas has raised prices for its industrial adhesives and sealants. This price increase will affect the manufacturing cost for filament tapes. Additionally, manufacturing cost is affected by currency fluctuations. Changes in oil prices also affect this market considerably, as there will be additions to the cost of transportation. Changes in global supply and demand and fluctuations in market, exchange rates, government controls and other factors may affect the prices of raw material and filament tapes. Particularly in European countries the production cost is high because of the high cost of polymers. Opportunities South East Asia is expected to dominate the market owing to per capita income, which has increased in the region by 1.6X between 2008 and 2017, which in turn is expected to create favorable demand for automobile and electronics product including its packaging, which in turn is expected to creates immense opportunity for tapes products including filament tapes in the region. Most filament tape manufacturers should target their customer base in emerging economies such as Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, and ASEAN countries. South East Asia, particularly has a lucrative market for automobile and electronics, owing to its economic stability and increasing per capita income of the people. ASEAN is expected to have an attractive filament tape market due to infrastructural advancement and rising retail markets and shopping centers. Trends Advanced acrylic adhesive technology used in filament tapes are becoming the preferred bonding solution among the tape manufacturers across the globe. These advance acrylic adhesive technology are replacing the traditional liquid and spray adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and other bonding and fastening systems Unlike conventional adhesives, which tend to bleed at the edges, advanced acrylic adhesives used in filament tapes maintain their stability and integrity during processing. A primary shift of production of filament tapes from North America and Europe to Asia Pacific region is taking place, although the market is less homogeneous. With 35% share of global market, Asia Pacific filament tape market is growing more dynamically than its economy. Factors such as economy of scale, growing industrialization and availability od raw material at cheap price are pushing the filament tapes manufacturers to enhance its manufacturing facility in Asia Pacific region especially in China and India Get Request for Table of Contents: https://datainsightspartner.com/report/filament-tapes-market/902#tableOfContent Segment Covered: This market intelligence report on the Global Filament Tapes Market encompasses market segments based on filament type, backing adhesive type , adhesive type , width , end use ,application and country. By Filament Type the Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q Single Sided Tapes q Double Sided Tapes By Backing Adhesive Type the Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q Plastic Film Polypropylene Polyvinyl Chloride Polythene Polyester Others q Paper q Fabric q Foam By Adhesive Type the Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q Rubber Based Natural Rubber Synthetic Rubber q Acrylic Based q Hot Melt Adhesive By Width the Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q 12 mm q 18 mm q 24 mm q 36 mm q 48 mm q 72 mm q 96 mm By End Use Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q Shipping & Logistics q Building & Construction q Food & Beverages q Electricals & Electronics q Automotive q Healthcare & Hygiene q Printing q Metalworking q Oil & Gas q General Industrial q Consumer Goods By Application Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q BFSI q Bundling q Strapping q Insulating q Carton Sealing q Sealing q Others By country/region, the Global Filament Tapes Market has been divided into: q North America (the U.S., Canada), q Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and other countries), q Europe (Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Russia, and other countries), q Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand and other countries), q Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Israel and Other countries). Profiling of Market Players: This business intelligence report offers profiling of reputed companies that are operating in the market. Companies such as: q 3M Company q Intertape Polymer Corp, Inc. q Tesa Tape Inc. q Canadian Technical Tape, Ltd. q Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics q Krush Adhesive Tape, Inc. q Sekisui TA Industries, LLC q Pro Tapes & Specialties Inc q PPM INDUSTRIES S.P.A. q Others others have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Filament Tapes Market related investment & spending and developments by major players of the market are tracked in this APEJ report. Report Highlights: In-depth analysis of the micro and macro indicators, market trends, and forecasts of demand is offered by this business intelligence report. Furthermore, the report offers a vivid picture of the factors that are steering and restraining the growth of this market across all geographical segments. In addition to that, IGR-Growth Matrix analysis is also provided in the report so as to share insight of the investment areas that new or existing market players can take into consideration. Various analytical tools such as DRO analysis, Porter's five forces analysis has been used in this report to present a clear picture of the market. The study focuses on the present market trends and provides market forecast from the year 2020-2028. Emerging trends that would shape the market demand in the years to come have been highlighted in this report. A competitive analysis in each of the geographical segments gives an insight into market share of the APEJ players. Few Recent Developments Saint Gobain Performance Plastics In November 2016, it acquired 100% of the share capital of Italy-based h-old from Arcadia Small Cap. The latter manufactures and distributes specialty adhesive tapes including filament tapes. Tesa Tape Inc. In October 2016, it introduced new foam tapes for industrial purposes under the brand names tesa 64956 and tesa64962 for climate-controlled bonding and mounting applications Salient Features: This study offers comprehensive yet detailed analysis of the Filament Tapes Market, size of the market (US$ Mn ), and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR (%)) for the period of forecast: 2020-2028, taking into account 2019 as the base year It explains upcoming revenue opportunities across various market segments and attractive matrix of investment proposition for the said market This market intelligence report also offers pivotal insights about various market opportunities, restraints, drivers, competitive market strategies of leading market players, emerging market trends, and regional outlook Profiling of key market players in the world Filament Tapes Market is done by taking into account various parameters such as company strategies, distribution strategies, product portfolio, financial performance, key developments, geographical presence, and company overview The data of this report would allow management authorities and marketers of companies alike to take informed decision when it comes to launch of Type of models, government initiatives, marketing tactics and expansion, and technical up gradation The world market for Filament Tapes caters to the needs of various stakeholders pertaining to this industry, namely suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and distributors for Filament Tapes Market. The research also caters to the rising needs of consulting and research firms, financial analysts, and new market entrants Research methodologies that have been adopted for the purpose of this study have been clearly elaborated so as to facilitate better understanding of the reports Reports have been made based on the guidelines as mandated by General Data Protection Regulation Ample number of examples and case studies have been taken into consideration before coming to a conclusion Reasons to buy: v Identify opportunities and plan strategies by having a strong understanding of the investment opportunities in the Filament Tapes Market v Identification of key factors driving investment opportunities in the Filament Tapes Market v Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data v Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential v Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events v Identify key partners and business development avenues v Respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects v Identify key strengths and weaknesses of important market participants Full View of Report Description: https://datainsightspartner.com/report/filament-tapes-market/902 NEW DELHI : The Indian Army on Monday handed back to China a soldier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), three days after apprehending him at the southern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, official sources said. The soldier was returned to China at the Chushul-Moldo border point in eastern Ladakh at 10.10 am, they added. The Chinese soldier was captured at the southern bank of Pangong lake in the early hours of Friday after he transgressed across the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches "The PLA soldier, who was apprehended on January 8, was handed back to China at Chushul-Moldo at 10.10 am on Monday," a source said. Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over eight months. The faceoff began in May last year, following a clash between the two sides in the Pangong lake area. "The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area. Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops," the Army said in a statement on Saturday. Following the capture of the soldier by the Indian Army, China had sought his immediate return on Saturday. It was the second such incident of India capturing and subsequently returning a Chinese soldier in the last three months. Indian troops had captured Corporal Wang Ya Long of the PLA on October 19 last year after he "strayed" across the LAC in Ladakh's Demchok sector. The corporal was handed back to China at the Chushul-Moldo border point following the laid-down protocols. The areas around the Pangong lake along the LAC have remained tense in the last few months. Around four months ago, Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rechin La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of the Pangong lake, after the Chinese military attempted to intimidate them in the area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 last year. Chief of Army Staff Gen. MM Naravane visited various high-altitude forward areas in eastern Ladakh last month, including certain positions on the south bank of the Pangong lake, and reviewed India's overall military preparedness. Nearly 50,000 troops of the Indian Army are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness at various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero temperatures as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded a concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The two countries held another round of diplomatic talks last month under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. The eighth and last round of military talks between the two sides took place on November 6 last year, during which both sides had broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides had announced a slew of decisions, including not to send more troops to the frontline, refraining from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoiding taking any action that may further complicate matters. This round of talks was held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A Rutgers-Camden faculty member gave the university a $3.5 million gift, its largest ever, to support a scholars program at the law school, the university announced Monday. The faculty member, the school said, has asked to remain anonymous. The money will be used to fully launch the scholars program, aimed at attracting to the law school academically distinguished students with a commitment to public service, the school said. It will be named for Rayman L. Solomon, who served as dean of Rutgers-Camden law school from 1998 to 2014. Solomon also served as provost for a year and remains a professor of law there. (Solomon is not the donor.) READ MORE: Rutgers to name iconic residence hall for Ruth Bader Ginsburg The vision set forth by our donor will allow Rutgers to continue to prepare the very best students from New Jersey, the nation, and the world to become the leaders that we need to guide the future, Kimberly Mutcherson, co-dean of Rutgers Law School, said in a statement. The Solomon Scholars will receive financial support and be eligible for summer stipends to do public service work, the university said. They also will be offered special programming and work with mentors, the school said. READ MORE: Lincoln receives $20 million gift Through a statement from the university, the donor expressed a desire to give back to the place that has been the center of my professional life and that has introduced me to colleagues and students who have become close, lifelong friends. The donor also cited Solomons commitment to the schools mission of serving the public good. I am deeply honored by this incredible demonstration of selfless generosity made in my name by a valued friend and colleague, Solomon said in a statement. The donor also gave $50,000 to the school in March, which supported the first three Solomon scholars, who started at the law school this academic year. Irans oil revenues have halved since the U.S. imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic in 2018, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported, citing an Instagram post of the governor of the Iranian Central Bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati. According to the head of the central bank of Iran, the countrys revenues from oil sales have dropped from more than US$40 billion in 2018 to less than US$20 billion in 2019 and 2020. The central bank also had very limited access to those revenues, Hemmati said. The U.S. sanctions on Irans oil exports have been an unprecedented maximum pressure campaign that has impacted every sector of the Iranian economy, he added. As early as in 2019, Irans Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh admitted that Irans oil industry had been dealt a deadly blow by the U.S. sanctions. Earlier this week, Iran said that the U.S. should pay Tehran as much as US$70 billion as compensation for lost oil revenues due to the U.S. sanctions, as a prerequisite for a return to the nuclear deal. Kamal Kharrazi, the chairman of Irans Strategic Council on Foreign Relationsa body advising Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneisaid this payment would be a prerequisite if U.S. President-elect Joe Biden wants to return to the so-called Iranian nuclear deal, according to the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, quoted by Bloomberg. President-elect Biden has pledged to offer Iran a path back to diplomacy and a return to the nuclear deal. If the U.S. and Iran return to a path of diplomacy, there is a chance that the strict U.S. sanctions on Irans oil exports could be eased, potentially paving the way for around 2 million bpd of Iranian crude oil exports returning to the market. Last month, Iranian authorities seemed confident they could be able to sell as much as 2.3 million bpd of oil in the next Iranian year that begins in March 2021, according to Irans budget bill. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of condolence to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the recent crash of a Sriwijaya Air passenger plane. Xi said he is shocked to learn about the crash. Noting that China is a friendly neighbor of Indonesia, Xi said he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, would like to express deep condolences over the victims and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. BIG RAPIDS Plastics engineering technology students at Ferris State University benefited this fall from broader laboratory learning, thanks to a departmental advisory board member Jason Holbrook's continued efforts. The arrival of a 44-ton Haitian Zafir Zeres ZE 400/120 injection-molding machine last September came about at Holbrooks direction, according to plastics engineering technology Assistant Professor Tom Van Pernis. There were six of these machines already in place in our laboratory, and adding a seventh meant we could better accommodate our students, through social distancing, Van Pernis said. Jasons service on our advisory board has been a great asset. He has been a strong advocate for our program over the years, seeing that we received a number of units from different manufacturers. The sole distributor of this line in the U.S. is Absolute Haitian, based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Holbrook is the companys regional sales manager for Midwestern clients and arranged for the 400/120 machine to be available on consignment. Van Pernis said Ferris National Elastomer Center Laboratory Manager Brian Pacholka worked collaboratively with AH Field Service Technician Terry Harrington and plastics engineering technology student Hailey Hoevenaar, of Lowell, to set up the unit which joined the laboratory rotation in early October. There are five manufacturers of injection molding equipment represented among the seven machines now in this laboratory, Van Pernis said. Jason understands, as do the manufacturers, that Ferris Plastics Engineering Technology graduates become decision-makers in their industry. Having a breadth of equipment available to them now helps our students learn and adapt before entering the field." Ferris established the National Elastomer Center in 1998, and expanded the facility to 28,000 square feet to accommodate rubber engineering technology instruction in the existing plastics engineering technology learning space. Press Release January 11, 2021 Highlights of the interpellation of Senator Pia S. Cayetano Committee of the Whole hearing SPSC: Do I assume that when we speak of agreements that are being entered into by LGUs and private sectors, those are all tripartite agreements? Because I've never heard that answer, that's why I think there's so much confusion. Sec. Vince Dizon said as early as November 2020, PRRD approved the participation of both the private sector and the LGUs in the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, but these need to be done through a tripartite agreement with the national government and vaccine manufacturers. SPSC: On that note, as our colleagues expressed a lot of confusion on the part of LGUs, I think that has to also be very clear because some may know that the procurement requirement, as Sec. Galvez pointed out, limits their ability to make these advanced payments or procurements. But others are just confused that they don't know if they should join the bandwagon, or wait upon the national government to wait for their allocation, which is the point I was driving at earlier when I said that on the point of financing, what is the plan? --- SPSC: A few days ago, Moody's made a statement that the Philippines will be the last to recover in the region. One of the reasons cited is that the Philippines lags behind in the procurement process of the vaccines. Why is that the impression that they have? And what can we do to correct it na parang iwan na iwan tayo sa procurement? We should all be negotiating on the same footing... Why are we in this situation where an independent body tells us, "Kayo ang pinaka-huli"? Sec. Galvez said he disagrees with Moody's statement, stressing some countries may have gotten vaccines early because they had the upfront money. He said the law also prohibits them from procuring faster. SPSC: Hindi ba mula pa sa Bayanihan 1, which I am a principal sponsor of, and Bayanihan 2, we already put there exemptions from the procurement law, so I am just trying to understand, because it is our job to help you. I understand the limitations of LGUs, kaya nga tanong ng LGUs, "Kami ba pwede rin mag-avail sa exemptions sa procurement law," at sabi natin hindi... Kaya nga kailangan makipag-tripartite agreement. National government lang ang pwede mag-avail... It's the impression, and I don't know if we can correct the impression, and baka nga it's really true na nahuhuli tayo... Ang sabi niyo it's because of the procurement law, but we've exempted you from that. I just feel that we could try to improve that image... Ang pangit lang for the heart and soul of the Filipinos to feel na huling huli tayo. I think we can all understand that. --- SPSC: Why do [LGUs] need to help? Kulang ba pondo natin? Why do the LGUs need to help? Obviously, every LGU head would want to ensure their people that they'll take care of you. But ano bang assurance na meron silang matatanggap sa national [government]? Were they told that they would allocate a certain amount, and then bahala na kayo sa rest? I just need to be clear on that because why, baka kayo magkaroon ng maraming duplications. If you say we covered all the frontliners, but then ang alam ng LGUs, clear ba sa kanila na all their frontliners from their barangay health worker, to the doctors would be covered? Would that include the private? Hindi ba sila kasama sa frontliner? Kasama di ba? So do we differentiate if public or private? The main concern here is confusion. It could be a major waste of resources, very valuable resources. The LGUs are providing for their private health frontliners, yun pala ginagawa n'yo rin; yun pala ang ospital, ginagawa din niya. So how do we really clear this? That is really something that I feel needs clarity. I chaired the committee on the budget of health, so it was never brought to my attention that we have an issue on funding. But if we keep projecting that image na, "Salamat tumutulong kayo." Of course whole-of-nation, whole-of-society. But nagkukulang ba tayo sa funding? Let's make that clear. Usec. Joven said we will meet our targets for 2021 to inoculate more than 50M Filipinos, but there is also no liability to ask for help of LGUs and the private sector to further augment the figure. SPSC: So then let's communicate that very clearly. Not many people know what exactly is in the GAA. P72.5 Billion diba? Nandyan yan. So now, let's make it very clear sa LGUs kung magkano pa ang gusto niyong bunuin because like you said, willing naman sila, pati private sector. But let's make it clear, because we don't want confusion, we don't want people worrying about duplications... The worry is yung maliliit na LGUs, yung hindi kasing yaman ng Metro Manila LGUs, hindi ngayon nila malaman na, "Teka, anong gagawin namin, uutang ba kami dito, suspend ko ba ang program ko para maglabas ng pera?" Hindi very clear yun, so that's what my point is. --- SPSC: My next point is on the rollouts... What is really crucial here in this rollout is from the time you procure it and the time it arrives... My understanding is these internationally procured vaccines are delivered using the resources of Zuellig and then they deliver it to the RITM, tama ba? Sec. Duque said we have third-party logistics, depending on cold chain temperature requirements. SPSC: When it comes to requirements ng Pfizer [vaccines] na negative 70 degrees, even [Zuellig], the most reliable partner that we probably have, will still have to purchase at this point. Those are the agreements I want to ask if they have been secured. Meron nang may alam nitong kailangan gawin, are we using them? Are we finalizing deals with them? I do know that there are other cold storage providers, but they are not really in the business of pharmaceuticals... It's your job to review everybody, but I would prefer that it would be somebody who knows their business when it comes to vaccines. Sec. Dizon confirmed that the vaccine cluster is in discussions with Zuellig to provide logistical services for the transportation of vaccines. SPSC: What I am told is, most of these multinational pharmaceuticals deal with Zuellig because they do not want to risk their products being ruined... Imagine pati Germany, one of the countries we look up to in many ways, they have the delivery to northern or southern provinces that they had to throw away kasi hindi nasundan, hindi na-secure ang temperature requirement. My point simply is, kung may magaling na diyan, gamitin. --- SPSC: This is my point. Dito sa rollout, the administration of the COVID vaccine is like the biggest ever live show that DOH and the national government will present to the Filipino people... Ito na yung pinakamagaling na live show, pinakamaganda dapat. This is not a pre-taped show. This does not have cuts, this does not have timeouts, warm ups, bukas ulit, wala. Live show ito. No take two. And the only way that they can perfect that show is practice, practice, practice, and dress rehearsal... I really want to emphasize that you need to roll the dress rehearsal itself. Roll out a pneumococcal vaccine, roll it out from the masterlist... You have to roll it out that way and test it, and test your stress points, what are your stress points? The stress points would obviously be the storage, the transportation, the timing. And you know what? The masterlist... Inabot tayo ng Bayanihan 2 hindi pa rin mabuo-buo yung SAP. And then ngayon, from what I understand, in the final delivery of SAP 2, the masterlist was reduced from 17M na inumpisahan ko sa Bayanihan 1, from 17M families, ngayon 14M na lang. Eh diba umaangal nga ang mga LGUs na andaming hindi nakatanggap kasi ang masterlist ng DSWD hindi tugma sa masterlist ng LGUs? Tapos nabawasan pa. How do we even begin to do this with those kinds of masterlist? Those are stress points that need to be addressed. Thank you very much, Mr. President and to our resource persons. The intention is really to point these out to you because you really will bear the burden of rolling this out. Thank you for your work. Police in New York City are hunting for a knife-wielding suspect who was caught on video repeatedly slashing a worker at a Queens hotel early Sunday morning. According to the NYPD, the violent assault took place at 6.15am at the La Quinta Inn at 37-18 Queens Boulevard in the Long Island City neighborhood. An unidentified man had been loitering in the hotel lobby when a 33-year-old employee asked him to leave. Security footage from the lobby of La Quinta Inn on Queens Boulevard in Queens shows a worker hand a bottle of water to a man who had been loitering in the lobby Moments later, the man pulls out a knife and lunges at the hotel employee The suspect, dressed in a black sweatshirt, slashes at the victim's hands and ear A knife is seen in the attacker's right hand as he pursues the victim into a corner The armed man overpowers the victim and pins him to a wall during the violent struggle La Quinta Inn is located at 37-18 Queens Boulevard in the Long Island City neighborhood The suspect then approached the worker and asked him for a bottle of water, according to investigators. Security video from the lobby shows the hotel worker step out from behind the front desk and hand a bottle of water to the man. The pair exchange some words before the suspect pulls out a knife and lunges at the employee. The attacker pursues the victim into a corner and a violent struggle ensues, during which the man with the knife overpowers the victim, pins him down and slashes him in the hands and left ear. The injured hotel employee ultimately manages to escape the attacker and seek refuge in the enclosed reception area, which has a door on the side. The victim leans against the door to prevent the suspect from entering, and after a few moments the assailant leaves. The injured victim retreats behind the door of the enclosed reception area, leaving his attacker on the outside Police are now looking for the unnamed suspect who is wanted in connection to the attack Video shows the unidentified suspect, dressed in a black sweatshirt, light-colored sweatpants and black sneakers, slowly walk out of the hotel. The victim was transported in stable condition to New York Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to be treated for his injuries. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Condemning the recent attack in that killed 11 people from the minority Shiite Hazara community in Balochistan, senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi has demanded Imran Khan-led government to put an end to the targeted killing of the "followers of the Ahl ul-Bayt (AS)". "The recent crime in Bolan, Baluchistan, filled the hearts of all followers of the Qur'an, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and His Household around the world with sorrow and filled their hearts with anger," Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi was quoted as saying by IRNA on January 8. "Continuation of the crimes by the Takfiri groups in and the targeted killing of the followers of the Ahl ul-Bayt (AS) in this Islamic land has grieved and affected me and all those who are interested in the religion greatly," he added. Although several decades have passed since the beginning of these insecurities, but unfortunately, the government and the judicial, military and security organisations of this country have not been able to curb this great crisis, and every day the bad news of new murders and terrorist operations is heard, IRNA quoted the senior Iranian cleric. On January 3, unidentified gunmen stormed into a coal mine in Machh town near Quetta, pulling out ethnic Hazaras, members of Pakistan's Shia minority community, from their homes and open firing on them. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. The Shia community had been protesting against the killing of miners from the last six days. The Baloch Republican Party said that government is deliberately turning a deaf ear to the voices of Balochs, Hazaras, Sindhis and minorities. BRP spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said in a tweet that the latest case of the brutal killing of 11 Hazaras is another testimony to the lawlessness and persecution of minorities in " government is deliberately turning a deaf ear to the voices of Balochs, Hazaras, Sindhis and minorities who just seek a peaceful life with dignity," 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.) Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 A social media platform with a Clarks Summit mailing address that claims to promote free speech experienced a surge in web traffic last week, according to its Moosic-native CEO. Gab, founded by Andrew Torba in 2016, is also one of 11 telecommunication and social media companies asked to preserve messaging data and subscriber information for users who may have been involved in riots at the Capitol on Wednesday. The group involved in the unrest was overwhelmingly made up of longtime supporters of President Donald Trump, the Associated Press reported Sunday. Torba, 30, created Gab in response to reports of censorship of right-wing views on Facebook and other social media sites. Gab allows users to post comments, follow other users and be followed. About a month after its inception, the platform had 22,000 users and another 55,000 on a wait list. Reached by phone Sunday, Torba said Gab had 35 million visits this week and were getting 500,000 new users every day. The same week saw Trumps Twitter account shut down over the risk of further incitement of violence in the wake of the Capitol breach. His supporters have moved to social media sites that cater to conservative voices, such as Gab and Parler, the Associated Press reported. Incoming Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., in a letter addressed to Gabs Clarks Summit mailing address, requested that the company cooperate in preserving information related to the riots. A response from Torba posted on Gab said the company doesnt comment on document preservation requests of specific communications with law enforcement. The policy exists to preserve the confidentiality of investigations and encourage law enforcement to feel comfortable contacting Gab, he said. We will action promptly any document preservation request we receive from federal law enforcement as and when it arrives. Per our policy we will not comment on specifics of what communications we may or may not have had in this regard. If you, your staff, and/or any other person are aware of specific content on our platform which is pertinent to this request, please contact federal law enforcement who will contact us, he said in the response to Warner. Gab has been known to attract users who post racist content. The platform made headlines in the wake of a deadly shooting of 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 after it was revealed the shooter, Robert Bowers, used his account to post anti-Semitic views. Loss of support from companies including PayPal and GoDaddy forced the platform offline, but it came back with the help of a Seattle company, Epik, which hosts other far-right websites, The New York Times reported. Though its mission is free speech, Torba said Sunday that limitations exist on the Gab platform. Gab is a home of free speech on the internet. That does not include threats of violence or illegal activity, he said, adding that Gab works closely with different levels of law enforcement to ensure theres no such activity on the platform. Torba, a Riverside High School and University of Scranton graduate, founded his first startup while he was in college. Kuhcoon helped small businesses maintain and manage their social networking accounts. Torba said Sunday hes proud to come from Northeast Pennsylvania and represent the area in the defense of freedom of speech on the internet. The Associated Press and The New York Times contributed to this report. Jared Kushner has briefed incoming national security adviser Jake Sullivan on the Trump administrations Middle East policies, David Friedman, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Israel, told a closed hearing in the Israeli parliament on Monday. Why it matters: Friedman said Kushner had briefed Sullivan in particular on the Abraham Accords process through which four Arab countries have normalized relations with Israel, according to lawmakers who attended the hearing. Trump's advisers hope President-elect Biden will continue that process and encourage other countries like Saudi Arabia to sign on. Driving the news: The call took place about two weeks ago, several days before Kushner traveled to Saudi Arabia for a summit of Gulf leaders. It's unclear whether Kushner brought along a message from Sullivan to any of the leaders. White House envoy Avi Berkowitz also briefed a former Obama administration official who might be in line for a Middle East-related job under Biden on the normalization agreements, a Trump administration official tells me. According to Israeli lawmakers who attended Monday's briefing, Friedman said he recently met with his Obama era predecessor, Dan Shapiro, and briefed him on the Trump administrations work on the Middle East over the last four years. Shapiro made clear to Friedman at the meeting that he was not part of the Biden transition team. Behind the scenes: Friedman presented the Knesset's foreign relations committee with his thoughts about what the Biden administration will and should do regarding Israel and the region, lawmakers who attended the briefing say. Friedman said Biden is a friend of Israel. He also said he expects the Biden administration to press Israel on the issue of West Bank settlements, resume aid to the Palestinian Authority and continue to raise Israel's ties to China, an issue that Friedman said Israel should take more seriously. Friedman also said Biden would likely attempt to revive the Iran nuclear deal. He specifically raised concerns about the influence of former secretary of State John Kerry and former national security adviser Susan Rice on Biden's Iran policy, despite the fact that neither will be working on the Iran portfolio, one Israeli lawmaker said. Friedman said that Israel should not seek an immediate confrontation with Biden over Iran, but should instead ask the Biden administration to start a dialogue with Israel, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries before deciding to return the nuclear deal. Unsurprisingly, Friedman said Biden shouldn't roll back Trump's policies on Jerusalem or Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights. He also contended that a fight with Israel over settlements would lead nowhere. Friedman claimed Saudi Arabia would have recognized Israel within a year if Trump won re-election. But he did have one piece of criticism for his boss, saying Trump's relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had occasionally been "too warm" and that Biden would be more critical of Turkey. Go deeper: Netanyahu demands full control over Israel's Iran policy, sparking pushback. Back in December, Congress passed and Donald Trump signed a massive $2.3 trillion bill targeting, among others, coronavirus relief and government funding. But tucked in there somewhere was a provision giving U.S. intelligence agencies about six months to come up with a comprehensive report about UFOs.We dont know what went on here, whether this somehow got through unnoticed or on purpose, but the reality is one of the most sensitive topics for American intelligence agencies will have to be debated in full by the middle of the year, unclassified and in front of Congress.According to CNN , the stipulation was included in the "committee comment" section of the Intelligence Authorization Act for the new fiscal year. It gives agencies 180 days to submit a detailed report on UFOs, complete with analysis and threat assessment, including an analysis on whether Americas Earth-based enemies are behind the phenomenon.Some of the agencies involved are the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, and the FBI, according to the source. Whatever they come up with will be unclassified, but a classified annex will be allowed.Back in 2019, the biggest story in years on the UFO front broke. Soon after the U.S. Navy updated its procedures on UFO reporting by its pilots, two of them came forward and detailed encounters they had in 2014 and 2015. Shortly after that, videos posted by Blink 182 Tom DeLonges To the Stars Academy of Arts and Sciences organization and showing UFO giving pilots the scares were confirmed as being authentic by the Navy.So, grab your popcorn, were in for a very sci-fi summer. (CNN) -- Donald Trump is facing the shameful, imminent prospect of becoming the first president to be impeached twice as Democrats warn he poses an unacceptable danger to the world after inciting a mob assault on Congress. With Washington still in deep trauma as horrific new details emerge from last week's outrage, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Democrats will first implore Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to declare the President unable to fulfill his duties. If, as expected, Pence and the Cabinet balk at that step, Democrats will again unleash the inexorable machinery of impeachment less than a year after Trump's previous acquittal of high crimes and misdemeanors in a Senate trial. But the compressed calendar as Trump enters his last nine days in office -- and the reticence of Republicans in the Senate, who are faced one again with a loyalty test they have always failed when choosing between Trump's base and the Constitution -- seems certain to thwart Democratic efforts to quickly eject Trump from power. This means the drama surrounding Trump's fate, and the possibility of another Senate trial, could outlast his presidency and his turbulent term could cast a toxic shadow over President-elect Joe Biden's first days in office. The aftershocks of the breaching of the US Capitol are being exacerbated by disturbing new accounts and footage of alarming scenes inside the insurrection that suggested an even worse tragedy was only narrowly averted. But it was also an eerily quiet weekend. For the first time in years, Americans were spared the extreme rhetoric and tantrums of Trump's Twitter feed after the social media platform muzzled the President over fears of more violence. As he begins his last full week in office, Trump is scheming to reclaim his megaphone with plans for a trip to visit his border wall a concept that was one of the earliest precursors of his divisive presidency. The White House is also readying a new attempt to rein in big social media firms that have purged Trump after his inflammatory posts. And Trump is expected to unleash new and controversial pardons that may further test the rule of law before his time is up. Pelosi: Trump is an 'imminent threat' Critical mass is building in the House behind the Democratic drive to impeach Trump over his extraordinary assault on the US political system last week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to seek unanimous consent Monday morning for a resolution calling on Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to declare Trump is no longer fit to carry out his duties. In the almost certain event the gambit fails, she will call the House back for a full vote on Tuesday. Should Pence not act within 24 hours, Democrats will embark on the historic path towards a second impeachment. "In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both," Pelosi said in a letter to her Democratic colleagues. "As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action." Democrats are justifying the unprecedented push for a second impeachment on the grounds that after his most flagrant abuse of power yet, Trump presents a stark danger to the country and the world and must be removed immediately. Another motivating factor is that a conviction in a Senate trial would likely bar Trump from ever seeking public office again. They parry critiques that such a late-term impeachment would be academic by arguing that Trump's crime against the Constitution cannot go unpunished. Fears Biden's first days in office will be bogged down But the complications of the timeline threaten to undercut the impeachment push. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a memo that the unlikelihood of securing unanimous consent to break a Senate recess meant that, practically, the earliest date a Senate trial could begin would be January 20, the day Biden takes the oath of office and control of the chamber will switch after Democrats won to Georgia runoffs last week. While it may seem strange that Senate rules would take precedence over a moment of rare national peril, this would mean Democrats would spend the start of a new presidency burning days or even weeks seeking to convict a President who has already left office. That scenario would not only complicate Biden's hopes of quickly turning Trump's poisoned page in US history, it would slow a desperately needed economic relief package and an effort by the new White House to muster a national fight against a pandemic that is worsening by the hour amid fears of a new more transmissible mutant strain of the coronavirus and the Trump team's misfiring vaccine rollout. House Majority Whip James Clyburn suggested a workaround for that contingency on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, when he said Pelosi may not immediately transmit one or more articles of impeachment to the Senate to trigger the process of a trial. "It just so happens that if it didn't go over there for 100 days, it could -- let's give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running, and maybe we'll send the articles sometime after that," the South Carolina Democrat told CNN's Jake Tapper. This approach would satisfy the imperative Democrats feel to inflict serious costs on the President for his shocking conduct. But it would undercut their rationale that the peril posed by Trump is so acute that he must be removed now with only a week or so left in the White House. It also seems doubtful that the passage of three months would make it any more likely that sufficient Senate Republicans would join Democrats in building the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump. And a trial, possibly featuring the President's unmoored attorney Rudy Giuliani, would give Trump the opportunity to emerge from effective internal exile in Florida and corral the GOP behind him in what might turn into a circus. Still, the strength of Democratic outrage is such that it may be impossible for Pelosi or Biden to hold off an impeachment vote even if it would cause logistical and political problems down the line. Pence holding 25th Amendment in reserve There is no sign that Pence, despite being the target of pro-Trump rioters who chanted that he should be executed, is ready to lead an attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment. Sources have told CNN, however, that he is holding the option in reserve in case the President from whom he is now estranged resorted to more extreme action. CNN's Jim Acosta reported that Pence and his aides are hoping to provide a bridge to the Biden administration and to offer the incoming team as much help as possible in dealing with the pandemic. CNN's Jeff Zeleny reported Sunday that Biden's team is working to find a middle ground to avoid the early days of his presidency being bogged down by another Trump impeachment. While Biden is not standing in the House's way, his team is also floating a possible censure of the President by Congress, through the impeachment train seems to be steaming off down the tracks. There is more backing within the House Democratic caucus for impeaching Trump now than there was in 2019, Pelosi has told her members. Among Republicans, Trump's malevolent behavior last week is further dividing the party. Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, who has the luxury of criticizing Trump since he is not seeking another term, said the best solution would be for the President to resign. "I think at this point, with just a few days left, it's the best path forward, the best way to get this person in the rearview mirror for us that could happen immediately. I'm not optimistic it will," Toomey said on "State of the Union." Toomey said he thought that Trump had committed impeachable offenses but was unsure if a viable process to convict him was possible. The Pennsylvania senator said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that his colleagues like Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas needed to resort to soul searching after supporting Trump's "big lie" that he won the election. "That's going to ... haunt them for a very long time," Toomey said. Many other Republicans were silent on Trump's behavior, as a flurry of conservative commentators appeared more concerned at a sudden loss of Twitter followers. It was unclear whether the departures were the result of purges against extremists by social media firms or if Trump supporters quit platforms in solidarity with their banned leader. While many Democratic senators have expressed support for an attempt to remove Trump, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia cautioned that judicial rather than political punishments were the correct response to Trump's insurrection. "Joe Biden, first thing he needs to do, put his people in, get them confirmed. That should be the first thing we're doing the first week. And then get people vaccinated, and then get people back to work and get businesses opened up," Manchin said on "State of the Union. "He's got an awful lot on his plate right now. And I'm not sure that the impeachment route is the way that he can put that back together." Maneuvering on Capitol Hill unfolded against a backdrop of regular arrests as the FBI and local law enforcement officials tracked down the brazen perpetrators of an assault that resulted in five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer. An Iowa man named Doug Jensen, for instance, who allegedly led a mob after a Black police officer in the Capitol, is among many now facing federal charges. Shocking new details, meanwhile, emerged of the narrow escape some lawmakers had from the onrushing mob. And stories are still coming out about threats and violence perpetrated against journalists in the chaos. Trump, however, is showing no sign of repentance. He only ordered the flag on top of the White House to half-staff to honor slain Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick on Sunday after a barrage of media criticism. Another officer who was in the fray on Wednesday, Howard Liebengood, died while off duty and was also honored. The cause of his death has not be released. This story was first published on CNN.com "Trump faces shameful prospect of second impeachment with Democrats set to move quickly this week." In his 2004 novel "The Plot Against America," Philip Roth imagined an American president who coddled dictators abroad and condoned mobs at home. Would such an episode end democracy in the US? Or would it, by showing the consequences of an authoritarian leader, act as a kind of vaccine, prompting the nation's immune system to turn authoritarianism back for good? (The book became a series last year on HBO, which is owned by CNN's corporate parent WarnerMedia.) "The Plot Against America" was fiction. But there were echoes of it in the question facing the US after the spectacle this week of an American president whipping up a crowd of supporters and urging them to head to the Capitol to block the final certification of the incoming president's victory in a free and fair election. Rioters invaded the building. Five people, including a police officer, died. Members of Congress scrambled for cover. Among those rushed away by Capitol Police was Rep. Seth Moulton, a US Marine veteran from Massachusetts. "Violent assault on democracy" was something he expected while serving in Iraq, he wrote. "I never imagined it as a United States congressman in America." As police attempted to retake the building, Moulton lamented that, "We're sheltering together not because of a foreign terrorist attack, but because of a domestic coup attempt spurred on by rhetoric like that from the President and his supporters...Make no mistake: They are enemies of America. This is no protest. This is anarchy. It's domestic terrorism. The people who are in the building right now are traitors to our nation." As the attack unfolded, SE Cupp wrote, "I will never forget this: Americans storming the United States Capitol in what can only be described as a coup attempt, a Trump supporter pictured standing at the Senate dais, and one jaw-dropping image of police pointing guns at the House front door from inside as a demonstrator appeared to be trying to breach the chamber." Cupp added: "I will never forget the utter sadness over our divided, fragile democracy that one man has tried so desperately to cleave in half for his own corrupt, narcissistic and craven self-interest." Finally, the Capitol was cleared, and at 3:41 am Thursday, the electoral vote counting was completed. Joe Biden is due to take the oath of office as the 46th President on January 20. So far, a majority in the country appears to be decisively rejecting what President Donald Trump did and calling out his enablers, many of whom started jumping off his sinking ship. Democrats are moving to impeach Trump for a second time, with the possibility of some Republican support. Even though Trump has only 10 days left in office, wrote Julian Zelizer, it makes sense for Congress to "go on record stating that any president who incites an attack on another branch of government should no longer have the privilege of holding office." The Senate could not only convict Trump but also disqualify him from holding office in the future. American carnage The president whose inaugural speech talked of "American carnage" turned out to be the one who produced it over his big lie -- that he was cheated out of a re-election victory, John Avlon noted. "Our country is far more divided and violent and deluded than before he entered office. His misrule has led to this moment, but it is not his responsibility alone. Trump's fear-fueled lies and extremism and conspiracy theories have been indulged for too long by partisans. His rhetoric has directly led to death threats against election officials who have done their job honestly and independently." The rioters are not patriots, not Republicans and not conservatives, but are domestic terrorists, wrote GOP commentator Scott Jennings. Trump's "lies and conspiracy theories" about the election caused the insurrection. "All Republicans have a duty to support the republic and the Constitution by condemning this terrorism, rallying around the peaceful transfer of power and our constitutional institutions, and demanding all of the actions within the power of the President of the United States to restore order to our Capitol." When Paul Begala worked in the Capitol, his office window looked out to the National Mall. "Every night as the sun went down," Begala recalled, "the glow would illuminate my workplace, and I would ponder the miracle that a guy from Missouri City, Texas, could work in the same building where Lincoln served, walk the halls once strode by a confident young war hero named Jack Kennedy, go to meetings in the room where Harry Truman learned that FDR had died and that he now bore the awful burden of presidency. "None of that history stopped these thugs. None of the majesty mattered to this mob. They cared not a whit about Lincoln or Kennedy, nor about the Constitution or the country. Their flag was not the Stars and Stripes that have draped the caskets of so many actual American patriots. Rather, it was the banner of a cult of personality, the name that had been emblazoned on a fraudulent 'university' and failed casinos." Last week ripped the final shreds off the mask of Trump, exposing him as a classic authoritarian leader, wrote Ruth Ben-Ghiat. "Although Trump lost the election two months ago, for his followers, he was the winner who had unjustly been deprived of what was rightfully his. Add in the culture of armed insurgency and the anti-democratic, extremist beliefs many of these groups espouse, and the solution of 'direct action' -- namely, an armed takeover of the halls of power to save the leader -- becomes compelling... Trump, of course, was not in the building. He set the fire, but was careful not to be in a position to get burned by it or control it." What now? Incoming President Joe Biden condemned the attack on the Capitol, offered reasssuring words to the nation, and continued filling out his Cabinet, but he won't become President for more than a week. In the meantime, Democrats in Congress are urging Vice President Mike Pence to remove Trump under the provisions of the 25th Amendment. "Every day he is in office there is a very real possibility that he will unleash his backers in new and harmful ways," wrote Frida Ghitis. "At this moment when everything is at stake, Pence can not only save the country, but he can also start the process of repairing America's battered reputation." Law enforcement officials promised to take action against the rioters. Americans "deserve to know that everyone who participated in this act of seditious terror will be investigated and prosecuted under the law," wrote Joe Lockhart. "Republican leaders also need to take responsibility and look within their own party to confront those who helped encourage this insurrection." "The FBI says it 'is seeking to identify individuals instigating violence in Washington, D.C.,'" noted Jill Filipovic. "If they're looking for the chief instigator, they should walk over to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. If they're looking for the many who carried out the violence, looting, and ransacking, many of their faces are easily visible in photos and videos, and many are bragging about their acts on social media." One key question will be whether Trump could be held legally responsible for the riot. "These domestic terrorists attacked the great symbol of American democracy," wrote Peter Bergen, "and they should be held accountable -- and so should their Inciter-in-Chief, President Donald J. Trump." "There are limits to the First Amendment. It is a crime to incite or solicit others to commit crimes if you have reason to believe they may actually carry out those crimes," wrote Bergen. A former prosecutor, CNN legal analyst Elie Honig, wrote that "there is a criminal case to be made against President Donald Trump for his role in the assault on the Capitol. It's not an easy case or an automatic win for prosecutors. But there is a legitimate case there for any prosecutor with the fortitude to bring it and the ability to counter the defenses Trump's legal team may use to fight back." The attack It was impossible to miss the racial implications of the attack by the overwhelmingly White crowd and the sharp contrast to the way law enforcement reacted to Black Lives Matter protests last year. "As I watched the siege of the Capitol building," wrote Roxanne Jones, "I recalled the George Floyd protests in Lafayette Park near the White House in June, where heavily armed law enforcement set off explosives and fired gas on peacefully gathered citizens of all races -- some of them even on their knees with their hands up or lying flat on the ground. Photo after photo of that day shows protesters being beaten, arrested and dispersed by police." By contrast, it was all too easy for the rioters to invade the Capitol this week. Historians Rhae Lynn Barnes and Keri Leigh Merritt pointed out that "as rioters, incited by the President and with some carrying White supremacist imagery descended upon the Capitol, scaled its walls, planted pipe bombs, and dangled from its railings, the pictures and videos were simultaneously stunning and revolting: The bright reds of the Confederate and Nazi flags and matching MAGA hats simmered against a sea of Trump flags now sold on street corner popup shops that outnumbered American flags, a noose, a raised wooden cross reminiscent of Klan lynchings, and a sweater reading 'Camp Auschwitz.' The lineage between the slaveholding secessionists and the modern insurrectionists could not have been more clear: Both groups were willing to destroy the union and both used violence to deflect their own racial fantasies of power and privilege slipping away." To Nicole Hemmer, the riot evoked memories of the August, 2017 Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally, in which far-right extremists, including neo-Nazis confronted counter-protesters. The parallels: "the hesitance of law enforcement to engage White, right-wing protesters (and their delay in doing so), the turn in right-wing media to the bogeyman of antifa as the source of disorder, the President's efforts to excuse or embrace the violence of his supporters." After the Capitol was secured, a few Black custodians were seen in a video widely viewed on social media sweeping up the damage from the riot, noted Issac Bailey. It revealed, he wrote, "An abiding dignity in the work the men are doing. An illustration of their importance to the health of this country, just the latest example of how Black Americans remained steadfast throughout our history come what may. "It feels wrong that they had to pick up the pieces from a failed insurrection attempt that, had it been successful, would have disenfranchised millions of voters, particularly those in areas with heavy Black populations." The preparations Through the eyes of a longtime law enforcement official, Cedric L. Alexander, the preparations for defending the Capitol seemed deeply flawed. "The Capitol appeared to be weakly 'guarded' by Capitol Police, a force massively outnumbered by the gathering insurrectionist mob," Alexander noted. "Guarding an important site requires defense in depth. At the Capitol, not even a thinly fortified perimeter had been established." Was it "incompetence, gross negligence or both?," Alexander asked. "The only real mystery here -- and it is a mystery with the most profound implications -- is why law enforcement left itself so unprepared for a dangerous event many people, up to and including the President of the United States, had not merely anticipated but had actually announced days and days in advance." Paul Callan observed, "The inability of police forces of the most powerful nation in human history to adequately protect the Capitol building from an angry mob seems inconceivable. Where were the Secret Service, the FBI, the National Guard, not to mention the nation's powerful armed forces?" The enablers Former White House chief of staff and Northern Ireland special envoy Mick Mulvaney was among the first of the Trump officials to resign over the President's actions. "What took so long, when all of this was so predictable," asked Doug Heye, a former senior GOP official who repudiated Trump early in 2016. "Trump has incited violence and sown division since he declared his candidacy in 2015. In the end, this is exactly what Mulvaney signed up for, whether he cares to admit it or not." This week's events demonstrated even to longtime loyalists Mike Pence and Mitch McConnell how wrong they were to back Trump, wrote Michael D'Antonio. "As the mob careens around the Capitol and lawmakers huddle together in a secret and secure facility, it's obvious that the likes of McConnell and Pence are far too late with the little display of opposition they mustered on the darkest day that hallowed building has ever seen." After four years of enabling Trump's extremism on their platforms, Facebook, Twitter and others suspended his accounts, and then Twitter banned Trump permanently. They were also too late, wrote Kara Alaimo. "One reason that things got so out of hand in the first place is because Twitter didn't shut Trump's account down sooner," she noted. "The platform, of course, allowed Trump to bypass the traditional media, which would have fact checked him, and make claims that were patently false... And because no one was willing to shut him down (@jack, I'm looking at you), he only became more emboldened. Social networks should have held Trump to the same standards as other users from the start." Don't forget Trump's enablers in Congress, including Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, who led the baseless challenge to the counting of electoral votes Wednesday. "The three repulsive architects of Wednesday's heartbreaking spectacle mobs desecrating the Republic's noblest building and preventing the completion of a constitutional process must be named and forevermore shunned," wrote George Will, in the Washington Post. "They are Donald Trump, and Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz." Georgia puts GOP in minority A day before the Capitol insurrection, Democrats won stunning victories in the Georgia runoff elections, giving them control of the US Senate to go along with their hold on the House and the next presidency. The winning campaigns of Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock "dealt a devastating blow to anti-democratic forces within our government by sending Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell back to the minority," wrote Jess McIntosh. Merrick Garland, who was denied even a hearing by McConnell when President Barack Obama nominated him for the US Supreme Court seat now filled by Justice Neil Gorsuch, was promptly picked by Biden to be his attorney general. "I hope he swallows the pill of that memory every single day before he strides down the hallway of the Department of Justice, not because any attorney general must seek vengeance, but because he has a moral, legal and ethical responsibility to understand and prevent injustice when he seeks justice on behalf of the people of the United States," wrote Laura Coates. "All of them." The lesson of the runoffs, wrote Van Jones, is "not just that President Donald Trump has largely undermined and ruined the Republican Party. It is also that progressive grassroots leaders (led overwhelmingly by Black women) have reimagined, recreated and rebuilt the state's Democratic Party coalition." For more on Georgia: Peniel Joseph: What the Warnock-Ossoff win tells us about a transforming South David Axelrod: The courage of Brad Raffensperger Lanhee Chen: Georgia runoffs crown new power brokers in Washington Coronavirus fear and hope The Capitol riot and Georgia runoffs overshadowed a horrific week of death and disease from the Covid-19 pandemic. On Thursday alone, more than 4,000 Americans died. In California's hospitals, the scenes were especially dire. "Thanksgiving, Christmas and now New Year's celebrations that shouldn't have happened have now led to countless Covid infections that are claiming their victims and testing our endurance," wrote ER doctor Haig Aintablian. "No doctor I know has ever seen a situation like this outside of a natural disaster, terrorist attack or war. Our hospitals have so many Covid patients fighting to survive that they have overwhelmed our ICUs and led to overflow units that were never designed for such patients." Infectious disease expert Dr. Kent Sepkowitz noted that, "even the brutal fact that it has killed more than 1.8 million people globally, including 350,000 in the US, has failed to sway some. We continue to have inconsistent acceptance of basic public health measures, as if the recommendations were an assault on free choice, a capitulation to a bunch of whimpering scientists with their fake news graphs and charts." Vaccines are our best hope, he wrote. If more than half of the people are vaccinated, Sepkowitz observed, "rather than a runaway pandemic, we would see occasional small and moderate-sized outbreaks here and there, similar to what we see with measles, whooping cough and other vaccine-preventable infections almost every year. It's terrible and tragic and unnecessary -- but it's not on the same scale as the current historic pandemic." Don't miss Ariel Dorfman: What Trump has made blindingly clear to America Julian Zelizer: What we forget about Jimmy Carter's legacy Swanee Hunt: Republican women in the House could change everything AND... Thanking Alex Albert Thakur grew up as an immigrant from India on New York's Long Island. He'd sit on his grandfather's lap watching "Jeopardy!," hosted by Alex Trebek. "He made English more comprehensible to a new ear like mine." This fall, Thakur got a chance to meet the man who helped shape his life when he appeared on "Jeopardy!" and thanked Trebek, then battling the cancer that would kill him days later. "Holding a smile and a twinkle in his eye, he always upheld a mantle of humility," Thakur wrote. "And anyone could see the joy in his face while we played... "We, as Americans, are living in arguably the most divisive time in our history. But I saw how the video of Alex and me, and then his death, brought people together in the best way, in an American way." Working women say men must share equal load while working from home during the lockdown nterestingly, since the lockdown, many a man has shared posts on social media about helping their spouse at home, who have been duly applauded by their friends and followers for the feat, too Every night since the lockdown began, Subarna Ghosh would go up to her apartments terrace at about 10.30 pm, which was when she usually wound up all the domestic and professional chores for the day, so she could relax. Soon enough, she noticed a similar pattern among other women in the neighbourhood, who also came up to the terrace around the same time to relax after a full days work. Upon speaking with the other women, Subarna found out that every one of those women shared the same story about how stressful work had become especially since the lockdown. That is when Subarna filed a petition on Change.org earlier this month titled PM Modi: Tell Indian men to do equal share of household chores in your next speech. Unsurprisingly, the petition has been grabbing many eyeballs. Subarna is not alone, even Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also appealed to men to help women in household chores during the lockdown. While the PM was addressing people about staying strong with notes of spreading positivity in his speech, I hoped he could also address men about taking responsibility in partaking in the daily chores at home, says Subarna, who is the co-founder of ReRight Foundation, a Mumbai-based NGO start-up. Interestingly, since the lockdown, many a man has shared posts on social media about helping their spouse at home, who have been duly applauded by their friends and followers for the feat, too. However, not many women, as Subarna found out, are happy about the help that comes their way from their male counterparts. It surely seems like an irrefutable truth. The burden that the lockdown has placed on an already depressed economy in the country and the world over might see more women fighting to stay in the workplace even as they manage children, who are unlikely to go back to school soon, and run the home with lesser help than before. Reskilling men for home work Subarnas petition to the PM was born also from the concern of how she could help change the mind-set of people and pass on the teaching to younger generations, to be responsible regardless of gender. I feel teaching kids at the right age to even clean their surroundings and do their own basic work would help them become responsible citizen as they grow up. I also believe households and parents should regularly introduce kids to age-specific chores and encourage them to do and partake in those, she points out. G. Priscilla is a nurse trying to manage the work at her hospital treating COVID-19 patients while looking after her 10-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter at home. She believes that help from men could go a long way in relieving the stress levels for women (and men) in the given situation. A little support from the family members or from the husband would have been a little relief, points out Priscila. Stressing too much professionally or personally can affect any womans health. I think they deserve help. It is only fair. The theme of women considering themselves being fortunate about having a male member helping with the household is strong across the narrative. Dr Stella Suanne shares how her husband and family assisting in doing the household chores really helped her. I had to work from home, but I was lucky enough that my husband contributed in many ways to the household chores. He helped in cooking and taking care of our two-year-old daughter. His contributions really added to making this period stress-free for both of us, she says. Even so, Manisha Sharma, an MNC employee who recently got back to work after her maternity leave, is understandably worried. I re-joined work and now I am scared I have to manage my professional work and look after my eight-month-old baby. My husband takes responsibility for sharing the workload, but I am worried about my daughter, who cannot stay away from me even for a minute, shares Manisha, hoping that her domestic chores and responsibilities do not affect her professional work. Whether it goes ahead or not, petitions such as Subarnas are bringing some sense of hope to women who strongly hope that men in their household take equal responsibility for the chores. Perhaps if men agree to reskill too and take equal ownership of household responsibilities it might greatly ease the burden for women, especially in these times, and help make the future of work for women a little less bleak. 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. POCO, which was spun off from Xioami as a separate entity last year, is focussed on bringing a stronger portfolio of and related products this year to strengthen its position in the Indian market. POCO that ranked third after Xiaomi and Samsung in terms of units sold online in November (data from Counterpoint) will also continue with its strategy of introducing lesser number but feature-rich devices in the market. "We saw significant growth in 2020 despite the challenges on account of the pandemic and that has been extremely encouraging. We ranked third among the online smartphone brands in November despite having less number of devices compared to competitors," POCO India Country Director Anuj Sharma said. The company will continue with that strategy, even as it bolsters its portfolio with newer devices this year, he added. Sharma, however, did not comment on sales numbers. "We have maintained that our focus is tech enthusiasts. Being a tech enthusiast doesn't mean they have to buy devices priced above Rs 20,000... We want to get a stronger portfolio (in 2021) than 2020...we see significant growth in demand in 2021 over the last year," he said. The company is also planning to scale up manufacturing - which is done locally - to address the growth in sales, he noted. Sharma said two out of the top three devices sold online in November were POCO devices with POCO M2 and POCO C3 recording maximum demand, ahead of the brands like Realme and OnePlus. Shilpi Jain, Research Analyst at Counterpoint, said POCO - after becoming an independent brand at the beginning of last year - is gaining momentum in the Indian smartphone market. "Its like POCO C3 and POCO M2 were the main drivers of this growth. Features like a large display, 5000 mAh battery and gaming processor at affordable price points made both models lucrative for consumers. In Q3 2020, POCO captured 4th position in online segment shipments, post which it rose to the 3rd position in November 2020," she said. On the demand scenario in 2021, Sharma said he expects the demand to continue growing this year. "Beginning of 2020 and the final shipment for the year, the industry did not get where it was expected to be. While there was some new demand because of work and study from home, ASPs (average selling price) took a hit because of the uncertainty coming in...This year, I expect it to normalise a bit more and we should definitely see a growth," 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.) Manja was formerly the Global Head of Boehringer Ingelheims Go-To-Market and Business Steering organisation, based in the Companys headquarters in Germany Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that Vani Manja is appointed Country Managing Director for India, effective January 1, 2021. In this role, she will assume responsibility for the Companys businesses in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Manja will also join the Board of the Company. Announcing Manjas appointment, Thorsten Poehl, Head, Emerging Markets, Boehringer Ingelheim said, Vani is a proven and respected leader who lives our Company values and has a strong track record of leading complex transformations and delivering results. With her unwavering commitment to patients, customers and employees, I am confident that Vani will lead the India business to build patient-friendly access and benefit models in the years to come. Manja was formerly the Global Head of Boehringer Ingelheims Go-To-Market and Business Steering organisation, based in the Companys headquarters in Germany. She joined Boehringer Ingelheim in the US in 2011, working across Strategy & Operations, Marketing and Sales leadership roles before moving to Ingelheim in 2016 as Regional Business Manager for Japan. Her global experience in healthcare spans nearly two decades across McKinsey & Company, Becton Dickinson and Boehringer Ingelheim, and is characterised by strong global mobility and cross-functional leadership assignments across healthcare and management consulting. Manja holds an MBA and MA in International Studies from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and a Bachelors degree with Honours in Chemistry from Delhi University. Manja said, I look forward to working with our customers, partners and leaders in healthcare to improve the lives of patients through innovative therapies, after all the years of remotely following the huge strides India has taken towards developing healthcare. The chief of naval operations said military leaders are striving to be "a stable element" for the country, which was briefly thrown into chaos last week when a mob of the president's supporters carried out an attack on the U.S. Capitol, leaving veterans on both sides of the violent takeover dead. Adm. Mike Gilday said the military remains focused on its longstanding tradition of staying apolitical and carrying out its mission. Right now, he said, the mission is preparing for a new commander in chief to take over next week. "That's where my guidance to our commanders has been -- to focus on what we need to do at a time of transition for our government," Gilday told reporters ahead of the release of his new strategy for the Navy's decade ahead. Read Next: National Guard Troops Deploying to DC Will Come With Lethal Weapons "The military's always been, or should always be, a stable element ... in our country," he added. "And that's what we're striving to be at this time." The country has been bitterly divided in recent years, and things erupted on Capitol Hill last week when President Donald Trump's supporters stormed a federal building where the vice president and lawmakers were working to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's electoral victory. Trump has been claiming without proof that the election was stolen from him, telling his supporters at a Jan. 6 protest coined "Stop the Steal" that Biden's win was an "egregious assault on our democracy." Trump then called on his supporters to walk down to the Capitol. He said he would join them, but instead returned to the White House. "You will never take back our country with weakness," Trump told the crowd. Two veterans were killed after the president's supporters removed barricades around the Capitol and pushed past federal law enforcement agents. U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, who served six years with the New Jersey Air National Guard, died Thursday. Sicknick's father told Reuters that his son, a Trump supporter, suffered a clot on his brain after engaging with protesters at the Capitol the day before. "I'll never get over this," Charles Sicknick told the agency. "... If any good comes out of my son's death, I just hope that it stops all the lunacy that's been going on in this country." Former Senior Airman Ashli Babbitt, 35, also died last week after being shot by police in the Capitol as she took part in the siege. Babbitt, The Washington Post reported, was an ardent Trump supporter. She also followed the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to the Post, "convinced that Trump was destined to vanquish a cabal of child abusers and Satan-worshiping Democrats." At least two other military veterans were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the Capitol mob. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr., who was photographed brandishing zip tie handcuffs at the Capitol, was arrested Sunday in Texas. Brock was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, according to the Justice Department. Jacob Anthony Chansley of Arizona, who also goes by Jake Angeli and calls himself the QAnon Shaman, was arrested Saturday and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Chansley, who was filmed in the Capitol wearing horns; a fur hat; and red, white and blue face paint, is a Navy veteran, who served between 2005 and 2007, service officials confirmed. Lt. Brittany Stephens, a Navy spokeswoman at the Pentagon, said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is coordinating closely with federal law enforcement to determine whether any active or Reserve Navy or Marine Corps personnel participated in last week's mob attack at the Capitol. "NCIS urges anyone with information regarding [Navy or Marine Corps] personnel participating ... to report to NCIS using the NCIS Tips app or at www.ncis.navy.mil," she added. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Arrested, Charged in Capitol Riot President Donald Trump has planed a final visit to Texas in an attempt to draw attention to the issue that defined his campaign for the White House: Border security. As Congress contemplates a second impeachment vote, Trump is scheduled to travel to Hidalgo County in South Texas on Tuesday to tout his administrations work strengthening border security. Hell be visiting a small town near one of the bridges that connects Texas with Mexico with just over a week left in his troubled presidency. President Trump is expected to travel to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to mark the completion of more than 400 miles of border wall a promise made, promise kept and his Administrations efforts to reform our broken immigration system, White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said. The trip takes Trump out of D.C. as Democrats and even some Republicans are calling for impeaching him a second time after rioters supporting Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol last week, leaving a police officer and four others dead. Trump urged his supporters to fight like hell prior to the deadly insurrection. Some groups in the Rio Grande Valley are pressuring local officials to stop Trump from coming out of fear his supporters could turn violent again. LUPE, a community advocacy group in the region, has started a petition expressing concern about the threat of violence and fearing Trump supporters could gather in large numbers at a time COVID-19 is surging in the Valley and throughout Texas. Border communities rightly see his trip as an immediate threat to community safety and security, the petition states. While more than 400 miles of the border wall have been completed, only 30 miles span new areas, according to a Customs and Border Protection report obtained by the San Antonio Express-News last month. Most of the work has replaced older fences and barriers, largely from El Paso to California. When Trump took office, the nation had 654 miles of various fencing along the 1,954-mile U.S. border with Mexico from California to Texas. In just Texas, there were about 100 miles of fencing and other barriers. In July 2015, Trump made his first campaign trip to Texas in Laredo just after jumping into the race. During that trip, he made clear no issue was bigger than border security and criticized other candidates like former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for not doing enough on the issue. Theres nothing more important than what I am doing, Trump said when he arrived in Laredo then. Its a big problem. Its a huge problem. After Congress refused to give the White House $5 billion for the construction of the wall, Trump turned to using past Defense Department appropriations to cover some construction. Almost $10 billion was diverted from Pentagon programs in 2019 and 2020, a controversial transfer that has been challenged in federal lawsuits. This will mark Trumps 18th stop in Texas since he took office in 2017, several of which have been to the border, including stops in McAllen and El Paso to tout the wall and plead with Congress to find the money to build more of it. While Trump sees the work as one of his crowning achievements, it is also an issue that became notorious because of the administrations hardline tactics. In 2017, the Trump administration began a new policy where adults who crossed the border without permission - a misdemeanor for a first-time offender - were detained and criminally charged. No exceptions were made for parents arriving with young children. The children were taken from them, as first detailed by the Houston Chronicle in late 2017. In 2019, many faulted Trumps rhetoric on immigration for inspiring a shooting rampage in El Paso at a Walmart that left 23 people dead. The shooter left behind a manifesto in which he allegedly ranted about a Hispanic invasion he saw happening in the United States. While Trump is celebrating his immigration policies, critics like former Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro said his legacy on immigration has caused immense damage that will take years to recover from. Trump started his campaign with lies to stir up white nationalism and incite hate towards immigrants, Castro said on Sunday. Hes ending his presidency the same way. The past four years, weve seen just how dangerous and destructive this playbook can become, and communities along our southern border have seen that destruction first hand. Despite Trumps hard-line stances on immigration, the number of apprehensions of people crossing the border illegally skyrocketed in 2019 to 977,000, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The year before there were 521,000 apprehensions. In 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic closing the border, the numbers dropped to 460,000 apprehensions. The Indonesian Boeing 737 that went missing with 62 people on board on 9 January possibly remained intact right until the moment it ruptured after crashing into the sea, the investigators of National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) have said. We don't know for sure, but if we look at the debris, they're scattered in an area that is not too wide," Nurcahyo Utomo, an investigator at KNKT, told Reuters. It possibly ruptured when it hit waters because if it had exploded midair, the debris would be distributed more widely, he added. The Sriwijaya Airs passenger plane crashed shortly after taking off from the country's capital of Jakarta on Saturday to land in Pontianak on Borneo island. The flight disappeared from radar screens four minutes after take off and crashed into the sea. The 27 years old Boeing 737-500 jet plunged nearly 10,000ft in less than 60 seconds into the sea. Eyewitnesses reported that they heard two explosions. The two black boxes of the plane have been located in the sea with divers now trying to retrieve them. The rescuers have so far managed to find one of the jets turbines, emergency chute, the rim of a wheel along with clothing of some of the passengers and other personal belongings. Rescue divers have managed to spot human remains under the water and divers are now trying to retrieve the bodies. DNA samples have been collected from the families of doomed flight and would now be matched with the remains found from the crash site. The authorities said, the quicker they can find victims and the parts of plane, the better it would be for investigation as it heavily relies on retrieving flight recorders. This is the first major air crash in the country after a problem-plagued Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX also plunged into the Java sea with 189 people on board in 2018. 737 MAX airplanes were grounded following the fatal crash in the wake of poor software. Meanwhile, the families of the passengers continued to share heart-wrenching last-messages and stories of their loved ones. While some awaited the bodies of their family members, others kept their hopes up for good news. The families of two pilots, Diego Mamahit and Afwan, who goes by only one name, believe the two would have managed to escape the crash. We the family still hope for good news, a family member of Afwan told Detik.com. Two men were arrested and accused of stealing the remains of military veterans from a Central Florida cemetery last month, in order to use them in religious practices, the authorities said. The men, Brian Montalvo Tolentino and Juan Burgos-Lopez, were each charged with four counts of disturbing contents of a grave and abuse of a dead body, the Polk County Sheriffs Office said in a statement Friday. Mr. Burgos-Lopez was also charged with buying, selling and trafficking in dead bodies. The men told investigators that they use human remains to practice Palo Mayombe, an African-Caribbean religion related to Santeria, according to the authorities. It was not immediately clear on Monday whether the men had lawyers. Mr. Burgos-Lopez did not immediately respond to messages left at his business, a botanical store in Winter Haven, Fla. Mr. Tolentino was also not immediately available for comment on Monday. Claudia Webbe, Labour MP for Leicester East, is pictured in London last November A Labour MP accused of carrying out a harassment campaign against a woman will stand trial in March, a court heard today. Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe, 55, who had the party whip removed pending the case, has been accused of making 'numerous unwanted telephone calls' to Michelle Merritt. The alleged incidents occurred between September 2018 and April last year. Webbe was elected in the December 2019 general election, taking over the seat previously held by Keith Vaz. Webbe did not appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today for her case management hearing due to the pandemic. During today's case management hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, District Judge Paul Goldspring was told how prosecution and defence had yet to come to an agreement on admissions. Deanna Heer, prosecuting, said she would not be seeking an adjournment and the trial remained fixed for March 16. Webbe, of Moreland Street, Islington, denies one count of harassment without violence, between 1 September 2018 and 26 April 2020. The charge alleges the MP 'pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Michelle Merritt and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her in that you made numerous unwanted telephone calls and made threats on at least two occasions'. Webbe was granted unconditional bail ahead of her trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 March. Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe is pictured with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn If convicted, she faces a maximum six months prison or an unlimited fine. In September Webbe insisted her innocence, saying: 'I am innocent of any wrongdoing and look forward to proving this in court. I will be vigorously defending myself against these claims.' The De Montfort University graduate entered the Commons after the December general election, winning the seat formerly held by Keith Vaz. Webbe won the constituency with a majority over the Conservatives of 6,019, down from Mr Vaz's majority of 22,428 in 2017. She is on the left of the party and has been a vocal supporter of former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Webbe hit the headlines in July when she threw her mobile phone to the floor of the House of Commons in frustration after it started ringing while she was speaking. Before Leicester, she was a councillor in Islington, North London, between 2010 and 2018 and was a member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee. Earlier in her career, she was a political adviser to then-London mayor Ken Livingstone. Hong Kong's "law and order" was important for international businesses, a government official said on Monday, in response to concerns over the impact of a sweeping national security law on the business environment. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau was speaking in an interview at the Reuters Next conference. In a rule that was scheduled go into effect Monday, it barred asylum to anyone entering the U.S. from a third country who didnt seek asylum there even if it was just a flight layover in Toronto. (On Friday, a federal court blocked its implementation.) And it has greatly tightened the rules on who qualifies for admission, which is especially harmful to Hong Kongers. Its going to be virtually impossible for anyone to gain asylum, Welsh told me. Pastor Daniel Doe Tamakloe of the New Jerusalem Healing Church, at the weekend, appealed to Ghanaians to live in harmony with each other to protect the image of the church and the country. He called on Ghanaians to pursue the truth, in order to help move the country forward in its development agenda and noted that without the truth, it would be difficult for the nation to develop to improve the peoples standards of living. Pastor Doe Tamakloe made the appeal when preaching to close a four-day revival at the church at Akim Oda branch in the Eastern Region. The Pastor, also the General Overseer of the church, advised Ghanaians to be law-abiding, live in peace and harmony and also asked Christians not only to commit themselves to the church but also to national development. He asked for Gods guidance for the pursuit of policies that would lead to the growth and development of the country. 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 State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, seen in this file photo, was co-author of a bill addressing sexual assault on campuses that passed the last day of the formal session. Farley-Bouvier Ends Session With Bill Passage, Sets Agenda for 2021 PITTSFIELD, Mass. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier ended the legislative session with a signature achievement: the passage of bill addressing sexual assault on college campuses. S.2979, An Act Relative to Sexual Violence on Higher Education Campuses, was passed on the final day of the formal session and is awaiting the governor's signature. The legislation requires both public and private higher-education institutions to create policies and procedures around campus assaults and creates a task force to develop and review sexual misconduct surveys. Bouvier started looking into this issue after touring college campuses with her daughter in 2013. This was at the same time there was a lot of discussion around sexual assault on campus, including a performance art project by Columbia University student Emma Sulkowicz in which she carried a 50-pound mattress around wherever she went to protest the mishandling of her sexual assault. "That's a pretty scary time for moms to be taking their daughters to tour colleges," Farley-Bouvier said. At the question-and-answer part of campus tours, Farley-Bouvier would ask how the college handles sexual assault. The answer was almost exactly the same on every campus, she said, which was that it had a blue-light system. This system is common on college campuses and is a series of emergency alarm stations with blue lights strategically placed where a person can press a button if being attacked. "That's not how sexual assault happens on campus," Farley-Bouvier said regarding the blue-light systems, as sexual assaults normally happen in private areas. Bouvier had filed legislation the following session and state Rep. Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead, who also has college-age daughters, filed legislation around campus climate surveys around the same time. The bills were combined to not only have the procedures and processing in place but also to create campus climate surveys. This bill is also about bringing justice to victims. Sulkowicz's case was mishandled because Columbia officials were working so hard to protect the accused, Farley-Bouvier said, but once her story was made public, three more people came out to say they were sexually assaulted by the same man. One in five young women are sexually assaulted at college, most between Labor Day and Thanksgiving of their freshman or sophomore year, the representative said. "Often people don't report [sexual assault] because the system is so broken," Farley-Bouvier said. "It's not so secret that things happen, it's not so secret that it's mishandled, but it's not until we really change the rape culture that is on our campuses that we can have 20 percent of women not experience this." Farley-Bouvier explained that sexual assault experiences are impactful and long-lasting. Women who experience sexual assault often drop out of school or miss a semester, which impacts not only their financial future but the financial stability of their families. Sexual assault, especially if not addressed or given justice, can begin a downward spiral in a young person's life. "Passage of this bill sends a powerful message from Massachusetts leaders that while you attend one of our state's world-class campuses, we care about your safety," Ehrlich said in a statement. "With 90 percent of sexual assaults not reported, the data out is only as good as the data in. By going directly to students, or even professors and staff, and asking them about their lived experience, this bill provides a powerful tool for college administrators who are responsible for student safety." The legislation requires, among other issues, that colleges develop policies in such areas as jurisdicational responses and information access and procedures for agreements with local law enforcement and crisis centers. Though Farley-Bouvier's inspiration for this bill was her daughter, she also has does not want her two sons in any environment where sexual assault is considered OK. This is not good for young men either, she said. This legislation also makes sure that there are appropriate and fair processes in place, meaning an accused person can't be thrown out of school based solely on an accusation. The bill is written in such a way that if President-elect Joseph Biden decides to bring further protections to students on campus, Farley-Bouvier said, it will follow federal law and give specific outlines for how Massachusetts handles sexual assault on college campuses. In the next legislative session, she will be filing a number of bills including one that deals with providing driver's licenses regardless of immigration status, and a bill that supports foster parents. This bill would allow foster parents to unionize and give them a seat at the table when it comes to rates, procedures, and processing. After the resignation at the end of 2020 of House Speaker Robert DeLeo, of whom she was a fan, Farley-Bouvier said she is excited to work with his successor, Ronald Mariano. "In a time like this, we need stability and strong leadership," she said. "We are still working under the stress of the pandemic, which has a lot of impact on literally the workings of the House, and with his experience and the relationships that he has built in the State House on Beacon Hill, he is the guy to do it." Looking into the new year, Farley-Bouvier said the commonwealth's first job is to get through the pandemic. Within her office at the House, a lot of time has been dedicated to unemployment insurance, evictions, and food security for residents of the 3rd Berkshire District. "We're going to continue to do that and strengthen our systems to be able to do that," she said. "In any difficult situation you can make things better to make things worse, our job is to make things better." Twitter Suspends Account of Judicial Watchs Fitton President of Judicial Watch Tom Fitton said Twitter had suspended his account for at least seven days for allegedly violating the platforms rules. Fitton said he was locked out of his account for posting #Hydroxychloroquine is a safe drug, a topic he had been posting about since September. He said that at that time, Twitter specifically found that it was not in [violation] of its rules but has now decided to take action against the account. I have appealed but we all know, given this background, that this is not about HCQ, it is about finding a pretext to silence another leading conservative voice, Fitton said in a statement on Parler. Twitters ban comes as big tech companies ramp up their policing of statements and comments from President Donald Trump, conservatives, and other voices they claim may cause harm. The social media company on Jan. 8 permanently removed Trumps account on its platform and justified its censorship by saying that the president had violated its Glorification of Violence Policy after he posted a message urging protesters to remain peaceful and leave the Capitol. The Trump campaigns Twitter account has also been removed. Other accounts from leading conservatives such as attorney Sidney Powell and Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn were also suspended by the tech giant. Meanwhile, some conservative-leaning groups and personalities reported significant loss of followers in recent days. Just to add to the chorus, Ive lost about 5,000 followers. Its clear that Twitter is wiping out conservative accounts. Thats why your follower counts are going down. This is the biggest purge weve seen, and not the last, conservative writer and speaker Matt Walsh said on Twitter. Similarly, conservative group PragerU said they lost over 14,000 followers in the last few days. Twitter told Daily Caller in a statement that the suspension of accounts were made in line with their Coordinated Harmful Activity policy, which was updated this month. Weve been clear that we will take strong enforcement action on behavior that has the potential to lead to offline harm, and given the renewed potential for violence surrounding this type of behavior in the coming days, we will permanently suspend accounts that are solely dedicated to sharing QAnon content, the statement said. Twitters latest round of content policing started after pockets of civil unrest and acts of violence marred otherwise peaceful protests at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. A group of rioters and a minority of protesters waving American and Trump flags illegally stormed the Capitol building as lawmakers were counting electoral votes in a joint session of Congress. Clashes on the day left five people dead and dozens of police officers injured. Twitters enforcement actions have sparked an exodus of users from the platform. A number of conservative media figures have left Twitter in recent days, such as Greg Gutfeld, Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs, and Mark Levin. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also expressed concern over Twitters decision to suspend Trump from social media, saying that it could set a precedent for big tech companies to silence voices. We understand the desire to permanently suspend him now, but it should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions especially when political realities make those decisions easier, the ACLU statement read. Apple, Google, and Amazon have also garnered widespread scrutiny for banning the social media network Parler from their services. Parler, which has attracted a large following of classical liberal and conservative-leaning users, has been targeted by Silicon Valley for lacking a system to implement robust moderation for egregious content. Apple said in a statement to media outlets on Jan. 9 that they believe Parler had not taken adequate measures to address the proliferation of threats of violence and illegal activity. Meanwhile, Amazon told Parler that they would be shutting Parlers servers at midnight Jan. 10 over what it says is the platforms alleged lax approach to violent content posted by its users. Parler found and CEO John Matze has disputed the claims by the companies. Matze said these companies are using recent events to go after Parler, even though there is no evidence Parler was used to coordinate the events. Parler has no groups-style feature, and Facebook was the number one tool for coordinating meetups for that event, Matze told The Epoch Times in an email. He said he believes the companies are all acting in bad faith and that his company is prepared to take legal action over their decision to ban him. Unbalanced policing of user content and certain political views has raised concerns over First Amendment rights and the lack of checks and balances on decisions made by big tech companies. Discussions over limiting or eliminating liability protections under Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act for tech companies that have engaged in censoring or political conduct have been heavily discussed in the past year. Trump and his administration had repeatedly called on Congress to limit or amend Section 230. But tech advocacy groups have pushed back against such a move. Chinese-born female director Chloe Zhao's feature film "Nomadland" turned out to be a big winner on Saturday at the annual National Society of Film Critics Awards with four trophies, continuing to sweep the awards circuit in the United States. At the US critics' group's 55th awards voting meeting, which was held virtually this year, the American contemporary western drama film from Disney's Searchlight Pictures was named Best Picture of 2020. Zhao also nabbed the Best Director award at the annual event. Adapted by Zhao from Jessica Bruder's 2017 non-fiction book "Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century," the film stars two-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand as an out-of-work woman who packs her van and sets off from her small town to travel around the vast landscape of the American West, exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. McDormand won Best Actress for her performance in the film while Joshua James Richards walked away with the Best Cinematography award. The National Society of Film Critics is made up of 60 prominent movie critics across the United States. The government plans to offer viability gap funding (VGF) to attract bidders for the second phase of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which will add 12 days of crude oil storage, two government officials aware of the matter said. The move is part of Indias efforts to enhance energy security. The second phase will require an investment of $1.6 billion under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The Union cabinets nod for the terms to be offered under the VGF route to bidders will be sought. The proposal is under discussion. Also Read | How US democracy nearly came undone This comes against the backdrop of tensions between China and India, the worlds second- and third-largest crude oil importers, respectively. The move assumes significance as Indias energy needs are primarily met through imports, which raises supply risks in times of war or natural exigencies. VGF is at the centre of Indias infrastructure-creation plans through PPPs. Here, we are saying that it will be constructed by the private sector and we will give VGF. It will also be filled by the private sector. We will keep certain rights so that in times of emergency, we can use the oil," said a top government official, one of the two mentioned above, on condition of anonymity. Queries emailed to the petroleum and natural gas ministry spokesperson on Wednesday afternoon remained unanswered till press time. For the second phase, there are still discussions going on within the government because, eventually, the model has to be perfected as it is a very unique experiment," said the second official cited above, who also did not want to be named. What kind of viability gap we get is still under discussion. Its still being cooked in terms of nature of support. We are calling the second phase commercial-cum-strategic." The strategic crude oil reserves are typically state-funded and meant to tackle emergency situations. They allow a country to tide over short-term supply disruptions. International Energy Agency (IEA) members maintain emergency oil reserves equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports. The bidder who quotes the least quantum of VGF will be preferred. Land acquisition is taking place in Karnataka and Odisha," said the first government official. The investment requirement for constructing these facilities is around 8,000 crore. More investment will be required to fill it. We are saying that the private sector does it. If the private sector comes forward for such huge investment, what are the terms to be offered to them? It has to be approved and we will take it to the Union cabinet," the first government official said. India has an existing storage capacity of 5.3 million tonnes (mt) in Visakhapatnam (1.33 mt), Mangaluru (1.5 mt) and Padur (2.5 mt) built at an investment of $600 million that is operational and stores 10 days of the countrys crude oil requirements. The National Democratic Alliance government in June 2018 approved the construction of an additional 6.5 mt of strategic crude oil reserves at Chandikhol (4 mt) in Odisha and Padur (2.5 mt) in Karnataka to support 12 days of crude oil requirements. Indian refiners also maintain 65 days of crude storage, taking the total tally to 87 days. In comparison, IEA countries hold 1.55 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks. In addition, 650 million barrels are held by industry under government obligations and can be released as needed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. In UP villagers get cocktail vaccine dose: Covishield first, Covaxin next ICMR to study effectiveness of Covishield, Covaxin in preventing progression of COVID into severe form First consignment of COVID-19 vaccine shipped from Serum Institute India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 11: Three temperature-controlled trucks carrying Covishield vaccines have left the Serum Institute of India gates. A puja was performed before the vehicles left facility. Covishield vaccine on its way, standby for vaccination drive | Oneindia News Elaborate security arrangements were in place as the vaccines left the facility. #WATCH | First consignment of Covishield vaccine dispatched from Serum Institute of India's facility in Pune, Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/QDiwLXka2g ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2021 Vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII) on Monday received an order from the government for 11 million vaccine doses of Covishield, ahead of the mega vaccination drive on January 16. The vaccine is priced at Rs 200 per dose. Corona Vaccine: Over 1 million people in Russia have now been vaccinated with Sputnik V According to SII, a few million doses of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine 'Covishield' will be supplied every week. 11 million doses may be supplied in the initial lot. The Covishield shipment will leave from SII's facility in Pune on Tuesday Morning. The Indian vaccine is co-developed by the University of Oxford and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca in collaboration with the SII. #WATCH | Three trucks carrying Covishield vaccine reached Pune airport from Serum Institute of India's facility in the city, earlier this morning. From the airport, the vaccine doses will be shipped to different locations in the country. The vaccination will start on January 16. pic.twitter.com/v3jk4WUyyq ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2021 Each dose of the Oxford vaccine has been priced at Rs 200 and with GST of Rs 10 it would cost Rs 210. The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, issued the supply order on behalf of the Union Health Ministry in the name of Prakash Kumar Singh, Additional Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India (SII). The world's largest vaccination drive will begin on January 16. Healthcare, frontline workers will be vaccinated will be given priority. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the central government will bear the cost of vaccination for the 30 crore health care and frontline workers. That means, the state governments will not have to pay for this group. It may be noted that the finance ministry has already approved Rs480 crore for operational cost for the Covid-19 vaccine that central government is paying for. Covishied is likely to cost Rs 1,000 per dose as MRP, in private market. The export price is expected to be between $3-5 depending on the different countries the company signs deals with. On Sunday, the Central Drugs and Standards Committee (CDSCO) approved the University of Oxford's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use. WASHINGTON Huddled in a command center on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington and her aides saw a photograph of blood stains on the temporary grandstands at the Capitol, a makeshift structure built for the inauguration of a new president in two weeks. The enormity of the deadly failure sank in. Rioters had broken through the thin police line on the Capitol steps and were descending on hundreds of lawmakers conducting the ceremonial, quadrennial act of certifying the presidential vote and the mayor and her aides were not able to stop the attack. Ms. Bowser and her police chief called the Pentagon, asking for additional D.C. National Guard troops to be mobilized to support what officials were realizing was inadequate protection at the Capitol. But they were told that the request would first have to come from the Capitol Police. In a call to Chief Steven Sund of the Capitol Police, they learned that his force was under siege, lawmakers were being rushed to safety, and rioters were overrunning anyone in authority. He kept repeating the same phrase: The situation is dire. Omans Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has finalized the main framework for a project titled Tamayyiz, which is a national indicators initiative to upgrade the efficiency of the logistics sector. Through this initiative, the Ministry seeks to transform the logistics business environment into a globalized business climate and to enable the sector to benefit from business facilitation instruments available through government departments, reported Oman News Agency (ONA). The programme aims to upgrade the level of business and economic capabilities of all components of logistics activities in the Sultanate, besides improving the timeframe and customs infrastructure and facilitating the clearing of goodswhich will eventually enhance the Sultanates status as an international logistics hub and establish a supportive environment for stakeholders in the logistics sector. A number of departments will participate in the programme, including maritime and air lines and their agents, as well as loading and uploading firms at different cargo facilities. Workshops will be held between parties concerned with a view to introducing the programme and outlining its indicators prior to the actual launch of the initiative. 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. TICKERS: Source: Dr. KSS, MD, PhD, for Streetwise Reports (1/11/21) Private start-up RxMP's safe way to stop bleeding inexpensively is already the envy of bigger players, states Dr. KSS, MD, PhD, editor-in-chief of PubBio.co. Can it go the distance through proof of concept? It's a mind game doctors in training play with one another: if you had to have a serious coagulation disorder, would you rather be someone who clots inexplicably or someone who bleeds spontaneously? Over the course of inpatient residency training, a doctor will see plenty of both .and the truth is that superficially more mischief seems to come from unwanted clotting (leading to more vigilance against it) than from bleeding. Young doctors imagine clots to spread quickly and are sure every DVT is moments away from becoming a flung pulmonary embolism and making death an acute, very real possibility. Despite the morbid one-liner ("Well, ALL bleeding stops EVENTUALLY") most are amazingly cavalier about bleeding ."you just chase it .no big deal." But bleeding is a very big deal indeed, and the genuinely horrifying cases of exsanguination in hospital (yes, it's happened to my patients) have a way of holding back and stalking you later in your career. Ruptured aortic aneurysms where patients bleed to death into their abdomens, turn white and go silent; bleeding aorto-enteric fistulas, where patients are likely to die even if operated on in time. Most strokes are caused by clotting but ones of genuine horror owe to intracranial bleeding, including dreaded subarachnoid hemorrhages. Among the most horrible things I've witnessed include a man with a large undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm that exploded, causing him to sit bolt upright in bed, clutch at one side of his head, scream, and then lapse into torpor and die as his brain was forced through the foramen magnum and down into his spinal column. In the distortion of recall it seems that all took about 30 seconds, while in real time perhaps five minutes elapsed. The problem with sustained bleeding, such as during a problematic vaginal childbirth, is that beyond chasing blood loss and beyond attempts at mechanical control, medicine even with modern sophistication has had pitifully little to offer such patients. Simply juicing the clotting system with extra plasma or platelets, in the absence of a specific deficiency, does no good, wastes blood products, and generally will fetch you the scorn of your peers in quality assurance review. Novo Nordisk's recombinant factor VIIa was supposed to be the vaunted ichor that would make stubborn bleeding a thing of the past by ramrodding the coagulation cascades .but even off patent that agent is $10,000 per mg and one dose is many mg. DVT and pulmonary embolism are remarkably common in the wake of recombinant factor VIIa therapy. RxMP Therapeutics Inc. is ready to move its lead agent through proof of concept using intracranial hemorrhage, from either hemorrhagic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage, two conditions crying out for a definitive therapy, as unmet-medical-need conditions. The tiny firm is 75% owned by the Wallace Coulter Foundation, whose goal is seeing the company reach public markets. And while the company plans to pursue grants to help complete IND-enabling studies, getting human clinical trials underway will require the firm to raise capital. BioPub is working with San Diego Torrey Hills Capital in a business development relationship with RxMP, which prepared an extensive PPM in the fall and began quietly pitching itself to prospective investors. Now January 2021 is here and it's time to begin the capital raise in earnest. How does the new RxMP drug work? The science has nuance, and some might even call it abstruse. It's based on an observation about 15 years old that bolstering the available supply of the right kind of phospholipid membrane can dial up coagulability. RxMP makes its product from expired red cells that had been procured as donations for patient treatment, and manipulates those in a proprietary way. The membrane is necessary to support the assembly architecture of coagulation complexes .but is not sufficient to initiate thrombosis acting on its own because the agent lacks tissue factor, a "root cause" cell surface-expressed protein that acts as a kind of final "go-code" for inciting a clot. RxMP's pre-money valuation is estimated at under $20 million, but careful analysis suggests that what's at inception here could lead to a broadly applicable and highly appealing procoagulant agent for widespread use requiring no specialized monitoring, and at affordable costs. A company that takes on a valuation in the single digit billions in under five years is plausible by the company's models, for which we vouch based on our own independent review. Via confidentiality arrangement I have reviewed the company's online data vault pertaining to its work, and it's of superior, exacting quality, among the most enviable coagulation science with clinical applicability I've ever seen. Still, the company is early stage, has certain contentions that need to be verified, and so early formulations and sentiments should be viewed with a "safe harbor" mentality, including that events could transpire that change views. That's realism; meanwhile, our confidence and enthusiasm that this is an exceptional early stage pre-market investing opportunity are high. Readers can see Pamukcu kick off BioPub's 2021 webcast season here. He and colleague and RxMP Chief Scientific Officer WenChe Jy, PhD, an alumnus of both National Taiwan University and Taiwan Medical University, both in Taipei, introduce readers to mechanism of action of the lead agent and why clotting experts view it as particularly auspicious. The company has no meaningful competition, no one developing a similar agent, and good IP protections. Meanwhile, while all things remain early stage at least 10 established companies in this space are aware of RxMP's work and have expressed in it more than mere passing interest. What remains is for the company first to complete a successful phase 2 study in human intracranial hemorrhage. Pamukcu, who is American-born, is the son of immigrant Turkish physicians, and completed medical school at the University of Wisconsin. He founded his first biotech company, later sold to OSI Pharmaceuticals, when he was a gastroenterology fellow, that is, still in training. Since then he's remained in angel investor and serial entrepreneur mode, advising other firms and serving as CEO of Midway Pharmaceuticals. He is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Dr. KSS is the founder and editor-in-chief of BioPub.co. He is an MD with an additional PhD in biochemistry, and for the past 20 years, in addition to practicing, being a researcher, and conducting clinical trials, he has been investing in biotech companies with great success. Dr. KSS earned his degrees at a top 10 U.S. institution, where he was an NIH scholar and graduated with top honors. He has extensive post-doctoral research experience and am board certified in internal medicine and also gastroenterology. His goal is to discuss companies and use discussions of their technology, their drugs or planned drugs, as ways of teaching about physiology and disease states, along with their issues and opportunities. The acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, resigned from his position Monday, citing the legal battle over whether he can do his job. Wolf's resignation comes a day before President Donald Trump plans to tour wall construction on the U.S.-Mexico border - a trip the DHS head would normally take. In a note to agency workers, obtained by Fox News Channel, Wolf said he was quitting because of 'recent events.' 'Including the ongoing and meritless court rulings regarding the validity of my authority as Acting Secretary,' Wolf went on. 'These events and concerns increasingly serve to divert attention and resources away from the important work of the Department in this critical time of a transition of power.' He said that FEMA's Administrator Peter Gaynor, who was Senate-confirmed, would take over DHS through the end of the transition. Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf resigned Monday citing court cases that challenged whether he was legally able to be in the job Acting DHS Director Chad Wolf sent out a statement to colleagues Monday announcing he was stepping down President Donald Trump, seen at the controversial 'Save America March,' where he incited a riot on Capitol Hill, will be traveling to the U.S.- Mexico border Tuesday to observe his wall, with just eight days left of his presidency Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf stands in front of a new section of the border wall in October in McAllen, Texas. Wolf would have normally accompanied Trump to the border Wolf implored the president and other elected officials to 'strongly condemn the violence that took place yesterday' in a statement that he tweeted on Thursday before he announced his resignation Monday WHO'S QUIT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SINCE MAGA MOBBED CAPITOL HILL? Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf Hope Hicks - who said it was not related to riots Melania Trump's Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham White House Social Secretary Rickie Niceta Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Intelligence and Security John Costello Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and former OMB Director and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney The National Security Council's Senior Director for Europe and Russia Ryan Tully Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews Entire non-career staff of the Federal Aviation Administration Advertisement Federal judges have ruled that Wolf's appointment to the top position at DHS does not appear to be lawful because it didn't follow the department's order of succession. Wolf had been nominated to hold the job full-time, but the White House announced it had pulled his nomination Thursday. Earlier in the day, Wolf had been publicly pleading with the president to condemn the violence after the Capitol Hill siege. 'What transpired yesterday was tragic and sickening,' Wolf wrote in a statement then. 'While I have consistently condemned political violence on both sides of the aisle, specifically violence directed at law enforcement, we now see some supporters of the President using violence as a means to achieve political ends,' Wolf said in a statement Thursday. 'This is unacceptable. These violent actions are unconscionable, and I implore the President and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that took place yesterday,' Wolf continued. 'DHS takes the safety and security of all Americans very seriouslyit's at the core of our mission to defend our homeland. Any appearance of inciting violence by an elected official goes against who we are as Americans,' Wolf added. The White House's announcement that Wolf's nomination had been pulled first looked like retribution for the statement he made, but CNN later reported that it had technically been withdrawn Wednesday, because no further action in the Senate was expected. Wolf said on Thursday that he would remain in his post 'to ensure the Department's focus remains on the serious threats facing our country and an orderly transition to President-elect Biden's DHS team.' Other cabinet-level members of the administration were bailing, including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20 and the Senate is out of session until January 19, so no future Trump nominees will be considered. Congressional Democrats - and some Republicans too - have urged Vice President Mike Pence to take up the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office after the president's role in inciting the siege. To do so, half the cabinet would have to agree with Pence. It remains unclear if acting secretaries like Wolf would have been able to legally cast a vote. With other members of the cabinet already quitting, the use of the 25th Amendment seems unlikely. Throughout Trump's presidency he's had a number of 'acting' officials in cabinet-level positions. 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 Convention Peoples Party (CPP) has called on all Ghanaians to rise up and call for justice, accountability, transparency and fairness in all dealings in the body politic and the affairs of the country. It said Ghanaians must speak up on issues, especially in the sale of our natural resources, the mortgaging of our national assets for self-interest, not for national interest, and the absence of a definitive development agenda for the growth of the country. This was contained in a statement issued by the party and signed by its General Secretary, Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the call to Positive Action by Ghanas first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Factories The statement said while under the CPP government, factories such as the Komenda Sugar Factory, State enterprises, among others were built with the view to boosting employment, the factories had been disposed of and dissipated under the guise of divestiture implementation and private sector development. It noted that if the factories built under the CPP had been maintained and not abandoned and disposed of, they would have been a doyen and fortress to employ and take on board our teeming unemployed youth. Even government houses meant for accommodating public and civil servants have been disposed of under the Fourth Republic, leaving labour in want of decent accommodation, it said. Positive Action The statement said the declaration of Positive Action, Self-Government was meant to bring change from the status quo of subjugation ad poverty at the time. It, however, said 71 years after the declaration, Ghanas educational system had been run down into pieces, tattered into shambles through a myriad of experimentation of no value and purpose, a health system that takes away but does not give, with no adequate infrastructure, logistics and personnel, an economy wobbling on its knees, and a social fabric almost in ruins replicating everything foreign and touting it as more acceptable than our own religious and cultural values. The statement told members of the CPP that it was time to stand tall and not accept any obstacle that would prevent them from moving forward and bringing back the partys glory again. 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 A FATHER-of-three who sub-let his flat to a young woman subjected her to a knifepoint ordeal in which he repeatedly raped her and told her: "you are mine", it is alleged. The married man (37) is accused of threatening to kill the 22-year-old if she did not sleep with him, then warning her not to go to the gardai. He also allegedly said he would kill her flatmate who she managed to send a text message to, pleading for help. Judge Bryan Smyth granted the accused bail despite garda objections and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court. The man is charged with rape, oral rape, producing a knife, assault causing harm and threatening to kill the woman and her male flatmate. Objecting to bail, Detective Garda Pauline Treanor said on January 4 the woman contacted the accused asking him to turn the flat's electricity on because it was cold. The court heard they were both foreign nationals - he had been in Ireland for 13 years, she came to Ireland only weeks ago and he arranged for her to stay at the inner city Dublin property. The accused was seen on CCTV buying two bottles of whiskey in a local shop before going to the flat, where he propositioned the woman and continued to drink, it was alleged. She felt obliged to let him stay but rejected his advances, Detective Garda Treanor said. It was alleged the man then produced a knife, demanded that she undress and threatened to kill her if she did not sleep with him. He forced her to perform oral sex on him in the shower, punching her in the face when she protested, Garda Treanor said. She was in fear for her life and he brought her back into the bedroom and said you are mine, you are not your boyfriends anymore before getting on top of her on the bed and raping her, it was alleged. The woman went back to the shower, got her phone and sent messages to her flatmate, saying come quickly, (he) has already raped me". It was alleged the accused pulled her back into the bedroom and again raped her. The woman said I dont want to do this and he again told her you are mine, it was alleged. He then told her she had to accompany him on a drive while he was intoxicated. The flatmate called him, asked about her safety and told the accused he would contact the gardai if the woman was not returned. The accused then brought her to his mothers address, left her there and said he was going to kill the flatmate and she was not to speak to the police, Detective Garda Treanor said. The woman ran from the property to a shop and told workers she had been raped. It was alleged the accused returned to the flat and after a confrontation with the flatmate, he fled and came back with another man. The flatmate was chased to a shop where security staff intervened. When arrested, the accused denied the allegations and said he and the woman had consensual sex once, at her instigation. The knife was for "cutting bread", he maintained. Applying for bail, defence solicitor Michael Kelleher said the accused would say he was asked to find accommodation for the woman after she became separated from a criminal gang travelling through Europe. The accused would say he asked the woman to leave, a row developed, and the woman made the allegations "vindictively", Mr Kelleher said. The man would say the alleged victim went to his mothers home voluntarily. The accused was separated from his wife, had "unusual domestic arrangements" and would sleep at the flat, which was his, Mr Kelleher said. When he returned to the property after the alleged incident he would say he was chased off by the flatmate and when he came back again, the flatmate, who was not in fear, was waiting with a hammer. Judge Smyth granted bail to include an 8,000 independent surety, with 1,000 in cash. The accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to appear in Cloverhill District Court later this week. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Headlines - House Democrats officially file impeachment article - Joe Biden reaffirms commitment to $2,000 stimulus checks - Pelosi issues letter announcing a House vote on use of 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. - Trump to appear in Texas on Tuesday to mark the completion of Mexico border wall. - Pence has not ruled out using 25th Amendment to oust Trump from office. - IRS announce that 80% of direct deposit stimulus payments have already been made. - Amazon, Google and Apple drop Parler from their app stores. - US covid-19 death toll now over 374,000. Related stories: The large mollusk known as the California mussel makes its home in the rocky shoreline along the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Alaska. Considered a "foundational" animal, Mytilus californianus provides homes for hundreds of other species and offers a rich food source for species ranging from spiny lobsters to humans. As the waters off our coasts change due to human influences, scientists at the University of California San Diego are finding that the composition of California mussel shells is weakening as it becomes more tolerant of acidic conditions. Scientists have known that rising levels of human-produced carbon dioxide that are increasingly absorbed into the world's oceans will have an impact on sea life. But as ocean waters increasingly acidify, tracking impacts on specific species has been difficult to gauge over time. Most of what we know about species' responses to acidifying waters comes from short-term experiments that suggest these increases in ocean acidity--causing a lowering of seawater pH and less availability of carbonate ions to make shells--can lead to less fortified shells and more vulnerable animals. But not every species from these studies responds the same way, with some even appearing to do better under these conditions. This makes long-term studies looking at how increases in temperature and ocean acidification impact species extremely valuable for understanding and ultimately making predictions about future vulnerability of these species. Comparing new data with samples collected in the 1950s, UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences graduate student Elizabeth Bullard and Professor Kaustuv Roy found that ocean acidification is transforming the composition of California mussel shells from mostly the mineral aragonite to the mineral calcite. The results are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Aragonite is much stronger than calcite and makes for a better shell to protect against predators and wave energy, two things that are expected to increase with warming waters. Calcite, on the other hand, is much weaker but does not dissolve as easily as aragonite--making a better shell material if the waters are acidifying. Experts had expected aragonite, the stronger of the two substances, to emerge as the dominant mussel shell mineral due to its preference to form in warmer waters. Instead, the new study has shown that the weaker but more stable calcite mineral is now the dominant shell substance, a response linked to increases in ocean water acidity. "We found that these mussels are indeed secreting more calcite today than they were 60 years ago," said Bullard. "Lower pH eats away the shells these animals are able to create, so it's considered a major problem for marine organisms. There are 303 species that are associated with the California mussel, so if we lose the mussel we lose other species, some of which are really important to things like our fisheries and recreation." In the late 1950s, Caltech scientist James Dodd traveled the Pacific Coast from La Jolla to Washington state, collecting mussels along the way. His specimen sampling led to a valuable baseline of information about mussels and their shell composition, including the ratio of aragonite to calcite. One of the results of his work was a stark geographical contrast between cold northern waters, where mussels mostly featured calcitic shells, with the warmer southern waters where aragonite was the dominant shell mineral. To find out how the shell mineral profile has changed across six decades, Bullard similarly traveled the coastline with her lab mate, graduate student Alex Neu, in 2017 and 2018 to collect new specimens in a survey that geographically replicated Dodd's sampling. With more than 100 shell samples collected, Bullard then spent days meticulously grinding each shell down to a fine dust to dissect their composition--up to 16 hours of grinding for one shell in some cases. "If you put too much heat or pressure on aragonite it will convert to calcite," said Bullard. "Calcite is extremely stable but aragonite isn't. In order to really make sure the ratio is accurate you have to be super careful and hand grind the specimens down to a super fine powder." Finally, project collaborator Professor Olivia Graeve and her materials science group in the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering conducted X-ray diffraction analysis on each sample to determine their mineral profiles. "By combining our expertise in crystallography of materials with our collaborator's expertise in ecology, we were able to make a real impact on our understanding of humans' long-term effects on other species," said Graeve. "This type of interdisciplinary research is what's required to continue advancing science and engineering for the benefit of our world." The results told a new story. Instead of a geographical boundary between north and south California mussel shells, the new survey revealed that acidic waters are reducing shell aragonite throughout the coast, leading to calcite as the dominant shell mineral. "James Dodd's data fit in a world where the balance of temperature and ocean pH was very different from that today," said Roy, a professor in the Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (EBE). "For me it was surprising how big the effect was in 60 years. That's not a huge amount of time as these things go, but the effect was striking." The researchers were surprised to find that ocean pH and changing amounts of carbonate availability, not temperature, played such a strong role in influencing shell mineralogy. It's a finding that would not be possible without Dodd's critical baseline work. "This study highlights the importance of utilizing long-term data sets and large spatial comparisons to understand and test predictions about species responses to a changing world," the authors write in the paper. Bullard and Roy are now probing deeper into shell viability questions. They are conducting lab experiments to test how this change from aragonite to calcite might impact the strength and overall function of the mussel shell. ### Co-authors of the paper include: Elizabeth Bullard, Ivan Torres, Tianqi Ren, Olivia Graeve and Kaustuv Roy. A grant from NASA and the Jeanne Marie Messier Memorial Endowment Fund (EBE) supported this research. The stars of Sex and the City are in for a bumper pay day when they return for the HBO Max revival. A report on Monday claims Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis will be earning over $1 million per episode for the 10 episode series. The actresses will be returning to star in the series, titled And Just Like That... as well as executive produce the reboot, Variety reports. Pay day: A report on Monday claims Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis will be earning over $1 million per episode for the 10 episode series Not returning to the show is Kim Cattrall as Parker confirmed on social media that the Samantha Jones character will not be part of the revival. The HBO Max series will follow the trio as they navigate love and friendship in their 50s. Each episode will be 30 minutes in duration and production is set to begin in late spring. Meanwhile, Parker has revealed that Cattrall's role in Sex and the City won't be recast in the upcoming HBO Max revival of the show. The leading lady, replied to a fan on social media. When a fan suggested Samantha Jones, who was originally played by Cattrall, should be recast as Jennifer Coolidge, Parker, 55, who plays Carrie Bradshaw in the series, told the follower the sex-crazed character's story 'isn't part' of the new series. The comments come amid Parker and Cattrall's long-running feud, which the former has denied despite the latter fanning the flames for many years - even calling Parker 'toxic and cruel' following the conclusion of the show and its subsequent movies. Three out of four: Davis, Parker and Nixon are seen here in 2007 along with Cattrall (far right) who will not be returning to the show Fan fave: When a fan suggested Samantha Jones, who was originally played by Cattrall (pictured), should be recast as Jennifer Coolidge, Parker, 55, told the follower the sex-crazed character's story 'isn't part' of the new series Sex And The City fans were left brimming with joy on Sunday night, when it was revealed Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte are returning to the Big Apple for the revival., in news confirmed by Parker in a teasing Instagram post. The actress will reunite with co-stars Nixon and Davis, but not Cattrall for the hugely anticipated revival series at HBO Max. Parker, 55, took to Instagram Sunday with a teaser for the new series, writing: 'I couldn't help but wonder... where are they now? X, SJ'. Cattrall, 64, frequently stole the show as sex symbol and publicist to the stars Samantha, but she will not be returning for the new installment. Not pals: Cattrall has previously called Parker 'toxic and cruel' following the conclusion of the show and its subsequent movies Sex And The City fans were left brimming with joy on Sunday night, when it was revealed Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte are returning to the Big Apple for the revival., in news confirmed by Parker in a teasing Instagram post Squad goals: Parker, Nixon, Davis and Cattrall starred in the HBO series based on Candace Bushnell's 1996 book, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2004, before returning for two theatrical-released films in 2008 and 2010 Naturally, tongues were wagging, leading to one fan claiming she won't return because Parker didn't like her - but she denied a feud. Parker made her feelings very clear, as she replied back: 'No, I don't dislike her. I've never said that. Never would. Samantha isn't part of this story. But she will always be part of us. No matter where we are or what we do. X (sic)' And another follower admitted she would miss Cattrall and her character, which Parker agreed. She replied: 'We will too, we loved her so.' Despite Parker's statements, Cattrall first publicly spoke of her feud with Parker three years ago, when she insisted she wasn't 'friends' with any of her Sex and the City co-stars, including Davis and Nixon. She said at the time: 'We've never been friends. We've been colleagues and, in some ways, it's a very healthy place to be.' Hello lover! Sarah brushing off her Manolo Blahniks, after a Sex and the City revival was confirmed at HBO Max, for which she'll reunite with co-stars Cynthia and Kristin Cattrall then said she didn't know what Sarah Jessica's 'problem' was, before later slamming her as 'toxic' and 'cruel'. She also blasted Parker for reaching out to her following the death of her brother Chris Cattrall, who died in February 2018. DailyMail.com reported in September of 2017 that a third movie was axed, after Cattrall demanded that Warner Bros produce other movies she had in development, and they refused. After years of the cast playing coy about rumors of a hostile set, she told Piers Morgan that October that she and her co-stars had 'never been friends.' She added: 'This is really where I take to task the people from Sex and the City, and specifically Sarah Jessica Parker. I think she could've been nicer. I really think she could've been nicer. I don't know what her issue is.' Although a subsequent New York Post article detailed some 'mean girl' behavior toward Cattrall from the other three, Parker maintained that she was 'heartbroken' by the falling out, telling pal Andy Cohen: 'I found it very upsetting because that's not the way I recall our experience.' The foursome starred in the HBO series based on Candace Bushnell's 1996 book, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2004, before returning for two theatrical-released films in 2008 and 2010. Parker starred in the original series as sex columnist Carrie, alongside Nixon, 54, as career-driven attorney Miranda Hobbes, and Davis, 55, as marriage and family-oriented gallery director Charlotte York. Famous city: Sights and sounds of the city are framed with images of a computer screen, as Parker's leading lady Carrie Bradshaw types away Story continues: 'And just like that...' she writes, referencing a frequent preface used by Carrie in the show's narration, before typing: 'The story continues...' In Sunday's announcement post, sights and sounds of the city are framed with images of a computer screen, as Parker's leading lady Carrie types away. 'And just like that...' she writes, referencing a frequent preface used by Carrie in the show's narration, before typing: 'The story continues...' Michael Patrick King joins Parker, Nixon and Davis as executive producers on the 10-episode limited series, which is titled And Just Like That, kicking off production in late spring in New York City. Coming soon: Michael Patrick King joins Parker, Nixon and Davis as executive producers on the 10-episode limited series, which is titled And Just Like That, kicking off production in late spring in New York City The half-hour series sees the familiar faces navigating life, love and friendship in their 50s, which proves to be even more complicated than it was in their 30s. Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max said: 'I grew up with these characters, and I can't wait to see how their story has evolved in this new chapter, with the honesty, poignancy, humor and the beloved city that has always defined them.' Although the iconic HBO series and its subsequent spinoffs have been beloved by fans for decades, some of its material hasn't aged well. New chapter: The half-hour series sees the familiar faces navigating life, love and friendship in their 50s, which proves to be even more complicated than it was in their 30s Parker addressed the show's mostly white cast to The Hollywood Reporter in September of 2018: 'You couldn't make it today because of the lack of diversity on screen. I personally think it would feel bizarre.' She said of a potential reboot with a new cast: 'It wouldn't be a reboot as I understand it. If you came back and did six episodes, you'd have to acknowledge the city is not hospitable to those same ideas. 'You'd look like you were generationally removed from reality, but it would be certainly interesting to see four diverse women experiencing NYC their way It would be interesting and very worthwhile exploring, but it couldn't be the same.' Human resources executives at Hwa Meei Optical are working overtime. The Taiwanese sunglasses and goggles maker is looking to hire 30 workers, many of them urgently, for a new factory. Having based most of its production in China for more than two decades, Hwa Meei is now expanding at home. A new plant in Taiwan, opened earlier this year, will create 180 jobs and is part of a plan to expand the groups footprint in higher margin products. Hwa Meei is not an outlier. Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese enterprises are bidding farewell to China because of rising costs and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, marking a dramatic shift for Taiwans corporate landscape with significant implications for global manufacturing. I see a structural collapse among the ranks of Taiwanese-owned businesses in China, said Liu Jen, editor in chief at CRIF China Credit Information Service in Taipei. According to its survey, revenues grew at less than half of the 1,000 largest Taiwanese-owned enterprises in China last year and their total net profits before taxes dropped by more than one-fifth to the lowest in nine years. The era of cross-strait industrial co-prosperity is over, Mr Liu said. Since the late 1980s, Taiwanese companies have received approval for an accumulated $191bn of investments in mainland China, where they were lured in part by cheaper operating costs. That makes the nation one of the biggest overseas investors in China, which is by far Taiwanese groups largest destination for foreign direct investment. Their massive push into China has been both a blessing and a curse, analysts say. Many early movers made windfall profits and enjoyed massive growth. Revenue at Apple supplier Foxconn, which established its first factory in China in 1988, grew 65-fold to NT$97.8bn ($3.5bn) in the decade after its 1991 Taiwan stock market listing, and ballooned to NT$5.3tn last year. If it had not put manufacturing in China, the company would never have become the worlds largest contract electronics manufacturer, said Mr Liu. Taiwanese executives say their large, low-cost neighbour was a natural choice for companies seeking to boost market share by expanding manufacturing while cutting costs. This is what we have all been doing for the last 30 years, and it now is what we are best at, said the chief financial officer of a Taiwanese electronics company. On the other hand, the option to simply relocate production to China to reduce operating costs has meant many companies have shirked more sustainable ways of increasing competitiveness. Because we speak the same language and in China the cost is low, they forgot to transform themselves doing higher value-added [products], building their own brands, said CY Huang, a Taipei-based investment banker. Now is a critical time for change. Taiwanese companies default strategy has been undermined by Washingtons trade war with Beijing and efforts to pry China out of global supply chains. Most of Taiwans leading contract electronics manufacturers are now relocating parts of their supply chains to south-east Asia and India, as well as back home. Small and medium-sized enterprises in industries including textiles, shoes, furniture, car parts and machine tools some of which had shifted almost their entire business to China in recent decades have also come under pressure. Labour costs have risen and Beijing no longer offers incentives to these industries, which also must contend with tougher competition, intellectual property theft and Chinas increasingly authoritarian and nationalist policies. As a result, annual investment flows from Taiwan to China have been in decline since peaking in 2010, the year Beijing and Taipei signed a trade agreement. Last year, China-bound FDI more than halved. Since 2017, Taiwanese companies have been remitting more money home from the country than they sent there. Hota, a Taiwanese car parts maker and Tesla supplier that has focused production in China since 1999, is now expanding operations at home. The company is building a new plant in Chiayi, in south-western Taiwan, that will serve markets other than China from next year. Overall, I have seen Taiwanese companies diversifying or de-emphasising mainland investment, and there are companies who cannot or will not invest there, but I think there are few examples of companies with operations there totally giving up, said Chris Ruffle, a veteran Taiwan investor. The lure is now the huge potential market and no longer the cheap labour force. Some Taiwanese companies are exploring new strategies. Hota, for example, is investing in other car parts makers to diversify its business. Technology companies are also stepping up acquisitions. GlobalWafers, a manufacturer of silicon wafers used by chipmakers, in December agreed to acquire German rival Siltronic, strengthening its position in Europe. In June, component maker Yageo bought smaller US competitor Kemet in a deal that could make it less vulnerable to cyclical trends in the electronics industry. Mr Huang, the investment banker, said Taiwans corporate sector needs to broaden its traditional focus on contract manufacturing. The China option has put us on this track of serving our master, and we have been doing that too well, he said. We have been content with leaving 95 per cent of profits to our customers. That is a slave mentality what is left for Taiwan at the end of the day? Financial Times Mother and baby home survivor Philomena Lee has said the families should be paid compensation for their unbearable suffering at the hands of the State. Mother and baby home survivor Philomena Lee has said the families should be paid compensation for their unbearable suffering at the hands of the State. Ms Lee, whose life was the subject of the film Philomena, also criticised the leaking of the mother and baby homes report, saying it will add to the heartache and trauma of those affected. She said she was dismayed that details of the report were leaked. Ms Lee grew up in an orphanage and, after leaving at the age of 18, she became pregnant and was sent to Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home. She said she became an unpaid servant and was subject to the tyranny of the nuns, who told her she was shameful and sinful. Three years later, her son Anthony was taken from Ms Lee without her knowledge or consent and sent to the US. Her life was the subject of the 2013 film, in which Dame Judi Dench played Ms Lee. Ahead of the publication of the report on Tuesday, Ms Lee said she has waited decades for this moment. Expand Close The location of the infant cemetery at the site of the former Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home in Roscrea, Co Tipperary (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The location of the infant cemetery at the site of the former Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home in Roscrea, Co Tipperary (Brian Lawless/PA) The moment when Ireland reveals how tens of thousands of unmarried mothers, such as I, and the tens of thousands of our beloved children, such as my dear son Anthony, were torn asunder, simply because we were unwed at the moment our children were born, she added. For the purposes of healing, I believe it is essential that the Irish State and various churches involved in the enslavement of unmarried mothers and the trading of their children, would apologise, without reservation and would compensate the many generations of families, who have suffered unbearable suffering and loss as a result of the states failure to recognise and honour the equality promised to all Irish citizens by the states founders. I can only hope that the authors of this report, recognise these facts and that those of us who were detained against our will in mother and baby homes and gave birth there, are not all of the mothers nor all of the children who have suffered. The tens of thousands who went through state maternity hospitals, state childrens hospitals and various private institutions suffered the same fate, the unlawful destruction of their families, through forced adoption, child trafficking and forced labour. I am dismayed that portions of the report have been leaked to the press ahead of the survivors having sight of it and digesting its findings. This will undoubtedly add to the heartache and trauma of those directly affected and I am concerned for the welfare of all. Irish people owe it to the memory of those mothers and children, who have died, without knowing the truth and to resolve that such atrocities will never be allowed to happen again. Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is warning Democrats are 'overplaying a lot of things, including the death of these people' by pursuing impeachment, following the Capitol riot that led to the death of a Capitol Police officer. He spoke as the Capitol was still mourning the loss of Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick, who died amid the violent riot in the Capitol by Trump supporters following the president's speech at a 'stop the steal' rally Wednesday. Democrats sought to bring up a resolution Monday that would have instructed Vice President Mike Pence to convene the cabinet and invoke the 25th Amendment seeking to declare Trump unfit for office, while introducing an article of impeachment expected to come to a vote Wednesday. 'Well it's probably similar to shutting off the Twitter feed of somebody after, after his presidency is essentially all over,' Issa said, comparing the impeachment effort to Twitter shutting down Trump's feed by saying there was a risk of incitement to violence. Republican Rep. Darrell Issa said Democrats are 'overplaying a lot of things, including the deaths of these people' following the riot by Trump supporters inside the U.S. Capitol 'It's kicking when he's down, it's getting rid of 88 million people who follow and listen to the President,' said Issa,' putting the effort in terms of Trump's own legacy and state of mind. Issa claimed that 'liberals saw an opportunity misstep by the President that they're going to overplay and they're overplaying it as we speak.' Some Republicans have called for Trump to step down after calling for his supporters to 'fight' before the Capitol riot. The impeachment article charges Trump with 'incitement of insurrection.' The effort, overseen by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, will put House Republicans on the spot with votes although she warns it is driven by a desire to prevent Trump from making any misdeeds during his final days in office. Officer Brian Sicknick was killed during the clash, and died of injuries sustained during the riots Issa spoke to host Maria Bartiromo, a favorite interviewer of President Trump's. Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) listen to testimony from witnesses during a House Oversight Committee hearing entitled 'Reviews of the Benghazi Attack and Unanswered Questions,' in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, September 19, 2013 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 in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021 Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington Pro-Trump rioter uses tear gas against police during rally around at Capitol building when they tried to break in through front doors 'They're overplaying a lot of things including the death of these people on Capitol Hill,' he told Fox Business Network. 'It was a terrible event, terrible things people would need to be punished.' He said they were 'trying to use it to, to imply that there's only one side that has violence and completely ignoring all of last year, and the unchecked violence from the left,' apparently equating the riots inside the Capitol to violence that accompanied some protests over the death of George Floyd this summer. He spoke to host Maria Bartiromo, a favorite interviewer of President Trump's. Issa's comments about 'overplaying' the deaths at the U.S. Capitol during the count of the Electoral College votes for president come despite his identity as a zealous investigator over the raid at the U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya that resulted in the deaths of four Americans. He oversaw a series of hearings into the matter, and in 2015 tried to crash a deposition being conducted by a separate House Select Committee on Benghazi. 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. James Durbin / TheOilfieldPhotographer.com / TheOilfieldPhotographer.com Global demand for natural gas fell just 2.5 percent in 2020, despite the economic lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report. Natural gas demand was buoyed by low prices, which made it a sought-after commodity in the power generation sector, according to Rystad, a Norwegian energy research firm. U.S. benchmark Henry Hub natural gas prices averaged $2.03 per million British thermal units in 2020, down from $2.57 per million Btu in 2019. Parliament has expressed regret about the events that characterized the inauguration of the eighth Parliament saying the actions that took place during the night were regrettable. A statement issued by Madam Kate Addo, Director of Public Affairs of Parliament and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said Parliament would therefore like to put those incidents behind it and work towards a more focused and unified membership aimed at promoting the best of Parliamentary practices and good governance. She refuted allegations that one of its staff tried to stuff the ballot boxes with papers, explaining that by the very nature of Parliaments voting system, the allegations of ballot stuffing were impossible. Madam Addo said there were two hundred and seventy-five (275) members present and voting and there was no way anything could have been added. She said the introduction of any voting material would have meant that there would have been an increase in the number of votes cast and this would have exacerbated an already volatile situation, adding that staff of Parliament do not participate in proceedings including voting on the floor of the House. The statement said Parliament would like to put on record that the Officer, a Deputy Marshal, was stationed at a particular spot in the Chamber to protect the ballot box. As things started getting out of hand, the Marshal was reaching for his taser which was hanging behind his belt to use in the protection of the ballot box. The Deputy Marshal then looked at the taser to turn it on and actually went on to use the taser to prevent one Member from forcefully taking the ballot box, which at the time had two ballots cast in it. She said the box in question was taken away and examined in the presence of some leadership of the House. The Leader in question later came to the Chamber to assure his side of the House that nothing untoward had happened. The statement further explained that the Marshalls in Parliament are mandated to maintain peace and order in the House and doing anything contrary to that would be at variance with the dictates of their job. Indeed, it was the same Marshall who intercepted the member who snatched the ballot papers at the time of collation after the votes had been cast. She admitted the staff had difficulty and most of them including the Clerk of Parliament bore the brunt of some of the actions on the floor. The statement pointed out that the staff at all times during the night remained calm and saw to the peaceful resolution of all the issues, which culminated in the successful election of the Speaker of Parliament. She assured all citizens that its staff was dedicated to assisting the Speakership, Leadership and the Membership of Parliament in the discharge of their duties. 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 By Jun Ji-hye A Korean lawyer has received a suspended jail term for falsifying information in refugee applications for 184 Chinese nationals, the Supreme Court said, Monday. The top court rejected the lawyer's appeal and upheld a lower court ruling that sentenced him to a one-year prison term, suspended for two years, for violating the Immigration Control Act. It also confirmed a 5 million won (4,600) fine imposed on a law firm for which the lawyer, identified only by his surname Kang, was working. According to the court verdict, Kang helped 184 Chinese people, who were seeking to continue working in Korea, apply for refugee status by forging relevant documents from October 2016 to December 2017, in return for 2 million won to 3 million won per case. A broker connected the lawyer with the applicants. In the applications, the lawyer fabricated various stories to support the refugee status applications, including assertions that the applicants would suffer oppression in China for being part of minor religious groups such as Falun Gong. The lawyer also employed an undocumented Chinese person as an interpreter at his law firm from Feb. 1 to 16 in 2017. The court said the lawyer abused immigration-related laws to help the applicants extend their sojourn, as they submitted refugee applications based on false pretenses in order to be granted a G-1 humanitarian status visa, thus enabling them to pursue employment opportunities here for an extended period. Applicants, even if ultimately rejected, may remain in Korea for an additional two to three years and continue working during the appeal proceedings period. After a district court handed down the suspended jail term, Kang appealed the sentence. The appellate court and the Supreme Court both rejected his appeal. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, my wife, Laura, and I went to Washington, D.C. We were there until roughly 3 A.M., and it was the last time millions of Americans were allowed to celebrate the election of Donald J. Trump. During the summer of 2020, we were all subjected to leftist disruption of our freedom of movement on American streets and highways, the wanton desecration and/or removal of monuments, burning and looting of stores, vandalism of private businesses and public buildings, the takeover of whole neighborhoods by masked terrorists, and a call by elected Democrats to defund law enforcement. The result was billions of dollars in damage and hundreds of injuries and dozens of unnecessary deaths. On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Laura and I again went to Washington, D.C. to enjoy the re-election of President Trump. However, the atmosphere was totally different. The White House was surrounded by riot fencing. Businesses were closed early and boarded up. Restaurants were mostly closed. With the exception of police cars driving by, the streets had an empty, apocalyptic air. It was clear to all what was likely to happen should Joe Biden be declared the loser, and the city had, for the most part, prepared for the worst. Consuming the latest condemnation of the events at the Capitol on January 6, it's amazing to hear the sanctimonious media and self-serving politicians and federal officials lecture Trump-supporters about civility. While the "takeover" of the Capitol was uncharacteristic of any Republican rally to date, watching the political elite cower in fear was quite ironic. Now some of them know what millions of citizens endure on a near daily basis in crime-ridden Democrat neighborhoods where defunding the police has been proudly proposed and implemented. And based on recent events, it could be argued that had Joe Biden been declared the loser on Election Night 2020, the leftist Democrats and their Antifa sympathizers would still be vandalizing, looting, burning, attacking the police and hundreds of Americans would be the political, collateral damage. Inauguration Day would be a crescendo many would be fearing. Something the righteous political class conveniently leaves out is despite the events of Wednesday on the Hill, Trump-supporters (who rightly contend that the election was stolen) have yet to vandalize, loot, burn, attack the police, and nationally no one has been injured or killed during "peaceful protests." Had Donald Trump been declared the rightful winner of the 2020 presidential election, America would be on fire, the worst would be yet to come, and those now demonizing Trump-supporters would be justifying the leftist carnage. So spare us the sanctimonious indignation. Image: BLM tries to burn down historic St. John's church. Rumble screen grab. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Most doctors would agree that advanced care planning (ACP) for patients, especially older adults, is important in providing the best and most appropriate health care over the course of a patient's life. Unfortunately, the subject seldom comes up during regular clinic visits. In a study conducted by doctors at Wake Forest Baptist Health, only 3.7% of primary care physicians had this conversation with their patients as part of their normal care. Yet in the same study, the researchers found that a new approach involving specially trained nurses substantially increased the frequency of doctors initiating ACP discussions with their patients. The study is published in the Jan. 11 edition of JAMA Internal Medicine. "As a primary care doctor I know how important it is to talk to patients about what quality of life means to themplaying with grandkids, cooking, going for a walkand work to align their health care with those goals," said the study's principal investigator, Jennifer Gabbard, M.D., assistant professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist Health. "We hoped to make it easier for doctors to have this conversation and give their patients a voice, so that if they got sicker, their doctors, caregivers and family would know their wishes and have it documented so it was easily accessible." The year-long, randomized effectiveness trial enrolled 759 patients from eight primary care practices in North Carolina. The participants, age 65 or older, had multiple chronic conditions and either cognitive or physical impairments or frailty. The volunteers were randomized to either a nurse navigator-led group or a normal care group. In the nurse-led group, a trained nurse navigator called the study participants before their annual wellness visit to explain advance care planning and to suggest topics to discuss with their doctor during the clinic visit, Gabbard said. That information then was recorded in the doctor's notes to provide a starting point for the conversation. Both patients and providers reported that this priming often made the visits go much more smoothly, Gabbard said. To make it easier for healthcare providers to initiate a discussion of ACP, Gabbard's team developed an electronic health record documentation tool that provided a communication guide on how to ask questions and what the most common responses were to help guide the conversation. The information gleaned during the wellness visit was then documented in the patient's electronic health record by using the same tool. "We wanted to create a way to easily document the patient's goals and values and store that information in a central location so regardless of the care setting any provider could find current information regarding the patient's priorities," Gabbard said. The study showed that in the nurse group ACP was documented in 42% of the visits as compared to only 3.7% in the normal care group. Findings from this trial suggest a promising new approach to ACP in the out-patient primary care setting and a potentially scalable approach to ACP for vulnerable older adults, Gabbard said. 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 Board of Education, the policymaking and governing board of the Public School System, on Monday elected Andrew L. Orsini of Saipan, 4th left, as chairman; Herman Atalig of Rota as vice chairman, 3rd left; and Maisie B. Tenorio of Saipan, 2nd right, secretary/treasurer. The other members are Antonio L. Borja of Tinian, standing, back; Gregory Borja, 2nd left, of Saipan; teacher representative Phyllis M. Aim; non-public school representative Dr. Ronald Snyder; and student representative Rainalyn Reyes. Also in photo is Supreme Court Associate Justice Perry B. Inos who administered the oath of office to the new BOE members, Maisie B. Tenorio and Gregory Borja, in the Marianas High School cafeteria. Contributed photo On his way out the congressional door, Greg Walden surprisingly proclaimed his environmental accomplishments, from supporting Mount Hood wilderness, the Steens Mountain Protection Act enacted over 20 years ago and removal of the Savage Rapids and Chiloquin dams (Reflecting on 30 years of public service, Jan. 3). He neglected to mention his longstanding opposition to the removal of the Klamath River dams, despite their lacking the navigation and flood control benefits he touted, and despite support for dam removal by the federal licensee, PacifiCorp. Walden also failed to mention his opposition to the efforts of both Oregons senators to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands and his consistent support for increased logging of federal forests at the expense of environmental laws and public participation. He depicted himself as a moderate environmentalist, despite a lifetime League of Conservation Voters record of 10%. Waldens claims are reminiscent of Sen. Bob Packwoods efforts to portray himself as an environmentalist on his way out of office nearly three decades ago, citing his support for Hells Canyon preservation, 20 years before. In the ensuing 20 years Packwood was hardly an environmental champion, earning an LCV 19% record during his last five years in office, including a zero in his last year. He proved to be a steadfast proponent of old-growth logging and a non-participant in the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984. Perhaps it is not surprising that both the disgraced former senator and the retiring congressman want the public to remember them as advocates for environmental protection. But the record belies their claims. Their attempts at revisionist history should not go unchallenged. Michael C. Blumm, Lake Oswego Blumm is the Jeffrey Bain Faculty Scholar and a law professor at Lewis and Clark Law School. 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. Sorry! This content is not available in your region It may be mentioned here that Pasuvula Panduga or cattle festival, the milder version of Tamil Nadus jallikattu, has been in vogue in some villages of Chittoor district for the past 150 years. (Representational DC Photo) TIRUPATI: Despite strict warnings from the police against conducting the traditional bull-taming sport, popularly known as jallikattu, some enthusiastic persons organised the event at Sanambatla village in Chittoor districts Chandragiri mandal on Sunday. Meanwhile, several persons, including a scribe sustained injuries during the event held in the morning. Many people arrived from nearby villages, while scores of youngsters from neighbouring districts thronged the village to take part in the sport. It may be mentioned here that Pasuvula Panduga or cattle festival, the milder version of Tamil Nadus jallikattu, has been in vogue in some villages of Chittoor district for the past 150 years. As part of the fest, cattle farmers offered prayers to their village deities before the commencement of the dangerous sport. According to information reaching here, many participants suffered injuries, while a youngster identified as Rakesh from Dornakambala village sustained severe injuries on his neck when a bull charged at him. He was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance, which was kept ready given the nature of the sport. In the meanwhile, a scribe who was here to cover the event also sustained injuries when a bull attacked him from behind. We received information from locals about the conduct of jallikattu and the hospital management also informed us about the severely injured youngster. We will book cases against the organisers against whom stringent action would be taken, Ramakrishna, SI, Chandragiri, told Deccan Chronicle. Meanwhile, many youngsters were seen competing with one other to snatch the trophies tied to the horns of bulls, which ran through narrow passages in the village amidst heavy drum beats. It is alleged that the bulls were given liquor and other intoxicants before the commencement of the sport. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Homeowners associations across Indianapolis are increasingly partnering with private companies to surveil their neighborhoods with automated license plate readers. Georgia-based Flock Safety and California-based Vigilant Solutions are among companies that for years have provided the technology to law enforcement agencies, enabling them to identify, catalog and distribute any passing vehicles model, color and license plate number. But the firms push in recent years to begin offering the same technology to homeowners association presidents has civil liberty advocates looking over their shoulders. Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley said motorists should not see cause for alarm. People make a false assumption that we want Big Brother to exist, he said. But we believe theres a world where we can have privacy and safety. We dont believe there has to be a trade-off. More central Indiana neighborhood leaders are starting to embrace that mindset. Flock said it has put cameras in 14 Indianapolis neighborhoods since launching its neighborhood service three years ago. One of its newer clients is Pickwick Commons, a neighborhood of 77 homes at Ditch Road and West 91st Street, which came aboard about a year ago, according to Jayson Parker, president of its homeowners association. Flocks cameras automatically scan vehicles as they pass and can immediately notify associations in instances where the license plate has been reported stolen. Flock also provides associations access to a searchable database, so they can retroactively look up unexpected vehicles near their homes and share screenshots if they suspect a crime has occurred. Langley said he first thought of offering automated license plate readers to neighborhoods after his Georgia neighborhood was plagued by a string of car break-ins. A police officer told him his neighbors doorbell camera was too low-quality to provide vital evidence, so he set about creating a system that provided civilians with the same hardware and software officers use to catch the bad guys. But civil liberties advocates worry about putting such a powerful technology in the hands of the untrained, and about its potential for abuse. Angie Raymond, an associate professor of business law and ethics at Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business, said theres a big difference between a law enforcement agencys use of the technology and a civilians use. She said she worries about the lack of policies dictating how a civilian can access and use the information. She said automated license plate readers can easily track and disseminate information about neighborhood visitors who have a perfectly legitimate reason for driving down the road. Private entities can surveil us without being bound in many instances by the law, Raymond said. The big divide is in the way that information is stored, shared, retained and even gathered. Raymond said law enforcement, local governments, universities and other public institutions have certain procedures and policies to practice safe data management. Thats just not the case with the head of a homeowners association. Theyre tasked with the community space being mowed and (that) the signs you see when you drive in are pretty, she said. They dont have the time or the knowledge to dig into this. Raymond said neighborhood leaders considering this method of combating porch pirates need to ask themselves what the data will do, how it will be used, what rules are in place to protect the innocent, and how that data will be shared and stored. Those are the conversations you need to have. If you dont do that, you need to pass, she said. But Parker, Pickwicks homeowners association president, said hes comfortable his neighborhoods two cameras dont infringe on privacy. He said that he and two other board members are the only ones with access to the cameras database and that neighbors trust them to use the data responsibly. As a community, we didnt have any kickback from anybody. Nobody was concerned, Parker said. We didnt hear, No, I dont want to live in a police state, or any of that stuff. Pickwick was developed in the mid-1960s and features homes from around $200,000 to more than $800,000. Some of the residents are doctors who work at nearby Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. Two years ago, Parker said, residents were calling him to report their mail and packages had been stolen. The mail theft was happening multiple times a week. Apparently, they were driving into the neighborhood at 3 a.m. and going through mailboxes, he said. The homeowners associations nine-member board considered several surveillance companies, but wound up choosing Flock Safety for a number of reasons, including the fact that cameras would cost just $4,000 a year and the companys interface was simple to use through a smartphone app or on a desktop. The neighborhood announces the presence of the cameras with signs at entrances. Since installing the cameras, Parker said, his neighbors have stopped calling to report mail theft. In one instance, he was able to provide a landscaping company with the license plate and footage of a vehicle that pulled up and stole a leaf blower. What they were able to do with that, I dont know. The point is, now they have a suspect. Theyve got a car; theyve got a license plate. They can follow that up, Parker said. We provided them with information that they should be able to (use to) solve a crime. Before, we wouldnt have been able to do that. He said the success Pickwick Commons saw inspired North Willow Farms, a neighborhood with 450 homes on the west side of Ditch Road, to reach out to Flock to have its own system installed. Partly because of Flocks success marketing to neighborhoods, it is on a growth tear, with employment on track to triple this year, to 160. The firm helped fund its growth by raising $63 million in venture capital this year. The company now claims its automated license plate readers used by law enforcement agencies, neighborhood associations and other clients solve two or more crimes a day, and the data collected by those cameras assists in five investigations each hour. Its enough for a detective to plug in the license plates and get to work, Langley said. I still get goosebumps every minute of the day when we hear of success stories from this neighborhood, or a police department clearing some heinous crimes. Flocks rival Vigilant Solutions, a division of Motorola Solutions, also has built a substantial neighborhood business, though it would not provide specifics on its Indianapolis clients. About half of Vigilants customers are in law enforcement, and the other half are neighborhood associations and other commercial clients. Weve partnered with both government law enforcement agencies as well as corporate and residential entities for quite some time, said John Kedzierski, Motorola Solutions senior vice president and general manager of video security and analytics. Having that collaboration with local agencies is extremely important, and of interest to both law enforcement and a private community. Dave Maass, a senior investigative researcher for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said hes watched Vigilant and Flock battle for market share for quite some time. The not-for-profit has amassed public records from agencies across the nation to determine where and to what extent police are using surveillance technologies. The public might be surprised how widespread the use of license plate readers has become. In 2019 alone, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department scanned 1.1 million license plates and the Indiana State Police scanned 244,683 license plates using Vigilant Solutions automated license plate readers. Maass said most license plate reader companies do a poor job of establishing and conveying sufficient privacy policies to their users. He said Flocks promise to hard-delete all data after 30 days is a start. Hes not convinced the companies main priority is safety. In my estimation, license plate reader systems are more about business than they are about public safety. Its a mass surveillance technology that doesnt care if youre doing anything wrong or anything suspicious, Maass said. People wait to be tested for COVID-19 at a clinic in Montreal on Jan. 3, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes) Public Health Didnt Cite Input From Military Intelligence on Pandemic, Relying Exclusively on WHO Instead: Report Canadian federal health officials did not cite early warnings about the threat of COVID-19 gathered from military intelligence, while appearing to rely almost exclusively on assessments from the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a CBC report. The warnings were created by a specialized unit of the Canadian military in early January 2020. The unit exchanges classified medical intelligence with the United States and other close allies. The formal exchange was designed, in part, for allies to alert each other of strategic surprise, such as pandemics and deliberate biological attacks, according to the report, and the threat assessment for the COVID-19 outbreak in China was based on classified allied intelligence weeks ahead of other open sources. Data coming from U.S. military sources provided to the network was producing comprehensive assessments of the trajectory of the virus as early as February 2020, the report said. However, documents obtained by CBC News show the Public Health Agency of Canadas (PHAC) COVID-19 rapid risk assessments contained no mention of the militarys warnings, despite the fact that these assessments were used to guide officials decision-making. In addition, three of the five PHAC risk assessments, which were obtained by CBC under access to information law, show federal health officials relied almost exclusively on assessments from the WHO. The revelations come as questions mount about what information Canada was using to inform its early pandemic response, if not its own military intelligence. Canadas repeated reliance on the WHO has often been questioned since the U.N. agency has been criticized for repeating Beijings talking points in the early weeks and months of the pandemic, despite evidence the Chinese regime was engaging in a coverup. In January, the WHO repeated Beijings claims that the disease could not be transmitted among humansdespite warnings from Taiwan to the contraryand downplayed the seriousness of the outbreak. The WHO also waited until Jan. 30 to declare the outbreak a global health emergency, while opposing travel or trade restrictions against China. By Feb. 6 over 50 countries, including Australia and the United States, had announced travel restrictions on China. Yet, Canada waited until mid-March to impose travel restrictions, citing guidance from the WHO. This was praised by Beijing, while the regime slammed countries that restricted travel from China. In April, despite reports that Beijing was falsifying its data around the outbreak in China, Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Ottawa had no reason to believe Beijings infection and death rates were altered, saying Canada relied on the WHO to coordinate the collection of data from various countries. When a reporter asked whether the WHOs numbers could be trusted if Chinas arent reliable, Hajdu accused the reporter of fuelling conspiracy theories. Questions about what information Canada was using to inform its early pandemic response were also raised after media reports revealed the federal health agencys early warning unit to flag potential pandemics was shut down just months before the COVID-19 pandemic crisis hit. Hajdu ordered an outside review after it was revealed that the early warning system, known as the Global Public Health Intelligence Network, was shut down in May 2019, cutting off the systems ability to raise the alarm about the onset of the pandemic in China. In August, Canadas Auditor-General also launched a separate investigation into the closure of the pandemic surveillance unit. Chief of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Mission in Korea Johnny Reinoso-Vasquez talks about his country's most celebrated painter Oswaldo Guayasamin during an interview with The Korea Times at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Eunpyeong-gu, northern Seoul, Jan. 6. The museum will extend the exhibition, originally scheduled until Jan. 22, to Feb. 6, as it has been popular among Koreans and foreign residents here. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk World's largest showcase to mark Guayasamin's birth centenary to be extended to Feb. 6 By Yi Whan-woo The first solo exhibition of Ecuador's most cherished painter Oswaldo Guayasamin in Korea has been in the limelight among art lovers, overcoming COVID-19 and other challenges since it opened Dec. 19. The exhibition began at the peak of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a negative factor in promoting Guayasamin (1919-1999) dubbed the "Picasso of Latin America" but little known here, on the occasion of his birth centenary. The venue the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art is located in a district in the extreme northwest of Seoul, making it pretty tricky for visitors from other parts of the capital and much of the country to visit as admitted to by some museum staff members. With Korea in the middle of ideological, political and social divides, the intention of the exhibition as witnessed from a conservative newspaper headline that highlighted him as a leftist was somewhat viewed politically because Guayasamin was a friend and admirer of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro and a committed leftist since his youth. Nevertheless, the exhibition, which opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. by reservation only, has been fully booked every day. The museum accordingly doubled the maximum number of people allowed per hour from 10 to 20 beginning from this year. Additionally, the exhibition, which was originally scheduled to end Jan. 22, has been extended to Feb. 6. Expats from various countries have also visited the exhibition, including the ambassadors of Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and the United Arab Emirates. And why is Guayasamin so popular in Korea as he is in rest of the world? "Because his works, regardless of the time they are drawn, are ultimately a message that we as a humankind should stop hating but love each other," Chief of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Mission in Korea Johnny Reinoso-Vasquez told The Korea Times during an interview at the museum, Jan. 6. "The exhibition of Guayasamin is therefore not political per se but psychological per se and can appeal to anybody, whether they are right-wing, left-wing, capitalist or communist." "I am happy to see that the collection of Guayasamin is accepted by the audience in Korea," he added. Chief of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Mission Johnny Reinoso-Vasquez poses before first and second pieces of "The Scream," a three series of paintings by Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin, at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Eunpyeong-gu, northern Seoul, Jan. 6. "The Scream" (1983) is a representative artwork from the "The Age of Anger," the second of Guayasamin's three main phases. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk When Trump gave the go-ahead for his mob to storm the Capitol last week, it manifested more as a media event than an organized political coup. As Trump loses power, his followers doubtless will fight harder for relevance and airtime. On this weeks Kicker, Davey Alba, a New York Times technology reporter covering online disinformation and its global harms, and Alexander Reid Ross, a doctoral fellow at the Center for Analysis of the Radical Right and an adjunct professor at Portland State University, join Kyle Pope, editor and publisher of CJR, to discuss what journalists should look for online as Trump leaves office. SHOW NOTES The insurrection and the press, Kyle Pope, CJR How the press can hold Trumps enablersand itselfto account, Jon Allsop, CJR Sign up for CJR 's daily email Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Amanda Darrach is a contributor to CJR and a visiting scholar at the University of St Andrews School of International Relations. Follow her on Twitter @thedarrach. MALTA Sharon Pineo, the Round Lake resident who was involved in Wednesday's siege on the U.S. Capitol, has resigned as a member of the Malta Zoning Board of Appeals. Malta Supervisor Darren OConnor said that she stepped down in a brief letter to him, submitted on Monday afternoon. I tender this resignation with regret but believe that in these challenging times, it is important not to allow any impediment to the smooth operation of the town business, Pineo wrote in the letter provided to the Times Union. It has been my honor to serve on the board. I thank you and former Supervisor (Vincent) DeLucia for the opportunity. Pineo, who has been on the zoning board of appeals since 2018, did not mention anything about her involvement in last Wednesday's riot when hundreds stormed the U.S. Capitol while Congress was meeting to certify the 2020 Electoral College. While a photo shared on social media shows her being led from the Capitol by police officers with her hands behind her back, there has been no evidence Pineo has been criminally charged. An officer who answered the phone at the U.S. Capitol Police on Monday said its an ongoing investigation and could not provide further information. No one answered the phone at the U.S. Attorneys office in Washington when the Times Union called. Pineo helped organize a chartered bus trip to the March on Congress, details of which she put in a post on the Upstate Conservative Coalition Facebook page. It read, in part, My fellow conservative patriotsour President asks that we, the people assemble at the Capital to declare to Congress that we do not support a stolen election. She went onto say she was coordinating the bus trip/caravan from our area in answer to our Presidents call. That afternoon, hundreds carrying flags in support of President Donald J. Trump besieged the Capitol, with some forcing their way past police in riot gear, as well as breaking doors and windows. Rioters were pictured with confederate flags inside the Capitol building, and gallows were constructed nearby with a hanging noose. Five people have died in connection with the siege, including a rioter who was shot and a Capitol police officer who was struck in the head with a heavy object. Another Capitol police officer who responded to the incursion took his own life on Saturday. Calls for Pineo to resign surfaced this past weekend after photos of her on the Capitol steps circulated on social media. The Times Union reached out to Pineo on Sunday and Monday, but Pineo did not return emails or phone calls. In addition to her role on the zoning board of appeals, Pineo ran for village trustee in Round Lake in 2018. Last year, she made an unsuccessful attempt to win the GOP endorsement to run against state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner for the 113th assembly district. 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. Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against lawyer Sidney Powell on Friday, seeking at least $1.3 billion for Powells wild accusations that the company rigged the presidential election for Joe Biden. Dominion brings this action to set the record straight, the company said in the suit filed in federal court in Washington. Powell has for weeks claimed without evidence that the election technology vendor, whose vote-counting equipment was used in several states, was part of a scheme to steal the election from President Donald Trump. Powell has been representing Trump in a series of unsuccessful lawsuits filed to contest the election outcome. She has claimed that the company was created in Venezuela to rig elections for the late leader Hugo Chavez and that it has the ability to switch votes. There was no widespread fraud in the election, which a range of election officials across the country including Trumps former attorney general, William Barr, have confirmed. Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, key battleground states crucial to Bidens victory, also vouched for the integrity of the elections in their states. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies have been dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, which includes three Trump-nominated justices. The company said there there are mountains of direct evidence that conclusively disprove Powells vote manipulation claims against Dominion namely, the millions of paper ballots that were audited and recounted by bipartisan officials and volunteers in Georgia and other swing states, which confirmed that Dominion accurately counted votes on paper ballots. Dominion said that when it formally told Powell her claims were false and asked her to retract them, she doubled down, using her Twitter account with more than 1 million followers to amplify the claims. Eric Coomer, Dominions security director, already has sued Powell, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and the presidents campaign for defamation after he was driven into hiding by death threats. Conservative columnists and news outlets also were named in Coomers lawsuit, filed in Colorado, where the company is based. Powell did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates airline has successfully executed a cargo charter to transport the Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 from Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil to Chennai, India. This is the first time that Emirates SkyCargo has transported a space satellite from South America, reported Emirates news agency Wam. Amazonia-1 is the first satellite to have been developed completely in Brazil by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazils apex body dedicated for space research and exploration. The satellite took eight years to be developed and once launched into space, will help monitor the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, the worlds largest tropical rainforest. The satellite is due to be sent to space in February 2021 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the East coast of India. Emirates SkyCargo had to undertake extensive preparations for this charter flight to ensure the safe and secure transport of the satellite. The air cargo carrier had to apply for special permission to operate a Boeing 777 freighter from Sao Jose dos Campos airport to uplift the satellite. Emirates SkyCargo together with the INPE, the airport and local partners conducted two comprehensive simulation sessions ahead of the transport date to be able to transport the sensitive cargo safely from the airport. During the transportation process, the Amazonia-1 satellite was dismantled into multiple components to facilitate easy loading and unloading from the aircraft. The satellite components were packed inside large containers to avoid any damage during the transport. Overall, the total cargo weighed around 22 tonnes. Four members of the team from INPE also travelled with the satellite to continuously monitor the status of the cargo during the flight from Sao Jose dos Campos to Dubai and then onwards to Chennai, India. Emirates SkyCargo has expertise in transporting satellites and other cargo developed for space technology. In 2018, the carrier transported Khalifasat, the first satellite developed completely by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre from Dubai to Seoul. In Brazil, Emirates SkyCargo operates scheduled cargo flights to Sao Paulo and Viracopos airports, allowing exporters and importers from the country to connect with their global customers. [January 11, 2021] CES 2021: Kingston Previews New NVMe SSD Lineup Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced its upcoming NVMe SSD roadmap at the all-digital CES (News - Alert) 2021. Although we adopt a new format this year, Kingston will bring its industry-leading SSDs to the forefront for attendees to experience virtually. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005165/en/ Left to Right: XS2000, Ghost Tree, NV1 (Photo: Business Wire) Kingston is poised to continue its SSD market leadership position with both new client and data center U.2 NVMe drives this year. The new offerings include its first PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 SSDs as well as an external USB 3.2 SSD: Ghost Tree : Our upcoming High-Performance Gen 4.0 drive is perfect for the content creator and power user. Codenamed "Ghost Tree," Kingston is targeting speeds of 7000MB/s read and write , stretching PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 8-channel to the limit with capacities ranging from 1TB-4TB. Our upcoming High-Performance is perfect for the content creator and power user. Codenamed "Ghost Tree," Kingston is targeting speeds of , stretching to the limit with capacities ranging from 1TB-4TB. NV Series : The latest Gen 3.0 x4 SSD is the ideal entry-level drive for first-time NVMe users with capacities up to 2TB. : The latest Gen 3.0 x4 SSD is the ideal entry-level drive for first-time NVMe users with capacities up to 2TB. XS2000 : Kingston's all-new USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2 external drive with 500GB - 2TB capacities is perfect as additional storage for photos, videos and other files. The USB Type-C 1 interface allows for super-fast data transfers up to 2000MB/s. : Kingston's all-new USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2 with 500GB - 2TB capacities is perfect as additional storage for photos, videos and other files. The USB Type-C interface allows for super-fast data transfers up to 2000MB/s. DC1500M : The Data Center 1500M is an update to the DC1000M adding support for multi-namespaces. The U.2 NVMe SSD is designed to support a wide range of data-intensive workloads including cloud computing, web hosting and virtual infrastructures. "Now that CES is moving online, we have a greater opportunity to connect with new and existing tech communities around the world," said Louis Kaneshiro, director of the SSD product engineering division, Kingston. "CES is the best time to share what's next from Kingston and we are very excited to launch our first Gen 4.0 NVMe SSDs as well as an external drive this year. When it comes to NVMe, we will have all customer segments covered from consumers to prosumers to data centers." Members of the media are encouraged to email pr@kingston.com to schedule a meeting. For more information visit kingston.com. 1 USB Type-C and USB-C are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. Kingston can be found on: YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kingston Is With You About Kingston Technology Company, Inc. From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver the solutions used to live, work and play. The world's largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com. Editor's Note: For additional information, evaluation units or executive interviews, please contact David Leong, Kingston Technology Company, Inc. 17600 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, CA (News - Alert) USA 92708, 714-438-1817 (Voice). Press images can be found in Kingston's press room here. Kingston and the Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. IronKey (News - Alert) is a registered trademark of Kingston Digital, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005165/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] WASHINGTON - As expected, the Supreme Court refused Monday to fast-track a batch of challenges to the presidential election filed by President Donald Trump and his allies. The rejections came without comment or noted dissent, and were formal notifications of what already had become clear. Some of the petitions asking for the court to move quickly were filed in early December, and the court had not even called for responses from officials in the states where the results were challenged. President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in Jan. 20, and the cases presumably will become moot after that. Among the cases the court declined to expedite were Trump v. Biden and Trump v. Boockvar, which challenged the results in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, respectively. Other cases filed by Trump allies objected to the outcomes in Michigan and Georgia. The Supreme Court has uniformly rejected challenges to the election results. On Dec. 11, it dismissed a bid by Trump and the state of Texas to overturn the results in those four battleground states won by Biden, blocking the president's legal path to reverse his reelection loss. The court's unsigned order was short, and it denied Texas's request to sue the states over how they conducted their elections. Texas has not shown it has a legal interest "in the manner in which another state conducts its elections," the order said. It dismissed all pending motions about the case. While Chief Justice John Roberts has drawn the ire of the right for the rejection, no justice on the court said they would have granted Texas the remedy it sought, which was to disallow the electors certified by the states. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said they did not think the court had the authority to simply reject a state's filing and not consider the issue, but both said they were not prepared to grant the relief Texas sought. Earlier that week, the court without noted dissent had rejected a similar request from Republicans in Pennsylvania. Conservatives hold a 6-3 majority on the court, and Trump has nominated three of the justices. He said after the decisions that the Supreme Court "really let us down," and has expanded his criticism of the justices since then. The court has taken no action on whether to take up a case from Pennsylvania concerning the ability of state courts and officials to alter voting procedures put in place by the state legislature. It concerns increasing the time for the state to count mail-in ballots, but the number of those votes is too small to affect the outcome of the results there. The court also decided not to take up a request from Texas Democrats who wanted to force the state to offer universal mail-in voting to everyone, not just older residents. The party argued that the state's restrictions violated the 26th Amendment, which extended the vote to 18-year-olds and says the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age." The Supreme Court had refused to make the state offer mail-in voting to all during the campaign, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit rejected the 26th Amendment claim. It said Texas was within its rights because its decision did not make it more difficult for anyone to vote than it has previously been. A district judge had agreed with the Democrats, saying that if the state was making it easier for those over 65 to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic, it should offer the option to everyone. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed sorrow and grief over the death of famous poet Naseer Turabi. In a condolence message here on Monday, the CM extended sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. Australia's acting prime minister has referred to the storming of the US Capitol by rioting Trump fans that killed five people as merely 'unfortunate'. Michael McCormack failed to condemn the extraordinary violence in Washington DC and instead likened them to the Black Lives Matter protests in remarks made on Monday. Outgoing US President Donald Trump is facing calls to resign amid accusations he incited the mob at a rally minutes before the crowd marched on the Capitol. Mr McCormack made the controversial comments just hours after taking over from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is on holiday for a week. Michael McCormack failed to condemn the extraordinary violence in Washington DC (pictured) on Thursday and instead likened the mob to Black Lives Matter protesters Asked if Mr Trump helped incite the riot, Mr McCormack said the president's social media comments were 'unfortunate', as was his refusal to accept the outcome of the US election. But although he was hesitant to call out the shocking incident which was labelled an act of insurrection by some American lawmakers, he was quick to lash out at Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for banning President Trump from their platforms. The US president was removed from the three social media sites, among many others, after posting messages the technology giants said could encourage violence. The acting prime minister (pictured) has referred to the storming of the US Capitol by rioting Trump fans that killed five people as merely 'unfortunate' Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol in Washington DC on January 6, 2021 'I don't believe in that sort of censorship,' McCormack told ABC radio on Monday. 'There's been a lot of people who have said and done a lot of things on Twitter previously that haven't received that sort of condemnation or indeed censorship.' The deputy PM compared the the riot at the Capitol Building to Black Lives Matter protests last year and said it should not be up to Big Tech to decide whose voices were heard. 'It is unfortunate that we have seen the events at Capitol Hill, that we've seen in recent days similar to those race riots that we saw around the country last year,' he said. 'These are unfortunate events and of course many people don't remember how you rode the horse - they remember how you dismount the horse. And it is unfortunate that this has occurred. 'But as far as Donald Trump and his presidency is concerned, and the last few days of his administration, well, that's entirely a matter for the United States of America.' The protesters violently clashed with police in a bid to stop Joe Biden's election victory being certified The riot left dozens of police injured and cost five people their lives Riot police clear the hallway inside the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 in Washington, DC The acting prime minister also acknowledged social media companies were within their rights as private companies to close accounts if they see fit. His comments were in stark contrast with opposition leader Anthony Albanese who said it was 'about time' those who 'spread hatred and lies on social media' were de-platformed. 'We know where mistruths lead. We've seen it in the United States,' he said. 'This idea that you can say whatever you want, that there aren't any facts, that we're in a post-truth world, is extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous.' 'And the fact that we saw last week an attempted insurrection against democracy, which was encouraged, of course, by Donald Trump, is quite frankly shocking. 'These were armed people. Five people lost their lives. But it could have been much, much worse. There could have been, literally, just catastrophic consequences.' Liberal Party MP Craig Kelly, in the wake of the Capitol riots took to Facebook to claim it was a 'false flag' event carried out 'neo-Fascists and Marxists' to discredit Trump supporters. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said it's about time those who spread hatred and lies on social media are de-platformed (pictured with wife Carmel Tebbutt at the 2018 Mid Winter Ball) Liberal MP George Christensen (pictured) claims President Trump is being censored by 'left win media' an 'tech tyrants' Liberal MP George Christensen peddled misinformation being spread by supporters of Mr Trump after the US election was called for Joe Biden Meanwhile, Nationals MP George Christensen peddled misinformation being spread by supporters of Mr Trump after the US election was called for Joe Biden. He claimed Democrats 'cheated' and spouted that President Trump is being censored by 'left win media' an 'tech tyrants'. Mr Christensen said 'masks and lockdowns don't work' to control Covid outbreaks. Mr Albanese took aim at Mr McCormack and Prime Minister Scott Morrison for not condemning 'conspiracy theories' promoted by Coalition members. 'I just think the fact that, when Scott Morrison is asked about this, he responds by talking about freedom of speech and hasnt condemned Craig Kelly or George Christensen or any of the others who have promoted the conspiracy theories that these werent Donald Trump supporters, that they were infiltrated by outsiders and as part of some conspiracy,' he said with disgust. Australia's competition watchdog has called for clearer rules to determine what content is acceptable on social media. But Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, a senior member of the government's leadership team, ruled out censoring fellow party members. 'George Christensen will make decisions he is accountable for,' Mr Frydenberg told the ABC. 'He is a member of the coalition, he is a good local member for his constituency.' Mr Frydenberg said the prime minister spoke for the whole country and the government in expressing disgust about what happened at Congress in Washington DC, describing it as an attack on the beacon of democracy. 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 Medical testimony against UK gender clinic in court case released: 'Live experiment on children' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Medical testimony shared in recent U.K. court proceedings against a gender clinic in London regarding the prescribing of puberty-blocking drugs to gender-confused minors has been published. Attorneys for the Daily Mail argued in court Sunday that significant public interest exists in disclosing the evidence that doctors presented during the judicial review against the Tavistock and Portman NHS late last year after it had been previously prevented from being released. The case against the Tavistock clinic was brought by Keira Bell, a 23-year-old woman who has detransitioned after having identified as transgender during her teen years. Bell argued that she was not capable of understanding the long-term risks to her health, was making "brash" choices at the time, and the combination of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones likely sterilized her. Bell also underwent a double mastectomy, which she also came to regret. Christopher Gillberg, a child psychiatrist who testified during the judicial proceedings, likened prescribing hormonal agents to halt normal puberty in minors to a "live experiment" on vulnerable youth. "In my years as a physician, I cannot remember an issue of greater significance for the practice of medicine," he said. "We have left established evidence-based clinical practice and are using powerful life-altering medication for a vulnerable group of adolescents and children based upon a belief." Among the other things that were revealed during the hearing was that puberty blockers stunt bone and brain development, teen girls undergoing medicalized gender-transition are urged to pick sperm donors to fertilize their eggs and then freeze them, and clinicians are not warning patients how the experimental treatments put their fertility at risk. It was also presented that children on the autism spectrum are being led to believe on the internet that they are transgender and that youth who later regret transitioning wind up "locked" in a body that has been harmed. "[T]here was no other field of medicine where such radical interventions are offered to children with such a poor evidence base," said Stephen Levine, a clinical psychiatrist from Ohio who challenged the idea that the gender drugs were reversible. In his submission to the court, Levine also highlighted severe cardiovascular complications that come with the experimental hormones, such as substantial risks of heart attacks in females and deep-vein blood clots in males. The U.K. High Court held in its decision that medical professionals should not allow children ages 16 and 17 to go on puberty blockers without first seeking the consent of the courts and doctors who prescribe them to under-16s without court authorization will face a higher degree of scrutiny for clinical negligence. Baroness Nicholson, a member of House of Lords, voiced her disgust that young people were being treated in such a fashion. "Puberty blockers are ... a harrowing, physical destructive experiment on immature boys and girls. It closes normal development in favour of a painful life and a curtailed barren future the NHS should never have allowed such unresearched use of public money on irremediable surgery on healthy bodies," she said. Defenders of puberty blockers as a legitimate course of medical treatment, such as Tavistock Director Polly Carmichael, have insisted that delaying the pubertal processes with blockers gives patients more time "to think about their gender identity." Sophie Scott, a University College London professor, disputed the claim during her testimony, noting the harmful impact the drugs have on the brain. "I am concerned that the current treatment regime practiced by the Tavistock is exposing young people to significant risk of harm," she said. The ruling against the Tavistock clinic came after years of growing scrutiny as whistle blowers drew attention to internal practices within the Gender Identity Development Service. In a July 2019 open letter to Carmichael, Kirsty Entwistle, who until October 2018 had been a staff psychologist at GIDS in Leeds, expressed her concerns that clinicians were telling children and their families that puberty blockers were "fully reversible" when in fact the long-term impacts are unknown. A climate of fear existed within the clinic among staff who were troubled about internal protocols but did not voice their concerns for fear of being labeled transphobic, she explained. A disproportionate number of the children being treated at the clinic were suffering from a range of other mental health comorbidities and were living in poverty, she said. For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Aseries of unremarkable activities a train ride from the suburbs to the city, two visits to the supermarket, a brief stop at the newsagency triggered a national health emergency with a casual cleaner at its centre. How the cleaner, a woman in her 20s who works at a Brisbane CBD quarantine hotel and lives in the southern suburb of Algester, caught the highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19 remains under investigation. But confirmation she had that strain put all Australian governments on high alert last week and triggered a snap three-day lockdown for more than 2.3 million south-eastern Queenslanders, which ended at 6pm Monday. A worker tests a resident at a drivethrough COVID-19 test centre in Brisbane on Friday. Credit:Jono Searle/Getty Images It was the first time the UK strain had been detected in the community across the country, Queensland's first community-acquired infection in nearly four months, and it sparked a strong, immediate and "unprecedented" reaction. Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said she was not entirely surprised that the state's first hotel quarantine breach stemmed from the UK variant, given it was believed to be up to 70 per cent more contagious than the original COVID-19. The cleaner had been tested on Tuesday, December 29, as part of routine swabs done on hotel quarantine workers. She tested negative and worked a shift at the hotel on January 2. Advertisement Her partner, in quarantine himself since the day Dr Young alerted the public, has now also tested positive. Genomic sequencing is expected to confirm he was also infected with the UK variant. Wednesday, January 6 Days later, she was feeling unwell and got tested again. Late that night, her test came back positive. The diagnosis sparked a massive response from authorities who believed she had probably been infectious for at least five days, including January 2 when she worked a shift at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, one of Brisbane's quarantine hotels. The question of how she became infected is still a mystery, with police and Queensland Health investigating exactly what happened and reviewing if anything needs to change in the hotel quarantine system to prevent more outbreaks. That night, the cleaner and Queensland Health contact tracers worked into the early hours to pull together a list of places she had been over the days leading up to her positive result. Advertisement Dr Young praised the woman for her efforts in working with contact tracers to make sure authorities had a full list of locations. Thursday, January 7 On Thursday morning, Dr Young stood up with a complete list of locations in hand Altandi train station to Roma Street, Central to Altandi station, two supermarkets in Sunnybank and Calamvale North, and a newsagent in Sunnybank Hills. Residents of Sunnybank Hills, Algester and Calamvale were urged to get tested and check if they had been in those areas. The Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane. Credit:Matt Dennien By Thursday evening, it was confirmed the cleaner had the UK variant and authorities were busy behind the scenes, firstly tracing the cleaner's close contacts, reviewing what had happened in the hotel quarantine protocols, and contemplating a snap lockdown. A returning traveller who was undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in the Hotel Grand Chancellor told Brisbane Times last week that those in quarantine had very little contact with any staff. Advertisement Geoff Crooks, who has been in quarantine with his wife since arriving from the United States on December 30, said the only real contact they have had with another person since had been during a COVID-19 test carried out by a nurse, with a police guard, in the doorway to their room. Mr Crooks said he was unsure how then the virus could be passed along "unless your food is contaminated or your bedding and towels [or another surface in the room]". "Thats the million-dollar question." Late on Thursday night, Dr Young called the federal Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, to discuss the new case. "We discussed this issue of the cleaner from the quarantined hotels. This is the very first time we've seen someone with this strain in the community in Australia," Professor Kelly said at a press conference on Friday, as he declared the Greater Brisbane area a national hotspot. Queensland's decision to go into lockdown was also praised by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who warned the UK strain could become the "dominant" variant internationally. Friday, January 8 Advertisement At 8am, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told more than 2.3 million greater Brisbane residents they had to enter lockdown from 6pm Friday, freezing everyone in place so contact tracers had time to find every person the cleaner had been near while infectious. "It is unprecedented, and it has to be done," she said. The media conference was barely concluded when panic buying began, thousands rushing to the shops and stripping shelves bare. An exodus north and south quickly became gridlock on the Bruce and M1 highways as people fled the lockdown. Shoppers packed local shopping centres in Brisbane after the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a three day lock down. Credit:Tertius Pickard Across Australia, the greater Brisbane area was declared a hotspot and new travel restrictions caught many travellers by surprise. By Friday, contact tracers had found 79 close contacts of the cleaner. Saturday, January 9 Advertisement Egyptian Navy forces Commander Vice Admiral Ahmed Khaled attended on Monday in Alexandria the ceremony to receive the countrys first-Egyptian manufactured Gowind-class design frigate, the Egyptian armed forces announced. According to the Egyptian army, the stealth-Frigate, named Port Said, is the first ship to be 100 percent manufactured in Egypt by the Alexandria Shipyard company in cooperation with Frances Naval Group. The frigate is capable of carrying out various combat actions and is also distinguished by an integrated combat monitoring system against ships, planes, and submarines, and all this has been reflected in the complexity and accuracy of the design and the quality standards required to be achieved in its manufacture The statement of the Egyptian army read. In a speech during the ceremony, Vice Admiral Khaled asserted the support of the political leadership of the country to implement a full strategy to develop and to modernise the Egyptian navys forces in order to boost security and stability in Egyptian territorial economic waters Short link: United Arab Emirates raised pricing for February sales of its main crude grade after similar increases by Saudi Arabia, OPECs largest producer. Government-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. set Murban crude at a premium of 75 cents a barrel to the regional benchmark, according to a notice from the producer. Thats 25 cents more than in January. Abu Dhabi pumps almost all of the oil in OPEC member the UAE. OPEC and its allies agreed last week to keep production unchanged for most members as their coalition seeks to keep output restrained amid slack demand and coronavirus shutdowns. While Russia and Kazakhstan will be able to pump slightly more, their increases will be outweighed by a unilateral 1 million barrel-a-day Saudi cut in February and March. The planned Saudi production cut drove Brent crude to more than $55 a barrel last week, up 8% so far this year, Bloomberg reported. ADNOC raised February Upper Zakum crude by 5 cents a barrel to a 5-cent premium to Murban. It kept Umm Lulu crude unchanged at a 5-cent discount to Murban and left Das crude steady at a 35-cent discount. At some point in their lives, almost everyone has shoved one too many things into their closet and shut the door before they can all fall out. Thats the current condition of the facility that houses the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, according to squad leaders. When we know people are coming or were going to do something, we take everything and we have to shove it somewhere, rescue squad Capt. Gary Breuer said. Its kind of rough, in terms of being able to run an operation every day. But the rescue squad does not intend to be confined to a closet-like space much longer. The Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad is currently seeking donations for a $4 million effort to construct a new 16,000-square-foot facility on a 10.32-acre lot at 29 Royal Road in Flemington purchased by the squad in 2016. The department received planning board approval in 2017 to construct the facility. Costs for the building will solely come from donations and squad funds; no local property taxes will be used to fund the project. The rescue squad has been at its current location at 26 Route 12, just off the Flemington Circle, since 1956. Potentially the greatest predicament presented by its current facility, which stretches across roughly 1 acre of land, is the absence of storage space for its 14 vehicles, according to Breuer. David Giuliani, president of the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, opens the door to the tent, which houses rescue vehicles that are unable to fit in the main building.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media The problem was, in 1956 when they built the original building, the ambulances were all Cadillacs, Breuer explained. They were smaller vehicles. And with modern ambulances, which are cube vans, they are larger vehicles, and our rescue trucks are much larger than that. And they dont fit in all the bays; the bays arent deep enough, and they arent high enough. A tent meant to be temporarily placed at the department in 2010 for construction purposes has continued to store vehicles for the past 11 years because the property is just too small, Breuer said. The lack of additional storage space really complicates things for squad members on call, he added. The tent houses rescue vehicles that are unable to fit in the main building.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media Theres times now if we need a certain vehicle under the tent, we have to pull two other vehicles out to get to that vehicle. We have the same problem where certain vehicles dont fit in certain bays, Breuer explained. The tent has really started being the overflow for the different trailers we have, for our water rescue truck, and for our second rescue truck. But theres only one door into the tent. So when you have to pull something out of the back of the tent, you have to pull the other vehicles out first. So its not a huge delay, but its certainly an inconvenience. Echoing Breuer, David Giuliani, the president of the Flemington-Raritan First Aid and Rescue Squad, said the organization and its approximately 90 members have outgrown their department. The way the municipalities are growing, the way the population is growing, and what we want to do for the community the only way to really do that is to move into a larger facility, Giuliani said. Beyond enabling the squad to retain all of its vehicles in one temperature-controlled building, the new facility is also designed to be ergonomically friendly for its members, according to Breuer. The paths were thought out so its a minimum amount of doors and minimum amount of hallways they have to get through to get to the apparatus and the bays, Breuer said. So hopefully if the funding can come through, this will be like night and day compared to what were dealing with now. Probationary EMT volunteer Greg Veneziale (left) and EMT Volunteer Alisha Giffen (right) looks through a training equipment bag at the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad. Because of the lack of space, the crew room is in the same area as the squad's rescue trucks.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media Moreover, while the current facility uses its training room to store vehicles, the new facility will have an expanded training room solely dedicated to classes, drills and squad meetings. You would never know from the outside, but when you actually look at the blueprint you can see that the crews that are on duty, answering calls, are on one side of that administrative wing, and the training room is the other half, Breuer noted. So there can be training going on and classes going on and it doesnt interfere with the day-to-day operations of the squad. The new facility also allots for dedicated bunk rooms, a vast improvement over the limited number of beds crammed into the squads former office. The current building for the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad has only one bunk room, but the proposed building will have individual bunk rooms for those volunteers on night shifts. The bunk rooms in the new building will be even closer to the rescue vehicles and ambulances, helping with response times.Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media The guys wind up sleeping on couches and everything in the day room upstairs because theres not enough space for people and no separate accommodations for male and female, Breuer said. During Hurricane Sandy, I slept on an air mattress on the bays next to the truck. Because we just didnt have space; and we had 15 people or so at the station standing by for the storm, and theres just no place to accommodate that. Adding that the facility also allots for a separate open area, Breuer expressed his hopes that the new amenities will attract more volunteers to the squad. If its not inconvenient, if they have a private, small bunk room where they can study, work on the computer, plus have an area where they have some privacy, people are going to be a lot more willing to hopefully dedicate their volunteer hours every month and spend the time at the station so we have more than just the crew thats on duty at the station, Breuer said. And it also gives us ... during storms and bad weather, the space to accommodate them. A supply room and laundry are located in an area that was formerly a kitchen. The proposed building will have a dedicated laundry area with commercial washing equipment, in an area close to the ambulance bays so contaminated clothing doesn't get brought through the facility. Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media The Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad has a mix of paid and volunteer members. The organization services Flemington Borough and Raritan Township, as well as a portion of Delaware Township and surrounding communities. In 2020, the squad received a total of 2,722 calls to respond to roughly 430 fewer emergencies than they did in 2019, for which the call volume amounted to 3,153. In attributing the fall in emergencies to individuals fear of going to hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, Breuer nonetheless said members put in a lot more work this year than I think they have in years past. Even though the call volume might have decreased slightly from before, the nature of the calls and the seriousness of the calls probably doubled (because) people were much sicker, Breuer explained. It also completely changed the way we did business. In 2019, after a call you would get back to the station, wed do the normal cleaning of the ambulance, cleaning of the supplies and put the ambulance back in service. Now, with all the COVID precautions and decontamination after a call and personal protective equipment the guys are wearing, theres a lot more involved in terms of getting the ambulances back in service. The squad receives minimal funding from municipalities, and mostly utilizes its annual fund drive to offset payroll and per diem costs. For these reasons, the organization has only hit roughly 30% of its fundraising goal, and continues to seek corporations or individuals that want to be a part of our team, according to Giuliani. Lisa Stein, capital campaign fund chair, and David Giuliani, president of the squad, stand in the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad. Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media What weve been doing right now is basically going out and asking the public for assistance, hoping to get some big ticket folks around town that would want to help us support this project, Giuliani said. Anybody who wants to step up and really contribute big to our project, if it means putting a name or something on our building I have no problem with that. In response to whether or not the squad hopes to meet its funding by a certain date, Giuliani responded as soon as we can. Every year that we delay, building costs go up, Giuliani said. Things go up ... and that then takes our end number and continues to grow that. So we really want to keep this moving. Nonetheless, even prior to the actual construction of the facility, Giuliani already has plans in mind not for what it will be, but what can become. Ive been at the squad now 21 years, and weve always had a pretty deep-seated community involvement here ... It just makes logical sense that this building would not only be the building for our squad and the squad members; it would also be a building that residents and community people could possibly use down the road if we have space to offer classes and let the community know were here to help out, Giuliani said. Equipment is in rolling storage, but the new facility will have proper storage and room to move around. Amanda Brown| For NJ Advance Media In underscoring the significance of the new facility, Breuer also reflected upon his time as a member 35 years in total and emphasized his desire to further embed the organization in the Hunterdon community. When I joined 35 years ago, we were running about 1,000 calls a year. Now, were running about 3,000 calls a year. And theres no sign that its ever going to change; its just going to increase, Breuer said. So hopefully this new building gives us a secure facility ... that is more conducive to what were doing. And hopefully the end run of all of that is that it helps to attract and retain our volunteers so we can help to serve the community and keep moving forward. We want to grow with our community, Giuliani echoed. We want to be able to do more things with training and offer a lot of different things for our community. But we just need the space to do it. To learn more about the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, individuals can visit its website. Those interested in making a donation towards the rescue squads new facility can email David Giuliani at dave.giuliani@frfars.org. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Two Cambridge scientists will make millions of pounds after the cancer specialist they founded was sold to French drugs giant Sanofi for 815m. Kymab, set up by Professor Allan Bradley and Dr Glenn Friedrich in 2010, is a spin-out from the Wellcome Trust's Sanger Institute. The company has agreed to be taken over by Sanofi. Shareholders will receive an upfront payment of 815m and potential further instalments worth 260m depending on whether targets are hit. Windfall: Sanofi will gain the rights to Kymab's KY1005 drug, an antibody therapy viewed as having the potential to treat a wide range of disorders and immune-related diseases It means Bradley stands to get about 14m for his 1.7 per cent stake and Friedrich about 4m for his 0.5 per cent, according to records on Companies House. Filings show the Wellcome Trust also owns about 21.4 per cent and will get 175m. Sanofi will gain the rights to Kymab's KY1005 drug, an antibody therapy viewed as having the potential to treat a wide range of inflammatory disorders and immune-related diseases. It is still being tested in clinical trials. Paul Hudson, Sanofi's boss, said: 'The Kymab acquisition adds KY1005 to our dynamic pipeline, a potential first-in-class treatment for a range of immune and inflammatory diseases.' The deal is also a major boost to investors in Neil Woodford's former Patient Capital investment trust, now known as Schroder UK Public Private (SUPP). It is set to receive about 65m from the sale of cancer specialist Kymab. However it said 5m of this could be subject to clawback or delayed payment. SUPP said it could receive as much as 20m more from the milestone payments as well. The deal is expected to complete in the second half of this year. A spokesman for Bradley and Friedrich declined to comment. Reaping the whirlwind By Greg Strange Lets start with the obligatory condemnation of the storming of the Capitol by presumed Trump supporters. Okay? U-u-m-m-m . . . Actually, no. Scratch that. Lets start instead with this: You reap what you sow. They have sown the wind and they shall reap the whirlwind. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson asked a very pointed question the other night: Why would anyone believe that political violence would be confined indefinitely to only one side? Why would anyone believe that if one side used it so effectively without any significant consequences, the other side wouldnt inevitably succumb to the temptation? We all know that 99 percent of all political violence in this country comes from the left. They literally get away with murder. Weve just been through a year of unbelievable political violence from terrorist groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa, whose avowed goals are the overthrowing of America and the implementation of Marxism. And we have seen how Democrats all over the country excused it, rationalized it, did nothing to stop it and, in fact, implicitly encouraged it. The fuel for the endless riots of the summer was the despicable lie of systemic racism and the Democrats, along with some Republicans, gratuitously promoted that at every turn. In reality, systemic racism was effectively dismantled decades ago, but the Democrat Party in its unmitigated depravity uses the unconscionable lie that it still exists in any significant form in order to keep blacks from straying to the other party. The result was that while we were imprisoned by COVID-19, we all had to sit and watch the burning and the looting and the destruction and the violence and the mayhem in American cities from coast to coast, all because of the Democrats grand lie of systemic racism and all without so much as a flicker of conscience or regret for what they had wrought. Damn them to hell! So, I wont be wringing my hands over the fact that the frustration level of a tiny handful of presumed Trump supporters at an otherwise huge and peaceful protest led to the breaching of the Capitol building. After what theyve wrought, almost every person wielding power inside that building deserves to live in fear of political violence. They are reaping the whirlwind. Every moment of every Democrat politicians day is spent in diabolical scheming to destroy America as we know it. Their appetite for destruction of the good is insatiable. Their depravity and foolishness know no bounds. Weve seen it all played out in front of our very eyes this past year like never before. If the rogues gallery of people like AOC and Chuck Schumer and Maxine Waters, along with many swamp Republicans, now have to live in fear of political violence themselves, then poetic justice has never been so sweet. If they have to barricade themselves inside those sacred halls to feel physically safe Gee, wheres my violin? Dont misunderstand. That doesnt mean that political violence now coming from the right is okay or that its acceptable. It just means that at some point, given human nature, it was inevitable and its impossible to feel sympathy for those whose abject cravenness so obviously helped bring it about. And it wasnt just a consequence of frustration over a possibly stolen election, as bad as that is. It was undoubtedly frustration that was built up due to decades of failure on the part of the Republican Party to defend or fight for conservative values while the other party methodically dismantled American values. (By the way, we dont know for sure if the election was actually stolen, but the statistical anomalies and improbabilities were enough to choke an elephant no pun intended and deserving of serious investigation. In addition, we know, unequivocally, that state election laws were flagrantly ignored and/or violated in order to garner more Democrat votes. So how come no courts ruled in Trumps favor? Besides ideology, after what they saw the left do to the country for months on end, and given the implied threat to do far worse if Trump won re-election, the obvious answer is fear. Thats how powerful leftist terrorism is.) Of course, now the left is using this one unique act by presumed Trump supporters in a totalitarian bid to clamp down hard on the right. The tech tyrants are all in to try and silence Trump and his supporters by banning them from their platforms. Crazy talk of impeaching Trump during his last days in office, and crazy talk of invoking the 25th Amendment in order to remove Trump, again, only days before he leaves office, is making the rounds among people who inhabit those sacred halls of Congress. After all the endless lies and the orchestrated coup attempts against Trump which began even before he was inaugurated, after all the endless riots, violence and destruction based on leftist lies; after all the COVID-19 tyranny which deprived so much liberty, destroyed so many livelihoods and wreaked so much psychological havoc upon the nation . . . After all that, the left, along with useless virtue-signaling RINOs, have the unmitigated temerity to declare that Trump is a danger to the country because of the incident at the Capitol. And now we are to be led by an unaccomplished, cognitively impaired geezer who epitomizes long-term swamp corruption? Can this really be happening? Is America really replacing Trump and his boundless vitality with this . . . this . . . shell of a creature who has absolutely nothing going on and couldnt draw flies on the campaign trail? And with a nasty little race-baiting Marxist waiting in the wings to take over? We are living in a national psychosis, the likes of which has never been seen before. Politics, as well as human nature, has always been nasty, but this This is off-the-charts, bat guano crazy. This is of biblical proportions. Where do we go from here? As I see it, there are three basic possibilities for the future of the country. 1.) We just passively go along with whatever the totalitarian left dictates and end up in a Marxist dystopian nightmare. 2.) Violent civil war in opposition to the totalitarian left. 3.) The de facto establishment of sanctuary states as opposed to outright secession in which decent, rational people can live in relative freedom and avoid the inevitable destruction that is always the end result of unfettered leftism. Number three is obviously the best of these options, but who knows if its a viable possibility given the current level of insanity. The left has sown the wind for more than fifty years. Now the whirlwind rages all around us. Greg Strange can be reached at gpstrange30341@yahoo.com. (c) 2021 Greg Strange. Home [January 11, 2021] Covid-19 Propels Amazon to Top U.S. Grocery Retailer for the 2021 dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index dunnhumby, the global leader in customer data science, today released the fourth annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI), a comprehensive, nationwide study that examines the approximately $1 trillion U.S. grocery market. In a year dominated by Covid-19, Amazon eclipsed last year's winner H-E-B and runner up Trader Joe's to take the top spot. Due to strong Covid-driven momentum, Target (News - Alert) broke into the First Quartile of the RPI for the first time, jumping six places to move out of the Second Quartile, a spot they occupied the previous three years. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005351/en/ Based on a survey of more than 10,000 U.S. consumers, these U.S. food retailers ranked highest in the 2021 dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index+ for grocery. (Graphic: Business Wire) Of the 56 retailers included in the survey, the retailers in the First Quartile with the highest overall customer preference index scores are: 1) Amazon, 2) H-E-B, 3) Trader Joe's, 4) Wegman's, 5) Aldi, 6) Market Basket, 7) Sam's Club, 8) Costco, 9) Publix, 10) Target, 11) Fresh Thyme, 12) ShopRite, 13) Sprouts Farmers Market, and 14) Walmart. "Covid has led to record highs and lows in economic metrics, along with huge shifts in where and how consumers shop food retail, changing the competitive trajectories of retailers who were winning and those who were struggling before the pandemic. As a result, we viewed 2020 through a different lens than we've viewed the grocery industry in previous years," said Grant Steadman, President of North America for dunnhumby. "Amazon accelerated past every other retailer on our Covid Momentum (News - Alert) Metric and customer safety ratings, due to its speed to shop and virtual store format. As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, we should expect value pereption to come back strongly. Beyond Covid, retailers with Customer First strategies will best adapt to changing behaviors and deliver what matters most to their customers." The overall RPI ranking evaluates retailer performance on seven drivers of customer preference: Price, Quality, Digital, Operations, Convenience, Discounts, Rewards & Information and Speed. The retailers who focus their business on superior value perception or "Value Core" - defined by the strongest combination of Price and Quality - tend to have the most financial success and the strongest emotional bond with customers. This year, dunnhumby added the Covid Momentum Metric to the calculation. This metric results from a statistical model that predicts how retailer execution on the same preference drivers' impact short-term financial success, namely market share gains or losses during 2020. Key findings from the study: Speed is the common denominator for grocery retailers with superior Covid Momentum. Retailers who were well-positioned to deliver on Speed, Digital and Discounts, Rewards & Information tended to gain more market share, visit share and have higher year-over-year sales growth in 2020, even if they weren't as strong on Price and/or Quality. According to over 10,000 U.S. households surveyed, Speed was important for two reasons: 1) the pain point of slower shopping brought on by the safety measures retailers put in place during Covid; and 2) speed to shop being synonymous with safer to shop. Retailers who were well-positioned to deliver on Speed, Digital and Discounts, Rewards & Information tended to gain more market share, visit share and have higher year-over-year sales growth in 2020, even if they weren't as strong on Price and/or Quality. According to over 10,000 U.S. households surveyed, Speed was important for two reasons: 1) the pain point of slower shopping brought on by the safety measures retailers put in place during Covid; and 2) speed to shop being synonymous with safer to shop. Amazon's strengths in Speed and Digital propelled it to first place overall. The distance between Amazon and second place Target on Covid Momentum and Safety is much wider than the distance between second place and the rest of the pack. Amazon also occupies a clear Price-First position, ranking 11th on Price, ensuring a strong Value Core. The distance between Amazon and second place Target on Covid Momentum and Safety is much wider than the distance between second place and the rest of the pack. Amazon also occupies a clear Price-First position, ranking 11th on Price, ensuring a strong Value Core. Every Day Low Price (EDLP) retailers are more likely to be well-positioned for long-term success than Hi-Lo retailers, but Hi-Lo retailers saw momentum swing in their favor . Price volatility and relatively dramatic price increases brought on by supply chain disruptions and increased demand made "everyday low prices" a less reliable claim for customers, who perceived grocery prices to be 12% higher in 2020 versus 2019. Additionally, many of the most successful EDLP retailers like Market Basket have very large formats, which runs counter to the need for speed customers want during Covid, whereas many Hi-Lo banners like Fry's Foods are neighborhood grocery stores, with average to smaller footprints. . Price volatility and relatively dramatic price increases brought on by supply chain disruptions and increased demand made "everyday low prices" a less reliable claim for customers, who perceived grocery prices to be 12% higher in 2020 versus 2019. Additionally, many of the most successful EDLP retailers like Market Basket have very large formats, which runs counter to the need for speed customers want during Covid, whereas many Hi-Lo banners like Fry's Foods are neighborhood grocery stores, with average to smaller footprints. Digital became less important during Covid in driving long-term emotional bonds with customers. While sales of eCommerce tripled in 2020, for some customers it may have been purely transactional and not something they wanted to do or enjoyed doing. Only retailers delivering a positive Digital experience will retain them post-Covid. While sales of eCommerce tripled in 2020, for some customers it may have been purely transactional and not something they wanted to do or enjoyed doing. Only retailers delivering a positive Digital experience will retain them post-Covid. Execution on Price and Quality still matter for long-term success. Retailers who have a stronger overall Value Core (Quality and Price) have better overall long-term sales growth. Retailers who are above average on both Quality and Price have a five-year sales compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. On the other end of the spectrum, retailers who are below average on both Quality and Price have a CAGR of only 2.3%. The full RPI report can be downloaded at: https://customerfirst.dunnhumby.com/2021-retailer-preference-index-us-grocery-edition/. For additional content including interactive insights and industry perspectives on the newly launched Customer First Radio podcast, visit the dunnhumby Customer First Hub at: customerfirst.dunnhumby.com. Retailers included in the RPI that are interested in receiving their individual banner profiles can speak with their dunnhumby account executive or contact dunnhumby at: https://www.dunnhumby.com/contact/. About dunnhumby dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First. Our mission: to enable businesses to grow and reimagine themselves by becoming advocates and champions for their Customers. With deep heritage and expertise in retail - one of the world's most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data - dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First. The dunnhumby Customer Data Science Platform is our unique mix of technology, software and consulting, enabling businesses to increase revenue and profits by delivering exceptional experiences for their Customers - in-store, offline and online. dunnhumby employs over 2,500 experts in offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas working for transformative, iconic brands such as Tesco, Coca-Cola, Meijer, Procter & Gamble and Raley's. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005351/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology services consultancy Plative, announced today that it has appointed ex-Bluewolf COO, Paulo Kaiser, as the company's Chief Executive Officer. Plative's outgoing CEO Naushad Parpia will continue to serve the company in his new capacity as Chairman of the board of directors. Plative has had an amazing year having grown revenues over 50%, achieving Salesforce Gold Partner Status, and being recognized by Oracle NetSuite as a top-10 Alliance Partner in North America "Plative has had an amazing year having grown revenues over 50%, achieving Salesforce Gold Partner Status, and being recognized by Oracle NetSuite as a top-10 Alliance Partner in North America. Paulo has helped transform our organization in an advisory capacity over the last year, and, with his experience leading successful technology services providers, it is clear that he is uniquely positioned to successfully lead Plative well into the future," said Naushad Parpia. Kaiser is an innovative and accomplished executive, with a track record of scaling several successful, high-performing and fast-growing technology and services companies over the last 25 years. As part of the executive team at Bluewolf, he helped the company become a leader in the Salesforce consulting space during his tenure, where the company grew from 70 to over 1,000 employees and was eventually acquired by IBM. Prior to working at Bluewolf, Paulo held several leadership roles at Thomson Reuters, and also drove sales, development, product and operations at several software startups across a variety of industries, most recently serving as the President of Broker Genius. "Naushad and his team have successfully established an agile, client-focused, and employee-driven company centered on digital transformation and technology impact. I am humbled and exhilarated by the opportunity to help our clients achieve continued success, provide our employees with even more paths to grow their careers and to guide Plative into its next exciting phase," says Kaiser. Story continues As the CEO of Plative, Kaiser will be responsible for managing Plative's continued growth after the company's most successful year on record. Based at the company's headquarters in New York City, he will be tasked with leading the company's strategic direction and day-to-day operations globally. About Plative Plative is a digital innovation professional services firm based out of New York, NY with global offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Mumbai, and Manila. Plative is a Salesforce Gold partner, Oracle NetSuite Alliance Partner, and Amazon Web Services Consulting Network Partner. Plative's global team delivers managed services, implementation projects, and ongoing innovation to some of the world's most recognizable companies in the financial services, nonprofit, wholesale, distribution, and technology industries. Plative has been recognized as a "Fastest Growing Firm" by Consulting Magazine for the past two years, is an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Company honoree for 2019 and 2020, and has been recognized as a Best Place to Work for 2020. Learn more at www.plative.com Official Plative Logo (PRNewsfoto/Plative) Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plative-appoints-paulo-kaiser-as-ceo-301203638.html SOURCE Plative Inc Americans agree that we should judge others by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, and that should also apply to promotions and raises. Almost 85 percent of whites think their employer should strive for ethnic diversity, according to a new study. Other research estimates 98 percent of U.S. employers run diversity and inclusion programs to fight racism and discrimination. Most people say they really want our nation to live up to the founders promise of equal opportunity. But while we talk the talk, rarely do we walk the walk. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Ending racism would add trillions to US economy Jamillah Bowman Williams, who teaches law at Georgetown University, and sociologist Jonathan Cox from the University of Central Florida, surveyed 311 mostly white adults to understand their views on race, diversity and workplace decision-making. The professors hoped to square the circle of how racial disparities persist even while almost everyone denounces them. Study after study has shown that hiring managers routinely pass over applicants with ethnic-sounding names. Whites are twice as likely to get a job offer as an equally-qualified Black person. One study found that recommendations only helped Blacks if the referrer was white. Blacks and Latinos with a clean criminal record fare no better than, or are even less likely to be hired, than whites just released from prison, one study found. These are persistent, hard-to-explain facts. Even if a minority member gets a job, they have a very different experience in the position. One set of researchers visited five law firms and circulated the same memo with 22 deliberate errors to 60 partners. Half were told the author was Black, while the rest were told he was white. The researchers asked the attorneys to rate the memo on a scale of 1 to 5. Those who received the white attorneys memo gave it an average score of 4.1. The partners who were told the author was Black gave it a 3.2. Despite so many clever studies demonstrating unconscious bias, many Americans insist they are color-blind. I cannot count the number of bosses who have said to me they dont care if someone is white, black, brown, yellow, red or blue; they just want the best person for the job. Our subconscious, though, makes that impossible. In most cases, the best person for the job turns out to be the white candidate even when the minority is demonstrably superior. Color always counts, especially when people claim it doesnt. Social scientists have found that while self-proclaimed color-blind people vociferously oppose racism, they also blame racial inequities on individual inadequacies. Somehow the non-white person never measures up. Researchers call this abstract liberalism. Individuals who frame their views of workplace diversity using abstract liberalism are more likely to believe Blacks are responsible for their own poor outcomes in the workplace and less likely to recommend a Black male job candidate for promotion as compared to those who acknowledge the existence of discrimination, Williams and Cox found in their survey. A Pew Research poll showed that about 54 percent of whites and 48 percent of Hispanics declare they are color-blind. On the other side are those who see color and acknowledge discrimination. People are more likely to support diversity programs when they acknowledge the existence of racism and discrimination that perpetuates unequal opportunity, the authors wrote. However, even when individuals both acknowledge racism and value diversity (e.g. saying diversity is an important goal), it does not necessarily mean they will act to take meaningful steps to include Black people in the workplace, they added. When given a scenario where a Black candidate clearly suffered racial discrimination, most whites said they would not do anything about it. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Texas executive tackles nationwide, systemic racism in asset management for SEC Acknowledging the existence of racism, particularly structural forms that impact spaces like the workplace, has become somewhat of a trendy thing to do, the paper reports. This trendiness allows whites in particular to reap the benefits of superficial recognition of racism and white advantage-they signal wokeness but can avoid any real responsibility for enacting changes. Williams and Cox acknowledge that this behavior is a completely subconscious process for some. But that is cold comfort to the people of color who suffer the consequences. U.S. corporations are spending tens of billions of dollars on diversity and inclusion programs to defeat workplace bias. But these programs show mixed results. The only action proven to work is integration; companies need more people of color in the workplace if they want to fight discrimination. Defeating generations of subconscious learning is difficult and necessarily uncomfortable. But most of all, it takes courage to call out racism when you see it, even when it works to your advantage. Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy. twitter.com/cltomlinson chris.tomlinson@chron.com Two Jewish restaurant owners in France have claimed at least one Deliveroo driver refused to deliver their food. The restaurant owners have filed a racism complaint against Deliveroo as a result of the courier's actions. Prosecutors in the eastern French city of Strasbourg have confirmed that an investigation has been launched. Two restaurant owners in Strasbourg, France, have filed racism complaints against Deliveroo after at least one of their couriers allegedly refused to deliver 'Israeli food' (stock image) A police source said that 'an investigation is underway to identify the suspects' after the complaints were filed last Thursday. Raphael Nisand, who is representing both restaurant owners, said: 'The owners recount basically the same scenario: They prepare an order and the courier asks, "What kind of food is this?" The owner says: "It's Israeli food". 'Then the courier says, "Oh no, I don't deliver to Jews" and cancels the delivery.' Nisand also said that he had filed complaints against the couriers as well as Deliveroo on behalf of the Israelite Consistory of the Bas-Rihn department. In a statement, their president Maurice Dahan said: 'The Bas-Rhin Israelite Consistory considers it unacceptable that deliverers working for Deliveroo openly practice anti-Semitic discrimination.' Deliveroo said they have reached out to both restaurant owners and have opened an internal inquiry. If the allegations are proven true then the company said they will fire any couriers involved (stock image) Responding to the allegations, Deliveroo said they have reached out to both restaurant owners. In a statement, the Britain-based company said: 'We are taking this incident very seriously and immediately opened an internal inquiry.' The company also said that if the allegations are confirmed that any couriers involved would be fired. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, lockdown restrictions have been put in place which have limited restaurants to only serving takeout meals delivered by couriers. MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundry today announced the successful completion of the first-in-human procedure with the Half Moon Medical transcatheter mitral repair technology (TMVr) at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) as part of an FDA-approved early feasibility study. The first patient treated has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering as expected. The investigational Half Moon mitral valve repair device, developed through a unique partnership between Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) and The Foundry, is designed to restore function in a diseased mitral valve in patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR), a disease where blood leaks backwards within the heart due to the mitral valve's inability to close properly. "We are pleased to be able to offer our patients new options for heart valve repair as early as possible through studies such as this," said Firas Zahr, M.D., OHSU interventional cardiology director, who co-led the procedure. "Minimally invasive transcatheter heart valve repair can offer relief from mitral valve regurgitation without the need for traditional open-heart surgery," said Howard Song, M.D., Ph.D., OHSU cardiothoracic surgery division chief, who co-led the procedure. Scott Chadderdon, M.D., OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute clinical trials director, also led echocardiography to guide the procedure. The Half Moon mitral valve repair device is unique from other mitral valve repair technologies in maintaining more natural physiologic functionality of the mitral valve. It is deployed using a transfemoral (through the leg) delivery catheter, which is navigated through the vasculature to the diseased native mitral valve. The device is fully repositionable and recoverable during deployment and preserves options for patients who may need re-intervention in the future. "This technology is a truly innovative solution designed to eliminate regurgitation by restoring physiologic coaptation of the native mitral valve," said Matt McLean, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Half Moon Medical, the sixteenth Foundry company, founded in 2017. "On behalf of the entire team at Half Moon, I would like to congratulate the team at OHSU on this incredible achievement." Mitral regurgitation is the most common heart valve disease in the US, affecting an estimated four million people. If left untreated, MR may lead to chronic heart failure, the leading cause of hospitalization in the U.S. and Europe. About The Foundry The Foundry was founded in 1998 to rapidly translate concepts into successful new medical device companies. In addition to inventing new technologies itself, The Foundry works closely with outside inventors with promising ideas. Over the past 22 years, The Foundry has formed over 22 new companies, including Evalve (Abbott- MitraClip) and Twelve (Medtronic- Intrepid) in the structural heart space. Other companies include Concentric Medical (acquired by Stryker), Emphasys (acquired by Pulmonx), Ardian (acquired by Medtronic), and incubator Forsight Labs, which has created several successful ophthalmic companies. The Foundry, LLC is located in Menlo Park, California. For more information, visit the company's website at www.thefoundry.com. Contacts: Katy Frame (610)-613-3549 [email protected] SOURCE The Foundry Related Links http://www.thefoundry.com Automobile insurance looks very different today than it did a generation ago. The means by which people (and goods) travel via motor vehicles continue to expand and evolve, as do businesses and their automobile insurance needs, especially in the gig economy and now with the current COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. No longer do individuals exclusively rely on traditional car rental companies for their temporary travel needs, as fleet-based services have grown exponentially, allowing for utilization of app-based technology to identify local vehicles for immediate use. In addition, peer-to-peer services have carved out an impressive piece of the automobile rental and delivery marketplace, allowing individuals to share their vehicles and receive remuneration. And, of course, anyone who hasnt been living under a rock for the last decade has seen the emergence of transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, which have substantially displaced traditional taxicab services in many localities. Even when taking a gander at automobile insurance needs of traditional, personal owners of motor vehicles, there is a growing trend toward dynamic based insurance pricing, where we can enjoy savings on our premiums by hitting certain driving metrics, such as avoiding traffic accidents and hard-breaking patterns. The surplus lines insurance market and evolving motor vehicle trends would appear, at first blush, to be a match made in heaven. Surplus lines insurance companies that are eligible to write insurance on a non-admitted, surplus lines basis are not subject to the insurance premium rate, policy form filing and approval standards of the states and, as such, enjoy substantial freedom to develop specialty insurance products to serve emerging marketplaces. But the laws governing automobile insurance, in many states, were developed decades before anyone could have foreseen todays diversity of motor vehicle products, and as a result, surplus lines insurers face substantial insurance regulatory hurdles to penetrate the automobile insurance marketplace. The Financial Responsibility Surplus Lines Barrier In order to get behind the wheel, we need some sort of protection in case something goes wrong. This is typically referred to as the financial responsibility requirement found in state motor vehicle codes. While some states actually allow a driver of a vehicle to satisfy this requirement through the posting of a bond or deposit of money or securities, financial responsibility is of course most often satisfied through the purchase of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy containing the minimum terms and limits as required under applicable state law. How the term motor vehicle liability insurance policy (or similar term under state law) is actually defined can blow up a well-intended surplus lines insurance program. For example, in New York, under N.Y. Veh. & Traf 345, the term is defined as an owners or an operators policy of liability insurance [containing the terms required for] proof of financial responsibility, and issued by an insurance carrier duly authorized to transact business in this state to or for the benefit of the person named therein as insured. (Emphasis added). The term authorized is generally interpreted under state law to refer to licensed, or admitted, insurance companies in the state, as opposed to surplus lines insurers that are generally characterized as unauthorized but nevertheless eligible to write certain lines of insurance on a surplus lines basis. Consequently, the majority of states contain in their motor vehicle statutes the implicit requirement that motor vehicle liability insurance policies be obtained from licensed insurance carriers rather than by unauthorized carriers doing business in the surplus lines market and over which insurance regulators in foreign states have limited jurisdiction. State Insurance Codes and Departmental Opinions Provide a Surplus Lines Path The fundamental tension that exists in determining whether surplus lines insurers can compete in the automobile space is created by the dichotomy between statutes promulgated under state automobile codes and insurance codes. In particular, in the vast majority of cases, it is the applicable states motor and traffic laws, rather than its insurance code, that requires automobile insurance be purchased by an authorized insurer. As a result, some states have promulgated statutes in their insurance codes or have otherwise rendered creative interpretive opinions to provide surplus lines insurers pathways for their insurance policies to satisfy motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements. For example, Georgias insurance code provides that [n]othing contained in this Code section shall be deemed to prohibit a nonadmitted insurer to provide the minimum liability coverage for its insurance motorists who are involved in motor vehicle accidents in this state and, to the extent that such coverage is provided, such policies or contracts shall be deemed to provide the minimum liability coverage required by this chapter. Ga. Code Ann. 33-4-3(a)(3). However, Georgias motor vehicle and traffic laws run counter to the states insurance code and generally require automobile financial responsibility requirements be satisfied only through an authorized insurer, see Ga. Code Ann. 40-9-37. Oregon is a state, by contrast, that provides greater flexibility for surplus lines insurers under the Oregon Vehicle Code, thus avoiding legislative conflict. Under Or. Rev. Stat. 806,280, [t]he Department of Transportation may not accept a certificate of insurance for purpose of future responsibility filings from an insurer that is not authorized to do business in Oregon unless the insurer is an eligible surplus lines insurer . (Emphasis added). At least one state, Arizona, has previously attempted to reconcile conflicting statutes through interpretive guidance. In particular, Arizona Attorney General Opinion No. 74-2-L (R-2) (December 19, 1974, the Arizona Opinion) held that surplus lines insurers can satisfy automobile financial responsibility requirements because Arizonas insurance laws expressly recognize that [i]nsurance contracts procured as surplus lines coverage are fully valid and enforceable as to all parties and shall be recognized in all matters in the same manner as like contracts issued by authorized insurers (see Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. 20-410). The Arizona Opinion thus concluded that Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. 20-410 impliedly amended the state automobile financial responsibility laws that required the issuance of an automobile certificate of insurance by an authorized insurer. The logic of the Arizona Opinion could provide a backdoor avenue for surplus lines insurers in other U.S. jurisdictions as many states have enacted statutes similar to Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. 20-410 recognizing surplus lines coverage to the same extent as insurance policies issued by authorized insurers. Nevertheless, both formal and informal guidance provided by a number of states indicate that many U.S. jurisdictions do not follow the logic of the Arizona Opinion. The surplus lines insurance market and evolving motor vehicle trends would appear, at first blush, to be a match made in heaven. For example, Nevada generally declines to follow the guidance of its neighbor and instead has said this year that surplus lines insurers are prohibited from offering first-dollar automobile liability insurance, although such unauthorized carriers can offer excess liability coverage if the financial responsibility layer is satisfied through the admitted market. Further complicating the matter is that, even if a state insurance department blesses the satisfaction of automobile financial responsibility requirements by a surplus lines insurer, it is often not the insurance department that has the authority to provide such blessing. Rather, it is often the applicable secretary of state or department of transportation that has the final say in the matter, which can further frustrate efforts to obtain consistent positions across the United States. Does a Surplus Lines Insurer Have Greater Flexibility for Commercial Automobile Insurance Coverage? Some states do expressly recognize the ability for surplus lines insurers to satisfy commercial automobile financial responsibility requirements. For example, in Oklahoma, under Article 6 of Chapter 7 of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Code, the term Owners policy is defined as a motor vehicle liability insurance policy which, among other things, shall be issued by an authorized insurer or in the case of a commercial automobile insurance policy may be issued by an unauthorized insurer . (Emphasis added). Similarly, in 2015, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) promulgated its model act to address the regulation of insurance requirements for TNCs, and in recent years, many states have followed suit by enacting legislation applicable to the financial responsibility requirements of drivers and owners of vehicles operated in connection with a TNC. In most cases, these statutes expressly allow for a driver to satisfy his or her auto financial responsibility requirements through the surplus lines market during the time when the driver is picking up or dropping off a customer. However, state TNC statutes do vary as to whether drivers that utilize application-based platforms to deliver goods or services (such as food) can satisfy their financial responsibility requirements through the surplus lines market. Nevertheless, other than the TNC statutes that have been promulgated in a handful of jurisdictions, most states do not differentiate between automobile financial responsibility requirements of individuals driving a motor vehicle in a personal versus a commercial capacity. In such cases, prohibitions on satisfaction of financial responsibility requirements by surplus lines insurers would ordinarily apply to the commercial automobile insurance market as well. Even in states where flexibility exists for commercial auto insurance products, it is not always clear when an automobile insurance product is commercial in nature. For example, an insurance policy provided to a driver of a fleet-owned vehicle may be considered a hybrid auto insurance policy providing both personal use insurance coverage for the driver as well as commercial insurance coverage for the commercial fleet company. With respect to peer-to-peer car sharing programs, while NCOIL adopted its Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Program Model Act in February 2020, such act only expressly requires that insurance be in place satisfying the states minimum levels of financial responsibility and that the insurance may be procured by the shared vehicle owner, driver or peer-to-peer car sharing program. However, the act does not expressly indicate that surplus lines insurers can provide such insurance coverage. While surplus lines insurers face considerable regulatory hurdles to permissibly satisfy motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements, they have ample opportunities to penetrate the market in other ways. Practically speaking, states may be willing in the future to allow more forms of commercial automobile insurance coverage to be satisfied through the surplus lines markets. As an initial matter, the explosion of TNC legislation in recent years nearly uniformly invites surplus lines involvement, which may hint at a trend to separate commercial automobile insurance from the prohibition against surplus lines satisfaction of financial responsibility requirements in general. Absent an exemption under applicable law (such as inclusion on a state surplus lines export list), insurance may only be placed with surplus lines insurers when a diligent search of the admitted market has been conducted by the surplus lines broker in advance, and many states contain residual market mechanisms which may be more inclined to cover personal lines insurance risks rather than commercial programs. What About Other Kinds of Motor Vehicle Insurance Coverage? While surplus lines insurers face considerable regulatory hurdles to permissibly satisfy motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements, they have ample opportunities to penetrate the market in other ways. For example, many states recognize the ability for a surplus lines insurer to write liability insurance coverage in excess of the financial responsibility layer. In New York, the Excess Lines Association of New York has stated that automobile liability insurance [c]an be written on an excess [surplus lines] basis but the primary coverage must be written by an admitted insurer or by a qualified self-insured retention. (September, 2017, the ELANY Compliance Advisor). Other kinds of motor vehicle insurance coverages, such as property insurance, hired and non-owned auto (HNOA), uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) are also more generally permissibly available through the surplus lines market. For example, the ELANY Compliance Advisor notes that [a]lso, garage liability, named non-owner, [and] physical damage . . . can be written on an excess [surplus] line basis. However, some states regulate these other forms of automobile insurance coverage under the same statutes and regulations that require the issuance of a motor vehicle insurance policy by an authorized insurer, and as such, it is important to investigate each states regulatory regime before concluding that a surplus lines insurer can permissibly expand its motor vehicle insurance offerings. It should also be noted that separate state and federal financial responsibility requirements apply to motor carriers that transport property (or in some instances, hazardous materials). As an initial matter, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that motor carriers maintain minimum levels of liability insurance, but allows such insurance to be procured from a surplus lines insurer that is licensed in at least one state. On the local level, a number of states maintain separate motor carrier financial responsibility laws, and there is unfortunately little consistency between the states as to whether surplus lines insurers can play a role in satisfaction thereof, thus requiring a state-by-state analysis for exporting insurance needs to the non-admitted market. Roads? Where Were Going, We May Not Need Roads, But We Need the Surplus Lines Market We may not yet have flying cars (one of only a few ways the Back to the Future franchise missed the mark), but that doesnt mean technology hasnt completely transformed the way we get around. The automobile industry looks completely different than it did a mere decade ago, and the demand for creative, innovative and tailored insurance products is soaring. Yet, the door remains shut in many states for surplus lines insurers to serve the motor vehicle insurance market, and for now, only licensed insurers hold the coveted key. With the expansion of TNC legislation allowing for surplus lines insurers to play in the financial responsibility motor vehicle space, it is time for legislatures to take a new, fresh look at their motor vehicle financial responsibility laws and regulations to help surplus lines insurers provide the insurance backstop that companies, motor vehicle owners and automobile drivers need for their cars to hit the road. Topics Auto Excess Surplus New Delhi, Jan 11 : In the wake of bird flu outbreak, a petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking direction to ensure that no birds are culled in and around Ghazipur poultry market, asserting that slaughter, without appropriate licenses and in absence of infrastructure mandated by law, makes it a hotspot for diseases. Avian influenza has been confirmed in several states in the country, including, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. In Delhi, the city government has banned import of live birds, set up a 24-hour helpline and closed Ghazipur poultry market for ten days. Animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi, through the petition, has sought a direction to Delhi Agricultural Marketing board to ensure that no birds are slaughtered in and around the Ghazipur Mandi. The matter will be taken by the court on Tuesday. "That slaughtering of birds in a livestock market without appropriate licenses and in absence of the infrastructure mandated by law makes it a hot spot for spread of diseases," the petitioner said. "The lack of hygiene is recorded and is evident in Ghazipur Murga Mandi making it a breeding ground for outbreak of a pandemic or susceptible to the current outbreak of avian influenza imposing severe danger to public health and safety." 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. In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months i.e. from September-October to February-March. Implementing 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 viruses. Australian federal ministers have criticised social media companies for suspending US President Donald Trumps accounts in a growing debate over censorship following last weeks mob violence at the United States Capitol. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he was "uncomfortable" with Twitter's decision to take down Mr Trump's account and acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack blasted the move as censorship of political speech when the company had not suspended other views on its site. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says Twitter has gone too far in removing Donald Trump from its platform. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen While both leaders condemned the violence in Washington, DC, Mr McCormack triggered an attack from Labor after he likened the events last Thursday to the Black Lives Matter protests of recent months. The comments signal the governments concern about the power of the social media companies to silence political speech, as Federal Parliament prepares to debate draft laws to take down abhorrent violent online material. [January 11, 2021] Emerging Markets Report: A Time to Grow An Emerging Markets News Commentary ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Democratic control of the Senate, House, and Presidency may not please a large part of a divided nation but Blue control of the government could bode well for psylocibin focused companies. The election of two democratic senators in Georgia, which gave the Democrats control of the Senate too, certainly sent the cannabis sector in an upward trend. Psilocybin stocks, which trail cannabis in decriminalization, have seen their first legalization efforts come to light in Oregon. Investors in the mushroom space are also optimistic about decriminalization in a Democratically controlled government. And while it is unlikely that investors of and executives of Cybin Inc. (NEO:CYBN) (OTCMKTS: CLXPF) (Cybin or the Company), a life sciences company focused on psychedelic pharmaceutical therapies leveraging molecules such as psilocybin, could have predicted this blue wave, they are indeed well-positioned to possibly benefit. Just this week the Company announced that it intends to expand the development of its therapeutics program to include, in addition to psilocybin, psychedeic compounds such as DMT, psilocybin analogues and a range of tryptamines. In addition, the Company intends to build a database of molecules and their chemically synthesized pathways for use in the pharmaceutical industry. The patent applications cross a wide array of treatments and biotechnology, giving Cybin a rapidly expanding portfolio to monetize. As it awaits the governments response to its patent applications, it can be reasonably argued that the soon to be seated American government could be friendlier to the Companys cause, making it truly a time to grow. The announcement today regarding the partnership with Kernel creates another first mover advantage moment for Cybin within the psychedelic sector. Cybin will now be able to quantify brain activity in real time during psychedelic clinical sessions, which up until now has been a major rate-limiting step in the progression of new molecules targeting neurological disorders. The Kernel technology surpasses previous methods of brain scanning technologies and is the first commercially-scalable time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) system which positions Cybin as the first psychedelic company in history to leverage this groundbreaking technology. Kernel, based in Los Angeles, CA, was founded in 2016 and has raised $104 million to date including investment from founder Bryan Johnson, General Catalyst and Khosla Ventures. Cybin aims to Build upon expanded development pipeline gained through the acquisition of Adelia Therapeutics and further positions Cybin as a leader in psychedelic drug development. About The Emerging Markets Report: The Emerging Markets Report is owned and operated by Emerging Markets Consulting (EMC), a syndicate of investor relations consultants representing years of experience. Our network consists of stockbrokers, investment bankers, fund managers, and institutions that actively seek opportunities in the micro and small-cap equity markets. For more informative reports such as this, please sign up at http://www.emergingmarketsllc.com/newsletter.php Must Read OTC Markets/SEC policy on stock promotion and investor protection https://www.otcmarkets.com/learn/policy-on-stock-promotion https://www.otcmarkets.com/learn/investor-protection https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2017-79 https://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-bulletins/ia_promotions.html Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below. We may purchase Securities of the Profiled Company prior to their securities becoming publicly traded, which we may later sell publicly before, during or after our dissemination of the Information, and make profits therefrom. EMC does not verify or endorse any medical claims for any of its client companies. EMC has been paid $15,000 by Cybin, Inc. for various marketing services including this report. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked-to from this editorial. http://emergingmarketsllc.com/disclaimer.php Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC Florida Office 390 North Orange Avenue Suite 2300 Orlando, FL 32801 E-mail: jamespainter@emergingmarketsllc.com Web: www.emergingmarketsllc.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Syria: ISIS strikes, killing 20 government soldiers - NGO 15 soldiers reported missing in desert for past two days (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 11 - A reported 20 Syrian government soldiers have been killed over the past 48 hours in clashes with ISIS insurgents in central Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitoring group said that fighting was registered west of the eastern region of Dayr az Zor. Meanwhile, according to the NGO, the Russian air force supporting Syrian government forces has intensified over the past few hours air raids against Syrian desert zones between Hama and Dayr az Zor where insurgents affiliated to ISIS are believed to be hiding. Last Saturday, seven pro-Iranian militants affiliated to loyalist forces were killed in separate clashes with ISIS insurgents south-east of Dayr az Zor, along the valley of the Euphrates. Since Friday, 15 government soldiers have been reported missing as they were travelling in central Syria, east of Hama, on a bus going to Raqqa. Local sources said that the 15 soldiers who went missing in the night between Friday and Saturday could have been captured by ISIS militants. Insurgents at the end of December killed 39 government soldiers along the same road between Hama and Raqqa in an attack against a convoy of buses.(ANSAmed). (ANSA). The US set a grim milestone Monday as the country recorded over 200,000 new Covid-19 cases for seven straight days, according to John Hopkins University. The nation has never hit this milestone before, JHU data shows. Over the last week, the US has tallied over 1.7 million total Covid-19 cases and over 20,000 deaths. On top of that, Covid-19 hospitalizations have surpassed 100,000 for the last 40 straight days and officials are trying to ramp up the pace of vaccinations across the country. 'We really need to get this vaccine out more quickly, because this is really our only tool,' Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, said on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' Experts have long said the best combined defense against surging cases includes preventative measures such as masks and social distancing -- as well as widespread vaccination. Nearly 9 million people have received their first doses of vaccine against coronavirus in the US and nearly 25.5 million doses of vaccine have been distributed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. 'We don't have a public health infrastructure for mass vaccination,' said Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. Many states are diverging from vaccine prioritization guidelines set by the CDC, according to a report issued Monday by the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation, which studies health care policy. 'On some level it's understandable and on some level, the more people that are getting vaccine, especially two doses of vaccine -- that's more people who then aren't going to transmit this virus, and we get a greater and greater level of herd immunity,' Offit said. As of Monday morning, 35.3% of doses distributed had been administered, compared with 30.2% on Friday. Health officials had hoped to get 20 million people vaccinated by the start of the new year, but the administration of vaccines has met with delays and roadblocks. 'We need to acknowledge that it's not working,' Gottlieb said Sunday of the vaccination plan. 'We need to hit the reset and adopt a new strategy in trying to get that out to patients.' Gottlieb's warning came just days after the US crossed a grim threshold for the first time -- reporting more than 4,000 new Covid-19 deaths in a single day on Thursday. Since the pandemic began, more than 376,000 people have died in the US and more than 22.6 million people have been infected, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More people, sites and online resources for vaccines As the surge ratchets up infection, hospitalization and fatality numbers across the country, officials are working to make it easier to access vaccinations. California Gov. Gavin Newsom promised Monday to have one million state health care workers, nursing home residents and staff vaccinated by week's end. This 'all hands on deck' push to get the vaccine to more vulnerable residents comes as the state continues to see an unrelenting surge of coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths. As of Monday, the state has received more than 2.9 million vaccine doses, but administered about 783,000 of them, amounting to just 27% given. The announcement came the same day California surpassed 30,000 Covid-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data. California is one of only three states to reach the milestone. In order to loosen the backlog, California plans to use Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Padres Stadium in San Diego and CalExpo in Sacramento as mass vaccination sites, and Newsom said more large-scale sites will be announced in the coming days. In New York, more vaccination sites have opened, including more 24/7 sites in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he's confident the city will reach its goal of administering 1 million doses by the end of January. On Monday, New York state expanded the people eligible for the vaccine to include those 75 and older, first responders, teachers and school workers, public-facing grocery store workers, transit workers and people living and working in homeless shelters. New Jersey will have a network of about 300 vaccination sites across the state to assist with its Covid-19 vaccination plan, state officials said at a news conference. 'Our objective and aspiration is 70% of the adult population in the state within six months, that's 4.7 million New Jerseyans,' said Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking at Rowan College at Gloucester County, one of six 'mega-site' vaccination locations. The Georgia Department of Public Health launched a Covid vaccine locator website in hopes of increasing access in the state that has administered the fewest vaccines per capita, according to the CDC Covid Data Tracker. The website will not allow for scheduling but will provide contact information for people to schedule vaccinations once available, according to a news release. The CDC updated its guidance Monday, saying there's no maximum time between a first and second coronavirus shot. 'You should get your second shot: for the Pfizer-BioNTech 3 weeks (or 21 days) after your first shot; for the Moderna 1 month (or 28 days) after your first shot,' the CDC said. 'You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 1-month interval as possible. However, there is no maximum interval between the first and second doses for either vaccine. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval. ' The World Health Organization said last week that people can wait for as long as six weeks between doses. However, Pfizer and Moderna say they don't have any data on how long people can wait between doses and still get good protection. A deadlier pace than 2020 More than 28,400 new Covid-19 deaths have been reported in just the first 11 days of 2021, according to data from Johns Hopkins. At this rate, more people could die from Covid-19 in January than in any other month of this pandemic. December had a record high of 77,431 deaths due to Covid-19. In hard-hit Arizona, the crisis will get worse, said Joe K. Gerald, associate professor at the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health. 'We should expect to set new records for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over the coming weeks. Policy action is urgently needed to mitigate the worst possible outcome,' Gerald wrote. He also expressed concern about 'the inevitable arrival of the more highly transmissible' strain of coronavirus that was first detected in the United Kingdom and has spread to at least 10 US states. As of Monday, there have been 72 cases of the new variant, including at least 32 in California, 22 in Florida, five in Minnesota, four in New York, three in Colorado, two in Connecticut, and one case each in Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Georgia. 'If it gathers a foothold, it will accelerate, lengthen, and deepen Arizona's outbreak,' Gerald said. On Monday, Arizona set a record with 4,997 people hospitalized for coronavirus-related reasons, according to the state's data dashboard. Before the winter, the state's record for hospitalizations was 3,517 on July 13, 2020. The state surpassed that record December 11 and the tally of patients has, with a few exceptions, risen every day since then. Arizona recently opened a 24/7 site to administer vaccines. The operation at the home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team is being overseen by the National Guard. Adjutant Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire said at a news conference more resources are needed to implement the idea across the state. Biden gets second shot President-elect Joe Biden received the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Monday at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. He received the first dose last month live on national television as part of an effort by his incoming administration to reassure the country of the vaccine's safety. The President-elect expressed his confidence in the vaccine and encouraged Americans to receive one as soon as it becomes available to them. The incoming administration is planning to 'carefully' ensure people get their second Covid-19 vaccine doses, according to Michael Osterholm, a member of Biden's Covid-19 advisory board and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. 'The incoming administration is planning very carefully to make sure that that second shot is delivered on time,' Osterholm said in a Washington Post Live event. Meanwhile, a new analysis found that states are increasingly abandoning guidelines from the CDC and taking their own approaches to giving people coronavirus vaccine. 'Overall, we find states are increasingly diverging from CDC guidance and from each other, suggesting that access to COVID-19 vaccines in these first months of the U.S. vaccine campaign may depend a great deal on where one lives,' the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation, which studies health care policy, said in a report. 'In addition, timelines vary significantly across states, regardless of priority group, resulting in a vaccine roll-out labyrinth across the country.' Congresswoman tests positive US Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, said Monday that she has tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from her office said Coleman 'believes she was exposed during protective isolation in the US Capitol building as a result of insurrectionist riots. As reported by multiple news outlets, a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks.' CNN has previously reported that six House Republicans were captured on video refusing masks offered by a colleague during the US Capitol insurrection. It's unclear whether Watson Coleman was in the safe location with those members. Any organisation, irrespective of how badly run or underperforming, can be transformed to perform optimally to the satisfaction of stakeholders. Every challenge can be overcome with the power of possibility, Dakuku writes, pointing readers in the direction of leading change with a different way of thinking in an era of increasingly rapid change. Memoirs by political personalities are suspect. They hide the details and give readers the trifles. The over-concentration on trivialities and the controversies they court often makes the time invested in reading them a waste. But a candid reflection on fright and forwardness that transformed a blighted agency of government in just four years, makes Dakuku Petersides memoir different. This is an account of the amazing turnaround of a once underperforming government agency. So steely and precise, sentence by sentence, Dakuku makes Strategic Turnaround: Story of a Government Agency, a pleasurable read. It is a rare thing to start a memoir with a revelation that gives one off as incompetent or unqualified. Yet, Dakuku showed gratitude with his appointment by acknowledging maritime as uncharted territory for him, before his arrival at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as the chief executive officer. As it turned out, hes a luminous, observant, self-aware writer, who prepared himself for the opportunity. In the middle of the year 2020, during a global pandemic, when everyone was looking for a turnaround, Dakuku sat down to write this book about what turnaround or change truly means in government agencies and institutions. In his own reign of four years, catalogued in this 300-page book, Dakuku espoused the kind of leadership needed for turning around a persistently low-performing government agency to one that is performing acceptably, as measured by its current agile and nimble management approach, a legacy he bequeathed. For this 13-chapter book, Dakukus focus is more on performance than politics. His narrative immediately suggests the persuasive power he displayed at negotiation tables as a member of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. I am joining your team as one of you and not as a master of the ship, he writes about the first statement he made at his inaugural meeting with NIMASA top management. As a country, Nigeria has a parade of reformers of its public sector like Nasir El-rufai, who transformed the capital, Abuja, when he was a superintendent of the city as its minister. There was Dora Akunyili, who changed the way pharmaceutical companies operated from selling dark alley products to what is safe for everyone to use. Nuhu Ribadu, Oby Ezekwesili, Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala, Akinwunmi Adesina, Ifueko Omoigui- Okauru all gained popularity for reform and innovation that transformed government or its agencies. Surprisingly, news about reform in government had taken the back seat for some time until Dakuku appeared at NIMASA. His reluctance to glory in any of his achievements has a particular texture to it. It is that of a brilliant technocrat with wise politics. The power he held never seemed to get to his head neither did the stress or burden. He finished strong. Within four years, NIMASA led the way in ensuring the country became the first in West and Central Africa to have a distinct anti-piracy law; Nigeria was also adjudged the number one for Port State Control in the region. The reputation of the Agency was restored. Nigeria also became the first country in Africa to have its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) approved and an Integrated National Surveillance and Waterways Protection Solution with Command-and-Control Infrastructure (DEEP BLUE PROJECT) was established. And this is to mention a few. There is, from the preface of the book, a clear message that Dakuku wants to deliver: Failure is not an option. As we know, failure is not all bad; it is just another way of learning, and learning the hard way at a great cost, he writes, making the case for leaders to learn as they lead. It is like saying that the obstacle is the way, as Ryan Holiday, a number one New York Times bestselling author who sold more than one million copies of his book, wants everyone to believe. Any organisation, irrespective of how badly run or underperforming, can be transformed to perform optimally to the satisfaction of stakeholders. Every challenge can be overcome with the power of possibility, Dakuku writes, pointing readers in the direction of leading change with a different way of thinking in an era of increasingly rapid change. This book is like a reel with a thread of ideas on how to breath life into a dying agency of government or corporation. It is not difficult to know where Dakukus project manager thought process as seen in all parts of the book comes from. His degrees in business administration and leadership, with learning from high profile schools, make him outstanding. Dakuku possesses an MBA and a doctoral degree in Organisational Behavior, specialising in Corporate Political Strategy. So obvious is Dakukus project management skills throughout the book that he started the reform idea at NIMASA with a roadmap. Everyone who wants to lead a government department, either as a minister or chief executive officer, should have a roadmap the way Dakuku did. Roadmaps are some of the most powerful ways of communicating where your reform campaign or service is headed. Leaders who know the art of roadmaps use them to showcase upcoming features they plan on delivering, set expectations around project timelines, or to ensure that their constituents are apprised of their high-level initiatives. With his steady hand on the tiller, Dakuku also knows that a clearer head makes for steadier hands. He writes that human capital affects organisational success. And thats why he followed Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs for human motivation that eventually paid off in the transformation of a once moribund agency of government. This prioritisation of staff housing changed the mood of the Agency and made staff more receptive to other turnaround activities. Staff also felt cared for, despite difficult decisions we had made in other areas we studied the trend of health issues and made a critical decision to introduce, for the first time, a comprehensive annual medical check-up for all staff of the Agency. The reasoning was that early identification of health risks would reduce the number of persons going for treatment of illnesses and reduce absenteeism at work to its barest minimum, he writes to underscore why every organisation should think of human capital as critical to any reform. ADVERTISEMENT In the middle of the book, Dakuku uses the story of the Titanic to draw readers in on regulatory laws reform. He makes a clear case for the constant review of laws and regulations as part of ways to make regulatory enforcement relevant to its time. If Dakukus book suggests one thing, it is that every leader managing an underperforming government agency or corporation must find his/her strategy to reform early on and catalogue his/her reform lessons for others to read. The opposite is too dangerous. In the story of an herbalist who died with his cure for malaria, as told by Dakuku in the fourth chapter of the book, theres an important lesson about knowledge transfer. We had a choice on whether to share our experiences and knowledge with others or not and we could also see the consequences of withholding, he writes. From the book, it is easy to know what Dakuku will end up doing with the rest of his life. Clear-eyed about business strategy and leadership, whether serving in government or managing a private enterprise, he will continue to be an inspiring leader who tackles whats on his way with precision. And from the beginning of his career in the public sector as a strategic aide, a local government chairman and later the commissioner for works in the southern Rivers State, with vast and diverse constituents, he has been a witness, in the court of public works, to the truth of leadership lessons. In January, as Dakuku set the table for those who want knowledge on turnaround leadership with the appearance of this book on Amazon and bookshelves in most stores around the world, it might just be the beginning of many books from his stable. Adeola Akinremi, the chief executive officer of a Washington, D.C-based public affairs company, Strategy Yard Inc., is a former editor and currently a columnist at ThisDay newspapers. Today Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny this afternoon. High 68F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 42F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks about the Trump administration's Cuba policy during a press briefing at the U.S. Department of State, April 17, 2019, in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Trump Administration Designates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism The Trump administration has redesignated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and will impose new sanctions in coming days. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the move in a statement on Jan. 11, noting Cubas harboring of fugitives and its support for socialist Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. The communist country was also flagged by the Department of State for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbor to terrorists, according to the statement. Among them is Joanne Chesimard, known as Assata Shakur, a former member of the Marxist Black Liberation Army who has been promoted by the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. Chesimard, 73, was convicted and sentenced for being an accomplice of the first-degree murder of a New Jersey state trooper in the early 1970s before she was broken out of prison years later; she later fled to Cuba. The FBI placed her on the Most Wanted Terrorists List in 2013. Other designated terrorists that are being harbored by Cuba include Ishmael LeBeet, who was convicted of killing eight people in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1972, as well as Charles Lee Hill, who killed a New Mexico state police officer in 1971, among others, according to the State Department. The Trump administration has taken a much harsher stance against Cuba following a relative warming period under the Obama administration, when Cuba was taken off the state sponsors of terrorism list. Former President Barack Obama became the first president to visit Cuba since the Communist Party led by Fidel Castro took overand the first president to visit since 1928. President-elect Joe Biden endorsed the effort when he was President Barack Obamas vice president. But the Trump administration has increased flight restrictions, trade restrictions, and imposed financial penalties. Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton had been a major proponent of redesignating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. Other than harboring fugitives, according to the State Department, Cuba is engaging in malign behavior across South America and the Caribbean. The country has developed close ties with Venezuela and forces loyal to Maduro, while it also currently supports Marxist FARC militants in Colombia. Todays designation subjects Cuba to sanctions that penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with Cuba, restricts U.S. foreign assistance, bans defense exports, and imposes other penalties, the State Department said. Previously, the Trump administration suggested Cuba was behind alleged attacks that left dozens of American diplomats in Havana with brain injuries, starting in 2016, possibly from directed microwave radiation. 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 Sorry! This content is not available in your region Orange County Mortuaries Overwhelmed but Persevering Amid Pandemic ORANGE, Calif.Funeral homes across Orange County, California, are beginning to buckle under the mounting pressures of accommodating the increasing number of the recently deceased. This pandemic has created this influx of death numbers Ive never seen beforeever, Kimberly Worl, president of the Orange County Funeral Directors Association, told The Epoch Times. Were overloaded. You dont have enough funeral homes. You dont have enough staff trained, [and] you dont have enough licensed people to take care of everyone thats dying at one time. Worl said that each step in the typical mortuary process is slowing down. Under normal circumstances, burials would generally take place within 3 to 7 days, she said. But now, the process can take at least 10 days or more. The time frame between death and burial is even more prolonged because every COVID-19-related case must be reported to the Orange County coroner for review. Its just the volume, Worl said. Sometimes, families cant get appointments for a few days because all of our funeral directors are trying to get caught up from the other families that theyve been assigned to help. Worl was careful to note that not everyone whos passing away is dying from COVID-19. Rather, decedents whose death certificates list COVID-19 as either the main cause of death or an other significant condition are generating a higher quantity in addition to the normal increase at this time of year, she said. Its just the combination of the two things, she added. The number of overall deaths in Orange County was slightly higher in 2020 than recent years, according to health data collected by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Since 2015, Orange County has averaged 19,675 total deaths per year. As of November 2020, 21,110 deaths had been recorded by the CDPH for 2020. As of Jan. 11, the Orange County Health Care Agency has reported 2,091 COVID-related deaths to date, including 50 recent deaths. The sun sets behind a graveyard in Lake Forest, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) A sign hangs on a gate in front of a graveyard in Lake Forest, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Working Day and Night Becky Areiasthe president, owner, and funeral director of Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheimtold The Epoch Times this is the first time in 40 years her company has had to resort to a waiting list. Ive been through the AIDS epidemic and SARS, and its never, ever come close to this, she said. Its definitely been life changing. Areias said her current caseload is five times the typical amount per month, and estimated eight out of every 10 cases are reported as COVID-19-related deaths. Were extremely, extremely busy, she said. My staff is working night and day. Nobodys taking days off. Ive called in extra staff to help. Areias said her mortuary is currently booked until early February. Her chapel is being used three times per day, with a limited capacity of 20 people, for 70 minutes at a time. Social distancing and masks are required, and comprehensive disinfecting protocols are maintained between each service. Many Shortages Areias spoke of the many shortages that are adding to the pressure of tending to the surviving family members. Theres an ongoing struggle to get enough personal protective equipment (PPE), embalming fluid, and body bags. Theyve also had to increase their capacity by ordering a new walk-in cooler, building new platforms, and hiring a welding company to construct a storage unit. Even though Areias said she was unaware whether its possible to catch the virus from a cadaver, a number of her embalmers are reluctant to work with COVID-19 cases. As a result, there arent enough embalmers on hand. We still take all of our necessary precautions like we would with any type of infectious disease, she said. Although the shortages have created certain difficulties, one of Areiass biggest concerns is providing high-quality service for grieving families. Weve gone to every extreme measure that we can think of to be respectful to these loved ones and take care of them, she said. A major change involves switching from in-person consultations to phone, FaceTime, and Zoom meetingsan adjustment Areias said isnt as sensitive or personable as face-to-face interactions. But all in all, every family we serve has been very, very appreciative and very supportive of what were doing. People are grateful to have that small opportunity for farewellseven if its only like a 25 percent capacity service, she said. Said Worl: The bottom line is these are human lives, and these families are grieving. And theyre already under stress. Our job is to make that grief a little bit less stressful. Reverend Samuel Hilgenfeld and his family sit in front of their mortuary in Anaheim, Calif., in 1918. (Courtesy of Becky Areias) Moving Ahead Areias, a fourth-generation descendant of Hilgenfeld Mortuarys founder, Rev. Samuel Hilgenfeld, is in uncharted territory. But she said the current pandemic reminds her that her great-grandfather faced a similar challenge more than 100 years ago. He went through the [Spanish Flu] pandemic with my grandfather and his siblings, she said. I have a picture of that from 1918 in front of the mortuary. Areias, who lost her own mother five years ago, said at times it can be overwhelming. At a certain point, the grief that she sees so many families going through gets to her, she said. I pray a lot. I stay busy, she said. I have to keep everything going, just because of my family businessyou know, four generations. I would let a lot of people down if I wouldnt carry on. I guess that motivates me. Now, Areias has reasons to feel hopeful. My staff and I just received the first dose of the vaccine, and that reminded me that my great-grandfather and family made it through the Spanish Flu without a vaccine, she said. Worl attributes the ability to adjust during a pandemic to a type of resiliency and passion thats unique to folks in the mortuary trade. Im so proud of every single person that works in this industry, she said. We dont get that type of recognition because you dont want to think about us until you need us. Every single day I hear from a family that says they wouldnt know what to do without us. So at the end of the day, it makes all this hard work worth it. We just want to be there for everybody. SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ - The newly titled Sussex County Board of County Commissioners reorganized last week at an in-person, socially distanced meeting in Sussex County Community Colleges Performing Arts Center. Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia was nominated and unanimously voted in as the Boards Director, with Commissioner Anthony Fasano as Deputy Director; and Commissioner Herbert Yardley, who was re-elected during Novembers General Election, was sworn back into his seat. The three former Freeholders, a title in effect since prior to the American Revolution, are historically the first Commissioners to be sworn in for Sussex County, with Yardley, then Fantasia and Fasano, each taking their oaths. Commissioner Sylvia Petillo, who served as 2020s Director, congratulated Yardley, Fantasia and Fasano, as well as thanked Sussex County administration and employees for their efforts during the continued unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The year 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year, Petillo said. Since March, when the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, everything changed, and COVID-19 took center stage.The COVID -19 pandemic response has been the highest priority of the Sussex County Division of Health since the reporting of the first positive case. The Office of Public Health Nursing dedicated its entire staff to the pandemic response with significant support from the Office of Environmental Health and the Human Services Divisions. Petillo noted there was an incredible response from the county staff and community-based agencies as they united in purpose and worked together as one entity to ensure residents were properly cared for throughout the pandemic. For her part, Fantasia also noted the changes. A year ago, the tone of this meeting was vastly different, Fantasia said. Tonight, is not myopic, through rose-colored glasses, complete with hearty pats on the back for elected officials. No politician can use this crisis for self-congratulation. All elected officials cannot stop pushing forward to do better, to be better. Story continues Fantasia highlighted the ongoing need to provide comprehensive health and human services to residents, addressing Andover Subacutes emergence on the countys radar after it fell under siege to the coronavirus, as a result of state orders to place COVID-positive residents back into nursing homes. Sussex County followed all New Jersey Department of Health procedures and guidelines while alerting state and federal officials about critical needs within this facility that required urgent, immediate action, she added. I commend Sheriff Strada and the OEM, Andover Police Department, and local and county agencies who acted immediately, which in turn prompted overdue action on the part of the state. The Board requested Gov. Phil Murphy to deploy New Jerseys National Guard to assist in the facility via a letter from Fasano, while the County was one of only a few that fought the battle without Federal CARES funds, monies slowly trickling in close to September to deliver services including testing and vaccination. Fantasia added that a county ethics board, which took a back seat to the pandemic, is planned as a focus in the coming year. The Board will continue supporting District 24 legislators, who are fighting for residents rights in Trenton, in what Fantasia described as an often forgotten corner of Northwest New Jersey. Make no mistake: this board is keenly aware that your rights are essential, Fantasia said. As a retired health officer, Yardley addressed the year overall, saying that 2020 in general was a trying year for everyone. As Sussex County Commissioners, we faced difficulties that we did not foresee, nor ever could expect, agreeing that our first concern was to meet the needs and the protection and safety of our residents, said. Fasano thanked the many arms of county government, working together through the pandemic difficulties. The fact is that our staff in Sussex County come to work every day, focused on making Sussex County the best and safest county possible for our residents, and I am incredibly appreciative of it, he said. Throughout the year, Ive referred to COVID-19 as a fight. Sussex Countys collective fight against the virus that absolutely must be defeated so that we can all get back to normal. He said the four objectives to the response including saving lives, ensuring safety, continuation of vigilance and prevention and maintaining a commitment to fully reopen county businesses. As part of that, Sussex County, he said, is working with NJDOH to develop a COVID-19 vaccination program, having recently received approval of its CDC COVID-19 vaccination program provider agreement. Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store. This article originally appeared on the Hopatcong-Sparta Patch The United Arab Emirates Sunday indicated that it was willing to normalize ties with Turkey only on condition that it stops supporting outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. State minister for Foreign affairs Anwar Gargash made the announcement during an interview with UAE-based Sky News. What we want to tell Turkey is, we want to normalize our relations within the framework of mutual respect for sovereignty, Gargash said. He also urged Ankara to drop support for Muslim Brotherhood to restore ties with the Arab world. The remarks come after the UAE official last week said his country is Turkeys number one trade partner. Muslim Brotherhood are banned in many Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, but they enjoy safe-haven in Turkey and Qatar. Ties between UAE and Turkey have worsened beyond the Muslim Brotherhood issue. The two countries are at a war of influence around the world, mainly in Libya where they back opposed camps. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announced she tested positive for COVID and blamed being trapped in a hold during last week's attack on the Capitol with Republicans who refused to wear face masks Democratic Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced Monday she tested positive for COVID and she blamed being trapped in a hold during last week's attack on the Capitol with Republicans who refused to wear face masks. 'Following the events of Wednesday, including sheltering with several colleagues who refused to wear masks, I decided to take a Covid test. I have tested positive,' she wrote on Twitter. Coleman, 75, said she was resting at home with mild systems. 'I am home resting at this time. While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents,' she said. Her office said she was awaiting the results of a PCR test and noted the congresswoman, first elected in 2014, previously received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 vaccine, which has been made available to members of Congress and other government officials. It takes two doses for full immunity. During Wednesday's attack on Capitol Hill by a mob of unruly Donald Trump supporters, lawmakers were rushed to an undisclosed location and held together for their own safety. But several Democratic lawmakers complained their Republican colleagues did not wear face masks in the enclosed in space, where the lawmakers huddled together for hours while they waited for security officials to clear the Capitol. Video footage later emerged of Republican representatives refusing to cover their faces despite being asked to wear the masks. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman is the first black woman to be elected from New Jersey and is a cancer survivor Dr. Brian Moynihan, the attending physician in the Capitol, issued a warning on Sunday to all lawmakers that they may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus during their lockdown. He noted that 'many members of the House community were in protective isolation in the large room - some for several hours' on Wednesday. He said 'individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection'. He did not disclose any details about the infected individual, but they are believed to be a House member or staffer as the room was highly restricted. He urged all lawmakers to get tested. The video from inside the room, obtained by Punchbowl News, showed several Republican lawmakers not wearing masks - including Congressman Andy Biggs (Arizona), Michael Cloud (Texas), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia), Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma) and Scott Perry (Pennsylvania). Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, who was walking around handing out masks, repeatedly asked those in the maskless group to take one, but they brushed her aside. President-elect Joe Biden said he saw the footage and was 'appalled.' 'I was appalled when I saw, as a matter of fact, distinguished congresswoman from Delaware showed the folks in hiding from the mob, going around trying to hand out masks for everybody. Republican colleagues wouldn't take the mask,' he said. 'I think it is irresponsible. So we all have to make sure it is not a political issue. It is an issue of public safety.' Coleman is the first black woman in Congress from New Jersey. She previously served in the state assembly. She is a cancer survivor. Her diagnosis is unlikely to help sooth the tense relations on Capitol Hill between Democrats and Republicans in the wake of Wednesday's riot. Scroll down for video House lawmakers who were whisked to safety when a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol were filmed bickering over masks as they hunkered down in a safe room Video showed several Republican lawmakers not wearing masks - including Reps Andy Biggs (seated right), Marjorie Taylor Greene (left) and Markwayne Mullin (center) Reps Andy Biggs, Michael Cloud and Scott Perry (seated, left to right) were identified among the Republican lawmakers who refused to wear masks WHY YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO WEAR A MASK AFTER GETTING A COVID VACCINE Getting a coronavirus vaccine won't mean that you can stop wearing masks. When asked whether people would have to keep wearing masks after vaccination, Dr Anthony Fauci said: 'Absolutely,' in a Harvard University forum interview. 'There's no doubt we should not say that vaccines are a replacement or public health measures.' So far, vaccine makers like Pfizer and Moderna haven't proven that their shots prevent people who are infected with coronavirus from spreading it. In fact, their clinical trials have not even proven the vaccines prevent people from catching coronavirus. We only know that vaccines keep most people from getting sick. Pfizer's vaccine is 95 percent effective at keeping people from getting COVID-19 symptoms and testing positive for the virus. It's about 100 percent effective at preventing people from getting severely ill from coronavirus, according to the clinical trial. But Pfizer did not look at whether or not the shot stops people from catching or spreading the virus. Its CEO has admitted as much in recent interviews. 'I think that's something that needs to be examined. We're not certain about that right now,' said Albert Bourla, when asked by Dateline's Lester Holt about whether the shot would prevent transmission. Pfizer researchers monitored whether people developed possible side effects from the shot or symptoms of coronavirus. If someone developed symptoms, they were tested for COVID-19. Pfizer did not test participants who didn't have symptoms. Neither did Moderna. In the end, 162 people in Pfizer's trial who got the placebo shot developed coronavirus symptoms and tested positive, while just eight in the vaccinated group did. That's a very strong signal that the vaccine keeps people from getting sick. It does not tell researchers whether people contracted the virus, but didn't develop symptoms, or whether anyone passed on the infection. However, people get COVID-19 symptoms usually get sick because the virus has been able to multiply a lot inside their bodies. The more virus in your nose and throat, the more likely you are to pass it on. So if vaccinated people don't have enough virus to get sick, they probably don't have enough of it to make other people sick. But Pfizer hasn't even come close to proving that, so even vaccinated people will keep having to wear masks for months to come. Advertisement Many members of Congress - but not all - have already received at least the first of two doses of coronavirus vaccines, after it was made available to them just before Christmas. Some congressional staffers also received the vaccine. The news of Coleman's exposure comes amid fears that Wednesday's riots could become a major super-spreader event, as most of the participants were seen without masks. America's daily COVID-19 death toll breached 4,000 for the first time the day after the riots, but experts say it could be up to two weeks before the true transmission effects of the incident become clear. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned on Friday: 'You have to anticipate that this is another surge event.' 'Then these individuals all are going in cars and trains and planes going home all across the country right now,' Redfield added. 'So I do think this is an event that will probably lead to a significant spreading event.' Coleman's announcement came the same day that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders have set up fast-moving floor votes that that will force House Republicans to cast votes both on President Trump's fitness for office and on whether to remove him during his final days in power. The latest text of the impeachment resolution cites the post-Civil War 14th amendment, noting it 'prohibits any person who has engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from hold[ing] any office . . . under the United States. Pelosi's plan was to first try to bring up the resolution formally requesting Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment through the request, then follow up by bringing it before the full House. But Republicans stifled her effort, which sets up a vote for Tuesday instead. The backdrop for Monday's move was a House chamber still scarred by the violence of last week. The violent clash that resulted in broken windows and the shooting of a Trump supporter took place just feet away, outside the Speaker's lobby. The House chamber is still scarred both physically and psychologically from last week's attack, which saw five people die. Additional footage released over the weekend showed how close lawmakers were to be swarmed by the mob. Broken windows remain throughout the Capitol building. Lawmakers, their staff, and Capitol Police are angry and traumatized in the aftermath. Additional security measures have been put into place, including seven-foot anti-climbing fences around the Capitol complex. National Guard units have arrived to help guard the building through January 20th, which is when President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office. The head of the National Guard says at least 10,000 troops will be deployed in Washington, D.C., by Saturday, and an additional 5,000 could be requested from other states. [January 11, 2021] OncoHost Welcomes Nobel Prize Winner to Scientific Advisory Board BINYAMINA, Israel, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoHost, global leader in host response profiling for improved personalized cancer therapy, announced today that renowned biologist and winner of The Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Professor Aaron Ciechanover, has joined the company's scientific advisory board. "We are delighted to have Professor Ciechanover, an eminent researcher and physician, join our team. His profound scientific knowledge in protein biology and fundamental discoveries in protein turnover that awarded him the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be an invaluable contribution to our research efforts in identifying effective personalized cancer treatments," said Dr. Ofer Sharon, CEO of OncoHost. "OncoHost's unique approach to host response analysis and our methods to overcome therapy resistance will be further improved by Prof. Ciechanover's vast experience and innovative ideas in the field of biochemistry." Among the many accolades that Prof. Ciechanover has been awarded are the 2000 Albert Lasker Prize for Basic Medical Research, the 2003 Israel Prize for Biological Research, and the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He is a member of various academies, including the Israeli National Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and Medicine (NAM) of the USA (Foreign Associate), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS; Foreign Member). Prof. Ciechanover is currently a distinguished reseach professor in the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, and serves on the board of several biotech companies. His current research is focused on several biological aspects of cancer development and tumor suppression, involving the role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in these processes. His laboratory, which is part of the Rappaport Technion's Integrated Cancer Center (RTICC) in the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, is currently involved in development of several anti-cancer drugs including a unique PROTAC. It expands its areas of research and focus to include informatics, AI-based diagnostic tools, and metabolomics, and in collaboration with oncology centers in Israel and China, initiating clinical trials that use application of precision medicine for the benefit of cancer patients. "I look forward to implementing my research and knowledge on tumor biology and various disease progression mechanisms to work with OncoHost in understanding host response related processes," said Prof. Aaron Ciechanover. "Proteomic analysis is allowing us to make great advances in personalized cancer care. With OncoHost's host response profiling platform, the future of personalized cancer care is no longer a distant reality, but within our grasp." About OncoHost OncoHost combines life-science research and advanced machine learning technology to develop personalized strategies to maximize the success of cancer therapy. Utilizing proprietary proteomic analysis, the company aims to understand patients' unique response to therapy and overcome one of the major obstacles in clinical oncology today resistance to therapy. OncoHost's Host Response Profiling platform (PROphet) analyzes proteomic changes in blood samples to monitor the dynamics of biological processes induced by the patient (i.e., the host) in response to a given cancer therapy. This proteomic profile is highly predictive of individual patient outcome, thus enabling personalized treatment planning. PROphet also identifies potential drug targets, advancing the development of novel therapeutic strategies as well as rationally based combination therapies. For more information, visit http://www.oncohost.com. Follow OncoHost on LinkedIn. OncoHost Media Contact: Ellie Hanson Finn Partners Ellie.Hanson@finnpartners.com +1 929-222-8006 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oncohost-welcomes-nobel-prize-winner-to-scientific-advisory-board-301205142.html SOURCE OncoHost [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Turkey's Competition Authority opened an investigation on Monday into Facebook and WhatsApp and suspended their new data sharing rules. Last week, WhatsApp forced many users to agree to new privacy rules for sharing personal data with Facebook companies. The app could not be used unless the terms were accepted, the authority said in a statement. The authority suspended the data sharing, even if users accepted rules, due to the potential for irreparable losses, until the conclusion of the investigation, Anadolu Agency reported. In this context, Facebook too must suspend data sharing and announce its move to all users, the statement said. Advertisement Three strides and it's all over. Welcome to the street that has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the shortest in the world - it measures just six feet nine inches (2.05m) - therefore taking the average adult just three steps to conquer. The street is in Wick, Scotland, and is occupied by one sole building - the thin end of Mackays Hotel. Craig Glenday, left, editor-in-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records, measures Ebenezer Place with Mackays Hotel proprietor Murray Lamont. The six-foot nine-inch street sits at the thin end of the hotel in Wick, Scotland After the hotel was built in 1883, the local council of the day deemed its thin end as a street in its own right The hotel's website explains the origins of the quirky street, revealing that the property was built in 1883 by the wealthy Alexander Sinclair upon his return to Scotland from America. It says that the local council at the time instructed Sinclair to 'put a name on the short end of the building as they deemed it a street'. From 1887, Ebenezer Place - the name of the street - started appearing in town records. Today, Google Maps shows how it merges with Union Street. But despite appearing in town records since 1887, it wasn't until October 28, 2006, that the street was finally declared the shortest in the world by Guinness World Records. According to the hotel, Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records 'battled through gale-force winds and storms' to get to Wick to measure it. After '50 hours and several detours', he arrived and officially measured the street, declaring it a world record just one hour later. A map showing Ebenezer Place in Wick. From 1887, Ebenezer Place started appearing in town records in Wick The hotel's co-owner, Ellie Lamont, says many hotel guests are surprised by the record when they come to stay The doorway of the hotel that faces Ebenezer Place leads to the aptly named No1 Bistro - the street's only address. The hotel's co-owner, Ellie Lamont, who runs the venue with her husband, Murray, told MailOnline Travel that they get many guests who are fascinated by the world record. She said: 'Some don't know about it and when they turn up they find it interesting. 'Some know about it and still can't believe it's only six feet, nine inches, while other people come into the hotel to ask where it is.' On Tripadvisor, some former guests have also remarked about the surprising record. One, Ken R, wrote on the review site: 'Very comfortable hotel in Wick. The bistro is exceptionally good quality for dinner with local produce. 'Rooms are comfortable and the breakfast is excellent. Strongly recommended. 'And to top it all off, the hotel is on the shortest street in the world!' While 'anotheruxguy' said: 'This is a nice hotel. We had a room with three beds for my wife and me, and our two kids. It was well furnished and comfortable. 'The restaurant was very good, and we found easy street parking right outside. Its cool that its on the shortest street in the world.' According to the hotel, it took Craig Glenday from Guinness World Records just one hour to declare Ebenezer Place the shortest in the world - after he battled through stormy weather to reach Wick Co-owner Murray Lamont points out just how short Ebenezer Place is with the help of a parked Smart car Murray measures the length of the street. It's so short it can be walked by an adult in three steps The doorway of the hotel, which faces on to Ebenezer Place, leads to the aptly named No1 Bistro - the street's only address U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus speaks during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington on June 10, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) State Department Spokesperson Calls Out Beijings False Propaganda on Taiwan TAIPEI, TaiwanU.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus on Jan. 10 called out the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s false propaganda. On Twitter, Ortagus responded to an editorial article published by Chinese hawkish state-run media Global Times, where it threatened that if Pompeo were to dare visit Taiwan before the end of his tenure as U.S. Secretary of State, Chinese military jets would fly over the self-ruled island in a move to declare Beijings sovereignty over the island. Global Times also stated that both Washington and Taipei should not overreact to Beijings military move. If the U.S. and the island of Taiwan dare to overreact, war will be sparked. China will punish the Taiwan authorities which cooperate with Pompeos final show of madness, stated the Global Times article published on Jan. 10. It also repeated Beijings propaganda that the United States colludes with Taiwanese citizens who advocate for the islands formal independence. The latter should not take for granted that they can seek secession with the help of the last-ditch madness of an administration abandoned by the Americans, the article stated. Ortagus wrote in response: Sorry, @globaltimesnews, but you are wrong again! The Secretarys upcoming trip to Europe will be his final overseas trip as Secretary. The U.S. State Department has not yet published the detailed itinerary of Mike Pompeos trip to Europe. Sorry, @globaltimesnews, but you are wrong again! The Secretarys upcoming trip to Europe will be his final overseas trip as Secretary. Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) January 11, 2021 She added: There are no plans to travel to #Taiwan this week but we will continue our consistent support for Taiwan as a successful market economy, vibrant democracy, and force for good in the world. The CCP must act responsibly and stop believing the lies in their own propaganda. Their nervous panic diplomacy is unwarranted and dangerous. Beijing expressed outrage after Pompeo announced last week that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft will visit Taiwan. Craft is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on Jan. 13 for a three-day visit and will meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Jan. 14, according to Taiwans Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang. The CCP sees Taiwan as a part of its territory that should be united with the mainland, by force if necessary. Moreover, it also opposes governments and international organizations that form ties with the island because it might suggest that Taiwan is a de-facto nation-state. Washington currently has no formal diplomatic ties with Taipei but has maintained a robust relationship with the island based on the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which was signed into law by former President Jimmy Carter in April 1979. That law authorizes the United States to provide the island with military equipment for self-defense and establish a nonprofit corporation called the American Institute in Taiwan, which is now the de-facto U.S. embassy on the island. Bilateral ties deepened on Jan. 9, after Pompeo lifted decades-old contact guidelines previously issued by the U.S. State Department, on how U.S. officials should interact with their Taiwanese counterparts. Im grateful to @SecPompeo & @StateDept for lifting restrictions unnecessarily limiting our engagements these past years. Im also thankful for strong bipartisan support in Congress for the #Taiwan Assurance Act, which advocates a review of prior guidelines. The closer 1/2 https://t.co/2UrT5d7Wws Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) (@MOFA_Taiwan) January 10, 2021 On Monday afternoon, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, at a daily briefing, condemned Pompeo over his decision to remove the guidelines. Zhao called for him to stop manipulating issues regarding Taiwan and stop going further down a wrong and dangerous road, or else he will be severely punished by history. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) welcomed the lifting of restrictions in a statement on Sunday. I am pleased to see the State Department take swift and decisive action to implement the bipartisan Taiwan Assurance Act, which I introduced to ensure we move beyond the outdated red tape limiting our relationship with Taiwan, McCaul said. The Taiwan Assurance Act was signed into law in December 2020. That new law also calls for the U.S. government to advocate for Taiwans participation in international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. McCaul added: Due to our shared priorities today of confronting the generational threat posed by the CCP, it is time to eliminate this unnecessary bureaucracy so we can deepen our ties with Taiwan and help to bolster them against further marginalization by the CCPs growing aggression. Taiwans Vice President William Lai welcomed Pompeos decision via Twitter on Sunday. Normalizing relations with the US and other countries is the wish and best interest of the Taiwanese people, Lai wrote. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close About Tecan Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of automation solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2019, Tecan generated sales of CHF 637 million (USD 643 million; EUR 574 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TECN; ISIN CH0012100191). 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella said they prefer to procure COVID-19 vaccines from either Pfizer or Moderna. Labella wants to sign a contract with the US-based drug manufacturers as several local government units opted to close deals with British drugmaker AstraZeneca. However, the mayor said they will await the go signal of vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. before entering into any agreement with pharmaceutical companies. Cebu City has allocated 400 million for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for its residents. Meanwhile, a number of cities have announced that they have signed deals for the advance purchase of the AstraZeneca vaccine, including San Juan City, Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Vigan and Iloilo City. READ: LGUs announce signing deals for advance purchase of AstraZeneca vaccines The Trump administration will place Cuba back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday, according to two senior State Department officials, reversing an Obama-era decision and making it harder for President-elect Joe Biden to quickly revive diplomatic ties with Havana. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is expected to indicate he's designating Cuba because the country continues to harbor American fugitives including Joanne Chesimard, convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper in 1973, and refuses a Colombian extradition request for National Liberation Army members linked to a 2019 bombing that killed 22. Cuba joins only Syria, Iran and North Korea -- nations more widely condemned for fomenting terrorism -- on the U.S. list. Cuba had originally been put on the list in 1982 but was removed by President Barack Obama in 2015 as he sought to improve economic and diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation. Biden has indicated he wants to revive the Obama-era policy of easing economic and travel restrictions in hopes that closer ties and more capitalism will pave the way for democratic change in Cuba. That strategy could include reducing restrictions on travel, investment and remittances for the island nation that are perceived to disproportionately hurt Americans and ordinary Cubans. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. labeled Cuba part of a "Troika of Tyranny" with Nicaragua and Venezuela. His moves were popular with Cuban-Americans in Florida, a state Trump won in his reelection bid with the help of Cuban-American refugees, Venezuelan-Americans and other anti-Communist Latino voters. His administration had been mulling the terrorism-sponsor move for months. Two senior State Department officials, who asked not to be identified discussing internal deliberations, said politics played no role in the decision to redesignate Cuba and said several administrations -- including Obama's -- had made policy decisions about the island late in their presidencies. The officials said the process of getting Cuba back on the list was a lengthy one and if the U.S. had wanted to play politics, it would have redesignated Cuba before the November presidential election, not after. The administration had signaled as far back as May that it might restore the designation on Cuba. That was when officials announced Cuba was back on a separate list of nations not cooperating fully with U.S. counterterrorism efforts over its refusal to extradite the National Liberation Army members. According to the State Department, state sponsors of terror are countries that have "repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism." One of the officials said there is legal precedent dating back to the presidency of George H.W. Bush for keeping a country on the list for harboring terrorists even if it isn't actively supporting terrorist acts. Cuba and the U.S., enemies after the late Fidel Castro took power in 1959, established diplomatic relations in 2015 when Obama was president and Biden was vice president. The U.S. eased a five-decade trade embargo and took other steps toward normalization, although a complete end to U.S. restrictions would require an act of Congress. Despite nascent openings and increasing foreign investment since the 1990s, Cuba's economy remains heavily controlled by the government and the military. During Trump's term, he opened the door for lawsuits against companies benefiting from property confiscated by the government in Cuba, prohibited educational trips and cruises there and limited direct flights. Biden could move to take Cuba off the terrorist list, but a formal review could delay the process by several months and rekindle debate about Cuba's Communist leaders. The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 this week is likely to reach double the numbers at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic here, HSE chief Paul Reid has warned. The health service will come under increasing strain in the early part of this week, as the numbers requiring in-patient treatment has given rise for concern. That pressure has already been seen at Letterkenny University Hospital in Donegal yesterday evening where at least seven patients had to be assessed in a queue of ambulances outside because there was no space for them in the Emergency Department. All of the patients are understood to have respiratory issues. Read More Figures released yesterday showed the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) was notified of 6,888 new Covid-19 cases, with 1,452 patients hospitalised. A total of 125 people were in intensive care units (ICU). There had been 100 extra hospitalisations over the previous 24 hours. In addition, eight new deaths were reported. Of the cases reported yesterday, 2,088 were in Dublin, 862 in Cork, 469 in Limerick, 405 in Wexford, 320 in Waterford and the remaining cases were spread across all other counties. Early this week, we will likely be at double what we had in the peak of last year, Mr Reid said yesterday, adding there was concern at the rising trend. He said there were 37 vacant adult ICU beds and 11 vacant pediatric ICU beds across the health system yesterday morning. Speaking on RTEs This Week, he said a surge agreement reached with private hospitals to access beds and give further capacity for patients had already been triggered. Private hospitals are already taking some urgent care, non-Covid care and support, so we have in essence triggered those processes already, Mr Reid said. Last night, Neal Donohue, INMO industrial relations officer for the north west, said more healthcare staff were urgently needed in Letterkenny. "Our members are reporting unprecedented pressure on Letterkenny Hospital. Beds are closed due to staffing shortages and the emergency department is packed. "We have reached a stage where at least seven patients are being treated in ambulances because there isn't space in the hospital. This is the biggest outbreak the hospital has ever faced." Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One this morning, Mr Donoghue said the whole of Letterkenny Hospital has been under immense pressure for weeks. He continued: Letterkenny has been under extreme pressure for a number of weeks before Christmas and there just has been no let up. So, theyre trying to run a non-Covid and Covid-positive pathway and it is putting serious pressure on staffing resources. Our staff are reporting burnout. A spokesperson for Letterkenny University Hospital said: Throughout the weekend there has been a large number of patients presenting with suspect or confirmed Covid-19, many of whom required admission to the hospital. They said as a result, there were delays in admission for patients going to the dedicated Covid-19 ward and clinical teams assessed patients from ambulances. Saolta, the hospital group that runs Letterkenny, issued a statement saying staff have been secured to ensure an extra 11 beds can be opened. The hospital says the ambulances are now being released as the patients can be treated in the hospital and Saolta apologised for any stress that the delays caused. The hospital has secured additional staff this evening, which enabled it to open a further 11 beds in order to respond to the demand, they said last night. Meanwhile the chief executive of one of the countrys largest hospital groups, UL Hospitals, warned the pattern of Covid-19 was rapidly worsening across the mid-west region, with 427 of her staff unavailable for work due to the virus. Read More Under the direction of chairman Brian Hall, Great Western Mining Corporation has refocused its strategy. Shelved (but not forgotten) is its interest in copper. Instead, the group is concentrating on gold and silver exploration and production in the aptly named Mineral County, Nevada. Crucially, there is cash in the bank to achieve these ambitions. And judging by the share price, which has more than doubled in the last six months, the wider investing public appears to have bought into the new streamlined approach. Great Western Mining Corporation is concentrating on gold and silver exploration and production in Mineral County, Nevada We've gone back to concentrate on gold which is great because the gold price is high, says Hall. We've also looked at what we could do to get a get a bit of revenue through a business that has been spending money for the last 14 years or so. Mineral jackpot Cash flows will come from re-processing spoil heaps from a cluster of historic mines on Great Westerns Mineral Jackpot area. It is considering the construction of a crushing and gravity separation plant as a possible next step. The optimal solution for maximising gold recovery would be a leaching facility which requires strict environmental approvals and while this is being worked on, gravity separation will be the likely route to get commercial output going. At this stage, the economics around the spoil heap production are moot with recoveries, average grade and the daily production rate unknown. However, Great Western has taken a step towards early output and cashflow with a modest gold and silver pour from test production from the spoil heaps. Untapped potential For the uninitiated, the area of Nevada in which Great Western is operating has been prolific for gold and silver. Its 14,900 acres-worth of concessions all lie within the Walker Lane trend, which has yielded significant discoveries such as Comstock Lode, Yerington, Pumpkin Hollow and Isabella Pearl. Because of the mountainous terrain, there are large tracts of land under licence to the company that are unexplored that could be appraised using modern techniques. Hall and the team have set themselves an exploration target of 500,000-1.5million gold equivalent ounces from multiple prospects. Historic geological reports have identified seven lodes, prospective for gold and silver on Mineral Jackpot, where previous exploration work has uncovered grades of up to 95.6 grams per tonne of the yellow metal. It also has the Rock House (RH) gold-silver targets, where early exploration work has identified three new, unexplored mineralised zones. Going for Olympic gold And then theres the Olympic Gold Project, over which Great Western has a four-year option to purchase. The area was host to a now-disused mine that was prolific with some good gold grades, explains Hall. The plan is to try to find a vein extension to the former mine, which crossed a fault line that Great Westerns geologists think dislocated the precious metal mineralisation. This is one of eight targets in the new area. Olympic and RH will be drilled in 2021. We should be able to do those next summer, says Hall. Mineral Jackpot requires a different rig and the road to be finished. With around 2million in the bank, the group has more than enough to fulfil its ambitions next year. M1 and M4 lead to copper And, of course, there is still a copper play the M2 and M4 projects and the M1 and M8 targets in Nevada. One would have thought theyd have been a slam dunk for further exploration work in this period of sustained demand for the red metal. The copper opportunity was always going to be long-term. And, crucially, I didnt think we could develop it on our own, says Hall. By their nature, copper discoveries require large investment (and a significant resource estimate) before they attract the investment from companies with the financial wherewithal to develop them. Gold exploration a better use of resources Great Western hasnt written off the asset but has instead set up a data room for companies interested in developing them. Id be thrilled if someone came to us, but its not a priority, says Hall. I believe trying to find precious metals is a much better way to spend our time and our shareholders money. I thought that from the very start; when I was a non-executive director and first went to Nevada in 2014. Now I am running the company I hope to put it into practice. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, has urged Parliament to render an unqualified apology to the people for the chaos that characterized the election of the new Speaker of Parliament last Thursday. He said such negative acts did not paint a good picture of the country in the eyes of the international community. We are all condemning it because it did not go down well, and its not a good picture of ourselves as the beacon of democracy in Africa. As representatives of the people, they should have comported themselves well, he said. Event Most Rev. Boafo made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic on the sideline of the 2021 Methodist Church Ghana Connexional Womens Fellowship officers training course in Accra yesterday. It was on the theme: Discipleship: Teaching everyone to live like Jesus Christ. The occasion was also used to launch the 90th anniversary celebration of the fellowship with the inauguration of an anniversary planning committee. Most Rev. Dr Boafo said it was incumbent on politicians from the political divide to build consensus on issues so that their deliberations would not degenerate into acrimony. The election of a new Speaker of Parliament turned acrimonious last Thursday with some MPs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) getting on each others throat over disagreements in the process. Training On the training programme, Most Rev. Dr Boafo charged women of the church to add their voice to ongoing sensitisation of the public to adhere to COVID-19 protocols to prevent the spread of the virus in the country. The presiding bishop said the church was concerned about the welfare of the people, including the downtrodden. He said women had an important role to play in society since they could influence behavioural change as mothers. Christian leadership The Bishop of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, Rt Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, said Christian leadership was God-given to influence a specific group of people to live good lives. For his part, the Lay Chairman of the Methodist Church Ghana, Mr William Orleans Oduro, said the aim of the women fellowship was to, among others, unite women in the growth of the church and society in general. 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 MERIDEN Miguel Cardona, a city native poised to become the next U.S. Secretary of Education, had a few words of advice for students and staff Monday morning. Cardona, noting he will always be a teacher at heart, urged students to follow their passions, and to stay humble and hungry, during remarks that very well could have been delivered during a commencement ceremony for either Maloney or Platt High School. But, instead of a valedictorian or salutatorian speaking to fellow graduates, Cardona spoke in what was a video-streamed send off of his own as he awaits confirmation from the U.S. Senate for his upcoming post. Dont chase money, dont chase power. Dont chase titles, Cardona said. Find support from dedicated teachers and educators around you, like I did. If you come across people who doubt you, or have low expectations, prove them wrong. Cardona, who is currently Connecticuts commissioner of education, spoke from a lectern in the auditorium of Maloney High School, flanked by his wife Marissa and his two children, along with Meriden School Superintendent Mark Benigni and Board of Education President Robert Kosienski Jr. His audience was district students and staff who were tuned in from their school buildings and classrooms via the video conferencing platform Zoom. This has been an amazing journey, Cardona said. Then he recalled his first day of kindergarten, at John Barry School. It was a difficult day. He remembered sitting in the school nurses office crying. I never wanted to go back, Cardona said. Here I am, 40 years later. And Im having mixed emotions about leaving the place I love. Students give hope Seventeen years after Cardona had first enrolled in the Meriden Public Schools, he became a teacher in the same district. He would go on to become principal at Hanover Elementary School, then join the central office of the Meriden Public Schools as assistant superintendent. In 2019, Cardona became state commissioner of education, the first Latino resident appointed to the position. Cardona acknowledged the transition from state commissioner to U.S. Secretary of Education-designate comes with numerous challenges. ... Such as a divided nation, the challenge of being in the middle of a health pandemic, and expected economic downturn for our entire country, Cardona said. Other challenges include college debt that is preventing upward mobility for so many students, and an exacerbated achievement gap in the last nine months, he said. Despite those challenges, Cardona said he remains hopeful that Americas best days are still ahead of us. Cardona said that hope comes from speaking with students. Any time I talk to a student Im reminded of the promise of this great country. You give me hope, students. You give me inspiration. As a scared five-year-old that was afraid to go to school or as your Secretary of Education, I am one of you. And I always will be. Despite the challenges that will face me when I head to Washington, D.C., I know that together we have got this. He thanked his family, fellow educators in Meriden and the community at large, saying they have shaped me into who I am today. He added, testimonies are better than titles, in urging students to seek to leave a positive impact on their community. Cardona also advised students to learn how to work with people you dont always agree with. Cardonas last lesson that morning: Stay true to who you are and never change. You are unique, he said. I often had a hard time fitting in and I was OK with that. I stayed true to who I was. Now I feel just as comfortable from the barrio to the boardroom. Cardona said that when he interviewed with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and VIce President-elect Kamala Harris, he sought to show them who he was. And I hoped thats what they were looking for... thankfully it was, he said. In their corner Cardonas address followed other remarks from Benigni and Kosienski and a video montage, which included footage from when Cardona was Hanovers building leader, along remarks from other city educators, officials and families, who recalled the partnerships that Cardona had forged with them. One clip showed Cardona at Hanover as he welcomed students into the building on the first day. Good morning, youre the first one at Hanover. Isnt that cool? he said, with a smile, to one young boy. Benigni, during his remarks, described Cardona as an outstanding educator, an exceptional leader and an even better person. Benigni said he is thrilled for his now-former colleague. We know you will do an amazing job as our countrys education leader. With you at the helm, all public school students, staff and families will have someone to advocate for them, someone in their corner, Benigni said to Cardona. Cardona, after the event, was asked by a reporter how he would continue the collaborative and student-centered approach that has defined his educational career. Its too late for me to change my stripes now, Cardona said in response. Im student-centered and thats always going to drive my work. I got into this field because I wanted to help children and Im blessed to be in a position now where my decisions can positively impact students across the country. I plan to listen to students. I plan to structure it so that Im listening to them regularly throughout the country. And their perspective will most certainly influence how I lead as Secretary of Education. mgagne@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ Orange County-Based Food Chain Plans to Hire 15,000 New Workers NEWPORT BEACH (CNS)Chipotle Mexican Grill will host a Coast To Coast Career Day on Jan. 15, with plans to hire 15,000 new workers for its restaurants across the United States, the Newport Beach-based company announced today. Although the pandemic has resulted in lost business for many companies, Chipotle officials said their model has allowed them to expand, ending 2020 with nearly 11,000 internal promotions and the possible addition of about 200 new restaurants coming soon. We are fortunate to be experiencing growth during this unique time and want to safely provide an opportunity for purpose-driven individuals to join us on our mission of cultivating a better world, said Marissa Andrada, Chipotles chief diversity, inclusion, and people officer. That could be welcome news to some of those who are out of work due to the pandemicwith an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in California as of November, compared to 3.9 percent the year prior. Company officials noted that 70 percent of their restaurant general managers have worked their way up through internal promotions. Additionally, Chipotle covered more than $13 million in college tuition costs and paid out $40 million in bonuses and assistance pay for its restaurant employees last year, according to the company. Chipotles benefits program includes a bonus that allows employees the opportunity to earn an extra months worth of pay each year; access to mental health care and English as a second language courses for employees and their families; tuition reimbursement and debt-free college degrees; and free meals. Those interested in the Jan. 14 hiring fair are required to register in advance online to reserve an interview time at a participating local restaurant. Interviews will be conducted from 8 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, including mandatory masks and social distancing. Candidates should visit CoastToCoastCareerDay.com. Chipotle, founded in Colorado by Steve Ells in 1993, has more than 2,700 restaurants and 94,000 employees in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its locations. Businessman known for battles with IKEA appeals sentence for tax evasion, fraud attempt RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 10:50 11/01/2021 MOSCOW, December 11 (RAPSI) A long prison sentence given to businessman Konstantin Ponomarev known for his legal battles with IKEA for attempted fraud and tax evasion has been appealed, his defense lawyer Vladimir Postanyuk has told RAPSI. The work is ongoing and a full complaint against the sentence is expected to be lodged later this month, he has added. In December, a court in the Moscow Regions town of Solnechnogorsk sentenced Ponomarev known to 10 years and 2 months in penal colony, fined him 900,000 rubles ($12,000) and forfeited the disputed diesel generators to the state. The sentence was cumulated with a previous punishment given to the entrepreneur in a false denunciation case. In early December, prosecutor Boris Neporozhny demanded 11 years and 2 months for the defendant. Investigators claimed that after one of the victories in court against IKEA Ponomarevs company received 25 billion rubles ($340 million) from the furniture corporation and the businessman transferred the money to his own bank account. In this situation, he was to pay income taxes and VAT but failed. Thus, the total amount of unpaid taxes was estimated as 9.7 billion rubles ($132 million), according to the investigation. Ponomarev and his defense insisted in turn that the company did not simply transfer the funds but transferred them in accordance with a custodial services contract. Therefore, an income tax must not be demanded by officials. A second count was related to the lend lease of diesel generators for prime power organization in Crimea. Investigators claim that the entrepreneur demanded over 5.4 billion rubles in court from lease takers. This is the second case against Ponomarev. On July 9, 2019, a court in Lyubertsy, a town in the Moscow Region, found Ponomarev guilty of false denunciation and passed the sentence on him. His lawyer Maxim Zagorsky received 7 years and 8 months behind bars. He was also banned from practicing law for 3 years. A judge held that the defendants committed several crimes related to evidence simulation. The attorney was an organizer of the criminal group, the ruling read. In mid-October 2019, the Moscow Regional Court recalculated the term of actual punishment given to Ponomarev and reduced it by 6.5 months. Actual punishment of Zagorsky in the case was also recalculated. The sentence came into force. The trial of Ponomarev and Zagorsky began in December 2018. Investigators considered initiation of criminal proceedings by a private person on Ponomarevs appeal as false denunciation. The defendants pleaded not guilty and insisted on acquittal. Ponomarev was embroiled in a long-standing dispute with IKEA that opted to rent diesel generators to power its shopping malls in St. Petersburg. Five criminal cases were opened against the businessman at the request of the Swedish retailer. However, a probe over alleged fraud found nothing, and the cases were dropped. The businessman believes that the false denunciation case was resulted from the conflict with IKEA. Ponomarev claims that the company thus wants to stretch the time and siphon assets in order to avoid paying a multibillion debt to him. Russia has registered 23,315 COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, up from 22,851 the day before, taking the tally to 3,425,269, the coronavirus response center said on Monday. "Over the past day, 23,315 coronavirus cases have been confirmed across 83 Russian regions, including 2,805 cases (12%) that were detected actively, with people showing no clinical symptoms," the center said, adding that the cumulative case count has now reached 3,425,269, with the rate of increase at 0.7%. Moscow confirmed 4,646 new coronavirus cases over the given period, up from 4,216 the day before. The Russian capital was followed by St. Petersburg with 3,004 cases, down from 3,010 the day before, and the Moscow Region with 1,315 new cases, up from 1,292 the day before. The response center reported 436 coronavirus fatalities, down from 456 the day before, raising the country's death toll to 62,273. Total recoveries count 2,800,675 after 21,786 people were discharged from hospitals over the past day, down from 24,080 the day before. According to the national public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, over 93.9 million tests to detect COVID-19 have been conducted in Russia since the beginning of the pandemic, and 625,950 suspected carriers remain under medical monitoring. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:41:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JINAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Xu Guang, former vice governor of central China's Henan Province, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for bribery. The sentence was handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Monday. Xu was also fined 1 million yuan (about 154,400 U.S. dollars). All that he obtained through bribery will be confiscated, according to the court sentence. The court found that between 2004 and 2018, Xu had taken advantage of his multiple posts in Henan's Zhoukou city to assist some organizations and individuals in project contracting, business operations and personnel recruitment and promotion. In return, he accepted money and gifts worth over 12.65 million yuan. The court ruled that Xu's acts constitute the crime of accepting bribes but it decided to grant a lenient sentence as he had been cooperative during investigation, confessed his crimes and showed repentance, and that all the illegal gains have been recovered. Xu accepted the sentence and said he will not appeal. 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. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Persistence Market Research Released New Market Report on "Global Market Study on Obesity Surgery Devices : Asia-Pacific to Witness Highest Growth by 2020" the global obesity surgery devices market was valued at USD 1,432.4 million in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of USD 2,489.5 million in 2020. Globally, the obesity surgery devices market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing obesity epidemic and increasing sedentary lifestyle and junk food habits. Increasing prevalence of obesity among children and adults is posing a threat in both developed and developing nations. Excess body weight directly contributes to increasing risk of stroke, heart diseases, type-2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Get Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/2894 Some of the major players in the obesity surgery devices market: Johnson & Johnson. Medtronic, Inc. Apollo Endosurgery Inc. Aspire Bariatrics. Spatz FGIA Inc. MetaCure. IntraPace Inc Get To Know Methodology of Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/2894 Obesity surgery is a broadly available treatment for persons with severe and complex obesity. However, inadequate insurance coverage for the procedure and excessive cost of surgery often makes it unaffordable. In addition, selective nature of obesity surgery, due to its complications, restricts growth of obesity surgery devices market. The global obesity surgery device market is estimated at USD 1,432.4 million in 2014 . It is likely to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2014 to 2020 to reach USD 2,489.5 million in 2020 . North America is facing serious public health problems due to obesity. The US accounted for 13% of obese persons worldwide in 2013. Similarly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 24.5% of Americans were suffering from obesity in 2004 and this increased to 35.7% in 2011. In 2011, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the most common procedure in North America. Access Full Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/2894 In Europe, obesity is a major public health challenge in Europe. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2010, approximately 52% of the population in the European Union was obese or overweight. However, in Asia obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries in Asia Pacific. South East Asia and Western Pacific regions are facing an epidemic of obesity-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. China and India accounted for around 15% of the world's obese population worldwide in 2013. Advertisement House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders formally accused Donald Trump of incitement to insurrection Monday morning as part of an attempt to shame him out of office at breakneck speed. Democrats introduced their impeachment resolution, first floated Friday, accusing Trump of 'incitement of insurrection' as the House met and later announced there would be a vote on it on Wednesday starting at 9a.m. Top Democrats say it has enough support to pass the House - and that they expect Republicans to sign on to it. And they set up fast-moving floor votes that that will force House Republicans to cast votes this week both on President Trump's fitness for office and on whether to remove him during his final days in power. On Monday morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) sought to call up a resolution that would instruct Pence to convene cabinet members to declare Trump 'incapable of executing the duties of his office' under the terms of the 25th Amendment. But he failed to get 'unanimous consent' when a House Republican objected. Pelosi says she will respond by bringing the 25th amendment resolution to the floor Tuesday - meaning Republicans will have to vote on the record on whether they believe Trump is fit for office. That vote will be later on Tuesday with members ordered back to D.C. in a message from Democratic leadership which said the impeachment vote would take place Wednesday. Given that a majority of the House have already signed on, with at least 218 having backed the motion Monday, Trump will become on Wednesday the first president to be impeached twice, unless he leaves officer before then. The moves came on a day when: Melania Trump issued a statement condemning the violence of last week but naming the dead rioters before the dead police then lashing out at 'salacious gossip' about her, an apparent reference to the revelation she continued with a photoshoot while the Capitol was desecrated; Trump tried to give an impression of business as usual, giving a Medal of Freedom at the White House to Jim Jordan, the 'freedom caucus' Republican House member who was all-in on overturning the election results; The FBI warned of armed protests being planned in all 50 states between now and Joe Biden taking office; More MAGA rioters were swept up by police around the country, but questions mounted over the police failures which let them storm the Capitol; 10,000 National Guard were ordered to be in Washington D.C. for Biden's inauguration in a sign of how concerned the FBI and other agencies are about more MAGA rioting; Biden unveiled more of his plans for his inauguration, including laying a wreath at Arlington with former presidents Bush, Clinton and Obama in a very public demonstration that Trump is an outcast; The Supreme Court declined to fast-track Trump's one-time attorney Sidney Powell's 'Kraken' compendium of discredited voter fraud claims, while the New York Bar Association started investigating Rudy Giuliani over his 'trial by combat' speech to the MAGA rally before they desecrated the Capitol; Josh Hawley was told to hand back a $5,000 donation by Hallmark as big business, led by the biggest banks, JP Morgan and Bank of America, turned off the cash spigot to him and the so-called GOP 'treason caucus.' In Congress, Democrats escalated their rhetorical attack on Trump in their article of impeachment. The latest text of the impeachment resolution cites the post-Civil War 14th amendment, noting it 'prohibits any person who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion against' the United States from 'hold[ing] any office . . . under the United States'. The text can be amended between now and Wednesday, but is close to previous drafts released Friday. Its formal introduction in the House came in a brief session where Hoyer stood to introduce the demand for Pence to use the 25th Amendment, asking that Republicans assent to it without objection. IMPEACHMENT: WHAT HAPPENS NOW Tuesday: House votes on telling Pence to use the 25th Amendment in the next 24 hours; majority support certain Wednesday: If Pence has not acted, House will vote on single article of impeachment Tuesday January 19: First date Senate can take up impeachment, according to Mitch McConnell Wednesday January 20, noon: Joe Biden inaugurated Wednesday January 20, 1pm: Earliest possible start to impeachment trial, according to McConnell But Democrats could hold back the Article for as much as 100 days to let Joe Biden have his cabinet picks confirmed. And Chuck Schumer, who becomes Senate leader on January 20, has offered no indication of how he plans to proceed. Advertisement In swift parliamentary action, West Virginia Republican Rep. Alex Mooney immediately objected to the request to bring up the resolution. He posted a statement on Twitter explaining his reasons, which were entirely procedural and expressed opposition to bringing it up 'without any debate on the floor,' although he also said it could 'imperil our Republic.' Mooney was one of 139 House Republicans who voted to overturn the election even after the MAGA riot. Pelosi's plan is to first try to bring up the resolution formally requesting Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment through the request, then follow up by bringing it before the full House. The amendment provides either for the cabinet to meet to assess the president, or a special committee to be established by Congress although Congress has never created such a body. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) began developing 25th amendment legislation months ago, and has examined the issue for years. The move puts pressure on Pence who Trump publicly sought to strong-arm at the rally that proceeded the Capitol riots. Crowd members at the Capitol also screamed out calls to 'hang' Pence. Trump reportedly has not spoken with Pence since the stunning events of last week. The resolution would not carry the force of law, but it would be the first test for House Republicans, many of whom served with Pence, since a vote hours after the riot split the conference on whether to count votes where Trump has claimed fraud. A majority of Republicans voted not to count the ballots just hours after many of them had been hiding in undisclosed locations while the mob rampaged the Capitol building. Democrats believe they will get some House Republicans to sign up to impeachment, such as Adam Kinzinger, who has been outspoken in his attacks on Trump. Their biggest prize would be Republican number three Liz Cheney, who slammed members of the GOP caucus who voted against certifying the elections. House move: Democrats brought a 'unanimous consent' measure to the floor calling for Mike Pence to use the 25th Amendment but Republicans objected, meaning Democrats will force a vote on it Tuesday which would be likely to be followed by an impeachment vote Wednesday Blocked: Steny Hoyer, the House Democratic leader, brought the unanimous consent measure but Republican Alex Mooney registered an objection, forcing a vote on it Tuesday READ DEMOCRATS' ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT Advertisement Their two-pronged attack on Republicans and Trump also separates question of Trump's fitness from some practical considerations about impeachment, since the move would take effect immediately. There is however no doubt Democrats will persist with impeachment even if Trump resigns or is removed - neither of which appear likely to happen as of Monday. Republicans who have publicly broken with Trump since Wednesdays Capitol riots Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.) Said Trump 'committed impeachable offenses.' Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah) Said the president had caused this insurrection. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) Called on Trump to resign. I want him out. Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) Said Trump caused the riot and called his response completely inadequate Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) Called for Trump to resign and called 25th Amendment the next best thing. Said he would vote the right way on impeachment, without endorsing the tactic. Rep. Peter Meijer (Mich.) Said fellow Republicans told lied and deceived and called what happened an act of domestic terrorism Advertisement They believe the constitution allows for impeachment to continue after Trump has left office. They also believe they could secure more Republican senators' support for conviction and disqualification for office after Trump leaves office than before. The backdrop for Monday's move was a House chamber still scarred by the violence of last week. The violent clash that resulted in broken windows and the shooting of a Trump supporter took place just feet away, outside the Speaker's lobby. The weekend brought fresh video footage of vicious attacks on Capitol Police officers, new clips that revealed just how close the Senate chamber was to being overrun while in session, arrests of more alleged perpetrators across the country, and the tragic suicide of a Capitol Police officer who was there for the siege. Even if the House votes Wednesday to impeach, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrote colleagues a trial would not likely begin until January 19th missing the opportunity to remove Trump from office, and also complicating the start of President-elect Joe Biden's tenure. Unlike through impeachment, if Pence and a majority of the cabinet officers were to vote that Trump was unfit for office, Pence would immediately become acting president for a period of days that would run out Trump's term. The House Rules Committee is expected to meet Monday on setting the terms of debate for the impeachment vote that would likely come Wednesday. The impeachment vote itself would also split Republicans. More than 200 Democrats have already gotten behind the effort. Since Wednesday's riots, a few prominent Republicans have called for Trump to resign or be subject to impeachment. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) said Sunday that Trump 'committed impeachable offenses.' Pelosi, having conferenced with fellow Democrats by phone, and whose office was invaded by Trump supporters who damaged her office and stole property, is demanding swift action. 'We will act with urgency, because this president represents an imminent threat to both,' she wrote Sunday. 'The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this president is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.' The impeachment vote will once again put GOP leaders on record as well. Both Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise voted not to seat electors certified in states that Joe Biden won. The House votes will test Republican support for Donald Trump following a Capitol riot carried out by his supporters that resulted in five deaths House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) backed Trump's claims to overturn election results after the president's supporters overran the Capitol But McCarthy was reportedly on a call 'screaming' at Trump trying to get him to publicly demand his supporters leave the Capitol at a time when lawmakers and Pence were in physical danger. Retired Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake told CNN Monday those in party leadership positions in Congress 'who went along with the president's falsehoods ... ought to face consequences in terms of their own reelection and obviously immediately in terms of leadership positions that they might hold. 'So i hope that the party has a reckoning here,' he said. The effect of the procedural moves, even if they don't result in Trump's removal from office, will be to put House Republicans on record. It could also flush out any House Republicans who have decided to break with Trump after opposing the first Democratic impeachment effort. Meanwhile, some pro-Trump House Republicans are already are already telegraphing they would seek to use impeachment against Joe Biden. 'We never think about the consequences. It's going to be like: Game on. Let's impeach [Biden] 12 times in a week,' one Democrat opposed to impeachment told Politico. The desire for action against Trump escalated over the weekend. On Sunday night. Nancy Pelosi fought to contain her emotions as she told 60 Minutes how her staff cowered under desks in the dark for two hours, as a frenzied mob of Trump supporters smashed through her office. 'I think there was, universally accepted, that what happened...' she said, pausing to compose herself. 'Was a terrible, terrible violation of what - of the Capitol, of the first branch of government, the legislative branch, by the president of the United States.' Pelosi's door was smashed down, and rioters stormed her private office. I SUFFERED TOO: MELANIA BREAKS SILENCE TO CONDEMN RIOT Melania Trump on Monday broke her silence on last week's mob attack on the Capitol, saying she 'absolutely condemns the violence' incited by her husband and calling for 'healing' as the couple prepares to leave office. Five days after the attacked that resulted in five deaths, the first lady published a statement that acknowledged the deaths of her husband's supporters before the deaths of two Capitol Police officers - and lashed out extensively at 'gossip' about her. 'My heart goes out to: Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbit, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Rosanne Boyland, and Capitol Police Officers, Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. I pray for their families comfort and strength during this difficult time,' she wrote. But in her 600-word essay published by the White House, she quickly turned the situation to herself, slamming the 'salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me' - a reference to reports she was conducting a photo shoot in the White House during the MAGA mob scene. 'I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain,' she wrote in the message entitled Our Path Forward. The essay is filled with spelling errors - Babbit's name was spelled wrong - it was Babbitt - and grammatical mistakes. It also cast no blame for Wednesday's riot on her husband, who, at a rally earlier that day had encouraged his supporters to march on Capitol Hill. Melania Trump broke her silence on last week's mob attack on the Capitol, saying she 'absolutely condemns the violence' incited by her husband The first lady issued a 600-word statement called Our Path Forward which was published on the White House website early on Monday Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late senator John McCain and a frequent critic of the president, blasted Melania Trump for her statement. 'Five people died in a domestic terror attack on our own republic last week incited by her husband but Melania Trump is the victim in this?! Every morning I think I cant get more disgusted....,' Meghan McCain tweeted. While Melania has largely stayed quiet during Donald Trump's attempts to illegally reverse the election results, she has echoed the president's misleading language of 'counting legal votes' and has not publicly acknowledged Joe Biden's victory. But she wrote in her latest message that 'it has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your first lady', a tacit acknowledgement that her term is nearly over. Biden takes the oath of office on January 20th. It's unclear what's in store for Melania Trump after life in the White House. She has been reportedly looking at schools for son Barron in Florida but has made no indication she plans to keep up her 'Be Best' campaign or her work with the military once her husband leaves office. The first lady has been spending her final days in the White House behind closed doors. She and her husband have rarely been seen since their return from Florida on December 31st, where they were spending the holidays at Mar-a-Lago. Melania's message was published early on Monday morning, three days after the president was permanently banned from Twitter - with Trump not showing his face since promising an orderly transition in a video message on Thursday. And while Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump had appeared at a campaign rally Wednesday morning where the president whipped his supporters into a frenzy shortly before they besieged the Capitol, the first lady stayed out of sight during the day of chaos. Two of her staff quit in protest of the president's handling of the riots: her chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham and social secretary Anna Cristina 'Rickie' Niceta. As a White House source told The Mail on Sunday that during Wednesday's siege of the Capitol, the first lady was in the East Wing of the White House overseeing a photoshoot for a new coffee table book about presidential artifacts. 'The heart of US government was under siege, our very democracy on the line, but Mrs Trump was calmly arranging porcelain figurines for the photographer,' the source said, saying even the most loyal remaining Trump staffers were left 'dumbfounded' by her actions. Aides even asked Melania to intercede on Wednesday, to force her husband to publicly decry the insurgency, but she refused. 'She said nothing. She remained silent and carried on arranging a vase for the shoot. She checked out of this presidency and her marriage a long time ago.' Additionally, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who worked in the East Wing in the early days of the administration and then wrote a memoir of her time there that painted Melania in an unflattering light, wrote in The Daily Beast over the weekend that she is 'ashamed' to have ever worked for the first lady. I cant believe how blind I was to the depth of her deception and lack of common decency, Wolkoff wrote. Without mentioning those claims directly in her statement on Monday, Melania condemned what she said were 'false misleading accusations on me' from 'people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda'. The first lady said she was praying for the families of the four protesters and two Capitol Police officers who died in the hours and days after the attack. She added that 'our nation must heal in a civil manner', after President Trump initially praised the mob as 'very special' but later condemned the violence. 'Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation's Capitol. Violence is never acceptable,' she wrote. Police casualties: Officer Brian Sicknick was murdered, allegedly by being hit with a fire extinguisher. Officer Howard Liebengood took his own life on Saturday morning Dead rioters: Ashli Babbitt was shot by a Capitol Hill officer as she tried to smash her way into the Speaker's Lobby. Rosanne Boyland died in the Rotunda; she is thought to have been trampled to death by the mob Dead rioters: Benjamin Philips organized a bus trip of MAGA fanatics from Bloomsburg, PA, and died, possibly of a stroke, having posted that it was'the first day of the rest of our lives.' Kevin Greeson had a heart attack. In recent days he posted on Parler: 'Let's take this f***ing country back,' posed with two AR-15-style rifles and a handgun and spewed abuse about Nancy Pelosi Advertisement Nancy Pelosi closed her eyes and took a minute to compose herself, speaking about the riot Nancy Pelosi, in a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday, showed Stahl the destruction in her office Pelosi's employees cowered under this table in the dark for two hours as the mob roamed Rioters draped in Trump flags are pictured rampaging through Pelosi's office One man is seen photographing a picture from Pelosi's office, having broken into the room Trump supporters in their MAGA caps played with Pelosi's office furniture The mob of Trump supporters chanted Pelosi's name as they rampaged through the building 'The staff went under the table, barricaded the door, turned out the lights, and were silent in the dark,' Pelosi said, showing 60 Minutes interviewer Lesley Stahl the damage. 'Under the table for two and a half hours.' During this time in hiding, they listened to the invaders banging on that door. Pelosi's team cowered, praying the mob did not find them. 'You see what they did to the mirror there? The glass was all over the place,' said Pelosi. 'They took a computer and all that stuff. 'And then the desk that they actually were at was right there that they defamed in that way, feet on the desk and all that.' One of the rioters, Richard Barnett, 60, was pictured putting his feet up on her desk. The MAGA rioter who put his feet up on Nancy Pelosi 's desk was arrested at home in Arkansas Barnett, who proudly referred to himself as a white nationalist on social media, was federally charged with unlawful entry. He was taken into custody at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. Richard Barnett, 60, has been charged with unlawful entry Another, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, allegedly wrote in a text to a friend that he was thinking of 'putting a bullet in [Pelosi's] noggin on Live TV'. Another text allegedly reads: 'I'm gonna run that c**t Pelosi over while she chews on her gums.' According to officials, a third text from Meredith, who is a married, father-of-two, says he has 'a sh*t ton of armor piercing ammo'. Meredith is one of 13 people who have been charged with federal crimes. Pelosi told Stahl: 'The evidence is now that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people. 'They were vocally saying, 'Where's the speaker? We know she has staff. They're here someplace. We're going to find them.'' Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr (pictured) allegedly texted friends that he wanted to shoot or run over Nancy Pelosi While the mayhem was unfurling, Pelosi and other Congressmen had been taken to a safe location. She was unaware until later what had happened in her office. 'When the protesters were making the assault on the Capitol, before they even got to these doors, the Capitol Police pulled me from the podium,' she said. 'And I was concerned because I said: 'No, I want to be here.' 'And they said: 'Well, no, you have to leave.' 'I said: 'No, I'm not leaving.' 'They said: 'No, you must leave.'' Pelosi said that she was disgusted that some Congressmen still voted to overthrow the election results, when the session resumed. 'After the violence. Shame on them,' she said. 'And shame on two-thirds of the Republican caucus in the House supporting... so these people are enablers of the president's behavior.' Pelosi wrote to her Democrat colleagues on Sunday night to explain the next steps On Sunday night Pelosi wrote to her Democrat colleagues to say that, unless Mike Pence invokes the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, they will proceed with impeachment. Trump could become the only president to be impeached twice. 'In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both,' she said, and added: 'The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.' She, and other Democrats, further fear the president could pardon those involved in the storming of the Capitol in his final days. With impeachment planning intensifying, two Republican senators said they want Trump to resign immediately as efforts mounted to prevent Trump from ever again holding elective office in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated on January 20. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas on Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. 'Let's give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running,' Clyburn said. Pressure was mounting for Trump to leave office even before his term ended amid alarming concerns of more unrest ahead of the inauguration. The mob overran the Capitol Police shortly after Trump urged them to 'fight' on his behalf 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 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 man in a QAnon hoodie is seen inside the Capitol on Wednesday Lawmakers and law enforcement are pursuing all available avenues to find and prosecute those involved in the Capitol riot using picture and video evidence to do so A protester struggles with a riot police officer outside the Capitol building after the 6pm curfew went into effect The president is accused of whipping up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five dead. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined his fellow Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to 'resign and go away as soon as possible.' 'I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again,' Toomey said. 'I don't think he is electable in any way.' Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trump's conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply 'needs to get out.' A third Republican, Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be 'very careful' in his final days in office. Corporate America began to tie its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group 'will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy,' Kim said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citi's head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, 'We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law.' Lisa Murkowski, senator for Alaska, has said she is considering quitting the Republicans Murkowski said that Trump should resign, saying he had done enough damage Trump supporters, egged on by the president himself, stormed the Capitol on Wednesday House leaders, furious after the insurrection, appear determined to act against Trump despite the short timeline. Mike Pence 'has not ruled out the 25th Amendment' Mike Pence and Donald Trump have not spoken since Wednesday's uprising, CNN reported, during which pro-Trump rioters charged through the Senate looking for Pence and threatening to 'hang' him. Trump was angered by Pence telling him he was not constitutionally able to overturn the election, and lashed out at his vice president on Wednesday, telling supporters: 'Mike Pence has to come through for us. If he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country.' He later tweeted: 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.' Pence has finally 'gotten a glimpse of POTUS's vindictiveness,' one source told CNN. It is the first time the normally-loyal Pence has publicly broken with the president. CNN said that Pence has not ruled out the 25th Amendment. Invoking the 25th Amendment would require Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Trump from office due to his inability to 'discharge the powers and duties of his office' - an unprecedented step. On Thursday, sources close to the VP said it was 'highly unlikely' Pence would attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment. He has not ruled it out, however. Advertisement Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Senator Marco Rubio said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to 'talk about ridiculous things like 'Let's impeach a president' with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would 'vote the right way' if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did 'is for them to decide.' While some Democrats are pushing for the impeachment route, the House Speaker told 60 Minutes that she prefers invoking the 25th Amendment because it gets Trump out of office immediately. 'There is a possibility that after all of this, there's no punishment, no consequence, and he could run again for president,' Stahl said to Pelosi in a clip released ahead of airing the full interview. 'And that's one of the motivations that people have for advocating for impeachment,' Pelosi explained. She is, however, concerned that if Trump is not booted from the White House right now, he will use his last 10 days in office to pardon those part of the mob who descended on the Capitol Wednesday or even himself and other allies. 'I like the 25th Amendment because it gets rid of him he's out of office,' Pelosi said. 'But there is strong support in the Congress for impeaching the president a second time.' 'What if he pardons himself?' Stahl asked. 'What if pardons these people who are terrorists on the Capitol?' Pelosi shot back. Congress is moving to prosecute or punish any and all they can find who were involved in the riots at the Capitol and have already found some who were pictured prominently. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday in an interview with ABC's 'This Week' that half of the members of the House were at risk of dying during the riots. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday of the pro-Trump mob descending on the Capitol House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday that Democrats will vote on impeachment this week, but said the party might wait until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office to move the articles to the Senate WHAT DOES THE 25TH AMENDMENT SAY? CAN TRUMP'S CABINET REALLY TOPPLE HIM? The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution deals with presidential authority in the event of death or removal from office, and was ratified in 1967, in the wake of John F Kennedy's assassination. What does the 25th Amendment say? It is in four sections, all dealing with the president leaving office during his or her elected term. The first section states that the vice president takes over the Oval Office if the president dies or resigns or is removed something which the original Constitution did not clearly state. Presidents of course can be removed by impeachment, a feature of the constitution from the start. They can also be removed through the 25th Amendment - of which more below. Section II states that if the vice president dies, or resigns or is fired both the House and Senate have to confirm a new vice president. Until 1967, presidents could change vice presidents mid-term on their own if they got the vice president to agree to resign - not something that actually happened, but which was possible in principle. Section III makes clear that a president can temporarily delegate his powers to the vice president, and later reclaim them when he - or she - is capable of serving. This is most often invoked if a president is under the influence of surgical anesthetic for a short period of time. Section IV is the amendment's most controversial part: it describes how the president can be removed from office if he is incapacitated and does not leave on his own. The vice president and 'a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide' must write to both the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, saying that 'the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.' The term principal officers of the executive departments would normally mean the cabinet secretaries. So at least eight of the president's 15 most senior Cabinet members together with the vice president must agree that a president should be removed before any plan can move forward. Notifying the House Speaker and the Senate president pro tempore is the act that immediately elevates the vice president to an 'acting president' role. The deposed president can contest the claim, giving the leaders of the bloodless coup four days to re-assert their claims to the House and Senate. Congress then has two days to convene unless it is already in session and another 21 days to vote on whether the president is incapable of serving. A two-thirds majority in both houses is required to make that determination. As soon as there is a vote with a two-thirds majority, the president loses his powers and is removed, and the vice president stops acting and is sworn in as president. But if 21 days of debate and votes ends without a two-thirds majority, the president gets back his powers. What could happen to trigger the 25th Amendment? Vice President Mike Pence and eight of the 15 'principal' Cabinet members would have to agree to notify Congress that President Donald Trump was incapable of running the country. That group is made up of the Secretary of State, Treasury Secretary, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Interior Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, Commerce Secretary, Labor Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretary, Transportation Secretary, Energy Secretary , Education Secretary, Veterans Affairs Secretary and Homeland Security Secretary. Their formal notification would go to the House Speaker and, in the senate, to the 'president pro tempore', the Senate's most senior member. As soon as the letter is sent, Pence would become 'acting president.' Alternatively, Congress could set up its own mechanism to decide if he is fit for office - maybe a commission, or a joint committee. Pence would still have to agree with its conclusion and then write formally to the Speaker and president pro tempore. Or another possibility is that the pool of 'principal officers' is considered to be bigger than the 15 and a majority of that group call Trump incapable. What if Trump does not agree? If Trump claims he is capable of holding office, he would write to the House Speaker and the president pro tempore of the Senate within four days, setting up three weeks of intense debate in both houses of Congress. Trump would be removed from office if both two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate agreed with Pence and his cabal. If either of both chambers fell short of that mark, Trump would retain his powers and likely embark on a wholesale housecleaning, firing Pence and replacing disloyal Cabinet members. Are there any loopholes? The 25th Amendment allows Congress to appoint its own panel to evaluate the president instead of relying on the Cabinet the men and women who work most closely with Trump to decide on a course of action. It specifies that some 'other body as Congress may by law provide' could play that role, but Pence would still need to agree with any finding that the president is incapable of discharging his duties. That commission could hypothetically include anyone from presidential historians to psychiatrists, entrusted to assess the president's fitness for office. Another loophole is that it does not spell out that the Cabinet is needed to agree, but says that the 'principal officers' of the departments are needed. That term is undefined in the constitution. In some departments legislation appears to name not just the secretary but deputies and even undersecretaries as 'principal officers', so many more people could be called in to the assessment of Trump's fitness. But Trump's cabinet has a swathe of 'acting' cabinet officer - and it is unclear if they could therefore take part in removing him. Could Trump fire Pence if he rebelled? No. The vice president can resign or be impeached and removed - but he does not serve at the pleasure of the president. Is there any precedent for this? No. Only Section III, the voluntary surrender of presidential powers, has ever been used - and only very briefly. In December 1978, President Jimmy Carter thought about invoking Section III when he was contemplating a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush both voluntarily relinquished their powers while undergoing procedures under anesthetic. Section IV has also never been invoked, although there have been claims that Ronald Reagan's chief of staff Donald Regan told his successor, Howard Baker, in 1987 that he should be prepared to invoke it because Reagan was inattentive and inept. The PBS documentary 'American Experience' recounts how Baker and his team watched Reagan closely for signs of incapacity during their first meeting and decided he was in perfect command of himself. Advertisement 'If another head of state came in and ordered an attack on the United States Congress, would we say that that should not be prosecuted? Would we say that there should be absolutely no response to that?' the New York congresswoman told ABC host George Stephanopoulos. 'No,' Ocasio-Cortez asserted. 'It is an act of insurrection. It's an act of hostility. And we must have accountability, because, without it, it will happen again. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' she said. Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New York Representative, agreed with AOC's points in an interview with NBC on Sunday, claiming: 'Donald Trump represents a clear and present danger to the health and safety of the American people, as well as our democracy' The representative, as well as the handful of members of her progressive 'squad', are fully on board with plans to again impeach President Trump. Clyburn said Sunday that articles have already been drawn and he is expecting a vote in the lower chamber in the coming day. 'I think that will come probably Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday, but it will happen this week,' the No. 3 House Democrat told 'Fox News Sunday' when asked about the House taking action to impeach Trump. 'The rest of the articles have been drawn up.' 'If we are the people's House, let's do the people's work and vote to impeach this president,' Clyburn continued in his interview with Fox's Chris Wallace. 'And then we'll decide later or the Senate will decide later what to do with that impeachment.' Ocasio-Cortez said 'every minute' Trump is still in office, there is a looming threat. 'I absolutely believe that impeachment should be scheduled for several reasons,' she said on Sunday. 'Our main priority is to ensure the removal of Donald Trump as president of the United States,' AOC added. 'Every minute and every hour that he is in office represents a clear and present danger, not just to the United States Congress, but, frankly, to the country.' While Democrats pursue impeachment, many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are calling for Trump to step down on his own volition to prevent Congress from having to intervene. Lawmakers were forced to evacuate the House and Senate chambers and shelter in offices or other locations on Wednesday after thousands of Donald Trump's supporters breached the Capitol and rioted through the halls There are also talks of banning Trump from running for president again in the future as speculation mounts he will pursue another run for the White House in 2024. 'In addition to removal, we're also talking about complete barring of the president or, rather, of Donald Trump from running for office ever again,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC. 'And, in addition to that, the potential ability to prevent pardoning himself from those charges that he was impeached for.' Jeffries also wants immediate action against Trump, expressing concern that the president still has 'access to the nuclear codes.' 'The goal at the present moment is to address the existential threat that Donald Trump presents at this time. Every second, every minute, every hour that Donald Trump remains in office presents a danger to the American people,' the Democrat representative said on Sunday during an interview on 'Meet the Press'. 'You know, Donald Trump may be in the Twitter penalty box, but he still has access to the nuclear codes,' Jeffries said, referencing Trump's indefinite ban from Twitter. 'That's a frightening prospect.' He added: 'Donald Trump is completely and totally out of control, and even his longtime enablers have now come to that conclusion.' Clyburn, however, said Sunday that House Democrats are weighing if they should hold off on sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office. This way, Democrats would allow the new president to install key members of his team and would have a new 50-50 split Senate to work with. Screenshot shows the Bloomberg news report published on Jan. 4, 2021. Bloomberg reported on Jan. 4, 2021 that Thailand would get its first load of Covid-19 vaccine supply from Chinas Sinovac Biotech Ltd. in the coming February, allowing the start of inoculating for people with the highest risks to be infected in the country amid a resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak. According to Thailands Health Ministry, Thailand will receive Chinas Covid-19 vaccines in three batches. The first batch of 200,000 doses will arrive in February, following by a second batch of 800,000 coming in March, and another 1 million doses in April. Thailand is now experiencing a new wave of local infections starting from seafood markets near Bangkok, the countrys capital city. A new set of restrictions on businesses and gatherings have been imposed to curb the outbreak. The forthcoming vaccine is expected to act as an immediate measure to contain the situation. Up to the day Bloombergs report published, Thailand reported 315 new virus cases on Jan. 3, 2021, with 294 of them locally transmitted, taking the countrys total confirmed cases to 7,694. In response to it, the Thai government has set a target of inoculating 50% of the countrys population by the end of 2021, which is about 33 million people, Bloomberg noted. The vaccine source varies, except for Chinas Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Thailand is also negotiating with other vaccine developers for additional supplies, Thai Health Ministry stated. [ Editor: WXY ] Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff has announced her shock split from boyfriend Seb Guilhaus, one year after finding love on reality TV. Elizabeth, 29, shared the sad news via Instagram on Monday, uploading a photo of the couple in happier times alongside a heartbreaking caption. 'We have mutually decided to end our relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. We want to thank everyone for the endless support we have received on our platforms. Please be kind and respectful,' she began. It's over! Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff, 29, and boyfriend Seb Guilhaus, 31, have split after one year of dating 'We are aware you have followed parts of our journey, but please remember we are real people, and we are both navigating our way through this time to the best of our abilities.' The tattooed reality star explained she was 'well aware' the announcement would spark 'countless rumours', and asked fans to respect her privacy. 'It is still fresh for us both, we just know there has been some curiosity as we have shared parts of our relationship online and we met on national television,' she wrote. 'We have decided to end our relationship': Elizabeth shared the sad news via Instagram on Monday, uploading a photo of the couple in happier times alongside a heartbreaking caption Where it started: The exes debuted their relationship in March last year when they were introduced as an 'intruder couple' on Married At First Sight's seventh season 'We are both respectful of each other and are still involved in each other's lives. We both have cherished each other and have grown together. We would like to send love and well wishes to all,' Elizabeth concluded. Seb, 31, meanwhile, uploaded an identical post to his own page. The exes debuted their relationship in March last year when they were introduced as an 'intruder couple' on Married At First Sight's seventh season. Taking the next step: After the show ended in April, the couple announced plans to move to Sydney's beachside suburb of Dee Why together Their romance quickly blossomed, and the lovebirds eventually decided to stay together as a couple during the final vows ceremony. After the show ended in April, they announced plans to move to Sydney's beachside suburb of Dee Why together. Seb was based in South Australia at the time, while Elizabeth was in Sydney for work. Ringing it in! In September, the couple confirmed their romance was stronger than ever when they shared this photo to Instagram of themselves wearing matching rings Their plans fell through due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, and they were forced to continue their relationship long-distance. In September, the couple confirmed their romance was stronger than ever when they shared a photo to Instagram of themselves wearing matching rings. 'He said to me, "Is it S & L?" I said "Yeah, baby"... Corny but I love it,' Elizabeth captioned her post at the time. What went wrong? Neither Elizabeth nor Seb have revealed the reason for their break-up Over on Seb's Instagram, he wrote: 'Compromise... give and take... melding of two worlds.' In December, the couple were spotted holding hands and packing on the PDA when they arrived to film Married At First Sight's all-stars reunion in Lilyfield, Sydney. The last photo of the couple was posted on December 26, which showed a festive-looking Elizabeth wearing a Santa hat while cosying up to Seb for a car selfie. German chancellor Angela Merkel regards Donald Trump's permanent ban from Twitter as 'problematic' because it gives too much power to social media bosses, her spokesman said today. Trump was permanently booted off the platform on Friday because of the 'risk of further incitement of violence' after his supporters stormed the US Capitol while Congress was certifying his election defeat. Merkel - a longstanding critic of Trump - said she was 'furious and saddened' by the rampage, but her spokesman Steffen Seibert said today that 'the chancellor considers it problematic that the accounts of the US president have been permanently blocked'. 'The fundamental right to freedom of opinion is a fundamental right of elementary importance,' he said. 'This fundamental right can be interfered with, but through the law and within the framework defined by the legislature, not according to the decision of the management of social media platforms.' While tech giants were right not to 'stand back' and were justified in red-flagging Trump's tweets, banning his account altogether was a step too far, he said. He added that social media bosses 'bear great responsibility for political communication not being poisoned by hatred, by lies and by incitement to violence'. When asked about Donald Trump's Twitter ban, Merkel's spokesman said that the freedom of opinion is a fundamental right of 'elementary significance.' Twitter permanently suspended Trump on Friday, citing a 'risk of further incitement of violence' in the wake of the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the outgoing president. France's finance minister Bruno Le Maire also voiced doubts about Trump's ban today, telling France Inter radio that it should not be for the 'digital oligarchy' to regulate itself. Echoing Merkel's spokesman, Le Maire said that regulatory decisions should be taken by elected governments rather than by American corporate bosses. Merkel, an understated multilateralist who has little in common with the brash Trump, has been critical of the US president on numerous occasions during his four years in office - including when she condemned the Capitol riots last week. 'I regret that since November President Trump has not acknowledged his defeat and also yesterday,' she said following the rampage. In 2019 she criticized Trump's suggestion that four Democratic congresswomen should 'go back' to their supposed home countries, saying she 'felt solidarity' with the women he had attacked. She has also described Trump's tariffs on EU imports as 'illegal' and criticized his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. But both leaders have clashed with social media giants during their terms in office - with Germany bringing in a new law in 2018 to force them to remove hate speech. Like several European countries, privacy-conscious Germany has also been at loggerheads with US tech firms over data protection and tax payments. Merkel herself does not have a Twitter account, although Seibert does and many German government ministers do. Facebook on Thursday suspended Trumps account through to January 20, the day of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, and possibly indefinitely. Though Twitter hasn't issued any further statements after its banning of Trump , it appears to be conducting a mass purge of any accounts connected with the 'QAnon' conspiracy theory, banning Trump loyalists Mike Flynn, Sidney Powell, and thousands of others. The apparent effect has been to massively shrink the follower counts of high-profile conservative figures and Trump allies. In a video message on Facebook, Don Jr claimed that he had lost 100,000 Twitter followers in the past day. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted an image of an analytical tool showing key elected Democrats gaining tens of thousands of followers, while key Republicans were losing them at the same rate. 'This is how you create an echo chamber...' Pompeo wrote. Don Jr added: 'The world is laughing at America & Mao, Lenin, & Stalin are smiling. Big tech is able to censor the President? Free speech is dead & controlled by leftist overlords,' Don Trump Jr said in a tweet on Saturday, urging followers to join his mailing list, 'In case I'm next.' In his tweets on Saturday, Don Jr pointed out that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who tweeted last year calling for 'the elimination of the Zionist regime' through 'firm, armed resistance,' still has multiple official Twitter accounts. President Trump on Friday night found a loophole around his Twitter ban by using the @POTUS account. The tweets claimed that he may set up his own social media platform but were quickly deleted again Amid the bans, Trump loyalists appear to be abandoning Twitter in droves, signing up for Gab and Parler, social media sites that bill themselves as 'free-speech' alternatives to Twitter. But Parler on Monday disappeared from the web and vanished from the Apple and Google app stores after tech giants cut ties with the platform in the wake of the deadly mob attack at the US Capitol. Parler went offline shortly after 3am EST after Amazon booted the platform off its web hosting service, effectively shutting it down until it can find a new hosting partner. Parler, which was used by some of the rioters before the insurrection, was the most-downloaded app in the Apple store on Friday before both Apple and Google cut off its access to their app stores. Hailed by Donald Trump supporters as a conservative-friendly alternative to Twitter - which permanently suspended the president on Friday - the site is seen as a magnet for the far right and was accused by Apple, Google and Amazon of continuing to allow messages inciting violence after Wednesday's riot. Parler, which Apple claims was used by some of the rioters to help plan the insurrection, was the most-downloaded app in the Apple store on Friday before both Apple and Google cut off its access to their app stores. Hailed by Donald Trump supporters as a conservative-friendly alternative to Twitter, Parler is seen as a magnet for the far right and was accused by Apple, Google and Amazon of continuing to allow messages inciting violence after Wednesday's attack at the Capitol CEO John Matze warned in his final post before the 3am deadline that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' as tech firms distance themselves from the 'free speech' site. 'Amazon's, Google's and Apple's statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well,' said Matze, who has labeled the Big Tech moves to isolate his app 'absolutely disgusting'. 'Parler is my final stand on the Internet. I won't be making an account on any social. Parler is my home,' he said. Gab, meanwhile, claimed that it was seeing more than 10,000 new signups per hour on Saturday. The Gab app was banned from the Apple and Google app stores years ago amid accusations that it was a cesspool of racist ideology. After he was banned on Friday, Trump had initially appeared to find a way around his permanent Twitter ban by using the @POTUS handle before his tweets were swiftly deleted. Parler CEO John Matze warned in his final post before the 3am deadline that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' as tech firms distance themselves from the site. In his final post before the 3am deadline, Matze said that 'most people with enough servers to host us have shut their doors to us' He urged his supporters to 'STAY TUNED!' as he claimed that Twitter is working with 'Radical Left and Dems' to silence him and to silence those who voted for him. 'As I have been saying for a long time, Twitter has gone further and further in banning free speech, and tonight, Twitter employees have coordinated with the Democrats and the Radical Left in removing my account from their platform, to silence me and YOU, the 75,000,000 great patriots who voted for me,' he wrote. Republican congressman Devin Nunes, who had an account on Parler, raged at what he said was 'political censorship' after Apple and Google removed the app. 'Spread the word so your fellow Americans know about this,' he urged his three million followers on the site. Right-wing pundit Ben Shapiro warned on Twitter that 'the tech bros are making a horrible and dangerous moment significantly more horrible and dangerous'. Tech giants have moved to shut down what they say is dangerous online content after a Trump-incited mob overran the seat of American democracy (pictured) 'There are no consistent standards being applied. There is reactionary deplatforming in the name of one side,' he claimed. 'Everyone on the right is correctly concerned that these same companies are five minutes away from simply removing the ability of conservatives to host content anywhere.' The social media crackdown has revived a debate over whether tech giants should be treated as 'publishers' with the same liability as news providers. After Twitter red-flagged some of Trump's posts last year, the president demanded that the website be stripped of a 'liability shield' known as Section 230. Fox News personality Dan Bongino, a supporter of Parler, raged that 'the greatest threats to liberty are the destructive tech tyrants who have acted as publishers in their ongoing wars on conservatives and free speech'. 'This will be my final post on this anti-American platform,' he wrote on Twitter on Friday. Launched in 2018, Parler operates much like Twitter with profiles people can follow and 'parleys' instead of tweets. 'Our mission is to create a social platform in the spirit of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,' it boasts. 'We prefer that removing community members or member-provided content be kept to the absolute minimum.' The site claims more than 12million users in total, although analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at10 million worldwide, with eight million in the US. The president's daughter Ivanka Trump was among those who had set up a Parler account as conservatives dissatisfied with Twitter flocked to the site Sean Hannity, the Fox News host favored by Donald Trump, also had an account on the page Founded by computer engineer Matze and Republican donor Rebekah Mercer, it attracts a mixture of far-right users and more traditional Republican voices - and is already used by the president's children Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka. Fox News star host Sean Hannity has 7.6million followers on Parler, while his colleague Tucker Carlson has 4.4million. There are also elected officials, including Nunes and South Dakota's Republican governor Kristi Noem. Trump supporters flocked to the app after the president was banned from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other sites in the wake of the violence at the Capitol. But despite speculation that Trump himself would join Parler, he had no known account by the time the site was shut down today. Concerned at private group chat links being available on Google Search, on Monday said that they have asked Google not to index such chats and advised users not to share group chat links on publicly accessible websites. Google had indexed invite links to private group chats, meaning anyone can join various private chat groups with a simple search. The indexed group chat links have now been removed from Google. Independent cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia on Sunday shared screenshots with IANS showing indexing of WhatsApp group chat invites on Google. "Since March 2020, WhatsApp has included the "noindex" tag on all deep link pages which, according to Google, will exclude them from indexing. We have given our feedback to Google to not index these chats," a WhatsApp spokesperson told IANS. "Links that users wish to share privately with people they know and trust should not be posted on a publicly accessible website," the company spokesperson added.. The issue was first cropped up in February last year when app reverse-engineer Jane Wong found that Google has around 470,000 results for a simple search of "chat.whatsapp.com", part of the URL that makes up invites to WhatsApp groups. Journalist Jordan Wildon also discovered that WhatsApp's "Invite to Group Link" feature lets Google index groups, making them available across the internet since the links are being shared outside of WhatsApp's secure private messaging service. The WhatsApp spokesperson further said that as a reminder, "whenever someone joins a group, everyone in that group receives a notice and the admin can revoke or change the group invite link at any time". Danny Sullivan, Google's public search liaison, had tweeted earlier: "Search engines like Google & others list pages from the open web. That's what's happening here. It's no different than any case where a site allows URLs to be publicly listed. We do offer tools allowing sites to block content being listed in our results." --IANS na/ (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. [January 11, 2021] Aadi Bioscience and EOC Pharma Announce License and Collaboration Agreement for ABI-009 (FYARROTM) in Greater China Aadi Bioscience and EOC Pharma Announce License and Collaboration Agreement for ABI-009 (FYARROTM) in Greater China EOC Pharma acquires exclusive development and commercialization rights to ABI-009 in Greater China Aadi will receive an upfront payment, regulatory and sales milestone payments totaling up to $271M plus royalties PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA and SHANGHAI, CHINA January 11, 2021. Aadi Bioscience (Aadi), a biopharmaceutical company focusing on precision therapies for genomically defined cancers and EOC Pharma (EOC), a leading oncology specialty biopharmaceutical company in China, today jointly announced an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of ABI-009 (FYARRO) in Greater China including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Under the terms of the agreement, EOC Pharma will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ABI-009 in Greater China. Aadi will receive an upfront payment, regulatory and sales-based milestone payments totaling up to $271M as well as tiered royalties based on annual net sales of ABI-009. EOC will be responsible for development, regulatory submissions, and commercialization in the territory. Aadi Bioscience retains full worldwide rights outside of the partnered territory. We are very excited to partner with the experienced team at EOC Pharma. Through this collaboration, we will work together to bring ABI-009, a potential best-in-class mTOR inhibitor targeted to inactivating mutations in tumor-suppressor genes in the mTOR pathway such as TSC1, TSC2 or PTEN, to patients globally including in Greater China, said Neil Desai, Ph.D., CEO and Founder of Aadi Bioscience. The mTOR pathway plays a major role in multiple critical cellular processes and mTOR activation is associated with specific mutations across a broad range of cancers and other diseases. We are happy to work with Aadi to advance ABI-009 to address unmet medical needs for Chinese patients with malignant PEComa, specific mutation-driven solid tumors and other mTOR driven conditions, said Xiaoming Zou, Ph.D., CEO of EOC Pharma. About ABI-009 (FYARROTM) FYARRO (ABI-009, sirolimus albumin-bound nanoparticles) is an mTOR inhibitor complexed with human albumin that has demonstrated significantly higher tumor accumulation, mTOR target suppression and superior efficacy over other mTOR inhibitors in preclinical models (Hou 2019, AACR Abstract 348). Based on emerging data for ABI-009 in other solid tumors with TSC1 or TSC2 mutations and following discussions with the FDA, Aadi is proceeding with a tumor-agnostic registrational trial in solid tumors harboring TSC1 or TSC2 pathogenic, inactivating mutations with planned initiation in 2021. TSC1 and TSC2 mutations occur across a broad range of cancers at an average frequency of 1-2% and are further enriched in specific types of cancer including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. About Aadi Bioscience Aadi is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision therapies for genomically defined cancers. Aadis primary goal is to bring transformational outcomes to cancer patients with mTOR pathway driver alterations where other mTOR inhibitors have not or cannot be effectively exploited due to problems of pharmacology, effective drug delivery, safety or effective targeting to the disease site. Aadis initial focus is on treating patients with aberrant TSC1 or TSC2 genes, tumor suppressors that when mutated are the source of many different cancer types. Aadis AMPECT pivotal trial of ABI-009 demonstrated meaningful clinical efficacy in Malignant PEComa, a type of cancer with the highest known mutation rate of TSC1 or TSC2 genes. Based on the AMPECT trial, emerging data for ABI-009 in other solid tumors with TSC1 or TSC2 mutations, and following discussions with the FDA, Aadi is proceeding with a tumor-agnostic registrational trial in cancers harboring TSC1 or TSC2 pathogenic, inactivating mutations with a planned initiation in 2021. Aadi also has ongoing studies across multiple high unmet need, advanced cancers including colorectal cancer, sarcoma, and glioblastoma to identify activity of ABI-009 in additional mTOR pathway driver alterations and combination regimens. For more information on Aadi Bioscience, Inc., please visit www.aadibio.com . About EOC Pharma EOC Pharma, a spin-off of the oncology division of Eddingpharm, is an integrated biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery, research, development, and commercialization of innovative oncology products. Leveraging a highly integrated product development platform, EOC Pharmas goal is to build a portfolio of first- and best-in-class oncology drugs through independent R&D and strategic partnerships to benefit the millions of patients who currently have limited access to high quality oncology treatments in China. EOCs most advanced program is EOC103, a novel oral HDAC inhibitor for the treatment of breast cancer in pre-NDA stage in China. In addition, EOC has initiated a Phase II study of EOC 202, a novel Lag-3 lgG Fc protein targeting breast cancer following the positive Phase 2b clinical study results in Europe. Additional targeted therapies in clinical development include EOC315 (VFGFR), EOC317 (FGFR), EOC406 (RANKL), and EOC611 (HER2/EGFR). For more information on EOC Pharma, please visit www.eocpharma.com . Media Contacts : Aadi Bioscience Nancy Jorgesen: Njorgesen@aadibio.com Helsinn Group Paola Bonvicini: Info-HHC@helsinn.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 00:01:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Four servicemen have been killed and at least 45 others injured on Monday after a dump truck collided with a convoy of military buses in the Moscow region. More than half of the injured have been hospitalized in the city of Krasnogorsk, TASS news agency reported. Five military buses were damaged in the incident, while the truck driver has been detained without serious injuries. An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is underway. Enditem Now, the international Christian relief organization is building a 50+ bed field hospital, specialized as a respiratory care unit, in the parking lot of Antelope Valley Hospital. Samaritan's Purse medical personnel will provide high-quality care and compassion to coronavirus patients. "As COVID cases are still on the rise, we are deploying a second Emergency Field Hospital in the U.S.this time to California," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "We have the opportunity to help relieve some of the pressure from the healthcare system in Lancaster, and we're thankful our team can come alongside them. Please pray for the frontline workers fighting COVID every single day." Last week, Samaritan's Purse deployed a tractor-trailer stocked with portions of the Emergency Field Hospital from its warehouse in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. It arrived in California on Saturday, and disaster response specialists began to construct the more than 50-bed unit. Today, the organization's DC-8 cargo plane airlifted additional components of the mobile field hospital to the west coast. "We are grateful for the support provided by Samaritan's Purse, as we anticipate another surge of COVID patients in the coming weeks, the help couldn't have been more timely," said Ed Mirzabegian, Antelope Valley Hospital CEO. "We have also been humbled by the support of the community, as volunteers help set up tents and bring in supplies needed for the field hospital. We have faith that together we will overcome this." "When we heard Samaritan's Purse was willing to help us with the current COVID-19 crisis, I was beyond thankful. Samaritan's Purse is a Christian organization that helps those in need around the world," said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. "They have been instrumental in responding worldwide to this pandemic, and we are fortunate to have their support here in the City of Lancaster. God is so good." Samaritan's Purse opened a similar 30-bed respiratory care unit in western North Carolina on January 7, making this the fifth Emergency Field Hospital that Samaritan's Purse has deployed in response to the coronavirus. In 2020, the N.C.-based relief organization treated more than 650 COVID patients in Italy, New York City, and the Bahamas. With international headquarters in Boone, NC, Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world in Jesus' Name. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. SOURCE Samaritan's Purse 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. Activists involved with the Bhopal gas tragedy have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and health minister Harsh Vardhan about the unethical practices at the clinical trial site for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin at the citys Peoples College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre. "Evidence has emerged that the trial in Bhopal is being conducted in gross violation of laws and guidelines governing clinical trials in India. This is leading to exploitation and harm to a community of people that are not just economically and socially deprived, but whose health is compromised owing to the destructive impact of the Bhopal gas tragedy and its consequences," the activist group said in the letter on Sunday. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches The letter was written by Rashida Bee of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Nawab Khan of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Rachna Dhingra of Bhopal Group for Information and Action and Nausheen Khan of Children Against Dow Carbide, on behalf of the survivors of the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal and those poisoned by contaminated ground water. It pointed to vulnerable people being misguided and herded" by the sites investigators without being given a proper explanation to get an informed consent from prospective volunteers, lack of proper monitoring and follow-ups, as well as medical services not being provided to participants that were experiencing adverse reactions and adverse events. It sought immediate intervention from the government, including stopping the trial at the Bhopal site and a thorough independent probe into the violations, and transparency in providing details of the probe. The letter comes on the back of the death of a 42-year-old trial participant on 21 December, nine days after the first dosing. As the trial was not unblinded, it is not yet known whether the participant got a vaccine or placebo. While the deceased participants family has alleged that the vaccine was the cause of the death, Bharat Biotech in a statement on Saturday denied it citing a post-mortem report which said that the person died due to poisoning. As per the post-mortem report issued by the Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, the probable cause of death was cardio-respiratory failure as a result of suspected poisoning and the case is under police investigation as well," Bharat Biotech said, adding preliminary reviews by the trial site indicated that the death is unrelated to the study dosing. Bharat Biotech also said that all data and reports on death, categorized as a serious adverse event, have been submitted to sites ethics committee, the Central Drugs Control Standards Organization (CDSCO) and the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) as per the rules. We are also continuing to cooperate with the investigation requirements from the Madhya Pradesh Police in Bhopal," the company said. The activist groups also held a press conference on Sunday where the participants, from communities situated behind the abandoned Union Carbide factorythe site of the Bhopal Gas tragedy in December 1984gave their account of how they were recruited and how the trials were conducted at Peoples College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre. All the trial participants who gave their accounts stated a few common thingsthey were told that the vaccine will save them from covid-19 infection and that the government was administering it for free, and that they would receive 750 for every shot they took. None of them were told that it was a clinical trial and the vaccine was being tested on them to determine its effectiveness, they said. So far, it is not clear whether the Drug Controller General of India V.G. Somani as well as the government will be conducting further probe into the death as well as ethical concerns, but some experts have raised concern over the lack of reporting of the death, especially considering that it was not disclosed when the company had received an emergency licensure in clinical trial mode based on only its safety and immunogenicity data. Malini Aisola, co-convenor of the All India Drug Action Network, questioned the vaccine being given an authorization based on just the safety and immunogenicity data, especially as there were already concerns over lack of efficacy data. Now we are coming to know that the death that took place in the phase 3 trial had happened on the 21st of December, yet there is no mention of this in the deliberations of the subject expert committee," Aisola said at the press conference. Anant Bhan, a bioethics researcher present at the press conference, said that the recruitment not just raises ethical issues but also legal ones. Bharat Biotech, in its statement, said that the Covaxin Phase 3 study is being conducted across 26 sites in India in compliance with the study protocol, Indian good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines, and all regulatory provisions that apply to clinical trials in the country. The company said that the decision to reimburse all participants at the rate of Rs750 for each study visit was approved by every sites institutional ethics committee and was not an inducement. Our constant focus during the development of the vaccine and the clinical trials has been on ensuring patient safety and ensuring that the study is done to the requirements of all the relevant and applicable rules and guidelines, and that the data generated is of the highest quality and valid," the company said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Berkshire Baby Box parents and volunteers with State Rep. Smitty Pignatelli CHP Now Leads Berkshire Baby Box Program A Berkshire Baby Box baby GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Baby Box founder Hinda Bodinger passed off the new parent outreach program to Community Health Programs As of Jan. 1, CHP will run the Baby Box program. The transition comes after distribution of more than 1,000 baby boxes to Berkshire families over the past five years. Bodinger said Berkshire Baby Box's education program, including distribution of safe-sleep baby boxes for infants, has outgrown its volunteer beginnings. Bodinger's wish is for the program to have an administrative home with more robust family resources. "This is an exciting growth step for Berkshire Baby Box," Bodinger said. "With CHP taking over this all-county initiative, we can realize our vision that Berkshire Baby Boxes would become an anticipated and treasured rite of passage for new families in the Berkshires. CHP can also offer additional pathways to more services for expectant parents." CHP's Family Services team has been a steady partner of Berkshire Baby Box, and the program is changing hands with a full supply of safe sleep boxes for babies and infant supplies. Even during COVID-19, the program has carried on virtually. Inspired by a family support movement with its roots in Finland, Berkshire Baby Box tackles the challenges of rural health care, the unique needs of immigrant and low-income families and raises awareness of infant sleep safety. The Berkshire Baby Box and its programs are available to all new moms and babies in the county, regardless of their income. "Under the best of circumstances, having a new baby can be a challenging and very often isolating experience, and especially during this pandemic," Michelle Derr, director of CHP Family Services said. "We are so impressed with what Hinda has done to establish this great program for families around Berkshire County, and we are honored to take over going forward." The Berkshire Baby Box transition is already under way, with programming and outreach efforts getting organized for 2021 with new parents. For information, call CHP Family Services, (413) 528-0457. What do Elaine Chao, Mick Mulvaney and Betsy DeVos have in common? The way I see it, they share the cynical convenience of being able to walk away from the mess they enabled, feigning that they care about what happened at the Capitol and are oh, so upset by the presidents role in a rhetoric and lie-fueled insurrection. They would have to leave office anyway in a few short weeks. What they most want to avoid is to be pushed into invoking the 25th Amendment. This is just a very calculated way to exit the metaphorical burning edifice and emerge unscathed. Elisabeth Eliassen, Alameda Second impeachment To prevent the possibility of the president issuing a pardon for himself, the U.S. House of Representatives must issue a second impeachment for specific crimes that he has committed. Under the Constitution, the president cant issue any pardons relating to any impeachment for anyone, including himself. The House indictment tool of impeachment over a specific crime or crimes is an important one to keep a president accountable and open him to criminal prosecution. We dont even need a Senate trial or conviction from the Senate, just an indictment from the House to hold him accountable for prosecution after he leaves office. This president has committed a seditious act and must be held criminally accountable for this second impeachment. He will be on his best behavior the next few days until his term is over because the House can issue another impeachment indictment on him for which he will receive subsequent criminal prosecution. Jon Dolen, Green Valley, Ill. Threat to democracy The storming of the U.S. Capitol is the most recent version of a Beer Hall Putsch. Although it may have failed, we need to remember the last time it was tried and the ugly consequences that ensued. We need to be very wary of the brownshirts and their ultimate goals. If they are successful, it doesnt bode well for our democracy and our form of government, not to mention our freedoms and lives. Its much too early to celebrate. Jerry Barrack, Emerald Hills Rocky transition Please stop saying that President Trump conceded. He did not concede. He did not name Joe Biden as his successor. He said there would be a smooth transition. Transition to what? He has lied and obfuscated every day of his presidency. Why would we think hes stopped now? And what are his terrorist followers planning for Inauguration Day? Maxine Gerber, Oakland Why term limits work Regarding Term limits wont help (Letters, Jan. 8): The author believes term limits are not the solution to the current problems in Washington. He warns that the halls of government will be filled with incompetents. One only needs to look at the senior senator from Kentucky, incumbent for 36 years, to see there is something worse than incompetence. Its arrogance and disdain. Its the fulfillment of the worst nightmare of the American people: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And it doesnt take nearly four decades for the self-important to forget they work for the people, not the other way around. As we know, it can happen in as few as four years. At least there is a chance for an incompetent to observe, learn and improve. Those who arrogantly seek ego gratification, power and privilege in perpetuity will never change. The founding fathers did what they could to foresee all possible issues for the government of the United States. Now its our turn to help them with what they couldnt predict. Lets honor the founding fathers and make the country a better place for everyone by installing term limits at all levels of government. Lorne Evje, Hercules Fix fractured nation Regarding Dont deny Americas division (Letters, Jan. 8): The writer has very bluntly stated the inconvenient truth, and I totally agreed until the very last sentence. It should have read, Let us accept this and fix it. Joseph Chance, Emeryville Vote out seditionists I applaud The Chronicle for publishing the names and photographs of the seditionist California legislators who voted to ignore the will of the people in favor of the cult of President Trump. Long after Trump is gone, we must remember these names and work to vote them out of office in two years. California and America deserve leaders who will use party and politics to earn election victory and, once seated, then take on the tasks of governing in a trustworthy way to do the will of the people. Dale Boutiette, San Francisco GOP mobocracy Maybe the 139 House members and Republican congressional enablers of the stop the steal mobocracy will acknowledge they were elected on the same ballots they claim are fraudulent and give up their congressional seats. And maybe tomorrow the sun will rise in the West. Work to bring fast internet access to broadband blackspots in rural Laois is continuing, the National Broadband Ireland company has stated this week. Some 49 million will be spent creating the new high-speed fibre broadband network in Laois alone, as part of National Broadband Ireland's contract to roll it out nationwide under the Governments National Broadband Plan It announced this week that surveying works in several areas of Laois are well underway. "In Laois, there are 12,510 premises in the Intervention Area (IA), which includes homes, farms, commercial businesses and schools. This equates to 31% of all premises in the county. The following areas in Laois are being surveyed: Ballylinan, Lackeragh, Castlewood, Killeen, Glosna, Wolfhill, Knocklaide, Luggacurren, Ballintubbert, Knockbawn, Stradbally, and Vicarstown." The company has advised the public on how to recognise genuine NBI contractors. "All NBI contractors will also carry official ID cards and essential worker letters, and have received training on adhering to all Covid 19 guidelines. They will have vehicles, PPE and signage with both their own, and NBI logos. "NBI contractors have been on the ground across the country for eight months and over 150,000 premises nationwide have been surveyed to date. "This involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This will enable network design solutions for the provision of a fibre network to every premises in the Intervention Area a map of over 544,000 premises nationwide identified by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) - as not being served with adequate broadband speeds. "Under the National Broadband Plan, Laois will see an investment of 49M in the new high-speed fibre network. This will enable e-learning, remote monitoring of livestock or equipment, e-health initiatives, better energy efficiency in the home, and facilitate increased levels of remote working. While the public waits for connections to homes, the company is installing centralised Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). "Over 60 of these sites are now live nationwide and have both internal and external broadband access. These facilities - which include GAA clubs, community centres and tourist sites will provide free public access to high-speed internet in the rollout area. Primary schools in the Intervention Area are also being connected for educational access as part of the NBP. "Locations in Laois will include Vicarstown Community Centre, Emo Community Centre, Oisin House in Rossmore, and Bilboa Post Office. "These will pave the way for rural communities to receive the benefits of broadband, from mobile working, e-learning and mobile banking, to digital tourism," NBI said. Full list at /bcp-map/ The NBI chief executive is Peter Hendrick. We started physical work on the ground last January and I am delighted to report that this is going very well. We are acutely aware that people want access to high-speed broadband as soon as possible, and our goal is to deliver that. Survey designs are an important part of mapping out how every home and business will be connected, and these will provide the blueprint for how the NBI fibre is laid. The BCPs are a key milestone in delivering access to high-speed internet in the Intervention Area, and were delighted to see these being connected for access internally and externally - right across the county," he said. NBIs website www.nbi.ie has a search tool so the public can check if and when their premises will be surveyed. The company says the public can also register for updates. Detailed designs for the fibre area network are drawn up following these surveys. The network build has started in parts of Cavan, Cork, Galway and Limerick, and some connections are expected by the end of this year. NBIs contact centre can be reached at 0818 624 624 (lo-call) or contactus@nbi.ie CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Research shows that people are more likely to change their minds when political misinformation is corrected, but not when misinformation about health is corrected -- a problem for the coronavirus vaccine rollout. Ohio State University political science assistant professor Thomas Wood, studies misinformation. His next project is working on how journalists and social media outlets can fight misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine, with part of a $450,000 grant from Google. Vaccine misinformation is prevalent on social media platforms, with a report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate focused on Facebook showing 31 million people following groups and pages spreading misinformation about vaccines, STAT News reports. In Ohio, where a significant portion of nursing home workers are refusing the vaccine, education efforts have begun to try and share information about the vaccines. What Wood is hoping to find is simple, low-tech solutions, backed by evidence from experiments, that will be effective in debunking false information. His research will go into shaping Googles COVID-19 Vaccine Media Hub, which provides resources and up-to-date scientific research to those covering the pandemic. Wood said the research will simulate the experience by which people are exposed to misinformation, comparing the attitudes of those without any correction to the misinformation to those who get corrections. Then, researchers will adjust the methods used to correct the misinformation, seeing what works best. Its not of much use to anybody to have the finding (that) doctors have an ability to speak and debunk vaccine hesitancy among their patients. Thats great. Thats the case, he said. But that doesnt allow us to address misinformation online. Were going to be testing the efficacy of things that media companies and social media companies can do. Wood said contrary to whats expected, his previous research shows people are happy to update their view on a political conspiracy or misinformation. A backfire effect, where people respond negatively to a correction, can occur for political information, and can vary depending on the context. But on the medical side, that backfire effect is more common, Wood says. We dont exactly understand the process because it happens so infrequently, he said. It might be the case that people are using a different psychological process when it comes to weighing information that has to do with their health than is being used to weigh competing claims about politics. Some examples Wood used as potentially effective strategies are a chatbot that would counter misinformation or gamifying the fact checking process. He pointed to examples on fact-checking websites like PolitiFact, where the claim is stated and then fact-checked for political information. Previously, it was thought that repeating the untruth would further misinformation, but research has shown that not to be true. When asked whether or not distrust of the media could factor into the fact-checking process, Wood said in the political sphere, it doesnt work like that. It turns out to be the case that even when a subject expresses displeasure, and distrust for a media organization, the extent to which they learn things from that organization is not affected, he said. So as to say, conservatives, dislike the mainstream press and conservatives express dissatisfaction with them. But that doesnt seem to affect very much how much they learn from things that are observed in those places. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State regulators have ordered a pause on the $170 million in annual new fees created through the controversial House Bill 6, following a judges recent ruling in a lawsuit brought by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and officials in Cincinnati and Columbus. The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority will formally suspend the charges, $150 million of which would bail out two financially troubled Ohio nuclear plants owned by a former FirstEnergy subsidiary, during a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, the agencys executive director wrote in a recent letter to officials with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. As part of the same official process, the PUCO on Dec. 30 acted to prevent the new fee from going into effect while the legal challenge continues. Both agencies cited a Dec. 21 ruling from a Franklin County judge who, ruling on the lawsuit from Yost and two Ohio cities, ordered the fees be blocked from going into effect. The fees, worth more than $1 billion to the nuclear plants, were to have appeared on Ohioans power bills starting on Jan. 1. But the pause could remain in place at least until a March 5 hearing in the Franklin County case, according to a PUCO spokesman. Yost and the local officials sued over the law after federal investigators said it was the product of an elaborate corruption scheme financed by FirstEnergy and its affiliates that led to the arrest of former House Speaker Larry Householder and others last July. Prosecutors have said in exchange for $61 million, spent to help Householder become speaker and on a political campaign supporting the law, Householder agreed to push the bill through the legislature. FirstEnergy, based in Akron, hasnt been charged or officially accused of wrongdoing. Householder has pleaded not guilty to a federal corruption charge, but two associates who helped pass House Bill 6, Jeff Longstreth and Juan Cespedes, have pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme. The fees will remain blocked even though the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a different HB6 legal challenge filed by the Ohio Manufacturers Association, a business group. The Supreme Court previously ordered the fees paused while it considered OMAs arguments. The OMA had asked permission to drop its challenge, saying the issue was moot since the PUCO had agreed to pause the nuclear subsidies in response to the Franklin County case. DeWine and state legislative leaders have called for House Bill 6 to be repealed or at least, revisited. But state lawmakers failed to do so during their lame duck session in December, since House members were unable to agree on what specific action to take. The laws future remains unclear, with legislators expected to reconvene in the coming weeks. Numerous HB6-related state and federal investigations, including from the FBI and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, are ongoing, as are numerous lawsuits. 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. Advertisement One year ago, China announced the first death from a new virus in Wuhan - 12 months later, Covid-19 has claimed 1.9 million lives in an unrelenting march across the world. But in the central Chinese city of 11 million where the first known outbreak started, the virus has been extinguished and residents are proud of its revival. On Monday morning, the anniversary slipped by unmarked in Wuhan - commuters moved freely to work while parks and riverside promenades buzzed with walkers in a city determined to banish its tag as the coronavirus ground zero. 'Wuhan is the safest city in China now, even the whole world,' 66-year-old resident Xiong Liansheng said. JAN 10 2021: People wearing protective face masks stand by the giant 3D screen on Jianghan street in Wuhan JAN 10 2021: A group of friends wearing face masks enjoy being outside together in Wuhan where the virus has now been extinguished JAN 11 2020: Staff from the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan JAN 12 2020: A women walks in front of the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market, where health authorities say a man who died from coronavirus had bought goods from 'The Wuhan people's awareness of epidemic prevention and control is very high -- even my two-year-old grandson will wear a mask when going out,' Xiong added. But today, Wuhan was forced to shut its markets once again and launched a mass-testing campaign after two people from China's new Covid-19 epicentre in the northern Hebei province near Beijing visited the city before testing positive, according to the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. The news comes as a year ago, in a sparse report, China confirmed its first death from an unknown virus - a 61-year-old man, a regular at the now-notorious Wuhan wet market, was linked to many of the early cases. The world would soon become grimly familiar with the disease that killed him as Covid-19. Little is still known about the first victim, including his name, while the market where the first reported clusters of cases were traced back to has remained closed, surrounded by boarding. JAN 11 2021: Elderly couples danced, some masked, but hands clasped as social distancing withered in the winter sunshine in a busy park next to the Yangtze river JAN 11 2021: On Monday morning, the anniversary slipped by unmarked in Wuhan - commuters moved freely to work while parks and riverside promenade by Yangtze River buzzed with runners After a long wrangle, China on Monday said independent experts from the WHO will be allowed into the country from Thursday, with the international community hoping they can visit the market and retrace in detail those early days of the virus in Wuhan. The city has now bounced back and residents are revelling in the freedoms they enjoy. Commuters headed to work and others strolled along the riverfront - a sharp contrast to the countries still under strict lockdowns and restrictions. Elderly couples danced, some masked, but hands clasped as social distancing withered in the winter sunshine in a busy park next to the Yangtze river. People, all wearing face masks, walk through the brightly lit streets of Wuhan as they enjoy shopping together JAN 11 2021: People are pictured wearing face masks at the entrance of the Red Cross hospital in Wuhan Jan 10 2021: A man holds a child as they wear face masks on Jianghan street in Wuhan on the eve of the first anniversary of China confirming its first death from Covid-19 JAN 12 2020: A woman wears a face mask as she leaves the Wuhan Treatment centre where the first man to have tested positive from Covid-19 was confined JAN 12 2020: Security guards stand in front of the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market, where health authorities said a man who died from coronavirus had purchased goods from the market China says WHO scientists investigating Covid-19 origins can enter the country on Thursday after last-minute ban prompted cover-up accusations China has said scientists from the World Health Organisation investigating the origins of Covid-19 will be allowed into the country on Thursday. On their arrival, the experts will meet with Chinese counterparts, the National Health Commission (NHC) said in a one-sentence statement that gave no other details. The international community is hoping the experts can visit the 'wet market' where the virus is believed to have emerged and retrace in detail those early days of the virus in the Chinese city of Wuhan. But the NHC declined to provide the team's itinerary and it was not immediately clear whether the scientists would be travelling to Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected a year ago. The brief announcement comes after China initially banned WHO experts from entering the country last week, sparking accusations of a cover-up. China has been accused of initially covering up the outbreak that first emerged in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019, which critics say delayed China's initial response and allowed COVID-19 to spread globally. China's position on the hunt for the origins of the pandemic 'has always been open and responsible', said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying last week. 'The origins problem is very complex. To ensure that the work of the global experts group in China is successful and to carry out the necessary procedures and relevant concrete plans, currently both sides are still in negotiations on this,' Ms Hua told a regular press briefing. 'I understand that it's not just a visa problem and the actual date and itinerary. Both sides are still in close communication.' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed disappointment last week over delays, saying that members of the international scientific team departing from their home countries had already started on their trip as part of an arrangement between the WHO and the Chinese government. But today, the Chinese government decided to allow the experts into the country. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China had approved the visit following consultations between the sides and called it an opportunity to 'exchange views with Chinese scientists and medical experts on scientific cooperation on the tracing of the origin of the new coronavirus.' 'Along with continuous changes in the epidemic situation, our knowledge of the virus deepens, and more early cases are discovered,' Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing, adding that the search for the origin will likely involve 'multiple countries and localities.' The Chinese government has been strictly controlling all research at home into the origins of the virus, an Associated Press investigation found, and state-owned media have played up reports that suggest the virus could have originated elsewhere. Advertisement 'Most cases in China are imported from overseas now and our country has a good control of it,' said Zhong, an 80-year-old woman giving only one name. 'All the Wuhan people feel very safe in the city, and we come here and dance happily everyday.' China has faced criticism at home and abroad over its initial handling of the virus, including attempts to silence whistleblowers and failure to report cases for days in early January. Two weeks after confirming the first death, Wuhan and the surrounding province were put under lockdown. Chinese authorities are trying to stamp out a series of local outbreaks, reporting 103 new infections on Monday -- the highest figure since July last year - most in northern Hebei province. The country saw its biggest daily increase in COVID-19 cases in more than five months, the country's national health authority said on Monday, as new infections in Hebei province surrounding Beijing continued to rise. As a result, China sealed off two cities south of Beijing, cutting transport links and banning millions of residents from leaving, as authorities move to stem the country's largest Covid-19 outbreak in six months. Hebei province in northern China has seen 127 new Covid-19 cases, plus an additional 183 asymptomatic infections, in the past week. The vast majority were found in Shijiazhuang, a city of several million in Hebei province whose surrounding areas take the total population to 11million. Nine confirmed cases were in the neighbouring city of Xingtai, whose area covers seven million people. The surge comes as the World Health Organization's team of investigators probing the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic are set to arrive in China on Thursday. The NHC, which announced their arrival date on Monday, declined to provide the team's itinerary. China has been accused of initially covering up the outbreak that first emerged in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019, which critics say delayed China's initial response and allowed COVID-19 to spread globally. Residents of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai - situated some 80 miles apart - were banned from leaving unless absolutely necessary, Hebei authorities announced on Friday. The Chinese National Health Commission has reported 53 confirmed cases for Thursday, including 37 native patients and 16 imported infections. Among the local cases, 33 were detected in Hebei. City-wide mass testing drives started on Monday from Shijiazhuang's Gaocheng District, the epicentre of the Hebei outbreak. As of Friday noon, all of the district's 673,787 residents had been tested and 511,219 swab samples had been analysed by labs, which found 259 positive cases, the city's vice mayor Meng Xianghong said at a press briefing. Mass-testing campaigns in Shijiazhuang's other districts are still ongoing. Officials vowed to 'strictly control the movement of people and vehicles', with all residential estates placed under 'closed management' - a euphemism for lockdown. Hebei residents were also banned from entering Beijing or leaving the province unless absolutely necessary. 'The outbreak was imported from abroad, but the exact origins are currently under in-depth investigation by state, provincial and municipal experts,' said Li Qi, head of the Hebei Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at a press briefing Friday. Wangkui county, under the jurisdiction of Suihua city in Heilongjiang province, reported eight new asymptomatic cases and moved on Monday to close all non-essential businesses, banned people from leaving the city and blocked all non-essential traffic, state television also reported. Each family in the county can have one person leave their home once every three days to buy necessities, the report said. Changchun, the capital city of Jilin province, reported four new asymptomatic cases on Monday -- the province's first local infections since July 26. The infected persons had all travelled from Wangkui county recently via train, Jilin health authorities said. The residential compounds of the infected people were under lockdown, with people and vehicles not allowed to leave the premises, head of Changchun health authority told a press conference. There are also mounting fears that travel plans for hundreds of millions of people for the Lunar New Year next month may be ruined as virus controls tighten. Officials are starting to signal a low-key new-year holiday - which will run from February 11 to 17 - putting an end to the prospect of banquets, parties and public celebrations. 'Mass celebrations, gatherings and fairs are forbidden,' said Kang Sen, of Beijing's agriculture and rural affairs authority, adding even funerals should be 'brief' and all public events would need prior approval. His comments, carried over state media, appeared directed at villages in areas around the capital rather than the city itself. But it the number of cases in China are a fraction of the daily infections in the United States, Britain and many European countries. China's official toll stands at 4,634 deaths from 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. Former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger decried Wednesday's pro-Trump mob attack on the U.S. Capitol as an act of hatred that recalled Kristallnacht, the nightlong destruction of Jewish-owned business and institutions by the Nazis in 1938. "Wednesday was the 'day of broken glass' right here in the United States," Schwarzenegger said in a video posted to Twitter on Sunday morning that had been viewed more than 17 million times by Sunday evening. "The mob," Schwarzenegger said over dramatic music, "did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol. They shattered the ideas we took for granted. They did not just break down the doors of the building that housed American democracy. They trampled the very principles on which our country was founded." Schwarzenegger, who was born in Austria in 1947, said he "grew up in the ruins of a country that suffered the loss of its democracy," and was surrounded, he said, "by broken men drinking away their guilt over their participation in the most evil regime in history." The former pol described how his father, Gustav Schwarzenegger, who was part of the military police in Austria, would frequently come home drunk and scream and hit his family as a vestige of the scars from World War II. Alluding to some of the pro-Trump protesters who participated in the rally that turned into a violent attack on the heart of the legislative branch, Schwarzenegger said the Nazi sympathizers and enablers he lived around in Austria were not all "rabid anti-Semites and Nazis." Instead, he said, "Many just went along, step by step, down the road. They were the people next door." "I've seen firsthand how things can spin out of control," he said. "I know that there is a fear in this country and all over the world that something like this can happen right here. . . . I do believe that we must be aware of the dire consequences of selfishness and cynicism." MORE: Inside the Capitol siege: Barricaded lawmakers, aides sounded pleas for help as police lost control Schwarzenegger, a Republican who served a governor of California from 2003 to 2011, said President Donald Trump "sought a coup by misleading people with lies" in his baseless attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election, won by former vice president Joe Biden. "My father and our neighbors were misled also with lies, and I knew where such lies lead," he said, noting that the Holocaust "all started with lies, and lies, and lies and intolerance." "President Trump is a failed leader," Schwarzenegger declared. "He will go down in history as the worst president ever. The good thing is that he soon will be as irrelevant as an old tweet." He accused his fellow Republicans of "spinelessness" and said "they're complicit with those who carried the flag of self-righteous insurrection into the Capitol." But, he continued, "It did not work. Our democracy held firm." "America will come back from these dark days and shine our lights once again," Schwarzenegger said. "I believe, as shaken as we are by the events of recent days, we will come out stronger because we now understand what can be lost." In the video, Schwarzenegger brandished a sword from the 1980s Conan movies in which he starred, as a metaphor for American democracy, saying "the more you temper a sword, the stronger it becomes." He encouraged Americans to rally behind President-elect Biden, then addressed those involved in Wednesday's attack, saying, "To those who think they can overturn the United States Constitution, know this: You will never win." The video quickly went viral on social media and attracted praise from across the Internet for encouraging a message of civility and unity. "Thank you Arnold," veteran television host Conan O'Brien wrote on Twitter. "This is the most powerful and uniquely personal statement I've heard from ANYONE on where we are right now as a country." Comedy writer Ed Solomon also chimed in: "It took me four decades to become an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan. But boy did I just fall hard." Queensland health authorities will rely on the continued goodwill of residents of Greater Brisbane to abide by mask regulations outside that area. Following a three-day lockdown, sparked by a hotel quarantine cleaner contracting the more virulent UK strain of COVID-19, the Greater Brisbane area has now had restrictions eased. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young. Credit:Jono Searle/Getty However, a mandate for masks to be worn in public areas will remain in place until at least January 22. "Masks are quite a game-changer," state Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said. The Israeli foreign ministry has selected a diplomat to reopen the Jewish state's liaison office in Morocco, an official said, weeks after the two countries normalised ties. David Govrin, who was Israel's ambassador to Egypt from 2016 to 2020, will be the charge d'affaires in Rabat, taking up his position in "the next days", an Israeli official told AFP. Morocco and Israel in December signed a US-brokered normalisation agreement in Rabat, with bilateral deals centring on direct air links, water management, connecting financial systems and a visa waiver arrangement for diplomats. Morocco closed its liaison office in Tel Aviv in 2000, at the start of the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising. A Moroccan technical delegation visited the site two weeks ago to lay the groundwork for its reopening. The North African kingdom was one of three Arab nations last year to normalise ties with the Jewish state under US-brokered deals after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with Sudan following suit last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also invited Morocco's King Mohammed VI for a visit. The kingdom has North Africa's largest Jewish community of about 3,000 people, and Israel is home to 700,000 Jews of Moroccan origin. Short link: Mr. Trump used a lot of violent imagery and insinuations as he whipped up anger among his followers, directed them to fight much harder and sent them to march on the Capitol, but he never expressly directed them to commit crimes. And he also stated, I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. Still, there has been agreement across ideological lines that Mr. Trump incited the riot. Theres no question the president formed the mob, Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, told Fox News. The president incited the mob. The president addressed the mob. He lit the flame. Even former Attorney General William P. Barr, who was one of Mr. Trumps most important enablers and allies before he resigned last month, has interpreted his conduct as orchestrating a mob to pressure Congress, calling Mr. Trumps actions inexcusable and a betrayal of his office and supporters. Was Trumps speech an official act? Jack Goldsmith, a Harvard Law professor, flagged another potential hurdle for prosecutors: The Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel including Mr. Barr, when he ran it in 1989 has written several legal policy memos holding that laws sometimes do not apply to a president engaged in official acts unless Congress has made a clear statement that it intended that. That legal policy raises difficult questions for Justice Department prosecutors and, potentially, the courts including whether Mr. Trumps speech to supporters about a political issue counts as an official act. The whole thing is, in truth, clouded with uncertainty, Mr. Goldsmith said. Could Mr. Trump end up barred from future office? Yes, in theory if he were to be convicted in a Senate trial after being impeached by the House, or if he were to be convicted in court of inciting not just a riot but an insurrection, meaning a violent uprising against the federal government. The post-Civil War 14th Amendment to the Constitution bars from future office people who engaged in an insurrection or rebellion even if they previously took an oath to uphold the Constitution as a lawmaker or federal officer. However, by itself this principle lacks a mechanism for determining what counts or for enforcing it. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stands by President Donald Trump's Accomplishments, stressing that "History will remember us very well", during the Republican Study Committee last Friday, an exclusive report revealed. "I am proud of what we've accomplished - not just in the national security, foreign policy space, which I've worked with, but the things that we've done with families, the pro-life work that we have done. These are things that will truly be historic. I think history will remember us very well for these things when the books are written," Breitbart quoted Pompeo in saying during the meeting. According to Breitbart, Pompeo was particularly addressing his message to members of the Trump administration who left their posts after the violence in the U.S. Capitol last January 6 and whom he called "not listening to the American people." In particular, these were Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Breitbart said Pompeo's remarks also meant to contradict former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley who said Trump "will be judged harshly by history" during a Republican National Committee members meeting last Thursday. "While I think we all think the violence that took place in the place where you all work in the Capitol was tragic, I've watched people walk away from this president already. And they are not listening to the American people. Not remotely," Pompeo said during the meeting. The 70th U.S. Secretary of State gave a run-down of Trump's accomplishments over the past four years, especially in line with keeping the peace in international relations by creating "enormous coalition" with Australians, some European countries, Japanese, and South Koreans to counter China, as well as addressing the needs in the Middle East, Breitbart said. In his Twitter account, Pompeo posted a series of the Trump administration's accomplishments on Sunday involving the Paris agreement to undoing the shortcomings of former President Barack Obama's administration. "The Paris Agreement is a fraud. Doesn't help the environment, gives world's biggest polluter (read: China) a pass. Trump Administration will never hoodwink the American people and pretend a bad deal is a good deal," he began. "A 2017 study found U.S. compliance with the Paris Agreement would cost us +/- 2.7 million jobs by 2025. President Trump's withdrawal from this bad deal put #AmericansFirst," he added, which included a November 4, 2020 tweet from The White House on the matter. In another he cited that, "Globalism is dangerous and tramples our sovereignty. Exhibit A: @IntlCrimCourt harassing American soldiers while losing case after case. The Trump Administration didn't tolerate the ICC's power grab." "The Obama Administration put cooperation with the ICC above American interests. We ended that. If the Trump Administration hadn't stood up to @IntlCrimCourt & protected U.S. sovereignty, no one would have," he said next. He also cited the National Atlantic Treaty Organization as "another Trump Administration" accomplishment along with leading the world "in reforming multilateral institutions and ditching bad deals" and forming a "Special Relationship" in Anglo-American cooperation involving the Center for Policy Studies, the UK Foreign Office, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. embassy. "The Special Relationship truly is special. The Trump Administration valued it more than any other," Pompeo tweeted adding the link to his speech given last May 8 2019 at the Lancaster House in London. In the said speech, he said that "President Trump has led tough diplomacy towards the final, fully-verified denuclearization of North Korea" that is an important mission and whose outcome is "imperative for the security of the world" as such it was supported by the Royal Navy who "deployed to the Pacific to deter illicit ship-to-ship transfers on North Korean fuel that would have undermined those sanctions." Tall Grass Prairie Natural Area Tall grass prairie, Manitoba (Photo by NCC) The tall grass prairie ecosystem once stretched from near present-day Winnipeg all the way south to Texas. Today, the largest intact blocks of tall grass prairie in Canada occur in the Tall Grass Prairie Natural Area. The area supports a diversity of habitat types, including wet and dry tall grass prairie, marshes and fens, savannah and dense woodlands, riparian (riverbank) areas and rivers. Thousands of species are known to use these habitats, including many that are listed on national or provincial endangered species lists. Over half of Manitoba's population of endangered western prairie white-fringed orchid occurs here. Prior to European settlement, the native species present in this natural area developed or evolved in the presence of wildfire. Recurrent fire promotes a landscape of open prairie and savannah. In the absence of fire, however, woody species such as aspen and basket willow encroach on the open prairie, causing a shift in habitat to a wood and shrub-dominated system. NCC uses prescribed fire as well as a range of agricultural activities, such as haying and managed grazing, as habitat management tools to control the intrusion of woody invasive species. For more information about the Tall Grass Prairie and the conservation work NCC is undertaking in the region, see NCCs Tall Grass Prairie Natural Area Conservation Plan. Species at Risk Southeastern Manitoba is very fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of nature and wildlife. Some of the species people live alongside have been identified as requiring special care and management to ensure their Manitoba-based populations continue to exist. These species are known as species at risk (SAR). A booklet was created a means of raising awareness for all 28 SAR in the tall-grass prairie ecosystem, an ecosystem that itself is endangered. This booklet is an easy to read, accessible tool which includes information on well-known species and others that are less familiar. Find a copy of the booklet here. Tall grass prairie emerging buds and bugs The Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve will soon feature the following: Poweshiek skipperling can potentially emerge the last week of June these butterflies typically fly for a three-week period. The beginning of the western prairie white-fringed orchids two- to three-week blooming period is also expected the last week of June. Nature Talks: The Mystery of the Disappearing Butterfly Tune into episode six of NCC's podcast, Nature Talks, which features a story of the groundbreaking efforts to save a small insect from extinction, the Poweshiek skipperling. NatureTalks Webinar: Poweshiek skipperling - Recovery tales of a tiny butterfly When you hear the word endangered, what comes to mind? Probably not a tiny brown and orange butterfly. Even rarer than a panda, the Poweshiek skipperling has only been observed in seven Canadian locations within the last five years, all of which are located in the Nature Conservancy of Canadas Tall Grass Prairie Natural Area in southeastern Manitoba. Meet the conservation staff from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Assiniboine Park Zoo and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who lead the international recovery efforts of the Poweshiek skipperling, and discover how their collaboration is helping improve Poweshiek skipperling populations in North America. Watch the recording of the webinar. Gov. Phil Murphy affirmed residents right to protest but asked people to stay home in the coming days amid concerns of more violence, as states grapple with the fallout of last weeks deadly rampage in the nations capital. It isnt just one building or one community officials are protecting, Murphy said Monday during a press conference in Trenton. Any public building, any soft target as it were, is something that were looking very seriously at. The comments came partially in response to an ABC News report saying an internal FBI memo warned of Armed protests at all 50 state capitols starting Saturday. The FBIs press office did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the contents of the reported memo. The State Police previously declined to comment if any additional security measures were being taken at New Jerseys Statehouse. Murphy asked people to not publicly protest in the state as coronavirus cases rise, but he added, if they do it peacefully, they have the right to protest, whether we agree or disagree. Officials were working to head off potential violence and more announcements about preventative measures may be coming, said Jared Maples, director of the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Five people died last week after a mob loyal to President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol. Col. Patrick Callahan, acting superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said he was not aware of any troopers present at the protest. Dozens of State Police have since been deployed to help keep the peace. Officials also asked residents to report possible threats online or by calling 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ. NJ Advance Media staff writer Matt Arco contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The Conference of Directors of Private Pre-Tertiary Schools Ghana (CODPPTS) says the Free Senior High School policy should be made a pro-poor programme targeting low-income earners and the deprived of the population. It wondered how the rich and the poor could enjoy the policy when the rich could afford it. The situation on the ground is that parents are incurring huge costs by engaging private teachers to teach their wards to make up for completion of the syllabus. How should a managing director and a messenger in the same organization whose wards have passed to enter SHS enjoy equal fee-free tuition? Parents who are capable must be made to contribute to their wards education as a way of making the policy sustainable, a communique issued at a meeting held in Accra said. Meeting The meeting, among other things, looked at the impact of COVID-19 on private pre-tertiary schools and private school teachers in the country. The communique, signed by the President of CODPPTS, Mr Philip Boateng Mensah, welcomed the establishment of the National Schools Inspectorate Authority and pledged to collaborate with it. It urged the authorities to see private schools as partners in development but not student-head teacher relationship for mutual respect and cordial relationship. The meeting noted that since the closure of schools in March 2020, support from the government for private schools and their teachers had been mere rhetoric and mockery. The various stimulus packages provided by government to its institutions and personnel they considered priority excluded the private school owners and teachers. The allocation to National Board for Small-Scale Industries for private school teachers to access was nothing to write home about, it said. The communique said while the government was supporting private organisations in such difficult times, its education partners were relegated to the background. It expressed concern about the attempt by the government to give a 30 percent quota of admissions to class A senior high schools to public schools. This is not only unconstitutional but also creates educational apartheid in Ghana's educational system, it said. Constitution The Constitution provides for equal opportunities for all Ghanaians. The conference is of the view that if there is any approach to bridge the gap between public and private basic schools admission to SHS, the way to go is not the lazy approach of allocating a 30 percent quota to public schools to steal the start at the race. It urged the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service to be prudent in their decisions and allocate more resources for monitoring and supervision but not the easy path they had chosen. It said parents whose wards were in private schools and workers in private schools were taxpayers in Ghana and their taxes were part of funds used to build, develop and sustain secondary schools. Therefore, it said, the conduct of the Ministry of Education was discriminatory and unconstitutional. Again, the Ghana Education Service has more qualified teachers in all public schools than private schools, so if performance is stunted at the public school level, what is required is to do a diagnosis of the problem to solve it, rather than condoning the laxity, low supervision and lackadaisical attitude of some public school teachers resulting in low performance, the communique said. 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 This story was first published on Dec. 21, 2020. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, some New Jerseyans have been able to work at home. But as vaccination efforts continue to ramp up in the state, officials say were probably only a few months away from widespread vaccine availability. That could be a game-changer for employees who have spent months away from the office. It also raises a lot of questions. Employers are required to keep their workplaces safe, but what happens if some workers dont want to take a vaccine? Can your boss require it? What if you take the vaccine but your coworkers dont? Do you have any rights? Heres what you should expect. Can my employer require me to be vaccinated for the coronavirus? Yes. The Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance recently that employment law experts had been expecting. It said the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which gives workers some rights when it comes to an employer requiring certain medical exams, doesnt apply when it comes to COVID vaccines. If a vaccine is administered to an employee by an employer for protection against contracting Covid-19, the employer is not seeking information about an individuals impairments or current health status, and, therefore, it is not a medical examination, EEOC said on its website. It said the requirement of a COVID vaccine would be permitted. Employers have an obligation to ensure that their employees have a healthy and safe work environment, said Dennis Alessi, a partner and co-chair of the employment law group at Mandelbaum Salsburg on Roseland. It is based on this obligation that employers are permitted to require employee testing for COVID-19, Alessi said, noting he was expecting the EEOC decision that employers would have the right to require employee vaccinations. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Employers may require vaccines if the failure to vaccinate will result in a direct threat to other employees, agreed Timothy Ford, partner and member of the employment and litigation departments at Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost & Botwinick in Denville. But that doesnt mean employers should be in a rush to institute new vaccine rules. As the Pfizer vaccine has only received Emergency Use Authorization, employers should be reluctant to mandate until after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expands authorization to its standard approval, indicating it is effective. Ford said. Are there exceptions for certain workers? Yes. The EEOC has said that employees may be exempt from a mandatory vaccine if the employee has a covered disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that prevents them from taking the vaccine, Ford said. There are other exceptions. Ford said an employee may be excused from the vaccine requirement under the religious accommodation provision of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which could cover religious and other exemptions. These are generally the exceptions for certain vaccinations like the flu shot, Ford said. He said using the direct threat standard, these exceptions, particularly in certain industries, may not apply. It is widely anticipated that health care providers, teachers, nurses and senior care employees will be mandated to get the vaccination, he said. Alessi said there could also be exceptions for employees that have underlying medical conditions, such as those severe allergic reactions, which showed to be an issue for several people who took the Pfizer vaccine. We expect that employers will be entitled to require that employees provide medical documentation to qualify for this exception, he said. What if my boss doesnt require it? Can I be fired if I dont want to work with unvaccinated coworkers? You have options. Ford said that COVID-19 has presented employers with many unprecedented challenges, but each workers case presents variables and should be handled on a case-by-case basis. There may also be different circumstances depending on the job and the industry. Generally, an employer may terminate an employee for his or her refusal to fulfill the requirements of his or her position and/or failure to be present at work, Ford said. However, if an employee has a recognized disability under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination or ADA which would impact his or her ability to return to work in an environment with unvaccinated co-workers, reasonable accommodations shall be required to the employee. Plus, he said, Gov. Phil Murphys executive orders require remote work where possible for non-essential businesses. Alessi said employees can file a complaint under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), saying the employer is creating an unsafe, unhealthy work environment because the employer is not requiring all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19. If the employee is fired for making such a complaint, the employee probably has a claim of retaliatory discharge for exercising his or her rights under OSHA, Alessi said. If I have to show proof of a vaccine, isnt it an invasion of privacy? Yes, it is invasion of privacy, Alessi said. However, employers were permitted to invade employee privacy in requiring COVID-19 testing, he said, noting that a vaccine requirement would be a continuation of the employers obligation to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Vaccines are already required in some industries, Ford said, such as the flu vaccine. A certificate of immunization may be required, limiting the information provided, he said. Even if an employer can mandate a vaccine, that doesnt mean an employer should, Ford said. Employers may not want to lose valuable employees based on their refusal to be vaccinated, particularly in the early stages of the vaccination and its implementation under an Emergency Use Authorization, Ford said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. There were no casualties in the past day. The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported two violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Sunday, January 10. "In the past day, January 10, two 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 11, 2021. In particular, the Russian Federation's armed formations fired an anti-tank grenade launcher near the town of Avdiyivka. Also, the Russian occupation troops used automatic and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, and a heavy machine gun near the village of Vodiane. Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukraine records three ceasefire violations on Jan 9The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Ceasefire Control and Coordination (JCCC). The Joint Forces fired back, the JFO HQ said. There were no casualties in the past day. Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops. 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, 2020. 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 Local and mayoral elections due to be held in May are 'almost certainly' going to be postponed for a second time over Covid safety fears. Almost 40 million people are due to go to the polls on May 6 for votes including for the mayor of London that were delayed from May 2020 because of the first lockdown. But ministers and officials are believed to have started work on plans to push them back yet again, although they are believed to be planning to move them back several months. Conservative candidates are believed to have requested polls be held in October if they are delayed until past July because they fear it will be hard to find activists willing to go door-to-door in August. But July and September are also dates that have been mooted. Speaking to the BBC's Westminster Hour, Tory MP Steve Brine said elections would 'almost certainly' not take place in May. 'I've been talking to my local party about it and I've been talking to our central office about it. I just cannot see how you could do that,' he said. 'I mean let's just say the [Covid] regulations we passed this week, they expire, at the moment, at the end of March. Are people really going to be walking around looking for signatures on nomination papers at the end of March? He added that 'another reason they should be delayed' was that some people were 'out delivering leaflets, they're opening gates, touching letterboxes, putting bits of papers through doors in a lockdown with a highly virulent virus. It is deeply dangerous, it is deeply irresponsibleIf you push the election back it pushes that temptation.' Almost 40 million people are due to go to the polls on May 6 for votes including for the mayor of London that were delayed from May 2020 because of the first lockdown. Speaking to the BBC's Westminster Hour, Tory MP Steve Brine said elections would 'almost certainly' not take place in May This years polls, the biggest for years, will see seats free in more than 140 councils - including 118 that should have been voted on last year. Some 13 mayoral contests are also due to take place including in Greater Manchester and London. Scotland has already introduced a law to make it possible to delay assembly elections and Wales is planning on doing something similar. Labour's Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee, said a decision needed to be made soon to avoid public cash being wasted on a vote later postponed. 'It's a good six month run-in for it to run an election, returning officers have to make decisions now in the next week or so about what they are going to do so given where we are with lockdown,' she said. 'I can't see any option but for some delay but I would hate to see a very long delay because it's really bad for democracy and, actually, politicians standing for election want to get on with their elections usually because being held to account by the electorate is actually.. we rather relish that, the chance to talk to people on doorsteps.' Cat Smith, Labour's shadow minister for voter engagement, said: 'The Government must provide clarity on whether the elections will go ahead on May 6. The upcoming elections are a significant democratic moment - never before have so many elections taken place on the same day in the UK. Instead of briefing only the press, Ministers should have the decency to provide clarity on this important subject to the British people. 'Delay is not inevitable - across the world elections have taken place safely. The Conservative Government have been too slow to act and unwilling to adapt to make the necessary changes to ensure the continued functioning of our democratic process.' BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- The Sherwin-Williams Co. -- which plans to build a 500,000-square-foot research-and-development center in the proposed Valor Acres mixed-use development -- will need help from Brecksville voters to move forward. Voters in May will likely decide whether to rezone part of the site on which Sherwin-Williams wants to build the R&D center. The land currently is zoned residential. The company needs voters to change the property into a district that allows offices and research laboratories. On Jan. 5, City Council placed on first reading an ordinance that would send the rezoning to the May 4 ballot. The Planning Commission is expected to host a public hearing on the rezoning request before council votes on the measure. Valor Acres, the former site of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, is at the northwest corner of Brecksville and Miller roads, just east of Interstate 77. In 2016, Brecksville voters rezoned the hospital property into an overlay district, where the city has control over allowing specific office, laboratory, housing and/or retail projects on a case-by-case basis. At the time of the 2016 rezoning, Valor Acres measured 103 acres. Since then, the city has added 86 acres, acquiring the land for $5.35 million from The Dalad Group, an Independence firm that had planned its own mixed-use development next to Valor Acres. The Dalad plan fell through. In October, Sherwin-Williams bought about 119 acres of land in Valor Acres from DiGeronimo Development LLC, the Valor Acres developer. The property sold for $15.2 million. However, 18 acres of the Sherwin-Williams site is on the former Dalad property, which was not part of the 2016 rezoning. Those 18 acres -- which abut several homes on Westview Drive north of Valor Acres -- are zoned residential. The company needs voters to rezone the land into an overlay district to match the rest of Valor Acres. The Sherwin-Williams site will make up about 63 percent of the 188-acre Valor Acres. Mayor Jerry Hruby said no other tenants have yet been signed. We hope to see (Sherwin-Williams) break ground in 2021, Hruby told cleveland.com in an email. Delays caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis will force the company to adjust its timelines on the project. Sherwin-Williams had targeted 2023 for completion of buildings, but now expects work wont be finished until 2024. Meanwhile, DiGeronimo has purchased a separate 25-acre section of Valor Acres from the city for $1.2 million. The land is in the southeast corner of Valor Acres, fronting Miller at Brecksville Road. The city still owns the remaining 45 acres of Valor Acres. Hruby said DiGeronimo is expected to submit plans to the city this year for the development of its 25 acres. Read more from the Sun Star Courier. Environment: action to prevent pandemics, von der Leyen Commission president cites Covid, Ebola (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, JANUARY 11 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday, addressing the summit on biodiversity ''One planet'' in Paris, called for urgent action to safeguard the environment and prevent future pandemics. ''If we don't act urgently to protect our nature, we could already be at the start of an era of pandemics'', she said. ''We have spoken a lot about the connection between biodiversity loss and Covid. But this is not the first, the last or the most significant example'', she continued, noting that this is how ''we believe one of the most lethal epidemics, Ebola, started''. (ANSA). 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. Before Mob Stormed the Capitol, Days of Security Planning Involved Cabinet Officials and President Trump To bookmark you need to sign in A Pentagon memo offers one version of events six days of preparation for a rally that quickly spiraled out of control. President Donald Trump met with top military officials and gave his approval to activate the D.C. National Guard three days before he encouraged a mob of angry protesters to take their grievances to the U.S. Capitol. A Pentagon memo released Friday offers these insights, as well as the first detailed timeline of the bungled law enforcement response to Wednesdays insurrection. The timeline shows that the planning started at least as far back as Dec. 31 and included discussion with select Cabinet members of the potential need for Pentagon reinforcements. But it also leaves many questions unanswered, including why the U.S. Capitol Police declined repeated offers of assistance from military officials and the full extent of how much Trump knew about the security planning or was involved in decision-making. The memo, first reported on by NBC News on Friday evening, presents a limited account of the days before the insurrection, and reports have questioned the completeness of the Pentagons version of events and the effectiveness of its planning and response. But the memo may well provide a partial roadmap as legislators call for an investigation into how pro-Trump protesters breached the Capitol in a riot that left five people dead, including one Capitol Hill police officer . Three officials who supervise the force have already submitted resignations. Heres what we know so far, and what we dont. There was nearly a week of preparation The Pentagons timeline begins on the last day of 2020, when Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and another city official delivered a written request for D.C. National Guard support on Wednesday. For weeks, Trump supporters had shared plans on social media for descending on Washington that day to protest the election results as Congress certified the Electoral College votes that sealed President-elect Joe Bidens victory. In the days after, Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller met with select Cabinet Members, the memo says without specifying which, to discuss Defense Department involvement and potential requirements for DOD support. The Pentagon says Trump authorized the National Guard deployment days before the protest, but the timeline does not say what that entailed On Sunday, Jan. 3, Miller and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, met with Trump. According to the memo, the president concurs in activation of the National Guard to support law enforcement. Miller approved the activation of 340 Guard members the following day. New Delhi: An explosive device blew inside the United States embassy in Ukraine's capital Kiev in the early hours of Thursday, the reports said. According to the latest information, an unknown assailant threw an explosive device at the embassy. However, there was no immediate report of damage within the embassy premises or reports of casualties. Police said they are treating the incident as a suspected terrorist attack, Russian Today reported. The explosion took place at 12:05 AM local time, according to a statement issued by the Kiev Police. The police immediately dispatched a rapid response unit to the embassy premises. An investigation has been launched into a suspected terrorist attack. Also read: Notre Dame Cathedral attack: Attacker was a former journalist Iran Parliament and Khomeini tomb attacks: 4 terrorists, 12 others dead; ISIS claims responsibility For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Expanded eligibility For weeks, Mr. Cuomo maintained that the first vaccinations should go only to the most at-risk health care workers, and residents and staff of nursing homes and group homes. But on Friday, Mr. Cuomo said that starting as early as Monday, a wider range of essential workers, including teachers, could get vaccinated, as well as New Yorkers 75 years and older. On Saturday, the state loosened the guidelines again. Medical providers can now also vaccinate employees who interact with the public if there are extra doses in a vial and no one from the priority population can come in before the doses expire. Mass vaccination centers On Sunday, New York City opened five vaccination centers: facilities for mass inoculation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal and the Bathgate Contract Postal Station in the Bronx; and smaller vaccine hubs at the South Bronx Educational Campus, the Bushwick Educational Campus in Brooklyn and Hillcrest High School in Jamaica, Queens. City officials are urging eligible people to sign up online to book an appointment to get the vaccine. The landscape More than 8,400 people are hospitalized statewide, Gov. Cuomo said on Sunday, more than double the number at the beginning of December. The statewide rate of positive test results was 6.22 percent, compared with around 5 percent at the beginning of December. In New York City, the seven-day average positivity rate was 8.77 percent, Mr. de Blasio said on Sunday, compared with about 5.5 percent at the beginning of December. There were 251 new hospitalizations, compared with a seven-day average of 151 at the beginning of December. Mouse embryo following injection of truly totipotent morula cells labeled in magenta. Morula cells are found shortly after an egg is fertilized. Credit: Eszter Posfai Stem cell research is the prerequisite for regenerative medicine, which with the help of the body's cells recreates and heals important organs. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet, SickKids in Canada and KU Leuven in Belgium have found a method for defining the most general type of stem cells, that can develop into all cell types in the body. The study of totipotent stem cells in mice has been published in Nature Cell Biology. "There is a lot of interest in pushing the boundaries of stem cell potential in order to capture the totipotent state so we needed criteria to assess whether a stem cell line has actually achieved this goal," says Dr. Janet Rossant, chief of research emeritus and senior scientist in the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology program at SickKids. Replicating mouse stem cells in a totipotent state within a laboratory has been a long-sought goal of stem cell biologists around the world. If successfully created, such a stem cell line could have profound impact on the field, enabling the study of normal development and regenerative medicine. Totipotency is the ability of a cell to generate every cell type in the early embryo as well as the embryo's supporting structures, including the placenta. This ability is typically only found during the first few cell divisions of an embryo. To date, mouse stem cell lines in a pluripotent state have been made. However, these cells can only make other cell types in the embryo or the placenta, but not both. Criteria for assessment of totipotency A team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Canada and the KU Leuven in Belgium has provided a set of criteria to assess whether a mouse stem cell line shows true totipotency. Together, they determined three criteria for a mouse stem cell line to be totipotent: The cells' genetic activity, or gene expression profiles, need to be closer to that of an earlier embryo rather than pluripotent stem cells. The cells should be able to readily transform into placental stem cells or into an early embryo-like structure in an artificial environment. Most importantly, the cells should be able to contribute to the placenta as well as the fetus when returned into the environment of an early embryo. The team tested two different mouse stem cell lines that had been reported as potentially totipotent and assessed them using their criteria. "While both lines showed some gene expression differences from pluripotent stem cells, they didn't look like totipotent early embryo cells and didn't make certain functional cells in the placenta," says Fredrik Lanner, assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, and division of obstetrics and gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital and one of the corresponding authors. "Ultimately, we found the search for a totipotent stem cell is not over. My laboratory is now particularly interested in extending these studies to the human and intensify our efforts towards establishment of human totipotent stem cells to better model early human embryo development," he says. Resource for the scientific community The research has resulted in a clear set of criteria to validate any new cell lines. In addition, the team also developed a comprehensive analysis of gene expression and regulation at the single cell level for embryos and different pluripotent stem cell lines. The researchers believe this will be a valuable resource for the scientific community. Explore further Researchers can reprogramme cells to original state for regenerative medicine More information: Eszter Posfai et al. Evaluating totipotency using criteria of increasing stringency, Nature Cell Biology (2021). Eszter Posfai et al. Evaluating totipotency using criteria of increasing stringency,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-00609-2 Conservation Reserve Program Sign-Up Open Until February 12 Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can sign up for the popular program until Friday, February 12. The competitive program, administered by USDAs Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes. This signup for the Conservation Reserve Program gives producers and landowners an opportunity to enroll for the first time or continue their participation for another term, Acting FSA State Director Eddie Trevino said. This program encourages conservation on sensitive lands or low-yielding acres, which provides tremendous benefits for stewardship of our natural resources and wildlife. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Farmers and ranchers who participate in CRP help provide numerous benefits to their local region and the nations environment and economy. CRP general signup is held annually and is competitive; general signup includes increased opportunities for wildlife habitat enrollment through the State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative. New cropland offered in the program must have been planted for four out of six crop years from 2012 to 2017. Additionally, producers with land already enrolled but expiring on September 30, 2021, can re-enroll this year. The acreage offered by producers and landowners is evaluated competitively; accepted offers will begin October 1, 2021. Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the United States. The program marked its 35-year anniversary in December 2020. Program successes include: Preventing more than 9 billion tons of soil from eroding, which is enough soil to fill 600 million dump trucks. Reducing nitrogen and phosphorous runoff relative to annually tilled cropland by 95% and 85%, respectively. Sequestering an annual average of 49 million tons of greenhouse gases, equal to taking 9 million cars off the road. Creating more than 3 million acres of restored wetlands while protecting more than 175,000 stream miles with riparian forest and grass buffers, which is enough to go around the world seven times. Benefiting bees and other pollinators and increasing populations of ducks, pheasants, turkey, bobwhite quail, prairie chickens, grasshopper sparrows and many other birds. For more information, call the Hill County Farm Service Agency at 254-582-8411. The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... As a recent package of stories in the Journal documented, the legalization of recreational cannabis will be a hot topic in the upcoming legislative session. But much more is at stake than the yes/no question of legalization versus the status quo. Were talking business regulation. The recreational cannabis industry has long been regulated by an elaborate, expensive alphabet soup of federal and state agencies with overlapping responsibilities. The stated regulatory goal eradication was never serious and never pursued more than half-heartedly. All the agencies involved were tasked with other, far more pressing duties, anyway. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ What weve lacked is any regulatory body charged with responsibility for ensuring consumer and worker safety while enforcing fair competition among producers adhering to high standards of quality. Creating such a regulatory body from scratch wont be easy, but thats the job awaiting our Legislature. On the plus side, we can learn from the experience of other states and Canada, avoiding their mistakes and emulating their successes. On the minus side, some voices in the debate seem to regard legalization primarily as a means for raking in tax revenue. Its hardly the first time greed and drugs have formed a partnership. But its desperately short-sighted. Our legislators should instead be focused on building a viable, sustainable legal industry that, as it matures, will pay taxes commensurate to its revenue, like any other business. To do that, the first order of business is to recognize the obvious difference between recreational cannabis and any other new industry that starry-eyed legislators might hope to lure to our state with subsidies: The cannabis industry doesnt need support. Its already here. In New Mexico, anybody who really wants to buy a cannabis product can already do so without much difficulty. Regular users have their sources. Others know somebody who knows somebody. And the rest of us can take the scenic drive to Antonito, Colorado, just over the state line, a village of 781 souls and three dispensaries. Prohibition hasnt made cannabis unavailable. But it has saved dealers a bundle on overhead. They dont pay rent for retail space, they dont pay gross receipts or payroll taxes, and they dont buy workers compensation insurance. Which means any new legal storefront dispensary will begin at a stark competitive disadvantage. If legislators look at cannabis legalization purely as an opportunity to maximize tax revenue, they might be tempted to impose excessive taxes. If they do, theyll be guaranteeing the continued existence of the black market, just as high cigarette taxes in New York have long encouraged shady types to import and sell low-tax cigarettes from tobacco-growing states. A black market means profits flow to organizations that are, by legal definition, criminal. Thats something the government should be striving to prevent, not perpetuate. Misha Glennys highly entertaining book McMafia gives example after colorful example of organized crime cleverly exploiting market distortions caused by prohibition, over-taxation or over-regulation. Prohibition means that participants in the black market have no access to the civil justice system. They can settle commercial disputes only by taking direct action. Albuquerques high crime rate imposes monetary costs on businesses directly, in losses and security measures, and indirectly, scaring off customers and investors and discouraging expansion. It slows population growth, as young people bail and potential customers move to neighboring states instead. A significant slice of that violence is dispute resolution. It will be a great triumph for civilization when distributers can just sue defaulting retailers instead. New Mexico should learn from California and Canada, where legalization has so far failed to displace the black market. Californias local option, which allows municipalities to ban dispensaries, was a gift to unlicensed, unregulated and untaxed local dealers. Exorbitant license fees discourage established dealers from coming in from the cold. If we could just forget all the old hippie associations and ancient resentments regarding the 1960s (which were nowhere near as great/terrible as our cultural myths insist), we would be able to see the value of bringing so much entrepreneurial energy into the commercial mainstream. Who knows what further business successes might follow? Richard Bransons empire began with a record shop, after all. Oklahomas business-friendly, hands-off approach may provide a useful guide here. Deep red Oklahoma now has more than 9,000 marijuana businesses, according to a November Politico article by Paul Demko. Thats a lot of jobs. Thats the market breaking free of artificial barriers. Thinking of cannabis legalization in terms of tax revenue is exactly backward. What we need is a thriving industry with low barriers to entry, vigorous competition, sensible regulation, and unfettered access to the justice system. Once we have that, the tax revenue will follow. Joel Jacobsen is an author who in 2015 retired from a 29-year legal career. If there are topics you would like to see covered in future columns, please write him at legal.column.tips@gmail.com By Edward McKinley | Times Union, Albany The state Constitution has long prohibited New York from taking on debt without first seeking approval from voters, but through a process known as backdoor borrowing lawmakers routinely dodge that requirement and finance billions of dollars through public authorities. The operation of the quasi-governmental public authorities is known colloquially as the shadow government, and it has been called " New Yorks deepest pork barrel for its practice of doling out billions for pet projects around the state that are financed with taxpayer debt. It began more than 80 years ago when former parks czar Robert Moses used it to finance projects all over the state. Now, about 96 percent of state debt is done through backdoor borrowing, according to reports from the comptroller and the New York Senate. A number of state programs are funded through backdoor borrowing. They are outlined in the state budget proposed by the governor and passed into law by the Legislature each year, a massive hodgepodge of legislative priorities and revenue allocation that is difficult for the public to parse. Generally, the practice involves allocating money as a down payment to take out a big loan through a public authority. Those public authorities pledge to pay back loans using money from New Yorkers personal income taxes, allowing them to get very good rates on massive loans from the markets. Its a convoluted process that critics say is confusing, nontransparent and potentially conducive to waste, fraud and abuse. I dont even have a full grasp of what the palate of programs available to the governor are, said Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat who chairs the Senates investigative committee. His committee released a report in December 2019 highlighting the practice of backdoor borrowing and decrying it as nontransparent. I think that speaks to a big problem here when legislators, including a legislator who has paid some keen attention to this issue, doesnt have a firm grasp on what some of these programs are, Skoufis said. In total, there were nearly 600 authorities in New York last year. A vast majority are smaller and local, while there were about 50 larger, state authorities. If the expenditures of state public authorities were included in the state budget, it would make up nearly 30 percent of all New York spending, according to a second report done by the comptrollers office in 2017. And the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, or DASNY, is the granddaddy of state authorities. DASNY is basically a bank for the state, and it flies almost under the radar. While the debt facing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority another state public authority draws significant attention, the MTA has less than $40 billion in debt. The lesser known DASNY has about $54 billion. The total of DASNYs revenue listed in public data nearly $4 billion would be large enough to qualify for the top 1,000 in Fortune Magazines list of the largest corporations in the world. My guess is 99.99 percent of the public has never even heard of DASNY, Skoufis remarked. Freeman Klopott, a spokesman for the executive-branch Division of the Budget, noted that DASNYs debt has gone down during the tenure of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, dropping from $55.7 billion in 2011 to $54.2 billion in 2020. Thats a decrease of 2.7 percent. The state relies on bonds to support capital expenses, including schools, roads, bridges, and hospitals, and every dollar of state issued bonds is approved by voters directly either at the polling booth or through their elected representatives in the Legislature when they enact the state budget each year, and any suggestion otherwise is wrong, Klopott wrote in an email. The Empire Center, a conservative-leaning think tank focused on state government, keeps a database of capital projects built by the State and Municipal Facilities Program, which is funded through public debt issued by DASNY. They include skateboard parks, a roller rink, an electronic scoreboard, salt sheds and snow plows. Other programs build hospitals, bridges and, occasionally, dormitories. Dormitories are sort of incidental to what it does, said E.J. McMahon, founder of the Empire Center. Its a capital slush fund. While its reported how money is spent, McMahon said, whats not revealed is why: Its not like its debated. Should we borrow $250 million for this, fill in the blank? Well, guess what, theres no public discussion of that. It just happens. The Times Union wrote several stories four years ago highlighting the controversial practice of moving money through DASNY. Since then, little has changed, but Skoufis said he is confident that the Senate will take up a package of reform bills this year. The comptrollers office has also pushed policies to ban backdoor borrowing, to add more conflict of interest restrictions and to require greater transparency. I dont think I have a silver bullet to prescribe to you on this phone call, Skoufis said. But I think step one is further raising the awareness that this isnt pretend money just because it isnt coming directly from state government. Odisha: Pratap Sarangi bats for promotion of aqua technology January 11,2021 | Source: The New Indian Express Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Pratap Chandra Sarangi on Saturday advised the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) to devise a mechanism and tie up with different states and UTs for faster dissemination of aquaculture technologies. The Minister interacted with scientists and urged them to develop technology packages to attract unemployed rural youth, develop entrepreneurship and contribute to realising the Prime Ministers vision of doubling farmers income by 2022. Reviewing various freshwater aquaculture research activities being carried out by CIFA, he underscored the need to develop sustainable technology for better production keeping the safety of environment in mind and to carry out result-oriented research. Sarangi also visited CIFA farm facilities and interacted with researchers working on Bio-floc, tilapia farming, genetically improved Rohu Jayanti scampi, carps, minor carps, aquaponics, murrel, ornamental fish and feed mill. He inaugurated the re-circulatory aquaculture system for murrel. CIFA Director Saroj Kumar Swain highlighted about the institutes research accomplishments as well as progress on flagship schemes. The institute has launched an official WhatsApp channel and started offering training programmes virtually. It has been planned to conduct 23 virtual training programmes on various aspects of freshwater aquaculture during January-March 2021, he said. The Minister released a set of 16 Odia leaflets on popular aquaculture technologies meant for creating awareness among the farmers about scientific aquaculture practices. Three e-booklets and one book titled Actionable Strategies for Increasing the Freshwater Aquaculture Production in India were also released. Fish seed ranching programme CIFA in collaboration with Water Resources department organised a fish seed ranching programme in Jhumka dam in Khurda in order to replenish the depleting fish species in natural open water bodies. If fish seeds can be released regularly, it will lead to productivity enhancement and per capita availability of the fish in the long run. It will also conserve and sustain the fish bio-diversity of the water body while improving the livelihood security of fishing community, said Swain. As many 22,000 fingerlings of Labeo fimbriatus (Khursia) and Labeo calbasu (Kalabainsi) were released in Jhumka reservoir. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Spectrum Health was facing astronomical demand for the COVID-19 vaccine Monday as it began administering the drug to adults age 65 and older, teachers, childcare workers, law enforcement and other essential frontline workers. Demand is truly astronomical, said Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, president of Spectrum Health West Michigan. We had over 45,000 surveys completed from Saturday morning until the end of day yesterday. The Grand Rapids-based healthcare system opened its first large vaccination clinic on 60th Street in metro Grand Rapids at 6 a.m. Monday, Jan 11 and had 1,800 appointments scheduled for the day, he said. Those interested in taking the vaccine must complete a survey to ensure theyre eligible for the drug before they can make an appointment. By noon, Spectrum staff had vaccinated 575 people, with 10,000 people expected to be vaccinated by weeks end. Given the amount of vaccine we have, were not opening appointments for next week until were ensure(d) well get more vaccine from the government, Elmouchi said, adding that Spectrum expects to receive 3,000 more doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine but that we dont know yet about the Moderna vaccine. We would legitimately love as much vaccine as we can have, and we will put those in arms as quickly as we can. Michigan launched its COVID-19 vaccination program in late December. Initially, per federal guidelines, the initial doses of the drug were offered to frontline health-care workers and residents of skilled nursing facilities. Last week, Whitmer announced that the state was expanding the program to include adults age 65 and older as well as teachers, police officers, childcare providers and frontline state and federal workers. The expanded eligibility and short supply of the vaccine means many who now qualify for the drug wont immediately be able to get a dose. I just ask people to have patience because the demand is obviously incredibly high and were doing our best but not everyone will get a vaccine this week, said Elmouchi, who estimated that there are between 300,000 and 400,000 adults age 65 and older who reside within a 16-county area in West Michigan. Spectrum, which has 14 hospitals across the region, plans to open vaccination clinics this week in Greenville, Hastings and Zeeland, according to a news release. Additional clinics are expected to open once more vaccine become available. Tina Freese Decker, Spectrums president and CEO, said nearly 20,000 doses of the vaccine has been provided to Spectrums health care workers and first responders since Dec. 14. Im so pleased that 75 percent of our team members want the vaccine, and that weve started to give second doses, she said. Spectrum and other hospitals around Michigan felt the strain of a surge of COVID-19 patients last fall. On Monday, Freese Decker said Spectrum is in a much different position than we were last November. The health care systems latest data shows it has 183 COVID-19 patients, down from 289 patients in early November. And the COVID-19 positivity rate was at 11.4 percent, compared with 14 percent. Were hoping that it continues to decrease, Freese Decker said. But for right now, were optimistic that there wont be any post-holiday surges. To find out how to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from Spectrum or to see if youre eligible for it, click here. Read more: Dow Chemical stops political donations to those who voted against certifying presidential election Flint residents protest water crisis settlement with federal judges decision expected soon Detroit auto show leaves downtown for Pontiac in new event called Motor Bella Brave martyrs of Galwan Valley clash to be honoured at Republic Day parade India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: Colonel B Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar battalion and five Indian Army soldiers who fought the Chinese bravely at the Galwan Valley will be honoured posthumously with gallantry medals on Republic Day. The Indian troops had retaliated bravely when the Chinese troops refused to withdraw from a location near Patrolling Point 14. In the Galwan Valley clash, 20 Indian soldiers had laid down their lives, but had inflicted severe casualties on the Chinese troops. The Chinese have remained tight lipped about the casualties, but report suggest that over 30 Chinese troops involved in the clash had either died or gone missing. Farmer union to recruit volunteers to maintain law and order at tractor rally on Republic Day The Defence Ministry has not made any official announcement on the medals, but sources tell OneIndia that two officers and three soldiers who fought the Chinese will be honoured. The Republic Day this year will be of shorter duration. The marching contingent will be smaller and the cultural performances will be fewer. The number of spectators too be reduced at Rajpath on January 26. The overall traditional character of the parade would however be maintained despite the restrictions. A contingent of the Bangladesh armed forces will take part in the parade in view of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1971 war of liberation. The parade will begin from Vijay Chowk. However this year it would culminate at the National Stadium instead of ending at the Red Fort. This means that the parade which normally covers 8.2 kilometres will only 3.3 kilometres this year. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Around 25,000 spectators will be allowed to witness the parade as compared to the average of 1.3 lakh people every year. There would be no permit for elders with Co-morbidities and children below the age of 15. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 15:06 [IST] 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. Did Trump incite insurrection? By Rachel Alexander I didnt really want to write this article, since Ill probably be banned faster from big tech than expected, but as a lawyer whose favorite area of law is constitutional law I feel a duty to. The left is trying to get rid of President Trump before the end of his term, saying he incited an insurrection in the speech he gave near the White House on January 6. House Democrats have drafted Articles of Impeachment with over 150 sponsors. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi compared Trumps actions to those of President Nixons in Watergate. Dozens of Democrats and some Republicans are also calling on Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet to remove Trump through the 25th Amendment, saying he is no longer fit for office. The Articles of Impeachment say Trump shall be removed for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors under the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits the president (as well as the vice president, Congress and state legislators) from engaging in insurrection against the Constitution. They use a lot of vague, lofty language but are short on specifics. They say he gravely endangered the security of the United States government. They claim he threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transfer of power, and imperiled a coordinate branch of government. What do they cite as his dangerous words? Saying he won the election by a landslide. He encouraged imminent lawless action which interfered with the peaceful transition of power. They assert that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office. Does this meet the definition of incitement under the criminal code? In the past, Congress has looked to the criminal code in order to weigh impeachment offenses. The Supreme Court case Clarence Brandenburg v. Ohio established the legal standard for violent speech, which is speech that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action. So lets look at what Trump actually said. "I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol Building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard." This is the opposite of inciting violence. This is speech protected under the First Amendment. In fact it is the heart of free speech, the right to march in political protest. As for remaining a threat if he stays in office and thwarting the peaceful transition of power, the Democrats failed to mention in their Articles that after the violence started, Trump tweeted twice denouncing it, then followed up with a video denouncing it again. He conceded the election, saying his focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. Allan Favish, writing for The American Thinker, observed that the break-in occurred before Trumps speech ended, and most people at the Capitol building could not hear Trumps speech near the White House, nor did they appear to be watching it on their phones. Plenty of videos circulated later showing Capitol police letting the protesters in peacefully and even pointing out where they should go once inside the building. Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley, a longtime Democrat who is considered fair, observed, While I was highly critical of the President's remarks, he never actually called for violence or a riot. Indeed, he expressly told his followers to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. He said, Let us walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. Such marches are common in both federal and state capitols. He noted that under the Democrats standard, any president could be removed for rhetoric that is seen to have the natural tendency to encourage others to act in a riotous fashion. He warned that to impeach him over this would create a dangerous precedent for free speech. Laurie Levenson, a professor of law at UCLA and a former assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, is also skeptical that Trumps statements are prosecutable. Renato Marriotti, a former federal prosecutor and legal affairs columnist for Politico, said Mere encouraging words would not be enough. This Democrats accusations are stunning considering their leaders encouragement of violent Antifa and BLM rioters this past summer. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris encouraged her millions of Twitter followers to donate to a fundraiser that paid bail for accused rioters. Biden staffers did too and nothing happened to them. Antifa wants to overthrow the Constitution. BLM is a Marxist movement. Additionally, in 2018, Biden said about Trump, If we were in high school, Id take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him. And how many currently elected members of Congress and state legislators who could also be impeached for inciting insurrection have said far worse than Trump? In 2018, Pelosi complained about the separation of illegal immigrant family members at the southern border, I just dont even know why there arent uprisings all over the country. And maybe there will be, when people realize that this is a policy that they defend. Last September, she referred to Trump and Republican members of Congress as domestic enemies and enemies of the state. In 2018, Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) told her supporters to physically harass members of Trumps cabinet. Squad member Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) called for unrest in the streets. When Minneapolis was burning because of rioters, another Squad member, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), tweeted, Our anger is just. Our anger is warranted. Missouri Democratic State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal said she hoped Trump was assassinated. She continued to serve out the rest of her term, over another year. If Trump can be impeached, then many others should have been too. Twitter permanently banned Trump over the accusations, citing risk of further incitement of violence. This is bizarre, considering how many thousands of people Twitter has allowed to remain on the platform despite threats of violence. Twitter allowed the rioters last summer to discuss where to attack and where the good looting is. Nothing happened to Omar for her tweet, its still there without even a warning. Verified Twitter users were allowed to threaten violence against conservative high school kids a year ago. The left is far more guilty of inciting violence than Trump, but they have the MSM behind them to focus all the attention on Trump, and big tech behind them to punish him and the right. Big tech is now using the Capitol break-in to speed up the purge of conservatives, attacking us on multiple levels including at the roots of the internet, which I will address how to combat next week. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications.mericano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home Ariana Grande has a history of working on Broadway, however, one Broadway star doesnt want her to star in the film version of Wicked. This star has a specific reason why she thinks a different actor would be better in the role. Interestingly, the star in question recorded a song with Grande. Ariana Grande | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show What the composer behind Wicked thinks of casting Ariana Grande in the film version of the musical Firstly, a little background. Part of the reason why theres been buzz about Grande possibly starring in the film adaptation of Wicked is because of Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz is the composer behind Wicked as well as animated movies like The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Pocahontas, and The Prince of Egypt. He told Gay Times about his feelings toward Grande. Well Im a massive Ariana Grande fan, he revealed. Who isnt?! He added Wed be fools for her not to be being seriously considered. thank u, next RELATED: Why Ariana Grande Fought Her Producer Over the Lyrics to Break Free He added Grande still probably wont get the role in the near future. The Wicked movie is not quite far enough along yet for us to really be talking about specific casting, but obviously everyone is very aware of the presence in the world of Ariana Grande and her extraordinary talent, Schwartz added. However, Schwartz said he wont be making any decisions on this issue. Ultimately it wont be my decision, Stephen Daldry is our director and he will have a lot to say about the casting, as will Universal and the studio. But, as I say, lets just say that all of us are very aware of Ariana Grande. According to Deadline, Daldry left the project, so hed have no influence on the casting. Who the original star of Wicked wants to play the Wicked Witch of the West in the film Idina Menzel became famous for playing Maureen in the Broadway musical Rent. Afterward, she starred as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in Wicked. Shes also had roles in Glee, the film version of Rent, and Disneys Enchanted. She became an animation icon for playing Queen Elsa in Frozen and Frozen II. Defying Gravity RELATED: How Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey Collaborated Shes also worked with Grande. Menzel and Grande collaborated on A Hand for Mrs. Claus, a song from Mendels Christmas album Christmas: A Season of Love. Despite working with Grande on the track, Cinema Blend reports Menzel thinks someone else should play Elphaba in the film. I still think that I should be Elphaba and I should just throw, slap that green makeup on me and get some CGI and Benjamin Button the sh*t out of that, Menzel said. I mean I love you, Ariana, but I still am relevant here. For context, Menzel appeared to be referring to The Curios Case of Benjamin Button, a film where Brad Pitt was aged up and down through the magic of CGI. Menzel loves Grande but she would prefer to play the role she originated one more time. Today was supposed to be the day on which political history would be made with the debut of the Government's first 'West Wing-style' Press secretary. The appointment of Allegra Stratton, an experienced print and broadcast journalist, as the face and voice of No 10 who would front weeknight TV briefings to a live audience of political reporters, made headlines when it was announced last year. A special studio had been built and dummy runs conducted with No 10 staffers posing as the Press corps. For maximum impact, her first appearance was timed so that it would lead the early evening TV news bulletins. Allegra Stratton was supposed to debut as No 10's White House style press secretary for daily briefings, but it has been put back until the end of the national lockdown Inspired by daily White House Press conferences, the innovation was seen as a way for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to present their message directly to the public as well as the Press. But over the past week, Downing Street took fright and has now postponed the launch until at least the end of the national lockdown. It was felt that, at a time of crisis, it should be the PM and senior ministers, alongside government doctors and scientists, who address the public and take questions from journalists via video links. This is, no doubt, a huge frustration for the ambitious and influential Stratton, 40, who, until she was poached by Boris Johnson, was Chancellor Rishi Sunak's highly effective chief communications strategist. 'There was a view that it would seem we were trying to glamorise or put a showbiz spin on a very serious story, which is Covid,' one senior Government source said last night. Another insider suggested an ulterior motive: 'It is likely that Allegra would be very good; she would become a household name and face very quickly, and that might put certain ministers' noses out of joint.' It's a mess Boris Veteran broadcaster and Labour peer Joan Bakewell has been feeling somewhat exasperated with Boris of late but not for reasons you might think. 'You're the Prime Minister: you are making a major announcement to your country. Then brush your hair!' Quite. A Crying shame for Labour Former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett has pinpointed why his party lost its northern heartlands. 'I've spoken to people who went into the polling booth in Yorkshire and in Nottinghamshire and cried when they put their cross for the Conservative candidate,' he said. 'Now that's our fault, to make people cry when they vote against you, an indictment of the political party that I love, and I've been a member of for over 55 years. 'We've got to look at ourselves and the metropolitan nature of our party.' Sir Keir Starmer is Labour's third leader in succession to hail from or represent a North London constituency. Alan Johnson confesses he's still haunted by the New Year's resolution he made almost 50 years ago to learn to play the piano. 'That was in 1972 and many subsequent lessons, from various teachers, later, I'm at level two on a proficiency scale that starts at level one,' the former Labour Home Secretary tells Saga magazine. 'So determining my top resolution for 2021 is easy sell the bloody piano.' Congratulatory letters from the Home Secretary are being sent to British citizenship recipients except they are not from the Home Secretary. Sajid Javid's name and signature appear on the letters, despite the fact he left the role in 2019 and quit Cabinet altogether in 2020 after a row with No 10. 'I may no longer be Home Secretary but I'm still very pleased to welcome you as a British citizen,' he quips. Sajid Javid name and signature appears on letters congratulating people on becoming British citizens- despite leaving the role of Home Secretary in 2019 The 12th Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset who is known to his friends as Bunter said last year that only his terror of 'Marxist' Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was keeping him in the Conservative Party. But they've moved on and his view of the Government doesn't seem to have improved. 'Gavin Williamson has exhibited a permanent diarrhoea level of incompetence as Education Secretary,' he says. 'Why not replace him with [former Health Secretary] Jeremy Hunt?' Why not indeed? INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Homeowners associations across Indianapolis are increasingly partnering with private companies to surveil their neighborhoods with automated license plate readers. Georgia-based Flock Safety and California-based Vigilant Solutions are among companies that for years have provided the technology to law enforcement agencies, enabling them to identify, catalog and distribute any passing vehicles model, color and license plate number. But the firms push in recent years to begin offering the same civci to homeowners association presidents has civil liberty advocates looking over their shoulders. Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley said motorists should not see cause for alarm. People make a false assumption that we want Big Brother to exist, he said. But we believe theres a world where we can have privacy and safety. We dont believe there has to be a trade-off. More central Indiana neighborhood leaders are starting to embrace that mindset. Flock said it has put cameras in 14 Indianapolis neighborhoods since launching its neighborhood service three years ago. One of its newer clients is Pickwick Commons, a neighborhood of 77 homes at Ditch Road and West 91st Street, which came aboard about a year ago, according to Jayson Parker, president of its homeowners association. Flocks cameras automatically scan vehicles as they pass and can immediately notify associations in instances where the license plate has been reported stolen. Flock also provides associations access to a searchable database, so they can retroactively look up unexpected vehicles near their homes and share screenshots if they suspect a crime has occurred. Langley said he first thought of offering automated license plate readers to neighborhoods after his Georgia neighborhood was plagued by a string of car break-ins. A police officer told him his neighbors doorbell camera was too low-quality to provide vital evidence, so he set about creating a system that provided civilians with the same hardware and software officers use to catch the bad guys. But civil liberties advocates worry about putting such a powerful technology in the hands of the untrained, and about its potential for abuse. Angie Raymond, an associate professor of business law and ethics at Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business, said theres a big difference between a law enforcement agencys use of the technology and a civilians use. She said she worries about the lack of policies dictating how a civilian can access and use the information. She said automated license plate readers can easily track and disseminate information about neighborhood visitors who have a perfectly legitimate reason for driving down the road. Private entities can surveil us without being bound in many instances by the law, Raymond said. The big divide is in the way that information is stored, shared, retained and even gathered. Raymond said law enforcement, local governments, universities and other public institutions have certain procedures and policies to practice safe data management. Thats just not the case with the head of a homeowners association. Theyre tasked with the community space being mowed and (that) the signs you see when you drive in are pretty, she said. They dont have the time or the knowledge to dig into this. Raymond said neighborhood leaders considering this method of combating porch pirates need to ask themselves what the data will do, how it will be used, what rules are in place to protect the innocent, and how that data will be shared and stored. Those are the conversations you need to have. If you dont do that, you need to pass, she said. But Parker, Pickwicks homeowners association president, said hes comfortable his neighborhoods two cameras dont infringe on privacy. He said that he and two other board members are the only ones with access to the cameras database and that neighbors trust them to use the data responsibly. As a community, we didnt have any kickback from anybody. Nobody was concerned, Parker said. We didnt hear, `No, I dont want to live in a police state, or any of that stuff. Pickwick was developed in the mid-1960s and features homes from around $200,000 to more than $800,000. Some of the residents are doctors who work at nearby Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. Two years ago, Parker said, residents were calling him to report their mail and packages had been stolen. The mail theft was happening multiple times a week. Apparently, they were driving into the neighborhood at 3 a.m. and going through mailboxes, he said. The homeowners associations nine-member board considered several surveillance companies, but wound up choosing Flock Safety for a number of reasons, including the fact that cameras would cost just $4,000 a year and the companys interface was simple to use through a smartphone app or on a desktop. The neighborhood announces the presence of the cameras with signs at entrances. Since installing the cameras, Parker said, his neighbors have stopped calling to report mail theft. In one instance, he was able to provide a landscaping company with the license plate and footage of a vehicle that pulled up and stole a leaf blower. What they were able to do with that, I dont know. The point is, now they have a suspect. Theyve got a car; theyve got a license plate. They can follow that up, Parker said. We provided them with information that they should be able to (use to) solve a crime. Before, we wouldnt have been able to do that. He said the success Pickwick Commons saw inspired North Willow Farms, a neighborhood with 450 homes on the west side of Ditch Road, to reach out to Flock to have its own system installed. Partly because of Flocks success marketing to neighborhoods, it is on a growth tear, with employment on track to triple this year, to 160. The firm helped fund its growth by raising $63 million in venture capital this year. The company now claims its automated license plate readers used by law enforcement agencies, neighborhood associations and other clients solve two or more crimes a day, and the data collected by those cameras assists in five investigations each hour. Its enough for a detective to plug in the license plates and get to work, Langley said. I still get goosebumps every minute of the day when we hear of success stories from this neighborhood, or a police department clearing some heinous crimes. Flocks rival Vigilant Solutions, a division of Motorola Solutions, also has built a substantial neighborhood business, though it would not provide specifics on its Indianapolis clients. About half of Vigilants customers are in law enforcement, and the other half are neighborhood associations and other commercial clients. Weve partnered with both government law enforcement agencies as well as corporate and residential entities for quite some time, said John Kedzierski, Motorola Solutions senior vice president and general manager of video security and analytics. Having that collaboration with local agencies is extremely important, and of interest to both law enforcement and a private community. Dave Maass, a senior investigative researcher for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said hes watched Vigilant and Flock battle for market share for quite some time. The not-for-profit has amassed public records from agencies across the nation to determine where _ and to what extent _ police are using surveillance technologies. The public might be surprised how widespread the use of license plate readers has become. In 2019 alone, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department scanned 1.1 million license plates and the Indiana State Police scanned 244,683 license plates using Vigilant Solutions automated license plate readers. Maass said most license plate reader companies do a poor job of establishing and conveying sufficient privacy policies to their users. He said Flocks promise to hard-delete all data after 30 days is a start. Hes not convinced the companies main priority is safety. In my estimation, license plate reader systems are more about business than they are about public safety. Its a mass surveillance technology that doesnt care if youre doing anything wrong or anything suspicious, Maass said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. She has augmented her acclaimed acting career by becoming an Instagram sensation with her fun and relatable cooking videos. And Florence Pugh took on a new challenge on Saturday as she set out to create homemade pasta for the first time. The 25-year-old Academy Award nominee shared mouthwatering clips from her Italian cooking experiment while her older boyfriend Zach Braff, 45, was just out of sight. First timer: Florence Pugh, 25, shared her first attempt at homemade pasta with her boyfriend Zach Braff, 45, in Insta Stories videos posted Saturday Florence began with wordless videos posted to her Instagram Stories as she rolled out her pasta dough thanks to a pasta maker attachment on her KitchenAid mixer. She cooked in a casual white crop top while wearing a gold chain around her throat. The Little Women star had her blonde locks tied back in a messy bun, with her bangs parted to frame her minimally made-up face. She also wore a playful apron with her dog Sir Albert's mug plastered all across it. 'My Mama got me a new apron for Christmas,' she explained in a follow-up photo. 'So "Sir Albert" is always close when I'm cooking!' Dog lover: Florence wore an apron with her dog Sir Albert's face printed on it that her mother got her for Christmas Success! The English actress shouted with joy as soon as she started to cut the dough into fettuccine strands. 'Ah, this is so exciting!' Almost there: 'Homemade fettuccine!!' she captioned a humorous photo of her smiling wide-mouthed while holding her fettuccine strands on a pasta rack to dry The English actress shouted with joy as soon as she started to cut the dough into fettuccine strands. 'Ah, this is so exciting!' she shouted. 'Homemade fettuccine!!' she captioned a humorous photo of her smiling wide-mouthed while holding her fettuccine strands on a pasta rack to dry. 'We're also going to do a lobster filling for our ravioli,' she said, before turning the camera down to the blender. While she cooked, her and Zach's dog Billie sat at her feet expectantly while hoping for some scraps. 'She always sits on my feet while I cook,' Florence wrote. Decadent: 'We're also going to do a lobster filling for our ravioli,' she said, before turning the camera down to the blender Begging eyes: While she cooked, her and Zach's dog Billie sat at her feet expectantly while hoping for some scraps. 'She always sits on my feet while I cook,' Florence wrote The Fighting With My Family star urged her two million Instagram followers not to judge her too harshly for the pasta, as it was only her first time making it. On her main Instagram page she shared another video of herself swirling the fettuccine and plating it elegantly. 'We reached a new level to quarantine last night,' she wrote. 'Home made fettuccine and ravioli. For a first time.. pretty stoked!' She added that the new cuisine skills might be 'dangerous' for her. The results: On her main Instagram page she shared another video of herself swirling the fettuccine and plating it elegantly. 'We reached a new level to quarantine last night,' she wrote Yum! Zach kept out of sight and seemed to let her do most of the work, though she confirmed he was there because 'both' got a 'taster of each' kind of pasta Zach also shared videos of Florence cooking to his Instagram, though he kept himself out of the spotlight. However, she confirmed that she'd made dinner for two. 'Both get a taster of each,' she captioned a photo showing that each person got a modest sampling of the fettuccine and the ravioli. Speculation: Fans of the actress speculated that she might have gotten secretly married to Zach when a friend referred to her as 'FPB' for her birthday Fans of the actress, who celebrated her 25th birthday on January 3, speculated shortly afterward that she and Zach might have secretly married after her friend Trevor referred to her as 'FPB' in a birthday post on Instagram. Other social media users interpreted the initials as 'Florence Pugh-Braff.' In his own birthday tribute, Zach called her 'the most fun person I've ever met' and said he would have been 'blessed' just to meet her. Florence has been dating the actor since April 2019 and has previously defended their 20-year age gap. Guessing game: Other social media users interpreted the initials as 'Florence Pugh-Braff,' though neither actor has commented so far Sweet: In his own birthday tribute, Zach called her 'the most fun person I've ever met' and said he would have been 'blessed' just to meet her An international team of researchers develops a new method for the study of large, massive, dusty galaxies and sheds new light on the physical processes involved in the production of dust in these 'giants' Two billion years after the Big Bang, the Universe was still very young. However, thousands of huge galaxies, rich in stars and dust, were already formed. An international study, led by SISSA - Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, now explains how this was possible. Scientists combined observational and theoretical methods to identify the physical processes behind their evolution and, for the first time, found evidence for a rapid growth of dust due to a high concentration of metals in the distant Universe. The study, published in Astronomy&Astrophysics, offers a new approach to investigate the evolutionary phase of massive objects. Since their initial discovery 20 years ago, very distant and massive galaxies that form prodigious amount of young stars - so-called dusty (star-forming) galaxies - represent a serious challenge for astronomers: "On one hand, they are difficult to detect because they reside in dense regions of the distant Universe and contain dusty particles which absorb most of the optical light radiated by young stars", explains Darko Donevski, postdoctoral fellow at SISSA. "On the other hand, many of these dusty 'giants' have been formed when the Universe was very young, sometimes even less than 1 billion years-old, and scientists have been wondering how could such large amount of dust have been produced so early in time". The study of these exotic objects is now possible thanks to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). This interferometer of 66 telescopes in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile is able to detect the infrared light which penetrates the dusty clouds, revealing the presence of newly forming stars. However, the origin of large amount of dust at early cosmic time is still an open question to astronomers. "Throughout many years scientists thought that production of cosmic dust was exclusively due to supernovae explosion. However, recent theoretical works suggest that dust can also grow through collisions of particles of cold, metal-rich gas which fills the galaxies," explains the researcher. An international team of researchers from institutions based in Europe, US, Canada and South Africa, led by Donevski, combined observational and theoretical methods to study 300 distant, dusty galaxies in order to unveil the origin of these "Giants". In particular, they inferred the physical properties of these dusty galaxies by fitting their spectral energy distributions. "We found a huge amount of dust mass in most of our galaxies. Our estimates showed that supernovae explosions could not be responsible for all of it and a part had to be produced through particle collisions in the gaseous metal-rich environment around massive stars, as previously supposed by theoretical models" says Donevski. "This is the first time that observational data support the existence of both production mechanisms." Scientists also looked at dust to star mass ratio over time to study how efficiently galaxies create and destroy dust during their evolution. "This allowed us to identify dust life cycle in two different populations of galaxies: normal, so-called 'main-sequence', galaxies, which are slowly evolving, and more extreme, rapidly evolving galaxies, called 'starbursts'", said Lara Pantoni, PhD student at SISSA, who developed the analytic model used for data interpretation. The model shows the great potential in describing differences in these two groups of observed galaxies. "Interestingly, we also showed that irrespective of their distance, stellar mass or size, compact 'starburst' galaxies always have dust-to-stellar mass ratio higher than the normal galaxies." To fully evaluate the observational findings, the team of astronomers also confronted their data with the state-of-the-art galaxy simulations. They used SIMBA, a new suite that simulates the formation and evolution of millions of galaxies since the beginning of the Universe to present time, tracking all their physical properties, including dust mass. "Up to now, theoretical models had problems in matching both galaxy dust and stellar properties simultaneously. However, our new cosmological simulation suite, SIMBA, could reproduce most of the observed data," explains Desika Narayanan, professor of astronomy at the University of Florida and member of the DAWN institute in Copenhagen. "Our study shows that dust production in 'giants' is dominated by very rapid growth of particles through their collisions with gas. Thus, it provides the first strong proof that dust formation occurs both during stars death and in the space between these massive stars, as assumed from theoretical studies," concludes Donevski. "Moreover, it offers a new mixed approach to investigate the evolution of massive objects in the distant Universe that will be tested with future space telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope." ### Science denialists have a deeply fraught relationship with scientific evidence. On the one hand, even the most outlandish forms of denialism attempt to invoke the imprimatur of science. Claims range from the simple (studies show ) to the elaborate (lists of scientific citations of papers that appear to support the claims being advanced, but actually do not). On the other hand, when scientific evidence undermines their claims, denialists suddenly discover that scientific evidence is not applicable to their claims or is not enough or produced by scientists with ostensible financial conflicts of interest. [perfectpullquote align=right bordertop=false cite= link= color= class= size=]Denialists use science only when it supports their pre-determined conclusions. [/perfectpullquote] As Professor Rory Coker explains: Pseudoscience appeals to the truth-criteria of scientific methodology while simultaneously denying their validity. Thus, a procedurally invalid experiment which seems to show that astrology works is advanced as proof that astrology is correct, while thousands of procedurally sound experiments that show it does not work are ignored Something similar plays out in every type of science denialism. Consider anti-vaccine advocacy. On the one hand, antivaxxers brandish scientific papers that show deleterious effects of various vaccine components like thimerosol or aluminum. Leaving aside for the moment that the papers are typically not directly relevant (involving related but different chemicals, involving massive amounts as compared to the minuscule amounts present in vaccines), these are real scientific papers containing valid scientific evidence. But, unfortunately for anti-vaxxers, there are tens of thousands of scientific papers that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of vaccines. In contrast to the scientific papers that they like, this mass of scientific research, is not accepted on its face. When trying to persuade the unsophisticated, scientific evidence is explicitly rejected (vaccine preventable diseases were decreasing BEFORE vaccines were invented). If the audience is more sophisticated, a more subtle approach is required. In that case, specific poorly done papers are critiqued, never mind that they arent particularly representative of the literature as a whole. This double standard is deftly summarized by Edzard Ernst MD, PhD, FMedSci, FSB, FRCP, FRCPEd in a brief editorial in the journal he edits, Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies (FACT). Prof. Ernst is the bete noire of alternative health. His credentials are impeccable. He was the first Professor of Complementary Medicine in the UK. Born and trained in Germany, he began his career at a homeopathic hospital. His belief in alternative health was so complete, he set out to show that its various remedies are both safe and effective. But what he found apparently shook him to the core. His 700 published papers represent a lifetime of research that led him to conclude that only 5% of alternative medicine is backed by scientific evidence. The other 95% has either not been studied or has been definitely shown to be ineffective, unsafe, or both. Not surprisingly, Dr. Ernst is now viewed as the scourge of alternative health. Dr. Ernst begins by reviewing the relationship between alternative health and evidence based medicine: I have said it so often that I hesitate to say it again: the concepts of EBM are not a threat but an unprecedented opportunity for CAM [Complementary and Alternative Medicine]. EBM does not focus on mechanisms of action or basic sciences It merely asks, does it work? This open-minded approach is therefore uniquely suited for testing the value of CAM Alas: What I have seen happening recently is almost the opposite. If the results do not fit the preconceived ideas of CAM proponents, the findings tend to be dismissed. In such instances CAM enthusiasts tend to declare the studies in question to be fatally flawed. If trial after trial is negative, the old argument re-emerges Scientific rationality, they argue, is for testing washing machines and guns but for understanding what passes between humans [it] is not adequate In other words, there is a double standard: Rigorous proof, it seems, is the standard for conventional health care, and study designs that cannot possibly generate a negative result are being promoted as the standard that CAM enthusiasts would like to see applied to CAM. Observational data might then masquerade as proof of effectiveness, while unbiased studies are deemed to be not applicable to CAM. Scientific testing of CAM is acceptable, perhaps even desirable but the results have to be positive. If they are not, then the level of scientific rigor is swiftly lowered until finally BINGO a (false)-positive result is being generated. Science has thus become a tool not for testing (its true purpose) but for proving that ones preconceived ideas were correct. That double standard is integral to science denialism. Rigorous proof is the benchmark in science. It is not the benchmark in denialism. Scientific research is desirable, but the results have to confirm denialism. If they dont, the level of scientific rigor is swiftly lowered until finally the desired (but false) result is achieved. Denialists use science only when it supports their pre-determined conclusions. Thats a double standard. "With our unmatched short haul network and trusted brand, easyJet is well positioned as customers return to the skies in 2021, EasyJet said. Photo: Getty Images Budget airline EasyJet (EZJ.L) boosted its liquidity through a five-year loan facility of $1.87bn ($1.39bn), a move that may alleviate worries about its finances as the travel industry is ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. The companys stock was up 0.9% Monday morning as markets opened in London. EasyJet shares ticked up Monday morning. Chart: Yahoo Finance UK EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said the facility will significantly extend and improve easyJet's debt maturity profile and increase the level of liquidity available. easyJet has taken swift and decisive action, having now secured more than 4.5bn in liquidity since the beginning of the pandemic. The loan facility is underwritten by a syndicate of banks and supported by a partial guarantee from UK Export Finance, the governments Export Credits Guarantee Department, under their Export Development Guarantee scheme. READ MORE: Easyjet removes investor voting rights due to Brexit The scheme for commercial loans is available to qualifying UK companies, does not carry preferential rates or require state aid approval, and contains some restrictive covenants including around dividend payments, however these are compatible with easyJet's existing dividend policy, the company said in a statement. This five-year facility will be secured on aircraft upon drawing and will significantly extend and improve easyJet's debt maturity profile and strengthen easyJet's balance sheet by increasing the level of available liquidity, the statement added. EasyJet also said that during calendar Q1 it will repay and cancel part of its shorter term debt, which includes a fully drawn Revolving Credit Facility of $500m and loans of around 400m. This will free up a number of aircraft assets to further strengthen easyJet's balance sheet, it said. WATCH: Can the airline industry recover in 2021? "With our unmatched short haul network and trusted brand, easyJet is well positioned as customers return to the skies in 2021, said Lundgren. Last week the airline said it would review its schedule but promised to maintain essential connectivity between key cities in the UK alongside a small number of international routes. Story continues Airlines and travel companies reviewed their schedules following the announcement of tough new restrictions. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland were placed back in lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. Wales is already under nationwide stay-at-home restrictions. Given the ongoing impact of the pandemic on travel, we continue to call for sector specific support such as has been provided to hospitality, where decisions have directly affected the ability to trade, a spokesperson for EasyJet had said. The same principle should be applied to aviation. Back in November, EasyJet posted the first annual pre-tax loss in its 25-year history, prompting it to seek more government help as the pandemic hammered air travel. The airline was also in the process of axing up to 4,500 jobs or almost one third of its staff as it seeks to navigate the crisis, mirroring painful cost-cutting across the world aviation sector. Norway's national newspaper Aftenposten had once accused the Mark Zuckerberg-owned Facebook of being the world's most powerful editor. The comments had been made in an open letter written by the newspaper's editor in an edition of the paper itself after the social media platform censored an iconic photo from the Vietnam War. The image of the 'Napalm girl' - as the subject of the Nick Ut photograph eventually came to be known - is one of the most powerful and evocative pieces of documentation of the Vietnam War and is even said to have hastened the end of the brutal war. With the micro-blogging site Twitter permanently banning Donald Trump from tweeting or accessing his millions of followers on the platform, it seems now Twitter, not Facebook, is the most powerful editor in the world. After all, the Jack Dorsey-owned Twitter - essentially a tech company that operates a social media platform, just silenced the President of the United States, arguably one of the most powerful office-holders in the world, despite Trump's current outgoing status. While critics of Trump, as well as those with any grain of common sense, would agree with Twitter's decision to snatch Trump's favourite toy from the trigger-happy fingertips of the Republican industrialist and reality television star, the incident has once again highlighted the role played by tech companies like Twitter, Facebook, Google and even other giants like Amazon, Apple and Microsoft when it comes to shaping - even influencing - political narratives. While defenders of social media and free speech have hailed Twitter's move as a step in the protection of free speech, the truth might be more complicated. Today it was Trump, who is to say that tomorrow it won't be you? In the past few years, social media sites like Twitter and Facebook have repeatedly come under attack from ultra-right forces in the US who have accused it of discrimination. Trump's ban, though much needed, highlights once again the immense power of social media to control public opinion and news. With the ban, Twitter may have emerged as the saviour of liberal values and free speech. It would, however, be foolish to argue that social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are avenues of neutrality. Far from it. Trump and his supporters have for years used social media as an alternate form of media, sidestepping traditional legacy media which MAGA supporters led by Trump decried as run by "liberal globalists" trying to destroy American values of democracy. It may thus be true that social media is a tool for anyone and everyone to express and share views that traditional media might not allow them the space to share. But the final word in this case - as in the case of traditional legacy media - lies with ownership. A social media platform is just as neutral as its owners' personal and editorial policies and in most cases, their own socio-political leanings. To dress social media up as a neutral forebearer of the underdog or a universal fact-checker of news is not just foolish but also dangerous. If Twitter, a company headquartered in American soil, can ban a rogue billionaire President from accessing its platform, the question arises, who can be next? What about defenders of human rights or dissidents of the government who are not supported by the owners of the big tech companies? Can an unelected, privately-owned group of high-earning tech companies with multifarious vested interests - be trusted to be gatekeepers of free speech and political impartiality? Despite high levels of public engagement and the power to start and shape conversations, these companies themselves remain largely unaccountable to the law simply due to lack of appropriate legislation and understanding on part of lawmakers to tackle the growing scope of the technological services they provide and its impact on the socio-political life of a country. Think about the role that data collected by Facebook and eventually supplied to Cambridge Analytica played in influencing the 2016 Presidential elections in the first place in which Trump was declared a winner. Or the role of Twitter in the so-called 'Twitter Revolution' in 2009 when Western media highly projected the use of Twitter by revolutionaries in Iran in calling for pro-Western liberalisation and policies in Iran. The truth is the legacy and social media often work hand-in-hand to shape public opinion and news. The role of social media in orchestrating uprisings and attempted coups across the world is undeniable. Take the instance of the 2019 attempted coup by Juan Guaido's Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Footage circulated on social as well as news media showed popular support for Guaido, who had the support of Trump. But the truth was far from the optics. In 2018, Facebook itself took responsibility for unwittingly allowing its platform to be used to foment violence that eventually led to genocide in Myanmar. Today, it feels good to laud Twitter and its contemporaries for doing the right thing and shutting up tyrants from spreading hate to millions of impressionable users. But only till the tables are turned. Because on social media, neutrality can be a double-edged sword. In a world where tech companies like Facebook are constantly analzying all user data - from the messages we send to our friends and families, to the amount of time we spend on a particular website or even a meme - it becomes important to always approach social media with a pinch of salt and a pair of microscopic glasses to carefully read the fine print. And it becomes doubly important to not confuse social media platforms or proprietors of internet services as defenders of human rights instead of profit-hungry tech companies whose principles and ethics may or may not represent those of the masses. While lauding Twitter's move to finally call out a megalomaniac from inciting mobs to violence is commendable, it is perhaps time to start taking a deeper look at who really controls freedom of speech in the world today - constitutions, governments, media or big tech giants. On Friday, President-elect Joe Bidens transition team said that after taking office, he would release nearly all available vaccines instead of holding back enough for the required second dosages. Hes betting on producers being able to continually refill the pipeline. The fact that there are conflicting opinions about the optimum rollout isnt reassuring, but if Biden is choosing urgency over prudence, thats the right call. People are still getting sick and dying. The country cant fully reopen the economy and send people back to work until the vaccine is broadly distributed. by Shafique Khokhar The cardinal marks the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination recalling the stages of his ministry. "We can be different, have different languages, different religions, but we can live together, respecting each other as the bouquet of flowers with different flowers brings a new reality". Karachi (AsiaNews) - On January 9, Cardinal Joseph Coutts celebrated 50 years of priestly ordination in his Archdiocese of Karachi. During a dinner he said that it is not enough just to pray if you don't know how to do anything else, you must also love your neighbour as yourself. He said: I never thought of being a bishop, when I had joined the seminary I had a very simple idea of doing good works, I saw the missionaries from Belgium, they had left their families and countries they came here, they find the climate so hot they made lots of sacrifices here. In those days there were very few local priests in Pakistan and those missionaries could not go homes for years as they were serving our people, why cannot we do the good works, thats the idea I had when I joined the seminary. The prelate of the Catholic Church in Karachi has been committed to helping people, when he went to meet the governor of Sindh, he said that the Catholic Church has about 60 schools in Karachi, the governor asked him unexpectedly if the cardinal was wrong talking about 60 schools, the Cardinal replied that there are very few very well known in the city, but the Church has more schools for more people who are helped. We have hospitals like Holy Family and Mary Adelaide working for tuberculosis and leprosy and now Mary Adelaide has 157 centers across Pakistan. Cardinal Coutts, recalling the old days in the diocese of Hyderabad, where he was appointed bishop in 1990, said that he had never been there, coming from Lahore, a metropolitan city, where many episodes of terrorism were happening that had nothing to what to do with religion but with politics, therefore, when I became bishop I chose my motto 'Harmony' to live together. Then, Karachi, a city where there were men of peace like Sayed Hakkem, whose 100th birthday was celebrated yesterday, Abdul Sitar Edhi, Dr. Ruth Pfau and his sister Ruth Louis. They are people who have given us an example of how we should respect our humanity. So I chose this word 'Harmony' we should learn to live what is harmony and peace. We can be different, have different languages, different religions, but we can live together, respecting each other as the bouquet of flowers with different flowers brings a new reality. Each flower has its own identity, but when you combine them together you get something new. We can do it in our society. I feel very encouraged when I see Muslim people and bright minded people like Zafar Abass, Faisal Edhi and many others. We should all come together to create harmony like a bouquet of flowers when I see these people in Karachi, the city of violence. I say we can do something, so let's work for that. All religions have a fundamental massage of humanity. Cardinal Joseph Coutts concluded his message by saying that we all have a religion and good values but that we are not living them, none of the sacred books teaches violence; let's work together for peace. "I want to thank all the people who have wished me in various ways: let's become the people of peace, understanding, harmony, and spread the same massage, throw a pebble into the water and bring change to our society and to Pakistan." A doctor who practiced around Florida had his license revoked in December for repeatedly being a one-man opioid and anxiety medication pill mill for seven patients, no matter their past or present substance abuse problems. The last of the Florida Department of Health administrative complaints against Dr. Thomas Velleff said he asked a patient for whom hed been prescribing high doses of oxycodone for a $35,000 loan. His 65-year-old patient supplied his opioid source with a cashiers check because, the complaint says, he felt obligated to provide the loan to [Velleff]. Velleff kept prescribing the patient, an obese smoker with a history of substance abuse, the oxycodone for another year. At the final Florida Board of Medicine hearing on Velleffs license, the revocation notice states, he was not present and was not represented by counsel. The facts are not in dispute. The Miami Herald left messages at two cell phone numbers for Velleff. Velleff, 71, had held his license in Florida since Aug. 26, 1983, online records say. Hed previously had been fined $10,000 for abandoning his Orange City office in 2002. Patients who needed their medical records ran into disconnected phone lines and an empty office. In May 2003, a Department of Health investigator found an office completely vacant and overgrown with weeds. Back in business The first of the administrative complaints against Velleff, filed in 2013, concerned 2008 through 2011. The complaint says during that time Velleff worked out of Nu-Me! pain management clinics at 997 E. Oakland Park Blvd. in Oakland Park and 870 SW Martin Downs Blvd., Palm City. State records say Velleff owned and operated them with Jason Thomas Velleff helping run the Palm City location. A Department of Health look at the five patients medical records showed Velleff, treated these patients for chronic pain and prescribed controlled substances to them inappropriately or in excessive or inappropriate quantities or combinations. Those substances included anxiety medications Xanax, Valium and Clonezepam and pain meds OxyContin, Roxicodone and Dilaudid and insominia drugs Dalmane and Restoril. Velleff regularly skipped exams, diagnosis and monitoring programs for these patients. Drugs prescribed and drugs used. The second administrative complaint, filed in 2015, says patient M.F., an obese smoker, once told Velleff her drugs were stolen. Another couple of times, she said she ran out of medication early. And, her drug screens kept coming back inconsistent with (her) prescribed medications. As in, negative for what she had actually been prescribed but positive for other medications. In one example, M.F. tested positive for Xanax, norbuprenorphine, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, noroxycodone, buprenorphine and THC, none of which Velleff had prescribed. Still, despite the clear signs M.F. was selling or trading drugs, Velleff prescribed 180 Dilaudid tablets, 60 Valium tablets, 60 ibuprofen tablets and 30 tablets of phentermine, a weight loss medicine. This went on at his Melbourne office from November 2009 through November 2013. The Department of Health said Velleff didnt have adequate justification for how much he prescribed nor did he maintain adequate documentation for having adequate justification for the amount of controlled substances he prescribed M.F. Asking for money after providing drugs From July 2014 through April 2016, the third administrative complaint says,S.C. saw Velleff the complaints of difficulty sleeping and chronic pain in his shoulders, neck and legs. S.C. also had excessive weight, a smoking habit and a history of substance abuse. Velleff started off prescribing 30 mg of oxycodone four times a day, then jacked it up to six times a day, then threw in a 10 mg Valium prescription to go with the oxycodone. The Department of Health called this an excessive amount of oxycodone and noted Velleffs notes provided no reason for the increase in oxycodone. Also, the prevailing standard of medical care for someone with S.C.s stew of pain prohibits mixing Valium with oxycodone. It was this patient that Velleff asked for a $35,000 loan in December 2014. ___ (c)2021 Miami Herald Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President-elect Biden intends to release nearly every available dose of Wuhan coronavirus vaccine to the states. This is a reversal of President Trumps policy, which was to hold back doses of the vaccine to make sure there is enough for people who receive a first shot to get a second one within the recommended period (21 days or 28 days, depending on the vaccine in question). Is this a good idea? I dont know. I doubt that anyone knows. I do believe strongly that there is a moral obligation to provide a second dose of the vaccine within the recommended time period to people who have already received the first dose. Those who chose to get the first shot did so with the understanding that they would get the second within a set number of days the number that corresponds to what the manufacturers learned about how to maximize the vaccines efficacy. It would be unethical to deny them that shot due to a change in policy. As to people who havent yet received the first shot, the picture is murky. We dont know the length of the delays in second shots the Biden policy will cause. Bidens advisers apparently believe the delays will be minimal to non-existent because of the manufacturers ability (aided by the federal government) to ramp up production. But they may be wrong. We also dont know the extent to which delaying the second shot beyond the recommended date reduces the efficacy the vaccine. It seems clear that any appreciable delay reduces the efficacy to some degree. But by how much, we dont know. I want to make two more points regarding Team Bidens reversal of Trumps policy. First, the policy shift stems from frustration with the pace at which Americans are being vaccinated. The frustration is understandable. However, the reason for the slow pace isnt the Trump administrations withholding of vaccine. Its the failure of states to use the vaccine that has been released. More than 22 million doses have been sent to the states. Less than one-third of them have been administered. Thus, releasing more vaccine doesnt guarantee that more doses will be administered. Second, Bidens approach ignores the recommendation of Anthony Fauci. (Its possible that Fauci has changed his tune, or will. You dont last as long as he has at the top of the bureaucracy by going against an incoming administration.) To me, Faucis view doesnt carry much weight. But the mainstream media considered it scandalous whenever President Trump went against Faucis advice. Disagreeing with Dr. Fauci was tantamount to ignoring the science, in the view of the mainstream media and the Democrats. I find it telling, therefore, that Faucis view doesnt appear in this Washington Post story about Bidens rejection of the approach the doctor favors. The Post instead contrasts Bidens views with those of HHS Secretary Alex Azar, a member of Trumps cabinet and therefore someone the Posts readers can sneer at. But Fauci has been the leading spokesperson opposing the release of more vaccine. Apparently, the Post doesnt want to acknowledge the disconnect between Biden and Fauci. It doesnt want my neighbors with their thank you, Dr. Fauci signs to know that Team Biden is at odds with their hero. An arson attack on a spate of cars - including a vehicle belonging to a heavily pregnant woman - which took place overnight in Newry has been condemned as disgusting and dangerous. The vehicles were targeted in the Derrybeg area around midnight on Sunday. Sinn Fein MLA Liz Kimmins said the incident has left the close-knit community in total shock on Monday, stressing it was fortunate no one had been injured in the attack. I condemn last nights arson attack which saw a number of cars burned, including that of a heavily pregnant woman, which has caused her and her husband huge stress, said the Newry and Armagh representative. My colleague, councillor Charlie Casey, and I have spoken with a couple who had their car and work van burned in this incident and were extremely shook up. Expand Close An arson attack on a car in Derrybeg / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An arson attack on a car in Derrybeg She added: We are very lucky that no-one was seriously injured or worse in this very dangerous incident as the work van contained highly flammable products which if ignited could potentially have caused an explosion. The wider implications of this attack are the fear and anxiety caused to the victims and the Derrybeg community, as well as the negative impact on peoples livelihoods. The MLA insisted with the Covid crisis impacting on hospital services, this had been another unwelcome incident for our emergency services at a time of acute pressure. Over the weekend we saw the stark images which demonstrated the severe pressure our local hospital, Daisy Hill and our emergency services are under and this anti-community behaviour further compounds this, she explained. I have emphasised to the PSNI the need for a strong, proactive response in dealing with this and would urge anyone with any information relating to this to contact the PSNI. Expand Close The arson attack has been condemned / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The arson attack has been condemned Meanwhile, in a separate incident the PSNI is appealing for information after a vehicle was hijacked in the Cornshell Fields area of Londonderry on Sunday evening. Police received a report at 9.30pm that a silver-coloured Mitsubishi Outlander on Ballyarnett Road was hijacked by four masked men. The vehicle was later found burnt out in the Racecourse Road area. Detective Inspector Finlay said: We are investigating this incident, which we believe may be linked to the security alert in the Racecourse Road area during the early hours of this morning, and I would appeal to anyone who has information about either incident to call us. In particular, I am appealing to anyone who was in the Cornshell Fields area at around 9:30pm and witnessed the incident or, who saw the vehicle being driven away, to get in touch with us. I would also appeal to anyone who may have been on Racecourse Road and saw the vehicle there, where it was located burnt out, to call our detectives at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1379 of 10/01/21. The PSNI has said inquiries in relation to the Newry attack are "ongoing" and anyone with information should contact the non emergency number 101. Hong Kong: Independent judiciary crucial: CJ Chief Justice Andrew Cheung The Opening of the Legal Year is an important occasion for the Judiciary as well as our community, as it focuses public attention on the administration of justice and the rule of law, and in particular the challenges we face. In this, my first Opening of the Legal Year as Chief Justice, I would like to outline three fundamentals of the Judiciary that we are committed to. Independent judiciary First, the Judiciary must be and must remain an independent and impartial judiciary. In Hong Kong, judicial independence is both mandated and guaranteed under the Basic Law. The judicial power, including that of final adjudication, enjoyed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Basic Law is exercised by the Judiciary independently, free from any interference, as Articles 2, 19 and 85 of the Basic Law provide. An independent judiciary is essential to the rule of law in Hong Kong and the due administration of justice. It is equally crucial to public and business confidence - whether local or overseas - in our judicial system, as well as to the international reputation of Hong Kong as a society that is governed by the rule of law under the "one country, two systems" arrangement. Amongst other things, judicial independence means the Judiciary, the courts, the judges and judicial officers (whom I shall refer to collectively as judges), when discharging their judicial functions, must not be subject to improper extraneous pressure or influence. The Basic Law and the relevant legislation provide clear and strict provisions regarding the appointment and removal of judges. In particular, Article 88 of the Basic Law provides that judges are appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of the independent Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, which is chaired by the Chief Justice. Appointment of judges, whether local or from overseas, must be based on and only based on judicial and professional qualities, as stipulated under Article 92. Judicial appointments must be free from political or other irrelevant considerations. Inevitably, cases with political overtones come before the courts for adjudication. Judges hearing such cases often come under intense scrutiny in the media and social media, and the decisions in these cases are almost always subject to partisan criticisms. Comments and criticisms, sometimes extreme and harsh ones, are unavoidable. Whilst the freedom of speech of everyone in society must be fully respected, there must not be any attempt to exert improper pressure on the judges in the discharge of their judicial functions. In this connection, it has to be stressed that attempts to exert undue pressure on our judges by means such as threats of violence or doxxing are as futile as they are reprehensible. Judges decide cases independently. When deciding a case, a judge is not subject to the control or interference by other judges, including more senior judges. The appropriate way to question a decision is by means of appeal or review. Our appellate courts exist precisely for the purpose of correcting mistakes made in the lower courts, ironing out discrepancies in decisions and sentences among different first instance courts, and where appropriate, clarifying the law and laying down sentencing guidelines. Admittedly, appeals and reviews take time, and patience is required. Nonetheless, we must have faith in our common law system and allow the appeals process to run its course. The positive and authoritative role played by our appellate courts can simply not be replaced. An impartial judiciary means that everyone is equal before the law. Whereas judicial independence means that judges must not be subject to improper influence from outside, judicial impartiality requires judges to be free from bias and prejudice of their own. Judges are human. It is only natural that, like others in society, judges may have and are indeed entitled to their own personal views and beliefs. However, a judge must decide cases objectively and professionally, independent of his own personal views or beliefs, political or otherwise. A judge must put them aside and apply only the law to decide cases. By his words and conduct, he must treat everyone that comes before the court equally and fairly. In this regard, perception is as important as reality. The public's expectation of the impartiality of our judges is very high, and rightly so. A judge must therefore exercise self-restraint. When dealing with high profile cases or cases with a political flavour, judges must be particularly careful with their appearance of impartiality in terms of what they say in court or write in their judgments, or how they treat the parties, their lawyers or the witnesses. Any lapses in this regard, given the potentially polarising nature of these cases, could lead to suspicion of partiality, which is not conducive to maintaining public confidence in our judicial system. It is only understandable and natural that different people may view the merits of a judicial decision from different perspectives and come to different conclusions. To some, only the outcome of the case matters, regardless of what the judge's reasons or reasoning may be. However, disagreement with a decision on the basis of one's political view or stance is never in itself an acceptable reason to call into question the judge's or the Judiciary's independence or impartiality. Unfounded allegations against our judges would only risk undermining public confidence in the Judiciary. Independence does not mean a lack of accountability. There are built-in features in our judicial system that ensure that the Judiciary and judges are accountable to the public for their works. These include, amongst other things, the requirement that save for well-defined limited exceptions, all proceedings are open to the public, as well as the requirement that reasoned judgments which are accessible to the public on the Internet be given for the decisions of the courts. Moreover, we also have a well-used system of appeals; transparent target dates for listing of cases for hearing and for delivery of judgments; a published guide to judicial conduct; an established system of complaints against judges; an annual budget that is approved by the legislature; and stringent financial control measures. There is of course further room for improvement in relation to these features, but our community should be assured that there are important features in place to ensure that whilst the Judiciary is independent in its organisation and operations, it is nonetheless fully accountable to the public in the discharge of its functions. Judges are of course not above criticisms and complaints. Under our existing system, complaints against judges are handled by court leaders responsible to the Chief Justice. Where appropriate, input from senior judges is also sought. Annual reports of complaints received and handled are published by the Judiciary. In some cases, the results of investigation into complaints are posted on the Judiciary website and subject to public scrutiny. In the most serious of cases, Article 89 of the Basic Law provides for the removal of judges (including the Chief Justice) by the Chief Executive upon the recommendation of a tribunal consisting of judges only, on the ground that they are unable to discharge their duties, or for misbehaviour. The fact that even in the case of possible removal, the tribunal making the recommendation to the Chief Executive on the course to take comprises only judges speaks volumes of the importance the Basic Law attaches to judicial independence and non-interference with the Judiciary by any outside interests. That said, I do agree that subject to the overriding consideration that there can be no undermining of judicial independence, there is still room for further enhancement of the transparency and accountability of our complaint handling mechanism. Accordingly, a review of our existing mechanism, which was last reviewed in 2016, will be undertaken with a view to further enhancing its transparency and accountability. Judges integrity upheld The second fundamental of the Judiciary, which overlaps to some extent with the first one I have just outlined, is that the Judiciary must comprise judges who are upright and who are prepared to uphold rights. A judiciary can only be as good as the judges that man its courts. The Judicial Oath is a requirement under Article 104 of the Basic Law. It requires every judge to uphold the Basic Law, to bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to serve Hong Kong conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law and with integrity, and to safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favour, self-interest or deceit. It can only be fulfilled by judges who are upright; judges who are people of integrity. It is worth repeating that judges must be impartial, free from bias or prejudice. Judges must be fearless and be prepared to make decisions in accordance with the law, regardless of whether the outcomes are popular or unpopular, or whether the outcomes would render themselves popular or unpopular. A judge must be honest and intellectually honest. Binding laws and precedents must be dispassionately applied and applicable rules and procedures faithfully observed, even if this means getting a result the judge personally might not prefer. Powers and discretions must be exercised judicially. Judgments must set out the true and entire reasons for the decisions made. Society has every right to insist that our judges must be faithful to the Judicial Oath. On behalf of my colleagues in the Judiciary, I would like to assure the public that we expect nothing less of ourselves. Why do we need upright judges with integrity to administer justice? We need these judges because courts exist to adjudicate disputes, to enforce rights, to punish the wrongdoers and to acquit the innocent, all in accordance with law and evidence. Of all the rights that are recognised under our legal system, there are no rights more precious than the fundamental rights that are guaranteed under Chapter III of the Basic Law and those that are set out in the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, such as the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, the procedural and other safeguards in criminal proceedings, and other personal freedoms and liberties. Society expects the courts and our judges to generously interpret and jealously protect these rights when they are threatened or are otherwise interfered with. The courts are the place where these rights must be enforced. Our courts must continue to enforce and give effect to these fundamental rights. All this said, three observations should be borne in mind. First, the Basic Law is the ultimate guarantee of the fundamental rights enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, and of the jurisdiction of the courts to enforce them. The importance of the Basic Law cannot be over-emphasised. Secondly, whilst fundamental rights must be given a generous interpretation, most fundamental rights are not absolute in the sense that they are liable to be restricted for the sake of others or for the common good. However, any restriction must be justifiable by reference to its aim, relevance, necessity and proportionality. Thirdly, fundamental rights are equally enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, each and every one of them. When rights are exercised or sought to be enforced in courts, the fundamental rights of others, where relevant, must equally be borne in mind and respected. When different rights pull in different directions, as is quite often the case, the court's task is to balance these competing rights and come up with a decision that best gives effect to these rights. Staying attuned The third fundamental of the Judiciary that I would like to discuss is that our Judiciary must remain a professional and efficient judiciary that moves with the times. A modern judiciary must be an efficient judiciary. The annual number of leave applications for judicial review relating to non-refoulement cases has risen from 60 in 2016 to over 3,700 in 2019, even though the number of leave applications in other types of judicial review cases has remained stable at around 160 per year. The resulting stress on our judicial capacity is tremendous and it is not helped by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year which seriously disrupted court operations, nor the large number of criminal cases arising from the social events in 2019. Whilst we will continue to deal with these workloads with determination and perseverance, specific attention will be given to the prioritisation of different types of cases so that backlogs and bottlenecks can be tackled more strategically and effectively. In particular, steps to enhance the practice and procedure of the Constitutional & Administrative Law List in the High Court will be taken, and important public law cases and appeals will be given priority and fast-tracked for hearing so as to reduce the delays and social costs that these litigations involve. Likewise, hearing of selected criminal appeals or sentence reviews that are of general importance or otherwise draw wide public attention will be expedited so as to enable the Court of Appeal to clarify the law where appropriate or give authoritative sentencing guidance in a timely manner. Enhanced administrative measures will be put in place to help ensure that judgments are delivered within a reasonable time. On the question of manpower, judicial vacancies at all levels should be filled by competent and efficient judges and lawyers of the appropriate qualities. Our top court must continue to be composed of judges of the highest calibre and professional qualities, in order to maintain full confidence in our legal system and the hard earned reputation of the court in the common law world. In this regard, the substantial contribution made by our overseas non-permanent judges to the work of the court deserves full recognition. Despite occasional difficulties in recruitment for judges in the Court of First Instance of the High Court in recent times, there can be no lowering of judicial and professional requirements for our judges. We will continue to explore ways to attract lawyers of the right calibre and character to join the bench. Society, and in particular, the legal profession, must help the Judiciary in encouraging suitable lawyers to apply to become judges. This is vital to the Judiciary in discharging its functions to uphold the rule of law and to administer justice impartially and competently. One means to alleviate the workloads of judges in the High Court is the gradual expansion of the judicial associate scheme to support judges in the Court of First Instance. To help maintain and further develop the professional qualities and efficiency of our judges, efforts will be made to strengthen and expand the work of the Judicial Institute, one essential function of which is to provide continuing judicial education for our judges. Workloads permitting, judges will be given more "protected time" to attend judicial seminars and workshops on subjects such as court craft, judicial ethics, judgment writing and sentencing, just to name a few. As a modern judiciary, we will continue to strengthen our exchanges with the judiciaries and judges in other common law jurisdictions as well as our counterparts on the Mainland. We are in the middle of a huge, substantial project to digitise our legal procedures and support systems. The Court Proceedings (Electronic Technology) Bill was passed into law on July 17 last year. The relevant court procedural rules, which are subsidiary legislation, will hopefully be tabled before the Legislative Council in the first quarter of this year. In the coming few years, processes will go electronic in our courts, in the court registries, in the preparation for and conduct of cases, and in the interaction with the courts. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted initial attempts to conduct remote hearings in our courts. The use of technology has proved to be effective in many areas. It is envisaged that remote hearings will become a permanent feature of our legal system, particularly in civil cases. For criminal cases, using remote means to conduct hearings requires amendments to be made to existing laws. There are ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders. Our target is to introduce a Remote Hearing Bill into the Legislative Council in the second quarter of this year. On behalf of all my colleagues in the Judiciary, I wish to assure the community that we are committed to meeting the expectations that I have just outlined to you. We are committed to the rule of law and to administering justice in full accordance with the law without fear or favour, self-interest or deceit. Chief Justice Andrew Cheung made these remarks at the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2021 on January 11. This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Ahead of West Bengal assembly elections, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently conducting raids at 12 different locations across the state. Sources informed that ED is raiding the offices and residences of businessman Ganesh Bagadia as well as the residence of Singh brothers- Niraj and Amit - at Konnagar Kanaipur of Hoogly district with regards to alleged illegal trading and smuggling of coal. The sources further informed that Badadia and Niraj Singh are believed to be linked with Anup Maji alias Lal, who is allegedly the mastermind of the case and his close associate Binay Mishra. READ | West Bengal: Clashes Between TMC-BJP In East Midnapore, 5 BJP Workers Hospitalised CBI Raids 45 Places In Bengal, Jharkhand In Connection With Coal Scam The CBI on November 28, 2020, raided 45 places across four states, namely West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in connection with a case of illegal mining and theft of coal from public sector coal firm Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL), which operates in Bengal and Jharkhand. READ | WB BJP Chief Dilip Ghosh Slams Mamata's 'free Vaccine' Claim Ahead Of The State Elections Asansol, Durgapur, Raniganj in Burdwan district and Bishnupur in the South 24 Parganas district were among the 25 locations raided in West Bengal. Cases have been launched against several people including officials of Eastern Coalfields Limited, Indian Railways and CISF in connection with illegal trade and theft of coal. READ | Enforcement Directorate Seizes Vijay Mallyas Assets In France Worth 1.6 Million Euros As per sources, the alleged kingpin of the entire coal smuggling scam is a West Bengal-based coal dealer. The offices and homes of Anup Majhi based in the Asansol area along with those of his aides were also searched by the authorities. The alleged kingpin of the coal scam runs an operation in open cast coal mines around the Jharkhand-Bengal border, as per sources, and has also been issued a notice by the I-T department. During Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Kolkata, he had questioned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's concern over the raids against coal dealer Anup Majhi. This came after Mamata Banerjee, at a press conference, highlighted that the raid by the central agencies had coincided with Amit Shah's visit. READ | Exhibition On Soumitra Chatterjee's Works At Kolkata Film Fest In a bizarre incident, many villagers in Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh district have been camping at the bank of the dried up Parbati river to look for coins and treasures hailing from the Mughal period. The river in Rajgarh district, which is some 141 kilometers away from Bhopal, saw scores of villagers hang back on the bank of the river, hoping to find old coins and other treasures since the past three days So what triggered the treasure hunting for the villagers? A report in Hindustan Times said that a few days before a section of people had found some coins on the bank of the river adjacent to the Shivpura village. The incident led to rumours of more treasure hidden in the river bank and resulted in people from nearby villages of other districts such as Guna and Sehore also gathering at the river bank to dig for coins and other such treasures, an officer of local administration was quoted as saying. Madhya Pradesh: People are thronging Shivpura and Garudpura villages in Rajgarh district to dig mud in Parvati river in search of gold and silver coins."Eight days back, some fishermen found some coins here. Since then, people are coming here," says a local. (10.01.2021) pic.twitter.com/NkYWS3lJGx ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2021 Following the turning up of so many people, the local administration has deployed police and local district officers to keep tabs on the situation in case there is a law and order problem, especially during times of pandemic. Rajgarh SP Pradeep Sharma was quoted as saying that they were taking care of people's safety and security in the area and have also been advising people to not believe in the rumours. A local villager, identified as Ranu Yadav(18), said people have been digging all over the river bank in search of treasure to se if lady luck shines on them or not. We are trying our luck 24x7 and we are sure that we will get the coins," another local, identified as Ramnaresh Singh(37) of Ahmedpur, Sehore was quoted as saying. The district administration is also looking into the incident. Explaining how the incident started, Rajgarh collector Neeraj Kumar Singh reportedly said how the chance finding of a few ancient coins at the bank of the river led to people believing there might be more of such coins and other treasures ready to be found. The findings had led to more such rumours of a treasure. Singh said they have spoken to the archaeology department about the origins and the times the coins hail from. Local jewellers who have seen the coins also said that they are amde of bronze and iron and thus have no value as such. Turkey invites Greece to resume talks on Mediterranean Diplomatic offensive with EU, Cavusoglu on Jan. 21 in Brussels (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JANUARY 11 - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said ''we invite Greece in January to hold the first meeting'' of explorative talks agreed in September to try to solve disputes on sovereignty in the eastern Mediterranean, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, at the end of a joint press conference with the head of diplomacy of the Turkish-Cypriot community, Tahsin Ertugruloglu. The appeal is part of a diplomatic offensive by Ankara to try to reopen dialogue with the EU, which received an acceleration over the past few days with talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and with Cavusoglu's trip to Portugal, a country that has just started the rotating semester of the Council's presidency, and then Spain. Tomorrow, a meeting has been scheduled between the Turkish foreign minister and EU ambassadors in Ankara, ahead of his planned visit to Brussels on January 21. (ANSA). 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. Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti 2021 on 14th Jan? Why did Bhishma waited for Uttarayan? India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 11: Makar Sankranti 2021 is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on January 14, 2021. It is one of India's most popular harvest festivals. Makar (Capricorn) is a Hindu zodiac sign and Sankranti means to change direction. This day, also known as Maghi, is a major harvest festival and is dedicated to the sun god Surya, it also marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara (Capricorn) raashi (zodiac sign) and is observed in the month of January. Makar Sankranti 2021: Things you should do on this day History of Makar Sankranti: According to Hindu religious texts, on the day of Uttarayani the sun enters the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn), i.e., from this day onwards the sun becomes 'Uttarayan' or it starts moving to the north. It is said that from this day, which signals a change of season, the migratory birds start returning to the hills. The festival has different names in different states, even though it is celebrated on the same day. It is referred to as Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, Magh Bihu in Assam, Magha Mela in parts of central and north India and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Why did Bhishma waited for Uttarayan? It is believed that the Gods arise from a slumber of six months on the day of Makar Sankranti and so, a soul that passes away on the day or during Uttarayan, attains salvation. In Mahabharat, Bhisma, while lying on the bed of arrows prepared by Arjun, waited until the dawn of Makar Sankranti to finally take his last breath. He did wait for about 58 nights for the winter solstice or first day of Uttarayana to give up his body on the arrow bed. Mahabharata states that he attained salvation after his death. [January 11, 2021] Alliant Credit Union Partners with Suze Orman to Provide Savings Plan Alliant Credit Union, a nationwide digital credit union and one of the 10 largest credit unions in the U.S., today announced its partnership with personal finance expert and podcast host Suze Orman. The partnership includes the sponsorship of her podcast, Women & Money (and the Men Smart Enough to Listen), as well as a one of a kind savings plan aimed at helping her fans create better saving habits as well as paying them to save. Orman and Alliant's shared values - making the most of your life by making the most of your money - is what brought the partnership seamlessly together. "At Alliant, we are all in and go all out for our members' success," said Dennis Devine, CEO of Alliant. "As a digital credit union, we help members maximize their money in ways banks can't. First, our members are owners and we do everything for them. We don't have shareholders - instead, we measure what we give back to our members. Second, as a digital institution, we have a very lean cost structure, allowing us to reward our members with among the highest rates and lowest fees in the industry. Our members also value our focus on award-winning online and mobile experiences." "Being a former bank leader, I can truly say that Alliant is offering something special to Suze's fans," said Devine. Alliant's digital, member-focused approach, combined with its high deposit rates, is what attracted Orman to the credit union. "I wanted to find a great, digital partner that always put people's interests and needs in front of their own in all matters of finance. I found that in Alliant," said Orman. "When they agreed to partner on what I know isthe best savings account available on the market today, I thought I was going to explode with excitement." The partnership focuses not only on building funds in a high-rate savings account because it is the foundation for a healthy financial future. The intention is to get people into the habit of saving as well as rewarding them for doing so. Orman likes to say "we are paying people to save." "Millions of people had to use their emergency funds over the past year, and now is the time to start over again, so let's help them," said Orman. The savings plan begins with opening The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account at Alliant. From there, new accountholders will deposit at least $100 a month for 12 consecutive months into this high-rate savings account. At the end of the 12 months, Alliant will deposit an additional $100 bonus into their account. Typically, to earn $100 in a high-rate savings account, accountholders would need to have over $18,000 in their account for 12 months. That is why Orman wanted to call the account The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account. Orman will continue to provide financial advice on her extremely popular Women & Money (and the Men Smart Enough to Listen) podcast. About Alliant Credit Union Headquartered in Chicago and founded in 1935, Alliant Credit Union is one of the 10 largest credit unions in the U.S. with more than 500,000 members and over $12 billion in assets. As a digital credit union, Alliant's mission is to provide members consistently superior financial value while simplifying and enabling how people save, borrow and pay. Find out more at alliantcreditunion.org. About Suze Orman Orman is the most recognized personal finance expert in America today. She is a two-time Emmy award winner, author of ten consecutive NY Times Bestsellers, named twice by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, is the single most successful fundraiser in the history of PBS, hosted the Suze Orman Show on CNBC for 13 years, named by Barron's as one of the 100 most powerful women in finance and was spoofed on SNL four times. Orman was a waitress making $300 a month until 30 years of age. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111006060/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] When it comes to ageing, we live in a cultural paradox: youth is increasingly fetishised and worshipped in our media, even as our life expectancy and our chances of living to a ripe old age rises. For Dr Shane OHanlon, the evidence of this phenomenon is all around us. Were constantly hearing adverts for anti-aging treatments and serums and things, as though aging is something you need to spend your life trying to avoid, OHanlon, a consultant in geriatric medicine at Dublins St Vincents Hospital, says. In his work OHanlon is frequently reminded of the realities of aging. But many of these are not in line with the negative perceptions our culture seems to reflect. As an intern, fresh from medical school, I was brought onto a geriatric medicine ward and it was absolutely amazing, OHanlon says. You go in with the idea that older people are in nursing homes or hospitals and that you cant fix the problems that they have. It was a revelation to see that a lot of the things people come in with are fixable, that a lot of things that seem to be due to old age are actually due to disease. Old age isnt just about being unhappy, getting diseases and going into a nursing home. Its actually about blossoming. As you mature you get a new lease of life, some of the things that tied you down, like job and mortgage, arent a heavy weight anymore. A lot of people go into a period of new experiences; they go into fifth gear. Of course, 2020 has shone a light on the challenges of aging like no other year, and OHanlon has himself lost patients with Covid-19. More societal paradoxes: younger generations changed their behaviour to protect vulnerable groups including the elderly, but more than half of all deaths with Covid-19 in Ireland have been in nursing homes. Sixty-four per cent of all deaths with Covid-19 have been in the over-80s, according to the CSO. The elderly have been urged to cocoon for their safety, even while its recognised that the conditions of cocooning, such as isolation and mobility loss, themselves pose a huge risk. When cocooning was proposed as a blunt solution when the pandemic hit, myself and colleagues had a lot of concerns about the impacts, OHanlon says. Clinics switched to online or by phone and often we couldnt see patients, but what became clear down the phone was that a lot of patients became really very isolated. Emergence was compiled by Dr Shane O'Hanlon. There was a feeling people expressed of being a burden; a lot of people said, I dont want my grandkids to have to miss out on life, I want them out and about; you can leave me and Ill be fine. For OHanlon, the desire to celebrate positive aging, and the cherished hope that 2021 will see elderly people emerging from cocooning into a society ready to examine the challenges aging brings, has led to a project rooted in the arts rather than the sciences. Emergence, an anthology compiled by OHanlon and his colleague Professor Paul Finucane, is a collection of poetry and prose on the theme of aging, chosen by geriatricians from all over the island of Ireland. Theres a vast collection of literature out there that can help us deal with the effects of Covid as a medical profession, OHanlon says. I was speaking to Paul, and we both found we were taking a lot of solace from literature so we decided to do something focused on positive aging. OHanlon used to teach a module called Humanities in Medicine in the University of Limerick and took up writing poetry himself during lockdown. He believes the therapeutic benefits of the arts can and should transcend the patient/doctor divide, giving room for everyone doctors, families, elderly people to explore and express the events of 2020. As doctors, not enough of us write, he says. Weve had difficult experiences this year and Im encouraging all my colleagues to take up a pen and write about it. Weve all felt a great weight this year and it hasnt lifted yet. We all think about our patients that have died and the difficult circumstances of how people have died this year: dying in a room without their family in many circumstances. Some people having been in hospital for months without seeing their families and then having died after that. Its been a really difficult year for family members and care-givers and thats something thats not recognised by society too. From the ancient to the modern, and from an array of authors including Walt Whitman, Liam O Muirthile, George Eliot and even president Michael D Higgins, who donated a poem for inclusion, Emergence celebrates a diverse collection of viewpoints on age and aging. The diversity of voices in Emergence is of course a reflection of the diversity of aging experiences, OHanlon points out. As geriatricians, we say theres no such thing as The elderly person. Its a very diverse group youre talking about, a small word for a massive group of people. Five favourites: Dr Shane OHanlon chooses five of his favourite works from Emergence When Will My Time Come - Michael D Higgins We were delighted when the President offered us a poem for our anthology. He is a great supporter of rights for older people and carers. For me, this poem is a reminder that life is more about the journey than the destination. As a patient in her 90s advised me recently, Live for today. You cant do anything about yesterday and tomorrow might never come. Miracle - Seamus Heaney After Seamus Heaney had a stroke, he published this poem in the Human Chain collection. It acknowledges help he received from family, friends and others involved in his care, whom Heaney felt were part of a human chain of helpers contributing to the miracle of his recovery. Meachan Rudai (Weight of things) Liam O Muirthile This piece by Corkman Liam O Muirthile speaks to the influence of the lives and values of our parents and older generations on us as individuals. We must acknowledge the values and journey of those older than us to both appreciate our own journey and values and of those who come after. This must be particularly difficult for anyone who was bereaved this year. Second Mother - Sinead Gleeson This is a beautiful short story about Sinead Gleesons aunt, and the tender relationship they shared over many years. It is interspersed with poignant observations about her aunt's journey into dementia and how it affected both their lives. Gleeson's writing is vital for health professionals as it gives a valuable insight into how our care can be truly patient-centred. My Mother's Lover - Lani O'Hanlon Waterford-based Lani O'Hanlon describes how her mother is a passionate woman but finds herself rehearsing to be an old lady hobbling on arthritic feet. She abandons this persona when a lover from years before reappears, leading to the memorable final lines, The invalid toilet seat vanished. She made my sister go shopping for new underwear. Some of the researchers who had been working on the UQ COVID-19 vaccine have turned their focus back to their "day job" of trying to rid the world of deadly mosquito-borne diseases. Associate Professor Daniel Watterson from UQs School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences was one of the designers of the "molecular clamp" technology that was the key technology behind UQs vaccine. The 1G5.3 antibody (green) bound to both Zika (red) and dengue (blue) NS1 proteins. Credit:Professor Daniel Watterson/ UQ The vaccine did not progress past the first stage of human trials, however the molecular clamp was shown to be effective in creating spike proteins for vaccines, and is expected to be used again in the future. While the halting of the teams vaccine candidate was disappointing, Professor Watterson and his colleagues have now published research into a different type of vaccine, which could have major ramifications for millions of people. "This research was actually our day job, and then the need for a COVID vaccine suddenly arose and we threw all our effort into that," he said. The new treatment the team has developed targets flaviviruses, such as dengue fever, Zika and West Nile, which are usually transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue alone affects an estimated 390 million people across the world every year, with half a million on average developing the serious form of the disease that can be fatal. Previous vaccine treatments for the viruses targeted the main body of the viral particle, but could also sometimes enhance the infection. Read the full story here. One teacher used a set of nesting dolls to explain the interconnectedness of teaching issues and to discuss how the smallest doll represented the children whose needs were not prioritized. Credit: Shutterstock Anxieties among Canadian teachers are heightened. Confronted with rising second wave COVID-19 cases, some provinces extended holiday school closures. Meanwhile, many teachers have had to put aside concerns about their own health and safety with in-person learning. In Canada, teachers aren't currently among the first in line to be vaccinated. The Canadian Federation of Teachers has been calling for teachers to be considered front-line workers and given priority for vaccination, citing concerns with poor ventilation and insufficient physical distancing, among other issues. Teachers have been in a constant state of unease since schools closed in March. With little in the way of preparation or training, they were called upon to move their classrooms and teaching online. Alongside this growing unease, they had to adjust their home spaces. Some had to teach online alongside supporting their own children's participation in virtual classrooms. When teachers returned to classrooms in September, they were required to juggle new safety protocols, help create socially distanced classrooms and oversee children's health practices such as handwashing. Some have had to improvise hybrid in-class routines where they teach while some children attend virtually. This past school term, we held focus group discussions with 20 teachers in one of the Atlantic provinces to ask how teachers felt about ask how teachers felt about their roles as educators and about the teaching challenges in a pandemic. This was part of a larger research project in collaboration with teachers and researchers in Canada, Finland and the United Kingdom that promotes children's voices and digital storytelling. Emotional, physical strain Teachers we interviewed about their classroom experiences expressed fears for their own health and families, worries about the impacts of social distancing in classrooms and concerns about insufficient teaching tools and resources. Teachers relayed that there has been no change in the tools they are provided to support children's educational and mental health needs. Caught in the crossfire of health advisories and government or school board indecisiveness or inaction, teachers were often left standing ill-equipped and feeling unsupported in the front lines of this pandemic. In interviews, teachers described their emotional and physical strain. One stated handwashing regulations had "shredded her hands to bits." Another anguished teacher with compromised health feared for students' emotional needs. Some young students with varying levels of physical independence and emotional maturity or still learning home and school boundaries frequently touch teachers or require hands-on help. The teacher knew she needed to sharply dissuade physical proximity and this could be overwhelming for some students. Even teachers who were well prepared and experienced in responsive teaching were not ready for a pandemic, and the resulting pivot to teaching online. The range of teaching approaches they have developed has been vast, from homemade and interactive videos to taking learning outdoors. Concerns for students During our focus group discussions, teachers brought forth powerful metaphors. In one of our in-person but distanced sessions, one teacher brought a Rubik's cube and explained that while she knew teaching in a pandemic could be done, she had no idea how to solve the puzzle. The cube resonated with all the teachers as an analogy for their frustrations. Another shared a set of Matryoshka nesting dolls that represented the layers of curriculum, protocols and the many levels and complexities of teaching. Each doll opened to reveal another problem. The teacher explained that the last doll represented the children in her classroom who seemed to be given the smallest priority on the national stage, amidst discussions of the national economy and other priorities. Her response sparked emotion in the group. Other teachers recalled the social inequities some children face daily, and brought to mind students who they knew would be affected by the absence of school-provided breakfast and lunches during the lockdown. New demands During our meetings and interviews in October, teachers relayed how they navigated the new demands. By our December interviews, our conversations were dominated by teachers' experiences of constant stress and anxiety. One teacher pointed to "teacher fatigue," and how the many extra safety procedures and protocols were wearing teachers down. She likened it to "death by a thousand cuts." All teachers had added many new elements to their front-line worker dutiesextra handwashing, disinfecting desks, constant reminders to socially distance. All of these measures resulted in lost preparation time, lost class time or missed lunches. While teacher education programs in Canada address teaching with digital tools, their focus is in-person classroom teaching. With the COVID-19 lockdown, Canadian teachers struggled. They searched for online teaching skills and approaches while creating meaningful digital engagement and learning strategies. Teachers knew that it would not be possible for all children and families to have the means to wake up one day and go to school virtually. They knew children from vulnerable contexts were more seriously impacted by the pandemic: for example, digital access was not universal and parents from lower-income households particularly faced challenges managing homeschooling with their own work. Growing cohesion Discussions with teachers were also full of the optimism teachers are recognized for. Teachers mentioned instances of growing cohesion and community in the classroom, and how these vital connections were nurtured with students before and during present COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Another teacher mentioned how, as a result of parents following provincial advisories to keep sick children at home, occasionally smaller classes prevailed. With the rise of COVID-19 cases, teachers are taking on this front-line fight as they continue to cultivate their learning about teaching online and in hybrid contexts and their strategies for managing risks in schools. As teachers continue to teach in both physical classrooms and online, the uncertainties around the pandemic continue. If COVID-19 has any bright silver lining, it has made the public vitally aware of children's socio-emotional needs and the critical and growing role of teachers as heroes in the pandemic. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : Harshitha Attaloori, Inspector General of Police, South Zone, will investigate the child abuse case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in which a 35-year-old woman was arrested and jailed following a complaint by her husband that said their 14-year-old son was allegedly sexually assaulted by her. The woman is in Attakulangara women's jail. However proceedings took a curious turn with the relatives and friends of the woman came together and formed an action council which demanded a proper investigation by the police. The action council leader Vakkom Pradeep, while speaking to IANS, said: "The local police at Kadakkavoor police station was over-enthusiastic to register an FIR and did not take into consideration all aspects of the case. This woman and her husband are estranged and he has remarried without divorcing her and the child had lodged the complaint following immense pressure from this person." In a related development, the woman's 11-year-old younger son told the media that their father used to beat them up cruelly and his brother was forced to make such a statement by their father. The couple have three sons and a six-year-old daughter. The mother of the accused also said her daughter was innocent. "My daughter is innocent and everyone who knows the family does not have an iota of doubt on the same. The case was forced upon her by her estranged husband who had forcibly taken their children and was living in the Middle East with another woman without formally divorcing my daughter". The state Child welfare committee has refuted the police claim that the committee had sent a report asking for the police to arrest the woman. Child welfare committee president N Sunanda told IANS: "The committee had not sent any report indicting the woman and we had only provided counseling to the boy". The Kerala Women's Commission has also intervened in the matter. Commission member Shahida Kamal told journalists, "If the allegations raised by the woman's family are true it's a major issue. If, as alleged by the woman's family and friends, the man had prompted the child to give a false statement, he is liable to be prosecuted under Section 22 of the POCSO Act". Kamal said that children are becoming mere pawns in fights between parents and in this would lead to mental agony for the child in the long run. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday steered clear of more cases involving bids by President Donald Trump and some Republican allies to overturn his election loss. The justices, as expected, declined to expedite consideration of eight Trump-related cases including three filed by his campaign challenging the election results in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, two of the states he lost to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. The high court also wouldn't listen to a Michigan-based case that 'Kraken' lawyer Sidney Powell was shepherding through the court system. The Supreme Court refused to expedite considering eight Trump-related election cases, including from the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin Trump ally, lawyer Sidney Powell, was not successful in getting her Michigan case expedited by the Supreme Court President Donald Trump's bid to overturn the 2020 election results has been unsuccessful in court In December, Powell threatened to 'release the Kraken,' which she said amounted to evidence that the election was stolen from Trump. The case includes conspiracy theories that Powell has tried to publicize, including that Dominion Voting Systems were 'created to achieve election fraud,' she wrote in the filing. Powell has claimed Dominion was created in Venezuela for the late leader Hugo Chavez and the machines switch votes. Dominion sued Powell for defamation on Friday. It already was clear that the court had no intention to intervene because it had not acted before Congress last week certified Biden's victory in the Nov. 3 election. Trump has falsely claimed he won the election. A mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, interrupting congressional certification of Biden's victory. The court also turned away a Democratic effort to expand mail-in voting in Texas. Texas state law makes mail-in ballots available only for people age 65 and older or for voters who meet specific disability guidelines. The state Democratic Party and some voters sued the Republican-governed state, arguing that by treating voters differently by age, the Texas law violated the U.S. Constitution's 26th Amendment guarantee of the right to vote for American citizens age 18 and above. But the Supreme Court left in place a lower court ruling that sided with Texas in the lawsuit. The Democrats had gone to court to try to enable all eligible voters in Texas to vote by mail during last year's election cycle, including the presidential election, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, the high court rebuffed an earlier emergency request by Democrats seeking to allow broader mail-in voting. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier that month blocked a ruling by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in favor of the Democrats and in September threw out Biery's decision. Democrats have accused Republicans in various states of pursuing policies intended to make it more difficult to vote. There was a nationwide surge in voting by mail in the 2020 election as voters concerned about COVID-19 sought to avoid crowds at polling places. The election results showed that Democratic voters in particular relied upon mail-in ballots, with Trump and other Republicans making unfounded claims about fraud with such voting. Biden's victory over Trump was propelled by voters who cast ballots by mail in crucial battleground states. Trump won in Texas. The Supreme Court has kept its distance from Trump's post-Election Day efforts to stay in office. Last month it rejected a long-shot lawsuit filed by the Republican attorney general of Texas and backed by Trump seeking to undo Biden's victory by throwing out voting results in four states. 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, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of young, diverse voters delivered two Democratic Senate seats in Georgia, which has one of the fastest-growing Latinx populations in the country. Voto Latino, the nation's leading Latinx voter registration outfit, registered 11,528 Georgian voters between November 30 and December 7 for the January 5 Senate runoff. Voto Latino previously registered 35,787 Georgians for the 2020 general election cycle, in which Biden won by 11,779 votes. "Georgians' unprecedented turnout in a runoff election demonstrates that long term investments in community organizing are effective, and that every vote does matter," said Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino. "This is Voto Latino's third Georgia election, and our wins could not have been possible without our volunteers, community partners, and the steadfast leadership of Stacey Abrams and Lauren Groh-Wargo of Fair Fight." TargetSmart estimates that at least 74,487 Latinx voters voted early for the runoff election 64% of the November 2020 early vote total and 180% more than the Latinx early vote total in 2016. In the midterm election of 2018, approximately 10% of Latinx voters turned out. This year, that number could be as high as 65%, exceeding all expectations and capping off a wave of Latinx voter engagement throughout the country during this election cycle. This special election concludes Voto Latino's record-breaking investment in Latinx political empowerment for the 2020 cycle. After close to a decade of organizing in many of these states, a $34.2 million dollar effort, Voto Latino registered 601,330 voters in Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Florida, and mobilized 3.7 million low propensity voters to the polls. This cycle, Voto Latino's work helped flip Arizona and Georgia, defended Nevada and Wisconsin, sent four new Senators to Washington, and turned Texas and North Carolina purple, demonstrating the overwhelming contribution Latinx voters in the South made to deliver the White House. For the Georgia effort, Voto Latino partnered with local organizations within the state for a host of election-related activities. Voto Latino's partners included Fair Fight, La Borinquena, Athens AntiDiscrimination Movement (AADM), Blueprint 58 Atlanta, Georgia League of Women Voters, Georgia Muslim Voter Project, Georgia Sierra Club, Mijente, New Georgia Project, Pro Georgia, Southerners on New Ground (SONG), State Voices, Students for Tomorrow, and the Trans Queer Liberation Movement. Through Voto Latino's numerous local partnerships, it co-hosted virtual text banks and organized events, such as a Fuse TV Townhall with board members Rosario Dawson and Wilmer Valderamma. VL Impact Council Co-Chair Zoe Saldana also contributed to the effort. The Georgia program included texting 95,000 young voters of color, providing media training to 33 volunteers, collaboratively sending 1,140 handwritten letters to voters, providing thousands of rides to the polls through Lyft, and uplifting the work of numerous local organizations. Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs and authentic voices, we shepherd the Latinx community towards the full realization of its political power. Contact: Danny Turkel, [email protected] SOURCE Voto Latino Scores of Republicans are jumping ship like rats as pressure mounts for Trumps ouster amidst patently absurd accusations he incited the January 6th Capitol riot. The list of defections grows as GOP senators and representatives denounce the president while White House staff and cabinet members resign in droves. A few rational analyses exist. Liberal criminal defense and constitutional law expert, Jonathan Turley states that Trumps speech does not meet the legal definition for inciting violence, and warns that impeachment is foolhardy and sets a dangerous precedent. But exploiting a crisis is vintage Democrat behavior. Spineless going along to get along antics? Vintage Republican. The Hill reports that two anonymous Republican senators bemoan not doing enough to rein in Trumps bad behavior -- especially regarding election fraud. They blame him for inciting the Capitol riot, inflict[ing] serious [long-term] damage on his party, and losing Georgia by suppressing the vote with his election fraud fantasies -- even though turnout was record high and he campaigned in Georgia to adoring crowds, despite weak candidates. The GOP alienated its base and was on life support long before candidate Trump appeared. Most pundits agree he redefined and infused new life into the GOP. But the establishment, the Deep State, and their Republican weenie-collaborators are using this Capitol opportunity to regain power and control without any regard for the struggles, concerns, and futures of average Americans. As long as they have their immunity for trading on insider information that would land the rest of us in prison, their pensions and Cadillac healthcare plans, priority vaccinations, and mobility while the rest of us are locked down, they dont care about you. Moreover, any suggestion that Trump supporters boycotted the Georgia runoffs because of the November 3rd steal is wholly unsubstantiated -- Im unaware of reports, polls, or anecdotal claims that support this. It appears to have been woven out of whole cloth by the Fourth Estate to suppress Republican turnout and vilify Trump in his waning days. The Hill further details that these hucksters who never committed to his conservative agenda admit to expecting Trump to turn out the vote and help down ticket. As long as they needed our approval or votes to benefit their careers, stoke their pocketbooks, and gain notoriety, they feigned support. Now that theyve gotten what they needed and the political winds are shifting, theyre off the Trump Train and on the Democrat Train to Hell where they will compromise, capitulate, and collaborate. All of this hoo-hah about Trump inciting riots is just an excuse to put the final bullet in Trumps skull and nullify his accomplishments. If conservatives wanted to riot, it would be of our own accord, not at the prompting of a politician. We are not mindless automatons but independent thinkers with common sense and a healthy dose of skepticism, who believe the election was stolen based on the facts. We would not endorse Trump were he a run-of-the-mill lying politician out for himself. On the contrary, he spent four years defending Americas forgotten men and women, never hesitated to confront the Democrat-Media Complex on our behalf, and fearlessly battled the Woke-Cancel Culture. He may be unconventional and unpresidential in terms of the slick, polished look people expect in presidents, but hes had our six and made us safer, stronger, wealthier, healthier, and, indeed, great again. Its time we had his six. There has been a rush to judgment that Trump fanned the flames and that his supporters planned and implemented the riot. But this four-hour ordeal isnt in the same league as the destruction, disruption, and sheer terror unleashed by BLM, Antifa, and their Democrat allies and benefactors. Spare me the histrionics about the horrors of protesters entering the holy of holies when its the Peoples Capitol. Maybe after cowering in fear, Congress will now understand that innocent Americans were terrorized nightly for months by riotous BLMers and Antifa, whose bedlam was justified by insane progressives, who neutered law enforcement and literally let their cities burn for months. It is rich that Democrats make a stink about this, but when a mob of 200 led by Sandy O descended on Pelosis office to pressure Congress on the Green New Deal, Pelosi applauded their participation in our democracy. Code Pinkers disrupted practically every Republican event throughout the Bush and Obama administrations. Democrat operatives routinely terrorize conservatives and their families at their homes. Hysterical women whipped up by Senate Democrats stormed the Senate during the Kavanaugh hearings, cornered and berated Republican senators in elevators, and tried to bash in the Supreme Court doors. Trumps inauguration was marred by destructive demonstrations. Democrats will be Democrats -- violent and despotic -- but their newfound Republipals have crossed a line, alienating 74 million Trump supporters. They could have simply condemned the violence and defended Trump. When Democrats behave poorly, their comrades, adherents, and media allies swarm around and protect them from criticism or accountability. But most Republicans lack the stones to swarm. In this instance, they know whats coming under Soviet-style one-party rule so theyre sucking up to their Democrat overlords to ensure their own safety with absolutely no regard for you and me. Pure, unadulterated ass saving. After all our efforts to work with Dems the last 50 years and the way they returned the favor, they are indeed our enemies; any lingering possibility to unite and mend was destroyed when Pelosi tore up Trumps SOTU speech. Anyone who wants to destroy this country, take my wealth, strip me of my liberties, deprive me of constitutional due process and equal protection, lock me down, drug up my kids, put me on a list, take away my livelihood, and appease me with Universal Basic Income, is my enemy. People are out of work, out of hope, encumbered by trillions in federal debt, worried about their kids futures. Where is America? How did she fall so quickly and who is behind it? Biden is considering COVID vaccination passports to allow travel and work. Cuomo is contemplating a bill authorizing detainment for public health reasons without any Due Process. The new Congresss first order of business was outlawing mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife. They have weaponized social media. Reparations are next. We just elected a man plagued by dementia, with a history of lies, exaggerations, inappropriate racial comments, bizarre hair sniffing behavior, plagiarism, and sleazy connections to China. He has vowed to take away our guns and hasnt repudiated Democrat threats to strip us of our jobs, put us on lists, and try us for our thought crimes. We are not obligated to compromise, unite, or collaborate with Democrats who hate us and everything we stand for, deny us our liberties, and cheat to get elected. In fact, we are duty bound to resist. Nor do we owe anything to the Republican rat finks flailing in the swirling eddies of D.C. politics, trying to save their political butts while abandoning those they swore to represent. We must reject every Republican who turned against Trump: RINOsaurs like Bush 45 and Romney; stalwarts gone awry like Cotton and Crenshaw; and fair-weather friends like Graham and the Turtle. Their heads are on the proverbial chopping block first chance 74 million get to vote them out. If they are pundits or news personalities, turn them off. If they are think-tanks, do not send them your money. Its devastating to see four years of accomplishments stomped on by the left and flushed down the congressional toilet by their new rightwing wingmen. My inbox is replete with emails of deep impenetrable worry, frustration, and a profound sense of melancholy and helplessness. And the left is loving it. Destroying the Trump presidency is one thing -- mission accomplished on January 6th. Dividing the GOP another -- a work in progress. But dismantling and snuffing out the movement is the real goal and it wont be easy: they know 74 million will not go gently into that good night but will rage against the dying light that is our freedom; that is our America. Image: Fruggo Sarris Cafe in Pelham has reopened nearly two weeks after the creation of a GoFundMe fundraiser to help turn its power turned back on. The restaurant made the announcement on their GoFundMe page, which is still accepting donations. Through the help of the council president, mayor and city planner we were able to reach out to Alabama Power and they have agreed to turn the power back on, the update reads. The update says the company still expects the balance, more than $20,000, according to a screenshot posted to their Facebook page, to be paid as soon as possible. You all have no idea how much we all appreciate your donations, shares, prayers, and sweet words that made it possible for us to get back up and going, the restaurant added. Sarris Cafe first made customers aware of the closure on Jan. 1. We appreciate all of our wonderful customers who many feel like family. We hope to see you all again soon, the restaurant said. A few days later, employees of the restaurant, known for their meat and two and other Southern dishes, started the GoFundMe page to help raise money for the power bill. The Pelham favorite reopened for business on Jan. 7. I cant thank you all enough for making this possible. Please come out and get some lunch! Thank you all again! Sarris Cafe said via GoFundMe. Record number of visits to NHS 111 Wales website This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 11th, 2021 A record number of visits to NHS 111 Wales website have been recorded in the last 12 months. A record 5.8 million visits were made to the health advice and information website last year, the largest proportion of which 1.6 million were made in March after the global pandemic had been declared. The Covid-19 Symptom Checker remains the most visited page on the website. Other popular search terms include headache, dentist and sexual health services. Claire Roche, executive director of quality and nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, which runs the website, said: The record number of visits proves how much of an appetite there is for health advice and information, especially in the current climate, and were pleased to be able to offer this service. The NHS 111 Wales website should be your first port of call when youre ill or injured and are unsure what to do. If we can help patients with a less serious illness or injury online, then were preventing calls to 999 which may not always be appropriate. There are more than 30 symptom checkers on the website, from back pain and breathing difficulties, diarrhoea and dental pain, to falls and flatulence. Users answer a series of questions which determine what to do next, whether thats to self-care for symptoms at home, visit a pharmacist, consult a GP, call 111 for a telephone assessment or in extreme cases, call 999. The website, previously known as NHS Direct Wales, also has a Local Services Search facility which allows users to look for their nearest dentist, minor injuries unit, pharmacy, GP, sexual health clinic and other services. Other features include a Pregnancy and Baby Guide for new mums and mums-to-be, as well as a section on Sexual Health. Claire added: Were continually looking at ways to improve the NHS 111 Wales website to make it as up-to-date, accessible and easy to navigate as possible. If youve used the website before and have some feedback, please take our Experience Survey to share your comments and help shape future services. Follow @NHS111Wales on Twitter and search for NHS 111 Wales on Facebook for news and updates about the service. Makar Sankranti 2021: Things you should do on this day India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 11: Makar Sankranti 2021 or Maghi or simply Sankranthi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). The festival that marks the beginning of a new season or called Maghi in the Hindu calendar, is all about celebrating with your family and friends flying kites and munching on some amazing delicacies. The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names, such as Maghe Sankranti in Nepal, Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi (preceded by Lohri) in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, popular amongst both the Hindus and Sikhs, Sukarat in central India, Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Ghughuti in Uttarakhand Makara Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal (also called Poush Sankranti) and Uttar Pradesh (also called Khichdi Sankranti) or simply as Sankranthi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Makar Sankranti: Centre sanctions Rs 37.8 cr for facelift of Parshuram Kund The festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2021. The day is dedicated to Lord Surya where devotees take a dip in the river Ganges. It is also called the festival of harvest where especially farmers celebrate with full pomp and show. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of the country with great fanfare. Things you should do on this day Donate, black color cloth to the poor and needy people on Makar Sakranti. Make some puris (Fried small chapatti) in mustard oil and feed them to black dogs. On this day, you must distribute two equal parts of black sesame seeds. Donate one part of it and prepare a dish for self-consumption from the other part of black sesame seeds. Prepare Khichdi from Urad dal and offer as bhog to Lord Shani. You can consume khichdi after offering bhog only. Pray to the Sun god after taking a bath in the morning. It is a believed that people should spend maximum time under the sunlight to prevent off any infection. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 17:29:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Anita Kiki Gebe, deputy joint special representative of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), awards UN peace medal to a soldier of the 2nd China Medium Utility Helicopter Unit (CMUHU02) in El-Fashir, Sudan, July 17, 2019. (Xinhua) In the past three decades, over 40,000 Chinese "blue helmets" have been dispatched to conflict-affected countries and areas in 25 United Nations peace operations. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police have performed their duties both nationwide and worldwide in recent years, providing a solid foundation for the first Chinese People's Police Day on Sunday, which fell on Jan. 10. In the past three decades, over 40,000 Chinese "blue helmets" have been dispatched to conflict-affected countries and areas in 25 United Nations peace operations. "In the big world, I may be like a small feather; but as a feather, I want to carry a wish of peace," found in the journal of He Zhihong, a Chinese peacekeeper who lost her life in the Haitian earthquake. On Jan. 12, 2010, a strong earthquake hit Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, killing all eight Chinese peacekeepers who were then having a meeting in the headquarters of UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. He, from southwest China's Yunnan Province, was to turn 35 that year. Serving as a liaison officer, she had demonstrated the utmost professionalism as a member of the Chinese peacekeeping force and had built a good reputation among her colleagues. Shi Jing, one of only four female members from the Chinese team of UN's Formed Police Units (FPU) to Liberia, was trained to be part of a cohesive unit accomplishing "high-risk" tasks that individual police officers could not address. "I really believe all this is worth it. What I'm gaining during peacekeeping will be the greatest wealth in my life," said 28-year-old Shi. Chinese peacekeeper Yu Peijie (R) sings songs with local children in Juba, South Sudan, on April 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Teng) For Zhu Longzhu and Lian Cheng, two other members of the team, the service in Liberia was a special honeymoon of sorts, having only been married for a month before their mission began. In Liberia, the FPU Chinese team also donated stationery and sporting goods and gave basic Chinese language lessons to local students. Chinese peacekeeping police are "friendly, professional and disciplined," in the eyes of Africans across the continent, said Liu Jia, a doctor in the Chinese FPU to Liberia. Commenting on the performance of Chinese peacekeepers, UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said that China's contribution is "extremely important." "What is remarkable is that the contributions of China are very high-quality," said Lacroix, recalling his visit to South Sudan. "I was deeply impressed by the quality of the Chinese contingent, qualified people and quality equipment." The purpose of Police Day is to help the public remember the martyrs sacrificed in overseas missions, the "blue-helmet" peacekeepers dispatched across the world, all police officers inside and outside the country and last but not least, that Chinese police are always on duty as envoys of peace. New Delhi: Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma has recently made a big statement about the corona vaccine. "We have about 4 in the first phase of vaccination in the state," he said in his statement. 5 lakh people are expected to be vaccinated. Not only that, but he also said, "So far we have trained more than 18,000 people. "He said these things in the media. He said, "committees have been constituted at the level of Chief Secretary on the vaccine. All kinds of training have been imparted. There are 3 state-level, 7 division level, 34 district level vaccine stores of Kovid vaccine stores in the state and 2444 cold pan points are functional at community and primary health centres and 53659 locations and 18634 vaccinators have been selected for vaccination." At the same time, Dr. Health Minister. Raghu Sharma also said, "The dry run of Covid vaccination in the state has been successfully launched at 18 session sites in seven districts on 2nd January 2021. Also, in the second phase, the dry run of Covid vaccination has been successfully carried out at 103 session sites in all the 34 districts on 8th January 2021." If you all remember, a few days ago, he said, "All preparations have been completed in the state for the vaccination of corona and physical verification of 3000 centers has been done." Now, talk about the corona case, according to statistics, the corona cases in Rajasthan are showing a steady decline and the cases are decreasing day by day. Also Read:- Nation needs not just 5 but 500 business houses: P Chidambaram PM Modi now most-followed active politician after Trump's Twitter account suspension Outrage among parents of infants, accuse hospital staff of neglecting duty NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the significant rise of COVID-19 cases, Gerber Technology has launched an initiative to help local communities in need of protective gowns. In partnership with their network of manufacturers and charitable associations, RetailersUnited and Fashion For the Frontlines, Gerber is donating 5,000 Level 1 gowns to various organizations in need. The gowns are made of DuPont Tyvek material that is specifically assigned to Gerber Technology for use in PPE (personal protective equipment) production. All of the gowns are being produced in U.S. factories to help keep local workforces employed. Gerber has been committed to making PPE more widely available since the creation of their PPE Task Force in March 2020. Since then, the technology partner has helped over 1,700 companies pivot their supply chain for PPE production. Gerber estimates that it has empowered production of over 100 million gowns and 8 billion face coverings during the pandemic in 2020. Through their most recent gown donation efforts, Gerber will help ensure health organizations across the United States have access to high-quality, industry standard PPE to keep them safe. The recipients of the gowns were determined by Gerber Technology jointly with non-for-profit organizations RetailersUnited and Fashion For the Frontlines. Since the early days of the pandemic in March, Gerber Technology has worked closely with both organizations. Fashion For the Frontlines' is focused on getting critical PPE to those in need on the frontlines in healthcare. RetailersUnited is focused on helping America reopen for business with a focus on the Retail Industry. "We continue to see unmet needs of PPE across the U.S. in hospitals, healthcare systems, retailers, communities and more, but by simplifying the supply chain and producing more PPE domestically, these shortages will be mitigated," said Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight Research and Board Member of RetailersUnited . "We value our continued collaboration with Gerber Technology and thank them for this contribution. The recipient institutions play a vital role in their local communities. With the recent alarming spike in COVID cases, these gowns are desperately needed, especially by smaller organizations whose funds and access to PPE are more limited." The recipients of the donated gowns include: NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities for local distribution, Eger Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Staten Island, NY, Housing Works, Inc. in Brooklyn, NY, and Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Health Board in South Dakota. "Our Native American communities are in desperate need of the right PPE to help protect the community," says Jo Overton, co-founder and director at Together on Turtle Island. "We are beyond thrilled to help facilitate this gown donation. Gowns have been from the beginning part of the broken supply chain and desperately needed." "Every community is in great need of help as they continue to fight COVID-19, especially right now," said Karsten Newbury, Chief Strategy and Digital Officer at Gerber Technology. "We are proud to be doing our part to help frontline workers be safer as they perform critical services for their communities. We are grateful for the partnerships with the manufacturers who have done their part to produce personal protective equipment during this very difficult time." "We were thrilled to connect with our generous friends and partners at Gerber Technology," said Sherri Barry, Owner of Arizona Fashion Source and Co-Founder of F.A.B.R.I.C. "As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a tremendous need for gowns by the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Board. Through our partnership with Gerber, we are able to successfully provide them with the number of gowns they need to operate safely." About Gerber Technology Gerber Technology delivers industry-leading software and automation solutions that help apparel and industrial customers improve their manufacturing and design processes and more effectively manage and connect the supply chain, from product development and production to retail and the end customer. With customers in 134 countries, Gerber Technology has a global team of passionate experts to support companies in apparel and accessories, personal protective equipment, home and leisure, transportation, packaging and sign and graphics industries. Based in Connecticut in the USA, Gerber Technology is owned by AIP, a New York-based, global private equity firm specializing in the technology sector and has more than $3.0 billion assets under management. The company develops and manufactures its products from various locations in the United States and Canada and has additional manufacturing capabilities in China. Visit www.gerbertechnology.com for more information. About F.A.B.R.I.C. F.A.B.R.I.C.Tempe is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide apparel entrepreneurs with training, guidance, innovative industry resources, and access to no minimum manufacturing, so they can build sustainable fashion businesses domestically. About RetailersUnited We are a passionate group of fashion industry-related firms and technology businesses. Our mission is to provide financial assistance to those in the retail industry who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Our objective is to fill the critical need to help those who have been impacted in the retail industry by reorienting manufacturing and supply chains toward essential needs, helping retailers run their businesses safely and keeping retailers in business. It is incumbent on those of us who have the skills, connections and platforms to put together solutions like RetailersUnited to help the Retail Industry move forward. About Great Plains Tribal Health Board Established in 1986, the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Health Board (GPTCHB) is an organization representing the 18 tribal communities in the four-state region of South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. Through public health practices and the formation of tribal partnerships, we work to improve the health of the American Indian peoples we serve by providing public health support and health care advocacy. Serving as a liaison between the Great Plains Tribes and the various Health and Human Services divisions including the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service, GPTCHB works to reduce public health disparities and improve the health and wellness of the American Indian peoples who are members of the 18 Great Plains tribal nations and communities. Contact: Ketty Pillet Tel: +1 860-896-6036 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Gerber Technology Related Links http://www.gerbertechnology.com Cold weather conditions prevailed in north India on Monday as the MeT Department issued a yellow alert for cold wave in several areas of Rajasthan , while the minimum temperature rose at most places in Kashmir bringing some respite to people. Rains along with thundershowers were observed in parts of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Sikkim. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius, which likely drop further, and Punjab and Haryana reeled under cold weather conditions. Uttar Pradesh witnessed dry weather and a few places in Himachal Pradesh witnessed sub-zero temperatures. In Rajasthan, cold wave conditions prevailed in parts of the state as the minimum temperature dropped by up to four degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours. The Meteorological (MeT) Department also issued a yellow alert for cold wave in several areas for the next 24 hours. Churu recorded 1.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday night while Ganganagar registered a low of 3.9 degrees Celsius, showing a drop of three and four notches, respectively against the previous night. Similarly, the minimum temperature last night was 3.9 degrees Celsius in Pilani, 4 degrees Celsius in Sikar, 5 degrees Celsius in Barmer and Eran Road, 5.4 degrees Celsius in Bikaner, 6.8 degrees Celsius in Phalodi and 7.1 degrees Celsius in Jodhpur. In Delhi, the mercury is likely to drop to five to six degrees Celsius by January 14. The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative data for the city, recorded a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature on Sunday was 16.2 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal. Delhi has registered above-normal minimum temperatures since January 3 as a cloud cover persisted over the city under the influence of successive western disturbances. In Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, up from minus 2.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. There was some respite for residents of Srinagar from intense cold as the minimum temperatures rose at most places in Kashmir. The minimum temperature in Gulmarg tourist resort settled at minus 9.6 degrees Celsius, down from minus 7.2 degrees Celsius the night earlier. Gulmarg was the coldest recorded place in the valley. Pahalgam tourist resort, which also serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.9 degrees Celsius a night earlier. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.2 degrees Celsius, Kupwara, in the north, minus 1.0 degrees Celsius and Kokernag minus 2.0 degrees Celsius. Cold weather conditions persisted in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, where Narnaul was the coldest place recording a minimum temperature of four degrees Celsius, a notch below normal. Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, registered its low at 9.5 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said. Among other places in Punjab, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala recorded minimum temperatures of 7.2, 7.9 and eight degrees Celsius, respectively, up to four notches above normal. The minimum temperatures of Pathankot, Adampur, Halwara, Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur settled at 9.4, 8.3, 6.3, 6.8, 7 and 8.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. In Himachal Pradesh, Keylong and Kalpa reeled under sub-zero temperature. Keylong, the administrative centre of tribal Lahaul and Spiti district, continued to be the coldest place in the state at minus 10.3 degrees Celsius. Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded a low of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius. The weather was dry across Uttar Pradesh with cold day to severe cold day conditions at isolated places over western parts of the state. State capital Lucknow and Kanpur both recorded a minimum temperature of 8.5 degrees Celsius. Allahabad recorded a low of 13 degrees Celsius, while Varanasi's minimum was 13.6 degrees Celsius. The MeT Department has forecast that due to the prevalence of dry northwesterly winds, minimum temperature is very likely to gradually fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius over most parts of northwest India during the next 3-4 days, which is very likely to cause severe cold conditions at some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, northwest Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan. Rainfall and moderate thunderstorm and lightning is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Lakshadweep during the next three days and a significant decrease in rainfall activity over these regions thereafter, it said. 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. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Former President John Mahama has described as an 'abomination' the 'invasion' of Parliament by some military officers during the inauguration of the 8th Parliament. According to him, everything that is wrong with our democracy under this President played out in Parliament that night; snatching of ballot papers, attempting to disenfranchise voters by getting Assin North out of the chambers and all the other things. Attempting to compromise the secrecy of the ballot, the entry of the military into the chamber; that is an abomination, it makes us look a banana republic Mr Mahama who was speaking to NDC MPs commended them for fighting a good fight and for protecting the 'democracy of Ghana' "...and that there is no force that can defeat a people who are together and united and acting with a singular purpose and that is what we saw on the floor that night. it was not a fight for yourselves it was not a fight for the NDC, it was a fight to protect the democracy of ghana" he added 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 [January 11, 2021] High Road Capital Partners' Portfolio Company John Henry Foster Minnesota Acquires Distribution Segment Of Motion Tech Automation NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- High Road Capital Partners (www.highroadcap.com) announced today that its portfolio company John Henry Foster Minnesota (www.jhfoster.com) has completed the acquisition of the assets of the distribution segment of Motion Tech Automation (www.motiontech.com), marking the company's first acquisition under High Road Capital's ownership. The distribution segment of Motion Tech Automation ("MTD") is a leading value-added distributor of engineered automation, motion control and sensor solutions for a diverse array of end markets. John Henry Foster Minnesota ("JHFoster") was acquired by High Road Capital Partners Fund II in May 2019. JHFoster is a leading value-added distributor of motion control parts and accessories, compressed air systems, collaborative robots, industrial robotics, and electrical automation products to manufacturers in the upper Midwest. The company is headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota. "MTD's strong relationships with premier motion control and automation OEMs broaden JHFoster's product offering and position JHFoster for continued growth," said Ben Schnakenberg, a Partner at High Road Capital Partners. "In addition, MTD bringsan experienced and highly knowledgeable team, and we look forward to supporting them to continue offering our customers industry-leading products and services." "We are excited to add MTD to the JHFoster family. MTD's product breadth and depth will complement the well-established lines we already provide," said Nick Martino, CEO of JHFoster. "This acquisition strengthens JHFoster's position as a supplier of choice for our customers' automation and motion control needs." MTD will relocate to John Henry Foster Minnesota's facility in Eagan, Minnesota, in January 2021. Motion Tech Automation will continue to operate and focus on product development and manufacturing services for its customers and parent company. JHFoster's acquisition of MTD closed on December 14, 2020. Ben Schnakenberg, Partner, led the transaction for High Road and was assisted by Eojin Lee, Principal; Tom Cassidy, Senior Associate; and Austin Arnold, Associate. Jones Day provided legal counsel to High Road. Hennepin Partners advised the sellers on the transaction. Transaction consideration was not disclosed. High Road has completed 61 transactions 20 platform investments, 33 add-on acquisitions, and eight exits since its founding in 2007. For further information, please contact Ben Schnakenberg of High Road Capital Partners at (212) 554-3269. High Road Capital Partners High Road Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on the smaller middle market. High Road was formed in 2007 and has raised over $470 million of committed capital since inception. High Road targets niche-leading companies with revenues of $10 million to $100 million and EBITDA of $3 million to $10 million. Once acquired, High Road works in partnership with management to take companies to the next level through a combination of organic growth initiatives and add-on acquisitions. www.highroadcap.com John Henry Foster Minnesota Founded in 1938, John Henry Foster Minnesota (JHFoster) is a leading value-added distributor of motion control parts and accessories, compressed air systems, collaborative robots, industrial robotics, and electrical automation products. JHFoster customizes products and solutions to automate manufacturing applications for companies in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. The company is headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, with an advanced robotics design and training facility and UL 508A-certified control panel shop also in Eagan, facilities in Fargo, North Dakota and Hiawatha, Iowa, and a fully-equipped team of mobile service technicians throughout the five-state area. www.jhfoster.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/high-road-capital-partners-portfolio-company-john-henry-foster-minnesota-acquires-distribution-segment-of-motion-tech-automation-301205273.html SOURCE High Road Capital Partners [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] President Donald Trump has brokered yet another major agreement, this time between Morocco and Israel. It is the fourth such agreement in as many months. In the coming weeks, Israel and Morocco will resume full diplomatic relations. This agreement will also grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel and will promote economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies. Through this historic step, Morocco is building on its long-standing bond with the Moroccan Jewish community living in Morocco and throughout the world, including in Israel. The agreement further enhances Israels security, while creating opportunities for the two countries to deepen their economic ties and improve the lives of their people. In 1777, Morocco was the first country to grant diplomatic recognition to the United States of America. That same year, Morocco opened its ports to the ships of the new American republic, allowing the U.S. to engage in trade and commerce and supporting the fight for freedom. Our friendship has endured, declared Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. Together with Israel and Morocco we are declaring to the world that we are focused on unlocking the potential of all our citizens to ensure the continued prosperity and security of our countries. President Trump has also recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The United States continues to believe only political negotiations are capable of resolving the issues between Morocco and the POLISARIO , a politico-military organization striving to end Moroccan control of Western Sahara and win independence for that region. As Secretary Pompeo noted, We believe those negotiations should occur within the framework of Moroccos autonomy plan. Moroccos laudable efforts to promote religious tolerance from its historical tradition of protecting its Jewish minority, the promoting of religious freedom in the Marrakech Declaration, to the new agreement with Israel sets an example to the region and throughout the world. Secretary Pompeo noted that there is a powerful verse in the Scripture that reads a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. The United States, Israel, and Morocco have embraced peace and the world is better off for it. FP Trending New research by UK scientists at the University of Bristol has found evidence that crocodiles have existed largely unchanged for 200 million years, outlasting dinosaurs as well as other flora and fauna that were wiped out by an asteroid that smashed into the Yucatan Peninsula around 66 million years ago. According to a statement released by The University of Bristol, scientists have now explained how crocodiles follow a pattern of evolution known as 'punctuated equilibrium'. Analysis by the lead author of the study Dr Max Stockdale shows that using a machine learning algorithm has found an estimate to rates of evolution. Stockdale stated that evolutionary rate is the amount of change that takes place over a given amount of time. For their study, researchers measured body size, important because it shows how fast animals grow, how much food they need, how big their populations are and how likely they will become extinct. As per the study authors, their findings show that the limited diversity of crocodilians and their apparent lack of evolution is due to a slower evolutionary rate. According to them, it seems that crocodiles arrived at a body plan that was very efficient and versatile enough that they did not need to change or evolve in order to survive. Researchers have stated that the versatility could be one explanation of why crocodiles survived the meteor impact at the end of the Cretaceous period. Crocodiles generally thrive better in warmer conditions as they are better able to control their body temperature and require warmth from the environment. Since the climate during the age of dinosaurs was warmer, there were a lot more varieties of a crocodile than now. Dr Stockdale added that it is fascinating to study how intricate a relationship exists between the earth and the living things that live on it. He went on to say that the crocodiles figured out a lifestyle that was versatile enough to adapt to the environmental changes that took place since the time of the dinosaurs. Gunfire erupted on a recent Friday evening, close enough to Connie Esparzas home near Lauder Road in Aldine that the noise penetrated her double-paned storm windows. She looked at her husband and cringed. But that night was nothing new it happens at least every weekend, said Esparza, a community leader and Aldine resident of more than four decades who has witnessed gun violence in the area gradually worsen. Some neighborhood parents keep their kids indoors and Esparza, 73, sleeps away from the window. On holidays, she said, it sounds like a warzone. When you hear the gunfire that close, yes, its very frightening, she said. I cant tell you how frightening it is. County and community leaders are now turning to gunfire detection technology to curb the problem. The Harris County commissioners in early December approved a three-year $780,000 purchase order from ShotSpotter, whose technology pinpoints the location of gunfire and sends the information to law enforcement with the goal of assisting first responders and investigators, saving lives and building community trust. Still, there is little independent research proving the technology reduces gun violence. The technology will be deployed this spring in a 4-square-mile area in Aldine, an unincorporated area in north Harris County. Other commissioners said during the December meeting they would be interested in expanding the program to their own districts if it proves successful. Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who represents Precinct 2, pushed for and funded the project with his budget. Shortly after the company was founded in the 1990s, Garcia learned about ShotSpotter while seeking to address drive-by shootings during his tenure as director of the citys anti-gang office. Back then, the technology was too cumbersome and costly, Garcia said. Now the northern California company deploys its technology in more than 110 jurisdictions, including San Francisco, Chicago and New York City. The Harris County Sheriffs Office would be the only agency in Texas to use ShotSpotter, but not the first San Antonio cut the program after city and police officials decided it was not worth the cost and did not produce the desired results. Still, Harris County and Aldine leaders are confident and hopeful that the pilot run will show success. Im optimistic that this pilot program in the Aldine community will complement the peace-keeping, community-oriented initiatives that are already in place and ultimately save lives, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. In February, the Houston Police Department announced multiple steps to curb violent crime, including introducing ShotSpotter. An HPD spokesperson said that the program has not started yet, but the department is in the final planning stages of implemention. No further details were available. Esparza an Aldine ISD trustee, former educator and active volunteer said she believes it is a smart step that will help drive down gun violence and make people think twice before discharging a firearm. She said she supports anything that could improve her community, and suggested that officials create a public dashboard where residents can track ShotSpotters impact. Technicians will set up networked sensors throughout the coverage area that will detect gunfire, pinpoint the exact location, determine the type and caliber of weapon and send that information to the nearest patrol officer within roughly a minute, according to the company. The system detects more than 90% of shooting incidents within the targeted areas, ShotSpotter said. The technology cuts out the middleman, Garcia said, taking much of the burden of reporting off residents. Often, people dont report gunfire because they cannot tell where its coming from or assume someone else will report it. Many times people fear retaliation for calling the authorities on their neighbors, Garcia said. Others dont pick up the phone because of their immigration status or a language barrier. Even when a concerned citizen does phone the police, Garcia said, a report of gunfire in an unknown location is likely a lower priority behind more serious crimes or actionable incidents. For those neighborhoods that may feel like law enforcement takes too long, law enforcement doesnt care or theyre afraid to directly engage law enforcement, then we will still be effectively serving them and demonstrating to them that we do care, he said. The East Aldine Management District last year launched a public relations campaign to discourage celebratory gunfire, a chronic problem in the area, said Brian Burks, the agencys deputy executive director. The new technology will help build on that effort, he said. Its not a panacea, its not going to be a cure-all there has to be support behind it, Burks said. (East Aldine) is so uniquely positioned to support this program because we have ... additional personnel from the sheriffs office designated to work in our area. The management district has a contract with the Sheriffs Office for 13 deputies and two supervisors, Burks said. Burks said he thinks the program will make the community safer and create a deterrent effect. Jennifer Doleac, an associate professor of economics at Texas A&M University and director of the Justice Tech Lab, a group of researchers who evaluate technologys effect on crime, said she frequently receives inquiries from law enforcement agencies considering investing in ShotSpotter. They all want to know: How well does it work? And every time, we have to say we still dont know what the effects of this technology are, Doleac said. She ticked off several benefits touted by the company. But at this point, those are all potential benefits we just have no idea if any of those benefits are materializing. ShotSpotter employees will work with the Sheriffs Office to define and adopt certain metrics in order to monitor the status of the program, according to the companys proposal. Each agency decides what relevant data to share with the public. Typical metrics include a change in overall gun violence levels, percentage of gunfire detected compared to calls for service, response time, arrests and lives saved, said Sam Klepper, senior vice president of marketing at ShotSpotter. But the company retains ownership of the data in most agreements with agencies, making it difficult to independently evaluate whether it is working, Doleac said. Her attempts years ago to conduct an academic study of the technologys benefits went nowhere because ShotSpotter was reluctant to provide their private data, she said. Some analysis conducted by law enforcement agencies with access to inside information has been more successful. One such study published by an internal crime analyst in Police Chief Magazine found that there were no crime trend differences between St. Louis neighborhoods that employed the technology and similar areas without it. Regardless, St. Louis renewed its ShotSpotter subscription and expanded its coverage area last year, Klepper said. Agencies that use gunfire detection systems will likely see a substantial increase in calls for service, according to the study, with remarkably little to show for it. Some law enforcement agencies have come to the same conclusion. Police in Charlotte, N.C. opted against renewing a ShotSpotter contract in 2016 because they said it didnt help make arrests or identify victims, according to the Charlotte Observer. Police in San Antonio decided to end the program in 2017, the Express-News reported. After 15 months, police could link only four arrests and seven weapons confiscations to the technology. The city also spent an additional $168,000 on officer overtime to handle the corresponding call volume. But both of those departments had a change in leadership that resulted in different priorities and focuses, Klepper said, adding that those situations do not tell the whole story. Only one customer decided against renewing its subscription with ShotSpotter last year as of September, Klepper said. Police agencies are always talking with each other and sharing experiences about the tools they use so we know the system works and provides value, otherwise we wouldnt see such strong renewal rates and new customers added each year, Klepper said. Doleac, the researcher, said she recommends law enforcement agencies ensure they have a plan to evaluate the program and pay the additional fee to gain access to the data generated by the technology. Have some sort of plan so that in a year youre not in the exact same situation you are now, wondering if its worth it, Doleac said. Garcia said he will evaluate the pilot program, specifically looking for an identifiable reduction in violent crime, similar to numbers cited by ShotSpotter in other cities. If it works, Ill be the first one to push it forward, Garcia said. If it doesnt work, well, we are trying. And thats the most important message I want our citizens to know is that were not throwing our hands up and giving up on them, we are continuously working to find solutions to the issues that theyre concerned about. anna.bauman@chron.com Republican Sen. Roy Blunt rejected calls for President Donald Trump to resign on Sunday. The Republican senator insists that Trump should complete his presidency in the last 10 days. Blunt added that the resignation would be entirely up to Trump. However, Blunt added that he thinks what the president should do is to finish the last 10 days remaining in his presidential term, according to a Business Insider report. Blunt did not join his fellow Missourian Republican senators Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz of Texas in challenging Arizona or Pennsylvania's Electoral College votes on Jan. 6. Meanwhile, he also said that he would not joint fellow Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on calling Trump to submit his resignation. Despite believing that Trump should not resign from his post, Blunt called the president's recent actions as reckless. "I think the president's decisions and his actions that day and leading up to that day on this topic were clearly reckless," Blunt was quoted on a Kansas City report. Blunt said that this is a very tragic day for the country and the president had some involvement in that. Related story: Trump Calls on National Guard to Quell Riot in DC, Secure US Capitol The Republican senator also voiced out his skepticism that impeaching Trump would take place before Jan. 20 happen. Blunt further statements that Democratic leaders supporting impeachment proceeding is just another political point trying to be made, according to a Forbes report. The Missourian senator advised Trump that he should be very careful over the next 10 days, saying that his behavior is what you would expect from the leader of the greatest country in the world. Blunt also condemned the violence the day of the Capitol breach. He said that there is not justification for violence and destruction, adding that it has to stop now and it is not how the U.S. is as a nation. Trump Impeachment More Republicans call for Trump to stand down. However, more Republican lawmakers are declining to support Democratic efforts to impeach him. Democrats will introduce a motion to the House of Representatives, calling on Vice President Mike Pence to remove Trump from the office, following the Capitol's breach and riot that took place, according to Financial Times report. "As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetuated by this president is intensified and so is the immediate need for action," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was quoted on a report. Many Republicans said that they did not think impeachment was not the best way to hold Trump accountable. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey said that the best way for the country for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Toomey doubted it possible to impeach Trump in the limited time he has left in the office. This was supported by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who said that he did not want impeachment proceedings to get in the way of president-elect Joe Biden's first few months in the office. Trump has already conceded that Biden would be the U.S. president this month. He also condemned the attack at the Capitol Hill. Related story: West Virginia Lawmaker, Man Photographed at Pelosi's Desk Among First To Be Charged Over Capitol Riot House Bill 133 aims to extend Medicaid coverage to eligible new mothers. The House version of the bill calls for a one-year extension, whereas the Senate version calls for a six-month extension. Advocates say the bill could reduce the states maternal mortality rate. Currently, the state offers Medicaid for two months after giving birth. Should Texas extend Medicaid for eligible new mothers for six months or one year? You voted: Killer T cells surround a cancer cell. Credit: NIH Ultraviolet radiation can cause a rare type of eye cancer, conjunctival melanoma, according to research funded by Cancer Research UK and others and published in Nature Communications today. UV radiation is known to be the key environmental cause of melanoma of the skin, but its role in the development of rarer forms of melanoma in the eye was not known. This new study has revealed strikingly similar genetic changes in conjunctival melanoma to that of cutaneous (skin) melanoma caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The team behind today's findings suggest that treatments used for skin melanoma may also benefit people with this rare form of eye cancer. The researchers, led by Professor Richard Marais at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, used whole genome sequencing to examine the genetic makeup of melanomas that develop on the conjunctiva, the specialised membrane that covers the front of the eye, to better understand what causes this particular melanoma subtype. Surprisingly, the researchers found similar genetic changes in tissue samples from people with conjunctival melanoma to the genetic changes that occur in melanoma of the skin attributed to UV radiation. They showed that people with conjunctival melanoma driven by UV radiation have mutations in the BRAF and RAS genes, which are often seen in skin melanoma. These findings complement a similar study showing that another type of rare type of melanoma of the eye called uveal melanoma, which develops in the iris, can also be caused by UV radiation. These two studies suggest that people with particular forms of eye cancer could benefit from treatments that are currently used for skin melanoma, including those which target BRAF mutations, but not yet approved for melanoma of the eye. Those drugs could, if proven to benefit these patients, be given based on the genetics of the tumour, rather than their location in the body. Professor Richard Marais, based at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and lead author of the study, said: "Our work shows the importance of delving into the underlying biology in rare cancers, which could identify new tailored treatment avenues for people. In this case we have identified mutations in a rare type of eye cancer that could be targeted by drugs used to treat skin cancer." Now, ongoing work will need to explore if BRAF-targeted therapies, or other immunotherapies used for skin melanoma, could benefit people with conjunctival melanoma. Professor Marais said: "By showing that UV radiation can cause conjunctival melanoma, we have added to our understanding of the known dangers of the sun for our eyes. It reminds us of the importance of protecting not just your skin, but also your eyes from UV light, be it in everyday life, or where the UV radiation is particularly high and causes the most damage such as on the beach, on a boat, on a mountain." Karis Betts, Cancer Research UK's health information manager, said: "This research adds to the picture of what we know about UV radiation leading to genetic changes that cause melanoma. Including this evidence for certain cancers of the eye it gives us even more reason for staying safe in the sun and the need for fully UV protective sunglasses." Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: "Almost 20 years ago, BRAF was identified as a cancer-causing gene by a group that included Professor Marais and his Cancer Research UK-funded team. This ground-breaking discovery led to the development of drugs that block BRAF, including vemurafenib, and have been used to successfully treat many people with skin melanoma. "This study is a classic example of how understanding the fundamental biology of a more common cancer can be used to help people with rarer diseases that can be more difficult to study, and often have fewer treatment options." Explore further Researchers identify promising drug combination for melanoma More information: Piyushkumar A. Mundra et al. Ultraviolet radiation drives mutations in a subset of mucosal melanomas, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Piyushkumar A. Mundra et al. Ultraviolet radiation drives mutations in a subset of mucosal melanomas,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20432-5 Lubnygaz JSC asks law enforcement agencies to check Ihor Mosiychuk for involvement in the explosion on the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gas pipeline on January 9, 2020. "Mosiychuk was the first to report on his Facebook page that the explosion was a targeted sabotage and accused his opponent of the Lubnygaz enterprise, which Mosiychuk has been trying to seize for several years. These false accusations had been voiced much earlier than the owner of the Ukrtransgaz gas pipeline or the State Emergency Service in general informed about the very fact of the accident, not to mention the possible cause," the Lubnygaz said on its Facebook page on Sunday. The company expressed surprise at the fact that Mosiychuk had announced the cause of the accident before the State Emergency Service and Ukrtransgaz. "What is this? Dirty slander against opponents, or maybe he committed the sabotage himself?" Ukrtransgaz added. The press service of the company noted that for the first time they publicly announced a raider takeover attempt by the "Mosiychuk group" back on July 3, 2017. The situation is now repeating itself - Mosiychuk is again putting pressure on Lubnygaz, as always using outright lies, personal threats and mass persecution," the statement says. "Considering the above said, it is obvious that Mosiychuk has a motive and relevant experience to carry out sabotage at the gas pipeline in order to blame Lubnygaz and, ultimately, to seize the enterprise. He and his accomplices should be checked by the relevant authorities for possible involvement in the explosion. We ask to consider the information provided as a public appeal to the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine and the prosecutor's office. We are also preparing additional statements to these bodies," the statement says. As reported, on January 9, an explosion occurred on the main gas pipeline Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod near the village of Kalaidyntsi, Lubny district, Poltava region with subsequent flare combustion. Stanford University canceled a plan to bring freshmen and sophomore students back to campus for winter quarter, as the worsening coronavirus pandemic continues to hit Santa Clara County particularly hard. In a message to the campus community dated Saturday, Stanford leaders cited a recent tenfold increase in coronavirus cases per 100,000 county residents as a major reason for the change in plans. In addition, as of Friday, 43 Stanford students had tested positive for COVID-19 since Jan. 2, according to the university. Undergraduate instruction for Stanfords winter quarter begins remotely on Monday. The university previously said it would let many freshmen and sophomores return to campus from Jan. 21 through 24. Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Provost Persis Drell said they had hoped that after a two-week arrival delay and a further two-week period of restricted activity, public health restrictions would ease enough to make it worthwhile for our frosh and sophomore classes to be on campus. But the university has now concluded that Santa Clara County is unlikely to emerge from Californias most restrictive reopening tier until late in the quarter. The county is the epicenter of the Bay Areas surge in COVID-19 cases, with the hardest-hit hospitals in the region and far more new ICU patients each day than the next-most impacted county, Alameda. Without the ability to expand opportunities for in-person social and academic interaction to the extent we had anticipated, we do not believe we will be able to offer the kind of engaging on-campus student experience that would warrant bringing back the frosh and sophomore classes in their entirety, Tessier-Lavigne and Drell wrote in the message. Classes and support services for students will still be available online, and some undergraduate students with special circumstances can remain on campus, the officials said. The university hopes it will be able to bring freshmen and sophomores back on campus for the summer quarter, public health conditions permitting. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris AN Irish Rail service from Dublin to Cork has been delayed after group of people were found using drugs on the train. Gardai have been called to the incident, with the train stopped at Hazelhatch, in Co Kildare for the suspects to be removed. It was the 6pm service from Heuston to Cork and Irish Rail told passengers to expect a delay of at least 30 minutes. Just before 7pm a spokesperson for Irish Rail told Independent.ie the incident was ongoing. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer appears before the Senate Finance Committee in Washington on June 17, 2020. (Anna Moneymaker-Pool/Getty Images) US Trade Chief Lighthizer Calls on Biden to Maintain Tariffs on China: Report U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has urged the incoming Biden administration to keep tariffs on China, while crediting President Donald Trump for taking the regime in Beijing to task for its spate of unfair trade practices that have disadvantaged the United States. We transformed the way people think about trade, and we transformed the way the models are, Lighthizer told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Jan. 11. My hope is that that will continue. The Trump administration has imposed unilateral tariffs on $370 billion worth of Chinese goods, citing as motivation various actions on Chinas part that include intellectual property theft from U.S. companies, forced technology transfers, unfairly subsidizing Chinese firms, and restricting access to Chinas markets. Other moves by Trump include delisting Chinese telecommunications companies on the New York Stock Exchange, blacklisting some Chinese companiesincluding Chinas largest computer-chip makerand banning transactions with Chinese-connected apps. Trumps tenor on trade helped shift attitudes among many toward seeing China as not just a competitor, but as an adversary, Lighthizer said. We changed the way people think about China, he told the WSJ. We want a China policy that thinks about the geopolitical competition between the United States and an adversaryan economic adversary. Following Trumps tariffs, Beijing signed a phase one trade deal nearly a year ago, promising to boost purchases of U.S. agricultural and manufactured goods, energy, and services by $200 billion above 2017 levels over two years. Since signing the agreement, China has fallen far behind on its purchase commitments while doubling down on mercantilist policies. As of October, Beijings purchases of U.S. goods and services were about half the level the phase one deal requires, on a pro-rated annual basis, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics. In an interview with Reuters last month, Lighthizer urged the Biden administration to hold China accountable for its phase one commitments. I would hold their feet to the fire on phase one, he said. I would use the dispute settlement process to resolve specific issues. I would keep the tariffs in place, for sure. He said a change in course on tariffs would be a sign of a strategic shift in thinking about China. I think if you see the tariffs dissipating, thats a signal that were not serious about understanding that China is a strategic adversary, Lighthizer said at the time. President-elect Joe Biden is set to assume office on Jan. 20 after Congress certified his victory in a joint session last week. Biden told a New York Times columnist in December that he didnt plan any immediate moves to change the tariffs on Chinese goods, while The Wall Street Journal cited senior Biden advisers as saying the president-elect would wait with tariff-related decisions until after consultations with U.S. allies. Its part of Bidens proposal to create what he calls a Summit of Democracies that would ward off autocratic creep, including by China, among other objectives. For example, technology companieswhich benefit from the fruits of democracyshould make concrete pledges for how they can ensure their algorithms and platforms are not empowering the surveillance state, facilitating repression in China and elsewhere, spreading hate, spurring people to violence, and remaining susceptible to misuse, Biden said on a website that details the plan. In his WSJ interview, Lighthizer said Bidens plan carried the risk of letting other countries hamstring U.S. actions on China and cause policy to become mired in endless discussions. Lighthizer also urged steps to make it more difficult for U.S. companies to offshore operations and said the World Trade Organization (WTO) should be weakened so that it cant override U.S. trade policies with respect to China. Since his appointment as top U.S. trade official, Lighthizer has blamed the WTO for failing to curb Chinas trade abuses and rampant subsidies to state firms. He said that theres now broad support for the need to reform the WTO. The United States has rendered the WTOs Appellate Body inoperable by blocking judge appointments after years of complaints about decisions the United States says are against its interests. Lighthizer told Reuters that the WTO may be better off with a simpler binding dispute settlement system. Reuters contributed to this report. Protesting farmers in Karnal on Sunday vandalised the venue of a Kisan Mahapanchayat where Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to address people to highlight benefits of the Centre's three agriculture laws. Khattar accused BKU (Charuni) president Gurnam Singh Chaduni, the Congress and Communists for "instigating" people. '26 January will be the final match' A day after the incident, the farmer union leader, in a controversial statement said that the farmers will break barricades and enter Delhi during their January 26 protests. "The government is not ready to listen to our demands. They are firm on their stance. We are warning the government that we are going to protest on January 26. I request all the farmers to come prepared to Delhi borders with their tractors and we will enter Delhi by breaking barricades. Let the government shoot us, lathicharge us or whatever. It will be the final match. Whatever will happen, it will be the government's responsibility," BKU leader said. Reacting to the threat, BJP Haryana leader Ramneek Mann speaking to Republic Media Network in his personal capacity and not as a BJP spokesperson said that "Gurnam Singh Chaduni is a loser in the Ladwa Vidhan Sabha which falls under Kurukshetra Parliamentary constituency." "His wife has lost an election too. Their affidavits to the Election commission say that they are arhtiyas/commission agents. They are not just commission agents for crops, they are commission agents for inciting violence also. They don't want to talk to resolve the issue as they do not have merit in their case. They just want to incite violence. I feel that these jokers be immediately booked under NSA. They should be picked up as they are hiding behind the mob," he said. READ | With new party in Vasundhara Raje's name, backers demand BJP name her Rajasthan CM face READ | Krunal Pandya abusing & misbehaving with me: Deepak Hooda fires angry mail; BCA to probe Opposition leaders to hold a meeting The Haryana Police used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells to prevent farmers from marching towards Kaimla village, where the programme was to be held. The farmers, however, reached the venue and damaged a makeshift helipad where Khattar's chopper was to land despite elaborate security arrangements made by police. Some protesters also uprooted its tiles. They damaged the programme stage, breaking chairs, tables and flower pots at the venue. Police personnel were also pelted with stones and had to run for cover. They also tore BJP hoardings and uprooted banners in the presence of police. Gurnam Singh Chaduni is among the 71 booked for the incident. Meanwhile, according to sources, the Opposition leaders will be meeting at 12 pm on Monday. Left leaders including Sitaram Yechury and others will go and meet Sharad Pawar. They are keeping an eye on Supreme Court hearing on a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders. READ | Hindu Mahasabha opens 'Godse Gyaanshala' in MP's Gwalior; terms him a 'true patriot' READ | Embattled & cornered, Nepal PM KP Oli sending Foreign min to 'reclaim' Indian territories New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday said it has approved acquisition of share capital in Adani Green Energy by a subsidiary of Total SE. "Commission approves acquisition by Total SE through its subsidiary Total Renewables SAS in share capital of Adani Green Energy Limited," the regulator said in a tweet. In a separate tweet, CCI gave nod to acquisition of 100 per cent equity interest and joint control in Virtusa Corporation by Baring and other investors. The transaction involves acquisition of 100 per cent equity interest and joint control in Virtusa by an entity wholly-owned by funds affiliated with Baring Private Equity Asia, Austin HoldCo and co-investors Atago Investment Pte Ltd (GIC Investor) and CPP Investment Board Private Holdings (CPPIB). The proposed combination is in line with the respective business objectives of Baring Private Equity Asia and the co-investors, a notice filed with CCI said. "From Virtusa's perspective, the Proposed Combination allows Virtusa to maximize value and deliver a significant, immediate cash premium to Virtusa's shareholders," it added. In addition, the regulator in a tweet said the "Commission approves acquisition of stake in Ecom by PG Esmeralda (Partners Group)." The acquisition would be through purchase and subscription of shares of Ecom Express Pvt Ltd by PG Esmeralda, a CCI notice said. 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 Indian government has been negotiating with the Serum Institute of India to bring down the price of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, people close to the matter said, delaying the roll-out of the country's immunisation programme. India's drug regulator has approved emergency use of the vaccine developed by Oxford University as well as another developed by Indian firm Bharat Biotech, but the government has not placed firm orders with either firm. Senior officials have been discussing the terms of the deal with the Serum Institute for weeks, hoping to bring down prices ... Karnataka: An all-women Air India pilot team flew over the North Pole on the world's longest air route Air and successfully landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from San Francisco, covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometres. "It was an exciting experience since it was never done before. It took almost 17 hours to reach here," Shivani Manhas, one of the four pilots, who operated Air India's inaugural San Francisco-Bengaluru flight, told ANI. "Today, we created world history by not only flying over the North Pole but also by having all women pilots who successfully did it. We are extremely happy and proud to be part of it. This route has saved 10 tonnes of fuel," Captain Zoya Aggarwal told ANI at Bengaluru airport. The all-women pilot team of Air India started their flight from San Fransico (SFO) and reached Bengaluru on January 11, covering a distance of about 16,000 kilometres. According to aviation experts, flying over the North Pole is extremely technical and requires skill and experience. The longest flight over the North Pole will be another feather in Captain Zoya's cap as she was the youngest woman pilot to fly a Boeing-777 in 2013. "I am the youngest woman commander in the world on Boeing 777. Women should have self-belief even if they face societal pressure not consider any task impossible," she was earlier quoted by ANI. Posted Monday, January 11, 2021 9:06 am Johnny Madison Williams Jr., known to the FBI as "The Shootist," gained infamy as one of the most prolific bank robbers in U.S. history. After his arrest in Bothell in 1994, a federal judge sentenced him to 92 years in prison; his Bureau of Prison release date was set for Dec. 14, 2072 a life sentence, given that he is now 69 and sick. But for Williams and dozens of other federal inmates sentenced for crimes committed in Washington, harsh justice has given way to compassion in the time of COVID-19. Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly, the same stern jurist who in 1995 sentenced Williams to an exceptional 1,114 months in prison, on Monday ordered Williams released rather than risk his compromised health from exposure to the novel coronavirus that is raging inside federal prisons, including Federal Detention Center-Lompoc (Calif.), where Williams was recently transferred. Williams is one of 42 convicted federal felons in the Western District of Washington granted compassionate release from custody since March, when U.S. District Chief Judge Ricardo Martinez canceled jury trials as the dangers of the pandemic became clear. More than 200 petitions from prisoners seeking compassionate release have been filed, the judge said Wednesday, with more being brought almost every day. "There has been a huge uptick," Martinez said in an interview. "And I don't blame a single one of those people. If I was locked in a facility where everyone around me is sick, I'd want out, too." COVID-19 has ravaged the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which reported 5,870 inmates sick with the coronavirus, including 222 positive cases at Federal Detention Center-SeaTac, ranking fifth in infections among the nation's 122 federal prisons and detention centers, according to the bureau. Martinez said more than 136 inmates have recovered. The numbers of inmates seeking early release, in Washington and elsewhere, is only expected to increase, said Martinez. In an order issued Dec. 30, the judge extended courthouse closures and postponed all jury trials through March 31 almost a full year since he first halted in-person hearings. Cases continue to pile up, and Martinez has prioritized pretrial criminal proceedings. Since almost 97% of federal criminal cases filed in the district resolve before trial, one of the pinch points in the system has been sentencings. Those hearings can be involved and require significant resources from the court and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, where Martinez said caseloads have seen sharp increases. There are 122 sentencings pending in Western Washington, he said. "These delays are causing issues all up and down the line," Martinez said. That was clear during a criminal status conference before U.S. District Judge James Robart last week, where defense attorneys inquired about a anticipated rulings on a string of pretrial motions that had been pending since early November. Robart urged patience, telling the attorneys their matter was "on deck," but that he and his clerks had been preoccupied with a flood of compassionate release petitions. Martinez said every judge in the district has been struggling with these cases, which had been rare and rarely granted before the COVID-19 outbreak. Federal Public Defender Mike Filipovic, whose office is handling virtually all of the petitions, praised the program for saving lives and noted that, while the ability for inmates to seek compassionate release has been around for decades, it was almost never invoked. That changed in 2018 when Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed the First Step Act, which was designed to reduce federal prison populations and recidivism. Until then, Filipovic explained, compassionate release was sought through the prison's warden. If it was denied, then there were few avenues for an inmate to pursue. The First Step Act amended the law to allow inmates to appeal a denial directly to the federal courts. While it was passed before COVID-19 emerged, it has proven a godsend for elderly inmates and those with health problems that would make them vulnerable to the disease. To win compassionate release, an inmate must "demonstrate extraordinary and compelling reasons justifying his release." The process also involves the court weighing public safety against an inmate's health and circumstances for example, if they're being held in a facility where COVID-19 infections among inmates and staff are prevalent. In a number of those cases, such as Williams, the prolific bank robber, federal prosecutors have joined with the inmate in asking the court for early release. In his case, the U.S. Attorney's Office not only agreed that Williams' "very poor health," two suicide attempts and an otherwise spotless prison discipline record made him eligible for early release, but that his original sentence, issued under now abandoned federal guidelines, was draconian. Modern-day Bonnie and Clyde According to news reports at the time, Williams and his wife were something of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, ranging from Texas to Seattle, robbing a total of 56 banks (including four on the Eastside) with a haul of more than $879,000. They used the money to support a modestly flamboyant lifestyle nice cars, clothes, good cigars and restaurants but nothing so ostentatious as to attract attention. During his spare time, Williams was a competitive bowler, and took a bowling ball on his "business trips," according to news accounts. The FBI has long given serial bank robbers nicknames, and Williams became known as "The Shootist" for his M.O. of entering a bank, jumping on a counter and firing a single gunshot into the ceiling. Once, in Texas, he claimed his gun went off accidentally and he shot a bank manager in the leg, according to court filings and news accounts. After clearing out teller drawers, Williams would flee to a hidden, waiting getaway car, driven by his wife, Carol, jump in the trunk and off they'd go. He and Carol settled in Washington at some point, attracted by the state's beauty, the availability of shopping he favored Nordstrom and coffee; both he and Carol had a penchant for Starbucks. They were arrested at their home in Bothell in 1994 after the FBI received a tip; Williams blamed a friend for the betrayal. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy and five counts of armed robbery and under guidelines in place at the time, Zilly imposed a 92-year sentence. Carol also pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy charges. She was released in 2011, according to the court docket. The U.S. Attorney's Office notes that, under current sentencing structures, Williams would have received a 31-year sentence for the same crimes. Given that he's already served that amount of time, the court agreed Monday that he should be released for time served. Zilly ordered Williams to quarantine for two weeks before he's placed in a group home. He will remain on probation. Zilly rejected a motion to discharge $875,000 in restitution imposed by the court Williams is still expected to pay back what he stole. Tough decisions for judges A large majority of the petitions are denied, although an inmate can file more than once. In October, Judge Robart rejected a plea for compassionate release filed by Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, who is serving an 18-year sentence for a plot to kill service members and government employees at a Military Entrance Processing Station in 2011, stating that he had already tested positive for the coronavirus and that he posed a threat to the community. Last month, Martinez granted compassionate release to Dennis Gibb, a 73-year-old former Redmond investment adviser whom the judge had in June 2019 sentenced to five years in prison for bilking 15 investors, including some family members, out of more than $3 million. Gibb suffers from health issues that make him vulnerable to the coronavirus and he asked the court to be released. While deciding the case, Martinez said he was flashing back to the courtroom during Gibb's emotional sentencing hearing and the faces of the victims who testified about how Gibb had stolen their savings and futures. Initially, Martinez rejected the motion for compassionate release, filed in July, just 13 months after Gibb was sentenced. However, the judge reconsidered after the court was provided additional information about Gibb's serious health problems and a detailed plan on where he would be staying after he got out. Gibb was released in November, 17 months into a five-year sentence. "As judges, we are all facing these kinds of decisions. Every one of us has had to make a tough call," Martinez said. "When I impose a five-year sentence, I don't intend it to be a death sentence." ___ (c)2021 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has accused an Islamic group, Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) of inciting violence against him over his controversial Christmas message. The clergyman in a message titled: A Nation in search of vindication, had earlier accused the Buhari administration of not living up to expectations of Nigerians due to the various economic and security challenges affecting the nation. He said Mr Buhari was institutionalising northern hegemony against national interests. In a reaction to Mr Kukahs sermon, JNI, in a statement dated January 6, described the bishops sermon as irresponsible and seditious. The statement was signed by the secretary of JNI, Khalid Aliyu. According to him, Mr Kukahs message was a prepared address considering the occasion and the audience, one cannot but agree that it was a calculated attempt to insult Islam which is typical of him. His veiled insinuation that Muslims have a pool of violence to draw from, is disgusting, disheartening, as well as condemnable. Another Islamic group, the Ummah Movement, with headquarters at the National Islamic Centre (NIC), Zaria, had said the failure of Mr Kukah to retract its statement early enough triggered its reaction, hence called for the immediate resignation of the Bishop from the Peace Committee, in view of his blatant anti-Muslim partisanship as displayed in his treasonable Christmas message. The movements call was made known in a statement by its leader, Muhammad Muhammad, and was made available to the press on Sunday. JNI inciting violence Kukah In response to the statement by JNI, the bishop said the Islamic group was simply inciting violence against him. He said this in a release sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. He said the JNI secretary focused more on politics than humanity to have accused him of firing an arrow at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Muslim groups attack Kukah over Christmas message Dr Aliyu has accused me of being an enemy of his Religion, Islam. He accused me of what he calls, firing an arrow at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria. He says I have been accorded respect and accommodated in Sokoto and I have turned around to bite a finger that has fed me. He poses a question: How can Muslims continue to be hospitable to one who proves to be an ingrate many times over? How can Muslims be comfortable in associating with a bitterly vindictive person disguised in the garb of a religious cleric? I can only take this statement from the Secretary General of JNI as a clear case of incitement to violence against me. The outspoken cleric explained that he is more interested in how religion can be used to foster unity as against what he was accused of doing. Finally, I will make only two points. First, my area of research is Religion, Politics and Society. I am concerned about how religion can help to form good citizens and also how the state can create an environment that enables citizens to achieve this. In all of my writings over the last forty or more years, I have never written a single paper or article on Islam as a Religion. If there is any scholar anywhere who knows, let him or her say so. I have written about Religion focusing on how both citizens and the state deal with it with focus on politicians. My concerns are summarised in what the late Professor Bala Usman loosely referred to as the manipulation of religion. This manipulation is what has turned religion into a weapon of war in Nigeria. Secondly, I will request Dr Aliyu as a matter of honour and based on the text of my sermon to formally identify where in my Sermon I attacked Islam or all Muslims in Nigeria and the world according to him. I am more than happy to apologise for the offensive part of the statement. The relevant paragraphs in my Sermon focused on the two painful themes of nepotism and the hemoraging of lives in our country, a fact that as I said, most religious leaders and statesmen and women have alluded to. How a critique of government policies suddenly becomes hatred of Islam and the north, beggars belief. I am therefore calling on Dr. Aliyu to clarify and validate his accusations against me and advance the reasons why he should incite violence against me. I am unaware of anyone in Sokoto who has accused me of any misdemeanor or actions aimed at undermining the state or anyone, no least the faith of Islam. The bishop said his sermon was on how to make Nigeria great. I believe that today, nepotism poses a serious threat to our country, he said. The second point was the issue of the insecurity and how the north has become so affected. My belief was to add my voice to the voices of millions of Nigerians, Muslims, Christians, Traditional rulers, Statesmen and all who have shown genuine concern. It will be a great pity and a disservice to our efforts at national cohesion if we resort to the kind of diversionary threats that Dr Aliyu has embarked on. It only makes the job of insurgents easier if we become enemies to one another. ADVERTISEMENT American Express and JPMorgan Chase have said they would no longer donate to candidates who supported last weeks insurrection or did not vote to confirm President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the Electoral College. Goldman Sachs is also holding back on political donations, a source at the firm familiar with the matter said who is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The government is looking at the COVID-19 vaccination programme as a way to generate digital unique health identification (UHID) numbers for citizens linked to their Aadhaar cards. This will work as follows if a person uses their Aadhaar card as ID proof to register for the coronavirus vaccine authorities will use it to immediately generate an UHID for the individual, the Times of India reported. UHID is used to maintain digital records of an individuals health history in hospitals and become part of the government records. Follow our LIVE Updates on the coronavirus pandemic here There is however one technical hiccup the Centre stated legal implications of using Aadhaar as ID proof in its rules for vaccinating healthcare workers. 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 Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes' Associations (PHANA) also noted that Aadhaar was not listed as valid photo ID proof while the Centre built rosters for healthcare workers vaccination. Private sector healthcare workers did not provide their Aadhaar when drawing up the database as the government clearly said it was not to be used for the purpose. We had no clue that the government was planning to generate UHIDs, PHANA president Dr HM Prasanna said. Check here for the latest updates on all COVID-19 vaccines In fact, on the registration of healthcare workers for vaccination, the Karnataka government-run COVID-19 portal specifically states: Never take Aadhaar details into the excel sheet. It has legal implications. Hence it is not listed in the Photo ID drop-down menu. Further, furnishing Aadhaar is not mandatory for receiving the vaccine any government-issued photo ID is acceptable. The objective is to have digital health documentation of all citizens. However, this is optional, health department officials told the paper. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. In terms of implementation too, it was noticed during the dry runs that generating the UHIDs of beneficiaries caused a significant delay. Health commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey said this has been brought to the notice of the Centre. Pandey also clarified that linking Aadhaar with the UHID was a central government decision, the report said. On the ID he said the vaccination programme is the perfect opportunity since most individuals will take the vaccine. UHID is required for seamless movement of people from one state to another seeking treatment. It is a digital proof of one's health, he added. North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un calls the United States its "biggest enemy" and warns of more nuclear weapons during an important meeting of the Worker's Party last week, reports say. Jong-un, who is also the Workers Party leader, according to Voice of America, "threatened to expand his nuclear arsenal" and called on former Vice President Joseph Biden to remove its "hostile policy" so as to "establish better ties" with North Korea. The call was made after Biden during his campaign announced a more "adversarial approach to toward Pyongyang"; frequently referred to Jong-un as a "thug," "tyrant," and "dictator"; and said would only meet face to face with him "as part of broader, working level talks," VOA stressed. In the same way, Biden, as per VOA News, also often critized President Donald Trump for reaching out to North Korea for their de-nuclearization in an attempt to prevent wars with the United States, referring to it as an "ineffective" effort that is only meant "at creating headlines than addressing the North Korean nuclear issue." Reuters, on the other hand, reported Trump had three meetings with Jong-un that was followed by "a series of letters" that nonetheless brought "no official change in the countries' relations" nor to a denuclearization effort. Jong-un's call, as per Reuters, was one of "open cooperation" with the U.S. to drop its "hostile policies" notwithstanding "who occupies the White House" during a nine-hour meeting with the Workers Party, which the media outlet described as a "rare party congress in Pyongyang." "Our foreign political activities should be focused and redirected on subduing the U.S., our biggest enemy and main obstacle to our innovated development," Reuters quoted Jong-un in saying. Jong-un, as per Reuters, also vowed to expand its ties with "anti-imperialist, independent forces" although it will not "misuse" its nuclear resources but only intends to expend its current arsenal with "preemptive," "retaliatory" weaponry "of varying sizes" such as "hypersonic weapons, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), spy satellites, and drones." Reuters reported that Jong-un will be getting ready for the testing and production of "multi-warhead rocket" and "supersonic gliding flight warheads for new type ballistic rockets" and will be finishing on their "nuclear submarine" research. Jong-un also condemned the efforts of South Korea to build better ties with the U.S. through tourism, providing coronavirus, buying arms from the U.S., and conducting military drills with them, Reuters said. Reuters cited U.S. Diplomat for East Asia under former President Barack Obama, Kurt Campbell, to have announced last December the need for the new U.S. administration to immediately devise its strategy for North Korea so as to avoid the Obama era's delay. However, Stimson Center North Korea Specialist Jenny Town said, as cited by VOA News, Biden actually has a lot in his hands considering the current political climate and the priorities he set at the moment. "This is a tall order though, in the current political environment," Town stressed, "There's a lot demanding his time and attention." "Moves like early appointments of a North Korea policy team, lifting the travel ban (on North Korea), and other types of actions would help demonstrate that a different outcome and relationship is possible with a new administration," she added. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment During the past several months, there has been much talk and concern regarding Christian nationalism. There is a fine line, an almost indiscernible line, between Christian nationalism and patriotism. I am willing to die for my nation. I believe the United States of American is the greatest nation on the earth despite all its flaws and sins. Hence, I am a patriot. I support our right to have a strong military, and I believe God had a special plan for the nation from its very inception. I would love to see the United States build its laws upon the Scriptures standard of morality and justice. I am strongly pro-life and pro-biblical marriage. I also advance a biblical worldview in many of my teachings. These beliefs do not make me a Christian nationalist. I am more committed to advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God than a set of policies of a particular political party. While being a patriot is a noble thing, its more important for a person to be born from above and become part of the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). I am first a Christian, secondarily an American. As a Christ-follower, I am a citizen of the world; my concern is global. I desire for Gods kingdom to influence every nation, not just the United States. In the context of this article, most of the recent concerns about the rise of Christian nationalism are coming from the radical Left. This is primarily because most Evangelicals support President Trumps policies. The radical Left utilizes a lens of interpretation skewed against anything for what Conservative Evangelicals stand. However, there are also important concerns coming from Conservative Evangelicals. Joel McDurmon criticized Trump supporters for desiring top-down power and control. Although I thought the article in which Joel criticized Trump raised some crucial issues, Joel failed to mention that it is the radical Left themselves who seek top-down control. It is the Left themselves who promote laws and celebrate court decisions that most Americans would never vote for (e.g. abortion and gay marriage). Some in the Body of Christ have done an excellent job addressing Christian nationalism. (My dear friend, Dr. Michael Brown, has written about Christian nationalism). The purpose of this article is to further clarify the issue by contrasting the Kingdom of God from Christian nationalism. 1. The Kingdom of God focuses on the advancement of the Gospel. Nationalism focuses on the advancement of the politics of the nation. As much as I believe politics and economics are vital and, to an extent, can represent biblical ethics, I am much more committed to making disciples and seeing humanity change. (It is also possible for a committed Christian to be a faithful witness for Jesus while serving in public life as an elected official.) For me, anything that potentially distracts my energy and focus away from advancing the Gospel takes a backseat in my personal life and ministry. 2. The Kingdom of God produces loyalty to Christ above all else. Nationalism produces loyalty to the nation above all else. I have studied the behavior and writings of Christians for many years. In some cases, I have concluded that some Christians are more committed to their nation and ethnic heritage than they are to God. The Kingdom of God transcends all nations and ethnic identities (Psalm 103:19). In the mid-20th century, we witnessed Christian nationalists turn a blind eye to the 3rd Reich when most of the German churches aligned themselves with Hitler. If it happened once, it can and will continue to happen again, especially to a non-discerning church. 3. The Kingdom of God produces martyrs for the cause of Christ. Nationalism produces citizens who are willing to die for their nation. Although I am willing to defend my neighbor and die for my nation, I believe the greatest honor is to die for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. (Some may argue that I am a better citizen not because I am willing to die for my nation, but because of my faith in God.) Hence, it has to do with motive, not merely actions. 4. The Kingdom of God raises the banner of Jesus above all else. Nationalism raises the national flag above all else. During this acerbic political season, I have witnessed Christians fighting on social media, becoming irate and condescending towards those with a different political view. (Consequently, Christians are jeopardizing the eternity of unbelievers who may be the recipients of their political rants!) We are called to walk in the ideals set forth by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and aspire to represent His Kingdom. We must be the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5-7). 5. The Kingdom of God promotes the interests of God above the world. Nationalism promotes the interests of the nation above the Kingdom. In the Old Testament, we have seen many times that prophets like Jeremiah, Amos, Jonah, Isaiah, Elijah, and more, declared words from the Lord that were not always good for Israel. They risked their lives because their first allegiance was to His Kingdom rather than the nation of Israel. Jesus even corrected Peter because he was more interested in the things of men rather than the things of God (Mark 8:33). Consequently, we in the Kingdom of God should have our essential allegiance to Christ and His gospel, even if it does not comport with our nation's rank and file, and the policies they espouse. December marked the best growth in retail sales of passenger vehicles (PV) as new launches, cheaper finance and pre-buying to escape the January price increases helped boost demand. The segment also recorded the second-best monthly total this financial year. PVs comprise cars, SUVs and vans PV sales grew 24 percent in December to 271,249 units as against 218,775 units recorded in the same month last year, as per data sourced from 86 percent of the regional transport offices (RTOs), shared by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA). Wholesales (dispatches to dealers) by 14 PV manufacturers during December stood at 276,544 units, a growth of 18 percent compared to the same month last year. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) will issue sales later this week. The inventory days for PVs currently ranges between 15-20 days while for two-wheelers it ranges between 30-35 days, according to FADA. The two-wheeler segment scored better posting the best monthly retail sales this year in December. A total of 1.42 million two-wheelers were sold in December, marking a growth of 12 percent compared to 1.27 million units sold in the same month last year. A good crop season, better offers in 2W segment, new launches both in PV as well as 2W and fear of price increase in the month of January kept the demand going. Supply-side issues in passenger vehicles continued for the second straight month thus making waiting period as high as 8 months in select OEM vehicles, Vinkesh Gulati, president, FADA said. While December saw good spillover demand continuing from the festive season and pre-buying due to price hike announcement, demand for vehicles in January appears bleak. PVs may witness growth if the demand-supply mismatch is resolved. FADA expects a temporary blip in demand as customers will take time to absorb recent price increases announced by all OEMs. Almost every carmaker raised prices from the start of January in the range of 1-5 percent across segments due to depreciation in value of the Indian currency, increase in input prices, hike in logistics costs, to name a few. Commercial vehicles (CV) segment, which has been one of the worst-hit segments of the Indian automobile market this year, posted its highest retail sales in any month in December. Though the segment recorded a 14 percent it was the smallest monthly fall this year. The CV segment clocked retail sales of 51,454 units in December as compared to 59,497 units posted in the same month last year. In total Indias automotive sector (all segments put together) recorded a growth of 11 percent in sales (a first in a month this year) to 1.84 million in December as against 1.66 million units clocked in the same month last year. Photo: (Photo : Screenshot from Instagram) Two Connecticut boys donate money to animal shelters in Connecticut. The money that the young boys donated was from their invention. It was the Ornament Anchor which was initially a project of one of the Connecticut boys. The Connecticut boys Ayaan Naqvi, twelve years old, and Mickey Naqvi, fourteen years old, are the brothers who turned a school project into a full-fledged business. The Connecticut brothers only wanted to stop one of their favorite Christmas ornament from falling from their tree. They had the idea of creating an Ornament Anchor when they were hanging their ornaments and one of their favorites fell and broke. ALSO READ: Teenagers in Texas Dress as Superheroes to Spread Joy While Gathering Donations The Ornament Anchor The purpose of the Ornament Anchor is to ensure that none of the ornaments will fall and that all of the decorations on the tree will remain secured. It was the younger brother of the Connecticut brothers, Ayaan, who did the anchor as his school project. When parents from his school saw the potential of the project, Ayaan was swarmed with interest during the school fair. ALSO READ: Boy Raises $26K in a Hog Auction for Hospital Bills of His Father Who Has Cancer [The hog was resold 5 times!] Going into business After realizing that their Ornament Anchor was going to be a hit, the Connecticut brothers designed their product and built a website for it. After that, they got a patent for their product and right then they were already in business. Products got sold out When the two young boys joined Christmas fairs, their product was easily sold out. Also, when they were featured on QVC and Good Morning America, that was when they were able to sell more. During their first year in business, the Connecticut boys were able to make $250,000. That is even with the coronavirus pandemic hanging over everyone's heads. The brothers are still selling their products online. ALSO READ: Six-Year-Old Girl Raises Money to Help and Feed the Homeless in Missouri Connecticut boys donate money to animal shelter After earning quarter of million dollars, the Connecticut boys donate money to an animal shelter. The brothers decided to donate ten percent of their sales to the North Shore Animal League America. The North Shore Animal League is the world's largest adoption organization that practices a no-kill rescue. On their Instagram page, the donation of the two brothers were shared to the people who supported them, "Having a successful business is such an accomplishment, especially in times like these, but being a responsible business owner and giving back to causes that you believe in is an even better accomplishment, and so important!" ALSO READ: Father and Daughter Finish Marathon Together While Honoring a Fallen Hero The reason why the Connecticut boys donate money to animal shelter According to an article from the DAD, the brothers said, "Ever since I was super young I've had a fascination with all of life's creatures." Ayaan even said that his goal is to ensure that he can help as many animals as he can. South Africa: SIU interdicts payment of pension benefits to former official The Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) a temporary interdict prohibiting the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) from paying pension benefits due to the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Chief Financial Officer. Jacob Hlatshwayo, the former CFO of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), and other respondents now have until 1 February 2021, to show cause, if any, as to why an order should not be made final. The order follows the SIU investigation into alleged irregular awarding of a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contract to a company by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The SIU was authorised to look into the transaction by the Presidential Proclamation R23 of 2020 paving the way for the unit to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in awarding PPE contracts by State institutions. In a statement issued on Monday, the SIU said during the investigation, it identified certain officials involved in the alleged irregularities, among those being the former CFO. The SIU was informed by the department that Mr Hlatshwayo was dismissed on 12 October 2020 in an unrelated matter. The SIU felt it prudent to secure the pension of the former CFO in order to finalise the investigation. The SIU brought an application to the Special Tribunal to prevent the GEPF and the department from paying out the pension of the former CFO. Head of the SIU Advocate Andy Mothibi has welcomed the order. The SIU will pursue civil litigation against any official if there is an indication that they have caused damage to the public funds. Once the investigation is completed, the SIU intends to bring a formal application to the Special Tribunal to recover any losses suffered by the State as a result of the alleged irregular awarding of the contract. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It lies above the troposphere and forms part of the homosphere. Credit: NASA ETH climate researcher Daniela Domeisen has documented how the stratosphere influences extreme weather events. What surprised her was the sheer range of potential impacts. She explains what this means for climate research and long-term weather forecasts. ETH News: In your new study, you've collated many examples of extreme weather events that are linked to what happens in the stratosphere. But we've always been told that such extreme events are due to global warming. Is that no longer the case? Daniela Domeisen: No, that's still true. Scientists have known for a long time that the stratospherethe atmospheric layer between 15 and 50 kilometers above the Earth's surfacealso influences surface weather. But very few people have explored how the stratosphere can also cause and influence extreme events. That's what we show in our study. What are some examples of extreme events linked to the stratosphere? Extreme cold snaps in the northern hemisphere are the most thoroughly investigated among the discussed weather extremes. These can occur when the polar vortex in the stratosphere suddenly heats up and collapsesas is happening right now. Another example is the series of severe storms that hit England in February 2020, leading to heavy flooding. It was remarkable that the storms all followed the same path. This had a direct connection to what was happening in the stratosphere at the time: Back in February, the polar vortex was unusually strong, which allowed it to stabilize the path of the storms. Typically, storms frequently change paths, but in this case, they kept following the same path. We also found evidence that the stratosphere plays a role in other extremes, for example the extreme forest fires in Australia and mini-hurricanes in the Arctic Ocean. Did the sheer number of such extreme events surprise you? Yes. This is what the study brings to light. In the course of our research, we kept finding further indications for links between these erratic weather conditions and the stratosphere. Why is it almost always areas of the northern hemisphere that are affected? Are such events simply less common in the southern hemisphere? That's a case of publication bias: there are far more studies of extreme events in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. The forest fires in Australia are a prime example of a southern hemisphere event. The polar vortex over the southern hemisphere collapsed much earlier than usual, which encouraged the ferocious fires. Then there's the fact that more people live in the northern than in the southern hemisphere because the latter has fewer land masses. Currently, we know very little about the extent to which the stratosphere influences the weather in e.g. South America or southern Africa. How is the stratosphere linked to the troposphere, where our weather occurs? The main signals sent from the troposphere up to the stratosphere come in the form of large-scale atmospheric waves caused by mountains and by differences in temperature between the land and the ocean. Up in the stratosphere, these waves disrupt the winds and can be strong enough to destroy the polar vortex at a height of around 30 km with typical wind speeds of over 200 km/h. What is less clear is how signals return from the stratosphere to the Earth's surface. After a disruption of the polar vortex we often observe that the temperature in the lower stratosphere increases by several degrees Celsius at a height of 1015 km. This in turn affects our weather, but we haven't yet got to the bottom of how such an event can determine e.g. a storm's path over England. Do you know how the stratosphere will develop in future? No, we don't. Today's climate models project entirely divergent tendencies, ranging from a trend towards a warmer or a cooler stratosphere. But we can estimate that the stratosphere is responsible for around 10 percent of our winter weather. The stratosphere may actually mask climate change in the northern hemisphere in that, without the stratosphere's influence, global warming would perhaps be even more pronounced. What are your research goals? One of our goals is to improve long-term weather forecasts that cover several weeks to months. Due to its influence on our weather, the stratosphere is a source of predictability for such forecasts. Although an event in the stratosphere doesn't allow us to predict the weather for a specific day several weeks ahead, it does let us estimate the likelihood of events such as cold snaps and heat waves. If, say, the winds in the stratosphere pick up, it's then more likely that northern Europe will see more storms in the weeks that follow. But at the moment, the polar vortex is particularly weak. So it will be a while before this kind of data is fed into the long-term forecasts offered by weather apps? Weather models already simulate the stratosphere, just not well enough. This is one of the reasons why we continue to have unreliable long-range forecasts. We have much more experience in making standard, short-term forecasts that cover several days because we have spent decades verifying and improving them. We currently know far less about making forecasts for longer timescales, which involves understanding interactions on a global scale and not just how what happens over the North Atlantic can impact the weather that we expect. Our research is about understanding these global interactions so we can then use what we learn to improve weather and climate models. What's the next step towards using stratosphere events to improve weather forecasts? First, we must improve our understanding of the link between the stratosphere and our weather. We know that when something happens in the stratosphere, we often see an effect at the Earth's surface. But one-third of cases leave no traceand we don't yet know why. In such cases, it's a question of whether it was the stratospheric event or the link to the surface that was too weak. It is also possible that the weather at the Earth's surface was too chaotic, leaving it with no opportunity to react to the stratospheric event. Then there is the question of how long the lower stratosphere maintains the signal. I think of the lower stratosphere as a signaling layer: If the weather receives the signal, its influence can last for a relatively long timeseveral weeks, for instance. What new projects do you have lined up? I want to more closely investigate the regions where long-term forecasts are challenging to make. These include e.g. Europe and parts of South America. What's more, since certain regions in Africa, Asia and South America are underrepresented in the research done to date, we know very little about them. We've launched projects in Brazil and South Africa to help correct this deficit. We want to find out if we can map processes that the models do not yet contain or that we could better integrate into the models by way of numerical methods or machine learning combined with a better understanding of the processes themselves. We also want to find further extreme events for which we can generate long-term predictability. When it comes to heat waves and cold snaps, we already know a lot about how these relate to the weather and how they affect people. But there are also indications of how the stratosphere and further processes influence other extreme events, such as effects on air quality or instances of heavy rain, which have a profound impact on people's lives. Explore further Imminent sudden stratospheric warming to occur, bringing increased risk of snow over coming weeks More information: Daniela I. V. Domeisen et al. Stratospheric drivers of extreme events at the Earth's surface, Communications Earth & Environment (2020). Daniela I. V. Domeisen et al. Stratospheric drivers of extreme events at the Earth's surface,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-020-00060-z [January 11, 2021] Trend Micro Goes Global to Find Entrepreneurs Set to Unlock the Smart Connected World DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), the leader in cloud security, today announced that it has upped the stakes for its annual tech start-up pitch-off competition, the Forward Thinker Award, doubling the first-place cash prize to $20,000. The competition, currently in its 4th year, was designed as an opportunity for future entrepreneurs to showcase their abilities annually at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Unlike previous versions of the competition, which were held at the CES event in Las Vegas and open only to CES attendees, this year the competition will be open to everyone in a global search for the tech talent of tomorrow. The competition is designed and run by Trend Forward Capital, Trend Micro Inc.'s venture capital partner. The Forward Thinker Award serves as an opportunity for the entrepreneurial stars of tomorrow to shine and make a name for themselves and their nascent businesses. "As we look forward to a brighter 2021, technology innovation will be absolutely critical to helping the world rebound from the crisis oer the coming yearsdriving productivity, growth and countless benefits for society and business," said Trend Forward Capital Investment Partner Jonathan Chang. "Our Forward Thinker Award has never been more relevant, or important. We've seen some fantastic entries over the past four years, and we hope that the changes made this year will help attract an even wider range of participants." Of those competing, four finalists will be announced by February 22, 2021 and invited by the Trend Forward Capital team to pitch on March 10, 2021. The judging panel responsible for selecting the winner and runner-up will consist of experienced industry experts and investors. Previous judges have included investors from Microsoft, Propel Venture Partners, 500 Startups, OMERS, BlackBerry, HAX, BDC, and Taiwan Tech Arena. The Forward Thinker Award winner will receive $20,000 cash prize, while the runner-up will be awarded $10,000. The competition is open to all and submission instructions can be found at www.TrendForward.com/forward-thinker.html. Applicants will be asked to submit a 60-second video and pitch deck here. The application deadline is February 10, 2021. About Trend Forward Capital Trend Forward Capital is a venture capital firm obsessed with scaling innovative technology with a purpose. With a flexible approach providing funding, business expertise, and access to a global network of resources Trend Forward Capital fills the gaps for start-ups, amplifying their business and making sure their success is sustainable. Visit www.TrendForward.com for more info. About Trend Micro Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Leveraging over 30 years of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro enables resilience for businesses, governments, and consumers with connected solutions across cloud workloads, endpoints, email, IIoT, and networks. Our XGen security strategy powers our solutions with a cross-generational blend of threat-defense techniques that are optimized for key environments and leverage shared threat intelligence for better, faster protection. With over 6,700 employees in 65 countries, and the world's most advanced global threat research and intelligence, Trend Micro enables organizations to secure their connected world. www.trendmicro.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trend-micro-goes-global-to-find-entrepreneurs-set-to-unlock-the-smart-connected-world-301203613.html SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A courtroom at the Edmonton Law Courts building on Friday, June 28, 2019. A jury trial is to begin today for an Ontario truck driver charged in the death of a woman at an Edmonton motel a decade ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson The Joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team conducts a search operation at the plane crash site of the Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 in the waters of Lancang Island, Jan. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri) Indonesian naval ship KRI Rigela equipped with a remote-operated vehicle, which arrived at the search location at 3 a.m. local time on Sunday, detected a signal possibly from the crashed Sriwijaya Air plane. JAKARTA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said on Sunday that a naval ship deployed to search for the Sriwijaya Air plane that crashed into the waters off Jakarta has caught a signal at the crash site. Tjahjanto said naval ship KRI Rigela equipped with a remote-operated vehicle, which arrived at the search location at 3 a.m. local time on Sunday, detected the signal possibly from the aircraft. "Based on the results of monitoring, and according to the coordinates given from the last contact, it is strongly suspected that there was a signal from the plane," he said at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) at North Jakarta's Tanjung Priok seaport. The Joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team conducts a search operation at the plane crash site of the Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 in the waters of Lancang Island, Jan. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri) He added that a team of divers would be deployed to search for the ill-fated plane in the area. The Boeing 737-500 aircraft, flying from the capital Jakarta to Pontianak city in West Kalimantan province on Saturday afternoon, crashed into the Java Sea off the Seribu District in north of Jakarta. It was carrying 50 passengers, including seven children and three babies, and 12 crew members. Platform aims to minimize resources required in the development of new materials for use in targeted applications TORONTO, ON - New research led by researchers at the University of Toronto (U of T) and Northwestern University employs machine learning to craft the best building blocks in the assembly of framework materials for use in a targeted application. The findings, published today in Nature Machine Intelligence, demonstrated that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) approaches can help in proposing novel materials for diverse applications. One example is the separation of carbon dioxide from industrial combustion processes. AI approaches promise the acceleration of the design cycle for materials. With the objective of improving the separation of chemicals in industrial processes, the team of researchers - including collaborators from Harvard University and the University of Ottawa - set out to identify the best reticular frameworks (e.g., metal organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks) for use in the process. Such frameworks, which can be thought of as tailored molecular "sponges", form via the self-assembly of molecular building blocks into different arrangements and represent a new family of crystalline porous materials that have been proven to be promising in addressing many technology challenges (e.g., clean energy, sensoring, biomedicine, etc.) "We built an automated materials discovery platform that generates the design of various molecular frameworks, significantly reducing the time required to identify the optimal materials for use in this particular process," says Zhenpeng Yao, a postdoctoral fellow in the Departments of Chemistry and Computer Science in the Faculty of Arts & Science at U of T, and lead author of the study. "In this demonstrated employment of the platform, we discovered frameworks that are strongly competitive against some of the best-performing materials used for CO2 separation known to date." The perennial challenges in addressing CO2 separation and other problems like greenhouse gas reduction and vaccine development, however, are the unpredictable amount of time and extensive trial-and-error efforts required in the pursuit of such new materials. The occasionally infinite combinations of molecular building blocks available in the construction of chemical compounds can mean the exhaustion of significant amounts of time and resources before a breakthrough is made. "Designing reticular materials is particularly challenging, as they bring the hard aspects of modeling crystals together with those of modeling molecules in a single problem," says senior coauthor Alan Aspuru-Guzik, Canada 150 Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry in the Departments of Chemistry and Computer Science at U of T and Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute. "This approach to reticular chemistry exemplifies our emerging focus at U of T of accelerating materials development by means of artificial intelligence. By using an AI model that can 'dream' or suggest novel materials, we can go beyond the traditional library-based screening approach." The researchers focused on the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are now considered the ideal absorbing material for the removal of CO2 from flue gas and other combustion processes. "We began with the construction of a large number of MOF structures on the computer, simulated their performance using molecular-level modeling, and built a training pool applicable to the chosen application of CO2 separation," said study co-author Randall Snurr, the John G. Searle Professor and chair of the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University. "In the past, we would have screened through the pool of candidates computationally and reported the top candidates. What's new here is that the automated materials discovery platform developed in this collaborative effort is more efficient than such a "brute force" screening of every material in a database. Perhaps more importantly, the approach uses machine learning algorithms to learn from the data as it explores the space of materials and actually suggests new materials that were not originally imagined." The researchers say the model shows great prediction and optimization capability in the design of novel reticular frameworks, particularly in combination with already known candidates in specific functions, and that the platform is fully customizable in its application to address many contemporary technology challenges. ### The research was supported by the Office of Science at the United States Department of Energy, the Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. MEDIA CONTACTS: Zhenpeng Yao Departments of Chemistry & Computer Science Faculty of Arts & Science University of Toronto yaozhenpeng@gmail.com Alan Aspuru-Guzik Departments of Chemistry & Computer Science Faculty of Arts & Science University of Toronto aspuru@utoronto.ca Randall Snurr Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering McCormick School of Engineering Northwestern University snurr@northwestern.edu Sean Bettam Communications and Media Relations Specialist Faculty of Arts & Science University of Toronto s.bettam@utoronto.ca Julianne Hill Director of Communications McCormick School of Engineering Northwestern University julianne.hill@northwestern.edu 1. House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump for inciting a mob that attacked the Capitol last week. The process for acting on it may take until Wednesday. Today, Republicans blocked a separate move to ask Vice President Mike Pence to strip Mr. Trump of power under the 25th Amendment, leading the House to call for a full vote on Tuesday. If Mr. Pence does not intervene within 24 hours after its passage and the president does not resign, House leaders said they would move on Wednesday to consider the impeachment resolution on the floor, just a week after the attack. ADVERTISEMENT Over 60 workers, who were working on the Lagos-Ibadan rail, tested positive for coronavirus while trying to complete the project, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said. Mr Ameachi disclosed this, on Monday, on a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) programme, Good Morning Nigeria. The rail project, which was delivered recently, and had since been in use, is the second rail project completed in 2020. The Itakpe-Warri was the first and was commissioned on September 29, 2020. The minister had disclosed at the inauguration of elected members of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) that the Lagos-Ibadan rail will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2021. He, however, said the commissioning will be put on hold, due to the upsurge of COVID-19 in the country. First, let us admit that over 60 of our staff, not the ministry of transport staff, but the staff working on the rail project, have been infected by COVID. Luckily, nobody has died and I pray nobody will die, but you see the kind of sacrifice everybody is making to get the rail to function. They are people sacrificing their lives to get to that point. As far as we are concerned, we need to learn how to live with COVID. I really want to congratulate those that achieve that feat. We were to inaugurate the first week in January. We had to stop those doing minor completion because of the rise in COVID transmission. The timeline for the inauguration will depend on COVID. If COVID stops today or reduces, we will commission the project. He also said that the train services on all routes might stop if passengers do not adhere to the COVID-19 protocol. We will allow the train to run but if we see that we are conveying passengers who have COVID from Lagos to Ibadan, we will stop it, just like we are threatening to stop Kaduna-Abuja if people dont comply with the COVID Protocol. He said that the Abuja-Kaduna route conveys about 4,000 passengers daily, stating that if anyone transmits COVID-19 onboard, it will be a serious challenge. A GP, who is mother to a child with severe autism, has called for special needs teachers to be given priority for Covid-19 vaccination to allow them provide their essential service. Dr Niamh O Brien , a GP in Mervue health centre in Galway, said she was devastated to hear that special schools will not reopen, leaving her youngest daughter Annie (6), who is autistic and non-verbal, without the vital support. The mother-of-three expressed serious concern and said: Special schools are an essential service with a duty of care to their pupils. I am an essential worker and it is my duty to work and serve my patients during the pandemic. Children with special needs cannot learn remotely. It is detrimental to them and their families to deprive them of education and therapies. Read More One of her daughters, Lucy, who has a severe brittle bone disease, uses a wheelchair and will also be at home. The family is concerned that Lucy is at risk of injury due to Annies challenging behaviours through no fault of her own. Many special schools including Abalta in Parkmore, which Annie attends, were ready and willing to re-open from today. She said making special needs teachers a priority should be looked at as one way of re-opening. They are not high in numbers and the schools are small so it would be manageable to vaccinate them. I appreciate there is a measure of risk but there is risk everywhere you go. There is risk when you go into the shops. Teachers have been wearing face masks and the children are very low risk. They are going into a class of around five children. They do not mingle with anyone except their own family and they do not like being touched. Dr OBrien said the longer special needs children are at home and out of a routine, the more frustrated they become. She said it was unfortunate that that the proposal to open special schools became entangled in the debate about bringing Leaving Cert students back to the classroom. Annie will not stay in front of a screen. School also provides respite for families. She gets the coat and takes the bus to school at 8.30am every morning with a smile on her face, she said . She is not back until 4pm and is very happy. She added: The staff of special schools who are willing and able to work should be allowed to do so, either at school or be allocated to support individual children. Sometimes it is important to say out loud what is the right thing to do. Special schools should remain open. It comes as three leading advocacy organisations representing chidlren with additional needs, Down Syndrome Ireland, Inclusion Ireland and AsIAm, will meet with Education Minister Norma Foley today to discuss the closure of special schools, special classes, and the lack of support being made available to students with special educational needs in mainstream classes. Read More Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon has announced that he is being hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. In a Facebook post this morning, Herndon said he was diagnosed with the virus Sunday after lunch and was admitted to the hospital around 8 p.m. My breathing is good. My main problem is that I developed blood clots. Having tests and ultrasounds this morning, Herndon said. Herndon was elected to the office last October. He previously served two terms as mayor from 2008 through 2016. At least three Alabama mayors tested positive last week, while Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was released from the hospital Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin was released last Wednesday after being treated. Jennifer Dorsey is chief copy editor and Business section coordinator. She worked in Washington, D.C., and Chicago before moving to the Tetons. Counterterrorism efforts in 2020 left 130 Islamic terrorists dead and 347 captured or surrendered. Half (52 percent) the dead were Abu Sayyaf, with the remainder split between two smaller but similar groups; BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) and Maute Group. Abu Sayyaf has been around since the early 1990s, initially as a radical breakaway fringe group of the larger Moslem separatist MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). At first Abu Sayyaf was more outlaw than Islamic terrorist but gradually changed developed more links with Islamic terrorist groups around the region and the world. There were never more than 500 active members of Abu Sayyaf and that number varied depending on how much cash the groups had obtained from extortion or ransoms of locals or foreigners. Another factor was how intense the government effort against them was. Abu Sayyaf also provided sanctuary for foreign Islamic terrorists and that made them a larger threat. Since 2000 Abu Sayyaf has been seen as a major security and Islamic terrorism problem in the south and from 2015 on the effort to eliminate the groups was increased dramatically. That meant thousands of additional soldiers and marines searching areas where Abu Sayyaf usually establishes their camps. This effort was aided by obtaining more aircraft and sensors (aerial vidcams and electronic monitoring gear), first from the U.S. and later by purchase for use by Filipino forces. When it became too difficult to find valuable kidnap victims Abu Sayyaf went to sea, attacking ships and taking foreign crews for ransom. This backfired as neighboring nations, especially Indonesia, became active allies in the fighting against Abu Sayyaf. BIFF was originally formed to demand independence for the Moslems in the south. By 2014 the majority of Moslems and Christians in the Philippines agreed to an autonomous Moslem region on the southwest coast of Mindanao (the large southern island) and the string of smaller islands (Sulu, Basilan, Tawi, Tawi) extending from southwestern Mindanao towards Malaysia. Bangasamoro, the new Moslem entity, has more autonomy, but makes the Moslems down there responsible to maintaining the peace. This is no small matter because, more than elsewhere in the Philippines, the Moslem south has long had many more clan militias that believed it was their right to engage in private wars. Not all the clans share the official attitudes about who has the right to make war in Bangasamoro. In late 2018 the decades long state of war against MILF ended and since then MILF has been a lot more useful in eliminating Islamic terror groups. Bangasamoro governs the four million Moslems in Mindanao. Down there the Moslems are outnumbered by Christians who had moved south during the last half century. Nationwide there are about 11 million Moslems and over 90 million Christians. The Christian Filipinos are better organized, more industrious and economically more successful. The Moslems believe they should run Mindanao even if they are the minority, because Mindanao is the local "Islamic homeland." While some in the government are willing to concede this, the Christian majority in Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines, does not. Because of this groups like BIFF, ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and Abu Sayyaf are treated as outlaws in Bangasamoro and have lost support and members since 2014, but remaining active, but a lot less active. Maute Group is similar to BIFF and both joined Abu Sayyaf in forming the Filipino branch of ISIL in 2016. Maute Group was nearly wiped out during the May-October 2017 battle for Marawi City. In December 2017 the army confirmed that all seven Maute brothers were dead. These men were the core leadership of the Maute Group. The largest ISIL faction in Marawi City was from the Maute Group who unexpectedly brought in hundreds of their own gunmen who were willing to fight to the death and triggered an existing plan to gather in Marawi City to inspire local Moslems to rise up and drive out Christians. That did just the opposite and resulted in nearly all the thousand or so ISIL gunmen who showed getting killed. Only about a dozen were willing to surrender and a hundred or so apparently escaped. The thousands of soldiers and police sent in to eliminate the ISIL force suffered 168 dead. The Maute Group was formed in 2012 by members of the family Maute, which is one of the larger and wealthier clans in the south. The seven Maute brothers got mixed up with clan politics, MILF and eventually ISIL. All seven brothers died in Marawi City and the group has survived by recruiting from outside their clan. That has kept Maute Group going but, like BIFF, both groups have fewer than a hundred active members and Abu Sayyaf has about twice that. Since 2017 the major source of losses to the local ISIL branch has been members who surrender or simply desert. The is an amnesty plan available to most ISIL members. Those known to have participated in murder or kidnapping are not eligible for amnesty but the government will negotiate a deal depending on how much useful information is being offered. China China is still seen as a major threat to the Philippines. China tries to placate Filipinos by offering useful aid. The latest example is offering 25 million doses of the Chinese covid10 Sinovac vaccine. Not as effective as Western vaccines, but China gave the Philippines a discount and promised delivery beginning in February but not completed until the end of 2021. The government has also ordered an Indian vaccine and a British one (from AstraZeneca) and is seeking vaccines from two American firms (Pfizer and Moderna), Russia (Gamaleya) and a second Chinese vaccine (Sinopharm). Because of past misbehavior the Chinese vaccines are regarded as less effective, something which China admits, but at the same time the Chinese vaccines are seen as at least fifty percent effective. The government admitted that it had already obtained some of the Sinopharm on the black market and used it to vaccinate soldiers and other officials most exposed to the virus. January 6, 2021: Indonesian counter-terrorism police raided a suspected ISIL safehouse and after a brief gun battle with the two men there, killed them and identified them as two Indonesian ISIL members men sought as organizers the 2019 twin suicide bomber attack against a Catholic cathedral in southern Philippines (Jolo). The Filipino branch of ISIL took credit for this attack, which killed twenty and wounded over a hundred. The suicide bombers were a couple from Indonesia. A vigorous manhunt for those responsible soon identified about twenty local and foreign Islamic terrorists as suspects. The attack was financed by a large ransom recently paid to Abu Sayyaf for two men taken from an Indonesian ship. Paying such ransoms is illegal in the Philippines and Abu Sayyaf boasted about how it used the money to finance the attack on the cathedral. So far seven of those involved have been killed or captured and another twelve are being sought. Abu Sayyaf had a lot of help from the Indonesian branch if ISIL. Indonesian and Filipino Islamic terrorists have long cooperated, usually by providing hideouts if the local counterterrorism efforts became too intense. December 28, 2020: The AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) ordered the freezing of funds and seizure of property belonging to the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) and NPA (New Peoples Army). This follows a December 9 decision by the Anti-Terrorism Council to designate the CPP and NPA as terrorists under the New Anti-Terrorism Act. The NPA has been suffering a massive decline in popular and communist party support. Increasingly most NPA units must depend on extortion, theft and other criminal activity to survive. This is causing much anger and protest in areas where the NPA still operates for the good of the people. Yet the NPA can no longer do much political work when their very survival is at risk. The government is trying, without much success, to negotiate a peace deal with the NPA. The leadership, as well as the commanders of various armed factions, are split on which peace terms are acceptable and most are continuing to operate (fighting and stealing). The NPA, to most Filipinos, have become bandits with a veneer of communist ideology to justify their crimes. The banditry option is not working well enough to assure long-term survival. This can also be seen when factions run short of money. Less cash and popular support led to more desertions. The army will grant amnesty to NPA members who surrender, especially if they bring their weapons and some useful information with them. Information on the location of NPA camps or weapons storage sites is considered useful and the fact that more NPA camps are being attacked and weapons storage sites seized indicates that the NPA is losing secrets as well as people and popular support. Some NPA leaders feel this is all a temporary setback and that a peace deal would enable a revitalized Philippines Communist Party to become a major political power. These delusions make negotiating a peace deal more difficult. Meanwhile the NPA has maintained its status as a major source of criminal, as opposed to Islamic terrorist activity in the country. Most of the NPA senior leadership live in Europe and are considered somewhat out of touch with the reality of what the NPA has become in the Philippines. December 22, 2020: The U.S. Navy conducted another FONOP (freedom of navigation operations) by sending a destroyer into areas of the South China Sea that China considers its territorial waters. In mid-2020 the Americans took a stronger stand against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea by declaring Chinese claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is the Chinese campaign of bullying to control these resources. In 2016 an international court ruled against China and stated that occupying uninhabitable rocks and building artificial islands did not confer an EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). Ownership of rocks gets you, at best 22 kilometers of territorial waters from the edge of each rock rather than 360 kilometers for EEZ rights. Before this change the U.S. merely called for China to comply with the court ruling, something China said it would not do even before the court completed its deliberations. The Americans did continue to carry out aerial and naval FONOP with warships to assert the right of innocent passage. This annoyed the Chinese, who claimed most of the South China Sea was under Chinese control and no foreign ship or aircraft could enter without permission. China has been claiming areas long recognized as belonging to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines. That has caused all these nations, plus the United States, Japan and South Korea to form an alliance to halt Chinese aggression. December 17, 2020: In the south (Sulu province) five soldiers were wounded during a brief (30 minute) clash with a large group of Abu Sayyaf gunmen. The Abu Sayyaf force retreated with their wounded because they knew aerial and ground reinforcements were on the way for the soldiers. December 11, 2020: In the south (Mindanao island) fifteen members of Abu Sayyaf surrendered and brought their weapons with them. The fifteen included two of their leaders. Many of those who surrendered wanted to take care of their families, which they could not do while constantly sought by the security forces. File / Hearst Connecticut Media GREENWICH After police in Greenwich were notified that a stolen vehicle was traveling in the region, officers found the car and arrested the driver, according to the arrest report. Authorities in Westchester County, N.Y., notified town police around 10 a.m. Saturday that a stolen Jeep Cherokee with New Jersey plates had been observed by an automated license plate reader heading into Greenwich on Mill Street. A short time later, police spotted the car on Hamilton Avenue, according to the arrest report. A further eight people have died and 4,929 new cases of Covid-19 were announced this evening. This brings the total number of cases comes to 152,539 while the death toll from the virus stands at 2,352. Validation of data at the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has resulted in the denotification of three confirmed cases, resulting in the adjusted figure of 152,539. As of 2pm today, 1,582 people are in hospital with the illness, with 146 Covid-19 patients are in ICU. There were 156 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. Cork University Hospital has the largest number of Covid patients, with 135 hospitalised. Of the cases notified today: 2,250 are men / 2,641 are women 59% are under 45 years of age The median age is 39 years old 1,513 in Dublin, 695 in Cork, 320 in Limerick, 305 in Wexford, 225 in Galway and the remaining 1,871 cases are spread across all other counties. Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said: While we are seeing the first glimmer of hope in respect of our daily case figures and positivity rates, the situation in hospitals and ICUs around the country continues to worsen day on day. "We know that hospitalisations occur some weeks after a confirmed case is notified, and mortality after that again. That means we are unfortunately set for a period of time where the situation in our hospitals gets worse before it gets better. The best way forward now is for all of us to stay at home. Staying at home and cutting your contacts right down to only those in your immediate household is the one vital way we will protect our healthcare system as it struggles with the burdens brought on by this surge in Covid-19 infections. Read More It comes as the President of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association warned that the situation in Ireland's acute hospitals "is truly a national emergency." According to Professor Alan Irvine, 1,000 people have been admitted with Covid-related illnesses to acute hospitals since January 2. However, these admissions are doubling, in both in intensive care and general acute beds, every week, the professor pointed out. Prof Irvine warned that if the admissions continue to double in a week and double again the week after that, "the system really will not be able to cope, so it's truly an emergency in the acute health system." SACRAMENTO Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that he supports removing President Trump from office through impeachment or the 25th Amendment, but he said hes not spending much time thinking about the effort. The state Assembly is, however it voted Monday to urge Congress to remove Trump if he doesnt quit. Im all for it, Newsom said during a news conference in Sacramento County, when asked if he supports Trumps impeachment. But thats not my focus right now. My focus, candidly, is on you and your family and your safety as it relates to issues associated with getting us through this very challenging wave in this pandemic. And so thats where my energy flows right now. Newsom declined to answer the question during a news conference on Friday, saying he was focused on presenting his proposed budget. The Democratic-controlled House is expected to impeach Trump as early as Wednesday, seeking to remove the president over his role in inciting the violent mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol last week. Democrats have urged Vice President Mike Pence and Trumps Cabinet to try to remove him under the 25th Amendment, which allows for the vice president to take over for a president unable to perform his duties. Pence has indicated no intention of doing so. California lawmakers also threw their support behind the push Monday. On its first day back in session, the state Assembly voted 51-6 to pass a resolution calling on Trump to resign or be removed from office. Although largely backed by Democrats, the resolution was brought to the floor by independent Assembly Member Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley (San Bernardino County), who left the Republican Party in 2019 over frustration that he could not push the party in a more moderate direction. He said accountability and repentance for the Capitol riot were needed for the nation to heal. The presidents nonstop unsubstantiated and false claims that the election was rigged and fraudulently stolen from him were the sparks that lit the fire that has now engulfed our nation, Mayes said on the Assembly floor. This American carnage lays at the feet of only one person. All six votes against the resolution were cast by Republicans, and no Republicans voted for it. Assembly Member Devon Mathis, a Republican from Visalia (Tulare County), said the resolutions supporters were focusing on the wrong priorities while the state is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. We have people dying of COVID. We have areas of our state where families still cant put food on their table, he said. But instead the first thing we do on the floor in California is throw a political punch at a lame duck. I think thats lame. Dustin Gardiner and Alexei Koseff are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com, alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner, @akoseff Credit: NASA This is an image of some of the islands that make up the nation of Cape Verde. While most in that group of ten islands are flat, some are very tall: Fogo, Santa Antao, and Sao Nicolau. Those three stand well above their compatriots, with Fogo reaching an altitude of 2,829 meters (9,281 feet). The three tall volcanic islands sometimes interact with the wind to create von Karman vortices, also called von Karman vortex streets. The vortices become visible when clouds form, creating an almost lab-perfect example of the von Karman effect. As the wind blows past the peaks, the flow alternates around the sides of the peak. That oscillation creates alternating vortices around the object. A phenomenon called vortex shedding is responsible for the effect. Vortex shedding only occurs at certain wind velocities, and only when the body the wind is blowing past is not streamlined, like the peaks in the picture. The von Karman vortex sheets are named after the mathematician, physicist, and aerospace engineer Theodore von Karman. He was involved in aeronautics and astronautics and was responsible for important advancements in understanding supersonic and hypersonic flows. He was Jewish and originally from Austria-Hungary, then worked at a University in Germany. He fled to the US from Europe out of concern for the rise of Nazism in Germany. He ended up at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). This image shows von Karman clouds forming near Norways Jan Mayen island in the Greenland Sea in the North Atlantic. They form when the wind flows past Beerenberg Volcano, a snow-covered peak on the eastern end of the island that rises 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) above the sea surface. Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response. This MODIS image comes from NASAs Operational Land Imager on its Landsat 8 satellite. It shows Mawson Peak, on the Australian territory of Heard Island. The wind sometimes flows past the 2745 meter peak and creates von Karman vortex sheets. Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS Rapid Response These chimneys are fitted with strakes to prevent the formation of vortices. Image Credit: By Greditdesu Using my Canon IXUS 105, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18741199 Though these features had been observed before, von Karman was the first to describe them mathematically. As he said, "I found that only the anti-symmetric arrangement could be stable, and only for a certain ratio of the distance between the rows and the distance between two consecutive vortices of each row." The images of these cool cloud forms were taken by NASA's Terra satellite and its MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument. Terra is the flagship satellite in NASA's Earth Observing System. They were captured on December 20th, 2020. Satellites have captured other examples of von Karman vortex streets. They've spotted them in the Greenland Sea, in the Indian Ocean, and elsewhere. Von Karman vortex streets don't only form around mountain peaks. They can form around electrical and communications wires, around car antennae, and around buildings, smokestacks, and bridges. The oscillation, however, is undesirable, and engineers have come up with ways to disrupt the airflow and prevent them from forming. They sometimes put fins or strakes on structures to break up the oscillating pattern. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declined to assign any blame to President Trump for the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob last Wednesday, a riot that came after Trump made false statements about his election defeat to a throng of supporters gathered in Washington. At a press conference this morning at the Montgomery Regional Airport, the Republican governor was asked to what extent Trump deserved blame for misleading his supporters and causing the violence. This is not a time to be finger-pointing, Ivey said. The time now is to be calm and have stability. And the Electoral College is the hallmark of our smooth transition. My focus is on moving forward calmly, with stability, and I urge all Alabamians and Americans to do likewise. We must have calmness and stability, and we are in transition as we speak. And the sooner we get through this, the better. But we do need to stay orderly, and calm, and stable. Trump told the crowd Wednesday morning that he won the election by a landslide, that it was stolen, that Vice President Pence had the authority to reject Electoral College votes and return them to states, and that states wanted Pence to do that. Pence said he did not have that authority. The attack on the Capitol led to deaths, injuries, arrests, and damage to the Capitol and interrupted the counting of the Electoral College votes by Congress. Lawmakers finished their work after the Capitol was cleared, certifying Joe Bidens victory. Ivey became governor in April 2017, so her time in office has coincided with Trumps, whose term started in January 2017. Ivey has praised the president at times for his assistance to Alabama on issues such as federal disaster aid. The governors answer today followed a statement she sent Friday in response to questions about Trumps culpability for the violence. In that statement, Ivey also declined to assign blame, called for calm and said she opposed any effort to remove Trump from office in the closing days of his term. Some Republican officials from other states have blamed Trump for the violence but Republicans in Alabama have mostly limited their statements to condemning the violent acts without mentioning Trump. Related: Alabama Republicans not blaming Trump for actions of supporters who stormed Capitol. The House of Representatives is expected this week to consider impeachment of Trump on a charge of inciting an insurrection, the Associated Press reported. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed spoke with the governor at the airport this morning. The news conference was to release a study on the economic impact of the states airports. Reed said Trump was to blame and should be removed from office. Hes lied to the country, not just his supporters, Reed said. He has lied intentionally and deliberately. And I was told a long time ago that words have consequences. And when youre the president of the United States your words carry a lot more weight that someone who is just walking along the street. Before his election as mayor in 2019, Reed oversaw elections in Montgomery County as probate judge, the countys top election official, served on two national election commissions, and said he has worked across the aisle with Alabama Republican secretaries of state Jim Bennett and John Merrill. I know the work that goes into that by hard-working people across both parties. And theyre great Americans who make sure that our Democracy is kept safe, Reed said. Reed called on Congressman Mo Brooks of Huntsville to resign. Brooks spoke at Trumps rally on Wednesday before the president and told the crowd: Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass. I think what he said was just as dangerous, Reed said. And I think if you put myself in that same position as mayor, or any other mayor in the state of Alabama, during some other protests that we had, if we had said to the Black Lives Matters protesters what Mo Brooks said to those folks out there, people would have been asking us to resign. Theres no question about that. And he should resign as well. Hes not fit for office. Brooks has called for prosecuting the people who broke into the Capitol and caused violence. He said he would not apologize for his speech. 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. Ruth Njuguna is the General Manager of Octagon Pension Services LTD, a subsidiary company of Octagon Africa. The 33-year-old holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelors Degree in Actuarial Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She spoke to nation.africa about her career path. Briefly tell us about yourself Im a highly motivated and self-driven young professional who prides in investing her time and skill in changing the world, one step at a time. Tell us about your childhood and family life I was born in Nyeri and grew up in Kitale for the better part of my teenage life before moving to Nairobi in my adulthood. Im the second born in a family of three children who have successfully managed to churn great career paths of their own. My parents were civil servants within the Agribusiness sector and were very instrumental in the career choices we made. Share with us your educational background My educational journey started in Kitale School where I sat my KCPE. I later joined Loreto High School in Matunda. I have a Diploma in Employee Benefits & Retirement Savings, Pensions Management Institute (UK), Certified Trustee Development Program Kenya (TDPK), College of Insurance and BSC Actuarial Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Professionally, I have practiced and offered services for various organisations, ranging from Pension Consultancy and Administration, Strategy and Transformation, Organizational Performance, Quality Management, Customer Service and Relationship Management. Share with us your career journey Having worked at different levels within the pension industry for over 10 years, I have a wealth of experience within the financial services sector. I started off as a clerk in an insurance brokerage firm, managing general insurance and office administration. I later moved on to a fully-fledged insurance company as a junior administrator on a contract basis. The odds worked in my favour and I later joined a pension trust company as a pension administrator for three years and soon enough I got opportunities that largely propelled my growth towards management and eventually my current position as the General Manager of Octagon Pension Services Limited. What do you remember most about your career journey? To earn my position as a permanent staff at my first professional job, my boss then put me to a litmus test without disclosure. My supervisor resigned a few weeks after I was recruited and I was requested to hold the fort until they could get a more experienced candidate. A month later, no suitable candidate was forthcoming. Later, the department head assessed my progress and was impressed with my deliverables. He immediately recommended me for the position with an emphasis on capacity building through training and development. Since then, I have come to appreciate that excellence is not just a skill, it is an attitude that makes a big difference. How have you progressed in your career over the years? I have managed to scale the corporate ladder from an administrative clerk to a strategic position to a large extent through hard work, resilience and dedication. What has been a key driver of your career growth? One lesson I continuously remind myself is that there is no shortcut for success, the price of greatness is responsibility and sacrifice. My key driver of growth has been drawing inspiration from a tribe of mentors, both professional and personal. Besides the above, Im an avid reader and draw a lot of knowledge and insights from books. My current read is #YouthCan by Lizz Ntonjira, a collection of powerful, inspiring and challenging stories from youth breaking barriers across Africa. Understanding the environment within which you operate in, the dynamic nature of the business environment and how to work with individuals from different backgrounds has been both challenging and a source of learning as well. Currently I am pursuing an MSC in Business Psychology as it plays a great role in management and organization culture. Who are the people or relationships that you can single out that were useful in your career growth and how did they influence your trajectory? My parents have played a great role in shaping my career. Their actions and ethics have always inspired my achievements as they largely practice what they preach. I have learnt to leverage on other peoples experiences, both positive and negative towards my personal growth objectives. Key decisions you might have taken along your career? I have had to go the extra mile and move out of my comfort zone to be able to reach my desired objectives. At some point within my growth, I walked away from my career and took a break to do soul searching when I felt whatever I was chasing was no longer purposeful. When I look back, its the best decision I ever made as it helped me reflect and steer my personal and professional objectives in the right direction. Your current role and scope of role? I am the General Manager at Octagon Pension Services Limited. My responsibility is to drive growth for the pension business within the Kenyan subsidiary while maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and partners to deliver strategic value. In addition, I oversee operations within the business unit mainly administration of corporate pension funds and consultancy services. To achieve this, I need the support of my team members and therefore, inspiring and growing others through effective leadership is the first obligation that I strive to achieve on a daily basis as the ultimate measure of success. What would you tell your younger self? Time waits for no man, so I try to give my best every single day and let God do the rest. Whereas I wouldnt change anything in my past, it hasnt been smooth all the way. I believe that the process makes the person, experiences whether positive or negative largely shape who you become in the long run. What would you advise the youth in Kenya and Africa today? We must dream the world we want to live in. It is the right time for the youth to rise up to the challenge by taking up leadership positions and influence greater outcomes in all facets: political, business, social etc. However, this can only be achieved through discipline, persistence and patience. The future is bright and they should aim to change for the better. Future plans? I aspire to rise to greater challenges within my career path and even beyond. Of importance as well is to grow and mentor other leaders within the process. Beyond the call of duty, is a deeper desire to make a difference in the lives of others through giving back. The last rites of four-time Gujarat chief minister Madhavsinh Solanki, who died on Saturday at the age of 94, were carried out on Sunday. Solanki was external affairs minister in PV Narasimha Rao's cabinet, but he quit his post in March 1992 after being accused of trying to sabotage the investigation in the Bofors case and was never part of any other government again. A close associate of Indira Gandhi, Solanki never opened his mouth on Bofors till his death even as he had to pay a heavy political price for it. Madhavsinh Solanki had been ailing for some time. In the past five decades of Gujarat's politics, Solanki, who had been the biggest star before Narendra Modi, had his memory failing him in his final days. After quitting active politics, he devoted himself to academics, something he was renowned for just like his politics. If you visited his home, the first thing that drew your attention was his abundant library. He would often talk about a new book or suggest reading one. The first and final extensive conversation I had with Solanki was 15 years ago at the Ahmedabad airport. It was probably December 2006. Solanki was headed to Delhi and I to Mumbai. My friend and the-then airport manager Sant Kumar informed me about Solankis presence in the VIP lounge. I went to see him out of courtesy. Our meeting lasted for 45 minutes of which 40 were devoted to books while we talked for five minutes about other things. It was time for boarding and we had to leave. But even as we got up to go, he took out an instrument that was in his bag along with two books. He switched on the device which was a portable reader system (PRS) that was launched just a few months ago in the United States by Sony. One of his friends had sent it to him, as he was so fond of reading. He told me that he read e-books on it and it was very convenient because he could increase or decrease the font size as needed. It was for the first time that I had seen such a system and my respect for Solanki as a political leader and more so as a well-mannered scholar only increased many times. I was in Gujarat in 1999 and at the time Solanki was a Rajya Sabha member. His term was to complete in 2000. But after his term came to a close, he was not nominated again. Solanki supporters blamed Ahmed Patel for this who finally influenced any decision of the Congress high command regarding Gujarat. It was Solanki who was instrumental in Ahmed Patel getting a ticket to fight the parliamentary election in 1977 from Bharuch on the suggestion of his friend Hari Singh Mahida and Patel managed to win this election despite the Janata wave. But there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. Solanki opened up a front against Ahmed Patel and brought his son Bharatsinh Solanki and his supporters, including Alka Balram Kshatriya who was later sent to the Rajya Sabha. In a rally in June 2000 in Gandhinagar, Solanki supporters attacked Ahmed Patel directly. It was significant that none of the top leaders of AICC, including Sonia Gandhi, said a word against Solanki. It was a dilemma for Sonia as Patel was her confidante but Solanki had been a close associate of the Gandhi family for many decades. Madhavsinh Solanki was one of the leaders entrusted with the task by Indira Gandhi to make Rajiv Gandhi agree to enter politics after the death of Sanjay Gandhi. After the Emergency in 1977, Indira lost power and at that time Madhavsinh Solanki was one among a few who stood with her like a rock in her moment of crisis. That is why, when she returned in power in 1980, Indira Gandhi toppled many state governments ruled by rival parties including Gujarat, and when re-elections were held, the Congress formed the government in those states. Solanki was made the chief minister of Gujarat. After Indira Gandhi, Solanki remained loyal to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. When Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister, he was external affairs minister and was forced to resign as it was alleged that he obstructed the investigation in the Bofors scandal. Sonia Gandhi could not forget this either. Ahmed Patel resigned as treasurer of Congress in July 2000 and alleged that Solanki and his supporters had waged a war against him. Patel, who owed his entry into politics to Solanki, reached Ahmedabad to show his strength and his supporters staged a massive roadshow there. This led to the tensions between the Solanki and Patel camps. But the party high command was sympathetic towards both factions. Once again Ahmed Patel came close to Sonia Gandhi and became her political secretary and became the Congress treasurer in 2018 after 18 years and remained on the post till his death last year. As far as Solanki is concerned, he was out of active politics after 2000. His son Bharatsinh Solanki was made the Gujarat Congress president and also held a ministerial position in the UPA government. Bharatsinh Solanki managed to repair his relationship with Ahmed Patel. In 2000, he was suspended for a brief period from the party for attacking Patel. Along with him, Solanki supporters like Navin Shastri, Kasam Bapu Tirmizi and Jagdish Thakor were also suspended from the party. Bharatsinh Solanki took up the reins from his father and Madhavsinh Solanki confined himself to his home in Gandhinagar where he devoted most of his time to academic activities and meeting visitors, well-wishers and friends. Madhavsinh Solanki had a very humble beginning and he created his own place in politics. He was born on July 29, 1927, in a village called Piludara which falls under Jambusar taluka of Bharuch district. He spent his childhood in Badalpur which is now part of Borsad taluka in Anand district. His father Phoolsinh was a farmer and mother Ramba was a housewife. Coming from a humble background and a rural area, he did his BA Hons and LLB. He practised law in the beginning and later took up a job as a publishing officer in the Ahmedabad municipal corporation and also worked in a newspaper named Gujarat Samachar. There he was responsible for accommodating national and international issues on the front page. At that time, he did not know that one day he would himself make headlines for decades in newspapers and magazines. His background in law and journalism helped him in politics and played important roles in the politics of the Centre and the state. Solanki started his political innings when Gujarat had still not become an independent state. He became an MLA in 1957 for the first time and Gujarat was still part of the larger Bombay state. In 1960 when the Gujarat state came into being, Solanki was part of the legislature as its member. The first election in the state was held in 1962. From the first to the seventh term, he remained part of the state legislature. His father in-law Ishwarsinh Chavda was an influential leader of central Gujarat and was a pillar of support for him. Solanki was part of the first government in the state in 1962 as a deputy minister. He gathered valuable experience as deputy revenue, home, forest, law and justice minister. During 1975-76 and 1977-80, he was leader of opposition in the state assembly. He held the post of chief minister of the state for the first time from December 24, 1976 to April 11, 1977. After the Emergency, elections were held in 1977 and Indira Gandhi lost. But the Janata Party suffered from internal bickering and even the Congress faced some problems. However, Madhavsinh Solanki stood with Indira Gandhi like a rock. When Indira returned to power in 1980, she rewarded all the loyal leaders who stood with her, including Solanki. Gandhi toppled many state governments and re-elections were held there which saw the return of Congress in those states. In 1980, assembly elections were also held in Gujarat and Madhavsinh Solanki returned as chief minister of the state for the second time. He took oath on June 6, 1980. Solanki remained the CM for the next five years which was a record for the state at that time. Another leader who completed his second full term after Solanki was Narendra Modi who became chief minister of the state in October 2001 and remained on the post till 2014 when he became the Prime Minister. For Madhavsinh Solanki, 1980 was a special year. He managed to get a firm grip on politics and grew close to Indira Gandhi. This enabled him to play a crucial role in the social, economic and industrial development of Gujarat. After her victory in 1980, Gandhi had come to Gujarat for a darshan of the deity Ambaji. A retired IAS officer, SK Nanda, still remembers those days when Solanki used his good offices with Indira Gandhi to take Gujarat to a new level of development. Gandhi had great faith in Ambaji and she had visited the shrine previously too. In 1978, when she broke away from the Congress, she chose 'the hand' as the symbol of her breakaway Congress party. An old Congress leader in Bengaluru, RK Rajratnam, has claimed that on February 2, 1978, he had suggested to her to choose this symbol. But Nanda has another story to tell. According to him, when Indira Gandhi had come to have a darshan of Ambaji, she said that the mothers hand had helped her and because of her blessings, she had won the elections. At the shrine, devotees have a darshan of Ambaji in the form of a hand. When Indira Gandhi came out of the temple, Solanki wanted her to meet his officers including Nanda, though she was not too keen on this. She wanted to keep her trip private, but on Solanki's request, she agreed to meet the officials. At that time, all the top officers of the state were present there, including chief secretary HKL Kapoor, additional chief secretary in the department of home Chandramauli and additional chief secretary in the department of industry Shivgyanam. A famous officer of Gujarat, HK Khan, was director, industries, in those days and Nanda was the juniormost officer who was a 1978-batch IAS officer and at the time was sub-divisional magistrate in Vadodara. Upon the instructions of Madhavsinh Solanki, Shivgyanam had said that the gas found in Bombay High should be used in the whole country and not just in Maharashtra, as Morarji Desai had announced. He had suggested developing Hazira near Surat for this as a distribution centre which was a small village by the sea in those days. At the time, Indira Gandhi did not promise anything but later she gave the order of developing Hazira as a distribution point. After this, the development of Hazira picked up and now it has become one of the most densely industrialised areas of the country. It boasts of being home to dozens of government and private companies. This is an example of how efficient Solanki was in using opportunities. From 1980 to 1985, Solanki launched many social welfare programmes. This included the first mid-day meal scheme to programmes connected with girls' education and making it free. Through the public distribution system, he started delivering cheap food grains to middle-class people. Programmes for adult education were launched. To popularise savings among the poor, the Kutumb Pothi Scheme was launched and for the welfare of labourers, he increased the limit of minimum wages and created the post of rural labour commissioner. He took the help of his colleagues in the fields of journalism and literature. He appointed his fellow journalist Bhupatbhai Vadodariya as information director and made his poet friend Sheikh Adam Abuwala as advisor in the department of information. To encourage films in the state, studios were opened at many places and films of Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar were often made tax-free. The film Prem Rog was made tax-free because it promoted widow remarriage and inter-caste marriage. Famous film actresses were impressed with Solanki, like Rita Bhaduri and Aruna Irani. Apart from socio-cultural fields, Solanki also exhibited his farsightedness in industrial development. Many industrial estates were developed in the state under the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) which attracted investment in the state. Industries were established and factories were started. He made the rule that 85 per cent seats in these factories should be reserved for local people so that they could get employment. This helped Gujarat become the second-most industrialised state of the country from its earlier eighth position. To produce fertiliser, GNFC was created. Works started on the Narmada river project which is called the lifeline of Gujarat and for this a loan of 500 crore was obtained from the World Bank. Gujarati pride was instrumental in the creation of the new state of Gujarat based on the Gujarati language. But Solanki did not adopt a partial attitude in appointments among Gujaratis and non-Gujaratis. Another IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, Ravi Saxena, recalls how Solanki chose officers who were not only efficient but also smart. HK Khan, KC Kapoor, SK Shailat, LNS Mukundan, KD Buddha were such officers who played crucial roles in the industrial development during the rule of Solanki. KC Kapoor became the youngest MD of the GIDC and he was just a deputy secretary before that. SK Nanda has a very fond memory of Solanki. In 1980, Nanda was a district magistrate in charge of Vadodara because the regular DM, SK Chaudhari, was undergoing treatment for cancer in Bombay. Chaudhari was close to the-then governor Sharda Mukherji and, considering this, Solanki kept Sharda Mukherji on this post but he delegated the authority to Nanda. During this time, Solanki visited Vadodara and in those days all the traffic of the city was routed through the middle of the city as it had no bypass route which caused many accidents. Solanki asked Nanda how much time it would take to create a bypass for the city. Nanda said he would take 90 days to complete it if he were given all the power. Solanki discussed the issue with chief secretary HKL Kapoor who was not in favour of the idea but Solanki was firm and Nanda was given the task with full authority. Nanda got the bypass ready in 86 days. Madhavsinh Solanki had an eye for talent, be it for officers, or workers, or guessing the mood of the people. That is why Solanki, who came from a backward caste, has such a unique record to his name which no one has been able to better. The record is of winning the most seats in any assembly election. In the assembly polls held in 1985, he managed to win 149 out of the total of 182 seats. This is a record till today. The BJP has aimed to better this record in many polls, but has failed so far. This quality of Solanki, however, proved a bane for his political career. To win the election in 1980, he had devised a particular strategy and he was helped in this by fellow Congress leader Jinabhai Darji. This is a unique equation unparalleled in politics. He gave the slogan of KHAM which meant Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim. With this equation, he kept the upper castes at bay and won the election with the help of the four groups. But this game of politics ultimately devoured him. The upper castes were not happy with him because he had neglected them. And secondly, just before the assembly elections in 1985, Solanki announced to implement the recommendations of the Rane Commission. In 1981, a five-member commission was appointed under the leadership of retired high court judge Justice CV Rane. This commission was given the task to identify those castes which did not come under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or identified by the Baxi Commission Report, implemented in 1978, but were socially and educationally very backward and could be empowered through expansion of the reservation quota for the OBC from 10 to 28 per cent. The Rane Commission submitted its report in 1983. The announcement to implement the Rane Commission report in January 1985 raised a huge furore in the state. Many Congress leaders opposed this and the opposition led by the BJP confronted the government. The movement soon took a communal turn and the situation went out of hand in the state. At that time, Rajiv Gandhi was heading the Congress government at the Centre. Rajiv asked Solanki to take effective steps to handle the explosive situation including the deferment of the announcement of quota extension. In the meantime, more incidents of violence were reported from the state. The office of the Gujarat Samachar was set on fire and Solanki supporters were blamed for this incident. In such a situation, Solanki had to resign on the instructions from Rajiv and Amarsinh Chaudhary, who was from the tribal community, was made the chief minister. The situation was so bad that the government had to bring a senior IPS officer and make him DGP of the state to control the law and order situation. This officer was Julio Ribeiro who had started his career at the time of the Greater Bombay Province, from Bharuch. Madhavsinh Solanki was born there. Solanki, who left the post of chief minister on July 6, 1985, returned again as CM for the fourth time on December 10, 1989. By then the Lok Sabha election in Gujarat was over and the Janata Dal and BJP had handed a defeat to the Congress. In such a situation, Rajiv Gandhi once again had to fall back on Solanki to win the elections in the state. But Solanki was running out of time and barely three months were left before polls could be held. As was feared, the Congress was defeated in 1990 and Madhavsinh Solankis fourth term came to an end. Chimanbhai Patel became chief minister of the state. This was a government formed jointly by the BJP and Janata Dal. But the BJP withdrew support from the Chimanbhai government and he had to take the support of the Congress. Later Chimanbhai switched to the Congress party and remained the chief minister for four years. After the death of Chimanbhai, his close aide Chhabildas Mehta became the CM after the elections in 1995. The BJP has been winning all the assembly polls in the state after that but the record of winning the polls with the most number of seats still remains in Solankis name. In 1991, Madhavsinh Solanki moved to the Centre when PV Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister. On June 21, 1991, when Rao took oath, Solanki was also sworn in as cabinet minister and was later given charge of the external affairs ministry. Solanki was fit for this new role. He had command over Gujarati, Hindi and English and was an avid reader. His huge library with thousands of books was proof of this. Apart from classic literature, he was very fond of reading biographies and books on international relations. His interests touched almost all important aspects of intellectual life. He had a good collection of Abraham Lincolns quotes. He loved to visit different parts of the world and travel around by train. But as external affairs minister, his tenure proved to be a short one and the Bofors investigation proved to be his undoing. In February 1992, during a World Trade Organization meeting in Davos, Solanki had handed over an informal note, known as non-paper in diplomatic language, to Rene Felber, the then foreign minister of Switzerland. Through this note he had allegedly requested the minister not to proceed with the investigation in the Bofors scandal and claimed that the Government of India was not interested in the issue which was politically motivated. This issue came to light when the CBI was told about this by the federal department of justice and police of Switzerland. According to sources in CBI, the foreign minister of Switzerland had handed over this note from Solanki to the federal department of justice and police. In the meantime, the CBI asked for the documents related to the kickbacks of 64 crore which was transferred to some Swiss Bank accounts from the Swedish company Bofors. Had the CBI got the documents soon, it could have led to a speedy investigation of this case. The world had come to know about this scandal after a Swedish radio station had revealed this in one of its broadcasts in 1987. But the CBI had filed the case only in 1990 after VP Singh became Prime Minister. As was natural, the Swiss officials could not make sense of the contradictory positions of India. On one side, the investigating agency was asking for documents from the Swiss government while on the other side, the external affairs minister of India was pressing for not going forward with the investigation. A baffled Swiss agency handed over the note of Solanki to the CBI and asked what it was supposed to do. As is obvious, when the CBI came to know about this note, it raised the matter vociferously. The note was clearly an indication to stall the investigation that was heading towards indicting the Hinduja Brothers. It was alleged that a huge amount of money in the form of kickbacks was paid in a dummy account. The Hinduja Brothers name had also cropped up in connection with Germanys HDW submarine scandal when the Indian ambassador in Bonn informed the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1987 that the supplier of SSK subs had quoted a higher price for two submarines. This was because it had paid a 7 per cent commission to the Indian agents. When VP Singh started to investigate this issue, he was removed from the finance ministry and was given the charge of defence ministry. Three months after that, it came to light that kickbacks had been paid in the Bofors gun purchase and, making this an issue, VP Singh quit the Rajiv Gandhi government. He later went on to create the Janata Dal and formed the government at the Centre with the help of the BJP in 1989 and later an FIR was filed with the CBI in the Bofors scandal. Five years after the news of this scandal broke, the request to the Swiss government to not move ahead with the investigation in the case by the Congress minister created a huge row and this took the country by storm. Solanki accepted in Parliament that he had handed over a note to this effect to his Swiss counterpart and he resigned from his post on March 31, 1992. PM Narasimha Rao had no other choice but to accept his resignation. After this incident, Rao was so perturbed that for a long time he kept the portfolio of external affairs ministry with himself and carried out the business of this ministry through two state ministers, RL Bhatia and Salman Khurshid. After this, Dinesh Singh was made foreign minister for some time and later Pranab Mukherjee was given charge of this ministry at the end of the tenure of the government. It was the same Pranab Mukherjee whom Solanki had sent to Rajya Sabha in 1981 from Gujarat. Madhavsinh Solanki never opened his mouth on the Bofors scandal. He did not say who told him to forward the informal request through the note to stall the investigation in this scandal which ultimately ended his political career. The CBI even filed a charge sheet against Solanki and his reputation was tarnished. It is anybodys guess that Solanki was not a fool nor an inexperienced minister. He knew how dangerous it was to get embroiled in this. But despite that, if he did so, then it was surely to protect the honour of a high-level leader of the party or the family who could have suffered immensely due to this investigation. If the Hinduja Brothers were trapped in this scandal, then those who have even a little bit of political knowledge may guess, who ultimately would have been caught. As is natural, Solanki proved loyal to his party and its prime leader till his last breath and paid a heavy price by going into political oblivion. As far as the question of who prepared the informal note is concerned, if CBI sources are to be believed, it was a prominent leader of the party itself who also had a legal background and who apart from commanding the affairs of the law ministry, also later became the governor of a state. Now, all the prominent actors of this scandal have left this world, and the last of them was Solanki. It does not seem like anybody would come forward to reveal the name. Now the question is, how will history remember Madhavsinh Solanki? Will he be remembered as a leader who reached the top from a humble beginning and who had a shining career as a chief minister of Gujarat which is remarkable in the history of the state? Or as a leader under whom the caste politics in the state reached its crescendo and one who did not care to rein in corruption and bad law and order situation in the state, and paid a price for it? Or as a leader who was very successful as an administrator and did not let the heat reach the supreme leader of his party? Or as a person who despite being in politics was not a hypocrite, who smoked Dunhill in the circuit house, wore a suit and was fond of non-veg food and was an expert in solving the most intricate political problem? Or as a quiet, sombre person who came to the limelight due to politics but who still delved into poetry and found satisfaction in immersing himself in books and this is the way he remained till his end at the age of 94? Even PM Narendra Modi has pointed to these facets of his personality in his condolences. Madhavsinh Solanki has left this world and now history will have to start its work. An Oregon Public Broadcasting analysis of news and social media images found that two men who participated in an effort to storm the Oregon Capitol on Dec. 21 also appear to have been part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol last week. OPB reported Sunday that David Anthony Medina, 31, of Sherwood, was broadcast on ITV News standing outside House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office while it was looted on Wednesday. He later appeared to acknowledge entering the Capitol building in a social media post. OPB also identified Medina as one of the people who attempted to push past Oregon State Police on Dec. 21 when demonstrators supporting President Donald Trump and opposing coronavirus restrictions breached the Oregon Capitol. Medina could not be reached by The Oregonian/OregonLive on Sunday. According to OPB, Medina is the organizer of Oregonians for Trump and the former campaign manager for Anna Kasachev, who lost her bid in November to represent Woodburn in the Oregon House. Another man who appeared to have entered the U.S. Capitol last week also participated in the Dec. 21 unrest in Salem, where he at one point pushed a photographer for the Statesman Journal. OPB said it has been unable to identify the man by name but that they did share distinctive clothing and tattoos. A third man, Springfield resident Tim Davis, 59, also appeared in images on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, but Davis told OPB he did not enter the building. Davis was also among the group that gained entry to the Oregon Capitol on Dec. 21, OPB reported. None of the men so far face criminal charges for their participation in the events at the Oregon Capitol or U.S. Capitol, according to OPB. Five people died in Wednesdays violent siege of the U.S. Capitol. The armed insurrection temporarily halted Congress from certifying the electoral college votes for President-elect Joe Biden, but lawmakers returned to the Capitol to affirm the results of the election later that night. Three Oregonians were arrested at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Kristina and Yevgemya -- or Yevgeniya -- Malimon, both of Portland, were arrested for unlawful entry and curfew violation. Rodney Taylor of Bandon was also arrested for curfew violation. None were accused of entering the Capitol building, however instead, they were arrested on the grounds. Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said Thursday that Oregonians who traveled to Washington, D.C., and participated in the insurrection would be prosecuted in Oregon to the fullest extent of the law. A legislator, Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, is under investigation by the Oregon State Police after video showed he let right-wing demonstrators into the statehouse Dec. 21. -- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg Australian consumer experts from CHOICE have praised a $29 cast iron casserole pot from Kmart that rivals high-end French versions costing upwards of $529. Despite a huge $500 price difference, the budget buy performed 'comparatively well' when the experts put market-leading cast iron pots to the test. 'Kmart's cast iron casserole pot was up there with big-name brands such as Le Creuset, Chasseur and Staub when we tested casserole pots and Dutch ovens,' the experts claimed. The cheaper version scored a stellar 95 per cent in the bolognese sauce test. 'We use this to assess the Dutch oven's ability to slow cook while maintaining low temperature for a long period of time and its ability to brown meat evenly,' they said. Australian consumer experts from CHOICE have praised a $29 cast iron casserole pot from Kmart (left) that rivals high-end French brand Le Creuset (right) costing upwards of $529 What makes Kmart's cast iron casserole pot special? With a $29 price tag, Kmart's cast iron casserole pot can be cooked on all types of heat sources just like world-famous brand Le Creuset. The budget buy has an 'exceptional heat retention' that allows slow cooking and keeping foods moist and tender. Other features include an enamel interior, easy cleaning and it's safe to use in ovens, and all types of cooktops. Advertisement The four-litre pot can be cooked on all types of heat sources - and it's lower in price than expensive brands - including world-famous Le Creuset. Choice's kitchen expert Fiona Mair offered her review after giving her Kmart dutch oven a 'good workout' over the past five years. 'I have noticed that after a year [it] did lose the smooth interior coating which helps to prevent sticking of food such as rice or pasta. If I'm cooking a soup or casserole I have to stir it constantly, even on a simmer, to ensure it doesn't stick,' she explained. Fiona said over time, the staining becomes more obvious, making it trickier to clean. But despite the downside, she said the budget pots are cheap enough to replace every few years - and they are recyclable. Shoppers have been raving about the budget pot online, with one saying: 'I've used it nearly every day. For deep frying, pan frying, stews and even cooked a lovely risotto. Totally worth every cent. And so cheap.' A second shopper added: 'Beautiful colour. Looks great in the kitchen. It's a little heavy, but it can also be used in the oven and suitable for gas. I'm very happy to purchase what I was looking for at such a reasonable price.' One home cook who owned a Le Creuset pot was stunned after she made a 'fluffy and crusty' sourdough in a $29 casserole pot from Kmart (pictured) The four-litre pot can be cooked on all types of heat sources - and it's lower in price than expensive brands - including world-famous Le Creuset (stock image) After an 'unfortunate accident', one home cook decided to buy the Kmart version after her Le Creuset cast iron casserole pot was thrown out. 'I was pretty skeptical when I saw this $29 Kmart dupe, but it cooks wonderfully. Today I made an incredibly fluffy and crusty sourdough. For five percent the price of the Le Creuset, it's a worthwhile investment,' she said. And another person wrote: 'Bought this beautiful cast iron pot to make sourdough bread with outstanding results but have also used it for casseroles. It's an asset in the kitchen - producing great results, is easy to clean and a lovely colour and shape.' One shopper weighed in after owning both Kmart and Le Creuset pots. 'Both get used frequently, both hand-washed. The cheap Kmart one was chipped around the base, lid and rim within a few uses. It does the job but it's nowhere near the same quality as a Le Creuset - it's still perfect after 12 years.' And if money is no object, the consumer experts explained why the Le Creuset or casserole dish is worth investing in. 'A high-end dutch oven can last you 20 years or more before it shows signs of wear and tear, even becoming a family heirloom,' they said. 'Products from brands such as Le Creuset usually come with lifetime guarantees, so you can always replace if you have issues.' Last year, CHOICE named a $16 frying pan from Kmart as one of the best that money can buy after it out-performed expensive brands (Kmart's frying pan pictured) Last year, Choice named a $16 frying pan from Kmart as one of the best that money can buy after it out-performed expensive brands. The 24cm Anko frypan delivered better in areas including performance, ease of use and durability than other popular brands whose frying pans cost hundreds of dollars. 'It's a lightweight, well-balanced pan that's easy to clean,' Choice's kitchen expert Chantelle Dart said. 'In our tests, it scored well for evenness of heating and durability. Even though it's only $16, it's comparable with other brands that are significantly more expensive.' The National Asset Management Agency (Nama) has completed the majority of its programme of deleveraging the 32bn loans it acquired during the financial crisis a decade ago, but its work is far from over. Last year, 2020, saw the agency transfer to the Exchequer the first 2bn of its lifetime surplus, which we are currently forecasting will be 4bn, subject to market conditions. We are planning further transfers totalling 1bn during the course of 2021 and the remaining 1bn in 2022, subject to market conditions. This estimated 4bn surplus will be achieved even after Nama had paid almost 6bn more for its loans than their market value of 26bn at the time of acquisition. This represents a very good return for the State from Namas management of its assets particularly in the context of similar asset management companies in other countries, which have been loss-making to date. This outcome reflects well on the contribution made by Namas staff, whose numbers peaked at close to 400 in 2014 but now stand at approximately 180. But we can take nothing for granted. The Covid crisis has had a terrible impact on lives, on peoples health, on jobs and on the economy. Namas surplus has already played a part in reducing the borrowing needed by the State to fund the national Covid response in 2020 and we will continue to ensure that Nama maximises the surplus available to the Exchequer. We will do that in 2021 against a backdrop that is one of economic uncertainty but also one of economic resilience. Read More Earlier this month we indicated the agency will report a profit for 2020, making it the 10th year in a row of profitability for Nama. This will be a strong outcome after we reported a loss in the first half of the year as a result of Covid-related adjustments to the value of some of our assets, and where the outcome was very uncertain across the whole economy, both in Ireland and worldwide. Our challenge entering 2021 is to continue managing our remaining assets with rigour, diligence and flexibility to deal with adverse economic developments that may arise from Covid, Brexit or other sources, and to try to make 2021 our 11th consecutive profitable year. Although our balance sheet is much smaller, it remains complex. We are still working our way through the remaining 170 active debtors, 4,000 loans and 3,000 properties in our portfolio. We expect to extract additional value from many of these assets through our residential delivery programme. Separately, however, we have reached a stage where the overwhelming majority of our deleveraging work consists of managing a large number of relatively low-value loans. This work is labour-intensive, specialised and sensitive. It is harder to obtain from smaller loans the same economies of scale and efficiencies that can be achieved with bigger loans, but it is essential that we do all that we can to deliver as much value as we can from each and every loan, in accordance with the mandate set for us by the Oireachtas. We will remain vigilant for emerging threats as well as emerging opportunities. In our view, the fundamentals of the Irish economy have not changed; although we have experienced a significant employment shock, we continue to see evidence of significant appetite for Irish assets both residential and commercial. Investors continue to deploy capital in Irish commercial and office property and it is clear that demand for new starter homes will continue to exceed supply for some time. I am conscious that the demand for office space was a subject of interest for many commentators when Covid struck; we have monitored this very closely over the past year and are encouraged by signs of demand remaining robust for quality product. This is particularly true in Dublin Docklands, which has been a key area of focus for Nama for many years. It is still a highly sought-after location and, notwithstanding concerns that the work-from-home revolution may result in employers needing less office or commercial space, it is likely to remain so. We are confident about our remaining Docklands assets but we are not complacent. Similarly we are confident about the ongoing level of demand for new homes in the greater Dublin area and its commuter belt, where the majority of our remaining assets are located. The house-building sector has clearly suffered, and continues to suffer, from restrictions that have curtailed construction activity and we are not yet in a position where these restrictions are a thing of the past, but we expect that the main effect of Covid on house-building is more likely to be a delay in the delivery of finished units, with the underlying demand remaining strong. With that in mind, we remain fully committed to facilitating the delivery of 20,000 new homes by the end of 2021 through a combination of directly funding construction or indirectly facilitating projects that will be funded from other sources. At the end of 2020, the number of homes directly and indirectly delivered by Nama exceeded 19,000, of which close to 12,500 were funded by the agency. Our remaining portfolio has the potential capacity to contribute an additional 25,000 homes to the supply of housing over the medium term of which 6,400 are construction-ready, 7,750 are in the planning system and 11,000 are in the pre-planning stage. When the necessary infrastructure works for these homes take place over the coming years, they can undoubtedly play a significant role in alleviating the current supply/demand imbalance. Although Nama is scheduled to wind down fully by 2025, a major area of focus for us will be working on arrangements that can deliver as many of these 25,000 additional homes as quickly as possible by getting these sites shovel-ready, through asset management and obtaining planning, leveraging the specialist expertise that the agency has built up over the past decade. To complement this work, we were pleased last month to finalise the selection of a preferred bidder for the signature Pembroke project on the site of the former Irish Glass Bottle plant and an adjoining site, close to Dublin city centre. This is a landmark transaction for Nama and a joint venture that will, over time, deliver up to 3,500 new homes and 1 million square feet of commercial space in addition to new educational and public recreational facilities that will help create a new community around these homes. It is a major vote of confidence in the future of Dublin city and our wider economy and will bring benefits that we hope will last for generations. It is a positive sign that, despite all the challenges of 2020 and early 2021, we can approach the coming year with enthusiasm and optimism. Through the Pembroke project and its other work, Nama remains firmly on course to deliver on its mandate. Aidan Williams is chairman of the National Asset Management Agency WASHINGTON Authorities have arrested several people who were at the U.S. Capitol during and after the riot on Jan. 6, including a man from Schuyler. According to the Associated Press, William Arthur Leary, who owns a local manufactured housing business, said he strongly believes the election was stolen from Trump, and that he went to Washington to show his support. I went for support to show support for the president, he said. Leary told NEWSChannel 2 he didnt arrive in Washington until 4 p.m., and was arrested around 7 p.m. He says he is unsure of his charges, but believes he was arrested for being out after the 6 p.m. curfew. Leary alleges his Miranda rights were not read to him, he wasnt allowed a phone call, and his phone and property were taken after his arrest. They treated us like animals, he told the AP. They took all our phones. I didnt get to make a phone call to tell anybody where I was. Leary also told the Associated Press he doesnt trust information reported by the mainstream media, and that one of his main sources of information was Infowars, the far-right conspiracy site run by Alex Jones. Numerous lawsuits alleging election fraud have been thrown out across the country by state and federal officials who say there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Leary told the Associated Press he remembers seeing a woman, Kristina Malimon, 28, sobbing at the detention center because she had been separated and not allowed to translate for her mother, who primarily speaks Russian. Both women had been charged with curfew violation and unlawful entry. According to a video posted on her Instagram account, the younger Malimon says she was born in Moldova, where her family had faced persecution under the Soviet-era regime for their Christian beliefs. 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| 2021-01-11 23:40:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials, Jan. 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for ensuring a good start for fully building a modern socialist country. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials. Xi stressed the need to resolutely implement the guiding principles of the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and urged the officials to accurately understand the new development stage, act on the new development philosophy and accelerate the establishment of the new development paradigm to drive high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period. NEW STAGE Xi said the new development stage remains in the primary stage of socialism, but it is also a new starting point built on decades of development. "We have laid a solid material foundation to embark on a new journey and achieve new and higher goals by our unremitting endeavors since the founding of the New China, especially over the four decades since the reform and opening up," he said. Xi said that the new development stage spans the next 30 years, during which China is expected to complete modernization. Xi stressed that the primary stage of socialism is not static, but rather dynamic, active, promising and permeated with vigorous vitality. For China's socialism to advance from the primary stage to a higher one, it is necessary to fully build a modern socialist China and basically realize socialist modernization, he said. "The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, but time and situation are in our favor," Xi said. He pointed out that there are unprecedented challenges and opportunities both at present and for some time to come, but in general opportunities outweigh challenges. Xi stressed the need for the Party to deliver in its work and perseverance in realizing set goals. NEW PHILOSOPHY Since the 18th CPC National Congress, many major theories and concepts on economic and social development were put forward, with the new development philosophy being the primary and most important one, which has led China to make historic achievements and transformations in economic development, Xi said. He ordered Party members to fully and faithfully practice the new development philosophy, whose "roots" and "soul" lie in striving for people's well-being and national rejuvenation. Xi also stressed a problem-oriented approach in implementing the philosophy, calling for more targeted and pragmatic measures in addressing the issue of unbalanced and inadequate development. Efforts should be made to strengthen awareness of potential dangers, persist in considering the worst-case scenario and always be ready to cope with even more complex and difficult situations, said Xi. "We must be brave to fight and be good at it. We must comprehensively strengthen ourselves," he said. NEW PARADIGM Xi said it is a major strategic task for China's overall development to establish at a faster pace the new development paradigm featuring dual circulation, in which domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay. Only by smoothing the domestic circulation can China withstand the rapid changes in the international arena, he noted. Xi underscored the necessity to keep economic circulation unobstructed, further emphasize independent innovation, strengthen arrangements for scientific innovation and push forward the establishment of mechanisms that facilitate innovation and technological breakthroughs. Xi also called for setting up an effective system to boost domestic demand, unleashing the potential of domestic demand and encouraging consumer spending, thus making the formation of a super-sized domestic market a sustainable course of history. New advantages must be created for China to engage in international cooperation and competition, and attention should be paid to using the international circulation to boost the efficiency and quality of domestic circulation, Xi said. Stressing the Party's overall leadership over China's socialist modernization, Xi urged officials at all levels, especially senior ones, to keep improving their political judgment, understanding and execution for the effective implementation of the Party leadership's decisions and plans. Monday's event was presided over by Li Keqiang and attended by Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng -- who are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Vice President Wang Qishan also attended. Presiding over the opening ceremony, Li Keqiang called for an in-depth study of Xi's speech which is of great and profound significance and efforts to fully implement the CPC Central Committee's major decisions and plans for the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Josef Stalin ruled the Soviet Union for 28 years, overseeing a personality cult and a brutal regime. But a Moscow shawarma stand named after him lasted just one day. After complaints from angry local residents, Stalin Doner -- which owner Stanislav Voltman said was a tongue-in-cheek tribute not meant to cause offense -- closed after just 24 hours in business last week. Voltman said officers carted him off to a police station for a three-hour interrogation about the controversial fast-food joint. Better not to ask where the meat came from. They asked me if my head was screwed on straight, he told RFE/RL in a phone interview. On the first, and only, day of sales, the modest establishment in northern Moscows Koptevo district sold 200 kebabs, Voltman said. Menu items like Stalin With Double Meat and Beria With Tkemali Sauce -- named after the tyrant and his notorious henchmen -- were rustled up by staff in uniforms of Stalins secret police, which dispatched millions of Soviet citizens to frigid forced labor camps in Siberia or straight to the firing squad. Voltmans three staff members have quit, citing uncomfortable attention from the media, and he has shut the establishment as he searches for new employees in hopes of reopening. Its not like I had Hitler as the face of my brand, he said, noting Russias ban on Nazi symbolism. I havent broken any laws. For years, the Kremlin has advanced an ambivalent policy toward Stalin, a man who oversaw show trials of his opponents and jailed or executed hundreds of thousands of Soviet citizens. Under President Vladimir Putin, the government has neither vilified nor unequivocally justified his brutal legacy. At times, officials have taken pains to protect Stalins reputation, drawing the ire of critics who say Russia must reckon with the crimes of the Soviet state or be doomed to repeating them. In 2018, authorities banned the Russian release of The Death Of Stalin, a British comedy about the dictators final days in 1953 and the desperate scramble for power among members of his inner circle. Child 44, a Cold War thriller set in the same year, was pulled in 2015 for distorting historical facts. Such films should not enjoy mass release in our country, then-Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said. Stalins supporters in Russia point to the Soviet Unions rapid industrialization under his rule, saying harsh policies used to accelerate it were justified. They also cite the Soviet Unions enormous contribution in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II as testament to Stalins credentials as a leader -- though critics say victory came despite errors by Stalin, not thanks to his role. The result has been a slow but linear rehabilitation of the dictator, who today enjoys more widespread approval among Russians than at perhaps any time since his successor Nikita Khrushchev denounced his legacy in a fiery speech to the Soviet Politburo in 1956, ushering in a period known as destalinization. Stalin is a complicated figure. So its no surprise that the controversy over Stalin Doner has received outsize attention in Russia, both on television and social media, where it has divided opinion just like any topic related to Stalin and his historical role. Better not to ask where the meat came from, one woman, Olga Marsheva, wrote on Facebook. Some officials criticized Voltman over the gimmick while going soft on Stalin himself. We shouldnt stoke this debate, Valery Fadeyev, the head of the Kremlins human rights council, said in an interview with a Moscow radio station. Stalin is a complicated figure. Savvy Russian entrepreneurs have been known to seize on long-standing controversies and international scandals to plug their brands. In 2018, farmer Aleksei Yakushev launched a sunflower oil called Novichok, after the nerve agent allegedly used by Russia against former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England that year -- and again last August against Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny. And after Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014, T-shirts with Putins face and slogans praising his foreign policy hit souvenir shops across the country. Voltman, who moved to Moscow in August from Orenburg, a city near Russias border with Kazakhstan, says his dreams of making it in the Russian capital may now be dashed. He has received dozens of messages, ranging from threats of action if Stalin Doner reopens to notes of support for his business. As for Stalin, he too has mixed feelings. Ive been reading about him for years, and I dont demonize or glorify him, he said. He did a lot of bad things, but he also did a lot of good. House Democrats plan to vote Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Democrats on a caucus call Monday, setting up an impeachment vote one week after rioters incited by Trump overran Capitol police and breached some of the most secure areas of the US Capitol. The House will vote Tuesday evening on a resolution urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from power, and then plan to vote Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET on the impeachment resolution, Hoyer said. Democrats formally introduced their impeachment resolution Monday, charging Trump with 'incitement of insurrection' as they race toward making him the first president in history to be impeached twice. Wednesday's vote underscores Democrats' fury toward Trump and his supporters after months of false rhetoric about the election being stolen whipped the President's most ardent followers into a deadly mob Wednesday that ransacked the Capitol, forced lawmakers to evacuate both the House and Senate -- and could have been worse. The single impeachment article, which was introduced when the House gaveled into a brief pro-forma session Monday, points to Trump's repeated false claims that he won the election and his speech to the crowd on January 6 before the rioters breached the Capitol. It also cited Trump's call with the Georgia Republican secretary of state where the President urged him to 'find' enough votes for Trump to win the state. 'In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government,' the resolution says. 'He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.' The resolution, which was introduced by Democrats David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Ted Lieu of California, also cited the Constitution's 14th Amendment, noting that it 'prohibits any person who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion against' the United States' from holding office. House Republicans are urging Democrats not to pursue impeachment, arguing such a move would be divisive. Instead, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, in a letter to GOP colleagues, listed four potential responses to the January 6 attack. McCarthy, citing feedback from members, floated the possibility of 'a resolution of censure under the rules of the House,' as well as a bipartisan commission to investigate riots, according to the letter. He did not specify who would be censured. McCarthy also proposed overhauling the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which guides the electoral certification process, as well as 'legislation to promote voter confidence' in future legislation. What these latter two issues have to do with the attack, other than the lies that stemmed from GOP lawmakers during the certification process and as it relates to non-existent widespread voter fraud, is unclear. Speaking on a call with House Republicans Monday, McCarthy indicated to his colleagues that Trump bore some of the blame for the riot, and that Trump acknowledged to McCarthy that he bore some blame for the riot, according to a person familiar with the call. Still, McCarthy said he was opposed to impeachment, instead proposing his proposed alternatives and suggesting there should be a bipartisan commission to get all the facts first instead, according to a source on the call. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on the call with House Democrats Monday, called the idea of censuring Trump an 'abdication' and made it clear it's not an option she's willing to consider, according to a person on the call. Impeachment trial could complicate Biden agenda Pelosi told House Democrats on Sunday evening that the House would vote on impeachment this week unless Pence moves to invoke the 25th Amendment with a majority of the Cabinet to remove Trump from power. The level of unity in the Democratic caucus is being driven by the visceral reaction to what happened on January 6, when lawmakers had to be evacuated from the House and Senate chambers with rioters banging on the chambers' doors as the insurrectionists tried to stop the counting of votes to affirm President-elect Joe Biden would become president on January 20. Five people were killed, including a US Capitol Police officer. Still, House Democrats' race toward impeachment poses complications for the incoming Biden administration, as a Senate trial threatens to hamper the opening days of Biden's presidency. While some Democrats had suggested waiting to send the impeachment resolution to the Senate until after Biden's first 100 days in office, Hoyer and other top Democrats said Monday they wanted to do so immediately. Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he won't bring back the Senate from recess before January 19, that would push the trial into the beginning of the Biden administration. At a press conference Monday, Biden acknowledged that impeachment could make it more difficult for him to get his Cabinet confirmed or pass another stimulus bill. He said he was hopeful that the Senate could spend half the day on nominations and legislations and the other half on the trial, and he was waiting to hear back from the Senate parliamentarian. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will take control of the chamber when Biden is sworn in on January 20, is exploring whether to use emergency authority to try to reconvene the Senate and hold the trial before Trump leaves office, according to a senior Democratic aide. But this would require support from McConnell to carry this out under the authority granted to the leaders in 2004, though it does not require the support of all 100 senators. In another sign that little short of Trump's resignation will stop impeachment, Schumer told the Buffalo News on Monday he won't let a Senate trial stall Biden's agenda, even if it would make it more difficult. 'We're going to have to do several things at once, but we got to move the agenda as well,' Schumer said. 'Yes, we've got to do both.' While Biden and the Senate strategize for a potential trial, it's clear Democrats are pushing forward with an impeachment vote. Cicilline said Monday 'we have the numbers' already to impeach Trump, and he predicted some Republicans would vote for it too, unlike the House's December 2019 votes to impeach Trump. 'I expect that we'll have Republican support,' Cicilline said. 'I think it's urgent that the President be removed immediately.' House to vote first on 25th Amendment resolution Democrats on Monday sought to take up a resolution from Raskin urging Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. Hoyer asked for unanimous consent to bring up the resolution, but West Virginia GOP Rep. Alex Mooney objected to the request. Pelosi has said the Democrats will move to bring the resolution for a floor vote on Tuesday. Pelosi said in an interview on CBS' '60 Minutes' that she liked the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment 'because it gets rid of him,' but explained, 'one of the motivations people have for advocating for impeachment' is to prevent Trump from holding office again. 'There's strong support in the Congress for impeaching the President a second time,' she said. Multiple House Republicans are considering voting for impeachment, though none have come out publicly in support. Some House Republicans are also privately discussing whether to censure Trump as a way to express their disapproval of the President's actions without going along with the Democratic effort to impeach him, according to several GOP sources, though Pelosi on Monday closed the door to going that direction. 'I suggested this would have bipartisan support and makes more sense since the inauguration is a week away,' Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, said in a statement. 'But the Democrats I've talked to were not very receptive.' A spokesman for Iowa GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said she 'believes that impeaching the President with only a few days left in his term would only further divide the American people and make it harder for President-Elect Joe Biden to unite the country.' Rep. Tom Reed, a New York Republican and co-chairman of the so-called Problem Solvers Caucus, told his GOP colleagues he believes censuring Trump -- not a snap impeachment -- is the correct response, according to multiple sources on the call, a sign that Democrats may have a hard time winning significant number of Republicans on the impeachment vote. Still, there's been little to slow momentum toward impeachment since Wednesday. Two Senate Republicans, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, have called on Trump to resign in the wake of the insurrection at the Capitol. And some House Republicans are keeping their options open. 'I will wait to see the additional evidence presented, but again, this is something we're strongly considering,' Rep. Peter Meijer, a Michigan Republican who succeeded independent Justin Amash, a Trump critic, told CNN's Erin Burnett. 'I would prefer that we have a more fulsome investigation into what happened. Most of what I know from January 6 came either from personal experience or from Twitter. But at the end of the day, it is obvious that the President is no longer qualified to hold that office.' This story has been updated with additional developments Monday. Marijuana smoking found to raise levels of potentially harmful chemicals but to a lesser degree than tobacco smoking; Exposure to a toxic chemical associated with heightened risk for cardiovascular disease increases with tobacco smoking Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have uncovered new evidence of the potential health risks of chemicals in tobacco and marijuana smoke. In a study published online today by EClinicalMedicine, the researchers report that people who smoked only marijuana had several smoke-related toxic chemicals in their blood and urine, but at lower levels than those who smoked both tobacco and marijuana or tobacco only. Two of those chemicals, acrylonitrile and acrylamide, are known to be toxic at high levels. The investigators also found that exposure to acrolein, a chemical produced by the combustion of a variety of materials, increases with tobacco smoking but not marijuana smoking and contributes to cardiovascular disease in tobacco smokers. The findings suggest that high acrolein levels may be a sign of increased risk of cardiovascular disease and that reducing exposure to the chemical could lower that risk. This is particularly important for people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, given high rates of tobacco smoking and the increased risk of heart disease in this group. "Marijuana use is on the rise in the United States with a growing number of states legalizing it for medical and nonmedical purposes - including five additional states in the 2020 election. The increase has renewed concerns about the potential health effects of marijuana smoke, which is known to contain some of the same toxic combustion products found in tobacco smoke," said the senior author of the study, Dana Gabuzda, MD, of Dana-Farber. "This is the first study to compare exposure to acrolein and other harmful smoke-related chemicals over time in exclusive marijuana smokers and tobacco smokers, and to see if those exposures are related to cardiovascular disease." The study involved 245 HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants in three studies of HIV infection in the United States. (Studies involving people with HIV infection were used because of high tobacco and marijuana smoking rates in this group.) The researchers collected data from participants' medical records and survey results and analyzed their blood and urine samples for substances produced by the breakdown of nicotine or the combustion of tobacco or marijuana. Combining these datasets enabled them to trace the presence of specific toxic chemicals to tobacco or marijuana smoking and to see if any were associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The investigators found that participants who exclusively smoked marijuana had higher blood and urine levels of several smoke-related toxic chemicals such as naphthalene, acrylamide, and acrylonitrile metabolites than non-smokers did. However, the concentrations of these substances were lower in marijuana-only smokers than in tobacco smokers. Investigators also found that acrolein metabolites - substances generated by the breaking down of acrolein - were elevated in tobacco smokers but not marijuana smokers. This increase was associated with cardiovascular disease regardless of whether individuals smoked tobacco or had other risk factors. "Our findings suggest that high acrolein levels may be used to identify patients with increased cardiovascular risk," Gabuzda said, "and that reducing acrolein exposure from tobacco smoking and other sources could be a strategy for reducing risk." ### The first author of the study is David R. Lorenz, PhD, of Dana-Farber. Co-authors are Vikas Misra, MSc, Sukrutha Chettimada, PhD, and Hajime Uno, PhD, of Dana-Farber; Lanqing Wang, PhD, Benjamin C. Blount, PhD, and Vi?ctor R. De Jesu?s, PhD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Benjamin B. Gelman, MD, PhD, of the University of Texas; Susan Morgello, MD, of Icahn School of Medicine; and Steven M. Wolinsky, MD, of Northwestern University. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants R01 DA040391 and DA046203); the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (grants U24MH100931, U24MH100930, U24MH100929, U24MH100928, U24MH100925, MH062512, HHS-N-271-2010-00036C, and HHSN271201000030C); the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grants U01- AI35039, U01-AI35040, U01-AI35041, U01- AI35042, and UM1-AI35043); the National Cancer Institute; National Institute on Drug Abuse; and National Institute of Mental Health. MACS data collection is also supported by UL1- TR000424. DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Food Safety Testing Market (by Contaminants, Pathogens, Type of Food Tested, Technology/Method, Region), Impact of COVID-19, Company Profiles - Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global food safety testing market is predicted to reach nearly US$ 27 Billion by 2026, owing to continual increase in number of food-borne disease outbreaks, increasingly stringent regulations on food safety, globalization of food trade, sustained number of food recalls, among others. Food safety is an important consideration for everyone in the food chain, from producers, suppliers, and vendors right through to the consumer. Food contamination now-a-days is quickly becoming a worldwide issue, that is raising the concern for adequate food safety testing methods and procedures. Food safety is threatened by microbial pathogens, viruses, toxins, genetically modified organism content, pesticides, food allergens and others. Food-related queries and complaints are continuously rising with time, which reflects a growing concern of government authorities and consumers. These reasons put a huge pressure on food companies to ensure food safety. The COVID-19 disease has infected over 78.3 Million people worldwide. The number is still growing, and the duration of the pandemic is still difficult to predict. The reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on societies and economies around the world cannot be understated. COVID-19 has caused disruptions to the food supply chains around the world and raised concerns about food security. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe are demanding safer food for consumption as a precautionary measure. Thus, with rising demand for safer food, the food safety testing market is expected to propel in coming years. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-evolving, high-growth global food safety testing market. This report has been analyzed from 11 viewpoints: 1. Global - Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast (2008 - 2026) 2. Impact of COVID-19 on Global Food Safety Testing Market 3. Global - Food Safety Testing Market Share and Forecast (2010 - 2026) 4. Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast - By Contaminant (2010 - 2026) 5. Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast - By Pathogen (2010 - 2026) 6. Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast - By Food Type (2015 - 2026) 7. Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast - Regional Analysis (2013 - 2026) 8. Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast - By Method / Technology (2012 - 2026) 9. Global Food Safety Testing Market - Major Acquisitions (2004 - 2019) 10. Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast - Key Players Analysis 11. Global Food Safety Testing Market - Growth Drivers and Challenges By Contaminants - Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast 1. Pathogens 2. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) 3. Toxins 4. Pesticides 5. Other (Food Allergens and Chemical Residues) By Pathogens - Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast 1. Salmonella 2. E-Coli 3. Listeria 4. Campylobacter 5. Others By Food Type - Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast 1. Meat and Poultry 2. Dairy and Dairy Products 3. Processed Food 4. Fruits and Vegetables 5. Others (Cereals, Grains and Sauce) By Region - Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast 1. North America 2. Central and South America 3. Western Europe 4. Eastern Europe 5. Japan 6. China 7. Rest of Asia Pacific 8. Middle East and Africa By Method / Technology - Global Food Safety Testing Market and Forecast 1. Traditional Microbiology 2. Immunodiagnostics 3. Molecular Diagnostics 4. Analytical Chemistry Global Food Safety Testing Market - Company Profiles 1. Agilent Technologies 2. bioMerieux SA 3. DuPont 4. 3M 5. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc 6. Bio-Rad 7. SGS SA 8. Eurofins 9. Intertek 10. Bureau Veritas 11. Neogen Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g7f97p 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: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com CORK County Council will be asked today to seek a list of the materials in the R&H Hall building which went on fire on Saturday. Crews from Cork County Fire Service remained at the scene of the fire in Ringaskiddy overnight and are expected to maintain a presence there in the coming days. Independent Cork County Councillor Marcia DAlton hopes to ask County Mayor Mary Linehan-Foley, at todays meeting of Cork County Council, to press the county council to seek a list of the materials in the building from R&H Hall. While acknowledging that the facility stores animal feed, she is concerned about the materials in the building itself. This was echoed by Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath, who is also set to raise the issue of the fire at todays meeting. He says he has received calls from people who were concerned because they had baby clothes drying outside and were worried about the possibility of contamination from the smoke. He will also demand answers on who is responsible for instigating an emergency plan for the harbour area. He pointed out that the area is in the heart of an industrial area and residents want a clear plan in place in the event of other emergencies in the future, because they were concerned about a lack of information concerning Saturdays fire. In a statement yesterday, Cork County Council said that fire crews continued to expose and extinguish any hot spots that may exist within the storage facility. The scene a large fire at a Port of Cork site in Ringaskiddy on Saturday. Picture: Cork County Fire Service, Carrigaline Station The council added: Due to the nature of this incident, this will be an ongoing process and Cork County Council would again like to reassure members of the public that all operations are being undertaken in a highly controlled manner. The council reiterated: The material involved remains unchanged and is a natural, organic animal feed. Fire crews have been exposing, dampening and extinguishing any hot spots within the storage facility in #Ringaskiddy today All operations are being carried out in a highly controlled manner. Crews will remain overnight https://t.co/corBBGb2zG pic.twitter.com/NQmlcJHEwX Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 10, 2021 R&H Hall issued an apology on Saturday evening to local businesses and residents affected by the fire. In a statement, the company said: We would like to thank the emergency services and the Port of Cork team for their quick response and ongoing management of the incident. We would also like to apologise to local residents, neighbouring businesses, and our customers for any inconvenience caused by the incident. Shipping operations resumed in the area yesterday. Joan Burton hopes the commission will give adopted people the right to their own information. Photo: Frank McGrath My adoptive mother, Bridie King Burton, told me everything she knew about adoptions, orphanages, mother and baby homes, baby homes and institutions for children. One comment she made has always stuck in my mind. Children, she said, died like flies in those places. This week the Report of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes will reveal in forensic detail just how true that remark was. Read More We will learn that 9,000 children died in the care of those homes. Bridie met me as a lively two-year-old in the Sisters of Charity baby home at Temple Hill in Blackrock, Co Dublin. From there, the St Patricks Adoption Society gave babies to Catholic adopters from Ireland and America. Apparently, I reached out to Bridie from my cot with my bandaged fingers, and it was love at first sight on both our parts. Both she and her older sister, my auntie Maggie, told me that the bandaged fingers were to stop me sucking my thumbs and finger. Sadly, by the time I was 20, Bridie was dead from cancer. But when I started my quest for my own birth story, it turned out that what she told me was amazingly accurate. Ireland is one of the few countries in the world which still resolutely denies adopted people the legal right to their own information and files. Ironically, the writ of the supreme ecclesiastic of modern Ireland, Dr John Charles McQuaid, who was the essential overseer of adoption practice and law in Ireland, still runs. Both Church and State set out to erect barriers akin to the fabled Walls of Jericho to people who wanted simple answers to their questions of identity. For me, and for many of the 50,000-plus people adopted after legal adoption was introduced in the early 1950s, the journey of discovery took almost three decades. In my search for my own story, I sat repeatedly in rooms under holy pictures of Gentle Jesus Little Lamb, meeting nice nuns and difficult nuns. I recall one who almost shouted at me: What do you want? Havent you got two arms and two legs go home. I promised your mother on this side of the grave Id never tell. By the time I was finally given information I was in my fifties, had graduated, married, given birth, served as a TD and minister. I had started the search in my mid-20s, about to get married. I sent a letter to the adoption society to pass on to the parish priest of the church where I had been baptised, to let my birth mother know I was alive and well and getting married. A year or so later, the letter was returned unopened by the society. The casual brutality of Irelands systems for dealing with to use the language of the day unmarried mothers and illegitimate babies, was cruel beyond belief. This weeks report of the Commission into Mother and Baby Homes will be a landmark event. The report will reveal, particularly to a new generation of younger people, what Ireland once did to women who had the audacity to love outside of marriage and to bear children who had to be given up. It will give us as a society an opportunity to ask why this form of brutality was tolerated for so long. Or was this the religious madness of an Irish Salem for whom sex outside of marriage was an abomination and the child of such a union illegitimate? I hope the commission will recommend that adopted people have the basic right to information and to see their files, as children in most countries can once they reach 18 years of age. As a politician, it has been my privilege and responsibility to be a campaigner for key social changes in Ireland divorce, marriage equality, and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. But the right of adopted people to their own information has never been conceded. It is amazing that this legacy remains in an era of so much progressive change. I do hope the commission will address this astonishing omission. Perhaps sometime too, well also get the full story of the American adoptions and why hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of babies in Irish institutions were shipped to America. Did money change hands, and how much? One of the stories that Bridie always told me was that I was meant to go to America, but wasnt strong enough and the arrangements for my adoption to the US fell through twice. When I asked about this, it was vehemently and repeatedly denied, until finally in the late 1990s I was called to another meeting with St Patricks Guild. Lo and behold, what was taken from my file but an Irish passport for me as a child with an entry visa to Newfoundland and the US. On that day when Bridie came to Temple Hill, there were two possible paths in life for me, one to the unspeakable cruelties of a Magdalene Laundry when I came of age, the other through adoption into a loving and caring family, one which ultimately led to the office of Tanaiste. This week will bring many tears, as did the earlier Ryan and Murphy Reports. I will welcome the public apologies and justifiable redress schemes. I will welcome even more the essential law reforms that must come as the true memorial to Irelands banished babies. Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Brian K. Kidd has joined the firm as a partner in its Investigations + White Collar Defense Group in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kidd joins Morrison & Foerster from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he most recently served as Chief of the Market Integrity and Major Frauds (MIMF) Unit in the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section, having joined the DOJ in 2009. In this senior role, Mr. Kidd supervised a team of roughly 40 federal prosecutors investigating and prosecuting complex securities, commodities, and other major corporate fraud cases. Mr. Kidd oversaw cross border and corporate prosecutions involving market manipulation, spoofing, insider trading, money laundering, bribery, cryptocurrency, accounting, and procurement fraud. During his tenure as Chief, Mr. Kidd oversaw some of the most significant corporate resolutions in the DOJ, including resolutions involving some of the countrys largest financial institutions, healthcare companies, government contractors, and automotive companies. Mr. Kidd also served as Chair of DOJs Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group, where he worked closely with senior leaders at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Federal Reserve, as well as the UKs Financial Conduct Authority and Serious Fraud Office. Mr. Kidds arrival follows the addition of a number of top former U.S. government and enforcement agency officials in recent years and reinforces Morrison & Foersters strategic commitment to further expanding its world-class global investigations and multijurisdictional white collar defense capabilities, which are increasingly in demand across the firms global offices. Particularly, Mr. Kidds arrival underscores the continued growth of the firms Investigations + White Collar Defense practice in the last several years. Prior to his joining Morrison & Foerster, the firm significantly expanded its Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), U.S. sanctions, national security, and other white collar capabilities with the addition of more than a dozen former senior U.S. government officials. Notably, he is the seventh former senior DOJ official to join the D.C. office, following in the footsteps of Charles Duross, James Koukios, Lisa Phelan, John Carlin, David Newman, and Robert Litt, as well as former director of the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), John Smith. Brian brings deep insights into government investigations and enforcement in cutting-edge areassuch as cryptocurrency, spoofing, and market manipulation, among other data-analytics-driven areas of investigationthat will become an increasing focus of U.S. enforcement for the foreseeable future, said James Koukios, co chair of Morrison & Foersters Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White Collar Defense Group and global co-head of the FCPA + Anti-Corruption practice. Now with three former senior managers from the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section, we offer our clients unmatched insight into DOJs pre-eminent corporate prosecution section. Brians work with U.S. Attorneys Offices across the United States and with foreign counterparts around the globe will also enable Brian to guide our clients through complex, multijurisdictional investigations. Since 2009, Mr. Kidd has served in various positions at the Justice Department. Prior to his role as Chief of the MIMF Unit in the Fraud Section, he served in various positions in the Fraud Section and was previously a trial attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division and an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorneys Office in Puerto Rico. I am excited to join Morrison & Foersters well established and highly respected team of government investigations and enforcement litigators, said Mr. Kidd. I look forward to working closely with this incredible group and to put my experience to work assisting the firms clients with their legal and compliance matters. Mr. Kidd earned his J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Mr. Kidds practice is limited to federal matters; he is admitted in New York only. ABOUT MOFO We are Morrison & Foerstera global firm of exceptional credentials. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, investment banks, Fortune 100, and technology and life sciences companies. The Financial Times has named the firm to its lists of most innovative law firms in North America every year that it has published its Innovative Lawyers Reports in the region. In the past few years, Chambers USA has honored MoFos Privacy and Data Security, Bankruptcy, and IP teams with Firm of the Year awards, the Corporate/M&A team with a client service award, and the firm as a whole as Global USA Firm of the Year. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education for poor children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, winning asylum for the persecuted, and safeguarding the environment. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 And there may have been more carjackings in 2020 than the citys figures show. For instance, retired Chicago Fire Department Lt. Dwain Williams was shot and killed in early December when assailants tried to carjack him near a popcorn shop on the Southwest Side, authorities said, an incident categorized as a homicide instead of a carjacking. Later in the month, 33-year-old Shuai Guan was fatally shot near his home in the Bridgeport neighborhood after a carjacker demanded the key to his white SUV, a crime also logged as a homicide. 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. LAST Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his team made their usual weekly briefing on the status of the coronavirus in Trinidad and Tobago. Given the rise in cases, the addition of a state of emergency was added to the existing public health measures, setting a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. National Guard troops walk through the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Moore/Getty Images) Up to 15,000 National Guard Troops Could Be Deployed Around DC on Inauguration Day: General The National Guard confirmed that up to 15,000 troops will be authorized to be deployed around Washington D.C. ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. Right now, we have approximately 6,200 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 6 states and the District of Columbia on the ground in the NCR [National Capital Region] supporting civilian authorities, said Gen. Daniel Hokanson in a statement on Monday. The general noted that hes received requests from the Secret Service, Capitol Police, and Park Police for guardsmen to be deployed in the city. They have also been authorized to provide up to 15,000 Guard members to meet current and future inauguration support requirements, he said. To date, our troops have been requested to support security, logistics, liaison, and communication missions. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she asked President Donald Trump and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to make a declaration of a disaster for the D.C. area to allow for more resources, adding that public gathering permits should be canceled between Jan. 10 and Jan. 24. Bowser also urged Americans to avoid the city during the inauguration. Wolf said Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will start the National Special Security Event operations for the 2021 Inauguration effective Wednesday, January 13th instead of January 19th. The move was prompted by events of the past week and the evolving security landscape leading up to the inauguration, referring to the Jan. 6 electoral count that was later delayed by groups who stormed the Capitol building. But Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn,), who said he was sending a letter to the acting secretary of defense on Monday, said it was unclear if the National Guard would be sufficient to protect the nations capital and active-duty troops may also be needed. The Park Service said it would suspend tours of the Washington Monument, an obelisk honoring the countrys first president, due to safety concerns from threats to disrupt the inauguration. The committee has told Americans not to travel to the inauguration, and said Washingtons National Mall will be covered with 191,500 flags of different sizes to represent the missing crowds. A U.S. presidential inauguration traditionally draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the U.S. capital, but the ceremonies have been scaled back dramatically because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some critics have said Trump, during a rally near the Capitol, incited violencedespite the president saying that the protesters should protest peacefully. Following the breach, Trump called on them to go home in peace before denouncing the violence on Jan. 7. Reuters contributed to this report. Calling the Nepal government's move to dissolve the lower house of the Parliament to be a 'political move', Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said the Supreme Court should dismiss the case. Oli's comments come as the move, which has been claimed to be unconstitutional by members of the ruling party and the opposition, is being challenged in the apex court, where hearings are currently underway. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches "It is the executive right of the country's functioning, it's a political question. It (the hearing) isn't a constitutional or legal one as it's a political query on how a country is governed and how it should be governed. The court should dismiss it as no answer is required," Oli said while addressing the Upper House on Sunday. "Political decisions would direct politics as per the constitution, and democratic values are paving the way to go ahead. The current situation would also pass in similar ways. It is based on the doctrine of necessity," Oli added. A total of 13 petitions are filed in the Supreme Court of Nepal, challenging the decision of Oli and President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to dissolve the House of Representatives, the lower house parliament, claiming it unconstitutional. The apex court has yet to give a verdict on the writ petitions. Following the dissolution of the Lower House and the announcement of midterm elections, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) witnessed its vertical split as the already-strained ties between the two rival factions of the party have further deepened. The Oli-led faction of the ruling party is backing the dissolution of the House while the other faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal is firmly opposing the government's move and demanding the restoration of parliament. (ANI) Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. A U.S. Capitol Police officer shoots pepper spray at a protester attempting to enter the Capitol building during a joint session of Congress in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via Reuters) 25 Domestic Terrorism Investigations Opened in Connection With US Capitol Breach Law enforcement officials have opened at least 25 domestic terrorism cases related to the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building. U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a member of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, during a phone call that at least 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened as a result of the assault on the Capitol, according to the Democratic lawmakers notes from their conversation. The Army confirmed to The Epoch Times that the account of the discussion was correct. Crow said McCarthy told him that the Pentagon was aware of further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists in the days up to and including the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20. The Department of Defense is working local and federal law enforcement to coordinate security preparation, after what McCarthy described as deficient law enforcement threat reporting ahead of Wednesdays joint session of Congress that saw lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence counting electoral votes. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has called on the Department of Homeland Security to increase security measures ahead of Bidens inauguration. Long guns, Molotov cocktails, explosive devices, and zip ties were recovered, which suggests a greater disaster was narrowly averted, Crows notes state. Protesters storm the Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Ahmed Gaber/Reuters) Workers begin to clean up the debris and damage caused by protesters at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 7, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) Thousands of protesters followed Trump to gather around the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon after his speech outside the White House, during which he asked protesters to peaceful and patriotically make your voices heard at the Capitol and urged Vice President Mike Pence to send contested Electoral College votes back to state legislatures. Both of these things did not happen. Acts of violence and lawlessness that transpired as some rioters and protesters decided to unlawfully enter the Capitol building as the majority of Trump supporters rallied outside. The breach of the Capitol disrupted debates in both the House and Senate as lawmakers were forced to shelter in place as police and security attempted to seize back control of the situation. Four people were confirmed dead on Capitol grounds late Wednesday, among whom was a woman who died from being shot inside the Capitol building. The D.C. Police Department identified her as 35-year-old Ashley Babbitt (also slept Ashli) of Huntington, Maryland. The department said the three others died in separate medical emergencies. They were 50-year-old Benjamin Philips of Pennsylvania, 55-year-old Kevin Greeson of Alabama, and 34-year-old Rosanne Boyland of Georgia. A U.S. Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, also died due to injuries while on duty responding to the unrest. The U.S. Capitol Police Department (USCP) confirmed in a statement that he died at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. His death will be investigated by the D.C. Police Departments Homicide Branch, the USCP, and its federal partners. According to Crows notes, the Pentagon made several attempts to offer National Guard resources to the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police and U.S. Capitol Police before the breach. The department repeatedly were told no additional resources needed. Due to a lack of coordination and preparation, there was not a functioning operations center in the Pentagon to manage [National Guard] presence and direct additional resources amid the breach, Crow said. Separately, the Justice Department said that two more people have been charged in connection with the Capitol breach. Larry Rendell Brock from Texas and Eric Gavelek Munchel from Tennessee were both charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. They were both charged in a federal court. Janita Kan and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Syracuse, NY Utica resident William Billy Leary said he decided on a whim to drive to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to support President Trumps protest against the national election. Leary, 54, who runs a manufactured home business in Utica, started out so late, he said, that he missed Trumps incendiary speech Wednesday that fueled a riot at the U.S. Capitol. Leary, like many Trump supporters, claims the election was stolen through widespread voter fraud in numerous states, though such allegations have been discredited as baseless by court challenges and recounts. He told the Associated Press he distrusts mainstream media and relies on sources like conspiracy theorist Alex Jones InfoWars. I wanted to go down for support, for election fraud, Leary told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard today. I didnt go down there to rumble. By the time he reached the D.C. area, around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, radio announcers were already talking about protesters breaching the Capitol defenses, Leary said. He kept going, anyway. Im going to keep myself away from that, Leary said he told himself. But within hours, Leary became one of 71 people arrested on local District of Columbia charges, accused of violating curfew and unlawfully entering public property, a misdemeanor. A dozen or so others so far are facing more serious federal charges stemming from the storming of the Capitol. 42 US Capitol lockdown: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol Leary faces several months in jail if convicted of unlawful entry, though its unlikely hed spend any more time in jail for a misdemeanor. Leary spent the better part of a day in custody. His cell phone was confiscated as evidence. He says he never got to make a phone call in custody or heard his Miranda rights. They treated us like animals, he told the AP. They took all our phones. I didnt get to make a phone call to tell anybody where I was. In the end, Leary maintained to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that he wasnt part of the problem during the Capitol riots. Its crazy, I didnt enter anywhere, Leary insisted. But he was arrested, anyway, because he was out after a 6 p.m. emergency curfew and because, authorities say, he refused to leave government property, the Capitol grounds, despite public announcements ordering people to leave. Leary says he remained in the crowd outside the Capitol Wednesday evening and never saw any more violence than a shoving match or two. Where I was it was peaceful, he said. It was patriots there, speaking their voice. But word came back that a woman had been shot. Thats about the time, Leary said, that he decided to leave. There is no allegation that Leary entered the Capitol building or participated in any violence, according to court documents. Instead, he was arrested at 7:15 p.m. -- after the insurrection had ended -- by authorities looking to enforce strict rules to avoid further pandemonium, according to court records. He was near the Peace Monument, which borders the Capitol grounds, police said. Leary says he came back to the Capitol area briefly to say goodbye to people hed met. Thats when he was arrested. An officer wrote in court papers that the group was ordered to go inside three times over the course of several minutes. Leary admits that he violated curfew, believing that he might be detained for a few hours and get fined. But his trouble got worse when he discovered that he was also charged with unlawfully entering public grounds, a misdemeanor. Law enforcement at the scene told him that orders to leave had been made to the public over a bullhorn; Leary maintains he didnt hear the orders or they didnt happen. Leary was restrained with zip ties and loaded on a bus to an inmate processing center. There, authorities took his cell phone (for evidence) and his shoelaces (to keep him from doing harm) among other personal items, before driving them off to a D.C. jail. On Thursday, Leary appeared virtually before a judge for arraignment. Like in many criminal arraignments, he had no chance to talk to a lawyer beforehand. One spoke on his behalf, entering a not-guilty plea and setting the stage for legal arguments down the road. The judge made it clear, Leary said: he was to be out of the District of Columbia by 7:30 p.m. Thursday. He didnt quite make it: he still needed to take a subway and a bus to get his confiscated belongings from a police precinct. He made it back to his truck after 8 p.m. Thursday. On the drive back, he dropped off a fellow protester hed met in New York City. Hes due back to a D.C. court in June. Leary is still upset that he never got to make a jailhouse phone call and never got his cell phone back. Leary said the fallout from what protesters did is still sinking in. But, he said, whoever stormed the Capitol should probably face consequences. This had gone too far, he said. This was supposed to be a rally. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070. Hammer's name was trending on social media on Sunday as a series of graphic Instagram DMs he allegedly penned to a woman were leaked publicly The 34-year-old actor's alleged direct messages have not been verified Hammer has not yet spoken out publicly, despite multiple requests for comment The anonymous woman behind the leak shared a picture she claims to have received of the actor, showing his tattooed hand The image shared shows a male's hand splayed out across a script on a wooden table, and purports to have been sent from Hammer's Instagram account Hammer has a similar looking tattoo on his finger, having previously had the initials of his ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers inked on his ring The leaked DMs include accounts of sex acts, cannibalism and rape fantasies Fans of the Call Me By Your Name star, 34, have voiced skepticism over the authenticity of the messages, insisting they appear to be fake A screenshot was circulating on social media across Monday that appeared to show the House of Effie account admitting 'it's all fake' in a private message The woman behind House of Effie has denied ever admitting that her claims were 'fake', insisting that 'Charmies' - Hammer's fans - had photoshopped it A woman who has accused Armie Hammer of sending vile Instagram messages based on cannibalism and rape, claims a photo of his tattooed hand proves he is responsible. Hammer, 34, began trending on Twitter on Sunday night after a series of screenshots showing graphic messages he'd allegedly penned to a woman were leaked by the anonymous, now-private Instagram account, House of Effie. ADVERTISEMENT The messages, said to be sent between 2016 and February 2020, include conversations about BDSM, in addition to numerous sexual references to cannibalistic acts and blood-sucking. In one message, the actor allegedly writes to the woman: 'I am 100% a cannibal. I want to eat you.' 'F**k. That's scary to admit,' the message continues. 'I've never admitted that before.' The messages have not yet been verified and Hammer is still yet to speak publicly on the matter, despite multiple requests for comment. However, in an attempt to prove their authenticity, the anonymous woman behind the leak has shared a photo she claims to have received during her purported exchange with Hammer, which shows a tattoo on his ring finger. The image shared shows a male's hand splayed out across a script on a wooden table, and purports to have been sent from Hammer's Instagram account in an undated message. Hammer has a similar looking tattoo on his finger, having previously had the initials of his ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers inked on his ring finger shortly after they married in October 2010, according to Vogue. The woman has also shared a photo she claims to have received from Hammer during her purported exchange with him, showing a tattoo on his ring finger Hammer has a similar looking tattoo on his finger An image of Hammer's hand is seen above The leaked DMs, alleged to be from Armie's Instagram account, also include graphic accounts of sex acts and the message: 'I am 100% a cannibal' The pair were still married at the time the alleged messages from Hammer were apparently sent to the woman. They announced their divorce after 10 years in the summer of 2020. Fans of the Call Me By Your Name star, 34, have voiced skepticism over the authenticity of the messages, insisting they appear to be fake, according to a report from Just Jared. DailyMail.com has reached out to Hammer's reps for comment but has not yet received a response. ADVERTISEMENT A screenshot was circulating on social media across Monday that appeared to show the House of Effie account admitting 'it's all fake ... but it was funny, wasn't it?' in a private message conversation. Click here to resize this module However, when quizzed by the celebrity gossip page Deuxmoi, the woman behind the account denied ever admitting that her claims were 'fake', insisting that 'Charmies' - Hammer's fans - had photoshopped the message. House of Effie then continued to share correspondences she says were sent to her and other women by Hammer throughout the afternoon. Writer Jessica Ciencin Henriquez, who was spotted out with Hammer in September last year, took to Twitter on Monday to express that she believed the screenshots shared by House of Effie 'are real'. 'If you are still questioning whether or not those Armie Hammer DMs are real (and they are) maybe you should start questioning why we live in a culture willing to give abusers the benefit of the doubt instead of victims,' she wrote. New look: In the wake of allegations that Armie Hammer has sent women creepy messages, social media users are looking at an old Elle magazine interview with new perspective A screenshot was circulating on social media across Monday that appeared to show the House of Effie account admitting 'it's all fake' However, when quizzed by the celebrity gossip page Deuxmoi (seen right), the woman behind the account denied ever admitting that her claims were 'fake', insisting that 'Charmies' - Hammer's fans - had photoshopped the message Writer Jessica Ciencin Henriquez, who was spotted out with Hammer in September last year, took to Twitter on Monday to express that she believed the screenshots shared by House of Effie 'are real' The initial messages were leaked over the weekend, when the anonymous woman said she shared a video that referenced her alleged interactions with Hammer, prompting other women to come forward with similar stories. One exchange, alleged to be from December 2019 reads: 'I'd chase you down and pounce on you so fast if you tried to walk away. 'Fuuuuu**. You'll need something strong to hold me back from you.' An audio clip has also surfaced on Twitter, which purports to document Hammer speaking in reference to 'risque' messages he'd sent to someone in the midst of a 'kink-based' relationship. In the clip, the male voice is heard saying: 'They were very risque dms with someone I was involved with in very much a sort of kink-based relationship, if you will. ADVERTISEMENT 'So a lot of s**t was said that also most people dont relate to. Its kink, its niche, its fetish so thats bad. 'So if that wasnt bad enough, imagine this: Youre having sex with someone and you say something in the heat of the moment if someone comes up to you and says Oh my god, I heard you said this out of context, out of the heat of the moment, out of that safe place where it sounds perfect to say - its a little cringey.' Hammer previously made headlines of a similar nature in 2017, after he liked a series of tweets about BDSM sex acts. A screenshot from a conversation purported to be from December 2019 shown above Time of change: Hammer and Elizabeth Chambers announced they were splitting up this past July. They were snapped in Hollywood in 2018 Hammer, best known for his acclaimed role in 2017's Call Me By Your Name, has appeared in recent years in films including On the Basis of Sex, Sorry to Bother You and the upcoming Death on the Nile. In an interview with Playboy magazine in 2013, he lifted the lid on his 'wild' sexual habits with women in previous relationships, telling the outlet: 'Well, if youre married to a feminist as I am, then its. I dont know how much we can put here without my parents being embarrassed, but I used to like to be a dominant lover. 'I liked the grabbing of the neck and the hair and all that. But then you get married and your sexual appetites change. And I mean that for the better - its not like Im suffering in any way. But you cant really pull your wifes hair. It gets to a point where you say, I respect you too much to do these things that I kind of want to do.' Hammer later blamed what he called 'over-sharing' about his past sexual exploits on alcohol. 'Let's just say hindsight is 20/20. Don't drink during an interview,' he told E! News. However, in an interview with Elle later the same year, he claimed a former girlfriend once tried to stab him in bed. 'One chick tried to stab me when we were having sex,' Hammer said. 'I should so not be telling this story. She was like, "True love leaves scars. You don't have any." And then she tried to stab me with a butcher knife,' he added. 'Of course I promptly broke up with her...seven months later.' Busy: Hammer, best known for his acclaimed role in 2017's Call Me By Your Name, has appeared in recent years in films including On the Basis of Sex, Sorry to Bother You and the upcoming Death on the Nile Trending: As Armie became a trending topic on Twitter, many debated the authenticity of the DMs The star and estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers, 38, split this past July after 10 years of marriage; they are parents to two children, daughter Harper, six, and son Ford, three. Late last month, he traveled to the Cayman Islands to reunite with his family, quarantining for the requisite 14-day period prior to reuniting with his children. The actor has been posting updates from his Cayman Islands trips in recent weeks, including a shirtless video of himself enjoying a drink on Christmas Eve. He also shared a snap on the beach with friends and family as he rang in the New Year in the idyllic spot, adding that 'as a New Years resolution I will not be posting pictures of my children for their safety and for their well-being.' Armie quit Twitter in 2017 after a 'bitter AF' Buzzfeed article was written about him. But the actor rejoined the social networking site in January 2018, joking alcohol may have had something to do with his decision. 'They should put a blood alcohol measuring device on cell phones to keep you from drunkenly reactivating your Twitter...' wrote The Social Network star. Within a day of reactivating, Hammer was already getting into online squabbles. One user tagged the father-of-two in a tweet that claimed that Hammer's 'Oscar campaign crashed and burned'. The California native retorted: 'Your tweet got one like... doesn't seem like you can do much of anything.' Social media fan: The actor has been posting updates from his Cayman Islands trips in recent weeks, including a shirtless video of himself enjoying a drink on Christmas Eve Quit: Armie quit Twitter in 2017 after a 'bitter AF' Buzzfeed article was written about him, but rejoined in January 2018, joking alcohol may have had something to do with his decision Fights: Within a day of reactivating, Hammer was already getting into online squabbles Armie previously discussed quitting Twitter while speaking to Vulture in November 2017, after being embarrassed by a clip of him dancing in Call Me by Your Name went viral. 'Anytime I would open up my Twitter, it was just a ton of that,' he said, 'and I was like, 'Nope, I can't have my nose rubbed in this anymore. I'm out!'' In October Armie opened up about the restless early days of the coronavirus pandemic, and how he sought help. The 34-year-old actor, chatting with British GQ's Heroes series, said he was not in a good place earlier in the year amid international shutdowns in response to the spread of COVID-19. 'I think like everyone else on the planet, I felt like the rug was ripped from under my feet,' said the Santa Monica, California native. 'And I felt like I could feel it happening in slow-motion, like the rug was just being ripped from my feet and I was falling face-first and I was gonna smash my face on the ground. 'I felt like I was in a state of like, free fall almost, like it was just, it was really difficult.' Ready for 2021: Armie's first tweet of the year was a rousing declaration reading 'I'm the boss of my own year' The actor, who had spent the earlier part of the lockdown in the Cayman Islands, acknowledged his privileged lifestyle in saying his wealthy background did not diminish the mental anguish he was experiencing. 'I know there are people that had it way harder than I did,' he said, 'but its all subjective, you can only deal with your own reality and mine was felt like it was falling apart.' He added: Thats a really kind of scary place but at the same time its a place of change in change is the only universal constant. Change is scary, but at the same time, change always precipitates growth and it was the time to grow.' The On the Basis of Sex actor said he felt the lockdown, which caused many to hunker down in their homes, presented either 'a time to grow or a time to implode,' and that 'without paying attention,' he 'started down the path down completely imploding.' Hammer said he'd let his 'mental health lapse' in 'allowing [himself] to end up in positions or situations that [he] knew were detrimental.' He said change came in the form of a wake up call he had, and that he finally reached out for help. 'I had a very intense wake up call one day and I realize that I needed more help than I realized,' he said. 'So I called a friend of mine, Brendan, who works in mental health and I was like, "Dude, its not good. Its not good for me," and he goes, "I know, its not good for anyone," and I go, "Yeah, but really not good for me, like Im having a really hard time. I dont know what the answer to this is."' ADVERTISEMENT Hammer said his friend 'ended up getting [him] on the phone with a therapist who [he] started working with multiple times a week just to get me through sort of like the crisis aspect of what was going on.' Earning more than VND20 million (US$864) a month, many young Vietnamese people choose to spend their fortune on experiences instead of saving for houses or cars. Who doesn't like a proper place to live and a sleek car to drive?" 32-year-old Nguyen Hong Quan, currently working in communications in Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. "It was also a goal that I lived up to. "After realizing my friends jostled in a rat race and gave up all their hobbies just to have a house, I chose the other way around. Experiences or materials Securing a stable job with a good salary after graduation and opening his own shop, Quan has done well for himself, but instead of saving up for an apartment, he spends it all on traveling. For the past decade, I have had at least one trip per month, either a costly one at VND20-30 million [$864-1,295] each or on a tight budget of VND2-3 million [$86-130], he said. To Quan, it is a great luck to have companions who cannot only be together on the way but also share the same core values. Working hard to earn up to VND30 million per month, 27-year-old Hien Ngan changes jobs frequently. She has never stayed at one company for more than two years as she quits her job for every trip that takes months. I have worked at different start-up companies at which working overtime is just common," she said. "The lifespan of these jobs is short, only one to two years. "Therefore, there were months when I was flooded in work and others when I traveled two or maybe three times. Ngan is not among tech geeks who spend their money on gadgets, for most of her income is poured into trips. For every person, there is a choice In our time, everything is different from our parents old norms. Who knows how it will be tomorrow?" Quan said. "It will be never enough. "When you have one, you want some more. "I have witnessed a lot of my friends being trapped in those vicious circles but it may be their goals which keep them up every day." His goal is to experience, live in different places, and bring joys to parents. Although owning private vehicles is common sense in Vietnam, Quan got used to riding public transit. The simple joy of walking and commuting by bus inspired him to sell his own motorbike, leaving days of crawling in chaotic flows of traffic behind. Quan can now simply lock his room and go on a trip for a couple of months without worrying about robbery. His biggest saving is VND100 million ($4,318) he put aside to change his job and moving home. Several years ago, Quan planned to come back to his hometown to take care of his parents. When my parents were still healthy, I brought them to Thailand and Indonesia every year," he said. "The list of countries we expected to travel together was long if my mom did not suffer walking abnormalities. "My plan to come back home also had to start earlier. Although Hien Ngan said she was not the type of child that parents could show off to neighbors yet, she was still proud of sending home money. Whenever Ngan quits a job, there are a bunch of questions waiting for her to answer, on her next destination or upcoming plans. I gave up planning my own life, having a house at 27 or a baby at 30, for example," she said. "It does not mean I lose control or become indifferent. "I simply stop expecting things to happen as I want it to be. Ngan added trips helped her to expand her horizons and open up more opportunities. Eager to change Besides her main job, Ngan is also a freelancer working on different commissions when traveling or during slow days. It is another advantage of people having itchy feet," she said. "Not having a lot of assets yet I am not afraid of changes and know how to be flexible to survive. Quan, on the other hand, carefully researches insurance packages, especially those for travelers. Health is what costs the most when it's at risk," he said. "Being aware of this, I always have regular check-ups, eat carefully, and buy insurance for my long-distance, weekly trekking trips. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As a lifelong champion of workers and workers rights in Oregon, I have long believed that all workers should be allowed to join unions. That belief includes those in public safety organizations inclusive of those involved in firefighting, corrections and law enforcement. I do not want to live in a community without adequately funded police protection. I also dont want to live in a community where for whatever reason, law enforcement is encouraged to look the other way when or if those who serve are intent on breaking the laws they are sworn to uphold. Police forces across this great country of necessity must continue, sustaining the respect of the citizens they serve. As benevolent members of their communities, law enforcement must insist and enforce lawful accountability among and within their ranks with the same verve and dedication applied to all. Unions, which have served as vanguards for protection, defense and safety of their law enforcement personnel and employee rights can and should challenge itself to offer additional leadership and training to assure that their members fully uphold, without question, all of the laws they are sworn to enforce. Irv Fletcher, Woodburn Fletcher is president emeritus of the Oregon AFL-CIO. On behalf of past and present Friends of the Napa River, we want to acknowledge the tremendous contribution Mayor Jill Techel has made to the Napa community during her decades of service. She began her public service as a board member for the Napa Valley Unified School District. She was then appointed to Napa's City Council in 1996 after the death of Mayor Ed Solomon. In 2005 she was elected mayor of the city of Napa, a role she has held until retiring last month. Mayor Jill's leadership style has been one of collaboration: listening, researching and then acting with integrity. During her 24 years, Napa has seen many challenges: flooding, fires, earthquakes, recessions and now COVID-19. Whenever a crisis arose, she "showed up" with actions and compassion to help our community get through it. She was instrumental in procuring funding for the Flood Control Project through active persuasion locally, in Sacramento and Washington D.C. She had the vision and knowledge of how beneficial "A Living River" Flood Project would be to the city of Napa and Napa County. Amid the border dispute with China, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is on a two-day visit to eastern Ladakh to assess and review ground requirements of the force deployed at forward locations in freezing temperatures. He will be briefed by 14 Corps commander and other commanders on the ground. This comes soon after his visit to forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh. Gen Rawat had visited forward air bases in Arunachal Pradesh and interacted with soldiers of the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Special Frontier Force deployed there. He also visited forwardmost air maintained posts in Dibang Valley and Lohit sector of Arunachal Pradesh. Gen Rawat has completed one year as Chief of Defence Staff. On the current standoff with China, last year General Rawat had reiterated that India has military options to deal with the Chinese on the issue of transgressions if talks between both countries at the military and diplomatic level do not yield results. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 [January 11, 2021] Sisu Honored as a Best Place to Work in San Francisco 2021 by Built In SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sisu , the fastest and most comprehensive augmented analytics platform, today announced it has been awarded Built Ins 2021 Best Places To Work. Specifically, Sisu earned a place on Built In San Franciscos list of Best Small Businesses to Work For. The annual awards include companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, nationally and in the eight largest tech markets, and recognizes meaningful cultures that are adapting to changing employee needs in a dynamic economy. Were proud to receive this honor from Built In, says Peter Bailis, CEO and Founder of Sisu. I feel privileged to work alongside the amazing, multidisciplinary team weve assembled. Together, were building a team, product, and culture that is changing the way our customers put their data to use on a daily basis. Built In determines winners for the Best Places to Work using company data around compensatin, benefits and cultural programs. To reflect the attributes candidates are searching for on Built In today, this years program weighted criteria more heavily, like remote opportunities and programs for diversity, equity and inclusion. These companies raise the bar for cultural excellence and the ability to adapt to meet changing needs of employees," says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. The 2021 winners show a commitment not just to creating meaningful cultures but to delivering talent needs as they change in a dynamic landscape. Were thrilled to extend our congratulations to the winners. Tech professionals rely on Built Ins Best Places to Work lists to discover employers that align with their preferences, passions, and values. Since its inception three years ago, the award has expanded in reach, from online views of tens of thousands to just under 1 million views today. Sisu plans to hire at least 25 new employees across engineering, product, design, and go-to-market teams in the first half of 2021. To review open positions, review job listings here: https://sisudata.com/company/#jobPostings ABOUT SISU Sisu is the fastest, most comprehensive augmented analytics platform that helps analysts understand why key business metrics are changing. Based on years of research at Stanford University and proven at scale at Microsoft and Facebook, Sisu uses machine learning and powerful statistical analysis to help data teams spend less time in repetitive, manual analysis and more time making actionable, data-informed decisions. To learn more about Sisu, visit www.sisudata.com . MEDIA CONTACT Natalie Younger, On Behalf of Sisu E: sisu@merrittgrp.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] News Las Vegas, Nevada - The Justice Department announced today that it has opened an investigation into the use of pepper spray at two juvenile correctional facilities run by the Nevada Juvenile Justice Services Agency: the Nevada Youth Training Center and the Summit View Youth Center. The investigation will examine whether staff at the two facilities use pepper spray in a manner that violates youths rights under the Constitution. The department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Both statutes give the department the authority to investigate systemic violations of the constitutional rights of young people in juvenile detention and correctional facilities. The departments work has led to important reforms to protect the rights of young people housed in those facilities. The Civil Rights Divisions Special Litigation Section is conducting this investigation. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at 1- 833-591-0426 Advertisement Israel has vaccinated more than 20 percent of its population against COVID-19, leaving the rest of the world - including the US and the UK - in its dust. The small nation has deployed its military to help run mass vaccination sites 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a result, it has vaccinated 1.8 million out of its population of 8.65 million residents, according to data tracking by Bloomberg News - and Israel began its vaccine rollout about a week after the US and the UK did. The US lags shamefully behind. With 8.02 million doses administered, according to Bloomberg tracking, less than 2.5 percent of all Americans have been vaccinated through a disjointed set of state-run programs, which are so rigid that doses go unused because an 'eligible' recipient can't be found, as happened in New York. Some elite institutions rare going rogue, however, with vaccines going to young programmers and graduates who are far from the front lines at places like Columbia University, New York University and Vanderbilt University, the New York Times revealed. Vaccination is struggling to keep up with the spread of the virus in the US. Nearly 214,000 new cases were reported yesterday, as well as 3,233 deaths, bringing the total fatalities to nearly 375,000. More than 22 million Americans have been infected. While Israel is moving onto second doses for nearly all its highest priority groups, the US has only administered some 150,000 second doses, according to the Times. Only an average of about 200,000 Americans have received vaccines a day since the rollout started on December 14 (though the pace is gradually picking up) with more doses shipped to states than they can work out how to give, with West Virginia and South Dakota leading the pack and vaccinating five percent of their populations, while Mississippi, Alabama and Nevada struggle to make it over one percent. The UK has the opposite problem. Vaccination sites hope to give a jab every 45 seconds - but keep running out of doses. Just three percent of people there have been vaccinated - only slight ahead of the US rate. By contrast, Israel vaccinated more than 300,000 people in the last 24 hours, according to Our World in Data. What distinguishes Israel's plan? It still aims to get the shot to the most vulnerable people first, but has defined that broadly - including anyone over 60, health care workers and anyone with underlying conditions, a highly-coordinated effort and an information campaign that generated trust among even hard-to-reach groups, an official told CNBC. Israel has raced ahead of the rest of the world in its effort to vaccinate its population. Already, 20% of people there (top, yellow) have had at least one dose, while fewer than 2.5% of people in the US have had theirs (lavender) BEST AND WORST: States with flexible plans, like West Virginia and the Dakotas (dark red) have vaccinated about five percent of their populations, while Alabama, Nevada and Louisiana have barely surpassed one percent of the state vaccinated The US quickly shipped out doses of its vaccines, with more than 22 million distributed, but many states, including California, Texas and Florida have more than a million doses sitting unused WHAT IS ISRAEL DOING RIGHT? A NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND A BROAD GROUP OF TOP-PRIORITY VACCINE RECIPIENTS ARE SETTING ITS FAST PACE Israel's small size gives it an immediate leg-up in the race to get citizens vaccinated. With 331 million people living in the US, the American initiative has more than 38-times as many people to vaccinate as Israel. But the smaller nation also has nationalized health systems and a unified method for tracking medical records and vaccines. Israel's system for registering everyone's health information makes it far easier to notify people that it's their turn to get shots and when it's time to come for a booster vaccine. Already, Israel has vaccinated almost all of its highest-priority residents - a broad group that includes over-60s, health care workers and those with underlying conditions. Elderly inmates are the only group listed as high-priority who have not widely already received their first shots, according to the Jerusalem Post. The country is well-positioned to hit its goal of vaccinating two million people by the end of January. At long last, the US is setting up mass 'vaccination superstations' like this one in San Diego in an effort to speed the rollout Israel considered all people over 75 to be top-priority, meaning it was able to quickly roll out its vaccines in organized, drive-thru sites The pace of Israel's vaccine rollout has only increased week over week, while other nations' programs remain flat In fact, the rollout of its vaccine doses went so smoothly that it was desperate to buy more to keep up its breakneck pace. Another 700,000 doses are due to arrive in Israel on Monday, facilitating its plan to expand vaccinations to people 55 and older. On Tuesday, teachers will be able to get first vaccinations too, so long as they present a recent pay slip. One criticism of Israel has been leveled against it by human rights groups: Israel is not including nearly five million Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in its vaccination plan, despite the wild-fire spread of coronavirus cases in the latter, according to the Washington Post. WHAT IS THE US DOING WRONG? 50 DIFFERENT PLANS AND RIGID PLANS IN STATES LIKE NY HAVE SEEN JUST 2.5% OF AMERICANS VACCINATED Americans are furious over the glacial pace of the US COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Only eight million people have gotten their first vaccine doses according to Bloomberg's tracker. That is a sorry showing, considering that Operation Warp Speed officials spent months promising that 20 million people would get their first doses before the end of 2020. Now, nearly two weeks into 2021, fewer than half that many doses have been given out. More than 22.1 million doses have been distributed to states, but in most they have hit massive bottlenecks. New York, for example, has given out just 46 percent of the 1.2 million doses sent there by the federal government. Governor Andrew Cuomo, who became something of a self-appointed poster boy for COVID-19 pandemic response after New York got its massive outbreak under control, came under fire last week for the poor rollout of vaccines in his state. New York's vaccination plan was so rigid about giving out no doses to lower priority groups until all health care workers had gotten theirs that four doses had to be thrown out in Harlem last week, and the rollout slowed to a crawl. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo finally said Friday he would expand vaccine eligibility to over-75s, first responders and transit workers, beginning Monday Uncertainty still looms about who qualified and lines for vaccination hundreds of people long stretch down New York City blocks Under pressure from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and public health experts - not to mention his constituents - Cuomo finally announced the expansion of eligibility to all New Yorkers 75 or older, teachers and school staff, first responders like firefighters and police and transit workers. The rule-change took effect Monday. New York City also set up mass vaccination locations over the weekend, in Brooklyn and the Bronx, which opened Sunday. The mass sites were open for part of the day on Sunday before they start operating round the clock, seven days a week on Monday as part of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to set up 250 vaccination locations to meet the ambitious goal of inoculating one million New Yorkers by the end of the month. Three other smaller sites also opened on Sunday in Brooklyn, the Bronx and in Queens. In New York, like in much of the United States, efforts to get the two vaccines that have so far been authorized into the arms of Americans have moved slower than hoped due to a slew of issues. They included strict rules controlling who should get inoculated first, with some healthcare workers at the front of the line declining the shots, and a lack of planning or direction on the federal level. As of early Sunday, New York City had administered 203,181 doses of the vaccines to its residents out of more than 524,000 doses that have been delivered, data from the city's health department showed. By Monday morning, 400 NYPD officers had already gotten their first shots, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a statement. US BEGINS TO WIDEN PRIORITY GROUPS TO SPEED VACCINATIONS - BUT STATES LIKE WEST VIRGINIA ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff should have priority for the limited supply of vaccines. The agency softened that guidance on Friday, recommending that states move to those next on the list - people over age 75 and so called 'essential' workers - to accelerate lagging vaccination programs. Some states, including West Virginia North Dakota and Connecticut, foresaw the need for flexible vaccination plans. West Virginia has used more than 70 percent of its vaccine doses and vaccinated five percent of its population - about twice the rate the US is vaccinating people as a whole. It, like Connecticut, considered a broad swath of people eligible in the first wave of vaccines. West Virginia has also tapped up local, trusted pharmacies to vaccinate nursing home patients, while every other state is doing so through the federal partnerships with Walgreens and CVS. At elite institutions like Vanderbilt University (front-line staff members pictured after getting their COVID-19 shots) are giving shots to staff members who are not front line workers as well, in an effort to speed the rollout and avoid wasting doses, though the Tennessee health department says the doses should got to other priority groups Connecticut considered everyone from health care workers to school custodians to-priority vaccine recipients. Crucially, when on vaccination site has leftover doses, the state has a plan to redistribute those to another, to ensure they don't go to waste. Connecticut ranks fifth in the nation, using up 65 percent of the doses allocated to it and has vaccinated 3.26 percent of its population against COVID-19. At the back of the pack are Arkansas, Massachusetts and Mississippi. They have each used just a third of their vaccine doses. North Carolina and Virginia both set one-day records for new cases on Saturday. They are among 22 states that have set records for daily infections this month, and health experts warn new variants of the virus may lead to an even greater surge in infections. A highly transmissible variant of the novel coronavirus first detected in the United Kingdom in December has now been found in at least nine US states, adding further urgency to the push to vaccinate more people. Dr Scott Gottlieb, former head of the US Food and Drug Administration who sits on the board of Pfizer Inc which makes one of the U.S. authorized vaccines, warned of the need for a better system to detect and combat new COVID-19 variants from the UK and South Africa. 'We're going to have to update our vaccines and our antibody drugs and other therapeutics regularly to keep up with these new variants as they emerge,' Gottlieb said in an interview with CBS' 'Face the Nation' on Sunday. Bracewell (UK) LLP has announced that Tom Jamieson, Jo En Low and Gordon Stewart have joined the London office as partners in the firms global energy practice. The trio joins Bracewell from Clifford Chance LLP, where they spent the last decade working together as an established cross-practice team advising clients on renewable energy and power transactions across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Im excited to welcome this dynamic team to the firm, said Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. Their diverse experience on market-leading renewable energy projects and transactions strengthens our ability to serve the needs of our energy clients throughout the world. Jamieson brings extensive project development and finance experience to the firm, with a focus on power, energy transition and low carbon projects. He advises developers, financial investors, banks and multilaterals on all aspects of the project cycle, from structuring and negotiating the commercial contracts through to financing, refinancing and divesting relevant assets. Jamieson is a graduate of University of St. Andrews. Low is an M&A/private equity lawyer with a focus on advising private equity and other financial investors as well as fund-owned businesses on renewable energy transactions. She advises on the establishment of fund-owned renewable energy platforms, joint venture/consortium arrangements, management incentive arrangements, and the corporate structuring and development of renewable energy projects, as well as the acquisition and disposal of fund-owned portfolios of renewable energy assets. Low is a graduate of the University of New South Wales and Columbia Law School. Stewart is an energy infrastructure lawyer with a focus on advising financial investors, private equity houses, and corporates and their banks and funders on renewable energy and power transactions. He has worked on several first of their kind transactions, advising clients on their acquisitions, joint development arrangements and financing of renewable and low carbon assets, as well as related energy infrastructure. Stewart is a graduate of St. Catharines College, University of Cambridge. Bracewells London office has established itself as one of a very small group of leading firms in the oil and gas sector. Tom, Jo En and Gordon have different but complimentary practices. With their addition to our already well-established renewable energy team, we now have depth on the renewable energy side that is the equal of any firm in this market, said Jason Fox, managing partner of Bracewells London office. With one of the largest dedicated energy teams in the world, Bracewell is strongly positioned to advise client on opportunities in the renewable energy space, including in Africa and other emerging markets. The firm recently represented an international investment consortium, comprised of Siraj Energy, Marubeni Corporation and Total Solar, on the development and implementation of the first utility-scale renewables independent power project in Qatar; Fotowatio Renewable Ventures in the first utility-scale renewables project in Armenia and its second utility-scale battery project in the UK; Eni is its acquisition of a 20 percent interest in the worlds largest offshore wind farm project; and Equinor as US counsel in the $1.1 billion agreement to sell BP a 50 percent interest in the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind projects off the US East Coast. The evolving industry requires advisers who are nimble, creative and efficient, thereby maximizing value and certainty for clients, said Jamieson. We wish to build a business focused entirely on our clients, partnering with them to develop and deliver on their long-term strategic objectives, added Low. It is inspiring to be joining an entrepreneurial firm that shares our clients optimism and enthusiasm to pursue the opportunities presented by the energy transition, Stewart added. Bracewell has significantly expanded its global energy team within the last 12 months, including in renewable energy. In addition to Jamieson, Low and Stewart, other recent additions to the firms renewable energy practice include Danielle Garbien and Martha Kammoun in New York, and Don J. Lonczak, Timothy J. Urban and Danielle M. Varnell in Washington, DC. Alistair Calvert joined the London office in November as a partner in the firms international energy disputes practice. Bracewell also expanded its energy offering in Dubai with Andrej Kormuth, who joined the firm from Clifford Chance, and Clint Steyn, who rejoined the firm from Alcazar Energy. -- Tradearabia News Service Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Claudiu Nasui on Monday voiced his determination to facilitate the access of French investors to the Romanian market, by speeding up the debureaucratization process and ensuring a predictable legislative framework, favourable to intra-entrepreneurial initiatives. According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday, Claudiu Nasui had a meeting on Monday with the ambassador of the French Republic in Bucharest, Laurence Auer. "Discussions focused on the priorities of the new Roadmap for the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, signed in October last year. The dialogue partners agreed to continue and update this Partnership in order to strengthen relations between France and Romania and diversify bilateral cooperation at the European level," the press release said.According to the same source, Minister Claudiu Nasui appreciated the French economic presence and the interest of French companies to invest in Romania, which was also expressed by the representatives of the France-Romania Business Council of the French Business Movement (MEDEF), during the Romanian governmental officials' visit to Paris last autumn.At the same time, the two officials agreed to continue the dialogue with French investors at the headquarters of the French Embassy in Bucharest, during a meeting with the latter's representatives, to analyze concrete investment opportunities for French companies in Romania in areas of common interest.The meeting was also attended by Diana Codau, Director General of the General Directorate of Foreign Trade, Savian Boroanca, adviser to the Minister, and Pierre Lignot, Economic Adviser of the French Embassy.In the first nine months of 2020, the volume of bilateral trade was 5.64 billion euros, down 16.7pct over the same period last year, of which exports were 2.94 billion euros and imports 2.7 billion euro.The trade balance registered a surplus for Romania of 232.26 million euros, decreasing from 392.18 million euros in the same period of 2019. These decreases are due to the crisis generated by COVID-19. New Delhi: Actress Malaika Arora took to social media to upload yet another glimpse of her stunning vacation in Goa. She had earlier uploaded a picture in the same outfit which became a sensation on social media. In the new picture she posted, she is wearing a cute neon-green top and is seen relaxing by the pool while she sips on her drink. With her sun-kissed skin glowing in the daylight, she said this is how all Sundays should look like. Malaika clearly loves relaxing on Sundays and gets back to the hustle during the weekdays during which she practices yoga and uploads one pose every week without fail. She captioned her post: "How all sundays should look like ......easy-peasy-breezy...." Take a look at the way the gorgeous actress likes to relax: The actress stayed at her sister's house in Goa with her family and boyfriend Arjun Kapoor. Maliaka, who is known for her impeccable sartorial choices, slayed in her neon green outfit, an off-shoulder bralette with puffy sleeves and high-waisted shorts, with pleated details. The diva teamed the outfit with a gold chain, tinted sunglasses and her hair tied into a neat braid. Pictures of her recent vacation in Goa as well as her yoga-poses posts have been receiving much love from her fans. She has been quite active on social media and has been consistent with her yoga posts, encouraging her fans to try yoga and tag her in their posts if they do. Syracuse, N.Y. Petitions. Phone calls. Email messages. Facebook posts. There are lots of ways Syracuse restaurants and bars currently shut down by Gov. Andrew Cuomos orange zone restrictions have tried to get his attention. Now theyre trying oranges. Its like were just forgotten here, said Stephanie Volles, a bartender at the Rise N Shine diner on Westcott Street in Syracuse. Maybe this will do it. It cant hurt. Volles idea is to send Cuomo a crate of oranges, each marked with a decal, logo or just the handwritten name of a restaurant or bar that has been unable to open for indoor seating since late November. Thats when Cuomo placed the city of Syracuse, and parts of DeWitt, Lyncourt and Solvay in the orange zone, a move he said was based on rising cases of Covid-19 in those areas. Meanwhile, other parts of Onondaga County, including large swaths of the nearby suburbs, are in a yellow zone, which means they can seat people inside up to four to a table. Further out, parts of the county arent in any zone, meaning they can seat up to 12 per table (with masking, social distancing and other restrictions). In recent weeks, restaurants in the orange zone have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of response from the governors office, even as they challenge the logic or fairness of the zones. They argue the zones make no sense since people can just patronize nearby restaurants that are open, often just minutes away. Restaurants in the orange zone are closing up, either permanently or temporarily. Today (Jan. 11), Volles has set up a space inside Rise n Shine, 500 Westcott St., for orange zone restaurant owners or supporters to come and mark their oranges. The effort may continue for the next few days. Then the crate, with 50 or more oranges, will be packed up and sent to Albany. Volles noted that Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh last week sent a letter in support of either lifting the orange zone in the city or putting all of Onondaga County in the yellow zone in the interest of fairness. Cuomo, she noted, said last week he hadnt seen the letter. Does he even remember that he did this? Volles said of the governor, who this week is delivering his annual State of the State address and releasing his proposed 2021 state budget. We really feel like he isnt listening. Elsewhere in the state, restaurants in restrictive zone are pursuing other means to get the governors attention. A group of restaurants in Buffalo has filed a lawsuit challenging the zone, and a ruling is expected this week. In the Elmira area (Chemung County in the Southern Tier), another group of orange restaurants are prepared to open in defiance of the restrictions (adhering to the less restrictive yellow zone rules). The governors office has said the move from an orange zone to the yellow, or other changes, must be tied to both the rate of positive cases and hospital capacity in the region. But state data released last month showed restaurants and bars were responsible for just 1.4% of Covid exposures in September, October and November. The biggest issue, by far, is household/social gatherings, where 73.8% of exposures are linked. Three other factors health care delivery, college students and education workers still ranked ahead of restaurants and bars. (That data was based only on cases that could be traced, or about 20 to 25% of of the total during that period). Were doing, and have been doing, everything we can to comply with all the regulations, said Danielle Mercuri, the owner of Rise n Shine, who allowed Volles the space to run her orange crate project. But not hearing anything for so long is just really frustrating. Please continue to tag and invite any CNY restaurants affected by Orange-Zone regulations. Posted by Stephanie Marie on Saturday, January 9, 2021 MORE ON CNY ORANGE ZONE Syracuse restaurants closed in an orange zone beg Cuomo to let them reopen (video) Struggling CNY restaurant in a Cuomo orange zone: Its a losing battle here Don Cazentre write for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. ASHLAND, Ore. A joint statement from racial justice group Southern Oregon Coalition for Racial Equity (SOEquity) and a local law firm on Monday promised civil action related to the November killing of 19-year-old Aidan Ellison, including several lawsuits. SOEquity and the Law Office of Justin Rosas announced that they would hold a press conference at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Ashland's Railroad Park, alongside Ellison's mother, Andrea Wofford. "At this conference, we will be ocially announcing the formation of an independent civil remedies team, two lawsuits that will be launched on behalf of Aidan and his family, and a Celebration of Life scheduled for Aidan, among other community events and calls to action," the statement reads. RELATED: Growing memorial honors Aidan Ellison Ellison, a young Black man, was gunned down in the parking lot of Ashland's Stratford Inn on November 23. Police arrested 47-year-old Robert Keegan, a white man, who allegedly shot Ellison after the two argued over the volume of the younger man's music. The shooting sparked renewed discourse over the legacy of racism in southern Oregon. The Ashland Police Department requested FBI assistance to evaluate the case for potential bias crime charges, but the agency has maintained that any evidence of racial motivation for Ellison's killing has not been substantiated. "The murder of Aidan Ellison and the biased responses of the local police departments and news outlets has shown a light on the need for a more intentional, equity-focused and community-driven response to instances of racial bias and oppression," SOEquity and Justin Rosas' office said. "That is why we are forming an independent civil remedies team to ensure that instances of violent racism like this in Southern Oregon are addressed not only through the criminal system, but that every avenue - civil, professional, and otherwise are also pursued and pursued vigilantly." RELATED: Community leaders call for criminal justice reform in southern Oregon According to the joint statement, SOEquity and Rosas will be working to train a certied racial equity investigator to respond to cases of racial bias and discrimination. with buy-in from Lawyers for Justice and other local attorneys. "At the press conference, we will make a public call for doctors, writers, nancial advisors, mental health professionals and counselors, journalists, city ocials, lawyers, and other invested community members to join us in creating the most robust team possible," the group said. Period pieces often have charming male leads. But there has yet to be one quite like Netflixs Rege-Jean Page as the sexy and scandalous Simon Basset the Duke of Hastings in the hit show Bridgerton. Seemingly all of Britain (if not the entire world) has noticed it, too. And talk has begun to swirl around the internet that Page would be a fantastic pick for the ultimate debonair role for any actor: James Bond. Earlier this week British gambling agency Ladbrokes even put Pages odds at 5/1 for securing the role as Daniel Craig plans to step down from the post soon. Page even teased fans, sharing this all-too-tempting tweet referencing 007s famous drink order last month. But unfortunately for Bridgerton fans, Page said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, that the Bond talk was all conjecture. I think the internet thinks a lot of things and thats one of the more pleasant ones, Page said in the Jan. 8 interview. He went on to add: If youre a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown that people regard well, you get the B word. Its like a merit badge. For me the 30-year-old Page comes across as a little young on screen to take on the Bond role just yet. Still, he certainly would not be a bad choice. Bridgeton fans can verify that he has the bod for it, having now seen it nearly in its entirety. He has the sultry voice down and we know he can fight. And has anyone else noticed that he has, like, extremely nice teeth? Also, its about time the world had its first Black Bond. According to Variety, however, other actors have a better shot of landing the role than Page. The site reports that Tom Hardy is the most likely choice with 6/4 odds and James Norton comes in second with 7/4 odds. Still, a Black Bond isnt out of the question. Idris Elba comes in with 7/2 odds, according to the report, which I find interesting. Very interesting. The Alabama Legislature has announced more changes in the works to help carry out this years legislative session during the COVID-19 pandemic. The session starts Feb. 2, a date set in the state Constitution. We are doing all we possibly can under these difficult circumstances to protect the public, our staff, and our members, while opening the government for this session with an open, transparent process, Secretary of the Senate Pat Harris said in a press release. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said the House has ruled out moving to a site other than the State House. A task force studied several alternatives. McCutcheon said the House is completing its plans to adapt to the pandemic within the State House. Were working on public access and having that part worked out, McCutcheon said Friday. I think by the time we get through this next week well have a plan in place to do all of our business there at the State House. Members of the public will be required to wear masks in the State House. Walk-through temperature scanners are set up at each public entrance. A thermal scanner is installed on the seventh floor and must be cleared for access to the Senate offices. Senators will have their temperatures checked with hand-held scanners as they enter from the parking deck. In-person meetings will be limited and six-foot social distancing will be required. Hand sanitizer is available from dispensers throughout the building. Appointments will be required for visits to Senate offices. In normal times, lobbyists, school groups, and others can watch the House and Senate from galleries on the sixth floor and the eighth floor overlooking the chambers. Neither will be open to the public this year. There will be other public gathering areas, mostly on the third floor, with monitors for people to watch floor proceedings and committee meetings on monitors. The Legislature is upgrading its external website to enhance streaming video of all business in House and Senate chambers, as well as meetings and hearings in committee rooms around the State House. The bandwidth capacity of the State House WiFi has been more that doubled. McCutcheon said there will be some allowances for public attendance at committee meetings and public hearings. When we get to the point where were having public hearings, and theres a lot of people wanting to speak in meetings, then thats going to limit how much public access we can have in a committee meeting, McCutcheon said. But, for any public hearing that we have, were going to make sure that we accommodate that. Legislative employees will complete a daily health assessment before entering the State House. The health check program was provided through a partnership with between Alabamas Senate, House of Representatives, Legislative Services Agency, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The House will seat representatives in the gallery and other overflow rooms so it can space out its more than 100 members. In December, House Clerk Jeff Woodard demonstrated a new remote system that will let representatives vote and participate in floor debates from the overflow areas. The legislative session can last up to 15 weeks. Last years session was interrupted and cut short by the pandemic, and lawmakers narrowed their focus to the state budgets and local bills. An upgrade of the Legislatures internal computer system is planned for roll out by the opening of the 2022 regular session. An internal system known as the Legislative Information Network Exchange (LINX) will replace the current system. LINX will be cloud-based, with a focus on streamlining the legislative process. McCutcheon said there are no plans for legislators to receive COVID-19 vaccines any earlier than they would individually according to the state guidelines. Were going to fall in line with whatever the regulations are, McCutcheon said. Were not going to try to move ourselves ahead of any front-line workers. Those are the people that are in the trenches. And those are the people who are working up front to try to help those who are sick. January 10, 2021 is the first Chinese People's Police Day. Throughout Anhui Province, police and citizens celebrated it together with a variety of activities. "Ping'an Hefei" subway train started journey from "Happy Dam" station in Hefei Ping'an Hefeisubway train departing "Happy Dam" station On the afternoon of the first Chinese People's police day on January 10, the new themed subway train Ping'an Hefei started its journey at the "Happy Dam" station of Hefei Metro Line 3. More than 50 regular and auxiliary police officers celebrated this special day with various safety promotion activities inside the train compartment. Safety promotion activities in subway trains Safety promotion activities in subway trains Police on campus campaign in Jing County Police officers demonstrating arrest skills A demonstration of the use of model guns To celebrate the arrival of the first Police Day and to further strengthen the relationship between the police and citizens, regular and auxiliary police officers in Jing County, Anhui Province went to a kindergarten during an educational campaign themed "Police on campus", showing teachers and students skills in arrest as well as model gun using and dissembling. Gala on Police Day in Zongyang County Gala performance in Zongyang Gala performance in Zongyang On January 9, a gala performance and an awards ceremony were held in Anhui's Zongyang County. Representatives of retired veteran cadres and of police officers were honored with badges and certificates in recognition of their services during the event. [January 11, 2021] Patron Capital Raises $1.038 Billion (844 Million) for Fund VI Patron Capital, the pan-European institutional investor focused on property-backed investments, has closed its most recent fund, raising 844 million ($1.038 billion), including approximately 128 million ($157 million) of co-investment capital for Patron Capital, L.P. VI ('Fund VI'). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005228/en/ Keith Breslauer, Patron Capital's founder and Managing Director (Photo: Business Wire) Of the total 844 million raised for Fund VI, 83% came from Patron's existing investor base and existing relationships, with the majority of commitments coming from North America, followed by Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Investors included pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations and asset managers. Evercore acted as the primary placement agent. Fund VI will continue the same investment strategy as Patron's previous funds, opportunistically targeting distressed and undervalued investments, directly or indirectly related to property, across Western Europe. The fun will invest in individual properties across a range of sectors, as well as in property-backed corporate investments and credit opportunities. In recent weeks, the Fund has already completed several investments and is in the final stages of closing on several others, using approximately 25% of the Fund's investment capacity. Keith Breslauer, Patron Capital's founder and Managing Director, said: "This is the seventh fund that we have closed in our 21-year history. In this time, we have established a proven track record in identifying opportunities and maximising value, built exceedingly strong relationships and, ultimately, demonstrated that we can deliver attractive returns in any economic environment. This is why we have been able to close this latest fund with such a high proportion of our existing investors and relationships, as well as bring in the final tranche of capital against a backdrop of extreme uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The pandemic has accelerated a number of existing trends across different real estate sectors in Europe, as well as created opportunities to acquire fundamentally sound but mismanaged assets at attractive prices. Our experienced team, granular approach and in excess of 3 billion of firepower means we are well positioned to make the most of these opportunities and we are actively looking to deploy capital." About Patron Capital Patron represents approximately 4.3 billion of capital across several funds and related co-investments, investing in property, corporate operating entities whose value is primarily supported by property assets and distressed debt and credit related businesses. Since it was established in 1999, Patron has undertaken more than 170 transactions across 84 investments and programs involving over 65 million square feet (6 million square metres) in 16 countries, with many of these investments realised. Investors represent a variety of sovereign wealth funds, prominent universities, major institutions, private foundations, and high net worth individuals located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The main investment adviser to the Funds is Patron Capital Advisers LLP, which is based in London, and Patron has other offices across Europe including Barcelona and Luxembourg; the group is comprised of 71 people, including a 40-person investment team. www.patroncapital.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005228/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for plans for a 190m build to rent scheme on lands formerly owned by a nuns order in Dundrum, south Dublin. The appeals board has granted planning to Lioncor Developments in spite of recommendations by its own inspector and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to refuse planning permission as the scheme is on lands zoned as Institutional Lands and didnt provide sufficient open space to comply with that designation. In 2019, it is understood that the Carmelite Order secured up to 35m when it sold eight acres of lands to Lioncor Developments at Dundrum. The board inspector in the case, Lorraine Dockery described the 8.6 acre site as an overgrown field with the site lying to the east and south of Gort Muire, Carmelite convent at Dundrum. In her recommendation to refuse planning permission for the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) 'fast track' plan, Ms Dockery stated due to its excessive scale, massing, development footprint and lack of meaningful open space provision, the proposal fails to comply with the development plan to retain the open character of Institutional Lands. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council outlined seven separate grounds for refusal including a failure of the scheme application concerning the Institutional land designation. The appeals board also received 63 submissions from locals with many voicing concerns over the plan. The decision of the appeals board However, the appeals board gave the scheme the go-ahead after ordering the omission of two of the seven apartments blocks which reduces the number of apartments in the scheme from 628 to 446. The board stated that the incorporation of the areas of the two omitted blocks into public open space would satisfy the requirement to retain the open character of the lands and would provide meaningful open space. The board concluded that the proposal would constitute an acceptable quantum, mix of unit types and density of development in this accessible urban location. The board also said that the proposal would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area and would be acceptable in terms of the open character of the lands as required under the Institutional Lands designation. Details of the planned development The site located at the end of Wyckham Avenue, off Wyckham Way, is a 10-minute walk from Dundrum shopping centre. Planning documents lodged with the application stated that the proposal seeks to deliver a significant quantum of residential development at a zoned residential site that is located within an established suburban location within walking distance of a multitude of services, public transport options and amenities. The report said that the proposed heights and resultant densities are considered to appropriately balance and bridge the conflicting requirements of providing sufficiently high density in this extremely accessible and sustainable site. Making a pitch to dog-lovers, consultants for Lioncor, Global Apartment Advisors (GAA), confirmed that there will be a suite of measures in place for dogs at the apartment complex. These include a dog wash which will be a specific space that will be created for those pet owners who wish to wash their dogs outside their apartment. GAA also stated that a pet/dog run will be provided where an open space will be provided for pets, mainly dogs, to exercise. As part of the plan, the developers are also planning to put in place a roof top gym on one of the blocks that according to GAA will provide gym users inspiring panoramic views across the city while a running track around the site will also be put in place. The GAA document said: The range of amenities being proposed at Marmalade Lane support two important considerations - firstly the promotion of wellness through the encouragement of resident engagement and the formation of a community and secondly the promotion and support of resident health. ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Jacqueline Antonovich thought that she was dusting her fireplace mantle. But in reality, she was dusting off history. The Muhlenberg College history professor, going about her domestic chores last month, noticed something she hadnt before a metal box stowed in the corner of her kitchens stone fireplace. She pulled it out and was, at first, shocked and then delighted. It was covered with a couple of inches of dust, Antonovitch said. I could tell it was back there forever. I pulled it out and wiped off the dust. I was excited to see it was a military first aid kit for gas casualties. I could tell right away it was from World War II and I imagined I would find some old-timey medical supplies that I could use in my teaching. But when she opened up the box, the first thing she saw was a flash of red. I knew immediately what it was, she said. It was a Nazi flag. Horrified, Antonovich was seized by the thought that this home that she and her husband recently bought might have been a haven for a white supremacist. As she pulled out the symbol of hate, she then noticed the writing on the back signatures from the men from the U.S. Armys 385th regiment with a note from one of the signers reading may this flag never fly again. When I unfolded it and saw all of the signatures, it literally took my breath away, Antonovich said. Among the signers was the late John Jack Schallehn of Saratoga Springs. He and the others, one signer noted, captured the enemy flag on March 29, 1945. It doesnt say where they tore down the banner, but military records at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs indicate that on that date his regiment was engaged in house-to-house combat in Kamberg, Germany. All this is news to his nephew Bernie Schallehn of Altamont who said the discovery of the flag, as documented by Antonovich on Twitter, is bringing back fond memories of his Uncle Jack and his four brothers who all served in the military during World War II. Aside from his Uncle Leonard, who was a captured by the Nazis and escaped with the help of the French, he knows little his father Gene and his other uncles war experiences. Rather, he remembers Jack Schallehn as a New York City accountant who would ride home for the holidays on the train, leading his cars passengers in Christmas carols. Uncle Jack was the essence of cool, his nephew said. V-neck sweater, a GQ look, hair parted perfectly. He used to tell my father to come to the city Well go see Babs (Barbra Streisand). But Schallehn had a more sober military life before that. Courtney Burns, director of the Military Museum, who looked up Schallehns record, said at the time Jack Schallehn lived at 10 Russell St. in Saratoga Springs. He entered the Army as a draftee in June 1942, even though he got into some trouble with city police for crashing his car in 1939 on New Year's Eve. He trained at Fort Meade in Maryland where he was assigned to a medical detachment. He then was sent to Billings General Hospital in Montana to train another two months before being sent to Japan. His division the 76th was to be sent to Japan, but was sent instead to France. His regiment eventually crossed the Rhine River to enter Kamberg. He ended his military career as a sergeant and died over two decades ago, family members said. He never married. Antonovich, who would like to see the flag and medical box go to a museum, said she is documenting all the names and plans on setting out to find the relatives of the signers. And while she hasnt yet connected with any of the families most from the northeast her Twitter posts documenting her find have been liked by thousands and has been highlighted in the media. This whole thing has been so interesting, Antonovich said. There is real value in this. As a teacher of history, Im excited about this. For Bernie Schallehn's it means more than that. "I'm proud to know my uncle fought on the front lines," he said. "He's a true patriot and I'm feeling nostaglic about that." Note: Story updated to clarify timeline of Schallehn's service. Fire has swept through some wooden structures serving as makeshift shelters at the Dagombaline slum community in Kumasi in the Ashanti region. The cause of the fire is immediately not known, however, personnel from the fire service have managed to contain the fire from spreading to other wooden structure. At least 20 wooden structures have been burnt down leaving occupants of the structures in the slum homeless. The majority of the wooden structures affected could have been saved if fire personnel at the scene had easy access to the area of the fire. The slum is predominantly occupied by head potters and scrap dealers some of whom were seen trying to salvage properties.This is not the first time one of the biggest slums in the Ashanti region has been gutted by fire. In March 2020, more than 500 slum dwellers in the same area were rendered homeless after fire swept through their wooden structures. Ashanti Regional Coordinator of National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Kwabena Nsenkyire and his team are at the scene to take records of the victim and see how best they can assist them. 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 About 25 years ago, a late friend of mine started a successful information service about U.S.-Mexico trade. He did it by faxing his subscribers a newsletter every Monday morning. It was like getting American Thinker in your fax machine, photos included. My friend even managed to find a few sponsors and get contributors to submit articles. Today, our ability to share information is under attack by Big Tech companies who have a political agenda. Over at Twitter, they ban President Trump, but the Ayatollah is Okay, as Senator Graham posted. Does that make any sense? I agree with our friend Monica Showalter that Twitter may be "cutting its throat" by driving away so much traffic. After all, the people paying for ads want clicks, not virtue-signaling. Like the NBA, Twitter thinks we are stupid and can't live without it. Twitter is no longer hiding its intentions, as David Marcus pointed out: For all its talk about safety, community, and the health of discourse, we see today that Twitter acts in favor of one interest and one interest alone: its own, even when it means destabilizing the American people. On Friday, the company permanently banned Trump from its platform and began a purge of conservative voices. They claim this is needed to protect America from a coup. That is a farcical lie. They did it because their political enemies such as Trump and Sen. Josh Hawley are now out of power, and they mean to keep it way. My guess is that Big Tech thinks it can destroy us by killing our communication avenues. So let's fight back. We can still communicate with each other and get around the ban by dusting off that old fax machine in our closet. Maybe my fax idea is not workable anymore. So I challenge our side to look for alternatives and not give in to the censorship crowd. We are not dead. We've got ingenuity, and they got Biden! PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). Image: Pixabay. This story originally appeared on the Texas Tribune WATCH ABBOTT LIVE HERE: Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday will tour the Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center, one of the states newly designated coronavirus vaccination hubs, and give an update on vaccine efforts in Texas. The hubs were announced Friday as part of an effort to streamline vaccinations as Texas continues to prioritize vaccinating people who are health care workers, people who are 65 and older, and those with medical conditions that increase their risk. RELATED: San Antonio's Covid-19 mass vaccine hubs are open. Learn how long you will be waiting for your first dose. Some 28 coronavirus "vaccination hubs" will receive most of the state's next shipment of COVID-19 vaccines this week, with 158,825 doses shipping to providers able to manage large-scale efforts as more doses arrive in the state. The news conference will begin at 12 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 at the Expo Center, 1200 Ballpark Way in Arlington. The Governor will be joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, and Texas Health Resources CEO Barclay E. Berdan. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. New York has entered a troubling new phase of the coronavirus pandemic: the state has confirmed four cases of a more contagious strain currently wreaking havoc in Britain. While much remains unknown about the new variant, public health experts said now is the time to take proactive steps to prevent worse-case scenarios. And they say that officials need to begin seriously considering the reintroduction of restrictions, like ending indoor dining statewide, to slow the spread. New York states rate of positive coronavirus tests has been steadily increasing since the beginning of November. In the last month alone, the seven-day rolling average of positive cases has increased over 2% statewide, hitting nearly 8% recently. Various regions of the state have even higher rates of positive cases, as well as spikes in hospitalizations. Despite this, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not announced any new microcluster zones, or updates to existing zones, since December 14, according to the website of New York Forward, the state governments hub for coronavirus information. The zones have varying degrees of restrictions for nonessential businesses, dining and gatherings, and have been Cuomos main method of combating spikes in new cases while avoiding regional or statewide shutdowns. That same day, December 14, Cuomo warned about broad shutdowns looming if numbers cross the state dont improve, but he has not implemented any piecemeal restrictions to slow the spread between then and now. Since last month, the governor had been calling on the federal government to impose new testing requirements for U.K. travelers and to impose a ban on travelers from Europe, in response to reports of a highly contagious new coronavirus strain there. He repeated the demand for a travel ban after the first case of the variant was discovered upstate. Public health experts say that discovery of the new coronavirus strain should serve as an alarm bell to members of the public and state officials alike that proactive measures are needed to slow the ever increasing spread and avoid overwhelming hospitals. Although vaccines will eventually slow the spread of COVID-19, vaccinations are off to a slow start and it will take many months for the rate of vaccination to prevent outbreaks. In Israel, which is the world leader in vaccine deployment, COVID-19 cases are spiking, in part because of the new strain. The Israeli government just tightened its lockdown in response. The United Kingdom similarly entered its third national lockdown recently due to the impact of the new strain. Dr. Syra Madad, senior director of the system-wide special pathogens program at New York City Health + Hospitals, said that while the vaccine means there is a light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic, the new variant made the tunnel a little longer. Cuomo himself has said that the new variant is likely more widespread than the handful of cases already identified because the United States has lagged behind other countries in genetic sequencing to identify new strains and their prevalence. The acknowledgement echoes the early days of the pandemic when a lack of testing masked the extent of its spread, with deadly consequences. We don't want to wait too long, Dr. Danielle Ompad, associate professor of epidemiology at the NYU School of Global Public Health, said, warning the state should not wait until capacity at hospitals hits critical levels. We could probably tighten some things down now as we wait for the data to come in. Even with the limited data available about the new strain, warnings have emerged that the increased transmissibility could cause spread to grow exponentially, which means more hospitalizations and more deaths. Thats the worse case scenario, as it could wreak havoc even as vaccines rollout if it isnt tempered. We need to unfortunately be proactive about this before we start seeing a real increase in cases, Dr. Stephen Morse, a professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public health, said. In New York, we still have time to try to slow down the increase and try to prevent it from becoming another big spike. Even aside from the new variant, public health experts say the state has already reached a point where Cuomo should be implementing some new restrictions to slow in the increase, and avoid more dramatic shutdowns implemented at the beginning of the pandemic. In particular, many agree that the time has long since passed to shutdown indoor dining statewide. I think we should consider more rigid public health measures, independent of this new variant, Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said. He noted that in much of Erie County, indoor dining has been shut down for months after Cuomo enacted an orange zone microcluster, and suggested that such restrictions would help other parts of the state currently faring worse than Erie. At one point, Western New York was emerging as the new epicenter in the state. There is some heterogeneity in terms of certain public health restrictions, such as indoor dining and things like that, Russo added. Morse made a similar observation about the greater restrictions imposed on New York City like ending indoor dining and how it has fared during the second wave compared to other parts of the state. I personally am not a great fan of restrictions simply because they are obviously hard to enforce, Morse said. But we've gotten to the point where I don't see we have much alternative. The last statewide restrictions Cuomo announced came on November 11, when he said that indoor dining, bars and gyms would close at 10 pm. And since announcing that indoor dining would end in New York City on December 14, Cuomo has made no similar announcement about any other part of the state. This despite New York City having a less severe COVID-19 outbreak by every measure compared to several other regions of the state, including the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley. When asked why Cuomo has only implemented new indoor dining restrictions in New York City despite troubling indicators in other parts of the state, a spokesperson referred to Cuomos December 11 comments when he shut down the citys indoor dining, in which he cited density as a complicating factor in New York City. The comments did not explain why increasing COVID-19 and hospitalization rates in other regions over the last few weeks did not trigger similar restrictions, despite a lack of density, nor did the spokesperson answer a follow-up question asking if the governors stance is that indoor dining does not pose a risk in less dense parts of the state. Cuomo said on Friday that if hospitalization rates dont stabilize soon, we are going to close regions, apparently skipping over any less dramatic restrictions. He reiterated that assertion during his State of the State Address on Monday. But public health experts say that blanket shutdowns are generally a last resort, after more targeted restrictions fail to slow the spread. Obviously, if you have more community transmission, and your data and your surveillance and your forecasts and your modeling are telling you that this is only going to get worse you want to be proactive and put these restrictions in place, Madad said. She added that while household spread is a major source of cases now, those restrictions can cut the chain of transmission by limiting high-risk activities like indoor dining. But Morse added that uncontained spread without other mitigating measures leaves little other solution besides a shutdown. Once it starts going up, you have to do something to prevent it's continuing increase, Morse said. Once it gets out of control, we have limited options. Cuomo has largely avoided implementing such restrictions during this second wave, shifting the goalposts multiple times about how and when microcluster zones will be implemented and restrictions like closing schools would be enacted. At times, he has seemed not to adhere to his own constantly mutating guidelines, brewing confusion about what measures to expect when. Before the strain was discovered, the cases were already going up, and it was clear that we need to make some changes, Ompad said. A spokesperson for Cuomo did not provide a specific answer about how the variant may change the governors approach to restrictions, shutdowns and microcluster zones. At a press briefing last week, Cuomo said containment (of the new variant) is vitally important, but offered no details about steps the state could or would take to contain it aside from that it is something we have to watch and we have to pay careful attention to. He later only said that if the new strain leads to more hospitalizations, regional shutdowns could be in the cards, before pivoting to blame the federal government for not acting fast enough to stop the new strain from entering the country. Russo said he hopes that the discovery of the new variant will be a wakeup call for officials in the state that perhaps new measures are needed to slow the spread and prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed as cases increase across the state. But he said this should similarly be a sign for members of the public to double down on their own personal actions to limit the spread. As I like to say, we control our own curve, our behavior dictates how many cases we're going to have, Russo said. And if everyone behaved well, our cases would be much lower than they are. He said that the government can only control so much when it comes to public behavior. Madad said the government could be doing more to get high-quality and effective masks to people after she has observed many in the public wearing thin masks, or even just pulling their shirt over their faces. Individuals with means could invest in better masks themselves. Ompad concurred that the pandemic has reached a point where personal responsibility is of utmost importance and that adhering to best practices at a personal level. But she acknowledged that if people are not voluntarily engaging in best practices, then more restrictions should be implemented to make them mandatory. I know, it's frustrating for the public when things change it's frustrating for me too, Ompad said. (But) nobody wants this to go on for longer than it needs to, and nobody wants our hospital systems to be overwhelmed. Sombo, the hometown of Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is in a buoyant mood following his election as Speaker of Parliament. Family members and other residents of the small Upper West Regional town of about 5,000 people believe the election of the veteran legislator is a harbinger of greater things to happen to the community. During a visit by the Daily Graphic to the town yesterday, 24 hours after Mr Bagbin won a tight election, the major discussion among the people was about the new Speaker and the benefits his elevation would bring to them and how it will accelerate the development of the town. Expectations They said it was a fact that the Speaker did a lot for the area since he entered Parliament 28 years ago, but having assumed such a high position, the expectation was that he could influence more development in the community and the region at large. Most of the people the Daily Graphic spoke to thanked God for making their kinsman the number three gentleman in the country. They also praised the House for the confidence reposed in Mr Bagbin. They urged him to continue to put up his best in the discharge of his duties to win the confidence and trust of all. Reaction of family Sharing his perspective on the development, the Head of the Bagbin family, Mr Lawrence Bagbin, said the family was proud of the height the former legislator had reached in his working life. He appealed to parliamentarians to cooperate with the Speaker to enact laws that will enhance good governance and deepen democracy in the country. Mr Bagbin said after many years of service in Parliament, the position of the Speaker was undoubtedly a befitting icing on the cake for their kinsman. "Let us see you and our MPs work together with tenacity of purpose for the development of the country by promulgating laws and policies that will inure to the welfare of the people. "We, in a similar fashion are also praying to God to enable him to remain objective, impartial and tolerant of divergent views," he said. A resident of the area, Mr Adams Muda, described him as a diligent worker who had reached the pinnacle of his career. Background Mr Bagbin began his parliamentary career in 1992 on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and was retained by the people in the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency in the subsequent Six Parliaments in the Fourth Republic. His high sense of humour, dedication and transparency endured him to the people, thus making him a household name in the constituency. He is widely seen in the Sombo area as someone who is deeply rooted in politics and good governance. 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 SAS: Who Dares Wins star Matthew 'Ollie' Ollerton has tied the knot with his fiancee Laura Gander in a secret ceremony in Scotland. The TV star and military veteran was forced to call off his lavish Bond-themed nuptials in July last year due to the coronavirus pandemic so embarked on the 'absolute mission' to elope to Gretna Green on December 27 - his 50th birthday. Speaking to Hello, he said: 'We defied all the odds and it was an absolute mission to pull it off. It was the year when it looked like we wouldn't be able to marry, and then we did. We did it on that day so I'll never forget our anniversary.' Sad times: SAS: Who Dares Wins star Matthew 'Ollie' Ollerton has tied the knot with his fiancee Laura Gander in a secret ceremony in Scotland Despite lockdown restrictions, the couple were allowed to cross the border from England into Scotland as the move was for a wedding. Clad in a dress from Ghost, Laura looked radiant for her pared-back day. She said: 'It was quite surreal, and stressful in the lead up as literally the week before the wedding everything was changing again in both England and Scotland. 'I was straight on to the Scottish government website checking out the restrictions, but we found out that you could cross the border into Scotland if you were going there for a wedding.' They have spent their honeymoon at Lake Windermere. Tough times: The TV star and military veteran was forced to call off his lavish Bond-themed nuptials in July last year due to the coronavirus pandemic so embarked on the 'absolute mission' to elope to Gretna Green on December 27 - his 50th birthday Their initial nuptials were tipped to see the couple thrill-seek, with Ollie sky-diving from a plane, driving an Aston Martin and riding a motorbike to the altar, while Laura had planned to arrive at their ceremony in a helicopter. Speaking to news.com.au last year, 'gutted' Ollie explained that his and Laura's nuptials was themed: 'Bond, Babes and Villains'. He revealed: 'I was going to free fall into the wedding from a plane. We had Aston Martin's on standby to pick me up and take me into the wedding to a certain point. 'I am humbled by her love and her beauty': Ollie announced his engagement to Laura in a post shared to his Instagram on New Year's Eve in December 2019 'Then, for the final leg, I was going to get onto my 1971 classic cafe racer [motorbike] and ride in to meet my bride,' Ollie said. Ollie announced his engagement to Laura in a post shared to his Instagram on New Year's Eve in December 2019. 'I am humbled by her love and her beauty, my proposal met with acceptance 2020 is already looking up! I love you @lauragander11 ,' he wrote. Phase 1a covers some 850,000 people, but not everyone eligible has opted to get the shot. Rather than waiting to use those doses, Pritzker said, those shots should be made available to the next round of 3 million eligible recipients in phase 1b, being those 65 and older and essential workers, including first responders, teachers, and grocery workers. Local health departments that have substantially completed phase 1a will be allowed to move onto 1b to make sure doses are given quickly, the governor said. New Delhi, Jan 11 : Amid the border dispute with China, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is on a two-day visit to eastern Ladakh to assess and review ground requirements of the force deployed at forward locations in freezing temperatures. He will be briefed by 14 Corps commander and other commanders on the ground. This comes soon after his visit to forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh. Gen Rawat had visited forward air bases in Arunachal Pradesh and interacted with soldiers of the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Special Frontier Force deployed there. He also visited forwardmost air maintained posts in Dibang Valley and Lohit sector of Arunachal Pradesh. Gen Rawat has completed one year as Chief of Defence Staff. On the current standoff with China, last year General Rawat had reiterated that India has military options to deal with the Chinese on the issue of transgressions if talks between both countries at the military and diplomatic level do not yield results. India and China are engaged in a border standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese PLA in multiple areas in eastern Ladakh. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text EDITORS NOTE: On Jan. 12, NJ Cannabis Insider hosts a virtual networking event, featuring professionals in the legal cannabis industries. Tickets are limited. New Years was expected to be a historic day in New Jersey, when the state would become the first in the region to adopt marijuana legalization and put an end to thousands of arrests annually. But its Jan. 11, and the bill sits on Gov. Phil Murphys desk unsigned. And the delay could last even longer after lawmakers on Friday suddenly backed off a deal with Murphy, who wants to create uniform penalties for those under 21 who possess weed. The state Senate and Assembly have called off Monday votes on a cleanup bill to address this. Each day the bills languish, police continue to arrest people for marijuana possession and courts still have scheduled proceedings for marijuana offenses despite an order from the states top law enforcement official to halt them. Those numbers have fallen since the people said yes to legalizing marijuana on Nov. 3, but they will not cease until the state implements reform. Theres debate as to whether marijuana is legal in New Jersey now. Some argue that the constitutional amendment decided by the voters took effect Jan. 1, making marijuana use a protected right for those over 21. But others say the date does not matter a legal framework to regulate the substance must be put into place, which would come with Murphys signature on the legalization bill. The latest delay arose late last month, when Gov. Phil Murphy said technical but important issues remained in the marijuana legalization and decriminalization bills. His office has cited language in both that provided conflicting consequences for youth marijuana use as the reason he will not sign. In the days since, Secaucus Police have arrested three people for possessing marijuana in vehicles, according to the departments blotter. Anecdotally, defense attorneys and a police chief say theyve heard of others. Statewide arrest data for the period will not be available until the end of the month. Thats obviously a very small sample, John Zebrowski, chief of the Sayreville Police Department and vice president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said of the first week of January. I think those numbers continue to be down. When you see arrests, most are coupled with a more significant criminal charge. Police across the state filed 1,703 charges for minor marijuana possession in December, according to the state judiciary. That number fell from November, when police issued 2,125 charges. In October, 3,281 charges were filed. In two months, the average number of charges dropped from 105 a day to 55, according to the data. Thats because more departments have used the discretion Attorney General Gurbir Grewal gave them when it comes to marijuana enforcement. I think theres certainly understanding that there has to be fundamental fairness that with decriminalization really just steps away, that our officers have to use a degree of common sense, Zebrowski said. I think thats reflected in that the number of arrests have declined over this period. The discretion given to police is vague, but Grewal gave prosecutors a clear order in late November when he issued a directive to halt low-level marijuana prosecutions until Jan. 25. But the December report also shows prosecutors have continued to pursue cases connected to marijuana charges. Eleven people were found guilty of possessing less than 50 grams of marijuana, while five were found not guilty. Courts dismissed 447 cases, but disposed 446. Those numbers dropped sharply from November, when 125 people were found guilty of the offense. They still trouble defense attorneys. Nobody knows Jersey politics like NJ.com. Add your email now and dont miss a story. The disposed cases in December likely stemmed from charges in earlier months, although the Attorney Generals directive could have applied. Its possible the charges were coupled with other offenses not covered explicitly by the directive, like motor vehicle violations. Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office, said those numbers do not necessarily mean a person was found guilty of marijuana possession, but could have been found guilty of a charge brought concurrently with the possession charge. Its unclear from the way the state keeps the collective data. We have not received any complaints or been made aware of any cases where prosecutors have failed to comply with the Attorney Generals guidance by proceeding with prosecutions of low-level marijuana possession cases, he said, noting it does not fall to prosecutors to schedule or adjourn cases. We expect all prosecutors to follow the Attorney Generals guidance, and if we learn of any case where it is not being followed, we will contact the appropriate county prosecutors office to ensure that it is addressed with the municipal prosecutor or assistant prosecutor involved, Aseltine said. Jef Henninger, a Tinton Falls defense attorney, said he has seen a handful of municipal courts try to schedule appearances for his clients prior to Jan. 25, a move he said he cant understand. It makes more work for us, it makes more work for the system. Its more time out of our clients schedule, he said. What if somebody doesnt have an attorney, or an attorney who is up on everything thats going on? he said. Are some of these prosecutors trying to squeeze in some last minute plea agreements? The Attorney Generals order affected adults and juveniles currently being prosecuted, as well as anyone arrested in the following weeks. It does not apply to people accused of distributing marijuana, and did nothing to stop police from charging people. But the order did say prosecutors should use discretion in cases that involve additional charges to either postpone the cases or dismiss the marijuana-related pieces. Carmine Villani, a defense attorney with Villani & DeLuca in Point Pleasant Beach, says he has seen some dates scheduled for clients with marijuana offenses and written to have them adjourned past Jan. 25 without pushback. But he has also heard of at least one new arrest this week. He also said he does not know that the courts have a system sophisticated enough to automatically flag marijuana-related charges and put them on hold. That, along with the coupling of marijuana possession charges with others, like motor vehicle violations, could be creating the administrative confusion. Its unclear what will happen to those charged with possession since the election. For now, its a waiting game. I just basically let the courts know were putting them off until after at least the law is settled, Villani said. Anything Ive had recently, Ive just kicked the can forward, waiting to see what the final law is. Update: This story has been updated to clarify that the numbers from the state judiciary reflect charges filed, not necessarily the exact number of people arrested. 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. 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. In diseases characterized by bone loss -such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis- there is a lot that scientists still don't understand. What is the role of the immune response in the process? What happens to the regulatory mechanisms that protect bone? In a paper published recently in Scientific Reports, researchers from the Forsyth Institute and the Universidad de Chile describe a mechanism that unlocks a piece of the puzzle. Looking at periodontal disease in a mouse model, scientists found that a specific type of T cell, known as regulatory T cells, start behaving in unexpected ways. These cells lose their ability to regulate bone loss and instead begin promoting inflammation. "That is important because, in many therapies analyzed in in-vivo models, researchers usually check if the number of regulatory T cells has increased. But they should check if these cells are indeed functioning," says Dr. Carla Alvarez, a postdoctoral researcher at Forsyth and lead author of the paper. Regulatory T cells control the body's immune response. In periodontal disease, bone loss occurs because the body's immune system responds disproportionately to the microbial threat, causing inflammation and destroying healthy tissue. Normally, regulatory T cells help suppress that destruction, but they appear to lose their suppressive abilities during periodontal disease. In scientific terms, this process is analyzed in the field of osteoimmunology, which explores the complex interactions between the immune system and bone metabolism. "This is an interesting mechanism highlighting how the bone loss is taking place in periodontal disease," says Dr. Alpdogan Kantarci, Senior Member of Staff at Forsyth and co-author of the paper together with Dr. Rolando Vernal, Professor from the School of Dentistry at Universidad de Chile. In the case of periodontal disease, a potential therapy targeting regulatory T cells could restore the T cells' normal functioning, not just increase their numbers. "Unfortunately, this is not a linear process--that's the complicated part," Kantarci says. Periodontal disease is initiated by microbes in the mouth, making it all the more complex. "The relationship between immune response and bone is not so straightforward," says Alvarez. "There are multiple components. You have to imagine a complex network of signaling and cells that participate." This cellular and microbial complexity is what makes the disease so difficult to study in humans. However, examining this mechanism in humans is the next step of the research, Alvarez says. The research team is planning a collaborative study to look at healthy and diseased patients, intending to observe similar mechanisms to what was seen in the animal model. ### Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain COVID-19 infections are once again rising at an alarming rate in San Francisco's Latinx community, predominantly among low-income essential workers, according to results of a massive community-based testing blitz conducted before and after the Thanksgiving holiday by Unidos En Saluda volunteer-led partnership between the Latino Task Force for COVID-19 (LTF), UC San Francisco, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (CZ Biohub), and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). Unidos En Salud launched their "Healthy Holidays" initiative the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22-24) in San Francisco's Mission District, where they have been perfecting their community-based surveillance testing and response program and solidifying relationships with community members through the LTF since April. The initiative then expanded testing after the holiday (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) to three additional highly impacted neighborhoodsthe Bayview, Excelsior, and Tenderloin. "Cases have been surging for weeks, and it was clear that the holiday season this year was going to present a high risk for accelerating the spread of the virus," said UCSF infectious disease expert Diane Havlir, MD, co-Founder of the Unidos En Salud initiative, who presented initial findings to LTF community partners on December 7, 2020. "Rather than wait and see what would happen, UCSF and the Latino Task Force decided to respond proactively with a surge of our own, in partnership with DPH, focused on the communities where we knew the hammer was going to fall hardest." "As the region enters a renewed phase of lockdown, these results are a reminder the brunt of this disease is still being felt by Latinos and people without the economic privilege to easily shelter in place. Because existing disparities, it is often those with the least who are being hurt the most, people who are often working multiple jobs just to make rent and keep food on the table for themselves and family," said LTF Health Committee Chair, Jon Jacobo, one of the initiative's organizers. "If we truly want to turn this pandemic around, we need to fundamentally change how we are addressing the pandemic and how we are supporting the most vulnerable among us." Findings Show Continued Outsize Impact on Latinx Community, Ongoing Asymptomatic Spread Following six days of intensive and strategic door-to-door community canvassing by LTF volunteerswhich focused on census tracts with the highest number of cases according to SFDPH datathe Healthy Holidays initiative ultimately tested more than 6800 people before and after the Thanksgiving holiday. Organizers reported a test positivity rate of 4.4 percent across the initiative's four post-holiday test sites, exceeding the city's 2.9% 7-day average during the current surge, as of December 9. Although just over half of those tested were Latinx, a disproportionate 79 percent of positive results came from the Latinx community. At the Mission test site at 24^th St. BART Plaza, where overall cases were highest, one in ten Latinx individuals tested positive for the virus. Infection rates were also particularly high among low-income workers, including food and beverage workers and day laborers, as well as among people with indigenous backgrounds, particularly from Mexico and Central America. The initiative found that about a third of infected individuals were asymptomatic at the time of testing and more than half were unaware of having been exposed to the virus, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance in combating a disease that can spread rapidly without detection. "These ongoing partnerships for prevalence studies in high-impacted communities continue to inform local health strategy and policies," said Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. "The information and data gathered help guide not only health policy but the city's overall approach to supporting communities disproportionately impacted by this virus." Rapid Antigen Tests Enabled Results, Quarantine and Support Within Hours Unidos En Salud previously conducted one of the first field tests of the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test, manufactured by Abbott, in a community setting at their September testing pop-up at the 16^th and Mission BART Plaza. Collaborators at CLIAhub, the joint UCSF/CZ Biohub COVID diagnostic laboratory that has provided test analysis for all of the group's initiatives, compared BinaxNOW results to PCR results from the same individuals and found the rapid test to be extremely reliable at identifying infected individuals during the most infectious phase of the disease. In the much larger holiday testing event, the group put the BinaxNOW tests to use for the first time as a proof-of-concept of their potential usefulness in broader surveillance testing efforts. As in September, individuals at the group's Mission District test site gave two nasal swabs, one to be sent for standard PCR analysis at CLIAhub, and the second inserted on site into a BinaxNOW card, which is similar to a pregnancy test, providing results within 15 minutes. The speed of the results allowed team members to notify those who tested positive within hours rather than days, and to provide on-site counseling and support for immediate quarantine. The rapid results also allowed SFDPH to quickly initiate contact tracing. Comparison to PCR results from the same individuals, completed 24 to 48 hours later, showed the tests had accurately identified more than 99 percent of individuals considered to be highly contagious. The researchers also found the tests to perform well in children, contrary to recent reports. The CLIAhub and Unidos En Salud teams published their analysis of the performance characteristics of the BinaxNow rapid tests in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in this community setting January 4, 2021 in the Journal of Infectious Disease. The study's corresponding author is CLIAhub director Joe DeRisi, Ph.D., who is co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, a UCSF professor of biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Community Wellness Teams, Home Visits Connect People with Resources to Isolate For all who tested positive, whether on PCR or rapid tests, LTF Community Wellness Team members followed up to connect infected individuals to support for successful quarantine, including food, cleaning supplies and referrals to resources such as city-funded isolation and quarantine hotels. "The LTF Community Wellness Teams are unique compared to the traditional test and contract trace approach," said Valerie Tulier-Laiwa, Coordinator of the LTF. "This additional support from our Community Wellness Teams is essential to make isolation and quarantine successful and stop the spread of the virus among Latinx and low-income people." The initiative also complemented SFDPH contact tracing with a follow-up home testing program for infected individuals living in large households, connecting as many as possible with resources for effective isolation through LTF's Community Wellness Teams. "Community members I spoke with at the testing site who tested positive on rapid tests were eager to get close contacts tested out of a sense of responsibility for protecting loved ones, coworkers, and the larger community," said UCSF infectious disease clinical fellow Luis Rubio, MD, who was part of the initiative's clinical response team. Volunteers provided rapid and PCR-based testing to household members within a day of the initial positive result and then again after a week. These visits included a trusted community health worker who could answer questions and give households specific guidance on how to safely isolate. "Having rapid COVID-19 test results and dedicated time and space for household contacts to ask the community health worker questions was very much appreciated by families and we hope these services will support people in large households to effectively isolate and quarantine and decrease transmission," said UCSF infectious disease specialist Carina Marquez, MD, who led the household testing program. To Halt Pandemic: Low-Barrier Community-Based Testing and Rapid Response Unidos En Salud organizers, who have now provided free COVID-19 testing to 14,000 people since April through their regular weekly and larger pop-up initiatives, believe the community-based test-and-respond approach they have developed in their work in the Mission District could be a model for more effectively controlling the virus amidst the current frightening surge. "We need to be making it as easy as possible for everyone in communities most affected by the virus to get tested regularly, symptoms or no, and to get people who test positive into isolation as quickly as possible with supportive services to cut off the chain of transmission. This approach will continue to be critical as the new vaccines become available," said Havlir, who is chief of the UCSF Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine. To reach as many people in affected communities as possible, regardless of symptoms or resources, the group's low-barrier testing is not only free, but requires no reservations, no health insurance, and no identificationanyone can walk up and get tested. It is also community based and staffedlocated at convenient public transit hubs and community centers in the most affected neighborhoods, and organized, staffed and operated by members of the community being served. "A critical component of our success is the many volunteers from the community who are involved in initial canvassing, coordinating testing onsite and the Community Wellness Teams that follow up with people who test positive," Jacobo said. "This has let us provide wrap-around services that are tailored to the need of each patient but are also culturally competent, and all are built upon the trust we have been building through our deep relationships with the community." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: Genay Pilarowski et al, Performance characteristics of a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection assay at a public plaza testing site in San Francisco, The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2020). Journal information: Journal of Infectious Diseases Genay Pilarowski et al, Performance characteristics of a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection assay at a public plaza testing site in San Francisco,(2020). DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa802 "The stakes are very high here," Mr Andrews said of the state's recovery from a devastating second wave of the coronavirus that claimed more than 800 lives. "We have built something that is precious and it needs to be safeguarded. "When you are making a judgment about whether you're going to travel to other parts of the country, you have to at least give some thought to the notion that there could be an outbreak and your plans may well be impacted by that." Western Australia and Tasmania have similar permit systems, and require anyone wanting to cross their border to fill out an application form. Victoria recorded no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus on Monday and one in hotel quarantine. There were more than 18,500 tests processed in the 24-hour period. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the emergence of new, highly contagious variants of coronavirus from places such as Britain and South Africa meant he would not hesitate to recommend swift border closures if necessary. Travellers in Greater Brisbane, where a cleaner at a quarantine hotel tested positive to the highly infectious UK variant last week, will remain barred from entering Victoria. Queensland health authorities late on Monday afternoon confirmed the partner of the Brisbane hotel quarantine cleaner had also tested positive to COVID-19. Professor Sutton said he was concerned that Queensland's three-day snap lockdown had not accounted for the 14-day incubation period of the virus. "The risk remains the case who was positive in Brisbane was out and about [for five days] until the 7th of January, so it's a still relatively short period of time for the exposure of the 200 close contacts identified," he said. "A very robust response and a lot of negative tests and close contacts, that's all very encouraging but it is very important we follow the Brisbane lead of it still being an area of risk ... It's my view it needs to be considered every day and that we really need to see more negative tests in close contacts play out in the next day or so." People who attempt to drive into Victoria without a valid permit will be turned away at the border, while those who fly in to Melbourne Airport or come by sea will be fined $5000 and placed into home isolation. Non-Victorian residents will be sent back on the first available return journey. Those detained in Victoria's hotel quarantine system after travelling to regional NSW were likely to be released from 6pm tonight when the area changed from a red zone to an orange zone. Professor Sutton said anyone who arrived from regional NSW since restrictions came into effect would be contacted from 6pm on Monday with instructions about "how they can manage their risk ongoing". When asked specifically by a reporter if he would expect those who had ended up in hotel quarantine from travelling through or spending time in regional NSW to be released, Mr Sutton said, "Yeah, I would." NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who had previously criticised premiers for hastily shutting borders with NSW, said there needed to be "greater protocols" in dealing with travel restrictions. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "It's not just the health impacts we need to worry about, but what it means for people's livelihoods, their mental health, their jobs," Ms Berejiklian said. At a press conference in Geelong on Monday morning, federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg singled out Ms Berejiklian, congratulating her for adopting "targeted and proportionate" measures to tackle outbreaks. The NSW Premier and Chief Health Officer did not lock down the entire state, which recorded three new locally acquired cases of coronavirus on Monday, in response to an outbreak on the city's northern beaches. "Measures need to be considered, measures need to be common sense, and measures need to be compassionate as well," Mr Frydenberg said. "This virus is not going away. We haven't eliminated this virus. We're not about to eliminate this virus. So it's our ability to deal with the cases when they arise that will determine the speed and the trajectory of our economic recovery." Victoria's Opposition Leader, Michael O'Brien, said the national cabinet process, where state and federal leaders have been discussing the pandemic, was not working as effectively as it should, due to some state and territory leaders refusing to agree on a nationally consistent position. "We should have one standard across the country where everyone signs up to it," Mr O'Brien said. [January 11, 2021] The Chartis Group Repositions Brand Ahead of Healthcare's Next Chapter CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chartis Group, a leading healthcare advisory and analytics firm, announced today the launch of Next Intelligence, reflecting its position in the healthcare industry at a time of significant change, challenge, and opportunity. The nation's hospitals, health systems, and providers are facing unprecedented operational, clinical, and financial challenges while also being presented with unlimited opportunities for disruption and innovation. The new brand identity is a recognition that the challenges facing today's health systems demand the next set of solutions. "The healthcare landscape has been fundamentally changed in the past year from the pandemic, industry disputers, technological breakthroughs, infusion of new capital, an increased focus on health inequities, and more. There is no going back," said Ken Graboys, CEO of The Chartis Group. "Even as they manage the current crisis, leading healthcare organizations are pivoting quickly to the new strategies and operating models that will help the not just survive, but thrive." Achieving a reimagined healthcare system will require a new level of intelligence, one where human experience and judgement meet cutting-edge data, analytics, and technology. Chartis' positioning around Next Intelligence reflects its ability to help healthcare organizations harness both human and artificial intelligence to effectively navigate the complexity and uncertainty ahead. The new brand visuals use contemporary and creative illustrations to reflect Chartis' deep thought leadership and insights on the most pressing issues for healthcare. "The Chartis Group is known for bold thinking, incisive leadership, and powerful collaboration with our clients," said Colleen Kuesel, Chief Marketing Officer of The Chartis Group. "Our brand focus on Next Intelligence is about creatively and boldly rising to the challenges that face our clients and the healthcare industry overall." About The Chartis Group The Chartis Group (Chartis) provides comprehensive advisory services and analytics to the healthcare industry. It brings critical thinking and experience paired with cutting-edge data, analytics, and technology to deliver #NextIntelligence. With an unparalleled depth of expertise in strategic planning, performance excellence, informatics and technology, digital and emerging technologies, and health analytics, Chartis helps leading academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, children's hospitals and healthcare service organizations achieve transformative results. Chartis has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.chartis.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-chartis-group-repositions-brand-ahead-of-healthcares-next-chapter-301205570.html SOURCE The Chartis Group [ 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. The Katsina Governor, Aminu Masari, has assented to the Child Protection Bill. The Chief Registrar of the Katsina State High Court, Kabir Shuaibu, confirmed the development in an interview with reporters. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the assembly passed the bill to protect children from abuse. It, however, said the legislation will not regulate the age of marriage for Muslim children. The development means although the Child Right Protection Bill defines a child as a person below the age of 18 and seeks to protect them from abuse, it will still not protect certain underaged persons from being married off. Earlier, the House Committee chairman on the Child Protection Bill, Musa Nuhu, said passage of the bill will end the prevalence of child rape, child labour and forced and underage marriage in the state. The problem of early marriage is particularly prominent in northern Nigeria. Katsina State is one of the northern states affected by child marriages and street children (Almajiri) menace in the country. Legislation The Act covers key aspects of the lives of children and adolescents. It is divided into survival rights, development rights, participation rights, and protection rights. The first article of the law, however, gives the Sharia law supremacy over the child protection law. It says the Sharia will take precedence if any matter in the new law concerning a Muslim child goes against the religious law. Islam is the predominant religion in Katsina. On marriage, it argues that a childs maturity goes beyond the idea of puberty. The bill, however, says there should be counselling by parents to evaluate the development of their children before marrying them off. Children now protected by law in Katsina Meanwhile, Mr Shuaibu said the governor has assented to the bill so child protection has become a law in the state. The governor reportedly assented to the bill on December 29, 2020, after the states lawmakers unanimously approved the bill on November 25. The bill was reintroduced as an executive bill by Mr Masari on March 3. The assembly first introduced the Child Right Act in 2003, but later renamed it Child Right Protection Law after legislators had consultations with religious leaders. Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act in 2003 to domesticate the international convention on the rights of a child. Pass and Repeal Meanwhile, in the North-west, Kaduna passed a similar law in 2018, while Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara are yet to do the same. Jigawa passed the Childs Right Act, but later repealed it in 2012. It reintroduced the bill in September. ADVERTISEMENT The lawmakers in Jigawa said the law was repealed due to inadequate input from citizens and ambiguous sections that needed explanations. Also, the bill, a domestication of the Federal Act, was signed into law by the then secretary to the state government, which was not the right procedure. The Kano government had in January, 2020, said its bill had been forwarded to states assembly. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Report Description A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the global Blister Packaging Market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international Blister Packaging Market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and global Blister Packaging Market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of global Blister Packaging Market is offered. In accordance with the report, the global Blister Packaging Market is projected to expand by healthy CAGR over the period of forecast. Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunity & Trends of the Market: Definition Blister Packaging is a sort of bubble packaging. Blister Packs are referred to as a sealed product placed in a cavity that comprises of a paper film or aluminum backing. This product is mainly used in packaging small goods from the food and pharmaceutical industries. Owing to its durability, transparency and the tamper proof properties, blister packaging are gaining momentum. This packaging products are mainly utilized by the end use sector like food and beverage sector and the pharmaceutical industry. Market Drivers The initial impetus to the blister packaging is provided by its widespread application in the pharmaceutical industry. This kind of packaging provides convenience in handling, adaptability, high protectivity and insulation from outdoor and external environments like temperature, moisture, gas and light and many more. These factors are primarily driving the blister packaging market. Request for Report Sample: https://datainsightspartner.com/request-for-sample?ref=919 The rising incidence of suffering from diseases, changing consumer lifestyles and its impact for the growth of the chronic lifestyle diseases and soaring geriatric population is driving the need for medication and thereby this market. Moreover, the benefits of utilizing these packages by the consumers and patients is a determining factor. Owing to the adoption of unit packaging mode, the possibility of wrong intakes or skipping intakes of medicine can be done away with which is fueling the growth of this market. The rigid directives of the government aimed at combating the possibility of forging drugs is powering the growth of this market. This generates the need for unique packaging facilities that are difficult to copy. Anti-counterfeiting systems including banknote authentication systems among others are offered by way of blistering packaging. The necessity to maintain product integrity is bolstering the growth of the blister packaging market. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of this market. The no-contact form of health management and the growth of OCT drug have positively influenced the growth of the blister packaging market. The craze for personal care products in developed countries and also the rapid craze for such products in developing nations are charging up the growth of this market. Market Restraints The gaining importance of pre-fillable syringes is threatening the market growth of the blister packaging market. The former consists of pre-measured dosage which lowers the probability of dosage error. The cut-throat competition in between the products which is parallel to the competition faced from parental flexible solutions are taking a toll on the blister packaging market. The rigid regulations of the international organizations and the hard and fast directives of the local regulatory bodies is disrupting the trade, import and export of this products which is hindering the market prospects. This packaging products are usually made out of plastics. The stringent regulations of the government for plastic deployment coupled with the sustainable programs for environmental conservation is hampering the growth of this market. Blister packages are not suitable for the packaging of heavy materials which is cutting down its application and threatening the growth of this market. Opportunities Although the employment of plastic is hindering the market growth, technological advancement has led to the deployment of bioplastics in blister packaging. This is aimed towards sustainable packaging concerns which is expected to provide lucrative opportunities to this market. Further, prosperous end use sector namely, the personal care sector and the pharmaceutical industry is expected to thrive and grow because it is indispensable part of the human civilization which is likely to create better market for tube packaging in the coming years. Trends At present North America dominates the market for blister packaging and is expected to continue its domination in the forecast period. This is attributable to the presence of some of the dominant pharmaceutical companies and beauty products company and food and beverage industry in this region. Europe is also estimated to witness significant growth owing to the global significance of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry of Europe, the initiative of environmental conservation and the ongoing investment in this region is expected to bolster the market for blister packaging. Globally, the blister packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.18% in the forecast period. Get Request for Table of Contents: https://datainsightspartner.com/report/blister-packaging-market/919#tableOfContent Segment Covered: This market intelligence report on the global Blister Packaging Market encompasses market segments based on product type, technology, material type, end use and country. By Product Type the global Blister Packaging Market has been divided into: q Clamshell q Carded By Technology the global Blister Packaging Market has been divided into: q Cold Forming q Thermoforming By Material Type the global Blister Packaging Market has been divided into: q Aluminium q Paper & Paper Board q Plastic Films q Others By End Use the global Blister Packaging Market has been divided into: q Food q Industrial Goods q Consumer Goods q Healthcare By country/region, the global Blister Packaging Market has been divided into: q North America (the U.S., Canada), q Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and other countries), q Europe (Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Russia, and other countries), q Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand and other countries), q Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Israel and Other countries). Profiling of Market Players: This business intelligence report offers profiling of reputed companies that are operating in the market. Companies such as: q Amcor PLC q Probiotec q Constantia Flexible q Honeywell International q Westrock Company q Klockner Pentaplast Group q The Dow Chemical Company q Sonoco Products Company q Bemis Company Inc q Display Pack Inc others have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Blister Packaging Market related investment & spending and developments by major players of the market are tracked in this global report. Report Highlights: In-depth analysis of the micro and macro indicators, market trends, and forecasts of demand is offered by this business intelligence report. Furthermore, the report offers a vivid picture of the factors that are steering and restraining the growth of this market across all geographical segments. In addition to that, IGR-Growth Matrix analysis is also provided in the report so as to share insight of the investment areas that new or existing market players can take into consideration. Various analytical tools such as DRO analysis, Porter's five forces analysis has been used in this report to present a clear picture of the market. The study focuses on the present market trends and provides market forecast from the year 2020-2028. Emerging trends that would shape the market demand in the years to come have been highlighted in this report. A competitive analysis in each of the geographical segments gives an insight into market share of the global players. Few Recent Developments Amcor PLC In January 2020, Amcor collaborated with Moda with the aim of offering innovative packaging solutions. In the market of flexible packaging, such collaboration would strengthen the position of Amcor. Probiotec In July 2019, ABS Pty Ltd was acquired by Probiotec aimed at the expansion of manufacturing capabilities. This acquisition is also aimed towards the broadening of the companys footing in the pharmaceutical industry. Constantia Flexible In January 2019, Flexible Blister was launched by Constantia Flexible. This product provided better barrier protection owing to blister packaging films on either side. Salient Features: This study offers comprehensive yet detailed analysis of the Blister Packaging Market, size of the market (US$ Mn), and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR (%)) for the period of forecast: 2020-2028, taking into account 2019 as the base year It explains upcoming revenue opportunities across various market segments and attractive matrix of investment proposition for the said market This market intelligence report also offers pivotal insights about various market opportunities, restraints, drivers, competitive market strategies of leading market players, emerging market trends, and regional outlook Profiling of key market players in the world Blister Packaging Market is done by taking into account various parameters such as company strategies, distribution strategies, product portfolio, financial performance, key developments, geographical presence, and company overview The data of this report would allow management authorities and marketers of companies alike to take informed decision when it comes to launch of Type of models, government initiatives, marketing tactics and expansion, and technical up gradation The world market for Blister Packaging caters to the needs of various stakeholders pertaining to this industry, namely suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and distributors for Blister Packaging Market. The research also caters to the rising needs of consulting and research firms, financial analysts, and new market entrants Research methodologies that have been adopted for the purpose of this study have been clearly elaborated so as to facilitate better understanding of the reports Reports have been made based on the guidelines as mandated by General Data Protection Regulation Ample number of examples and case studies have been taken into consideration before coming to a conclusion Reasons to buy: v Identify opportunities and plan strategies by having a strong understanding of the investment opportunities in the Blister Packaging Market v Identification of key factors driving investment opportunities in the Blister Packaging Market v Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data v Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential v Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events v Identify key partners and business development avenues v Respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects v Identify key strengths and weaknesses of important market participants Full View of Report Description: https://datainsightspartner.com/report/blister-packaging-market/919 ECHR to render decision on Jan 14 in Ukraine vs. Russia case on complaint about human rights violations in Crimea The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will issue a Grand Chamber judgment in Ukraine vs. Russia case on systematic human rights violations in Crimea at a public hearing on January 14. The corresponding announcement was made public by the ECHR on Monday. The press release notes that the case concerns Ukraine's allegations of systematic violations by the Russian Federation of the European Convention on Human Rights in Crimea. "The Ukrainian Government maintains that the Russian Federation has from 27 February 2014 exercised effective control over the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, integral parts of Ukraine, and has exercised jurisdiction over a situation which has resulted in numerous Convention violations. The Government alleges that the violations are a result of a general administrative practice by the Russian Federation," the press release reads. The applicant Government relies on several Articles of the Convention, in particular Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman treatment and torture), Article 5 (right to liberty and security), Article 6 (right to a fair trial), Article 8 (right to respect for private life), Article 9 (freedom of religion), Article 10 (freedom of expression) and Article 11 (freedom of assembly). In addition, they also complain under Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination), Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property), Article 2 of Protocol No. 1 (right to education) and Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 (freedom of movement). The ECHR stated that the case originates in two applications (nos. 20958/14 and 42410/15) against Russia lodged with the Court by Ukraine on 13 March 2014 and 26 August 2015, respectively. Both applications concern events in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. On 11 June 2018 the two applications were joined and given the new name Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea) under application no. 20958/14. Ukraine has lodged a number of other inter-State cases against Russia, and there are more than 7,000 individual applications concerning events in Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and the Sea of Azov, the ECHR recalled. Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Logo View Photo Groveland, CA A man was shot in Groveland over the weekend after allegedly holding a woman captive for over a week. Officials say 61-year-old John Banks had beaten, tied up, and threatened to kill the woman. She was able to escape and told deputies that he was in possession of firearms and made threats to engage in a gunfight with deputies. Because of the seriousness of the crimes, SWAT and crisis response unit teams went to the home on Saturday night, and Banks confronted officials outside with a gun. The confrontation sparked an officer-involved shooting involving multiple deputies. Banks was taken to the hospital to treat his injuries and is considered to be in stable condition. No deputies were injured. Those involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation is underway. Charges against Banks include domestic battery, false imprisonment with violence, criminal threats, intimidating a victim, kidnapping, and damaging or destroying a wireless communication device. Washington: Even as Democrats in the US House of Representatives prepared to move forward with impeachment proceedings, a Republican US senator, Senator Pat Toomey, has called for President Donald Trump to resign on Sunday. The Republican senator said President Trump could face criminal liability after the deadly storming of the US Capitol by his supporters, said a Reuters report. Senator Pat Toomey has been a conservative supporter of Trump until recently. His remarks hold significance amid developments of federal investigations of Wednesday`s assault on the seat of government. Trump, who has contested the validity of Democrat Joe Biden`s November 3 presidential victory, praised and egged on his supporters before they laid siege to the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying the Electoral College vote for Biden. "I think the best way for our country is for the president to resign and go away as soon as possible," Toomey said on NBC`s "Meet the Press," calling Trump`s behavior since the election "outrageous." The Senator, who appeared on several Sunday television news shows, said he did not think there was time for impeachment with only 10 days left in Trump`s term, and noted there did not appear to be consensus to use the Constitution`s 25th Amendment to strip Trump of his powers. Toomey`s call followed that of fellow Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, who said on Friday that Trump should resign immediately. Republican Senator Ben Sasse, a frequent Trump critic, told CBS he would "definitely consider" impeachment. US Representative Adam Kinzinger, another Republican, also called on Trump to step down on Sunday, and for Vice President Mike Pence to exercise the 25th Amendment if he refused. It was, however, unclear whether a significant number of other Republicans would follow suit. Republican leaders have urged the Democratic-led House not to initiate impeachment proceedings for a historic second time against Trump. Pence has opposed the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment, an adviser said. Meanwhile, the outgoing President Trump on Sunday ordered the flag of the United States be flown half-mast at the White House and all federal buildings, grounds, and embassies to honour Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, who were both on duty when a mob of Trump`s supporters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday. Trump said, "As a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, and all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement across this great Nation, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 13, 2021." Live TV "I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations," Trump added. Irked over Wednesday's development, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger compared the mob that stormed the US Capitol to the Nazis. He called President Donald Trump a failed leader who "will go down in history as the worst president ever". The Republican said in a video he released on social media on Sunday that "Wednesday was the Night of Broken Glass right here in the United States." He said, "The broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol. But the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol, they shattered the ideas we took for granted," adding "They trampled the very principles on which our country was founded." Schwarzenegger, who was born in Austria, compared the Proud Boys -- a far-right American extremist group -- to the Nazis. Some Proud Boys leaders were arrested in the nation's capital, before and after Wednesday's riots. Meanwhile, Democratic members of the House of Representatives planned to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday, a step House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised if Trump was not removed by other means. The House will take up the articles as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, House Majority Whip James Clyburn told CNN`s "State of the Union." Democrats will take control of the Senate following victories in two Georgia runoff elections last week that will leave incoming Vice President Kamala Harris in place to make tie-breaking votes. Biden has not taken a position on Trump`s impeachment, saying he will leave it to Congress to decide. He did say Congress needs to be able to hit the ground running once he is sworn into office on Jan. 20, when he will focus on dealing with the raging coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery. (With Agency Inputs) Rewa: BJP MP Janardan Mishra will always be seen in discussions by all of you in the wake of his statements. On the day, he makes a statement so that he comes to the headlines. Now, recently, he has made a big statement about the farmers' agitation. In fact, through this statement, Janardhana Mishra has alleged that "funding from Canada is going on for the farmers' agitation. This agitation is getting the support of the culprits.'' He has made this statement last Sunday. You will all know that the farmers' agitation is going on in Delhi over agricultural laws. So far, there have been many political parties that have supported the farmers' agitation. That is where Congress is currently the party that is openly standing in favor of the farmers. In the MP also, Congress is agitating in support of the farmer. If BJP leaders are seen, they are making disputed statements about the incessant agitation. Now, in this order, BJP MP Janardan Mishra, in the district of Rewa, has accused the farmers' agitation, saying that " the agitation is being funded from abroad and the entire money is coming from Canada. Not only that, but the MP also said that the farmers ' agitation is being supported by the criminal people. Every draft of this movement looks like Khalistani. It would be wrong to support the agitation in which the Khalistan flag is being hoisted. At the same time, Janardhana Mishra also said, "If congressmen can oppose surgical strikes and corona vaccine, how will he support the agriculture bill?" Also Read:- Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban ODF: Bhubaneswar Earns Open Defecation Free Status Narottam Mishra lashed out at Mamata Banerjee and her party TMC leaders Bird flu reaches these 18 districts of Madhya Pradesh SOURC: navbharattimes 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. Bluefairy-ptc.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 3 Aug 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the bluefairy-ptc homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if bluefairy-ptc has a Facebook fan page). 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CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 4.01 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE WINDOWS-1252 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache/2.2.24 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.24 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 (PHP/5.2.17) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Character set and language of the site. Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. The language of bluefairy-ptc.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for bluefairy-ptc.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND ROME, JAN 11 - Education Minister Lucia Azzolina said Monday that she was worried about the fact that most of Italy's high-school students have still not been able to return to their classrooms. The nation's high.school students were meant to return to class for 50% of their lessons on Monday, having the other 50% via distance leaning, having been on 100% distance learning before the Christmas holidays. But many regions have postponed the return to class of high-school students due to high levels of COVID-19 contagion. "Everything is open in the yellow zones except for the high schools and this creates deep scars," Azzolina told RAI radio. "The youngsters need to vent their social nature. I am very worried. "Distance leaning can no longer work today. "There is a sociality black out. "The young people are angry and disorientated and I'm worried about an explosion of scholastic desperation". Many students staged strikes and flash mob initiatives across the nation on Monday to protest against the situation. Around 300,000 high-school students in Tuscany, Abruzzo and Valle D'Aosta did manage to return to school on Monday. (ANSA). - AAM, a leading global driveline systems solutions provider, and Inovance Automotive, a China-based supplier specializing in electric propulsion components and systems, recently signed a Technology Development Agreement - Collaboration will accelerate the development and delivery of scalable, next-generation 3-in-1 electric drive systems for the global market - AAM and Inovance will continue their launch of current generation 3-in-1 drive units beginning with the first 135 kW model supporting a Chinese OEM in the first quarter of 2021 DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM) (NYSE: AXL), a leading global automotive supplier of driveline and metal forming technologies, and Suzhou Inovance Automotive Ltd. (Inovance Automotive), a leading provider of automotive power electronics and powertrain systems in China, today announced a technology development agreement that will accelerate the development and delivery of scalable, next-generation 3-in-1 electric drive systems, which integrates an inverter, electric motor and gearbox. AAM logo AAM and Inovance Automotive will focus on the advancement of highly integrated 3-in-1 electric drive systems leveraging the partners' complimentary expertise in electric-propulsion technology. The collaboration will seek to enhance the power density, efficiency and cost effectiveness of the electric drive technology offered in the global NEV market. "The global electric drive market continues to expand as increasingly stringent emissions regulations require innovative propulsion system solutions," said David C. Dauch, AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our cooperation with Inovance Automotive will add an exciting new offering to AAM's fast-growing portfolio of scalable 3-in-1 electric drive systems and accelerate our ability to bring new cost competitive technologies to market. We are excited to join forces with such a highly accomplished and innovative provider of power electronics technology." Story continues Li Juntian, CEO of Inovance Automotive added: "Inovance Automotive is dedicated to providing world-class solutions to the New Energy Vehicle market. We look forward to collaborating with AAM to expand our global product and customer reach while producing innovative integrated electric drive units for the next generation of electric and hybrid vehicles." AAM and Inovance are launching 3-in-1 electric drive units supporting four customer programs from AAM's Changshu Manufacturing Complex beginning with the first 135 kW model for a Chinese OEM in first quarter of 2021. The partnership between AAM and Inovance Automotive will strengthen both companies' positions as leading providers of electric-propulsion technology in China and the global automotive markets with next generation integrated electric drive units that offer best-in-class power density and efficiency. ABOUT AAM AAM (NYSE: AXL) delivers POWER that moves the world. As a leading global tier 1 automotive supplier, AAM designs, engineers and manufactures driveline and metal forming technologies that are making the next generation of vehicles smarter, lighter, safer and more efficient. Headquartered in Detroit, AAM has approximately 20,000 associates operating at nearly 80 facilities in 17 countries to support our customers on global and regional platforms with a focus on quality, operational excellence and technology leadership. To learn more, visit aam.com. About AAM's Electric Drive Technology AAM's all-new Electric Drive Technology is designed, engineered and manufactured to provide global automakers a product portfolio of hybrid and electric driveline systems that range from low-cost, value-oriented offerings to high-performance solutions. Using innovative design features and extensive experience in power density, torque transfer, noise-vibration-harshness reduction, heat management and systems integration, AAM developed industry-leading, scalable products suitable for every vehicle segment. ABOUT SUZHOU INOVANCE AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD. Suzhou Inovance Automotive Co., Ltd is a subsidiary of Inovance Group, a leading global provider of industrial automation solutions. With a full range of drive and power solutions, 600,000 applications and a high-performance R&D team, Inovance Automotive is China's first ISO26262 certified inverter manufacturer and is dedicated to provide world class ePowertrain components and systems for both electric and hybrid solutions. This press release may contain "forward-looking" statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties described in our most recent filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and actual results may differ materially. For more information: Investor Contact David Lim Head of Investor Relations (313) 758-2006 david.lim@aam.com Media Contact Christopher M. Son Vice President, Marketing & Communications (313) 758-4814 chris.son@aam.com Or visit the AAM website at www.aam.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/526564/AAM_Logo.jpg SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Thousands of Covid vaccine appointments for the coming days are lying empty while over-80s are waiting for the potentially lifesaving jab, it can be revealed. Staff are ready at sites across Northern Ireland to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to healthcare workers, with hundreds of appointments available in each trust on Monday and throughout the rest of the week. However, according to the official booking system last night, appointments were available at 10-minute intervals at five out of six vaccination centres throughout Monday and the rest of the week. Screenshots of the booking system from the trusts also showed only a handful of appointments had been booked through the week, while it is understood almost 600 slots went unused in the Belfast Trust on Sunday. The Department of Health on Sunday night said it was opening up the appointments to domiciliary care workers and those working in the independent sector after it was contacted by the Belfast Telegraph about the empty slots. It comes as some of the most vulnerable patients in the community are still waiting for an appointment for their first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine 11 days after it was granted approval by regulators. Dr John McSparran, a GP in Cushendall, said the practice where he works has been told they will receive 100 doses of the vaccine this week despite the fact they have 220 patients over the age of 80. Read More The situation has sparked anger among doctors who face a delay in getting the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in order that as many people as possible can get a first dose as quickly as possible. Health bosses have argued that the move is necessary to increase the number of people who have immunity to the virus in as short a timescale as possible. The majority of the slots currently available this week were originally scheduled to administer second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to healthcare staff - which have since been cancelled due to the change in policy. Dr John D Woods, chair of the British Medical Association's Consultants Committee in Northern Ireland, last night said: "I was originally scheduled to have my second dose of Pfizer vaccine today. It was cancelled. Expand Close Dr John D Woods / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dr John D Woods "It is disappointing to see that there seem to be a substantial number of appointments lying unused. "That capacity could have been used to help provide the best protection for all healthcare workers. "Lack of sufficiently trained staff is now our greatest problem in healthcare in Northern Ireland. It is essential staff have the best protection possible so there is a functioning health service available for everyone in Northern Ireland should they become ill." The apparent failure to make full use of appointments to vaccinate people against Covid-19 comes days after a teaching union called for priority vaccination for teachers. Rates of coronavirus prevalence amongst school staff are between three to four times higher than average for other adults, NASUWT has said. Union general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said rolling the vaccine out to teachers would help speed up the reopening of schools. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew, chair of the Stormont health committee, said: "Given the critical importance of the vaccine rollout at this time, any delay in ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable and our frontline workers from the virus is very concerning as it could affect our ability to address the current high levels of Covid-19 transmission. "It is also vital that frontline staff are provided with the protection the vaccine offers as soon as possible to protect not just them, but also those under their care. "The Health Minister needs to clarify what, if any, delays are being experienced and act urgently to address them." The Department of Health was asked to say how many Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines remain in Northern Ireland, but did not respond. However, a spokeswoman said: "The slots are filled as individuals book on so they will usually be empty in the week ahead but filled by the time the session takes place. "Every day trusts are vaccinating thousands of individuals with their first dose and care home residents and staff with their second dose. "We are still working through the JCVI priority groups with the Pfizer vaccine that we have. "The vaccination programme continues apace and as of Friday, 74,000 vaccinations have been administered in Northern Ireland. "Of these, some 65,000 are first doses and 9,000 second doses, with 166 care homes having their second dose." Meanwhile, the vaccination programme will be opened to dental, pharmacy and optometry teams from next Monday. Days ahead of Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali's visit to India, PM KP Sharma Oli said on Sunday that he will get back the territories of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh from New Delhi. Nepal's Foreign Minister will visit India on January 14, in a bid to restore normalcy in bilateral relations that soured over a bitter border row. 'We will get them back...' "Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh which are located east of the Mahakali River belong to Nepal as per the Sugauli Treaty. We will get them back through diplomatic talks with India, Oli said. "Our Foreign Minister will visit India on January 14 during which his discussion will be centred on the issue of the map that we have published with the inclusion of the three territories," said Oli, who had triggered the border row last year after his government came out with a new political map that showed Indian territories as part of Nepal. Oli also said that his government has made sincere efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with both India and China. "I, in a real sense want friendship with India and take it forward for a stronger bond in the coming days. I want that friendship to flourish, take it to a new height, which never would be on basis of inequalities. It would rather be based on sovereignty and equality, on the basis of which the relation between the two countries would develop and expand further. That friendship also would spring from deep within the heart," ANI quoted Oli as saying. India-Nepal bilateral ties The Prime Minister also said that recent high-level visits from India and China were goodwill ones. "They came here to convey their good wishes. There is nothing to worry much about that," he was quoted as saying by My Republica newspaper. After Nepal released the map last year, India reacted sharply, calling it a "unilateral act" and cautioning Kathmandu that such "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims will not be acceptable to it. India said that Nepal's action violated an understanding reached between the two countries to resolve the boundary issues through talks. The bilateral exchanges that had stalled due to the bitter boundary dispute were reset in the later part of 2020 with a series of high-level visits, as New Delhi emphasised that it sees itself as the Himalayan nation's "foremost friend" and development partner. READ | Nepal PM Oli 'tired of making deals with Prachanda'; Chinese ploy to restore unity fails READ | Amid crisis & China's meddling, Nepal's former PM Prachanda in Mumbai for wife's treatment Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's maiden visit to Nepal in November was largely aimed at resetting bilateral ties. Shringla met Prime Minister Oli and other top political brass and emphasised that India and Nepal are on the same page and share the same vision. Meanwhile, Oli also defended his decision to dissolve parliament, saying "I was forced to dissolve the House of the Representatives as some people in my party did not allow the government to perform well." President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved Parliament in December on the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli and announced the mid-term general election in April-May, a decision termed unconstitutional, impulsive and autocratic by the Opposition and dissidents in the ruling Nepal Communist Party. Oli had earlier claimed that efforts were being made to oust him after his government redrew the country's political map by incorporating three strategically key Indian territories. READ | Nepal's Opposition party takes to street, reignites protest for Hindu Rashtra and monarchy READ | China plays down its Nepal meddling after Oli rejects Beijing's advice; 2 options proposed (With agency inputs) Slamming the Hindu Mahasabha's 'Godse Gyaanshala', veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday, said that the basic fight with the BJP was ideological. Stating that Mahatma Gandhi was the biggest Hindu, he denounced Godse - saying his name was poisonous. Terming Godse as the first terrorist, Singh said the move by the Hindu Mahasabha - an RSS affiliate, to idolize Godse was shameful. "The battle is of ideology. Was there any bigger Hindu than Gandhiji? He died saying Hey Ram. Nathuram Godse was a traitor whose name was poisonous. He was the first terrorist," said Digvijaya Singh to reporters. Hindu Mahasabha opens 'Godse Gyaanshala' in MP's Gwalior; terms him a 'true patriot' Hindu Mahasabha unveils 'Godse Gyaanshala' In a shocking insult to the Father of the Nation, the Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday opened a study centre on Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, at its office in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Named as 'Godse Gyaanshala', the Hindu Mahasabha claimed that it is to "educate" youngsters on the Partition of India and to spread awareness about historical personalities like Maharana Pratap. Mahasabha leaders like Vinod Joshi, Kailash Narayan Sharma, Lal ji Sharma and Haridas Agrawal were present on the occasion. In the visuals, portraits of Godse and fellow convict Narayan Apte, along with other leaders including Jan Sangh leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee and RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar were seen. The Mahasabha workers were seen performing aarti and chanting hymns. Hindu Mahasabha national vice president Jaiveer Bhardwaj said, "The Nathuram Godse "gyaanshala" will inform the young generation about various aspects of the Partition of India and will disseminate information on national leaders like Guru Gobind Singh, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap". Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India reports 16,311 fresh cases, 19,299 recoveries in 24 hours Calling Godse a true patriot, Bharadwaj also said that Mahasabha has no political motives but wants to promote "true history". He also added that the library will be opened from January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This is not the first time that Hindu Mahasabha has praised Godse openly. Earlier in 2017, the Mahasabha had unveiled a statue of Godse but after strong opposition, the statue was seized. Defending the Gyaanshala, Bharadwaj said," He took training in Gwalior and purchased pistol to kill Gandhi and Jinnah from here and then went to Delhi. He tried once but wasn't successful. And it was Congress' fault because they were in power and they did not bother to care about his actions. Later when Godse killed Gandhi, then Hindu Mahasabha said that anyone who will divide the nation will not be forgiven. The youth of this country should know that Godse was inspired by great people and here, they will get to read about Godse and about his nationalism." RSS leader claims Left lobby infiltrated farmers' stir for own benefit; also slams AIMIM Ram temple to be symbol of India's self-respect and pride: RSS Statement following the New Decade, New Approach Implementation Review Meeting Statement Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State and leaders of the DUP, SF, SDLP, Alliance Party following the New Decade, New Approach Implementation Review Meeting The first Implementation Review Meeting of the New Decade, New Approach agreement was held today by videoconference, with the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and the leaders of the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. On the anniversary of the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive, the participants discussed the progress that has been made over the past year by the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly and in the North/South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council. The participants also discussed the context of the unprecedented challenge for the entire Executive, as well as for the UK and Irish Governments, in responding to a global pandemic and both its public health and economic impacts. In light of these challenges, the participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring the sustainable and effective operation of all the devolved institutions to ensure that the interests of the people of Northern Ireland are served by their democratically elected leaders, and committed themselves to the ongoing implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. | Next Item DENVER, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumen Technologies* (NYSE: LUMN) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Level 3 Financing Inc. ("Level 3 Financing"), plans to offer $900 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes (the "Sustainability-Linked Notes") in its inaugural offering of notes with sustainability-linked features. The offering of the Sustainability-Linked Notes is aligned with Lumen's science-based emission reduction targets and its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Level 3 Financing intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem all $900 million aggregate principal amount of Level 3 Financing's 5.375% Senior Notes due 2024. Lumen, as part of its ESG initiatives, has established science-based targets to reduce its annualized absolute market-based Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 18% and its annualized absolute upstream Scope 3 GHG emissions by 10% by 2025, with 2018 as the baseline year for measurement. Lumen plans to continue to report its progress towards its ESG goals in its annual ESG reports. The Sustainability-Linked Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or any state securities laws in the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the applicable registration requirements. Accordingly, the Sustainability-Linked Notes are being offered and sold only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. The Sustainability-Linked Notes will not have registration rights. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Sustainability-Linked Notes, nor will there be any sale of the Sustainability-Linked Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to any of Level 3 Financing's outstanding senior notes. About Lumen 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. 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. on Jan. 22, 2021. Effective as of Jan. 22, 2021, the CUSIP number for the company's common stock is scheduled to change to 550241 103. Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical and factual information, the matters set forth in this release and other of our oral or written statements identified by words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "intends," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are based on current expectations only, are inherently speculative, and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include, but are not limited to: the possibility that potential debt investors will not be receptive to the offering on the terms described above or at all; corporate developments that could preclude, impair or delay the above-described transactions due to restrictions under the federal securities laws; changes in Level 3 Financing's credit ratings; changes in the cash requirements, financial position, financing plans or investment plans of Level 3 Financing or its affiliates; changes in general market, economic, tax, regulatory or industry conditions that impact the ability or willingness of Level 3 Financing or its affiliates to consummate the above-described transactions on the terms described above or at all; and other risks referenced from time to time in the filings of Lumen Technologies or Level 3 Parent LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans (including our plans expressed herein) without notice at any time and for any reason. SOURCE Lumen Technologies Related Links https://www.lumen.com Police in Germany investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are set to interview witnesses who knew suspect Christian Brueckner. German and Portuguese investigators will carry out a series of interviews in a new push to find the 'missing piece of the jigsaw', the Mirror reports. It is hoped that interviews with a number of people in the Algarve who knew main suspect Christian Brueckener, 43, could help snare the paedophile. Experts see the new interviews as a step forward in the investigation and are hopeful they will lead to Brueckner himself being questioned and possibly charged. German and Portuguese investigators are set to carry out a series of interviews with witnesses who knew Christian Brueckner in a new push to find the 'missing piece of the jigsaw' in the Madeleine McCann (pictured) investigation A source told the Mirror: 'There is a real sense of new year, new hunt for clues. It's very much in everyone's minds to get the case cracked. 'There's a missing piece of the jigsaw still out there somewhere.' On top of the new interviews, a second top-level summit between German, British and Portuguese police is also expected to be held this year. A secret summit was already held by the three police services last summer to 'fine-tune' Brueckner's profile after he emerged as a suspect. It is hoped that interviews with a number of people in the Algarve who knew main suspect Christian Brueckener, 43, could help snare the paedophile (pictured) However, Brueckner has not been questioned by any police service about Madeleine's disappearance in 2007. Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, on Portugal's Algarve, on May 3, 2007. Brueckner was told last November that he will remain behind bars until 2026, after losing a bid to overturn a rape conviction. He was last year found guilty of the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in the same Portuguese resort and sentenced to seven years in a Hanover jail, at a court in Brunswick, Lower Saxony. A secret summit was already held by the three police services last summer to 'fine-tune' Brueckner's profile after he emerged as a suspect. Pictured: A general view of the hotel building where Madeleine McCann disappeared from in 2007 The 43-year-old German national - referred to as Christian B in Germany due to the country's strict privacy laws - was identified as a suspect in the Madeleine investigation last June. Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, on Portugal's Algarve, on May 3, 2007. In December, Scotland Yard confirmed it has no plans to end its missing person investigation, despite the belief of German prosecutors that Madeleine was murdered. ROME (Reuters) - Dozens of students staged a sit-in protest outside their school in central Rome on Monday, urging the government to re-open the education sector across the country after most of its 20 regions extended closures to contain rising COVID-19 infections. Italian schools reopened in mid-September after a six-month stop - the longest in Europe - but face-to-face lessons in high schools across the country were gradually suspended again a month later due to a new surge in cases. "School is crucial. We are asking for a safe return to face-to-face activities," student Emanuele Santori said during a demonstration in Rome outside his Cavour school under the shadow of the Colosseum. Fellow pupil Ilaria Rinattieri added: "It is true we are young, but it is also true we will be the next electoral voters, workers and the citizens of tomorrow." Last week the government said high schools could restart at 50% capacity as of Jan. 11 but only 4 regions have re-opened. Most regional heads said it was too early and ordered that the return to classes be postponed by several weeks. Italy's powerful regional heads can overturn the central government's orders on certain issues, including education. "I have done everything I could do, the schools are ready to start but the regions have the ability to reopen them or not," Education Minister Lucia Azzolina told state broadcaster RAI. "Distance learning is not working any more." Italy, the first Western country to be hit by COVID-19, has reported over 78,700 coronavirus-related fatalities since discovering the pandemic in February, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the sixth-highest in the world. After the Christmas holidays, Italy returned to a three-tier system which allows for different measures to be applied to different regions according to infection levels. "Linking schools reopening to the zones system or to the whim of regional governors makes every decision unstable," parents committee 'A Scuola!' (To School!) wrote in a letter to newspaper Corriere della Sera. "As parents, teachers and citizens, we are tired." (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Mike Collett-White) Four ancient Chinese sites were recently recognized as World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), making the total number of Chinese irrigation projects on the list to 23. The four sites include the Tianbao Weir in east China's Fujian province, Longshou Canal and Ancient Luohe River Irrigation District in northwest China's Shaanxi province, the Weirs of Baishaxi Stream Project in east China's Zhejiang province, and the Sangyuanwei Polder Embankment System in south China's Guangdong province. This made China a country that has the richest type, widest distribution and highest irrigation efficiency of heritage structures,. The ICID, established in 1950, includes 80 national and regional committees and covers over 95 percent of the world's irrigation areas. The organization set up the WHIS award in 2014, aiming to protect and promote irrigation projects of historical value and their scientific experience. So far, 105 sites in 16 countries have been enlisted, including the Dujiangyan irrigation system in southwest China's Sichuan province, the Lingqu Canal in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous prefecture, the Ziquejie Terrace in central China's Hunan province and the Hetao Irrigation Area in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. ICID Secretary General Ashwin Pandya noted that all enlisted sites are milestones for world's irrigation development, whose design, construction technologies, size, water intake, and irrigation areas must be in a leading position in their respective times and have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of local agriculture, food production, farmers' income and poverty reduction. Just like what the ancient Chinese irrigation structures have displayed, the WHIS projects represented innovation or miracles in their respective times and provided broad assistance and profound inspiration for modern irrigation theories and development, the secretary general remarked. All the enlisted Chinese irrigation sites fit into the above features. For instance, the Tianbao Weir, built 1,300 years ago, is the oldest extant water project specifically aimed at barring saltwater and storing freshwater. The Longshou Canal and Ancient Luohe River Irrigation District in Shaanxi Province is said to involve the first underground canal in China's history, making use of the shaft-tunnel method. It drove the development of tunnel excavation and water conservancy project. The Weirs of Baishaxi Stream Project covers 45 km of the Baishaxi Stream and has a total water-level drop of 168 meters. It was a leading project of its time regarding engineering planning and size. Pandya noted the ancient Chinese irrigation projects reflected a vision of harmonious coexistence between mankind and the nature, and are a huge contribution to and a great inspiration for today's irrigation farming. Some of them are still bringing gigantic economic and social benefits today. Over the past thousands of years, the ancient Chinese built a number of water conservancy projects and facilities, leaving valuable material and spiritual wealth. Today, China is making efforts to build high-quality farmland and develop water-efficient irrigation, so as to promote the high-quality development of its agriculture. It conforms to the country's actual conditions and the global trend of irrigation development, said Harish Kumar Varma, executive director of the ICID. China has employed drones, AI, big data, 5G and other advanced technologies in its irrigation practice and optimized agricultural irrigation with high-techs, which set a good example for the world to solve the water conservancy bottleneck when promoting poverty reduction, Pandya said. China is also actively contributing sustainable development schemes to global water treatment. Last October, the Belt and Road River and Lake Ecological Protection Technology Joint Training was launched in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, joined by representatives from Kenya, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Pakistan and Nigeria. China is proactively cooperating with UN organizations and relevant international organizations to offer training sessions for young professionals from Belt and Road countries and regions, so as to advance water resource cooperation. World Water Council president Loic Fauchon has visited China multiple times and witnessed the combined efforts made by China to simultaneously advance economic and social progress and water conservancy construction. He believes China is receiving broad attention for its experiences, and the country is an important participant of global governance, including water treatment. It sounds like emotions will run high in The Bachelor again Monday, with the second episode of Season 25 promising what ABC says is multiple women spiraling out of control as Matt James continues his search for romance. That might be a bit of a contrast to last weeks season premiere, where James spoke with candor about the pressure he feels as the first Black star of The Bachelor in the history of the show. (How to watch: The Bachelor airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on ABC. No cable or antenna? Live stream The Bachelor on FuboTV (which offers a 7-day free trial); or Hulu + Live TV; you can stream episodes the following day on Hulu) Other highlights included James awarding his First Impression Rose to Abigail Heringer, a 25-year-old client financial manager who grew up in Salem, and who currently lives in the Portland area. As with James, Heringers appearance on the show is historic, as host Chris Harrison has said that Heringer is the first hearing-impaired person to appear on The Bachelor. Heringer wasnt the only Portland metro area woman to make the early cut, in which James chose 24 women out of the 32 who arrived at Pennsylvanias Nemacolin Resort, where this season is filming, under conditions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Pieper James, a 23-year-old graduate student from Happy Valley, also received a blossom during the first rose ceremony. So, what can we expect in Episode 2 of the new season? According to the show publicity, the women who made it past that first rose ceremony will find that dating Matt is intoxicating although the atmosphere among the women is plain toxic. Uh, oh. But wait! Theres more! The episode also features the largest group date in Bachelor history, with 18 women dressing up for a wedding photo shoot, featuring James as the groom. Aw, now, thats just mean, isnt it? But hey, whats a season of The Bachelor without sobbing, jealousy and other hijinks? And, since James included Queen Victoria among the 24 who survived the first episode, we likely can expect more of her attempts to hog camera time, er, engage in supposedly colorful antics. As long as we dont have to hear any more about the sex toy that Katie, the bank marketing manager from Renton, Washington, brought for her intro to James, Ill be happy. More of our coverage: The Bachelor 2021: How did the Portland-area bachelorettes do in Episode 1? The Bachelor Season 25: 2 Oregon women among the bachelorettes wholl compete for Matt James affection Subscribe to our What to Watch newsletter. Email: -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist 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. EDWARDSVILLE The number of prisoners processed into the Madison County Jail last year dropped dramatically. Chief Madison County Deputy Sheriff Maj. Jeff Connor on Friday told the Madison County Boards Judiciary Committee that in 2020 the sheriffs department processed 3,728 prisoners about half as many as the 7,443 coming through the jail in 2019. In addition to a dramatic decrease because of COVID-19, the numbers were also down because they were being systematically reduced before the virus to accommodate the nearly-complete $14 million jail renovation project. That is expected to be completed in March. Connor noted the average number of prisoners per day was 279. Part of the reason was as many prisoners as possible were released, while many police agencies curtailed filing charges. However, those numbers have been going up recently. He said there are currently 314 prisoners in the jail. Of those, 27 are awaiting transfer to Illinois Department of Corrections facilities and another 10 for the Illinois Department of Human Services transfers. Moving prisoners to DOC during the pandemic has been a long-standing issue. We are first on the list for male inmates to be taken once they open that up, Connor said. Theyre hopping that will start at the end of the month. The committee last week also approved two purchase requests for the department, including one for two new commercial washers and two commercial dryers at a cost of $33,579. Connor said the jails current machines are in almost constant use and are starting to break down. Also approved was the renewal of the annual professional services contract for medical care at the jail at a cost of $422,302.64. Committee Chairman Mike Walters, R-Godfrey, read a communication from Assistant Attorney General Jane Sternecky, regarding a Freedom of Information Act Request from former IT Department Director Rob Dorman. Dorman had made a request Aug. 19 with the Sheriffs Department, for documents relating to the investigation that eventually led to the firing of him and County Administrator Doug Hulme. That included investigation documents as well as inter-office correspondence. On Dec. 31 an additional request was made, and Sternecky wanted clarification on information that was not made available. Hulme and Dorman were fired by the Madison County Board in April amid allegations they improperly accessed confidential information for political purposes. The two have since sued the county; the suit is ongoing. U.S. Attorney Coleman Announces Resignation By West Kentucky Star Staff LOUISVILLE - United States Attorney Russell Coleman has announced his resignation.Coleman, a Trump nominee, has served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky since Sept. 2017. The Western District includes all of western Kentucky, with the Paducah division handling local cases. His resignation will be effective Jan. 20.Coleman was chosen last year to serve on the President's Commission on Law Enforcement.He did not give a specific reason for his resignation in a statement released Monday morning, but it's common for U.S. attorneys to resign when a new president takes office.You can read his full statement below: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) A number of cities have announced that they have signed deals for the advance purchase of the AstraZeneca vaccine. San Juan City, Valenzuela City, Vigan, Caloocan City and Iloilo City all confirmed their separate agreements with the pharmaceutical company on Sunday, many of them through social media posts. The local government of Valenzuela said its deal was for 640,000 doses of the vaccine. "With the AstraZeneca vaccines, 320,000 individuals will be vaccinated, which is 70% of the target population of the city (18 years old below are excluded)," said the post. "The vaccines are projected to arrive in the 2nd half of 2021 and Valenzuela City will be one of the first City Governments to roll out the said vaccines," it added. San Juan City also announced it has signed a tripartite agreement with the national government, through the National Task Force Against COVID-19, and the pharmaceutical company for the procurement of vaccines as soon as they become available. In a statement, Mayor Francis Zamora said they have allocated 50 million for the program, but did not disclose how many doses of the vaccine were included in the deal. Vigan said it has signed an agreement for the advance purchase of 100,000 to 120,000 doses of the vaccine. "We ordered enough doses to vaccinate all residents of Vigan City, aged 18 years old and above," said the post. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas said their deal was for 600,000 doses, costing about $3 million. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan also confirmed their order of not less than 600,000 doses. Pasig City has also sealed the deal to purchase 400,000 vaccine doses from AstraZeneca worth P100 million. Mayor Vico Sotto said the quantity and delivery date will depend on several factors. On Jan. 6, President Rodrigo Duterte allowed local government units to enter into tripartite agreements with the national government and vaccine manufacturers so that they can purchase COVID-19 vaccines in advance. READ: COVID-19 vaccines: Where is PH in the procurement, clinical trials? Some local government units nationwide have announced how much they would be spending for the inoculation of their residents. << >> Makati City, Quezon City, and Taguig all said they would be shelling out 1 billion each to vaccinate their residents for free. BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) - A World Health Organization (WHO) team of international experts tasked with investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic will arrive in China on Jan. 14, Chinese authorities said on Monday. Lack of authorisation from Beijing had delayed the arrival of the 10-strong team on a long-awaited mission to investigate early infections, in what China's foreign ministry called a "misunderstanding". The National Health Commission, which announced the arrival date, delayed from its early January schedule, did not detail the team's itinerary, however. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the news and said that studies would begin in the central city of Wuhan where the first human cases were identified. "We look forward to working closely with our (Chinese) counterparts on this critical mission to identify the virus source & its route of introduction to the human population," Tedros wrote on Twitter. He previously said he was "very disappointed" when experts were denied entry earlier this month, forcing two members of the team to turn back. China has been accused of a cover-up that delayed its initial response, allowing the virus to spread since it first emerged in the central city of Wuhan late in 2019. The United States has called for a "transparent" WHO-led investigation and criticised its terms, which allowed Chinese scientists to do the first phase of preliminary research. 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 it emerged in multiple regions. A health expert affiliated with the WHO said expectations should be "very low" that the team will reach a conclusion from their trip to China. WHO emergencies chief Mike Ryan sought to defuse tensions around the trip at a virtual press briefing later on Monday. Story continues "We are looking for the answers here that may save us in future - not culprits and not people to blame," he said, adding that the WHO was willing to go "anywhere and everywhere" to find out how the virus emerged. While other countries continue to struggle with infection surges, China has aggressively doused flare-ups. Sunday's 103 new cases were mainland China's biggest daily increase in more than five months, as new infections rise in the province of Hebei, surrounding the capital, Beijing. Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei, went into lockdown and Hebei closed down some sections of highways in the province to curb the spread of the virus. (Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps) (Reporting by Gabriel Crossley and Emma Farge and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; Writing by Se Young Lee; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Michael Perry and Toby Chopra) 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. The social media platform and its rivals are right to banish the president, but it makes Twitters future decidedly more complicated. Top New Jersey and Pennsylvania officials criticized the federal governments rollout of the coronavirus vaccine on Monday, saying the presidents administration hasnt delivered enough doses and set unrealistic expectations about how many people could be vaccinated. Touring a new vaccination mega-site in South Jersey, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, both Democrats, expressed frustration with the federal government for delivering fewer than the expected number of doses to the state. Theyre not paying attention, Sweeney said of President Donald Trumps administration. Its not this administrations priority, obviously. ... Its not [the Murphy] administrations fault, its Washingtons fault. In Pennsylvania, Health Secretary Rachel Levine again knocked the federal government for suggesting 20 million people would be vaccinated by the end of 2020, saying that had raised false hope. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told the Washington Post that his team had meant 20 million vaccine doses would be available and had accidentally created the unrealistic expectations.) The comments came amid criticism about the number of doses that have been delivered to the states but reportedly remain unused largely due to logistical challenges, The Inquirer reported this weekend. Everybody will get vaccinated. We will have enough, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Monday. Its just a matter of time. READ MORE: Hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines havent been used in Pa. and N.J. Heres why, and whats next. Both states were making plans for accelerating inoculations. Last week, Pennsylvania stepped up the pace of vaccine doses given out over the previous week, and about 300 sites have been set up around New Jersey, waiting to administer shots. Vaccine providers in Pennsylvania can inoculate members of the second priority group people 75 and older and essential frontline workers if they dont have enough interest from currently eligible health-care workers, Levine said. We absolutely dont want them to waste vaccines, she said. We want them to administer them to whoever is in front of them at that moment. READ MORE: U.S. ramps up COVID-19 vaccinations to get doses to more Americans State officials were still discussing when to formally open vaccines up to the second priority group, which Levine said would occur soon, and what the process for that rollout will be. The health secretary said it remains to be seen whether a postholiday spike in cases is taking hold in the commonwealth, partly because new case reports are always lower over weekends. But the state, like the nation, is still seeing an increase in coronavirus-related fatalities: Since Jan. 1, the deaths of 1,978 Pennsylvanians have been reported. Nationwide, the first 10 days of 2021 were among the deadliest yet, with more than 28,000 related deaths, according to an Inquirer analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University. The country is now averaging at least 3,240 coronavirus deaths a day. Jonathan Holloway, president of Rutgers University, announced Monday that he had tested positive for the virus after being exposed by someone in his household. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democratic congresswoman from the Trenton area, announced she also had the virus after sheltering with other lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday during the insurrection by Trump supporters. Watson Coleman said in a statement Monday that she believed she was exposed during protective isolation in a crowded room where some House members refused to wear masks; Congress attending physician said a person in the room had the virus. Postholiday surge not yet clear Levine said health officials remained very concerned about possible case increases, especially after the end of last week saw two days with more than 10,000 new cases a day for the first time since the peak of Decembers surge. There was a good sign, however: The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive has been declining steadily since the seven-day period ending Dec. 10, falling from a peak of 16.2% to 14.4% on Thursday. Virus-related hospitalizations have also slightly declined since last month, with about 5,201 people being treated in the commonwealths hospitals as of Monday. Pennsylvania on Monday reported 5,338 new cases and 83 deaths, plus 7,506 cases and 103 deaths recorded Sunday. Philadelphia announced 1,490 cases, representing test results reported since Friday, and seven deaths. In New Jersey, the rate of virus transmission increased slightly, which Murphy said was likely a result of holiday gatherings. The state reported 5,042 cases and 51 deaths. We must show patience The vaccine mega-site that opened in New Jersey on Friday will vaccinate about 1,000 people per week and eventually up to 2,400 people a day, Murphy said Monday as he showed off the sprawling facility at Rowan College of South Jersey. Dozens stood outside lined up for shots before 10 a.m. Only health-care workers, residents of long-term care homes, police, and firefighters are cleared to receive the vaccination so far, and Murphy applauded as he watched several men and women receive injections. He elbow-bumped and thanked staff members who were administering the shots at folding tables set up inside part of Rowans college center thats normally used as a cafeteria. More than 214,000 people have now gotten the vaccine in New Jersey, and the state added a public vaccination tracker to its COVID-19 website. As members of the public preregister on the states website to be alerted when theyre eligible to get their shot, state officials said there was no sign of widespread fraud, though sporadic attempts at line-jumping had taken place. Most who signed up were truthful about the priority group they were in, and others may have been confused, Persichilli said. We are trusting people to do the right thing here, she said. I get many, many emails a day from people really begging to get the vaccine, and I dont blame them. But we just have to try to do it in an orderly fashion. READ MORE: COVID-19 vaccines have gone mostly to white Philadelphians. Heres what the city is doing to change that. In Pennsylvania, Levine said delays from vaccine providers in reporting the number of people inoculated so far could be up to several days. She acknowledged the state wanted to improve its pace. We all need to do better and continue to roll out the vaccine and get vaccines into arms, she said. As of Monday, at least 310,000 first doses have been administered in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. That number the previous week, three weeks after the rollout began, was about 206,400 indicating the pace of inoculation has increased. Those numbers dont include first and second doses provided to nursing home residents and staff by CVS more than 58,000 so far and 21,000 second doses administered in Pennsylvania. In total, Pennsylvania has received 827,300 doses of the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. More are on the way. I know it is really challenging to have patience, but we must show patience as the amount of vaccine available to Pennsylvania is still extremely limited, Levine said. And it will take several months before there is enough vaccine for everyone. Staff writers Rob Tornoe, Jonathan Tamari, Susan Snyder, and Laura McCrystal contributed to this article. This article has been updated to reflect Pennsylvanias most recent inoculation numbers. Press Trust of India The government was in the process of developing a capability in which scientists can go deep into the ocean beyond three kilometres for taking up ocean exploration, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday. Participating in a function in Chennai, he said India was ranked at the top in weather forecasting and had never issued a false warning whenever cyclones were formed. "Normally it is about six hours of going down (in the ocean) doing some research activities and coming back. We are developing the capability in which scientists can go deep in the ocean beyond three kilometres and they can be there for almost 16 hours (for research purposes)," he said after dedicating coastal research vessel 'Sagar Avneshika' at Chennai Port Trust in Chennai. On weather forecast, he said the natural calamity, the country remembers was the Tsunami of 2004 which caused a 'tragedy of a huge magnitude'. "When we look back on how our scientists have developed (since Tsunami hit in 2004), we can proudly say that we are the best nation in the world in predicting early warnings of tsunami. We have never issued false warnings. My scientists tell me that Japan has issued false warnings on tsunamis," he said. The Minister said because of early warning facilities, states and administration were able to take up precautionary measures in protecting the people. "Some cyclones could have caused huge damage. But they were very well predicted sometimes 10 days or two weeks earlier so that the government and respective States got ample time and opportunity to take care of all the precautions so that lives of people and sources of livelihood could be protected," he pointed out. "The country's most ambitious mission was to launch a deep ocean mission which would look at all the aspects of the ocean as a source of minerals, a source of water and strengthen the scientific community," he said. "We are already in the process and then we will take the help of big organisations in a collaborative way like DRDO, ISRO, people in IITs," he said. Dr Vardhan said 'Sagar Avneshika' launched today can accommodate about 15-20 scientists for research purposes and has laboratories similar to research vessel 'Sagar Thara' for taking up scientific explorations. "The state-of-the-art vessel will transform our ocean research activities and boost our blue economy," he said. The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation systems as well as research and exploration apparatus. "It would boost multi-disciplinary research on oceanography along the Indian coast and will deepen understanding of the ocean and help harness its enormous potential," he added. Loss of ARID1A causes increased glutamine metabolism, which can be blocked pharmacologically to target ARID1A-mutant tumors PHILADELPHIA -- (Jan. 11, 2020) -- Mutations that inactivate the ARID1A gene in ovarian cancer increase utilization of the glutamine amino acid making cancer cells dependent on glutamine metabolism, according to a study by The Wistar Institute published online in Nature Cancer. Researchers also showed that pharmacologic inhibition of glutamine metabolism may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for ARID1A-mutant ovarian cancer. Up to 60% of ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC) have inactivating mutations in the ARID1A tumor suppressor gene. These mutations are known genetic drivers of this type of cancer, which typically does not respond to chemotherapy and carries the worst prognosis among all subtypes of ovarian cancer. The laboratory of Rugang Zhang, Ph.D., deputy director of The Wistar Institute Cancer Center, professor and leader of the Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, studies the effects of ARID1A inactivation to devise new mechanism-guided therapeutic strategies and combination approaches to enhance immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. "Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of many cancers, including OCCC, so in this study we assessed whether ARID1A plays a role in regulation of metabolism," said Zhang, corresponding author on the paper. "We found that its inactivation in cancer cells creates a specific metabolic requirement for glutamine and exposed this as a vulnerability that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes." The authors inactivated ARID1A in wild type ovarian cancer cells and observed increased glutamine consumption. Glutamine is normally required for cancer cells to grow, but Zhang and colleagues unveiled a stronger dependence of ARID1A-mutant cells on this amino acid, which significantly enhanced the growth suppression induced by glutamine deprivation. ARID1A is part of a protein complex called SWI/SNF that modulates gene expression. The authors investigated the transcriptional effect of ARID1A inactivation and found that GLS1, which encodes for the glutaminase enzyme, was the top upregulated gene among those controlling glutamine metabolism. Accordingly, GLS1 was expressed at significantly higher levels in tumor samples from patients with other cancer types that also carry mutations in the SWI/SNF complex. The team evaluated the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the glutamine metabolism by blocking the glutaminase enzyme with the CB-839 inhibitor. It has been reported that this molecule is under investigation in clinical trials and is well tolerated as a single agent and in combination with other anticancer therapies. When tested in vivo on OCCC mouse models, CB-839 significantly reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. These studies were expanded to mice carrying patient-derived tumor transplants, confirming that CB-839 impaired the growth of ARID1A-mutant but not ARID1A-wildtype tumors. Researchers also combined CB-839 with anti-PDL1 treatment and revealed a synergy between glutaminase inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade in suppressing the growth of ARID1A-mutant OCCC tumors. "Our findings suggest that glutaminase inhibitors warrant further studies as a standalone or combinatorial therapeutic intervention for OCCC, for which effective options are very limited," said Shuai Wu, Ph.D., first author of the study and a staff scientist in the Zhang Lab. Glutaminase inhibitors could become a new strategy to precisely target a specific vulnerability of OCCC cells associated with loss of ARID1A function. ### Co-authors: Takeshi Fukumoto, Jianhuang Lin, Timothy Nacarelli, Heng Liu, Nail Fatkhutdinov, Joseph A. Zundell, Sergey Karakashev, Wei Zhou, Hsin-Yao Tang, Qin Liu, Andrew V. Kossenkov, David W. Speicher, Zachary T. Schug, and Chi Van Dang from The Wistar Institute; Yemin Wang, Dionzie Ong and David G. Huntsman from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Lauren E. Schwartz and Ronny Drapkin from University of Pennsylvania. Work supported by: National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants R01CA160331, R01CA163377, R01CA202919, R01CA239128, P01AG031862, P50CA228991, K99CA241395, R50CA221838, S10OD023658, S10OD023586; R01CA195670, F31CA247336, and T32CA009191; U.S. Department of Defense grants OC180109 and OC190181. Additional support was provided by The Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research and The Tina Brozman Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium 2.0; and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (Collaborative Research Development Grant #596552 and Ann and Sol Schreiber Mentored Investigator Award #598026). Core support for The Wistar Institute was provided by the Cancer Center Support Grant P30CA010815. Publication information: Targeting glutamine dependence through GLS1 inhibition suppresses ARID1A-inactivated clear cell ovarian carcinoma, Nature Cancer, 2020. Online publication. The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org. A State High Court in Uyo has adjourned the election fraud case against a Nigerian professor, Ignatius Uduk, to Wednesday for trial. Mr Uduk, a professor of Human Kinetics in the Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, is facing a three-count charge which includes unlawful generation of election results during the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom State and lying under oath. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case is being prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The trial could not commence on Monday as earlier scheduled because INEC applied for the amendment of the charge. Because of that, the INEC witness, who was already in the witness box, stepped out without uttering a word. Besides, INEC lawyers failed to attach to the charge a written statement of their witness. Take a date, go and put your house in order, the court, presided over by Justice A.E Archibong, told the prosecution team led by Kpoobari Sigalo. The defence lawyer, Abasiodiong Ekpenyong, did not oppose the application for amendment. He, however, said the court should take notice that it appeared INEC was not prepared to prosecute the case. We came fully prepared, you can see our witness was in court, only that the written statement of the witness wasnt in the file. We thought those things were intact, only for us to discover this morning that it wasnt in the file, Mr Sigalo told reporters outside the courtroom. We actually filed our charge before the court, but we looked at the charge and there was need for a minor amendment of the charge and in the process we discovered that the written statement of the witness was not there, and the court guided us to go back and put our house in order, the lawyer added. Mr Uduk was an ad-hoc official of INEC and the returning officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency election. In a hand-written report to INEC, Mr Uduk said he was compelled to declare election results not collated by him, but by undisclosed persons who handed them to him. However, in another deposition, this time in a typed written statement on oath, Prof Uduk, driven in a dark tinted vehicle to the Election Tribunal venue, surprisingly stood as a witness against the Commission, to defend the same election results he did not collate but were given to him by undisclosed persons, INEC had said in a statement. Mr Uduk, before now, had refused to appear before a panel set up by INEC to investigate the alleged election fraud. He even threatened, through his lawyer, to sue INEC if the election commission continued to pester him with an invite to appear before the panel. Another professor, Peter Ogban, in the same university, was similarly arraigned for election fraud in November, for allegedly trying to help a former senator, Godswill Akpabio, win re-election. Mr Akpabio, who is now the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, lost the election to the Peoples Democratic Partys candidate, Chris Ekpenyong, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State. This is the first time ever that INEC will be prosecuting two professors for fraud. ADVERTISEMENT Credit: CC0 Public Domain COVID-19 patients who also suffer from high blood pressure are more likely to fall severely ill with the disease, which also leaves them at greater risk of death. Scientists from the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and ChariteUniversitatsmedizin Berlin, in collaboration with partners in Heidelberg and Leipzig, have now found that the immune cells of patients with hypertension are already pre-activated, and that this pre-activation is greatly enhanced under COVID-19. This most likely explains the augmented response of the immune system and the more severe disease progression. However, certain hypertension-reducing drugs known as ACE inhibitors can have a beneficial effect. They not only lower blood pressure, but also counteract immune hyperactivation. The scientists have now published their findings in the journal Nature Biotechnology. More than one billion people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension. Of the more than 75 million people around the world who have become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide so far, more than 16 million also have hypertension. These patients are more likely to become severely ill, which in turn results in an increased risk of death. It was previously unclear to what extent treatment with antihypertensive drugs could be continued during a SARS-CoV-2 infectionand whether they were more likely to benefit or harm the patients. This is because antihypertensives interfere with the exact same regulatory mechanism that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter the host cell and trigger COVID-19. Professor Ulf Landmesser is Medical Director of the ChariteCenter 11 for Cardiovascular Diseases, Director of the Medical Department of Cardiology and BIH Professor of Cardiology on the Charite's Campus Benjamin Franklin in Berlin. He recognized early on that patients with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases often experienced a particularly critical disease progression with COVID-19. "The virus uses the receptor ACE2 as an entry portal into the cells, and the formation of this receptor is potentially influenced by the administration of antihypertensive drugs," explains Landmesser. "We had therefore initially feared that patients receiving ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers might have more ACE2 receptors on their cell surfaces and thus become more easily infected." Certain drugs that lower blood pressure could also help with COVID-19 To clarify this suspicion, the scientists analyzed individual cells from the respiratory systems of COVID-19 patients who were also taking medication for high blood pressure. Dr. Soren Lukassen, a scientist in Professor Christian Conrad's group at the BIH Digital Health Center, explains that they were subsequently able to give the all-clear: "We found that the drugs do not seem to cause more receptors to form on the cells. As a result, we do not believe that they make it easier for the virus to enter the cells in this way and thus cause the more severe course of COVID-19." On the contrary, cardiovascular patients taking ACE inhibitors actually displayed a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19. In fact, they displayed almost the same level of risk as COVID-19 patients without cardiovascular problems. Severe course of COVID-19 linked to pre-activation of the immune system The blood of hypertensive patients usually shows elevated levels of inflammation, which can be fatal in the case of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. "Elevated inflammation levels are always a warning signal that COVID-19 will be more severe, regardless of any cardiovascular issues," explains Landmesser. The scientists therefore employed single-cell sequencing methods to investigate the immune response of hypertensive patients with COVID-19. "We analyzed a total of 114,761 cells from the nasopharynx of 32 COVID-19 patients and 16 non-infected controls, with both groups including cardiovascular patients as well as people without cardiovascular problems," reports Dr. Saskia Trump, research group leader in the lab of Irina Lehmann, who is BIH Professor for Environmental Epigenetics and Lung Research. "We found that the immune cells of the cardiovascular patients displayed strong pre-activation even before infection with the novel coronavirus," explains Lehmann. "After contact with the virus, these patients were more likely to develop an augmented immune response, which was associated with the severe disease progression of COVID-19. However, our results also showed that treatment with ACE inhibitors, though not with angiotensin receptor blockers, could prevent this augmented immune response following infection by the coronavirus. ACE inhibitors could thus reduce the risk of patients with hypertension from experiencing severe disease progression." Delayed reduction in viral load Furthermore, the scientists found that the anti-hypertensive drugs can also impact how quickly the immune system is able to reduce the viral load, i.e., the concentration of the virus in the body. "Here, we observed a clear difference between the different forms of treatment for high blood pressure," notes Roland Eils, Director of the BIH Digital Health Center. "In the patients treated with angiotensin II receptor blockers, the reduction in viral load was significantly delayed, which could also contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19. We did not observe this delay in the patients who were receiving ACE inhibitors to treat their hypertension." Interdisciplinary collaboration speeds up research More than 40 scientists have been working at a breakneck pace on this extensive study. "The ability to quickly provide answers to urgent questions during the ongoing pandemic requires interdisciplinary collaboration among many committed individuals," explains Eils. "COVID-19 is such a complex disease that we brought together experts from cardiology, immunology, virology, pulmonary medicine, intensive care and computer science for this study. Our goal was to provide a scientifically sound answer as quickly as possible to the question of whether simultaneous treatment with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers could have beneficial or even adverse effects during the COVID-19 pandemic." No evidence of increased risk of infection Thanks to the study, the teams from the BIH, Charite and collaborating institutions in Leipzig and Heidelberg can now reassure both patients and the physicians treating them: "Our study provides no evidence that treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs increases the risk of infection by the novel coronavirus," says Ulf Landmesser, summarizing the results. "However, treating hypertension with ACE inhibitors could be more beneficial for patients suffering from COVID-19 than treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockersa hypothesis that is currently being further investigated in randomized trials." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak More information: Saskia Trump et al, Hypertension delays viral clearance and exacerbates airway hyperinflammation in patients with COVID-19, Nature Biotechnology (2020). Journal information: Nature Biotechnology Saskia Trump et al, Hypertension delays viral clearance and exacerbates airway hyperinflammation in patients with COVID-19,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-00796-1 Provided by BIH at Charite 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 Studio Retail Group PLC - Accrington, Lancashire-based "digital-first value retailer" previously known as Findel - Says strong trading trends for Studio brand that were identified in interim results continued throughout December. Product sales were 32% ahead of a year before in financial third quarter, amid record trading on Black Friday and in lead-up to Christmas. Gross margin was 440 basis points above 2019. In Findel Education, third-quarter sales were up 15% on a year before, though Studio warns that recent announcements about school closures in the UK will reduce sales for Findel in coming weeks. Adjusted pretax profit in the 39 weeks to the end of December was GBP16 million ahead of the equivalent period a year before, improving from GBP6 million in annual growth in the first half. Studio says it has headroom of GBP32.7 million on its debt facility. Meanwhile, the strategic review and formal sale process launched early last month continues, Studio says. Its next trading update will be at the end of March. Current stock price: 302.50 pence, up 5.6% on Monday Year-to-date change: up 3.8% By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Regulatory News: Veolia (Paris:VIE) has issued a 700 million 6-year EUR bond (maturity January 2027) with a negative yield of -0.021 %, which is a first for a BBB issuer on this maturity. The transaction was very positively welcomed by the investors, which led to a sizeable orderbook (up to EUR 2 billion). Thanks to this strong demand, Veolia managed to materially improve the pricing of the issuance, and reach this negative yield. The high level of oversubscription, the quality of the investor base and the outstanding conditions that were achieved are signals of the significant appreciation of Veolia's credit quality, and of the credibility of Veolia's project of combining forces with Suez in order to create the World Champion of Ecological Transformation. The proceeds of this issuance will be used for General Corporate Purposes. Veolia groupis the global leader in optimized resource management. With nearly 178 780 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions which contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries. Through its three complementary business activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, preserve available resources, and to replenish them. In 2019, the Veolia group supplied 98 million people with drinking water and 67 million people with wastewater service, produced nearly 41 million megawatt hours of energy and converted 50 million metric tons of waste into new materials and energy. Veolia Environnement (listed on Paris Euronext: VIE) recorded consolidated revenue of 27.19 billion in 2019 (USD 30 billion). www.veolia.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005933/en/ Contacts: Veolia Group Media Relations Laurent Obadia Sandrine Guendoul Tel.+ 33 1 85 57 42 16 sandrine.guendoul@veolia.com Analysts Investors Ronald Wasylec Ariane de Lamaze Tel. 33 1 85 57 84 76 84 80 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) Libungan town, North Cotabato Mayor Christopher Cuan was shot dead, alongside his driver Edwin Ihao at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, the local police said. According to authorities, Cuan and Ihao came back from Davao City and were on their way to a cockpit arena to inspect an ongoing construction at Barangay Cabaruyan. Master Sgt. Anthony Basanez of the Libungan Municipal Police Station said initial investigation revealed that four unidentified suspects onboard a blue SUV tailed the victims and shot them several times. The victims died on the spot, he said. REDDING, Calif. The rebellion that took place inside a government building in rural Northern California happened the day before the violent siege of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors had planned to meet virtually Jan. 5 because of an uptick in coronavirus cases. The supervisors chambers in Redding were closed. Seats had been removed. The public speakers microphone was disabled. But, in protest, a newly elected supervisor unlocked the doors. In poured dozens of people, unmasked, to vent their fury. Three supervisors attending virtually watched from afar as threats flew amid the speeches. When Joe Bidens long winter sets and the dark night comes in this country, do you think youre going to get to see the dawn? Timothy Fairfield, 44, of Shingletown asked the supervisors. No, you will not. Flee now while you can. Because the days of your tyranny are drawing to a close, and the legitimacy of this government is waning. When the ballot box is gone, he added, there is only the cartridge box. You have made bullets expensive. But luckily for you, ropes are reusable. In some ways, the rhetoric in that officially closed county government facility carried a hint of the rage that would boil over 2,800 miles away when pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol the next day. Five deaths, including that of a U.S. Capitol Police officer and the police shooting of an Air Force veteran from San Diego County, have been linked to the siege. Here in Californias rural, conservative northern counties where people have long wanted to split from California and form a new state called Jefferson the kind of anger and distrust of the government that Trump has fomented is on full display. And it is not likely to go away any time soon, because some residents believe there is great political utility in making government officials believe that potential violence could become all too real. We have to make politicians scared again, Carlos Zapata, who attended the supervisors meeting, told the Los Angeles Times. If politicians do not fear the people they govern, that relationship is broken. That such tension is playing out in liberal California which voted overwhelmingly for Biden and fought the Trump administration on immigration, climate change and myriad other issues only signals that it is happening all across the country, locals say. While watching the violence unfolding in Washington, Supervisor Leonard Moty, who attended the county meeting virtually, thought of the threats hurled at him and his colleagues the day before. Moty, a former Redding police chief, texted the Board of Supervisors chairman, asking how he planned to keep their meetings safe in the future. I definitely saw parallels in that, Moty said in an interview. I saw the possibility of that kind of behavior erupting in our county. Moty said residents have become more blatantly threatening toward government employees amid the pandemic. Some announced the home address of the county health officer, prompting police to do extra patrols in her neighborhood. Its totally inappropriate, Moty said. Conducting the business of the county the public can tell us were doing it wrong. They can tell us how we ought to do it. But they should never make threatening statements. This is by far the worst its been, he added. They politicized the virus. The pandemic. You saw a culmination of it by a president who incited a whole group of people to march to the Capitol and do bad things. I think we have a number of people in this county who follow his voice. Who knows what they will do? Among the presidents supporters in Washington last week were men carrying the yellow-and-green State of Jefferson flag with its pair of Xs, called a double cross, that represent a sense of rural abandonment. As Moty watched the news with alarm, Zapata was keeping up with pro-Trump friends in the nations capital who, like him, believe the election was stolen. People say Oh, man, those people at the Capitol, they were violent. Thats un-American, " Zapata said. Im like, the most American thing they could have done is burn that ... down. In Shasta County, where Trump beat Biden by 33 percentage points, the supervisors meetings have become a prime venue for outrage. Accusations of treason and socialism are commonplace. So, too, is talk of revolution and civil war. In August, Zapata a 42-year-old Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq and now owns the Palomino Room restaurant and bar in nearby Red Bluff blasted supervisors for muzzling their faces with masks and said the closures and restrictions that have devastated small businesses are making families starve. His unplanned speech, in which he warned that its not going to be peaceful much longer, went viral. The next month, a man in a Grim Reaper mask tried, unsuccessfully, to light a surgical mask on fire during public comments. Another man announced in October that he was placing all of the supervisors under citizens arrest; when his three minutes of speaking time were up, sheriffs deputies escorted him out. By December, coronavirus cases were climbing in Shasta County. At least three employees in the county administration building, which houses the supervisors offices and board chambers, tested positive, Moty said. The supervisors voted 3-2 to hold virtual meetings as long as the county was in the most restrictive purple or red tiers in the states reopening plan. But when Patrick Jones a former Redding mayor who defeated an incumbent supervisor in the November election joined the board this month, the tenor changed. The incumbent had supported virtual meetings. Jones, who campaigned on reopening the county, did not. On Jan. 5, he showed up to his first meeting in person, along with one other supervisor, and welcomed the crowd inside. From behind the counter at Jones Fort, the Redding gun store he manages where a giant Jefferson flag hangs on the wall, Jones said last week that facing heated comments was just part of an elected officials job. There is a growing recall effort, he said, to oust his colleagues who did not come to the meeting in person. You need to face the public, he said. You need to hear their concerns. And, yeah, sometimes theyre angry. Sometimes theyre mean. They have the right to be. We may not like it, but under the Constitution and First Amendment, they have those rights. Jones called the melee in Washington unfortunate. I dont expect any violence here, he said. I know most of these people. Theyre venting, getting some frustrations out. At the Jan. 5 meeting, a bespectacled mother who said her son had struggled amid school closures told supervisors that civil war is brewing. Another mom in a MAGA hat who held up a picture of the yellow Star of David that Nazis forced Jewish people to wear and compared it to pandemic mask orders said she would fight in that civil war because Im not screwing around anymore. A 12-year-old boy said the restrictions had been created by the left to scare people and told the supervisors: Please open schools, sports. No masks. No social distancing. Wearing a polo shirt featuring a U.S. flag and the Lincoln Memorial, Terry Rapoza, a leader in the State of Jefferson movement, turned to the crowd, most of whom stood because the seats had been removed. Were here, arent we? he said as they cheered. Rapoza read a statement that he helped prepare for the self-proclaimed California State Militia that business owners were starting to place in their windows. The businesses, it says, are protected by the militia, and any attempt by the government to interfere may be met with resistance. In an interview, Rapoza said that there are still a lot of unanswered questions over what happened in Washington but that we did it the right way in Redding. If a little bit of the rhetoric got rough, big deal, he said. They used to beat each other with canes in Congress if someone said something off-color or stupid. For the most part, everyone was pretty level-headed. Theres a lot of disappointment with the people we elected. There will be a recall, and they will be gone. Three days after his furious speech, Fairfield said in an interview that he sees what happens at the supervisors meetings as a microcosm of what happens at the national level. A disabled Army veteran who served in Iraq, Fairfield said he believed that the presidential election had been stolen and that elites, including local officials, were profiting off the pandemic while Americans lost their livelihoods. Democracy doesnt die because people challenge the results of an election. Democracy dies when people dont believe the results of the election and dont believe what theyre being told by the government and the government mouthpieces like you, he told a Times reporter. No one believes the media. Among the groups putting pressure on Shasta County officials the State of Jefferson movement, the Redding Patriots, the Open Shasta Coalition, the California State Militia Zapata has become a favored voice since his August speech at the supervisors meeting, which has prompted multiple appearances on Alex Jones Infowars. Zapata is an active member of the militia and was a longtime Democrat who became a Republican to vote for Trump. He said he is weighing whether he should run for office himself, as a third-party candidate. The son of Peruvian immigrants, he raises rodeo bucking bulls on 10 acres in Palo Cedro, just up the road from the late country legend Merle Haggards ranch. At his home last week, he said that politicians should have a healthy fear of their constituents and that the line between a threat and a confrontation is a fine one. If county officials lock the buildings in the future, he predicted, people will march in, and they will have armed militia guards outside. Without the threat of physical violence, our words are empty. We have no teeth to our message, Zapata said. By calling for violence, am I saying, Hey, lets go kill people? Absolutely not. And I never have. Ive been misquoted there. But I am saying that were at the point now where we have to consider the threat of violence to protect ourselves. ___ Hailey Branson-Potts of the Los Angeles Times wrote this story. (c)2021 the Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed on 30 December 2020 The latest round-up of updates to key free trade agreements and trade preference programmes involving the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada covers developments in December 2020. UNITED STATES Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) On 21 December 2020, the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) under the US Department of Commerce announced the new tariff quota level for Haiti's apparel items under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). Specifically, from 20 December 2020 through 19 December 2021, Haiti can export a total of 337,967,087 square metres equivalent (SME) of apparel to the United States duty-free under CBERA. This quota level is equivalent to 1.25% of the aggregate SME of all apparel articles imported into the United States in the past 12 months. CBERA adopts "cut and sew" rules of origin for apparel items, which means that fibres, yarns and fabrics may be produced in any country, but cutting and sewing of the finished apparel garments must be formed in Haiti. From 20 December 2019 to 19 December 2020, Haiti utilised about 15.02% of the tariff quota for apparel items under CBERA. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) In a proclamation on 22 December 2020, President Trump announced the reinstatement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)'s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), effective 1 January 2021. DRC will also receive the "lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country" status, meaning its apparel exports to the United States will be eligible for the more liberal "third-country fabric" rule. The DRC lost its AGOA benefits in 2010 because of its record in human rights. However, US fashion companies have imported little apparel from the DRC apparel in the past few years reaching just $3,489 in 2019. China Section 301 Action Update On 29 December 2020, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said it would extend the China Section 301 tariff exclusions from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021 for limited categories of products. The extension includes several textile and apparel products for medical use, including: HS code Product description Note 5603.12.0090 Nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, Weighing more than 25 g/m2 but not more than 70 g/m2, others Tranche 3 5603.14.9090 Nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, Weighing more than 150 g/m2: Tranche 3 5603.92.0090 Other nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, Weighing more than 25 g/m2 but not more than 70 g/m2 Tranche 3 5603.93.0090 Nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated,Weighing more than 70 g/m2 but not more than 150 g/m2 Tranche 3 5210.11.4040 Sheeting Tranche 4A 5210.11.6020 Poplin or broadcloth Tranche 4A 5504.10.0000 Artificial staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning: of viscose rayon Tranche 4A 6210.10.5010 Nonwoven disposable apparel designed for use in hospitals, clinics, laboratories or contaminated areas Tranche 4A 6210.10.5090 Nonwoven disposable apparel designed for use in hospitals, clinics, laboratories or contaminated areas Tranche 4A 6116.10.6500 Gloves, containing less than 50 percent by weight of textile fibres, coated with rubber or plastics designed for enhanced grip Tranche 4A EUROPEAN UNION EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) officially signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on 30 December 2020. The trade agreement, which provides a crucial guideline for EU-UK trade relations after Brexit, will apply provisionally from 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition period ended. The UK Parliament approved the TCA on 30 December 2020. However, the agreement's full implementation still needs approval by the EU Council and the European Parliament, which could happen in the first half of 2021. According to the TCA, all textile and apparel items traded between EU members and the UK will remain duty-free and quota-free. Meanwhile, the TCA, in general, adopts the "fabric-forward" rules of origin for apparel items. This means that fibres and yarns may be produced anywhere, but each component starting with the fabric used to make the apparel garments must be formed within the free trade area. This rule is sometimes called "double transformation" as it requires that weaving or knitting of the fabric, and assembly of the final apparel garments, must all occur within the free trade area. The EU and the UK have close business ties in textile and apparel products. Thanks to the regional supply chain, around one-third of the UK's apparel imports currently come from EU members. Meanwhile, the EU is also the single largest market for UK apparel exporters. In 2019, more than 75% of the UK's textile and apparel exports went to EU countries. EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement From 30 November to 11 December 2020, the European Union (EU) and Australia conducted their 9th round of negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement. The talks covered technical barriers to trade, sustainable development, goods, services, public procurement, rules of origin, and intellectual property rights, including geographical indications. In this round, the two parties also provisionally concluded the negotiation of the Good Regulatory Practices Chapter. Talks on the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement were launched in 2018 to enhance the two partners' bilateral trade relationship. Australia currently ranks as the 19th-largest trade in goods partner of the EU, while the EU is Australia's third-largest trading partner after China and Japan, and before the United States. The next round of virtual negotiations is scheduled for March 2021. CANADA Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA) Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) officially signed the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA) on 9 December 2020, providing a crucial guideline for relations after Brexit. Specifically, the Canada-UK TCA will provide duty-free treatment for textiles and apparel items traded between Canada and the UK. In general it adopts the "fabric-forward" rules of origin for apparel items. This means that fibres and yarns may be produced anywhere, but each component starting with the fabric used to make the apparel garments must be formed within the free trade area. This rule is sometimes called "double transformation" as it requires that weaving or knitting of the fabric, and assembly of the final apparel garments must all occur within the free trade area. Before entering into force, the agreement still needs to be approved by each country's domestic procedures, which will hopefully be completed by early 2021. Meanwhile, Canada and the UK have agreed that the preferential tariff rates under the agreement will be applied from 1 January 2021. When you go for your coronavirus vaccine in New Jersey, you will not be required to show documentation to prove you are eligible, state officials said Monday. We are trusting the integrity of all of you to do the right thing in this regard and not `jump the line, said Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli at the governors coronavirus press briefing. We know everyone is anxious and were asking for your patience as we await a larger supply of vaccine. The state does not currently require documentation to prove eligibility - just you, just your most trustful part of you, she said, adding that at this time, the state doesnt see the need to require it and an identification requirement would slow down the process. We would rather it be a positive experience. People are showing integrity, she said. We just want a culture of positive vaccinations. If someone shows up at a vaccine site but theyre not in an eligible category, the state is asking the site to take their information and call them back if by the end of the day they have leftover doses. The demand for vaccines is still greater than the supply, Persichilli said, but the state is getting more doses on a regular basis. People are really begging to get the vaccine, she said, noting she gets many emails from people who are asking for their turn. I dont blame them, but we have to try to do it in an orderly fashion so we can avoid whats happening in other states, people waiting in line overnight in the cold to get vaccinated. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage So far, the state is only vaccinating health care workers in the 1a category, as well as sworn law enforcement officers and fire personnel from the 1b category. Nursing home residents and staff and those who live in congregant settings are also eligible for the vaccine at this time. More than 214,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in New Jersey as of Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced. That includes 199,293 first dose shots and 14,984 second dose shots. We wish we had enough for everyone, but demand at this time is greater than the supply, she said. New Jersey is waiting to hear when the state will open up vaccines for more people in the 1b category as New York State has done. More than 1 million New Jersyans have registered to get their vaccine for the coronavirus when they become eligible as of Monday, the states top health official said on Monday. We will have enough. Its just a matter of time, Persichilli said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. NJ Advance Media Statehouse reporter Matt Arco contributed to this report. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Copper prices eased to Rs 613.55 per kg on January 11 as participants increased short position as seen by the open interest. The base metal traded in the red after a gap down open in the evening session on a stronger dollar. The red metal had gained 4.56 percent last week on the MCX. LME Copper prices eased from close to eight-year highs on Friday as doubts grow over how much infrastructure stimulus the incoming US administration will be able to deliver. The base metal is witnessing profit-taking on lockdown measures imposed in some parts of the US and Europe and the latest lockdown being imposed in China to contain the coronavirus spread also weighed on the prices. Hedge funds and money managers reduced their net long positions in copper futures and options by 1,240 contracts to 80,768 in the week to January 5, data from the US CFTC showed. The US dollar traded firm at 90.45, up 0.43 percent in the evening session. Neha Qureshi, Technical Research Analyst at Reliance Securities said, LME Copper is trading on a negative note below $8,000 levels where it could see some consolidation in the coming session. Support is placed at $7940-$7880 levels whereas resistance is at $7995-$8035 levels. MCX Copper January is trading on a bearish note below Rs 617 levels could see a downside pressure up to Rs 608-604 levels while resistance is at Rs 614.50-617 levels, she said. MCX iCOMDEX Base Metal Index dropped 143.67 points, or 1.04 percent, at 13,705.90 at 17:00. In the futures market, copper for January delivery touched an intraday high of Rs 617 and a low of Rs 611.60 per kg on the MCX. So far in the current series, the base metal has touched a low of Rs 548 and a high of Rs 631.20. Copper delivery for January slipped Rs 8.95, or 1.44 percent, to Rs 613.55 per kg at 17:01 hours with a business turnover of 4,032 lots. The same for the February contract declined Rs 8.60, or 1.38 percent to Rs 614.10 per kg with a turnover of 349 lots. The value of January and Februarys contracts traded so far is Rs 1,011.36 crore and Rs 48.08 crore, respectively. MCX Copper price is expected to trade in a negative trend with resistance at Rs 618 level and intermediate resistance at Rs 616 level, said Motilal Oswal. The brokerage firm advised its clients to sell on rallies targeting lower support at Rs 611-609 zone. At 1136 (GMT), the red metal price edged lower 1.22 percent quoting at $7,982.50 per tonne in London. For all commodities-related news, click here : The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Authorities are particularly sensitive about efforts to pay homage to Li, the Wuhan ophthalmologist whose death prompted rare calls for freedom of speech in China At a museum in Wuhan, China, a sprawling exhibition paints a stirring tale of how the citys sacrifices in a brutal 76-day lockdown led to triumph over the coronavirus and, ultimately, rebirth. No costs appear to have been spared for the show, which features a hologram of medical staff members moving around a hospital room, heart-rending letters from front-line health workers and a replica of a mass quarantine site, complete with beds, miniature Chinese flags and toothbrush cups. But the exhibition is also striking for what is not included. There is no mention of the whistleblowing role of Ai Fen, one of the first doctors to sound the alarm in Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated, or the decision by Zhang Yongzhen, a Shanghai doctor, to share its genome with the world against official orders. Visitors are invited to lay a virtual chrysanthemum at a wall of martyrs that includes Li Wenliang, the ophthalmologist at a Wuhan hospital whose death from the virus led to nationwide mourning. But missing from his brief biography is a crucial fact: that Li was reprimanded by the government for warning colleagues about the virus from which he later died. China has spent much of the past year trying to spin the narrative of the pandemic as an undisputed victory led by the ruling Communist Party. The state-run news media has largely ignored the governments missteps and portrayed Chinas response as proof of the superiority of its authoritarian system, especially compared to that of the United States and other democracies, which are still struggling to contain raging outbreaks. Those efforts have taken on new urgency as the 23 January anniversary of Wuhans lockdown draws closer. In recent weeks, the government has deployed an army of censors to scrub the internet of critical coverage of the Wuhan outbreak. Terms like first anniversary and whistleblower have been deleted at times from Chinese sites. A recent propaganda directive explicitly banned coverage of the anniversary of the outbreak, according to journalists at state-run news outlets who were briefed on the order. Instead, propaganda agencies have pushed feel-good videos and adulatory articles that depict Wuhan as a city reborn, while playing down residents lingering grief and anger. The praise for Wuhans success is well deserved. Since the lockdown ended in April, life in the city long known as a bustling commercial hub where tourists flock to eat fiery sesame noodles, listen to punk music and catch a glimpse of the mighty Yangtze River has largely returned to normal, as it has in most of China. While many people in virus-ravaged countries rang in 2021 alone in their homes, images of crowded New Years Eve celebrations in Wuhan were splashed across Chinese state media. But with nationalism and public support for the party apparently on the rise, the assertive rebranding campaign is a sign that Chinas leaders have little interest in dwelling on the past or revisiting their mistakes. Their goal, experts say, is simple: to ensure that nothing undermines the partys triumphant narrative. Chinas response was portrayed as a huge victory for the Chinese Communist Party, said David Bandurski, co-director of the China Media Project, a research program affiliated with the University of Hong Kong. For Chinas leaders, the story is written. Long wary of sensitive anniversaries, Chinese authorities have released few details about how they will mark the sombre occasion. So far, the only event on the official calendar is the 22 January release of a State-backed documentary, Days and Nights in Wuhan. Billed as a moving tribute to the citys ordinary heroes, it features a song called You Are So Kind by the well-known Chinese actress Zhou Xun, whose gentle lyrics, in the words of one state media outlet, are meant to convey warm power. Recent state media coverage of Wuhan has mostly focused instead on the citys booming tourism and economic revival. A video produced by CCTV, the State broadcaster, draws on interviews with workers at one of the citys railway stations to spin a tale of courage and sacrifice during the lockdown. Within three days, it had more than 2.5 million views on Weibo, a popular social media platform. Another widely circulated video, recently posted by the state-backed Changjiang Daily newspaper, features business managers from companies like Lenovo and Gree extolling the city for its rapid recovery. What doesnt kill me will only make me stronger, the narrator says as dramatic orchestral music swells in the background. Officials, too, are playing up the themes of revival and rebirth. Wang Zhonglin, the citys top party official, spoke loftily of Wuhans ambitions at a December forum promoting economic development along the Yangtze River. Do not slow down efforts to work toward becoming an international metropolis, he said of Wuhan. Rise up from the ashes and achieve glory once again. The upswell in propaganda has been carried out alongside tightened controls on the media. A year ago, Chinese news outlets which are sometimes censored less heavily than usual in the first days of a crisis published some of the hardest-hitting exposes of the governments sluggish response to the virus and failures in the health care system. But in recent weeks, Chinese journalists say, editors have told them to avoid drawing attention to the lockdowns anniversary on social media sites. Some said they were also instructed to abandon plans to interview people who lost relatives in the earliest stages of the outbreak. The government underscored its message to the media last month when it sentenced Zhang Zhan, a 37-year-old citizen journalist who documented Wuhans ordeal, to four years in prison. She is the first person known to have faced trial for chronicling Chinas outbreak. The censorship around the anniversary is part of an ongoing campaign to purge voices that question the official narrative. Activists have been detained, and outspoken relatives of people who died from the virus are routinely harassed. A study last year by the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto found that thousands of keywords related to the pandemic were censored on WeChat, a popular messaging app; many of the deleted posts were critical of Chinese officials. Authorities are particularly sensitive about efforts to pay homage to Li, the Wuhan ophthalmologist whose death prompted rare calls for freedom of speech in China. Several recent articles recalling Lis actions have been erased from the internet. At the same time, Global Times, a State-backed nationalist tabloid, has sought to reframe the legacy of the doctor, who has become a hero to many Chinese. Observers said that for Chinese mainland people, Li was not a figure representing an opposition or confrontational force with Chinese authorities as some international politicians and media have reported, a recent article read. Rather, Dr Li was an ordinary hero with the courage to speak out the truth, Chinese observers said. The governments aim is to create a State-approved version of the collective memory of the coronavirus pandemic for the public, said Lotus Ruan, a researcher at the Citizen Lab. Within the official narrative of the pandemic, there are many heroes. But Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, is undoubtedly the star. At the cavernous exhibition hall in Wuhan, visitors are greeted with a large photo of Xi, looking stern as he presides over a meeting. A nearly 50-foot-long timeline chronicles the heroic measures that Xi is said to have taken during the crisis, day by day. Throughout the show, he is portrayed as having been a resolute leader in control of the outbreak almost from the beginning, although there is limited evidence of that. The Chinese people have shown resilience, diligence and bravery, the shows concluding text reads. And the Communist Party of China, like always, has put people and their lives first. Amy Qin and Javier C Hernandez c.2021 The New York Times Company One Arrested, One Cited After Shots Fired Call By West Kentucky Star Staff FANCY FARM - One person was arrested and another cited to court after police responded to call about shots being fired in Fancy Farm.Kentucky State Police responded to a home on Willett Street early Sunday morning. Troopers searched the home and reportedly found approximately 40 pounds of marijuana, nine firearms and $800 in cash believed to be the proceeds of illegal drug sales. Troopers arrested 26-year-old Robert Higgins of Fancy Farm on a charge of trafficking in marijuana. He was lodged in the Graves County Jail. Twenty-six-year-old Miranda Rodgers of Mayfield was charged with trafficking in marijuana. She was cited to court due to a medical condition. Health care workers on the front lines of providing affordable and consistent access to care are still waiting on vaccines for themselves while preparing to play a vital role in vaccinating their communities. Public health departments and federally qualified health centers provide care for many patients in Southeast Texas especially among the regions most vulnerable populations and while they have adapted to take on responsibilities such as testing for COVID-19, delayed distribution and shortages have them stuck in the planning phase for the moment. Dr. Ede Ezea, who came on board as the Jefferson County health authority in October, said staff with his department have continued to serve patients, but he is still waiting on vaccines for employees. Weve ordered about 150 doses so far, but we havent gotten any yet or any word when we might, he said. The plan is to start with all of the employees that qualify in the 1a phase, but we dont know whether it will be the Moderna or Pfizer variety. Once the vaccines arrive, Ezea said the plan would be to follow the states vaccination phases until all county employees are vaccinated, which he expects could take until the middle of the month. The county health department is still waiting to figure out if those plans will proceed. Ezea hoped that he might have word about deliveries by the beginning of the week. In the meantime, county public health employees have still been helping patients and have even been able to expand the outreach of its mobile medical unit to rural communities in the county, but their exposure to COVID-19 has also caused interruptions. Ezea said mobile clinics have been suspended for the past week because a nurse practitioner tested positive for the virus and the units driver has been on leave after losing a family member. State health officials reported Thursday that about 200,000 more vaccine doses would be shipped out in the following week, mostly to large vaccination hubs, but smaller providers would also get some vials. Almost 1.4 million doses had been shipped to Texas by Wednesday About 475,000 people had received at least one shot, and 6,500 were reported to be fully inoculated. The highest priority category of Texans under the states vaccine plan, which mostly consists of front line healthcare workers, is estimated at 1.9 million people. TAN Healthcare, a federally qualified community care organization that serves Beaumont, Orange and a growing number of rural communities across the region, has been able to vaccinate several of its staff thanks to coordination with pharmacies, but it still hasnt vaccinated everyone who qualifies. CEO Dena Hughes, said she was able to vaccinate about a third of her qualifying staff before Christmas, thanks in part to the local H-E-B pharmacies in Beaumont, but the organization will be having more internal education meetings for staff to encourage vaccination. More than 1,800 people had received at least one dose and 14 people were fully vaccinated in Jefferson County by Friday, according to state data. At the same time, physicians and care providers used to performing public outreach as a part of the job will spend the next few weeks gearing up to bring the vaccinations to as many people as possible. Its kind of like building the plane while youre flying it, Hughes said. We are looking at maybe the next 30 to 60 days before we might be able to start vaccinating most people, but that depends on what we hear from the state and when we receive vaccines. The federal Health Resources and Services Administration reports that 30 million Americans receive care from health centers each year. That number is likely to keep growing if it follows trends over the past 20 years. Since 2000, the agency has tracked a 211% growth in patients seeking care from health centers, rising to one in 11 Americans relying on their neighborhood federally qualified clinic for care. Health centers are even more vital for vulnerable populations such as the low-income, homeless and rural Americans. About one of five people in rural areas, one in three low-income people and more than 1.4 million people experiencing homelessness receive care through the program. Hughes said the role organizations such as TAN play has meant they were in an important position to help patients and provide testing during the start of the pandemic, and that is why they will be even more vital in the eventual mass distribution of vaccines. When we get back to a somewhat normal life, community health centers are going to be more effective at doing those tasks of outreach, as well as addressing other health issues, she said. I think they should be a part of the foundation when youre talking about mass education and outreach. jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/jd_journalism The world stood astounded at the scenes in Washington D.C. last week after a mob of pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building and attempted to block Congress from certifying the result of last November's presidential election when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. Although the demonstrators did not get very far, there was sporadic violence leaving five dead including one police officer. The unrest came after two months of the White House incumbent outright denying the election outcome and refusing to concede, spreading unverified allegations of voter fraud. Only after an outpouring of public condemnation and grief over the events on Capitol Hill did he finally concede on Thursday evening. However, the damage is already done. Trump has hurled a sledgehammer at the American political system and in the process damaged its legitimacy. He leaves behind a chaotic and destructive legacy, and has tarnished America's reputation on the global stage. The incoming Biden administration will be a refreshing change but also a relief; however, to assume that all the problems created by Trump or the larger issues at stake in American society will simply disappear is naive. The White House incumbent is not specifically the problem, but a symptom of a wider set of problems, a series of social and economic upheavals in the United States emerging in the 21st century. The United States is so deeply divided, and identity shifts are creating political unrest. The departure of Trump is not the end of the problems, rather the beginning. The United States is a vast country, covering the third largest area on Earth and a population over 300 million sprawling across 50 states. It is also one of the most diverse countries on the planet, described traditionally as a "melting pot" of multiple ethnicities but also in its territorial expanse enormous variations in geography, climate and local heritage. The Italian and Irish branded hub of New York City has little in common with the uptight protestant culture of Alabama, and nor can the green scenes of Boston be comparable to the open plains of Kansas. Yet this is still America; for all its variations it is a single country, but with many contesting definitions as to what is truly "American." And herein lies the problem. The United States is beset by difficulties as very different interpretations of what this country means are increasing, owing to a society that is not harmonious, and perceiving each other as a threat. Globalization, neoliberalism and economic inequalities have led to enormous social shifts in America that have threatened "traditional identities" and the natural "way of life," displacing certain groups in the country who increasingly feel "left behind" and have become indifferent to politics, and are even angry. Of course, these divisions have always been there, but something has brought them to the forefront and made them more relevant than ever, creating a steady collapse of the center ground into a more polarized and bitter political environment. Three events should be looked at to access these changes, which sowed the seeds of Trump's rise: First, the impact of the Obama administration. Second, the 2008 global financial crisis. Third, the growth of the social media era. First of all, what might be described as the "Obama effect" was a mighty social turning point in America. Obama was the most liberal president the country had seen since Kennedy. He was the first Democrat since JFK that did not hail from the deep South. He emboldened a wave of "youth energy" drawing from America's young, liberal and urban populations, and in driving forwards manifold changes creating insecurity in more Conservative American constituencies rejecting change out of hand. This of course, went hand in hand with a poor economic outlook following the 2008 financial crisis, which exacerbated the differences between rich and poor. "Blue collar" communities were penalized by austerity, found little support from the government and in turn had seen neoliberalism deplete America's industry. There was insecurity in terms of identity in America, but also insecurity in economic status, too. This combined with the rise of social media culture in the 2010s that saw conspiracy theories proliferate in America and politics become more engaging, more divisive and more contentious than ever before. Conspiracy theorists found their views were now acceptable to millions, and Obama was portrayed increasingly as a globalist who plotted to sell out America and undermine its identity. It all encompassed into a broader Conservative backlash against the legacy of his administration, or in other words a growing clash between America's urban middle classes, secure and confident, and its rural, Conservative and blue-collar communities. And thus, out of this gaping rift came Donald Trump, a man who rose to power by appealing to the insecurities of millions and with the ability to sell a nostalgic vision of a world that had long since passed people by. Under the mantra of "Make America Great Again," Trump converted the Republican Party from a bastion of fiscal Conservatism towards a working-class economic nationalism. He vowed to fight immigration, dismantle the Obama legacy and scapegoated the country's economic situation as a zero-sum trade antagonism against China. His deriding of the mainstream media and the political elite found widespread appeal, and thus he constructed an alternative reality around himself and his bombastic approach to the country's divisions. Now, four years later, we reach the end of his tenure and it should be no surprise to anyone that it has ended this way. Yet, what will surprise people is that this chaos and these divides will long outlive him. Trump will leave in two weeks, but his legacy is here to stay. The chorus of furious and angry individuals that he has whipped up and weaponized, even to the point of attempting to discredit an election, remain. Those who sacked the Capitol may be a small minority, but polling finds 45% of Republican voters agree with what happened, and 56% of all voters, in fact, believe that election fraud took place which influenced the result. Despite the fanfare of condemnation, Trump's theories and sentiments are not as marginal as one might assume. In many ways, America's problems are only just beginning, and the Biden administration is going to be a bumpy ride. Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. He writes on topics pertaining to China, the DPRK, Britain and the U.S. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. Jan. 11 Federal and state wildlife officials are investigating the apparent harassment of a manatee that had the word Trump written on its back. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are looking into the incident, spokespeople said. The sighting was reported to federal authorities over the weekend. A video of the manatee swimming in the Blue Hole in the Homosassa River was first reported in the Citrus County Chronicle on Monday. It was unclear how the word was applied, whether it had been scraped on the algae that often grows on the backs of the slow-moving sea cows, or drawn in some other way. Christina Meister from FWS public affairs office and Susan Neel, a spokeswoman at FWC, said the agencies would provide more information about the case later. ALSO READ: Capitol assault a more sinister attack than it first appeared Manatees are protected under federal law, which makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill the marine mammals. The manatee is also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: It is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee. Anyone convicted of violating this state law faces a possible maximum fine of $500 and or imprisonment for up to 60 days. Conviction on the federal level is punishable by fines of up to $50,000 and as much as one year in prison. ___ Adriana Brasileiro of The Miami Herald wrote this story. (c)2021 Miami Herald Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Advertisement Taylor Hill appears to be making the most of her tropical vacation with her boyfriend Daniel Fryer. On Saturday, the 24-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel was spotted going on a paddle boarding trip with Daniel Fryer through the beautiful waters of St Barts. While the model appeared to be smoothly sailing through the blue sea, Fryer seemed to have a little trouble with his pole, and his girlfriend paddled over to help him out with it. On the water: Taylor Hill and her boyfriend were spotted going on a shared paddle boarding trip during a tropical getaway in St. Barts Hill was seen wearing a white strapless bikini top with a matching bottom that showed off her impressively toned body. She allowed her short brunette hair to flow freely in the ocean breeze as she made her way through the sparkling waters. Fryer donned a blue patterned set of trunks and remained shirtless for the seafaring excursion. He also wore a pair of sunglasses in order to keep his eyes protected from the shining rays of the Caribbean sun. Keeping it simple: The Victoria's Secret Angel wore a white bikini top with a matching bottom which allowed her to show off her impressive curves during her seafaring excursion Helping him out: When her beau appeared to have a bit of trouble with his pole, Hill paddled over to in order to check out what was going wrong Hill began her modeling career at an early age, and for a time was the youngest model to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the age of 18. She became one of the lingerie company's Angels in 2015; that same year, she hosted an event for the PINK division of the brand. In following years, she has walked the runway for brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Ralph Lauren. The model has also begun a career as an actress, appearing in films such as The Neon Demon and The Broken Hearts Gallery. Starting young: Hill began modeling at a young age and at one time was the youngest Victoria's Secret model to walk in their annual Fashion Show; seen last summer A true bikini model: She sure knows her best angles as she proved last summer in this orange two piece swimsuit In 2019, Hill was tapped to be the spokesmodel for the 20th anniversary edition of the Ralph Lauren Romance fragrance. She was featured heavily in its promotional materials. And the star even filmed a video with her mother while under lockdown. That same year, the model answered a set of questions from Allure regarding her feelings about certain fragrances and shared her preferred method of applying perfume. She revealed: 'The one I use day to day is to spray it in the air and walk through it. 'And then for events, I'll add a little bit more just so it'll last longer. I do the wrist and behind the ears, the activation points, so movement activates the scent.' Hill was also asked about where her favorite smells came from, and she stated that many of them hold a sentimental value, as they primarily originated from her childhood in Colorado. 'A lot of my scent and fragrance memories are food related. My mom bakes for holidays and she's a really great baker...A lot of my early scent memories just bring back positive food-related memories with my family,' the model said. DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines - Contract Development and Manufacturing Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This expert trend report is a comprehensive look at the contract manufacturing landscape surrounding COVID-19 Vaccine in 2020, including analysis of pipeline drugs, clinical trials, CMO activity, Contract Manufacturing Service Agreements, and funding for manufacturing of COVID-19 Vaccines. It is a critical source for strategic planning efforts and will improve understanding of crucial components of the supply chain that will provide insights for supplier selection and management. Scope This report gives an important expert quantitative analysis on the COVID-19 contract vaccine manufacturing industry. Reasons to Buy What are the pipeline COVID-19 prophylactic vaccines by developer type? What are the top pipeline COVID-19 prophylactic vaccines analyst consensus sales forecast? What is the distribution of COVID-19 prophylactic vaccines clinical trials? What and Where are CMOs vaccine manufacturing facilities? What are the COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing service agreements by Molecule Type? What are the COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing service agreements by Service? What are the COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing service agreements by CMO? What are the COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing service agreements by Sponsor? Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Players 3 Technology Briefing 3.1 What is COVID-19? 3.2 COVID-19 Pipeline Vaccine Types and Technology 4 Trends 5 Industry Analysis 5.1 COVID-19 Pipeline Vaccines 5.2 COVID-19 Vaccine Projected Sales 5.3 Contract Manufacturing Capabilities for Vaccines 5.4 COVID-19 Vaccine Contract Service Agreements 5.5 Investors in COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing 5.5.1 Governments 5.5.2 Pharma Companies 5.5.3 CMOs 6 Value Chain 7 Companies 8 Appendix Companies Mentioned (Partial List) 3T Biosciences Inc. 7 Hills Pharma LLC Abnova Corp. AbVision Inc. Acibadem University Adaptive Phage Therapeutics Inc. Adimmune Corp. Advanced BioScience Laboratories Inc. Advent Srl Aegis Life Inc. AGC Biologics Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kzk0m3 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: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com KYODO NEWS - Jan 10, 2021 - 22:07 | All, Japan More than 1,200 vehicles were temporarily stranded in central Japan on Sunday as heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations. About 200 vehicles were stuck near an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture as of 11 a.m., while another 830 remained stranded at other sections of the expressway since as early as Saturday, Central Nippon Expressway Co. said. Another 200 vehicles were stranded in Toyama Prefecture after a large truck was unable to move on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway. About 50 GSDF members engaged in rescue work at the scene, the prefectural government said. A 25-year-old woman and 44-year-old man who were stuck in their cars became ill and were transported to hospitals, according to local rescue workers. West Japan Railway Co. suspended some services between Tokyo and Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of further traffic disruption due to snow and frozen roads. It said heavy snow was expected from northern to western regions on the Sea of Japan side of the country through Monday morning. Related coverage: Cars stranded, trains affected by continued heavy snow across Japan Heavy snow across Japan leaves cars stranded, homes without power After he lost his reelection bid in November, Donald Trump immediately told allies he planned to run for president again in 2024, preparing to announce as soon as Inauguration Day, Politico reported. He began backing off the idea after learning that running would require him to release a new round of financial documents that would make him vulnerable to his ongoing criminal and civil investigations and lawsuits, according to two Republicans close to Trump. A growing number of Republicans hold Trump responsible for inciting the deadly riots inside the US Capitol Wednesday. The clashes came hours after they blamed Trump for a pair of losses in Georgia that will leave the Senate in Democratic control. In interviews, more than half a dozen Republicans who had supported or worked for Trump say the president isnt likely to run again, though he may tease it. If Trump changes his mind again and chooses to run, some said they would urge him not to, while others hope hed be talked out of it. Mike Pompeo strengthens relations with Taiwan by lifting decades-old restrictions Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has removed long-standing restrictions on diplomatic and military contacts with Taiwan to appease China. The United States government took these actions unilaterally, in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing, Pompeo said Saturday, less than two weeks before the inauguration of Joe Biden as president, in a statement. Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions. High-ranking U.S. civilian officials and military officers can now travel to the self-governed island, which China considers part of its territory. Executive branch agencies have been asked to treat the contact guidelines regarding relations with Taiwan previously issued by the Department of State as null and void. The United States does not have official relations with Taiwan, but President Donald Trump has helped Taiwan with arms sales and political support as the island seeks to deal with constant pressure from Beijing. The U.S. maintains its unofficial ties with the island as per the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which authorizes Washington to provide Taiwan with military equipment for its self-defense, and set up a nonprofit corporation, with the American Institute in Taiwan acting as the de-facto U.S. embassy there. The United States government maintains relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and Taiwan is no exception, Pompeo said in the statement. Our two democracies share common values of individual freedom, the rule of law, and a respect for human dignity. Todays statement recognizes that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship need not, and should not, be shackled by self-imposed restrictions of our permanent bureaucracy. Decades of discrimination, removed, Hsiao Bi-khim, who serves as Taiwans representative in the United States, tweeted after Pompeos announcement. A huge day in our bilateral relationship. I will cherish every opportunity. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, appointed by President Trump in 2019, is scheduled to visit Taiwans capital city of Taipei from Wednesday to Friday, according to The Associated Press. Pompeo announced Crafts trip on Thursday, saying it is to show what a free China could achieve. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying responded to Crafts planned visit. [A] handful of anti-China politicians within the Trump administration, to be clear, such as Pompeo, have been staging a show of madness as their days at the reins are numbered, stopping at nothing to deliberately sabotage China-U.S. relations for selfish political interests, the spokesperson was quoted as saying at a daily briefing Friday. China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests. If the U.S. insists on going its own way, it will definitely pay a heavy price for its erroneous actions. BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has seen considerable growth in its economic, technological and composite national strength. The rise of a responsible country like China does not threaten others or pose danger to the world. Instead, it has contributed more to global prosperity and the common well-being of humanity. A white paper issued Sunday by China's State Council Information Office testifies to that. The mission of China's international development cooperation in the new era is to promote a global community of shared future. China has expanded the scale of its international development cooperation. In terms of foreign assistance, it allocated 270.2 billion yuan (about 41.4 billion U.S. dollars) in the forms of grants, interest-free loans, and concessional loans from 2013 to 2018. And the cooperation has been carried out in various forms from complete projects to goods and materials, technical cooperation, South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, medical teams and outbound volunteers. The least developed countries in Asia and Africa are among the major beneficiaries. China has also been helping other developing countries realize the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals, from reducing poverty, enhancing food security, improving health care, to promoting gender equality and eco-environmental protection. And it is not just the government. Chinese medical teams and volunteers spread out across the world to help people in need; Chinese technicians and agricultural professionals taught their counterparts in developing countries viable new technologies and skills to increase income. Last year, in the face of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, China launched the most intensive and largest-scale emergency humanitarian assistance mission since 1949 and did all it could to aid and assist more than 150 countries and international organizations. China has also pledged to make COVID-19 vaccines available as a global public good once they have been developed and applied in the country. The white paper reaffirmed China's commitment to "doing all we can to support developing countries in the fight against COVID-19." All these speak volumes about China's will and the actions it takes as a responsible country. At present, China has entered a new development phase and is embarking on a journey to fully build itself into a modern socialist country. But it will always consider its own growth in the context of the common development of all humanity. No matter how strong it grows, China will remain a builder of world peace, a contributor to global prosperity and a defender of international order, contributing even more to the common well-being of humanity. Northern Berkshire United Way Accepting Food & Shelter Program Applications NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Food and Shelter Program Applications Sought By Northern Berkshire United Way The Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board has awarded Berkshire County $67,202 in Phase 38 (FY20) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) assistance funding. Northern Berkshire United Way, local administrator of the program, is urging qualifying organizations located throughout Berkshire County to submit an application for supplemental emergency food and shelter and to obtain it at this link: https://www.nbunitedway.org/emergency-food-and-shelte-program Local organizations chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary non-profits (with a voluntary board) or units of government; have an accounting system; practice non-discrimination; and have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. Applicants must submit their application by email only with their financial audit by midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 to: Christa Collier at ccollier@nbunitedway.org . Paper applications will not be accepted. The funds are awarded through the Department of Homeland Security and the award is made the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board, that consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, The Jewish Federations of North America, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way Worldwide. Funds pass directly from the Department of Homeland Security to the EFSP program and then to local agencies that are awarded funding through a sub-committee of a local board made up of representatives of organizations that are not requesting or receiving funds determines the actual organizations that receive funding. For Phase 37, EFSP awarded $47,458 which local representatives distributed to eleven Berkshire County organizations: Berkshire Community Action Council, the Berkshire Food Project, the Cheshire Pantry, Child Care of the Berkshires, Construct, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Louison House, Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative, Salvation Army North Adams, Salvation Army Pittsfield and ServiceNet. Dr Tran Thi Hong Minh, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, talks about Vietnams potential for economic development in 2021. Dr Tran Thi Hong Minh, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management. What was the driving force for Vietnam to achieve the growth rate of 2.91 per cent in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic? There were two basic factors helping Vietnam achieve the GDP growth rate of 2.91 per cent in 2020. Yet, this rate was the lowest in the countrys five-year plan from 2016-2020. However, in the context of the pandemic, this growth rate is a remarkable achievement. First, it is attributed to Vietnams success in the fight the pandemic and the Governments role. When the first coronavirus case was detected on January 23, Vietnam took various measures with the goal of stopping transmission of the virus to the whole country. The National Steering Committee against the COVID-19 pandemic was established with the involvement of the whole political system with strong support from the general public. With experiences learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, we applied the social distancing practice. Such a decision helped Vietnam reduce considerable negative impacts on business/production activities. Social distancing has also become a driving force for the enterprise community to look for better ways to do business in the pandemic environment. In addition, many Government policies, particularly policies on infrastructure, human resources and FDI attraction, have made Vietnam an attractive investment place to many foreign investors. These factors also offer a good opportunity for many Vietnamese enterprises to expand their operations. Last but not least, many Vietnamese enterprises have done their best to expand their export activities through the free trade agreements Vietnam signed with other foreign countries, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The National Assembly has approved the set target of economic growth of 6 per cent. Do you have any recommendations to help fulfil that target? The COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop complicatedly across the globe and Vietnam with an open economy will be affected much. Although the development of COVID-19 vaccines has made many progresses but mass inoculation is unlikely to be done in 2021. In that context, in order to fulfil the set target of the National Assembly, it requires greater determination of the whole political system. There are some policies that the Government should pay attention to in the coming time, including keeping close watch over related developments such as COVID-19, US-China trade war and technology changes in order to have proper consideration and updates for domestic management scenarios. Additionally, it is necessary to strengthen the stabilisation of the macroeconomy, creating trust with the business community to overcome challenges together and head towards recovering the economy, and create more favourable conditions for investors. Others include speeding up public investment, supporting businesses to overcome difficulties, complete fundamental policies relating to infrastructure, human resources and business connection to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) more effectively and tap investment flows moved to Vietnam; and particularly, developing the domestic market to create more opportunities for the business community and strongly developing new economic models such as the sharing economy and the night-time economy to create more "weight" for the domestic market. It is also essential to continue seeking more opportunities from export by improving capacity to exploit Free Trade Agreements and to diversify both export markets and products. Has the Central Institute for Economic Management developed any scenarios on the national economic development in 2021? I think that if we only focus on measures to fight COVID-19 and restore the national economy, well have to wait until the end of June this year to make an assessment on whether Vietnam will be able to achieve the growth rate of 6 per cent for 2021 or not. However, if Vietnam continues with its efforts in the fight against COVID-19 while restoring its economic development and the Government continues to reform the countrys business environment and promotes competitiveness in the international market, Im pretty sure Vietnam will achieve all its economic development goals. With its rich experiences in the course of national economic reform even in the current COVID pandemic and the Washington-Beijing trade war, Im confident Vietnam will continue to move forward and gain many more successes in the year 2021. VNS Thinking on development should be renewed In the 2021 - 2030 period, it is necessary to renew thinking, accelerate institutional reform, and apply scientific and technological advances, innovation and digital transformation. Los Angeles : In an unfortunate incident, a 46-year-old Indian-American lawyer has been killed in the US after being hit by a train at a crossing in California. Kirtee Kapoor, who was born in Bangalore, was a partner in the law firm Davis Polk, The Mercury News reported. Kapoor, who lived in Menlo Park city, was killed by a southbound Caltrain on Monday at the Watkins Avenue crossing in Atherton town, the San Mateo County Coroners office said. Thomas McGovern, fellow at the coroners office, said the death is still being investigated. Kapoor is survived by his wife and daughter, the report said. According to the website legallyindia.com, Kapoor inspired a generation of Indian lawyers who went abroad. It said he was the head of the India group at the firm Davis Polk, one of the first of a new generation of Indian-trained lawyers to make partner at top international firms. Also Read: Indian-American doctor receives death threat from unknown caller Kapoor earned an LL.B. from the University of Delhi, a BCL from Balliol College, University of Oxford, and earned an LLM at New York University School of Law, a statement on the Davis Polk website said. Kirtee joined Davis Polks New York office as an associate in 1999 and over the next 18 years spent time in several of our offices advising clients on significant M&A matters and in investments and other transactions around the world. He was elected to the partnership in 2007 and moved to Hong Kong later that year. In 2015, he joined our Northern California office, the Davis Polk statement said. Also Read | Hate crimes in US: Indian community members hold rally in front of White House Kirtee was a truly wonderful man. His optimism, warmth, honesty and wisdom were inspiring. He will be remembered as a great partner of the firm, a beloved colleague and adviser, and a steadfast friend to so many, it said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The Supreme Court on Monday sought to put on hold the implementation of the three controversial farm Acts to let a high-powered committee deliberate on the laws and end the impasse, which was later in the day rejected by the protesting farmers. The farmers, in a late night statement said that they are unwilling to participate in any committee formed by the Supreme Court on the laws as the Central government has already made it clear that it won't repeal the laws which is the main and prime demand of the protestors. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the group representing ... The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 this week is likely to reach double the numbers seen at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic here, HSE chief Paul Reid has warned. The health service is set to come under increasing strain in the early part of this week, as the numbers requiring in-patient treatment has given rise for concern. Figures released yesterday showed that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) was notified of 6,888 new Covid-19 cases, with 1,452 patients hospitalised. A total of 125 people were in intensive care units (ICU). There had been 100 additional hospitalisations over the previous 24 hours. In addition, eight new deaths were reported. Of the cases reported yesterday, 2,088 were in Dublin, 862 in Cork, 469 in Limerick, 405 in Wexford, 320 in Waterford and the remaining cases were spread across all other counties. "Early this week, we will likely be at double what we had in the peak of last year," Mr Reid said yesterday, adding there was concern at the rising trend. He said that there were 37 vacant adult ICU beds and 11 vacant paediatric ICU beds across the health system yesterday morning. Speaking on RTE's This Week, he said a 'surge' agreement reached with private hospitals to access beds and give further capacity for patients had already been triggered. "Private hospitals are already taking some urgent care, non-Covid care and support, so we have in essence triggered those processes already," Mr Reid said. Critical Meanwhile, consultant in infectious disease Professor Mary Horgan, who was recently appointed to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) told the Herald that: "My experience of the last week or so, it really has been all hands on deck. "People have been redeployed," she said. "They are all trying to get over, probably the next two weeks, in managing the patients coming in, but also trying to keep non-Covid pathways that are really critical to patient care open also, because people obviously need time-critical surgery, or people will come in with heart attacks, strokes, trauma. "So it's trying to keep those two parallel pathways open so everyone gets managed." Prof Horgan, who is based at Cork University Hospital, pointed out that "the numbers coming in versus the numbers being discharged is always a challenge at the moment". The chief executive of one of the country's largest hospital groups, UL Hospitals, warned the pattern of Covid-19 is rapidly worsening across the mid-west region, as 427 of her staff were unavailable for work due to the virus. Over a four-day period, from last Tuesday to Friday, the number of staff unavailable for work within the UL Hospital Group, across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, had jumped from 140 to 427. In an email sent to politicians last Friday, Colette Cowan, chief executive of the group, warned that "the pattern of the disease across the region over the holiday period has been one of rapid deterioration". Ms Cowan added that the 14-day incidence rate across the region had also "increased significantly". New Delhi: India returned an apprehended Chinese soldier on Monday (January 11) at the Chushul - Moldo meeting point in Eastern Ladakh. The PLA soldier, who was captured on Friday morning, was handed back at 10 am today. This is the second such incident of Chinese soldiers crossing over into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and comes amidst the many month-long India-China standoffs. The first such incident happened in the Demchok area of Eastern Ladakh in October, while the current incident happened in an area south of Pangong Tso lake. Live TV In a statement on Saturday, the Indian army said, "the PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area." "The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated," it said. Interestingly, Pangong lake is the area that has been one of the sites of the standoff between both forces. Indian forces are present in the south of the lake, while New Delhi wants disengagement by the Chinese forces on the north bank of the lake. China is present in an area from finger 4 to finger 8 of the lake. The Indian army statement highlighted that the "Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilization and forward concentration by Chinese troops." The current incident is not expected to impact the ongoing situation at the LAC, including easing up the situation. Focus now is on the next round of military talks between the two sides. December saw diplomatic level talks between the two sides. The demand outlook for offices has improved from the middle of the year," he said. Colliers International WA research and urban economics associate director Quyen Quach said its leasing team had noted deals were taking longer to complete in the current environment. "Likely due to uncertainty around how long the risk of lockdown will persist and I guess how sustainable working from home or hybrids of it will be in the long-run," he said. "Therefore office space requirements for some remain uncertain. "Tenants are seeking more flexible leasing arrangements with expansion and contraction clauses becoming popular due to the increased uncertainty. "Some tenants have or are looking to surrender or sublease unrequired space as a result of both weaker business activity and lower space requirement due to remote working." Mr Quach said it was still too early to tell how COVID-19 would impact work arrangements and fit-outs of office spaces. "Fit-out will likely incorporate social distancing, however most tenancies in Perth already have workspace ratios of over nine square metres per workstation, which is sufficient to meet social distancing guidance so unlikely to see increased space requirement from tenants to meet social distancing guidance," he said. "Certainly work from home or remotely will at least have a dampening impact on space demand in the Perth CBD in the long-run." Foot traffic in downtown Perth back to pre-pandemic levels Data recently released by the City of Perth has shown foot traffic levels in the CBD have returned to pre-lockdown figures. The lunch crowds around midday have also seen a 22 per cent jump from November to December while weekend night-time activity appears to have been stimulated by a free parking initiative across the city. Total public transport boarding numbers in Perth across trains, buses and ferries peaked in October at nine million after recovering from a massive drop to just 1.9 million in April. November figures dropped again, however, to 8.8 million which is well below the 11.9 million boardings in the same month in 2019 as less people use TransPerth services compared to pre-pandemic. Work-from-home on the rise post-pandemic Oil and gas giant Woodside has recorded an increasing number of requests from its employees for work flexibility. A company spokeswoman said its supported flexibility but balanced the concept with of having a workplace set-up to drive a culture of innovation and collaboration. "We do not set or track targets for remote working, we encourage every employee to consider how they can perform at their best, in whatever environment is best," she said. Woodside's office space requirements have not changed according to the spokeswoman thanks to the adaptability of its new Perth headquarters which staff moved into two years ago. "[It] was designed with progressive and future-focussed technology infrastructure capable of managing our operations today and supporting adaptive and remote ways of working for our entire workforce into the future," she said. Woodside is still using staggered start times which it says is core to its flexible working framework. Mr Quach said many multinational and national tenants were more likely to have staff working from home at a higher rate driven by mandates from head-offices that were not located in WA. "Mining and resources are largely back in the office, some are still offering employees flexibility to work from home or remotely," he said. "Although sub-contractors of resource and construction companies appear to be largely working from home or remotely, they may need to come into the office one or two days a week to get things done that cant be done at home." Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines. Credit:Philip Gostelow Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said the miner had seen most of its Perth-based staff return to the office. "Feedback from our Perth based team has highlighted that most people missed the interaction with their colleagues," she said. "In light of this, the majority of our Perth based team members have returned to our offices, with the option of working flexibly. "At Fortescue, we have had the ability to quickly adapt our working arrangements through the use of technology and other measures, which in turn facilitates greater flexibility for our team members. "Like all businesses, we rapidly rolled out programs like Microsoft Teams and adjusted to taking meetings online." Office layouts at Fortescue have not changed and the company has recently renegotiated its lease at the Fortescue Centre to secure additional floor space. Staggered start times are still available as a working option at Fortescue in Perth but are not mandatory. The WA Department of Communities, one of the biggest government departments, was in the middle of its move to a new home in Fremantle for 1600 staff when COVID-19 struck. The technological overhaul required for staff to work from home has meant the organisation has made a big leap in terms of its workplace flexibility. Department of Communities chief people officer Kevin Hollingworth said its information technology department had been able to quickly enact plans to facilitate a large number of users in their homes. "A number of office staff have continued to work from home at least one day a week ... our utilisation of working from home has increased post-COVID," he said. "The policies around ergonomic assessments and formalised working from home agreements with managers were already underway for the Fremantle move, so these were just implemented for much larger numbers than was anticipated, in a short space of time during COVID." A state government spokeswoman said the majority of West Australians should be taking confidence in the easing of restrictions in WA and go back to the office. We are aware of reports that many large companies are still keeping large parts of their workforce home, imposing policies designed for places with community spread," she said. There could be specific and varying circumstances where employees and their employers have come to an agreement to continue to work from alternative venues. However, for the majority, we should all have the confidence to take advantage of the safely eased restrictions we have here in WA. Mental health challenges in a year like no other Companies adapted quickly to address the mental health challenges which came with staff isolated at home when tougher restrictions were in place in 2020. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2021) - Global UAV Technologies Ltd. (CSE: UAV), (OTC: YRLLF), (FSE: YAB2) (the "Company" or "Global UAV"), At the request of IIROC, Global UAV wishes to confirm that the Company's management is unaware of any material change in the Company's operations that would account for the recent increase in market activity. About Global UAV Technologies Ltd. Global UAV Technologies Ltd. is a diversified, vertically integrated drone technology company within the commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ("UAV") sector. To learn more, please visit the Company's website: www.globaluavtech.com On behalf of the Board of Directors, "James Rogers & Andrew Male" Director & Director For additional information please contact: Global UAV Technologies Ltd. Investor Information Telephone: 1 888 905 7011 Email: ir@globaluavtech.com www.globaluavtech.com Neither 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 release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71757 Three people are behind bars after state authorities busted an illegal moonshine operation in rural Russell County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday, Jan. 6, carried out a search on Rutherford Road near Hurtsboro where agents discovered a 48-barrel still, said Trooper Joel Hart. Agents brought in the Russell County Sheriffs Office to assist, and the lawmen then carried out a search warrant at a residence associated with the still. Authorities seized about 325 gallons of illicit moonshine whiskey hidden throughout the property, Hart said. Additionally, multiple items of suspected stolen property were located, including flatbed trailers, a horse trailer, AR-15-style rifle and documents related to identity theft. Manuel Eugene Davis, 58, is charged with two felony counts of possession of a moonshine still and manufacturing or distribution of moonshine whiskey, two felony counts of obscuring a vehicle identification number, one felony count of first-degree possession of marijuana, and one felony count of trafficking in stolen identities. He is being held in the Russell County Jail on bonds totaling $38,500. Manuel Eugene Davis Jr., 34, also was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of a moonshine still and manufacturing or distribution of moonshine whiskey, two felony counts of obscuring a vehicle identification number, one misdemeanor count of second-degree possession of marijuana, one felony count of trafficking in stolen identities and one felony count of second-degree receiving stolen property. His bond is set at $35,000. Gabrius Immanuel Mitchell, 37, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of a moonshine still and manufacturing or distribution of moonshine whiskey, two felony counts of obscuring a vehicle identification number, one felony count of first-degree possession of marijuana, and one felony count of trafficking in stolen identities. He, too, was placed in the Russell County Jail pending a $38,500 bond. SBI and the Russell County Sheriffs Office continue to investigate. Supreme Court rejects pro-life groups challenge to abortion clinic buffer zone Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The United States Supreme Court has rejected a request by a pro-life group to hear a challenge to a Pennsylvania city law that creates a buffer zone around abortion clinic entrances. In an order released Monday, the high court denied without explanation a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Nikki Bruni et al v. City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania et al. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, known for his past legal opinions denouncing abortion, nevertheless respected the decision of the court to not take up the appeal. The city of Pittsburgh, like many jurisdictions, has created buffer zones around abortion clinics. These zones often impose serious limits on free speech. Many even prohibit certain one-on-one conversations, wrote Thomas, as part of the order. In 2000, we upheld one such law, determining that it survived under the First Amendment because it satisfied intermediate scrutiny. Hill v. Colorado, 530 U. S. 703 (2000). Thomas went on to explained that he agreed with the denial of an appeal because it involves unclear, preliminary questions about the proper interpretation of state law. But the Court should take up this issue in an appropriate case to resolve the glaring tension in our precedents, he added. In 2005, Pittsburgh adopted an ordinance that prohibited demonstrations within 15 feet of any entrance to a medical facility or hospital, including abortion clinics among entities protected. Pro-life activists Nikki Bruni, Cynthia Rinaldi, Kathleen Laslow, Julie Cosentino, and Patrick Malley sued the city over the buffer zone ordinance. At issue was the claim that the buffer zone interfered with their efforts to dissuade women from having abortions via sidewalk counseling and other means. While a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the ordinance in October 2019, they also ruled that it did not apply to pro-life sidewalk counselors. No doubt, if the Ordinance by its terms did prohibit one-on-one conversations about abortion but not about other subjects within the zone, it would be highly problematic, wrote Judge Cheryl Ann Krause for the panel. The text of the Ordinance says nothing about leafletting or peaceful one-on-one conversations, let alone on a particular topic or for a particular purpose. In March of last year, Alliance Defending Freedom, which was helping to represent the activists, asked the Supreme Court to review the case. The government cant silence speakers just because it doesnt like what they have to say, and as Pittsburghs mayor made clear, the bans purpose was to prevent women seeking abortions from hearing messages of hope, encouragement, and true choice, said ADF Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch in a statement at the time. The city can still prosecute pro-life sidewalk counselors and censor pro-life advocates even after the 3rd Circuits ruling, and until the Supreme Court weighs in, the threat remains. Mike Flynns homecoming gift to the city of Jacksonville is a living legacy that will continue to provide beauty and enjoyment for generations to come. I grew up here as a kid and when I moved back about ten years ago I noticed that there was a lack of trees along our pretty old boulevards around town, our historic streets and parks, Flynn said. So I thought that maybe we could solve that problem somehow. Flynn solved the problem by creating the Jacksonville Tree Project through the Jacksonville Rotary Club, an effort that to date has planted about 150 live trees throughout the city valued at $40,000. Flynn got the idea from the state where he lived most of his adult life. More Information If you have a suggestion about someone who should be profiled, send their name and any contact information available to communitynews@myjournalcourier.com. See More Collapse There was a program in Texas that was very successful, there was a huge buy-in and everybody did their civic duty and planted a tree. It was very popular and everybody jumped on board, the 55-year-old Flynn said. Quincy has a similar project as well, so I reached out and asked how they did it and then I modified it for this market. Flynn was a member of the Jacksonville Main Street board at the time the organization decided to plant some trees in the downtown area. Once that work was complete, Flynn convinced the Rotary Club to take over the project, re-brand it, and take it city-wide. We started centrally in the old historic district. Most of the trees were starting to age out in that area so there were a lot of holes in the tree canopy along State, College and Lafayette, Flynn said. Those areas often have wide boulevards and are perfect for planting beautiful old hardwood trees. We focused initially on where you could plant larger trees so you could get more bang for your buck. The Jacksonville Tree Project has since expanded to plant trees in Diamond Grove and East Cemeteries; the Illinois School for the Deaf campus; the Illinois and former MacMurray College campuses; Community, Nichols and Duncan parks; and several trees in the downtown Central Park area. Project trees have been planted in special locations to honor individuals such as Ken Bradbury, Paul Findley, JoAnn Parlier, Wolf Fuhrig and other Jacksonville residents who have made a difference in peoples lives. The Rotary Club has also planted trees in Community Park to honor several Rotary Exchange students. The trees are designated on the jacksonvillerotary.org/rotary-trees website, where a map provides information about each tree. Donations to the project are tax deductible and can also be made through the website. Project funding comes from individual and business donations, the Rotary Club, and Jacksonville Night at Busch Stadium. Our Tree Project Committee reached out this year to local expert Pat Ward and landscaper Chris Hardwick who helped us to pick the right types of trees, getting a wide variety of trees so we dont have what we had in the 1950s and 1960s with the Dutch elm disease, Flynn said. We tried to keep it as varied as possible but still plant high-quality trees. Turner Tree Service and Hembrough Tree & Lawn Service have assisted us with our project in the past as well. Flynn said that sugar maple, oak, linden, sycamore and disease-resistant elm have been the projects most often-planted trees because they are beautiful, long-living hardwood shade trees. We think people want to make an investment and leave trees for future generations, put the city back in a place where it used to be and we can all enjoy them and watch them grow, Flynn said. We are also starting to plant a few smaller trees that can go under power lines. Most of the trees are pretty large because we dont want to plant saplings around town, Flynn said. We dont want to wait that long to see them grow, but also when they are really small there can be more damage from lawn mowers or little kids who may want to play with them. Flynn said the Jacksonville Tree Project has been well-received. People who have been in Jacksonville for generations like my family remember us being known as Elm City and our great history with being a tree-filled city, Flynn said. I think that strikes an emotional chord with a lot of people and they want to see that returned. A lot of the trees we are planting are in areas where people walk a lot, especially during this pandemic, Flynn said. People are spending much more time outside with their children, biking and walking, and they like to see trees when they are walking and it is encouraging them to want to donate toward something that they can watch grow when they are outside. Flynn has no specific training as an arborist but works closely with the experts on tree selection and planting. Flynn knows what he likes, and that is a green city. I have always lived in areas that have been pretty tree-filled and had an appreciation for it, Flynn said. When you move away you see things through a different set of eyes sometimes, you have a nostalgic feel for your home town. That played a big part in my wanting to get involved and create something to make Jacksonville as good as it can be. Progressive cities have great parks, they have neighborhoods that are full of mature trees and people want that in a neighborhood they live in, Flynn said. I notice that when I go someplace and it makes me want to live in a place like that. The biggest ever seizure of heroin in Cork city with a street value of over 400,000 resulted in a key player in the supply of heroin in the area being jailed for eight years. Judge Sean O Donnabhain imposed a ten-year sentence on Derek Keenan, 42, but suspended the last two years of that sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Detective Sergeant Michael OHalloran said gardai attached to the divisional drugs unit received confidential information about a large quantity of heroin and they mounted a surveillance operation near the home of the accused. At 11 p.m. on July 9 gardai were monitoring the address and Derek Keenan was seen sitting in the drivers seat of his car at the drive on 110A Harbour View Road. A second male got into the passenger side of the car. Gardai approached and explained there was a warrant to search the premises and the car, Det. Sgt. OHalloran said. A gear bag on Keenans lap contained approximately two kilos of Diamorphine. Keenan had just handed another gear bag to the man on the passenger seat and this second bag contained about one kilo of the drug. The total value of the heroin was 419,000. The detective said the admissions made by Keenan were in respect of his own involvement in the drugs trade but he did not assist gardai in the identification of any other parties. Keenan claimed that he had paid a delivery driver 600 for bringing the packages of heroin to him that night and he claimed that his motive for involving himself in the drug trade was the clearing of a 6,000 debt. Det. Garda OHalloran did not accept this explanation. This was the largest quantity of Diamorphine ever recovered in Cork city in any drugs operation, the detective said. He added, The whole purpose was to increase the sale of Diamorphine on the streets of Cork He became a target of our office because of the level he was at. Donal OSullivan, defence barrister, said the accused was using heroin himself at the time he was caught and he was also on a Methadone treatment programme. The barrister also said there were no trappings of any wealth accruing to the accused through his criminal actions. This man was an addict and played a full role but was inspired by addiction. The accused had seven previous convictions for having drugs for his own use and two for drug-dealing. Those dealing cases occurred in 2014 and resulted in a suspended jail term and a community service order. Judge Sean O Donnabhain said, When he got those lenient sentences what effort did he make to challenge his addiction. I am unaware of any doctor or counsellor recommending methadone and heroin use together. He was caught red-handed and he did make admissions to his part. He was a vital part of drug distribution in Cork city and it was a large quantity of drugs. To say he was doing it to clear a 6,000 debt is somewhat fanciful. I wont accept it. The judge said the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years was appropriate in this case. He suspended the last two years of that. Also listed today at Cork Circuit Criminal Court was the case against co-accused, 57-year-old Anthony Cuthbert of 19 St. Finbarrs Road, Greenmount, Cork, on the same charge but it was struck out as the defendant is recently deceased. WASHINGTON - Poised to impeach, the House sped ahead Monday with plans to oust President Donald Trump from office, warning he is a threat to democracy and pushing the vice-president and Cabinet to act even more quickly in an extraordinary effort to remove Trump in the final days of his presidency. An American flag flies above the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) WASHINGTON - Poised to impeach, the House sped ahead Monday with plans to oust President Donald Trump from office, warning he is a threat to democracy and pushing the vice-president and Cabinet to act even more quickly in an extraordinary effort to remove Trump in the final days of his presidency. Trump faces a single charge -- incitement of insurrection after the deadly Capitol riot in an impeachment resolution that the House will begin debating Wednesday. At the same time, the FBI warned ominously Monday of potential armed protests in Washington and many states by Trump loyalists ahead of President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, Jan. 20. In a dark foreshadowing, the Washington Monument was closed to the public amid the threats of disruption. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf abruptly resigned. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., speaks during a Congressional Oversight Commission hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday Dec. 10, 2020 (Alex Wong/Pool via AP) It all added up to stunning final moments for Trumps presidency as Democrats and a growing number of Republicans declare he is unfit for office and could do more damage after inciting a mob that violently ransacked the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, reads the four-page impeachment bill. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, it reads. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is summoning lawmakers back to Washington for votes, and Democrats aren't the only ones who say Trump needs to go. An American flag flies above the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania joined GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Trump to go away as soon as possible. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., encouraged House GOP colleagues late Monday to vote your conscience, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call. She has spoken critically of Trump's actions, but has not said publicly how she will vote. Pending impeachment, Democrats called on Vice-President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke their constitutional authority under the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office before Inauguration Day. Their Democrats' House resolution was blocked by Republicans. However, the full House is to hold a roll call vote on it Tuesday, and it is expected to pass. After that, Pelosi said, Pence will have 24 hours to respond. Next would be the impeachment proceedings. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., talks to reporters just outside the House chamber after a resolution calling for the removal of President Donald Trump from office was blocked by Republicans, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is urging congressional action to rein in President Donald Trump for inciting last week's deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on a course involving the 25th Amendment. He and Trump met late Monday for the first time since the Capitol attack, a senior administration official said. Trump and Pence had a good conversation in the Oval Office discussing the week ahead, and they pledged to continue working for the remainder of their terms, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. No member of the Cabinet has publicly called for Trump to be removed from office though the 25th Amendment. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., talks to reporters just outside the House chamber after a resolution calling for the removal of President Donald Trump from office was blocked by Republicans, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is calling for congressional action to rein in President Donald Trump after inciting last week's deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) As security tightened, Biden said Monday he was not afraid of taking the oath of office outside as is traditionally done at the Capitol's west steps, one of the areas where people stormed the building. As for the rioters, Biden said, It is critically important that therell be a real serious focus on holding those folks who engaged in sedition and threatening the lives, defacing public property, caused great damage -- that they be held accountable. Biden said hes had conversations with senators ahead of a possible impeachment trial, which some have worried would cloud the opening days of his administration. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer was exploring ways to immediately convene the Senate for the trial as soon as the House acts, though Republican leader Mitch McConnell would need to agree. The president-elect suggested splitting the Senate's time, perhaps go a half day on dealing with impeachment, a half day on getting my people nominated and confirmed in the Senate, as well as moving on the package" for more COVID relief. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) As Congress briefly resumed Monday, an uneasiness swept government. More lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 after sheltering during the siege. And new security officials were quickly installed after the Capitol police chief and others were ousted in fallout from the attack on the iconic dome of democracy. Some GOP lawmakers, including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, faced public blowback for their efforts on the day of the riot trying to overturn Biden's election. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., offered the 25th Amendment resolution during Monday's brief session. It was blocked by Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., as other GOP lawmakers stood by him. Pelosi said the Republicans were enabling Trump's "unhinged, unstable and deranged acts of sedition to continue. Their complicity endangers America, erodes our Democracy, and it must end. However, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, a Trump ally, said in a letter to colleagues that impeachment at this time would have the opposite effect of bringing our country together. He said he would review possible censure of the president. But House Republicans are split and a few may vote to impeach. The impeachment bill from Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and and Jerrold Nadler of New York draws from Trump's own false statements about his election defeat to Biden. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, have repeatedly dismissed cases challenging the election results, and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, has said there was no sign of widespread fraud. The impeachment legislation also details Trump's pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes, as well as his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters last Wednesday to fight like hell and march to the building. The mob overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. While some have questioned impeaching the president so close to the end of his term, Democrats and others argue he must be held accountable and prevented from holding future public office. He would be the only president twice impeached. House Democrats have been considering a strategy to delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. There is precedent for pursuing impeachment after an official leaves office. In 1876, during the Ulysses Grant administration, War Secretary William Belknap was impeached by the House the day he resigned, and the Senate convened a trial months later. He was acquitted. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. Cicilline, leader of the House effort, tweeted Monday that we now have the votes to impeach, including 213 cosponsors and private commitments. Barrow reported from Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Jill Colvin, Ellen Knickmeyer, Tom Beaumont and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. New Delhi, Jan 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised that India is entering into a decisive battle against Covid-19, as the country prepares for the Made in India vaccination drive from January 16. Making the closing remarks at the meeting with the Chief Ministers on Covid vaccine roll-out, the Prime Minister said that the public representatives are not in the priority list and the first round of vaccines will be given to the frontline workers. He also said that the state governments will not have to pay for the first round of Covid vaccines as the Centre will bear the cost. "We have to continue creating public awarreness, but the maximum awarreness is required after the second and third round when we complete three crore vaccinations," Modisaid. "Public representatives are not in the priority list. Only the frontline and healthcare workers are on the list. The fight against coronavirus is an example of India's federalism," the Prime MInister said. "India is entering into a decisive battle against Covid-19 and we should not let our guard down now. We are going to start the vaccination drive from January 16. It is a matter of pride for us that the two approved vaccines for Covid-19 are both Made in India," Modi said. The Prime MInister said that both the Indian vaccines are more cost effective than any other vaccine in the world. "Apart from the two already approved vaccines, four others are in the pipeline. It will help us plan for the future in a better way. Our experts have taken all precautions to provide the countrymen with effective vaccines," Modi said. The Prime MInister said that these vaccines are made keeping in mind the situation of the country. "In the second phase, people above 50 years of age will be vaccinated," Modi said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The global market based on sources has been segmented into bacteria and fungi. This is because bacteria is largely used to increase the shelf-life of fruits & vegetables for a prolonged time. Moreover, bacteria contributes to the easy genetic transformation for enzyme, which has led to the dominance of bacteria compared to other microorganisms in the fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=253649892 The global market, based on type, has been segmented into amylase, pectinase, protease, and cellulase. The amylase segment accounted for the largest share of the fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market in 2015. Amylases are mainly used in industries, such as food & beverages due to its cost effectiveness, and less time-consuming methods, and therefore the demand is high. Microorganisms are considered as the best source of these enzymes. Alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, and gluco-amylase are the major types of amylases. Out of the three types, a-amylase and gluco-amylase are used in a wider range of products in the food & beverage industry. In the form segment, the market has been segmented on the basis of liquid and powder. The liquid form accounted for the largest share in 2015. The liquid enzyme is used directly in its liquid form or sprayed and absorbed onto a solid carrier. The liquid formulation of enzyme is supplied as a liquid solution, which is sprayed on the pellets. The growth in this segment is attributed to three major components, such as enzymatic, physical, and microbial stabilities are considered by manufacturers during the production stage which has resulted in the increased demand. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to surpass Europe as the second-largest consumer of fruit & vegetable processing enzymes. This is due to the rising demand from India and China, which has contributed to the industrial growth for food & beverages. More than two-thirds of the fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market in the Asia-Pacific region is import-dominated. Therefore, enzyme manufacturers have investment opportunities in new product developments across the Asia-Pacific region. This report includes a study of marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolio of leading companies. It includes the profiles of leading companies such as E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S.), Associated British Foods Plc (U.K.), Koninklijke DSM N.V. (The Netherlands), Novozymes A/S (Denmark), and Group Soufflet (France). Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=253649892 Target Audience: The guardrails for our democracy worked, but it could have been different. Lessons must be learned and steps taken before the next presidential election to make it even less likely in the future that the democratic process can be subverted. It is not hyperbole to say that this was the greatest threat to democracy in American history. Never before had a defeated incumbent president refused to recognize the loss and attempt to stay in power. From John Adams in 1800 to George H. W. Bush in 1992, every president who lost a re-election accepted the results. Never before had a defeated candidate tried to pressure election officials and state legislatures to undo the results of the election. Never before had repeated unsupported and false claims of fraud polluted public discourse and caused doubts among many about the results. Never before had 133 members of Congress tried to overturn the results of the popular vote and the Electoral College. Never before had the president of the United States incited a crowd to violence and insurrection. Yet, we should celebrate that despite all of this democracy and the rule of law triumphed. A presidential election was held in the midst of a pandemic, with record voter turnout and no identifiable fraud or foreign interference. Election officials, both Republican and Democrat, impartially and accurately counted the votes, even in the face of enormous political pressure to alter the results. Judges state and federal, Republican and Democrat rejected spurious challenges based on the lack of evidence of fraud and the absence of any viable legal claim. Senators and representatives in Congress Republican and Democrat accepted the results of the Electoral College, following the process prescribed by the Constitution and federal law. But it so easily could have been different. What if the election had been much closer and say came down to one state with a margin of 500 votes, as in 2000? What if there had been evidence of election fraud in some places? What if election officials in Michigan or Georgia had caved to the pressure from President Trump and refused to certify the results in those states for Joe Biden? What if state legislatures in places like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin had followed Trumps request and awarded their electors to him notwithstanding the popular vote in those states? What if more members of Congress had refused to certify Bidens victory? What if Vice President Mike Pence had followed Trumps fervent plea and refused to accept the electors from the key states? It is plausible to imagine these things and Trump being installed as president notwithstanding the results in the Electoral College. No longer would the United States remain a constitutional democracy. I dont think any of us realized how fragile American democracy is or imagined it would be so threatened in our lifetime. Many flaws in our electoral system were exposed and need to be addressed. At the state level, states need to make clear that their legislatures have no power to override the outcome of the election and that their state courts are empowered to interpret state laws to protect the right to vote. At the federal level, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 must be revised. The law was adopted after the events of the disputed election of 1876 and has played little role until now. The laws reference to a failed election should be eliminated because the vague concept allows too much chance for mischief. Also, the Electoral Count Act should be revised to make clear the role of Congress and that it does not have authority to reject electors who have been certified by a state. And it must be made clear that the vice president plays no role in deciding whether electors are to be counted. Larger issues with regard to the electoral system need to be addressed as well. Voter suppression, particularly of voters of color, remains a serious problem and Congress must revise and adopt a new version of the Voting Rights Act in light of the Supreme Courts invalidation of key provisions in 2013. Congress should encourage states to adopt uniform rules that facilitate absentee voting; in many states there are serious obstacles. And it is long overdue to see if there is some way to eliminate or at least change the Electoral College to minimize the chance that a candidate who loses the popular vote can be chosen as president of the United States. No form of government lasts forever. Democracies are there until they are not; we have seen democracies around the world replaced with authoritarian governments. There is no American exceptionalism that can ensure it wont happen here. Our best hope is to have laws and structures to best ensure democratic governance. They worked this time, but they need to be strengthened. Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of Berkeley Law. LONDON, Jan. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MagiClick, a leading provider of digital technology and design capabilities with a strong presence across Turkey and the MENA region, announces its acquisition of Dock9 as part of its strategy to become the leading financial services technology and digital experience agency within Europe. MagiClick's client roster includes more than 30 financial institutions such as HSBC, QNB, Bank Audi, First Abu Dhabi Bank, BNP Paribas TEB Securities, Metlife, Yapi Kredi, Garanti BBVA Securities, Akbank, Denizbank, and Ziraat Bank as well as other leading brands such as IKEA, Turkish Airlines, Domino's, Turk Telekom, Mercedes-Benz, and Microsoft. MagiClick has been named as a fast-growing technology company in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program - ten times. Their work has received widespread recognition internationally, having won accolades at the BAI Global Innovation Awards, Global Finance Awards, Efma, Global Banking & Finance Review, IR Global Rankings, and The Stevies, among others. Dock9 is a London-based specialist digital solutions agency with a mission to build next-generation digital products for visionary financial services brands. It has worked for clients including Aetna, Arch Insurance, Assurant, Castle Trust Bank, Kensington Mortgages, Masthaven Bank, Protect Your Bubble, Twenty7Tec, Tradex, Vida Homeloans, and Virgin Money. The acquisition grows the MagiClick headcount to over 160 employees working across three offices in London, Istanbul, and Dubai. Murat Kalaora and Renee Tiyano, Founding Partners at MagiClick, said: "As one of the few digital agencies in the world with deep expertise in the banking & finance industry, we recognised that Dock9 would be a great fit with us they are the right size to benefit from being part of a larger group, they share our focus on financial services and have a solid client base. Their expertise in Umbraco, Sitefinity, and Kentico will also be complementary to our existing offerings. We were really impressed by the quality of their work and the talent of the team led by the company's incredibly passionate founder Mark Lusted. We are looking forward to growing the company together." Mark Lusted, who founded Dock9 in 2008 and now moves to the role of CEO of MagiClick's UK operations, said: "Over the past 13 years, we have organically grown Dock9 into one of the most respected digital agencies within the financial services space, helping incumbent players innovate and hit back at the startups along the way. From the first meeting with MagiClick, we saw huge similarities in their approach, culture, and vision for the future of financial services technology. There are not many digital agencies in the world with more than a couple of banking clients, and MagiClick is unique in supporting the digital transformation of over 30 financial institutions in 7 countries. We are looking forward to combining our capabilities to offer even more innovative products to the financial services sector in the UK." David Blois at M&A Advisory introduced the parties and advised MagiClick. Legal advice on the transaction was provided to MagiClick by Jonathan Simms, Kaira Clarehugh, and Joanna Dodd at Clarion. Financial due diligence and advice on the transaction were provided to MagiClick by Helen James at HW Fisher. MagiClick Web Site: www.MagiClick.com Dock9 Web Site: www.Dock9.co.uk SOURCE MagiClick and Dock9 An unexpected theme tune of recent months has been Blur's hit Parklife. It jangles around my head, my own lyrics replacing Phil Daniels' Cockney narration. 'Kids, come off your tech for another bleak plod Parklife.' 'Can't go to the gym, so I'm off for a run Parklife.' 'A friend's alone with her dog. Can we have a distanced chat? Parklife.' 'All the people, so many people . . .' For decades of my life, urban parks have offered little interest. Acquire a child or a dog, or both, and suddenly these green spaces become paramount. In lockdown, they have become city-dwellers' most important shared space. Though even they are now being billed as a potential danger zone. Inevitably, tensions have arisen. Yes, there are selfish sprinters and paranoid pedestrians stink-eyeing strangers, but the folk I find most bewildering are those who go to the park, then go on social media to troll others for doing just that. Author Patricia Nicol recommends tomes about green spaces including Elizabeth Bowen's The Heat Of The Day (left) and Beth Morrey's Saving Missy (right) Last spring, my family stayed at home, alarmed by apocalyptic scenes of parks overrun by yobs. But, in truth, the greatest threat to everyone's peace of mind remained Mamils (middle-aged men in Lycra) road-testing new lockdown bikes. As a confluence of classes and cultures, and a space for social observation, parks have a special place in fiction. Elizabeth Bowen's The Heat Of The Day begins in London's Regent's Park during an evening concert in September 1942. Espionage is a theme of that novel, as it is in Martin Cruz Smith's Cold war thriller Gorky Park, which begins with homicide investigator Arkady Renko arriving to examine three corpses discovered in the snow of Moscow's central park. The elderly, lonely protagonist of Beth Morrey's Saving Missy stumbles upon friendship among a community of dog-walkers. To avoid crowds, choose your time and place carefully. Some exercise outdoors does feel important in these cold, uncertain, isolating times. It is in the park that you will find trees, open sky, the beginnings of spring. And, even at a distance, community. Marriott, the world's largest hotel chain, said last week's chaos at the Capitol caused the company to halt campaign donations to U.S. senators and representatives who voted against certifying the electoral college results of President-elect Joe Biden's win, a fresh sign of corporate America's uneasiness with the violent attacks inspired by President Donald Trump's words. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said it would do the same. The provider of health insurance to more than 100 million people said its political action committee was suspending contributions "to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy." Commerce Bank said its political action committee has "suspended all support for officials who have impeded the peaceful transfer of power." It has bank branches in five states, mostly in the Midwest. The riot at the Capitol appears to have companies scrambling to figure out how to react, as they increasingly realize that this is not an ordinary political dispute and that the option of sitting on the sidelines grows unsatisfying. "These corporations are doing something very new, and something that could potentially alienate an important base for them," said Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen, a money-in-politics group. "I've never heard of this happening before." Shortly after the riot, companies and trade groups rushed to register their outrage, with statements ranging from condemnations to direct calls for Trump's removal from office. Marriott, based in Bethesda, Md., said its decision was motivated by "the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election." Marriott's political action committee, which is funded by employee donations, gave more than $410,000 in the last election cycle, according to Federal Election Commission data. The hotel chain also has a direct business relationship with Trump. It books travel to his Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland through the Marriott Luxury Collection program. The moves could hurt the fundraising efforts of the 139 Republican representatives and eight Republican senators who voted last week against certifying the presidential election results. More pressure on companies is coming. The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group, says it is preparing a multimillion dollar ad campaign targeting companies that bankroll Republicans who voted against certifying the results of the election, pushing those firms to cease donations to these and other Republicans. The project will launch broadcast and cable advertising aimed at these companies and their senior leaders. The Lincoln Project will also target advertising for these corporations' workers, hoping to "destabilize the companies' operations by fomenting employee rebellions," said Steve Schmidt, co-founder of The Lincoln Project. Schmidt declined to comment on the companies The Lincoln Project plans to campaign against but pointed out that AT&T, BlackRock and Charles Schwab are among the corporate entities that donate to Republican lawmakers. "$80-90 million was spent by Corporate America on political committees . . . on extremist groups that have destabilized American democracy," Schmidt said, citing Republican Attorneys General Association and Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "After this point, nothing goes back to normal." - - - The Washington Post's Jena McGregor and David A. Fahrenthold contributed to this report. New Delhi, Jan 11 : After a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde said on Monday that the court has made up its mind to stay the implementation of the three farm laws, the united farmers' union has hardened its stand and said that all the farmers' organisations, which are spearheading the fight against the farm laws, are unanimous in their decision that the laws must be repealed forthwith and has decided not to attend the committee if formed by the apex court. "Though all organisations express great respect for the Hon'ble Supreme Court for it's understanding of the problem and comforting words expressed during the hearing today," said a statement issued by the unions. While all the organisations welcome the suggestions of the Supreme Court to stay the implementation of the farm laws, they are collectively and individually not willing to participate in any proceeding before a committee that may be appointed by the apex court. The Centre has made it clear before the court that it will not agree to any discussion for repealing the farm laws before the committee. "We met our lawyers this evening and after deliberation on the pros and cons of the suggestions to the committee, we informed them that we are unanimously not agreeable to go before any committee that may be appointed by the Supreme Court due to the stubborn attitude of the government," said the statement. "The Supreme Court was requested by our lawyers as also by other lawyers including Harish Salve to fix the hearing again tomorrow to enable them to consult the organisations and seek their consent to the suggestion of the court," it added. "We have been told that no such hearing has been fixed for tomorrow as per the cause list already published for tomorrow till 9 pm and that only the matters are listed for pronouncements for order by the court. These events have deeply disappointed us, our lawyers and also the farmers at large. Therefore, it has been decided to release this press statement to let the world know our stand in the matter," it said. "As the representatives of the farmers, we once again express our gratitude to the Supreme Court but regret our inability to accede to their suggestions. While the government falsely propagates that the agitation is confined only to farmers of Punjab, thousands of farmers from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and some other states have assembled on the borders of Delhi, while thousands more are protesting at various places of different states at this very moment," the statement said. (Global Times) US social media platforms' sharply contrasting reactions to US President Donald Trump's messages of violent content and those of Hong Kong rioters have fully exposed their double standards when they spare no efforts to criticize other nations' "violations of free speech" while taking drastic moves to restrict the speech of their own incumbent president, Chinese observers said. Using the excuse of the potential risk of further incitement of violence, social media platform Twitter announced Friday the permanent suspension of Trump's account. Google and Apple followed suit. Shortly after Twitter announced that it would suspend Trump's account, Google said that it was removing Parler, a conservative social media app, from its Play Store. Google said the app was suspended until the developers committed to a moderation and enforcement policy that could handle objectionable content on the platform. Late Saturday, Apple removed Parler from the App Store. "We have always supported diverse points of view being represented on the App Store, but there is no place on our platform for threats of violence and illegal activity," Apple said in a statement provided to weekly magazine Variety. Twitter also removed the accounts of Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser who has received a presidential pardon, and pro-Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, for breaching policies that ban users from engaging in "coordinated activity" that results in online and real-world harm. Twitter and Facebook failed to reply to the Global Times as of press time. The moves are totally in sharp contrast to these platforms' reactions to violent riots in Hong Kong in 2019, which dragged the city into chaos lasting about one year and inflicted huge financial losses. In addition to allowing speeches that spread and stirred violence, foreign social platforms Facebook, Twitter and Telegram have been popular tools for Hong Kong rioters to call for illegal assemblies and to doxx police officers. Posts promoting Hong Kong secession are rife on these platforms, the Global Times previously learned from the Hong Kong police. Platforms such as Telegram have fallen into rioters' hands. These companies have always refused to cooperate with police on law enforcement issues, and because there were no legal terms, they only operated under corporation status, Ronny Chan, chairman of the Superintendents' Association of the Hong Kong Police Force, told the Global Times previously. In early August 2019, Facebook and Twitter started to take down accounts from China in relation to protests in Hong Kong, facing strong backlash as many users complained that their Facebook and Twitter accounts were blocked after they voiced support for the Hong Kong police and posted pictures featuring the Chinese national flag. Twitter user Sheryl's account was blocked just after she liked her idol Lay Zhang Yixing's post supporting Hong Kong police and a few comments denouncing violence protesters. In the US, social media platforms are actually private platforms with public attributes, which means they are controlled by capital or tilted toward a certain party. If someone violates the interests of the capital invested in them, the person will get banned, Shen Yi from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University told the Global Times on Sunday. Shen said that those platforms have a long way to go regarding internet regulation. "China has regulated the internet to provide a healthy online environment for the public; but US platforms started an internet purge because those platforms are tilting toward certain political parties, and some speeches are not in line with the political interests they uphold," Shen noted. The suspension of Trump and his followers' accounts also stirred waves of mockery on the Chinese internet. "The Hong Kong rioters who were actively inciting violence far outnumbered the US protesters, and lasted longer, why didn't they ban them? Those platforms will lose their moral high ground of advertising freedom of speech forever," a user of China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo platform said. Princess Sofia of Sweden's pregnancy is 'going well' months after she battled Covid-19, according to the royal palace. Prince Carl Philip, 41, and his wife, 37, shared a sweet family photograph last month after revealing they are expecting their third child together in the spring. The announcement came weeks after it was revealed the couple had been diagnosed with coronavirus. Now, according to Royal Central, the Swedish Royal Court has given an update on the pregnancy to the Swedish Magazine Svensk Damtiding, stating: 'Princess Sofia is still fine and everything is going well.' Princess Sofia of Sweden's third pregnancy is 'going well' after the royal was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the end of last year The couple, who married in 2015, revealed the 'new little member of their family' is due in 'March or April'. They already have two sons, Prince Alexander, four, and Prince Gabriel, three. Carl Philip, 41, is the only son and second child of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. His older sister Princess Victoria, 43, is the heir to the Swedish throne and he is currently fifth in the line of succession. Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia announced last month they are expecting their third child together. The couple have two sons, Prince Alexander, four, and Prince Gabriel, three. They shared this family photo after announcing the news In a statement shared by the Swedish royal household, Carl Philip and Sofia said they are 'happy and excited, and looking forward to welcoming our third child'. They later shared a family photo to thank well-wishers for their kind words. The snap shows Carl Philip and Sofia dressed in festive outfits while posing with their sons in a cosy living room. Just a hint of a baby bump could be seen under Sofia's elegant camel-coloured roll neck dress. In November, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia revealed they had tested postive for Covid-19 (pictured together at the end of last year) In November, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia revealed they had tested postive for Covid-19. The pair suffered 'light flu symptoms' and isolated at their home in Stockholm with their sons. It is unclear exactly when the royal pair tested positive, but a spokesman said Sofia is swabbed as part of her work at Sophiahemmet - a private hospital in Stockholm. She has been pictured donning scrubs while treating coronavirus patients at the hospital amid Sweden's outbreak. Sweden is currently in the midst of a second wave of coronavirus that is among the fastest-growing outbreaks in Europe. The SEC has invoked plenary powers vested within it under Article 243 K, read with Article 324 of Constitution of India, to summarily discharge its joint director from service of the Election Commission for safeguarding the integrity of ongoing election process in the state. VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday dismissed its joint director G. V. Sai Prasad on charges of indiscipline and breaching the Code of Conduct. According to proceedings issued by State Election Commissioner N. Ramesh Kumar here, when the commission issued its election notification on January 8 for conduct of gram panchayat polls, all senior employees, including its secretary, were directed to be available in headquarters and not be absent without prior intimation. Yet, the joint director (JD) Sai Prasad put in a leave letter for 30 days and deserted his station without any intimation. This happened despite him being the senior-most functionary after secretary. SEC also found that the JD had abused his authority to influence all employees of the commission to apply for 30 days leave en masse. Sai Prasad, the commission charged, also goaded employees to desert their office with a view to paralyse functioning of the SEC at a time when the election process has been in progress. The State Election Commission found these acts to be gross indiscipline and an attempt to subvert the ongoing election process. The SEC has invoked plenary powers vested within it under Article 243 K, read with Article 324 of Constitution of India, to summarily discharge its joint director from service of the Election Commission for safeguarding the integrity of ongoing election process in the state. The SEC went on to underline that JD Sai Prasad is not entitled to any terminal benefits. He has also been barred from entering into any other government service directly or indirectly. 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 round of forgivable loans for small businesses will be available beginning Monday, according to the Small Business Administration. The $900 billion stimulus package approved by Congress last month renewed the paycheck protection program, which provided low-interest loans for small businesses that didnt have to pay them back if they spent most of the money keeping their employees on their payrolls. The stimulus measure allocated $284 billion, with some businesses able to seek a second loan. The program was designed to help businesses continue to pay their employees after being forced to close their doors to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The historically successful paycheck protection program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said in a statement on Friday. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the program, which expired in August, provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion, including more than $17 billion to New Jersey businesses, and supported more than 51 million jobs. The new program will run through March 31. Those receiving earlier loans included some of New Jerseys lobbying firms. Besides payroll, part of a loan can be used for other expenses, including purchasing shields and other equipment designed to protect workers. Business organizations such as chambers of commerce also are eligible for the loans. In addition, businesses with no more than 300 employees can seek a second loan if their receipts dropped by at least 25% in one three-month period in 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019. 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. A second Capitol Police officer who defended the U.S. Capitol building against pro-Trump rioters last week has died, the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Sunday. The statement did not give a cause of death for Officer Howard Liebengood, 51, a 15-year veteran of the Capitol Police. He died Saturday while off duty. Citing law enforcement officials, The Washington Post and other news outlets reported that Liebengood's death was a suicide. Read Next: Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Arrested, Charged in Capitol Riot Liebengoods death followed that of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, a New Jersey Air National Guard veteran, who was fatally injured battling the "Stop the Steal" mob that swarmed the Capitol as House and Senate members prepared to certify the presidential election results. In a statement last week, the Capitol Police said that Sicknick was injured "while physically engaging with protesters" and succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital Thursday. Liebengood also was on duty last Wednesday during the riot aimed at stopping the vote certifying the Electoral College results declaring former Vice President Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election. After the building was cleared, the House and Senate reassembled and voted to confirm the Electoral College count that Biden had defeated President Donald Trump 306-232. Liebengood, who served on the Senate side of the Capitol, was the son of Howard S. Liebengood, the former Senate sergeant-at-arms and had been with the department since April 2005, according to the Capitol Police statement. "We are reeling from the death of Officer Liebengood," Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the Capitol Police union, said in a statement. "Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety, and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP. This is a tragic day." One of the tributes to Liebengood and Sicknick came from former Secretary of State and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who has been named by Biden as his chief envoy on climate change. Recalling his Senate days, Kerry said via Twitter, "Howie always had a smile on his face, but he also showed great care for the safety of the young staff who worked behind our office doors." He called the deaths of Liebengood and Sicknick "a tragic loss of two patriots who spent their careers protecting the halls of democracy." Liebengood marks the sixth death related to the mob attack on the Capitol building last Wednesday and its aftermath. Ashli Babbitt, 35, an Air Force veteran from California who allegedly joined the pro-Trump rioters inside the Capitol building, was shot to death by a Capitol Police officer. Her death is under investigation, and the officer who fired the shot was placed on administrative leave. Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia; Kevin Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; and Benjamin Phillips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania, also died of unspecified medical emergencies following the riots, according to Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Police. On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., ordered the flag over the Capitol building to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Sicknick, but the flag over the White House remained at full-staff. On Sunday morning, the two-million member American Legion joined others calling on Trump to lower the flag. "Mr. President, do the right thing and lower the flags that are under your authority to half-staff in honor of this hero who gave his life defending the house of the people," American Legion National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford said in a statement. By mid-afternoon Sunday, the flag atop the White House had been lowered to half-staff; Trump later issued a proclamation honoring Sicknick and Liebengood. "[The flag was lowered] as a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, and all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement across this great nation," he said in the proclamation. Trump also ordered that the flag be flown at half-staff at public buildings and military posts and vessels until Jan. 13. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: 'Brian Did His Job': Family Remembers Fallen Capitol Officer South African government on January 10 announced that it will store the shipment from Indias coronavirus vaccine in a secret place to mitigate the risks of theft and sale in the black market, according to sources of PTI. The South African government signed a contract with Serum Institute of India to procure 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with the first batches of supply to begin in the first quarter of 2021, January, and the remaining batches in February. Department of Health spokesperson Popo Maja told the weekly City Press, The vaccines are a highly-rated commodity once they're stolen and reach the black market," according to PTI. He added that the COVID jabs are expensive and chances are that it can be subjected to theft and sold at black market prices due to high demand among the citizens. Therefore, the government will allocate a confidential space for the consignment to be stored, and the vaccines will be distributed later from there to the clinical pharmacies and inoculation centers. "There will be a central place where the consignment will be stored and from where we will distribute it to hospital and clinic pharmacies that can store it," Popo Maja said, according to PTI. "There's a security issue too because countries which have already begun rolling out the vaccines have warned us that there is a huge theft of it, so we may not even disclose where it is being centrally stored, he added. Read: Govt Issues Guidelines For Enrollment & Education Of Migrant Children Impacted By COVID-19 Read: PM Modi To Chair Meeting Of All State CMs To Discuss COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Today Covax consignment expected later in 2021 At the South African parliament, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that Africa had struck a deal with India to get the domestically manufactured vaccine doses as the country recorded nearly 22,000 infections and 844 covid-related fatalities. UK-based AstraZeneca partnered with the worlds largest Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune to produce the vaccine for the middle-low income countries. Today we announce that South Africa will be receiving the first one million doses of vaccine in January and another 500,000 in February from the Serum Institute of India, PTI quoted Mkhize as saying. He added, talks were ongoing to procure Indias Covax consignment, which the government could deliver later in the year. Read: India's COVID-19 Caseload Rises To 1,04,66,595 With 16,311 Fresh Infections Read: CoWIN App Will Be The Foundation Of COVID-19 Inoculation Drive: Centre To States/UTs It's a struggle that many spectacle-wearers face on a daily basis, but the days of fumbling around for your reading glasses could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new pair of 'tunable' glasses. The futuristic glasses can change their strength with a turn of a dial, depending on what the wearer is using them for. They can change focus from -5 to +2 in a matter of seconds, eliminating the need to carry multiple pairs of specs with you. The designers, based in San Francisco, hope their glasses could help people suffering from presbyopia - a condition that affects the eyes' ability to focus on nearby objects, and causes sufferers to require different glasses for different activities. The futuristic glasses can change their strength with a turn of a dial, depending on what the wearer is using them for HOW DO THE GLASSES WORK? The glasses have a small dial on each arm. To adjust the lenses, the wearer can turn the wheel away from the nose for a more negative power, or turn the wheel towards the nose for a more positive power. The glasses use a technology first developed in the 1960s by Luis Walter Alvarez, a Nobel prize-winning scientist. It relies on two polycarbonate plates on each side of the glasses, which slide across each other when the wheel is adjusted. Depending on the position of the plates, the strength of the lenses is adjusted. Advertisement The tunable glasses, dubbed the VOY Glasses, feature a small dial on each arm. To adjust the lenses, the wearer can simply turn the wheel away from the nose for a more negative power, or turn the wheel towards the nose for a more positive power. On its website, the designers explain: 'You can adjust one eye at a time then fine-tune your vision with both eyes open for the most comfortable view.' The glasses use a technology first developed back in the 1960s by Luis Walter Alvarez, a Nobel prize-winning physicist. The technology relies on two polycarbonate plates on each side of the glasses, which slide across each other when the wheel is adjusted. Depending on the position of the plates, the strength of the lenses is adjusted. This technology is already used in a range of other settings, including in smartphone zoom cameras and medical devices. The VOY glasses come as both eyeglasses or sunglasses and come with a blue light blocker, anti-reflection and UV protection coatings. They're currently priced at $79 (58.55), and come in a range of colours - black, tortoise, brown, grey, burgundy and white. The glasses use a technology first developed back in the 1960s by Luis Walter Alvarez, a Nobel prize-winning physicist Amazingly, the glasses can change focus from -5 to +2 in a matter of seconds, eliminating the need to carry multiple pairs of specs with you The VOY glasses come as both eyeglasses or sunglasses and come with a blue light blocker, anti-reflection and UV protection coatings This week, the glasses were awarded the 2021 Innovation Award in the Wearable Technology category at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). CES is normally held every January in Las Vegas, with thousands of exhibitors and more than 170,000 attendees coming to see a wide range of new gadgets unveiled. However, 2021 will see the convention move online with a new 'digital venue' having been created with the help of Microsoft as a central hub for the show's main announcements. Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organises the convention, has said the event this year will be 'making history' as its 'first all-digital show'. 'This new experience will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing the latest trends and innovation in artificial intelligence, 5G, digital health, smart cities, vehicle tech and beyond,' he said. 'Technology will move us forward and CES 2021 will illustrate how innovation paves the way for a brighter tomorrow.' Lewis and I spoke for quite a while a few days ago on how things got to this surprising juncture. And although the 62-year-old Aurora woman is not ready to talk publicly about the lawsuit, she insisted it was necessary because she believes strongly that Henry Pratt is stemming democracy by making her choose between my passions as a local elected official and the job shes poured her heart and soul into for so many years. United Nations, Jan 11 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a new type of multilateralism to address global challenges. In a virtual speech for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly on Sunday, Guterres said 97 per cent of respondents to a UN-sponsored global survey called for improved global cooperation to find multilateral solutions to today's global challenges, Xinhua news agency reported. "While the need for international cooperation continues, we must expand our idea of what that means," he said. "In our interconnected world, we need a networked multilateralism, so that global and regional organisations communicate and work together towards common goals. And we need an inclusive multilateralism, based on the equal representation of women, and taking in young people, civil society, business and technology, cities and regions, science and academia." He stressed the need to transform the global system into a global partnership with justice and equality, including gender equality, being the prerequisites. Women's leadership and equal participation are key ways to address global challenges. The past year has highlighted the effectiveness of women's leadership, adding to evidence that gender-balanced decision-making leads to stronger climate agreements, greater investment in social protection, longer-lasting peace, and more innovation, he said. He also emphasized the role of young people in this process. "Today, it is often young people who are showing courage and demanding courage from the rest of us... Young people can and do change the world." Guterres saw a growing momentum for change, from grassroots activists, young people and civil society, and from businesses, cities, regions, and governments in the UN General Assembly. "Together, I am confident that we can emerge from Covid-19 and lay the foundations for a cleaner, safer, fairer world for all, and for generations to come." The first session of the UN General Assembly was convened on January 10, 1946, in London. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden appeared on television last week as a bipartisan group of lawmakers huddled in an undisclosed location to protect them from a violent mob that was ransacking the U.S. Capitol. The whole room went silent, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., recalled as everyone listened to Biden denounce the insurrection and call for calm. The respectful manner in which the lawmakers listened to Biden during one of Americas darkest moments gave Klobuchar hope that the new president has an opportunity to guide the country past the tumultuous final stretch of Donald Trumps presidency. Thats quickly becoming one of Bidens top tasks as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20. Its an immensely complex challenge, requiring him to balance demands for accountability after Trump incited the riot against those who worry about further dividing the country. Any misstep could not only intensify the nations polarization, but threaten Bidens ability to win quick congressional approval of his Cabinet picks and other priorities such as coronavirus response legislation. For now, Biden seems content to leave decisions about Trumps fate to Congress. What the Congress decides to do is for them to decide," Biden told reporters last week. But Im going to have to and theyre going to have to be ready to hit the ground running, because when Kamala (Harris) and I are sworn in, were going to be introducing, immediately, significant pieces of legislation that will deal with the virus, deal with the economy, and deal with economic growth. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, have called on Trump to resign. Absent that, House Democrats are moving quickly to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday and vote as soon as Tuesday. That would give an outlet for lawmakers to formally condemn Trump, but would delay a Senate trial until after Biden addresses other priorities during his first 100 days. Biden essentially framed his presidential campaign as a response to Trump, pledging to restore the soul of America. He has said he decided to seek the White House after watching Trump say there were very fine people on both sides of a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Still, the insurrection sharpens the debate over how to break with the Trump era. Many Democrats say the best way for Biden to unify the nation and restore faith in government is to achieve tangible results on issues that matter to all Americans, including the coronavirus pandemic and the economy. We need to get the vaccine out," she said. We need to get the economy back to where it was so thats number one on his agenda number one on our agenda so you start with whats number one on everyones agenda." Steve Israel, a former New York Democratic congressman, said that in his experience in Congress, when lawmakers sense that things are going too far, you want to take a few steps back. I think that there are a lot of Republicans now who are going to want to take a few steps back towards the middle, he said. But he also emphasized that if Biden hopes to move past Trump, hell need to move fast to show that bipartisan action is possible. If President Biden tests the appetite of Republicans to try and get a quick and substantive win on a COVID relief package, or perhaps infrastructure investments, that will send a message to the entire country that bipartisanship and healing is possible, he said. Biden will also have to navigate a number of ongoing investigations into Trumps actions during the U.S. Capitol breach and in trying to pressure state officials to overturn the results of the election in his favor. He has repeatedly said that his Justice Department will remain entirely independent and that he wont interfere in any ongoing investigations into his predecessor. Democrats say thats exactly the tone theyd like him to take. But its also important, as Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy put it, to hold those involved in the events of this week accountable. There were an enormous number of crimes, felonies, that were committed. We have to make sure those are handled, he said. If we just totally ignore it, we tell everybody else you can commit any crime you want because the Congress will ignore it. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi D-Calif. While Democrats emphasize that they want Biden to focus on the issues confronting his administration and not the investigations into his predecessor, they also say its important to address the systemic issues again laid bare by the unequal police treatment of the violent Capitol rioters. Many have noted that the police presence and response to the largely white mob was far smaller and less aggressive than that seen at a number of peaceful Black Lives Matter protests where the crowd was much more diverse. Its important, said Democratic strategist Karen Finney, for Biden to acknowledge that. This is who we are but its not who we have to be, she said. If thats the message, it would be a powerful one to try to start to bring us together. The last time the nation faced such serious questions about how a new president would respond to the actions of his predecessor was in 1974. Gerald Ford assumed the presidency after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace over his role in the Watergate break-in. Ford ultimately pardoned Nixon, a move that was initially deeply unpopular but was later viewed as an important step toward healing. Historian Mark Updegrove, the president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, said that because of the magnitude of Trumps actions and the fact that the country is far more divided over his presidency than they were on Nixons its better for Biden to stay away from any actions taken against Trump once he leaves office. Richard Nixon, while he lied to the American people and participated in obstructing justice in the Watergate investigation, he did not orchestrate an insurrection on our Capitol and try to overturn the election, he said. Biden has to be very conscious of dealing with President Trump," Updegrove continued. I think its probably rightfully left in the hands of Congress right now, and the judicial branch. Klobuchar will play a leading role into a bipartisan investigation into what went wrong at the Capitol, and said whatever her team finds, it will be up to the Justice Department to decide how to act. But the senator said the inauguration itself may offer the most important opportunity for Biden to set a forward-looking tone. I cant think of another year that the peaceful transition of power was more important than this one, she said. 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 Students walk through the University of CaliforniaIrvine campus in Irvine, Calif., on Sept. 25, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) University of CaliforniaIrvine Will Reopen This Fall: UC President The University of California (UC) is planning to return to in-person instruction this fall, due to an expected availability of vaccines to students and faculty. Its 10 campuses include University of CaliforniaIrvine, its only Orange County facility. Plans to reopen the schools were announced Jan. 11 by University of California president Michael Drake, who said the decision was made in consultation with 10 university chancellors. Additional safety measures will be implemented to protect students and staff against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. As the university continues to monitor the evolution of the pandemic, we are also carefully planning a safe return to in-person classes, Drake said in a statement. Current forecasts give us hope that in the fall our students can enjoy a more normal on-campus experience. The university said it made the announcement in January to give students and families a better understanding of fall semester plans amid the uncertainties of the CCP virus pandemic. Further details about plans to reopen campuses, resumption of classes, additional safety measures, and starting dates will be announced by each individual UC campus as the year progresses. Rescue crews pulled 12 children from the frigid waters outside Santa Cruz Harbor Sunday afternoon when multiple sailboats capsized amid dangerous surf. The rescue occurred when at least four boats that were part of a sailing school hit choppy waters at the mouth of the harbor, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department and California State Parks. When a large wave hit, 20 people including 12 kids were tossed into the ocean. The white water just tumbled them and they were just like dominoes flying through the water, KPIX-TV quoted witness Anna Ritter as saying. A high surf warning was in effect Sunday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., advising of potentially dangerous waves that could reach up to 29 feet or higher along the coast, according to the National Weather Service. Santa Cruz County Fire Battalion Chief Daniel Kline said the agency increased its staffing due to the warnings and was able to quickly respond to retrieve the stranded children. Surfers and rescue teams on personal watercraft and boats pulled the children to safety. No injuries were reported, Kline said. All of the passengers and children were located. Multiple rescues occurred throughout California amid the turbulent surf. Two people were swept into the ocean at Pescadero State Beach in San Mateo County. One person was rescued and transported to the hospital, but the other remains missing. Three people were swept into the ocean by a sneaker wave at Point Bonita while observing the waves from a restricted area. Two reached nearby rocks and were later rescued, but the U.S. Coast Guard continues to search for a man in his 30s who officials said is still missing. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mumbai, Jan 11 : Actor Vicky Kaushal on Monday announced a new superhero film with his Uri: The Surgical Strike director Aditya Dhar, on the 2019 military action film's second anniversary. The actor also shared a couple of posters of the new film, titled The Immortal Ashwatthama, along with the announcement. "Overwhelmed and ecstatic! On the 2nd anniversary of 'URI-The Surgical Strike', the team gives you a glimpse into the world of #TheImmortalAshwatthama Cannot wait to get onto this journey with the dream team of @adityadharfilms #RonnieScrewvala @rsvpmovies @soniyeah22," Vicky posted on Instagram along with two posters that have a touch of mythology and modernity. Aditya also posted the same posters from the film, and actress Yami Gautam, who had also starred in "Uri: The Surgical Strike", wrote: "Amazing." "Raising the bar higher for the superhero genre not only in India but across the world, this film is a high-concept visual spectacle in the making. From the team that brought to you URI The Surgical Strike, presenting @vickykaushal09 in and as #TheImmortalAshwatthama," said a message on the Twitter site of RSVP Movies. Uri: The Surgical Strike is about a covert Army operation against a group of militants who had attacked a base in Uri, Kashmir, in 2016 and killed many soldiers. Image Source: IANS News The film had won four National Film Awards -- Best Background Music Award, Best Sound Design, Best Actor Award (Vicky) and Best Direction. -- Syndicated from IANS Injecting critically ill coronavirus patients with the blood of survivors does not boost their chances of getting better, a major study has found. Scientists running the REMAP-CAP trial have stopped enrolling infected ICU patients after finding 'no evidence' convalescent plasma therapy boosted survival rates. The decision was made after investigators analysed data from nearly 1,000 patients who received the treatment, which has been used to treat Ebola. It was hoped that antibodies virus-fighting proteins in recovered patients' blood would bolster the struggling immune system of vulnerable or elderly people who catch Covid and struggle to fight the infection naturally. The researchers said the therapy may not work for the critically ill because their lung damage 'is too advanced for convalescent plasma to make a difference'. REMAP-CAP will continue to test the antibody-rich plasma on people with moderate Covid illness to see if it can halt the infection before their symptoms get worse. The international study, led by Imperial College London, is asking people who have previously had Covid to continue donating plasma. Health Secretary Matt Hancock was famously pictured donating his blood in June after recovering from coronavirus in March. Health Secretary Matt Hancock donated his blood after recovering from coronavirus in March A clinical trial of convalescent plasma on coronavirus patients is being conducted at St Thomas' hospital. Pictured, Matt Hancock donating Covid-19 antibodies in London The treatment - used for around a century for other infections - works using the liquid part of the blood, known as convalescent plasma. The yellowy liquid is removed from former patients' blood. Pictured, Dr Zhou Min shows his plasma after donating in Wuhan, China Today's announcement came on the back of preliminary results of 912 ICU Covid patients who were given convalescent plasma. The analysis showed that, overall, the treatment was statistically 'unlikely to be beneficial' in boosting survival or decreasing the number of days spent in ICU. Investigators have stopped recruiting critically ill Covid sufferers until the full analyses is done on the more than 2,000 ICU patients. The researchers noted: 'These findings are therefore preliminary and may change when all the analyses have been completed.' Professor Alexis Turgeon, a critical care physician and scientist at Quebec University in Canada and one of the lead researchers, added: 'Why convalescent plasma does not seem to improve outcome in severely ill Covid-19 patients admitted to the ICU is not yet known. 'However, it may be because the lung damage is too advanced for convalescent plasma to make a difference.' Anthony Gordon, professor of anesthesia and critical care at Imperial College London who was also involved int he trial, said: 'I am glad REMAP-CAP has been able to provide important evidence about which patients might benefit from convalescent plasma. 'Although it is disappointing all critically ill patients don't appear to gain any benefit, this is still vitally important to know. 'Convalescent plasma is a precious resource, and we can now continue to focus on identifying exactly which patients might benefit the most from treatment - maybe people earlier in their illness or those with weak immune systems.' Dr Gail Miflin, Chief Medical Officer for NHSBT said: 'We urgently need people to continue donating thousands of units of plasma every week for the larger RECOVERY trial, which is using plasma from when people come into hospital. 'Antibodies work by stopping the virus, not by treating the symptoms. The emerging evidence from international studies is that use before intensive care may prove to be more effective. 'We have to complete analysis of both trials to answer these questions. We are continuing to expand our collection network, recruit staff, and recruit donors to enable both trials to report their full analysis. 'Thank you again to our staff, donors and hospitals for their commitment and participation in both trials, which are part of the national response to the coronavirus pandemic. You could save lives.' Convalescent plasma used for around a century for other infections works using the liquid part of the blood, known as convalescent plasma. This antibody-rich plasma is injected into Covid-19 patients struggling to produce their own antibodies, with hopes it can help clear the virus. Donating takes around 45 minutes and medics filter the blood through a machine to remove the plasma, in a process known as plasmapheresis. Donors must have tested positive for the illness either at home or in hospital but they should be three to four weeks into their recovery. The treatment was used a century ago in the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which is estimated to have killed up to 50million people. A key advantage to the blood based therapy is that its available immediately and relies only drawing blood from a former patient. It is also significantly cheaper than developing a new drug, which costs millions to take through trials and regulation before mass production. Infusing patients with blood plasma has also been used to tackle SARS and MERS, two similar coronaviruses, as well as the deadly infection Ebola. Plasma makes up around 55 per cent of all blood volume and provides the liquid for red and white blood cells to be carried around the body in. By injecting this into patients it can provide their bodies with a vital dose of crucial substances called antibodies. When someone contracts coronavirus, their immune system produces antibodies which attack the virus. The antibodies build up over a month and are stored in the plasma, ready to be released if the virus enters their body again. It is not clear how long antibodies last for, providing some form of protection, in people who have had SARS-CoV-2. CP therapy may be the best hope for Covid patients while scientists work to develop new, specific treatments for the disease. [January 11, 2021] PeopleGrove and GiveCampus Announce a Partnership to Connect Alumni Value and Engagement to Giving Today PeopleGrove, a SaaS (News - Alert) platform provider of highly engaging virtual communities for university prospects, students and alumni, announced an exclusive partnership with GiveCampus, the leading digital fundraising platform for nonprofit educational institutions. This partnership brings together two best-in-class solutions used by hundreds of schools worldwide. "Advancement professionals know that the best campaigns are built around providing consistent value to their communities - giving more than they ask for," said Adam Saven, CEO and Co-Founder of PeopleGrove. "Our partnership with GiveCampus will allow us to help these fundraisers connect the dots between those value-based engagement efforts and their impact on philanthropy." The partnership also brings together two of the most successful technology platforms serving educational institutions. PeopleGrove, recently recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in America by Inc. Magazine, continues to create new ways for alumni to give back outside of donations. This summer, PeopleGrove launched Bridges, a product where alumni offer short-term projects to students in a unique experience that combines connection, purpose, and real-world experiential learning that drives improved career outcomes for students and young alumni. Meanwhile, GiveCampus has now facilitated over $1 billion in charitable giving for schools, including $400 million in 2020. A survey of advancement professionals over the summer found that more than 40% are projecting a 10% or larger decrease in fundraising revenue for FY20. With these challenges on the horizon, now is the time for organizations to ensure they are helping their community give back in more ways than one. For GiveCampus, this partnership opens more avenues for their partners to build deeper relationships with students, alumni, and other donors in their communities. "We've always understood the importance of community in achieving fundraising goals," said Kestrel Linder, CEO and Co-Founder of GiveCampus, "and hundreds of organizations have successfully built volunteer-led fundraising campaigns with GiveCampus. This partnership with PeopleGrove creates even more opportunities for our partner communities to give of their time and their talent, not just their treasure." With the GiveCampus integration, PeoplGrove partners will be able to connect fundraising campaigns on GiveCampus directly to their platform. Additionally, every dollar raised through those campaigns will directly be attributed to a donor's engagement in that community. "It's often very hard to prove that correlation equals causation in fundraising," Saven added. "Unless the donor voluntarily lists what inspired them to give, advancement offices are left to guess as to which of a dozen or more engagement points made direct impact. We're excited that this integration has the potential to directly demonstrate just how important a network can be in driving donations." "It is exciting to see two mission-aligned technology companies integrate their products in this way," said Susan deMuth, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins University. "It is foolish to assume any single platform can meet the broad needs of university organizations. Allowing partners to use best in class solutions that work together seamlessly demonstrates clear understanding of our needs as a customer." To learn more about how this partnership builds successful communities for both the members and the organization, visit peoplegrove.com/tour/groveconnect PeopleGrove partners can take advantage of the partnership right away by registering for the annual GiveCampus Partners Conference on January 26-28. The conference is usually only open to GiveCampus partner schools, but this year any school using PeopleGrove is also invited to attend: https://go.givecampus.com/peoplegrove-gcpcpgv/ About PeopleGrove PeopleGrove connects every student and all alumni with the network and resources they need to realize their full potential before, during, and after their time in college. Founded in 2015, PeopleGrove works with over 350 institutions worldwide, including Stanford University, the University of Michigan, Wellesley College, and the University of Maryland Global Campus. PeopleGrove is the recipient of prestigious industry accolades, including the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of young entrepreneurs. Headquartered in San Francisco, PeopleGrove is backed by Reach Capital, and other leading capital partners. To learn more about how PeopleGrove is working to ensure all students and professionals have access to the community and connections needed to succeed, visit https://peoplegrove.com. About GiveCampus GiveCampus is the world's leading digital fundraising and volunteer management platform for non-profit educational institutions. Trusted by nearly 1,000 colleges, universities, and PK-12 schools, our mission is to advance the quality, the affordability, and the accessibility of education. We provide software, services, and expertise that help schools raise more money, from more people, at a fraction of the cost of other fundraising methods. For more information, please visit go.givecampus.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005359/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Stevan Utah was once an associate of the notorious motorcycle gang in Queensland before turning against the group in the early 2000s A bikie informant who became Australia's first known refugee is living a lonely life in Canada after being almost killed by the Bandidos gang more than a decade earlier. Stevan Utah was once an associate of the notorious motorcycle gang in Queensland before turning against them in the early 2000s. He provided information about the Bandidos to police for years until a sensational newspaper article exposed Mr Utah and prompted him to flee to North America. Although Canada granted him asylum in 2017 in a landmark case that ruled Australian authorities failed to protect his life, he lodged legal action against the government, claiming the process was too slow. Earlier this week Canadian Federal Court of Appeals made public that the lawsuit had been rejected. Although he's now been living in Canada for almost 15 years, he said the frosty nation still doesn't feel like home. Mr Utah grew up in Victoria and became familiar with the Bandidos gang back in the 1990s (a Bandidos chapter is pictured in Melbourne) 'I am always alone. To put it into perspective, people talked about isolation of lockdowns and so forth with Covid-19. I actually didn't notice a single change to my life with Covid. Welcome to my world,' Mr Utah told NCA NewsWire. The informant's life started to come undone in 2006, when the article outlined how the Australian Crime Commission was conducting an intelligence operation into outlaw motorcycle gangs. Senior Bandidos members started to become wary of Mr Utah and rightly suspected he was working with authorities. After growing up in Victoria he became familiar with the gang back in the 1990s. He was fresh out of the army and started associating with a high-ranking Bandidos member. By the year 2000, he had been present when a 54-year-old man was murdered by the gang. Four years later, he led police to the body. Stevan Utah (pictured) has revealed he's living a lonely life in Canada after being brutally bashed by the Bandidos more than a decade earlier When word got out that Mr Utah was a snitch, he was taken to bushland in Queensland and beaten to within an inch of his life by patched members of the gang. But he somehow managed to run away and eventually made his escape to Canada. Duncan McNab, a veteran crime reporter who penned a book about the Bandidos in 2008, gave evidence at Mr Utah's asylum hearing. 'He was bloody lucky to get away with his life,' the author said. Mr Utah lived in 'limbo' as a non citizen from 2007 to 2017 as he waited for his case to be heard. He could not get a job, receive healthcare, or open a bank account. The prolonged ordeal left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, which he outlined in his legal battle against the Canadian Government. Mr Utah said he still lives under constant threat and continues to fear for his life. Reflecting on the day he almost died at the hands of bikies, he said no one would have missed him had he not survived. 'Now I am about learning, about reflection and about changing what we can for a better tomorrow based on yesterday's lessons,' Mr Utah said. US Intelligence agencies have 180 days to reveal what they know about UFOs to Congress after a clause was slipped into the $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in December. Both the director of National Intelligence and the secretary of defence are now under pressure to provide the congressional intelligence and armed services committees with an unclassified report about 'unidentified aerial phenomena.' And they have just under six months to do so, after a stipulation in the 'committee comment' section of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 was included in the huge bill, according to CNN. The Senate intelligence committee's directive said that the report should be unclassified, but it can contain a classified annex. Therefore, it is unlikely to reveal the discovery of extra-terrestrial life reaching earth. It does, however, state that the report must contain detailed analysis of UFO data and intelligence collected by the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and the FBI. The Pentagon released three videos of UFOs taken by Navy pilots last year, and later announced they were opening a task force to investigate the sightings. Now, Intelligence agencies have 180 days to reveal what they know about UFOs to Congress after a clause was slipped into the $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief bill Detail of 'An interagency process for ensuring timely data collection and centralized analysis of all unidentified aerial phenomena reporting for the Federal Government' must be included, and it should designate an official responsible for that process. A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed the requirement for the report to the fact-checking website Snopes. In April last year, the Pentagon released three short videos - one from 2004 and two from 2015 - that showed 'unidentified aerial phenomena', which had earlier been confirmed to be real by the US Navy. The videos, recorded by infrared cameras, showed what appeared to be unidentified flying objects quickly moving across the sky. In the background of two of the videos, service members can be heard reacting as they watch the objects, with one speculating it could be a drone. In August, the Pentagon announced that it was setting up a task force to investigate the objects, but it is still unclear what the objects are or where they came from. Navy pilots said they believe they spotted a UFO just off the coast in Jacksonville (pictured) A stipulation in the 'committee comment' section of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 - signed by President Trump - gives intelligence agencies 180 days Both Pentagon officials and members of Congress have been concerned about the appearance of unidentified objects flying over US military bases, with some suggesting the objects in the video could be drones collecting intelligence. In June last year, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted to have the Pentagon and intelligence community provide public analysis of such encounters. This is not the first time the Pentagon has investigated aerial encounters with UFOs, having previously studied recordings of such incidents as part of a classified program launched by former Senator Harry Reid, that has since been shut down. That program was launched in 2007 and closed in 2012, the Pentagon says, after it decided there were higher priority areas that required funding. River City Bank has opened a new commercial banking office to service North Bay clients. The new office is located at 775 Baywood Drive in the Petaluma Marina Business Center. As a longtime Petaluma resident and banker, I am incredibly pleased to help local businesses with River City Banks highly personalized banking approach. River City Bank is continuing its investment in the North Bay Region with the establishment of a new commercial banking office in the Petaluma Marina Business Center. The new location provides commercial banking services and houses the banks growing North Bay team, led by North Bay Market President Jim Kimball. This addition marks the third Bay Area location for River City Bank, which opened commercial banking offices in Walnut Creek in 2015 and San Franciscos Financial District in 2019. Theres a lot of opportunity for businesses in the North Bay that are looking to grow, especially those that are looking for more than a standard relationship with their bank, said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. Our newest office in Petaluma is home to one of the most well-connected banking teams in the North Bay, and we are excited to see them bring our premium service model to clients throughout the region. TWEET THIS: #BreakingNews: @RiverCityBank opens third commercial banking office in the Bay Area, focused on providing commercial banking, business development and project finance services to clients in the North Bay. #business #banking As a longtime Petaluma resident and banker, I am incredibly pleased to help local businesses with River City Banks highly personalized banking approach, said Jim Kimball, North Bay Market President for River City Bank. I am excited to continue building an exceptional team that shares my passion for servicing the North Bay business community. After announcing Kimballs new role earlier this year, the bank expanded its North Bay team with two additional hires in the late summer of 2020: In August, former Bank of Marin executive David Casassa joined as SVP, Market Manager. Former Heritage Bank of Commerce Senior Relationship Manager Seth Shorett followed as VP, Senior Portfolio Manager in September. The office suite is located at 775 Baywood Drive in the Petaluma Marina Business Center on Lakeville Highway 116 and Highway 101. The Petaluma Marina Business Center is adjacent to the 300-acre Shollenberger Park and features both mountain and water views. For more information on River City Bank, visit RiverCityBank.com. The North Bay team can be reached at 707-766-4827. About River City Bank Named one of Sacramento Business Journals 50 Fastest Growing Companies for each of the past four years, River City Bank is the Sacramento regions premier business bank with assets of over $3.1 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service and a Superior financial rating from the nations leading independent bank-rating firm, Bauer Financial, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned bank in the Sacramento region with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit RiverCityBank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Five Mahurangi residents are among the 154 people recognised in this years New Year Honours list. The five local recipients are Gill and Kevin Adshead of Glorit, John Bowmar of Kaiwaka, Dr Tim Malloy of Wellsford, and Professor Emeritus Louise Nicholson of Snells Beach. Gill and Kevin Adshead received the Queens Service Medal for their conservation work. The couple started the Mataia Restoration Project in 2005, undertaking pest control on the family farm of 1300 hectares. Today, 400 hectares of the farm is being restored to native bushland and successfully combines a working sheep and beef farm with a large-scale private conservation project. With local support, Mr and Mrs Adshead plant around 7500 native trees annually on the farm. Corridors of native bush and stream banks have been replanted to provide safe passage for wildlife, protected from livestock. These efforts allowed for the return of kiwi to Mataia in 2013, the first reintroduction of kiwi to private land in the Auckland region. To allow kiwi to disperse further afield, they established the Forest Bridge Trust in 2014 to drive creation of a safe ecological corridor from the east to the west. They have played a key role in connecting with landowners, farmers and the community to support and encourage conservation practices. The couple supported the development of the CatchIT Schools programme to encourage students to undertake pest control, which now reaches schools from Pakiri to the Kaipara. They have also worked alongside Nga Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara to establish trap lines across Maunga o Atuanui. Mr and Mrs Adshead have also served with Volunteer Service Abroad and as regional school supporters for Duffy Books in Homes. John Bowmar has received a Queens Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community. He says the award is an honour for not just himself, but for past and present members of the brigade, and his wife and two daughters. No-one wins an award like this on their own, he says. Mr Bowmar has been a member of the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1977. He was deputy chief fire officer from 1994 to 2004 and has since served 16 years as chief fire officer. In the past 10 years, he has attended 847 callouts across a range of events including three on his daughters wedding day. He has provided support to the neighbouring Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade, including mentoring new officers. Mr Bowmar was an active member of the now defunct Kaiwaka Lions Club and been involved in community fundraising including for the Northland Rescue Helicopter Trust. He has supported the local Civil Defence team and has responded with his tractor to assist with rescues in the community. Dr Tim Malloy has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to health. He has been a rural general practitioner for more than 30 years and has been involved in practice leadership through the Rural General Practice Network since the early 1990s. As chair of the network, Dr Malloy has overseen the development of the NZ Locum Scheme, the PRIME (Primary Response in a Medical Emergency) scheme and the ACC Rural contract. At the Wellsford Medical Centre, he and his colleagues have developed a virtual multi-disciplinary integrated family health service. Dr Malloy has provided input and advice to several Ministry of Health working groups and was involved in the formation of the General Practice Leaders Forum. He was the inaugural chair of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Rural Faculty and was the college president from 2012 until 2018, overseeing the employment of registrars, the development of a new curriculum, and initiating minimum quality standards for GPs. He established a Memorandum of Understanding between the college and the Cook Islands Ministry of Health in relation to rural training programmes. Dr Malloy has strongly advocated for primary and rural health care, his patients and GPs throughout New Zealand, and was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship of the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners. Professor Emeritus Louise Nicholson has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to neuroscience and education. The former Mahurangi College teacher is a neuroscientist who has contributed significantly to the molecular level understanding of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntingtons, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. Professor Nicholson became head of biology for medicine in the Department of Anatomy with Radiology at the University of Aucklands Medical School in 1989. In the late 1990s she set up her own independent laboratory, continuing to work on neurodegeneration such as motor neuron disease. She held numerous academic and committee roles at the University of Auckland, including council member and Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging. In 2011 she co-founded a Spinal Cord Injury Research Facility within the universitys Centre for Brain Research. On taking early retirement, she and her husband Jon gifted $1 million to the facility so her work into spinal cord injury could continue. Prof. Nicholson has written numerous publications, presented nationally and internationally, and received several teaching awards. She has been a Council Member on the International Basal Ganglia Society and the Australasian Neuroscience Society. She pioneered the annual NZ Brain Bee Challenge for secondary school students and taught biomedical science at the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum. Prof. Nicholson has served on several trusts and boards over the years and remains a trust member of the Oakley Foundation and the Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Contractor admits role in Sisseton housing project bribery scheme A contractor has admitted to his role in a bribery scheme and his partner has now been charged. There's a consistent theme in the chattering class's criticisms of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas: As a smart person, his part in instigating the insurrection at the Capitol is especially contemptible. A Democratic Party official in Texas scolded, "Shame on him. He knows better, he needs to step down." Julian Castro, a fellow Texan and a colleague of Cruz's in the also-ran presidential candidate club, observed, "Ted Cruz is a highly intelligent guy . . . He knows what he's doing, and he knows that he's wrong." Even other conservatives feel that Cruz has subverted his own genius in the service of playing lickspittle to a traitor. As the National Review put it, "Cruz is perhaps even more culpable, since he assuredly knows better." His hometown paper, the Houston Chronicle was especially explicit, calling for him to resign as, the editorial explained: "We reserve special condemnation for the perpetrators among them who are of sound mind and considerable intellect - those who should damn well know better." This theme goes back to Cruz's first appearance on the national scene, though at that point wielded by pundits who wouldn't like Cruz no matter how smart he was: He was "too smart to believe" the demagogic attacks he made, "too smart not to know" that his policy suggestions were preposterous, and, fatedly, simply "too smart for his own good." I've said similar things about the man, and I confess I now wonder what the point of all that backhanded flattery was. Was it to somehow get to Cruz? To shame him into marginally better behavior? Welp. Having covered Cruz for years, and interviewed him for literally hours at a time, I know for a fact that Cruz is aware of this criticism. He reads his own press and dives occasionally into his Twitter mentions (mostly to pick fights with celebrities and colleagues), a level of solipsism that seems rare even among politicians. He knows what people say about him and occasionally attempts to parry the insults with awkward self-deprecation. Of course, playing along with the Internet meme that you're the Zodiac killer seems less genuinely self-aware than just trying to prove you are in on the joke. All of which makes his part in the violence and terror at the Capitol even more desperate and craven. He and his co-conspirator from Missouri, Sen. Josh Hawley (who also, people say, "should know better"), put into motion the parliamentary shenanigans that gave President Donald Trump's mob the false hope that baited them into their attack. Ironically, now Cruz has sought to escape blame by pretending not to see the connection: "What I was doing was the exact opposite of inciting violence." Even though, literally, violence was incited. An obvious problem with granting someone intelligence even as they use it for ill purposes is that no one has ever found that being smart has anything to do with having a conscience. Did we think, down deep inside, that we could woo him over? That we could harness that supposedly prodigious IQ for good? Because there is another possible explanation for the pointlessness of conceding to Cruz that thing which is likely the source of his overweening pride: He is not, in fact, "smart enough to know better." Perhaps the critics who lauded his capable intellect even as we condemned his actions were actually just trying to claim some authority about who he is. We wanted to give our excoriations more weight with readers, not with him. There's been so much to excoriate! Cruz has been a singularly unpopular politician since he became one, a man who stands out as arrogant even among other politicians. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., once said, "If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you." Former senator Al Franken, D-Minn., observed, "I probably like Ted Cruz more than most of my other colleagues like Ted Cruz, and I hate Ted Cruz." Former Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner called him a jackass! And all that was for mostly petty maneuvers in the Senate (like performing a grandstanding "filibuster" that was not, actually, a filibuster), before he publicly threw away any claim to integrity by embracing Trump - the man who insulted Cruz's wife and implied that Cruz's father killed John F. Kennedy. At every weaselly turn, someone was there to point out Cruz was a very smart weasel. But doesn't Cruz's continued malfeasance beg the question of whether we're right about that? Maybe Ted Cruz is, in fact, a blockhead, just like the ones he managed to spur to tragic, pointless savagery. Maybe he's a fool with a photographic memory and a knack for mimicry. Or worse than that: Maybe Ted Cruz is devastatingly average. Maybe he's been really, really lucky, and there's been no waste or irony whatsoever to his misdeeds - anyone could have done what he's done. Kowtowing to power doesn't become more venal just because you can use big words. In the end, perhaps the tragedy of Ted Cruz has nothing to do with how smart he is. He's not "too smart for his own good," he's just not a good person. - - - Cox is the host of Crooked Media's "With Friends Like These." 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. ContractPodAi, the award-winning provider of AI-powered contract lifecycle management (CLM) solutions, today announced the appointment of Jerry Levine as Chief Evangelist and General Counsel (Americas). As former global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Amelia (IPsoft), Levine effectively implemented ContractPodAi to help his legal team increase efficiency, improve compliance, and achieve greater visibility across the function. In this new role, he will use his highly relevant experience to help guide global client success both as an advisor to customers and as an internal client voice, helping shape product vision. We are thrilled to welcome Jerry Levine to our team, said Sarvarth Misra, CEO of ContractPodAi. Jerry has a deep understanding of how the intersection of law and technology can drive outsized value for businesses. His belief in using technology to help enable lawyers to be strategic leaders in an organization aligns deeply with ContractPodAis core mission. Levine has been a ContractPodAi client for over two years, leading its implementation at IPsoft in partnership with the ContractPodAi team. He replaced his previous CLM solution with ContractPodAi, choosing ContractPodAi both for its strength as a contract management system and its comprehensive customer support model that ensured implementation success. Leveraging his experience as General Counsel and a client, Levines role as Chief Evangelist will include amplifying legal technology best practices, directly problem solving with clients on their own digital transformation journeys, and supporting ContractPodAis continued product innovation as a leading technology provider for in-house legal teams. I am pleased to join ContractPodAi and act as Chief Evangelist to better serve and advise customers to help them transition towards more digitally driven legal operations, said Levine. I believe ContractPodAi brings immense value to organizations. As general counsel, we need to ask ourselves how we can spend less time buried in administrative tasks and become what I like to call awesome lawyers a lawyer who acts as a strategic lead in an organization. With ContractPodAi, I have seen firsthand how this works for legal departments and how using the system makes legal departments work efficiently. Prior to joining ContractPodAi, Levine held leadership and consulting positions at both public and privately held companies, including Axiom and LexisNexis. He also founded a start-up-focused law firm. To learn more about how ContractPodAi is using artificial intelligence to power the contract lifecycle management process globally, visit ContractPodAi.com. About ContractPod Technologies (ContractPodAi) A pioneer in the legal transformation space, ContractPodAi is now one of the worlds fastest growing legal tech companies. Customers include some of the worlds largest and highly regarded corporations. ContractPodAi is an award-winning, easy-to -use, intuitive, end-to-end contract lifecycle management solution aimed at corporate legal departments. It enables users to assemble, automate, approve, digitally sign and manage all their contracts and documents from one place. Our platform is built in partnership with some of the most trusted technologies in the industry including IBM Watson AI, Microsoft Azure, DocuSign and Salesforce. ContractPodAi is headquartered in London and has global offices in San Francisco, New York, Glasgow, Mumbai and Toronto. More information is available at ContractPodAi.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. Seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel matters but teacher stress related to chronically under-serviced schools goes beyond COVID-19. Credit: Shutterstock The teachers are not alright. As families across Canada juggle a variety of states of lockdown due to COVID-19, many teachers continue to voice concerns that government plans to keep students and teachers safe in schools are inadequate. One fallout from the lack of support is that teachers are at risk of burnout, but the conditions for this precede the pandemic and speak to a much wider crisis of how governments fund and manage education. Recent, and ongoing, research from Alberta sheds light on how teachers are coping and suggests broader questions exist about sustainable schooling conditions for students and teachers. Increase in reports of mental health distress In the fall of 2019, leaders from the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) noticed an alarming increase in reports of mental health distress from their membership of teachers, educational assistants and administrators. They partnered to sponsor a research study. In January 2020, I was asked to investigate the scope and experiences of compassion fatigue and burnout in Alberta educational workers. Psychologist Charles Figley described compassion fatigue in 1995. He observed that therapists experienced symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder after working with traumatized clients. His work led to a new understanding of the heavy emotional, mental and physical cost to professionals who cared for vulnerable, hurting or grieving people. Optimally, these professionals felt compassion satisfaction, the joy of helping other people through difficult life experiences. However, exposure to the pain and suffering of traumatized people could erode caregivers' ability to effectively engage in caring work, potentially leading to compassion stress or, if left untreated, compassion fatigue. Recently, the first phase of this Alberta research study was completed. Phase one focused on the results of an online survey administered over a three-week period in June 2020, consisting of 28 closed and open-ended questions. Over 2,100 participants completed this survey, and the resulting statistics were grim. Collision of burnout and compassion fatigue In addition to this alarming number of respondents reporting compassion fatigue, symptoms of burnout were also evident, including physical exhaustion and sensing a lack of feeling appreciated. Eighty-nine percent of respondents reported feeling low energy and almost 70 percent reported an inability to concentrate. Percentage of respondents who reported experiencing compassion fatigue. Credit: Astrid Kendrick/ATA Fortunately, depersonalization, an extreme symptom of burnout characterized by a callousness or lack of caring towards students, was not evident. Conversely, respondents reported pushing themselves to exhaustion to meet the individual needs of their students. Alberta's dismissal of many educational assistants and support staff early in the pandemic devastated the respondents who either lost crucial supports, or lost their own job, and could not help vulnerable students. Ripe conditions for compassion fatigue Compassion stress and compassion fatigue are widely accepted occupational hazards in caring professions such as nursing, firefighting, social work, emergency medical response or policing. An awareness of the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems are often part of professional training. However, only more recently has compassion fatigue been recognized as a problem for educators. The slow erosion of resources in and for schools, and the chronic underfunding of services for vulnerable and special needs students over the past several years, has resulted in an intensification of educators' workloads. Rather than having other professionals and support staff to assist with the day-to-day running of schools, teachers and school administrators have taken over the jobs that hold school communities together. As one survey participant noted: "It's not always about the big events or students with big trauma. It's the day-to-day emptying of my bucket with no one there to fill it, decreasing understanding among administrators about this as well as decreasing respect for teachers from the general public. When I actually get to teach and help, I love it. The guilt of not being able to do it all is exhausting." The pandemic may be a traumatic event for students, therefore increasing the likelihood that educators will provide crisis and trauma support. Reports of increased domestic violence are particularly concerning. Educational caregivers, including teachers, administrators, support staff and facility workers need to recover from their burnout or compassion fatigue to provide the guidance needed for student success. The consequences of ignoring educational caregivers' burnout and compassion fatigue might lead to a high turnover of professionals, an inability to attract new employees and difficulty retaining experienced professionals . Attending to the risks of heartbreak My earlier research focused on the ways that educators' emotional labor can lead to occupational heartbreak. The next phase of this research project will focus on preventing compassion fatigue and burnout through purposeful training and planning and with the goal of protecting and healing educational workers' hearts. Healing can begin in four ways: understanding the impact of school culture, building wider community support for educators' work, using personal self-care strategies and accessing professional supports and resources. Symptoms of burnout experienced by survey respondents. Credit: Astrid Kendrick/ATA 1. School culture Numerous survey respondents described the impact of school culture on their mental and emotional well-being. Empathetic colleagues, time during the work day for self-care, a supportive parental community and positive mentorship from leaders characterized positive school cultures. Conversely, toxic workplace culture was described as having adversarial collegial relations, inconsistent messaging around work/life boundaries, inadequate support from supervisors and a sense of helplessness regarding improving students' learning conditions. 2. Community support By reducing poverty and other social inequalities, and advocating for equitable public education, the local and provincial community can reduce the risk of children and youth experiencing crisis or trauma in the first place. In the short term, sincere gratitude from community members to educators, who pivoted the educational system to emergency remote instruction in a matter of months, is critical to build compassion satisfaction. 3. Individual self-care Self-care is one aspect of individual recovery. The survey respondents suggested several ways they dealt with stress and distress, including exercising, using mindfulness practices, playing with their own children, walking their pets and connecting with nature. 4. Professional resources and supports People experiencing either compassion fatigue or burnout should not be stigmatized. Instead, they should be encouraged to access professional support, such as seeing a doctor, therapist or psychiatrist, who are best trained to guide their recovery. Benefit providers and teacher associations can provide additional resources that have been tailored to the needs of educators. Working with children and youth is a double-edged sword that can be rewarding and build compassion satisfaction, or challenging and lead to burnout and compassion fatigue. Understanding the unique nature of work in the educational field is an important aspect of ensuring that educators can emerge from the 2020 tunnel to flourish in 2021. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. WASHINGTON In a highly unusual move, American diplomats have drafted two cables condemning President Donald Trumps incitement of the deadly assault on the Capitol and calling for administration officials to possibly support invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. Using what is known as the State Department's dissent channel, career foreign and civil service officers said they fear last Wednesday's siege may badly undermine U.S. credibility to promote and defend democratic values abroad. Failing to publicly hold the president to account would further damage our democracy and our ability to effectively accomplish our foreign policy goals abroad, according to the second of the two cables, which were circulated among diplomats late last week and then sent to State Department leadership. The cable called on Pompeo to support any lawful effort by Vice President Mike Pence and other Cabinet members to protect the country including through the possible implementation of the procedures provided for in Article 4 of the 25th Amendment, if appropriate. The amendment allows for the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unfit for office, and the vice president then becomes acting president. The cables were an extraordinary protest against a sitting U.S. president by American diplomats, who have long complained that the Trump administration has ignored and diminished their role and expertise. The dissent channel is normally used to oppose specific foreign policy decisions. The two most recent cables appear to be unprecedented in their scope and characterization of the president as a danger to the country. The cables also reflect anger at the response to the riot by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a loyal Trump ally. Pompeo has condemned the violence at the Capitol but has pointedly not addressed the role Trump played in encouraging his supporters who stormed the building. Nor has Pompeo addressed the aftermath or acknowledged that American diplomats overseas may now face new difficulty in promoting democracy. Trump himself has railed about what he sees as disloyalty at the State Department. He once referred to it publicly and in front of Pompeo and reporters as the deep State Department, a reference to what Trump and his supporters believe is a cabal of entrenched bureaucrats intent on subverting his policies. It was not immediately clear how many diplomats signed the cables, both of which were viewed by The Associated Press. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is essential that the Department of State explicitly denounce President Trumps role in this violent attack on the U.S. government, said the first of the two cables, which added that the president's own comments should not be used as he is not a credible voice on this matter. Just as we routinely denounce foreign leaders who use violence and intimidation to interfere in peaceful democratic processes and override the will of their voters, the departments public statements about this episode should also mention President Trump by name. It is critical that we communicate to the world that in our system, no one -- not even the president -- is above the law or immune from public criticism. This would be a first step towards repairing the damage to our international credibility, it said. It would allow the beacon of democracy to shine on despite this dark episode. It would also send a strong message to our friends and adversaries that the Department of State applies an ethos of integrity and objective standards when it condemns assaults on democracy at home or abroad. It also said Pompeo should support any effort by Vice President Mike Pence and other Cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Millions of people worldwide are shocked and alarmed by the scenes on January 6 of a fascist mob whipped up by billionaire President Donald Trump storming the Capitol in Washington. In France, stunned news anchors are acknowledging this event was historically unprecedented. The Socialist Equality Party (US) has called for a full, public and live-streamed investigation of this attempted fascist coup. The key task is to alert and politically mobilize the international working class. In contrast, pseudo-left parties of the affluent middle class like Frances New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA) are reacting by trying to lull the working class to sleep, denying that a coup was attempted and promoting President-elect Bidens Democratic Party. New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) flag. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons) The NPAs Permanent Revolution web site published an article titled The storming of the Capitol and the decadence of American imperialism, loosely translated from its US affiliate, Left Voice. It denied that a coup attempt had occurred and attacked those warning of a coup as bourgeois, writing: The storming of the Capitol building wasnt an insurrection or a coup as members of the bourgeois press insinuate, but it does show a Far Right that, far from accepting defeat after November 3, has in fact been emboldened during the transition. It is the same Far Right that mobilized against Black Lives Matter protests this summer, against COVID-19 restrictions, and for recount votes in key battleground states during the election. The NPAs weekly The Anti-capitalist reassured its readers: The far right is growing slowly. The far right is still marginal in the United States. It claimed not to know who organized or led Trumps far-right riot: The rioters were expelled before counter-demonstrations could be organized. While many were members of far-right groups like the Proud Boys, no group seemed to lead the operations. The media called the rioters insurrectionists. Even as videos emerge of Capitol police opening gates and waving on far-right thugs to storm the building, the NPA reassured its readers the threat of fascism is minimal. It unblushingly asserted that Wall Street, the Pentagon and US police reliably support democracy: The democratic system remains in place, even if it is under a heavy pressure. No sector of the capitalist class or the state machine supported Trumps attempts to sweep away the electoral and judicial system. Over 100 CEOs signed a document that opposed any questioning of the November 3 election results, and the armed forces firmly rejected calls to intervene. Trump had to face up to the fact that control of the government does not give absolute control over the levers of state. These shabby attempts to deny the growing turn of the American bourgeoisie towards fascistic rule are based on lies. The coup was organized and led by President Trump, who spoke to the mob before it passed through Capitol police to seize the building. Trump has pursued this strategy ever since launching an attempted coup during the mass, international protests against the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in Junewhen he appealed to far-right militias and attempted to illegally deploy the US military against protesters in America in a first attempted coup. Trump had the backing of hundreds of Republican lawmakers as he falsely denounced heavily-Democratic mail-in ballots as fraudulent in order to deny the legitimacy of the election. His associates worked closely with far-right groups like the Proud Boys to intimidate and threaten election officials in key states. Far-right operatives were arrested before they tried to storm the Michigan state capitol in Lansing, planning to kidnap and murder Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. While continuing to deny the November 2020 election results, Trump announced he would mobilize his supporters to protest outside the Capitol on January 6, as Congress met to formally certify the election outcome. A number of far-right protesters in the Capitol were found with plastic ties with which to tie up hostages they could have taken from among the lawmakers in the building. Significantly, Pentagon officials initially refused desperate appeals from representatives and senators to deploy National Guard forces to take back the Capitol from Trumps mob. After this, the NPAs claim that Trump has no support in the American capitalist class or state machine for a fascistic policy is not only ludicrous, but criminally complacent. Trump has only been able to retain office, despite his multiple violations of the US Constitution his oath of office requires him to protect, because powerful forces on Wall Street and in the US military and intelligence agencies are debating whether to set up a fascistic dictatorship. The ruling class unanimously supports his murderous herd immunity policy on COVID-19. As a result, Wall Street stock indexes ended up comfortably on January 6, even as a far-right mob seized the Capitol. Having advanced a false, complacent line on Trumps attempted coup, the NPA attempts to cover up its reactionary politics by posturing as an anti-capitalist organization, critical of both Trump and the Democrats. Permanent Revolution continued: The Left has to draw conclusions quickly [and] support all resistance against capitalist austerity and racist oppression with a program that aims to defy capitalism as a whole. Subordination to the Democratic Party is a cancer that affects much of the US left: there is room for the construction of an organization of the working class and the oppressed completely independent of the Democratic Party. Bidens moves to cover up a fascist coup and defend the Republican Party expose the bankruptcy of the Democrats and middle class groups, like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), that have sought to subordinate workers and youth to the Democrats and downplay the coup. Biden reacted to the coup by appealing to Trump to get on national television and call off the coup that Trump was in the middle of launching. He also praised co-conspirators of Trump like Senator Mitch McConnell and claimed America needs the Republican Party to be strong. This also exposes petty-bourgeois parties like the NPA, however, who mouth a few criticisms of the Democrats while working in alliance with them. Indeed, in its article, Permanent Revolution promptly turned to applauding a progressive faction of the Democratic Party that it asserted would turn to the left in response to unnamed future crises. It wrote: the Democratic Party is confronted with its own internal crisis between the establishment wing, led by Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, and the progressive wing embodied in the Squad (lawmakers considered more left-wing led like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib) and Bernie Sanders, who are the political expression of growing discontent with the Democratic Partys leadership. This insurgency has managed to contain a growing left movement in the United States and reinvigorate the Democratic Party, but as the Democrats are likely forced to implement austerity measures in the future, these tensions will likely come to a boiling point. The NPA applauds Sanders, DSA member Ocasio-Cortez and allied Democrats becausedespite its fraudulent calls for independence from the Democratsit works with these figures, who have aligned themselves with Bidens cover-up of the fascist coup. NPA spokesman Olivier Besancenot frequently publishes interviews and articles in the US magazine linked to this wing of the Democratic Party, Jacobin. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have maintained a deafening silence on the broader support in the ruling class and the state machine for the coup. This makes the NPA complicit in an ongoing cover-up of the significance of the January 6 coup. In fact, all the wings of the Democratic Partywhether around Biden, or around the forces labeled progressive by the NPAreacted to Trumps coup by seeking to downplay it. The Democratic faction that the NPA dubs progressive was advocating just as complacent and idiotic a policy as Bidens impotent appeals to Trump and the Republican Party. Jacobin editor Bhaskar Sunkara similarly denied that Trump had attempted a fascist coup and tried to downplay the issue. He tweeted: Whats the advantage of saying this is a coup? I just dont understand the advantage in finding the most extreme labels for bad things. The advantage of stating that this is a coup is that this is true, and that it alerts the working class in America and internationally to the clear and present danger of fascism. It is not an extreme label, but a political characterization that points to the essential task in this situation: to mobilize the international working class in an irreconcilable struggle against the advanced state of preparation for authoritarian rule by the financial aristocracy. The coup in Washington is an urgent warning not only to the American but also to the international and in particular the European working class. The 30 years since the Stalinist regime dissolved the Soviet Union in 1991 have seen an accelerating legitimization of fascism by the ruling classes in every country. Now, as working class anger mounts against decades of European Union (EU) austerity and now the EUs murderous herd immunity policy on COVID-19, it is widely admitted that plans for fascist coups and mass killings are at an advanced state of preparation across Europe. In Germany, where right-wing extremist professor Jorg Baberowski has publicly rehabilitated Hitler as not vicious, neo-Nazi networks are acknowledged to have assembled lists of politicians for execution by far-right death squads. The far-right murder of one person, conservative politician Walter Lubcke, already took place in 2019. In France, after President Emmanuel Macron hailed fascist dictator Philippe Petain as a great soldier amid yellow vest protests, General Pierre de Villiers is now also agitating for military rule in the far-right press. Perhaps the most overt case is in Spain, where the eruption of protests against herd immunity policies led to widespread planning in the army for a fascist coup. Hailing the 1936 fascist coup of General Francisco Franco that began the Spanish Civil War, groups of Francoite officers began writing letters to the king demanding he support them against the elected government. In WhatsApp chats leaked to the press, these officers hailed Francos coup and called to murder 26 million people, their estimate of the number of left-wing voters in Spain. It is impossible to oppose fascism without fighting for an international mobilization of the working class, politically independently from bourgeois parties and on a socialist perspective. This requires a conscious, principled break with the entire international layer of pseudo-left parties of the affluent middle class like the NPA. For decades, they have sought to block an independent political movement of the working class, insisting the working class had to be tied to alliances with imperialist or Stalinist parties that offered them political influence and power. When former 1968 student protest leader Alain Krivine and his Revolutionary Communist League (LCR) founded the NPA in 2009, Krivine proposed a political platform that declared: The NPA does not claim a specific relation to Trotskyism, but continuity with those who, over the last two centuries, have confronted the system all the way. The NPA is a pluralistic and democratic party. [It has had] participation of comrades from various components of the social movement, of the anti-globalization left, of political ecology, of comrades from the PS [the Socialist Party, a social-democratic party of austerity and imperialist war] and the PCF [the Stalinist French Communist Party, the PSs main coalition partner], from the anarchist movement, from the revolutionary left. Without becoming bland, the NPA has everything to win by opening itself even further. The WSWS explained at the time that the LCR was founding the NPA in order to break whatever tenuous association it retained to Trotskyism, which it viewed as an obstacle to the swing to the right it was preparing with the PS, the union bureaucracy, and the rest of the political establishment. This assessment was rapidly borne out by events. In 2011, in response to revolutionary uprisings of the working class in Egypt and Tunisia, the NPA hailed NATO wars for regime change in Libya and Syrialed by the Democratic Obama administration, and waged in alliance with Al Qaedaas democratic revolutions. It also supported the NATO-backed, fascist-led coup 2014 in Kiev that ousted a pro-Russian president and plunged the country into civil war. Also, in 2014, as part of the broad left party perspective of allying with imperialist parties that underlay its foundation, the NPA supported the founding of Podemosa left populist party in Spain set up by a group of Stalinist professors around Pablo Iglesias and the NPAs Spanish affiliate, Anticapitalistas. It hailed the election of the Greek ally of Podemos, Syriza (the Coalition of the Radical Left) in 2015. As for Podemos, it ultimately came to power in 2019 in a coalition government with the big-business Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE). The entry of these pseudo-left parties into positions of power and influence in the capitalist state ended in disaster for the working class. Syriza formed a coalition government with the far-right Independent Greeks (ANEL) party that utterly betrayed its election promises to end EU austerity, imposed billions more in social cuts, and set up concentration camps for Middle East refugees across the Greek islands. During the 2017 French presidential elections, the Socialist Equality Party (France) fought to warn the working class of the far-right policies of Macron. When a second round emerged between Macron and neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen, it called for an active boycott by the working class, warning that Macron was no alternative to the neo-fascist regime Le Pen would seek to establish. This was subsequently confirmed by Macrons hailing of Petain and his vicious crackdown on mounting protests and strikes against austerity and police violence. The NPA, however, refused to take a public position on the election, bowing to the predominant calls in pro-PS media for a Macron vote. As for Podemos, which is now in power, it is pursuing the same policies of austerity, war and herd immunity as other governments across Europe, and furiously downplaying the danger of a fascist coup against its government. In Spain, coup plotters have the support of Santiago Abascal, the leader of the fascist Vox party, who traveled last year to meet Trump in Washington. The January 6 coup attempt and the pathetic response of the Democratic Party are emboldening these forces. Yet Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias dismissed calls among hundreds of top retired and active-duty Spanish officers for a fascist coup, code-named Operation Albatross, as irrelevant. He insisted that the working class did not need to take any action: What these gentlemen say, at their age and already retired, in a chat with a few too many drinks, does not pose any threat. In fact, the threat is enormous. Iglesias and Podemos oppose mobilizing the working class against it not because the threat is exaggerated, but because a political movement in the working class would lead to mass protests against their own policies of austerity, war and herd immunity. The January 6 coup attempt in Washington is an irrefutable warning that broad sections of the financial aristocracy are determined to establish a fascist regime. There is deep, historically rooted opposition in the working class against this policy, and rising militancy and willingness to struggle. However, warning and mobilizing the working class requires consciously opposing the pseudo-left as it moves to demobilize the working class. Its downplaying of the preparation of fascist coups on both sides of the Atlantic is not only complacent and false, but politically criminal. During the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, denounced the assault and released a statement with an urgent call to prayer. This violence must be publicly and unequivocally condemned, Brewer wrote. While this is a developing story, it is critical that we pray now. The light we can shine in the darkness is the light of prayer. Prayer is ours to do and is indispensable, especially in this national crisis. Reflecting on the attack, which took place on the Christian Feast of the Epiphany, Brewer noted that condemnation of the violence should be accompanied by condemnation of the language used to foment it. It is dreadful that few, if any, of those who used their words to encourage this violence have not expressed any regret or remorse for using language that incited these lawbreakers. They, too, should be held accountable, Brewer wrote in his Reflections on the Morning After Epiphany 2021. With pastoral and patriotic concern, Brewer further appealed to readers that they refuse to tolerate dehumanizing rhetoric or public policies that put down one group of people as a way of protecting another group. The images of the attack on the Capitol moved Brewer to tears, he wrote, as he described what he saw as a raw display of fury, rebellion and sedition. He went on to note the particularly troubling use of Christian symbols by the violent mob. The challenge before us is immense, wrote Brewer. We have been steeped in a political discourse shaped by lies for so long; we as a nation live in two distinctly different realities. The challenge is not merely to get along, but to discover again the common truths that define our common life. Brewer concluded his reflections with an additional appeal to prayer, noting that God has given us both the capacity to know truth as well as tools for reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and mercy. ### The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida comprises over 80 congregations divided into five deaneries across 15 counties in Central Florida. It includes over 200 active priests, approximately 100 active deacons, over 27,000 parishioners, as well as dozens of schools, Camp Wingmann, Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center and the Institute for Christian Studies as resources for people of all ages to explore and grow in their faith. TERRE HAUTE, In. (WTHI) - A group of former senior ranking corrections officers from Indiana want the executions at the federal prison in Terre Haute halted. They sent a letter to acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen on Monday. FULL LETTER It asks to postpone the three executions set for this week. They cite concern for the safety of corrections staff, administrators, prisoners in Indiana facilities, and their communities. They say postponing the executions for the vaccines at these facilities could save lives. Hours after it went offline on Monday, the social media start-up Parler filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Amazon of violating antitrust law and asking for a temporary restraining order to prevent the tech giant from blocking access to cloud computing services. Amazon told Parler over the weekend that it would shut off service because a steady increase in violent content on the site showed that the company did not have a reliable process to prevent it from violating Amazons terms of service. Amazon said it would ensure Parlers data was preserved so that it could migrate to a new hosting provider. Before Parler went dark, technologists also raced to scrape publicly available data from the app, as part of a broader effort to identify those who helped organize and participated in the riot at the Capitol last week. Millions of people have turned to Parler since the November election and after Twitter and Facebook barred President Trump after the Capitol riot. Apple and Google both kicked Parler out of their app stores last week, though users who already had downloaded the app could still use it. But the app relied on Amazons cloud computing technology to work. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 After the 1967 Mustang Restomod from South Africa that we showed you last week, we stumbled upon yet another truly special build. Believe it or not, you're about to witness a 2014 Stage 2 Roush supercharged Ford SVT Raptor hiding in plain sight as a 1979 Short Box, Regular Cab Ford F-150 . They've actually had to strech the cab 4 inches (101 mm) to make things fit. And if that doesn't sound crazy enough, wait until you hear its name."We named it the Squirrel, cause it's kind of like trying to hang on to one when you turn it loose", according to Dan from Sweet Brothers Restomod. That does make sense, considering the fact that a stock 2014 Ford Raptor would've had an output of 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft (588 Nm) of torque, but with the Roush Stage 2, it should be capable of hitting 590 horsepower and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm).So this basically just looks like a truck from the late 70s, but is, in fact, an almost brand new vehicle with all the electronics working, such as heated and cooled leather seats, satellite radio, front and rear cameras, and so on so forth. As Dan adds, "Everything's on here except for the electric mirrors, we don't like the electric mirrors so we did do away with that".This is basically the first completed build of the Sweet Brothers Restomod company. Still, it looks like they're already quite busy, as they're currently also working on a Crew Cab Bronco on a 2012 Raptor Chassis with a stage 1 supercharger and another '79 Crew Cab built on a Raptor as well. The Squirrel is currently up for sale, and we wouldn't be surprised really if the asking price is over $100,000. A Syrian refugee is suspected of murdering his sister in a possible "honour killing" after her bound body, with signs of strangulation and a gunshot to the head, was found in her Belgian home, officials said Monday. "Tensions were very high (between the two) because he didn't approve of the way she was living. We could be talking about an 'honour killing'," a spokeswoman for the prosecutors' office in the city of Liege told AFP. Police were searching for the Syrian man, born in 1984, who had been granted refugee status in Sweden but who had been in Belgium the past three months. He was considered the "principal suspect," prosecutors said. The body of Ahlam Younan, 28, was discovered in her home in Liege on January 3. She had been working as a waitress in a cafe in the city after being given refugee status in Belgium following her arrival seven years ago. A source close to the investigation said she had been living a Western-style lifestyle. Belgian media reported that her large Syrian family, Christians, was spread between Belgium, Sweden and their native, war-wracked country. Her sister Fadia had found the body after not hearing from Ahlam for several days, and had told police that the brother had recently made threats to the victim, the newspaper L'Avenir reported. DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avectas, a cell engineering company that has pioneered SOLUPORE, a transformative non-viral cell engineering technology, to enable efficient and safe genetic modification of the next generation of cell therapies, announced today that Daniel Castro has been appointed as Chief Business Officer. In the newly created US-based role, Mr. Castro will lead Avectas' corporate strategy and business development, reporting to Michael Maguire PhD, Avectas' CEO. Mr. Castro brings more than 25 years of healthcare and pharmaceutical industry experience, with a focus on commercialization strategy, business development and licensing. He joins Avectas from Mass General Brigham ("MGB"), a not-for-profit, integrated health care system and teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, MGB is the largest hospital-based research program in the United States with an annual research budget of $1.7 billion. As Managing Director of Licensing, Mr. Castro led a 30-person business development team responsible for the commercialization of innovations developed by MGB clinicians and research investigators. Prior to MGB, Mr. Castro spent more than 10 years within the biotech and large pharmaceutical industry, including roles at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now Amgen, Inc.), Agenus, Inc. and Sanofi S.A. Mr. Castro earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis, and holds a Master's in Business Administration from Boston College. In welcoming Mr. Castro to the Avectas team, Dr. Maguire, CEO of Avectas, said: "In this newly created role, Daniel will use his business development expertise to drive the commercialization of our SOLUPORE platform technology through partnerships. His extensive track record in commercial strategy, intellectual property management and business deal-making brings significant expertise to Avectas' leadership team." Avectas' business strategy is to partner its SOLUPORE technology with companies developing the next generation of autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. Through the seamless integration of SOLUPORE into cell manufacturing workflows, Avectas is committed to supporting the development and scale-up of the next wave of breakthrough cell therapies - enabling its partners to bring optimized gene-modified cell therapies to patients. "I am joining Avectas at an exciting time as SOLUPORE moves from development to commercialization," said Mr. Castro. "The strength of the SOLUPORE data demonstrates its significant potential and creates numerous strategic business opportunities." Avectas has previously established therapeutic development partnerships with ONK Therapeutics and Vycellix. In addition, Avectas has several R&D collaborations to support its technology innovation, including partnerships with CCRM, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, University of California, Davis, Karolinska Institute and University College London. Daniel will be representing Avectas alongside CEO, Michael Maguire, PhD and Executive Chair, Mary Martin, PhD at Biotech Showcase 2021. About Avectas Avectas is a cell engineering company that has pioneered - SOLUPORE - a proprietary simple, highly effective automated non-viral cell engineering system to enable efficient and safe genetic modification, accelerating the manufacture of cells for the next generation of immuno-oncology therapies. The company is partnering its cGMP aligned SOLUPORE clinical-grade system with cell therapy companies to address emerging cell delivery challenges associated with multiple cell modifications and engineering of limited or fragile cells. Additionally, it will provide regulatory support to partners. Avectas is a private, international company with research facilities in Dublin, Ireland and Toronto, Canada, and an office in Cambridge MA, USA. It has over 30 employees and is led by a team of highly experienced pharmaceutical executives supported by a world-class Scientific Advisory Board of cancer cell therapy experts. For further information see www.avectas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. SOURCE AVECTAS Related Links https://avectas.com Despite difficulties caused by Covid-19, many Vietnamese businesses have been able to survive and develop. In late 2020, FLC put its FLC Grand Hotel Quy Nhon with 1,500 hotel rooms with capacity of 3,500 people, the largest 5-star hotel complex in Vietnam, into operation. Amid Covid, and current conditions, the new hotel is considered an indicator of confidence in Vietnam's tourism recovery in the long term. Nguyen Xuan Phu, president of Sunhouse Group, said revenue plummeted by 50 percent in the first two months of 2020. However, Sunhouse began seeing a strong recovery in the last three months of the year. The growth rate was high, 20-30 percent in November and December. The companys profits did not decrease in 2020 because it bought materials when the prices dropped sharply. Meanwhile, prices have soared by 30-40 percent recently. The businessman said that opportunities exist in difficulties and if businesses can grab the opportunities, they will make great strides. Ngo Thi Anh Dao, business director of Novo Viet Tiep JSC, said the company had three months of no activity because of the pandemic. However, it overcame difficulties to obtain the 40 percent growth rate in revenue in 2020. Dao said Novo Viet Tiep is hoping local customers who use Chinese products will rethink and use Vietnams products because the products are better. Meanwhile, Nguyen Hong Ky, president of SECOIN JSC, said he shifted to focus on the domestic market and made appropriate investments in research and development. The changes in the business strategy allowed the company to obtain a growth rate of 10-15 percent in revenue in 2020. Analysts say that Covid-19 is a test of the resilience of the business community. There will be many unpredictable turns and barriers on the path to development, but there will be deserving rewards for those who have firm faith and strong will. Admitting that 2020 was a tough year, FLCs president Trinh Van Quyet emphasized the Vietnamese spirit of overcoming all difficulties. 2020 was a really challenging year, but it showed the strong resilience of Vietnamese businesses and people. They are not fearful of difficulties and hardships and they never shrink back, he said. Quyet recalled the first days of 2020 and the lockdown in April, when airports were empty and long queues of aircraft were idle on the runway. However, things are getting better thanks to the successful efforts to control the pandemic. Bamboo Airways became one of only a few air carriers in the world which maintained a positive growth rate in both number of passengers, air routes, fleet and market share. The new airline has put modern wide-body aircraft into operation, preparing for international air routes to Northeastern Asia, Europe and Australia. The air carrier has received a license to fly non-stop to the US and plans to provide the first flights in 2021. Meanwhile, the government has decided that the construction of Long Thanh International Airport will kick off on January 5. All of these aim to prepare for a new growth period in Vietnam. Experiencing sleepless days, Quyet said that fighting the pandemic while developing the economy was the most difficult task in the history of the Vietnamese business community. In such a situation, if businesses set goals that they must live, they will survive. But if they set goals that they must make a breakthrough, they could create unprecedented lucky chances. Pham Thi Kim Loan, president of Ngan Ha Science and Technology, said she was happy as her business recovered after a period of being hit hard by the pandemic. The businesswoman cited the Prime Ministers words that opportunities always exist in difficulties. The news about enterprises overcoming difficulties show the strong vitality of Vietnams businesses. Hundreds of thousands of enterprises and millions of Vietnamese have been accompanying the government on the thorny path to fight the pandemic and develop the economy. Analysts say that Covid-19 is a test of the resilience of the business community. There will be many unpredictable turns and barriers on the path to development, but there will be deserving rewards for those who have firm faith and strong will. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at a conference between the government and cities/provinces on December 28, 2020, said that while many countries in the region and the world have fallen into recession, Vietnam has maintained a positive growth rate. Vietnam now can say that it has fulfilled the dual task of both fighting the pandemic and maintaining economic growth. Duy Anh During a discussion Friday on the latest COVID-19 relief package, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) also took time to give a firsthand account of the attack on the Capitol building and to discuss how he believes President Donald Trump should be impeached. I am on the third floor and I could see what was happening such as people gathering first in the hundreds and then in the thousands, Cuellar said. I have seen different protests in Washington, many different protests. I think that the biggest we had was in 2010 during the Tea Party as I think that was a larger crowd, but that crowd was different. The difference is that they never rushed in or made an attempt to rush into the Capitol. Cuellar condemned the attack and called the rioters traitors even though they called themselves patriots. He said all these individuals should be prosecuted for the felonies they committed in entering a government building and doing the damage they did. As they rushed in, which included a smaller group of the much larger group that remained outside, Cuellar said they began breaking windows and storming into offices as well. He said the security perimeter that usually is put into place to protect the Capitol from such attacks is placed in front of the building by Capitol police and other members of law enforcement that are called for reinforcements. However, he said this it was not the case. Cuellar believes the security breach deems an investigation into what really happened. We will find out what happened in this particular situation as the hardline was very close to the Capitol, and once they got past through that, they went to the doors. Had never seen anything like this, people breaking windows, people climbing windows and doors, Cuellar said. He said there are videos and pictures providing evidence that these individuals committed crimes which can be prosecuted, and officials continue to search for and arrest these individuals in the days following the attack. Cuellar said he believes the president directly incited the crowd to storm the Capitol during the rally held just before the group marched to the front steps of the Capitol where the electoral college votes were being certified. He also said he believes certain lawmakers, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, are culpable because of their rhetoric leading up to the attack. The president got up there and in my opinion incited the crowd, because from my office I could see first a few hundred people, then after they finished the rally they all came in, Cuellar said. Since he believes the president is directly related to the events that unfolded Wednesday, Cuellar said Trump should be impeached for a second time. Although there is not much time to complete the process and he does not know how the Senate will respond, he believes a vote should at least be made to impeach him for a second time as soon as possible. I am calling for the impeachment of of the president after everything is taken into consideration, Cuellar said. While Cuellar also placed blame on Cruz for inciting the rioters by continuing to claim it was a fraudulent election, he stopped short of calling for him to resign. That is his decision to resign, but I would say that I highly disagree by the position that he took, Cuellar said. We had Senator Cruz, and we had Senator (John) Cornyn, and I would have to say that I listened to the statement that Senator Cornyn gave before when he said he was not going to support what certain Republicans took. Ive got to hand it to Senator Cornyn as I think that he understood in the disputes by states like Arizona and Pennsylvania that it was fraudulent are not true after over 60 investigations and decisions. According to Cuellar, many of the judges Trump appointed to office are the same ones declaring there is no evidence of fraud. During the days following the attack and after coming into contact with many of his networking partners and colleagues throughout Latin American, he said many have been surprised by what happened in the United States. Cuellar said many of these individuals mocked the fact that something only seen in countries where coups happened could be seen in the United States. The images that we have seen are similar to other countries in which we see people going into presidential palaces and legislative buildings, Cuellar said. Never did I think that this would happened in the United States. Another issue Cuellar mentioned about the rioters going into the Capitol was many of them were not wearing face masks as he said many of them do not believe in wearing them. The NSW premier has lashed out at state leaders for slamming their borders shut without a word when they could have just picked up the phone. Gladys Berejiklian is in daily combat with counterparts in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia which all blocked off the state during the latest outbreak She has also come under fire from the same premiers for her staunch refusal to lock Sydney down and instead kill off the outbreak with 'gold standard' contact tracing. The outbreak began in the Northern Beaches on December 16, and a separate cluster opened up in Western Sydney on December 29. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney on January 9 The Corso in Manly with a Covid-19 notice on January 3 - just three weeks after the Northern Beaches outbreak Residents from hotspots were banned from leaving their homes, but retailers and venues around the rest of the city were free to trade with any other Sydneysiders wearing a face mask. Despite NSW recording consecutive days or low or no cases after the infections were contained, Sydney residents are still banned from all but the NT and the whole state by several areas. Ms Berejiklian took a jab at Victorian premier Daniel Andrews last week for failing to consult her before he closed the borders to people in Sydney in December. 'Firstly, please talk to us in NSW before you close the border,' she said in her coronavirus update on Sunday. When asked on Sunday if Victoria told the NSW government ahead of time that they would close the border, Health Minister Martin Foley said: 'Yes'. Ms Berejiklian doubled down on her comments on Monday and explained that most states don't ask her before shutting state lines. 'Sometimes they'll let me know, sometimes they don't. When they do let me know, the decision has already been made,' she said. 'I would love to have had input and say, rather than closing all of NSW or Sydney from a particular state, please just consider the northern beaches or give us 24 hours to get back to you on how we can manage this.' The premier also pointed out that locking millions of Sydneysiders out of every state and territory in the country impacts 'every single citizen in NSW'. 'It affects citizens in other states and I think as leaders, and I include myself in this, all of us can do better.' 'We should allow each other to have input in those processes rather than being told of the decision.' Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan speaks during a media conference at Dumas House on December 7 Surfers from the South Bondi Surf Club and the Surry Hills Sluzzas prepare to enter the water at Bondi Beach in December An estimated 60,000 people made a mad dash to the Victorian border before midnight on New Year's Day after the state suddenly shut its borders to avoid a NSW coronavirus outbreak. Checkpoint queues stretched more than 40km as motorists rushed to cross to avoid having to spend 14 days in home quarantine. WA Premier Mark McGowan, who closed the border to all of NSW earlier and took just hours to do the same to Victoria, countered by insisting Ms Berejiklian 'respect' what other states did. 'The whole country is not NSW. Other States need to protect ourselves from spread of the infection from NSW and from States that are infected,' he said. 'The border controls have worked. Hotel quarantine has worked. International borders have worked. 'The country as a whole has done an amazing job compared to anywhere else in the world. I just think this nitpicking and undermining should stop.' Digital signs encourage customers to wear face masks at Westfield Bondi Junction in line with NSW Government regulations on January 3 Ms Berejiklian took a subtle jab at Victorian premier Daniel Andrews last week for failing to consult her before he closed the borders to people in Sydney in December Despite his calls for 'respect' for what states choose to do to combat coronavirus, Mr McGowan then trashed Ms Berejiklian's strategy for not being the same as his. 'There's five states and two territories doing one thing, and one state doing something different. I go with the majority,' he said on Monday. 'The states and territories that want to eliminate the virus, I think, have the right approach. The idea that you tick along with the virus and somehow that is a better model is wrong. 'And I just urge the NSW Government and people in NSW to look outside of NSW to what other states and territories are doing in order to crush and kill the virus. That's a better approach. 'The idea that somehow it's better... to just manage it, I don't think is the correct approach.' This was despite NSW recording just three new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, NSW Health said on Monday. Ms Berejiklian has in recent days and weeks copped flak from Victoria and Queensland on the issue, as both premiers believe Sydney should have locked down weeks ago. Her strategy has instead been to lock down the northern beaches, ground zero of the outbreak, and limit gathering sizes and enforce indoor mask wearing in the rest of the city. Only a handful of cases a day have since been recorded in the past two weeks. People carrying luggage wear face masks as they make their way through Brisbane CBD amid lockdowns on January 11 SES crews check restricted access permits issued to residents at a check point about 120km north of Perth The Federal Government has previously been highly critical of premiers and chief ministers for maintaining harsh restrictions and border closures. However, Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack struck a more sympathetic tone on Monday about the 'different means and methods' embraced by states to keep their residents safe. 'While I understand and appreciate that border lockdowns have had an impact on people's lives and livelihoods, what we've actually been able to see is Australia remain as largely Covid-free as possible,' he told ABC radio. 'With the vaccine coming on board in the early parts of this year, I think that will be another step in the right direction as far as getting into a more normal existence that we enjoyed before Covid.' Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly believes post-Covid 'normal' existence is more than six months away. 'It is a bit hard to tell now... I can't look into my crystal ball, I'm afraid,' Professor Kelly told reporters in Canberra. '(But) every single person that gets their two doses of vaccine and gets that very strong protection against severe illness, will give people more confidence, will give the public health system more confidence, will give our politicians - that need to make these decisions in the end - more confidence.' LONDON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UENI Ltd, the London-based creator of free websites for small businesses announced that it is extending its support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. From today, January 7th, it will provide a multi-product shopping cart, flexible shipping and collection options, and multiple payment methods to its free Starter customers to ensure that every small business can sell their products online successfully. The company also has unlocked functionality that enables small businesses to automatically synchronize their products catalogues with Google, Facebook and Instagram. This leverages big tech innovations in 2020, such as open access to Google Shopping and Facebook Shops, and puts this powerful access in the hands of the sole trader and small business owner. Website builders typically require the small business owner to build the website or e-shop themselves. Unlike these website builders, UENI offers a unique alternative by actually building the website for the small businesses, for free. Through a combination of technology and human quality control, UENI's unique process helps small businesses complete the journey of getting online at scale. Many small business owners report getting stuck in the process of building a website and thus failing to get online -- whether due to a lack of time, money or confidence in how to do it -- which helps to explain why as many as 10 million small businesses in the United States, one-third of all small businesses, still do not have a website. Christine Telyan, Founder of UENI, stated, "It's clear that the pandemic is going to be with us for some time to come. Small businesses will be particularly hard hit by the lockdowns and restrictions that are required. What will our communities look like as we come out of it? Physical shops will not disappear, but how we shop will have changed forever. If we are not careful, massive consolidation will preserve only the largest retailers and ecommerce platforms. We at UENI believe small businesses are the heart of our communities, and we want to enable as many entrepreneurs as possible to make the transition to digital, and thus secure their future. We believe giving all small business owners this additional access will put in their hands the tools they need to transition their business to the new normal." To sign up for a free business website please go to join.ueni.com. About UENI Ltd. UENI Ltd has been providing free websites to small businesses since 2015. The company brings the benefits of online marketing to small businesses, with over 600,000 customers in 10 countries. By filling out a simple form, any small businesses can obtain a free website built for humans, by humans, which is ready to make sales and accept bookings from day one. UENI also provides curated access to partner services like bank accounts, business loans, insurance and accounting support, to help the small business organize itself and grow. SOURCE UENI 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. US President Donald Trump (Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon) House Democrats on Monday introduced an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for inciting a mob that attacked the Capitol last week, vowing to press the charge as Republicans blocked their move to formally call on Vice President Mike Pence to strip him of power under the 25th Amendment. The dual actions came as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her caucus sought to ratchet up pressure on Pence to intervene and push Trump to resign. If they did not, the Democrats vowed immediate consequences for Trumps role in an attack that put the lives of the vice president, members of Congress and thousands of staff working on Capitol Hill at risk as they met to formalize President-elect Joe Bidens victory. Nancy Pelosi says House will impeach Donald Trump unless VP forces ouster As expected, Republicans objected to a resolution calling on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, meaning that the House would have to call a full vote on the measure Tuesday. Democratic leaders were confident it would pass and pressured Republican lawmakers to vote with them to beseech the vice president, who is said to be opposed to using the powers outlined in the Constitution, to do so. It was a remarkable threat. If Pence does not intervene within 24 hours and the president does not resign, the House will move as early as Wednesday to consider the impeachment resolution on the floor, just a week after the attack. Already more than 210 Democrats have signed onto the charge, just shy of a majority of the House. Several Republicans were said to be considering voting to impeach for the first time, although party leaders were opposed. The four-page impeachment article charges Trump with inciting violence against the government of the United States when he sowed bogus claims about election fraud and encouraged his supporters at a rally outside the White House to take extraordinary measures to stop the counting of electoral votes underway at the Capitol. A short time later, rioters mobbed the building, ransacking the seat of U.S. government and killing a Capitol Police officer. (Four others also died as a result of injuries or medical emergencies on Capitol grounds.) Last-minute changes were made late Sunday to include a reference to the 14th Amendment, the post-Civil War era addition to the Constitution that prohibits anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding future office. Lawmakers also decided to cite specific language from Trumps speech Wednesday, inciting the crowd, quoting him saying: If you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore. In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government, the article reads. He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of government. He thereby betrayed his trust as president, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Lawmakers involved in the effort cautioned that the language could still change before any House vote. Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Telangana government on Monday decided to re-open educational institutions for Class 9 and above from February 1. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao directed the officials to make arrangements for re-opening classes in all the private and government educational institutions. Classes should be held for the students of Class 10, Intermediate (11 and 12), Degree and other professional courses, he told officials at a review meeting. He also asked officials to keep ready hostels, residential schools, and all educational institutions and ensure that the toilets are clean. The Collectors should take the necessary measures to keep the educational institutions clean and hygienic, the Chief Minister said. "Since the educational institutions are closed for many days, clean the entire premises, ensure that the food grains, essential commodities are not rotten. By January 25, keep the educational institutions ready to conduct the classes," he said. KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, also wanted ministers to visit hostels for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and see to it that they are fit for the students to stay. The details like the timings and precautionary measures to be taken will be announced later. The decision came amid the declining caseload of Covid-19 in the state. Health officials informed the Chief Minister that pandemic situation has come under control with daily count of only 300-400 new cases. The proposed vaccine rollout from January 16 also influenced the decision in favour of re-opening the educational institutions. It came as a relief for a section of parents who were worried over their children's education. The educational institutions were closed since mid-March. The pandemic situation also forced cancellation of annual examinations for all classes. The government promoted students to the next class. Meanwhile, the decision has been welcomed by many parents and teachers. "This is the right decision in the interest of students," Mohammed Rafi Ahmed, a lecturer in a private engineering college in Hyderabad, told IANS. Rafi, whose son is a student of Class 10 in a private school, feels that his education has already suffered a lot due to pandemic. "This is a crucial year for him because his interest and choice of subjects will help him decide the stream for intermediate and further studies. The students have already lost lot of time but I believe offline classes in remaining couple of months will be some help," he said. Teaching community has also welcomed the decision and they hope that the move will help both students and teachers and contribute to restoration of normalcy in educational institutions. "There is no alternative to offline classes. The reopening of schools will not only help students of Class 9 and 10 but will also take off pressure on them due to virtual classes," said Hajera Begum, a teacher at a leading private school. Last week, a survey had revealed that 69 per cent of parents want schools to reopen from April or after. Only 23 per cent said schools should reopen in January. Survey by Local Circle, an online platform, found that more number of parents are worried about their children's education rather than fear of Covid-19. Members of Telangana Parents Association had also called on state Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy last week to appeal to her to reopen schools and other educational institutions by mid-January. They briefed the minister on various issues faced by the parents due to online classes. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Burbio School Opening Tracker The myriad of regulatory and labor obstacles to in-person learning in places that have never gotten started, the significant level of hybrid instruction across the US, and the unpredictable course of Covid-19 means the balance of the 2021 academic year will continue to be highly disrupted More than 50% of US K-12 students are now attending virtual-only schools across the US according to the most recent audit by Burbio, a data service that measures school and community life across the US. That is the highest figure since late September and reflects a reversal of in-person learning gains that had occurred since Labor Day. Since the school year began, districts educating millions of students had converted from virtual-only schooling to teaching students either in a traditional or hybrid format, said Burbio co-founder Julie Roche, noting that as of November 1st Burbios audit showed 37% of all US K-12 students attending virtual-only schools after having started the year at over 60%. But that progress has reversed considerably since mid-November due to Covid-19 related shutdowns. Burbio figures show 55% of US K-12 public students currently attend school districts that offer only virtual learning, while 30.8% attend schools that offer traditional in-person schooling, and 14.2% attend school districts that offer hybrid learning of two to three days a week. Beginning in mid-November, in-person districts of all sizes across the Midwest and Northeast began closing due to a combination of quarantining, community spread levels, state level directives, and precautions around holiday travel. Even as districts increased use of testing to ensure schools were safe, and lowered quarantine regulations as CDC guidance changed, many were overwhelmed by the level of Covid-19 spread in their area, added Roche. Implementation of K-12 education across the US varies and so does the outlook for 2021. States in the Sun Belt and much of the Rockies skew heavily to traditional every-day education and have seen little disruption in the most recent Covid-19 surge. Across the Midwest and the Plains there is a mix of traditional and hybrid learning while, hybrid learning is the preferred form of learning in the Northeast. The most heavily virtual-only regions where only a small percentage of students have been offered instruction in classrooms are West Coast and Mid-Atlantic states as well as urban districts throughout the country. A combination of stricter opening guidelines in the affected states plus stakeholder concerns in urban areas has resulted in slower introduction of in-person learning. We expect the percentage of students attending virtual-only schools to drop over the course of the next six weeks as districts who did have students in the classroom in the Fall return after Covid-19 induced breaks, said Roche. But the myriad of regulatory and labor obstacles to in-person learning in places that have never gotten started, the significant level of hybrid instruction across the US, and the unpredictable course of Covid-19 means the balance of the 2021 academic year will continue to be highly disrupted for the vast majority of K-12 public school students. #### About the Methodology Margin for error is 2.73% at 95% confidence level. For detailed methodology visit https://about.burbio.com/methodology/ or email dennis@burbio.com About Burbio: Burbio.com is the industry leader in aggregating school, government, library and community event information for digital consumer engagement and business decision making. Burbios technology organizes and streams millions of hyper-local events across the US and keeps them automatically updated. Burbio works with digital media companies, local broadcasters, and real estate firms providing content for consumer engagement, plus corporate clients and investment professionals who use the better manage and predict their business. The new variant of the coronavirus first detected in Britain has been confirmed in northern Mexico, health officials said on Sunday, adding a new layer of concern to an already severe national outbreak. The confirmation of the especially contagious new variant of the virus marks the first time it has been found in Mexico, home to the pandemic's forth-highest death toll globally. A 56-year-old British man who flew on Dec. 29 from Mexico City to the city of Matamoros, just south of the U.S.-Mexico border, tested positive for the new strain, both state and national health officials said on Sunday. The man arrived to the Mexican capital a day earlier on a flight from Amsterdam, said Jose Luis Alomia, the head of epidemiology for the national health ministry, at a regular government news conference. The official explained that upon arriving in Matamoros, the man did not show any symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. But he nonetheless tested positive again after a second test was administered to him on Dec. 31. 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 Alomia stressed that while the new variant has been detected, it is not believed to be circulating on any significant scale among the population. A dozen passengers on the same Mexico City-Matamoros flight have not yet been identified, officials said, while the rest of the 45-passenger flight have all tested negative, including the plane's crew. The British man remains hospitalized in Matamoros, and was placed on a ventilator on Saturday. Officials did not say that any form of contact tracing or testing had been conducted on passengers on the Amsterdam-Mexico City flight. The fast-spreading new strain of the virus has also been found in South Africa and Australia, prompting authorities to take more aggressive action to prevent even greater contagion as countries across the globe struggle to contain the pandemic. HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") (NYSE: BORR) (OSE: BDRILL) advises that a Special General Meeting of the Company was held on January 8, 2021 at 09:30 ADT at 2nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda The following resolution was passed:To approve the increase of the Company's authorized share capital from US$11,932,692.30 divided into 238,653,846 common shares of US$0.05 par value each to US$14,500,000.00 divided into 290,000,000 common shares of US$0.05 par value each by the authorization of an additional 51,346,154 common shares of US$0.05 par value each. Hamilton, Bermuda January 11, 2021 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/borr-drilling-limited/r/borr-drilling-limited---sgm-results-notification,c3265846 SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited The former Brand Central outlet shopping centre in Rathdowney, Laois, has received a government grant to help reopen it as an enterprise hub. Rathdowney Retail Hub has received a 79,303 grant from the Town & Village Renewal Scheme. It is for the development of a community cafe and remote working and training facility; and development of space to facilitate a Farmers and Artisan Market. Cllr John King from Rathdowney says he hopes the grant will kickstart jobs in Rathdowney and surrounding areas. The grant for Rathdowney is at the enterprise hub which will have broadband so people who have no service can go there to work, as well as for IT training and start ups. It will cater for the hinterland up to five miles around the area, Cllr King told the Leinster Express. Cllr King confirmed that work has to start this year in order to avail of the grants. It will also be good to have the hub used again, and I thank Bernie Moloney who is doing her utmost to make that happen, in conjunction with Laois County Council and the community in Rathdowney. When people have their courses completed, there are great facilities there to start businesses, with two businesses already there and lots of parking. It is great for the future of Rathdowney, he said. The Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Pippa Hackett representing the Laois Offaly constituency also welcomed the grants announced late last week. Some wonderful projects in Laois are being supported by this funding. Im delighted to see spending on the community cafe and farmers market in Rathdowney, the bridge in Stradbally, the heritage centre in Timahoe, the eLearning hub in Durrow, and broadband points across the county. In total, Laois will receive 383,375," she said. Rathdowney Designer Outlet was built for 4 million during the Celtic Tiger as a discount designer shopping centre but closed a few brief years later. It is now home to two businesses, a Mr Price store and an farm feeds and fuel depot. The Army will support the burial with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery for Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who suffered fatal injuries while defending the U.S. Capitol against a pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6. In a statement Saturday, a service spokesman said that Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, who has jurisdiction over Arlington, "has received requests on behalf [of Sicknick] and fully supports the request for posthumous special honors and burial at Arlington National Cemetery." Sicknick, 42, a veteran of the New Jersey Air National Guard, was allegedly bludgeoned over the head with a fire extinguisher while battling rioters, according to The New York Times. Read Next: Army Investigates Fort Bragg Soldier for Attending Rally That Ended in US Capitol Breach In a statement, the U.S. Capitol Police said Sicknick was injured while "physically engaging with protesters." He collapsed after reporting back to his division office and succumbed to his injuries the following day at a local hospital, the Capitol Police said. Brian D. Sicknick enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1997 and served for six years. (U.S. Air Force) McCarthy's support for Sicknick's burial at Arlington follows a request from Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., a former CIA analyst, State Department official and chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense at the Pentagon. In a statement Saturday, Slotkin said that she had spoken with McCarthy, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown about the issue. "Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer and did so living up to the oath he swore in the military -- to protect and defend the Constitution," Slotkin said. "He has paid the ultimate sacrifice, and he and his family should be recognized for all he did for his country." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: 'Brian Did His Job': Family Remembers Fallen Capitol Officer You are here: China Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for ensuring a good start for fully building a modern socialist country. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials. Man scales Guam airport fence, reaches jetway and tells authorities he 'just wanted to get out of the island' (Natural News) What makes 5G so dangerous? Its difficult to give a simple answer to this question because there are so many ways in which this wireless technology is harmful. Here is a look at 10 reasons why you should say no to 5G. 1. It amplifies EMF damage We already know that electromagnetic fields (EMF) are dangerous, with researchers like wireless radiation expert Dr. Martin Pall demonstrating how they can damage fertility, DNA and the heart and brain. 5G actually amplifies that damage using the bodys voltage-gated calcium channels, with even Dr. Pall himself saying that the 5G rollout is absolutely insane. 2. It is potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic The millimeter wave frequencies used by 5G have been shown to cause mitochondrial DNA damage that is passed down through generations, and with this mutagenesis often comes carcinogenesis. Defenders of the technology are quick to point out that there arent specific studies showing it causes cancer, but that is only because the technology is too new for long-term studies to have been carried out and there arent any studies showing that its safe, either! 3. Exposure limits are outdated The FCC has reaffirmed exposure limits that were established back in the 1990s, well before even 2G existed, much less 5G. These safety standards are incredibly outdated and do not take into account all of the evidence that has emerged in the intervening years on the harms of RFR. 4. Its killing insects Insects are sensitive to 5G EMF waves, with exposure leading to an increase in body temperature and other problems. Their small body sizes mean they are highly vulnerable, and losing our planets insects could spell disaster for mankind. Former UN Staff Editor Claire Edwards said at a Stockholm anti-5G rally: Its interesting to note that in the last 20 years, we have lost 80% of our insects. And if we get 5G, were going to lose 100% of our insects. When the insects go, we go, too. 5. Its waves can replicate inside your body Before 5G was approved, RF researcher Arthur Firstenberg published a 5G analysis that explained how its very short EM pulses that are delivered in bursts can replicate within the human body, creating a series of tiny new 5G antennas inside of people. These little antennas then re-radiate the EMF and send it even deeper into the body. 6. It can manipulate your skin The frequencies used and broadcasted by the 5G network impact our sweat ducts, which serve as helical antennas for it. Anything capable of manipulating your bodys biggest organ simply cannot be good for your health. 7. Insurance companies wont underwrite Big Wireless Major insurance companies like Lloyds of London have outright refused to insure Big Wireless against claims related to 5G. Their report compared these wireless technologies to deadly asbestos in the sense that initial research was inconclusive and it became painfully obvious that it caused cancer when it was too late. 8. Its already causing effects in people From Los Angeles firefighters developing ailments after being too close to 5G towers to hundreds of birds falling down from the sky in a 5G test in the Netherlands, all signs point to an abundance of health problems in many forms of life after 5G exposure. 9. Respected science journals are concerned about it One of Americas most credible and longest-running magazines, Scientific American, has issued a strong warning about 5G dangers, highlighting concerns about both its known and potential risks. 10. 5G cell antennas will be everywhere One of the most disturbing aspects of this technology is the fact that its limited reach means that telecommunication companies will need to place cell antennas roughly every 100 to 200 meters, which means they will be near a significant number of peoples homes, exposing them to dangerous millimeter waves. These ten points are really only a fraction of the problems posed by 5G technology. The truth is that we dont yet know just how extensive the long-term damage will be, but what we do know about the risks of its predecessors makes it clear that the world is in for a slew of problems when 5G is rolled out everywhere. Sources for this article include: GlobalResearch.ca NaturalNews.com NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SoFi, A Leading Next-Generation Financial Services Platform, Announces Plans to Become Publicly-traded via Merger with Social Capital Hedosophia. SoFi has entered into a definitive agreement with Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. V ("SCH") (NYSE: IPOE), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, to bring a major consumer-focused financial technology business to the public markets. The transaction values the Company at an equity value of $8.65 billion post-money. The PIPE is being led by Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder and CEO of SCH, and Hedosophia, who are together contributing $275 million; top-tier institutional investors comprise the remaining $950 million of the PIPE include funds and accounts managed by Altimeter Capital Management, Baron Capital Group, BlackRock, Coatue Management, Durable Capital Partners LP, and Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). Below is the link to SoFi's 1/7/20 press release to learn more. https://www.sofi.com/press/sofi-plans-to-go-public About Adit Ventures: Adit Ventures is a venture capital firm with offices in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Utah. An "Adit" is an entrance to a mine and serves as an anagram for the firm's services, since it provides Access, Diligence, Insight and works with Trusted partners across the United States and around the world. Its business model focuses on purchasing shares from early-stage investors or employees seeking liquidity before the company has a liquidity event. Adit's investment objective is 3x return of capital within a 3-5-year time frame. Adit buys both primary and secondary shares on behalf of investors from a global network of relationships cultivated over their 150 years of principal investing experience. Adit seeks to capitalize on long-term secular trends in the global economy where they see dynamic areas of growth. It is in these sectors Adit sees the best opportunities for long term capital appreciation and to make a positive impact on the world by improving quality of life, while generating a healthy return on our invested capital in alignment with their investors & principles. Current sectors of interest include AI & Machine Learning, Big Data, Cybersecurity, Defense, Educational Technology, FinTech, Health Tech, IoT, Life Sciences, Media, Shared Economy and Space. Portfolio companies include Airbnb, Astrocast, Cohesity, Decision Sciences International Corporation, Esme Learning, Klarna, Netskope, SoFi, SpaceX and Turo among others. Please visit www.aditventures.com for future updates. Adit Ventures uses a 10-step investment process incorporating its proprietary research on both quantitative and qualitative factors. Quantitative: -Valuation at entry is a critical discipline, as this is one thing we control. -Revenue growth rate drives future valuation, so is a key element to Adit. -Margins and cash flows are vital to an enterprise's success, and drive valuation. -Scalability of business across various markets is a big factor in the valuation of any business. -Profitability: A clear path to profitability is essential to any investment. Qualitative: -Is it a good business model, in a good sector with long term secular tends driving it? -Is there a good management team, with depth and experience in meeting challenges, competitive threats and executing its goals? -Does it have a good capital base, board of directors/investors and well-regarded savvy Venture Sponsors? -Does the business adhere to fundamental ESG principles with character and integrity in its practice? -Will the business make a difference by adding value for its customers, its employees and the community it serves, as well as its shareholders? Adit has invested in some of the world's leading companies with exits in Airbnb, GoPro, Lemonade, Palantir, SharesPost, Spotify, Snap and Lyft. Contact: Julie Klugman [email protected] www.aditventures.com SOURCE Adit Ventures Related Links http://www.aditventures.com Free Speech Under Assault NEWS PROVIDED BY Catholic League Jan. 11, 2021 NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the latest attacks on freedom of speech: The censoring of Parler by Amazon, Google and Apple is the most serious assault on freedom of speech we have ever seen by private companies in American history. Instead of addressing those who are responsible for abusing their free speech rights, e.g. those who are clearly fomenting violence, Big Tech is now seeking to censor conservative voices in general. For justification, they are following the lead of pundits and activists who are blaming President Trump, and his supporters, for the violence that took place last week in Washington, D.C. The argument is more than absurdit is pernicious. Nothing President Trump said last week was in any way an incitement to violence. Indeed, it was protected speech under the First Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court has been very clear about its rulings on this matter. In 1946, Father Arthur Terminiello, a suspended priest, made an incendiary speech in Chicago wherein he attacked Jews and President Franklin Roosevelt. He not only got the crowd in the auditorium all jacked up, he stoked the passions of his foes who were outside the building. They rioted and he was arrested for breaching the peace. Terminiello appealed to the Illinois courts, but lost. In 1949, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the lower court rulings. The Justices knew that if overheated rhetoric could be subjected to sanctions because it inflamed those who objected, robust free speech would be squashed: All it would take is the threat of a riot to censor objectionable speech. In other words, those who riot are to blame for their behavior, not the speaker whom they loathe. In 1964, Clarence Brandenburg, a Ku Klux Klan officer, made racist and anti-Semitic remarks at a meeting in Cincinnati. He was arrested for urging his followers to seek revenge against blacks and Jews. The U.S. Supreme Court threw out his conviction on free speech grounds. He could only be sanctioned, the high court reasoned, if it could be shown that he deliberately incited lawlessness, and that the threat was imminent. In rendering this decision, the Supreme Court applied the "clear and present danger" test that it devised in Schneck v. United States in 1919. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote that "The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent." This is the origin of the famous fire in a crowded theater argument: Free speech does not give one the right to falsely scream fire in a crowded theater. What Trump said to his followers last week cannot, by these constitutional standards, be construed as an incitement to violence. Never once did he call for violence or an invasion of the Capitol. In fact, the rioters began to crash police barricades while he was still speaking. So much for the "clear and present danger" argument. Moreover, the NYPD and the FBI warned the Capitol Police before January 6 of impending threats, thus making foolish the charge that Trump incited the mob to violence. The danger to free speech extends beyond the machinations of Big Tech and the contrived charges of incitement against Trump. Wildly irresponsible accusations have been made by many people who should know better. Comparing Trump to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, as our next president did, was scurrilous. Comparing Trump supporters to Nazis, as the Jewish Democratic Council for America did, was equally outrageous. Fortunately, many responsible Jews condemned both of these charges. The indefensible storming of the Capitol is being exploited by those on the left to indict Christians. The Atlantic called what happened "a Christian insurrection" and Religion News Service labeled it the work of "Christian nationalists." Americans United for Separation of Church and State blamed "White Christian Nationalists," as did Patheos. Sister Simone Campbell, who thinks abortion should be legal in every instance, noted this was a "white supremacist effort," and America, the Jesuit publication, saw the imprint of white people all over the riot. None of these people consider themselves to be bigots. Not to be outdone, the National Catholic Reporter, which rejects many teachings of the Catholic Church (yet still pretends to be Catholic), singled out several Catholics, including me, for having "blood on their hands." Why? Because we have previously touted Trump's policies. That would make 74 million Americans guilty of "blood on their hands." This proves how delirious these extremists have become, making them prime candidates for the asylum. One does not have to agree with Trump's decisions last week to know that he never incited a riot. Worse, to brand his supporters Nazis, or to claim they have "blood on their hands," shows how unhinged many of his critics have become. They are a true menace to democracy: they are using Trump as a pretext to stifle the free speech of decent Americans. SOURCE Catholic League CONTACT: 212-371-3191, pr@catholicleague.org Cuomo Expands Vaccination Network, Widens Eligibility Criteria to Accelerate Rollout New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has expanded the vaccine administration network and widened eligibility criteria to accelerate the statewide pace of inoculations against the CCP virus following a slow rollout and reports that narrow guidelines have led to some vaccine doses being discarded. Cuomo made the announcement at a Jan. 9 press briefing, in which he said that, starting Jan. 11, the criteria would be broadened to include 3.2 million more New Yorkers, including additional categories of essential workers and people aged 75 and older. Over the past week, we have seen hospitals increase their vaccination rates, and I thank them for their efforts, but its still not enough, so were going to accelerate the distribution, Cuomo said in a statement. Before the expanded criteria went into effect, 2.1 million New Yorkers in priority group 1A were eligible to receive the vaccine, including workers in health care settings, as well as seniors living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Now people in group 1B can start receiving the vaccine, including education workers, first responders, public safety and transit workers, and seniors. Also, the network of vaccine administrators will be expanded to include police, fire departments, and pharmacies. This new network will utilize doctors offices, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, county health departments, ambulatory centers and pharmacies to get doses in the arms of eligible New Yorkers, Cuomos office said in a statement. More than 1,200 pharmacies have already committed to participating in this network, with nearly 500 scheduled to come on-line next week. Providers across the state will begin accepting vaccination reservations on Monday, January 11 when a centralized state website goes online. Over the next several weeks, the Department of Health will also be setting up 20 mass distribution sites across the state to further the vaccination efforts. Cuomo estimated that it would take around 14 weeks to vaccinate groups 1A and 1B. It comes after reports that New Yorks strict vaccination guidelines were leading to vaccine doses being thrown away. Some clinics in New York City, such as the Family Health Center of Harlem, discarded doses that were about to expire, according to The New York Times. Vials of the Moderna vaccine contain about 10 doses, so the clinic had to open two vials in order to inoculate the 12 people who showed up to their evening appointments, according to the report. A nurse at the clinic found a few other recipients for several of the doses, but after the health department advised her that only members of eligible groups could receive the shot, several doses were thrown away, the report said. People dont hold hands in blocks of 10 to come over to get immunized, said Dr. Neil Calman, president of the Institute for Family Health, a nonprofit health network that includes the Harlem clinic, in remarks to the outlet. We just need to enable providers to use their professional judgment to give it to people at their highest risk. Speaking at the briefing, Cuomo said that just over half a million COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered as of Jan. 8. So, 33,000 week one, 102,000 week two, 148,000 week three, 259,000 [week four] to date, but the week is not over, he said, adding that the state receives a supply of 300,000 doses per week. Were hoping for an acceptance rate close to 80 percent with a minimum of 70 percent. Trump Faces 'Incitement of Insurrection' Charge By The Associated Press WASHINGTON - A House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove President Donald Trump from office was blocked Monday by Republicans. Democrats in the House are pushing Pence and the Cabinet to oust Trump, saying he is unfit for office after encouraging a protest march that turned into a mob that ransacked the U.S. Capitol in a deadly siege. Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on such a course, which would involve invoking the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, including a vote by a majority of the Cabinet to oust Trump before he leaves office on Jan. 20. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on that date. With just days left in Trumps presidency, the House also is preparing to impeach Trump this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying first to put pressure on Republicans to tell Trump its time to go. Trump would face a single charge incitement of insurrection over the riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. Lawmakers were set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week. By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz went on trial in a Geneva court on Monday on corruption and forgery charges linked to mining concessions in the West African nation of Guinea. Steinmetz was indicted in August 2019 by a Geneva prosecutor who accused him and two aides of paying or having $10 million in bribes paid to obtain exploration permits for some of the world's richest iron-ore deposits. Steinmetz and his aides deny the charges. If convicted he could face up to 10 years in prison. Steinmetz's lawyer, Marc Bonnant, told the three-judge panel that his client should not face charges. The 64-year-old, a former Geneva resident who moved back to Israel in 2016, is attending the two-week trial in person. Swiss prosecutors allege Steinmetz and his aides won the rights to mine the lucrative iron-ore vein in Guinea's remote Simandou mountain range by bribing Mamadie Toure, one of the wives of the former Guinean President Lansana Conte, between 2006 and 2010, and that they forged documents to cover it up. Mamadie Toure, believed to reside in the United States, is called as a witness this week, ahead of the verdict due on Jan. 22. Reuters attempted to contact Toure through social media, but she could not immediately be reached for comment. "Beny Steinmetz never paid a cent to Mme. Mamadie Toure. Mamadie Toure was not the wife of the president (Lansana Conte) and she is not a public agent and therefore cannot be corrupted," Bonnant told Reuters last month. Development of Simandou has been hindered by years of legal wrangling involving several big mining companies. As part of international efforts to improve transparency, Guinea's government under President Alpha Conde, elected in 2010, launched a review of mining contracts signed before 2011. The review panel investigated how BSGR had obtained rights to the Simandou deposit in 2008 and, after levelling corruption allegations, the government stripped the company of its rights to Simandou and a smaller deposit. BSGR has always maintained it did nothing wrong. It walked away from the Simandou project as part of a settlement announced in February 2019 with the Guinean government, in which both parties agreed to drop outstanding legal action. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Carmel Crimmins) St Petersburg, Florida: A Florida man spotted carrying a lectern belonging to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office in a widely circulated photo during the Capitol assault has been released on $US25,000 bail ($32,000). A federal magistrate judge in Tampa agreed to the release on Monday US time, at a brief hearing for Adam Johnson, 36, from the nearby community of Parrish. Johnson was arrested on Friday night on charges of government property theft, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and entering a restricted building without lawful authority, according to an arrest warrant. Some 90 arrests have been made in conjunction with the riots. A pro-Trump protester identified as Adam Johnson carries the lectern of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the US Capitol Rotunda. Credit:Getty Images Johnson has not yet entered a plea to the charges, which were filed in Washington. He has to surrender his passport, observe travel restrictions and adhere to a curfew of 9pm to 6am. FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTHI) - Over the weekend officers say a Farmersburg man was arrested on child molest allegations. On Friday, police arrested Robbie Baber after an investigation began where the police and Indiana Department of Child Services were called to a home in Farmersburg last Monday. Police say this was regarding allegations of possible child molestation on a five-year-old. Baber is now in Sullivan County Jail on a $35,000 bond. 3 1 of 3 Cal Fire CZU Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Cal Fire CZU Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Witnesses saw a man and a woman wearing waders and searching for mussels get swept from the rocks at Pescadero State Beach into the ocean around 3:15 p.m. Sunday, said a San Mateo County Fire Department spokesperson. A witness was able to get down to the water and pull the man out of the waves but reported the woman was too far to reach, said San Mateo County Fire Department Public Information Officer Cecile Juliette. When firefighters arrived, the woman was about 20 yards out, and then she went under. Your browser does not support the video tag. Advertisement Victoria's Secret Angel Taylor Hill looked incredible as she took part in a seaside bikini shoot for the San Francisco bra brand in Saint Barthelemy on Saturday. The 24-year-old IMG Model - who got her 'wings' in 2015 - showcased her stunning toned frame as she slipped into tiny two pieces for a sizzling shoot. Taylor displayed her slim 5ft9in figure in a trendy tie-dye halter top which teased a glimpse of her cleavage and drew the eye to her taut midriff Wow: Victoria's Secret Angel Taylor Hill looked incredible as she took part in a seaside bikini shoot for the San Francisco bra brand in Saint Barthelemy on Saturday A pair of matching tie-side bottoms drew the eye to the former gymnast's bronzed legs and pert posterior as she frolicked on the shoreline while a photographer snapped away. The Vogue coverstar also jogged into the surf for an action shot as she showcased her modelling prowess. The Illinois-born brunette then changed into a pink floral and leopard-print two-piece with a matching towel, which she wore as a turban. The star accentuated her stunning features with a radiant palette of make-up including metallic shadow and rose lipstick. Smile! The Illinois-born brunette then changed into a pink floral and leopard-print two-piece with a matching towel, which she wore as a turban She accessorised with shimmering gold hoop earrings as she struck a myriad of smouldering poses. The shoot comes as the 44-year-old lingerie retailer is readying a reboot after cutting $400M in expenses by cutting 850 jobs and shutting 250 stores last year. Low ratings for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show lead to the domination of Rihanna's lingerie label Savage X Fenty and its inclusive, innovative Amazon Prime presentations. Action! The 24-year-old IMG Model - who got her 'wings' in 2015 - struck a pose on the shoreline as a masked camera man closed in Beach beauty: The supermodel looked sensational as she frolicked on the beach for the shoot Wet and wild! Hill - who used to be a gymnast - then jogged into the surf for an action shot What's in store? Low ratings for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show lead to the domination of Rihanna's lingerie label Savage X Fenty and its inclusive, innovative Amazon Prime presentations But last Tuesday, WWD reported that shares of VS's parent company L Brands Inc. 'were up roughly 110 percent year-over-year.' After years of employing only tall, thin, and long-haired models - Victoria's Secret has finally added larger sizes and hired plus-sized models like Candice Huffine and Devyn Garcia. St. Barts has been a ritzy vacation spot for celebs like Paul McCartney, Amy Schumer, Robbie Williams, Lionel Richie and his daughter Sofia, as well as John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen. Strike a pose: After years of employing only tall, thin, and long-haired models - Victoria's Secret has finally added larger sizes and hired plus-sized models like Candice Huffine and Devyn Garcia (not pictured) Strike a pose: Taylor showed off her incredible beach body as she modelled the gorgeous bikinis As of Sunday, there have reportedly been 206 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saint Barthelemy leading to only one death since January. The French Caribbean isle reopened to North American travelers in June, but they are required to bring proof that they tested negative for the coronavirus within three days. If no test is available, tourists must get tested on the island and will need to quarantine until the results are in. If tourists remain on St. Barts longer than a week, they have to be retested. Incredible: Taylor showed off her lithe, bronzed figure as she posed in the surf for one stunning shot Missing from Taylor's side on Saturday were her beloved mini Goldendoodle Tate and her boyfriend, Arcadian Capital advisor Daniel Fryer. Aside from VS, Hill is a brand ambassador for Ralph Lauren Fragrances and she landed the January cover of Vogue Greece's 'Beauty is a State of Mind' double edition. The Broken Hearts Gallery actress was originally discovered, age 14, in a Colorado barn by agent-photographer Jim Jordan. Still going strong? Missing from Hill's side on Saturday were her beloved mini Goldendoodle Tate and her boyfriend, Arcadian Capital advisor Daniel Fryer (L, pictured November 11) Members of the Mardi Paws Krewe are getting into the Carnival spirit, despite the damage being done to some traditional activities by COVID-19, and they are inviting all fun-loving canines and their humans to join with them. Everyone's spirits can use a lift, and Mardi Paws wants to help do that. Already, krewe members are busy creating some incredible Dog House Carnival Floats to display in front of their homes and human-owned businesses (see page 7 of this edition for more details about that), and the process is creating more than a few laughs and some good-natured competition among families and doggy-lovers throughout the north shore. The Mardi Paws Selfie Contest COVID Quarantine Edition is also underway. Just dress up, put your best nose forward and have the humans email those selfies in by 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 to win prizes and bragging rights. Winners will be announced on the doghousefloats.com website by 6 p.m. on Feb. 22. Another way Mardi Paws is putting some bark into the 2021 Canine Carnival Scene is with a photo contest among pooches dressed up for Mardi Gras, the Saints, LSU, Tulane or anything else beloved in south Louisiana. Those entries, too, must be emailed by 4 p.m. on Feb 20, and the winners will also be announced online at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22. And finally, as if all that isn't enough fun for one Carnival season, there is the Poop Throw Decorating Contest. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Think: bedazzling Muses shoes or Nyx purses. It's a lot like that, except Mardi Paws recommends buying some "fake" foam poops that will hold up to the glue gun! After that, it's just embellishing the heck out of them not forgetting purple, green and gold glitter and then bedecking them with individual style and personal touches. Think: decorating cupcakes. Email photos of those priceless entries as well, and there's no limit on number of entries, also by Feb. 20. And again, winners will be posted by Feb. 22. There is no fees to participate, and all entries should be emailed to DeniseG1@bellsouth.net. For more information on the Mardi Paws group or to make a taxable donation to its programs on behalf of animals and children, visit the website at www.mardipaws.com or the Facebook page. 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. The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed a woman's plea seeking the termination of her 28-week pregnancy on the ground that the foetus suffered from a serious birth defect in which a baby ' title=' baby '>baby is born with an underdeveloped brain and incomplete skull. The order holds importance as the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971 prohibits abortion of a fetus after 20 weeks of gestation. On January 7, a bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh had asked the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to submit a report on the feasibility of terminating her pregnancy. The woman told the court that an ultra-sonography at the gestational age of 27 weeks five days found that the fetus suffered from anencephaly which makes it incompatible with life. The petitioner asserted that it was "perfectly safe" for a woman to abort a fetus at any point during her pregnancy with advances in technology. The woman claimed, "The ceiling of 20 weeks is therefore arbitrary, harsh, discriminatory and violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India." You would think that if theres one group of people whod recognize a coup if they saw one, it would be the American people. Because their intelligence services have been involved in almost all coups in the world for many decades; lets say since WWII, to keep it simple. Just in the most recent past, they staged and conducted coups in Libya, Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela and many other places (think Bolivia). Libya was the only real successful one, thanks to Gaddafi being sodomized with a bayonet, leading to Hillarys giddy We Came, We Saw, He Died, the by far ugliest face of the US by a mile. That and the open-air slave markets that resulted from sodomizing to death the man who led Africas wealthiest country and gave his people benefits that Americans can only dream of. And now Hillarys crew are about to be handed the reins again. Or as Michael Tracey put it: "The new corporate authoritarian liberal-left monoculture is going to be absolutely ruthless and in 12 days it is merging with the state. This [is] only the beginning." Duck for cover. The screwed-up coups in Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela etc. would appear to signal that the CIA is not very adept (anymore?!) at organizing coups, or maybe they just chronically overestimate their skills at it. Whichever way it may be, they have done more damage to America and its standing in the world than Donald Trump could ever have dreamt of doing. So you would think Americans would recognize a coup, but instead theyre the last group of people on the planet who would. Because their media doesnt present them as coups. Theyre labeled as spreading democracy, freedom etc., as standing up against the bad guys, and liberating innocent people -even if many of them die in the process. People dying is a feature of these coups, not a bug. People get shot, bombed, disappeared, in a word: killed. Anyway, its way more and better than ironic that all these very deadly CIA-led operations are not labeled coups, but then the clowns and actors spectacle that took place in Washington DC this week, is. Which is possible only because they never told people what a coup actually is. Only then can you make them believe that some wanker in a furry viking helmet outfit is trying to overthrow the government. At the initiative of the democratically elected president, no less. Are these people extremists and terrorists or are they clowns and actors? I would lean towards the latter option. A coup requires a plan, a playbook, most often elites who think they have a shot at taking over a country, which in turn requires support from at least part of an army. The best these folks could think of was sitting in Pelosis office and take selfies. That doesnt make the march on the Capitol a good thing, far from it, but there are a lot of people out there who dont like the way the president they elected in 2016 has been treated by the MSM, his political opponents, and US intelligence. And after the theater that has been Russiagate, the Mueller debacle and the Zelensky call-based impeachment, maybe that shouldnt be too surprising. The main problem for Trump lately would appear to have been his legal representation. Ive said all along: let the dice roll where they may, there are many questions surrounding the election and they have the right to go looking for answers to these questions. But if you look at what the status is today of what the likes of Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell and Lin Wood have come up with, you think they might as well have been working for the other side. Still, weve at least seen the dice roll, and they came up they way they did. The process was allowed to proceed, and this is the outcome. This has misled Trump as well as his followers. They thought there was something substantial -and tanglible- there, because thats what they were told all along. This doesnt mean the US should continue using voting machines, however. There are many countries that hold elections, and there are very few that either use those machines and/or see their elections contested. Theres a reason for that combination. These things can be manipulated, and they will be if theyre used. Get rid of them or this chapter will be repeated endlessly. Then again, it all plays out well for anyone but Trump. And perhaps a few GOPers who stood by him. You could say, Trump entered the swamp and drowned in it, it swallowed him whole. Which is not to say that hes such a perfect character, hell no, but he was the one and only chance to get rid of the power cabal that is DC. Which is a much bigger danger than he could ever be. Where career politicians like Pelosi, Schumer, McConnell and Joe Biden can reside for decades, and be handed ever more handsome amounts of money by the lobbyists who write their laws, which benefit the corporations they work for. Trump was the chance to do at least something about this. They ate him alive. Now the story is that Trump is/was the main danger, and that he was attempting a coup against his own government. To finish off the job, after being hunted down by the MSM for 4+ years, social media, for whom unceremoniously dumping Trump, after he was their main attraction for years -at least for clickbait-, was just a business decision dressed in some vague set of moral principles, are now simply deleting him. And people cheer that. They dont understand that from now on, as US president you serve at the behest, grace and kindness of the CIA, New York Times and WaPo, but even more that of @jack and Zuckerberg, and not that of the American people. As the noise about an attempted coup allows Team Biden to slip in Sally Yates, Susan Rice and Victoria Nuland and their whole gang of neocon warmongers. The entire media focus on Trump served to hide what those people were doing behind the scenes all along. And now its time to duck for cover. Theyre going to try and impeach him again, and then prosecute him, and erase everything hes done, cheered on by the same media who never told you what a coup actually is. Because they are a big club, and hes not in it, and neither are you. And if you think you can vent an opinion on social media in the future that doesnt coincide with that of the big club, perhaps you havent been paying attention. * * * We try to run the Automatic Earth on donations. Since ad revenue has collapsed, you are now not just a reader, but an integral part of the process that builds this site. Thank you for your support. Democrats have argued for more generous pandemic relief, more pressure on drugmakers to lower prices and more attention to systemic racism in health care. On Jan. 20, with control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, they'll have the power to choose which health care proposals get a vote in Congress. The victories of the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Georgia last week gave Democrats two more Senate seats and the upper hand in the Senate's now 50-50 split. After Vice President-elect Kamala Harris takes the oath of office, she will serve as the tiebreaker as needed in effect, Democrats' 51st vote. But that vote count is too small to eliminate the filibuster, meaning Democrats will not have enough votes to pass many of their plans without Republicans. That will likely doom many Democratic health care proposals, like offering Americans a government-sponsored public insurance option, and complicate efforts to pass further pandemic relief. It remains to be seen how willing lawmakers are to compromise with one another in the aftermath of a pro-Trump mob's breach of the Capitol on Wednesday. Thursday, Democrats demanded the president's removal for inciting rioters who disrupted the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory, assaulted Capitol Police officers and damaged federal property. One demonstrator and a police officer were killed, and three demonstrators died of medical emergencies. Democrats' slim margins in the Senate and the House where they can afford to lose only four votes and still pass legislation will also give individual lawmakers more leverage, handing those who disagree with party leaders an incentive to push their own priorities in exchange for their votes. There will be little room for intraparty disagreements, and Democrats made it clear during the presidential primaries that they disagree about how to achieve their health care goals. In less than two weeks, Democrats will lead the committees charged with marking up health care legislation and vetting Biden's health nominees. The change will hand control of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who brokered the 2013 agreement with then-House Speaker Paul Ryan that ended a long government shutdown, among other bipartisan deals. In 2019, Murray and the committee's Republican chairman, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, introduced a wide-ranging package to lower health costs for consumers. Among its proposals was an initiative to lower prescription drug prices by eliminating loopholes that allow brand-name drugmakers to block competition. In an interview before Democrats secured the Senate, Murray said her committee work will be focused on the problems that prevent all Americans from receiving equitable, affordable treatment in health care. Racial disparities, evidenced by disproportionate mortality rates among Black mothers and among communities of color suffering the worst impacts of the pandemic, will be a priority, she said. "Not everybody goes into the doctor and gets the same advice, feels the same comfort level and is believed," Murray said. Murray said she will press for senators to consider how any piece of legislation will affect communities of color. "It will be the question I ask about every step we take," she said. On Wednesday, she called out Republicans for standing in the way of fighting the pandemic "with policies that would directly help those struggling the most and would help us build back from this crisis stronger and fairer." "With a Biden-Harris Administration and a Senate Democratic majority, the challenges we face won't get any less tough but we've finally got the opportunity to face them head on and start taking action," Murray said in a statement. "I can't wait to start getting things done." The Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare, Medicaid and health-related tax policies, will be run by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). While the HELP committee will also hold a confirmation hearing for Biden's nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, it is the Finance Committee that will vote to advance his confirmation. Senate Republicans signaled they would delay considering Becerra's nomination before Biden officially announced his name last month. Calling him unqualified due to his lack of a health care background, they questioned his support for a single-payer health care system and opposed his efforts to preserve abortion rights. As California's attorney general, Becerra led efforts to fight lawsuits brought by Republican state officials against the Affordable Care Act. But Democrats' slim edge in the Senate is expected to be enough to drown out Republicans' objections to the nomination. Last month, praising Becerra's commitment to responding to the pandemic, protecting health care coverage and addressing racial disparities, Wyden said he looked forward to Becerra's hearing "so he can get on the job and start helping people during this unprecedented crisis." Also, after months of decrying the Trump administration's failures managing the pandemic, Democrats will control which relief bills get a vote. Last month's package did not include their demands for more funding for state and local governments, and House Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to increase stimulus checks to $2,000, from $600. Democrats have been united in their calls for more assistance, though they have disagreed at times about how to push for it. In the fall, with the election approaching and no deal in sight, moderate Democrats in tough races pushed for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to abandon negotiations for a $2.2 trillion relief package that Republicans called a nonstarter in favor of passing more modest but desperately needed relief. "Every member of the leadership team, Democrats and Republicans, have messed up. Everyone is accountable," Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) told Politico. "Get something done. Get something done!" He lost his bid for reelection. More progressive voices like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have been a force for more generous aid, particularly larger stimulus checks. Beyond the pandemic, top Democrats have mentioned drug pricing as another area ripe for action. But one of their most popular proposals, which would authorize the federal government to negotiate drug prices for those on Medicare, is unlikely to attract the Republican votes it would need. When House Democrats passed one such proposal in 2019, Senate Republicans vowed it would never pass. Members of Democrats' more progressive wing, for their part, argued the proposal may not go far enough. After years of Republican efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act, though, it looks likely that efforts to stabilize the law could gain more traction under a Democratic-controlled Congress. The House passed legislation last summer aimed at increasing coverage and affordability, including by capping insurance costs at no more than 8.5% of income and expanding subsidies. Lawmakers like Murray and Wyden have been quick to point out that the pandemic's devastating consequences lost jobs and lost insurance coverage, to name just a couple have only underscored the need to strengthen the health care system. Gov. Kay Ivey has directed flags to be flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for two U.S. Capitol Police officers who died after a mob stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. According to the Capitol Police, officer Brian D. Sicknick died due to injuries sustained while on duty. The death of Officer Howard Liebengood, who was on duty during the attack, was announced Sunday. Iveys proclamation calls for flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset Wednesday as a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, who died following the horrific events on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in our nations capital, and in honor of all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement across this nation. Ivey goes on to say that The state of Alabama joins our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of these officers lives and pray for their families to be comforted during their time of grieving as well as for peace and reconciliation to be restored in our great nation. The Associated Press has reported that law enforcement sources say Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher as supporters of President Donald Trump violently invaded the Capitol building after a Trump rally nearby. The cause of Liebengoods death has not been officially confirmed. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had called for Capitol flags to be lowered after Sicknicks death, and on Sunday Trump called for flags to be lowered at federal facilities. Ivey cited Trumps proclamation in hers and the two contain similar language. Trumps, however, makes no reference to the attack on the Capitol. The battery will serve the industrial precinct of Newcastle in the Australian state of New South Wales. It will not be directly linked to solar or wind generation but will be intended to charge and discharge directly from the grid in response to disturbances or market signals.From pv magazine Australia A joint venture between Australian companies Edify Energy and Precinct Capital has lodged a development application with Newcastle City Council to build a utility scale battery on 0.6 hectares of land within the Steel River Estate industrial area, on the South Channel bank of the Hunter River, in ... 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. WASHINGTON William Burns, a well-known figure in diplomatic circles around the world, is President-elect Joe Bidens choice to lead the CIA, a selection likely to be embraced by the rank and file at the nations premier spy agency. A former ambassador to Russia and Jordan, Burns, 64, had a 33-year career at the State Department under both Republican and Democratic presidents. He rose through the ranks of the diplomatic corps to become deputy secretary of state before retiring in 2014 to run the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace. If confirmed, he would succeed Gina Haspel, the first female CIA director, who guided the agency under President Donald Trump. Trump expressed skepticism about intelligence and frequently disparaged the assessments of U.S. spy agencies, especially about Russias interference in the 2016 election to help his campaign. Trump also fired several career intelligence professionals in favor of loyalists, including some with little to no experience in the field. Burns has never been an American intelligence officer, but he has worked with many abroad. I developed enormous respect for my colleagues in the CIA, Burns said in an online video statement Monday with Biden. I served with them in hard places around the world. I saw firsthand the courage and professionalism that they displayed and the sacrifices that their families made. Burns called intelligence the first line of defense for the country and the basis for making sound policy decisions. He also said he would deliver the intelligence to Biden and policymakers without a hint of partisanship. Burns is perhaps an unconventional choice for the CIA job that many thought would go to a career intelligence officer. However, he is also deeply experienced in the kind of cloak-and-dagger secret contacts that is a hallmark of the agency and won plaudits for his analysis and reporting abilities while he served as an American diplomat overseas. Burns was the author of some of the most insightful State Department cables that were published by Wikileaks in 2010 and is widely respected throughout the national security community. Michael Morell, a career intelligence officer and former acting director of the CIA whose name was floated to hold the top position under Biden, praised the pick, an indication that Burns likely will be embraced by the spy agencys rank and file. Ive known Bill Burns for decades. ... His command of the issues, his deep respect for intelligence, and his care for people will ensure it, Morell tweeted. READ MORE: National Guard backup was denied by House and Senate security officials, Capitol Police chief says Norman Roule, a 34-year veteran of the CIA and an expert on Iran in the intelligence community, concurred: Bill Burns is deeply respected for his integrity, honesty, & commitment to the workforce, Roule tweeted. He will arrive w great respect for the IC & its work. Amid tumult in the State Department after Trump took office in 2017, Burns held his tongue until last year when he began writing highly critical pieces of the Trump administrations policies in Foreign Affairs and other publications. Burns has been a staunch advocate of rebuilding and restructuring the foreign service, positions Biden has aligned himself with. Biden said in a statement Monday that Burns shares his profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical. Ambassador Burns will bring the knowledge, judgment and perspective we need to prevent and confront threats before they can reach our shores, Biden said. The American people will sleep soundly with him as our next CIA director. Burns was said to have been a candidate to be Bidens secretary of state. Biden chose Anthony Blinken instead. He joined the foreign service in 1982 and before being named ambassador to Russia in 2005, served as a top aide to former Secretaries of State William Christopher and Madeleine Albright as well as director of the State Departments policy planning office. He has received three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honors from the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community. He has doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. In his 2019 book The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal, Burns called for a revamp of American diplomacy, while recalling his days in the field, including helping to spearhead the early stages of the Obama administrations outreach to Iran in 2013. The CIA post is not expected to be a Cabinet-level post under Biden. The CIA stopped being a Cabinet-level position during the George W. Bush administration. Thats because in 2005, after 9/11, the Office of the National Intelligence Director was created to oversee and improve cooperation among all the agencies within the U.S. intelligence community. The director of national intelligence, not the CIA director, was in the Cabinet. Trump elevated the CIA director post back up to a Cabinet-level position, and both Haspel and National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe sit in his Cabinet. Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report. gettyimagesbank ADVERTISEMENT Social media giant, Facebook, said it has closed several accounts linked to Ugandas Ministry of Information and Communications Technology ahead of the countrys presidential election on Thursday. In a statement on Monday, the company said it took the action because the affected accounts were being used for coordinated inauthentic behaviour. This month, we removed a network of accounts and pages in Uganda that engaged in coordinated inauthentic behaviour to target public debate ahead of the election. We found this network to be linked to the Government Citizens Interaction Centre at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in Uganda People have used fake and duplicate accounts to manage pages, comment on other peoples content, impersonate users and re-share posts in groups to make them appear more popular than they were. Given the impending election in Uganda, we moved quickly to investigate and take down this network, Facebook said. Ugandas long-time President Yoweri Museveni is seeking re-election in a charged political environment. ALSO READ: Ugandan military probing shooting that led to five deaths He faces 10 challengers, including music star, Robert Kyagulanyi, best known by his stage name, Bobi Wine, seen as a real threat to him. Facebooks action comes amid reports of violence and misinformation by political actors especially on social media in the run-up to the elections. (NAN) 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. Galaxies begin to "die" when they stop forming stars, but until now astronomers had never clearly glimpsed the start of this process in a far-away galaxy. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), in which the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is a partner, astronomers have seen a galaxy ejecting nearly half of its star-forming gas. This ejection is happening at a startling rate, equivalent to 10 000 Suns-worth of gas a year -- the galaxy is rapidly losing its fuel to make new stars. The team believes that this spectacular event was triggered by a collision with another galaxy, which could lead astronomers to rethink how galaxies stop bringing new stars to life. "This is the first time we have observed a typical massive star-forming galaxy in the distant Universe about to 'die' because of a massive cold gas ejection," says Annagrazia Puglisi, lead researcher on the new study, from the Durham University, UK, and the Saclay Nuclear Research Centre (CEA-Saclay), France. The galaxy, ID2299, is distant enough that its light takes some 9 billion years to reach us; we see it when the Universe was just 4.5 billion years old. The gas ejection is happening at a rate equivalent to 10 000 Suns per year, and is removing an astonishing 46% of the total cold gas from ID2299. Because the galaxy is also forming stars very rapidly, hundreds of times faster than our Milky Way, the remaining gas will be quickly consumed, shutting down ID2299 in just a few tens of million years. The event responsible for the spectacular gas loss, the team believes, is a collision between two galaxies, which eventually merged to form ID2299. The elusive clue that pointed the scientists towards this scenario was the association of the ejected gas with a "tidal tail". Tidal tails are elongated streams of stars and gas extending into interstellar space that result when two galaxies merge, and they are usually too faint to see in distant galaxies. However, the team managed to observe the relatively bright feature just as it was launching into space, and were able to identify it as a tidal tail. Most astronomers believe that winds caused by star formation and the activity of black holes at the centres of massive galaxies are responsible for launching star-forming material into space, thus ending galaxies' ability to make new stars. However, the new study published today in Nature Astronomy suggests that galactic mergers can also be responsible for ejecting star-forming fuel into space. "Our study suggests that gas ejections can be produced by mergers and that winds and tidal tails can appear very similar," says study co-author Emanuele Daddi of CEA-Saclay. Because of this, some of the teams that previously identified winds from distant galaxies could in fact have been observing tidal tails ejecting gas from them. "This might lead us to revise our understanding of how galaxies 'die'," Daddi adds. Puglisi agrees about the significance of the team's finding, saying: "I was thrilled to discover such an exceptional galaxy! I was eager to learn more about this weird object because I was convinced that there was some important lesson to be learned about how distant galaxies evolve." This surprising discovery was made by chance, while the team were inspecting a survey of galaxies made with ALMA (https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ teles-instr/ alma/ ) , designed to study the properties of cold gas in more than 100 far-away galaxies. ID2299 had been observed by ALMA for only a few minutes, but the powerful observatory, located in northern Chile, allowed the team to collect enough data to detect the galaxy and its ejection tail. "ALMA has shed new light on the mechanisms that can halt the formation of stars in distant galaxies. Witnessing such a massive disruption event adds an important piece to the complex puzzle of galaxy evolution," says Chiara Circosta, a researcher at the University College London, UK, who also contributed to the research. In the future, the team could use ALMA to make higher-resolution and deeper observations of this galaxy, enabling them to better understand the dynamics of the ejected gas. Observations with the future ESO's Extremely Large Telescope could allow the team to explore the connections between the stars and gas in ID2299, shedding new light on how galaxies evolve. ### More information This research was presented in the paper "A titanic interstellar medium ejection from a massive starburst galaxy at z=1.4" to appear in Nature Astronomy (doi: 10.1038/s41550-020-01268-x). The team is composed of A. Puglisi (Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University, UK and CEA, IRFU, DAp, AIM, Universite Paris-Saclay, Universite Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, CNRS, France [CEA]), E. Daddi (CEA), M. Brusa (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Universita di Bologna, Italy and INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna, Italy), F. Bournaud (CEA), J. Fensch (Univ. Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ. Lyon 1, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon, France), D. Liu (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Germany), I. Delvecchio (CEA), A. Calabro (INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma, Italy), C. Circosta (Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, UK), F. Valentino (Cosmic Dawn Center at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen and DTU-Space, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark), M. Perna (Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB, CSIC-INTA), Departamento de Astrofisica, Spain and INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Italy), S. Jin (Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias and Universidad de La Laguna, Dpto. Astrofisica, Spain), A. Enia (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Universita di Padova, Italy [Padova]), C. Mancini (Padova) and G. Rodighiero (Padova and INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy). ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of ESO, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its Member States, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). ALMA construction and operations are led by ESO on behalf of its Member States; by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), on behalf of North America; and by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) on behalf of East Asia. The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides the unified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA. Links Contacts Annagrazia Puglisi Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University Durham, United Kingdom Email: annagrazia.puglisi@durham.ac.uk Emanuele Daddi Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA) Saclay, France Email: edaddi@cea.fr Chiara Circosta Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London London, UK Email: c.circosta@ucl.ac.uk Barbara Ferreira ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6670 Cell: +49 151 241 664 00 Email: pio@eso.org BBC Bitesize was first launched in April 2020 in response to the first UK Covid lockdown offering programming designed to ensure that every child in the UK had the opportunity to continue to follow the appropriate core parts of their school curriculum. The programme acted as a standalone resource or complementing what schools are providing remotely, aimed at minimising disruption to childrens education and providing rhythm and routines. To respond to the latest crisis, the BBC is bringing together BBC Two, CBBC, BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and online to deliver a new education offer to children, teachers and parents. Most importantly, the new offer is designed to ensure all children can access curriculum-based learning even if they dont have access to the internet, a key issue in the UK where high speed broadband availability and high quality mobile coverage are nowhere near guaranteed across the country.And in a first of its kind agreement to support such accessibility, from the end of the month customers of EE, BT Mobile and Plusnet Mobile accessing BBC Bitesize for kids educational purposes, can watch, read and interact with as much immersive content as they need, even if they have run out of data.To make the process as easy as possible for families, no registration will be required with zero rated access to educational Bitesize content through the BBC website and Bitesize app made automatically.The zero rating of popular educational websites forms part of BTs Lockdown Learning support scheme. Run as part of BTs partnership with the UKs Department for Education (DfE), the scheme will see unlimited mobile data for EE and BT Mobile customers without a fixed connection in partnership with DfE and free Wi-Fi vouchers for schools and charities to distribute to those who need it most, so that disadvantaged kids and those without a network connection can access home learning resources. The offer will run for the rest of the academic year July 2021.Commenting on the BBC Bitesize offer, Marc Allera, CEO BT Groups consumer division, said: We want to ensure that no child is left behind in their education as a result of this pandemic, and recognise that we all have a role we can play to help families and carers continue their childrens education while schools are closed.Thats whywere proud to partner with the BBC and be the first network to zero rate BBC Bitesize and allow all of our mobile customers to access its incredible content without using up any data.Tim Davie, BBC Director General, added: With the pandemic forcing schools to close again we should not allow a lack of digital access to further impact childrens education. This is why Im delighted we have agreed this partnership with BT to remove data charges when accessing the BBCs brilliant Bitesize content. The BBC will continue to do all we can to ensure every child, whatever their circumstances, can continue to access vital educational materials during this time. The firm started a process of updating the definitions of around 12,000 nouns referring to peoples occupations in the autumn of last year. (stock image) Germanys top dictionary publisher has provoked a storm by ending the use of masculine gender nouns to stand in for an entire profession. Duden, which has been publishing dictionaries since the 19th century, will, for example, no longer use the term Arzt to mean doctor and instead include two entries in its online edition one for a male doctor (der Arzt) and another for a female (die Arztin). The firm started a process of updating the definitions of around 12,000 nouns referring to peoples occupations in the autumn of last year. Dudens shift is a step in the right direction to equality in Germanys boardrooms and parliament, wrote journalist Martin Zeyn. However, many linguists said the definitions do not match how language is used in Germany and therefore run against the dictionarys role of transcribing, rather than editing, language. The generic masculine is a simple fact of the German language. In that regard I find the new definitions quite problematic, said Ewa Trutkowski of the Free University of Bozen. The Duden editorial played down the significance of the shift, claiming the male forms were never gender neutral, and we are simply continuing the work of providing more precise meanings for words. The debate follows controversy over a law drafted by the Social Democrat-run justice ministry in October that deployed female word endings to refer to all German citizens. The interior ministry rejected the bill as unconstitutional. ( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... NEW YORK A woman who wrongly accused a Black teenager of stealing her cellphone and tackled him at a New York City hotel appeared to back off her apology in a TV interview that aired Monday, suggesting without evidence that maybe he did try to steal her phone after all. So, maybe it wasnt him but at the same time how is it so that as soon as I get asked to leave the premises after I had accused this person of stealing my phone, how is that all of a sudden they just miraculously have my phone at the back? 22-year-old Miya Ponsetto said in the interview on CBS This Morning. The interview was conducted Thursday, hours before Ponsetto was arrested in Ventura County, California, over the Dec. 26 confrontation with 14-year-old Keyon Harrold Jr. Ponsetto was charged Saturday in New York with attempted robbery, grand larceny, acting in a manner injurious to a child and two counts of attempted assault, according to city police. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Security video released by the police shows Ponsetto frantically grabbing at Harrold as he tries to get away from her through the front door of Manhattans Arlo Hotel. The teens father, jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold, has said that Ponsettos phone had actually been left in an Uber and was returned by the driver. In the first part of the CBS interview, broadcast Friday, Ponsetto told host Gayle King, I dont feel that that is who I am as a person. I dont feel like this one mistake does define me. She was frequently combative in the clips that aired Monday, interrupting King and her own attorney, Sharen H. Ghatan. Ponsetto said she was sorry from the bottom of my heart but added, Hes 14? Thats what theyre claiming? Yeah, Im 22, Ive lived probably just the same amount of life, like honestly. Im just as a kid at heart as he is. When King asked her to go over the events at the hotel, Ponsetto said, You already asked me that at the beginning of the interview. Im not going over it again. I would like to have a real interview with real questions and real heart and real sincere apologies. Let 2021 be the moment of healing, seriously. Ponsettos arrest followed more than a week of media coverage of the hotel lobby encounter and demands by the teens family and activists that she face criminal charges over what was seen as an instance of racial profiling. In the CBS interview, Ponsetto denied profiling the teenager and said her heritage is partly Puerto Rican. When King asked her if she believed a person of color could not be racist, she said, Exactly. I feel sorry that I made the family go through all that stress but at the same time it wasnt just them going through that, she said in a CBS This Morning interview that aired Friday. But I do sincerely from the bottom of my heart apologize that if I made the son feel as if I assaulted him or if I hurt his feelings or the fathers feelings. At a news conference on Monday in New York City, the teens family called for a boycott of the hotel, claiming it had racially profiled him in its response. This is the reality of Black mothers in America, said his mother, Kat Rodriguez. Every day we must face the reality that a simple case of mistaken identity or a misunderstanding can end in tragedy. Management of the Arlo Hotel previously posted on Facebook that they had reached out to apologize to the family. ___ This story has been updated to correct the defendants racial background. Miya Ponsetto has both Puerto Rican and Vietnamese ancestry and considers herself a person of color, not a white person, according to her lawyer. KATHMANDU: Days ahead of the crucial bilateral talks between India-Nepal Foreign Ministers that is likely to focus on seeking a long-term solution of the boundary dispute, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stated that the country is working to deepen ties with its neighbourhood India. "We are working to deepen ties with India based on sovereign equality. In fact, we want to deepen the relationship with India in true sense and we should not hesitate to raise our issues of genuine concerns with India," said PM Oli. The Prime Minister stated that issue related to Nepal`s new map will be on the agenda for discussion during Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali's visit to India this month. "Our foreign minister will visit India on January 14 during which his discussion will be centred on the issue of the map that we have published with the inclusion of the three territories," he added. The Prime Minister also said that recent high-level visits from India and China were goodwill ones. "They came here to convey their good wishes. There is nothing to worry much about that," he was quoted as saying by My Republica newspaper. Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is scheduled to visit New Delhi on January 14 at the invitation of his counterpart S Jaishankar to participate in the sixth Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting at the Foreign Minister level. The bilateral exchanges that had stalled due to the bitter boundary dispute were reset in the later part of 2020 with a series of high-level visits, as New Delhi emphasised that it sees itself as the Himalayan nation's "foremost friend" and development partner. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's maiden visit to Nepal in November was largely aimed at resetting bilateral ties. Shringla met Prime Minister Oli and other top political brass and emphasised that India and Nepal are on the same page and share the same vision. Shringla's trip followed earlier ones by Indian Army chief Gen. MM Naravane, and a whirlwind tour by Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Samant Kumar Goel to Kathmandu in a bid to mend ties. Senior BJP leader and the party's head of the foreign affairs department Vijay Chauthaiwale also visited Nepal in early December. Live TV The Defence Ministry is conducting an online quiz competition from January 11 to January 22 on the 1971 India-Pakistan war as a part of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, said an official statement on Monday. India is celebrating 50 years of the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. "The quiz competition is meant to create a patriotic feeling among the people by making them aware of various facets of the victory achieved and sacrifices made in the 1971 war," the Defence Ministry's statement noted. The first, second and third prize at this competition would be 25,000, 15,000 and 10,000, respectively, it mentioned. Indian citizens who are above 14 years of age can participate in this quiz, it said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Bahrain's Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) President Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza received a delegation from CleanMax, a leading solar energy company in India. Dr Mirza briefed the delegation, headed by the companys CEO Anil Thomas, on the national plans for renewable energy and energy efficiency and the most prominent existing and future projects in both fields, said a Bahrain News Agency report. He discussed the successful launch of the initiative to install solar energy systems distributed on the roofs of government buildings, adding that it has been implemented on 535 buildings using the "Boom" system, without any investment costs for the beneficiaries of the clean energy produced. SEA President explained that this initiative is one of those included in the national renewable energy plan, which has a great contribution to encourage investment in renewable energy in Bahrain, to overcome the limited space, and it is also an important factor in achieving the national goal to increase the share of renewable energy resources to 5% by 2025 and to 10% by 2035. He noted that the total energy expected to be produced through this initiative is estimated at 50 megawatts, thus constituting 20% of the national renewable energy target to be achieved for the year 2025. Dr. Mirza said that the SEA has met a wide response and demand from various governmental and non-governmental agencies to offer their roofs and proper spaces to install solar energy systems on them and benefit in saving in electricity costs and reduce the carbon footprint. The companys delegation highlighted their achievements in the field of solar energy and high-efficiency technology. They expressed their aspiration to support SEAs efforts to achieve the desired goals of the national renewable energy plan. CleanMax pioneered the Energy Sale model in rooftop solar in 2012 in India. CleanMax has successfully installed 500+ projects for 150+ corporates, with a total rooftop solar operating capacity of 220+ MW. CleanMax also operates 380+ MW of large-scale solar farms in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, for supply to its corporate customers. She stars as Erin Croft in the Sky comedy-drama, Brassic. And Michelle Keegan was seen shooting wedding reception scenes for Brassic's third series on Wednesday at Lower Kersal Club in Salford, which is used as the series' Rat & Cutter Gentlemens club. The former Coronation Street star, 33, looked sensational in an emerald velvet jumpsuit as she filmed scenes for Cardi (Tom Hanson) and Carol's (Bronagh Gallagher) wedding. Work: Michelle Keegan shot scenes for Brassic's third series on Wednesday at Lower Kersal Club in Salford, which is used as the series' Rat & Cutter Gentlemens club She made sure to stand out from the crowd in the glamorous ensemble as she was joined by characters including JJ (Parth Thakerar) and Tommo (Ryan Sampson). Michelle gave herself a few extra inches with a stunning pair of black heels, and accessorised her attire with gold hoop earrings and an array of necklaces. She wore her brunette tresses loose across her shoulders in glamorous waves and opted for a high-glamour make-up palette with a slick of rouge lipstick. In between takes, Michelle could be seen bundling up from the freezing temperatures in a cosy white puffer jacket while clutching a fluffy pink hot water bottle. Filming: She made sure to stand out from the crowd in the glamorous ensemble as she was joined by characters including JJ (Parth Thakerar) and Tommo (Ryan Sampson) Celebration: The former Coronation Street star, 33, donned an emerald velvet jumpsuit as she filmed scenes for Cardi (Tom Hanson) and Carol's (Bronagh Gallagher) wedding She made sure to keep herself protected amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic by sporting a black face mask while the cameras were not rolling. The actress was joined by her co-star Bronagh Gallagher, who was starring as the blushing bride in the show, and Tom Hanson, who played the new husband. After arriving in the wedding car, Bronagh, 48, stepped out in a stylish brown and teal striped faux fur jacket. She bravely kept her toned pegs on full show in the chilly weather, donning a figure-hugging nude bodycon dress underneath her statement coat. The Irish actress completed her party outfit with a pair of short white boots and styled her brunette locks in a glamorous up-do, fixed with a glittering silver tiara. Freezing: In between takes, Michelle could be seen bundling up from the icy temperatures in a cosy white puffer jacket while clutching a fluffy pink hot water bottle Covid: She made sure to keep herself protected amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic by sporting a black face mask while the cameras were not rolling She opted for a smokey-eyed make-up look as she stepped into the club for her character's reception, still clutching her wedding bouquet of white flowers. While Tom, who plays her character's new husband, cut a dapper figure in a sky blue suit, paired with a vibrant teal tie. He casually paired his stylish suit with a pair of bright green socks and an understated pair of white trainers. Ryan Sampson, who plays Tommo, also brought his A-game to shoot the wedding scenes, donning a stylish open-neck mustard shirt and grey trousers. The After You've Gone star, 35, paired his quirky outfit with black loafers and a black leather jacket, slicking his dark crew cut away from his face with a slick of hair gel. Just married: The actress was joined by her co-star Bronagh Gallagher, who was starring as the blushing bride in the show, and Tom Hanson, who played the new husband Bride: After arriving in the wedding car, Bronagh, 48, stepped out in a stylish brown and teal striped faux fur jacket He could be seen laughing with Michelle and Parth Thakerar, who stars as JJ, outside the club, which was decorated with an arch of pink and white flowers and balloons. Parth was all smiles as he sported navy trousers and a maroon jacket, which he teamed a pair of weather-appropriate brown boots. Joe Gilgun, who is best-known for playing Rudy in Misfits and stars as Vinnie O'Neill in Brassic, cut a casual figure as he arrived at the wedding. The Emmerdale star, 36, donned a cream jumper with coordinated tracksuit joggers, which he paired with a white cap and white Nike Air Force trainers. He accessorised his comfortable attire with an array of glitzy gold jewellery, including dangling earrings and a statement square ring. Loved-up: Bronagh was seen arriving in a vintage blue wedding car alongside with her co-star Tom Hanson, who played her new husband (Cardi) Guests: Joe Gilgun, who is best-known for playing Rudy in Misfits and stars as Vinnie O'Neill in Brassic, cut a casual figure as he arrived at the wedding Sparkling: Bronagh completed her party outfit with a pair of short white boots and styled her brunette locks in a glamorous up-do, fixed with a glittering silver tiara The actors were also joined by co-star Joanna Higson, who plays Sugar in the show, and an array of other stars. During the scenes, armed police officers could be seen bursting inside the club as the actors filmed inside the venue, but the wedding appeared to go ahead. Hilarious scenes saw the groom dancing in front of guests' cars as they arrived at his wedding reception, while another actor jumped out of a roofless red car. The group were also seen laughing as Bronagh was lifted off her feet by the groom as they got ready to head inside the club for the reception. The crew were joined by an array of crew members, who had put safety first as they donned black face masks to adhere with the current Covid-19 safety measures. Fun times: Hilarious scenes saw the groom dancing in front of guests' cars as they arrived at his wedding reception, while another actor jumped out of a roofless red car Safety: Both the cast and crew members sure to put safety first between takes as they donned black face masks to adhere with the current Covid-19 safety measures Filming for Brassic had appeared to resume last week following a break over the Christmas period. Last year, Michelle was forced to pause Brassic filming when she was exposed to Covid and had to self-isolate for two weeks. While she had come into contact with the virus, she had not contracted it. A source told MailOnline at the time: 'Michelle had to take time away from the Brassic set once again and has been laying low in Essex with her husband Mark Wright. 'She only missed one day of filming. But she needed to isolate after she came into contact with someone in Manchester who had it. Laughing: The group were all seen giggling as Bronagh was lifted off her feet by the groom as they got ready to head inside the club for the reception They're back: Filming for Brassic had appeared to have first resumed last week following a break over the Christmas period Venue: The new scenes for the upcoming third series of Brassic were filmed at Lower Kersal Club in Salford, which is used as the series' Rat & Cutter Gentlemens club 'Luckily it all happened very quickly and Michelle did not return to the Brassic set before isolating. So it didn't affect filming too much. 'She has spent last two weeks in total isolation. She will go back to filming at the end of this week.' MailOnline understands that Brassic worked around this and continued to films scenes Michelle doesn't feature in. Last week, Michelle hilariously revealed that she had stopped Dry January after just eight days. The annual campaign sees people temporarily give up drinking for the whole of January to restore themselves after the overindulgence of the festive season. Tensions: During the scenes, armed police officers could be seen bursting inside the club as the actors filmed inside the venue, but the wedding appeared to go ahead Crew: The crew were joined by an array of crew members, who had put safety first as they donned black face masks to adhere with the current Covid-19 safety measures Drama: During tense scenes, police officers were seen bursting into the club while the actors filmed the wedding reception within the venue She took to her Instagram Stories to share a hilarious Friends meme of Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, pouring herself a large glass of wine on the show. Showing off her fun side, Michelle captioned it with: 'Me... 8 days into "Dry January".' It came after she took to Instagram Stories on New Year's Eve to spread positivity following the end of 'the hardest year for most' as she looked back on her memories. In one photo from a holiday with husband Mark, 33, taken in July, Michelle said she was 'thankful' while posting another snap alongside her dad and brother from a different family break. Whoops! Last week, Michelle hilariously revealed that she had stopped Dry January after just eight days (pictured in December) Michelle begun by saying: 'Time to reflect on 2020 While it's probably been the hardest year for most, I wanted to end it on a positive note and highlight my favourite memories of 2020' Alongside a snap of Michelle with brother Andrew and dad Michael, she said: 'Safe to say we had an amazing time I'm thankful for these memories.' Michelle concluded: 'See you 2020, although you've been horrendous, you've also taught me a huge life lesson. 'It's the little things that matter in this world. 'Happy New Year everyone. Here's to 2021, lets make it count.' Three stores, two restaurants, a school district, a fire department and a family fun center are the latest workplaces to be cited by the state of Michigan for failing to take COVID-19 safety precautions. So far, 57 workplaces have been cited by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration for unsafe work conditions relating to the coronavirus. The latest batch of eight citations was announced on Friday, Jan. 8. MIOSHA is one of a few state agencies punishing businesses and organizations for a lack of COVID-19 protocols. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued 20 fines and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission has suspended 32 liquor licenses for pandemic-related purposes. Employers and employees with questions about COVID-19 workplace policies can call the MIOSHA hotline at 855-723-3219. To file a complaint against a workplace, go to Michigan.gov/MIOSHAcomplaint. For the latest eight citations, seven of the inspections that led to the citations were triggered by an employee complaint. Heres the list of the latest organizations fined by MIOSHA. Click the name to view the full citation document. Memphis Fire Department Location: Memphis Fine: $2,100 Reasons: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan that helps guide protective actions against COVID-19; not providing COVID-19 training to employees; not conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks of employees before they entered the facility; and not ensuring that employees wore a cloth face covering At Home Stores Location: Roseville Fine: $7,000 Reasons: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan that can guide protective actions against COVID-19 and not conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks of employees before they entered the facility Autozone Location: Davison Fine: $4,000 Reasons: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan, not requiring employees to wear cloth face coverings and not requiring employees to social distance Daners Diner Location: Lapeer Fine: $1,900 Reasons: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan; not providing employee training on COVID-19; not increasing facility cleaning and disinfection to limit SARS-CoV-2 exposure; not establishing procedures for disinfecting the worksite if it is suspected or confirmed that an employee, visitor, or customer has a known case of COVID-19; not conducting a daily self-screening protocol for employees; not designating a COVID-19 safety coordinator onsite; not posting signs advising employees to stay at home when they are sick; not posting signs advising employees of proper cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene; not keeping everyone on the worksite premises at least 6 feet from one another through the use of ground markings, signs, and physical barriers; not providing non-medical grade face coverings to employees working onsite; and not requiring the use of face coverings for employees that work less than six feet from other individuals onsite Kokomos Family Fun Center Location: Saginaw Fine: $2,000 Reasons: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan, not requiring employees to wear cloth face coverings, not requiring employees to social distance, and not posting signs for non-English speakers that include advising employees to stay at home when sick and of proper cough and sneeze etiquette Painters Supply and Equipment Co. Location: Canton Fine: $3,500 Reasons: Not requiring employees to wear cloth face coverings and not requiring employees to social distance South Lake Public Schools Location: St. Clair Shores Fine: $9,800 Reasons: Not developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan that can guide protective actions against COVID-19; not providing COVID-19 training to employees; not conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks of employees before they entered the facility; and not having a written hazard communication program developed, implemented and maintained Twin Peaks Location: Livonia Fine: $0 Reasons: A violation of the COVID-19 workplace safety under the emergency rules requirement regarding a written preparedness and response plan, however the violation was corrected during the inspection MIOSHA can fine businesses up to $7,000 per citation. Employers have 15 working days to contest the penalties. Workplaces can enter into a deal with MIOSHA and agree to fix the issues in a set time period and get a 50% reduction in penalties, but they must agree not to appeal. Heres the full list of organizations cited by MIOSHA for workplace safety violations so far. RELATED STORIES Restaurants defying Michigan dine-in ban hit with fines from multiple state agencies Thanks to COVID-19, Michigan had more work safety complaints in 2020 than last 4 years combined Pizza place, gas station, dentist among Michigan businesses fined for COVID-19 violations New variant of COVID-19 very likely in Michigan, but no confirmed cases yet A 33-year-old Arizona man who was caught on camera shirtless while wearing a fur-lined headdress with horns and face paint during last week's siege at the U.S. Capitol served in the Navy for two years. Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley, who also goes by Jake Angeli, was arrested Saturday and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, the Department of Justice announced. He was also charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. "This individual carried a spear, approximately 6 feet in length, with an American flag tied just below the blade," according to a statement from the DOJ. Read Next: Army Investigates Fort Bragg Soldier for Attending Rally That Ended in US Capitol Breach Chansley served in the Navy as a supply clerk seaman apprentice, according to his personnel records. He joined the service in September 2005 and left in October 2007, after earning the rank of E-2 about two months prior. He trained in Illinois and Mississippi before being assigned to the now-decommissioned supercarrier Kitty Hawk in 2006. His last duty station was with the Transient Personnel Unit in Puget Sound, Washington. Chansley, who calls himself the "QAnon Shaman," has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, The Associated Press reported Monday. He was photographed by the AP wearing the same headpiece at a Nov. 7 rally in Phoenix, where supporters of President Donald Trump were protesting the election results. "In that photo, Chansley ... held a sign that read, 'HOLD THE LINE PATRIOTS GOD WINS,'" according to the wire service. "... The FBI identified Chansley by his distinctive tattoos, which include bricks circling his biceps in an apparent reference to Trump's border wall." Chansley's mom said her son hasn't eaten since Friday because the detention facility he's in won't feed him organic food, ABC15 in Phoenix reported. The Navy vet is one of thousands of Trump supporters who surrounded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 while Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress were affirming President-elect Joe Biden's electoral win inside. Some moved barriers and pushed past members of the Capitol police, breaking windows to get into the building. Pence and some lawmakers were ushered to safety, while other members of Congress, staffers and journalists sheltered in place. Video footage show members of the mob breaking into offices, posing for photos and turning over furniture. Chansley is one of at least two military veterans facing charges in connection to last week's storming of the Capitol. Retired Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr., who was photographed carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing military patches on a flak jacket during the siege, was arrested Sunday in Texas. Brock was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, according to the Justice Department. The Army is also investigating a psychological operations captain for her involvement in the rally that led to the violent breach of the Capitol. Military officials have pledged to investigate any active-duty troops believed to be involved in the incident. Two other veterans, Brian Sicknick and Ashli Babbitt, died in connection with last week's events. Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who served six years with the New Jersey Air National Guard, died Thursday after engaging with protesters the day before. Babbitt, a former airman and protester, was shot and killed by police in the Capitol. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: After Capitol Siege, Navy's Top Officer Tells Commanders to Stay Focused on the Mission The much-awaited cabinet expansion in Karnataka is likely to take place on January 13, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Sunday after he met top BJP leaders including its chief J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. "We have finalized seven names. January 14 is the festival. Most probably the oath-taking ceremony will take place on January 13 afternoon. I will confirm the names and portfolios later," the chief minister told reporters after arriving in Bengaluru from Delhi. Earlier speaking to reporters in New Delhi after meeting Nadda and Shah, Yediyurappa said that he would give good news soon. "On cabinet expansion, there was a detailed discussion. You will get good news soon," the chief minister told reporters after an hour-long meeting held at Shah's residence in Delhi during which state party in-charge Arun Singh was also present. He, however, evaded queries on whether he would be able to complete his tenure, as there has been speculation about a possible leadership change in the state following murmurs of discontent in the party. Sources said the cabinet rejig is most likely to take place before January 20. The chief minister said this was the "last meeting" to discuss the cabinet expansion and the final names will be cleared as early as possible. The state can have a total of 34 ministers and has 27 now. There was a "positive, fruitful and satisfactory discussion. I am happy with the discussionwe will wait for their instructions," he said, adding the central leadership has assured its support. The cabinet expansion in the state has been on the cards for over a year now, and the delay has led to some unease in the state unit. The chief minister said he suggested some names and expressed confidence that the central BJP leadership will respond positively. "101 percent this is the last meeting. They are going to clear the names as soon as possible," he said replying to a query. Asked if he is confident about completing his tenure as chief minister, Yediyurappa replied, "It is a question which only you can answer." Amid reports of simmering discontentment among a section of legislators on the functioning of the government and certain ministers, the chief minister recently held region wise meetings with party MLAs for two days. All 118 BJP MLAs have expressed faith in Chief Minister Yediyurappa's leadership, state ministers had said on Tuesday while asserting that the government was stable. However, it was not clear if the leadership issue was discussed during Yediyurappa's meetings with senior BJP leaders on Sunday. Apart from the cabinet rejig, the chief minister said there were discussions also on the upcoming by-polls in the state for one parliamentary and two Assembly seats. "They asked me to send the names of the candidates at the earliest for clearance," he said, adding the leadership also told him to ensure the party's victory on all three seats. The senior party leaders also expressed happiness over recent gram panchayat results, Yediyurappa added. Yediyurappa's son and state BJP Vice President B Y Vijayendra also stressed that the discussions on cabinet expansion were complete. "The chief minister has said clearly that there won't befurther talks on cabinet rejig. All issues have been discussed in detail," he said. Vijayendra accompanied the chief minister to Delhi but was not present during the meetings with BJP leaders. The cabinet rejig is expected to be a tightrope walk for the chief minister, considering that there are too many aspirants, from the party's old guard to Congress and JD(S) rebels who are now BJP legislators. Among those in the ministerial race in the state are MLAs Umesh Katti, Munirathna, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, M P Renukacharya, Aravind Limbavali, and SR Vishwanath. Three MLCs, C P Yogeshwar, MTB Nagaraj, and R Shankar are too aspiring for a ministerial berth. Another MLC, AH Vishwanath, was also in the race but his hopes were dashed when the Karnataka High Court on November 30 barred him from becoming a minister until at least May this year. Bypolls are scheduled for Maski and Basavakalyan assembly seats and Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency. While Maski fell vacant due to the resignation of Congress MLA Pratap Gouda Patil in 2019, the bypoll to Basavakalyan and Belagavi seats were necessitated following the death of their representatives B Narayan Rao and Suresh Angadi, respectively, due to the coronavirus. . 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. Biden taps diplomat Burns to lead CIA William Burns previously served as US ambassador to Russia. File photo: Reuters US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced William Burns as his pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, tapping a retired veteran diplomat who helped lead secret talks with Iran. Burns, along with Biden's nominee for director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, will be tasked with rebuilding the US spy community's reputation after it was heavily politicised under outgoing President Donald Trump. Currently president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a leading Washington foreign policy think-tank, Burns will be the first career diplomat to lead the CIA. Presidents have generally turned to intelligence or military veterans or politicians to lead the largest, best-funded component of the sprawling US intelligence community. But Burns has deep experience in security and intelligence matters after spending over three decades in the US foreign service, including a stint as ambassador to Russia from 2005-2008. "Bill Burns is an exemplary diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage keeping our people and our country safe and secure," Biden said in a statement. Burns will replace Gina Haspel, an agency veteran who became the first female CIA director after Trump moved Mike Pompeo to be secretary of state. (AFP) South Carolina continued to see high numbers of new coronavirus cases on Monday after a record-breaking weekend. Monday's report of new cases, which reflects data as of Saturday, is lower than the actual number due to an internal systems issue, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said. The number of new probable cases and deaths reported Monday could change due to the issue. DHEC's county-level dashboard will be updated to reflect the missing cases once that problem is resolved. Friday and Saturday set records, with almost 5,000 new cases logged Friday and about 4,500 cases recorded Saturday. The state is making "great strides in vaccination efforts," DHEC's interim director of public health, Dr. Brannon Traxler, said Monday in a news briefing. As of Monday morning, around 105,800 vaccine doses had been administered throughout South Carolina. On Wednesday, residents aged 70 and older can start making appointments for their first doses. "Vaccines are here, and they are a light at the end of the tunnel," Traxler said. She advised caution, however, saying residents should still maintain social distancing and wear masks. Statewide numbers New cases reported: 2,644, which is 1,586 percent higher than the 158 tallied on March 31, the day Gov. Henry McMaster ordered nonessential businesses to close. Total cases in S.C.: 326,588, plus 31,066 probable cases New deaths reported: 14 Total deaths in S.C.: 5,329 confirmed, 496 probable Total tests in S.C.: 4,061,891 Hospitalized patients: 2,387 Percent of positive tests, 7-day average: 30.5 percent. Five percent of tests or fewer returning positive results is a good sign the virus' spread is slowing, researchers say. 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! Hardest-hit areas According to data from DHEC, the top counties for new coronavirus cases reported Monday were Greenville, 380; Horry, 237; and Richland, 208. What about tri-county? Charleston County had 159 new cases; Berkeley, 68; and Dorchester, 80. Deaths One of the 14 new deaths reported Monday was a patient aged 35 to 64, and the rest were 65 and older. They lived in Anderson, Bamberg, Beaufort, Greenville, Jasper, Lexington and York counties. Hospitalizations Of the 2,387 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, 465 were in intensive care and 250 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. MUSC said it plans to offer rapid testing in the Charleston International Airport's daily parking garage from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. Go to scdhec.gov/findatest to find a testing site in your area. 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 Garda checkpoint at the Kildare Outlet exit from the M7. Gardai can now hand out on-the-spot fines of 100 to people who are found travelling beyond the 5km Covid travel limit and refuse to turn back. From today gardai can prosecute breaches of travel restrictions introduced during Level 5 with a fixed charge notice. Garda Headquarters this evening announced that a person who breaches travel regulations, and fails to comply with an officers directions, can be prosecuted. This includes an on-the-spot fine of 100 but in other cases directions may be taken from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Read More Gardai have escalated their policing response after beauty spots across the country were packed over the weekend with visitors outside of their 5km limit. The fixed charge notices can be now be handed out under emergency health act measures which state that a person shall not leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse. Gardai say they are continuing to police by consent and that enforcement is a last resort. Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, who oversees the forces Policing and Security, said: "An Garda Siochana continues to see significant compliance by the public with Public Health Regulations, however we also continue to see some activity which is in contravention of these regulations introduced to stop the current spread of Covid-19 and protect our communities. I appeal to every person without a reasonable excuse for travel - stay at home, this is your duty as a citizen and will save lives and support our frontline services, nurses, doctors, hospital staff and my Garda colleagues at this time, he added. Travelling beyond the 5km is permitted in certain instances, including work-related travel for essential services, medical appointments and visiting a person within your support bubble. Gardai have also repeatedly emphasised that the 5km limit does not apply to victims of domestic violence who are seeking help. A number of people have already been prosecuted before the courts for breaching Covid-19 travel restrictions. In Leitrim a man was jailed for two months for breaching travel restrictions without a reasonable excuse. A man in Dublin was jailed for 30 days for the same offence, while in Tipperary a man was given a 400 fine. Other prosecutions in Sligo, Kildare and Cavan have resulted in fines ranging between 150 and 300. Theres a window to another world at the entrance of the Moody Community Center on Fulton. It may look like a traffic signal control cabinet covered with paint to most passersby; but for a human trafficking victim, theres a glimmer of escape. Anat Ronen, the artist who transformed the ordinary metal box into a wooden frame with swirls of forest trees and sunlight, included a phone number in her work: 888-373-7888, the National Human Trafficking Hotline. A potential victim could drive by or walk by, see the marking and maybe reach out and get help, Ronen says. Now Playing: Video: Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle Hers is the fourth and final mini-mural in a public art installation series bringing prevention and awareness to the streets of the Northside. Houston City Councilmember Karla Cisneros initiated and funded the project for District H. Two other artists Alex Zu Arzu and Renee Victor painted cabinets at the three remaining sites: Airline at Crosstimbers, Airline at Cavalcade, and Jensen at Crosstimbers. Ronens reveal was timed to coincide with Janurarys designation as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Im excited because its been awhile since Ive done a mini-mural, she says. Her design was chosen from a rendering she submitted to UP Art Studio three years ago. Theres a light in it, and hope I understand why they picked it. Mini Murals is an ongoing program that Up Art Studio launched in 2015. Since inception, some 300 art installations have popped up on city property. Councilmembers select themes based on the essence or history of their communities. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. So for Cisneros, this months motif was an easy choice. Mini Murals is one of my favorite programs anyway, she says. They really brighten up depressed areas in some neighborhoods that are struggling. People like them and are really proud of them. Its an artful, beautiful way to potentially reach victims of human trafficking, she said. Houston Public Works prohibits text on most city property, but Cisneros office convinced the department to bend the rules. We know this is a problem in Houston, Cisneros says. Like a lot of people, I thought it was just sex trafficking, but it touches so much more than that. Its like slavery and forced labor for multiple industries. Children are affected by this. Her staff determined the four Mini Murals locations by tracking phone calls and 3-1-1 data from problematic areas reporting prostitution and other suspicious activity. Working with UP Art Studios for the most appropriate artists and image pairings was the next step. We have a roster of 50 artists who submit designs, says Elia Quiles, co-founder and principal of the for-profit organization and design-house. I have a renderings book. The councilmember looked through 200 pages and narrowed it down to 10. The Mayors Office on Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence and Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs also weighed in before Quiles sent out a survey to the community. Ronen says that a mini-mural usually takes her one or two days to complete, sometimes three. This one will be very organic a mixture of color and swatches and realistic. I think its only going to take me one day, she says excitedly. Now Playing: Video: Houston Chronicle Large-scale murals are her specialty. When she first tried her hand at a mini version, she thought it would be too small and insignificant in the street scene. That wasnt the case. The mini-mural becomes a centerpiece she can camouflage the box entirely. One has to look hard to spot the human trafficking text and hotline. Its not hidden, but its not out there in plain sight, Quiles says. Even if it helps one person, it has done its job. You never know what someone is going through. She describes her studio as a champion for civic pride through civic art. Together with husband and business partner Noah Quiles, their goal is for people to take pride in where they live. Art constrained to museums and galleries isnt necessarily accessible to all. Not everyone is comfortable in those settings. And why shouldnt their lives also be enriched by public art? Quiles poses. Especially when safety is at stake. Before Cisneros became a councilmember, she was a third-grade educator working in the classroom. Advocating for children is what prompted her run for office, she says. She felt the city could be doing more. She also knows that January is an important month for raising awareness. If Houstonians understand the signs of potential human trafficking, theyre more likely to intervene. Be aware of someone whos in a crisis situation. Maybe theyre hiding in a dressing room or the backseat of a bus, she suggests. Its eye-opening when you start learning. And the point is that it helps. amber.elliott@chron.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. NAIROBI, Kenya At least six rangers have been ambushed and killed in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, park officials said, part of a wave of violence that has plagued Africas oldest park and continues to endanger the home of around a third of the worlds mountain gorillas. Officials attributed the attack on Sunday to Mai-Mai fighters, an umbrella name for a loosely affiliated group of local militias who are battling for power and resources in eastern Congo. The park has for years been the site of repeated attacks from rebels and militia groups, along with poachers and loggers, leading to the killing of hundreds of rangers. The latest assault comes barely a year after assailants killed 17 people, among them 12 rangers, in the park. Emmanuel de Merode, the parks director, was shot and injured in 2014, and tourists have been kidnapped during visits to the national park. TCL teamed up with Roku at CES 2020 to release a soundbar that eased the TV setup process with on-screen instructions and settings courtesy of the Roku TV-Ready program. The two companies are doing it again at this years CES with a new soundbar that connects wirelessly to Roku TVs. Slated to arrive later this year, the Alto R1 is an all-in-one, 2.0-channel soundbar that marks TCLs first truly wireless soundbarwell, wireless save for the power cord. The Alto R1 manages its wireless audio trick with help from a reference design from Roku that allows for a point-to-point Wi-Fi connection between a soundbar and a Roku-powered TV, meaning theres no need for HDMI or optical cables. Roku announced its new reference design late last week. As with the Alto 9+, the 3.1-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar that TCL unveiled a year ago at CES, the Alto R1 will be a Roku TV-Ready model, which means Roku TV users will be guided through the setup process with on-screen instructions and settings. TCL TCLs wireless Alto R1 soundbar is Roku TV-ready, which means it will support on-screen setup instructions and configuration settings when connected to a compatible Roku TV. Unlike the Alto 9+, the R1 wont support Dolby Atmos, nor will it offer virtualized 3D audio via DTS Virtual:X. Instead, the soundbar will come with straight-up Dolby Audio support, similar to many budget soundbars. Also missing will be support for Alexa and Google Assistant, although you will be able to stream audio to the Alto R1 from your phone via Bluetooth. TCL also announced a few higher-end, HDMI-enabled soundbars for 2021, including its first models with built-in AirPlay 2, plus support for Alexa, and Google Assistant. Due later this year, the 3.1.2-channel Alto 8e boasts a wireless subwoofer and upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos, it will also come with AirPlay 2, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Spotify Connect support. Meanwhile, the Alto 82i will be yet another Dolby Atmos soundbar (no word on the exact channel configuration) with AirPlay 2, Alexa, and Google Assistant support, although it will swap out the wireless subwoofer for a pair of built-in subwoofers. Rounding out TCLs 2021 soundbar lineup will be a fourth, premium model with Dolby Atmos support, TCL said. File image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday targeted the Centre over the new farm laws, demanding their withdrawal as she paid tribute to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 55th death anniversary. Remembering Shastri's slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan', Banerjee said farmers are the heroes of the nation. "Tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri, former prime minister, on his death anniversary. He gave us the inspirational slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'. We are proud of our farmer brothers and sisters. Farmers are the heroes of our nation. The Centre MUST repeal the anti-farmer Acts NOW!," she tweeted. Banerjee has been vocal about her opposition to the new farm laws, against which farmers are protesting outside Delhi for weeks. Her party, the Trinamool Congress, has also extended support to the protest. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As city and county health boards prepare to vaccinate Ohioans, local leaders say the state is giving information at the last second, leaving little time to switch direction. Were talking about problems with the the COVID-19 vaccination plans on This Week in the CLE. Listen online here. Editor Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with editors Jane Kahoun, Kris Wernowsky and me. Youve been sending Chris lots of thoughts and suggestions on our from-the-newsroom account, in which he shares what were thinking about at cleveland.com. You can sign up for free by sending a text to 216-868-4802. Here are the questions were answering today: What do local government leaders have to say about Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines approach to vaccinating people against the coronavirus? A Cleveland public schools employee who quit suddenly last week to investigate pedophilia in government circles had her house raided by the FBI in Willoughby Friday night. Why? A 20-year battle by the finishing industry to slaughter cormorants is coming to a head, and things look bleak for the fascinating birds. With all thats going wrong with the world, do we really need the bad karma of wiping out big birds? With Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine fumbling the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, our data guru Rich Exner did some analysis to see if we could stop this virus in its tracks by vaccinating small but especially vulnerable populations. What did he find? Ohios two senators are taking very different tacks when it comes to dealing with the Donald Trump provoked insurrection in Washington last wweek, with Rob Portman looking for hearings and Sherrod Brown wanting to kick colleagues out of the Senate. What are the details? After Cleveland became the first government body to provide all the details of its strategy for coronavirus vaccinations. Lorain Countys Health Board did the right thing and did the same thing. Never mind that Cuyahoga County seems clueless about where it is headed. What is Lorain doing? We are under siege from out audience with questions about the coronavirus vaccines, and even though we are working feverishly to get answers, we are blocked by government agencies that refuse to be transparent. So we put together a big list of questions and sent them to the state health department. What did we ask? A Westlake developer has dramatic plans to build houses in Clevelands depressed Hough neighborhood. How does the developer plan to attack this? What are the executive orders that Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish signed to battle racism as a public health crisis? Want more? You can find all our past episodes here. We have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe here. Do you get your podcasts on Spotify. Find us here. If you use Stitcher, we are here. RadioPublic is another popular podcast vehicle, and we are here. On Google Podcasts, we are here. On PodParadise, find us here. And on PlayerFM, we are here. 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. The rapidly spreading UK variant of Covid-19 is feared to be behind a significant infection surge in Co Mayo. The latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, released last Thursday, show that one in every 50 people in Belmullet had contracted Covid-19 over the previous 14-day period. Health chiefs in the county believe the high influx of returning emigrants for Christmas from the UK is behind the spike in cases. Belmullet has the highest individual incidence rate in any local electoral area in the State, with 266 positive cases in a population of 12,600, or 2,111.0 cases per 100,000. Read More Local GP Dr Keith Swanick said that while the situation in Belmullet appears to be easing in terms of transmission, he believes there are difficult times ahead. In recent days, Dr Swanick has called for the Government to introduce local curfews for hotspot areas like Belmullet, but he says the seriousness of the situation has landed locally. Calling for a curfew is almost past tense now that the figures have plateaued, thankfully, he said. But it has been a challenging period for the town. We have to crush the transmission of this virus. It is about fostering that inner strength in the community, and I know its there. The seriousness of this has landed and people will come together, I have no doubt. But introducing local curfews in hotspot areas is something the Government should consider in the future. We dont know what this South African variant is going to bring. The situation here is that Covid-19 is affecting all cohorts of society. People diagnosed a week ago are now becoming ill. Young people are getting very sick with this too. All we want to do as medical professionals is preserve life. There is no other agenda in this. All we want is to keep people safe. Dr Swanick also called for the Government to offer priority vaccination for frontline healthcare workers in areas in the grip of a severe surge. If frontline workers go down with illness, an already serious situation gets even worse, he said. On Friday, in an unusual move, the HSE, An Garda Siochana, and Mayo County Council issued a joint statement urging people to follow the public health advice given the significant and sustained increase in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Mayo. They said the recent rise in figures for those contracting the virus in the county was extremely concerning. Dr Breda Smyth, HSE director of public health in the west, described Mayos infection rate as really worrying. She said the 14-day incidence had increased dramatically, particularly in Ballyhaunis, Ballina, Belmullet, Castlebar, and Claremorris. In the two weeks between December 21 and January 3, there were 862 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Mayo, said Dr Smyth. When we look more closely at the data, we can see a steep increase in the number of confirmed cases in the county since December 26. Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Group, which has responsibility for the hospitals in the west and north-west, said they had witnessed a very significant increase in the number of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 in Mayo University Hospital. 98-Year-Old WWII Veteran Finally Receives Medals for Combat Nearly 80 Years Late A 98-year-old WWII veteran was just honored with the Combat Infantryman Badge nearly 80 years late. Gregory J. Slavonic, acting undersecretary of the Navy, said the veteran shouldve received this honor decades ago. The event that is happening here today is nearly 76 years late in coming, he said during the award ceremony on Jan. 4 at Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Connecticut. WWII veteran Dan Crowley receives the rank of sergeant and the Combat Infantry Badge from the Honorable Gregory J. Slavonic on Jan. 4, 2021. (Timothy Koster/Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office) Daniel Crowley defended the Bataan Peninsula from invading Japanese forces, after which he was captured and kept as a prisoner of war. However, a technicality kept him from receiving the award that shouldve been his. According to AARP, Crowley was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps at Nicholas Field in 1941. But when Japan launched attacks on Pearl Harbor and other military facilities throughout the Pacific, Crowley was moved to the infantry. He was a combat infantryman, but he didnt sign up with combat infantryhe signed up with the Army Air Corps, his wife, Kelley, told Uplifting Today. It was a technicality that kept Crowley from receiving the Combat Infantry Badge until now, an award bestowed upon infantrymen and Special Forces members who served in active ground combat and who have the rank of colonel or below. Daniel Crowley, who was a POW in the Pacific theater, receives the Combat Infantry Badge, sergeant stripes, and the POW Medal 76 years later. (Screenshot/Air Force SSgt. Brycen Guerrero/DVIDSHUB) It was only recently that the Army decided to start giving the award to provisional soldiers, like Crowley, who fought on Bataan. Until now, Crowley didnt think hed ever receive the honor; but when he heard about this change a few months ago, he decided to apply for the award one more time. I wasnt the only one, rememberthere were thousands like me who were designated something else, he said. When the war started, they suddenly had to become infantryman, without any training. Not only did he receive the Combat Infantryman Badge, but Crowley was also given other awards for his time in the war camps in Japan. After his capture in 1942, he was shipped from the Philippines to Japan on a ship with 300 other men. He describes this vessel as a hell ship, with horrible conditions akin to slave ships. When they arrived in Japan, he was subjected to forced labor in some of the most dangerous copper mines in the country. Dan Crowley talks with the Honorable Gregory J. Slavonic, currently performing the duties of Under Secretary of the Navy, prior to the award ceremony. (Timothy Koster/Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office) It was this experience that made officials decide to honor Crowley with the POW medal, as well. Before giving Crowley the POW medal, Slavonic said, It takes a very special person to continue to persevere through the most haunting of circumstances; it takes certain depth of character to put yourself in harms way for your fellow warriors and for your country. When the Army began digging into Dans history and service, they uncovered that Dan was promoted to the rank of sergeant, Slavonic added during the ceremony. Even though Crowley had been promoted to sergeant, the order never reached him because he was honorably discharged and sent home. I have to say that to be able to do this today is a rare and humbling opportunity for me as the undersecretary of the Navy, Slavonic said. To be able to recognize Dan for his many sacrifices and accomplishments. He truly represents the members of the greatest generation who did so much and asked so little from their country. (Air Force SSgt. Brycen Guerrero/DVIDSHUB) We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com (Bloomberg) Tanzania asked Beijing for debt relief and signed a new multibillion-dollar railway deal during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis Africa tour. President John Magufuli asked for the cancellation of old debts totaling $167.7 million, according to the East African nations presidency. Earlier Friday, Tanzania signed a $1.32 billion rail-development contract with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. and China Railway Construction Corp. Several African nations are struggling to fund the recovery of their economies following the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. China, whose financing to African governments topped $140 billion over the past two decades, pledged to provide some debt relief. Magufulis debt-forgiveness request includes $137 million that was taken for a housing project for the police, $15.7 million for an old Tanzania-Zambia railway and $15 million for a textile mill. The new rail deal will support the construction of a 341-kilometer (212 miles) section of Tanzanias planned wider railway network. Magufuli will seek another loan from China to help build an additional link in the expanded rail system, the presidency said without giving details. The Chinese foreign ministers Africa tour covered Tanzania, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana and Seychelles. His visit partly focused on helping African countries cope with the pandemic and boosting their economic-recovery plans. In Congo, China canceled 180 million yuan ($27.8 million) in bilateral debt owed by the central African country. Congo also signed a cooperation agreement to participate in Beijings Belt and Road Initiative, becoming the 45th African nation to do so, according to Chinas foreign ministry. China accounts for more than half of Congos bilateral debt, with at least $645 million outstanding as at the end of 2020, according to Congos debt office. The two countries have an ongoing $6.2 billion minerals-for-infrastructure arrangement that began more than a decade ago. Congo is Africas leading producer of copper and the worlds biggest source of cobalt, with China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., being a major player the nations mining industry. Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com) Support quality journalism in China. Subscribe to Caixin Global starting at $0.99. Keir Starmer today demanded ministers get four million coronavirus vaccines into the arms of Britons every week by the end of February and bring in 'flexi-furlough' for struggling working parents to get through the worst crisis of the pandemic so far. The Labour leader demanded Boris Johnson take firm action to protect families in a speech in which he lashed out at planned council tax rises and benefit curbs. Sir Keir also lashed out at Government waste during the pandemic and attacked the PM for finding cash to give former adviser Dominic Cummings a lavish pay rise while key workers struggled. In a speech broadcast this morning he attacked support for working families, urging changes to the furlough scheme while schools are closed because of the lockdown. 'Working parents have been left once again to juggle childcare and work,' he said. 'It's hard on the kids. It's hard on the school staff, and and it's tough on every parent. 'For those who can work at home, it's difficult. But for those parents who can't work from home or don't have a partner to share the load, it can mean the difference between keeping their job or looking after their family. 'So the Government should go further to support working parents. 'By creating a legal, enforceable and immediate right for parents to request paid flexible furlough and by promoting that to all working parents to help them get through this lockdown.' The Labour leader demanded Boris Johnson take firm action to protect families in a speech in which he lashed out at planned council tax rises and benefit curbs. It was revealed in December that Mr Cummings received a Number 10 pay rise of at least 40,000 last year Labour analysis suggests that a 5 per cent council tax rise for those living in a band D property would see bills increase by an average of 90 in April Labour analysis suggests that a 5 per cent council tax rise - permitted after Chancellor Rishi Sunak signalled the go-ahead during his Spending Review for the home levy and the social care levy to be hiked by 2 per cent and 3 per cent respectively - for those living in a band D property would see bills increase by an average of 90 in April. Stopping the planned April cut in Universal Credit would put an extra 1,000 in the pockets of six million families, the party also said. 'And on top of that, they want to freeze pay for millions of key workers who have got us through this crisis including our armed forces, our care workers, our teachers, our firefighters and police officers,' Sir Keir added. 'This shows that the Government isn't just incompetent but also that it has the wrong priorities. 'This is the Government that gave Dominic Cummings a 40,000 pay rise, but won't pay our carers a decent wage. 'This is the Government that wasted 22billion of taxpayers' money on a testing system that doesn't work, but now can't find the money to support families. 'And this is the Government that sprayed money on private contracts that didn't deliver, but won't give councils the support they need.' It was revealed in December that Mr Cummings received a Number 10 pay rise of at least 40,000 last year as Boris Johnson's army of Government special advisers cost taxpayers almost 10million. Mr Cummings, who sensationally quit before Christmas after losing a Downing Street power battle in November, was listed in the 95,000 to 99,000 salary band in 2019. But the latest figures published by the Cabinet Office revealed the PM's now former chief adviser saw his pay jump to the 140,000 to 145,000 salary band in 2020. The massive increase in salary came in a year in which Mr Cummings became embroiled in a huge public row over his 260-mile lockdown trip to Durham and amid major criticism of the Government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Amanda Milling, co-chairman of the Conservative Party, said: 'Keir Starmer is once again calling for actions the Conservatives are already taking in Government. 'We have delivered an unprecedented 280 billion package of support to protect jobs, livelihoods and public services through this pandemic: paying the wages of nearly 10 million workers through our furlough scheme, increasing Universal Credit by 1,000 and giving councils extra funding to help the most vulnerable. 'The Conservatives will continue to put families and communities at the heart of every decision we take as we deliver on our promises to the British people.' It's not all MAGA and silly comments among this blog community. We're starting out by sharing writing that's far more insightful than the garbage in your social media feed. The KICK-ASS BEST & BRIGHTEST denizens of our blog community recommend an exceptional think piece because we only read Playboy for the articles. Check-it . . . It was a dry year in Warkworth last year. The total rainfall recorded in Alnwick Street in 2020 was 1135mm, which was 300mm below the 20-year average. It was the third driest year since 2000, with just 60mm more than 2019. Just 12mm fell in December, which was well behind last years drought inducing 65mm. By comparison, the 20-year average for December is 110mm. However, early indications from the Mahurangi Matters team of meteorology enthusiasts suggest that between 40mm and 50mm rain fell in Mahurangi in the first week of January this year. The wettest day in Warkworth last year was November 5 when 61mm was caught in the rain gauge. The wettest month was May when 209mm was recorded in Whitaker Road, closely followed by August with 196mm recorded in Alnwick Street. The driest month was February with 6.5mm, followed by 8mm in January and 12mm in December. For the second year in a row, Algies Bay received the least rainfall with 848mm for the year, while Warkworth received the most with 1135mm on Alnwick Street and 1213mm on Whitaker Road. The lowest monthly figures came from Algies Bay and Mangawhai, which both recorded no rain at all in February. In December, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) reported that last year was set to be the seventh warmest year on record. It was 0.7 degrees above the average. Climatologist Ben Noll said it had been 46 consecutive months since New Zealands nationwide average temperature was below average. Mahurangi Matters thanks its dedicated team of meteorology enthusiasts, from Kaipara Flats to Topuni, who provide their readings each month. Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this Thursday, June 18, 2020 file photo, President Donald Trump looks at his phone during a roundtable with governors on the reopening of America's small businesses, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Though stripped of his Twitter account for inciting rebellion, President Donald Trump does have alternative options of much smaller reach. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) President Donald Trump has been kicked off of most mainstream social media platforms following his supporters siege on the U.S. Capitol. But it remains to be seen how fast or where if anywhere on the internet he will be able to reach his followers. The far right-friendly Parler had been the leading candidate, at least until Google and Apple removed it from their app stores and Amazon decided to boot it off its web hosting service by midnight Pacific time on Sunday. Parlers CEO said that could knock it offline for a week, though that might prove optimistic. And even if it finds a friendlier web-hosting service, without a smartphone app, it's hard to imagine Parler gaining mainstream success. The 2-year-old magnet for the far right claims more than 12 million users, though mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at 10 million worldwide, with 8 million in the U.S. That's a fraction of the 89 million followers Trump had on Twitter. Still, Parler might be attractive to Trump since it's where his sons Eric and Don Jr. are already active. Parler hit headwinds, though, on Friday as Google yanked its smartphone app from its app store for allowing postings that seek to incite ongoing violence in the U.S. Apple followed suit on Saturday evening after giving Parler 24 hours to address complaints it was being used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities. Public safety issues will need to be resolved before it is restored, Apple said. A message seeking comment from Parler was sent Sunday on whether the company plans to change its policies and enforcement around these issues. Amazon struck another blow Saturday, informing Parler it would need to look for a new web-hosting service effective midnight Sunday. It reminded Parler in a letter, first reported by Buzzfeed, that it had informed it in the past few weeks of 98 examples of posts that clearly encourage and incite violence and said the platform poses a very real risk to public safety. Parler CEO John Matze decried the punishments as a co-ordinated attack by the tech giants to kill competition in the marketplace. We were too successful too fast, he said in a Saturday night post, saying it was possible Parler would be unavailable for up to a week as we rebuild from scratch. Every vendor, from text message services, to email providers, to our lawyers all ditched us too on the same day, Matze said Sunday on Fox New Channels Sunday Morning Futures. He said while the company is trying to get back online as quickly as possible, its having a lot of trouble, because every vendor we talk to says they wont work with us, because, if Apple doesnt approve and Google doesnt approve, they wont. Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple whose operating systems power hundreds of millions of smartphones severely limits Parlers reach, though it will continue to be accessible via web browser. Losing Amazon Web Services will mean Parler needs to scramble to find another web host, in addition to the re-engineering. Trump may also launch his own platform. But that won't happen overnight, and free speech experts anticipate growing pressure on all social media platforms to curb incendiary speech as Americans take stock of Wednesdays violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by a Trump-incited mob. While initially arguing their need to be neutral on speech, Twitter and Facebook gradually yielded to public pressure drawing the line especially when the so-called Plandemic video emerged early in the coronavirus pandemic urging people not to wear masks, noted civic media professor Ethan Zuckerman of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Zuckerman expects the Trump de-platforming may spur important online shifts. First, there may be an accelerated splintering of the social media world along ideological lines. "Trump will pull a lot of audience wherever he goes, he said. That could mean more platforms with smaller, more ideologically isolated audiences. Advertisement Shocking new footage has emerged from Wednesday's riot at the Capitol which shows a police officer being yanked out of the building and beaten with a flagpole bearing the American flag. The footage, circulating online, shows the moment the first officer was hauled out of a door on Wednesday afternoon, and set upon by the frenzied mob of Donald Trump's supporters. The officer has not yet been identified. The video is not thought to be of Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after collapsing in his field office having allegedly been beaten by the mob with a fire extinguisher. It emerged on Sunday night as fresh fears grew over another violent insurrection that is being planned for January 17-19 - Trump's last weekend in office. The plot was being discussed on sites including Parler, which has now vanished from the internet after being ex-communicated by Amazon, Apple and Google. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also said she is 'extremely concerned' about security over President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. She asked for National Guard back-up before the riots last week but was only given 340 unarmed troops. The Capitol Police presence was the same as any ordinary day and the force only has 2,300 cops in total - a fraction of the 10,000-strong mob. They were 'left naked' against the mob in what is now being labeled as one of the worst security lapses in modern history. The last time the Capitol was breached was 1814. So far, at least 82 people have been arrested and more than 55 have been charged over the insurrection. Hundreds more are being hunted by the authorities but are yet to be found, including 25 people who are being investigated on terrorism charges. The acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Michael Sherwin has called the scope of the multi-agency hunt for the rioters 'unprecedented.' He has also fumed at Capitol Police for letting so many of them get away, saying it now makes the task of tracking them down more difficult. Scroll down for video The MAGA mob holding down a cop and beating him with a baton on Wednesday in a shocking new video still. The officer shown has not been identified yet. It's unclear if he is either of the cops who died. One was beaten with a fire extinguisher, according to police sources, and the other committed suicide after the riot The unnamed officer is dragged from the building, as rioters look down to him at their feet He told NPR that staffers are now working round-the-clock to try to identify the criminals from photos and videos taken on the day. FEARS OVER MORE ATTACKS ON CAPITOL ON TRUMP'S LAST WEEKEND IN OFFICE AND INAUGURAITON Mayor Muriel Bowser says she is 'extremely concerned' about security in the Capitol over the next two weeks. There are expected to be more than 10,000 cops and active military on the ground There are fears of more attacks on the Capitol over Trump's last weekend in Office and on Inauguration Day. According to NPR, one post on Parler - which many of the rioters used to discuss their plans before the attack and which has now vanished from the internet - read: 'Many of Us will return on January 19, 2021, carrying Our weapons, in support of Our nation's resolve, to which [sic] the world will never forget!!!" 'We will come in numbers that no standing army or police agency can match.' DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says she is 'extremely concerned' about security in the Capitol on January 20 - Inauguration Day. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy also told Congressman Jason Crow that the army was aware of possible further threats and was working to dismantle them. It remains unclear how many police and armed guards are going to be on the streets of DC over the next two weeks. After last week's attack, a 7ft wall was built around the Capitol Building to try to deter more rioters. Advertisement 'I don't want this tyranny of labels saying this was sedition, this was a coup. 'But what I will say is, it was criminal,' he said. There is no running list of all those charged because the investigation into what happened is being handled by multiple authorities; the DC Metropolitan Police, Capitol Police and the FBI are all running probes, along with prosecutors from the Justice Department. The Capitol Police did not request National Guard back-up or any other kind of back-up. According to Congressman Jason Crow, the Department of Defense offered support to both Capitol Police and the DC Metropolitan Police but they were told it wasn't necessary. They thought that only a few thousand protesters would be there. On January 6, when they realized the crowd was much larger, back-up was requested at around the same time that the crowd started storming the Capitol. By then, the situation was out of hand. There was no plan in place for how to tackle the chaos. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy told Crow that 25 domestic terrorism cases have now been opened. He also said that there are 'further possible threats' leading up to Inauguration Day. In the new video of the cop being attacked, the officer is shown being flung face first onto the Capitol steps and set upon by rioters, who beat him while he was lying defenseless. One used a black baton on him. Another man is seen giving the middle finger to officers still inside the building, desperately trying to keep the mob back. The officer dragged from the Capitol has not been identified, but is believed to be a member of the DC Metropolitan Police, not the Capitol Police. One Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, died Thursday night from injuries suffered during the riot. Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher during a struggle, two law enforcement officials told Associated Press. A second member of the Capitol Police, Howard Liebengood, was on duty on Wednesday and died by suicide on Saturday. Four rioters also died - one woman shot by Capitol Police, and three during medical emergencies. One of those was apparently trampled in the melee. In a different incident from the riot, Capitol cop Eugene Goodman is seen running away from the mob, leading them from the Senate. He is being hailed as a hero A baying mob was outside the Capitol on Wednesday as some managed to burst inside Rioters scaled the walls and dragged one officer outside, beating him with flags and flagpoles Teargas was eventually deployed to push the rioters back from the Capitol Doug Jensen was arrested on Saturday, having led the mob against Eugene Goodman THE RIOTERS AND THEIR CHARGES SO FAR Hundreds remain unaccounted for and not everyone who has been arrested has been named. These are some of the most prominent who have been named and shamed. Richard Barnett, 60 Charged for breaking into Pelosi's office. The self-proclaimed White Nationalist boasted about it afterwards. He even left a threatening note on Pelosi's desk which read 'we will not back down'. Barnett, 60, left the Capitol unstopped. He was eventually arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he is from. Jake Angeli Chansley aka QAnon Shaman, 33 Jacob Angeli Chansley was arrested on Saturday in connection with the riot. He was one of the stand-outs from the insurrection because of his outlandish outfit. He has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Adam Johnson, 36 Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. Lonnie Coffman, 70 Charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and carrying without a license. He had 11 Molotov cocktails in his truck, two handguns, and an M4 Carbine assault rifle. Bradley Ruskelas - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Mark Leffingwell Entering a restricted building, punching a cop Christopher Alberts - Carrying a 9mm gun Joshua Pruitt- Entering restricted building Matthew Council - entering restricted building, disorderly conduct Cindy Fitchett - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, violent entry Michael Curzio - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Douglas Sweet - entering a restricted buulding , disorderly conduct Terry Brown - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Thomas Gallagher - entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct Advertisement At around the same time as the police officer was being dragged from the Capitol and set upon, Trump was recording a video in which he said he 'loved' the rioters. The video was later removed by Twitter, and Trump has since been banned from social media due to his incendiary comments. At least one Capitol cop is being hailed as a hero for leading the mob away from the Senate floor. Eugene Goodman was filmed by a reporter trying to fend off the ferocious crowd as they stormed the building. Armed apparently only with a baton, he was charged by the mob, with Doug Jensen, 41, of Des Moines, Iowa, leading the charge in a QAnon hoodie. Jensen was arrested on Saturday. Goodman appears to have noticed that the rioters came right up to the entrance of an open door leading straight to the Senate. At that moment, 2:15pm, according to a detailed analysis by The Washington Post, the Senate doors were unlocked as security tried frantically to protect the Senators inside. Goodman was filmed glancing to his left and looking at the unlocked door. He then shoved Jensen and started running. The mob gave chase, following him up the stairs. One minute later, the Senate door was locked. It's unclear if Goodman knew the door was unlocked at the time, and if him running away was a deliberate diversion tactic. In either case, it stopped the mob from getting into the Senate floor while the lawmakers were there, and allowed for them to be evacuated. Goodman has now been widely praised on social media, with mounting calls for him to be awarded the Medal of Valor or Medal of Honor. 'Thank you, Officer Eugene Goodman,' tweeted Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King. Benjamin Crump, the crusading civil rights lawyer known for representing the families of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others, heaped praise on the officer. 'Eugene Goodman deserves the Medal of Valor!' he said. 'He could have stepped aside and let Trump insurgents get to the Senate chamber while Senators were still there. 'Instead, this heroic officer got them to follow him the other direction, giving lawmakers time to escape!' Jaime Harrison, former candidate for the Senate representing South Carolina, said he may have single-handedly 'saved our Republic'. 'The word hero does not appropriately describe officer Eugene Goodman,' he said. 'His judgment & heroism may have saved our Republic. 'I hope consider him for the Congressional Medal of Honor. It is the least we can do.' Goodman himself hasn't yet spoken out. Serious questions are now being asked as to how the Capitol Police and the DC Metropolitan forces were so ill prepared for the onslaught. A new analysis of social media posts by Alethea Group, an organization combating disinformation that draws its name from the Greek word for 'truth,' found abundant evidence of threatening plans on a range of platforms, with some scheduled for Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, and others for Trump's last weekend in office - January 17. 'REFUSE TO BE SILENCED,' said one online post cited by Alethea Group, calling for an 'ARMED MARCH ON CAPITOL HILL & ALL STATE CAPITOLS' for January 17, the last Sunday of Trump's presidency. Another post called for action at 'DC & All State Capitols' and was signed by 'common folk who are tired of being tread upon' declares: 'We were warned!' The FBI and the NYPD also warned the Capitol Police about potential violence but were ignored. 'Social media is just part of a full intelligence picture, and while there was First Amendment-protected activity on social media to include some people making threats, to this point, investigators have not found that there was an organized plot to access the Capitol,' a senior law enforcement official told NBC News. 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 next 10 years will be a critical time of transition for the U.S. Navy, the service's top officer said -- one that leaders must get right to stop China and Russia from controlling the conditions at sea. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday on Monday released his vision for the Navy's decade ahead. Citing a long-term competition that "threatens our security and way of life," he said the Navy must ditch platforms it no longer needs to invest in new tools that will be required to deter aggression and preserve freedom of the seas. "I don't mean to be dramatic, but I feel like, if the Navy loses its head, if we go off course and we take our eyes off those things we need to focus on ... I think we may not be able to recover in this century," Gilday told reporters Friday, ahead of the document's release. "Based on the trajectory that the Chinese are on right now -- and again, I don't mean to be dramatic -- I just sense that this is not a decade that we can afford to lose ground." Read Next: 'Best Man for the Job': How Female Drill Instructors at Marines' All-Male Boot Camp Faced Resistance from Leaders, Peers The Navy will need to divest itself of several legacy capabilities that Gilday said no longer bring sufficient power to the fight. It will also delay plans to bring large unmanned surface ships to the fleet by a few years, he said. "This is a very deliberate approach," the CNO said. "... I am more interested in getting it right in a deliberate fashion than I am getting it fast." The Navy has faced pushback from Congress in recent years over a plan to invest heavily in shipbuilding to grow the size of the fleet, including plans to spend $2 billion on 10 large unmanned surface vessels by 2025. Now, Gilday is slowing that down, saying he doesn't want to rush the purchase of drone ships. Buying large numbers of unmanned vessels by the mid-2020s is "unrealistic," Gilday told reporters. Instead, by the end of the decade, sailors "must have a high degree of confidence and skill operating alongside proven unmanned platforms at sea," he said. Gilday also said the Navy must also ditch past programs that don't fit into the Navy's fundamental missions: sea control and the ability to project power forward. "This includes divestment of experimental Littoral Combat Ship hulls, legacy Cruisers, and older Dock Landing Ships," he wrote. "It also includes divesting non-core Navy missions like Aegis-ashore. Transferring shore-based Ballistic Missile Defense sites to ground forces enables Sailors to focus on their core missions at sea and frees up resources to increase our lethality." Gilday said he expects criticism over plans to slow large unmanned surface vessels buys at the same time aging Ticonderoga-class cruisers head into retirement. "It may not be as smooth of transition as everybody wants," he said, "... [but] we need to divest from some of these capabilities that are becoming very expensive to maintain." The Navy is transforming at a time when military leaders are bracing for possible budget constraints. Gilday said he doesn't expect any sort of plus-up. President-elect Joe Biden has acknowledged that the military is facing threats it hasn't seen since the Cold War, but slammed President Donald Trump for abandoning fiscal discipline when it came to defense spending. Biden has called for smart investments in new technology needed for the future fight -- ramping up spending on innovation and moving away from investing in yesterday's equipment that won't be able to compete against stronger adversaries. Gilday's plan says the Navy must improve its "advantages over China before addressing other challenges." That means a bigger, more lethal fleet, he adds, with more submarines, smaller and more numerous surface combatants, stronger offensive capabilities, and unmanned platforms. "Balancing the requirement to field the future fleet, while maintaining the sustainable forward posture that keeps Americans safe and prosperous, is our central challenge," he wrote. Gilday said the results of the analysis that led to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper's plan for a 500-ship fleet are important, but added that what they are capable of is more important than the number of ships. He said he wants to see Navy leaders review that analysis at least every other year to update it. "I don't want to have a force-structure analysis that's three or four or five years old, that's going to sit on the shelf," he said. With China and Russia rapidly modernizing their militaries, Gilday said there is no time to waste in pushing ahead with the Navy's plan. That includes necessary investments in public shipyards, dry docks, maintenance facilities and aviation depots that he says are overdue for upgrades. "We are refurbishing these facilities over the next two decades to ensure we can build and sustain our ships, submarines and aircraft for the years ahead," he said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Navy's Future Light Amphibious Ships Will Be Designed to Operate Off China's Coast The Catholic Church has joined the debate over the future of this year's transfer test for primary 7 pupils and said business interests should not come before the interests of children. Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said the test process - which is run by private companies - had become "big business", and has warned that financial gain "should not dominate the conversation". AQE - the Association for Quality Education - cancelled three tests due to be held in January, with the PPTC also cancelling its proposed transfer test for this year. But AQE later said it plans to hold a single, rescheduled test on February 27. AQE charges parents wanting grammar school places for their for their children 55 to sit the exam. The PPTC does not charge pupils. Bishop McKeown told the BBC's Sunday Politics Northern Ireland programme: "AQE would have about 9,000 pupils applying this year. That's half a million pounds coming in to run a business. "And let's say you work on the assumption that parents are spending maybe 250 on tutoring [for their children] - there's another 2.5m. "We're not just talking about making educational changes - we are talking about a business. "When business becomes a major element in educational decisions I think, perhaps, we've lost the point." Announcing its intention to hold a single transfer test on February 27, the AQE had said: "It is the view of the member schools that academic selection represents the fairest way of allocating grammar school places." Read More It said the test would proceed "provided it can take place in public health circumstances then prevailing", and believed the process was the "fairest way of allocating grammar school places". Sinn Fein, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party have all called for the test to be scrapped completely for this year, with many pupils facing another prolonged period of learning from home. They are not due back in the classroom until after the half-term break in February. Stormont ministers clashed on Friday about whether the Executive should intervene in the AQE's decision. Education Minister Peter Weir is to report back to the Executive at the end of this week on the test. Five schools have already pulled out of the revised AQE testing process and said they were reviewing their contingency admissions criteria. Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Robbie Butler has suggested an alternative hybrid solution which would see pupils' work used to decide their post-primary transfer. That has been rejected as unworkable by the National Association of Head Teachers as schools do not hold the necessary records. Bishop McKeown said: "The public education system has to be focused on doing the best for the largest number of people. "It can end up ceasing to be primarily a test of academic ability and more become a measure of those who are financially able. "I hope our politicians could grapple with that reality - when business enters education we have to ask questions. "There should have had a Plan B long in advance. We really are out of options now - we have to say: 'How can we focus on doing the best for the largest number, particularly the most disadvantaged?'" 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 Highlights Lenovo has launched a new Yoga PC called the Yoga AIO 7. It has a rotating 4K monitor to make viewing TikTok videos better. The Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 will be available in select markets only. Lenovo has launched a new Yoga desktop with a wide monitor that rotates vertically. This is not a new concept if you are wondering but this is the first time a rotating display is available on an All-in-One PC. The new Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 is your typical desktop otherwise, featuring the new AMD processors inside. It was launched in China sometime back as Yoga 27 but this time the company is expanding the availability of the AIO PC to other markets. The biggest highlight is the display of the Yoga AIO 7. It can rotate in any angle and measures 27 inches in size. And rotating it to the vertical form factor will make it better suited for viewing TikTok and Instagram content, apart from doom-scrolling on Twitter much like how you would on your smartphone. It is also suitable for reading long documents that otherwise need you to scroll multiple times on a regular widescreen. There are multiple use cases that Lenovo has stated alongside launching the Yoga AIO 7. The Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 has a 4K monitor that comes in two choices: one with regular hardware settings and the other one with Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 colour standards. These standards ensure a better colour profile and enhanced brightness, contrasts. Which is why this monitor holds the potential to double as smart television. And maybe Lenovo had this point in mind while creating this AIO. For now, this is just a monitor but a future upgrade can make this work as a TV. Rest of the specifications of the Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 include a choice between the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H and Ryzen 5 4500H processors, 16GB or 32GB of RAM capacity, PCIe or HDD storage options wherein there can be an SSD (solid-state drive) of 1TB maximum capacity and an HDD of 2TB, and an Nvidia RTX 2060 GPU for graphics. Lenovo has given ample ports on the AIO, including the USB-C port that can allow you to use the hardware on the Yoga AIO 7 on a separate laptop, such as the display, speakers, mouse, keyboard, power supply, and the integrated hard drive. Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 price Lenovo has priced the Yoga AIO 7 for $1,599, which translates to roughly Rs 1.18 lakh. It will be available in select markets but Lenovo never mentioned if India will be one of them. Lenovo's India portfolio is as exciting as it is, which is why, I think, the new Yoga AIO 7 might arrive in India soon. Lenovo recently launched the Yoga Slim 7i laptop in India with a compact profile, a 1080p display with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, and Dolby Atmos support. At the CES 2021, Lenovo launched the Yoga Slim 7i Pro with an OLED display on the laptop. It also has a 90Hz refresh rate and support for Dolby Vision HDR. The rest of the specifications of the Yoga Slim 7i Pro are mostly the same as the last year's LCD model. Lenovo has not provided a price yet for this laptop. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Harvard astrophysicist Abraham Avi Loeb says he found good evidence for alien technology in the solar system, what could be called alien garbage. In his new book Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth scheduled to be published on January 26, Loeb argued that an Oumuamua or a cigar or disc-shaped object whizzed past our solar system in 2017. He accused other scientists of not taking his arguments seriously because of group think. Read: Scientists Receive First Potential Signal From Exoplanet 51 Light-years Away: Study Read: Aliens In 2020: Pentagon Report On UAP To UFO Sightings In UK, 10 Speculations This Year Loebs arguments As per Loebs theory, Oumuamua passed through the suns neighbourhood in 2017 but researchers didn't get a very good look at it, as it moved through so quickly, however, observers noted several anomalies. In 2018, he doubled down his argument by publishing a paper saying that data showed an object unlikely to exist in nature: a wide, super-thin disk being pushed by sunlight and moving 16 miles per second (26 kilometres per second) through interstellar space relative to the sun. While, the scientific community has settled thinking that the unidentified object was natural, Loeb argued that it was technological trash thrown by aliens. Credits: ASA; Alan Fitzsimmons (ARC, Queen's University Belfast), Isaac Newton Group) In his book, case for the alien interpretation of Oumuamua. Oumuamua's biggest anomalies, which Loeb says are most important to the case for its alien origin, are its shape, its shininess and the way it moved, Live Science reported. Apart from this, the astrophysicist also argued was that Oumuamua seemed to accelerate as it moved away from the sun. He said that a space rock moving only due to gravity shouldn't do this, though a comet might. As the sun heats the side of a comet, gas bursts from its surface. That "off-gassing" can act like burning fuel that escapes from the bottom of a rocket engine, pushing a comet to higher velocities and new directions through space. Read: Harvard Professor Claims 'aliens' Visited Earth In 2017, Believes More Is On Its Way Read: Nashville Bomber's Bizarre Writing Reveals He Believed In Lizard People, Aliens: Report Some health workers who are among those first in line to receive a coronavirus vaccine are choosing to delay having a baby until more is known about any potential side effects during gestation, with the federal government yet to advise whether pregnant women should have the jab. Melbourne obstetrician Nisha Khot said there was little information she could offer to her patients about the vaccines, as pregnant women are typically excluded from clinical trials. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has called for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding to be included in the clinical evaluation of the COVID vaccination, with a view to making this available to that group of people when safety is assured. A range of unknowns and concerns have arisen over the coronavirus vaccine during pregnancy. While there have been no signs Australias vaccine candidates pose a danger to expectant mothers or their babies, the lack of information is of concern to some front-line staff who will be eligible to receive a jab in the first round of vaccination, due to begin in just a few weeks. She is among a large number of reality stars who have flocked to soak up the winter sunshine in Dubai over the festive season as Brits languish in a third lockdown. And Laura Anderson showed she's still enjoying her time in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a pair of sizzling bikini snapshots. However, the former Love Island star, 31, also revealed that she was deleting 'negative' comments from her posts amid backlash over her holiday. Sizzling: Laura Anderson showed she's still enjoying her time in Dubai on Monday, when she took to Instagram to share a pair of sizzling bikini snapshots In her photos, the Scottish beauty looked tanned and toned in a lilac, which she teamed with a black paisley print headscarf and oversized mirrored sunglasses. ADVERTISEMENT Captioning the images, which showed her sitting aboard a boat, she wrote: 'Really really thrilled not to have been [sick].' Click here to resize this module Anticipating a slew of criticism, the erstwhile flight attendant concluded: 'If you dont have anything nice to say please do not comment.' She then posted a comment under her post, explaining that she was keeping a watchful eye on the reactions that came in, in a bid to purge the negative ones. No time for negativity: However, the former Love Island star, 31, also revealed that she was deleting 'negative' comments from her posts amid backlash over her holiday Laura wrote: 'Guys Im sorry to delete negative comments. Some have valid points but I cant argue everyday. Ive so much to say but I cant win on such a fragile topic or speak for anyone other than myself. X' 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. It comes after Laura complained to her Instagram followers last Tuesday, as she recorded a rambling message ahead of another day sunning herself in Dubai. Travel: Days earlier, Laura 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 Taking to her stories, the star declared that the new lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week was 'a s****y situation'. Laura, who lived in Dubai before finding fame on Love Island, was later seen by the pool, 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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. 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 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.' 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 her plans to return home, Laura appeared to be already planning another trip to the UAE 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 furled romance rumours with Laura. Jack, 29, sparked speculation that he 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 last weekend. 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. Dating? This comes after fellow Love Islander Jack Fincham fuelled romance rumours with her The socially distanced snap was taken when the pair filmed the Love Island reunion show earlier this year, alongside Dr. Alex George. ADVERTISEMENT 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. The close pals first began sparking romance rumours after it was claimed that they had grown closer since appearing on Love Island. 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 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 15:44:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Mexican authorities on Sunday confirmed the first case of the new COVID-19 variant as the caseload and fatality toll keeps rising across the country. Secretary of Health of Tamaulipas, Gloria Molina Gamboa, said that the 56-year-old patient was identified when he arrived from Mexico City on Dec. 29. The official called for implementing "extreme" precautions and strengthening preventive measures against the disease such as the use of face masks, frequent hand washing, and staying home when possible, as it has been confirmed that the variant is more contagious than the original strain. The B.1.1.7 variant that the patient carries appeared for the first time in mid-September in Britain. All passengers and crew from the patient's flight were tested, though no other test came out positive. Also on Sunday, Mexican Presidential Spokesman Jesus Ramirez Cuevas said he has tested positive for the COVID-19. The official, who was reportedly close to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, tweeted that he was in good health and would be working from home following all health protocols. Mexico reported 10,003 new cases with 502 more fatalities on Sunday, according to health ministry data, bringing its national total to 1,534,039 cases with 133,706 deaths. The COVID-19 caseload in Mexico now ranks the fourth among Latin American countries, following Brazil, Colombia and Argentina in order, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University. Enditem A House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove President Donald Trump from office was blocked by Republicans. Democrats in the House are pushing Mr Pence and the Cabinet to oust Mr Trump, saying he is unfit for office after encouraging a protest march that turned into a mob that ransacked the US Capitol in a deadly siege. Mr Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on such a course, which would involve invoking the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, including a vote by a majority of the Cabinet to oust Mr Trump before he leaves office on January 20. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on that date. Thank you to the incredible Capitol Hill Police Officers and every Law Enforcement Officer for keeping us safe today. Thanks to your service, the Capitol was secured and we are truly grateful. pic.twitter.com/urDMpQBB7n Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 7, 2021 With just days left in Mr Trumps presidency, the House also is preparing to impeach Mr Trump this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying first to put pressure on Republicans to tell Mr Trump it is time to go. Mr Trump would face a single charge incitement of insurrection over the riot at the US Capitol, according to a draft of the articles. Politicians were set to introduce the legislation on Monday, with voting in midweek. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Mr Trumps own false statements about his election defeat to Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. A violent mob of Mr Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing politicians to scatter as they were finalising Mr Bidens victory over Mr Trump in the Electoral College. Expand Close Members of the military stand on the steps of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington (Patrick Semansky/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Members of the military stand on the steps of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington (Patrick Semansky/AP) President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the legislation said. The bill from Representatives David Cicilline, Ted Lieu, Jamie Raskin and Jerrold Nadler, said Mr Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat, said on CBS: We need to move forward with alacrity. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Mr Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota bars and restaurants may resume indoor service with limits on capacity as COVID-19 cases and deaths across the state continue to fall. The eased restrictions on Monday returns bars and restaurants about to where they were before Gov. Tim Walz imposed a pause in response to soaring cases in November. They can resume indoor service at 50% capacity but with 10 p.m. curfews and social distancing. Movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums can reopen at 25% capacity. Health officials on Monday reported 980 new infections and 4 deaths, marking the first time since early November the state reported single-digit deaths. Last week, International Dairy Products JSC (IDP) one of Vietnams home-grown dairy producers officially went public on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX). The company has joined a rush of domestic dairy groups accessing public funds, such as Vinamilk, Hanoimilk, and Moc Chau Milk. Dairy groups pursue public funding As of last month IDP had four major shareholders, including Blue Point JSC (60.56 per cent), Viet Capital Securities (15 per cent), Lothamilk JSC (10.18 per cent), and company general director Pham Minh Loan (5 per cent). In July, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund (VOF), the flagship fund of VinaCapital, confirmed completion of divestment of IDP. The fund, along with co-investment partner Daiwa PI Partners, completed the divestment of the remaining stake in IDP to a consortium led by Blue Point at an additional premium relative to the previous partial exit value, and have received $45.4 million in net proceeds for the remaining 37 per cent stake in the company. Meanwhile Vinamilk the countrys largest milk provider controls the majority stake (around 7 per cent) in GTNFood JSC, the parent firm of Moc Chau Milk, after a tie-up deal in 2019. Moc Chau Milk has demonstrated its public fundraising ambition on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM). Specifically, the company raised its foreign ownership limit to 100 per cent, signalling its potential and allure to local and foreign investors. With assistance from Vinamilk, Moc Chau Milk is expected to accelerate its operational efficiency, profit growth, and brand awareness nationwide. The processing and trading dairy industry in Vietnam is seeing considerable development potential. According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnams milk production in 2019 reached 986.1 million litres, accounting for 0.07 per cent of global milk production and reaching only 35 per cent of the domestic demand. Despite Vietnams lower per-capita milk consumption compared to regional peers, positive economic development and stronger nutritional needs are the growth drivers of the landscape. According to Euromonitor, Vietnamese cow milk demand grew strongly in the 2015-2019 period, with 12 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) which is expected to continue to grow at 10 per cent CAGR over the next five years. Moc Chau Milk has yet to take full advantage of the supply chain and brand, mostly due to ineffective management under the previous board. With the presence of Vinamilk in its governance, Moc Chau Milk eliminated several on-core segments and proposed 2020-2024 investment and restructuring plans, such as upgrading existing farms and implementing a high-tech farm with ecotourism. In terms of Vinamilk, although milk export to the Middle East reached double digits in on-year revenue growth as of September 2020, milk export to the United States is likely to remain low, dropping approximately 22.4 per cent on-year due to the negative impact of the pandemic. Once-iconic milk provider Hanoimilk, however, has encountered a bumpy road in recent years. In May, Hanoimilk was delisted from the HNX, before the firm filed for an initial public offering on UPCoM. In mid-December, Hanoimilk was once again labelled as stock under trading restriction due to late disclosure of reviewed financial statement 2020 (over 45 days), and failure in overcoming causes that led to trading restriction status, cited from the official announcement of HNX. On the flip side, the dairy industry is expected to witness fiercer competition in the next few years. The decline in labour income and the rise of unemployment rate to 2.26 per cent has triggered an increase in price sensitivity, raised competition among dairy manufacturers, and slowed down dairy product premiumisation, especially in rural areas. Anh Nguyen, analyst at Bao Viet Securities, noted that the consumption of milk alternatives such as nut milk will continue to grow in the future thanks to the healthy eating trend however, nut milk growth will also fall under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) outlines a schedule of tax elimination in the next 3-7 years for milk and dairy products imported from Europe, which are currently subject to 15-30 per cent tariffs. Three years after the EVFTAs enforcement, tariffs on dairy items from EU players will fall 5-20 per cent. Domestic dairy products are expected to compete fiercely with imported products in the future, said Nguyen. Alice ODonovan, legal and policy advisor at the European Association of Dairy Trade said, Currently per capita consumption of milk in Vietnam is low. While there is dairy production in Vietnam, self-sufficiency in milk is still quite far off. We expect that the EVFTA will create a boost in exports to Vietnam, with investment by European companies in Vietnamese dairy production also being a possibility. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 18:45:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Members of a military medical team head for Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Welcoming the WHO team is not the first step China has taken in the global fight against the virus, nor will it be the last. by Xinhua writer Guo Yage BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China announced Monday that a World Health Organization expert team will arrive in the country on Thursday to jointly work with Chinese scientists on the origin of COVID-19. The announcement by the National Health Commission has highlighted China's open and supportive position for a scientific and fact-based origin-tracing of the deadly virus, as well as the country's longstanding commitment to work with the international community to end the pandemic. China has dismissed accusations by some Western politicians and media outlets that it seeks to deny the WHO's entry and is engaged in a cover-up. In fact, China has been working closely with the WHO ever since the outbreak. In February and July last year, Beijing twice invited WHO experts to carry out cooperation on origin-tracing. In October, the Chinese side reached an agreement on the makeup of the international expert team, and experts from both sides have maintained frequent interactions since then. Since the outbreak, a handful of Western politicians, particularly China-hawks in Washington, and news media have launched a campaign to smear China. They have actively peddled unfounded rumors on the origin of COVID-19 and called for international investigations on the presumption that China is somehow to blame. Liu Haiting (L) and Xu Guojuan, medical team members from northwest China's Qinghai Province, take a break before the closure of the Wuchang temporary hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) The joint research between the WHO and China will by no means be manipulated into an investigation based on the presumption of guilt regarding the origin of the virus, but rather a collective effort by both sides to help deepen the understanding of the virus and better prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the future. Furthermore, such joint research should be carried out simultaneously in other places around the world to gather as much information as possible to decode the mystery of this cunning and lethal pathogen. Claiming without evidence that the outbreak began in a single country is extremely dangerous and counterproductive. The virus should be seen as humanity's common enemy, not a political weapon to demonize others. Welcoming the WHO team is not the first step China has taken in the global fight against the virus, nor will it be the last. As a country which has been calling for the respect for science, impartiality and solidarity facing the pandemic, China will continue to work with the WHO and the international community on origin-tracing and bolster global cooperation against the pandemic, until humanity secures a final victory against this unprecedented global health crisis. A Tennessee police officer was charged with kidnapping a man, fatally shooting him in a squad car and dumping his body while on duty, authorities said. Patric Ferguson, 29, a Memphis police officer since 2018, was charged in the death of Robert Howard, 30, of Memphis. Joshua Rogers, 28, also faces accessory charges in connection with the incident. Ferguson and Howard were known to each other, police said, but it's unclear if Rogers and Howard were familiar with each other and no official motive for the killing has been released yet. Fox 13 reported Monday that three law enforcement sources said that the kidnapping and murder occurred because Howard had been dating Ferguson's ex-girlfriend, who is also a Memphis Police Department officer. 'No one is above the law,' Memphis Police Director Mike Rallings said in a statement. 'Knowing that a Memphis Police Officer, someone who took an oath to protect and serve, made the decision to commit this horrific crime is devastating. His actions were not that of a law enforcement officer and should not reflect on fellow officers.' Memphis Police Department officer Patric Ferguson (left) was charged with kidnapping and killing Memphis man Robert Howard while he was on duty. Joshua Rogers (right) was also charged in connection with the crime Howard was reported missing by his girlfriend on January 6, Memphis police said in a statement Sunday on Twitter. Police said that the woman tracked Howards cell phone to the intersection of Lamar Avenue and Shelby Drive, where she found the phone, but not her boyfriend, leading to a City Watch Alert being issued for Howard on January 8. Police said a body, believed to be Howard, was recovered Sunday near the Wolf River bridge. An investigation determined that Howard had been taken from outside his home and then been shot by Ferguson, who knew Howard and was on duty at the time. According to authorities, Ferguson had acted 'on his own accord' and armed himself with his personal handgun, before forcing Howard into the back of a patrol car and driving to Frayser Boulevard and Denver Street - about 20miles from where his phone was found - where Ferguson shot and killed Howard. Ferguson allegedly left Howard's body at an unspecified location and then returned later to move it. Robert Howard was reported missing by his girlfriend on January 6. Ferguson allegedly kidnapped and then killed him while he was on duty The intersection where Ferguson allegedly shot Howard in the back of a squad car Police said Ferguson (left in grey) admitted that he had kidnapped and killed Howard, while his friend Rogers (right), was said to have helped move Howard's body Police said that Fergusons cell phone search history had included multiple queries regarding crime scene cleanup and how to destroy DNA evidence, WMC Action News 5 reported. Additional evidence police found included Ferguson buying cinderblocks, chains and padlocks at a local hardware store, and surveillance video capturing the actual shooting. Police said that Ferguson admitted to having kidnapped and killed Howard, and asking his friend, Rogers, to help him move the body on January 7. While executing search warrants, police said they found bloody towels in Ferguson's car that had been used to clean up the crime scene and also found the gun used in the slaying at a home. Rogers allegedly admitted to police that he helped Ferguson move Howard's body to Rogers' home. Ferguson faces several charges, including first-degree murder, first-degree murder in perpetration of aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated kidnapping, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with and fabricating evidence, according to the Memphis Police Department. Rogers is being charged with accessory after the fact, abuse of a corpse and tampering with and fabricating evidence. Ferguson was fired following his arrest, police said, according to Fox 13. Ferguson is being held without bond, while Rogers was released on Sunday on a $25,000 bond, Fox 13 reported. A GoFundMe apparently set up by Howard's mother to help raise money for his funeral noted that he was a father of three children. [January 11, 2021] Red Cat partners with Skypersonic Completes Long Distance Drone Flight Remotely ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: RCAT) ("Red Cat" or the "Company"), a leading brand in the drone industry, announced that Fat Shark, a wholly owned subsidiary, had partnered with Skypersonic, the manufacturer of the Skycopter UAV, to complete a long distance drone flight remotely. The flight consisted of a pilot, located in Orlando, Florida, controlling a drone flying in Detroit, Michigan. The flight integrated Fat Shark's new digital technology, "Shark Byte" with Skypersonic's Skycopter and remote pilot software system. The pilot's flight instructions to the drone were transmitted through Skypersonic's servers located in Italy. The companies believe this represents the first commercial completion of a remote flight similar to how drones are used by military forces. "The ability to control the flight of a drone from thousands of miles away should accelerate the commercial adoption of drone technology, expand the number of business services that can be provided by drones, and lower travel and training costs for companies deploying drones." stated Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. "The combination of our recently launched Shark Byte digital system and Skypersonic's patent pending software platform provides video resolution that will enable pilots to navigate more safely and execute commercial flights that were not possible with an analog system." "We are upgrading our entire fleet to the new Shark Byte digital system," stated Giuseppe Santangelo, founder and CEO of Skypersonic. "Global customers like Exelon rely on our drones to safely reach places that are difficult expensive and dangerous to inspect by manned teams. Shark Byte's low-latency high-definition video, a significant advance from prior analog systems, will enable our customers to take their inspections and security applications to a higher level of performance and safety." "We were excited to work with Skypersonic to test the limits of our new digital technology," said Greg French, founder and chief technology officer of Fat Shark. "The combination of our Shark Byte 720p HD digital system and Skypersonic's latency-compensating flight assistance technology enabled the pilot to fly faster and more skillfully than expected." https://youtu.be/93o2UOGsmew About Red Cat The Company's business is to provide products, services and solutions to the drone industry. We design, develop, market, and sell drone products through our 3 wholly owned subsidiaries, Fat Shark, Red Cat Propware and Rotor Riot. Fat Shark makes First Person View (FPV) video goggles for the drone industry and has the largest market share for drone video goggles. Red Cat Propware is developing software that performs flight data analytics, flight data storage, diagnostics and problem prevention. Rotor Riot is a drone media, education and ecommerce store. Rotor Riots premium brand and large influence on the drone industry can support and promote, Fat Shark, Red Cat Propware and future acquisitions and supply a direct retail distribution. For additional information, visit www.redcatholdings.com, www.rotorriot.com, www.fatshark.com Safe Harbor The information provided in this press release may include forward-looking statements relating to future events or the future financial performance of the Company. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "potential," "hope" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. Detailed information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in this press release relating to the Company may be found in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors", copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The parties do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Contact Chad Kapper Phone: ?(818) 906-4701 E-mail: support@rotorriot.com Website: https://rotorriot.com Investor Relations Contact Dave Gentry, CEO RedChip Companies (407) 491-4498 dave@redchip.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-cat-partners-with-skypersonic-completes-long-distance-drone-flight-remotely-301204926.html SOURCE Red Cat Holdings, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Astana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, in Astana who arrived on a two-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit where India and Pakistan will be inducted as full members of the bloc, in the first ever expansion since its inception in 2001. Indias entry into the China-dominated grouping is seen as a major milestone as it is expected to increase the groups hefty in regional geopolitics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. Experts say Indias inclusion may even bring down Beijings overarching influence over the SCO. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, in Astana pic.twitter.com/ySJxdtsLns ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 The Prime Minister will address the SCO Summit on Friday and is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping amid growing differences between the two countries over a host of issues, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Indias Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid. PM Narendra Modi arrived in Astana (Kazakhstan) to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit pic.twitter.com/MZZ8JB3KVV ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 If the meeting takes place, then it would be the first between the two leaders after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing last month in which 29 world leaders took part. India abstained from the Summit to highlight its concerns over the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). There is also speculation about a possible meeting between Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to ease the growing tension between the two neighbours. However, India has been maintaining that there was neither any request from the Pakistani side nor any such proposal from the Indian side for a Modi-Sharif meeting. President Xi arrived here yesterday while Prime Minister Sharif reached the Kazakh capital on Thursday. The Prime Minister is also expected to meet a number of other foreign leaders, including Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. I look forward to deepening Indias association with the SCO which will help us in economic, connectivity and counter-terrorism cooperation, among other things, Prime Minister Modi said ahead of his visit here. The SCO had set the ball rolling to make India a member of the bloc during its summit in Ufa, Russia, in July, 2015, when administrative hurdles were cleared to grant membership to India and Pakistan. Also Read: SCO membership to give India greater say in fighting terror SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said entry of India and Pakistan will enhance the SCOs influence in dealing with pressing challenges and promoting trade and investment in the region. Inclusion of India and Pakistan into the SCO would mean addition of another 1.45 billion people which would make the grouping cover around 40 per cent of the global population. The SCO was founded at a Summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Iran and Pakistan were admitted as observers at the 2005 Astana Summit. The Tashkent SCO Summit in June 2010 had lifted the moratorium on new membership, paving the way for the expansion of the grouping. India feels as an SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. India has been an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Russia had been favouring permanent SCO membership for India while China pushed for induction of Pakistan. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. 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 South African government will store the 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that it will receive from in the next few weeks at a secret place because of the risk of theft for sale at black market prices, according to a media report. The vaccines are a highly-rated commodity once they're stolen and reach the black market, Department of Health spokesperson Popo Maja told the weekly City Press on Sunday, adding that if this occurs, there is a risk that the prices of these illegally-obtained vaccines will be hiked significantly. There will be a central place where the consignment will be stored and from where we will distribute it to hospital and clinic pharmacies that can store it, Maja said. There's a security issue too because countries which have already begun rolling out the vaccines have warned us that there is a huge theft of it, so we may not even disclose where it is being centrally stored, Maja said. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said during an address to the South African parliament last week, that the government had secured 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from as battles exponentially rising infections and deaths daily amid a second wave of the and a new variant of the virus. Overnight on Sunday there were over 21,600 new infections and 399 more deaths. A million doses are expected from before the end of this month and a further 500,000 in February, with healthcare workers in both government and private facilities being prioritised for vaccination. Mkhize also allayed concerns that the vaccine to be supplied by India had not yet been approved by South African regulators. He said teams from the department of health as well as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) were fine-tuning and aligning all the regulations and processes to ensure that there were no unnecessary delays or impediments to rollout the vaccine. We are all happy that the Serum Institute of India and the AstraZeneca vaccine have already been approved by various regulators and is being rolled out in other countries, he said. Addressing concerns that corruption might make the process costly, as had been the case in the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health workers for months during the COVID-19 lockdown, Mkhize gave an assurance that there would be no corruption as the deal was being done directly between the government and the manufacturer, unlike the middlemen used in the PPE acquisitions who had exploited the situation. (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.) Photo: The Canadian Press Under battle flags bearing Donald Trump's name, the Capitol's attackers pinned a bloodied police officer in a doorway, his twisted face and screams captured on video. They mortally wounded another officer with a blunt weapon and body-slammed a third over a railing into the crowd. Hang Mike Pence!" the insurrectionists chanted as they pressed inside, beating police with pipes. They demanded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's whereabouts, too. They hunted any and all lawmakers: Where are they? Outside, makeshift gallows stood, complete with sturdy wooden steps and the noose. Guns and pipe bombs had been stashed in the vicinity. Only days later is the extent of the danger from one of the darkest episodes in American democracy coming into focus. The sinister nature of the assault has become evident, betraying the crowd as a force determined to occupy the inner sanctums of Congress and run down leaders Trumps vice-president and the Democratic House speaker among them. This was not just a collection of Trump supporters with MAGA bling caught up in a wave. That revelation came in real time to Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., who briefly took over proceedings in the House chamber as the mob closed in Wednesday and Pelosi was spirited to safer quarters moments before everything went haywire. I saw this crowd of people banging on that glass screaming, McGovern told The Associated Press on Sunday. Looking at their faces, it occurred to me, these arent protesters. These are people who want to do harm. What I saw in front of me," he said, was basically home-grown fascism, out of control." Pelosi said Sunday the evidence is that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people. She did not elaborate on that point in a 60 Minutes" interview on CBS. The scenes of rage, violence and agony are so vast that the whole of it may still be beyond comprehension. But with countless smartphone videos emerging from the scene, much of it from gloating insurrectionists themselves, and more lawmakers recounting the chaos that was around them, the contours of the uprising are increasingly coming into relief. Fight like hell, Trump exhorted his partisans at the staging rally. Lets have trial by combat, implored his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, whose attempt to throw out election results in trial by courtroom failed. It's time to start taking down names and kicking ass, said Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama. The FBI is investigating whether some of the attackers intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage. Authorities are particularly focused on why some in the mob were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate. Thousands had swarmed the Capitol. They charged into police and metal barricades outside the building, shoving and hitting officers in their way. The assault quickly pushed through the vastly outnumbered police line; officers ran down one man and pummeled him. In the melee outside, near the structure built for Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20, a man threw a fire extinguisher at the helmeted head of a police officer. Then he picked up a bullhorn and threw it at officers, too. The identity of the officer could not immediately be confirmed. But Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who was wounded in the chaos, died the next night; officials say he had been hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. At 2:44 p.m., as lawmakers inside the House chamber prepared to be evacuated, a gunshot was heard from right outside, in the Speaker's Lobby on the other side of the barricaded doors. That's when Ashli Babbit, wearing a Trump flag like a cape, was shot to death on camera as insurrectionists railed, her blood pooling on the white marble floor. The Air Force veteran from California had climbed through a broken window into the Speakers Lobby before a police officer's gunshot felled her. When the rioters breached the abandoned Senate chamber, they milled around, rummaged through papers, sat at desks and took videos and pictures. One of them climbed to the dais and yelled, Trump won that election! Two others were photographed carrying flex cuffs typically used for mass arrests. But outside the chamber, the mob's hunt was still on for lawmakers. Where are they?" people could be heard yelling. At about 5:30 p.m., once the National Guard had arrived to supplement the overwhelmed Capitol Police force, a full-on effort began to get the attackers out. Heavily armed officers brought in as reinforcements started using tear gas in a co-ordinated fashion to get people moving toward the door, then combed the halls for stragglers. As darkness fell, they pushed the mob farther out onto the plaza and lawn, using officers in riot gear in full shields and clouds of tear gas, flash-bangs and percussion grenades. At 7:23 p.m., officials announced that people hunkered down in two nearby congressional office buildings could leave if anyone must. By Li Rong With less than two weeks at the White House, Mike Pompeo, the "worst Secretary of State" in American history, astonished the world by announcing that the US is lifting "self-imposed" restrictions on its official relationship with Taiwan. Its widely known that a few anti-China politicians in Washington represented by Pompeo, at the end of their rope, will make a last-ditch, desperate attempt at turning the tables, but that they would be so sinister as to take such a vicious move with the "Taiwan card" is still beyond imagination. More than 40 years ago, Chinese and American leaders, with utmost wisdom and creativity, reached a consensus on the Taiwan question, which constituted one of the key preconditions for the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two major countries. There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the government of the Peoples Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing China. This is an internationally acknowledged fact and an unequivocal commitment made by the US side in the three China-US Joint Communiques. Its easy to destroy a city but hard to build it. In todays America, a handful of politicians have neither the ability to "build a city" nor the wish to "safeguard it". All they can see is their personal political interests, and all they are capable of is smashing China-US relations, undermining the international order, and sabotaging Americas national credit and reputation, leaving an intractable mess for their successors. Externally, the current US administration has destroyed the international system that its predecessor s have participated in building, and made itself an enemy of multilateral cooperation. Internally, they instigated opposition at home, which eventually led to the Capitol riots, leaving civilians and police officers dead and injured and the American society more seriously torn apart than ever. These politicians are also intensely loathed in their own country and within the US government. A drowning man will clutch at a straw. Playing the "China card" has always been considered a straw by some ill-intended American politicians to save their political careers. They have interfered continuously in Chinas internal affairs concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang to curb Chinas development and rake in political capital for themselves by serving as the anti-China vanguards. They have recently intensified their risky moves on the Taiwan question by signing the so-called Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020, holding the so-called political-military dialogue with Taiwan authorities via video link, announcing the planned visit to Taiwan by the US ambassador to the UN, and lifting the restrictions on official contacts between the two sides, etc. The politicians are so desperate on the Taiwan question because they want to divert the domestic conflicts and grab some bargaining chips in hand at the last moment, while the China-US relations and the long-term interests of the Chinese and American people are not something in their consideration. US-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. As the worlds two largest economies, their relationship not only concerns the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples but also profoundly affects the global welfare and the trend of the world situation. The Taiwan question is a matter of Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity and concerns its core interests. The Chinese side will take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests resolutely. If the US side indulges the small group of politicians to politically manipulate the Taiwan question, that will undoubtedly erode the cornerstone of China-US ties, and the politicians themselves, if they are determined to walk down the dead end, are bound to pay a heavy price for their wrongdoings. In the recent past, Jyani and Grewal have been mediating between the protesting farmers and the Central government The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has called for the social boycott of Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Surjit Kumar Jyani and Harjit Singh Grewal over their statements on the ongoing farmers' protest. In the recent past, Jyani and Grewal have been mediating between the protesting farmers and the Central government. Jyani was chairing the BJP's coordination committee for interacting with farmers in Punjab last year on the three farm bills, which at that time had not been passed by Parliament. Grewal was a member of the panel. Jyani had recently said that Maoists have "entered the (farmers') movement and are not letting this issue get resolved." He also said this movement is leaderless and therefore, it becomes difficult to hold a dialogue with them. Grewal also made a similar allegation of Maoists having entered the protest. The decision by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha to boycott the two leaders comes in this backdrop. The protest leaders said that the BJP leaders have continuously been making allegations against farmers and are now levelling false allegations against farm leaders, according to a report in The Times of India. The report quoted farmer leader Darshan Pal as saying, "They (Jyani and Grewal) need to be thrown out of Punjab as they are working against the interests of Punjab despite residing in the same state. Farmers have been asked to socially boycott them and oppose them in Punjab." The protesters have urged farmers not to take Grewal's land on lease for tilling, and also to boycott anyone who defies the call. In response, Grewal struck a defiant note, saying he would take legal action against the protesters. I am not scared of such threats, he was quoted as saying by The Tribune. On 5 January, Jyani and Grewal had held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the farm laws. After the meeting, Grewal told PTI that the prime minister understands Punjab very well. He said that the prime minister 'is looking after the party's work and has travelled across the state.' Jyani underlined that Modi is concerned about farmers and said the government is always ready to work in the interest of farmers. When asked about the farm laws, Jyani said,"Farmer unions should not be adamant about their demand for repealing the laws. The government has always been ready to do everything in the interest of farmers." He also said this movement is leaderless and therefore, it becomes difficult to hold a dialogue with them. The farmers' union should elect one or more leaders to negotiate with the government, Jyani suggested. Thousands of agriculturists, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the laws for the last over four weeks at various border points of Delhi and demanding that the legislations be repealed. The news laws allow farmers to sell their produce outside mandis regulated by Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). They also remove stock limits for agricultural produce and provide a framework for contract farming. However, the protesting farmers fear that the laws may eventually lead to the dismantling of the MSP and will create large monopolies. With inputs from PTI There are rumours Cadbury Australia could be making a Neapolitan block Excited Cadbury fans have debated what the rumoured block will look like Some think it will be a three-layered chocolate, others think it will be in rows Cadbury has confirmed the flavour exists and will be in store from next week Cadbury has confirmed they are launching a limited-edition Neapolitan chocolate block - after rumours of the new flavour's existence started swirling. The chocolate will be filtered out to supermarkets across the country from next week, according to a Cadbury spokes person, and will be available in a small bar and a family block. ADVERTISEMENT As a summer themed concept, Cadbury Dairy Milk Neapolitan is a nostalgic nod to a favourite Australian dessert and a novel take on the ice-cream classic that delivers unique three layered block. The first rumour about the new flavour was started by the @foodfindsgeelong Instagram account, who also claimed in the same post that tropical Skittles and Smith's 'Crispy Bacon' chips were in the pipeline. 'I wonder what flavours they will have? Caramilk, milk chocolate and ruby chocolate?' one Cadbury fan guessed - pictured a Neapolitan block from New Zealand Chocolate lovers were torn as to how the chocolate block would look. Whether the three flavours will be layered on top of each other - similar to top deck or is there will be four rows of each flavour. 'I wonder what flavours they will have? Caramilk, milk chocolate and ruby chocolate?' one Cadbury fan guessed. Click here to resize this module 'I hope it is regular milk chocolate and not chocolate ice cream flavour,' another said. The Instagram account also revealed dark chocolate Maltesers were coming soon - and the product has already hit the shelves. People have compared the chocolate to the single serve 'Cadbury Triple Decker' bars and the old Neapolitan chocolate blocks which used to be sold in New Zealand. Chocolate lovers are torn as to how the chocolate block will look. Whether the three flavours will be layered on top of each other - similar to top deck or is there will be four rows of each flavour (stock image) There are rumours Cadbury have a new chocolate in the pipeline, pictured is their Roast Almond bars Some fans weren't so easily convinced, with others even hoping the rumours weren't true. 'What a waste of good chocolate, they need to stop with these disaster mashup ideas,' one person said. 'That's a good waster of two thirds of a block,' another said. ADVERTISEMENT 'More flavoured junk to mask the fact cocoa yields are declining and it's too expensive for Cadbury to make actual chocolate anymore. I don't buy chocolate to taste like something entirely other to chocolate,' said another. Congress MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Chhaya Verma and former Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Monday staged a walkout from a meeting of the Standing Committee on Agriculture after the panel chairman refused to discuss Centre's three farm laws and their aftermath, sources said. Citing the large-scale protests undertaken by various farmer unions that have seen thousands of farmers protest at the borders of Delhi for over 40 days, the three Rajya Sabha MPs raised the issue with the chairman of the standing committee. Due to the refusal of the chairman to allow the situation to be discussed by the committee, the three MPs decided to walk out of the meeting in protest, the sources said. The panel is chaired by BJP MP P C Gaddigoudar. The meeting held at the Parliament annexe building was to take note of the evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) in connection with the examination of the Subject "Status of Veterinary Services and Availability of Animal Vaccine in the Country". (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.) Portland is likely to get pounded by rain for much of the next three days as a strong front stalls over northwest Oregon. A flood watch has been issued for the period from Monday evening through Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service is watching this front approaching from the Gulf of Alaska and expects it to remain over northwest Oregon for several days, dropping as much as 2 inches of rain in the valleys. The coast and Coast Range could see from 4-8 inches of rain. Rain will be heavy at times through Wednesday and temperatures will be mild enough to melt some recent mountain snow. This opens the possibility for local rivers and streams to swell and cause flooding in low-lying areas. Heavy rain could also contribute to landslides and debris flows, especially across areas burned by recent wildfires. This week's flood watch extends to most of the Willamette Valley and portions of southwest Washington. NOAA Those who live in flood-prone areas should watch carefully for possible flood conditions and be prepared to take action if waters rise. Those who live near, or regularly drive through, slide areas should watch carefully for falling debris or earth movement. The snow level will rise above 6,000 feet during this event. Rain starts Monday mainly after about 10 a.m. Highs will be near 48 degrees. Tuesday looks to be the strongest rain day with precipitation likely throughout the day and into the evening hours. The high temperature will jump to near 55 degrees as warmer air and breezy conditions move into northwest Oregon. Portland could see wind gusts of up to 28 mph. The front should finally move eastward late Wednesday morning leaving showers for the metro area. Breezy conditions will continue through mid-morning with gusts as high as 40 mph possible for the Willamette Valley. The high will be near 53 degrees. The weather service is looking at the possibility for a mostly dry day Thursday before another round of rain by the end of the week. By MICHAEL BIESECKER, MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, GILLIAN FLACCUS and JIM MUSTIAN Associated Press WASHINGTON They came from across America, summoned by President Donald Trump to march on Washington in support of his false claim that the November election was stolen and to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden as the victor. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th, Trump tweeted a week before Christmas. Be there, will be wild! The insurrectionist mob that showed up at the presidents behest and stormed the U.S. Capitol was overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters, including Republican Party officials, GOP political donors, far-right militants, white supremacists, members of the military and adherents of the QAnon myth that the government is secretly controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophile cannibals. Records show that some were heavily armed and included convicted criminals, such as a Florida man recently released from prison for attempted murder. The Associated Press reviewed social media posts, voter registrations, court files and other public records for more than 120 people either facing criminal charges related to the Jan. 6 unrest or who, going maskless amid the pandemic, were later identified through photographs and videos taken during the melee. The evidence gives lie to claims by right-wing pundits and Republican officials such as Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that the violence was perpetrated by left-wing antifa thugs rather than supporters of the president. Steven DAntuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Washington field office, told reporters that investigators had seen no indication antifa activists were disguised as Trump supporters in Wednesdays riot. The AP found that many of the rioters had taken to social media after the November election to retweet and parrot false claims by Trump that the vote had been stolen in a vast international conspiracy. Several had openly threatened violence against Democrats and Republicans they considered insufficiently loyal to the president. During the riot, some livestreamed and posted photos of themselves at the Capitol. Afterwards, many bragged about what they had done. As the mob smashed through doors and windows to invade the Capitol, a loud chant went up calling for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence, the recent target of a Trump Twitter tirade for not subverting the Constitution and overturning the legitimate vote tally. Outside, a wooden scaffold had been erected on the National Mall, a rope noose dangling at the ready. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Among them was William Arthur Leary, who owns a manufactured housing business in Utica, New York. In an interview Friday, Leary told the AP that he strongly believes the election was stolen from Trump and that he went to Washington to show his support. Leary said he doesnt trust information reported by the mainstream media and that one of his main sources of information was Infowars, the far-right conspiracy site run by Alex Jones. He denied he ever set foot in the Capitol and complained that he was held for more than 24 hours and had his cell phone seized. They treated us like animals, he complained. They took all our phones. I didnt get to make a phone call to tell anybody where I was. Leary said he remembers seeing a woman, Kristina Malimon, 28, of Portland, Oregon, sobbing at the detention center because she had been separated and not allowed to translate for her mother, who primarily speaks Russian. Both women had been charged with curfew violation and unlawful entry. According to a video posted on her Instagram account, the younger Malimon says she was born in Moldova, where her family had faced persecution under the Soviet-era regime for their Christian beliefs. Malimon, who traveled to D.C. from Portland, is vice chairwoman of the Young Republicans of Oregon, according to the groups website and is also listed as an ambassador for the pro-Trump group Turning Point USA. Her social media feeds are full of photos taken at Trump events, including the earlier Million MAGA March held in Washington last month. She also posted photos of herself posing with Donald Trump Jr. and Roger Stone, who was convicted of crimes including obstruction of justice and pardoned by Trump on Christmas Eve. Media reports from Oregon quoted Malimon in August as the primary organizer of a Trump boat parade on the Willamette River. Oregon, today you came out and showed your love and support for our wonderful President, Donald J. Trump thank you! Kristina Malimon wrote on Facebook following the parade. Malimon also served as a Republican poll watcher in Georgia and spoke at an event organized by the Trump campaign in December, claiming to have seen voting machines and tabulation computers in Savannah, Georgia, with suspiciously blinking green lights she interpreted as a sign they were being secretly controlled by outside hackers a claim debunked as false by GOP election officials in the state. A phone number listed for Kristina Malimon rang without being answered on Friday. At the address listed for her in southeast Portland on Friday night, her teenage brother answered the door as other family members, including young children, ran around. The family spoke Russian to each other and the brother, Nick Malimon, translated. He said his sister was still in Washington but had called the family following her release from jail and didnt seem upset about her arrest. Also arrested was Lonnie Leroy Coffman, 70, an Alabama grandfather who drove to Washington to attend Trumps Save America Rally in a red GMC Sierra pickup packed with an M4 assault rifle, multiple loaded magazines, three handguns and 11 Mason jars filled with homemade napalm, according to court filings. The truck was found during a security sweep involving explosives-sniffing dogs after two pipe bombs were found and disarmed Wednesday near the national headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties. Coffman was arrested that evening when he returned to the truck carrying a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun and a .22-caliber derringer pistol in his pockets. Federal officials said Coffman is not suspected of planting the pipe bombs, though he was charged with having Molotov cocktails in the bed of his truck. His grandson, Brandon Coffman, told the AP on Friday his grandfather was a Republican who had expressed admiration for Trump at holiday gatherings. He said he had no idea why Coffman would show up in the nations capital armed for civil war. Also facing federal charges is Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., a Georgia man who in the wake of the election had protested outside the home of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump had publicly blamed for his loss in the state. Meredith drove to Washington last week for the Save America rally but arrived late because of a problem with the lights on his trailer, according to court filings that include expletive-laden texts. Headed to DC with a (s-) ton of 5.56 armor-piercing ammo, he texted friends and relatives on Jan. 6, adding a purple devil emoji, according to court filings. The following day, he texted to the group: Thinking about heading over to Pelosi (C's) speech and putting a bullet in her noggin on Live TV. He once again added a purple devil emoji, and wrote he might hit her with his truck instead. Im gonna run that (C-) Pelosi over while she chews on her gums. Dead (B) Walking. I predict that within 12 days, many in our country will die. Meredith, who is white, then texted a photo of himself in blackface. Im gonna walk around DC FKG with people by yelling Allahu ak Bar randomly. A participant in the text exchange provided screenshots to the FBI, who tracked Meredith to a Holiday Inn a short walk from the Capitol. They found a compact Tavor X95 assault rifle, a 9mm Glock 19 handgun and about 100 rounds of ammunition, according to court filings. The agents also seized a stash of THC edibles and a vial of injectable testosterone. Meredith is charged with transmitting a threat, as well as felony counts for possession of firearms and ammunition. Michael Thomas Curzio was arrested in relation to the riots less than two years after he was released from a Florida prison in 2019 after serving an eight-year sentence for attempted murder. Court records from Florida show that he shot the boyfriend of his former girlfriend in a fight at her home. Federal law enforcement officials vowed Friday to bring additional charges against those who carried out the attack on the Capitol, launching a nationwide manhunt for dozens of suspects identified from photographic evidence The FBI has opened a murder probe into the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, according to law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly. He died at a hospital. The Trump supporters who died in the riot were Kevin D. Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; Ashli Babbitt, 35, of San Diego; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia. Boylands sister told the AP on Friday she was an adherent of the QAnon conspiracy theory that holds Trump is Americas savior. Her Facebook page featured photos and videos praising Trump and promoting fantasies, including one theory that a shadowy group was using the coronavirus to steal elections. Boylands final post on Twitter a retweet of a post by White House social media director Dan Scavino was a picture of thousands of people surrounding the Washington Monument on Wednesday. She would text me some things, and I would be like, Let me fact-check that. And Id sit there and Id be like, Well, I dont think thats actually right, Lonna Cave, Boylands sister, said. We got in fights about it, arguments. The APs review found that QAnon beliefs were common among those who heeded Trumps call to come to Washington. Doug Jensen, 41, was arrested by the FBI on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, after returning home from the riot. An AP photographer captured images of him confronting Capitol Police officers outside of the Senate chamber on Wednesday. Jensen was wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with a large Q and the phrase Trust The Plan, a reference to QAnon. Video posted online during the storming of the Capitol also appears to show Jensen, who is white, pursuing a Black police officer up an interior flight of stairs as a mob of people trails several steps behind. At several points, the officer says get back, but to no avail. Jensens older brother, William Routh, told the AP on Saturday that Jensen believed that the person posting as Q was either Trump or someone very close to the president. I feel like he had a lot of influence from the internet that confused or obscured his views on certain things, said Routh, of Clarksville, Arkansas, who described himself as a Republican Trump supporter. When I talked to him, he thought that maybe this was Trump telling him what to do. Jensens employer, Forrest & Associate Masonry in Des Moines, announced Friday that he had been fired. Tara Coleman, a 40-year-old mother who lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was arrested at the Capitol for a curfew violation and for unlawful entry. On her Facebook page, Coleman re-posted articles supporting the QAnon beliefs about a deep state conspiracy to target children. The AP could not find a working phone number for Coleman and her attorney, Peter Cooper, did not respond to an email seeking comment. And Jake Chansley, who calls himself the QAnon Shaman and has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, surrendered to the FBI field office in Phoenix on Saturday. News photos show him at the riot shirtless, with his face painted and wearing a fur hat with horns, carrying a U.S. flag attached to a wooden pole topped with a spear. Chansleys unusual headwear is visible in a Nov. 7 AP photo at a rally of Trump supporters protesting election results outside of the Maricopa County election center in Phoenix. In that photo, Chansley, who also has gone by the last name Angeli, held a sign that read, HOLD THE LINE PATRIOTS GOD WINS. He also expressed his support for the president in an interview with the AP that day. The FBI identified Chansley by his distinctive tattoos, which include bricks circling his biceps in an apparent reference to Trumps border wall. Chansley didnt respond last week to messages seeking comment to one of his social media accounts. There were also current and former members of the U.S. military in the crowd. Army commanders at Fort Bragg in North Carolina are investigating Capt. Emily Raineys involvement in the Wednesday rally. The 30-year-old psychological operations officer told the AP she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom who traveled to Washington to stand against election fraud and support Trump. She insisted she acted within Army regulations and that no one in her group entered the Capitol or broke the law. I was a private citizen and doing everything right and within my rights, Rainey told the AP. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr. of Texas was charged in federal court on Sunday after he was identified in photos showing him standing in the well of the Senate, wearing a military-style helmet and body armor while holding a pair of zip-tie handcuffs. The insurrectionist mob also included members of the neofascist group known as the Proud Boys, whom Trump urged to stand back and stand by when asked to condemn them by a moderator during a presidential debate in September. Nicholas R. Ochs, 34, was arrested Saturday after returning home to Hawaii, where he is the founder of the local Proud Boys chapter. On Wednesday, Ochs posted a photo of himself on Twitter inside the Capitol, grinning broadly and smoking a cigarette. According to court filings, the FBI matched photos of Ochs taken during the riot to photos taken when Ochs campaigned unsuccessfully last year as the Republican nominee for a seat in the Hawaii statehouse. Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio was arrested Monday in Washington on weapons charges and ordered to stay out of the nations capital. Tarrio is accused of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church last month. Jay Robert Thaxton, 46, was arrested near the Capitol for curfew violations on Wednesday. A North Carolina man with the same name has also been linked to the Proud Boys. He told The Stanly News & Press in 2019 that he was a Proud Boys supporter but wouldnt say if he was an official member of the group. Another North Carolina newspaper, The Jacksonville Daily News, published a photo of Thaxton wearing a Make America Great Again hat at a 2019 protest over the removal of Confederate statues. A man who answered a telephone number associated with Thaxton hung up on an AP reporter. The recipient of a text message to the same number responded with an expletive. Others are facing consequences even beyond arrest. A Texas sheriff announced Thursday that he had reported one of his lieutenants to the FBI after she posted photos of herself on social media with a crowd outside the Capitol. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Lt. Roxanne Mathai, a 46-year-old jailer, had the right to attend the rally but hes investigating whether she may have broken the law. One of the posts Mathai shared was a photo that appeared to be taken Wednesday from among the mass of Trump supporters outside the Capitol, Not gonna lie......aside from my kids, this was, indeed, the best day of my life. And its not over yet. A lawyer for Mathai, a mother and longtime San Antonio resident, said she attended the Trump rally but never entered the Capitol. Brad Rukstales, a Republican political donor and CEO of Cogensia, a Chicago-based data analytics firm, was arrested with a group of a half-dozen Trump supporters who clashed with officers Wednesday inside the Capitol. Campaign finance reports show Rukstales contributed more than $25,000 to Trumps campaign and other GOP committees during to 2020 election cycle. He told a local CBS news channel last week that he had entered the Capitol and apologized. He was fired Friday and did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Derrick Evans, a Republican recently sworn in as a delegate to the West Virginia House, resigned Saturday following his arrest on two charges related to the Capitol riot. He had streamed video of himself charging into the building with the mob. Theyre making an announcement now saying if Pence betrays us you better get your mind right because were storming the building, Evans, 35, says in the video, as the door to the Capitol building is smashed and rioters rush through. The door is cracked! Were in, were in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol! On Saturday he issued a statement saying he regretted taking part. I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians, the statement said. National Taxpayers Association National Co-ordinator Irene Otieno responds to questions from the public via Sunday Nation. The taxation regime as it stands favours the tax collector in case of a dispute. What other recourse exists other than the courts when one feels aggrieved? Fatuma Mohammed, Mombasa County Indeed, parties to a dispute are greatly concerned about the courts impartiality, otherwise, its decision or award is tainted. Parties to a dispute place premium on speedy resolutions, maintain taxpayers and tax administrator relationship and a wealth of seasoned experts. These considerations have informed Kenyas tax dispute structure as highlighted below: Tax disputes occur when a taxpayer and a tax administrator have opposing views with regards to tax liabilities and entitlements, and subsequently opt to take some course of action. For instance, in Kenya, most tax disputes usually arise from KRA tax assessments of taxpayers as a result of an in-depth audit or a routine compliance check. In such a case, the first course of action available to a taxpayer is to object the tax decision as provided by Section 51(1) and (2) of the Tax Procedures Act, 2015. Should a taxpayer not be satisfied with the decision on the objection, they are allowed to appeal the decision to the Tax Appeals Tribunal and may further file appeals to the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Other than the option to go to the courts, KRA has also established an Alternative Dispute Resolution Framework effective since July 1, 2015, as per Section 55 of the Tax Procedures Act, 2015 whereby either party can initiate the ADR process by writing to the other party. The periodic reports by the Controller of Budget paint a worrying trend in terms of local revenue collection by the county governments. Not a single county has ever met its target and in all talk about revenue, local revenue collected by counties has often been treated as secondary. What is your take on this situation? Caroline Waswa, Kitengela The need for county governments to have reliable revenue is a key principle of devolution. This is contained in Article 175(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. The devolution arrangements also feature political and administrative devolution, as well as fiscal decentralisation. The 47 county governments budget for devolved functions and generate revenue from local sources. However, the counties have not been meeting their targets due to some of the following reasons: the counties inherited structures including revenue administration procedures and guidelines, as well as revenue collection personnel. In the process, many inefficiencies were also transferred such as weaknesses in the regulatory framework for OSR management billing, corruption, laxity among revenue collectors and poor setting of annual revenue targets. While some county governments have made progress in resolving these problems, others still struggle with issues such as technology and implementation of administrative guidelines on the payment of fees and charges. Numerous surveys show that the exchequer loses over a third of its annual budget to corruption. Is there anything ordinary citizens can do to force the authorities to be more prudent with their hard-earned funds? Komen Moris, Eldoret Your observation is similar to the majority of Kenyans, who continue to question the wisdom of bigger budgets each year, without addressing corruption. Kenyans continue to be ignored when they question corruption. The dire state of affairs demands that we not only focus on corruption but also budget lines that are not tainted by corruption but are wasteful and inefficient. Look at the wage bill crisis that is fueled by multiplicity of allowances while we know that only 17 percent of Kenyans are formally employed. We are a selfish nation that the few 17 per cent take home more than 50 per cent of the budget. I would rather have modest remuneration but strengthened public services for an equitable society. Kenyans must stop delegating anti-corruption work to institutions only but take an active role in this matter. Do you share a common belief gaining currency among Kenyan industrialists that the revenue authority is working at the behest of influential individuals to push their business agendas against perceived competition to the detriment of the victimised? Kelvin Njoroge, Kiambu County Noting that efficient tax compliance hinges on the perception of fairness of the tax administrator, the onus is on the KRA to strive and ensure that taxpayers view their actions as objective and devoid of ulterior motives. However, as an institution, we support the need for both individuals and the corporates pay their fair share of taxation. I hold no brief for KRA but take note of their concern alluding to the fact that not all corporates have paid their fair share of tax. My observation of KRAs vigour to introduce taxes such as the minimum tax, may indeed be fueled by such information. Mistrust between the taxman and businesses ought to be addressed and associations such as NTA, KEPSA and KAM provide great opportunities to broker these discussions. Do you agree with the governments plan to reverse the much needed tax relief measures introduced in April 2020 to cushion Kenyans against harsh economic times? Faki Nuru, Makueni County The package for the proposals put forward by the government offered tax reductions, waivers, and deadline delays for certain tax payments and compliance obligations and, as such, generally gives taxpayers especially those who are most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged some very welcome breathing room to preserve their cash-flow and take additional time to organise their tax affairs in these trying times. However, according to IMF, the cuts on the other hand cost the Kenya Revenue Authority and compromised the States ability to deal with emergencies and spending on development projects like roads, power plants and water infrastructure. Kenyas debt stood at 61.7 per cent of GDP at the end of 2019, up from 50.2 per cent at the end of 2015. The IMF pointed out that Kenyas budget deficit is driven up by gaping budget deficits that were caused by large infrastructure projects such as the SGR railway line. We disagree with the governments position. There were other options such as renegotiating debt repayments, addressing graft and reducing inefficiencies. What is your organisation doing to defend corporates like Keroche Industries, Africa spirits, AGOL and many others that are being maliciously targeted for alleged tax offenses by the KRA yet no concrete evidence has been adduced? Gaitho Mercy, Nairobi County According to Article 201 of the Constitution, the burdens and benefits of the use of resources and public borrowing shall be shared equitably between present and future generations. This gives the government the power to impose taxes and charges to any registered entities. However, weaponisation of the policies against certain enterprises slowly kills the entrepreneurial culture and passion to do business in the economy. This calls for urgent policies that will limit the government from such actions. Some action from KRA and government has been construed as settling scores, which is a drawback to tax paying morale. The action by KRA to inform the public in the dailies and in their website is key in restoring confidence in the objectivity of its action. There has been an outcry over excessive buying or leasing of vehicles by the government which leads to high expenditure on the same as well as daily running and maintenance expenses. Have you addressed this matter and will the same ever be curtailed? Githuku Mungai, Nairobi In principle, the government policy direction has been to move from purchase to leasing assets as has also been evidenced with the leasing of medical equipment (MES) for the health sector. Economists hold the view that assets that become obsolete due to technological advancement greatly benefit from leasing arrangement. Therefore, to address your concern, we have addressed this issue within the bigger conversation on the need for austerity measures. Unfortunately, there has not been much improvement on this matter as any action on the same has been very short-lived. We hold the view that the Office of the Controller of Budget would be best placed to monitor the implementation of circulars from Treasury, that have been unequivocal on this matter but whose implementation has not taken effect. The office of the Auditor-General is also well placed to use this as a yardstick to issue audit opinions for government entities. Why is the taxman targeting corporates that appear to do financially better than others in a warped way of carrying out its mandate? Are power brokers misusing KRA to settle business scores? Masai Mandela, Kajiado County KRA is mandated to undertake compliance checks and tax audits on all taxpayers in accordance with various provisions including but not limited to the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the Tax Procedures Act 2015, the Income Tax Act (CAP 470), the Excise Duty Act 2015, the East African Community Customs and Management Act (EACCMA) 2004. The resulting outcome of which may require additional assessments, and in the case of fraud, prosecution of the offenders. However, the criteria used by KRA to undertake such compliance checks are not clear and it may seem that they target specific corporates. Winston Churchill once said, We contend that for a nation to try and tax itself into posterity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself by the handle. Is this where our country finds itself? Juma Hassan, Mombasa County I would say that it would depend on the context in which we look at it. Churchill used this metaphor several times and one scenario where he used it was in 1904 when Britain wanted to place tariffs on foreign imports in the hopes of encouraging the growth of British industries. The argument for this was that if foreign imported manufactured goods were shut out, the country would manufacture the goods themselves. However, this is not necessarily true. Churchills argument in this case was against the idea that keeping out foreign goods would create more wealth, and more employment. He was against the belief of promoting prosperity by limiting business with foreign importers and taking money from hardworking men and women. However, in the context of taxation to fund development of a country, the metaphor may not be applicable. The idea of taxes came about as a way for the citizens of a country to contribute towards goods and services that they would otherwise be unable to fund as individuals. An example of this is funding for a road that would allow members of a community to go to their places of work or send their children to school with ease. The same logic would apply to provision of health services, education, water supply etc, especially in light of the international inclination towards Domestic Resource Mobilisation (DRM) to fund development as opposed to donor funds. In this context, the most reliable source of DRM for most developing countries such as Kenya would be tax revenues. Rampant tax evasion, especially in the Port of Mombasa, border posts and major airports is a matter of great concern, with corrupt customs officials colluding with importers to deny the government the much-needed revenue. How can this be curbed? Dan Murugu, Nakuru Tax payment is a civic duty and an imposed contribution by the government to contribute to her principal source of revenue to provide public goods and services to its citizenry. It is a compulsory unrequited payment to the government. Tax evasion prevalence is vast and greatly impairs taxations macro- economic objectives thus creating a rift between actual and potential government tax revenue ,raising many issues which need urgent attention and solutions. However much the government endeavours to exercise its sovereign right to collect taxes, nobody likes paying taxes although there is great appreciation that taxes need to be paid. This drives some people into tax evasion, making the government constantly fail to raise targeted tax revenue, compared to the rising demand of revenue by the government in order to deliver. The KRA is racing to bring more people into the tax brackets and curb tax cheating and evasion in the quest to meet targets in an economy where Covid-19 pandemic has battered collections. These allegations exist and the KRA authority is seized of this information. Consequently, we continue to see a move towards more automation and less interaction between the KRA staff and taxpayers, in a sense leveraging on technology to minimise revenue leakages. Instances of criminal activities have been escalated to the courts and seizure of these proceeds of crime. Administrative anti-corruption strategies such as wealth declaration continue to contribute to this area. The tax cheats risk travel bans, collection of duty directly from their suppliers and bankers and prosecution in what promises to be the biggest crackdown yet on high net-worth persons. The taxman reckons the tax evasion schemes include filing fictitious value-added tax (VAT) invoices to evade paying taxes running into billions of shillings. When our president undermines the credibility of our elections, how can we insist upon free and fair elections in Belarus or Ivory Coast? When our presidents rhetoric demonizes journalists and allows his supporters to assault them, how can we stand up for freedom of the press in the Philippines or Turkey? Can our allies depend on the power of our military deterrence and will our adversaries be deterred when we do not secure our own institutions? If we dont confront and address these dangerous shortcomings, we invite accusations of hypocrisy. It feeds into the playbooks of authoritarian leaders around the world who argue that their systems are superior to democratic ones and that the United States practices respect for human rights only when it is convenient. Its clear to me that the damage President Trump and his enablers have inflicted will outlive his presidency. But its also clear that for our democracy to survive and for the United States to maintain its position as a defender of our values and freedoms around the world, we need to show our allies and adversaries that our democracy has weathered this test. Congress began this task as soon as the Capitol was cleared Wednesday night, by returning to our work and voting to certify the results of the election. But for us to send the strongest message to the rest of the world that the rule of law still reigns in the United States, we have to hold Wednesdays rioters and instigators accountable chief among them the president. First, Donald Trump does not deserve to be president. He should resign today. My Republican colleagues who have served as allies and enablers of the president should persuade him to do so. If he wont, Vice President Mike Pence should take responsibility, invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him which only the vice president and the cabinet have the power to do. If they fail to do either, Congress must promptly move ahead with its own remedies, including impeachment or censure. Second, Mr. Trumps supporters in Congress especially those who fanned the flames of Wednesdays violence with false claims of voter fraud need to start telling the truth. They need to declare that Mr. Biden won in a free and fair election, and they need to join us on Jan. 20 in reasserting our democracy with the peaceful transfer of power. To those Republican lawmakers who have been calling for healing and unity: There can be reconciliation only with repentance. We have a challenging nine days ahead of us. Our president is unhinged and has demonstrably abandoned his post. We need to find the right balance of protecting our country and making it clear that in the United States, a leader cannot seek to subvert our democracy without repercussions. Once Mr. Biden is sworn in, Congress must move swiftly to begin the work of healing our nation, including by confirming his capable and seasoned nominees and passing a bipartisan relief package to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Jan. 6 genuinely tested us. How we respond will determine whether we choose continued division or to heal, repair and strengthen our democracy. The world is watching. Chris Coons is a Democratic senator from Delaware. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Twitter/chris @iheartstonks In the face of a second impeachment and widespread censuring from both parties, President Trump is heading to Alamo, Texas on Tuesday in an attempt to celebrate the incomplete construction of his long-promised border wall, according to the Associated Press' Kevin Freking. Some are confused over the seemingly random visit, as Alamo, Texas, is not "the Alamo" in San Antonio, but rather a quiet border town tucked away in Hidalgo County, more than 20 miles north of the Mexican border. The health care system in Ontario and Quebec, Canadas two most populous provinces, is on the verge of collapse following an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases. Ontario recorded 3,945 new infections on Sunday, a record. Over the past four days, the province has reported more than 14,700 new cases and 216 COVID-19 deaths, including 89 on Thursday, making it the deadliest day in the province since the start of the pandemic. A nurse holds a phone while a patient affected with COVID-19 speaks with his family from the intensive care unit. (Image Credit: AP/Daniel Cole) This is the most serious situation weve ever been in, ever, since the start of this pandemic, Ontario Premier Doug Ford told a press conference Friday. Unsurprisingly, Ford failed to add that his Conservative governments policies have made a major contribution to this disaster. According to the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), the provinces hospitals are at 85 percent of capacity, while critical care beds are 78 percent occupied, and close to 100 percent in some areas. Even more worrisome, 100 percent of the provinces basic ventilator beds are now occupied. On January 1, the Ontario government issued a directive to hospitals to increase their capacity to 115 percent. Meanwhile, there is a shortage of health care staff and the available staff is burned out. The Windsor Hospital is transferring patients to other centers in southwestern Ontario and using a temporary morgue erected in the spring to deal with the excess number of deaths. At London Hospital, a refrigerated trailer was installed last week after the regional morgue reached full capacity. The heavy burden of treating COVID-19 patients has resulted in a drastic reduction in other health services across the province. According to Anthony Dale, the president and CEO of the OHA, once the mark of 350 patients in ICUs (intensive care units) is reached, it will be very difficult for hospitals to provide other vital services. Yesterday, the province reported that there were 388 COVID-19 patients in ICUs, 266 of whom were on ventilators. Dale warns that by early February, the number of COVID-19 patients requiring an ICU bed could be in the range of 500 to 800. Hospitals in Mississauga, Brampton, York Region, parts of Toronto, London and Windsor-Essex, Dr. Dale explained, have already cancelled heart and cancer treatments, which could have an impact on life quality and expectancy. The situation is no less dramatic in Quebec, which, during the first wave of the coronavirus last spring, had one of the highest per capita mortality rates in the world. On Sunday, January 3, Quebec had a record 2,869 new cases of COVID-19. During the ensuing week the daily number of new cases averaged over 2,500, before hitting a new record high of 3,127 cases on Saturday, along with 41 deaths. All COVID-19 indicators in the province have turned red. With 1,392 hospitalizations, including 206 in intensive care units, Quebecs National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services has warned that the provinces health care system could collapse in the next three weeks. More than two-thirds of the beds reserved for COVID-19 patients in the Greater Montreal area are now occupied. In the province overall, the rate is close to 60 percent. Emergency departments are overflowing everywhere, with an occupancy rate of 102 percent in the province and 115 percent in Montreal, according to the website indexsante.com. On Saturday, January 2, the emergency departments of more than half a dozen hospitals in the Greater Montreal area had emergency room occupancy rates of between 131 and 160 percent. Many hospitals are also now battling COVID-19 outbreaks, compounding the crisis. With emergency rooms overflowing and beds filling up at breakneck speed, it is becoming increasingly difficult for exhausted health care workers to provide services to the population. Weve been operating at almost 200 percent capacity since the beginning of the holiday season, with staff shortages and staff stretched to the limit, said Dr. Antoine Delage, a pulmonologist at Charles-Le Moyne Hospital in Longueuil, a southern suburb of Montreal. We have lost control of the epidemic. Quebec is now having to consider resorting to triage, as was done in Italy last spring. That is, faced with an overflow of very ill patients, selecting those that are to be given access to a life-saving ventilator and those who will be left to die. On November 10, public health authorities quietly released an updated National Prioritization Protocol for Access to Critical Care (Adult) in the Context of an Extreme Pandemic, which states that triage would be implemented once the occupancy rate of critical care beds exceeds 200 percent. Although this rate has not yet been reached, the threat is real and growing. Asked about the likelihood of triage, Dr. Francois Marquis, head of intensive care at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Montreals impoverished east end, replied, Honestly, its definitely yes. All it takes is a major outbreak at one of Montreals major hospitals to derail things. Even with the advent of coronavirus vaccines, the situation remains perilous across the country. Into the fourth week of the vaccines rollout, less than 0.5 percent of Canadians have received a first dose of the two doses required for both the Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. In the face of this unprecedented medical emergency and social crisis, the ruling class is pushing ahead with its back-to-work and back-to-school campaign. This homicidal policy, aimed at keeping profits flowing at the expense of human lives, is being implemented by the provinces with the political blessing of Justin Trudeaus federal Liberal government. The minimal restrictions announced by the provincial governments of Ford in Ontario and Francois Legault and his CAQ (Coalition Avenir Quebec) in neighbouring Quebec are utterly inadequate to halt the spread of the virus. While most retail businesses, restaurants and recreational facilities are closed, the main vectors of community transmissionfactories, construction sites and many other non-essential workplaces and schoolsremain open. The reopening of schools has only been delayed by one week in Quebec. In Ontario, elementary school students will return to the classroom in northern regions today, while elementary school students in the south and secondary school students across the province are scheduled to return to the classroom in two weeks. Legaults electrochoc (shock therapy) in the form of a province-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for all but those working or seeking medical treatment is nothing more than a symbolic gesture. It is meant to divert attention from his governments disastrous handling of the pandemic, and its determination to keep open many non-essential production facilities and the schools, so parents can be forced to pump out profits for big business. The curfew will do little to nothing to halt the spread of the pandemic. It may actually increase the risk of contamination, since workers who are forced to go to work will have to buy essential goods during a reduced time period, increasing the number of people present in stores at the same time. The current health and socioeconomic disaster is the result of the class policies implemented by the ruling elite in Canada and internationally to place the profit interests of the corporate and financial aristocracy before human lives. This raises the urgent need for the working class to intervene as an independent political force. Workers must form rank-and-file safety committees, completely independent of the pro-capitalist trade unions, to demand the immediate shutdown of all schools and non-essential workplaces, with full financial compensation for all affected workers and small businesses. The first time I truly realized I was Uighur was just three years ago, when I saw the now-infamous viral photo of rows of Turkic men in dark blue uniforms, sitting in a concentration camp in Hotan, Xinjiang, a so-called Uighur autonomous region in China. Scanning the prisoners despondent faces, I was startled by their familiar features. Prominent cheekbones, round eyes, aquiline noses. My face was in theirs. This photo forced me to come to terms with an unsettling truth. Although I have lived in the United States my entire life, Chinas forced assimilation policies still reached me. Ive always known that my maternal grandmother was half Uighur, but my family has only ever identified as Chinese. The reason no one in my family speaks Uighur, or celebrates any Uighur holidays, is because we are the fruitful result of Chinas decades-long forced assimilation campaigns to create what a Chinese official described as a single state-race. Since 1949, the Chinese Communist Party has been gradually rolling out policies that threaten Uighur culture and identity. There are financial incentives for interethnic marriages between Uighur and Han Chinese couples. There are laws that ban schools from teaching in Uighur. And there is, well, racism. Turkic minorities suffer from high unemployment rates in China, as Uighurs need not apply signs frequently crop up at job fairs. If a Uighur family wants a chance to survive, it has to become Chinese. Hostile policies like these convinced my family that it was too risky to embrace our Central Asian background. But now its no longer a matter of risk: In recent years, identifying as Uighur has become a matter of life and death. What started as a cultural genocide has progressed into a literal one, as defined by the United Nations. Between 2015 and 2018, forced sterilizations and abortions contributed to an 84 percent decrease in the natural population growth rate in two of the largest Uighur prefectures, according to the researcher Adrian Zenz, an expert on Chinas ethnic policies. The NGOs allege that the consent procedure and other protocol of testing are being thrown to winds Bhopal gas tragedy survivors on Sunday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt the ongoing trial of Covaxin, the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine, in view of violation of laws and guidelines. In a letter to the PM, 4 NGOs comprising Bhopal gas tragedy survivors said, We are writing to you to apprise you of the ground situation with regard to the conduct of the trial. Evidence has emerged that the trial in Bhopal is being conducted in gross violation of laws and guidelines governing clinical trials in India. This is leading to exploitation and harm to a community of people that are not just economically and socially deprived, but whose health is compromised owing to the destructive impact and its consequences, they said. The NGOs alleged that vulnerable people were being misguided and herded to participate in the trials and the consent procedure and other protocol of testing was being thrown to winds. The clinical trial (of the vaccine) should be stopped forthwith and an impartial probe be conducted, they said. According to Rasheeda Bee, a gas tragedy survivor and social activist, at least 700 out of the 1700 people on whom this vaccine was being tested, were the people poisoned by Union Carbide gas leak in 1984. One gas victim has already died within 10 days of getting the trial shot and many continue to have health complaints of serious nature, she alleged. A Covaxin volunteer died 9 days after he took the shot, she said. Bharat Biotech, a partner in the development of the Covaxin, however has issued a statement saying that the volunteers death was unrelated to the vaccine. In a statement issued by Peoples College of Medical Science and Research Centre, Bhopal, said the postmortem report conducted on the deceased by Medico Legal Institute, Bhopal, cited cause of death due to cardio-respiratory failure caused by suspected poisoning. Dean of the college Dr Anil Dixit said the vaccine has nothing to do with the death since symptoms of the adverse reactions of the vaccine, if developed, could have surfaced within 48 hours of getting the shot. He also dismissed the allegation that the college has not followed government guidelines while conducting the trial of the vaccine by the institute. HERZLIYA, Israel, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Namogoo, the pioneer of Customer Journey Hijacking prevention, is delighted to announce a new partnership with M&S.com the UK's second biggest clothing retailer. The new partnership will see Namogoo implement their industry-leading online solution on M&S.com. Namogoo's innovative software works by protecting visitors to a retailer's website from unauthorised online adverts which can appear (usually through affiliate networks). These ads can divert customer attention to other websites leading to a poorer online customer journey and ultimately a decline in online conversion for the retailer a customer is shopping with. Early implementation on the M&S website suggests around 10% of customer visits to the website were resulting in another company's advert appearing within that web session. By working together Namogoo will help M&S create a more streamlined experience for the customer to browse M&S.com and purchase free from the distraction of adverts. Namogoo is focused on optimising the customer experience and increasing conversion rates. The company's consumer-side technology uses machine learning to identify and block unauthorised ads, ensuring that website visitors enjoy the online experience designed for them. Working with innovative partners, like Namogoo, is an important part of M&S's efforts to turbocharge growth on M&S.com. The partnership is the outcome of M&S working with True, Europe's only retail and consumer investment and innovation firm. Through True M&S gains pre-emptive access to its deep-rooted retail and consumer expertise, emerging technologies, proprietary research, and sector-specific international network. David Han, Head of Digital Product for M&S said, "Our relationship with Namogoo is an exciting outcome of our partnership with True, which gives us priority access to the latest innovations and technologies helping to improve the service we offer our customers. Namogoo will ensure that our shoppers have a more focused, distraction-free experience and we're really pleased by the early results we're seeing from implementing their solution." Chemi Katz, CEO and co-founder of Namogoo, said, "Customer Journey Hijacking can impact up to 20% of site visits and divert valuable customers to competitors, which can have a huge impact on revenue. We are excited to bring our Customer Journey Hijacking prevention solutions to M&S to help them optimise their online experience for their millions of shoppers." Namogoo has already demonstrated the value of its Customer Journey Hijacking Prevention solution, serving over 250 brands globally. Analysing over 1.5 billion web sessions weekly, Namogoo has helped brands recover hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue that would have otherwise been lost to Customer Hijacking. About Namogoo Namogoo protects the customer journey for online enterprises, powering superior digital experiences and business results. A company dedicated to solving issues surrounding Customer Journey Hijacking, Namogoo's consumer-side platform prevents unauthorized ad injections from hijacking online customers to competitors. Analyzing over 1.5 billion web sessions weekly, Namogoo's machine learning solutions ensure online brands deliver their customer journey exactly as planned and free of disruption. Leading online brands rely on Namogoo to gain control over their online customer experience and consistently improve business results. Namogoo has been recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor for creating a new space in the digital ecosystem and has been ranked by Dun & Bradstreet in the top 3 Israeli startups to work for in both 2019 and 2020. To learn more, visit namogoo.com . Media Contact Raanan Loew [email protected] +1-347-897-9276 SOURCE Namogoo Related Links https://www.namogoo.com/ Adventurers and Slavers The Atlantic slave trade resulted in the enforced scattering of millions of Africans to the Caribbean, the Americas and elsewhere - including Britain. A significant early English figure was John Hawkins. His father, William Hawkins, made the first English expeditions to West Africa in the1530s. William Hawkins was an adventurous trader who set out to explore the Guinea coast. His voyages were made in search of commercial materials such as dyewoods. Exploration and trade were the most significant reasons for people to move around the world during the 15th and early 16th centuries. The French, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch sent their merchant seamen to Asia, Africa and the Americas, where trade developed rapidly. The English, anxious not to miss out on this bounty, became experts in shipping, finance and insurance and thus major players in overseas commerce. the common people' (119k) Document | Transcript 'The King of this Country is adored ofthe common people' (119k) From 1553, a group of London merchants began a series of ventures to develop English overseas trade. Two years later these adventurers returned carrying ivory, gold, Malaguetta pepper and, significantly, five Africans from Shama, in modern Ghana. These Africans were brought to England to learn English, and returned to Africa as interpreters for visiting English traders. Queen Elizabeth I assisted the early merchant adventurers in 1561 by supplying ships and provisions. When they returned to English ports they brought not only valuable cargoes of commodities, but also more Africans, some of whom had probably become sailors on these merchant ships. Queen Elizabeth soon realised the economic value of this overseas trade. She granted a patent to eight merchants from London and Exeter to trade exclusively with Senegambia, between the Senegal and Gambia rivers, for a 10-year period. European traders thus initially met Africans at a time long before colonial rule, when African societies possessed freedom of action and political power. As commercial trade and enslavement developed over the next 250 years, millions of Africans were transported from one continent to another. Some of those uprooted by the slave trade were also to end up in Britain - many as servants and labourers. into Hawkins' Third Voyage Document | Transcript Commission of Inquiryinto Hawkins' Third Voyage In 1562, John Hawkins set out on a voyage that would mark the beginning of the English slave trade. Documents reveal that he left Plymouth with the purpose of capturing Africans along the Guinea Coast. The travel writer Richard Hakluyt (c.1552-1616) says that Hawkins 'got into his possession partly by the sworde and partly by other meanes to the number of 300 negroes'. In Sierra Leone, he took a ship laden with ivory, wax and 500 Africans. Hawkins, commanding the ship Salomon, then made the voyage from the Guinea coast to the West Indies. He arrived at the port of Monte Christi, in what is now the Dominican Republic, where they 'did deposit 125 slaves at 100 ducats each' (about 25-30 in present-day terms). The Africans were offered for sale to estate owners in the Americas, who required a constant supply of cheap labour for their sugar and tobacco plantations. Triangular Trade Document | Transcript Pioneer of theTriangular Trade News of the slave merchants' success spread and they soon attracted wealthy, powerful backers, and additional support from Queen Elizabeth. In 1564 the queen sponsored Hawkins by lending him her very own 700-ton vessel, Jesus of Lubeck. Now John Hawkins, freeman of the city of Plymouth, left Plymouth specifically for the purpose of capturing Africans on the West African coast. Hawkins, in his own words, as noted by Hakluyt, 'profited by the sale of slaves' - so much so that he included a bound slave wearing a necklace and earrings on the crest of his coat of arms. His final voyage turned out to be a disaster for Hawkins, as he lost his ships and men to the Spanish. This event precipitated hostilities between England and Spain. Document | Transcript John Hawkins' Coat of Arms These early voyages proved to be early, tentative steps towards what was to become a highly organised trade in humans - and a major source of income for British merchants for some 300 years to come. References and Further Reading Churchill, W., History of the English Speaking Peoples, vol. 4, London, 1956-8 File, N. and Power, C., Black Settlers in Britain 1555-1958, London, 1981 Fryer, P., Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain, London, 1984 Williamson, J. A., Sir John Hawkins: The Time and the Man, Oxford, 1927 About | Feedback | Glossary | Copyright | Sitemap back to top Jodie Keegan was easily influenced, her lawyer had claimed A young woman was arrested for Garda obstruction after she threw away a bag and tried to discard a mobile phone outside a Dublin prison. Jodie Keegan (21) was seen walking across wasteground near her home towards Wheatfield jail and tried to pull away from arresting gardai. Judge David McHugh fined her 100 after hearing she was with someone else at the time and was easily influenced. Keegan, with an address at Cherryorchard Green, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty. Blanchardstown District Court heard gardai on patrol at Cherryorchard Green saw the accused walking across wasteground towards the prison. When they approached, Keegan fled and discarded a bag. Vulnerable She then tried to get rid of a mobile phone and pulled away from gardai when they stopped her. She had no previous convictions. The accused was a "vulnerable lady" who had been in the presence of someone else at the time of the offence, her solicitor Lorraine Stephens said. This person managed to leave the field before gardai arrived, she said. The accused, who had left school before her Leaving Cert, "would be subject to influence very easily," Ms Stephens said. The judge said having heard the facts, he would take it as being "nothing more or less" than discarding the bag. However, he said he regarded the charge as "significant" and fined and convicted the accused. The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, has explained why Nigeria cannot produce COVID-19 vaccines or other vaccines. Mr Shuaib, while speaking at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing on Monday, said the process of producing a vaccine requires massive investment that has not been done for many decades. There are questions around why Nigeria is not producing COVID-19 vaccines. I want to put on record that the process of producing a vaccine is very complex and complicated. It requires massive investment that has not been done for many decades, he said. Mr Faisal noted that Nigeria used to produce vaccines in its first few decades after independence in 1960, a process which, he said, suffered a setback due to the decision to adopt more advanced technologies. In the 1960s, we use to make yellow fever vaccines in this country. In the 90s, we decided to change analogue ways of making yellow fever vaccines to more recent technologies. However, that transfer of technology never happened and that is why we did not continue to make vaccines, Mr Shuaib said. With the recent spike in coronavirus cases across the world and new COVID variants, many countries are already on the queue to access effective vaccines for citizens. Some of the vaccines already approved to be effective against the virus include Pfizer and bioNtech vaccine as well as Moderna and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. The approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best possible protection, with the second dose given up to 12 weeks after the first. Nigeria is expected to receive 100,000 doses of the Pfizer and bioNtech vaccine by the end of January, according to Mr Shuaib. Failed process A 2017 report published by PREMIUM TIMES revealed how the Yaba Vaccine Production Laboratory was not functional. The vaccine production centre was active for about six decades, between 1940 and 1991, producing large quantities of vaccines against smallpox, rabies, yellow fever for not only Nigeria, but neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Central Africa and a few other countries in Africa. It was closed in 1991 by the federal government who said it wanted to reactivate and upgrade the facility. But that upgrade has not been done. The former minister of health, Isaac Adewole, in 2017 said the government had decided to set up a joint venture company with May and Baker, a pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, to commence local production of vaccines at the Yaba facility. Mr Adewole said the country was set to restart producing local vaccines in collaboration with the pharmaceutical giant. He noted that May and Baker was to assist in the production of local vaccines to improve immunisation routines and reduce dependency on international donors. Hope Meanwhile, Mr Shuaib said there is still hope for Africas most populous country to start producing its own vaccines. He said there are genuine ongoing efforts by the federal government to restart the process of vaccines production. ADVERTISEMENT He, however, said this will involve a long and complicated process. It takes about 10-15 years to start producing vaccines but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, Mr Shuaib said. ZEISS India is headquartered in Bengaluru and its Vision Care lenses are retailed out of approximately 5,000 stores. The company has three production facilities, R&D center, Global IT services and about 40 Sales & Service offices in almost all Tier 1 and 2 cities in India. With nearly 900 employees and continued investments over 20 years in India, ZEISS success story in India is continuing at a rapid pace. Their Vision Care division is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of eyeglass lenses and ophthalmic instruments. The unit is allocated to the Consumer Markets segment and develops and produces offerings for the entire eyeglass value chain that are distributed globally under the ZEISS brand. Like many other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on the eyecare services industry across the globe. The industry saw many changes, with the consumer hesitant to step out due to health & safety, as well as the restrictions brought about by social distancing norms, decontamination protocol pre-requisites, etc. However, ZEISS has worked around the challenges that the pandemic threw and kept the wheels of the company moving. In conversation with Adgully, Sunil Gopinath, Head - Marketing, ZEISS Vision Care India, speaks about how Zeiss Vision Care India navigated through the pandemic challenges and how they engaged with their business partners and the customers across the country. The pandemic hit many industries. How did you navigate as a company and how did the optic and eye lenses industry face the challenges? What steps were taken to ensure that customers did not suffer during that time? Like many other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on the eyecare services industry across the globe. The industry saw many changes, with the consumer hesitant to step out due to health and safety, as well as the restrictions brought about by social distancing norms, decontamination protocol pre-requisites, etc. At ZEISS, we have tried to work around the challenges that the pandemic threw at us. In the initial days of the lockdown, we tried to ensure that our products were being delivered to our customers despite the challenges of logistics and restricted movements of goods and services. Another challenge that we faced was at our optical partners end, wherein their footfalls had dried up and they couldnt convert customers as fast as was the case in the pre-COVID-19 era. Over the successive months, we tried to support our optical partners with their business continuity efforts by supporting them with Stronger Tomorrow initiatives. The initiatives were aimed at ensuring safety and health of all people stakeholders first, ensuring service and supply at all time to all customers and preparing our company and our partners for the post-COVID-19 world. Our partners are of utmost importance and their safety and functioning is always a top priority for us. We reached out to all our customers with the Stronger Tomorrow initiatives, which offered the following support to them: Webinars on product training and understanding the consumer behaviour post-COVID-19: These were organised during the lockdown so that our customers are ready for a strong recovery These were organised during the lockdown so that our customers are ready for a strong recovery Initiatives on safety and hygiene: Hygiene boxes with high-quality PPE, training on how to maintain safety and hygiene in stores post COVID-19 Hygiene boxes with high-quality PPE, training on how to maintain safety and hygiene in stores post COVID-19 Launching relevant products: Launch of ZEISS protective glasses and ZEISS AntiFOG spray in the Indian market Launch of ZEISS protective glasses and ZEISS AntiFOG spray in the Indian market Starting relevant technology: Contactless consultation most of the optical instruments that we offer can be operated by keeping a safe distance between the patient and the examiner. Tele-optometry solutions also allow the devices operations and consultations to happen remotely Contactless consultation most of the optical instruments that we offer can be operated by keeping a safe distance between the patient and the examiner. Tele-optometry solutions also allow the devices operations and consultations to happen remotely Digital marketing support: We work with our customers to further advance their digital presence through consultation on their online presence and partner with them on digital campaigns to increase customer footfalls We work with our customers to further advance their digital presence through consultation on their online presence and partner with them on digital campaigns to increase customer footfalls ZEISS Business Partner Programs: We launched the ZEISS Vision Expert program to facilitate the optical store to provide their consumers with an elevated and holistic retail experience from the moment they enter the store till the spectacles get handed over What is driving the eyewear and lenses market in India? With the unorganised market contributing 80% of the market, how are branded lenses like ZEISS, which contributes 15%, planning to grow and capture a bigger pie in this growing market? We at ZEISS Vision Care focus on innovations such as offering clear and healthy vision in the digital era, on digitalisation over the entire consumer journey and in the optical store as well as combination of solutions for ophthalmology and vision care. In all that we do, we focus on making our customers more successful with ZEISS and this strategy is paying off. As per recent studies conducted by Deloitte and Euromonitor, it has been determined that eyecare in India is underpenetrated, with an estimated 450+ million of 1.3 billion Indian population needing vision correction, out of which only an estimated 25% wear spectacles. Lifestyle changes impact the quality of vision of young adults and elders alike. Most people like to keep a separate fashion and spare pair as well as a growing number of consumers are replacing their spectacles frequently and hence, looking for affordable luxury. Omni channel experience is another factor contributing to the growth of our partners. Consumers preference towards convenience is contributing to the growth of home eye checks and online shopping. Consumers are now looking for good quality eyewear with UV and blue light protection. Consumers are slowly shifting from unbranded to branded lens segment; but having said that, lenses are a low involvement segment, leading to price being the key differentiator. Consumers are spending more time on frame selection as compared to lens selection. We at ZEISS want to offer a premium brand and product experience by being the best in quality throughout the consumer journey from awareness to post-purchase phase. The World Economic Forum states in its Future of Consumption in Fast-Growth Consumer Markets study that India will be the 3rd biggest consumer market in the world by 2030 with consumer spending to increase from the current $1.5 trillion to $5.5 trillion. 50% of the incremental consumer spending is expected to be in the premium segment. This is expected to have a positive impact on our business as well in the long run. The premium segment is estimated to grow faster than the overall lens segment in the next few years, driven by higher consumer spending, increased brand awareness and health consciousness in the segment. There are a lot Chinese and Korean lenses that are easily available at affordable prices. How do you plan to combat the Chinese brands and what brand differentiation is Zeiss providing, which will push the end customer to go for your brand? With our strong market position, innovation strengths, and the power of the ZEISS brand as well as with our global network, we continue to develop our business, always in true partnership with our customers. Do ophthalmologists play an important role in recommending the lenses? In most cases, the customer trusts the optician and buys what he recommends. Is this scenario changing and is the customer conscious and aware of what lenses to buy today to maintain a healthy vision? Typically, ophthalmologists in India limit their role to eye screening and prescription of lenses. In a few cases, they may recommend functional aspects like UV or blue protection. So, the responsibility of recommending the right design and functional benefits rests with an optician. Today, customers have become more brand conscious about everything they use in their day to day lives, from clothing to shoes to even their homes. However, when it comes to their eyes, they arent as educated about the lenses that are right for their eyes. This lack of knowledge comes from the difficulty in understanding the technicality. We at ZEISS aim to educate not only our customers, but the opticians and ophthalmologists at the stores as well, because they are the first point of contact for consumers. We make it easy to understand, to prescribe and to wear ZEISS eyeglass lenses. For instance, ZEISS DriveSafe for car drivers, ZEISS BlueProtect for protection eyes from energy-rich blue light and other innovations are easy to understand and consulted by the eye care professionals consumers can make a decision on whats best for their eyes, their life and what fits their preferences. Our partners play a crucial role throughout the process of sale. One, they are the first and direct point of contact for customers, thus their recommendations are taken as engraved in stone. Secondly, the feedback they receive from customers is shared with us and that helps us create products/ services that satisfy the demands of our customers. We have noticed a growing trend that consumers are increasingly becoming assertive about the functional benefits they may desire out of a product, but detailed aspects like the lens design, choice of coating are proposed/ recommended by the optician on the customer lifestyle. Penetration of branded players in Tier 2-3 towns is limited. There is a huge potential here. How is ZEISS planning to enter these smaller towns to tap the market and get a strong foothold? With the growth in Tier 2 and 3 cities leading to increased consumer spending, consumers in Tier 2 and 3 cities are slowly moving towards the branded segment as well, even though the number of customers opting for premium brands is limited. Our products start at Rs 1,800 per pair, which is quite affordable from a superior consumer experience that is associated with our products. The pandemic has given a big boost to the e-commerce business. How much have you leveraged through online sales? Will buying of lenses shift majorly towards e-commerce during the new normal? Some companies in the eyewear industry initially made their presence in the market through e-commerce, but ended up opening stores for smoother and easier consumer transaction. We are in such an industry where online presence is helpful only for the selection of frames. Consumers prefer to walk down to a physical store to try on frames in real time. They anyhow would have to go to the store to have their eyes tested for the lenses to be made; therefore, our lens industry works on more one-on-one basis. As a brand, we at ZEISS do not sell products directly to our consumers. Instead we enable our customers to build and fortify their online presence. We do this by offering to train and enable their Google My Business page, support them with My Vision Profile builder tools and in setting up their online store. We believe an integrated omni-channel approach works best with the online presence connecting with brick & mortar stores at a single point of convergence, thereby giving a holistic experience to consumers. We continue focusing on digital innovation, always taking consumer needs and customer needs as the starting point to develop compelling solutions for them. A lot of education is needed in the lens care category to educate the customers. What has been your marketing and communication strategy here and how do you plan to raise awareness of branded lenses backed by best quality? The process of lens selection is highly technical by nature and it needs a lot of education as far as the consumers are concerned. Consumer information and education goes through eyecare professionals at the store and to create awareness and reach, this information must be interlinked with online, social media interaction, providing consumers with options and educating them on the importance of quality eye and vision care. And with the reputation of ZEISS as reliable, innovative, high-quality brand, we offer easy-to-understand solutions for all requirements. In India, we have started a program called as ZEISS Paathshaala to engage with the graduating optometrists and train them on advanced dispensing practices. In parallel, we carry out consumer awareness campaigns from time to time on social media to build awareness on functional categories like SmartLife, DriveSafe, UVProtect, etc. What kind of customer engagement program are you following currently to generate awareness? Whats been the overall media strategy employed to stay engaged with your audience? This year, we launched the ZEISS Vision Expert Program in India, designed to support our optical partners in growing their business by delivering a better vision experience to their consumers. We carry out retail health check, to analyse relative gaps in the business process and offer tailor-made solutions with regular trainings, marketing support, community update and much more. We sponsor the ZEISS YOU & EYE awards from Vision Plus magazine. These awards are the first and only awards for Retail Opticians across India, and offer an opportunity to the opticians to get recognised for their achievements. We provide customers with co-branded product videos en-masse to enable them to promote the innovative ZEISS products on their social media pages. We also carry out joint marketing activities with some of our customers. Congressional Democrats began a push on Monday to force U.S. President Donald Trump from office, introducing one article of impeachment accusing him of inciting insurrection over a violent attack on the Capitol last week. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is expected to take up the matter as early as Wednesday. Passage would make Trump, a Republican, the only president in U.S.history to be impeached twice. Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last week, forcing lawmakers who were certifying Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's election victory ... By Jonathan Cook January 10, 2021 " Information Clearing House "There was a fascinating online panel discussion on Wednesday night on the Julian Assange case that I recommend everyone watch. The video is at the bottom of the page. But from all the outstanding contributions, I want to highlight a very important point made by Yanis Varoufakis that has significance for understanding current events well beyond the Assange case. Varoufakis is an academic who was savaged by the western political and media establishments when he served as Greeces finance minister. Back in 2015 a popular leftwing Greek government was trying to oppose the imposition of severe loan conditions on Greece by European and international financial institutions that risked tipping the Greek economy into deeper bankruptcy and seemed chiefly intended to upend its socialist programme. The government Varoufakis served was effectively crushed into obedience through a campaign of economic intimidation by these institutions. Varoufakis describes here the way that leftwing dissidents who challenge or disrupt western establishment narratives whether it be himself, Assange or Jeremy Corbyn end up not only being subjected to character assassination, as was always the case, but nowadays find themselves being manipulated into colluding in their own character assassination. Here is a short transcript of Varoufakis much fuller comments about 48 minutes in highlighting his point about co-option: The establishment, the Deep State, call it whatever you want, the oligarchy, theyve become much, much better at it [character assassination] than they used to be. Because back in the 1960s and 1970s, you know, they would accuse you of being a Communist. They would accuse me of being a Marxist. Well, I am a Marxist. Im really not going to suffer that much if you accuse me of being a left-winger. I am a left-winger! Now what they do is something far worse. They accuse you of something that really hurts you. Calling somebody like us a racist, a bigot, an antisemite, a rapist. This is what really hurts because if anybody calls me a rapist today, right, even if its complete baloney, I feel as a feminist I have the need to give the woman, implied or involved somehow in this accusation, the opportunity to speak against me. Because that is what we left-wingers do. Varoufakis point is that when Assange was accused of being a rapist, as he was before the US made clear the real case against him by trying to extradite him from the UK for exposing its war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan he could not defend himself without alienating a significant constituency of his natural supporters, those on the left who identify as feminists. Which is exactly what happened. o Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Similarly, as Varoufakis notes from earlier conversations he had with Assange, the Wikileaks founder was in no position to properly defend himself against accusations that he colluded with Russia and Donald Trump to help Trump win the 2016 US presidential election against Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. At the time, Assanges supporters were able to point out that the leaked emails were true and that they were in the public interest because they showed deep corruption in the Democratic party establishment. But those arguments were drowned out by a narrative confected by the US media and security establishments that Wikileaks publication of the emails was political interference because the emails had supposedly been hacked by Russia to sway the election result. Because Assange was absolutely committed to the principle of non-disclosure of sources, he refused to defend himself in public by confirming that the emails had been leaked to him by a Democratic party insider, not the Russians. His silence allowed his vilification to go largely unchallenged. Having already been stripped of support from much of the feminist left, particularly in Europe, Assange now lost the support of a sizeable chunk of the left in the US too. In these cases, the one who stands accused has to defend themselves with one hand tied behind their back. They cannot hit back without further antagonising a substantial section of their supporters, deepening divisions within the lefts ranks. The victim of this kind of character assassination is caught in the equivalent of reputational quicksand. The more they fight, the deeper they sink. Which is, of course, exactly what happened to the UKs former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn when he was accused of being a racist. If he or his supporters tried to challenge the claim that the party had become antisemitic overnight under his leadership even if only by citing statistics that showed the party hadnt they were immediately denounced for supposed antisemitism denial, posited as the modern equivalent of Holocaust denial. Notice Ken Loach, who was also on the panel, nodding in agreement as Varoufakis speaks. Because Loach, the noted leftwing, anti-racist film-maker who came to Corbyns defence against the confected media campaign smearing him as an antisemite, soon found himself similarly accused. Jonathan Freedland, a senior columnist at the liberal Guardian, was among those using precisely the tactic described by Varoufakis. He tried to discredit Loach by accusing him of denying Jews the right to define their own experience of antisemitism. Freedland sought to manipulate Loachs anti-racist credentials against him. Either agree with us that Corbyn is an antisemite, and that most of his supporters are too, or you are a hypocrite, disowning your own anti-racist principles and solely in the case of antisemitism. And that, QED, would prove you too are motivated by antisemitism. Loach found himself with a terrible binary choice: either he must collude with Freedland and the corporate media in smearing Corbyn, a long-standing political ally, or else he would be forced to collude in his own smearing as an antisemite. Its a deeply ugly, deeply illiberal, deeply manipulative, deeply dishonest tactic. But it is also brilliantly effective. Which is why nowadays rightists and centrists use it at every opportunity. The left, given its principles, rarely resorts to this kind of deceit. Which means it can only bring a peashooter to a gun fight. This is the lefts dilemma. Its why we struggle to win the argument in a corporate media environment that not only denies us a hearing but also promotes the voices of those like Freedland trying to destroy us from the centre and those supposedly on the left like George Monbiot and Owen Jones who are too often destroying us from within. As Varoufakis also says, the left needs urgently to go on the offensive. We need to find ways to turn the tables on the war criminals who have been gaslighting us in demanding that Assange, who exposed their crimes, is the one who needs to be locked up. We need to make clear that it is those who are so ready to smear anti-racists as antisemites as Corbyns successor, Sir Keir Starmer, has done to swaths of Labour party members who are the real racists. And we need to unmask as war hawks those who accuse the anti-war left of serving as apologists for dictators when we try to stop western states conducting more illegal, resource-grab wars with such devastating results for local populations. We must get much more sophisticated in our thinking and our strategies. There is no time to lose. An urgent briefing between a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has revealed new details about the tense timeline of sending National Guard troops to the scene of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol siege, and steps taken in the aftermath. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., joined another veteran on the committee, Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego, in calling for the briefing with McCarthy. National Guard troops from Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and Virginia took hours to get their deployment orders, prompting questions and criticism about the response. Crow, a former Army Ranger, found himself forced to take cover with lawmakers when the pro-Trump mob overwhelmed security. By his own accounts, he instructed other members of Congress to remove their pins so they couldn't be identified, and secured a pen in his pocket, thinking he might need to use it as a weapon. Read Next: After Complaints, White House Lowers Flags to Honor Slain Capitol Police Officer "I haven't felt that way in over 15 years, since I was a Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan," Crow said in an interview on CNN's "New Day." On Sunday afternoon, he released a readout of his call with McCarthy from earlier that day, detailing what took place at the Defense Department during the siege and how the Guard is now planning for President-elect Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration. McCarthy told Crow that at least 25 domestic terrorism cases had been opened following the Capitol assaults, according to the readout, and that weapons including long guns, explosive devices and Molotov Cocktails were recovered, "which suggests a greater disaster was narrowly averted." "[McCarthy] indicated that DoD is aware of further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists in the days up to and including Inauguration Day and is working with local and federal law enforcement to coordinate security preparations," the readout states. While Crow's report says the two did discuss operational deployments and planning for security around the inauguration, he did not release specifics, citing security reasons. Crow asked McCarthy that military members involved in the riot -- some military veterans have already been identified as participants -- receive fast-tracked investigation and courts-martial. He also made an unusual request: that the Army's Criminal Investigation Command review National Guard troops who are deployed for the inauguration "to ensure that deployed members are not sympathetic to domestic terrorists." "Secretary McCarthy agreed to take additional measures," the readout states. McCarthy added that he's willing to testify publicly about events and preparations if permitted by top brass. Prior to demonstrations and the Capitol break-in, just 340 D.C. National Guard troops had been approved for "traffic control," according to the readout, and Capitol Police had not requested reinforcements from the Defense Department as they prepared for a rally expected to number in the low thousands. As the Jan. 6 "Stop the Steal" rally turned, for some, into an effort to storm the Capitol and disrupt the ceremonial tallying of electoral votes, McCarthy said the Defense Department "realized there were a far greater number of participants than in previous gatherings," according to the readout. In calls with McCarthy and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley that took place minutes before 2 p.m., Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund requested urgent, but non-specific, support, according to the readout. It took an hour and 10 minutes for McCarthy, Milley, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller and National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson to process and concur on the "unfolding situation at the Capitol" and approve deployment of Guard assets, including the full mobilization of the D.C. National Guard. "Due to a lack of coordination and preparation, there was not a functioning operations center in the Pentagon to manage the Guard presence and direct additional resources, leaving senior DoD officials to manage the situation by tracking down previously unknown contacts of local law enforcement and making ad hoc calls in an office environment," the readout states. Crow cited his appreciation for McCarthy's candor, and said he would continue work to review command authority for the D.C. Guard "to ensure that it is responsive to the needs of its constituents and integrated with local law enforcement like every other Guard unit in the nation." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Related: Rioter Seen on Senate Floor in Body Armor Is Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel My friend Isabel Wilkerson, whom I met years ago when she was a national correspondent for The New York Times based in Chicago, suggests that the injustice we most often see is something more complex. It is the adherence to a caste system that is as much a part of Americas DNA as it was in Nazi Germany and today in India. Barn destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. Fire destroyed a barn about five miles southeast of Watertown Wednesday, according to a report from Watertown Fire Rescue. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Since the start of the year, Moscows subway has employed female drivers, one of several hundred job categories opened up to the fairer sex. Its a welcome return for opportunities formally rescinded two decades ago even if it came with a special-edition Barbie. Unfortunately, the moves only scratch the surface of changes Russias women really need to see in 2021. Research shows that while they have historically participated relatively equally in the workforce, Russian women still earn almost a third less than men one of the widest gaps among high and middle-income nations. As elsewhere, theyve been more harshly affected by the pandemic given their over-representation in hard-hit sectors like retail and the fact many hold more precarious jobs. Theyve suffered disproportionately, as a result, from frugal state support. Finally, they face the pressures that come with a traditionalist state concentrated on reversing a pattern of demographic decline. Job limitations do matter. Enshrined in law in 2000, they kept women from 456 occupations deemed too dangerous, arduous or unhealthy, including working as a lumberjack, fighting fires or driving tractors. A 2019 decision to open 356 of those came into effect this year. Its good news, especially for women in Russias traditional company towns, and a symbolic win with economic consequences together, those 456 roles represent 4% of all occupations.There are still 100 mostly industrial roles that remain formally out of bounds, perpetuating stereotypes and limiting opportunities. The problem runs much deeper. Russia celebrates International Womens Day with flowers and a public holiday, and has high-profile female figures like Elvira Nabiullina, governor of the central bank. Yet two in three Russians say they wouldnt want a female president, according to a survey last year by pollster VTsIOM. Sadly, that figure has risen since 2016. Thanks to the countrys Soviet legacy, there is female representation, but very few women rise to the top. The World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report ranks Russia 122 out of more than 150 countries in its 2020 political empowerment index, given, among other things, that less than a sixth of the countrys parliamentarians and less than a seventh of ministers are female. Story continues Its indicative that one of last years most spectacular female political victories was accidental: Marina Udgodskaya, a cleaner in the administration offices of a settlement northeast of Moscow, was strong-armed into standing against her pro-Kremlin boss to legitimize the race. She won by a landslide. What happens in government is a reflection of resistance elsewhere in society. A 2019 study of public companies found that, in general, the share of woman on boards doesnt rise above 10%. All of this is made worse by an increasingly conservative leadership that hasnt actively supported gender equality and tends to view it through the prism of support for motherhood, like financial aid for pregnant women. Abortion is legal, but increasingly restricted as officials try to bring numbers down without tackling the underlying issues. So what should Russia do?It can start by safeguarding women at home with strong legislation against domestic violence, the bare minimum to secure progress. Russia doesnt currently have specific protective measures, and reported cases increased during the pandemic. Discussion on a draft law, which has been criticized by Human Rights Watch as insufficient and opposed by the Russian Orthodox church, has been delayed. Campaigners trying to make a difference for victims, meanwhile, have found themselves under fire from a state wary of non-governmental organizations. As for the workplace, Moscow can simply lift all remaining legal restrictions on specific occupations. These have an impact far beyond the specific sectors they target, and are sorely outdated. It can also widen the talent pool. The coronavirus crisis has offered an opportunity for the government to encourage remote working. That could provide crucial options for more women. Theyre frequently more highly educated and healthier than their male counterparts, but are often left out of the workforce if they are too far from large, employment-creating metropolises, or caring for children. Better online access can improve skill levels too.All of this would do more for Vladimir Putins demographic ambitions than handouts ever could. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Previously, she was an associate editor for Reuters Breakingviews, and editor and correspondent for Reuters in Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia. 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. Seven regime fighters killed in ISIS attack, refugees rescued off Albanian coast, Russian warplanes launch attack, US sends reinforcements to Deir ez-Zor. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend. 1. Islamic State (ISIS) fighters killed at least seven regime loyalists in eastern Syria on Saturday, the latest in a series of deadly extremist attacks. Seven members of the National Defense Forces, a pro-regime militia, were killed in clashes with an ISIS sleeper cell in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The attack came as the militia fighters were sweeping the town of al-Shola for militant remnants, according to the monitor. 2. Albanian military and police ships saved 50 Syrian refugees trapped by bad weather as they tried to reach Italy by boat, AP reported Saturday. A police statement said that, in collaboration with Italys financial police, on Friday evening they found the packed inflatable boat at the Vjosa River delta, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the capital, Tirana, where it had been blocked for about three hours due to high waves in the Adriatic Sea. No one was believed to be missing. 3. On Saturday, Russian warplanes launched airstrikes on the Syrian opposition-controlled areas of Jabal al-Akrad, north of Lattakia, western Syria, which are subject to the de-escalation zone agreement, North Press reported. Field sources told North Press that the Russian warplanes targeted, with high-explosive thermobaric missiles, the positions of the armed groups on the frontline of Jabal al-Akrad. It added that the Russian airstrikes coincided with an artillery bombardment on the al-Khader front in Jabal al-Akrad. There has been no information released about casualties. 4. On Saturday, US forces moved additional military and logistical reinforcements to their bases in the Deir ez-Zor countryside. Civil sources told SANA that a convoy consisting of 30 vehicles, including trucks loaded with heavy weapons, cannons, tanks and closed trucks affiliated to US occupation forces moved from Hassakeh to the Deir ez-Zor countryside, in order to reinforce the illegal occupation bases there. 5. SANA also reported that the US forces continue to, steal Syrian resources and agricultural crops from the areas they have occupied in the Syrian al-Jazeera, as the occupation forces moved a convoy of vehicles loaded with stolen barley from Syrian lands to northern Iraq via the illegitimate al-Walid crossing in the al-Yaroubia countryside. The convoy of 50 trucks and a number of refrigerated containers left the city of al-Malikiyah through the illegitimate al-Walid crossing, heading to Iraqi lands. 6. The death toll of people from Daraa province killed in 2020 was 275, with a further 750 more people arrested, a local monitoring group said Saturday. At least 26 people were killed while outside the province, most of them during clashes against the regime forces in northwestern Syria, the Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office said. The first half of 2020 witnessed an increase in the number of victims compared to the second half, as a result of the clashes that took place in northern Syria between the regime forces and the opposition factions and the killing of many residents of Daraa by the regime forces. 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. [January 11, 2021] InterRent Announces $292.5 Million Portfolio Acquisition in Metro Vancouver with Crestpoint InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX-IIP.UN) ("InterRent" or the "REIT") announced today that, together with Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. ("Crestpoint"), it has entered into agreements to acquire 15 properties in Metro Vancouver (the "Acquisition Portfolio") for a combined purchase price of $292.5 million. Under the arrangements, InterRent and Crestpoint will each own a 50% interest in the Acquisition Portfolio. InterRent will property manage the Acquisition Portfolio and collect industry standard fees. The acquisition will be financed with a combination of cash and new short term debt of approximately $190.1 million. The acquisition is expected to close on January 28, 2021. The properties are all located in highly desirable, amenity-rich neighbourhoods with a weighted average walk score of 90. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005384/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The Acquisition Portfolio provides InterRent with a unique opportunity to acquire critical mass and scale in Vancouver, Canada's third largest rental market. The Vancouver rental market has historically demonstrated strong fundamentals; over the past five-years, the average vacancy rate has been at or below 1.1% and rental rates have grown at a CAGR of 5.9% per year. The expanding tech sector and its outsized proportionate share of immigration all support a very robust demand for multifamily housing in Vancouver. The Canadian government announced increases to the national immigration targets on October 30, 2020. These updated targets represent an increase of 50,000 additional permanent residents per year for 2021 and 2022. Management believes that Vancouver will continue to receive a disproportionately large share of immigrants moving to Canada. The Acquisition Portfolio consists of 15 properties, from 6 vendors, comprising of 614 residential suites. Nine of the properties are concrete mid-rise apartments and six of the properties are wood frame apartments. The properties are in premium locations in the Metro Vancouver submarkets of the West End, Kitsilano/Point Grey, Marpole, and South Granville. The properties are situated in core locations within prominent neighborhoods offering superior walkability, access to transit, major employment, recreational amenities, universities, and downtown Vancouver (see map of properties on following page). "We are thrilled to enter the Vancouver market, with scale, through the acquisition of this institutional-quality portfolio that is extremely well-located. The Vancouver rental market continues to exhibit strong, sustainable market fundamentals, with exposure to a growing tech sector. We look forward to enhancing these properties with our best-in-class management platform, customer service and community-focused approach. This is a market we have targeted for a long time. We are very pleased to partner with a best-in-class team like Crestpoint for this portfolio" said Mike McGahan, CEO of InterRent. "The multifamily space has been an area of interest for Crestpoint and to enter this sector for the first time through a well diversified portfolio in one of the most sought after cities in the world is a tremendous opportunity. There is a real benefit to combining forces with a highly reputable, experienced operator like InterRent, and the addition of these assets should provide long term benefits to Crestpoint's growing portfolio while providing a springboard to accumulate numerous properties in the multifamily sector, across Canada" said Kevin Leon, President and founder of Crestpoint. Address Neighbourhood Suites Elevators Build Walk Score1 1885 Barclay St West End 41 1 Concrete 92 1924 Barclay St West End 42 1 Concrete 94 1580 Haro St West End 61 2 Concrete 96 855 Jervis St West End 48 1 Concrete 96 1270 Nicola St West End 37 1 Concrete 91 1461 Harwood St West End 38 1 Concrete 83 1326 W 13th Ave South Granville 30 1 Concrete 91 1355 W 14th Ave South Granville 28 1 Concrete 87 2280 W 6th Ave Kitsilano 43 1 Wood 94 2040 York Ave Kitsilano 54 1 Wood 95 4640 W 10th Ave West Point Grey 14 1 Concrete 84 8675 French St Marpole 72 1 Concrete/Wood 89 8740 Cartier St Marpole 35 1 Wood 78 8790 Cartier St Marpole 35 1 Wood 85 1373 W 73rd Ave Marpole 36 1 Wood 80 Total/Weighted Average 614 16 90 1 Source (News - Alert) : walkscore.com About InterRent InterRent REIT is a growth-oriented real estate investment trust engaged in increasing Unitholder value and creating a growing and sustainable distribution through the acquisition and ownership of multi-residential properties. InterRent's strategy is to expand its portfolio primarily within markets that have exhibited stable market vacancies, sufficient suites available to attain the critical mass necessary to implement an efficient portfolio management structure and, offer opportunities for accretive acquisitions. InterRent's primary objectives are to use the proven industry experience of the Trustees, Management and Operational Team to: (i) to grow both funds from operations per Unit and net asset value per Unit through investments in a diversified portfolio of multi-residential properties; (ii) to provide Unitholders with sustainable and growing cash distributions, payable monthly; and (iii) to maintain a conservative payout ratio and balance sheet. About Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. is a commercial real estate investment manager, with $5.3 billion of gross assets under management, dedicated to providing investors with direct access to a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate assets. Crestpoint is part of the Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group, a multi-boutique asset management company that provides investment management products and services to institutional and high net-worth clients. With offices across Canada and in Chicago, New York and London, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group and its affiliates are collectively responsible for the management of over $85 billion in assets. For more information, please visit: www.crestpoint.ca Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning applicable to Canadian securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "anticipated", "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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". InterRent is subject to significant risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements contained in this release. A full description of these risk factors can be found in InterRent's most recently publicly filed information located at www.sedar.com. InterRent cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward looking statements and InterRent assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward looking statements contained in this release to reflect actual events or new circumstances. The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005384/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. Vietnam Railways held a meeting to review its 2020 performance and set targets for 2021 Vietnam Railways on January 8 held the meeting to review the 2020 performance and set targets for 2021 with a number of difficulties expected down the road. Vu Anh Minh, chairman of VNR, said that the global health crisis and storms in the central region have caused a loss of VND1.33 trillion($57.83 million) last year. If the bad situation continues this year, our equity of VND3.25 trillion ($141.3 million) will all be gone by the end of 2022. Vu Anh Minh, chairman of VNR Statistics from VNR showed that its consolidated revenue reached VND6.56 trillion ($285.22 million) during the year, equal to 78.3 per cent of the year earlier. The parent companys revenue was VND1.71 trillion ($74.35 million), fulfilling 81.6 per cent of the yearly target and equal to 66.6 per cent of 2019. According to Minh, in addition to the pandemic and storms, legal barriers are another important reason for the poor performance. The restructuring plan and the draft master plan in line with Decree No.46/2018/ND-CP governing the management and use of railway infrastructure assets have not been approved, thus hindering the giant in taking the next steps in development. Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong Addressing the meeting, Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong said that in the last 10 years, the railway sector failed to mobilise resources for its development plans. Meanwhile, state funding for railways, despite an increase, was just VND4-4.5 trillion ($173.9-195.65 million) which is mostly used for maintenance works and social security, not for development plans. Dong noted that among the difficulties, downgraded infrastructure remains a big bottleneck which cannot be improved in a short time. It needs a long time to improve, along with changes in mindset, investment, and management. As Monica Showalter wrote in a funny American Thinker piece titled Sunday Schadenfreude describing a Vogue magazine cover of Kamala Harris looking like a clown in a suit I think she is on to something in using big words from the German lexicon. Consequently, I would like to reflect on evolving events from the 2020 election big steal by using another illuminating German word, Weltschmerz. But first, what is with those wacky Germans in having common word usage of such a terms as schadenfreude and weltschmerz? Weltschmerz means world weary or world pain, and I suspect many already in the Democrat Party are suffering or will soon suffer weltschmerz. Take Hillary Clinton, I suspect there is not enough Chardonnay or whatever else she drinks. I suspect that every morning she wakes up and bam! bam! bam! reality hits her consciousness; lightweight senile corrupt plagiarist Joe Biden is to be president and it was her turn for a second term. Well, boo hoo hoo, what the hell happened? Imagine the dialogue (I'm speculating, of course) Goddamn it. are you listening to me Bill! I would not change a day of my life. I can easily tell HRC what happened; Obamas Chicago criminal outfit, out-corrupted even earlier attempts by the Clinton crime family to steal a presidential election. This is true even though Clinton, Inc. had an early advantage and much success in the 1996 Year of The Rat," (a book I wrote) by accepting the illegal ChiCom money flowing to Clinton Inc. and the Democrat party. (Editor's note: 2020 was also a Year of the Rat.) However, to HRC's everlasting grief, her political team fell way short in 2016 only to watch the 2020 Obama/Biden Democrat syndicate of fixers successfully execute a plan of criminal brilliance. The great cliche applies: Never steal anything small. Inside the Democrat party, actually much like establishment never-Trump deep-state Republicans, one should make no mistake: many are often proven to be very miserable, greedy for money and power, truly nasty humans, so the coming internecine Biden administration will feature fights that will be spectacular. Weltschmerz strikes again. Just one recent example: By all accounts, the Honorable Michele Flournoy has paid significant dues and had been very successful in national security assignments. She had been considered for the position of first female secretary of defense. Michele Flournoy, considered a frontrunner candidate, served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2012 where she managed nearly 1,000 people. A Harvard and Oxford graduate, Flournoys views on international affairs may be what Biden is looking for, but her recent experience as head of WestExec Advisors, where she deals with Fortune 100 companies may not put her in the best light with progressives. And there it is, the first of many ideological purity tests, a weltschmerz moment not put her in the best light with progressives. Expect these people -- progressives and trough-feeders to fight, triggering a never-ending cycle. If that isn't world-weary, nothing is. But there's more -- consider the execution of affairs of state. Both Biden and Trump have ignored the time-honored tradition of civilian control of the military; remember President Trumps four star Mad Dog, who proved himself more a little Mac Jim Mattis? As for Biden, now a Democrat-favored retired four star Army general, Lloyd Austin, is set to get the slot if Congress approves a waiver and the Senate then will confirm him as SecDef. Biden will likely have the same kinds of problems. That's more weltschmerz right there. Austin indeed had a track record of military service and one incident may capture with many in the military and veteran community another appropriate German word: Fremdschamen. That's a unique German word meaning to be ashamed for someone else. Here's why I think so: General Lloyd Austin, the commander of U.S. Central Command leading the war on ISIS, told Congress today that only "four or five" of the first 54 U.S.trained moderate Syrian fighters remain in the fight against ISIS. I guess the General did not ask a combat sergeant before testifying about that four or five. Imagine the conversations: Sergeant how do I count how many are fighting ISIS? Well, sir, it is very simple: Invite them to a luncheon combat briefing and count how may MREs (meals ready to eat) you need to feed them. This is just the beginning of many potential and wonderful-to-behold moments of Democrats and the Biden administration which are bound to be coming ahead. Image credit: Pixabay public domain New Delhi, Jan 11 : Amid escalating attacks on Chinese projects in Pakistan, the brutal killing of 11 Hazara coal mine workers by the Islamic State (IS) terror group may have focused on Bostan, the site chosen for a Special Economic Zone under the second phase of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The coal miners belonging to the ethnic Hazara community were killed in Mach, 100 km south of Bostan. IS, which has claimed responsibility for the attack, has been violently opposing CPEC. In May 2017, the group kidnapped two Chinese nationals from Quetta, and announced their killing the following month. That incident halted the free movement of Chinese nationals in Quetta city. CPEC, drawing $62 billion in project funding, is the flagship of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-a mammoth trans continental connectivity enterprise that is meant to anchor China's rise as an unrivalled global power. Under IS ideology, atheist China is a legitimate target, because of its suppression of fellow Muslims-the Uyghur ethnic group in Xinjiang. Analysts say that the IS deliberately brutalised the killings of the 11 Hazara coal miners to deter China's further involvement in its prestige project. Besides, the murders were meant to incite internal opposition against the Imran Khan government, which has been strategically committed to CPEC. On January 3, the attackers kidnapped and blindfolded the coal miners. Later they were killed by slitting their throats. The incident became particularly emotive as the terror group released pictures of the slaughter. The killings have added to the mounting difficulties that have been encountered by CPEC, experts say. "The deteriorating situation in Balochistan is only likely to generate more difficulties for the already problematic implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects in the province," Jeremy Garlick, an assistant professor of international relations at the University of Economics in Prague, was quoted as saying by the website Nikkei Asia. Predictably, the brutal killings triggered high voltage protests in Quetta, Balochistan's capital, by the Hazara community. The protest ended on Saturday at midnight following the visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the decision by the local government to order a high-powered probe. Observers say that having staked its prestige in CPEC, China is likely to pressure Pakistan to beef up security for Chinese nationals working in the enterprise. With a Pakistani crackdown in the restive province likely, the violation of Human rights of ordinary Balochs is now an imminent possibility. Under enormous domestic pressure, Khan has sought to deflect blame for the Hazara murders on India. On Sunday, in a conversation with digital media publishers, he asserted that his government had reached the conclusion that India was backing IS to cause turmoil in Pakistan. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) The Taoiseach has defended the Governments response to the pandemic after figures revealed Ireland has the worlds highest incidence of confirmed new Covid-19 cases per million people. In the last week, Ireland has had 10,100 confirmed cases of coronavirus per million people, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University in the US. Irelands rate of Covid-19 has skyrocketed in recent weeks, which has been blamed on the lifting of restrictions over the Christmas period and the prevalence of the highly transmissible UK variant of the virus. It has put enormous pressure on the health service, with ambulances lined up outside Letterkenny University Hospital and a warning from Health Service Executive (HSE) boss Paul Reid that the situation is now beyond strain. It's very challenging and it's very serious and our focus really is on getting this current wave under control Micheal Martin Speaking on Monday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin rejected an assertion that he should be ashamed of his Governments performance. Im not and I think thats an unfair presentation and assertion, he told Pat Kenny on Newstalk. Mr Martin said he believes the Government has always responded effectively to the latest wave and to the latest surge of this particular virus. He continued: Of course we accept our responsibilities. But we have acted at all times, I think, effectively in responding to the various waves that have emerged. Were doing that very resolutely and very firmly and very clearly, with our public health colleagues, and with all of those on the front line. Its very challenging and its very serious and our focus really is on getting this current wave under control, getting the numbers down and getting transmission of the virus down, relieving pressures on our hospitals and protecting the vulnerable and the elderly in our community. He added: Thats my entire focus now. Over time, people can reflect on this and can make their observations and conclusions. But my focus now is working with my Government colleagues to deal with it. Ireland now ranks ahead of the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Panama in terms of weekly cases. I've always tried to balance #COVID19 messages.I know everyone is finding it all very tough.But the situation in our hospitals,(1,582 patients,145 in ICU), is now beyond strain. To avoid getting sick, protect your family & healthcare workers please, please stay at home. @HSELive Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 11, 2021 Mr Martin told the programme that the UK variant of the virus was present in 45% of the most recent 92 samples that underwent additional testing. Two weeks earlier, the variant was found in 25% of cases, and in just 9% of cases a fortnight previous to that, highlighting how quickly the strain has spread. A quantity of the newly-approved vaccine manufactured by Moderna is due to be in Ireland by this week, the chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee said. Professor Karina Butler added the authorisation process for the AstraZeneca jab had commenced and data had been submitted to European regulators. They anticipate that they will have a decision by the end of the month, she said. Then AstraZeneca are primed to have very significant quantities of vaccine available to us at that time. That will allow acceleration for the rollout. Eight more people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland. Another 4,929 cases were confirmed, the National Public Health Emergency Team said. A total of 146 people are in intensive care in hospital. Professor Philip Nolan, modelling the disease for the state, said the figures were unprecedented but it looked like they were beginning to turn a corner and the positivity rate of tests had fallen in recent days. Meanwhile, HSE chief executive Mr Reid warned that hospital services are now beyond strain. Writing on Twitter, he said: Ive always tried to balance #COVID19 messages. I know everyone is finding it all very tough. But the situation in our hospitals,(1,582 patients,145 in ICU), is now beyond strain. To avoid getting sick, protect your family & healthcare workers please, please stay at home. Earlier, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said January would be the darkest month the health service has faced. The best thing we can do to help is to stay at home, if at all possible, to buy us some time so that we can get the vaccine to those who need it the most Tanaiste Leo Varadkar Mr Varadkar warned that the third wave will be worse than the first, and said the first two months of the year will be a very, very rocky period for the health service. He told Dermot And Dave on Today FM: The best thing we can do to help is to stay at home, if at all possible, to buy us some time so that we can get the vaccine to those who need it the most. The Tanaiste added: The situation is very serious, with nearly 1,600 patients in hospital at the moment, who have Covid. We still have over 500 beds available across the system. 127 in ICU with 38 available. So were very much under pressure, but we are coping. The worry that we have is the situation is still deteriorating. The latest figures on Sunday saw eight further deaths and an additional 6,888 new cases of the virus reported by the Department of Health. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A major mystery in Alzheimer's disease research is why some brain cells succumb to the creeping pathology of the disease years before symptoms first appear, while others seem impervious to the degeneration surrounding them until the disease's final stages. Now, in a study published January 10, 2021 in Nature Neuroscience, a team of molecular biologists and neuropathologists from the UC San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences have joined forces to identify for the first time the neurons that are among the first victims of the diseaseaccumulating toxic "tangles" and dying off earlier than neighboring cells. "We know which neurons are first to die in other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and ALS, but not Alzheimer's," said co-senior author Martin Kampmann, Ph.D., an associate professor in the UCSF Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator. "If we understood why these neurons are so vulnerable, maybe we could identify interventions that could make them, and the brain as a whole, more resilient to the disease." Alzheimer's researchers have long studied why certain cells are more prone to producing the toxic tangles of the protein known as tau, whose spread through the brain drives widespread cell death and the resulting progressive memory loss, dementia, and other symptoms. But researchers have not looked closely at whether all cells are equally vulnerable to the toxic effects of these protein accumulations. "The belief in the field has been that once these trash proteins are there, it's always 'game over' for the cell, but our lab has been finding that that is not the case," said Lea Grinberg, MD, the study's other senior author, an associate professor and John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation Endowed Professor in the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. "Some cells end up with high levels of tau tangles well into the progression of the disease, but for some reason don't die. It has become a pressing question for us to understand the specific factors that make some cells selectively vulnerabile to Alzheimer's pathology, while other cells appear able to resist it for years, if not decades." To identify selectively vulnerable neurons, the researchers studied brain tissue from people who had died at different stages of Alzheimer's disease, obtained from the UCSF Neurodegenerative Disease Brain Bank and the Brazilian BioBank for Aging Studies, a unique resource co-founded by Grinberg. The Sao Paulo-based biobank collects tissue samples from a broad population of deceased individuals, including many without a neurological diagnosis whose brains nevertheless show signs of very early-stage neurodegenerative disease, which is otherwise very difficult to study in humans. First, led by Kampmann lab MD/Ph.D. student Kun Leng and Ph.D. student Emmi Li, the study's co-first authors, the team studied tissue from 10 donor brains using a technique called single-nucleus RNA sequencing, which let them group neurons based on patterns of gene activity. In a brain region called the entorhinal cortex, one of the first areas attacked by Alzheimer's, the researchers identified a particular subset of neurons that began to disappear very early on in the disease. Later on in the course of the disease, the researchers found, a similar group of neurons were also first to die off when degeneration reached the brain's superior frontal gyrus. In both regions, these vulnerable cells were distinguished by their expression of a protein called RORB. This allowed researchers in Grinberg's neuropathology lab, led by former lab manager Rana Eser, to examine RORB-expressing neurons in more detail in brain tissue from a larger cohort of 26 donors. They used histological staining techniques to examine the fate of cells from both healthy individuals and those with early and late stage Alzheimer's. This work validated that RORB-expressing neurons do in fact die off early on in the disease and also accumulate tau tangles earlier than neighboring, non-RORB-expressing neurons. "These findings support the view that tau buildup is a critical driver of neurodegeneration, but we also know from other data from the Grinberg lab that not every cell that builds up these aggregates is equally susceptible," said Leng, who plans continue to study factors underlying RORB neurons' selective vulnerability using CRISPR-based technology the Kampmann lab has developed. It's not clear whether RORB itself causes the cells' selective vulnerability, the researchers said, but the protein provides a valuable new molecular "handle" for future studies to understand what makes these cells succumb to Alzheimer's pathology, and how their vulnerability could potentially be reversed. "Our discovery of a molecular identifier for these selectively vulnerable cells gives us the opportunity to study in detail exactly why they succumb to tau pathology, and what could be done to make them more resilient," Leng said. "This would be a totally new and much more targeted approach to developing therapies to slow or prevent the spread of Alzheimer's disease." Explore further Novel form of Alzheimer's protein found in spinal fluid indicates stage of the disease More information: Molecular characterization of selectively vulnerable neurons in Alzheimer's disease, Nature Neuroscience (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s41593-020-00764-7 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Molecular characterization of selectively vulnerable neurons in Alzheimer's disease,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00764-7 Champaign, IL (61820) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. An innocent man was slammed on social media for 'panic buying' after a video of him wheeling home a trolley full of toilet paper was posted to Instagram. The Lords of Byron Bay Instagram page posted the short video of the man wheeling his haul of toilet paper through a Byron Bay shopping centre car park on Sunday. It was posted with audio clipped from the OutKast song Roses: 'I know you'd like to think that your s**t don't stank'. A man who was spotted wheeling a huge haul of toilet paper to his car was shamed on social media and wrongly accused of panic buying The post was viewed more than 10,000 times in a day with hundreds of Instagram users blasting the man. It later emerged the man was a local Airbnb host known to go for a large shop every two months to stock up supplies for his guests Brisbane supermarkets were swamped on Friday ahead of the city's snap three-day coronavirus lockdown, so social media users immediately assumed the Byron Bay man was doing the same thing - even though he was in a different state. Some haters began a pile on, assuming he was coronavirus panic-buying. 'What the actual f**k goes thru these cooked idiots' heads,' wrote one man. 'F***ing Melbourne grubs,' added another. Another wrote wishing someone had physically attacked the poor man. 'Should have pushed the trolley over so the c**t had to pick it all up,' he wrote. But the man was not panic buying. A Byron Bay woman, who cannot be named, said she recognised the shopper as a well-known local Airbnb host who stocked up supplies for his guests every two months. 'I'm surprised Lords of Byron Bay hasn't taken it down,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'It's a small town, so people would know who it is.' The Instagram video shows the man from behind so his face is not shown, walking through the Mercato on Byron shopping centre carpark. Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to identify the man to respect his privacy. Byron Bay (pictured) is a favourite spot for tourists with its picturesque beaches. Many like to stay with Airbnb hosts, some of whom regularly have to shop for bulk toilet paper The BJP has called for a bandh in Bhandara district of on Monday to express anguish over the death of ten infants in a fire at the district hospital here, a party MP said on Sunday. BJP MP from Bhandara, Sunil Mendhe, told reporters that the party wanted either a judicial inquiry or a probe by a retired judge into the Saturday's incident. "We also want a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the bereaved families," he said. Referring to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's visit to the hospital earlier in the day, the MP said we had expected that he would immediately suspend the civil surgeon, doctors and other staff and order a detailed inquiry, but nothing happened. "The BJP has taken a decision to call a bandh in Bhandara on Monday to draw the attention of the government," 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.) An employee wearing a face mask stands to guide passengers to maintain a one-way walk flow as a precaution against the coronavirus at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) BEIJING - Chinese health authorities say scores more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Hebei province bordering on the capital Beijing. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of Chinas most serious in recent months and comes amid measures to curb the further spread during next months Lunar New Year holiday. Authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale. The National Health Commission said Monday that another 82 people had tested positive in Hebei and were showing symptoms. Around the country, another 36 people had tested positive without displaying symptoms, although it wasnt immediately clear how many of those were in Hebei. The Hebei outbreak has raised concern because of its proximity to the nations capital. Both Shijiazhuang and Xingtai have ordered millions tested, suspended public transportation and restricted residents to their communities or villages for one week. Parts of the province are under lockdown and interprovincial travel has been largely cut off, with those entering Beijing to work having to show proof of employment and a clean bill of health. Hebei has recorded 265 confirmed cases and at least 181 asymptomatic cases over the last eight days. China does not include those who test positive but do not show symptoms in its official case count. People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk out from a bus station for the traveller from the outskirts of Beijing on Monday, Jan. 11, 2012. Chinese health authorities say scores more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Hebei province bordering on the capital Beijing. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of China's most serious in recent months and comes amid measures to curb the further spread during next month's Lunar New Year holiday. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Two other new cases were reported Monday in the northeastern province of Liaoning and one in Beijing, where more than 30 people have been sickened in an outbreak centred on the northeastern district of Shunyi. Housing compounds in the district were requiring proof of a recent negative coronavirus test from anyone wishing to enter. Chinas has now recorded 87,536 total cases with 4,634 deaths. Hospitals were treating 673 people for COVID-19 while 506 people were in isolation and under observation after testing positive without showing symptoms. In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region: A man wearing a face mask and a disposable gloves to help curb the spread of the coronavirus heads to work with other masked people during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 11, 2012. Chinese health authorities say scores more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Hebei province bordering on the capital Beijing. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of China's most serious in recent months and comes amid measures to curb the further spread during next month's Lunar New Year holiday. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) The Japanese Health Ministry has found a coronavirus variant in people arriving from Brazil thats different from the ones in Britain and South Africa. The variant was found in four people tested at the airport, the ministry said Sunday. Japan was working with other nations, the World Health Organization and other medical experts to analyze the variant. The previously identified variants from Britain and South Africa are more contagious, but the behaviour of this variant and the illness it causes are not yet known. The Tokyo area has been under a state of emergency since Friday to try to stop the spread of the virus. Japan has had about 4,000 deaths related to COVID-19 so far, and more than 280,000 confirmed cases. South Koreas president says the government will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to everyone free of charge in phased steps. President Moon Jae-in made the comments in his New Years address on Monday. He reaffirmed an earlier government announcement that the inoculation will start from February. South Korean officials have said theyll have vaccines for 56 million people, an amount seemingly enough for the countrys 52 million people. After weeks of a viral resurgence, South Koreas virus caseload has recently experienced a gradual slowdown amid tough distancing rules that include a ban on social gatherings of five or more people. Earlier Monday, South Korea reported 451 new virus cases, the first time its daily tally was below 500 in 41 days. The countrys total stands at 69,114 with 1,140 deaths. Sri Lanka partially reopened schools on Monday, after they had been closed for nearly three months due to the coronavirus. The move is seen as an attempt to return to normalcy from the months of lockdowns imposed to contain the virus. But the government decided not to reopen schools in the capital, Colombo, and suburbs because the majority of new cases have been reported from those areas. Schools in other parts of the island nation reopened under strict health guidelines such as wearing facemasks, bringing home-cooked food, washing hands regularly and maintaining social distancing. Sri Lanka closed schools in October amid a second wave of the coronavirus after two clusters emerged in Colombo and its suburbs. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says Malaysias healthcare system is at breaking point as he reintroduced movement curbs to curtail a sharp spike in coronavirus cases. From Wednesday, he said Kuala Lumpur, the government administrative capital Putrajaya and five other states will be placed under near lockdown for two weeks, similar to a nationwide lockdown in March last year. This time, however, he said the manufacturing, construction, services, trade and distribution, and plantation sectors will be allowed to operate with strict guidelines. Interstate travel will be banned, no dine-in allowed and movement will be limited within a 10-kilometre (6-mile) radius. Muhyiddin said conditional restrictions will apply to other lower-risk states. He said 476 new virus clusters have been identified since a fresh outbreak in September. He said daily coronavirus cases, which have consistently breached 2,000 in recent weeks, could jump to 8,000 by the end of May if nothing is done. He said Malaysia will obtain its first batch of Pfizer vaccine next month, and is working on securing supplies to cover 80% of the population. Two Cabinet ministers were among those diagnosed with the virus over the weekend. Malaysias virus cases have spiraled from just over 15,000 three months ago to 138,224, including 555 deaths. China has said scientists from the World Health Organisation investigating the origins of Covid-19 will be allowed into the country on Thursday. On their arrival, the experts will meet with Chinese counterparts, the National Health Commission (NHC) said in a one-sentence statement that gave no other details. The international community is hoping the experts can visit the 'wet market' where the virus is believed to have emerged and retrace in detail those early days of the virus in the Chinese city of Wuhan. But the NHC declined to provide the team's itinerary and it was not immediately clear whether the scientists would be travelling to Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected a year ago. 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 brief announcement comes after China initially banned WHO experts from entering the country last week, sparking accusations of a cover-up. China has been accused of initially covering up the outbreak that first emerged in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019, which critics say delayed China's initial response and allowed COVID-19 to spread globally. China's position on the hunt for the origins of the pandemic 'has always been open and responsible', said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying last week. China's position on the hunt for the origins of the pandemic 'has always been open and responsible', said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying (pictured) 'The origins problem is very complex. To ensure that the work of the global experts group in China is successful and to carry out the necessary procedures and relevant concrete plans, currently both sides are still in negotiations on this,' Ms Hua told a regular press briefing. 'I understand that it's not just a visa problem and the actual date and itinerary. Both sides are still in close communication.' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed disappointment last week over delays, saying that members of the international scientific team departing from their home countries had already started on their trip as part of an arrangement between the WHO and the Chinese government. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that members of the international scientific team began departing from their home countries over the last 24 hours as part of an arrangement between the WHO and the Chinese government Dr Tedros said at the time: '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,' he said. But today, the Chinese government decided to allow the experts into the country. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China had approved the visit following consultations between the sides and called it an opportunity to 'exchange views with Chinese scientists and medical experts on scientific cooperation on the tracing of the origin of the new coronavirus.' 'Along with continuous changes in the epidemic situation, our knowledge of the virus deepens, and more early cases are discovered,' Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing, adding that the search for the origin will likely involve 'multiple countries and localities.' The Chinese government has been strictly controlling all research at home into the origins of the virus, an Associated Press investigation found, and state-owned media have played up reports that suggest the virus could have originated elsewhere. The culture of secrecy is believed to have delayed warnings about the pandemic, blocked the sharing of information with the WHO and hampered early testing. Australia and other countries have called for an investigation into the origins of the virus, prompting angry responses from Beijing. There was no immediate comment from the WHO on Monday's announcement, but U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric had earlier told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres 'is fully supportive of Dr. Tedros' and WHO's efforts to get a team in there.' 'It's very important that as the WHO is in the lead in fighting the pandemic, that it also has a leading role in trying to look back at the roots of this pandemic so we can be better prepared for the next one,' Dujarric said. 'We very much hope' that China's reported comments that it is working with the WHO and looking for a smooth visit 'will happen.' 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 The virus' origins have been the source of intense speculation, much of it centered around the likelihood that it was carried by bats and passed to humans through an intermediary species sold as food or medicine in traditional Chinese wet markets. China has largely stemmed new cases of domestic transmission, but the government said today that scores of people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Hebei province, bordering Beijing. Today, Wuhan was forced to shut its markets once again and launched a mass-testing campaign after two people from China's new Covid-19 epicentre in the northern Hebei province near Beijing visited the city before testing positive, according to the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. China's disease experts are currently busy with multiple small-scale clusters and outbreaks reported in the past couple of weeks, Ms Hua said last week. Staff from the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan a year ago on January 11 2020 People, all wearing face masks, walk through the brightly lit streets of Wuhan as they enjoy shopping together on January 10 2021 'Our experts are wholeheartedly in the stressful battle to control the epidemic,' she said. The outbreaks comes amid measures to curb the further spread of the virus during next month's Lunar New Year holiday. Authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale. China has recorded 87,536 total cases of the virus, including 4,634 deaths. Hospitals are currently treating 673 people for COVID-19, while 506 others are in isolation and under observation after testing positive without showing symptoms., officials said. The Hebei outbreak has raised particular concern because of the province's proximity to Beijing. Parts of the province are under lockdown and interprovincial travel has been largely cut off, with those entering Beijing to work having to show proof of employment and a clean bill of health. Beijing has also seen a handful of new cases, prompting authorities to lock down some suburban communities and require residents to show negative test results to access grocery stores and other public spaces. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank Ltd., Osmanabad, Maharashtra to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on January 11. The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS), Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. The RBI said the bank has failed to comply with the requirements and continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. The bank, with its present financial position, would be unable to pay its present depositors in full and it is necessary for public interest and for preventing the affairs of the bank being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of its depositors to wind up the affairs of the bank, the RBI said. Consequent to the cancellation of its licence, Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank Ltd., Osmanabad, Maharashtra is prohibited from conducting the business of banking which includes acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits as defined in Section 5(b) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 with immediate effect, the RBI said. With the cancellation of licence and commencement of liquidation proceedings, the process of paying the depositors of Vasantdada Nagari Sahakari Bank Ltd., Osmanabad, Maharashtra as per the DICGC Act, 1961 will be set in motion, the RBI said. On liquidation, every depositor is entitled to repayment of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5,00,000 from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation as per usual terms and conditions. More than 99 per cent of the depositors of the bank will get full repayment of their deposits from DICGC, the RBI said. The RBI has cancelled the licences of Mapusa Bank, CKP Cooperative bank and the Karad Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd last year. Also, the regulator has initiated punitive actions on above hundred cooperative banks. Paris: According to university officials and the French government's spokesman, the man who attacked police officers patrolling in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, crying out "This is for Syria!", was a former journalist who was working on a doctoral thesis and had not been suspected of radicalisation. Christopher Castaner told RTL radio on Wednesday that police were quickly able to classify the hammer attack as a "terrorist act" because of "the words he said." Surveillance video emerged on Wednesday showing the man lunging at officers on the plaza outside the cathedral, then being shot to death, according to the footage provided to The Associated Press. Read more: Notre Dame cathedral shooting: French Police shoots attacker who claimed to be ISIS assailant An officer was slightly injured in the attack on Tuesday and the attacker remained hospitalised after being shot by police. Police have not released his name. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but police searching the man's residence outside Paris found a declaration of allegiance to the Islamic State group, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. A student identity card showed he was from Algeria and 40 years old. The university of Lorraine's president, Pierre Mutzenhardt, told France Bleu radio that the man was enrolled as one of its students and had been working since 2014 on a thesis about North African media. He said the man previously worked as a journalist for North African media. "There'd been no difficulties with him. Nothing strange had been detected", he said. Read more: Tehran: 4 terrorists, 12 others killed, 39 injured in twin terror attacks; Parliament siege over | As it happened His thesis director, Arnaud Mercier, told broadcaster BFM that the suspect spoke Swedish, Arabic and French and that his resume mentioned that he had worked as a journalist in Sweden and Algeria. "He was someone who believed a lot in democratic ideals, the expression of free thinking in journalism", Mercier saidon BFM. "Nothing, absolutely nothing, foretold that one day he'd be a jihadi who'd want to kill a policeman in the name of I don't know what cause." For all the Latest World 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. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Advertisement Stunning photographs taken above a 13th century castle show the ruin surrounded by a frozen loch as temperatures dropped to -6C. Lochindorb Castle - meaning 'loch of trouble,' - sits on a partly man-made island at the heart of the lake in the Scottish Highlands. Hours before Scotland entered a Covid-19 lockdown last week, photographer James Foster, 33, drove out to the loch - despite the freezing temperatures. Incredible pictures taken in the Scottish Highlands show Lochindorb Castle surrounded by icy waters, after temperatures dropped as low -6C As the loch's waters swirled beneath the ice, strange patterns surrounded Lochindorb Castle, which means 'loch of trouble' in Gaelic He arrived last Monday to see the island enveloped by ice, with shifting waters underneath creating bizarre patterns on the surface. Mr Foster, from Nairn in the Scottish Highlands, said: 'I think I got really lucky, I wasn't expecting the loch to be frozen over. 'The shapes look like an Aztec pattern. It reminded me of crop circles. Photographer James Foster snapped the scene last Monday, capturing the castle's shadow stretching out against the ice Following his visit last Monday, Mr Foster revealed he 'got really lucky,' as he wasn't expecting the loch to be frozen over 'Everything came together with the loch frozen over and the sunlight hitting it. 'I've been there many times before, it's very peaceful and very quiet, it's a very still loch. 'You get some amazing sunsets.' Aerial shots show the swirling patterns surrounding the 13th century ruin - which was once occupied by the English during the Wars of Independence The shadow of the ruins reflected on the surface of the loch, with mountains looming on the horizon. He was stunned by the patterns which formed beneath the water which reminded him of the Aztecs. Located in the heart of the south-eastern Highlands, Lochindorb Castle was originally owned by the Comyns clan, but was later occupied by the English during the Wars of Independence. In 1303, King Edward I visited the castle, but it was later dismanted in the 15th century. Its original cast iron gate, known as a 'yett,' was transported to nearby Cawdor Castle and is still on display. 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! Fighting the Good Fight: What I Learned at the Rally Heres what I witnessed in Washington on Jan. 6 at the Save America March. Surrounding me were patriotic Americans who had traveled from all parts of our land to protest what they believed was a fraudulent election. My daughters friend had secured VIP seating for our party, but few people sat during the event. Instead, many of them danced, tapped their feet, or sang to the music from the loudspeakers. Others chatted and laughed with friends, stood on the chairs to snap pictures of the enormous crowd, and enthusiastically applauded the speakers. To the amusement of those who could see him, a middle-aged man with yellow-tinted hair, silver earrings, and golden sandals danced up and down the aisle. The three women from Florida next to me bounced up and down in time to the music, and some of the teenage girls who were in our group spent time braiding their friends hair. Not only were most of these people happythe event seemed more like a big, wonderful party than a protestbut they were also kind and polite. Those slipping through the crowd were always saying Pardon me. When an older woman with a walker fell, others rushed to her aid and returned her to her chair. Noticing that I was breathing into my handsit was cold, and the wind was briskone of the Florida ladies offered me a small disposable hand warmer. I declined, but appreciated this sweet gesture. After President Donald Trump finished speaking, our group decided to skip the march to the Capitol and return home. The 11 young people were exhausted, and all of us were cold, and so we missed the mayhem the media then used to characterize the entire event. Bad Times Ahead? Now, we are facing what Joe Biden has predicted will be a dark winter. That winter may last for months or possibly even years, and some of us are undoubtedly disheartened by the prospect of such a bleak future. Hold it right there, my friends. Long ago, an anti-drug advertisement on television featured the catchphrase: Just say no! We should say NO! to depression, despondency, and fear every time those swamp creatures rear their ugly heads. Instead, lets take some lessons from those people I saw in the crowd on that January morning. Commitment and Attitude That day I spoke with a man from Hawaii, an ICU nurse from Wisconsin, some nuns in full habit from Minnesota, and a couple from Georgia. All of them had sacrificed their time and money to attend this rally, to protest what they believed a corrupt election, and to take a stand for liberty. And every one of them displayed a cheerful and upbeat love for their country and their cause. We must do the same. In the months to come, we must emulate that spirit of goodwill, pushing back when we can against policies with which we disagree, but aiming always to keep a positive attitude. If we give way to despair, we lose. Its as simple as that. Strength in Numbers Many of us this past year, including me, have often felt alone and isolated, sucked down by a maelstrom of catastrophes. The masks and social distancing of the pandemic have brought a feeling of separation, the riots of the past summer that wrecked several of our cities filled us with a sense of impotence and rage, and the election results have surely left some believing all is lost. Lets take a lesson from that calm and joyful D.C. crowd and break that feeling of loneliness by joining together with those who share our love for this nation. We can link up with family and friends through social media, yes, but even better, we can throw dinners and parties in our homes, we can gather people for musical sing-along evenings, and we can take time from our busy schedules to talk with othersconversations that are as healthy for us as vitamins. The more ambitious might consider giving their time, talents, and money to groups who stand for American values and freedom. Women for America First, for example, organized the rally in Washington. We can go online and seek out similar groups. Even better, those who cherish America can work on the grassroots level to bring change to local governments, joining community groups that seek improvement and advocate for freedom. Optimism and Sanity A good friend and I talk every other day or so about personal matters and politics. With all the latest explosionsthe mainstream media deceptions, the silencing of the president, the corruption in our political system, the looming presidency of Joe Biden and crewJohn is as discouraged as Ive ever seen him. And as he said just this morning after we discussed the headlines, I feel like Im living in Bizarro World, meaning he senses the country is going off the deep end. The people in the crowd I saw on Jan. 6 took a more hopeful view of the future. They wanted Trumps reelection, yet many of them, including Trump himself during his speech, stressed that this movement was bigger than one man and that no matter what happens, together we must carry on the battle for liberty. To do so, we must first believe we can win this fight for Americas soul. We must also refuse to allow ourselves to be sucked into the craziness of online speculations, charges, and counter-charges, avoiding the paranoia and fear that abound in todays public square. Staying on the Right Path The patriots surrounding me at the rally reminded me of people I see every day in the streets and shops here in Front Royal, Virginia: decent folks of all ages, races, and creeds who work hard and who appear to lead virtuous lives. Like my fellow Virginians, those I encountered in D.C. struck me as men and women who hold down jobs, who love their families, who believe in law and order, and who honor the Constitution. If we are to make our way through the coming storm, we must stick to our principles and try in our personal lives to live well and righteously. Some of us, perhaps most of us, have fallen at times in the past, but given the challenges ahead, now more than ever we must practice moral rectitude, both to keep our own souls intact and to inspire others around us. Keep the Faith In times like the present, circumstances can tempt some believers to lose faith in God. The shutting down of church services for so many long months has doubtlessly damaged the spiritual practices of some of the devout, and some in the media and in our culture will likely continue to attack and denigrate religious faith. But now is precisely the timeand Im directing these words at myself as well as you readerswhen we believers must look to God for succor and nourishment. Like Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in the Soviet gulag, we can grow in our faith in times of adversity. We can deepen our prayer life, and we can join or form spiritual groups that will encourage us in our struggles with the secular world. In God we trust is still the motto of the United States of America. Those of us who believe in God should make that motto our own as well. Woke Warriors These past few years, especially 2020, have opened the eyes of many citizens. To steal a word from the left, we are woke, albeit in an entirely different sense. The sleep-walkers among us, those who were going through their busy lives without paying attention to the machinations of some politicians, our big tech gang, and our politically correct and cancel culture radicals, have shaken off their somnambulism and are now conscious of the deceits and intentions of their enemies. So, now is not the time to give way to despair or to sink into apathy. Nonow is the time when we must join those patriots in D.C. and put ourselves body and soul into the battles awaiting us. Lets make the good, the true, and the beautiful our banners and trumpets, and never ever give up the fight. Jeff Minick has four children and a growing platoon of grandchildren. For 20 years, he taught history, literature, and Latin to seminars of homeschooling students in Asheville, N.C. He is the author of two novels, Amanda Bell and Dust On Their Wings, and two works of nonfiction, Learning As I Go and Movies Make The Man. Today, he lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. See JeffMinick.com to follow his blog. Snap elections are the only way to resolve the political, economic and social crisis that Armenia is facing, the countrys President Armen Sarkisyan said in an article published by the presidential press service on Monday. "The only logical and civilized way out of the situation is to hold snap elections within a reasonable timeframe and introduce the necessary amendments to the Electoral Code, which will make it possible to start the process of state-building anew," the Armenian president pointed out. Sarkisyan emphasized the need to form a government of national accord before the elections. According to him, the government will have three goals, focusing on efforts to address the aftermath of military activities, prepare and implement a roadmap to lead the country out of the political and economic crisis and carry out a legal reform to create conditions for future elections. The Armenian opposition demands the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, blaming him for economic and social problems that the country is facing. Related Egyptian cabinet dismisses online rumors 2nd school semester will be postponed Not since 2014 has Egypt seen this amount of fake news items than it did in 2020, thanks to the coronavirus. Rumours about the pandemic made up 51.8 percent of the false news circulated in Egypt throughout the year, read a report released on Monday by the cabinets media centre. And not that warnings of legal action succeeded in putting the brakes on the generation of rumours. Egypts general prosecution warned in late March against spreading fake news and rumours about the coronavirus, saying the act is punishable by jail sentences and fines of up to EGP 20,000. The finance sector was the most hit by rumors in January 2020, and the health sector won the lions share throughout the following six months as the pandemic broke out in Egypt in mid-February. According to the cabinet's report, the health sector was the most hit by rumours in 2020 with 24.1 percent, followed by the education and finance sectors. Rumors hit many other fields, including supply, agriculture, housing, tourism and antiquities, social solidarity, fuel and electricity, and administrative reform, the report read. The report detailed the most serious rumours generated in 2020, dividing them into most serious, strangest, repetitive and rumours aiming to distort achievements. Most serious rumours - Coronavirus patients undergo kidney dialysis along with other kidney patients in governmental hospitals. - There is a shortage in equipment and supplies in Intensive Care Units in governmental hospitals. - Some face masks made of non-medical materials are distributed in quarantine hospitals. - Medical waste of quarantine hospitals is disposed of in an unsafe way. - Some people donating blood in governmental hospitals contracted coronavirus. - The government hanged banners with the phrase Al-Khatar Yaqtareb (Danger is nearing) to intimidate citizens. - A shipment of meat contaminated with coronavirus was imported. - The Ministry of Health is using the vaccines of Tuberculosis (TB) and Measles to vaccinate people against the coronavirus. - Meningitis spread in various governorates. - All fire extinguishers nationwide are unusable. Strangest rumours - Bodies of coronavirus victims are being burnt. - The issuance of marriage contracts was suspended for a year starting July 2020. - Fresh graduates of medical schools will be assigned nursing duties. - Fees will be imposed on students to enter universities. - A deduction was applied on salaries of teachers who are absent for contracting the coronavirus. - Vaccines administered orally to children, including the polio vaccine, cause sterility. - Alexandria dwellers are obliged to sign a ratification to stay in their houses that might fall down. - School libraries turned into classrooms so that social distancing is maintained. - Citizens will be excluded from the government subsidy programme if they lose the password of their subsidy card. - Citizens will bear the cost of disinfecting mosques. Repetitive rumours - An EGP 150 fine will be imposed for the issuance of burial permits. - A number of Egyptian antiquities were sold to foreign parties. - The Suez Canal saw major losses as a result of the coronavirus crisis. - Shipments of bad flour were used to produce subsidised bread. - A new strain of bird flu appeared in Egypt. - Aid allocated for informal workers will be postponed. - Plastic banknotes, yet to be issued, will make paper notes invalid. - A tax is imposed on bank deposits. - A large number of state employees have been laid off due to the states plan of moving to the New Administrative Capital. - Swarms of black grasshoppers spread in Egyptian border areas. Rumours distorting achievements - A presidential initiative to eliminate waiting lists for critical surgeries was suspended. - The government approved a law that immunes the donation-based Tahya Misr Fund from observation and accountability. - Employees at the administrative apparatus, who will not move to work in the New Administrative Capital, will have their salaries reduced. - The state budget plan was modified and EGP 100 billion was deduced to face the coronavirus implications. - Suez Canal revenues decreased by 20 percent as ships started to take alternative routes. - Historical places in Cairo are being developed in random ways. - Slum dwellers are being forcibly displaced in various governorates without compensation. - The health insurance system in Port Said failed due to a shortage in doctors. - Financial allocations for social protection programmes were reduced in the general budget of FY 2020/2021. - Work at projects of the National Authority for Tunnels was suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. Short link: A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured the most detailed image so far of the central part of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 613. NGC 613 lies 84.8 million light years away in the southern constellation of Sculptor. Otherwise known as ESO 413-11 and LEDA 5849, this galaxy was discovered by the English astronomer William Herschel in 1798, and then re-discovered by the Scottish astronomer James Dunlop. It was catalogued by the Danish-Irish astronomer John Louis Emil Dreyer in his famous New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, published in 1888. NGC 613 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy for the bar-shaped band of stars and dust crossing its intensely glowing center. It also has a weak inner ring structure circling the bar and moderate to loosely wound spiral arms. Featured here in a new image, NGC 613 is a lovely example of a barred spiral galaxy, Hubble astronomers said. It is easily distinguishable as such because of its well defined central bar and long arms, which spiral loosely around its nucleus. As revealed by surveys, about two thirds of spiral galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, contain a bar, they said. Recent studies have shown that bars are more common in galaxies now than they were in the past, which gives us important clues about galaxy formation and evolution. In a letter to the PM, 4 NGOs comprising Bhopal gas tragedy survivors have asked to halt the ongoing trial of Covaxin. (Representational Image/AP) Bhopal: Bhopal gas tragedy survivors on Sunday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt the ongoing trial of Covaxin, the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine, in view of violation of laws and guidelines. In a letter to the PM, 4 NGOs comprising Bhopal gas tragedy survivors said, We are writing to you to apprise you of the ground situation with regard to the conduct of the trial. Evidence has emerged that the trial in Bhopal is being conducted in gross violation of laws and guidelines governing clinical trials in India. This is leading to exploitation and harm to a community of people that are not just economically and socially deprived, but whose health is compromised owing to the destructive impact and its consequences, they said. The NGOs alleged that vulnerable people were being misguided and herded to participate in the trials and the consent procedure and other protocol of testing was being thrown to winds. The clinical trial (of the vaccine) should be stopped forthwith and an impartial probe be conducted, they said. According to Rasheeda Bee, a gas tragedy survivor and social activist, at least 700 out of the 1700 people on whom this vaccine was being tested, were the people poisoned by Union Carbide gas leak in 1984. One gas victim has already died within 10 days of getting the trial shot and many continue to have health complaints of serious nature, she alleged. A Covaxin volunteer died 9 days after he took the shot, she said. Bharat Biotech, a partner in the development of the Covaxin, however has issued a statement saying that the volunteers death was unrelated to the vaccine. In a statement issued by Peoples College of Medical Science and Research Centre, Bhopal, said the postmortem report conducted on the deceased by Medico Legal Institute, Bhopal, cited cause of death due to cardio-respiratory failure caused by suspected poisoning. Dean of the college Dr Anil Dixit said the vaccine has nothing to do with the death since symptoms of the adverse reactions of the vaccine, if developed, could have surfaced within 48 hours of getting the shot. He also dismissed the allegation that the college has not followed government guidelines while conducting the trial of the vaccine by the institute. In the aftermath of Donald Trump supporters storming the US Capitol, Democrats in the US House of Representatives want Vice President Mike Pence to use the 25th Amendment to remove the outgoing president from office. Reports say that speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will introduce a resolution asking Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. Pelosi was quoted by Huffpost as saying on Sunday, In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both. As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. While Joe Biden will be sworn in January 20, Trump has little less than two weeks in office. Also read: Donald Trump May Turn To Giuliani Again To Defend Against Impeachment Heres what we need to know: Pelosi in her letter asked Pence to respond to a resolution that she introduced, asking him to respond within 24 hours. In her resolution, Peloso said that Trump advertised and broadly encouraged the mob through his Twitter account. Pelosis letter has come at a time when Washington has not made clear if Trump plans to leave office soon. While Trump was impeached in 2019, he will probably be the first president to be impeached twice if these proceedings are taken further. Democratic representative, Ted Lieu, who had earlier called for Trump to step down, said that if Pence doesnt invoke the 25th Amendment, then we will Impeach. Tomorrow we introduce the Article of Impeachment. An adviser told Reuters that Pence opposed using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump. Republicans too are speaking out against Trump. Reuters reported Republican Senator Pat Toomey, a conservative backer of Trump until recently, telling NBC that Trump's resignation "as soon as possible" would be best for the country. Lisa Murkowski on Friday became the first Republican U.S. senator to say Trump should resign immediately. Republican Senator Ben Sasse said he would "definitely consider" impeachment. The New York Times called the impeachment process deliberately difficult where the House first votes on impeachment and if there is a simple majority, the Senate will have to consider them at a trial. The NYT article said that while the charges are detailed in the articles of impeachment, impeachment managers are appointed to argue before senators who act as a jury. Because of the wintry weather that arrived on Sunday, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery and Willis school districts will be closed Monday, the districts announced on Sunday night. Due to potentially hazardous road conditions during morning arrival times and anticipated staff shortages, Conroe ISD will be closed on Monday, Conroe ISD announced on social media posts and its website. In-Person and remote/online instruction will resume on Tuesday. Magnolia, Montgomery and Willis school districts issued similar statements Sunday night. Lone Star College announced that it would delay the opening of all college facilities until 10 a.m. Monday. As of Sunday evening, New Caney ISD had advised residents to check their website for details. Splendora ISD announced that it plans to make an announcement by 5 a.m. Monday. Rain and decreasing temperatures loomed most of the day Sunday, leading into an overnight that could bring freezing temperatures and challenging road conditions. Northern and western Montgomery County were on the southern edge of the predicted snow line on Sunday afternoon. The winter system that blew into Montgomery County Sunday brought significant snowfall not far from the county. Huntsville and College Station had up to 3 inches of snow, much of it sticking. In Austin, snowfall covered lawns and the state Capitol. Weather officials had placed Walker, Brazos, Grimes, Polk and San Jacinto counties under a winter weather warning through at least 6 a.m. Monday. Two to 4 inches of snow were predicted to fall overnight in those areas. In Huntsville, Sam Houston State University students were scheduled to return from winter break Monday, but classes were canceled because of the weather. Elsewhere in Texas, more than 36,000 residents lost power in the Austin area on Sunday. Some areas of Williamson County north of Austin reported up to 5 inches of snow. In West Texas, the city of Denver City had 9 inches as of late Sunday morning. Nicole Hensley and the Associated Press contributed to this report. January 11 : Janhvi Kapoor, who was recently vacationing in Goa with Kartik Aaryan, has posted a couple of mesmerising pictures from the picturesque locations. Recently, Janhvi and Kartik were spotted and snapped at the Mumbai airport when they were returning from their quick getaway in Goa. Taking to her Instagram handle, the Gunjan Saxena actress shared two beautiful pictures, giving a glimpse of the breathtaking view of Goa beach. In one picture, Janhvi can be seen clicking the mesmerising sunset picture, while she has been captured in the larger frame, probably by Kartik Aaryan, who was with her in Goa. Janhvis sister Khushi had also joined the Dostana actors. Janhvi shared the pictures without any caption. Reports of Janhvi and Kartik dating each other have been making rounds on the internet and their pictures together at the Mumbai airport went viral, adding fuel to the fire. However, while some of their fans are linking them in a romantic relationship, a section of the social media users believe that the actors are just bonding together, and were in Goa to ring in the New Year and also shoot for their film Dostana 2. Meanwhile, on the work front, Janhvi and Kartik will soon be seen together in Collin D'Cunha's upcoming film Dostana 2. The film will also mark the Bollywood debut of Laksh Lalwani. Janhvi is also a part of Karan Johars film Takht starring Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar and others. She will also be seen in Roohi Afza with Rajkummar Rao. The actress, who was last seen in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, will soon begin shooting for the film, which is the Hindi adaptation of the Tamil film Kolamaavu Kokila. New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Mumbai on Thursday to hold meeting with state party leaders and cadre on the occasion of the Modi government completing three years in power. Rajnath addressed press conference in which he said that the Prime Minister through his diplomatic skills have been successful to bring international community on-board on terrorism. BJP government has got success on Left Wing Extremism front. We are extending full support to states on this, wholeheartedly, said Rajnath Singh. Rajnath said that NDA-BJP government will not any act which will break the faith of farmers and common man. He added that they have received information that there are some forces which attempted to instigate people, investigations are going on and we should wait for the report to come. Also read: Trumps withdrawal from Paris climate deal shock for India and world, says Rajnath Also read: Terrorists intended a prolonged siege in Jammu and Kashmir attack: Home Minister Rajnath Singh For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Like a lot of sixth years facing the pressure of the exams and big life decisions, Josh Mullen struggled with mental health issues in the run-up to his Leaving Cert. When it came to selecting his CAO choices he decided going away to college was a good idea. But having done so, he quickly realised he had made a big mistake with his course, and dropped out. Josh found himself back home in Macroom, Co Cork, with no immediate plan. Not for the first time, one of his former teachers, Bernie Angland, had his back. She came to me and said: You are not just going to sit at home for a year, Josh recalls. Angland had been Joshs Year Head during Transition Year at the local McEgan College and was a great source of support when he came out that year. She was fierce help; she was hugely supportive and we have got a great friendship out of it, he says. As well as being a second-level school in the DEIS scheme for disadvantaged communities, McEgan College offers further education courses and, under Anglands guidance, Josh enrolled on a PLC course in Business Studies. He achieved 11 distinctions, landing a place on a teacher training course that will lead him to post-primary qualification within four years. Its a concurrent degree, which means that the teaching qualification is integrated into it and there is no requirement to do the Professional Master in Education (PME). Josh (20) is now in second year of the BA in Education, Business Studies and Accounting at the Mary Immaculate College Thurles campus. He had always fancied a career in teaching and his ultimate decision to opt for post primary, rather than primary, was grounded in his experience at McEgan College, and the support he received, not only academically, but also when he came out as gay. I feel I can make more of a difference if I do secondary teaching. I suppose the students are at a more critical stage of their development, so it will be good to have extra support. Studies have shown that many teachers who identify as LGBT+ are nervous about coming out for fear it will jeopardise their career prospects. Ireland has a great reputation for its teachers, but the profession suffers from a lack of diversity that does not reflect the pupil population and the changing societal landscape. There is a major effort underway to attract students from cohorts that are under-represented in teaching, including from the LGBT+ community and those from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds and ethnic minorities. When Josh discussed career plans with pals, some responded, You are going to be ripped to shreds. It was mainly the boys and it was just the whole thing of being gay, says Josh. I told them that teaching and learning had nothing to do with my sexuality. As schools re-open today, Josh will be starting his first professional work placement, back at McEgan College, and not at all phased about teaching his students online. Hispanic fugitives who escaped from Merced County Downtown Jail in California on Jan. 10, 2021. (Courtesy of Merced County Sheriff's Office) Manhunt Launched After 6 Inmates Escape California Jail Using Homemade Rope Authorities in Northern California are hunting for six inmates who escaped from Merced County Downtown Jail over the weekend, police confirmed in a press release Sunday. Merced County Sheriffs Office said that a preliminary investigation showed the fugitives escaped the facility by using a homemade rope to scale down the side of the jail via the roof. Police added that jail officials found the six inmates missing from their cells just before midnight on Sunday. The fugitives have been described as Hispanic males between the ages of 19 and 22. A task force has been formed to track down and apprehend the escaped inmates. The sheriffs office urged anyone with information about the escaped prisoners, or who has seen any of the individuals detailed below not to approach them and call 911. The police statement provided detailed information, including a picture and charges, for each individual. The youngest is from Atwater, California, and has been identified as 19-year-old Gabriel Coronado, who is 5 feet, 10 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. Coronado was jailed on charges of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, felon in possession of a firearm, and violation of probation. Gabriel Francis Coronado, 19, of Atwater, California. (Courtesy of Merced County Sheriffs Office) Jorge Barron, 20, of Atwater, California. (Courtesy of Merced County Sheriffs Office) The second is 20-year-old Jorge Barron, also from Atwater. He was jailed on a violation of probation charge and has been described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., a 21-year-old male from Planada, California, was held on charges of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang, and felon in possession of a firearm. The sheriffs office said Rodriguez Jr. is 5 feet, 7 inches with black hair and brown eyes. Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., 21, of Planada, California. (Courtesy of Merced County Sheriffs Office) Manuel Leon, 21, of Vallejo, California. (Courtesy of Merced County Sheriffs Office) Manuel Leon, 21, of Vallejo, California, is charged with a firearm assault, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, evading a peace officer, reckless driving, participation in a criminal street gang, and carrying a loaded firearm. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. The last two fugitives were identified as 22-year-old Fabian Roman of Los Banos, California, who is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and 22-year-old Edgard Eduardo Ventura of Portland, Oregon, who is 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Fabian Roman, 22, (left) of Los Banos, California, and Edgard Eduardo Ventura, 22, of Portland, Oregon. (Courtesy of Merced County Sheriffs Office) Roman was held on charges of murder, while Ventura was being held on charges of felon in possession of a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang, and violation of probation, police said. The sheriffs office added it will update the information when available. From NTD News You are here: China China will continue suspending regular passenger flights to and from the United Kingdom to cope with the possible impact of the variant of the coronavirus found in the UK, the civil aviation regulator announced Sunday. The renewed suspension will take effect from Monday, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The CAAC requires domestic and foreign airlines to coordinate services regarding ticket refunds and flight changes for affected passengers. Bird Flu Confirmed In Delhi, 9,000 Birds to be Culled in Maharashtra's Parbhani The bird flu outbreak, that is being reported across several states, has also been confirmed in Maharashtra. While dead crows sparked fears in Mumbai, bird flu was confirmed in Parbhani, where authorities will cull around 9,000 birds. Meanwhile, the Delhi Animal Husbandry department confirmed bird flu spread in the city after testing eight samples. Birds were also reported dead in Latur and Amravati. READ MORE Impeachment Proceedings Against Donald Trump on Monday: What You Need to Know In the aftermath of Donald Trump supporters storming the US Capitol, Democrats in the US House of Representatives want Vice President Mike Pence to use the 25th Amendment to remove the outgoing president from office. Reports say that speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will introduce a resolution asking Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. READ MORE China Allows WHO Officials to Visit Over A Year After Emergence of Covid Over a year after the first cases of the novel coronavirus was detected in China, the country has for the first time, allowed a team of World Health Organisation officials to visit. China's deputy head of the National Health Commission however said that when the WHO team, which will visit Wuhan, has not yet been decided. Experts from China will visit Wuhan with the WHO officials. LIVE UPDATES Explosion in Radiant Warmer May Have Caused Bhandara Hospital Fire, Reveals Initial Probe The fire that broke out at Bhandara General Hospital was likely to be caused by an explosion in one of the several radiant warmers in the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), believe the officials who carried out a preliminary inspection at the hospital on Sunday. A total of 10 babies died in the SNCU of Bhandara District General hospital on Saturday. READ MORE Vogue Cover of Kamala Harris Was Meant to Break Stereotypes. It Made Her Skin 'Lighter' Kamala Harris Vogue cover was supposed to be a landmark moment: It was supposed to be a visual representation for all young women looking up at traditionally male-dominated positions and seeing a woman, especially a woman of colour, break the glass ceiling. Instead, the cover has become the center of controversy for allegedly 'lightning' Harris' skin colour. READ MORE India vs Australia, 3rd Test at Sydney, Day 5: Injured Vihari, Ashwin Battle on After Tea India vs Australia, 3rd Test at Sydney, Day 5, Live Scores and Updates: IND 288-5, chasing 407: It's all happening here. Short ball after short ball. Ashwin gets hit on the hand by a Cummins delivery. Gets attention from physio and bats on. Then an edge over slips. Then a dropped catch by Abbott at square leg. LIVE UPDATES (Natural News) China has blocked a team of scientists investigating the Wuhan coronaviruss origins from entering the country. According to Chinese officials, the visas of the World Health Organization (WHO) team had not yet been approved. The WHO has been trying to send a team consisting of global health experts from different countries for some months now. WHO Health Emergencies Program Executive Director Dr. Mike Ryan said the WHO team had been working very closely with Chinese colleagues to make the trip possible. We were all operating on the understanding that the team will begin deployment [on Jan. 5.] We did not want to put people in the air unnecessarily if there wasnt a guarantee of their arrival in China being successful, he explained. Two team members coming from a long distance had already begun their trip until it had become clear that Chinese authorities did not approve their visas. One of the two experts had gone back, while the other was still in a third country in transit. The team hoped it was just a logical and bureaucratic issue that can be resolved very quickly. The mission aimed to visit the eastern Chinese city of Wuhan to investigate the earliest case of COVID-19. The WHO had been talking to Chinese officials since July 2020 to facilitate the teams probe in China. A number of scientists have been looking at how the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen jumped from animals to humans. However, the WHO mission will not look into the claim that the virus originated from a laboratory. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus steps in WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his dismay over the matter. Im very disappointed with this news, given that two team members have already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute, he commented. Nevertheless, Tedros has called on China to allow the team in. He said: I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials [and] have once again made it clear that the mission is a priority for the WHO and the international team. Ryan confirmed Tedros intervention: 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 health emergencies program executive director commented that the organizations director-general had expressed very clearly the disappointment over the denied visas to Chinese counterparts. He continued: 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. The U.S. has slammed the WHOs investigative mission in Wuhan German scientist Fabian Leendertz, who is among the team members slated to visit Wuhan, said the mission will not aim to pin the blame on one party. Rather, the mission will focus on understanding what happened. Leendertz told Agence France-Presse: This is not about finding a guilty country or a guilty authority. This is about understanding what happened to avoid that in the future [and] to reduce the risk. (Related: Chinese citizens sue Wuhan officials over coronavirus coverup.) However, the U.S. criticized the WHOs mission for refusing to hold China responsible for the global pandemic. In November, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Global Affairs Director Garrett Grigsby said the investigation appeared to be inconsistent with the WHOs mandate. He commented: Understanding the origins of COVID-19 through a transparent and inclusive investigation is what must be done. U.S. President Donald Trump himself accused China of covering up key information during the pandemics early stages. He also branded the WHO as a puppet of Beijing, subsequently withdrawing its funding and membership in the organization. He elaborated in an April 7 tweet: The WHO really blew it: For some reason, [it is] funded largely by the U.S., yet [it is] very China-centric. We will be giving that a good look. Visit Pandemic.news to find out more about the WHOs investigation of the Wuhan coronavirus origins. Sources include: TheGuardian.com France24.com Twitter.com 'Whoever favours keeping Northern Ireland in Union with Great Britain, or prefers a united Ireland, needs to prepare for a referendum in the North on that exact choice, followed by a matching referendum in the South - if there is an affirmative vote for unity in the North.' Whoever favours keeping Northern Ireland in Union with Great Britain, or prefers a united Ireland, needs to prepare for a referendum in the North on that exact choice, followed by a matching referendum in the South - if there is an affirmative vote for unity in the North. This prospect is arriving faster than most expected. Demographic change is converting cultural Protestants into an electoral minority. Unionists with a big-U are already a political minority. Maintaining the Union therefore depends on the consent of cultural Catholics, whose opinions on that Union are more volatile and averse than those held among those of Protestant heritage. That Union, moreover, has had its foundations bulldozed by the Brexiteers. Forced out of the EU against their will, Scots will respond by providing the SNP with a mandate for a second referendum on independence. Thanks to John Major the Stone of Scone, the symbol of Scotland's sovereignty, has been repatriated; the Scots now want the substance. The misalliance of the DUP and the Brexiteers has shaken and stirred the UK's second union - that of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Neither set of sectaries promised this outcome, but since January 1 Northern Ireland is under the joint authority of the EU and the UK - a tribute to Boris Johnson's career in truth-smashing. To address rational fears Northern Ireland has been re-engineered in a remarkable improvisation. It is now a double "federacy," or an annex to two different unions. The Good Friday Agreement "in all its parts" is now protected in two treaties - the one Ireland and the UK ratified in 1999, and the Protocol of 2019 between the UK and the EU that has just taken effect. Rube Goldberg, Heath Robinson or HR Giger would be required to visualise the new order. Northern Ireland remains within the EU's single market for goods, and, for practical purposes, in its customs union, but without European political institutions. Unless Stormont decides otherwise in 2024, the Government of Ireland will have more influence on economic regulations affecting Northern Ireland than the Westminster Parliament. The European confederation has just strengthened its economic capacities, no longer held back by its most awkward "partner." That matters to Northern cultural Catholics who overwhelmingly supported remaining in that confederation - along with a minority of liberal Protestants. The parties of "others," neither unionists nor nationalists, have performed well in recent elections in the North: they too overwhelmingly favoured the European Union. To resume full citizenship of the European confederation many Northerners have taken out Irish passports - up to half the population have them, while the number taking out UK passports has slid. Later they may support Irish unification to return to the European Union - not to Pearse's, Cosgrave's, or de Valera's Ireland. Maybe. Will Northern Ireland enjoy the best of both worlds, and flourish within Barnier & Boris's novel contraption? Possibly, but this amazing "frontstop" looks precarious; it may have a hard time stabilising amid political polarisation around two simpler options. "Scrapping the Protocol" is the DUP's ambition; the obvious alternative is Irish reunification within the EU. Whether you like this scenario is not the point, but if you think it is possible, then recognize that Ireland, North and South, needs to prepare, if only to ensure that any future referendums on reunification do not resemble the "Brexit/Ukexit" referendum of 2016. To prepare is not to harass, to assume one outcome, or to presume the referendum will be the day after tomorrow. Preparation can be open, peaceful, and pluralist - ensuring multiple voices are heard, and available to constant correction. Not to prepare is to take the ostrich as the paragon of political virtue. The South is most obliged to prepare properly because under the Good Friday Agreement the initiation of a Northern referendum on unification rests with the UK Secretary of State: Dublin has no veto and could be taken by surprise. Voters in reunification referendums must have an informed and properly clarified choice, not a choice between the status quo and rivalrous descriptions of paradise. The onus to clarify rests with the South. All parties in the Dail must decide between offering a precise model of unification OR offering a detailed constitutional process that would follow affirmative votes for unification. Clarifying choices, and developing a feasible plan, are not for an op-ed. The same is true of the power-sharing securities needed for people of British identity and citizenship. A Ministry of National Reunification is required to synthesize the best of the North and the South in robust models of a reunified island. It must engage unionists, nationalists, and others - the latter and 'soft nationalists' will be the pivotal voters in the North. It must organise citizens' assemblies, and it will need to oversee a united Ireland transition fund, to be launched after the pandemic is controlled. Brendan O'Leary is Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, the author of A Treatise on Northern Ireland and a founding member of www.arinsproject.com Raj Iyer, who has been named the CIO of the U.S. Army, will be the highest ranking Indian American civilian at the Pentagon equivalent in rank to a three-star general. (LinkedIn photo) Silicon Valleys moves to eject President Trump from social media represent a display of power the companies have avoided making for nearly four years. Now Twitter Inc., Facebook Inc. and others must reckon with what comes next. In a span of a couple of days, Twitter and FacebookMr. Trumps main social-media megaphonestook action to silence the presidents personal accounts or online communities devoted to him, citing rules prohibiting content that incites violence. They were joined by companies such as Snap Inc. and Reddit Inc. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc.s Google also took steps to boot Parler, a social-media app and website that has grown in popularity among conservativesand which some rioters had used to promote Wednesdays attack at the U.S. Capitol, according to screenshots viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The actions against Mr. Trump and Parler illustrate more starkly than ever the companies influence over conversation onlineand the political nature of their decisions. While lauded by many, ejecting the president and some of his supporters also infuriated others who said it amounts to censorship, and the moves risked driving off some users in a way that, especially for Twitter, could reshape their businesses. It also illustrates the political nature of how they determine what content to remove, what content to allow and what to amplify. Right or wrong, they made a political decision," said Jonathon Hauenschild, director of the communications and technology task force for the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative nonprofit group, regarding the companies moves. Attention on the tech giants was there to begin with. Now the spotlight is fully on," he said. The tech companies acted in response to Wednesdays attack by Trump supporters in Washington, in which five people died. That mob was mobilized largely on social media, and Mr. Trumps posts before and during the episode were criticized by Democrats and Republicans for inflaming and supporting the crowd. Many people outraged by the eventincluding employees working for those companiesdemanded that Twitter, Facebook and others take more aggressive action than they had in previous controversies involving Mr. Trump. The companies said removing Mr. Trump and Parler from their platforms was necessary to prevent online posts that could lead to further violence. Its a seismic change," said Chris Nolan, chief executive of San Francisco-based ad-buying firm Spot-On, of companies actions to ban the president. Its a step on the part of the platforms to recognize that what happens on their platforms has consequences in real life." The decisions added fuel to an already raging debate over whether the platforms do too much to police content on their platforms or not enough. Many conservatives, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) and others, said the impact of the platforms decisions suggests the tech industrys sway over public conversation is too great. We are now living in a country where four or five companies, unelected, unaccountable, have the monopoly power to decide, were gonna wipe people out, were going to erase them, from any digital platform, whether its selling things and the like," he told Fox News on Sunday. Some allies of Mr. Trump have said they would shift their activity on Twitter to other platformsincluding Parler and Gabdeemed more tolerant of speech. Twitter on Friday also suspended some other accounts related to Mr. Trump and his backers, including those of his campaign and one of its senior officials, as well as several associated with the far-right conspiracy group QAnon that Twitter said violated its policy on coordinated harmful activity. For Twitter, in particular, it is unclear how the decision will affect the companys business. The presidents personal Twitter account had more than 88 million followers, which equated to nearly half of Twitters total number of average daily users. And while Mr. Trump wasnt Twitters most widely followed member, his tweets stirred conversation and engagement for Twitter users across the political spectrum. Having the president embrace Twitter as his platform of choice reinforced the companys pitch to the broader public that it serves as the go-to place to know what is happening. At the same time, Mr. Trumps frequently contentious tweets also created headaches for the company, as it tried to enforce its rules and ensure the platform is hospitable for big-name advertisers. From a business standpoint, I dont see this as a problem for the social-media companies," said Eric Ross, chief strategist at Cascend Securities, who covers publicly traded technology companies. It seems like they were already moving in the direction of limiting peoples political commentary and discourse, and advertisers seemed to be following them." A spokesman for Twitter declined to comment. Facebook and other companies might feel less impact to their businesses from moderating the accounts of Mr. Trump and his followers. Yet their actions showed how companies have evolved during the Trump era. Before Mr. Trump took office, most major platform operators preferred to moderate as little content as possible, employing fairly small teams of content moderators. Some Twitter executives called their company the free-speech wing of the free-speech party." Now, companies such as Facebook employ thousands of moderators and use artificial intelligence and other technology to keep tabs on what their users post. At Twitter, acrimony on the platform began to pose a liability to business, a former executive said. It got to a point where there became an expectation that Twitter needed to police it more, or people wouldnt use the platform for fear of being subjected to abuse," the former executive said. Companies actions will likely come under even more scrutiny as regulators pursue antitrust cases against several tech giants, and as Congress and the incoming Biden administration look to revamp 25-year-old legislation known as Section 230 that has long provided a liability shield for the platforms decisions over content regulation. In recent months, Parler had become a refuge for some conservatives upset about what they saw as overreach and bias by the mainstream platforms. On Friday, Parler had been downloaded 182,000 times across Apple and Googles app stores, a 14-fold increase in its number of downloads from the previous Friday, according to app-analytics firm Sensor Tower Inc. Yet Parler has also faced criticism for its hands-off approach to moderation, including speech from neo-Nazis and other groups that call for violence. Parlers future is unclear. Amazon said it would stop providing cloud-computing services to Parler as of late Sunday Pacific time, potentially grounding the platforms operations. Google and Apple removed it from their app stores, meaning even if it can restart, its app would be unavailable to many smartphone users. Apple and Google require apps in their stores to moderate content. Google pointed to examples of content it found on Parler that threatened elected officials and called for plans to organize a militia march. One user posted: How we take back our country? Its simplewe hunt them down!" Google also flagged images of fliers shared on Parler that called on armed militias to march on Washington, D.C., the day of the inauguration. Parler executives told the Journal the company has doubled its team of volunteer moderators and instructed them to search hot" hashtags to gauge whether users are inciting violence. Parler Chief Executive John Matze said the company has been removing users who violate its terms. Mr. Matze said keeping his business running will be difficult because companies it has relied on to operate have suddenly stopped working with it. Our vendors dropped us all at once," he told the Journal. With Amazon planning to cut off Parlers data storage and processing contract at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time Sunday, he expects Parler to become temporarily unavailable. In the best-case scenario, itll be 12 hours. In the worst, worse-case scenario, weeks," he said. Though Parler and other smaller platforms might grow, longtime observers of social media say the significant scale of Twitter and Facebook make those platforms unlikely to lose their influence. Smaller venues full of like-minded users dont give users the chance to reach new audiences, leaving participants competing with each other for attention, said Joan Donovan, director of research at Harvard Universitys Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. Once someones been removed from the mainstream networks," she said, they tend to become very marginal." 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. Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, along with the attorneys general of 27 states, has entered into a settlement with Sabre Corporation that resolves an investigation into the 2017 data breach of Sabre Hospitality Solutions hotel booking system. The breach exposed the data of approximately 1.3 million credit cards. The settlement requires a payment of $2.4 million, of which the State of Tennessee will receive $61,909.08 and injunctive relief. Sabre Hospitality Solutions, a business segment of Sabre, operates the SynXis Central Reservation system, which facilitates the booking of hotel reservations. SynXis connects business travel coordinators, travel agencies, and online travel booking companies to Sabres hotel customers. On June 6, 2017, Sabre informed its hotel customers of a data breach that occurred between August 2016 and March 2017, which the business had disclosed in a 10-Q SEC filing the month before. The hotels, which were responsible for informing their customers of the breach, did not issue some notifications until 2018. When a data breach occurs, everyone down the line should be informed immediately, said General Slatery. This settlement seeks to protect both consumers and the customers who have provided sensitive information to a third-party vendor. The settlement requires Sabre to include language in future contracts that specifies the roles and responsibilities of both parties in the event of a breach. It also requires Sabre to try to determine whether its customers have provided notice to consumers, and to provide the attorneys general a list of all the customers that it has notified. In addition, the settlement requires that Sabre implement and maintain a comprehensive information security program, implement a written incident response and data breach notification plan, implement specific security requirements, and undergo a third-party security assessment. Joining General Slatery are the attorneys general of Vermont, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. To read the settlement, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2021/pr21-01-order-avc.pdf 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. Another coronavirus variant that shares some of the same mutations as the B.1.1.7 strain, first identified in the U.K., has begun spreading rapidly after it was first identified in South Africa in mid-December. It has quickly become the predominant variant there, but it has also gained a foothold in other countries, including Brazil, which is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases. The new strain, designated 501Y.V2, emerged independently from the U.K. variant, but they both share a few mutations in common, including one that seems to make both these variants more infectious. However, theres no evidence yet suggesting that they cause more severe disease. So far, the South African variant has not been detected in the U.S., but top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told Newsweek that he would be surprised if it were not already here, noting that because of international travel, "sooner or later viruses spread throughout the world. There have already been a number of new coronavirus strains identified since the start of the pandemic. Mutations are a natural process in a viruss life cycle, and these changes are not always significant. However, monitoring these changes is crucial to stay one step ahead of the virus and fight it effectively. There is a lot that is not yet known about the 501Y.V2 strain, but there are a few reasons why it is worrying experts. The new variant carries three mutations in key sites in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, which is the key the virus uses to gain entry into cells. Some of these changes, especially a mutation called E484K, have been shown to reduce antibody recognition. In other words, the change could make peoples antibodies less effective at neutralizing the virus. This mutation is gaining attention because it may help the virus slip past immune protection from prior infection, as well as from some of the antibody therapeutics being used in treatment and possibly vaccination, though scientists are still trying to test these hypotheses. Scientists are racing to investigate the significance of these mutations as it relates to vaccine efficacy, but they believe that the current mRNA vaccines will continue to be effective against the known new variants. This is because vaccines such as those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were developed to create antibodies to multiple regions of the viruss spike protein. A single mutation is never enough to get away from a vaccine. When you get vaccinated, your body produces like a thousand different antibodies ... so maybe that single mutation might cause you to lose one or two or five of those antibodies. They won't work as well anymore. They'll bind weakly and fall off, or they don't recognize the virus at all, but you're going to have others that are working just fine, said Jacob Glanville, founder and CEO of Centivax, a computational immuno-engineering group that focuses on making antibody therapeutics and vaccines. Glanvilles company is currently working on the development of two different types of antibody therapeutic therapies against COVID-19. He told Yahoo News that the mutations in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein are more concerning for some of the current antibody drugs than they are for vaccines. That's a concern for antibody therapeutics, because if the antibodies are trying to block that interaction, they're going to be right on the spot where the mutations are, he added. As immunity rises in the population, either by vaccination or infection, the virus will naturally continue to change. But scientists are confident that as the virus adapts, we will also be able to adapt, by modifying our vaccines. Fortunately, that process so far seems to be relatively easy. They would slightly modify the genetic sequence. So it would be the same vaccine. It would just be slightly different genetic information. It's literally using RNA, which you can alter, and it's a very clean, simple molecule, so they can process it relatively quickly. Glanville told Yahoo News. It remains unclear whether these updated vaccines will require new clinical trials, as they did this year, but Glanville said the process that has been put in place to update new flu vaccines every year may give us a clue as to how that could work with COVID-19 vaccines. There are a series of expedited processes that have been set in place for decades. Every year [scientists and vaccine developers] say, Listen, the new flu is going to pop up. It's different enough that we need a new version, but it's basically the same flu shot. We're just tweaking it. And so that allows them to do this extra-fast approach of being able to estimate what they should probably put in that vaccine to provide people the best possible coverage but because you're producing basically the same vaccine, but with some modifications, you don't have to go through all those phase trials. He added, however that it is too soon to know exactly how this will pan out with COVID-19 vaccines, especially because they are new, but he has confidence that the technology behind the vaccines will make things relatively straightforward. I think the things that are going to slow you down are not so much the technologies at this point; it's going to be the regulatory hurdles, Glanville said. There's going to be a calculated balance, and it may depend on nation to nation on what level of expedited updating to the vaccines that they're willing to tolerate. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: As the 87th legislature kicks into high gear in Austin tomorrow, a new bill introduced in both the Texas House and Senate is aiming to make to-go alcohol from restaurants and bars permanent. Venues in Texas have been able to sell beer, wine and liquor with takeout food orders since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, when Gov. Greg Abbott signed an emergency waiver in an effort to help the struggling service industry as it navigated shutdowns and other safety regulations. The governor allowed to-go mixed drinks in June 2020 after bar and restaurant operators lobbied him to ease the restrictions further. Before that, many offered cocktail kits with the liquor in its original package. On HoustonChronicle.com: Abbott OKs mixed drinks to-go for certain bars and restaurants Sen. Kelly Hancock and Rep. Charlie Green filed Senate Bill 298 and House Bill 1094, respectively, on Jan. 7. The bills would allow Texans to buy alcohol from licensed venues, via pick-up and delivery, for off-premise consumption. "Without Governor Abbotts temporary waiver allowing restaurants to safely sell alcohol with their to-go food orders, Texas would have seen many more restaurants small and large close their doors and lose their employees because of this pandemic," said Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), in a statement. "We know the road to recovery will be long, which is precisely why we need tools like alcohol to-go to become permanent." The TRA, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and stakeholders from the restaurant industry worked with Sen. Hancock (the chairman of the Senate's Business and Commerce Committee) and Rep. Green (the chairman of House Administration) over the last few months to introduce the bill this session. "Texas is a reliably pro-business state," said Sen. Hancock in a release. "That's why our top-ten global economy was so strong and well-positioned before the virus hit, and its why were determined to learn and adapt just like businesses across our great state are doing." On PreviewHouston.com: Canceling Dry January? Here are Houstons new beer releases. When the initial waiver expired at the end of April, Gov. Abbott extended it, then tweeted: "From what I hear from Texans, we may just let this keep on going forever." In June, he explicitly offered his support for a bill making the measure permanent. If the bill passes in both houses, it appears the governor will sign it. Were moving as fast as possible to get our new banking partners integrated while also introducing new services that will give their business clients more choices and control over their banking and financial data. The new hires will play a pivotal role in this," said Lisa Shields, CEO of FISPAN. As most major companies continue remote workwith many extending their work-from-home mandate into the summer of 2021demand for a modernized and better business banking experience has never been greater. Small businesses in particular have consistently been underserved in the banking sector, despite the fact that small and medium-sized businesses make up 99 per cent of all businesses in North America. They have also been hit the hardest by the pandemic. According to the latest Yelp Economic Average, as of August 31, 2020 nearly 100,000 small businesses in the U.S. have closed since the start of the pandemic. In Canada, a report released by CFIB in July estimated that 158,000 small- and medium-sized businesses were at risk of closing. That number is now estimated higher as Canada battles through the second wave of the virus. FISPAN has been working with some of the largest banks in North America to simplify the business banking experience in order to better support its commercial clients, with a lens on small- and medium-sized business owners to help them navigate through these critical times. It is the only company that enables banks to easily connect their legacy systems to their business banking clients accounting systems in order to offer integrated digital banking, trade, and payment solutions. FISPAN is experiencing continued growth moving into 2021: FISPAN banking partners collectively hold $8 trillion in assets and include eight of the largest banks in North America The company has raised a total of $19M USD from marquee investors including US-based fintech specialist FINTOP Capital and Canadian investors Rhino Ventures, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Panache Funding will be used to continue to double down on the experience of existing customers and to expand FISPANs bank customer base outside of North America to include Asia-Pacific and Europe Now hiring software developers, business analysts and customer service representatives The adoption of technologies to improve the commercial banking experience has sped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its only going to continue to accelerate, explains CEO Lisa Shields. Were moving as fast as possible to get our new banking partners integrated while also introducing new services that will give their business clients more choices and control over their banking and financial data. The new hires will play a pivotal role in this. Having raised a total of $19 million USD, FISPAN is now working on bringing its service to new markets outside of North America, focusing on the UK, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Hiring to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. FISPAN is looking to fill various roles: software developers, business analysts and customer service representatives; and the majority of the new hires will be remote, which means candidates from across Canada and the US can apply. Benefits new hires can anticipate include a Leadership Training Program and a New Graduate Program for recent post-secondary school graduates, with both focused on accelerating career opportunities that support the pace of the rapidly growing start-up. Interested candidates can apply at fispan.com/careers. About FISPAN FISPAN is the market leader in ERP banking. Our turnkey platform makes it simple for banks to offer commercial banking services embedded in any business application. FISPAN powers best-in-class commercial banking experiences by removing friction and adding value to how the banks clients operate their business. Visit fispan.com to 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. Capitol lockdown may have exposed members of the House to Covid-19 when they went into hiding during the U.S. riots on Wednesday. Capitol, Congress's attending doctor, wrote Sunday in a letter to representatives and workers. "Many members of the House community were also in the protective isolation. A room located in a large committee hearing space," Dr. Brian Monahan said, adding, "During this time," then continue" individuals may also have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection." He urged members to maintain their "usual daily coronavirus risk reduction measures, "He also emphasizes social distance and symptom tests. He said that as a precaution, they should also get screened for the virus. Many, but not all, Congress members have already received at least the first of two doses of vaccines against coronavirus since being made available to them just before Christmas after the capitol lockdown. A Vaccine was also then provided to individual congressional workers. Most of the lawmakers present in the meeting during the capitol lockdown are wearing no masks. The news of lawmakers possibly exposed to the virus comes amid concerns that Wednesday's riots could become a significant super-spreader event. Some Congress members huddled in the large room for hours, while others were there for a shorter time. While during the capitol lockdown, Monahan did not specify how big the group of lawmakers was and who was in the room, the Post clarified to two house aides that he was referring to a room seen on Friday in a video posted by Punchbowl News. After a video surfaced of Republican lawmakers not wearing their masks in the room during the capitol lockdown, some lawmakers and staff were angry. ALSO READ: Washington DC Airports Tighten Security Following Suggestions to Ban Rioters From Flying Among those Republicans not wearing masks was newly elected Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a presidential ally affiliated with a pro-Trump conspiracy party. Republican Reps. Andy Biggs, Michael Cloud, Markwayne Mullin, and Scott Perry refused to put Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester's face masks on them in the video. While on the other hand, after protesters against the Electoral College violated the Capitol building members of Congress wen immediately rushed to safe places. Just hours after Congress members reassembled to ratify the outcome of the 2020 presidential election from the Electoral College, the newly elected U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner announced that COVID-19 had tested positive. According to GovTrack, over 100 of the nation's lawmakers have had to quarantine after the pandemic's start due to testing positive or coming into touch with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Even as vaccines are starting to become available, the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging through the United States. There've been over 22 million confirmed cases and more than 373,000 deaths in the U.S. so far. According to an NBC News count earlier, more than 50 Congress members tested positive for the virus. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. JAKARTA, Indonesia - Indonesias Food and Drug Authority on Monday green-lighted emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by China-based Sinovac Biotech Ltd., with vaccinations of high-risk groups expected to start later this week. A health worker gives an injection to a mock patient's health during coronavirus vaccine drill in Bali, Indonesia on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Indonesia's highest Islamic body has gave its religious approval to China's Sinovac vaccine, paving the way for its distribution in the world's most populous Muslim nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) JAKARTA, Indonesia - Indonesias Food and Drug Authority on Monday green-lighted emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by China-based Sinovac Biotech Ltd., with vaccinations of high-risk groups expected to start later this week. Conditional vaccination of healthcare workers and other civil servants using the vaccine, called CoronaVac, is expected to begin this week. Based on the data and considering the guidance from (the World Health Organization), CoronaVac has met the requirements to get the permit to use the vaccine, the chief of Indonesia Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, Penny Lukito, said at a news conference. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he would be the first person to receive the vaccine. Why is the President first? Its not about putting myself first, but to ensure everyone that this vaccine is safe and halal, Widodo said on social media. A health worker in a protective suit prepares for coronavirus vaccine drill in Bali, Indonesia on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Indonesia's highest Islamic body has gave its religious approval to China's Sinovac vaccine, paving the way for its distribution in the world's most populous Muslim nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) The vaccine was cleared for emergency use after Indonesian authorities reviewed clinical trial data from Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia, which are all taking part in Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine. Brazils Instituto Butantan said last week that the vaccine was 78% effective in mild cases and 100% effective against severe and moderate infections based on 220 COVID-19 cases from 13,000 volunteers. In December, Turkish authorities announced an efficacy rate of 91.25% from interim analysis of 29 cases in a trial with 7,371 volunteers. Some 12,450 volunteers, including 1,500 healthcare workers, are involved in the Phase III clinical trials. Further results have not been made publicly available. Indonesia conducted its own Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine with 1,620 volunteers. Results announced at Monday's news conference said the efficacy rate was 65.3%. Indonesia's highest Islamic body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, announced last week that the COVID-19 vaccine is halal, or fit for consumption by Muslims, further paving the way for use and distribution in the world's most populous Muslim country. But some experts have said they would prefer more data from the clinical trials. Griffith University epidemiologist Dr. Dicky Budiman said that many people have questioned and expressed doubt about the vaccine, as the data Indonesia used for emergency authorization is only preliminary. Research into the vaccine is not completed yet and will still take some time, he said. Sao Paulos Butantan Institute, Sinovac Biotech Ltd.s partner in Brazil, did not disclose data such as results by age and gender or the number of asymptomatic volunteers in the sample, which many epidemiologists require to assess whether the shot complies with safety standards. Officials in Brazil said details would be published after Brazils health regulatory agency approves the vaccine. Authorities in China and Bolivia have both issued emergency authorization for the CoronaVac vaccine. Chinese health officials have said that some 9 million doses have been administered in China, though the number of people being vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine has not been disclosed. Bolivia has yet to start vaccinations with the CoronaVac vaccine. Several other countries that were not involved in clinical trials have signed agreements or are in negotiations to secure doses from Sinovac Biotech Ltd., including the Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine, Bolivia and others. Indonesia has recorded more than 828,000 cases of the virus, including over 24,000 deaths. Associated Press writers Huizhong Wu in Taipei, Taiwan, and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Haiti - News : Zapping... Kidnapping : Sister Severus released Sister Dachoune Severe of the Congregation of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, abducted on the evening of Friday, January 8 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32740-haiti-news-zapping.html was released Sunday evening. No information on the conditions of his release or if the ransom of $250,000 demanded by his captors has been paid. 2nd offensive against the "400 Marozo" Gang On Saturday January 9, an operation by the National Police of Haiti (PNH) involving several specialized units led to the arrest of Lexinor Estiverne, a member of the "400 Marozo" Gang and the recovery of 6 stolen vehicles. During this operation, several buildings belonging to the Gang were demolished. No weapons or ammunition were found See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32634-haiti-flash-operation-to-dismantle-the-gang-400-marozo.html Earthquake 2010 : Commemorative ceremony of the DPC Tuesday January 12, a commemorative ceremony for the earthquake January 12, 2010, will take place in the presence of representatives of the Directorate General of Civil Protection, members of the Permanent Secretariat for Disaster Risk Management, representatives of the various sectoral Ministries, delegations universities, schools and partners in the international community. This ceremony will be followed by the screening of a documentary film, lectures-debates and an exhibition on seismic risks. Kidnapping : Inspector Wilner Seraph released Sunday, police inspector Wilner Seraphin, kidnapped on Sunday January 3 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32694-haiti-news-zapping.html was released against ransom, informed divisional inspector Gary Desrosiers Porte- word of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), Orlando Consulate closed The Consulate of the Republic in Orlando informs that due to the commemoration of the earthquake of January 12, 2010, the consular post will be closed Tuesday January 12 at noon. The activities of the Consulate will resume on Wednesday January 13, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. Earthquake 2010 : BSEIPH commemorative ceremony Tuesday, as part of the activities of the commemorative day of the earthquake of January 12, 2010, the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities is organizing a training day on the issue of disability in Haiti and accessibility to the built environment for engineers wishing to improve their knowledge around accessibility standards for inclusive construction. HL/ HaitiLibre San Francisco police were preparing for a possible pro-Trump demonstration at Twitters headquarters on Monday, days after the social media company banned President Trump, citing the risk that he might incite further violence following last weeks riot at the U.S. Capitol. The San Francisco Police Department was aware of a possible protest happening on the 1300 block of Market Street, a spokesman said. Police said they have been in contact with representatives from the tech company and will have sufficient resources to respond to demonstrations and calls for assistance across the city. A spokesperson for Twitter whose employees have been working from home since the early days of the pandemic said that the companys highest priority was workers safety. While we respect peoples right to express their views, we've been transparent about the factors leading up to our decision last week, the spokesperson said in an email. Police declined to answer if there was any indication that protesters would be coming from out of the area or how many they expected to show up. They said that policy prohibits discussions of police planning, tactics and strategy. Posts on TheDonald.win an independent far-right internet forum created as a successor to the now-banned r/The_Donald community on Reddit called for supporters to gather outside of Twitters headquarters in San Francisco Monday morning to protest the companys ban of Trump. The community on Reddit was banned in June 2020 for harassing and targeting other users. In a Saturday post, a user advised attendees to bring megaphones and whistles, wear body cameras, and carry with them big zip ties to citizen arrest violent agitators. Others suggested people wear masks, sunglasses and MAGA hats to obscure their identities. Several businesses in the area near Twitter's headquarters told The Chronicle on Sunday that they planned to maintain their scheduled business hours on Monday. San Francisco's City Hall, located just a few blocks away from the Twitter building, has been mostly shuttered for months because of the pandemic. Only one of its entrances is typically open and few city employees still work there on a regular basis. In permanently suspending the account @realDonaldTrump, which had tens of millions of followers, Twitter cited multiple violations of its community rules and the possibility that future content tweeted by President Trump could incite more violence. Our public interest framework exists to enable the public to hear from elected officials and world leaders directly, Twitter said in a blog post Friday. However, we made it clear going back years that these accounts are not above our rules entirely and cannot use Twitter to incite violence, among other things. On Wednesday, a mob incited by Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, breaching security perimeters and ransacking property in a siege that left five people dead, including one Capitol police officer. Law enforcement officers have continued to arrest suspected participants even after they dispersed around the country. Trumps presidency has been defined by his rants on Twitter and his use of the platform to demean and bully his enemies, offer political endorsements, and fire members of his administration. To many U.S. officials and the public, his tweets were the equivalent to announcements from the White House. You got to give Donald Trump credit for understanding that he could deploy or use this technology more effectively than his opponents could to rally his supporters, said Steven Weber, a political science professor at the UC Berkeley School of Information. When the technology is a level playing field, anybody can use it. And it's often the case that people who are the most ruthless will use it the most effectively. Chronicle staff writer J.D. Morris contributed to this report. Vanessa Arredondo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vanessa.arredondo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @v_anana Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi, Jan 11 : With the nationwide lockdown effecting livelihoods, one of the most affected areas was the exhibition sectors. Now, as multiple theatre chains open up with 50 per cent capacity, Kapil Agarwal, Joint Managing Director, UFO Moviez, hopes Bollywood business should bounce back by March or April. "A month back I said it will pick up pace in two months' time, but now I can say that come March and then you see what will happen. By April, apart from government regulations because capacity restriction is there, in terms of the movies, we are very rapidly coming back on the track," he says. "We ourselves have almost 20 movies lined up. When I had announced a business few weeks back I had 11 movies and now the number has increased," he says. UFO Moviez, which is the first digital distribution company to introduce cinema digitization through satellite technology in India, has been on the top of its game from the start. Agarwal also believes that gradually producers are getting the confidence to release films on the 75mm screen. UFO Moviez will soon release the much-awaited Tamil blockbuster "Vijay: The Master" in theatres. "Producers are getting the confidence back that the audience is coming to the theatres and besides 'Master', I am sure other big movies like 'Sooryavanshi' and '83' will come. So, by March, you will see the change, " he says. Talking about the risks while releasing films in theatres amid government regulations, he says: "Theatres were not opening and people were not coming back, and they won't come back in big numbers until and unless some big movie released. Some movie released in November and then there was no content after that. So, that was becoming a Catch-22 situation. We are the link between producers and exhibitors. We took an industry view and decided to do something." Hence, the team at UFO Moviez devised a strategic plan go bring audience to theatres and give producers something to look forward to. "The first step was to give content week after week to theatres, so that they didn't shut down. We started encouraging theatres and announced 11 movies. First movie released was 'Shakeela', then came 'Ramprasad Ki Tehervi' and '12 O Clock', and the next week is 'Masters'. We realised theatres were still skeptical but we saw more theatres opening up eventually. The anticipation is that 'Masters' should release all over India in 2000 to 3000 screens and in North India alone we expect it to open in more than 1000 screens, " he says. "The bigger movies don't release till they see some traction in theatres. The idea was to first release smaller films and once that happens the audience should get to know (that theatres had opened). It took some time to start rolling the wheel. We had to start with smaller films, so that bigger films also got that confidence," he concluded. Words have always fascinated me. I remain convinced that a vocabulary course I took for the entire month of January during my sophomore year at Baptist College (now Charleston Southern University) solidified my love of language more than any other class I ever took. At the time, there was no indication I would spend most of my adult life speaking to others via television. There was even less thought given to my eventually writing a weekly column for the oldest newspaper in the South. What can I tell you? I like words. Sometimes, they come easy. On occasion, they can make people laugh, cry or remember. If the words are properly constructed, they might inspire or even motivate. The popular musical group The Bee Gees sang a song a few decades ago titled Its Only Words. As I recall, the plaintive melody explained that words were all the songwriter had to properly express his feelings for a disinterested, would-be girlfriend. Through the years, words of anger have started wars. Passionate words can spark a romance. Ugly words can hurt feelings and fracture friendships. Nothing makes me feel like Ive made a difference more than receiving a thoughtful email or a kindhearted reference from someone who says they enjoyed something I recently placed in this space each week. There are times when I might think theyre only words. Its the ultimate gratification when an idea or a few thoughts connect with somebody who might casually scan the paper on Sunday morning or read it online halfway across the country. And that brings me to why Ive called us together this week. Dont say that Every year, a Michigan university publishes a list of words and phrases that are overused, redundant and, in their view, should be banished. Lake Superior State started compiling this annual list in the 1970s. Sign up for our new 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! This year, the majority of words theyd like us all to quit using are related to guess what? Thats right, the 2021 banished list concerns many of the words and phrases connected to COVID-19. The list includes: "social distancing," "unprecedented" and "uncertain times." Also on the list is the phrase "Were all in this together." Im somewhat surprised that two other phrases didnt make the cut. What about "new normal" and "flatten the curve"? Can you think of a recent conversation in which you didnt use at least two or three of these thoughts? By the way, thats another phrase the university believes should be banished. Through the years Just for fun, I decided to look at various lists from years past to see what words might surface that were suggested for banishment. Im afraid to admit that I clearly was not tuned in to these previous lists. From 2003, these terms and phrases were deemed overworked and nonsensical: "Must-see TV" and "untimely death" made the list. Another phrase that scored high was "having said that." Some people sneakily try to cut the corner by substituting "that said." You know who you are. I also looked at the 2011 list. The words "epic" and "viral" were at the top. Though its a full 10 years later, these words are still in common usage. Unfortunately, something doesnt have to be that epic for it to go viral anymore. You know what else surfaced on the 2011 list? It hurt my feelings a little. As I randomly scanned the list, these three words surfaced that were considered no longer useful and overused: "Im just sayin." Can you believe that? And all this time I was trying to be clever and uplifting and relevant. Having said that, its quite possible Im no longer must-see TV, or epic, or likely to go viral. And before you wash your hands of this encounter, dont forget were all in this together. The year 2020 broke disaster records across the country in destructive and expensive ways. The Atlantic had so many hurricanes, meteorologists ran out of tropical storm names for only the second time. Across the Midwest, extreme storms flattened crops and tore up buildings. Western states repeatedly broke records for their largest wildfires on record. Globally, it was tied for the hottest year on record. All told, in 2020 the U.S. had 22 climate and weather disasters with losses exceeding US$1 billion dollars each, six more than any previous year. Together they cost over $95 billion, NOAA announced on Jan. 8. Such disasters affect millions of Americans and are particularly devastating for low-income communities and communities of color. They destroy homes, schools and businesses. They put lives at risk. Families, communities and taxpayers are paying the price, yet many of these losses could be avoided with smart policies. For example, the National Institute of Building Sciences estimates that updating and improving building codes alone could save $4 for every $1 spent and create 87,000 new jobs. Similarly, reforming land use and zoning rules can help avoid putting families at risk. An estimated 41 million Americans currently live in homes at risk of flooding and millions more are at risk from wildfires. And yet, these actions are rarely taken. Local governments which have authority over zoning and building codes have a strong financial incentive to keep on building, even in risky places. The federal government which has the greatest financial incentive to prevent damage before it occurs has little to no authority over building codes or land use. Federal policy can, however, incentivize local governments to use their authority to reduce risk. A new federal administration that is attuned to the growing risks created by global warming could take advantage of that influence. We are disaster scientists engineers and policy researchers who study how to prevent or reduce disasters. We recently published suggestions for how the new administration can reform U.S. disaster policy. If done right, modern disaster policy would endorse development that accounts for risk, promote climate-proof investments in infrastructure, advance social justice and protect societys most vulnerable populations. Here are four key reforms that could get bipartisan support, reduce federal spending and protect American lives. Get a better grip on how disaster money is spent Without careful oversight, disaster funds can end up being spent on ineffective projects or not spent at all. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a major source of disaster funding, but the precise amount it spends and how has sometimes been a mystery. Following the hurricanes of 2017 and 2018, HUD received more disaster funding to distribute than any other agency, but by 2019 less than 1% had been spent. It took more than two years for HUD to approve disaster relief spending after the 2018 California fires. The Government Accountability Office concluded that HUD needed better oversight of how funds are spent and more staff, and the Congressional Research Office has suggested that Congress may wish to consider limits on federal disaster relief spending. Disaster spending is notoriously difficult to track because, although the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the nations central disaster authority, almost every federal agency administers some level of disaster funding and disaster funds are often mixed with other programs. This all makes it difficult to hold agencies accountable. That said, increased oversight, including audits by the GAO, improved record-keeping, making records publicly accessible and consistently measuring whether funded projects build resilience could help turn this around. Get everyone on the same page Reducing risk often requires the work of multiple federal agencies, but if agency actions are not coordinated, they can create complications, duplications and waste. For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building a seawall on New Yorks Staten Island based on a calculation that the wall would protect homes but some of those homes have since been removed by a FEMA and HUD project. FEMA and HUD both fund property acquisitions to support flood risk reduction, but their funding programs work on different timelines, which can complicate local officials efforts. Numerous other agencies are also involved in risk reduction and recovery. The Small Business Administration gives out loans. The Department of Education funds the reopening of schools. The Department of Transportation funds repairs for roads and bridges. The efforts of these agencies and more need to be coordinated to build resilient communities. The new administration could order interagency task forces to define clear roles for each agency, establish methods for coordination, and create long-term plans for national resilience. Change state and local government incentives State and local governments might be more inclined to take steps to protect communities from disasters if they had to pay for a larger share of the aftermath. When public buildings and infrastructure are damaged in a disaster, the federal government will pay for 75% of the recovery cost if the damage exceeds a certain threshold. The idea is for federal assistance to kick in when state and local governments are overwhelmed. However, that threshold is just $1 million plus $1.55 per person in the state an extremely low threshold. FEMA is attempting to raise these thresholds, but the increase may not go far enough and is unlikely to be sufficient on its own. In 2016, FEMA proposed a disaster deductible that would make states responsible for a deductible, between $1 million and $53 million, proportional to their hazard risk and resources before federal money would become available. States could earn credits to reduce their deductible by taking risk reduction measures like enforcing building codes or investing in insurance or emergency management programs just like a safe driver discount for taking a safe driving course. Without leadership, the program lost momentum, but the new administration could improve disaster policy by revisiting this idea. Deb Niemeier , CC BY-ND Local communities could also be encouraged to reduce their risks if Congress amended the National Flood Insurance Program. The program is bankrupt because its rates are too low to cover its costs and not enough people are participating. Reforming this program will not be easy. If insurance rates rise, low-income residents wont be able to afford insurance or may choose not to carry it at all, leaving them even more vulnerable to the next flood. Congress knows the program is struggling, which is why instead of reauthorizing it permanently, the program has been temporarily reauthorized 16 times over the last three years. In essence, this kicks the problem down the road without solving it. Instead, the new administration could prioritize finding a long-term solution. Put the focus on people Disaster funding increases the gap between rich and poor because it seeks to make people whole to replace what they had before the disaster. Those who had more get more help; those who had less get less. This, despite the fact that wealthy people are more likely to have assets they can draw on to recover, like a job with paid leave and savings to afford safe temporary housing. Disaster response needs to take historic injustice into account. A community that has faced disinvestment, redlining or other forms of injustice often has infrastructure that is more vulnerable to hazards and needs additional support, not less. Ten percent of government-subsidized housing is in floodplains, which puts the residents at greater risk. Addressing underlying vulnerabilities will require coordination among numerous federal agencies and state and local governments. Achieving effective disaster policy will not be simple. The work begins with Congress and the president making disaster reform a top priority. An executive order in the first 100 days that mandates coordination, reform and consideration of climate change and social equity would be a good first step toward a safer, more resilient nation. This article has been updated with the total cost of the 22 disasters that exceeded $1 billion each. A.R. Siders, Assistant Professor, Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware; Allison Reilly, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, and Deb Niemeier, Clark Distinguished Chair and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Calling the government's move to dissolve the lower house of the Parliament to be a 'political move', Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said the Supreme Court should dismiss the case. Oli's comments come as the move, which has been claimed to be unconstitutional by members of the ruling party and the opposition, is being challenged in the apex court, where hearings are currently underway. "It is the executive right of the country's functioning, it's a political question. It (the hearing) isn't a constitutional or legal one as it's a political query on how a country is governed and how it should be governed. The court should dismiss it as no answer is required," Oli said while addressing the Upper House on Sunday. "Political decisions would direct as per the constitution, and democratic values are paving the way to go ahead. The current situation would also pass in similar ways. It is based on the doctrine of necessity," Oli added. A total of 13 petitions are filed in the Supreme Court of Nepal, challenging the decision of Oli and President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to dissolve the House of Representatives, the lower house parliament, claiming it unconstitutional. The apex court has yet to give a verdict on the writ petitions. Following the dissolution of the Lower House and the announcement of midterm elections, the ruling Communist Party (NCP) witnessed its vertical split as the already-strained ties between the two rival factions of the party have further deepened. The Oli-led faction of the ruling party is backing the dissolution of the House while the other faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar is firmly opposing the government's move and demanding the restoration of parliament. (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.) Russia announced Monday that 1.5 million people around the world had received its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine as part of an initiative Kremlin critics have described as a geopolitical push. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has financed the development of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, confirmed the figure to AFP without offering a breakdown of where the jab was distributed. "We cannot say how many of them are in Russia and in the rest of the world," RDIF spokesman Arseny Palagin said, adding that individual nations could release data separately. Russia became the first country last August to register a vaccine, months ahead of Western competitors, and Moscow has boasted of more than one billion orders for the jab abroad. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said this month that more than 800,000 Russians had received Sputnik and that 1.5 million doses had been distributed throughout the country of around 147 million. But there is scepticism surrounding Moscow's virus statistics and health officials in December conceded that the death toll from the pandemic was nearly four times higher than previously reported. An adviser to Russia's health minister said over the weekend that consultations with the World Health Organisation for the use of Sputnik in emergency situations would begin January 20. The designation would allow Sputnik V to be distributed as part of the WHO's emergency rollout to countries struggling to source vaccines independently. Russia has over recent months been battered by a second wave of the coronavirus but the Kremlin has held back on introducing sweeping restrictive measures like in the beginning of the pandemic. Russian officials say however that new daily cases have been decreasing in recent days, dropping closer to 20,000. On Monday, authorities reported a total of 3,425,269 infections and more than 62,000 deaths. 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. SELBYVILLE, Del., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on Global Market Insights Inc., report, the global 5-Isopropyl-m-Xylene Market size was estimated at $145 million in 2019 and is slated to surpass $235 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 7.3% from 2020 to 2026. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the top winning strategies, wavering industry trends, drivers & opportunities, top investment avenues, competitive scenarios, market estimations & size. (PRNewsfoto/Global Market Insights, Inc.) Global 5-isopropyl-m-xylene market share witnessed a consumption of over 2,200 tons from research chemicals applications in 2019. Growing adoption of various chemical processes such as ion exchange reactions, carbonation, Williamson's ether synthesis, Suzuki coupling, nitration, and carboxylation in the industrial sector should accelerate market growth. These processes are heavily reliant on the ample supply of laboratory chemicals which includes 5-isopropyl-m-xylene. Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/4884 Moreover, the significant expansion of the industrial & domestic wastewater treatment, semiconductor, and automotive sectors should drive the adoption of laboratory chemicals to support research & development activities and help companies achieve a competitive advantage. Organic synthesis applications should register over 4% gains by 2026. A significant innovation in the chemical industry, technological advances, and rising demand for organic chemicals primarily in the biotechnology & fuel cell sectors should trigger 5-isopropyl-m-xylene market growth. Rapid industrialization in China, India, and Indonesia, growing urbanization, and the presence of established food & beverage, agrochemicals, polymers, and automotive companies in the region should drive market growth. 5-isopropyl-m-xylene market size is estimated to surpass USD 135 million in the Asia Pacific by the end of the forecast period. Tremendous population growth, rising disposable income, and changing lifestyles have resulted in the growing demand for processed food in the Asia Pacific which should stimulate 5-isopropyl-m-xylene demand. The product is an ideal raw material for the manufacture of terephthalic acid which is used to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The lightweight and strong nature of PET makes it well-suited for the packaging of convenience sized juices, soft drinks, and water. North America is expected to register growth at a CAGR of 4 % between 2020 and 2026. The region is witnessing a growth in investment in downstream petroleum operations along with shale gas extraction. On the other hand, Europe's business was valued at over USD 15 million in 2019 and should register healthy growth rates. Request for customization of this report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/4884 The key players in the 5-isopropyl-m-xylene industry include Sigma Aldrich, Toronto Research Chemicals, Spectrum Chemicals, Tokyo Chemicals Industry, Co., Ltd., Santa Cruz Biotechnology, and J&K Scientific Ltd. Major manufacturers are adopting strategic initiatives such as acquisitions and partnerships to achieve market expansion and boost production capacity Read the latest blog on "Expanding demand for PET packaging streamlines commercialization of 5-isopropyl-m-xylene": https://justpositivity.com/5-isopropyl-m-xylene-industry/ About Global Market Insights, Inc. Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting, and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights, Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making. GMIPulse, our business analytics platform offers an online, interactive option for exploring our proprietary industry research data in an easy-to-use and dynamic manner. Clients get to explore market intelligence across 11 top-level categories and hundreds of industry segments within them, covering regional, company level, and cross-sectional statistics that make our offering a stand-out for decision-makers. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll-Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.gminsights.com Related Images 5-isopropyl-m-xylene-market.jpg 5-Isopropyl-m-Xylene Market Statistics - 2026 Related Links Tert-Amylbenzene Market Forecast - 2026 Divinylbenzene Market Outlook - 2026 SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc. 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. (Newser) One of the most jarring images from last week's Capitol insurrection was that of a man walking near the Senate chamber carrying a Confederate battle flag156 years after a failed Confederate assault on Washington, DC. The FBI, which arrested several high-profile rioters over the weekend, says it is still trying to identify the man, who has a tattoo under his left eye, Fox reports. In a tweet, the FBI's Washington field office said it was seeking the public's assistance in "identifying this individual who made unlawful entry into US Capitol." Tipsters were asked to reference Photograph #30, reports CNN. story continues below On Wednesday, lawmakers said they were horrified to see that the Confederate flag had made it deeper into Washington than it did during the Civil War, the New York Times reports. The Rev. Robert. W. Lee IV, a great-great-great-great nephew of Confederate Gen. Robert. E. Lee who supports the removal of Lee statues, said he didn't know what to say to congregants in North Carolina about the "desecration" of the Capitol. "It shook me to my core in a way that other images havent over the past four years," he told the Times. "It struck me as something that, in this moment, as someone who is supposed to know what to say as a clergy person, I have nothing," he said. "I've got nothing on this." (Read more Capitol attack stories.) Former president George W. Bush's childhood home could soon become a permanent part of history. The National Park Service said it has started a special resource study to examine the eligibility of the home on West Ohio Avenue in Midland, Texas, for designation as a new unit of the national park system. The Bush family, including late former first lady Barbara Pierce Bush, lived in the home between November 1951 and November 1955, as reported by the service, before later moving on to Houston. CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL: George W. Bush 'appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders' Midland is really underappreciated as an influence on George W. Bush, said Jeffrey A. Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, as reported by the New York Times' Maria Cramer According to its website, the National Park Service preserves sites permanently for "enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations." Adding the George W. Bush childhood home is a must for the National Park Service, said Rice University professor, author and presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, as reported by Cramer. The service will hold a virtual meeting on Jan. 26 for the public to learn more about the former home, which has already been turned into a museum, they said in an announcement last month. The comment period will be open through Feb. 28. The Ayan reservoir, which provided fresh water to the residents of Simferopol in the occupied Crimea, has dried up. "Occupied Crimea. The Ayan reservoir, which provides water to Simferopol, has dried up," Anatoliy Shtefan, an officer of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, posted on Facebook on January 10 and published a relevant video. In July, the water in the Chornorichensk reservoir in the city of Sevastopol started to go low quickly. In this connection, the occupying power began to search for underground sources of water. In December, the Water of the Crimea company said that the water reserves in the Ayan reservoir would be enough to meet the needs of Simferopol residents for eight days. ol KABUL, Afghanistan After Ahmad Jawad Hijri saw the wounded children in the hospital and learned of the Afghan airstrike that put them there, killing nine others around their age in northern Afghanistan, he never expected that his response would land him in jail. But Mr. Hijri, then the spokesman for the governor of Takhar Province, was arrested, imprisoned for three days and then fired after telling the news media what had happened a standard part of his role which he had performed many times before. Top officials in Kabul insisted that only Taliban fighters had been killed in the strike, not children, and that anyone who said otherwise was to be prosecuted. At the hospital I saw the wounded children, Mr. Hijri said. I did not make a mistake. The war in Afghanistan has long been one of competing narratives. But the governments response to the Oct. 22 strike in Takhar Province signaled a shift in tactics by President Ashraf Ghanis administration: an overt declaration of its willingness to suppress and deny information on the deaths of innocent people. It also highlighted the changing political landscape as peace negotiations continue in Qatar and the Taliban move to take advantage of the attention they are attracting on the world stage. The news briefings that defined the early years of the war as both sides jockeyed to win Afghan hearts and minds have nearly ceased. That leaves its main players the United States, the Taliban and the government all testing different communication strategies to achieve their desired ends. Greenlam Industries announced the incorporation of step down subsidiary - Greenlam Polland on 08 January 2021 in Republic of Polland to carry the business of marketing and distribution of decorative laminates and other paper and / or wood based products. In the said Greenlam Polland, Greenlam Asia Pacific (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Greenlam Industries, in Singapore) holds 99% shares, and balance 1% share is held by Greenlam Industries. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Agat resident Latisha Ann Leon Guerrero, 37, was in tears inside the A.B. Won Pat International Airport on Monday just moments before she boarded a China Airlines flight headed to Taipei. Her trip to Taiwan was one she waited months to confirm so that she could undergo bariatric surgery at China Medical University hospital. I am morbidly obese and it will help me gain control of that. Ive been able to talk to a lot of the representatives at the hospital. They are telling me they will take care of me so I am good and confident enough, said Leon Guerrero. I want to be healthy. I love my family. They mean everything to me. My siblings have kids and so my godchildren, nieces, and nephews, I want to be there for them as they grow older and for those significant events to support them. She said the surgery was her last resort. I was referred to several specialists over the past year and a half. I went to see a heart specialist and a specialist on veins and they were telling me the same thing that I am healthy, but I am just really overweight and I need to lose the weight, she said. Doctors told her that if she opted not to get the surgery, Ill be continuing to live the way I do and continue to gain weight. I dont know what my life expectancy is but I dont want to die like this. Leon Guerrero got word this past Thanksgiving that she would finally be able to get the treatment she needs to save her life. She also wont have to pay a single penny out of pocket. I am excited. I am little bit nervous. Ive never had surgery before, so I think I am just more anxious to get it done, she said. We were talking about going in July, then we found out that flights were not going to happen because the airport was shut down. I am really thankful for the government and the China Medical University hospital. My insurance only covers part of it and the hospital is willing to pay the rest of it just to help me. I never really met them. I was just shocked. The generosity continued after a friend locally paid for Leon Guerrero and her mothers airfare. Its just so touching, she said. The Taiwan and Economic Cultural Office in Guam worked with the government of Guam on the joint humanitarian and medical charter flight. A special ceremony was held at the airport in Guam on Monday afternoon. Assistance was provided to about 50 passengers like Leon Guerrero who were unable to seek off-island medical treatment because of the COVID-19 crisis and canceled direct flights. We believe this first charter flight will not be the last. This is only the beginning, said Paul Chen, TECO director general. This pandemic has truly highlighted the importance of global cooperation and friendly relations with our neighbors, said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. The partnership we have with TECO has been invaluable and we remain grateful for your assistance in arranging this charter flight. The flight includes Taiwan citizens who were working in Guam and Saipan who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19. Chang Jui Wu was among the workers from IPI Construction in Saipan who was ready to go home after he worked the past year and half as a plumber on the island. I cant wait to eat the local food and tofu, said Wu. Due to COVID-19, everybody just wants to go home because its more safe when you stay in your country. So, we are really excited that we can go home right now. His last day on the job was toward the end of December 2020, so the charter flight came just in time. The renewal of the Minsk agreements is a prerequisite for any further progress towards ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov. "Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to restart the peace process. However, since implementation of the existing agreements is not possible in their present state, updating these agreements is a necessary precondition for any further progress," Reznikov wrote in an article for the Atlantic Council published on Saturday. He stressed that Ukraine had fulfilled almost all the commitments undertaken at the Normandy format summit in Paris in December 2019. "Since then, there have been two mutual detainee releases. We have designated 19 stretches of land for humanitarian demining, and four new areas for the separation of forces. For the first time since the conflict began in 2014, there has been a five-month ceasefire. Although imperfect, this ceasefire has unquestionably saved lives," Reznikov said. He also recalled that in spring 2020 Ukraine strengthened its delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group with government members and heads of parliamentary commissions. In compliance with the Minsk Agreements, Ukrainian representatives of occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions also joined the delegation. In November 2020, we opened two new checkpoints in Luhansk region. According to Reznikov, since summer 2020, our Russian opponents have used every pretext to keep the Trilateral Contact Group paralyzed and to renege on their obligations. Ukraine has presented its plan for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but the Russian side has failed to present its vision. "The key question now is whether Russia can be persuaded to embrace a modernized version of the Minsk Agreements or a new negotiation format entirely. OSCE representatives have raised this issue, as have our German and French partners. Ukraine is grateful for their support, but we must also note that these efforts have produced very limited results. Ultimately, progress towards peace hinges on Russia's willingness, or to be more precise, Russia's unwillingness, to end the conflict," the deputy PM believes. Reznikov added that any possibilities for further safe steps within the framework of the existing agreements are practically exhausted. "The word 'safe' is of paramount importance here. Ukraine will not agree to anything deemed unacceptable by Ukrainian society that could destabilize the present situation further. We will not risk a full-scale war in Eastern Europe," he said. The deputy PM said that anticipated political changes in the weeks and months ahead could provide fresh impetus to the stalled peace process. "During the coming year, Chancellor Merkel is set to step down. Her departure will leave Vladimir Putin as the only remaining member of the original quartet behind the Minsk Agreements. Elsewhere, Sweden has now taken over the position of OSCE Chair. In America, Joe Biden will shortly enter the White House. These new leaders will inherit the Ukraine peace process, much like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron," he explained. Reznikov said that while recognizing the complexity of this peace process, Ukraine hopes that the coming changes in political leadership may create new opportunities. "We expect the incoming Biden administration to take on a more active role in negotiations. Since the U.S. is a member of the OSCE, their representatives could join the teams of moderators engaged in various subgroups along with representatives of the UK and Canada," he noted. San Antonio police are investigating the death of an Army drill sergeant found shot in a stalled vehicle on New Year's Day. Staff Sergeant Jessica Mitchell, assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. Friday. Officers were called to the eastbound side of Interstate 10 at West Avenue for a stranded vehicle in the left lane that was causing a hazard, police said. They found a white Dodge Charger with multiple gunshots to the driver's side door and window. READ ALSO: Sheriff sends Anaqua Springs shooting deaths case back to investigators for more scrutiny The officers opened the door and checked the victim, later identified as Mitchell, for a pulse, but none was found. The 30-year-old was transported to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. On Friday, police spokesperson Lt. Jesse Salame told the Express-News it was too early to know a motive. Police are searching for a suspect vehicle, described as possibly red in color with damage to the passenger side. People with information about Mitchell's death are asked to call SAPD's Homicide Unit at 210-207-7635. In a statement, Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster, who commands the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, said Mitchell's colleagues were "devastated by the tragic loss." "Our sincere condolences go out to her family and friends," said LeMaster. "We are focused on supporting Drill Sergeant Mitchells family as well as her soldiers during this extremely difficult time." Mitchell was on holiday leave at the time of her death. She leaves behind a 10-year-old son, according to WOAI-TV. Her sister Ashley told the station, "We heard there was no witnesses. But it's a highway. Someone had to see something." Revenues: 118.9m (up 24%), outperforming annual target; Adjusted EBITDA margin: 8.4%, up 0.9 points, of which 10.9% in the second half; Net income: 4.7m, sharp increase of 67%; Dividend per share: 0.28 (up 75% year on year), representing a return of 2,2%; Further acceleration in Q1 2020-2021 and progress towards medium-term objectives. 11 January 2021. Vente-Unique.com, a European specialist in online furniture sales, today announces its results for FY 2019-2020 (1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020). The Board of Directors approved the financial statements on 7 January 2021. The annual financial report will be published no later than 29 January 2021 after the completion of audit procedures. Vente-Unique.com CEO Sacha Vigna stated: "This year, our exemplary results are once again the result of thorough preparation for the ramp-up in the digital transformation of the furniture market, which was further boosted by the health crisis. Today, we are proud to have built our strategy around a robust and optimised logistics chain that enabled us to handle the surge in demand recorded in the second half of 2020, keep costs under control and, most importantly, continue satisfying our customers. Thanks to a service and product offering that fully meets our customers' expectations, we are stepping into this new financial year with the certainty that we can step up our efforts even further, a desire to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, and the firm belief that we will reach the 150 million revenue mark before September 2022, the target we set in 2018 during our IPO." IFRS (m) 2018-2019 2019-2020 Change Revenues 95.8 118.9 +24% Gross margin 49.0 63.1 +29% % of revenues 51.1% 53.1% +2.0 pp Adjusted EBITDA[1] 7.2 10.0 +38% % of revenues 7.5% 8.4% +0.9 pp Underlying EBIT 5.2 8.1 +56% % of revenues 5.4% 6.8% +1.4 pp EBIT 4.9 7.7 +58% Net financial income (0.3) (0.0) (86%) Income tax expenses 1.8 3.0 +65% Net income 2.8 4.7 +67% 9th consecutive year of double-digit growth For the first time ever, the Company crossed the 100 million revenue mark (118.9 million) and posted year-on-year growth of 24%, outperforming the 20% revenue growth target already raised a number of times. This growth allows the company to post double-digit growth for the ninth year in a row. After limited growth (5%) during the first half of the year due to the onset of the health crisis (temporary supply chain issues with Asia followed by the impact of the first lockdown period), the second half saw a very clear shift from traditional to e-commerce players, a trend already observed on the European furniture market. As a result, Vente-Unique.com posted second half growth of 44%. France (66.5m, up 19.4%), Northern and Eastern Europe (35.6m, up 42.3%) and Southern Europe (16.8m, up 10,7%) contributed to this strong momentum. Perfectly adapted supply and logistics chains This growth acceleration was achieved thanks to the efficient management of supply cycles, the result of parent company CAFOM Group's extensive experience in the area, and the success of the new logistics strategy. For the record, following the expansion of the storage area at the Amblainville facility in Oise from 27,000 m to 60,000m, coupled with the optimisation of all processes, Vente-Unique.com finalised the internalisation of its logistics operations to its parent company in summer 2020. As such, in the second half of 2020, the company was well-positioned to handle the surge in demand, while significantly improving its customer satisfaction indicators. A virtuous circle of profitable growth In keeping with its core values, Vente-unique.com has been able to transform this growth and customer satisfaction into profit. The Company has increased its gross margin to 53.1% of revenue (up by 2.0 pp), in spite of additional costs incurred due to the health crisis. Despite the slight increase in logistics costs (7.0% of full-year revenues vs 5.7% a year earlier), and by keeping all other operating expenses under control, Vente-unique.com increased its adjusted EBITDA margin by 0.9 points to 8.4% of revenues. In the second half alone, this margin hit a sector record of 10.9%. After depreciation, amortisation and provisions and the accounting valuation of bonus shares, underlying EBIT rose sharply by 56.0% to 8.1 million, while EBIT followed the same trend (up 58.1%) to 7.7 million. With no financial expenses and after a tax charge of 3.0 million (up 65%), the company's net profit rose sharply by 67% to 4.7 million. Strong cash position and consistent returns for shareholders These excellent results have enabled us to strengthen our cash position. As such, gross operating cash flow generated over the period amounted to 6.4 million (up 61%), working capital was reduced by 4.3 million and capital expenditure remained under control at 1.4 million. Accordingly, excluding dividend pay-outs of 1.5 million, share buybacks of 0.5 million and State-guaranteed loan of 2 million, Vente-unique.com increased its cash position by 7.6 million, i.e. almost 76% of its adjusted EBITDA. At 30 September 2020, Vente-Unique.com held cash and cash equivalents of 18.0 million, compared to borrowings of 3.5 million (excluding rental liabilities) and shareholders' equity of 18.5 million. On the strength of these excellent results and the Group's sound balance sheet, the Board of Directors will ask the general meeting of shareholders to approve a dividend of 0.28 per share for FY 2019-2020 (up 75% year on year), representing a return of 2,2%. Very positive outlook The strong sales surge established in H2 2019-2020 was stepped up even further in the first weeks of the new financial year beginning on 1 October 2020. This growth reflects the continuing digital transformation of the European furniture market, estimated at 192 billion and including 18 billion in e-commerce alone, as well as Vente-unique.com's strong commercial positioning and its capacity to cater to an increasing number of customers. In order to maintain this high level of customer satisfaction and strong growth, Vente-unique.com will continue to focus its investments on logistics, the brand (to strengthen the customer promise) and IT (to optimise user experience). In this context, Vente-unique.com aims to reach its 150 million annual revenue target, as announced at the start of 2018, before September 2022. Next publication: Q1 2020-2021 revenues, 10 February 2021 Read more on bourse.vente-unique.com About Vente-unique.com Founded in 2006, Vente-unique.com (Euronext Growth: ALVU) is a European specialist in online furniture sales. The company covers 11 countries (France, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland) and has delivered to over 1.75 million customers since its inception. In 2020, Vente-unique.com posted revenues of 119 million, up 24%. ACTUS finance & communication Jerome Fabreguettes-Leib Nicolas Bouchez Investor Relations Press Relations vente-unique@actus.fr nbouchez@actus.fr +33 (0) 1 53 67 36 78 +33 (0) 1 53 67 36 74 [1] Adjusted EBITDA = Underlying EBIT + net depreciations, amortisations, and provisions - reversals of unused provisions and depreciations + valuation of bonus shares ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: yZybZJaXapvGm2lykp2baWVpappnk2Kcm2iVmWpwlZ/InW6Wx2dmZpzJZm9nnW5t - 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-0-66897-vu_cp_ra_2020_vdef_en.pdf First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has issued the lowest-ever yield on any five-year Mena bank USD issuance with a $500 million five-year Sukuk issued at MS+90bps (all-in yield of 1.411 percent) through FAB Sukuk Company Limited. The deal is FABs first USD benchmark offering and the first Sukuk issue globally in 2021. This offering was highly successful, attracting a total orderbook of circa $1.5 billion which represents a three times over-subscription rate, reported Emirates new agency Wam. The deal also attracted high quality Islamic and conventional investors from the Middle East, Asia, UK and Europe. Pricing on the deal at MS+90bps represents a negative new issue premium when compared to FABs January 2025 maturity Sukuk, which was trading at MS +104bps on day of deal announcement. This resulted in FAB printing the lowest-ever yielding five-year USD bank paper from Mena. The Sukuk was placed to a diversified investor base of which 53 percent was international and 47 percent was regional. The placement to Islamic investors was 76 percent, signifying FABs appeal to Sharia-compliant liquidity pools globally. "We are very pleased with the outcome of our Sukuk issue. Coming in the first week of January, we managed to take advantage of market conditions and print a deal roughly 20bps inside our curve. Once again, we had tremendous support from investors globally both Islamic and conventional which is testament to FABs strong credit fundamentals and the overall positive view of Abu Dhabi and the UAE economy by international investors," Rula Al Qadi, Managing Director and Head of Group Funding at FAB, said. The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 04:30:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (PCEC) on Sunday started technical meetings over preparations for the first Palestinian general elections after a 15-year hiatus. Hana Nasser, chairman of PCEC, convened an online meeting with the Comission's members in the Gaza Strip to discuss the latest developments of the planned legislative and presidential elections, according to a statement issued by PCEC. Nasser said during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held in Ramallah on Saturday evening, he proposed to Abbas several dates deemed suitable for holding the elections. "Holding elections needs as long as 120 days after issuing suitable presidential decrees," he noted. Meanwhile, Hisham Kuhail, executive director of PCEC, said Abbas will issue a package of presidential decrees that will set the dates for the legislative and presidential elections, as well as for a vote for the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization. On Saturday evening, Abbas held a meeting with a delegation of PCEC in Ramallah, and agreed to issue his presidential decrees for holding elections before Jan. 20. Kuhail said PCEC will hold another meeting with Abbas in seven days to present its final proposal of dates for holding the Palestinian elections. After issuing decrees, Abbas will invite the general secretaries of the Palestinian factions to discuss "mechanisms for overcoming obstacles regarding holding elections in Jerusalem and challenges Israel might creat," Kuhail added. On Jan. 2, Ismail Haniyeh, chief of the Gaza ruler Hamas, confirmed to Abbas in an official letter that his movement was ready to end the internal divisions and hold general elections. Hazem Qassem, spokesman of Hamas in Gaza, told Xinhua that there is consensus among all Palestinian factions about the need to unite for an honest election that "expresses the will of the Palestinian people in all places of their presence including Jerusalem." The last legislative elections were held in the Palestinian territories in January 2006, when Hamas won an overwhelming majority in the chamber. Abbas, 84, was elected as the chief of the Palestinian Authority in the presidential elections held in the Palestinian territories in January 2005, and succeeded the former leader Yasser Arafat who had died in November 2004. Enditem Pope Francis changed church law to explicitly allow Catholic women to play a greater role during Mass, while continuing to affirm that they cannot be priests. Francis amended the law to formalise and institutionalise what is common practice in many parts of the world: that women can read the Gospel and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers. Previously, such roles were officially reserved to men even though exceptions were made. Pope Francis has changed the law to allow Catholic women to play a bigger role in Mass but still affirms they cannot be priests. Pictured: The pope leads Epiphany Mass in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Francis said he was making the change to increase recognition of the 'precious contribution' women make in the church, while emphasising that all baptised Catholics have a role to play in the church's mission. But he also noted that doing so further makes a distinction between 'ordained' ministries such as the priesthood and diaconate, and ministries open to qualified laity. The Vatican reserves the priesthood for men. The change comes as Francis remains under pressure to allow women to be deacons ministers who perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals. Women are now allowed to read the Gospel and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers as a result of the Pope's latest changes. Pictured: Pope Francis holding a weekly live streamed Angelus prayer yesterday Currently, the ministry is reserved for men even though historians say the ministry was performed by women in the early church. Francis has created a second commission of experts to study whether women could be deacons, after a first one failed to reach a consensus. Advocates for expanding the diaconate to include women say doing so would give women greater say in the ministry and governance of the church, while also helping address priest shortages in several parts of the world. Opponents say allowing it would become a slippery slope toward ordaining women to the priesthood. Phyllis Zagano, who was a member of the pope's first study commission, called the changes important given they represent the first time the Vatican has explicitly and through canon law allowed women access to the altar. Pope Francis has been under pressure to change the law, allowing women to be deacons, and he has set up a second commission to discuss the matter after the first failed to reach a consensus. Pictured: Pope Francis leads a Mass for the Feast of Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday She said it was a necessary first step to let women be lectors and perform other ministries on the altar before any official consideration of the diaconate for women. Lucetta Scaraffia, the former editor of the Vatican's women magazine, however, called the new changes a 'double trap'. She said they merely formalise what is current practice, including at papal Masses, while also making clear that the diaconate is an 'ordained' ministry reserved for men. 'This closes the door on the diaconate for women,' she said in a phone interview, calling the change 'a step backward' for women. People queue up standing a metre apart to buy groceries and essentials in a housing society. (Image credit: Shome Basu) The year 2020 saw the worst pandemic known to mankind. People across the world experienced mental and financial stress, more so those from the middle and lower income categories. Homebuyers confronted a breakdown of financial plans due to job losses and business failures, and the resultant loss in earnings. Naturally, expectations from Budget 2021-22 are high. Before I put forth my expectation as a homebuyer from Budget 2021-22, it is worth recapitulating the sops for the real estate sector announced since Budget 2017. Important among them are - Infrastructure status to affordable housing, reduction in the period for Capital Gains Tax from 2 to 3 years (Budget 2017); enhanced thresholds for variation from circle rates for purposes of tax (Budget 2018). Other initiatives included removal of notional rent for individuals owning up to two self-occupied properties, rollover of capital gains up to Rs 2 crore for buying two houses compared with one earlier (Interim Budget 2019); Interest deduction up to Rs 3.5 lakh for affordable housing (priced at Rs 45 lakh) as against Rs 2 lakh earlier for housing loans taken in FY 2019-20 (Budget 2019). Despite the thrust year after year, the real estate sector has failed to perform. A recent report stated that during Q3 of FY 2020-21, housing sales declined 30% while new project launches declined by 44% year-on-year. This is all the more alarming as last year too was not a good year for residential real estate, and the current decline is measured on that low base. Needless to say that constant derailing and off-track implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) has failed in restoring the trust of homebuyers. However, the Budget is an important policy instrument through which governments help revive an ailing sector, and if they incorporate the aspirations of home buyers and also ensure that the benefits do not remain merely on paper, it will go a long way in giving a fillip to the real estate sector. Here are a few suggestions for Union Budget 2021-22: (1) Section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 should be amended to provide for deduction of interest from Income from House property even after possession of the house is received from a builder after more than 5 years i.e. to remove the limitation of 5 years for claiming full deduction of Rs 2 lakh under this section (Also, the deduction should be allowed from the year from which the loan is availed and not from the year in which possession is taken). (2) Deduction of Rs 1.50 lakh for repayment of principal on home loan should be provided under separate section and should not be clubbed under section 80C as the qualifying amount of Rs 1.50 lakh is already exhausted in most cases (Also, the deduction should be allowed from the year in which loan is availed and not from the year in which possession is taken). (3) As a special relief for the homebuyers due to the devastation caused by the pandemic those homebuyers who lost jobs or had to work with pay cuts, a deduction for EMI/Rent whichever is higher paid by them should be allowed as a deduction from his Gross Total Income under a separate section for the entire tenure. (4) For projects which are delayed by more than three years, homebuyers of such projects should be reimbursed by the developers an amount equal to EMI/Rent whichever is higher paid during the previous year. Such expenses incurred by the developers should not be allowed as a deduction from their business income. This will act as a big deterrence and compel developers to complete projects on time and also help in restoring the faith of the homebuyers. (5) Every homebuyer who takes possession of his new house would like to furnish it. Any deduction for expenses incurred on furnitures, fixtures and fittings of his new house would encourage him to spend to avail deduction and thus will create additional demand. It will anyway bring more revenue to the government in the form of GST. (6) The government should come out with a white paper on SWAMIH (Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing), to disclose the number of units completed and possession handed over projects wise utilising such funds, total loans disbursed from such fund project wise, total loan repaid by developers, number of units for which work is in progress, and name of developers defaulted in repayment of a loan. Also, an extra fund should be provided in the corpus if needed to complete rest of the delayed projects pan India irrespective of the fact whether the project is RERA registered or not. It will not only be in the interest of homebuyers but also in the interest of the real estate sector that our suggestions as aforementioned are considered with all due seriousness. This is the sure shot prescription to take the sector to its past glories. Leer en espanol ALBANY Lino Acevedo has been on the fence about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. First, theres his age. The 57-year-old father from Albany says he feels too old to be experimented on." Then theres how quickly the vaccines were developed. Although the timeline was speeded by years of prior research and billions of dollars in government investment, to Acevedo and millions of other Americans, the vaccines sudden approval seemed too good to be true. Then there's history. As a Latino man, hes well aware of the nations history of medical experimentation on--and forced sterilization of--people of color. Theres this theory of people thinking its something about crowd control, you know? Population control, he said. Thats a big issue out here in the Latino community. People are sayin' they tryin' to get rid of us. Hes not alone in those fears. Past mistreatment of communities of color by America's medical establishment not to mention ongoing racism and inequities in health care and other fields come to mind for many Black and brown people, including those in the Capital Region, when they think about whether or not to receive a vaccine to protect against the novel coronavirus. Leaders in these communities say the key to overcoming these hesitancies and reaching critical mass with the vaccine starts with taking the time to acknowledge and validate concerns that arise from past injustices. From there, government leaders and trusted messengers can aim to build trust through education and influence campaigns that help address many of the basic safety and health concerns people have regarding the new vaccine. A troubling history and present In each of our focus groups, the Tuskegee experiment came up at least once, said Kate Strully, a University at Albany researcher who helped lead focus groups around the state last summer on the issue of vaccine hesitancy in communities of color. The Tuskegee syphilis study in which Black men in rural Alabama were never told they had the deadly venereal disease from the 1930s through the 1970s so scientists could observe what it did to them is often invoked by Black Americans when asked why they might be hesitant to receive a coronavirus vaccine. For people like Acevedo, the nations history of forced sterilizations also lingers. Between the 1930s and 1970s, roughly one-third of Puerto Ricos female population was sterilized as a result of U.S.-endorsed programs designed to reduce overpopulation on the island. During the 1960s and 1970s, Mexican-American women in Los Angeles were shamed and pressured into sterilization procedures while they were giving birth. Black and Indigenous populations have faced similar sterilization campaigns, often without consent. They just dont want to be a guinea pig, said Micky Jimenez, executive director of Capital District Latinos, a cultural organization that operates a community engagement center near Albanys Washington Park. I talked to Black men who say, Oh, we ended up with syphilis, she said. Or if they were Puerto Rican, Oh, you remember our women were sterilized. And you know what? Those were true stories. So how do you dismiss that? This kind of justified distrust does not just stem from historical events, said Carolyn McLaughlin, an Albany County legislator and Black woman who is working to build confidence in the vaccine among the countys Black citizens. Black peoples health concerns are downplayed by the medical community of today as well, she said. Acknowledge the Tuskegee incident, yes, she said. But beyond that, even closer to home, how are people dealt with by the medical community now? McLaughlin has lost nine friends and family members since the pandemic arrived in New York, she said. Most of them died after contracting COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus. And she wonders whether appropriate medical care was given to two others who, she says, died after they were sent home from the emergency room even though they had COVID-19 symptoms. Doctors in emergency rooms are so busy sending people home and then they go home and all of a sudden they have some respiratory arrest, she said. Why? I believe it was the lack of medical treatment. Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union Trusted messengers The loss of so many friends and family not to mention the mental health impacts of prolonged quarantine are why McLaughlin is working hard to try and boost trust in the vaccine in the countys Black communities. Black residents of the county are also more likely to wind up in the hospital from COVID-19 than their white counterparts, county data show. And early on in the pandemic they were dying at higher rates, too, though those have since leveled out (racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths persist both nationwide and statewide). Think about if it wasnt available to you, McLaughlin said of the vaccine. I tell people, dont self-select out of the opportunity to get the vaccine without the proper and adequate information. Thats why people like me, were trying to make ourselves available as an influencer in the community, a voice that people are gonna listen to. COVID-19 in Albany County by race Source: Data gathered from Albany County COVID-19 Dashboard as of Jan. 8, 2020, and 2019 Census ACS 5-year estimates Graphic by Cathleen F. Crowley/Times Union McLaughlin is working with the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Services and the South End Community Collaborative to circulate a survey that people can take to share their concerns about the vaccine. The survey, which is available online at is.gd/covidvx, will be used to inform educational campaigns in the community, she said. Were running up against barriers even in getting the survey out there in that we cant really go door to door right now, she said. Plus, you gotta trust whos giving you the survey. McLaughlin said the goal is to hire trusted ambassadors who can hand out a copy of the survey to people either with a self-addressed stamped envelope or to collect at a later date. Theyre trying to get to 1,000 responses but were only a quarter of the way there as of Wednesday, she said. This concept of using influencers or other trusted messengers to promote vaccine acceptance in Black and Hispanic communities has been in play since the very beginning of the vaccine rollout. The first New Yorker to receive the vaccine was a Black ICU nurse and the first Capital Region resident to get a shot was a Black clerical associate specialist who registers patients as they come into Albany Medical Centers emergency room. As a person of color, I personally am very much invested in seeing as many people as possible get vaccinated, said Dr. Angela Antonikowski, a Black woman who last summer was named Albany Meds first chief officer of health equity, diversity and inclusion. Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union The hospital, which is serving as one of 10 regional vaccine hubs statewide, has a health equity task force that is working on the issue of vaccine rollout in communities of color, she said. Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 What: A panel of experts discusses vaccine hesitancy in communities of color, and what needs to happen to battle COVID-19's health disparities. Registration info: Visit EventBrite to register for this free hour-long event, which will stream live on the Times Union's Facebook and YouTube pages. See More Collapse We are partnering with over 40 health care institutions and agencies in the region, with the stakeholders there to really identify, for example, who are the members in the communities that individuals trust in terms of information? she said. Jimenez, who heads Capital District Latinos, is one of them. At a wellness event for men of color last October, she asked everyone how they felt about the vaccine. There she encountered Acevedo, the Albany father who was unsure about whether to get the vaccine. Ms. Micky told me that she was gonna do it, Acevedo recalled. When she told me that she would do it, I was like, 'Really, you would do it?' And knowing Ms. Micky shes a good person and shes up on things, she talks to people and I have a lot of faith in her I told her, 'If you do it, then yeah, Ill take my chances and do it too.' Jimenez, who also works on the front lines helping people who struggle with addiction and homelessness, was eligible to get her shot Wednesday, and made sure photos and video were taken so she can help spread the message that the vaccines are safe. "Its great to see (President-elect Joe) Biden and to see our leadership doing it," she said. "But I think when it comes to the Latino community and men of color and people of color, its really at the ground level that they want to see it that I trust this science and that I'm willing to take it." Overcoming logistical barriers Building confidence in the vaccine will not be enough on its own, Jimenez said. Logistical barriers such as getting to a vaccine site or taking time off work or watching kids remain a major hurdle, she said. Jimenez, who is on both the state and regional vaccine task force, said she is working to try and get the Capital District Latinos community center at 160 Central Ave. designated a vaccine distribution site, since it has the space and is in an area of the city that would be easy for people of color to get to. But also, this has become a place people trust, she said. Theyve been here before. So were going to be applying for that and see how it goes. McLaughlin said the County Legislature has also been talking to religious leaders about using their sites for vaccine distribution. I havent spoken specifically to a pastor that said, Yes, well do that, she said. But the conversation has been put out there, and I think theres some who would be interested. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo this week said that when vaccine rollout to the general public begins the state will move away from hospitals as distribution sites and rely heavily on a retail network of distributors, including pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, private urgent care clinics and private doctor networks. The state has also begun building "community vaccination kits, he said, and is working with public housing officials, churches and community centers that could erect makeshift distribution sites in underserved communities. Jimenez said vaccine providers better start thinking now about how theyre going to get people back for a second dose. Migrant workers, for example, are highly transient and wont necessarily be around in the three to four weeks after their first dose is administered, she said. Theres just a lot of idiosyncrasies that I think when were looking at these populations, all these things have to be taken into consideration, she said. As much as we want to rush to reach herd immunity, we have to put time into the messaging and gaining their trust. If we do that, I really believe everyone will be better off. Editor's note: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect address for Capital District Latinos' community center. The center is located at 160 Central Ave., Albany. Photos: Khuzestan, Iran's unique haven for birds 01/11/21 Report by Tehran Times; photos by Mehdi Pourabedi, IRIB The southwestern province of Khuzestan is the most diverse region in terms of different bird species, its unique and pleasant climate, as well as rich natural habitats have turned this province into a paradise for rare and endangered species of birds. Khuzestan is home to some 379 recognized species of birds supporting a variety of breeding and wintering waterfowl and seabirds. Every year, with the onset of the cold season, flocks of migratory birds come to winter in the province from the cold regions of Central Asia. Due to the existence of numerous rivers, wetlands, and special bird habitats, at least 6 species of rare birds of Iran that live in the margins of wetlands and rivers have been recorded in Khuzestan province, two species of which have been seen only in this region. From terns and ibises to house sparrows, various subspecies of birds will surely be recorded in Khuzestan province by researching and expanding the science of bird watching in the country. While today, poachers and hunters travel to Khuzestan from neighboring cities and in addition to hunting birds, endanger the species by pushing them toward extinction. In this regard, Mohammad Javad Ashrafi, chief of Khuzestan's department of environment, stated that about 20 percent of the country's wetlands are located in Khuzestan, this is why the province is home to most migratory birds, along with the favorable weather conditions. Bird-watching in Iran Iran is home to more than 527 bird species. In fact, although large portions of the country are arid to semi-arid, Iran possesses a very rich and diverse bird fauna. Two main factors are responsible for this; the great range of habitats-from permanent snows to deep deserts and from lush deciduous forests in the north to palm groves and mangroves in the south-and Iran's position at a crossroads between three major faunal regions, according to the Iran Paradise website. The bulk of the country lies within the Palearctic faunal region, which stretches from Europe and North Africa across north and central Asia to the Soviet Far East and Japan. Lying along the southern edge of this region, Iran's bird fauna includes a large Western Palearctic faunal element, reaching its eastern extremity in the central Alborz and Zagros mountains, and a smaller, but still marked, Eastern Palearctic element, which extends into northeastern Iran in the highlands of Khorasan. On Iran's south coast, the tidal mudflats, mangrove, sand beaches, rocky shores, and sea-cliffs support a variety of breeding and wintering habitats for seabirds. Breeding species include Crab Plover Dromas ardeola, Great Thick-knee Burhinus recurvirostris (only in the sea); several species of herons and egrets such as Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii, Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis and Goliath Heron Ardea goliath (in mangrove); and several species of terns. Wintering species include Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Osprey Pandion haliaetus, White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, and also many shorebirds notably African Black Oystercatcher Heamatopus ostralegus, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Curlew Numenius arquata and Plovers Charadrius spp., Scuas Stercorarius spp., Gulls Larus spp., and Terns Sterna spp. Retailers have a new message for consumers looking to return an item: Keep it. Amazon.com Inc., Walmart Inc. and other companies are using artificial intelligence to decide whether it makes economic sense to process a return. For inexpensive items or large ones that would incur hefty shipping fees, it is often cheaper to refund the purchase price and let customers keep the products. The relatively new approach, popularized by Amazon and a few other chains, is being adopted more broadly during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a surge in online shopping forces companies to rethink how they handle returns. We are getting so many inquiries about this that you will see it take off in coming months," said Amit Sharma, chief executive of Narvar Inc., which processes returns for retailers. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Lorie Anderson of Vancouver, Wash., was pleasantly surprised when she tried to return online purchases of makeup at Target and batteries from Walmart. The chains issued her a refund but told her to keep the items. They were inexpensive, and it wouldnt make much financial sense to return them by mail," Ms. Anderson, 38 years old, said. Its a hassle to pack up the box and drop it at the post office or UPS. This was one less thing I had to worry about." A Target Corp. spokeswoman said the retailer gives customers refunds and encourages them to donate or keep the item in a small number of cases in which the company deems that option is easier than returning the purchase. A Walmart spokeswoman said the keep it" option is designed for merchandise it doesnt plan to resell and is determined by customers purchase history, the value of the products and the cost of processing the returns. Amazon didnt provide a comment. The number of e-commerce packages that were returned in 2020 jumped 70% from 2019, according to Narvar. More than half of the increase was due to higher e-commerce sales, Narvar estimated, while more than a quarter was the result of shoppers not wanting to return web orders to physical stores. A smaller percentage was because people didnt get the right sizeeither because their weight had changed during the pandemic or they were unfamiliar with the brands sizing. E-commerce returns could total as much as $70.5 billion for this past holiday season alone, a 73% jump from the previous five-year average, according to CBRE Group Inc., a commercial real-estate services and investment firm. After handling a record three billion packages during the holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service and delivery companies are now receiving boxes that need to go back, including some of the two million whose arrival was delayed past Christmas, according to ShipMatrix Inc., a consulting firm. United Parcel Service Inc. expected a 23% rise in returns the week of Jan. 4 from a year earlier. FedEx Corp. said returns volume has set record highs for the past six months. But the percentage of items ordered being returned is a bit lower than normal because a big part of the increase in online shopping during the pandemic has been from purchases of essential goods, according to Ryan Kelly, a marketing vice president at the delivery company. A lot of the e-commerce surge was not shoes, but diapers," Mr. Kelly said. Delivery firms are working with retailers to help them reduce costs by providing scannable codes that consumers can bring to retailers such as Walgreens or UPS stores that accept the returns, according to industry executives. Walmart is allowing shoppers who purchase items online to schedule a time for FedEx to pick them up. Processing online returns can cost $10 to $20, excluding freight, depending on the item, said Rick Faulk, chief executive of Locus Robotics, which uses robots to help automate returns. Returning to a store is significantly cheaper because the retailer can save the freight, which can run 15% to 20% of the cost," Mr. Faulk said. Online return rates run about triple those of purchases made in physical stores, he said. In past years, retailers urged shoppers to return online orders to stores not only to reduce costs but also to boost sales because customers tend to make additional purchases while there, Mr. Faulk said. Doing so this year is problematic given capacity constraints on retailers and the reluctance of some consumers to frequent enclosed public spaces. Gone are the days of popping into stores without feeling anxious, so Im doing almost all my returns by mail," said Brittany Connor, who lives in Philadelphia. She recently tried to return a $16.91 cat harness she bought from the online pet retailer Chewy Inc. because it was too small. Chewy told her to donate the harness to an animal shelter. It refunded her the money and sent her a new harness in a bigger size. I love that," said Ms. Connor, 32 years old, who works in public relations. A Chewy spokeswoman said the company is committed to providing customer-friendly return policies. Jan Edmiston, a Presbyterian pastor from Charlotte, N.C., ordered the wrong version of a book titled What Lies Between Us." Instead of an antiracism book, she bought a thriller by the same name. Rather than asking her to send it back, Amazon issued a refund and told her to keep it. How much money is Amazon making to be able to absorb these mistakes?" Ms. Edmiston asked. She has been using the errantly ordered book to prop up her laptop for Zoom calls. She plans to give it away. Cybercriminals are getting wise to these new return techniques. People do this for the sport of it, not just for monetary gain," said Yuval Ben-David, an analyst at Sixgill, a cybersecurity company. The most common method is to claim an item didnt arrive or was defective, Mr. Ben-David said. Then the criminals use social-engineering techniques to try to persuade the retailer to issue a refund. One common technique among scammers is to claim to be afraid to sign for packages during the pandemic for fear of catching Covid-19, he said. About a quarter of all dark-web chatter about return fraud in the past year focused on Amazon, according to Sixgill. The criminals say Amazons algorithms are more likely to detect fraud if the account is newly opened, which has led to a secondary market for older accounts, according to Mr. Ben-David. 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. DENVER AND MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In today announced that Matillion, the leading provider of data transformation for cloud data warehouses (CDWs) was honored in its 2021 Best Places To Work Awards. Specifically, Matillion earned recognition in four major markets including Austin, Boston, Colorado, and NYC. The annual awards include companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, nationally and in the eight largest tech markets. Matillion has been recognized on the following markets' lists: Austin Best Midsize Companies to Work For Austin Companies with the Best Benefits Boston Best Midsize Companies to Work For Colorado Best Midsize Companies to Work For Colorado Best Places to Work Colorado Best Paying Companies NYC Best Midsize Companies to Work For "We are pleased to be recognized by Built In for our company culture in these four leading markets," said Vicki Marchington, VP of People Ops at Matillion. "Our inclusion on these lists is a testament to the values that our team members work to uphold and the atmosphere of positivity and inclusivity we hope will help attract new members to our growing team this year." Built In determines winners for Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation, benefits, and cultural programs. To reflect the most relevant attributes that candidates are searching for on Built In today, this year's program weighted certain criteria more heavily, like remote opportunities and programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion. "These companies raise the bar for cultural excellence and the ability to adapt to meet changing needs of employees," said Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "The 2021 winners show a commitment not just to creating meaningful cultures but to delivering talent needs as they change in a dynamic landscape. We're thrilled to extend our congratulations to the winners." Tech professionals rely on Built In's Best Places to Work lists to discover employers that align with their preferences, passions, and values. Since its inception three years ago, the award has expanded in reach, from online views of tens of thousands to just under 1 million views today. To learn more about Matillion's culture, values and open roles, visit: https://www.matillion.com/about/careers/ . For further data transformation industry updates and perspectives, follow Matillion on Twitter @Matillion and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/matillion-limited/ . ABOUT MATILLION Matillion is data transformation for cloud data warehouses. Only Matillion is purpose-built for Snowflake, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, and Microsoft Azure Synapse, enabling businesses to achieve new levels of simplicity, speed, scale, and savings. Trusted by companies of all sizes to meet their data integration and transformation needs, Matillion products are highly rated across the AWS, GCP and Microsoft Azure Marketplaces. Dual-headquartered in Manchester, UK and Denver, Colorado, with a presence in New York City and Seattle. Learn more about how you can unlock the potential of your data with Matillion's cloud-based approach to data transformation. Visit us at www.matillion.com . ABOUT BUILT IN Built In, a revolution in tech recruitment, serves more than 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, delivering content and digital recruitment solutions that work. The platform amplifies companies' brands as national, local or remote employers of choice, as well as leaders in DEI. Monthly, 2.5 million tech professionals rely on Built In to stay up on trends, grow in their roles and discover companies with missions they want to join. The platform publishes stories about companies' tech, culture and people. This activates sought-after professionals to apply to customers' open roles. http://www.builtin.com ABOUT BUILT IN'S BEST PLACES TO WORK Built In's esteemed Best Places to Work awards, now in its third year, honor companies across numerous categories: 100 Best Places to Work, 50 Best Small Places to Work, 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, 50 Companies with the Best Benefits and 50 Best Paying Companies. Two new national categories reflect what candidates are searching for, including 50 Best Large Companies to Work For and 50 Best Remote-First Places to Work. BEST PLACES TO WORK: METHODOLOGY Built In ranks companies algorithmically based on compensation information, benefits and culture programs. This year, based on data showing tech professionals' needs, the Best Places to Work algorithm added weight to companies' commitment to DEI and remote culture. Rank is determined by combining a company's score in each of these categories. Media contact: Shermineh Rohanizadeh Nonfiction Agency for Matillion [email protected] +1 949 378 6469 SOURCE Matillion Ltd Related Links http://www.matillion.com 2021 - Hundreds of pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol and occupied the building for hours, ransacking offices, forcing an evacuation of lawmakers and interrupting their certification of the November presidential election. One woman in the mob was shot to death by police in a corridor, and one of several police officers injured in clashes with protesters died. Three more died of medical emergencies on the grounds during the tumult. (Image: Reuters) Democrats in the House of Representatives have stepped up their bid to impeach Donald Trump in the waning days of his presidency, contending that he should be held accountable for the unprecedented mayhem by thousands of his supporters at the US Capitol. The move to impeach Trump gained momentum on Sunday with the House Democrats announcing to introduce the article of impeachment against the outgoing Republican president on Monday. This comes hours after the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a Dear Colleague letter to the Democratic members laid the ground rules for the move and gave an ultimatum to Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment of the Constitution. The 25th Amendment allows for the president to be removed from office by the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet. On Monday, I intend to help introduce a resolution impeaching President Trump for high crimes and misdemeanours, Congressman Brad Schneider said on Sunday. Describing the ground rules, Pelosi said, first thing Monday morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer will request Unanimous Consent to bring up the Raskin resolution which calls on the Vice President to convene and mobilise the Cabinet to activate the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office, after which the Vice President would immediately exercise powers as acting President. If we do not receive Unanimous Consent, this legislation is planned to be brought up on the Floor the following day. We are calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours. Next, we will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the Floor, Pelosi said. In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both. As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action, she wrote. The calls for Trump's impeachment intensified after thousands of pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday stormed the US Capitol, interrupting a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were set to certify President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' win in the November 3 election. Five people died in the incident. Trump would be succeeded by Biden on January 20 as mandated by the Constitution. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton called on the House and Senate to pass a resolution censuring President Trump for an attempted coup in trying to overturn the results of the presidential election and incitement of insurrection for the attack on the Capitol last week. Norton, who has also co-sponsored several impeachment resolutions since the attack on the Capitol, said censure is the only remedy that can pass both chambers immediately and, unlike impeachment, will not delay President-elect Biden's agenda in the Senate. Norton will introduce the censure resolution on Monday. President Trump is a clear and present danger to the United States and has committed impeachable offenses, Norton said. The Vice President and Cabinet should remove him under the 25th Amendment and, if not, Congress should remove him from office and bar him from ever holding federal office again, she said. The Senate is out of regular session until January 19th. It would take unanimous consent for the Senate to return before then. In the case of impeachment, once the House transmits the impeachment resolution to the Senate and after the Senate comes back into session, it must take up the resolution. Whether an impeachment resolution is taken up in the Senate at the beginning of the Biden administration or later, it will delay Senate consideration of Bidens legislative agenda and nominees. In addition, it is an open constitutional question whether a president can be impeached after leaving office. Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio described the impeachment move as unfortunate. Its unfortunate that instead of unifying us right now, Biden and the Democrats have chosen to use this as an opportunity to talk about ridiculous things like lets impeach a president who isn't even going to be in office in about nine days. ... he told Fox News. Joe Biden ran as a guy who is going to unify the country, and hes going to spend the first couple weeks of his presidency not confirming his nominees, not dealing with the pandemic but the first couple weeks of his presidency is going to be about removing a president that is already not in office, he said. Republican Congressman James Comer said that he is opposed to yet another Trump's impeachment that will further inflame tensions in the US. We need to lower the temperature and unify Americans behind issues we can all agree on, he told Fox News. If the process does go ahead, Trump could become the only president in US history to have been impeached twice. The House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment last year related to Trump's efforts to pressure Ukrainian officials to conduct investigations that could help him in the 2020 election. The Senate, where the Republicans had a majority, acquitted him in February last year. White House spokesman Judd Deere on Friday called the impeachment effort "politically motivated" and said it would "only serve to further divide our great country." President-elect Biden, asked about impeachment, told reporters last week that "what the Congress decides to do is for them to decide." The founder of a midstate property management firm has died. John H. Rhodes, the founder of the Rhodes Development Group died at the age of 80. Rhodes had been an active mortgage banker, real estate developer, property manager, and investor in the Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, and State College areas for more than 55 years. He was the founder of the Lemoyne-based Rhodes Development Group, a real estate development and holding company, and the parent company of Property Management, Inc. also known as PMI, which manages approximately 17,000 residential units and six million square feet of commercial space; Rhodes Construction Solutions, which builds and renovates single-family dwellings, multifamily projects and commercial buildings; CF Acri & Son, an HVAC and plumbing company; Capital View Development Co., and other related real estate partnerships. Over the years, the Rhodes Development Group developed a number of high-profile buildings including the Penn National Insurance building and the Keystone Financial Plaza, both in Harrisburg, and more than a dozen medical facilities for Penn State Health. The company has also developed more than two dozen residential projects including Waverly Woods in Susquehanna Township, which has more than 700 condominiums and townhomes and Twin Lakes Manor in Lower Paxton Township, which has more than 300 apartments. On behalf of our 315 employees, investors, and clients, we offer our sincere condolences to the Rhodes family, Larry Kluger, the president and CEO of Rhodes Development Group said in a press release. John has been a friend to so many, a source of knowledge, and an example of what can be accomplished through hard work and integrity. Rhodes was a 1962 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He also served on the boards of a number of private companies including Legacy Bank and The Hershey Bank and nonprofit organizations including the Milton S. Hershey Medical center and Diakon Lutheran Services. He was also chairman of the Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, United Methodist Homes for The Aging Inc. and Ecumenical Communities. You can follow Daniel Urie on twitter @DanielUrie2018 and you can like him on Facebook. Advertisement The FBI is warning of possible armed protests at capitols in all 50 states in the days leading to Inauguration Day as cities around the country brace for violence in the wake of last week's deadly riots at the US Capitol. An FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News on Monday raised alarm about a group calling for the 'storming' of state, local, and federal government administrative buildings and courthouses should President Donald Trump be removed from office prior to Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20. The bulletin came to light just as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced an article of impeachment accusing Trump of incitement to insurrection, five days after the mob of the president's supporters stormed the Capitol grounds in a futile bid to block Congress from certifying Biden's election victory. As they worried about another possible wave of violence, officials said they wouldn't be caught flat-footed this time: More than 6,000 members of the National Guard were deployed to Washington, DC, over the weekend, with dozens of them standing guard over the Capitol during Monday's proceedings. The National Park Service said Monday it would close the Washington Monument and other area facilities beginning today and lasting through January 24. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is reportedly considering sending as many as 13,000 guardsmen to secure the area on Inauguration Day. Prior to last week's breach, officials had planned to deploy roughly 7,000 guardsmen. With Joe Biden's inauguration fast approaching in nine days, Washington, DC, and cities around the US are bracing for violent protests similar to that which left five people dead at the Capitol last week. Pictured: Members of the New York National Guard line up on the East Front of the Capitol on Monday morning More than 6,000 members of the National Guard have already been deployed to DC in the days after a mob of Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol grounds An FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News on Monday raised alarm about a group which is calling for the 'storming' of state, local, and federal government administrative buildings and courthouses should President Donald Trump be removed from office prior to Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20. Pictured: US National Guard members walk among the columns of the crypt beneath the Capitol rotunda on Monday morning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced articles of impeachment accusing Trump of incitement to insurrection on Monday, five days after a mob of the president's supporters stormed the Capitol grounds last Wednesday in a futile bid to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election victory. Pictured: Security officials survey the Capitol on Monday The flash of a police munition lights up the steps of the Capitol during the invasion by a Trump-incited mob on Wednesday National Guard members walk by a security fence erected outside the Capitol building on Monday morning National Guardsmen walk through the Rotunda at the US Capitol on Monday morning National Guardsmen were also deployed to the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, where protesters gathered on Monday A protester uses a megaphone to address a crowd outside the Washington State Capitol on Monday The hardened-up security plans come after the Department of Defense said it was aware of 'further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists in the days up to and including Inauguration Day', Congressman Jason Crow (D - Colorado) said in a statement Sunday after speaking with Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy about security preparations. The Department of Homeland Security is working with the Defense Department, local DC authorities and inauguration officials to sharpen the law enforcement response in the coming days, including by erecting non-scalable fencing and security checkpoints around Capitol Hill. 'Now that it happened people will take it much more seriously,' a senior DHS official told CNN in reference to last week's violence. 'Now, the planners, they are all going to take it much more seriously.' Federal and local authorities have faced fierce criticism for their perceived failure to crack down on Wednesday's insurrection despite evidence that they knew it was coming. Hundreds of people might now face federal charges in the wake of last week's Capitol breach, DC's acting US attorney said in an interview with NPR over the weekend, saying a massive, 24-hour-a-day hunt was on to identify suspects and bring charges against them. In the meantime, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said she is 'extremely concerned' about security on Inauguration Day in a letter to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf over the weekend. She wrote that the event 'will require a very different approach to previous inaugurations given the chaos, injury and death experienced at the US Capitol during the insurrection'. On Monday the National Park Service announced that the National Mall and Memorial Parks will be shuttered until January 24 'in response to credible threats' after last week's riots. The Pentagon is now considering sending as many as 13,000 guardsmen to secure the nation's capital on Inauguration Day, January 20. Prior to the Capitol breach, officials had planned to deploy roughly 7,000 guardsmen Capitol Police are working together with National Guardsmen to patrol the area surrounding Capitol Hill Traffic is blocked on the West Front of the Capitol building on Monday morning A Capitol Police officer patrols a closed roadway near the Capitol building on Monday morning The Department of Homeland Security is working with the DoD, local DC authorities and inauguration officials to sharpen the law enforcement response in the coming days, including by erecting non-scalable fencing (pictured on Sunday) and security checkpoints around Capitol Hill A protective fence is seen outside the US Supreme Court on Sunday as officials prepare for violence around Inauguration Day On Monday the National Park Service announced that the National Mall and Memorial Parks will be shuttered until January 24 'in response to credible threats' after last week's riots A National Parks Police vehicle sits near the Washington Monument on Monday after it was closed to the public Images of Trump supporters clambering up the walls of the Capitol - supposedly one of the most secure buildings in the United States - and smashing their way in with little resistance shocked the world on Wednesday Monday's FBI bulletin said the bureau is aware of plans for armed protests in every single state between January 16 and 20 - with one major demonstration slated to take place in Washington, DC, on January 17. It said an 'identified armed group', which was not named directly, intends to travel to the nation's capital ahead of the protest on January 16. 'They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment a huge uprising will occur,' the bulletin stated, according to ABC News correspondent Aaron Katersky. Twitter cited online chatter about a 'proposed secondary attack' on the US Capitol and its counterparts in all 50 states when it moved to suspend Trump's account on Friday. 'Plans for future armed protests have already begun proliferating on and off-Twitter, including a proposed secondary attack on the US Capitol and state capitol buildings on January 17, 2021,' the company wrote in a blog post, without offering further detail. Twitter was believed to be referring to the same chatter cited in the FBI bulletin. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to be sworn in on the west front of the US Capitol on January 20 before participating in a Pass in Review on the east front and then receiving a traditional escort to the White House by representatives from every branch of the military. Biden's team has remained adamant that the inaugural events, which were paired down prior to the MAGA riots to avoid drawing large crowds rife for transmission of coronavirus, should go forward despite last Wednesday's events. 'We are confident in our security partners who have spent months planning and preparing for the inauguration, and we are continuing to work with them to ensure the utmost safety and security of the president-elect,' a senior Biden inauguration official said last week. 'This will mark a new day for the American people focused on healing our nation, bringing our country together and building it back better.' Trump on Saturday said he would not attend the inauguration, becoming the first president since 1869 to skip his successor's swearing in. Vice President Mike Pence is still expected to be there. The inaugural committee has been making last-minute changes to security plans in light of what occurred last week. The event will undoubtedly look far different from previous years, when hundreds of thousands of people - and in some cases, millions of people - took to the streets to celebrate the start of a new administration. A police officer passes signs of support for Biden and Harris near the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Sunday A protester carries a sign calling for Congress to impeach President Donald Trump near the Capitol on Sunday A Capitol Police officer stands alongside members of the New York National Guard on Monday morning The National Guard deployed in force on Monday as House Democrats are expected to introduce articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump In a letter sent Sunday, Mayor Bowser asked the Trump administration to issue an emergency declaration for DC, citing intelligence suggesting that more violence is likely in the lead-up to the inauguration. In another letter to acting DHS Secretary Wolf on Saturday, Bowser called for the 'National Special Security Event' period - a designation which allows for greater law enforcement resources and cooperation - to be extended from January 11 to 24. The period was originally slated for January 19 to 21. On Monday Wolf announced that the period would begin six days early on January 13. He did not say if it would be extended past the 21st. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (pictured) said she is 'extremely concerned' about security on Inauguration Day in a letter to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf over the weekend Bowser also asked Wolf for the DHS to cooperate with other federal entities - including the Defense Department, Congress, the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice - to form a security perimeter fortified by troops around federal property. She said doing so would allow DC's Metropolitan Police Department to focus on its normal civic duties. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, echoed Bowser's concerns in a statement following his conversation with FBI Director Christopher Wray on Saturday. 'The threat of violent extremist groups remains high and the next few weeks are critical in our democratic process with the upcoming inauguration at the U.S. Capitol to swear in President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,' said Schumer, a New York Democrat. 'Given that the same incendiary, dangerous rhetoric online that occurred before Jan. 6, which proved to be a warning of the insurrectionist attack, has only escalated since, I impressed upon Director Wray the vitalness of the FBI to work with other federal and state agencies to remain highly proactive and extremely vigilant to defend our democracy.' Adam Schiff, chairman of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, on Monday said he expected law enforcement to ensure a safe event. 'I think that there certainly may be violence, but I have to imagine, hope and pray, that this time the Capitol Police, the National Guard, will be prepared, will understand the risks,' Schiff, a California Democrat, told CBS This Morning. Schiff said the threat of more violence in the last nine days of Trump's term was a reason to swiftly remove the incumbent, who fired up thousands of loyalists in a speech before Wednesday's rampage. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced articles of impeachment on Monday morning. 'There's certainly a danger that the president will continue to incite his followers to further violent activity, aimed at stopping the peaceful transition of power,' Schiff said. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's letter to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf is shown in full above Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli on Thursday insisted that the previous day's Capitol breach would be a 'one time event' and assured that Inauguration Day will be kept under control. Pictured: National Guardsmen gather on Monday Members of the New York National Guard organize on the East Front of the US Capitol on Monday morning The National Guardsmen added masks to their usual uniforms in light of the coronavirus pandemic Cops promise hundreds more MAGA riot arrests in 'unprecedented' manhunt - but only 80 have been caught so far Fewer than 100 people are believed to have been arrested in connection with Wednesday's MAGA riot and police are now scrambling to catch up with the many who got away thanks to the outnumbered Capitol Police let them all walk free from the scene. Some 85 people have been arrested and 55 have been charged in total across different jurisdictions but many of the indictments have not been made public. There are ongoing investigations by the Capitol Police, FBI, DC Metropolitan Police and the Department of Justice is assisting them all. The Secretary of the Army also revealed on Sunday that 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened. Because of the scale of the operation, hundreds of agents and cops are being deployed to track down the rioters who got away. It is being described as an 'unprecedented' effort that was hindered from the start because the vast majority of the rioters were able to leave Washington DC last week without being arrested and have now scattered back to their various home states across the country. On Friday, the Department of Justice released information on 13 of the people they had charged to date. Since then, some of the more prolific culprits - like QAnon Shaman Jake Angeli, who stormed the Capitol wearing a horned furry hat - and stay-at-home father Adam Johnson, 36, who stole Nancy Pelosi's lectern - have also been taken into custody. Multiple others have been named as persons of interest but they haven't yet been tracked down, including one man who is reportedly in hiding after being linked to the riots. At least two cops are also under suspicion of having some role in the riots, including an NYPD officer. It's almost an impossibility that the many thousands who stormed the Capitol will all be caught. Those who have been arrested and charged face will be prosecuted for an array of offences including unlawful entry, firearms possession, assault and making threats. No one has been charged with murder. Four rioters died in the chaos, as did one cop who collapsed after allegedly being hit over the head with a fire extinguisher. A second cop killed himself days later. See a list of those who have already been arrested here. Advertisement Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli on Thursday insisted that the previous day's Capitol breach would be a 'one-time event' and assured that Inauguration Day will be kept under control. 'You're going to see immediate improvement, fully aggressive posture by the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice as well, because we accept violence from no one,' Cuccinelli told Fox News. The DHS has faced criticism for failing to step in when Capitol Police requested back-up during last week's insurrection. Cuccinelli suggested the agency didn't get enough notice, saying that by the time the request came in, 'it was just too close to when everything began to heat up'. But a former top DHS official dismissed that assertion, arguing that authorities were aware of the possibility of violence well in advance. 'Law enforcement was ill-prepared for an event the entire country knew was coming, and one that POTUS had been signaling for weeks,' Brian Harrell, former DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection, told CNN, referencing the president. 'The normal "layers of security", with each inner layer being tougher to breach, was nearly non-existent. It's shocking, that in a post 9/11 world, we witnessed the "people's house" be breached and ransacked with ease', Harrell said. Harrell said he expects much more substantial security will be implemented prior to the inauguration. He said the biggest threats to the event will be an active shooter scenario, vehicle ramming and the deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure. Images of Trump supporters clambering up the walls of the Capitol - supposedly one of the most secure buildings in the United States - and smashing their way in with little resistance shocked the world on Wednesday. Five people, including one Capitol Police officer and four protesters, died as a result of the chaos. A Capitol Police officer also reportedly killed himself three days after the melee. More than 80 insurgents have already been arrested and at least 25 are facing domestic terrorism charges as the FBI continues searching for others. DC Acting US Attorney Michael Sherwin said in the Sunday interview with NPR that potentially 'thousands' of people could have information on alleged crimes committed during the Capitol break-in. 'I don't think there's any similar case in DOJ history that compares to that', he said. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund and the Sergeants-at-Arms of both the House and Senate, announced their resignations on Thursday, at the request of congressional leaders. Meanwhile, as Inauguration Day approaches, fears are mounting that the attack may have emboldened extremists to continue their campaign to block Biden's path to the White House, despite the fact that he won the election. In the days since the Capitol riots, calls for future armed protests have only grown among far-right circles, according to Twitter, which has monitored the chatter on its service. A former DHS official warned that the Capitol siege could serve as a 'rallying cry' for Trump supporters. 'We could start to see a lot of lives lost because of the moment that occurred on Wednesday, so very, very concerned about the cascading effects,' the official told CNN. 'It's a very concerning moment.' Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, expressed similar concerns, saying that far-right extremists and white supremacists were emboldened by their perceived success last week. 'We fully expect that this violence could actually get worse before it gets better,' Greenblatt said. A number of extremist groups were spotted among the sea of rioters at the Capitol last week, including the Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, NSC131, New Jersey European Heritage Association, far-right podcaster Nick Fuentes' Groypers, American Nationalist Party and American Guard, according to the Network Contagion Research Institute. Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6 in a bid to block the certification of Joe Biden's victory The protesters used flag poles and other objects to break doors and windows around the Capitol building Members of Congress are seen running for cover as protesters attempted to enter the House Chamber Shortly before 2pm, the rioters descended on Capitol Hill while lawmakers were inside certifying the vote. Over the next two hours, the violence escalated. Some broke into politicians' offices, tauntingly sat at their desks and left threatening notes. One of the protesters was shot dead by cops (bottom right) Wednesday's unrest reverberated around the US as smaller protests were staged outside several state capitols. Local officials across the US fear that Inauguration Day could bring further violence to their communities as well. Washington State Gov Jay Inslee on Friday announced that he was mobilizing up to 750 National Guardsmen to secure the state's capitol in Olympia at the start of the new legislative session on Monday. 'The actions we saw in both Washington, DC, and Olympia earlier this week were completely unacceptable and will not be repeated in our state again,' Inslee, a Democrat, said in a statement, referring to the dozens of people who occupied the state Capitol and breached the grounds of the governor's mansion last Wednesday. 'In light of the most recent insurrection activity, the state cannot tolerate any actions that could result in harm, mayhem or interruption of function of democratic institutions,' he said. In New Jersey, state homeland security officials are monitoring plans for protests on January 12 and 20, an official with knowledge of the situation told CNN. 'Some of the online rhetoric has called for protests at all 50 capitals plus DC,' the official said. 'FBI in particular has been continuing to put our threat assessments and we are at the state level as well.' In New York, which sent about 1,000 members of its National Guard to assist at the US Capitol, state police have also been put on high alert. 'Given recent events in Washington and across the country, the New York State Police has, out of an abundance of caution, taken steps to harden security in and around the State Capitol in Albany,' spokesman Beau Duffy told Law & Order. 'These restrictions are in place until further notice.' Members of the Washington National Guard stand near a fence surrounding the state Capitol on Monday Washington State Gov Jay Inslee on Friday announced that he was mobilizing up to 750 National Guardsmen to secure the state's capitol in Olympia at the start of the new legislative session on Monday Unrest is also anticipated in Georgia, which was a key target of Trump's campaign to overturn the election results. In a now-infamous call on January 2, Trump pressured Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger to 'find' enough votes to erase Biden's victory in the Peach State, but Raffensberger refused. Asked what officials are doing to prepare for protests in the coming days, a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety declined to offer details. 'We are aware of potential protests on Jan. 17,' Franka Young, the public affairs program coordinator, wrote in an email to Law & Order. 'However, we do not share our operational plans. We are prepared to respond in the appropriate manner as we have always done in the past. Our primary concern will always be the safety of everyone who works at or visits the Capitol grounds.' In Michigan, the State Capitol Commission unanimously passed a ban on the open carry of guns in the building on Monday in reaction to the siege in DC last week. 'We continually monitor for security threats and maintain situational awareness of what is happening in Michigan and across the country,' Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner said. 'Our security planning is fluid and adjustments are made as needed, from day-to-day.' REVEALED: Capitol cops didn't bring in reinforcements and were overrun by the MAGA mob despite multiple warnings Capitol Police failed to bring in reinforcements the day the US Capitol was overrun by MAGA mob rioters despite the FBI warning of potential violence, federal agents visiting right-wing extremists and a slew of social media posts planning the anarchy. Missed warnings and details of botched security efforts continue to emerge in the aftermath of last week's chaos at the Capitol that left five dead in what law enforcement officials have already slammed as a catastrophic failure to prepare. Local and federal law enforcement officials have spent the last few days shifting the blame after the riots were described as one of the gravest security lapses in recent US history. Evidence has also emerged of glaring warnings from some hardline Trump supporters who vowed on social media to inflict violence and storm the Capitol. Capitol Police have faced the brunt of the scrutiny for misjudging the security threat given they are in charge of defending the federal building that was overrun. The agency had only prepared for a free speech demonstration and no contingency plans were prepared in case the situation escalated. It has since emerged that the FBI had warned Capitol Police of potential violence in the days prior and federal agents even visited some extremists to tell them not to travel to Washington DC for Trump's rally. Yet in the aftermath, federal officials publicly said there was no intelligence that suggested Trump supporters were preparing to attack the Capitol. It has prompted questions as to whether the FBI and others actually took the threats seriously and why they didn't step in until after the Capitol was already under attack. Capitol Police (pictured above) have faced the brunt of the scrutiny for misjudging the security threat given they are in charge of defending the federal building that was overrun. Law enforcement officials have spent the last few days shifting the blame after the chaotic Capitol scenes were described as one of the gravest security lapses in recent US history Capitol Police under fire for not bolstering number of officers, misjudging security threats and declining offers for federal help Outgoing Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned a day after the siege, has since claimed his request to have the National Guard on standby was declined two days before the ordeal by House and Senate security officials. It contradicts earlier statements from senior defense officials who claim Capitol Police rejected offers of federal help prior to the riots and also on the day it unfolded. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, who resigned a day after the siege, has claimed his request to have the National Guard on standby was declined two days before the ordeal by House and Senate security officials. It contradicts earlier statements from senior defense officials who claim Capitol Police rejected offers of federal Sources have previously said the Pentagon asked Capitol Police three days before the riots if it needed National Guard manpower. As the mob descended on the Capitol, Justice Department leaders also reached out to offer up FBI agents. The officials say the police turned down help from the federal agencies on both occasions. Sund told the Washington Post that his supervisors were reluctant to take steps to put the Guard on call, saying that House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving said he wasn't comfortable with the 'optics' of formally declaring an emergency before the rally. Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger reportedly suggested Sund informally seek out Guard contacts and ask them to 'lean forward' and be on alert in case Capitol Police needed their help, without officially calling upon them ahead of time. Sund claims he tried five more times to request help but was rejected or delayed. He said he ended up calling Major General William J Walker, the head of the 1,000-member DC National Guard, to ask for help. He said he spoke to DC Police Chief Robert J. Contee III who also offered to help if trouble stirred. Despite Sund's recent statements, Capitol Police have come under fire for not bolstering the number of officers on the day of the protest and making no preparations for the possibility that it could escalate into violent riots. The department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day. While some of those officers were outfitted with equipment for a protest, they were not staffed or equipped for a riot. Capitol Police have come under fire for not bolstering the number of officers on the day of the protest and making no preparations for the possibility that it could escalate into violent riots. The department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day It also emerged that once the mob began to move on the Capitol, a police lieutenant issued an order not to use deadly force, which explains why officers outside the building did not draw their weapons as the crowd closed in. Officers are sometimes ordered against escalating a situation by drawing their weapons if superiors believe doing so could lead to a stampede or a shootout. In this instance, it also left officers with little ability to resist the mob. Sund still maintains that he had no evidence that a large mob was planning to seize the Capitol. 'We knew it would be bigger. We looked at the intelligence. We knew we would have large crowds, the potential for some violent altercations,' he told the Washington Post. 'I had nothing indicating we would have a large mob seize the Capitol.' FBI and NYPD warned Capitol Police of potential violence and federal agents visited some extremists in lead up to riots The FBI and New York Police Department were among those agencies who warned Capitol Police of potential violence, law enforcement officials told NBC News. Federal agents also reportedly visited more than a dozen extremists in the days prior and warned them not to travel to Washington DC. 'Prior to this event, the FBI obtained credible and actionable information about individuals who were planning on traveling to the protests who expressed a desire to engage in violence,' an FBI official told the outlet. 'The FBI was able to discourage those individuals from traveling to DC.' It is not clear exactly who, or how many people, the FBI visited prior to the riots. It also isn't clear if any of those the FBI warned still attended the rally. The source said the FBI and Capitol Police had shared intelligence ahead of the protests. Justice officials, FBI and other agencies were monitoring flights and social media for weeks and were expecting massive crowds given Trump had been urging his supporters to come to DC. He said in a December 20 tweet: 'Big protest in DC on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!' Some hotels had been booked to 100 percent capacity - setting off alarm bells because tourism in Washington has cratered amid the pandemic. Sources say the NYPD had also sent Capitol Police intelligence information of violent threats posted on social media in the weeks prior that were specifically related to the rally. It contradicts public comments made by the head of the FBI's Washington field office, Steven D'Antuono, who said last week there was no prior indication of the Capitol siege. DC Police Chief Robert Contee had also said publicly there was no intelligence of a Capitol breach. Despite officials saying they had no knowledge of attacks on the US Capitol, far-right social media users had been openly hinting for weeks that chaos would erupt and protests could descend into violence. One flyer that emerged on Facebook and Instagram last month was titled: 'Operation Occupy the Capitol' Some users openly discussed on Reddit the need to 'overwhelm those barricades and cops' in a bid to storm the Capitol Some users posted images on Reddit of supposed underground entrances and exits to the Capitol building 'Operation Occupy the Capitol': Social media users had openly hinted for weeks that chaos would erupt at the Capitol Despite officials saying they had no knowledge of attacks on the US Capitol, far-right social media users had been openly hinting for weeks that chaos would erupt and protests could descend into violence. One flyer that emerged on Facebook and Instagram last month was titled: 'Operation Occupy the Capitol'. It directly referenced the January 6 protest that Trump had encouraged his supporters to attend. Some users posted images on Reddit of supposed underground entrances and exits to the Capitol building, while others openly discussed the need to 'overwhelm those barricades and cops'. Many claimed that occupying the Capitol meant there would be no vote to certify Biden's election win. On the 8kun message board, users spoke for weeks about storming the Capitol. They even argued whether Trump supporters should target police. 'You can go to Washington on Jan 6 and help storm the Capital. As many Patriots as can be. We will storm the government buildings, kill cops, kill security guards, kill federal employees and agents, and demand a recount,' one user said. Others said: 'Why kill cops and security guards? I was under the impression the enemies were the high government officials and the rest are uninformed masses?' As the attack on the Capitol actually unfolded, social media users urged followers to 'trust the plan' and 'hold the line.' Just what the plan might have been is central to the investigation into the violent siege. Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the US Capitol. The FBI is now investigating whether some of the attackers intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage The FBI is now investigating whether some of the attackers intended to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage. Authorities are particularly focused on why some in the mob were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate. Under battle flags bearing Trump's name, the Capitol's attackers pinned a bloodied police officer in a doorway, his twisted face and screams captured on video. They mortally wounded another officer with a blunt weapon and body-slammed a third over a railing into the crowd. 'Hang Mike Pence!' they chanted as they pressed inside, beating police with pipes. They demanded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's whereabouts, too. They hunted any and all lawmakers: 'Where are they?' Outside, makeshift gallows stood, complete with sturdy wooden steps and the noose. Guns and pipe bombs had been stashed in the vicinity. Only days later is the extent of the danger from one of the darkest episodes in American democracy coming into focus. The sinister nature of the assault has become evident, betraying the crowd as a force determined to occupy the inner sanctums of Congress and run down leaders - Trumps vice president and the Democratic House speaker among them. Pelosi said on Sunday 'the evidence is that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people.' She did not elaborate on that point in a 60 Minutes interview. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has prayed Christians to continue to support his Administration for the realization of the nations development aspirations. The church, he said, should pray fervently for God to shower His blessings on the nation, saying he was passionate about Ghanas progress and prosperity. My vision is to lead the country towards sustainable development and growth for the benefit and wellbeing of the citizenry, he noted, promising that his second term of office would see tremendous changes in the lives of the people. President Nana Akufo-Addo, who was speaking at the St. Cyprians Anglican Cathedral, Kumasi, where he attended a thanksgiving service, was grateful to the church and Christians in general for voting to give him the nod to lead the country for a second term. He was also grateful for their intercessory prayers which culminated in a peaceful December 7 General Election. The President prayed for strength and wisdom as well as the courage to lead the country successfully. The Most Reverend Professor Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Anglican Province of West Africa and the Internal Province of Ghana, congratulated the President on his re-election in the recent polls. He assured that the church would not relent in praying for the countrys development, peace and unity. 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 We pray that no one will be hurt, or pass away, because of this premature reopening plan. But we also have to fight back and say, No, not yet. Not until our schools and communities are ready and we have a plan we can trust, ORourke said. CPS, get the staff who have zero in-person students home safe today. And please, press pause and delay this plan for everyone else Listen to the expertise of students, families and teachers and lets get to the bargaining table and start to hammer out a real plan for safe reopening that doesnt require bullying and intimidation to work. University student acquitted of attempted arson A District Court judge has acquitted a university student of attempted arson, saying the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubt. File photo: RTHK Richard Pyne reports The District Court on Monday acquitted a university student of attempted arson during an anti-government protest, after two police officers who testified gave contradictory statements. Abilkaiyr Nukpi from Kazakhstan was accused of trying to ignite a petrol bomb with a lighter in Jordan in the early hours of November 18, 2019, as riot officers laid siege to Polytechnic University. A police sergeant told the court that after he arrested the student, he spent about three minutes going through the backpack the suspect was carrying. A pair of goggles and a head wrap were found. The court heard that no attempts were made to look for the lighter the defendant was said to have had at the scene. "If the defendant was trying to light the petrol bomb several times with a lighter, he should have been arrested for attempted arson and the sergeant should have searched the scene for the lighter, but instead the contrary had happened," the judge said. He went on to say that it was not safe to rely on the sergeants testimony as the court was not sure whether the event really happened in the way described by the officer. Another police officer, who handled the exhibits, told the court that he found an orange lighter in the defendant's bag after returning to the police station. However, the judge said his witness statement suggested otherwise. It said that when the sergeant handed over the defendant and the exhibits to him, it included the orange lighter. "Both statements cannot be true at the same time, which strikes me that the exhibit officer is less than honest," the judge said. "Given the evidence as it is, the court is unsure of who to believe and what to make of the orange lighter; consequently, the court cannot accept that the orange lighter was found in the defendants backpack," he added. The judge therefore acquitted the defendant, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond all reasonable doubt. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 13:06:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LANZHOU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A batch of some 110,000 rainbow trout eggs produced by a fishery institute in northwest China's Gansu Province has been exported to Nepal, according to the customs authority in the province. The export of rainbow trout eggs, the first time for the province, will be used for breeding research of the trout in Nepal, according to the Gansu Fishery Institute, which produced the eggs. Gansu, one of China's major cold-water fish bases of salmon and trout with a long history, has an annual output of 3,000 tonnes. "The export of the rainbow trout eggs marks the province's advanced breeding and reproducing technologies going abroad," said Zhang Yanping, director of the institute. Enditem They announced their split in December, but Dan MacPherson and his estranged wife Zoe Ventoura have confirmed they're on amicable terms. On Sunday, the Home and Away actress, 39, shared a photo of herself carrying her one-year-old son Austin as they headed to the beach. 'Salty Sundays,' Zoe captioned the picture. The friendly exes: Dan MacPherson and his estranged wife Zoe Ventoura have proved theyre on amicable terms by exchanging friendly comments on Instagram after the actress posted this sweet picture of herself with the couple's son Austin Her ex Daniel, 40, was quick to respond to the happy snap, commenting: 'Yes!!' His comment was met with more than 20 likes by fans of the two actors. And it appears his ex continued the friendly exchange with her son's father, replying with a smiley face emoji. Although Zoe did not credit her photographer, Daniel also shared a photo of himself by the water on Sunday. All is good: Her ex Daniel, 40, was quick to respond to the happy snap, commenting: 'Yes!!' Later in the day, Daniel also cryptically posted a snap of a drink in hand as he overlooked the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge. 'Cheers for a great weekend Sydney,' he captioned it. The former couple's friendly exchange comes just a month after they confirmed their split following five years of marriage. Good spirits! Although Zoe did not credit her photographer, Daniel also shared a photo of himself by the water on Sunday 'With the greatest respect for each other, Zoe and I have separated,' he captioned an Instagram photo of them both overlooking a sunset. 'Together, we will continue wholeheartedly to raise our beautiful boy Austin. He is, and will forever be, our greatest priority. 'We ask for your respect and will be making no further comment.' Over: Daniel and wife Zoe Ventoura announced their split on Instagram on December 13 after five years of marriage Zoe shared an almost identical post on her Instagram page. Just last month, Daniel revealed he was trying to get home to his family after filming a new project in Limerick, Ireland. In a post on Instagram Stories at the time, he vented his frustration after his flight was completely cancelled with no options to change it. Daniel and Zoe met in 2011, went on to tie the knot in an intimate ceremony in Noosa. The two went on to welcome their son Aston in December 2019. New Zealand's central bank said one of its data systems had been breached by an unidentified hacker. Several commercial and personal sensitive information might have been accessed. New Zealand's central bank hack: Is it a government-to-government attack? On Sunday, New Zealand's central bank said that one of its data systems called a third-party file sharing used by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to store and share sensitive information had been illegally accessed. RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr said that the bank's core functions "remain sound and operational," and the breach was contained. He assured that they are working closely with the international and domestic cybersecurity experts and other related authorities for their investigation and response to the malicious attack, ABC News reported. The governor explained that the nature and extent of data potentially accessed are still undetermined. However, it may include some personal and commercially sensitive information. In response to the incident, the system was taken offline and is secured until the bank completed an initial investigation. Governor Orr said it might take some time to discover the hack's full implications, but they are working closely with system users whose data may have been potentially accessed. Also Read: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Wins Second Term in Landslide Victory According to ABC News, New Zealand's central bank has declined to answer their emailed questions seeking further details. The date of when the breach happened remains unclear. Or if they got any details of who was responsible and where is the file-sharing service-based. Another government was likely behind New Zealand's bank data break, a computer science professor at Auckland University, Dave Parry, told Radio New Zealand. Parry added that the government agencies would not pay a ransom or anything if you are coming from a similar criminal perspective. Therefore, the attack is more likely at a government-to-government level, Parry claimed. Cyberattacks on the rise Several major New Zealand organizations have targeted cyber interference in the past year, including the New Zealand Stock Exchange, by sustained DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. The Stock Exchange had its server shut down for almost one week and halted trade for four consecutive days in August 2020. In November 2019, the bank warned that the severity and frequency of cybersecurity incidents rose as the country deals with increasing cyberattacks, Reuters reported. In February 2020, RBNZ said that the banking and insurance industries' cyberattack is expected to cost $58 million to $101 million per year, the news service noted. According to DC, the government agency Computer Emergency Response Team's latest report (CERT) said cyber attacks in New Zealand increase by 33 percent yearly. Also Read: UK Petition Aims to Reduce University Student Tuition Fees, Signed by Over 200000 People @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pune: A farmer allegedly committed suicide at a village in Solapur district, leaving behind a note purportedly stating that he should not be cremated till the chief minister visits his place and meets their demands. The suicide has come at a time when there is ongoing agitation by farmers in Maharashtra. Dhanaji Jadhav, 45, hung himself from a tree near his house at Veet village in Karmala tehsil last night, Solapur Collector Rajendra Bhosale said on Thursday. According to Karmala police, Jadhavs suicide note, addressed to his friends and relatives, said, I am a farmer, Dhanaji Chandrakant Jadhav. I am committing suicide today. Please take my body to village and do not cremate me till Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis comes here. Bhosale also confirmed that the farmers suicide note stated his body should not be cremated until the chief minister visits his place and announces a loan waiver for farmers. Solapurs Guardian Minister Vijay Deshmukh paid a visit to the village in Pune. The deceased, survived by wife and two children, was the eldest son in his family. He possessed 2.5 acres of cultivable land. He had a debt of around Rs 60,000 and had also taken loans from some private lenders, police said. Also read: Mandsaur farmers protest: Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi only interested in waiving loans of rich After the incident, the farmers organisations resorted to a rasta-roko (road blockade) and called for a bandh in Karmala tehsil. The Solapur collector said he was on his way to the village. Police teams have also been rushed to the spot to prevent the situation from spiralling into a law and order issue, he said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been under attack by opposition parties and BJPs ally Shiv Sena over sustained protests by farmers across Maharashtra for last one week, resulting in sharp rise in agri commodity prices. Fadnavis recent statement promising a loan waiver by October 31 has failed to pacify the agitating farmers, who have continued with their stir. Also read: Farmers agitation in MP: Widespread violence, incidents of arson reported from Mandsaur, Dewas districts For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. No go: Police and Garda stop a car convoy coming from Dublin to Newry PSNI and Garda officers were out in force at the border near Newry yesterday to keep an eye on a cross-border anti-lockdown motorcade. An anonymous poster circulating on social media had called for motorists to take part in a 'Car Convoy' from Dublin Airport to Newry and back to the GPO in Dublin's O'Connell Street. "Come and be part of history," the poster urged. "Get the tank full and take a Sunday Spin like no other. North and South come together for freedom." A social media video showed a tailback of cars at a roundabout outside Newry. In another video clip, an unidentified male voice says: "We're been up the North and we're after having about 30 armed police surrounding us. They brought us into a car park and tried to get all our names. "The Guards have the roads blocked off. They have a checkpoint there. They're doing everything to break us up." The convoy was applauded on social media by activist Gemma O'Doherty, who leads a group in the Republic of Ireland opposed to Covid-19 restrictions. "Massive turnout for North-South End Lockdown Convoy today," she posted on controversial social media site Parler. Read More But in a statement, the PSNI said fewer than two dozen cars were involved in the exercise. "At around 12.30pm today, approximately 20 vehicles in convoy, most with multiple occupants, were stopped by police between the border and Newry. "Those present were advised that their actions were likely in breach of both the Public Processions (NI) Act and the current Health Protection Regulations and accordingly, that they risked prosecution. "After some consideration, those present elected to return towards Dublin. "Where people do not follow the Health Protection Regulations, our approach will remain the same - we will engage with people first explaining the guidance and the law and encourage people to do the right thing. "However, where we are left with no choice but to enforce, we will take this measure in order to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities." That made for a combustible mix when the stakes were highest. The elements had been coming together in plain sight, often in missives delivered by tweet. Twitter has since banned Trump's account, denying him his megaphone of choice, "due to the risk of further incitement of violence. I wish we could say we couldnt see it coming, President-elect Joe Biden said of the Capitol melee. "But that isnt true. We could see it coming. Mary Trump saw it coming from her unique vantage point as a clinical psychologist and Trump niece. Mary Trump and her book that sold nearly 1 million copies within 24 hours of its release. Credit:Simon & Schuster Its just a very old emotion that hes never been able to process from when he was a little kid terrified of the consequences of being in a losing position, terrified of being held accountable for his actions for the first time in his life, she told PBS a week after the election. He is in a position of being a loser, which in my family, certainly ... was the worst possible thing you could be, she said. So hes feeling trapped, hes feeling desperate ... increasingly enraged." Post-election trouble was predictable because Trump all but said it would happen if he lost. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Months before a vote was cast, he claimed the system was rigged and plans for mail-in voting fraudulent, assailing the process so relentlessly that he may have hurt his chances by discouraging his supporters from voting by mail. He pointedly declined to assure the country in advance that he would respect the result, something most presidents don't have to be asked to do. There was no evidence before the election that it would be tainted and no evidence after of the massive fraud or gross error that he and his team alleged in scores of lawsuits that judges, whether appointed by Republicans, Democrats or Trump himself, systematically dismissed, often as nonsense. The Supreme Court, with three justices placed by Trump, brushed him off. Loading That didn't stop him. I hate defeat," he said in a 2011 video. I cannot stand defeat. But the election aftermath ultimately left him with no fallback except his foot soldiers, who couldn't countenance his losing, either. Trump's history of advancing false and sometimes racist conspiracies rooted in right-wing extremism is long. He's praised supporters of QAnon, a convoluted pro-Trump conspiracy theory, saying he didnt know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much and it is gaining in popularity. QAnon centres on an anonymous social media user, or users, known as Q who shares "information" about an anti-Trump "deep state" - essentially the online-born QAnon conspiracy that regards Trump's opponents as Satan-worshipping blood-drinking paedophiles. The FBI has warned that such conspiracy theory-driven extremists are domestic terrorist threats. A protesters holds a Q sign while waiting to enter a campaign rally with President Donald Trump in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 2018. Credit:AP In 2017, Trump said there was blame on both sides for deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, the site of a stand-off between white supremacist groups and those protesting against them. He said there were fine people on both sides. And, during a debate with Biden, Trump wouldnt criticise the neo-fascist Proud Boys. Instead, Trump said the group should Stand back and stand by. The remark drew a firestorm and a day later he tried to walk it back. Trump didnt condemn the actions of an Illinois teen accused of fatally shooting two people and wounding a third during summer protests on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kyle Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to charges. In October he chose not to denounce people who plotted the kidnapping of the Michigan Governor. When our leaders meet, encourage or fraternise with domestic terrorists, they legitimise their actions and they are complicit, Whitmer said. When they stoke and contribute to hate speech, they are complicit. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was the target of a kidnap plot, police said. Credit:Ann Arbor News/AP To Mary Trump, the manner of her uncle's defeat helped to set the stage for the toxicity she presciently said in November would happen. Republicans in the Senate and House races outperformed him, enlarging their minority in the House and holding their Senate majority until Georgias two elections this month tipped the Senate balance to Democrats. His defeat on November 3 was on him, not the party. So he also doesnt have anybody else to blame, his niece said. So I think that he is probably in a position that nobody can help him out emotionally and psychologically, which is going to make it worse for the rest of us. Loading Worse came. Oren Segal, vice-president of the Anti-Defamation League's Centre on Extremism, called the attack last Wednesday the logical conclusion to extremism and hate going unchecked during Trumps presidency. If youre surprised, you havent been paying attention, said Amy Spitalnick of Integrity First, a civil rights group engaged in lawsuits over the 2017 Charlottesville violence. On Thursday night, Trump took a stab at a unifying message, after months of provocation, saying in a video this moment calls for healing and reconciliation". But Friday he was back to tending his great American Patriots and demanding they be treated fairly, and he said he won't go to Biden's inauguration. He acknowledged his presidency was ending, but did not could not, may never acknowledge defeat. For all of the insulting nicknames he's tagged on his political foes sleepy, shifty, cryin, corrupt, crazy, little, brain-dead, wacky, pencil neck, low-IQ, watermelon head, dummy, deranged, sick puppy, low energy none was meant to sting more than loser. And nothing, it seems, stung more than when the loser was him. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on January 11, 2021 2021/01/11 CCTV: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has successfully completed his visits to five African countries. How does China evaluate the outcomes? What's the significance of the trip on the future development of China-Africa relations? Zhao Lijian: From January 4 to 9, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles in continuation of Chinese foreign ministers' 31-year tradition of choosing Africa for their first overseas visit every year. During the visits, he held meetings and talks with foreign ministers and leaders of the five countries, delivering a series of practical outcomes and receiving warm welcome from the African side. This trip demonstrates the great importance China attaches to Africa, the traditional friendship between China and Africa, China's firm support for Africa's development and revitalization, and China's unwavering solidarity with developing countries. It has achieved the purpose of deepening friendship, enhancing mutual trust, promoting cooperation and building consensus. China and Africa will deepen solidarity in fighting COVID-19. China will actively implement the outcomes of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, continue to provide African countries with much-needed anti-epidemic supplies, send medical experts, establish a cooperation mechanism for Chinese hospitals to pair up with those in Africa, accelerate the building of the Africa CDC headquarters, honor the pledge to turn COVID-19 vaccines a global public good, and work together with other G20 members on debt service suspension for Africa. The African side spoke highly of China's success in first bringing the epidemic under control, applauded the outcomes in the joint China-Africa fight against COVID-19, and expressed confidence in the final victory. China and Africa will strengthen BRI cooperation. The DRC and Botswana signed MOUs on BRI cooperation with China during the visits. We will strive to rise above the fallout of COVID-19 and external disruptions, work together with Africa to focus on infrastructure building, support the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), improve layout of investment in production capacity and enhance cooperation in scientific innovation to help Africa realize connectivity, industrialization and leapfrog development and foster a China-Africa market. China and Africa will work together for another successful FOCAC summit. The African side spoke highly of progress in implementing outcomes reached at the Beijing Summit in 2018 and offered recommendations for forum-building and the next summit. We will continue to reinforce this golden brand, join hands in building a healthy, connected, digital, green and secure Africa who is also a strong manufacturer and enjoys a bumper harvest, and work to upgrade China-Africa cooperation. China and Africa will strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs. It is the international community's shared responsibility to support Africa's development. The African continent should become a stage for international cooperation, not an arena for major power rivalry. Against the background of major changes and a global pandemic unseen in a century and in the face of the counter currents of unilateralism, protectionism and power politics, China and Africa will stand firmly with each other, jointly safeguard national sovereignty and dignity, defend legitimate rights to development, advocate real multilateralism and oppose external interference. Looking ahead, China and Africa will work together to strengthen strategic coordination, deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in all fields, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchange, step up coordination in multilateral affairs, and build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Global Times: On January 8, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote several twitters to lash on at the CPC's policy and position on religious, human rights, Tibet and Xinjiang-related issues, calling what the U.S. side did against China is the legacy of his tenure of office. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: Legacy? If we have to call it a legacy, it's a poisonous one. Perhaps the greatest one is "lying diplomacy", which he has masterminded and practiced. Pompeo also creates and spreads political virus and stages a come-back of McCarthyism. During his tenure of office, Pompeo has dented U.S. image and reputation as well as its relations with other countries more than ever. He will be convicted by history. China has come this far because the Chinese people have, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, blazed a development path that suits China's actual conditions. This is a path based on China's realities, a path that puts people's interests first, a path of pursuing reform and innovation, a path of achieving common development through opening-up. According to surveys conducted by international authoritative institutions, the Chinese people's satisfaction toward the CPC-led Chinese government's exceeds 90 percent for years in a row. Pompeo's malicious politically-charged attacks against the CPC are attacks on the 1.4 billion Chinese people. Neither his habitual lying nor final madness will drive a wedge between the CPC and the Chinese people, still less stop the Chinese people in their pursuit of a better life and national progress. Any attempt to pivot China-policy on remoulding or subverting China is a mission impossible and doomed to fail. Phoenix TV: U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo announced the lifting of "self-imposed restrictions on the U.S.-Taiwan relationship". An official with Biden's transition team also said that once inaugurated, Biden will continue to support a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question in keeping with the wishes and best interests of the Taiwanese people. What's China's response? Zhao Lijian: China rejects and condemns the U.S. move. There is but one China in the world. The People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. This is a fact recognized by the international community and a basic norm of international relations. The U.S. government made a solemn commitment to the Chinese side on the question of Taiwan. The China-US Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, released on December 16, 1978, clearly stipulates that "The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan." The United States should honor its commitment and not misinterpret or deviate from it under any pretext. The so-called "Taiwan Relations Act" severely violates the one-China principle, the three China-US joint communiques and basic norms of international relations. The Chinese government is firmly opposed to it right from the start. It is the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques that the United States should abide by when it comes to issues relating to Taiwan, not the unilaterally-concocted "Taiwan Relations Act". The Chinese people is firmly determined to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will never allow anyone or any force to stand in the way of national reunification or to meddle in China's domestic affairs with Taiwan as a pretext. Actions that harm China's core interests are futile and will be met with resolute responses. The Taiwan question remains the most important and sensitive issue at the core of China-U.S. relations. The one-China principle is the political foundation of bilateral relations and the precondition for establishing and developing diplomatic relations. We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and stop elevating relations and military ties with Taiwan. We advise Mr. Pompeo and his likes to recognize the historical trend, stop manipulating Taiwan-related issues, stop retrogressive acts and stop going further down the wrong and dangerous path, otherwise they will be harshly punished by history. We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, stop official exchanges and military ties with Taiwan, and properly handle Taiwan-related issues. The Paper: On January 8, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large Sam Brownback wrote on Twitter that "Appalled and disgusted at lies of the @ChineseEmbinUS. Mass detention is not emancipation. Coercive population control is not reproductive health care. Uyghur women deserve to enjoy their religious freedom and unalienable rights with dignity to make their own choices." Do you have any comment on his tweet? Zhao Lijian: I read this rude tweet from Mr. Brownback, so-called "U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom". I also noticed this is his comment on the retweet by the Chinese embassy in the United States on the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region's press conference. I don't know if he has read from beginning to end the transcript of that press conference, but I do know he made many slanders against China out of bias on religious issues and fabricated lies such as "mass detention", "forced labor" and "forced sterilization" in Xinjiang. Regarding Xinjiang's economic and social development, China published eight white papers, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region held 22 press briefings and invited 1000-plus diplomats, journalists and religious representatives from over 100 countries to visit Xinjiang. The lies and disinformation made by foreign anti-China forces are so easily exposed when facts and the truth are presented. We urge Brownback and his like to spend more energy on managing things at home instead of smearing China and meddling in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and religion. Otherwise, they will only become a laughing stock of the world. AFP : According to Indian media, the Chinese soldier held in India has just been released and handed back to China. Can you confirm it? Zhao Lijian: I'm not aware of the situation. You may refer to the Ministry of National Defense. CNR: We see that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has had offline diplomatic events with foreign ministers of eight Southeast Asian countries since August 2020. Now he is again visiting four Southeast Asian countries. Can you tell us more about his visit and China's expectations? Zhao Lijian: We announced yesterday that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Myanmar, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines from January 11 to 16. Southeast Asian countries are China's friendly neighbors and important partners for BRI cooperation connected by land and sea. China attaches high importance to relations with Southeast Asian nations and makes ASEAN a priority in neighborhood diplomacy. Since last year, President Xi Jinping has had exchanges with all Southeast Asian state leaders via various means including phone calls, exchange of letters and messages. Premier Li Keqiang and ASEAN leaders attended the East Asia Summit and held the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting with leaders of Mekong River countries. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China has also been working with ASEAN countries to fight the virus. Trade and investment between China and ASEAN has increased despite the pandemic, and ASEAN has become China's biggest trading partner. Just as you said, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chose Southeast Asian neighbors as part of the destinations of his first overseas trip in 2021. By then China will have offline bilateral exchanges with all ASEAN nations after the pandemic broke out. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the dialogue relations between China and ASEAN, and our friendly exchanges will move toward greater maturity. Through this visit, China looks forward to implementation of the important consensus reached by President Xi and leaders of the four countries, deepening of BRI cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind with the focus on development and the fight against the virus, continuous momentum of regional cooperation and development, and efforts to enhance China-ASEAN relations and the relationships between China and the four countries at the major historical juncture. China will work with ASEAN countries and make greater contributions to upholding multilateralism, advancing free trade and safeguarding regional stability. Reuters: The National Health Commission of China announced that a WHO team of experts on COVID-19 origin-tracing will come to China on January 14. Does the foreign ministry have their detailed itinerary? Zhao Lijian: China supports scientists from various countries in conducting global scientific research on the origins and transmission routes of the novel coronavirus. We co-sponsored the WHA resolution on COVID-19 and supports cooperation on identifying zoonotic sources by member states led by WHO. The NHC has released information on the visit by the WHO mission to China. Upon consultation between the two sides, the Chinese government has agreed to the visit by WHO experts on January 14. During the visit, the international experts will hold exchanges with Chinese scientists and medical experts over scientific cooperation in origin-tracing. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese side has maintained close communication and cooperation with WHO on global origin-tracing in an open, transparent and responsible manner. In February and July last year, despite the arduous task of prevention and control, China invited WHO experts in twice. Chinese experts and WHO and international experts also held frequent interactions through video-conference and seminars, sharing the outcomes China has achieved and the global progress in origin-tracing in a candid and science-based manner. The two sides also jointly formulated the China part of a global plan for scientific cooperation on origin-tracing. The WHO and international experts fully recognized China's epidemic response and origin-tracing work. The two sides have reached a basic consensus on origin-tracing, which is a scientific issue that should be jointly studied by scientists all over the world. As new developments emerge, the world's knowledge regarding the virus deepens and more early cases are found, it is highly likely that origin-tracing will involve many countries and localities, and WHO will need to pay similar visits to other countries and regions as the need arises. China will continue close cooperation with WHO and international experts and contribute our share to the global origin-tracing work. As to the schedule and specific arrangement, I'll refer you to the competent authorities. China Daily: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi just wrapped up his visit to Seychelles. During the visit, which officials did he meet with and what outcomes did it achieve? Zhao Lijian: Seychelles is the last leg of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Africa, which brings the visit to a successful conclusion. During the visit, State Councilor Wang met with President Wavel Ramkalawan and held talks with Foreign Minister Sylvestre Radegonde. The two sides reached important consensus on deepening China-Seychelles relations and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation. China-Seychelles relations are a good example of China's observance of the principle of equality among all countries, big or small in its diplomacy. China supports the new Seychellois government's efforts on governance and appreciates Seychelles' adherence to the one-China principle and its understanding and support on issues concerning China's core interests. The two sides will continue to promote the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in green development, blue economy and tourism. China and Seychelles also signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction and implementation of a low-carbon demonstration zone for South-South cooperation to deal with climate change, which is an important outcome of bilateral cooperation on climate change and another manifestation of China's international responsibility to address climate change. All in all, this visit has given a strong boost to China-Seychelles relations and practical cooperation and injected strong impetus into the joint building of a China-Seychelles and China-Africa community with a shared future. Xinhua News Agency: Tanzania is also an important stop of State Councilor Wang Yi's trip to Africa. What important consensus has been reached between the two sides during this visit and what impact will it have on China-Tanzania relations? Zhao Lijian: From January 7 to 8, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Tanzania, where he met with President John Magufuli and Foreign Minister Palamagamba Kabudi. Both sides reached a four-point consensus. First, the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania must be all the more cherished and promoted. Second, both sides will have closer exchanges at various levels and deepen experience sharing on state governance. Third, the two countries will enhance practical cooperation and BRI cooperation, support more Chinese companies in making investments in Tanzania, and expand the import of Tanzanian goods. Fourth, the two sides will strengthen coordination on international affairs, jointly endorse multilateralism, oppose foreign interference, uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the core interests of both countries and the common interests of all developing countries. Tanzania, as a country sharing long-standing friendship with China, is important in China's diplomacy with Africa. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Tanzania this time will elevate bilateral trust to a new height. CRI: According to reports, election was held in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament on January 10, with five parties running, including the Nur Otan party. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: China extends congratulations on the smooth election in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament held on January 10. China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent comprehensive strategic partners. China always respects the choice of the Kazakh people and supports the country in pursuing a development path in keeping with its national realities. We believe Kazakhstan will maintain political stability and achieve greater progress in national development. China stands ready to work together with Kazakhstan to bring bilateral relations forward and deliver more benefits to both countries and peoples. Bloomberg: Over the weekend, the Ministry of Commerce issued rules on counteracting unjustified extraterritorial application of foreign legislation. I wonder if the Foreign Ministry has any information on the background for these new rules? Zhao Lijian: We noted that relevant official of the Ministry of Commerce already gave detailed response to questions from the press on the Rules on Counteracting Unjustified Extra-territorial Application of Foreign Legislation and Other Measures. I would like to refer you to the competent authority for more specifics. China News Service: I wonder if you have any comment on the presidential election and referendum held in Kyrgyzstan on January 10? How will this affect China-Kyrgyzstan relations? Zhao Lijian: China has taken note of the presidential election and referendum in Kyrgyzstan. As a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner, China always respects Kyrgyzstan's choice of development path that suits its national conditions. We sincerely hope that Kyrgyzstan will smoothly complete various important items on its political agenda under the legal framework and realize stability and development. China will remain committed to friendly policies towards Kyrgyzstan and continue to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation to promote the steady development of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Bloomberg: Over the weekend, a joint statement from the governments of Australia, Canada, the UK and the US underscored their serious concern over the arrest of over 50 people in Hong Kong for subversion under the national security law. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this statement? Zhao Lijian: Relevant countries are confusing right and wrong, misleading the public and blatantly intervening in China's Hong Kong affairs. We strongly condemn and firmly reject that. The Chinese government governs Hong Kong in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. No country has the right to meddle in Hong Kong affairs under the pretext of the Joint Declaration. The Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR only targets criminal activities that seriously undermine national security, which fills in a national security legislative gap in the HKSAR. With the national security law in place, peace and tranquility has been restored and justice upheld in the Hong Kong society, and the legal rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment. This is an undeniable fact. China is a country under the rule of law and, Hong Kong is a law-based society where all are equal before the law. Laws must be complied with and offences must be prosecuted. This is the basic connotation of rule of law. The relevant departments of the HKSAR crack down on criminal activities in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law, fairness and justice, and safeguard China's sovereignty and security. This is beyond reproach and cannot be slandered. Hong Kong affairs, including individual cases and elections in the HKSAR, are China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization or individual has the right to interfere. Relevant countries should face squarely the reality that Hong Kong has returned to China, abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, discard double standards, earnestly respect China's sovereignty, respect the rule of law in Hong Kong, and immediately stop interfering in China's Hong Kong affairs in any form. AFP: The Chinese Embassy in the US has posted a tweet a few days ago about Uyghur women. This tweet said that the anti-extremism policies in Xinjiang have given women more autonomy regarding family planning and whether they want to have children or not. But this tweet has been removed by Twitter because it said this tweet violated its policies. I wonder if you have anything to say about that? Zhao Lijian: China's position and policy on Xinjiang have been consistent and clear. People with a sense of justice can easily tell right from wrong. It is an undeniable fact that Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region now enjoys social stability, economic growth, better livelihoods, solidarity among ethnic groups, and harmony among religions. We hope the relevant party can uphold an objective and unbiased view when handling pertinent issues. Kyodo News: Another question on the WHO expert panel's visit to China. China put the pandemic under control long ago but until now refused to receive the foreign experts for origin-tracing. Why did it take China so long to agree on the foreign experts' visit? Zhao Lijian: Earlier I talked about China's stance in a very detailed manner. Were you listening? Please listen carefully before raising such a question next time. *** January 8 marks the third anniversary of the launch of the WeChat account of the Spokesperson's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A series of social media accounts of the Spokesperson's Office are flourishing on various platforms. On Douyin we have nearly 14 million followers, and the recently launched Kuaishou account has already been followed by 3 million. The vibrant growth of these accounts could not have been possible without the strong support of our followers, especially those that have been with us from the very beginning. Here I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your company. I hope you will continue to follow the foreign ministry's website and social media accounts of the MFA Spokesperson's Office. There must be peaceful transition of power in the US The whole world was watching once again as U.S. President Donald Trump incited a violent attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the election. Gregory Dolezal Pro-Trump rioters looted the Capitol building, paraded around with Confederate flags and other white supremacist symbols and occupied House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office. The people killed in the violence included a police officer and an Alabama man who tased himself to death while vandalizing the house. Peaceful demonstrations in the summer of 2020 were met with heavily armed police and the military, while the MAGA rioters were allowed to waltz in and some guards even posed for selfies with the people they should have stopped. There were also far fewer arrests during what was an orchestrated attempt at disrupting the government, although a nationwide manhunt is underway for the violent Trump supporters who broke federal laws. This assault on the Capitol did not prevent Congress from certifying the results, but it led to the kind of chaos and destruction of our civil society that so many of his supporters had hoped for. Nearly 45 percent of Republicans supported the MAGA mob's acts of sedition. Over the last four years there has been increasingly violent behavior from Trump's most ardent supporters starting with the White supremacist demonstration in Charlottesville and escalating with the occupation of the Michigan state house and attempted kidnapping of Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. These acts were tests which emboldened the most dangerous elements in Trumps base to engage in treasonous acts of violence to maintain power. What's worse is that despite Trump losing his Twitter account and other social media channels which he has used to stir hate and resentment, and spread thoroughly debunked lies about voter fraud, there are now right-wing domestic terrorist groups planning to occupy state capitols on inauguration day on January 20 in Washington D.C. I can only hope that the police and troops who are assigned to ensure a peaceful transition of power will have better leadership and preparedness to prevent an actual coup by pro-Trump militants like the Proud Boys, whom he invited to create mischief. I also hope they are loyal to the Constitution and the duly elected government. Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump protest in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, January 6, 2020. Photo by Reuters. In the entire history of the United States, the only time the Capitol had been breached was during the war of 1812 by the British. Even during the American Civil War, a Confederate flag never came near it. On the heels of a Republican loss of the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives for the first time since Herbert Hoover, a one-term president, suffered such a loss at the onset of the Great Depression, Trump took to Twitter and spoke in front of his loyalists and encouraged them by repeating lies about the integrity of the election. A peaceful transition of power from one administration to another is no longer something we can take for granted at least for now. In 2000, when George W. Bush was selected president by the Supreme Court, which ordered the counting of ballots in Florida to stop, a state we now know Al Gore won, the Democrats accepted the outcome and Gore himself presided over the certification of the electoral college vote and famously gave an historic call for unity. Likewise in 2008 Republican John McCain delivered a concession speech full of soaring rhetoric about the peaceful transition of power and the will of the people being observed. Weve come a long way since then. It was more than 13 years ago that I left the United States to explore for South Korea and gain international experience. Since then, after spending time in Laos, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and now Vietnam I have come to realize that my home has changed in ways that make it hard to recognize. Maybe everyone who has spent significant time far from their country experiences the reverse culture shock and some disorienting moments trying to readjust. For my entire life it was unthinkable that, power hungry as the opposition was, they would not follow the democratic norms which have guided the country through 45 peaceful transitions of power. Among the norms, values and customs that are held deeply in our culture is the idea that when a leader is chosen through a fair election we must honor and accept that choice. When 12 Republican members of the Senate contested the fair election of Joe Biden purely because a charismatic media personality sold them an alternative view of reality, a precedent was set that endangers the system. If Trump and his followers get away with this insurrection, it opens the door to future results being blocked purely because the current administration does not like the outcome. I realize that in Vietnam Trump is popular because of his bravado toward China, but people should ask themselves if it is worth the cost of his empty promises and destabilizing effect in the region. In fact, his tough rhetoric is not backed by actual policy, which has remained relatively constant through the past few administrations. The only thing differentiating past presidents from the current one is Trumps bluster and messaging. I am happy living in Vietnam, a country full of opportunity, free from Covid-19 and a place where I have felt very welcome. I do love my country thats why I work hard to support leaders who help our society progress rather than regress to a time when only white men of means had a voice. I am counting the days until Trump is gone and pray there will be no more loss of life or damage to the ideals of our country, which is made of people from every country in the world. We need him gone to defeat Covid-19 and restore some kind of normalcy like we are blessed to have here in Vietnam. I hope the next attempt at a coup will also fail, but after last weeks events its hard to predict what will happen. As Congress considers a second impeachment and removing Trump from office, my only wish is to see him face justice so that we can stop a future strongman before he inflicts this kind of pain. Trumps refusal to recognize Biden as president-elect and incitement of violence must stop and the peaceful transition of power must be completed. *Gregory Dolezal is an American living in HCMC. The opinions expressed are his own. Egypt announced on Sunday the rolling out of subscription in 'Seyola' cash investment fund, which is its first cash fundthat allows to invest in in number of financial instruments. The targeted investments through the fund is EGP 50 up to EGP 100 million. On Friday, Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Investment Bank (NIB), announced that NI Capita company, the NIB's investment arm, has launched a "Seyola" fund, which came within the framework of the strategy of the company to reinforce its role in achieving financial inclusion and developing the capital market. a El-Said expounded that the targeted issue sums will be invested in liquid financial and short-term instruments, including bonds; T-bills; banking deposits; financing bonds; saving certificates and other investment funds documents. NI Capital also aims to meet the market needs and requirements of its individual and institutional clients alike, according to the minister. El-Said added that 'Seyola' fund is the first of its kind to be established by investment managers in Egypt and that it is also the first cash fund to invest in transferred values, benefiting from recent legislative amendments to investment funds. "NI Capital's introduction of its first cash fund is a new step in the path of the leading company in the field of providing non-banking financial services, and an enhancement of its unique role," said CEO of NIB and Chairman of NI Capital, Mahmoud Montaser. "In providing investment products to meet customer needs and support the Egyptian economy," he added. CEO and Managing Director of NI Capital, Mohamed Metwally also illustrated that the fund comes as a continuation of the success achieved by NI Capital in managing the investment portfolios of many investors, whether from government agencies or private sector companies. Hazem Kamel, Managing Director of Investment Management at NI Capital, said that the company's investment department is working on introducing new and innovative products in the coming period as part of its strategy to support the states plan and work to achieve sustainable development goals. He added, "the NI Capital cash fund seeks to introduce and make available new investment tools to achieve financial inclusion and make them available to different groups [within] society, whether they are institutions or individuals." The 'Seyola' cash fund aims to achieve a daily cumulative return commensurate with low risk associated with the instruments invested in it while, maintaining a high degree of liquidity that allows the investor to buy and recover daily, according to Minister El-Said. Also according to El-Said, NI Capital has contracted with the 'Arabiya Online' company owned by it, in addition to the 'Mubasher' company, to receive subscriptions and promote the fund among customers from the segment of individuals and institutions with the ability to receive the subscription electronically, while NI Capital will promote the side of large institutions. NI Capital established the National Investment Charity Education Fund in 2020 in order to provide sustainable financing for educational projects while managing charitable work, the size of the fund has so far reached EGP 150 million, according to the planning ministry. NI Capital was established in 2015 as an independent financial services company, acting as an independent catalyst for promoting public-private cooperation and attracting both domestic and foreign expertise to add value through promoting sustainable economic and social development across Egypt. It also provides an integrated set of investment banking services, investment management services and financial advice in the Egyptian market. It also manages the government IPO program to attract local and foreign investments to the Egyptian exchange and diversify sources of income for the government. Short link: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said he was lifting restrictions on contacts between US officials and their Taiwanese counterparts, a move likely to anger China and increase tensions between Beijing and Washington in the waning days of President Donald Trump's presidency. China claims democratic and separately ruled Taiwan as its own territory, and regularly describes Taiwan as the most sensitive issue in its ties with the United States. While the United States, like most countries, has no official relations with Taiwan, the Trump administration has ramped up backing for the island country, with arms sales and laws to help Taiwan deal with pressure from China. In a statement, Pompeo said that for several decades the State Department had created complex internal restrictions on interactions with Taiwanese counterparts by American diplomats, service members and other officials. "The United States government took these actions unilaterally, in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing," Pompeo said in a statement. "Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions," he added. The move appeared to be another part of an effort by Pompeo and Trump's Republican administration to lock in a tough approach to China before Democratic President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20. Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said examples of the restrictions included Taiwanese officials not being able to enter the State Department, but instead having to meet at hotels. "The Biden administration will rightly be unhappy that a policy decision like this was made in the final days of the Trump administration," Glaser said. An official with Biden's transition said that once Biden was in office he would continue to support "a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan." "DECADE OF DISCRIMINATION, REMOVED" Taiwan's government welcomed the move. "Decades of discrimination, removed. A huge day in our bilateral relationship. I will cherish every opportunity," Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador in Washington, tweeted. A senior Taiwanese official familiar with the island's security planning told Reuters this was the largest adjustment by the United States in its policy toward the island in recent years, saying both main U.S. political parties have always strongly supported exchanges between the United States and Taiwan. "It reflects the current situation of closer cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on regional and global issues," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Pompeo, who has taken an increasingly hard-line stance toward China and identified it as the principal long-term threat faced by the United States, has repeatedly used the red-button Taiwan issue to push back against Beijing. In November, he appeared to call into question the long-standing U.S. "one-China policy" by stating in a radio interview that Taiwan "has not been a part of China," causing Beijing to warn that behavior that undermined "China's core interests and interferes with China's domestic affairs will be met with a resolute counterattack." The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, will visit Taiwan next week for meetings with senior Taiwanese leaders, prompting China to warn on Thursday they were playing with fire. Chinese fighter jets approached the island in August and September during the last two visits: by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, respectively. The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and arms supplier, and is obliged to help provide it with the means to defend itself under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. "The United States government maintains relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and Taiwan is no exception. ... Todays statement recognizes that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship need not, and should not, be shackled by self-imposed restrictions of our permanent bureaucracy," Pompeo said. New York: As investigators seek to identify rioters who stormed the US Capitol, police departments in Virginia and Washington state have placed officers on leave as authorities examine whether they took part in unlawful acts while off-duty. Fire departments in Florida and New York City have also said they reported to federal authorities allegations that some of their members may have been present when the mob broke into the Capitol as Congress met to certify the results of the November 3 presidential election. US Capitol police officers stand guard in Washington DC following the riot. Credit:Bloomberg The police department in the small town of Rocky Mount, Virginia, said on Sunday, US time, it had placed two officers on administrative leave after it learned they attended an "event" in Washington, DC on the day of the riot while off-duty. "The Town of Rocky Mount fully supports all lawful expressions of freedom of speech and assembly by its employees but does not condone the unlawful acts that occurred that day," the department said in a statement, saying it had notified federal authorities. ADVERTISEMENT The Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Tukur Buratai, said the Nigerian Army will uphold thoroughness in its recruitment processes to ensure that only qualified persons are recruited. Mr Buratai made the remarks during the final screening for 80 regular recruits at Falgore forest training camp on Monday in Kano State. He said the exercise was a new approach to the screening and recruitment process of the Nigerian Army. Mr Brutai added that it was borne out of the need to recruit the best. He said lessons drawn from experiences in the field had made it imperative to recruit the best, noting that a faulty process could lead to faulty training and subsequently, faulty operations. According to him, the Nigerian Army is not ready for that again. As such, you must make up your mind that you are ready to serve your country as a soldier and you should be ready, anywhere you are deployed, after your passing out. All of you will go to Sambisa at the end of your depot training. If you are not ready to move to Sambisa and other parts of the country, and of course, our border areas to defend our country from any act of aggression, then you have not started. It is not yet late, if you have any doubt if you are not ready for discipline and loyalty at any point, then you can stand up and go. There is no room for laziness and indiscipline in the army and no room for malingering, he said. Mr Buratai said that all screening for recruitment, selection and commissioning would henceforth be conducted in the Falgore forest. This is where we will select those that will become cadets and be trained as officers as well because, at the end of all the training, the officers and soldiers will operate together under the same condition. As such, all must be subjected to a similar process of recruitment and selection. A total of 6,000 applicants, drawn from the 36 states, have been undergoing screening at the new training ground for enlistment into the army. At the end of the final fitness test, which involves a 10-kilometre-run, successful candidates will proceed to the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria for training. (NAN) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) Several senators on Monday questioned the rule requiring local government units and private firms to enter into a tripartite deal with the national government to procure their own supply of COVID-19 vaccines, saying it runs against mass vaccination efforts. The Senate convened into a Committee of the Whole to field all their concerns about the national coronavirus immunization plan. A sticking point between lawmakers and the Food and Drug Administration and the national COVID-19 task force was their insistence on coursing through all purchase agreements with the national government, may it be private businessmen or local governments providing the funding. "Bakit 'yung national government, gustong i-monopolize 'yung pag-purchase? Bakit hindi na lang payagan directly na rin 'yung LGU at 'yung private sector to do their own purchases? [Why does the national government want to monopolize the purchase of vaccines? Why can't they allow the LGUs and private sector to directly make their own purchases?]," Senator Ralph Recto said during the hearing. "Wala tayong pinipilit [We are not forcing anyone]. We are not mandating any Filipino to take the drug or to take the vaccine, but if we're going to inoculate them and give them the option to have them, let's give them the best," he added. READ: Over 200 companies to pitch in for PH's second batch of AstraZeneca vaccines Concepcion Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo, who is handling the approval to use foreign-made vaccines in the country, said it was a matter of managing safety concerns over the vaccines which remain under development. "It's a safety concern po kasi... Ang emergency use authorization of the FDA allows the use of a product that is still under development," Domingo told lawmakers. "Ang national government will take responsibility for using a product that is still under development, kaya hindi po muna nila maaaring ibenta [that's why these vaccines can't be sold to companies]." Meanwhile, vaccine czar and COVID-19 policies chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. said this was a limitation presented by the country's public procurement laws, which applies to LGUs who have set aside funds for vaccine purchases. Multiple cities have announced over the weekend the signing of supply deals with AstraZeneca, a vaccine developed in the United Kingdom and cleared for emergency use abroad. As of this writing, the FDA has not cleared any coronavirus vaccine for use in the Philippines. Galvez said the Philippine government is set to sign commitments from various drugmakers worth at least 100 million doses in the next two weeks, but delivery will depend on how fast the FDA can grant emergency use authorization or EUA. The vaccine czar acknowledged that LGUs have so far secured deals to guarantee an additional 13 million doses, which would contribute greatly to the country's goal of achieving herd immunity where there are smaller chances of infection with at least 60% of the population vaccinated for COVID-19 this year. "Hindi naman kaya ng national government na bayaran lahat (ng bakuna)," Senator Cynthia Villar added. "If the LGUs who can afford, magbabayad na, makakatulong 'yun and then 'yung mga private (sector) na willing to buy for their employees, pabayaan na para makabawas na sa gastos." [Translation: The national government cannot afford to pay for all vaccines. If the LGUs who can afford it are ready to pay, that will help. Members of the private sector who are willing to buy doses for their employees should be allowed to do so, government can also cut costs.] READ: LGUs announce signing deals for advance purchase of AstraZeneca vaccines Villar, wife of billionaire tycoon and former Senator Manny Villar, also blasted the requirement for businesses to donate half the doses it will buy for the use of the national government, citing the arrangement when private companies bought millions of doses of AstraZeneca vaccines in November. Galvez clarified it was not required for private firms to make a donation, but it was a standard set by AstraZeneca to dispel the notion that only the rich can get vaccinated. However, he said private firms as well as local executives can only choose between AstraZeneca and Novavax for this mode of procurement. Galvez said separately that the Moderna vaccine is also being footed by ports magnate Enrique Razon, Jr. For the FDA's part, Domingo said present laws prohibit an LGU from using public funds to buy an unregistered product or vaccine, which makes the tripartite deals with the national government their only choice. Galvez added that laws also ban the purchase of materials without a fixed price, volume, and a set delivery date, which put LGUs in a bind. "Kung merong batas na mage-exempt just for COVID-19 vaccines from selling the doses despite unfinished clinical trials, we can allow them to transact directly with LGUs, companies," testing czar and COVID-19 policies deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon added. Vaccines procured by the state will be given first to health workers especially in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other areas with a high attack rate or number of active coronavirus cases. "Why can we not resolve this regulatory roadblock? Allow and authorize not only the private sector but also the LGUs to be able to deal directly with the supplier," Senator Franklin Drilon added, calling the state's monopoly "unacceptable." Senator Francis Pangilinan said the FDA should put in place a reporting mechanism to track who received the vaccines and to check for possible adverse reactions rather than just simply restrict LGUs and other entities from buying their supplies. Recto added he is open to possible amendments to existing laws to allow wider procurement of the vaccines. He pointed out that private businesses enjoy greater flexibility on spending on vaccines, as they do not have to comply with strict public procurement laws. But the FDA said current rules are meant to allow the state to keep a close watch on who is getting vaccinated. "We only register a drug and allow it for sale once the safety and efficacy is fully established and that takes at least two years... 'Yung EUA, special po ito," the FDA chief said. "Wala pong companies na magre-register and take that responsibility to say they have a fully-registered drug." The decision on Pfizer's EUA request will be out this week, while the call on AstraZeneca may be announced later this month, Domingo said. Galvez added that the country's first vaccine doses expected to be shipped by February 20 will come from either Sinovac or Pfizer, although both have yet to be cleared for local use. READ: Vaccine czar eyes jabs by February, but Filipinos may need to endure pandemic until 2023 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. Election 2020 No Security Guarantees Made for Rakhine Voting: Myanmar Government The Arakan National Party campaigns ahead of the Nov. 8 general election in Sittwe. / Khine Rola / The Irrawaddy Sittwe, Rakhine State There are still no solid security guarantees to hold voting in parts of Rakhine State where polling was canceled in November, despite a push from Myanmars military, according to government spokesman U Zaw Htay. The Union Election Commission (UEC) canceled voting in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Myebon townships. Moreover, voting was partially canceled in the state capital, Sittwe, Kyaukpyu and Taungup townships, which left over 1.2 million out of 1.6 million voters in Rakhine disenfranchised. U Zaw Htay said there must be a solid agreement with the AA for voting to be held in Rakhine. Security guarantees are required if we are to hold free and fair voting. No organization has guaranteed much-needed security to the UEC, he added. On January 7, Myanmars military or Tatmadaw called for voting to be held as soon as possible in strife-torn parts of Rakhine and Mongkaing in Shan State. The newly elected parliament will come to session in February. The Tatmadaw said in a statement that there have been no clashes since Nov. 12 in Rakhine State as the military and the Arakan Army managed to observe a temporary truce. In the meantime, the Tatmadaw held talks with the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, on holding voting, the military said. On Nov. 28 Yohei Sasakawa, Japans special reconciliation envoy in Myanmar, visited Buthidaung and Kyauktaw which experienced the fiercest fighting in northern Rakhine. The diplomat said the townships were sufficiently stable to hold voting. There is a need to complete voter lists in the townships where the majority of civilians have been displaced by armed conflict and are taking shelter in camps. Many village administrators, who are critical in holding elections, had resigned, said U Zaw Htay. Many village-tract administrators in Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Myebon townships in northern Rakhine have resigned in previous years after they were detained and interrogated in connection with the fighting. U Thurein Htut, an officer at the Rakhine State election sub-commission, said the body is prepared to hold voting if instructed by the UEC and will open polling stations in internally displaced camps. We have ballot papers ready but we dont have the budget. And we will have to fix voter lists if we are to open polling stations in camps, he said. Ponnagyun Township resident Ko Kyaw Hlaing asked the election commission to hold voting before the new government is sworn in. Under election law, village administrator positions left vacant must be filled first before voting, said National League for Democracy spokesman Dr. Myo Nyunt. Voting still cant be held because of legal restrictions. Administrators resigned in Myebon, Minbya and elsewhere. They must be appointed first, he said. The NLD is unlikely to win many of the seats due to be contested. In his message to mark the 46th anniversary of the founding of Rakhine State on Dec. 15, President U Win Myint called for cooperation between citizens and organizations to rapidly hold the voting in Rakhine. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko 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 GRAND RAPIDS, MI Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital is celebrating 10 years at its landmark blue building on Michigan Street along Grand Rapids Medical Mile. The 14-story, $286 million building, which has 234-beds and provides treatment to infants, children and adolescents from Michigan and beyond, opened on Jan. 11, 2011. Those who saw the need years ago for specialized care for our youngest patients were true visionaries, Tina Freese Decker, Spectrums president and CEO, said in a statement. Without them, Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital would not be the vital community resource it is today. The hospital, which employs 300 pediatric physicians and has 70 pediatric specialties and programs, was made a reality thanks to $103 million in contributions from more than 6,000 donors, according to Spectrum. Its named after the late Helen DeVos, the West Michigan philanthropist and wife of the late Amway co-founder Rich DeVos. Its hard to believe it has already been 10 years since the tower opened and nearly 30 years since the original Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital opened within Butterworth Hospital, said Doug DeVos, Spectrum Health Board Member and son of Helen and Richard. Mom and dad always believed that buildings were merely platforms for people to do great things. We are grateful to all the skilled professionals who make miracles happen every day inside the Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital and are cheering on each child along with their families as they receive care there. The roots of the childrens hospital date back to the 1970s and 1980s when a number of pediatric specialists joined Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital with the goal of building expertise in childrens specialties such as neonatal, cancer and intensive care. In 1990, hospital leaders and donors pledged $44 million to build the Helen DeVos Women & Childrens Center at Butterworth Hospital. The center, essentially a hospital within a hospital, opened in September 1993, bringing together an assortment of services in one area. Dr. James Fahner, division chief for hematology and oncology at the childrens hospital, said the new building gave Spectrum the ability to expand its pediatric services and ensure that inter-related specialties were clustered together in one area. He mentioned, for example, the expansion of the pediatric cardiovascular and open-heart surgery programs, as well as the creation of a cardiovascular intensive care unit. To have the ability to deliver a whole comprehensive team of services that before was kind of scattered across various locations in the medical center and even off-site to bring that expertise and centralize it in one location just really added so much to the safety and efficiency of care, Fahner said. Having a dedicated childrens hospital building also helps with the recruitment of pediatric physicians and specialists, he said. It has also helped spark collaborations with other institutions along the Medical Mile such as the Van Andel Institute and Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine. We really took a very prominent and very strategic place along Medical Mile with those other capabilities in a way that we were not able to do before, Fahner said. Dr. Hossain Marandi, who took over as president of the childrens hospital in September, said he looks forward to building on the accomplishments that have taken place over the past decade. Were going to push for Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital to become a destination center for care, he said, noting that the hospital already draws patients from other states and throughout the world. We want the quality and the outcomes of the care to be so good that anybody that has a child that feels like they need to get care would feel comfortable bringing them here. Read more: Michigan governor calls for in-person learning to resume by March 1 Michigan businesses should reopen before federal COVID-19 funds are distributed, Republican lawmaker says Ann Arbor schools taking definitive, positive steps toward in-person learning, superintendent says Jason Williams took office Monday as Orleans Parish district attorney, pledging to remake a traditional, hard-charging office into a progressive force that addresses racial and economic disparities within the criminal-justice system. A month after his decisive runoff victory against an establishment-backed rival, Williams was sworn in by Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Nandi Campbell at the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans East. The career criminal defense attorney and former councilman is now the citys top elected law enforcement officer. He stands poised to make a sharp break with the policies of his predecessor, Leon Cannizzaro, a point he drove home in his inauguration speech. "Being more selective about prosecutions will allow us to focus on the crimes that matter most to all of us, Williams said. Weve got to go beyond punishment and invest in our community. Williams has said he will end the use of Louisianas stringent habitual offender laws, never transfer juveniles to adult court and become much pickier about accepting cases for prosecution. Underscoring his fresh approach, his massive transition team included liberal policy advocates and former colleagues in the defense bar. But Williams wont only be taking on decades of tough on crime policies as he assumes office. At the same time that he tries to remake the DAs office, he will be fighting 11 tax fraud charges in federal court. +3 Jason Williams' law partner, Nicole Burdett, indicted separately, accused of fudging own taxes A federal grand jury has issued a new indictment against New Orleans attorney Nicole Burdett, the law partner of newly elected Orleans Parish On Friday, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman rejected his motion to have the case tossed before trial. And with all federal jury trials suspended until at least March due to the coronavirus pandemic, a cloud of uncertainty will hang over Williams for months to come. In his speech, Williams acknowledged other challenges ahead. In addition to his personal legal problems, homicides and shootings in New Orleans soared in 2020 compared to the year before. Hell also need to address the fallout of the U.S. Supreme Courts April decision on non-unanimous jury verdicts, which led to the reversal of high-profile convictions like those of the killer of Saints star Will Smith, as well as lawsuits related to wrongful convictions and fake subpoenas. In recent years, high turnover in the office has meant the loss of experienced prosecutors. And with Williams backing the City Council cut the offices budget by $1.8 million, a steeper cut than the one requested by Mayor LaToya Cantrell. +2 Convictions of Will Smith's killer, Cardell Hayes, tossed out; here's what might happen next The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday tossed out the manslaughter conviction of the man who shot ex-New Orleans Saints star Will Smith to death dur For the moment, major court cases have been placed on pause as a result of the pandemic. On Monday, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an order that hewed close to the federal suspension, halting new jury trials until at least March 1. Williams acknowledged that the reforms he plans to put in place will take time. 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 We cannot deliver this change overnight. Its going to take patience. Its going to take everyone pitching in and working with us. We will make mistakes, and we wont be afraid to admit when we do, Williams said. A new DA cannot stop crime, but bear with us, because the right DA can give every neighborhood a justice system that they believe works for them. His inauguration ceremony was performed in front of a limited audience because of COVID-19 restrictions. Members of the media werent permitted to attend. But it still featured plenty of pomp. City Council President Helena Moreno and state Rep. Royce Duplessis among the few politicians to endorse Williams led the ceremonies. The George Washington Carver High School color guard wore silver helmets along with green, orange and black face masks as they presented colors. Key leaders in the citys criminal justice system attended, including Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Clerk of Criminal District Court Arthur Morrell and Criminal District Court Chief Judge Karen Herman. New Orleans U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser was also present. His office has recused itself from Williams tax case, which is being handled by prosecutors from the Western District of Louisiana. Last month, Williams defeated former Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Keva Landrum 58% to 42%. Many saw his victory, which was fueled by an enthusiastic volunteer base and strong support from Black voters, as a repudiation of Cannizzaros policies. Cannizzaro has kept a low profile since Williams won and didnt attend the inauguration ceremony. He bowed out of the race with 90 minutes to go during qualifying in July, citing his desire to spend more time with his family. Williams and his team spent the past week interviewing current employees of the DAs Office, who were asked to re-apply for their jobs or state their intentions to depart. Most asked to stick around, and Williams has said that he expects turnover, although he hasnt yet announced any firings or a roster of top lieutenants. Two appointments have surfaced, however. Emily Maw, the former director of the Innocence Project New Orleans, is to lead a civil rights unit. Robert White, a former New Orleans prosecutor who has served as the first assistant in Plaquemines since 2009, is moving back to the Orleans DAs office for a leadership position, Plaquemines Parish District Attorney Charles Ballay said. Tyronne Walker, a spokesman for Williams, said the office wont make personnel announcements until later this week. Williams didnt immediately roll out new policies, a step taken by some other progressive prosecutors like Los Angeles DA George Gascon, who announced a raft of policy shifts on his first day in office last month. Williams' transition to the DA's office opens up a seat on the City Council. He waited until the last minute, 11 a.m. Monday, to resign from his at-large seat. That means other council members can appoint an interim to serve until an election this fall. The social media application logo from Parler displayed on a smartphone in Arlington, Va., on July 2, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Parler Sues Amazon, Asks Court to Reinstate Platform Social media company Parler sued Amazon on Monday, alleging that the Seattle-based firms hosting service violated anti-trust laws and their contractual agreement. The company, which was taken offline by Amazons services early Monday morning, asked a federal judge in Washington state to reject Amazons shutdown of its services. Parler argued that Amazons move was motivated by political animus and designed to reduce competition to benefit Twitter. Twitter is a customer of Amazon Web Services division. The emergency order asked a judge to reject Amazons shutdown of Parlers account and said it is akin to pulling the plug on a hospital patient on life support. Amazon will kill Parlers businessat the very time it is set to skyrocket, Parlers complaint said. When Twitter announced two evenings ago that it was permanently banning President Trump from its platform, conservative users began to flee Twitter en masse for Parler. The exodus was so large that the next day, yesterday, Parler became the number one free app downloaded from Apples App Store, the lawsuit reads. The Epoch Times reached out to Amazon for comment on Monday. In recent months, Parler saw an upsurge in popularityparticularly among big-name conservativesdue to the companys moderation policies. Other than Amazon, Google and Apple took the Parler app down from the companies respective app stores. Those companies accused Parler of allowing content they viewed as dangerous to be posted on the platform. The Amazon Trust and Safety team told Parler that it would suspend web hosting because the firm poses a very real risk to public safety. As of Monday, Parlers website appeared to be offline. The move came after a small number of protesters breached the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 in the midst of the Joint Session of Congress, following a speech from President Donald Trump. Parler CEO John Matze said Sunday there was a possibility that Parler would be unavailable for up to a week and said the firm may have to rebuild from scratch. His team would seek an alternative web hosting service in the meantime. Matze wrote in a post: We have our software and everyones data ready to go. Rather its that Amazons, Googles and Apples statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well. And most people with enough servers to host us have shut their doors to us. Chief Policy Officer Amy Peikoff said the collusion between Big Tech firms to take down the website is akin to a dystopia. Do we want all of the content that is posted online, every single piece to be scanned for objectionable content, as they call it, 24/7 and also removed without due process if its flagged by an algorithm because that seems to be the standard that Parler is being told that we must adhere to, she said. Zachary Stieber 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. Several passengers claimed to have been kicked off a Delta Air Lines flight for being Trump supporters. An unnamed Florida resident, who had attended the riots at the Capitol, filmed the aftermath at Reagan Airport in Washington DC on 8 January. In the video clip, shared with SNN News, a man lowers his mask and says: I said Trump 2020 and they kicked me off the plane. They kicked me off Delta Air Lines because I said Trump 2020. A woman in a red coat, who appears distraught, says: All I did was cheer. I have no money to get home. The man adds: Your freedom of speech is taken away. The traveller who captured the footage also claimed on Facebook that a Delta pilot had been escorted off his flight for talking about our president. They alleged that flight crew were crying while covertly changing their flag masks so that they didnt also get kicked off the flight. This is Nazi Germany all over again! they wrote. A Delta spokesperson told The Independent: Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our people and customers. Actions taken to remove unruly customers on flights are based solely on behaviour that affects the safety and security of our operation including noncompliance with instruction from flight crews. It follows calls from a US cabin crew union to ban those who participated in last weeks attack on the Capitol from flying. The pronouncement followed unruly behaviour from some insurgents on inbound flights to attend the rally, according to sources at two US airlines, reports Reuters. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents employees at 17 US airlines, said rioters should not be allowed to return home on commercial flights. The mob mentality behaviour that took place on several flights to the DC area yesterday was unacceptable and threatened the safety and security of every single person onboard, said the associations president, Sara Nelson. Acts against our democracy, our government and the freedom we claim as Americans must disqualify these individuals from the freedom of flight. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BEIJING Chinese health authorities say scores more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Hebei province bordering on the capital Beijing. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of Chinas most serious in recent months and comes amid measures to curb the further spread during next months Lunar New Year holiday. Authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale. The National Health Commission said Monday that another 82 people had tested positive in Hebei and were showing symptoms. Around the country, another 36 people had tested positive without displaying symptoms, although it wasnt immediately clear how many of those were in Hebei. The Hebei outbreak has raised concern because of its proximity to the nations capital. Both Shijiazhuang and Xingtai have ordered millions tested, suspended public transportation and restricted residents to their communities or villages for one week. Parts of the province are under lockdown and interprovincial travel has been largely cut off, with those entering Beijing to work having to show proof of employment and a clean bill of health. Hebei has recorded 265 confirmed cases and at least 181 asymptomatic cases over the last eight days. China does not include those who test positive but do not show symptoms in its official case count. Two other new cases were reported Monday in the northeastern province of Liaoning and one in Beijing, where more than 30 people have been sickened in an outbreak centered on the northeastern district of Shunyi. Housing compounds in the district were requiring proof of a recent negative coronavirus test from anyone wishing to enter. Chinas has now recorded 87,536 total cases with 4,634 deaths. Hospitals were treating 673 people for COVID-19 while 506 people were in isolation and under observation after testing positive without showing symptoms. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region: The Japanese Health Ministry has found a coronavirus variant in people arriving from Brazil thats different from the ones in Britain and South Africa. The variant was found in four people tested at the airport, the ministry said Sunday. Japan was working with other nations, the World Health Organization and other medical experts to analyze the variant. The previously identified variants from Britain and South Africa are more contagious, but the behavior of this variant and the illness it causes are not yet known. The Tokyo area has been under a state of emergency since Friday to try to stop the spread of the virus. Japan has had about 4,000 deaths related to COVID-19 so far, and more than 280,000 confirmed cases. South Koreas president says the government will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to everyone free of charge in phased steps. President Moon Jae-in made the comments in his New Years address on Monday. He reaffirmed an earlier government announcement that the inoculation will start from February. South Korean officials have said theyll have vaccines for 56 million people, an amount seemingly enough for the countrys 52 million people. After weeks of a viral resurgence, South Koreas virus caseload has recently experienced a gradual slowdown amid tough distancing rules that include a ban on social gatherings of five or more people. Earlier Monday, South Korea reported 451 new virus cases, the first time its daily tally was below 500 in 41 days. The countrys total stands at 69,114 with 1,140 deaths. Sri Lanka partially reopened schools on Monday, after they had been closed for nearly three months due to the coronavirus. The move is seen as an attempt to return to normalcy from the months of lockdowns imposed to contain the virus. But the government decided not to reopen schools in the capital, Colombo, and suburbs because the majority of new cases have been reported from those areas. Schools in other parts of the island nation reopened under strict health guidelines such as wearing facemasks, bringing home-cooked food, washing hands regularly and maintaining social distancing. Sri Lanka closed schools in October amid a second wave of the coronavirus after two clusters emerged in Colombo and its suburbs. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says Malaysias healthcare system is at breaking point as he reintroduced movement curbs to curtail a sharp spike in coronavirus cases. From Wednesday, he said Kuala Lumpur, the government administrative capital Putrajaya and five other states will be placed under near lockdown for two weeks, similar to a nationwide lockdown in March last year. This time, however, he said the manufacturing, construction, services, trade and distribution, and plantation sectors will be allowed to operate with strict guidelines. Interstate travel will be banned, no dine-in allowed and movement will be limited within a 10-kilometer (6-mile) radius. Muhyiddin said conditional restrictions will apply to other lower-risk states. He said 476 new virus clusters have been identified since a fresh outbreak in September. He said daily coronavirus cases, which have consistently breached 2,000 in recent weeks, could jump to 8,000 by the end of May if nothing is done. He said Malaysia will obtain its first batch of Pfizer vaccine next month, and is working on securing supplies to cover 80% of the population. Two Cabinet ministers were among those diagnosed with the virus over the weekend. Malaysias virus cases have spiraled from just over 15,000 three months ago to 138,224, including 555 deaths. Gurugram, Jan 11 : Former Kherki Daula SHO Inspector Vishal, an accused in a graft case, on Monday surrendered before the court of Neha Goyal, Duty Magistrate in Gurugram. The court sent him on a three-day police remand. Suspended Inspector Vishal, along with a head constable, Amit Kumar, was booked by the Haryana State Vigilance Bureau, Faridabad unit after they had caught head constable Amit Kumar red-handed for taking a bribe of Rs 5 lakh on behalf of SHO Vishal of Kherki Daula police station on December 28. Soon after the incident Gurugram police commissioner K K Rao had suspended the SHO and head constable over the alleged graft case. The SHO was since then absconding after the registration of the FIR against him. "We had applied for anticipatory bail of inspector Vishal on Friday which was listed for Monday and was dismissed by the duty magistrate and sent him to three days' police remand as asked by the investigation agency," said S.S. Chauhan, senior counsel for the suspended cop. Meanwhile, the investigation agency urged the court that they needed time as their reply against the bail application was not ready. Chauhan also informed that the investigation agency had thoroughly interrogate his client (suspended SHO) for over 2 hours after his surrender but the agency urged before the court the former SHO did not reply to their questions so they required police remand for further questioning which the court accepted and sent him on three days' remand period. "The complainant in this case itself said that he had paid Rs 57 lakh to head constable Amit Kumar on December 28, till then he didn't even know the name of my client," Chauhan said. Chauhan further said the argument on the matter will again take place before the court of Additional Session Judge (ASJ) Amit Sehrawat on Tuesday. The counsel for the cop submitted that his client had been falsely implicated in the case. Head constable Amit was nabbed by the Vigilance officials from Shikohpur More on the Delhi-Jaipur expressway along with the amount on December 28. It was also alleged that the suspended SHO had demanded Rs 3 crore from a man Naveen Bhutani, who is a complainant in this case, for his release as he was illegally detained by the SHO who had also threatened to implicate him in a false case and send him to jail if he failed to pay the amount. However, later their deal was fixed at Rs 1 crore in the matter but before the deal was executed the state vigilance bureau arrested the head constable. RTHK: Kim Jong-un gets new title, consolidating power North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was given a new title, general secretary of the ruling Workers Party, formerly held by his late father and grandfather, state media reported on Monday, in what appears to a symbolic move aimed at bolstering his authority amid growing economic challenges. The partys ongoing congress, the first in kind in five years, announced Kims new title during its sixth-day session on Sunday. A congress statement said Kim has gloriously realised the historic mission to complete the countrys nuclear build-up plan, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Its largely a symbolic appointment as Kim already was the partys top leader. During a 2016 party congress, he was named to party chairman, the equivalent of general secretary held by his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung. Before the 2016 congress, Kim Jong-un had led the party with the title of first secretary. Since inheriting power upon his fathers death in late 2011, Kim, 37, has gradually consolidated his grip on power through a series of high-profile executions and purges that removed his potential rivals. He has also taken up a spate of top jobs that includes chairman of the State Affairs Commission and supreme commander of the Norths 1.2 million-member military, along with the top party post. The two late North Korean leaders have kept posthumous titles: Kim Jong-il remains eternal general secretary and Kim Il-sung is eternal president. The Kim family has ruled North Korea with a strong personality cult that elevated key family members to a god-like status since Kim Il-sung founded the country in 1948. Their familys mythical Paektu bloodline, named after the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, only gives their direct family members the rights to rule the impoverished yet nuclear-armed nation. Among notable personnel changes announced on Monday was the name of Kim Jong-uns influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, missing from a new list of officials at the partys powerful Politburo. Being in charge of relations with rival South Korea, she was an alternate member of the Politburo and some observers earlier predicted she would be promoted to a full member of the bureau in a bid by her brother to reinforce the Kim familys rule. It wasnt immediately clear why the 32-year-old was dismissed from her Politburo post. She remains a member of the Central Committee but was not included on its Politburo list, confounding widespread expectations from observers of the reclusive regime. The change came days after Kim Yo-jong took the leadership podium for the first time alongside 38 other executives as the congress kicked off. Her influence has grown dramatically in recent years, initially as what appeared to be the young leader's personal secretary, and then his special envoy to South Korea and a deputy director of a key party department overseeing personnel and organisational affairs. In 2017, she became only the second woman in patriarchal North Korea to join the exclusive Politburo after her aunt Kim Kyong-hui, and South Korea's intelligence agency said in August she was serving as the leader's "de facto second-in-command." "It is too early to draw any conclusion about her status, as she is still a Central Committee member and there's a possibility that she has taken up other important posts," said Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University in Seoul. Her brother, meanwhile, has already inherited other high-profile titles by his father and grandfather, such as the military's supreme commander. The congress is being held as Kim Jong-un faces what appears to be the toughest moment of his nine-year rule amid the Covid-19 pandemic and following a series of natural disasters this past summer. During the congress, he vowed to enlarge his nuclear arsenal and build more sophisticated weapons systems to cope with what he calls intensifying US hostile policy. He also admitted a previous five-year economic development plan failed and disclosed a new development that focuses on building a stronger self-reliant economy. Kim has pushed the so-called byungjin policy of simultaneously seeking economic growth and the expansion of his nuclear weapons as a deterrent to the US. After claiming to have achieved the ability to strike the US mainland with nuclear weapons, Kim launched high-stakes summits with President Donald Trump in 2018, but their diplomacy later fell apart due to wrangling over the sanctions the following year. South Koreas military said Monday it has obtained intelligence showing North Korea staged a military parade at a Pyongyang square the previous night. A statement from the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was checking whether that was an actual parade or its rehearsal. South Koreas spy agency earlier said the North would hold a massive military parade in celebrations of the congress and in show of force against the incoming US administration of President-elect Joe Biden. (AP/Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the expansion project of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant in northern Hoa Binh Province on Sunday morning. The VND9.2 trillion (US$394.6 million) project involves the construction of two new turbines with a total capacity of 480MW and electricity output of about 488.3 million KWh per year. Of the total investment, 30 percent is arranged by the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and the remaining 70 percent comes from commercial loans without a government guarantee. Once completed by 2024, the expanded Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant will have a total capacity of 2,400MW, equivalent to that of the Son La Hydropower Plant currently the biggest power station in Vietnam. Built in the Da River basin in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, at the time of its conception in 1979, Hoa Binh was the largest hydropower plant in Southeast Asia. The construction was supported by the Soviet Union, now Russia, through designing, supplying equipment, supervising, and helping it go on stream. The plant is in stable operation with an annual electricity output of nearly 10 billion kWh, making considerable contributions to the national electricity system and the provincial budget. Addressing Sundays event, PM Phuc said three power plants built in the Da River basin, namely Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, Son La Hydropower Plant, and Lai Chau Hydropower Plant, symbolize the countrys industrialization and modernization cause. After the expanded project is completed, the aforesaid power plants with a total capacity of 6,000 MW will account for 30 percent of the nations electricity output. PM Phuc took the occasion to pay tribute to the great efforts and sacrifices of the 168 officers and engineers, including 11 Soviet experts who lost their lives during the construction of the power plant. The government chief also praised the great efforts of the electricity sector in increasing power output and capacity, raising the countrys electricity access rate in rural areas to 99.3 percent. Over the past six years, Vietnams access-to-electricity index has jumped 129 places to 27th out of 190 countries and territories, he added. Phuc stressed the need to ensure absolute and long-term safety and sustainable development throughout the construction and operation of the expanded power plant. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! We need to turn the page from this horrible, hideous chapter in our nations history. We need to do that. We need to start a new administration, with a new set of principles that reconnect with each other as Americans, as residents of this great country, Lightfoot said Monday during an unrelated news conference. I worry about the potential for distraction. I think the fear that has been expressed by Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and others is real. This is a man who is dangerous, who is unhinged and clearly has demonstrated, he cares not for anything other than himself and his ideas about his legacy. Like many world leaders, Indonesian President Joko Widodo is hoping that 2021 will be a bounce-back year after a terrible 2020. This week he is scheduled to become the first Indonesian vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, kicking off an ambitious plan to vaccinate more than 180 million people in just 15 months. The Indonesian government says that by rapidly vaccinating two-thirds of its population, it can reach herd immunity, finally bringing to a halt its first wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths, the worst outbreak in south-east Asia. At the same time, Jokowi, as the President is known, hopes the economy will rebound after sliding into its first recession since the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997-1998. Indonesian president Joko Widodo must stop muddling through if he is to rescue his nation from COVID. Credit:The Canberra Times But hope is not a strategy. To meet Jokowis rightly lofty goals, Australias nearest and biggest neighbour will need detailed planning and meticulous execution two qualities often lacking in the President and the wider bureaucracy. One element that Jokowi, who was re-elected in 2019 with an increased vote share, does not lack is political capital. He came through an annus horribilis last year with approval ratings that most democratic leaders could only wish for. That was despite his government mishandling the pandemic, two ministers being charged with corruption (including one accused of pilfering COVID-19 relief funds for the poor), nationwide protests against a controversial investment law and disquiet over his inexperienced son and son-in-law jumping into politics. The court is likely to pronounce orders on Tuesday on issues related to the farm laws and the farmers protests at Delhis borders and may take a call on setting up a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to find ways to resolve the impasse. (Photo:AFP) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its strong disappointment with the Narendra Modi governments handling of the farmers agitation seeking the repeal of three controversial farm laws, as the court indicated that it intends to set up a committee that will examine the laws, and till it submits its report the implementation of the laws will be put on hold. As the farmers agitation entered Day 48 on Monday, Chief Justice Sharad A. Bobde expressed anguish over the governments failure to resolve the strike by the agitating farmers, who are braving the biting cold of winter. CJI Bobde, heading a bench that also comprised Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, said: We propose to form a committee and if the government does not (on its own offer not to enforce the laws), then we will stay the implementation of the farm laws. We are extremely disappointed with the way the Centre is dealing with this. We are doing this because you have failed to solve the problem. The government has to take responsibility. The laws have resulted in a strike and now you have to resolve the strike. The courts strong observation came as attorney-general K.K. Venugopal resisted the suggestion from the court to stay the controversial laws. In an apparent concession, CJI Bobde said that they will put on hold their implementation, making a distinction between the stay of a law and the stay of its implementation. The court said staying the implementation of the farm laws will ease tensions and prevent the situation getting violent. Objecting to any stay of the farm laws, Mr Venugopal asserted the laws were beneficial for farmers, and said: The laws are within the legislative competence of Parliament and are intended to benefit the farmers. The court recalled that in past hearings, it had given the Centre an option to make a statement that it will not go ahead with the implementation of the three laws till the contentious issues are resolved. The government in earlier hearings was not enthusiastic over the courts suggestion not to go ahead with enforcing the laws, as Mr Venugopal had said in that situation the agitating farmers would not come for talks. On Monday too, the A-G said the agitating farmers will have to give up their demand for the repeal of the farm laws. Discomforted over the courts taking a dim view of the Centres handling of the farmers agitation, solicitor general Tushar Mehta protested and said that the courts observations were harsh, insisting the government did its best to break the deadlock and resolve the issue. You did your best, but it did not seem to have any effect, CJI Bobde then quipped, appearing unimpressed. The court is likely to pronounce orders on Tuesday on issues related to the farm laws and the farmers protests at Delhis borders and may take a call on setting up a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to find ways to resolve the impasse. In this regard, senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing for some of the farmers organisations, suggested the name of former Chief Justice R.M. Lodha to head the committee and offered to speak to him. The court also voiced its concern over the protests taking a violent turn, taking note of what had happened on Sunday in Haryana. Who is going to be responsible for bloodshed? We need to uphold Article 21 as a constitutional court. What if some conflagration takes place? the CJI Bobde said, in a poser. CJI Bobde asked the various farmers unions and outfits who were party to the matter to persuade the women, the old and children to go back to their native places. Can you convey to them the Chief Justice has made this request, he told Mr Dave and H.S. Phoolka, who were appearing for the farmers. The court once again reiterated that it cant interfere with the farmers right to agitate against the farm laws but hoped they could shift to another venue to ease the inconvenience being caused to the public. People are committing suicide. People are calling names. People are suffering in the cold and pandemic situations Who is taking care of the water and food? Old people and women are on the ground, CJI Bobde added. However, the court clarified it had already held that the farmers protest is perfectly valid, and there should not be any impression that it is trying to stifle the protest. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has issued an article, entitled On the Inevitability of Building a Substantive State, which reads as follows: The opportunity of restoring the Armenian statehood was the dream of our people for the last few centuries. It stemmed not only from the need for having a national home to preserve own culture, identity, and history, but also from the desire to be able to master our own destiny. This had been the mission of our ancestors, who practically did the impossible: in the absence of statehood, subject to cruel and bloody trials of history, they preserved the ground, the sense of being Armenians - Armenia- and further enriched the Armenian civilization. Our ancestors left a great heritage and hoped that we would be able to pass it to future generations in a completely different qualitative form. The history of international relations shows that small countries often fall victim to the interests of big powers, as it happened with Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. Those nations managed to build high-quality systemic states, were able to thoughtfully analyze the causes of their failures and sufferings, and work to correct their own mistakes, work out clear visions and development programs. Such states have the capability to meet their citizens' internal needs and protect them from external threats. They can also create conditions which allow to compete with regional and even big powers, merge their own interests with theirs or even become a true and valuable ally. Such examples exist and they prove that through the right policy, diplomacy and governance even the nations, which do not possess ample natural resources, can start as soldiers but rise to kings. Today, we are experiencing yet another moment of all-national psychological depression. Whether we will be able to overcome it and establish new principles to build our future depend on us only. Current failures are nothing but the result of once unresolved, deep-rooted problems, which were accumulating over the last three decades. We all, from top to bottom, apparently have no desire to take a substantive responsibility for our own destiny. And it is not about the lack of criticism, but rather its formal nature. Just like before, we are looking for special footholds and "rescuers" - individuals or countries who will be able to take us in the right direction which will ultimately lead to prosperity and security. In this frantic search, we completely forget that this path is right in front of our eyes and is called the independent Republic of Armenia. Our millennial dream came true: we have our home, at last, our flag, our coat-of-arms, and our anthem. Finally, we are able to be Armenians in the Armenian state recognized by the international community. For the first time in the course of centuries, Armenians did not lose their territories, but regained historical territories in the 1990s during the war imposed by the adversary many times superior to us its resources. We managed to do that because dreams and dedication were our driving forces. They were filled with the insane energy; every Armenian particle anywhere in the world was maximally charged to achieve the national goal. Subsequent events showed how much we underestimated that gift of history in reality. Instead of building a substantive state and national construction projects, based on the successful examples of small countries and peoples, we mostly engaged ourselves with imitating activities. The basis of internal immunity, i.e. foundations of the effective system of public administration based on the actual division of responsibilities between the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, was not laid. It is this model that shapes any society and educates its citizens, which is the core value of any government. Such a citizen can appreciate the significance of being able to vote and being elected. And most importantly, such a citizen will be responsible for his or her own choice, the surroundings, and the country. The absence of such a system is an unacceptable luxury for the countries in difficult and geographically limited conditions. For the past years, we have not conducted a pan-Armenian inventory to understand what is, for example, the real resource base for elaborating long-term development models for the economy, high technology, military and industrial complex, science, education, and healthcare. That is why we did not have vitally important and efficient strategic concepts of defense policy and security of demography, information, and food. After gaining independence, we did not fill it with specific content. There is no need to go far for examples. In 1994, we liberated Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], but up to September 27, 2020 we did not have a clear vision of the political future of Artsakh. There were only tactics of preventing a new war through diplomacy, doomed from the very beginning. For twenty years, our adversary asserted that it would not allow a second Armenian state in the Caucasus, acquired modern weapons, engaged in active international lobbying, and established networks of influence around the world for one purpose. For what? The question is rhetorical because the answer is very clear. We lost at the moment we believed the mission to return Artsakh was over. We did not pay enough attention to the real guarantees of Artsakh's development and strengthening: the population growth (population of Artsakh remained the same for the past three decades), and the improvement of the art of war, armament renewal and equipment. We got relaxed and continued to live as if there were no serious challenges or threats. Of course, the victory in the Artsakh war became an integral part of our identity, and it is obvious that the most terrible consequence today is the crisis of self-perception. The Armenians woke up, lived, worked, and went to bed with the feeling that they were part of a victorious nation. Now, in a search of the answer, they ask, "Who am I now?" We lost the information war, both externally and internally. For years, we indulged in wishful thinking. These lies had crept everywhere, threatening the national security. In that imaginary world, we supposedly had an organized state, a modern economy and science, a strong army, a democratic society, and free press, but in reality the picture was completely different. We had only managed to deceive ourselves, and thus had already signed the defeat statement. To throw off all this, we need immense efforts, willpower, and courage to look into the eyes of the bitter reality. We are in a difficult situation, but we cannot allow Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora feel defeated. There is a golden rule in politics for all times: never say never. Yes, we have lost today on the battlefield and on the external front, for which the current government must be held accountable. However, other challenges await us, both domestically and internationally. To preserve our statehood and to take it to a fundamentally new level, we must put our emotions aside and start the difficult, and unpleasant, but essential work on ourselves, giving it first priority. Today, we (and first and foremost, the government that has taken responsibility for its own citizens and Armenians of the world) must acknowledge the existence of a deep political, economic, social and psychological crisis. Citizens have every moral right to demand concrete, timely and meaningful answers on the ways-out of the crisis from the members of the National Assembly elected by them, the government and prime minister. The President of the Republic also has his role and responsibility. The division of the society can lead to catastrophic consequences; thus, the country and the people need treatment. The only logical and civilized prescription is off-year elections in reasonable terms with necessary amendments to the Electoral Code and Constitution, which will allow to start the real process of state building from scratch. Until then, a government of national accord must be formed with the help of the institute of the president, one of the legitimate, balanced and impartial branches of power. I see the main mission of that government in achieving three goals. Firstly, the elimination of immediate consequences of the war: return of all prisoners, hostages and displaced persons, proper treatment and care of the injured, repair of destroyed homes and apartments, provision of normal living conditions, and accommodation for the homeless. Secondly, creation and implementation of a roadmap to bring the country out of the political and economic crisis. Thirdly, the reform of the normative and legal framework, providing the necessary conditions for the early elections in reasonable terms, i.e., reforms of the Electoral Code, the law on political parties and, of course, the Constitution. Proceeding from this, the government should be composed of professionals and experts who specialize in specific areas. I would like to repeat, there is no need to look for saviors of the nation or exceptional personalities. The country should be governed by institutions, a system of checks and balances should operate between the branches of power. All citizens, without exception, should respect the law and follow it. Otherwise, we will find ourselves in permanent crises. The Law in capital letters and following it are the basis of any healthy society and strong state, the guarantee of development and survival. It is on this basis that our political culture must be built. There is no other formula for building a stable state. Under a parliamentary system of government, the institute of the President is symbolic or formal in appearance, but internally it can be a lifebuoy in any political crisis. As the head of the state and follower of the Constitution, the institute of the President can become the irreplaceable platform where the constitutional ways-out and mechanisms for overcoming the crisis will be formed through a dialogue. The question is: is our Constitution ideal? The answer is one: no, like the constitution of any country. Everywhere in the world, there are ongoing debates and discussions about changing the basic laws of their countries. As a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, I have my opinion on the shortcomings of our Constitution, but as the President of the Republic, I am obliged to follow the letter of the Law. We can give in to emotions, but all political demands must be carried out within the law. The Third Republic of Armenia is a thing of the past, we are facing a new reality that forces us to be very sober, accountable and purposeful. The national carelessness, disorganization, disorder and inconsistency, the false agendas, ideas and approaches that have accompanied us in recent decades must be thrown into the archives of history. Unfortunately, to date there is no complete perception of the real scale of the dramatic events in Armenia and the Armenian world, and its causes and consequences. We need to understand that a new page of history begins for us with its challenges, and this time with an exceptional imperative to make no mistakes, and to act competently and professionally. No matter what we call that new page: New Page, Restart, A New Beginning, The Fourth Republic or otherwise, the reality is that we are entering a new stage of history. After the nationwide shock caused by the war and the obligatory transition phase, we must undertake the construction of a new state, conventionally called the "Fourth Republic" in this article. The change of power in 2018 could have been the beginning of a new phase in our history, for which there were sufficient grounds for peoples unification, enthusiasm and support, but it became the end of the previous phase, without offering a new ideology. The defeat in the last war was the defeat of that system, not of the soldiers, the people and the nation. The Fourth Republic must become the new ideological, conceptual and substantive basis of our people. The emphasis will be placed on the quality of the state, which requires a radical overhaul of the system of interrelations with our compatriots around the world. Geopolitical perceptions, politics, economy, security, military-industrial complex, medicine, science and education are created by people, and today we are in dire need of the best specialists. There is no lack of prominent Armenians and never has been; we need to stop just being proud of their existence, and make them part of our states reality. For that, it is enough to remove the artificially created Berlin Walls (which are in the Constitution and in the laws) between Armenia and the Armenian communities. Having a lot of experience in communicating with our Diaspora, I can speak with confidence about their huge potential. I shall repeat that in order to discover and use that potential effectively, we need a state systemic approach and proper governance. Hard work is expected, but I do not doubt the final success. The main thing is that everyone should believe in it and participate in the work of bringing that day closer within their abilities and opportunities. We do not have time and chance to think long. The time has come for cold-hearted, quick and effective actions to create an efficient, disciplined and organized modern country based on new technologies and thinking, the FUTURE ARMENIA, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The ways to reach it will be discussed in the future. I have tried for the life of me to find a problem with Vogue magazines controversial February cover of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Harris, 56, is wearing a textured blazer by her friend and designer, Donald Deal. The jacket is paired with ankle-length pencil trousers and on her feet are her signature black and white Converse sneakers. Her blow out is a basic bob. And in a nod to her membership in the esteemed Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority, shes standing on a salmon pink and apple green backdrop. READ MORE: Secret weapon: Kamala Harris sorority sisters rallying locally and nationally to get her and Biden elected Admittedly this cover photographed by Tyler Mitchell, the first Black photographer to shoot a cover for Vogue in 2018 isnt the whimsical, picturesque image weve come to expect from Americas fashion bible. But then again, these are neither whimsical nor picturesque times. The coronavirus era does not lend itself to a ballroom background with diamond-encrusted chandeliers or extravagant, jewel-toned Carolina Herrera gowns. Yet social media including my diverse group of Facebook friends slaughtered the photo. Many quoted activist and writer Charlotte Clymer, who tweeted Mitchells image was akin to homework finished the morning its due. Disrespectful. Vogue tried to play her, wrote one girlfriend. Vogue made the choice to diminish Kamala Harris by making her look every-day ordinary, posted another. If its true that Harris camp was under the impression that a photo of the vice president-elect in a baby blue Michael Kors suit was the agreed upon cover image as reported by Yashir Ali on Sunday on Twitter, I see why the Harris camp would be perturbed, to say the least. A deal is a deal. Thats between Harris and the magazine. But I wonder if the reactions to Harris photo were more about who we want Harris to be rather than who she is and the reality of the times we are actually in: a time when fashion is on the back burner for pretty much all of us. By demanding the first woman, the first Black woman, the first South Asian American woman to hold the job as vice president be presented as dolled up and perfectly coiffed, whose definition of glamour are we upholding? Whose idea of what an accomplished woman looks like are we valuing? Think about it: American glamour came into its own in the 1930s and peaked through the 1950s. That was a time when women derived their stature from their husbands. We werent career driven. Like it or not, our idea of how a woman should look and act takes most of its cues from these decades. Today, women have moved far beyond white gloves, sweetheart necklines, pearls, princess silhouettes, and pillbox hats. Yet we still think that an accomplished women should be put on that unattainable fashion pedestal, girdles and all. In 2021, glamour should be about women getting the job done. Harris is not a 1950s housewife, nor is she a 1950s AKA. Harris is a former San Francisco district attorney who campaigned like hell, beat out the naysayers, and is on the verge of becoming vice president of the United States. Shes done what no woman before has done. That in itself makes her anything but ordinary. That has nothing to do with her clothes. At this point in American history, we shouldnt need to see the vice president looking prim and proper or untouchable in a ball gown or designer business suit costing thousands of dollars. That is the epitome of tone deaf. A pandemic is raging. Our economy is in turmoil. We are in unsettled and divided times and it feels like our nation is on the brink of a civil war. The president is facing his second impeachment charge, this one for inciting last weeks riots at the Capitol. READ MORE: Why arent Black protesters called great patriots? | Elizabeth Wellington Our world like many of you complained about the picture is way out of focus. And an Armani suit and pearls wont make it any clearer. Lets be frank, I get why we are quick to jump on Vogue. Under the leadership of industry doyenne Anna Wintour, the glossy has not been an advocate for Black women or Black beauty. The covers of former First Lady Michelle Obama were stellar, but too often Black women have appeared looking either too light as in yes, Harris does look whitewashed in this photo or too ashen. And when the makeup and lighting is on point, the images have stripped us of our femininity like they did in the cases of Simone Biles and Viola Davis. Vogue has a long way to go when it comes proving it cares about authentic Black beauty. But I do know that if fashion is going to survive, it has to do a better job showing women who we really are, not who we really want them to be: superhuman, always graceful, always poised, always happy to walk in shoes that hurt our feet. The reason why fashion is slow to celebrate our everyday glamour when we are truly standing in the power of sisterhood is because we pooh-pooh on it. When fashion gives us the familiarity we crave, we throw it back as not good enough. When it dares to show women as vulnerable or approachable, we demand statuesque and take-no-shots minimalism. We want fashion to distract us, feed our ego, and show us our version of the truth. Thats not fair to us and its not fair to fashion. Eventually pomp and circumstance will be relevant again. One day the pandemic will be over and the mess of this country will be cleaned up. And if Harris chooses, maybe we get a glimpse of her on the cover of another fashion magazine in a stunning gown. Maybe she one day will attend her own inaugural ball as president. In the meantime, we should put our egos aside and let Harris get down to the business of healing our country Converse and all. Pat Loud, the matriarch of the seminal PBS documentary series An American Family, which is considered the first reality show, has died at age 94. Loud, her husband Bill, and their five children became household names after the series chronicling their lives in Santa Barbara, California, premiered in 1973 decades before people were keeping up with the Kardashians. Her death was confirmed on the Loud family's official Facebook page on Sunday with an emotional tribute to the first reality TV mom. Passing: Pat Loud, the matriarch of the seminal PBS documentary series An American Family, has died at age 94 First reality show: Loud, her husband Bill, and their five children became household names after the series chronicling their lives in Santa Barbara, California, premiered in 1973 'With inconsolable sorrow, we are sad to share the news with friends and family that on Sunday January 10 at 1:55pm PT, Pat Loud passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes. She was snuggled up safe in her comfy home, attended by loving children Michele, Delilah, Kevin and Grant,' reads the post, in part. Loud was born Patricia Claire Russell on October 4, 1926, in Eugene, Oregon. She met her future husband Bill when she around six years old, as their families were friends. Bill would visit her from the University of Oregon when she was studying at Stanford University, where she graduated with degrees in world history and English literature in 1948. 'He would drive down and pick her up and then go to Tijuana to see bull fights,' their daughter Delilah Loud told the New York Times. 'They had quite a courtship.' The couple married in Mexico in 1950 and welcomed their first son Alanson 'Lance' Russell Loud, a year later in June 1951. They went on to have two more sons, Kevin and Grant, and two daughters, Delilah and Michele. Before Kris Jenner: Loud was well-read, witty, loving, and boisterous. She graduated from Stanford University, worked as a literary agent, and wrote two books Looking back: The Loud family lived an affluent lifestyle in Santa Barbara, where they had a home with a pool and a Jaguar The Loud family moved to Santa Barbara in 1962 and lived an affluent lifestyle thanks to Bill's business making parts for mining equipment. They enjoyed long vacations to Europe, had a house with a pool, and Jaguar to cruise around in, according to the Times. Delilah described her parents as 'adventurous types,' as she recalled them discussing whether they should document their lives in An American Family. 'They wanted us to experience the world and they thought, "Well, what the heck, itll be a new experience,"' she said. Loud told The Time in 2013 that 'it seemed like a fun thing to do.' Created by Craig Gilbert, the series started filming at their Santa Barbara home in 1971 and lasted seven months. The footage was edited into 12, hour-long episodes, which premiered on PBS on January 11, 1973. A record ten million weekly viewers were riveted watching the Loud family's lives falling apart. Loud had previously said that the creators 'just went for the sensational stuff.' Keeping it real: Loud and her husband Bill, pictured on The Dick Cavett Show in 1973, documented their separation and subsequent divorce on the docu-series Breaking boundaries: An American Family also chronicled the couple's son Lance coming out. Lance, pictured with his mom in 1990, is credited as being the first openly gay person on TV The series documented Loud asking her unfaithful husband to move out, and in one episode, she opened up about Bill's affairs to her brother and sister-in-law. Loud told The Times in 2013 that she was 'coerced' into filming that conversation, but Gilbert denied the allegations. 'I said, "Pat, we must shoot that,"' he told The Times in 2013. 'She said, "I do not want you to." I said, "We must, Pat, because otherwise its going to come out of the blue. No one will understand it." She finally agreed, and her brother and sister-in-law were in the room when she agreed to it. And now she says she was coerced.' Loud told her husband she wanted a divorce in the final episode, and according to Delilah, her mother didn't care who was watching at that point. 'She just wanted Dad out,' she said. An American Family also chronicled the couple's eldest son Lance coming out and his flamboyant lifestyle in New York, where his loving and supportive mother would visit him, cameras in tow. Lance is credited as being the first openly gay person on television. Doting mom: Loud moved back to California to be with Lance in the early 1990s after he was diagnosed with HIV. He died in 2001 from Hepatitis C complications Portrayal: The Loud family's foray into reality television inspired the 2011 HBO film Cinema Verite, a fictionalized account of An American Family starring Diane Lane as Loud Voyeuristic eyes were mesmerized by the watershed cinema verite event as they viewed unscripted moments in the family's life that the press described as being exhibitionist. Critics were harsh, with one calling Loud an 'affluent zombie.' In 1974, Loud and her daughters moved to New York, living in an apartment on the Upper East Side, where she stayed for more than a decade working as a literary agent. The year she moved, she published her first of two books: Pat Loud: A Womans Story. Her second, Lance Out Loud, debuted in 2012. The mother of five lived in Bath England in the early 1990s, but she moved back to California to be with Lance after he was diagnosed with HIV. Without his mother's knowledge, Lance asked the original camera and sound equipment operators from An American Family to document his final days. He died in 2001 from complications due to Hepatitis C. 'Loud was a fierce, inflexible, forthright matriarch and loyal champion of outsiders and iconoclasts,' her family wrote in their Facebook tribute. 'Her door was never locked and there was always room at her table. Never one for regrets or reflection, she moved forward in life with enthusiasm and courage.' Back together: Loud, pictured with Mick Loud in 2005, reunited with Bill as Lance's dying wish, and they shared a home for 17 years before he died in 2018 at age 97 Legacy: Loud, pictured with Christopher Makos and Roseanne Barr in 2014, is survived by her children Kevin, Grant, Delilah, and Michele Loud had moved back in with her ex-husband Bill one of Lance's final wishes, and they shared a home for 17 years before he died of natural causes in 2018 at age 97. The Loud family's foray into reality television inspired the 2011 HBO film Cinema Verite, a fictionalized behind-the-scenes account of the creation of An American Family. Diane Lane played Loud, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal. The film also starred Tim Robbins as Bill, Thomas Dekker as Lance, and James Gandolfini as Gilbert. Loud is survived by her children Kevin, Grant, Delilah, and Michele Loud. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in her name to The Rescue Train, an animal welfare organization based in Los Angeles. 'Butyou know what shed really like? Throw something delicious in the oven and let the aroma fill the house. At the stroke of 5pm, gather friends and family around a tray of savory treats,' her family wrote. 'Fill a glass with ice and if you really want to do it right everyone take one, VERY LARGE vodka. Maybe (definitely) two. Then sit down to dinner at a crowded table. Tell stories, put music on, laugh, and make a lot of noise. Have seconds, clean plates. And love each other. Shed love that.' 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 Turkish sex cult leader and televangelist who preached Islamic sermons while surrounded by glamorous women who he dubbed his 'kittens' has been jailed for more than 1,000 years. Adnan Oktar was found guilty of 10 separate charges including child sexual abuse, leading a criminal gang, rape, blackmail, fraud, political and military espionage and causing torment. The 64-year-old, who denied the charges, was handed a total of 1,075 years in prison. Adnan Oktar, a Turkish sex cult leader who preached sermons while surrounded by glamorous women who he dubbed his 'kittens', has been jailed for 1,045 years for a series of crimes The preacher was found guilty of forming a gang with criminal intent, sexual abuse of minors, sexual assault, kidnapping, blackmail, fraud and espionage The conservative Islamic preacher was known for holding theological discussions surrounded by scantily-clad and heavily made-up women on his private television channel. The hearings have featured lurid details and harrowing sex crime allegations, with Oktar telling the presiding judge in December that he had close to 1,000 girlfriends. 'There is an overflowing of love in my heart for women. Love is a human quality. It is a quality of a Muslim,' he said in another hearing in October. He added on another occasion: 'I am extraordinarily potent.' Oktar presented programmes surrounded by scantily-clad and heavily made-up women - who appeared to have had plastic surgery - who he dubbed 'kittens' Oktar - also known by his pen name Harun Yahya - has authored numerous books promoting creationism against Darwin's theory of evolution as well as conspiracy theories Oktar first came to public attention in the 1990s when he was the leader of a sect that was caught up in multiple sex scandals. His online A9 television channel began broadcasting in 2011, drawing denunciations from Turkey's religious leaders. One of the women at his trial, identified only as CC, told the court that Oktar had repeatedly sexually abused her and other women. Some of the women he had raped were forced to take contraceptive pills, CC told the court. Oktar first came to public attention in the 1990s when he was the leader of a sect that was caught up in multiple sex scandals. His online A9 television channel began broadcasting in 2011, drawing denunciations from Turkey's religious leaders Asked about 69,000 contraception pills found in his home by the police, Oktar said they were used to treat skin disorders and menstrual irregularities. He also found guilty of aiding US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey accuses of masterminding a failed coup attempt in 2016. Thirteen of Oktar's associates were also given lengthy sentences on similar charges, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Some 236 suspects have been on trial in the case, 78 of whom are under arrest. Oktar is expected to appeal the verdict and has maintained that he was the victim of a plot. He was arrested in 2018 along with dozens of his followers in police raids on his properties in Istanbul and other cities as part of an investigation into his group. The arrests came after Turkey's media watchdog imposed fines on Oktar's TV channel and suspended broadcasts of his shows where he was surrounded by women who had undergone cosmetic surgery and were known as 'kittens.' The televangelist - who uses the pen name Harun Yahya - is also known for a series of books he has authored promoting creationism against Darwin's theory of evolution. 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! 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 bus carrying regime soldiers went missing on its way to Homs city, only to be later found, empty and on fire reports Baladi News. On Saturday, the Syrian regime forces lost contact with a bus carrying its members on the Ithria road in the eastern Hama countryside, as it was returning from Raqqa, on its way to Homs. According to pro-regime media sources, most notably Tartous Now, the regime forces lost contact with a bus that was transporting nine members and three officers, traveling on the Ithria road, that was on its way back from the Raqqa area to the city of Homs. Tartous Now added that after a lengthy search, the regime forces were able to locate the bus, which had caught fire on the Ithria road. The fate of the passengers remains unknown until this moment. The Sham Media Center, which specializes in reporting news on the Syrian desert and northern Syria, stated that clashes are continuing in separate areas in the Syrian Badia, between the regime forces and the Islamic State (ISIS). The center confirmed that during the past few hours, the clashes resulted in the killing and wounding of three individuals in the eastern countryside of Aleppo and the killing of several members of the Quds Brigade militia near Jabal al-Bishri, when a vehicle carrying them was ambushed. An officer with the rank of first lieutenant from the 25th Division was killed on the Salamiyah-Ithria road when a bomb targeted his car. During the past few weeks, the Syrian desert has witnessed clashes between ISIS cells and members of the regime forces, as ISIS elements carried out successive attacks on regime sites and the local militias loyal to it. Moreover, the Rusafa-Ithria road south of al-Tabqah city has been witnessing intermittent clashes between the regime forces and the militias supporting it, on one side, and ISIS cells, on the other. 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. Looking at layout, getting the right furniture and adding joinery or panelling can make a huge difference to a space. Photograph: Getty Images Some of us have a natural eye for beautiful design and the know-how to create a well laid out home. But for many, expert advice is required in order to achieve a cohesive scheme that flows throughout. And so, in the final part of our Switch it Up series, in which weve tackled all aspects of the home improvement journey from kitchens and bathrooms to getting a better BER rating and looking at how renovations can maximise our space, were rounding out the series by talking to interior design experts who explain how form can follow function in our homes. Potential savings from a mortgage switch, combined with some additional funds, could be the way to create your ultimate interior scheme. An interior architect or designer can help enhance any indoor space, focusing on layout, spatial planning and conceptual design. We spoke with three designers who shed light on what you can expect from an expert in this field, while offering tips on how to enhance your home. Lauren Martin and Louise Rankin run North Design while Emily Cunnane heads up Inspace Design, both practices are based in Dublin. We often see clients project managing their own renovations and coming to us mid-way through construction for help after some costly mistakes, say Martin and Rankin. Any project comes with its problems, but having an experienced, impartial body with your end goal in mind can help you manage these as they arise and save you money in the long run. An online consultation is easily done. You can virtually walk through the space with the designer, pointing out the areas you wish to improve, any particular pain points, and any ideas you may have, Cunnane says. While costs vary, she says, In the long run working with a designer will often save you money as they will pass on discounts for products and let you into their little black book for tried and trusted tradespeople. So what can an interior designer do for you? You dont need to be undertaking a big project to work with one and often, many issues can be solved by reorganising your layout. A good interior designer will get to know you and how you live your life, and then spend time creating an environment that will enhance your day to day, Cunnane says. A broken plan layout is a cost effective way of opening up a space, and choosing the right furniture will have an enormous effect. Lighting is a key element which can change the feeling of an existing space entirely. Your designer will be able to help you maximise natural light as well as create an intelligent layered lighting plan to create spaces within spaces, and change the function of an area easily, she says. Kitchens and bathrooms Opt for a couple of different lighting types in the kitchen. Photograph: Getty Images Kitchens and bathrooms are generally the rooms we want to maximise. Layout and lighting are the two key elements, Cunnane says. In the kitchen consider running your units all the way to the ceiling if you are short on space. It will not only give you more long-term storage space but give the illusion of a higher ceiling. Under cabinet lighting gives you visibility across your work surfaces and ambient light when you dont want to use overheads. A feature pendant creates drama over an island or in the middle of the room. In the bathroom, wall-hung units can create a feeling of space. You could also consider unifying the finishes in a small room, such as using a micro-cement for all surfaces rather than a tile, Cunnane says. Opting for wall rather than ceiling lights can give a more polished feel too. Under stairs bathrooms can prove tricky for home owners, according to the team at North Design. The layout in these spaces are usually quite restrictive, and this tends to reflect in the design too. There is so much potential to make these spaces something special. You could introduce a bright patterned tile with a strong colour on the wall. This always ends up being a pleasant surprise for your guests, they say. Making the most of awkward spaces Sometimes the introduction of an open plan extension can leave a void in the centre of the house where there had been a previous living area. A designer can help. Its important to inject function back in. Use a stronger colour on the walls, introduce joinery or wall panelling, or change up the lighting, it can be made more inviting, and may become your new snug or post-dinner entertaining space with guests, Martin and Rankin suggest. Paint is another clever and inexpensive way of altering a space, they say. Paint a large sample of the proposed colour on various walls and live with it for a couple of days. You will be amazed at how a colour can feel different at various times of the day and with weather changes, so take the time to get it right. Trying trends Interior trends come and go, but one thats set to stay thanks to the pandemic is how we use our homes for rest, work and play. That joy of separation between work and home life has merged and has put pressure on our homes. Clients want their homes to be more flexible, the main addition being incorporating a work space, but one that is flexible by having the option of closing it away when not in use to allow for evening and weekend family time, Martin and Rankin say. This could mean an office area with a fold-over door that can be shut away in the evening time to physically and mentally put thoughts of work to bed. When it comes to decor trends, Cunnane asserts that homeowners can afford to take some small risks. There is nothing wrong with getting your inspiration from current trends, but why not consider broadening your sources, she says. Look at movies for colour schemes, and high fashion can inspire shapes and forms in your soft furnishing. Into 2021, North Design is seeing natural, light and dark timber tones teamed with accents of black. There is a strong emphasis on textures, the use of rattan in headboards, chairs and accent furniture are all leading features. Colourwise it is a muted use of tones - earthy greens, mustards and dusty pinks. About Switch it Up Switch it Up is a new 12-part series for those who might be considering switching mortgage provider to make savings on their monthly repayments. It is a follow-up to the award-winning Story of Home series, which explored the idea of home through the eyes of creative people who found their dream place to live. Now, Switch it Up, which like Story of Home is supported by Ulster Bank, looks at helpful information on home improvements as well as renovators home tours. Plus, weve got helpful answers to your mortgage switching queries: from the incentives to how long it will take (not long!) and whats involved in making a mortgage switch, read our Everything you need to know about switching your mortgage guide at irishtimes.com/switchitup. Perhaps now more than ever, we want our homes to suit the way we live and work, and being able to explore the potential in our homes offers us flexibility. This series is designed to unlock the ways in which we might Switch it Up in our homes as our wants and needs change. Switching your mortgage could free up funds to help you make these changes. At Ulster Bank, we want to be a part of the journey you take in making your home the best it can be, says Sean Kellaghan, mobile mortgage manager at Ulster Bank. We want to make the mortgage switching process as simple and as hassle free as you do, he adds. Kellaghan understands the stress that can come with making a switch, and he offers reassurance. We are here to help you, and the process is a lot shorter and a lot more straightforward than you might think. Get in touch today and we can talk you through the options and process. For more information, visit ulsterbank.ie Ulster Bank Ireland DAC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland President Donald Trump's approval rating sits at 33 per cent after Wednesday's Capitol Hill riot - tying with the lowest of his presidency. A new Quinnipiac poll, conducted after the attack, found that 53 per cent of voters believe the president should resign for inciting the MAGA riot. A slightly lower number, 52 per cent, said he should be removed from office. A majority of voters told Quinnipiac that they believed President Donald Trump was responsbile for Wednesday's violence on Capitol Hill. Fifty-three per cent said Trump should resign from office, with just nine days left, 52 per cent said he should be removed President Donald Trump's supporters are trying to push through the police line on Capitol Hill Wednesday. Afterward, Americans rewarded Trump with a 33 per cent approval rating, tying with the lowest marks he's had in his four year presidency There's a large gulf between parties when the question was asked if voters believed widespread fraud occurred. Seventy-three per cent of Republicans said they believed it did, parroting Trump, while just 5 per cent of Democrats agreed Trump has just nine days left in his term. A majority of voters hold Trump responsible for Wednesday's violent incident, which killed five people including a U.S. Capitol Police officer. Another Capitol Police officer committed suicide. Quinnipiac found that 56 per cent of voters hold Trump responsible, while 42 per cent do not. Americans are split on whether they define Wednesday's attack on the capitol as a coup attempt. Supporters of Trump mobbed the capitol as Congress was meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win. Trump egged on the crowd in remarks at the ellipse earlier Wednesday. Forty-seven per cent of voters said they believed what happened was a coup attempt, while 43 per cent did not. Ten per cent of survey respondents said they weren't sure whether it was a coup. Both Democrats and Republicans wanted to see those involved punished. Ninety-one per cent of voters surveyed said the individuals involved should be held accountable for their actions. Just 6 per cent disagreed. 'Pick them up and lock them up. There's no ambivalence on how to treat the mobs that breached the Capitol, and there is nearly the same level of alarm from Republicans and Democrats over extremism establishing a troubling foothold,' explained Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy. Eighty-one per cent of voters said that extremism is a big problem in the United States, with just 12 per cent saying it wasn't. The attackers on Capitol Hill were motivated by Trump's false claims that the election had been stolen from him. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. But Quinnipiac's polling showed the wide gulf between Democrats and Republicans believing this fact. Overall, more than half of voters - 58 per cent - said they believed there was no widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Another 37 per cent of voters said they did. However, among Republicans 73 per cent said they believed there was widespread voter fraud, with just 21 per cent saying there wasn't. Among Democrats 93 per cent said there was no widespread voter fraud, with just 5 per cent of Democrats saying there was. Independents fell more in line with Democrats, with 60 per cent saying there was not widespread voter fraud and 36 per cent saying there was. The last time Trump's approval rating hit 33 per cent was in August 2017. At the time, Trump had just lost his White House Communication Director Anthony Scaramucci, in a brief but dramatic stint. Additionally, lawmakers on Capitol Hill ended the Trump-backed effort to kill Obamacare. The Sherwood High educator arrested on 29 counts of sex crimes involving a child allegedly photographed a topless teenager through her window twice last fall, according to Multnomah County court records. An attorney for Brian David Trostel, 60, wrote in a memo arguing for a reduction in his bail that the educator is accused of taking nine pictures of a teen while she was topless inside a Portland home on Sept. 21 and again Oct. 20. He faces 29 criminal counts for his alleged actions, including using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse and invasion of personal privacy. Jeffrey S. Siefman, Trostels lawyer, argued the $50,000 bail is unreasonably high for a public school teacher putting a child through college and that Trostels age puts him at risk of serious complications if he contracts coronavirus in jail. Siefman wrote that COVID-19 is running rampant in the countys jail facilities. Attorneys on social media have argued that Multnomah Countys holding centers are a risk to their clients and some inmates have tested positive for coronavirus. Siefman wrote that Trostel would be able to afford the 10% he would owe if his bail is revised to $35,000. He argued that Trostel is not a flight risk. Trostel was first hired at Sherwood High in 1994 and put on leave when district officials learned of his arrest, a spokesperson for the district said. Sherwood district officials also reported Trostel to the state agency that licenses Oregon teachers, spokesperson Christine Andregg told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Over the last 18 years, two Sherwood educators have had their licenses revoked for sexual misconduct involving children. Robert Patton, then the principal of Sherwood High, resigned in 2003 after he was convicted of possession of materials depicting sexually explicit conduct of a child and sexual abuse. His license was revoked three months later. And in 2014, teacher Denise Keesee pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 16-year-old six years prior. Her teaching license was revoked in April 2015. --Eder Campuzano Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday released a highly personal video message condemning the attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump, comparing it to Nazi assaults on Jews before World War II. In the video posted to Twitter, the Austrian-born action star likened the Capitol invasion to Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass in 1938 in which Nazis burned hundreds of synagogues and plundered thousands of Jewish homes, businesses and schools. Ninety-one Jews were murdered, and 30,000 were sent to concentration camps in the turning point for the Third Reich that resulted in the Holocaust. Wednesday was the Day of the Broken Glass right here in the United States, Schwarzenegger said. Schwarzenegger, who was born two years after World War II ended, spoke of growing up in postwar Austria surrounded by broken men, including his own father, drinking away their guilt over their participation in the most evil regime in history. Not all were Nazis, he said: Many just went along step-by-step down the road. They were the people next door. He said he had never spoken publicly before about his fathers abuse. My father would come home drunk once or twice a week, and he would scream and hit us and scare my mother, which was common behavior among families in his neighborhood, Schwarzenegger said. It all started with lies, and lies, and lies, and intolerance, he said. So being from Europe I have seen firsthand how things can spin out of control. The U.S. Capitol invaders trampled the very principles on which our country was founded, Schwarzenegger said. He called fellow Republican Trump a failed leader who sought a coup by misleading people with lies. He will go down in history as the worst president ever, he said. Schwarzenegger has long been a critic of Trump. The two have sparred on social media for years, and Schwarzenegger has called for his party to move away from the president. Schwarzenegger took over from Trump as the host of The Celebrity Apprentice after Trumps 2016 election, but said he would not return after one season, citing Trumps continued involvement as executive producer. In his nearly eight-minute video Sunday, which quickly went viral, Schwarzenegger urged all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, to wish President-elect Joe Biden success in office. We stand with you today, tomorrow and forever in defense of our democracy from those who would threaten it, he said. Rob Stutzman, who was Schwarzeneggers deputy chief of staff, told The Chronicle he sent the former governor a message Sunday morning telling him hes never been prouder of him. He said that as an immigrant, Schwarzenegger has a unique perspective to share on what happened last week. Im not surprised, but I was particularly moved at how deeply he shared from his own personal story, Stuzman said. I know that part of his life is very private to him. While Schwarzenegger using his platform to reach millions of people is significant, more needs to be done to have a major impact, Stutzman said. Were going to need a lot of voices starting to sound this alarm, he said. Some lawmakers and other notable figures reacted to and retweeted Schwarzeneggers message, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who the FBI said was the target of a recent failed kidnap plot by an anti-government group. Schwarzenegger is Californias most recent Republican governor, first elected in 2003 after the recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. He served the remainder of Davis term, was re-elected in 2006 and served through 2011, when he was prevented by the states constitution from seeking another term. The siege on the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday took place while lawmakers convened to debate and certify the Electoral College votes that ultimately cemented Bidens presidency. Since the election, President Trump has alleged widespread voter fraud, but he has produced no evidence supporting his claims, and courts have rejected dozens of lawsuits by Trump and his allies seeking to overturn the election results. The morning of the riot, Trump held a rally near the White House to protest the presidential certification and called on thousands of supporters who had shown up to stand up for whats right. They descended on the Capitol and dozens stormed into the building, breaking windows and vandalizing property as lawmakers, including Vice President Mike Pence, were rushed away to safety. Five people died, including a Capitol Police officer who suffered injuries from the mob. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang Barn destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. Fire destroyed a barn about five miles southeast of Watertown Wednesday, according to a report from Watertown Fire Rescue. Emergency services workers and soldiers freed 2,500 drivers trapped by the storm, which killed at least three peoplethese firefighters helped push a vehicle stuck on Madrid's M30 ringroad Armed with picks and shovels, residents of Madrid on Monday slowly shovelled out of Spain's worst snowstorm in decades which turned roads and pavements into skating rinks. Officials asked people to stay at home if possible after Storm Filomena dumped between 20-30 centimetres (7-8 inches) of snow on the Spanish capital between Friday and Saturday. Emergency services workers and soldiers freed 2,500 drivers trapped in their vehicles by the storm, which killed at least three people. Lacking enough salt and snowploughs, the authorities had as of Monday only managed to clear main roads of snow and fallen tree branches, with most pavements, smaller roads and residential areas still covered. Residents pitched in to help municipal workers and soldiers remove snow from the streets. "We have cleared a passage with a borrowed shovel, especially for older people," Blanca Fernandez, a 39-year-old optician's employee told AFP as she cleared a sidewalk in front of her shop along with a co-worker. "The situation is so hard that we wanted to help," she added. The authorities are worried about the prospect of snow turning to ice, with temperatures expected to fall to minus 13 (9 Fahrenheit) in the centre of Spain on Tuesday. "We are still facing difficult days, it will not be easy to return to normality," Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told a news conference. Spain's AEMET weather agency described the situation as "exceptional and most likely historic" after Storm Filomena battered the country Vaccines 'guaranteed' He insisted the travel chaos will not affect the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine, with 350,000 doses due to be rolled out nationwide on Monday. "The delaysif there are delayswill be minimal and slight," the minister said. The distribution of the jabs to all regions was "guaranteed", he added. At Madrid airport, which had been closed most of the weekend, the first flights resumed late on Sunday after the army cleared snow from the runways. The rare snowstorm triggered some unprecedented scenes over the weekend in Madrid. People skied along the city's main commercial street, the Gran Via, and held massive snowball fights despite pandemic restrictions on the size of groups which can meet in public. One man was filmed being pulled on a sled by dogs while others celebrated the snow by singing and dancing a congo in the central Puerta del Sol square. Emergency services have had to focus on clearing main routes because of a lack of equipment But on Monday residents largely heeded the government's call to stay at home on Monday, with the capital's streets all but deserted and quiet, except for the sound of shovels scraping snow and ice. In Madrid's residential Prosperidad neighbourhood few people who ventured out walked slowly, some using canes or sticks to support themselves and prevent themselves from slipping and falling. The local market was deserted. Gabriel Madrid, the owner of a shoe store, said he feared he would not receive more merchandise "until Friday". Schools closures The Madrid region, among the worst hit areas, announced all schools, libraries and cultural institutions would be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Courts would also remain closed until Wednesday, officials said. The regional government of Madrid has distributed 277 tonnes of salt to the area's municipalities to prevent the formation of ice. Work continued Monday to clear roads The Madrid region was among the worst hit areas with levels of snowfall not seen since 1971 It is expected to receive another 3,500 tonnes of salt in the coming days from eastern Spain. A total of 138 roads across Spain remained closed on Monday and nearly 700 were affected by the storm, meaning some form of restrictions on their use were still in place, said the interior ministry. Bus services were cancelled on Monday but the Madrid metro operated around the clock so essential workers could get to their jobs. Four stations were providing shelter, food and blankets to the homeless. Rail links were slowly re-established, with the first the departure on Monday afternoon of the first high-speed train between Madrid and Barcelona since the storm hit. Explore further Spain shovels out of snowdrifts left by Storm Filomena 2021 AFP Farm groups are warning the risk of worker exploitation in the horticulture industry is rising, blaming state governments for not developing plans to bring in foreign workers as the summer harvest heats up. Acute shortages in the agriculture workforce are being driven by coronavirus restrictions on overseas workers entering the country. Farmers are calling for an urgent solution to labour shortages as harvest heats up. Credit:Louie Douvis Victorian crops are ripening now, and industry estimates they need 26,000 to pick their summer crops, but just 350 Australians have signed up to the federal government's program that offers a $6000 payment to entice locals to fill the labour gap. Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) chief executive Michael Rogers said his organisation condemned any worker mistreatment, but financial pressure of a missed harvest may spur some in the industry to "make decisions they shouldn't". Many say that Vice President-elect Kamala Harris's photo is not befitting for the soon-to-be the highest-ranking politician of the United States. Vogue's February cover photo has elicited rounds of criticism online. Kamala Harris Faces Online Backlash After the release of Vogue on Sunday, the image shows Harris standing in front of a glossy piece of pink fabric and wearing a plain back jacket and Converse sneakers. Based on a number of fans online, they are arguing that the first woman, African American, and Asian American, who will be holding the office of the Vice President is worthy of a grander cover. According to NBC, they have reported that commenters online also felt that the lighting during the photoshoot had not been executed properly for someone with the complexion of Harris. The Vice President-elect's second cover photo which shows her in a light-blue suit while standing in a gold-toned room has won more praise compared to the first posted. The Hill reported, according to Wajahat Ali, a writer for the New York Times has responded to the cover writing, emphasizing that the first cover photo was a mess up and mentioned that Anna Wintour, the British-American journalist who has served as the Global Chief Content Officer for Conde Nast since 2020 and the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue since 1988, must really not have Black friends and colleagues. Vogue's Editor-in-Chief, Wintour has long faced accusations of excluding black cover models and even talents from the magazine, which for many they refer it as the fashion bible. Read Also: Blizzard in Spain: Record-Breaking Snowfall Blankets Madrid, Four People Dead According to a report of the Associated Press, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue issued an apology in an internal memo to the staffers of the American monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine, writing that she wants to say plainly that she knows that Vogue has not found sufficient ways of elevating and give space to Black editors, photographers, writers, designers, and other creators. Wintour also added as a magazine they have made mistakes too by publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or also intolerant, but she said that she is taking full responsibility regarding those mentioned mistakes. According to a report in the New York Times, in December, the publishing company Conde Nast announced that Anna Wintour will be the worldwide chief content officer and global editorial director of Vogue, which gave her control over publications in more than 30 markets. Unaware Based on a report of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, according to the team of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the photo of Harris which appears on the cover of the February issue of Vogue magazine was not both sides had agreed upon as for them it should be the powder blue power suit, but instead she can be seen in more casual attire, wearing Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. Also from HNGN: Be Smart: Stimulus Check Scams to Look out for in 2021 Related Article: Chicago Shooting Spree: Death Toll Reaches 5 Including Suspect Killed in Police Encounter @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. REGGIO CALABRIA, JAN 11 - A 65-year-old Italian man was arrested Monday on suspicion of murdering a 50-something married couple near Reggio Calabria last month. The man, Francesco Barilla, is a cousin of the dead couple, 58-year-old Giuseppe Cotroneo and 51-year-old Francesca Musolino, police said. He allegedly shot them dead with his hunting rifle in a row over the ownership of the land where they were picking olives when he allegedly killed them on December 9. The incident took place at Calanna, in the province of Reggio Calabria. Barilla owns the land near the couple's, and wanted to buy their plot to expand his own, but they refused, police said. Police said they had gathered irrefutable evidence against the man. They said they had established that a semi-automatic rifle seized from the man was the murder weapon. Barilla's movements had also been tracked using CCTV footage, police said. (ANSA). SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hockley Agro UK, a division of Hockley International Ltd., will exclusively distribute BRANDT's proprietary plant nutrition products in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. BRANDT, a leading manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, will supply Hockley with its proprietary Manni-Plex and Smart System foliar lines. The products will be targeted potato, tomato, fruit, oil seed and cereal producers. Sales and commercial development will be led by Peter Rosevere, Sales Director Hockley Agro UK, supported by Christine Bassaber, BRANDT's Director Specialty Products Europe & Africa. "We are pleased to be working with Hockley to expand the use of BRANDT nutritionals in the United Kingdom," said Dr. Ramon Georgis, Vice President, BRANDT International. "Hockley is a dynamic company that shares our vision of delivering effective and innovative solutions to today's growers." Hockley is a leading distributor of crop protection products with production based in Manchester, England. "This is an important milestone. This is the first time growers in the UK will have access to BRANDT nutrition products," said Rick Brandt, President and CEO of BRANDT. "We are proud to welcome Hockley into the BRANDT family: This is a great way to head into 2021." BRANDT Smart System advanced compatibility foliar nutrients are applied with post-emergent herbicides and help mitigate crop stress. BRANDT Manni-Plex high performance foliar nutrients deliver essential micronutrients and help improve quality to yield. BRANDT products are available through approved distributors throughout the U.S. and in 51 countries around the world. About BRANDT: A leading agricultural company, BRANDT consists of three divisionsSpecialty Formulations, Retail Agronomy and Dealer Supportserving growers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. BRANDT's focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for maximum return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply. For more, visit BRANDT at www.brandteurope.com Photos: https://we.tl/t-PHnuVx2CZL www.brandt.co www.brandteurope.com SOURCE BRANDT Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 16:19:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LAGOS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have killed 28 Boko Haram militants in an operation in Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe. In the operation conducted on Saturday, the troops "tactically out-maneuvered the criminals and engaged them with superior firepower resulting in high casualty on the side of the terrorists in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state," said military spokesperson Benard Onyeuko in a statement reaching Xinhua on Monday. Few other Boko Haram terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, the spokesperson said. The troops also recovered a gun truck, many weapons and a large quantity of ammunition during the gunfight, he said, adding that mopping-up operations had been intensified in the area. One soldier was killed while another was wounded during the exchange of fire, Onyeuko said. The Nigerian government has launched several military operations in recent years to eliminate the extremist group, which emerged in the country's northeast region over a decade ago and posed security threats to countries in the Lake Chad Basin. Enditem State Quotas for Housing Meet Resistance in Southern California Cities throughout Orange County, California, are appealing state-mandated quotas to build more high-density and affordable housing. Some local officials say the quotas are too high and have been shifted unfairly from nearby counties. Irvine, Newport Beach, Yorba Linda, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and Mission Viejo are among the cities that have launched appeals with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), which are scheduled to be heard through Jan. 22. At the groups Jan. 7 meeting, Kome Ajise, the executive director of SCAG, said the organization had received 31 letters from 48 different jurisdictions contesting the states regional determination for affordable housing. At the same meeting, Anaheim City Councilman Trevor ONeil, a SCAG regional council member, pressed SCAG President Rex Richardson for a closed session meeting to discuss potential litigation against the state over its regional determination number. The fight over affordable housingand particularly where it will be locatedrevolves around the states Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) report, which determined the areas where approximately 1.34 million new housing units are scheduled to be built over the next eight years. Proponents say more affordable housing is desperately needed in a state enduring a deadly pandemic and with a booming homeless population. But cities throughout Orange County want their mandated numbers drastically reduced, saying they havent been appropriately allocated. An apartment building under construction in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Housing Shortage The RHNA is based on a 1969 California state law that requires all California cities, towns, and counties plan for the housing needs of residents regardless of income. As part of the RHNA, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines how many new homes must be builtand how affordable those homes must beto meet state housing goals. RHNA operates on eight-year cycles and is about to enter its sixth cycle, from October 2021 to October 2029. As part of the current assessment, Irvine has been allocated 23,554 affordable housing units, Newport Beach 4,834 units, and Yorba Linda 2,411 units. Each city wants to cut its allocation by thousands. Irvine has requested to have its allocation cut by 8,259 units; Newport Beach has asked for a reduction of 2,426 units; and Yorba Linda wants to see a 2,200-unit or more reduction from its initial 2,411-unit allocation. The problem, Anaheims ONeil says, is that the states housing goals are too lofty. I think its really overzealous to say that in the Southern California region we need 1.34 million units in the next eight years. I dont think the need is that high, he told The Epoch Times. Thats just what the state tells us, based on all of their formulae, calculations, and growth projections. He said the numbers are counterintuitive, when every day we read another article about people leaving California to go to another state. The big issue that we need to deal with right now is going after the state to get that regional determination number reduced, he said. Some cities in the county, including Yorba Linda, have filed an appeal on behalf of Santa Anarequesting that Santa Ana be allocated 10,000 additional units. While those cities think their own allocations are too high, they think Santa Anas is too low for its needs. Housing Costs A California State Auditor report released in November 2020 suggests the state must overhaul its approach to affordable housing development to help millions of Californians. The report found that Californias ongoing affordable housing shortage has contributed to the homelessness crisis and has left more than three million renter households with burdensome housing costs. The States ineffective approach to planning and financing development of affordable housing at both the state and local levels was cited as one of the main causes of the shortage. The report called for more state oversight. But Yorba Linda Mayor Peggy Huang, a SCAG regional council member, told The Epoch Times that too much state control is the problem in the first place. Huang said the states housing expectations are unrealistic and the methodologies used to calculate regional quotas are flawed. Because of the high-priced real estate in many Orange County cities, developers cant build apartments with affordable rent, she said. Some builders have told her that in some areas of Orange County it would cost $500,000 per unit to build a six-story apartment complex, and thats for an apartment that is less than 1,000 square feet. She blamed state lawmakers for allowing the HCD to ride roughshod over cities, leaving them hamstrung to deal with local housing needs. They think that HCD has the final say over the methodology and the allocations, she said. She accused the state of pressuring local governments to rubber-stamp quotas, and criticized the political push to rezone areas currently designated for single-family homes to accommodate high-density housing. But the call for more state control was emphasized in the State Auditor Reports summary, and backed by a Nov. 17 letter addressed to Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators from Auditor Elaine M. Howle that called for stronger state oversight. The report called for a far more effective statewide plan and greater oversight over the billions of dollars available for construction. At the local level, state law and state oversight are not strong enough to ensure that cities and counties are doing their part to facilitate the construction of affordable housing, the report stated. Huang said she remains skeptical of the reports findings, which she suggested could lead to greater inefficiency over local housing policies, further compounding the problem. The Legislature and the governor are trying to give Sacramento even more power, she said. We dont have any say over it at all. Anaheim Councilman Trevor ONeil in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) A Shift in Units Huang and ONeil both told The Epoch Times that other Southern California cities worked to get wealthier areas to take on more housing units than initially allocated. They both accused Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and former Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey of orchestrating a shift of tens of thousands of housing units from Riverside to Orange County cities by manipulating a last-minute change in methodologies used to divide the 1.34 million RHNA regional allocation. Riverside County, with abundant available, cheap, and buildable land, apparently felt they were being allocated too much. Los Angeles County, with their affinity for dense housing and mass transit, didnt pass up the opportunity to impose their will on suburban Orange County, ONeil said via email. And so just days before the vote, the two of them conspired and crafted their own distributive methodology that essentially shifted large allocation from Riverside and San Bernardino onto Orange County. ONeil said the allocations for cities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties dropped by 116,162 units, while the quota for Orange County cities went up by 74,216a 67 percent increaseeven though Orange County cities are largely built out. We have very little available land, and its expensive. Our only option to comply is more density, but that was likely by design, he said in the email. These types of policies that are continually pushed upon us by the likes of Sacramento and Los Angeles only serve to erode local control and socially engineer people into living in a manner that they approve. Garcettis office didnt respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times prior to publication, but noted the Los Angeles mayor would speak at the Jan. 7 SCAG meeting. Garcetti spoke at the meeting but didnt discuss housing quotas, talking instead about climate change. Phil Pitchford, a public information officer for Riverside, told The Epoch Times via email: The City of Riverside has participated in the RHNA process to advocate for housing development across the Southern California region, in order to ensure that every region does its fair share in resolving our housing crisis. We look forward to working with our fellow SCAG members to continue to address this critical need in the region. Current Appeals Yorba Lindas Huang said its clear that many cities are upset with the regional determination and the shift of more units to their areas. Theyre up in arms right now, she said. On Oct. 4, 2019, then-Irvine Mayor Christina Shea wrote a letter to SCAGs RHNA Subcommittee, which Huang chairs, questioning the methodology used to calculate the quotas. The late release of the SCAG staff-recommended RHNA allocation was a departure from the spirit of transparency and collaboration that has marked the process to date, Shea wrote. The sixth RHNA cycle has been years in the making, yet the recommended methodology is only being shared with the public and the affected jurisdictions a couple of weeks before it is to be voted on. Shea noted that the calculation tool that allows cities to see their estimated allocation was released only three working days prior to vote of the subcommittee. Beyond the general concerns about lack of transparency, the City of Irvine has several specific concerns due to significant late changes to the methodology and lack of sufficient vetting of newly included data, she wrote in the letter. SCAG is the nations largest Metropolitan Planning Organization, representing 191 cities and more that 19 million residents in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Imperial counties. During public hearings over the next two weeks, its members will hear the appeals, debate, and decide where affordable housing will be built in the region over the next eight years. As Ajise said, We are in the throes of the appeals process. An oil painting by Winston Churchill of the Moroccan landscape is to be sold at auction. The image, believed to be from 1935, could fetch up to half a million pounds at Christies in March. Titled Scene at Marrakech, the painting was a gift from the wartime prime minister to Field Marshal Montgomery, his celebrated general. The landscape painting of hills and a stream has remained with the Montgomery family since they received it, meaning March will be the first time it has been offered for auction Sir Winston visited Morocco for the first time in 1935 and, inspired by the warmth of its landscape, depicted its vivid colours. The landscape painting of hills and a stream has remained with the Montgomery family since they received it, meaning March will be the first time it has been offered for auction. Nick Orchard, head of Modern British Art at Christies, said: Sir Winston Churchills gift of his painting, Scene at Marrakech, to Field Marshal Montgomery symbolises the deep respect and friendship the prime minister held for his general. An accomplished artist as well as a celebrated political figure, the work stands among the best paintings executed by Churchill in the 1930s. Winston Churchill is seen painting on his easel in 1946. The Moroccan landscape painting, believed to be from 1935, could fetch up to half a million pounds at Christies in March Titled Scene at Marrakech, the painting was a gift from the wartime prime minister to Field Marshal Montgomery, his celebrated general Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 10:32:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Legal Committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) presented proposals on constitutional basis for the upcoming general elections during its virtual meeting with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Sunday. "The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum's Legal Committee held a virtual session today, during which the Committee's members presented their proposals regarding the constitutional basis for the national elections on 24 December 2021," the UNSMIL said. "They agreed to hold intensive sessions during this week to reach a consensus on proposals. UNSMIL commends the constructive discussions and stresses the importance of moving forward towards agreeing on specific proposals to be presented to Libyan Political Dialogue Forum," the UN body said. A total of 75 Libyans representing the social and political spectrum of the Libyan society participated in the UN-sponsored LPDF held on Nov. 7-15, 2020 in Tunisia's capital of Tunis to discuss a political roadmap to achieve lasting peace in war-torn Libya. The participants agreed to hold general elections in Libya on Dec. 24, 2021. They also voted through a mechanism to select the unified executive authority of the country. The Legal Committee aims to follow up on the discussions of the constitutional committee that consists of people from the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, and to make recommendations for the purpose of assistance, according to the UNSMIL. Enditem The bigger question may be whether Democrats will remain as interested in reining in executive branch overreach when its their guy in the White House, said Danielle Brian, the executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a nonpartisan group that investigates governmental abuses. Bob Bauer, an author of the book After Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency and a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, suggested that any administrations support would have its limits. We have to reconstruct some norms that have been damaged, but the idea is to strike a balance so that reform is effective without undermining a strong presidency, he said. A transition official pointed to the government overhaul plan that Mr. Biden released during the campaign, much of it focused on campaign finance controls, Justice Department independence and personal conflicts of interest in the executive branch. It includes no controls on presidential powers. But pressure is building to address the systemic weaknesses revealed by the Trump years. The mechanism that preserved that system was the fear of paying a political price, said Susan Hennessey, an author of the book Unmaking the Presidency: Donald Trumps War on the Worlds Most Powerful Office. Now we know that if theres not a credible fear of that, were likely to see future presidents attempting to violate these rules or push the boundaries more and more. President Richard M. Nixons use of the Justice Department to pursue his political enemies prompted Congress eventually, over years to pass the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. But Mr. Trumps conduct proved that many of those changes and longstanding checks and balances dating to the constitutional convention relied more on tradition and shame than on enforceable law. The reforms then have been demonstrated not to be enough, said Max Stier, the chief executive of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan group. PPS Head Start Small-Group Instruction Today By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Paducah Head Start is set to resume some in-person instruction on Monday.According to Paducah Public Schools Communications Coordinator Wayne Walden, from now through January 22 there will be some targeted small group instruction. All other students will remain on virtual instruction.In-person instruction is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 25. All in-person students will attend Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be used by staff for planning, home visits, professional development, and thorough deep cleaning.Walden said the preschool will continue with this hybrid schedule, adjusting as needed to keep with the state's "Healthy at School" plan. Since his resounding defeat in the presidential election in November, Donald Trump has done everything but concede to the democratic will of the American people. He unleashed an avalanche of lies and baseless claims of fraud conspiracy theories that filled his supporters with a delusional belief that the election had been stolen from him. He filed a bevy of absurd lawsuits. He attempted to cajole and intimidate officials at all levels of government into subverting the election and keeping him in office. And then, running out of recourse, legitimate and illegitimate, he incited an insurrection against the government and the Constitution that he swore to uphold. The attempted coup at the United States Capitol last Wednesday, which took place as lawmakers inside counted the electoral votes that would formalize Joe Bidens overwhelming election by the American people, marks one of the lowest points in our countrys 245-year experiment in democracy. From Andrew Jackson to Richard Nixon, we have seen presidents abuse their power, but we had never witnessed an American president incite a violent mob on the citadel of our democracy in a desperate attempt to cling to power. We cannot let this go unanswered. With each day, Mr. Trump grows more and more desperate. We should not allow him to menace the security of our country for a second longer. Jaipur: Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI is adopting several tactics for spying in border areas. A man arrested from Pokhran range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, has made amazing revelations. The man says that the girls on behalf of ISI used to talk to him nude on the phone. The man said that he was caught talking to the girls and seeing the pictures that the army's confidential information began to send to them. Security agencies have arrested a former sarpanch from Lathi village near the Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The man caught up in ISI's honey trapping is named Satyanarayan Paliwal. The man has been a sarpanch in the area. According to the investigation so far, Satyanarayan Paliwal has delivered several strategic information including army activities to ISI. The accused had set up fake accounts on social media to talk to ISI girls. He was sending information from this account to ISI. Investigative agencies tracking social media in border areas had previously suspected this account. He then stepped up monitoring of the account. It was later revealed that a number of sensitive information was being sent through this account, after which the investigating agencies arrested the person. Also Read:- Maharashtra: 7 people arrested for gang rape of 13-year-old girl 14-year-old minor raped at gunpoint in house, accused arrested Police arrest 3 criminals in triple murder case Some 11 thousand years ago, Africa's furthest west harbored the last populations to preserve tool-making traditions first established by the earliest members of our species Fieldwork led by Dr Eleanor Scerri, head of the Pan-African Evolution Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany and Dr Khady Niang of the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal, has documented the youngest known occurrence of the Middle Stone Age. This repertoire of stone flaking methods and the resulting tools includes distinctive ways of producing sharp flakes by carefully preparing nodules of rock, some of which were sometimes further shaped into tool forms known as 'scrapers' and 'points.' Middle Stone Age finds most commonly occur in the African record between around 300 thousand and 30 thousand years ago, after which point they largely vanish. It was long thought that these tool types were replaced after 30 thousand years ago by a radically different, miniaturized toolkit better suited to diversified subsistence strategies and patterns of mobility across Africa. In a paper published in Scientific Reports this week, Scerri and colleagues show that groups of hunter-gatherers in what is today Senegal continued to use Middle Stone Age technologies associated with our species' earliest prehistory as late as 11 thousand years ago. This contrasts with the long-held view that humanity's major prehistoric cultural phases occurred in a neat and universal sequence. The 'Last Eden'? "West Africa is a real frontier for human evolutionary studies - we know almost nothing about what happened here in deep prehistory. Almost everything we know about human origins is extrapolated from discoveries in small parts of eastern and southern Africa," says Dr Eleanor Scerri, the lead author of the study. To redress this gap in the data, Scerri and Niang put together a research program to explore different regions of Senegal. The program ranges from Senegal's desert edges to its forests and along different stretches of its major river systems: the Senegal and the Gambia, where they found multiple Middle Stone Age sites, all with surprisingly young dates. "These discoveries demonstrate the importance of investigating the whole of the African continent, if we are to really get a handle on the deep human past." says Dr Khady Niang. "Prior to our work, the story from the rest of Africa suggested that well before 11 thousand years ago, the last traces of the Middle Stone Age - and the lifeways it reflects - were long gone." Explaining why this region of West Africa was home to such a late persistence of Middle Stone Age culture is not straightforward. "To the north, the region meets the Sahara Desert," explains Dr Jimbob Blinkhorn, one of the paper's authors. "To the east, there are the Central African rainforests, which were often cut off from the West African rainforests during periods of drought and fragmentation. Even the river systems in West Africa form a self-contained and isolated group." "It is also possible that this region of Africa was less affected by the extremes of repeated cycles of climate change," adds Scerri. "If this was the case, the relative isolation and habitat stability may simply have resulted in little need for radical changes in subsistence, as reflected in the successful use of these traditional toolkits." "All we can be sure about is that this persistence is not simply about a lack of capacity to invest in the development of new technologies. These people were intelligent, they knew how to select good stone for their tool making and exploit the landscape they lived in," says Niang. An ecological, biological and cultural patchwork The results fit in with a wider, emerging view that for most of humanity's deep prehistory, populations were relatively isolated from each other, living in subdivided groups in different regions. Accompanying this striking finding is the fact that in West Africa, the major cultural shift to more miniaturized toolkits also occurs extremely late compared to the rest of the continent. For a relatively short time, Middle Stone Age using populations lived alongside others using the more recently developed miniaturized tool kits, referred to as the 'Later Stone Age'. "This matches genetic studies suggesting that African people living in the last ten thousand years lived in very subdivided populations," says Dr Niang. "We aren't sure why, but apart from physical distance, it may be the case that some cultural boundaries also existed. Perhaps the populations using these different material cultures also lived in slightly different ecological niches." Around 15 thousand years ago, there was a major increase in humidity and forest growth in central and western Africa, that perhaps linked different areas and provided corridors for dispersal. This may have spelled the final end for humanity's first and earliest cultural repertoire and initiated a new period of genetic and cultural mixing. "These findings do not fit a simple unilinear model of cultural change towards 'modernity'," explains Scerri. " Groups of hunter-gatherers embedded in radically different technological traditions occupied neighbouring regions of Africa for thousands of years, and sometimes shared the same regions. Long isolated regions, on the other hand, may have been important reservoirs of cultural and genetic diversity," she adds. "This may have been a defining factor in the success of our species." ### Press Release January 11, 2021 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO DURING THE SENATE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HEARING ON GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN 11 JANUARY 2021 As the author of Senate Resolution No. 597, the purpose really was to seek this hearing to get clarification on the rollout of the vaccination program. I think we can all agree that in terms of governance, there is nothing more important than containing the spread of COVID-19. This has affected our communities, our country, in every possible way, from the businesses, from the ability of children to go to school, from access to healthcare, safety of women, so much of our lives have been disrupted. So it's very simple. We need to know, our people have the right to understand, not just to hear, but to understand what programs will be rolled out to secure their future. So from the financing, the procurement, the storage, the transport, administration, and even communication. At the onset of COVID, no less than WHO emphasized how important communication is. Having had my own dialogues, conversations, Zoom meetings with members of the IATF and DOH in particular, I am familiar with many of the things they are doing. However, I always emphasize communication is important, with co-equal branches of government, and with people so that they understand that things are being done for them. I will just point out two areas before I yield the floor so we can move on with the presentations. But having been the Vice Chair of the Committee on Finance and [sponsor] of the Department of Health's budget, I am very familiar that we have allocated funding for the vaccines. However, I'd like to put this on record, that in the last few weeks, maybe 6 weeks or so, the national government has made it clear that we will be procuring vaccines. One report said that it's 22 million vaccines, of which 2 million will be paid for by the private sector through tripartite agreement. So we know that the private sector is involved, they are willing, we thank them for coming in and donating and being a part of all this. Yes, I truly believe in a whole-of-nation approach. Meanwhile, local governments have started allocating funds, entering into their own tripartite agreements. Many of the Metro Manila mayors have set aside funds, and also local governments from bigger provinces and cities around the country. But meanwhile, what happens is the confusion as to, do they really need to allocate this to secure the health of their people? Is that necessary? What now is the impression that it leaves the smaller LGUs, who either have very limited capacity or no capacity at all? My point is it's a communication issue. What do these LGUs who are fifth class municipalities, fourth class municipalities, anong mukha ang ihaharap nila sa mga tao nila na wala naman talaga silang pera na kapareho ng mga Metro Manila mayors or mayors ng ibang cities? That's my point, we have to clarify this. We commend those who can afford and have put it as a priority but what about those who cannot? Yes, there are statements they are not going to be left behind, but I don't think that's the point. The point is, I think we have to be very clear where the funding is coming from, is it even necessary for the LGUs to do this? Case in point, many cities have hospitals that are run by private sectors. And I also heard that some of these hospitals are now also allocating for their own frontliners. So that means, there is this sense of insecurity that their frontliners will not be covered. Bakit, pang public frontliners lang ba ang priority natin? So these are the types of questions that I believe we really need to resolve. Maybe you have resolved it, but maybe it has to be communicated better to us and to the people. That's on the financing side. One last point I will emphasize now is also on the rolling out, once it's procured, the storage, the transportation. We have the private sector that is very capable and has already existing facilities. Are we tapping them, have we signed a deal with them, or are we still exploring doing it on our own? No less than Germany, the UK, and other major countries that have all the facilities have experienced major problems in the facilitation and administration of the vaccine. Magyayabang ba tayo na mas magaling tayo sa kanila? Dahil sa kanila eh nagka-palpak pero sa atin, hindi? The beauty of being a little bit slower is that we have the benefit of learning from their experience. But that slowness has also given a lot of... has built more insecurity and I can't say it has contributed to the confidence of our people because they keep hearing that naro-roll out... Tayo nga ang isa sa mga bansa that we have Filipinos all over the world, mababalitaan nila kamag-anak nila, naturukan na sa USA, sa isang bansa sa UK, sa Europe. So naiinggit syempre ang mga Pilipino because this is their life they are fighting for. So on that note, I will yield. But I just wanted to emphasize that really the objective here is to get the information, to help share this information with the people so that we can do the best we can in the next few months but also move forward with confidence because that is very important for our businesses, for the mothers who are working double time, making money and have to tutor their own kids, they need that security to know that in a few months, things will get better. Thank you. AUSTIN As the countrys political polarization reaches a boiling point illustrated vividly Wednesday by the violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the president who believed his false claims that the election was stolen Texas Republicans are seeking to make some of the nations strictest voting laws even stricter. They say the unrest sparked by the events Wednesday is likely to invigorate discussions over the matter in the state Legislature, where the 2021 session will begin Tuesday. Several election-related bills have been filed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle though their aims are in direct opposition, with Democrats looking to ease up laws they see as suppressing the vote and Republicans trying to curb the opportunities for the fraud they say plagued the 2020 election. Democrats have filed about two-thirds of the election-related bills, with the other third coming from Republicans. If this week has highlighted anything, its that we need to protect and encourage democracy and that its fragile, said Rep. John Bucy III, an Austin Democrat who sits on the House Elections Committee. And so these types of bills are worth the investment. Election integrity was voted one of the Texas GOPs top eight legislative priorities in 2020 by its members. Republican bills include measures to tighten mail voting restrictions and stop governors from changing election laws during disasters, two concerns that President Donald Trump raised in his election challenges. Leading Texas Republicans such as Attorney General Ken Paxton have warned of mass voter fraud for years but have not produced any evidence of the phenomenon. Paxtons election integrity unit resolved just 16 minor prosecutions in 2020 despite spending nearly twice as much time on voter fraud cases as in 2018. All of those cases involved voters using false addresses on registration forms. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, filed legislation that would codify a Texas Supreme Court decision that blocked Harris County from sending mail ballot applications to every registered voter in the county ahead of the November election. Texas is one of 16 states that require voters to have an excuse to vote by mail. IN-DEPTH: Leading the way on voter suppression. Texas is ground zero in voting rights war. Bettencourt said Harris Countys move to mail the applications would have certainly caused more voter confusion because most recipients would not have been eligible for an absentee ballot. The state Supreme Court ruled last year that voters lack of immunity to the coronavirus alone does not qualify as a disability that makes them eligible to vote by mail, but could be one of several factors a voter may consider. Other bills filed by Republican lawmakers aim to correct the voter rolls, such as one filed by newly elected Sen. Drew Springer that would require voter registrars to do various checks for changes in address on an annual basis. Springer said the bill was inspired by an Ohio law that the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 upheld that allows the state to purge voters from the registration rolls if they do not return a mailed address confirmation form or dont vote for two federal election cycles. The Texas bill would require registrars to use data from the U.S. Postal Service and property records for inactive voters to identify possible changes of address, then to send the notice requesting confirmation of their current residence. Weve got people that moved away 40 years ago, but theyre still on the rolls, Springer said, adding that gives people looking to vote fraudulently in someone elses name more opportunities. Its an integrity issue. Everybody I know of, Republicans and Democrats, want to know that we have fair elections where no ones vote is canceled out by someone whos not supposed to be voting. Echoing Trumps concerns GOP lawmakers are also setting out to resolve an issue that has put some of them at odds with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott: the essentially unrestrained emergency powers that the governor holds to temporarily change election laws once hes declared a disaster. U.S. Reps. Michael Cloud and Pat Fallon of Texas both cited the lack of state Legislature approval of election rule changes on Wednesday when they voted to object to the certification of votes in Arizona. BEHIND THE VOTE: Despite riot, 17 Texans in Congress declined to certify Bidens win. Heres what they say. For that reason, state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, is proposing a constitutional amendment that requires the governor to convene a special session of the Legislature in order to renew a state of disaster or emergency declaration past 30 days. The Legislature would then decide whether to extend or renew the declaration, as well as whether to pass legislation related to the disaster. HJR 42 restores the balance of power that existed before the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 was exploited during COVID-19 to give the executive branch unprecedented power over small businesses, Toth said in a statement. Heres the problem: If you dont like the governors COVID-19 orders, I have to wait until January of the next odd-numbered year to stop them. The governor isnt going to call a special session for me to stop his orders before then. And judges wont give me standing to use the courts to stop the governor because, again, the Legislature is not in session. I know; Ive tried. Dems push back Democrats, meanwhile, are hoping to find bipartisan support on a number of bills that would open up voting laws and push back against what they see as voter suppression. Bucy and other Democrats have proposed bills that enable voters to register and cast ballots at the same time as 21 other states do; make Election Day a state holiday; and expand vote-by-mail to all registered voters, as 34 other states have done. Democrats also continue to file bills to establish online voter registration in Texas, one of only 10 states that do not permit it. Bucy admitted some of the Democrats proposals may be an uphill battle, but he said others focused on transparency may be less contentious. One example is a bill that would require counties to create mail ballot tracking systems that show when the ballot application has been received and when the ballot has been sent out and received. I honestly would have been more optimistic until the president decided to make this a fake issue with no evidence or substance, Bucy said about his bill that would allow all Texans to vote by mail if they choose. Maybe with whats happened in the last few days, people will take a good look and not take him at his word anymore. Hopefully theres a shot. Rep. Christina Morales, D-Houston, has also filed legislation that would make all registered voters eligible to vote by mail, along with another proposal that would permanently expand the early voting period by four days. Texans had a taste of what that would be like last year after Abbott expanded the early voting period by about a week during the July runoff and November general elections to make it safer to vote during the pandemic. I represent a working-class community, Morales said. And the more days we have, the more opportunities there are and the more flexibility there is for people to vote. taylor.goldenstein@chron.com twitter.com/taygoldenstein Turkey and Greece said Monday that they would resume talks over their eastern Mediterranean borders and disputed natural gas rights on January 25. The announcement came hours after Ankara invited Athens for talks aimed at resolving a long-standing row over lucrative energy deposits in the eastern Mediterranean. "The 61st round of exploratory talks will take place in Istanbul on 25 January, 2021," the Turkish and Greek foreign ministries said in separate statements. The talks have been stalled since 2016. In December, EU leaders decided to draw up a list of Turkish targets for sanctions because of Ankara's "unilateral actions and provocations" in disputed waters near Cyprus and Greece. Tensions rose sharply when Turkey sent a seismic research vessel and an accompanying navy flotilla on a months-long expedition in disputed waters last year. Turkey and Greece then staged rival military exercises with regional partners and saw two of their gun boats collide in August. The sides expressed a willingness to restart the talks without ever agreeing a timeframe as they came under increasing NATO and EU pressure. "We invite Greece to hold the first meeting in January," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier on Monday after meeting Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu in Ankara. The Greek foreign ministry said it was willing to engage in talks on continental shelf borders and exclusive economic zones. Cavusoglu will probably address the dispute and the new mediation efforts when he meets EU ambassadors in Ankara on Tuesday. He is also due to visit Brussels on January 21. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has softened some of his most strident rhetoric and expressed a desire to improve relations with the EU in the past month. His office said Erdogan told European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend that he wanted to "turn a new page" in Turkey's relations with the 27-nation bloc. Short link: (@ChaudhryMAli88) BISHKEK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th January, 2021) Kyrgyz presidential election frontrunner Sadyr Japarov has promised to pull the country out of the crisis during the next two to three years. Earlier in the day, the country's Central Election Committee announced that Japarov gained 79 percent of the vote after 92 percent of the ballots have been processed, winning the first round of the presidential election. "The republic is in a difficult state. But we will bring it out of the crisis within the next two to three years," Japarov told a Sunday press conference. Japarov noted that he would not permit political prosecution, but "would not shelter those who violated the law. " "I hold no grudges on my opponents and those, who tried to stop the will of the people in every way. We should together make Kyrgyzstan great and prosperous," the candidate said. On Sunday, Kyrgyzstan held an early presidential election and a referendum on the form of government after the October post-election unrest toppled the previous leader, Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Over 81 percent of voters have voted in favor of a presidential system of government, according to preliminary 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. 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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. Barn destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. Fire destroyed a barn about five miles southeast of Watertown Wednesday, according to a report from Watertown Fire Rescue. Shell has restarted production of liquefied natural gas at its Prelude offshore project in Australia after almost a year's suspension. "LNG cargoes have resumed from Shell's Prelude FLNG facility," Argus reported, citing a company statement. The restart of the 3.6-million-ton facility comes at the best possible time. A cold spell in China has pushed LNG prices to the highest in years, erasing worry about an oversupplied market as Chinese buyers struggle to stock up on the fuel. Prelude was planned as a flagship floating LNG project for the Anglo-Dutch supermajor. Like most other large-scale offshore LNG projects, however, it ran into delays and cost overruns. Shell and its peers have recently been forced to cancel other LNG projects as the competition is fierce. It resigned itself to focusing on the ones already in operation. When Prelude stopped pumping gas last February, there was concern that the project, estimated to have cost anywhere between $9.25 billion (A$12 billion) and $131 billion (A$17 billion) to build, may flop as its breakeven price was estimated by analysts at $20 per 1,000 cu ft of natural gas, versus prices of $2-3 per 1,000 cu ft, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration and Henry Hub price updates. "Prelude has been a 'white elephant' we always felt it was a technology looking for a solution rather than the other way round," Bernstein analyst Neil Beveridge told the Financial Times in comments on the restart of the facility. The intention may have been to develop a technology that can then be used to build many such facilities, as another analyst, Saul Kavonic, told the FT, but it ended up the wrong way round. "The industry FLNG ambition to 'design one build many' has unfortunately become 'design many build one' in some quarters following disappointing project execution," Kavonic told the FT. "Only more modest niche applications are now seen as plausible." By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: An investigation of alleged unlawful practices at Carlsberg India found "potential improper payments" to government officials and other regulatory lapses, its former auditor said in a document seen by Reuters. Reports by a different global consultancy, also seen by Reuters and previously unreported, disclosed other lapses at Carlsberg India Pvt Ltd in 2018, including child labour. The findings cast a fresh shadow on operations and compliance practices at the Indian joint venture of Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S, which according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has a 17% share ... 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. 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 P&G Vietnam received AmCham 2020 CSR Recognition Award from US Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink P&G Vietnam, part of P&G an American multinational with one of the strongest portfolios of leadership brands across a wide range of consumer product categories has once again received the AmCham 2020 CSR Recognition Award from the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham). The award was presented in Hanoi by US Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink. With unwavering efforts to touch and improve lives, P&G Vietnam's contributions are highly appreciated and recognised by the government and the community. The awards of this year are designed to raise awareness about CSR among AmCham members and the community and to provide recognition to companies with best-practice CSR programmes in the country, especially during the COVID-19 situation. To qualify for the award, P&G Vietnams CSR programme received high marks in four categories: attention to business objectives and societal needs, creation of long-term economic and social gains, communication and the sharing of best practice, and programme sustainability. This year P&G Vietnam marked its 25th anniversary in Vietnam with many significant CSR programmes in partnership with Vietnam Red Cross, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and Habitat for Humanity, among others. Under the unprecedented circumstances of 2020, P&G stepped up efforts to help people and communities overcome the challenges of COVID-19, while providing clean drinking water to families affected by severe floods in Central Vietnam, building houses in the Mekong Delta, as well as presenting scholarships to students in Binh Duong for the 24th year straight. P&G donated VND5 billion ($217,390) through the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to support medical front-liners With unwavering efforts to touch and improve lives, P&G Vietnam's contributions are highly appreciated and recognised by the government and the community. The company has also been awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Tax Authority of Binh Duong province, along with the Recognition Flag from the People's Committee of Binh Duong province to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements on the occasion of the companys 25th anniversary in Vietnam. Mumbai: Actor Preity Zinta on Monday said it was a stressful time for her when her family members, including her mother, brother, his wife, kids and uncle, had tested positive for COVID-19, three weeks ago. Zinta, whos currently in the US, took to Instagram and said now that they have recovered, she can finally sleep well. Three weeks ago my Mom, brother, his wife, kids and my uncle all tested positive for COVID-19. Suddenly terms like ventilators, ICU and oxygen machines took a new meaning. I felt helpless and powerless here in America, far away as he battled it out in the hospital," she wrote. The 45-year-old Kal Ho Na Ho" actor said she was grateful to all the doctors and nurses who worked tirelessly" to take care of them. Zinta asked her fans to not take COVID-19 lightly and warned the virus can become dangerous overnight." So please take care, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Today, after hearing that they have all tested negative I can finally fall asleep and stop stressing. Finally the New Year feels like a Happy New year," she added. Zinta was last seen in 2018 action-comedy Bhaiaji Superhit", which marked her return to the screen after a seven year hiatus. Microsoft has a presence in most enterprise development and IT shops, so its not a surprise that the Azure AI and Machine Learning platform has a presence in most enterprise development, data analysis, and data science shops. Enterprise AI often has demanding requirements, and the Azure offerings do their best to meet them. Azure AI and Machine Learning includes 17 cognitive services, a machine learning platform pitched at three different skill levels, cognitive search, bot services, and Azure Databricks, an Apache Spark product optimized for the Azure platform and integrated with other Azure services. Rather than force companies to run all Azure services on the Azure platform, Microsoft also offers several Docker containers that allow companies to use AI on premises. These support a subset of Azure Cognitive Services, and allow companies to run the cognitive services within their firewall and near on-prem data, which is a sine qua non for companies with tight data security policies and companies subject to restrictive data privacy regulations. Responsible AI was in the news recently, although not in a good way, when Google fired Timnit Gebru. Earlier in 2020, the Responsible AI news was more positive, as various companies introduced tools to promote more responsible machine learning. Microsoft, for example, added interpretability features to its Azure Machine Learning product, and also released three Responsible AI projects as open source: FairLearn, InterpretML, and SmartNoise. Fairlearn contains mitigation algorithms as well as a Jupyter widget for model assessment, and has been integrated into a Fairness panel in Azure Machine Learning. InterpretML helps you understand your models global behavior, or understand the reasons behind individual predictions, and has been integrated into an Explanation dashboard in Azure Machine Learning. The SmartNoise project, in collaboration with OpenDP, aims to make differential privacy broadly accessible to future deployments by providing several basic building blocks that can be used by people involved with sensitive data. You can bring SmartNoise into a Python notebook by installing and importing the project, and adding a few calls to fuzz your sensitive data. There is a plethora of frameworks and tools in use in the machine learning, deep learning, and AI world. While Azure AI supports dozens of these directly, there are hundreds more, which Azure handles by providing or allowing integration. Some, such as MLflow, integrate as Python packages; others, such as Pachyderm, integrate as containers, often on Kubernetes (AKS). IDG As shown in this Azure screen shot, the Azure AI and Machine Learning product includes cognitive services, machine learning, cognitive search, bot service, and Databricks. Azure Cognitive Services Microsoft describes Azure Cognitive Services as a comprehensive family of AI services and cognitive APIs to help you build intelligent apps, and claims to have the most comprehensive portfolio of domain-specific AI capabilities on the market, although its competitors might disagree with that assessment. Azure Cognitive Services are aimed at developers who want to incorporate machine learning into their applications. The services cover four areas: decision support, language, speech, and vision. Web search used to be included under Cognitive Services, but it has moved to another area, and I wont cover it. In general, Azure Cognitive Services dont need to be trained, at least at the level youd expect from Azure Machine Learning. Some Azure Cognitive Services do allow customization, but you dont need to understand machine learning in order to accomplish that. Almost all Azure Cognitive Services have a free trial tier. Decision support The decision support area of Azure Cognitive Services includes an anomaly detector service, a content moderator, a metrics advisor, and a personalizer. Anomaly Detector With the Anomaly Detector service, you can embed anomaly detection capabilities into your apps so that users can quickly identify problems as soon as they occur. No experience with machine learning is required. Through an API, Anomaly Detector ingests time series data of all types and selects the best-fitting anomaly detection model for your data to ensure high accuracy. You can customize the service to your businesss risk profile by adjusting one parameter. You can run Anomaly Detector anywhere from the cloud to the intelligent edge. There are three endpoints to an Anomaly Detector service: Detect the anomaly status of the latest point in the time series; find anomalies for the entire series in batch; and find trend change points for the entire series in batch. Under the covers, there are six algorithms for anomaly detection, used in three ensembles depending on the granularity and seasonality of the data; the service performs the selection automatically. The only parameter a user needs to adjust is the sensitivity. I tested all three endpoints in the Azure console using sample data against a free Anomaly Detector service that I created. For each test I had to fill in the service name ( iw-anomaly ) and subscription key. The most interesting of the three was the trend change points, shown below. The third screenshot below shows various kinds of anomalies that the service can detect. In addition to console-based service testing, Azure supplies code samples using curl , C#, Java, JavaScript, Objective-C, PHP, Python, and Ruby. There are also quick starts in C#, Python, and Node.js. IDG An anomaly detection request in the Azure console to find trend change points. This is a test dataset to be submitted to my free service instance. IDG An anomaly detection service response to the previous request. I count three change points detected. IDG Six examples of anomalies that can be detected by the Azure Anomaly Detector service. Content Moderator The Content Moderator service, designed to help administrate social media, product review sites, and games with user-generated content, performs image moderation, text moderation, video moderation, and optional human review for predictions with low confidence or mitigating context. The image moderation service scans images for adult or racy content, detects text in images using optical character recognition (OCR), and detects faces. There are two text moderation APIs, one standard and one for customization. The standard API returns information about: Profanity : Term-based matching with built-in list of profane terms in various languages. : Term-based matching with built-in list of profane terms in various languages. Classification : Machine-assisted classification into three categories, ranging from sexually explicit to potentially offensive in some circumstances. This service can also recommend when human review should be performed. : Machine-assisted classification into three categories, ranging from sexually explicit to potentially offensive in some circumstances. This service can also recommend when human review should be performed. Personal data : Email address, SSN, IP address, phone, and mailing address. : Email address, SSN, IP address, phone, and mailing address. Auto-corrected text : Correction of frequent typos. : Correction of frequent typos. Original text : Uncorrected text with typos. : Uncorrected text with typos. Language: An optional parameter that defaults to English. The custom term list management API allows you to create and manage up to five lists of up to 10K terms each to augment the standard terms lists used by the content moderator text API. The video moderation service scans videos for adult or racy content and returns time markers for said content. It also returns a flag saying whether it recommends a human review at each detected event. Microsoft recommends the Content Moderator review tool website for working with the Content Moderator service, to provide a single interface for image, text, and video moderation reviews. Metrics Advisor The Metrics Advisor service builds on the Anomaly Detector service to monitor your organizations growth engines, from sales revenue to manufacturing operations, in near-real time. It also adapts models to your scenario, offers granular analysis with diagnostics, and alerts you to anomalous events. Personalizer Personalizer is an AI service that delivers a personalized, relevant experience for every user. It uses reinforcement learning to optimize its model for your goals, and has an apprentice mode that only lets Personalizer interact with users after the service reaches a specified level of confidence in matching the performance of your existing solution. Personalization can be an ethical minefield. Microsoft has guidelines for using Personalizer ethically, which cover the choice of use cases, building reward functions, and choosing features for personalization. As far as I can tell, neither Microsoft nor anyone else actually enforces those guidelines, although there are regulations about privacy (among other areas) that you could easily violate if you chose to ignore the guidelines and implement scenarios that could cause the user harm, such as personalizing offers on loan, financial, and insurance products, where risk factors are based on data the individuals dont know about, cant obtain, or cant dispute. The quickest way to understand the Personalizer service is probably to run the interactive Personalizer demo website, shown below. IDG In this interactive Personalizer demo, the user can set several parameters and scroll through the article presented to generate a ranking for that article. Personalizer uses a reinforcement learning (RL) model to generate rankings, and it can update the model continuously. Language The language area of Azure Cognitive Services includes an immersive reader, a language understanding service, a conversational question and answer layer for your data, text analytics, and a language translator. Immersive Reader One consequence of the 2020 pandemic has been the need to attend school remotely, which doesnt work well for all students. Immersive Reader lets you embed text reading and comprehension aidsi.e., audio and visual cuesinto applications and websites with one line of code. You can help users of any age and reading ability with features like reading aloud, translating languages, and focusing attention through highlighting and other design elements. Azure is the only major cloud provider offering this type of reading technology. Immersive Reader supports users with varying abilities and differencesincluding dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and cerebral palsyas well as emerging readers and non-native speakers. WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed Sunday to push ahead with impeaching President Donald Trump if he is not removed from office first, adding a powerful voice to a debate that has begun to consume a Democratic Party both eager for impeachment and wary of it. Her unexpected statement virtually assures that the House will move forward with impeachment, even as tensions break out among Democrats over how aggressively to push for it. House members have insisted that Trump face consequences for inciting last week's deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol, while President-elect Joe Biden has signaled that he does not want the effort to interfere with his agenda. Both sides are treading carefully, aware that many voters hope Congress will prevent Trump from provoking further violence, but also want Biden to be free to take immediate action on the coronavirus pandemic and a faltering economy. Some Democrats said privately that they are wary of impeachment but unsure how to slow its momentum given intensifying passions against Trump. The conflict presents Biden with his first test on what could be an early, incendiary dilemma facing his presidency: how hard to pursue accountability for Trump and those in his orbit. "There has to be consequences, and that can take various forms," said Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. "Clearly impeachment has its own consequences, and we recognize that we don't want to impact the Biden administration. And we want to ensure that whatever we pursue can be achieved." Pelosi, D-Calif., on Sunday said the House would "proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the floor" but announced no firm timeline to do so. Instead she delivered an ultimatum to Vice President Mike Pence: Democrats plan to first pass a resolution calling on Pence and the Cabinet to remove Trump under the provisions of the 25th Amendment before proceeding with impeachment. "As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this president is intensified and so is the immediate need for action," she said. In a sign of the Democrats' struggles with the issue, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a Biden ally and House leader, proposed Sunday that the House vote this week to impeach but wait a few months to submit the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial. Those comments provoked widespread frustration among Democrats, according to aides and lawmakers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to air internal discussions, and they worried that Clyburn's remarks would undermine the party's case for Trump's quick removal: that he is an immediate danger to the nation. But Clyburn's suggestion was not universally spurned. Another House Democrat, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, said in an interview Sunday that the House could delay transmitting the articles long enough to allow the Senate to confirm key national security nominees. "We are witnessing the birth of a domestic terrorist movement in the United States, . . .nd it's really important that we get Biden inaugurated, that he gets his Cabinet into place . . . as quickly as possible so we can address that threat," said Crow, who supports a rapid impeachment. "And let's not forget that we have foreign adversaries that are looking to take advantage of moments of weakness and distraction like we have right now." Some Democrats are looking to Biden to take a firm public stance and slam the brakes on impeachment, but top Democrats now see it as increasingly unlikely that the president-elect will go further than his measured warning on Friday that whatever else Congress does, it needs to "hit the ground running" on his agenda when he takes office. "The train has left the station. I think many are worried about how it gets done, how it's going to be handled, and how do we make sure it's not going to divide the country further," one Democrat said of impeachment. "It's on a track that, while people have reservations, nobody knows how to stop it." On Monday morning, various House members plan to introduce responses to Wednesday's assault on the Capitol and Trump's role in encouraging it. Pelosi said Democrats would seek unanimous consent at a brief pro forma session to pass the 25th Amendment measure. Republicans probably will block that move, forcing a floor vote Tuesday. The earliest action on impeachment could come Tuesday in the House Rules Committee, which would meet to prepare legislation for the House floor; actual votes on impeachment or other items can occur no sooner than Wednesday - a week before Biden's inauguration. As of Sunday afternoon, a draft impeachment resolution had garnered 210 co-sponsors in the House, according to Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., one of its authors. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders are increasingly determined to hold Trump immediately accountable and force his Republican defenders to choose whether to stand by him - a stance that has been reinforced by members' personal anger at the breach of the Capitol, as well as the fumbling, often-equivocal GOP response. Several said the Republican calls dismissing impeachment as too divisive have further infuriated Democrats. "Republicans need to be put on the record," Pelosi said on a Thursday call with her leadership team, according to two people familiar with her remarks. Phillips said impeachment would move forward unless Republicans embraced an alternative: "It is now Sunday evening, and we're still awaiting any proposition from the GOP to hold him to account," he said. "Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are talking about unity. . . . If we want unity within the Congress, I invite a proposition from the GOP to fulfill those conservative principles of accountability and consequence." Among those joining the effort Sunday was Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., co-chair of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition, who said in a tweet that Congress has a "constitutional and moral obligation" to hold the president accountable "for inciting violence and insurrection." Another prominent Blue Dog - Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., who raised concerns about a rapid impeachment in a Friday teleconference of House Democrats - backed the effort late Saturday. "While I have pushed other remedies for his criminal conduct, impeachment is the tool before us and warranted for his seditious acts," he tweeted. House Republicans are planning their own conference call on Monday to discuss their approach. Democrats must act quickly because Trump is scheduled to leave office on Jan. 20 in any case. And the rage of many Democrats is colliding with Biden's desire to set up an administration that will immediately face crises - as well the desire to repair a government the Biden team sees as badly damaged and demoralized. A Senate engulfed in an impeachment trial would struggle to do anything else, and Biden has voiced frustration that senators have not moved faster to confirm his Cabinet picks. "There is an appetite to better understand where President-elect Biden's head is at relative to what he believes is in the best interest," Phillips said, acknowledging that Biden doing so publicly "presents complications." The dilemma led to a flurry of alternative proposals Sunday as lawmakers looked for a way to navigate the pressures. Clyburn said his idea of waiting until after the Biden administration's first 100 days to send articles of impeachment to the Senate would allow the new president install key members of his team. "Let's do the people's work and let's vote to impeach this president, and then we'll decide later - or the Senate will decide later - what to do with that," Clyburn said. Others said Congress should censure Trump instead of impeaching him, an action that could be taken quickly and possibly attract broader support. Democratic Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia's nonvoting representative in the House, said she plans to introduce such a measure Monday, describing it as "the only way to send a bipartisan, bicameral message without delay to the country and the world that the United States is a nation of laws." Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a Trump critic, also suggested that he would back a censure motion. But other Democrats have expressed worry that if the House and Senate do not act quickly, Trump and his supporters will be emboldened to continue working to overturn Biden's election, and that the country may be wracked by further threats to the safety of lawmakers, officials and the democratic system. On Sunday, several high-profile Republicans, including Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, joined the calls for Trump's removal, potentially making it harder for any Democratic leader to oppose impeachment. Pelosi told CBS News's "60 Minutes" that one reason to impeach Trump would be to prevent him from running again in 2024. "There's strong support in the Congress for impeaching the president a second time," she said in the interview, which was taped Friday and aired Sunday. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., responding to the argument from some Republicans that impeachment would be a "bad start" for Biden as he seeks to unify the country behind an ambitious agenda, said in a tweet that the country "cannot heal until we first get justice." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a second-term congresswoman who is among the leading voices of the party's liberal wing, suggested that Democrats should pursue an "all-of-the-above" approach that includes various avenues for ousting the president. She rejected the idea that removing Trump should take a back seat to Biden's plans, suggesting Biden's own safety may be at stake. "With profound respect, I believe that the president's safety and the safety of the United States Congress and the security of our country takes precedent over the timing of nominations and the timing of potential confirmations," Ocasio-Cortez said on ABC News's "This Week." "This is an immediate danger right now." Some Democrats are pushing for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which provides for the removal of an unfit president, as a way to resolve the issue quickly without involving Congress. Pelosi said she favors that "because it gets rid of him; he's out of office." But that would require Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to support removing Trump, an unlikely scenario. Some Democrats also cite the 14th Amendment, which prevents individuals from holding office if they have supported insurrection, but that, too, seems remote. Neither Biden nor Trump spoke publicly Sunday, and the president has been barred from Twitter, his preferred communication channel. White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump is expected to travel to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to mark progress on his border wall. While Biden did not directly weigh in on impeachment, he reiterated in a tweet Sunday his theme of looking ahead, saying, "In 10 days, we move forward and rebuild - together." That echoed the message of the president-elect's news conference Friday, when he told reporters he was focused on "getting our agenda moving as quickly as possible" and declined to call on Congress to take any particular action against Trump, saying it was their decision. "We were duly elected, so I think it's important that we get on with the business of getting him out of office - and the quickest way that that will happen is us being sworn in on the 20th," Biden said. One close Biden ally, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that the most important thing Republicans can do is stop spreading the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen and help convince Trump's supporters that Biden is the duly elected president. "There can only be reconciliation with repentance," Coons said. Most Republicans have largely been silent about any consequences for Wednesday's riot, whether for Trump or the members of Congress who encouraged it. But some on Sunday joined Democrats in calling for Trump to leave office. Asked on CNN's "State of the Union" whether Trump should step down, Toomey said, "I think at this point, with just a few days left, it's the best path forward, the best way to get this person in the rearview mirror for us." Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Trump's former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said that of all of the things Trump has done, "I could probably defend almost all of them" until this point. But in the riot's aftermath, he would "seriously" consider voting to impeach Trump if he were still a House member. On ABC's "This Week," Christie, a former Trump backer, said he would also vote to impeach if he were in Congress. "If inciting to insurrection isn't [an impeachable offense], then I don't really know what is," Christie said. Other Republicans remained wary or opposed to impeachment, including most of those currently in office. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., suggested that it was not necessary because there was little chance Trump would repeat his dangerous actions. "Now, my personal view is that the president touched the hot stove on Wednesday and is unlikely to touch it again. And if that's the case, I think we - we get -" Blunt said, trailing off. Then, he added: "Every day we get closer to the last day of his presidency, we should be thinking more about the first day of the next presidency than the last day of his presidency." - - - The Washington Post's Amy B Wang and Annie Linskey contributed to this report. China is understood to have relocated up to 10,000 troops from its training facilities located around 80-100 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh but there was no reduction in its deployment in frontline areas in the region, people familiar with the developments said. They said the withdrawal of troops from training facilities located in the depth areas may have taken place due to the harsh winter, adding it does not have any impact on their operational deployment in any of the areas along the LAC. The Indian and Chinese militaries are locked in an eight-month-long bitter border standoff in eastern Ladakh. The face-off began on May 5 last year following violent clashes between the two armies in the Pangong lake area. The two countries have held several rounds of diplomatic and military talks in the last few months to resolve the standoff. However, no concrete breakthrough has been achieved so far. Currently, nearly 50,000 troops from each side are deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various locations in the mountainous region braving severe cold-wave conditions. It is not unusual for the Chinese military to withdraw troops from training facilities during harsh winter months as it becomes difficult to continue with the drills because of the cold-wave conditions, the people familiar with the developments said. They said India also takes similar steps and relocates soldiers from training facilities in the high-altitude region. On Monday, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria visited Ladakh to review the deployment of India's ground forces and air assets in the region. Chief of Air Staff Bhadauria visited the strategically located Daulat Beg Oldie, Thoise and Nyoma advanced landing strips in Ladakh and took stock of the Indian Air Force's readiness to deal with any eventualities in the region, officials said. The eighth and last round of military talks between Indian and Chinese armies took place on November 6 during which they broadly discussed the disengagement of troops from specific friction points. India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. MADISON, WI -- The remains of a pilot who died when his F-16 crashed in the Upper Peninsula in December have been returned home for final burial. Air Force Maj. Durwood Hawk Jones, 37, of Albuquerque, New Mexico was killed when the plane went down in the Hiawatha National Forest in Delta County on Dec. 8. A husband, father of two, and a decorated combat veteran who had flown three tours of duty, he was a member of the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wisconsin where his fellow airmen gathered to honor his life on Friday. Airmen lined Sloan Boulevard near Truax Field at the Wisconsin Air National Guard Base to pay their final respects to Durwood. As the processional drove off base, each and every airman was able to say good-bye with one final salute, a Facebook post reads. Thank you to our community members for all of your support. Your comments on each post, your prayers and your direct messages sending hope during this tragic time have helped so much. RELATED: F-16 fighter jet crashed in Michigans Upper Peninsula, rescue crews search for pilot Thank you for being there for us, and more importantly, for supporting the Jones family, the statement continues. The road ahead may be a long one, but for now we can rest in comfort knowing Major Durwood Hawk Jones is watching over all of us. Durwood oined the Air National Guard in 2011. He was deployed to Japan in 2015, then Korea in 2017 and later to Afghanistan in 2019. While serving, Jones was awarded two Air Medals given to service members who have been either exposed to or faced significant risk of hostile action. 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. Hundreds of first responders in Massachusetts are expected to start receiving doses of the coronavirus vaccine Monday as part of the states phased rollout of the immunization. Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that more than 45,000 police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other first responders in Massachusetts would be eligible for the first dose of the vaccine beginning Jan. 11. These men and women put their lives on the line regularly, back before we had COVID-19, and for the last 10 months, they kept on working the front lines, protecting and caring for residents across Massachusetts, Baker said at a Jan. 4 press conference. First responders are the third priority group within Phase 1 of the commonwealths vaccine distribution timeline. Frontline hospital workers were first in line, and residents as well as employees at longterm care facilities were second. According to the state, first responders will be vaccinated through one of three methods: Departments that plan on vaccinating at least 200 individuals can request that doses be administered to their own staff on site as long as they abide by guidance for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other first responders can schedule an appointment at one of more than 60 vaccination sites set up by community health centers and other medical sites, a list of locations of which is available online. Mass vaccination sites set up by the state will also be available for first responders to access the doses of the vaccine. The vaccine has been viewed as a saving grace by many first responders and others who are at particular risk of contracting coronavirus. From Boston to Springfield, firefighters and police officers throughout the state have contracted COVID-19. Some first responders, including Norton Det. Sgt. Stephen Desfosses, have been hospitalized with the virus. Others, like Taunton Police Officer John Borges and Rutland Police officer John D. Songy, have died from the viral respiratory infection. Mark Leahy, the executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, described getting vaccinated for coronavirus as a crucial step for first responders to be able to ensure their personal safety and the safety of their family and loved ones. People have to protect themselves, their families, their loved ones and their coworkers, Leahy, the former Northborough police chief, said last month. Despite the risks the virus poses to first responders, though, a sizable number of firefighters and police officers in the commonwealth do not plan to get vaccinated, whether because of a potential allergic reaction to the immunization or due to a wariness of the vaccines speedy development timeline. In an interview with MassLive in late December, Rich MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), estimated roughly 60% to 70% of firefighters in the state plan to get vaccinated. Among the first responders who say they do not plan to get vaccinated is Auburn Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis Jr., who noted people have legitimate concerns about the vaccine. Sluckis argued officials do not know yet whether the vaccine has any longterm side effects. He also pointed out that while immunizations for other viruses took years to develop, the one for COVID-19 took months. Given my age and the fact that I dont have any underlying health conditions, if I caught COVID, I would have an over 99% chance of surviving, Sluckis said. Ill take my 99-to-1 odds of not getting the vaccine. The police chiefs comments put him at odds with Auburn Town Manager Julie Jacobson, who noted Sluckiss opinion is not representative of her administration as a whole and that she believes the widespread distribution and administering of the vaccine is requisite to curbing the spread of COVID-19. For the safety of our employees and the public with whom they directly interact, we embrace the opportunity to provide COVID vaccinations to our first responders who choose to take the vaccine, she said in a statement. Jacobson is one of many municipal officials in the commonwealth who have helped organize regional immunization sites for first responders to receive their vaccines, which have proven to be roughly 95% effective and have minimal to no safety concerns and adverse side effects. The regional clinic Auburn is a part of will vaccinate first responders in several nearby partner communities in Central Massachusetts as well, including Brookfield, East Brookfield, Mendon, North Brookfield and Uxbridge. Dozens of communities in Eastern Massachusetts have also partnered to set up regional vaccination sites for first responders. In Middlesex County, the towns of Ashland, Hopkinton, Northborough, Southborough and Westborough announced last month they are partnering to coordinate a clinic for all public safety employees and first responders in their communities. Officials in Norwood also outlined last week a first responder vaccination site it will be heading up alongside seven other Norfolk County communities, among them Canton, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Walpole, Wellesley and Westwood. Norwood Police Chief William Brooks and Fire Chief George Morrice are expected get vaccinated as early as 11:15 a.m. Monday. We are pleased to be able to kick off the first responder vaccination clinic Monday morning, Brooks said in a statement. Vaccinating the regions first responders, who have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, is an important step in protecting our personnel and ensuring they are able to continue serving their communities. As we continue to respond to medical calls and interact with people who could be infected with COVID-19, we are grateful that this vaccination will provide additional protection for the departments firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, Morrice added. Firefighters in Quincy were some of the earliest first responders in Massachusetts to receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a Facebook post from the towns firefighters union. We appreciate all the City of Quincy has done to try and protect us during this pandemic, the post said. Mayor Koch has led the way - from signing an agreement early on in the pandemic to provide our members and their families protection if we were exposed or tested positive for Covid all the way to this point of our members starting to get vaccinated. As of last week, 139,895 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Healths weekly COVID-19 vaccination report, which is updated around 5 p.m. every Thursday. On Sunday, the state reported 5,396 new cases of the viral respiratory infection and 77 more deaths linked to COVID-19, bringing the cumulative number of Massachusetts residents infected with the virus since the start of the pandemic to 413,329 and the commonwealths death toll to 12,875. Related Content: Cumulus Media, a talk radio company with a roster of popular right-wing personalities including Dan Bongino, Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro, has ordered its employees at 416 stations nationwide to steer clear of endorsing misinformation about election fraud or using language that promotes violent protest. Brian Philips, an executive vice president of Cumulus, issued the directive in a stern memo on Wednesday after a pro-Trump mob breached the halls of Congress. Addressed to employees working in the companys programming and talent divisions, including those at its syndication arm, Westwood One, the memo included an introduction in bold typeface, with many words capitalized for emphasis. We need to help induce national calm NOW, it began. Cumulus and Westwood One will not tolerate any suggestion that the election has not ended, the memo continued. The election has resolved, there are no alternate acceptable paths. Please inform your staffs that we have ZERO TOLERANCE for any suggestion otherwise. If you transgress this policy, you can expect to separate from the company immediately. There will be no dog-whistle talk about stolen elections, civil wars or any other language that infers violent public disobedience is warranted, ever. The memo, which was first reported by Inside Music Media, underlined a statement at the end of the paragraph: Through all of our communication channels, including social, we will work to urge restoration of PEACE AND ORDER. 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 HISD Board To Meet Virtually Monday Evening The Hillsboro Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, January 11, in virtual format only. The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the Texas Academic Performance Reports followed by comments. An auditor's report is also on the agenda, along with reports from directors, principals and the superintendent. The meeting can be accessed via phone by calling 832-821-8260 and entering the access code 460-001-709. Yaound, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2021 ) :Cameroon's army on Monday denied allegations from local media and aid groups that it had killed civilians during a raid in the country's anglophone Southwest region, saying the dead were "terrorists". Army spokesman Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo nevertheless said in a statement that "a scrupulous investigation has been ordered to uncover every detail" of the events on Sunday. During a "preventive" raid on "terrorist groups' positions" in Mautu, in the Southwest region, "armed individuals... immediately opened fire" on the soldiers, who "inflicted an appropriate response on them," Atonfack said. "Several terrorists were neutralised, others wounded or put to flight," he added. Following the raid, images claiming to show civilian victims had been posted to social media. While none have so far been verified or dated, some aid groups and local online media have alleged the soldiers "massacred" 10 civilians including at least one woman and one child, without citing evidence. "Terrorist leaders... have come up with a jumble of macabre images to try and lay the blame on our defence forces for a massacre in Mautu," Atonfack said. Mostly populated by an English-speaking minority, Cameroon's Northwest and Southwest regions have for over three years been the theatre of a bloody conflict between armed groups fighting for independence and government forces. Civilians are often caught up in the fighting, suffering at the hands of both sides, international aid groups and the UN say. So far more than 3,000 people have died and more than 700,000 have fled their homes during the conflict. On December 17, three soldiers went on trial in capital Yaounde for the murder of 13 civilians including 10 children in February 2020, but the hearing immediately adjourned. The government of 87-year-old President Paul Biya had long denied the troops' responsibility, while the army claimed the deaths happened in an "unfortunate accident" when a fuel tank exploded during a firefight with "terrorists". Outrage and international pressure ultimately pushed the government to arrest the three men, accused of flouting rules of engagement and covering up the crime in their official report. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to fast-track remaining legal challenges to Pennsylvanias election results on Monday, underscoring the justices reluctance to wade into widely discredited Republican arguments for reversing the outcome of the 2020 vote. The decision did not dismiss the election challenges outright and kept them alive for the justices to potentially take up in the future. But Mondays orders along with denials for expedited consideration in several other election-related cases arising from states such as Wisconsin and Georgia pushed those considerations until after President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration Jan. 20. In the event that the court decides to consider any of the cases after that, it would likely only do so in terms of their implications for future elections. For instance, one of the cases affected by Mondays decisions, brought by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R., Pa.), seeks to overturn Pennsylvanias vote-by-mail law, passed by the GOP-controlled state legislature in 2019 and used without objection in earlier elections. The court had already refused to fast-track an earlier petition in that case. Other cases denied expedited hearings Monday include the Trump campaigns Dec. 20 petition asking the court to overturn several key rulings made in the run-up to the election by Pennsylvanias highest court, which it argued usurped the authority of the state legislature to set election deadlines and rules. The justices also refused early consideration of a case that arose out of Centre County on whether private foundations could offer financial support to counties election infrastructure. The Pennsylvania Voters Alliance, the group that brought that case, challenged grant funding that certain counties received from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The money was meant to defray election expenses, but the Voters Alliance argued it unfairly favored Democratic candidates. A U.S. District Court judge in Williamsport had earlier found their arguments unpersuasive, and the Voters Alliance had asked the Supreme Court to take up the case before a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, citing the then-upcoming election and postelection deadlines in their need for haste. None of the cases involved in Mondays court orders contained any specific allegations let alone evidence of votes being deliberately cast illegally. Instead they took issue with Pennsylvanias processes for the casting and counting of ballots from legally registered voters. Joe Biden won the state by a margin of more than 80,000 votes. UAE and South Korea have had solid bilateral relations since the start of their diplomatic ties in the early 1980s, said Kim Young-ju, Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association (Kita). UAE is a key economic partner of South Korea, and the value of their trade exchange exceeded $12.5 billion in 2019, and over 200 Korean companies are currently operating in the UAE, he said. The two nations have agreed to enhance their cooperation in oil and renewable energy, increase their joint research in the fourth industrial revolution, and exchange human resources. The two friendly countries will continue sharing their experiences in developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and reinforcing their cooperation in the health sector. They had established a strategic partnership in 2018 during the official visit of Moon Jae-in, President of South Korea, to the UAE. In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Young-ju said that the two countries share multiple characteristics related to growth and development, noting that South Korea has become an economic and industrial powerhouse, and the UAE has become a distinguished modern country with its skyscrapers and the largest GDP per capita in the world. Speaking about the cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kita, he pointed out that before the signing of the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, the chamber established an office in Seoul in 2015 to strengthen their economic bilateral ties and reach out to the largest number of Korean investors. Kita and the chamber have jointly organised several investment seminars in South Korea attended by government authorities from Abu Dhabi and business leaders, to promote the emirate and the UAE, in general, as a business hub in the Middle East and North Africa, which received many Korean delegations that expressed their interest in investing in the emirates markets, Young-ju further added. The Kita Chairman then noted that in 2018, Kita signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the chamber to drive advancement and establish the foundations of sustainable development in the two countries, through promoting cooperation and globalisation between promising companies. Kita has also provided promising opportunities to the business communities from both countries, as well as facilitated the exchange of expertise and created communication opportunities between governments, private sector establishments and business leaders. He pointed out that South Korea had organised a virtual Korean-Emirati business meeting in June 2020, in partnership with the chamber, which gathered companies from both countries operating in the medical, cosmetics, consumer goods and industrial sectors. Both sides also worked together to organise the Abu Dhabi-Korea Healthcare Week in October 2020. Young-ju further said that Kita supports the significant efforts of the UAE Government to overcome the challenges caused the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure continuity of business and strengthen the role of the private sector in economic development. Speaking about the new commercial activities that the Korean side aims to implement in Abu Dhabi, he further said that South Korea recently announced the "New Green Deal," which is similar to the UAEs "Next Fifty Years Strategy Plan" that aims to shape the future based on artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet, information technology and advanced industries. Kita is not only a group of institutions and companies operating in South Korea but it is also a pioneering economic organisation that plays a wide range of economic roles, ranging from drafting commercial cooperation agreements for private sector companies in South Korea to establishing an advanced commercial infrastructure.-- Tradearabia News Service As hybrid and electric cars are becoming a regular site on UK roads, electric telehandlers offer the first glimpse of battery powered technology on farms. Last year saw the UK government launch its ten-point plan to kick-start a green revolution across the country. In November it was announced that by 2030 there will be a ban on the sale of all new diesel and petrol cars. At the same time hybrid and electric cars are becoming an evermore common sight on our roads, with shares in Tesla rising more than 550% throughout 2020. Clearly, government policy is pushing transport towards battery power and surely it is only a matter of time before agriculture has to start falling into line alongside it. The first on the market GGR Group are a company that supplies machinery to the construction industry. They have recently begun selling the Faresin 6.26 electric telehandler, the first machine of its kind in the mainstream market. Their Marketing Director Daniel Ezzatvar, said: "Once upon a time, electric vehicles were designed for sensitive situations, such as food processing and handling, working down mines, or on oil rigs. "Yet now government is driving this carbon neutral agenda it is going to become the norm." Faresin are an Italian company that already have a range of telehandlers with combustion engines in the agricultural sector. In 2019 they became the first company to develop an electric telehandler. "As a company GGR Group specialise in bringing in products from abroad", Daniel explained. The Faresin 6.26 electric telehandler, the first machine of its kind in the mainstream market. "In 2019 our CEO came across Faresin launching the electric telehandler, they like us are a medium sized family business, and so we partnered up." The electric telehandler uses the same technology as Faresins conventional diesel 6.26 telehandler, the only difference being that this version is battery powered. It is only 2.6 tonnes with a 5.9 metre reach, but as battery technology develops it is expected that larger machines will come to the market. The standard model comes with a 300Ah battery which has a life of up to six hours and a standard recharge time of 3h 45mins, however this can be reduced to 1.5 hours by using a three phase fast charger. The lithium batteries it uses can be charged without any damage or life reduction, unlike standard wet cell batteries. On farms Although GGR specialise in kitting out the construction industry, they have exclusivity over Faresins electric telehandler in the UK, and they say they have had an influx of interest from farmers. Sam Edwards, also of GGR Group, said: "They are ideal for livestock farmers. One Scottish farmer has ordered the telehandler to try and tackle noise pollution as he was finding his animals were easily spooked by the noise of the engine on his conventional handler. "The machines small size also holds advantages for poultry farmers trying to work in sheds with low ridge heights." Sam said that the other group of farmers showing a particular interest in the telehandler are those with anaerobic digesters on their premises. In 2019 Faresin became the first company to develop an electric telehandler These farmers see the benefit of being able to run their telehandler at very little cost. In action Although the electric telehandler is yet to arrive on any UK farms, there are a number of them on construction sites around the country, including the HS2 rail development. Thomas Plant are a plant hire company that have been using the Faresin electric telehandler on a site in Wembley. Ian McMillan, from Thomas Plant, said: "The operator who was driving it absolutely loved it. Power and performance wise, everything he did with it was done exactly the same, if not better, than with the diesel version. "We had it working both outside and in an underground car park, doing everything we needed of it." Ian had very few concerns about the telehandler and was impressed by its charging technology: "My only concern was how quiet it was", he said. "But now GGR have come up with a type of travelling alarm that also manages not to really annoy people." "In terms of charging, we have used the extra fast charger and it does exactly what it says on the tin, and overnight we just charged it like any other electric forklift or scissor lift. "The data and telematics on the charger are something I have never seen before, it tells you exactly when and for how long it has been on charge," he said. Ian said he saw benefits to be gained from the durability of the electric technology. "Because we are a plant hire company, we do not like having anything more than three years old, but the batteries on these last ten. "It will be another six years before we even think about swapping it out, the maintenance is so minimal." The major players Whilst the Faresin 6.26 is the first electric telehandler on the market, the bigger companies are not far behind. Both Manitou and Merlo have electric telehandlers in the development stages, and in November last year JCB launched its 525-60E Loadall. JCB have designed the 525-60E Loadall to deliver the same performance as their conventional diesel powered machine Like the Faresin, JCB have designed this to deliver the same performance as their conventional diesel powered machine, with a 2,500kg maximum lift, and lift of 2,000kg to the full 6 metre height. JCBs Chief Innovations Officer, Tim Burnhope, said: "This release follows the introduction of the 19C-1E mini excavator and the 30-19E Teletruk to the market. "The Loadall offers a zero emissions load handling solution with no compromise on productivity. We are very excited by the prospects for this machine." The JCB telehandler uses very similar technology to the Faresin machine, including using a rapid charging system that can be used for quick top-ups during breaks. It also uses regenerative braking which converts the energy lost whilst braking back into energy in the vehicles battery, helping to improve the lifespan of the battery. An agreement will be signed this week, according to a report by the Zambian National Broadcasting Corp , citing President Edgar Lungu. "Glencore confirms that it is in final-stage negotiations relating to a possible sale of Carlisas 90% stake in Mopani to ZCCM," Glencore said in a statement. ... WASHINGTON Despite ample warnings about pro-Trump demonstrations in Washington, U.S. Capitol Police did not bolster staffing on Wednesday and made no preparations for the possibility that the planned protests could escalate into massive violent riots, according to several people briefed on law enforcements response. The revelations shed new light on why Capitol police were so quickly overrun by rioters. The department had the same number of officers in place as on a routine day. While some of those officers were outfitted with equipment for a protest, they were not staffed or equipped for a riot. Once the mob began to move on the Capitol, a police lieutenant issued an order not to use deadly force, which explains why officers outside the building did not draw their weapons as the crowd closed in. Officers are sometimes ordered against escalating a situation by drawing their weapons if superiors believe doing so could lead to a stampede or a shootout. In this instance, it also left officers will little ability to resist the mob. In one video from the scene, an officer puts up his firsts to try to push back a crowd pinning he and his colleagues against a door. The crowd jeers You are not American! and one man tries to prod him with the tip of an American flag. They were left naked, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Ca. said of the police in an interview with AP. She had raised security concerns in a Dec. 28 meeting of House Democrats and grilled Steven Sund, the Capitol Police chief, during an hourlong private call on New Years Eve. It turns out it was the worst kind of non-security anybody could ever imagine. The Capitol polices lackluster response to the riots has drawn condemnation from lawmakers and prompted the ouster of the departments chief. As the full extent of the insurrection becomes clear, the FBI is also investigating whether some of the rioters had plans to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage. Investigators are particularly focused on why some of them were seen carrying plastic zip-tie handcuffs and had apparently accessed areas of the Capitol generally difficult for the public to locate, according to an official. The official was among four officials briefed on Wednesdays incident who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly. Larry Rendell Brock, of Texas, and Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, who both were photographed with plastic restraints as they broke into the Capitol, were arrested by the FBI on Sunday. Prosecutors said Brock also donned a green helmet, tactical vest and camouflage jacket. The crowd that arrived in Washington on Wednesday was no surprise. Trump had been urging his supporters to come to the capital and some hotels had been booked to 100% capacity - setting off alarm bells because tourism in Washington has cratered amid the pandemic. Justice officials, FBI and other agencies began to monitor flights and social media for weeks and were expecting massive crowds. A leader of the far-right extremist group Proud Boys was arrested coming into the city with high-powered magazine clips emblazoned with the groups logo, police said. The clips were not loaded, but he was planning to attend a rally near the White House. Capitol police leaders, however, had prepared for a free speech demonstration. No fencing was erected outside the Capitol and no contingency plans were prepared for if the situation escalated, according to people briefed. Waters grilled Sund on exactly these kinds of questions -- about the Proud Boys and other groups coming, about keeping them off the Capitol plaza. The police chief insisted they knew what they were doing. He kept assuring me he had it under control they knew what they were doing, she said. Either hes incompetent, or he was lying or he was complicit. Those decisions left the officers policing the Capitol like sitting ducks, the officials said, with little guidance and no cohesive plan on how to deal with the flood of rioters streaming into the building. The departments leaders were also scattered during the riots. The chief of police was with Vice President Mike Pence in a secure location, and other high-ranking officials had been dispatched to the scene of bombs found outside the nearby headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees. The rioters had more equipment and they werent afraid to use it, said Ashan Benedict, who leads the Washington field division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was there that day. They had apparently more bear spray and pepper spray and chemical munitions than we did, Benedict said. Were coming up with plans to counteract their chemical munitions with some of our own less-than-lethal devices, so these conversations are going on as this chaos is unfolding in front of my eyes. Officers have been criticized for their actions after snippets of videos taken by the rioters showed some posing for selfies, acquiescing to demands by screaming rioters to move aside so they could stream inside the building. But other videos show officers trying in vain to keep the crowd from breaking into the building. One disturbing video shows a bloodied Metropolitan police officer screaming for help as hes crushed by protesters inside the Capitol building. The young officer is pinned between a riot shield and metal door. Bleeding from the mouth, he cries out in pain and screams, Help! In another stunning video, a lone police officer tries to hold off a mob of demonstrators from cracking into the lobby. He fails. One officer died in the riot and at least a dozen were injured. The officials wouldnt reveal the specific number of officers on-duty over concerns about disclosing operational details, but confirmed that the numbers were on par with a routine protest and day where lawmakers would be present. Capitol Police officials did brief lawmakers ahead of Wednesday, saying they expected large numbers of protesters to attend a rally near the White House, but offered no indication they were making preparations for an en masse movement of the crowd to the Capitol, according to one Republican congressional aide. Still, they advised lawmakers to plan to use the underground tunnels that connect House office buildings to the Capitol. Benedict was at the bomb scene when Capitol Police captains there told him their officers were being overrun. He immediately activated the special response team that was standing by and began to call in every ATF agent who works for him in Washington. When they began entering the Capitol complex at 2:40 p.m., the hallways were packed with rioters. Eventually, federal agents were able to secure the Capitol Rotunda. We just started moving crowds of people out of the Capitol Complex and then going through one by one, each room and rooms off of rooms, to identify friendlies from hostiles, he said. Global 'The 2021 Upgrade Report' from Hotels.com, identifies spike in last minute reservations and upgrading following a lost year for travel - 89% of Americans reveal they intend to be more spontaneous than ever in 2021(1) - Hotels.com announces new global report, 'The 2021 Upgrade', revealing spike in spontaneous travel to defy a year of rules and restrictions - Hotels.com booking data reflects impulsive trend, with same-day bookings up 10% from June - August 2019 vs 2020(2) - Eager U.S. travelers state they would do all the cleaning in their house (29%), give up sweets (24%), not leave the house (23%), and even stop shopping (22%) or drinking alcohol (22%) for a month to be able to get away and live their best hotel life again DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Spontaneity will be the word of the year for 2021 travelers as a new global study reveals 89% of U.S. travelers intend to be more impulsive than ever, following 2020's cancelled trips, boredom and all round 'year of nothing'. The new report from Hotels.com, 'The 2021 Upgrade', has uncovered how this new lust for spontaneity will have a ripple effect on the hotel and travel industries, as travelers say 'yes' to more. Take me awayand quick! The global study showed that 32% are dubbing 2020 the 'lost year' for travel prompting more than a third (35%) to be more likely to drop everything to vacay if they can in 2021. Hotels.com's booking data supports this, with almost half of bookings in June 2020 (when lockdown rules eased for the first time for many) being made three or fewer days from the time of search. It's all about being spontaneous AF these days with over a quarter revealing they would say yes to more last-minute trips (28%). All rules are out the window with one in five (26%) saying they would take off on a long-haul trip for just a few days or make no plans for the trip in favor of being spontaneous when they arrive (25%). A further 17% are ready to live their best luxury #HotelLife and will be booking a five-star hotel for their 2021 getaways. Story continues Experts at Hotels.com also predict this extravagant attitude will have a dramatic impact on hotel booking behavior, with 2021 being the year to really 'treat yo self'. Compared to pre-pandemic times over a quarter (26%) would now book a better hotel room, and nearly a quarter would spontaneously say yes to a room upgrade if offered when booking (24%). "2020 was the year of staying home, postponing trips and posting old vacation pictures on social media. This year, travelers are ready to 'seize the stay' when travel returns and they feel comfortable to take the trips they missed out on" shared Josh Belkin, Vice President, Global brand Hotels.com. "We saw that when travel restrictions eased for many in July and August 2020, over half of bookings were made three days or less ahead of their stay, compared to 40% in 2019. People are ready to channel their inner spontaneous self, dropping everything at the last minute to get away and enjoy the best that hotel life has to offer." Dear hotel, we miss you Travelers are ready to get in that robe and raid the mini bar again with a quarter of people saying the thing they miss most about traveling is being able to stay in an awesome hotel. They have been craving that sweet #HotelLife, missing relaxing in a plush robe (13%), the peace and quiet (30%) breakfast buffets (23%), hotel restaurants and bars (29%), rooms with a view (26%), ordering room service (18%), visiting the hotel pool (20%), treating themselves to the hotel spa (17%) and of course the incredible hotel bed (18%). This craving means travelers will take a different approach to hotel bookings in 2021 it will be all about upgrading the experience. When asked what new experiences they would say 'yes' to, around one in five (20%) would splurge on a spa treatment, uber-luxe hotel restaurant (20%), or a fancy cocktail in the hotel's bar (24%). Travelers will also be finding ways to 'seize the stay' as much as they can, with nearly one in five stating they would spontaneously book a fancy hotel for a staycation for the weekend (24%) or take advantage of a mid-week deal in their local trendy hotel (23%). The rise in spontaneous travel To plan or not to plan? Travelers want to be carefree and relaxed by making spontaneous decisions (32%), not having to plan and just doing what they wanted (28%) and saying 'yes' to new experiences (24%). Time to turn on the 'out of office' and switch off for that vacation. The research also revealed the lengths that many will go to for a vacation and a hotel stay in 2021, with travelers admitting do all the cleaning in their house (29%), give up sweets (24%), not leave their house (23%), social media apps (17%) and even sex (16%) for a month. 2020, you have pushed us to our limits! Same day travel driven by need to be spontaneous Travel-hungry hotel-lovers are ready to commit to spontaneity, with 29% claiming they'd be ready to drop it all and leave the same day if given the opportunity. With spontaneity comes packing pressure. Most would go nowhere without their digital lifelines, with over half (55%) prioritising their phone, laptop and charger - beating out a change of clothes (46%), a swimsuit (29%) and sleepwear (30%). Hotels.com is one of the most rewarding ways to book a place to stay and we even have a 'Reward Winning' loyalty program that includes free cancellations should your travel plans change. Check out our Hotels.com Rewards* program and see for yourself how to bag a reward night. Notes to Editors 1Research was conducted by One Poll in December 2020. 1,000 respondents across the United States. 2Statistics from Hotels.com booking data pulled on 10th December 2020 About Hotels.com (or Hotels.com) Hotels.com is the most rewarding way to book a place to stay. We really love travel and we know you do too. That's why we make it really easy to book with us. With hundreds of thousands of places to stay around the world and 90 local websites in 41 languages, Hotels.com has it all. So, whether you're looking for value in Vegas, treehouses in Thailand or villas with views, it's all just a click away. And with our "Reward-winning" loyalty program you earn free* nights while you sleepwhat could be better? Booking just got smarter too. With over 25 million real guest reviews and an app so easy to use that it's been downloaded 70 million times, you can be sure to find the perfect place for you. *Exclusions apply. Reward night worth average price of previous 10. Taxes/fees payable on each Reward Night redeemed. A $5 fee is charged on each Reward Night redeemed, unless redeemed on the app. See T&Cs. https://www.hotels.com/customer_care/terms_conditions.html?pos=HCOM_US&locale=en_US 2020Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST #2083949-50 Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/travelers-are-checking-in-to-spontaneous-trips-in-2021-301204867.html SOURCE Hotels.com The revised plan also includes three floors of co-working space and about 9,000 square feet of retail space, according to the aldermans update. The height of the tower has been cut by about 43 feet, to 502 feet, according to Magellan. The building is losing five stories, down to a proposed 47 stories. Scientists have identified the brain cells that are most vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease for the first time, in what's being referred to as the 'holy grail' of dementia studies. The brain cells lie in a region known as the entorhinal cortex, which controls memory, navigation and time perception, and are the first to be killed off by the disease. The researchers hope the findings could be used to develop a new and much more targeted approach to developing therapies to slow or prevent the spread of Alzheimer's disease. The brain cells lie in a region known as the entorhinal cortex, which controls memory, navigation and time perception, and are the first to be killed off by the disease HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DEMENTIA? The charity Alzheimer's Research UK has described dementia as the greatest health challenge of our time. Somebody is diagnosed with it every three seconds. It is the biggest killer in some wealthier countries - and is completely untreatable. Memory loss is the most common feature. Other symptoms can include changes to behaviour, mood and personality. It can reach the point where people don't know they need to eat or drink. Globally around 50 million people are currently living with dementia. But cases are predicted to soar to 130 million by 2050 as populations age. According to the World Health Organisation, deaths from dementia have doubled since 2000 and dementia is now the fifth biggest killer worldwide. In England and Wales, one in eight death certificates cite dementia. Advertisement The brain cells are particularly prone to toxic clumps, or 'tangles', of a protein called tau that destroys them from within. Co-senior author Professor Martin Kampmann, of Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, said targeting them could stop the disease in its tracks. Analysis of brain tissue found the specific group of cells disappear very early on - followed by a similar subset in the superior frontal gyrus. This is an area of grey matter responsible for higher cognitive functions such as thinking, problem solving, planning and working memory - used in the execution of tasks. The findings published in Nature Neuroscience are a 'holy grail' of dementia research. Prof Kampmann explained: 'We know which neurons are first to die in other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease - but not Alzheimer's. 'If we understood why these neurons are so vulnerable, maybe we could identify interventions that could make them, and the brain as a whole, more resilient to the disease.' Alzheimer's is caused by tau and amyloid - another rogue protein that builds into plaques, or clumps, outside brain cells. Tau has been described as the 'bullet'. The team at California University in San Francisco say some brain cells succumb years before symptoms develop - opening a 'window of opportunity'. Co-senior author Prof Lea Grinberg said: 'The belief in the field has been once these trash proteins are there, it's always 'game over' for the cell. 'But our lab has been finding that that is not the case. 'Some cells end up with high levels of tau tangles well into the progression of the disease, but for some reason don't die. Analysis of brain tissue found the specific group of cells disappear very early on - followed by a similar subset in the superior frontal gyrus (stock image) Somebody is diagnosed with dementia every three seconds. It is the biggest killer in some wealthier countries - and is completely untreatable (stock image) 'It has become a pressing question for us to understand the specific factors that make some cells selectively vulnerable to Alzheimer's pathology, while other cells appear able to resist it for years, if not decades.' The researchers studied tissue from two brain banks of dozens of people who had died at different stages of Alzheimer's in the US and Brazil. A technique called single-nucleus RNA sequencing enabled then to group neurons based on patterns of gene activity. In both the entorhinal cortex and the superior frontal gyrus, these vulnerable cells were distinguished by their expression of a protein called RORB. Under a microscope, they confirmed these neurons do in fact die off early on in the disease. They also accumulate tau tangles earlier than neighbours without RORB. Co-first author Kun Leng, a PhD student in Prof Kampmann's lab, said: 'These findings support the view tau build-up is a critical driver of neurodegeneration. 'But we also know from other data from the Grinberg lab that not every cell that builds up these aggregates is equally susceptible.' He plans to continue looking at factors underlying RORB neurons' selective vulnerability using gene-editing technology the Kampmann lab has developed. It's not clear whether RORB itself causes the cells' selective vulnerability. But the protein provides a valuable new molecular 'handle'. This will help understand what makes these cells susceptible to Alzheimer's - and how it could potentially be reversed. Co-first author Kun Leng, of California University in San Francisco, said: 'Our discovery of a molecular identifier for these selectively vulnerable cells gives us the opportunity to study in detail exactly why they succumb to tau pathology - and what could be done to make them more resilient. 'This would be a totally new and much more targeted approach to developing therapies to slow or prevent the spread of Alzheimer's disease.' Romanian crew Claudiu Barbu / Marius Lupu (Transcarpathic Rally Team) ranked last, on the 39th position, in the SSV category, on Sunday, in the stage seven of the 2021 Dakar Rally, held between Ha'il and Sakakah (Saudi Arabia). The Romanians received a penalty of 62 hours in this stage ended at 11 h 44 min 26 sec by the winners. Barbu and Lupu, who participate in the Dakar Rally with a "special service vehicle" branded Polaris, ranked 54th in the light vehicles category at this stage, but did not appear in the general rankings at the end of Sunday. On Monday, the eighth stage will take place, between Sakakah and Neom, with a length of 709 km, of which 375 km timed. Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov believes that the Crimean Platform summit scheduled for this year should result in outlining concrete steps that will accelerate the de-occupation of the peninsula. "In addition to the statements, concrete steps must be taken by these states [Crimean Platform participants] to make Russian troops actually leave Crimea. We must do everything possible to make the Crimean Platform successful and prevent it from ending in failure," Chubarov said on the air of the Crimea.Realities Radio. According to him, the states that support the Platform should advocate the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, in particular, imposing immediate embargo on Russian energy. "Or these governments can minimize any relationship with Russia as its actions also pose threat to their security and their peoples. I understand that this is extremely difficult for individual states and is associated with economic losses, but we must somehow stop the Russian threat that is spreading around the world," said the Chairman of the Mejlis. As reported, the Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupying power and to achieve the de-occupation of Crimea and its return to Ukraine. The Crimean Platform is expected to operate at the level of heads of state and government, foreign ministers, in the dimension of inter-parliamentary cooperation and expert network. The Crimean Platform is expected to be launched officially at an inaugural summit in Kyiv in 2021. ol [January 11, 2021] Kingsland University and DevLeague Enter Exclusive Partnership to Help Hawaii HONOLULU, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingsland University, a leading organization that provides social impact through education, today announced a strategic partnership with DevLeague, Hawaii's only immersive technical training program for software engineering and cybersecurity professionals. The new alliance will help build Hawaii's tech workforce through the latest, job-ready skills training that provides accelerated career opportunities and re-careering pathways. The $1M in scholarships will be immediately available to 400 Veterans and Hawaii residents. "This partnership will help prepare those in Hawai?i for high-tech jobs in the digital workforce," Governor David Ige said. "I want to thank Kingsland University for making this investment in Hawai?i's future, and I am grateful that DevLeague will be able to mentor and train even more of Hawai?i's best and brightest for careers in technology." Led by industry experts, tech practitioners and educators with real world experience, Kingsland University focuses on preparing students for the most in-demand, highly paid career paths within emerging technologies such as software engineering, cybersecurity, and blockchain development with starting salaries typically ranging from $55,000 to $70,000 a year. "COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the economy and the people of Hawaii. However, it has also accelerated the transition to the digital economy and increased opportunities for Hawaii residents to access well-paying, high-growth, tech jobs without having to leave for the mainland," said Russel Cheng, Co-Founder at DevLeague. "DevLeague's exclusive partnership with Kingsland will bring new and improved curriculum, expanded in-demand career offerings, and accreditation for its programs, as well as access to a larger global network and access to all neighbor islands such as Kauai, Big Island and Maui." "The DevLeague team has built a strong community and industry network here in Hawaii. We want to continue that growth," said John Souza, CEO of Kingsland University. "Our goal is to greatly increase accessibility to top quality skills training so that people of all backgrounds can take advantage of the vast career opportunities." Founded in 2013 by two local entrepreneurs Jason Sewell and Russel Cheng, DevLeague has helped more than 300 graduates' transition into new career paths in the technology sector at companies, such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple, Nike, Accenture, Riot Games, Booz Allen, Hawaii Pacific Health, eWorld, Hawaii Resources Group, DISA Pacific Command, State of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu IT enterprise divisions. DevLeague is excited to announce the launch of new classes, powered by Kingsland University, starting on January 25, 2021. For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.devleague.com/scholarship. About DevLeague Located in Hawaii, DevLeague is the premier technical boot camp in the Pacific, designed to provide mentorship and training to motivated individuals seeking a career path in modern technology. We teach in-demand technical skills such as Software Engineering and Cybersecurity to help our students transition into a new career path in technology. About Kingsland University Founded in 2009 and based in Atlanta, Kingsland University is a leading organization that provides social impact through education and addresses the generational crisis in the industry with a new type of education model. The accredited institution provides individuals with access to training opportunities, career exploration and preparation, development, apprenticeships, and more for the most in-demand and highest paying jobs within emerging technologies such as software engineering, cybersecurity and blockchain development. As an award-winning edutech provider, Kingsland University has successfully delivered global education programs to some of the world's most respected companies, universities, government agencies, and not-for profits, amassing over 175,000 students worldwide. To learn more, visit https://kingslanduniversity.com/. Media Contact: Megan Brilley 288762@email4pr.com 949-777-2486 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kingsland-university-and-devleague-enter-exclusive-partnership-to-help-hawaii-301205038.html SOURCE Kingsland University [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NEW DELHI : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said coal plays a key role in the country's economy and a boost in the sector will give a fillip to the Indian economy. Launching a single-window clearance system for the coal sector, Shah also said that the move was an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bringing transparency and transformation in India's coal sector. "Coal sector plays a key role in our economy, a boost in the coal sector will directly boost India's economy. This platform will further our efforts by bringing huge investment and creating employment," he said. The home minister said the single-window clearance system will ensure the process of obtaining clearances smooth for operationalisation of coal mines. Shah said this was yet another manifestation of the prime minister's commitment towards bringing the transparency and transformation in India's coal sector. He also congratulated Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi for his efforts to boost the sector. Shah said that the country has reached a position where the coal sector can be the biggest contributor towards the target of India becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. He said despite having the world's fourth-largest coal reserves, India is importing coal and this is not right for the country. Presently, about 19 major approval or clearances are required before starting a coal mine in the country. In the absence of a unified platform for grant of clearances, the companies were required to approach different departments leading to delay in operationalisation of coal mines, Joshi said. Now, the complete process will be facilitated through the single-window clearance portal in a phased way. PTI ACB KJ KJ 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. New Delhi: Indian troops on Thursday foiled multiple infiltration bids along the Line of Control in across Kashmir, killing at least seven armed infiltrators. In the Uri sector, the Indian Army foiled the infiltration attempt by at least 5 terrorists. Two Indian jawans were injured in the attack. In Naugam sector, Indian troops killed two terrorists attempting to infiltrate LoC to the Indian side. One Indian jawan was martyred in the process, while two others were injured. Meanwhile, in another act of terrorism in the valley, a bank loot attempt by terrorists has been foiled by security forces in Pulwama's Wanpora. #JKOps Multiple attempts by Paki army to infiltrate armed groups into Kashmir foiled. 7 armed infiltrators killed. Ops in progress @adgpi pic.twitter.com/jZQNcG3fti NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) June 8, 2017 #11: 20 AM: Naugam update: One more terrorist killed, total three terrorists killed so far. three weapons and other warlike stores recovered. Op continues MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BY PAKISTAN ARMY TO INFILTRATE ARMED GROUPS INTO KASHMIR VALLEY FOILED #Indian Army units deployed along the Line of Control (LC) in Jammu & Kashmir have foiled multiple attempts made by Pakistan army to push armed infiltrators across the LC. #In the last 48 hours, infiltration attempts have been foiled at Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri Sectors. #Seven armed intruders have been eliminated so far. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and warlike stores have been recovered. Operations are in progress at Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors. #These armed intruder groups were being provided active support including covering fire (heavy calibre artillery) by Pakistan army posts on the LC to assist them in infiltration into the Kashmir valley. #In the current year, 22 infiltration attempts have been foiled and 34 armed intruders eliminated on the LC. #Relentless operations by security forces have defeated desperate attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Read | Two militants killed after army foils infiltration bid in Machil sector of Kashmir J&K: Two jawans injured in an encounter along LoC in Uri after 5-6 terrorists tried to infiltrate (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/63DXHJaupG ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kamal Hasan's political party in Tamil Nadu promised salaries to housewives as part of its electoral campaign. And the idea was welcomed by Congress politician Shashi Tharoor. Today, the media is also celebrating the longest flight and the first from San Francisco to Bengaluru manned by an all women crew of pilots and co-pilots led by Captain Papagiri Thanmai and Captain Zoya Aggarwal. How do these headline grabbing news compare to the long drawn out battle by feminist statisticians and economists to get better estimates of women's work in the national labour statistics? As well as document her full contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country by counting her paid and unpaid work? In 1988, 'Shramshakti', the report of the National Commission on Self-Employed Women and Workers in the Informal Sector, noted that "all women are workers because they are producers and reproducers. Even when they are not employed, they are involved in socially productive and reproductive labour all of which is absolutely necessary for the survival of the society. Women's work as home-makers must be recognised as social/economic production". There has been major debate around the measurement of women's work participation over decades. It is alleged that the traditional labour force statistics collected by government statistical divisions ignore the unpaid work of women. The definitions and standards of the measurement of work are set through resolutions by the International Labour Organization in its International Conference on Labour Statisticians (ICLS). The 13th ICLS in 1982 set the early definitions and criteria for the economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment, amended in the later ICLS in 1987, 1998 and 2008. The System of National Accounts of the United Nations, which provides the international guidelines for collection of data on the GDP, recommends that women's social reproduction work or unpaid care work should be counted and accounted in satellite accounts to the national accounts of the country. The logic is that including the value of unpaid work in the national income will distort the estimates of the flow of income in the country. ILO's 19th ICLS is supposed to have created more gender sensitive standards for measurement of work. The traditional definition divided the labour force into three categories, employed, unemployed and out of the labour forces (or inactive). The 19th ICLS agreed on an international statistical definition of 'work' that included five major activities in which individuals can be involved. The first major change was that 'work' included paid and unpaid activities to produce goods and services. The five activities constituting 'work' were: Production (including goods and services) i) for own use, ii) for use of others for pay or profit (normally included in labour force statistics), iii) for use of others NOT for pay or profit within which there were three categories: a) unpaid trainee work, b) other unpaid work and c) volunteer work. The second major change was that an individual can be involved in more than one activity at the same time. The National Sample Survey (NSO) uses the traditional definition to measure women's work in its labour force surveys, the earlier Employment and Unemployment Survey (EUS) and its recent avatar the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). The expert body in economic statistics is still to grapple with the idea of the use of the new 19th ICLS definitions and the NSO has to figure out if it will and can put the new definitions into practice in its collection of labour force statistics. Till then we have abysmally low women's work force participation which has been declining. The decline was particularly sharp in rural areas falling from 48 per cent in 2004-05 (EUS) to 23 per cent in 2017-18 (PLFS) for women above 15 years of age. Women's participation in urban areas was low initially but dropped further from 23 per cent in 2004-5 and to 18 per cent in 2017-18. There is, however, a silver lining in the newly released Time Use Survey (TUS), 2019, collected by the National Sample Organisation. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult, time consuming and costly to conduct time use survey frequently. The last TUS was conducted twenty years ago in six states in 1999. Statement 5 in the TUS, 2019 is presented here. If we use the five activity definition of work of the 19th ICLS, we arrive at very high work participation of women as per the first major change of including paid and unpaid activities using the TUS (see table). Percentage of women participating in each of the five activities in rural + urban areas are as follows: i) for own use, 20 per cent; ii) for use of others for pay or profit, 18.4 per cent; iii) for use of others NOT for pay or profit within which there were three categories: unpaid trainee work + volunteer work, 2 per cent, and other unpaid work, 81 per cent + 27.6 per cent. As per the second major change highlighted above, an individual can be involved in more than one activity at the same time. It is clear that these estimates, using the TUS, cannot be compared with the work participation rates by the traditional labour force survey, PLFS. It is also clear that the process of computing work participation of women who often engage in multiple paid and unpaid work at the same time is difficult through a standard questionnaire method of traditional surveys. (The writer is professor of economics at the Ahmedabad University) The vice-president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juan Marin, has refused to rule out new restrictive coronavirus measures for the week ahead based on the evolution of the virus in the region. Answering questions from journalists, Marin emphasised that reports about the situation of the coronavirus in Andalucia are received daily and there are "many factors" that are taken into account when making decisions about restrictive measures. "We cannot rule out actions for the next few days," he said, although he pointed out that if everything works as expected the measures introduced this Monday would last until 24 January. The measures include the closure of shops and businesses at 8pm. Bars and restaurants must close at 6pm. Cafeterias can stay open until 8pm as long as they don't serve alcohol after 6pm. Establishments will be able to stay open for the collection of takeaways until 9.30pm and food can be delivered to homes until 11.30pm. The night curfew has been brought forward to 10pm until 6am across the region. Travel from province to province within Andalucia is still permitted. The regional border separating Andalucia from the rest of Spain remains closed for non-essential travel, after the measure was partially lifted only for the holiday period. The previous ban on movement between eight towns in the Campo de Gibraltar area (La Linea de la Concepcion, Algeciras, Los Barrios, Castellar de la Frontera, Jimena de la Frontera, San Martin del Tesorillo, San Roque and Tarifa) remains in place. Stricter measures have also being brought in in La Linea de la Concepcion (Cadiz) and Anora (Cordoba), given that these two towns are in risk Level 4 (II). There, all non-essential business activity must close. Irish Rail has published a revised timetable to operate on its rail network from today, Monday, January 11 to account for additional Government Covid-19 restrictions. Irish Rail has advised customers that, following the further level 5 restrictions announced by Government, a revised and reduced schedule will operate across the rail network from Monday, January 11, approved by the National Transport Authority. The revised schedule reflects significantly reduced demand, and will ensure service continuity and resilience for essential workers and carers who must travel. To effectively manage the 25% capacity available for use, the requirement to pre-book Intercity travel, in place over the Christmas and New Year period, is extended until further notice. Customers are also reminded that, under current COVID-19 measures: * Only those travelling for essential purposes should travel by rail or other public transport * The wearing of face coverings is mandatory on board and in stations * Those whose travel is essential should avoid using cash wherever possible * Irish Rail continuing to implement enhanced cleaning and sanitisation measures on trains and at stations, with a focus on customer touchpoints * Catering services remains suspended on board Intercity, and alcohol is prohibited on all trains Revised schedule from Monday, January 11 From Monday, January 11, a revised and reduced schedule will operate across the network. Customers for whom travel is essential should check all times before travel at www.irishrail.ie , but in summary, service arrangements will be as follows: Monday to Saturday DART Saturday schedule Northern Commuter Saturday schedule - PLUS 06:30hrs Dundalk to Connolly Maynooth/M3 Commuter - Saturday schedule - PLUS 06:15hrs Longford to Connolly Heuston Commuter (including Phoenix Park Tunnel) Revised and reduced schedule Cork Commuter Revised and reduced schedule Heuston Intercity routes (Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Westport/Ballina, Waterford) - Revised and reduced schedule Dublin Connolly to Sligo / Rosslare - Revised and reduced schedule Dublin Connolly to Belfast - Normal schedule Limerick to Limerick Junction - Normal schedule Limerick to Ennis/Galway - Revised and reduced schedule Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) - Services suspended Waterford to Limerick Jctn - Services suspended Sunday DART, Northern Commuter, Maynooth/M3 Commuter, Cork Commuter - Normal Sunday schedule Heuston Commuter - Normal Sunday schedule with minor alterations Intercity Normal Sunday schedule on all routes, except some cancellations on: Dublin-Limerick Dublin-Galway Dublin-Westport Dublin-Waterford Dublin-Sligo Limerick-Ennis Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) - Services suspended Pre-booking Intercity travel will ensure the available 25% capacity on Intercity services is effectively managed, providing rail customers with a safe and sanitary travelling environment over the Christmas and New Year period. Intercity travel can be pre-booked at www.irishrail.ie along with further information, and customers are advised: * Please only book Intercity journeys if your travel is absolutely essential * Holders of existing tickets (e.g open returns, season tickets, DSP free travel) can also pre-book their Intercity reservations during these dates at no charge via www.irishrail.ie or at 1850366222 * Seating will be unassigned, and customers are asked not to sit in seating designated as restricted, to ensure appropriate distancing Irish Rail thanks customers for their continued cooperation and overwhelming compliance with measures in place during COVID-19. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The country on Monday added another 2,052 coronavirus infections to its total case count, which is now at almost 490,000. This marks the first time in over three weeks that single-day infections breached 2,000, as the daily new cases continue to rise. The Department of Health earlier warned of a possible spike in figures, as the extent of the holidays' effect on viral transmission comes into fuller view. The DOH's case tally is now at 489,736, of which 22,114 or 4.5% are currently ill patients. This does not yet include the latest data from three testing laboratories which failed to submit on time, the DOH said. Davao City contributed the highest number of new patients with 140, followed by Quezon City with 93, Cavite with 87, Laguna with 83, and the City of Manila with 67. Eleven more people also succumbed to COVID-19, as the nationwide death toll reached 9,416. Meanwhile, 10 more patients have gotten well for a total of 458,206 recoveries. This is the lowest daily rise in nine months, but it also came a day after the department logged over 8,000 new survivors. After final validation, the DOH also said it removed six duplicates from the total case count. Among Filipinos abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs tallied four new infections, another survivor, and another fatality. The total number of cases is now at 13,022, with 8,461 recoveries and 935 deaths. Cases worldwide have reached over 90.2 million, with more than 1.9 million deaths and 50 million recoveries, based on the Johns Hopkins University tracker. Bright, well-read and articulate, Jack Reed grew up in a middle-class home and attended one of the best state schools in the country. But he is in prison, locked up after becoming the youngest person to be convicted of plotting a terrorist attack in Britain. Reed, who can finally be named after a bid to keep his identity secret was rejected yesterday, amassed a horrifying library of neo-Nazi propaganda. Beach day: A smiling Reed with his parents (whose faces have been obscured) Aged 16, he was convicted of attempting to obtain ingredients to make explosives in a twisted bid to start a 'race war' in his home city of Durham. When he was sentenced, a judge rejected a bid by the media to identify him because he also faced separate child sex charges for which he has now been given an additional 18 months. Now, however, following Reed's failed bid to maintain his anonymity after he turned 18, his descent into fanaticism can be revealed. He is one of six teenage boys convicted of terror offences linked to extreme neo-Nazi groups in the past 18 months. Experts on radicalisation fear the isolation faced by young people during the pandemic will lead to more falling into their grip. Museum visit: Reed Described as 'highly intelligent,' Reed attended Durham Johnston Comprehensive, one of England's top 100 state schools, and grew up in a 500,000 home. Family photographs show the fresh-faced teenager enjoying seaside holidays and tourist attractions. His father, a quantity surveyor, and mother were worried about their son being 'labelled' after he showed autistic tendencies, according to medical reports produced before his sentencing. Having been searching for extremist material since he was 12, Reed was referred to the Government's Prevent deradicalisation programme two years later. By then, he was using a portrait of Rhodesia's 1970s white leader Ian Smith as his Facebook profile and had set up a Twitter profile named 'Mosley was right' a reference to British 1930s fascist leader Oswald Mosley. In one post he claimed Hitler started the Second World War to protect German lives and branded Winston Churchill a 'war-monger'. In another, he argued national socialism 'promotes order and Christian values'. A court heard that Reed spent most of his free time 'locked in a darkened room with his laptop, spouting bile'. Police had continued monitoring his posts, and arrested him in 2019 as he set off for school. In his pocket they found the chilling note: 'Killing is probably easier than your paranoid mind thinks. You're just not used to it. Most were caught because they got sloppy.' He drafted his own manifesto boasting about 'the inevitable race war' and threatening local synagogues. It was entitled his 'A Manual For Practical And Sensible Guerrilla Warfare Against The Kike System In The Durham City Area, Sieg Heil'. Analysis of his laptop and mobile phone uncovered multiple searches on firearms, explosives, knives and 'lone wolf' attacks. He became obsessed with a grim cast of notorious murderers and terrorists including Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh, Norwegian far-Right mass killer Anders Breivik and Columbine High School shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The teenager was also photographed with English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson at a book signing, his trial heard. In August 2018 he wrote a to-do list, which included the instruction 'shed empathy'. He investigated making explosives and poisonous ricin and assembled a library of far-Right literature described by an expert as 'more extreme than anything he had ever seen'. Manual of hate: Pages from Jack Reed's 'manifesto' Giving evidence, he said he had few friends and no intention of carrying out any attacks, insisting he adopted a fake persona for 'shock value'. In November 2019, Reed then 16 was found guilty of six offences at Manchester Crown Court including preparation of terrorist acts and disseminating a terrorist publication. The following January a judge ordered him to be detained for six years and eight months. Judge David Stockdale QC said 'perhaps most disturbing' element of the case was that Reed was 'a highly intelligent, widely read, quick-thinking and articulate young man'. Before Christmas at Leeds Youth Court, Reed was given a separate 18-month custodial sentence for five sexual assaults against a schoolgirl. That sentence will run concurrently with his term for the terror offences. His identification follows submissions from the media and a judge's ruling that the Crown Court has 'no power... to make the order sought'. 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. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. Google decided on late Friday to suspend the free-speech focused social-media Parler app from its app store as Apple Inc. also threatened to do the same in wake of the Capitol riot. BBC said in a report that for months, the Parler app had been one of the most popular social media platforms for right-wing users. Later on, the Parler app became a right-wing echo chamber where people became fixated in proving voter fraud and attempting to overturn the election outcome, possibly including the Capitol riots. Days before the chaotic Capitol riot, discussions on Parler became significantly violent, the BBC report said. In some discussions, people were looking for ways to stop the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory by Congress. These removals came after the violent Capitol riot by Trump supporters that left five individuals dead. The chaos resulted in numerous calls for social media and technology companies to closely monitor usage of their platforms, especially if there are calls to incite violence. Google, Apple Believe Parler Postings Incite Violence For Google, these postings in the Parler app "seeks to incite ongoing violence in the U.S." The content went beyond the company's requirements for sufficient moderation of egregious content, Google told The Wall Street Journal. Read also: US Holiday Retail Sales Pick Up 3%; Higher Than Expected as Online Shopping Surged A Google representative raised the issue, saying Parler would remain suspended until it could address all issues "in light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat." But Parler may still be available in other parts of the internet and other Android app stores. On the other hand, Apple iPhone's App Store also dropped the Parler app due to posts on the social network related to the Capitol riot last week, reported CNBC. The tech giant said the posts included calls for violence, which runs in violation of their regulations on objectionable content. A representative to the company added that while they support diverse points of view on the App Store, "there is no place on our platform for threats of violence and illegal activity." Apple said Parler had fallen short in taking "adequate measures" that could address the threats to people's safety so it will be suspended from the App Store "until they (Parler) resolve these issues." Fox Business said in a report that Parler executives were sent a letter explaining that it would be off the App Store until they are updated that the app has been "compliant with the App Store Review Guidelines" and has mitigated harmful posts on their site. President Donald Trump was also banned from his personal account on Twitter on Friday and has been prevented from posting on Facebook through later this month. Amazon Drops Parler App from Web Hosting Service On Saturday night, Amazon also suspended the Parler app from its web hosting service, AWS, a company spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. In an email, the service's Trust and Safety team also told Parler's Chief Policy Officer Amy Peikoff that the violent messages in the app was in violation of AWS's terms of service. Related story: Fact Check: Did President Trump Watch Live Streams of Capitol Riot From a Private Party Nearby Since it will be suspended, Parler will be unable to operate and will go offline unless it can find some other hosting service to move into. Amazon also placed doubt on the effectivity of Parler's plans to use volunteers in moderating calls for violence and hate speech. POTTSVILLE The chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee sent letters to three Republican elected officials asking to retract their accusations of election fraud involving the Nov. 3 General Election. Committee Chairman Hugh Reiley sent two letters dated Jan. 9. One joint letter was sent to U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, and state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29. The second letter was addressed to state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124. Both letters were also forwarded to the Republican Herald by SCDC Secretary Todd Zimmerman. In the letter to Meuser and Argall, Reiley said: In light of the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, and threats of more violence in the coming days, we are asking you to rescind your previous claims about fraud during the presidential election of November 3, 2020, which ignores over 60 court rulings that there was no fraud. Additionally, we are asking you to issue a public statement that confirms the lawfulness of the election results. As a reminder, Senator Argall voted for Act 77, which is in stark contradiction to his claims about unlawful mail-in ballots during the 2020 election and his hearing in Gettysburg with Rudy Giuliani. This is a very dangerous situation that requires you to act without any further delay. If any violence occurs in Schuylkill County, you, as the relentless proponents of election fraud claims, will be fully responsible. If anyone in Schuylkill County gets hurt, you will have blood on your hands. We urge you to immediately take back any election fraud claims. Correct your course now, for the sake of the safety of the residents of Schuylkill County and our communities living peacefully together. When reached by phone Saturday, Argall had not seen the letter at that point. After being read to him, Argall referred to a statement he made in his Jan. 8 E-Newsletter. He said in a piece entitled The Riot at the National Capitol in Washington, DC: The words of Abraham Lincoln in 1861, just as our awful civil war was about to erupt, are just as important in January 2021: We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. Abraham Lincoln was correct. I support the constitutional right to peaceful protest, but what we saw Wednesday afternoon at the national capitol was just plain wrong. Theres a big difference between peaceful protest and breaking and entering, destruction and chaos. I hope we never, ever, see this again. Meuser was contacted and also said he had not seen the letter. After being read to him, Meuser said, My comments have been very consistent on this subject, Meuser said. Whether Republican or Democrat, all Americans agree that the breach and storming of the Capitol was terrible and sad. It was totally unacceptable. I was on the House floor and I saw the perpetrators up close. The ones I saw were there to create mayhem. There was no protest. Their goal was to damage and create violence and chaos. Ive been to well over a dozen Trump rallies and never have I seen people like this nor those types of actions take place. Meuser issued his own challenge to the county Democratic leadership to not continue to fan the flame in the current situation. At this point in time its frankly pathetic and political, Meuser said. It is my consistent contention that the governors office and the secretary of state usurped the authorities of the Pennsylvania Legislature and changed election law that they had no right to change. The U.S. Constitution is clear. The time, place and matter belongs to the state legislature for elections. But the secretary of state changed the election laws and rules five or six different times. That is indisputable. That is not conjecture. Its not opinion. Its an absolute fact. They did it, and because of that, many ballots that came in should have been disqualified because they were in unlawful rules. My own contention was, very simply, to remove the illegal ballots and count the legal ballots. This was all about election integrity and not about who won and who lost. Thats up to the people. But it is up to elected officials to follow the law, and this was not done in Pennsylvania. In the letter to Knowles, Reiley asked him to issue a public statement that confirms the lawfulness of the election results now, for the sake of the safety of the residents of Schuylkill County and our communities living peacefully together. When contacted, Knowles issued the following statement: What took place in Washington, D.C., recently is outrageous and totally unacceptable. There is no place in our society for anyone to storm our nations Capitol. This behavior is not covered under the First Amendment, in the same way that destroying property, setting fires, destroying and damaging historic statues, and attacking members of law enforcement are not covered under the First Amendment. I believe the election process in Pennsylvania was flawed on Constitutional grounds. Both the Wolf Administration and the state Supreme Court overstepped their boundaries by unlawfully legislating. The House State Government Committee has started the process of conducting an audit and scheduling House hearings on the entire election process. I urge everyone to take a step back, take a deep breath, respect the Constitution, and realize how fortunate we are to live in this great country. (Updated to added the word "not" in the sentence "Meuser issued his own challenge. ...") The Turkish Competition Board said on Monday it launched an investigation into WhatsApp and its owner Facebook Inc after the messaging app asked users to agree to let Facebook collect user data including phone numbers and locations. In a written statement, the Competition Board said it ruled the data-collection requirement should be suspended until the probe is complete. "The Competition Board has opened an investigation into Facebook and WhatsApp and suspended the requirement to share Whatsapp data," it said. WhatsApp updated its terms of service last Wednesday, allowing Facebook and its subsidiaries to collect user data. The deadline for agreeing to the new terms is Feb. 8. Rival messaging apps Signal and Telegram have since seen a sudden increase in demand. Turkey's government has targeted social media companies with new restrictions and fines since it passed a law in July it says bolsters local oversight of the foreign firms. Critics say the law stifles dissent from Turks who resorted to online platforms after the government tightened its grip on mainstream media. Short link: House Bill 133 aims to extend Medicaid coverage to eligible new mothers. The House version of the bill calls for a one-year extension, whereas the Senate version calls for a six-month extension. Advocates say the bill could reduce the states maternal mortality rate. Currently, the state offers Medicaid for two months after giving birth. Should Texas extend Medicaid for eligible new mothers for six months or one year? You voted: Uddhav Thackeray The Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress combine Maha Vikas Aghadi government has been in power in Maharashtra since November 2019, and so far, despite predictions of its imminent fall, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government has had a smooth run so far. However, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections which are due in April-May, could be a sticky point for the MVA partners. Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who camped in the city for a generation or more in his bid to subdue the Muslim kingdoms of the Deccan. He was buried in the city as well. It was here that Aurangzeb brutally tortured Sambhaji, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and eventually killed him for not revealing the names of Mughal collaborators in his army. The Shiv Sena has long wanted to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar. Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray always felt a deep empathy towards Sambhaji, and in 1995, the Sena-BJP government led by Manohar Joshi passed a resolution to change the citys name. However, the Supreme Court ordered a stay after Mushtaq Ahmed, then a corporator with the Congress, petitioned the court. Soon the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government went out of power and the Democratic Front government led by Congress Vilasrao Deshmukh withdrew both the Cabinet notification and its affidavit in the Supreme Court. Now, however, there is a change in political and electoral dynamics both in the city and in Maharashtra. Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehad Muslimeen (AIMIM) has replaced the Congress as the Shiv Sena's main rival in Aurangabad its MP Imtiaz Jaleel defeated the Shiv Sena's five-time MP Chandrakant Khaire in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Moreover, the Congress and the Shiv Sena are now allies. The BJP has spotted an opportunity here and this has led to much bickering between local level Shiv Sena and Congress leaders. That said, the top leaders of both the Shiv Sena or the BJP have been unable to explain why they could not rename the city between 2014 and 2019 when both the state and central governments were held by them and they had control of the AMC. At the 2016 civic elections, the Shiv Sena and the AIMIM were opponents in this city with a 30 percent Muslim population, with the Congress coming up a poor third. The Shiv Sena is in a tight spot here: If it goes ahead with a name change, the AIMIM will succeed in labelling it anti-Muslim and play the Hindustan card. On the other hand, the BJP is putting it under pressure to uphold the regional and Hindu card. Last week, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stepped into the breach accusing the BJP of attempting mischief and denying that the MVA is likely to break on the issue. Any name change will be effected in consensus after discussions between Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi, he said. The Shiv Sena has tried to appease the Congress and win back its favour by welcoming Rahul Gandhi's imminent return as Congress President. Describing Gandhi as the last man standing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the January 7 editorial in Shiv Senas Saamna read, The BJP is simply afraid of him and that is why it tried to pour ridicule on the Gandhis but it is a good thing that Rahul Gandhi is returning as Congress President. Top leaders of the MVA have maintained a studied silence on the issue and there seems little time for more than electoral rhetoric on the issue. The three parties have indicated that they will contest all the local government elections in unison which rather cuts the BJP out of the picture as happened during recent polls to the legislative council. The BJP is hoping that the souring of ties between the Shiv Sena and the Congress might afford it an opportunity in Aurangabad. The three allies are wary to upset their apple cart, but this sensitive issue could prove to be a minefield before the polls. It could be the biggest test of governance and electoral manoeuvring for the MVA. Ahmed is now with the NCP and the issue would not be without a fallout for the party. On the flip side, the BJP has little presence in Aurangabad and has been left with only one ally in the NDA the Republican Party of India of the Ramdas Athawale faction, which draws much if its strength from Dalits and Muslims in the region, though Athawale has indicated he is not against the name change. It is not going to be an easy task for any party. How well the MVA manages the contradiction will determine the future of its partnership. Boko Haram suicide bomber kills 15 in Cameroon Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A small girl, used by the terrorist group Boko Haram, blew herself up in the middle of a crowded park in northern Cameroon, killing at least 15 people, according to reports. The suicide bomber blew herself up in a public park in the town of Mozogo in the Mayo-Tsanaga area of Cameroon on Friday. Five children between the ages of three to 14 were among the victims, according to UNICEF. Before the explosion, Boko Haram men entered the town and shot sporadically throughout the area, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said. Many villagers ran to the park to hide, not knowing that Boko Haram had a girl wearing a suicide vest inside the park. I continue to be deeply concerned about the increasing number of attacks against civilians in the Far North, North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said in a statement. The rise in violence has exacerbated a national humanitarian crisis and there are now an estimated 3.2 million children in need across the country. It is unclear if the young girl voluntarily blew herself up or was forced by Boko Haram. Based in Nigeria near the Cameroonian border, Boko Haram terrorists regularly attack civilians and military posts in northern Cameroon, Fore noted. ICC added, Despite all four of these nations working together as a coalition, they have been unable to quell the rise of Boko Haram, warning that the group that had its peak in 2015, but lost much of it in 2016 and 2017, has been re-growing. Throughout the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions in Cameroon, some farming communities are supportive of rebel groups that began fighting for independence in 2017 because they feel underrepresented by the French-speaking central government. Over the last few years, fighting has spread across the Anglophone regions with thousands being killed and some churches seized. Last April, authorities in Cameroon admitted that soldiers were involved in the killing of three women and 10 children in a mid-February attack in the Northwest province in which 21 people were killed and several homes were pillaged. After initially claiming that allegations of soldiers being complicit in the massacre in Ngarbuh village on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 were false, the Cameroonian government announced that three soldiers were on trial for their role in the killing of innocent civilians and burning of homes in the majority Christian Anglophone region. The government released the findings of a joint commission of inquiry investigation launched following reports that soldiers teamed up with Fulani militants in a night-time attack that was said to have claimed the lives of at least 13 children and one pregnant woman. Last year, Cameroon was added to Open Doors USAs annual World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians were most persecuted. Cameroon is also on the list of 2020s worst human rights abusers, according to human rights group U.N. Watch. Cameroon tortured journalist Samuel Abuwe to death, massacred schoolchildren, and threatened political opponents, the list noted. North Korea should not build up nuclear arms North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was endorsed as general secretary of the reclusive nation's ruling Workers' Party, Sunday, vowed to carry out foreign policies in accordance with measures taken by the United States and South Korea. Kim called on the U.S. to withdraw its hostile policy toward the North and for the South to comply with the 2018 inter-Korean agreement, during the party's eighth congress in Pyongyang, according to the official party newspaper, the Rodong Shinmum. He stressed the principle of "strength for strength and goodwill for goodwill" in relations with the U.S., saying the key to establishing a new bilateral relationship hinged on the U.S. abandoning its antagonism toward the North. Kim also emphasized a "tit-for-tat" approach for the South. "We will react in equal proportion to the South's moves toward implementation of the inter-Korean accord." Kim's message, delivered through the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), was taken to mean that he would not attempt to reach the South and the U.S. first though he would remain open to dialogue with them. With this, Kim has moved the ball into the court of Seoul and Washington. He seemed to indicate that the Korean Peninsula will likely continue to see uncertainty and volatility for the time being, prompting the need for the Moon Jae-in administration to manage the security situation in a more stable manner. North Korea, for its part, should refrain from taking provocative actions, including long-range missile tests, which could heighten military tension here. The incoming Joe Biden administration should also seek dialogue with the North. Describing the U.S. as its principal enemy, Kim said, "Whoever takes power, the U.S.' authenticity and its real intentions toward DPRK will never change. We should focus our external political activities on overwhelming the U.S." Kim also stressed that the North will strengthen its nuclear capabilities, including pre-emptive and retaliatory operations, while unveiling plans to develop diverse nuclear weapons such as nuclear-powered submarines. We have to be concerned about the North's pursuit of a confrontational approach, as it might escalate tension and trigger a military buildup on the peninsula. Both Seoul and Pyongyang should abide by the spirit of the agreement reached in the inter-Korean summit in 2018, to realize arms reduction and ensure peace on the peninsula by building mutual trust rather than relying on military force. Kim expressed regret over stalled inter-Korean relations, saying they have been brought back to the time before the 2018 Panmunjeom Agreement. What is noteworthy is Kim's statement that South and North Korea can make a new start toward peace and prosperity as seen three years ago. Though Kim said such a development depends on the South's attitude, efforts from both sides are essential. The Korea-U.S. joint military exercise scheduled for March is crucial as it will be a turning point in resuming dialogue with the North or moving toward confrontation. We urge Moon and the incoming Biden administration to have a flexible approach to the drill to find a breakthrough in the deadlocked denuclearization talks. 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. Press Release 11 January 2021 INNSiDE Manchester, part of Melia Hotels International, has partnered with one of the UK's leading technical event production and AV hire companies, Sterling Event Group to launch Manchester's first virtual event production studio in a hotel. Advertisements Installed and ready to be booked as and when Government guidelines permit, 'INNSiDE LiVE', at INNSiDE Manchester, is a virtual event solution that features a state-of-the-art studio setting, offering a live streaming experience, designed to facilitate a virtual or hybrid event. A first for a Manchester city-centre hotel, the Sterling Event Group has taken over part of the self-contained event space to provide a creative technical studio production that enables businesses to engage, communicate and inspire employees, suppliers, clients and stakeholders by combining cutting edge technologies and expertise to create live, virtual and hybrid events. The set features a central rear projection screen with HD laser projection, 2 x65 Inch screens for custom logos and content, brandable backdrop, stage floor, multiple cameras, live stream production suite and a professional audio and lighting system - plus more. The COVID-safe space, set within the eclectic home-from-home #bleisure hotel's Chadwick meeting room space, allows companies to hire out and to host live audiences at the venue, in line with current Government restrictions, whilst streaming professional, broadcast-quality content in real-time; engaging, entertaining and communicating with audiences wherever they are across the globe. Content can be streamed to Zoom, YouTube, Facebook and more. Alternatively, it can be pre-recorded ready for broadcast at a later date. The live studio experience is supported by INNSiDE Manchester's experienced in-house events team and the expert production crew at Sterling Event Group, who will be on hand to ensure all studio events run smoothly and safely from start to finish. Commenting on the virtual studio collaboration, INNSiDE UK North, Cluster Director of Sales Scott Brown said: "INNSiDE LiVE is a new state-of-the-art hybrid event studio, that allows us to deliver a top-class event production facility, in a safe, dedicated space at INNSiDE Manchester." "With this facility staying in place for the next six months we have been able to offer a cost-effective solution that doesn't require the usual set up and break down costs, meaning this is accessible for everything from an online conference or awards event to company briefing or online training day." "As and when events can return to what they were, on larger scale, this studio offering will only add to the experience; allowing organisers to reach a much larger delegate audience - both within the UK and globally." Dan Estcourt, Technical Manager at Sterling Event Group said, this is a great solution for event organisers as it works equally as well with a fully virtual audience as it does with a hybrid audience allowing them to plan with confidence. INNSiDE LiVE comes as a fixed rate package, however Melia Hybrid Solutions have been developed globally meaning that virtual or hybrid events of a larger scale with full Video Walls or enhanced technology are equally as possible with quotes on request. As part of Melia Hotels International, INNSiDE Manchester will operate the global 'Stay Safe With Melia' programme across the hotel, which guarantees the highest COVID-19 health and safety standards, in collaboration with Bureau Veritas - Visit Britain's 'We're Good to Go'. Some of the measures put in place to prioritise guest and staff safety during this time include: a new signage system to inform customers and indicate how spaces will be used and the need for social distancing, installation of protective screens in reception and other public areas, sanitising stations and digital concierge. Farmer protests: SC to deliver verdict on Tuesday India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: The Supreme Court has asked if the farm laws be put on hold for sometime. We do not know what negotiations are on between the farmer unions and Centre, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, S A Bobde said. The court will deliver its verdict on Tuesday. The SC hearing a challenge to the farm laws made by the Centre. The court also remarked that it is very disappointed with the way the entire process is going. On the last date of the hearing, the court had asked the Centre to file a report relating to the guidelines on gatherings, while hearing pleas on the farmer protests. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News The CJI told the farmers, that even after the court stays the implantation of the laws, you carry on with your protest. We do not want any criticism stating that the court is stifling the protest. Do you want to carry on with protest at the same venue or move a little so that it does not trouble the citizens, Justice Bode also said. We hear from newspapers that the government wants to discuss the issue clause by clause and the farmers want the laws repealed. We will stay the implementation of the laws and ask the committee to look into it, CJI Bobde also said. We are proposing a committee to look into the laws and hear out the grievances. We will stay the laws in the meantime if the government does not stay the same, the court also said. Whether you have faith in us or not, we are the Supreme Court and we will do our job. We do not why there is an insistence on the implementation of the laws. We do not know whether you are part of the solution or problem. There is not a single petition filed here which says that the laws are beneficial, the court also said. Our intention is to see if we can bring an amicable solution to the problem. This is why we had asked the government to put the implementation of the farm laws on hold. If there is some sense of responsibility on the government's side, the laws should be kept in abeyance, the court further said. Attorney General, K K Venugopal told the court that a law cannot be stayed in such a drastic manner by a three judge Bench. That is an incomplete picture, the court said while citing the latest stay on the Maratha reservation by a three judge Bench. When the AG referred to the incident in which a stage for the Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar was destroyed, the CJI said that the SC is not saying that it would support the law breakers. We are sorry to say this, but the Union of India was unable to solve the problem. You should have been able to solve the problem, but you did not the court also said. The court also said that if the laws are put on hold, the negotiations would be better. We are not saying we know to resolve every situation. We are only trying to break the tensions and make the atmosphere more conducive for negations. We are a Constitutional court, which is going to be responsible if the sabre rattling goes on, CJI Bobde said. The court also said that it is sorry to say that the Centre has not been able to solve the problems. The court appointed Colin Gonsalves, Prashant Bhushan, H S Phoolka and Dushyant Dave as committee of lawyers for the protesting farmers' unions. Gonsalves told the court that they would consult with the farmers on the SC's proposition and get back by tomorrow. The court also suggested the name of former CJIs including Justice R M Lodha to head the panel to explore the possibility to solve the farm laws protests. The CJI told the farmers' unions that the court is concerned about the loss of lives. Phoolka told the court that the protests have been infiltrated. Senior citizens farmers have come on their accord. Dave told the court that the laws put the livelihood of the farmers at risk. Nobody has brought them here, Dave also said. CJI Bobde asked the advocates to convey to the senior citizens to go home. They need not be associated with the protest. Let me take a risk, tell them that the CJI has asked them to go home. Convey it to them, the CJI also said. With places in Texas that rarely see snow getting a winter dusting Sunday, residents in the northern reaches of Southeast Texas had the chance of awakening to a similarly snowy landscape Monday morning. The National Weather Service forecast 1 to 3 inches of snow could fall on parts of Southeast Texas on Sunday night. Newton ISD and Kirbyville CISD were among districts announcing school closures for Monday because of the weather. Warren ISD planned to delay class start times Monday by two hours. Jasper ISD, which had transitioned to at-home learning this week because of the coronavirus, hadnt announced changes on social media as of Sunday night. Silsbee ISD planned to be open Monday but was monitoring weather and road conditions for the possibility of adjusting plans. The NWS issued a winter storm warning for Tyler, northern Jasper and northern Newton counties, as well as Vernon and Rapides Parish across the Texas-Louisiana line. As much as 3 inches of snowfall was possible in those areas Sunday night. A winter storm advisory covered Hardin, southern Jasper and southern Newton counties, along with Beauregard, Allen and Evangeline parishes in Louisiana, with the possibility of an inch of snow. The NWS expected the mix of rain and wintry precipitation to move out of the region Monday morning. Dry and cool weather is in the forecast for the rest of the week. On a frigid Sunday for the state, a dusting of snow stretched from Waco and Madisonville to slushed roads around College Station a cold front that left Houston a soaked and shivering mess. The snow loomed short of the Houston city limits where it rained nearly a half-inch amid near-freezing temperatures throughout the day instead. More than 3 inches fell in Waco and enough snow blanketed Austin to build snowmen on the Capitol lawn. Gov. Greg Abbott showed off the snow at his mansion as a rare & beautiful sight. Forecasters in the state capital also fielded reports of thunder snow. Police in Bryan where 3 inches fell by 4 p.m. reported 20 vehicle accidents and five incidents where drivers veered off the road. No serious injuries were reported. Some drivers found joy in the wintry mess. Cindy Flores, of Houston, brought her toddler son, Gionni, to College Station to see snow for the first time. Like many families, they stopped outside Santas Wonderland along Highway 6 to have a go at the white stuff. He loved it, Flores said. It was just too cold when he was making snowballs with his hands. Flores spotted more families pulled over near Navasota to check out the snow. To the south, sleet that started mid-morning in Huntsville, meteorologists said, was beginning to turn to snow as the day stretched on. Butch Davis, Walker County Emergency Management coordinator, counted on one hand how many times he has had to prepare Huntsville for the possibility of snow. Were watching it sleet and its sleeting pretty good, Davis, who has worked 16 years with the county agency, said. He and his skeleton crew were spending Sunday monitoring the roads and mulling whether Monday will be a snow day when Sam Houston State University students were expected to return from break. This is not normal for us, he continued. The Beaumont Enterprise, Houston Chronicle and Associated Press contributed to this report. NEWARK, Del.: President-elect Joe Biden on Monday received his second dose of the coronavirus vaccine, three weeks after getting his first one with television cameras rolling in an attempt to to reassure the American public that the inoculations are safe. Biden pulled off his sport jacket to reveal a dark, short-sleeve T-shirt underneath and said, Ready, set, go. Chief Nurse Executive Ric Cumin administered the Pfizer vaccine at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware, close to president-elects home. Scenes of the procedure aired on cable news moments after it occurred. Biden got his first shot on Dec. 21 in a televised procedure. The virus has now killed nearly 375,000 people in the United States about 60,000 more than when the president-elect got his first round of vaccination and continues to upend life around the globe. In brief comments to reporters after his shot, Biden said he has confidence in his COVID-19 combating team to hit ambitious vaccination-rate targets after he takes office on Jan. 20. He also called the current rate of thousands of people dying daily beyond the pale. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires a second shot about three weeks after the first vaccination. For another vaccine produced by Moderna, its four weeks. One-shot vaccines are still undergoing testing. Bidens transition team has vowed to release as many vaccine doses as possible, rather than continuing the Trump policy of holding back millions of doses to ensure that there would be enough supply to allow those getting the first shot to get a second one. Bidens goal is protect more people, more quickly, his team announced last week. The plan would not involve cutting two-dose vaccines in half, a strategy that top government scientists recommend against. Instead, it would accelerate shipment of first doses and use the levers of government power to provide required second doses in a timely manner. Like Biden, Vice President Mike Pence and other national leaders got pre-Christmas, first rounds of vaccinations. President Donald Trump did not, though he was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October and given an experimental monoclonal antibody treatment that he credited for his swift recovery. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory board has said people who received that treatment should wait at least 90 days to be vaccinated to avoid any potential interference. __ Weissert reported from Washington. 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 County lines gangsters will 'very quickly stop using kids' for drug trafficking after they are placed on the sex offenders' wing in prison, police have said. In their report the criminal justice consultancy Crest Advisory found that being placed in the separated location for prisoners with sexual convictions saw drug dealers 'drop using kids completely' because of the reputational damage this does. The consultancy group, which worked closely with Merseyside and North Wales police on the project, also found that sexual abuse and sexual violence was under reported in county lines cases, particularly amongst boys. One Merseyside Police detective told researchers: 'When Organised Crime Group (OCG) members are charged with modern day slavery offences against children, they then go on the sex offenders' wing and [because of the reputational damage this does] very quickly they'll drop using kids, they'll drop it completely.' The report, penned by Crest researchers Joe Caluori, Dr Molly Corlett and James Stott, comes as the authorities use new laws, such as the Modern Slavery Act, to tackle the exploitation of children. In 2018, Zakaria Mohammed, from Aston, Birmingham, became the first in Britain to be convicted for breaching the Modern Slavery Act after he groomed three children to sell class-A drugs miles away from their homes Money and discarded cigarette butts found on a table in a squalid flat where the teenagers were living In 2018, Zakaria Mohammed, from Aston, Birmingham, became the first person to be convicted in Britain for breaching the Modern Slavery Act after he groomed three children to sell class-A drugs from squalid flats a hundred miles away from their homes. The two boys and a girl, aged 14 and 15, were transported from Birmingham to Lincoln to work as 'expendable workhorses in cuckooed drugs dens.' Officers found the teenagers after they were reported missing in a filthy and freezing one-bed flat with two drug addicts surrounded by used syringes. Birmingham Crown Court was told Mohammed's county lines narcotics network raked in 500 a day. Mohammed was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to running the narcotics supply chain and trafficking two boys and a girl to deal on his behalf. In 2017, Neil Bozward, who transported heroin and crack cocaine across the Midlands, was convicted along with three others of inciting child prostitution, aiding and abetting rape and two counts of supplying Class A drugs. He was given 23 years for child prostitution offences before he was found dead in his jail cell at HMP Isle of Wight last year. In recent years, police, politicians, social workers and academics have been struggling to tackle the county lines phenomenon, which refers to young, impressionable and vulnerable children being used to deal drugs, miles away from their home. The youths, sent by sophisticated gangsters in big cities, are often forced to live in filthy trap-houses and are regularly involved in violent altercations with other dealers sent by rival gangs. Neil Bozward, from Malvern, Worcester, who transported heroin and crack cocaine across the Midlands, was convicted of inciting child prostitution, aiding and abetting rape and two counts of supplying Class A drugs in 2017 Now experts say that as well as Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), county lines involves higher levels of sexual abuse or Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) than previously understood. In their report Crest said: 'The role of CSE in county lines exploitation remains poorly understood. The literature suggests that exploiters use sexual violence to punish, shame and coerce young people. 'The Children's Society has further argued that 'plugging', where children carry drugs inside their bodies, is ''quite clearly a form of sexual violence''. County lines: How big city gangs take crime to shires Operations in major cities seek new markets outside their urban hubs for their drugs, primarily crack cocaine and heroin. They expand their networks into the regions, often using a branded mobile phone number. With this often comes exploitation. Children and vulnerable adults are often manipulated and coerced into ferrying and stashing the haul. They can be homeless, missing people, addicts, living in care, trapped in poverty, or suffering from mental illness or learning difficulties. Even the elderly and the physically infirm have been targeted and officers have observed gang members attending drug rehabs to seek out potential runners. Initially they can be lured in with money, gifts and the prospect of status. But this can quickly turn to the use of violence, sexual and physical. Advertisement 'Though the literature and our interviews suggest that both girls and boys experience sexual violence within county lines, the CSE cohorts shared with us were almost entirely female. 'In contrast, the CCE cohorts were near-exclusively male. This reflects flawed assumptions about gender and exploitation, as well as flawed recording practices. 'In our interviews, we heard about the widespread assumption that only girls are vulnerable to CSE and only boys are vulnerable to CCE. 'This means that girls' traumatic experiences within county lines are not fully acknowledged - and, as a result, that they do not get the help they need. It also means that the sexual exploitation of boys within county lines goes unrecognised.' The researchers found that Merseyside is 'hugely overrepresented' in the market and is responsible for around half as many deal lines as London despite only having a sixth of the population. Many children drawn into county lines come from care settings. In North Wales, 31 per cent of missing incidents in the last two years were reported from care and in Merseyside, 41 per cent of incidents (and 18 per cent of children) were reported missing from residential care and unregulated care settings. Crest reported: 'However, the police are not consistently using county lines and CCE flags to identify heightened risk leading to a gap between data and operational understanding.' Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Ian Critchley told the Liverpool Echo: 'We note the findings of this report with interest. Whilst we acknowledge that there is still work to be done, at Merseyside Police we have been working tirelessly with partner agencies to significantly improve systems and processes over the past year to keep vulnerable children and young people safe. 'Merseyside Police has many dedicated teams working with our local authorities and other partners to locate, protect and safeguard those who go missing from home, including those in care homes, both regulated and unregulated, across the region. 'We have seen a reduction in the numbers of missing vulnerable young people over the past two years and we will continue to work with all care homes, both local authority run and private, and other forces across the country to share information to ensure Looked After Children are protected. 'We have introduced specific County Lines flags to our systems to help identify children vulnerable to exploitation and work with our partners to prevent them from being drawn into Serious and Organised Crime. 'Our operations through Project Medusa have meant that we've closed more than 100 county lines, made more than 400 arrests and safeguarded more than 200 people this year alone, as well as removing large quantities of cash, drugs and weapons from our streets. 'It's absolutely vital that everyone involved in caring for vulnerable children and young people understand the warning sign of exploitation and report anything or anyone involved to Police. 'Rest assured, we will take action to ensure that those involved in preying on vulnerable people and perpetuating the misery that county lines causes to communities, are brought to justice. ACC Critchley said information on how to spot the signs of children at risk is available as part of the Force's Eyes Open campaign here. Administratorii portalului nu poarta raspundere pentru continutul postarilor si materialelor plasate de utilizatorii site-ului. Utilizati informatia din acest articol pe propriul risc. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. OSLO, NORWAY, Jan 10, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Just before New Year, the Norwegian Block Exchange (NBX) completed a NOK 60 million (EUR 5.84 million) private equity placement with Pareto Securities, a leading investment bank in the Nordics, acting as sole lead manager and guarantor of the deal. The funding ensures that NBX can further develop its cryptocurrency exchange, custodian and payment systems, as well as new products relating to digital assets and E-money banking.Since public launch in April 2020, NBX has been working towards becoming the preferred provider of digital asset services in the Nordic region. Thus far the platform has attracted more than 7,000 customers, including large institutional investors. In so doing, NBX was able to engage major Norwegian investors and successfully close their 60 million-krone equity offering, which will help them achieve the ultimate goal of becoming a digital asset bank.On the equity placement, NBX co-founder and CEO Stig Aleksander Kjos-Mathisen said, "I am elated that NBX has managed 60 million kroner in a private placement. This funding will provide NBX with the financial resilience needed to pursue a banking license, thus becoming one of Europe's first digital asset banks, while expanding our services to new countries and establishing NBX as the preferred provider of digital asset services in the Nordics."To achieve the goal of becoming a digital assets bank, NBX is focusing on institutional clients and investors who want to diversify into alternative asset classes and 'digital gold', which is the growing trend in asset management internationally. NBX hopes to evolve into a reliable marketplace for buying, selling and making payments in cryptocurrencies or other digital assets with convenient fiat gateways.About Norwegian Block Exchange ASNorwegian Block Exchange AS (NBX) is a pioneering, truly Norwegian cryptocurrency exchange, custodian and payments system. Established by Bjorn Kjos, founder of Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS) and Bank Norwegian, Oslo-based NBX is driven to become a financial services hub for the cryptocurrency economy, with transparency, commitment to compliance, security and stability as core. NBX is regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet).For more information on NBX, please visit:NBX website: https://nbx.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/nbxcomMedium: https://medium.com/norwegian-block-exchangeFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/nbxcomLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/norwegian-block-exchange/Source: Plato Data Intelligence, https://platoblockchain.net (https://bit.ly/3s8raqT), Kryptografen.Source: Norwegian Block Exchange [NBX]Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. A council has been accused of 'ridiculous and historical wokery' over the removal of a statue of a British war hero. Exeter City Council set up a task group after the Black Lives Matter protests to decide whether a statue of General Sir Redvers Buller should be moved from its prominent position in the city. The review stated the statue had attracted public debate in part due to references to colonial campaigns on its plinth which 'sought to advance British imperialist interests in other countries'. An equality impact assessment carried out as part of the review also concluded the statue would impact anybody who 'does not define themselves in binary gender terms'. It read: 'The General Buller statue represents the patriarchal structures of empire and colonialism which impact negatively on women and anyone who does not define themselves in binary gender terms. 'The consultation will need to ensure that the views of women, transgender and non-binary people are captured and given due weight.' Exeter City Council has been accused of 'ridiculous and historical wokery' over the removal of a statue of a British war hero. The council set up a task group to decide whether a statue (right) of General Sir Redvers Buller (left) should be moved from its prominent position in the city Historian Andrew Roberts (left) argued anger at General Buller (right) was misdirected. He said: 'This is ridiculous and historical wokery at its worst' The review - due to be discussed at a meeting of council tomorrow - recommended the council move to have the statue relocated. Who was General Sir Redvers Buller? General Redvers Buller, born in 1839 near Crediton, in Devon, purchased a commission in the British Army in 1858. He has been criticised for his ruthless defeat of the Zulu people while serving as commander of the mounted infantry of the northern British column in 1879 during the Second Zulu War. But he won the Victoria Cross by rescuing two fellow officers during a pitched battle in what is now modern day South Africa. He was later appointed head of the British forces sent to South Africa during the Second Boer War, presiding over Black Week in which it was defeated three times by the Boers with nearly 3,000 men killed, wounded and captured. Upon his return from South Africa, the British Army requested he resign, in part as a scapegoat for the failures of the military command. Despite this General Buller was awarded the freedom of Exeter and presented with a jewelled sword by the County of Devon. A bronze statue depicting him astride his favourite horse was erected St David's Church in Exeter, Devon, in 1905. Unusually the statue, paid for by public subscription, was unveiled while he was still alive. The local newspaper said he was rumoured to have been involved in the introduction of concentration camps in the Boer War but historians have disputed the accuracy of these claims. Advertisement The impact assessment also noted the need to consult with minority ethnic groups on the statue. The Grade-II listed bronze statue was erected in 1905 and depicts the general, who won the Victoria Cross, astride his favourite horse Biffen. The words 'He saved Natal' on its plinth are a reference to General Buller's actions in South Africa. General Redvers Buller, born in 1839 near Crediton, in Devon, purchased a commission in the British Army and won the Victoria Cross during the Second Zulu War, rescuing a number of comrades while under enemy fire. He was later appointed head of the British forces sent to South Africa during the Second Boer War, presiding over Black Week in which it was defeated three times by the Boers with nearly 3,000 men killed, wounded and captured. Upon his return from South Africa, the British Army requested he resign, in part as a scapegoat for the failures of the military command. Despite this General Buller was awarded the freedom of Exeter and presented with a jewelled sword by the County of Devon. Unusually the statue, paid for by public subscription, was unveiled while he was still alive. The local newspaper said he was rumoured to have been involved in the introduction of concentration camps in the Boer War but historians have disputed the accuracy of these claims. Historian Andrew Roberts argued anger at General Buller was misdirected. He said: 'I think it is important to point out that the general fought against the white regime in South Africa. In the year 1900 every man was a sexist. 'This is ridiculous and historical wokery at its worst. There are reasons why they should not have put up a statue in the first place - he was a bad general. 'But these are really bad reasons. The lot of women was improved by the British Empire.' General Buller's biographer Keith Barker, labelled the decision 'utter nonsense'. 'I think the so-called "equality impact assessments" espoused in this report are utter nonsense. 'This man was always a great supporter of and campaigner for the many native communities he came across. 'Buller had a powerful radical, liberal streak. No doubt his views on sex and gender would have been somewhat unorthodox but they would have represented those specifically of the era in which he lived. 'Everything should be understood in its context and to not do so is a historical travesty.' It comes after statues and their role in public life were thrown into the spotlight amid the global Black Lives Matter movement (protests in London in June 2020, pictured) Dr Todd Gray, honorary research fellow at Exeter University, admitted the council should check whether the statue was appropriate but pointed to a knock on effect following the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol, last year. 'I think any council is right to look twice at anything in its care,' he said. 'We are reaping what we have sown in that society has ignored empire for so long and people do not know their own history. 'His sin is being triumphant about Empire. In June, protesters in Bristol pulled down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston (pictured) Reviews into statues such as Cecil Rhodes at Oxford University's Oriel College (pictured) and Thomas Guy - the founder of Guy's Hospital in Southwark, south London - are also being carried out 'These things have conspired to make it unpalatable for people, although I think it is just a portion of the public. 'I do not think it would have come up if not for Colston and that is the only real target that there is in Exeter.' The proposals put to the council tomorrow will request information boards be erected near the statue as part of a public consultation. General Buller's descendant Henry Parker said last night the council was welcome to move the statue to the grounds of Downes House, the family's country estate near Crediton. 'This was his home and it is an obvious place for the statue. I have offered to have him here though my wife may not be very happy about that,' he said. 'It seems a nonsense but I don't want to comment on it because I just don't understand it.' A spokesman for Exeter City Council declined to comment. Home Search ICH Question Everything! Purpose and Intent of this website: The Swamp Swallowed Trump By the Automatic Earth January 11, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - - " Source " - You would think that if theres one group of people whod recognize a coup if they saw one, it would be the American people. Because their intelligence services have been involved in almost all coups in the world for many decades; lets say since WWII, to keep it simple. Just in the most recent past, they staged and conducted coups in Libya, Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela and many other places (think Bolivia). Libya was the only real successful one, thanks to Gaddafi being sodomized with a bayonet, leading to Hillarys giddy We Came, We Saw, He Died, the by far ugliest face of the US by a mile. That and the open-air slave markets that resulted from sodomizing to death the man who led Africas wealthiest country and gave his people benefits that Americans can only dream of. And now Hillarys crew are about to be handed the reins again. Or as Michael Tracey put it: The new corporate authoritarian liberal-left monoculture is going to be absolutely ruthless and in 12 days it is merging with the state. This [is] only the beginning. Duck for cover. The screwed-up coups in Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela etc. would appear to signal that the CIA is not very adept (anymore?!) at organizing coups, or maybe they just chronically overestimate their skills at it. Whichever way it may be, they have done more damage to America and its standing in the world than Donald Trump could ever have dreamt of doing. So you would think Americans would recognize a coup, but instead theyre the last group of people on the planet who would. Because their media doesnt present them as coups. Theyre labeled as spreading democracy, freedom etc., as standing up against the bad guys, and liberating innocent people -even if many of them die in the process. People dying is a feature of these coups, not a bug. People get shot, bombed, disappeared, in a word: killed. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Anyway, its way more and better than ironic that all these very deadly CIA-led operations are not labeled coups, but then the clowns and actors spectacle that took place in Washington DC this week, is. Which is possible only because they never told people what a coup actually is. Only then can you make them believe that some wanker in a furry viking helmet outfit is trying to overthrow the government. At the initiative of the democratically elected president, no less. Are these people extremists and terrorists or are they clowns and actors? I would lean towards the latter option. A coup requires a plan, a playbook, most often elites who think they have a shot at taking over a country, which in turn requires support from at least part of an army. The best these folks could think of was sitting in Pelosis office and take selfies. That doesnt make the march on the Capitol a good thing, far from it, but there are a lot of people out there who dont like the way the president they elected in 2016 has been treated by the MSM, his political opponents, and US intelligence. And after the theater that has been Russiagate, the Mueller debacle and the Zelensky call-based impeachment, maybe that shouldnt be too surprising. The main problem for Trump lately would appear to have been his legal representation. Ive said all along: let the dice roll where they may, there are many questions surrounding the election and they have the right to go looking for answers to these questions. But if you look at what the status is today of what the likes of Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell and Lin Wood have come up with, you think they might as well have been working for the other side. Still, weve at least seen the dice roll, and they came up they way they did. The process was allowed to proceed, and this is the outcome. This has misled Trump as well as his followers. They thought there was something substantial -and tanglible- there, because thats what they were told all along. This doesnt mean the US should continue using voting machines, however. There are many countries that hold elections, and there are very few that either use those machines and/or see their elections contested. Theres a reason for that combination. These things can be manipulated, and they will be if theyre used. Get rid of them or this chapter will be repeated endlessly. Then again, it all plays out well for anyone but Trump. And perhaps a few GOPers who stood by him. You could say, Trump entered the swamp and drowned in it, it swallowed him whole. Which is not to say that hes such a perfect character, hell no, but he was the one and only chance to get rid of the power cabal that is DC. Which is a much bigger danger than he could ever be. Where career politicians like Pelosi, Schumer, McConnell and Joe Biden can reside for decades, and be handed ever more handsome amounts of money by the lobbyists who write their laws, which benefit the corporations they work for. Trump was the chance to do at least something about this. They ate him alive. Now the story is that Trump is/was the main danger, and that he was attempting a coup against his own government. To finish off the job, after being hunted down by the MSM for 4+ years, social media, for whom unceremoniously dumping Trump, after he was their main attraction for years -at least for clickbait-, was just a business decision dressed in some vague set of moral principles, are now simply deleting him. And people cheer that. They dont understand that from now on, as US president you serve at the behest, grace and kindness of the CIA, New York Times and WaPo, but even more that of @jack and Zuckerberg, and not that of the American people. As the noise about an attempted coup allows Team Biden to slip in Sally Yates, Susan Rice and Victoria Nuland and their whole gang of neocon warmongers. The entire media focus on Trump served to hide what those people were doing behind the scenes all along. And now its time to duck for cover. Theyre going to try and impeach him again, and then prosecute him, and erase everything hes done, cheered on by the same media who never told you what a coup actually is. Because they are a big club, and hes not in it, and neither are you. And if you think you can vent an opinion on social media in the future that doesnt coincide with that of the big club, perhaps you havent been paying attention. 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. 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's Borough Market has become the first outdoor space in the UK to legally enforce the wearing of face masks. From Monday, customers and vendors at the food and drink market will face a 50 fine if they do not wear a face covering in and around the stalls. Pictures taken in the market in December showed vast swathes of shoppers crammed in as they browsed through stalls. The drastic move comes as the Government considers making wearing masks outdoors compulsory for all Britons under harsh new lockdown rules. Boris Johnson met cabinet colleagues last night to discuss an even-tougher lockdown - with measures including a ban on extended bubbles and limits on exercise. A Whitehall source told MailOnline ministers have discussed going as far as saying people can only leave the house once a week - although No10 today denied this was on the cards saying the focus was on 'bolstering enforcement and policing'. London's Borough Market (pictured last month) has become the first outdoor space in the UK to legally enforce the wearing of face masks From Monday, customers and vendors at the food and drink market (pictured in December) will face a 50 fine if they do not wear a face covering in and around the stalls Borough Market has its own set of bylaws passed in Parliament - which date back to before the Victorian era and have been updated to reflect the pandemic - meaning it can enforce mask wearing without it being a country-wide rule. Kate Howell, director of development at the central London venue, said: 'I think we just have to be responsible.' Ms Howell said: 'We're open as an essential retailer but we want to keep it safe for everybody.' Market organisers have encouraged mask-wearing and distancing throughout the pandemic - but with rising infection rates in the capital and the third national lockdown in England they felt they had to go further. Borough Market (pictured in December) has its own set of bylaws passed in Parliament - which date back to before the Victorian era and have been updated to reflect the pandemic - meaning it can enforce mask wearing without it being a country-wide rule Ms Howell explained: 'While we've done everything we can to politely encourage people to wear masks and keep to social distancing and keep the space safe, now is the time to really show our intent.' She went on: 'We've got to a stage where we feel as responsible landlords that, actually given we do have these bylaws, in our reckoning that we're able to say, 'We're going to make this mandatory'.' Pre-lockdown, the market welcomed thousands of visitors each day, and Ms Howell joined other industry voices in describing the hospitality sector as 'really hard hit by this whole period'. 'It's perhaps been the less-than-clear messaging at times that has had a huge impact on trade,' she added. Her comments come after the Government's top medic suggested there could be times when there is 'logic' for wearing a mask outdoors. Kate Howell, director of development at the central London venue (pictured in December), said: 'I think we just have to be responsible' Market (pictured in December) organisers have encouraged mask-wearing and distancing throughout the pandemic - but with rising infection rates in the capital and the third national lockdown in England they felt they had to go further England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told BBC Radio 4 there is a 'risk' of Covid-19 in 'crowded' outdoor environments such as a 'queue'. On the Today programme, he said: 'If people for example are crowded together in a queue outdoors, if they're really huddled together round a market stall or something - that is a risk with this virus - and in that situation, there might be some logic to people thinking about wearing masks.' Under current rules, Britons can exercise with one other person or with their household or support bubble. Police officers patrol whilst people shop, eat and drink at Borough Market on December 31 People shop for food and buy takeaway drinks in Borough Market in Central London (pictured) But a Government source said the rule is 'being used as an excuse for people to go for a coffee in the park with their friends' and could be tightened, The Daily Telegraph reports. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi this morning suggested that shops are in the firing line under the Government's latest lockdown push, stressing the need for everyone to wear masks and follow one-way systems in supermarkets. He appealed for people not to stop and chat to friends they bump into while outside their homes - and also made clear that sitting on park benches during 'exercise' sessions was not recommended. Meanwhile, Downing Street was unable to say whether people are allowed to get a takeaway coffee and drink it while walking with someone from another household. Limits on individuals from different 'bubbles' exercising together also look to be in the pipeline as the government scrambles for ways of lowering transmission. And in a piece of detailed tightening, the government has change the definition of 'close contact' so it applies when people have been in proximity for more than 15 minutes over a whole day. Previously the rule was 15 minutes of close contact in one go. On a visit to the Ashton Gate vaccination centre in Bristol this afternoon, Mr Johnson echoed a dire message from Chris Whitty that the next few weeks are set to be the worst yet for the NHS. People on Exmouth beach in Devon today, as ministers urged people not to sit on benches. It is not known whether they are from the same household An ambulance arrives at the Royal London Hospital today amid fresh warnings about the spread of the virus 'This is a very perilous moment because everybody can sense that the vaccine is coming in and they can see that the UK is vaccinating large numbers of those that need it most,' Mr Johnson said. 'My worry is, and Chris's worry is, that this is the moment when that degree of false confidence, false complacency, and that when you look at what has happened in the NHS that complacency is not merited. Chief medical officer Prof Whitty took to the airwaves to highlight the scale of the threat, saying that there are 30,000 people in hospital compared to the peak of 18,000 in April. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty took to the airwaves to highlight the scale of the threat, saying that there are 30,000 people in hospital compared to the peak of 18,000 in April He urged people to remember that 'every unnecessary contact' was an opportunity for the virus to spread. He insisted that although the NHS was in the 'most dangerous situation anyone can remember' vaccines mean the UK can be back to normal in 'months not years' - but he cautioned that the situation is a long way from that currently. The UK announced a further 573 coronavirus deaths yesterday in the highest Sunday rise since April, and the third-deadliest Sunday of the entire pandemic as it emerged as many as one in five of all people in England may have had coronavirus. It could be as high as one in two people in some areas of east London and Essex, the modelling by Edge Health claims. Infections also continue to be high, with 54,940 announced yesterday - the thirteenth day in a row they have been above the 50,000 mark. Mr Johnson said it was clear to the public that the UK was in a 'race against time' to get vaccines out and ease pressure on the health service. 'Far, far better for people to obey the rules that we have than simply to promulgate new rules,' he said. Kate Hudson spoke out about her father, Bill Hudson, again and how she felt about her step-siblings. During the January 8 episode of her "Sibling Revelry" podcast with her brother, Oliver Hudson, the 41-year-old actress revealed the relationship she has with her father's other children. Hudson delivered a direct message to her father, sharing what she has been thinking about over the past few days. "I've been thinking about our sisters that we don't spend any time with and our brother - brothers. We've got four siblings we don't spend any time with," she said. The "Almost Famous" actress also noted that the thought suddenly popped out when she realized that everybody is already getting older. Because of this, she thought that it would be nice to reconnect with them, especially with her sisters. Kate then talked to Oliver, saying that they never truly acknowledged the fact that they have four other siblings. Although Kate Hudson's father currently shares a complicated relationship with them, the "Fool's Gold" star said that it is still important to reach out. What Oliver Feels Toward His Father While Kate Hudson has been quiet about what is currently going on with her and her estranged father, Oliver previously disclosed their status in an interview. Back in 2018, the 44-year-old "Splitting Up Together" actor sat down on "Larry King Now" where he shared that he and Bill were trying to fix things between them. In fact, they exchanged texts as they tried to mend their relationship. However, according to Oliver, the reconciliation actually began when he posted a 2015 throwback photo of him, Kate and Bill. He captioned his Instagram post with "Happy Abandonment Day." Oliver then explained to Larry, "I had posted something that was darkly comedic and it blew up into something, and actually it helped us with our relationship. So, now we're kind of keeping in touch." Why Did The Hudson Family End This Way? The public knew how the longtime lover of Bill's ex-wife, Goldie Hawn, played a huge role in his broken relationship with Kate and Oliver. In a 2015 interview with The Daily Mail, Bill said that Russell kept him away from his kids. Although he and Goldie had a smooth split, it was Kurt who came into the picture and ruined Bill's relationship with Kate and Oliver. "When we split up, [Goldie] never had a bad word to say about me. But when Kurt came on the scene, the narrative changed and I became the big bad wolf," Kate Hudson's father went on. But with the recent revelation of Kate, it is safe to say that the family might be completed again soon. READ MORE: Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton Remove Biggest Wedding Problem -- 'Holloback Girl' Singer Officially Annulled! See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Overhead view of the Heart Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, near Queensland, Australia. A new UCLA-led study confirms that prospects are grim for major reef systems. Credit: Ayanadak123/Wikimedia Commons A quarter of the carbon emissions that are warming the Earth dissolve into oceans, making them more acidic. Carbon emissions and warming are also causing ocean heat waves, which in turn is bleaching the world's coral reefs. Now, a UCLA-led study reveals how increased acidity and warming ocean temperatures can interact to threaten reef-building corals. Acidification and warming are a one-two punch that impair corals' ability to form exoskeletons and grow. The new study provides evidence for how both factors interact to harm the corals even more than the sum of their parts would suggest. The paper, published in Science Advances, looked at two species: cauliflower coral and hood coral, which thrive primarily in tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Both were able to cope with higher carbon dioxide and increased acidity at a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit), which is in the optimal range for coral to grow. They even grew faster with more carbon dioxide in the water. At 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit), however, neither species could maintain significant growth at any level of acidity that the researchers tested. For the cauliflower coral, the compound effect of warming and acidification was worse than with warming alone. The rising temperatures, the researchers write, seemed to compromise the coral's ability to regulate its internal acidity, making the coral more vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification. Robert Eagle, a member of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, said the interplay of the two threats is beginning to come into focus. "There's been a sense that acidification would be bad for corals, and there is evidence that it is detrimental in certain species and locations," said Eagle, a co-author of the study and an assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences. "But it's also clear that some corals are pretty resistant to acidification on its own. Now, however, we have shown that warming can lower corals' defenses to acidification, producing an interactive negative effect." It is well known that warming waters cause corals to expel symbiotic algae that live inside them and produce most of the organisms' nutrients via photosynthesis. The process turns the corals a ghostly white, a condition called coral bleaching. Corals can survive for a while without the algaethey use tentacles to eat food from the oceanbut when bleaching lasts too long or happens too frequently, the corals eventually die. UCLA partnered with researchers from global institutions for the study, including Northwestern University, Bremen University, the Indian Institute for Science and University of Cambridge. The research demonstrates how global warming exacerbates the damage that other factors can cause within complex biological systems. In this case, Eagle said, the temperature stress interfered with coral's natural ability to regulate its defense against acidification. And it reinforces the notion that prospects for major reef systems like the Great Barrierthe world's largestare grim. Marine heat waves are expected to worsen in the coming decades and are likely to cause more severe bleaching events and kill more corals. Coral species might not necessarily go extinct, Eagle said, but they could possibly shift to different locations and may no longer exist in large, continuous reef systems. Corals could also develop some ability to adapt to future ocean conditions. But according to Maxence Guillermic, the paper's lead author, that adaptation could happen too late to save the world's major reef systems. "Conservation of corals in a world where heatwaves are becoming more frequent will be challenging," said Guillermic, a UCLA geochemist. "The story told in our paper is one small piece. It's important to understand the causes of the interactions between stressors, including climate change-related stressors. Only then can we find ways to conserve corals in a meaningful way." Explore further How to identify heat-stressed corals More information: Maxence Guillermic et al. Thermal stress reduces pocilloporid coral resilience to ocean acidification by impairing control over calcifying fluid chemistry, Science Advances (2021). Maxence Guillermic et al. Thermal stress reduces pocilloporid coral resilience to ocean acidification by impairing control over calcifying fluid chemistry,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba9958 Sorry! This content is not available in your region A zero-carbon city will be built on the site of the Neom smart city project, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Sunday, as quoted by Reuters. The city, dubbed "The Line" will have the capacity to accommodate 1 million residents, who will enjoy "carbon-positive urban developments powered by 100% clean energy". It will cost between $100 and $200 billion, representing a sizeable chunk of Neom's $500-billion price tag. Neom is the flagship project of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 plan, which at its launch aimed to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil. The latest oil price crash has not made the $500-billion project more economically viable, but there were problems even before the pandemic. In 2018, the CEO of the Neom project, Klaus Kleinfeld, told media that "The investment case for NEOM is actually very easy to make, because we've got so many things going for us," adding that there was "overwhelming" enthusiasm from investors interested in financing the project. Since then, Kleinfeld has been replaced as chief executive of the smart city project by local Nadhmi Al-Nasr, and there has been little in the way of proof of any investor enthusiasm. Among the latest updates latest about the project was news about the contract with U.S. Bechtel to provide design, construction, and project management services for the project. Separately, the Saudi Energy Minister, brother of the Crown Prince, said last year the ministry will help with the Neom project, noting, "We have to persevere and make all our capacities available to realise this project." Neom was originally scheduled for completion in 2025, but this may be difficult to swing given the reliance of the Saudi economy on oil revenues, including for Prince Mohammed's diversification push. Indeed, after booking a serious deficit last year, Riyadh had to revise down its 2021 budget plan, cutting spending by 7 percent from 2020. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Be prepared for areas of frost and fog as you head out the door on this Monday morning. A Dense Fog Advisory has been issued for areas of the valley from Butte and Glenn Counties to the south through 11am. Skies are starting out mostly cloudy, but will become partly cloudy to mostly sunny this afternoon. High pressure continues to be the dominant feature in our forecast today, but that is expected to change soon. Temperatures are starting out in the 30's to 40's in the valley and foothills this morning, and in the 20's to 30's in most mountain areas. Winds will be out of the northwest to 10mph in the north valley, out of the southeast to 10mph in the mid valley, and out of the east to 10mph in the Sierra and foothills. Lighter winds are expected by this afternoon. High temperatures are projected to top out in the mid to high 50's in the valley today, and in the 40's to mid 50's in the foothills and mountains. Models are currently split on when shower activity will return to our region, but most agree at least some wet weahter will be possible from tonight through Wednesday as an area of low pressure tracks into the Pacific Northwest. Some models bring light showers back into northern California tonight, while others hold off until Tuesday morning. Snow levels are projected to stay fairly high this week, with the Northern Mountains seeing light snow as low as 5500', and the Sierra & Southern Cascades seeing snow levels down to around 7000'. Temperatures will start out warmer on Tuesday, but will end up several degrees cooler than Monday afternoon in most areas. Most valley areas are expected to see around a tenth of an inch or less through Wednesday, but Redding could see close to a half inch of rain through that time. Areas closest to the coast will see the lions share of the rain and snow, with portions of Trinity County projected to get upwards of an inch to potentially 2 inches of rain through Wednesday night. Some portions of the Sierra could see up to a half inch of rain, but most will end up with far less than that through mid week. Temperatures will be warmer than Tuesday on Wednesday. Valley areas will start out in the mid 40's and are projected to top out in the upper 50's to lower 60's. Foothill areas will start out in the 40's to low 50's on Wednesday and end up in the mid to high 50's on Wednesday afternoon, while mountain areas start out in the 30's to 40's and end up in the 40's to 50's on Wednesday. We'll be staying just about as warm on Thursday morning, and we'll be getting several degrees warmer on Thursday afternoon. Valley areas are currently projected to top out in the mid to high 60's, but a couple cities could end up in the lower 70's. Friday will be a couple of degrees cooler for the morning and the afternoon, but temperatures will still end up well above average for this time of year. High pressure will keep us dry for the end of this week, and for most of this weekend. A slight chance for light showers will brush through our region late Friday night into Saturday morning. The current weekend outlook keeps our region dry after the overnight showers on Friday into Saturday. Temperatures will dip into the upper 30's to lower 40's in the valley overnight, and will end up in the mid to high 60's for both afternoons. Foothill areas will dip into the 40's to low 50's both days this weekend, and will end up in the upper 50's to mid 60's in the afternoons. Mountain areas will dip into the 20's to 30's for the overnight hours this weekend, and will then top ut in the upper 40's to 50's for most locations in the afternoon. All around, it looks like a good weekend to make plans to be outside. [January 11, 2021] Paytronix Holiday Gift Card Research Finds Sales, While Depressed, Peaked During Holiday Season NEWTON, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An early analysis of 2020 restaurant gift card sales by Paytronix Systems, Inc., the most advanced digital guest experience platform , found that while holiday card sales accounted for the same percentage of annual sales as previous years, overall card sales ended the year down 31.8% when compared with 2019. Per-card spending remained relatively consistent when compared with previous years. Paytronix data shows that holiday sales those that occurred during November and December accounted for 45.8% of all restaurant gift card sales in 2020, and approximately 48.6% of all gift card spend. This is on par with the previous three years, during which holiday card sales accounted for an average of 46.3% of all annual gift card sales. Despite a nearly one-third decline in overall card sales, the average dollar amount loaded onto each card remained fairly consistent in 2020, indicating that guests maintained their spending power. Fine Dining restaurants fared exceptionally well in this regard, realizing a 7.7% increase in the average spend per gift card over the course of the year. Full Service Restaurants (FSRs), meanwhile, took the brunt of the losses in 2020. FSRs share of the market fell by more than 15% to account for just 26.3% of gift card sales across restaurant sectors. The bulk of those sales were recouped by Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), which accounted for 66.5% of sales in 2020. The remaining two restaurant types Fast Casual and Fine Dining accounted for 4.5% and 2.7% of annual gift card sales, respectively. > Even as sales were lower this year, traditional sales patterns continued to hold. The holiday season kicked off with Black Friday sales down 30.1% from previous years, then experienced a last-minute peak in the last few days leading up to Christmas. The holiday sales analysis is a key component in the development of the Paytronix Annual Gift Card Sales Report, which will be available later this year. That Report offers an in-depth look into holiday gift card sales, sales by channel and service type, anticipated redemption and new insights on eGift cards. With the online ordering industry expanding, the Report also examines the impact of gift cards redeemed online. Sign up in advance on the Paytronix website to receive the full report when it becomes available. Methodology Following trends in closed-loop restaurant gift card sales, the Paytronix gift card sales research includes data from gift card sales on between November 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and includes 192 brands. Paytronix Systems, Inc. Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Paytronix is a provider of SaaS customer experience management (CXM) solutions for restaurants and convenience stores. Through its innovative software design and integrations with more than 30 widely used point-of-sale systems, Paytronix empowers more than 500 brands across 30,000 locations, giving them the flexibility to deliver unique, revenue-enhancing guest experiences. Through one-to-one engagement with more than 285 million guests via Order & Delivery, Loyalty, CRM, and Stored Value, Paytronix generates Big Data consumer insights that motivate increased visits and spend. For more information, visit www.paytronix.com. Media Contact: Chuck Tanowitz Paytronix Systems, Inc. 617-871-2319 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53174354-2b7a-4cf2-99db-a978eec4cf17 ctanowitz@paytronix.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] PARIS: France should consider closing its borders with Britain and other countries that have a strong presence of the new variant of the coronavirus first found in the UK, a French epidemiologist and government adviser said on Monday. It is important that we consider whether we need to close the borders to a limited number of countries, notably the United Kingdom and Ireland," Arnaud Fontanet, a member of the scientific council that advises the government on COVID-19 policy, said on BFM television. This is certainly a point for the agenda. It is not up to the scientific council to decide this, but we want to raise the issue." French authorities said on Sunday that the more infectious variant had now been detected in Frances Mediterranean port of Marseille and in the Alps. The new COVID variant is nearly a new epidemic within the epidemic," Fontanet said. He said the new variant was more contagious, but that for now there were no signs that its mortality rate was higher. Fontanet also said on BFM television that to get the epidemic under control, France needed to vaccinate 10 to 15 million people by the end of March and 25 to 30 million people by the end of June. 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 As everyone goes slightly around the bend from Lockdown 2.0 and we head into Lockdown 3.0: Dark at 4pm, an unexpected voice reaches us from Sydney, Australia, urging us to remain optimistic, that life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful it is up to you. That voice is from a 100-year-old man who has recently published his first memoir. Eddie Jaku born Abraham Adi Jakubowiez in 1920 in the German city of Leipzig wrote The Happiest Man On Earth about what he calls his own beautiful life, in which he celebrates friendship, family, and the importance of hope, resilience, and his determination to be kind in the face of adversity. This may sound like just another schmaltzy self-help cash-in, the books USP being its authors advanced age. Except its not. Eddie Jaku is a Holocaust survivor whose parents and wider family were murdered in the camps, and who for decades never spoke about his experiences, or even told his two adult sons Michael and Andre what he had been through. It was just too hard, he said. Settled in Sydney since 1950, it wasnt until 2019 that he gave an incredibly moving TEDx talk https://bit.ly/398BA2p his German accent still guttural, which to date has been viewed by 413,000 people and translated into 13 languages. The idea of such a global audience blew his mind, he says, given how he comes from the era of telegrams and carrier pigeons. I never intended writing a book and never thought I would, he says. He was motivated by a realisation that sharing his attitude to life was as important as sharing what had happened to him all those decades ago. Its an astonishing story of horror, savagery, survival, hope and happiness. I was at the bottom of the pit, he tells his TEDx audience. So if I can make one miserable person smile, Im happy. His book is dedicated to future generations; he does not want history to forget about what happened and how easily any supposedly civilised society in his case, one that gave the world Beethoven, Bach, Brecht, Goethe can quickly transform into something monstrous. It can happen anywhere, he says. All it requires is fear, resentment and weakness curdling to hate. His story, as well as being a triumph of the human spirit, is a cautionary tale. Expand Close Eddie (front right) with extended family in 1932 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eddie (front right) with extended family in 1932 We considered ourselves Germans first, then Jewish, he writes of his warm, loving, educated family. He describes himself as a proud young German: Our religion did not seem as important to us as being good citizens of our Leipzig. He adored his city of music, books, and opera, where the worlds first daily newspaper began publication in 1650. I truly believed I was part of the most enlightened, most cultured, most sophisticated, most educated society in the whole world. How wrong I was. In 1933, Eddie was kicked out of school for being Jewish. He was sent by his family to study in another city nine hours away, aged 13, under a false name, where he spent five lonely years pretending to be an orphan, frightened the other boys would spot he was circumcised and report him. He finished top of his class, as a precision engineer. Returning to Leipzig to surprise his parents on their wedding anniversary on November 9, 1938, it turned out to be the biggest mistake of my young life; the house was empty, his family in hiding. That night Kristallnacht Nazis kicked in the door, violently assaulted him, bayoneted his beloved dachshund Lulu, and burnt his family home down. Our friends and neighbours joined in the violence, he remembers. Nobody intervened or shouted stop. They were scared. They were weak. And their weakness allowed them to be manipulated into hatred. Eddie still 18-year-old Adi Jakubowiez was transported to Buchenwald with 11,000 other Jewish men. Conditions were hideous, degrading and vicious. We were a nation that prized the rule of law above all else, he writes. You could get fined 200 marks for throwing a cigarette butt out your car window. Eddie somehow got out of Buchenwald and was reunited with his father, who paid a smuggler to get them into Belgium. There he was arrested not as a Jew, but as a German, and interned. After the Nazi invasion of Belgium in 1940, he walked from Brussels to Dunkirk to Lyon around 900km being surreptitiously fed by ordinary French people along the way. In Lyon his luck ran out, and he was arrested and put on a train north to somewhere called Auschwitz. Again he escaped, found his family, and went into hiding in Brussels, his parents taking in three young orphans whose own parents had been killed for being Jewish. Like Anne Franks family, they hid in an attic, cramped and uncomfortable, but together. They were eventually found by the Belgian police and handed over to the Gestapo although the three orphans stayed hidden, survived the war, and were reunited with Eddie years later. He and his family were sent to Auschwitz in the freezing winter of 1944, where his parents were immediately gassed. Eddie says he misses his mother every day of my life. They slept naked on bare boards without covers, in temperatures of minus eight. Every night up to 20 people froze to death. During the day they were used as slave labour for local industries. At the camp they were beaten, tortured, starved. Many went to the wire ended their suffering by hurling themselves at the electrified fences; the average survival time for an Auschwitz prisoner was seven months. As a precision engineer, he was categorised an economically indispensable Jew, and three times pulled back from the gas chamber. His education saved his life. A tiny spark of hope ignited when Eddie found his best friend Kurt at the camp. Thanks to my friend, I survived, he writes. A friend is someone who reminds you to feel alive. Expand Close Eddie in Belgium in 1941 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eddie in Belgium in 1941 On the final death march, as the Allies approached, Eddie feared they would be shot by their guards, and escaped into a drainage pipe. He was barefoot, starving, hiding in a cave for months, surviving by eating slugs and snails. Finally, he was so sick that he crawled to the highway, longing to be shot by approaching soldiers. He had reached the end. The soldiers, however, were American. They took Eddie, who weighed 28kg and had cholera and typhoid, to hospital. His chances of survival were 35%. In that moment I made a promise that if I lived I would become an entirely new person, he remembers. I have a belief that if you can hang on to hope your body can do miraculous things and, my friend, I lived. Incredibly, he found his friend Kurt in a refugee centre in Brussels: I wasnt alone in the world anymore. His sister also survived. But Europe was poisoned for him, anti-Semitism still rife. One day, he saw a stranger wearing his own very distinctive suit, which hed had tailor made in Leipzig before the war, stolen from him along with everything else. A tiny detail that left him outraged. For many of Eddies Jewish peers, liberation meant suicide. He read how two young Jewish women had tried to jump off a bridge, survived and were sent to a grim psych ward; Eddie and Kurt visited then took them in as sisters. All they needed was a little kindness, he writes. With a simple act of kindness you can save another person from despair. They are still in touch. When he met his wife of 75 years, Eddie says he was a very difficult person then, having lived in fear of my life for so long that I could not stop thinking like a survivor. He was a miserable ghost. His wife had spent the war in Paris pretending to be Christian under an assumed name and had no concept of the horror he had been through. Everything changed for him when his first son was born. I realised I was the luckiest man on Earth, he recalls. He made himself another promise: Until the end of my life, I would be happy, polite, helpful and kind. I would smile. Life is wonderful if you are happy. Love saved me. Each year, he and his wife Flore celebrate their wedding anniversary on April 20 Hitlers birthday. I do not hate, he says. Hate may kill your enemy, but it will destroy you in the process too. So he does not hate Hitler, but nor does he forgive him, as he says such forgiveness would make him a traitor to the six million killed. In Australia, after a successful life running businesses with Flore, Eddie reached his 100th year surrounded by family my greatest achievement and reminds us how lucky we all are to be alive. He has finally shared his story and the personal philosophy which grew from it. Remember to take time to appreciate every moment of your life, the good, the bad. Make yourself a friend to the world. Do this for your new friend Eddie. Expand Close The Happiest Man On Earth memoir / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Happiest Man On Earth memoir Blueprint for happiness There are many things more precious than money Beware how weakness can be turned into hatred Tomorrow will come if you survive today, one step at a time You can find kindness everywhere, even from strangers Hug your mother One good friend is the whole world Education is a lifesaver If you lose your morals, you lose yourself The human body is the best machine ever made Where there is life, there is hope There are always miracles in the world, even when it seems dark Love is the best medicine We are all part of a larger society, our work is our contribution to a free and safe life for all Shared sorrow is half sorrow, shared pleasure is double pleasure Share your hope, not your pain makes a difference. GLASTONBURY Police are investigating a mans death after his submerged car was pulled from the Connecticut River on Saturday afternoon. First responders pulled a vehicle from the Connecticut River on Saturday after dive teams from two fire departments and a marine unit scanned the river, according to fire officials. Glastonbury police Lt. Corey Davis said the driver was a 75-year-old man from Portland. Police have not released his name. Davis said police do not believe foul play was involved in the death and are investigating how the vehicle ended up in the water. Police and fire units were dispatched around noon to the area off Tyron Street, known as Duffords Landing, for a report of a vehicle that had gone into the Connecticut River, according to Davis. Dive teams from the Middletown and Portland fire departments also responded to the scene around 1 p.m., sending crews into the water to search for the possible vehicle. Davis said the Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police responded as well. The Glastonbury Police Marine Unit used a scanning sonar to check the water. Upon investigation, evidence was shown that a vehicle had entered the Connecticut River, Portland fire officials said, adding that units found the vehicle in the area of Duffords Landing. Davis said divers found the submerged vehicle just off shore and removed the sole male occupant from the drivers seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Glastonbury detectives are investigating. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Bird flu scare in India: Maharashtra and Delhi today confirmed the outbreak of avian influenza, or the bird flu , With this, nine states have been affected by the spread of bird flu. In Delhi, all eight samples have been found positive for avian influenza, Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department said, PTI reported. Maharashtra has confirmed bird flu after 800 chickens found dead at Murumba village in Parbhani district. "Three days ago, 800 chickens in Murumba village died due to bird flu. The administration had sent blood samples of dead chickens to National Laboratory. Reports confirm that the chickens died of bird flu," the District Collector of Parbhani area said, ANI reported. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches In order to assess the situation arising out of the bird flu outbreak, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will chair a meeting to review the bird flu situation in the state. The outbreak has been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. What is Bird flu or Avian influenza? Bird Flu or Avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with bird flu Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. These viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying on Sunday said that the central teams formed for monitoring the spread of bird flu are visiting the affected sites in seven states across the country. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Alcohol sales will be disallowed from supermarket voucher schemes while popular multi-buy deals will also be shelved under new legislation coming into effect across Ireland today. From today, Monday, January 11, regulations under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act come into force which are designed to restrict price promotions of alcohol products. They restrict the ability of businesses to promote alcohol products at reduced prices and/or award loyalty points for the purchase of alcohol products. Loyalty card points cannot be awarded or used to buy alcohol products. It will be illegal to sell alcohol at a reduced price or free of charge to any person who buys any other product. Pubs and restaurants who offer a free or reduced-price drink with food may also be affected. It will be illegal to run reduced price promotions in respect of the sale of alcohol products for 3 days or less. Retailers and businesses who break the new rules can be fined up to 250,000 fine or face a prison term depending upon the severity of the breach. The names of those who break the new laws will be kept on record and may be used in determining if a licence to sell alcohol is renewed. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, commenting on the new regulations, said: "A young person consuming the same volume of alcohol as an adult drinker is at risk of greater harm to his or her health with a particular risk to the developing adolescent brain. "One of the primary objectives of our Public Health (Alcohol) Act is to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people. These Regulations will ensure that price promotions which result in the sale of alcohol products at pocket money prices cannot continue. "Alcohol is not like other grocery products because of its harmful health effects. These Regulations mean that price promotions which apply to other groceries can no longer be used for alcohol products. The coming into force of these Regulations is further progress toward our objective of reducing harmful drinking and the health harms of alcohol consumption in our country." The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe signed the new rules into law on January 9. Italy's education minister says that remote learning "is not working any more." Students and teachers of Italian high schools are protesting in Rome and elsewhere in Italy on 11 January to demand a safe return to the classroom and an end to distance learning. Only three of Italy's 20 regions - Abruzzo, Tuscany and Valle d'Aosta - will see their high school students return to class today, where 50 per cent of lessons will resume in the classroom. Remote learning remains in place 100 per cent in all other regions whose leaders have chosen to postpone the reopening of their high schools to dates varying from 18 January to 1 February. Students across Italy are holding demonstrations, open-air lessons and strikes in protest over the continuation of the distance learning policy introduced by the government in October in response to a second wave of covid-19. "I understand their frustration" - Italy's education minister Lucia Azzolina told RAI Radio 1 this morning - "it's difficult for students to understand why they are not going back to school." Claiming that distance learning "no longer works" and citing a "blackout in social interaction," the minister said that the students are "angry, disoriented and I am worried about the explosion of school dropout levels." Azzolina - who had pushed for Italy's scuole superiori to reopen on 7 January but settled on the compromise date of 11 January - said the risk of covid-19 contagion is "very low" in Italy's schools which are "organised very well." The school protests are taking place as Italy returns to its three-tiered, colour-coded system of red, orange and yellow coronavirus restrictions, with different rules applying to each region. The majority of the country now comes under the yellow zone category, with five regions - Calabria, Emilia Romagna, Lombardia, Sicily and Veneto - classified as orange zones. There are currently no regions in the highest-risk red zone. Italy's prime minister Giuseppe Conte is set to introduce a new emergency decree on 15 January, either modifying or extending the existing coronavirus restrictions. Photo credit: DELBO ANDREA / Shutterstock.com. Is J Street misrepresenting its real mission? By Amb. Alan Baker According to its website, the Congressional lobbying organization calling itself J Street was established to serve as the political home and voice for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans through organizing pro-Israel and pro-peace Americans to promote U.S. policies that embody our deeply held Jewish and democratic values and that help secure the State of Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.1 In its founding aims and principles, J Street declares its overriding aim as reshaping political perceptions of what it means to be pro-Israel. The first and evidently central provision of J Streets basic principles acknowledges that Israel faces enemies, and J Street expresses support for Israel to defend itself and live in security and peace within internationally recognized boundaries. However, J Streets political manifesto detailed on its website would appear to run counter and even to undermine any such sentiments. On the one hand, J Street presents itself and is perceived by many naive elements within the Jewish and non-Jewish communities as a genuine lobbying organization with the veneer of supporting Israel and expressing concern for its welfare. But, on the other hand, one can nevertheless see, behind the misleading platitudes and sweeping statements in its manifesto, that J Streets substantive political viewpoint is openly radical and partisan, identifying itself clearly with the Palestinian narrative, and aligning itself with other openly critical-of-Israel organizations such as the Israel Policy Forum, Brookings, and the International Crisis Group. J Street has failed to welcome and promote the normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states, apparently because they downgrade the urgency J Street feels for a Palestinian state. The organization has actively lobbied against military aid to those Arab states that normalized relations. As such, J Street is clearly undercutting any genuine concern for Israels security and is, in fact, undermining Israels right to defend itself. J Street: In light of creeping annexation, J Street calls for a reexamination of how U.S. security assistance is provided to Israel, including the restriction of any aid toward any activities that perpetuate conflict. J Street ignores and attempts to by-pass the agreements and other documents signed by the Palestinians and Israel during the course of the Middle East peace negotiation process. These include the internationally-accepted and sponsored Oslo Accords to which the United States, together with Russia, the EU, and others are signatories, and the UN sponsored. J Street has adopted a political viewpoint that parallels and parrots positions expressed in numerous politically-generated, anti-Israel resolutions in the UN and other international fora, including calling to stop defending Israel against one-sided international decrees such as the infamous 2016 Security Council Resolution 2334, as well as in numerous biased political statements uttered by Palestinian and European leaders. J Street: calls on Biden to consider a number of measures should Israel continue at pace, including the cessation of blanket diplomatic protection. In so doing, J Street has adopted a narrative that is hostile to Israels interests. So much so that it attempts to pre-empt and prejudge the agreed-upon and internationally-supported negotiating process in which issues such as boundaries, Jerusalem, settlements, security, and the permanent status of the territories, are all open negotiating issues that have yet to be settled. While referring to Israel as the state of the Jewish people, J Street has nevertheless adopted and openly advocates complete submission to the Palestinian narrative without even requiring any change, without calling for Palestinian acceptance of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, and without calling for halting Palestinian incitement to hatred, terror, and anti-Semitism. J Street fails to call upon the Palestinians to completely stop the payment of salaries to terrorists, even though such payments violate internationally-accepted counter-terror conventions, as well as central commitments in the Oslo Accords. J Streets website is replete with anti-Israel propaganda and blanket, one-sided condemnations of Israeli security actions, presented out of context, all of which reads more like a summary of UN Israel-bashing resolutions. Its website even reproduces and attempts to fuel the false accusations claiming that Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza do not have access to COVID-19 vaccines and have not been included in the Israeli governments current vaccination plans. Fabricating International Law In calling for Israel to give up the vast majority of occupied territory in favor of a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 lines, J Street is prejudging the agreed-upon negotiation process for the permanent status of the territories, as well as the issue of negotiating boundaries. Their declared preference for a two-state solution ignores the fact that any solution, whether it would involve establishing one, two, or three states, a federation, confederation, or any other permutation, can only be the outcome of direct negotiation between the parties. J Street, that presumes concern for Israels welfare, cannot advocate imposing a solution upon Israel that would be an anathema to Israels basic interests. In determining that Israels settlement policies are in violation of international law, J Street is not only misrepresenting international law and thereby misleading its supporters but is also prejudging and attempting to undermine the agreed negotiating process between the Palestinians and Israel on the issue of settlements. In calling for reinstating an independent U.S. diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in east Jerusalem, J Street advocates a policy that runs counter to numerous congressional resolutions, as well as attempting, again, to prejudge the agreed-upon negotiating issue of Jerusalem. In supporting a right for the Palestinians to join international organizations, institutions, and conventions as a member state, J Street is deliberately ignoring the legal situation in which, pending the outcome of the permanent status negotiations, there is no such thing as a Palestinian state. J Street is not only seeking to prejudge the issue of the future permanent status of the territory but sanctions and encourages a material breach of the Oslo Accords in which the Palestinians have committed themselves not to join international organizations and conventions, pending the outcome of negotiations on the permanent status of the territories. Evenhandedness Does Not Mean Twisting Israels Hand In J Streets most recent flurry of activity aimed at influencing the incoming Biden administration, it has reportedly presented to President-elect Biden and his advisors detailed policy recommendations that echo a distinct Palestinian, anti-Israel narrative. Such proposals include reversing the Trump peace plan, reversing the State Departments legal opinion regarding the legality of settlements, reopening the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington, restoring U.S. financial aid to the Palestinians, canceling the penalization of boycott activity against Israel, and diluting the accepted international definition of anti-Semitism. J Street: Recommends that the U.S. government reject calls to penalize constitutionally protected boycott activity, while increasing resources devoted to combating global anti-Semitism. However, it urges Biden to reject proposals that attempt to codify any definitions of anti-Semitism pertaining to Israel that restrict free speech in a domestic context. In a further attempt to undermine the internationally-accepted and agreed peace negotiation process called for in UN Security Council resolutions and implemented through the Oslo Accords, J Street advocates setting aside bilateral, direct negotiation, preferring to recommend a multilateral approach to resolving the conflict. Such a multilateral approach echoes ongoing Palestinian attempts to by-pass direct negotiations with Israel and to transfer the issue to an international conference that would impose a solution on Israel. J Street Sides with Iran Despite universal condemnation of Irans declared hostility towards Israel, its oft-repeated intention to attack Israel, and its deep involvement in encouraging and financing international and regional terror, J Street is nevertheless pressing the incoming Administration to relax sanctions on Iran. It encourages a return to the JCPOA arrangement that would enable Iran to push ahead with its aims to achieve a nuclear weapons capability. How does J Street equate its supposed concern for Israels security and welfare while at the same time deliberately ignoring Irans direct existential threats against Israel and advocating a policy of appeasement vis-a-vis Iran? All of the above is indicative that J Street has evolved from an organization justifying its existence by expressing concern for Israels security and welfare into an organization that is actively working to undermine Israels interests, its legitimacy, security, and international standing, as well as its democratically-elected government. J Street is doing so first and foremost within the U.S. Jewish community, and secondly, within the U.S. congressional and governing bodies. In J Streets recent flurry of activity aimed at influencing the incoming Biden administration, it seems to be more intent on bolstering its own stature within new White House and Congressional circles, rather than acting in accordance with its declared aims. To the contrary, J Street is increasingly acting to harm Israel, side with Israels enemies, fuel false information, and incite against Israel. While logical and substantive criticism of any particular action or policy by Israel may well be legitimate, J Street, by its actions and policies, has redefined itself as an anti-Israel organization. What is perhaps even worse is that through its activities and incitement, J Street is permitting itself to be a tool for use by Palestinian and European organizations hostile to Israel, which utilizes its ostensible concern for Israel to bolster and enhance their own credibility and status. Any purported concern for Israel as a means of justifying and mobilizing support and financing from donors and organizations within the U.S. Jewish community is patently false. It is nothing more than a sham, a thin veil of deception, poorly camouflaged intense and obvious aversion, both to Israels democratically-elected leadership and government, as well as a deep-rooted and radical political agenda that is an anathema to Israels security and national interests. J Street cannot presume to determine for Israel the details of its government, security, and political interests. In attempting to do so, it deceives its constituency, acts with unclean hands, and misrepresents its true intentions. J Street is working to undermine Israel, its democratically-elected government, and the Israeli publics will. It is nothing more than another anti-Israel pressure group that has blindly adopted the Palestinian narrative. It is therefore high time that J Street remove the letter J from its name, and replace it with the letter P, and admit to its supporters and donors that it is functioning solely to undermine Israel, promote Palestinian interests, and maintain itself. Amb. Alan Baker is Director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center and the head of the Global Law Forum. He participated in the negotiation and drafting of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, as well as agreements and peace treaties with Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. He served as legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Israels ambassador to Canada. Home Mumbai, Jan 11 : Actor Shivin Narang is looking forward to spending this year doing things with greater clarity. The actor says he is more confident because he knows how to go about his journey, personally as well as professionally. "There were so many emotions that we went through, there was a fear because of the pandemic as I have my parents at home and then work was also suffering, this thought 'what will happen next?' was always there. These are some emotions that have helped me grow as a person and as an actor too. So whatever it was I have accepted 2020 as a positive change for me. And in 2021, I am more clear about what I want and how I want," shares the actor, who has been part of shows such as "Ek Veer Ki Ardaas...Veera" and "Beyhadh 2". However, Shivin also doesn't take away the learning that 2020 gave him. "2020 was the year when I learnt a lot of things, like knowing myself better and spending time with myself. Be it 2019 or even before that I was always busy with my shoots, and then last year I got to spend good time with my family and I learnt a lot of things, though they are not big things, they were the ones I have never tried before, and it was an achievement for me," he says. Shivin is currently in talks for a couple of projects. "In 2020 I did not start working because I have parents at home. But in 2021, with the vaccine coming, I have some things on my mind and I will resume work shortly," he said/ A Bexar County Sheriffs Office bailiff is facing termination after he was arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a female family member that was reported in December. Gerard Mamorno, 40, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Sheriff Javier Salazar said the allegations against Mamorno were brought on Dec. 8. Mamorno was placed on administrative leave that day. The girl, who is now 7-years-old and lives in another state, told authorities at her school that she was assaulted by Mamorno in either 2016 or 2017 when she was living in Texas, Salazar said. Let me take this time to commend her for having the courage to come forward and for the authorities she outcried to to get in touch with the right people that she needed to, Salazar said. According to the affidavit, Mamorno immediately requested a meeting with his supervisor when he learned of the allegations and admitted to touching the girl as a medical check. The girl, however, told authorities Mamorno forcibly touched her a second time while the two were sleeping in a hammock together, the affidavit said. On Friday, Salazar said detectives found enough evidence to arrest Mamorno and search his home. He declined to speak with a detective when brought to BCSO headquarters, the sheriff said. In April 2017, Mamorno was rehired to work for the sheriffs office, where he has served off and on for about seven years, Salazar said. Officials said they will serve Mamorno termination papers while he is in jail. Mamorno's bail was set at $85,000. He has since been released from jail, court records show. New India in making, infrastructure to be no less than US, Europe in 5 years: Nitin Gadkari Released PDP leader arrested again in terror related case India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: After he was granted bail by a court of the National Investigation Agency in a terror funding case, PDP youth wing leader, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para was detained again for questioning in a separate terror related case. He was detained by the counter Intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir police. While the exact details of the case is not known, a source tells OneIndia that the FIR is an open one. Several of the PDP chief's (Mehbooba Mufti) relatives have been questioned in the case already. The case was filed after Para was arrested by the NIA, the source also said. PDP leader Waheed Para granted bail in 'terror-link' case by NIA court Earlier the NIA had accused Para of allegedly paying the Hizbul Mujahideen to get the outfit's support ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Para was arrested ahead of the DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the probe relating to suspended DySP Davinder Singh's links to the Hizbul Mujahideen. He was however released on Saturday, following an order of the NIA Court. While Para in his bail application has denied all links to the outfit, the NIA has learnt that the money was paid to Hizbul Mujahideen operative Naveed Babu through Singh. The money was carried in a tiffin box after being collected at the Srinagar airport where Singh was posted, the NIA also found. The NIA in its July 2020 chargesheet said that Singh had been sheltering Hizbul terrorists. He was also accused of aiding and abetting their activities. Singh is alleged to have brought Naveed Babu, Mir Irfan and Rafi Rather from Shopian to Srinagar. They set out to Jammu, from where they were planning on going to New Delhi. However before he could leave, the police arrested him. NIA in July filed a chargesheet against six people, including suspended Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Davinder Singh, for alleged terror activities in the country, officials said. Besides Singh, the chargesheet also names banned Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Naveed Mushtaq alias Naveed Babu as well as the group's alleged overground worker Irfan Shafi Mir and its member Rafi Ahmad Rather. The other two named are Tanveer Ahmad Wani, a trader, and Naveed Babu's brother Syed Irfan Ahmad, officials said. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Singh, who was arrested in January this year, is alleged to have established contact with officials of the Pakistan High Commission through secure social media platforms, officials said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 8:52 [IST] Republican lawmakers who objected to the Electoral College results in favor of President-elect Joe Biden are facing backlash after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, leading to five deaths and dozens of arrests. WCAX reports multiple organizations have called on Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents New Yorks 21st District in the North Country, to resign for her role in the chaos. Protesters also gathered outside her offices Thursday, demanding she give up her House seat. They have the right to those opinions, and they also have the constitutional right to speak out, Stefanik told WCAX. President-Elect Biden was certified, but that debate was important for the American people to hear. Stefanik has been a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump, defending him during the impeachment hearings and repeating his baseless claims of election fraud. She followed through on her promise to object to Biden electors in four states, even after the Capitol insurrection Wednesday forced lawmakers to take refuge and briefly delayed the certification of the election results. The Congresswoman also said she will oppose efforts to impeach Trump and has no intention of resigning. I just went through an election in November, she said. I earned the highest number of votes of any congressional candidate in the history of the North Country. Im going to continue to work my very hardest. Stefanik also condemned the violence in a statement. Americans have a Constitutional right to protest & freedom of speech, but violence in any form is absolutely unacceptable & anti-American, she said Wednesday. My staff & I are safe. We pray that all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, their staff, & all Americans remain safe. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told The Post-Star that the 25th Amendment and impeachment are on the table to remove Trump from office, potentially before Bidens inauguration day. Gillibrand also accused Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, of lying and fueling the beliefs that led to the coup attempt in Washington, D.C. She lacks discipline and understanding of the harm President Trump has caused this country, Gillibrand said. She is complicit. WIVB reports seven members of the Western New York Delegation of the New York State Legislature have similarly signed a letter calling on Rep. Chris Jacobs, who represents NY-27 in Buffalo, to resign. Jacobs also objected to the election results and is refusing to accept any responsibility for the Capitol insurrection. These officials have abandoned their jobs for months while the Governors mismanagement has led to countless nursing home deaths, the shuttering of businesses, and a rise in violent crime rates. Instead of doing their jobs, they have chosen to engage in opportunistic outrage when it politically suits them, a rep for Jacobs said in a statement. Congressman Jacobs is focused on moving forward, healing our nation, and proudly representing the 27th District. They should re-examine their priorities and join him in working to heal our nation, not further divide it. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been among the fiercest critics of Congress members who objected to the election results. If you are a New York federal representative, are you with the mob, or are you with New Yorkers? Thats what I ask you, Cuomo said. If they dont call on Trump to resign then youre complicit, youre part of it, you condoned it, youre with the mob, he added. Other lawmakers who have been denounced back home include Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, and Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas. Stefanik spoke out against violence at the D.C. Capitol on Wednesday, and then continued to object to four electors in the confirmation of Joe Biden. A group outside her office Thursday say those actions help fuel things like Wednesday's turmoil. https://t.co/nxrZUMFg6d NEWS10 ABC (@WTEN) January 7, 2021 in a scathing editorial, the @timesunion (Albany) calls on Elise Stefanik & others who voted to overturn the election to resign.https://t.co/Gp5GowfjY7 pic.twitter.com/06OmWUlsk5 Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) January 7, 2021 ROME - Raul Alcojor, an assistant nurse at a hospital in Madrid, walked 14 km to reach the hospital where he works so his colleagues, exhausted by the Covid emergency and disruption caused by the 'Filomena' storm, could get some rest. And due to the historic snowstorm that paralyzed Madrid, with closed roads and cancelled train connections, Alcojor could only walk to work. ''It was a moral issue, not staying home knowing that colleagues had been working for over 24 hours in a row'', the nurse told radio Cadena Ser, the Guardian reports. Others had the same idea: a nurse said on social media that she walked for 20 km to reach her hospital while two others said they walked some 22 km, publishing a video on social media. A resident doctor walked 17 km to go to work, prompting the Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa to tweet: ''The commitment of healthcare personnel is an example of solidarity and dedication''. Preliminary sales for 2020 at EUR 25.9 million with an unaudited EBITDA of around EUR 6 million Records in volume and transactions in Q4 2020 - Guidance for 2021: Group sales of EUR 50 million EUR 52 million with EBITDA of EUR 13 million - EUR 15 million The NAGA GROUP (XETRA: N4G, ISIN: DE000A161NR7), provider of the social network for financial market trading NAGA.com, recorded in Q4 2020 via its FinTech platform once again new highs in terms of trading volume and the number of real money transactions. Over EUR 40 billion in trading volume and over 1.9 million transactions were processed which marks an increase of more 33% and 20% respectively to the previous quarter. For 2020 preliminary group sales amount to EUR 25.9 million with an unaudited EBITDA of around EUR 6 million. In 2020 NAGA recorded EUR 120 billion in trading volume (2019: EUR 44 billion) and 6.3 million transactions (2019: 2.9 million). The number of active users has more than doubled in the course of the year. Customer deposits were over EUR 50 million, which is also a doubling compared to the previous year. "2020 was definitely a special one for us. We are happy with the overall development of our platform and the business. Our strategy of marketing NAGA globally and focusing on customer support and platform quality has had the first significant effects. We see 2020 as an intermediate step to further strong growth, which is why we decided to invest more in marketing again in Q4 instead of looking at the EBITDA margin only. We are now free of operational legacy from the restructuring and can fully attack in 2021", NAGA CEO Benjamin Bilski comments on the preliminary 2020 figures. Based on the strong development in 2020, the further global expansion and the rising client demand for digital investing and banking products, NAGA provides a sales guidance of EUR 50 - 52 million for 2021 with an EBITDA of EUR 13 million - EUR 15 million. "We started 2021 with the strongest week in our company's history and recorded over 200,000 transactions and EUR 4 billion in trading volume with sales in the seven-digit range. This clearly shows that our strategy of continuing to invest in marketing is paying off more and more. It is essential to build more brand exposure for NAGA and secure further market share. The interest in the capital markets, digital currencies and banking sector is higher than ever and will continue to grow. We are confident that we will be able to expand our business further, and the start in Australia (subject to regulatory approval) will also give us additional power", Bilski comments on the forecasts for 2021. Furthermore, the company announces that it plans to obtain further licensing for the brokerage business but also for the banking business for 2021. "In the light of the strong growth of our Neo-Banking App NAGA Pay, our short-term goal is to build a digital bank parallel to the trading platform," concludes Bilski. ### About NAGA NAGA is an innovative ntech company that has developed a socially enhanced nancial system that creates a unied and seamless experience across personal nance and investing. Its proprietary platform offers a range of products ranging from trading, investing, and cryptocurrencies to a physical Mastercard and social investing features such as a Feed, a Messenger and Auto-Copy. NAGA is a synergistic all-in-one solution that's accessible and inclusive, and that provides a better way to trade, invest, connect, earn, acquire and pay, across both at and crypto. Language: English Company: The NAGA Group AG Hohe Bleichen 12 20354 Hamburg Germany E-mail: info@naga.com Internet: www.naga.com ISIN: DE000A161NR7 WKN: A161NR Indices: Scale 30 Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt (Scale), Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005550/en/ Following last weeks deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, many are wondering whether President Donald Trump should be removed from office for inciting violence. It would be an unprecedented move given that his replacement, President-elect Joe Biden, is due to be inaugurated next week. While some Republicans are unlikely to support Trumps removal from office, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Trump and will continue to push Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to force him out. The Inquirer turned to two scholars with opposing viewpoints to debate: Should Trump be removed from office? Yes: Trump must go. By David French The scene at Capitol Hill on Jan. 6 was surreal. A violent mob, egged on by President Donald Trump, attacked a building that stands as an enduring symbol of Americas constitutional republic. But it was more than that: The mob also attacked two fundamental foundations of that republic: the election of a new president, and the peaceful transfer of power. America has not seen such a hostile takeover since the War of 1812. And what happened wasnt just foreseeable, it was foreseen. The president and many of his supporters have spent the two months since the election claiming it was stolen, relying on outrageous and widely debunked conspiracy theories to bolster their case. Theyve done this while speaking in apocalyptic terms about our nations future. Responsible Republican officials, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, have doggedly rebutted these conspiracy theories and fraud claims. In return, theyve been intimidated and rewarded with death threats. The presidents legal challenges failed across the board, even when made before judges appointed by Trump himself. A toxic stew of presidential lies, tirades by right-wing pundits, and congressional capitulation boiled over last Wednesday. Yet, even then, the president still stoked rage and division. He complained that Vice President Mike Pence failed to do his bidding and hand him the election. He could not call for calm and ask his supporters to disperse without repeating false claims about the election being stolen. In one of the lowest moments that day, he told the rioters who stormed the Capitol, We love you. READ MORE: Sen. Pat Toomey calls on Trump to resign; Chris Christie calls insurrection incitement an impeachable offense The terrible events of last Wednesday made crystal clear something that should have been plainly understood long before now: Trump is dangerous to our peace and security. The founders of this nation had precisely this kind of man in mind when they gave Congress the power to impeach and remove the nations chief executive. The value of impeachment comes not merely in its punishment for past offenses, however much Trump deserves such punishment. It is also a protective measure against further danger. If he wanted, he could still attempt to direct the American military or law enforcement to keep him in power. And he could run again, which threatens to drag this country through yet another violent and divisive drama. Its true that less than two weeks remain in his term. But Americas enemies seek to weaken us and could well look to take advantage of the chaos. The president, addled and unhinged, is in no position to deal with such crises. How would he handle provocation from Russia, Iran, or North Korea? Would he listen to advisers? Would military leaders listen to him? We cant risk finding out. The president, through a spokesman, has committed to an orderly transfer of power. But impeachment would send an important message to future would-be Trumps as well as to the rest of the world. Republicans, especially, have an obligation to break with this man and this behavior for the good of the country, their historic reputations, and for the viability of a party that has shed any claim to grandness. The House should impeach President Trump. The Senate should convict him and disqualify him from holding any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States. READ MORE: Pa. Republicans showed Trumps grip on the party after the attack on the Capitol If those closest to the president in good faith find that he cannot discharge his duties, as all outward indications would suggest, then they have an obligation to act, and they can do so through processes outlined by the 25th Amendment, which permits the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to remove the president if they deem him unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. These measures require political courage, and courage is in short supply. But how much violence and chaos must our nation endure before we understand that cowardice has a cost? Trump has abused his office. He has violated the public trust. And now he has incited a violent attack on the Capitol and Congress. He must be removed. David French is senior editor at TheDispatch.com. He originally wrote this for InsideSources.com. No: Removing Trump now lacks precedent. By Emery McClendon Theres no doubt Jan. 6 will be remembered as a dark day in American history. But was the breaching of the U.S. Capitol by angry Trump supporters grounds for removing the president from office especially when he only has a few days left? President Donald Trump is being blamed for inciting the mob that broke through barriers, destroyed property, and terrorized a joint session of Congress that was certifying the results of the Electoral Colleges presidential vote. Vice President Mike Pence and assembled lawmakers were evacuated to a safe place as Capitol Police attempted to restore order. Protesters refused to stand down, despite eventual pleas from Trump, President-elect Joe Biden, and others. A Capitol police officer and four protesters died; others were arrested or injured. America is deeply divided. This political friction erupted over the disputed claims of a fraudulent and unfair election. The protesters came from a Stop the Steal rally held to draw attention to alleged election improprieties and to show support for Trump. After the insurrection came the finger-pointing. Whos to blame? Should it be attributed to the angry protesters, a biased media, overly partisan lawmakers, the vice president for not intervening, or the president himself for whipping up the protesters? READ MORE: Pelosi says House will impeach Trump unless Pence forces his ouster The push to blame someone for the ruckus now dominates the national discourse. The demand to punish Trump is at a fever pitch. There are calls for the vice president and Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in order to remove the president from office. There are also calls for Congress to impeach Trump again this time for failing to control his supporters and allegedly inciting them to violence. But several questions come to mind. First off, did Trump actually incite the violence? Shouldnt the so-called mob be responsible for their own actions? And does this incident fit the modus operandi of Trump supporters? These are highly relevant questions to ask, especially after a year of violent protests of the Trump administration. In those cases, anti-government organizers were not held responsible for the actions of others despite their own violent rhetoric. Using that precedent, why blame Trump now for the U.S. Capitol protest? And what purpose would be served by booting the president from office right now? David A. Ridenour, president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, denounced the violence, but said it should serve as a lesson about the dangers of intemperate language intended to advance political agendas. Setting up Trumps dismissal would be confirming the deeply held belief of some supporters of the president that his opponents will stop at nothing to remove him from an office. He noted that this will only throw more fuel on the fire. Many of those concerned about election integrity worry that they have no voice, and Ridenour said the objective ought to be to change these perceptions, not confirm them. READ MORE: What The Inquirer's Washington correspondent inside the House chamber as the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol closed in Its clear that other groups have resorted to violent acts to make their point. And there is no evidence of Trump supporters routinely looting or causing mayhem where they have gathered. Under this precedent, it would be unfair to place the blame on Trump. Trump was elected by the American people to serve until Jan. 20. He should be allowed to complete that term. Others in public service have been accused of more serious offenses and have not been removed from office. Trump deserves the same respect and treatment. In spite of the hatred many have for Trump, he leaves an unparalleled legacy that will last for a long time in the hearts and minds of people worldwide. The honorable thing would be to allow him to complete his term. After all, Bill Clinton did! Emery McClendon is a member of the Project 21 Black leadership network. He originally wrote this for InsideSources.com. More than four years after S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson was forced to publicly disavow the rogue actions of one of his longtime deputies, the Lexington Republican finds himself again in similar territory. Wilson insists he had nothing to do with a robocall, sent by the Republican Attorneys General Associations fundraising arm, that encouraged patriots to attend an election protest last Wednesday that turned into a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. His longtime deputy, Adam Piper, resigned his job as the executive director of the RAGA late Monday as the fallout from the call grew. Wilson, who sits on the RAGA's leadership board, helped get Piper that job. Wilson wasnt even aware of the message until a day after the riot and says "there should be consequences" for whoever is responsible, a spokesman for the attorney general said Monday. Piper, meanwhile, dutifully jumped on the grenade, saying RAGA employees sent the message without the approval of Republican attorneys general, including Wilson. "Serving Republican attorneys general has been the honor of a lifetime and honestly a dream job," Piper said in a statement Monday. Wilson previously had to chastise Piper in 2016, when it was revealed his longtime aide had secretly worked to smear a special prosecutor whose Statehouse corruption probe was targeting Wilsons political allies. Now, Pipers group is facing intense scrutiny over the robocall that was sent by RAGAs fundraising arm, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, ahead of the Save America rally. Urged on by President Donald Trump, who asserted the 2020 election had been fraudulently stolen from him, more than 1,000 Trump supporters who attended that rally swarmed the Capitol building, overpowered underprepared police and ransacked the seat of the U.S. government. The mob forced Congress into lockdown and delayed the election certification until later that evening. At least five people, including a policeman, died from the mayhem. The co-chairs of the Democratic Attorneys General Association pinned part of the blame on their Republican counterparts, accusing the GOP group of peddling "conspiracy theories and pandering to President Trumps dangerous lies." "Current and former Republican AGs have been directly involved with efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election, and now the party of so-called law and order played a role in recruiting the domestic terrorists who breached the U.S. Capitol to attack Vice President Mike Pence for doing his Constitutionally mandated job to certify the Electoral College," Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford wrote in a statement. Wilson, who himself supported an unsuccessful lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election results, and other Republican attorneys general have disavowed the groups involvement in the rally. I was completely unaware and had absolutely no involvement in the Republican AG groups participation in the rally, Wilson tweeted over the weekend. I disagree with the staffs decision to be involved and strongly condemn the violence that followed. Other authorities have called for more scrutiny of the message. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the new chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, issued a statement denouncing the violence and insisting that unauthorized decisions had been made by the groups staff in connection with the rally. He pledged to conduct an internal review, according to AL.com reports. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! In response, the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund called for an independent investigation into the matter by the Alabama Ethics Commission and Alabama State Bar, AL.com reported. State lawmakers in Texas and Nebraska have also demanded accountings of the involvement of their attorneys general in the event, while Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, RAGAs chairman, disavowed any advance knowledge of the robocall. Some of those officials, like Wilson, are now distancing themselves from election protests they supported not long ago. Last month, Wilson joined an unsuccessful legal effort by the Republican attorney general of Texas to challenge the presidential election results in four battleground states, an attempt that would have overturned Democrat Joe Bidens defeat of Trump. But Monday, spokesman Robert Kittle said Wilson believes Biden is the lawful winner of the election. "While there were allegations of election fraud, as far as the Attorney General knows there has been no evidence presented in court to substantiate those allegations," Kittle said. "Attorney General Wilson strongly supports everyones First Amendment right to peacefully assemble, but strongly condemns the violence at the U.S. Capitol and thinks those who broke the law should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible." Piper, Wilsons former aide, is known in Republican circles as a loyal party die-hard who will go great lengths to support his candidates. In a statement Monday, Marshall said Piper "will be sorely missed" and that "every decision Adam made on behalf of (the Rule of Law Defense Fund) was with the best of intentions and with the organization's best interests in mind." But Piper's hard-charging tendencies have led him to trouble before. In 2016, toward the end of his seven-year stint under Wilson in the Attorney Generals Office, Piper sought to smear the Democratic special prosecutor whose Statehouse corruption probe was targeting Wilsons Republican allies. In text messages and emails later obtained by The Post and Courier, Piper unsuccessfully tried to recruit state Republican Party chairman Matt Moore to help him discredit prosecutor David Pascoe as a Democratic stooge. At the time, Pascoes investigation was zeroing in on Richard Quinn, an influential Republican consultant who had advised Wilson for years. Piper also had worked for Quinns political firm, which kept him on the payroll even as he worked in Wilsons office. Wilson, who unsuccessfully sought to kick Pascoe off the investigation, publicly stated he had no knowledge of Piper's plot and asked his aide to refrain from such efforts in the future. Wilsons run-in with Pascoe and his proximity to the Statehouse corruption probe was thought to have stunted his political climb, closing any doors to a run for governor. Ultimately, the son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson ran for a third term as attorney general in 2018 and cruised to re-election. Wilsons ties to the group that funded last weeks robocall wont look good on a campaign mailer, but they likely wont be too damaging in future campaigns, S.C. political operatives said. It wont be the political dynamite that some people think it is, longtime GOP consultant Katon Dawson said. Glenn Smith contributed to this report. Representative image | Source: Pixabay The Nifty50 closed at a record high yet again on January 11, as the momentum remained strong with an improved outlook for December quarter earnings along with positive global cues. IT, FMCG, auto and pharma stocks led the rally. The Nifty50 opened gap up by more than 100 points at 14,474.05. It witnessed some volatility in the morning but gained strength in the afternoon to hit a fresh intraday record high of 14,498.20. It closed at 14,484.80, up 137.50 points. The index formed a small bullish candle which resembled the Dragon Fly Doji pattern on the daily chart. A Dragonfly Doji pattern signals indecision among traders but also points to the bulls managing to bring the index close to the opening level. The index has to clear the immediate hurdle of 14,500, the record high touched on January 11, for the bullish sentiment to continue. Traders should avoid trading in the index for the day, Mazhar Mohammad, Chief StrategistTechnical Research & Trading Advisory at Chartviewindia.in told Moneycontrol. The volatility increased further to 22.38 levels, up by 8.44 percent from 20.64 on January 8. It needs to cool down below 20 to support a bullish market setup, experts say. "The bulls appear to have failed in capitalising on a strong gap-up opening as no incremental gains were witnessed during the entire session after the opening tick, which resulted in a Dragon Fly Doji kind of formation. This kind of pattern is usually seen around potential market turning points hinting at a balance of power between the bulls and the bears at the top," Mohammad said. Moreover, "the significance of this formation in today's session stems from the fact that advance-decline ratio since the first hour of the trading decisively started favouring the bears, hinting at profit booking in the broader markets," he said. If the index trades below the day's bullish gap zone of 14,383-14,367 in the next session, then it can see profit-booking, he said. If the Nifty closes below 14,367, then the correction can be higher towards 14,167. But if the bulls manage to push the index beyond 14,500, then the upswing can expand towards 14,750, Mohammad said. On the options front, maximum Put open interest was seen at 14,000 followed by 13,000 strike, while maximum Call open interest was at 15,000 followed by 14,000 strike. Minor Call writing was seen at 15,000 then 14,700 strike, while Put writing was seen at 14,000 then 14,400 strike. The options data indicates that the Nifty could see an immediate trading range of 14,300-14,600. The Bank Nifty opened gap-up at 32,280.30 but could not sustain at higher zones and remained quite choppy with some selling pressure for the most part of the session. It moved in a range and closed with losses of 85.30 points at 31,998.90, forming a bearish candle on the daily scale. "The index has to continue to hold above 31,750 levels to witness an up move towards 32,500 and 32,613, while on the downside, support is seen at 31,500 and 31,200 levels," Chandan Taparia, Vice President | Analyst-Derivatives at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said. Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Positive setup was seen in Tata Motors, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Wipro, HDFC, Lupin, Tata Consumer, Ashok Leyland, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, Tech Mahindra, MRF, Cipla, Colgate Palmolive, McDowell and Biocon. Weakness was seen in Shriram Transport Finance, Indiabulls Housing Finance, RBL Bank, M&M Financial, Bajaj Finance, Reliance Industries, PNB, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Canara Bank and InterGlobe Aviation, he added. (Photo : Screenshot From AR MR XR YouTube) Lenovo Announces New ThinkReality A3 Smart Glasses: Availability, Price, Specs, and Etc. Lenovo has recently launched its brand new ThinkReality device for the CES 2021. The company has even stated that this is supposedly one of the company's most advanced as well as one of its most versatile smart glasses for the enterprise customers. This manufacturer is now presenting the new AR Glasses 'ThinkReality A3' as a new pair of smart glasses that could be used for certain applications like certain 3D visualizations and even augmented reality guided workflows at a certain time when the world is now looking towards adopting new technologies for its smart collaboration. Lenovo AR Glasses: ThinkReality A3 capabilities Quite unlike the very first ThinkReality model known as the ThinkReality A6, which now looks like the typical mixed reality headset, this is known as one that fits more like a normal pair of (chunky) sunglasses. Certain companies cannot modify it along with Lenovo's new industrial frame options, though, in order to make it much more durable or even safer. According to the report by Engadget, the new ThinkReality A3 is said to be powered by a pretty powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 SoC for the virtual and the mixed reality headsets. These particular smart glasses are capable of showing up to five different virtual 1080p displays and are even equipped with an 8-megapixel camera capable of providing the 1080p video. This also comes along with the dual fish-eye cameras for the room-scale tracking. ThinkReality A3 smart glasses specs The headset is said to still need to be connected towards either a PC or even a Motorola smartphone that is powered by a certain Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series processor or better through the use of a USB-C in order for it to work. As expected the known PC edition will be using the Windows software applications and tools. Meanwhile the ThinkReality A3 Industrial Edition now relies on Motorola's new ThinkReality software platform in order to provide hands-free AR tasks. Lenovo now envisions a number of applications for this headset across different industries and even believes that it can be used wherever privacy and space are limited. There aren't Read Also: How to Switch from HomePod to HomePod to Avoid Confusion with Two or More Devices ThinkReality smart glasses availability This particular ThinkReality A3 can also be used in certain factories, retail locations, laboratories, and even hospitality space, for instance. Since this particular smart glasses is meant for enterprise use only, Lenovo did not release a certain consumer price point, but it supposedly announced that the new A3 will be available in only a selected number of markets worldwide all starting mid-2021. XDA-developers also specifically notes that it will only be available for specific markets worldwide while also expressing that it is important to understand that these particular smart glasses are actually meant for official enterprise customers and not really for those retail users. However, it remains to be see if Lenovo does plan to potentially release either this or a better form of AR smart glasses for a retail market in the future. Related Article: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 5000 Series Could Run on 16 Cores: Is the New HEDT CPUs with New Zen 3 Architecture Overkill? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian Buenconsejo 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. CAIRO The latest round of negotiations brokered by the African Union on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia has ended with another failure. The dispute resurfaced over the role of experts and observers representing the AU and the World Bank and their role in facilitating the dialogue and resolving the dispute over technical and legal issues. The ministers of foreign affairs and water for Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia met Jan. 10 during the last round of negotiations led by South Africa, the current AU chair, in a bid to reach a binding legal agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam, based on the recommendations of the AU Commission that convened several times in 2020. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained the reason behind the failure of the latest meeting in a Jan. 10 statement on Facebook. Sudan insists on mandating experts appointed by the AU Commission to propose solutions to the controversial issues and to elaborate the GERD agreement. Egypt and Ethiopia have reservations about this proposal, due to the right of the three countries to formulate the texts and provisions of the agreement for the filling and operation of the dam. The AU experts are not specialists in the technical and engineering fields related to the management of water resources and the operation of dams. The ministry did not name any measures that Egypt will take, saying only that the South African minister of foreign affairs, who spearheaded the meeting on behalf of the AU, will submit a report to the president of South Africa and look into the what can be done. Sudans Minister of Water Resources Yasser Abbas expressed Sudan's strict stance in this round of negotiations in statements to the Sudanese News Agency after the meeting ended. He said, We called for changing the negotiation mechanism and widening the role of experts to enable them to play a key role in facilitating the negotiations. We cannot continue this vicious cycle of endless discussions regarding the direct threat the GERD poses to the Roseires Dam, which has a storage capacity of less than 10% of the GERD capacity, if the operation and filling proceed without an agreement and daily exchange of information. Sudan submitted a strongly worded note to Ethiopia and the AU in protest against the Ethiopian minister of irrigation's letter to the AU, Sudan and Egypt Jan. 8 announcing his countrys resolve to continue filling the dam to a second target in July at a rate of 13.5 billion cubic meters, with or without an agreement. The Ethiopian minister wrote that Ethiopia does not have to notify or or exchange information with the downstream countries prior to filling and operating the dam. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement issued after the Jan. 10 meeting blamed Sudan for the failure of the talks, but asserted that Ethiopia is heeding the Sudanese concerns regarding security, exchange of information and other technical matters. The statement added, Ethiopia took the initiative to immediately establish an effective and reciprocal data exchange mechanism. The calm tone of the Ethiopian Foreign Ministrys statement stands in contrast to the strict stance Addis Ababa had taken at the onset of the round of negotiations on Jan. 3. It had asserted that it would not accept any agreement regarding the GERD without a comprehensive water treaty in the Blue Nile to change the unjust status quo and that it would not accept any agreement that would undermine its right to use that water. The latest round of negotiations comes as part of the meetings held at the level of presidents and ministers of water and foreign affairs under AU brokerage launched six months ago. Egypt had referred the GERD dispute to the UN Security Council in June 2020, and it was agreed that dialogue would resume under the AU. The current meeting took place amid an escalation between Khartoum and Addis Ababa. There is a border dispute in Al-Fashqa region, which is part of Al-Qadaref state in eastern Sudan. The situation almost reached war between the two countries when the Sudanese army intervened on Dec. 26 and liberated it from the Ethiopian farmers who had occupied it with the help of Ethiopian militias for years. Egyptian observers believe that the strict Sudanese stance during the latest round of talks will not appease Egypt and note the unlikely prospects for coordinating on joint positions, evidenced by the difference in opinion between the Egyptian and Sudanese technical and political delegations during the talks. Hani Raslan, a specialist on African affairs and the Nile Basin at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor, The Sudanese position appears to be tough, but what it is proposing is not the appropriate means to reach a solution. It is also insisting on giving a greater role to AU experts in resolving the dispute between the three countries, as these experts are not specialists in water and dam matters. Raslan added, The main problem lies in the Ethiopian intransigence and the lack of political intention to sign any binding agreement. Raslan said, South Africa must now take a firm stand through the AU against Ethiopia or declare the AUs failure to reach a solution. But these options are unlikely due to South Africas collusion with Ethiopia and support for its stances since the beginning of the negotiations. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will assume the presidency of the AU in its next session at the beginning of February. The DRC, an upstream country, has supported Cairo in negotiations on managing the Nile water. It was the only upstream country that did not sign the Entebbe agreement, which Egypt and Sudan rejected for not protecting their historical rights to the Nile waters. Raslan said, The DRCs presidency of the AU might be better to some extent, at least in holding a party accountable for the failure of negotiations. He added, The AUs mediation is bound to fail due to the structural imbalance, which showed that the slogan of African solutions is a tool to waste time, stall and exploit the AU to serve political interests. Rawiya Toufic, a professor at the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences at the University of Cairo, told Al-Monitor that the change in Sudan will not alter the nature of the dispute and the complicated track of negotiations. She said, The Sudanese stance is not enough to change the Ethiopian perspective. The Sudanese statements varied in intensity and concern toward the unilateral Ethiopian behavior, but the gist of its stance did not change much. She noted, Egypt and Sudan agree that there should be a binding legal agreement including clear rules to solve the current and future disputes over the dam. Ethiopia, however, is still stalling, while no middle ground exists. Either Ethiopia agrees to have a binding agreement or no agreement will be reached at all. We cannot bank much on the change of the AU presidency, as it is not an influential factor. Tensions between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia continue, and the prospects of achieving progress at the annual African Union summit in February remain bleak. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 74F. SW winds shifting to NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a dying cell (blue) heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 (yellow), the virus that causes COVID-19. Credit: NIAID Integrated Research Facility, Fort Detrick, Maryland. Seeking to understand why COVID-19 is able to suppress the body's immune response, new research from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that mitochondria are one of the first lines of defense against COVID-19 and identifies key differences in how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, affects mitochondrial genes when compared to other viruses. These differences offer possible explanations as to why older adults and people with metabolic disfunction have more severe responses to COVID-19 than other individuals and they also provide a starting point for more targeted approaches that may help identify therapeutics, says senior author Pinchas Cohen, professor of gerontology, medicine and biological sciences and dean of the USC Leonard Davis School. "If you already have mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction, then you may, as a result, have a poor first line of defense against COVID-19. Future work should consider mitochondrial biology as a primary intervention target for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses," he said. The study, published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, expands on recent findings that COVID-19 mutes the body's innate inflammatory response and reports that it does so by diverting mitochondrial genes from their normal function. "We already knew that our immune response was not mounting a successful defense to COVID-19, but we didn't know why," said lead author Brendan Miller, a senior doctoral student at the USC Leonard Davis School. "What we did differently was look at how the virus specifically targets mitochondria, a cellular organelle that is a crucial part of the body's innate immune system and energy production." Making use of the vast amounts of public data being uploaded in the early days of the virus outbreak, the research team performed RNA sequencing analyses that compared mitochondrial-COVID interactions to those of other viruses: respiratory syncytial virus, seasonal influenza A virus, and human parainfluenza virus 3. These reanalyses identified three ways in which COVID-19, but not the other viruses, mutes the body's cellular protective response. Chief among their findings is that SARS-CoV-2 uniquely reduces the levels of a group of mitochondrial proteins, known as Complex One, that are encoded by nuclear DNA. It is possible that this effect "quiets" the cell's metabolic output and reactive oxygen species generation, that when functioning correctly, produces an inflammatory response that can kill a virus, they say. "COVID-19 is reprogramming the cell to not make these Complex One-related proteins. That could be one way the virus continues to propagate," says Miller, who notes that this, along with the study's other observations, still needs to be validated in future experiments. The study also revealed that SARS-CoV-2 does not change the levels of the messenger protein, MAVS mRNA, that usually tells the cell a viral attack has happened. Normally, when this protein gets activated it functions as an alarm system, warning the cell to self-destruct so that the virus cannot replicate, says Miller. In addition, the researchers found that genes encoded by the mitochondria were not being turned on or off by SARS-CoV-2a process that is believed to produce energy that can help the cell evade a virusat rates to be expected when confronted with a virus. "This study adds to a growing body of research on mitochondrial-COVID interactions and presents tissue and cell-specific effects that should be carefully considered in future experiments," said Cohen. Explore further Uracil switch in SARS-CoV-2 genome alters innate immune responses More information: Brendan Miller et al, Host mitochondrial transcriptome response to SARS-CoV-2 in multiple cell models and clinical samples, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Brendan Miller et al, Host mitochondrial transcriptome response to SARS-CoV-2 in multiple cell models and clinical samples,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79552-z 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. 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 and the US are negotiating on a wide range of trade concerns, including greater access to the Indian market for American agricultural products, potentially in exchange for America restoring New Delhi's status under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), according to a Congressional report. President Donald Trump in 2019 terminated India's designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the key GSP trade programme after determining that it has not assured the US that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to its markets. The United States and India are negotiating on a wide range of trade concerns, including greater access to the Indian market for US agricultural products, potentially in exchange for US restoration of India's eligibility under GSP. The current status of the negotiations has not been disclosed, the latest report by independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) said. Reports of the CRS are not an official report of the US Congress. Its subject matter experts prepare reports on various issues for the American lawmakers to make informed decisions. The comment on India is mentioned in the Major Agricultural Trade Issues in the 117th Congress dated January 8. In September last year, the enacted three laws intended, in part, to help integrate Indian agriculture into the global market. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in September said most issues preventing a limited trade deal between India and the United States have been resolved and an agreement could be signed anytime the political situation in the US allows it. India is seeking exemption from high duties imposed by the US on some steel and aluminium products, resumption of export benefits to certain domestic products under the GSP, and greater market access for its products from sectors such as agriculture, automobile,automobile components and engineering. On the other hand, the US wants greater market access for its farm and manufacturing products, dairy items and medical devices, apart from cut in import duties on some information and communication technology products. Noting that the United States and India view one another as important strategic partners to advance common interests regionally and globally, the CRS report said given the rapid growth in population and income among a large segment of the population, demand for higher-value food products such as fruits, nuts, dairy products, and other livestock products is growing among Indian consumers. While India is among the world's largest producers and consumers of a range of crop and livestock commodities, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that India will continue to be an important importer of dairy products, vegetable oils, pulses, tree nuts, and fruit and that it will continue to be a major exporter of rice, cotton, and buffalo meat. Observing that US-India trade negotiations follow a period of trade tensions, the CRS said in March 2018, the United States levied additional tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from India. India responded by identifying certain US food products for retaliatory tariffs but did not levy them until June 16, 2019, after the United States terminated preferential treatment for India under the GSP. India's retaliatory tariffs range from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on imports of US chickpeas, shelled almonds, walnuts, apples, and lentils. Both countries' tariffs and India's GSP status are likely issues in the ongoing negotiations, it said. Agricultural exports from the US to India have increased since 2015, reaching USD 1.6 billion in 2019. The US in the same year imported agricultural products valued at USD 2.6 billion from India. The CRS said that India maintains high tariffs on many products for example, 60 per cent on flowers, 100 per cent on raisins, and 150 per cent on alcoholic beverages. Some Members of Congress have requested that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) seek to reduce the current 36 per cent tariffs faced by US pecans. Since 2017, a system of annual import quotas on pulses has restricted US exports of pulses to India. Export of wheat and barley to India are currently restricted due to its zero-tolerance standard for certain pests and weeds, and restrictions also exist on imports of livestock genetic material, it said. In its report, the CSR informed lawmakers that USTR may continue challenging India's domestic support for agriculture at upcoming WTO Committee on Agriculture (COA) meetings and, if necessary, could pursue these concerns through WTO's dispute settlement mechanism. India's domestic support for agriculture could be an issue during US-India trade negotiations or during the discussions related to WTO reform on agriculture. (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 student has revealed how she fell in love with an online tutor 27 years older than her after discovering his videos on YouTube - even though she admits it has 'damaged' her relationship with her parents. German psychology student Jana Leonhardt, 21, from Jena, Thuringia, wasn't searching for love when she stumbled across 48-year-old philosophy teacher, Peter Heinrich's YouTube channel, three-and-a-half years ago. Jana was 18 when she watched one of Peter's videos and decided to email him after realising she was attracted to him. The pair were soon communicating constantly, and when they met in person for the first time in December 2017, it was love at first sight. However, their love has not been without its issues, with Jana admitting that it's put a strain on her relationship with her parents, while Peter's family refuse to see them as a couple. German psychology student Jana Leonhardt, 21, from Jena, Thuringia, wasn't searching for love when she stumbled across 48-year-old philosophy teacher, Peter Heinrich's YouTube channel, three-and-a-half years ago After messaging each other for three months, Peter asked Jana to FaceTime so they could have a more in-depth conversations, and fell in love at first sighte when they met in person in December 2017 The couple started talking about philosophy, but their conversation soon led to a blossoming romance When Jana first contacted Peter, she told him a little bit about herself and said that she would love to talk to him about philosophy. Within hours, Peter responded to Jana's email, telling her about his personal background and his views on philosophy and they both realised they had a lot in common. After messaging each other for three months, Peter asked Jana to FaceTime so they could have a more in-depth conversation. Although Jana was hesitant, due to being shy, her interest in him took over, as she had a strong desire to get to know him even more. They talked for hours and the two decided that it was finally time to meet up in person. Peter - who lives in Frankfurt - drove just under 250 miles to Jana's hometown to meet her for the first time in December 2017 Jana first came across Peter when she found his educational videos on YouTube when she was 18-years-old Peter - who lives in Frankfurt, Germany - drove just under 250 miles to Jana's hometown to meet her for the first time in December 2017, where they both experienced love-at-first sight. Although Jana knew she wanted to be in a relationship with him there and then, Peter wasn't so sure, due to the 27-year age difference. Within two years of them casually dating, Peter decided that he couldn't hold back his feelings any longer and asked Jana to be his girlfriend. Although their parents and friends didn't support them in the beginning, they have learnt to accept their loving relationship. When the couple first began emailing each other, there was a 250-mile gap between them so they conversed on video call Jana and Peter pictured sharing a kiss. The couple claim they have never argued because they put a high value on communication, due to being in a long distance relationship Jana believes that age gap relationships shouldn't come with so much negativity from others and says that happiness is all that matters. They have since started an Instagram page, @30chronia, together, spreading their message that love doesn't have an age limit. 'I had never dreamed of being with an older man, especially at eighteen-years-old. I was focused on my education and didn't have time to think about relationships,' said Jana. 'I was hoping to study either philosophy or psychology at university, as I had a strong interest in both topics. Because of this, I spent most of my free time watching educational videos on YouTube, when I stumbled across one in my suggestions with a really interesting title. Within two years of them casually dating, Peter decided that he couldn't hold back his feelings any longer and asked Jana to be his girlfriend Jana and Peter enjoying a day out together. The student said that she can't imagine her life without her 'soulmate' by her side, and advises anyone considering an age gap relationship to keep an open mind 'I began watching the video, when I realised I had started to zone out of what was being said and was focusing on how nice the man in the video came across and how dreamy his voice was. 'I had never felt a feeling like this before - which was when I realised I really liked him. Infatuation took over and I decided to email him, telling him a little bit about myself and my interest within philosophy. 'I received an email from him only a few hours later - I couldn't believe it. As I read his email with a huge smile on my face, I noticed that we had a lot in common and that we shared the same views on a lot of topics. 'We began emailing back and forth every day for around three months, when Peter asked to speak to me over FaceTime, as he wanted to hear my voice. I was nervous, but I really wanted to speak to him properly too. The couple would speak for hours into the night before they eventually suggested meeting in person 'I thought it would have been awkward, but it couldn't have been easier talking to him. We spoke for hours into the night, where we eventually suggested meeting up in person. 'I knew my parents wouldn't approve of me meeting up with someone much older, so I asked him to visit me in my hometown, even though I lived nearly two-hundred-and-fifty-miles away from him. 'We met about four weeks after that video call and as soon as he approached me, my heart dropped. I felt love at first sight, and within a few hours of us talking and walking around the city, we kissed. 'Even though we both fell in love with each other there and then, we still checked to make sure both of us were comfortable with the situation, and we agreed to meet up a few more times to make sure it was right. 'Although I didn't care what anybody else thought, Peter wasn't too sure and the age gap caused him to feel insecure. 'We kept talking and meeting up every now and again, but we kept our love a secret from everyone, which was difficult, as I had to keep lying to my parents about where I was going and who I was talking to, which was hard for me.' After two years, Peter finally realised that he couldn't hold back his feelings any longer and asked Jana to be his girlfriend. 'After I moved out last year to go to university, Peter and I began seeing each other a lot more and this was when I told my parents and friends about him. Although my friends were completely supportive, my parents rejected our relationship completely,' said Jana. Jana and Peter together on an outing. Peter tried to fight back his feelings for Jana because she was so much younger than him, but couldn't fight love A picture of Peter shows what he looked like when he was younger. The couple said 'love doesn't have an age' 'I think my relationship has damaged mine with my parents, and Peter's parents refuse to see us together - but we're not going to give up on love just because of what they and others think. 'Although we have our struggles with living so far apart, we have both grown personally within our relationship and we have so much fun together. He makes me feel on top of the world. 'We have never had an argument, because we know that communication is so important, especially within a long distance relationship and I really feel like I have met my soulmate. 'I would encourage anyone in an age gap relationship to be open with everyone about it - don't hide it and be honest. Even if some people won't accept it, it doesn't matter what they think, as the most important thing is that you are both happy. 'Love doesn't have an age, nor does happiness and I couldn't picture life without my soulmate by my side.' 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. Managing Editor Rebecca Huntington has worked for newspapers across the West. She hosts a rescue podcast, The Fine Line. Her family minivan doubles as her not-so-high-tech recording studio. VIRGINIA Authorities have identified two women who died Sunday in a shooting at a Virginia residence. Kathleen G. Wzientek, 68, and Brenda G. Crum, 64, died at the scene, according to the Cass County Sheriffs Department. Deputies were called to 140 S. East St. about 1 p.m. Sunday for a report of a shooting. A man was found injured. His identity was not being released Monday afternoon. Robert D. Harris, 71, of Virginia was arrested by Illinois Conservation Police in rural Morgan County late Sunday. He is being held in the Morgan County jail awaiting formal charges by the Cass County States Attorneys Office. The shooting remains under investigation by Illinois State Police and Cass County Sheriffs Department with assistance from Illinois Conservation Police, Beardstown Police and Virginia Police. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met on Sunday evening visiting First Vice Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea (ROK) Choi Jong Kun, and demanded release of Iran's foreign exchange assets frozen in the ROK. "For about two and a half years, South Korean banks have illegally frozen Iran's foreign exchange assets, citing fear of the United States' sanctions," Araqchi said during the meeting, official news agency IRNA reported. The ROK's course of action has no other reason than "submission" to Washington's "extortionist policies" and is "not acceptable," he added. Pointing to several unfruitful rounds of negotiations recently held between the two countries, Araqchi said Iran believes its assets have been frozen "more due to lack of political will on the part of the South Korean government than Washington's iniquitous sanctions." The Iranian diplomat urged the ROK to find a mechanism to solve the issue, noting it is the first priority in the relations between the two countries. In response to a request for help from Choi regarding the seizure of the ROK's oil tanker Hankuk Chemi in the Gulf on Jan. 4, Araqchi said it is only a technical matter related to environmental pollution, and the judicial process has already begun. For his part, Choi said his journey to Iran is a sign that the ROK attaches importance to the Iranian assets issue. The ROK intends to restore trust in bilateral relations in 2021 by resolving the problems existing between the two countries, he said. Choi arrived in Iran's capital Tehran on Sunday. Star Air. (PC-Facebook) Star Air on Monday launched flights between Kalaburagi in Karnataka and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme UDAN, the Civil Aviation Ministry said. "Star Air was awarded the Kalaburagi-Tirupati route under the RCS-UDAN-3 bidding process last year," the ministry's statement noted. The airline will be operating three weekly flights on the route and will deploy its 50-seater Embraer-145 aircraft, it added. Under the UDAN scheme, financial incentives from the Centre, state governments and airport operators are extended to selected airlines to encourage operations from unserved and underserved airports, and keep airfares affordable. Air Taxi, India's newest airline, gets permit to start operations A total of 305 routes and 53 airports including five heliports and two water aerodromes have been operationalised till date under this scheme, the ministry said. Triggered by a popular uprise against the previous government, a populist politician and convicted kidnapper won via a landslide victory on Sunday in a snap presidential election in Kyrgyzstan. According to the central electoral commission of the country, the landslide victory winner of the presidential election, Sadyr Japarov, got 80 percent of the vote. In addition, more than 80 of the voters also supported the proposal made by Japarov to redistribute political power away from Parliament into the hands of the president. Convicted for Kidnapping a Governor The 52-year-old, Japarov, was still in jail in September, as he is still serving a long term for orchestrating the kidnapping of a provincial governor, but it is a charge that he denounced as politically motivated. However, a violent upheaval that erupted in October of 2020 over a disputed parliamentary election sprung Mr. Japarov from a prison cell to the seat of the prime minister. He assumed the interim presidency a few days later before resigning to run for the said office. The main investigative body of the country canceled right away the conviction of the now Kyrgyzstan president, Japarov, The New York Times reported. Criticized by his detractors as a corrupt nationalist with links to organized crime, Japarov tried to consolidated society behind his campaign. As of late Sunday, reports of voting irregularities scattered, and at the time the election authorities mentioned that the turnout was estimated at 39 percent. During a news conference on Sunday night in the capital, Bishkek shared that Kyrgyzstan needs political stability now most of all. The Kyrgyzstan President also shared during the news conference, that he calls on opponents to unite and the minority should submit to the majority. Read also: Trump Orders US Flags Lowered to Honor Police Officers Who Died in the Capitol Riot The landslide victory winner also added that he came to power during challenging times as there is a crisis everywhere, The Associated Press reported. A Central Asia expert based in Moscow, Arkady Dubnov described Japarov as a populist Robin Hood figure who came to power on the promise of giving the public a quickie relief. When he spoke on Sunday to a Russian radio station, Ekho Moskvy, Dubnov emphasized that more upheaval was inevitable in Kyrgyzstan. The Central Asia expert also shared that the way how the whole system of power in Kyrgyzstan was whipped and uprooted in just 48 hours shows the instability of the government institutions in the country. A landlocked former Soviet republic and home of 6.3 million individuals, Kyrgyzstan has suffered recurrent political strife as three of its presidents, which includes the current Kyrgyzstan president Japarov, and its predecessor Sooronbay Jeenbekov, have been toppled in violent revolts since the independence of the country from Moscow in 1991, AFP reported via MSN. During the most recent political turmoil, protesters have captured the main government building that houses Parliament and the offices of the president. Triggered by credible allegations of widespread vote-buying in the parliament election last fall, a violent mob stormed through the infrastructure which left piles of debris behind. After the said protests, the Russian President, Vladimir v. Putin shared that the main problem of the country, Kyrgyzstan, was that its elites were trying to fit their domestic policy into the mold of a number of Western countries. Related article: Kamala Harris Faces Online Backlash Following Controversial Vogue Cover @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Victoria has gone six days without a local case of coronavirus as thousands of residents trapped interstate battle to apply for Daniel Andrews' border permits. The state recorded zero infections on Tuesday morning after 18,139 tests were recorded. There are just 38 active Covid-19 infections across Victoria. Victorian expanded its 'traffic light' scheme to the whole of Australia on Monday, designating regions as green, orange or red zones based on their coronavirus risk. Regional NSW is classified orange and Greater Sydney and Greater Brisbane are still red no-go zones. Victoria has gone six days without a locally-acquired case of coronavirus as thousands of residents trapped interstate battle to apply for Premier Daniel Andrews' border permits. Pictured: Police check vehicles on January 1 The latest data comes as the Victorian government expanded its 'traffic light' scheme to the whole of Australia on Monday, designating regions as green, orange or red zones based on their coronavirus risk profile But the Victorian Government website crashed just minutes after the new measure came into place due to a technical glitch. The permit system wasn't available on the Services Victoria website until about 8.55pm - despite the border changes coming into effect at 6pm. 'Service Vic and DHHS are very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience,' the health department tweeted after the page went live. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton also took to social media to deny reports the nearly three-hour delay stemmed from the new public health directions not being signed on time. Service Victoria said its staff and DHHS worked as quickly as possible to get the permit system up and running as they draft directions but 'experienced some technical issues'. Apart from Victorian-NSW border community residents, anyone arriving in Victoria from 6pm without a permit faced a $4957 fine. The permit system wasn't available on the Services Victoria website until about 8.55pm - despite the border changes coming into effect at 6pm. 'Service Vic and DHHS are very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience,' the health department tweeted after the page went live Mr Andrews said the permit system will remain in place for as long as the state of emergency lasts, with Victorians embarking on interstate travel told to be aware their plans could change The new system allows Victorians stranded in regional NSW to return, but the state still remains off-limits for those in Sydney and Brisbane. Travellers from regional NSW in hotel quarantine are now only permitted to leave quarantine if they have tested negative. More than 4,000 exemption applications have been lodged by Victorians after the sudden border closure to NSW on New Year's Day. Those still in the area who haven't been in a red zone over the last 14 days will now only need a permit, and must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result if granted one. Mr Andrews said the permit system will remain in place for as long as the state of emergency lasts, with Victorians embarking on interstate travel told to be aware their plans may have to change last minute. Passengers arriving from Sydney are tested for COVID-19 at Melbourne Airport on December 20 Its decision time for dozens of school districts across the state that set the week of Jan. 18 as the time to return to in-person or hybrid learning. Most said they wanted to give a two-week period after the holidays for the dust to settle on any COVID-19 infections that transpired through holiday travel or gatherings. Gov. Phil Murphy said during a coronavirus briefing Monday that 339 districts are starting 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 and remote instruction (down from 362). As coronavirus numbers continue to swell in certain parts of the state, some districts are rethinking going back even a week from now. School officials from about 60 districts scheduled to return Jan. 18 and 19 are looking at COVID-19 data from their towns and counties and consulting with local health officials to determine if its safe to fill desks and classrooms. Newton, Milltown and Bogota will be making their decision next week. Woodbridge, Old Bridge, Vineland, Palisades Park and North Arlington have already extended their remote learning period. No one wants to be the first school where somebody gets really sick, said Bogota Superintendent Damian Kennedy. In his district, which has about 1,250 students, they havent seen student-to-student transmission. But we have had students in the classroom who then tested positive that night, he said. When the district sends out letters alerting parents to new cases or that groups of students and staff have to quarantine, few parents send their children to school the next day. There have been days where our high school had 25 kids and it should be over 250 in the hybrid model, Kennedy said. Vineland announced Friday, along with Woodbridge, that it wouldnt return as expected the week of Martin Luther King, Jr.s birthday. Vineland, which has about 10,700 students in 15 schools, is staying remote until Feb. 16. The districts decision was ultimately based on our areas status moving from the high risk to very high-risk category, said Gianina Messore, a spokesperson for the school system. As always, the safety of our staff and students is paramount and we felt extending the all-virtual instruction was in their best interests. North Arlington is staying remote until Feb. 26. Palisades Park will be remote through Jan. 29. And Woodbridge announced Friday it will be virtual until March 1. An average of 8.6 students and 4.8 faculty and staff in Woodbridge are testing positive each day, according to the most recent five-day average. Those figures are up from 2.4 and 0.4 in October, according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Zega. Not everyone is reversing course, though. Sparta is ready to go back to hybrid learning on Jan. 19. It has been a challenge to balance the instructional needs of our students with the health and safety of our learning community, said Interim Superintendent Patrick McQueeney. However, our staff has been tremendous in overcoming obstacles and providing solutions that focus on the growth of our students in an ever-changing instructional environment. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. The coronavirus vaccine distribution site in Paterson had 110 doses out of its initial shipment of 1,600 remaining on Monday morning. An hour after opening, the health department ran out. We are administering the vaccine on demand, and people are coming from many different places. I dont want (doses) sitting on the shelf if theres a demand for the vaccine, said Paterson health officer Dr. Paul Persaud. We dont want to run out. We dont want to stop, (but) we have to stop for two days now. The city began administering the Moderna shots on Dec. 28 to healthcare workers, police and firemen at the International High School on Grand Street. (Those getting the shot must bring an insurance card and their job ID). After using all of the doses, the health department contacted the state and is awaiting a second shipment of 2,000 more. They expect to reopen on Wednesday morning. The city isnt alone in seeing demand for the vaccine that is higher than the current supply. During a tour of a distribution mega-site in Morris County last week, New Jersey health commissioner Judy Persichilli said the state is hamstrung by the limited supply it has received from the federal government. New Jersey was awarded about 400,000 vaccines in December and another 106,000 for the first week of January, according to reports. In Ocean County, officials first received 1,500 doses, then were given an additional 3,000. Last week, the health department requested 5,000 more vaccines due to high demand, said Ocean County Health Department Spokesman Brian Lippai. He said distribution at the RWJ Barnabas Healthcare Arena at Toms River High School North has been going smoothly. County officials have been closely tracking the number of people making appointments for the shots so they can predict when they will need more shipments, Lippai said. The demand, he suspects, is higher than the supply at the moment. Everyone would like to have more vaccine, more doses, but we can only do what we can. I think the demand right now is a little higher than the supply, he said. We get what we receive and try to make do. Fortunately, we have been able to get by with what we have been given and hopefully shipments will increase as things move forward. There are no doses sitting on any shelves... We have certainly used every dose we can get our hands on. The states goal is to vaccinate or 4.7 million adults within six months. There will be six distribution mega-site across New Jersey, including at Rowan College in Gloucester County. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. The National Park Service has closed the Washington Monument to visitors until Jan. 24, citing credible threats to visitors and park resources. Last weeks deadly domestic terror attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump has led to calls for his removal from office for inciting insurrection. The attack resulted in five deaths, 56 police officers injured and more than 80 arrests. Groups involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, said Jeffrey P. Reinbold, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, in a statement on Monday. (The NPS) may institute temporary closures of public access to roadways, parking areas and restrooms within the National Mall and Memorial Parks if conditions warrant, to protect public safety and park resources. Meanwhile, Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser urged Americans to avoid her city during President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20. Our goals right now are to encourage Americans to participate virtually and to protect the District of Columbia from a repeat of the violent insurrection experienced at the Capitol and its grounds on January 6, Bowser said at a press conference. Advertisement Horizons may have shrunk once again, with non-essential trips banned and flights cancelled for the next few weeks but don't let that stop you seeing the world. Go online, find the right webcam (video cameras streaming live internet pictures) and you can soon feel as though you're almost but not quite in your favourite spot or dream destination. How better to escape the confines of your living room than to immerse yourself in 'live time' in another country and culture, or somewhere in the UK? And look forward to when you can actually be there... CARIBBEAN CALLING You can watch the waves and the palm trees on the beaches of Barbados, including Accra Beach, pictured, on the webcam page of Barbados.org (picture not from webcam) Listen to breaking waves and watch palm trees flutter on the beaches of Barbados via the webcam page of Barbados.org. It's wonderfully relaxing. Barefoot tourists stroll across the soft sands as seabirds swoop by you can almost feel the breeze off the water. For other islands including St Lucia and Jamaica, see Livebeaches.com, which has a good 'Best Webcams in the Caribbean' section. One camera on St Maarten, set up by the Sunset Beach Bar, faces a pretty curve of sand above which planes occasionally swoop to land at the tiny island airport: all part of the webcam show. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Seven nights all-inclusive at Sandals Barbados from 1,910 pp in April with Heathrow flights (britishairways.com). WILDLIFE UP CLOSE On Explore.org's Live Cameras in Africa section, you might be able to spot zebras in the Madikwe Game Reserve, pictured, in South Africa (picture not from webcam) Leopards, lions and giraffes can all feature if you are lucky on the brilliant 'Live Cameras in Africa' section of Explore.org. Spot zebras swishing their tails by a waterhole in Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, kingfishers diving into the muddy water of the Olifants River, also in South Africa, or elephants munching contentedly on shrubs in Laikipia County in Kenya. Get up early to enjoy the sunrise in Africa: a splendid change from a grey winter morning in the UK. Also take a look at Africam.com and Alluringafrica.com for more in South Africa, Malawi and Kenya. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Eight nights in Kenya from 2,355 pp on a 'Cheetah Safari' with most meals and Gatwick flights in May (kuoni.co.uk). SKI DREAMS See live shots from the webcams on the snowy slopes of Val Thorens in France, pictured (photo not from webcam) WEBCAMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD Webcams were invented at Cambridge University in 1991, when a version was pointed at a coffee machine in the Computer Science Department. The longest continually running webcam was at San Francisco State University, from 1994 to 2019. They began to be used at tourist attractions around the turn of the 21st century, sometimes set up and financed by tourist boards. At around the same time, hotels, cafes and restaurants realised webcams were a good way of attracting customers to their websites. Some sites, such as Earthcam.com, Skylinewebcams.com, Livebeaches.com and Webcamtaxi.com, act as hubs for multiple webcam feeds and make good places to browse what's on offer. Some webcams require that you watch an advert before 'going live' but this is usually for no more than 30 seconds and can sometimes be skipped after a few seconds. Advertisement Do you dream of the mountains? The ski season may have been wiped out so far, but it's still possible to go... virtually. Seeing the live shots from the webcams at Val Thorens in France (Valthorens.com) is tantalising: the snowy slopes, the sunny peaks, all that fresh powder waiting to be explored. Most resorts have cameras. In Switzerland, where some pistes are open to locals, you can jealously watch skiers at Adelboden on Feratel.com and Verbier on Seeverbier.com. For a wider selection of Alpine resorts, try the 'Webcams Europe' page of skiresort.info. To see the slopes at Whistler in Canada, go to whistler.com/webcams. Or for Park City in Utah, U.S., click on the 'Live Mountain Cameras' section of Parkcitymountain.com. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Seven nights all-inclusive at Club Med Val Thorens from 2,015 pp in April, with flights (skisolutions.com). WONDERS OF THE GLOBE Listen to the wind whip across the ancient rose-red city of Petra in Jordan, with no tourists where hundreds once came. Birdsong echoes eerily in the surrounding cliffs on Skylinewebcams.com's 'Petra The Treasury' page. Or watch the 'Western Wall Cam' showing the holy centre of Jerusalem with sunlight catching the golden Dome of the Rock during the day at Earthcam.com. The view from Yavapai Point facing the Grand Canyon in America is updated every few minutes on the National Parks Service website Nps.gov. The same arrangement is in place for Table Mountain on Capetown-webcam.com. Or for a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour, go to Webcamsydney.com. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Nine-night Classic Jordan tour, with a visit to Petra, from 2,049 pp with hotels, guides and flights (trailfinders.com). BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITIES Watch sunset and sunrise over Manhattan in New York as well as other U.S. cities on Earthcam.com within its 'City Skylines' section. Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Chicago also feature it's fun to zip about the country seeing what's happening. There's even one covering the Capitol in Washington DC at senate.gov/general/capcam.htm. It is often possible to zoom in on specific places. Go to Worldcams.tv for views of Times Square in New York. Try 'Golden Gate Bridge Live Webcams' at Parksconservancy.org for San Francisco, or watch the nightly parties on Bourbon Street in New Orleans via Earth.cam (but remember the time difference). WHEN THE TIME COMES: 14-night 'Route 66' fly-drives from 2,295 pp later in the year, including car hire and hotels (bon-voyage.co.uk). CULTURAL CORNERS Venice's Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal, which you can watch on a webcam via skylinewebcams.com (picture not from webcam) It is strange to watch St Mark's Square in Venice as a handful of people stroll about. It's the same at the Rialto Bridge: just the occasional person crossing. Where once tourist hordes descended, now there is solitude. Watch the 'action' via Skylinewebcams.com. The same website covers the Spanish Steps in Rome, the Eiffel Tower and Prague's old town. For more on Venice, set to classical music, see '10 Live Webcams of Venice' at Makotrav.com. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Eight-night 'Venice & Verona' trips with flights from 1,595 pp later this year (kirkerholidays.com). TROPICAL FISH Perhaps most relaxing of all: go underwater via Explore.org at the Tropical Reef Aquarium in Long Beach, California... and just watch the colourful fish swim about. WHEN THE TIME COMES: 12-day fly-drives in California with car and accommodation from 1,100 pp, flights excluded (trailfinders.com). CASTLES AND TEMPLES Enjoy views of Eilean Donan Castle by the Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland, in storms or sunny conditions at Eileandonancastle.com. Take in the surrounding mountains and valleys from the turrets of the romantic 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Bavaria, Germany, at Feratel.com. Or, for something completely different, see inside the Hindu ISKCON Temple in Delhi, India, via Webcamtaxi.com, where the colourful ceremonies are sometimes streamed online. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Ten-day 'Essential India' tours from 1,865 pp including flights and hotels later in the year (transindus.co.uk). BEACH BUDDIES Almost 11 million viewers have logged in to a webcam showing the white sands of Kuredu Island Resort in the Maldives, pictured (picture not from webcam) Away from the Caribbean, the white sand of Kuredu Island Resort in the Maldives looks so tempting, you may want to book a holiday later in the year. The sound of the waves gently washing on the shore is wonderfully calming, as almost 11 million viewers have already found at Kuredu.com. Skylinewebcams.com has a page on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the shingle beach by old ochre-coloured buildings in the fishing village of Boccadasse, near Genoa, Italy, which has attracted 17 million hits. Or you can see Miami Beach on Earthcam.com. WHEN THE TIME COMES: Seven nights full board with flights from Manchester to Kuredu in the Maldives in May from 1,544 pp (tui.co.uk). ZOOM IN ON ZOOS Viewers can watch Edinburgh Zoo's giant panda Yang Guang, pictured, in his enclosure on one of the zoo's webcams (picture not from webcam) Watch the giant panda Yang Guang in his enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo at the 'Webcams' page of Edinburghzoo.com. He is incredibly popular more than 11 million people have clicked in during recent lockdowns. Alternatively, check out the 'Tiger Camera' and 'Penguin Camera' at Dudleyzoo.org.uk. For more giant pandas, Explore.org has an excellent link to the webcam at Happiness Village Baby Panda Park in Gengda, Sichuan province, southwest China. WHEN THE TIME COMES: 16-day 'Wonders of China' tours, with hotels and flights, are from 2,890 pp (wendywutours.co.uk). GREAT BRITISH SEASIDE Or how about escaping to the Great British seaside? Enjoy views of the harbour at St Ives, Cornwall, from various angles at Skylinewebcams.com and Orangeroofs.co.uk. Or watch the pebbly beach at Bognor Regis in West Sussex in real time at Bognorregisbeach.co.uk/live. Relax with the view from Rick Stein's restaurant facing Poole Harbour in Sandbanks, Dorset, at Rickstein.com. Whitby in Yorkshire has an excellent webcam that shows the abbey, a view up the River Esk and a perspective facing the North Sea at Quaysidewhitby.co.uk. Fine views are also to be had of Llandudno in North Wales, taking in Puffin Island and part of the mountains of Snowdonia at Westshorebeachcafe.com. WHEN THE TIME COMES: No travel around the UK now, obviously, but stays at the plush St Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa from 186 B&B in April (harbourhotels.co.uk). The Supreme Court of India on January 11 reiterated the need for a committee to discuss the farm reform laws, saying it would stay their implementation if the said panel advised doing so. A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde was hearing a clutch of pleas challenging the new agriculture reform laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders. During the hearing, the apex court said it is extremely disappointed with the way negotiations are going on between the Centre and the farmers on the new farm reform laws. Also read | SC asks Centre to put farm laws on hold, set up committee to find solution Here are the key highlights of the SC hearing: > We are extremely disappointed with the way negotiations are going on between government and farmers over new farm laws, said SC. We don't want to make any stray observations on your negotiations but we are extremely disappointed with the process, said the bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian. > We are not talking about the repeal of these farm laws at the moment, said the top court. > This is a very delicate situation, the bench said, adding, there is not a single petition before them which says that these laws are beneficial. > The apex court said that its intention was to see the negotiated solution but no response from Centre on willingness to put farm laws on hold. > We don't know whether people are observing social distancing but we are concerned about the farmers getting food and water during the agitation, said the court. > The bench told the Centre that they are not experts on the economy. It asked the Centre to tell them whether the government is going to put on hold farm laws or they will do this. > We are sorry to say that Centre has not been able to solve the problem and the farmers agitation, said the bench. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, are staying put at various border points of Delhi since late November last year to protest against the three laws - the Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. The eighth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions on January 7 appeared heading nowhere as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws while the farmer leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their 'ghar waapsi' will happen only after 'law waapsi'. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has moved to brand Yemen's Iranian-linked Huthi rebels as terrorists, a last-minute move in defiance of aid groups who fear it will worsen a humanitarian crisis. Yemen's Huthis were defiant Monday after the United States moved to brand the Iran-backed rebels as terrorists, a last-minute move in defiance of aid groups who fear it will tip the country into famine. Unless Congress blocks the decision, the Huthis will be blacklisted on January 19 -- one day before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, whose aides had hoped to mount a fresh push to end Yemen's devastating six-year-old war. "These policies represent a crisis in thinking and are to be condemned, and we have the right to respond," Huthi political commander Mohamed Ali al-Huthi said in a tweet. "The Yemeni people don't care about any designation from (US President Donald) Trump's administration as it is a partner in killing Yemenis and starving them." The decision announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could complicate Biden's promised efforts to restart diplomacy with Iran and to reassess Washington's alliance with Saudi Arabia, which has led a bloody offensive in its impoverished southern neighbour. "The designations are intended to hold Ansar Allah accountable for its terrorist acts, including cross-border attacks threatening civilian populations, infrastructure and commercial shipping," Pompeo said Sunday, using the official name of the Huthi movement. A Yemeni man holds up pictures of Huthi rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Huthi (left) and chief of the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah / AFP/File The Huthis have "led a brutal campaign that has killed many people, continues to destabilise the region and denies Yemenis a peaceful solution to the conflict in their country". Pompeo also designated as terrorists three leaders of the movement, including their chief Abdul Malik al-Huthi. He pointed to a December 30 attack on an airport in Yemen's second city Aden, which killed 26 people and was blamed by the Saudi-backed government on the Huthis. - Fears of aid groups - The Huthis control much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and are already under US sanctions. A displaced Yemeni eight-year-old girl, Samar Ali Ahmed, who weighs nine and a half kilograms and suffers from acute malnutrition, in northern Yemen / AFP/File The designation is expected to scare away outside actors from many transactions with Huthi authorities, including bank transfers and buying food and fuel, for fear of US prosecution. Aid groups have warned Pompeo against the blacklisting, saying they have no option but to deal with what is the de facto government in northern Yemen. "The US government must ensure that any sanctions do not block food, fuel and medicines from entering a country already in the middle of a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe," the Norwegian Refugee Council's Yemen director Mohamed Abdi said in a statement. Pompeo insisted that the State Department was aware of the concerns and was "planning to put in place measures" to reduce the impact on humanitarian work and imports into Yemen. Trump's administration has been ramping up pressure on Iran in its final days, hoping to make it more difficult logistically and politically for Biden to ease sanctions as he seeks a return to a nuclear deal. US officials and analysts say Iran has armed the Huthis, but some experts question the extent of cooperation and see Tehran primarily as interested in bogging down Saudi Arabia, whose brutal air campaign has included strikes on civilian targets. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced in Yemen's war, with most of the nation dependent on some form of aid to survive. Analysts warn of disastrous consequences after the UN World Food Programme said in December that malnutrition had reached record levels, narrowing the window of opportunity to prevent a famine. Peter Salisbury, senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the designation "risks collectively punishing all Yemenis by precipitating a famine while doing little to hurt the Huthis other than pushing them closer to Iran". "If the impact of this designation is half as bad as has been predicted it is millions of ordinary Yemenis who are struggling to eat who will pay the price, while already distant prospects of peace slip away." - Ignoring Congressional warnings - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo glances to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the State Department in October 2020 / POOL/AFP Under US law, Congress has seven days in which it can object to a designation of a foreign terrorist group. But it will likely be focused on other issues, as the House of Representatives looks at impeaching Trump for a second time after he encouraged a mob that stormed the Capitol last week to disrupt a session that certified Biden's election win. Lawmakers from Biden's Democratic Party have told Pompeo the designation would both jeopardise aid and peace efforts. "This designation would almost certainly prevent the critical delivery of food, medical supplies and other items necessary to combat both Covid-19 and famine," three senators said in a joint appeal last year. In an open letter to Pompeo last month, retired US diplomats, including six former ambassadors to Yemen, also doubted that the Huthis met the legal definition of a terrorist group. "In fact, designating the Huthi movement will be perceived as politically motivated and will undermine the credibility of US counterterrorism programs and policies, which serve as a first line of our nation's defence," they wrote. ADVERTISEMENT The African Development Bank President, Akinwunmi Adesina, has said that the bank will mop up $6.5 billion in support for the green wall for a period of five years. He said this in a speech Monday at the One Planet Summit, Great Green Wall Investment Summit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. I am therefore pleased to announce that the African Development Bank will mobilize $6.5 billion in support of the Great Green Wall over the next five years, Mr Adesina said. According to him As we rebuild from the coronavirus and its impacts on our world, we must recalibrate growth, we must prioritise growth that protects the environment and biodiversity, and we must de-prioritise growth that compromises our global commons. The Great Green Wall is part of Africas environmental defence system, a shield against the onslaughts of desertification and degradation. He added that the future of the Sahel region of Africa depends on the Great Green Wall. Meanwhile, the African Development Bank has launched a $20 billion Desert-to-Power program to build the largest solar zone in the world in the Sahel. According to him, this will provide electricity for 250 million people and help to protect the Great Green Wall. If there is no access to energy, the Great Green Wall will be no more than trees waiting to be turned into charcoal, he said. Without the Great Green Wall, in the face of climate change and desertification, the Sahel may disappear. The Great Green Wall is a wall worth building, a wall that brings people together, not one that pulls them apart. A wall that insulates, not one that isolates, a wall that protects our collective existence, a wall for the environment, a wall for the planet, By building the Great Green Wall, we will secure the Sahel, reduce climate change, reduce migration and improve the lives of people, he added. Dublin-listed Open Orphan has started trials in London of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by a US company that can be delivered nasally, the company said yesterday. The phase one trials saw a volunteer receive the Covid-19 vaccine, called COVI-VAC, that was developed by Codagenix using a needle-free, intranasal delivery. COVI-VAC is a single-dose vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. It contains the entire virus in a weakened form. The clinical trial is being conducted by Open Orphan subsidiary Hvivo at its London facility. Hvivo is working in collaboration with the Codagenix biotech group to conduct the Phase 1 study of COVI-VAC, that if successful will result in a larger group trials group of the drug. The study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the single-dose intranasal vaccine candidate in 48 healthy young adult volunteers. The study will also evaluate the vaccines ability to cause an immune response. In a statement, Open Orphan said the vaccine has the potential to address several key logistical challenges to immunisation against SARS-CoV-2 across the world. As a single-dose, intranasally-delivered vaccine, COVI-VAC will not require a needle and syringe to be administered, it will also not require ultra-low temperature freezers for storage. The product can be manufactured on a large scale and supports ease of administration in a mass vaccination campaign, according to Open Orphan. That would enhance its attraction to developing countries, for example, which do not have the logistics to store and deliver other vaccines. Codagenix expects to report initial data from the study by the middle of this year and is working with the Serum Institute of India as its global partner. We are delighted to have been chosen by the New York-based Codagenix to run this very important Covid-19 vaccine study in our quarantine clinic in London, said Cathal Friel, executive chairman of Open Orphan. This vaccine is one of the first of the next-generation Covid-19 vaccines, it is a single-dose, needle-free, intranasal, live-attenuated Covid-19 virus vaccine. Mainly led by vigilante groups who wanted to subvert the verdict of the US presidential election, this event has been described as failed insurrection, domestic terrorism, sedition and as an attempted coup detat. One of the groups indicated the long-term political agenda of the rioters by describing the operation as the beginning of the start of the White Revolution in the United States. They reflect the ... 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 Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday asserted that Nepal is ready to mediate between India and China to resolve the border dispute between the two nations. In an exclusive interview on DNA with Zee News Editor in Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, the Nepal PM also conveyed his sentiments and his understanding of the ancient ties between the two neighbours as a historian, taking pride in the rich and variegated history of Nepal. READ | In geography and population, we are small, but India and Nepal are two sovereign nations: PM Oli "We will talk on both sides, ask them to sit for the conversation as almost all of them are our peers. There might be a difference of one-and-a-half years. All of us have been in politics for a long time. Therefore, we are companions," stated Oli. On the popular sentiments in India that after the India-China border dispute, Nepal took a neutral stand, Oli said, "We have nothing to do with the Galwan Valley episode between India and China. Both the nations are are my neighbours." "We have friends on both sides. Nepal can take initiative to remove the misunderstanding between our two friends. In the relationship, the greatest strength lies in friendship," Oli added. "In the politics of nations, our policy is the 'Politics of Neutrality'. We would like to remain neutral between the two neighbours," he said. When asked if he can mediate or negotiate talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break the deadlock between the two Asian nations, Oli said: "Yes, of course". Speaking on India and China, he said, "Both are our neighbours and the neighbour cannot be changed. In size, population and development, both the nations are ahead. It is a pleasure for us that if we are able to produce, then these are big markets. If we are unable to produce, then we will have to consume their products. What will happen if we do not. We want that which is our inequality, it is on this thing. There is inequality in trade, inequality in production, imbalance and this imbalance should be eradicated." "There are two differences in political systems, economic and social systems and we are among such neighbours. We want to have a perfectly balanced relationship, it is not like playing one card with the other. We will not play as it will not benefit anyone. We will talk to you, play cards, play cards with another ane on the third day it will be known. Therefore, the way of playing and printing these cards should be left completely. We will not go in this style," added Oli. The Nepal PM said, "We want a cordial relationship between our two neighbours, a problem-free relationship. If these two giant neighbours start fighting, then it will have a negative impact on us. Therefore, we want that now is the era of Asia, we should develop ourselves...Today's model of development is to do the work of development itself. To do it yourself, you need peace, you need friendship, tension-free environment should be a stress-free environment. So we want our neighbours to have a good relationship. Let there be an atmosphere of trust." Referring to the 8th edition of the India map, Oli said: "it did not go well with Nepal, we also submitted our diplomatic note, but there was no positive response." The Nepal PM recently raised some issues that have created confusion in the age-old relationship between the two South Asian nations. Oil, however, said the resolution of outstanding issues between India and Nepal would pave a way for better development and further cementation of the ties between the two sovereign nations, which should progress independently respecting each other. PM Oli opened his heart and spoke on different subjects (in Hindi) to convey his sentiments. Asked about Indo-Nepal relation in terms of two brothers Rama and Laxman, the protagonists of Ramayana appears to have become bitter in the present era as the younger brother is seeking equal status. Oli responds diplomatically, "India is the elder brother, and we are the younger brother. In geography and in population, Nepal can be small but as a nation, we should always talk in terms of universal equality." "In size or territory, we can be small or big, but as a nation, this feeling creates this feeling definitely creates problems, We want the two neighbouring countries, two friendly countries that live in a region should retain their relationship in that spirit," he said, adding " The colonial era is over, this era is of mutual respect." He further said, "The talks must go on as this brings out the truth. When other parts of the continent were in a dark age, we had sages who discussed philosophy. We should take pride in that the origin of philosophy took place in this region. Although the origin of western philosophy goes back to Aristotle in 6th century BC, here we discussed philosophy in 1500 BC." When asked that you now refused to consider India as the boss, PM Oli said "if India will try to understand tomorrow then it would not consider itself as the boss. There is no need to debate on it further." On the question of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being elder to him, as he is 70 years old, while PM Oli is 68 years old, the latter said, "Personally, he is older than us, but when two prime ministers sit, the two prime ministers will sit, not the big or small prime minister. Rather, the prime ministers of the two nations will sit." Oli said, "There are many Prime Ministers and Presidents in the world who are very young. They were not even born when we came into politics. Even though they are young in age, they are President, whether they belong to a big nation or a small nation. As a President, he will have an equal relationship with every President, he will also have an equal relationship with the Prime Minister or the Head of the government." "PM Modi has no objection to this, but there are many people who consider it bad as I have projected my equal stature to that of Modiji. I am talking about countries, not about individuals," he added. Live TV It's been over a month since Filipino British nurse may parsons made history during the Covid-19 pandemic. All eyes were on her last month, when she administered the first jab of the Pfizer vaccine in the UK when she vaccinated a 90-year-old on December 8th. I spoke with parsons in coventry in the UK and she shared the historic moment and her message to her fellow frontliners. Millions of Australians have sweltered through a scorching heatwave that sent temperatures soaring across the nation. Melbourne hit 36.7C late on Monday afternoon, the city's hottest day in almost a year, with residents flocking to the beach in droves seeking relief from the searing heat. Parts of regional Victoria were even warmer, with Horsham, Mildura, Shepparton and Swan Hill all nudging the 40C mark. Adelaide also bore the brunt of the heatwave sweeping parts of the country, with the temperature in the city of churches hitting 38.3C. Melbourne residents flocked to the beaches in droves on Monday as the city recorded its warmest day in almost a year The mercury in Melbourne hit 36.7C late on Monday afternoon, with St Kilda beach a popular spot for residents looking to beat the heat The hot weather had well and truly set in by the late afternoon, with residents not expected to experience relief from the heat until about 11pm on Monday Tasmania was not spared either, with areas in the southern part of the state almost 17C above average. Hobart hit 36.3C, while Bruny Island south of the capital hit a state-high 36.8C, 16.7C above average. A total fire ban was declared for Victoria's Mallee, Northern Country and Wimmera areas, with the danger rated as severe across the three regions. The fire danger in Central, North Central and South West regions is considered very high, while it is high in the North East and Gippsland regions. Melbourne has not been as hot since January 31 last year when the temperature reached 42.9C. Chris Arvier, a senior forecaster for the Bureau of Meteorology, said Melbourne's weather was about 10C above average. St Kilda was teeming with beachgoers as residents soaked up the hottest day since January 31 last year There was plenty of fun in the sun as Melburnians hit the waves in a bid to cool down from the searing summer heat The Bureau of Meteorology put out a heatwave warning for almost all of Australia, including South Australia, Victoria, NSW, the ACT, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Western Australia He said Victorians won't see relief from the hot weather until well into Monday night. 'A change is coming through in late in the evening and it will be a much cooler day tomorrow before the warm weather returns on Wednesday,' he told AAP. Melbourne is forecast to reach 34C on Wednesday before mild conditions return. NSW is next in line for the sweltering conditions, with soaring temperatures set to bake parts of the state. A high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is drawing warmer air across NSW, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting temperatures to hit the high 30s and lows 40s. Southern NSW and the Riverina are already feeling the heat but it will build and spread across the state, likely until Friday. 'We'll see temperatures in Wagga Wagga (reach) 41 on Wednesday, the hottest time of the week for that area, (and) Griffith 42,' meteorologist Melody Sturm said. 'Those are both about nine degrees above the January average.' Residents made the most of the scorching summer temperatures by relaxing at St Kilda beach There were plenty of selfies taken as residents enjoyed being out in the summer weather The nights won't bring much relief either, with temperatures forecast to remain high. With the heat comes heightened fire danger across the state. The Riverina is currently the subject of a very high danger rating, which will extend until Thursday. The ACT will also swelter this week, with Canberra expected to reach 36C. The heatwave is impacting a significant chunk of Australia. 'A low intensity heatwave can be seen over central and northern WA, extending across the country into northern Victoria, NSW, southwestern Qld and southern NT,' the Bureau of Meterology said in a heatwave forecast for Tuesday. 'Areas of severe heatwave can be seen over northern WA. An area of extreme heatwave can be seen over northern WA.' The Western Australia Pilbara district will experience temperatures in the low to high 40C range all week, reaching as high as 47C on Friday. 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. Hong Kong: Judiciary to face challenges ahead Chief Justice Andrew Cheung today said the Judiciary will do its best to face the challenges ahead. Meeting the media after attending the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2021, Mr Cheung explained that challenges sometime occur when judges are discharging their judicial functions. He emphasised that judges should not be subject to improper extraneous pressure or influence. Political pressure is just one form of pressure that judges face and have to deal with. So we all do our best to deal with these pressures. If a colleague were to ask me for some advice, I would surely give him or her this advice: Never mind the pressure, never mind the type of pressure, never mind the source of the pressure, the origin of the pressure or where the pressure comes from. Focus on your own case. Never mind what people will say about your decision. You just decide the case, regardless, according to the law, facts, evidence and argument. This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Facebook is halting political spending for at least the first quarter of 2021 following last week's deadly attack on the Capitol. Why it matters: Tech companies have been de-platforming President Donald Trump and his supporters at a rapid pace since the attacks, and freezing political giving may be the next step tech companies take to show they're seriously rethinking their approach to Washington. Details: Facebook will freeze all contributions from its political action committee and is launching a review of its political spending practices, company spokesman Andy Stone told Axios. The big picture: Microsoft also said in a statement Monday that it is pausing political giving "until after it assesses the implications of last weeks events." Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said "We have frozen all NetPAC political contributions while we review and reassess its policies following last week's deeply troubling events." Historically, tech PACs have given to both Republican and Democratic candidates, sometimes rankling Silicon Valley's predominantly left-leaning workers. Microsoft said its PAC "regularly pauses its donations in the first quarter of a new Congress, but it will take additional steps this year to consider these recent events and consult with employees." Major banks and other corporations have also frozen corporate political giving in the wake of the attack. Other tech companies are likely to follow suit. Between the lines: "This is the death knell of PACs for tech companies with activist employees," one source told Axios. "This is the final straw." Editor's note: This story has been updated to add new information about Microsoft and Google pausing their own PAC activity. Victoria will reopen its borders to regional New South Wales but will remain off-limits to Sydney and Brisbane residents. Premier Daniel Andrews declared the borders will reopen to regional areas on Monday, while announcing a new traffic light system aimed to keep Victoria safe when travellers cross the border. From 6pm Monday, anyone wanting to enter Victoria must apply for a permit which will be coloured red, orange or green, based on the Covid risk in the area they've arriving from. This applies to every arrival in the state, even those from Covid-safe states and territories which have experienced no virus outbreaks in months. Travellers can expect a hefty $4,957 fine if they turn up to the Victorian border without a permit. Anyone coming from or has been in a red zone will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception or exemption, which currently includes only the Greater Sydney and Brisbane areas. Anyone wanting to cross the Victoria border from 6pm Monday must have a permit or be fined $5,000. Pictured are young Melburnians in St Kilda recently An orange zone means you can apply for a permit but need to take a coronavirus test within 72 hours upon arrival in Victoria and self-isolate until a negative result. A green zone means you will be able to apply for a permit and enter Victoria but should remain alert for symptoms once they cross the border. Regional NSW areas, including the Central Coast north of Sydney will be reclassified from a red zone to orange at 6pm Monday. It means residents, as well as Victorians holidaying in these areas, will be able to enter Victoria if they isolate upon their arrival, get tested and stay home until they receive a negative result. Premier Andrews described the new traffic light system as 'common sense'. 'It serves as advice for any Victorian travelling to other parts of the country. This is based on public health advice and gives to our public health team and every single Victorian clarity about what the status of every other part of our nation is,' he said. Returned Victorian travellers arriving by plane or by water without a valid reason or exemption will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days and will receive a fine of $4,957. The new Victorian permits will be coloured red, orange or green, based on where you're coming from and where you've been. Pictured are passengers being checked upon arrival at Melbourne Airport Interstate residents presenting at an airport or seaport without a valid reason or exemption will also be fined $4,957 and returned to their destination on the next available flight. Substantial penalties apply for anyone who turns up to the Victorian border without a permit. 'If you turn up here and you should not be here, if you have not bothered to apply for one and you were rejected and turn up the face that $5,000 fine, that is significant because we don't want a situation where people are not playing the part, everybody has to play a part this,' Mr Andrews said. Greater Sydney remains a red zone, as does Brisbane, despite a three day hard lockdown ending at 6pm Monday. COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR NEW SOUTH WALES: Western Australia - All NSW residents are banned from entering WA. Anyone who enters the state will be 'sent back', according to Premier Mark McGowan. In reality, all arrivals from NSW must have a special exemption and then have to quarantine for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. - All NSW residents are banned from entering WA. Anyone who enters the state will be 'sent back', according to Premier Mark McGowan. In reality, all arrivals from NSW must have a special exemption and then have to quarantine for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. Victoria - Regional NSW was declared an 'orange zone' on January 11, and locals will be allowed into Victoria from 6pm with a permit. On January 18, Greater Sydney was also deemed an orange zone. People from ten Sydney LGAs, including Blacktown and Liverpool, which are deemed red zones are still banned. - Regional NSW was declared an 'orange zone' on January 11, and locals will be allowed into Victoria from 6pm with a permit. On January 18, Greater Sydney was also deemed an orange zone. People from ten Sydney LGAs, including Blacktown and Liverpool, which are deemed red zones are still banned. Northern Territory - The state has declared greater metropolitan Sydney as a Covid-19 hotspot, and travellers will need to undergo 14 days of supervised quarantine. - The state has declared greater metropolitan Sydney as a Covid-19 hotspot, and travellers will need to undergo 14 days of supervised quarantine. South Australia - Harder border closure to all NSW residents from midnight on New Year's Eve. Returning South Australians must quarantine for 14 days. A 100km border buffer zone, including Broken Hill and Wentworth, will be exempt. - Harder border closure to all NSW residents from midnight on New Year's Eve. Returning South Australians must quarantine for 14 days. A 100km border buffer zone, including Broken Hill and Wentworth, will be exempt. Queensland - Queensland has shut its borders to Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast. Locals returning to the Sunshine State from a hotspot must isolate. - Queensland has shut its borders to Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast. Locals returning to the Sunshine State from a hotspot must isolate. ACT - Anyone travelling to the ACT from a Covid-19 hotspot in NSW will now require an exemption. People from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong will not be legally permitted to enter the ACT without a valid pass from midday on Saturday January 2. - Anyone travelling to the ACT from a Covid-19 hotspot in NSW will now require an exemption. People from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong will not be legally permitted to enter the ACT without a valid pass from midday on Saturday January 2. Tasmania - Northern Beaches residents banned. All people from Greater Sydney must also quarantine upon entry. Advertisement 'The public health team is not 100 per cent confident we can have people from Brisbane returned to Victoria,' Mr Andrews said. 'We will again monitor that each day, there are still many close contacts that have not been tested, it's a relatively new outbreak we are very pleased for our friends in Queensland with such positive results over the weekend, many tests and no additional cases. 'But the public health team are not yet in Victoria, comfortable to have people from the greater Brisbane area coming back or travelling to Melbourne regardless of where they might live.' He thanked those in current red zone areas for their patience in the last fortnight and hopes to provide more promising news later in the week. Pictured are passengers at Melbourne Airport on Friday after arriving from Brisbane, which remains a red zone It's understood the traffic light system could be remain in place for much of 2021. 'Until we have a vaccine, we'll need to continue to react and respond to changing circumstances. This system will make sure we can do just that, while supporting the rapid response of our contact tracing team,' Mr Andrews said. The announcement comes after Victoria recorded zero new locally acquired coronavirus cases for a fifth consecutive day on Monday. Just one new case was recorded, which was a returned traveller in hotel quarantine. Around 18,660 tests have been conducted across the state in the last 24 hours. Victoria currently has 40 active cases, down from 45 on Sunday. Health authorities are now confident contact tracers are winning the battle against the recent 27-case outbreak linked to a Thai eatery in bayside Melbourne, which sparked fears of a third coronavirus wave for Victoria. By Tom Hals (Reuters) - A police officer is being hailed for his role steering an angry mob away from the Senate chambers in Wednesday's deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman, identified by CNN reporter Kristin Wilson, can be seen getting rioters to move away from the Senate as police raced to secure the chamber. In the confrontation, Goodman puts himself between a man wearing a black T-shirt for the QAnon conspiracy movement and a hallway leading to the Senate chambers, then shoves the person to induce him and the crowd to chase Goodman toward officers in the opposite direction. Capitol Police did not respond to a request regarding the identify of the officer. "As trumpas fascist mob ransacked the US Capitol, this brave USCP officer kept murderous rioters away from the Senate chamber and saved the lives of those inside. God bless him for his courage," U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell wrote in a Twitter message on Sunday. Trump, who has sought unsuccessfully to overturn his Nov. 3 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, falsely claiming widespread fraud, had called on supporters gathered in Washington to protest the congressional counting of electoral votes certifying Biden's victory. Five people including a Capitol Police officer died as a result of Wednesday's rioting and dozens of people have been charged. Among the mob who stormed the Capitol were individuals who waved Confederate flags and wore clothing carrying insignia and slogans espousing white supremacist beliefs. The efforts by Goodman, who is Black, gave police the time needed to race to lock the doors to the Senate chamber, according to the Washington Post. Several members of Congress with military experience, including Ruben Gallego and Jason Crow, have also been praised for calming frightened colleagues and helping with the evacuation during the chaos. The chief of the Capitol Police resigned following the attack and a federal prosecutor said he would charge any Capitol Police member found to be complicit. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Additional reporting by Jason Lange in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney) (Natural News) Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has finally admitted that Communist China played a significant role in the early spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). When the initial coronavirus outbreak was spreading in Wuhan in late 2019, Chinese officials were attempting to stifle reports about it, claiming that it wasnt that infectious and censoring doctors who were attempting to blow the whistle. Fauci himself claims he suspected that the mysterious pneumonia coming out of the city was a novel coronavirus. Back then, the lack of full appreciation of the seriousness of what we were dealing in, was [due to] a number of reasons, he said during an interview with Axios. Some things were absolutely not known by anybody. And, some things were known by the Chinese and they werent very transparent about it. Many people inside and outside of China got fooled, said Fauci. Public health officials outside the communist nation initially believed that the outbreak in Wuhan was similar to the SARS virus and were not aware that the coronavirus was acting very differently. Fauci accused the Chinese of delaying their reporting on the asymptomatic and person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus. The director also believes that if U.S. health officials were aware of the extent of the spread and the possibility for asymptomatic cases to transmit the coronavirus, they would have changed their guidance on masks, social distancing and contact tracing very early on. The coronavirus started spreading in China in late 2019. The Chinese Communist Party refused to allow foreign scientists to investigate the situation in Wuhan for a considerable period, limiting the ability of the international scientific community to understand where COVID-19 came from and how it was spreading. When Chinese authorities finally did allow a group of World Health Organization researchers into the country, which included one official from Faucis NIAID, they still placed roadblocks for the scientists, such as delaying the approval of their travel authorization. You dont know everything you need to know the first day, said Fauci. You get people who are making decisions about their own behavior based on political considerations, as opposed to an objective evaluation of the public health threat. (Related: Cover-up: Dr. Anthony Fauci helped approve an effective treatment for coronavirus infections 15 years ago, but is suppressing it today in favor of new high-profit vaccines.) Learn more about the coronavirus by watching this episode of Brighteon Conversations with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. In this episode, Mike has a conversation with Dr. Paul Cottrell, who sends a message warning America about the lies being spread regarding coronavirus vaccines, PCR tests and more. Country to control pandemic by autumn 2021, says Fauci Fauci predicted that life will not resume for most Americans until as late as fall 2021. Its going to take several months, he said during an interview on mainstream news outlet MSNBC. Its not going to happen in the first few months. If we do it correctly, hopefully, as we get into the end of the summer, the beginning of the fall of 2021, we can start to approach some degree of normality. Fauci warned that the timeline he and other public health experts have laid out is contingent upon the country being able to efficiently, quickly and effectively implementing a nationwide vaccination program, which he said is lagging far behind schedule. Furthermore, Fauci believes that people need to rather strictly adhere to personal mitigation measures, such as following mask mandates and social distancing regulations. President Donald Trump has missed his own year-end target to vaccinate 20 million Americans. Only around 12.4 million doses of the vaccine had been delivered before the New Year, and only about 2.7 million people have received two shots of the vaccine. Fauci said that, according to Gen. Gustave Perna, chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed the program to facilitate and accelerate the development and distribution of vaccines the federal government will only reach its desired pace of vaccination as we get into the middle of January, February and March. Whenever you have a very large operation such as trying to vaccinate an entire country with a new vaccine there will always be bumps in the road and hiccups about that. We hope that thats what this is a reflection of. Fauci has butted heads with Trump over these plans. The president believes that all the federal government has to do is provide the vaccines and that it is up to the states to administer them. On the other hand, Fauci believes that, before the situation can progress even further, the federal government needs to provide the states with the resources necessary to implement a proper statewide vaccination program. My feeling is and not everyone would agree with me is that there has to be a strong relationship between the national approach and the local approach. Fauci is arguing that, without the intervention of the federal government, state and local authorities will not be able to implement any kind of massive public health program like an inoculation campaign. And this is proof positive, he said. The scientific community is learning more about the Wuhan coronavirus every day. Read up on the results of the latest research and investigations at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com JapanTimes.co.jp Axios.com Politico.com North Korean leader Kim Jong-un mentioned nuclear weapons no fewer than 36 times in a speech at a Workers Party congress last week and boasted that he built the impoverished country into a "responsible nuclear-powered nation possessing an absolutely perfect nuclear shield." There was no mention of the denuclearization South Korea and the U.S. had been touting at the height of the thaw in 2018. Kim's unexpected mention of peace in that year's New Year's address and denuclearization talks that took place over the following years were a sham. Kim described the U.S. as North Korea's "biggest enemy" and vowed to focus on suppressing and bringing it to its knees. He also pledged to "advance national reunification through strong military power," a blatant threat to South Korea. Kim's development of nuclear-powered submarines, hypersonic missiles, multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles appear on the surface to be aimed at the U.S., but the final goal is to drive South Korea into submission. Kim vowed to develop more tactical nuclear weapons that are typically aimed at South Korea and Japan, as well as spy satellites and high-tech drones. Over the last three years, the Moon Jae-in administration has claimed with demented insistence that North Korea is willing to give up its nuclear weapons. It invited Kim to the border truce village of Panmunjom and put on a laser show for him, while Moon traveled to Pyongyang where he gave a speech hailing and praising the North and shook hands with Kim atop Mt. Baekdu, which is sacred to North Koreans. Moon also played on U.S. President Donald Trump's vanity and persuaded him to sit face to face with the North Korean leader three times. But each time, Kim was only intent on gaining concessions in return for his lies. Even as the farce was still playing out, Kim unveiled a massive intercontinental ballistic missile and a submarine-launched nuclear missile is getting ready for deployment. Now he is developing nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic missiles that could render South Korea's defenses useless. At the congress, Kim boasted that he "steadfastly led the struggle to advance nuclear weapons and was able to secure a great new victory." Kim will not and cannot scrap his nuclear weapons. Surely Moon knows that. So is the president deliberately deceiving South Koreans with this nonsense? His eagerness to cover up for Kim persisted even as the North blew up the inter-Korean liaison office and shot and incinerated a South Korean fisheries official. Prompted by nothing in particular, Moon then bent over backwards and banned the dispatch of propaganda leaflets to North Korea that could provide vital information for the oppressed people there, in the process risking condemnation from the international community for his fat friend up North. His reward is an arsenal of North Korean weapons aimed straight at his head. The authorities sent in the dog-catching vehicle after we made complaints and they have taken away just two dogs, leaving many behind, say residents. Hyderabad: Residents of Indian Airlines Colony at Begumpet are troubled by the stray dog menace. Dogs in groups pounce on moving cars at night, catching drivers by surprise, say residents of the colony that has about 160 houses. They have lodged a complaint with the GHMC but there is no meaningful response. Residents are scared of allowing their children play outside of homes. Most women have stopped going out for their usual morning walk. Life is largely disturbed in the colony due to the stray dogs. Residents demand early action from the civic authorities. Stated resident Arshan Ahmed Khan: The authorities sent in the dog-catching vehicle after we made complaints. They have taken away just two dogs and many dogs are left behind. These dogs are chasing moving cars, the morning walkers, and even entering our homes. Resident Jayalakshmi, whose grandchildren live with her, said the dogs posed a threat to the safety of children. We have stopped sending children out for play. Recently my housemaids son was bitten by a dog. Dogs are constantly attacking people and there is no serious response from the authorities. Why are they not being taken away and relocated, she asked. Vijaya Durga, who complained that the dogs chased morning walkers, said During the lockdown, the number of stray dogs here has increased. We too love dogs, but not at the cost of our lives. Asked about the complaints, Dr Abdul Wakil, chief veterinary officer of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, explained, There is no provision in the law for relocation of stray dogs. Our job is to sterilize dogs. Post-operation, they are vaccinated and marked on the ear by way of identification. They are released back in same localities. He added In case of terminally ill dogs, fatally injured dogs or dogs that show aggressive behavior, they will be put to sleep by the GHMC veterinary doctors in the presence of the NGOs Veterinary. Dr Wakil said that one dog-catching vehicle is at the disposal of each GHMC circle. Also, by calling tenders, the NGOs have been assigned to do such jobs. You might notice something different here. As we continue our evolution, our data and market news is now available through the Fastmarkets platform and a trial of this website is no longer available. Our new delivery solution allows you to access the prices and news that matters most to you in a way that delivers value, quality and a unique, fully customizable view for you. We are working hard to develop an experience that allows you to test drive building your view of our data and news on the new platform. In the meantime, learn more about us through any of the options below. HYDERABAD : Work on the foundation for the Ram temple at Ayodhya would begin this month and construction of the temple complex is expected to conclude in about three-and-a-half years, Swami Govinda Dev Giri ji Maharaj, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, said on Monday. "How the foundation shall be built, that has been decided just now. The excavation has begun but the actual foundation construction has not begun. It will start his January," he said at a press conference during a visit here. He was asked if the formal construction of the temple has begun, and if not, when it is going to begin. Asked about the total cost of the project, he said he "guessed" that the cost of the main temple within the boundary should be between 300 crore to 400 crore. The total cost could be over 1,100 crore, which includes the 300 crore to 400 crore for the main temple and the development of 67 acres (at the complex), he said. He said the construction of the temple is likely to be completed in three to three-and-a-half years. Giri ji Maharaj said more than 100 crore of donations has been collected as per accounts in Ayodhya. Asked if donations for temple construction would be accepted from foreign countries as well, he said they are not being allowed at present as FCRA (Foreign Contributions Regulation Act) facility is not available. However, FCRA facility (permissions as per FCRA) is expected to be available in two months, he said. "We don't want to build just a temple of stones and bricks. We want to build the nation. We want to build the national spirit. The spirit of love, the spirit of philanthropy, the spirit of universal brotherhood and at the same time, the spirit of might," he said. People would listen only if the country is strong, he said. The temple would belong to the whole nation with donations received from all, he said. He recalled that an industrialist had offered that his family would bear the cost of construction. Saying that Ayodhya would be the cultural capital of the world after the construction of Ram temple, he said youths from neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan would be invited to Ayodhya every year and they will be allowed to tour the country, with a view to bringing people together and promote their understanding of India. Bandari Ramesh, convener in Telangana for Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan, said they would reach out to three crore Hindu families in the state as part of the campaign to collect donations. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. ST. LOUIS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- InterShunt Technologies, Inc., an early-stage medical device company developing a novel catheter-based solution to reduce left atrial pressure in heart failure patients, announced today the completion of an equity financing. Funding will be used to support the research and development of the Percutaneous Atrial Shunt Catheter System (PAS-C System). The round was led by Solas BioVentures with participation from Arsenal Capital Management and a select group of industry executives. David Adair, MD, MBA, Managing Partner of Solas BioVentures stated, "InterShunt's innovative and differentiated approach to create an interatrial shunt has the potential to provide significant clinical benefit in a space that has limited options. The ability to create a shunt without energy or hardware is attractive. Leaving nothing behind allows the body the best chance at superb outcomes. We seek out opportunities like InterShunt that use exquisite solutions based on physiology to help relieve human suffering. We are thrilled to lead this round in support of a company with such outstanding tech and industry legends." Harlee Sorkin, CEO of InterShunt commented, "We're excited to have the Solas team back our vision to create a best-in-class interatrial shunt. Their investment coupled with Arsenal's long-standing support of our program enables us to advance our design and obtain key pre-clinical and human data." About InterShunt Technologies, Inc. InterShunt is developing a proprietary catheter system that allows for the capture and excision of tissue from the interatrial septum. The result is a left to right atrial shunt that off-loads elevated left atrial pressure, reducing symptoms in Heart Failure patients. The mechanical system is designed for safety and ease of use and is the only interatrial shunting device that requires no implant and no energy. For more information please visit https://intershunt.com/. About Solas BioVentures Solas BioVentures invests exclusively in the Life Science industry, focusing primarily on early and development stage Biotech and Medtech companies. Solas is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but their coverage is global. The Investment Team combines decades of medical, biotechnology, operational, managerial, legal, and financial experience. Solas maintains a founder centric approach to foster breakthrough medicine and technology innovation. About Arsenal Capital Management Arsenal Capital Management is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, MO that takes pride in the region and strives to make it a better place to live and work. Arsenal invests where the opportunities are best, with the objective of helping local entrepreneurs build successful companies. The goal is to provide investors with superior investment returns by identifying early capital opportunities within a fund structure that is transparent, focused and cost conscious. SOURCE InterShunt Related Links https://intershunt.com/ Louisiana's transportation chief Monday stopped just short of dismissing chances for a gas tax hike in 2021 that is being pushed by industry groups. Shawn Wilson, secretary for the state Department of Transportation and Development, said looming issues sparked by the coronavirus pandemic and the need for top state leaders to agree on any gas tax increase makes it problematic this year. "First I think my concern is really timing," Wilson said. "Right now, I think it is all going to be pandemic and economic recovery because we absolutely need those things." The DOTD leader made his comments during a nearly one-hour meeting with the editorial board of The Advocate and The Times-Picayune. Wilson's views are significant because in 2017 he was the leader of a bid to boost the gas tax by 17 cents per gallon, which died without a vote in either the full state House or Senate. Backers can ill afford any split in the ranks, especially since rounding up the needed two-thirds support in the House and Senate is always a huge political challenge. Wilson said 2021 is "eerily similar" to 2017 in that, four years ago, gas tax boosters tried to gain traction at the same time that a roughly $1 billion shortfall dominated attention in the Legislature. A group led by former state Rep. Erich Ponti, R-Baton Rouge, is behind legislation that would boost the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon initially $300 million per year and 22 cents eventually $660 million annually. The new Louisiana gas tax faces massive hurdles; here's why these roadblocks are familiar While a new push to boost Louisiana's gas tax is underway, this one faces the same massive hurdles that have killed earlier efforts. Backers say the push is drawing support from a wide range of groups that stayed out of the fray in previous years. Wilson has chafed over some of the details of the early drafts of the bill, including regular state audits on how DOTD is using its money as well as independent reviews of those audits to ensure that DOTD is being efficient. He said his agency has made major strides in the past five years despite a gas tax that has remained unchanged for the past three decades. "We have reformed and reformed and reformed," Wilson said. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Push for new Baton Rouge bridge 'a slow process;' tolls could partially finance $1B project Nearing the two-year mark, a state panel trying to find ways to build a new bridge across the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge has little to s State Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, sponsor of the gas tax bill, said in a statement Monday action is needed to ensure the state has enough money to qualify for all of its federal matching dollars. "Dr. Wilson knows that legislative leadership has encouraged us to bring this bill because now is the time to create return on investment for taxpayers and grow jobs and the economy," McFarland said. Ponti, chairman of the Louisiana Coalition To Fix Our Roads, said in a statement that the timing of the proposal "couldn't be better" and the plan is gaining bipartisan support and backing from community leaders. Trade group leader: Gasoline tax increase for Louisiana roads feasible despite upcoming election Despite steep odds, one of the leaders of a push to increase Louisiana's gasoline tax said Monday winning legislative approval for the $940 mi He said the legislation "returns purchasing power to consumers and compliments the innovations Dr. Wilson has ushered in at the department." Wilson was asked whether his comments meant he would not back McFarland's bill. "Good question," he replied. He added later that he "will always work with our stakeholders." Wilson said top officials of DOTD plan to meet with newspaper editorial boards around the state to point out progress in the past five years, including about $250 million in federal dollars redirected to Louisiana from other states. He said DOTD has been unfairly portrayed as a "bogeyman" in some public debates. Motorists pay 38.4 cents per gallon, including 20 cents in state charges. Louisiana's backlog of road and bridge needs is $14.8 billion. The 2021 regular legislative session begins April 12.. (Photo : Red Huber / Getty) Space missions this 2021 calls for revisions of space laws. The space industry will be quite busy this year, especially as space missions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and private space company SpaceX going to the moon and the Red Planet are set to happen this 2021. With that, legal experts are arguing that space laws require revisions soon, and it seems like discussions have already started regarding how these space explorers will be governed. SpaceX Creating Groundwork for Martian Law? According to Daily Express, SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk, are reportedly planning everything for the future of space exploration, specifically their ambitious plan to colonize Mars and bring people to the Red Planet. Based on the report, it seems like Musk and his company have already laid the groundwork for alien laws on Mars. "For services provided on Mars, or in transit to Mars via Starship or other colonization spacecraft, the parties recognize Mars as a free planet and that no Earth-based government has authority or sovereignty over Martian activities," the governing law section of the SpaceX Starlink user agreement reads. Furthermore, the section reads that any and all disputes will be settled under "self-governing principles" that will be established "in good faith" once people have successfully landed on Mars. Read Also: Earth is Spinning Faster Lately, Atomic Clock Finds: What Does it Mean? Do Experts Agree? So, what do experts think about Musk's idea? A partner at the international law firm Hogan Lovells, Randy Segal, actually says that it's "not a bad idea" that Mars will have its own set of rules compared to every country that sends men to the planet will assert jurisdiction over the Red Planet. "If you're going to have people from Earth on Mars, there should be some rules for Mars and why shouldn't there be one set of rules?" Segal said. "Well, what do you call it? A Martian constitution, you call it whatever you want. Nevertheless, the legal expert did say that it makes sense that there should be one set of rules that will govern anyone who attempts to colonize Mars--or any planet. Another expert, Donald Rothwell, an international law professor at the University of Sydney broadly agrees with the sentiments and even further said that revising the 1967 NASA-sponsored Artemis accord should be happening soon. Revising Existing Space Laws Private space agencies like SpaceX and Blue Origin continue to operate within the boundaries of the US laws that are consistent with international space laws. However, as space agencies and space explorations begin pushing beyond the boundaries of what we initially expect as possible, we must reconsider the laws that will apply to places like the Moon and Mars. For years, it has been Elon Musk's great plan to colonize Mars and bring it to life, and as he surpassed Jeff Bezos as the richest man in the world, he reaffirmed his intentions to build a city on Mars, as per The Independent, saying in a Twitter post that half of his money is intended to help fix existing problems here on Earth, while the other half is intended to creating his dream Martian city in case "we destroy ourselves." Related Article: NASA to Test Fire World's Largest Rocket 'Space Launch System' for Artemis Moon Mission: How to Watch This article is owned by Tech Times Written by: Nhx Tingson 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The president of Azerbaijan believes that the new trilateral statement "draws a line under what happened last year." Following talks on Monday, January 11, the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation signed a joint statement on the development of Nagorno-Karabakh. That's according to RBC citing Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying. Yerevan and Baku agreed to create a working group at the level of vice prime ministers to address issues of the region's economy and transport infrastructure. Also, working expert subgroups will be created in the near future to draft action plans on the said issues. According to the adopted statement, the working group shall by March 1, 2021, submit for approval at the highest level a list and schedule for the implementation of measures for the restoration of existing and construction of new transport infrastructure facilities to ensure international transportation via Azerbaijan and Armenia. Read alsoUSSR 2.0: Putin's legacyCommenting on the outcome of the talks, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the unblocking of transport communications, which has been discussed by the heads of the three countries, meets the interests of both Yerevan and Baku. Aliyev believes that the new trilateral statement "draws a line under what happened last year." Unblocking transport communications will allow Azerbaijan for the first time in 30 years to establish communication with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, while Armenia will get a railroad connection to Russia and Iran through the territory of Azerbaijan, he explained. In addition, there will be access to the Turkish market and the Turkish and Russian railway arteries. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that "the implementation of the agreements reached in Moscow can change the economic image and appearance of the region, while economic innovations could lead to even more reliable security guarantees." War in Nagorno-Karabakh 2020: Background On September 27, the latest round of escalation started in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh region. On November 10, all hostilities were ceased in the conflict zone. This was announced in a statement signed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the agreements reached, Azerbaijan and Armenia will hold ground at their current positions. A Russian peacekeeping contingent deploys along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Internally displaced persons and refugees are returning to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas under the control of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The exchange of prisoners of war, other detainees, and bodies is being carried out. All economic and transport links in the region are being unblocked. Armenia was supposed to hand control of the Kelbajar region to Azerbaijan by November 15, and of the Lachin region by December 1, while retaining the Lachin corridor (5 km wide) to ensure the link between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. This shall not cover the city of Shusha. Reporting by UNIAN Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 From single to taken, Michael B. Jordan welcomed the year with a new relationship status as he confirms his romance with Lori Harvey. Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey Are Now Instagram Official The 2020 People's "Sexiest Man Alive" made their relationship Instagram official alongside a dreamy photo featuring the new couple. The "Black Panther" star, who is notoriously private about his personal life, shared a series of sweet snaps with the model-turned-actress as they gazed into each other's eyes. Jordan also tagged the 24-year-old Tennessee native and photographer Leo Volcy. Meanwhile, Steve Harvey's daughter also took to her social media to share a captivating photo of the two as she confirmed their relationship. In one photo, the pair stood in front of a giant Christmas tree, while the second shot featured Jordan attempting to kiss Harvey on the cheeks. She simply captioned her IG post with an emoji of a brown heart. Friends from the industry congratulated the lovely couple as they made their romance Instagram official. Over Michael B. Jordan's Instagram comment section, Gabrielle Union wrote, "Faves." Meanwhile, the famed celebrity trainer, body transformation specialist and TV personality Corey Calliet posted, "I'm here for it!!!!!" In addition, DJ D-Nice congratulated the Hollywood star alongside a message that reads, "Love this! Congrats!" As of writing, the actor's post has over 1.1 million likes and 18,000 comments. On Twitter, fans had mixed reactions about Jordan's new relationship status. Some shared funny memes pointing out that Harvey is one lucky girl. "Lori Harvey is now dating Michael b Jordan? Sis how can I unlock this power," one wrote. On the other hand, an individual also thought that Michael B. Jordan's girlfriend's IG post was a teaser for an upcoming movie: "I thought this was a new movie coming from Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey at first lol." Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey's Holiday Getaways Back in November 2020, rumors sparked that the actor is dating the 24-year-old beauty after they were spotted jetting off a plane just before Thanksgiving. At the time, TMZ cited that the "Creed" star and Harvey boarded a Delta flight from Los Angeles. Jordan was said to be sporting a gray-hooded sweaters and sweatpants, while the runway model donned a muted brown loungewear. A month later, the pair was photographed in Salt Lake City as they celebrated the New Year's Eve together, per The Sun. READ MORE: 'SpongeBob' Prequel Revealed! Nickelodeon Drops Sneak Peak for 'Kamp Koral' See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles 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, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 2021 budget address, Prime Minister Timothy Harris revealed how St Kitts and Nevis'Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme supported the nation over the last year. According to PM Harris, the Programme has been a significant contributor to the nation's economy. This has ensured that revenue generated under the Programme was channelled into boosting national development and protecting its citizens during the pandemic crisis. This included Sylvia Garnette Primary Health Care Facility's commissioning, St Peter's Health Centre's ongoing construction, and the Poverty Alleviation Programme's expansion. Introduced in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme enables foreign investors and their families to become citizens once contributing to its Sustainable Growth Fund - the fastest and most secure route to second citizenship. After passing the necessary vetting procedures, successful applicants gain access to life-changing benefits, including increased travel freedom to nearly 160 countries and territories and the right to live and work in a thriving nation. With nearly four decades of experience within the industry, St Kitts and Nevis' CBI is considered a 'Platinum Standard' brand within the industry and continues to maintain its popularity amongst foreign investors: "Despite some setbacks related to the pandemic, the volume of applications for the year so far has improved. Applications have come from all over the world, including the USA, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. We have become the preferred choice of the discerning investor owing to our high quality of life index, the strength of our passport and the recognition of the St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme as the Platinum Brand. Our CBI Programme continues to be ranked as one of the best in the industry." The dual-island nation has also continued to adapt its CBI Programme to the market's needs by introducing a limited time offer for families of up to four and siblings' inclusion in an application. Prime Minister Harris has also announced that the legislative framework would continue to be strengthened in several ways for the next three years. pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com Congress introduced a censure resolution against U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks on Monday, an effort to deliver a punishment against the Huntsville congressman for his raucous comments at a pro-Trump rally hours before protesters briefly took control of the U.S. Capitol. The resolution came from New Jersey Congressman Tom Malinowski and Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, both Democrats, and states that Brooks comments to the crowd encouraged and incited violence against his fellow members of Congress as part of an assault on the United States Capitol. Four people died amid the storming of the Capitol, including a Capitol police officer. Law enforcement has said the protesters were seeking to stop Congress from approving the election results certifying Joe Biden as president. The House on Monday also introduced an article of impeachment against Trump. In an interview on CNN on Monday, Malinowski described the censure resolution as serious first step. Malinowski is also seeking to investigate if Brooks or other members of Congress colluded with protesters. Malinowski said he does not have evidence that Brooks was in contact with the Trump supporters who stormed the nations Capitol. Brooks was among congressional leaders seeking to reject election results in several swing states with the objective of delivering Trump a second term. There has been no evidence presented of widespread voter fraud. I dont have answers and Im not going to accuse anyone of something that serious without evidence, Malinowski said. There have been accusations made, including from some of the rioters on social media, who said they were in contract with particular members (of Congress) and that they had planned the storming of the Capitol with them. I dont know if its true. Im not going to censure or expel someone based on a supposition. I've introduced a resolution, with @DWStweets, to formally censure Congressman Mo Brooks, who, on the morning of January 6th, incited the crowd that attacked the Capitol, endangering the lives of his fellow members of Congress. pic.twitter.com/9RstKR29Jn Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) January 11, 2021 In a text message to AL.com, Brooks defended his standing as an elected official in the state legislature and Madison County Commission as well as Congress -- saying he has a perfect record in following ethics laws. Over 34 years of public service, I have a 100 percent perfect record of complying with all applicable ethics laws, Brooks said. That record will not change. Fox News reporter Chad Pergram first reported on the prospect of a Brooks censure on Sunday. Pergram said on Twitter than the House has only censured 23 members in its history. The most recent was New York Congressman Charles Rangel in 2010. A censure requires only a majority vote, which may well be achieved by the Democrat-controlled House, and is considered a less severe penalty than expulsion, which would require a two-thirds vote of House members. Brooks was one of two congressmen who spoke at the Save America rally near the White House on the morning of Jan. 6. The Malinowski/Schultz resolution cites several comments Brooks made in the speech, including: Today is a time of choosing and tomorrow is a time of fighting, Brooks said. Today is also a day of revelation and separation. Today, the curtain will be pulled back and American patriots will learn by their votes which Republican senators and congressmen have the courage to fight for our America. Today, by their votes, Americans will learn which Republican congressmen and senators love their bourbon, love their cigars, love their prestige, love their personal power, love their special interest group money more than they love America. Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass, Brooks said. Brooks last week told AL.com that he would make no apology for his comments -- which was also noted in the Malinowski/Schultz resolution. The resolution calls for Brooks to stand in the well of the House chamber for the pronouncement of censure and Brooks would be censured with the public reading of this resolution by the Speaker (Nancy Pelosi). Malinowski said on CNN he expected the House to pass the censure resolution and that he anticipated some House Republicans to vote in support of the discipline as well. If the House goes to censure (Brooks), and I believe we will, the congressman will be forced to stand in the well in the House and hear the resolution read, Malinowski said. It will be a scarlet letter. It will be a vote of condemnation of his colleagues. Im quite certain many Republicans will vote with us on this. But I think this is a first step we need to take a broader look at whether he and potentially other members did more than just say outrageous things. Schultz accused Brooks of aiding the president in inciting the angry mob. Not only did Congressman Brooks fuel an insurrection against the body he serves in, his words helped spark chaos, destruction, injuries and death, Schultz said in a statement. Censure seems too trifling a punishment in this horrific case, but its the minimal level of accountability Congressman Brooks should face from the same Congress he goaded rioters to assault. Trump supporters forced their way into the Capitol as a joint session was Congress was meeting to formally approve the Electoral College results -- the final step finalizing the election of Biden. Brooks led a congressional movement to challenge those results, becoming last month the first member of Congress to say he would launch a protest in several election swing states. There has been no evidence presented of widespread misconduct during the election, according to Trump ally and former U.S. Attorney General William Barr. Dozens of court filings by the Trump campaign were quickly dismissed in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. After the riots in the Capitol, Alabamas House Republicans voted in favor of rejecting the election results in Arizona and Georgia. Both measures failed in lopsided votes. In addition to the censure resolution, the left-leaning Campaign for Accountability has called for Brooks to be expelled from Congress due to his comments at the Trump rally. In a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics, the CfA called for an investigation into Brooks to determine if he broke federal law by inciting a riot as part of a seditious conspiracy to use force to prevent Congress from carrying out its Constitutional and statutory duties to count the votes of the Electoral College. In a press release accompanying the letter, CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said, Its hard to imagine anything that brings greater discredit to the House than a member of Congress who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution inciting an angry mob to violently protest against the legitimate results of a democratic election. Whether or not Rep. Brooks is charged criminally for his actions, he must be expelled from Congress for his role inciting the insurrection. Brooks dismissed the complaint from CfA, alluding to the 2017 shooting at the Republican softball practice in northern Virginia. Brooks was not injured and assisted others at the practice in attending to Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise, who was seriously wounded by a gunshot in the hip. Once you become a potent force blocking socialist efforts, attacks like these become just another day at the office, Brooks said. The so-called Committee for Accountability can attack away. I will not hesitate in my efforts to stop evil and dictatorial socialism in its tracks. Socialists have already tried to assassinate me on the ball field. This is nothing compared to that! Updated today, Jan. 11, 2021, at 2:10 p.m. with new information throughout. Updated today, Jan. 11, 2021, at 3 p.m. with comments from Brooks. Updated today, Jan. 11, 2021, at 3:19 p.m. with additional comments from Brooks. The state govt announced formation of a a six-member team headed by the director of the health department on Sunday to probe the incident. The team was directed to submit its report within three days Bhandara: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday met kin of the newborns who died in a fire at the Bhandara district hospital the day before and said orders have been issued for conducting safety audit of all hospitals in the state. Ten of the 17 infants, aged between one month and three months, died in the blaze erupted at the Special Newborn Care Unit of the four-storey state-run hospital in east Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters, Thackeray said the probe will ascertain if the fire was an accident or was the fallout of ignoring an earlier safety report. The chief minister also informed that orders have been issued to check if there have been any incidents of ignoring safety norms at hospitals in the state while combating the coronavirus pandemic. Thackeray, who flew in from Mumbai in afternoon to Bhandara, said he met the kin of the victims, including the tribal couple Geeta Behere and Vishwanath Behere who lost their first child, a girl, in the tragedy, with folded hands. "It was very sad and heart-wrenching incident. Imet kin of some of the deceased newborn babies. I have no words to console them, as the lives which are lost cannot be brought back. I have also inspected the spot (in the Bhandara hospital where the fire had occurred)," he said. Thackeray also spoke to hospital and health officials. "The probe we have announced will also check if the fire was an accident or was something which happened as a result of ignoring earlier safety report or due to negligence or because of any other factors," Thackeray said. He said the cause of the incident, whatever it may be, will be known after the inquiry committee formed by the state government submits its report. "Truth will come out. We are not going to blame anyone purposefully, but if any negligence is found, stringent action will be taken against those responsible for any lapses," he added. The chief minister said orders have also been issued to check "if there have been any incidents in the state of ignoring safety norms at hospitals while combating the coronavirus pandemic". A team has been formed to go into the safety aspects of the incident, he said. Thackeray was accompanied by Maharashtra legislative Assembly Speaker Nana Patole during the visit. The state government on Saturday announced the formation of a a six-member team headed by the director of the health department to probe the incident. The team was directed to submit its report within three days. Thackeray said divisional commissioner has been entrusted the responsibility of the committee. Bhandara falls under the Nagpur administrative division. Thackeray also said an expert official who worked with the Mumbai Fire Brigade is one of the members of this committee. The chief minister said the probe team will prepare guidelines so that such incidents do not recur anywhere in Maharashtra in 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. FORT COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketing 360 and Lendio today announced a partnership which will allow Marketing 360 to help its customers navigate the PPP loan application and loan forgiveness process. This partnership paves the way for Marketing 360 customers to access the capital they need to support their businesses. "The partnership with Lendio gives our SMB customers a better chance at securing funding, as they will have access to a marketplace of funds that can better accommodate their needs," said Jerry Kelly, CMO of Marketing 360. Marketing 360 "Lendio and Marketing 360 have similar missions and a belief that small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy, so this partnership is a natural fit," he added. The rollout of PPP was extremely complicated, with ever-changing guidelines and rules. Many small businesses had to put in multiple applications through multiple lenders, only to be turned away when the funds ran out. With Lendio, a small business fills out one application and has access to multiple trusted lending partners on Lendio's platform. Business owners have access to a dedicated loan advisor to guide them through the entire process. Lendio also helps with the loan forgiveness process. If a business uses 60% or more of their PPP funds directly for payroll, the entire loan can be forgiven; however, applicants must submit paperwork and documentation to be eligible for loan forgiveness. To learn more about this partnership, visit https://www.marketing360.com/lendio About Marketing 360 Marketing 360 is a technology company that provides business marketing and marketing software and services for SMBs and franchises. The Marketing 360 platform gives SMBs everything they need to manage and grow their business from a singular platform, including the ability to build a professional website, accept and manage payments, manage leads and customers, book appointments, monitor reviews, manage SMS, syndicate business listings, manage content marketing, run multi-channel digital advertising campaigns, and more. Marketing 360 was founded in 2009 with the mission of enriching communities by helping small businesses grow, and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, with offices in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Marketing 360 at https://www.marketing360.com/ . About Lendio Lendio is the nation's leading small business loan marketplace. With its diverse network of lenders, Lendio enables small business owners to apply for multiple loan products with a single application. To date, Lendio has facilitated over 200,000 small business loans for $10 billion in total funding, including $8 billion in PPP loan approvals as part of government COVID-19 relief. Lendio is a values-driven organization striving to provide equal access to capital to underserved communities and America's smallest businesses. For every new marketplace loan Lendio facilitates, Lendio Givesan employee-contribution and employer-matching fundprovides a microloan to a low-income entrepreneur around the world. Contact: Farra Lanzer [email protected] 970-541-3284 SOURCE Marketing 360 Related Links https://www.marketing360.com/ Wall Street will use the power of its campaign giving to broadly condemn U.S. politicians, including those whose attempt to overturn the November presidential election spurred last week's attack on the Capitol. Goldman Sachs will probably curtail donations to leaders who tried to block the election result, and Morgan Stanley similarly singled out members of Congress who withheld their votes to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win in November, pausing its contributions to them. JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank by assets, said it's planning a six-month suspension to both Republicans and Democrats, and Citigroup said it intends to temporarily stop all political contributions this quarter. "We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law," Candi Wolff, Citigroup's head of global government affairs, said in a memo to employees. The banking industry has traditionally been among the biggest backers of U.S. politicians, and lenders were some of the top beneficiaries of tax breaks championed by Republicans and President Donald Trump's administration. The president's regulators also eased industry rules, and trading desks are expected in coming days to report one of their best quarters ever, despite the tumult in the broader economy brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the backlash to the violence singled out Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who supported Trump's claims that his election loss to Biden was the result of fraud. Hawley was seen saluting protesters with a fist pump before they stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. Citigroup's Wolff said the bank gave $1,000 to his 2019 campaign, adding the New York-based company has a sizable employee presence in Hawley's home state. The moves follow a resolution last week by some business leaders to pull back on their financial giving. Tom Glocer, Morgan Stanley's independent lead director, has been on calls with prominent CEOs in recent days in which many resolved to send a message to senators to back off or face financial consequences. Glocer said he was particularly alarmed by the actions of Hawley, a fellow Yale Law School graduate. "That drove me beyond the pale," Glocer said about the senator. "A lot of business people don't want to get involved because they don't want to bring politics to the workplace," he said. "This goes beyond the politics." Peter Scher, JPMorgan's head of corporate responsibility, said the focus of business, political and civic leaders now should be on governing and getting help to those in need. "There will be plenty of time for campaigning later," Scher said in a statement Sunday. Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein took the financial industry to task for failing to speak out sooner against Trump, whose administration juiced Wall Street profits but is now winding down in violence. "If you are willing to overlook bad character because they do good things for you, then that comes back to bite you," Blankfein, who retired as Goldman's CEO in 2018, said in an interview last week. "Trump was doing a lot of good things, but all the while he was showing such poor character." Stopping short of vowing to suspend donations, Bank of America said it will take recent events into consideration before any future donations. Wells Fargo said it's reviewing its policies on political giving. The U.S. stock market rallied toward another record even after the violence, as investors turned their attention from the graphic images of violence to the prospect of more fiscal stimulus under Biden. Banks in particular gained ground, as Goldman Sachs analysts said the industry has "moved back into vogue." Summit BHC, a leading national provider of behavioral health and addiction treatment services, announced the acquisition of both The Pavilion and The Farley Center located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Pavilion at Williamsburg Place is a 66-bed, inpatient psychiatric facility, with geriatric and adult beds. The Farley Center operates 70 beds for substance use detox, rehab, partial hospitalization, and outpatient services. Also, as part of the acquisition, Summit will assume ownership and operation of The Villages, a semi-private living accommodation for individuals in recovery. With this acquisition, Summit BHC now operates 24 facilities across the country. The Pavilion and The Farley Center are complementary additions to the Summit family as their services match up well with our strengths, stated Brent Turner, CEO of Summit. This is our second venture in the state of Virginia, following our opening of Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth in 2019. We are pleased to partner with regionally-recognized programs like The Pavilion and The Farley Center, and we look forward to continuing to provide a high quality of care to our clients there. About Summit BHC Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee and founded in 2013, Summit was established to develop and operate a network of leading behavioral health hospitals and addiction treatment centers throughout the country. The Companys primary focus is on the provision of psychiatric services and substance use disorder treatment within a flexible and dynamic continuum of care. The leadership team at Summit is comprised of senior executives with decades of combined experience in the behavioral healthcare industry at the national level. The Company currently owns and operates 24 freestanding facilities nationwide. 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 Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over eight months after a clash in the Pangong lake area New Delhi: The Indian Army on Monday handed back to China a soldier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), three days after apprehending him at the southern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, official sources said. The soldier was returned to China at the Chushul-Moldo border point in eastern Ladakh at 10.10 am, they added. The Chinese soldier was captured at the southern bank of Pangong lake in the early hours of Friday after he transgressed across the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "The PLA soldier, who was apprehended on 8 January, was handed back to China at Chushul-Moldo at 10.10 am on Monday," a source said. Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over eight months. The faceoff began in May last year, following a clash between the two sides in the Pangong lake area. "The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area. Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops," the Army said in a statement on Saturday. Following the capture of the soldier by the Indian Army, China had sought his immediate return on Saturday. It was the second such incident of India capturing and subsequently returning a Chinese soldier in the last three months. Indian troops had captured Corporal Wang Ya Long of the PLA on 19 October last year after he "strayed" across the LAC in Ladakh's Demchok sector. The corporal was handed back to China at the Chushul-Moldo border point following the laid-down protocols. The areas around the Pangong lake along the LAC have remained tense in the last few months. Around four months ago, Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rechin La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of the Pangong lake, after the Chinese military attempted to intimidate them in the area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 last year. Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane visited various high-altitude forward areas in eastern Ladakh last month, including certain positions on the south bank of the Pangong lake, and reviewed India's overall military preparedness. Nearly 50,000 troops of the Indian Army are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness at various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero temperatures as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded a concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The two countries held another round of diplomatic talks last month under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. The eighth and last round of military talks between the two sides took place on November 6 last year, during which both sides had broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides had announced a slew of decisions, including not to send more troops to the frontline, refraining from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoiding taking any action that may further complicate matters. This round of talks was held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. The previously unimaginable showdown looming over leadership of the Illinois House of Representatives, occasioned by scandal around the once-invincible Speaker Michael Madigan, recalls a drawn-out debacle 45 years ago that burned through two weeks and 93 votes before lawmakers settled on a surprise compromise. With the inauguration of a new General Assembly on Wednesday, Madigan, the longest-serving leader of any legislative body in U.S. history, will seek an unparalleled 19th term as speaker, a vote thats been a lock for three decades. But last summer, the Democrat was identified in a Justice Department investigation as the beneficiary of a years-long bribery venture by ComEd. It has thus far yielded a $200 million fine on the utility giant, a ComEd executives guilty plea and indictments of four others, including Madigans closest confidante. Madigan has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing. But after several years of declining faith in the 78-year-old Madigans leadership, calls have intensified for his ouster. At last count, 19 House Democrats remarkably have declared they will not support his retention this week, which also marks the 50th anniversary of his first House inauguration. That ostensibly leaves Madigan six votes shy of the 60 he needs to reclaim the gavel, given a 73-45 Democratic majority. But others likely oppose the Chicago Democrat who have not publicly said so. Madigan was a rising star in January 1975 following a Watergate-era mid-term sweep, landing Democrats 101 seats to the Republicans 76 in what was then a larger House. The melee that was the sessions opening act ended with an unlikely Republican vote for back-bencher William Redmond of DuPage County. It came from freshman Rep. Lee Daniels of Elmhurst, who two decades later became the only person to interrupt Madigans three decades at the helm, serving as speaker with a fleeting GOP majority from 1995-97. The previous front-runner, southern Illinois powerhouse Rep. Clyde Choate, had the endorsement of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. Not surprisingly, he drew the opposition of Gov. Dan Walker, a Democrat but self-styled reformer whose 1972 election was a victory over Daleys Democratic machine. Walker said, I want ABC Anybody but Clyde, said Aaron Jaffe, a Democrat from Skokie who entered the House with Madigan in 1971, leaving in 1985 to become a Cook County circuit judge. Walker, who questioned Choates honesty, favored Rep. Gerald Bradley of Bloomington. Jaffe, who often clashed with Daley but was just as wary of Walkers machinations, believed Choate would be strong enough to stand up to both when necessary. Needing 89 votes to mount the dais, the Jan. 8 opening vote gave Choate 56 to Bradleys 11. In all, 11 members tallied votes, including then-Rep. Harold Washington, who in 1983 became Chicagos first Black mayor. Through ballot after ballot, Choate was implacable, as relentless as in 1944 when he single-handedly destroyed a tank and turned back a Nazi advance in France, earning the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman. He wouldnt yield even after Daley and Walker agreed on Redmond as a compromise. Clyde Choate stayed the course, he turned the mayor down when the mayor asked him to get out, said George Ryan, then a second-term Republican from Kankakee who would succeed Redmond as speaker in 1981 and served as governor from 1999-2003. Choate, Ryan said, believed he had paid his dues and had earned the job. Daleys switch, which Ryan recalled prompted the House collectively to wonder, Whos Bill Redmond? Where the hell did he come from? materialized on the 39th ballot, when Redmond got 71 votes and Choate fell to 21. But there was a long way to go. Jaffe found himself in a group akin to todays 19 dissenters, the Embattled 17 (he has a whimsical plaque to prove it) who stuck with Choate until the end. Redmond prevailed on Jan. 21 with the help of six Republicans in addition to Daniels, who declined an interview. The acrimony between the two parties in todays House driven almost exclusively by the GOPs disdain for Madigan makes that scenario unlikely this time. Madigan has three declared opponents: Reps. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego, Kathleen Willis of Addison and Ann Williams of Chicago. Opponents of Madigans retention hope to settle matters in a private caucus before a public head count. This doesnt have to be drawn out and end up going to the floor, said Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago member of the 19 dissenters. Hopefully, it resolves itself in caucus. That involves folks recognizing that he (Madigan) simply doesnt have the votes. But if, like Choate, Madigan takes the matter to the floor without sufficient votes, a repeat is in store.. There will be some people that will always vote for for the current speaker, Kifowit said. And I believe those people will want to be heard on the House floor. Some will not count out the velvet hammer, as the speaker has come to be known. Madigan doesnt take Step 2 until he practices Step 1 four times, Jaffe said. Hes a well thought-out guy. Ryan, who as governor clashed and compromised with the speaker, said, Ill put my money on Madigan. Since 2010, CBSs Blue Bloods has thrilled viewers with its inside look at police procedure and detective work. Its 11 seasons follow Frank Reagan, commissioner of the New York City Police and head of the starring Reagan family. The American actor behind the Irish-Catholic Reagan patriarch is Tom Selleck, who quickly captured viewers hearts with his courage and compassion. Recently, Selleck gained even more praise when fans heard that he was taking his selflessness from the screen to his everyday life. Blue Bloods is full of sacrifice and heroism Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods. | Patrick Harbron/CBS via Getty Images For Blue Bloods Reagan family, theres very limited work-home separation. Though Frank is the highly-decorated Police Commissioner, hes far from the only hero in the house. His son Danny serves as a detective for the NYPD, while his youngest, Jamie, is a sergeant for the same department. His daughter Erin is an assistant district attorney, allowing viewers to get a holistic view of justice work through a single family. The show has a history of using its justice-focused lens to highlight important societal issues. Blue Bloods made history by being the first film crew to capture a scene at the 9/11 Memorial resulting in an emotional episode that Selleck cites as his favorite. The premiere of the latest season also acknowledged issues of police brutality. Though this latest move was likely in response to the wrongful death of George Floyd, the show has never shied away from showcasing the imperfections of the legal system. In fact, the show frequently makes reference to an additional Reagan son, Joe, who was killed by a corrupt cop. Selfless Frank Reagan is just one of Sellecks many roles According to CBS, Frank Reagan was a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps before he began serving as a police offer. Its no wonder that fans of the show were drawn to the story of this hero and his family. But despite the role of Reagan being Tom Sellecks longest role, its far from the only recognizable personality he has taken on. Selleck actually got his first long-standing, starring role in Magnum, P.I. For 162 episodes spanning eight years of the 80s, Selleck portrayed Thomas Magnum, a private investigator in Oahu, Hawaii. Although this show was also a CBS drama, Selleck has since occupied many other roles that show off his full range. His Magnum character showed up in several episodes of Murder, She Wrote. He also took the titular role of Jesse Stone in several successful TV movies. Perhaps most notably, he found his way into the Friends cast. Despite his eventual loss to Chandler, Selleck appeared in ten episodes as Dr. Richard Burke in a bid to win Monicas heart. Selleck quietly participated in the 2020 Tip Challenge I found out that my TV Dad #TomSelleck has generously accepted the #2020TipChallenge at Elios Upper East Side! Love ya dad. I didnt start it but Im proud to be part of it. To those who gave even the smallest extra amount this year THANK YOU.#spreadloveandlovewillspread pic.twitter.com/1NcEswVbsO Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) December 24, 2020 RELATED: Tom Selleck Reveals the Blue Bloods Moment Thats Special to Him Also Made History Recently, Selleck took his charm and compassion from the screen to the service industry. According to People, Selleck left a $2,020 tip on a $204.68 bill at a New York restaurant, Elios. His gesture follows in the footsteps of many stars who took the #2020TipChallenge a movement to show appreciation for service workers who have been greatly impacted by the coronavirus shutdown. In fact, it was Donnie Wahlberg, a fellow Blue Bloods star, who first drew attention to Sellecks kind act. On December 23, he tweeted, I found out that my TV Dad #TomSelleck has generously accepted the #2020TipChallenge at Elios Upper East Side! In a follow-up interview with People, he emphasized that Selleck had kept this extreme gesture of kindness to himself for weeks. Sellecks off-screen Reagan-like actions are evidence of his genuine character. Were sure Sellecks server felt as if they had just been a part of a heartwarming Blue Bloods family dinner. Rev. Emmanuel Attu, Acting Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana (EPCG) has said the Church was in a "serious" crisis and would need a revival. He said the Church suffered a financial crisis, and also lamented growing indiscipline. Rev. Attu made the call in Ho during the induction ceremony of the Moderator-elect of the Church, said some Pastors of the lower branches have not been paid salary in arrears for months. He also alleged that some Pastors too were refusing postings. . The Acting Moderator further said income generating projects of the Church had collapsed, and mentioned its Press and Publishing, which used to be a leading name in the industry. "The EP Church is in a serious crisis. It needs a revival. It's time to stop painting the outside, while the inside are corrupt. "What is the cause? Is it mismanagement? Is it misappropriation, or compromise of duty? Is it lack of accountability? Are members fed up with contributing financially because they see some enriching themselves?" "As a Church we need a major change. We need a change of attitude, mindset, and a change in our ways of doing things. We need a change in behaviour." He called on the new Moderator, and "God fearing" leaders of the Church "who cannot be compromised" to persist despite opposition, at ensuring the needed change. 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 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. Teachers scrambled to create lesson plans to help students make sense of the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol right after it happened. Its a fraught task. Even the news media wasnt sure what to call this unprecedented attack on U.S. democracy. Was it a coup? A riot? An act of domestic terrorism? Likewise, its not clear where lessons should begin. The Conversation U.S. asked six education experts how teachers and parents can help young people comprehend, analyze and process what happened. Dont avoid the topic Dr. David Schonfeld, director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and professor of clinical pediatrics, University of Southern California Educators may worry they dont know the right thing to say and will unnecessarily upset students. But saying nothing can say a lot to children that adults are unaware, unconcerned, unable or unwilling to provide support in difficult times. Teachers and parents can begin by asking students what they have heard and understand about the event. As kids explain it, its important to look for misunderstandings and ask about worries and concerns. Children often have very different fears than adults. Some may be based on limited information or misunderstandings. For example, children might fear that its unsafe to go into any government building and worry about a parent who works in a post office. The goal of these conversations is to help children understand what happened in order to address their worries and concerns. Especially in the midst of a pandemic, when children and adults are worried about illness and death and many families are dealing with financial concerns and other sources of stress, its not a time for teachers to introduce their personal take on what elected officials did right or wrong or to speculate about potential future dangers. The events of Jan. 6 are a harsh reminder that even in the U.S. people are never completely safe from violence. But adults can use this opportunity to express a hopeful perspective for the future and reassure children that what happened at the Capitol should not make them feel unsafe in their home, at school or in their community. Story continues No business as usual Paula McAvoy, assistant professor of social studies education, North Carolina State University I believe that social studies teachers should not return to business as usual in early 2021. Instead, they should spend ample time helping students understand what happened on Jan. 6, what precipitated the mayhem and what should happen going forward. Once students have had space to process, the priority is to help them become more informed. When engaging in this work, teachers must not treat the question, Did Joe Biden legitimately win the 2020 election? as open to interpretation. He most definitely did. Likewise, teachers should not give any credence to the idea that the election was stolen, as the angry mob that wreaked havoc in the Capitol alleged. Instead, teachers should affirm each states certification. They should be clear that over 80 judges including some appointed by Trump rejected the baseless claim that fraud affected the outcome. They should do this because it is true. The question, Should President Trump be impeached again? is, however, open for interpretation. Engaging students in an extended inquiry into this question as members of Congress grapple with it in real time creates an opportunity to closely read parts of the Constitution, including the 25th Amendment, parse out the difference between a violent insurrection and a protest, and evaluate Trumps words and actions. This moment is an opportunity for everyone to deepen their understanding about democracy. And social studies teachers should not let it slip away. Focus on white supremacy Tiffany Mitchell Patterson, assistant professor of secondary social studies, West Virginia University White supremacy has always been violent, protected and upheld in Americas institutions. This is well documented and we must teach it. The world witnessed yet another example on Jan. 6, 2021. I believe its a good idea for teachers to devote some class time to allow students to share their thoughts, feelings and questions on what they have seen and heard about the insurrection in a way that does not harm students of color. This is also an opportunity to engage students in spotting many racial double standards by having students analyze the media coverage, political rhetoric and law enforcement responses to the Black Lives Matter protests across the nation in 2020, and this unprecedented attack that followed smaller-scale operations at some state capitols. I do understand that some teachers may be reluctant to address what happened. Those educators need to be honest with themselves about why that is and do the necessary self-reflective work needed to overcome their hesitation. Teachers also must resist the urge to view what I consider a coup attempt as an isolated incident. Instead, they should place it in a historical context. Many resources are available. The Zinn Education Project and the Southern Policy Law Centers Teaching Tolerance initiative, among others, provide lesson plans and resources to learn and teach about racism and white supremacy. For some teachers this is ongoing work, and for others this siege is sure to be a catalyst for change. But progress toward the goal of dismantling white supremacy can happen in K-12 classrooms if teachers choose to do the critical work that it requires. Kids are, sadly, familiar with violence Kyle Greenwalt, associate director of teacher preparation and associate professor of education, Michigan State University School curriculum and childrens own life experiences both oblige teachers to discuss with their students events like those that happened at the U.S. Capitol. In Michigan, for example, state standards for kindergarteners require them to consider several important civic ideals. These include the notion that people do not have the right to do whatever they want and that democracy requires cooperation as well as individual responsibility. But its not only educational standards that make it necessary to teach kids about such events and engage them in related discussions. The reality children face in their daily lives also demands it. Children and teens are no strangers to disagreement, questions of fairness and, unfortunately, scenes of violence like those we saw in the Capitol. For example, schools commonly have active-shooter drills that can leave children feeling confused, scared or angry. I believe that teachers have a moral responsibility to help students process these experiences. In a truly democratic society, students are not only taught about democracy but are encouraged to practice it. That is, students are empowered to use what they have learned to engage in civic life outside of the classroom walls. Thats what happened when students led the March for Our Lives after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. A youthful passion for engagement is also what inspired the Swedish teen Greta Thunberg and a wave of climate strikes. Young people are capable of showing their elders what it means to live democratically and take care of the common good. Connect events to the past and the future Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University Most students today have never seen our elected leaders and political systems work well, let alone live up to Americas constitutional ideals. Many are confused by what theyve seen, if not angry and traumatized. Its important for teachers to communicate that all kinds of emotional reactions are valid. Let students express and process what they feel safely. Do not dehumanize any student because of their opinion but teach them to always consider the intent and impact of their response. If appropriate, encourage methods like journaling that allow for reflection without sharing. This is also an opportunity to connect current events with other moments in American history when the nations institutions were tested or our leaders fell short in their commitment to core American values. [Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.] Even with younger students, I dont believe educators should shy away from the fact that some people violated not just social norms but their professional, political and moral duties and why their actions threaten the health of our republic. These conversations can enhance students understanding of the past and present and inspire a passion to build a better future for all Americans. Explain what dissent is Sarah Stitzlein, professor of education and affiliate professor of philosophy at University of Cincinnati I believe teachers should teach students what political dissent is, why it matters to a healthy democracy and how to engage in it. Ideally with the support of their school administrators and local community, teachers should help students distinguish justified protest from the violent siege that occurred at the Capitol. They should explain how good dissent seeks to understand problems, critiques injustice, sparks discussion between people with different views, bases claims on evidence and employs democratic processes. Teachers should empower students with the skills of dissent. These include raising awareness, forming persuasive arguments, building coalitions and using critical thinking to challenge misinformation. Students should practice putting forward solutions that can be discussed and tested. Young people should be encouraged to imagine how life can be better in America as a way to build hope with their peers. Its important that they realize how dissent and hope together can help strengthen U.S. democracy. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: David Schonfeld, University of Southern California; Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Tufts University; Kyle Greenwalt, Michigan State University; Paula McAvoy, US Capitol protesters, egged on by Trump, are part of a long history of white supremacists hearing politicians words as encouragementWas it a coup? No, but siege on US Capitol was the election violence of a fragile democracy Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg receives funding from the McCormick Foundation. She is affiliated with Generation Citizen as a director of the Board. Paula McAvoy receives funding from an external research grant managed by Street Law. She is also serves on an academic advisory board for the Close Up Foundation. Sarah Stitzlein receives funding from the Spencer Foundation and Hewlitt Foundation. Tiffany Mitchell Patterson is affiliated with Teaching for Change as a member of its board. David Schonfeld and Kyle Greenwalt do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. A care home resident has delighted Good Morning Britain viewers after Piers Morgan asked fans to 'flood' her with cards on her 100th birthday. Norah Gould will celebrate the milestone at her Bedfordshire care home, Arden House, where staff recently discovered a Covid outbreak, after a resident moved into the home from hospital with a false negative test. With no idea how she'll mark the occasion, hosts Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid tasked viewers with sending Norah as many birthday cards as possible so she doesn't feel lonely on the day. Viewers loved the idea, quickly wishing her a happy birthday, and found it hilarious when Norah teased that she'll be opening cards 'until next year' . Care home resident Norah Gould (left) delighted Good Morning Britain viewers after appearing with care home manager Tanya White (right) Hosts Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid (pictured left) tasked viewers with sending Norah as many cards as possible on her 100th birthday this week Susanna, 50, asked: 'What were you going to do to celebrate your birthday? To which she replied: 'Goodness knows, darling. No idea darling!' Norah appeared on the show with care home manager Tanya White, who explained the home faced their first minor Covid-19 outbreak on New Year's Eve, when one of their residents tested positive for coronavirus after a stay in hospital. 'We've remained Covid free up until New Year's Eve. We accepted an individual from the local hospital who came in Covid negative. Viewers loved the idea, quickly wishing her a happy birthday, and found it hilarious when Norah teased that she'll be opening cards 'until next year' 'I went against the rules and did a weekly test and lucky I did because he was Covid positive and actually infected one of our other service users.' Keen for Norah to have a good birthday despite the outbreak, Piers said: 'We know that you like watching the programme and have loved having you on today. 'We're going to ask all of our viewers to send you a birthday card so you don't feel like you're on your own' A delighted Norah replied: 'That would be lovely, thank you very much'. However she added: 'But you don't mean an individual card from everyone do you?" Keen for Norah to have a good birthday despite her home's Covid outbreak, Piers said: 'We're going to ask all of our viewers to send you a birthday card so you don't feel like you're on your own' A delighted Norah replied: 'That would be lovely, thank you very much...But you don't mean an individual card from everyone do you?!' 'Yes we do!', replied Piers, 'We're going to flood you with cards.' Norah replied: 'It'll take from now to next year!' Viewers found the exchange hilarious and quickly took to Twitter to praise Norah and and insist that she looks 'fantastic' for her age. One wrote: 'Norah said: 'You people will not have me reading cards until my 101st birthday! I love her voice. Happy Birthday Norah!' 'Norah's looking fantastic for 99 going on 100', wrote another. A third commented: 'Happy 100th Birthday Nora. Enjoy your day and keep safe. From London Community Gospel Choir.' Wish Norah a Happy Birthday here or here. Israeli diamond and minerals magnate Beny Steinmetz has gone on trial in Switzerland on charges of corruption and forging documents in an alleged bid to win lavish iron ore mining concessions in Guinea by paying millions to a former wife of late President Lansana Conte. Steinmetz, 64, the only one of three defendants present Monday in the Geneva court, has denied the charges. The alleged plot involved Steinmetz's BSGR Group squeezing out a rival for mining rights for vast iron ore deposits in Guinea's southeastern Simandou region over several years. In an opening statement, Steinmetz's lawyer Marc Bonnant said the alleged corruption took place many years ago, raised questions about why the other defendants were absent and called on the Geneva tribunal to declare "null and void" the case against the tycoon. Attendance at the courtroom in Geneva's old town was limited because of concerns about COVID-19. Neither Steinmetz or Bonnant spoke to reporters as they left the courthouse for a lunch break. The Geneva prosecutor's office says the defendants were alleged to have engaged in corruption of foreign officials and falsification of documents to hide from authorities and banks the paying of bribes. Some funds allegedly transited through Switzerland in a case that has been investigated in Europe, Africa and the United States. The trial is expected to run through Jan. 15, with a verdict expected on Jan. 22. (Image Credit: AP) (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 11) The Filipina nurse who administered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom encouraged every Filipino to get vaccinated in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19. May Parsons emphasized that being inoculated is the Filipinos biggest contribution to the world in fighting the coronavirus that has now infected over 90 million and killed 1.9 million people worldwide based on the Johns Hopkins University tracker. "History says that vaccination -- it does work, it does protect people. And for people thinking about not having it, please do, because if you have family who are at risk of actually experiencing death because of COVID-19, then I would say take it," Parsons told CNN Philippines' Rico Hizon on Monday. Parsons also explained the importance of educating Filipinos about vaccines, based from scientific research and related clinical studies. "The hearsay is stronger than the message of education from the researches or the clinical scientists. We just need to make sure the information we're getting or the information that our kababayans are getting are the real ones and they can be trusted and not just hearsay," said Parsons, a nurse in the UK's National Health Service for 24 years. The OCTA Research's TUGON NG MASA survey released last January 5 found that only 25% of respondents in Metro Manila are willing to get vaccinated when doses become available in the country. Around 28% of the respondents have said they would not get the vaccine, and 47% are still undecided. Despite the hesitancy of some people to take the COVID-19 vaccine, Parsons urged Filipino nurses and medical workers around the world to hold on as they continue to fight the coronavirus. "Keep the faith, keep your resilience, have the support that you need around you to refresh, reset, and restart your emotional and mental well-being. Also know that you're not on your own," she said. Parsons administered the first Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the UK to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan last December 8. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said during a Senate inquiry on Monday a shipment carrying 50,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses will be delivered to the country on February 20. He refused to name which brand will finally reach the country, but said it's either from Sinovac, Novavax, or AstraZeneca. 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. Mount Druitt Hospital Shuts Emergency Department After COVID-19 Case Mount Druitt Hospital in Sydneys west was forced to close after a patient in the emergency department tested positive for COVID-19 after presenting with respiratory symptoms on Saturday. The patient was placed into a section of the emergency department reserved for COVID-19 cases. New South Wales (NSW) health authorities said the patient was informed of their positive diagnosis on Sunday night and transferred to Westmead Hospital for treatment. A spokesperson for the Western Sydney Local Health District told The Epoch Times on Monday that the hospital had completed a deep clean of the Mount Druitt Emergency Department. The emergency department is once again operating as normal and continues to provide high-quality care for patients in western Sydney, the spokesperson said. Health authorities are urgently investigating who among the hospital staff and patients may have been exposed to the virus and will be contacting those identified as close contacts as quickly as possible so they can get tested and isolate. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant said on Monday that authorities had still not determined the risk profile for other people in the emergency department and were taking a cautious approach to the risk assessment of the incident. We take a very precautionary role given the importance of health care workers being COVID-free and also the fact that the emergency department have a lot of vulnerable people attend with underlying health conditions, Chant said. So you would expect us to take a very cautious approach. Chant also urged people to continue to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, as testing numbers in NSW had dropped significantly for the past couple of days. Chant said NSW authorities would like to see testing rates at around 30,000 per day, with Sundays rate of over 18,000 being concerning at this point in the NSW outbreak. The exposure incident at Mount Druitt comes as NSW authorities believe they are in the mopping up phase of the Avalon and Berala outbreaks with NSW recording just five new locally acquired cases on Sunday. Three have been genomically tied to the Berala outbreak. The two further locally acquired cases, including the patient at Mount Druitt and a household contact, are still of unknown origin. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that NSW residents need to be aware that despite the governments best measures there will still be outbreaks and quarantine leaks. We have to be very honestthere is no way of eliminating this virus so long as it exists around the world, Berejiklian said. Perfection is not possible during a pandemic. As much as wed like to think there is perfection, theres not. We have to assume there will be incidents where theres concern but lets put things into perspective. When President Donald Trump signed the $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding bill into law in December, so began the 180-day countdown for US intelligence agencies to tell Congress what they know about UFOs. No, really. The director of National Intelligence and the secretary of defense have a little less than six months now to provide the congressional intelligence and armed services committees with an unclassified report about "unidentified aerial phenomena." It's a stipulation that was tucked into the "committee comment" section of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which was contained in the massive spending bill. That report must contain detailed analyses of UFO data and intelligence collected by the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and the FBI, according to the Senate intelligence committee's directive. It should also describe in detail "an interagency process for ensuring timely data collection and centralized analysis of all unidentified aerial phenomena reporting for the Federal Government" and designate an official responsible for that process. Finally, the report should identify any potential national security threats posed by UFOs and assess whether any of the nation's adversaries could be behind such activity, the committee said. The submitted report should be unclassified, the committee said, though it can contain a classified annex. A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed the news to the fact-checking website Snopes. Congress has long been interested in UFOs The Pentagon released three short videos in April of last year showing "unidentified aerial phenomena" -- clips that the US Navy had previously confirmed were real. The videos, one from 2004 and the other two from 2015, show what appear to be unidentified flying objects rapidly moving while recorded by infrared cameras. Two of the videos contain service members reacting in awe at how quickly the objects are moving. One voice speculates that it could be a drone. It's still unclear what the objects are, and there's no consensus on their origin. Some believe they may be drones potentially operated by earthly adversaries seeking to gather intelligence, rather than the extraterrestrials we normally equate with UFOs. In August, the Pentagon announced that it was forming a task force to investigate. Members of Congress and Pentagon officials have long been concerned about the appearance of the unidentified aircraft that have flown over US military bases. The Senate Intelligence Committee voted last June to have the Pentagon and intelligence community provide a public analysis of the encounters. But it's not the first time the Pentagon has looked into aerial encounters with unknown objects. The Pentagon previously studied recordings of such incidents as part of a since-shuttered classified program launched at the behest of former Sen. Harry Reid. That program was launched in 2007 and ended in 2012, according to the Pentagon, because they assessed that there were higher priorities that needed funding. The former head of the program Luis Elizondo told CNN in 2017 that he personally believes "there is very compelling evidence that we may not be alone." As we struggle through various phases of COVID-19 restrictions, we are all looking toward what will be a long and tentative process of reopening. Yet the lessons from our first reopening strategies last spring make it clear that we have a number of very important questions arising about leisure, recreation and public space. Opinion As we struggle through various phases of COVID-19 restrictions, we are all looking toward what will be a long and tentative process of reopening. Yet the lessons from our first reopening strategies last spring make it clear that we have a number of very important questions arising about leisure, recreation and public space. Taking fishing, for example. In April 2020, a California Fish and Game Commission virtual meeting was interrupted by over 500 participants concerned about a rumoured (and untrue) closure of the sport fishing season ("Make Fishing Great Again!" was one of their slogans). A couple of months later and further up the Pacific Coast in British Columbia, a private fishing lodge on Haida Gwaii ignored the ban on non-residents issued by the Council of the Haida Nation and opened up its remote resort to paying customers. While the supposedly innocent activity of fishing has long been a site of conflict and negotiation (one especially connected to colonialism), COVID-19 is part of a new front in those conflicts. Leisure in the pandemic Indeed, leisure has been a central part of the COVID-19 discussion and experience so far. Here, in Manitoba, one of the first actions taken in the aftermath of our first COVID-19 case was to close community recreation centres, pools and libraries. While COVID-19 has handed out a host of new stresses on our lives, including sickness, grieving, isolation, loss of income and overwork, it has also meant a substantial change in our free-time patterns. And much like the broader experience of the pandemic, leisure life has been a very polarized experience shaped by layers of privilege and a little random luck. Even the closure of recreation services has an uneven impact, as those with access to private pools and gyms and now backyard skating rinks feel this less than others. When the services were allowed to reopen in the spring, it was the fee-for-service facilities that opened first. And of course, regulations are unevenly applied between communities, such that public space is implicitly a space for white wealthy citizens. Beyond access to facilities, we are also finding that many individual leisure activities run up against a set of rules designed for collective well-being. On both sides there are convincing and evidence-based rationales: in the increasing anxiety of COVID-19 lockdowns, being able to safely get outside will help alleviate mental and physical health issues. Yet while virus transmission is less likely outdoors, our urban spaces cant always handle everyone going out at the same time. More acutely, rural spaces, such as First Nations territories on the B.C. coast, cant handle an influx of urban dwellers and the possibility of transmission. Economic ecosystem On the surface, these two contrary desires are possible to resolve in acceptable ways. However, its not always that easy. Working against the rational resolution of these two poles of the argument is the importance of the leisure industry to the economy and the overwhelming individualistic nature of our leisure pursuits. Leisure activities, especially ones that we participate in individually or in small groups, are an easy option for governments looking to open up small sectors of the economy. This is especially the case for regions that rely heavily on the influx of money from tourism. My province has predicted a $900-million shortfall because of the loss of international tourism. Part of the solution for Manitoba has been to focus on encouraging regional travel instead of international tourism. Yet the individualistic nature of our leisure habits can turn this into a tragedy of the commons. While it might be easy to chalk up this dilemma to our selfish desires, we also need to recognize the culture of freedom that is ingrained in our outdoor recreation and leisure culture. In North America, individual accomplishments in nature are markers of privilege and individual freedom. This kind of frontier mentality views the urban world as having a stranglehold on our desires and ability to fully express ourselves. Only in nature, the refrain goes, can we find our true self. This culture of freedom is also linked to ideals of whiteness that reduce the possibility for equitable access to wilderness public space. The pursuit of nature It is worth remembering that this culture of individualism was often promoted not only as a way to gain individual pleasure and satisfaction, but also as part of a political movement. Early conservationists played up nature as a way to provide individual health promotion and as a kind of moral duty in the face of a changing society think here of naturalists Henry David Thoreau and John Muir, as well as Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Urban recreational habits, like the popularity of running or the introduction of public playgrounds, similarly have moral roots. What is important to note here is that the dominant, white, individualistic and consumer-based nature of our recreational activities has been produced in this way it isnt just a part of human nature. It is important, then, to recognize that these decisions about what kinds of activities we like, or privilege, are shaped not just by our individual preferences, but by particular ways of looking at what public space should be. These ideas about public space, whether they are in the city or in the country, are built upon our ideas about race and safety. Held behind the promotion of these individual recreational trends, and the new guidelines for staying safe in the time of COVID-19, are beliefs about how our access to the public world around us should be governed. It is common to recognize the potential that this pandemic has for creating lasting change, and so it is worthwhile to take this time to rethink our use of public space. One step in that journey is to recognize how we came to prioritize certain individual freedoms over social safety and public good, and the impact those cultural ideals has on equitable access to public space. Bruce Erickson is an assistant professor of human geography at the University of Manitoba. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. Beijing: China says a group of experts from the World Health Organisation is due to arrive this week for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. A one-sentence announcement from the National Health Commission said on Monday the experts would arrive on Thursday and meet with Chinese counterparts, but it gave no other details. China has been criticised heavily by the WHO over delays in the investigation. Investigators wish to determine the source of the virus, which has been linked to the Huanan Seafood Market. Credit:Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images It wasnt immediately clear whether they would travel to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected in late 2019. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form STOCKHOLM: A hammer-wielding Russian man who tried to beat to death a well-known blogger and critic of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in Sweden last year was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in prison by a Swedish court. Tumso Abdurakhmanov survived the Feb. 26 attack in the town of Gavle. The court did not give the convicted defendants name, in keeping with Swedish practice. A woman who helped the assailant by letting him into Abdurachmanovs apartment, was given an 8-year term. Both will be expelled from Sweden, Swedish news agency TT said. Foreign convicts are normally expelled after serving their sentence. Prominent critics of Kadyrov have been the victims of a number of attacks in recent years. In February 2020, Chechen blogger Imran Aliyev was found stabbed to death in a hotel in Lille, France. The same month, a Russian investigative journalist who had alleged that gay men in Chechnya were subject to mass arrest and torture was beaten up in the Chechen capital Grozny. In 2006, Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who covered Chechnya for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was shot dead as she returned to her Moscow apartment. Human rights workers have accused Kadyrov of widespread abuses, allegations he denies. Supporters credit him with restoring relative calm to a region dogged for years by a simmering insurgency following two wars between Moscow and separatists after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. 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 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2021 / Fortitude Gold Corporation (the "Company") announces closing a private placement selling 500,000 shares of its common stock at $1.00 per share for gross proceeds $500,000. No commission or finder's fee was paid in connection with the private placement. Proceeds from the private placement will be used to increase the Company's 2021 exploration budget for its Nevada Mining Unit. The Company is moving forward to obtain regulatory approval to publicly trade on the OTC Markets QB market. For more information, please visit the Fortitude Gold website located at www.fortitudegold.com, which is scheduled to go live later this week. About Fortitude Gold Corporation: Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, strong returns on capital and high margins. The Company strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial future dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt, with the Isabella Pearl gold mine in current production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions. Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding Fortitude Gold Corporation's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, the scope, duration, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mining operations, Company employees, and supply chains as well as the scope, duration and impact of government action aimed at mitigating the pandemic may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Also, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate. CONTACT: 719-717-9825 info@fortitudegold.com www.Fortitudegold.com (website to go live shortly) SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/623664/Fortitude-Gold-Closes-Private-Placement OLATHE, Kan., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Terracon proudly announces it has acquired Burleson Consulting Inc. (Burleson), a leading provider of environmental compliance and engineering services for federal, state, municipal, and industrial clients throughout California. Burleson provides quality environmental compliance, site assessment and remediation, biological habitat restoration, and water resources services to government and private-sector clients from its headquarters in Folsom, Calif., and location in Monterey, Calif. Burleson's professionals have environmental experience and in-depth knowledge of the latest technologies, developments in environmental compliance, remediation, and permitting services. The firm provides expertise in NEPA, CEQA, CERCLA, RCRA, and water quality permitting and monitoring. "Navigating the environmental compliance and permitting process can be challenging and time-consuming for many of our clients," said Gayle Packer, Terracon president and CEO. "The addition of Burleson further strengthens our existing environmental practice in California and the Western U.S., and complements our focus on delivering an outstanding client experience throughout the project life cycle." All Burleson's 14 employees will immediately become part of Terracon. The firm will continue to operate locally as Burleson Consulting Inc., A Terracon Company, and the transition will be seamless for clients. "We're excited to join Terracon as the next step of our company's evolution and growth," said Nadia Burleson, P.E., QSD, Burleson president and CEO. "Our clients will continue to enjoy the responsive, trusted service they've come to expect, along with access to Terracon's national presence and resources." The new acquisition is supported by Terracon's existing California offices in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as others throughout the state and region. Burleson joins other West Coast Terracon acquisitions in the past five years including NORCAL Geophysical Consultants of Cotati, Calif.; Mayes Testing Engineers and Argus Pacific in Washington state; and CHJ Consultants of Colton, Calif. Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon currently ranks 22nd on Engineering News-Record's list of the Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit terracon.com. SOURCE Terracon Related Links http://terracon.com Open Doors' 2021 World Watch List to Reveal How COVID and Technology Accelerate Spread of Anti-Religious Bigotry; Digital Press Conference, Jan 13 NEWS PROVIDED BY Open Doors USA Jan. 11, 2021 SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- This week, persecution watchdog Open Doors USA will announce the 2021 World Watch List, its anticipated annual ranking of the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian and provide a surprising update on significant shifts in the landscape of Christian persecution worldwide. Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry will address media and viewers at an online press conference at 10 a.m. ET, Wednesday, January 13th. Research-based and highly-cited, the 2021 World Watch List report will reveal disturbing new trends including an opportunistic expansion of extremist violence from Nigeria into Sub-Saharan Africa, implications of technology's increasing role in the persecution of religious minorities, and new data indicating one-in-eight Christians now suffer for their religious beliefs worldwide. The report will also reveal how and why after several years in an otherwise static position, China's ranking on the list jumped significantly. Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry will also release the organizations' research and findings on the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religious minorities worldwide. According to Open Doors, the confluence of COVID and technology in 2020 had ominous consequences across the globe, opening avenues for the spread of violence, discrimination and oppression against religious minorities, and gave rise to a surveillance state. Curry will be joined by Dr. Chris Meserole, a fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and director of research and policy of the Brookings Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative. Meserole will share trends, projections and implications on religious freedom and censorship. "The COVID pandemic has been used as a justification to exact religious terror. The interconnectivity of technology, in the hands of evil actors, has massive human rights implications for everybody with a smartphone," Curry said. US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, will also make a statement to viewers. Open Doors' findings will be illustrated by multiple firsthand narratives from recent victims of religious persecution, including a Nigerian healthcare worker widowed by Boko Haram, a former pastor in China's Three-Self Patriotic movement church, a Uighur-American whose family is detained by China, and an Iranian Christian surveilled by secret police. The organization will issue a challenge Americans to pledge to pray for the persecuted by visiting ODUSA.org/PLEDGE. Press may register for the 2021 World Watch List press conference HERE. For more information and interview scheduling, please email opendoors@iconmediagroup.com. About Open Doors USA For more than 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians. Open Doors works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and to mobilize the Western church to pray and advocate for the persecuted. Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org. SOURCE Open Doors USA CONTACT: Paige Collins, Icon Media Group, opendoors@iconmediagroup.com Press may register for the 2021 World Watch List press conference at https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wwl-2021-press/ Photo provided Dow, Inc. has immediately suspended all corporate and employee political action committee (PAC) contributions to all members of Congress who voted to object to the certification of the presidential election. This suspension will last for a period of one election cycle, which is two years for House members and up to six years for Senators, the Midland-based corporation said in a statement. This specifically includes contributions to the candidate's reelection committee and their affiliated PACs. 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. MALTA Sharon Pineo, the Round Lake resident who was involved in Wednesday's siege on the U.S. Capitol, has resigned as a member of the Malta Zoning Board of Appeals. Malta Supervisor Darren OConnor said that she stepped down in a brief letter to him, submitted on Monday afternoon. I tender this resignation with regret but believe that in these challenging times, it is important not to allow any impediment to the smooth operation of the town business, Pineo wrote in the letter provided to the Times Union. It has been my honor to serve on the board. I thank you and former Supervisor (Vincent) DeLucia for the opportunity. Pineo, who has been on the zoning board of appeals since 2018, did not mention anything about her involvement in last Wednesday's riot when hundreds stormed the U.S. Capitol while Congress was meeting to certify the 2020 Electoral College. While a photo shared on social media shows her being led from the Capitol by police officers with her hands behind her back, there has been no evidence Pineo has been criminally charged. An officer who answered the phone at the U.S. Capitol Police on Monday said its an ongoing investigation and could not provide further information. No one answered the phone at the U.S. Attorneys office in Washington when the Times Union called. Pineo helped organize a chartered bus trip to the March on Congress, details of which she put in a post on the Upstate Conservative Coalition Facebook page. It read, in part, My fellow conservative patriotsour President asks that we, the people assemble at the Capital to declare to Congress that we do not support a stolen election. She went onto say she was coordinating the bus trip/caravan from our area in answer to our Presidents call. That afternoon, hundreds carrying flags in support of President Donald J. Trump besieged the Capitol, with some forcing their way past police in riot gear, as well as breaking doors and windows. Rioters were pictured with confederate flags inside the Capitol building, and gallows were constructed nearby with a hanging noose. Five people have died in connection with the siege, including a rioter who was shot and a Capitol police officer who was struck in the head with a heavy object. Another Capitol police officer who responded to the incursion took his own life on Saturday. Calls for Pineo to resign surfaced this past weekend after photos of her on the Capitol steps circulated on social media. The Times Union reached out to Pineo on Sunday and Monday, but Pineo did not return emails or phone calls. In addition to her role on the zoning board of appeals, Pineo ran for village trustee in Round Lake in 2018. Last year, she made an unsuccessful attempt to win the GOP endorsement to run against state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner for the 113th assembly district. Agartala, Jan 11 : Thousands of Tripura government school teachers, who had lost their jobs following court verdicts, are braving cold weather to carry on with their indefinite sit-in, which entered its 36th day on Monday, while the state government is yet to hold any talks with them. The agitating teachers, who launched their sit-in in Agartala on December 7, have rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government's appeal to apply for the vacant posts in different departments for which notifications were recently issued. Of the 10,323 retrenched government teachers, 81 of them died from various reasons including illness and three of them, including a woman, have committed suicide since Saturday. Small kids, children and family elders of the agitating teachers occasionally took part in the agitation, spearheaded by the Joint Movement Committee (JMC). Both Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Education and Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath have on a number of occasions urged the agitated teachers to compete for around 9,000 vacant posts in various departments, including the Education Department, for which the state government recently issued recruitment notifications. Accusing the previous Left Front government for the teachers' plight, Nath told the media on Monday that the government cannot provide jobs to any one without carrying out interviews and other formalities. "The Supreme Court has relaxed the stipulated age limit for government jobs for these teachers - they should avail the opportunity," he said. Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who is now the opposition leader, told the media that after the Tripura HC and the Supreme Court had terminated the jobs of 10,323 government teachers in 2011, 2014 and 2017, the then Left Front government had created 13,000 posts to accommodate these teachers alternatively. He said that the BJP leaders, before the 2018 Assembly polls, promised to regularise their jobs if they come to power, but nothing has been done by them for these teachers. On the government's offer of jobs, JMC's Joint Convener Dalia Das said the teachers already completed their government service for seven to ten years and several of them crossed their stipulated age limit while the state government's offer is "unreasonable" and against the interest of the teachers. She said that they had suspended their agitation earlier after the Chief Minister on October 3 assured to take steps to resolve their genuine problems permanently within two months. "After waiting more than two months, we resumed our sit-in stir on December 7 while the state government yet to take any step." Boney Kapoor Was Approached To Play Ranbir Kapoor's Father Boney Kapoor told Mid-day, "When Luv and his team were writing the script, they had a simple reference point for the character of Ranbir's father - 'somebody like Boney Kapoor'. One fine day, they thought, why not have Boney play the role?" It Was Arjun Kapoor Who Persuaded Boney Kapoor To Take Up The Role The producer revealed that initially, he had turned down the film because he was busy with his production ventures. After scouting for other actors, Luv Ranjan came back to him with the role as he was confident that Boney was perfect for the role. Further, Boney's actor-son Arjun Kapoor persuaded him to take up the role. "Luv insisted I do the role. He reached out to Arjun, who persuaded me for it. While the team will be shooting at a stretch in Delhi, they have given me the liberty to fly down to Mumbai and attend to my productions," Boney was quoted as saying by the tabloid. Meanwhile, Boney Kapoor Is Not Nervous About Being In Front Of The Camera The producer told the tabloid, "I don't have butterflies in my stomach. I have been calm during life's ups and downs, so why should I feel apprehensive 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. The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. Murray Man Arrested After Disturbance Call By West Kentucky Star Staff MURRAY - A call about a disturbance on Monday led to the arrest of a Murray man on multiple charges.At approximately 12:24 am, the Murray Police Department was called to a home on Wiswell Road regarding a loud argument.Officers reportedly learned that a woman was being held against her will, and arrested 25-year-old Nickolas Stroud. Stroud was charged with second degree unlawful imprisonment, fourth degree assault, and possession of drug paraphernalia.He was lodged in the Calloway County Jail. A cabinet meeting widely seen as setting the stage for a final showdown in Italy's simmering government crisis will be held Tuesday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said. He will ask his ministers to approve plans to spend around 200 billion euros ($240 billion) in loans and grants that Italy expects to receive from the European Union to help its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. "We must approve the recovery plan tomorrow evening," Conte told RAI public television on Monday. He added: "We want to hold a cabinet meeting tomorrow night, we must hurry." The plan has been a major bone of contention between Conte and former premier Matteo Renzi, who is threatening to pull his small but pivotal Italia Viva party out of the ruling centre-left coalition. "What we are asking for is: either we spend (the EU funds) properly, or you spend them without us," Renzi told Rtl 102.5 radio, adding: "I'm sick of wasting more time." If Renzi remains unhappy about how Conte intends to use the EU money, he is expected to react by withdrawing the two Italia Viva ministers from the cabinet. A government crisis would leave Italy rudderless in the middle of a pandemic that has so far claimed almost 79,000 lives and plunged the economy into its worst post-war recession. Most analysts expect a reordering of the ruling coalition with a government reshuffle, although there is an increasingly personal animosity between Conte and Renzi. "We think that this government has had its day," Laura Garavini, an Italia Viva senator, told AFP, complaining about Conte's "very unfortunate" attitude towards her party. She said she expected matters to come to a head over the course of the week, and warned the premier against trying to sideline Renzi by trying to win over the support of opposition lawmakers. "If the prime minister insists on going to parliament (for a vote of confidence) we will count up the votes, and we will definitely vote against (the government)," Garavini said. aa/ar/ach Bret: If The Donald spends time in Manhattans Metropolitan Correctional Center because of some sort of financial crime, I wont shed tears. But I prefer to see him in a tougher prison. If France can prosecute former president Nicolas Sarkozy, and Israel can put former prime minister Ehud Olmert in jail, then theres no reason we shouldnt do the same over a much graver set of offenses. Gail: Sigh. You have a point. Bret: I hope we never forget Jan. 6, 2021, as one of the darkest days in American history. Even though the loss of life was much less, it was, in a moral sense, worse than Dec. 7, 1941, or Sept. 11, 2001, when we were attacked by foreign enemies. On 1/6, we were attacked by domestic enemies, led by the president of the United States. He violated his oath of office. He slandered his vice president. He directed an attack on the Congress. He incited the sacking of the Capitol. He did nothing helpful while the barbarians were inside the gate, and even blew them a kiss on Twitter. He attempted to stop an election for the purposes of stealing it. He kept faith with the most despicable Americans among us: neo-Nazis, Neo-Confederates, the QAnon conspiracy lunatics and the morons in Viking suits. His followers killed a Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick. Had Trump gotten his way, it would have started a massive counterprotest movement. It could have sparked a civil war. It would have sent democracy into a death spiral, as Mitch McConnell rightly put it, and hastened the end of Constitutional government. Gail: Interesting how many Republican politicians still havent condemned the presidents behavior. Its time to divide the Trump supporters who are loyal (albeit deeply misguided) Americans from the ones who clearly arent interested in anything but their narrow goals of party/movement/personal success. Bret: I hope many of those supporters are taking a hard look at themselves and at the kind of politics they endorsed these past four years. There were plenty of times I agreed with the administration on policy grounds. But I never lost sight of the fact that Trump was utterly unfit for office and dangerous to the country. Gail: You were ever vigilant, as I can attest. Bret: Now there has to be a reckoning. Trump cannot be allowed to go quietly, as some of my conservative friends have suggested. (It isnt in his nature, anyway.) And 1/6 cant be allowed to go down the collective memory hole under the phony name of healing. If Republicans like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy want healing, that has to begin by owning up to their complicity in Trumps efforts to steal an election, subvert the Constitution, sow seditious falsehoods and corrupt the public mind. Gail: While they stand on the steps of the Capitol with their heads bowed. Bret: Right. In the meantime, Gail, Joe Biden just looks better and better. His Cabinet picks have mostly been solid, particularly Merrick Garland as attorney general. And his tone and bearing have been sober, restrained, moral and presidential. Can Jan. 20 get here any sooner? YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the joint statement on the development of the region signed with the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on January 11. ARMENPRESS reports in a briefing following the meeting with the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan the Armenian PM said that the implementation of the agreements enshrined in the joint statement can change the economic prospect of the region. According to him, the new economic situation can lead to more security guarantees. We are ready to make constructive efforts in that direction. I think its not possible to solve all the issues during one meeting, but I hope we will move forward. At the moment, the humanitarian issues remain priority, particularly, the exchange of war prisoners provided by our November 9 declaration, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Radio timing residuals vs. observing epoch of the eight MSPs. All observations are at 327 MHz. Credit: Deneva et al., 2020. Using the Arecibo 305-m radio telescope, an international team of astronomers has investigated eight binary millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Results of this study, presented in a paper published December 30 on the arXiv pre-print server, provide important information about the properties of these sources. The most rapidly rotating pulsars, those with rotation periods below 30 milliseconds, are known as millisecond pulsars. It is assumed that they are formed in binary systems when the initially more massive component turns into a neutron star that is then spun-up due to accretion of matter from the secondary star. A class of extreme binary pulsars with semi-degenerate companion stars is dubbed "spider pulsars." These objects are further categorized as "black widows" if the companion has extremely low mass (less than 0.1 solar masses), while if the secondary star is heavier they are called "redbacks." Recently, a team of researchers led by Julia Deneva of the George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, has conducted radio observations of eight MSPs in order to shed more light into their nature. For their study, they employed the 327 MHz receiver at the Arecibo telescope. "We present timing solutions for eight binary millisecond pulsars (MSPs) discovered by searching unidentied Fermi-LAT source positions with the 327 MHz receiver of the Arecibo 305-m radio telescope," the astronomers wrote in the paper. In result, they found that five investigated MSPs, designated J0251+2606, J1805+0615, J1908+2105, J2052+1219 and J1048+2339, can be classified as spider pulsars with short orbital periods (less than 8.1 hours). The remaining three, known as J16250021, J1824+1014 and J2006+0148, have white dwarf companions and longer orbital periods. According to the paper, J0251+2606, J1805+0615 and J2052+1219 are black widows having degenerate companions with masses of around 0.020.03 solar masses. They exhibit radio eclipses lasting less than 40% of their orbital periods. J1048+2339 was found to be a redback hosting a non-degenerate companion with a mass over 0.3 solar masses. The radio emission of the redback is eclipsed about half the time of orbital period, what is typical for this class of spider pulsars. When it comes to J1908+2105, it exhibits heavy radio eclipses reminiscent of redbacks but has a minimum companion mass of about 0.055 solar masses, which would be either unusually high for a black widow or unusually low for a redback. "This system may represent a rare middle-ground case between these two observational classes," the astronomers wrote. Summing up the results, the researchers noted that the likelihood of new MSP discoveries may be improved in future studies by making observations longer than five to 10 minutes and processing them using jerk search codes or in chunks of that duration. More information: Timing of Eight Binary Millisecond Pulsars Found with Arecibo in Fermi-LAT Unidentified Sources, arXiv:2012.15185 [astro-ph.HE] Timing of Eight Binary Millisecond Pulsars Found with Arecibo in Fermi-LAT Unidentified Sources, arXiv:2012.15185 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/2012.15185 2021 Science X Network Register with JOC.com and receive 5 free pieces of content for the first thirty days. After thirty days, you will receive 3 pieces of content and after sixty days you will receive 1 piece of content. To receive full access, Subscribe Today . You can also subscribe to our daily newsletter. Register A YOUNG man has appeared in court charged with robbing a service station in Dublin last night. Derek Farrell (19) was charged over the alleged raid in Crumlin. He was granted bail and the case against him was adjourned at Dublin District Court. Mr Farrell, with an address at Fortlawn Avenue, Blanchardstown, is charged with robbing staff of 179 in cash and cigarette papers worth 73 at Applegreen, Parnell Road, Crumlin on January 10. He is also charged with causing 500 worth of damage to a counter. Garda David Morris told Judge Deirdre Gearty the accused made no reply to either charge after caution and was handed copies of the charges sheets. There was no garda objection to bail subject to conditions. Judge Gearty granted bail on condition the accused lives at his home address, observes a curfew and signs on daily at Blanchardstown Garda Station. He must also stay out of the Dublin 12 area and have no contact with witnesses either directly or indirectly, including by social media. Mr Farrell was remanded on bail to a date in February, for the directions of the DPP. Legal aid was granted after his lawyer said the accused was on social welfare. Gardai said a female who was also arrested has been released pending referral to the Youth Diversion Programme. WASHINGTON, D.C. - As President Donald Trump exhorted his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan pressed Trumps case on the House of Representatives floor. And since that moment, his loyal allegiance to Trump has not been broken, even after the violent insurrection that day. Heres a look at what Jordan has said as the violence played out, and in its aftermath. Trump singled out Jordan for praise in remarks he delivered to his supporters on the Ellipse before they marched to the U.S. Capitol and disrupted the vote count in a riot that resulted in five deaths, including that of a Capitol police officer. For years, Democrats have gotten away with election fraud, Trump claimed. Theres so many weak Republicans. And we have great ones. Jim Jordan and some of these guys, they are out there fighting. The House guys are fighting, but its--its incredible. ... The weak Republicans. Theyre pathetic Republicans, and thats what happens. Before Trumps supporters arrived at the U.S. Capitol, where they stormed the building, vandalized it and halted congressional proceedings, Jordan led a group of Republican Congress members who objected to counting Arizonas electoral votes. Jordan wanted to object to counting the electoral votes in six states the Trump campaign disputed, even though courts throughout the country had rejected their legal challenges. Jordan pushed Trumps disproven narrative of a stolen election as Congress began to tally the electoral votes that would certify Democrat Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory, Jordan declared Americans instinctively know there was something wrong with this election, and cited large crowds at Trump rallies, and Trumps inroads with African American and Hispanic American voters as evidence. President Trump got 11 million more votes than he did in 2016, and House Republicans won 27 of 27 toss-up races, said Jordan. But somehow the guy who never left his house wins the election? Eighty million Americans, 80 million of our fellow citizens, Republicans and Democrats, have doubts about this election; and 60 million people, 60 million Americans think it was stolen. Jordan accused Democrats in Congress of refusing to address doubts about the 2020 election by conducting investigations. He argued thats because all the Democrats care about is making sure President Trump isnt President. He contended Democrats werent able to remove Trump from office after spending two years investigating the Russia hoax, so they made unconstitutional changes in election law to secure his defeat. They did an end-run around the Constitution in every state that Republicans will object to today, said Jordan. Every single one. It was a pattern. It was their template. They did it in Arizona. They did it in Georgia. They did it in Michigan. They did it in Pennsylvania. They did it in Nevada. They did it in Wisconsin. Yet, some of our members say: Dont worry about it. We shouldnt do anything. Just let it go. It was just six states who violated the Constitution. What if it is 10 states next time? What if it is 15? What if, in 2024, 2028, it is 26 states? What if it is half the states that do an end-run around what the Constitution clearly spells out? We are the final check and balance. The authority rests with us, the United States Congress, the body closest to the American people, right where the founders wanted it. We should do our duty. We should object to and vote for this objection to the Arizona electors. After Jordan spoke, the riot disrupted the debate. U.S. Senators and House of Representatives members were held in secure locations as Capitol Police officers battled hundreds of Trump supporters who vandalized the building as they repeated Trumps claims that the election was stolen. Protesters chanted Hang Mike Pence, who was presiding over the congressional session and whom Trump had asked to discard the disputed electoral votes. They also ransacked multiple congressional offices, including that of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Americans support peaceful protests, First Amendment activity, and the men and women of law enforcement. What happened today is wrong and is not what America is about. Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) January 6, 2021 During the protest, Jordan posted a statement on Twitter that said: Stop the violence. Support Capitol Police. He followed up with another that said: Americans support peaceful protests, First Amendment activity, and the men and women of law enforcement. What happened today is wrong and is not what America is about. Jordan did not hold Trump responsible for the riot. And when Capitol Police had cleared the building and Congress was able to reconvene, Jordan voted against accepting electoral votes from the disputed states, but did not speak again on the House of Representatives floor. In a Sunday appearance on Fox News, Jordan did not blame Trump or other Republicans for stoking the riot. When Foxs Maria Bartiromo asked Jordan what was behind this heinous, disgusting move to put an assault on our democracy by breaking into the Capitol ... wheres the accountability? Jordan responded: You got to hold the people who did these terrible things accountable, and law enforcement and the Justice Department is doing just that. People are responsible for their actions and these terrible actions that were taken, they need to be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, Jordan said. He also told Bartiromo that Republicans have been consistent in calling for prosecuting people who destroyed property and attacked police officers and private citizens during riots over the summer to protest the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police, as well as those who rioted at the Capitol. Democrats, on the other hand, this summer they said the cause justified the action, said Jordan. They even raised money to bail these rioters and looters out of jail. They named streets after the organizations who were pushing for these events. All the while, they were talking about defunding the police. So, lets be consistent. Lets be consistent and lets calm everything down and focus on unifying the country as we move forward. Read more: Joe Biden names former KeyBank official Don Graves his Deputy Commerce Secretary Capitol riot prompts Democrats in Congress to seek Trumps removal before Bidens inauguration Angered by attempted coup at the Capitol, Rep. Tim Ryan wants to probe Capitol Police force and remove President Trump from office Ohio members of Congress whisked to secure location as Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol Ohios Sen. Sherrod Brown says hell pursue $2,000 coronavirus checks and relief for renters when Democrats take Senate control 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 A woman was struck and killed on a South Jersey highway late Friday night. A Ford Fusion was traveling north on Route 42 near milepost 11.7 in Deptford Township around 11:15 p.m. when the vehicle struck a pedestrian who was in the roadway, according to a New Jersey State Police spokesman. The pedestrian, Vividiana Perez, 25, of Camden, died of her injuries at the scene. The driver, a 26-year-old Woodbury man, and his passenger were not injured. The accident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. Authorities have not said what Perez was doing on the state highway. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Dr. Schneider, who served on an independent data safety and monitoring board for the study, said he was not permitted to reveal any more data than the company provided. The trial served as a test of the so-called amyloid hypothesis. The idea is that Alzheimers is intimately linked to the accumulation of amyloid in the brain; if amyloid accumulation can be prevented or reversed, the disease may be prevented or cured. Pharmaceutical companies have spent billions of dollars testing anti-amyloid drugs to no avail, leading many experts to believe that the hypothesis is wrong or that the only way to treat Alzheimers is to start very early, before there are any clinical signs of disease. The Eli Lilly trial recruited patients not based on symptoms but on scans showing significant accumulations of amyloid in their brains. The researchers also performed scans for a protein, tau, that forms spaghetti-like tangles in the brain after the disease gets started. We needed mild to moderate tangle pathology, but not so many tangles that perhaps the disease is beyond hope, Dr. Skovronsky said. The primary endpoint, or goal of the trial, was a measurement that combined performance on mental tests of reasoning and memory with assessments of how well the participants performed in activities of daily living, like dressing themselves and preparing meals. The main side effect was one regularly seen in patients given experimental monoclonal antibodies to treat Alzheimers: an accumulation of fluid in the brain. It occurred in close to 30 percent of patients, Dr. Skovronsky said, but most had no symptoms. The effect was seen on brain scans. More infectious strains of coronavirus have reached Australia, including the B117 variant that was first detected in Britain. Brisbane, Australias third largest city, was placed under a three-day lockdown, from last Friday to 6 p.m. today, after a positive test for the B117 strain was confirmed for a cleaner who had been working at a hotel for quarantined people returning from overseas. The case represented yet another failure of the hotel quarantine system. COVID-19 testing site in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner (Photo: @JoanWil85024201, Twitter) Failures to enact basic preventive measures, such as the proper provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), have triggered multiple COVID-19 clusters spilling out of several states quarantine hotels and into the population. The Brisbane lockdown demonstrated some of the calculations being made within Australian ruling circles in the face of the now even deadlier coronavirus threat. When the global pandemic first emerged last year, state and federal governments initially opted for a suppression strategy, based on managing a supposedly steady level of infection. Labor and Liberal leaders rejected an elimination strategy, on the explicit basis that this would prove too costly for corporate interests. The criminally negligent approach saw the premature lifting of initial restrictions, leading to the second wave in Melbourne. The B117 variant, which has engulfed Britain in the past weeks and reportedly is 1.7 times as contagious as other strains, poses an even greater danger. Similarly infectious strains, including one from South Africa, have also been detected. Despite this, state and federal governments are continuing to resist imposing preventive measures that impinge on profit-generating business activities. The three-day Brisbane lockdown was held over the weekend to limit even minimal adverse effects for corporate retailers, construction companies, and other business interests. Coronavirus has a 14-day incubation period, yet the Queensland state Labor government of Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk has insisted that a lockdown covering this period was not necessary. The premier today announced that only minimal mask wearing and indoor venue capacity restrictions would be in place for the next 10 days. Whether these limited measures will prove effective remains to be seen. There were no additional coronavirus infections detected since Saturday, but this is from daily test numbers below 20,000, a small fraction of greater Brisbanes population of 2.4 million. The state Liberal government in New South Wales is taking a similarly complacent approach. Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday lifted a very limited local lockdown in the Northern Beaches area, the site of a significant cluster of infections that emerged in mid-December. The premier declared that the main threat has to some extent subsided and that were still mopping up. The state government is covering up the reality that significant community transmission of COVD-19 may be underway in Sydneys working-class western suburbs. Another positive case was registered on Saturday in a patient at Mt Druitt Hospital. The facilitys emergency department was subsequently closed for cleaning, with ambulances diverted to other hospitals. The case remains under investigation, with a connection to a known cluster yet to be established. A cluster tied to a bottle shop in the suburb of Berala has now been linked to 26 infections, of which 3 were reported today. There are numerous exposure sites across the western suburbs, including for multiple shops in Bankstown Central Shopping Centre across two days. Another demonstration of official negligence came with the Daily Telegraph s publication of photographs of private security guards without any PPE in one of Sydneys hotel quarantine sites. A woman arriving from New York for a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the InterContinental hotel captured images of the man sitting in the corridor outside her room without a mask or any other protections. The guard reportedly said that he did not need a mask if he kept 1.5 metres away from quarantined guests. This is contrary to scientists understanding of how coronavirus is easily transmitted via aerosols within enclosed indoor spaces. Nearly twelve months into the global pandemic, the failure of state and federal governments to enact the most basic of precautions continues to be exposed. Measures agreed to at a meeting on Friday of the national cabinetthe de facto national unity administration of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Labor and Liberal state premiersought to have been put in place months ago. Only now will people returning to Australia from overseas receive a coronavirus test before travelling, and then be required to wear a mask on the airplane. Similarly, only now will workers in quarantine hotels receive daily virus tests. The national cabinet also cut in half the number of people allowed to return to Australia. This measure will adversely affect thousands of Australian citizens working and studying overseas, many of whom have been trying for months to return home but have confronted exorbitant airline charges and limited quotas for returnees. The national cabinet announced no additional financial or other support for stranded people overseas. Morrison was keen to use the national cabinet meeting to promote a changed mass vaccination schedule. The government had previously insisted that vaccines would first be released in March, due to local safety approval procedures, making Australia among the last of all advanced capitalist countries to begin using coronavirus vaccine. This will now be brought forward to mid-February, Morrison announced last Thursday. The prime minister explained that he anticipated that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine would be approved by the end of January. The government has purchased 10 million doses of this vaccine, for the inoculation of up to 5 million people, with 54 million doses of the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine purchased for later deployment. The about-face on the vaccine schedule points to growing fears within the government of escalating hostility within the working class. Coming immediately after the national bushfire disaster last year, the coronavirus pandemic has exposed the entire political establishment and its prioritising the accumulation of corporate profits over public health and safety. A nationalist politician who won a landslide victory in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election said he would push for quick constitutional changes to strengthen the powers of the presidency. Election officials said Monday that with 98% of the ballots counted, Sadyr Zhaparov was winning with 79% of the vote. The victory comes just over three months after he was freed from jail by throngs of protesters. Zhaparov also vowed after the vote that he would maintain close ties with the countrys main sponsor and ally, Russia. Zhaparov was serving an 11 1/2-year sentence on charges of abducting a regional governor amid a dispute over a gold mine when he was freed by demonstrators who contested the results of October's parliamentary election. Immediately after his release, Zhaparov mobilized stone-hurling supporters to evict President Sooronbai Jeenbekov from office and then took the helm as the nation's interim leader. He renounced that position shortly after in order to be able to run for president as required by law but continued calling the shots, relying on his allies in parliament. The unrest marked the third time in 15 years that a leader of the nation of 6.5 million on the border with China was forced out by a popular uprising. Like the previous uprisings that toppled presidents in 2005 and 2010, the latest turmoil was driven by clan rivalries that shape the countrys politics. In a referendum held in parallel with Sunday's election, 81% voters supported strengthening presidential powers. Zhaparov, who initiated the vote, said Monday he would push quickly for drafting the relevant constitutional changes to be approved by another plebiscite in several months. Adakhan Madumarov, one of Zhaparov's 16 rivals in the vote, refused to acknowledge his victory, claiming that the vote was falsified. Kyrgyzstan, which is a member of Russia-dominated economic and security alliances, hosts a Russian air base and depends on Moscows economic support. It formerly was the site of a U.S. air base that served as a key transport hub for the war in Afghanistan. Speaking after the polls closed, Zhaparov pledged that Russia will remain the country's "main strategic partner. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who previously voiced concerns about the turmoil in Kyrgyzstan, quickly congratulated Zhaparov Monday on winning the vote. (Image credit: AP) (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Keely Connolly thought she would be safe once the ambulance arrived at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in Kansas. She was having difficulty breathing because she'd had to miss a kidney dialysis treatment a few days earlier for lack of child care. Her potassium was dangerously high, putting her at risk of a heart attack. But she trusted she would be fine once she was admitted and dialysis was begun. She panicked when a nurse told her that no beds were available and that she would have to be transferred possibly more than 450 miles away to Denver. She had heard a rumor about a dialysis patient who died waiting for a bed at a hospital in Wichita, about an hour down the road. "'I don't want to die in the ER,'" Connolly, 32, recalled thinking. "I just wanted them to fix me, but then the woman came in and said, 'There are no beds.' I got really scared and I didn't know if they had time to get me anywhere else." When a bed was finally located 65 miles away in Salina, Connolly, who has kidney failure, was relieved but worried: How long would she be gone? Who would care for her young daughter? How would she get home? What would it all cost? Connolly was caught in a situation experts have warned about since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic: Covid-19 patients are overwhelming hospitals, squeezing space and staff needed to treat emergencies like Connolly's. While it has happened in pockets throughout the country since the spring, the pressure on hospitals is widespread now reaching into both urban and rural communities at an alarming pace, even as local officials and citizens continue to slam public health departments and pandemic guidelines. Traveling nurses are hard to come by as their services are in high demand nationwide and their pay has escalated beyond the reach of some smaller hospitals. "This is the first time since I have been here that we've had a scenario where multiple hospitals, for longer periods of time, are experiencing some kind of shortages," said Cindy Samuelson, a senior vice president of the Kansas Hospital Association. And it got worse after Connolly's emergency in mid-November. The 14-day rolling average positive test rate in Reno County, where Hutchinson is the county seat, reached 46% on Dec. 22, though it has since come down to 24% as of Jan. 4, said D.J. Gering, data analyst for the Reno County Health Department. The results did not include inmates from the Hutchinson Correctional Center, the local state prison. By Oct. 1, four covid deaths had been recorded in the county of about 62,000. By Jan. 4, the death toll since the pandemic began had jumped to 105. For comparison, Gering said, Reno County had 19 deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza combined in all of 2019. Hospitalizations at the 190-licensed-bed Hutchinson Regional Medical Center increased 800% from mid-October to mid-December then started to temper at the end of the month, said Chuck Welch, vice president of Hutchinson Regional Medical System. "I hate to be overly optimistic until we are well past the possible holiday surge from Christmas and New Year's," he said in an email. Operating between 90% and 95% capacity, the hospital is providing care to patients with a multitude of needs and still has room to expand. The problem, Welch said, has been staffing. Competing for traveling nurses and specialists against larger hospitals to backfill positions open from sick or quarantining staffers has been challenging. When the hospital has been faced with increasing numbers of covid patients seeking emergency care, handling "normal" emergencies like Connolly's has been much more difficult, Welch said. While staffers work to transfer patients as close to home as possible, with so many hospitals in Kansas beyond capacity, it has become more common than before to transfer as far away as Colorado and Nebraska. Such transfers require medical flights, which are typically not covered by insurance and can cost patients upward of $50,000, Welch said. "It is collateral damage," he said. "It is something that has sort of been lost out of the narrative of these folks where everybody is relieved when we find them a bed. Everybody forgets about the downstream impact of the cost of those transports." Connolly recovered after three days in the Salina hospital. But the question still looms about the costs for her emergency care. Connolly had left her job as a corrections officer at the prison in September because coronavirus cases began to spike inside. Without her employer-sponsored health insurance, Connolly now relies on Medicaid and Medicare Part A, which means she is responsible for more out-of-pocket costs for things like pharmaceuticals and ambulance services. Connolly worries so much about her finances that she's been too scared to look at her recent ambulance bills. Being a single parent, living with kidney failure and undergoing dialysis during a pandemic are her primary concerns. As with many underlying conditions, covid-19 appears to pose an extra risk for people with kidney failure and patients undergoing dialysis, said Dr. Alan Kliger, a nephrologist at Yale University and co-chair of the American Society of Nephrology's COVID-19 Response Team. Data from New York and Europe early in the pandemic showed that about 1 in 5 dialysis patients who acquired covid died, he said. However, the complication and mortality rates have fallen in recent months, according to unpublished survey data from members of the nephrology society, Kliger said. "It's still a high risk," he said. For Connolly, the pandemic has also complicated her three-times-a-week 3-hour dialysis schedule. For example, when her daughter's kindergarten class was told to quarantine for 14 days after an in-class exposure to the virus, she had to scramble to find babysitters so she could attend dialysis. "I don't want too many people to watch her because of covid," Connolly said of her daughter, adding that she is lucky the girl's father is supportive. But he can't always step in, which means if Connolly can't find a sitter, she may have to skip or reschedule dialysis. Connolly wants to get another job. But living in a county where so many refuse to wear masks and some elected leaders accuse the health department of providing false information about covid testing rates and statistics makes her afraid to be in public more than necessary. "I want to work," she said. "I had a good job. I served my community. The reality of knowing how bad it is at the hospital I have seen it firsthand. And now I am out and seeing people without masks and I am thinking, 'If I get this and I have to go back, I may not leave the hospital next time.'" The reality, said Kliger, Welch and others, is that while the virus runs rampant, hospitals will struggle to keep up, which potentially endangers medical staffers and anyone needing hospital care and the virus will continue to spread as long as people refuse to wear masks and disregard scientifically sound guidelines. Connolly said she would love to see more empathy for people who have underlying health concerns like her from those resisting safety measures such as masks. "Even if they think that it doesn't work, what if it does? What if it could? I don't really understand how wearing a mask is going to take so much out of your day, compared to someone who is immunocompromised and gets sick," said Connolly. "Or you lose your grandma, or your parent. That's going to affect your life a lot longer than wearing a mask for a little while." The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection unveiled its plans to remediate the contaminated interior of Liberty State Park, 234 acres of parkland that has been long fenced off from the public. David Haymes, director of the DEPs Division of Enforcement, Technical and Financial Support, said during a public meeting Thursday that the state plans to cap the entire interior of the park with at least 1 foot of clean soil. The interior land contains whats known as historic fill, which was used to raise the topographic profile a contaminated site. Historic fill can include debris, dredge spoils, incinerator residue, and non-hazardous solid waste. Haymes said the 1-foot cap is the standard practice for remediating sites that contain historic fill. In fact, in the state of New Jersey there are over 1,700 sites throughout the state that have implemented a capping remedy. This includes other parks and recreation areas and even some residential properties, Haymes said. In these instances, the presence of the cap eliminates the exposure to the contaminates. In short, the cap equals no exposure. The DEP also unveiled plans for more extensive remediation needed for a narrow corridor of the interior where a sewer line runs. Three feet of chromium-contaminated soil surrounding the sewer line will be replaced with 4 feet of clean soil. Haymes said Honeywell International is responsible for the sewer line and will be in charge of both capping and maintaining the cap along the line. There will be around the clock maintenance and security to make sure the cap isnt tampered with at any point, he added. The remediation of the parks interior has become a hot button issue in recent months. Liberty State Park for All, a group that has publicly called for a full cleanup of the interior and the addition of active recreation amenities, expressed some initial satisfaction with the DEPs presentation. We believe tonights meeting showed promise and a willingness on DEPs part to continue to hear and act on our concerns, the groups executive director Arnold Stovell said in a statement. We will keep pushing for a clean-up at the park that is consistent with standards used in white communities and for active recreation. The fight continues and we hope DEP will remain our partner in this process. Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin voiced his support for the plan. The Friends supports the DEPs standard protective remediation plan for the majority of the interior based on the interiors low-level contamination in the historic fill by using the required and necessary clean fill capping, Pesin said. Im also glad to hear that Honeywell will be remediating the one hot spot along a pipeline in the standard required way. But local activist Bruce Alston said the plan does not go far enough. He insisted the cleanup be on par with the remediation done for Berry Lane Park and the Bayfront site. Greg Remaud, executive director of the New York-New Jersey Baykeeper, said he is all for a full cleanup but would need to see scientific evidence showing that one is needed. He said if a full cleanup was necessary, his organization would have sued for it by now. If anyone wants to see more, the question would be where and why, Remaud said. We are all for it, but we dont believe in saying clean it up just because you want to clean it up. You have to base it on science. Beverly Hills , Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If you have a burning fire of passion and belief for what you do, youve already won half of the mountains success. Thats what Larry McNamara, aficionado of RVs and the RV industry, believes. Giant Recreation World, Inc. is an RV dealership focused on providing Americans with a hassle-free and unique travel experience. Whats even more astounding is the company is run by six equal partners who are all siblings. Larry McNamara is the CEO of this prestigious family-owned business. Listen to the full interview of Larry McNamara with Adam Torres on Mission Matters. The fascination with RVs Remembering the early days of his childhood, Larry recalls how he has always been around RVs. Prior to Recreation World, around 1972, my father used to own rental RVs. I remember washing those and helping the customers when they come in to pick them up at our house. I wasnt more than ten years old, says Larry. Fast-forward to 2020: Giant Recreation World has transformed into a company of close-knit people who all hustle to create a positive atmosphere. Larry goes by the motto of being big enough to be competitive and small enough to know every team members name. Larry believes RVs are not just a mode of transport. He promotes it as a lifestyle. Whether you're a new RVer or have rented one, it allows you to pull into a campground. Next thing you know, youre having shrimp with new friends that turn into lifelong friends. The essence of the RV lifestyle lies in its community. Its fun, stress-free, and gives you freedom, explains Larry. The best part about RVs, he thinks, is that you can go wherever you want on a whim. You are never stuck in one place or relying on other resources. The cherry on top is the affordability factor in the long run. And the community camping trips Giant Recreation World arranges every month are a blast. The struggles of the RV industry amidst pandemic The RV industry is soaring in current times, though with some difficulties. The pandemic has led to material shortages, delaying the assembling process. Industry leaders are having a difficult time putting an RV together. Luckily, Giant Recreation World isnt one of them. When the pandemic first hit, we didnt cancel all our orders. We kept them going because we didn't know what was coming. And now weve got many RVs for our customers to choose from. What is next for the company? Being a loyal believer and admirer of the RV lifestyle, Larry has always promoted it. Today, he has a radio show called RV Hour thats all about motivating people to join the RV lifestyle and experience comfort and adventure at the same time. In addition to this, were also doing a podcast so you can watch all the adventures we go on, says Larry. About Giant Recreation World, Inc. is a family-owned and operated RV dealership that has been in the business since 1976, incorporated by Donald McNamara. In 2017, his son, Larry McNamara, became the CEO. Larry runs the company along with his six siblings, who all have equal ownership of the company. In addition to providing top-notch services, Larry McNamara is also building an RV community and adding value. To connect with Giant Recreation World and learn more about them, you can visit their website at https://www.giantrecreationworld.com/. To listen to the RV Hour radio show, go to the Florida Man network on 105.5 FM dial every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Media Communications Press Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com Media Communications KISS PR Brand Storytelling Publicist for Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media Qamar Zaman T: 972.437.8942 This news has been published for the above source. Mission Matters Media [ID=16346] Disclaimer: The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase made from this story is made at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase made from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website's selling. The content publisher and its distribution partners do not take any responsibility directly or indirectly. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the company this news is about. Attachment live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Indias largest IT services provider TCS registered its strongest third-quarter performance in nine years in the three months that ended in December, a seasonally weak quarter. The company reported year-on-year (y-o-y) growth after witnessing revenue decline in Q1 and Q2 on a y-o-y basis. For the December 2020 quarter, the companys revenue grew 2.1 percent y-o-y to $5.7 billion, after declining 7.8 percent and 2.1 percent in Q1 and Q2, respectively. Whats more, TCS, a company that never issues any guidance on its expected performance in the quarters ahead, declared that it is confident of getting back on a double digit growth trajectory in FY22 as it anticipates a multi-year technology transformation cycle. That confidence augurs well for the industry as a whole and is likely driven by three factors: the pivot to digital, increased outsourcing and broad-based growth. Pivot to digital At the back of COVID-19, clients are spending more on cloud migration, application modernisation and other technology. IT services firms such as TCS could benefit from this. During the media briefing on January 8, TCS Chief Executive Rajesh Gopinathan elaborated that these technologies, be they digital transformation or cloud migration, are hardly new. In fact we started talking about digital transformation way back in 2010, he said. But adoption was a challenge since enterprises did not have the right flip from the business case perspective for large-scale adoption, he said. However, companies are beginning to realise the benefits of these technologies be it business continuity or cybersecurity as a result of the pandemic and this is resulting in large-scale adoption. In a recent interaction with Moneycontrol, V Ramakrishnan, CFO, TCS, said: Some of the customers who had been fence-sitting on some decisions like cloud adoption have accelerated that. In addition, with the situation improving on the ground, the decision-making cycle would improve as well, he added. In a note, brokerage firm Motilal Oswal said: Given TCS size, capabilities, and portfolio stretch, it is rightly positioned to leverage expected industry growth. Additionally, TCS has consistently maintained its market leadership and shown best-in-class execution. This is what has reflected in the $6.8 billion total contract value (TCV) the company signed for the quarter. The company reported TCV of $6 billion for the same quarter last year. Increased outsourcing As clients look to cut cost, outsourcing to IT services players is gaining momentum and TCS is one of the beneficiaries of this transition. ALSO READ: Interview | TCS to recruit 40,000 from campuses in FY22, says CFO V Ramakrishnan In November, TCS took over two IT units of its clients Deutsche Banks Postbank Systems and Prudential Financials tech unit Pramerica Systems Ireland. As a result, close to 1,500 people from each of the two units joined TCS. Kawaljeet Saluja and Sathishkumar S, research analysts, Kotak Institutional Equities (KIE), noted in their recent report that the value of these deals stood at $550 million and $300 million, respectively. This may develop into a trend and continue because clients are under pressure to control costs and yet have to invest in new-gen technologies as the pandemic pushed them to change their business models. For instance, in the case of retailers, they had to pivot to digital channels to ensure business continuity. IT services players such as TCS have a huge role to play here by not only taking over the resources (headcount) but also accelerating the core transformation journey, Saluja and Sathishkumar pointed out in their report. While such recent deals were from Europe, 2021 will see momentum gain in the US as well. In their note, Saluja and Sathishkumar said that these deals can provide impetus to growth of tier-1 offshore players for the next 2-3 years. This is something which we also look for, said Ramakrishnan. This is with existing customers we have a strong relationship with. And it also helps us to expand our own ability in certain geographies in certain countries, he added. Broad-based growth Broad-based growth from across sectors, primarily banking and financial services and insurance (BFSI), played an important role in TCS performance. BFSI accounts for about a third of the companys revenue, at 31.3 percent. It grew 2.4 percent year-on-year in constant currency for the quarter ended December. It reported a decline of 4.9 percent and 1.1 percent in YoY constant currency in Q1 and Q2, respectively. The technology and services vertical too grew 2.4 percent on a YoY basis. At 18.2 percent y-o-y, Life Sciences and healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors for the firm due to the pandemic. While growth from other sectors continues to be in the negative, manufacturing and retail and CPG, which account for about 10 percent and 15 percent of the total revenue, saw better growth momentum compared to the last two quarters. Is this growth sustainable? According to the companys commentary, this growth is sustainable, as TCS sees a multiyear growth opportunity. That is also the reason it has projected double-digit growth, which a KIE report has estimated to be 12.1 percent in FY22. Explains Gopinathan: We initially see this as a multi horizon trend, initially seen as the base case adoption. Then, in the next stage, companies will start exploiting the capabilities of many of these platforms. Finally, the true borderless organisation concept kicks in. Then we will see business model transformation and industry transformation at scale, Gopinathan explained during the media briefing. We are gearing ourselves for that by sustained investment in both our capabilities as well as our partnerships and ecosystems, he added. Analysts agree. IT firms that have partnered with hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services, Google and Azure can benefit from the public cloud adoption over the next few years, followed by scaling up of technologies such as big data and analytics. What does this mean for its peers? Analysts have pegged a positive outlook for its rivals too, at the back of the digital transformation. TCS Bengaluru-based peers Infosys and Wipro will announce their results on January 13 and HCL Tech will announce its Q3 results on January 15. Infosys is expected to lead the industry in terms of growth, as it had over the last two quarters. The firm, under CEO Salil Parekh, was an outlier registering positive growth momentum even as its peers reported a decline in revenue. The company registered 1.45 percent YoY revenue growth between April and September 2020 whereas TCS and Wipros growth declined by close to 4 percent for the same period. Wipro, under its CEO Thierry Delaporte is stepping up its efforts to regain the lost growth momentum. The last few months have seen the firm sign large deals, including a $700 million deal with German firm Metro AG last month. HCL Tech has a strong digital foundation play, which is digital infrastructure, and Engineering and R&D, where it is one of leading players. This is expected to drive growth for the company. Union minister of state for defence Shripad Naik was injured late on Monday, while his wife Vijaya died after the car they were travelling in met with an accident at Hosakambi village of Ankola taluk in Karnataka's Uttar Kannada district. Officials said that Naik's close aide and RSS pracharak Deepak Dube has also been killed in the accident. There were four occupants in the car, who were travelling from Yellapur to Gokarna, they said. Sources have told News18 that Naik is critical and rushed to Goa Medical College (GMC). Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and state health minister arrived at the hospital after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled the CM to ensure proper arrangements for Naik's treatment. Union minister's son has also reached. "He is out of danger and his health condition is stable. Two minor surgeries would be performed on him tonight. As of now, there is no requirement to shift him to Delhi for treatment," Sawant told reporters. Meanwhile, Deputy commissioner of Uttara Kannada Harish Kumar has arrived at the hospital where the driver is admitted, a source said, adding that they had gone on a "private programme" in Yellapur and were on their way to Gokarna for a temple visit. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Sawant about speedy medical treatment of Naik (68). "I am shocked and extremely saddened by the news of the Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik being injured in a road accident. I have had a conversation with the Chief Minister of Goa Shri Pramod Sawant. The state government is properly managing the treatment of Shripadji," Singh tweeted in Hindi. Sources said Singh discussed with the Goa chief minister the option of bringing Naik to Delhi for better treatment, if required. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa condoled the demise of Naik's wife and conveyed his wishes for Naik's speedy recovery. "Shocked to know that the car which Union Minister Shripad Naik ji was travelling met with an accident in Uttara Kannada and the death of his wife. My heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Smt Naik and prayers for the speedy recovery of Shri Naik and those injured," Yediyurappa said. "Shocked to hear Hon Union Minister @shripadynaik has met with an accident near Ankola and his wife who was travelling with him has tragically died. My deepest condolences to their family and friends. Praying for speedy recovery of Shripadji and hope he will be out of danger soon," Karnataka revenue minister RV Deshpande tweeted. Brazil's overall coronavirus caseload and death toll have increased to 8,105,790 and 203,100, after the country reported 29,792 new infections and 469 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry. With the new tallies, Brazil's Covid-19 caseload is the third highest in the world after the US and India, while the country's death toll is the second largest after the US, Xinhua news ageny reported. Sao Paulo is the hardest-hit state with 48,351 deaths and 1,546,132 cases. The state of Amazonas is currently facing an emergency as surging cases threaten to overwhelm its hospital system, after 1,580 hospitalisations were registered from January 1-9. The Governor of Amazonas, Wilson Lima, has announced the reopening of a field hospital. The Health Ministry said in a Sunday statement that it received a notification from Japan about the detection of a new variant of the coronavirus in four travellers who had visited Amazonas before returning to Tokyo on January 2. The Ministry said it has asked the Japanese government for details about the four Japanese visitors and their itinerary to identify potential contacts in Brazil. New Delhi: After multiple rounds of negotiation between the Centre and the agitating farmers bore no results, a Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, will hear key petitions around the farmers' agitation on Monday. Petitions have been filed by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva and other opposition leaders challenging the constitutionality of these laws. There are other PILs that seek removal of protesting farmers citing law and order situation and inconvenience to people living in Delhi-NCR region. The question before the Supreme Court is not just that of the pure legality of the three contentious laws, a cursory look at the earlier observations by the apex court indicate that the top court is inclined to aid the process of resolving the stalemate. Also read: 'Farmers Can be Less Educated but Sensible': Khattar Hints at Plot as Protesters Ransack Karnal Event Venue About forty farmer associations have been impleaded as a party in the case. Another petition filed by lawyer ML Sharma has been admitted which interestingly challenges the 1954 amendment that put agriculture in the concurrent list. During the earlier hearings, the Supreme Court made a suggestion to the Centre asking if the three farm laws should be suspended voluntarily by the Centre to build trust between the government and the agitating farmers. The attorney general and solicitor general are likely to clarify the stand before the Supreme Court. The top court had also asked the Centre to clarify whether all precautions were being followed at the protests sites in the Delhi NCR region. A report shall be submitted to the bench on the adherence to the Covid protocols at the protest sites. Also read: Supreme Court Has No Role in Resolving 'Political Deadlock' Over Farm Laws: Farmers' Union Ahead of the crucial hearing before a three judge bench of the Supreme Court, here are the key things to watch out for: - Whether the Centre will agree to set up a committee for mediation and resolution of dispute. - If the committee is set up, the composition would be crucial to watch out for who will be the members, which farmers' unions will be on the table and so on. Most importantly, one must watch out for the legal enforceability of the possible outcome of the mediation. - Will farmers' unions agree to be part of the panel and agree to suspend the agitation in the interim? - The solicitor general had said during earlier hearings that the Centre won't be keen to suspend laws, will the stand be reiterated before the Supreme Court on Monday? - Will the Supreme Court intervene to quieten the stir in case the farmers' resolve to intensify the agitation ahead of Republic Day? - The State of Punjab and the Delhi Government are also party in the case. Both governments have opposed these laws in the Supreme Court. TROY, MI - The North American International Auto Show is moving out of the Motor City in 2021, with organizers planning a new fall event with a new name in Pontiac. The event, called Motor Bella, will serve as a bridge to the future, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, organizers of the event, said on Monday, Jan. 11, bringing next-generation mobility and vehicle debuts to media, show-goers and automotive enthusiasts, while also addressing continued COVID-19 concerns about indoor events. The auto show was canceled in 2020 after organizers learned the federal government was going to take over the TCF Center for at least six months to use as a field hospital during the pandemic. Motor Bella is planned for Sept. 21-26 at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac. The M1 Concourse, will enable exhibitors to showcase key vehicles and technologies in an outdoor setting, organizers said. Plans call for 1.6 million square feet of dynamic vehicle and technology display space including terrain ideal for showcasing off-roading capabilities. M1 Concourse also offers a 1.5-mile hot track on the grounds for technology and vehicle demonstrations. The pandemic has caused changes in our society and world in ways not previously imagined, and we all should be looking for new and highly creative ways of doing business, Executive Director Rod Alberts said in a news release. This new event captures that creative spirit. It will provide new mobility experiences and increasingly innovative approaches to tapping into the industry and its products. Alberts said attendees can expect a multi-sensory experience at the new event. This all-outdoor venue, with adrenaline-pumping track activities and a full complement of OEM and technology exhibits, is going to offer the sights, sounds and even the smell of all that the new world of mobility has to offer, Alberts said. As auto shows around the world are being reimagined and will continue to do so in the wake of the pandemic, NAIAS had been reimagining its position for some time, Alberts said. Alberts said the new event represents a chance to promote new innovations in mobility at a time when the traditional auto show model is changing. We cannot ignore the major disruptions caused by the pandemic and the impact it has had on budgets, he said. As such, we will be providing an amazing experience to the media, the auto industry and the public in a cost-effective way. Event Chairman Doug North said the M1 Concourse was envisioned as part of the 2021 Motor Bella activities, so it was a natural progression to build upon it in light of the growing demand for experiential mobility shows and an increased appetite for outdoor events as a result of the pandemic. Motor Bella was originally conceived as a celebration of Italian and British supercars and classic vehicles, and was to have debuted at the June 2020 NAIAS. With our new program for 2021, we will take the Motor Bella concept to the next level with multiple brands and mobilities represented, from hometown to international nameplates, autonomous vehicles to high-performance supercars and everything in between, North said. It will be a mobility-filled event. One that will provide our show partners with a cost-efficient backdrop to share all of their brands, products and technologies in a fun and festival-like atmosphere thats completely outdoors. Dates for the 2021 Motor Bella are: Press Preview, Tuesday, Sept. 21 AutoMobili-D, Tuesday, Sept. 21 through a half-day Thursday, Sept. 23 Industry Preview, Wednesday, Sept. 22 and a half-day Thursday, Sept. 23 Public Show, Thursday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 26 READ MORE: Michigan conventions industry hopes for 2021 rebound after huge losses in coronavirus outbreak Michigan reports 4,536 new coronavirus cases, 47 new deaths for Sunday and Monday, Jan. 10-11 Only 7 infected in new coronavirus outbreaks at schools, says Michigans Jan. 11 outbreak report Lucknow: Expressing shock over the death of innocent and unarmed farmers in Mandsaur, BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday slammed BJP-led governments in various states, saying that every state has adopted an oppressive attitude against the poor, labourers, farmers and other sections of the society. In a statement issued in the state capital, Mayawati condemned the Madhya Pradesh government over the death of five farmers, who had died in clashes with the police, in Mandsaur on Tuesday. The BSP, especially its Madhya Pradesh unit, support the demands of the farmers. We have full sympathy for them and also want meet the affected families. But we are feeling helpless due to the attitude of the BJP government, Mayawati said. She said the BJPs attitude was not favourable towards the poor, labourers, farmers and other sections. This was the reason, she claimed, that the Modi government tried to bring a new land acquisition law to benefit the rich and force the farmers to give away their land. Also Read: Akhilesh Yadav set to attend Lalu Prasad's rally at Patna with Mayawati, hints at alliance Farmers in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have been protesting as they want a fair price. But the administration in these BJP governed states fired bullets and attacked them with sticks, Mayawati alleged. The BSP chief said that the farmers are the backbone of the country but they were facing the governments apathy. Also Read | Saharanpur clashes: Mayawati accuses BJP, RSS of unleashing casteist violence The farmers are already under huge debts. They want relief from debts. The BJP has repeatedly made promises, but has not delivered, she said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Russian proxies violated the truce near Pisky and a number of other settlements. A Ukrainian military serviceman suffered fatal wounds in the attack by Russian-controlled illegal armed groups in the Joint Forces Operation zone in Donetsk region. That's according to the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement. Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukraine records two ceasefire violations on Jan 10The soldier was killed in the area of Pisky at about 15:30 Kyiv time, the Delegation wrote on Facebook. "The Ukrainian side of the JCCC launched a coordination mechanism: a silence regime was introduced, a demand for a ceasefire was put forward, a note was drafted and submitted to the OSCE SMM," the statement says. The Delegation expressed condolences to the family and friends of the late military. According to the Joint Forces Operation HQ, the enemy opened fire in the area of Pisky using a large-caliber machine gun, small arms, and sniper weapons. Also, near the settlement of Pavlopil, Russian occupation forces employed an anti-tank grenade launcher, and in the suburb of Avdiyivka - a MANPAD and small arms. Ukrainian troops returned fire to the enemy shelling. Also, in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka, Ukrainian servicemen spotted an overfly by an enemy UAV, which was intercepted and neutralized. A total of six ceasefire violations on the part of the enemy forces were reported on Monday Reporting by UNIAN Cuban Researchers To Test COVID-19 Vaccine In Iran 01/11/21 Source: RFE/RL A Cuban state-run research institute says it has signed a deal with Iran's Pasteur Institute to test the Caribbean state's most advanced COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Iran. The Finlay Vaccine Institute's (IFV) January 9 announcement came one day after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned any import of U.S.- or U.K.-produced vaccines, which he called "untrustworthy," to stop the coronavirus. Iran's locally made vaccine that's in trial phase Cuba's IFV said the new agreement cleared the way for a Phase 3 clinical trial in Iran that would help "move forward faster in immunization against COVID-19 in both countries." U.S. firms Pfizer and Moderna, as well as Britain's AstraZeneca, have developed coronavirus vaccines that are already being distributed to millions of people in the United States, the United Kingdom, and across the world. Iran's Red Crescent said Khamenei's ban means that 150,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine that have been donated by American philanthropists will no longer be entering the country. Iran was a major regional hub of COVID-19 transmission early in the pandemic. It has confirmed nearly 1.3 million cases among its 82 million people, with more than 56,000 deaths making it ninth-worst in the world. Mansoureh Mills, a researcher for Amnesty International who specializes on Iran, criticized the ban by Iranian authorities on the Western vaccines as "reckless" but "in step with the authorities' decades-long contempt for human rights, including the right to life and health." Tough U.S. sanctions are in place against both the Iranian and Cuban governments, but there are disputes about the extent that such measures -- which are supposed leave medicines exempt -- might affect vaccine deliveries. The Americas' only communist-ruled state has publicly said it wants its entire population immunized with homegrown vaccines by the first half of this year. Cases within Cuba's 11 million population are rising, although official case numbers are relatively low, at around 14,000. Sovereign 02 is its most advanced coronavirus vaccine candidate, with "an early immune response" at 14 days, according to IFV Director Vicente Verez. He said that broader clinical testing in Cuba had been difficult because of a lack of cases. Phase 3 clinical trials are usually randomized testing on at least 100 patients that includes control groups and closely monitors for efficacy and possible side effects. With reporting by AFP First Lady Melania Trump addresses the Marines Toys for Tots drive at Joint Base Base Anacostia Bolling in Washington on Dec. 8, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) First Lady Disappointed With Violence in Washington, Calls for America to Heal First Lady Melania Trump on Monday said she was disappointed and disheartened with the violence that erupted in Washington on Jan. 6 and called on Americans to heal in a civil manner. In her first statement since the storming of the U.S. Capitol, Trump said her heart goes out to those who lost their lives that day, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick and President Donald Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt. I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week. I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on mefrom people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain, Melania Trump wrote. Our nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our nations Capitol. Violence is never acceptable, she added. The first lady noted that Americans are free to express viewpoints without prosecution and called on people to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives. Protesters storm the Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2020. (Ahmed Gaber/Reuters) I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a persons skin, or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us, she said. It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence. Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are. Our countrys strength and character have revealed themselves in the communities that have been impacted by natural disasters and throughout this terrible pandemic that has affected all of us. The common thread in all of these challenging situations is Americans unwavering resolve to help one another. Your compassion has shown the true spirit of our country. Trump said she was honored to serve as the first lady and thanked people who supported her and her husband during the presidents term. Most importantly, I ask for healing, grace, understanding, and peace for our great nation. Every day let us remember that we are one nation under God. God bless you all and God bless the United States of America, she concluded. The first ladys remarks came as House Democrats prepare to try to impeach President Trump for the second time, despite only nine days remaining before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office. They also came after some administration officials, including the first ladys aide Stephanie Grisham, resigned after the Capitol breach. Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The European Council on Monday extended the mandate of the EU civilian mission EUCAP Sahel Mali until 31 January 2023 and has allocated it a budget of over 89 million for the period from 15 January 2021 to 31 January 2023 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:16:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of condolence to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the recent crash of a Sriwijaya Air passenger plane. Xi said he is shocked to learn about the crash. Noting that China is a friendly neighbor of Indonesia, Xi said he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, would like to express deep condolences over the victims and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. Enditem TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or "The Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore") in order to examine the potential use of Glencore's Kidd concentrator and metallurgical site ("Met Site") in Timmins, Ontario for the treatment and processing of material mined from Canada Nickel's 100% owned Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide project ("Crawford"). Crawford is located 40 km north of Glencore's operations. "The opportunity to utilize the excess capacity and existing infrastructure at the Kidd Met Site provides the potential to allow a faster, simpler, smaller scale start-up of Crawford at a vastly lower capital cost while the Company continues to permit and develop the much larger scale project currently being contemplated. Given the potential for this significant change in the scope of the project start-up, the release of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) will be delayed until the end of March 2021 to allow this option, if successful, to be incorporated," said Mark Selby, Chair and CEO of Canada Nickel. Canada Nickel has completed an initial high-level assessment and will now proceed with a detailed study on the potential for upgrading excess capacity at the Kidd Concentrator and/or utilizing the existing infrastructure in place at the Kidd Met Site for milling and further processing the nickel-cobalt and magnetite concentrates that are expected to be produced from Crawford. Should the study deliver a positive outcome for both parties, the parties will continue good faith negotiations towards a binding agreement. The MOU is non-exclusive. This detailed study is expected to be completed by the end of March 2021. Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. ("Ausenco"), currently retained as the lead study consultant for the Crawford Preliminary Economic Assessment that is underway, has been engaged to support the assessment of the Kidd Met Site facilities. About Kidd Operations Located in Timmins, Ontario, Glencore Canada Corporation operates the Kidd Operations consisting of the Kidd Metallurgical Site and the Kidd Mine. The Concentrator is located on the property of the Kidd Metallurgical Site (Kidd Met Site). The Kidd Met Site is located 27 km east of Timmins, Ontario in the Townships of Hoyle and Matheson, within the Timmins City Limits. Built in 1966 with numerous upgrades over the years, the Concentrator currently processes metal ore to produce copper and zinc concentrates. The facility has a design rated capacity of 12,500 tonne-per-day and is fully permitted with water taking and discharge permits and thickened tailings storage. The site has incoming and outgoing rail service via Ontario Northland Railway. About Canada Nickel Company Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-cobalt sulphide projects to deliver nickel and cobalt required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel and cobalt in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information please visit www.canadanickel.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the potential of the Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project, timing for completion of the Proposed Transaction, strategic plans, including future exploration and development results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of 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 information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, and the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Company's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel 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 required by law. Mark Selby, Chair and CEO, Phone: 647-256-1954, Email: [email protected]adanickel.com Related Links https://canadanickel.com/ SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc. POLICE have arrested a son of a late prominent elderly couple from Empandeni in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, for allegedly killing his parents. Lisani Nleya (45) was allegedly arrested at a prophets house in Bulawayo after sneaking into the country from South Africa. He allegedly confessed to killing his parents during police interrogation. Nleya did not attend his parents funeral and allegedly last communicated with his family before the brutal killings on September 1 last year at Mzaza Village in Empandeni. Nicholas Kenny Nleya (83) and his wife, Margaret (76), were allegedly attacked by unknown assailants and workers at their homestead told police they fled when they heard Margaret begging for her life as the attackers assaulted the couple. The Nleyas were both retired teachers at nearby Catholic-run Empandeni Primary School, and were staunch members of the Roman Catholic Church. They were respected and looked up to by many people in the area. It is suspected the assailants beat the couple to death and set a hut with the bodies in it on fire. The bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Remnants of petrol bombs and dynamite were in the room where the charred remains were found. At the time, a source close to investigations said four Molotov cocktails, three still intact, sticks of dynamite and an axe head were in the room, indicating a possible attempt to create an explosion that would destroy everything. There was also an axe head at the scene. It did not belong to the homestead. Their bodies were mutilated. This then might confirm the notion that the couple was murdered before being burnt, said the source. The source said forensic investigations picked that the couple bled a lot before death. Family spokesperson Mr Patrick Nyathi yesterday confirmed the arrest. Police phoned to inform us that Lisani Nleya was arrested in connection with the murder case of our relatives. As a family we want the law to take its course so that we know the whole truth. We were not told of the details about his arrest, we are waiting but we hope he will appear in court. For now, that is what I can say, said Mr Nyathi. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspect who was based in South Africa sneaked into the country and was arrested after a tip-off. The suspect came from South Africa and following a tip-off that he was at a certain prophets house to collect his belongings, police pounced on him and arrested him. He confessed to having killed his parents, he said. Asst Comm Nyathi said investigations are in progress and he is expected to appear in court soon. His arrest, a villager said yesterday, confirmed what was an open secret in the village that Lisani was behind the cold blooded killing of his parents. Villagers who spoke to The Chronicle said Lisani was the black sheep of the family who deserted the army and headed for South Africa. They said he was different from his siblings who had made it in life and appeared disinterested in taking advantage of the same opportunities his parents afforded the family through hard work and education. Some alleged he had on a number of occasions, threatened to deal with his parents who he accused of bewitching him. The couple was buried in one big grave just centimetres apart at Empandeni Mission Cemetery in a heart-tugging ceremony. Chronicle RBI | Representative Image. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 11 released the 22nd issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR). It reflects the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on risks to financial stability, and the resilience of the financial system in the context of contemporaneous issues relating to development and regulation of the financial sector. Here are some of the highlights of the report: --In the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy actions were geared towards restoring normal functioning and mitigating stress; the focus is now being oriented towards supporting the recovery and preserving the solvency of businesses and households. --Positive news on vaccine development has underpinned optimism on the outlook, though it is marred by second wave of the virus including more virulent strains. --Policy measures by the regulators and the government have ensured the smooth functioning of domestic markets and financial institutions; managing market volatility amidst rising spillovers has become challenging especially when the movements in certain segments of the financial markets are not in sync with developments in the real sector. --Bank credit growth has remained subdued, with the moderation being broad-based across bank groups. --Performance parameters of banks have improved significantly, aided by regulatory dispensations extended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. --The capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) improved to 15.8 per cent in September 2020 from 14.7 per cent in March 2020, while their gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio declined to 7.5 per cent from 8.4 per cent, and the provision coverage ratio (PCR) improved to 72.4 per cent from 66.2 per cent over this period. --Macro stress tests incorporating the first advance estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for FY21 released on January 7 indicate that the GNPA ratio of all SCBs may increase from 7.5 per cent in September 2020 to 13.5 per cent by September 2021 under the baseline scenario; the ratio may escalate to 14.8 per cent under a severe stress scenario. This highlights the need for proactive building up of adequate capital to withstand possible asset quality deterioration. --Network analysis reveals that total bilateral exposures among entities in the financial system increased marginally during the quarter-ended September 2020. With the inter-bank market continuing to shrink and with better capitalisation of banks, the contagion risk to the banking system under various scenarios declined as compared to March 2020. Chinese social media has been in uproar over reports of a technology company that allegedly used smart cushions to secretly monitor the activity of its office staff. An employee of Hebo Technology, a high-tech company based in Zhejiang Province, recently took to social media to expose a practice that he considered illegal and immoral. The woman man, known only as Wang, said that she and at least nine other employees in her office had been monitored via seat cushions for the last several months. The smart cushions were a gift from company management and were supposed to help them them stay healthy, by monitoring their vitals and offering healthy advice, but it turns out they had a more sinister purpose. Wang said that she and her colleagues initially welcomed the companys gift, as the smart cushions offered a wealth of data, including breathing rate, heart rate, and sitting posture, and even reminded them to stretch or get up, if they sat down for two long. The 10 employees genuinely believed that the company cared about their health and wellbeing. Photo: Joergelman/Pixabay Then, one day, Wang ran into one of the managers at the HR department, who asked her why she was not at her desk between 10:00 and 10:30 am the day before, jokingly adding that management would cut her monthly bonus if this behavior persisted. The woman shockingly realized that the only way HR could have known the exact time she had been away from her desk was via the smart seat cushions. I felt like I was being stripped naked at work, it was as if they had a tracking device attached to me, Wang wrote. All your personal data during workhours, like how long you spend at work, when youre away, your mood, its all the hands of management. The HR department is apparently also allowed to access this information, so will our work performance be evaluated based on digital data? the woman wondered. Photo: Adolfo Felix/Unsplash Wangs post went viral on social media, and was eventually picked up by mainstream media outlets as well. Faced with massive negative feedback, Hebo Technology had no choice but to put out a statement on the matter. A spokesperson acknowledged that the office employees had in fact been gifted the smart seat cushions, but denied that the company had intended to use them as a monitoring tool. We gave the cushions to our employees just to collect more test data, not monitor them, the spokesperson said, adding that the generous gift was actually a pre-market test for the smart seat accessories. This explanation did little to calm spirits, especially since there was a lot that didnt really add up. An investigation by Chinese publication 21st Century Business Herald revealed that employees had been given consent forms for data collection, but only in English, not Chinese. A lawyer from the publication also alleged that the the company had violated privacy laws by allowing the collected data to be shared with other employees, like the management of human resources. Photo: Lukas Blazek/Unsplash If the company has informed employees about the trial before and get their approval, then this trial program is legal, lawyer Yang Wenzhan said. However, the consent papers sent to the staff were all in English, instead of their mother tongue. This is only the latest in a series of privacy-related scandals to make news headlines in China. A couple of years ago, we wrote about a company making GPS-enabled smart uniforms for students, and a year before that we had the AI-powered facial recognition system design to monitor students attention during classes. NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DarwinHealth, Inc., a New York-based biotechnology and cancer drug discovery company announces the January 11, 2021 online publication in Cell of a landmark paper, "A Modular Master Regulator Landscape Controls Cancer Transcriptional Identity,"1,2 in which scientists from Columbia University and DarwinHealth apply the VIPER (Virtual Inference of Protein activity by Enriched Regulon) analysis algorithm to identify recurrent regulatory networks"tumor checkpoints"operative across the pancancer subtype continuum. This research paper, with lead author Dr. Evan Paull, from the Department of Systems Biology at Columbia University, in conjunction with DarwinHealth Co-Founder, Professor Andrea Califano and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Mariano Alvarez and other investigators, presents results and analyses, using a novel Multi-Omics Master-Regulator Analysis framework (MOMA), that validates the foundational paradigm informing DarwinHealth technologies. The study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III/Ministerio de Asuntos Economicos y Transformacion Digital (Spain), demonstrates that different genetic alterations in individual patients within the same tumor subtype induce aberrant activation of the same Master Regulator proteins, which maintain the subtype's transcriptional identity. Moreover, it shows that Master Regulators operate within small, hyperconnected modules (Master Regulator Blocks [MRBs]) that mechanistically control key cancer hallmarks necessary for the survival of the cancer cell. The results reported in Cell provide one of the most comprehensive confirmations to date of the value of proprietary, network-based approaches for the identification of therapeutic targets in cancer using VIPER technology. The latter has been exclusively licensed, for commercial use, to DarwinHealth by Columbia University. The Cell publication concludes that, "Taken together, these data suggest that MRBs may provide complementary 'molecular recipes' for implementing the same cancer hallmarks in different tumor contexts." "These data support the Oncotecture Hypothesis, which suggests that a much larger and finer grain mutational repertoire than previously suspected may be responsible for inducing aberrant MR activity and implementing transcriptional tumor identities," explains Dr. Califano. "The results presented by this multi-disciplinary team also confirm that Tumor Checkpoint-based Master Regulators implement regulatory bottlenecks in cancer that are responsible for canalizing the effect of multiple functional mutations." He adds that, "Importantly, the Tumor Checkpoints that define each subtype can thus be deconstructed into highly specific combinations of a handful of activated and inactivated Master Regulator-Blocksspecifically, 24 identified in this study. The MRBs can potentially regulate complementary genetic programs required to implement and maintain a tumor cell's transcriptional identity, which undergirds key aspects of cancer cell behavior and determines susceptibility to specific drugs and therapeutic interventions." The study provides a data-driven roadmap for identifying potential therapeutic targets that may benefit a large subset of cancer patients within each one of 112 tumor subtypes, independent of their mutational state, characterized by the analysis. Accordingly, the authors note that, "Consistent with the notion that transcriptional cell states have emerged as more accurate predictors of drug-sensitivity compared to genetics, this suggests that MR-based analyses may produce a more tractable landscape of potential therapeutic targets than what could be achieved by genetic-based approaches." These research findings and planned follow-up studies are likely to change the trajectory of classification schemes for cancer and evolving approaches to precision-based drug discovery in a number of important ways. The methodologies and results reported in Cell introduce to the cancer research and clinical community an entirely new approach for taxonomizing cancer subtypesessentially, categorizing them according to the composition of downstream regulatory bottlenecks with unique compositions of MRBs representing targetable tumor dependencies, independent of canonical mutational signatures. In fact, ongoing studies suggest these MR-based, tumor checkpoints are more reliable off-on switches for cancer cell governance than mutations themselves. Accordingly, this novel, data-driven taxonomization of molecular species (i.e., MR proteins comprising tumor checkpoints) responsible for cancer cell behaviorand susceptibility to therapeutic targetingrepresents a paradigmatic shift opening up multiple avenues of inquiry and applications that have translational impact at the front lines of clinical care for cancer patients. Dr. Gideon Bosker, DarwinHealth CEO, notes, "The new molecular classification reported in Cell sets the stage for identifying and testing drugs that can induce a state of 'regulatory network contraception,' that is, disable or disrupt formation of checkpoint-governed programs that maintain and perpetuate the cancer cell state." Importantly, the identification of Master Regulators has been made possible by the VIPER technology, developed by Califano and Alvarez at Columbia and licensed exclusively to DarwinHealth. VIPER allows precise measurement of protein activity from inexpensive and easily-accessible gene expression profilesas measured by mRNA sequencing. Much like thermostats maintain a constant room temperature, the VIPER-inferred Master Regulators coalesce into complex auto-regulated modulesthe tumor checkpointsthat are necessary and sufficient to maintain a consistently programmed malignant state of the cancer cell over time. "The coordinated activity of Master Regulator proteins comprising the tumor checkpoint activates key hallmark programs needed by the cancer cell," explains Dr. Alvarez, DarwinHealth CSO. "Among them are those controlling unchecked proliferation, migration, and metastatic progressionwhile suppressing other hallmark functions controlling programmed cell death (or apoptosis) and immune system detection; as well as others, which would otherwise prevent tumor formation. Essentially, by channeling genetic and mutational information into a discrete downstream regulatory nexus, the Master Regulators in a tumor checkpoint initiate and maintain the biological and behavioral hallmarks of a cancer cell." "At DarwinHealth, we use the full spectrum of proprietary, patented VIPER-based technologies developed by our scientists and co-founders to accurately and reproducibly quantify the activity of Master Regulators," explained Dr. Bosker. "From an actionable and real world precision oncology perspective, we have developed specific VIPER-based diagnostic tests, including DarwinOncoTreat and DarwinOncoTarget, to pinpoint drugs that can invert the activity of an entire tumor checkpoint or of specific master regulators. These algorithms have received New York and California CLIA certification and are being used clinically, including in several ongoing clinical trials." The first clinical trial based on this technology, which employed the combination of the HDAC6 inhibitor ricolinostat and NAB-paclitaxel, has shown virtually 100% accuracy in the prediction of responders and non-responders as reported in a recent manuscript currently under review and available on MedRxiv (medRxiv 2020.04.23.20066928). DarwinHealth's oncotecture-based, "digging deeper than genes" discovery framework and associated technologies described in the Cell paper will continue to exploit a complementary combination of experimental and computation-based, inferential methods to identify novel cancer targets, effective drugs and biomarkers on a fully mechanistic, rather than empirical basis, in line with the strategies reported Cell. In addition, the company's drug and novel cancer target discovery programs, including the DarwinOncoMarker, Compound-2-Clinic (C2C), and novel cancer target initiative (NCTI) platforms allow its scientific teams, working either independently or in collaboration with biopharmaceutical partners, to target cancer at its most vulnerable and stable spots; more specifically, at the regulatory interfaces implemented by tumor checkpoints. These DarwinHealth technologies and methods, already widely published in leading scientific and medical journals, are currently being evaluated in numerous clinical trials across the globe. By using Master Regulator-based analyses and leveraging their capacity for dissecting more actionable therapeutic targetsand by extension, discovering more effective drugsthan could be achieved by genetic-based approaches alone, these validated approaches are expected to address the precision deficit shortfalls associated with more traditional, mutation-centric approaches to precision oncology, many of which have failed to fully deliver on their initial promise. About DarwinHealth DarwinHealth: Precision Therapeutics for Cancer Medicine is a "frontiers of cancer," biotechnology-focused company, co-founded by CEO Gideon Bosker, MD, and Professor Andrea Califano, Clyde and Helen Wu Professor of Chemical Systems Biology and Chair, Department of Systems Biology at Columbia University. The company's technology was developed by the Califano lab over the past 15 years and is exclusively licensed from Columbia University. DarwinHealth utilizes proprietary, systems biology algorithms to match virtually every cancer patient with the drugs and drug combinations that are most likely to produce a successful treatment outcome. "Conversely, these same algorithms also can prioritize investigational drugs and compound combinations of unknown potential against a full spectrum of human malignancies, as well as novel cancer targets," explained Dr. Bosker, "which make them invaluable for pharmaceutical companies seeking to both optimize their compound pipelines and discover mechanistically actionable, novel cancer targets and compound-tumor alignments." DarwinHealth's mission statement is to deploy novel technologies rooted in systems biology to improve clinical outcomes of cancer treatment. Its core technology, the VIPER algorithm, can identify tightly knit modules of master regulator proteins that represent a new class of actionable therapeutic targets in cancer. The methodology is applied along two complementary axes: First, DarwinHealth's technologies support the systematic identification and validation of druggable targets at a more foundational, deep state of the cancer cell's regulatory logic so we and our scientific partners can exploit next generation actionability based on fundamental and more universal tumor dependencies and mechanisms. Second, from a drug development and discovery perspective, the same technologies are capable of identifying potentially druggable novel targets based on master regulators, and upstream modulators of those targets. This is where the DarwinHealth oncotectural approach, with its emphasis on elucidating and targeting tumor checkpoints, provides its most important solutions and repositioning roadmaps for advancing precision-focused cancer drug discovery and therapeutics. The proprietary, precision medicine-based methods employed by DarwinHealth are supported by a deep body of scientific literature authored by its scientific leadership, including DarwinHealth CSO, Mariano Alvarez, PhD, who co-developed the company's critical computational infrastructure. These proprietary strategies leverage the ability to reverse-engineer and analyze the genome-wide regulatory and signaling logic of the cancer cell, by integrating data from in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays. This provides a fully integrated drug characterization and discovery platform designed to elucidate, accelerate, and validate precise developmental trajectories for pharmaceutical assets, so their full clinical and commercial potential can be realized. For more information, please visit: www.DarwinHealth.com. 1Cell 184, 118, January 21, 2021 (print version) 2Cell (online pub, January 11, 2021), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867420316172?dgcid=author SOURCE DarwinHealth Related Links http://www.darwinhealth.com A dog is not just for Christmas, but for some lucky canines the festive season certainly came early when they were quite literally saved from the meat market just a few months ago in order to be given a brand new lease of life here in Northern Ireland. A collaborative effort between three animal welfare charities rescued over 20 animals from the Chinese meat trade during the coronavirus pandemic, with more prospective pets set to make the 5,000-mile journey from China to Northern Ireland this year. A total of 21 dogs and one cat have now found their forever homes thanks to work from Little China Dog Rescue, The Barn Animal Rescue and Team Scoop who joined forces to fundraise enough money to fly the lucky animals, who were destined for a life in puppy farms, animal testing labs and the Chinese meat trade, back to the UK to be rehomed. Team Scoop has rehomed three, the Barn has taken in six dogs and one cat and Little China Dog Rescue has found homes for 12 of the dogs, some of which have been taken in by some of their volunteers after first meeting them in the city of Mudanjiang in China last October. Expand Close A dog sanctuary in China which the charities liaise with / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A dog sanctuary in China which the charities liaise with Gabby Gardiner, founder of Little China Dog Rescue (which was previously called Doggy 911), normally visits Bohe's shelter in the city with volunteers, where they triage the sickest dogs to be given veterinary care before leaving China for their new homes abroad. "There could be up to 3,000 dogs in the shelter every time we visit so it is nearly impossible to triage the sickest ones that we will fund veterinary care for," she told Sunday Life. "Many of the dogs are in an awful condition, totally emaciated, malnourished, and some would be completely disabled and unable to even walk, it just breaks your heart." The volunteers have also started to work with another shelter in the city of Anshan in China, where they hope to visit in 2021. To date, 195 dogs have been saved and 128 rehomed thanks to the work of Little China Dog Rescue. "We currently have 67 dogs under our direct care in China and we were due to bring a team of volunteers out in February last year to collect the dogs after our visit the previous October, but when the coronavirus pandemic hit, it seemed that we wouldn't be able to save any animals at all this year," said Gabby. A number of dogs were then left stranded in China with potential adopters left disappointed at the prospect of not meeting their rescued pets until at least 2021. Expand Close Nathan Gilmore with Pyretta / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nathan Gilmore with Pyretta Thankfully, the local charities came together to find a way around the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic and fundraised for flights for a number of dogs and one cat to travel to Paris back in August. The animals were flown out over a six-week period and transported from Paris back to the UK before being taken over by boat to Northern Ireland by Gabby and Glen Ford, who runs the Barn Animal Rescue in Newtownards with his wife Joanne. The Co Down man said that they have been working with Little China Dog Rescue for the past three years and just last year made his first trip out to China to witness the devastation first-hand. "Gabby had initially asked us to work with her as sort of a rescue back-up if they couldn't find enough foster homes for the dogs they were transporting back from China," he explained. "I made my first trip out last year and was able to witness the amazing work Gabby and the volunteers at Little China Dog Rescue were doing and it is just phenomenal, we are more than happy to help in any way we can." Glen said that they have a further 16 dogs waiting to come to stay at The Barn from China. "There are all sorts of dogs who we are waiting to rehome over here; dachshunds, poodles and even an Old English sheepdog, you wouldn't believe all the breeds," he said. Expand Close Fiona McGhee with King / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fiona McGhee with King "We have one German Shepherd which we have named Allegra who is currently receiving veterinary care over in China before she can be flown here. "She was quite literally taken off a barbecue and suffered very bad wounds to her face," he explained. "When you are over there and witness what these dogs have went through it is very difficult to choose which ones to save, but all this wouldn't be done without the amazing work of Little China Dog Rescue and their fantastic connections over in Mudanjiang." The Barn currently cares for 30 dogs who are waiting to find their forever homes. "We work with rescues and pounds both North and South with dogs who have ended up in their care for a variety of reasons," he said. "But everything we do, we do it for the dogs and their welfare, every penny raised goes back into saving them and giving them a better future." Gabby said that she didn't initially plan to set up Little China Dog Rescue and it all started when she arranged to adopt her beloved eight-year-old miniature poodle, Ollie, from Paris. Expand Close Spider before his recovery / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Spider before his recovery "I had arranged to adopt him, knowing that he had been saved from the Chinese meat trade, and I thought it was a real shame that I had to travel all that way for just one dog, so I ended up fundraising and bringing six dogs home in total," she said. "It kind of just snowballed from there and now we have rescued almost 200 dogs in just three years, it is just great to see how many lovely people want to adopt a China dog." Gabby now lives in Ballymena with her five dogs, two of whom are rescue dogs from China. Ollie, who was her first rescued dog, is now the "official mascot" for Little China Dog Rescue and appears on the logo for the charity. "He is disabled and I also have Daisy, an eight-year-old toy poodle who is also disabled and is currently learning how to use a dog wheelchair," she said. "I think I have a soft spot for the dogs that other people don't want." This, it seems, is reflected well in Gabby's chosen profession as a nurse. Expand Close Gabby Gardiner, founder of Little China Dog Rescue with her new rehomed pooch Daisey. Picture Colm O'Reilly Sunday Life 10-12-2020 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gabby Gardiner, founder of Little China Dog Rescue with her new rehomed pooch Daisey. Picture Colm O'Reilly Sunday Life 10-12-2020 "I first became a nurse to be an advocate for the defenceless, and you can't get any more defenceless than a wee dog who has been treated badly," she said. Gabby splits her time between saving people during a pandemic and now dogs, but it isn't all plain sailing, as she, along with many other charities, are struggling to stay afloat amidst the coronavirus crisis. "We are so lucky to have been able to save some of our dogs this year, but it has been very difficult," she said. "We have boarding bills mounting over 9,000, and growing every day, as well as veterinary bills costing upwards of 11,000 which need settled in China before we can fly the next set of dogs out. "We are worried for the future of these animals, but we hope to raise the much-needed funds to care for them and bring them home." For more information on the charities or to donate please follow Little China Dog Rescue and The Barn Animal Rescue on Facebook. 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. Arlene Foster said there are very few options left for the Executive to take in the battle against Covid-19. (Liam McBurney/PA) First Minister Arlene Foster has said there are very few options left for the Executive to take to help stop the spike in Covid-19 positive cases - except introducing another curfew. It comes after the Department of Health reported that a further 16 people in Northern Ireland died after testing positive for the virus. Another 759 new cases were also confirmed, something Mrs Foster felt showed that the country was moving in the right direction after cases continually exceeded 1,000. Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra outside her Co Fermanagh home on Monday, the DUP leader refused to accept any responsibility for the rise in cases following the relaxation of the safety regulations over the Christmas period. The Executive unanimously decided on our Christmas plans, as indeed the people in the Republic of Ireland and indeed right across the United Kingdom - recognising the special place that Christmas has for a lot of us, she said. I think its more than just that. I think we now know that the new variant in terms of coronavirus is here in Northern Ireland. The South African variant unfortunately appears to be in the Republic of Ireland. We have no current cases detected in Northern Ireland and we want to keep it that way. However, we do know that the virus does mutate and we are seeing that now and thats why we have to take action when we see that happening. Read More When asked what more the Executive can do after tightening the restrictions last week, Mrs Foster stated that she and her colleagues will listen to the medical advisors. There are very limited ways that we can do anything further, apart from looking again at curfews and doing something along those lines, but at present we will of course hear what our medical advisors have to say to us tomorrow and on Thursday, she said. The First Minister also praised the work of healthcare staff following the pressures on Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital over the weekend. The Western Trust stepped in to help ease the pressure on the Southern Trust by accepting patients. We did go above 2,000 positive cases in a couple of days so therefore that is now feeding its way through the hospital system regrettably, added Mrs Foster. We will have this pressure on the system I think now for a couple of weeks and we have to ready ourselves for that. I want to pay tribute to all of the nurses and doctors who answered the call, for example from the Southern Trust and the Western Trust last night to try and help out their colleagues, even though they weren't scheduled to be at work. I think that just shows what these people are made of and they came forward and did that. CALGARY - RCMP in Alberta are reviewing whether the COVID-19 death of a worker at a Cargill Ltd. meat-packing plant last spring is a criminal matter. The Cargill beef plant in High River, Alta., is shown on Thursday, April 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh CALGARY - RCMP in Alberta are reviewing whether the COVID-19 death of a worker at a Cargill Ltd. meat-packing plant last spring is a criminal matter. One of the worker's family members dropped off an information package at the RCMP's High River detachment south of Calgary last week, media relations officer Cpl. Tammy Keibel said Monday. Keibel said the Foothills County RCMP and the southern Alberta district's general investigations section are looking into "what, if any, criminality is associated with that incident." The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 said in a statement that Benito Quesada's family took a courageous step by asking police to investigate Cargill for criminal negligence. Quesada, a 51-year-old shop steward with the union, was one of two workers at Cargill's beef plant near High River to die from COVID-19 when the virus infected nearly half of 2,200 employees last spring. He became sick in April and died May 7. His union colleagues said he was a quiet, gentle and humble man who came to Canada from Mexico to work for Cargill. "Benitos death was a tragedy," the union said in a statement Monday. "As a union shop steward, Benito stood up for his co-workers every day. The best way we can honour Benito is to stand by his family as they stand up for him." Cargill spokesman Daniel Sullivan said the company hadn't seen the complaint or been contacted by the RCMP, so he couldn't comment. "I can share that at Cargill the safety of our employees is our top priority," he said in an emailed statement. "Maintaining a safe workplace has long been one of our core values and we recognize that the well-being of our plant employees is integral to our business and to the continuity of the food supply chain throughout Canada." Cargill has worked with health authorities to add pandemic safety measures that were approved by Alberta Health Services and Occupational Health and Safety, Sullivan added. A class-action lawsuit filed against Cargill last summer alleges the company failed to take reasonable precautions to protect its workers. The allegations have not been proven in court. The High River plant processes about 4,500 head of cattle a day, more than one-third of Canada's beef-packing capacity. Cargill Ltd. is a subsidiary of U.S.-based Cargill Inc., one of the largest privately owned corporations in the United States by revenue. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2021. Several racial justice leaders remain skeptical of a police oversight panel being formed by the Biden transition team, and one leading Black Lives Matter activist turned down an offer to be part of it. Why it matters: There was already an urgency for Biden to address police brutality following George Floyd's death, but there's little patience among some racial justice leaders who disagree with the way Biden still talks about policing. Some say Biden's team delayed moving ahead with the task force because it was concerned about affecting the outcome of last week's Georgia Senate runoff elections. During a December meeting with civil rights leaders, the president-elect said outside pressure around police reform could hurt Democrats because of the way the GOP used phrases like "defund the police" to "beat the living hell out of us across the country. The one Black Lives Matter activist who declined an opportunity to be involved in the nascent commission asked not to be publicly identified. A Biden transition official said that no offers have been made to any potential panel members. Driving the news: The siege of the U.S. Capitol last week renewed conversations about policing standards and use of force. Many were quick to compare how police treated the pro-Trump mob, which was mostly white, versus Black Lives Matter demonstrators last summer. The former was able to storm into the seat of the government; the latter was greeted with National Guardsmen, other federal agents and barricades. Biden committed last June to form a national police oversight commission during the first 100 days of his presidency. He has also included systemic racism as one of the four major crises facing the country. While some racial justice leaders disagree with Biden's rhetoric on policing and remain wary of this task force, they want to help but feel sidelined because they haven't been consulted or heard much of anything about it. Black Lives Matter co-founder and Principal of Black to the Future Action Fund Alicia Garza said, As my mentors have told me: Task forces are where good ideas go to die. Garza said leaked audio from Biden's recent meeting was "confusing in this moment. NAACP president Derrick Johnson told Axios he hasn't discussed the police oversight panel with Biden's team but continues to push for his own idea: appointing a racial equity czar. "Every conversation I start and end with the need for it," he said, "because the urgency for this to happen is immediate." Yes, but: Some are heartened by recent Justice Department appointments announced by Biden, saying that if Vanita Gupta a civil rights lawyer tapped to be associate attorney general is overseeing the panel, it will be in good hands. Samsung's new robotic vacuum uses the same LiDAR sensor technology as self-driving cars to detect obstacles and react accordingly. According to the company, the 3D sensors on the JetBot 90 AI+ are sophisticated enough to know which objects it can bump up against, like a table leg, and which to give a wide berth to, like a houseplant or pet poop. Perhaps best of all, the vacuum empties its contents into an easily portable pouch that can be lifted out and tossed every few months. Samsung rolled out the JetBot 90 AI+ at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where it also unveiled an AI-powered laundry system that learns user preferences and recommend optimal washing and drying cycles. the JetBot 90 AI+ combines a LiDAR sensor, similar to that used in autonomous vehicles, with AI-enhanced object-recognition technology to detect distance and track precise locations Powered by Intel, the JetBot 90 AI+ combines a LiDAR sensor, similar to that used in autonomous vehicles, with AI-enhanced object-recognition technology to detect distance and track precise locations. The sensor can differentiate between objects and even recognize the shape of a room to efficiently and safely maneuver around them. 'An object recognition algorithm allows it to identify objects of all kinds and map the safest, most efficient route,' the company says. 'JetBot 90 AI+ then uses this information to clean closely around items on the floor, while being sure to maintain a safe distance from fragile or delicate objects, and to lower itself under furniture when needed.' The vacuum's motor traps both dust from the air and dirt from the floor. An object-recognition algorithm allows the JetBot to identify objects of all kinds and map the safest, most efficient route around a room When it's completed its task, the appliance heads back to its Clean Station to recharge and empty the dirt and dust its gathered into a handy pouch that only has to be emptied every few months Samsung claims the system even knows to avoid things that are 'dangerous or likely to cause secondary contamination,' like spills or pet messes, and will send you a notification to clean them up separately. When it's completed its task, the appliance heads back to its Clean Station to recharge and empty the dirt, dust, and hair it's collected into a handy pouch that only needs to be replaced every two to three months. According to Samsung, the 3D sensors on the JetBot 90 AI+ are sophisticated enough to know which objects it can bump up against, like a kid's toy or table leg, and which to give a wide berth to, like a plant or pet poop The vacuum is integrated with the Samsung SmartThings app, allowing users to schedule cleanings, establish no-go zones, or even keep an eye on the house via a built-in camera The JetBot 90 is integrated with the Samsung SmartThings app, allowing users to schedule cleanings, establish no-go zones, or even keep an eye on the house via the vacuum's built-in camera. The app also works with Samsung's new 8800 Series Smart Dial Front Load washers to let owners remotely stop or start a wash, schedule a cycle or receive notices that their clothes are dry. Samsung's new 8800 Series Smart Dial Front Load washers lets owners remotely stop or start a wash, schedule a cycle or receive notices that their clothes are dry 'At Samsung, we're committed to delivering new appliance innovations that inspire families, while helping make life at home easier in ways not thought of before,' said John Herrington, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Home Appliances. 'By automating your floor care and learning your laundry preferences, these new home appliances remove items from your to-do list, freeing you up to do more of what you love.' Monday kicks off the first day of CES, which usually hosts thousands of tech enthusiasts from around the world in Las Vegas. However, due to the lingering coronavirus pandemic the in-person conference has been moved entirely online. Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) has today said that Liz Coutts has advised that after 10 years on the Board, she will retire as Chair and as a Director of Ports of Auckland on 31 January 2021. Last year, she notified the shareholder Auckland Council of her intention to retire as she wished to reduce the number of Chair roles she holds. She has been a Director of POAL since December 2010 and was appointed Chair in 2015. Liz Coutts said she was proud of what the company has achieved in her time on the Board. Ms Coutts said, While there have been many challenges in my time at Ports of Auckland, including the debate on port location and recent challenges as a result of COVID-19, overall the company has performed well in this time. Looking to the future, the 30-year Master Plan and automation project will be transformational. It will nearly double port capacity, improve safety and efficiency, and provide a range of benefits to Aucklanders. Being Chair of Ports of Auckland during five years of unprecedented challenges has been a privilege for which I will always be both grateful and proud. Staff at Ports of Auckland should be proud of their achievements and can feel confident that the company is set up for an exciting and successful future. I wish everyone who works at Ports of Auckland, its Board, and its new Chair well. Former All Black Bill Osborne will step into the role of Acting Chair. Bill was appointed a Director in May 2017. He is a professional director, chairs Page & Macrae Limited and is on the board of Transpower. He is currently the President of New Zealand Rugby. Recent directorships included; Planttech Research, CoreLogic NZ, and 2 Degrees mobile. Bill also has a past background in international logistics having been Group Manager International for NZ Post. 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(The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot) Ex Parti Quebecois Member to Plead Not Guilty to Sexual Assault Charge RIMOUSKI, Que.Former Parti Quebecois member Harold LeBel intends to plead not guilty to a charge of sexual assault. LeBels lawyer, Maxime Roy, made the comment today in court and added that his client is also looking to have some of conditions related to his release relaxed. The politician, who appeared in court today by video conference, was kicked out of the PQ caucus following his arrest and now sits as an Independent. LeBel was arrested Dec. 15 by provincial police in connection with events alleged to have occurred in 2017. He released a statement Dec. 17 in which he denied wrongdoing, adding that he wanted to continue his work for the people in his riding of Rimouski, located about 300 kilometres northeast of Quebec City. The case is scheduled back in court Feb. 16. Roy told the court today, We will reserve our choice as to the type of trial, adding that it is the intention of Mr. LeBel to register a plea, at the appropriate time, of not guilty. Prosecutor Manon Gaudreault said today the evidence against LeBel consists, among other things, of three audio-video recordings that will be transcribed. S ix prisoners including a suspected murderer have escaped from a Californian jail using ropes made out of sheets. The Merced County Sheriffs Office issued a statement on Facebook, urging the public to help them in their search for the escaped inmates. It said the group, aged between 19 and 22, were able to get to the 20 foot-high roof of the prison before using the rope to scale down the side of the building. All but one of the prisoners is facing charges for violent crimes, including murder. "They used that makeshift rope out of braided sheets and were able to come down of the side of that building," Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke told Abc7. Mr Warnke believes the escape took place around 11:30pm. He said no one had notice the inmates were gone until a routine morning headcount nearly eight hours later because certain protocols prohibit them from interrupting an inmate's sleep. Merced County Sheriffs Office / Google StreetView "We do have officers walking up and down the cell blocks, but we are no longer allowed to wake them up because they deemed it necessary for them to have a whole night's sleep," he added. Jorge Barron, of Atwater, was put behind bars on charges of violating his probation. Gabriel Francis Coronado, also of Atwater, was in jail on charges of attempted murder, along with Andres Nunez Rodriguez of Planada. Fabian Cruz Roman, of Los Banos, faces charges of murder. Manuel Allen Leon, of Vallejo ,was in jail on charges of assault with a firearm. Adrian Peeler (in an undated picture) was sentenced to 60 years in prison for drug dealing charges and his role in the murder of a woman and her eight-year-old son in 1999 A Connecticut man convicted of drug dealing and for a role in the killing of an eight-year-old murder trial witness and the boy's mother could go free next year after serving just 25 of the 60-year sentence he received. Adrian Peeler, now 44, was sentenced to a combined 60 years in state and federal prison for his roles in the 1999 killings of Karen Clarke, 30, and her son, Leroy 'B.J.' Brown, eight, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and the city's cocaine trade. B.J. was expected to testify against Adrian's older brother, Russell Peeler, during the elder Peeler's trial for the 1998 killing of a rival drug dealer. Despite Adrian being Clarke and B.J.'s alleged shooter, a jury only convicted him of murder conspiracy and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the charge, plus five more years on additional charges. After Adrian's 25-year sentence for the slayings ends in January 2022, he is scheduled to be immediately transferred to federal prison to begin a 35-year sentence for a drug dealing conviction. But now, Adrian is asking a federal judge to reduce the federal sentence to time served in state prison and change it from consecutive to concurrent with the state sentence. Adrian's request for a sentence reduction under a national criminal justice reform law is pending approval by a federal judge. It is not clear when the judge will rule. If successful in his bid, he would be a free man in a year. Leroy 'BJ' Brown (left) and his mother, Karen Clarke (right) were fatally shot in their home in January 1999. Authorities said Adrian killed them at his brother's behest State and federal authorities and the victims' relatives are stridently opposed to the sentence reduction. In a recent letter to Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham, Bridgeport State's Attorney Joseph Corradino and prosecutor Susan Campbell cited Adrian's violent criminal history and said he should not qualify for a sentence reduction under the First Step Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018. Thousands of federal prisoners across the country have been granted sentence reductions under the First Step Act, which aimed to address concerns that too many Americans were imprisoned for nonviolent crimes as a result of the drug war. 'Simply put: the defendant is not a nonviolent drug offender for whom this legislation was intended,' the attorneys wrote of Adrian and his brother, Russell Peeler Jr. in their December 31 letter. 'He and his brother terrorized the streets of Bridgeport, destroying the very community that raised him, disgracing the memory of their mother who was a Bridgeport police officer, and leaving drugs and bodies in their wake.' Russell is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of release for ordering the deaths of the boy and his mother. He was originally sentenced to death, but was resentenced in 2016 when Connecticut abolished the death penalty. Russell was also sentenced to 105 years in prison for killing Clarke's boyfriend, Rudolph Snead, a rival drug dealer, in 1998. In his bid for the sentence reduction, Adrian argued in court documents that his federal sentence is only for dealing drugs and is exactly the kind of lengthy drug sentence targeted by the First Step Act. He also submitted letters of support from college professors and fellow inmates praising his efforts to educate himself and mentor other prisoners while behind bars. BJ was expected to be a witness at Adrian's brother's Russell Peeler Jr's murder trial. Russell (pictured in 2016) was accused of killing BJ's mother's boyfriend, Rudolph Snead, in 1998 Authorities said that Adrian carried out BJ and Clarke's killings on Russell's order. At the time of their deaths, Russell was at home wearing an ankle monitor. Russell is shown in 1999 'I give no reasons for, nor do I make any excuses for the choices that I have made,' Adrian wrote in a letter to the federal judge considering the First Step Act arguments. He added, 'The truth is that I no longer see the world at 43 in the same way that I saw it at 22. I realize, sadly, that I stole a lot from my community. Now I would just like the opportunity to give back in a more meaningful way.' Adrian's federal public defender, James Maguire, and the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment for this story. A message seeking comment was left for Corradino, the state prosecutor. Relatives of eight-year-old B.J. and his mother are joining prosecutors in opposition to Peeler's sentence reduction request. 'The evil of Adrian Peeler is senseless and I will never be able to understand how a grown man could heartlessly kill an eight year old,' Clarke's cousin, Janet Gordon, wrote in a letter to the judge. 'A monster like that has no place in society, no type of rehabilitation can help him. Without Karen and B.J. in my life today, I can say with a one hundred percent certainty that my life will still never be the same.' Prosecutors have said Adrian, at Russell's direction, gunned down B.J. and Clarke in their Bridgeport home on January 7, 1999. Authorities said the brothers wanted to eliminate B.J. as a witness against Russell in Snead's 1998 killing. In 1997, B.J. had told police that Russell shot and wounded Snead in a drive-by attack that Snead survived. B.J. and another boy were in Snead's car at the time of the attack. B.J., who relatives said wanted to be the first black president, was expected to testify about the 1997 drive-by attack at Russell Peeler's trial for Snead's 1998 killing. According to a 1999 South Coast Today report, Clarke had turned down police protection after Snead's murder and had also rejected the suggestion that she enter the witness relocation program. The state had asked for a protective order which would've allowed prosecutors to withhold witness names and addresses from the defense, but the request was denied. In January 1999, Clarke was found in her home, shot twice in the back, and B.J. was found shot once in the back of the head. It appeared that they were surprised by the gunman when they returned home from a grocery trip and had tried to run away. Electronic records indicated that Russell, who was wearing an ankle monitor after being bailed out of jail on the Snead's murder charges, was home at the time of the murders. In the days following the murder, police had asked for the public's help in finding Adrian, who they considered a fugitive from justice, after he allegedly failed to return to a halfway house where he had been serving out a 30-month prison term for selling narcotics, reckless endangerment and risk of injury to minors. The Peeler brothers were ultimately charged with capital felony and murder and faced the possibility of the death penalty for the deaths of B.J. and his mother. Despite Adrian Peeler being the alleged shooter, a jury only convicted him of murder conspiracy and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the charge and five more years on other charges. Russell was convicted and sentenced to death for ordering the killings. The killings of B.J. and his mother led to a revamped state witness protection program named after them. DETROIT -- Hyundai says it needs to recall an additional 471,000 SUVs over concerns of a possible electrical short that can cause a fire. According to the Associated Press, the company is also asking owners of the vehicles to park their cars outside to reduce the risk of a fire spreading should one start. The recall involves Hyundai Tucson SUVs with the model-years 2016 through 2018 and 2020 through 2021. Those vehicles have antilock brake system computers that can malfunction which can then cause an electrical short. However, the AP reports the Tucsons equipped with the Smart Cruise Control feature are not being recalled. The 471,000 vehicles recalled are in addition to some 180,000 Tucson SUVs in the U.S. that were recalled in September for the same issue. In that recall, Hyundai was concerned about Tucson SUVs with model years from 2019 through 2021. The latest recall comes weeks after Hyundai recalled 130,000 vehicles for possible engine failure. That recall is not related to the most recent one involving the Tucson SUVs. READ MORE: GM recalling 840K vehicles over possible seat belt, suspension failures Volkswagen recalling 105K vehicles for Takata air bag issue GM ordered to recall millions of vehicles over Takata air bag issue GM recalls 69K Bolt models over batteries catching fire, owners urged to park car outside GM announces recall over oil leak that can cause cars to stop, 217K vehicles involved Over 375K Ford Explorer models recalled for suspension issues Toyota, VW announce recalls involving faulty fuel pumps, fuel leaks respectively Metal air bag fragments kill Volvo driver, touching off recall We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Jess Wright has shared a touching tribute to her fiance William Lee-Kemp to mark their second anniversary together as an official couple. The former TOWIE star, 35, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a sweet snap of her and her beau enjoying alcoholic drinks on a date night, with Jess happily laughing for the camera. Alongside the photo, she wrote: 'For 2 & half years you've been making me laugh like this but today marks the official 2 year anniversary. Happy couple: Jess Wright has shared a touching tribute to her fiance William Lee-Kemp to mark their second anniversary together as an official couple 'My rock, my love & my best friend. It feels like 10 years in a good way. Love you William.' Many of Jess' celeb pals took to the comments to congratulate the couple on their anniversary, with Vicky Pattison writing: 'Happy anniversary you two,' alongside a heart-eyed emoji. Meanwhile, Jess' brother Mark Wright added a blue heart emoji and a raising hands emoji, while actress Fiona Wade simply shared a red heart emoji. Many of Jess' celeb pals took to the comments to congratulate the couple on their anniversary Jess confirmed that she and William were engaged in March 2020 with a sweet snap of the pair kissing in the French Alps, as she showed off her dazzling ring. She captioned the post: 'A million times YES! I love you so much x.' Speaking to HELLO! Magazine, the star admitted that William's proposal took her completely by surprise. She said: 'I am absolutely overwhelmed with this amazing news. I never expected it for a second and he caught me totally off guard. 'We are so very happy and in love! We are back in a place that is very special to us and now it has been made even better with this news. We are over the moon!' Future husband and wife: Jess confirmed that she and William were engaged in March 2020 with a sweet snap of the pair kissing in the French Alps Jess and William only went public with their romance in summer 2019, but had been dating since January that year Jess and William only went public with their romance in summer 2019, but had been dating since January that year. It comes after Jess revealed that some of her family have been hospitalised with coronavirus. She took to Instagram to give fans an update after her mother Carol, 60 and her father Mark Sr. announced they had been struck down with the virus on New Year's Eve. Sad news: It comes after Jess revealed that some of her family have been hospitalised with coronavirus The TV personality said COVID-19 has ripped through her family like 'wildfire', with some having to seek treatment in hospital. She wrote: 'Covid has ripped through my family in the past month and it has been absolutely horrendous. Please stay safe everyone, stay home, wear masks and also check on loved ones regularly. 'The fight isn't over for us yet, we are taking every day as it comes and praying a lot. This new strain seems to be spreading like wildfire. Jess' mother Carol, 60 and her father Mark Sr. announced they had been struck down with the virus on New Year's Eve 'Thank you for the well wishes for those who have known, for my family members that have been hospitalised by this awful, awful virus.' Jess has since given a further update on how her family members are coping during a Q&A on her Instagram story on Sunday. When asked how her parents were feeling, she replied: 'The thing we have learned with this virus is it can attack people very differently. Jess has since given a further update on how her family members are coping during a Q&A on her Instagram story on Sunday 'They are doing ok at the minute & it is defo a slow recovery but just grateful they are home.' She added, in response to another fan who had asked a similar question: 'Like I said it has affected a lot of my family & some are not out of the dark yet but we are remaining to be positive. 'The strangest thing is that we all spent the whole Xmas period apart (of course) but still so many got it. 'it seems to particularly contagious this second strain, and so much around where we live. And we don't even know how most have caught it.' Lily Collins and her fiancee Charlie McDowell appear to be making the most out of their extended period of lockdown. On Sunday, the 31-year-old actress and her 37-year-old future husband were spotted taking a walk together on a beach close to their seaside home in Carpinteria, just south of Santa Barbara. Also along for the stroll was the couple's shared dog Redford, whom Collins adopted in the late months of 2019. Fun in the sun: Lily Collins and her fiancee Charlie McDowell were seen taking a romantic walk by their seaside home in Carpinteria on Sunday afternoon; they were accompanied by their shared dog Redford The Rules Don't Apply actress was wearing a large brown overcoat on top of a white turtleneck sweater to keep herself comfy in the breezy coastal weather. She also donned a pair of light grey jeans and brown boots for treading on the rocky terrain. The Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile actress let her flowing brunette hair hang loose for the length of the walk, and wore a large pair of brown sunglasses to keep the bright California sun out of her eyes. McDowell kept his wardrobe simple for the walk, as he was seen wearing a pair of dark grey jeans and a slightly lighter t-shirt. Layering up: The actress wore a large brown overcoat on top of a white turtleneck sweater to stay nice and cozy in the chilly coastal weather Staying strong: The couple became engaged in September after dating for approximately a year and a half The daughter of Genesis frontman Phil Collins and her beau have been engaged since September when she posted a photo to her Instagram account to mark the occasion. Collins' initial post featured her and McDowell kissing in the middle of a desert landscape while she help up her ring for her 22.7 million followers to see. The caption for the original post read: 'Ive been waiting my lifetime for you and I cant wait to spend our lifetime together...' The actress went on to share a number of other photos and videos from the special day on her Instagram account over the next few weeks. Better together: McDowell popped the big question during a road trip through the desert that he had taken with his now-fiancee last year In an interview with Byrdie, the To the Bone actress spoke further about the circumstances of her engagement and her relationship to McDowell. Collins told the publication that she had felt like her fiancee was: '"The One" since the very beginning...All my friends joked with me at first. They're like, "How can you know?" I'm like, "I know. I just know."' She also elaborated on the fact that, ahead of the pair's wedding day, she was anticipating the permanence of being with her husband, which she expressed enthusiasm about. 'Honestly, Im so excited to be a wife...To me, it's more like, I can't wait to be with this person, and now we get to plan something that we'll have for the rest of our lives.' There it is: The actress later went on to post multiple pictures of herself wearing her engagement ring on her Instagram page The actress also spoke further about her work ethic as a performer and noted that although she oftentimes came off as consumed by her profession, she enjoyed the parts that she took on. 'The fact that sometimes that gets a bad reputation of like, oh, you're too focused on work. No, I find romanticism in my work and I really am passionate, and I love to do what I love to do,' she said. Collins also mentioned how taking on the title role in the Netflix program Emily In Paris helped to strengthen her for the onset of the global pandemic. 'She has a steadfast, passionate way of being like, "Okay, I'm going to figure this out." She almost subconsciously prepared me for what was coming...I think she filled a bank of optimism within me that I would then be able to cash out during COVID,' she opined. Chickens are seen in a contaminate farm while workers from the Animal Protection Ministry prepare to cull them to contain an outbreak of bird flu, at a farm in the village of Modeste, Ivory Coast, August 14, 2015. Ivory Coast said on Friday that H5N1 bird flu had spread to a third location in the country, in the latest in a series of outbreaks in West Africa. The case was discovered on a farm in the village of Modeste, about 15 km (nine miles) east of the commercial capital Abidjan. REUTERS/Luc Gnago - GF10000174236 The Delhi government is the latest to confirm the outbreak of bird flu in India after Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh reported cases of avian influenza. The fear of contracting bird flu has hit the sale of egg, chicken and other poultry. The demand has dropped more than 70 percent, poultry traders have said. Poultry Federation of India president Ramesh Khatri told IANS that chicken sales had fallen by almost 70 to 80 percent over the last four days, while prices had fallen 50 percent. Eggs were being sold at 15 to 20 percent discount. Avian influenza is a viral infection that spreads from bird to bird. Though there are several types of bird flu, the H5N1 strain of influenza is its most common form. India has so far detected two strains -- H5N1 and H8N1 -- of the avian virus. As per an Indian Express report, samples from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala have tested positive for the H5N8 strain of the virus, while samples from Himachal Pradesh detected the presence of H5N1. According to the World Health Organization, animal influenza viruses are distinct from human seasonal influenza viruses and do not easily transmit between humans. Explained | Bird flu: How safe is it to eat chicken, eggs? However, it may occasionally infect humans through direct or indirect contact. Human infections with avian influenza (H5N1) virus occur through bird-to-human, possibly environment-to-human and very rarely limited, non-sustained human-to-human transmission, the WHO says. Direct contact with infected poultry, or with surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is the main route of transmission to humans. Explained | Bird flu symptoms, risk factors, transmission and more Exposure risk is considered highest when there is contact with infected avian faecal material in the environment, especially during slaughter, de-feathering, butchering and preparation of poultry for cooking. Contrary to the popular belief, bird flu virus does not spread through the consumption of poultry as the virus is heat-labile (degraded and killed when subjected to heat). Read | Bird flu outbreak: Centre deploys rapid response teams to monitor situation According to the WHO, cooking poultry (chicken, ducks or geese) at or above 70 degree Celsius so that absolutely no meat remains raw and red is a safe measure to kill the virus in areas with outbreaks in poultry. Also, there is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or poultry products can be a source of infection. GLEN CARBON The villages building and development committee met Wednesday and unanimously voted in favor of seven economic support payment grants. Village Administrator Jamie Bowden explained that the village applied for a $60,000 grant for economic support payments to its small businesses, designed to give priority to restaurants, tourism and hospitality-oriented businesses. The village will reimburse up to $2,500 per business application and the village received seven applications. Grants would be awarded to businesses to address costs of business interruption, including expenses that would not have been recognized had the COVID-19 pandemic not occurred, he said. Those costs include personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and sanitizing supplies and materials, tent and heater rentals, printing and purchasing costs related to social distancing, etc. Bowden said he initially sent the information to village restaurants, the hotel and other qualifying businesses but he received no applications, just questions. He then widened the scope, sending the details to all qualified businesses in the village via email, which generated the seven applicants. Bowden added a lot of other communities did not get involved in this program as Edwardsville and Glen Carbon have. He noted that no businesses that already received business interruption grants qualify to receives this aid while two businesses that have already received PPE funding will qualify for this aid. The seven applicants are: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Daycare Center American Legion Post #435 Integrated Medical Group Vault Room by Warehouse 29 The Axe Company Sones Family Dental Myung Martial Arts Bowden said the village will submit to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) a performance review and financial statement by Jan. 31 for December. Then, they will disburse funds by Dec. 31 and submit to the state the disbursal record for reimbursement from Illinois. Bowden and Finance Director Scott Borror will issue the payments based on the verification of their expenses and Bowden will inform the committee members Williams, Bob Marcus and Walter Harris - at a later date. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735 TINTON FALLS, N.J., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kiely Family of Companies, a leading design-build enterprise in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, celebrates the one-year anniversary of their Chief Operator Officer, Peter Brindley, joining the organization. An ENR 500 and 600 enterprise, the Kiely Family of Companies has been in business since 1952, when John F. Kiely Sr. started the legacy company, J.F. Kiely Construction Co. A family enterprise, it is now led by the organization's Chairman, John F. Kiely Jr., and its Chief Executive Officer, John M. Kiely. Peter, the new Chief Operation Officer, will continue to focus on executing strategy, communicating with stakeholders, optimizing operations, distributing resources, and ensuring profitable results across major projects and divisions. Before joining the Kiely family, Peter was the COO for a successful family business heavily weighted in the civil engineering and construction sector. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering, Peter is also a Professional Engineer in NJ, NY, and VA, a certified Design-Build professional, and a military veteran of the U.S Army Corps. of Engineers. Peter has more than three decades of Design-Build and Shared Services knowledge and experience focused on the heavy construction, utility infrastructure and repair, water resources, large scale bridge, plant, and road improvement sectors. "Peter brings the experience and leadership skills we need to continue to advance our Family of Companies," says John M. Kiely, CEO of the Kiely Family of Companies. "Working alongside my father and I, we interact, lead, and communicate to provide even greater success for the Kiely Family of Companies and our stakeholders, ensuring we are best serving our team members, customers, and communities." For more information about the Kiely Family of Companies, visit kielybuilds.com . Contact: James M. Pagano 1 Radar Way Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 [email protected] 732.403.8600 x231 SOURCE Kiely Family of Companies Astana: India is expected to have a greater say in pushing for effective action in combating terrorism and on issues relating to security when it becomes a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the annual summit of the grouping, seen as a counterweight to NATO. India, one of the largest energy consuming countries in the world, is also likely to get greater access to major gas and oil exploration projects in Central Asia once it becomes part of the SCO. Many of the current members of the six-nation grouping have huge reserves of oil and natural gas. The SCO summit is taking place here in the Kazak capital in the backdrop of a series of major terror attacks in a number of countries including Iran, Britain and Afghanistan and ways to combat terrorism effectively are likely to be deliberated upon extensively by the grouping. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the summit on Friday and he is likely to flag the issue of terrorism and the need for concerted efforts to combat it. India and Pakistan will formally be admitted as members of the SCO, capping a three-year-long process. The SCO had set the ball rolling to make India a member of the bloc during its summit in Ufa in Russia in July 2015 when the administrative hurdles were cleared to grant membership to India and Pakistan. Read | PM Modi at SCO summit: India to be admitted as full member, possible meeting with Xi Jinping and other things to watch out for The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Iran and Pakistan were admitted as observers at the 2005 Astana Summit. The Tashkent SCO Summit in June, 2010 had lifted the moratorium on new membership, paving the way for expansion of the grouping. India feels as SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. I look forward to deepening Indias association with the SCO which will help us in economic, connectivity and counter-terrorism cooperation, among other things, Prime Minister Modi said in a statement on Wednesday. Together, we will harvest new opportunities for beneficial engagement and redouble efforts to address common challenges that may come in the way of realising our full potential, he added. At this meeting, on completion of the process, India will become a full member of the SCO upon which SCO will represent over 40 per cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP, he said. India has been an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Russia has been favouring permanent SCO membership for India while China pushed for the induction of Pakistan. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Co-organized by the French government, the United Nations and the World Bank, the One Planet Summit for biodiversity will be held on Monday. Both China and France have been active in preserving biodiversity and battling climate change. In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed China's resolution to tackle these challenges together with France during meetings and conversations with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The following are some highlights of his words. During a video meeting with Macron and other European leaders in December 2020, Xi urged China and Europe to "give full play to their high-level dialogue mechanism on environment and climate, and give mutual support to each other in hosting international conferences on biodiversity, climate change, and conservation of nature." During his phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron in June, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen strategic cooperation with the European Union (EU) to jointly tackle such global challenges as public health, climate change and biodiversity, so as to work for sound and steady development of China-EU relations. In their telephone conversation ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year in January last year, Xi and Macron respectively expressed their hopes for strengthen coordination and cooperation with each other on climate change and biodiversity. During their talks when Macron visited China in November 2019, Xi noted that efforts should be made to strengthen cooperation in fields including environmental protection and biodiversity conservation and expand pragmatic cooperation in new energy vehicles. In a joint statement issued during his state visit to France in 2019, Xi and Macron announced that the two countries will "work together to push for global concerted efforts to address biodiversity loss" and implement the Paris Agreement in an all-round way. LONDON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel joined the Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance as the sole engineering and construction partner following an invitation from the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center to help fight the impacts of rising temperatures and support urban preparedness against heat waves around the world. Heat waves across the globe are hotter, more frequent, and longer lasting than ever before. Left unmitigated, extreme heat will impact every aspect of human life - from where and how we live, to the food we put on our tables and the structure of our economies. As part of the Alliance, Bechtel will use its experience of designing resilience standards; developing guidelines supporting climate-proof construction standards; performing cost-benefit analyses of innovations that can make infrastructure more resilient; and collaborating with regional institutions to make existing infrastructure more robust and efficient to support projects that protect communities from extreme heat. Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center Director, Kathy Baughman McLeod said: "We are tremendously pleased to have Bechtel join the Alliance. Bechtel's vast urban planning credentials along with its century-plus expertise in delivering public infrastructure will prove invaluable to the Alliance's fight to protect lives and livelihoods from extreme urban heat with a focus on the most vulnerable people and communities." Tam Nguyen, Bechtel's Manager for Sustainability who represents Bechtel on the Alliance said: "Heat waves are one of the most dangerous weather hazards facing communities around the world and coping with them is more than a technical challenge; it's also a human one, where vulnerable people tend to suffer the most. We're pleased to join an expert alliance that is helping to find solutions, and contribute the lessons learned from our projects worldwide. Mitigation and adaption measures will positively impact the quality of infrastructure, the services it provides, and the health and well-being of people, enabling communities to tolerate extreme heat, as well as preventing heat rises in the first place." The Alliance has over 30 members including global cities impacted by extreme heat, from Melbourne to Mexico City, as well as disaster relief charities and experts in the fields of public health, climate change risk and disaster management. The Alliance's vision is a world without heat-related deaths and loss of livelihoods. Read more about how Bechtel and its customers are tackling extreme heat here. About Bechtel: Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com Media contact: Juliet Whitcombe Email: [email protected] Phone: +44 (0)7917 722 304 SOURCE Bechtel Related Links http://www.bechtel.com New Delhi: Farmers' protest, which entered its the eighth day on Thursday, is likely to remain a sensitive issue as there was little hope for settlement of the issue was in sight on Wednesday. LIVE UPDATES: # 5:37 PM: Rahul Gandhi leaves after being released from custody # 5:29 PM: MP police releases Rahul Gandhi #2:38 PM: MP Police arrests Rahul Gandhi under Section-151 The farmer movement in Madhya Pradesh moved into high political gear when Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders were detained by police when they tried to make their way to Mandsaur, ground zero of the protests. Police moved in to stop Gandhi as he defied elaborate security arrangements and tried to force his way into the state from Naya Gaon in Neemuch, about 400 km from the state capital Bhopal. Surging crowds of Congress supporters followed him, shouting slogans like Jai Jawaan, Jai Kisaan and Rahul Gandhi zindabad. Hundreds of Congress workers, as well as senior leaders like Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and Madhya Pradesh legislator Jaiwardhan Singh, also courted arrest. They were taken to the guesthouse of a cement company, a police official said. Gandhi, also accompanied by senior party leaders Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath and Janata Dal-Uniteds Sharad Yadav, took the opportunity to hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He told reporters that Modi could waive loans worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore of the rich but not for farmers. He cant give the right rates for their agricultural produce, cant give them bonus, cant give compensation... He can only give them bullets. Lashing out at Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government, he blamed both Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan for the deaths of five farmers in Mandsaur on Tuesday. There was high drama as the police tried to stop what had turned into a rally of sorts with Gandhi leading from the front. When police tried to push him back, he ran into a field nearby from where he was detained. #2:00 PM: He (Rahul Gandhi) has been detained. What was the emergency to go there now? He only wants to do politics: MP HM Bhupendra Singh #1:25 PM: Rahul Gandhi detained by Police on his way to Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh The didn't give any reason, just said they are arresting me. The same was done in Uttar Pradesh also, Rahul Gandhi said after arrest. "Na kisaano ka karza maaf karte hain, na bonus dete; bas goliyaan dete hain (neither do they wave loan, nor give out bonus, they just fire bullets)" #1:20 PM: Rahul Gandhi rides pillion on bike to enter protest zone, Police determined to stop him Rahul Gandhi is riding pillion on a motorcycle after walking some distance to reach Mandsaur from Rajasthans Chittorgarh district. As he made his way to the epicentre of the farmers protest, the local police in Madhya Pradesh made it clear that he will not be allowed to enter the district. Gandhi reached Udaipur from Delhi in a chartered plane and left for Madhya Pradesh by road.In Nimaheda town of Chittorgarh district, he rode pillion for 5-7 km and reached close to the border. After the bike ride, he walked toward the border, IG Udaipur Anand Srivastava told PTI. The party sources close to PCC Chief sachin Pilot also said that Gandhi took motorcycle ride in Nimbaheda. Gandhi is accompanied by PCC Rajasthan chief Sachin Pilot and other party leaders, including Digvijay Singh, Girija Vyas, Kamalnath. Congressmen in several vehicles are accompanying Gandhi. However, Superintendent of Police of Neemuch Manoj Kumar Singh said the Congress leader will not be allowed to enter the violence-hit district where the situation remains tense. If the Congress leader tries to enter the district, he will be detained, the SP said. #WATCH: Earlier visuals of Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch on his way to #Mandsaur. He was later detained by Police. pic.twitter.com/DaLeS5K83A ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 #1:15 PM: Rajasthan and MP govt preventing me from meeting farmers' families: Rahul Gandhi Raj & MP Govts are doing their best to prevent me from entering MP & meeting the families of the #farmers killed in #Mandsaur Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 8, 2017 What law of the land says that it is illegal to stand in solidarity with farmers who were killed simply for demanding what is their right? Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 8, 2017 #12:50 PM: Naidu accuses Congress of instigating and politicising farmers stir Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has accused the Congress of instigating and politicising farmers stir in Madhya Pradesh and termed Rahul Gandhis planned visit to the violence-hit Mandsaur as another photo opportunity. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Naidu also dismissed the Congress demand that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan step down from his post in view of the deaths of five protesting farmers in police firing. Targeting the opposition party, he recalled an incident in the states Betul district on January 12, 1998, where 24 farmers died allegedly in police firing ordered by then chief minister and Congress leader Digvijay Singh. The Congress is instigating and politicising the issue. It should stop doing that and behave as a responsible political party to help restore normalcy there, Naidu said. He dubbed the party vice presidents planned visit to Mandsaur, the hotbed of the ongoing farmers agitation, as yet another photo opportunity. On Chouhans resignation, Naidu questioned whether Singh had resigned from the post of chief minister after the farmers, who were seeking compensation after a hailstorm, were killed. Did they seek resignation of Singh when the 24 farmers were killed? Did the Congress vice president visit the victim farmers then? Naidu asked. The minister described Chouhan as the most farmer-friendly chief minister and listed welfare measures taken by the BJP-led Centre and state government. #12:40 PM: Give me 2 hrs, we are holding meeting. If situation is better than yesterday, will give orders in 1-2 hr: Om Prakash Srivastava, new Mandsaur DM The situation in Mandsaur, ground zero of the farmer unrest where five people were killed, was almost normal today and curfew might be relaxed by evening, a senior official said. Internet services that had been suspended might also be restored, Divisional Commissioner M B Ojha told PTI. For the last two or three days, farmers were stopping vehicles and setting them on fire. No such incident has been reported today. The situation is almost normal, he said. If the situation continued to be quiet, curfew, imposed in four police station areas, including Pipaliya Mandi where the firing took place, might be relaxed. Vehicles that were burnt had been removed this morning from the highway and traffic had resumed. Asked to comment on the post-mortem report of the five people who had been killed in firing on Tuesday, the official said the matter was under investigation. Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were both at the spot. However, he didnt divulge any details. The investigations, he indicated, revealed that the stone-pelters included boys between the ages of 16 and about 22. Some anti-social elements had joined in. #12:30 PM: Total 62 people detained, more people are being identified based on videos and pictures Seven cases have been lodged and 62 persons detained in connection with the farmers agitation in the violence-hit district, police said. Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Tripathi, who has been transferred in the wake of the firing in the district that left five farmers dead, said the cases have been filed in connection with various incidents of violence. Addressing a press conference along with the new Collector O P Srivastava, Tripathi said some persons have also been detained for heckling the previous Mandsaur Collector S K Singh in Berheda Pant area on Wednesday. #11:00 AM: Govt admits that five farmers were killed in police firing Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh has said that the five casualties during farmers agitation in Mandsaur occurred during police firing. Five persons were killed in police firing, Singh told PTI over phone. The ministers remarks assume significance as the authorities had been claiming that the police had not fired during protests at Pipliamandi in Mandsaur district in which five farmers were killed two days ago. Minutes after the incident, the then Mandsaur Collector S K Singh had told PTI that the police told him categorically that neither did they fire nor did they have any orders to fire. Asked what provoked the police to fire, the home minister said it is being probed in the magisterial inquiry. However, he said the situation was now peaceful in western Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh Farmers' Protest: Toll plaza vandalised in #Mandsaur, Rs. 8-10 lakhs looted. pic.twitter.com/LW15R0k8QO ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 #10:00 AM: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi reaches Udaipur Airport, to leave for MPs Mandsaur by road to meet kin of those killed during farmers agitation. Congress VP Rahul Gandhi reaches Udaipur Airport, to leave for MPs #Mandsaur by road to meet kin of those killed during farmers agitation pic.twitter.com/7NfocOeb4E ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 #9:00 AM: RAF deployed across agitation sites Contingents of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in Madhya Pradeshs violence-hit Mandsaur district where the situation remained tense. Two companies of RAF, comprising around 100 men each, have moved into Pipliamandi in Mandsaur, the site of Tuesdays shooting of five farmers, police said. While two companies of RAF have been posted in Garoth area in the district, another two have been deployed along the Mwoh-Neemuch Highway to prevent any untoward incidents, they said. The situation is tense but under control, police said. DIG Ratlam range Avinash Sharma is camping in Pipliamandi where farmers, agitating for the last seven days for loan waiver and better crop prices, defied prohibitory orders yesterday, beat up officials and policemen and resorted to violence and arson. Senior police officials have also been deployed to oversee the law and order situation in all sub-divisions of Mandsaur district, the official said. #8:00 AM: Officials transferred The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has transferred the collector and superintendent of police of Mandsaur district which witnessed the death of five farmers in police firing. Mandsaur Collector Swatantra Kumar Singh is transferred as deputy secretary Mantralaya. Singh was replaced with OP Shrivastava, official sources said. The government also transferred Mandsaur SP, OP Tripathi and posted Manoj Kumar Singh in place of him, the sources added. #7:00 AM: Rahul Gandhi visit, officials to block him Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi left Delhi for Mandsaur where five farmers were killed during protests earlier this week even as the local police made it clear that he will not be allowed to enter the district. Gandhi left this morning for the district and would enter Madhya Pradesh from Rajasthan. However, Superintendent of Police of Neemuch Manoj Kumar Singh said the Congress leader will not be allowed to enter the violence-hit district where the situation remains tense. If the Congress leader tries to enter the district, he will be detained, the SP said. The Congress on Wednesday termed as coldblooded murder the killing of five farmers in police firing in Madhya Pradesh and questioned the prime ministers silence over it. The Congress accused the BJP of acting as a curse of death for Indian farmers. #6:00 AM: Bus operators have decided to go on strike after the violence in which several public, private and government vehicles were torched on Wednesday Suggested read: Farmers Protest in Madhya Pradesh: Why Mandsaur is burning? Here are the four demands by farmers On Wednesday, widespread violence, including several incidents of arson, were reported from western Madhya Pradesh, especially Mandsaur and Dewas districts. The Centre rushed 1,100 anti-riots police personnel to Mandsaur district where five persons were killed on Tuesday allegedly in police firing. Though the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of five farmers, it didnt seem to have mollified the protesters who are demanding better prices for their produce and a complete farm loan waiver. The BJP government also announced a loan settlement scheme which it said will cover around six lakh farmers with accumulated dues of Rs 6,000 crore. The government is contemplating a formula wherein it may waive interest on crop loans. Also, an Agricultural Costs and Marketing Commission to ensure better prices for farm produce would be set up, minister Archana Chitnis said after attending a meeting chaired by chief minister Chouhan. The bandh called by the main Opposition Congress received a mixed response. Curfew remained in force at Pipaliya Mandi areawhere five farmers were killed and six others were injured yesterday -- and in Mandsaur town. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC are still on in place in rest of the district, Inspector General of Police V Madhukumar said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The Judge stated that the SEC issued the order for conduct of gram panchayat polls without holding proper consultations with the state government even as the Supreme Court had directed the SEC earlier to do so. The court opined that the impugned decision of the SEC was violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution. (Representational Photo) Vijayawada: In a major relief to the state government busy with the Covid-19 vaccination programme, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday suspended the order of the State Election Commission (SEC) to hold gram panchayat polls. Issuing an interim order, the court posted the case for next hearing on February 15. Vacation bench judge Justice M. Ganga Rao heard the petition filed by the state government seeking declaration of schedule of elections for local bodies, imposing the model code of conduct and the consequential proceedings banning transfers, as arbitrary as illegal on the ground they violated Article 14 of the Constitution. The government also urged the court to issue a direction to the SEC to stop further proceedings relating to the election process. The Judge stated that the SEC issued the order for conduct of gram panchayat polls without holding proper consultations with the state government even as the Supreme Court had directed the SEC earlier to do so. The court opined that the impugned decision of the SEC was violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The SECs decision to conduct elections would hamper the mammoth vaccination programme taken up by the Centre. It would also seriously affect the state governments efforts to check the Covid-19 spread as also its mutation, affecting the public health, the court observed. The court heard the arguments from advocate general S. Sriram, SECs standing counsel N. Ashwani Kumar, standing counsel for SEC and state election commissioner N. Ashwani Kumar and assistant solicitor general for Union of India represented by its secretary to the ministry of health and family welfare and also Union of India represented by home secretary, N. Haranath. After hearing them, the court issued notice to the respondents to show cause as to why the writ petition should not be admitted, and directed the SEC secretary and election commissioner, secretary for Union ministry of health and family welfare and home secretary to the Union of India, to show cause either by appearing in person or through an advocate before Feb. 15. Advocate general S. Sriram argued that the SEC had unilaterally notified the election schedule for gram panchayat polls without taking into consideration the efforts of the state government to take up the Covid-19 vaccination programme. He admitted that the state government was having the responsibility to conduct polls. But, keeping in mind the importance to save the lives of the people, the government was opposing the conduct of polls as announced by the SEC, he said. The AG also informed the court that the SEC failed to come up with any clarification on the earlier notification issued for conducting the MPTC and ZPTC polls as they too were halted to safeguard the health of the people. SEC counsel N. Ashwani Kumar argued that once the election notification was issued, courts were not supposed to intervene in the matter. Referring to the Supreme Court orders issued earlier, he urged the court not to issue any interim order to stop the election process. Assistant solicitor general representing the Centre, N. Haranath, informed the court that as the Centre was getting ready for taking up the vaccination programme, the states were duty-bound to implement it. Meanwhile, as the government employees federation and YSR teachers federation also filed lunch motion petitions, the court said that its order would be applicable to such petitions also. A mother who is accused of allowing the death of her three-month-old baby daughter has been pictured for the first time. Kirsty Burdett, 25, from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, appeared outside St Albans Crown Court today charged with causing or allowing the death of her daughter Millie Rose Burdett by failing to protect her from the risk of significant harm. She was joined by her boyfriend Davey Everson, 23, from Edmonton, north London, who is charged with the murder of the baby. Millie Rose, who was born in October 2018, died in hospital aged just three-months-old on January 11, 2019. The trial of Burdett and Everson did not go ahead today. Kirsty Burdett (left), 25, from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and Davey Everson (right), 24, from Edmonton, north London, appeared outside St Albans Crown Court today Today's hearing saw the barristers from both sides discuss procedural matters with the trial judge. It also dealt with how the jury should be selected and what questions they should be asked to ensure they did not know those involved. From a panel of 20 potential jurors the final 12 will be selected tomorrow for the trial which is expected to last six weeks. The charges were not read out in court today. The court expects the defendants to plead not guilty tomorrow when the charges are put to them. Washington has included 11 individuals and organizations in the sanctions list for Ukraine, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said on Monday. Seven citizens of Ukraine and Ukraine-based four organizations fell under the sanctions, according to the U.S. Treasury. In particular, this is about the news agency "Only News," the website "Nabu Leaks," the companies "Era-Media TOV" and "Skeptik TOV." These measures were imposed against them because Washington believes that they interfered in the U.S. election process. Among the individuals in the sanctions lists were MP from the Servant of the People faction, deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Oleksandr Dubinsky; former chairman of the Ukrainian Association of Energy Engineers Dmytro Kovalchuk; senior prosecutor of the Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) Kostiantyn Kulyk, who was responsible for the investigation of economic crimes of the Yanukovych regime in 2016-2019; former MP Oleksandr Onyschenko; former beneficiary of the Radio-Era television and radio company Anton Simonenko; former diplomat, employee of the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States in 2015-2016 Andriy Telizhenko; Head of the Skeptic and Only News companies Petro Zhuravel. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, these individuals are associated with Ukrainian MP Andriy Derkach, against whom the United States imposed sanctions in September 2020 "for trying to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election." The Department of the Treasury calls Derkach himself "agent of the Russian intelligence services" in the press release. The Era-Media LLC and the NabuLeaks website are also associated with Derkach. Thus, according to the Treasury, "all property and interests in property of these targets that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them." Additionally, "any entities 50% or more owned by one or more designated persons are also blocked," the department said. Individuals and organizations from Ukraine, against whom the United States is imposing sanctions for interfering in the U.S. elections, were part of the Russian Federation's campaign to influence the U.S. electoral process, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said in the press release. "Russian disinformation campaigns targeting American citizens are a threat to our democracy. The United States will continue to aggressively defend the integrity of our election systems and processes," Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement. 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. This year is likely to prove fruitful for Dou Qiang. The president of Tianjin Phytium Information Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer of server chips or integrated circuits (ICs), has been busy answering incessant phone calls from prospective customers desperate to receive supplies of chips. "Demand for chips manufactured by Chinese companies has been very intense these days. The number of buy orders had already hit a record high at the beginning of last year," Dou said. Demand this year, he reiterated, has been "far more than what was expected". Dou noted the company's best-selling chip was originally estimated to reach 1 million units in shipment by the end of last year, but he did not expect the figure would be reached by August itself. His optimism knows no bounds now as the Chinese government has intensified efforts to develop chips at home so as to reduce reliance on the foreign semiconductor industry. That move toward self-reliance comes amid Sino-US trade frictions, which drove unprecedented levels of enthusiasm as well as capital of Chinese entrepreneurs into the domestic chip industry. Last year, investors poured more than 200 billion yuan ($30.9 billion)it was much higher than 70 billion yuan or more seen in 2019into the country's semiconductor industry. Venture capitalists, private equity firms, and IPOs of startups were some of the sources of funding. The annual tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference in December highlighted the importance of "technological innovations "to solve major problems that restrict the nation's economic development. The conference said China will ensure better implementation of key projects targeting breakthroughs in key technologies and solutions to bottleneck problems while encouraging businesses to focus on their areas of strength and forge new cutting-edge technologies. Zhang Yansheng, chief researcher of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said: "It's a clear sign that China, starting from this year, will take the building of self-reliant technological prowess as its fundamental guiding principle." The nature of world's leading economies has changed significantly. An industrial and supply chain that is shorter, more flexible, and more resilient will better meet the new economic pattern, Zhang said. Jia Kang, chief economist of the China Academy of New Supply-Side Economics, said that another focus of the conference was on the "bottleneck problems", which refers to technologies at the forefront of innovation and futuristic vision, such as high-end chips. "Bottleneck problems are where China lagged behind and may be restricted by other economies. It's an area wherein China must make breakthroughs over the next five years and beyond," Jia said. His remarks come on the heels of the country's latest tax incentive policies for the IC industry in December. The new policy, launched by the Ministry of Finance and three other ministries, stated that qualifying IC companies or projects that have been in operation for more than 15 years and that make 28-nanometer or smaller advanced chips, will be exempt from corporate income taxes for up to 10 years. Companies producing 65-nanometer to 28-nanometer chips will get five years of tax exemption and a 50 percent discount on the corporate tax rate for the subsequent five years. For such chip manufacturers, preferential treatment begins from the first profitable year. "The fresh policies will greatly reduce the tax burden on semiconductor enterprises and encourage them to invest more into research and development and to upgrade integrated circuits," said Chen Ji, head of the industry economy research institute at the Capital University of Economics and Business. Xu Tao, chief electronics analyst at CITIC Securities, said that for Semiconductor Manufacturing North China (Beijing) Corp, a subsidiary of chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, which is abbreviated as SMIC, the new incentives will help the company save about $10 million each year in taxes. "These policies will drive companies to strive for more advanced production lines and boost the competitiveness of the nation's semiconductor industry on the global stage," Xu said. According to a report from Everbright Securities, the total income tax of A-share semiconductor companies hit 2.57 billion yuan in 2019. These companies reported a total profit of 20.96 billion yuan. "As the US government moves to impose export controls on Chinese technology firms, companies in the tech sector, including mobile phones, 5G and communications, have begun to feel an urgent need to work with domestic semiconductor companies," said Huang Qing, China managing director of Walden International, a US venture capital company focused on cross-border investments. "By serving such tech giants in the ecosystem, Chinese chip companies will have an unprecedented opportunity to grow into global players," Huang said. The US government put Huawei on its Entity List in May 2019 and said US firms were required to obtain a license before exporting domestically produced chips and software to the company. In May last year, Washington expanded these rules by requiring contract chip producers anywhere in the world that use US semiconductor equipment and technology to obtain its approval before producing chips designed by Huawei's subsidiary HiSilicon. Data from the China Semiconductor Industry Association IC Design Branch suggested that the total sales volume of China's IC design industry is expected to grow about 24 percent year-on-year to reach nearly 382 billion yuan by the end of 2020, accounting for nearly 13 percent of the total sales revenue in the global IC design market. Full-year industry data for 2020 is yet to be compiled and confirmed. Buoyed by the country's momentum, China's top chipmaker SMIC saw its revenue rise by nearly 33 percent on a yearly basis to a record $1.08 billion during the third quarter of last year, after debuting on the technology-focused STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in July. Liang Mengsong, then co-CEO of SMIC, said earlier that the company's second-generation technology N+1 is advancing steadily and is currently undergoing product verifications from customers. Compared with the existing 14-nanometer process, N+1 manufacturing technology can increase a chip's performance by 20 percent and cut its power consumption by 57 percent, industry insiders said. "The N+1 has entered a small-volume market and the applications are mainly for high-performance computing," Liang said. "SMIC is also cooperating with domestic and overseas customers on more than 10 advanced process tape-out projects, including 14-nanometer process and more advanced technologies." Founded in 2000, SMIC has successfully mass-produced a smartphone processor for Huawei Technologies Co with its 14-nanometer manufacturing process, marking a breakthrough in China's efforts to boost its chip-making industry. The 14-nanometer process is SMIC's most advanced process available as of now, and can be used in smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, artificial intelligence, radio frequency and other applications. Ding Wenwu, president of China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Co Ltd, said that although the country witnessed rising flow of money into the chip design segment over the past decade, more efforts are needed in the fields of chip materials, equipment and manufacturing. "Chip design has a lower technological threshold and quick investment returns. But chip materials, equipment and manufacturing are where China lags behind compared with developed countries including the US," Ding said. Wei Shaojun, professor from the Institute of Microelectronics at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said that in the high-end chips segment in particular, the market share of domestic chips in computer systems, general electronic systems, communication equipment, storage devices, display and video systems, still remains small in the country. "China is also expected to adjust the structure of its chip industry. Foreign countries have integrated device manufacturers, which integrate multiple steps from chip design, manufacturing, packaging, testing to sales," Wei said. "With an integrated circle, costs are suppressed to the lowest level, which further lowers the price and maintains its market advantage," he said. WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed Sunday to push ahead with impeaching President Donald Trump if he is not removed from office first, adding a powerful voice to a debate that has begun to consume a Democratic Party both eager for impeachment and wary of it. Her unexpected statement virtually assures that the House will move forward with impeachment, even as tensions break out among Democrats over how aggressively to push for it. House members have insisted that Trump face consequences for inciting last week's deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol, while President-elect Joe Biden has signaled that he does not want the effort to interfere with his agenda. Both sides are treading carefully, aware that many voters hope Congress will prevent Trump from provoking further violence, but also want Biden to be free to take immediate action on the coronavirus pandemic and a faltering economy. Some Democrats said privately that they are wary of impeachment but unsure how to slow its momentum given intensifying passions against Trump. The conflict presents Biden with his first test on what could be an early, incendiary dilemma facing his presidency: how hard to pursue accountability for Trump and those in his orbit. "There has to be consequences, and that can take various forms," said Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. "Clearly impeachment has its own consequences, and we recognize that we don't want to impact the Biden administration. And we want to ensure that whatever we pursue can be achieved." Pelosi, D-Calif., on Sunday said the House would "proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the floor" but announced no firm timeline to do so. Instead she delivered an ultimatum to Vice President Mike Pence: Democrats plan to first pass a resolution calling on Pence and the Cabinet to remove Trump under the provisions of the 25th Amendment before proceeding with impeachment. "As the days go by, the horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this president is intensified and so is the immediate need for action," she said. In a sign of the Democrats' struggles with the issue, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a Biden ally and House leader, proposed Sunday that the House vote this week to impeach but wait a few months to submit the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial. Those comments provoked widespread frustration among Democrats, according to aides and lawmakers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to air internal discussions, and they worried that Clyburn's remarks would undermine the party's case for Trump's quick removal: that he is an immediate danger to the nation. But Clyburn's suggestion was not universally spurned. Another House Democrat, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, said in an interview Sunday that the House could delay transmitting the articles long enough to allow the Senate to confirm key national security nominees. "We are witnessing the birth of a domestic terrorist movement in the United States, . . .nd it's really important that we get Biden inaugurated, that he gets his Cabinet into place . . . as quickly as possible so we can address that threat," said Crow, who supports a rapid impeachment. "And let's not forget that we have foreign adversaries that are looking to take advantage of moments of weakness and distraction like we have right now." Some Democrats are looking to Biden to take a firm public stance and slam the brakes on impeachment, but top Democrats now see it as increasingly unlikely that the president-elect will go further than his measured warning on Friday that whatever else Congress does, it needs to "hit the ground running" on his agenda when he takes office. "The train has left the station. I think many are worried about how it gets done, how it's going to be handled, and how do we make sure it's not going to divide the country further," one Democrat said of impeachment. "It's on a track that, while people have reservations, nobody knows how to stop it." On Monday morning, various House members plan to introduce responses to Wednesday's assault on the Capitol and Trump's role in encouraging it. Pelosi said Democrats would seek unanimous consent at a brief pro forma session to pass the 25th Amendment measure. Republicans probably will block that move, forcing a floor vote Tuesday. The earliest action on impeachment could come Tuesday in the House Rules Committee, which would meet to prepare legislation for the House floor; actual votes on impeachment or other items can occur no sooner than Wednesday - a week before Biden's inauguration. As of Sunday afternoon, a draft impeachment resolution had garnered 210 co-sponsors in the House, according to Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., one of its authors. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders are increasingly determined to hold Trump immediately accountable and force his Republican defenders to choose whether to stand by him - a stance that has been reinforced by members' personal anger at the breach of the Capitol, as well as the fumbling, often-equivocal GOP response. Several said the Republican calls dismissing impeachment as too divisive have further infuriated Democrats. "Republicans need to be put on the record," Pelosi said on a Thursday call with her leadership team, according to two people familiar with her remarks. Phillips said impeachment would move forward unless Republicans embraced an alternative: "It is now Sunday evening, and we're still awaiting any proposition from the GOP to hold him to account," he said. "Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are talking about unity. . . . If we want unity within the Congress, I invite a proposition from the GOP to fulfill those conservative principles of accountability and consequence." Among those joining the effort Sunday was Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., co-chair of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition, who said in a tweet that Congress has a "constitutional and moral obligation" to hold the president accountable "for inciting violence and insurrection." Another prominent Blue Dog - Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., who raised concerns about a rapid impeachment in a Friday teleconference of House Democrats - backed the effort late Saturday. "While I have pushed other remedies for his criminal conduct, impeachment is the tool before us and warranted for his seditious acts," he tweeted. House Republicans are planning their own conference call on Monday to discuss their approach. Democrats must act quickly because Trump is scheduled to leave office on Jan. 20 in any case. And the rage of many Democrats is colliding with Biden's desire to set up an administration that will immediately face crises - as well the desire to repair a government the Biden team sees as badly damaged and demoralized. A Senate engulfed in an impeachment trial would struggle to do anything else, and Biden has voiced frustration that senators have not moved faster to confirm his Cabinet picks. "There is an appetite to better understand where President-elect Biden's head is at relative to what he believes is in the best interest," Phillips said, acknowledging that Biden doing so publicly "presents complications." The dilemma led to a flurry of alternative proposals Sunday as lawmakers looked for a way to navigate the pressures. Clyburn said his idea of waiting until after the Biden administration's first 100 days to send articles of impeachment to the Senate would allow the new president install key members of his team. "Let's do the people's work and let's vote to impeach this president, and then we'll decide later - or the Senate will decide later - what to do with that," Clyburn said. Others said Congress should censure Trump instead of impeaching him, an action that could be taken quickly and possibly attract broader support. Democratic Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia's nonvoting representative in the House, said she plans to introduce such a measure Monday, describing it as "the only way to send a bipartisan, bicameral message without delay to the country and the world that the United States is a nation of laws." Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a Trump critic, also suggested that he would back a censure motion. But other Democrats have expressed worry that if the House and Senate do not act quickly, Trump and his supporters will be emboldened to continue working to overturn Biden's election, and that the country may be wracked by further threats to the safety of lawmakers, officials and the democratic system. On Sunday, several high-profile Republicans, including Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, joined the calls for Trump's removal, potentially making it harder for any Democratic leader to oppose impeachment. Pelosi told CBS News's "60 Minutes" that one reason to impeach Trump would be to prevent him from running again in 2024. "There's strong support in the Congress for impeaching the president a second time," she said in the interview, which was taped Friday and aired Sunday. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., responding to the argument from some Republicans that impeachment would be a "bad start" for Biden as he seeks to unify the country behind an ambitious agenda, said in a tweet that the country "cannot heal until we first get justice." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a second-term congresswoman who is among the leading voices of the party's liberal wing, suggested that Democrats should pursue an "all-of-the-above" approach that includes various avenues for ousting the president. She rejected the idea that removing Trump should take a back seat to Biden's plans, suggesting Biden's own safety may be at stake. "With profound respect, I believe that the president's safety and the safety of the United States Congress and the security of our country takes precedent over the timing of nominations and the timing of potential confirmations," Ocasio-Cortez said on ABC News's "This Week." "This is an immediate danger right now." Some Democrats are pushing for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which provides for the removal of an unfit president, as a way to resolve the issue quickly without involving Congress. Pelosi said she favors that "because it gets rid of him; he's out of office." But that would require Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to support removing Trump, an unlikely scenario. Some Democrats also cite the 14th Amendment, which prevents individuals from holding office if they have supported insurrection, but that, too, seems remote. Neither Biden nor Trump spoke publicly Sunday, and the president has been barred from Twitter, his preferred communication channel. White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump is expected to travel to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to mark progress on his border wall. While Biden did not directly weigh in on impeachment, he reiterated in a tweet Sunday his theme of looking ahead, saying, "In 10 days, we move forward and rebuild - together." That echoed the message of the president-elect's news conference Friday, when he told reporters he was focused on "getting our agenda moving as quickly as possible" and declined to call on Congress to take any particular action against Trump, saying it was their decision. "We were duly elected, so I think it's important that we get on with the business of getting him out of office - and the quickest way that that will happen is us being sworn in on the 20th," Biden said. One close Biden ally, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that the most important thing Republicans can do is stop spreading the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen and help convince Trump's supporters that Biden is the duly elected president. "There can only be reconciliation with repentance," Coons said. Most Republicans have largely been silent about any consequences for Wednesday's riot, whether for Trump or the members of Congress who encouraged it. But some on Sunday joined Democrats in calling for Trump to leave office. Asked on CNN's "State of the Union" whether Trump should step down, Toomey said, "I think at this point, with just a few days left, it's the best path forward, the best way to get this person in the rearview mirror for us." Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Trump's former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said that of all of the things Trump has done, "I could probably defend almost all of them" until this point. But in the riot's aftermath, he would "seriously" consider voting to impeach Trump if he were still a House member. On ABC's "This Week," Christie, a former Trump backer, said he would also vote to impeach if he were in Congress. "If inciting to insurrection isn't [an impeachable offense], then I don't really know what is," Christie said. Other Republicans remained wary or opposed to impeachment, including most of those currently in office. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., suggested that it was not necessary because there was little chance Trump would repeat his dangerous actions. "Now, my personal view is that the president touched the hot stove on Wednesday and is unlikely to touch it again. And if that's the case, I think we - we get -" Blunt said, trailing off. Then, he added: "Every day we get closer to the last day of his presidency, we should be thinking more about the first day of the next presidency than the last day of his presidency." - - - The Washington Post's Amy B Wang and Annie Linskey contributed to this report. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. London, January 10: Boris Johnson should resign as UK Prime Minister, at 43 percent of respondents have said in an opinion poll. Nearly 40 percent of the respondents, however, believe that Boris Johnson should continue. The opinion poll also revealed that nearly 45 percent of the respondents were unhappy with Johnson's handling of the coronavirus crisis in Britain, which is currently in the grip of a new lockdown. Boris Johnson to Resign Due to Low Salary? Here's What The UK PM Currently Earns. In May last year, a total of 57 percent of respondents in a YouGov poll said that Johnson was doing "very well" or "fairly well" as the PM. Johnson's overall approval rating also fell by one point when compared to a previous survey to 37 percent, according to the Opinium-Observer poll. About 45 per cent of respondents disliked Johnson serving as the PM, an increase of one percent from the earlier poll. It's Fishy! Boris Johnson 'Trolls' EU by Wearing Fish-Print Tie After UK Clinches Post-Brexit Trade Deal. Among Conservative voters, Johnson remains the most preferred, showed the opinion poll. A whopping 87 percent of Conservative voters want Johnson to continue carrying out his duties, whereas just 7 percent called for his resignation. The poll surveyed 2,003 adults in the UK on January 6 and 7. A group of UK Conservative MPs has repeatedly questioned Johnson's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Britain on Saturday recorded another 68,053 coronavirus cases, the highest ever daily increase since the pandemic began in the country. This brought the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 2,957,472. Another 1,325 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, the highest daily death toll, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 79,833. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2021 11:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Featured stories FBI searches former Cleveland schools employees house after accusations that she participated in U.S. Capitol riot (cleveland.com) With the state shirking vaccine planning to local governments, some are concerned if Ohio will be ready to ramp up shots (cleveland.com) Successfully targeting vaccines to vulnerable groups could make a big difference for Ohio; here are the numbers (cleveland.com) Man dies in fight in Lorain County (WEWS Channel 5) Coronavirus in Ohio Estimates for the number of Ohioans who are, or could be, targeted for coronavirus vaccine priority. Some individuals are in more than one group.Rich Exner, cleveland.com Ohio reports 6,088 new coronavirus cases, 28 deaths: Sunday update (cleveland.com) What we still dont know about Ohios coronavirus vaccination effort (cleveland.com) State of Ohio has handed out about 38 million free face masks so far (cleveland.com) Why do I need to keep a mask on if Ive been vaccinated for coronavirus? (cleveland.com) Five Northeast Ohio bars, including 3 in Euclid, cited for violating coronavirus health orders (cleveland.com) Long-standing Hudson tavern cited for violating coronavirus health orders, Ohio Investigative Unit says (cleveland.com) 3 suggestions if youre missing your latest stimulus check: Thats Rich! recap (cleveland.com) Crime 51-year-old man shot inside home in Clevelands Lee-Miles neighborhood, police say (cleveland.com) Three people injured after more than 50 shots fired into Cleveland home, police say (cleveland.com) 58-year-old man fatally shot in East Akron (cleveland.com) Ohio City business owner robbed at gunpoint (WOIO Channel 19) Cleveland / Cuyahoga County Here are the number of coronavirus per 100,000 residents by ZIP code over the last 30 days in Greater Cleveland.Rich Exner, cleveland.com Cleveland records 228 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths: Sunday update (cleveland.com) Suburban Cuyahoga County coronavirus case count now exceeds 50,000 (cleveland.com) Vaccinating Cuyahoga Countys 1A group could take well into February, health commissioner says (cleveland.com) I couldnt stop crying: Coronavirus patients anxiety leads her to seek counseling -- Coping through COVID (cleveland.com) Cuyahoga County Executive Budish issues executive orders to address racial, gender disparities in county contracting (cleveland.com) Westlake homebuilder plans 100 houses for Clevelands Hough neighborhood (cleveland.com) Local news East Man shot and killed by East Cleveland police officer was taking girlfriend to work in borrowed car, family says (cleveland.com) Tell it to the judge: Cleveland Heights taxpayer seeks court order to fill City Council vacancy (cleveland.com) Local news West Lorain County health officials create pod system to distribute coronavirus vaccine (cleveland.com) Independence School District returns to in-person learning; board leaders chosen (cleveland.com) Berea extends city employees paid leave for COVID-related issues (cleveland.com) Repairs under way to Coe Lake dam in Berea (cleveland.com) Grants will help to transform Brook Park municipal campus (cleveland.com) Akron / Canton area 19-year-old man killed in Bath Township crash, two others injured, police say (cleveland.com) Federal proposal to kill double-crested cormorants in Ohio latest in series of attacks on protected waterfowl (cleveland.com) State Sen. Sherrod Brown calls on Hawley, Cruz to resign or be expelled (cleveland.com) Susan Allan Block resigns from Ohio Arts Council after inflammatory social media remarks (cleveland.com) Joe Biden names former KeyBank official Don Graves his Deputy Commerce Secretary (cleveland.com) Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 20:37:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Andrew Cheung Kui-nung (L) is sworn in at Government House, administered by Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), as the new chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal of HKSAR, in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 11, 2021. Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, the new chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal of China's HKSAR, was sworn in on Monday. Cheung, succeeding Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, took the judicial oath at Government House, administered by the HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The new chief justice swore to uphold the HKSAR Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR, serve the HKSAR conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity, safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favor, self-interest or deceit. (Xinhua) HONG KONG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, the new chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), was sworn in on Monday. Cheung, succeeding Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, took the judicial oath at Government House, administered by the HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The new chief justice swore to uphold the HKSAR Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR, serve the HKSAR conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity, safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favor, self-interest or deceit. Cheung said he will endeavor to maintain the independence and impartiality of the Judiciary and safeguard the rule of law. Lam congratulated Cheung and pledged continued support for the Judiciary. "I am confident that, under Chief Justice Cheung's leadership, the Judiciary will continue to be a bulwark of the 'one country, two systems' policy and our judges will continue to safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favor," she said. Cheung joined Hong Kong's judiciary system in 2001 and was appointed as the permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal in October 2018. Enditem Building permit numbers were down in 2020, but Mayor Rick Chrest said a closer look reveals the sectors perseverance. Advertisement Advertise With Us Building permit numbers were down in 2020, but Mayor Rick Chrest said a closer look reveals the sectors perseverance. There were 511 building permits issued in 2020 totalling $81.6 million, while 2019 counted 569 projects totalling $150.3 million. The 2019 numbers were bolstered by a few "extraordinary, quite large projects," Chrest said, adding that he doesnt concern himself too greatly about ebbs and flows in the citys overarching statistics. These large 2019 projects include the likes of Maryland Park (approximately $18 million), the Koch Fertilizer plant expansion ($26 million), the new Holiday Inn Express ($12 million) and a $17-million chemical storage building at the Municipal Water Treatment Facility. While some of these projects were completed in 2020, the permits were accounted for in 2019. One key difference between 2019 and 2020 building permits is a significant jump in new residential units. In 2019, 325 permits were taken out for residential properties, including those for 249 new units. In 2020, the number of residential permits increased slightly to 354, but the total number of new units spiked to 475. "Residential, youre hoping, is a little more stable and measurable, so it was certainly good to see that stay strong," Chrest said. Included in statistics for 2020 were 24 new multi-unit dwellings totalling 337 units, which dwarfs the 15 multi-unit dwellings 145 units recorded in 2019. "Theres a strong demand for rentals and condos, and affordability is still a consideration," Chrest said, adding that multi-unit dwellings tend to be less expensive and therefore a great introduction to homeownership. Although homeownership in Brandon remains an affordable option compared to most other jurisdictions in Canada, he said this fact is of little consolation for the first-time homebuyer. Further, multi-unit dwellings are often desirable for seniors, and Chrest noted the services available in Brandon, including its health-care system, makes it an attractive destination for retirees. Residential renovations remained fairly steady year over year, with 52 projects recorded in 2020 compared to 62 in 2019. With a total of 10, there were four more sheds built in 2020, six more garages (25 total), four more swimming pools (12), and 11 more accessory buildings (13). People were stuck at home for much of the year, and Chrest said he heard numerous stories about people spending money on their homes instead of vacations they couldnt go on. "People went, Well, the money wed usually spend on vacation, lets stay home and build a new deck, buy a hot tub or remodel a kitchen," he said, adding that this might have also translated into home sales, which were strong in 2020. Last month, Brandon Area Realtors president Mandy King said 2020 had been a "really good year" as it related to residential sales. She reported that house prices were up an average of four per cent year over year and overall sales were up approximately 10 per cent. Excluding December, Brandon Area Realtors list 552 home sales in 2020 at an average sale price of $292,267. These exclude mobile homes and condos. To the end of November, 91 condos were sold, with an average sale price of $260,863. The building permit numbers tell a positive story, Chrest said, adding that its comforting to see the sector remain strong and keep people employed through the COVID-19 pandemic. "The unemployment rate is higher than wed like it to be, but this sector has held its own and probably increased, so that helps." The mayor said hes optimistic the construction sector will remain strong in the coming months. "Its still pretty early, but anecdotally, the developers and builders Ive talked to would feel like theyre hopeful its going to stay fairly buoyant through 2021." tclarke@brandonsun.com Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB Out Of Love: Rasika Dugal Wraps The Shoot Of The Second Season Of The Show Co-Starring Purab Kohli Actor Rasika Dugal on Monday said she has finished shooting for the second season of the web series "Out of Love". She was shooting in Ooty and Coonoor for nearly two months. In the first season of the show, the "Mirzapur" star played the role of a physician, Dr. Meera Kapoor, who discovers her husband (Purab Kohli)'s infidelity and struggles to deal with this revelation. Dugal said she is fortunate to have wrapped up the shoot despite the challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rasika (@rasikadugal) "Shooting for the second season of 'Out Of Love' felt like a work vacation in the mountains! I am blessed to be living an actor's life and to be shooting outdoors despite the constraints and the challenges of the current times. I am glad that I got to be Dr. Meera Kapoor for so long and I am very excited to have the viewers see the many shades of her in this season," the 35-year-old actor said in a statement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rasika (@rasikadugal) The Hotstar series, which debuted in 2019, is an Indian adaptation of the British show "Doctor Foster". Dugal had a packed 2020, with the release of comedy "Lootcase", "Mirzapur" season two and filmmaker Mira Nair's series adaptation of "A Suitable Boy". The actor will next be seen in the second season of Netflix crime drama "Delhi Crime" and actor Anshuman Jha's directorial debut "Lord Curzon Ki Haveli". Princess Diana is seen playing the piano in captivating footage that has recently re-emerged online. The short video is taken from a news report of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's visit to Melbourne on their 1988 royal tour of Australia. On their last day in the city, the royals visited Melbourne College of Arts where the princess delighted well-wishers by playing part of Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto No. 2, apparently without any sheet music. Piano playing Princess! The short video of Diana playing is taken from a news report of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's visit to Melbourne on their 1988 royal tour of Australia Planting a kiss: On their last day in the city, the royals visited Melbourne College of Arts where the princess delighted well-wishers by playing part of Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto No. 2 without any sheet music. Professor Henri Touzeau gives Diana a kiss on the cheek It was Diana's second royal tour of Australia, taking place five months after her first visit, which was recently fictionalised on Netflix's The Crown. The news footage shows Prince Charles and Princess Diana walking into a rehearsal room where musicians are playing in a semi-circle. Charles is cajoled into playing the cello by Professor Henri Touzeau, his former music tutor who later worked in Australia. The prince obligingly plays a few notes before putting down the bow. The professor then turns his attention to the princess, who is stylishly dressed in a white and navy suit and matching wide-brimmed hat. After some initial hesitation, Princess Diana takes a seat at the piano and begins to play the concerto, which the newsreader describes as 'complicated'. The royal plays several bars before standing up off the piano school, at which point the professor plants a kiss on her cheek. Royal visitors: The news footage shows Prince Charles and Princess Diana walking into a rehearsal room where musicians are playing in a semi-circle Taking his turn: Charles is cajoled into playing the cello by Professor Henri Touzeau, his former music tutor who later worked in Australia Talented: The professor then turns his attention to the princess, who is stylishly dressed in a white and navy suit and matching wide-brimmed hat Impressed: Professor Touzeau was wowed by the princess's ability on the piano Quick escape: The newsreader noted Diana looked keen to stop playing and sidle away Hurried departure: Shortly afterwards Princess Diana made a beeline for the door and left Princess Diana was an accomplished musician and started playing piano as a young girl. She took after her maternal grandmother, Ruth Boche, Baroness Fermoy, who was a talented pianist and studied with Alfred Cortot at the Paris Conservatoire in the 1920s. Diana and Charles visited Australia in 1988 to mark the bicentenary of the arrival of the first fleet of British ships in Sydney. The tour included a stop in Sydney where Princess Diana posed for a photo with topless lifeguards. [January 11, 2021] Ukraine - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Sydney, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. - https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Ukraine-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW The market has continued to face considerable difficulties resulting from the annexation of Crimea by Russia, as well as from unrest in eastern regions. The Covid-19 pandemic has also contributed to a faltering economy, with GDP expected to have fallen 7.7% in 2020. This has put pressure on telcos revenue. The sizeable broadband market enjoys effective cross-platform competition. DSL remains an important platform though it has been eclipsed by fibre following efforts by operators to build networks based on FttP. Wireless platforms such as Wi-Fi and WiMAX exist on a smaller scale, and there is ongoing investment aimed at delivering a national wireless network. A number of wireless broadband licensees have also had their concessions extended to 2025, which will provide greater certainty in investment decisions. The competitive mobile market is dominated by the three network operators Vodafone Ukraine (sold by MTS in late 2019), Kyivstar (owned by VEON) and Lifecell (owned by Turkcell). These dominant providers have effectively stymied the development of the MVNO sector by promoting their own low-cost subsidiaries. As a result, the MVNO market remains underdeveloped and few operators have been licensed thus far. Nevertheless, in coming years a gap in the low-cost segment may provide the opportunity for MVNOs to thrive. Mobile broadband services present a significant growth opportunity. Significant investment has been made in exending LTE infrastructure. Spectrum in the 900MHz band was refarmed for LTE services, and new licences were issued to the MNOs in mid-2020. The MNOs have also more recently concentrated on 5G, supported by the regulator which has drawn up a plan to develop 5G based on new spectrum releases in 2021. This report provides an overview of Ukraines telecom market, including profiles of the major operators, a review of telecom network infrastructure, regulatory measures, and emerging network developments. The report also reviews the mobile market, offering a range of statistics as well as assessments on the key players and technology deployments. In addition, the report covers the fixed-and fixed-wireless broadband segments, including subscriber forecasts. BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus is having a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries. On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth. Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report. The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions. Key Developments: Vodafone Ukraine further develops NB-IoT capabilities; MTS Group completes sale of Vodafone Ukraine to Bakcell; Legal amendments to Telecoms Law widen regulators powers; Fixed-line and mobile providers team up to offer bundled services; Ukrtelecom extends fibre-based services to additional communities; Aero extends WiMAX licence to 2025; Report update includes the regulator market data, State Statistics data to June 2020, telcos operating and financial data to Q3 2020, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments. Companies mentioned in this report: Ukrtelecom, Kyivstar (Beeline), Datagroup, Eurotranstelecom, Vega, Velton Telecom, Intertelecom, ITC, Telesystems, Golden Telecom, PAN Wireless, Volia Cable, Ukrainian Radio Systems, Lifecell (Astelit), Vodafone Ukraine (MTS, Bakcell) Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Ukraine-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW Nicolas Bombourg: nbombourg@budde.com.au Europe office: +44 207 097 1241 Oceania Office: +61 280 767 665 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Supreme Court on Monday appeared determined on staying the implementation of the three farm laws, and during the hearing, made many critical observations on Centre's inability to settle the issue through negotiations with protesting farmers staying put at various Delhi borders. Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, who headed the bench also comprising Justices A.S Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, said it is extremely disappointing to see the way the Centre has handled farmers' agitation. Something went enormously wrong as it failed to develop a consensus on the three laws by taking farmers' unions on board, while eight rounds of talks between the two sides have been inconclusive, he noted. As Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, objecting to a stay, said the court should not pass an order in a hurry, the CJI responded: "Don't lecture us on patience... we have already given you a long rope." Here are five of the CJI's other critical observations during the hearing. 1."We don't know whether you are part of the solution or the problem. There is not a single petition filed here which says the laws are beneficial," the Chief Justice said as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta attempted to make some submissions insisting on the implementation of the farm laws. 2. "All of us have a heavy responsibility to ensure things don't go wrong. We don't want blood of any one on our hands," the Chief Justice said, underscoring that any stray incident in the peaceful protest can lead it to the opposite direction, which may lead to loss of life and property. 3. "Sorry to say, we are because you, as the Union of India, did not take responsibility. You were not able to solve the problem... You should have been able to solve the strike, but you did not," the CJI said as the Attorney General, reacting to his statement: " We will stay implementation if the Centre doesn't do it", said the court may be on the brink of a drastic decision. 4. "Right to protest is intact. Right to protest should be exercised like Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha. Do it peacefully," the Chief Justice said, while declining to entertain Centre's arguments on the course of evolution of farm laws in the previous governments, on the grounds that they cannot blame the previous governments. 5. "... we are disappointed in the way you're handling this situation. States are up in rebellion against you," CJI Bobde told the government, stressing that the ongoing farmers' protest is a delicate matter. (Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in) -- Syndicated from IANS UPS Wing Aviation U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration March 2020 Bard College Brookings Institution U.S. Alaska Florida Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Maine Montana North Carolina Oregon Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Wisconsin (TNS) Not long ago, it was an image from a sci-fi flick or the Jetsons cartoon: scores of miniature "airplanes" buzzing in the sky, dropping packages to destinations below.Soon, the image could be ubiquitous. And not just a little bit concerning.Federal officials have announced new rules that will allow operators of small drones to fly over people and at night. It's a move expected to turbo-boost the commercial use of the flying machines. And it's a development clamored for by leaders of industry, such as Amazon,and Google (which has a sister company called.)AdvertisementDrones have garnered the distinction as the fastest-growing segment in all of transportation, according to the. There are more than 1.7 million drones registered.The widening use of commercial drones could translate to quicker delivery of goods to customers' front doors, undoubtedly a convenience for the public at large.Convenience is not everything.Regulatory hurdles should not be viewed as obstacles but, rather, as important safety measures. The new rules will require that drones that fly in the night sky be equipped with flashing lights that can be seen up to 3 miles away; drones that fly over people cannot have rotating parts capable of cutting skin; and operators will need special training. All drones that must be registered with thewill be required to have "remote ID" equipment that broadcasts their identification, location and control station or be operated in FAA-recognized areas.AdvertisementAre these measures enough to control the downsides to the pending proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles? It is unlikely.Questions remain about airspace property rights, protection for landowners from "aerial trespassing." And UAV's "sense and avoid" capabilities must be top-notch so as to avoid midair collisions, especially when they're being used above crowds.Of pre-eminent concern are privacy and legal rights of citizens. Limits should be put on the collection of data and images to protect privacy. Legal mechanisms must be in place to regulate government entities' use of drones to monitor the public. Privacy laws must be strong enough to ensure this technology will be used in a way that is consistent with democratic values.Currently, there is no national framework governing how police make use of the data collected by drones, resulting in an inconsistent amalgamation of rules and regulations enacted by states and municipalities. As of, according to data collected byresearchers and disseminated by the, at least 1,578 state and local public safety agencies in thehad acquired drones. Brookings concluded in a report issued in September: "There's one thing civil liberties advocates and privacy specialists tend to agree upon: Police drones aren't regulated nearly strictly enough."A handful of states have implemented laws requiring search warrants to be obtained by law enforcement agencies using drones for surveillance or searching. Those states includeandA national standard should be adopted. Until then, states must pick up the slack and protect their citizens' legal rights.Drones may be the next best thing in the public marketplace. And the federal enhancement of their regulation is a step in the right direction, but it is only a step. Federal regulators and lawmakers must remember that, when it comes to UAVs, safety and civil liberties must not be sacrificed on the altars of consumer convenience and business expansion. SUV The market is now fully saturated with SUVs, so artists don't have a lot they can imagine/render. However, an interesting idea popped up last year and is getting a lot of traction: luxury 4-door sedans from companies that mainly offer high-riders.We think the idea started with the rumor of a Range Rover sedan model, potentially an electric one. While the idea seemed strange at first, the comfort and stately, timeless design of these British 4x4 work perfectly in a limo format. Jeep is the American equivalent of Land Rover, and it too embodies those attributes.This wouldn't be the first time we've seen a Jeep sedan rendering. However, where all artists worked by combining the front end of anwith the body of a 4-door car, YouTuber TheSketchMonkey did it the old-fashioned way, massaging the body of a 2021 Grand Cherokee L into a Chrysler-like appearance.Many small changes had to be made to the roof, fenders, windows, and especially the fascia. Obviously, since there's never been a Jeep sedan before, it's going to look a little weird. But there are some traditionally-styled models that resemble this rendering, like Rolls-Royces or the Toyota Century, for example.Historically, there is one model that vaguely fits the description of a Jeep sedan. Before it was acquired by Chrysler in the late 80s, Jeep was owned by AMC. And they made something called the AMC Eagle, which was a combination between the Concord sedan and the all-wheel-drive from the CJ. It was a first in the compact segment, but the idea never really took off.So can Jeep do this? Yes, obviously. Many Jeep models are based on car platforms that could be reverse-engineered. But we think this imaginary sedan would need to be a full-sized flagship, and not some slammed down Renegade With a new episode on tonight, lets do a recap of the final two episodes of S2 as well the storylines conclusion in the S3 premiere last week. Random notes: Inwe start out as our Rookies are unwinding with the rest of their class just before their final 30 day push. Everyone is sharing stories and we get to meet some of the other friends of our beloved trio: Chris Rios, Jacksons rival for the top of the class, and Erin Cole who looks up to John for guidance and advice.The camaraderie and familiarity is ever present even among these new arrivals to our cast (earning the shows casting director another pat on the back, for knowing that leaning on the ensemble moments is what really makes this show), and makes it easy to believe all these people did in fact go through the grind together. This offers a light intro to the bleak storyline that will span across the next three hours of the show, and in hindsight all that levity in those first few minutes of the episode should have raised major red flags for everyone.The shift starts out quiet enough, giving us time to catch up on how things are on the personal front for everyone: Lucy and Emmett are getting a bit serious, which she seems unwilling to share with Tim. For his part he seems to be proud of her for not sharing. Angela is stressed out about making detective while the moms take that opportunity to highjack her wedding. John is still thinking about his break up with Grace. While Nyla, has a hearing for the appeal of her custody agreement.We get to learn all that until Nolan makes the mistake to comment exactly how quiet the shift is... and then the S hits the fan... Not long after John more or less makes fun of Nyla for being superstitious, a frantic call for shots fired comes through the coms. The action is in another district, but things escalate enough, that backup is requested and our units are also mobilized. West recognizes Chris voice over the radio, and sure enough when he and Lopez reach the scene Chris and his own T.O have the suspect at gunpoint. Amid the action and adrenaline Rios, with a nice callback to the pilot, makes the mistake to leave the cover of the shop and ends up getting shot.Harper and Nolan go after the suspect but he ditches the car and his weapon in a parking lot and manages to get away. John is the process of securing all the evidence when Armstrong joins them. They proceed to use his portable finger print ID unit to identify the shooter from a print they lifted from the gun. A hit on the data base points them to Serge Darian, a member of the Armenian mafia. Armstrong and Nolan edge Harper on to go to her hearing while they follow the lead. Meanwhile Chris gets rushed to the hospital, Jackson in toe, but things are looking dire and surgery will be useless unless Grace manages to get the bleeding under control.Lucy and Tim follow up on the finger print but not before they engage in one of their patented Bradford scolds Chen moments. Emmett being on the scene feels the need to step in and defend Lucy but frankly neither one of them is up for it. They have the rapport they have for a reason and they both know it.At the raid, sadly the suspect is nowhere to be found, however there is enough evidence found on site that leads to suspect a mole in the department. Grey takes this opportunity to give Angela a shot at operating as acting detective to root out the rat, as she is someone he can trust.Angela leads a second raid at the house of Ruben Darian, brother of the shooter and head of the organization. John and Nick join her, and while we also see Erin is on site she however sits out the breach. Ruben is apprehended and when everyone is back at the precinct John realises the gun has gone missing. A gun that is now officially a murder weapon since Chris didnt make it.All signs point to the mole being the perpetrator and everyone from the raid gets called back to surrender their body cams for review. As Nyla and Nick ineffectively interview Ruben, Angela via the cam footage manages to deduce that Erin is most likely the dirty cop. And young Officer Cole is officially on the run.As everyone is following various leads trying to track Erin down, its John who remembers a conversation he had with her earlier in the episode and they end up chasing after her as shes trying to make a getaway in an RV. Erin finds herself in dire straits, distraught and feeling guilty over Chris death. John is trying to talk her down from killing herself but in a split second confrontation Armstrong ends up shooting her.While on the personal fronts things are somewhat looking up (with John deciding to talk to Grace, Nyla winning joint custody, Tim giving Lucy sage advice regarding Emmett, with whom she patches things up, and Angela doing exceptionally as acting detective), its an unsatisfactory ending to the case: two young cops are dead, the weapon is still missing and Serge will most likely walk because of that. Something doesnt sit well with Nolan about all this... its as if the mole isnt completely rooted out... And as hes reviewing the case for his own benefit, the twist is clear: Nick is the real, really dirty cop...The opening ofemploys an interesting narrative tactic to validate the twist from the penultimate episode: the first third of the episode is a retelling of the events of 2.19 from Armstrongs perspective. We get context and backstory, and all the pieces fall into place. Even those snide comments Rosalind made about Armstrongs character all those episodes ago. Ruben clearly has him tied in deep and, try as he might, there is no way out for Nick.With the audience properly caught up we see Nolan sharing his theory with Harper. Grand speeches about going against everything they stand for aside, its worth mentioning, Nathan Fillion plays up the conflict and the sentiment of betrayal to a T here. Nick Armstrong had been portrayed all season as nothing more than an exceptional cop, a good friend and a mentor to look up to. Thinking this of him doesnt come easy for neither Nolan nor the audience... not for Harper either, who while not entirely convinced, trusts Johns instincts enough that she agrees to help him investigate further.The morning after finds Angela and Jackson trying to place Serge in the car in order to make the case against him stick, and Tim and Lucy tracking down a CI in the Armenian mafia that might be able to help out with the case. Meanwhile John has gathered some circumstantial evidence against Armstrong from the shop and body cams, showing Nick possibly texting Ruben updates on the investigation. Harper comes up with a plan for them to be able and trace the burner number hes most likely using for this communication. They lure Armstrong to an abandoned area in order to isolate his burners number and be able to get a warrant for the phone.While Angela, Jackson, Lucy and Tim manage to get breaks on their ends, Nyla and John find themselves in a bind with Nick. Finding an opening while Nolan gets a distracting phone call from Grace he clocks their ruse and puts into motion the steps to cover his tracks.Feeling frustrated their plan hit a road block John results to desperate measures and goes to see Rosalind. She agrees to help, but requests a favour in return: information about his personal life. The result is John getting to finally have the talk with Grace which he has been avoiding for days, as it effectively ends their relationship, despite his love declaration. Rosalind seems satisfied enough to spill the beans about Nick: he keeps the evidence in his laundry room. She however seems unimpressed with Johns plan to break in Armstrongs house and find the evidence. Nicks too smart and ruthless of an opponent for John... he caught her after all. Still John goes ahead, but hits another dead end. Nick showing up while Nolan is still in his house doesnt help matters.Meanwhile Angela and Jackson manage to put Serge in the car in question and the CI, tips his location to Tim and Lucy. The hunt for Serge is on, which leaves Tim having to bail on Rachel for their last date... might be for the best, seeing that he was going to break up with her anyway. Serge is arrested, right after which Tim finds the time to catch up with Rachel and let her know hes willing to give the long distance a shot (I dunno how this works timeline wise, but okay...).Nick for his part calls Nolan to confess and asks him to show up at his place so he can explain. John shows up and Armstrong has his explanation and his excuses up and ready. But Johns onto him now and it all falls on deaf ears. So Nick goes on the offence and just lets John know point blank hes spent the day setting him up to take the fall instead. With Serge corroborating the story theres nothing John can do but shoot Armstrong in self defence and rush back to his place to find the incriminating evidence. He tears down the walls and does just as we hear and see the sirens...And thats where the show left us off last spring.Last weekpicks up pretty much at that same moment. Grey calls Nolan informing him Armstrongs on his way to the hospital and is accusing him of trying to murder him. John lets Grey in on his side of the story and pleads his case that things need to go by the book. So they should wait for a warrant and hell call a lawyer.Enter Wes who while automatically springs into action willing to help, also accidentally dumps into positive pregnancy test while hes getting ready. As luck would have it its Angela who gets tasked with getting the warrant and they bump at the judges house. He gently goads her to tell him but shes got other things in mind. Mainly getting through this mess.Armstrong is being escorted by Smitty and West to the hospital and tries to get more info out of them. Smitty is chatty but Jackson knows to keep his mouth shut, but still finds himself spiralling. Thankfully his dad is there to take on the case and give the appropriate perspective about how this investigation should go. In the meantime Nick find his opening to point the finger at Harper too.John calls Nyla to fill her in as Tim and Lucy show up to take her to IA. Angela gets the warrant and Johns time is up. Back at the precinct Wesley presents the situation to John, who seems very obtuse about having the truth on his side. Wesley in turn is rather astute in pointing out to John that the favourable treatment John has been getting, is very much because hes white and a cop and that shouldnt go past him. In a similar spirit Commander West rails in on Harper as she tries to defend the way she and John went about their investigation and choosing to bypass Internal Affairs and the departments function altogether. Its a powerful scene, one we rarely see in cop shows. Michael Beach delivers in spades the frustration of an officer who is not allowed to his job by his own fellow officers because they tend to see him as the bad guy. But lo and behold, they are in this mess exactly because of that.Tim and Lucy spend the investigation arguing and debating about Johns morality, how capable he is of this and how much we truly know people, as they try to track down the evidence. Tim is happy to follow the clues while Lucy hedges her bets on John. And thankfully Commander Wests questioning of Nolan proves her right. Percy satisfied enough with the leads so far, directs Tim and Lucy to head and talk to Rosalind and corroborate Nolans story further. Because of their history, Tim is reserved but Lucy seems up for the task.In trying to make up for past mistakes John offers himself up as bait to try and get Ruben now that hes lost his inside man. Neither Commander West nor Wesley are too keen on the idea but, Nolan pleads with Grey who bulks.Wesley both frustrated with John and Angela seeks out to at least get answers on the baby front. He and Angela have a sweet talk where she gets to voice her concerns and he gets to talk her down and reassure her that they can do this. And, Ill say it again: these two crazy kids might just make it!At the prison Rosalind makes it a point to get under both Tim and Lucys skin, but they both manage to hold their own against her. She does give them another good enough lead they can track down, insinuating Armstrong probably has a go bag at play. Angela deduces its probably hidden at his wifes gravesite and manages to dig it out.The sting against Ruben is underway. Nyla gives John undercover pointers while he gets wired up. However Ruben and his men are smart enough to both get rid of the bugs and spot the tail. All the while Nick is lulled into thinking things are looking his way, until a phonecall from Rosalind lets him know otherwise. This makes him desperate enough to run. He slips Jackson and Smitty and reunites with Ruben in order tip him off about John. At the meet though, Ruben seems happy enough to get rid of both John and Nick. Armstrong gets shot in the crossfire as Nolan barely gets away and manages to apprehend Ruben.In the end John is off the hook... but has to bare the, you guessed it, consequences: a letter of reprimand on his record (Harper gets one of those as well BTW), essentially making any promotion he may have been aiming for unattainable, and an extra month hold back as a Rookie. Always the glad half full kinda guy, John seems willing to go home and wake up tomorrow trying to start anew.The episode closes out with as John goes back to his wrecked home only to receive a gleeful phonecall from Rosalind. He seems unwilling to appease her, and her vague insinuations that this whole mess with Armstrong being dirty could very well be her ticker our. Instead he hungs up on her midsentence and proceeds to clean up his house.- Armstrong started out as such a great and rootable character, which that made this betrayal really hit hard. That was obviously the case, for the audience to be left just as numb and hurt as Nolan was, so job well done I suppose. Still Harold Perrinaus lovely presence will be missed.- I dont know how I feel about Rosalind possibly getting out of jail as a result. Shes an interesting antagonist, sure, and Annie is brilliant, but the shtick could get old fast. If they go ahead with that I hope its a S4 storyline at least... let some time pass inbetween...- Not even a passing mention of Grace in the S3 premiere? I can assume why, but that felt a bit off, when it was such an emotional point in the previous 2 episodes.- It was smart writing in Alyssas pregnancy because hiding it was gonna be hard. I could very much tell already before they even mentioned Lopez was pregnant and had no idea she was so IRL. Plus, I do think it is gonna be a great storyline for her and Wes. Also I do hope this is what will finally give us the chance to meet her mom and brothers. I feel thats long overdue at this point.- Speaking of: YAY! Angela is officially Detective Lopez! So happy for her! Awful timing, but SO happy!- Ive had my issues with Jacksons dad before but Percy was stellar in this weeks episode. And pushing Jackson for a career in IA might not be the worst storyline... means more Michael Beach, which is, after all always a good thing.- I will say, if they really arent planning on getting Tim and Lucy together and dont want people to ship it, they should really stop writing them this way.more than that they need to explain that to Eric and Melissa, explicitly. Because they cant let them keep on doing all that on screen and then not follow through... they just cant!Thats that for our catch up with the show. Tune in tonight for a brand new instalment of The Rookie! 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. OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- Alex and Chad Dawes drove from Parma to Olmsted Township -- not just for German-style food, but for good food. They made another trip to the Prost! at Lenau Park Friday (Jan. 8) to pick up their order and return home again. Weve come here several times, Chad said. I would come here to Lenau Park all the time with my friend who loved it. I came to like it, too. The food here is great. The Donauschwaben German-American Cultural Center has reopened its kitchen. It is carryout only. The current hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Simply call 440-235-2646, extension 0, and place your order. Your food will be ready for pickup in about 25 to 30 minutes. Marianne Beuchler, the centers director of operations, said the center had offered lunch at its Lunch at Lenau bar/dining room. The COVID-19 shutdown gave the center a chance to make some changes. It was a dream to rebrand and now open again for takeout, Marianne said. We had our loyal lunch customers, and we felt badly we were closed. So we decided to offer takeout that has almost all of the regular food, with added specials. We invite our members and the community to go to our Facebook page and website to view the menu we update weekly. The menu is quite extensive. It offers daily homemade soup, salad, sides, appetizers, a light fare, entrees, desserts, various specials -- and dont forget drinks, especially German bier, er, beer. Entrees include chicken paprikash, chicken schnitzel, paprika bratwurst, wiener schnitzel, Bavarian smoked pork chops, salmon, a German platter and others. Sandwiches include corned beef, chicken schnitzel cordon bleu, buffalo schnitzel wrap, wurst, hamburger and others. Wednesday is Frikadellen Night. Frikadellen is a German hamburger made with ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, eggs and various spices. Each Wednesday and Thursday, patrons receive a free appetizer with the purchase of any two items from the entree and light fare sections. The choices are sauerkraut balls, potato pancake medallions or a small pretzel with bier cheese. Each week, the center offers entree specials. Last week was a choice of beef or pork gulasch. This week, starting Wednesday (Jan. 13), it is stuffed cabbage. Marianne said Eric Maurer is the centers new chef. He worked under the former one for four years. Hes wonderful. He continues the tradition to provide delicious meals from our kitchen, Marianne said. Marianne grew up at the center. Her parents, who are immigrants, brought her there to enjoy the German culture. I call this the big white elephant in the middle of Olmsted Falls that no one knows what we are about, she said. Staff members Becky Kazar, Marianne Buechler and Patricia Liegl ready themselves for patrons to pick up their orders at the Donauschwaben German-American Cultural Center in Olmsted Township. (Joanne Berger DuMound, special to cleveland.com) According to the centers website, in 1722 Emperor Charles VI, of the Holy Roman empire and ruler of the Austrian Habsburg Monarch, invited German settlers to develop the land around the Danube and other nearby rivers. They continued to speak German and kept their traditions, becoming known as Danube Swabians. Following World War I, the territories went to Romania, Hungary and Yugoslavia. After World War II, communism began annihilating anything German. About 250,000 of the Danube Swabians died in concentration camps. Many were deported to Russia, and others came to America. The center has a special memorial area dedicated to these Danube Swabians on the exterior west side of its building. Marianne volunteered at the center prior to becoming an employee in 2017, advancing to her current position in 2018. I love the German history and culture, she said. With the rebranding and reopening of our kitchen, we are hoping to provide a taste of our culture to our members and the entire community. The center takes extreme caution in maintaining sanitary procedures. Marianne said they have 10 employees, three of whom are part-time. She said the center is sanitary-conscious. It has a separate entrance and exit door for picking up orders. The entryway to pick up an order is just west and around the corner of the main entrance. The reception desk to pay, either cash or credit, has shields. A staff member may hand you the food or place it on the counter, if you prefer. We err on the side of caution, Marianne said. We also offer curbside service. Just let us know when you arrive and well bring it out to your car. The centers Lenten fish fries are returning this year. They will be takeout only. Patrons come into the center and order. The line, which will travel into the main banquet hall, will allow for social distancing. The menu will be the same offered in the past, but we added potato and cheese pierogies with sauteed onions,Marianne said. Chad said the best way to encourage someone to try Prost! at Lenau Park is to just see the menu. Id text them the menu and let them see for themselves. Theyll love it, he said. The center is at 7370 Columbia Road. While there, check out the cookbooks, T-shirts and gift certificates. Christmas trees: This week, Jan. 11, is the final week to place your Christmas trees on the lawn for trash pickup. Be sure that all the tinsel, ornaments and lights are removed from them. Also, do not place the trees in a plastic bag. Simply place them on the tree lawn, au naturel. Blood drive: The American Red Cross has a blood drive this Thursday (Jan. 14) and Jan. 27. Location is the Donauschwabens German-American Cultural Center, 7370 Columbia Road. Appointments are required and can be made at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 800-RED-CROSS. Safety precautions are taken at each blood drive. St. Mary open house: St Mary of the Falls Catholic School has its enrollment now occurring for the 2021-22 academic school year. Due to COVID-19, there will not be the traditional open house, but families may sign up for tours and registration. The times and dates are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 2. The tours will include four families each for 30 minutes. To register, go to bit.ly/2LEhVO8. Polaris virtual visits: Polaris offers a virtual open house from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 30 for Olmsted Falls High School sophomores. This event features three virtual programs you may visit at 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. that night. Each of Polaris instructors has created a quick video. It introduces you to their programs. You may find the videos at bit.ly/3bsxAv4. Once you select a program of interest, complete the Google form at bit.ly/38tMkHY. If you complete the specific Google form and attend the open house, you will automatically be entered for a chance to win a set of Apple AirPods. You also earn five bonus points toward enrollment. For more details, call 440-891-7732 or email ccrisler@polaris.edu. Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at jdumound@yahoo.com. She also is on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The columns online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items. Read more from the Sun Post Herald. A lecturer of the Central University in Accra, Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah has cautioned the newly elected Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin not to disappoint Ghanaians. Hon. Alban Bagbin was on Thursday, January 7 elected Speaker of the 8th Parliament following the dissolution of the 7th Parliament. However, there are fears he may favour his political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is on the opposition bench as this is the first time in Ghana's history under the Fourth Republic that a member of an opposition party has become the Speaker of Parliament. There are arguments the opposition NDC may influence him to sabotage the sitting President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP Members of Parliament. Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah has counseled the Speaker to execute his duty effectively. According to him, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has a rich Parliamentary experience and should ensure his legacy is not soiled by any activity that will demean his character and integrity. ''Bagbin is one of the most experienced. He's been in Parliament for 28 years. If truth would prevail, he's supposed to be the best of all the Speakers that have come and gone. He's supposed to be the best because he has seen it all," he said. He shared a strong conviction that Rt. Hon. Bagbin will be a great Speaker of the House. ''I have a strong conviction that Bagbin will do well. He should not disappoint us. I'm sorry but someone like Martin Amidu, I used to give him a standing ovation whenever I mention his name. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. He didn't impress me at all. I plead with the Rt. Honorable Bagbin that he should not disappoint Ghanaians because we know his character. We know what he stands for and his values; so he should execute his duty effectively," he told sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo''. 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 A unique portrait of Vicky Phelan is to go under the hammer at auction to raise money for an Irish charity supporting frontline healthcare workers. Heroes Aid was set up in March offering assistance to health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms Phelan unveiled the painting on RTE's Late Late Show on Friday night. According to Heroes Aid, the artwork tells the story of Vicky Phelan's life in three panels, including her cancer diagnosis and her "heroic advocacy on behalf of all the women caught up in Ireland's cervical smear controversy." The painting was donated to Heroes Aid by Tullamore artist Vincent Devine. Picture: Heroes Aid The painting was donated to Heroes Aid by Tullamore artist Vincent Devine. Mary Leahy, founder and executive member of Heroes Aid, said the organisation was incredibly impressed by Ms Phelan's ability to "give a voice to those who needed it most." She said: "We approached Vicky Phelan last year to be on the board of Heroes Aid as our patient advocate." Ms Leahy said Ms Phelan is playing a "crucial" role in helping the healthcare workers "under unrelenting pressure" during the pandemic. "Its only fitting that she now has a portrait to tell her own story." The Triptych Portrait of Vicky Phelan, goes under the hammer at Sheppards Irish Auction House at 2pm on Thursday, February 4, 2021. The sale will be conducted live online at: [url=https://www.sheppards.ie/]sheppards.ie[/url]. For more information go to - [url=https://heroesaid.ie/auction/]https://heroesaid.ie/auction/[/url] A 64-year-old Vineland man was killed Monday afternoon after a single-engine ultralight aircraft he was flying crashed into a wooded area in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, police said. First responders were called to the scene of the crash, near the 300 block of Tuckahoe Road, shortly before 1 p.m., Franklin Township Police Lt. Matt DeCesari said. He identified the pilot late Monday night as Gerard Asselta. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft in the area of Downstown Airport in nearby Vineland, Cumberland County, before it crashed into the wooded area, but it was not known whether the ultralight was trying to land at the airport, DeCesari said. Asselta, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was the only person on the single-seat ultralight and had taken off from a private residence in Vineland, DeCesari said. He said authorities did not know what caused the crash, where the aircraft was headed, or how long the man had been a pilot. Thomas Gilbert, spokesperson for the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office, said investigators with his office and the Federal Aviation Administration were at the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates that the crash was accidental and there was nothing suspicious or criminal, Gilbert said. A spokesperson for the FAA referred questions about the investigation to local authorities. A House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove President Donald Trump from office was blocked Monday by Republicans. Democrats in the House are pushing Pence and the Cabinet to oust Trump, saying he is unfit for office after encouraging a protest march that turned into a mob that ransacked the U.S. Capitol in a deadly siege. Republicans refused to allow a vote on the Pence measure Monday, although a vote still could occur as early as Tuesday. Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on such a course, which would involve invoking the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, including a vote by a majority of the Cabinet to oust Trump before he leaves office on January 20. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on that date. With just days left in Trumps presidency, the House also is preparing to impeach Trump this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying first to put pressure on Republicans to tell Trump its time to go. Trump would face a single charge incitement of insurrection over the riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. Lawmakers were set to introduce the legislation Monday, with voting mid-week. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Trump's own false statements about his election defeat to Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. A violent mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the legislation said. The bill from Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Ca., said Monday on CBS, "We need to move forward with alacrity. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat, Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues emphasizing the need for quick action. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, Its over. Thats what has to happen now, she said. Pence has given no indication he would act on the 25th Amendment. If he does not, the House would move toward impeachment. Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president" with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment advanced rapidly after the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The award came today in a virtual event by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) automotive media jury. The Elantra is manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery, Hyundais only U.S. manufacturing facility. The plant also currently produces the Santa Fe and Sonata, with the Tucson and Santa Cruz models coming in 2022. This is the second time the Hyundai sedan has won Car of the Year, the other award coming in 2012, and the third time Hyundai has taken home honors in the Car of the Year category. Only two cars have won the award more than once - the Chevrolet Corvette and Honda Civic. Jose Munoz, Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company, accepted the award on behalf of the Alabama plant employees, among others. Elantra is a symbol of our blend of dynamic design, advanced technology and great fuel economy, he said. Elantra customers are going to experience all of the hard work and dedication that went into making this class-leading car. The jurors tested and evaluated more than 40 new vehicles before voting the top three cars, utility vehicles and trucks to be 2021 finalists. The Nissan Sentra and Genesis G80 were the other car finalists. Flash The fact that Chinese foreign ministers chose Africa for their first visit every year shows that China attaches great importance to Africa, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China has a good diplomatic tradition starting from 1991 that foreign ministers have come to Africa for the first visit every year, Wang said in an interview with the People's Daily as he concluded on Saturday his trips to five African nations, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles. Such a concrete action also embodies the traditional friendship between China and Africa and China's firm support for Africa's development and revitalization, Wang said, adding that it also illustrates an important diplomatic principle that China always stands together with developing countries. Noting that this tradition has been held for the past 30 years, Wang said it should not be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year and China will not flinch. African countries are also looking forward to the arrival of their Chinese friends, he added. The two sides need to overcome difficulties, promote cooperation and seek a better future together through face-to-face communication, Wang said. Wang said he held meetings respectively with leaders and foreign ministers from the five African countries, during which they have reached broad consensuses on implementing the important consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders, carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two sides and enhancing political mutual trust. The Chinese diplomat said they also reached consensuses on joint fight against the pandemic, speeding up the resumption of major cooperation projects, pushing forward the joint building of the Belt and Road, and strengthening coordination on global and regional affairs. A series of agreements were also signed during the meetings, which have deepened bilateral friendship, enhanced mutual trust, promoted cooperation and accumulated consensuses, he said. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 On Monday, January 11, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine died as a result of shelling from Russian-occupation forces near the village of Pisky in Donetsk region. "The Ukrainian side of the JCCC activated a coordination mechanism: a 'silence regime' was introduced, a demand for a ceasefire was put forward, a note was prepared and sent to the OSCE SMM," the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) said on the Telegram channel. Stan Australia has announced their family drama Bump has been commissioned for a second season. Filming for season two will begin in 2021, and fans can expect a confirmed cast at a later date. The show, which reunited the team behind iconic Aussie series Love My Way, has broken viewing records for Stan since its launch on New Year's Day. Bump is back! Stan Australia has announced their family drama Bump has been commissioned for a second season Season one of Bump followed the story of schoolgirl Oly, who became the gossip of the school as she choose to continue her senior year at school with her baby daughter strapped around her chest. It received stunning reviews in the short time it's been streaming, for it's honest and hilarious story-telling. The show introduced a crop of new talent including lead Nathalie Morris, Carlos Sanson and Catalina Palma. It will also starred fellow newcomers Safia Arain, Paula Garcia, Ioane Saula, Peter Thurnwald and Ricardo Scheihing Vasquez. TV Week Logie winner Claudia Karvan, stared, co-created and produced the witty show. Back for more! Bump stars Claudia Karvan, who plays Oly's mother, Angie, (right) and Angus Sampson as her father, Dom, (left). The popular series will return again at some stage this year according to Stan Baby joy: Season one of Bump followed the story of teenager Oly (Nathalie Morris), whose world turned upside down when she had a surprise baby with Santi (Carlos Sanson) 'Bump is the show we needed now - a show that is authentic, full of heart and humour and is testament to our resilience,' Claudia said in a statement on Monday. 'We all are champing at the bit to get back into the story room and bring these characters to life again. Stan have been the ultimate collaborators and we're looking forward to working together again.' Bump was directed by Gracie Otto, Geoff Bennett, and Leticia Caceres. Season one of the Stan Original Series Bump is available now, only on Stan. Adel Abdel Bary, 60, was released and returned to the UK from the US last month He was released on health grounds as his morbid obesity made him a Covid risk Now, he is living in a 1million council house in Maida Vale, north-west London Osama Bin Laden's spin doctor was pictured today leaving a 1 million council house in north-west London after being granted early release from US prison because his obesity made him a Covid risk. Adel Abdel Bary, 60, was jailed for 22 years over the devastating 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people. ADVERTISEMENT But the terror propagandist won early 'mercy' release because his morbid obesity and asthma puts him at risk of Covid. He flew to London in December and has now been seen looking fit and walking unaided with no signs of any health issues. The father-of-six is thought to be living in Maida Vale with his wife Ragaa, 59, and was seen receiving flat-pack furniture and enjoying walks in the area. Today, he was seen leaving the million-pound property before climbing into a Mercedes. Taxpayers could fork out 400,000 a year to monitor Bary as is he freely walks the streets of Britain again - and sources say he is likely to claim welfare handouts. He flew to London in December and has now been seen looking fit and walking unaided with no signs of any health issues The father-of-six is thought to be living in Maida Vale with his wife Ragaa, 59, and was seen receiving flat-pack furniture and walking in the area Adel Abdul Bary after he appeared at Bow Street Magistrates court in July 1999. He returned to the United Kingdom last month after being freed from a New Jersey detention centre He acted as a spokesman for Osama Bin Laden in Europe and was a propagandist before his arrest and imprisonment Bary acted as a spokesman for Osama Bin Laden in Europe and both MI5 and counter-terror police need to monitor his movements 'for several years' at huge cost to the taxpayer. He looked the picture of health after being spotted in Maida Vale, despite his lawyers telling a US court his health gave an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason for 'compassionate' early release. Sources told the Sun that the Metropolitan Police is seeking a 'notification order' against him which would force him to disclose details of any bank accounts, mobile phones or travel plans. Sources also told The Sun he will almost certainly claim welfare from the state and be granted security monitoring for his safety, costing the taxpayer tens of thousands. Click here to resize this module However, he has hired human rights lawyers Birnberg Peirce and cannot be hit with tougher measures because he has served his sentence. ADVERTISEMENT A former military intelligence officer told The Mirror: 'They will want to know who he talks to, how does he communicate and what are his intentions. 'This may cost three or four-hundred-thousand a year. He may have to be monitored discreetly for several years.' He was born in Egypt but was granted asylum in Britain in 1991. David Cameron's government is reported to have struck a deal with Washington to accept Bary back into Britain upon his release to avoid a human rights breach. Bary would likely be tortured and killed if deported back to Egypt. His lawyer told The New York Times: 'After all this time all Mr Bary wants is to enjoy a quiet life with his family.' He looked the picture of health after being spotted in Maida Vale, despite his lawyers telling a US court his health gave an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason for 'compassionate' early release Bary, 60, was jailed over the devastating 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people. Pictured; firemen in action at the site of a huge bomb explosion that shook a bank building and US embassy in central Nairobi, Kenya, 07 August 1998 Then-US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright looks 18 August at damage from a bomb at the US embassy in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania where 10 people were killed and 72 injured on Augustr 7, 1998 Bary was arrested in the UK in 1999 and extradited to the US in 2012 where he struck a plea deal which ended with him being sentenced to 25 years behind bars. He was charged with 285 offences, but pleaded guilty to just a handful, including threatening to kill by means of explosive and conspiracy to murder US citizens abroad. The terrorist, who leased London offices in Kilburn Lane for bin Laden's propaganda activities, had 16 years taken off due to the time he had spent on remand. He is the father of ISIS jihadi Abdel-Majed Abdel, who was arrested in Spain after travelling to Syria where he posed with the severed head of an Assad regime soldier. Bary's lawyers had argued earlier this year that his morbid obesity was an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason to let him go. ADVERTISEMENT The judge agreed that he should be released on compassionate grounds because the coronavirus was a great risk to his health, given his obesity and asthma. Bary had been serving his sentence in the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado before being shipped over to the east coast and then onto London. He will not be placed under Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures because he has already served his sentence. After Bary was granted asylum he became the London cell leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad a terror group which merged with al-Qaeda. Following the August 1998 African embassy bombings, Bary was responsible for transmitting claims of responsibility to the media. In one of the court hearings leading to his sentence he wept before the judge after he admitted using fax machines and phone calls for the messages. He said: 'I arranged to transmit messages from media personnel to my co-conspirators, al-Zawahiri and Bin Laden.' At his 2015 sentencing, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan had initially expressed concern that the plea bargain arranged with prosecutors was too lenient. ADX Florence supermax prison where Adel Abdel Bary, 60, had been serving his sentence before being released to a holding facility on the east coast and then being moved onto London Handing down a sentence of 25 years, much of it hacked away already by time spent on remand, Judge Kaplan told Bary that he was the beneficiary of an 'enormously generous plea bargain.' Bary expressed remorse, telling the judge: 'If I could just do something to bring the victims back, your honor, I would have done it, but unfortunately I can't.' His 29-year-old son was captured by Spanish authorities in April this year after trying to sneak into the southern town of Almeria from north Africa. ADVERTISEMENT He was stripped of his British citizenship after fighting for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Joe Raedle / Getty Images HARTFORD Governor Ned Lamont is ordering all U.S. and Connecticut flags to be lowered to half-staff out of respect for the service of two Capitol Police officers who were killed in Wednesdays riots in Washington, D.C. Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and State of Connecticut flags lowered to half-staff as a mark of respect for the service of U.S. Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, whose deaths followed a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol. Flags should be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, the governors office said in a press release on Sunday. The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. SIGNiX distinguishes itself by giving notaries affordable, direct access to the RON technology needed to serve customers anywhere, anytime. Transactions that previously required hours or days to complete can now be accomplished entirely online within a matter of minutes. American Notary USA, a network of over 1,500 notaries, today announced it has selected SIGNiX as its recommended remote online notarization (RON) platform provider. At American Notary USA, we understand that every notary needs to have a reliable and secure platform to operate their business efficiently, said Wayne Lewis, American Notary USA CEO. We are proud to partner with SIGNiX as our recommended RON provider. SIGNiX distinguishes itself by giving notaries affordable, direct access to the RON technology needed to serve customers anywhere, anytime. Transactions that previously required hours or days to complete can now be accomplished entirely online within a matter of minutes. 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President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has responded to the gratitude of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky for his assistance in the release of Ukrainian sailors from Libyan captivity. We are pleased that Ukrainian sailors have returned home safe and sound. Together, we will continue to struggle for all our friends, for all our brothers and sisters anywhere in the world, Erdogan wrote on Twitter. On the morning of January 8, four Ukrainian citizens crewmembers of the Captain Khayyam tanker, who had been held in the Ain Zara prison in Libya for more than four years, arrived in Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the return of the freed sailors to their homeland. Ukraine never forgets and does not leave its people in trouble. The release of citizens in trouble is our priority, he posted on Twitter. The head of state thanked all the authorities involved in the release and return of Ukrainian citizens to their homeland. Separately, Zelensky expressed gratitude to President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his assistance in the evacuation of Ukrainian sailors. ish Agreement expands Novartis Oncology portfolio, adding late-stage PD-1 for monotherapy and potential proprietary PD-1 combinations, driving mid- and long-term growth Novartis secures development and commercialization rights in North America, Europe, and Japan Accelerates Novartis immuno-oncology combination strategy with multiple potential tislelizumab plus Novartis therapy combinations Tislelizumab already approved for patients with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma and metastatic urothelial carcinoma in China; 15 registration-enabling clinical trials under way in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors Basel, January 11, 2021 - Novartis has signed a strategic collaboration agreement to in-license tislelizumab from BeiGene, Ltd. in major markets outside of China, accelerating the potential for Novartis to enter the large and growing checkpoint inhibitor field. Tislelizumab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody specifically designed to minimize binding to Fc?R on macrophages. In pre-clinical studies, binding to Fc?R on macrophages has been shown to compromise the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 antibodies through activation of antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated killing of T effector cells. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will obtain the development and commercialization rights to tislelizumab in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Russia, and Japan in exchange for an upfront payment of USD 650 million plus royalties and milestone payments. BeiGene will retain the rights to tislelizumab in China and other countries. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. More than 7,700 patients have been enrolled in 15 potentially registration-enabling clinical trials with tislelizumab in a dozen indications, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The first ex-China regulatory filing is expected in 2021. In addition, Novartis and BeiGene have identified multiple tislelizumab plus Novartis therapy combination clinical trial opportunities in solid tumors. "Novartis has a bold ambition to reimagine medicine and find new cures for cancer and blood disorders. This agreement expands on our strategy as the only company pursuing four different approaches to treating cancer: targeted therapy, radioligand therapy, cell and gene therapy, and immunotherapy. No other company has this range of therapeutic approaches, and the opportunity to combine them to offer the best outcomes for each patient," said Susanne Schaffert, PhD, President, Novartis Oncology. "We are excited about collaborating with BeiGene, a leading global biotechnology company with roots in China, to bring tislelizumab to patients around the world, and pair it with our extensive portfolio and pipeline to develop transformative combination therapies for patients." Tislelizumab is approved by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as a treatment for certain patients with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. In addition, BeiGene has filed three supplemental new drug applications for tislelizumab in China for first-line treatment of patients with advanced squamous NSCLC in combination with chemotherapy, first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC in combination with chemotherapy, and previously treated unresectable HCC. Closing of the transaction is subject to expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "seek," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," "to develop," "development," "ambition," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for tislelizumab, or regarding potential future revenues from tislelizumab; or regarding the agreement to in-license tislelizumab from BeiGene in major markets outside of China. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the transaction described in this press release will be completed in the expected time frame, or at all. Neither is there any guarantee that the expected benefits and synergies from such transaction will be achieved in the expected timeframe, or at all. Nor can there be any guarantee that tislelizumab will be submitted or approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that tislelizumab will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding the transaction described in this press release and tislelizumab could be affected by, among other things, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com (https://www.novartis.com). Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews (https://twitter.com/novartisnews) For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library (https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library) For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) Anja von Treskow Julie Masow Novartis External Communications Novartis Oncology Communications +41 79 392 86 97 (mobile) +1 862 579 8456 (mobile) anja.von_treskow@novartis.com (mailto:anja.von_treskow@novartis.com) julie.masow@novartis.com (mailto:julie.masow@novartis.com) Eric Althoff Novartis US External Communications +1 646 438 4335 eric.althoff@novartis.com (mailto:eric.althoff@novartis.com) Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com (mailto:investor.relations@novartis.com) There are concerns the Government will trivialise human rights issues in mother and baby homes in a report published this week (Brian Lawless/PA) There are concerns the Government will trivialise human-rights issues in mother and baby homes in a report published this week, campaigners have said. Susan Lohan, co-founder of the Adoption Rights Alliance, also criticised the leaking of details of the report. The report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation will be officially published on Tuesday but some details were reported in the Sunday Independent. The report will reveal that up to 9,000 children died in 18 institutions between 1922 and the closure of the last such home in 1998. Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to make a formal State apology to survivors of the mother and baby homes in the Dail on Wednesday. Ms Lohan criticised the Governments handling of the report, saying the Department of Children were asking for postal addresses of forum members as late as Friday. She told RTE Morning Ireland she expects the details within the report to vindicate everything that survivors have said about what happened inside the mother and baby homes. She added that the mothers and children have very clear memories of the institutions. It seems to me that the Government is about to trivialise the really big human rights issues that occurred in those homes, Ms Lohan added. Now that we know that the deaths of 9,000 children and babies have been confirmed, that fear is going to be even greater in the minds of so many mothers this morning. I think the tone of the report that weve been given to believe is one of describing the conditions in the homes but, of course, the big question, the elephant in the room, is why were these homes established in the first place? For years survivor groups have been saying that this is a form of social engineering, that the State and (Catholic) church worked in concert to ensure that women, unmarried mothers and girls who were deemed to be a threat to the moral tone of the country, that they want to be out of public sight, incarcerated behind these very high walls to ensure that they would not impact or offend public morality. To achieve that aim, the children of those mothers were to be taken and given to good Catholics, or in the case of the Protestant Church, to good Protestants. Leaking from the Mother and Baby Homes Commissions of Investigation Report is shameful. A very bad start to what will be a number of very difficult days for survivors and their families. #motherandbabyhomes Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) January 10, 2021 Im not hopeful that those big issues are going to be addressed. That is the kind of commentary that survivors are going to want to see. The report, which will run to 3,000 pages, focuses on 14 mother-and-baby homes and four county homes. Mr Martin is to address the Dail on Wednesday following the publication of the long-awaited report. Speaking on Monday, the Taoiseach said it was regrettable that aspects of the report were leaked to a newspaper. He said the issue of leaks would be addressed, following calls for an investigation into the matter. Asked about the leaks by Pat Kenny on Newstalk, he said: That is regrettable. This is a report that had been initiated some years ago. I think it speaks to the work that Catherine Corless has done, people like Philomena Lee and indeed Majella Moynihan most recently, in illustrating a very very dark chapter in our history right through the decades. Expand Close Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said it is regrettable that aspects of the report into mother and baby homes have been leaked. (Julien Behal/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said it is regrettable that aspects of the report into mother and baby homes have been leaked. (Julien Behal/PA) I think the Government response will be comprehensive and the follow-through, well it will be very, very important in terms of the range of recommendations that are made. I think weve all been aware of this phenomenon, this dark chapter, for quite a long time over the decades. Its fallen to this generation to deal with it, and to deal with it in a comprehensive way. The Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has called for a full investigation into the leaking of the report after details of it appeared in the Sunday Independent. He told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne: Its a problem in Government, it is a problem in the public service, unfortunately, that information once shared beyond a small number of people sometimes appears in the papers. Its not an excuse because there is no an excuse for these things. But I think on this occasion, there will be an investigation and hopefully whoever was responsible will be held to account. However, Mr Varadkar admitted that such investigations are rarely successful. Historically, they tend not to be very good at finding things he said. Mr Varadkar also paid tribute to those who compiled the report, in particular, the historian Catherine Corless. He said: I really want to thank the team who did the work and prepared this report, particularly Catherine Corless, who shined a light on this and opened this chapter of our history. He added: One of the things that really kind of hit me, is the extent to which this was, you know, an enormous societal failure, an enormous societal shame. There is an opportunity to put it right and I hope we do that. The commission spent some five years examining the deaths of babies and children in the mother and baby homes which were established across Ireland. They housed women and young girls who were pregnant outside of marriage. Ms Corless said the leaking of the details has broken the trust between survivors and the Government. She said that survivors have been treated like second-class citizens. This the one chance to put them to the front and make something of them but thats done now, but perhaps tomorrow they may make up to them in some way, Ms Corless added. This report will be an enormous relief to people and hopefully whats in it will justify what they are asking for theyre asking for acknowledgement and an apology. I know Micheal Martin is going to give them an apology on behalf of the State, and so he should, but what about an apology from the Church who were very much in collaboration with everything that went on over those years, we need that as well. ends Twitter/chris @iheartstonks In the face of a second impeachment and widespread censuring from both parties, President Trump is heading to Alamo, Texas on Tuesday in an attempt to celebrate the incomplete construction of his long-promised border wall, according to the Associated Press' Kevin Freking. Some are confused over the seemingly random visit, as Alamo, Texas, is not "the Alamo" in San Antonio, but rather a quiet border town tucked away in Hidalgo County, more than 20 miles north of the Mexican border. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 20:57:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military and police have stepped up security in and around the capital Kampala ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for this Thursday. In the city, military men are moving on foot and patrolling the streets while others are stationed on some streets known to be violence hotspots. "The campaign period is coming to an end and we are now proceeding to the next level of voting. We have now upgraded our security and deployed police officers who are being supported by the army," Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, told Xinhua in an interview on Monday. "Security is key to protection of every person's right to vote and maintain confidence in a safe, secure and accurate election," Onyango said. There are also more motorized police and military patrols unlike before the election period in the east African country. "We now have a multi-layered security response of patrol groups on foot, motorcycles and patrol vehicles," said Onyango. "We have practiced active drills on several scenarios including violent riots, radical youth groups, cyber harassment, clashes between rival groups etc. The teams will respond to any emergency," he added. Heads of security agencies last Friday warned all those intending to cause chaos during and after the election that they would suffer consequences. Adolf Mwesige, minister of defense and veteran affairs, said political candidates must accept the choice of the people as declared by the Electoral Commission. "The only channel you can use to oppose the results is the courts of law and not violence. This is not the first time we are having elections," Mwesige said. Foreign missions here have already alerted their citizens to take extra care during and after the elections, warning of possible election violence. "Police routinely use force, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, to disperse protests. Demonstrations throughout Uganda are likely to remain common and may escalate to violence," U.S. embassy here cautioned Americans, urging them to avoid demonstrations and crowds. The presidential campaign period, which started in early November and ends on Jan. 12, has been characterized with violent protests with some being fatal. The arrest of opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi on Nov. 18 sparked off violent protests in some parts of the country leading to the killing of 54 people by the security agencies. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni while speaking about the fatal riot regretted some of the deaths promised to institute an investigation. He said some of the deaths were as a result of protestors attacking security personnel and also destroying private property. The presidential race is largely between Museveni, who has been in power for over 30 years and Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, a music star turned politician. There are also nine other candidates in the presidential race. Museveni and security agencies accuse Bobi Wine of being under the influence of foreign agents to destabilize the country's peace and security while Bobi says the heavy security deployment is meant to intimidate his supporters. 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. [January 11, 2021] Onset Announces NEW Ultra-Low Temperature Data Logger for the Storage and Transportation of Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals BOURNE, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Onset, a trusted manufacturer of field-proven data loggers for 40 years, today released a new ultra-low temperature data logger specifically designed for vaccine and pharmaceutical monitoring in storage and transportation environments the new InTemp CX405-RTD Dry Ice Data Logger with visual display. The CX405 leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology for convenient wireless communication with Onset's InTemp mobile application and/or InTemp CX5000 Gateway. Users can easily configure loggers, read out data, and automatically upload reports to InTempConnect, Onset's cloud platform for command-center control over all logger deployments throughout a user's global supply chain. With a built-in 1.5 m external probe that measures temperatures as low as -95C (-139F) and up to 50C (122F) with a high degree of accuracy, the CX405 provides reliable monitoring throughout the cold chain, from dry ice to freezer/refrigerator conditions. Equipped with an anti-cut sheath to prevent damage to the probe cable, the data logger also features a built-in LCD screen that displays current temperature, visual alarm, battery level, and minimum and maximum readings. The CX405 is built to FDA, USP, EU, and WHO standards, and is NIST-calibrated with a 2-year NIST calibration certificate (probe only). "The InTemp CX405 combines highly accurate measurements at ultra-low temperatures with an LCD screen that displays temperature data to ensure vaccine and pharmaceutical efficacy throughout the storage and transportation process," said Jamie Pearce, Onset InTemp Vice President and General Manager. "And when the logger is coupled with the CX5000 Gateway, users can receive real-time email and/or text notifications of temperature excursions, so they can act quickly to ensure the integrity of products passing through a stopover location or stored at their facility." For more information about the InTemp CX405-RTD data logger, or to place an order, customers can contact Onset at https://www.onsetcomp.com/intemp/contact/sales. About InTemp InTemp, a division of Onset, provides Cold Chain monitoring and software solutions for the storage and transportation of environmentally-sensitive life science and health care products, empowering users with greater control and visibility of secure, actionable, and accurate monitoring data. To learn more visit https://www.onsetcomp.com/intemp. About Onset Onset is a leading supplier of data loggers and monitoring solutions used to measure, record, and manage data for improving the environment and preserving the quality of temperature-sensitive products. Based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Onset has been designing and manufacturing its products on site since the company's founding in 1981. Visit Onset on the web at https://www.onsetcomp.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onset-announces-new-ultra-low-temperature-data-logger-for-the-storage-and-transportation-of-vaccines-and-pharmaceuticals-301204790.html SOURCE Onset [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Actor Rajinikanth appealed to his fans today not to indulge in 'protest' as it 'pains him. Members of Rajinikanth's fan club staged a demonstration at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai on Sunday to request the actor to take back his decision not to enter politics. "Some of my fans along with expelled cadres of Rajini Makkal Mandram have protested in Chennai against my decision of not entering politics. I have taken my decision, I appeal to everyone to not indulge in such things (protest) as it pains me," said Rajinikanth, ANI tweeted. Some of my fans along with expelled cadres of Rajini Makkal Mandram have protested in Chennai against my decision of not entering politics. I have taken my decision, I appeal to everyone to not indulge in such things (protest) as it pains me: Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/ghKMAP1bsj ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2021 Fans from different parts of the state wished him good health at the agitation and also demanded that he should join politics. They were seen carrying posters of the actor, even as hit songs from some of his movies were played there. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches In December last year, megastar Rajinikanth announced that he won't be entering politics, citing health reasons. The decision had disappointed many of his fans, with some of them staging a protest outside his residence that day itself, demanding for a re-think of his decision. Rajinikanth was earlier expected to launch a political party in January 2021. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Last weeks joint session of Congress shaped up as President Donald Trumps last chance however far-fetched to subvert the November election results and claim victory for another term. And he counted on the continued loyalty of Vice President Mike Pence, who formally presided over the proceeding. Steve Redisch has more. VOA Khmer's Sisovann Pin narrates the story in Khmer. NETANYA, Israel, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jungo announced today the launch of VuDrive, a complete aftermarket solution for fleets and Telematic Service Providers (TSPs), providing camera-based driver monitoring and recording. Based on Jungo's award-winning and patented CoDriver AI software, VuDrive's dual-camera provides in-cabin monitoring of drivers, with real time alerts for driver distraction and drowsiness, together with video clip recordings of both the cabin interior and the road, to give fleets and TSPs full information on the context of the event. VuDrive - an innovative camera-based driver monitoring solution The device is TSP and fleet friendly and integrates smoothly to TSP clouds, and includes comprehensive connectivity, such as 4G, Bluetooth and Wifi. The easy to install hardware provides the highest quality, affordable price and a flexible business model. Following extensive road trials by Jungo and customers, VuDrive is now generally available for trials by fleets and TSP's. In addition to VuDrive, Jungo is licensing its underlying CoDriver AI software to OEMs, Tier 1's, TSPs and aftermarket device manufacturers. "VuDrive presents the next generation of real time camera-based driver monitoring aftermarket product, aimed at reducing accidents and better training of drivers", said Ophir Herbst, CEO of Jungo. "VuDrive offers high quality yet affordable driver monitoring with dual camera recording, with easy installation and broad integration options for fleets and TSPs.". About Jungo Jungo is a global leader of in-cabin sensing AI software, offering CoDriver, an advanced driver monitoring and in-cabin monitoring software. Learn more: www.vudrive.com or visit www.jungo.com SOURCE Jungo [January 10, 2021] The Hottest Swiss Startups Return to the Swisstech Pavilion at CES 2021 ZURICH, Jan. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss innovation lands in virtual Las Vegas Monday, January 11 through Thursday, January 14 with 23 tech startups showcased in the Swisstech pavilion. Selected from a vast field of Switzerland's entrepreneur and startup ecosystem, Switzerland Global Enterprise along with their partners Presence Switzerland , Innosuisse , swissnex , digitalswitzerland , and Swiss Business Hub USA , bring the leading edge innovation that Switzerland is consistently recognized for the third year in a row to CES. These companies and their founders bring the best of Switzerland to the world's stage through dynamic product and technology demonstrations and presentations. The Swisstech Pavilion's 23 Swiss startups feature a self-disinfecting door handle, IoT sensor technologies, platform-based vehicle tech, cool apps that enable predictive typing in 40 languages, find your glasses or create AR assets, the hottest AR/VR/XR-based ecommerce platforms, AI-based personalization, "SaaS for brands" technology, AR light field projector googles, a drone that sees in the dark, a personal AI tutor, an encrypted private communicator, an AI-driven profiling tool, a "green" edge computing device for smart cities, and a Pokeman Go-like game that earns real treasure for players. The Swisstech companies are available for media and partner interviews throughout the week. Videos: AI, IoT, sensors and gaming, AR/VR high-tech retail, cloud computing, streaming, data, monitoring and cybersecurity, digital health, mobile hardware, power and audio. Media Inquiries: Kimberly Hathaway, Hathaway PR 415-994-1097, kimberly@hathawaypr.com Partner Inquiries: Karine Wittmer, Swiss Business Hub USA 415-408-1161, karine.wittmer@s-ge.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-hottest-swiss-startups-return-to-the-swisstech-pavilion-at-ces-2021-301204783.html SOURCE Switzerland Global Enterprise Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 00:13:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said Monday its anti-desert locust operation will continue in all affected countries in East Africa amid swarms invasion in Kenya. FAO said that immature swarms continue to migrate southwards from breeding areas in eastern Ethiopia and central Somalia to southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya amid reports that a few immature swarms reached Mwanga district in northeast Tanzania on Jan. 8. "In Kenya, immature swarms continue to arrive and spread throughout the north. So far, swarms are present in four counties (Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit and, most recently, Isiolo). Breeding continues, and hopper bands are present in the southeast near Taita Taveta and along the coast," FAO said in its latest desert locust situation update. In Ethiopia, the UN food agency said, immature swarms are concentrating along the eastern side of the Harar Highlands in Oromia region as they move to southern areas of the country, including southern parts of the Rift Valley in SNNP region. According to FAO, there are also cross-border movements near Jijiga and northwest Somalia and along the southern border with Kenya. "All countries should maintain maximum efforts in conducting the necessary survey and control operations to reduce migration and breeding," it said. FAO said mature swarms are present in northwest Somalia and breeding is in progress on the coast where hopper bands have formed. It said breeding also continues in the northeast where numerous hopper bands are concentrated between Iskushuban and Bosaso. "Breeding may also be underway in other areas on the northern plateau that received heavy rains from cyclone Gati," said FAO. According to the UN agency, as conditions are dry in some areas where the swarms are arriving, they are expected to disperse throughout southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. It warned that there is a moderate risk that a few swarms could reach central Kenya and perhaps the southwest as well as northeast Tanzania, eastern Uganda, and southeast South Sudan during January. "Once swarms arrive in favorable areas, they will mature and lay eggs that will hatch and cause hopper bands to form during February and March," FAO said. Enditem Egypt is expected to receive a shipment of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine within two to three weeks from the Global Vaccine Alliance and Immunisations (GAVI), the Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed said at a press conference in Cairo on Monday. "GAVI will provide us with 20 percent of our needs. The urgent needs will be delivered during the first quarter [of the year] the beginning of delivery will start within the last week of January or the first week of February ,or within two or three weeks at most," the minister added. "Most probably it will be the AstraZeneca vaccine," Zayed commented on the vaccine expected to be supplied by GAVI. In November, the Egyptian government revealed an agreement with the vaccine alliance, GAVI, to provide Egypt with 20 million doses of any coronavirus vaccines that might get emergency approval from the World Health Organization (WHO). GAVI, alongside other international organisations, aims to guarantee rapid and fair access to coronavirus vaccines worldwide, mainly for middle-income and least developed countries. Minister Zayed said, during the briefing, a final contract is expected to be signed with GAVI concerning the vaccine today or tomorrow. Another contract concerning the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be signed soon too, the minister said, but when the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) issues an emergency approval for the vaccine. "The registration of the vaccine by the EDA is around the corner. They have been working for 10 days," she added. "Within a few days [or] this week, we will get the approval [of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine] from the EDA and once it happens, we will sign the deal and supply will start by the end of January," the minister added. Minister Zayed also said that other batches of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine will be delivered to Egypt within days, adding that "we also have to take into account the high demand on the vaccine worldwide." Egypt's EDA has already approved the emergency use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on 2 January, almost three weeks after receiving the first batch of it. The inoculations have not started yet, despite allocating 34 centres nationwide for vaccination. Speaking on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Zayed said during the event "we asked Pfizer to present their registration file to Egypt." Stable situation in coronavirus hospitals Also, the minister said the number of people who succumbed to the coronavirus in the second wave of the pandemic is 50 percent less than the number recorded in the first wave. Zayed's remarks come one day after Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said Egypt has been among the countries with the highest reported number of coronavirus-related deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean region as of 6 January. She added that the situation is stable in terms of occupancy rates and oxygen use in the country's 363 hospitals designated for coronavirus cases during the first ten days of January, compared to the last week of December. During the same period, the average daily infection toll decreased by 21 percent, and the intensive care occupancy decreased by 8 percent, while the recovery rate rose by 5 percent, she noted. Since the last week of December, more than 1,000 people have been infected every day in Egypt, with a death toll hovering at 40-50 daily. However, less than 1000 new cases have been reported over the past two days. Short link: In 2020, Democrat riots caused billions of dollars in property damage, destroyed historic sites, and assaulted and murdered dozens of people. Meanwhile, on January 6, President Trump asked patriots to walk peacefully to the Capitol to cheer politicians who, copying Democrats, objected to Electoral College votes. Some hotheads (encouraged by Antifa plants?) entered the Capitol, as Democrat protesters have done many times before. This time, though, Democrats demanded that Trump leave office immediately under the 25th Amendment or be impeached and that all Trump-supporting politicians across America be expelled from office. When George Floyd, an ex-con convicted of a brutal crime, died from a drug overdose while Minneapolis police restrained him in accordance with their department's training materials, Democrats across America went wild. Minneapolis alone suffered half a billion dollars in damages, mostly to small businessowners, many of whom were black. The dam burst in all major Democrat-run cities. Unhindered by lockdowns, Democrats rioted, looted, burned, assaulted, and murdered in New York, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle, to name just a few places. And let us not forget what they did in D.C., where they tried to burn historic St. John's church, tore down equally historic statues, smothered public property with obscene graffiti, and attacked the White House. This wasn't the Democrats' first assault on D.C. For just one example, Ed Driscoll reminds us that, back in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Pelosi applauded Democrats who stormed Pelosi's office. According to Pelosi, it was a good thing to see activists "organize and participate in our Democracy." Indeed, they have had a habit of urging violence against Trump and his supporters. However, when Trump tells his supporters to make a peaceable visit to Congress to cheer on those representatives and senators brave enough to object to a manifestly fraudulent election, and a small percentage break away and do what Democrats have always done, it's suddenly "sedition," "treason," and "terrorism." Then, with their narrative firmly in place, Democrats are ready to do something else that leftists have always done: purges. On Sunday, Nancy Pelosi (D-white supremacist representative occupying a seat a black person should have) announced that on Monday, the House will vote to ask Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office nine days before his term ends. Should Pence refuse to do so (and he has allegedly announced that he will refuse), Pelosi will proceed with impeachment legislation. The pretense for all of this is that Trump has gone stark raving mad and may even drop a nuclear bomb in the next nine days. The reality is that Pelosi's laptop disappeared on January 7, and Trump probably has it in front of him. She is desperate to remove him from power before he does something with it. Indeed, rumors abound that Trump is gearing up for the legal equivalent of a nuclear strike. The claim is that he will unleash myriad facts about election fraud, including a Roman connection that runs through Obama. I love all these rumors. They're like the best spy story in the world. They also imagine a deus ex machina a God from the machine that magically emerges that makes everything right at the end. That's fiction, though, and we have to live in reality, no matter how ugly. However, if even some of the rumors are true, it would explain the rush to hustle Trump out of office. Ta6ke note, though, that impeaching Trump cannot prevent him from running for office again, because Art. I, Section 3 of the Constitution does not extend to elected offices. Just ask Alcee Hastings. In any event, Trump cannot be impeached once he's out of office. But hubristic Democrats have another plan, one that's even worse than striking at Trump. Ignoring their repeated history of objecting to Republican presidential Electoral College certifications, they plan to use sec. 3 of the 14th Amendment to remove all federal and state elected officials who objected to Biden's Electoral College votes. That section bars political office to people who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against" the Constitution" or gave "aid or comfort to the enemies thereof." The 14th Amendment was written and passed immediately after a shooting Civil War that killed over 600,000 men. But that's not stopping Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a pastor who leads "with radical love," from working to "expel the Republican members of Congress who incited the white supremacist attempted coup." Rep. Ayanna Pressley is all in because "white supremacy is when Black skin alone is treated as a crime punishable by death, but white skin allows you to incite a violent overthrow of the government & still act entitled to hold elected office." Pelosi is on board, too, because she's trying to delay the day these execrable race hustlers turn on her. The Russians had a word for what Democrats are doing: purge ( ). The Greeks had a word, too: hubris. Both are very bad words. Image: Soviet-style purge. Public domain image. West Bengal Chief Minister on Monday targetted the Centre over the new farm laws, demanding their withdrawal as she paid tribute to former prime minister on his 55th death anniversary. Remembering Shastri's slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan', Banerjee said farmers are the heroes of the nation. "Tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri, former prime minister, on his death anniversary. He gave us the inspirational slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'. We are proud of our farmer brothers and sisters. Farmers are the heroes of our nation. The Centre MUST repeal the anti-farmer Acts NOW!," she tweeted. Banerjee has been vocal about her opposition to the new farm laws, against which farmers are protesting outside Delhi for weeks. Her party, the Trinamool Congress, has also extended support to the protest. (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.) Cabinet wants mass testing to break the curve Testing may take place on a weekly basis until late February. Given the critical situation in Slovakia, affected by the high number of hospitalised patients and new coronavirus mutation, the current lockdown measures may not be enough to contain the disease. As a result, the cabinet has proposed holding mass testing from next weekend at least until the end of February. Its not possible to impose an even stricter lockdown, PM Igor Matovic (OLaNO) said. The only other measure to break the curve is mass testing. The plan is to hold nationwide testing the next weekend (January 23-24) and then in selected districts on a weekly basis, until the reproduction number drops to 0.5. The testing may last until late February. Theres no other way; any other path is false, Matovic said. The cabinet will now convene meetings between the representatives of selected ministries, municipalities and regions to talk about details. High number of patients and new mutation Related article Thousands of people got tested during the weekend Read more Meanwhile, the number of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 increased to 3,292, with about 250 being on artificial lung ventilation. Another problem that complicates the situation is a new strain of the coronavirus from the UK, which has been confirmed in Michalovce, Nitra and Bratislava so far, as Health Minister Marek Krajci (OLaNO) has confirmed. As it is more contagious and more aggressive than the original virus, it is possible that it will soon prevail. As a result, the prognosis is much worse for the coming weeks. As Matovic told the press conference, vaccination that stated in late December will not be enough to help improve the situation. However, it will be necessary to continue the vaccination schedule alongside the mass testing. Read more about the coronavirus outbreak in Slovakia: 11. Jan 2021 at 18:13 | Compiled by Spectator staff VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Technology is being used a lot more for job interviews during the pandemic. That's why the Vigo county public library wants to help. Staff there realize not everyone has access to an internet connection and a webcam for virtual interviews. They have 6-spaces for people to use by appointment. The rooms can also be used for school work. You can also print out anything for free. "People need a place they can feel safe and it's free and reliable to go to. So this is a way where we can serve our library both here at our main location at 7th Poplar and our West Terre Haute branch," said the manager Bonnie McNair. The library is also trying to help people sign-up to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Remember, those 80 and older in Indiana can register now. Nearly 86,000 seniors have already scheduled their appointments for the free vaccine since Friday. You can call 2-1-1 or go to coronavirus.in.gov to sign up. In the letter, CCHEN - which licenses lithium exports for companies operating in Chile - called on Albemarle to provide further details of its lithium reserves. Albemarle operates a lithium production facility in the lithium-rich Atacama salt flats in the Atacama desert in northern Chile. "Since CCHEN expressed its commitment to maintain... Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. They came from across America, summoned by President Donald Trump to march on Washington in support of his false claim that the November election was stolen and to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden as the victor. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th," Trump tweeted a week before Christmas. Be there, will be wild!" The insurrectionist mob that showed up at the presidents behest and stormed the U.S. Capitol was overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters, including Republican Party officials, GOP political donors, far-right militants, white supremacists, members of the military and adherents of the QAnon myth that the government is secretly controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophile cannibals. Records show that some were heavily armed and included convicted criminals, such as a Florida man recently released from prison for attempted murder. The Associated Press reviewed social media posts, voter registrations, court files and other public records for more than 120 people either facing criminal charges related to the Jan. 6 unrest or who, going maskless amid the pandemic, were later identified through photographs and videos taken during the melee. The evidence gives lie to claims by right-wing pundits and Republican officials such as Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that the violence was perpetrated by left-wing antifa thugs rather than supporters of the president. If the reports are true," Gaetz said on the House floor just hours after the attack, some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters and, in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group antifa." Steven DAntuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Washington field office, told reporters that investigators had seen no indication" antifa activists were disguised as Trump supporters in Wednesdays riot. The AP found that many of the rioters had taken to social media after the November election to retweet and parrot false claims by Trump that the vote had been stolen in a vast international conspiracy. Several had openly threatened violence against Democrats and Republicans they considered insufficiently loyal to the president. During the riot, some livestreamed and posted photos of themselves at the Capitol. Afterwards, many bragged about what they had done. As the mob smashed through doors and windows to invade the Capitol, a loud chant went up calling for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence, the recent target of a Trump Twitter tirade for not subverting the Constitution and overturning the legitimate vote tally. Outside, a wooden scaffold had been erected on the National Mall, a rope noose dangling at the ready. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Among them was Lonnie Leroy Coffman, 70, an Alabama grandfather who drove to Washington to attend Trumps Save America Rally" in a red GMC Sierra pickup packed with an M4 assault rifle, multiple loaded magazines, three handguns and 11 Mason jars filled with homemade napalm, according to court filings. The truck was found during a security sweep involving explosives-sniffing dogs after two pipe bombs were found and disarmed Wednesday near the national headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties. Coffman was arrested that evening when he returned to the truck carrying a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun and a .22-caliber derringer pistol in his pockets. Federal officials said Coffman is not suspected of planting the pipe bombs, though he was charged with having Molotov cocktails in the bed of his truck. His grandson, Brandon Coffman, told the AP on Friday his grandfather was a Republican who had expressed admiration for Trump at holiday gatherings. He said he had no idea why Coffman would show up in the nations capital armed for civil war. Also facing federal charges is Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., a Georgia man who in the wake of the election had protested outside the home of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump had publicly blamed for his loss in the state. Meredith drove to Washington last week for the Save America" rally but arrived late because of a problem with the lights on his trailer, according to court filings that include expletive-laden texts. Headed to DC with a (s-) ton of 5.56 armor-piercing ammo," he texted friends and relatives on Jan. 6, adding a purple devil emoji, according to court filings. The following day, he texted to the group: Thinking about heading over to Pelosi (C's) speech and putting a bullet in her noggin on Live TV." He once again added a purple devil emoji, and wrote he might hit her with his truck instead. Im gonna run that (C-) Pelosi over while she chews on her gums. Dead (B) Walking. I predict that within 12 days, many in our country will die." Meredith, who is white, then texted a photo of himself in blackface. Im gonna walk around DC FKG with people by yelling Allahu ak Bar randomly." A participant in the text exchange provided screenshots to the FBI, who tracked Meredith to a Holiday Inn a short walk from the Capitol. They found a compact Tavor X95 assault rifle, a 9mm Glock 19 handgun and about 100 rounds of ammunition, according to court filings. The agents also seized a stash of THC edibles and a vial of injectable testosterone. Meredith is charged with transmitting a threat, as well as felony counts for possession of firearms and ammunition. Michael Thomas Curzio was arrested in relation to the riots less than two years after he was released from a Florida prison in 2019 after serving an eight-year sentence for attempted murder. Court records from Florida show that he shot the boyfriend of his former girlfriend in a fight at her home. Federal law enforcement officials vowed Friday to bring additional charges against those who carried out the attack on the Capitol, launching a nationwide manhunt for dozens of suspects identified from photographic evidence The FBI has opened a murder probe into the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, according to law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly. He died at a hospital. The Trump supporters who died in the riot were Kevin D. Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; Ashli Babbitt, 35, of San Diego; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia. Boyland's sister told the AP on Friday she was an adherent of the QAnon conspiracy theory that holds Trump is Americas savior. Her Facebook page featured photos and videos praising Trump and promoting fantasies, including one theory that a shadowy group was using the coronavirus to steal elections. Boylands final post on Twitter a retweet of a post by White House social media director Dan Scavino was a picture of thousands of people surrounding the Washington Monument on Wednesday. She would text me some things, and I would be like, Let me fact-check that. And Id sit there and Id be like, Well, I dont think thats actually right," Lonna Cave, Boylands sister, said. We got in fights about it, arguments." The AP's review found that QAnon beliefs were common among those who heeded Trump's call to come to Washington. Doug Jensen, 41, was arrested by the FBI on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, after returning home from the riot. An AP photographer captured images of him confronting Capitol Police officers outside of the Senate chamber on Wednesday. Jensen was wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with a large Q and the phrase Trust The Plan," a reference to QAnon. Video posted online during the storming of the Capitol also appears to show Jensen, who is white, pursuing a Black police officer up an interior flight of stairs as a mob of people trails several steps behind. At several points, the officer says get back," but to no avail. Jensens older brother, William Routh, told the AP on Saturday that Jensen believed that the person posting as Q was either Trump or someone very close to the president. I feel like he had a lot of influence from the internet that confused or obscured his views on certain things," said Routh, of Clarksville, Arkansas, who described himself as a Republican Trump supporter. When I talked to him, he thought that maybe this was Trump telling him what to do." Jensens employer, Forrest & Associate Masonry in Des Moines, announced Friday that he had been fired. Tara Coleman, a 40-year-old mother who lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was arrested at the Capitol for a curfew violation and for unlawful entry. On her Facebook page, Coleman re-posted articles supporting the QAnon beliefs about a deep state" conspiracy to target children. The AP could not find a working phone number for Coleman and her attorney, Peter Cooper, did not respond to an email seeking comment. And Jake Chansley, who calls himself the QAnon Shaman" and has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, surrendered to the FBI field office in Phoenix on Saturday. News photos show him at the riot shirtless, with his face painted and wearing a fur hat with horns, carrying a U.S. flag attached to a wooden pole topped with a spear. Chansleys unusual headwear is visible in a Nov. 7 AP photo at a rally of Trump supporters protesting election results outside of the Maricopa County election center in Phoenix. In that photo, Chansley, who also has gone by the last name Angeli, held a sign that read, HOLD THE LINE PATRIOTS GOD WINS." He also expressed his support for the president in an interview with the AP that day. The FBI identified Chansley by his distinctive tattoos, which include bricks circling his biceps in an apparent reference to Trumps border wall. Chansley didnt respond last week to messages seeking comment to one of his social media accounts. There were also current and former members of the U.S. military in the crowd. Army commanders at Fort Bragg in North Carolina are investigating Capt. Emily Raineys involvement in the Wednesday rally. The 30-year-old psychological operations officer told the AP she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom who traveled to Washington to stand against election fraud" and support Trump. She insisted she acted within Army regulations and that no one in her group entered the Capitol or broke the law. I was a private citizen and doing everything right and within my rights," Rainey told the AP. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr. of Texas was charged in federal court on Sunday after he was identified in photos showing him standing in the well of the Senate, wearing a military-style helmet and body armor while holding a pair of zip-tie handcuffs. The insurrectionist mob also included members of the neofascist group known as the Proud Boys, whom Trump urged to stand back and stand by" when asked to condemn them by a moderator during a presidential debate in September. Nicholas R. Ochs, 34, was arrested Saturday after returning home to Hawaii, where he is the founder of the local Proud Boys chapter. On Wednesday, Ochs posted a photo of himself on Twitter inside the Capitol, grinning broadly and smoking a cigarette. According to court filings, the FBI matched photos of Ochs taken during the riot to photos taken when Ochs campaigned unsuccessfully last year as the Republican nominee for a seat in the Hawaii statehouse. Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique" Tarrio was arrested Monday in Washington on weapons charges and ordered to stay out of the nations capital. Tarrio is accused of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church last month. Jay Robert Thaxton, 46, was arrested near the Capitol for curfew violations on Wednesday. A North Carolina man with the same name has also been linked to the Proud Boys. He told The Stanly News & Press in 2019 that he was a Proud Boys supporter but wouldnt say if he was an official member of the group. Another North Carolina newspaper, The Jacksonville Daily News, published a photo of Thaxton wearing a Make America Great Again" hat at a 2019 protest over the removal of Confederate statues. A man who answered a telephone number associated with Thaxton hung up on an AP reporter. The recipient of a text message to the same number responded with an expletive. Also arrested at the Capitol was William Arthur Leary, who owns a manufactured housing business in Utica, New York. In an interview Friday, Leary told the AP that he strongly believes the election was stolen from Trump and that he went to Washington to show his support. Leary said he doesnt trust information reported by the mainstream media and that one of his main sources of information was Infowars, the far-right conspiracy site run by Alex Jones. He denied he ever set foot in the Capitol and complained that he was held for more than 24 hours and had his cell phone seized. They treated us like animals," he complained. They took all our phones. I didnt get to make a phone call to tell anybody where I was." Leary said he remembers seeing a woman, Kristina Malimon, 28, sobbing at the detention center because she had been separated and not allowed to translate for her mother, who primarily speaks Russian. Both women had been charged with curfew violation and unlawful entry. According to a video posted on her Instagram account, the younger Malimon says she was born in Moldova, where her family had faced persecution under the Soviet-era regime for their Christian beliefs. Malimon, who traveled to D.C. from Portland, Oregon, is vice chairwoman of the Young Republicans of Oregon, according to the groups website and is also listed as an ambassador" for the pro-Trump group Turning Point USA. Her social media feeds are full of photos taken at Trump events, including the earlier Million MAGA March" held in Washington last month. She also posted photos of herself posing with Donald Trump Jr. and Roger Stone, who was convicted of crimes including obstruction of justice and pardoned by Trump on Christmas Eve. Media reports from Oregon quoted Malimon in August as the primary organizer of a Trump boat parade on the Willamette River, where big waves created by speeding boats flying Trump flags swamped and sank a smaller boat that was not participating, throwing a family into the water to be rescued by the sheriffs department. Oregon, today you came out and showed your love and support for our wonderful President, Donald J. Trump thank you!" Kristina Malimon wrote on Facebook following the parade. Malimon also served as a Republican poll watcher in Georgia and spoke at an event organized by the Trump campaign in December, claiming to have seen voting machines and tabulation computers in Savannah, Georgia, with suspiciously blinking green lights she interpreted as a sign they were being secretly controlled by outside hackers a claim debunked as false by GOP election officials in the state. A phone number listed for Kristina Malimon rang without being answered on Friday. At the address listed for her in southeast Portland on Friday night, her teenage brother answered the door as other family members, including young children, ran around. The family spoke Russian to each other and the brother, Nick Malimon, translated. He said his sister was still in Washington but had called the family following her release from jail and didnt seem upset about her arrest. Others are facing consequences even beyond arrest. A Texas sheriff announced Thursday that he had reported one of his lieutenants to the FBI after she posted photos of herself on social media with a crowd outside the Capitol. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Lt. Roxanne Mathai, a 46-year-old jailer, had the right to attend the rally but hes investigating whether she may have broken the law. One of the posts Mathai shared was a photo that appeared to be taken Wednesday from among the mass of Trump supporters outside the Capitol, Not gonna lie......aside from my kids, this was, indeed, the best day of my life. And its not over yet." A lawyer for Mathai, a mother and longtime San Antonio resident, said she attended the Trump rally but never entered the Capitol. Brad Rukstales, a Republican political donor and CEO of Cogensia, a Chicago-based data analytics firm, was arrested with a group of a half-dozen Trump supporters who clashed with officers Wednesday inside the Capitol. Campaign finance reports show Rukstales contributed more than $25,000 to Trumps campaign and other GOP committees during to 2020 election cycle. He told a local CBS news channel last week that he had entered the Capitol and apologized. He was fired Friday and did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Derrick Evans, a Republican recently sworn in as a delegate to the West Virginia House, resigned Saturday following his arrest on two charges related to the Capitol riot. He had streamed video of himself charging into the building with the mob. Theyre making an announcement now saying if Pence betrays us you better get your mind right because were storming the building," Evans, 35, says in the video, as the door to the Capitol building is smashed and rioters rush through. The door is cracked! Were in, were in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!" On Saturday he issued a statement saying he regretted taking part. I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians," the statement said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2021) - Hyperion Partners, the industry-leading master agent of mobility solutions, introduces a groundbreaking, new partnership with inventive, remote monitoring provider, Direct Communication Solutions, Inc. (OTCQX: DCSX) (CSE: DCSI) ("DCS") and MiSensors. Hyperion is known for its exclusive access to innovative technologies and solutions through its growing network of channel partners. The new partnership with MiSensors undoubtedly continues Hyperion's trailblazing efforts. MiSensors is a cloud-based sensor management platform with web and mobile front-end user applications. Its multi-purposed capabilities offer businesses looking to deploy sensors solutions at a fraction of normal costs. By partnering with MiSensors, Hyperion Partners adds the MiTag Multi-Sensor to its diverse solution portfolio. The MiTag Multi-Sensor is a battery-powered, long-range Bluetooth 5.0 - IP67 8-in-1 sensor built specifically for IoT Applications. MiTag's diverse tracking and reporting capabilities set it apart from the competition. A single sensor can track and report temperature, humidity, pressure, impact, light, proximity, open/closed and a multi-function alert button. Hyperion's Vice President of Portfolio Leo Zeltser said, "There is no doubt that our partnership with MiSensors adds immense value to our network. The ability to offer our customers products that save them money while putting forth a complete solution is exactly what Hyperion stands for." "Partnering with industry experts like Hyperion Partners provides access to their extensive channel network," said Mike Lawless, EVP of Corporate Development with DCS. "Hyperion is well positioned in the industry, making this a great fit for both companies." About Hyperion Hyperion is a full-service business development master agent specializing in telecommunications. We focus on adding value for partners and have exclusive access to several disruptive technologies that make our bundled solutions more attractive. Acting as a consultant to our partners and clients, we ensure customers receive the most practical, affordable, and complete solution possible. Hyperion has a wide footprint in businesses of all sizes, offering dedicated care and technical support through the ordering, activation, and implementation processes. To learn more visit: hyperionpartners.net. About MiSensors MiSensors is a trademarked brand of DCS. MiSensors is a cloud based remoting monitoring platform that leverages wireless sensors to provide real time insight into assets. MiTag is a BT 5, 8-in-1 multi-sensor that combines temperature, humidity, pressure, open/close contact switch, light detection, impact and a multipurpose alert button all in one compact design. About DCS DCS is a technology solutions integrator focusing on connecting the Internet of Things. We provide real solutions that solve real problems. Our software applications and scalable cloud services collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets. DCS is headquartered in San Diego, California and is publicly traded on the OTCQX and Canadian Securities Exchange (OTCQX: DCSX) (CSE: DCSI). For more information, visit www.dcsbusiness.com. Contacts: Bill Espley, Director billespley@gmail.com 604-630-3072 Chris Bursey, CEO cbursey@dcsbusiness.com 858-525-2483 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71766 Kyrgyz presidential election frontrunner Sadyr Japarov has promised to pull the country out of the crisis during the next two to three years. Earlier in the day, the country's Central Election Committee announced that Japarov gained 79 percent of the vote after 92 percent of the ballots have been processed, winning the first round of the presidential election. "The republic is in a difficult state. But we will bring it out of the crisis within the next two to three years," Japarov told a Sunday press conference. Japarov noted that he would not permit political prosecution, but "would not shelter those who violated the law." "I hold no grudges on my opponents and those, who tried to stop the will of the people in every way. We should together make Kyrgyzstan great and prosperous," ANI cited the candidate as saying. On Sunday, Kyrgyzstan held an early presidential election and a referendum on the form of government after the October post-election unrest toppled the previous leader, Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Over 81 percent of voters have voted in favor of a presidential system of government, according to preliminary results. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Authorities lined Washington D.C. streets Sunday to mourn the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed after pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building last week. A hearse that traversed through streets near the location where Sicknick was killed brought his body from the medical examiners office to a funeral home, the New York Post reported. Sicknick, 42, who joined the force in 2008, was injured while physically engaging with protestors, the United States Capitol Police said in a statement. He returned to his division office and collapsed, the statement read. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Sicknicks father told the New York Times that the 42-year-old previously served in the Air National Guard, with deployments in Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan. He died after a violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in an attempt to overturn Americas presidential election and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. We extend our deep and heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Officer Brian Sicknick of the United States Capitol Police who succumbed to injuries he suffered while protecting the Capitol of the United States and all of us who work there on Wednesday, read a joint statement from U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). Our prayers are with Officer Sicknicks family and all the officers who bravely put their own lives and safety at risk to protect and defend the rule of law, the statement read. They deserve our strong support. Sundays procession for Sicknick comes as another cop, off-duty Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood, reportedly died by suicide on Saturday. Liebengood served with the force since April, 2005, the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement. His death came just days after he responded to Wednesdays riot. Officer Howard Liebengood was a patriot who dedicated his life to defending the Capitol and protecting all who serve, work in and visit this temple of our Democracy, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California). May it be a comfort to his family that so many mourn and pray with them at this sad time. Jonathan Cashatt grew up in Portland, Oregon, and came to New Orleans three years ago to work in the restaurant industry and explore Gulf seafood. In the end of 2019, he launched his pop-up Nuna NOLA (@nuna_nola on Instagram), which primarily focuses on Mexican food but sometimes does special menus. He offers Mexican menus at pop-ups at Palm & Pine from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Jan. 19. Gambit: How did you get interested in cooking? Jonathan Cashatt: I am originally from Portland. Both of my parents didnt know how to cook, so it was simple food all of the time. A lot of times, I would cook food for myself or figure it out, so food was always there in the back of my head. Out of high school, I went to culinary school for a semester in Eugene, Oregon, where a lot of high school buddies were going, but it felt like high school again. After a year, I decided to get serious and moved back to Portland. I started working at Clyde Common in downtown in the Ace Hotel. I started working with this one chef, Johnny Leach, who was at Momofuku with David Chang. He was a mentor to me. I also worked at Bar Casa Vale, Biwa and Kachka. I moved here and wanted to do something new. I worked at Peche for a bit, and then the chef de cuisine of Peche opened Costera and I ended up going over there. Then I was like, I am going to do my own pop-up. I started that at Barrel Proof, and things kind of took off for a bit before Mardi Gras, and then Covid happened. G: How did you get interested in Mexican food? C: I have always enjoyed Hispanic food. I spent time in Mexico when I was a kid. Right after my parents divorce, my dad was like, Were going to Mexico. We spent a couple weeks in old Mazatlan and other places. One of the biggest memories that stands out to me is one of the outdoor butcher shops. It was a massive meat market. (Mexican) food was spicy and fresh and clean. The seafood really stuck with me. Plus, my grandparents are farmer sustainable people. They have cows, chickens and goats. They butcher animals themselves. So when we were in Mexico, it resonated. G: What are you doing at the upcoming pop-up? C: Normally I do four or five dishes. One of my favorite ones is a mole, coffee-spiced, rubbed spare ribs. I rub them and let them sit for 24 hours. Then I will braise them in kombucha with garlic, onion, orange slices and a little bit of stock. I braise those until theyre tender, then you can throw them in a smoker or in the oven and roast them pretty hard and get that char on it. I take the braising liquid and make a reduction sauce. I take the braised oranges and heat them and put them on the plate with some pickled red onions and some microgreens. I am going to do a ceviche crudo. Probably with satsuma and snapper of some sort. Everything is completely from scratch. I do a pollo verde pozole. I want to get as much rich chicken flavor as I can in the stock. Then I take a bunch of tomatillos, poblanos, serranos, white onion and garlic and cook them in the chicken stock. Half of the vegetables Ill burn and char and fold them in and cook them down. Then you combine the chicken stock, the vegetables, hominy and cook that a tiny bit. Top it with some thin sliced cabbage, radish and some avocado. Trep's offers outdoor casual dining in Mid-City Treps couldnt be more pandemic-perfect if it had been designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ABC NewsBy ANGELINE JANE BERNABE, ABC News (NEW YORK) -- Ahead of Inauguration Day, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made her debut on the cover of Vogue magazines February issue. Vogue featured two cover images on Instagram on Sunday. In one, Harris poses in front of golden drapery and dons a powder blue power suit and pearls; in the other, she is seen posing against pink and green drapery, wearing a more casual look of a black blazer and Converse sneakers. Vice President-elect @kamalaharris is our February cover star! Vogue wrote on Instagram. Making history was the first step. Now @kamalaharris has an even more monumental task: to help heal a fractured America. Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris is our February cover star! Making history was the first step. Now Harris has an even more monumental task: to help heal a fractured Americaand lead it out of crisis. Read the full profile: https://t.co/W5BQPTH7AU pic.twitter.com/OCFvVqTlOk Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) January 10, 2021 The photos were taken by Tyler Mitchell, the same photographer who shot Beyonces Vogue cover in 2018 and Zendayas Vogue cover photos in 2019. While many were glad to see Harris on the cover, some criticized the magazine for styling Harris in Converse shoes and slammed the photo for looking like an amateur snapshot. But Vogue, in a statement, said it felt the more informal image captured Vice President-elect Harris authentic, approachable nature -- which we feel is one of the hallmarks of the Biden/Harris administration. To respond to the seriousness of this moment in history, and the role she has to play leading our country forward, were celebrating both images of her as covers digitally. In the cover story written by Alexis Okeowo, Harris life story is outlined, including her days as a young girl growing up in Berkeley, California, where she was surrounded by her politically active parents, aunts and uncles. From there, it covers her days as the attorney general of California and her journey on the campaign trail running for president, eventually joining President-elect Joe Biden as his running mate. Along with the portraits, the story features photos of Harris as a child with her parents, and also a photo with her husband, Douglas Emhoff, on their wedding day in 2014 in Santa Barbara, California. In the story, Harris talks about the goals she and Biden have for their first 100 days in office. At the top of their list is to get control of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 373,000 Americans. We think about the first 100 days in terms of what we need to do to support mayors and governors and local officials around their distribution and their public health systems, Harris said. When we get control of this pandemic, thats going to be a critical factor in being able to reopen our economy. Copyright 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Wuhan, China, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :On Monday morning, the anniversary slipped by unmarked in Wuhan -- commuters moved freely to work while parks and riverside promenades buzzed with walkers in a city determined to banish its tag as the coronavirus ground zero. In a sparse report on January 11, 2020, China confirmed its first death from an unknown virus -- a 61-year-old man who was a regular at the now-notorious Wuhan wet market linked to many of the early cases. The world would soon become grimly familiar with the disease that killed him as Covid-19. Little is still known about the first victim, including his name, while the market where the first reported clusters of cases were traced back to has remained closed, surrounded by boarding. After a long wrangle, China on Monday said independent experts from the WHO will be allowed into the country from Thursday, with the international community hoping they can visit the market and retrace in detail those early days of the virus in Wuhan. - 'Safest city in the world' - The city has now bounced back and residents are revelling in the freedoms they enjoy. "Wuhan is the safest city in China now, even the whole world," 66-year-old resident Xiong Liansheng told AFP on Monday. Commuters headed to work and others strolled along the riverfront -- a sharp contrast to the countries still under strict lockdowns and restrictions. "The Wuhan people's awareness of epidemic prevention and control is very high -- even my two-year-old grandson will wear a mask when going out," said Xiong. Elderly couples danced, some masked, but hands clasped as social distancing withered in the winter sunshine in a busy park next to the Yangtze river. "Most cases in China are imported from overseas now and our country has a good control of it," said Zhong, an 80-year-old woman giving only one name. "All the Wuhan people feel very safe in the city, and we come here and dance happily everyday." An appeal is to go before the Board of Supervisors at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. It is important to note that the area used for balloon launching is actually about an acre that has not been in agricultural use for at least 40 years, the appeal said. Some rural residents wrote to the county last year complaining about low-flying balloons. They said they can hear balloon riders talking and said the flights intrude on their privacy. We do not want to disturb people, Barbarick told the Planning Commission. Thats the last thing we want to do. Supervisors will decide whether the commissions decision should stand or Barbarick should be allowed additional launchings. County staff, which had supported the project in a September report to the Planning Commission, recommended that supervisors deny the appeal. Anthem Winery Anthem winerys proposed expansion has led to another wine country growth battle royal. WASHINGTON Chad Wolf, President Donald Trumps acting head of the Department of Homeland Security, resigned Monday, leaving the post earlier than planned and as the nation faces a heightened threat from domestic terrorism from extremists seeking to reverse the November election. Wolf had said he intended to stay in the post until the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. He announced he was stepping down days after criticizing Trump over the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Wolf had been a controversial figure in Portland after he sent federal agents in to downtown Portland to guard the federal courthouse. Wolf, who had been serving in an acting capacity since November 2019 and was never confirmed by the Senate, said he was compelled to leave by recent events, including court rulings that found he could not legally hold the position. He did not specify the other events or cite other factors. These events and concerns increasingly serve to divert attention and resources away from the important work of the Department in this critical time of a transition of power, he said in a written message to DHS employees. His departure follows the abrupt resignation of other Cabinet officials angered by Trumps role in encouraging the mob to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6 over his false claims of election fraud. It was not clear what influence, if any, the uprising had on Wolfs announcement. The White House had no immediate comment. Wolf has repeatedly railed against what he said were dangerous, violent left-wing protesters threatening federal buildings, such as the federal courthouse in downtown Portland, Oregon. He faced criticism for sending tactical agents onto the streets of American cities who used tear gas against protesters and detained them in unmarked vehicles, and for downplaying the threat of right-wing, white-nationalist, and anti-government domestic extremism that intelligence officials in recent years have identified as a top concern. Last week, Wolf asked Trump and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that took place at the Capitol. Five people died, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer. Wolf said he has condemned violence on both sides of the political aisle, specifically directed at law enforcement. He tweeted we now see some supporters of the President using violence as a means to achieve political ends and called that unacceptable. Shortly after his criticism, the White House announced it had withdrawn Wolfs nomination to lead the Homeland Security Department, throwing the governments third-largest department, charged with protecting against domestic threats, into even more turmoil at a moment of unprecedented national insecurity. I leave knowing that the Department has positioned itself for an orderly and smooth transition to President-elect Bidens DHS team, he wrote. Welcome them, educate them, and learn from them. They are your leaders for the next four years a time which undoubtedly will be full of challenges and opportunities to show the American public the value of DHS and why it is worth the investment. Peter Gaynor, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will serve as acting head of the Department of Homeland Security until the Biden administration takes over. Biden has nominated Alejandro Mayorkas, a former senior DHS official, to lead an agency that carried out Trump administration priorities on immigration and law enforcement and was criticized for becoming politicized as a result. The president sent Wolfs nomination to the Senate for confirmation after the Government Accountability Office determined that neither Wolf nor his deputy, Ken Cuccinelli, were legally eligible to run DHS because of a violation of the rules of succession in federal agencies. That finding has put policy changes under their tenure, especially related to immigration, in potential jeopardy because of legal challenges. SKB was represented in the transaction by Kidder Mathews and Twist was represented by Hughes Marino and Cresa. The Twist lease is the first executed lease since SKB's acquisition of the property in April 2020. While Twist is constructing its tenant improvements to the space, SKB will continue to implement its comprehensive capital improvement plan, which includes adding grade and dock-high loading docks around the property, opening ceiling clear heights to nearly 20 feet, constructing additional storefronts, renovating the courtyard and adding parking throughout. With completion of the improvements, SKB anticipates an increased interest from life science, tech-manufacturing, and R&D tenants. According to SKB President Todd Gooding, "We are thrilled to welcome Twist to the ParkWorks Industry Center, as well as the Portland market, and feel that they will be a great addition to our tenant base at the property." Todd Gooding added, "We have spent the last two years putting ourselves in a position to grow the life science community in the Portland Metro Area and we hope this transaction elevates Portland's profile as a life science market." About ScanlanKemperBard SKB is an established real estate developer and operator based in Portland, Oregon. Since its inception in 1993, SKB has originated total portfolio activity of $4.68 billion, comprised of 30.3 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space and 2,154 residential units. With longstanding relationships in each of its markets, SKB has the ability to source, structure and execute value creation across a wide spectrum of real estate opportunities. Visit SKB online at www.skbcos.com to learn more. About Twist Bioscience Twist Bioscience is a leading and rapidly growing synthetic biology and genomics company that has developed a disruptive DNA synthesis platform to industrialize the engineering of biology. The core of the platform is a proprietary technology that pioneers a new method of manufacturing synthetic DNA by "writing" DNA on a silicon chip. Twist is leveraging its unique technology to manufacture a broad range of synthetic DNA-based products, including synthetic genes, tools for next-generation sequencing (NGS) preparation, and antibody libraries for drug discovery and development. Twist is also pursuing longer-term opportunities in digital data storage in DNA and biologics drug discovery. Twist makes products for use across many industries including healthcare, industrial chemicals, agriculture and academic research. Visit Twist online at www.twistbioscience.com to learn more. MEDIA CONTACTS Todd Gooding 503-201-6800 SOURCE SKB Related Links skbcos.com The View In struggle between free speech and democracy, misinformation won, Julien says A tweet posted by President Trump on Dec. 19 includes false claims about the 2020 election, encouragement to attend the Jan. 6 protest and a twitter label noting the false claim. By MARCENE ROBINSON Misinformation is a widespread problem that will be difficult to tackle on the societal level with the U.S. emphasis on free speech. There must be a balance between first amendment rights and the greater good. The misinformation that led to the siege of the U.S. Capitol by rioters on Wednesday has made it clear that freedom of speech currently outweighs societal good in the U.S., says UB information literacy expert Heidi Julien. Election misinformation including claims that the general election was stolen has proven to be a threat on democracy, says Julien, professor of information science in the Graduate School of Education. She adds that political leaders and executives of social media companies bear responsibility for the rampant spread of falsehoods. Half-baked attempts by Facebook and Twitter to label misinformation or ban people who disseminate misinformation is too little too late, says Julien. Its unethical for their CEOs to throw up their hands and say all they do is provide a platform and its not their job to police information. They have a responsibility to make sure their platforms arent used to spread misinformation or terrorize people. Lawmakers must use legislative means to clamp down on social media companies and media organizations that spread dangerous lies, as well as push back against misinformation through public statements, she says. Misinformation is a widespread problem that will be difficult to tackle on the societal level with the U.S. emphasis on free speech, she says. There must be a balance between first amendment rights and the greater good. [January 11, 2021] Eyeris and Texas Instruments Collaborate to Introduce Industry's First In-cabin Sensing AI Solution Using TI's Jacinto TDA4 Processor and RGB-IR Image Sensors at CES2021 LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eyeris Technologies, Inc., a world leader in vision AI for in-cabin sensing, today announced its collaboration with Texas Instruments (TI) on an industry-first in-cabin sensing AI solution, using TI's Jacinto TDA4 processors and 2D RGB-IR image sensors, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021. D3 Engineering designs products and integrates technologies from TI and Eyeris using its DesignCore platform to show this advanced in-cabin monitoring solution for autonomous and highly automated vehicles. This fully integrated in-cabin sensing AI solution will be demonstratable to select customers. Eyeris' and TI's Collaboration Offers a Complete, Advanced In-Cabin Monitoring System The TDA4 SoC processor enables efficient inference of the Eyeris deep neural network (DNN) portfolio from multiple RGB-IR cameras simultaneously. This complete in-cabin monitoring solution, integrated into the D3 Engineering DesignCore platform is designed for rugged, field-deployable and production-intent units. In addition, RGB-IR image sensors are quickly becoming an industry requirement because of their unique ability to accurately capture the in-cabin space under the widest range of lighting conditions. Eyeris DNNs are carefully designed for functional safety standards, flexible camera placements, and efficient inference on low-power edge processors. Eyeris in-cabin sensing portfolio of AI algorithms includes driver monitoring system (DMS) and occupant monitoring system (OMS) features that adhere to global NCAP requirements. "As we continue to expand our hardware partnerships, teaming up with a well-established automotive procesor company provides our automotive OEM customers with another compelling option for mass production," stated Modar Alaoui, founder and chief executive officer of Eyeris. "Collaborating with TI is another step forward where Eyeris continues to raise the bar for a complete in-cabin sensing solution. We are also delighted that D3 Engineering is providing our joint technology on their DesignCore platform." TI's TDA4VM processors include embedded analytics acceleration to enable efficient deep learning performance within a low-power envelope. Additionally, these processors are able to perform safety-critical operations up to an ASIL D compliant level while also performing non-safety critical operations on one chip and function at an automotive operating junction temperature of 125 degrees Celsius. The SoC has built-in ISP and vision processing accelerators that help achieve more efficient system performance and reduce development costs. "Leveraging specialized machine learning software, such as Eyeris' in-cabin sensing AI algorithm, on our TDA4 processor enables our customers to bring high-performance computing inside the vehicle cabin," stated Curt Moore, general manager of Jacinto processors, Texas Instruments. "Our Jacinto processors enable both machine vision and deep learning capabilities to help customers more easily develop their ADAS solutions." "We are pleased to work together with Texas Instruments and Eyeris to offer a robust in-cabin monitoring solution on our DesignCore platform," said Jerome Barczykowski, Business Development Operations Manager at D3 Engineering. "The DesignCore platform incorporates proven collections of hardware, software, applications, and testing. Combined with Eyeris AI algorithms, the solution accelerates time-to-market while reducing the cost and risk of production product development." Automakers and tier-1 suppliers such as Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, Hyundai Mobis, Karma Automotive, Panasonic Automotive, Bosch, Veoneer and Mitsubishi Motors have licensed Eyeris in-cabin sensing AI solutions. Eyeris expects its in-cabin sensing AI software portfolio to go into vehicle mass production in late 2022. About Eyeris Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., with an R&D lab in Mountain View, Calif., Eyeris is a world pioneer and leader in vision AI for automotive in-cabin sensing. EyerisNet is the company's vision AI portfolio of advanced Deep Neural Networks, which includes state-of-the-art driver monitoring system (DMS) and occupant monitoring system (OMS). Eyeris, a Silver Award winner in two categories at the AutoSens Awards in 2019 and a finalist in the TU Automotive Awards for the last six years and a winner in 2017, holds the world's largest in-cabin dataset for vehicle interior monitoring solutions. Visit www.eyeris.ai. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eyeris-and-texas-instruments-collaborate-to-introduce-industrys-first-in-cabin-sensing-ai-solution-using-tis-jacinto-tda4-processor-and-rgb-ir-image-sensors-at-ces2021-301205254.html SOURCE Eyeris [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. HHS finalizes rule protecting Christian adoption agencies from Obama-era LGBT regulation Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a new rule last week rescinding Obama-era regulations that critics argue constitute discrimination against faith-based adoption agencies that dont place children with same-sex couples. The DHS, led by Secretary Alex Azar, found that a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations outlining requirements for awardees of HHS funds violated portions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The code was amended during the latter part of the Obama administration to require all HHS grant-receiving organizations to adhere to rules that forbid discrimination against same-sex couples and LGBT individuals. Under the Obama-era rule, all recipients must treat as valid the marriages of same-sex couples under the Supreme Court decisions United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges, which established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. The regulation required that no person otherwise eligible will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in the administration of HHS programs and services based on non-merit factors such as age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Trump administration concluded that the imposition of certain nonstatutory nondiscrimination requirements on certain faith-based organizations as recipients or subrecipients in the Departments programs would likely constitute a substantial burden on the exercise of religion. The HHS argues that the final rule better ensures compliance with RFRA, and allows the Department to avoid some situations where a substantial burden on the religious exercise may be applied by requirements that flow from the Department but not from a statute. As a result, the final rule enables the participation of faith-based organizations that participate in or seek to participate in Department-funded programs or activities. The department contended that the forbidding of entities that object to the current regulations from participating in HHS programs has hurt the effectiveness of the Departments programs and in the number of beneficiaries served overall. The document detailing the new HHS rule changes specifically cites faith-based child placement agencies, which it describes as critical providers and partners in caring for vulnerable children and youth as an example of organizations harmed by the previous rule changes. The Obama-era rule change mandating that HHS awardees treat as valid the marriage of same-sex couples had the effect of requiring faith-based adoption agencies to place children with same-sex couples against their religious beliefs or cease partnering with the federal government. Some faith-based subrecipients, including some that provide critically important child welfare services to states and local jurisdictions across the child welfare continuum, may not be able to provide needed services and indeed, might be compelled to withdraw from the provision of child welfare services if they are forced to comply with the current nonstatutory nondiscrimination requirements," the Trump HHS contends. Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal nonprofit that specializes in religious liberty cases, commended the rule changes in a statement. ADF is currently representing two faith-based adoption and foster care agencies involved in federal lawsuits against state officials. We commend the Trump administration for protecting a diversity of providers to ensure the greatest number of children find a permanent, loving family, ADF senior counsel Zack Pruitt said, adding that there are hundreds of thousands of children in foster care throughout the U.S. and faith-based providers play an integral role in serving these vulnerable kids. Pruitt contends that the previous administration discriminated against faith-based providers simply because of their beliefs about marriage. This is not keeping kids first, Pruitt argued. HHSs final rule to end this discrimination offers hope for children, more options for birth mothers, support for families, and increased flexibility for states seeking to alleviate real human need. The new rule has also been praised by other conservative groups, such as the Christian conservative advocacy organization Family Research Council. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also spoke out against the Obama-era rule, saying it threatened to shut out faith-based social service providers. The new regulation was criticized by LGBT advocacy organizations as well as Democrat members of Congress. At the 11th hour, the lame duck Trump-Pence administration has published its parting assault on the LGBTQ community via a federal regulation that would permit discrimination across the entire spectrum of HHS programs receiving federal funding, Alphonso David, president of the Pro-LGBT Human Rights Council, said in a statement. With just days left in President Donald Trumps term and Democrat Joe Biden scheduled to take office next week, the future of the Trump administrations rule changes remains uncertain. Biden has vowed to push Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would codify discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity into federal law. Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether the city officials in Philadelphia violated the Constitution by severing ties with faith-based adoption agencies over their opposition to placing children with same-sex couples. Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have said that while the past year of restored government at Stormont has been frustrating, progress has been made. Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the restoration of power sharing after a three-year absence. Read More The New Decade, New Approach was to herald a new start for politics promising openness, transparency and an end to the constant rows which resulted in its ultimate collapse in 2017. First Minister Arlene Foster said progress had been made despite the coronavirus pandemic impact. Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said while there had been challenges and tough decisions to be made, she was glad to have the Executive in place to make those choices. The DUP leader said - despite the difficulties - a number of commitments had been brought about. She highlight the mental health action plan, reform of social housing, justice reform, a veterans commissioner, institutional abuse redress and flag-flying days brought into line with the rest of the UK. "Progress has been made, but not as much as we would like," she told BBC Good Morning Ulster. She said mandatory coalition was a "difficult thing to make work". "We of course have ideologically opposed views. And I made that view clear last year when I said there were things we would never agree on. But what we have to do is search for the common ground. And that's what we have to do." When you are in government you have a duty to act for all the citizens in Northern Ireland. She said it was better to have an Executive in place and she would like to be able to move toward a system of voluntary coalition. "But at the moment we have to work through a very difficult time of the pandemic and try and make decisions for the people of Northern Ireland." I am very grateful we are there to show the political leadership that was required to take tough decisions. Michelle O'Neill Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill said last January was the start of a "new era in government". Although she admitted at times it had been frustrating and challenging to work in a mandatory coalition. "In any given set of circumstances that would always be difficult, you have five political parties with their own identity," she said. "That in itself is a challenge. "And then you take all the issues we have to deal with. I am very grateful we have an Executive in place to deal with this pandemic over the last year. I am very grateful we are there to show the political leadership that was required to take tough decisions. "And I can tell you there have been some tough decisions required. "We don't always agree of course. We try our best to work together where we can, we try our best to deliver for example the public health message, where we can. "But it is challenging and at times there are strained relations but I do believe, that everybody sitting around the Executive table is there to do the best, is there to serve the public, is there to provide civic leadership." She added: "We have to put our hands up and say at times it is frustrating. How others do things is not how I would do things. "But that is at the heart of our Executive, our power sharing. I believe in power sharing, in the parties working together. But it is up to everybody to put in the big effort everyday to make it work." COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues today The rollout of the Island's COVID-19 vaccination programme will continue today. 1,041 people received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTechn vaccine last week. The Manx Government confirmed no vaccinations have been administered since last Wednesday. Health Minister David Ashford said this was down to the first batch being completed. He also said the first batch of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine had arrived and is being stored on Island until paperwork is completed for the rollout of the jab. Palestinian Authority on January 10 said that it expects the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines in March under an agreement signed with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca but accused Israel of shrinking a duty to ensure that the jabs are available in the occupied territory amid the pandemic. Even though Israel has reportedly already become the world leader in COVID-19 immunisations per capita, the Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip have reportedly not yet received the first jabs. The statement by Palestinian Foreign Minsitry read, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed the duties of Israel, the occupying Power, to provide vaccines against Corona to the Palestinian people, at a time when it provides these vaccines to its citizens, ignores its duties as an occupying power, and makes racial discrimination against the Palestinian people and denies them their right to health. The occupying power has nothing but the recognition of its racial discrimination and its inability to implement its obligations and assume its responsibilities, or to transfer them completely to the Palestinian government to carry them out, with the direction of Israel ending its colonial occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, it added, Read - Israeli Army: Paralyzed Palestinian Shot In Self-defense Read - Israeli Guard Kills Alleged Palestinian Attacker Vaccine discrimination by Israel: Report According to The Guardian, Israel transports batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine deep inside the West Bank, but they are not being distributed to the roughly 2.7 million Palestinians living in the region. The Palestinian Authority, which maintains limited self-rule in the territories, has said that optimistically, the shots could arrive within the next two weeks. The director-general of the Palestinian health ministry has estimated that the first vaccines would probably arrive in February. And those would be through a WHO-led partnership called COVAX, which has pledged to vaccinate 20 per cent of Palestinians. However, as the COVAX vaccines have not yet gained emergency use, Gerald Rockenschaub, the head of the office at WHO Jerusalem, said it could be early to mid-2021 before the vaccine was available for distribution in the Palestinian territories. Read - Israeli Security Guard Kills Alleged Palestinian Attacker Read - Israeli And Palestinian Hopes For 2021 Amid Virus PHILIPSBURG:--- On January 7, 2021, the Ministries of Education and Culture, of the Four Countries of the Kingdom, namely, Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curacao and the Netherlands, concluded its annual Four Countries Ministerial Conference. For the first time, due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, this conference was held virtually between the Kingdom Partners. The Four Countries used this opportunity to establish mutually beneficial agreements for the advancement of the areas of education and culture. These agreements are based on mutual respect and recognition of the policy decision of the four countries. Various topics discussed during the meeting included; agreements related to the student success of our pupils while studying in the Netherlands, the equal recognition of Law Degrees issued by the Universities of Aruba and Curacao, the platform for Dutch as a foreign language, enhancement of the teaching training programs, internship exchange in the Dutch Caribbean, securing access to the Digital Kingdom Library, and adhering to the UNESCO criteria to safeguard our intangible heritage. Study Success of Caribbean Students in the Netherlands During the meeting, the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport of Sint Maarten, drs. Rodolphe Samuel, stressed the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the Four Countries while continuing to take the individual situations of the countries into account. Minister Samuel also highlighted the priority area of ensuring study success of the Caribbean Students studying in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the Minister added that considerations should be given to the possibility of implementing a matching system where a student is linked to a professional or another student currently studying in the same field of interest before committing to the study. The Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Mr. Drs. Ingrid van Engelshoven, indicated that the organization of higher education institutions Vereniging Hogescholen offered to work together with the four countries in the Kingdom to further investigate solutions to improve the study success of Caribbean Students studying at their schools. Landenpakketten The agreement between the individual Caribbean Kingdom partners and the Netherlands for the financial COVID-19 support included that an extensive screening of the educational system is required to be conducted by a team of experts from the Four Countries. The respective Caribbean Countries are each working on the plans of approach for conducting this screening. The respective Ministers of Aruba and Curacao indicated that their draft plans of approach has been finalized and expressed the urgency of commencing the implementation of the plans. Minister Samuel indicated that Sint Maarten only recently came to an agreement and is therefore not that far in the process however expressed that the screening has been prioritized by the Ministry. Culture Minister Samuel highlighted the fact that Sint Maarten had ratified its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Culture of Aruba, Ms. Xiomara Maduro, noted that culture remained an important tool to retain some sense of normalcy in celebrating traditions during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Minister van Engelshoven announced that the Netherlands recognizes the injustice that was done by removing cultural heritage artifacts from the former colonies of the Netherlands and that these artifacts will be returned to the respective countries in collaboration with the countries. Conclusion The Four Countries of the Kingdom expressed the importance of continued collaboration between the Kingdom Partners and agreed to continue working diligently. The developments and outcome of these agreements will be monitored and evaluated during the next Four Countries Ministerial Conference scheduled for late 2021. The bird flu outbreak, that is being reported across several states, has now been confirmed in Maharashtra as well, leading to massive anxiety and a fear of blow to the poultry industry. While hundreds of birds have been culled in Kerala, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, Haryana is on high alert due to abnormal deaths at a poultry farm in Panchkula. According to the PIB release, a total of 4,30,267 birds have died in Barwala, Panchkula in past 25 days in Haryana. Maharashtra is the latest to confirm presence of the infection in birds in the state. While dead crows sparked fears in Mumbai, bird flu was confirmed in Parbhani, where authorities will cull around 9,000 birds. Birds were also reported dead in Latur and Amravati. What is Bird Flu? Bird flu or avian influenza is a viral infection influenza that is reported mostly in birds. This disease is caused by Influenza Type-A virus that commonly affects both wild and poultry birds. This virus can have several strains, most of which cause mild symptoms and affect low egg production. However, some variants can prove fatal as is being reported currently from various states. The current outbreak has evidence of H5N1 and H8N1 strains of virus causing death of birds. The virus was first reported in China in 1996. Several outbreaks have since then been reported across the world. The first cases in India were reported in 2006 in Nandurbar, Maharashtra. How Does the Infection Spread? The bird excreta in wild aquatic birds like ducks and geese which carry the Influenza A viruses -- is the primary source of the infection. It is from these water birds that often migrate and travel long distances that the virus is spread to poultry and terrestrial birds. Mammals such as pigs, horses, cats and dogs can also sometimes catch this infection. Can it Transmit to Humans? Yes, the H5N1 virus can jump species and infect humans from the infected bird. The first case of H5N1 infection in humans was reported in Hong Kong in 1997, when a poultry farm worker caught the infection from infected birds. However, no case of bird flu in humans has yet been reported from the current outbreak in India. People who come in close proximity to infected birds are most vulnerable to the spread of the infection. How Serious is the Disease? Bird Flu has almost 60 per cent mortality rate. Between 2006 and 2018, India reported a total of 225 epicenters of bird flu infection. Over 83.49 lakh birds were culled to curb the spread and the government offered a compensation of Rs 26.37 crore to poultry farmers for their losses. Whats the Current Status of Bird Flu in India? On Sunday, the Kanpur zoo in Uttar Pradesh was shut down, and it was declared all birds there will be killed after the bird flu was confirmed in wild chickens found dead in the zoo. While 17 more ducks were found dead at Sanjay Lake in New Delhi on Sunday, authorities declared it an "alert zone". This came a day after the Delhi Development Authority closed the famous water-body-cum-park following the death of 10 ducks on the premises. The samples from the dead ducks have been sent for testing to ascertain whether bird flu was the cause of death. Authorities also shut the popular Hauz Khas Park in south Delhi, which is a huge water body and attracts a large number of crowd every day, has also been shut. The flu cases have so far been confirmed in 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh, while around 1,100 crows and other wild birds have been found dead across 27 districts since the virus was first detected in the state last month. Carcasses of 215 migratory birds were found in Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district on Sunday, taking the total number of such birds suspected to have died of avian influenza to 4,235, officials said. Each day, hundreds of migratory birds were found dead in the lake area since December 29. Last Monday, the samples tested positive for H5N1, they said. According to experts, the chances of the H5N1 virus infecting humans is low in India as compared to South East Asian countries. Dr A S Ranade, Dean, Bombay Veterinary College, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express that the virus dies immediately if exposed to temperatures over 70 degrees Celsius. Unlike in South East Asian countries, both meat and eggs in India are eaten well cooked, which sees them being exposed to over 100 degrees Celsius. Thus the chances of humans contracting the virus from eating chicken and eggs is extremely rare, Dr Ranade said. Al Salam Bank, a pioneering Shari'a-compliant Bank in Bahrain, has announced the launch of its latest personal and property financing solutions as part of an entirely new campaign. The campaign, which will run until May 15, offers 10 lucky winners the chance to win back up to six months of installments and a golden opportunity of benefiting from a grace period of up to one-year during this promotional period. The newly-introduced campaign will run over two periods, the first of which will feature two prizes per month where a total of six winners will be announced. The second period will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, where the bank will announce weekly winners a total of four winners. The promotional campaign caters to both Bahraini and non-Bahraini residents in the Kingdom, including Mazaya scheme applicants, as well as new and existing customers of Al Salam Banks personal financing solution and property financing solution. Whether seeking reduced rates, reduced monthly installments, or a shorter tenor. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Head of Retail Banking at Al Salam Bank Bahrain, Mohammed Buhijji, said: We are pleased to announce the Banks latest campaigns, which is dedicated to better service personal and property financing customers. With this campaign, we are looking to contribute holistically to the enrichment and growth of the kingdoms banking sector, particularly considering the current circumstances we are facing. At Al Salam Bank, we take pride in our ability to complete financing procedures seamlessly and process requests quickly and efficiently, which was evidenced by our record time delivery of the first residential unit within the Deerat Al-Oyoun project. We are truly delighted to be introducing such rewarding financial solutions to our valued customers." Applicants seeking to newly apply for personal or property financing or transfer their existing financing to Al Salam Bank-Bahrain during the campaign, will enjoy competitive profit rates and a grace period of up to one year. Customers can easily apply through the website, alsalambahrain.com, or by visiting any of Al Salam Bank branches or the Express Banking Center in Seef District. - TradeArabia News Service 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 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 - U.S. counterterrorism prosecutors are investigating two men who allegedly wore tactical gear and held plastic restraints or zip ties in the U.S. Senate during the breach of the U.S. Capitol last week, the Justice Department announced. The men were arrested Sunday. Larry Rendell Brock, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, was arrested in Texas and charged with one count of knowingly entering a restricted building and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct, prosecutors said. Brock identified himself to The New Yorker last week as the man photographed in the well of the Senate chamber wearing a green combat helmet, tactical vest, and black and camouflage jacket. The photo shows the man holding a white flex cuff, used by police by restrain subjects, prosecutors said. The man in the photo was recorded apparently exiting the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Eric Gavelek Munchel, arrested in Tennessee, was charged with the same counts, prosecutors said, after being allegedly photographed climbing over a railing in the Senate gallery carrying plastic restraints, a holstered object on his right hip and a cellphone mounted on his chest. Information about attorneys as not immediately available for the two men, who did not respond to requests for comment by The Washington Post but have given news interviews explaining their actions. The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office in Washington and the counterterrorism section of the Justice Department's national security division, with assistance from federal authorities in northern Texas and central Tennessee. Counterterrorism authorities are involved in a wide range of cases, and their participation speaks more to the focus of the Justice Department's investigation of Wednesday's events than the actions of any particular defendant, analysts noted. FBI agents are exploring whether some of those who stormed the Capitol intended to do more than disrupt the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's November victory, including whether anyone sought to kill or capture lawmakers or their staffers, The Washington Post has reported. Their work includes trying to determine the motives of those who had weapons or other gear suggestive of a plot to do physical harm. Zip ties, for example, can be used as handcuffs. Brock joins a growing list of military veterans who have been arrested and charged in connection with extremist events over the past few years, including the August 2017 white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va. Brock, 53, a father of three from Grapevine, Texas, retired from the Air Force as deputy director of its admissions liaison officer program, which oversees personnel who recruit prospective military officers, the Air Force said. It was not immediately clear whether Brock directly interacted with students or oversaw those who did. He served as an A-10 pilot, the Air Force said. The New Yorker reported that he said he had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brock spoke to the magazine after members of the public traced him down after identifying patches on his helmet and armor, which included the insignia of the 706th Fighter Squadron and a vinyl tag of the Texas flag overlaid on the skull logo of the Punisher, a Marvel comic-book character who has been adopted by police and military groups, and, more recently, by white supremacists and followers of the QAnon far-right conspiracy theory. Brock denied to the New Yorker that he held racist views, he echoed Trump's baseless claims of election fraud and he said he assumed he was welcome to enter the building. "The President asked for his supporters to be there to attend, and I felt like it was important, because of how much I love this country, to actually be there," he said, according to The New Yorker. An FBI arrest affidavit cited two tips about Brock it received based on his photograph, one from his former wife of 18 years, and one who said Brock's associates at a defense contractor where he previously worked who knew he was traveling to the District of Columbia. Interviews with family members and a close friend indicate that Brock's political views had become increasingly radical in the past few years, to the point of alienating those closest to him. But Brock told The New Yorker that he did not identify as part of any organized group. Brock added that he wore tactical gear because "I didn't want to get stabbed or hurt," citing "B.L.M. and antifa" as potential aggressors. He said he had found the zip-tie handcuffs on the floor. "My thought process there was I would pick them up and give them to an officer when I see one . . . I didn't do that because I had put them in my coat, and I honestly forgot about them," he told the magazine. Online sleuths who linked Munchel to the man in the Senate gallery carrying zip ties said the person photographed wore a patch on his tactical vest in the shape of Tennessee with a thin blue line, a pro-police symbol. Munchel, 30, and his mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, 57, spoke with The Sunday Times as they were leaving D.C. and confirmed that they were inside the building during the riot. "It was a kind of flexing of muscles," Munchel told the publication. "The intentions of going in were not to fight the police. The point of getting inside the building is to show them that we can, and we will." Munchel did not mention to The Times whether he was carrying restraints. He, family members and neighbors did not respond to calls from The Post. Military veterans have criticized Brock, saying an active-duty service member who participated in the riot could face court-martial. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., an Iraq veteran who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, suggested on social media Saturday that military authorities should recall Brock and charge him under military jurisdiction because he is a retired officer who could still receive a pension. - - - The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett and Alex Horton contributed to this report. The work of painter Ali Herrmann greets viewers as they enter the Berkshire Art Associations biennial art show at the Lichtenstein. PORTLAND, Ore. A man from Beavercreek, Oregon was arrested on Friday night after he allegedly jumped a fence and fired a handgun into the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland. According to court documents, 39-year-old Cody Melby jumped over a security fence outside of the courthouse shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday night. Melby allegedly fired "several rounds" into the building's exterior with a 9mm handgun. Two courthouse security officers spotted Melby on a closed-circuit security camera and went out to confront him. "Melby told the officers he had a gun and the officers placed him in handcuffs without further incident," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon said. Officers from the Federal Protective Service arrived to investigate the scene, reportedly finding five spent 9mm bullet casings, three spent bullets, three holes in the plywood covering the building's stone columns, and damage to the metal overhang above the building's main entrance. An Oregon State Police statement from last week identified Melby as one the attendees arrested in the wake of a "Stop the Steal" protest at the state Capitol in Salem. Melby was allegedly trying to get inside the building, and was arrested for for Trespassing while in possession of a firearm, a misdemeanor charge. Police said that they lodged Melby in the Marion County Jail at the time, but he was apparently released. Melby is set to appear on Monday in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Portland. The case is being investigated by the FPS and FBI, and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Maloney. Teacher's Positive COVID Test Prompts Closure of Williams' Children's Center WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Williams College has closed its Children's Center until next Tuesday following a positive COVID-19 test for a member of its faculty. A Sunday afternoon email from Director Carrie Gagne informed affected families that the college learned on Saturday that a single teacher at the preschool had tested positive, prompting a decision to shutter the facility for 10 days. The letter said the decision was made with the consultation of college leadership and the local Board of Health, which noted the closure at its Monday morning meeting. "In other scenarios we might have only closed one classroom," Gagne wrote. "However, the Pine Room has an exceptionally large number of siblings and family members moving through seven other classrooms. Although we limit mingling among students and do not have teachers moving between rooms, the center-wide risk was greater because of the Pine Room's unique situation than it might have been otherwise. That fact fueled our decision to reluctantly close the entire school." Gagne said all children who attend the facility and their families will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to return to school on Jan. 19. "Children's centers like ours always have a higher risk of spread than the general population. When children are only bringing home common colds, that risk is manageable," Gagne wrote. "During a pandemic, however, we need to take stronger measures to protect all of our children, staff, and families." According to the college's website, the Children's Center is licensed to serve up to 90 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. It runs a day program for children up to school age and an after-school program for children school age through 12. "I know they recognize this is going be quite a hardship for people who have children at the center, but they felt with an abundance of caution that's what they have to do," Board of Health member Dr. Erwin Stuebner said in reporting the move to his colleagues. Stuebner also told the board that the college is continuing to monitor COVID-19 conditions locally and nationwide with an eye toward allowing students to return to campus in February. Williams' associate vice president for finance and administration told iBerkshires.com on Monday morning that the plans in development will include some version of the on-campus quarantine that students completed in August and September before the start of fall classes. "We are exploring a number of options for the spring return of students," Matt Sheehy said. We have not settled on anything specifically and shared with the Board of Health that we are possibly exploring options for having students pre-test prior to their arrival. This is an ongoing discussion." Stuebner noted that there have been no positive tests among the small cohort of students remaining on campus between the fall and winter terms. The college has completed 50,698 tests since its asymptomatic testing program began on Aug. 17; to date, there have been 19 positive tests (seven students, 12 staff) for a positivity rate of .04 percent. The board on Monday also discussed the progress of the state's rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Health Inspector Jeff Kennedy told the board that he believes there likely will be an 80 percent acceptance rate among first-responders, who were eligible to receive vaccinations under the state's program starting Monday. Dr. Devan Bartels, a physician at Berkshire Medical Center, reported that about three-quarters of eligible caregivers at BMC received the vaccine. "Anecdotally, some people were quick to sign up after seeing it's tolerated by their peers," Bartels said. In non-COVID matters, Kennedy reported to the board that, as expected , he last week posted a closure notice at the Berkshire Hills Country Inn on Cold Spring Road (Route 7) due to the business' inability to resolve issues with its water supply. Kennedy said he understands the owner of the hotel is working with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection but he will not be able to remove the closure order until he hears from DEP. "DEP said they received a plan, but it was under review," Kennedy said. "I let DEP know and the owner know it would remain closed until I get word from DEP that their water plan is approved." Gallarate hosts exhibit on Impressionists The show on March 12-September 5 displays Italian, French art (ANSA) - ROMA, 11 GEN - ''Impressionisti. Alle origini della modernita'' (Impressionists. At the origins of modernity) is the main exhibit scheduled on 2021 by the art museum of Gallarate, in Lombardy. The exhibit, which runs from March 12 until September 5, will showcase 180 artworks by leading French and Italian painters of the second half of the 19th century, from Gericault to Courbet, from Manet to Renoir, from Monet to Cezanne and Gauguin, Boldini and De Nittis. The artworks come from Italian and French public and private collections and will document key issues of the movement's poetic vision, including the dialectic between 'academy and realism', the renewed focus on nature, the first images of modern life until the shift from the impressionist vision to the language of symbolism. (ANSA). Microaggressions are defined as subtle, intentional and oftentimes unintentional everyday interactions or behaviors that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial messages or assumptions toward historically marginalized groups: Saying You are so articulate to a Black person may be an indication that one presumes Blacks are not usually capable of competent intellectual conversation. Asking Who are you? Do you live here? to someone in their own garage, home or car may be a cloaked challenge for them to prove they belong or to send a message they are not welcome. Can I touch your hair? or worse, touching without even asking may seem like a friendly curiosity, but could be an invasion of someones personal space and make them feel like they are an animal on display. Studio Montclair Gallery in Montclair will present Privilege, Power and Everyday Life, a group show of artwork that aims to encourage dialogue about the implicit bias and stereotypes at the root of such microaggressions, opening on Friday, Jan. 15, and running through Feb. 19. As the exhibits webpage notes, Our hope is to make the invisible visible as a path toward a more inclusive culture. The difference between microaggressions and overt discrimination is that people who commit microaggressions are often unaware they are doing these things and if you point it out to them, they say, That wasnt my intention, you are being too sensitive, which is yet another microaggression, the exhibit notes continue. The weight of these daily interactions underpins very real consequences in marginalized groups stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt and, ultimately, feelings of powerlessness and invisibility. Curated by Jersey City-based artists Theda Sandiford, Privilege, Power and Everyday Life will showcase works by 31 area artists: Donna Bassin, Richard Brachman, Judith Carlin, Elizabeth Demarco, Martha Diaz Adam, Susan Evans Grove, Denise Fitzgerald, Alyson N. Fraser Diaz, Barry Fredericks, Debra Friedkin, Colleen Sweeney Gahrmann, Faith Hagenhofer, June He, Kate Hollitscher, Linda Johns, Alex Katsenelinboigen, Granvilette Kestenbaum, Joan Knauer, Becca Lynes, Jennifer Malone, Evan Stuart Marshall, Leslie Nobler, Courtney Novak, Christy OConnor, J. Steven Patton, Jean-Paul Picard, Adam Pitt, Chris Revelle, Francisco Silva, Linda Steinhardt Majzner and Miriam Stern. The exhibit will be open for in-person viewing by appointment at the gallery, located at 127 Bloomfield Ave. An opening reception will take place 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17. Strict guidelines for indoor gatherings will be enforced; masks will be required and the number of people in the gallery at one time will be limited. For those not yet comfortable with public viewing, an online tour of the exhibit, including audio, will be available. A Zoom reception and curator talk will be held Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. For more information call 862-500-1447, email smi@studiomontclair.org or visit studiomontclair.org. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Sen. James Lankford: Big Tech Is Trying to Shut Down Conservative Voices Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said on Sunday that Big Techs recent actions, with Apple suspending Parler and the removal of the accounts of President Donald Trump and other conservatives from their platforms, show the tech giants do not want Americans to have a dialogue with one other. This has moved from Hey, I dont like a few things, so Im going to knock it out, to I dont like you at all, or I dont like your opinion, or I dont like anyone on that side.' Lankford told Judge Jeanine Pirro on Fox on Sunday. I have often said that the way Twitter and Facebook are going, there will be a rise of a conservative social media and liberal social media. That doesnt help us long term to be able to have American dialogue with each other. But that is the rise. Now what we are seeing is big tech joining together to say Hey, when a conservative social media site rises, were going to do what we can to kill that and suppress it at the very beginning, to be able to make sure that the opinions we dont like are not heard,' Lankford added. On Sunday Apple and Google suspended Parlerwhich is marketed as a free speech social media platformfrom their app stores, while Amazon cut Parler off from its Web-hosting service. The targeted censorship by these companies against Parler came after civil unrest and acts of violence marred a largely peaceful protest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. A group of rioters led some protesters waving American and Trump flags in illegally storming the Capitol building as lawmakers were counting electoral votes in a joint session of Congress. The mayhem on the day left five people dead, including one police officer, and dozens of officers injured. Responding to the Big Tech claims that Parler was promoting violence, Lankford said, You cannot say that every single person on Parler is evil and inciting riots. You cannot say that. You cannot say every person has committed violence thats on Parler. But what Apple is trying to say is, We dont like your point of view, and so were going to use all of our might as a company, to be able to diminish that. That is toxic to our culture, to a group of people that said they started their companies based on wanting people to be able to connect with each other and connect with family and friends and have dialogue, added Lankford. In addition, a number of Silicon Valley technology companies ramped up their policing of statements and comments from President Donald Trump, conservatives, and other voices they deem harmful. Twitter on Jan. 8 permanently removed the presidents account on its platform and justified its censorship by saying the president had violated its Glorification of Violence Policy after he posted a message urging protesters to remain peaceful and leave the Capitol. The Trump campaign Twitter account has also been removed. Parler, which has attracted a large following of classical liberal and conservative-leaning users, appeared to have been targeted for allegedly lacking a system to implement robust moderation for egregious content. Apple said in a statement to media outlets on Jan. 9 that Parler had not taken adequate measures to address the proliferation of threats of violence and illegal activity. We have suspended Parler from the App Store until they resolve these issues, the statement said. Apple didnt immediately respond to The Epoch Times questions about the ban. Similarly, Amazon told Parler that they would be shutting Parlers servers at midnight on Jan. 10, over what it claims is the platforms lax approach to violent content posted by its users. Parler disputes this claim. Amazon also didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about the suspension. Janita Kan contributed to this report. Work has begun on yet another Kent lorry park as diggers carved up farmland above the White Cliffs of Dover today for a new post-Brexit customs facility. Once complete, the site in Guston, near Dover, will open as a customs checkpoint facility, with the ability to hold 1,200 lorries, should there be delays at the ports similar to those seen last month. Work is well underway at a similar facility in Sevington, Ashford, which will be able to hold up to 2,000 trucks. The sites in Guston and Sevington are set to be used for post-Brexit customs checks to prevent delays at nearby ports - with three other sites in Kent are set to also be up and running by July. But villagers are up in arms over at Guston, referred to as the Dover White Cliffs site, amid fears it will replace Manston Airport as the main holding bay for lorries in the event of cross-Channel delays. Diggers were at the Dover White Cliffs site in Guston today to start work on a post-Brexit customs check point The site, just three miles from the Port of Dover, is set to be open in July, with enough space for 1,200 lorries to park up should there be delays at the border Once up and running, the 70-acre Dover White Cliffs site will carry out checks for the Port of Dover, while Sevington will monitor Eurotunnel checks. Work on the Kent coast comes after thousands of lorries trapped were trapped in the county last month when France closed its border to Britain. Lorry drivers were forced to park up at Manston Airport, where there is provision for 4,000 HGVs, as well as Ashford International Lorry Park, which has space for 200, while the M20 was also used as a holding bay under Operation Stack. The site in Guston is one of five post-Brexit customs check points that will be used in Kent from July onwards - with some already up and running Manston Airport and Ebbsfleet International already have space to hold lorries, and villagers in Guston are up in arms over plans to create even more parking spaces in their quiet village The Department for Transport has denied claims that the Guston site will replace Dover as the main holding site in the event of delays at the ports Work is underway on another customs checkpoint, with space for up to 2,000 lorries, in Sevington, Ashford Kent will have five customs check facilities up and running by July, which will monitor traffic using the Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover Post-Brexit plans have spread custom check points across the county. Government documents show there are plans to continue using Manston Airport, while building a second site at Ashford to use when Sevington is unavailable. Further away from the ports, Ebbsfleet International could also be used for Eurotunnel checks, with KentOnline reporting it has space for 256 lorries. Villagers in Guston are up in arms over the arrival of the checkpoint, which is expected to be up and running in July. Charlotte Ashmore, whose son has autism, told The Guardian: 'I'm absolutely devastated. 'I'm considering putting the house on the market but we've just got a new five-year mortgage so we are trapped.' Former lorry driver and Guston resident Mick Palmer is concerned lorry drivers will use the site to park up, rather than just as a customs facility. Work has begun today with plans to open the site by the summer Villagers have raised concerns over how close the lorry park will be to existing homes, with some saying they plan to move away Once up and running, Guston will carry out customs checks for lorries using the Port of Dover Sites in Sevington and Ebbsfleet International will monitor Eurotunnel checks. Pictured: Work getting underway in Guston earlier today Former lorry driver Mick Palmer, who also lives in the village, is concerned lorry drivers will use the site to park up, rather than just as a customs facility. He said: 'I know exactly what will happen. Lorries have nowhere to park in Kent, and they will come in here and stop and wave their tachograph and say: 'I'm not moving.'' The Department for Transport was forced to deny claims the site in Guston was going to replace Manston, which held thousands of lorries during last month's disruption. The Government reiterated the Dover White Cliffs site was to be used as a customs check facility. A DfT spokesman told MailOnline: 'Purchasing the White Cliffs site in Dover will allow the Government to set up an inland facility to undertake border controls with easy access to the Port, which does not itself have the space needed for extended checks. We do not expect to use this site for traffic management purposes. 'The development of this site, which will bring local jobs, will require further planning consent and residents will have further opportunity to express their views as part of that process.' A Derry woman has launched a new project in a bid to keep alive the stories of Derry's shirt factory industry. For generations, the local shirt factories were the backbone of Derry's economy. The decline of the linen industry in the 1830s led to a skilled female workforce struggling to find employment in Derry. However, with the growth in popularity of cotton shirts, the city soon became home to a burgeoning shirt-making industry. It was an industry which developed quickly. In the 1850s, there were five shirt factories in Derry. By the end of the century, there were almost 40. Shirt-making in Derry reached its peak in the 1920s when the shirt factories employed an estimated 18,000 people from the city and surrounding area. Although the shirt-making industry later went into decline, and has more or less disappeared from the local economy, the impact of the industry remains very much in existence in the architecture of Derry. Now, local woman Naomi Petropoulos, who is currently a PhD researcher at Queens University in Belfast, wants to collate the stories of people who worked in the shirt factories. The aim of the project, she says, is to highlight the impact the factories had on the city as well as exploring the lives and experiences of the men and women who worked within them. Like many Derry people, I have family members who worked in the shirt factories, she told the Derry News. I remember as a young child sitting in the car as we waited for my granny to emerge from the factory at the end of the day. I was always aware that the shirt factories were a huge part of Derrys history, but it was only when I got older that I appreciated exactly how important they were. Naomi is currently seeking participants for the project who worked in the citys factories between 1951 and 1981. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she cannot meet with people face-to-face. However, she has been using video calls as a means of recording participant stories. For those who cannot carry out a video call, the local woman has also sought written stories from those who would like to get involved in the project. Its a shame that I cant meet with people at this time. However I want to make sure that as many people who want to get involved, can get involved, she said. I have felt for a long time that as many stories and testimonies should be collected as possible before this living history is lost to the passage of time. Such a significant part of the citys history deserves to be seen and heard and I hope in some small part I can help future generations understand the lives and experiences of the factory girls and boys of Derry. If you would like to contribute to the project, you can telephone Naomi at 02895 810 166. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 04:01:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday lauded the General Assembly's achievements and lamented its failures. "The General Assembly, where states have gathered for 75 years to debate the most important issues of our age, has seen many historic moments. And its daily work has played an enormous part in formulating and upholding laws on key global goods, from human rights and environmental protection to arms control and war crimes," he said in a virtual speech for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the first meeting of the General Assembly. The work of the General Assembly has helped to boost global health, literacy, and living standards, and to promote human rights and gender equality, he said. There has not been a Third World War. Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945 on the ashes of the Second World War, the world has enjoyed the longest period in recorded history without a military confrontation between major powers. That in itself is a great achievement, of which the United Nations and its member states can be rightly proud, he said. The General Assembly's declaration on the granting of independence to colonial peoples in 1960 was a milestone for self-determination. Since the United Nations was established, more than 80 former colonies have gained their independence, said Guterres. In the past year, the United Nations has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization has led the global health response and coordinated the provision of essential equipment, training and services worldwide. Early in the pandemic, the General Assembly acted swiftly to pass a resolution calling for global solidarity to fight the virus, he noted. "While we are proud of our collective achievements, we are also aware of our failures," he cautioned. The global response to the climate emergency has been utterly inadequate. The past decade was the hottest in human history. Carbon dioxide levels are at record highs. Apocalyptic fires and floods, cyclones and hurricanes are becoming the new normal. Biodiversity is collapsing, he said. "This is a war on nature -- and a war with no winners." Meanwhile, conventional wars are growing more entrenched and difficult to resolve. Geopolitical tensions are escalating. The threat of nuclear proliferation and confrontation has returned. Inequality is growing. Hunger is on the rise, he noted. Transformative technology has opened up vast new opportunities, but also new threats -- from cyberwarfare to rampant disinformation; from hate speech to political subversion and mass surveillance. And the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted serious gaps in global cooperation and solidarity, he said. The first session of the UN General Assembly was convened on Jan. 10, 1946, in London. Sunday's virtual event was organized by the British government. Enditem tech2 News Staff The biggest annual tech event the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) kicks off today. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that due to the pandemic, for the first time, CES 2021 will be an "all-digital" event and the viewers will be able to watch the livestream online. The tech event will be held from 11 January to 14 January, and the event will be open for both media and the general public, however, they still need to register for it first. The time has come. The moment youve been waiting for. Registration is now open for the all-digital #CES2021 https://t.co/Hri2xZ51Yw pic.twitter.com/zMtUXaE4Tc CES registration is now open (@CES) December 3, 2020 Interested viewers can visit the official CES 2021 website and register for the event. According to the website, industry professionals will have to submit proof of industry affiliation when they register themselves for the event. The attendees are also expected to be above 18 years of age or older. The previous CES account will not be applicable this year. TCL has sent out invites for the event revealing that it will launch new mini-LED display technology. In the press release, TCL also hints that it might unveil new QLED-driven TVs, soundbars and other home appliances at the event. LG is going to showcase its first 48-inch bendable cinematic sound OLED (CSO) display for demo in the upcoming Consumer Technology Association (CES) 2021. The display will feature a paper-thin screen that can straighten or bend as per need. Amazfit has announced that it will introduce more GTS 2 and GTR 2 products during CES 2021. According to a report by GSMArena, the company might unveil GTS2e and GTR 2e smartwatches, that have already debuted in China, at the event. Both the smartwatches are expected to come with a similar design, large battery life and will ditch the WiFi connectivity option. At the event, Samsungs new lineup will feature Neo QLED TV or quantum dot LED TV along with an improved backlight system based on Mini-LED. Samsung detailed in its 2021 portfolio that it is introducing the new display technology of Neo QLED to its flagship 8K (QN900A) and 4K (QN90A) models. LG is going to put up its first 48-inch bendable cinematic sound OLED (CSO) display for demo at the event. The display will feature a paper-thin screen that can straighten or bend as per need. Bendable screens are going to maximise the viewing experience and are beneficial for high-quality gaming. Law enforcement has beefed up its presence at the Pennsylvania Capitol in the wake of last weeks violent siege of the U.S. Capitol and reports of talk on far-right online forums about plans for armed marches at state capitals in the coming days. The administration condemns the senseless acts of violence that occurred last week at our nations Capital [sic] that resulted in the loss of life, according to a statement from the state Department of General Services, which oversees the Capitol Police. Since that event, PA Capitol Police have been working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of those working in the building and the protection of our state Capitol, said the General Services statement. The PA Capitol Police is enhancing its visible presence and will continue to collaborate with other law enforcement entities. Due to the pandemic, the Capitol has been closed to visitors since Dec. 7. Only employees and people with badge keycard credentials are permitted inside. Law enforcement, more heavily armed than usual, was observed in and around the building on Monday as the House of Representatives convened for some organizational sessions this week. Jason Gottesman, House GOP spokesman, said, I think everything is being done out of an abundance of caution and making sure that the Capitol is as safe and secure as possible during this time. The Senate is not due back into session until the week of Jan. 25, which is when the House is scheduled to return as well after this week. Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, told the Associated Press Monday that he has kept in touch in recent days with the Senate security force and that he expects to meet in person with them Tuesday. He said Capitol Police can request additional resources if needed but they have not done so yet. The Washington Post reported on Saturday that aggressive and often hateful chatter appeared on various social media sites including a mention of an armed march on state capitals as well as other locations including Pittsburgh. The day after last Wednesdays attack that turned deadly at the nations Capitol additional security measures were taken at the state Capitol including closure of the massive metal doors that hang on the exterior of the main public entrance off Third Street, a barrier that is rarely closed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. More from PennLive Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey says President Trump should resign following Capitol violence ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The demand for welding torches is anticipated to rise with increased production in sectors like shipyards transportation, yellow goods, energy, general fabrication, and automotive. Rising disposable income has generated increased demand for automotives, which has led to augmented production of commercial and passenger vehicles. There has been better road connectivity to ensure improved transport and commuting facilities. These factors are estimated to trigger growth of the global welding torch and wear parts market over the forecast timeframe, from 2020 to 2030. Technological progress made in the welding torches, such as introduction of technologically advanced Flexlite torches by Finnish company Kemppi Oy is expected to work in favor of the market. New products are bringing in more comfort, precision, and speed, thereby favoring development of the global welding torch and wear parts market in the years to come. Besides, increased research and development activities to better convenience in the handling of robotic welding torches are likely to drive demand for these torches. However, outbreak of global pandemic, Covid-19, has adversely affected almost all the industries across the globe. Welding industry has also felt the heat and hence the companies in the global welding torch and wear parts market are taking precautions, managing short-term effects, and making adjustments for future survival. Download PDF Brochure - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=74337 Automotive and construction sectors are expected to play an important role in the growth of the global welding torch and wear parts market. Clocking ~4% CAGR, the market is estimated to reach US$ 7.4 Bn by 2030. Key Findings of Welding Torch and Wear Parts Market Study Technological Advancement to Open Up New Avenues of Growth Manufacturers are coming up with new developments and innovations in welding torches and guns to support efficient welding. Increased availability of water and gas-cooled versions of MIG and TIG welding are offering alternative power classes, values, and lengths. As such, lightweight, balanced torches with reduced wrist loading make entry in the market. Adhering to welding safety standards, manufacturers are increasingly making use of various innovative materials. Such innovations and developments are likely to foster growth of the global welding torch and wear parts market in the forthcoming years. Request the Covid-19 Impact Analysis at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=covid19&rep_id=74337 Rising Demand for Automotives to Present Lucrative Growth Opportunities The growth of the global welding torch and wear parts market is primarily influenced by the rapid growth of the automotive industry. Rising disposable income has generated increased demand for both commercial and passenger vehicles, which is likely to fuel market growth. Besides, road construction work to ensure better road connectivity and infrastructural development is estimated to work in favor of the global welding torch and wear parts market. Various end use sectors like heavy equipment manufacturing, construction, and automotives make use of high quality welds. These industries utilize advanced MAG welding torches to get their welding jobs done. As such, the welding torch and wear parts market is likely to gather considerable traction from these industries over the timeframe of analysis, from 2020 to 2030. Explore 660 pages of superlative research, current market scenario, and extensive geographical projections. Gain insights into the Welding Torch and Wear Parts Market (Product Type: MIG/MAG [Wear Part and Torch[, TIG [Wear Part and Torch], and Plasmas [Wear Part and Torch]; Wear Part: MIG/MAG [Torch Body, Gas Nozzle, Nozzle Stock, Contact Tip, Insulation Ring, Spatter Guard, Inner Liner, and Others], TIG [Torch Body, Insulation Ring, Gas Nozzle Ceramic, Clamping Sleeve, Torch Cap, Gas Lens, Tungsten Electrode, Clamping Sleeve Case, and Others], and Plasmas [Torch Body, Plasma Nozzle, Gas Nozzle Ceramic, Clamping Sleeve, Torch Cap, Tungsten Electrode, and Others]; Cooling Method: Water Cooled and Gas Cooled; Mode of Operation: Manual and Automatic; End-use Industry: Automotive, Construction, Demolition & Scrap, Heavy Equipment Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Yellow Goods, and Others; and Distribution Channel: Online and Offline) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2020 2030 at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/welding-torch-wear-parts-market.html Product Diversification to Offset Dearth of Skilled Labor and Demand Shortage There has been an augmented supply of welding torch and wear parts in the market. However, the demand has not been enough, which is why there is excess products available in the market. Besides, there exist issues in the maintenance of staff and dearth of adequately trained and skilled labor for this work. These factors are estimated to restrict expansion of the global welding torch and wear parts market over the tenure of assessment, from 2020 to 2030. Analyze global welding torch and wear parts market growth in 30+ countries including US, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Poland, Benelux, Nordic, China, Japan, India, and South Korea. Request a sample of the study Welding Torch and Wear Parts Market: Key Driving Factors Rise in sales of commercial and passenger vehicles to drive demand in the market. Technological progress and innovations in welding torches assist manufacturers to overcome drawbacks of the existing models. Emergence of robotic welding torches offer increased precision and efficiency in general and industrial fabrication processes. Shortage of skilled labor and difficulties in staff maintenance pose a challenge for the market. Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the Global Factory Automation Industry: Bearing Market along with the widening applications of bearings across an array of industrial sectors, the global bearing market is expected to attain a market value of ~US$ 206 Bn by the end of 2030. Vertical Lift Module Market Increasing focus on industrial automation, entry of new technologies, and widening applications in various industrial sectors, the global vertical lift module market is on course to reach US$ 3 Bn mark by the end of 2030. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact Mr Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Press Release Source: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/welding-torch-wear-parts-market.htm Blog: https://tmrblog.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research Democrats can claim many firsts among the newly elected members of the state Legislature. Jabari Brisport of Brooklyn is the first openly gay Black man elected to the state Senate. Zohran Mamdani and Jenifer Rajkumar, both of Queens, are the first South Asian Americans elected to the Assembly. Fellow freshman Khaleel Anderson of Queens, 24, is the first member of Generation Z to serve in either chamber. Two other Democratic firsts also loom large following the 2020 elections. State Sen. Samra Brouk of Rochester, who now holds the seat vacated by retiring GOP state Sen. Rich Funke, is the first Black female state senator elected upstate. Voters in an adjoining district chose state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, who now holds the seat formerly occupied by retiring GOP state Sen. Joseph Robach, as the first Asian American state senator from north of New York City. Brouk and Cooney represent progressives new dominance in some areas of the state that historically sent Republican white men to Albany. These newly elected legislators are part of the supermajorities now in both chambers, with Democratic pickups in the state Senate that could allow Democratic legislative leaders to override gubernatorial vetoes in the future. Women and people of color now make up a one-person majority in the 63-member state Senate and exactly half of the 150 members of the Assembly a notable change from recent years when white men made up clear majorities of both chambers. A City & State questionnaire sent to all 44 new members of the state Legislature offers some insight into who comprises the new class of state lawmakers at a time when the state has been ravaged by a deadly pandemic and its economic effects. They each bring qualities and experiences that add something to the legislative mix. The legislative lineups highlight the demographic differences between the two parties. All of the Black, Latino and Asian American state senators are part of the 43-member state Senate Democratic majority. All of the Assembly members of color are also Democrats, while the all-white 43-member Republican delegation reflects the predominantly white rural and suburban parts of the state from which they mostly come. Losing five upstate Senate seats to the Democrats in 2020 leaves the GOP with fewer suburban and urban areas of the state to represent a little more than two years after the Democrats won the chamber for the first time in a decade. The new members vary in political experience. Some among them, like newly elected state Sens. Sean Ryan of Buffalo and Dan Stec of the North Country, have previously served in the Assembly. Others previously worked as staffers to elected officials. Assembly Member Sarah Clark of Rochester has worked for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Elijah Reichlin-Melnick of Rockland County most recently served as a staffer to state Sen. James Skoufis, who represents an adjacent district in the Hudson Valley. Republican Assembly Member Michael Lawler of Rockland County has served as a deputy town supervisor. His new Democratic colleague, Kenny Burgos of the Bronx, was the budget director for the New York City Council. The legislative process often reflects the policy expertise that legislators bring from their past careers. Incoming legislators include attorneys, military veterans, entrepreneurs, nonprofit executives, public school teachers, activists and former law enforcement officers, including some pretty unique combinations of professional and personal experiences among their ranks. Republican Assembly Member Joe Angelino of Central New York is a former police chief, fire chief and U.S. Marine, all in one. His new Assembly minority colleague Jeff Gallahan of the Finger Lakes once worked as a trained machinist. The new Democrats across the aisle include the Ugandan-born Mamdani, whose resume includes stints as a foreclosure prevention counselor and as a hip-hop performer named Mr. Cardamom. Republican state Sen. Peter Oberacker of Central New York a businessman and former town board member who learned charcuterie from his German-born father is likely the first modern-day legislator with firsthand knowledge of how sausage is literally made. New members also come from across the political spectrum. This includes a half-dozen new members of the Assembly who want to push the chamber further to the left than the liberal white men they beat during the Democratic primaries. Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas of Queens and Emily Gallagher of Brooklyn are two examples of left-leaning first-term legislators who support raising taxes on the wealthy over the objections of the governor. Some swing-district Democrats who flipped historically Republican seats in 2018 and 2020, however, are urging a much more conservative approach to plugging the multibillion-dollar budget hole facing the state. The new Democratic supermajorities guarantee that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (the first Black man and Black woman to lead their respective chambers) will be calling the shots in the state Legislature this year, but they will be challenged by their own intraparty divisions: Moderates from the New York City suburbs and parts of the outer boroughs now have to contend with an increasing number of democratic socialists and other left-wing lawmakers. New members from upstate also add a new geographic dimension to the tension between New York City and suburban Democrats in the state Senate. A multibillion-dollar deficit, a deadly pandemic and a three-term governor pushing his own vision for the state will challenge the majority conferences in the coming months. While it remains to be seen how the new state lawmakers will respond legislatively to these dynamics, the 2020 elections suggest a variety of new voices will try to be heard. And they all have the same amount of time to show their constituents what they can do in office before the campaigning begins anew in 2022. That will give Democrats like Brouk plenty of time to prove what a difference they can make in the halls of state power. I am focused on ensuring that all voices are heard and represented, Brouk told City & State of her top priority in office. That means consistently reaching out and building trust across the vast district, in urban, suburban and rural communities. The social media application logo from Parler displayed on a smartphone in Arlington, Va., on July 2, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Parler Is Silenced Commentary The social media company Parlerwhich is a French word meaning to speakwas mugged and left for dead by Big Tech last week in what appears to be the start of a cultural offensive aimed at stifling conservative advocacy in our countrys public discourse. I am shocked but not surprised. In my last column in these pages, I warned of a looming and authoritarian corporatocracy that threatened to stifle freedom in a way that our government never could. Little did I know that within a week of writing, behemoth social media companies would prove my words prophetic. Heres the story: After the godawful Capitol Hill riot of Jan. 6, Twitter and Facebook launched a cyber jack-booted clampdown on conservative advocacy. Not only did the social media giants cancel President Donald Trumps accounts, but Twitter appears to have launched a great purge. Washington Examiner columnist Byron York, actor and conservative icon James Woods, and Fox News pundit Brit Hume, among many others, announced that they had each lost tens of thousands of followers on Twitter in just a few days. Similarly, less famous voices reported the loss of hundreds of followers. Whatever is going onTwitter hasnt saidthe company seems hellbent on stifling conservatives ability to communicate across the width and breadth of the social media public square. Attacking a Competitor The subsequent attack on Parler was even more egregious. Parler is a direct competitor of Twitter and operates in almost the exact manner; members post their thoughts or news articles, with followers able to comment and add the original posts to their own timelines. Parler differs from Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms in one important respect: It still follows the original concept of social media by allowing people to post without fact-checking or political interference. Because many conservatives reasonably believe that Twitter and Facebook moderate their platforms with a heavy leftwing bias, Parler came to be perceived on both the left and right as the conservatives Twitter (although the company has never so described itself). Indeed, many prominent conservative public intellectuals and influencers publicly moved their primary social media focus to Parler in recent months, inviting their supporters to follow. In a sense, this was in keeping with the libertarian response to Twitter/Facebooks liberal bias: These are private companies, the argument goes. If conservatives dont want to be censored, start a conservative social media platform where you can post freely. So much for that idea. At the same time that Twitter was clamping down on conservative accounts, Google, Apple, and Amazon acted simultaneously to drive Parler out of business. First, both Googlewhich services Android and other devicesand Apple removed Parlers app from their online stores, declaring that the company would be blackballed until Parler moderated posts. That wounded but didnt kill Parler because its customers could still access the site on the companys website. Then Amazonwhich hosted the companys cloud servicesannounced that supposedly violent content on Parlers site violated its terms of service and canceled its contracts with the company. As things now stand, Parler is offline, meaning its dead as a social media company unless it can find alternative web hosting services. John Matze, Parler CEO, told Maria Bartiromo on Morning Futures that his companys experience demonstrates that Big Tech has the power to destroy anybody. Hes right. Businesses, nonprofit groups, and individuals all depend on websites, email, social media, and the like to fully engage in modern life. And those tools are almost wholly controlled by Big Tech. Liberty Crisis Its a real predicament. Speech is being significantly constrained by these companies for distinctly ideological reasons. But since the government isnt doing it, the First Amendment isnt infringed. Google, Apple, and Amazon would seem to be violating anti-trust laws. But its doubtful that the Biden administration will act against companies that are its great supporters. Parler can always sue, and indeed, has announced its intention to seek legal redress. But the defendants are the richest and most powerful enterprises in the world, with enough clout and money to bankrupt the upstart company in motions and dilatory litigation tactics. In any event, such a case will take years. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has called for a racketeering investigation. Good luck with that. Democrats are now in complete control of Congress. I doubt the likes of Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the head of the House Judiciary Committee, will even hold a hearing. Conservatives could always try to shame the behemoth social media companies by calling them out publicly. But Big Tech is beyond shame. Besides, mass shaming requires the mainstream media to drive the story. How likely is that to happen? Indeed, many minions in the MSM are allies of Big Tech and are openly cheering. What about a boycott? Given the centrality of these companies, that would be hard to do. Besides, Big Tech has made it very clear that its willing to lose profits in the great cause of woke. It wont stop with social media censorship. I expect these behemoths to soon move against controversial industries, just as they did Parler. For example, if internet cloud companies refused to do business with the gun industry, it could drive manufacturers and sellers out of businessaccomplishing a progressive agenda dream without violating the Second Amendment. We suddenly face one of the most profound liberty crises in our countrys history, in some ways made more intractable because it emanates from the private sector instead of government. Freedom requires comity. Social harmony depends on everyone believing they have a fair shake. Stifling speech will not eliminate conservative perspectives. Stomping liberal-disfavored industries or organizations will not convince those who hold such views that they are wrong, but rather, persuade them that they no longer have a stake in the great American experiment. This is literally playing with fire. As history teaches, desperate people do desperate things. Heres hoping Twitter, Amazon, Facebook, and the rest gain wisdom commensurate with their power and reverse course before its too late. Award-winning author Wesley J. Smith is chairman of the Discovery Institutes Center on Human Exceptionalism. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14 last year. January 14 will mark seven months of his demise. However, the case of his death is yet to be solved, reminds actor Shekhar Suman. "Every 14th of the month is a grim reminder that one more month has gone and we are still awaiting justice on Sushant's front. June 14th - jan14th," Shekhar Suman tweeted on Sunday along with the hashtag #JusticeForSushantSinghRajput. The actor has been constantly vocal on social media seeking justice for Sushant, a case which is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On January 1, Suman had tweeted: "I wish to also start the new year by hoping that Sushant gets justice as fast as possible." Meanwhile, Sushant's family lawyer Vikas Singh appeared for a hearing by the Bombay High Court last week in the case filed by the deceased actor's sisters, against an FIR filed by his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty. The advocate tweeted saying he is hopeful that the FIR registered by Rhea will be quashed. How does drowning happen and to whom? Why didnt anyone hear that five-year-olds cry for help? How do you spot someone in trouble? And how proficient should Australian children be in the water? In Australia, about 40 per cent of drownings occur in summer. Between December 1 and 19, 15 people fatally drowned, and Royal Life Saving Australia chief executive Justin Scarr feared this would be a summer like no other. After a year bunkered down at home, Australians will flock en masse to swim, boat, fish, picnic at beaches, rivers and lakes, Scarr said. Crowds will force people further from safety to places without lifeguards. About 320,000 people die from drowning every year, including an average of 283 in Australia, according to the World Health Organisation. When drowning experts reviewed a video showing the boy floating face down for several minutes, they were shocked. It was nearly impossible to watch, even for people whose work is saving people from drowning. But the unconscious boy was resuscitated and survived. Unlike many non-fatal drownings, he suffered no lifelong injuries. It took more than four minutes for anyone to notice the five-year-old boy who appeared to have drowned in a small pool within touching distance of families and other children. In half the videos studied by experts, bystanders swam, walked or waded near the person in trouble. In the video of the boy, he is seen trying to reach the edge of the pool. He makes it momentarily, only to drop in exhaustion next to adults chatting in the shallows. Face down beneath the water, his limp and unconscious body is carried by the movement of the water across the pool. He comes to rest next to a woman who raises the alarm. In November, a video went viral that captured the recovery of a 24-year-old Chinese student who fell in a river. She made no noise, and floated face down until she was rescued by 61-year-old Stephen Ellison, a British diplomat and consul-general. "There was a clear debunking of that theory," says Dr Shayne Baker, a lifesaver who has pulled hundreds of people out of the water in his 25 years of volunteering on some of Queensland's most dangerous beaches. Because he didnt call for help. Contrary to the Hollywood stereotype, nobody in any of the 23 videos reviewed by international experts waved or called for help. (The videos had been sourced from closed circuit cameras and from people who had realised they had filmed a drowning only after the event.) That backs up what lifesavers see on beaches and in pools and rivers. Housework inside the home ironing and cooking were contributing causes in about 125 deaths (about 28 per cent). Hanging out washing and other outdoor jobs and chores contributed to 13 per cent, and talking, socialising and playing with mobile phones about 21 per cent, found a paper by the University of NSW, James Cook University and Royal Life Saving Society Australia. (Peden says this provides an excellent reason to ignore the chores and play with your kids instead.) Peden studied the drowning deaths of 447 children under five in which coroners ruled distraction was a factor. A child can die in the time it takes to hang out a load of washing or stir food on the stove. In the case of the boy in the video, his mother had left the pool to have a sauna with a friend, presuming he would be safe surrounded by adults and children. Not only is drowning a silent killer, but it can happen quickly, found drowning prevention expert Dr Amy Peden, a lecturer in injury prevention at the University of NSW. "The idea that you are going to get a clear sound, or indications, such as raising arms above the water, is wrong," says Baker, who is also Royal Life Saving Australia's education and training national adviser. Other videos show people swimming laps over the top of people who have sunk after only a few strokes, and children whose flotation devices have capsized, trapping the child upside down beneath the water in both a pool and a large bath. "It is bizarre," says Baker, who participated in the study . "When you are watching the videos, you think, how can you not see this child is not coping? They are not playing; they are fighting for their lives." Baker says when weak swimmers begin to tire, they usually have trouble with any over-arm action. This is followed by changing to underwater arm action and then they are more upright in the water and are looking about for the closest point of safety or exit. He says they tend to lose any capacity to propel themselves forward. They often look like they are attempting to climb an underwater ladder or pushing their arms down behind them. You have a small window of time to respond and assist or retrieve them from the water. Baker says the videos show that people who are trained to respond lifesavers and lifeguards are able to spot someone in trouble much faster than untrained bystanders. In more than half of the videos, bystanders failed to recognise any signs at all. Until the advent of mobile phone and surveillance cameras, there was only anecdotal evidence from survivors of non-fatal drownings about what happened and how they reacted. But the videos of people drowning found 19 were rescued before they became unconscious and five were unconscious. Australias former surgeon general Professor John Pearn, a pediatrician, describes drowning as a hypoxic march of events that reduce oxygen to the brain until none flows at all. While there might be great deal of arm action, it is not guiding or directing them in any particular direction. They have already begun to drown and need an urgent response and intervention to minimise the drowning cycle, says Baker. Someone who cant swim will struggle to lift their head clear of the water to breathe and will have no control or capacity to control their body position/rotation. Most swimmers don't have the experience or skills to know to float and raise an arm. It sounds obvious, but watch for people whose faces drop below the water and don't surface fully to take a breath. With this person, you know you have a small window of time to respond and assist or retrieve them from the water. When someone falls into water, they involuntarily hold their breath. That causes their pulse rate and blood pressure to rise until they reach "break point," says Pearn, who is also the national medical adviser to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia. Thats when rising levels of carbon dioxide cause a receptor in the brain to fire off an irresistible compulsion to take a breath, says Pearn. Virtually all children, though, have a brain-sparing diving reflex that delays the intake of breath to provide them with an extra 30 seconds. There comes a time, though, when everyone has to take a breath and you can't get your head above the water, says Pearn. "It is a terrible moment," he says. "Against one's will, one has to inhale, and the water hits the larynx at the back of the throat." It takes an average of two minutes for someone drowning to become unconscious. Think of what it is like to have a drop of water go down the wrong way, he says. In a drowning situation, water rushes into the lungs, causing the person to become unconscious. "At this stage, the heart is still beating, racing to overcome the lack of oxygen, up to about 200 beats a minute," he says. "Finally, the heart will slow down, because it hasn't got any oxygen. Usually they've been unconscious for three to five minutes in the water." It takes an average of two minutes for someone drowning to become unconscious. Thats about the same time as it takes to brush your teeth (properly). Would holding your breath delay this response? It may but even if you could, you shouldn't. Most people can hold their breath for only 30 to 60 seconds. Female Japanese divers can last two minutes long enough to retrieve pearls. Although schools once had competitions to see who could hold their breath longest, experts recommend against hyperventilating or breath holding before or during an endurance underwater swim. It can disable the safety receptor and cause some people to lose consciousness. Or, as Pearn describes it, if the drive to breathe is lost, unconsciousness from cerebral hypoxia may occur before the hypoxia-induced breakpoint is reached. Who drowns and where? Men. Four out of five people who fatally drown in Australia are male, with similar figures in most developed nations. The proportion of men who drown compared to women hasn't varied much since 1894, when the Royal Life Saving Society Australia began keeping records. In the past decade, 2188 men have fatally drowned. Men represent 90 per cent of all fatal drownings among people aged 25 to 44. Research by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia found 40 per cent of the men who fatally drowned in the past decade had drugs or alcohol in their systems. Of the men who had been drinking, two-thirds were above 0.05. Men who fell by accident or jumped into water off rocks, bridges or river banks and subsequently fatally drowned were far more likely to have been drinking than others. Matt Naysmith was known for being a party boy or, as he says, for making stupid decisions and taking risks when he had been drinking. His worst decision was when, as a 21-year-old drinking with workmates at Fern Pool in Karijini National Park, Western Australia, he ignored signs that said no climbing and jumped off a waterfall. He slipped and crashed onto rocks. He is now a paraplegic. Why do men drown at a much higher rate? Peden says men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour, theyre more likely to spend a longer time in deeper water compared to females, more likely to drink and swim, and eschew lifejackets. Other research has shown men overestimate their swimming abilities, and their assessment of their skill doesnt match reality. Young men are also most at risk of getting caught and drowning in a rip current, says Surf Life Saving Australia. In the past 12 years, rip currents have claimed 230 lives; half were males aged between 15 and 39. Shayne Baker often asks people about to venture across Tallebudgera Creek, where it meets the ocean at Burleigh Heads in Queensland, whether they are strong swimmers. The tidal waterway looks inviting, yet rips and strong currents have been known to carry swimmers onto rocks and out to sea. Many will say "yes". Baker will then ask "so you swim an average of 12 kilometres to 16 kilometres a week, right?" Uh, no. His definition of a strong swimmer is very different from that of most people who may swim for fun in pools and at the beach. Falling into water is also a great risk for children. Over 2019-20, 12 children under the age of five fatally drowned, representing about 5 per cent of total drownings (and a fall of 52 per cent compared to the 10-year average). Of those deaths, most were toddlers about one year of age. People (nearly all male) aged 25 to 34 represented the largest group of drowning deaths (17 per cent) followed by 35- to 44-year-olds at 14 per cent and 65- to 74-year-olds at 14 per cent. Compared to the 45 fatalities that occurred on beaches over the previous year, nearly twice as many died on inland waterways including lakes, dams, rivers and creeks. Fishing on rocks without a lifejacket also causes around 26 deaths each year. In contrast, 28 people fatally drowned in pools. Isn't all drowning fatal? The definition of drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion and/or immersion in liquid, according to the World Health Organisation. Some submersion results in death but many other people experience a non-fatal drowning that may result in lifelong injuries. In addition to the 248 fatal drownings in 2020, there were an estimated 504 non-fatal drownings, many resulting in lifelong injuries. For every Australian child under five who fatally drowns, about eight survive but many have brain injury, paralysis and other serious problems, found Australian research published in the medical journal BMJ Open. Michelle O's (full name withheld) three-year-old daughter was found unconscious in a cold pool, where she had been for an estimated 15 minutes. Nobody thought the little girl would survive. Organ donation staff were on standby. The girl lived but lost her ability to speak, which she recovered after years of work with her mother, physiotherapists and doctors. She still struggles to follow directions because the non-fatal drowning damaged her frontal lobe. Mrs O prefers the term "non-fatal" to the outdated "near" drowning previously used. "There was nothing 'near' about the change in our life," she says. "She was in the water unconscious for up to 15 minutes. Her lungs were full of water." Samuel Morris was a "happy cuddly little two-year-old" who lived for eight years after he non-fatally drowned in his family's backyard pool in 2006. He experienced a severe hypoxic brain injury and was left with a range of severe disabilities. "I will never, no matter how hard I try, get the picture out of my head how my son was," Samuel's mother, Jo-Ann, wrote on her website about the moment when she found Samuel floating in the pool wearing only his T-shirt and nappy. "The look, the taste, the smells, the sounds or the feeling will be with me forever." Who survives drowning? Survival depends on how long a person has been in the water and how long it takes before someone starts cardiac-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If chest compressions happen within five minutes, you will do better, says emergency retrieval doctor Brian Burns. The longer that [blood] doesnt flow to the brain, the worse you will do. Only 25 per cent of Australians have learned CPR, compared to countries such as Norway, where 85 per cent of adults know CPR. In Australia, most courses are run by the Australian Red Cross, St John Ambulance Australia and Royal Life Saving Australia. Survival also depends on where you are and your proximity to emergency services. In remote and rural areas where young men may get into trouble in a dam or creek, it can take too long to get help. By the time they get help to start resuscitation, it is usually too late, Pearn said. A study by Pearn reviewed 250 toddlers rescued from backyard pools with no pulse. To find why some children were resuscitated and survived and why others died, they attained estimates of how long a child could have been in the water. Those children who fatally drowned had been immersed for "somewhere between five to 10 minutes". "If we can rescue a person and get oxygen into the bloodstream again via the lungs, the brain and the heart are resilient and normal life can be resumed. "If a young child, apparently dead, is fished out of a backyard pool, a fish pond or irrigation channel [close to ambulance, or near someone who can do CPR], for example, the chance of getting a save is 50 per cent [on average], which is very good. " But if the person on the scene usually one of hysteria, shouting and crying who attempts resuscitation happens to have done a first aid course, the chance of that child surviving rises to 70 per cent. Its a wonderful thing, he says of CPR. Experts stress all kids should know how to swim, but fewer have been turning up to lessons, even before COVID. Credit:Newsday What can you do and how well should a child be able to swim? Do a first aid course, learn water-safety techniques, including how to recognise someone in trouble and call for help, teach your children to swim, and swim only at patrolled beaches, waterways and pools. Every Australian six-year-old should be able to move continuously in water for five metres, says Justin Scarr of new swimming benchmarks released early in 2020. If you have a six-year-old, and your child cant swim continuously for five metres, you need to think about doing something about it quickly, urges Scarr, who worked with Surf Life Saving Australia and other organisations to develop the nationally approved guidelines. He says being able to swim five metres no matter how means a child can probably make it to the side of a pool or its stairs if he or she gets into trouble. At that age, each child should also know how to float and identify people in trouble in the water who need help. The swimming and water safety framework was developed after research identified a huge boom in swim lessons for children aged two to four years old. But by age eight, the research found, three out of four children had quit swimming classes long before theyd learnt skills that could save their lives. Non-swimming children become non-swimming adults, and that is a ticking time bomb. Even before COVID, experts warned that Australian swimming skills were falling early school years was often when parents pulled their children out of swimming lessons to participate in other sports or to enjoy weekend birthday parties. During the height of the pandemic, participation in swimming lessons fell further. Without lessons in primary school, most children will never meet the benchmarks that recommend every 12-year-old should be able to swim 50 metres, float for two minutes and know how to respond to an emergency. If a seven-, eight- or nine-year-old child cant yet swim 50 metres and tread water for two minutes, they should be in swimming and water-safety lessons, says Scarr. Non-swimming children become non-swimming adults, and that is a ticking time bomb. Experts urge that parents check that swimming lessons include water safety skills. For example, every child of six should know how to identify people and actions to help in an aquatic emergency. Every 12-year-old should know how to rescue a person using a non-swimming rescue with a non-rigid aid such as throwing a rope or a buoy. They should also know how to perform a survival sequence wearing light clothes. By 17, the guidelines recommend, half of all Australians should be able to swim continuously for 400 metres and float for five minutes; they should also be able to signal for help, rescue an unconscious person in deep water, and perform a survival sequence wearing heavy clothing. Basic swimming skills provide some protection from drowning but not immunity, says Scarr. To increase protection, we need our young people to develop lifesaving and basic rescue skills. This was a rite of passage in high school but sadly doesnt happen often enough any more. There has also been a spike in bystander rescues, resulting in the death of both the person attempting the rescue and the person drowning. Scarr says before attempting a rescue, people need to explore all options (to talk, to reach, to throw or to call help). A swimming rescue is a last resort and should only be attempted by expert swimmers and lifesavers. Even strong swimmers should take a flotation aid, a rescue tube, a surfboard, or even an Esky lid will help in an emergency. As difficult as it is to watch a child or loved one in trouble, if you dont have expert swimming skills, you really need to find someone who has. "It is really why weak swimmers should never swim or wading at unpatrolled locations. Choose a council pool, go to a patrolled beach, even wear (or put your child in) a lifejacket if you are unsure of their swimming skills, he says. Julie Power has been awarded several fellowships by the World Health Organisation in conjunction with the International Centre for Journalists to attend world conferences on drowning and injury prevention. For more information, go to the Beach Safe website. A Cumberland County grand jury has indicted two men on murder charges in the May drive-by shooting death following a dispute at a house party in Vineland. Sharay Palmer, 24, and Wayne E. Broughton, 30, both of Vineland, are accused in the May 24 killing of Travis Douglas, 31, of Randallstown, Maryland. Palmer and Douglas had been involved in an earlier verbal altercation at a house party in Vineland, according to affidavits. Palmer left the party before Douglas and phone records indicate he contacted Broughton twice in the half hour prior to the shooting, which occurred around 3 a.m., police said. The victim was traveling in a car on West Chestnut Avenue in Vineland when a second vehicle pulled alongside and a gunman opened fire. Douglas was struck multiple times and died of his injuries at a hospital. A second man in the vehicle was wounded but survived, while a third occupant was not injured. Authorities allege Palmer opened fire on the victims vehicle as Broughton drove. Video surveillance from multiple locations helped tie the defendants to the crime, according to affidavits. Both men were charged in June but remained at large until Palmer was arrested July 11 in California and Broughton was arrested at a Millville apartment a month later. Palmer and Broughton were each indicted on six counts last week, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and assault charges. Broughton was also indicted on a charge of tampering with physical evidence for allegedly getting rid of the vehicle used in the crime. In addition to these charges, Broughton was indicted on several charges relating to discoveries made when he was arrested Aug. 14 on the homicide warrant. A search warrant turned up cocaine, heroin, marijuana, pills and a .22-caliber handgun. An 11-count indictment in that case includes drug possession and distribution charges, along with weapons charges, including possession of a weapon by a convicted person. Both men remain in Cumberland County Jail pending trial. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. SINCE Donald Trump has amply demonstrated, not just this week but over most of the past four years, that he is unfit to be President of the United States, it seems rather late in the day to be trying to force him out of the Oval Office when he is due to leave it in ten days anyway. Admittedly, it was irresponsible and probably criminal for him to incite his rabble of supporters to assault the Capitol and terrorise elected Congressmen and women, causing five deaths, in a forlorn bid to halt ratification of his defeat in the Presidential election. But there are other ways to pursue those offences - and they certainly should be pursued by the proper legal authorities. As for his fitness for office, I wrote here two months ago: If anyone needed proof that Donald Trump was wholly unsuited to be President of the United States, this election has provided it. His peevish inaccurate Twitter claims about a rigged and fraudulent contest, supported by no evidence at all, are unworthy of any occupant of the White House, and the encouragement he has given to his supporters to take action on the streets is a disgrace to his office. In fact, the headlines on a number of columns I have written over the past year show that his craziness after losing the election should have come as no surprise: Trumps Lies and Follies Exposed, Fear of Trump the Wannabe Despot, The Moment I Knew Trump is Insane, The Manic Desperation of Donald Trump, and so on. So why wait until now to do something about a man who is clearly, as a CNN presenter put it the other day, a nutter? It is truly alarming to think that this narcissistic, mentally unstable man has had his finger on the nuclear button since 2016. And it isnt enough to assume that getting rid of Trump will solve Americas problems, because 70 million of his fellow citizens an astounding number, more than the entire population of the British Isles - voted for him as their leader in a free election. If the Republicans are to offer themselves to future electors as an ethical party with a high sense of public duty, they must surely cut their links with Trump immediately. There should be a public inquiry into Wednesdays assault on the Capitol, which is both the symbolic and actual heart of American democracy, the place where the peoples elected representatives meet to make the countrys laws. The attack raises a number of disturbing issues. How could the Capitol be so easily invaded? Surely there was a plan in place for a terrorist attack and if not, why not? And if there was, why wasnt it activated before the rabble took over the Senate chamber? An even more worrying fact is that the sluggish response of the police to this episode is in sharp contrast with the way they handled the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Only 52 white men and women were arrested on Wednesday, compared with the 427 blacks who were detained in the capital last June, not to mention the much greater violence shown towards the black protesters. The charge of double standards seems apposite, suggesting that prejudice against non-white Americans are still a major problem in the police. If a black leader had urged his followers to march on the Capitol, with the aim of subverting democratic debate and resulting in serious damage and deaths, we may be sure that he would be in jail by now. Assange judge must stay firm l HAVING written last week about Julian Assange, I was naturally pleased (and a little surprised) that a judge refused a bid by the United States to have him extradited for espionage. The judgement will be appealed by the Americans, which makes me still a shade nervous about his fate. The judge didnt deal with the press freedom arguments I raised last week. She seemed to accept the CIAs case that he had materially assisted the former soldier, Chelsea Manning, to hack into government computers - which would be enough to get him a sentence of up to 175 years in jail if an American court were to agree. But she refused the extradition request on the grounds that he was medically unfit to be incarcerated in the kind of high security prison the US reserves for people who are perceived as threats to their national security. I am fearful that the CIA will come back with promises to treat him gently and that the court might believe them. When Abu Hamza was extradited, the US government gave an assurance to the court that he would not be detained in the dreaded Colorado ADX Supermax prison. But in fact he has been held there for the past five years. A US attorney has testified that most inmates spend all day, almost every day, completely alone for years at a time, with phone calls limited to one a month and family visits all but impossible. The judge was right to fear that Assange, whose psychiatric condition is fragile, to say the least, would die in such conditions. We can only hope that the judge keeps her nerve and rejects any soft soap from the CIA. As I said last week, Assange hasnt killed anyone unlike the wife a US intelligence officer, who ran down a British young man on a motor-bike. Not to mention the many thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians who were killed by the American invaders and whose deaths were kept from the American people until Assange exposed them. Nor the dozens of prisoners rounded up for torture at Guantanamo Bay and then held for several years, even when they were found to be innocent. Who is the real criminal: the person who commits the war crimes or the one who reveals them? KLara, the champions champion KLARA Kasparova, mother of the former world chess champion, has died in Moscow at the age of 83. She was a strikingly attractive and highly intelligent woman. I met her in Baku in Azerbaijan when I was helping Garry to write his autobiography, Child of Change. She had been an engineer, running a laboratory that designed drilling machines. Widowed from her Jewish husband, she devoted the rest of her life to encouraging her son to become the greatest chess player the world has ever seen. Without her lifelong inspiration I doubt if Garry alone could have won the many battles he fought to reach the world title. These battles included the racial prejudice he suffered as half-Armenian and half-Jewish from the Soviet chess authorities, who would have preferred the more Slavic Anatoly Karpov to be their champion and put every kind of obstruction in Kasparovs way. Klara merits her own honoured place in the history of chess alongside her son. At 99, Prince Philip is enjoying his life away from the spotlight after over 70 years of work as a senior royal in the British royal family. Though the prince is a pillar in the royal family, hes had his fair share of missteps and shocking comments over the decades. In the 1960s, he humiliated the queen by publicly revealing the monarchy was going broke. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | Yui Mok WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Philip resented his royal duties and struggled to adjust When Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952 following her father, King George VIs unexpected death, her life, and marriage to Prince Philip changed forever. The prince had to give up his career in the Royal Navy and take a step back to push his wife to the forefront. He struggled a great deal with his new role. The prince was so unhappy with the new role that during the first year of Queen Elizabeths reign he became terribly ill. He came down with a severe case of jaundicea condition often linked with stress and depressionand spent three agonizing weeks in a dark room trying to recover, royal author Bryan Kozlowski writes in his book Long Live the Queen! 13 Rules for Living from Britains Longest Reigning Monarch, via Marie Claire. RELATED: Prince Philip Has Angry Obscenity-Filled Outburst, Shouts Get Off My Land! Prince Philip doesnt have a filter Though he eventually settled into his royal duties and has remained by the queens side for over 70 years, the duke never toned down his personality. In fact, he continued to make brash statements and put his foot in his mouth as the years pressed on. During a 2013 discussion with activist Malala Yousafzai about the importance of education, Town & Country reported Prince Philip saying, People want children to go to school to get them out of the house. More than that, the Duke of Edinburgh has little patience for things that hes uninterested in. Hes been known to walk away from people mid-conversation if he finds the topic dull. On Pod Save the Queen, royal reporter Ingrid Seward said via Express, If someone interests him, hes extremely chatty and nice to them and if someone bores him he walks away. He doesnt suffer fools and hes never made any pretense. I think probably in the very early years of his marriage he was a little easier, but hes never made a pretense of what he finds stultifyingly boring. Prince Philip once humiliated Queen Elizabeth II by revealing the royal family was going broke Though Prince Philip is very traditional and has adhered to the royal rules, he once humiliated the queen by revealing that the royals were going broke. In 1969 the prince traveled to America by himself. At the time, the royals seemed to be obsessed with being more visible and approachable. In his book, The Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth II via Express, royal author Ben Pimlott wrote, Cynics detected [a] motive behind Buckingham Palaces sudden interest in raising the monarchs public profile: money. During an interview with NBCs Meet the Press, Prince Philip revealed that the monarchy actually was going broke. We go into the red next year, now, inevitably if nothing happens we shall have to I dont know, we may have to move into smaller premises, he said. For instance, we had a small yacht which we had to sell, and I shall have to give up polo fairly soon While the duke was telling the truth it alarmed royal fans, Buckingham Palace and Queen Elizabeth. Prince Philips remarks ensured bombshell headlines: complaints from a rich man about having to give up luxuries like yachts and polo made the worst possible public impression, Royal author Sarah Bradford wrote in her book, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Our Times via Express. Partner with us for Press release distribution and get best in class service, guaranteed postings on tier 1 media and maximum reach The health service in Northern Ireland was inching closer to collapse last night as the number of seriously ill Covid-19 patients was predicted to double within days. As Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals struggled to cope yesterday, the Western Trust stepped in to help ease the pressure on the buckling system by offering to accept patients from the Southern Trust. In response to an expected surge in patient numbers, the Western Trust appealed to all staff available to work to make their way to the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). A social media post said: "Due to increasing pressures on the healthcare system regionally this evening, the SWAH will be accepting patient diverts. We would appeal to any off-duty staff who can come in this evening to help facilitate this to please make contact with the hospital or go directly to the hospital." It came just hours after the chief executives of the six health trusts issued a statement warning the service is close to breaking point. It said: "Although different parts of the country are in different stages of the third Covid-19 surge, and individual hospitals are reflecting this, the situation is very serious with modelling projections indicating that in the third week in January we will be trying to contend with double the number of Covid positive patients compared to the current position today, when several hospitals already have record numbers of patients. "This is not a simple matter of putting up more beds. We need the staff to care for the increased number of patients. Pre-existing staffing pressures and staff absence because of Covid, and other reasons, mean that those staff simply aren't there." A further 1,112 new cases were announced yesterday, with 17 more deaths. Meanwhile, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, a member of the Stormont health committee, has written to Queen's University in Belfast after it emerged it has chartered flights into Northern Ireland from China at the height of the current surge. Read More She said: "At a time when the universities have been asked by the Northern Ireland Executive to provide lessons online where possible, it seems to defy logic that Queen's University is actually increasing the student population. Expand Close Answers: MLA Paula Bradshaw has written to QUB over its flights into NI from China / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Answers: MLA Paula Bradshaw has written to QUB over its flights into NI from China "At the very moment we are considering how to restrict people coming into Northern Ireland, to address worrying levels of community transmission, it seems to set a bad example. I await a response from Queen's University." A spokeswoman from the university said it has put in place a range of safety measures, including returning students providing evidence of a negative test before travel, transport to accommodation and a requirement to self-isolate. "All students are asked to take part in the asymptomatic testing programme upon their return to campus," she said. "Given the difficulty of travelling and limited availability of flights, this may be the only opportunity for these students to travel to Belfast to complete their studies. Although not currently possible in most cases, many courses require students to complete practical work/assessments before the end of the academic year that cannot be done remotely." The Army rapidly erected a seven-foot, nonscalable fence around the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday morning. It was less than 24 hours after a large throng of pro-Donald Trump insurrectionists had stormed the building with the goal of stopping Americas suddenly not-peaceful transfer of power to a new president, and it thus brought a powerful new meaning to the old idiom about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted that horse being our faith in democracy. The fence wasnt just a day late and a few bloated Pentagon dollars short of stopping what amounted to the first-ever attempted coup in U.S. history, but it also didnt come soon enough to erase some of the more troubling images from Wednesdays unforgettable chaos. Those scenes raised new questions not just about the roots of the insurrection but also the extent of its actual support from within American law enforcement, which is still under fire from 2020s racial reckoning. Even as the insurrection was still underway, videos emerged showing that a ridiculously undermanned U.S. Capitol Police force was woefully unprepared at best and that at worst at least some of its officers were sympathetic to a mob sacking the seat of American governance theyd sworn a vow to defend. After hundreds of the large pro-Trump throng fairly easily overwhelmed small gaggles of cops not dressed in riot gear and unable to defend small, easy-to-push-aside metal barricades, some subsequent pictures from inside the maelstrom simply do not add up. There was, of course, the one still-unidentified officer who took a selfie with a rioter. Another video showed a half-dozen underequipped officers lining a hallway at the Capitol entrance and doing nothing as dozens of insurrectionists, some armed, barreled past them. One member of the mob said an officer actually provided directions to the office of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, while according to another report Sunday from an admittedly unlikely source (the celebrity-focused TMZ), the FBI also wants to know how rioters found House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office, buried deep in the 19th-century maze of the Capitol, in just a few short minutes. House Majority Whip James Clyburn shared similar concerns that thugs quickly located his own unmarked office, telling an interviewer, Something else is going on here. Meanwhile, a couple of videos from early in the protest appear to show officers waving in the mob most notably the one below: Every one of these apparent episodes or hints of police misconduct must be fully investigated, by the FBI and hopefully by congressional committees. But there are two different and equally important caveats here. The first is that any acts of betrayal happened at the same time that many officers were showing remarkable courage and devotion to their job. The plethora of videos arguably the most documented youll-always-remember-where-you-were-when moment in American history captured dozens of officers who bravely fought to protect the Capitol, but were simply overwhelmed. One striking film showed a bleeding officer, nearly crushed to death and screaming in agony, holding his ground, while another showed a lone Black officer, in a split-second decision, steering a violent cluster away from the main Senate chamber. Flags are at half-mast for a fallen hero Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, also a military veteran, beloved by the staffers on Capitol Hill who knew him who died after a thug hit him with a fire extinguisher. But this my other caveat is the broader fallacy of the way we talk about policing in America, which is that we focus far too much on the individual actors, both the rotten ones and the courageous ones, and not on the deeply flawed system. We willfully ignore that systems roots in 19th-century slave patrols that sprouted into an institution that too often beats down the peaceful dissenters, yet approvingly waves in right-wing lawbreakers, that sees empowerment of Blacks or marginalized groups as the threat theyve sworn to defend against, with a blind spot toward the often violent white supremacy that, frankly, shares a common heritage with their own practices and beliefs. With the trashed Capitol still reeking of tear gas and lit up by flash-bang grenades, a Chicago police union leader said the quiet part out loud. John Catanzara, Fraternal Order of Police chief in the nations third-largest city, defended the insurrectionists as just a bunch of pissed-off people that feel an election was stolen, somehow, some way. That more than a dozen of his fellow members of the thin blue line had been injured, and that one lay dying, didnt compute for the police union boss (who, of course, backtracked after Sicknicks death). For many white police unionists whove fervently backed Trump since 2016, blue lives may matter, but Trumps shared love of white supremacy and his opposition to social protest movements such as Black Lives Matter matters much, much more. The most powerful testimony about what really happened with policing in Washington on this infamous Wednesday came from two Black officers in the Capitol Police who spoke anonymously, which is more than understandable under the heated circumstances with BuzzFeed News about what they witnessed. They said their supervisors had failed to speak in advance of the potential danger even though insurrectionists had been planning openly on social media for weeks and failed to issue vital equipment like gas masks. During the afternoon, they said they were violently assaulted by rioters some of whom carried Blue Lives Matter flags and repeatedly called the N-word, and that several rioters flashed law enforcement badges at them. [One guy] pulled out his badge and he said, Were doing this for you, a Black officer told BuzzFeed. That, and knowing that so many of their white Capitol Police colleagues voted for Trump and the chaos he unleashed, was clearly painful to the officers. If youre going to treat a group of demonstrators for Black Lives Matters one way, then you should treat this group the same goddamn way, the second officer told BuzzFeeds Emmanuel Felton. With this group you were being kind and nice and letting them walk back out. Clearly, there need to be aggressive investigations both into any actual lawbreaking by police officers on Wednesday, but also into the sweeping systemic failures that allowed the previously unthinkable to happen a preventable riot that delayed but thankfully did not deter the certification of our presidential election. The biggest unanswered questions: Were the massive command failures the lack of a protective wall around the Capitol like those erected for less volatile situations, the sheer lack of officers, even with so many different units that were nearby and could have assisted, the absence of riot gear that was so prevalent at Black Lives Matter and other social justice protests simply the result of incompetence, or were these inexplicable leadership actions more willful or even diabolical? Its deeply troubling yet also not surprising that the Pentagon loaded with Trump lackeys for the presidents final days either ignored or slow-walked requests for military aid. Less clear, though, is why the Capitol Police at first turned down outside offers of help. Clearly, there was a deep, systemic failure that led top brass not to see often-armed white supremacists as a threat in the way that Black marchers have historically provoked red alerts. The ousting of the sergeants-at-arms for the House and Senate and the speedy resignation of the head of the Capitol Police is just the tip of this iceberg. READ MORE: Trump told us he would wreck America. Why didnt we believe him the first time? | Will Bunch How many of the insurrectionists were off-duty current or recent law enforcement officers who felt the need to undemocratically install Trump as a protector of police impunity and against a true racial reckoning in America, trumped their sworn oaths to uphold the rule of law. In a stunning report on Sunday, the Washington Post said theres evidence that Wednesdays crowd included two police officers from Seattle who posted on social media from inside the Capitol as well as one from Zelienople, Pa., near Pittsburgh; the police chief of Troy, N.H., and a sheriffs deputy from Texas ... so far. Were any Capitol Police actively engaged in helping Wednesdays rioters, and did any of those actions rise to the level of a crime? The lack of security at the Capitol is not an accident, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat, said in the aftermath. It is very clear to me that there were breaches of our law enforcement agencies. The fact that there were no barriers, that they were essentially allowed in. And again, the discrepancy of what would have happened if these had been peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters. Believe me, they would not have been anywhere near that building. And there would have been a lot of arrests. Shes not kidding. Mother Jones documented some 35 times during the Trump years when more demonstrators were arrested than the paltry 13 rioters taken into custody by Capitol Police while the actual insurrection was underway disability activists literally dragged from their wheelchairs, Jewish rabbis and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who last week became the first Black Democrat elected to the Senate from the Deep South, even Ben and Jerry. The bulk of these arrested were supporting progressive social justice causes antithetical to the white supremacy that corrupts American policing. Its hard to get past the raw, emotional political implications of what we witnessed on Wednesday, but the tragic events should also serve as the exclamation point on the conversation that started when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on George Floyds neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, when we saw how cops had senselessly snuffed the beautiful life of Elijah McClain, or as we chronicled the frequent and flagrant civil rights violations committed by police from Boston and New York all the way to Portland, Ore., when anyone dared protest. Its a system that no matter how many Black and brown officers are hired, under court or public pressures still serves the master that created it, white supremacy, both by squelching dissenters and now, stunningly, by enabling an insurrectionist mob that sees a democratic election as a threat to its racist world view. Yes, we need to impeach President Donald Trump, to banish the inciter-in-chief from future elections, and we need to arrest the felons who invaded the Capitol, but before the tear gas dissipates, we need to jump-start the debate that had nearly faded in the winter chill following the George Floyd protests. Whose side are the police in America actually on, and how do we fix this? What we saw this week wont be repaired by a ban on choke holds or a couple of extra days of mandated training (not that those things arent helpful on some level), but instead by a massive reform of how we keep the public safe. Now that the 2020s are really here with a new president, a new Congress, and a new understanding of how systemic racism has poisoned our body politic, its time to replace our outdated police departments with a new regime built around real public safety. Lets weed out overt racists and replace them with new officers who not only look like the communities they serve but who arrive on Day One seeking to be guardians of the peace and not warrior cops. Train them to respect not only the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters and journalists but the results of democratic elections. Then lets deploy these officers when we need them like, for example, when a violent mob is coming for Congress but send more fitting public servants like mental health professionals or social workers when we dont. Lets make Jan. 6 the start of a long-overdue comeback not just for American democracy but for how we police it. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter Trump Not Resigning, Will Not Leave the Public Stage at All: Gaetz President Donald Trump has no plans to resign and remains the most powerful, most influential Republican, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said late Jan. 10. I spoke with President Trump today. Hes not resigning, and he is not leaving the public stage at all. Donald J. Trump remains the inspirational leader of a loving and patriotic movement. People who believe that Americas best days can still be ahead, people who support law enforcement, and who need to stand together and fight against a radical left-wing agenda that it appears that Joe Biden intends to usher in with unified control over the government, with the House and the Senate, Gaetz said on Fox Report Weekend. President Trump continues to be the most powerful, the most influential Republican on the planet Earth. Its my expectation that while hell be leaving the White House in several days when his term is lawfully complete, he will continue to weigh in on matters that are important to the tens of millions of Americans who voted for him, who believe that this election process that we went through in 2020 still deserves more scrutiny and who expect that there will still be a constituency of people fighting for the America First agenda. Democrats as well as several Republicans have called on Trump to resign. Some are pushing Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to remove Trump via the 25th Amendment, though a source close to Pence told The Epoch Times he doesnt support that proposal. House Democrats are planning to try to impeach Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told colleagues on Jan. 10 that the party will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to a vote. President Donald Trump speaks at the Stop The Steal Rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) walks in a hallway at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 8, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Gaetz said impeachment would be unnecessary and divisive, noting that just nine days remain in Trumps term. Its only being done because Democrats want to keep the focus on President Trump, Gaetz said. You would think that with just nine, 10 days left in the Trump presidency for this term, you would have Democrats eager to focus on what Joe Biden would be bringing to the country, his exciting picks for the Cabinet. But, you see, they have to continue to hold together a very fragile coalition by maintaining the focus on President Trump. Trump has supporters in Congress, but is receiving criticism from a growing number of Republicans. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) on Jan. 10 said the president committed impeachable offenses, and other GOP lawmakers criticized his actions and words last week. But Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) on Jan. 11 said Trumps policies are the future of the Republican Party. I believe that we need to become more of a blue collar party, more of a worker party. We need to still embrace our conservative values, especially our conservative social values. But we need to be a party of unity, we need to be an inclusive party, we need to attract more minorities to the Republican Party, and if were going to grow, were going to have to be a big-tent party, Comer said. But consistent on our conservative ideology and focus on trying to help working Americans, forgotten Americans. Trumps base is the future of the Republican Party. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 10:54:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close File photo taken on Jan. 7, 2021 shows Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives speaking during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States. Pelosi said on Sunday that Democrats are ready to start proceedings to impeach outgoing President Donald Trump for a second time in just over a year. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Sunday that Democrats are ready to start proceedings to impeach outgoing President Donald Trump for a second time in just over a year. In a letter to her colleagues, Pelosi said Democrats will introduce a resolution on Monday urging Vice President Mike Pence to "convene and mobilize the Cabinet to active the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office," after which Pence would immediately exercise powers as acting U.S. president. "We are calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours," the top congressional Democrat wrote. "Next, we will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the Floor." The announcement came as Trump is facing fierce bipartisan criticism for a role in massive demonstrations on Capitol Hill last week that led to at least five deaths and dozens of injuries following a chaotic and violent breach of the historic building when Congress was certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 White House race. Trump addressed a rally outside the White House shortly before the deadly violence unfolded, urging his supporters to march toward the landmark to encourage Republican lawmakers to contest the Electoral College results, as he had refused to acknowledge their legitimacy with unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. House Democrats have announced they plan to bring forward at least one article of impeachment against Trump this week, accusing him of "incitement of insurrection" at the Capitol. Meanwhile, several Republicans have joined Democrats in calling upon the president to resign over the Capitol violence. The U.S. Constitution provides that the House "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" and that "the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments." Through the impeachment process, the U.S. Congress charges and then tries an official of the federal government for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Conviction can only happen in the Senate and requires at least two-thirds of its members, or 67 senators, to vote in favor of at least one article of impeachment after a trial. The chamber could try the impeachment of an official after he or she leaves office, legal experts said. The House, led by Democrats, impeached Trump in December 2019 after an inquiry triggered by a whistleblower complaint that raised concerns about the White House's interactions with Ukraine. The Republican-led Senate later acquitted the president, allowing him to continue holding office. No U.S. president has ever been removed from office via impeachment by Congress, nor has the House impeached any president more than once. On Jan. 7, the U.S. Congress affirmed the 2020 Electoral College votes, in which Biden won 306 versus 232 for Trump. It takes at least 270 electoral votes to win the White House. Biden also won the popular votes by 7 million and more than 4 percentage points. After the congressional certification of Biden's victory, Trump acknowledged defeat and promised to ensure "a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power." Enditem Municipal council elections began in Libya's eastern region on Monday, with voters casting their ballots in the cities of Jalu, Awjila and Jikharra in Al-Wahat district. The head of the Khaled Bin Al-Waleed School polling station Ezzdin Al-Oujali said turnout was good in his district, with 1,695 voters turning up. Voters in the nationwide election are picking from dozens of candidates, including four women and four candidates with special needs. Local elections began in the west of the country about a week ago under the supervision of the UN-backed government of National Accord in Tripoli, while the elections began in the east on Monday in several municipalities under the supervision of the interim government of the Libyan Parliament. To help facilitate the vote, authorities assigned the day as an official holiday. The municipal elections are the first in nearly 7 years in the east of the country. The first ever parliamentary and local democratic elections were held in April 2014 after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. More than 600,000 voters are eligible participate in the nationwide electoral process, according to the Central Committee for Municipal Council Elections in Libya. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) SOUTHGATE, MI A man is accused of killing his wife and hiding her body before filing a missing persons report earlier this month. The body of 31-year-old Amanda Marie Hilton was found in a field near the Southgate apartment where she lived with her husband, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. Ryan Arthur Hilton, 32, is charged with murder, tampering with evidence and felony firearm in the death of his wife. RELATED: Body of woman who went missing on New Years Eve found in field near apartment complex On Jan. 1, Ryan Hilton reported his wife was missing from their apartment in Lacolonade Apartments near Northline Road and Fordline Street in the Metro Detroit suburb, authorities said. He told police she was last seen at their apartment on Dec. 31, 2020. Police believe the Hiltons had a verbal argument on New Years Eve, which ended with the suspect fatally shooting the victim with a shotgun, authorities said. The suspect is accused of then moving the victims body to a field with tall grass and leaving her near a dumpster by their apartment. Southgate Police officers located the victims body and arrested the suspect on Jan. 5, authorities said. Hilton is charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and two counts of felony firearm. READ MORE: Arrests made in one home invasion, another under investigation in Ypsilanti Remains of military pilot killed in F-16 crash in U.P. returned to family 7 teens injured in northern Michigan rollover crash Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The Philippine National Police has released from its custody the nine dismissed cops involved in the shooting incident that left four Army intelligence personnel dead in Jolo, Sulu last June. PNP spokesperson Brigadier Gen. Ildebrandi Usana confirmed this to CNN Philippines on Monday. "Nirelease na po sila from control of the PNP. They are no longer police personnel following their dismissal from the service which is immediately executory. We presume they are back to their family na po," Usana said. [Translation: They were released from the control of the PNP. They are no longer police personnel following their dismissal from the service which is immediately executory. We presume they are back with their families.] The policemen were earlier dismissed from service. In a statement on Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said AFP Chief-of-Staff General Gilbert Gapay is "extremely disappointed" with the release of the policemen. "It is only unfortunate that despite the DOJs filing online of a multiple murder case before the Regional Trial Court in Jolo last January 4, 2021, no warrants of arrest have been issued by the court," the statement read. The Sulu provincial police office initially said the cops claimed self-defense, but later in a Senate investigation, the accused officers admitted they were not sure who fired first between them and the intelligence agents. The National Bureau of Investigation has also filed murder and planting of evidence charges against the cops involved. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "DefinitiveAgreement") dated January 8, 2021 with Fortress Minerals Limited ("Fortress") to sell Fortress a 100% interest in its Malaysian subsidiary, Monument Mengapur Sdn Bhd ("MMSB"), which owns a 100% interest in the Mengapur Copper and Iron Project (the "MengapurProject"). Cathy Zhai, President and CEO of the Company stated upon signing the Definitive Agreement: "I am very pleased to announce the signing of the Definitive Agreement for the Mengapur Project. This is a part of our corporate restructuring that will spin off the base metal project and allow us to focus on the development of our gold portfolios in both Malaysia and Western Australia". Fortress is incorporated in Singapore and listed on the Singapore Exchange (the "SGX-ST") with its principal business in exploration, mining and production. Its primary iron ore operation is carried out in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia, as one of the top iron ore operations within the country. Under the terms of the Definitive Agreement Fortress will, in consideration for the shares of MMSB, pay the Company US$30,000,000 in cash and grant Monument a royalty of 1.25% of gross revenue on all products produced at the Mengapur Project (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to a letter of intent signed on July 29, 2020 in relation to the Transaction, Fortress made a US$3.75 million deposit (the "Deposit") to Monument under escrow to obtain exclusivity in conducting due diligence in respect of the Mengapur Project. The due diligence was completed on December 8, 2020 to Fortress' satisfaction. Upon signing of the Agreements, US$3 million of the Deposit shall be released to Monument from escrow. In addition, Fortress will pay Monument US$5.25 million held under escrow immediately, taking the total escrow balance to US$6 million (the "Further Payment"), which shall be released to Monument with the final payment of US$21 million together upon closing. The Further Payment may be released to Monument prior to closing should Fortress request an earlier start-up of the civil work at the Mengapur site. The Deposit and the Further Payment are only refundable subject to certain conditions in accordance with the terms of the Definitive Agreement. The Transaction is subject to Fortress shareholders' approval, SGX-ST approval, and other conditions set forth in the Definitive Agreement. The closing date is expected to be three months from the date of entering the Definitive Agreement. The proceeds received shall be subject to a finder's fee in the amount of US$600,000. The net proceeds from the Transaction shall be used for corporate and gold projects development. About Monument Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY, FSE: D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that operates the 100% owned Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia. Its experienced management team is committed to growth and is advancing several exploration and development projects including the Mengapur Copper and Iron Project, in Pahang State of Malaysia, and the Murchison Gold Projects comprising Burnakura, Gabanintha and Tuckanarra in the Murchison area of Western Australia. The Company employs approximately 200 people in both regions and is committed to the highest standards of environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities. Cathy Zhai, President and CEO Monument Mining Limited Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.comor contact: Richard Cushing, MMY Vancouver T: +1-604-638-1661 x102 rcushing@monumentmining.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." Forward-Looking Statement This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information about Monument, its business and future plans ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include the Company's plans with respect to its mineral projects and the timing and results of proposed programs and events referred to in this news release. Generally, forward-looking information 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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in the progress and timing of development activities; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements in this news release include: expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration on the Company's projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimated future production; the expected timing and results of development and exploration activities; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR 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 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Duchess of Cornwall has sent thoughtful thank you cards to royal well-wishers who wrote to her at Christmas. Camilla, 73, sent a candid photo of her smiling in the sunshine along with a message that reads: 'Thank you so much for your very kind Christmas message. I send you my warmest wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.' A photo of the card was shared on Instagram by royal fan account katsroyalletters. The Duchess of Cornwall has sent thoughtful thank you cards to royal well-wishers who wrote to her at Christmas. On the front was a photo of the Duchess taken in August 2020 Camilla, 73, sent a candid photo of her smiling in the sunshine along with a message that reads: 'Thank you so much for your very kind Christmas message. I send you my warmest wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.' The image was shared on Instagram by a royal fan Fellow royal fans were impressed with the note, with one commenting: 'Beautiful! Hoping to get mine soon.' Another wrote: 'What a nice reply! Congratulations!' A third added: 'She is amazing!!! Who else sends personaly signed cards/letters to well-wishers????' While the body of the note was typed, the recipient's name was written by hand and the Duchess signed 'with best wishes Camilla' in pen. The photo of the Duchess was taken last August at an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. For the event, Camilla dressed in an elegant cream ensemble complete with an extravagant hat. In the photo the Duchess is seen smiling over her shoulder with a piece of paper in her hand. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have kept a low profile since Christmas. On Saturday the couple joined other senior royals in wishing the Duchess of Cambridge a happy 39th birthday. Former CBS3 anchor Jessica Dean will soon be covering Capitol Hill for CNN. Dean has worked as a correspondent in the cable news networks Washington bureau since the fall of 2018. Shes one of several CNN correspondents wholl be assuming new roles on Jan. 20, when the presidency of Joseph R. Biden begins. She announced her own move on Twitter Monday morning, writing, Im thrilled and honored to be joining our incredible Capitol Hill team. That team will be led by Manu Raju, who was named chief congressional correspondent. Also covering Capitol Hill: Lauren Fox, Ryan Nobles, and Daniella Diaz. Kaitlan Collins will replace Jim Acosta as chief White House correspondent. Acosta announced, also on Twitter, that hes moving into a new role as anchor on weekends and chief domestic correspondent for CNN, a new challenge Im very excited about. Dean spent five years at CBS3. She coanchored the 5, 6, and 11 p.m. newscasts as well as a 10 p.m. newscast on sister station CW Philly 57. Before coming to Philadelphia, she spent two years as an anchor at the NBC affiliate in Little Rock, Ark. . by Nirmala Carvalho The Court suspends the reform to protect workers, setting up a committee to resolve the dispute. Conversely, the Attorney General defends the governments laws, opposed by tens of thousands of farmers. New Delhi (AsiaNews) The Supreme Court of India intervened today in the controversy that pits tens of thousands of small farmers against Indias central government. For weeks, farmers, backed by the Church, have been in the streets to protest against the agrarian reform. The Court has put the reform on hold to protect farmers rights; at the same time, it has set up a committee and ordered the government to comply with the rules, threatening to intervene if this is not followed. Chaired by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, the Court expressed its disappointment at the governments handling of the crisis and at the failure of current talks between farmers unions and the central government. You have made a law without enough consultation resulting in a strike. So you have to resolve the strike, said Chief Justice Bobde. The Supreme Court wants to stay the implementation of the laws, to encourage talks between the parties before an ad hoc committee it has set up. To this end, it asked senior advocate Dushyant Dave, pleading for farmer unions, to discuss the court's views with the unions. Conversely, Attorney General Kottayan Katankot Venugopal said that more than 2,000 farmers entered into contract for selling their produce after these laws were passed and if the court stays the laws, these farmers will incur losses. The government also contends that many other farmer organisations see these laws as beneficial, so that they should be implemented. The Supreme Court has dismissed this view, as well as refused to intervene to get farmers to call off their protests. The court will not pass an order that citizens should not protest, the Court said. We will decide on the laws after the committee files a report, it added. Opposing the stay, Attorney General Venugopal said that the court cannot stay legislation unless the court finds that (1) law is passed without legislative competence, (2) law violates fundamental rights, and (3) law violates other provisions of constitution. In his view, none of this applies to the reform laws. Whenever Jennifer Wises father-in-law used to say that lightning in December meant there would be snow in January, she always thought to herself: That sounds crazy. The same thought crossed her mind when a lighting storm struck Kerrville last month, and her husband repeated his fathers theory, warning, Itll snow next month. Sure enough, it did. Sunday marked the second time in less than two weeks when snow fell across parts of central Texas. Although most of San Antonio saw no more than sleet and flurries that quickly melted away, snow stuck in parts of the Hill Country and blanketed communities near Austin with anywhere from 3 to 6 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Here we are, Wise said Sunday afternoon, with a laugh. It was true. Snowflakes danced across Wises property in Kerrville on Sunday, where she lives with her husband and mother. The dusting melted almost immediately after it touched the ground. Less than two weeks earlier on New Years Eve, between 2 and 3 inches of snow had covered their land, transforming their property into a winter wonderland. Wise, who works as a real estate agent and grew up in Kerrville, cant remember a time when the town saw snowfall so close together. Residents are lucky, she said, if they get snow once a year or every couple of years. It was fun, Wise said. We were out there with little kids in the snow. About 65 miles south of Kerrville, San Antonio only saw a wintry mix of flurries, rain and sleet. The last time San Antonio saw significant snowfall was on Dec. 7, 2017, when a cold front dropped about 2 inches across the city. On Sunday, the Alamo City saw, at most, about one-tenth of an inch of sleet accumulate in some places, said Constantine Pashos, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Communities in eastern Hill Country and toward Austin saw the most of the winter weather. Snowfall ranged from 6 inches in Leander to 4 inches in northeast Roundrock to 3 inches in Burnet, Pashos said. Photos posted to social media showed children beaming with snowballs in their hands. Other families snapped pictures of snowmen theyd built and captured videos of the snow falling quietly in their backyards. The Touchstone family was just close enough at their home near New Braunfels to enjoy it. As soon as it began to fall, Eric Touchstone knew because his 3- and 5-year-old sons promptly began yelling, Its snowing! Its snowing! Its snowing! The family went to the store to buy gloves but didnt have any luck. The boys also waited patiently in hopes that it would start snowing heavily enough to go sledding. To their dismay, it was just a light dusting. So, they improvised, Touchstone said: We were using soup spoons to make snowballs and throw them at each other. marina.riker@express-news.net Sorry! This content is not available in your region North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was given a new title, 'general secretary' of the ruling Workers' Party, a post held by his late father and grandfather, state media reported Monday. The appointment is largely symbolic, apparently aimed at bolstering his authority amid growing economic challenges at home. The party's ongoing congress, the first in kind in five years, announced Kim's new title during its sixth-day session on Sunday. A congress statement said Kim 'has gloriously realized the historic mission to complete the country's nuclear build-up plan,' according to the official Korean Central News Agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends the ruling party congress in Pyongyang, North Korean, Saturday A general view of attendees at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea The party's ongoing congress, the first in kind in five years, announced Kim's new title during its sixth-day session on Sunday It's largely seen as a symbolic move as Kim has already been the party's top leader. During a 2016 party congress, he was named to 'party chairman,' largely the equivalent of 'general secretary' held by his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather 'Kim Il Sung.' Before the 2016 congress, Kim Jong Un had led the party with the title of 'first secretary.' Since taking power in late 2011, Kim has taken up a slew of top posts and established the similar absolute power enjoyed by his predecessors. The two late North Korean leaders have kept posthumous titles - Kim Jong Il remains 'eternal general secretary' and Kim Il Sung is 'eternal president.' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea Attendees take part in the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 11 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea On Sunday, state media said the congress had determined to change the party's 'Executive Policy Council into Secretariat.' The decision would lead to party officials to relinquish the current titles such as chairman and vice chairman and start using old titles such as secretary or vice secretary. The congress is being held as Kim faces what appears to be the toughest moment of his nine-year rule because of multiple blows to his country's already-fragile economy caused by pandemic-related border closings that have drastically reduced external trade, a series of natural disasters and U.S.-led sanctions. During the congress, Kim Jong Un vowed to enlarge his nuclear arsenal and build more sophisticated weapons systems to cope with what he calls intensifying U.S. hostile policy. He also admitted a previous five-year economic development plan failed and disclosed a new development that focuses on building a stronger self-reliant economy. CHANGCHUN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, reported four asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 between midnight Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday, local authorities said. All the four cases returned from Wangkui County, Suihua City in the neighboring Heilongjiang Province, where new cluster infections were spotted. They were discovered during a voluntary COVID-19 testing and have been rushed to designated hospitals. All the tracked close contacts and secondary close contacts of the above-mentioned personnel have been put under centralized medical observation, and the places and medical institutions they visited have been disinfected. The communities they live have tightened management of personnel flow to curb the spread of the virus. China has issued a plan on building the rule of law. The plan to build the rule of law in China (2020-2025), issued by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, states that the rule of law is a hallmark of human civilization's progress, as well as the basic way of governance. It is also an everlasting pursuit of the Party and the Chinese people, it adds. The plan calls for efforts to resolutely adhere to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. It emphasizes that law-based governance in all areas must be elevated to a position that has overall, strategic and fundamental significance, as China embarks on a new quest to fully build a modern socialist country. The plan lays out basic principles for building the rule of law in China, including upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC, following the people-centered philosophy, and focusing on solving problems. The plan states that effective checks and supervision of the exercise of power, full protection for the legitimate rights and interests of the people and the establishment of faith in the rule of law are among the overall objectives. A system of distinctively Chinese socialist rule of law shall take shape by 2025 and be basically formed by 2035, according to the plan. The plan puts forward reform and development measures in a range of areas, including comprehensively implementing the Constitution and putting in place a complete system of laws, an efficient system for law enforcement, a rigorous legal supervision system, a strong system of legal guarantee, and a sound system of intra-Party regulations. It also includes chapters on safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests in accordance with the law, and strengthening the Party's centralized and unified leadership over the initiative to build rule of law in China. As the first special plan for advancing rule by law in the country since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the document is a guiding document for promoting law-based governance in China in the new era and meets the people's new demands and expectations on democracy, rule of law, fairness, justice, security and environment, according to the Office of the Commission for Overall Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee. All localities and departments should formulate implementation plans in light of their actual conditions to ensure that all planned tasks and measures are implemented, it said. Ven at Embassy Row Crescent Hotels & Resorts has added The Ven at Embassy Row to the companys Latitudes collection of lifestyle hotels & resorts. Crescent, based in Fairfax, Virginia is a nationally recognized operator of major hotels and resorts throughout the United States and Canada. The 231 room Ven at Embassy Row, Washington, D.C., a Marriott affiliated Tribute Portfolio Hotel is expected to open in January 2021. Surrounded by Embassy Rows stately mansions, this boutique hotels prime Dupont Circle location is just steps to the Red Line Metro Station, directly connecting guests with the nations capital, notable landmarks, museums and more. The Ven is Scandinavian-inspired with various elements and touchpoints reflective of the Danish and Norwegian concept of hygge; designed to encourage guests comfort, exploration and personal wellbeing. The hotel offers an on-site restaurant Fred & Stilla, a place where both commonalities and differences can be celebrated over morning coffee, afternoon tea or happy-hour cocktails; as well as a rooftop pool and bar. The Ven's unique gift shop, The Exchange, features curated items from local vendors and products from companies that sell ethically sourced goods. As part of the enhanced hygge experience, The Ven offers worldly tea service from local Dupont Circle partner Valley Brook Tea, an essential oils bar for guests to create a personalized scented sachet bag, Rooftop yoga, and a digital light installation with guided meditation transporting guests to the geographic phenomenon of the Northern Lights. These truly unique experiential features are what make The Ven a perfect fit for Crescents lifestyle collection, Latitudes, said Michael George, Crescents CEO. Crescents award-winning operating experience in managing luxury lifestyle properties will help to maximize the experience at this sleek hotel. Powered by one of the most trusted management companies in the industry, and led by innovative, forward-thinking hospitality professionals, Latitudes is a modern management company for todays lifestyle hotels and resorts. Because no two hotels are the same, and no two lines of latitude lead to the same location. For more information, or to book your stay at The Ven at Embassy Row, visit http://www.marriott.com/wastx or call 202-265-1600. About Crescent Hotels & Resorts Crescent Hotels & Resorts is an award winning, nationally recognized, operator of hotels and resorts. Crescent currently operates over 100 hotels & resorts in the United States & Canada. Crescent is one of the few elite management companies approved to operate upper-upscale and luxury hotels under the brand families of Marriott, Hilton & Hyatt. Crescent also operates a collection of lifestyle independent lifestyle hotels and resorts under the Latitudes Collection umbrella. Crescents clients include premiere REITs, private equity firms and major developers. For more information, please visit http://www.crescenthotels.com and http://www.latitudesbycrescent.com or connect with Crescent on LinkedIn. Go ahead to inquiry after numerous delays, the most recent last week. The team of experts will cooperate with Chinese doctors. It is not clear whether the mission will be able to visit Wuhan and meet the doctors who first raised the alarm, only to be censored by the regime. One of them, Ai Fen, reappears after months of being missing with health problems. Beijing (AsiaNews) - Experts from WHO (World Health Organization) will arrive in China on January 14 to launch the international investigation into the origins of Covid-19, the Chinese Health Commission announced today. Beijing has hindered the launch of the mission for months; the last delay came last week, when it emerged that the Chinese government had not yet prepared entry visas. WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had expressed disappointment at the new delays; the Chinese authorities have minimized speaking of a simple "misunderstanding". The decision for an international inquiry into the origins of the pandemic - closely linked with Wuhan, its epicenter - was taken at the WHO assembly (held virtually) last May, and China did not oppose it. However, since then, Beijing has raised several objections, especially regarding the formation of the team of experts. Since the outbreak of the pandemic in late 2019 and early 2020, the WHO has often been accused of covering up for China, accused by many of having lied about the spread of the coronavirus. US President Donald Trump termed Tedros a "puppet" in the hands of Beijing. He was accused of collusion with the Chinese authorities in lying and delaying the declaration on human-to-human transmissibility of the virus, on the declaration of world emergency, accepting that his experts did not go to Wuhan at the beginning of the pandemic. The Chinese health authorities have specified that the WHO team will work in collaboration with local doctors. However, they did not explain whether the mission will go to Wuhan or be allowed to interview the doctors who first raised the alarm about the "strange disease". Ai Fen, head of the emergency department of the Wuhan central hospital, had denounced the situation in mid-December 2019, and was immediately submitted to censorship by the authorities. She shared sensitive information with eight hospital colleagues. Among them was Li Wenliang, the doctor arrested by the police for having issued the alert. Li died of the infection on February 7, followed by three other doctors. After missing for months, Ai lei revealed that she could no longer work. She has not received the necessary treatment to cure an eye from which she can no longer see. There is no news of the other colleagues who also reported the spread of the virus. NASHVILLE The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurances (TDCI) Securities Division is reminding financial service registrants, particularly state-registered investment advisers and intrastate broker-dealers, to report any known issues or concerns related to the recent SolarWinds cybersecurity incident to their primary securities regulator. In December 2020, the federal government reported that SolarWinds, a vendor that provides updating and monitoring software to numerous government agencies and private companies, was the victim of a breach that caused SolarWinds Orion Network Management Products to transmit malware to many of its clients, including federal, state and local governments, as well as other private sector entities. The U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has issued an alert that describes the threat and provides guidance on how to address it. The alert is available here. We are issuing this reminder to raise awareness among state registrants and to provide information and resources to help those affected to recover quickly and protect their clients and colleagues, said TDCI Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Bowling. Any firm with known malicious versions of the SolarWinds Orion software should contact its primary regulator. State-registered investment advisers and intrastate broker-dealers in Tennessee should contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurances Securities Division at 615-741-2947. ### Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : As many as 3,110 more persons tested positive for coronavirus on Monday in Kerala, which has a test positivity rate of 8.81 per cent, Health Minister KK Shailaja's office said. As many as 3,922 corona patients also tested negative in Kerala on Monday, an official release said. Ernakulam reported maximum 443 new cases and Kasargod the least 48 cases. Twenty more COVID-19 deaths took the state's death toll to 3,322. A total of 45 persons who tested positive on Monday have come from outside the state. In all, 2,730 persons tested positive through contact whereas the source of infection in 295 others was not known, the release said. Forty health workers also tested positive on Monday, including eight in Thiruvananthapuram, seven in Ernakulam, six in Palakkad, five in Kozhikode, four in Kannur, two each in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, and Kasargod, and one each in Kottayam and Malappuram. A total of 63,346 patients are undergoing treatment across the state. As many as 1,99,398 persons are under observation in Kerala, including 1,88,616 in home or institutional quarantine and 10,782 in hospitals, the release said. One new hotspot of Upputhura (containment zone 12, 13 wards) took the total to 440 in Kerala. Srinagar, Jan 11 : The Jammu and Kashmir police along with the army and CRPF arrested two terrorist associates of proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) from Awantipora area. The duo was involved in providing shelter, support and logistics to terrorists, besides transporting arms and ammunition of the terrorists in Awantipora and Tral areas of south Kashmir and passing sensitive information to the militants, officials said on Monday. The arrested terror associates have been identified as Shezaan Gulzar Beigh from Gadhikhal Chersoo and Waseem-ul-Rehman Sheikh from Midoora Awantipora. Incriminating materials, including ammunition, have been recovered from both the arrested persons. The police said the arrested terror associates have been in touch with Pakistani terror commanders through various social media platforms. One of the arrested terror associates had visited Pakistan and met some terrorist commanders there. "A lot of false narratives have been uploaded on a FaceBook page being operated by one of the arrested persons to influence and misguide the gullible youth towards the path of violence," the police said. The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have agreed to attend the 47th convocation being held by the institute on Monday after the director, Dr Randeep Guleria, assured them of conducting a physical convocation in the future as well. "Dr Guleria promised that the batches called for the virtual convocation will also be invited to the physical convocation whenever it is organised. We agreed to his assurance and would now attend the convocation without any agitation," said Dr Adarsh Pratap Singh, president, AIIMS' RDA. The RDA had earlier opposed the administration's decision of conducting the 47th convocation virtually and had written to the institute's director demanding that the January 11 event be held physically in small batches with all Covid-19 precautions, outside the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Stadium. It had warned that if the demand was not met, the RDA members would be forced to boycott the convocation and hold a protest on the day of the event. The RDA had demanded the convocation should be organised to be participated physically as it was pending for more than two years and holds a profound importance in a student's life. "The resident doctors have been waiting for this convocation to happen for a very long time now. has pass-out batches every six months, but they have to wait over a year for convocation. Residents doctors worked day and night throughout their residency and amidst Covid-19 pandemic, but when the time of convocation came we were being asked to attend it virtually which was very disappointing and disheartening," Singh had stated. The 47th convocation would be attended by the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who is also president of the central government-run institute. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for South-East Asia, World Health Organisation (WHO), is invited as the chief guest to the event. Meanwhile, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare MoH&FW) would join there as the guest of honour. --IANS str/rt (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.) PARIS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eligo Bioscience SA (Eligo) today announced that it has entered into a research and option agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) aimed at advancing Eligobiotics for the treatment or prevention of acne vulgaris with a pioneering CRISPR-based therapeutic for strain-specific microbiome modulation. Under the terms of the agreement, Eligo will receive an upfront payment and R&D funding to advance EB005, its discovery program in acne, until preclinical proof of concept. If GSK exercises its option, GSK and Eligo will enter into a license and collaboration agreement to jointly continue the development of EB005 in acne. Eligo would be eligible to receive up to a total of $224 million in license fees and potential milestone payments, as well as royalties on global sales. The EB005 program is applying Eligo's Eligobiotics technology to precisely modify the composition of the skin's microbiome to treat or reduce the risk of developing moderate to severe acne. Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder, affecting 85 percent of adolescents and young adults around the world and carrying a significant impact on physical and mental health globally. Eligo is leveraging recent insights in acne showing that otherwise beneficial skin bacteria, when expressing pro-inflammatory molecules, trigger the immune system and drive inflammation. EB005 aims to develop Eligobiotics for topical application to precisely and selectively remove these pro-inflammatory bacterial strains from the microbiome, while sparing the rest of the skin microbiome. Eligobiotics is a first-in-class versatile proprietary modality that uses phage-derived particles to deliver an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas nuclease into bacterial populations of the microbiome. Inside the bacteria, the nuclease will be guided towards specific genomic sequences, and create targeted lethal DNA double strand-breaks only if such sequences are present in the bacterial genome. This strategy enables a precise engineering of the microbiome, by killing only the strains harboring genomic sequences targeted by the nuclease. Story continues If proven safe and effective throughout its development under the partnership with GSK, this unique approach has the potential to change the paradigm of acne treatment by specifically targeting one of its root causes. "We are excited to work with GSK on advancing our radically new approach to address acne, combining our unique technology platform with GSK's scientific excellence and capabilities to bring innovation from the lab bench, through clinical development, and to patients. This early-stage partnership demonstrates the translational potential of Eligo's technology platform," said Xavier Duportet, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Eligo Bioscience. Emmanuel Hanon, Senior Vice-President and Head of R&D for GSK Vaccines, commented: "We are delighted to join forces with Eligo, a biotech company that is pioneering microbiome engineering by leveraging CRISPR technology to address microbiome-associated diseases. This partnership builds on GSK's strong expertise in immunology, bacteriology and product development, and Eligo's robust bacteriophage science, to help improve acne patients' lives." About acne Acne is a common chronic inflammatory disorder with significant impact on physical and mental health globally. More than 4 in 5 adolescents are affected by acne, including 10-20% with moderate to severe acne. Some patients have acne that persists into adulthood. In the US alone, acne affects approximately 40 to 50 million people, where it is the most common skin condition and the top reported cause for dermatologist visits, accounting for about one-fourth of U.S. dermatologists' patient volume. Despite the existing available solutions, there is a significant need for new acne interventions that are well-tolerated and with improved effectiveness in treating the disease, and ideally ones that can help reduce the use of antibiotics. About Eligobiotics Eligobiotics is a versatile modality based on the delivery of a DNA payload, using phage-derived particles, into bacterial populations of the microbiome to modulate its composition or function with unrivaled precision. Eligobiotics can be designed, built and optimized for microbiome species of choice with the automated proprietary platform that leverages Eligo's unique expertise in synthetic biology, phage biology, CRISPR-Cas engineering and bioinformatics. Eligobiotics can be used to precisely and selectively remove unwanted bacterial strains carrying deleterious genes while leaving beneficial bacterial strains intact through the targeted delivery of a payload encoding an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas nuclease. Alternatively, Eligobiotics can deliver to target bacteria the necessary genetic instructions to produce, display or secrete therapeutic proteins of interest in close vicinity to the host's cells. About Eligo Bioscience Eligo Bioscience is the world leader in microbiome gene therapy to address microbiome-associated diseases. Eligo was founded by scientists from The Rockefeller University, where CRISPR-based antimicrobials were invented, and by scientists from MIT. Eligo was named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2017. With venture capital funding from Khosla Ventures and Seventure Partners, and non-dilutive funding from the European Commission, CARB-X, and Bpifrance, Eligo is rapidly advancing its lead program into clinical development, with the first clinical trials on track to begin in 2021. Through its novel technology platform and robust intellectual property positions, Eligo is poised to be a catalyst for the growth anticipated across the microbiome-associated diseases industry. For more information about Eligo visit https://www.eligo.bio/ . Follow us at https://www.twitter.com/EligoBio and https://www.linkedin.com/company/eligo-bioscience/. About GSK GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eligo-inks-deal-with-gsk-potentially-worth-up-to-224m-301203640.html SOURCE Eligo Bioscience Advertisement Tier Four restrictions had little effect on cutting down rates of Covid in London despite data suggesting that parts of the capital could be close to developing herd immunity against coronavirus because so many people are thought to have been infected. Analysts believe as many as half of people in some boroughs in the east of the city have had the illness already. And given that re-infection with Covid appears to be extremely rare, scientists say this could mean the spread of the virus is getting slower in those areas as fewer become susceptible to catching it and passing it on. Infection rates in the city have surged in the second wave, meaning hundreds of thousands more survivors will have developed immunity to the virus which could slow it down in the future. Per-person infection rates doubled in most parts of London in the week before Christmas, reaching higher than one per cent of the population in the worst-affected places in the East. And they continued rising after Christmas and into early January, despite Tier Four restrictions having been in place for up to two weeks, suggesting that the local rules were not acting fast enough and potentially spurring the Government on to ordering a national lockdown before the virus became uncontrollable nationwide. Edge Health estimates 54 per cent of the population in Barking and Dagenham have already been infected with coronavirus more than 100,00 people. Based on death rates in the boroughs, the infection rate could be 49 per cent in Newham, 43 per cent in Redbridge and 42 per cent in Havering, the project found. Professor Neil Ferguson, whose grim forecasts sent Britain into its first lockdown last year, has said past infection rates in London which was also worst-hit by the first wave last spring will slow down transmission in future. Scientists estimate around 80 per cent of a population, or more, need to be immune for an area to be protected against outbreaks, but lower percentages may still be able to slow the spread of the disease. Per-person infection rates in the city already appear to be slowing down after out-of-control surges in December, raising questions about whether Tier Four measures are being helped along by natural resistance. But rates still appear to be rising despite having slowed down, suggesting the draconian restrictions enforced on the capital before Christmas had little effect. In a paper published about the fast-spreading new variant in December, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine researchers feared lockdown measures wouldn't work as well against it because it was so infectious. Infection rate data shows that cases in boroughs across London are still rising but the increases have slowed down, which may be a mix of developing herd immunity and Tier 4 lockdown rules. In Barking and Dagenham, data analysts estimate over half the population has had coronavirus already Infection rates for recent weeks show the spread of the virus has slowed down in London, although they have continued to rise despite large numbers of people developing immunity and lockdown measures being in place. The numbers of positive tests per 100,000 people doubled in most boroughs of the city in the week before Christmas rising by 119 per cent in Redbridge and 108 per cent in Barking but the week-on-week rise slowed after the festive period. In the following week the increases in rates in the five main boroughs of East London the two named above and Havering, Newham and Tower Hamlets fell to between 40 and 75 per cent from doubling. And they have since fallen further, to between 15 and 25 per cent per week. The decreases come, however, while the city is in a Tier 4 lockdown, which started on December 19 and then morphed into a national shutdown on January 4. These measures are expected to have brought infection rates down or at least slowed the increase of cases, even though scientists warned last year that the new variant of the virus, now the dominant version in London and the South East, may be too infectious for lockdown rules to work. The data suggest that Tier 4 rules started to have some effect at the start of this year, but they are acting slowly, with cases still rising two weeks after they were brought in. Because the infection rates in some parts of the city were so high, politicians ran out of time to simply wait for the rules to take effect and called a national lockdown last Monday. Outbreaks could be slower to spread in the future because so many people have caught the virus in the first and second waves, meaning the pool of potential victims will be smaller. 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson told the Sunday Times: 'I think we will see growth rates slow... We may see a decline, and that may be slightly aided by the fact that there is quite a lot of herd immunity in places like London. 'Maybe 25 or 30 per cent of the population has now been infected in the first wave and second wave. So that adds to the reduction of transmission.' Even lower levels than the herd immunity threshold can slow down transmission of the virus because they increase the likelihood that someone who comes into contact with an infected person is already immune. If there is 30 per cent immunity, for example, and there's one infected person in a group of 100, each time that person meets a group of 10, only seven of those people could feasibly catch the virus from them. In the same group at the start of the pandemic, meanwhile, it's likely all 10 of them would have been at risk. In areas that have been even more exposed to the virus this effect could be even greater. Modelling by Edge Health suggests that one in every five people in England has already had coronavirus and developed immunity to getting it again. Scientists aren't sure how long natural immunity to the virus will last for but, within the year since the virus first emerged, reinfection has been rare with most proven cases limited to people with immune system problems. WHICH AREAS OF LONDON HAVE HAD HIGHEST EXPOSURE? According to research by Edge Health, which used boroughs' death counts to estimate how many cases they are likely to have had, many parts of London have higher levels of immunity than Public Health England data suggests: Borough name % of population infected so far (official tests) % of population infected so far (Edge modelling) Barking & D'ham Newham Redbridge Havering Tower Hamlets Hackney Brent Waltham Forest Croydon Haringey Merton Ealing Hounslow Lewisham Harrow Lambeth Hillingdon Barnet Greenwich Enfield Bexley Sutton Hammersmith Southwark Wandsworth Islington Kingston Bromley Richmond Westminster Kensington Camden 7.9% 7.1% 8.1% 8.1% 6.7% 5.5% 5.5% 6.6% 5.5% 5.6% 5.4% 5.7% 5.8% 5% 5.6% 5.1% 5.7% 5.4% 5.5% 5.7% 6.8% 5.4% 4.8% 5% 4.8% 4.5% 5% 5.5% 3.9% 3.8% 4.1% 3.8% 54.2% 49% 42.9% 42.4% 39.8% 35.1% 34.9% 33.2% 30.1% 29.9% 28.8% 28.4% 28.3% 28.3% 28.1% 27.4% 26.3% 26.2% 26.1% 26.1% 25.7% 25% 24.3% 24% 23.8% 21.8% 21.4% 17.4% 16% 16.5% 15.5% 14.2% Advertisement The Government's Covid-19 dashboard says there has been 2.4million cases of the disease since the outbreak began to sweep the UK in January, or four per cent of the country's population. And Public Health England estimates through its random blood testing that 6.9 per cent of the population has had the disease around 3.8million people But figures produced by data analysis firm Edge Health suggest that the actual number of infections may be as high as 12.4million, the equivalent of 22 per cent of people. If true this could mean that, on average, among every five people someone with coronavirus comes into contact with, one of them would be resistant to catching the virus. Infection rates are much higher than average in parts of East London, which appears to be the worst-affected area of the country. While Department of Health testing has detected that 8.1 per cent of the population in Havering has been infected 21,189 officially diagnosed cases out of 257,000 Edge's analysis estimates it is 42 per cent. Edge calculated its 'true' infection rate by working backwards from the death counts for local areas around the country. It used this to calculate how many people must have had the virus to cause that many deaths using fatality rates of between 0.00045 and 13 per cent, depending on age. The model estimated that 54.2 per cent of the population in Barking & Dagenham had caught the virus since the pandemic began in Barking, 49 per cent in Newham, 45.4 per cent in Thurrock and 42.9 per cent in Redbridge. The data shows a huge disparity between test data collected by Public Health England, which swabs only people with coronavirus symptoms, and the true number of people who have been infected whether tested or not. In Barking, Edge estimates 115,460 people have previously had Covid, compared to just 14,665 confirmed PHE cases. There was a similar theme in Newham, where there were an estimated 173,058 infections to PHE's 21,683, and in Redbridge it was 130,806 compared to 22,125. Immunity is also developed through vaccines, which are now being given out rapidly to elderly people across the country and will reduce the numbers of people who are likely to get seriously ill with Covid-19. Herd immunity, either through vaccinations or natural infection or a combination of the two, is now considered the only way to stamp out Covid-19, although even that type of protection won't be perfect. Professor Ferguson added: 'If you get infected once, then at least for a year or more you will have quite a lot of protection against disease, a bit like a vaccine. 'You're not necessarily protected against being infected again or transmitting, youre just not very likely to get very sick. There are all of these caveats around immunity. It's true of the vaccine as well as natural infection.' In a paper published in December they warned that the UK was now in a race to get herd immunity by vaccine, or be forced to develop it naturally, which would mean dozens of thousands more people dying. Professor John Edmunds, Professor Sebastian Funk and Professor Rosalind Eggo, who are all members of the SAGE advisory group SPI-M-O, contributed to the study. 'The increase in transmissibility is likely to lead to a large increase in incidence, with Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths projected to reach higher levels in 2021 than were observed in 2020,' they wrote, 'even if regional tiered restrictions implemented before December 19 are maintained. 'Our estimates suggest that control measures of a similar stringency to the national lockdown in England in November 2020 are unlikely to reduce the effective reproduction rate [R number] to less than one, unless primary schools, secondary schools and universities are closed.' They continued: 'We project that large resurgences of the virus are likely to occur following easing of control measures. 'It may be necessary to greatly accelerate vaccine roll out to have an appreciable impact in suppressing the resulting disease burden.' Nationally, Edge Health's analysis suggested that one in five people may have already had Covid, which would be around five times higher than the number of people who have tested positive. The model used to arrive at the figure compares Covid-19 deaths in each area of England against an estimated infection fatality rate (IFR) the proportion of people who catch the virus who die and the age breakdown of each borough. Experts worked backwards from the death count for local areas around the country, calculating how many people must have had the virus to cause that many deaths using fatality rates of between 0.00045 and 13 per cent, depending on age. It revealed that estimated cases are more than five times the official count in 77 places in England, just over half the 149 local authorities analysed. In some parts of London and Essex which were the initial hotspots in spring and are now struggling again with the highly infectious new strain the true infection toll could be eight times higher than the official count, with up to one in two people estimated to have contracted the virus. In Manchester and Liverpool, which became the epicentres during autumn as the epidemic shifted north, the actual case number is thought to be six times higher than the Government's count, with four in 10 having had Covid. George Batchelor, co-founder and director of Edge Health, said it was 'incredible' how out of whack the official testing regime was with the country's epidemic, saying it was only painting 'a fraction of the picture of total infections'. It's widely accepted that the actual number of Britons who've had the disease is far higher than the official toll because of asymptomatic cases and a lack of testing or people not coming forward for tests. This was particularly true at the start of the pandemic when Britain's lacklustre testing scheme meant swabs were reserved for the sickest Covid patients in hospital. ONE IN FIVE IN ENGLAND MAY HAVE HAD VIRUS ALREADY One in five people in England may have already had Covid, according to modelling which estimates the true number of infections is five times higher than the official toll. The Government's Covid-19 dashboard says there has been 2.4million cases of the disease since the outbreak began to sweep the UK in January, or four per cent of the country's population. And Public Health England estimates through its random blood testing that 6.9 per cent of the population has had the disease around 3.8million people. But figures produced by data analysis firm Edge Health suggest that the actual number of infections may be as high as 12.4million, the equivalent of 22 per cent of people. This could mean that Britain is closer to some degree of herd immunity than previously thought. Scientists believe that once a significant proportion of the population has been infected with Covid already, the virus won't be able to spread as fast because most of them won't get re-infected. But this isn't expected to last forever. The Government's Covid-19 dashboard says there has been 2.4million cases of the disease since the outbreak swept the UK in February, or four per cent of the country's population. But analysis by Edge Health suggests that the actual number of infections could be as high as 12.4million, the equivalent of 22 per cent of people The model used to arrive at the figure compares Covid-19 deaths in each area of England against an estimated infection fatality rate (IFR) the proportion of people who catch the virus who die and the age breakdown of each borough. Experts worked backwards from the death count for local areas around the country, calculating how many people must have had the virus to cause that many deaths using fatality rates of between 0.00045 and 13 per cent, depending on age. It revealed that estimated cases are more than five times the official count in 77 places in England, just over half the 149 local authorities analysed. George Batchelor, co-founder and director of Edge Health, said it was 'incredible' how out of whack the official testing regime was with the country's epidemic, saying it was only painting 'a fraction of the picture of total infections'. It's widely accepted that the actual number of Britons who've had the disease is far higher than the official toll because of asymptomatic cases and a lack of testing or people not coming forward for tests. This was particularly true at the start of the pandemic when Britain's lacklustre testing scheme meant swabs were reserved for the sickest Covid patients in hospital. Advertisement Code Legion is an excellent example of the kind of private sector led activities that Nevada needs for a successful economic recovery, and it aligns well with and complements GOEDs initiatives in workforce development. Michael Brown, Exec Director, Governor's Office Economic Development For Nevadans looking to further their technological advancement, there is a new educational experience available, thanks to an exciting new partnership. Code Legion, is a joint effort between RNOX, a tech accelerator in Reno, and two southern Nevada military and technology veterans, Founders Matt Davis and Mario Mitchell. Davis and Mitchell have a deep understanding of the tech ecosystem in southern Nevada with 20 years of experience between them, and they share a passion for helping those who have been impacted by COVID. Our mission is to bring the opportunity of tech to all people, says Mitchell, CEO. Were here for those that have been left behind in the digital economy, by giving students the option to choose the new pathways for their careers. Unlike other traditional coding bootcamps and schools, Code Legion focuses on more than just writing code and trains their students to be well rounded, strong developers. Code Legion provides top quality developer education through modern training strategies tailored for today's digitally distributed world by offering a curriculum that takes learners through a 3 tiered journey as they acquire and validate their skills. For some this will be learning to code for the very first time, for others it may be learning a new library or language because their career is being taken in a different direction. Additionally, through a partnership with RNOX, top performing developers can get direct experience via internship, apprenticeship, and collaboration roles with leading edge startups and development initiatives. This provides unparalleled, real world exposure and opportunities for Code Legion students, which can be the foundational component of a successful developer career. Focused and effective developers, and Software Engineering talent is a scarce resource worldwide - and one that is vital to the regional tech ecosystem, said Shaunt Sarkissian, Founder and Exec Chairman of RNOX. By partnering with Code Legion, we can rapidly help create excellent and skilled developers, with practical hands-on experience on day one. This will not just drive innovation, but help further establish NV as a true global technology leader. Federal and state leaders have taken notice, and are grateful to see Code Legion moving the tech needle forward in northern Nevada. As Nevada emerges from COVID-19, rebuilds its economy and responds to the challenges of pandemic-induced accelerating technological changes there will be a tremendous focus on ramping up efforts to develop a digital-skilled and digital-literate workforce, said Michael Brown, Nevada Governors Office of Economic Development Executive Director. Code Legion is an excellent example of the kind of private sector led activities that Nevada needs for a successful economic recovery and it aligns well with and complements GOEDs initiatives in workforce development fostering an innovation-based economy in our state. For more information, please visit codelegion.io https://www.linkedin.com/company/code-legion Its a new year, and for many, a perfect opportunity to look at new wheels. The pickup market used to be the preserve of the farmer or the builder. If you had work to do then you had a pickup. It hauled all the gear you needed in the bed and a trailer full of, well you name it, diggers, cattle, haylage and gravel. But, over the years, the pickup has became more comfortable and usable. They developed into family vehicles with car seats in the back next to the shopping that you didnt want to leave in the bed because you didnt get a load cover. Unfortunately, taxation and the economy dealt them an almost killer blow in 2008. However, even with that, up to last year you could get over 10 models on the Irish market. They are part of the working fabric now. Pickups are still the go-to when you need to get the hard jobs done of carrying goods across a field, a building site or towing a load to the market. Today, modern pickups have 5 Star EuroNCAP safety ratings and that is only possible when they have the latest safety technology. These include active emergency braking, lane keep assistance, forward facing cameras, park assist, pedestrian detection and 360 degree cameras. Inside, more comfortable interiors and better engine gearbox combinations take some of the strain out of the early morning starts and long days. You can just hop in and out 100 times as you tip around getting jobs done. Engines are significantly more efficient than before giving you more power and better economy. If you are thinking of changing you have plenty choices to consider. Its important to do your research online but remember this your local dealer is a great resource not to be overlooked because of the current restrictions. Ford Ranger: rugged and ready to handle the extreme terrains The stylish and versatile Ranger has had a small but significant change for 2021. The 3.2L diesel engine has been removed from the line and is now only available with Fords 2.0L EcoBlue diesel engine. It delivers up to a 9pc fuel-efficiency improvement when combined with an advanced new 10-speed automatic transmission and up to 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque depending on which model you chose. This gives a light and urgent feel across the rev-range and better performance when towing. Available in Regular Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab body styles, the new Ranger features four-wheel drive as standard and offers business and leisure users new tools to boost convenience and productivity, including Fords SYNC 3 connectivity and FordPass Connect on-board modem technology. Fords Ranger also offers offer pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection and intelligent speed limiter as standard. Active park assist is available, in addition to the existing range of advanced driving technologies designed to make driving less stressful and to help avoid or mitigate the effects of collisions. With a wade depth of 800mm deep, and with 230mm of ground clearance, the new Ranger is designed and engineered to comfortably handle extreme terrains whether for work or lifestyle pursuit. A 29-degree approach angle and 21-degree departure angle will enable the driver to feel confident when taking on steep obstacles. Off-road strengths are matched by towing capability of up to 3,500kg and payload capacity of up to 1,252kg. For the first time, the new Ranger offers the Ford KeyFree System and the tailgate lock is now integrated into the central locking system and features a new easy-lift tailgate fitted with a torsion bar that significantly reduces the effort required to lift the tailgate back up into its closed position. The Ranger driving experience is also enhanced with suspension revised to deliver a more refined ride. Spring and damper rates are tuned to deliver ride and handling unique to each variants character. The Ranger was also awarded the International Pick-Up Award winner 2020 which is no small achievement given the stiff competition. Prices start from 30,670 for the XL single cab, the Limited starts at 40,795, the Wildtrak starts at 44,240 while Raptor prices start at 62,010 (all inc VAT). Mitsubishi L200: boasting luxury and stability in spades The L200 is a pickup that has seen a significant redesign from the front to the back and now, sculpted lines and bold features define a powerful look for Mitsubishi. Built for maximum stability and traction, the rugged frame and aerodynamically contoured body contribute to solid handling and stable highway performance. Reliable 4WD traction combines with an advanced suspension to keep you in touch with surface conditions so you stay firmly in control. You can switch between 2WD (2H) and 4WD (4H, 4HLc) at up to 100km/h. When the going gets rough, lock the centre differential by entering the 4HLc setting for rugged terrain or the 4LLc setting for inclines, mud or snow. The 2.2L turbo diesel engine is smooth, quiet and efficient, this direct injection engine provides plenty of power and acceleration from the moment you start. Ample torque is generated even at mid-to-low rpm, and fuel efficiency and quietness are optimised thanks to reduced friction within the engine. Wherever you go, the L200 is equipped with a variety of safety features working together to keep you and your passengers safe. The interior sculpted centre panel and connecting console feature a colour LCD multi-information display with a functional layout that suits the new interior design. There is soft padding in seating areas, including the armrest and parking brake level, and are double stitched to offer a luxurious feel to the touch. One thing to remember, Mitsubishi is leaving the Irish and European market in 2021, but will be required to support owners with aftersales and parts but it will effect residual values of the vehicles. Prices start from 35,661 (inc VAT). Expand Close Mitsubishi L200 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mitsubishi L200 SsangYong Musso Grand: pure strength and steel The 2019 Musso Grand shares its blueprint with the previous model SsangYong Musso, however the vehicle has been enhanced to target drivers ready for a bigger ride looking for a pickup well-suited to outdoor work and with a more comfortable interior. SsanygYong has increased the storage space as well as the vehicles adaptability and versatility. The Musso Grand powertrain has a 2.2L turbo diesel engine manufactured by SsangYong, which delivers maximum power of 181PS and torque 400Nm. This highly efficient, quiet and proven e-XDi220 engine delivers progressive acceleration from a standing start, and strong low-end torque. Transmission is either a six-speed manual, or Aisin six-speed automatic known for its smooth performance and durability. The vehicles four-wheel drive system draws on SsangYongs years of experience in all-wheel-drive technology. For better efficiency and greater fuel economy, there is part time 4x4 with power delivered permanently to the rear wheels, and front wheels as required. High and low ratios are available as on and off-road conditions demand. The Musso also comes with a locking differential system to provide better traction on steep and slippery gradients, and better towing capability off-road. With the high-strength steel construction of its quad-frame, the car is significantly stiffer than its previous model. This is achieved by using 1.5Gpa-grade ultra-strength steel, which is a world first, and features 79.2pc high-strength steel. This not only gives greatly improved body strength but also reduces the overall weight. The Musso Grand is 31cm longer than the previous model, coming in at 5.4m long. The height and wheelbase have also been increased by 1.5cm and 11cm, respectively. The main benefit of the increased body length is an increased load capacity of 1,262L, which enables the Grand to carry up to 850kg in its bed. However, if you need more capacity talk to your local dealer for upgrade options. Prices start from 35,00 for the Musso and 36,200 for Grand Musso (all inc VAT). Nissan Navara: a great partner for work and leisure The Nissan Navara is the 12th generation in Nissans 80 years of designing and manufacturing robust and cleverly-engineered pick-ups. This generation has improved comfort and greater refinement while still maintaining the Navaras off-road ability, durability, loading and towing capacity. The model has a robust and tough chassis, with a host of engineering features designed to further improve driveability and practicality. To help achieve this, without compromising the vehicles acclaimed off-road ability, Nissan designed an all-new five-link rear suspension system for the double cab, providing significantly enhanced ride comfort and improved handling on and off-road. It is also 20kg lighter than the previous leaf spring layout. The interior delivers on every level, and has been optimised to provide the best possible quality, comfort, space and practicality for drivers and passengers, while the dashboard has a sculpted appearance that creates increased cabin space and a more open feel. Spinal support front seats offer improved ergonomics and greater alertness, engineered using technology inspired by studies made by Nasa. Both the 160PS single-turbo and 190PS twin-turbo versions of the Navaras 2.3L dCi diesel engine are fitted with an advanced and efficient Euro 6 engine. This has made a significant difference to the pickups environmental performance. Knowing that pickup owners need their vehicles to earn their keep, the Navaras load-carrying and towing ability across are payload ratings in excess of 1,100kg across the range and an impressive towing capacity of up to 3,500kg. The load bed has also seen further Nissan innovations in the form of the brands acclaimed C-channel load system. With channels on the rear cabin bulkhead and bed sides, owners have complete flexibility when it comes to securing loads. Because the clamps slide along the C-shaped channel tracks, even the most unusually-shaped cargo can be safely secured with ease. The Navara, with its impressive array of performance, safety, technology, comfort and convenience features, is a great partner for work and leisure. The range features five trim grades with the N-Guard offering outstanding levels of equipment at the top end of the range. Prices start from 35,895 for the XE double cab, the SV starts at 37,895, the SVE at 41,895, the LE at 43,895 and the N-Guard at 46,095 (all inc VAT). Expand Close Nissan Navara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nissan Navara Hilux: flexing its muscles with a bold new look Since its launch in 1968, the Toyota Hilux has proven its capability. Along with solid sales in the Irish market the Hilux has other notable achievements on its CV, including being driven to the North Pole and Antarctica. The comfort and driveability of the new Hilux has been enhanced through improvements to the suspension and power steering systems. The suspension, which benefits from front and rear shock absorber tuning, offers both enhanced ride comfort and even better steering response. The 4x4 Hiluxs off-road credentials have been further enhanced by the addition of a new electronic function replicating the effect of a mechanical limited-slip differential for improved traction on low grip surfaces in two-wheel drive mode, however it is only available on 4WD models. The face of the Hilux has been completely redesigned with a new bold and powerful three-dimensional grille and front bumper treatment, conveying a muscular stance and a sense of power and distinctiveness. Inside the cabin, durable materials and striking finishes along with a new 8 tablet-style touchscreen, standard from SR5 grade, offers enhanced multimedia system incorporating both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. The range-topping Invincible grade offers customers bespoke styling and an extensive equipment list includes smart entry and push-button start, satellite navigation, automatic air-conditioning, as well as front and rear parking sensors without sacrificing any of the toughness and robustness the Hilux is known for. On the practical side, the Hiluxs 1t payload and 3.5t towing capability has now been expanded to a four-wheel drive body types (single cab and double cab). The Euro 6d-compliant 2755cc diesel engine generates 150 kW/ 204 DIN hp at 3400 rpm and, with automatic transmission, 500 Nm of torque between 1600 and 2800 rpm. Maximum torque for manual transmission versions is 420 Nm between 1400 and 3400 rpm. Part of these new changes including a newly-developed heavy-duty turbocharger enable the new Hilux to achieve high output and enhanced fuel economy. Noise and Vibration performance have been optimised, improving the quietness of the engine. The new Hilux is expected on forecourts this month. Prices start from 29,310 for the DLX model (single cab), with the double cab starting at 36,110. The SR5 starts at 38,995 and the Invincible at 49,795 (all inc VAT). via Chris Elkins Twitter Texas got its first bout of snow across the state on Sunday, and many celebrated the winter surprise. Some areas in North Texas received three to six inches of snow, according to ABC's Kalee Dion. Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page has denied rumours that he is dating his co-star Phoebe Dynevor. The actor, 31, and actress, 25, had led some fans to believe they were a couple in real life due to their intimate on-screen relationship in the hit Netflix series. During an interview with Access Hollywood, Rege had dropped a subtle hint that they were quite close, but suggested they were only romantic on screen. No off-screen romance: Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page has denied rumours that he is dating his co-star Phoebe Dynevor He explained: 'I think that everything you need to know is on camera. All the sparks that flew came off the beautiful scripts we were handed. 'So I think that the sparky words, scripts and material are more than enough.' Phoebe later appeared to blush during the interview as Rege discussed how close their on-screen characters were together. The actor, 31, and actress, 25, had led some fans to believe they were a couple in real life due to their intimate on-screen relationship in the hit Netflix series Phoebe later appeared to blush during the interview as Rege discussed how close their on-screen characters were together Interviewer Kit Hoover joked that Rege and Phoebe were 'actually together', despite the fact that the two stars were in completey different locations. 'We're playing footsie under here,' Rege then jokingly responded. Bridgerton has become a favourite with Netflix viewers after it debuted on Christmas day, and has been praised for its racy scenes and extravagant scenery. Popular: Bridgerton has become a favourite with Netflix viewers after it debuted on Christmas day The period drama, which is based on Julia Quinn's best-selling novels, follows the romance between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe) and Simon Basset (Rege), however there are seven more books following other siblings in the powerful family. Following its success, the show has been tipped to become next Downton Abbey with a second series on the cards. An insider told The Sun: 'With so much material to work with there's every chance it could develop into multiple series. The period drama, which is based on Julia Quinn's best-selling novels, follows the romance between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe) and Simon Basset (Rege), however there are seven more books following other siblings in the powerful family 'And it's fair to say it has an added edge that Downton didn't have.' They added that the show has been such a 'hit' that the cast, who were not widely known before it aired, will be able to ask for 'bumper pay rises' in series two. The show's creator Chris Van Dusen previously told Cosmopolitan that he'd love to make more episodes of the show. He told the publication: 'There are eight Bridgerton siblings [and] there are eight Bridgerton books. So in success I would love to be able to explore love stories and romances for all the Bridgerton brothers and sisters, of course.' Following its success, the show has been tipped to become next Downton Abbey with a second series on the cards Phoebe also previously chatted about the show's racy content as she explained how the 'first-ever scene' she shot for the series was with co-star Rege. Speaking to Grazia, she said: 'My first-ever scene was in episode six, where Simon is going down on Daphne. 'And it was so great, because it felt safe and fun: you choreograph it like a stunt, or a dance. It's crazy to me that [an intimacy coordinator] hasn't been there in the past.' She added: 'I love her [Daphne's] coming-of-age story and her sexual awakening. I love seeing them female gaze and watching her figure it out for herself. She's a late bloomer, but it's not like she can google it.' In what some consider one of the most far-reaching social policy moves in the corporate world, the National Association of Realtors, called the nations largest trade organization, has revised its professional ethics code to ban hate speech and harassing speech by its 1.4 million members. Under the new policy, real estate agents who insult, threaten or harass people based on race, sex, or other legally protected characteristics can be investigated, fined or expelled. Its online training sessions offer a glimpse at how difficult the rules can be to enforce. The sweeping prohibition applies to association members 24/7, covering all communication, private and professional, written and spoken, online and off. Punishment could top out at a maximum fine of $15,000 and expulsion from the organization. Mary Wagner, a Buffalo real estate agent who is white and lesbian, says the move, announced in November, fits her vision for creating a fairer society. She predicts thousands of complaints this year, given the realtor associations enormous size and the overheated climate of social media. I was thrilled to hear it, Wagner said in a phone interview. I think its long overdue. NARs decision, allowing any member of the public to file a complaint, has alarmed other real estate agents, and also some legal and ethics experts, who say the hate speech bans vagueness is an invitation to censor controversial political opinions, especially on race and gender. While thats not the associations stated intention, the skeptics say their fears are justified by the hyperactive cancel culture online that has jettisoned hapless workers for posting all lives matter and objecting to gay marriage. The dam has broken and other organizations will look at this, predicted Robert Foehl, a professor of business ethics and business law at Ohio University. If this is good for real estate agents, why not attorneys, why not doctors? Foehl said. Theyre going to be pressured to do what NAR has done. And that pressure is going to be very real, because what organization wants to argue they should allow hate speech by their members? Charlie Oppler, NAR president: Apologizes for NARs historic role in housing discrimination and redlining. A week after the association approved the ban, its president, Charlie Oppler, profusely apologized for NARs historic role in housing discrimination and redlining, the former practice of denying loans to buyers in certain neighborhoods based on their race, during an online fair-housing summit. NAR is still a predominantly white organization, where African Americans account for just 6% of members. NARs hate speech policy is noteworthy because it sweeps up 1.4 million people under an ethics standard that explicitly places limits on private speech, to be adjudicated through formal procedures. The organizations new policy provides an avenue for the NAR to investigate, fine and potentially expel real estate agents who insult, threaten or harass people or social groups based on race, sex, gender or other legally protected characteristics. It is taking something thats been happening on a kind-of informal and occasional basis indeed, people do sometimes end up losing jobs because of their political expression and shifting it to something thats institutionalized, thats bureaucratized, and thats being enforced through quasi-legal tribunals, said Eugene Volokh, a UCLA law professor who specializes in the First Amendment. Volokh said such policies pose significant risks for abuse, and should be assessed not for their good intentions but for their potential to misfire. Eugene Volokh, UCLA School of Law: What were talking about is a new blacklist. He says the NAR is trying to deploy the organized economic power of this group in order to suppress dissenting political views among members. What were talking about is a new blacklist, Volokh said. One of the things thats troubling about the National Association of Realtors position is that it is trying to deploy the organized economic power of this group in order to suppress dissenting political views among members. In the current climate of cancel culture and vigilante justice on Twitter, where a single misdeed can become amplified into the defining act of ones life, some real estate agents fear the new speech code will be used to censor agents who express disapproval of affirmative action, gay marriage, transgender pronouns, Black Lives Matter, undocumented immigrants or other politicized issues. Such concerns were validated last month by a federal judge who struck down an anti-discrimination speech code imposed on Pennsylvania lawyers, saying that the bans vagueness amounted to open season on politically unpopular opinions. NARs speech code has sowed such confusion and anxiety among the rank-and-file that NAR plans to issue case interpretations this year to reassure its members and offer guidance on what is and isnt allowed. Among those caught up in the uncertainty are real estate agents who are Christian preachers or Sunday school teachers, or anyone who expresses traditional religious views on gender and sexuality that are out of vogue in some circles today. Were getting a lot of people asking about whether or not they can say that they are against gay marriage, NAR staffer Diane Mosley said during an online training session on Nov. 30. Specifically, if they can back it up with Scriptures, or say it in a sermon. The associations speech code is still being hashed out, and in a very public way, thanks to Zoom. While the initial debate and votes by its Professional Standards Committee and board of directors were conducted in secret, NARs subsequent monthly online training sessions offer a glimpse at how such rules come into being, how difficult they can be to interpret and to enforce and what other corporations and organizations can expect if they follow NARs example. Matt Defanis, point man on the new speech code: Colleagues, remember: We quite literally drew the color lines. Are we worried about losing members? We may, but Im certainly not losing sleep over that, said Matt Difanis, the Champaign, Ill., broker who chairs NARs Professional Standards Committee, in a Dec. 16 training session. We want being a Realtor to mean something, Difanis stated, and if somebody says, I feel so strongly about continuing to have access to hate speech on demand that I dont want to be a Realtor anymore okay. NAR did not make Difanis, who is white and serves as its point man on the new speech code, available for an interview; all his comments in this article were taken from two hour-long training sessions and one eight-minute explanatory video available online. In these recordings, Difanis makes an impassioned plea to the nations Realtors, citing the moral debt he says the real estate industry has incurred as a leading participant in the perpetuation of racism in the 20th century. Colleagues, remember: We quite literally drew the color lines. Our fingerprints as Realtors are all over the redlining maps, which decades 52 years after Fair Housing became the law of the land, those Fair Housing maps still scar our landscape by continuing to define color lines in our residential housing patterns, Difanis said. A wider national remorse on race His collective mea culpa echoes the remorse and anguish other organizations, most notably universities, have expressed for their historical role in profiting from slavery and segregation. It also evokes the personal penitence expressed in recent months by corporate chief executives for their own white privilege and cluelessness about how systemic racism has benefited them personally. I view it as a moral imperative, Difanis said. I wont live long enough to see us undo the economic damage that we inflicted in the years that predate Fair Housing. NAR membership offers access to training, education and networking, as well as the privilege of referring to oneself as a Realtor, NARs pedigreed title for its members that the organization has trademarked. NAR membership is required to gain access to the Multiple Listing Service. If I were to lose access to that it would potentially devastate my ability to perform my career duties, a Realtor commented. NAR does not issue real estate licenses that function is the domain of state licensing boards so expulsion is not an automatic banishment from the profession. But in many parts of the country, NAR membership is required to gain access to the Multiple Listing Service, a searchable online database that sorts available real estate properties by parameters such as square footage, acreage, architectural style and much more. If I were to lose access to that it would potentially devastate my ability to perform my career duties, a Realtor commented on NARs Facebook page. The complaints and cases, which are to be adjudicated like mini-trials with evidence and lawyers, will be assigned to some 1,100 local NAR associations across the country, but many of the locals delegate the ethics reviews to state associations. The legalistic procedures set NARs internal process apart from employers who impulsively jettison employees as liabilities to appease the Twitter mob. However, the local and state chapters dont have to report total complaints, dismissals and resolutions to the national office, so it wont be known how the new policy is playing out and if local chapters are issuing wildly inconsistent decisions or dismissing legitimate complaints. NAR cant say how many complaints have been filed since the hate speech ban was adopted Nov. 13. All hate speech complaints and decisions against Realtors would be confidential so there would be no public knowledge of a case against someone, unless the Realtor or another person disclosed it. But as part of the new speech code, NAR now requires its local and state associations to notify the state licensing authority that a Realtor violated the public trust if an ethics complaint led to a finding that the Realtor was guilty of hate speech in the course of a real estate transaction. Additionally, it is possible that state laws and brokerage policies in some parts of the country may also require a Realtor to disclose the accusation or the adjudication to the brokerage for whom they work. Foehl noted that private employers have a legal incentive to make sure employees social media activity isnt contributing to a discriminatory or hostile work environment, but its virtually unheard of for a membership organization to adopt such a restrictive policy with respect to its members. It feels unprecedented, Foehl said. The stretch and reach into the personal lives of the association members is a very intrusive move. Private employers and membership organizations are not bound by the First Amendment. And private employers are protected by the at will employment doctrine that allows them to fire workers for arbitrary reasons (as long as they are not discriminating based on race, sex, religion or other protected classes). About two dozen states have laws limiting the ability of a private employer from firing a worker for political speech or other personal conduct the boss might not personally like. Sword of Damocles over Pennsylvania lawyers Nevertheless, there are signs that the expansion of such policies may be bumping up against other rights. Last month, a federal court struck down a professional conduct rule for Pennsylvania lawyers; the rule stated that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to express or engage in bias, prejudice, harassment or discrimination. The rule was limited to the practice of law but it expanded that concept, adding continuing education, seminars, conferences and bar association activities where education credits are offered. The rule was challenged by Zach Greenberg, a staff attorney for the conservative Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), who said it would expose him to endless ethics complaints because his work often involves describing and citing examples of speech many people find hateful and offensive, including the N-word or expressions such as God hates fags. The judge agreed, saying the Pennsylvania ban was too vague and would hang over Pennsylvania attorneys like the sword of Damocles. The big issue with these rules is that they create unbridled discretion for organizations to enforce the rules however they like, Greenberg said by phone. Thats a really dangerous game theyre playing because the question of what is offensive is really in the eye of the beholder. The NAR prohibition states: Realtors must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. NAR plans to assess context as much as content when evaluating speech that is subject of a complaint. NARs intention is to target what Difanis calls weaponized hate speech, the sort of stuff that gets turned on like a blowtorch and aimed against other people. Difanis said the speech code is not intended to penalize expressions of religious belief or public policy, or comments that someone happens to find politically disagreeable, personally upsetting or generically offensive for example: inadvertently misgendering someone. While the ban applies to all hate speech written and spoken it will require clear and convincing evidence to prove in a hearing, he said. And it equally protects people who are white, male and Christian from a Realtors hate speech, he noted. Cory Kammerdiener, Christian minister and realty brokerage owner in Texas, on discussing beliefs about homosexuality: Theres people that are believers that may say, Hey, I cant talk about these things? No, thats not what its saying. Those protections give peace of mind to Cory Kammerdiener, a nondenominational Christian minister in Spring, Tex., who owns Newhomeprogram.com and employs about a dozen Realtors and contractors. Kammerdiener, who is biracial, believes that the Scriptures teach that homosexuality is an unnatural sexual act, similar to premarital sex, adultery and pornography. But he says that a real estate license obligates agents to treat all people equally regardless of sexual preference or gender identity. Theres people that are believers that may say, Hey, I cant talk about these things? Kammerdiener said. No, thats not what its saying. His understanding is that an opinion becomes hate speech only if youre weaponizing it which is a term youre going to see they use over and over which results in hurting or alienating another person, like, Hey, youre going go to hell. A white Realtor, Tracy Watson of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., suggested that the new speech code should trouble no one except those who are prone to get in trouble. Before I got into real estate I worked in the corporate field and I was held to the same standards, Watson said by email. I think those that need to worry about the change may need to take a look as to why. NARs speech code was prompted by a spike in reports this year of Realtors posting racist and homophobic comments on social media, causing a huge embarrassment to the organization and frustration that the group was powerless to discipline its members. The examples Difanis cited offer some clues as to what could be considered hate speech. That includes one Realtors post: I think black people bring out the worst in us. And another post: We always knew black people were violent they are not Christian. Realtors also used the N-word and other epithets, which Difanis repeated in the video. In one case, a Realtor waved an assault rifle on camera saying he was eager to shoot looters and protesters. Difanis, whose Illinois brokerage firm employs about 60 Realtors, said he has fired two agents this year, one for making racially insensitive comments on social media and the other for making an outright racist slur in a comment thread on a public figure page. Both agents had no trouble finding work with other brokers. Theres nothing that prevents them from being picked right back up, reaffiliating and staying in the marketplace with no actual sanctions, Difanis said. Difanis described the process of evaluating ethics complaints as making judgment calls within procedural guardrails, to be undertaken by hundreds of local panels, usually comprising three or five Realtors. We cant give you the Heres the words you cant say or use, and if its one of these words theyre in violation, and if its not its not, Difanis said. It doesnt work that way. And this uncertainty is that causes angst in the profession and beyond. We live in an era where theres a lot of witch hunts going on, said Rebecca DAngelo, a white Realtor in Richmond who doesnt oppose NARs new policy. Theres a lot to keep up with these days on who youre offending. Email: jmurawski@realclearinvestigations.com Twitter: @johnmurawski It would seem to be in the most basic availments, that if youre on parole for a gun-related case, you would not be carrying a gun, possessing a gun, firing a gun in any way, shape or form, the judge said. Hes on parole for a gun case, he has an attempted murder, possession of a gun, its on video. He is undoubtedly a real and present threat to the city of Chicago. He will be held, no bail. Surge in Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga probably from new strains THE SURGE in Covid-19 cases in Zamboanga City may have been caused by new s... URL: https://clmjournal.com/immunity-press-release/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Description: GASTONIA, N.C. -- Christian Author Calvin L. Mitchell has released a new book: IMMUNITY TO THE LAKE OF FIRE: A NO-NONSENSE GUIDE on Amazon Kindle and paperback to help prepare readers for the afterlife. PART ONE explains Divine Justice and the necessity of destroying evil and death forever through the Lake of Fire. PART TWO provides instructions for escaping the Lake of Fire. Posted Monday, January 11, 2021 8:46 am OLYMPIA Protests at the state Capitol in Olympia remained peaceful and largely calm as of Sunday evening, amid heightened tensions and bolstered security in the wake of the pro-Trump assault on the nation's Capitol last week. One event on Sunday, billed as a protest against COVID restrictions and "vaccine discrimination" was small, with a crowd of about 100 people shortly after 1 p.m. Protesters began to disperse after about an hour of peaceful and uneventful speeches. A second Olympia protest, this one for Black Lives Matter, began soon after the right-wing protest ended. After the attack in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, that left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer, one conservative organizer canceled his planned protest in Olympia. He had planned on an ongoing demonstration with the goal of entering the state Capitol, which has been closed for months due to COVID-19 restrictions. But another right-wing protest, featuring Republican legislators, carried on, and another is scheduled for Monday, when the state legislative session kicks off. Gov. Jay Inslee, last week, authorized up to 750 members of the National Guard to protect the Capitol, and chain-link fence has been put up, circling the building. Several hundred National Guard members stood guard behind the fence Sunday afternoon, along the entire perimeter of the Capitol. Other state and federal law enforcement agencies were also present. Since COVID-19 restrictions went into place this spring, there have been 149 unpermitted demonstrations or events at the Capitol, Washington State Patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis said, ranging in size from 10 to 2,500 people. On the same day that a mob stormed the Capitol last week, protesters in Olympia got through a gate to the governor's residence and chanted slogans on the lawn during a brief standoff with the Washington State Patrol. Loftis said that in about one-third of the protests this year, people would go in front of the governor's mansion "and shout and scream." "And I don't think we allowed ourselves to think that [a breach would ever happen]," he said. "Because after 100 years nobody ever had tried to reach the gate. Well, we learned a lot. We're in a new world." He said the gates at the mansion were being changed out and security was being added. "The level of mobilization, both seen and the unseen resources, are being greatly amped up because of this, and I would imagine that those types of changes will endure" after the pandemic, Loftis said. Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who was scheduled to speak at both Sunday's and Monday's demonstrations in Olympia, said the protests were about the governor's policies, and discouraged protesters from bringing guns. Not all of them listened. A number of participants carried handguns and semi-automatic rifles and some wore fatigues and carried other tactical gear. But organizers repeatedly stressed that this was to be a peaceful protest. "Free speech shouldn't have this effect on the government," Walsh said Sunday, expressing disgust at the fences blocking foot traffic around the Capitol. "We want them gone, we want the people's house open to the people." Walsh and other protesters were pushing for limits on the governor's authority, which they said he had abused as he tried to limit the spread of COVID-19. While Walsh was speaking, one man wearing camouflage and carrying a rifle called out: "It's not working, boss. It's not working. Let's go in there and show them." Joshua Keaton, 22, of Centralia, called the virus "a little overblown flu." The virus has killed about 3,700 people in Washington and more than 370,000 in the United States. A UW Medicine study showed that hospitalized COVID-19 patients were twice as likely to die compared to patients hospitalized with severe influenza. "While Jay Inslee sits in his little home oasis, a lot of us are out there losing our jobs and starving," Keaton said. "Open us up. We're sick and tired of it." Others complained about the state's mask mandate, claiming, falsely, that masks are ineffective. Inslee, speaking shortly before the demonstration began, said that "acres and acres" of space at the Capitol complex remained open to protesters. "Protest is one thing, and insurgency is another. We welcome the First Amendment, but we cannot accept an insurgency that prevents democracy from functioning here in our state's Capitol and we will not allow this," Inslee said. "And so I'm looking forward to hopefully a very peaceful couple of days." The added security, Inslee said, was a response to the events in D.C. but also a response to "some of the intelligence that we have." "That suggested that there were people in the state of Washington who were intent on disrupting the Legislature and essentially preventing it from functioning in the state Capitol," he said. "Given the nature of the insurgency that has been precipitated by the president, all of us have to stand against that and be prepared." One man, who attended the rally with his wife and three young children, waved an American flag and said he was there to object over the fairness of the presidential election and Inslee's COVID restrictions. Asked his impression of Wednesday's invasion of the U.S. Capitol, he said: "I wasn't there, so I can't say what happened." He declined to give his name. Later, Black Lives Matter protesters, some of them also armed, held their own event at Heritage Park, adjacent to the Capitol complex, with speeches against racial injustice and police brutality. "We are nonviolent at times, but there is no peace," said Tyshawn Ford, an activist from Portland. One man, who said he was from the Olympia area, carried an AR-15-style rifle, dressed in black. "We are really not going to try to clash with National Guard or alt-right-wingers," said the man, who said he was providing security. "We're just here to support people who are in Olympia trying to protest." Another man, who identified himself as a street medic, said he was trying to keep people safe and that protests would continue. "We have no interest in storming the Capitol like some right-wing people do," he said. "It's not going to end just because we get a new president." There was Tony, the cheeky East End lad who dreamed of being a jockey. Little ballerina Suzy, the girl from a wealthy family. Mixed-race Symon, who grew up in an orphanage and became a foster parent. Neil, the would-be astronaut and restless soul who later dropped out of university and lived in a squat . . . No doubt, as you read this, some of you can picture their faces now, just a few of the unforgettable characters we met as children in the ITV documentary series Seven Up! (later Up) and have followed throughout their lives remember Lynn the librarian and am-dram actress Sue? One of the girls, Suzy Lusk (pictured above in the series when she was a child) refused to take part in the latest instalment. Apted resorted to borrowing a phone and ringing her, 'so she'd think it was someone else. Then I said it was me, and she put the phone down' And we'd have known none of them without Michael Apted, the film-maker behind the series, who died last week aged 79. His fascination with ordinary people and especially the stories of the British working class ran so deep that perhaps it's no surprise he was one of the first directors on Coronation Street back in the 1960s. In the Up series, he went on to chart the complex, multi-layered lives of the personalities picked for the original 1964 show, every seven years through adolescence, adulthood and into middle age. As the latest instalment, 63 Up, screened last year, he said: 'It was an attempt to do a long view of English society. The class system needed a kick up the backside.' But like his subjects, Apted's own life defied categories. He lived in Los Angeles and was the director of blockbusters including a Bond movie, Oscar-nominated biopic Gorillas In The Mist, and country music epic Coal Miner's Daughter starring Sissy Spacek all in all, it was a long way from the cobbled backstreets of Corrie. Apted was a 22-year-old researcher at Granada Television in Manchester when he was asked to pick a selection of children from a range of social backgrounds for a one-off World In Action documentary. Apted poses for photographs after he was awarded the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2009 None of the children confounded viewers' predictions more than Neil Hughes, a bright pupil at a Liverpool school who played chess and hoped to go to Oxford . . . and the Moon The concept was inspired by the dictum, attributed to Jesuit priest Ignatius Loyola, 'Give me the child for the first seven years and I will give you the man' meaning our characters are formed at an early age. The young Apted visited a pre-preparatory school in London's Kensington, a charity home, a school in a middle-class Liverpool suburb and two East End schools: 'I rang up the schools and said: 'Bring me out your likeliest candidates.' By that I did not mean the smartest kids, but the ones who wouldn't be intimidated by having ten people standing in a room, staring at them. 'We never had a contract with any of them, never got parental permission. We probably got verbal agreements and the schools agreed, but it was all very loosey-goosey. Life was simpler in those days.' Indeed it was and a hugely optimistic time with the birth of Beatlemania and the emergence of working class film stars such as Michael Caine and Terence Stamp. Original director Paul Almond hoped his seven-year-olds would have dreams and aspirations that went beyond their backgrounds. Seven years on, with Apted by now an experienced TV director, he was approached by Granada to make a follow-up 14 Up, going back to the same children to find out how their lives and hopes had changed. It was the least successful of the series, because most of the teens were too inhibited or inarticulate. But it began a tradition that would continue every seven years. Apted was a 22-year-old researcher at Granada Television in Manchester when he was asked to pick a selection of children from a range of social backgrounds for a one-off World In Action documentary Apted also directed the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, which starred Pierce Brosnan (pictured together on set) The initial documentary opened at London Zoo on a day trip. In their interviews the children were charming, chatty and open and viewers were entranced. Any idea this would be simply a film about the class divide was swept away, as individuals shone through. One of the liveliest was Tony Walker, a lad from East London who spent much of that first day getting into scraps with the posher boys. Tony had dreams of being a jockey, and did have a few professional races in his late teens, but he didn't make the grade. Undaunted, he decided to become a taxi driver, and did 'the Knowledge', buzzing around London on a moped as he learned the cobweb of backstreets. Tony's 'cheeky chappie' personality taught Apted an early lesson during filming for the 1977 episode 21 Up. 'When Tony was 21 he was hanging out at the dog track,' the director said. 'I was convinced he'd be in the slammer by 28.' To exaggerate this side of the young man's character, Apted asked him to drive around the East End pointing out notorious haunts the pub where the Kray twins murdered a rival, for instance. But Tony's life turned out very differently, as he became a devoted family man. An embarrassed Apted later said: 'I stopped having expectations about how each would turn out. I gave up being God.' None of the children confounded viewers' predictions more than Neil Hughes, a bright pupil at a Liverpool school who played chess and hoped to go to Oxford . . . and the Moon. His schooling became a torment in his teens: bullied and anxious, he ended up dropping out of Aberdeen University and living in a London squat, before moving to a council house on Shetland. Neil and another of the subjects, Bruce (who dreamed at seven of being a missionary), then shared digs together in London, where Neil became a Lib Dem councillor, before he moved to Cumbria and worked as a lay preacher. It's a life of zigzags that disproves the notion of destiny underlying the series. One of Apted's regrets about the show was the imbalance of boys and girls. Only four of the participants were female. One of them, school governor Lynn Johnson, was the first of the group to die, in 2013. The library at her primary school in Poplar, East London, is named in her memory. Tony's 'cheeky chappie' personality taught Apted an early lesson during filming for the 1977 episode 21 Up. 'When Tony was 21 he was hanging out at the dog track,' the director said. 'I was convinced he'd be in the slammer by 28' Another of the girls, Suzy Lusk, refused to take part in the latest instalment. Apted resorted to borrowing a phone and ringing her, 'so she'd think it was someone else. Then I said it was me, and she put the phone down'. She joined another refusenik, Charles Furneaux, who dropped out after 21 Up and went on to become a BBC producer himself. Before filming the fourth episode, Apted tried calling him, too and the pair ended up having a furious argument over the phone. They never spoke again. Apted's own childhood in London sowed the seeds for his direct, driven style. 'My mother was always pushing, pushing, pushing,' he said. 'She was a homemaker, and never really exercised the gifts or the intelligence she had. She wanted me to make absolutely the best I could of my life.' Expecting him to be a solicitor, his parents were aghast when he got a job in television after leaving Cambridge. 'It took them ten years to figure out I had a proper job.' He branched out into movies in the 1970s with The Triple Echo, starring Glenda Jackson and Oliver Reed. His first big success was the 1980 life story of country star Loretta Lynn, played by Sissy Spacek, in Coal Miner's Daughter. It was nominated for seven Oscars (with Spacek winning Best Actress). Gorillas In The Mist about naturalist Dian Fossey earned five nominations in 1988. A Bond spectacular with Pierce Brosnan, The World Is Not Enough, followed in 1999; Enigma, based on the code-busting work at Bletchley Park in World War II in 2001; the life of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace, in 2006; and the acclaimed TV series starring Michael Sheen, Masters Of Sex, ten years later. But it was the Seven Up! series that he regarded as his real legacy. As he finished his final instalment last year, he said: 'It's the most important thing I'll ever do. It's unique in the history of television and film.' He might have added that it was, quite literally, the work of many lifetimes. 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. Radian Generation closes investment supporting growth of its asset management services and RadianLENS SaaS platform. Tweet this "We have built a robust platform dedicated to providing best-in-class asset management services and software over the past 8-years and are excited to be operating under this new ownership structure with 424 and Plus," said Joe Kastner, CEO and Founder of Radian. "This partnership provides a great environment for strengthening our existing offering while expanding our product line and geographic footprint." "424 is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Plus in growing Radian's services and software platform. Radian is an established leader in providing third-party services and software for clean energy in North America and we look forward to working with Joe and the entire team to continue its growth trajectory," said Walter Beinecke, Partner at 424 Capital. "The partnership between Plus, 424 and Radian will accelerate Radian towards the goal of creating the leading, global, best-in-class platform for renewable energy asset management." "Plus believes that with 424's expertise and financial support, Radian will not only consolidate its position in North America but also broaden its service offering into new sectors and markets. Both Plus and 424 have the ambition to see Radian being a clear market leader at this time of unprecedented change and growth," said Paul Cheng, CEO of Plus Renewable Technologies. "We are totally confident that this new partnership with 424 will capture new horizons for the business and create excellent opportunities for all that work with the company now and in the future." About Radian Generation: Radian Generation is a solar asset management services and software (RadianLENS) provider with a strong track record, industry and technology expertise, and a comprehensive approach to solar asset management. Founded in 2013 by a team of renewable industry veterans, Radian strives to optimize asset performance for its customers: infrastructure funds, tax equity, lenders, national utilities, developers, IPPs, and O&M providers, by offering a full range of services and our SaaS platform, RadianLENS. This comprehensive asset management offering, enabled with its industry best practices, spans all project owner needs: contract compliance, financial management, operations, monitoring, and regulatory. Radian provides services and software to over 18GW of solar and wind assets across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean. Our mission is to create a supportive, inclusive, and engaged environment and platform for providing best in class, technology enabled solutions to owners of renewable energy power plants with a focus on optimal plant and portfolio performance. www.radiangen.com About 424 Capital: 424 Capital is a venture and private equity investor based in the Boston making investments across the US and offshore. 424 is primarily focused on investments in the healthcare and renewable energy space and committed to supporting companies which make a positive impact to the environment or society. 424 believes strongly in the enhanced role renewables need to play in the global energy mix and feels this is one of the most important times to be investing time and capital in the space. www.424capital.com About Plus Renewable Technologies: Plus Renewable Technologies, Limited is led by an experienced management team with domain expertise in infrastructure, renewable energy, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, investment and asset management. The Company owns operating renewable assets in China, Taiwan and the U.S. and continues to evaluate and develop new projects in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy and other Asian markets, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. www.plusretech.com SOURCE Radian Generation Related Links http://www.radiangen.com East Penn Manufacturing Co. has earned the prestigious MVS (Most Valuable Supplier) Award for achievements in 2020. The MVS Award is granted by the industrys trade association, MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association) to less than 10% of all member companies. This is the sixth consecutive year that East Penn Manufacturing Co. has earned the MVS Award. This industry Award recognizes companies who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees and their community. To qualify for the MVS Award, East Penn Manufacturing Co. was required to meet a series of criteria in a number of areas important to the distributor companies who do business with them. In addition to confirming an on-going commitment to safety and employee training, award recipients must provide documentation of active participation in a program that gives back. MVS Award winners have demonstrated an overall commitment to business excellence by documenting programs in the following areas: Industry Advocacy Distributor Advocacy Business Networking Continuing Education Business Best Practices Doug Bouquard, GM and VP of Sales, Motive Power Division stated In 2020, East Penn is humbled to achieve two milestones with MHEDA. The first is celebrating our 45th Anniversary of membership with MHEDA, dating back to 1975. The second is East Penn receiving the MVS (Most Valuable Supplier) Award for the sixth year in a row. We are extremely proud of both accomplishments. Bouquard added, They are a testament to our partnership with MHEDA, our employees, our independently owned North American dealer network, and the customers we serve. Both of MHEDAs Awards, the MVP and MVS, are difficult to achieve without a companywide commitment to excellence in education, networking and community service. The companies that earn this distinction from MHEDA are the premier materials handling providers in the industry, said Mike Wall, 2020 MHEDA Chairman of the Board and President of CSI Materials Handling in Westmont, IL. East Penn is a leading manufacturer of high-quality batteries and accessories for the motive power, automotive, commercial, marine, UPS, and telecommunication markets. The companys quality and environmental systems for its entire 520-acre complex have been certified to ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TS 16949:2009, and ISO 14001:2015 requirements. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.dekabatteries.com. The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the premier trade association dedicated to serving all segments of the material handling business community. MHEDA represents close 600 companies in the material handling equipment business. Located in suburban Chicago, the association provides services to companies seeking to improve their business through education, networking, benchmarking and best practices. For more information, visit http://www.mheda.org. 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 Two more Connecticut men have been arrested following an investigation into illegal gambling operations at bodegas in the state. Vicente S. Encarnacion, 56, of Danbury, was arrested Dec. 31, and charged with illegal gambling, illegal possession of gambling records and illegally maintaining gambling premises. Tomas R. Garcia-Castillo, 37, of Waterbury, was arrested Jan. 6, and charged with illegal professional gambling, illegal possession of gambling devices and illegally maintaining gambling premises. Their arrests stem from a long-term investigation by Connecticut State Polices Organized Crime Task Force that encompassed multiple bodegas throughout Connecticut operating under the organized direction of several individuals in Connecticut whose primary goal was to make illegal profits from wagers/bets, according to police. Two Danbury bodega owners Nilo Antonio Espinal and Cesar Jose Vasquez were arrested on similar charges in November, following raids on Torres Grocery on Wildman Street and Pollas Supermarket on Main Street. Encarnacions arrest came following a raid at Deli and Market in Danbury last February, according to the warrant for his arrest. When state and Danbury police executed a search warrant at the Main Street convenience store, Encarnacion identified himself as the owner and said he purchased the business in 2019 from two men one of whom continued to work as a store employee for several months. Encarnacion told police the employee used a laptop and printer in the store to illegally sell Dominican Lottery wagers, and he allowed him to do so in exchange for half the profit he made. According to the warrant for Encarnacions arrest, the employee made an average monthly profit of $400 to $500 by illegally selling Dominican Lottery wagers. Encarnacion told police the employee stopped working at Deli and Market in January 2020 and never returned for the laptop used for illegal gambling. State police said a number of items of evidence related to the illegal gambling operation were found in the store including the laptop and printer Encarnacion mentioned, as well as numerous gambling receipts and approximately $8,501 in cash. Following his arrest, Encarnacion was released after posting a $10,000 non-surety bond, according to state police. He is scheduled to be arraigned at state Superior Court in Danbury on Feb. 4. Details on Garcia-Castillos arrests were not available Monday. State police said he posted a $100,000 court-set bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at state Superior Court in Waterbury on Feb. 10. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam spoke on January 6 at a conference reviewing 2020 and discussing implementation of tasks in 2021. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the conference A report from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) presented at the conference showed that Vietnam in 2020 continued to be 42nd among 131 ranked countries and territories in the global creativity index (GCI). MST in 2020 issued 895 Vietnamese standards, handled 68,971 applications for registering industrial ownership, and granted protection titles to 47,168 industrial property subjects. Science and technology now makes up over 30 percent of added value in agricultural production, and 38 percent in plant seed and animal production. The programs on national product development, hi-tech agriculture development, and conservation and sustainable use of genetic sources helped maintain export of key farm produce during Covid-19. Many agricultural production enterprises have mastered high technologies, which allowed them to lower production costs and increase productivity. In industrial production, Vietnam successfully made equipment, production lines and new materials that served manufacturing, mechanical engineering, energy, supporting industries, and agriculture. In the field of medicine and pharmacy, MST mobilized experts, scientists and businesses to isolate and culture the coronavirus, and master the technology to manufacture SARS-CoV-2 test kits that meet international standards. Nanocovax, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, is now being tested on volunteers. Robots that disinfected floors in quarantine areas and delivered items were created and manufactured. NaRoVid1 robot can automatically move and avoid all obstacles on its way. The device can easily move into every corner of the room, enabling it to clean and disinfect a wide variety of surfaces. Another great achievement of Vietnams science and technology in 2020 was the successful research in limb transplantation from brain-dead donors, intestinal transplantation from living donors, and surgery to separate conjoined twins. Dam praised Vietnam 42nd ranking for the second consecutive year in GCI. Its innovative ecosystem ranked third in ASEAN. In social sciences, MST organized many long-term scientific projects, including the compilation of Vietnam's National History (the draft of 30 volumes of the set of books has been completed) and Vietnam Encyclopedia. In natural sciences, Vietnam for the first time set up two science research centers in mathematics and physics at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology sponsored by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) . As of 2017, only 98 centers around the world are named in the list. Dam said there should be a policy to promote the development of science and technology, which would cover issues related to tax and business accounting. Ha Lan Health sector proves its mettle in COVID-19 fight Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the health sector to continue using drastic measures to tackle COVID-19 this year, particularly ahead of the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations and other important events. If you cant put the children of the State of Indiana first, then I dont know what else we can expect from our governor if we cant expect that, Repay said. He needs to do better this four years than he did the last on taking a serious approach to teacher pay, educational resources. Cristiana Wright has experienced homelessness off and on since she was 10 years old. Wright and her mother moved from shelter to shelter, including Haven for Hope and the Battered Women and Childrens Shelter, to escape an abusive stepfather. She separated from her mother at 16 and found herself sleeping by a dumpster. At one point, she became trapped by a man who sold her body to strangers. Its difficult not being able to control your surroundings, always having to, like, look over your shoulder, Wright said. But now the 18-year-old is looking at a brighter future. With help from the Thrive Youth Center, Wright signed a lease on her first apartment Friday. Thrive, an LGBTQ-focused shelter for youths at Haven for Hopes campus, is helping Wright and others ages 18 to 24 who have experienced homelessness find homes of their own through a new round of federal funding. The young adults get help moving into an apartment of their choosing. Thrive pays the rent for two years, and it provides furniture and essential items such as dishes, kitchen appliances, toiletries and even a couch to get them started. While living in their apartments, the young adults receive counseling and other services through Thrive. Help for young homeless For help: Call 210-207-1799 To help: Go to SARAHomeless.org/Movement-To-House-All-Youth See More Collapse So far, the organization has found apartments for seven young adults since last year, with plans to help a total of 25 by the end of 2021. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio-born author raises $10,000-plus for LGBTQ youth center Thrive received funding for its established rehousing program through a $6.9 million grant the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department awarded to South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, or SARAH, to help end homelessness for young San Antonians. SARAH, the citys lead continuum of care agency for the homeless, used that funding to award $5.2 million to five organizations in the area: Endeavors, Providence Place, Roy Maas Youth Alternatives and the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as Thrive, mostly for rapid rehousing. These programs aim to help about 150 adults who are 25 or younger and homeless or on the brink of having nowhere to stay. SARAH plans to spend the rest of the funding on a new drop-in center for young people. The coordinated plan was developed by SARAHs Youth Action Board, whose members are 17 to 25. Two-thirds of the members were formerly homeless themselves. They really wanted there to be more awareness in the community, said Katie Vela, executive director of SARAH. How to help young people, what the resources are and just really make sure theres empathy to the struggles that people go through and how challenging it really is. One of the members of the Youth Action Board is Latonya Richard, 24, who first experienced homelessness after she aged out of the foster care system. For four years, she bounced from friend to friend, sometimes finding herself sleeping on the streets of San Antonio. She tried to live with her adopted parents, but they didnt get along. She lived with her aunt for a while, but that didnt work out, either. She spent time in a psychiatric hospital and at Haven for Hope. I realized I needed support, Richard said. On ExpressNews.com: We still have assistance City stands ready to help San Antonians who cant pay rent, mortgages or grocery bills because of COVID In 2018, Richard found the Thrive Youth Center. She arrived without an ID, but the program helped her get one, as well as an inhaler for her asthma, a mental health therapist and her GED. Now Richard studies biomedical science at Palo Alto College, hoping to go at Texas A&M at College Station to get a veterinary degree. She has a job as a home health care provider and lives on her own with her youngest son, who celebrated his first birthday in December. Richards older son, now 6, was adopted by her aunt, with whom she has a much better relationship now. She values her work on the Youth Action Board, which oversees the programs the organization has funded, ensuring they meet expectations, said Suyapa Munoz, SARAHs youth liaison. Its been a way for us to hold them accountable, said Munoz, 19. To actually make sure that theyre serving the right amount of youth and theyre not just doing kind of Band-Aid work, that theyre really focusing on well-being and full service. The numbers The most recent federal Point-in-Time count of the homeless, conducted in January 2020, showed a 45 percent increase in those 24 and younger living on San Antonio streets, from 128 in 2019 to 185 in 2020. But that doesnt include those who couch surf staying a night or two with friends and family or who had collected enough money to pay for a motel room the night of the count. Last year, about 650 young adults in Bexar County either stayed in a shelter or received some services from the homeless response system, Vela said. Programs geared toward homeless youths put a large focus on education, employment and breaking down barriers such as a lack of transportation that keep youths from pursuing their goals. For the young who are homeless, SARAH is focused on smaller, more specific programs to limit the load on case managers. If case managers have fewer clients, they can give individuals more attention and help find the specific support each one needs to become self-sufficient. Weve definitely heard from the young adults that they feel safest when they can go somewhere thats just for young adults, Vela said. Because of various traumas they may have experienced, its hard to be with the general population and older adults. In order to feel safe, they want to be with other young people. Hence the plans for a new drop-in center just for young people. On ExpressNews.com: You get trapped San Antonio homeless need coordinated services, more support The largest chunk of funding already distributed by SARAH $1.5 million went to the Endeavors youth resilience project, which will provide rapid rehousing assistance to 45 youths in Bexar County. Endeavors program started in October. In addition to permanent housing, its providing young adults with wraparound services including mental health counseling, employment assistance, life skills training and child care whatever the client needs to establish housing stability. UTSA is using its $1.3 million to house 25 young adults each year who were in the foster care system and are now pursuing a college degree. The degree doesnt have to be at UTSA; students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and any of the five institutions within the Alamo Colleges District are eligible for the rental assistance and other services for up to two years to help them complete their degrees. Providence Place is using the $923,000 it received from SARAH to open Oasis, a new transitional housing and rapid rehousing facility. It plans to serve 32 young adults and 10 of their children during the two-year grant period, according to chief program officer Angelica Cervantes. Our program is geared toward pregnant and parenting women with complex trauma, Cervantes said, including cases of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault. Roy Maas Youth Alternatives is using its $527,000 to start a mobile outreach project, which Richard deems one of the most important aspects of reaching homeless youths. When I was in that situation, I didnt know about really any programs that were out there that could help me, Richard added. If they dont tell the people in the community what theyre trying to do, then people wont know whats out there. Path to stability Wright said her family has been violent in the past and she was often a witness. As a child, I got so used to having to call the police, Wright said. At 16, she ran away from her mother and ended up at the Roy Maas Youth Alternatives shelter with a friend. But they didnt stay long, running away again because they didnt like the shelters restrictions. Growing up, you want to have your freedom, Wright said. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio homeless shelters are once again accepting new clients, but operating at limited capacity due to novel coronavirus Wandering the streets, smoking marijuana with adults they had just met, the girls were drugged and taken captive while they were unconscious, she said. They were kept drugged and raped repeatedly by men who paid their captor for the sex. Eventually, the two escaped. After numerous ups and downs, Wright ended up at the Youth Center of Texas, a transitional living program for victims of sex trafficking. There, she befriended the other girls and went through counseling, but left for a while to live with a friend. After that didnt work out, she was sleeping in her car, but she soon returned to the shelter. She left the shelter again Friday, but this time it was to sign her first apartment lease a one-bedroom in a secure environment. And though she knows shes safe, Wright still has trouble not looking for things to go wrong. Its hard when youre used to chaos and then you come to an environment thats still, Wright said. Thrive will check in on Wright once a month, making sure shes still employed and to talk about other services she may need. Wright has a paid internship and hopes to start classes soon to earn her degree in forensic science and later go to law school. In 10 years, Wright wants to have multiple degrees and a job setting policy to help those who have endured similar situations. One day I want to be up there like in the legislative office, Wright said. We need people who have actually been through things and know how it is to be in these shelters and have them be able to advocate and have the voice. Showing empathy Before Richard found Thrive and other programs, she said, one of the most helpful things people could do for her while she was sleeping on the streets was to stop and talk to her. Its not always about giving them money, Richard said. It brightened my day. Somebody wanted to hear about how I was doing. ... It showed somebody out there cares. Dont just look past them. They may have a story, she said. There is a reason why theyre out there. On ExpressNews.com: A simple hot shower provides San Antonio homeless with dignity and better odds of keeping a job Having an empathetic community is a key part to solving homelessness, Vela said. Its a complex problem, Vela said. But if we all take it upon ourselves to play a small part, we can make a huge impact. I think (last) year has shown us that we can all find ourselves unexpectedly without a job or at risk of losing our housing, she added. Rudy Giuliani could face losing his New York States Bar Association membership as it announced Monday it is launching an inquiry into his comments inciting a crowd to descend on the Capitol Wednesday. The New York State Bar Association condemned the violent mob of Donald Trump's most fervent supporters storming the Capitol building on Wednesday, but claimed that while the president is at fault for the violence, Giuliani is also to blame. 'We must address the root cause of this abhorrent incident, the blame for which lies first and foremost with President Donald Trump,' NYSBA wrote in a statement released Monday. 'But the president did not act alone,' it continued. 'Hours before the angry mob stormed the Capitol walls, Trump's personal attorney, Rudolph Giuliani, addressed a crowd of thousands at the White House, reiterating baseless claims of widespread election fraud in the presidential election and the Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs.' Giuliani has continued to stand by the president, even as many of Trump's allies were quick to flee in the fallout of the riot last week. NYSBA claimed it has received hundreds of complaints regarding Giuliani's efforts to cast doubt on the results of the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani could face expulsion from the New York State Bar Association as it probes him for inciting a crowd to use 'trial by combat' before it stormed the Capitol on Wednesday In condemning the president's actions, the NYSBA wrote in a statement 'the president did not act alone' and put part of the onus on Giuliani A crowd of thousands of pro-Trump demonstrators traveled to Washington D.C. and gathered near the White House last Wednesday morning to protest Congress moving forward with certifying the election for Joe Biden. Before the president emerged from the White House to rally his supporters, several allies riled up the crowd with remarks, including Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani who has been leading the charge to legally challenge the election results in several swing states. 'Over the next 10 days, we get to see the machines that are crooked, the ballots that are fraudulent,' Giuliani told the crowd in another attempt to question Dominion voting machines and mail-in ballot discrepancies. 'And if we're wrong, we will be made fools of. But if we're right, and a lot of them will go to jail. So let's have trial by combat,' he suggested in his remarks. These comments, and others from Giuliani and the president, are being used by critics to prove that they incited the crowd to march to the Capitol and breach the premises in the midst of the joint session certifying every states' Electoral College results. Due to the former New York City mayor's comments and his 'prosecution of court actions in multiple states without any evidentiary basis whatsoever', NYSBA is launching an investigation that could result in Giuliani losing membership. 'Based on these complaints, and the statement Mr. Giuliani uttered shortly before the attack on the Capitol, NYSBA President Scott M. Karson has launched an inquiry pursuant to the Association's bylaws to determine whether Mr. Giuliani should be removed from the membership rolls of the Association,' the statement reads. Within the NYSBA bylaws, it states: '[N]o person who advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States, or of any state, territory or possession thereof, or of any political subdivision therein, by force or other illegal means, shall be a member of the Association.' The organization claims that 'Giuliani's words quite clearly were intended to encourage Trump supporters unhappy with the election's outcome to take matters into their own hands.' 'Their subsequent attack on the Capitol was nothing short of an attempted coup, intended to prevent the peaceful transition of power,' it continues. Last Wednesday, thousands of Trump supporters launched an unprecedented attack on the Capitol. After successfully breaching the building, supporters marched through the halls, entered lawmakers' offices and disrespected the Senate chamber by hanging from the balcony, sitting in chairs and taking pictures of materials on desks. Five were left dead in the chaos, including a female Trump supporter who was shot in the chest and a Capitol Police Officer who was hit in the head with a fire hydrant during the riot and died a day later from his injuries. Lawmakers also said their property was stolen, including a laptop from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. Trump condemned the violence at the Capitol, and on Wednesday evening urged his supporters to 'go home' once it turned deadly. In continued fallout from the events, Giuliani could be expelled from NYSBA. 'Mr. Giuliani will be provided due process and have an opportunity should he so choose to explain and defend his words and actions,' the association wrote. 'This decision is historic for NYSBA, and we have not made it lightly. We cannot stand idly by and allow those intent on rending the fabric of our democracy to go unchecked.' An abandoned driveway sitting on a block of land in Western Sydney has hit the market for $630,000. The circular driveway stretches over the 632sqm block of land nestled in between surrounding houses on 4 Lapstone Place in Leonay, 58km west of Sydney's CBD. The block once held an adjoining property but that was subdivided and sold in 2008 with only trees and bush remaining at the site for the last 13 years. The circular driveway stretches over the 632sqm block of land nestled in between surrounding houses on 4 Lapstone Place in Leonay, 58km west of the CBD The block of land hasn't had any new developments in 13 years and sits on a hill The vacant lot is expected to draw a lot of attention as it has panoramic views over the Nepean River. While the driveway connects to the house next door, a new development on the block would have its own private access, according to realestate.com. 'It is also very appealing because it allows someone to live one block from River Road, which is the most popular riverfront street in the area, without having the hefty price tag,' agent, Luke Wilson said. Sitting just on a quiet cul-de-sac one street back from the riverbank, the block is on a hill with prime views over the water and bush. The site also comes with a concept plan for a two-storey, four-bedroom home that would have room for an internal lift. The listing has already had more than 2,600 page views since the property went on the market at the end of December. The vacant lot is expected to attract a lot of attention thanks to its panoramic views over the Nepean River Indian WhatsApp users being lured into 'part-time' jobs by Chinese hackers In fresh trouble for WhatsApp, which is facing backlash over its upcoming user data policy in India, New Delhi-based think-tank Cyberpeace Foundation said on Monday that China-based hackers are targeting WhatsApp users in the country with the promise of 'part-time' jobs. Such proliferating messages on WhatsApp, which come with attached links, claim that one can earn Rs 200 to Rs 3,000 in a day in 10 to 30 minutes. "There are multiple links that redirect to a common URL and each link uses different numbers to send a message," the foundation said in a statement. "It can be observed that the same outgoing link is used for all the links with variation in the numbers. The parameter in the links indicates that they can be redirected to WhatsApp in all regions and in languages other than English," said the report. The CyberPeace Foundation along with experts from Autobot Infosec Private Ltd has launched an independent investigation into the matter. "In all the links, the same redirection and outgoing sources were generated. However, in one link, a different URL was found and one new IP address that belongs to one of China's hosting company Alibaba Cloud," the report said. When the URL is manipulated, an error code is displayed in Chinese language, the report said, adding that the domain names found during the investigation seem to have been registered in China. "The IP address of the link is 47.75.111.165 and it can be traced to Alibaba Cloud, the city Hong Kong and the country China," it further claimed. The news comes at a time when WhatsApp is asking users to either give their consent to sharing data with Facebook or lose their accounts after February 8, triggering a heated debate globally, including in India. 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. Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut came out in support of the anti-conversion ordinance brought in by the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, saying it would help the victims of fraudulent marriages. The actor, often in news because of controversial social media posts, also appeared to favour public executions such as in Saudi Arabia to curb crimes like gang-rape. Governor Anandiben Patel earlier in the day gave assent to an ordinance of MP government which penalizes religious conversions through fraudulent means including those for the sake of marriage. The law provides for as much as 10 years in prison for fraudulent conversions in some cases. This is a very good law. Many people have faced problems. The law has been made for such people, Ranaut told reporters. This type of law should be made. It is a very good step the government has finally taken, the actor, here for a film shoot, said to a query. Asked about rising cases of rape in the country, the actor said trials of such cases go on for long and victims get harassed in the process. They have the burden to prove the charges against the accusedMore than half the accused get acquitted, she said. Many countries like Saudi hang (the accused) in public squares, she said, adding until we set five-six such examples, until tough action is not taken (such crimes will not stop)because people get away with such crimes, Ranaut said. Mia McDermott is no stranger to isolation. Abandoned as an infant in China, she lived in an orphanage until a family in California adopted her as a toddler. She spent her adolescence in boarding schools and early adult years in and out of psychiatric hospitals, where she underwent treatment for bipolar disorder, anxiety and anorexia. The pandemic left McDermott feeling especially lonely. She restricted social interactions because her fatty liver disease put her at greater risk of complications should she contract covid-19. The 26-year-old Santa Cruz resident stopped regularly eating and taking her psychiatric medications, and contemplated suicide. When McDermott's thoughts grew increasingly dark in June, she checked into Second Story, a mental health program based in a home not far from her own, where she finds nonclinical support in a peaceful environment from people who have faced similar challenges. Second Story is what is known as a "peer respite," a welcoming place where people can stay when they're experiencing or nearing a mental health crisis. Betting that a low-key wellness approach, coupled with empathy from people who have "been there," can help people in distress recover, this unorthodox strategy has gained popularity in recent years as the nation grapples with a severe shortage of psychiatric beds that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Peer respites allow guests to avoid psychiatric hospitalization and emergency department visits. They now operate in at least 14 states. California has five, in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County. "When things are really tough and you need extra support but you don't need hospitalization, where's that middle ground?" asked Keris Myrick, founder of Hacienda of Hope, a peer respite in Long Beach, California. People with serious mental illness are more likely to experience emotional distress in the pandemic than the general population, said Dr. Benjamin Druss, a psychiatrist and professor at Emory University's public health school, elaborating that they tend to have smaller social networks and more medical problems. That was the case with McDermott. "I don't have a full-on relationship with my family. My friends are my family," she said. She yearned to "give them a hug, see their smile or stand close and take a selfie." The next best thing was Second Story, located in a pewter-gray split-level, five-bedroom house in Aptos, a quaint beach community near McDermott's Santa Cruz home. Peer respites offer people in distress short-term (usually up to two weeks), round-the-clock emotional support from peers people who have experienced mental health conditions and are trained and often certified by states to support others with similar issues and activities like arts, meditation and support groups. "You can't tell who's the guest and who's the staff. We don't wear uniforms or badges," said Angelica Garcia-Guerrero, associate director of Hacienda of Hope's parent organization. Peer respites are free for guests but rarely covered by insurance. States and counties typically pick up the tab. Hacienda of Hope's $900,000 annual operating costs are covered by Los Angeles County through the Mental Health Services Act, a policy that directs proceeds from a statewide tax on people who earn more than $1 million annually to behavioral health programs. In September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would establish a statewide certification process for mental health peer providers by July 2022. For now, however, peer respite staff members in California are not licensed or certified. Peer respites typically don't offer clinical care or dispense psychiatric drugs, though guests can bring theirs. Peers share personal stories with guests but avoid labeling them with diagnoses. Guests must come and can leave voluntarily. Some respites have few restrictions on who can stay; others don't allow guests who express suicidal thoughts or are homeless. Peer respite is one of several types of programs that divert people facing behavioral health crises from the hospital, but the only one without clinical involvement, said Travis Atkinson, a consultant at TBD Solutions, a behavioral health care company. The first peer respites arose around 2000, said Laysha Ostrow, CEO of Live & Learn, which conducts behavioral health research. The approach seems to be expanding. Live & Learn counts 33 peer respites today in the U.S., up from 19 six years ago. All are overseen and staffed by people with histories of psychiatric disorders. About a dozen other programs employ a mix of peers and laypeople who don't have psychiatric diagnoses, or aren't peer-led, Atkinson said. Though she had stayed at Second Story several times over the past five years, McDermott hesitated to return during the pandemic. However, she felt reassured after learning that guests were required to wear a mask in common areas and get a covid test before their stay. To ensure physical distancing, the respite reduced capacity from six to five guests at a time. During her two-week stay, McDermott played with the respite's two cats and piano activities she found therapeutic. But most helpful was talking to peers in a way she couldn't with her mental health providers, she said. In the past, McDermott said, she had been involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital after she expressed suicidal thoughts. When she shared similar sentiments with Second Story peers, they offered to talk, or call the hospital if she wanted. "They were willing to listen," she said. "But they're not forceful about helping." By the end of the visit, McDermott said that she felt understood and her loneliness and suicidal feelings had waned. She started eating and taking her medications more consistently, she said. The small number of studies on respites have found that guests had fewer hospitalizations and accounted for lower Medicaid spending for nearly a year after a respite stay than people with similar conditions who did not stay in a respite. Respite visitors spent less time in the hospital and emergency room the longer they stayed in the respite. Financial struggles and opposition from neighbors have hindered the growth of respites, however. Live & Learn said that although five peer respites have been created since 2018, at least two others closed because of budget cuts. Neighbors have challenged nearby respite placements in a few instances. Santa Cruz-area media outlets reported in 2019 that Second Story neighbors had voiced safety concerns with the respite. Neighbor Tony Crane told California Healthline that guests have used drugs and consumed alcohol in the neighborhood, and he worried that peers are not licensed or certified to support people in crisis. He felt it was too risky to let his children ride their bikes near the respite when they were younger. In a written response, Monica Martinez, whose organization runs Second Story, said neighbors often target community mental health programs because of concerns that "come from misconceptions and stigma surrounding those seeking mental health support." Many respites are struggling with increased demand and decreased availability during the pandemic. Sherry Jenkins Tucker, executive director of Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, said its four respites have had to reduce capacity to enable physical distancing, despite increased demand for services. Other respites have temporarily suspended stays because of the pandemic. McDermott said her mental health had improved since staying at Second Story in June, but she still struggles with isolation amid the pandemic. "Holidays are hard for me," said McDermott, who returned to Second Story in November. "I really wanted to be able to have Thanksgiving with people." Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying Joe Bidens presidential victory, even after a mob broke into the Capitol, are being denounced by critics in their home districts who demand that they resign or be ousted. Protesters, newspaper editorial boards and local-level Democrats have urged the lawmakers to step down or for their colleagues to kick them out. The House and Senate can remove members with a two-thirds vote or censure or reprimand with a majority. Rep. Madison Cawthorn needs to be held accountable for his seditious behavior and for the consequences resulting from said behavior, a group of Democratic officials wrote in a letter asking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to expel the North Carolina freshman who took his oath of office on Jan. 3. Cawthorn said he had a constitutional duty to vote against Biden. He condemned the violence in Wednesdays attack, but compared it to last summers protests over police brutality. A Capitol police officer died and an officer shot and killed a woman in the mob. Three other people died from medical emergencies in the chaos, which forced lawmakers and staff members to go into hiding as the rioters roamed the halls of one of Americas most hallowed buildings. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders in Congress are pushing to have President Donald Trump impeached for encouraging the insurrection and refusing to act to stop the violence. But they have been quiet about whether lawmakers who backed the untrue claims of voter fraud that led to the melee should be punished. Most previous expulsions have been for members who backed the Confederacy during the Civil War or for taking bribes. In St. Louis on Saturday, several hundred people protested against Sen. Josh Hawley, the first-term Missouri Republican who led efforts in the Senate to overturn Bidens election. The protestors painted RESIGN HAWLEY in large yellow letters in the middle of the street. A caravan of about 40 cars circled Sen. Ron Johnsons office in Madison, Wisconsin, urging him to resign. Johnson initially supported Trumps baseless claims of election fraud, but after the riot, he voted in favor of Bidens win. Johnson condemned the violence but did not back off voter fraud allegations. The editorial boards of two of Wisconsins biggest newspapers called for Johnson to resign, joining with editorials published across the country that targeted GOP politicians. The Houston Chronicle, long a critic of Sen. Ted Cruz, said in an editorial that the Republican knew exactly what he was doing and what might happen when he took to the Senate floor to dispute the election results. Those terrorists wouldnt have been at the Capitol if you hadnt staged this absurd challenge to the 2020 results in the first place, the newspaper wrote. Cruz has called the attack a despicable act of terrorism, but he continues to push for a commission to investigate the presidential election. In Alabama, the Decatur Daily called for local Rep. Mo Brooks to resign. The York Dispatch in Pennsylvania said congressman Scott Perry is a disgrace to Pennsylvania and our democracy, and if he still believes Bidens election is fraudulent, he should resign because that means his election was bogus too. Perry condemned the Capitol violence. The Danville Register & Bee in Virginia said its representative, Bob Good, needs to go because his words struck the matches that led to the destructive mobs. Good said his vote was to protect his constituents. The invading Trump loyalists confronted security personnel, and there were injuries and even deaths, the papers editorial board wrote. And you are just as guilty as they were. New guidelines indicate staff shortages may make visits to nursing homes impossible, even when someone is dying, as Covid-19 continues to spread. The guidelines were issued on Monday by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in response to the high level of virus in the community. There are currently more than 100 outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes, according to the HSEs chief operations Office Anne O Connor, and more than 800 staff absent from duty. The HPSC document states: Service providers will need to limit such critical and compassionate visiting to times when visiting can be effectively supported by available staff. Window visits are possible under all restrictions, but at level 5 indoor visits can only be arranged for end of life or critical illness. PPE should be provided for families if necessary. There is a need for clear communication on these issues with residents and families and in all circumstances the wishes of those residents who may feel safer not seeing visitors at any time should be respected, the guidelines state. The health body does, however, call for greater clarity from nursing homes around decision-making. The HPSC said: Restrictions on visiting are of themselves a source of stress for residents, their friends and families. Any lack of clarity regarding the visiting arrangements and the reasons for them exacerbates stress and is avoidable. Executive director of advocacy group Sage Sarah Lennon said: I know there are huge staff shortages at the moment. The guidance doesnt say nursing home visits are banned but it puts a heavy emphasis on the risks associated with nursing home visits at the moment. Ms Lennon said feedback on nursing home vaccinations has been positive so far. She said: The hope is that as the vaccination programme rolls out this might start to open up the nursing homes for visitors a bit. This is something which people are very badly missing. Acceleration of Covid19 vaccine for nursing home residents is welcome news. Well done to @NursingHomesIre for their work in pushing for this. Protecting residents in care homes is a huge priority. https://t.co/3gBEKMxSN7 David Cullinane T.D. (@davidcullinane) January 8, 2021 However, she said there had been some confusion among families over consent to vaccines. Ireland does not have mandatory vaccination. Each resident must consent, or if they cannot do so, a healthcare professional must decide on their best interests. Ms Lennon said in her experience not everyone was aware of the HSE policies. Some families were asked to sign the form, they should not be, she said. It would be usual where there are issues around consent for the family to be consulted. It is up to the healthcare professional to decide. Irish Hospice Foundation head Sharon Foley said they understood the grave situation facing nursing homes. She said: However, we also know of the absolute necessity for residents to be in regular contact with their loved ones so that quality of life and dignity is maximised as far as possible. This is even more critical as residents become more vulnerable and are approaching end of life, a phase which can continue for some time. She called on all residential centres to remember the importance of compassionate visiting. The updated guidelines are on the HPSC website. The has sent a notice to the and the state police chief over the death of ten newborn babies in a fire at Bhandara district general hospital, seeking a detailed report on the incident within four weeks, officials said on Monday. The Commission, while issuing the notice, observed that it is a "serious issue of violation of human rights for which the accountability of negligent officers and officials is required to be fixed, with retrospective effect". The fire had broken out in the Special Newborn Care Unit of the state-run hospital in the early hours on Saturday. Seven babies were rescued, doctors had said. The age of deceased infants ranged between less than a month and a couple of months. "The Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that ten infants were killed in a fire that swept through the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra on January 9. "The fire reportedly broke out at around 1.30 AM and the hospital administration could rescue only seven out of the seventeen children kept in the ward," the said in a statement. The Commission has issued notices to the state chief secretary and Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report within four weeks, the officials said. The report must contain the fire audit reports of various hospitals in the state as well as measures that have been taken or contemplated to be taken by the state against the erring or negligent officers and officials so that they cannot go on with impunity, the statement said. The Commission has also observed that the babies were in the custody of a state-run hospital where they lost their lives, and "hence, the state cannot escape its responsibility". The state police chief is also expected to inform the Commission about the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the police authorities, the rights panel said in the statement. A relief of Rs 5 lakh has been announced by the state government from the Chief Minister's Fund to each bereaved family and a state-wide fire audit has also been announced. A case of accident has been reportedly registered and further investigation is being conducted, it said. The monetary relief alone is not sufficient to compensate. Further, it is imperative to ensure that the support systems in various hospitals in the state must provide adequate care and attention to the patients for protection of their human rights, the rights panel said. The Special Newborn Care Unit of the four-storeyed district hospital in Bhandara district town, about 900 km from the state capital Mumbai, is a 36-bed ward. According to the media reports, prima facie, the fire perhaps originated from the air-conditioner and the babies died due to suffocation caused by smoke. Reportedly, a committee headed by the health director will probe the incident and submit its report within three days, the statement 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.) 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 town's most controversial council lady wants more housing accommodation for low-income residents. Even worse, anybody who gets in her way is likely to be labeled racist despite her consistently sloppy approach to public policy that's politely ignored by EVERYONE is Kansas City . . . But mostly her own constituents and her middle-class enablers in the local media. Check-it . . . NextEra Energy Partners, LP NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). NextEra Energy Partners acquires, manages and owns contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy Partners owns interests in geographically diverse wind and solar projects in the U.S. as well as natural gas infrastructure assets in Texas and Pennsylvania. For more information about NextEra Energy Partners, please visit: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com. Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results for NextEra Energy, Inc. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead represent the current expectations of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NextEra Energy) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) regarding future operating results and other future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NextEra Energy's and FPL's control. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements concerning adjusted earnings per share expectations and future operating performance, statements concerning future dividends, and results of acquisitions. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "will," "may result," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "seek," "potential," "projection," "forecast," "predict," "goals," "target," "outlook," "should," "would" or similar words or expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. The future results of NextEra Energy and FPL and their business and financial condition are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause their actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or may require them to limit or eliminate certain operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this news release and the following: effects of extensive regulation of NextEra Energy's and FPL's business operations; inability of NextEra Energy and FPL to recover in a timely manner any significant amount of costs, a return on certain assets or a reasonable return on invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise; impact of political, regulatory and economic factors on regulatory decisions important to NextEra Energy and FPL; disallowance of cost recovery by FPL based on a finding of imprudent use of derivative instruments; effect of any reductions or modifications to, or elimination of, governmental incentives or policies that support utility scale renewable energy projects of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and its affiliated entities (NextEra Energy Resources) or the imposition of additional tax laws, policies or assessments on renewable energy; impact of new or revised laws, regulations, interpretations or ballot or regulatory initiatives on NextEra Energy and FPL; capital expenditures, increased operating costs and various liabilities attributable to environmental laws, regulations and other standards applicable to NextEra Energy and FPL; effects on NextEra Energy and FPL of federal or state laws or regulations mandating new or additional limits on the production of greenhouse gas emissions; exposure of NextEra Energy and FPL to significant and increasing compliance costs and substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions as a result of extensive federal regulation of their operations and businesses; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of changes in tax laws, guidance or policies as well as in judgments and estimates used to determine tax-related asset and liability amounts; impact on NextEra Energy and FPL of adverse results of litigation; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of failure to proceed with projects under development or inability to complete the construction of (or capital improvements to) electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities or other facilities on schedule or within budget; impact on development and operating activities of NextEra Energy and FPL resulting from risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements; risks involved in the operation and maintenance of electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities, retail gas distribution system in Florida and other facilities; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of a lack of growth or slower growth in the number of customers or in customer usage; impact on NextEra Energy and FPL of severe weather and other weather conditions; threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyberattacks or other attempts to disrupt NextEra Energy's and FPL's business or the businesses of third parties; inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage for protection of NextEra Energy and FPL against significant losses and risk that insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses; a prolonged period of low gas and oil prices could impact NextEra Energy Resources' gas infrastructure business and cause NextEra Energy Resources to delay or cancel certain gas infrastructure projects and could result in certain projects becoming impaired; risk to NextEra Energy Resources of increased operating costs resulting from unfavorable supply costs necessary to provide NextEra Energy Resources' full energy and capacity requirement services; inability or failure by NextEra Energy Resources to manage properly or hedge effectively the commodity risk within its portfolio; effect of reductions in the liquidity of energy markets on NextEra Energy's ability to manage operational risks; effectiveness of NextEra Energy's and FPL's risk management tools associated with their hedging and trading procedures to protect against significant losses, including the effect of unforeseen price variances from historical behavior; impact of unavailability or disruption of power transmission or commodity transportation facilities on sale and delivery of power or natural gas by NextEra Energy, including FPL; exposure of NextEra Energy and FPL to credit and performance risk from customers, hedging counterparties and vendors; failure of NextEra Energy or FPL counterparties to perform under derivative contracts or of requirement for NextEra Energy or FPL to post margin cash collateral under derivative contracts; failure or breach of NextEra Energy's or FPL's information technology systems; risks to NextEra Energy and FPL's retail businesses from compromise of sensitive customer data; losses from volatility in the market values of derivative instruments and limited liquidity in OTC markets; impact of negative publicity; inability of NextEra Energy and FPL to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate acceptable franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida; occurrence of work strikes or stoppages and increasing personnel costs; NextEra Energy's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions, including the effect of increased competition for acquisitions; environmental, health and financial risks associated with NextEra Energy Resources' and FPL's ownership and operation of nuclear generation facilities; liability of NextEra Energy and FPL for significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums in the event of an incident at certain nuclear generation facilities; increased operating and capital expenditures and/or reduced revenues at nuclear generation facilities of NextEra Energy or FPL resulting from orders or new regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; inability to operate any of NextEra Energy Resources' or FPL's owned nuclear generation units through the end of their respective operating licenses; effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets or actions by third parties in connection with project-specific or other financing arrangements on NextEra Energy's and FPL's ability to fund their liquidity and capital needs and meet their growth objectives; inability of NextEra Energy, FPL and NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. to maintain their current credit ratings; impairment of NextEra Energy's and FPL's liquidity from inability of credit providers to fund their credit commitments or to maintain their current credit ratings; poor market performance and other economic factors that could affect NextEra Energy's defined benefit pension plan's funded status; poor market performance and other risks to the asset values of NextEra Energy's and FPL's nuclear decommissioning funds; changes in market value and other risks to certain of NextEra Energy's investments; effect of inability of NextEra Energy subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or repay funds to NextEra Energy or of NextEra Energy's performance under guarantees of subsidiary obligations on NextEra Energy's ability to meet its financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock; the fact that the amount and timing of dividends payable on NextEra Energy's common stock, as well as the dividend policy approved by NextEra Energy's board of directors from time to time, and changes to that policy, are within the sole discretion of NextEra Energy's board of directors and, if declared and paid, dividends may be in amounts that are less than might be expected by shareholders; NEP's inability to access sources of capital on commercially reasonable terms could have an effect on its ability to consummate future acquisitions and on the value of NextEra Energy's limited partner interest in NextEra Energy Operating Partners, LP; effects of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets on the market price of NextEra Energy's common stock; and the ultimate severity and duration of the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on NextEra Energy's or FPL's businesses. NextEra Energy and FPL discuss these and other risks and uncertainties in their annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and other SEC filings, and this news release should be read in conjunction with such SEC filings. The forward-looking statements made in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and NextEra Energy and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results for NextEra Energy Partners, LP This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead represent the current expectations of NextEra Energy Partners, LP (together with its subsidiaries, NEP) regarding future operating results and other future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NEP's control. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements concerning adjusted EBITDA, cash available for distributions (CAFD) and unit distribution expectations, as well as statements concerning NEP's future operating performance and financing needs. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "will," "may result," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "seek," "aim," "potential," "projection," "forecast," "predict," "goals," "target," "outlook," "should," "would" or similar words or expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. The future results of NEP and its business and financial condition are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause NEP's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties could require NEP to limit or eliminate certain operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: NEP's ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders is affected by wind and solar conditions at its renewable energy projects; NEP's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects can be materially adversely affected by weather conditions, including, but not limited to, the impact of severe weather; Operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects involve significant risks that could result in unplanned power outages, reduced output, personal injury or loss of life; Natural gas gathering and transmission activities involve numerous risks that may result in accidents or otherwise affect NEP's pipeline operations; NEP depends on certain of the renewable energy projects and pipelines in its portfolio for a substantial portion of its anticipated cash flows; NEP is pursuing the expansion of natural gas pipelines and the repowering of wind projects that will require up-front capital expenditures and expose NEP to project development risks; Terrorist acts, cyberattacks or other similar events could impact NEP's projects, pipelines or surrounding areas and adversely affect its business; The ability of NEP to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. NEP's insurance coverage does not insure against all potential risks and it may become subject to higher insurance premiums; Warranties provided by the suppliers of equipment for NEP's projects may be limited by the ability of a supplier to satisfy its warranty obligations, or by the terms of the warranty, so the warranties may be insufficient to compensate NEP for its losses; Supplier concentration at certain of NEP's projects may expose it to significant credit or performance risks; NEP relies on interconnection, transmission and other pipeline facilities of third parties to deliver energy from its renewable energy projects and to transport natural gas to and from its pipelines. If these facilities become unavailable, NEP's projects and pipelines may not be able to operate or deliver energy or may become partially or fully unavailable to transport natural gas; NEP's business is subject to liabilities and operating restrictions arising from environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, compliance with which may require significant capital expenditures, increase NEP's cost of operations and affect or limit its business plans; NEP's renewable energy projects or pipelines may be adversely affected by legislative changes or a failure to comply with applicable energy and pipeline regulations; Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) may claim certain immunities under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and Mexican law, and the Texas pipeline entities' ability to sue or recover from Pemex for breach of contract may be limited and may be exacerbated if there is a deterioration in the economic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico; NEP does not own all of the land on which the projects in its portfolio are located and its use and enjoyment of the property may be adversely affected to the extent that there are any lienholders or land rights holders that have rights that are superior to NEP's rights or the U.S. Bureau of Land Management suspends its federal rights-of-way grants; NEP is subject to risks associated with litigation or administrative proceedings that could materially impact its operations, including, but not limited to, proceedings related to projects it acquires in the future; NEP's cross-border operations require NEP to comply with anti-corruption laws and regulations of the U.S. government and Mexico; NEP is subject to risks associated with its ownership or acquisition of projects or pipelines that are under construction, which could result in its inability to complete construction projects on time or at all, and make projects too expensive to complete or cause the return on an investment to be less than expected; NEP relies on a limited number of customers and is exposed to the risk that they may be unwilling or unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to NEP or that they otherwise terminate their agreements with NEP; NEP may not be able to extend, renew or replace expiring or terminated power purchase agreements (PPA), natural gas transportation agreements or other customer contracts at favorable rates or on a long-term basis; If the energy production by or availability of NEP's renewable energy projects is less than expected, they may not be able to satisfy minimum production or availability obligations under their PPAs; NEP's growth strategy depends on locating and acquiring interests in additional projects consistent with its business strategy at favorable prices; Lower prices for other fuel sources may reduce the demand for wind and solar energy; Reductions in demand for natural gas in the United States or Mexico and low market prices of natural gas could materially adversely affect NEP's pipeline operations and cash flows; Government laws, regulations and policies providing incentives and subsidies for clean energy could be changed, reduced or eliminated at any time and such changes may negatively impact NEP's growth strategy; NEP's growth strategy depends on the acquisition of projects developed by NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) and third parties, which face risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, the environment, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements; Acquisitions of existing clean energy projects involve numerous risks; Renewable energy procurement is subject to U.S. state regulations, with relatively irregular, infrequent and often competitive procurement windows; NEP may continue to acquire other sources of clean energy and may expand to include other types of assets. Any further acquisition of non-renewable energy projects may present unforeseen challenges and result in a competitive disadvantage relative to NEP's more-established competitors; NEP faces substantial competition primarily from regulated utilities, developers, independent power producers, pension funds and private equity funds for opportunities in North America; The natural gas pipeline industry is highly competitive, and increased competitive pressure could adversely affect NEP's business; NEP may not be able to access sources of capital on commercially reasonable terms, which would have a material adverse effect on its ability to consummate future acquisitions; Restrictions in NEP and its subsidiaries' financing agreements could adversely affect NEP's business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders; NEP's cash distributions to its unitholders may be reduced as a result of restrictions on NEP's subsidiaries' cash distributions to NEP under the terms of their indebtedness or other financing agreements; NEP's subsidiaries' substantial amount of indebtedness may adversely affect NEP's ability to operate its business, and its failure to comply with the terms of its subsidiaries' indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on NEP's financial condition; NEP is exposed to risks inherent in its use of interest rate swaps; NEE has influence over NEP; Under the cash sweep and credit support agreement, NEP receives credit support from NEE and its affiliates. NEP's subsidiaries may default under contracts or become subject to cash sweeps if credit support is terminated, if NEE or its affiliates fail to honor their obligations under credit support arrangements, or if NEE or another credit support provider ceases to satisfy creditworthiness requirements, and NEP will be required in certain circumstances to reimburse NEE for draws that are made on credit support; NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (NEER) or one of its affiliates is permitted to borrow funds received by NEP's subsidiaries and is obligated to return these funds only as needed to cover project costs and distributions or as demanded by NextEra Energy Operating Partners' (NEP OpCo) . NEP's financial condition and ability to make distributions to its unitholders, as well as its ability to grow distributions in the future, is highly dependent on NEER's performance of its obligations to return all or a portion of these funds; NEP may not be able to consummate future acquisitions; NEER's right of first refusal may adversely affect NEP's ability to consummate future sales or to obtain favorable sale terms; NextEra Energy Partners GP, Inc. (NEP GP) and its affiliates may have conflicts of interest with NEP and have limited duties to NEP and its unitholders; NEP GP and its affiliates and the directors and officers of NEP are not restricted in their ability to compete with NEP, whose business is subject to certain restrictions; NEP may only terminate the Management Services Agreement among, NEP, NextEra Energy Management Partners, LP (NEE Management), NEP OpCo and NextEra Energy Operating Partners GP, LLC (NEP OpCo GP) under certain specified conditions; If the agreements with NEE Management or NEER are terminated, NEP may be unable to contract with a substitute service provider on similar terms; NEP's arrangements with NEE limit NEE's potential liability, and NEP has agreed to indemnify NEE against claims that it may face in connection with such arrangements, which may lead NEE to assume greater risks when making decisions relating to NEP than it otherwise would if acting solely for its own account; NEP's ability to make distributions to its unitholders depends on the ability of NEP OpCo to make cash distributions to its limited partners; If NEP incurs material tax liabilities, NEP's distributions to its unitholders may be reduced, without any corresponding reduction in the amount of the IDR fee; Holders of NEP's units may be subject to voting restrictions; NEP's partnership agreement replaces the fiduciary duties that NEP GP and NEP's directors and officers might have to holders of its common units with contractual standards governing their duties; NEP's partnership agreement restricts the remedies available to holders of NEP's common units for actions taken by NEP's directors or NEP GP that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duties; Certain of NEP's actions require the consent of NEP GP; Holders of NEP's common units and preferred units currently cannot remove NEP GP without NEE's consent; NEE's interest in NEP GP and the control of NEP GP may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent; The IDR fee may be assigned to a third party without unitholder consent; NEP may issue additional units without unitholder approval, which would dilute unitholder interests; Reimbursements and fees owed to NEP GP and its affiliates for services provided to NEP or on NEP's behalf will reduce cash distributions from NEP OpCo and from NEP to NEP's unitholders, and there are no limits on the amount that NEP OpCo may be required to pay; Discretion in establishing cash reserves by NEP OpCo GP may reduce the amount of cash distributions to unitholders; NEP OpCo can borrow money to pay distributions, which would reduce the amount of credit available to operate NEP's business; Increases in interest rates could adversely impact the price of NEP's common units, NEP's ability to issue equity or incur debt for acquisitions or other purposes and NEP's ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders; The liability of holders of NEP's units, which represent limited partnership interests in NEP, may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of NEP's business; Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them; Provisions in NEP's partnership agreement may discourage or delay an acquisition of NEP that NEP unitholders may consider favorable, which could decrease the value of NEP's common units, and could make it more difficult for NEP unitholders to change the board of directors; The New York Stock Exchange does not require a publicly traded limited partnership like NEP to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements; The issuance of preferred units or other securities convertible into common units may affect the market price for NEP's common units, will dilute common unitholders' ownership in NEP and may decrease the amount of cash available for distribution for each common unit; The preferred units have rights, preferences and privileges that are not held by, and will be preferential to the rights of, holders of the common units; NEP's future tax liability may be greater than expected if NEP does not generate net operating losses (NOLs) sufficient to offset taxable income or if tax authorities challenge certain of NEP's tax positions; NEP's ability to use NOLs to offset future income may be limited; NEP will not have complete control over NEP's tax decisions; A valuation allowance may be required for NEP's deferred tax assets; Distributions to unitholders may be taxable as dividends; and, The coronavirus pandemic may have a material adverse impact on NEP's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders. NEP discusses these and other risks and uncertainties in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and other SEC filings, and this news release should be read in conjunction with such SEC filings made through the date of this news release. The forward-looking statements made in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and NEP undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc.; NextEra Energy Partners, LP ROME, JAN 11 - Premier Giuseppe Conte on Monday answered a question on the possibility of a government crisis sparked by the centrist Italia Viva (IV) party by saying "we are working to build" and a crisis was the last thing Italy needed in the middle of the COVID emergency. IV leader and ex-premier Matteo Renzi has been chiding Conte for weeks over the government's Recovery Plan to use over 200 billion euros of EU grants and loans to recover from the COVID crisis. Conte said Monday a cabinet meeting Tuesday evening would be called on to approve the latest version of the Plan, which he hopes will persuade Renzi to drop his threat to bring down the government over the alleged misuse of the funds. "We are working to build, the moment is so difficult that we must do our utmost to offer responses to the citizens," said Conte. He said "we must run" on the Recovery Plan. Conte added that an upsurge in COVID cases was on the way. "It's not easy, and tough sacrifices will still be needed," said the premier. Earlier Renzi warned Conte against trying to end tension within the coalition supporting his government via a showdown in a parliamentary vote. Renzi has repeatedly threatened to pull IV party out of the governing alliance due to disagreements about how the executive intends to spend the 209 billion euros Italy will get in grants and low-interest loans from the EU Recovery Fund, if its plan is approved. Renzi has said the government's Recovery Plan lacks ambition. "If Conte and (aide Rocco) Casalino want a count (of votes) on the floor (of parliament), then I only hope that they have done their sums right," Renzi told RTL 102.5 radio. However, Andrea Orlando of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) countered that it would not be possible to have a new government supported by the same coalition under a different premier and suggested that early elections would be needed if the executive collapses. The ruling alliance also features the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) and the left-wing LeU group. "We don't think it is possible to go outside this ruling majority and the point of equilibrium of this majority is Conte," Orlando told State broadcaster RAI. "If you go beyond Conte, you also go beyond this majority and we can't make deals with (right-wing League leader Matteo) Salvini and (Brothers of Italy (FDI) leader Giorgia) Meloni". PD Senate Whip Andrea Marcucci said the government did not have the numbers required to keep it afloat in the Senate without IV, and said the door was always open for Senators from the breakaway group to return to the PD. Marcucci said "Renzi should listen more, I'm thinking of giving him ear-phones", but also said he was confident that IV will approve the new version of the Recovery Plan on Tuesday night. One of IV's two ministers, Equal Opportunities Minister Elena Bonetti, said she was still waiting for Conte to "show responsibility and give us the answers we want". The other IV minister, farm chief Teresa Bellanova, has been as outspoken as Renzi in warning of a government crisis unless Conte accedes to IV's demands. (ANSA). Hong Kongs new top judge warned Monday that the semi-autonomous Chinese territorys courts need to show they are impartial amid a flurry of politically charged cases or risk losing public trust. New Hong Kong Chief Justice Andrew Cheung listens to reporters questions during a press conference in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Hong Kongs new top judge warned Monday that the semiautonomous Chinese territorys courts need to show they are impartial amid a flurry of politically charged cases or risk losing public trust. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) Hong Kongs new top judge warned Monday that the semi-autonomous Chinese territorys courts need to show they are impartial amid a flurry of politically charged cases or risk losing public trust. Hong Kong has been in a state of political crisis after months of anti-government protests in 2019 led to Beijing imposing a tough national security law on the city to quash dissent. Pro-democracy supporters say the security legislation suppresses the freedoms Hong Kong was promised when it was handed over from British control in 1997. Last week, 55 pro-democracy activists were arrested in a sweeping police operation, and prominent pro-democracy activists such as Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and outspoken media tycoon Jimmy Lai are currently in jail for their activism. Hong Kong Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, who was sworn in on Monday, said that judges in the citys courts must be careful to show impartiality in what they say in court and what they write in their judgments, especially in cases of a political nature. Any lapses in this regard, given the potentially polarizing nature of these cases, could lead to suspicion of partiality, which is not conducive to maintaining public confidence in our judicial system, Cheung said in his first speech delivered as chief justice. New Hong Kong's Chief Justice Andrew Cheung listens to reporters questions during a press conference in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Hong Kong's new top judge on Monday warned the territory's courts need to show they are impartial amid a flurry of politically charged cases or risk losing public trust. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) He said it is equally crucial to the public and business community that there is confidence in the judicial system. Cheung also said it is important to the international reputation of Hong Kong that the city is governed by the rule of law under the one country, two systems framework that allows Hong Kong freedoms not found in mainland China. Cheung also condemned threats of violence and doxxing attacks on judges, describing them as futile and reprehensible. Comments and criticisms, sometimes extreme and harsh ones, are unavoidable. Whilst the freedom of speech of everyone in society must be fully respected, there must not be any attempt to exert improper pressure on the judges in the discharge of their judicial functions, he said. In a later news conference, Cheung reiterated that personal attacks as well as extreme and unfounded allegations against judges are unacceptable and threaten the independence of the judiciary. He advised judges to focus on the evidence and facts and disregard everything else, including political pressure. He also said that while there is a system in place to ensure the accountability of judges in Hong Kong, there is room for further enhancement of the transparency and accountability of the complaint-handling mechanism. 457,000 package: Louise Richardson (pictured) vice-chancellor of Oxford University has not taken a pay hit Dozens of university bosses have taken no pay cut since the pandemic struck despite students suffering huge disruption, a Daily Mail analysis has revealed. At least 46 vice-chancellors still have the same generous salaries they received before Covid-19 led to potentially months of lost learning. Another eight who agreed to reduce salaries in the spring as staff were furloughed and lectures cancelled have now returned to full pay. Only 22 university leaders are taking home smaller wage packets as a result of the pandemic. It comes after UK universities asked for a 2billion bailout from the Government and a survey of 100,000 students found 65 per cent had no face-to-face teaching in November. Those now back on full pay include Imperial College Londons Alice Gast the UKs best-paid university boss who gets more than 500,000 a year and who recently apologised for bullying a colleague. Louise Richardson, vice-chancellor of Oxford University, which is rated best in the world, has also not taken a pay hit. Her basic salary was 374,000 in 2019-20, but her total package was 457,000. Bosses of many of the 24-strong Russell Group of top universities did take a hit to their pay, but have since gone back to full salaries, FOI revealed. Pictured: Oxford University Colin Bailey, of Queen Mary University of London, continued to take home 300,000 while David Green, of Worcester University, kept his 325,227 salary. At Northumbria University, where 770 students tested positive for Covid in October, vice-chancellor Andrew Wathey stayed on 255,000 but was not given a bonus. Derby University said its vice-chancellor Kathryn Mitchell offered to take a cut to her 244,036 salary but the remuneration committee rejected the move. Other universities whose bosses did not take pay cuts include Bath, Chester, Greenwich, Huddersfield, Leicester, Reading, South Wales, West London and Winchester, according to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Bosses of many of the 24-strong Russell Group of top universities did take a hit to their pay, but have since gone back to full salaries. Imperial College London said of Professor Gast: The president took a 20 per cent voluntary salary reduction for six months from May 2020. She is now back on full pay. In the year to July she received a total of 527,000. The 17,800 saved by her temporary cut went to staff and students experiencing extreme financial hardship. Another 22 vice-chancellors are still taking home less pay than before coronavirus struck, including those at Cambridge, York, Nottingham and the Royal Academy of Music. Nancy Rothwell, of Manchester University where students tore down prison-like fences put up to enforce a lockdown in halls (pictured) has had her 260,399 salary cut by 20 per cent since April Some are donating to student hardship funds. Cambridge Universitys Professor Stephen Toopes basic salary is now 379,001 after he offered to reduce it by 15 per cent in May. Nancy Rothwell, of Manchester University where students tore down prison-like fences put up to enforce a lockdown in halls has had her 260,399 salary cut by 20 per cent since April. Larissa Kennedy, of the National Union of Students, said: Students have faced significant financial issues throughout the pandemic yet this is clearly not being felt by university leaders. Vice-chancellors could face scrutiny from watchdog the Office for Students after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson asked it to look closely at pay and bonuses. The Department for Education said: Universities receive significant amounts of public funding so it is only right their senior staff pay arrangements are not excessive and command public confidence. (HealthDay)Could a cancer diagnosis sometimes produce positive life changes? In a new study, many people with colon cancer, even in advanced stages, believed their diagnosis had brought some beneficial effects to their lives. In surveys of 133 colon cancer patients, researchers found that nearly all95%said their lives had benefited in some way since their diagnosis. Often, they felt their family relationships had strengthened, or they were better able to "take things as they come" and feel grateful for each day. That was the case whether people were in an earlier stage of the disease or had metastatic cancermeaning it had spread to distant sites in the body. In fact, the study found, no medical factors seemed to influence patients' capacity for "benefit finding." On the other hand, that ability to see a "silver lining" did not buffer people against feeling anxious, sad or otherwise distressed. While that might seem counterintuitive, experts said it actually makes sense. People can simultaneously see the positives in their lives, and be distressed by dealing with a cancer diagnosis, said lead researcher Lauren Zimmaro, a senior postdoctoral associate at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Benefit-finding, she said, is about finding meaning in the midst of difficulties, and not "putting a positive spin on things." "It's more realistic than that," Zimmaro said. Allison Applebaum, an assistant attending psychologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, made a similar point. "We as humans are complex, and the experience of multiple, potentially conflicting emotions at one time is normal," said Applebaum, who was not involved in the study. "For many," she said, "the experience of cancerof any site or stageis one that leads to a re-evaluation of values, life goals and priorities." But that process does not negate negative emotions. "One can certainly feel very anxious about the future or sad about current illness and related limitations, and still feel grateful," Applebaum said. The study, recently published online in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer, involved 133 patients being treated for colon cancer at one hospital, half of whom had metastatic disease. At the outset and six months later, the patients completed standard questionnaires on benefit-finding and psychological distress. The benefit-finding questions were bigger-picture, asking whether the diagnosis had "led me to be more accepting of things," for example. The questions on distress asked people how they were currently feeling. Nearly all patients, the study found, reported they'd experienced at least one benefit since their diagnosis. And on average, that belief strengthened over the six-month study. There was no evidence, though, that it protected against psychological distress. It's possible that's partly because the patients, on the whole, reported relatively low distress levels. That makes it harder to see an effect, according to Dr. Marleen Meyers, founding director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City. But she also agreed that seeing cancer's silver lining would not necessarily buffer people from the "existential stress" of the diagnosis, or daily stresses, like trying to maintain a job and pay the bills. "The cancer stress is very real and ubiquitous," Meyers said. "And while parts of the cancer experience can be mitigated by benefit-finding, it is understandable that the anger, fatigue and helplessness ... of a cancer diagnosis supersede this." But even if benefit-finding does not lessen those negative emotions, it is still positive in and of itself. And Applebaum said it can be encouraged during cancer care. Research at Sloan Kettering, she said, has shown that even brief interventions "can assist patients with advanced, life-limiting cancers to connect to a sense of meaning and purpose, to experience benefit-finding or post-traumatic growth." That is not say that people with cancer "should" feel any particular way, the experts stressed. "It's OK to feel distressed. It's normal and natural," Zimmaro said. "It's also OK to feel that you've grown." If people do want help for their distress, though, they should get it, Zimmaro said. Applebaum said most cancer centersincluding smaller community centershave some type of mental health service. There are also community resources, like services run by the American Cancer Society. A silver lining of the pandemic, Applebaum said, is that telemedicine has actually made mental health services more accessible to many cancer patients. Historically, the time, travel and cost of in-person sessions have been barriers, she noted. Explore further Mindfulness may be a balm for breast cancer patients Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. On January 9, 2021 India woke up to spine-chilling and devastating news of a fire that broke out in the wee hours of the morning in the neonatal care unit of District General Hospital in Bhandara, which claimed the lives of 10 innocent babies. There was an outpour of sympathy from politicians, celebrities and citizens on social media almost immediately after the news broke. Maharashtras Chief Minister instantly ordered a probe into the issue. While news reporters were grappling to get the latest news on the Bhandara fire incident and politicians were flocking the site, Lokmat decided that enough is enough. Following the painful deaths of 10 newborn babies, citizens demand action and not sympathy. A strong journalistic stand has been taken by Lokmat to voice the thoughts of citizens. Lokmat has always taken a stand to favour the citizens and this time was no different. The Bhandara Hospital fire incident has left the nation stunned and claimed the lives of 10 innocent babies. As a newspaper, we had to do something to apply pressure on the government to take strict and concrete action. We have, therefore, decided not to publish photos of any politicians visiting the Bhandara Hospital fire site. We demand action and not sympathy, said Joint MD & Editorial Director, Rishi Darda. He also tweeted about this from his Twitter handle, @rishidarda. https://twitter.com/rishidarda/status/1348476878596698112 We believe that this stance will become a trend setter in the years to come. The New Normal requires disruption in order for positive change to be seen. The citizens are no longer willing to take empty sympathies and dry assurances. People need action and thus, Lokmat has responded to this need of the citizens and taken a revolutionary stand. Lokmat is the largest circulating Marathi newspaper in India and Maharashtras No. 1 newspaper for many years. We pride ourselves in being the voice of the public. Research-based news based on facts drives us and for us it has always been Journalism First. By not publishing the photographs of visits of politicians at Bhandara Hospital fire, we have reiterated our philosophy of #, Darda stated emphatically. Time will tell whether this new-age, bold step will apply pressure on the government to take action. Since the incident, Lokmat has been publishing a series of eye-opening, fact-based articles surrounding the Bhandara Hospital fire in all three languages, viz. Marathi, Hindi and English. The entire editorial initiative is towards demanding accountability from the government and all decision makers. The Lokmat newspaper is also committed to spreading awareness on safety measures so that such incidents are avoided in future. The previous weekend when images of it packed with visitors sparked fury Police in Londonderry have charged a man with a number of offences after video footage emerged showing three officers attempting to restrain him in a Tesco store in the city. It is understood the man was questioned by police as to why he was not wearing a face mask in the supermarket before the incident occurred on Saturday. It came as the PSNI increased its enforcement of the Covid-19 safety regulations over the weekend. The 39-year-old male was charged with two counts of assault on police, obstructing police, resisting police and disorderly behaviour. Within the 90-second video clip, two male police officers attempted to restrain the man in an aisle of the Tesco store. The male, who was wearing a blue hoodie and navy tracksuit bottoms, complained of being pushed all over the place by the officers. A female police officer then attempted to assist her colleagues, while the man said let go of me and I will walk out with you. One male officers face mask did not cover his nose. A brief tussle ensued, while a woman and child screamed in the background. As the man made his way towards the exit of the store, the female officer told the person making the video that if they did not stop recording, the phone would be seized as evidence as it was an offence. When asked by the Belfast Telegraph to comment on the footage, a PSNI spokesperson said that if anyone has a complaint regarding police actions they should contact the office of the Police Ombudsman. We will not be making any further comment as a live investigation is ongoing, added the PSNI. The man is due to appear before Londonderry Magistrates Court on Wednesday and all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Meanwhile, DUP MLA Paul Frew said it was absolute madness that two women in England were given 200 fixed penalty notices after driving five miles to go on a walk. The North Antrim MLA tweeted that the PSNI do not have the powers to do the same here. The politician said it was correct in that there is no legally defined distance you can travel from your home for exercise. The PSNI continued their enforcement of the Covid-19 regulations over the weekend with a number of patrols across Northern Ireland. Police checkpoints were put in place in Belfast city centre, Greater Belfast, and beauty spots in the Causeway Coast and Glens district, while foot patrols were carried out in Portadown. Officers from the Tactical Support Group also conducted patrols in the Downpatrick, Newcastle, Newry, Enniskillen, Larne, Carrick and Omagh areas to encourage the public to follow the health and safety regulations. Day trippers had flocked to Portrush and Portstewart the previous weekend despite the Covid-19 regulations discouraging non-essential travel. Photographs showed maskless visitors queued up outside takeaways as bumper to bumper traffic choked the famous strand along Portstewart. However, Portstewart was much quieter this weekend after First Minister Arlene Foster said the Executive was forced to consider tougher lockdown measures as a consequence of the crowds that had assembled on the north coast. SALEM, Ore. -- Gov. Kate Brown has ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff until sunset Wednesday to honor the two fallen U.S. Capitol police officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. "Violence answers nothing, solves nothing, and offers nothing," Brown said. "Last week, we saw attacks on our democracy, the Constitution, and the American people. This is not who we are. Dan and I send our condolences to the families of Officer Sicknick and Officer Liebengood as they mourn and grieve. We remember their dedication and determination, their service, and sacrifice." Sicknick died of injuries he sustained when demonstrators stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Liebengood responded to that riot, but died while off-duty and the cause is unclear. Federal buildings are also flying flags at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday. LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The imperative of a robust partnership between the public and private sectors in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria was again emphasized by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the weekend while commissioning the Armoured Shield Isolation Centre in Victoria Island Lagos promoted by the Reddington Hospital Group. The Armoured Shield Isolation Centre is a purpose-built medical facility equipped with ICU capabilities in response to the pandemic. "This isolation centre is important for us as a government because it is a clear demonstration of power of collaboration between the public and private sectors, ensuring we cannot do it all by ourselves", the Governor said. Sanwo-Olu commended Reddington Hospital Group for establishing the Isolation Centre even as Nigeria battles the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that the Lagos State government will continue to encourage private sector participation in health care delivery in the state as the burden will be too much for the government to bear alone. The Governor urged the residence of Lagos to continue to observe all the non-pharmaceutical protocols of regular washing of hands, wearing of facemask and physical distancing to curb the community transmission of disease. Group Medical Director of Reddington Hospital, Dr. Olutunde Lalude in his welcome address reiterated the need for the private sector to partner with the Government in the battle against the second wave of the pandemic. The Armoured Shield Isolation Centre is a 40-Bed hospital with in-house facility for PCR Testing, ambulance response, CT Scan, Operating Theatre, isolation care, high dependency care and Level 3 ICU capability for covid-19 treatment. The Armoured Shield Medical Complex and its command structure is situated in four different locations across Lagos with an incident command office in Victoria Island. The facility is managed by a multi-disciplinary assemble of specialists consisting of intensive care physicians, Pulmonologists, Cardiologist Internal medicine physicians, intensivists, general and thoracic surgeons, infectious disease specialists among other medical experts. Project Director, Andy Cunliffe emphasized the need to bridge the gap between preparedness and response, saying that Reddington were proud to support the efforts of Government through the launch of the new Armoured Shield Centre. He praised the Reddington team for their work in opening the new isolation centre which is a modern hospital facility, with patient safety at its core and offering well-furnished single bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, mini office and lounges and it is open to individuals who do not have a place to self-isolate or quarantine while they await test results or if they test positive for Covid-19. Recall that Reddington Zaine Laboratory, a Covid-19 Testing facility promoted by Reddington Hospital Group was commissioned in September 2020 to provide PCR testing with result available within 24 hours. Sample collection centres has since been opened in Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja to provide easy access to members of the public for the test. Reddington Zaine is one of the Laboratories accredited by the Lagos State Government and NCDC to provide PCR Testing for international air travelers to and out of Nigeria. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1417396/Reddington_Hospital.jpg As COVID-19 cases surge across the United States, West Virginias Republican Governor Jim Justice has ordered elementary and middle schools to reopen for five-day-a-week, in-person instruction starting January 19. Justice justified the decision by pointing to falling referrals in child protective service cases and a report that one-third of remote-learning students were failing at least one core class. Weve got a bunch of kids that are out there, really suffering, he said. So we must get back in school. A woman and her children walk to school. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) The governors decision caters to corporate interests in the state eager to resume normal operations in the pandemic. In effect, the lives of teachers, staff, students, and the entire population are being tossed like kindling onto the fire. Moreover, with the possibility of the new COVID-19 variant first discovered in Britain spreading through the US, schoolchildren may be even more susceptible to contracting and spreading the virus. West Virginia has received only 87,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the states. Of those, only 52,000 have been administered so far, including 8,300 to residents above age 80. The state only began vaccinating teachers on January 7, less than two weeks before the schools are scheduled to open. This means that only a limited number of the teachers and other staff who must go back to in-person work will have received the first of two doses before returning to unsafe classrooms. According to the state Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), West Virginia has only 16,000 doses of the second shot on hand. Educators who receive the initial dose this week will not get the second shot until at least February, meaning they will be unprotected from the virus just before they could be vaccinated. West Virginias public health infrastructure is woefully threadbare even in normal times. The governors decision prepares the way for a massive increase in transmission through a state where the majority of the population is health-compromised. By nearly every measure, West Virginia ranks among the worst nationwide for poverty, life expectancy, drug addiction, chronic disease morbidity and other aspects of individual and social well-being. Kevin Brammer with Mountaineer Advocacy Group, a non-profit that advocates for children with disabilities in the school system, spoke with the World Socialist Web Site about these issues. He noted that many public school children in West Virginia live with their grandparents, heightening the risks of school-originated transmission into the general population. In my opinion, the best course of action to keep our children and school personnel safe is to wait two to three months to give each individual the opportunity to have both series of vaccines if they so choose to do, Brammer told the WSWS. Absolutely I am concerned about the spread in the schools when our entire state is in the red. Though we understand that kids recover quickly, the child is nothing more than a bottle rocket that would spread the virus throughout the community faster than an adult ever would. Teachers have expressed outrage over Justices reopening announcement and pointed out that his professed concern over falling grades is unfounded. One Cabell County teacher explained to the WSWS, With West Virginia virtual school through the state, all assignments are marked as a zero. As the students complete assignments, the grades are changed to the grade they earned. So in essence they work backwards from failing to the passing grade they earn. For that reason, the teacher explained, one-third of students may look as though they are failing until grades are entered in mid- to late January, when many will see their grades come up and will likely pass with As and Bs. It was an alarmist statement made to provide evidence that virtual school is failing. The governors order includes scrapping the state Department of Education map to determine whether schools could open any classrooms to students, and instead using the DHHRs color-coded county alert system map only for high schools. This means that beginning January 19, elementary and middle schools may reopen regardless of the number of cases in a county. High schools will also be allowed to reopen if their counties are not in red. Currently 54 of the states 55 counties are categorized as either red (eight percent test positivity rate or greater) or orange (5-8 percent positivity). Only one county is in gold (4-5 percent positivity). Every indication is that cases will surge once staff and students report back to school after remote learning ends January 18. Some school systems are already reporting dozens of staff testing positive after community spread during the holiday period. In a press conference January 6, Justice declared, Without any question, we should be going back to school. I will continue to talk to our educators, but I will not be bullied by our teachers unions. In point of fact, the unions have done nothing to prevent the school reopenings, saying only that they were surveying the sentiments of their membership and that county superintendents would decide whether to call the schools back or not. But Justice, a Republican and former coal operator who is the states only billionaire and the largest landowner east of the Mississippi River, is keen to portray himself as bullied whenever the working class raises objections to the prerogatives of big business. It is nearly the anniversary of the West Virginia teachers strikes of 2018 and 2019, which were aimed at preserving health insurance coverage and bettering the conditions in the schools. These struggles were suppressed by the unions and the Democratic Party, which promised teachers more funding that never appeared. To the contrary, West Virginias education spending has further eroded in the time since the strikes. In the past year, statewide public school enrollment dropped by 9,300 students, resulting in a projected funding drop of $42.7 million. As of Sunday, the statewith a population of 1.78 millionhas recorded 101,212 total confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,582 deaths, with new cases and deaths skyrocketing since November. According to the West Virginia Gazette-Mail, The state has broken records in recent days for the number of new cases in one day (1,680), deaths in one day (46), those hospitalized with COVID-19 (818) and the amount of people receiving care in an intensive care unit (217) or on a ventilator (102). In his January 6 press conference, Justice devoted the bulk of his time to defending a massive New Years Eve party thrown at his luxury resort, The Greenbrier. A viral video made the rounds on social media of the party, which showed a largely unmasked crowd mingling in one of the resorts ballrooms. The governor claimed not to know anything about the event, which he said he did not personally attend. I had no clue, he rambled. You may throw rocks at me if you choose to do so. But I was lying in my bed, watching the ball drop and listening to J-Lo sing. He was circumspect on questions of who was responsible for organizing the event. Every effort must be made to oppose the reopening of schools in West Virginia, which will only deepen the catastrophe now unfolding across the state. All teachers and education workers must assimilate the lessons from the historic 2018 strike, and build rank-and-file safety committees wholly independent of the unions and both corporate-controlled parties. Sign up today at wsws.org/edsafety to take up this struggle in defense of public education and the lives and safety of all workers! With the country already suffering from covid-19 pandemic, another virus, popularly known as bird flu has spread havoc across several states of India. The latest cases of bird flu have emerged in Delhi, Maharashtra & Uttarakhand. With the country already suffering from the covid-19 pandemic, another virus, popularly known as bird flu has spread havoc across several states of India. Avian influenza has led to the death of thousands of birds including crows and migratory species, causing substantial losses to the poultry industry. While the government has labelled the disease as Zoonotic i.e. capable of being transmitted from non-human to human, no cases of infections in humans have been reported as of yet. The latest cases of bird flu have emerged in Delhi and Maharashtra who have reported the death of over 100 crows and 8000 birds respectively in the last two days. The samples sent by Uttarakhand to ICAR- NISHAD have also tested positive for avian influenza making it the 10th state to contract the flu. Other states to have reported the flu include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana. The authorities in respective states have been on a high alert and have started taking measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. In Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has imposed a restriction on the import of live birds and processed chicken into the national capital. He has further declared a shutdown of the Ghazipur poultry market for the next ten days. Writing to Delhi CM over the closure, the Union Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister, Giriraj Singh said, Ministry had issued an advisory for all states on Oct 22, 2019 for bird flu. Had the advice been paid heed to, there wouldve been no need to close Ghazipur Mandi. Also read:Bangladesh reminds Pak of 1971 Genocide; demands apology Also read:US lifts self-imposed restrictions on American officials interactions with Taiwanese counterparts, Chinese media reacts An emergency meeting to review the situation of bird flu has been called by both Maharashtras CM Uddhav Thackeray and Delhi Municipal Corporation. Further, a meeting between the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and senior officials of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry will take place at 3 pm today to discuss the availability of animal vaccines given the mounting deaths of birds across the country. States, including Delhi, should not shut mandis or restrict sale of poultry products, said Animal Husbandry Minister, Giriraj Singh. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi also confirmed bird flu in various states and said, Poultry farms, zoos, water bodies have to be constantly monitored to control the spread of Bird Flu. Also read:US Capitol Violence: After Twitter ban, Trump hints at plan to launch his own platform ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Law today announced that it is now offering complimentary access to its legal research platform to all grantees of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), supporting the delivery of high-quality, civil legal assistance in every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia. Bloomberg Law provides grantees with full coverage of federal and state legislation, regulations, and key agency guidance, including legal issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn. Bloomberg Law offers a wealth of high-value resources and time-saving technologies such as Practical Guidance, trackers, and chart builders in practice areas such as labor & employment, health care, tax, and bankruptcy that legal staff in LSC grantee offices can utilize to aid the millions of Americans who have been impacted by the current pandemic. LSC grantees, as with all Bloomberg Law clients, will have access to Bloomberg Law's Help Desk, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by experienced legal professionals. Legal Services Corporation (LSC) grantees now have complimentary access to the Bloomberg Law legal research platform. Tweet this "We are very grateful to Bloomberg Law for offering complimentary access to its legal research platform to all the legal aid organizations funded by Legal Services Corporation," commented LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. "Access to high-quality legal research resources is critical to the work America's legal aid organizations do in serving people living in poverty across the country." "Bloomberg Law is committed to addressing the access to justice gap by providing our unmatched combination of legal content and technology to those representing low-income Americans, a population that has sharply increased due to Covid-19 and the economic downturn," said Alex Butler, Vice President, Analysis & Content, Bloomberg Law. "We look forward to working with these legal aid organizations on the front-lines of providing high-quality legal assistance to the many deserving families and individuals most in need." To learn more about Bloomberg Law visit http://onb-law.com/lPZP50CMcUv. About Bloomberg Law Bloomberg Law helps legal professionals provide world-class counsel with access to actionable legal intelligence in a business context. Bloomberg Law delivers a unique combination of comprehensive primary and secondary source material, real-time news, expert analysis, time-saving practice tools including Practical Guidance, market data, and business intelligence. For more information, visit pro.bloomberglaw.com. About Legal Services Corporation Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 132 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. SOURCE Bloomberg Law; Legal Services Corporation Related Links http://pro.bloomberglaw.com UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lauded the General Assembly's achievements and lamented its failures. "Geopolitical tensions are escalating. The threat of nuclear proliferation and confrontation has returned. Inequality is growing," he said. In the past year, the United Nations has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guterres noted. "Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945 on the ashes of the Second World War, the world has enjoyed the longest period in recorded history without a military confrontation between major powers. That in itself is a great achievement, of which the United Nations and its member states can be rightly proud," Xinhua cited him as saying. "Transformative technology has opened up vast new opportunities, but also new threats - from cyberwarfare to rampant disinformation; from hate speech to political subversion and mass surveillance. And the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted serious gaps in global cooperation and solidarity," Guterres stressed. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday (January 11, 2021) welcomed China's announcement regarding the entry of the team probing the COVID-19 origins. The WHO team of international experts tasked with examining the COVID-19 origins will arrive in China on January 14, reported the Reuters news agency. The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the news and said, "We look forward to working closely with our Chinese counterparts on this critical mission to identify the virus source & its route of introduction to the human population." We welcome #China's announcement regarding the intl. team examining the origins of virus that causes #COVID19. We look forward to working closely with our counterparts on this critical mission to identify the virus source & its route of introduction to the human population. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 11, 2021 Notably, the WHO chief was recently 'very disappointed' after China delayed the entry of the same team. "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 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on January 5. 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 COVID-19 confirmed infections across the world have increased to 8,88,28,387, according to WHO. Over 222 countries, areas or territories with coronavirus cases have also reported 19,26,625 confirmed deaths. Italy s government will ask parliament to approve another increase in the deficit later this month to pay for vaccines , healthcare, and support for companies and workers, according to Finance Minister Roberto Gualtieri. The request will be for 24 billion euros ($29 billion), Gualtieri said in an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper published Sunday. Thats equivalent to 1.5% of Italys gross domestic product and the government hopes that this will be the last time" they need to ask for more money, he said. This will be the fifth request for a larger deficit the government has made since the first national lock down in March last year. The extra spending is on top of the current projection of a deficit equal to 7% of GDP in 2021. The government will soon revise its economic and debt forecasts for this year, but there is no reason to foresee a deficit-to-GDP ratio in double digits this year," Gualtieri said in the interview. The ruling cabinet is likely to meet Tuesday to discuss how to spend money from a European Union recovery package, according to local media. The governing coalition has been fighting over how much of the money to use, with former prime minister Matteo Renzi criticizing current leader Giuseppe Conte over his plans for the money. Renzi threatened to withdraw his partys support from the coalition, which could trigger a confidence vote in Contes government in the parliament. The national government is preparing to extend movement restrictions and a night-time curfew for another month from Jan. 16 on concerns of a third wave of the pandemic. New variants of the virus have been detected in Veneto, one of the most affected northern regions. A new decree will be discussed by the cabinet later this week, according to local media. 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. Advertisement Indonesian divers have been scouring the Java Sea for wreckage and passengers' belongings in hope of finding the black boxes from the jet which crashed on Saturday with 62 people on board. Underwater footage of their rescue mission shows the divers examining the huge amount of debris from the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 which investigators say was still intact when it smashed into the sea. A child's Marvel backpack was among the items found by the search team as they sifted through the wreckage from the plane which had plunged 10,000ft in a minute before the crash. All 62 passengers and crew aboard the flight were Indonesian, including seven children and three babies. Indonesian divers scouring the Java Sea for the wreckage of the plane which crashed on Saturday have found a huge amount of debris and passenger belongings A child's Marvel backpack was among the distressing items found by the search team as they sifted through the wreckage Underwater footage of their rescue mission shows the divers examining the huge amount of debris from the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 Shrapnel from the Sriwijaya Air plane was lifted from the crash site around the Thousand Islands as investigators say the jet was likely intact when it smashed into the water A piece of one of the engines sits on the dock awaiting examination by crash investigators as they scour the sea for wreckage and passengers Health workers spray disinfectant over body bags containing human remains recovered from the crash site of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 at the port in Jakarta on January 10 The plane - a Boeing B737-500 - is understood to have fallen 10,000 feet in less than 60 seconds just four minutes after it took off Around 2,600 personnel are working in the recovery effort, with dozens of boats and helicopters hauling body parts, twisted piece of wreckage and passengers' clothing from shallow waters about 75ft deep. Body bags filled with human remains are being taken to a police hospital where investigators hope to identify victims by matching DNA from their remains to living relatives. Investigators have so far been unable to say why the 26-year-old plane crashed just four minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, but say they do know the location of the black boxes in the sea. Retrieving the bright orange boxes - cockpit voice and flight data recorders - will likely help explain why the jet plunged so quickly. They're built to survive at vast depths and in extreme heat, and are fitted with a beacon which can emit a signal for one month. Underwater divers are searching for the plane's black boxes which will help explain why the jet plunged so quickly A family member of one of the victims of the plane crash is embraced by a police officer as she arrives for the post-mortem at a hospital in Jakarta Around 2,600 personnel are working in the recovery effort, with dozens of boats and helicopters hauling body parts, twisted piece of wreckage and passengers' clothing from shallow waters about 75ft deep An investigator with Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said the jet possibly broke apart when it hit waters based on debris found so far Investigators have so far been unable to say why the 26-year-old plane crashed just four minutes after takeoff from Jakarta Aviation analysts said flight-tracking data showed the plane sharply deviated from its intended course before it went into a steep dive The devices record information about the speed, altitude and direction of the plane as well as flight crew conversations, and help explain nearly 90 percent of all crashes, according to aviation experts. The plane's captain, Afwan, a 54-year-old father of three, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, was a former air force pilot with decades of flying under his belt. His nephew Ferza Mahardhika told BBC Indonesia that the pilot had left home quickly on the day of the flight, complaining that 'his shirt hadn't been ironed, when usually he is really neat'. Afwan also apologised to his children for having to leave home to board the doomed flight. He was described as a devout Muslim who was always keen to help people in his community of Bogor. The plane's captain, Afwan, a 54-year-old father of three, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, was a former air force pilot with decades of flying under his belt Ratih Windania posted a selfie with her three children laughing as they boarded a plane in Indonesia on Saturday in a heartbreaking final message The family's final message was sent just before they boarded the plane from the Indonesian capital after a three-week holiday Ferza Mahardhika said: 'He was a very good man. He often gave advice, wise advice. He was a prominent figure in his neighbourhood and was well-known for his kindness.' An investigator with Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said the jet possibly broke apart when it hit waters based on debris found so far. 'We don't know for sure, but if we look at the debris, they're scattered in an area that is not too wide,' Nurcahyo Utomo said on Monday. 'It possibly ruptured when it hit waters because if it had exploded midair, the debris would be distributed more widely,' he added. They were originally planning to take a different flight but they changed at the last minute Irfansyah said his relatives (pictured at the airport) had originally been due to take an earlier flight operated by Sriwijaya's unit NAM Air and he was unclear why that was changed Aviation analysts said flight-tracking data showed the plane sharply deviated from its intended course before it went into a steep dive, with bad weather, pilot error and mechanical malfunction among the potential factors. 'Something quite dramatic has happened after takeoff,' said Stephen Wright, professor of aircraft systems at Finland's Tampere University. 'The airspeed is far too low. The aircraft didn't accelerate up to the correct speeds for continuous flight.' It comes as the heartbreaking final messages and posts have been revealed from passengers who shared photos on the plane before the crash. Ratih Windania posted a selfie with her three children laughing as the family boarded the plane from the Indonesian capital. Indonesian Navy sailors are seen on the KRI Semarang as it is docking and preparing to continue rescue process for Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182 A health worker sprays disinfectant at a large part of a plane recovered from the waters off Java Island where Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 crashed on Saturday, at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia She said: 'Bye bye family. We're heading home for now.' 'Pray for us,' her brother Irfansyah Riyanto posted on Instagram with a picture of the family. He said his family were originally planning to take a different flight but they changed at the last minute. Like dozens of other desperate relatives, Irfansyah rushed to Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta airport late on Saturday. On Sunday, he was still hoping for good news about his sister and four other family members on the flight, including his parents. 'We feel powerless, we can only wait and hope to have any information soon,' Irfansyah told reporters. His sister and her two children had been at the end of a three-week holiday and were taking the 460 mile trip home to Pontianak on the island of West Kalimantan. 'I was the one who drove them to the airport, helped with the check-ins and the luggage ... I feel like I still can't believe this and it happened too fast,' Irfansyah said. Rescuers have discovered body parts and pieces of clothing during a desperate search for Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 Indonesian rescue members check a body bag as a huge team continues their search to find wreckage and passengers Rapin Akbar, who gave a blood sample to the hospital to help police identify any bodies retrieved, had five relatives on board including an older sister, a nephew and his wife and their seven-month-old baby. They were also flying back to Pontianak, the city on Indonesia's section of Borneo island which had been flight SJ182's destination, about 90 minutes away. '(My nephew) had planned to go back to Pontianak on Sunday but changed his mind and decided to fly on Saturday instead,' the shocked Akbar told AFP. 'He called me to say the flight was delayed and sent me a picture of their baby. It was (their) first.' At the police hospital, the brother of co-pilot Diego Mamahit said he had been asked for a blood sample. 'I believe my younger brother survived, these are just for the police procedure,' Chris Mamahit said. 'Diego is a good man, we still believe Diego survived.' On his LinkedIn profile, Mahamit had written 'I really love to fly.' 'We the family still hope for good news,' a family member of Afwan, a devout Muslim, told Detik.com. Officials are seen inspecting one of the engines recovered from the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ18 Rescuers are seen bringing up one of the engines. At 2.40pm - just four minutes after takeoff - the Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 10,000ft in less than 60 seconds Navy divers are seen retrieving wreckage from the aircraft. Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday said authorities launched a widespread search for the Boeing 737-500 after narrowing down 'the possible location of the crash site' Also on board was Dinda Amelia, who had gone to Jakarta on holiday for her 15th birthday, seaman Angga Fernanda Afrion who became a father for the first time last week, and newly-married couple Ihsan Adhlan Hakim and Putri Wahyuni. Agus Minarni and Muhammad Nur Kholifatul Amin travelled to Jakarta to attend the funeral of Amin's father and visit their son at boarding school. A family of five is also missing from the flight, with Rizki Wahyudi, 26, his wife Indah Halimah Putri, also 26, their 7-month-old son, and Wahyudi's mother and cousin all on board the flight. They were due to fly home on January 5 but were made to take a Covid test which delayed their flight until Saturday. Minarni's brother Yudiansyah Yunus said he will now take care of the couple's orphaned teenage children. Father and businessman Yohanes Suherdi is also feared dead after he took a work trip to Jakarta and was due to fly back to his family. His wife Susilawati Bungahilaria told CNN she spoke with him shortly before take off. 'His last message to me was not to forget to take our son to see a doctor because he had a fever,' she said. She said her five-year-old son keeps asking where his father is. President Joko Widodo offered sympathy to all of the victims on Sunday. 'We are making our best efforts to find and rescue the victims and we all pray that they can be found,' he said. Panca Widiya Nursanti, a middle-school teacher in Pontianak, had been returning after a vacation in her home town of Tegal in Central Java. In Pontianak, her husband Rafiq Yusuf Al Idrus recounted the last contact he had with her. 'I was joking by saying that when she arrived in Pontianak we would eat satay together,' he said. 'She contacted me via Whatsapp at 2.05 p.m with laughter. She was already boarding the plane and she said the weather conditions were not good. I said pray a lot, please.' The Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 3,300 metres in less than 60 seconds to an altitude of just 75 metres. Pictured: debris discovered in the ocean Navy divers pull out a part of an airplane out of the water during the search operation for the Sriwijaya Air passenger jet A fisherman, named Solihin, told the BBC that he had been at sea when he witnessed the plane crash into the water near to his ship. 'The plane fell like lightning into the sea and exploded in the water. It was pretty close to us, the shards of a kind of plywood almost hit my ship. 'We thought it was a bomb or a tsunami since after that we saw the big splash from the water. 'It was raining heavily and the weather was so bad... We were very shocked and directly saw the plane debris and the fuel around our boat.' Locals on a nearby island said they heard two explosions before discovering metal pieces, cables and fragments of a pair of jeans floating in the sea. A medical officer sprays disinfectant onto the washed up debris as rescuers desperately search for survivors The National Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia (BASARNAS) conduct a search and rescue operation The missing plane is an older model than the Boeing 737 MAX jet involved in two earlier fatal crashes - including the Indonesian Lion Air crash in 2018 which killed 189. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the doomed flight was delayed for an hour before it took off at 2.36pm. But the aircraft disappeared from radar four minutes later, after the pilot contacted air traffic control to ascend to an altitude 8,839 meters. Sriwijaya Air, which flies to destinations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, has said little about the plane, which was previously flown by US-based Continental Airlines and United Airlines. The Indonesian carrier has not recorded a fatal crash since it started operations in 2003. A plane flies over Indonesian search and rescue teams scattered in several points as they look for debris Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples These pieces were found by the SAR team between Lancang Island and Laki Island, National Search and Rescue Agency Bagus Puruhito said Indonesian search and rescue officers inspect a bag with wreckage believed to be of the missing plane at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia But the Southeast Asian nation's fast-growing aviation sector has long been plagued by safety concerns, and its airlines were once banned from entering US and European airspace. In October 2018, 189 people were killed when a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX jet crashed near Jakarta. That accident - and another in Ethiopia - saw Boeing hit with $2.5 billion in fines over claims it defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX model, which was grounded worldwide following the accidents. The 737 model that went down Saturday was first produced decades ago and was not a MAX variant. In 2014, an AirAsia plane headed from Surabaya to Singapore crashed with the loss of 162 lives. A year later more than 140 people, including scores on the ground, were killed when a military plane crashed shortly after take-off in Medan on Sumatra island. Last week, in shock and horror, the world watched the attempted insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. Immediately, on every news station and social media platform, questions were asked, and sides were taken. Were those involved protestors or domestic terrorists? Why was the response so different than it was for the Black Lives Matter protests, and what will the consequences be? Is this just another moment in our nations history or does it represent a turning point? The rabbis and cantors of our community struggled with an additional question: what is the Jewish response to this moment? Each of us has a personal reaction to these events, and we each have and will continue to share with our own congregations and organizations the messages that we believe they need to hear. Yet there is an overarching message for the entire community that I believe needs to be said. Jewish teachings condemn fanning the flames of zealousness and disregarding the sanctity of communal institutions. The spreading of falsehoods is fiercely opposed throughout Jewish law, and any sort of extremism is a danger to us and to our country. ADVERTISEMENT And we cannot pretend that perpetrators of these acts didnt have a specific message for the Jewish people. The disturbing images of rioters wearing clothing with images reading Camp Auschwitz and 6MWE (meaning 6 million wasnt enough) chill us to the very bone. It should not take these blatant displays of anti-Semitism to open our eyes, yet the presence of these individuals was a stark reminder of the legacy of support for white supremacists that has been growing steadily in our country these past years. Still, neither fear nor condemnation are ends in and of themselves, or at least not productive ones. Fear paralyzes us at a time when courageous action is imperative. Condemnation enables us to point our fingers at others without turning towards ourselves and asking what we could and should do to make things better. Dear members of our community, hold on to hope. These pasts months, we have all become experts in finding silver linings; so too, with these events, we are encouraged and reassured by those leaders who have acted to uphold the constitution and maintain peace. May this moment in history be one that galvanizes our nation and reminds us of the good that is within us. We cannot forget that this country is still deeply torn, and the only way to heal those fissures is to listen and seek to understand those on the other side of the divide. Let us remember that the greatness of our country is based in the belief that everyone has a voice and the freedom to share that voice in a respectful and lawful manner. We have a gift in the freedom of living an American life, and we are bound by our love and respect for that liberty. May the words on the Liberty Bell, taken from Leviticus 25, ring true once again: Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. Let democracy prevail and freedom ring. Amy Feder is senior rabbi at Congregation Temple Israel as well as the President of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association. The Labour Party has called on the UK Government to "urgently release" a hidden report on compensation for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism. Following years of campaigning, an independent report was commissioned by the Government to examine how frozen Libyan assets worth billions in the UK might be used to compensate victims of IRA violence in the 1980s and 1990s. Former Charity Commission chairman William Shawcross submitted the report last March - but it has not been made public. Just a week after the DUP's Ian Paisley and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood signed a letter from a group of cross-party MPs demanding its immediate publication, the Shadow Secretary of State Louise Haigh has written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab about the issue. In 2019, it was reported the UK Government has collected 17m in tax on 12bn of frozen Libyan assets hoarded by Colonel Mummer Gaddafi in the UK. The former Libyan dictator had supplied the Provisional IRA with arms and funding, with victims calling for some of the money to be used as compensation. In August last year, then Foreign Office Minister Baroness Sugg told peers that "government ministers will consider the report in detail in due course, including whether to publish any elements of it". Following a meeting with the Dockland Victims Association, Ms Haigh warned Mr Raab that the "intolerable delay in the release of the report has left victims feeling abandoned". Two people were killed and over 100 injured when an IRA bomb went off in the Docklands area of London in 1996. In a letter to the Foreign Secretary, Ms Haigh said: "The physical and emotional toll these devastating acts of terror have left on victims have had consequences that last for generations. "The Docklands victims and all those affected by Gaddafi-sponsored IRA terror must not be left in the dark. "It is time the report was urgently released and victims were given answers and the redress they have fought so long for." Commenting on the delay of the publication of the report, Docklands Victims Association chairman Jonathan Ganesh, who was injured in the bombing, said it was "truly beyond belief" that the Government has not released the report. "It is shameful the UK Government would raise our expectations and then so cruelly deny us access to this report," he said. "The present UK Conservative Government have put the victims through immense pain by the lack of genuine care." Joyce Brown, who was working in the Docklands area at the time of the bombing and was injured in the blast, added that if the Government "cared", the issue would have been resolved. "How can a Government do this to victims of terror?" asked Mrs Brown. "It is not fair that we have been treated like this. We have campaigned for years to end this discrimination." A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said work on the report is being taken forward by the department. "Ministers are carefully considering the complex issues captured in Mr Shawcross' internal report, giving due respect to the victims," the office added. China has locked down all rural areas of a district in its capital Beijing to battle its worst coronavirus crisis in six months. All villages in the Shunyi district of north-eastern Beijing with over 1.2million residents were put under isolation while officials carry out mass testing for the virus, the local government announced today. Meanwhile, Wangkui, a county of 440,000 people in north-eastern China's Heilongjiang Province, has been sealed off today after reporting 20 asymptomatic cases - people infected with the virus but not yet showing symptoms. China is bracing the country's largest COVID-19 outbreak in six months after reporting its highest coronavirus daily cases since last July. China has locked down the rural areas of a district in its capital Beijing and a northern Chinese town to battle its worst coronavirus crisis in six months. In this photo, residents in Beijing line up to be tested for the coronavirus on January 11 after a new cluster emerged in Hebei On Monday, the city of Beijing, where more than 30 people have been sickened in an outbreak centred in Shunyi, reported a new confirmed infection and four asymptomatic patients. Residents in Beijing are pictured waiting to be tested for the virus on Monday Since last week, China has sealed off two cities south of Beijing, cutting transport links and banning millions of residents from leaving to stem the latest crisis. It came after a wave of cases was found in Shijiazhuang, a city of several million in Hebei province whose surrounding areas take the total population to 11million. Infections were also detected in the neighbouring city of Xingtai, whose area covers 7million people. On Monday, the city of Beijing, where more than 30 people have been sickened in an outbreak centred in Shunyi, reported a new confirmed infection and four asymptomatic patients. All villages within Shunyi have been sealed off and left with only one entrance each, Zhi Xianwei, the vice district chief of Shunyi, said on a conference today. District-wide coronavirus screening is underway while residents are banned from leaving their homes until they receive their test results and are confirmed to be virus-free. Couriers and takeaways must be left at a designated point outside the villages to be disinfected before being delivered to residents by local community workers. The Heilongjiang town of Wangkui also went into lockdown today with no cars allowed to leave the area, local officials said. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of China's most serious in recent months. A resident scans a QR code held by a volunteer before passing through the gate of a residential compound in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province on Saturday The Chinese province of Hebei, which surrounds Beijing, has emerged as a new virus hot spot All roads, apart from emergency lanes, in Wangkui County have been closed while workers are placed at checkpoints 24/7. Public transportation has also fully stopped operating. Residents are banned from leaving the town unless for 'emergencies'. They also need to provide negative test results produced within three days. The draconian measures came after the town of 440,000 residents recorded 20 asymptomatic COVID-19 infections today after detecting its first case on Saturday. The news comes as a year ago China confirmed its first death from an unknown virus found at the now-notorious Wuhan wet market - 12 months later, the coronavirus has claimed 1.9 million lives in an unrelenting march across the world. In recent months, China appeared to have largely contained the health crisis as citizens gradually returned to their normal lives. But over the past week, a new outbreak has erupted in the Hebei Province surrounding Beijing. The outbreak focused on the Hebei cities of Shijiazhuang and Xingtai is one of China's most serious in recent months. In June, a cluster of infections was detected at Xinfadi, a massive seafood market in Beijing, triggering a local outbreak that infected hundreds. China is battling a fresh wave of cases as authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale to curb the further spread during next month's Lunar New Year holiday. Residents are tested for the coronavirus in Heihe, north-eastern China's Heilongjiang Province on January 7 Six months later, China is battling a fresh wave of cases as authorities have called on citizens not to travel, ordered schools closed a week early and conducted testing on a massive scale to curb the further spread during next month's Lunar New Year holiday. The National Health Commission said Monday that another 82 people had tested positive in Hebei and were showing symptoms. Around the country, another 76 people had tested positive without displaying symptoms. Hebei has recorded 265 confirmed cases and at least 203 asymptomatic cases over the last eight days. China does not include those who test positive but do not show symptoms in its official case count. As of Monday, China has now recorded a total of 87,536 confirmed cases with 4,634 deaths. Hospitals were treating 673 people for COVID-19 while 506 people were in isolation and under observation after testing positive without showing symptoms. 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 Trump administration will designate Yemens Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Sunday, despite months of pleading from relief organizations who say the move will bring aid delivery in the war-torn country to a standstill. Pompeo will notify Congress of his intention to designate the Iran-aligned group, which is mired in a six-year-long civil war against a Saudi-led military coalition supporting the internationally recognized government in Yemen. In a statement emailed to reporters, the secretary of state said the move holds the Houthis responsible for terrorist acts in Yemen, a country considered by the United Nations to be the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. If Ansar Allah did not behave like a terrorist organization, we would not designate it as an FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) and SDGT (Specially Designated Global Terrorist), Pompeo said, using the Houthis formal name. It has led a brutal campaign that has killed many people, continues to destabilize the region and denies Yemenis a peaceful solution to the conflict in their country. The move, which also includes the labeling of three Houthi leaders as specially designated global terrorists, takes effect on Jan. 19 a day before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. In his statement, Pompeo said the designations were intended to advance peace efforts aimed at ensuring Yemen is free from Iranian interference and at peace with its neighbors. The bottom line is, they couldnt articulate a strategic rationale to Congress for doing this, and thats telling, said a former US official who worked on Yemen. I dont see how this gets them any closer to progress on the peace process, the former official said, noting that the risk to the humanitarian mission is substantial. Aid groups working in the regions poorest country have warned of the unintended consequences the designations could have on ordinary Yemenis, a majority of whom require humanitarian assistance to survive. A group of former senior US national security officials, that included former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Mick Mulroy and Bidens pick for CIA director, former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, also warned against designating the Houthis, for similar reasons. For the past two months, humanitarian organizations have been working to understand the impact of a potential designation, but say theyve been unable to adequately prepare without guidance from the State Department on when a designation would come and in what form it would take. "Everything remains very unclear right now, a UN official in Yemen said. "About the only thing that is clear is the human cost. Our ability to deliver aid just got a whole lot harder. Relief agencies were not formally notified by the State Department ahead of Sundays announcement, sources at multiple agencies told Al-Monitor, although some held a meeting with officials from State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in November. They wanted to ask us how long would it be for us to get our act together, more or less, and get ready for the new reality. And our response was, whats the new reality? one aid worker said. Its illegal for US nationals to provide material support or resources to a designated terrorist group. But in Yemen, the Houthis are the de facto authorities in an area covering roughly 80% of Yemens population and for aid groups to get any work done, they must coordinate with rebel-run government agencies, pay taxes to Houthi authorities and obtain the groups permission to deliver aid. A Houthi blacklisting puts aid workers at risk of prosecution for doing so. Pompeo said the administration recognizes these concerns and will put in place measures, including licenses issued by the Treasury Department, to reduce the designations impact on certain humanitarian activity and imports. But aid organizations say the application process for such licenses is time-consuming and could further delay the delivery of assistance to a country on the brink of famine. Theyre also concerned about their ability to transfer money if banks decide its not worth the risk to continue doing business with them. They point to Somalia, where a foreign terrorist designation of Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab in 2008 produced a chilling effect on banks and businesses that hampered the delivery of aid during the country's deadly famine. The Trump administrations move has also raised fears that the Houthis could retaliate against US and other foreign aid workers. After news of a possible designation surfaced in November, a number of Americans working for the UN and other relief agencies were pulled out of the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa. We reserve the right to respond to any designation issued by the Trump administration or any administration, Houthi official Mohammed Ali al-Houthi tweeted on Monday, blasting the United States as the actual partner in killing and starving Yemens people. The Houthi decision is seen as part of the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign on the groups regional backer, Iran. In recent months, the administration has unveiled a series of sanctions against Iranian targets that observers say could complicate the incoming administrations efforts to revive diplomacy with Iran and rejoin the landmark nuclear agreement. Relief organizations are calling on Biden, who has promised to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, to immediately revoke the terror designation when he takes office later this month. But even if the decision is walked back, some of the damage may be irreversible, warns Oxfam Americas humanitarian policy lead Scott Paul. Shutting down a humanitarian operation is like turning off a light switch, and scaling one up is like rewiring an entire house, he said. In addition to the many operational challenges, aid agencies will be left dealing with a more impoverished population that may not trust us because we will have left in the middle of a horrific emergency, said Paul. The Trump administration drew outrage in the aid community last year when it cut US assistance to Houthi-held northern Yemen over concerns the rebels were interfering with the distribution of humanitarian supplies. Pompeo in his statement Sunday noted that the United States was the largest humanitarian donor to Yemen last year, providing $630 million in humanitarian assistance. Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. By An Puzhong and Zhou Ren BEIJING, Jan. 11 -- According to the recruiting office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the Peoples Republic of China, the promotional videos for national military recruitment in 2021 were officially released on January 10. The two recruitment videos for 2021, namely Join the Military to Live Up to Youth and Youth Dream, were jointly produced by the National Defense Mobilization Department under the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the China Media Group. They focus on the mission, responsibility, and patriotism of the Chinese youth who are committed to strengthening the Chinese military, highlighting the theme of serving the military for a life without regrets. Since Jan 10th, the two short videos have been pushed to young people and applicant groups via traditional and social media. After the biannual military recruitment policy is implemented in China in 2020, the first round of recruitment starts in mid-February and ends at the end of March in every year, with the recruits getting enlisted upon approval on March 1; the second starts in mid-August and ends at the end of September in every year, with the recruits getting approved for enlistment on September 1. Discussion on the role of innovation at leading companies to develop a digital economy at VIIE 2021 At the Vietnam International Innovation Expo (VIIE 2021) taking place in the past two days (January 9-10, 2021), property developer giant Sunshine Group showcased two new technologies: Sliving IoT platform and a digital transaction platform for banks. The technologies and products of Sunshine Group can not only be used at our own real estate projects to bring high-quality living for residents, they can also be used by businesses, companies, local, and foreign partners. This will promote the development of the community and the country, as well as contribute to Vietnam's prosperity, said Nguyen Van Minh, deputy chairman of Sunshine Tech told VIR at the sidelines of the VIIE. Minh said that Sunshine Group always considers technology as its first priority for development and achieving sustainability. Thanks to proper investment into technology and innovation, Sunshine Group applies smart technologies to key areas as the foundation to achieve breakthroughs and improve its competitiveness, contributing to socioeconomic development. Sunshine Groups representative stated that Industry 4.0 also creates new economic models, based on science and technology and innovation. This is a new playground for businesses to achieve breakthroughs and recognition. According to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong, Innovation requires constant efforts. It needs to be practised every day in both the simplest and most complicated activities of all individuals, organisations, and companies, said Dong. Big ones leading digital transformation In the view of the leading company in telecommunications, Le Dang Dung, acting chairman and general director of Viettel Group said that the National Innovation Centre (NIC) should select the sectors that can contribute the most to the countrys development, and connect to other companies and partners, forming a national innovation network. Innovative companies need to be supported in all aspects, like administrative procedures, training, human resources, approaching markets, and accessing capital. This is especially true for policies related to tax, fees, and the licensing of new products and services, said Dung. He also proposed encouraging big companies and corporations to join this network. Particularly, Viettel develops not only telecommunication services but also an ecosystem of technology and telecommunications, in addition to the strength of finance and human resources. Viettel would like to cooperate with others to develop the innovation network. We are ready to lead the digital transformation and build a digital society for Vietnam, confirmed Viettel. In the opinion of Sunshine Groups representative, companies can ride the waves of Industry 4.0 on their own strength and products, developing the local innovation ecosystem. This will help businesses will proactively connect and cooperate, carry out technology transfer, and support startups. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 20:35:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 8,692 within one day to 836,718 on Monday, while Cambodia reopened schools after the community outbreak was brought under control. The death toll in Indonesia added by 214 to 24,343, the Health Ministry said. Indonesia needs 36,000 more hospital beds in anticipation of a spike in COVID-19 cases until early February, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said. The number of beds needed to treat COVID-19 patients account for about 30 percent of the total active cases. The government decided to extend its travel restrictions for foreign nationals for another two weeks amid COVID-19 concerns, a senior minister said. Bangladesh reported 849 new COVID-19 cases and 22 new deaths, making the tally at 523,302 and death toll at 7,803, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. Cambodia reopened public schools across the kingdom after the first community outbreak of COVID-19 was over late last year. In a message to mark the new academic year 2020-2021, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen urged all schools to strictly adhere to the safety measures set by the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, another Cambodian migrant worker back from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of infected laborers from Thailand to 27 so far, said a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement. The Philippines has logged a total number of 489,736 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with the report of 2,052 new daily infections, the highest since Dec. 18. The Department of Health (DOH) said in its daily bulletin that the death toll climbed to 9,416 after 11 more patients died from the coronavirus epidemic. It added that 10 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 458,206. Thailand reported 249 new COVID-19 cases, including a nine-month-old infant, according to the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Of the new cases, 224 were local infections while 25 others were those in quarantine upon arrival from abroad, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin told a daily press conference. India's COVID-19 tally rose to 10,466,595 as 16,311 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours, said the latest data from the health ministry. According to the data, the death toll mounted to 151,160 after 161 more COVID-19 patients died since Sunday morning. A three-day lockdown of Australia's third-largest city of Brisbane will be lifted after no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the weekend, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. The lockdown was imposed in response to a hotel quarantine worker testing positive for a new more contagious strain of COVID-19 being reported in Britain. New Zealand reported four cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation since the last media statement on Sunday, with no new cases in the community. South Korea reported 451 more cases of COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 69,114. The daily caseload fell below 500 in 41 days since Dec. 1, but it hovered above 100 for 64 days since Nov. 8 owing to small cluster infections in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province as well as imported cases. Enditem CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past year, many have had the opportunity to rethink what home means: its location, must-have needs, and new non-negotiables in order to gain improved living arrangements. For those who are 55 and older, active living and age-targeted communities may be top of mind. That's why for the seventh consecutive year, 55places.com is pleased to announce its Best Community of the Year . Taking the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row is On Top of the World of Ocala, Florida. Florida-Based On Top of the World is Named Best Community of the Year by 55places.com To determine the top community, 55places.com a leading real estate platform for homebuyers 55 and oldercalculated its sales and pageviews, examined improvements and renovations communities made within the calendar year, and determined previous placements on other 2020 awards. Additionally, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and modifications made as a result to subsequent lockdowns were also considered. On Top of the World, likened as an adult Disney World, has been favored among 55+ homebuyers since 1981. The community is still expanding, which means there's a mix of resale and new construction homes available, all with different floor plans and pricing options to meet varying budgets and needs. Amenities span across six complexes and feature fitness centers, pools, dog parks, hobby and craft rooms, bocce ball and pickleball courts, and restaurants, among other offerings. Recent renovations, like new equipment and better technology in fitness centers, and energy-efficient and smart technology features in homes, contribute to newly improved lifestyle enhancements. Although On Top of the World stands out for the aforementioned reasons, its response to the COVID-19 pandemic was especially noteworthy. As with so much of the nation, calendars filled with events, games, outings, and gatherings were wiped clean. On Top of the World was swift to adjust to the circumstances and quickly shifted to hosting fitness classes online through Master the Possibilities, a non-profit lifelong learning center. Soon after with help of county officials, the community was able to offer drive-thru COVID-19 tests, which were free to residents whether they felt symptoms or not. Most significant of all was the effort to help community residents in need. Homeowners who could not shop for essentials themselves were gifted groceries, personal hygiene products, and handmade masks, thanks to the efforts of neighbors and employees within the community who organized the donation drive. "On Top of the World stood out last year for various investments that supported healthy, engaging, and active lifestyles within the community," said Bill Ness, CEO of 55places.com. "In the pandemic era we currently face, On Top of the World continues to go above and beyond in demonstrating excellent care and commitment to ensure a high quality of life for its residents." About 55places.com 55places.com is changing the way people 55 and older are searching for their perfect next place. With a national network of hand-selected real estate experts, plus comprehensive information, unbiased content, and on-the-go insight about thousands of communities across the country, 55places is a trusted resource paving the way from here to home. From low-maintenance single-level living, active lifestyle and age-qualified communities, intimate enclaves, and everything between, 55places.com empowers visitors to make their next move the best one yet. Media Contact: Marissa Wright [email protected] 773-278-5500 SOURCE 55places.com Related Links http://www.55places.com Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-10 23:52:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on April 9, 2020 shows the Dar es Salaam Port undergoing upgrading of port berths 1 to 7 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (Xinhua) China has a good diplomatic tradition starting from 1991 that foreign ministers have come to Africa for the first visit every year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, noting that this tradition should not be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year and that China will not flinch. BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The fact that Chinese foreign ministers chose Africa for their first visit every year shows that China attaches great importance to Africa, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China has a good diplomatic tradition starting from 1991 that foreign ministers have come to Africa for the first visit every year, Wang said in an interview with the People's Daily as he concluded on Saturday his trips to five African nations, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles. Such a concrete action also embodies the traditional friendship between China and Africa and China's firm support for Africa's development and revitalization, Wang said, adding that it also illustrates an important diplomatic principle that China always stands together with developing countries. Noting that this tradition has been held for the past 30 years, Wang said it should not be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year and China will not flinch. Franca from Nigeria disinfects the button of an elevator at Southwest University in Chongqing, southwest China, Feb. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) African countries are also looking forward to the arrival of their Chinese friends, he added. The two sides need to overcome difficulties, promote cooperation and seek a better future together through face-to-face communication, Wang said. Wang said he held meetings respectively with leaders and foreign ministers from the five African countries, during which they have reached broad consensuses on implementing the important consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders, carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two sides and enhancing political mutual trust. China's medical supplies for 18 African countries arrive at the Kotota International Airport in Accra, capital of Ghana, April 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) The Chinese diplomat said they also reached consensuses on joint fight against the pandemic, speeding up the resumption of major cooperation projects, pushing forward the joint building of the Belt and Road, and strengthening coordination on global and regional affairs. A series of agreements were also signed during the meetings, which have deepened bilateral friendship, enhanced mutual trust, promoted cooperation and accumulated consensuses, he said. Many people can tell you the exact place they were when they heard about huge global events. The death of Princess Diana, the September 11 attacks are instances etched into our collective memories and 2021 will deliver its own share of such high-profile moments. One of them has already happened: The violent storming of the United States Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. But there is another defining event pencilled in on the calendar and it's likely to be one we remember with relief: The vaccination of Australians against COVID-19. The Australian rollout of a vaccine will be one of the biggest events of 2021. Credit:AP The coronavirus vaccine will start to be rolled out in Australia from mid-to-late-February, faster than the previous expectation of March, with frontline workers and other high-risk essential staff to get the jab first. The finer details of this plan are being figured out but 80,000 people a week could be rolling up their sleeves for their health and the country's recovery. Just a few months ago it would have been hard to imagine getting excited about a medical procedure but now it will understandably be the basis of one of the most anticipated events of the year. DBS QR Gift cards. (Source: DBS) SINGAPORE The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is encouraging Singaporeans to use e-hongbaos during the coming Lunar New Year as they will help to reduce queues for physical notes and are more environmentally friendly. E-hongbaos are part of a larger shift towards e-gifting that MAS and The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) are actively promoting. In a news release on Monday (11 January), MAS said that the e-hongbaos will enable remote gifting across a variety of visitation practices, including virtual gatherings, during the Lunar New Year. Giving e-hongbaos instead of physical notes is also environmentally more sustainable as it reduces the printing and subsequent wastage of new notes that are returned by the public to banks after each Lunar New Year, the central bank said. MAS also encouraged fintech firms to develop e-gifting solutions for different purposes, including gifting during festive periods. The most innovative FinTech e-gifting solution will receive special recognition at the Singapore FinTech Festival in November 2021, it said. E-gifting helps to reduce the carbon emissions generated by the production of new notes for each Lunar New Year, estimated to be about 330 tonnes currently, or equivalent to emissions from charging 5.7 million smartphones or one smartphone for every Singaporean resident for five days, Bernard Wee, MAS assistant managing director, Finance, Risk & Currency, said. Online reservation for physical notes For those who prefer giving new physical notes, five banks will implement an online reservation system for such notes. This initiative will complement safe management measures currently in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public, except those aged 60 and above and persons with disabilities, who prefer physical notes for Lunar New Year will need to make an appointment through their respective local banks (DBS/OCBC/UOB) online reservation system before visiting the branches to collect the new notes. Story continues New notes can also be withdrawn without a prior booking at pop-up ATMs offered by DBS. The collection for online orders, walk-in option for elderly aged 60 and above and persons with disabilities, and withdrawal at DBS pop-up ATMs will start from 25 January. Maybank and Standard Chartered are also offering pre-orders of notes. Customers of these two banks are encouraged to place an online reservation for the notes before visiting the branches. They should refer to the respective banks website for details. The pre-order period for new and good-as-new notes will start from 18 January. Related news: Mobile Wallets In Singapore: Complete 2021 Guide DBS supports IRAS in digital payment implementation Environmentalists want the State to install air quality monitors in one of Irelands most industrialised zones after a massive blaze in Cork Harbour sparked health fears and criticism of emergency communications. They said the huge smoke plume from the R&H Hall fire at the Port of Corks deepwater compound in Ringaskiddy shows what could happen if there was an accident or explosion at a chemical plant in the area or at the proposed Indaver incinerator. But residents of the lower harbour said they had to rely on their own contacts to find out what was going on at the height of the emergency response. A technical glitch in the Environmental Protection Agencys network of air quality monitoring stations prevented public access to real-time data on air quality during the blaze. Green Party councillor Dan Boyle said if the data from such a system is not accessible during an emergency, then it is of little use. We must have a system thats capable of live monitoring during a time of crisis, he said. And at the time of the fire on Saturday, the EPAs stations in Cork werent reporting data. They produced data later, but we need live information during an emergency." He described the glitch as a massive own goal on the part of the EPA. He also pointed out that the EPA has two monitoring stations in the Cobh area, on the opposite side of the harbour, but none in the industrialised Ringaskiddy zone. Local Independent councillor Marcia Dalton said the fire was the third notable air quality-related incident in Cork Harbour in a week there was a smaller fire on Haulbowline Island on January 3 and a dust-cloud incident during ship-unloading operations two days later. She said the impacts of these incidents were felt in Passage West, Ringaskiddy, Coolmore, Crosshaven, Minane Bridge, and beyond but not at Cobh where the EPA monitors are. So once again, no matter what happens or what is said by any councillor or any agency, no data will have been gathered, she said. And when the explanations of freak accidents have taken place and weve been reassured that it wont happen again, it most certainly will. Firefighters yesterday spent a second day tackling the largest fire in the area in almost 30 years. Fires were still burning inside the R&H Hall grain storage building at the Port of Corks deepwater port facilities in the industrialised area of Ringaskiddy, more than 24 hours after the alarm was first raised. On-scene commander, Chris Gledhill, the station officer at Carrigaline Fire Station, said while the fire was fully under control since mid-morning on Saturday, flames were still visible to the rear of nine of the building's 11 giant grain storage compartments. He said it was still too dangerous to commit firefighters to the building, so panels were removed from its badly damaged super-structure to allow access to the still-smouldering hot-spots from an elevated position. Plumes of smoke continued to billow from the port compound for a second day as dampening-down operations continued. All ship operations in Cork harbour have been suspended temporarily as a fire continues to burn at a large animal feed warehouse in Ringaskiddy. | Read more: https://t.co/v6V3BpYa4V pic.twitter.com/js0wFc4hKz RTE News (@rtenews) January 9, 2021 "The material involved remains unchanged and is a natural, organic animal feed," a spokesperson for Cork County Council said. "Fire crews will remain on site until this operation is fully complete." In a statement, R&H Hall said they spent the weekend liaising with the emergency services and with the Port of Cork. "We would like to thank the emergency services and the Port of Cork team for their quick response and ongoing management of the incident," the firm said. We would also like to apologise to local residents, neighbouring businesses, and our customers for any inconvenience caused by the incident." But the Irish Examiner has learned that firefighters were called to two smaller fires at the same R&H Hall building in the last four months. It is understood that one of those fires was linked to a mechanical problem with a conveyor belt system. Firefighters deal with a major fire at Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on Saturday morning. Picture: Larry Cummins Gardai and the Health and Safety Authority have launched separate investigations into the cause of the blaze, but initial indications suggest it is not malicious. The alarm was raised just before 8.45am on Saturday when a giant plume of smoke soared above the deepwater port compound. It was visible up to 20km away. Dramatic images and video began to emerge on social media of a building ablaze, sparking concerns that it could have been one of the pharma-chemical buildings. Two units of the Cork County Fire Service from Carrigaline and one from Crosshaven rushed to the scene. When our pagers went off, and I went outside to make my way to the station, said Mr Gledhill. I could see the plume of smoke from my house in Carrigaline and I knew it was going to be a big one." The R&H Hall grain storage complex was well ablaze when the firefighters arrived. The Port of Cork used social media to advise people to close windows and doors and remain indoors, and it later suspended all shipping operations in Ringaskiddy as a precaution. A fire has broken out at the R&H Hall grain store on the Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth. Emergency Services are on site and the Port Emergency Plan has been activated. Local residents are advised to keep all doors and windows closed and remain indoors. Port of Cork #Keepingtheshowontheroad (@PortofCork) January 9, 2021 Mr Gledhill said the blaze was so severe, they could not commit firefighters to the building, and instead tackled the fire defensively. An aerial platform from Midleton was requested to help fight the fire from a height. They managed to bring the blaze under control at around 11am, but smaller fires continued to burn inside the building. The scene a large fire at a Port of Cork site in Ringaskiddy today. Picture: Cork County Fire Service, Carrigaline Station. Picture: Maeve O'Malley Mr Gledhill called in a fire crew from Cobh and an incident command unit from Bandon, with more than 30 firefighters on-site at the height of the firefighting operation. Three units from the National Ambulance Service were on standby at the scene. HSE officials were also on-site to monitor potential smoke pollution, but the wind carried most of the plume eastwards, away from residential areas in and around Ringaskiddy. A fire crew from Kinsale remained on site overnight before dampening-down operations resumed on Sunday morning. Shipping operations also resumed at the deepwater facilities. Read More Ringaskiddy blaze the third Cork harbour fire in four months Braham Brennan, chairman of the Ringaskiddy and District Residents Association, said it was the biggest fire in the area since the explosion and fire at the Hickson's chemical plant in 1993. He said local residents were glad that no-one was injured, but he criticised the lack of information from the various authorities, especially at the outset of the incident. Locals had to rely on personal contacts, rather than on any formal communication channels or system, to find out what was going on, he said. We have been looking for a safety plan for the area for years, and we still dont have it," he said. If the wind had been blowing down the village, we would have been in serious trouble. In a statement, the residents association said people were concerned about potential toxins in the air and about communications to the public. Lack of communication played a significant role in the early stages of this event, where residents had to make calls to Port of Cork operations with their concerns for their own safety, it said. Ringaskiddy Residents Association immediately advised residents to remain indoors and keep doors and windows closed until it was determined what was burning and if it was safe to remain in the area eventually Port of Cork advised the same. The association is not in receipt of any emergency plan for the area despite a previous request for one from Cork County Council and, having a number of pharmaceutical plants, including SEVESO sites, in the area. The only emergency plan that the residents are aware of is to stay in, close your doors and windows, and hide under your bed." Local Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath plans to raise the emergency communications and planning issue with council officials today. "The communication with the local community was very inadequate," he said. "The extent to which an emergency plan was activated remains unclear and questions will need to be answered. It was very fortunate that the wind was not blowing in the immediate direction of Ringaskiddy village. "If it had been, the risks could have been far greater and was there a clear plan to deal with such a scenario. Read More Ringaskiddy residents call for publication of emergency plan following large fire CHASE RESPONSE The Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE) said that the fire in Cork harbour highlights the unsuitability of Ringaskiddy site for the proposed Indaver incinerator. In a statement, CHASE said that the fire "provided real-life modelling of dispersal patterns in low winds with thermal inversion in the enclosed harbour basin. "This saw the plume drift around and sit in inlets and on homes and it continues to do so a day later. "In similar conditions this would be the dispersal pattern for highly toxic emissions from a fire or explosion at the incinerator plant, as well as for everyday emissions on an ongoing basis." CHASE added that the 2016 Oral Hearing for the proposed Indaver plan highlighted that it was "equipped only with enough water for 2 hours firefighting, with a plan to let any fire burn out after that, which makes ongoing toxic emissions a real potential threat." The statement said that the fire was only brought under control by the response of Carrigaline, Cobh, Crosshaven and Midleton fire services. "It was made clear at the 2009 Oral Hearing that there is no guarantee that emergency services would enter an incident at the Indaver site." VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - New Placer Dome Gold Corp. ("New Placer Dome" or the "Company") (TSXV: NGLD) (OTCQB: NPDCF) (FSE: BM5) is pleased to report assay results for the initial nine reverse circulation ("RC") drill holes completed during 2020 at its flagship Kinsley Mountain Gold Project ("Kinsley Mountain") in mining friendly Nevada. Eight of the nine drill holes had significant gold intercepts and have the potential to increase mineral resources in several different zones. Kinsley Mountain is located 90 km south of the Long Canyon Mine (currently in production under the Newmont/Barrick Joint Venture), hosts Carlin-style gold mineralization, hosts historical run-of-mine heap leach production, and has NI 43-101 indicated resources at the Western Flank Zone of 302,000 ounces of gold grading 6.11 g/t Au (1.54 million tonnes)1. The recently completed 2020 Kinsley Mountain RC and diamond drill campaign comprised 49 drill holes totaling 17,970 metres (39 RC holes for 13,610 metres, and 10 diamond drill holes for 4,360 metres), and tested five target areas within the greater resource area (Figure 1 and Table 1). Assay results from the remaining 40 holes are still pending. Drill holes were selected to test extensions to existing resource areas as well as undrilled, high conviction targets. Highlights include: 2.63 g/t Au (sulphide) over 38.10 metres; including 10.22 grams-per-tonne gold (g/t Au) (sulphide) over 6.10 metres in KMR20-017 (Figure 2) (Figure 2) 3.38 g/t Au (oxide) over 21.34 metres; including 5.78 g/t Au over 6.10 metres in KMR20-016 (Figure 2) (Figure 2) 5.15 g/t Au (oxide) over 10.67 metres in KMR20-004 (Figure 3) (Figure 3) 4.83 g/t Au (sulphide) over 6.10 metres and 1.74 g/t Au (sulphide) over 7.62 metres in KMR20-008; and 1.15 g/t Au (sulphide) over 6.10 metres in KMR20-007 (Figures 4 and 5) (Figures 4 and 5) 1.19 g/t Au (oxide) over 16.76 metres in KMR20-005; and 0.51 g/t Au (oxide) over 18.29 metres in KMR20-006 (Figure 6). Max Sali, CEO and founder of New Placer Dome commented, "We are extremely encouraged by the results from the initial nine Kinsley drill holes, which reinforce the exceptional exploration potential of the Kinsley Mountain Project. With an existing resource including 302,000 high-grade indicated ounces of gold grading 6.11 g/t at the Western Flank Zone, and high-grade gold in our new holes on the margins of the deposit, we look forward to the potential of resource growth driven by the results of the remaining 40 drill holes which targeted proven and new areas at Kinsley. With the 2020 drilling program now complete and analysis of most samples now underway at the laboratory we look forward to continued news flow in the months ahead." Table 1. Kinsley Mountain Gold Project 2020 Significant Drill Intercepts Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m)1 Au (g/t)* CN Soluble Au Recovery** (%) (dip/azimuth) KMR20-004 Western Flank Extension Target 260.60 271.27 10.67 5.15 69% (-68/160) including 265.18 269.75 4.57 8.12 74% KMR20-005 KNW Fault 22.86 39.62 16.76 1.19 86% (-70/235) KMR20-006 KNW Fault 19.81 38.10 18.29 0.51 81% (-50/235) KMR20-007 Western Flank 283.46 289.56 6.10 1.15 Sulphide (-75/280) KMR20-008 Western Flank 294.13 300.23 6.10 4.83 Sulphide (-83/305) and 310.90 318.52 7.62 3.07 Sulphide KMR20-009 Western Flank 283.46 295.66 12.19 1.74 Sulphide (-70/110) KMR20-015 Western Flank No significant intercepts (-85/225) KMR20-016 Western Flank 309.37 330.71 21.34 3.38 73% (-85/235) including 316.99 323.09 6.10 5.78 100% KMR20-017 Western Flank 320.04 358.14 38.10 2.63 Sulphide (-75/320) including 326.14 332.23 6.10 10.22 Sulphide *True widths of the mineralized intervals are interpreted to be between 60-90% of the reported lengths. *Drill composites were calculated using a minimum cut-off of 0.20 g/t gold. **"Sulphide" defined as CN soluble gold recovery of <50% Methodology and QA/QC The analytical work reported on herein was performed by ALS Global (ALS), Vancouver Canada. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of New Placer Dome and the QP. RC drill samples were subject to crushing at a minimum of 70% passing 2 mm, followed by pulverizing of a 250-gram split to 85% passing 75 microns. Gold determination was via standard 30-gram fire-assay (FA) analysis with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish, in addition to 51 element ICP-MS geochemistry. Samples returning greater than 10 g/t Au are subject to gravimetric finish. Gold values returning greater than 0.1 g/t Au are also subject to leach analysis where the sample is treated with a 0.25% NaCN solution and rolled for an hour. An aliquot of the final leach solution is then centrifuged and analyzed by AAS. New Placer Dome follows industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the Kinsley Mountain Gold Project, with a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Blank, duplicate and standard samples were inserted into the sample sequence sent to the laboratory for analysis. New Placer Dome detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data. New Placer Dome is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. About New Placer Dome Gold Corp. New Placer Dome Gold Corp. is a gold exploration company focused on acquiring and advancing gold projects in Nevada. New Placer Dome's flagship Kinsley Mountain Gold Project, located 90 km south of the Long Canyon Mine (currently in production under the Newmont/Barrick Joint Venture), hosts Carlin-style gold mineralization, previous run of mine heap leach production, and NI 43-101 indicated resources containing 418,000 ounces of gold grading 2.63 g/t Au (4.95 million tonnes) and inferred resources containing 117,000 ounces of gold averaging 1.51 g/t Au (2.44 million tonnes)2. The Bolo Project, located 90 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada, is another core asset, similarly hosting Carlin-style gold mineralization. New Placer Dome also owns 100% of the Troy Canyon Project, located 120 km south of Ely, Nevada. New Placer Dome is run by a strong management and technical team consisting of capital markets and mining professionals with the goal of maximizing value for shareholders through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a Director of New Placer Dome and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle has verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained herein. On behalf of the Board of Directors, /s/ "Max Sali" Max Sali, Chief Executive Officer 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. Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, receipt of additional assays, potential for resource growth/expansion, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company and its properties, and other matters. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved), and variations of such words, and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement are necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, anticipated costs and the ability to achieve goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity, performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) risks related to gold and other commodity price fluctuations; (ii) risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results; (iii) risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; (iv) that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; (v) that the Company may lose or abandon its property interests or may fail to receive necessary licences and permits; (vi) that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; (vii) that the Company may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; (viii) the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; (ix) exploration and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; * competition; (xi) the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of geologic reports or studies; (xii) the uncertainty of profitability based upon the Company's history of losses; (xiii) risks related to environmental regulation and liability; (xiv) risks associated with failure to maintain community acceptance, agreements and permissions (generally referred to as "social licence"); (xv) risks relating to obtaining and maintaining all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations relating to the continued exploration and development of the Company's projects; (xvi) risks related to the outcome of legal actions; (xvii) political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; (xix) risks related to current global financial conditions; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business strategy. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants, adverse weather conditions, increase in costs, equipment failures, government regulations and policies, litigation, exchange rate fluctuations, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, decrease in the price of gold and other metals, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations and fees charged by service providers. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the 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 expressly required by applicable securities legislation. 1 Technical Report and updated estimate of mineral resources on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., effective January 15, 2020 and prepared by Michael M. Gustin, Ph.D., CPG, Moira Smith, Ph.D., P.Geo. and Gary L. Simmons, MMSA under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s Issuer Profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). 2 Technical Report and updated estimate of mineral resources on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., effective January 15, 2020 and prepared by Michael M. Gustin, Ph.D., CPG, Moira Smith, Ph.D., P.Geo. and Gary L. Simmons, MMSA under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s Issuer Profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). SOURCE New Placer Dome Gold Corp. Tom Kristensen is a landscaper, artist and just owner-built a house in Hughes. But sometime in 2019, he turned his mind to local politics. Not to stand for election, no way, hes never been a member of any political party, too sceptical. But his local member had started to use Facebook to spread messages which the ecology graduate knew were not based on any kind of scientific evidence. Kristensen got busy. He decided to note and analyse every single Facebook post on Craig Kellys page, its topic, its style of writing and its image. Liberal MP Craig Kelly has little about his local community on his Facebook page but plenty about fringe COVID treatments. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, AP This isnt for academic research. It is to save the nation from his dangerous conspiratorial and anti-science influence. His job is to represent his community. What he is actually doing is misleading his constituents, misrepresenting science, endangering lives. As of Monday and since April Fools Day 2019, Kelly, who represents the southern Sydney seat of Hughes, has delivered 2130 posts on Facebook, directed at his local electorate. Of those posts, Kristensen recorded, just 16 were strictly about his local community: five scenic shots of his electorate, three notices for the Rural Fire Service, three calls for social distancing, two for flu vaccines, one weather report and one Anzac Day announcement and one delivery of flags to schools. That last one deleted, possibly because there were children in shot. Authorities in central California are searching for six inmates who used a 'homemade rope' to escape from a county jail on Saturday night, sheriff's officials said. The inmates had been missing for eight hours until staff at Merced County Downtown Jail noticed Sunday morning that they were gone. 'A preliminary investigation has determined that the inmates were able to gain access to the roof of the facility and utilize a homemade rope to scale down the side of the jail,' the sheriff's office said. Manuel Allen Leon, left, and Jorge Barron are two of the escaped inmates who fled a California jail late on Saturday night Fabian Cruz Roman, left, and Gabriel Francis Coronado are currently at-large after fleeing the prison Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., 21, also faces an attempted murder charge, among others Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22, faces numerous charges, including a felon in possession of a firearm charge The inmates were last seen on video at around 11:30pm Saturday night and authorities believe they escaped shortly thereafter. But staff at the Merced County Jail didn't notice they were missing until after 8am on Sunday, according to The Modesto Bee. 'Thats not acceptable on anybodys watch,' Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said. 'If weve got folks that need to be held accountable we will be holding them accountable; I will not let this ride.' The inmates were being housed in a gang housing unit that held nine people. Once the inmates made it to the roof, they used braided sheets to lower themselves around 20 feet down the side of the building. Staff members at the Merced County Jail didn't know the inmates were missing for eight hours The escaped inmates were being housed in a gang housing unit that held nine people That landed them in an alleyway right next to the Sheriff's Office facility. Warnke believes the men likely fled the area of the prison as quickly as they could. Anyone who spots the fugitives is asked not to approach them and immediately call 911. All six escapees should be considered armed and dangerous, the Merced County Sheriff's Office said. All but one of the suspects are charged with violent felonies, including murder. Once the inmates escaped to the roof, they used braided sheets to pull themselves down the outside wall and into an alleyway next to the Sheriff's Office, where they then took off The sheriff noted staffing problems for the past 11 years may have helped lead to escape They were identified as Jorge Barron, 20, of Atwater, California; Gabriel Francis Coronado, 19, of Atwater; Manuel Allen Leon, 21, of Vallejo, California; Andres Nunez Rodriguez Jr., 21 of Planada, California; Fabian Cruz Roman, 22 of Los Banos, California; and Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22 of Portland, Oregon. Roman is facing a murder charge. Coronado and Rodriguez Jr. face charges including attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a criminal street gang and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ventura is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, participation in a criminal street gang and violation of probation. Sheriff Vern Warnke says the county jail is 'very antiqated' and 'not meant to house the type of inmate that we have now' Leon is charged with assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, reckless driving to evade an officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and violation of probation. Barron faces a probation violation charge. This is not the first time the downtain jail has faced an issue with inmates escaping, according to the sheriff. 'Theres protocols in place for a lot of things but you also have to remember that this jail is very antiquated and were continually fixing and repairing different things,' Warnke stated. 'This jail was not meant to house the type of inmate that we have now.' An administrative review of the protocols in place to prevent this kind of incident will now be conducted. Warnke also pointed to staffing issues as a potential cause for Saturday night's breakout. 'Our staffing levels have never been up to par since 2009 in our correctional facilities when the state cut money and the county also had to cut money,' Warnke said. 'So weve been having staffing issues for a very long time and this is no different than anything else.' It's not clear if the men were connected prior to their jailbreak from the medium-security detention center. Australian federal ministers have criticised social media companies for suspending US President Donald Trumps accounts in a growing debate over censorship following last weeks mob violence at the United States Capitol. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he was "uncomfortable" with Twitter's decision to take down Mr Trump's account and acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack blasted the move as censorship of political speech when the company had not suspended other views on its site. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says Twitter has gone too far in removing Donald Trump from its platform. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen While both leaders condemned the violence in Washington, DC, Mr McCormack triggered an attack from Labor after he likened the events last Thursday to the Black Lives Matter protests of recent months. The comments signal the governments concern about the power of the social media companies to silence political speech, as Federal Parliament prepares to debate draft laws to take down abhorrent violent online material. SPRINGFIELD State Rep. Katie Stuart on Monday morning said she had nothing to do with changes to her opioid legislation to include proposed criminal justice reforms criticized by Madison County law enforcement officials. Madison Countys top elected law officials from both parties on Monday condemned the criminal justice bill being considered this week by the General Assembly in Springfield. House Bill 163 was introduced in December by Stuart, D-Edwardsville, as a prescription monitoring bill. But on Jan. 4 it had a 600-page amendment added to it that is upsetting law enforcement and prosecutors. Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine, a Republican, and Madison County Sheriff John Lakin, a Democrat, released a statement Monday saying the bill is a disaster for victims and public safety. The bill also has been criticized by state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville; Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells and Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon. I want to be very clear that the police reform language in Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 163 is not something I had any input on, Stuart said Monday. My original bill was rewritten by the Senate sponsors without my consultation. My original version of House Bill 163 was about changes to Illinois prescription monitoring program, Stuart said. My bill simply required that controlled substance prescriptions be reported to an electronic database on the same day they are dispensed. The goal was to address the opioid crisis by helping catch people who doctor shop to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for opioids. Stuart said her bill was passed by the House and sent to the Senate where it was not acted on. Instead, the sponsors removed my language, which has changed what the legislation would do, Stuart said. Legislative rules currently prevent changes of sponsorship as the measure is still under control of the Senate sponsors, she said. When the bill is returned to the House, we will all be able to make sponsorship changes as we see fit. Haine and Lakin released a statement saying they stand absolutely opposed to the rushed passage of this incredibly bad bill. In the name of reform, it effectively destroys law enforcement and criminal prosecution as we know it, they said in a released statement. It will be a disaster for victims and public safety by undermining in multiple different ways - the ability of law enforcement and prosecutors to keep violent criminals off the streets. According to Lakin and Haine, as amended HB 163 radically weakens and undermines protections for law enforcement officers, victim protection, public safety and tools for prosecutors. They said it: Significantly limits when offenders can be detained, which will increase risk to victims, witnesses to crime and the community at-large. Prohibits pre-trial detention when an offender poses a general danger, allowing it only when officials can prove danger to a specific person. Severely limits accountability for accomplices to murder by amending the Felony Murder rule. Removes multiple due process protections for Police Officers while at the same time exposing them to new civil liability. Haine and Lakin encouraged Riverbend residents to voice opposition to this bill by calling their legislators and emailing comments to online SenateTestimony@ilga.gov and HouseTestimony@ilga.gov. Vaccinations against COVID-19 infection almost doubled in the last week as the pace of inoculation picked up after the holidays. As of Monday, 264,380 Pennsylvanians had received at least the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, according to the state Department of Health. Almost all were front-line health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care centers, including nursing homes, the departments top priority. In local counties, Lackawanna has had 7,810 people vaccinated; Luzerne, 8,697; Monroe, 2,299; Pike, 486; Susquehanna and Wayne, 926 each; and Wyoming, 488. The availability of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines has raised a number of questions and left many wondering when or whether they should get vaccinated. The Times-Tribune tries to provide some answers here: Q: When can I get vaccinated against COVID-19? A: A lot depends on vaccine supply, but state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine has repeatedly said mass vaccination for the general public probably wont happen until late spring or early summer. Health care workers, first responders, people in nursing homes and other long-term care centers are still up first, though Levine said Monday she expects the next vaccination phase to begin soon. You can find a full priority list for vaccination along with the states vaccination plan at www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Vaccine.aspx. Q: Is there a waiting list or somewhere the general public can sign up for the vaccine? A: No, mainly because state health officials have no idea when mass vaccination will happen. Q: Where will vaccines for the public be available? A: State officials expect that to happen at a variety of places, including mass inoculations sites whose locations they will announce. Q: Do I have to get vaccinated? A: Generally, no, though your employer may require you to get a vaccination. However, health officials urge everyone to get vaccinated because its the surest way to slow the virus spread. Q: How many shots do I need? A: The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots. The second Pfizer shot comes 21 days later, the Moderna, 28 days. Other vaccines in development may require only one shot. Q: Is the vaccine dangerous? What are the side effects? Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine? A: No, you cant get COVID-19 from the vaccine because, unlike other vaccines, live virus is not used in making it. However, the body needs a few weeks to build immunization after a vaccination. Until that happens, a vaccinated person could get infected and get sick, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. The vaccine is widely considered safe. The most typical side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where you got the shot, fever, chills, tiredness and aches in the rest of your body, according to the CDC. Moderna says its vaccine can also produce nausea and vomiting. Most side effects dont last more than a day or two. A few patients among the hundreds of thousands vaccinated have reported allergic reactions. One Florida doctor who advocated vaccination died two weeks after his, but authorities are still investigating if his death is vaccine-related. There have been no widespread reports of deaths or severe symptoms. Q: If I had COVID-19, am I immune from the virus? A: Maybe, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which also says experts dont know how long this protection lasts. The department says the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. The vaccine protects you by creating an antibody response without (you) having to experience sickness. Q: If I had COVID-19 and recovered, should I still get the vaccine? A: Yes. The CDC says you should because of the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and because re-infection is possible. Q: How much will a vaccine cost? A: It shouldnt cost anything. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress last March says any authorized COVID-19 is considered a preventive health service so private health insurers must cover their entire cost with no charge to the person receiving the vaccine. Medicaid and Medicare cover vaccinations full cost. Systems can charge a fee for administering the vaccine, but insurers are required to pay for that, too. For uninsured patients, vaccination providers can seek reimbursement from the federal government. Q: Will I need a prescription to get vaccinated? A: No. Q: Do I have to keep wearing masks and social distancing after getting the vaccine? A: Wearing masks remains mandatory in public places. Someone who had the vaccine may still get the virus and spread it. The end of wearing masks will happen when enough people get the vaccine, officials say. That may take most of this year. Q: Should children get vaccinated? A: Yes, but so far neither the Moderna nor the Pfizer vaccine is approved for children under 16 years old. Pfizers is approved for 16 and older, Modernas for 18 and older. Both companies say theyre conducting trials with children, who are generally less susceptible to severe COVID-19 symptoms anyway. Q: Ive heard COVID-19 mutated and some people came down with the variant. Will the vaccines work against the variant? A: Its hard to know for sure because the variant is so new. Pennsylvania had only one reported variant case as of Monday. Pfizer says its preliminary study shows its vaccine will work against the variant. Moderna is still studying that. Nigeria, on Monday, reached another devastating milestone as 1,024 people tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as of Sunday night. The new figure catapulted the countrys total cases to more than 100,000. This is coming about 11 months after the country recorded its first infection in an Italian traveller on February 27, 2020. Some experts had hoped that Nigeria and much of the African continent would be spared by the pandemic in its early stages but since the second wave began in early December, the disease has been spreading ruthlessly, setting new records after months of low numbers that led to a lax on guard to safety and weak enforcement of health protocols. On Sunday, Nigeria reported from 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 1, 024 new cases pushing the total number of infections in the country to 100, 087. One in every six persons (16 per cent) tested for COVID-19 in Nigeria in the past two weeks tested positive for the virus, indicating how far the virus has spread. PREMIUM TIMES review of official data showed that Nigeria set a weekly record of reporting about 10, 000 cases in the past one week. Deaths The spike in infections is also leading to fatalities. Eight people died from the disease on Sunday, taken the death toll to 1,358 in total. Eight people also died on Saturday. Nigeria recorded one of its highest coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, with 12 people dying from the virus. In the past 23 days, there have been 146 fatalities as a result of COVID-19 complications in Nigeria. The government has blamed the increasing deaths on later referrals of COVID-19 patients to treatment centres. The Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, 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. But 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 recent surge, warning that the situation could get worse if citizens keep violating safety protocols. The federal government recently warned that a significant increase in COVID-19 infections in Nigeria appears imminent this January due to continued violation of safety protocols during the Christmas period. Active cases in the country rose sharply from about 3,000 about a month ago to over 17,000 due to a rise in new infections. Of the over 100,000 cases so far, 80,030 patients have been discharged from hospitals after treatment. Specifics The 1,024 new cases were reported from 17 states: Lagos-653, Plateau-63,mBenue-48, Zamfara-45, FCT-42, Rivers-27, Ondo-26, Adamawa-26, Kaduna-22, Edo-18, Ogun-16, Imo-12, Kano-9, Yobe-6, Ekiti-5, Jigawa-4, Osun-2. ADVERTISEMENT Lagos led with 653 new cases on Sunday, more than half of the daily total. The commercial city is Nigerias coronavirus epicentre with a total of over 35,000 confirmed cases and about 252 deaths. Mr Mamora warned Nigerians against complacency in containing the COVID-19 pandemic as the much-awaited vaccines may not arrive the country as soon as expected. So far, Nigeria has conducted over a million COVID-19 tests. Globally The number of COVID-19 infections worldwide surpassed 90 million on Sunday morning, about a year since the highly infectious disease began spreading around the globe. The grim milestone was reached as many countries commence coronavirus vaccination to get as much of its people vaccinated in record time. COVID-19, the potentially dangerous pneumonia-like disease caused by the coronavirus and said to have emanated from a local Wuhan market to spread to over 200 countries, has claimed more than 1.9 million lives, according to data from worldometer.info. Africa also on Sunday passed the milestone of three million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including more than 72,000 deaths, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. South Africa, with more than 1.2 million reported cases, including 32,824 deaths, accounts for more than 30 per cent of the total for the continent of 54 countries and 1.3 billion people. The high proportion of COVID-19 cases in South Africa could be because the country carries out more tests than many other African countries. Nigeria is the ninth most affected African country after South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Libya, Kenya and Algeria. Doses of the vaccine, Covishield, will initially be shipped to 60 consignee points and will then be distributed to various vaccination centres across India New Delhi: The Union government on Monday placed a purchase order with Serum Institute of India (SII) for 11 million doses of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, each costing Rs 210 including GST, official sources said. Dispatch of the vaccine is likely to start by late Monday evening, they said. According to the order placed, each dose of the vaccine has been priced at Rs 200 and with GST of Rs 10 it would cost Rs 210. The health ministry is also likely to soon sign a purchase order for another anti- Coronavirus vaccine, Covaxin, which has been indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech, a source said. Covishield vaccine doses would be initially shipped to 60 consignee points from where those would be distributed to various vaccination centres across India, the sources said. As many as 2,54,500 doses of Covishield are set to be delivered at Delhi's central storage, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality hospital, in Tahirpur. The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, issued the supply order on behalf of the Union Health Ministry in the name of Prakash Kumar Singh, Additional Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India. "The Ministry of Health has nominated HLL Lifecare Limited vide letter dated January 11 as procuring agency for procurement of vaccine. For the purpose of this order, the Ministry of Health, Government of India is the 'purchaser' and HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL) is 'procuring agency'. Vaccine-laden trucks will move out from Manjari location of the Pune-based SII amid elaborate police security. The Maharashtra government has decided to provide police security to the trucks carrying the vaccine up to airports and to the borders of the state. India had recently approved two vaccines, Oxford's Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute in the country and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, for restricted emergency use. According to the Health Ministry, two doses of the vaccine need to be taken by an individual 28 days apart to complete the immunisation schedule. Protective levels of antibodies are generally developed two weeks after receiving the second dose, it has said. The country will launch its COVID-19 vaccination drive from January 16 in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the world's largest inoculation programme with priority to be given to nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers. According to the ' COVID-19 Vaccine Operational Guidelines", the shots will be offered first to healthcare workers, and frontline workers and then to persons above 50 years of age, followed by persons younger than 50 years of age with associated comorbidities based on evolving pandemic situation. Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, who has served the department for decades and became the first person of color to lead it three years ago, is likely to toss his hat in the ring in the citys mayoral race, news outlets have reported. The race opened up significantly last week following the announcement incumbent Mayor Marty Walsh, who has served in the role for the past seven years, has been tapped by Democratic President-elect Joe Biden to serve as the U.S. secretary of labor. Walsh, a former state representative and president of the Laborers Union Local 223, was elected in 2013 after five-term Mayor Thomas Menino. He is currently serving his second mayoral term. If confirmed, Mayor Walsh would be the first union member to serve in this role in nearly half a century, Bidens transition team wrote in its announcement about the secretary of labor pick. Mayor Walsh has worked tirelessly to rebuild the middle class, create a more inclusive, resilient economy, and fight for workers in his hometown - including fighting for a $15 minimum wage and paid family leave. In the days after Bidens announcement, a source told The Boston Globe that Gross is 95 percent sure he will run for the mayors seat but wanted to speak with his family before finalizing a decision. The Boston Herald also reported that Gross is 90% in for a run for mayor and an announcement from the police commissioner could come as early as midweek. Gross would be joining an already busy mayoral race, with Boston City Councilors Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell having announced their bids for Walshs seat months ago. Council President Kim Janey, who has also been named as a potential contender, is set to become acting mayor upon Walshs departure. Wu and Campbell each raised roughly $90,000 last month and were expected to wrap up 2020 with more than half a million dollars in cash on hand. If elected, either candidate would be the first woman, and person of color, elected as Bostons chief city official. Gross, who has described himself as a true street cop, was named police commissioner in 2018 after the retirement of his predecessor, former Boston Police Commissioner William Evans. He joined the Boston Police Department as a cadet at age 22 and rose through the ranks, spending his first 10 years as a patrol officer in East Boston, Dorchester, South Boston and Charlestown. Gross spent several years in the departments gang and drug control units as well as serving as an academy instructor. The commissioner eventually achieved the rank of sergeant detective and was promoted in 2018 to deputy superintendent. Two years later, he became the commander of the Field Support Division, which included command over the Youth Violence Strike Force and the School Police Unit, and in 2012, he was promoted to superintendent, night commander. Throughout his career, Superintendent Gross has maintained a strong connection with the community, and has been awarded numerous awards for bravery, meritorious service and community partnership, his biography on the citys website says. Several people have expressed wariness of Gross running for mayor, though, particularly in the wake of numerous protests fighting against police brutality that have rocked cities across the country, including Boston, and sparked reform within law enforcement agencies. An investigation was launched after camera footage emerged last month of one of the demonstrations, showing Boston police officers pushing and pepper-spraying protestors. One officer was heard talking about hitting demonstrators with a vehicle, the Associated Press reported. I have placed a Sergeant involved in this incident on administrative leave and I will take any additional action as necessary at the conclusion of the investigation, Gross said following the videos surfacing. I want to encourage people to bring these matters to our attention so that we can investigate them appropriately. In October, Walsh announced he had accepted all recommendations made by a police reform task force that was convened after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer. Gross described the Boston task forces recommendations, which included the creation of an independent office of police accountability and transparency with full subpoena power, as fair to the community and to the police. As police commissioner, Gross has not been one to shy away from the spotlight. He drew criticism last year after meeting with U.S. Attorney General William Barr, a move that Walsh advised his police commissioner against. A spokesperson for the mayor noted Walsh advised Gross against meeting with Barr because of what the attorney general and Trump administration stand for. A meeting does not mean I agree with his policies in any way, but I hope he walked away knowing a little more about ours, Gross said at the time. As Police Commissioner, I often have to put my personal feelings aside. The top law enforcement official in the country requested a meeting with the Boston Police Department and I would rather take the opportunity to educate someone on what we are doing in Boston on how we value and work with the community, and how we support our officers in this work, than close a door. In 2018, the police commissioner made headlines when he lambasted the American Civil Liberties Union in a private Facebook post after the organization filed a lawsuit over the departments gang database. Gross reportedly called the organization paper warriors, who are not there when officers are shot. No ACLU present when we have to explain to a mother that her son or daughter was horribly murdered by gang violence, Gross wrote in the post, which was obtained by the Herald. Related Content: The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says notwithstanding the inauguration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as President of Ghana for a second term in office, the party will not recognise him as such until all issues surrounding his election are resolved. The declaration was made known by the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia at a press briefing in Accra on Friday. "Notwithstanding the swearing-in, the NDC shall not recognise Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo until all the issues surrounding his flawed election are satisfactorily resolved," Asiedu Nketiah said. However, he maintained that NDC Members of Parliament would perform their parliamentary duties such as debating bills and vetting Ministers nominated by the President Akufo-Addo administration. "Yes, we will participate in the vetting, the vetting is not meant to approve, it is also meant to block thieves from becoming Ministers," he stressed. "Yes, we would debate bills and if they are wrong, we will shoot them down. We are not going to leave Parliament for Agyapa to come and be passed. When it is brought we will shoot it down. "So, when we say we don't recognise Nana Akufo-Addo as President, we know what will hurt the national interest and what will further that same interest". The leader of the opposition party John Dramani Mahama has filed a petition to the nations Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the December 7 presidential elections. Mahama, the NDC candidate, got 47.4% of the vote and incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo 51.6%. Mahama has described the result as illegal because the proper voter verification process wasnt followed and is seeking the annulment of the declaration by the Electoral Commision. Inquiry into Parliamentary chaos The NDC is also calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into the chaos which greeted the process to elect the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic on January 6-7, 2020. "Particularly, the invasion of Parliament by gun-wielding military men with Azugu masks and the snatching of ballot box by now dishonourable Carlos Ahenkorah and to punish all those who are found culpable in accordance with the laws of the country. Including the conduct of the Clerk of Parliament and to forestall any such occurrence in the future. How the Marshal of Parliament, allowed the security of Parliament to be breached by people described in Parliamentary parlance as foreigners". According to him, the actions of the New Patriotic Party MPs provided Ghanaians with a "repeated snapshot of what took place across the length and breadth of the country during the December 7, General Election". He said their unlawful actions had left him confident that the 2020 election petition filed by its Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama will be successful. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the sad spectacle we witnessed in Parliament were just a repeated snapshot of what took place across the length and breadth of the country during the general election held on 7th December, 2020. The use of armed soldiers at various polling stations and constituency collation centres, snatching of ballot boxes, intimation, harassment and in some cases, killing of innocent unarmed civilians was what characterized the elections of 7th December 2020. The circumvention of due process as we have witnessed in the election of a Speaker of Parliament was played out in the form of plain thievery and systematic rigging, culminating in the flawed and fraudulent declaration of 2020 Presidential election which the NDC is challenging at the Supreme Court. "As the world witnessed the ugly events in the Speakership election, and the subsequent vindication of truth, we are quite confident that it is only a matter of time before truth once again prevails in the matter of the 2020 election petition filed by our Presidential Candidate in the 2020 Presidential Elections, H.E John Dramani Mahama. "It is our hope that when the outstanding issues regarding the disputed parliamentary results such as Techiman south, Sefwi Wiawso, Hohoe, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Zabzugu, etc. are satisfactorily resolved there will be a clear NDC majority in the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic". 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 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 The Light Detection and Ranging Survey for Delhi- High-Speed Rail (DVHSR) Corridor began on Sunday from Greater Noida, where a helicopter fitted with state-of-art Aerial LiDAR and imagery sensors took the first flight and captured the data related to the ground survey, informed the Ministry of Railways. The proposed plan for DVHSR Corridor will connect with major cities like Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Lucknow, Raebareli, Prayagraj, Bhadohi, and Ayodhya. The main corridor from to (approximately 800 km) will also be connected to Ayodhya. The High-Speed Rail (HSR) route will also connect the upcoming international airport at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh. "The ground survey is a crucial activity for any linear infrastructure project as the survey provides accurate details of areas around the alignment. This technique uses a combination of Laser data, GPS data, flight parameters and actual photographs to give accurate survey data," the Ministry said. High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited is adopting LiDAR technology which will provide all the ground details and data in three-four months wherein this process normally takes 10-12 months. Around 86 master control points and 350 secondary control points have been established and these coordinates are being used for flying the aircraft on Delhi-Varanasi HSR corridor alignment, as per the nine standard benchmarks set by the Survey of India in this field. Also, 60-megapixel cameras are being used for the LiDAR survey, to provide clear pictures of the structures, trees and other minute ground details. Detailed project report for Varanasi High-Speed Rail Corridor was submitted to the Ministry of Railways on October 29, 2020. NHSRCL has been entrusted to prepare the Detailed Project Reports for seven High-Speed Rail Corridors and LiDAR survey technique will be used for ground survey in all the corridors. (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. Gardai have reunited stolen springer spaniel 'Ruby' with her family in Co. Cork after she was traced to the UK. In June 2020, an investigation was launched by gardai in Midleton after Ruby's family reported that she had been stolen from her kennel. Detectives made an appeal for information on the Garda Southern Region Facebook page, which was viewed by more than 100,000 people. A garda spokesman said the post was "spotted by an eagle eyed lady in the UK." "The lady made contact after she had seen Ruby was up for sale on a website in the UK. With the assistance of Somerset Police, Ruby was recovered and made the some 500km journey via Rosslare back to Midleton in time for Christmas," the spokesman said. Read More After being stolen, Ruby had her microchip removed and was in poor health when retuned to her family. Ruby's owners, Bernard and Liz Ahern said "We are absolutely thrilled to have Ruby back home. We are so grateful to the lady who spotted Ruby for sale, the Somerset Police, and our Gardai here in Midleton." Superintendent of the Midleton District, Adrian Gamble said "We are delighted to have been a part of Ruby's safe return to her loving family and appeal to all pet owners to take all extra security precautions and ensure their pets are microchipped. "I especially wish to thank everyone for sharing the social media appeal to help find Ruby, and the lady in the UK who spotted Ruby for sale- these people are the real heroes of the investigation. "The services of our Crime Prevention Officers and Community Garda are freely available upon request through any Garda Station across the country. We are ever present in our communities to keep people safe and offer crime prevention advice." The garda spokesman said the investigation into the theft of Ruby is still being actively pursued. Online Cybersecurity Degree Pursue lucrative and in-demand roles with Utica College's 100% online cybersecurity degree. You'll choose from four specializations to tailor your degree to your career goals. Study at an institution designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE/CDE). Request Information 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. Parler went offline at 3am EST after Amazon booted it from its web hosting app It has already been kicked off Apple and Google's stores after the Capitol siege The app was the most-downloaded on Apple after Donald Trump's Twitter ban CEO John Matze warned that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' He later said the app has 'worked hard' to 'remove prohibited content' Don Jr. shared a post which read: 'The internet was a hell of a lot safer before @Twitter, @Apple, @Google, and @Facebook started protecting us from it' Right-wing social media site Parler has disappeared from the web and vanished from the Apple and Google app stores after tech giants cut ties with the platform in the wake of the deadly mob attack at the US Capitol. Parler went offline shortly after 3am EST after Amazon booted the platform off its web hosting service, effectively shutting it down until it can find a new hosting partner. ADVERTISEMENT Hailed by Donald Trump supporters as a conservative-friendly alternative to Twitter - which permanently suspended the president on Friday - the site is seen as a magnet for the far right and was accused by Apple, Google and Amazon of continuing to allow messages inciting violence after Wednesday's riot. Parler, which Apple claims was used by some of the rioters to help plan the insurrection, was the most-downloaded app in the Apple store on Friday before both Apple and Google cut off its access to their app stores. CEO John Matze warned in his final post before the 3am deadline that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' as tech firms distance themselves from the 'free speech' site. 'Amazon's, Google's and Apple's statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well,' said Matze, who has labeled the Big Tech moves to isolate his app 'absolutely disgusting'. 'Parler is my final stand on the Internet. I won't be making an account on any social. Parler is my home,' he said. He later issued a press release condemning violence and arguing the app has 'worked hard' to 'remove prohibited content'. Following Parler's removal the president's eldest son retweeted a post which read: 'The internet was a hell of a lot safer before @Twitter, @Apple, @Google, and @Facebook started protecting us from it'. Don Jr. added: 'This times 1000.' Hailed by Donald Trump supporters as a conservative-friendly alternative to Twitter, Parler is seen as a magnet for the far right and was accused by Apple, Google and Amazon of continuing to allow messages inciting violence after Wednesday's attack at the Capitol Shortly after 3am EST, Parler disappeared from the web with an error message saying 'we can't connect to the server' after Amazon pulled the plug The app was removed from the Google app store after conservative social media users flocked to the site in the wake of the Capitol attack Republican congressman Devin Nunes, who had an account on Parler, raged at what he said was 'political censorship' after Apple and Google removed the app. ADVERTISEMENT 'Spread the word so your fellow Americans know about this,' he urged his three million followers on the site. Journalist Glenn Greenwald on Sunday accused the tech giants of 'feigning offense to destroy' to Parler. He claimed 'far more violence' has been planned on Facebook. Right-wing pundit Ben Shapiro warned on Twitter that 'the tech bros are making a horrible and dangerous moment significantly more horrible and dangerous'. 'There are no consistent standards being applied. There is reactionary deplatforming in the name of one side,' he claimed. Parler CEO John Matze warned in his final post before the 3am deadline that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' as tech firms distance themselves from the site. 'Everyone on the right is correctly concerned that these same companies are five minutes away from simply removing the ability of conservatives to host content anywhere.' The social media crackdown has revived a debate over whether tech giants should be treated as 'publishers' with the same liability as news providers. And the fallout of Twitter's permanent ban on Trump continued over the weekend, as his eldest son lashed out at the social media site and loyalists fled to alternatives such as Gab and Parler. 'The world is laughing at America & Mao, Lenin, & Stalin are smiling. Big tech is able to censor the President? Free speech is dead & controlled by leftist overlords,' Don Trump Jr said in a tweet on Saturday, urging followers to join his mailing list, 'In case I'm next.' On Friday, Twitter also permanently banned two Trump loyalists former national security adviser Michael Flynn and attorney Sidney Powell as part of a broader purge of accounts promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory. ADVERTISEMENT Its CEO Jack Dorsey reportedly made the extraordinary call to permanently suspend Trump's account while he was vacationing in French Polynesia. After Twitter red-flagged some of Trump's posts last year, the president demanded that the website be stripped of a 'liability shield' known as Section 230. Fox News personality Dan Bongino, a supporter of Parler, raged that 'the greatest threats to liberty are the destructive tech tyrants who have acted as publishers in their ongoing wars on conservatives and free speech'. 'This will be my final post on this anti-American platform,' he wrote on Twitter on Friday. Click here to resize this module In his final post before the 3am deadline, Matze said that 'most people with enough servers to host us have shut their doors to us' Parler is bankrolled by prominent conservative donor Rebekah Mercer Parler, which styles itself as a 'free speech-driven' space, is bankrolled by hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer's daughter Rebekah, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. Rebekah has described her as a co-founder of the site with CEO John Matze. 'John and I started Parler to provide a neutral platform for free speech, as our founders intended, and also to create a social media environment that would protect data privacy,' she wrote in a post on the site this fall. 'The ever increasing tyranny and hubris of our tech overlords demands that someone lead the fight against data mining, and for the protection of free speech online,' she added. Hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer is pictured with his daughter Rebekah in 2017 Matze replied to the post: 'Bekah is a great friend, an American patriot, and most importantly committed to the Parler vision of neutrality and data privacy. We are grateful for her support since 2018, and her early faith in the founders has enabled us to reach these heights. #transparency.' After WSJ reported Rebekah's links to Parler she issued a statement saying that her multi-millionaire father Robert was not an investor in the site - while sources close to the clan claimed that the investment was a family affair. Rebekah referred to herself as a co-founder of Parler in a post on the site in November But concern over Big Tech's power is not confined to the American right - with Angela Merkel's spokesman today calling it 'problematic' that free speech could be obstructed by 'decision of the management of social media platforms'. Lionel Barber, the former editor of London's Financial Times, said on Sunday that 'now we can agree that platforms are publishers and that there are some limits to free speech, we need a serious debate about social media's influence in a modern democracy'. And UK government minister Matt Hancock said the Trump ban 'raises a very important question, which is it means that the social media platforms are taking editorial decisions'. Many Democrats also want to rein in the power of Big Tech, with dozens of attorneys general launching a lawsuit last month in a bid to break up Facebook. Launched in 2018, Parler operates much like Twitter with profiles people can follow and 'parleys' instead of tweets. 'Our mission is to create a social platform in the spirit of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,' it boasts. 'We prefer that removing community members or member-provided content be kept to the absolute minimum.' The site claims more than 12million users in total, although analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at10 million worldwide, with eight million in the US. Founded by computer engineer Matze and Republican donor Rebekah Mercer, it attracts a mixture of far-right users and more traditional Republican voices - and is already used by the president's children Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka. Fox News star host Sean Hannity has 7.6million followers on Parler, while his colleague Tucker Carlson has 4.4million. There are also elected officials, including Nunes and South Dakota's Republican governor Kristi Noem. Trump supporters flocked to the app after the president was banned from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other sites in the wake of the violence at the Capitol. But despite speculation that Trump himself would join Parler, he had no known account by the time the site was shut down today. Late on Friday, Google announced it was banning Parler from its app store because of posts inciting violence and a casual approach to moderating content. Apple followed suit a day later after alleging that Parler was being used to 'plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities'. Apple had given Parler 24 hours to submit a detailed moderation plan, claiming that participants had used the service to co-ordinate Wednesday's siege. Public safety issues will need to be resolved before access to Parler is restored, Apple said. The moves by Apple and Google drastically limited Parler's reach but did not completely block the app, because people who already had it could keep using it while new users could access it on a web browser. But Amazon's decision to strip Parler of access to its Amazon Web Services hosting platform directly threatens the site's online presence. The president's daughter Ivanka Trump was among those who had set up a Parler account as conservatives dissatisfied with Twitter flocked to the site Sean Hannity, the Fox News host favored by Donald Trump, also had an account on the page The journalist tweeted Sunday to accuse the tech giants of 'feigning offense to destroy' the app after Donald Trump was on Friday kicked off of most mainstream social media platforms Amazon said it had informed Parler of 98 examples of posts 'that clearly encourage and incite violence' and said the platform 'poses a very real risk to public safety.' 'We've seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms of service,' said an Amazon letter first reported by Buzzfeed. Given the riot at the Capitol this week, the letter continued, there was a 'serious risk that this type of content will further incite violence.' Parler was given 24 hours to find an alternative host but, Matze said, 'Where are you gonna find 300-to-500 servers in a 24-hour window... It's an impossible feat.' 'What they are doing is unprecedented, unfounded and absolutely disgusting. Shameful,' Matze said of the tech giants. 'Our mission is free speech, democracy and us the people having the power. The elite don't want us to be free, they want hate, division and power.' Matze had initially said that Parler might be unavailable for 'up to a week as we rebuild from scratch', but now says it might be offline for longer. Tech giants have moved to shut down what they say is dangerous online content after a Trump-incited mob overran the seat of American democracy (pictured) As the crackdown gathers speed, conservative sites might have to follow the example of another site popular on the far right, Gab. That platform drew fierce criticism in 2018 when investigators found that the shooter who killed 11 people in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue had earlier posted anti-Semitic messages on the site. Gab, already at loggerheads with Apple and Google, subsequently installed its own servers so as not to be dependent on outside providers. Meanwhile, the DLive video streaming service, used by several protesters during the invasion of the Capitol, has closed seven of its channels and pulled more than 100 videos off the site. How Parler CEO John Matze married 'Russian he met during her US road trip' before founding 'free-speech' platform that is now bankrolled by conservative donor Rebekah Mercer and used by MAGA fans By Lauren Fruen for DailyMail.com John Matze founded Parler in 2018 as a 'free-speech driven' alternative to mainstream platforms. The self described libertarian soon began courting right-leaning users as prominent supporters of Donald Trump moved there. And Parler had been the leading candidate for the president to continuing voicing his opinion, at least until Google and Apple removed it from their app stores and Amazon decided to boot it off its web hosting service Sunday. Not much it known about Matze's personal life but he is reported to have married Russian Alina Mukhutdinova after the pair are said to have met in Las Vegas. She was said to have been on a two week road trip around the United States, TED Talk host Dave Troy reported in November. Alina's Instagram pictures show the couple have at least one child. In one picture she hold rifles and wears a t-shirt which reads: 'Trust me, I'm a Russian spy.' The couple appear to live a luxury lifestyle with numerous vacation pictures taken with their young child. John Matze founded Parler in 2018 as a 'free-speech driven' alternative to mainstream platforms. He is pictured with his family Not much it known about Matze's personal life but he is reported to have married Russian Alina Mukhutdinova, pictured, after the pair are said to have met in Las Vegas After graduating in 2014 Matze, who studied math, German and business at the University of Denver,teamed up with fellow alumni Jared Thomson, now chief technical officer, to create Parler. Matze told Forbes in July last year: 'I don't have too many friends, but the ones I do have, we just talk amongst ourselves about ideascrazy ones, easy ones, whatever.' He told the magazine he 'does not watch TV' but instead 'gets everything off Parler'. Alina shared this image of her husband appearing on Fox News to her Instagram account One of Alina's Instagram picture shows her promoting her husband's app Parler Matze's app is now bankrolled by hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer's daughter Rebekah, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. The two-year-old magnet for the far right claims more than 12 million users, though mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at 10 million worldwide, with 8 million in the U.S. Rebekah has described herself as a co-founder of the site with Matze. She is also thought to have studied at the University of Denver. 'John and I started Parler to provide a neutral platform for free speech, as our founders intended, and also to create a social media environment that would protect data privacy,' she wrote in a post on the site this fall. 'The ever increasing tyranny and hubris of our tech overlords demands that someone lead the fight against data mining, and for the protection of free speech online,' she added. Matze replied to the post: 'Bekah is a great friend, an American patriot, and most importantly committed to the Parler vision of neutrality and data privacy. We are grateful for her support since 2018, and her early faith in the founders has enabled us to reach these heights. #transparency.' After WSJ reported Rebekah's links to Parler she issued a statement saying that her multi-millionaire father Robert was not an investor in the site - while sources close to the clan claimed that the investment was a family affair. Those who have joined Parler include commentator Candace Owens, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who handcuffed herself to the door of Twitter's New York office in November 2018 to protest a ban on her by the site. Trump's sons Eric and Don Jr. are also already active on the site. Alina's Instagram pictures show the couple have at least one child Not much it known about Matze's personal life but he is reported to have married Russian Alina Mukhutdinova after the pair are said to have met in Las Vegas She was said to have been on a two week road trip around the United States, TED Talk host Dave Troy reported in November The couple appear to live a luxury lifestyle with numerous vacation pictures Parler hit headwinds, though, on Friday as Google yanked its smartphone app from its app store for allowing postings that seek 'to incite ongoing violence in the U.S.' Apple followed suit on Saturday evening after giving Parler 24 hours to address complaints it was being used to 'plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities.' Public safety issues will need to be resolved before it is restored, Apple said. Amazon struck another blow Saturday, informing Parler it would need to look for a new web-hosting service effective midnight Sunday. It reminded Parler in a letter, first reported by Buzzfeed, that it had informed it in the past few weeks of 98 examples of posts 'that clearly encourage and incite violence' and said the platform 'poses a very real risk to public safety.' Matze decried the punishments as 'a coordinated attack by the tech giants to kill competition in the marketplace. We were too successful too fast,' he said in a Saturday night post, saying it was possible Parler would be unavailable for up to a week 'as we rebuild from scratch.' 'Every vendor, from text message services, to e-mail providers, to our lawyers all ditched us too on the same day,' Matze said Sunday on Fox New Channel's 'Sunday Morning Futures.' He said while the company is trying to get back online as quickly as possible, it's 'having a lot of trouble, because every vendor we talk to says they won't work with us, because, if Apple doesn't approve and Google doesn't approve, they won't.' Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple whose operating systems power hundreds of millions of smartphones severely limits Parler's reach, though it will continue to be accessible via web browser. ADVERTISEMENT Losing Amazon Web Services will mean Parler needs to scramble to find another web host, in addition to the re-engineering. COLUMBIA The Bank of South Carolina is compiling a list of small-business owners calling in asking about more funds from forgivable federal loans as COVID-19 continues to pummel large swaths of the Palmetto State's economy. With a list about 30 customers long so far, roughly half are repeat applicants, said CEO Fleetwood Hassell. Others are business owners who missed out on the first two rounds of funding rolled out by the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the $500 billion Paycheck Protection Program. Of those hoping for a second loan in this next iteration of the program, the hospitality and retail industry are expected to be first in line, bank leaders say. "Those (industries) have been absolutely crushed by this terrible thing," Hassell said. "We're glad it will be there for them. Well get the green light here soon." The program is attempting to support small business by providing funding to cover 10 weeks' worth of payroll to prevent layoffs. Restaurants will be eligible for up to 15 weeks' worth of payroll to try to get them through the winter season. Those who meet spending requirements can apply to turn those loans into grants. Meanwhile, South Carolina's hospitality workforce is down by roughly 15 percent, Joey Von Nessen, a research economist at University of South Carolinas Darla Moore School of Business, told The Post and Courier last month. The same is true nationwide. Food service jobs were down 372,000 across the country in December, according to the latest federal jobs report. After a rough start, plagued with unclear rules and uneven access to funds that funneled money to big business rather than those that needed it most, the Paycheck Protection Program has been revamped. The application portal reopened today to first-time borrowers at smaller community banks and credit unions. Repeat borrowers can apply beginning Jan. 13, the SBA announced Friday. Sign up for our Columbia business and real estate newsletter. Get all the latest industry happenings from the Midlands, plus exclusive development news and more in your inbox each week. Email Sign Up! The latest federal relief legislation provides $284 billion for the program, which will be combined with $140 billion left over from previous rounds. According to the SBA, there will also be more reporting this time around, with hard numbers required up front rather than verified after the fact. Applicants must show a 25 percent drop in revenue over an entire quarter last year and loans are capped at $2 million rather than the previous $10 million. And businesses can have no more than 300 employees to qualify. Publicly traded companies or those backed by private equity are barred. "Some of the rules will change," Hassell said. "Thats why were standing by to make sure, on day one, we can get into the (application) portal." Hassell predicts those working in industries that have weathered the pandemic construction, car and boat dealerships, real estate won't be back to apply for a second loan in this round. "Last time, no one really knew what was going to happen," he said. "There were some who took loans and may not have needed them. Now that it's more understood, they may not need to go back to the well." Hassell also doesn't expect a rush on banks like the one experienced during the first round of funding, which had his bankers working in shifts and staying up half the night processing loans. To date, The Bank of South Carolina has made $37 million in PPP loans, averaging $50,000 to $75,000. Of those, 25 percent have applied for forgiveness so far, Hassell said. At Optus Bank in Columbia, the demand expectation is high. "We continue to get inquiries daily from existing and new potential customers," CEO Dom Mjartan said . "We are already increasing our resources so that we can help more businesses." The small African American-owned bank has played an outsized role in distributing federal coronavirus aid to small businesses as it was built to serve those minority populations with less banking access. That focus has landed it two high-profile partnerships with PayPal and Bank of America upping deposits with the Midlands lender. Optus has made 511 Paycheck Protection Program loans to date, totaling more than $40 million. The majority of the loans went to minority-owned businesses, with most of them in the $20,000 range. Jaime Tamayo is returning to MAPFRE North America to be chief executive officer, a post he relinquished in 2016 after eight years to become CEO of international operations for the insurer. In his return, Tamayo is succeeding his successor, Alfredo Castelo, as president and CEO of Massachusetts-based MAPFRE North America. Castelo has been named chief business and clients officer for MAPFRE Group and will also have oversight responsibility for MAPFREs Eurasia region. Tamayo will be joined by Jose Manuel Corral, who has assumed the newly-created position of chief operating officer at MAPFRE USA. Corral, who most recently served as MAPFRE Groups chief business and clients officer in Spain, will oversee MAPFRE USAs day-to-day insurance operations. Since joining the company in 1993, Tamayo has held a number of executive positions at MAPFRE in the United States, Spain and Puerto Rico. Under his previous leadership at MAPFRE USA, the company solidified its market position in Massachusetts, where MAPFRE is the largest auto, homeowners and commercial auto insurer. He also led the transformation of MAPFREs U.S. distribution channels, including the companys entry into the digital arena. Corral also joined MAPFRE in 1993 and has served in several executive positions including deputy general director of business at MAPFRE in Spain; regional director of business and clients for the companys Iberia regional area; and deputy general director of the corporate business, clients and innovation area. The moves are part of a global realignment of its management teams in key regions that MAPFRE announced in September. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) is taking the initial steps to design another heavy-water reactor similar to an existing one in the city of Arak, spokesman for the Iranian Parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Abolfazl Amouei said. According to Press TV, he said the AEOIs spokesman had announced the matter in a meeting with members of the Committee also attended by the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Mohsen Baharvand. Amouei said the implementation of a new law called the "Strategic Action Plan to Lift Sanctions and Safeguard Interests of Iranian People" was examined during the meeting. He noted that during the Sunday meeting, AEOI Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi had presented a report about the implementation of different articles of the action plan. "According to the timetable, the AEOI will design a reactor similar to Arak's heavy-water facility before its reconstruction," the lawmaker said. The Iranian lawmaker further quoted Kamalvandi as saying that the AEOI is developing the timetable for designing the new reactor according to Article 5 of the action plan. The committee will soon receive a report on the issue, Amouei said, adding that" the installation of IR-2M centrifuge [machines] has started." Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Report Description A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the global hermetic Packaging market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international hermetic Packaging market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and global hermetic Packaging market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of global hermetic Packaging market is offered. In accordance with the report, the global hermetic Packaging market is projected to expand with CAGR of 7.8% over the period of forecast. Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints& Opportunity of the Market: At present, hermetic packaging tremendously gaining its popularity among the automotive electronics sector. They are majorly use to protect highly sensitive electronic components across several industry verticals. The hermetic packaging seals the product in such a way that it cannot be harm by the chemicals, air, and other gases. The hermetic packaging offers effective protection towards the sensitive components from the harsh external environments as compare to the other packaging technologies. Thus, the adoption of this packaging is rising rapidly in the developed as well as emerging markets. The growing adoption of hermetic packaging in the various industries including aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, architectural structures and many others are majorly driving the growth of hermetic packaging market worldwide. The growing digitalization and integration of electric components in the various applications are majorly propelling the growth of the hermetic packaging market. The growing advancements in the communication sector lead to the rising demand for multilayer packaging are escalating the market growth. On the other hand, the strict government and military regulations is expected to hamper the growth of the hermetic packaging market. Furthermore, the growing demand for the hermetic packaging in the medical device applications are projected to serve numerous growth opportunities in the hermetic packaging market in the near future. The high expenditure in the aerospace and defense in North America and the Europe region is the primary factor that drives the growth of the hermetic packaging market in these regions. The rapid developments and innovations in the packaging industry are contributing to the North America hermetic packaging market. In addition, the Asia Pacific is expected to grow with the highest CAGR of X.XX% over the forecast period. The growing consumer electronics and automotive sector in the Asia Pacific is projected to create various opportunities for the market in upcoming years. Request for Report Sample: https://datainsightspartner.com/request-for-sample?ref=196 Segment Covered: This market intelligence report on the global hermetic Packaging market encompasses market segments based on organization type, end use industries and country. In terms of organization type, the global hermetic Packaging market is segregated into: Reed Glass Passivation Glass Transponder Glass By end-use industry also classify into, the global Hermetic Packaging market: Aerospace and Defense Automotive Industry Consumer Electronics Petrochemical Healthcare Others By country/region, the global Hermetic Packaging market has been divided into: North America (the U.S., Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and other countries), Europe (Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Russia, and other countries), Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand and other countries), Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Israel and Other countries). Get Request for Table of Contents: https://datainsightspartner.com/report/hermetic-packaging-market/196#content Profiling of Market Players: This business intelligence report offers profiling of reputed companies that are operating in the market. Companies such as Schott AG Ametek Inc. Micross Components Inc Willow Technologies Ltd. SGA Technologies limited Kyocera Corporation Materion Corporation Special Hermetics products Inc. SGA Technologies limited Teledyne Technologies Incorporated Egide SA Others Others players have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Hermetic Packaging related investment & spending and developments by major players of the market are tracked in this global report. Report Highlights: In-depth analysis of the micro and macro indicators, market trends, and forecasts of demand is offered by this business intelligence report. Furthermore, the report offers a vivid picture of the factors that are steering and restraining the growth of this market across all geographical segments. In addition to that, Growth Matrix analysis is also provided in the report so as to share insight of the investment areas that new or existing market players can take into consideration. Various analytical tools such as DRO analysis, Porter's five forces analysis has been used in this report to present a clear picture of the market. The study focuses on the present market trends and provides market forecast from the year 2017-2027. Emerging trends that would shape the market demand in the years to come have been highlighted in this report. A competitive analysis in each of the geographical segments gives an insight into market share of the global players. Salient Features: This study offers comprehensive yet detailed analysis of the Hermetic Packaging market, size of the market (US$ Mn), and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR (%)) for the period of forecast: 2019 2027, taking into account 2018 as the base year It explains upcoming revenue opportunities across various market segments and attractive matrix of investment proposition for the said market This market intelligence report also offers pivotal insights about various market opportunities, restraints, drivers, launch of new products, competitive market strategies of leading market players, emerging market trends, and regional outlook Profiling of key market players in the world Hermetic Packaging market is done by taking into account various parameters such as company strategies, distribution strategies, product portfolio, financial performance, key developments, geographical presence, and company overview Leading market players covered this report comprise names such as Schott AG, Ametek Inc., Micross Components Inc, Willow Technologies Ltd and among others. In November 2019, the ULMA Packaging launched a new innovative hermetic packaging solution in medical packaging. This solution contains two hermetic seals along the packagings sides and a chevron-type airtight cross sealing to improve contamination problems in medical packaging. The data of this report would allow management authorities and marketers of companies alike to take informed decision when it comes to launch of products, government initiatives, marketing tactics and expansion, and technical up gradation The world market for Hermetic Packaging caters to the needs of various stakeholders pertaining to this industry, namely suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and distributors for Hermetic Packaging market. The research also caters to the rising needs of consulting and research firms, financial analysts, and new market entrants Research methodologies that have been adopted for the purpose of this study have been clearly elaborated so as to facilitate better understanding of the reports Reports have been made based on the guidelines as mandated by General Data Protection Regulation Ample number of examples and case studies have been taken into consideration before coming to a conclusion Reasons to buy: v Identify opportunities and plan strategies by having a strong understanding of the investment opportunities in the Hermetic Packaging market v Identification of key factors driving investment opportunities in the Hermetic Packaging market v Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data v Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential v Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events v Identify key partners and business development avenues v Respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects v Identify key strengths and weaknesses of important market participants Full View of Report Description: https://datainsightspartner.com/report/hermetic-packaging-market/196 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 05:34:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Libyan authorities recovered four unidentified bodies two days ago from a newly discovered mass grave in the city of Tarhuna, Abdulaziz Ja'fri, spokesman of the General Authority for Research and Identification, told Xinhua. Tarhuna, located some 90 km south of the capital Tripoli, was once the eastern-based army's main military operation center during the war against the UN-backed government in and around Tripoli. Since the beginning of the search a few months ago in Tarhuna and southern Tripoli, a total of 158 unidentified bodies were discovered from dozens of mass graves, Ja'fri said, adding that search is underway for more mass graves in the city. The forces of the UN-backed government have been accusing the rival eastern-based army of mass killings in Tarhuna. Enditem Yup, they were all once kids, too. And now these NFL players are taking part in the first NFL game on Nickelodeon, which has scores of fans and non-fans asking for more. The NFC wild-card matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears got the slime treatment on Sunday by airing simultaneously on CBS and Nickelodeon. It was a hit on social media with its moving slime first-down line, a slime-filled red zone and an end zone dubbed the slime zone. The game started with Spongebob Sportspants and was littered with Nick references for kids and adults alike. It was an enjoyably different way to watch a football game. Oh, and theres also a NVP Nickelodeon Valuable Player award. The Saints got the team victory, 21-9, to move on the Divisional round and Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky won the NVP. Slime takes over wild-card weekend Everything about the Nickelodeon broadcast was bright, colorful, cartoony and downright fun. The scorebug, which was so iconically Nick it didnt need the channel label at the bottom, was clear and easy to read. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And there was slime everywhere. Credit Michael Thomas, who had scored his first touchdown since December 2019, for going into the history books as the first to be slimed on a touchdown. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. He was followed in the slime zone by Latavius Murray, who scored in the third, and Alvin Kamara, who made it 21-3 in the fourth. Cairo Santos had the honor of the first NFL kicker to aim for Spongebobs face on a field goal. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Bears wide receiver Javon Wims had the unfortunate distinction of being trolled by Patrick when he dropped a wide-open touchdown. Slime was even blamed for the mistake. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And the first-half highlights were in pure Nickelodeon form. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Though Sean Payton said he would be willing to get slimed if the Saints won, no one was actually slimed in the end. Nick catches swear word on broadcast The drawback of live mics and empty stadiums hit Nickelodeon late in the first half, just as it has most other stations this season. (Warning: language) Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. NFL players as Nickelodeon characters We learned players favorite Nick shows, sports stars and ice cream flavors in the Bio Blast. But the best part was seeing and hearing how the producers and announcers described the players themselves. Saints quarterbacks Drew Brees and Taysom Hill are like Spongebob and Patrick you know, dynamic duos, per Nickelodeon. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And on the topic of Hill, hes the kid at recess who can do everything. Hes the kid you pick No. 1 no matter what sport is being played that day, Burleson said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And if theres someone named Alvin Kamara on their screens, why not make that Alvin and the Chipmunks comparison? Theyre each stars in their own right. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. For the older crowd tuning in, CBS analyst Nate Burleson, 39, and play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle, 24, son of CBS broadcaster Ian, did a good job of dropping in older 1990s Nickelodeon references. On the first flag of the day, Burleson noted it wasnt like a flag in Double Dare that was pulled and passed along when the competitor got to the end of the slime-filled tract. It couldnt all be throwbacks, though, and one particular comparison confused the late-20s group. Who is Lincoln Loud? And was there really nothing else for Mitchell Trubisky? This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. How do you explain football to kids? The Nickelodeon NFL broadcast was full of color and slime. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images) CBS decided to air the game simultaneously on Nickelodeon to bring the game to the younger demographic of fans. Its meant to keep them engaged and interested in watching football in the hopes they stick with it and become fans for life. More specifically, fans who watch the NFL for life. One of the challenges was how to meet the younger viewers where they are. They might not know all of the penalties or exactly how football works. Hence why the CBS character Young Sheldon showed up in the corner. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The announcers tackled what they might call a sticky situation and did a fabulous job of simplifying the game without talking down to viewers. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Gabrielle Nevaeh Green, the 15-year-old star of Nicks Unfiltered and the new version of All That, was also in the booth as 14-year-old All That co-star Lex Lumpkin worked the sideline. Gabrielle asked questions like how players go to the bathroom during a game, which sounds like a question a 5-year-old would whip out to a stranger at a nice event, and whats the most difficult part of being a professional player. Explaining what a catch is in the NFL will require extra homework for parents, unfortunately. No matter the childs intelligence, it will probably result in a failed test and empty red zone trip. More from Yahoo Sports: Bharat Biotech inked a purchase agreement with the Government of India on January 11 to provide 55 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin at Rs 295 per dose, CNBC-TV18 reported. The Indian pharma firm will be providing its coronavirus vaccine directly to 12 states, and the process will be completed in two days by January 14. Dispatches will begin from Hyderabad starting January 12, the report said. For live updates on coronavirus, click here #CNBCTV18Exclusive | Sources say Bharat Biotech has to provide doses in two stages 38.5 lakh in stage 1 and 16.5 lakh in stage 2@TimsyJaipuria https://t.co/FZPpWbEK1o January 11, 2021 Bharat Biotech will be providing 38.5 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in stage 1 and 16.5 doses in stage 2. Each single-dose vial will cost around Rs 295 plus taxes, which means each shot of Covaxin will cost around Rs 310. Earlier in the day, the Serum Institute of India (SII) secured a purchase order for Oxford-AstraZenecas Covishield coronavirus vaccine from the Indian government. Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, which is being manufactured by SII in India, will be available for Rs 220 per vial (inclusive of 14 percent GST) in India. The Centre has inked a deal to procure 11 million doses of the SII COVID-19 vaccine for the massive coronavirus vaccine rollout that is set to begin from January 16. 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 coverage of the coronavirus crisis here According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies prepared from a survey conducted before the advent of the global pandemic: "China is seen as holding slightly more political power and influence than the United States in Southeast Asia today and considerably more power relative to the United States in 10 years," and in terms of "economic power and influence, the region views China as much more influential than the United States today, and this gap is expected to grow in the next 10 years." The note emphasized "the importance of unhampered exercise of the freedom of the high seas" in the South China Sea, according to an op-ed written by Mark Valencia, an adjunct senior scholar at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Haikou, in China's Hainan Province, for the South China Morning Post. France will join Japan and the U.S. to conduct amphibious training in southwestern Japan in May. The three countries also submitted a joint, unsigned note to the United Nations. Germany will send a frigate to patrol Indo-Pacific waters later this year. Britain will deploy the British carrier strike group (CSG) with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier at its core with no first deployment date announced. Germany, France and Britain each plan to boost their military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, a move analysts say is aimed at countering China and showing support for the U.S., Japan and other regional allies. 'Need to Uphold the International Order' Experts say that the European countries boosting their military presence in the Indo-Pacific region will strengthen their alliances with the United States and Japan and maintain common values and rule-based order in the region. Zachary Hosford, acting director of the Asia program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said the European countries "want to signal to the United States that they are aligned with Washington in recognizing both the need to uphold the international order and the Chinese government's challenges to that order -- including through the illegal and destabilizing building of military bases on artificial islands." Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp, a visiting fellow of the Asia program at European Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA Mandarin, "I believe alliances and defense cooperation can be strengthened and the interoperability of the forces can be enhanced. The China factor is definitely encouraging the enhancement of security ties between Europe and Japan." This depends on the Japan's China policy under recently installed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, which Pohlkamp said "is not very clear yet." Steven Lamy, an international relations professor at the University of Southern California said, "They are making sure China knows that they will check any unilateral action that threatens trade and security in Asia." Zack Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), however, believes that the European nation's deployment is primarily symbolic. "I do think there is concern that the United States is increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific, so some in Europe want to demonstrate that they can be helpful in Asia, too," Cooper said. "That is a positive sign, in my view. This has more of a signaling value than a military value, but the message is still a useful one. But I think it is also important to note that the EU-China investment deal is potentially more important as a signal than these military deployments, so we need to make sure that our security and economic efforts are both pointed in the same direction." 'Values-Based Trade Agenda' On Dec. 30, the EU and China concluded negotiations on a wide-ranging investment treaty. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said, "Today's agreement is an important landmark in our relationship with China and for our values-based trade agenda." Other Objectives British and German Asia-Pacific deployments have objectives beyond countering China's expansion in the region. Jamie Shea, a former NATO official and senior fellow at the think tank Friends of Europe, said the U.K.'s actions were intended to show aspirations to be "Global Britain" after Brexit, as its departure from the EU is known. "This aspiration focuses largely on the Asia-Pacific region as the U.K. is convinced that new trade agreements with the countries in this region are key to the U.K.'s future economic growth," Shea told VOA. "So a U.K. military capability to project power in the Asia-Pacific, based around the country's two recently acquired new aircraft carriers, is key to demonstrating the U.K.'s strategic relevance to the region. The Royal Navy is the priority here as ships can be deployed flexibly and are a good way of demonstrating presence." Shea added that Britain's defense procurement and its decision to send the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the South China Sea also signals to Washington that the U.K. remains willing and able to be a major strategic ally. While Germany has no desire to be a global military power, it has key economic and trading interests in Asia that it wishes to protect, Shea noted. "Germany has no desire to become embroiled in the regional disputes in Asia, such as in the South and East China seas, but the occasional dispatch of a frigate and participation in a maritime exercise is a useful way to build confidence and develop partnerships and interoperability with Germany's major trading partners in the region," Shea said. According to Japan's Kyodo News, Japan's defense minister, Nobuo Kishi, last month expressed his desire for German frigates to participate in exercises with Japan's Self-Defense Forces, which he hoped would pass through the South China Sea. The British government announced on Jan. 4 that the British Royal Navy's carrier strike group has reached initial operating capability ahead of its first operational deployment later this year. The carrier strike group commander, Commodore Steve Moorhouse, tweeted Jan. 4, "In practical terms, my Strike Group is now at Very High Readiness, meaning we are at 5 days' notice to deploy, if required, in response to global events & in defence of British interests." In response to the HMS Queen Elizabeth's deployment to the South China Sea, Tan Kefei, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Defense, said, "The Chinese military will take the necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea." This years general election ballot presents the voter with a dilemma. We have wrestled with this years choices, as we imagine many voters have. Up and down the ticket we are faced with choices in political ideologies, personalities, backgrounds and governing styles. 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 - Honoring the United States Capitol Police officers Howard Liebengood and Brian Sicknick, President Donald Trump ordered that the flag flying above the White House and all US flags lowered to half-staff on Sunday as both were on duty when a mob of supporters of Trump breached the US Capitol on Wednesday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had ordered flags at the US Capitol to be flown at half-staff the following day, as the step made by Trump comes days after Capitol Police made an announcement on Thursday that Sicknick died due to the injuries incurred while on-duty. Meanwhile, the Capitol Police stated on Sunday that Liebengood died while off duty, but the announcement did not mention any cause of death of the officer. President Donald Trump made the move after pressure coming from lawmakers to lower the flag of the White House to half-staff, which is already days after the death of the officer. Based on the proclamation from the President, On January 13, 2021, until sunset, as a sign of respect for the sacrifice and service of United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, all the officers of the Capitol Police and law enforcement all over the great Nation. By the authority vested in him as the President of the United States by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, Trump ordered that the US flags lowered at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions. The two officers were on duty at the time of insurrection on Wednesday at the US Capitol, after hundreds of pro-Trump rioters pushed through the barriers set up along the perimeter of the Capitol. Demonstrators eventually made their way into the building and the House floor was evacuated by police, Business Insider reported. After his aides and allies in the Congress inside the besieged Capitol pleaded, Trump, shared a video that urges the rioters to go home, while still fanning their baseless regarding the alleged stolen election. According to a Capitol Police statement, Sicknick was injured while engaging physically with the rioters and collapsed after returning to his division office. Read Also: Blizzard in Spain: Record-Breaking Snowfall Blankets Madrid, Four People Dead The law enforcement officials also shared that the 42-year-old Capitol Police Officer, Sicknick, was hit with a fire extinguisher as a mob proceeded to lay siege to Capitol Hill. The statement also mentioned that Sicknick was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. According to CNN, a law enforcement official shared to them that prosecutors in the US Attorney's office plan to open a federal murder investigation into the death of Sicknick. In July of 2008, Sicknick joined the United States Capitol Police, and recently he served in the First Responder's Unit of the Department. The Capitol Police also mentioned that their entire Department expresses its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Officer Sicknick on their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague, The Orange County Register reported. The lowering of US flags into half mast was ordered as people around the country mourn with the families of the officers who risked their lives. Related News: Kamala Harris Faces Online Backlash Following Controversial Vogue Cover @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Paycheck Protection Program has been credited with saving millions of jobs by pouring money into businesses that were devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. A second stimulus law, signed by President Donald Trump late last month, includes $284 billion more for a new round of the forgivable loans, which seek to reward companies that keep their workers on the payroll. Now, we know exactly where PPPs first tranches of $525 billion in taxpayer money went. After a lawsuit by national news organizations, the Small Business Administration in December released the name of every loan receipt and the amount they were awarded, after previously making only parts of that information public. NJ Advance Media has created a searchable database of every loan doled out in New Jersey. Is the above database not displaying? Click here. The new data shows that 17 businesses in the state received the maximum loan of $10 million, including construction companies, staffing firms and a Wendys franchise holder. In total, nearly 156,000 loans were awarded across New Jersey, supporting industries that ranged from manufacturers, to doctors offices, to restaurants, to law firms, to car dealerships. Is the above chart not displaying? Click here. The accounting came as Congress enacted a second stimulus package to bolster an economy leveled by the coronavirus, approving a $900 billion measure that also includes $600 direct payments to Americans. Trump signed the package on Dec. 27 after Republicans in the Senate rejected his call for $2,000 checks. The Paycheck Protection Program aims to help small businesses and nonprofits keep their workers off unemployment and cover expenses such as rent and utilities. The loans offer a big incentive if businesses met their benchmarks, the debt can be forgiven, turning it into a grant. From April to August, the initiative provided money to 5.2 million companies across the United States. The federal government says the money rescued countless livelihoods, with a study by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Federal Reserve Board pegging the number of jobs saved at 2.3 million. But since its inception, the program has also generated scrutiny, with critics questioning funding for charter schools, publicly traded companies, religious groups and private prep schools with well-heeled parents and alumni. A September investigation by NJ Advance Media found more than a dozen loans that went to companies that have been sued or paid settlements over alleged fraudulent business practices in New Jersey. Under the new round of PPP, businesses will be eligible to receive second loans, provided they employ less than 300 people and can demonstrate they lost at least 25% of their receipts during the pandemic. They can qualify for up to $2 million. The program reopens this week, the Small Business Administration announced on Friday. The historically successful Paycheck Protection Program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said in a statement. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Riley Yates may be reached at ryates@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. Dominion Energy agreed on Monday to halt its effort to increase the monthly power bills for 753,000 customers in South Carolina for at least six months after the utility came under fire for asking to hike its electricity rates during the coronavirus pandemic. Dominion's decision to "pause" its request will temporarily delay the company's goal of collecting an extra $178 million per year from ratepayers, who are scattered around Columbia, Charleston, Orangeburg and Beaufort. The utility did not make that choice lightly. It was pressured into that position by the S.C. Office of Regulatory Staff, the state's utility watchdog agency. Nanette Edwards, executive director of ORS, submitted a letter to Dominion and regulators on the S.C. Public Service Commission on Monday requesting a pause in the utility's rate case, which has been the subject of hearings for nearly a week. Edwards emphasized to the PSC the increasing spread of COVID-19 in South Carolina, the continued drag the virus has placed on the economy and the number of Dominion customers who called in to complain about the financial impact the rate hike would have on them. "I think we can all agree that Dominion customers are experiencing unprecedented challenges during this time," Edwards told the PSC members, who serve as judges in utility cases. Edwards made it clear that her agency could not force Dominion, one of the largest publicly traded power companies in the country, to drop its request to increase its electric rates by 7.7 percent. The power to do that rested solely with the executives for Dominion, which is based in Richmond, Va. Under state law, the PSC normally has six months to issue a ruling when a for-profit utility in South Carolina asks to raise rates. If the commission doesn't make a decision in that time, the utility gets everything it asks for in its request. After deliberating for an hour Monday, Dominion's attorneys announced the company would submit to ORS's demands and would stand down for the next six months. "We are in agreement with ORS that we pause the hearing where it is at this point in time," Chad Burgess, Dominion's attorney, told the commission. "We do not think there is any benefit to continue battling one another in this proceeding." It's unclear what prompted Dominion to finally set aside its rate hike request now, while it is in the process of defending the request in front of the PSC. The company resisted similar calls for the rate hike proposal to postponed late last year. 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! In recent months, several members of the S.C. Legislature spoke out against the rate case during public hearings while Gov. Henry McMaster issued a statement calling the proposed rate hike an "untenable burden on many South Carolinians." But that political pressure didn't move Dominion's leaders at the time. Instead, the company continued to argue it needed the rate hike to boost its finances and help the utility recover money it invested in its power plants, electric lines and other infrastructure over the past eight years. When hearings for the rate-hike case started last week, several members of the PSC also asked Dominion's leaders whether they had considered setting aside its request for now. Rodney Blevins, the CEO of Dominion's utility operations in South Carolina, said the company considered it and spoke to McMaster about about his objections. But in the end the company chose to push forward with its plans. Blevins told the PSC at that time he didn't believe delaying the case would change anything. The political pressure on Dominion, which took over South Carolina Electric & Gas in early 2019, isn't going to disappear, he said. And the company's rate hike request won't improve just because it is delayed for six months. "The issue is that this doesn't get better with time," Blevins said. Edwards tried to recognize Dominion's priorities during the hearing Monday, while continuing her push for the utility to set aside the rate case. "This has not been easy on anyone. I do not mean to make light of any challenges facing the utility," Edwards said. "What I am doing today is reaching out across the aisle to Dominion and all the parties in this case." Burgess, Dominion's attorney, said he appreciated Edwards extending an olive branch to the company. Dominion, Burgess added, didn't want the public to think that the company and ORS were "two scorpions in a bottle fighting to the death." In a statement, Rhonda O'Banion, Dominion's spokeswoman, emphasized the company would use the next six months to try to reach a settlement with ORS and the other groups that opposed the rate hike. "We look forward to continued collaboration with the parties as we seek to find compromises to reach a resolution to this case. We value the input from all customers who took the time to voice their concerns. We will continue to focus on providing the safe, reliable service they depend on," O'Banion said. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the cover of Vogue's February edition. US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Vogue cover sparked controversy on social media as netizens criticized the fashion magazine for allegedly 'lightening' Harris' skin colour. Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris is our February cover star! Making history was the first step. Now Harris has an even more monumental task: to help heal a fractured Americaand lead it out of crisis. Read the full profile: https://t.co/W5BQPTH7AU pic.twitter.com/OCFvVqTlOk January 10, 2021 With the words, Madame Vice President! Kamala Harris and the New America, Harris appears on the cover of Vogue clad in a dark pant suit and Converse sneakers, with a pink sheet draped behind her on a green wall. Once the cover was released, Twitter was quick to call out the fashion publication for alleged Photoshop and strategic lighting among other things. Check out a few reactions here: Kamala Harris is about as light skinned as women of color come and Vogue still fvcked up her lighting. WTF is this washed out mess of a cover? pic.twitter.com/5O2q0axA0G E. Vaughan (@HypeVaughan) January 10, 2021 The lighting is poor, she doesnt look fully made up and the quality of the photography and angle arent up to the standard of Vogue covers past. It just isnt quality. pic.twitter.com/Sn6hDsr2QY Brooke W (@MamaWetzel) January 10, 2021 Thats a better word. Muted. She has a lot of personality and vibrancy. The pose also feels... casual? But in a bad way. Like it was a lighting test. Her other covers: pic.twitter.com/hudIOHRP8X Brooke W (@MamaWetzel) January 10, 2021 Heres 4 images of Kamala Harris that I had *saved in my phone* that are better than that Vogue cover. Id say something about how women who exude power in ways that arent traditionally read as feminine get played in the media, and thats true. But also Tops Deserve Better!! pic.twitter.com/L3Q8fE1dYh Carmen Phillips (@carmencitaloves) January 10, 2021 However, Harris's team revealed that the cover was not what both sides had agreed upon. Instead of the powder blue power suit which Harris wore for her cover shoot, the first African American woman elected vice president is instead seen in more casual attire and wearing Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers, which she sometimes wore on the campaign trail, reported Associated Press. Harris' team was unaware that the cover photo had been switched until images leaked late January 9, according to a person involved in the negotiations over how Harris would be featured on the cover. Harris' office declined comment. Representatives for Vogue did not respond on January 10 to emailed requests for comment. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, posed in the light blue suit in front of a gold backdrop for the magazine's cover. She also posed, more casually dressed in slacks, a blazer and sneakers in front of a pink and green background, for photos that were planned for inside the magazine, the person said. Pink and green are the colors of Harris' college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Vogue has released both images online, but the photo of a sneaker-clad Harris is the one that will grace the cover of the fashion bible's print edition. The person with knowledge of the negotiations said Harris' team has expressed to Vogue its disappointment over the magazine's decision. The cover also generated outrage on social media as posters expressed disappointment in how the magazine decided to present the nation's first female vice president on its cover. Harris is set to be sworn in as vice president on January 20. --With inputs from Associated Press New Delhi, Jan 12 : Amazon has filed an appeal before Delhi High Court against the order dated December 21 passed by Justice Mukta Gupta in the case pertaining to Future Retail. "The learned Single Judge made certain prima facie observations on the merits of the Appellants case in the arbitration proceedings which are inconsistent with the findings of the EA order and thus gravely prejudice the appellant," Amazon said in its application. "The prima facie observations contained in the impugned order effectively resulted in allowing Future Retail Limited to collaterally bypass the EA order," Amazon said. Amazon said Future Retail has been relying on these prima facie observations to misconstrue the true import of the impugned order in an effort to mislead regulators to grant approval to the potential transactions which has forced Amazon to file an appeal to quash and set aside the prima facie observations. Amazon said in the application, "The Learned Single Judge could not have in the same impugned order rendered any observations inconsistent with the express premises of the EA order." The prima facie observations relate to matters whether FRL is a party to arbitration agreement with the Appellant, whether the various agreements if read together, violate Indian laws or amount to acquisition of control over Future Retail by Amazon, whether the directors of FRL were entitled to ignore the contractual obligations of FRL, whether Future Coupons had consented to the potential transaction and whether a case of potential interference could be made against the Appellant when the potential transaction itself was in breach of a contractual agreement, Amazon said in the application before Delhi High Court. Kingsley Gate Partners, the leader in global executive search that ensures a lasting fit between clients and placed candidates through its proprietary framework, Synchronous Fit, today announced that David Mansbach has joined the firm as a senior partner based in New York. David brings more than two decades of experience advising hospitality clients and has sold and led engagements in the areas of executive recruitment, compensation consulting and business strategy and implementation. He is also an investor in early-stage restaurants and a human capital artificial intelligence technology platform. In a statement released by the Office of the CEO, Kingsley Gate Partners, they stated, Davids collaborative style of serving clients with the highest standard is a true embodiment of our culture. He is a leading specialist in the hospitality & leisure industry. We look forward to his positive impact on our clients and the entire organization. Prior to joining Kingsley Gate Partners, David served as a managing director at AETHOS Consulting Group, a firm he co-founded in 2013 to provide executive search, compensation consulting and human capital advisory services to the global restaurant, hotel and gaming industries, and in the travel technology sector. Before co-founding AETHOS, David served as managing director and president of the Americas for a global executive search boutique serving the hospitality industry. David started his career at the Plaza Hotel in New York, where he served as Sales Manager. The ability to work with a group of like-minded individuals is very exciting. said David Mansbach. The hotel, restaurant and gaming industries are going through unprecedented change. With an industry reset in motion, there is an extraordinary opportunity for Kingsley Gate Partners to leverage our industry-leading technology, global reach, internal cross-border collaboration and combined segment and functional expertise to position the firm as a dominant player. David is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and has written more than 100 articles on the topics of senior-level executive recruitment, compensation strategy, and succession planning. He also currently serves as a board member for Wellness in the Schools, a non-profit that aims to inspire healthy eating, environmental awareness and fitness as a way of life for children in New York Citys public schools. About Kingsley Gate Partners Transforming the world of retained executive search, Kingsley Gate Partners leverages the scientific interviewing approach of its Synchronous Fit framework, deep industry insights of a world-class cadre of consultants, and state-of-the-art technology to deliver greater accountability, accuracy, velocity, and transparency that ensures a lasting strategic fit between executives and clients. Headquartered in Dallas, the partnership employs search consultants worldwide with expertise in private equity, life sciences and healthcare, financial services, technology, retail, hospitality & leisure, manufacturing, and professional services. The firm works with best of breed organizations in over 30 countries. For more information, go to http://www.KingsleyGate.com. The government held opening ceremonies for the National Innovation Center (NIC) and the International Innovation Expo 2021-VIIE 2021 Vietnam has launched the construction of National Innovation Centre (NIC), worth 740 billion VND ($32 million), spread across the area of 35 hectares in Hoa Lac hi-tech park on the outskirts of Hanoi. The construction of the NIC and organization of the Expo manifested the Governments commitments to joining with enterprises and individuals in accelerating innovation. The center aims to develop start-up and innovation eco-system, contributing to growth model transformation based on science and technology development. It plans to boost domestic and international innovative businesses, laboratories, offices of large corporations, as well as a working place of leading experts and scientists. As part of the strategy to turn the country into a developed and high-income nation by 2045, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam must rely on knowledge, science, and technology, especially innovation, all of which can be considered important factors for growth. Speaking at the events, the PM said that Viet Nams spending for science and technology in both State and private sectors only accounts for 0.44% of the nations GDP, much lower than the average proportion of the world (2.23%). He urged ministries, policy-making agencies and the NIC to propose policies and institutions to encourage and promote innovation in business sector, particularly start-ups. Highlighting the importance of socio-economic development strategies, PM said that Vietnam has an annual GDP growth rate of 6.3 percent over the past decade. Vietnam was ranked one of the 16 most successful emerging economies to successfully achieve the dual goal of epidemic prevention and economic recovery. He stressed the need to promote the role of universities and institutes in strengthening human capital foundation for innovation and attaching research activities to the demands of enterprises and the economy. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the NIC aims to host domestic and foreign technology firms and provide the optimal infrastructure system for the research and development of technological and startup ideas. He added that the centre will support the connection and promote investment, speeding up the commercialization of technological products. According to the projects draft plan drawn up by the MPIs Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), the NIC will be developed with total investment of VND 1.9 trillion ($82.6 million), including VND1.7 trillion ($73.9 million) for the physical construction and VND200 billion ($8.7 million) for operating capital. The NIC is expected to lure 40 big technology companies, 150 startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and 15 venture investment funds, thereby creating more than 5,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the Viet Nam International Innovation Expo 2021-VIIE 2021 has attracted the participation of 156 stalls from 113 enterprises nationwide, 22 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) firms and 21 institutes and schools. The NIC is part of the Governments efforts to join the 4th Industrial Revolution and the Government will expand this model if the NIC is successful. 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 United States of America was founded on certain cherished principles, such as the right to freedom of speech and religion, the right to bear arms, and the right to be secure in one's property. These inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were enshrined in our Constitution, our law of the land. They were embedded in our societal DNA, part and parcel of our very souls. Far more than most, we judged people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Everyone was meant to be equal before the law, innocent until proven guilty. Justice was blind. We aspired to be a classless society, a meritocracy. We truly were the shining city on a hill, "the land of the free and the home of the brave." Those days appear to be gone forever. Stolen from us while we slept. Let's go through each of the erstwhile American rights and ideals in turn, to prove the point. Freedom of speech is rapidly becoming a quaint notion, replaced by "hate speech" laws, safe rooms, social media bans, and political correctness run amok. Those who have the temerity to believe in traditional American values are being mocked and challenged; those courageous enough to say so are being canceled, fired, or even physically attacked. As George Orwell noted, "[t]he further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it." Freedom of religion has been replaced by the bizarre concept of freedom from religion. Christians in particular are openly mocked, questioned, silenced, and legally forced to act against their consciences. The right to bear arms i.e., protect yourself and your family is under assault and will be dramatically more so under the incoming administration. The right to be secure in one's property has been essentially abolished. If your home or business happens to stand in the way of a "mostly peaceful" BLM/Antifa riot, it is quite likely toast. Sorry, no recompense allowed. Moreover, confiscatory tax rates are all the rage in blue states and will be coming to all of us soon, courtesy of the Harris-Biden Biden-Harris regime. You may have earned your money, but illegal aliens are more deserving of it, no? The right to life? Roughly 3,000 abortions are committed in the United States every day. Oddly, an unborn child has no say as to whether he lives or dies, but, if he happens to make it out of the womb, he must be allowed to determine his own sex. Liberty? The pursuit of happiness? Yeah, right. Stay in your homes! Wear a mask! Give up your jobs and businesses if asked! Do not attend weddings or funerals! Do as we say, not as we do! Judging people is generally considered passe, unless those people hold traditional values. But, in practice, our rulers do judge people by the color of their skin, so screw the character thing. There is no equality before the law. Certain groups are treated entirely differently from others. The elites pick and choose the special groups, the untouchables. The rest of us are nothing more than sacrificial lambs. Are you a Clinton? No problem. A Trump? Burn in hell! Soros, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Dorsey, Cuomo, Biden? Love you guys! Got your back! And maybe your front, too, wink, wink! Progressives are considered innocent even if proved guilty, whereas conservatives are guilty regardless of their innocence. Justice is not blind; rather, we are blind to justice. We are no longer a classless society, though in many ways we have no class. Meritocracy is a thing of the past, unless one considers monumental ignorance and hypocrisy meritorious. The shining city on a hill is rapidly sliding down into an abyss. Yet it is not evil that surprises so much as the number of people willing to aid and abet it. Those on the left want to remake the U.S. into the "land of the wee...and the home of the knave." The ultimate question left is whether we let them. Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay, public domain. Alabamas attorney general is calling for an investigation into who may have authorized a branch of the Republican Attorneys General Association to promote the pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., that preceded a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. The investigation comes on the heels of a report in Documented, a liberal watchdog group, that said the RAGAs policy arm authorized and paid for a robocall that called on patriots to march on the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify the Electoral College results that declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential race. We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections, said the recording of the robocall obtained by The Associated Press. It closed by saying that the RAGAs Rule of Law Defense Fund had paid for and authorized the call. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who heads the fund, on Friday said he was asking for an internal review. I was unaware of unauthorized decisions made by RLDF staff with regard to this weeks rally. Despite currently transitioning into my role as the newly elected chairman of RLDF, it is unacceptable that I was neither consulted about nor informed of those decisions, Marshall said. As Ive previously stated, I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the actions of those who attempted to storm the U.S. Capitol, a place where passionate but peaceful protestors had gathered and lawmakers debated inside, Marshal said. RAGA chairman Chris Carr, who is also Georgias attorney general, said he didnt have any knowledge of the decision to be involved and is trying to find out what happened. The Republican Attorneys General Association issued a statement saying it was not involved in the planning, sponsoring, or the organization of Wednesdays event. We strongly condemn and disavow the events which occurred. Wednesday was a dark day in American history and those involved in the violence and destruction of property must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and held accountable, the statement said. The Democratic Attorney Generals Association accused top Republican law enforcement officials of enabling efforts to undermine the 2020 election results. The continued peddling of conspiracy theories and pandering to President Trumps dangerous lies by the Republican Attorneys General Association, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, and some current and former Republican Attorneys General has gone unchecked for too long, said a statement by DAGAs co-chairpersons, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. Current and former Republican AGs have been directly involved with efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election, and now the party of so-called law and order played a role in recruiting the domestic terrorists who breached the U.S. Capitol to attack Vice President Mike Pence for doing his Constitutionally-mandated job to certify the Electoral College, the statement said. The chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party on Saturday questioned Marshalls statement. Your organization called people and told them we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal Youve been in charge since Nov. 10. You really expect us to believe that you didnt know anything about it? Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Chris England tweeted. The Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center in a Saturday statement calling for an investigation. The day before a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, an arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association sent out robocalls urging supporters to come to D.C. to "fight" Congress over President Donald Trump's baseless election fraud claims. "At 1 p.m. we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal," said the message first reported by the watchdog group Documented. "We're hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections." After the attempted insurrection on Wednesday left a police officer and four others dead, several GOP attorneys general have now distanced themselves from the robocalls, insisting they didn't know about the campaign. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, the nonprofit that sent out the calls, blamed the group's staffers. "I was unaware of unauthorized decisions made by RLDF staff with regard to this week's rally," he said in a statement to the Montgomery Advertiser. "It is unacceptable that I was neither consulted about nor informed of those decisions. I have directed an internal review of the matter." Those claims fell short for Marshall's Democratic counterparts, who pointed to the number of GOP officials who have repeated the president's unfounded election fraud claims. "RLDF-- and the Republican [attorneys general] who blindly take their support-- have no legal or moral ground on which to stand here," said a statement issued from the Democratic Attorneys General Association's co-chairs, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. The robocalls are the latest incident leaving GOP officials fending off criticism over their culpability in Wednesday's riots. While Republicans have roundly criticized the violence, many have stopped short of condemning Trump for his role in inciting it or for insisting on political repercussions. The calls were sent out by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, which are often called a "dark money groups" by critics because they are not required to reveal donors. The group works to elect GOP attorneys general, Documented reported. It is unclear how many people received the Tuesday robocall from the Republican group. The recording opened with the operator noting she was leaving "an important message" on behalf of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, Documented reported, before urging marchers to show up to D.C. on Jan. 6 to march on the Capitol building. Following Documented's reporting, Piper, the executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, denied the group had been involved in planning the march to the Capitol. The groups, he said in a statement on Friday, "had no involvement in the planning, sponsoring, or the organization of yesterday's rally. No Republican A.G. authorized the staff's decision to amplify a colleague speaking at the rally." Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, the former chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, also said on Friday that he had no involvement with the protests or the violence that followed. "A.G. Reyes was not involved in organizing the rally in Washington, D.C." his office said in a statement. "He support's everyone's rights to peacefully protest and, as stated previously, condemns in the strongest possible terms, all acts of lawlessness and violence at the Capitol Building last week." Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, the vice chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, also denied knowing about the calls on Saturday. "Attorney General Schmitt absolutely had no knowledge of or involvement in the robocall, and condemns the violence that took place on Wednesday in the strongest possible terms, period," his spokesperson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Despite claims from the attorneys general that the nonprofit played no role in organizing the rally, Documented reported that the website promoting the "March to Save America," rally, which was down as of early Monday morning, showed the Rule Defense Fund among the organizations listed as participants. Democratic attorneys general also noted that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who furthered Trump's baseless fraud claims in a failed lawsuit, spoke at the rally and that Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., a former attorney general, led the move to object to President-elect Joe Biden's win. "Its former chair spoke at the rally that incited the mob," the group's statement said, referring to Paxton. "And former GOP A.G. Josh Hawley led the effort in Congress to undermine the election." President Donald Trump announced he would not attend President-elect Joe Biden's January 20 inauguration. He will be the first sitting president since Andrew Johnson to skip the new administration's induction. Trump stated on Friday he will skip Biden's inauguration, denying to fulfill the outgoing president's role according to tradition in the transition of power. Trump to skip Biden's inauguration Trump has not made a public appearance since a violent mob of his supporters assaulted the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a bid to halt the transfer of power. Momentum is mounting for a second impeachment vote on charges of "incitement of insurrection" following the Capitol Hill incident, reported DW. The declaration came as media reports suggested the sitting president could be imposed a second impeachment vote. He proffered no clues for how he would spend his remaining hours in the office. For the event, the incoming and outgoing presidents traditionally ride to Capitol Hill together as a symbol of the United States' peaceful transition, reported Firstpost. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20," Trump wrote on Twitter before he was banned from the social media platform, reported Bloomberg Quint. The president's decision to snub the induction event follows a weeks-long effort to overturn the will of voters who elected Biden with scores of lawsuits filed, promotion of conspiracies of election fraud, and berated state officials for halting or reversing certifications of Biden's victory. Also Read: Iraq Issues Arrest Warrant For President Trump Over Drone Strike Killing On Thursday, NBC News reported that Vice President Mike Pence would possibly be present at the inauguration if invited. There have been merely a handful of times in the United States history that an outgoing president did not attend the inauguration of the incoming president. John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson were all not present while Richard Nixon departed the White House following his resignation and skipped Gerald Ford's induction. Former President Johnson skipped his successor's swearing-in 152 years ago. A day earlier, Trump had released a video vowing to devote his remaining duration in the office to a "smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power" to Biden. Biden remarked that the president's absence at the ceremony would be favorable, addressing reporters in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday, that the decision not to be present was one of the few things he and Trump agreed on. In the video mentioned above, Trump acknowledged that a new administration would be inaugurated on January 20. However, he refused to give up his allegations that the election was stolen from him. The decision to skip the inauguration was expected, as Trump for months claimed victory in the presidential election and promulgated claims of voter fraud. Joe Biden's transition team had no immediate response to Trump's announcement. However, Jen Psaki, the president-elect's incoming White House press secretary, stated in December that whether or not Trump attended the inauguration was not top on Biden's mind. Related Article: Trump's Response to Permanent Account Suspension: Twitter Has Gone Further and Further in Banning Free Speech @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region is expected to admit one thousand fresh students when it re-opens on Monday, January 11, this year. Already there are one thousand continuing students in the University. The Interim Vice Chancellor of the BTU, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa made this known at Sumbrungu in the Bolgatanga Municipality on Saturday, January 9, when newsmen contacted him on the various arrangements put in place by the University to help curb the spread of the pandemic as the BTU prepares to re-open for academic work to continue. The Management of this University will not compromise on its efforts at ensuring that students of the school adhere strictly to the COVID-19 safety protocols, Prof Alnaa stressed. He stated that the COVID-19 Taskforce would strictly enforce the COVID-19 adherence safety protocols by ensuring that the wearing of nose masks among both continuing and fresh students are mandatory before they are allowed on campus to attend lectures and other official duties. "The COVID-19 Taskforce will also ensure that the sitting arrangements in lecture halls are given more space in addition to the procurement of washing facilities including soap and COVID- 19 Temperature Machines. All these facilities will be placed at vantage points for easy accessibility, he pointed out. The Interim Vice Chancellor thanked Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a Waste Management Company for following President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos announcement for all schools including tertiary institutions to be fumigated and disinfected before resumption of schools. He was elated that such interventions will ultimately help make re-opening of the University smooth. Prof Alnaa, therefore, allayed the fears of students and parents about students safety on campus and cautioned the students to ensure that they adhere strictly to all the safety protocols while staying on campus. Conversion He observed that before the conversion of the Polytechnic into a Technical University, the school enrolment figures was about 500 but enrolment has now doubled. He attributed the development to among other things Governments introduction of the Free Senior High School Policy as well as the introduction of new programmes by the University. 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 I was only a few days into a meandering trip across America, and already I was easing into something of a nighttime routine. Earlier in the day Id pinpointed a promising campsite in Ozark National Forest. Now, I found myself ascending an isolated forestry road to get to it, my tires crackling over its rough, potholed surface. When I could no longer hear the road noise from the scenic highway that carried me into the mountains, I found a small clearing in the woods, shimmied my car into a level position and climbed into the back. Gathering my camping stove, I stepped outside into a light rainfall and, under a tall canopy of trees, lit the burner. All night Id been enveloped in a thick foggy haze: not much to see, wipers running full tilt. I hadnt interacted with anyone in days, and now even the landscape was hidden from view. But the rain seemed to be letting up enough in this small glade, at least, for me to heat a pot of water for a solitary cup of tea. In the morning, I thought, if things cleared, thered even be hope of seeing the surrounding mountains in their autumnal glory. 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. PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivo Capital, LLC, a leading global healthcare investment firm, is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Hongbo Lu, Mr. Jack Bech Nielsen, and Mr. Michael Chang to Managing Partners. The Firm is also promoting Ms. Cinthia Sheu, Chief Operating Officer, and Ms. Zhanping Wu, General Counsel, to Partners within the management company. Dr. Frank Kung, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Chairman of Vivo, said: "Hongbo is a remarkably talented investor whom we have known and collaborated with for more than ten years, and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome her to Vivo. We look forward to her playing a critical role in the Firm's investments in innovation and public equity globally. She will also serve as the Chief Investment Officer for Vivo in China. Jack and Michael have contributed tremendously to both the growth of the Firm and to the success of our investment portfolios. They embody the Firm's core values of integrity, entrepreneurship, and teamwork. We look forward to their continued leadership and contributions to the Firm as we continue to grow." Dr. Edgar Engleman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Vivo, said: "The diverse talents Hongbo, Jack, and Michael bring to Vivo's leadership team will fortify the Firm's capabilities as a specialist healthcare investor, and will continue to build upon the foundation for Vivo's organizational development, global strategy, and future growth." Hongbo Lu has close to 20 years of healthcare investment experience in both public securities and private companies. Before joining Vivo, she served as a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV). Prior to that, she served as a Managing Director at OrbiMed Advisors. Dr. Lu started her Wall Street career as a biotech analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co. and was involved in biotech start-ups in the Bay Area previously. Over her investment career, Dr. Lu has invested extensively in both China and the U.S. She served on the boards of Turning Point Therapeutics (TPTX), CrownBio (6554.TT, acquired by JSR), Avedro (AVDR, acquired by Glaukos), Passage (PASG, observer), MedCaptain (observer), Echosens, Terns, and Perfuse. She was also extensively involved in the company incubations of ADARx, Elpiscience, Geneception, and Ronovo since inception as a founding investor and director. Hongbo earned a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Washington, an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated with honors from Tsinghua University. Jack Bech Nielsen joined Vivo in 2017 as a Managing Director and has demonstrated a strong leadership role in the Firm's investment activities. Jack currently serves on the boards of ALX Oncology (ALXO), Aligos Therapeutics (ALGS), Harmony Biosciences (HRMY), Instil Bio, Maculogix, and Reata Pharmaceuticals (RETA). He also previously served on the boards of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX) and several other companies. Prior to joining Vivo, Jack served as a Senior Partner within the Novo A/S organization, where he established Novo Ventures' U.S. office. Previously, he also served various positions in Novo Nordisk A/S, ranging from R&D projects to marketing and technical service roles. Jack earned a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University in Denmark and a Masters in Management of Technology from Center for Technology, Economics and Management; Technical University of Denmark. Michael Chang joined Vivo in 2012 as an Associate and has developed his investment career within Vivo. He currently leads the post-investment management, risk and investment management, and investor relations functions within the Firm. Michael is also a key member of Vivo's investment team, focused primarily on private investments. Prior to joining Vivo, he assumed several roles in strategy and operations within the healthcare industry, most recently at Johnson & Johnson where he worked in strategy and commercial planning. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard College and an M.B.A from Harvard Business School. About Vivo Capital Founded in 1996, Vivo Capital is a leading global healthcare investment firm with a diverse, multi-fund investment platform in venture capital, growth equity, buyout, and public equities. The Firm has approximately $4.3 billion in assets under management and has invested in over 280 public and private companies worldwide. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the Vivo team consists of more than 50 multi-disciplinary professionals. Vivo invests broadly in healthcare across all fund strategies, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services, with a focus on the largest healthcare markets globally. Media Contact Michael Chang [email protected] (650) 688-0818 Katera Mujadidi [email protected] (650) 689-3184 SOURCE Vivo Capital Related Links http://www.vivocapital.com Intel Corp has held talks with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics Co about the Asian companies making some of its best chips, but the Silicon Valley pioneer is still holding out hope for last-minute improvements in its own production capabilities. After successive delays in its chip fabrication processes, California-based Intel has yet to make a final decision less than two weeks ahead of a scheduled announcement of its plans, according to people familiar with the deliberations. Any components that Intel might source from Taiwan wouldnt come to market until 2023 at the earliest and would be based on established manufacturing processes already in use by other TSMC customers, said the people, asking not to be identified because the plans are private. Talks with Samsung, whose foundry capabilities trail TSMCs, are at a more preliminary stage, the people said. TSMC and Samsung representatives did not comment. Read More An Intel spokesperson referred to previous comments by Bob Swan, the companys CEO. Mr Swan has promised investors hell set out his plans for outsourcing and get Intels production technology back on track when the company reports earnings on January 21. Intel shares reversed some losses from earlier on Friday, leaving the stock down 0.5pc in afternoon trading in New York. The worlds best-known chipmaker has historically led the industry in advanced manufacturing techniques, essential for maintaining the pace of performance increases in modern semiconductors. But the company has suffered years-long delays that have put it behind competitors that design their own chips and contract TSMC to do the manufacturing. Under the leadership of Jim Keller, Intel designers moved to a more modular approach to creating microprocessors. This provides more flexibility to either make chips in-house or outsource the work. But Mr Keller left Intel last year, and rivals, such as Advanced Micro Devices Inc and Apple Inc, have forged ahead with their own capable designs and TSMCs more advanced production technology. That has put Intel under intense competitive pressure and forced it to make last-minute changes to product road maps, complicating its decision making, the people said. We have another great lineup of products in 2022, and Im increasingly confident in the leadership our 2023 products will deliver on either Intel 7-nanometer or external foundry processes, or a combination of both, Mr Swan said on a conference call in October. Semiconductor manufacturing processes are measured in nanometres, with ever more microscopically small transistors crammed onto silicon wafers with each new iteration. At subsequent investor conferences, Mr Swan explained that the timing of his decision is driven by the need to order chipmaking equipment to make sure he has enough factory capacity or give a partner enough of a heads-up to make similar preparations. Being able to predictably deliver leading products to customers on time, at the right cost, will determine how much outsourcing Intel uses, he said. (Bloomberg) A YOUNG man has appeared in court charged with robbing a service station in Dublin last night. Derek Farrell (19) was charged over the alleged raid in Crumlin. He was granted bail and the case against him was adjourned at Dublin District Court. Mr Farrell, with an address at Fortlawn Avenue, Blanchardstown, is charged with robbing staff of 179 in cash and cigarette papers worth 73 at Applegreen, Parnell Road, Crumlin on January 10. He is also charged with causing 500 worth of damage to a counter. Garda David Morris told Judge Deirdre Gearty the accused made no reply to either charge after caution and was handed copies of the charges sheets. There was no garda objection to bail subject to conditions. Judge Gearty granted bail on condition the accused lives at his home address, observes a curfew and signs on daily at Blanchardstown Garda Station. He must also stay out of the Dublin 12 area and have no contact with witnesses either directly or indirectly, including by social media. Mr Farrell was remanded on bail to a date in February, for the directions of the DPP. Legal aid was granted after his lawyer said the accused was on social welfare. Gardai said a female who was also arrested has been released pending referral to the Youth Diversion Programme. Biden Names William Burns as Pick for CIA Director Democratic President-elect Joe Biden said on Jan. 11 that he will nominate veteran U.S. diplomat William Burns to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Burns, 64, was a deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration and held a number of positions in the George W. Bush administration. He was also an ambassador to Jordan during the administrations of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Burns left the State Department in 2014 and didnt serve in the Trump administration, spending time as the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Bidens team described Burns as a career diplomat who is full of integrity. Bill Burns is an exemplary diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage keeping our people and our country safe and secure. He shares my profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical and that the dedicated intelligence professionals serving our nation deserve our gratitude and respect, Biden said in a statement. Ambassador Burns will bring the knowledge, judgment, and perspective we need to prevent and confront threats before they can reach our shores. The American people will sleep soundly with him as our next CIA director. President-elect Joe Biden arrives at the Queen in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 10, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) Bidens selection came a few weeks after Melvin Goodman, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and a former CIA analyst, called for the Democrat to nominate Burns as CIA director. No director in the 73-year history of the CIA has come from the Department of State, yet senior foreign service officers have a deep understanding of the role and importance of both intelligence analysis at home and clandestine operations abroad. Naming a foreign service officer to head CIA would be groundbreaking and would contribute to reinvigorating the agencys morale and competence, Goodman wrote in an open letter, adding that Burns would be confirmed easily by the Senate. Democrats will control the deadlocked Senate by virtue of the tiebreaking vote the vice president can cast. Few, if any, Democrats are expected to oppose Bidens Cabinet nominees. Burns would fill Bidens final unannounced Cabinet or Cabinet-level position. Last week, Biden said he was nominating federal appeals court Judge Merrick Garland as attorney general, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as secretary of labor, and Isabel Casillas Guzman as administrator of the Small Business Administration. Amid the intense battle between BJP and CM Mamata Banerjee's TMC in poll-bound West Bengal, now the ruling party in the state has attacked BJP chief JP Nadda over 15th century saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The saffron party, with an aim to present themselves close to Bengali culture, is seen enjoying folk music, savouring Bengali cuisine and praising revered Bengali personalities during the campaign. However, the TMC has been prompt to point out the mistakes by the saffron party - which has placed itself as the major Opposition in West Bengal ahead of polls. After a massive rift over Gurudeb Rabindranath Tagore, and goof-ups on Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Birsa Munda, TMC has attacked Nadda after he described a temple in Bardhaman as the site of Chaitanya Mahaprabhus diksha (initiation). Nadda had said on Sunday - "Friends, today I went to an old temple of Radha Govind, where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu received initiation (diksha)." The TMC said that the temple in Katwa, which Nadda visited, was built in 1839, however, Mahaprabhu breathed his last at the age of 48 in 1534 and the initiation of Mahaprabhu took place in 1510. Some also claimed that Nadda was probably referring to the centuries-old Gouranga temple where it is believed that Mahaprabhu visited in 1510. Moreover, as Nadda had lunch in a farmers' house, TMC Youth wing National Vice President and actor Soham Chakraborty pointed out that he had a bottle of mineral water kept beside him, accusing the BJP chief of favouring the corporates even after eating at farmers' homes. He also held a rally in the Bardhaman to counter the BJP roadshow. READ | 'Don't want Mamata's nephew to have her murdered for voters' sympathy': BJP MP Arjun Singh Row over Tagore Ahead of ex-BJP chief Amit Shah's visit to Bolpur, hoardings with his picture of Rabindranath Tagore in the same frame caused outrage and TMC has accused the BJP of insulting Gurudeb. The pictures also caused outrage in neighbouring Santiniketan with a member of Tagore's family calling it "disgusting". TMC took to Twitter and told Amit Shah and BJP to "know the limits." The party said that BJP has once again insulted Tagore, adding that people of Bengal will "NEVER forgive this!" However, BJP leader Anupam Hazra, a picture of whom also figured in the same hoarding, alleged it was the handiwork of Trinamool Congress to embarrass the saffron party ahead of Shah's visit. Earlier, when Nadda visited Bengal, TMC targeted the BJP chief over his statement on Rabindranath Tagore. Trinamool claimed that Nadda said that Tagore was born in Vishwa Bharti. Terming it as 'lie' and 'false information', Trinamool taunted Nadda by saying that 'foreigners' should learn about the history of Bengal, they also shared a screenshot of BJP's Twitter handle saying the same. However, BJP clarified by posting a video of Nadda's speech and said that what he had meant was that Tagore was born in West Bengal. Nadda had invoked Tagore in his speech and said, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, today the head is down and the people of Bengal are full of fear". Nobel laureate Tagore was born in Jorasanko (now in Bangladesh) in 1861 and he had founded Visva Bharati in 1921. READ | GJM's Bimal Gurung says, 'Will not support BJP even if I have to sacrifice my life' TMC vs BJP in West Bengal While the BJP has chalked out a massive plan for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls which includes Home Minister Amit Shah visiting the state every month till the elections, Trinamool has already begun its outreach programme highlighting the welfare schemes of the Mamata Banerjee government. The TMC has also roped in former JDU VP and poll strategist Prashant Kishor for Mamata's re-election while the BJP's campaign is being headed by senior leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, under the leadership of BJP chief JP Nadda. Violence has already started in the state ahead of polls, with alleged TMC goons even attacking Nadda while he was on a two-day visit to the state. Earlier, Dilip Ghosh had also asked his BJP cadre to arm themselves with sticks and give it back to the Trinamool cadre if it comes to it. West Bengal assembly with 294 seats will go to polls in April-May 2021, Trinamool holds 222 seats. BJP has made major inroads in the state in the Lok Sabha elections winning 18 seats and establishing itself as the major opposition force in the state. READ | TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Makes Shocking 'Saffron Rapist' Remark; Outraged BJP Lashes Out READ | BJP accuses Mamata's Trinamool of removing saffron party's flag ahead of Nadda's roadshow Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Monday said the European Union Disinfo Lab had revealed that India had employed the highest intensity propaganda against Pakistan during its 15-year long disinformation campaign. According to the Disinfo Lab report 'Indian Chronicles', the Indian fake media campaign was carried out by Shirvastav Group through false media outlets, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and news outlets, the ISPR DG told a media briefing. He said sham media outlets were highlighting fake protests and using motivated content against Pakistan. "The Indian newswire service ANI used to make the motivated content viral. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) affiliated Aglaya company - an expert in hacking and internet networking - has been part of this 15-year sham media campaign." Major General Babar said the EU Disinfo Lab had exposed undeniable evidence of Indian hand behind terror acts on the Pakistani soil. He said before dissecting the Indian disinformation campaign against Pakistan it was necessary to ascertain the course being followed by India and Pakistan. He said "Pakistan during the past 20 years has fought a successful war against terrorism and proved to be a responsible state." In over 1,200 operations, almost all terror outfits had been eliminated in the country, with killing of over 18,000 terrorists. He said in the legal domain, adequate legislation was enacted in order to curb extremism and terrorism, besides coordinated action was launched against such organizations through a comprehensive strategy. For international peace and security, he said, the security forces of Pakistan had either arrested or killed over 1,100 Al-Qaeda terrorists, besides sharing intelligence with more than 70 countries. Pakistan sacrificed more than 83,000 innocent lives in the fight against terrorism and bore $126 billion economic losses, he added. On the contrary, the DG ISPR said, India in the past two decades had increased provocations on Pakistan's eastern border, perpetrated the worst human rights violations and laid the military siege of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) for more than one and a half years, and in February 2019 made an abortive attempt of aggression against Pakistan. /More A few years, lot of kitchens later The chaotic restaurant scene was right out of a Hallmark movie. A crazy busy night at Outback Steakhouse. The frustrated night manager is one staffperson short in the kitchen. The kid waiting tables is sent back to the kitchen to help. Kid crushed it! Hey kid, you should do this for a living, he was told. A few years and a lot of kitchens later that same kid, Justin Turner, finds himself about to, in his words, curate one of the most delicious and wonderful culinary and hospitality ecosystems in Houston. - Justin Turner to headJustin Turner to headnew hospitality group - Turner is director of culinary hospitality, a newly created role within Gastropub Productions, an inventive restaurant and hospitality group. Gastropub is charged with the intriguing task of creating fun places for Lake Houston residents to eat and play at Generation Park, McCord Developments master-planned business and lifestyle destination. It is wonderful what they are building for the future, said Turner, referring to Ryan McCord, president of McCord Development, a Houston-based real estate company that is developing Generation Park at Beltway 8 and West Lake Houston Parkway. Ryan and his McCord team have a great vision. I truly am a believer in Ryan and his methodical approach to real estate development and life in general. I am so fortunate to be a part of it. Turners job at Gastropub is to create hospitality and restaurant concepts that focus on putting out the most delicious food while curating an amazing experience through service and hospitality. We are creating an ecosystem for people to work, play, dine and unwind , he said. There may be no other person quite like Turner with the ability to create that amazing experience that McCord is looking for. He is a Chicago native, a graduate of what he terms the School of Hard Knocks, receiving his culinary training on the job with a plethora of great mentors: Mike McMath, Erling Jensen, Justin Young, Jimmy Gentry and Joseph Carey, all culinary artists in their own right. Turner also was inspired by The Soul of a Chef, a book about professional cooking by Michael Ruhlman, who enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America and writes about something Turner is passionate about, the point where cooking becomes an art form. After his Outback Steakhouse experience, Turner, who was living in Memphis by this time, decided to seek out the best restaurant to work for in Memphis and ended up peeling potatoes and cleaning shrimp just to get his foot in the door. Turner was soon recognized for his cuisine creativity and eventually had the opportunity to work under the renowned Mississippi-based chef Miles McMath as chef de cuisine and later sous chef and pastry chef. He was executive chef for the Chicago Bears and for former Houston Rocket Shane Battier. Turner became a household name and a Houston icon and got to show off his true cuisine creativity when he created Bernies Burger Bus, dishing up memorable burgers made with a true chefs mentality and served up in a big yellow school bus. COVID-19 has been especially harsh to the culinary and hospitality industry and, with his experience creating Bernies, Turner is well positioned to alter his culinary concepts for Generation Park. Our industry has been trending toward takeout and delivery and that has always been a focus of innovation for Gastropub Productions, he said. Ive always implemented great sanitation practices pre-COVID in anything that I have ever done and plan on keeping it that way through this time and after. Cooking is Turners passion. He said that when he is not working, I like to cook for my family. As for that work/life balance that so many in Turners position find elusive, It is all a matter of perspective and having a fantastic wife and a blended family of three children who are willing to put up with it all. One of Turners greatest stresses about the culinary business is that restaurants are moneymakers. A misconception is that we make money hand over fist, Turner said. The most unfortunate side of our business is the quality that people demand does not meet the amount of money theyre willing to spend. As restauranteurs, we are aware of that and do our best to find a common ground. We strive to match up the quality of food that is wanted and the price people are willing to pay. One of the positives are the compliments that a good cook receives. I was a part of a couples first date, Turner said, and they ended up marrying each other. Now Turner is planning to prepare memorable meals for more first-daters at Generation Park. The sky is the limit, he said. We have 4,200 acres of development and we have just begun. Weve got a lot planned and I cant wait to share it with Lake Houston. Not bad for a guy who got his start at age 16 flippin burgers and staying true to himself and his dream. He persisted in the business he loves and now is bringing his unique culinary skills to Generation Park. Turner is about to create Redemption Squares first brick-and-mortar culinary concept. Friend Generation Park on Facebook and follow its evolution as one of Houstons fastest growing economic and residential centers at generationpark.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. Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :US President-elect Joe Biden will receive his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, his office announced, three weeks after his first injection was broadcast live on tv to boost public confidence in the jab. Biden, 78, told Americans "there's nothing to worry about" when he got his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware on December 21. His team said that his second jab would also be done in front of the media, without giving further details. More than 374,000 people have died from the coronavirus in America, and Biden on Friday slammed President Donald Trump administration's troubled distribution of vaccines as a "travesty. " About 6.7 million Americans have so far received their first shot -- far short of the target of 20 million by the end of 2020. But 22.1 million doses have been distributed nationwide, underlining the logistical challenge of getting the injections administered to the elderly and health workers who are the priority. Both vaccines currently authorized in the US, developed by Pfizer and Moderna, require recipients to receive booster shots after three and four weeks, respectively. Biden, who will be inaugurated on January 20, plans to release every available dose of vaccine, rather than holding back half to make sure people receive their booster shots on time as is the current protocol. 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. Mother and Baby Homes survivor Philomena Lee has called for families to be paid compensation for the unbearable suffering and loss caused by the institutions throughout the 20th century. Ms Lee, whose life was the subject of the 2013 film Philomena, also said Irish people owe it to the memory of women and children who have died that such atrocities never happen again. She grew up in an orphanage after the death of her mother and her son Anthony was later born in the Sean Ross Abbey home, run by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in 1952. However, three years later Anthony was taken from Philomena Lee and sent to the US. Speaking ahead of the publication of a new report tomorrow, Ms Lee said it was essential for the purpose of healing that the Irish State and various churches involved apologise without reservation. Read More She said this should be done for the enslavement of unmarried mothers and the trading of children carried out by the institutions. Ms Lee also said the Government should compensate many generations of families who have suffered unbearable suffering and loss as a result of the States failure to recognise and honour the equality promised to all Irish citizens by the States founders. I can only hope that the authors of this report recognise these facts and that those of us who were detained against our wills in Mother and Baby Homes, and gave birth there, are not all of the mothers nor all of the children who have suffered, and that the tens of thousands who went through State maternity hospitals, State childrens hospitals and various private institutions suffered the same fate the unlawful destruction of their families, through forced adoption, child trafficking, forced labour etc, she said. I am dismayed that portions of the report have been leaked to the press ahead of the survivors having sight of it and digesting its findings. This will undoubtedly add to the heartache and trauma of those directly affected and I am concerned for the welfare of all. Irish people owe it to the memory of those mothers and children who have died without knowing the truth and to resolve that such atrocities will never be allowed to happen again." Her son Anthony grew up as Michael Hess in the US and became a legal aide under the Bush and Reagan presidential administrations. The mother and son spent years attempting to find each other but Anthony passed away in 1995 before they could be reunited. A triptych portrait of Vicky Phelan by Offaly artist Vincent Devine, which was unveiled on the Late Late Show on Friday night, is to be auctioned for the charity Heroes Aid. The charity supports frontline workers battling Covid-19. The stunning portrait, which has been described as a summation of the life of the women's health advocate. In an emotional interview Vicky Phelan revealed on the Late Late Show that she will be travelling to the US this Sunday to participate in a clinical trial in a bid to combat new tumours. The only pain I get is in my back... If I stand for too long I get an unmerciful pain in my back, she told Ryan Tubridy. Vicky spoke about her battle with cancer and how treatment has helped her in the last three years. She said she will be leaving her family behind and staying for up to six months in Maryland while the treatment is ongoing. If this trial works I will get more time with my kids. The Pembro drug has helped her for three years and she is hoping that the next phase of treatment will extend her life by at least the same length of time. Vicky has written a bestselling book about her life and her experience during the cervical check controversy since she was diagnosed in 2014. She told Ryan Tubridy that the three-part portrait represents the past, present and future, with each element, especially the horses, one black and one white, representing parts of her life, including a car crash which happened before she developed cancer. The inclusion of a shamrock in the centrepiece, which depicts Vicky sitting on a chair on Doonbeg beach, was her idea. That's to represent the Irish people who have taken me to their heart, she said. It's a painting of hope and I hope that's the way people will see it. Elsewhere in the portrait the bird resting on her left hand is a crimson rosella and represents her daughter Amelia, who is 15. The oak leaf in her left hand is for her boy, Darragh aged nine. He is a sapling and will grow big and strong. Vicky Phelan sat for the portrait on Doonbeg beach, one of her favourite places. Clara based artist Vincent Devine mixed some of the sand of Doonbeg with paint for one portion of the portrait. Vincent said, "painting can carry a very important message and Vicky's life is basically injected into the whole piece. Sheppard's Auction House was hired by Heroes Aid to auction the painting which Philip Sheppard described as a really, really important work of art. It will come up for auction at 2pm on Thursday, February 4 and the sale will be live online and open to a global audience of bidders. We're absolutely delighted. The work that frontline workers are doing is incredible. They're under huge pressure and anything we can do to support them, we're happy to do so and it's a privilege to do so, said Philip. We think that Vincent is an up and coming and talented artist and it's great to see it happening in the Midlands. Vincent has built up a very good relationship with her and that's reflected in the artwork which is full of symbolism. The auction house has waived all fees. Our fees will be donated along with the hammer price, said Philip. Anyone can watch or bid online at sheppards.ie LIMERICK Chamber has warned Transport Minister Eamon Ryan that more delays to the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road will hold back the citys development. The Green Party minister has been criticised for what many perceive as being a lack of commitment to the 58m project, which will see a link being built from Moyross out to Coonagh, and crucially opening up the northside estate. At last months metropolitan district council meeting, it was agreed to write to Mr Ryan, who has previously suggested he will be in Limerick in the new year to walk the route. Now, the Limerick Chamber which is the biggest business voice in the region has added its voice. Chief executive Dee Ryan has highlighted the importance of the project for both the Limerick Institute of Technologys planned Coonagh campus, and the Limerick Regeneration programme. Inequality was the root cause of many problems in Limerick and something we have much work still to do on, including through the city's regeneration programmes. In order for Limerick to thrive, we cannot leave sections of our society cut off. If we do, those inequalities will get deeper again," she said. In its communications with the Minister, the Limerick Chamber cited the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (2013), and the Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (2019), both of which recognise the importance of the Coonagh-Knockalisheen scheme for the future development of Moyross. The combination of the development of the Coonagh campus by LIT and the completion of the Coonagh Knockalisheen scheme will enhance the attractiveness of the surrounding area for further educational and employment investment. It's a win-win on all fronts and we must end prevarication on it," Ms Ryan added. Ms Ryan has also been in ongoing communication with Limerick TDs to outline the chamber's concerns and press for support. This scheme symbolises the kind of inclusive Limerick, offering educational and employment opportunities for all, that our local elected representatives and Limerick stakeholders are striving to achieve. Its delivery is critical for the city and the public, she concluded. NORTH READING, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceLink Inc., the leading digital platform company for the life sciences industry, today announced that, for the fifth consecutive year, Shabbir Dahod, president and CEO of TraceLink, will present at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Thursday, January 14 at 8:40 am EST via virtual webcast. During his presentation, Dahod will discuss the long-term global market opportunity for TraceLink, including the Company's unique position in digitally transforming the healthcare industry with its Opus digital supply network platform. About TraceLink TraceLink is the leading digital platform company for the life science supply chain, bringing hundreds of thousands of pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations together for the greater good of the patient. TraceLink's digital solutions bring the precision, agility and visibility necessary for all members of the pharmaceutical ecosystem to thrive in a world where unplanned events and business disruptions are the "next normal." With headquarters in Massachusetts, TraceLink has six global offices through North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. For more information on TraceLink, visit www.tracelink.com. TraceLink is funded by Georgian Partners , Willett Advisors LLC , Vulcan Capital , Goldman Sachs , FirstMark Capital , Volition Capital and F-Prime Capital. SOURCE TraceLink Inc. Related Links www.tracelink.com The attending physician to members of Congress warned lawmakers and staffers they should get tested for COVID-19 because they may have been exposed to the virus while they were sheltering in place as a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. On Wednesday January 6, many members of the House community were in protective isolation in room located in a large committee hearing space, Brian Monahan, the attending physician to Congress, wrote in an email that was sent to members of Congress on Sunday morning. The time in this room was several hours for some and briefer for others. During this time, individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection. Advertisement Punchbowl Midday: We wrote a few days abgo about concerns about a covid outbreak from maskless Republicans Now we have a video of Republicans in the secure room hanging out maskless, refusing maskshttps://t.co/FHpiMSVotd Punchbowl News (@PunchbowlNews) January 8, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Although Monahan didnt provide many details in his email, two House aides confirm to the Washington Post that he was referring to a room where many lawmakers were taken during the riot. A video published by Punchbowl News Friday that quickly went viral showed several Republicans not wearing masks in the packed room and even refusing them when they were offered by Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. The Republicans who refused masks included Reps. Andy Biggs from Arizona, Michael Cloud from Texas, Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma and Scott Perry from Pennsylvania. My goal, in the midst of what I feared was a super spreader event, was to make the room at least a little safer, Rochester tweeted. Advertisement While I was disappointed in my colleagues who refused to wear a mask, I was encouraged by those who did. My goal, in the midst of what I feared was a super spreader event, was to make the room at least a little safer. https://t.co/HpEZdUzHbd Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (@RepLBR) January 8, 2021 Advertisement Monahan advised all the lawmakers who could have been exposed to monitor for symptoms and to obtain a COVID-19 test next week as a precaution. News of the possible exposure comes amid warnings from several experts that the riot could turn into a superspreader event. I do think you have to anticipate that this is another surge event. You had largely unmasked individuals in a non-distanced fashion, who were all through the Capitol, Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told McClatchy on Friday. Scott Gottlieb, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration, also said on CBS News Face the Nation that theres going to be chains of transmission that come out of that kind of mass gathering. "Settling the Palestinian issue will alter the reality and condition of the entire region for the better," Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told Munich's quartet group, which is tasked with supporting the peace process in the Middle East, during its meeting in Cairo on Monday. The group, comprising Egypt, France, Germany, and Jordan's foreign ministers, held a meeting in the Egyptian capital earlier today to discuss reviving the frozen Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Following the meeting, the group was received by the Egyptian president, who was briefed on the outcomes of their meeting, during which the ministers forged 11 provisions detailed in a joint statement outlining the endeavours to revive the peace process. The Egyptian president asserted that settling the Palestinian issue "will open new paths and horizons for regional cooperation between governments and peoples," presidential spokesman Bassem Rady said in a statement. This [reasoning] stems from the reality Egypt has experienced during its pioneering experiment in the region by opting for the path of peace and practicing it for more than four decades," the statement quoted El-Sisi as saying. The president affirmed the significance of taking steps to re-launch the peace process on the international political table, highlighting the membership in the quartet group of the two Arab countries closest to the Palestinian cause, Egypt and Jordan, alongside major EU countries France and Germany. Egypt, El-Sisi said, will continue its "tireless" efforts in the Palestinian issue in an effort to restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and establish their independent state as per international legitimacy. The Jordanian, French, German officials voiced their appreciation for Egypts continued and steadfast efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause, in addition to its historical role in this respect, which aims to reach a fair and comprehensive solution to the issue. They also praised the Egyptian efforts to stabilise the situation in the Gaza Strip, in addition to its efforts to achieve political consensus among all Palestinian factions in order facilitate reconciliation. The ministers underscored the importance of continuing the groups periodical meetings to push forward peace efforts in the region and end the current stalemate by urging the Palestinian and Israeli sides to negotiate and reach a fair and comprehensive political settlement. Monday's gathering is the fourth for the quartet, which was established on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference held in February 2020. The next meeting is set to be held in Paris to continue consultations regarding ways to boost the peace process. Short link: 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. 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 After Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated publicly that Iran would ban any Western vaccine for the coronavirus, a number of officials have come to his defense over the decision. On Jan. 8, Khamenei said he had already informed Iranian officials that vaccines from the United States and the United Kingdom have been banned. He said he has no confidence in the vaccines produced in those countries and claimed that if they were so effective the countries would not be experiencing such a difficult time with the virus. Khamenei also referenced a bitter experience for Iran when they imported blood from France that was tainted with HIV, while claiming that Western vaccines are not reliable. When Khameneis Twitter account tweeted these statements, Twitter quickly took action. Twitter said the tweet was in violation of its policies against misinformation about the coronavirus. They locked the account until the account holder removed the tweet. Khameneis office and not himself likely operates the Twitter account. Irans Red Crescent had said that a sponsor in the United States was going to send 150,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Iran. This number was later reduced to 15,000, though the reason for the discrepancy was never explained. The most prominent official to back Khameneis ban on Western vaccines so far has been Health Minister Saeed Namaki. The ban on American and UK vaccines by the supreme leader was based on widespread scientific research and was completely out of sympathy toward the people, Namaki said yesterday. He said these countries have blocked the transfer of money to purchase medicine while Iran battled the coronavirus. Namaki said Iran would have its own vaccine by spring, and tests on humans so far have been very successful. Iran began publicly testing humans with its vaccine in recent weeks. Head of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Iran Alireza Marandi also defended the position to ban Western COVID-19 vaccines in a letter addressed to Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations. We are ready to give any vaccine that we are confident about to the people, Marandi wrote. He claimed the vaccine had yet to be proven adequately effective. The letter also criticized the Western sanctions on Iran that have made it difficult for the country to purchase medicine. While medical supplies specifically are not sanctioned by the United States, many firms choose to avoid financial transactions with Iran due to sanctions on financial transactions with the country. While Iran has been one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus, it once again brought its numbers down after experiencing its third wave recently. Until recently, Iran experienced a daily death toll well into the 300s. In the last 24 hours, 91 deaths have occurred, according to the Health Ministry. The countrys total number of deaths from COVID-19 is over 56,000, but officials have said its possible that the actual number of deaths could be twice as high. Jennifer Wayne announced her engagement with Austin Moody last month after six months of dating. And the granddaughter of John Wayne has already made it to the altar, following a whirlwind romance. She tied the knot with Moody on Saturday in an intimate western-themed beach wedding in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, less than two weeks after announcing their engagement. Wedding bells: John Wayne's granddaughter Jennifer tied the knot with Austin Moody on Saturday in an intimate western-themed beach wedding in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, less than two weeks after announcing their engagement The 38-year-old chose the location because they love the area, and they 'really wanted to get married on the water.' Moody, 29, told People: 'Jennifer grew up on the beach, and there's something so calming and healing about the ocean. We are having a boat "sail off" after we tie the knot.' They brought some 'western flair' to the beach wedding, adding: 'It's a cowboy/cowgirl themed wedding. Everyone will be in boots and hats.' Wayne stunned in a custom dress by Nashville-based designer Tyler Minor: 'The dress is made of crepe chiffon. It's a very classic style with some Bohemian and western flair.' Beach wedding: The 38-year-old chose the location because they love the area, and they 'really wanted to get married on the water' Calming and healing: Moody, 29, told People: 'Jennifer grew up on the beach, and there's something so calming and healing about the ocean. We are having a boat "sail off" after we tie the knot' Moody wore a custom animal-skin jacket by Minor with a pair of jeans and a black stetson. The bride wore her grandmother Pilar Pallete's engagement ring from grandfather John Wayne for her 'something blue.' She said: 'On their 10th anniversary, he matched the diamond and had it reset in a flower setting. Austin used his grandmother's diamonds to create an engagement ring for me [made with help from my best friend's mom, Dobrila Pintar,] in the flower setting as well. So, I bought all of the ladies in the wedding birth month flower earrings from Local Eclectic to keep the theme.' The ceremony was followed by a casual reception with food catered by Cowgirl Kitchen, as well as Duke bourbon and Caymus wine. Wayne and her groom opted for a 'very small' wedding, with less than 20 guests, consisting of immediate family and close friends. White wedding: Wayne stunned in a custom dress by Nashville-based designer Tyler Minor: 'The dress is made of crepe chiffon. It's a very classic style with some Bohemian and western flair' Western flair: Moody wore a custom animal-skin jacket by Minor with a pair of jeans and a black stetson Something blue: The bride wore her grandmother Pilar Pallete's engagement ring from grandfather John Wayne for her 'something blue' It comes after the bride and Runaway Jane member overcame her own battle with COVID-19 in early 2020. They said: 'We are taking COVID very seriously and have requested that all of the guests receive a recent COVID test before attending. We are having the ceremony outdoors with plenty of room to social distance.' The newlyweds plan on celebrating with all of their loved ones when it's safer, with 'a big party in Nashville,' where they live. They announced their engagement December 30 on Instagram, as she showed off her rock, writing: 'Happy birthday to the man I get to spend the rest of my life with!!! I love you @theaustinmoody. Cant wait to celebrate the day with you...' Wayne and Moody 'couldn't wait a second longer' to get married, only six months after they first began dating. They reconnected five years after they first met, when her bandmate Natalie Stovall sent her a text: 'Austin found a dog that had been left on the freeway. He knew Natalie, and he knew she loved dogs. So, he sent the picture of the dog to Natalie, and Natalie said, "Oh, Jen saves dogs... we need to send to Jen." The rest is history!' Murray State President Receives National Award By MSU Public Relations MURRAY - Dr. Bob Jackson, President of Murray State University, has been recognized as a distinguished alumnus of Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity and inducted into the Order of West Range, a lifetime achievement award and the highest honor bestowed upon alumni for service to society and accomplishments in their careers. Pi Kappa Alpha was founded in 1868 at the University of Virginia. Jackson is the first member of Murray State University's Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha to receive this honor in its 62-year history. He is one of four national inductees for the 2020 class. Jackson stated, "I am honored and grateful for this recognition. I am being recognized as part of an outstanding group and there are many others who are very deserving of this honor, but I am very appreciative of this award. Pi Kappa Alpha has been an important part of my life and it helped to shape my undergraduate education at Murray State University, develop leadership skills and make lifelong friends, and most importantly, allowed me to meet my wife, Karen." A proud Murray State alumnus, Jackson was appointed president of Murray State on March 1, 2019 after serving as interim president since August 2018. Under Jackson's leadership, Murray State continues to experience increases in student retention and progression toward graduation, increases in new freshmen, graduate and transfer students enrolling at the University, private support and giving to assist students through need-based aid and scholarship opportunities, expanded academic programs, campus enhancements and important regional partnerships. Jackson has served Murray State in several capacities over the last decade including most recently as the president and chief executive officer of the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. He was also a senior advisor to the University for state and federal governmental relations and oversaw all estate and planned giving initiatives. From 1997 to 2004, Jackson served the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a state senator and served in senate leadership. He served on numerous committees and task forces during his tenure including education, appropriations and revenue, economic development, capital projects and bond oversight. He has worked successfully on many state and federal governmental projects and has been recognized at the state and national levels for his public service. In addition, he has worked in corporate finance and as a senior executive in investment banking, municipal finance, and investment management. He was selected as a Kentucky Leader for the New Century and as a national toll fellow by the Council of State Governments. He has been recognized by his alma mater with the distinguished Golden Horseshoe Award, the highest honor bestowed upon its alumni for service to the University. LaRue County High School recognized him as a distinguished alumnus in 2010. Jackson and his wife Karen, a Murray State alumna and registered nurse, are the parents of two children, Nolan and Mariel. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 74F. SW winds shifting to NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Medical workers are taking swab samples from residents in Shijiazhuang, in northern China's Hebei Province on Jan. 6, 2021. (STR/CNS/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese City Bracing for Dire CCP Virus Surge During Lunar New Year: Leaked Documents Local officials in the northern Chinese province of Hebei are anticipating a surge in COVID-19 infections and are making preparations to curb the spread of the disease, according to government documents recently obtained by The Epoch Times. The Chinese New Year, the nations most important traditional holiday event, kicks off on Feb. 12, setting in motion the worlds biggest human migration as hundreds of millions return to their hometowns to reunite with family. Shijiazhuang, Hebeis capital, is experiencing a severe outbreak. Authorities issued a lockdown last week and mandated nucleic acid testing for all 11 million residents, in an effort to curb the spread. Internal government documents received from a trusted source shed light on the scale of the local outbreak. The Epoch Times obtained a copy of an emergency notice issued by the Hebei Provincial Health Commission on Jan. 6, which concedes the province faces a very severe COVID-19 situation. It called on cities and health care institutions to stock up on enough emergency medical supplies for 30 days. Emergency notice issued by the Hebei Provincial Health Commission on Jan. 6, 2021. (Provided to The Epoch Times) Another document, issued by the Shijiazhuang command center that handles COVID-19 outbreaks, revealed that authorities are anticipating a surge in COVID-19 infections during the Chinese New Year holiday. The command center stated in the Jan. 6 action plan that districts, counties, and cities throughout Hebei must lock in supplies for pandemic control during the holiday, and be well-prepared for large-scale nucleic acid tests in case of any emergencies. The Epoch Times also obtained an emergency notice issued on Jan. 6 by the quarantine support team within Shijiazhuangs command center. Emergency notice issued by the Quarantine Support Team of the Shijiazhuang Command Center for Novel Coronavirus Control and Prevention, on Jan. 6, 2021. (Provided to The Epoch Times) Addressed to the health bureau of Gaocheng districtwhere most of the citys infections have been detectedthe Shijianzhuang command center ordered the district health bureau to immediately organize personnel to inspect a total of 469 rooms at Lianzhou No. 1 Junior High School, Lianzhou No. 4 Junior High School, and a vocational education center. The classrooms need to be thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and disinfected so they could be used as isolation units. In addition, the facilities need an adequate number of personnel who can be trained to care for the people isolated there. The health bureau was ordered to have the new quarantine facilities ready by Jan. 7. Quarantine centers are typically used for people who are close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients and suspected by authorities to have been exposed to the CCP virus. Hebeis health authorities have designated Gaocheng district as a high-risk area for disease spread, and set 30 areas as medium risk, including 20 in Shijiazhuang and 10 in nearby Xingtai city. Long Tengyun 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. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday released a $7.3 billion budget plan that would keep New Mexico spending levels largely flat for the coming year, while authorizing hefty one-time expenditures aimed at fortifying businesses and families hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the proposed one-time spending is $475 million for pandemic relief efforts, which could include tax relief and cash assistance for essential workers, and $10 million to expand a state broadband network that has come under scrutiny with many residents working and attending school from home. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The top budget official in Lujan Grishams administration said the state has a much better financial outlook now than it did last summer after a steep drop in oil prices but acknowledged trouble spots require prompt attention. The pandemic really showed us where our gaps were, acting Finance and Administration Secretary Debbie Romero told reporters during a Monday briefing. Specifically, she cited the need to shore up public health and early childhood programs, while also pointing out a proposed $4 million increase to address suicide prevention. Meanwhile, the $7.3 billion budget recommendation for the fiscal year that starts July 1 would not provide across-the-board salary increases for state employees and teachers, although some State Police officers could get raises under an already-approved plan. But it would also avoid any budget cuts, which looked likely in September when the governors administration directed state agencies to prepare for 5% spending reductions. However, the states revenue outlook has since improved due to federal relief measures and a rebound in oil and natural gas prices, making such reductions unnecessary at least for now. In all, New Mexico received more than $1.2 billion under the federal CARES Act, and in a November special session, lawmakers approved spending $330 million of that on expanded unemployment benefits, small-business grants and cash assistance for low-income state residents. A new COVID-19 relief package could also be passed during the opening days of the 60-day legislative session that starts Jan. 19 and could include expanding a tax break for low-income families and other measures, top-ranking Democratic lawmakers have said. Legislators will also have to pass a new balanced budget during the session, which will be conducted largely virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. Lujan Grisham described her budget plan as fiscally responsible but said it would maintain funding for necessary state programs and services. The pandemic and economic uncertainty may have disrupted our forward momentum in job creation, child well-being improvements, and various other policy emphasis areas, but we are ready to bounce back quickly and robustly, the Democratic governor said in a statement. This budget recommendation is our first step to position New Mexico to prosper in a post-pandemic world. No major differences As is typical, the governors budget recommendation was released with a 60-day legislative session fast approaching. A key legislative panel, the Legislative Finance Committee, is expected to unveil its own spending plan Tuesday, and lawmakers will then use the two competing plans as blueprints to come up with a new budget bill during the session. Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, who leads the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, said there are some differences between the governors budget plan and the LFCs plan mostly when it comes to Medicaid spending and state employee pay raises. But she said the Legislature could consider pay raises for some state workers or teachers as a compromise. I dont see any major, big-time differences between the two plans, Lundstrom told the Journal. She also said she was hopeful that New Mexico would receive more federal funds, which could then be used to cover some of Lujan Grishams funding recommendations. Sen. Steven Neville, R-Aztec, said that there was nothing glaring about Lujan Grishams spending plan, but that disagreements could surface during the session. The one-time spending in the governors budget plan would come primarily from drawing down New Mexicos cash reserves. But even after using roughly $600 million for such purposes, there would still be about $1.8 billion left in cash reserves or about 25% of total state spending. Other proposals In addition to broadband expansion and pandemic aid, Lujan Grishams budget plan also includes several other big one-time spending proposals. Among them are $25 million for a new state tourism campaign and $60 million to address a court ruling on impact aid, or federal funds for school districts with tribal land, military bases or other tax-exempt lands within their boundaries. In another education-related proposal, the Lujan Grisham administration has floated the idea of a new $80 million fund for school districts with the lowest-income students. That comes after a 2018 court ruling found New Mexico was not meeting its constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education to all students especially Native Americans, English-language learners and those from low-income families. The governors budget plan also calls for $20 million to be transferred from a new early childhood trust fund to expand the number of prekindergarten slots statewide and provide home visiting services to an additional 1,700 or so New Mexico families. But it does not include more money for road construction and repairs around New Mexico, although top aides said Monday that such funding could ultimately be included as part of an annual infrastructure bill. At 107 years old, Nancy Stewart has already made history as the oldest woman in Ireland still living in her own home. But now the native of Clonard, Co Meath, is on a mission to attend online masses in each of the 32 counties before moving on to other parishes outside of Ireland. She is well on her way, after attending virtual masses two or three times a day in 21 counties so far. News of her spiritual journey has already reached Rome, with an email from the Pontifical Irish College expressing its delight with her faith and inviting her to attend one of its own virtual masses in which she will be given a personal greeting when she tunes in. Maybe the next one will be with the Pope, her granddaughter Louise Coghlan, (37) told the Irish Independent. Louise, who is one of Nancys 84 grandchildren, and her granny came up with the idea after Louise moved in with her at the beginning of lockdown in March. Louise, who teaches IT and social media skills to senior citizens as part of the Third Aid Ireland initiative, said Nancy had become adept at using social media skills and took to Facebook during the lockdown to offer prayers to those in need. She discovered the joy of tuning in to live masses after Christmas and hasnt looked back. Shes never going to give it up, said Louise, adding their day begins with the question, Where shall we go today? They pick a parish among the 32 counties and log in to whatever online masses are on that day. Nancy averages about three masses a day. She cant believe all these different priests with their different sermons, said Louise. (Natural News) In the beginning of the pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fraudulent, high-cycle threshold PCR test kits that produced a high percentage of false positives up to 97 percent. As more false positives turned up, Americans were told that they could be perfectly well, yet be asymptomatic carriers who also transmit infections. This was an ELABORATE LIE, a mass deception that permeated the population with fear. The spiking number of cases was based on fraudulent covid-19 testing kits that were designed to show a high percentage of positives based on the high number of amplification cycles used. These tests could not decipher infectious virus material and were not designed to determine viral load. This is why inanimate objects tested positive. This is why thousands of deaths were mis-attributed as covid-19 fatalities. FDA coming clean about false positives, looks to fix test kits as vaccines roll out to make the pandemic turn to seasonal illness Suspiciously, the FDA, the World Health Organization, and Americas top infectious disease expert, Dr. Fauci, are suddenly admitting that the standard PCR test for covid-19 is rendering false results. Once the FDA strengthens the criteria for PCR tests, limits the number of Ct cycles, and specifies the diagnostic criteria, then the covid-19 case count will fall. This change will be conducted in accordance with the vaccine rollout, to make the vaccines appear effective. This is also being carried out as the Biden administration takes office. Joe Bidens leadership will appear miraculous for stopping covid-19, as labs suddenly report that peoples symptoms of illness are no longer covid-19. Once the test kits are corrected to show a higher negativity rate, hospitals will report lower cases and people will go back to having their regular colds, flu, RSV, and a host of respiratory infections that circulate every year. The data will support the narrative that shutdowns, masks, and vaccines are effective, as long as they are properly enforced by government officials. A New York State laboratory, the Wadworth Center, analyzed the results of its July tests and found 794 false positives that came from a test kit with a Ct of 40. These test kits have been nothing but medical fraud, carried out on a massive scale, to be used as a political weapon and means to control populations. A study from the Infectious Diseases Society of American found that tests with an amplification cycle of 25 were producing false positives about 70 percent of the time. At 35 cycles, 97 percent of the positives are determined non-clinical because the virus cannot be cultured and is non-infectious. These covid-19 cases are entirely fake. Even when viral RNA is detected in a nasal swab, this is not proof of disease transmission. Likewise, many of these asymptomatic cases are for people who have existing immunity from exposure to other coronaviruses. (Related: Drug company investors are working on way to turn pandemic into seasonal illness for vaccine profit.) Bidens authoritarian approach and the vaccines will appear efficacious after FDA fixes faulty test kits Throughout 2020, the CDC and the FDA refused to put out guidelines for a precise cycle threshold and diagnostic criteria to accurately diagnose covid-19. Health departments around the country did not collect data on the cycle threshold used in the various covid-19 test kits. This is the most important metric to determine if the covid-19 case is real or just a false positive. These institutions knew about the problems with the test kits for months, but opted to retain control over populations based on the lie that people were asymptomatic spreaders. At one point the CDC updated its guidelines to discourage testing for healthy asymptomatic individuals, but were later pressured to drop the guidelines and push for widespread testing. After the FDA fixes the test kits, case counts will dwindle in a deceptive way and the media will crown the Biden administration as the saviors. This deception will take place as the vaccines are rolled out to the general public. At this point, public health officials will declare unvaccinated individuals a public health risk. The unvaccinated will be blamed for trying to upend two years of collective efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Any remaining covid-19 cases will be blamed on the unvaccinated and they will be segregated from the workplace, airlines and public gatherings until they are coerced to get all the doses. This is all about to change as these institutions work together to diagnose covid-19 accurately, with a precise Ct. This will ultimately make the Biden administration appear victorious and big government will be worshiped. The mask mandates and the vaccines will appear efficacious and more propaganda will be used to coerce vaccination. All the medical fraud will be covered up in the wake of this grand deception. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com At the heart of Mr. Hawleys condemnation of our terrifyingly Pelagian world lies a dark conclusion about the achievements of modern, liberal, pluralistic societies. When he was still attorney general, William Barr articulated this conclusion in a speech at the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he blamed the growing ascendancy of secularism for amplifying virtually every measure of social pathology, and maintained that free government was only suitable and sustainable for a religious people. Christian nationalists acceptance of President Trumps spectacular turpitude these past four years was a good measure of just how dire they think our situation is. Even a corrupt sociopath was better, in their eyes, than the horrifying freedom that religious moderates and liberals, along with the many Americans who dont happen to be religious, offer the world. That this neo-medieval vision is incompatible with constitutional democracy is clear. But in case youre in doubt, consider where some of the most militant and coordinated support for Mr. Trumps postelection assault on the American constitutional system has come from. The Conservative Action Project, a group associated with the Council for National Policy, which serves as a networking organization for Americas religious and economic right-wing elite, made its position clear in a statement issued a week before the insurrection. It called for members of the Senate to contest the electoral votes from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states that were the focus of Republicans baseless allegations. Among the signatories was Cleta Mitchell, the lawyer who advised Mr. Trump and participated in the presidents call on Jan. 2 with Brad Raffensperger, Georgias secretary of state. Cosignatories to this disinformation exercise included Bob McEwen, the executive director of the Council for National Policy; Morton C. Blackwell of the Leadership Institute; Alfred S. Regnery, the former publisher; Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council; Thomas Fitton of Judicial Watch; and more than a dozen others. Although many of the foot soldiers in the assault on the Capitol appear to have been white males aligned with white supremacist movements, it would be a mistake to overlook the powerful role of the rhetoric of religious nationalism in their ranks. At a rally in Washington on Jan. 5, on the eve of Electoral College certification, the right-wing pastor Greg Locke said that God is raising an army of patriots. Another pastor, Brian Gibson, put it this way: The church of the Lord Jesus Christ started America, and added, Were going to take our nation back! In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection, a number of Christian nationalist leaders issued statements condemning violence on both sides. How very kind of them. But few if any appear willing to acknowledge the instrumental role they played in perpetuating the fraudulent allegations of a stolen election that were at the root of the insurrection. They seem, like Mr. Hawley, to live in a post-truth environment. And this gets to the core of the Hawley enigma. The brash young senator styles himself not just a deep thinker who ruminates about late-Roman-era heretics but also a man of the people, a champion of the great American middle, as he wrote in an article for The American Conservative, and a foe of the ruling elite. Mr. Hawley has even managed to turn a few progressive heads with his economic populism, including his attacks on tech monopolies. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 07:00:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LISBON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tested positive for COVID-19, said a statement posted on the official website of the Portuguese Presidency on Monday night. Rebelo de Sousa had "tested negative yesterday, and although today's antigen test is negative, it was now known, at 9:40 p.m., that the PCR test was positive," the statement said, referring to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The 72-year-old president, who is asymptomatic, has informed Portugal's parliament president, prime minister and minister of health, said the statement, adding that Rebelo de Sousa is working at the Belem Presidential Palace and will be in isolation at the residential area. He canceled the entire agenda for the next few days, the statement added. Enditem Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. Preity Zinta's said her family members, including mother and brother, had tested positive for Covid-19 last month but have recovered now. Actor Preity Zinta on Monday said it was a stressful time for her when her family members, including her mother, brother, his wife, kids and uncle, had tested positive for COVID-19 , three weeks ago. Zinta, who's currently in the US, took to Instagram and said now that they have recovered, she can finally sleep well. "Three weeks ago my Mom, brother, his wife, kids and my uncle all tested positive for COVID-19 . Suddenly terms like ventilators, ICU and oxygen machines took a new meaning. I felt helpless and powerless here in America, far away as he battled it out in the hospital," she wrote. The Kal Ho Na Ho actor said she was grateful to all the doctors and nurses who worked "tirelessly" to take care of them. Zinta asked her fans to not take COVID-19 lightly and warned the virus can become "dangerous overnight." "So please take care, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Today, after hearing that they have all tested negative I can finally fall asleep and stop stressing. Finally, the New Year feels like a Happy New year," she added. Zinta was last seen in 2018 action-comedy Bhaiaji Superhit, which marked her return to the screen after a seven-year hiatus. Osama Bin Laden's spin doctor was pictured today leaving a 1 million council house in north-west London after being granted early release from US prison because his obesity made him a Covid risk. Adel Abdel Bary, 60, was jailed for 22 years over the devastating 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people. But the terror propagandist won early 'mercy' release because his morbid obesity and asthma puts him at risk of Covid. He flew to London in December and has now been seen looking fit and walking unaided with no signs of any health issues. The father-of-six is thought to be living in Maida Vale with his wife Ragaa, 59, and was seen receiving flat-pack furniture and enjoying walks in the area. Today, he was seen leaving the million-pound property before climbing into a Mercedes. Taxpayers could fork out 400,000 a year to monitor Bary as is he freely walks the streets of Britain again - and sources say he is likely to claim welfare handouts. He flew to London in December and has now been seen looking fit and walking unaided with no signs of any health issues The father-of-six is thought to be living in Maida Vale with his wife Ragaa, 59, and was seen receiving flat-pack furniture and walking in the area Adel Abdul Bary after he appeared at Bow Street Magistrates court in July 1999. He returned to the United Kingdom last month after being freed from a New Jersey detention centre He acted as a spokesman for Osama Bin Laden in Europe and was a propagandist before his arrest and imprisonment Bary acted as a spokesman for Osama Bin Laden in Europe and both MI5 and counter-terror police need to monitor his movements 'for several years' at huge cost to the taxpayer. He looked the picture of health after being spotted in Maida Vale, despite his lawyers telling a US court his health gave an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason for 'compassionate' early release. Sources told the Sun that the Metropolitan Police is seeking a 'notification order' against him which would force him to disclose details of any bank accounts, mobile phones or travel plans. Sources also told The Sun he will almost certainly claim welfare from the state and be granted security monitoring for his safety, costing the taxpayer tens of thousands. However, he has hired human rights lawyers Birnberg Peirce and cannot be hit with tougher measures because he has served his sentence. A former military intelligence officer told The Mirror: 'They will want to know who he talks to, how does he communicate and what are his intentions. 'This may cost three or four-hundred-thousand a year. He may have to be monitored discreetly for several years.' He was born in Egypt but was granted asylum in Britain in 1991. David Cameron's government is reported to have struck a deal with Washington to accept Bary back into Britain upon his release to avoid a human rights breach. Bary would likely be tortured and killed if deported back to Egypt. His lawyer told The New York Times: 'After all this time all Mr Bary wants is to enjoy a quiet life with his family.' He looked the picture of health after being spotted in Maida Vale, despite his lawyers telling a US court his health gave an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason for 'compassionate' early release Bary, 60, was jailed over the devastating 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people. Pictured; firemen in action at the site of a huge bomb explosion that shook a bank building and US embassy in central Nairobi, Kenya, 07 August 1998 Then-US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright looks 18 August at damage from a bomb at the US embassy in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania where 10 people were killed and 72 injured on Augustr 7, 1998 Bary was arrested in the UK in 1999 and extradited to the US in 2012 where he struck a plea deal which ended with him being sentenced to 25 years behind bars. He was charged with 285 offences, but pleaded guilty to just a handful, including threatening to kill by means of explosive and conspiracy to murder US citizens abroad. The terrorist, who leased London offices in Kilburn Lane for bin Laden's propaganda activities, had 16 years taken off due to the time he had spent on remand. He is the father of ISIS jihadi Abdel-Majed Abdel, who was arrested in Spain after travelling to Syria where he posed with the severed head of an Assad regime soldier. Bary's lawyers had argued earlier this year that his morbid obesity was an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason to let him go. The judge agreed that he should be released on compassionate grounds because the coronavirus was a great risk to his health, given his obesity and asthma. Bary had been serving his sentence in the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado before being shipped over to the east coast and then onto London. He will not be placed under Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures because he has already served his sentence. After Bary was granted asylum he became the London cell leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad a terror group which merged with al-Qaeda. Following the August 1998 African embassy bombings, Bary was responsible for transmitting claims of responsibility to the media. In one of the court hearings leading to his sentence he wept before the judge after he admitted using fax machines and phone calls for the messages. He said: 'I arranged to transmit messages from media personnel to my co-conspirators, al-Zawahiri and Bin Laden.' At his 2015 sentencing, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan had initially expressed concern that the plea bargain arranged with prosecutors was too lenient. ADX Florence supermax prison where Adel Abdel Bary, 60, had been serving his sentence before being released to a holding facility on the east coast and then being moved onto London Handing down a sentence of 25 years, much of it hacked away already by time spent on remand, Judge Kaplan told Bary that he was the beneficiary of an 'enormously generous plea bargain.' Bary expressed remorse, telling the judge: 'If I could just do something to bring the victims back, your honor, I would have done it, but unfortunately I can't.' His 29-year-old son was captured by Spanish authorities in April this year after trying to sneak into the southern town of Almeria from north Africa. He was stripped of his British citizenship after fighting for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. More than 500 professors, doctors, and nurses will be in charge of providing medical assistance and monitoring the health of all delegates and staff members during the upcoming Party Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The Ministry of Health on Sunday organized a medical exercise to review preparedness for the 13th National Party Congress, which will be held in Hanoi from January 25 to February 2. The exercise included five key components, namely COVID-19 epidemic control and environmental sanitation, sampling and handling infected cases, food poisoning control and treatment, emergency treatment of patients, and emergency treatment of mass radioactive contamination. From left: Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and head of the organizing sub-committee of the 13th National Party Congress; Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam; and Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long are pictured at the exercise in Hanoi, January 10, 2021. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre Over 500 professors, doctors, and nurses will be in charge of providing medical assistance and monitoring the health of all delegates and staff members during the Congress, according to Luong Ngoc Khue, a senior official from the Ministry of Health. These health workers are from Huu Nghi Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi Heart Hospital, 108 Military Central Hospital, and National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. An emergency center with equipment for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), rapid-result COVID-19 testing, and ultrasound, among others will be set up at the location where the Congress takes place. Health workers operate a disinfection machine during an exercise to prepare for the National Party Congress in Hanoi, January 10, 2021. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre Samples of suspected COVID-19 patients will also be sent to the National Lung Hospital, and the results will be returned in 60 minutes. The location will be thoroughly disinfected one day before the Congress commences and every day during the Congress, said Tran Thi Nha Ha, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Health. The 13th National Party Congress will be different from those in the past as it takes place against the backdrop of the complicated COVID-19 pandemic, Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and head of the organizing sub-committee, said, adding that the healthcare sector, police force, and army have been preparing to ensure safety and success for the important event. An area for radioactive contamination treatment is set up during an exercise to prepare for the National Party Congress in Hanoi, January 10, 2021. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre An area for radioactive contamination treatment is set up during an exercise to prepare for the National Party Congress in Hanoi, January 10, 2021. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! LONDON German Chancellor Angela Merkel blasted Twitters decision to ban U.S. President Donald Trump. The right to freedom of opinion is of fundamental importance, Steffen Seibert, Merkels chief spokesman, told reporters in Berlin on Monday, according to Reuters. Given that, the chancellor considers it problematic that the presidents accounts have been permanently suspended. Seibert said that, while Twitter was right to flag Trumps inaccurate tweets about the 2020 U.S. election, banning his account altogether was a step too far. He added that governments, not private companies, should decide on any limitations to freedom of speech. Twitter was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. Leaders of Louisiana's public schools, colleges and universities are launching an ambitious program to remake high schools, end the "wasted" senior year and better prepare students for college or a career. The program, called "Fast Forward," would allow juniors and seniors to spend most of their time earning an associate degree taking classes at a community or technical college, a state-approved satellite campus or taking part in an apprenticeship. "We know that the entry point of work now is seldom the high school degree," state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said. "The entry point of work also requires a credential, an apprenticeship, an associate degree or a professional degree." Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed said the overhaul is nothing short of a bid to reimagine what a high school looks like. "We need it because we need to make sure that high schools are more relevant to today's students," Reed said. "It can be a real game changer." One of the driving forces behind the push is the tiny number of high school students who earn associate degrees while in high school 159 out of 42,650 graduates in the latest tally. High school graduation rate slips in Louisiana one year after hitting goal; see local rates One year after Louisiana's public high school graduation rate reached a milestone celebrated by state leaders, the rate has dropped, the state "It is not even a third of a percent," Brumley noted. Louisiana also has long had low numbers of students who take classes for both high school and college credit dual enrollment amid problems on how to finance them and make them accessible to students in rural areas. Panel set to back statewide expansion of dual enrollment, 'A game changer' A state task is expected to approve recommendations Wednesday aimed at launching a statewide system that eventually ensures all high school st Barely 1 in 5 high school juniors and seniors were pursuing college classes in high school in the most recent count. At the same time, only 40% of high school seniors take a full course load. Reed said the new options addresses the issue of the "wasted senior year." The plan would give students three options that would drastically change their third and fourth years of high school. One would allow students who pursue a career and technical education diploma called Jump Start to earn a technical associate degree on college campuses with courses that also earn them high school credits. Louisiana reinventing career and technical education; 'There is honor in all pathways' The rebirth of Louisiana's career and technical education system could become one of the state's biggest education success stories in recent years. Another option would let students who plan to attend a four-year university earn an associate degree that would allow them to start college as juniors. The third path would let students pursue an apprenticeship approved by the Louisiana Workforce Commission that would put them on the path to a substantive job after high school. The ninth and 10th grades would remain largely unchanged students taking core academic classes for meeting their high school diploma requirements. 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 plan has won approval from the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Regents. Last week the state Department of Education issued a request for applications to start the effort in eight regions across the state. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to regional secondary schools systems and higher education officials in each area to start mapping plans and prepare pilot projects. Education leaders hope students can start pursuing the new options in the next few years. Officials with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber have been involved in the planning. Liz Smith, vice-president for economic competitiveness for BRAC, said the overhaul carries the added benefit of making better use of community and technical colleges. "We just know that we really underutilize community colleges here in Louisiana," Smith said. "We underutilize them in a variety of ways and one of those ways is in dual enrollment." +2 Louisiana state panel recommends major expansion of high school classes for college credit While funding and other key hurdles remain, members of a state task force Monday said eligible Louisiana high school students should have acce Smith acknowledged that high school students can pursue associate degrees today. "What this does is it motivates people to actually do it," she said. "If this is going to make it so that more kids have easier access to the community college programs, to that dual-enrollment credit, it spurs adults to do the right thing for students." Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc., said the program can have an impact. "I think that the 'Fast Forward' program is recognizing what the students and businesses are demanding in today's world," Hecht said. "Students are demanding an education that will lead to a well-paying job and businesses are asking for students who have work-ready skills on day one. "By blurring the lines between a high school degree and an associate degree the 'Fast Forward' initiative should not only help students get a more valuable education quicker." "It should also help our two-year institutions more efficiently and fully utilize their resources," he said. Monty Sullivan, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, said the changes will expand access to high school courses that include college credit. "Dual enrollment has for far too long been perceived as for smart kids," Sullivan said. "What "Fast Forward" proposes is an opportunity for all kids to have access to post secondary education while they are in high school." About 160,000 students are enrolled annually in community and technical colleges. Roughly 8,000 are taking dual-enrollment courses. "The high school senior year has been almost an afterthought from an academic point of view," Sullivan said. "This gives students an opportunity to really engage in that senior year and make some progress." He added, "A high school diploma simply will not allow you to survive in this country. The new standard in this country is having some level of skills beyond high school." The U.S. removed the ban on American crude oil exports to countries other than Canada in 2015, unleashing a new force on the global oil market to be reckoned with. Soaring shale production over the past half-decade has not only helped America to reduce its reliance on foreign oil imports, but it has also created a new global player on the market, taking market share from the top exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia. The shale boomespecially in the years 2017-2019 when U.S. exports were no longer restrictedfrustrated the efforts of the OPEC+ coalition led by the Saudis and Russia to tighten the market and prop up oil prices. Every time the OPEC+ group succeeded in taking oil prices above $55-60 per barrel, U.S. producers ramped up drilling activity, taking advantage of the higher pricesand ultimately capping gains because of the rising supply out of America. OPEC and its key ally in the OPEC+ alliance, Russia, began to consider (albeit not publicly) the U.S. shale response to higher prices when setting production policies. The group has signaled with its policies over the past few years that despite the temptation to rake in more oil revenues with oil above $60, it is unwilling to sacrifice too much market share to U.S. shale by tightening supply too much and lifting oil prices to above the break-evens of the major U.S. shale basins. Some of the U.S. shale companies did drill themselves into oblivion, as Harold Hamm warned in 2017, after taking on too much debt to pump more and more crude. With prices crashing in 2020, bankruptcies soared, but the United States has already established itself as a key producer on the global oil market. Related: Oil Bulls Are Back It actually had become the worlds biggest crude oil producer in 2018, surpassing both Saudi Arabia and Russia, and has kept that status since then, even with the production decline due to the pandemic. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia and Russiabound by their OPEC+ cut pacthave been withholding production from the market for more than four years now. The U.S. shale boom and the lifting of the export ban resulted in growing U.S. crude oil exports, which averaged nearly 3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2019, EIA data shows. Since late 2019, average monthly U.S. crude oil exports have exceeded 3 million bpd in every month except May and June 2020. Rising exports helped to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign crude oil from the peak in 2005, and it also mitigated oil price surges when events in the Middle East spooked the global market. In a decade and a half, U.S. crude oil imports sank to 6.8 million bpd by 2019, about one-third less than 2005 volumes of more than 10.1 million bpd. The U.S. shale boom was one of the reasons why oil prices didnt soar to triple digits when more than half of the oil production of the worlds top oil exporter Saudi Arabia was knocked offline by attacks in September 2019. Rising U.S. oil exports have also kept oil from soaring for prolonged periods when the Trump Administration slapped sanctions on the oil exports of Iran in 2018 and Venezuela in 2019. The flow of U.S. oil since the bans end has kept global oil supply in balance even at times when politics have caused the loss of supply from Iran, Venezuela and Libya, Sandy Fielden, director of oil research at Morningstar, told Bloomberg. Going forward, U.S. crude oil exports have the chance to take additional market share from heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Russia in the worlds top oil importing market, China. But the Biden Administration could cap new drilling activity on federal lands and waters, limiting the sources of U.S. crude oil going to foreign markets. In November 2020, U.S. exports to China jumped thirteen-fold annually, to the third-largest on record, as Beijing stepped up crude purchases under the first phase of the U.S.-China trade deal. Yet, Bidens pledge to ban federal leasing on natural gas and oil development on public lands and waters could reverse the declining trend of U.S. crude oil imports, the American Petroleum Institute (API) says, warning that nearly 1 million jobs could be lost by 2022, while U.S. crude oil imports from foreign sources could increase by 2 million bpd by 2030. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Photo: (Photo : pexels.com) A Phoenix woman takes care of her five siblings after their mom died due to COVID. At 25 years old, Vanessa Perez is now in charge of taking care of her younger siblings. That was something she never thought she would need to do at this stage of her life. Her siblings, whose ages range from six to twenty-three, are now under her care. Their mom, Mayra Millan died a few weeks before Christmas. Her death was caused by complications due to COVID. ALSO READ: Texas Mom Who Just Gave Birth to Her First Girl Died Unexpectedly The mom of the six children Millan worked at a local grocery store and was considered an essential employee. As the Phoenix woman takes care of her five siblings, she also started to think about how her mom contracted the virus. She said that her mom possibly got infected while she was working at the local grocery store. When their mom continued to work during the coronavirus pandemic, they started to become very concerned. Since all of the six children lived in the same house in Phoenix as well. Perez said, "We were absolutely concerned because in our household she was the only essential worker and she was older." Mom contracted COVID According to reports, Millan started to have the symptoms of COVID around Thanksgiving. The eldest daughter says that her mom has no preexisting conditions that could have worsened her condition. Last December 1, mom's COVID symptoms become worse. She started to have fever, fatigue, difficulty in breathing, and headache. These symptoms raised some red flags to the family, so they decided to call an ambulance. Perez said that when the ambulance arrived, the paramedics discovered that the mom's oxygen levels were very low. The Phoenix woman added, "They took her to the hospital that day and we didn't hear from her anymore. ALSO READ: Married Teachers Die from COVID Together While Holding Children's Hands Mom remained hospitalized Since hospital restrictions did not allow visitors, the Phoenix woman takes care of her five siblings and called the hospital up to four times a day. She said, "I had a hard time understanding so I would ask a lot of questions and my aunt helped too." Their aunt worked in the medical field, that is why she was the one whom Vanessa and her siblings contacted for questions. During her stay at the hospital, the mom stayed sedated and on ventilation. Mom died due to COVID Millan was only 46 years old when she died last December 14. As the Phoenix woman takes care of her five siblings, it is also difficult for her to explain to her younger siblings, especially to their youngest, what happened to their mom. "I've tried to explain to her in simple terms that God took mom and we're going to see her again, but she doesn't really understand," she said. Vanessa is now trying to gain guardianship over her three young siblings. She does this while continuing with her full-time job in a high school. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (January 11, 2021) lambasted the Central government over its handling of the farmers' protests against the new farm laws at the Delhi borders and said that they don't believe that the Centre is dealing with the issue correctly. The bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde during a hearing on a clutch of petitions related to the protests said that the drawn-out confrontation was causing distress to farmers. The bench said, "We do not think the Centre is handling the issue correctly. We have to take some action today. We don't think you are being effective. If laws are put on hold then negotiations will have a chance to work out." It added, "We are extremely disappointed with the negotiation process. We don't want to make any stray observations on your negotiations but we are extremely disappointed with the process." Chief Justice Bobde repeated a suggestion that the Centre pause the legislation while farmers' concerns are heard and said the court would pass orders if the two sides remained at an impasse. Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta were representing the Centre. The top court asked the parties to suggest two-three names of former CJIs including former CJI R M Lodha who can head the apex court-appointed panel. CJI Bobde also told these lawyers to ask the protesting old men, women and children to go back home. The CJI told the lawyers of the farmers, "I am taking a risk and making a personal request. Please convey this message to them." Earlier on December 17, 2020, the Supreme Court had acknowledged the right of farmers to non-violent protests and suggested the idea of putting on hold the new farm laws to enable negotiations with agitating farmers. Thousands of farmers have camped at the Delhi borders since late November in 2020 and have been protesting against the three laws that were enacted in September - The Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. These laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. On the other hand, the agitating farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. Eight round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions to end agitation against the new farm laws have remained inconclusive and all eyes are now on the meeting on January 15. The last round of talks with the representatives of 41 farmers' unions was held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on January 8, which was attended by Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Railways, Commerce and Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash. Tomar had again reiterated that the farm laws have been made keeping in mind the benefits of farmers throughout the country and that the Centre is concerned about farmers and wants the agitation to end. The Agriculture Minister had also expressed that the farmers' unions have kept the agitation disciplined which was praiseworthy and said that the government is willing to continue discussions with an open mind. (With inputs from news agencies) Live TV Public school enrollment is down across the country. For example, enrollment dropped by 15,000 in Chicago public schools and more than 20,000 for the District of Columbia. The trend is particularly acute among pre-K and kindergarten students. In an NPR survey of 60 U.S. districts in 20 states, public kindergarten enrollment was down 16% on average. The Philadelphia School District saw enrollment drop by about 5,000 last fall, with 3,500 of those students being kindergarteners. READ MORE: Where are all the kindergartners? In a pandemic, some parents arent enrolling them in public school. Delaying childrens kindergarten entry is not new, but the pandemic has broadened its scope. And that has the potential to exacerbate already wide educational inequities. As a child and family policy researcher and a parent of two children under 7, I find the new trend concerning. Why enrollment dropped In a typical year, about 5% of kindergarten-age children are redshirted their entry to school delayed. The phrase originally referred to college athletes who were held back from competing on varsity teams. Parents might delay kindergarten until their children are more socially, emotionally, and physically mature. Research suggests that this extra year before entering school may improve childrens attention and self-regulation. But the academic benefits of redshirting seem to decline as children age into middle and high school. The reasons for kindergarten delay this past year, however, are unique to the pandemic. Many families have no in-person school option and may be understandably wary of the effectiveness of online learning, especially for younger children. Parents have long heard from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, and other groups about the harms of too much screen time, and so some may have opted to avoid it for their childrens schooling. And, virtual learning simply cant offer the interactions with toys, physical games, peers, and teachers that young children need to build foundational skills like compromise. Many parents are also incredibly stressed as they try to balance work and family demands now 10 months into the pandemic. Managing childrens Zoom schedules, organizing learning materials and overseeing at-home assignments add to an already overflowing plate. The problem is worse for parents who cannot work from home and are left with few child-care options. For families with in-person or hybrid schooling options, public health measures like masks and social distancing make kindergarten a less welcoming environment. And, of course, health concerns about catching the coronavirus have led more families to keep their children home. When schools return to in-person learning full time, teachers will have to teach to a wider range of skills and needs among their students. Impact on learning and equity In a typical year, boys, white children, and children from high-income families are most likely to be held back. However, this year school enrollment is down disproportionately among Latino and Black children. This compounds the inequitable access to in-person schooling. One survey found that half of Latino, Black, and single-parent families had fully remote schools, compared with a third of white families. Moreover, limited internet and device access also contributes to inequities in remote learning. What widespread delays in kindergarten enrollment mean for childrens learning depends on how they are spending their time when they are not in public school. Some children, especially those from high-income families, are attending private schools, which are more likely to offer in-person schooling. An increasing number of families are choosing to home-school. Access to early learning opportunities has become even more inequitable in the pandemic. But for some children, economic insecurity, material hardship, and increased stress at home can change family dynamics and lead to fewer opportunities for learning. These pressures are even higher for the families disproportionately those of color who face personal or family illness, unemployment, or smaller paychecks. A recent report by the Urban Institute found that in September 2020, four in 10 Latino and Black families reported food insecurity, compared with 15% of white families all historically high figures. Inequities in childrens kindergarten experiences compound inequities in early childhood experiences. Research consistently shows the benefits of early childhood education for childrens development. But access to early learning opportunities has become even more inequitable in the pandemic, according to a report from the Center for American Progress. These inequities exacerbate the already wide racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic achievement gaps. For example, recent evidence suggests that childrens progress in math is down, and more so among children in low-income communities. Many young children are not meeting the benchmarks for early literacy and numeracy skills, which puts them at risk for long-term academic problems. Impact on schools When schools eventually reopen full time, teachers will have to teach to a wider range of skills and needs among their students as a result of these widening achievement gaps. And, its likely that the kindergarten class of 2021-22 will be larger than normal, creating hassles around class sizes, space, and staff needs. For now, the lower enrollment hurts public school budgets. Schools typically receive public funds based on a per-child allotment that depends on child enrollment and attendance. With enrollment and state and local revenues down, spending on K-12 schools is estimated to decrease as much as 10% in the 2021 fiscal year. In the long term, public schools may face permanent decreases in enrollment as some families opt to remain in private school or keep home-schooling. READ MORE: Does redshirting actually benefit kids? Inside the big kindergarten readiness decision parents make. Decreased funds come at a time when schools costs are up. Schools have had to train teachers in virtual learning and expand health and safety measures, such as upgrading ventilation systems and hiring more staff for smaller classrooms. Public schools will need more financial relief to recover. The December 2020 COVID-19 relief package includes $54 billion for K-12 public education, although it might not be enough to fully repair the damage from the pandemic. ASK US: Do you have a question about the coronavirus and how it affects your health, work and life? Ask our reporters. Given the pressures on families, combined with hopeful news about vaccines, its not surprising that parents are choosing to wait until next year to send their children to school. While we wont know the full impact on childrens learning or school budgets for years, fewer children in kindergarten now is likely to have long-term, cascading consequences for everyone. Taryn Morrissey is associate professor of public administration and policy at American University School of Public Affairs. This piece first appeared in the Conversation, a nonprofit news source unlocking knowledge from academic experts. LONDON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- YourZooki is the first marine collagen supplement in the UK to use Liposomes, which have long been used in the pharmaceutical industry to increase absorption and effectiveness. The popular wellness brand launched their Liposomal collagen supplement online and sold out within hours. The family-run British brand has attracted a cult celebrity following including Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and Jungle Queen Georgia Toffolo. Multi-award-winning celebrity aesthetician Dr. Nina Bal also recommends YourZooki's Marine Collagen supplement "to every single one of my patients" and says it is a "groundbreaking collagen drink for whoever is looking to maintain or restore young-looking, hydrated skin and a healthy body." Collagen supplements, which have exploded in popularity over the last year, are taken for a variety of health reasons. Dr. Nina Bal says collagen "is a structural protein present in our body, not only in the skin but also in the nails and hair. It is an essential component in healthy and young-looking skin, which unfortunately depletes from the age of 25." The delicious Citrus Lime flavoured Collagen Zooki contains an impressive 5000mg of Marine Collagen per serving. Their science-backed absorption method uses the same Liposomal encapsulation technology that has long been used in the pharmaceutical industry in popular health supplements such as Vitamin C and the master-antioxidant Glutathione. Nutritional therapist Amanda Callenberg explains why the brand opted for "Marine" collagen, rather than the typical sources of cow and pig. "Marine collagen primarily contains type 1 collagen, the most prevalent type of collagen within the body, with a little type 3 collagen and a whole range of different amino acids. Marine collagen is also easier for the body to absorb compared to other sources such as bovine or porcine." Their success follows a global trend in increased spending on health and wellness products as consumers switch to spending more on looking after their health, with six in 10 pledging to take better care of their health and seven in 10 now taking vitamin supplements. Collagen Zooki is an advanced supplement that supports collagen formation from within, making it the ideal supplement for those living an active lifestyle and who endeavour to take better care of their skin, hair, nails, muscles and overall joint health. Each sachet contains 5000mg of Liposomal Hydrolysed Marine Collagen and 30mg of Vitamin C: Vitamin C: Helps to synthesise the formation of collagen in the body. It is dairy, gluten & soy-free, non-GMO, made with 100% natural ingredients, and free from alcohol Hydrolysed: The collagen is hydrolysed into smaller pieces to make it easier for our body to absorb Liposomal delivery: "Advantages of liposomal encapsulation include accelerated intestinal absorption, increased stability of the pharmaceutical, protection of the gut from potentially irritating agents, and greater bioavailability of the pharmaceutical" According to the European Food Standards Agency, collagen supports the normal function of the skin, cartilage, tendons, bones, teeth and gums, and also supports the maintenance of muscles. The Blackpool-based brand has proven popular in the UK and abroad being stocked in just a few premium stores, including Harrods, Selfridges and John Bell & Croyden, to now being stocked nationwide in Holland & Barrett, Boots and GNC in America. Collagen Zooki can be purchased for 22.99 online at www.yourzooki.com. Their product range also includes Omega 3 Zooki, Vitamin C Zooki and CBD oil. For more information visit: www.yourzooki.com PR contact: [email protected] Related Files Collagen Zooki.jpeg Related Links Liposomal Formulations in Clinical Use: An Updated Review SOURCE YourZooki Related Links http://www.yourzooki.com Indonesia's food and drug agency on Monday granted emergency use approval to a Covid-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech, making it the first country outside China to give the regulatory greenlight to the vaccine. The authorisation came after interim data from a late-stage human trial in Indonesia showed the vaccine was 65.3% effective, Penny K. Lukito, who heads the country's food and drugs regulator BPOM, said. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches "These results meet the requirements of the World Health Organisation of a minimum of efficacy of 50%," she said, noting trial results in Brazil and Turkey. A Brazil-based trial showed last week that Sinovac's vaccine candidate is 78% effective while Turkish researchers said in December the vaccine showed 91.25% efficacy based on interim analysis. Indonesia is struggling with the worst Covid-19 outbreak in Southeast Asia and authorities are relying on a vaccine to help alleviate dual health and economic crises ravaging the country. It has reported 836,718 Covid-19 infections and 24,343 deaths. Indonesia has received 3 million doses of Sinovac's vaccine, named CoronaVac, and is slated to receive some 122.5 million more that will come in bulks. 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. "Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. Cases of bird flu have been reported in 10 states across the country till Monday, government authorities have said. Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand joined Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat to confirm the outbreak. "ICAR- NIHSAD has confirmed the death of crows and migratory/wild birds in Tonk, Karauli, Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan and Valsad, Vadodara and Surat districts of Gujarat," said the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches "Further, the death of crows were confirmed in Kotdwar and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. Crows and ducks, respectively, were reported dead in New Delhi," the ministry added. The outbreak of Avian influenza has been among poultry in Parbhani district while it is confirmed from Mumbai, Thane, Dapoli, Beed in crows in Maharashtra. In Haryana, culling of infected birds is underway for the control and containment of the spread of the disease. A central team has visited Himachal Pradesh and will reach Panchkula on 11 January for carrying out monitoring the epicentre sites and conducting an epidemiological investigation. States have been requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation. States and UTs have been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc. along with proper disposal of the carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms. Moreover, maintaining adequate stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. Secretary DAHD requested State Animal Husbandry departments to ensure effective communication and coordination with Health authorities for close vigilance of the disease status and avoid any chances of jumping of the disease into humans. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Boot Is Coming Down Hard And Fast By Caitlin Johnstone January 10, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - A lot's been happening really fast. It's a white noise saturation day and it's impossible to keep track of everything going on, so I'm just going to post my thoughts on a few of the things that have happened. Biden has announced plans to roll out new domestic terrorism laws in the wake of the Capitol Hill riot. "Mr. Biden has said he plans to make a priority of passing a law against domestic terrorism, and he has been urged to create a White House post overseeing the fight against ideologically inspired violent extremists and increasing funding to combat them," Wall Street Journal reports. Did you know that Biden has often boasted about being the original author of the US Patriot Act? The first draft of the civil rights-eroding USA PATRIOT Act was magically introduced one week after the 9/11 attacks. Legislators later admitted that they hadnt even had time to read through the hundreds of pages of the history-shaping bill before passing it the next month, yet somehow its authors were able to gather all the necessary information and write the whole entire thing in a week. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter This was because most of the work had already been done. CNET reported the following back in 2008: Months before the Oklahoma City bombing took place, [then-Senator Joe] Biden introduced another bill called the Omnibus Counterterrorism Act of 1995. It previewed the 2001 Patriot Act by allowing secret evidence to be used in prosecutions, expanding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and wiretap laws, creating a new federal crime of terrorism that could be invoked based on political beliefs, permitting the U.S. military to be used in civilian law enforcement, and allowing permanent detention of non-U.S. citizens without judicial review. The Center for National Security Studies said the bill would erode constitutional and statutory due process protections and would authorize the Justice Department to pick and choose crimes to investigate and prosecute based on political beliefs and associations. Bidens bill was never put to a vote, but after 9/11 then-Attorney General John Ashcroft reportedly credited his bill with the foundations of the USA PATRIOT Act. Civil libertarians were opposed to it, Biden said in 2002 of his bill. Right after 1994, and you can ask the attorney general this, because I got a call when he introduced the Patriot Act. He said, Joe, Im introducing the act basically as you wrote it in 1994.' A recent Morning Joe appearance by CIA analyst-turned House Representative Elissa Slotkin eagerly informed us that the real battle against terrorism is now inside America's borders. "The post 9/11 era is over," Slotkin tweeted while sharing a clip of her appearance. "The single greatest national security threat right now is our internal division. The threat of domestic terrorism. The polarization that threatens our democracy. If we don't reconnect our two Americas, the threats will not have to come from the outside." "Before Congress, Elissa worked for the CIA and the Pentagon and helped destabilize the Middle East during the Bush and Obama admins," tweeted journalist Whitney Webb in response. "What she says here is essentially an open announcement that the US has moved from the 'War on [foreign] terror' to the 'War on domestic terror'." In response to pressures from all directions including its own staff, Twitter has followed Facebook's lead and removed Donald Trump's account. And it wasn't just Trump. Accounts are vanishing quickly, including some popular Trump supporter accounts. I myself have lost hundreds of followers on Twitter in the last few hours, and I've seen people saying they lost a lot more. It also wasn't just Trump supporters; leftist accounts are getting suspended too. The online left is hopefully learning that cheering for Twitter "banning fascists" irrationally assumes that (A) their purges are only banning fascists and (B) they are limiting their bans to your personal definition of fascists. There is no basis whatsoever for either of these assumptions. Google has ratcheted things up even further by removing Parler from its app store, and Apple will likely soon follow. This push to marginalize even the already fringey social media sites is making the libertarian/shitlib argument of "If you don't like censorship just go to another platform" look pretty ridiculous. This is all happening just in time for the Biden administration, about which critics had already been voicing grave concerns regarding the future of internet censorship. The censorship of a political faction at the hands of a few liberal Silicon Valley billionaires will do the exact opposite of eliminating right-wing paranoia and conspiracy theories, and everyone knows it. You're not trying to make things better, you're trying to make them worse. You're not trying to restore peace and order, you're trying to force a confrontation so your political enemies can be crushed. You're accelerationist. A Venn diagram of people who support the latest social media purges and people who secretly hope Trumpers freak out and attempt a violent uprising would look like the Japanese flag. The correct response to a huge section of the citizenry doubting an electoral system we've known for years is garbage would have been more transparency, not shoving the process through and silencing people who voice doubts and making that entire faction more paranoid and crazy. Supporting the censorship of online speech is to support the authority of monopolistic tech oligarchs to exert more and more global control over human communication. Regardless of your attitude toward whoever happens to be getting deplatformed today, supporting this is suicidal. Caitlin's articles are entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking her on Facebook, following her antics on Twitter, checking out her podcast, throwing some money into her hat on Patreon or Paypal, or buying her book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. https://caitlinjohnstone.com Myanmar: Tanintharyi govt proposes economic zone for fisheries January 11,2021 | Source: Myanmar Times The Tanintharyi Region Government has submitted a proposal to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) for the construction of an economic zone focusing on the fisheries industry, including a fish wholesale market, cold-storage facilities and jetties for trade at the Myanmar and Thai border, according to U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary at the Ministry of Commerce. Union-level discussions are taking place with Myeik Public Co, and the MIC is working on enabling the project to get off the ground as soon as possible, he said, adding that the project aims to create job opportunities for Myanmar migrant workers and generate greater longer term value for the local fisheries industry. In the meantime, the ministry will work on initiating river catfish exports at the Myanmar, China border, said U Khin Maung Lwin. Currently though, the Myanmar seafood industry is using alternative and more expensive routes for their exports to China as a result of COVID-19 transportation difficulties. Myanmar Eel Entrepreneurs Associations secretary U Tine Kyaw said that different provincial administrations in China have resulted in them having to use the Muse route for three months now, instead of the older Chin Shwe Haw route. The move to expand comes after a decline in Myanmars fishery product exports due to COVID-19. In fiscal 2019-20 the industry generated just US$860 million in exports compared to a forecast of more than US$1 billion. The government is now also making efforts to promote domestic consumption of local fisheries. At a recent video conference, government officials from the Ministry of Commerce Tanintharyi, Yangon, Ayeyarwady, and Mandalay regions discussed ways to promote fish consumption and restructure the distribution system, such as utilising refrigerated trucks to sell fish, prawns and cuttlefish locally. We have carried out similar plans in Tanintharyi and now officials are discussing adopting this system in upper Myanmar," said U Kyaw Kyaw Oo, chair of the Tanintharyi Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry. According to government forecasts, the local fish consumption rate can increase within two or three years if the ministries are successful in executing its plans, U Kyaw Kyaw Oo said. - At least three were killed and four others were wounded during a series of shootings in Chicago's South Side, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said in a news briefing at 1:50 p.m. (2:50 p.m. ET). The 32-year-old, identified by the police as Jason Nightengale, opened fire at random in the north of the city, shooting the first victim in the head at a South Side parking garage. The gunman was shot at by the Evanston police in a deadly exchange of fire. He was identified by Chicago police Superintendent David Brown. The perpetrator posted expletive-laced videos on Facebook from Friday night onwards, leading to the deadly assault. Investigators opened a probe into the shooting and were trying to determine a motive. Nightingales victims included a 30-year-old University of Chicago student from China named Yiran Fan, Anthony Faulkner, 20, and Aisha Nevell, 46, a security guard. Wounded were a 77-year-old woman, an 81-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl, one other woman who was shot in the neck and was found by suburban police, AP reported, citing Chicago Police Superintendent David Browns statement. The assaulters LinkedIn profile revealed that he worked odd jobs such as janitor, security guard, and forklift operator. Thanks to the bravery of @EvanstonPD police officers and with the support of @Chicago_Police officers, a violent criminal and his murderous rampage was stopped. #ChicagoPolice pic.twitter.com/ASHaGgwZf9 Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown (@ChiefDavidBrown) January 10, 2021 Read: Records Show Fervent Trump Fans Fueled US Capitol Takeover Read: US: Procession Honors Slain Officer Brian Sicknick Shot at officers In a video that he posted online, Nightingale can be heard saying that he heard saying, Im going to blow up the whole community, as he displayed wads of cash and alcohol in a vehicle. Facebook had disabled the mans page after several such videos popped up. The man opened multiple rounds of fire at common citizens such as a security guard at the entrance of the parking lot, a random woman checking her emails, and several other civilians that he met on the way during the shooting rampage. Nightingale shot at officers and at the marked squad car at least twice before he was gunned down. No officer was reported injured. The first round of gun fires was heard at around 1:50 p.m. in the 5000 block of South East End Avenue in the East Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side, according to AP sources on the ground. Brown told the local broadcasters that the information he shared at the news conference was preliminary and could change as the investigation is underway. [Chicago and Evanston police investigate a crime scene after a gunman went on a shooting spree before being killed by police during a shootout in Evanston, Ill. Credit: AP] [Police Superintendent David Brown. Credit: AP] [Chicago and Evanston police investigate a crime scene. Credit: AP] Read: 'Committed To Highest Level': Outgoing Envoy Ken Juster Hails 'broad & Rich' US-India Ties Read: Outgoing US Envoy Juster Backs India As Alternative Mfg Hub; Cites Difficulty With China (Image Credit: AP) A small minority of publicans in Laois are facing prosecution over Level 5 coronavirus restrictions according to Laois Gardai who have urged the public to contact them if they become aware of any types of breaches of the laws designed to halt the spread of Covid-19. Commenting on Level 5 compliance in general by publicans and the general public, Garda Superintendent John Lawless said co-operation has been very good but there have been exceptions. He said files are being prepared with a view to possible prosecution of some publicans. "There is good compliance in relation to the pubs with a very small number of exceptions. We are dealing with those via files to the Director of Public Prosecutions," said the Portlaoised based officer. Read also: GARDAI APPEAL TO VULNERABLE AND ISOLATED PEOPLE In relation to general compliance, he said it is early days and building sites only shut down on Friday, January 8. However, he is encouraged by how the public is responding to the new Level 5. "There is very good compliance to date," he said. He added that further assessment would be carried out from Monday, January 11 when the latest set of restrictions are fully in operation. He said there has been a noticeable reduction in traffic. "They are staying home and we expect traffic to further reduce," he said. The Superintendent said Gardai would be monitoring amenity areas such as the Slieve Bloom mountains. He called on the public to avoid those areas for their own sake and people who live in those areas. He said youths and teenagers gathering has not been a major problem to date mainly due to the weather. Nevertheless, he advised people to contact gardai if they are aware of this or any other breaches of the Level 5 restrictions. "We'll deal with it. Any breaches that people suspect we would ask them to contact us," he said. If you have concerns that people in your community are not complying with health guidelines or there are concerns about particular, the public is asked to please call their nearest Laois, Offaly, Kildare Garda Division stations. 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. Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - On the occasion of the celebration of the National Day of Traditional Religions, the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, on Sunday praised endogenous religions 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 Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French peer Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation during which they discussed the upcoming trilateral meeting of world leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Kremlin said. Macron reportedly expressed support for Russia's efforts to end the conflict the region claimed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, Xinhua news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying. According to another statement published by the Kremlin also on Sunday, during the trilateral meeting, special attention will be paid to providing assistance to residents affected by the hostilities as well as to resuming and developing trade and economic relations. Putin will also hold separate talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday, it added. They plan to review the implementation of the November 9, 2020, statement of the three leaders on Nagorno-Karabakh and discuss steps to resolve the regional issues, according to the Kremlin press service. World Economic Forum: Ambani, Mahindra, Gadkari, Irani to participate Brazilian president writes to PM Modi urging for 20 lakh doses of corona vaccine Pence to attend Biden's inauguration on Jan 20 Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. India's domestic traffic declined around 45 per cent to about 71 lakh passengers in December last year over December 2019 even as passenger traffic was up 12 per cent sequentially over November 2020, ratings agency said in a release. The capacity deployment in December 2020 at around 67 per cent (vis-a-vis December 2019) is a significant increase over the 52 per cent capacity deployed in October 2020 and 59 per cent in November, said in a release. The Indian aviation industry has witnessed a continued recovery in domestic passenger traffic in December 2020, with a sequential growth (over November 2020) of around 12 per cent to about 71 lakh passengers, the ratings agency said. The number of flights departing has also gradually increased from 416 from the resumption of domestic operations on May 25, 2020 to 2,230 on Day 219 (December 28, 2020), Kinjal Shah, Vice President, said. For December 2020, the average daily departures were nearly 2,048, significantly lower than the average daily departures of 3,062 in December 2019, though better than some 1,806 in November last year, she added. "The average number of passengers per flight during December last year was 112, against an average of 137 passengers per flight in December 2019. Thus, it is expected that the domestic aviation industry operated at a passenger load factor (PLF) of around 72 per cent in December 2020, against 87.9 per cent in December 2019, that too on a low capacity," Shah said. The PLF for December was lower than the 75 per cent in November due to the increase in capacity deployment by 17 per cent, she said, adding "overall, from May 25, 2020 till December 31, 2020, domestic passenger traffic has been pegged at around 29.9 million." After resuming operations in a phased manner with restricted capacity in May, the Civil Aviation Ministry further expanded it to 80 per cent from December 3, 2020. The international passenger traffic, which is being carried out under various arrangements, has been around 17.7 lakh for the period May 7, 2020 to December 31, 2020, Icra said. For December 2020, international passenger traffic for Indian carriers was recorded at around 3.1 lakh, a year-on-year decline of about 87 per cent, the ratings agency said in the release. (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.) Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba believes that a window of opportunity for talks with Russia on resolving the conflict in Donbas is not closed despite a current pause. "If there is a thing that we should learn from the experience of holding negotiations with Russia on Donbas, it is the fact that Russia always waits for optimal circumstances to resolve the situation on its terms. In the short term, they may be fine with the current situation, but I believe that a window of opportunity for negotiations with Russia is not closed. If they see that circumstances have changed, they can easily return to constructive talks," Kuleba said in an interview with the Obozrevatel online media outlet. According to him, the US presidential election was one of the reasons for the Kremlin's pause on the Donbas track. "They wanted to see which administration they would bargain with," the foreign minister said. Commenting on the achievements in Donbas conflict settlement over the past year, the diplomat noted that the progress on the Donbas track reminds him of the Schrodinger's cat paradox: "It is both present and absent." In this context, Kuleba said that the longest truce in Donbas since the beginning of the Russian aggression is really observed now and Ukraine has fulfilled all agreements reached at the Paris summit. At the same time, he stressed, Russia "has done everything to fulfil nothing", in particular, by simply paying lip service to opening of checkpoints on the contact line in Shchastia and Zolote, not agreeing on new areas for mutual disengagement of forces and equipment. In addition, the negotiations in the Trilateral Contact Group and at the level of advisers in the Normandy format are becoming increasingly difficult. "My attempts and that of my German colleague to hold another round of talks at the level of foreign ministers were unsuccessful. Therefore, on the one hand, there is progress on Donbas and, on the other hand, there is no progress," the minister said. ol UP govt to establish IT parks in all divisions Lucknow, Jan 10 (UNI) As the current era of information and communication technology (ICT) gains significance in different walks of life, especially in industries and business sectors, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to establish IT and Software Technology parks across the state, a senior government official said here on Sunday. According to Additional Chief Secretary of IT and Electronics Alok Kumar, under the state's IT and Startup policy of 2017, the state government will set up IT parks in all divisions of the state, in collaboration with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), a Government of India entity. The name of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister was missing from a new list of the ruling Workers' Party's executive committee, according to state media on Monday, raising questions about her status after several years of increasing influence. The party held elections on Sunday for its Central Committee at a congress, which maps out diplomatic, military and economic policy goals over the next five years. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, remained a member of the Central Committee but was not included in its politburo, lists released by the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, showed. UN-POPULAR: Kim Yo Yong (pictured), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister was missing from a list of the ruling Workers' Party's politburo, raising questions about her status after several years of increasing influence In 2017, Kim became only the second woman in patriarchal North Korea to join the exclusive politburo after her aunt Kim Kyong Hui. South Korea's intelligence agency said in August she was her brother's 'de facto second-in-command'. But the signals were mixed for observers of the reclusive regime. Her absence from the politburo list comes days after she took the leadership podium for the first time alongside 38 party executives as the congress began. 'It is too early to draw any conclusion about her status, as she is still a Central Committee member and there's a possibility that she has taken up other important posts,' said Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University in Seoul. In 2017, Kim became only the second woman in patriarchal North Korea to join the exclusive politburo after her aunt Kim Kyong Hui. South Korea's intelligence agency said in August she was her brother's 'de facto second-in-command'. Pictured: Kim Yo-jong (left) speaking to South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) in 2018 Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert at the U.S.-based Stimson Center, said Kim Yo Jong enjoyed the highest degree of influence on policy regardless of whether she was in the politburo or not. 'We have become accustomed to seeing her in a more public role, but Kim Yo Jong's political roots and her formative career experience are behind the scenes, not sitting on a platform listening to speeches,' he said. Leader Kim Jong Un cemented his power at the congress with his election as 'general secretary' of the ruling Workers' Party, a post held by his late father, Kim Jong Il and grandfather. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends the ruling party congress in Pyongyang, North Korean, Saturday A general view of attendees at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea The appointment is largely symbolic, apparently aimed at bolstering his authority amid growing economic challenges at home. The party's ongoing congress, the first in kind in five years, announced Kim's new title during its sixth-day session on Sunday. A congress statement said Kim 'has gloriously realized the historic mission to complete the country's nuclear build-up plan,' according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). They added that Congress 'fully approved' a proposal to promote Kim to the position, which it called 'the top brain of the revolution' and 'the centre of the leadership and the unity'. The party's ongoing congress, the first in kind in five years, announced Kim's new title during its sixth-day session on Sunday North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea It's largely seen as a symbolic move as Kim has already been the party's top leader. During a 2016 party congress, he was named to 'party chairman,' largely the equivalent of 'general secretary' held by his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather 'Kim Il Sung.' Before the 2016 congress, Kim had led the party with the title of 'first secretary.' Since taking power in late 2011, Kim has taken up a slew of top posts and established the similar absolute power enjoyed by his predecessors. The two late North Korean leaders have kept posthumous titles - Kim Jong Il remains 'eternal general secretary' and Kim Il Sung is 'eternal president.' 'Kim's takeover shows his confidence, that he has now officially joined the ranks of his father and grandfather,' said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. 'It also indicates his strategic intention to centralise the party system around him and reinforce his one-man rule.' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea On Sunday, state media said the congress had determined to change the party's 'Executive Policy Council into Secretariat.' The decision would lead to party officials to relinquish the current titles such as chairman and vice chairman and start using old titles such as secretary or vice secretary. The reforms to leadership announced over the weekend may seem cosmetic to outside observers but appear aimed at allowing Kim to move away from having to personally manage day to day business and instead exert a more deliberative function, Madden said. 'North Korea currently functions as a tribe and Kim Jong Un wants it to function like a monarchy,' he said. Attendees take part in the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 11 One figure who appeared to be rising quickly was Jo Yong Won, newly named to the politburo's five-strong presidium and the party's formidable Central Military Commission. Choe Son Hui, a vice foreign minister who was instrumental in preparing for a second, failed summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019, was demoted. South Korean President Moon Jae-in pledged efforts to help engineer a breakthrough in stalled denuclearisation talks as U.S. President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea The congress is being held as Kim faces what appears to be the toughest moment of his nine-year rule because of multiple blows to his country's already-fragile economy caused by pandemic-related border closings that have drastically reduced external trade, a series of natural disasters and U.S.-led sanctions. Kim has said he would expand diplomacy but vowed on Friday to develop weapons including 'multi-warhead' intercontinental ballistic missiles, calling the United States 'our biggest enemy'. He said he would build the more sophisticated weapons systems to cope with what he calls intensifying U.S. hostile policy. Kim's call for more advanced weapons suggested that if he was open to a deal, it would likely be an arms control agreement rather than full denuclearisation, said Tae Yong-ho, a former North Korean diplomat who defected and is now a member of South Korea's parliament. 'He wants to send a very strong message to the incoming Biden administration,' Tae said. Kim also admitted a previous five-year economic development plan failed and disclosed a new development that focuses on building a stronger self-reliant economy. Kathmandu, January 11 The Dahal-Nepal faction of the Nepal Communist Party has urged the Election Commission to stop the ongoing preparations for the House of Representatives elections. Citing the governments decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and hold the elections in April-May is currently sub-judice at the Supreme Court, the faction says the constitutional body should not make any haste in preparing for the polls as it could affect the court decision. A group of NCP leaders including the faction chairs Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal went to the commission on Monday and told the commission officials to stop the process, informs a member of the delegation, Ram Narayan Bidari. In response, the officials said no poll preparations had started except the preliminary tasks for deciding poll centres. Meanwhile, the leaders reiterated that they were the legitimate faction of the party. Pence figured he could pull it off, as so many other power-hungry political conservatives have done in this country. But none of those other faith-based politicians had hitched their wagon of Christian beliefs to a hellbent renegade like Trump, who instantly made Pence a mockery in our state. At least to anyone who saw through his sermonized charade as a patriotic statesman. KENTWOOD, MI A man accused of strangling his pregnant wife, a Kentwood teacher, was ordered held Monday, Jan. 11, on $2 million bond. Richard Guichelaar, 35, of Kentwood is charged with open murder in the Nov. 16 killing of Amber Guichelaar, 32. She was the mother of two young children. Guichelaar was arraigned by Kentwood District Judge Amanda Sterkenburg. Kentwood police arrested the husband on Saturday, Jan. 9, after Kent County prosecutors authorized the charge. The husband had called 911 around 3:30 a.m. Nov. 16 to report that he had found his wife dead on the couples bed. Police considered the death suspicious before a medical examiner, in an autopsy, discovered injuries consistent with an assault which occurred just prior to her death, Kentwood police Detective Timothy Dykgraff wrote in a probable-cause affidavit. He said the medical examiner determined she died of strangulation/asphyxiation. Police determined that Richard Guichelaar was the only one in the home at the time capable of causing such injuries, the affidavit said. Court records showed that Amber Guichelaar had talked to her sister via Facetime around 8:30 p.m. the previous evening. Statements given by Richard do not fully explain the circumstances which resulted in Ambers death, the detective wrote. Attorney Charles Chip Chamberlain Jr. said he recognized the seriousness of the allegations but asked that bond be set for his client. He noted that Guichelaar is a life-long resident of West Michigan with a supportive family behind him. In the virtual hearing aired on YouTube, Guichelaar who works full-time for a landscaping and snowplowing business - said he was not a flight risk. Just know that I will show up for everything Im supposed to and Im not a risk, your honor, he said. In a statement, Kentwood Public Schools said: This has been a difficult time for the Kentwood family, the students, staff, and ultimately the involved families. In trauma situations, the district and building leadership continue to provide ongoing support to students and staff as they grieve this loss. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family as they cope with this tragedy. Read more: West Michigan husband accused in strangulation death of pregnant wife, a teacher Retiring judge remembered for fairness, getting Michigans driver responsibility fees abolished Drones, K9s, horses used in search for missing person near Northern Michigan lake 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. 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. Laura Fandl, a Special Education teacher in the Chicago area who has worked in education for ten years, has completed her new book Urban Wind Turbine: a gripping and potent novel about a mission to seek the truths hidden across time. Laura writes, As northwestern anthropologist professor Wyatt Ellis attempts to be a dutiful husband taking the garbage out, he finds himself in a different time, the future, only to be met by a woman who claims to be his wife. Wyatt realizes that he is actually the leader of a political think tank gathering intel about humanity. The professor is left to navigate this new normal, traveling with his team of time travelers to seek out the age-old secret of how to prevent inhumane moments in time. Published by Page Publishing, Laura Fandls captivating tale is a great read for young and old readers alike as it takes them into the future to witness a world that is strange and extraordinary where our protagonist is presented a quest to fulfill. Readers who wish to experience this riveting work can purchase Urban Wind Turbine at bookstores everywhere or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has come under verbal attack from some Muslim groups for his Christmas message deemed controversial. In the message titled: A Nation in search of vindication, the clergyman highlighted some challenges facing the country and how the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has not lived up to expectations. Against the backdrop of our endless woes, ours has become a nation wrapped in desolation. The prospects of a failed state stare us in the face: endless bloodletting, a collapsing economy, social anomie, domestic and community violence, kidnappings, armed robberies etc. Ours has become a house of horror with fear stalking our homes, highways, cities, hamlets and entire communities. The middle grounds of optimism have continued to shift and many genuinely ask, what have we done to the gods? Does Nigeria have a future? Where can we find hope? Like the Psalmist, we ask; from where shall come our help? (Ps.121:1), he said in part. He again accused Mr Buhari of nepotism and institutionalising northern hegemony against national interests. President Buhari deliberately sacrificed the dreams of those who voted for him to what seemed like a programme to stratify and institutionalise northern hegemony by reducing others in public life to second class status. He has pursued this self-defeating and alienating policy at the expense of greater national cohesion. Every honest Nigerian knows that there is no way any non-Northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and gotten away with it. Mr Kukahs message has been met with criticisms from Mr Buharis supporters. Critics However, in a January 6 statement issued by its Secretary General, Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, Jamaatu Nasril Islam, a Muslim group, described Mr Kukahs message as irresponsible and seditious. The group said, although the message is disguised as a political hogwash to deceive the innocent, there is no doubt that it was a poisoned arrow fired at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, hence the need for this intervention. The Bishop statement was a prepared address considering the occasion and the audience, one cannot but agree that it was a calculated attempt to insult Islam which is typical of him. His veiled insinuation that Muslims have a pool of violence to draw from, is disgusting, disheartening, as well as condemnable. It said despite the status of Sokoto to the Muslims and Islamic history, Mr Kukah was warmly welcomed, accepted, accommodated and accorded respect deserving of his position as a religious leader. Across the length and breadth of the Northern Nigeria, Kukah has friends and associates among the Muslim society. Without fear of any contradiction, he is most accepted and accommodated Christian clergy to the leaders of the Muslims in the north. They accorded him all the support he needed, despite some reservations from some quarters about his tendencies to bite the fingers that feed him, the group said. Inspite of the liberality, congeniality and the camaraderie extended to Bishop Kukah in Sokoto and all over the Muslim north, he throws all sense of decorum and common sense to the wind and fired invective salvos on the Muslims and Islam without any justification. By this and his several similar inane attacks against Islam and the Muslims, the Bishop has lost the friendship and the hospitality of the entire Muslim populace. How can the Muslims ever trust a man who smiles at their faces in the day and holds a dagger against them in the night? How can the Muslims continue to be hospitable to the one who proves to be ingrate many times over? How can the Muslims be comfortable in associating with a bitterly vindictive person disguised in the garb of religious clergy? Similarly, the Ummah Movement with its headquarters at the National Islamic Centre (NIC), Zaria, expressed shock and disappointment over Mr Kukahs message. It said Mr Kukah should have since resigned from the Abdulsalam Abubakar led National Peace Committee (NPC). The movements position was contained in a statement signed by its leader, Muhammad Muhammad. The statement was released on Sunday. The group said it had earlier restrained from commenting on Mr Kukahs sermon with the hope that he will offer genuine apology. Unfortunately, the only response from him proved his peevishness on deciding to be on the wrong side of history. The NIC therefore, is left with no option than to call for the immediate resignation of the Bishop from the Peace Committee, in view of his blatant anti-Muslim partisanship as displayed in his treasonable Christmas message. Bishop Kukah has lost whatever remains of respect from the generality of Muslims as observed by the Jamaatu Nasril Islam in its reaction and he has therefore become a liability to the NPC. ADVERTISEMENT The group said Mr Kukah should be replaced with someone more objective, accommodative and level headed. Indeed we call on the National security agencies to question Bishop Kukah on his incitement to a coup, persistent and deliberate stirring of communal conflict and slanderous targeting of the majority Muslim population of Nigeria along with their faith. The group blamed Mr Kukah for Nigeria featuring on the U.S. blacklist for religious intolerance. His misleading portrayal, along with other short sighted Christian leaders, of their flock as oppressed provided the false data used by the United States State Department to blacklist Nigerian over its religious intolerance (whatever that means, it sounds ominous). It is most unfortunate and unpatriotic that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) promotes this fake data. We condemn in totality this labelling by the USA and some UK Parliamentarians and reject it outright. Mr Kukah has denied attacking the Presidency or any religion in a previous report. I have no iota of grudge with President Muhammadu Buhari, but what I strictly and categorically said was that using religion as a tool for playing politics is unacceptable and would not be accepted, Mr Kukah said. Human rights organizations in Ukraine have issued a statement calling on international organizations and democracies to condemn Russia's actions in persecuting Ukrainians in Crimea and calling for tougher sanctions to be imposed against the occupying state, according to the website of the ZMINA human rights organization. "We call on international organizations and governments of democracies to condemn Russia's actions, increase sanctions pressure and facilitate the work of independent monitoring missions in Crimea," the statement reads. The document also calls on the Ukrainian authorities to "develop and approve comprehensive legislation in support of Ukrainian political prisoners." "We call on the Ukrainian authorities to investigate the persecution of Ukrainians in Crimea, to develop and approve comprehensive legislation in support of Ukrainian political prisoners, and to bring Ukrainian laws into line with international law by establishing liability for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the occupied Ukrainian territories," the authors of the statement wrote. According to ZMINA, more than 100 Ukrainian political prisoners are currently held in prisons in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. More than 70 of them are Crimean Tatar Muslims who are being prosecuted on blatantly fabricated charges of terrorism and extremism. About 200 young children were left without their parents. The statement was signed by the ZMINA Human Rights Center, the Association of Relatives of the Kremlin Political Prisoners, the Center for Civil Liberties, Crimea-SOS, the Crimean Human Rights Group, the Media Initiative for Human Rights, the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, and the Regional Center for Human Rights. op Are Bridgerton stars Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor dating? After the success of the Netflix show, and their apparent chemistry on it, people cannot help but believe they must also be dating in real life. The "Simon Basset" actor comes clean about these romance rumors. Rege-Jean Page, 31 and Phoebe Dynevor, 25 have almost overnight, became household names because of how largely successful the Netflix original "Bridgerton" is. But people's interest has transcended from the show to the dating status of the two hot protagonists. Their onscreen chemistry is so palpable that some fans believe they must be a couple in real life, more so of how intimate their scenes were in the hit Netflix series. During an interview with Access Hollywood, Rege finally addressed these ongoing rumors since Christmas. According to him, they are indeed, quite close, even offscreen, but they are not dating at all. He said the showrunners are the ones to thank for why their chemistry on the show is good. "I think that everything you need to know is on camera. All the sparks that flew came off the beautiful scripts we were handed," he said (via Daily Mail UK). "So I think that the sparky words, scripts and material are more than enough," he added. Some fans are undoubtedly going to be disappointed with this answer, but given how long the two reportedly are going to be together if the next seasons of Bridgerton push through, then the chance of them developing a romantic relationship might not be that impossible. According to the Sun UK, "Bridgerton's" showrunner, Chris Van Dusen has hinted the show will run for a whopping eight seasons after going beyond expectations and breaking Netflix's Christmas records. Given how the book that it is based on, "Bridgerton" series by Julia Quinn also has 8 installments, then the number of seasons that it could have is not even that surprising. Earlier, it was already reported that the period drama had been streamed by 63 million households since it arrived on Netflix on December 25, or Christmas Day. It's a gold gem and the lead stars, Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor are absolute treasures. In a much-earlier interview with Good Morning America (as reported by LA Times), Page revelaed how easy it is for him and Phoebe to have onscreen chemistry. He claimed Phoebe should certainly take credit for it. "Chemistry is probably the easiest part because Phoebe is lovely," Page said of his costar. "And we were working with such wonderful material. The characters already existed. These are bestselling books - people love them - and they have great chemistry in the books. All we had to do was channel through this amazing chemistry that already existed," he added. READ MORE: P. Diddy House Bulgarized, After Helping Miami Families Pay Rent During COVID-19 See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Showtimes long-running series, Shameless, set in Southside Chicago, is now airing season 11. Fans are heartbroken that the drama is coming to an end, but some still wonder if the show is filmed in Chicagos Southside. Where is the Gallagher family home, and does it cost anything for fans to visit Frank Gallaghers stomping grounds? Shameless star William H. Macy | Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Shameless: The Gallaghers house is a real home in Southside Chicago In Shameless, the family home is a run-down house in Canaryville a neighborhood in Southside Chicago, Illinois. However, in real life, it is the Bell familys home in the 2100 block of South Homan Avenue in Chicagos North Lawndale neighborhood. Inside, it looks very different than on the show. Its funny. You look at your house on TV, and its weird, Vivian Bell told DNAinfo. The stay-at-home grandmother has lived in the Gallagher home for 40 years. However, she describes her home as much tidier than the one on TV. While the area has deep Irish-Catholic roots and a working-class, it does not have L trains running through the neighborhood as shown on TV. The Shameless cast travels to Chicago a few times each year to film According to Chicago Film Office director Richard Moskal, the production visits Chicago two or three times each year. They stay for about one week for each shoot. However, the majority of the show is filmed in the Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank, California. Only the exterior scenes of the series are filmed in Chicago. For example, a stuntman jumped out of a slow-moving bus in the South Chicago community for season 10. They also film outside the places that represent Liam Gallaghers school and the Gallagher home. Generally, any outdoor scene was probably filmed in Chicago. RELATED: Goodbye Fiona Gallagher: Why Shameless Season 10 Is Better off Without Her However, all indoor scenes are filmed on set in Burbank. Emma Kenney, who portrays Debbie Gallagher, gave a tour of the Shameless set in 2016. She gave a sneak peek inside the house set and the inside of the Alibi as well. Fans can visit the Gallagher home to take pictures The homeowners invite Shameless fans to take pictures in front of the gate and even on the Southside Chicago home porch at 2119 South Homan Ave., Chicago. The Shameless house even has a foursquare location to tag photos on social media. According to Distractify, the owner has a note out front inviting fans to take pictures. RELATED: Shameless Season 10: Will the Gallavich Love Story of Ian and Mickey Survive Prison? Shameless fans, you are welcome to come inside the gate and take pictures on the porch, a sign reads. Donations in the bucket are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. A quick check of the location on Instagram shows daily tags and pictures of fans posing in front of the home, pretending to be a Gallagher. Although Shameless is coming to an end, it looks like the homeowners might offer this perk to fans for years to come. Shameless airs Sundays on Showtime at 9 p.m. EST. Tumult over turmeric no cause for fungus alarm View(s): Turmeric cultivators in Ampara harvesting their produce after nine long months of toil announced last week to the astonishment of consumers that their crops are infested with fungus. The announcement came with the whole country agog for the prized spice, with imports being banned from December 2019. The Department of Agriculture Export has, however, announced that disaster is not imminent and that the fungus has caused only mild damage. Director Dr. A.P. Heenkanda said the loss to the country would be minimal, just 2-3 per cent, and that still it is possible to get the expected yield from cultivated crops. The poor harvest in Ampara has been attributed to a lack of water and fertiliser. Crops cultivated in other areas of the country, including Kegalle and Gampaha, remain lush and would yield the anticipated quantities, the department said. In two to three weeks they can harvest the crop, Dr. Heenkanda said. The departments research team visited the Ampara area last March and advised farmers on the use of fungicide and soil preparation, and fertiliser for a better yield. Around 25,000 metric tonnes will be harvested this year, of which 4,000 metric tonnes will be retained as seedstock and distributed to farmers. The balance, when cured and processed, will yield around 3,500 metric tonnes, which is sufficient to cover half the countrys requirement. Sri Lanka needs 5,000 metric tonnes for a year. The department plans to sell the seeds at a discounted rate of Rs.180-200 a kilo to paddy farmers to plant turmeric as a rotating crop. Meanwhile, the smuggling of turmeric continues despite a strict watch being kept at ports and along the coastal belt. Last week, the Sri Lanka Navy apprehended a dhow in the waters off Kuthiramalai in Puttalam and confiscated 1,680kg of turmeric and 150kg of cardamom. The goods were handed over to Customs at Katunayake, the navy said. Navy spokesman, Captain Indika de Silva, said the navy had apprehended 50 metric tonnes last year. We hand over the smuggled goods to the police or to the Customs as the case may be, he said. The Customs office said it had 15 metric tonnes of forfeited turmeric in storage. Police Superintendent N.P. Ratnayake said to date, from last August, 25 incidents of smuggling had been confounded but added that just two cases had been investigated and finalised. Difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic had caused delays, police said. Around 30 suspects have been apprehended, with most granted bail. Officers are unable to move around to different parts of the country and hold inquiries due to the situation in the country, Superintendent N.P. Ratnayake said. (CC) Friday was my friend Eric Dreibands last day as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Eric will take the rest of the month off and then return to private practice. Eric accomplished a lot in his two years and two months in charge of the Civil Rights Division. Some of the Divisions accomplishments under Erics leadership are set forth in this DOJ announcement. Eric defended the Trump administrations record on civil rights in this Washington Examiner op-ed. Eric would have accomplished even more if the Republican Senate hadnt waited a year-and-a-half to confirm him. Its shocking that Chuck Schumer and his gang were allowed to hold up Erics confirmation for that long. Even so, the Civil Right Divisions record under Eric is outstanding. Among its signature achievements are these: It vigorously prosecuted hate crimes, including for the mass-murders at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; at an El Paso, Texas Walmart where 23 innocent people were killed; and in Charlottesville, Virginia where a white supremacist drove a car into a crowd of protesters. In 2020, it filed more sexual harassment cases against landlords than in any previous year. In 2019, it prosecuted more of cases of misconduct by law enforcement officers than in any previous year. These cases typically involved instances of excessive force by police or corrections officers. In 2020, it charged the highest number of hate crimes in two decades. It significantly increased the number of prosecutors who are dedicated to prosecuting the modern-day slavery of human trafficking both in the commercial sex industry and as to forced labor. The division and its U.S. Attorney partners brought more than 700 human trafficking cases in recent years. It successfully investigated, litigated, and settled more than 250 disability-rights cases. It prosecuted criminals who targeted gay men for robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping, as well as two men who allegedly shot and killed two transgender individuals. It launched a successful initiative to protect U.S. workers from citizenship discrimination and brought a case against a major social media company for its alleged widespread abuse of the temporary visa system. It brought and successfully resolved cases involving racial discrimination in employment by local governments, including law enforcement agencies; racial discrimination in housing, including racial steering, under the Fair Housing Act; racially discriminatory lending under the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; and race discrimination in voting under the Voting Rights Act. Given this record, you might think that the so-called civil rights community would be commending Eric for his leadership. Instead, it is attacking his record. Kristen Clarke, Joe Bidens selection to head of the Civil Rights Division, blasted Eric in this article for CNN. (Well have more to say about Clarke in the coming weeks.) Tom Perez, the partisan hack who led the Civil Rights Division during some of the Obama years, called the Divisions performance under President Trump an unmitigated disaster. Vanita Gupta, who also headed the Division during the Obama administration, though she was never confirmed by the Senate, piled on, too. (Gupta is Bidens selection for the number three job at the DOJ. Well have more to say about her, as well.) Clarke and Gupta follow civil rights, including the DOJs enforcement of them, for a living, and Perez purports to know what hes talking about on this subject. Clarke and Gupta are aware of the positive civil right accomplishments of the Trump DOJ, and Perez knows or should know of them. Why do they ignore the record? Why are they lying? They are lying because they dislike the fact that the Civil Rights Division protects not only the rights of women and minority group members, but also the rights of people of religious faith (Christians and Jews in this case) and the rights of individuals who dont belong to minority groups or favored ones (Whites and Asian-Americans). The rights of these people are protected by federal statute and the U.S. Constitution. Thus, it was entirely proper for the Civil Rights Division to assert these rights, in addition to the rights of the only groups of people Perez, Gupta, and Clarke are concerned about. It was proper, and commendable, for the Civil Rights Division to act on behalf of people of faith whose rights to congregate in places of worship were treated less favorably than going to a restaurant or a casino were. The Supreme Court recently endorsed the positions the Civil Rights Division has advanced since the pandemic began. It was proper, and commendable, for the Civil Rights Division to challenge race-based admissions policies at elite colleges preferences that most Americans, and even most Californians, oppose. The institutions challenged by the Trump DOJ, Harvard and Yale, shamelessly discriminate against White and Asian-American applicants because of their skin color. If Perez, Gupta, and Clarke want to defend the discrimination against Whites and Asians, thats their right. If they want to criticize the Trump DOJ for taking the contrary view, thats fine too. But it doesnt excuse lying about the Civil Rights Divisions record as a whole. How can Perez call a Division that brought record-breaking numbers of cases challenging sexual harassment by landlords, excessive use of force by police officer, and hate crimes an unmitigated disaster? He cant not without showing himself to be a thoroughly dishonest partisan operative. There is, to be sure, Supreme Court law that supports race-based admissions preferences under some circumstances. But its legitimate for the DOJ to argue in district courts and courts of appeal that the preferences employed by Harvard and Yale dont comply with Supreme Court guidance on the subject (or, if the opportunity had presented itself, to argue in the Supreme Court that existing law on the subject should be revisited, as Justice OConnor suggested it would be in her seminal opinion on the subject.) Let the courts decide this issue, not the civil rights special pleaders. Erics record as head of the Civil Rights Division is exemplary. Under his leadership, the Division acted to protect the civil rights of all Americans. Unfortunately, the Democrats, obsessed as they are with identity politics, only want to protect the civil rights of their favorite groups. Thats why they have slandered Eric. UPDATE: My answer to my own question why do they lie? wasnt meant to be exhaustive. Here are some additional reasons: UTAH Both capital newspapers print final daily editions SALT LAKE CITY Salt Lake City's two major newspapers have printed daily editions for more than a century, but now the presses will only be whirring once a week as they join other news organizations nationwide in shifting their focus online to stay afloat. The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News printed their final daily newspapers Dec. 31 as they joined others like the Tampa Bay Times and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that made the same decision in response to declining print and circulation revenues that have upended the industry and led to a new era of journalism. The Tribune, which won the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting in 2017, will continue to publish breaking stories online every day but do only one print newspaper each week on Sunday. The newspaper had printed daily for 149 years. The Deseret News will also post news stories daily on its website, print one newspaper every weekend and also offer a monthly magazine, which will debut in January. The newspaper had printed papers daily throughout its 170-year history. The Tribune's new weekly publication is expected to showcase the reporters' best enterprise work and in-depth stories, as well as obituaries and expanded editorial content. The decision came after two recent ownership changes: the paper was purchased in 2016 by Paul Huntsman, son of the late billionaire industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr. and brother to former U.S-Russia Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. The decision also ends a joint operating agreement with the Deseret News, which is owned by the state's predominant faith The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The agreement, once common when many cities had two newspapers, had the two publications cooperating on printing, delivery and advertising but not news content. ARIZONA Governor rejects call for online learning PHOENIX Arizona's Gov. Doug Ducey has rejected the state's top education official's call for Ducey to order public schools to use only online instruction for the first two weeks of January unless they have waivers from health officials. Amid a coronavirus surge in the state, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said Jan. 2 that schools need a two-week "quarantine period" while educators and local officials review health data and decide what type of instruction is appropriate for their communities. A spokesman for the governor said Ducey wouldn't issue the order because how schools open is a local decision. Arizona on Jan. 2 reported nearly 8,900 additional known COVID-19 cases and 46 deaths. It had the countrys second-highest positive rate among residents tested, behind California. Ducey, a Republican, and Hoffman, a Democrat, were aligned last spring when he ordered schools closed because of the coronavirus, but she voiced reservations later as he urged schools to provide in-person learning. Guidelines issued by Ducey's administration during the fall let students remain in in-person classes beyond what earlier guidance would have recommended. Many Arizona school districts in recent months have provided hybrid learning that includes both distanced and in-person instruction, while others either were already on remote learning or returning to it this month. NEW MEXICO Businesses sue over coronavirus restrictions SANTA FE A group of businesses has sued in federal court to try to end New Mexico's public health order, claiming Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials have imposed arbitrary and unnecessary rules in response to the pandemic. It's the latest legal challenge to the governor's public health order. Earlier in 2020, the state Supreme Court backed her authority to restrict activities. The lawsuit filed in the last week of December asks the U.S. District Court to override the governor's executive orders and limit any future public health orders to "an extremely limited period of time" unless authorized by state lawmakers. It also asks that the plaintiffs be compensated for lost income during the lockdowns. The plaintiffs include three Albuquerque businesses, a Silver City resort and a number of individuals, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. The health order limits capacity at grocery stores and other essential businesses, allows only for curbside pickup and delivery by restaurants, prohibits public gatherings and mandates mask wearing, among other things. The lawsuit contends that the mandates are out of proportion to the virus's true severity. Confirmed COVID-19 infections in New Mexico have topped 141,000, while deaths have surpassed 2,430. State leans on outdoor recreation for economic recovery CARLSBAD New Mexico officials are hoping an appetite for outdoor recreation during the coronavirus pandemic will help the state's economy recover. The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division requested more funding for outdoor programs and support initiatives to be considered during the next legislative session scheduled to begin in January, the Carlsbad Current-Argus reported. The division, under the state's Economic Development Department, requested more than $3 million to fund its Great New Mexico Trails Package, which would provide funding to local communities and agencies who have plans to develop and maintain hiking trails statewide. The division also requested about $1 million for the Outdoor Equity Fund to support programs intended to give funding to youth programs that center on outdoor recreation. Division Director Axie Navas said outdoor recreation was one of the state's fastest-growing industries and would "be key to our recovery. She said the one-time appropriation could jump-start communities." Navas said outdoor recreation represents more than $2 billion in state gross domestic product and employs up to 35,000 residents. By bolstering the industry, the state could preserve its natural resources while diversifying the economy that currently relies on the fossil fuel industry, she said. WYOMING Judge: Groups can't challenge endangered species plans JACKSON An environmental group has no legal standing to challenge the specifics of recovery plans for endangered species, a judge in Montana has ruled. The case began with a 2014 petition by the Center for Biological Diversity that asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revise and update its then-21-year-old species recovery plan for threatened grizzly bears in the contiguous United States. Federal wildlife managers declined and the Center took the issue to court. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen ruled Dec. 23 that endangered species recovery plans are guidelines, not rules that can be challenged in court. While the case was brought against the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several other entities intervened including the states of Wyoming and Idaho along with farm and ranch groups. The Mountain States Legal Foundation represented the Wyoming Stock Growers. Mountain States Legal Foundation said in a news release that a loss in the case could have opened the floodgates for new litigation over hundreds of other species. In its 2014 petition, the Center for Biological Diversity asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to update its recovery plan and add several new areas of historic grizzly bear range as potential recovery areas. Although Fish and Wildlife denied the 2014 petition, the agency did update recovery plans for grizzlies in the Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, a federal grizzly bear biologist concluded that reintroduction of grizzly bears in Colorado's San Juan and California's Sierra Nevada ranges would likely fail due to a lack of core habitat. Andrea Zaccardi, a senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the organization is considering an appeal. At the end of last week, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 31,849 new infections and another 1,188 COVID deaths in Germany, more than ever before. As a proportion of population, the death rate in Germany is now higher than in the US, where more than 4,000 deaths were registered on Friday. The Washington-based Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimates that the German governments current pandemic policy will have cost more than 91,000 lives by April 1. Classroom in Dortmund, Germany, August 13, 2020 (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) The rate of those testing positive is 16 percent, more than three times the World Health Organisation threshold beyond which a pandemic is considered out of control. While crematoria often cannot keep up with the burial of corpses and hospitals throughout the country are on the verge of collapse, the education ministers in Germanys federal states have decided on a resumption of face-to-face teaching as soon as possible, even though schools are central drivers of the pandemic. The systematic reopening policy was reaffirmed on Tuesday by the Conference of the Federal and State Governments, whose decision does not envisage a single closure of offices and factories, and decrees emergency childcare in day-care centres and schools, which is supposed to make it impossible for workers to obtain leave of absence from their managers. This policy is being enforced particularly aggressively in the states governed by the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the Left Party. The Berlin Senate (state executive), a coalition of the SPD, Greens and Left Party, had initially planned to send all graduating classes back to face-to-face classes as early as this week, and the first to third-grade classes a week later. I want to get into face-to-face teaching as urgently as possible, Michael Muller, Berlin mayor and chairman of the Conference of State Premiers, said yesterday in the Berlin House of Representatives (state legislature). Due to overwhelming opposition among parents, teachers and school directors, the state government was finally forced to postpone the reintroduction of general compulsory attendance until January 25. Meanwhile, however, schools and day-care centres are to remain open to provide childcare so that parents can be forced to work. Examinations are also to be carried out on-site in all types of schools, Education Senator (state minister) Sandra Scheeres (SPD) declared. Only a few hours earlier, the education administration had rejected an urgent application by several Berlin school heads who had requested a postponement of the school openings. An online petition launched by teachers titled No face-to-face teaching in Berlin as long as COVID-19 is not under control had garnered 40,000 signatures within a few days. The petition states that with its policy, the Berlin Senate is prolonging the course of the pandemic in length and extent in an unforeseeable way. [Mayor Muller and Minister Scheeres] are pouring oil on the fire where containment is needed. They are making a mockery of the efforts of society as a whole to survive the pandemic as unscathed as possible. Those affected, according to the authors of the petition, were lonely home residents, tradespeople threatened with bankruptcy and patients in hospitals who suffer and die alone. While the herd immunity policy has already led to mass deaths, especially in intensive care units and old peoples homes, reports of fatally ill educators, transport workers and even children are also increasing. According to the official figures, around 800 children suffering from COVID-19 had to receive intensive medical treatment in Germany between March and the end of December. In Berlin alone, 12 children are currently in the coronavirus intensive care unit. According to data from the health insurers Barmer and AOK, educators, followed by caregivers and teachers, are by far the most at risk of contracting COVID-19. Most recently, a 44-year-old nursery schoolteacher in Kamen, Westphalia, died. At the showcase facility nominated for the German Day-Care Award 2021, the largest officially confirmed day-care outbreak to date occurred in December, with 41 infected children and employees, despite all hygiene rules [being] observed. The RKI currently lists 19 educators who died from coronavirus in its statistics. Five hundred others have had to be hospitalised. Pupils, teachers and educators are not being protected, educator Eileen T. from Saxony told the World Socialist Web Site. The winter holidays have been shortened by one week and brought forward to guarantee seven weeks of face-to-face teaching afterwards. Graduating classes are to return to classrooms in groups as early as January 18. The Saxony state governments policy has meant that crematoria across the region have been overwhelmed by incoming coronavirus bodies for weeks, with corpses piling up in hospital cold stores, some as high as six feet. Although the situation in the neighbouring states of Brandenburg and Thuringia is similarly devastating, the reopening of schools and day-care centres there is also being pursued with the same intransigence in the interest of big business. In Brandenburg, all final-year classes and special schools are undertaking in-person teaching and day-care centres are open. The Education and Science Union (GEW) in Potsdam backed this policy and declared that further opening must be thoroughly prepared. In Thuringia, State Premier Bodo Ramelow (Left Party) called Friday for a lockdown for the whole economy, after having decided the exact opposite only a few days earlier, together with Chancellor Merkel and the heads of the Lander (federal states). Ramelow has strictly rejected alleven locallockdown measures since the beginning of the pandemic and has publicly embraced the herd immunity policy advocated by the Swedish government. As a result, Thuringia has the second-highest seven-day incidence (297) and the lowest vaccination rate (3.7 doses per 1,000 inhabitants) nationwide. In many districts, up to 35 percent of all day-care children are in so-called emergency childcare without staff being adequately protected. Various recent studies show that day-care centres are among the high-risk areas, said educator Elli F. in an interview with WSWS. The health insurance companies confirm a high COVID risk among educators and the number of children in day-care with antibodies is six times higher than reported cases. Instead of following the motto AHA+L [keep your distance, observe hygiene, wear a mask and ventilate], we tend to follow HLH: wash your hands, ventilate and hope it goes well. Elli strongly opposes the herd immunity policy of opening schools, day-care centres and businesses amid the pandemic. Im a high-risk patientheart, diabetic, pulmonary. If I get COVID-19, I will suffer severe consequential damage or die. Every time I go to work in the morning, Im playing Russian roulette. I receive no protection from the employer and receive no help from the GEW. My fundamental right to the inviolability of the person is obviously opposed to the economic interests of the employer, Senate and state. This is a way to save pension benefits by sacrificing the elderly. Yet I am only 53 and actually wanted to live a little longer. An additional threat to the working class brought about by official pandemic politics is the coronavirus mutant B.1.1.7, which is now responsible for one in two new infections in Britain. Although the federal and state governments only analyse the genome of the virus in every 900th case, the virus strain has also been detected in Germany since Christmas Eve. According to British researchers, it is up to 70 percent more contagious than all other variants of SARS-CoV-2 detected so far. The variant had spread in Britain under conditions of a supposed lockdown, especially in schools that remained open. According to virologist Christian Drosten of Berlins Charite hospital, the whole thing started with a lot of tailwind in the schools and from there spread on to the normal population. Virologist Isabella Eckerle, a professor at the Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases in Geneva, made a gloomy prediction to news website Zeit Online earlier this week, I think the variant will spread in the rest of Europe just as it has in Britain. This, Eckerle said, worried her a lot. The idea that you can specifically contain this one variant, while you havent been able to get a grip on the previous incidence of infection for months already, is completely illusory. If it is confirmed that the new variant is much more contagious than the previous ones, the danger of even worse mass deaths in Europe and around the world looms. Mathematician and epidemiologist Adam Kucharski of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine points out on Twitter that easier transmissibility, as opposed to an increased fatality rate, exerts an exponential effect on the rise in deaths. On Friday, the Tagesspiegel reported the first case of the new variant in Berlin. In the affected family from Steglitz-Zehlendorf, it had only taken one day, then everyone was sick. Although a positive PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test was already available on Christmas Eve, the health department has still not managed to identify all contacts. The time delay over the holidays, according to the newspaper, made contact tracing now additionally difficult. In countries bordering Germany, the virus is also already rampant. Dutch health authorities, for example, reported 50 cases of the new virus variant on Wednesday30 of which were linked to a single primary school. In Denmark, where 11 percent of all positive coronavirus cases are sequenced, the proportion of B.1.1.7 rose from 0.2 to 2.3 percent between calendar weeks 49 and 52. Austria recently announced that three of the five detected infections with B.1.1.7 were children. On the Heute-Journal news broadcast, Isabella Eckerle added that it would be much more difficult in the future to contain the incidence of infection with existing measures and warned of a big third wave. It was known from RNA viruses that they can adapt relatively quickly. This means that if you put pressure on themfor example, with antibodiesthen variants can prevail that are perhaps slightly less attacked by our immune response. Against this background, the virologist warned of the high evolutionary selection pressure that the wrong vaccination strategy could exert. The discussion that you might only give one vaccine dose I personally think is dangerous because you will then have a large population that only has weak immunity and thus open the door for this virus to continue to develop such mutations. Already, she said, one observes variants that have opened the door a bit to mutate under this vaccine. The scientist concludes that The whole of Europe would need a coordinated lockdown. This demand, supported across Europe by more than 1,000 scientists and researchers, is diametrically opposed to the policies of Germanys federal and state governments. While day-care centres and schools are being forced to open, and not a single industrial enterprise is being closed, a representative survey by the Hans Bockler Foundation showed that in November, only 14 percent of all employees were mainly working from home. Under these conditions, everything depends on establishing action committees of teachers, students and workers to intervene independently of the establishment parties and trade unions to put an end to the politics of death. All the parties in the Bundestag (federal parliament) and governments of all colours are equally pursuing such a policy and are supported in this by the trade unions. To enforce the closure of schools and non-essential businesses, it is necessary to organise a European-wide general strike and fight for a socialist programme. Demands that must be raised include providing billions of dollars of investment into safe education, full replacement income for parents who must stay at home to look after their children and full protection for those in high-risk groups and all essential workers on the front line of the fight against the pandemic. A bicyclist was seriously injured after he was struck by a vehicle in Medford early Monday, police said. Authorities responded around 4:45 a.m. to report of a man who was hit by a 2008 Honda Accord while biking on Route 16 in Wellington Circle, according to a statement from Massachusetts State Police. The man, a 48-year-old Somerville resident, suffered serious wounds and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, the statement said. The driver, a 50-year-old Stoneham man, stopped and was interviewed by state police troopers, according to the statement. The crash remains under investigation to determine if charges should be sought, the statement said. The crash scene was cleared by 6:08 a.m., according to state police. Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364. She avoided the UK's third lockdown as she jetted off to Barbados over the Christmas period to spend time with her family. And Montana Brown showcased her incredible figure in a blue two-piece on Monday as she responded to backlash for travelling abroad in the midst of a global pandemic. The former Love Island star, 25, said she 'needed' to be around her loved ones as she explained her decision to stay in the sun-soaked country for the foreseeable future. Wow: Montana Brown showcased her incredible figure in a blue two-piece on Monday as she responded to negative comments regarding her trip to Barbados in the midst of a global pandemic Montana was seen wearing a sizzling pastel blue bikini as she posed on eroded steps near the Barbados beachfront. She rocked a natural hair and make-up look and said she was 'exploring today,' before penning a lengthy post about her travels. The reality star wrote: 'Hey everyone, I've had a few messages regarding me being away. I know it's a really difficult time for everyone in the UK and I completely understand everyone's frustrations. 'Just to clarify, I'm not in Dubai, I travelled to Barbados with my family before the UK lockdown (before Christmas) and made the decision to stay due to the new restrictions in the UK. Touch down: The former Love Island star, 25, said she 'needed' to be around her loved ones as she explained her decision to stay in the sun-soaked country for the foreseeable future 'I posted a Story when I first got out of quarantine to assess whether you guys felt comfortable with me posting (which I'll put on the next slide). 'If that's changed I do understand and I'll put a question box on this Story too as I want to hear from you and what your opinions are.' Montana revealed she already had plans to travel and shoot content for her swimwear brand, Swim Society, this year. She also assured her Instagram followers that she valued their opinion. She added: 'As a business, we did have a content trip planned for January for Swim Society and I knew I wouldn't be able to do that due to the restrictions, so that influenced my decision to stay [in Barbados]. Peachy posterior! Montana was seen wearing a sizzling pastel blue bikini as she ran up eroded steps near the Barbados beachfront 'I want to post uplifting content as I know it's a really awful and uncertain time however, I also don't want to be insensitive to what people are going through. 'It's a hard thing to manage and I really don't want to upset anyone or for people to think I don't care what's going on'. (sic) In the next Instagram slide, Montana uploaded a previous Instagram story from December when she initially revealed she had left the UK. The former Love Island star wrote: 'Just to let everyone know, I am not in the UK. I left a couple of days ago to join my family after receiving a negative Covid test. 'It's been a tough year for everyone and I understand everyone's circumstances are different. But mentally, I needed to be around my family and loved ones at this time. Controversy: She penned a lengthy post about her travels abroad as she asserted she wants to post 'uplifting content' while the UK is plunged into it's third nationwide lockdown 'Let me know if you guys are happy for me to Story/post. I don't want to seem insensitive to everything that is going on. I know it's a really tough time for everyone.' (sic) At the time of the original Instagram post, the reality star was slammed by followers who claimed that the star was 'hardly in lockdown' as she had 'escaped the UK' in favour of balmy Barbados. On December 20, London and surrounding areas were plunged into Tier 4, which saw travel abroad for leisure 'not permitted', with exceptions only allowed for reasons such as work, education and childcare. During the first week of January, Boris increased coronavirus restrictions by enforcing a third national lockdown. One angry fan fumed: 'When the rest of the U.K. are following the rules and not travelling.....' 'I needed to be around my family and loved ones': In the next Instagram slide, Montana uploaded an Instagram story from December when she initially revealed she had left the UK While another commented: 'LOCKDOWN?! Please stop' And a third wrote: 'Hardly lockdown. Do anything to escape the uk whilst we're all in the s**t'. A fourth angrily penned: 'How are you all getting away with this. Then rub it in everyones faces. It's disgusting and you c list celebs need to stop putting this all over the internet.' (sic) The Barbados government recently brought in tough measures to suppress coronavirus transmission. Those breaking COVID-19 laws on the island face an 18,000 fine or jail. Virgin Australia's new American private equity owners will use a shell company loophole to evade foreign ownership laws in the aviation sector, in a move tipped to spark objections from bitter airline rival Qantas. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald have confirmed that Virgin's new owner Bain Capital has revived a shell company, Virgin Australia International Holdings (VAIH), to sidestep federal laws preventing foreign investors from owning more than 49 per cent of a local carrier operating international flights. Virgin has offloaded its long-haul fleet but says it will rebuild its international network as demand recovers from COVID-19. Credit:Albert Perez Virgin set up the shell company in 2012 when it raised equity from foreign airline backers including Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines to fund a bitter domestic capacity war with Qantas. The structure helped Virgin avoid breaching the Air Navigation Act. Virgin supplied VAIH with aircraft, crew, management, and operated its flights under a "services agreement". Shares in the new shell company were distributed to Virgin's existing shareholders - which were mostly Australian at the time - and locked in a trust. LOCAL Ireland, the representative association for 46 weekly paid for newspapers and the largest publishing representative body in Ireland, has week announced the appointment of Bob Hughes as Executive Director of the association with effect from January 1. Mr Hughes succeeds Johnny OHanlon who had been director since 2009 and retired on December 31, 2020. Mr Hughes began his career in local and regional newspapers before moving to Fleet Street to become a sub-editor at the Press Association. He joined ITN where he was a producer on Channel 4 News before moving to Reuters/Sky as a programme editor, reporter and producer. He then joined Radio Ireland/Today FM before becoming Deputy Director of News at TV3 from its launch until 2014. He has since worked nationally and internationally as a multi-platform consultant with portfolios as diverse as Virgin Media Television, the Thomson Foundation for Journalism, TVC Communications Nigeria and Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation. He is a visiting expert trainer in Leadership and Management at the Al-Jazeera Media Institute in Qatar and has taught Broadcast Journalism at DCU. Most recently he was a Special Adviser in the Departments of Rural and Community Development and in Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in the last Government. Commenting on his appointment Mr Hughes said: I am delighted and honoured to be appointed Executive Director of Local Ireland. Our local newspapers are the lifeblood of our communities and their vital role in bringing news, information, culture and sport to 1.5 million readers every week has been brought sharply into focus in the current pandemic. The industry has faced serious systemic challenges around revenue and circulation and those impacts have been exacerbated by the sharp decline in advertising as a result of Covid-19. Now, more than ever, it is essential that local newspapers are supported in a meaningful way by our Ministers, TDs and councillors to ensure the sustainability and survival of high quality journalism in our local communities. Commenting on the appointment David Ryan, President Local Ireland said this week that Mr Hughes was joining the association at a critical point in the evolution of newspaper publishing in Ireland and, indeed, globally and wished him every success in his new role. He also paid tribute to Johnny OHanlon for his service to the association during a challenging transitional period in the local publishing market and wished him well in his retirement. Hanoi is facing a cold January but the low temperatures of below 10 degrees Celsius in the early morning don't stop farmers in the citys rural areas from waking up early to harvest vegetables and bring them to the market for sale. Farmers of Yen My Commune, Thanh Tri District, ride bicycles to bring vegetables to wholesale markets around the capital city. Photo tuoitre.vn Its 2am in Yen My Commune, Thanh Tri District, one of the largest vegetable growing areas in Hanoi. While most people are snoozing happily under the covers, no matter how cold it is, farmers are up harvesting vegetables. Some kinds of vegetables must be harvested in the early morning to keep them fresh. Loading fresh tomatoes, cauliflowers and cabbages into baskets attached to bicycles, they quickly go to wholesale markets like Mai Dong, Yen So and Van Dien to catch the early market session. 3-4am is the busiest time for wholesale markets in Hanoi. Vegetables are picked up by traders and loaded onto trucks to be shipped to every corner of the city. The early morning session ends after two hours. Farmers then return to their farms and their vegetables, getting ready for the next day. Nguyen Van Thinh, head of Village 3 residential area in Yen My Commune, said nearly 60 per cent of local households grew vegetables on about 50ha of land. Most of them are old people aged 55 to 70. The oldest farmers in the village are a couple aged 75. Young people have chosen other jobs, he said. Growing vegetables is like raising a child. We can't let our children get damaged and throw them away. When they are mature, we have to sell them," Thinh said. Selling at the market in the early morning helps each farmer earn about VND300,000-400,000 on a busy day, but on bad days, they may not be able to sell all their wares. A 60-year-old woman named Ty told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that despite the pain in her legs, she still tries to ride the bicycle to the farm to harvest vegetables. Then her son-in-law helps her carry them by motorbike to the market. Mercury dropping The entire northern region will experience a strong cold spell this week. The cold wave is forecast to be expanded to the north-central and central regions, causing medium to heavy rains in several areas, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. The northern and north-central regions are in the grip of biting cold, with the hardest hit being the northern mountainous provinces of Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Bac Can where the mercury is dropping to about 7-10 degrees Celsius at the lowest and even hits below zero in mountainous areas. Frost and sleet are expected in some areas. People in Hanoi have to burn fire to keep themselves warm at a streetside food stall. VNA/VNS Photo Tuan Anh The cold wave will lower temperatures to 13-17 degrees Celsius in central provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai while the Central Highlands region will also experience cold weather. In response to the cold conditions, weather forecast centres are asked to increase daily weather updates and reports, particularly in languages for ethnic minorities living in remote and mountainous regions, and provide advice to help people working outdoors protect themselves from cold weather. Local authorities are urged to inform tourists about ice or frost-prone areas. Special warnings must be issued for tourists in at-risk areas. Meanwhile, schools are advised to cancel classes and outdoor activities. VNS Another strong cold forecasted to hit northern Vietnam The northern region would face another strong cold wave next week, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. Cities and towns across Pakistan were plunged into darkness for several hours on Saturday night following a massive nationwide electricity blackout. Hitting out at Prime Minister Imran Khan-led PTI government over the power failure, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal said that PM Khan had "attempted to reboot the country". 'This is a country, not a mobile phone' "The country's economy is in the doldrums. We have mounting deficits. Imran Khan thought: 'Why don't we reboot the country like a mobile phone? Maybe it'll work'," Iqbal said while mocking Khan, reported Geo News. "Imran Sahab, this is a country, not a mobile phone which will begin working after rebooting it. For God's sake do not play with the country like this. Hand in your resignation and go home," Iqbal said. The PML-N leader further remarked that this unprecedented shutdown "proves that this government is incompetent and unqualified". . @betterpakistan pic.twitter.com/96M27O7Mjf PML(N) (@pmln_org) January 10, 2021 7 officials suspended Meanwhile, Pakistan's Central Power Generation Company on Sunday suspended seven officials of Guddu Thermal Power Station on account of negligence during their duties which caused a massive power failure, reported Daily Pakistan. "Seven officials working under Plant Manager-III are hereby laced under suspension with immediate effect and until further orders, on account of the negligence of duty which caused power failure found in view of a preliminary inquiry," reads the notification issued by Central Power Generation Company Limited. READ | Kohli slams racial abuse faced by Siraj & Bumrah, demands strict action against offenders READ | SC to hear pleas challenging Centre's Farm Laws & protest on Delhi borders on Monday This development comes after the federal government constituted a committee to investigate the sudden electricity failure that hit the country on late Saturday night. Pakistan's Energy Minister on Sunday said that the power breakdown occurred when the frequency in the national power distribution system (NTDC) suddenly fell from 50 to zero, adding that the matter was being investigated and attempts were being made to restart the Tarbela Power Station and restore supply. Omar Ayub said he was personally supervising the restoration work and has been periodically sharing restoration updates on his Twitter account. According to a PTI report, Imran Khan said that the country faced 8 blackouts during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government's tenure from 2013-2018 READ | Haryana CM Khattar holds BKU leader responsible for vandalism at Karnal Mahapanchayat READ | Tejashwi Yadav opines on Nitish Kumar's 'friend or foe' quip: "Who hasn't he betrayed?" (With agency inputs) (@ChaudhryMAli88) Srinagar, India, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :An army officer shot dead three unarmed civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir to claim a cash reward for killing rebels, police investigators say. Captain Bhoopendra Singh -- who was charged with murder and conspiracy in late December over the July killing of the three labourers -- staged a gun battle hoping to be rewarded with two million rupees (US$27,200), according to part of a police charge sheet seen by AFP Monday. Singh and two civilian associates claimed the trio were armed, but a police investigation alleged he planted weapons on the men to make them look like militants. Government forces are paid up to US$27,000 by authorities for killing militants, amid an insurgency against the Indian government that has left tens of thousands dead since 1989. The rewards are offered by the government, rather than military. Rights activists warn the financial incentives have led to extra-judicial killings of innocent people. "Legal impunity. .. combined with the policy of cash rewards is likely to continue to lead to staged gun battles in which innocent civilians are killed," a leading human rights lawyer, Parvez Imroz, told AFP. Kashmir has been under emergency military law since 1990. The law bars soldiers accused of crimes from being tried in civilian courts unless specifically permitted by the government. Such permission has never been granted during the last three decades, despite dozens of requests by the police after investigations into actions by security forces. In 2010, three Indian army officers were found guilty by a court martial of killing three labourers who had been branded infiltrators near the so-called Line of Control. The killings sparked months of protests that left more than 100 civilians dead. In 2000, the army claimed it had killed five "terrorists" responsible for the massacre of 35 sikhs, but an investigation found the five were locals killed by soldiers in a staged gun battle. 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. SPRINGFIELD State Rep. Katie Stuart on Monday morning said she had nothing to do with changes to her opioid legislation to include proposed criminal justice reforms criticized by Madison County law enforcement officials. Madison Countys top elected law officials from both parties on Monday condemned the criminal justice bill being considered this week by the General Assembly in Springfield. House Bill 163 was introduced in December by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, as a prescription monitoring bill. But on Jan. 4 it had a 600-page amendment added to it that is upsetting law enforcement and prosecutors. Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine, a Republican, and Madison County Sheriff John Lakin, a Democrat, released a statement Monday saying the bill is a disaster for victims and public safety. I want to be very clear that the police reform language in Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 163 is not something I had any input on, Stuart said Monday. My original bill was rewritten by the Senate sponsors without my consultation. My original version of House Bill 163 was about changes to Illinois prescription monitoring program, Stuart said. My bill simply required that controlled substance prescriptions be reported to an electronic database on the same day they are dispensed. The goal was to address the opioid crisis by helping catch people who doctor shop to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for opioids. Stuart said her bill was passed by the House and sent to the Senate where it was not acted on. Instead, the sponsors removed my language, which has changed what the legislation would do, Stuart said. Legislative rules currently prevent changes of sponsorship as the measure is still under control of the Senate sponsors, she said. When the bill is returned to the House, we will all be able to make sponsorship changes as we see fit. Haine and Lakin released a statement saying they stand absolutely opposed to the rushed passage of this incredibly bad bill. In the name of reform, it effectively destroys law enforcement and criminal prosecution as we know it, they said in a released statement. It will be a disaster for victims and public safety by undermining in multiple different ways - the ability of law enforcement and prosecutors to keep violent criminals off the streets. According to Lakin and Haine, as amended HB 163 radically weakens and undermines protections for law enforcement officers, victim protection, public safety and tools for prosecutors. They said it: Significantly limits when offenders can be detained, which will increase risk to victims, witnesses to crime and the community at-large. Prohibits pre-trial detention when an offender poses a general danger, allowing it only when officials can prove danger to a specific person. Severely limits accountability for accomplices to murder by amending the Felony Murder rule. Removes multiple due process protections for Police Officers while at the same time exposing them to new civil liability. The bill also has been criticized by state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville; Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells and Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon. This proposal contains a number of shockingly shortsighted and irresponsible changes that would jeopardize the safety of our communities, said Plummer. We should call this what it is, a blatant attack on the police profession and an underhanded attempt to defund our law enforcement. A coalition representing Illinois law enforcement leadership and rank-and-file officers issued a statement in opposition to House Bill 163 as amended, saying it would destroy law enforcements ability to keep communities safe. The Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition recently enumerated its Safe Communities plan, a sensible approach to modernizing Illinois law enforcement, but House Bill 163 as amended would lead to unsafe communities in Illinois, the coalition said in a released statement. The coalition includes Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge, FOP Labor Council, FOP Chicago Lodge 7, Illinois Sheriffs Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. According to Plummer, the proposal makes numerous changes to Illinois criminal justice system, including: Forces multiple unfunded mandates on police departments with threats of funding cuts if all the mandates are not met. Potentially make it impossible to hold suspects in custody before trial even when they pose a credible danger to the community. Would significantly limit offenders being detained, which could pose a significant threat to victims, witnesses and the public. Impede law enforcement investigations, which could significantly reduce the number of crimes that are solved. Severely limits accountability for accomplices to murder by amending the Felony Murder Rule. Removes due process protections for police officers which could end the policing profession as it is now known. Our men and women in blue are role models and it is despicable to see them treated and portrayed as the enemy, said Plummer. I encourage my Democrat colleagues to immediately withdraw this offensive and dangerous piece of legislation. [January 11, 2021] Black & Veatch Launches New Environmental Business Unit As enterprises thoughtfully work to meet environmental objectives from regulators, shareholders and consumers, Black & Veatch (News - Alert) announces the launch of a dedicated environmental business unit to support those objectives. Black & Veatch's centralization of its environmental services offerings comes as the world gets more complicated and companies, utilities and governments navigate operational challenges linked to regulatory hurdles and a rising tide of ambitious sustainability commitments, requiring new levels of innovation and expertise that deliver timely solutions. A business or project increasingly must account for environmental concerns, with regulations, finances and consumers often driving those considerations. When those forces intersect, the "right" environmental answer no longer is as clear as when the goal was simply regulatory adherence. As a newly chartered, dedicated Black & Veatch business unit, the environmental team brings together dedicated scientists, consultants, and specialized ecological compliance and permitting experts capable of providing direct service to clients of various scale. Drawing upon the skills of nearly 10,000 Black & Veatch professionals worldwide, the team will pursue emerging opportunities in environmental consulting and environmental science services, in addition to an expanded array of traditional permitting, site inspection, air quality and noise capability solutions. By transitioning to the new organization, the team will focus its deep knowledge on helping stakeholders overcome complexities and reduce program costs. Black & Veatch offers more than 80 environmental services across several prominent disciplines, including air quality, site remediation, management, compliance, science and other transformational areas. Solving problems in a rapidly accelerating market, the team will provide trusted guidance on such matters as climate change, earth sciences, and environmental management and compliance, bolstering a client's risk assessments, resiliency planning, sustainable development, air quality, water security, crisis management and emergency planning. "The establishment of this new business unit allows us to accelerate progress on our strategic priorities and lead change with our clients, helping them achieve their environmental goals," said Steve Edwards (News - Alert) , Black & Veatch's CEO. "Environmental services support our commitment to a sustainable future, and with the needs and efforts around the globe accelerating, this will help us continue to be the most innovative and rapidly evolving company in the engineering and construction space." "From regulatory permitting challenges to community impacts and sustainability concerns, companies and projects large and small must navigate ever-evolving environmental considerations or face the prospect of deays, work stoppages or cancellation," added Lisa Fewins, the environmental business unit's managing director. "With decades of environmental services experience, Black & Veatch works with our clients to develop and execute thoughtful, effective approaches that minimize reputational and business risks." Ranked 14th on the Engineering News-Record's latest list of top environmental firms, Black & Veatch has provided environmental solutions since its inception in 1915 and has become an industry leader in emerging topics such as the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and renewable energy solutions involving solar and wind energy. The company also is helping advance sustainability and environmental goals for mining companies, data center providers and many more industries. "With our unique expertise forged by more than a century of solving the world's biggest and most complex infrastructure problems, we're ready to roll up our sleeves and marshal the trusted, high-level thinking that helps clients achieve their customized and pressing project execution goals," said Dave Johnson (News - Alert) , the environmental business unit's development leader. Reflecting the company's own commitment to sustainability, Black & Veatch announced in November that it is strengthening its sustainability vision with new pledges that align with the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global best practices by addressing a range of environmental and business practices. Those include goals addressing carbon neutrality by 2025, water usage, diversity and inclusion, anti-corruption and more. Separately, the company also recently announced that it is ending its participation in coal-based power design and construction to focus on clean energy technologies and helping clients accelerate their path to net zero. Editor's Notes: Brent Ferren, Black & Veatch's global engineering leader in specialized services areas, will serve as the environmental group's director of operations. For more information about our Environmental Services Group, please visit www.bv.com/services/environmental. In December, Black & Veatch received the "Industry Driving Social Impact Award" from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Engineering for Change, given the company's efforts to achieve the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals. Judges specifically cited Black & Veatch's efforts to deliver the Escondida Water Supply project, one of South America's biggest, most complex desalination infrastructure projects; its enabling of hydrogen as a critical global decarbonization component; and its innovation and development of microgrids, which promise new resilience, reliability and sustainability levels. About Black & Veatch Black & Veatch is an employee-owned engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries by addressing the resilience and reliability of our world's most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2019 were US$3.7 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005901/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] TROY, Mich., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced it will not hold its 2021 auto show as planned. Instead, show officials revealed a "bridge to the future" with an auto-centric event called Motor Bella. The new event will bring next-generation mobility and exciting vehicle debuts to media, show-goers and the automotive enthusiasts' world in a never before experienced way while also addressing continued COVID-19 concerns about indoor events. Motor Bella will be held from Sept. 21-26, 2021, at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Mich. Centrally located in the metro Detroit area, M1 Concourse, often referred to as an "87-acre playground for auto enthusiasts," enables exhibitors to showcase key vehicles and technologies in an outdoor setting. Plans call for 1.6 million square feet of dynamic vehicle and technology display space including terrain ideal for showcasing off-roading capabilities. M1 Concourse also offers a 1.5-mile hot track on the grounds for technology and vehicle demonstrations. "The pandemic has caused changes in our society and world in ways not previously imagined, and we all should be looking for new and highly creative ways of doing business," said Executive Director Rod Alberts. "This new event captures that creative spirit. It will provide new mobility experiences and increasingly innovative approaches to tapping into the industry and its products." Alberts said attendees can expect a multi-sensory experience at the new event. "This all-outdoor venue, with adrenaline-pumping track activities and a full complement of OEM and technology exhibits, is going to offer the sights, sounds and even the smell of all that the new world of mobility has to offer." As auto shows around the world are being reimagined and will continue to do so in the wake of the pandemic, NAIAS had been reimagining its position for some time. "While auto shows remain an important platform to promote new mobility innovations and to help people make major vehicle purchase decisions, the traditional auto show model is changing," Alberts said. "We cannot ignore the major disruptions caused by the pandemic and the impact it has had on budgets. As such, we will be providing an amazing experience to the media, the auto industry and the public in a cost-effective way." Event Chairman Doug North noted that the M1 Concourse was envisioned as part of the 2021 Motor Bella activities, so it was "a natural progression" to build upon it in light of the growing demand for experiential mobility shows and an increased appetite for outdoor events as a result of the pandemic. Motor Bella was originally conceived as a celebration of Italian and British supercars and classic vehicles and was to have debuted at the June 2020 NAIAS. "With our new program for 2021, we will take the Motor Bella concept to the next level with multiple brands and mobilities represented, from hometown to international nameplates, autonomous vehicles to high-performance supercars and everything in between," North said. "It will be a mobility-filled event. One that will provide our show partners with a cost-efficient backdrop to share all of their brands, products and technologies in a fun and festival-like atmosphere that's completely outdoors." Jordan Zlotoff, CEO of M1 Concourse, said, "We are proud and honored to be hosting this world-class automotive event. Motor Bella will allow journalists, industry executives and the public to interact with vehicles in a fully dynamic and experiential format, well beyond the limitations of static displays. As the largest Private Garage community in the world, we at M1 Concourse share the enthusiasm for creating a unique automotive environment built specifically for car enthusiasts." North added, "We see this outdoor experience at M1 as a bridge to the future. One that will continue to evolve as we explore new ways of presenting mobility and as we navigate through these unprecedented times. We are very cognizant of the importance and impact our show and our events have on the state and the entire metro Detroit area. This will always be part of our considerations for the future." Dates for the 2021 Motor Bella are: Press Preview, Tuesday, Sept. 21 AutoMobili-D, Tuesday, Sept. 21 through a half-day Thursday, Sept. 23 through a half-day Industry Preview, Wednesday, Sept. 22 and a half-day Thursday, Sept. 23 and a half-day Public Show, Thursday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 26 A charity initiative, which will continue the NAIAS' and Detroit Auto Dealers Association's longstanding commitment to children and families in need, will also be part of the six-day Motor Bella. SOURCE Motor Bella The US set a grim milestone Monday as the country recorded over 200,000 new Covid-19 cases for seven straight days, according to John Hopkins University. The nation has never hit this milestone before, JHU data shows. Over the last week, the US has tallied over 1.7 million total Covid-19 cases and over 20,000 deaths. On top of that, Covid-19 hospitalizations have surpassed 100,000 for the last 40 straight days and officials are trying to ramp up the pace of vaccinations across the country. 'We really need to get this vaccine out more quickly, because this is really our only tool,' Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, said on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' Experts have long said the best combined defense against surging cases includes preventative measures such as masks and social distancing -- as well as widespread vaccination. Nearly 9 million people have received their first doses of vaccine against coronavirus in the US and nearly 25.5 million doses of vaccine have been distributed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. 'We don't have a public health infrastructure for mass vaccination,' said Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. Many states are diverging from vaccine prioritization guidelines set by the CDC, according to a report issued Monday by the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation, which studies health care policy. 'On some level it's understandable and on some level, the more people that are getting vaccine, especially two doses of vaccine -- that's more people who then aren't going to transmit this virus, and we get a greater and greater level of herd immunity,' Offit said. As of Monday morning, 35.3% of doses distributed had been administered, compared with 30.2% on Friday. Health officials had hoped to get 20 million people vaccinated by the start of the new year, but the administration of vaccines has met with delays and roadblocks. 'We need to acknowledge that it's not working,' Gottlieb said Sunday of the vaccination plan. 'We need to hit the reset and adopt a new strategy in trying to get that out to patients.' Gottlieb's warning came just days after the US crossed a grim threshold for the first time -- reporting more than 4,000 new Covid-19 deaths in a single day on Thursday. Since the pandemic began, more than 376,000 people have died in the US and more than 22.6 million people have been infected, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More people, sites and online resources for vaccines As the surge ratchets up infection, hospitalization and fatality numbers across the country, officials are working to make it easier to access vaccinations. California Gov. Gavin Newsom promised Monday to have one million state health care workers, nursing home residents and staff vaccinated by week's end. This 'all hands on deck' push to get the vaccine to more vulnerable residents comes as the state continues to see an unrelenting surge of coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths. As of Monday, the state has received more than 2.9 million vaccine doses, but administered about 783,000 of them, amounting to just 27% given. The announcement came the same day California surpassed 30,000 Covid-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data. California is one of only three states to reach the milestone. In order to loosen the backlog, California plans to use Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Padres Stadium in San Diego and CalExpo in Sacramento as mass vaccination sites, and Newsom said more large-scale sites will be announced in the coming days. In New York, more vaccination sites have opened, including more 24/7 sites in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he's confident the city will reach its goal of administering 1 million doses by the end of January. On Monday, New York state expanded the people eligible for the vaccine to include those 75 and older, first responders, teachers and school workers, public-facing grocery store workers, transit workers and people living and working in homeless shelters. New Jersey will have a network of about 300 vaccination sites across the state to assist with its Covid-19 vaccination plan, state officials said at a news conference. 'Our objective and aspiration is 70% of the adult population in the state within six months, that's 4.7 million New Jerseyans,' said Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking at Rowan College at Gloucester County, one of six 'mega-site' vaccination locations. The Georgia Department of Public Health launched a Covid vaccine locator website in hopes of increasing access in the state that has administered the fewest vaccines per capita, according to the CDC Covid Data Tracker. The website will not allow for scheduling but will provide contact information for people to schedule vaccinations once available, according to a news release. The CDC updated its guidance Monday, saying there's no maximum time between a first and second coronavirus shot. 'You should get your second shot: for the Pfizer-BioNTech 3 weeks (or 21 days) after your first shot; for the Moderna 1 month (or 28 days) after your first shot,' the CDC said. 'You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 1-month interval as possible. However, there is no maximum interval between the first and second doses for either vaccine. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval. ' The World Health Organization said last week that people can wait for as long as six weeks between doses. However, Pfizer and Moderna say they don't have any data on how long people can wait between doses and still get good protection. A deadlier pace than 2020 More than 28,400 new Covid-19 deaths have been reported in just the first 11 days of 2021, according to data from Johns Hopkins. At this rate, more people could die from Covid-19 in January than in any other month of this pandemic. December had a record high of 77,431 deaths due to Covid-19. In hard-hit Arizona, the crisis will get worse, said Joe K. Gerald, associate professor at the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health. 'We should expect to set new records for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over the coming weeks. Policy action is urgently needed to mitigate the worst possible outcome,' Gerald wrote. He also expressed concern about 'the inevitable arrival of the more highly transmissible' strain of coronavirus that was first detected in the United Kingdom and has spread to at least 10 US states. As of Monday, there have been 72 cases of the new variant, including at least 32 in California, 22 in Florida, five in Minnesota, four in New York, three in Colorado, two in Connecticut, and one case each in Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Georgia. 'If it gathers a foothold, it will accelerate, lengthen, and deepen Arizona's outbreak,' Gerald said. On Monday, Arizona set a record with 4,997 people hospitalized for coronavirus-related reasons, according to the state's data dashboard. Before the winter, the state's record for hospitalizations was 3,517 on July 13, 2020. The state surpassed that record December 11 and the tally of patients has, with a few exceptions, risen every day since then. Arizona recently opened a 24/7 site to administer vaccines. The operation at the home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team is being overseen by the National Guard. Adjutant Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire said at a news conference more resources are needed to implement the idea across the state. Biden gets second shot President-elect Joe Biden received the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Monday at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. He received the first dose last month live on national television as part of an effort by his incoming administration to reassure the country of the vaccine's safety. The President-elect expressed his confidence in the vaccine and encouraged Americans to receive one as soon as it becomes available to them. The incoming administration is planning to 'carefully' ensure people get their second Covid-19 vaccine doses, according to Michael Osterholm, a member of Biden's Covid-19 advisory board and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. 'The incoming administration is planning very carefully to make sure that that second shot is delivered on time,' Osterholm said in a Washington Post Live event. Meanwhile, a new analysis found that states are increasingly abandoning guidelines from the CDC and taking their own approaches to giving people coronavirus vaccine. 'Overall, we find states are increasingly diverging from CDC guidance and from each other, suggesting that access to COVID-19 vaccines in these first months of the U.S. vaccine campaign may depend a great deal on where one lives,' the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation, which studies health care policy, said in a report. 'In addition, timelines vary significantly across states, regardless of priority group, resulting in a vaccine roll-out labyrinth across the country.' Congresswoman tests positive US Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, said Monday that she has tested positive for Covid-19. A statement from her office said Coleman 'believes she was exposed during protective isolation in the US Capitol building as a result of insurrectionist riots. As reported by multiple news outlets, a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks.' CNN has previously reported that six House Republicans were captured on video refusing masks offered by a colleague during the US Capitol insurrection. It's unclear whether Watson Coleman was in the safe location with those members. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain. Low near 50F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. High street giant Marks & Spencer has bought upmarket fashion brand Jaeger following its collapse last autumn. The retail bellwether is expected to buy the intellectual property only, allowing M&S to sell Jaeger-branded goods on its website as a third-party brand. M&S did not disclose the amount paid but it is understood to be around 5 million. The deal means no store staff from Jaeger are expected to keep their jobs and all physical sites - closed due to lockdown restrictions - are expected to stay shut permanently. High street giant Marks & Spencer has bought upmarket fashion brand Jaeger following its collapse last autumn Jaeger was placed into administration alongside sister firm Peacocks in November by Dubai-based owner and retailer Philip Day. The tycoon's EWM Group had already called in administrators for its Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home business earlier in November. Last week there was hope from FRP Advisory, administrator for the businesses, as it issued sale contracts to a potential buyer for 400 stores trading under the Edinburgh Woollen Mill brand. However, it is unlikely to save many stores from closure, adding to the almost one-third of its 2,571 employees already made redundant. 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 Sir Philip Green's collapsed Arcadia Group brands, such as Topshop. Last week at M&S's Christmas trading update, chief executive Steve Rowe explained the rationale behind teaming up and buying new brands. M&S did not disclose the amount paid but it is understood to be around 5 million He said: "M&S wants to build a curated set of brands and merchandise largely for our online business but also through filling some of that excess space we have in stores. "We've got no intention of turning M&S into a department store at all. This is about finding and partnering with adjacent brands. Adjacent in terms of style, adjacent in terms of customer base that enhance the M&S offer and make it the place to go to for an online shop." The deal comes as M&S also revealed it is one of a number of food retailers struggling to get to grips with complex new rules on exports following the signing of a post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU. Mr Rowe said the retailer has found problems around "point of origin" rules, leading to stores on the island of Ireland missing key M&S food products. He insisted the problems will be resolved over time. Islamabad: Pakistan's PM Imran Khan has once again been the Raag Alpa of Kashmir. PM Imran Khan has said that no dialogue with India is possible unless there is a restoration of 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. According to media reports, pm Imran Khan on Sunday responded to a question on the possibility of talks with India during talks with representatives of digital media in Islamabad. During the talks, PM Imran Khan claimed that we have no relationship with anyone except India. India is trying to destabilize Pakistan. India has categorically stated to the international community that it is an internal matter to abolish most of the provisions of article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India has already asked Pakistan to accept the reality. At the same time, anti-India has also been asked to stay away from all false practices. Pak PM Imran Khan has already been charged with taking the name of Jammu and Kashmir on India several times. Imran Khan says that I have said before the Indian leadership, if they take a step towards peace, Pakistan will take two steps. He alleged that India had usurpEd Jammu and Kashmir instead of moving towards peace. The military siege of Kashmir. Also Read:- Hold him accountable for Mumbai attacks: US on Lakhvis conviction Trump orders US flag at half-mast in respect of fallen Capitol officers Cotton University team from Assam wins online Regional Red Ribbon Quiz Competition Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Dowd writes from Brattleboro. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer. Its funny to think about what we used to take for granted: that actors could see each other; that if the stage lights allowed, they could see the audience, too; that we could occupy the same space at the same time, living through the same event. Two shows at the Public Theaters Under the Radar Festival, Capsule and Disclaimer, investigate how theater might speak to us now, when most of us consume it from well beyond the balcony and when acknowledging differences in identity and lived experience can make us feel further away than ever. Capsule, a fragmentary song cycle from Whitney White and Peter Mark Kendall, snakes through the past spring, summer and fall, marking the time, as Kendall says, between sourdough and losing our minds. Hazily linear, the prerecorded piece owes less to the clock and the calendar and more to the emotional fever chart that each fresh hell the pandemic, the killing of George Floyd, the West Coast wildfires, the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg induces. White, who mostly works as a director (What to Send Up When It Goes Down, Our Dear Dead Drug Lord), and Kendall, an actor (Blue Ridge, the recent Lessons in Survival, which he co-conceived), play themselves. She comes across as sable-voiced, graceful, effortlessly emotive. He is gawkier, with an almost formal reserve. "It's my suspicion this is not going to end up being a confirmed positive test. We are following that up with Israeli authorities and as soon as we can get a determination on a more precise test, we will provide that information," he said. "Rapid point-of-care tests have been known to turn up as positive when cases are not true positives. They are different to the PCR swabs that return a result after several hours, that are much more accurate, have 99.9 per cent accuracy. These rapid point-of-care tests are very useful, but they can turn up a positive result in somebody not truly a case." The Explorers Early Learning centre in Armadale is closed on Monday as it undergoes a deep clean. Credit:Paul Jeffers He said the possible case and early learning centre have no connection to the Black Rock cluster or exposure sites visited by previously confirmed cases. The Department of Health was informed of the case late on Sunday. Explorers Early Learning was notified of the case before 10am on Monday, owner Lynda Kelly said, after which the Armadale centre was immediately closed for 48 hours for deep cleaning. All families who had attended the centre were then notified by email, with advice from the Health Department, "to make sure everyone's safe", Ms Kelly said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The centre provided families with another update at 5pm on Monday, but there was no new details about the case. "The Royal Children's Hospital have set up a section for our families to get tested, which is fantastic," Ms Kelly said. She said communication from the Health Department on Monday had been great. The childcare centre's general manager Jarrod Macdonald wrote to parents earlier on Monday encouraging them to get their children tested. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton on Monday. Credit:Simon Schluter "As a matter of caution, we encourage all children who attended the service last week to be tested. In addition, we remind families to get tested even if they have mildest symptoms," he wrote. "We will call all families who are deemed a close contact today for official instruction to self-isolate. In the meantime, we ask that all families make appropriate decisions for your family whilst we await further advice. "We are extremely conscious of you and your child's safety and wellbeing. We will continue to take advice from the health authorities and keep you updated." Victoria officially recorded no new local cases of coronavirus for the fifth day in a row on Monday. One international arrival tested positive. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video It takes the state's active cases to 40. There were more than 18,000 test results returned on Sunday. Australian Childcare Alliance vice-president Nesha Hutchinson said every childcare centre has a COVID-19 management plan, which can include temperature checks, spending more time outdoors and even QR scans for the parents or guardians who drop children off. Children and staff are required to stay home and get tested if they have even mild symptoms. "There's been quite a lot of changes and it's being managed very well," Ms Hutchinson said. She said there had been some cases in early learning centres, but they did not seem to lead to clusters, with young children tending to be less infectious with COVID-19. Ms Hutchinson noted that could change if the highly virulent strain from overseas was to take hold in Australia. Meanwhile, Professor Sutton is set to review the rules governing the wearing of masks indoors by Tuesday after Victoria released a new traffic light system governing border arrangements on Monday. Loading COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar on Sunday said he wanted to see more days of no community transmission and high testing numbers before restrictions were eased. "[Professor Sutton] will be reviewing these issues over the coming day or two," he said. "He's looking at it very closely and I'm sure he'll have something to say over the coming days." The three-day lockdown of five Brisbane council areas is set to finish at 6pm on Monday. The lockdown was instated after a hotel quarantine cleaner was discovered to have the more-virulent UK COVID-19 variant on Thursday. Some members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have excoriated the election of Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin as Speaker of Parliament. Those not in favour of Hon. Bagbin becoming the Speaker have argued that he belongs to the opposition NDC and so will sabotage the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Majority in Parliament, the NPP. Recently, there was a seeming Olympic games in Parliament as Tema West MP, Carlos Ahenkorah grabbed ballot papers and attempted to whisk away with them, and was violently chased by some members of the Minority, notable among them was the Asawase MP, Mubarak Muntaka. To Carlos Ahenkorah, he attempted to run with the ballot papers to force a run-off to happen because he doesn't trust a Speaker who is a member of an opposition party. Due to the event that unfolded in Parliament, some critics have asked a critical question; who among the NPP Majority voted for Hon. Bagbin? In attempting to answer this question, Dr. Benjamin Okyere Ankrah, a lecturer at the Central University in Accra, explained that the election of Hon. Bagbin clearly showed how dishonest politicians are, in that they may pledge allegiance to a person but, in their minds, have ulterior motives. According to him, in politics, dogs are more honest than humans. "In politics, dogs are more honest than human beings. Because when you decide to go to the farm with a dog and it says it's tired or unwilling to go, it will return for you to know it has refused to follow you, but in politics, the person will go with you alright but has already changed his/her decision in his or her mind," he told sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo". 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 The de-platforming of US President Donald Trump has sparked a debate in the US that could reshape the internet. Following the storming of the Capitol by his supporters last week Trump has been banned permanently by Twitter and indefinitely by Facebook. Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers Credit:AP Photo/Manuel Balce As Trump and his supporters tried to migrate to Parler, a small social network that boasts its lack of regulation, its apps were removed from Apple and Google app stores and Amazon announced it would eject it from its web-hosting service. With Apple and Google providing the operating systems for almost all smartphones, Parler, if it survives, faces a much-diminished future. The actions of the social media giants were an understandable response to the pressure from Democrat and Republican politicians and the broader communities in the US to avoid any repeat of their perceived role in facilitating the inciting and organising of the assault on the Capitol building. More than 130 airstrikes have targeted the positions of the Islamic State (IS) terror group in the Syrian desert in the last two days, a war monitor reported. The intensified airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes against the IS positions in the Syrian desert as the latter attacked and captured several Syrian military sites, Xinhua news agency quoted the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying on Saturday. The watchdog group said the IS militants later withdrew from the sites they had advanced to, fearing the airstrikes. During the battles over the past 48 hours, 19 government soldiers were killed as well as 12 IS militants, said the Observatory. After losing key areas across Syria, the IS group stationed in several parts of the Syrian desert and has carried out countless attacks on Syrian government forces. Since March 2020, 1,170 soldiers and pro-government fighters have been killed during IS attacks in the desert as well as 633 IS militants. A woman in her 20s was last night in a stable condition in hospital after a stabbing in Co Fermanagh at the weekend A woman in her 20s was last night in a stable condition in hospital after a stabbing in Co Fermanagh at the weekend. The victim was being treated for stab wounds at the South West Acute Hospital following a stabbing in the Maguiresbridge area in the early hours of yesterday morning. A 22-year-old woman was arrested by police after the incident. On Monday morning she was charged with with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. She is due to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates court. As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. A spokesman from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received a 999 call at 5.39am yesterday following reports of a stabbing in the Maguiresbridge area. He continued: "NIAS dispatched two emergency crews to the incident. "Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was transported to the South West Acute Hospital." A spokeswoman from the Western Trust said: "The patient is stable and comfortable." Meanwhile, a PSNI spokesman said: "Detectives are investigating an incident at a house at Railway Park in Maguiresbridge, which has left a woman in her 20s with a number of stab wounds. "The woman is currently receiving treatment in hospital for her injuries. The incident was reported to police at around 5.40am on Sunday morning and efforts are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. "A woman aged 22 has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. "The investigation is ongoing and there are no further details." Ananya Panday is quite active on Instagram and her posts are a treat to her fans and followers. The Khaali Peeli actor was recently in the news for her getaway to the Maldives with Ishaan Khatter as she rang in the new years there. Ananya took to her Instagram stories to post a picture and describe her love story with her pet cat, Winky. Read on to know more about it. Also Read | Ananya Panday Shares 'favourite Morning Ritual'; Says 'world Is Truly Better Upside Down' Ananya Panday's Instagram story Ananya Panday's photos and videos on Instagram range from her exotic travel to BTS on film sets and chilling with her friends and family. The actor recently took to her Instagram stories to tell her fans and followers about her love story with her pet cat, Winky. She shared a picture of her cat's paw holding one of her fingers and also wrote, "Winky and I - A love story". She further added, "I was upset about something and he just randomly held my finger for ten minutes. Automatically fixes everything". You can see Ananya's story here. Also Read | Ananya Panday Enjoys Family Time With Parents & Sister At Gateway; Shares Glimpses Ananya Panday's vacation pictures from the Maldives received a lot of attention from her fans and followers. The Pati Patni Aur Woh actor shared a series of posts on Instagram wearing bikinis, swimsuits, and sporting a tan. She also posted a lot of pictures of herself, chilling on the beach and pool, while eating burgers and fries. You can see some of Ananya's vacation photos here. Also Read | Ananya Panday Sizzles In Her Latest Picture Reminiscing Her Maldives Trip Ananya Panday's movies Ananya Panday has been doing movies non-stop ever since her debut in 2019. The actor was last seen in Khaali Peeli, alongside Ishaan Khatter, with whom she vacationed in the Maldives. The film released digitally and was helmed by Maqbool Khan. She is now gearing up for her upcoming pan-India, movie, Fighter, which marks the Bollywood debut of Vijay Deverakonda. Directed by Puri Jagannadh, Fighter is said to be based on the life of a boxer. More so, she is also roped in for Shakun Batra's yet-to-be-titled film, alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi and Deepika Padukone. She was also praised for her role of Tapasya in the Kartik Aryan and Bhumi Pednekar starrer Pati Patni Aur Woh. Also Read | Tinder Asks, '2021 Will Be Epic Because...?' Ananya Panday Has A Witty Answer Also Read | Katrina Kaif-Vicky Kaushal, Ishaan Khatter-Ananya Panday Snapped For Christmas Party Image Credits: Ananya Panday Official Instagram Account 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. Christina Reszetar, 51, faces child abuse charges after she allegedly sprayed disinfectant on four students who refused to wear their face masks properly A Florida high school teacher was accused of abusing four students after she allegedly sprayed them with disinfectant because they refused to wear their face masks properly. Christina Reszetar, 51, who has been a teacher for 21 years, was arrested on January 6 and now faces four charges of child abuse. Police were called to Largo High School in Largo, Florida, following the incident that day, at which point police said Reszetar told them that four of her students had refused to properly wear face masks - meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus, News Channel 8, reported. After their refusal, she allegedly sprayed an aerosol disinfectant 'into the path of their faces and bodies.' The incident was supposedly caught by video cameras. Reszetar spent the night in jail and appeared before a judge Thursday. She told the judge on January 7 that she's a Learning Disabled Math teacher at Largo High School, where she taught for 18 years, and said that video of the incident will prove that the claims against her aren't true. Reszetar (pictured in court) said that video will show the charges against her aren't true Reszetar (in custody) told the judge that she couldn't afford to hire a lawyer Reszetar (in custody) was released without bond against prosecutors' request The judge told Reszetar that her alleged actions could be considered 'a severely misguided attempt at discipline' and asked if she would be able to hire a lawyer. 'I will not be able to afford one on my teachers salary,' she replied. Prosecutors asked the judge to increase her bond, but the request was denied and she was released from jail without bond Thursday night. The school district told WTSP that Reszetar works as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher and that prior to working at Largo High School, she had taught at Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater, the Seminole Vocational Education Center and Dunedin Middle School. Reszetar has taught at Largo High School (pictured) for 18 years and has been teaching for 21 years. She currently works as an Exceptional Student Education teacher A spokesperson for the Pinellas County School District told News Channel 8 that Reszetar was still employed by the school district as of Thursday morning and that it couldn't release any details about the incident while it is being investigated. The Claire disinfectant spray that Reszetar allegedly sprayed at the children was not provided to her by the school, the district said. Reszetar's neighbor told the news station that while she didn't think Reszetar's alleged act was appropriate, the arrest was excessive and that 'teachers have to be under a lot of pressure right now with the virus.' 1 of 1 Bitcoin Legality in India 2021 khaskhabar.com : , 11 2021 1:30 PM A U.S. Army soldier was killed Monday in a non-tactical vehicle accident while serving in Kuwait, according to a news release from U.S. Army Central. The identity of the deceased soldier is being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification, according to the release. Two other soldiers were injured in the accident, but their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Col. Armando Hernandez, a spokesman for Army Central, told Military.com. Read Next: After Capitol Siege, Navy's Top Officer Tells Commanders to Stay Focused on the Mission "We do know that they were not in serious or critical condition," Hernandez said. Few details were released, but the accident occurred at 8 a.m. local time and involved a "commercial-type" vehicle, he added. The cause of the incident is under investigation, according to the release, which adds, "We send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased." In September, Senior Airman Jason Khai Phan, assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, was killed in a single-vehicle, noncombat-related accident while conducting a routine patrol outside the perimeter of Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to a news release. In August, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., called on the House Armed Services Committee to investigate a "disturbing rise in deadly training accidents" following a series of vehicle mishaps. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related: Pentagon IDs Airman Who Died in Kuwait Military Vehicle Accident Boris Johnson is under pressure to increase the social distancing gap to stop the spread of coronavirus. Leading members of the Sage scientific advisory panel want the measure raised from 'one metre plus' to 'two metres plus'. In practice this would change the limit to three metres nearly 10ft. The drastic proposal came as a furious Matt Hancock denounced individuals who flout social distancing rules. Speaking at a Downing Street press conference the Health Secretary said that he would 'not rule out further action if needed.' He was backed by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, who sits on Sage and said it was time to 'double down' on Covid curbs including outdoor contact. Asked if a three-metre rule would be imposed in England, a Downing Street spokesman said last night: 'There are no current plans to change social distancing rules. However, everything is kept under review.' It came as the country recorded a further 529 Covid deaths on Monday - marking a 30 per cent rise on the 407 reported on the same day last week. It was the deadliest Monday since April 20 when 570 people lost their lives and it marked the worst week for deaths in Britain since the pandemic began. An average of 931 people have lost their lives on each of the past seven days, compared to the highest seven-day average of 920 in April's first wave. But, in a positive sign that the UK's soaring case load may be leveling out, 46,169 people tested positive for the virus - down 20 per cent in a week. As Boris Johnson also warned of tougher Covid-19 curbs if existing restrictions were ignored: Another 529 virus deaths were recorded yesterday, up from 407 a week earlier, with 46,169 new cases; Seven vaccination hubs came into use, including London's ExCeL and Birmingham's Millennium Point; Morrisons said it would ban shoppers refusing to wear face coverings; Derbyshire Police cancelled 200 fines for two women penalised for driving five miles to go for a walk; Nearly a quarter of care home residents have received their first shot of Covid vaccine; Hospitals started rationing oxygen as it emerged that one in four coronavirus patients is under 55. Boris Johnson is under pressure from members of the Sage scientific advisory panel to increase the social distancing gap to stop the spread of coronavirus The distance was set at two metres in March after experts said coronavirus was up to ten times more transmissible at one metre than at two. Now experts want the public to maintain the distance on public transport, in supermarket lines and while out and about The Daily Mail has been told that several members of Sage say the lockdown needs to be even tougher than the first one in March last year. The idea of a Chinese-style ban on residents leaving their homes was raised at one meeting. Ministers are furious that some people have been using their right to daily exercise simply as an excuse to meet friends for a coffee in the park. One source said: 'If it means limiting people to a single one-hour walk on their own once a week that is what we must do. We cannot let a few selfish idiots put the whole country in danger.' It is feared that the failure to observe the restrictions is fuelling the number of deaths and risks hospitals becoming overwhelmed. Increasing the social distancing rule to three metres is seen as one way of stopping the spread of the new variant of the virus, which can be passed on more easily. Britain yesterday recorded a further 529 Covid deaths - marking a 30 per cent rise on the 407 reported on the same day last week. It is also the deadliest Monday since April 20 when 570 people lost their lives Opponents of the move say it would have little impact, cause more confusion and be a logistical nightmare. Two-metre signs have been painted on pavements across the nation, with similar notices found in tens of thousands of shops, factories, offices and public places. Changing them all would add to the soaring cost of fighting the pandemic. Supporters claim the benefit in saving lives and protecting the NHS means the move is worth it. They argue it is a response to the new variant which is thought to be up to be 70 per cent more transmissible. If it goes ahead it would be the Government's third policy on social distancing. The distance was set at two metres in March after experts said coronavirus was up to ten times more transmissible at one metre than at two. But it was reduced to 'one metre plus' in July after the first lockdown mainly to make it easier for restaurants and cafes to reopen. Two-metre signs have been painted on pavements across the nation, with similar notices found in tens of thousands of shops, factories, offices and public places A 'two metre plus' rule would in practice mean staying three metres apart nearly 10ft unless steps were taken to limit the danger of transmission, such as screens. Social distancing gaps vary around the world. In China, Hong Kong and Singapore, which were successful in controlling the pandemic, the gap was one metre. However, they imposed other, far stricter, rules including curfews. Spain and Canada followed the two-metre rule. The three other home nations have different versions of the two-metre rule. In Scotland people are advised to keep two metres apart and in Wales they are told to stay two metres apart unless it is not practical, with young children exempt. The gap in Northern Ireland came down to one metre but is two again. Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia said: 'Risk declines the further you are away from someone. 'So three metres will reduce risk somewhat compared to two metres but it is difficult to say how much and whether that would make a big difference. I suspect the main issue is people not sticking to the two-metre rule.' Mr Hancock warned against trying to 'push the boundaries' on exercise, adding: 'If too many people break this rule we are going to have a look at it. Don't say you are exercising if really you are just socialising.' He said the two-metre rule had to be obeyed, not seen 'as a limit to be challenged'. Shortly after Mr Hancock's Downing Street press briefing on Monday, the PM released a short video filmed during his visit to the Ashton Gate vaccination centre in Bristol. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it is allowed to cycle seven miles from where you live to take exercise, despite also insisting that people must 'stay local' In it, he urged Britons to 'follow the guidance, stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives' as Covid continues to spread rapidly in several parts of the country. Britons shouldn't 'lose focus on the pandemic' as coronavirus is 'still causing huge, huge problems for our NHS', Mr Johnson added. Mr Hancock also used the briefing to defend the PM after he was spotted cycling in the Olympic Park seven miles from Downing Street in apparent breach of government advice. The Health Secretary said it is allowed to cycle that distance from where you live to take exercise, despite also insisting that people must 'stay local'. But he also warned that rules on two people from different households being able to exercise outdoors together could be torn up if people keep abusing them. 'If too many people keep breaking this rule we are going to have to look at it but I don't want to do that,' Mr Hancock told a No10 briefing yesterday evening. The PM was seen wearing a hat and a face mask on his bike at the venue seven miles away from Downing Street yesterday afternoon. Shortly after Mr Hancock's address, the PM released a short video (pictured) filmed during his visit to the Bristol vaccination centre yesterday In the clip (pictured), he urged Britons to 'follow the guidance, stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives' as Covid continues to spread rapidly in several parts of the country What are the government's rules on taking exercise? You should minimise time spent outside your home, but you can leave your home to exercise. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. You can exercise in a public outdoor place: by yourself with the people you live with with your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one) in a childcare bubble where providing childcare or, when on your own, with one person from another household This includes but is not limited to running, cycling, walking, and swimming. Personal training can continue one-on-one unless everyone is within the same household or support bubble. Public outdoor places include: parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them) the grounds of a heritage site playgrounds Advertisement A source told the Evening Standard that Mr Johnson was exercising, accompanied by his security detail. Extraordinarily the premier is said to have 'noted how busy' the park was and remarked on it at a meeting later. Official Government guidance says exercise should be limited to once a day and 'you should not travel outside your local area'. Two women were fined 200 each by Derbyshire Police for driving five miles from their home for a walk, while in Whitby officers have slammed people for going sledging. A witness said: 'He was leisurely cycling with another guy with a beanie hat and chatting while around four security guys, possibly more, cycled behind them. 'When I realised the person looked like Boris I cycled past them to hear his voice and be sure it's him. It was definitely Boris. 'Considering the current situation with Covid I was shocked to see him cycling around looking so care free," added the woman, who asked not to be named. Also considering he's advising everyone to stay at home and not leave their area, shouldn't he stay in Westminster and not travel to other boroughs?' The PM's spokesman was unable to give any information yesterday on why Mr Johnson had gone to Stratford and why it was within the rules. It is also not clear whether Mr Johnson was driven to the park with his bike, or cycled the whole way there and back. Lib Dem MP Tim Farron said: 'Government guidance on travelling to exercise is as clear as mud. 'People are travelling hundreds of miles to the Lake District while others are afraid to drive 5 minutes to the local park. 'I've written to the Prime Minister, asking him to set out clear guidance once and for all.' In a video shared to the PM's official Twitter account yesterday evening - which features footage of Mr Johnson's visit to Bristol on Monday- the PM heaped praise on the Government's vaccine programme. But he warned Britons that it should not lead to complacency, as the new Covid variant is still spreading rapidly. Mr Johnson said: 'Hi folks. I am here at this amazing Bristol mass-vaccination centre in a football stadium and it's one of the 50 that we are going to be rolling out by the end of the month to help all the 1,000-plus GP surgeries, the 233 hospital sites, plus the 200 pharmacies. 'And that's, of course, just a start that we're using to dispense the vaccine. 'As I speak to you this morning I think we've done about 2.4 million jabs, 2 million people in the country already who have been vaccinated, and we will be massively ramping that up in the course of the next few weeks as we get up to, we hope, 15 million by the middle of February. 'And that's a very ambitious programme, we're confident we can do it. 'But, as we get the jabs into people, it's incredibly important that we don't lose focus on the pandemic that is still, alas, surging in so many parts of the country, still filling our hospitals with Covid patients, still causing huge, huge problems for our NHS. 'So everybody has got to follow the guidance. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.' Along with his video, the PM tweeted: 'As we get jabs into arms, we must not lose sight of the state of the pandemic - which is putting huge pressure on our NHS. 'So, please follow the rules and stay home to protect the NHS, and save lives.' Obey the rules or they'll get tougher: PM's warning as Whitty says we're at the worst point of the pandemic ByJason Groves Political Editor For The Daily Mail Lockdown restrictions will be tightened again if the public flout the current rules, Boris Johnson warned yesterday. The Prime Minister said 'complacency' among the public could plunge the country into a deeper crisis at what was already a 'very perilous moment'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night reinforced his message, saying so-called support bubbles were the only lockdown exemption guaranteed to stay. The warnings came amid mounting Government concern that the third lockdown may fail to bring the latest spike in coronavirus infections under control. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said Britain was 'now at the worst point of this epidemic' and urged people to stop seeing friends and family, even in the limited circumstances still allowed, saying every 'unnecessary' contact risked spreading the virus. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said Britain was 'now at the worst point of this epidemic' and urged people to stop seeing friends and family, even in the limited circumstances still allowed, saying every 'unnecessary' contact risked spreading the virus. He added: 'The key thing to understand is that when you meet people from another household under any circumstances and they're very often your friends, your family but those are the kind of situations where the virus is passed on.' He added: 'It doesn't care who you are, it doesn't care whether they're your friends. If you meet someone from another household, the virus has an opportunity to be transmitted.' Ministers are considering a number of further restrictions, including closing the exemption that allows two people from different households to exercise together outdoors. Government sources yesterday said Mr Johnson was 'reluctant' to scrap the exemption, which provides one of the few remaining lifelines for the lonely. But there are fears it is muddying the 'stay at home' message, with the Prime Minister's official spokesman yesterday struggling to clarify whether two friends can take drinks with them on a walk. No mask, then you can't shop at Morrisons Morrisons will ban customers who refuse to wear face coverings from its shops amid rising coronavirus infections. Shoppers who refuse to wear masks offered by staff will not be allowed in unless they are medically exempt. Chief executive David Potts said: 'Our store colleagues are working hard to feed you and your family, please be kind.' The policy threatens to trigger confrontations at the doors amid concerns about a rise in abuse and attacks on staff who are trying to impose social distancing rules. Sainsbury's is also introducing rules which require customers to shop alone and wear face masks. Security guards will challenge those who are not wearing a mask or who are shopping in groups. It came as industry bosses angrily rejected claims from ministers that supermarkets are to blame for the spread of the virus. One retail source said the Government 'would be wise to investigate their own decisions around reducing social distancing rules, rather trying to lay the blame on supermarkets.' Advertisement Mr Hancock said the exemption was under review as it was being abused. 'We have been seeing large groups... and you should be two metres apart from the other person. If there are too many people breaking this rule then we are going to have to look at it. 'But, I don't want to do that because for many people, being able to go for a walk with a friend... is their only social contact.' Pre-school nurseries and places of worship could also face restrictions if cases continue to rise but Mr Hancock said support bubbles were sacrosanct. The arrangement allows those living alone or with babies to link up with one other household for support. The Prime Minister and his fiancee Carrie Symonds are among those who have taken advantage of the system, forming a support bubble with Miss Symonds's mother following the birth of their son Wilfred in April. Ministers hope the blunt messaging on the NHS crisis and tougher rule enforcement will persuade people to comply with the letter and spirit of the lockdown. But Labour yesterday called for the rules to be tightened, including the closure of nurseries. Mr Hancock last night suggested a major relaxation of the rules was unlikely until all over-60s have been vaccinated which the new plan suggests won't be until at least April. He said it was only at this point that ministers could be absolutely sure that hospital admissions from the virus would start to fall. But the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, who oppose lockdown, last night said it should be lifted as soon as the 13million most vulnerable are vaccinated which the Prime Minister pledged to achieve by February 15. Boris Johnson pedals into a storm over lockdown bike ride after he is spotted cycling SEVEN MILES from Downing Street in the Olympic Park ByClaire Ellicott Political Correspondent For The Daily Mail Boris Johnson has been accused of undermining his own lockdown rules after it was revealed that he went cycling seven miles from Downing Street for exercise. The Prime Minister was spotted on his bike at the Olympic Park in east London on Sunday afternoon with his security detail. Wearing a Transport for London hat and a face mask, he rode around the site in Stratford, east London, at around 2pm. A few hours after his ride, Mr Johnson held a meeting with Cabinet colleagues to discuss the current lockdown. Boris Johnson was spotted at the Olympic Park seven miles away from Downing Street yesterday afternoon. Pictured, the PM cycling in Beeston last summer Last night, Hammersmith Labour MP Andy Slaughter said: 'Once again it is 'Do as I say, not as I do' from the Prime Minister. 'London has some of the highest infection rates in the country. Boris Johnson should be leading by example.' A source told the Evening Standard that the PM was exercising, adding: 'But he did note how busy the park was and he commented on it at the meeting last night. So what is allowed? Government rules state that 'you should not travel outside your local area' for exercise. However, what does and does not constitute 'local' has been up for debate. At yesterday's Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock was asked if Britons were allowed to exercise seven miles from home. He replied: 'It is OK to go if you went for a long walk and ended up seven miles from home, that is OK, but you should stay local.' He added: 'You should not go from one side of the country to the other, potentially taking the virus with you, because remember one in three people who have the virus don't know they have it because they don't have symptoms. 'It is OK to go for a long walk or a cycle ride or to exercise, but stay local.' Advertisement 'He was concerned about if people were following the rules and was concerned after his ride around the park.' Downing Street declined to comment on the journey, and would not clarify whether the PM cycled to the park or was driven there in a vehicle for his bike ride. Some social media users have pointed out that there are green spaces much closer to the PM's home in Westminster where he could exercise. Mr Johnson has made of a point of being seen to exercise since his brush with death after he contracted Covid in March last year. In a bid to prove he is 'fit as a butcher's dog', he is regularly pictured running in nearby St James's Park and with celebrity personal trainer Harry Jameson. He often runs with his dog Dilyn around the Downing Street garden. The PM has also been running in Buckingham Palace grounds after the Queen gave permission, and in Lambeth Palace's grounds after the Archbishop of Canterbury gave his approval. The PM's spokesman was unable to give any information yesterday on why Mr Johnson had gone to Stratford and how it was within the rules. However a Downing Street source told the BBC: 'The PM has exercised within the Covid rules and any suggestion to the contrary is wrong.' Mr Johnson has warned he is ready to tighten lockdown further as he voiced fears that vaccines have made people 'complacent' about obeying rules. His warnings come as the NHS teeters on the brink of disaster. Derbyshire Police axe 200 fines for women swooped on during reservoir walk ByGeorge Odling Crime Reporter For The Daily Mail Police last night apologised and scrapped 200 fines handed to two women for driving five miles to go for a walk at a beauty spot during lockdown. Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore, both 27, were fined for making a ten-minute journey to Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire last week after police claimed they could have taken exercise closer to home. They said officers also accused them of having a picnic because they were drinking takeaway peppermint tea. Friends Jessica Allen and Eliza Moore, pictured, both 27, who were each fined 200 by police for driving 10mins for a walk in a local reservoir say they've had their fines cancelled following backlash Derbyshire Chief Constable Rachel Swann last night said the penalty notices had been withdrawn and the women had received an apology. She added: 'I support the fact that the officers were trying to encourage people to stay local to prevent the spread of the virus. 'We have been working hard to understand the ever-changing guidance and legislation and to communicate this to our officers in a way that makes it clear what is the right course of action to take.' Beautician Miss Allen, from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, said both she and Miss Moore welcomed the apology. The pair were stunned when officers swooped as they strolled by the reservoir. Miss Allen initially thought 'someone had been murdered or a child had gone missing.' West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Brian Booth yesterday claimed officers had been left in an impossible situation by 'woolly laws'. He insisted: 'Walking a tightrope between maintaining public confidence and upholding the law is not made easy with poor guidance. Police officers are being made scapegoats for poor policy and law-writing. However, beautician Jessica Allen, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, revealed they had received separate calls from the force who apologised to them both and informed them their fines will be cancelled (This map shows the proximity between her house and the reservoir) Jessica told how they were surrounded by police when they arrived in separate vehicles at Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire on Wednesday and 'assumed there had been a murder' 'Make it clear to the public, for example, if it is desired that exercise be limited to local then clearly state in law what local is. Do not insert it into guidance that has no legal standing.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night praised the police for their efforts in enforcing the rules. Following calls from police for clarification, a No10 spokesman said Britons were permitted to meet one other person for exercise but not socialising, adding: 'Going for a walk, obviously, does count as exercise.' Meanwhile, police in Devon and Cornwall are using car number plate recognition technology to ensure only essential journeys are made following reports of hundreds of travel breaches at the weekend many related to second homes in the area. Elsewhere, police were filmed smashing through the back door of a pub in Walsall, West Midlands, with a battering ram after receiving reports it was serving alcohol to a group of men. Youth must work towards taking India to path of prosperity: Om Birla India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the participants at the Inaugural Session of the Finals of National Youth Parliament 2021, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Lok Sabha Secretariat in the Central Hall of the Parliament House today. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Kiren Rijiju and Secretary-General, Lok Sabha Shri Utpal Kumar Singh were also present on the occasion. Noting that the peoples' faith in democracy has continued to increase, Birla said that in the last seven decades, Indian democracy has continuously thrived and strengthened itself. Birla added that the strength of Indian democracy could be seen from the fact that the transfer of power has always occurred smoothly and as per our democratic traditions. No place for disruption, be it Parliament or state assemblies, says Om Birla Speaking about the youth and their contribution to nation building, Birla said that, before Independence, Indian youth was at the forefront of the struggle for freedom. In a similar way the youth today must work ceaselessly towards taking India to the path of prosperity and progress. Birla said that for the nation to prosper, it is imperative for the youth to make the significant contribution, which is their responsibility as well as duty. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given an important direction to the youth, who are working towards taking India forward through innovation, and new thinking in various fields during Maan ki Baat programme in 2017. Shri Birla expressed the confidence that in the coming years, Indian youth would be at the forefront of an innovation based world through their technical knowledge and skills. Birla also said that in a democracy we share our thoughts and experiences, debate and discuss and then reach a conclusion after extensive discussion. This is the strength of the democratic system that gives everyone the right to express their views. He hoped that the Youth Parliament would go a long way in strengthening the spirit of democracy in keeping with the motto of Nation First. Earlier he paid tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri whose death anniversary is being observed today. Birla said that Shastri ji, who embodied the values of simplicity and steely resolve, gave the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' for India's soldiers and farmers, who toil everyday to keep our nation safe and secure. Birla observed that just like Shastri ji laid the foundation of self sufficiency in the area of food security for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working tirelessly towards the making of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Birla also met and interacted with the young leaders who will be competing in the Finals of National Youth Parliament 2021 and encouraged them to do well. He also directed the Lok Sabha Secretariat to provide an exposure to these young participants to the functioning of Parliament so that they could develop a better vision of the democratic functioning. Speaking on the occasion, Rijiju said that it is indeed a historic moment that young people of our country are participating in the National Youth Parliament in the Temple of Indian democracy and thanked the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for providing this unique opportunity. HAZLE TWP. Stolen car located, arrest made A McAdoo woman caught in a stolen vehicle Dec. 29 was arrested, court papers say. Destiny J. Scalise, 20, McAdoo, faces a charge of receiving stolen property by state police at Hazleton. Her bail was set at $25,000 Jan. 2 by Magisterial District Judge James Dixon, Hazle Twp., and unable to immediately post it, she was taken to jail. Arrest papers state an off-duty Hazleton police detective contacted troopers around 6 p.m. to report a stolen red Hyundai Elantra at Turkey Hill, 1140 N. Church St. Detectives followed the vehicle to Hazlewood Apartments where it was parked and commanded the three people inside to stay there, court papers state. When troopers arrived, they detained the threesome and found Scalise was in the drivers seat, troopers wrote. The vehicle was reported stolen by state police at Fern Ridge on Dec. 20. TAMAQUA Man charged in domestic dispute Tamaqua police charged a borough man after responding to a reported domestic dispute. Jason M. Reigel, 39, faces simple assault and harassment by borough police. His bail was set at $25,000 Dec. 26 by Magisterial District Judge David Plachko, Port Carbon. Police said they got to 304 N. Elizabeth St., and found Reigel with his arm wrapped around a womans upper body, dragging her down a hall into a bedroom. He was detained and the woman, with a red and swollen face, told police he slapped her, arrest papers state. State police incident reports State police at Hazleton reported the following: Norbel Gonzalez Sanchez, 20, Hazleton, was traveling south on Interstate 81 at mile marker 160.7 in Rice Twp. in a Subaru Forester on Jan. 1 at 6:10 p.m. when she lost control of the vehicle and hit a concrete traffic barrier on the east side of the road. After the impact, the vehicle did a 360-degree turn, traveling back onto the road and crossing all three lanes of traffic before stopping against a guide rail facing south. She and the two 15-year-old boys in the vehicle were injured. M.V. Minayamejias, 58, Bronx, New York, was traveling south on Stockton Mountain Road on Jan. 3 at 8:27 p.m. when he tried to make a right turn onto East Diamond Avenue. He was driving too fast for road conditions and slid off the road, hitting a tree. No injuries were reported and the 2002 Honda Odyssey was towed from the crash site. Minayamejias was cited. Shawn J. Davis. 42, Hazle Twp., was traveling south on South Church Street (Route 309) in a Buick Le Sabre on Dec. 27 around 1 p.m. when he traveled off the west shoulder, hitting a utility pole while negotiating a curve in the road. The crash happened about 1,000 feet north of Route 424. Davis was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton by Greater Hazleton Ambulance for treatment of unspecified injuries. Lehigh Valley EMS, McAdoo EMS and Hazle Twp. firefighters assisted at the scene. A 45-year-old woman from Bronx, New York, and a 19-year-old woman from Hazleton attempted to leave Walmart in Hazle Twp. with $177.78 worth of stolen merchandise Jan. 5, which included food, clothing, personal products and household goods. Charges are pending against the women, whose names werent released. A 32-year-old Hazleton woman underrang $171.89 worth of items at Walmart in Hazle Twp. on Jan. 4 and was caught by store asset protection workers. The items included a heater, household goods and gemstone. The womans name wasnt released. Protecting the world's biodiversity was on the agenda Monday for at the One Planet Summit, which was being held by videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic. The one-day summit will focus on four major topics: protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems; promoting agroecology, a more sustainable way to grow food; increasing funding to protect biodiversity; and identifying links between deforestation and the health of humans and animals. About 30 leaders, government officials and heads of organisations were to attend, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. China will be represented by Vice Premier Han Zheng. The event, organised by France, the United Nations and the World Bank, is taking place in the absence of top officials from the United States, as President-elect Joe Biden, a strong proponent of climate issues, does not take office until January 20. Other notable absences include the leaders of Russia, India and Brazil. Organisers hope to merge the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity as experts say the two issues are interconnected and any solutions must be as well. The U.N. stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a dramatic reminder of the importance of for our daily lives and economies. Biodiversity represents the natural capital of the world, yet exploitation, pollution and climate change are bringing irreversible damage to ecosystems, the U.N. said ahead of the summit. Mondays talks seek to prepare negotiations to set biodiversity targets for the next decade at a U.N. conference on biodiversity to be held in China in October, after it was postponed last year due to the pandemic. The U.N.'s global climate summit, the COP26, has also been rescheduled for November. The summit also intends to boost the High Ambition Coalition for and People, which was launched in 2019 by Costa Rica, France and Britain to set a target of protecting at least 30 per cent of the planet, including land and sea, by 2030. A side conference on Monday is focusing on investment for Africas Great Green Wall project, which involves gigantic efforts to stop the Sahara Desert from spreading futher south. Launched in 2007, the program consists in planting an arc of trees running 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) across Africa from Senegal along the Atlantic all the way to Djibouti on the Gulf of Aden. Karan Singh Grover Tests Positive For COVID-19 While Shooting For Qubool Hai 2.0, Is Asymptomatic And In Quarantine Karan Singh Grover fans had been ecstatic when they had learnt about the actor's new project. He is all set to be in the digital space with Qubol Hai 2.0, where he would reunite with Surbhi Jyoti. Their pictures from the sets and the first look had sent fans into a tizzy. But now, we have a bad news. The actor, who is in Serbia shooting for the series, has now tested positive for COVID-19. View this post on Instagram A post shared by karan singh grover (@iamksgofficial) A report in Spotboye mentions that this happened in December end, 2020. A source was quoted saying, "Karan Singh Grover was supposed to return to India on December 29 with the crew and before that, all had to go for a compulsory COVID-19 test in which he resulted positive. Along with Karan, other few members of the team also tested positive and hence they are still stuck in that country and will be flying back after their isolation period is over." View this post on Instagram A post shared by karan singh grover (@iamksgofficial) KSG is asymptomatic and has not faced any discomfort despite the low temperature in Serbia. Well, we are praying for his speedy recovery and we hope that he returns to India soon. A few days back, he had wished wife Bipasha Basu on her birthday and praised her ability to love infinitely and unconditionally. New information in media reports shows that Trumps January 6 fascistic insurrection had high level support from within the Republican Party and critical sections of the police and military-intelligence apparatus. These revelations raise the need for a full-scale investigation into the plot to overthrow the Constitution and all those involved in it. The Washington Post reported yesterday that in the days before the riot, congressional staff implored the US Capitol police to take seriously the clear signs that a coup attempt was being prepared, demanding greater protection for the scheduled Electoral College certification. Staff were asking for briefings and were desperate for information about the threat of violence, but Capitol police refused to provide any substantive response, the Post reported. An NBC report also confirmed the overrunning of police barriers was not due to a mistake or lack of information. The FBI and New York City Police Department provided Capitol police with ample intelligence about the possibility of violence during the Jan. 6 protest, NBC reported, citing leaks from a senior law enforcement official. NBC noted that these previously unreported details undercut the assertion by a top FBI official this week that officials had no indication violence was a possibility and add to questions of what intelligence authorities had reviewed prior to the Capitol riot. Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Additional reports indicate that during the assault, when officials and staff were huddled in offices hiding from the mob, Capitol police leadership refused to take phone calls from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, who as chair of the House Administration Committee has oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Capitol, lied to her about the deployment of National Guard troops, and then hung up the phone on Congresswoman Maxine Waters when she requested help. Critical support for the coup attempt also came from within the Pentagon, which Trump packed with loyalists in the aftermath of the November 3 election. During the siege, Democratic leaders called Maryland Governor Larry Hogan from their bunker and begged for National Guard support. Hogan said his state guard was prepared to deploy to evacuate them, but the Pentagon refused multiple requests to allow them into the District. In a Sunday CNN interview, Hogan said: All I know is that we were trying to get answers and we werent getting answers. In addition, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam revealed yesterday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called him on Wednesday and also pleaded for help. Northam quoted Pelosis words: Ralph, theres glass being broken around me. Ive heard theres been gunfire. Were just very, very concerned right now. These are not the only signs of involvement from sections of the Pentagon. In the days before January 6, the Pentagon had disarmed the Washington D.C. National Guard and refused Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowsers request to arm and prepare them. An official Pentagon document reviewing the lead-up to the events of January 6 refers to the riot as the January 6, 2021 First Amendment Protests in Washington DC. The Pentagon also blocked the deployment of a quick reaction force, which is stationed at Marylands Joint Base Andrews and is kept on reserve for precisely this type of situation. The Pentagon claimed the unit did not deploy due to insufficient planning, an obvious lie. According to the Washington Post report, an aide to Majority Leader Mitch McConnellapparently acting without the authority of his employer and circumventing the official chain of commandcalled a personal friend who worked at the FBI and informed him of the situation. As a result, the friend dispatched the first of three tactical teams, including one from the FBI Washington field office to secure the safety of US senators and provide whatever aid they could. Retired Brigadier General Thomas Kolditz spoke to Fortune magazine about the ongoing danger from within the military. Kolditz, a West Point professor who leads a Yale University think tank, referred to military officers who believed January 6 was a good thing: Were not talking about half a dozen people. Were probably talking about thousands across the Department of Defense. Many of them will have already run their mouth, put things on social media. But this was an insurgency, a crime against the state. And its a duty obligation of the defense leadership to make sure that there are no, essentially, sleeper cells, people in the military who, for whatever reason, think an insurgency is a good idea or justifiable. In addition, there is increasing evidence that Republican members of Congress and their staff were implicated in the coup attempt. Colorado Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert was live-tweeting Pelosis physical location to the mob during the storming of the Capitol. Boebert, a fascist QAnon supporter, tweeted Today is 1776 at 7:30 a.m. At 2:18 p.m., as Pelosi was being evacuated, she tweeted, The Speaker has been removed from the chambers. Democratic Majority Whip James Clyburn told CBS yesterday he believed Republicans had provided the mob with maps of the Congress and let rioters into the building: I do believe that something was going on. They knew where to go. Ive been told by some other Congress people that their staff are saying that they saw people being allowed into the building through side doors. Who opened those side doors for these protesters, or I call them these mobsters, to come into the building, not through the main entrance where magnetometers are but through side doors? Yes, somebody on the inside of those buildings were complicit in this. These facts make clear the need for an investigation into the forces behind Trumps attempted coup. But as the evidence mounts that the Republican Party and the military-intelligence apparatus were involved in the plot, the Democratic Party becomes more vocal in its opposition to any real investigation and more desperate for unity with the Republican conspirators. On January 8, President-elect Joe Biden stated his opposition to expelling the Republican coup plotters from Congress and instead pledged his desire to work with his Republican colleagues and ensure a strong Republican Party. Instead of carrying out an investigation, the Democrats have announced they will initiate impeachment proceedings. This is a purely symbolic move that will not result in Trumps removal before his term ends on January 20. Top Democrats indicated over the weekend that even if the House votes for impeachment this week, the charges will not be passed over to the Senate for at least 100 days into a Biden administration. It is a deliberate attempt to provide political cover to the Republican conspirators and to paper over the political implications of the January 6 coup attempt. The warning must be made: Just as the failure to investigate the October plot to kidnap and kill Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer paved the way for the January 6 plot, the failure to investigate this attempt will only facilitate future conspiracies. History is full of examples of fascist movements bungling their first efforts only to come to power some time later. The Democratic Party will soon control both chambers of Congress. Its committees will have the power to issue subpoenas. It can call those involved in the plot to testify and require that they divulge their letters, emails, text messages and other forms of correspondence to the public. Congress is constitutionally required to investigate and expose plots to subvert the Constitution and the democratic rights of the people. Failing to investigate would therefore be an unlawful violation of its Article One responsibilities and an abrogation of the separation of powers. The ultimate aim of the plotters is not yet known. It appears that those involved in the plot planned to kidnap members of Congress, as evidenced by the statements of many participants and the presence of militia members with zip ties on the Senate floor. It is possible that the plan involved the use of the lives of kidnapped members of Congressperhaps including Speaker Pelosi herselfas bargaining chips to secure the delay of the inauguration or to win other concessions. It is now necessary to uncover the political aims, connections and associations of those involved in this plot. This can be done only through a full-scale public investigation into the plot directors and their Republican accomplices. Such an investigation must give civil rights organizations and representatives of the public the opportunity to pose questions and call witnesses to explain what took place. This is necessary to shed daylight on the conspiracy and expose its contents to the population of the world. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan authorities say they are set to implement a national plan in the coming days to control the food and drug markets and set standards as developed by the National Center for Disease Control with the Center for Food and Drug Control ROME, JAN 11 - The third batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine is arriving in Italy, sources said Monday. DHL planes have already landed with the the first of the 470,000 doses. Vans carrying the vaccine are now heading for distribution points across Italy. Delivery will continue over the coming days and end on Wednesday, sources said. Pfizer has already sent two batches of vaccine, each composed of 470,000 doses like the third one. Italy is top in the European Union for the number of COVID jabs given. In Europe as a whole, it is only behind Britain which is far ahead as it grapples with a severe third virus wave. BioNtech said Monday it will produce two billion doses of vaccine in 2021. (ANSA). An attendee passes by the stage during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas in this January 2020 file photo. / AP-Yonhap By Park Jae-hyuk Local banking groups are paying less attention to this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which kicked off Monday as an online event, for the first time in its 55-year history, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their lukewarm attitude is in stark contrast to their keen interest in the previous year's event, to which they sent a number of top executives and employees to learn state-of-the-art technologies that might be applied to their digital banking services. Woori and NongHyup financial groups decided not to attend the world's largest electronics fair this year, after sending employees from their digital banking departments to the event in Las Vegas last year to look at technologies for their digitization projects. "Because we have been unable to look around the booths in person as before, our digital group considered this year's event less useful," a Woori spokesman said. KB Financial Group is allowing the employees of its subsidiaries to attend the CES 2021 personally if they want to. The group drew attention last year as its Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo flew to Las Vegas to attend the show along with 17 employees from KB Kookmin Bank, KB Kookmin Card, KB Investment and KB Research. "KB Research asked the group headquarters how it can participate in this year's event," a spokesman said. "But we don't know the exact number of our employees attending the event because we did not force them to see the show." Hana Financial Group has yet to confirm whether it is attending the CES 2021. The company did not send employees to the previous year's event, but it was reported later that Chairman Kim Jung-tai had visited the show. Shinhan Financial Group is the only Korean banking group showing an interest in the all-digital CES. "Including our Chairman Cho Yong-byoung, our group's top executives will attend the event online to understand new technology trends and gain an insight into them," a spokesman said. "All members of our group's digital planning team will participate in the event, and the employees of our subsidiaries will also attend separately." The CES 2021 has faced concerns among industry insiders, since a huge number of businesses worldwide declined to attend. According to the organizers, the number of participants dropped to 1,950 this year from 4,500 in 2020. This was mainly attributed to the sharp decline in the number of Chinese participants an 85 percent decrease from 1,368 last year to 205 this year. Because a number of big-name Korean firms including Hyundai Motor Group, SK Group, LG Uplus and KT decided not to participate, the number of Korean companies also dropped to 341 from 390 last year, although this is the second-largest number of participating companies, following 570 from the United States. BSEB Class 10 exam | Principals or heads of the schools affiliated to BSEB will have to download the admit cards on behalf of the students BSEB Class 10 exam | Bihar Class 10 board exam 2021 admit card has been released by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) on its official website - biharboardonline.com. BSEB Class 10 exam 2021 will be conducted between 17 and 24 February. Students appearing for the board exam will get an additional 15 minutes 'cool-off' time to read the questions and plan the answers accordingly. According to a report by The Indian Express, principals or heads of the schools affiliated to BSEB will have to download the admit cards on behalf of the students. They will have to visit the website, enter their respective user ID and password to download the hall ticket. The authorities should put the school stamp and principals of the schools should sign on the admit cards before handing them over to the students. The Bihar board matric examination 2021 will be conducted in two sessions, as per a report by The Times of India. The morning session will be from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm, while the afternoon session will be from 1:45 pm to 5 pm. Students who fail to present their BSEB Class 10 admit card 2021 at the exam centre will not be allowed to appear for the test. Here is the direct link to download BSEB Class 10 admit card 2021: http://appsecondary.biharboardonline.com/2021/AppForm/SearchAdm.html The admit card will mention students' name, parents' name, subjects and code, school's name. The same admit card will have to be carried by the students for their internal assessment and practical examinations. Chief of Defence Staff Gen and chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Monday carried out a comprehensive review of deployment of India's ground forces and air assets in high-altitude locations in eastern Ladakh amid the eight-month-long border standoff with China in the region, officials said. ACM Bhadauria visited the strategically located Daulat Beg Oldie(DBO), Thoise and Nyoma advanced landing strips in Ladakh and took stock of the Indian Air Force's(IAF) readiness to deal with any eventualities in the region, they said. The DBO Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) is located close to the Line of Actual Control(LAC) at an altitude of 16,700 feet and is known to be the highest airfield in the world. Temperatures in DBO drop upto minus 40 degree Celsius during the harsh winter months. The Nyoma air field is located at a height of around 13,000 feet. The Chief of Air Staff interacted with the field commanders and was briefed on the operational readiness as well as the status of deployment of the at the high-altitude air bases, officials said. "During his visit to Thoise, he reviewed the ongoing logistic operations for support and sustenance of troops in the winter season," the said in a statement, adding the air chief also laid a wreath in honour of the fallen heroes at the DBO base. Separately, Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Gen Rawat during a visit to Ladakh reviewed the overall security scenario and the country's military preparedness with the ground commanders at the Leh-based 14 Corps, popularly known as Fire and Fury Corps, officials said. Gen Rawat was given a detailed overview of India's deployment in the region by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the commander of the 14 Corps. Later, ACM Bhadauria joined Gen Rawat for a comprehensive discussion on operational matters with senior IAF and Indian Army Commanders at the Leh air force station. Meanwhile, people familiar with the troop movement of the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) in the region said it has withdrawn some soldiers from its training facilities located in depth areas in the region due to the harsh winter, adding it does not have any impact on their operational deployment in any of the areas along the LAC. About ACM Bhadauria's interaction with the troops on the ground, the IAF said: "The Chief of Air Staff conveyed his deep appreciation for the exceptionally high levels of morale and dedication with which all personnel continue to maintain operational preparedness despite the harsh weather and an inhospitable terrain." The Army and the IAF have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the nearly 3,500-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in view of the border standoff in eastern Ladakh. Nearly 50,000 troops of the Indian Army are deployed in various locations in eastern Ladakh as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks between the two sides have not yielded any concrete outcome to resolve the military face-off. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The eighth and the last round of military talks had taken place on November 6 during which both sides broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. The CDS has been part of the top military brass framing strategies to enhance India's military prowess in view of the Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane had visited eastern Ladakh to review the ground situation in the region that has also been experiencing harsh winter. The border face-off erupted on May 5 last year following violent clashes between the armies of India and China in the Pangong lake area. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar episode in north Sikkim on May 9. (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.) Samaritans Purse opens COVID-19 field hospitals in North Carolina, California Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As COVID-19 cases are rising in nearly every state in the U.S., the Christian disaster relief organization Samaritans Purse has announced the opening of two emergency field hospitals one in North Carolina and the other in California to care for people suffering from the disease. Samaritans Purse has opened an Emergency Field Hospital in Lenoir, North Carolina, and is preparing to open one in Lancaster, California, as a steady influx of patients is expected to arrive over the next several days, the group, led by evangelist Franklin Graham, said. Last Thursday, the country reported more than 4,100 deaths due to COVID-19, and on Friday, 300,594 new cases were reported, both single-day records, according to The New York Times. Thus far, more than 374,000 people have died from the novel coronavirus in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Research Center. In Lenoir, the evangelical humanitarian groups medical team has started treating patients from surrounding communities, the organization stated, adding that the hospital is helping five regional healthcare systems respond to a spike in COVID-19 cases. North Carolina reported 8,833 new coronavirus cases Sunday, bringing the total to 623,188, according to ABC11. These hospitals have come to us for help because they are full, and case numbers continue to rise, Graham said. This is our home state, and we appreciate the frontline workers battling COVID day in and day out. We are glad that we can be there to help lift the load. Our medical team is going to help provide professional, compassionate, and quality care to every patient who is sent to us. Caldwell UNC Health Care reached out to Samaritans Purse about partnering and setting up one of our field hospitals, and that is what we are doing, said Edward Graham, assistant to the vice president of programs and government relations for Samaritans Purse. In Lancaster, Samaritans Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team is already on the ground with more personnel to arrive in the next couple days. More than 30,000 people have died of COVID-19 in California, which was recording an average of 481 deaths a day for the previous week, as of Sunday night, Los Angeles Times reported. Samaritans Purse is setting up 50-plus beds to receive patients in the parking lot of Antelope Valley Hospital, where the rooms and the wards are completely overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. In Los Angeles County, where Lancaster is located, one person is dying from the coronavirus every eight minutes, the organization noted. Of the more than 8,000 patients hospitalized, about 20 percent are in intensive care. Sadly, nearly 11,400 coronavirus patients have died so far in Los Angeles County. A DC-8 cargo jet was ready for an airlift on Monday to Southern California. The doctors and nurses themselves cant get a reprieve, said Edward Graham. Theres no break, they dont see the end of this and theyve asked for helpalong with the community leaders, the mayor, and the church leadership here. Samaritan's Purse had previously set up a field hospital in New York's Central Park last year. Doctors and other medical staff from the aid organization Samaritans Purse treated 333 coronavirus patients during their one month mission in New York City as part of the Mount Sinai Health System, and 190 of them were treated at the field hospital. Kamala Harris will be sworn in as Vice President on January 20, but on Sunday it was her new Vogue cover making a splash. The February cover, which features the Vice President-elect standing in her signature Converse sneakers in front of pink and green drapes (the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the sorority she was a member of while at Howard University), is being skewered online, with many saying the styling is underwhelming, unflattering and certainly not fitting of the nations first Madam Vice President. I'll shoot shots of VP Kamala Harris for free using my Samsung and I'm 100-percent confident it'll turn out better than this Vogue cover, writer and speaker Wajahat Ali tweeted. Vogues Instagram account was also flooded with criticism for the cover image, with commenters calling it horrendous and disrespectful to Harris. Some saw it as a cultural misstep for the magazine, which has long been accused of white-washing and using unflattering images in the rare moments that it does feature Black women on the cover. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. According to reporter Yashar Ali, sources confirmed the cover photo was not the one Harriss team expected. In the cover that they expected, Vice President-elect Harris was wearing a powder blue suit. That was the cover that the Vice President-elects team and the Vogue team, including [editor in chief] Anna Wintour, mutually agreed upon, Ali tweeted. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is on the cover of Vogue's February issue. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS) This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The cover featuring Harris in a powder blue suit is now being used as the magazines February digital cover. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Both photographs of Harris were taken by photographer Tyler Mitchell, who in 2018 became the first Black photographer to shoot a Vogue cover when he photographed Beyonce. Mitchell, who did not immediately reply to Yahoo Lifes request for comment, notably only shared the powder blue suit cover on his social media accounts. Replied one Twitter user: Now thats a cover shot for the most powerful woman in the world. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The accompanying article inside the magazine tells the story of Harriss career, and reminds readers of all the remarkable firsts she has achieved. I always say this: I may be the first to do many things make sure Im not the last, Harris says in the magazine. I was thinking of my baby nieces, who will only know one world where a woman is vice president of the United States, a woman of color, a Black woman, a woman with parents who were born outside of the United States. Harris was previously profiled in Vogue in 2018, a year after she took office as the junior senator from California. That article closed with a prescient quote from Sen. Cory Booker who said at the time, I told her this before she got here: Should she choose to become a senator, she would immediately be on the short list for president or vice president for the next 20 years. Read more from Yahoo Life: Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. It was just one failure in a dizzying list that day and during the weeks leading up to it that resulted in the first occupation of the U.S. Capitol since British troops set the building ablaze during the War of 1812. But the death and destruction this time was caused by Americans, rallying behind the inflammatory language of an American president, who refused to accept the will of more than 81 million other Americans who had voted him out of office. Lynn Perez-Hewitt, a Catholic schoolgirl from Rockford, Illinois, Bradley University graduate, and a PR professional, has completed her new book Measured Time: Book One: a gripping and potent tale of a physicist who travels from 1944 to 2008 and must return to the past. Published by Page Publishing, Lynn Perez-Hewitts adventurous tale follows Nick Nishimura, a Japanese-American physicist in 1943, who is plucked from an internment camp to join a team of scientists at Los Alamos because military intelligence needs his breakthrough work in transferring atoms. By September 1944, the war effort needs that breakthrough to work. As team leader, he volunteers to enter the Trick. He steps into the chamber and steps out into the hot sun of Arizonain 2008. Unsure of who to trust and how to return to his own time, Nick meets a retired high school science teacher, Don Sullivan Grant, shortly after his arrival. Together, Nick and Don connect pieces of time to form the fabric of friends, relatives, and colleagues that he needs. Nick quickly discovers that much has changed in the years he did not get to experience, but science still holds many secrets. Nagging Nick are the last words he shared with one of his few friends at Los Alamos, a young Native American woman who worked in the Lodge. As he left to test his experiment, she smiled, squeezed his hand, and said something about spirits. However, Nick cannot recall what exactly she had said, and he looks for this woman, along with others from his past, to solve this time-bending mystery. Readers who wish to experience this gripping work can purchase Measured Time: Book One at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. 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 At a working with key provincial leaders as part of his working trip to Hoa Binh, PM Phuc said the province should better tap its potential and strengths in tourism and commerce. (Photo: VNA) Hoa Binh Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on January 10 asked the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh to bring into full play its favourable geological location as the gateway to Hanoi capital city to boost its development. At a working with key provincial leaders as part of his working trip to Hoa Binh, PM Phuc said the province should better tap its potential and strengths in tourism and commerce. At the same time, greater efforts are needed to preserve and promote the traditional culture of local ethnic minority groups, he said. The government leader lauded Hoa Binh for its performance in development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with budget collection up 24 percent year-on-year and a high forest coverage, as well as achievements in investment attraction and new-style rural area building. Pointing out limitations in economic structure, tourism, planning, administrative reform and investment environment, the PM said the province should optimise resources for development, especially its land and mines. Hoa Binh needs to promptly chart a development planning scheme for 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2050, along with the planning of land, industrial parks and services, the leader said. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asks Hoa Binh and the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to ensure safety of the expanded Hoa Binh hydropower plant project. (Photo: VNA) Regarding the construction of the expanded Hoa Binh hydropower plant that began the same day, he asked Hoa Binh and the Vietnam Electricty Group (EVN) the main investor to ensure the safety of the project, especially transport safety. Seven people from two families were displaced Sunday after a fire swept through a multi-family building in Bergen County, authorities said. Police and firefighters were called about 2:15 p.m. to a structure fire on Harrison Avenue in Garfield, according to fire officials. Photos from the scene showed flames bursting through second-floor windows. Firefighters from Garfield and surrounding towns were able to quickly extinguish the fire, according to Assistant Fire Chief Edward J. Morano of Garfield Rescue Engine No. 3. The building was evacuated with no injuries to residents. One firefighter reported a minor injury, officials said. Volunteers with the Red Cross of New Jersey said Sunday night they were helping two families with temporary lodging, food and clothing. The cause of the fire remained under investigation on Monday, officials 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. LONDON (AP) Simon Rattle is set to leave his job as musical director at the London Symphony Orchestra to lead the Munich-based Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the two organizations said Monday. Rattle, one of the worlds most acclaimed conductors, will become the German orchestras chief conductor in 2023. He will retain a role with the British orchestra as conductor emeritus, the LSO said. The German company said Rattle, 65, has signed an initial five-year contract to lead the orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Chorus. Rattle said he was thrilled to accept the post and honored to succeed conductor Mariss Jansons, who died in 2019. The U.K.-born Rattle took up the job in London in 2017 after 15 years as head of the Berlin Philharmonic. He said when the appointment was announced in 2015 that it would be his last major job in music. News of his departure was lamented by many in the British arts community, who worry the country will lose cultural clout because of its departure from the European Union. Rattle said his reasons for taking the job in Munich were entirely personal, enabling me to better manage the balance of my work and be close enough to home to be present for my children in a meaningful way. Although Rattles exit is not directly linked to Brexit, but the lack of a world-class concert hall in London may be a factor. Rattle took up the London job in expectation that a new home would be built for the orchestra, which is currently based at the Barbican center, a multipurpose arts venue. Plans for a new concert hall in London have stalled. In a statement, LSO chairman David Alberman and managing director Kathryn McDowell said Rattle will be taking forward a number of significant projects with us over the coming years working from our home base at the Barbican. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 09:10:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's tax and fee cuts exceed 2.5 trillion yuan (about 386.35 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020 amid the country's efforts to support the real economy, data from the State Taxation Administration showed. A total of 29.2 billion yuan of tax payment was extended in the past year, benefiting 3.99 million taxpayers, according to a national tax work conference held in Beijing on the weekend. Last year, the administration released a list for online payment covering nearly 200 tax and fee items shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak in a bid to facilitate contactless services. At present, about 90 percent of tax payment services and 99 percent of tax filing services are accessible online, said Wang Jun, head of the administration. Wang also said that the authority will make more efforts to facilitate tax and fee payment, continue to upgrade smart services and introduce measures for tailored services to better invigorate market entities. China's tax income, excluding export tax rebates, reached 13.68 trillion yuan in 2020, down 2.6 percent year on year, but 0.8 percentage points higher than the goal set in the fiscal budget, according to the administration. 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. Hrithik Roshan burst into the Bollywood scene with the trailblazing Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai in 2000. He had earlier featured as a child actor in a few films before that. With his Greek god looks, terrific dancing skills, and screen presence, Hrithik managed to break the extremely strong hold on movie viewers of the Khan mega stars Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir. Hrithik brought in a different level of physical fitness consciousness amongst the Indians and has been a fitness inspiration for all. He brings in a lot of grace in his performance, be it difficult dance moves or acrobatic action sequences. Its no wonder that he walked away with the Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and Best Male Debut for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. It was not just a new actor on the block, but a star was born. He became a romantic hero, an action hero and revolutionised the Hindi film industry in significant ways. Never before had any debutant become an overnight sensation of this kind. In no time brands made a beeline for the Hrithik magic and the actor has been associated with numerous brands over the years. In 2013, Hrithik launched his own casual wear brand HRX. The mega star turned 48 yesterday, January 10, 2021. We wish Hrithik a very Happy Birthday. Some of his memorable brand associations are: Darr ke aage jeet hai - Mountain Dew Coca-Cola https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xHG9Jpb6ss OPPO HRX Karizma RMD Bord Nirma Flamingo Reliance South Africa: Matric marking will be completed on time, department says The Department of Basic Education believes that it is still on track to wrap up the marking of matric papers before the end of the month. Marking got off to a bad start, as some markers pulled out, citing the fear of COVID-19. However, the departments Director-General, Mathanzima Mweli, is confident with the progress made after a meeting over the weekend with key stakeholders, including school governing bodies, principal associations, and civil society and teacher unions. The purpose of the meeting was to share the progress of the marking process but to also obtain feedback on areas that need improvement, he added. According to the DG, the department has taken all the input and will now work hard to put safety at the heart of the department. Meanwhile, Mweli has described the engagement as fruitful and useful. It is because of this commitment from colleagues in the marking centres that as a sector we feel that we are still on schedule to complete marking as scheduled on 22 January 2021, he said, adding that the markers who have withdrawn have been replaced. The DG confirmed that all the marking has started in all provinces. To date, Mweli said he has visited 97 centres in six provinces and will now monitor the progress in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal later this week. For the first time in history, Mweli said the department has placed health and safety as priority number one. There has been anxiety and fear among markers and their families to the extent that some of the marking personnel opted to withdraw from the process, he acknowledged. While some withdrew due to the fear, others withdrew because they themselves tested positive for COVID-19 or somebody in the family had tested positive. He said the majority of the infections have been reported in the Eastern Cape, where most of the markers who contracted the virus reported that they had recently attended weddings, funerals or a family ceremony. This confirms to us once again that social gatherings and the lack of compliance in such settings remain our single biggest challenge when it comes to the fight against COVID-19, he added. Mweli has called on everyone to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, as it has an impact on governments efforts of flattening the curve. In addition, the official said they have impressed upon colleagues at marking centres to do everything possible to avoid infections and pleaded with management to monitor compliance to avoid outbreaks. I must say that I am impressed with what I have seen in different provinces regarding the wearing of masks, social distancing and the availability and use of sanitisers. However, Mweli said the department was concerned with the developments in one centre at Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal. It seems one of our colleagues went to the centre already feeling sick and unfortunately passed away in hospital as a result of COVID-19 related complications. We are told that another colleague, also a marker, has now tested positive. On behalf of the department, the DG has conveyed condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19. He also paid tribute to the late Eastern Cape Education Department Head, Themba Kojana, who passed away due to COVID-19. We worked well together, we were both Deputy Director-Generals at DBE and when I was appointed DG shortly thereafter he was appointed as HOD in the Eastern Cape, he recalled. Mweli also conveyed Minister Angie Motshekgas special message of gratitude and thanks to all the markers who have chosen to take up the task of marking under extremely difficult conditions. We know it was not an easy decision to take, it is only the love for the country that can make one decide to do it. We truly appreciate the contribution, Mweli said. The DG reminded everyone to continue to wear their masks, sanitise, wash hands, keep social distancing, avoid large gatherings, and stay safe. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. - Former Adobe and Infor Veteran Brings Extensive Experience in Scaling High Growth Enterprise Organizations LONDON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit4, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for mid-market services organizations, today announced the appointment of John Gregitis as President, North America. Gregitis brings more than 25 years of business and technology experience building and scaling high-performing organizations. He's held a variety of senior leadership roles including Senior Vice President & General Manager for enterprise applications at Infor, SVP of Sales for the Americas at OpenText and at Adobe, where he was Vice President General Manager, driving customer success and horizontal expansion of Adobe Digital Experience solutions. At Unit4, Gregitis takes responsibility leading the company's North America business including sales, operations and services. As a high-growth market for Unit4, he will focus on scaling the region, fostering a culture of excellence and building deep and lasting customer relationships. "This is an exciting time to join Unit4," said Gregitis. "Over the last 18 months, CEO Mike Ettling and the team have made great progress in growing the Unit4 brand in North America. We have a substantial opportunity for mid-market expansion in 2021 as we bring ERPx to market and focus on making our customers even more successful." "John's appointment supports our focus on driving impact and scale for this high-growth market." said Jeremias Jansson, Chief Sales Officer at Unit4. "John has a proven track record of success and has played key roles in several high growth SaaS businesses, guiding them to successful outcomes. He is known for building and developing high performance teams with a focus on customer success which is critical as we release our next generation ERP this year. Andy Brockhoff is returning to Australia and will continue to grow the Unit4 business as President for the APAC region. I'd like to thank him for his continued leadership and dedication." Unit4 reported a number of notable new customer wins in North America in Q4 including Algonquin College and signed the company's first ERPx customer. New strategic partnerships in the region in Q4 2020 included GroupElephant.com, and Avalara. Additional resources: Unit4 was recognized as Champion by users in SoftwareReviews' ERP Emotional Footprint Report 2020 In October, Unit4 announced its next generation cloud ERP solution, ERPx Unit4 reported an increase in YTD cloud subscription revenue of 16% YoY in Q3 2020 and 65% growth YTD (versus 2019) on the value of contracts via partners. Unit4 was named as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Midmarket ERP Applications in 2020. About Unit4 Unit4's next-generation enterprise solutions power many of the world's most people-focused mid-market services organizations. Our cloud ERP, HCM and FP&A applications transform work to be more meaningful and inspiring through software that's self-driving, adaptive and intuitive, intelligently automating administrative tasks while providing easy access to the answers people need. Unit4 serves more than 5,000 customers in industries including professional services, public sector, nonprofit, and education. For more information please visit https://www.unit4.com/, follow us on Twitter @Unit4global , or visit our LinkedIn page Contact: Nicole Paleologus 1-215-478-4815 [email protected] SOURCE Unit4 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. FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) An ornate northeastern Indiana mansion that housed a funeral home for nearly a century is getting a new, more festive life as a venue for weddings, anniversaries and other occasions. The roughly 125-year-old Fort Wayne mansion had long been served as the home of the Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, but the 15,000-square-foot building was sold last month to RGS Real Estate. Belle Castle Enterprise plans to renovate the property for use as an event center for weddings, bridal parties, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate events, representative Carlene Gray told The Journal Gazette. No funerals, she said, laughing. The building was built about 1893 by Robert Clarke Bell, a late 19th- and early 20th-century attorney and Democratic state senator, for himself and his wife, Clara. Built in the Richardsonian Romanesque-style, it is ornate inside and out. Its interior features parquet floors, carved wood trim and a tile fireplace, and its exterior includes elaborate gargoyles and decorative arches. The building is historic for its architecture, its first owner and events that it once hosted, including visits by William Jennings Bryan, who unsuccessfully ran for president as a Democrat in 1896, 1900 and 1908. Bryan, who was one of Bells friends, was reported to have given speeches from the homes front porch, said Connie Haas Zuber, executive director of ARCH, a Fort Wayne nonprofit historic preservation organization. It is a very significant house. It was widely regarded as, if not the finest, one of the finest homes in Fort Wayne, she said. MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has secured 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed by China's Sinovac Biotech, with the first 50,000 expected to arrive in February, a government official said on Monday. The deal will be a boost for a country that has among the most coronavirus cases in Asia, but has trailed regional peers in securing vaccines, with which it hopes this year to inoculate 70 million people, or two-thirds of its population. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the rest of the Sinovac vaccines will arrive in batches from March until December. The government hopes to vaccinate 50,000 people next month with priority to healthcare workers, Carlito Galvez, a former general in charge of the vaccination procurement effort, told a senate inquiry. Some senators have expressed concern over delays in the rollout of vaccines, while the government may have difficulties convincing the public of their safety, with a recent survey showing less than a third Filipinos were willing to get inoculated. Galvez said negotiating with vaccine manufacturers was a "tedious" process and described the global vaccine supply as "very volatile". The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve any COVID-19 vaccines and emergency use authorization applications filed by Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Russia's Gamaleya are pending. The FDA is still evaluating the late-stage trial applications of Sinovac and Clover. Singapore began vaccinating healthcare workers in December, while Indonesia's mass vaccination programme is set to start this week. Indonesia on Monday granted emergency use approval to Sinovac's CoronaVac. The Philippine has secured 30 million doses of the vaccine Covovax from Serum Institute of India, and expects to receive 40 million doses through the COVAX facility in the first quarter. (Reporting by Karen Lema) New Delhi: Relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar are seeing a steady improvement. Now, after three years, the restoration of mutual flights has been announced. Flights will start from today between Doha and Riaz. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday announced an end to the rift. Qatar's National Airlines also tweeted and announced that the flight to Saudi Arabia would be restored. The service will be restored from Riyadh on Monday, January 11, 2021, followed by flights from Jeddah on Thursday, January 14, and From Dammam on Saturday, January 16. Just a few days ago, Saudi ARB, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt have restored ties with Qatar. It may be noted that in June 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain imposed a ground, maritime, and air embargo accusing Qatar of biasing terrorism. However, Qatar had rejected all these allegations in the end. Qatar is a very small but very rich country in the Gulf countries. India has had good relations with Saudi and Qatar and has about 7 million Indians living in Qatar. India and Qatar remained in high-level contact during the Corona epidemic. According to official data, India and Qatar had a trade of $10 billion in 2019-20. Now, after the relationship between Qatar and Saudi Arabia has improved, the business relations between India and Qatar can see a further height. Also Read:- Very poor from Smith: Vaughan on player scuffing up area around batting crease Kerala: South Zone IG to investigate Kadakkavoor POCSO case Ind Vs Aus: Sourav-Sachin shocked by Team India's performance, said it was winning match These are the two brothers accused of joining a jealous husband in a murder bid on his wife's lover. North Antrim men Stephen (28) and Brian McCook (24) are jointly accused with David Austin of trying to kill Steven Peck after 54-year-old Austin discovered his wife was having an affair. Coleraine Magistrates Court heard it is the police case that Mrs Austin was made to arrange to meet Mr Peck last Sunday evening but instead of meeting her, he was confronted by her husband and two friends. The trio allegedly meted out what a detective described as a "vicious beating" before Mr Peck was "left basically to die." A dog walker saw the stricken Mr Peck lying injured on a path on the Garryduff Road close to the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney. Expand Close Stephen McCook / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephen McCook The walker alerted authorities who rushed Mr Peck to hospital for treatment. Austin, from Cherry Drive in Ballymoney and the McCook brothers, both from the Urbal Road in nearby Dervock, are all charged with the attempted murder of Mr Peck. Brian McCook was further charged with making threats to kill "key witnesses" Mrs Austin and a man who lives in the Austins' house. While the trio of alleged would-be killers appeared in court on Friday, they may not be the last with DC O'Donnell revealing that "other suspects have been identified". The officer told the court that according to Mrs Austin, she was at home and had been "getting a number of phone calls from the injured party." "She was in a sexual relationship with him," said the police officer. "We believe... that the motivation for the attack stems from that sexual relationship in that her husband David Austin found out about it and the McCooks, as their friends, helped him carry out the vicious attack," said the officer. It was also part of Mrs Austin's account, recorded in a videotaped police interview, that the three planned the attack in her home, left to carry out the attack and that after they came back, they stayed "for a short while" before leaving together. Meanwhile, the other key witness, a man who "lives on the sofa" in the Austins' house, told detectives that when the defendants came back, there was blood on the latex gloves being worn by Austin but that he threw them into the fire. The McCooks, according to the witness, had been wearing black gloves but they too were destroyed in the fire before they left. The court heard that Stephen McCook had claimed he was with his father in his own home, while his brother claimed he had been with his mother at a property in Ballycastle before getting home at around 7.30pm. District Judge Peter King refused bail and remanded the three accused into custody until February 1. slnews@sundaylife.co.uk PGIM India Mutual Fund has crossed the full-year 2020-21 target of Rs 8,000 crore by the December quarter, a senior company official has said. The fund house official also said while all other fund houses booked heavy losses on the equity side in the year, PGIM booked a net gain of Rs 300 crore from selling equity funds. This is the highest ever it has booked even as the industry as a whole lost a whopping Rs 10,000 crore in the year-to-date. Our total (assets under management) has already crossed the full year target of Rs 8,000 crore as of December 31, 2020. This was a target that we had set internally for March. Total includes the PMS, equity and advisory businesses, Ajit Menon, chief executive, PGIM India MF told PTI on Monday. Menon also said PGIM's first international fund has crossed the USD 100-million AUM mark by end-December. As of December 31, our mutual fund AUM stood at Rs 5,340 crore, a growth of 32.8 per cent over Rs 4,020 crore in December 2019. Since then we added Rs 300 crore in AUM in the past eight days, Menon said, adding this had been on the back of a stupendous rally in the equity market. Of the total AUM, Rs 2,770 crore are in equities, which grew nearly three times from March 2020 when it stood at Rs 958 crore. And in the first eight days of January the same has gone up to Rs 2,930 crore, Menon said. Last October, Menon had told PTI that he had set an internal AUM target of Rs 7,500-8,000 crore by March and an equity portfolio target of Rs 2,000 crore when it was Rs 1,600 crore. Whether the rally in the market-- with Sensex being at spitting distance from scaling the 50,000 mount -- is sustainable and reflects the real economy, Menon said, the market is awash in liquidity and this will continue for some more time as India-focused funds are yet to pump money into the country. Emerging are getting lots of money which is driving the market since the March washout. And the India-dedicated funds are yet to open their taps but will happen very soon. The always discount the immediate to medium term future. They are now looking at FY23 and not FY22, he said. But he was quick to add that their house view is cautiously optimistic as it is not the right time time to pick more equities but the best time to diversify towards which they will be launching a balanced advantage fund on January 15. The proposed open-ended dynamic asset allocation fund should help an investor better allocate assets, he said. The 44-player MF industry closed 2020 with a 17 per cent growth to record high of over Rs 31.02 lakh crore as of December. PGIM India is the fully-owned subsidiary of the US-based Prudential Group's PGIM (Prudential Global Investment Managers) which manages over USD 1.4 trillion in AUM, making it the 1oth largest fund house globally. (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.) 11th round of India-China military commander level talks likely to be held on Friday India stood up Chinas disruptive use of technology and my way or no way attitude: CDS As China drags its feet on disengagement, India will continue to hold ground India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: India and China have maintained communication at the ground level to avoid any "misunderstandings and misjudgments" even as discussions continue for achieving complete disengagement in all friction areas, the Ministry of External Affairs said. However senior officials tell OneIndia that the disengagement process is expected to take longer. This is because of the upcoming 100 year anniversary celebrations of the Chinese Communist Party planned in July. President Xi Jinping would want to showcase a strong position. Moreover the standoff with India along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, provides President Xi, the perfect opportunity to divert the nation's attention from the poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aggression would also be used build pressure on smaller countries such as Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal. China calls for immediate return of PLA soldier held by Indian Army The official cited above said that India will continue to hold its ground and there will be absolutely no thinning down of the troops. Asked about the status of talks with the Chinese side over the border row, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the latest round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) was held on December 18. The two sides have agreed to hold the next round of senior commanders meeting, and are in constant communication through diplomatic and military channels in this regard, he said at an online media briefing. "In the meantime, both sides have maintained communication at the ground level to avoid any misunderstandings and misjudgments even as discussions continue for achieving complete disengagement in all friction areas in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements to restore peace and tranquillity," Srivastava said. On December 18, at a virtual meeting of the WMCC, both sides agreed to continue work towards ensuring complete disengagement of troops in all friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh at the earliest. India-China agree on holding next round of commanders meeting The eighth and last round of military talks had taken place on November 6 during which both sides broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News According to officials, nearly 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded any concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 11:21 [IST] Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:42:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China-Africa friendship remains rock-solid and stable, no matter what the international situation they face and what difficulties, obstacles, or disruptions they encounter, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang made the remarks during an interview with the People's Daily as he concluded on Saturday his New Year visits to five African nations, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles. The fact that Chinese foreign ministers chose Africa for their first overseas visit every year since 1991 shows that China attaches great importance to Africa, Wang said, adding that such a concrete action embodies their traditional friendship and China's firm support for Africa's development and revitalization. During his trip to Africa, Wang held meetings respectively with leaders and foreign ministers from the five African countries, during which the two sides have agreed to further upheld the spirit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and carried out in-depth exchange over the follow-ups to the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19. The two sides, Wang said, should join hands to safeguard their legitimate right to development and national rejuvenation, cherish their commitment to fairness and justice, advocate true multilateralism and oppose any external interference. In fighting the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, Wang noted that China will continue to deliver urgently needed anti-virus supplies to African friends, send medical teams to countries in need, establish a cooperation mechanism of counterpart hospitals, promote the sharing of anti-virus experience, accelerate the construction of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) headquarters building, and work with G20 members on the debt suspension in Africa. China will fulfill its firm commitment that its vaccines will be provided as global public good, and stands ready to cooperate with African countries on COVID-19 vaccines and make them more accessible and affordable in Africa, Wang said. Some leaders of African countries, including Seychelles president, have said they will be among the first to take a vaccine from China. In boosting Africa's industrialization and home-grown production capacity, Wang said China is willing to make joint efforts with Africa to strengthen strategic alignment and build consensus on cooperation in line with the expectations of African countries, and push forward the joint building of the Belt and Road between China and Africa. Wang noted that during his trip, the DRC and Botswana signed respectively a memorandum of understanding with China on jointly building the Belt and Road, becoming successively the 45th and the 46th African partner countries to participate in Belt and Road cooperation. Meanwhile, the international community has a shared responsibility to support Africa's development, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to actively promote tripartite or multi-party cooperation with Africa, so as to jointly play a constructive role in promoting peace and development in Africa. Enditem COLUMBIA The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to dominate the legislative session that kicks off Tuesday, as South Carolina lawmakers pledge to do whatever they can to speed up vaccinations, get students back in school full time, and help businesses struggling to survive. Even when COVID-19 isn't being debated directly, it's sure to be on legislators' minds, with the virus surging across the state far worse than when they left early last March. All 46 senators, many of them in high-risk categories, have pledged to wear a mask to stem the spread, while the 124 House members are highly encouraged to do so. How many continue to buck House Speaker Jay Lucas' request in the more crowded chamber could determine whether the Legislature can keep working without quarantine interruptions. The virus will also shape state government spending, which legislators froze last year amid the unprecedented uncertainties. COVID-19 wiped out more than $800 million in expected revenue. Still, in a state where Gov. Henry McMaster forced businesses to close later than most of his counterparts last spring, reopened quicker, and refused to shut down again, legislators have almost $1.2 billion in additional money to spend in the fiscal year that starts July 1. Less than $200 million of that is meant for ongoing expenses, such as salaries, while the rest is one-time surplus from collections above expectations in previous years. McMaster wants lawmakers to set aside an additional $500 million in case the pandemic hits businesses in 2021 and saps state bank accounts again. Vaccines The topic legislators say they've gotten the most complaints about in the past couple of weeks, by far, is the slowness of the vaccine rollout across South Carolina, which started in mid-December. By New Year's Day, less than one-third of doses available for South Carolina workers had been given. Amid growing, bipartisan criticism about not only the slow pace but eligibility rules that excluded any senior not confined in a long-term care facility, McMaster and the state's public health agency announced successive changes to their own rules. A week ago, McMaster set a deadline for health care workers to make an appointment. Then, last Friday, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control allowed people ages 65 and older to get a shot if they're already in the hospital for some other ailment. And on Monday, McMaster announced anyone 70 and older can make an appointment, starting Wednesday. Whether that drastically speeds up the process of available shots getting into willing arms is yet to be seen. But the session opens Tuesday with both House and Senate panels set to grill DHEC for answers. By Monday afternoon, 59 percent of the Pfizer doses available at hospitals statewide had been administered. That compares to just 22 percent of the Moderna vaccine that began arriving two weeks ago, which is given only at long-term care facilities and handled by a federal contract with CVS and Walgreens. "While I realize it's not up to the Legislature to determine (eligibility), if the rollout of the vaccine distribution doesn't improve, we may have to get involved," said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg. If it's a question of money for additional people, then legislators can help that way, he said. But DHEC needs to specify what's needed. In hearings last fall, senators frustrated by backlogs in COVID-19 testing and delays in ramping up availability told agency officials, repeatedly, they were more than willing to allocate federal aid to the effort but needed details and dollar figures. Schools The other issue that's filled legislators' inbox is public school scheduling since the school year opened. They're certain to debate whether, and how, to pressure districts to bring students back inside the classroom five days a week. In July, McMaster called on every school district to offer both virtual-only and a full week of in-person learning. He was promptly ignored, as he lacked the legal authority to mandate it. Several districts didn't bring students back until November, and many have returned to virtual-only to start this semester. Most districts statewide remain in a hybrid, weekly mix of online and in-person learning. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! "I'm really concerned about the academic progress not being made with children not in school five days a week," said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. "If we have districts that are not looking at doing that, we're going to have to push them." The Edgefield Republican said he didn't get complaints in the spring, when McMaster forced all schools to close. But much has been learned about the virus since, he said, noting the state's epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell, said last month there's been no significant evidence of transmission in South Carolina schools. Instead, cases connected to schools largely stem from spread in the community. "I'm convinced over the last nine months, we've learned enough we can do this safely, but we've got to have children in the classroom," said Massey, the father of a third- and sixth grader in public schools. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford agreed. "Kids aren't learning doing virtual," said the Columbia Democrat. "I can't imagine being in third or fourth grade and having to stare at a screen in order to learn. It doesn't work for me. I can't imagine it works for a lot of kids." Getting classrooms open ties back to speeding up the vaccine rollout, he said. Under DHEC's current rules, teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in the next phase. "Teachers need to be vaccinated as quickly as possible," Rutherford said. "If we can get teachers vaccinated, that should help us push the issue to make these schools reopen." Businesses Also up for debate is how to help South Carolina businesses struggling to recoup losses from pandemic restrictions and fewer people venturing out. Massey contends the Legislature needs to provide businesses that follow safety protocols with protections from COVID-19-related lawsuits, something other Southeastern states have already done. It's an issue the state Chamber of Commerce has pushed for months. The business group says it's even more necessary this year, as more employees return to work. "Imagine you have reduced your capacity to 20 percent, youre barely making ends meet or youre bleeding, and now youve been hit with a lawsuit claiming that youre responsible for somebodys entire medical bills because they believe that possibly they contracted COVID at your business," said the chamber's attorney, Mike Shetterly. "Its just an untenable situation. But legislators remain divided over whether it's at all necessary. "This is a farce," said Rutherford, an attorney who said some of his own law firm's employees have contracted COVID-19. Lawsuits won't happen, he said, because "intelligent lawyers haven't figured out how to prove where someone caught COVID in South Carolina," a feat made even more impossible by delays in testing. "Contagious diseases are exactly that," he said. "They're contagious." House Judiciary Chairman Chris Murphy agreed, saying he's not heard from a single business owner claiming liability concerns are the problem. Instead, the North Charleston Republican said what business owners are complaining to him about, particularly in the hospitality industry, are McMaster's remaining restrictions, which include a ban on alcohol sales past 10:59 p.m. nightly and large gatherings. "They want government to get out of the way so they can operate," Murphy said. "Those are the businesses I'm watching close down and not able to reopen." Rutherford mocked McMaster's rule on alcohol sales, saying he has yet to see any scientific data that "COVID spreads very badly among people who have an alcoholic drink in their hand after 11 o'clock." Legislators will likely set aside more money in the upcoming budget for relief grants to small businesses. The question is how much and what type of businesses get priority among applications. McMaster's budget proposal calls for spending $123 million on grants of up to $25,000. Last September, legislators designated $40 million in federal aid for small-business grants. More than $170 million worth of requests had to be turned down. Jamie Lovegrove contributed to this report. New Jersey on Monday reported 5,042 new confirmed positive tests for the coronavirus and 51 additional deaths as the state continues to see a post-holiday surge in the outbreak. The seven-day average for new confirmed COVID-19 positive tests increased to 5,577 the highest it has been during the outbreak, though a lack of testing availability in the spring likely undercounted the extent of the infections. The seven-day average is up 28% from a week ago and 13% from a month ago, when the state was seeing an increase in cases following Thanksgiving. This is what we were afraid people letting their guard down over Christmas and New Years and spreading the virus among their families and friends, Gov. Phil Murphy said during his latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton. And, for the next upcoming days, were probably going to be seeing the impacts of this. The state has now reported 532,959 total confirmed cases out of 8.2 million tests administered since March. There have also been 57,206 positive rapid antigen tests, which the state began reporting publicly last week, though the state has cautioned that could overlap with the confirmed PCR tests. New Jersey has also lost 19,932 lives in the outbreak 17,873 confirmed fatalities and 2,059 considered probable deaths. The states 71 hospitals saw an increase in patients as of Sunday night with 3,653 hospitalized. The rate of transmission increased again to 1.09, up from 1.08 a day earlier. Any number over 1 indicates the outbreak is growing. The positivity rate for tests administered on Thursday, the most recent day available, was 11.32% out of 49,724 tests. The positivity rate has been at 10% or higher since Dec. 22. Earlier in the day, Murphy toured another of the states six planned mega-sites being set up for mass vaccinations. He walked around the 30,000-square-foot facility, giving applause and thumbs up to workers and people getting their vaccines. Officials there said the process for people getting their vaccine will take about 30 minutes, which includes a 15 minute observation period after people get their shots. The other four sites in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, and Middlesex are expected to open in the coming days. Vaccines are currently available at 119 locations throughout the state including local health departments, ShopRite stores and pharmacies, and that list has continued to grow. More than 1 million New Jersyans have registered to get their vaccine when they become eligible as of Monday, the states top health official said on Monday. VACCINATIONS New Jersey has received over 572,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines and has administered 214,4334 as of Monday, Murphy said. State officials stress there may be an undercounting of the number of vaccines given out because of reporting delays and New Jersey, like other states, is depending on the federal government for its supply. Currently, only health care workers, people who live in congregant settings and police and fire professionals currently eligible to receive shots. Officials have said doses should be available for the general public by April or May. Were working strategically and efficiently to vaccinate our frontline health care workers, law enforcement and fire professionals, and long-term care center residents and staff, Murphy has said. New Jersey hopes to vaccinate 70% of its adult residents about 4.7 million people by the end of May. On Friday, Murphy said that the state did not have the supply from the federal government it needed. This is gonna take some time, Murphy said. COUNTY-BY-COUNTY NUMBERS (sorted by most new) Middlesex County: 50,516 confirmed cases (580 new), 1,537 confirmed deaths (220 probable) Ocean County: 37,039 confirmed cases (534 new), 1,378 confirmed deaths (83 probable) Hudson County: 48,715 confirmed cases (471 new), 1,581 confirmed deaths (169 probable) Monmouth County: 36,919 confirmed cases (451 new), 999 confirmed deaths (102 probable) Bergen County: 51,777 confirmed cases (405 new), 2,110 confirmed deaths (266 probable) Union County: 39,553 confirmed cases (318 new), 1,410 confirmed deaths (183 probable) Morris County: 22,853 confirmed cases (308 new), 807 confirmed deaths (187 probable) Essex County: 51,608 confirmed cases (303 new), 2,174 confirmed deaths (255 probable) Passaic County: 42,565 confirmed cases (242 new), 1,351 confirmed deaths (159 probable) Atlantic County: 14,020 confirmed cases (221 new), 371 confirmed deaths (17 probable) Burlington County: 24,036 confirmed cases (198 new), 601 confirmed deaths (51 probable) Camden County: 31,924 confirmed cases (193 new), 826 confirmed deaths (66 probable) Mercer County: 20,606 confirmed cases (149 new), 719 confirmed deaths (39 probable) Somerset County: 13,997 confirmed cases (132 new), 600 confirmed deaths (93 probable) Gloucester County: 16,154 confirmed cases (113 new), 410 confirmed deaths (20 probable) Cumberland County: 8,941 confirmed cases (87 new), 241 confirmed deaths (10 probable) Sussex County: 5,441 confirmed cases (80 new), 182 confirmed deaths (46 probable) Warren County: 4,535 confirmed cases (65 new), 173 confirmed deaths (13 probable) Hunterdon County: 4,344 confirmed cases (57 new), 87 confirmed deaths (54 probable) Salem County: 3,291 confirmed cases (31 new), 110 confirmed deaths (7 probable) Cape May County: 2,677 confirmed cases (20 new), 128 confirmed deaths (19 probable) CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage HOSPITALIZATIONS There were 3,653 patients hospitalized in New Jersey with confirmed (3,402) or suspected (251) COVID-19 cases as of Sunday night 64 more than the previous night. That included 649 in critical or intensive care (20 more than the previous night), with 438 on ventilators (7 more). There were 347 COVID-19 patients discharged and 377 admitted at hospitals Sunday, according to the states COVID-19 dashboard. SCHOOL CASES There have been 111 in-school coronavirus outbreaks in New Jersey involving 557 students, teachers and staff since the school year began in late August, according to the state 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 (31.3%), followed by those 50-64 (23.8%), 18-29 (19.2%), 65-79 (11.2%), 80 and older (5.5%), 5-17 (7.3%) 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 (47.49%), followed by those 65-79 (32.29%), 50-64 (15.68%), 30-49 (4.14%), 18-29 (0.36%), 5-17 (0%) and 0-4 (.03%). At least 7,583 of the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. That number has been rising again at a steeper rate in recent months, with deaths at the states nursing homes nearly tripling in December. There are currently active outbreaks at 430 facilities, resulting in 6,441 active cases among residents and 6,826 among staffers. GLOBAL NUMBERS As of Monday morning, there were more than 90.3 million positive COVID-19 tests across the globe, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 1.93 million people have died from coronavirus-related complications. The U.S. has reported the most cases, at more than 22.4 million, and the most deaths, at more than 374,300. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Representative image: Reuters Avian influenza has been confirmed as the cause of death of different birds in Parbhani, Mumbai, Thane, Beed and Dapoli in Maharashtra, as per test reports of a Bhopal-based lab, a senior state government official said on Monday. However, it is "absolutely safe" to consume eggs or chicken as the virus cannot withstand cooking temperatures, and people need not worry as infection to humans due to bird flu is "rarest of rare", state animal husbandry department secretary Anoop Kumar told PTI. The official also said they would be increasing bio-safety measures in poultry farms so that there is no interface with wild birds. In the morning, Parbhani Collector Deepak Muglikar told PTI that bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of death of around 900 hens at a poultry farm in Murumba village and the district administration has decided to cull nearly 8,000 birds in the village. Kumar said the animal husbandry department has already started implementing its action plan and the culling of birds will begin from Tuesday. He said 8,000 to 10,000 birds within one-km radius of the infected zone in Parbhani may be culled. According to the Bhopal-based ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), two crows from Mumbai died due to bird flu. Three pond egrets and a parrot from Thane were infected by the H5N1 avian influenza virus, the institute's test report said. Besides, a chicken and two herons from Parbhani too died of H5N1 avian influenza virus, while crows from Beed and Dapoli (in Ratnagiri district) were infected by H5N8 avian influenza virus, as per the report. "Our action plan implementation work has begun. We will be holding a review meeting with the chief minister (Uddhav Thackeray) in the evening," Kumar said. "We will get our strategies approved by the CM and start culling from tomorrow, especially in Parbhani where poultry birds have been found to be infected," he said. The government machinery, including district collectors and forest department, is on alert, he said. Kumar also said that people need not worry as infection to humans due to bird flu is "rarest of rare". The state government is also running a campaign to make people aware that it is safe to consume eggs and poultry products, because there is "absolutely no possibility" of infection due to eating them. "And our cooking temperature takes care of any kind of virus, not only flu virus...it is absolutely safe to eat eggs and chicken," he said. Talking to reporters in Jalna, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said his department is on alert in view of the bird flu cases found in the state. However, there is nothing to fear, he said and asked people to take care and be safe. Earlier, Parbhani Collector Muglikar said they have created a prohibitory zone in 10 km radius of the area where the birds died. "No birds will be transported from there to any other place. Our medical team is stationed there and it is examining all people of the village," he said. There is no need to be panic and the district administration is taking all precautions, he added. Meanwhile, the Thane Municipal Corporation has set up a control room to monitor the situation and appealed to people to promptly report any cases of bird deaths in the city. It will also work to pro-actively remove fear from the minds of citizens and give them appropriate information from time-to-time, a release from thhe civic body said. Bird flu cases have so far been confirmed in Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Despite the show being wholly digital this year, Panasonics automotive division still had plenty to show off at CES 2021. On Monday, the company unveiled five futuristic technologies that will help make the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow more capable and more comfortable. Those include wireless Wi-Fi towing cameras, a Dolby Atmos surround sound system, and augmented reality HUDs. First up, Panasonic Automotive has unveiled its first fully wireless Wi-Fi camera. This ruggedized camera captures 1080p at 60 fps, connects via the vehicles Wi-Fi network directly to the infotainment system display, and is designed to stick onto the trailer youre towing to provide an unobstructed view of the traffic conditions around the vehicle. Towing anything when your vehicles backup camera is blocked by the trailer can be a dangerous challenge for recreational enthusiasts and equipment hauling businesses, noted Andrew Poliak, Chief Technology Officer for Panasonic Automotive in a press statement. Speaking of infotainment systems, Poliak points out that Panasonic has been working closely with Google on the development of the dedicated Android Automotive operating system that weve seen in the Polestar 2 and the Volvo XC40 Recharge. We've been core with Google's development, Poliak told Engadget. In fact, they use us as their reference design for both the development of their Android automotive operating system and as the base hardware platform. And as the cars of tomorrow grow even smarter and more capable, Poliak expects these infotainment systems to do the same. You're seeing these IVI (in-vehicle infotainment) systems become the brain of the display in the cockpit environment of cars, he continued. So, absorbing the electronics content driving your fully digital instrument cluster, absorbing the brains for the content that's getting rendered in your HUD, adding extra technologies that will be in your IVI -- being able to stream Spotify and cache offline content and all kinds of cool stuff. One of those cool things is an immersive proof-of-concept sound system, born from a partnership between Panasonic Automotive, Klipsch, and Dolby Atmos Music. Its effectively a Dolby Atmos sound system for your car. Though, theres no word on when the technology will make it to market. The other kind is Panasonics newly announced 4K augmented reality HUD. Panasonics AR HUD solutions cover more of the roadway, with traditional cluster content like speed and fuel in the near field as well as 3D overlays in the far-field, showing navigation and other critical driver data mapping spatially to the road ahead, Scott Kirchner, president Panasonic Automotive and executive director, Panasonic Smart Mobility said in a press statement. And in a future with more self-driving vehicles, our AR HUD could provide an important added level of comfort and assurance for AV passengers as well. But as we pack more and more features, sensors, and capabilities into our cars, balancing onboard computing resources with those in the cloud will be paramount, Poliak explained, a lot of it has to do with latency, and a lot of it has to do with bandwidth. For example, with Natural Language Processing, the technology that drives your virtual assistants voice command capabilities, the nature of your request will determine whether the command is handled on-board or in the cloud. When your cars embedded Google Assistant gives you a list of nearby Starbucks locations and you pick number two -- thats a command that would be handled on-board. Its simply not efficient to send that request up to the Google servers for processing and then back down to the vehicle just to load an address into the navigation system. Now, if you ask your Assistant, What films has Gerard Depardieu won an Oscar for, that sort of question will have to get sent upstairs -- and not just because Gerard Depardieu has never actually won an Academy Award (Jeremy Irons beat him out the one time he was nominated in 1991) -- but because theres only so much information you can pack into a cars finite computing resources and theres sadly not enough room for trivia about French film actors. Panasonic / Phair Surprisingly, we could soon see certain AI capabilities being handled as on-board functions as well. Panasonic announced at CES 2021 that it is collaborating with spatial AI developer Phair to expand driver safety and navigation support in its automotive solutions, according to a Monday press release. Its deep learning AI technology runs on automotive infotainment systems, detects and analyzes the drivers surroundings in real-time, and combines it with 3D localization of the vehicle to provide augmented guidance and safety information. The company also announced two variants of in-vehicle wireless charging systems -- moving coil and static coil -- at CES 2021 on Monday. The moving coil style will actually shift around slightly within the charging pad to optimize its position relative to the devices charging coil. Whats more, it can deliver 15W of power, roughly equivalent to what traditional tethered chargers can deliver. Both variants use the Qi 1.3 charging standard. Looking ahead, Poliak argues that the lines between your home space and your car space will continue to blur. I think COVID really [instigated] an interesting change to the automotive environment, in that it brought home the idea of using your car as your second space, where before it was your work and your home, he told Engadget. Now it's your home and your car. Its really had an impact on what electronics are being updated and what we're looking at for what can be done in a vehicle, Poliak continued. And to be honest, autonomous was already starting the shift of turning the vehicle into your living room or office space, but this just accelerated it dramatically. A Turkish court on Monday sentenced a Muslim televangelist who surrounded himself with scantily clad women he called "kittens" to more than 1,000 years in jail for sex crimes. Adnan Oktar preached creationism and conservative values while women in revealing outfits -- many of whom appeared to have had plastic surgery -- danced around him to upbeat music in the TV studio. The bearded 64-year-old was detained in 2018 along with more than 200 other suspects as part of a crackdown on his group by the financial crimes unit of the Istanbul police. He was sentenced to 1,075 years for crimes including sexual assault, sexual abuse of minors, fraud and attempted political and military espionage, the private NTV broadcaster reported. The court also sentenced two executives in Oktar's organisation, Tarkan Yavas and Oktar Babuna, to 211 and 186 years, respectively. The official Anadolu news agency reported that Oktar was additionally found guilty of aiding a group led by US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen that Turkey blames for staging a failed coup attempt in 2016. He has denied links to Gulen and has called suggestions that he led a sex cult an "urban myth". Some 236 defendants faced charges, 78 of whom were held in custody pending trial, Anadolu reported. Most of the suspects have maintained their innocence since the first court hearing in September 2019. 'Overflowing of Love' During the trial, which was followed closely by Turkish media for months, the court heard lurid and harrowing details of sex crimes. Oktar told the presiding judge in December that he had close to 1,000 girlfriends. "There is an overflowing of love in my heart for women. Love is a human quality. It is a quality of a Muslim," he said in another hearing in October. He added on separate occasion: "I am extraordinarily potent." Oktar first came to public attention in the 1990s when he was the leader of a sect that was caught up in multiple sex scandals. His online A9 television channel began broadcasting in 2011, drawing denunciations from Turkey's religious leaders. The channel, which was often fined by Turkey's media watchdog RTUK, was seized by the state and shut down in the wake of the police crackdown on Oktar's group. One of the women at his trial, identified only as CC, told the court that Oktar had repeatedly sexually abused her and other women. Some of the women he had raped were forced to take contraceptive pills, CC told the court, adding that she herself had joined when she was 17 years old. Asked about 69,000 contraception pills found in his home by the police, Oktar said they were used to treat skin disorders and menstrual irregularities. Turkish authorities demolished Oktar's villa on the Asian side of Istanbul -- which he also used for his TV studio -- and confiscated all his property in 2018. Oktar rejects the Darwinian theory of evolution and has written a 770-page book called "The Atlas of Creation" under the pen name, Harun Yahya. ADVERTISEMENT A group, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), has called on the federal government to fast-track its commitment to procuring life-saving anti-retrovirals for Persons Living With HIV (PLWHIV) in the country. The National Coordinator of NEPWHAN, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, said the availability of these drugs and HIV test kits is crucial to achieving the 90-90-90 goals which Nigeria failed to meet. The UNAIDS and other foreign partners had in 2014 launched the 90-90-90 strategy which is an ambitious target to help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The aim was to diagnose 90 per cent of all HIV positive persons, provide Antiretroviral Therapy (ARTs) for 90 per cent of those diagnosed, and achieve viral load suppression for 90 per cent of those treated by 2020. Strides At the dawn of the deadline, about 60 per cent of the people living with the virus in Nigeria were on treatment, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows. While the 60 per cent is already showing a deficit of about 30 percentage points going by the 2020 target, Nigeria is off-track in other focus areas such as 90 per cent of the population knowing their status at the end of the deadline. A recent analysis by PREMIUM TIMES explained in details some factors that may have contributed to Nigerias failure to meet this target. Some of the factors include the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been largely blamed for disrupting several global health targets, prevalence of mother to child transmission, HIV funding, stigma and discrimination, lack of awareness, amongst others. Commitment Mr Ibrahim said for the country to still meet these goals, the government must provide drugs for PLWHIV and tests kits to ensure more people get tested. These goals cannot be achieved without the governments commitment to procure from domestic resources adequate test kits so that more Nigerians can be tested and those who test positive placed on lifesaving HIV treatment, he said. Mr Ibrahim also noted that approvals by the Federal Ministry of Health should not be delayed in providing treatment for PLWHIV as part of governments efforts to meeting its co-financing and counterparts funding requirements We are currently talking with the Federal Ministry of Health to fast track the release of available resources in the Ministry to procure HIV drugs and test kits to keep Nigerians living with HIV alive, he said. He added: we hope by end of next week, approval and release will be granted by the Minister of Health and his team to redeem Nigerias commitment and respect in the eyes of the international community. (Natural News) During the horrific reign of Adolph Hitler, The New York Times subverted decency by aiding and abetting the Holocaust through acts of omission that is, by failing to accurately describe Hitlers act of genocide against the Jews. These days, the papers treasonous editors and reporters satisfy and amuse themselves by lying to the American people about President Donald Trump, even past the point of harming our national security. You may recall some months ago that the Times published a bombshell claim that Russia was offering bounties to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan for killing American soldiers. The Times reporting made it sound as if President Trump knew about it and quasi-sanctioned it because a) hes this big pal of Russian President Vladimir Putin; b) Putin has things on Trump; c) Trump is really a Manchurian candidate; d) all or part of the above: Islamist militants, or armed criminal elements closely associated with them, are believed to have collected some bounty money, the officials said. Twenty Americans were killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2019, but it was not clear which killings were under suspicion. The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White Houses National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March, the officials said. Officials developed a menu of potential options starting with making a diplomatic complaint to Moscow and a demand that it stop, along with an escalating series of sanctions and other possible responses, but the White House has yet to authorize any step, the officials said. Speaking of Manchuria, it turns out the Times was very likely simply covering for another authoritarian government: China. Last week, President Trump ordered the declassification of intelligence showing that Beijing, not Moscow, was, in fact, offering bounties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. Axios had the story: The Trump administration is declassifying as-yet uncorroborated intelligence, recently briefed to President Trump, that indicates China offered to pay non-state actors in Afghanistan to attack American soldiers, two senior administration officials tell Axios. Do you know what word was missing from the Times report on the Russian bounties? Unconfirmed. So, when its Mother Russia, any intel is guaranteed to be golden, confirmed, 100 percent accurate, no foolin, its true but when it comes to China, well, that same intelligence is suddenly unreliable, uncorroborated, not sure to be accurate, maybe just BS or a well-intentioned guess. What a load of manure. The fact is, Trump ordered the information on China declassified for several reasons: Its real. He wants China to know that he knows what theyve done. He didnt declassify the Russian bounty intel because it wasnt real like the Times multiple reports alleging that Trump and Russia colluded to steal the election from Hillary Clinton. The U.S. has evidence that the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] attempted to finance attacks on American servicemen by Afghan non-state actors by offering financial incentives or bounties, one official told Axios, adding that the National Security Council is coordinating a whole-of-government investigation. (Related: China helped steal U.S. election, concludes hard-hitting Epoch Times documentary.) The same official also said that the Trump administration is aware of PRC weapons illicitly flowing into Afghanistan, which means, of course, that China is playing the same interventionist games against the United States the Soviet Union played (and we played) during the Cold War. Now heres where it really gets interesting. Joe Biden, who is pretending as though he really did win the election this year, is also getting the Presidential Daily Brief on intelligence matters, meaning he is aware (or at least he was for a few moments after the brief before his dementia kicked in) of the Chinese bounties. Joe Biden, like son Hunter Biden, has been co-opted by Chinese government-linked business interests, according to multiple reports and investigations. Who really believes a President Biden is going to be as tough on China over these bounties as Trump would be? See more reporting like this at NationalSecurity.news. Sources include: NYTimes.com Axios.com NaturalNews.com [January 11, 2021] Seqster Interoperability Platform Launches on Microsoft Azure SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seqster PDM Inc. ("Seqster") the award-winning healthcare technology company, announced the release of Seqster Platform v7.1 on the Microsoft Azure cloud at J.P. Morgan 39th Annual Healthcare Conference. Seqster is a comprehensive platform for accessing secure, longitudinal Real-World Data - electronic health records (EHR), DNA, and fitness wearables data in real-time for healthcare enterprises. "With the latest release of the Seqster platform, we provide end-to-end patient data delivery on Microsoft Azure so that our enterprise clients can transition from existing outdated retrieval methods to real-time, structured EHR data retrieval," stated Ardy Arianpour, Seqster's CEO and co-founder. "Seqster pioneered person-centric interoperability and now offers a turn-key multi-cloud solution driven by and for our pharma clients." By incorporating Azure, along with Kubernetes and Istio, Seqster is able to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of its app containers without "DevOps" intervention while providing TLS encryption for data in transit between all resources in the platfom along with enhanced logging for observability and policy adherence. "Microsoft welcomes Seqster into the Azure family of products for patient-centric healthcare and interoperability," commented Trent Norris, Microsoft's Director of Life Sciences. "By leveraging Azure Key Vault, Storage Containers and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Seqster has created a secure, scalable platform for enterprise-class medical data retrieval, visualization, and integration for healthcare providers, payers, pharma and medical researchers." Seqster provides researchers and clinicians a user-friendly experience while accelerating the onboarding of research participants into clinical trials. Patients can now track their health data throughout the study and beyond, offering an integrated approach to outcomes analysis. The platform is FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant enabling secure delivery of EHR documents directly to regulated clinical trial management systems and allowing eConsent-based visualization of participants' data. New Features of Seqster 7.1 on Microsoft Azure include: Enhanced security using Azure Key Vault and Istio Service Mesh High availability cluster with redundancy across availability zones Customizable user interface for white label branding Single and Multi-Tenant options Massively scalable object storage with Azure Blob Storage for EHR documents, Medical Images, and DNA sequence files Single-Sign-On integration with Oauth2 Authentication FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Compliant for Clinical Trial data handling Seqster runs on a HIPAA and HITRUST CSF certified platform, providing our enterprise clients with a tightly controlled environment with 24x7x365 operational monitoring and support. ABOUT SEQSTER Seqster is a SaaS-based healthcare technology company that enables organizations to drive efficient healthcare via comprehensive medical records (EHR), individual genomic profiles (DNA), and personal health device data. For the first time, users create their own matched, longitudinal health data profile across all of their US-based healthcare data sources through person-centric interoperability. The company serves healthcare enterprises such as pharmaceutical companies, payers, life insurance, and providers. The platform is both FDA 21 CFR PART 11 & CMS-ONC 21st Century Cures Act Compliant. Seqster is hosted on HIPAA-compliant and HITRUST certified servers. It connects users to more than 3,000 hospitals and health systems and over 150,000 doctor offices and medical clinics nationwide. Seqster is privately held and headquartered in San Diego. If you are interested in partnering with Seqster please contact: bd@seqster.com Learn more about our technology at seqster.com and follow us @Seqster View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seqster-interoperability-platform-launches-on-microsoft-azure-301204736.html SOURCE Seqster [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 14:30:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Medical workers put their hands together to encourage each other before conducting COVID-19 tests at a community in Yuhua District of Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- After consultation with the National Health Commission, an international expert team of the World Health Organization (WHO) will arrive in China on Thursday to conduct joint research with Chinese scientists on the origin-tracing of the novel coronavirus, the commission said Monday. A man with an address on the Louth Armagh border has been charged with money laundering offences following the seizure of more than 1 million in cash on the M7 motorway last week. Jiri Fuchanek, who gave an address as Edenappa, Jonesboro, Co Armagh appeared before Judge Catherine Staines at a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court last Saturday, January 9. The accused, aged 45, was remanded in custody on a money laundering charge under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act. The accused is due to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday, January 12. The court appearance took place over the weekend after Gardai reported that a man was taken into custody at Portlaoise Garda Station after the seizure of over a 1 million in cash in a van which was stopped on the Cork Dublin Limerick M7 motorway in Kildare. Officers from the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped the van at around 6 am on Friday morning, January 7. Gardai said a further 10,000 in cash was seized in a follow-up search in the midlands as part of ongoing investigations into organised crime. A man who is said to be from Lithuania, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a criminal organisation, to facilitate money laundering, relating to the suspected proceeds of drug trafficking pursuant to the provisions of section 72 of Criminal Justice Act, 1996. He was detained at the Laois, Offaly, Kildare Garda Divisional HQ in Portlaoise under anti-gang legislation which allowed questioning for up to seven days. 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. Maharashtra's National Laboratory has confirmed that 800 chickens in Murumba village died due to bird flu. According to ANI, the blood samples sent to the laboratory has confirmed the bird flu. Three days ago, 800 chickens in Murumba village died due to bird flu. District administration had sent blood samples of dead chickens to National Laboratory. Reports confirm that the chickens died of bird flu: Deepak Mughlikar, District Collector, Parbhani confined to ANI. Three days ago, 800 chickens in Murumba village died due to bird flu. District administration had sent blood samples of dead chickens to National Laboratory. Reports confirm that the chickens died of bird flu: Deepak Mughlikar, District Collector, Parbhani. #Maharashtra ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2021 So far, the disease has been confirmed in Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying on Sunday said that the central teams formed for monitoring the spread of bird flu are visiting the affected sites across the country. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches As per the central government, states have been requested to build awareness among the public and avoid the spread of misinformation regarding AI. States/ UTs have been requested to increase surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, etc proper disposal of the carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms. Moreover, the ministry has issued an advisory to the affected states so as to avoid further spread of disease. With bird flu reports making headlines across the country, chicken shop owners said their business has been hit hard. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. WASHINGTON - The House on Monday barreled toward impeaching President Donald Trump, while President-elect Joe Biden, scrambling to ensure the effort does not bog down the start of his tenure, pressed the Senate on whether it could simultaneously hold a trial of the president and pass urgently needed bills. Trump could be impeached as early as Wednesday on a charge of "incitement of insurrection." That rapid pace in the House prompted Biden to ask Senate officials whether the chamber could "bifurcate" its schedule so his agenda and impeachment could be considered at the same time, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., explored other, little-used ways of speeding up Senate action. The accelerating activity reflected the unusually high-pressure moment, with the departure of one president - days after he encouraged a mob that assaulted the U.S. Capitol - increasingly colliding with the agenda of a successor determined to quickly tackle the twin crises of a deadly pandemic and a foundering economy. "I had a discussion today with some of the folks in the House and Senate," Biden told reporters Monday as he received his second dose of the coronavirus vaccine. "And the question is whether or not, for example, if the House moves forward - which they obviously are - with the impeachment and sends it over to the Senate, whether or not we can bifurcate this." A Senate impeachment trial typically consumes the chamber for weeks, allowing for little other business. Biden has been particularly concerned about Senate confirmation for his Cabinet nominees, and he signaled Monday that he was looking for a way around the traditional pace of an impeachment trial. "Can we go half-day on dealing with the impeachment and half-day getting my people nominated and confirmed in the Senate?" he said. Fallout from Wednesday's assault on the Capitol continued elsewhere Monday as acting homeland security secretary Chad Wolf stepped down. Wolf cited recent court challenges to his authority and other "recent events," but his move came amid criticism of the Department of Homeland Security Department for its preparation for the rally that became a riot. The flurry of activity reflected the growing certainty that the House will impeach Trump this week, taking the action just days before he leaves office and making him the first president to be impeached twice. And it underscored the concern among Democrats over how much a Senate trial could disrupt the critical first days of the Biden presidency. House Democrats formally introduced a single article of impeachment Monday, citing Trump's false statements claiming widespread voter fraud. "He also willfully made statements that, in context, encouraged - and foreseeably resulted in - lawless action at the Capitol," the resolution reads. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told lawmakers to prepare to return to Washington on Tuesday to consider that resolution, with the full House scheduled to vote on Wednesday. A House aide confirmed that impeachment has 218 co-sponsors, enough to ensure passage in the Democratic-led chamber. Democrats are furious at Trump for encouraging the assault, which was linked to five deaths. But Biden campaigned on uniting the country, and some lawmakers say that could be much harder if he launches his presidency amid a volatile effort to punish his polarizing predecessor. Yet other Democrats argue it will not be possible for the country to come together if Trump is not held accountable, and the congressional furor over the insurrection at the Capitol has been nearly impossible to contain. "There have to be consequences for this clear and deeply serious violation of law - inciting a riot," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. Still, he said he is "sympathetic" to Biden's desire to focus on his agenda. But Blumenthal argued that impeaching Trump does not need to get in the way of unity. "I really hope that maybe this impeachment can be bipartisan," he said. "The people who say that an impeachment trial would be divisive are assuming that Republicans are divided with us on the basic issue of whether a president can incite a riot, which is what he did." The Senate parliamentarian's office on Monday declined to comment, but some officials who have been involved in past impeachment proceedings said it would be difficult, if not impossible, to bifurcate the Senate's work as Biden has proposed. There could be further delays if legal challenges are mounted to determine whether a former president can face impeachment. And Senate Republicans would have little incentive to work with Biden to speed things along and enact his agenda. All those factors are putting enormous pressure on Schumer to decide how to negotiate the political crosscurrents. He said in an interview published Monday that he considered impeaching Trump and executing Biden's agenda equally important. "We're going to have to do several things at once, but we've got to move the agenda as well," Schumer told the Buffalo News. "Yes, we've got to do both." The Senate is not scheduled to come into session until Jan. 19, delaying any impeachment trial until the start of Biden's administration. The chamber ordinarily could not reconvene earlier unless all 100 senators agreed. That has prompted Schumer to explore an obscure authority that would allow him, along with the current majority leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to jointly reconvene the Senate in cases of emergency, according to a senior Democratic aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss evolving party strategy. Schumer is investigating whether this option would allow for a potential Trump trial to begin immediately after the House transmits the articles to the Senate, rather than waiting until Jan. 19. But McConnell would have to agree to such a maneuver, and it is far from clear that he would. Aides to McConnell - who had ignored Trump's calls before Wednesday's siege and now has no plans to call him back, according to one official - did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Schumer, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has endorsed impeaching Trump if Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the current Cabinet do not invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, deeming as unfit. There is no indication that Pence or any Cabinet officials have intention of doing so. Over the weekend, Schumer quietly advised his fellow Senate Democrats not to take the prospect of impeachment off the table in their interviews and public comments, according to two officials familiar with the conversations. In addition, Schumer told senators not to float censure as a potential option for punishing Trump, since most Democrats believe that would let Republicans off the hook by providing a way for them to impose a toothless penalty on Trump. A spokesman for Schumer declined to comment on his private talks with senators. Short of persuading McConnell to agree to reconvene the Senate under emergency powers, Democratic officials have started to explore other options to accommodate both an impeachment trial and the confirmation of Biden's Cabinet. Generally, the full Senate immediately takes up articles of impeachment once they are transmitted from the House. Democrats are researching whether impeachment could instead be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for hearings, which would free up Senate floor time. Similarly, Democrats have looked into a potential commission that would investigate the matter and produce a report, which would also leave the Senate available to confirm Biden's nominees and get started on his legislative priorities. Biden and Pelosi discussed impeachment when they spoke Friday, and Biden suggested that he was ambivalent on whether lawmakers go forward. "He told Pelosi that he was going to focus on doing his job and leave it to her to handle impeachment," said a senior Biden adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity to comment freely about internal discussions. "She told him that it was inevitable." Pelosi was similarly adamant in a public statement Monday, saying, "The President's threat to America is urgent, and so too will be our action." Pelosi made that statement shortly after House Republicans, using a procedural move, blocked consideration of a resolution calling on Pence to initiative removal proceedings under the 25th Amendment. The measure, written by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., called on Pence to mobilize Cabinet members "to declare what is obvious to a horrified Nation: That the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office." Republicans are expected to block the resolution a second time Tuesday, and Democrats will then move ahead with impeachment, accusing Trump of exhorting the mob on Wednesday to move on the Capitol as lawmakers were formalizing Biden's victory in the presidential election. "Thus incited by President Trump, members of the crowd he had addressed, in an attempt to, among other objectives, interfere with the Joint Session's solemn constitutional duty to certify the results of the 2020 Presidential election, unlawfully breached and vandalized the Capitol, injured and killed law enforcement personnel, menaced Members of Congress, the Vice President, and Congressional personnel, and engaged in other violent, deadly, destructive, and seditious acts," the impeachment resolution says. The outgoing White House staff has no detailed plan for how to handle the impeachment battle, with a muted Trump having no comment on the matter and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone - who led the president's impeachment defense last year - and Deputy Counsel Pat Philbin saying in private that they will not be participating. The White House is not defending Trump's conduct to senators, instead pressing them to let him leave office quietly. Few senators are in contact with Trump. "The goal is just to run out the clock until next Wednesday," said one aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe internal thinking. Senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, has recently called allies, asking them to put out statements against impeachment, and Kushner and Trump met with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Friday. According to one person familiar with these conversations, Kushner is trying to understand how much congressional support there is for impeachment, rather than defending Trump's behavior. Graham is arguing to other senators that impeachment is not the right move, even as he does not try to defend Trump's conduct, a person who heard his argument said. "I think letting the president stew in his own juices is probably the right way to go here," Graham said Monday in an interview with The Washington Post. "Impeachment is going to reignite the problem, and we've got nine days to go here. It will do more harm than good, and I'm hoping that people on our side will see it that way." - - - The Washington Post's Matt Viser and Dan Balz contributed to this report. New Delhi, Jan 11 : Amazon has written to SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi informing that the regulator should not give no-objection to the Future Retail transaction with Reliance as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) has constituted an arbitral tribunal. In a letter to Tyagi, Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings said, "We write to inform you that the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) has constituted the arbitral tribunal in the arbitration proceedings initiated by Amazon against inter alia FRL, Kishore Biyani and Rakesh Biyani. "We wish to highlight that in view of the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, the interim award passed by the EA stands automatically extended for the duration of the arbitration proceedings unless it is reconsidered/modified/vacated by the arbitral tribunal." "We wish to highlight Rule 10, Schedule I to the rules of the SIAC, 2016 (SIAC Rules) in this regard, which provides that: 'The Emergency Arbitrator shall have no power to act after the Tribunal is constituted. The Tribunal may reconsider, modify or vacate any interim order or Award issued by the Emergency Arbitrator, including a ruling on his own jurisdiction. The Tribunal is not bound by the reasons given by the Emergency Arbitrator. Any interim order or Award issued by the Emergency Arbitrator shall, in any event, cease to be binding if the Tribunal is not constituted within 90 days of such order or Award or when the Tribunal makes a final Award or if the claim is withdrawn'," Amazon said. Future Retail stands injuncted from proceedings with the transaction with Reliance and restrained by the award. "We reiterate that FRL continues to be expressly injuncted and restrained by the interim award from taking any steps in furtherance of or in aid of the impugned transaction, including filing or pursuing any application before any person, including SEBI or agencies in India. As the interim award is deemed to be an order of the court and now stands automatically extended pursuant to the SIAC Rules, FRL continues to suffer from a fatal disability to pursue its application for issuance of observation letter/no-objection letter before any regulatory authority," Amazon said. The impugned transaction as per the letter is the purported resolution dated August 29, 2020 (Impugned Board Resolution) passed by the board of directors of FRL approving the amalgamation of FRL, along with other group companies, with Future Enterprises Limited (FEL) and the subsequent transfer and vesting of the 'retail and wholesale undertaking' from FEL as a going concern on a slump sale basis to the Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani (Reliance Industries) Group. In view of Section 17(2) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the interim award passed by the EA is deemed to be an order of a court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and continues to be in force, it said. "We extract Section 17(2) for your convenience: '(2) Subject to any orders passed in an appeal under section 37, any order issued by the arbitral tribunal under this section shall be deemed to be an order of the court for all purposes and shall be enforceable under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in the same manner as if it were an order of the Court'," it added. It is a matter of record that no appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 has been filed against the interim award. "In view of the directions in the operative part of the interim award and the above, we request your good offices to take action by inter alia: (a) suspending review of the impugned transaction as well as the scheme involving the impugned transaction, and not granting any no-objection in relation to the same; and (b) directing the Indian stock exchanges not to issue any no-objection/approval letter to FRL," Amazon said. 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. DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Computer Peripheral Equipment Global Market Report 2020-30: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. North America was the largest region in the global computer peripheral equipment market, accounting for 56% of the market in 2019. Asia Pacific was the second largest region accounting for 23% of the global computer peripheral equipment market. Africa was the smallest region in the global computer peripheral equipment market. Companies in this market are investing significant funds in R&D to develop convenient and ecofriendly monitor devices. The key features include Eye Saver Mode that optimizes the viewing comfort by smartly reducing blue light emissions at the touch of a button, Flicker Free technology that reduces screen flickering for a more comfortable viewing experience, PowerSensor that saves up to 80% energy costs and SmartErgoBase which gives low bezel-to-table height for maximum reading comfort. For instance, Samsung is developing monitors without the use of PVC making to reduce environmental impact. The computer peripheral equipment manufacturing market consists of sales of computer peripheral equipment by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that produce computer peripheral devices that connect to a computer system to add functionality. Examples are a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer and scanner.The computer peripheral equipment manufacturing market consists of sales of computer peripheral equipment by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that produce computer peripheral devices that connect to a computer system to add functionality. Examples are a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer and scanner. The global computer peripheral equipment market is expected to decline from $494.8 billion in 2019 to $467.1 billion in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.6%. The decline is mainly due to economic slowdown across countries owing to the COVID-19 outbreak and the measures to contain it. The market is then expected to recover and grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2021 and reach $506.9 billion in 2023. Scope of the report: Markets Covered: 1) By Type: Mouse; Keyboard; Monitor; Printer; Scanner 2) By Connectivity: Wired; Wireless 3) By End-Use: Residential; Commercial Companies Mentioned: HP; IBM; Apple; Logitech; Epson Metrics Covered: Number of Enterprises; Number of Employees Countries: Argentina; Australia; Austria; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Egypt; Finland; France; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; Netherlands; New Zealand; Nigeria; Norway; Peru; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; South Korea; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Thailand; Turkey; UAE; UK; USA; Venezuela; Vietnam Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa Time series: Five years historic and ten years forecast. Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita, computer peripheral equipment indicators comparison. Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rh1xvf 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: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com [January 11, 2021] Quantum Computing: Boehringer Ingelheim and Google Partner for Pharma R&D Boehringer Ingelheim announced today a collaborative agreement with Google (News - Alert) Quantum AI (Google), focusing on researching and implementing cutting-edge use cases for quantum computing in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D), specifically including molecular dynamics simulations. The new partnership combines Boehringer Ingelheim's leading expertise in the field of computer-aided drug design and in silico modeling with Google's outstanding resources as one of the leading developers of quantum computers and algorithms. Boehringer Ingelheim is the first pharmaceutical company worldwide to join forces with Google in quantum computing. The partnership is designed for three years and is co-led by the newly established Quantum (News - Alert) Lab of Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are really excited about joining forces with Google, the leading tech company when it comes to quantum computing," says Michael Schmelmer, Member of the Board of Managing Directors of Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for Finance and Corporate Functions. "Quantum computing has the potential to significantly accelerate and enhance R&D processes in our industry. Quantum computing is still very much an emerging technology. However, we are convinced that this technology could help us to provide even more humans and animals with innovative and groundbreaking medicines in the future." The new collaboration is part of Boehringer Ingelheim's comprehensive digital transformation strategy with the aim to better leverage and accelerate the company's promising pipeline and ultimately bringing more medical breakthroughs to patients in need. Boehringer Ingelheim is significantly increasing its investment in a broad range of digital technologies, encompassing key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science to better understand diseases, their drivers and biomarkrs, and digital therapeutics. "Extremely accurate modelling of molecular systems is widely anticipated as among the most natural and potentially transformative applications of quantum computing. Therefore, Google is excited to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim to explore use cases and methods for quantum simulations of chemistry. Boehringer Ingelheim brings both an impressive quantum computing team and deep expertise in real world applications of these capabilities in the pharmaceuticals space," says Ryan Babbush, Head of Quantum Algorithms at Google. Computational approaches are already a cornerstone in the design and development of innovative new medicines, making a significant contribution to improving the health of humans and animals. However, given their algorithm structure, today's computers are not able to solve many of the real complex challenges which are essential for the early stages of pharmaceutical R&D, most importantly simulating and analyzing molecules related to disease mechanisms. Quantum computing has the potential to accurately simulate and compare much larger molecules than currently possible, creating new opportunities for pharmaceutical innovation and therapies for a range of diseases." Researching and developing new, groundbreaking therapies for diseases with high unmet medical need is what our work at Boehringer Ingelheim is all about," says Michel Pairet, Member of the Board of Managing Directors of Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for the company's Innovation Unit. "Together with Google, our goal is to apply the use of quantum computing in biopharmaceutical R&D and thus continue to make a decisive contribution to medical progress for patients around the world." "The thought leadership of Boehringer Ingelheim's quantum research effort is very impressive. This is reflected in the quick turnaround time that their strong quantum research team got assembled, and their commitment to open research. We are looking forward to jointly working on the field with fundamental research and a joint vision for solving relevant pharma problems in the beyond-classical regime over the next decade," says Markus Hoffmann, Google Quantum AI Partnerships. Boehringer Ingelheim will invest significantly in the coming years to realize the full potential of quantum computing. The company has already set up a dedicated Quantum Lab and hired outstanding experts in the field of quantum computing from academia, industry, and quantum providers. Partnerships from Industry and Academia will complement the respective teams. Colleagues mainly from the Boehringer Ingelheim's Innovation Unit and IT support these experts in their work. Please click on the following link for 'Notes to Editors': http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/partnering-google-quantum-computing View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005440/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (Natural News) Conservatives who object to election fraud have found that liberals favorite retort is your claims have been laughed out of court. (Article by Bobby Lopez republished from NOQReport.com) This argument is authoritarian in its reasoning. It defers to a juridical priesthood and allows one guild, the attorneys, to override what average people can see in front of them. Such an argument should not stagger wise conservatives. The latter can always draw from Platos Republic and the debate between Socrates and Thrasymachus over whether justice is merely defined as whatever the mightiest people in society say it is. Spoiler! Socrates wins that debate. Thats partly why people live in free republics in many parts of the world 2,400 years later. Juridical systems have a long and checkered history. In researching a current book project, Traumatizing the Tongue, I spent years researching the Spanish Inquisition, the French Reign of Terror, the German Gestapo, and the Soviet gulags. In each of these historical examples, political and social upheaval led to illogical judicial systems whose irrational decrees distorted language itself, past the point where Spanish, French, or German could fully recover. People who have been granted juridical authority can indeed err en masse by an enormous margin, for long periods of time, on matters that should be obvious. No human language has ever appeared that can withstand the basic warning of Jeremiah 17:9 (inside the heart is wickedness beyond measure). The English-speaking world held on to sensible systems of judgment for longer than other language communities, partly because English-speaking countries defeated the other language communities. The British led the way in defeating the Spanish Armada and Napoleon, while the English-speaking United States led the way in defeating the Nazis and pushing the Soviets past their breaking point. In researching Traumatizing the Tongue, however, I could not avoid the conclusion that English has passed its expiration point as a rational universal tongue. It was bad enough that the United States courts rejected civil rights cases from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century out of hand. By the twenty-first century, American courts were on course to affirm some of the most preposterous claims about sex and gender ever asserted in all human history. The erosion of commonsense language that arguably began with Roe v. Wade moved quickly in forty-two years to the insanity of Obergefell v. Hodges and even to the madness of the supposedly conservative-dominated Supreme Court in 2020s Bostock and Henderson v. Box. In the 1973 decision for Roe v. Wade, Justice Harry Blackmun wrote for the majority in stating that the word person in the Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection) could not apply to someone unborn because: [Person] is used in other places in the Constitution. But in nearly all those instances, the use of the word is such that has application postnatally. None indicates, with any assurance, that it has any possible prenatal application.[1] This exemplifies the mangled follies of language that only a high-ranking judicial authority could find persuasive. Are very old people going to be seen as non-people because the Constitution does not mention people with advanced signs of aging? Are blind or illiterate people going to be similarly classed because the Constitution is not written in Braille and does not include instructions to read it aloud to people who cant read? Anybody with a brain untainted by decades of work in the Judiciary can understand that all people begin as fetuses, and all fetuses, barring a miscarriage, medical abnormality, or violent intervention, will eventually go from being prenatal to postnatal. Obviously, the purpose behind extending equal life protection to all persons came from the moral sense that human beings are more valuable to human beings than are cows, pigs, or chickens. For years the simple understanding was, if you dont want to deal with raising a baby, hold off on having sex and support the law and order that keeps rapists at bay. Otherwise, once you conceive life you should treat that life the way you would want your own life to be treated. Language distortion spreads like mold. After a certain point, you cant recover common sense anywhere, and all is lost. The inability to see the word person as the word clearly presents itself led, in Americas case, to the total inability to understand the words man, woman, mother, father, child, and marriage. By 2015, the deterioration of language was far-reaching. I participated in the legal efforts to resist the redefinition of family because I knew that every child has a mother and father, somewhere, even if one or both are in the grave. The only possession with which a child is naturally born, in fact, is his relationship to the man and woman from whose flesh he was conceived. Court after court brushed aside this commonsense reality and instead lost its train of thought in bizarre word definitions. These distortions suited a well funded political lobby that wanted to satisfy its client base, same-sex couples, with the means to purchase a childs love and obedience. The courts, rather than acting to protect the childs heritage, acted to strip the child of the sacred right to a relationship with his biological origins. In the Hollingsworth decision prior to Obergefell, Justice Kennedy even stated that the redefinition of marriage would be necessary to force children adopted by same-sex couples to view their putative parents as the legitimate claimants to their submission and affection. In other words, the law would be necessary to make kids love them no matter how hurt they felt by the loss of a mother or father. Through sophistry, the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment meant that same-sex couples had equal rights to children but that the children obtained in fulfillment of this right did not have equal rights to a mother and father. Deal with the main point, stop beating around the bush Much of what has happened with the courts rejection of the open-and-shut electoral fraud case can be blamed on the overall decline in reason and common sense in the Judiciary. Yet I cannot totally blame the courts without taking a critical look at the choices by conservative lawyers. I saw many mistakes in the conservative argument for marriage repeated in the recent struggle over the election. The public supported a basic truth: the sexual relationship between a man and a woman is unlike any other relationship, especially because this one uniquely produces new human life; hence, society needs to recognize the sacred nature of such a bond rather than muddle it with analogies to same-sex relationships, which are in many ways hard to differentiate from friendships. Many people who were formerly in the gay lifestyle and then came out could attest to the fact that gay relationships, no matter how much we wish to respect them, differ substantially from a heterosexual bond and will never be able to replace male-female unions. Okay, that was the basic point. Yet that wasnt the point that I found lawyers making. Scores of conservative lawyers came up with convoluted arguments to present before the courts. They talked about states rights and suddenly made the entire issue about the religious liberty of Christian third parties who were not gay, did not have gay children, did not have gay parents, and might merely be asked to bake a cake or take photographs for gay so-called weddings. Many of us got involved because we wanted to protect people from harm, regardless of whether we were Christian or not. I personally did not find the wedding cake arguments urgent. The religious liberty argument struck many as weak and offensive, since Christians as a class were not harmed as immediately as the people who dealt with the fallout of homosexuality in their personal or family relationships. The strongest and most resonant argument for marriage was the crudest one I saw in comments all across the internet: the anus is not a sexual organ, and two people of the same sex cant create a baby unless they buy one or steal one from other people. The next strongest argument is equally basic: Have you seen the photos from gay pride parades? Is that a good environment for raising kids? These points are harsh, but people understand them immediately, and liberals do not have effective counterpoints against them because theyre so obvious. I remember being on countless conference calls where powerful lawyers told us we couldnt discuss same-sex abuse, adoption abuses, rates of disease or mental illness, or any of a number of arguments that represented the concerns that led many of us to be on their side. We were not supposed to make any references to anal or oral sexual behavior, or to penises or vaginas. I could never figure out why some peoples amicus briefs came to the attention of the justices and others, which seemed far more compelling, were passed over. Nor could I figure out why some lawyers whose arguments didnt make any sense had the power to choose the arguments presented before the judges. Some of this history repeated itself in 2020 with the election fraud cases. Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis command our respect as legal experts. But I could not shake the feeling that there was a similar drift from the main point of the election controversy. Many of the cases brought to courts were referring to infractions against election law, such as deadlines for receipt of mail or the definition of indefinite confinement. But they seemed to beat around the bush. When the mail arrived is not the point; the point is that the mail-in ballots that got counted included a bunch of fakes. Somebody got into the computers or tampered physically with the ballots, throwing out real ballots and/or stuffing the counts with fake ones, in order to generate tabulations that did not reflect reality. In a series of livestreams with Maricopa County election attorney Rachel Alexander, we brainstormed a hypothesis of how the election was stolen step by step, by piecing together the most pertinent pieces of evidence. The one thing our side could have done better in the court cases would be to paint the stark picture of unscrupulous, scheming people carting real ballots to a trash dump while other scoundrels printed off millions of fake ballots and swapped them in while the Republican observers were blocked from watching them. The Venezuelan origins of Dominion, laws about due dates for sending ballots in, and the definition of confined are legally interesting but also less infuriating than the main point, which is that somewhere in America, there exist a rotten group of people who were low-down and dirty enough to throw away peoples votes and print out false ones. We dont want to be unfair to the lawyers who bravely stood up for Trump. The courts knew that this was what really mattered, and we cant blame Trumps lawyers for the fact that they jumped on arcane technicalities about timing and standing to throw the cases out. But I still worry that our side focused too much on Article II of the Constitution, the right of state legislatures, and other legal specificities that allowed the courts to go on detours and avoid the main issue. One good thing is that this time, five years later, I dont feel quite as powerless. More conservatives are paying attention than was true in 2015. I dont think liberals can isolate us or deny how many of us there are who know the truth. Thats one good thing to say about this round. Read more at: NOQReport.com Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 11:01PM Limited edition Apple products aren't that common, so people always pay attention when the tech company releases some. One of the newest special edition Apple gadgets is this limited-edition AirPods Pro that's inspired by the upcoming Chinese New Year, which ushers in the Year of the Ox. The special true wireless earbuds will be available in select Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Apple even has a customized logo on these countries' home pages to celebrate the occasion. What's unique about this AirPods Pro model is getting a cute and unique emoji on the case and the retail box. Etched in grey, it depicts the classic cow emoji with a smaller cow coming out of its head while stars are floating around it. The box has the same logo, but it's in red. This AirPods Pro is priced similarly to regular AirPods Pro, which in China is RMB 1,999. These limited edition earbuds are available from Apple retail stores or through Apple.com for those countries with a two-unit-per-order limit. Those who live in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan can avail of in-store pickup, too. Source: 9to5Mac Two churches in the southeastern port city of Busan have been ordered to shut down after repeatedly holding in-person worship services in violation of the pandemic-driven social distancing rules, local officials said Monday. Under the administrative orders by Busan's ward offices, the two Protestant churches Saegyero and Seobu have been forced to shut down for defying the antivirus distancing measures. Busan has been under the second-strongest social distancing scheme of Level 2.5 since Dec. 15, under which churches across the city are prohibited from on-site worship services and required to replace them with online ones. Saegyero was initially ordered by ward officials on Sunday to stop in-person services, right after hosting a Sunday service attended by 1,090 people. But the church defied the initial order and pushed ahead with an early-morning service again Monday, resulting in the shut-down order. About 200 people attended the latest service. The church has been reported to the police for holding in-person services on six occasions amid the spread of COVID-19. Seobu, meanwhile, has been ordered to shut down starting Tuesday for convening an on-site worship service the previous day, in which around 500 people assembled. The authority said the measure will be in place until further notice from the ward office. The church was also told to stop in-person services last week but went ahead with the Sunday ritual in defiance, although it has been reported to the police for social distancing violations on nine occasions previously. Protesting the punitive action, Saegyero Church filed for a court injunction to fight the shutdown order. An association of Protestant churches nationwide, which represents Saegyero, said in a press conference "the shutdown order goes against the broad principle of religious freedom and equality mandated by the Constitution." (Yonhap) Samsung Galaxy S21 will launch later this week. Based on rumours and leaks so far, we can safely speculate the new flagship series is going to offer a new design, better cameras, and upgraded specifications. A new report suggests Samsung is looking to push its new flagships with a relatively lower price tag. According to South Korean leaker Landsk (via CNET), Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones could be $100 ( 7,300 approximately) cheaper than the predecessor. The leaker says Galaxy S21 will start at $850 ( 62,400 approx.), the S21 Plus at $1,050 ( 77,100 approx.) and the S21 Ultra at $1,250 ( 91,780 approx.). Samsung had launched the Galaxy S20 series in India for a starting price of 66,900. The S20+ started at 73,999, while the S20 Ultra was the most expensive in the lot with a price tag of 92,900. Samsung also bundled a few offers and freebies with the handsets in India. The CNET report suggests that the decision to offer the new flagship phones at lower prices could be due to the sales drop the company suffered last year. According to the report, Samsung posted a more than 20% sales drop in the second quarter of 2020. Samsung, just like other smartphone companies, faced the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to lockdowns and supply disruptions in many important markets. Samsung is also looking to make its foldable offerings more accessible to customers. We believe everyone should have access to the latest mobile technologies and a spectrum of product options that offer unfettered, personalized experiences. In 2021, our diverse product portfolio will deliver breakthrough capabilities that empower you and never hold you back, Tae-moon Roh, Samsung president and head of mobile communications, said in a post last month. Samsung Galaxy S21 series is scheduled to debut on January 14. The smartphone series is expected to be accompanied by accessories including new TWS earbuds and a Tile-like SmartTag. Accra [Ghana]/ Mumbai (Maharashtra)[India], January 11 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the winners of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards 2020. The awards were announced by Merck Foundation CEO in partnership with the First Ladies of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Niger, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Ghana, The Gambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Central African Republic, Burundi, and Botswana, who are also the Ambassadors of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother'. Senator Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President 'Merck More Than a Mother and African Woman of the Year 2020 celebrated the winners saying "Big congratulations to all the winners of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards 2020. First, I'd like to thank my dear sisters, First ladies of Africa for their support as Ambassadors to make this award a great success. I am very proud to recognize and appreciate professional journalists who became the voice of the voiceless and the storytellers of infertile women and break the stigma around them and also raised awareness about male infertility. As you all know I strongly believe in the critical role that media and art play to create a culture shift and raise awareness about health, cultural and sensitive issues such as infertility stigma. I welcome all the winners to be member in our Merck Foundation Alumni to work closely with us to empower women and girls at all levels." Merck Foundation received a great response from African journalists in the form of several excellent entries. The 'Merck Foundation More Than A Mother' Awards Committee decided to create three Groups of Awards from English speaking countries. Hence, the six groups are: 1) Southern African Countries, 2) East African Countries, 3) West African Countries, 4) African French Speaking Countries, 5) Ghana, and 6) Zambia. Merck Foundation did not receive any entries from Portuguese speaking countries this year for this specific award. The 'Merck Foundation More Than A Mother' Awards Committee further introduced a second and a third position and selected more than one winner in some categories. This was due to the high quality of work received and to encourage more talented and passionate media representatives across all media formats to reach their potential and be a beneficial instrument to address health, cultural and sensitive issues in the country. Senator Dr. RashaKelej, Member of the Egyptian Senate (2020- 2025), Most Influential African (2019, 2020) and African Woman of the Year 2020 added, "I am happy to announce that, encouraged by the valuable contribution from the winners, Merck Foundation is additionally rewarding the winners by providing them with one year access to an online educational training program called 'MasterClass'. The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course in English that can be accessed anywhere with the Internet. I encourage the winners to be the 'Merck Foundation More Than A Mother Advocate' to further raise awareness about infertility and eliminate the stigma around it. I also welcome them as valuable members of 'Merck Foundation Alumni'." Here is the list of Award Winners: Here are the winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Namibia, H.E. MONICA GEINGOS; and The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA: SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: * RoselyneSachiti, The Herald Newspaper, ZIMBABWE SECOND Position: * Memory Kutengule, Malawi News Agency, MALAWI * Mugugunye Moses, The Standard, ZIMBABWE THIRD Position: * Patrick Musir, The AfroNews, ZIMBABWE * TakudzwaChihambakwe, Zimpapers Group, ZIMBABWE SPECIAL AWARD FOR A NOVEL * Nyasha Clementine Rwodzi, ZIMBABWE ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: * Sharon Kavhu, The Southern Times, NAMIBIA * Gracious Mugovera, The Patriot, ZIMBABWE SECOND Position: * Happy Njalam'mano, Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), MALAWI THIRD Position: * John Manzongo, The Herald, ZIMBABWE MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: * Abel Dzobo, HELA TV, ZIMBABWE SECOND Position: * Rosa Teixeira, Independent Journalist, NAMIBIA RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: * Linda Banda, Chanco Community Radio, MALAWI * Veronika Haulenga-Haufiku, Omulunga Radio, Future Group, NAMIBIA * TashieMasawi, ZBC Radio Station Classic 263, ZIMBABWE SECOND Position: * Mathilde NdinelaoHinanifa, Independent Journalist, NAMIBIA * IkemisetsengMarou, Radio Lesotho, LESOTHO * Rutendo Makuti, ZBC Radio Zimbabwe, ZIMBABWE THIRD Position: * Memory Nkwe Ndhlovu, ZBC Radio Station Classic 263, ZIMBABWE Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Liberia, H.E. CLAR MARIE WEAH; and The First Lady of Nigeria, H.E. Dr. AISHA MUHAMMADU BUHARI: WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS: * Chioma Obinna, Vanguard Media Limited, NIGERIA ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: * Martins Ifijeh, ThisDay Newspapers, NIGERIA SECOND Position: * Never G Lomo, New Public Trust, LIBERIA * Chinedu Asadu, Cable Newspaper Limited, NIGERIA RADIO CATEGORY * Abubakar Sulaiman, Sawaba FM 104.9 Hadejia, NIGERIA Here are the winners from East African Countries: EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES ONLINE CATEGORY * Sharon Kantengwa, The New Times, RWANDA MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY * Walter Mwesigye, NTV, UGANDA RADIO CATEGORY * Mercy Tyra Murengu, Upendo FM, KENYA Here are the winners from African French Speaking Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI; The First Lady of Guinea Conakry, H.E. CONDE DJENE; and The First Lady of Niger, H.E. AISSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU: FRENCH SPEAKING AFRICAN COUNTRIES PRINT CATEGORY FIRST Position: * Richard TAMONE, Le Standard, GUINEA SECOND Position: * KoamiAgbetiafa, Le Republicain, NIGER ONLINE CATEGORY FIRST Position: * Lokale Odia Prisca, ACTUALITE.CD, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SECOND Position: * Ndeye Fatou DieryDiagne, dierysquare.blogspot.com, SENEGAL MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY FIRST Position: * Fatou Fadiga, House Media RTG, GUINEA SECOND Position: * Jean NepomusceneIrambona, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI RADIO CATEGORY FIRST Position: * Remy Rukundo, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI * MakanSoumaoro, ESPACE FORET, GUINEA SECOND Position: * MagenderoBenigne, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI * Aminata Bah, GUINEA * Innocent Ndihokubwayo, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI THIRD Position: * Paulette Mugisha, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI * NZEYIMANA Emelyne, Radio TV Buntu, BURUNDI Here are the winners from Ghana in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO: GHANA PRINT CATEGORY FIRST Position: * Jonathan Donkor, The Ghanian Times SECOND Position: * Zadok Kwame Gyesi, Graphic Online THIRD Position: * Ama TekyiwaaAmpadu Agyeman, New Times Corporation ONLINE CATEGORY * Dzifa Tetteh Tay, New Times Corporation MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY FIRST Position: * EsiBenewaaOtoo, TV 3 Network SECOND Position: * Akua Oforiwa Darko, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation RADIO CATEGORY * Doreen Ampofo, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio Here are the winners from Zambia in partnership with The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU: ZAMBIA PRINT CATEGORY * Jessie Ngoma -Simengwa, Times of Zambia MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY * Effie Mphande, Zambia Broadcasting Corporation Radio RADIO CATEGORY Josias Muuba, Radio Musi-O-Tunya About 'Merck More Than a Mother' campaign "Merck More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With "Merck More Than a Mother", we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. The Ambassadors of "Merck More Than a Mother" are: Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as; * 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training * 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Fashion Awards * 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Film Awards * Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it * Children storybook, localized for each country Click on icon below to Download Merck Foundation App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.merck.foundation & hl=en Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merckfoundation/Merck Foundation Twitter: @https://twitter.com/MerckFoundationMerckfoundation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1GIZSPlhk & feature=youtu.beMerckFoundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merckfoundation/Merck Foundation Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/163124125@N08/Merck Foundation Website: https://www.merck-foundation.com/www.merck-foundation.com This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) does not support efforts to remove President Donald Trump from his final days in office, a spokeswoman said Monday. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the presidents removal either through the 25th Amendment or a second impeachment. The first-term congresswoman is opposed to those efforts, but said that following last weeks congressional certification of the election, in which she voted to object to electors from two states, it was clear that former Vice President Joe Biden would be the nations 46th president. Following last weeks certification, Joe Biden is the president-elect of the United States and President Trump has indicated that he will work with him to transition over the coming weeks, she said in an emailed statement. It is time to heal this nation and move forward together to address pressing issues like overcoming this pandemic, reopening our economy and getting Americans back to work. Trump, who has never conceded the race to Biden, said Thursday that he is focused on ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power, a day after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn the November presidential election. Before the violence, Trump called on his supporters to go to the Capitol, and his personal attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, called for trial by combat to decide the election. Since losing the popular vote in November, Trump has made baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, and said that the election was stolen from him. While never going as far as saying the election was stolen, Malliotakis has echoed the presidents sentiments about voter fraud, and a need to investigate. After their Wednesday votes objecting to congressional certification of Arizona and Pennsylvania, she and other Republicans received widespread criticism. In the strongest rebuke of her vote, multiple officials, including fellow New York Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-the Bronx/Westchester), Mondaire Jones (D-Rockland/Westchester), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-the Bronx/Queens), have called for Malliotakis resignation. State Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore) held a press conference Friday calling for an explanation and apology for her vote, which they said played a part in inciting the riot at the Capitol. Protesters also rallied outside her two local offices in Brooklyn and Bulls Head on Saturday to call for her resignation. Savino spoke at the rally in Brooklyn. After people were assaulted, after five people died, (Malliotakis) continues to defend what she did, Savino said, criticizing her vote. In response, Malliotakis has compared her vote with certification objections made by Democrats to past Republican presidents, and said her vote was about showing the need for an investigation into election integrity. Democrats most significant objection in that it was the only one that came to a vote was in 2005 against former President George W. Bush. None of those objections were spurred on by the losing presidential candidate, or followed a violent storming of the U.S. Capitol by armed men and women. Savino generally criticized congressional objections to presidential elections, and specifically addressed the 2005 objection. The members of Congress need to stop playing that kind of bitter, partisan politics, she said. The difference between (2005) and now? You didnt have millions of voters who have been lied to, deliberately, by elected officials who are afraid to face them and tell them the truth. Having any type of criminal record, as an estimated 70 million to 100 million Americans do, can make many aspects of life difficult not the least of which is finding a job. After all, more than 90% of employers do some type of criminal background check on applicants, according to studies from the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. And they can reject you if you have a record, which can make finding a job a struggle. There are, however, rules about when this can happen and what employers have to do before they can reject you. And recently, Pennsylvania has specifically expanded some of these regulations, which may make it easier for people with criminal records to get licenses for specific jobs or even have their records sealed or expunged. So what are your rights when youre looking for work and you have a criminal record, and how should prospective employers handle your application? Here is what you need to know: What can and cant Pennsylvania employers do if I have a criminal record? Employers can refuse to hire you based on your criminal record. But there are limitations on when and how they do that. Those protections exist on the federal, state, and local levels in Philadelphia. The federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, for example, states that employers need to show a valid business reason if they want to reject you because of your record. They have to consider the nature and severity of the offense, the time that has passed, and the type of job for which you are applying, says Katie Svoboda-Kindle, a staff attorney with Community Legal Services of Philadelphias employment unit. If the criminal record is not related to your ability to do the job, if its old, if its minor, then it would be discriminatory for them to not offer you the job, or rescind the offer, based on your criminal record, Svoboda-Kindle says. Pennsylvanias Criminal History Record Information Act goes even further. Under that law, employers can only consider: felony and misdemeanor convictions so summary offenses and arrests that didnt result in convictions shouldnt come into play. convictions that affect your suitability for employment in the position for which you applied. Also: If youre rejected over your record, they need to tell you in writing. Philadelphia has even more protections under the Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards Ordinance (also known as a Ban the Box law), which says employers cannot: Ask about your criminal record when applying for a job. Do a background check until after making a conditional job offer. Consider convictions that are more than seven years old. Additionally, if you are denied employment based on your record, you have a right to receive a copy of your background check, and a 10-day period to explain to the employer why your conviction shouldnt be considered an issue. Applying for a professional license in Pennsylvania when you have a criminal record Many jobs in Pennsylvania require an occupational license. In the past, even old or unrelated convictions could keep you from obtaining one. But new legislation is helping change that for some fields of work. Known as Act 53, the legislation makes it easier to get some kinds of licenses if you have a criminal record. It applies to professions regulated under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and includes the following jobs: accountants, architects, auctioneers, barbers, real estate appraisers, real estate agents, chiropractors, cosmetologists, crane operators, engineers, land surveyors, geologists, funeral directors, landscape architects, massage therapists, car dealers and salespeople, doctors, nurses, dentists, nursing home administrators, occupational therapists, optometrists, osteopaths, pharmacists, physical therapists, podiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, speech and language pathologists, and veterinarians. Under Act 53, you can only be turned down for a license if your conviction is directly related to a profession, or if your criminal record shows a substantial risk to customers or coworkers. There are some exceptions for sex crimes, drug trafficking, and serious, violent crimes. The rules vary depending on the license, but it is much easier to determine what will happen, Svoboda-Kindle says. Previously, because it was so unpredictable, people didnt want to pay for and go to school for something that they might not be able to be licensed in, she says. So they would just give up on their dream jobs when its possible that they could have been licensed. Were hoping that this will encourage people to pursue those jobs. You can still be denied, but you have more recourse. Applying for a job if your record is sealed or expunged Getting your record sealed or expunged can also help you find a job. Sealing or expunging can either remove a record from public view or have it destroyed entirely. Then, Svoboda-Kindle says, you do not need to talk about that record at all if asked during the job interview process, and you can deny that it ever happened. In Pennsylvania, some records are automatically sealed after certain periods of time, but it depends on factors like the types of convictions and the length of time since they occurred. Thats thanks to our Clean Slate law, which went into effect in 2018. And now, the commonwealths Clean Slate law has expanded under Act 83, which lets you petition to get your record sealed even if you owe court fees. By the end of the year, many people wont have to do anything, and their cases will be sealed automatically. (However, if your case includes restitution to a victim, that must be paid first.) If youve been acquitted of charges, those records will be automatically expunged under Act 83, Svoboda-Kindle says. And if youve received a pardon for crimes, those records will be automatically sealed (previously, that required a petition). READ MORE: How to get your criminal record sealed or expunged in Pennsylvania If youve been rejected for a job because of your criminal record If youre a Philadelphian who has been unjustly denied employment due to your criminal record, Svoboda-Kindle suggests contacting CLS for advice about what to do at 215-981-3700. You can also contact them if youve been rejected when trying to get an occupational license, or you can visit their Act 53 webpage for more information. And if youre outside of Philadelphia but facing similar circumstances, you may be able to get help from the legal aid provider in your county. To find out who serves your area, visit PaLawHelp.org. READ MORE: Our best Philly tips: Read our most useful stories Expert sources: 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 11, 2021] Sandhills Global Launches LivestockMarket.com as Online Resource for Buying and Selling Livestock, Horses, and Hay LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandhills Global announces the launch of LivestockMarket.com, an online marketplace for private treaty sales of livestock, horses, and hay. The website features listings for all types of equine and livestock, including cattle, goats, sheep, and swine. LivestockMarket.com joins dozens of well-established Sandhills brands, including TractorHouse, Machinery Trader, Truck Paper, and AuctionTime.com, which serve the agriculture, construction, and commercial trucking industries in the United States and worldwide. "We are very excited to introduce LivestocMarket.com, a platform that in many ways has been years in the making," says Sales Manager Mark Van Zee. "Sandhills Global has a long history of creating marketplaces dedicated to specific industries, including TractorHouse for the agriculture industry, so it only makes sense to give farmers, ranchers, and breeders a dedicated platform for buying and selling animals, resources, and more." The range of items sold on LivestockMarket.com encompass everything from registered seed stock and showstock to commercial market animals, and include ram and ewe lambs, dairy and grazing goats, sows, and boars. Buyers can search the site for specific animals or items, or browse listings by category, location, or other criteria. For sellers, LivestockMarket.com provides a free avenue for posting for-sale listings featuring detailed descriptions and multiple photos and videos. Qualified sellers manage and update listings through the Sandhills Cloud, a web-based suite of business applications that includes inventory management, advertising, and many other services. As an extension of TractorHouse, LivestockMarket.com also complements several niche Sandhills platforms regularly used by farmers, ranchers, and breeders, including SpecialtyCropEQ, MotorSportsUniverse, and NeedTurfEquipment. "We believe LivestockMarket.com fills an important niche in the ag market and we look forward to watching it grow over the coming months," says Van Zee. About Sandhills Global Sandhills Global is an information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our products and services gather, process, and distribute information in the form of trade publications, websites, and online services that connect buyers and sellers across the construction, agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, commercial trucking, and aviation industries. Our integrated, industry-specific approach to hosted technologies and services offers solutions that help businesses large and small operate efficiently and grow securely, cost-effectively, and successfully. Sandhills Globalwe are the cloud. Contact Sandhills www.sandhills.com/contact-us 402-479-2181 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandhills-global-launches-livestockmarketcom-as-online-resource-for-buying-and-selling-livestock-horses-and-hay-301205539.html SOURCE Sandhills Publishing Company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] More than 9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across China, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccines have been proved, a top health official said. With production increasing, the number of vaccine doses will be extended to cover the whole Chinese population free of charge as a crucial weapon for epidemic prevention and control, Vice-Health Minister Zeng Yixin said over the weekend. Nearly 7.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given since Dec 15, when China started a large-scale vaccination campaign targeting key groups such as front-line workers handling imported cold-chain food, as well as public transport and health workers, Zeng said at a news conference at the State Council Information Office on Saturday. Another 1.6 million doses had already been administered by that date to people nationwide who are at higher risk of contracting the disease, he said. Wang Huaqing, chief expert for the immunization plan at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said data collected over the use of the vaccines have shown that they are safe, with the chances of experiencing serious side effects standing at about one for every 1 million doses. Local governments across the nation have been ordered to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for free during the campaign, Zeng said. Li Tao, deputy head of the National Healthcare Security Administration, said the public will get free COVID-19 vaccinations on a voluntary basis when the mass vaccinations start. The expenses for the vaccination will be borne by the basic medical insurance fund and government, she said. "Providing COVID-19 vaccinations to the public free of charge will help establish an immunization barrier quickly to maintain healthy economic and social development," Li said. China granted conditional market approval for its first COVID-19 vaccine on Dec 30, but vaccines in the last stage of clinical trials have been available for emergency use in the country since June. By the end of December, 14 COVID-19 vaccines developed by China were under clinical trials, including five in phase 3, the final trial before a vaccine is approved for market. The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, developed by State-owned Sinopharm, which won conditional market approval, is safe and has an efficacy of 79 percent, the company said. It had already gained approval for general use in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain before winning conditional market approval from China's top drug regulator. Zeng said that based on the latest research, the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in China will not be affected by the new variant of the virus discovered in the United Kingdom. You may have heard conflicting stories about whether retired military personnel are allowed to make political statements or are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Exactly what are the facts? Can retirees make political statements, publicly denounce a politician or cause, or wear their uniform while marching in protests? The short answer is -- usually. Retirees Are Subject to the UCMJ You may remember the UCMJ from when you memorized it in boot camp. Article 2 says that retirees are subject to the rules contained in the regulations. You may also know that active-duty military are prohibited from making political statements or participating in political activities in such a way that implies military support for their cause, brings discredit on the military or seeks to undermine the military's duty. Read next: What Are the Free Speech Rules for Military Spouses? So how can retired military members make public statements against a political candidate, a political cause or a sitting politician? The reason is that DoD Directive 1344.10 -- Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces, which governs active-duty political participation, is limited to just that: active-duty members only. DoD Directive 1325.06 -- Handling Dissident and Protest Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces is also limited to active-duty members only. Since the rules contained in the DoD Directives explicitly state "a member of the Armed Forces on active duty" are subject to the regulation, any active-duty member who violates the rules contained in the directive may be charged under UCMJ Article 92 -- Disobeying a Lawful Order. The lawful orders, in these cases, apply only to active-duty members. While retirees are technically subject to the UCMJ, they are usually only charged under it for serious crimes. In fact, Army Regulation 27-10 states, "Army policy provides that retired Soldiers ... will not be tried for any offense by courts-martial unless extraordinary circumstances are present." The military can, and does, still court-martial retirees if the charges are serious enough. The military's legal authority and scope are being challenged in the courts at this time. Contempt Toward Officials Article 88 of the UCMJ states, "Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct." Does this mean that a retiree who calls a politician a "dumb bunny" might be court-martialed? The answer, while not absolute, is "usually not." The only record of a retired military member being court-martialed for making "contemptuous statements" against elected officials occurred in 1918, when a retired Army musician was tried in a court-martial for stating that the president and "government [were] subservient to capitalists, and fools to think they can make a soldier out of a man in three months and an officer in six." That veteran was found innocent. Our recent history with retired generals making political statements for and against politicians and political causes shows that the military and courts generally give retirees a lot of leeway. However, a retired officer calling for the violent overthrow of the government would probably be treated differently. Protesting in Uniform What about active-duty members or veterans who attend a political rally or protest in their military uniform? Do different rules apply to them? These rules are a bit stricter. DoD Instruction 1344.01 -- Wearing of the Uniform prohibits active-duty members, prior service members and retirees from wearing their uniform "when participating in activities such as unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration" that might imply military support for the cause. Further, they may not wear their uniform even if it doesn't imply military support for their cause at any meeting or demonstration that is organized by a group that the U.S. attorney general has designated as "totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive." That's the rules for active-duty members and retirees, what about veterans? They're not covered under the UCMJ. They are, however, covered by Federal law, and may face civilian penalties. According to Federal law, veterans with an honorable discharge may wear their uniform when "authorized by the President." The penalty for unauthorized wearing of the uniform by a civilian is a fine and up to six months in jail. So, no, you probably shouldn't wear your uniform if you are attending a protest march. Will you be arrested, recalled to active duty and court-martialed for it? Probably not, nobody ever has been. This would probably be the easiest way to run afoul of the law, though. But if you feel strongly enough about a cause, it is your call to make. Know All Your Legal Rights and Benefits Be aware and get what you are entitled to. Keep up with all the legal benefits available to you as a service member, veteran or spouse and get updates delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to Military.com. FLINT, MI -- U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee called President Donald Trump deranged and dangerous while pushing for his immediate removal from office. Those strong words came during a Monday, Jan. 11, press conference by Kildee in Flint where he urged the removal of the president through use of the 25th amendment or impeachment. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a Monday vote will be held on a resolution calling Vice President Mike Pence to mobilize the Cabinet and invoke the 25th Amendment to declare Trump unfit for office. Pelosi indicated the House will proceed with introducing impeachment legislation seeking to charge the president with inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. All seven of Michigans Democratic representatives in the House and both senators expressed support for removing Trump either through the 25th Amendment or impeachment. Impeachment is not the best solution, Kildee, D-Flint Township, said. The 25th amendment is the solution specifically designed for this case. Kildee, who was in the House chambers when rioters tried to break in, said Trump should be held accountable for provoking supporters to overturn the election. It has become clear the Wednesday, Jan 6 attack on the Capitol was a well planned attack on the United States of America from a whipped-up mob, sadly, encouraged by and, to a great extent, led by the president of the United States, Kildee said. Trump bears the greatest responsibility for the insurrection on Washington, Kildee argued. Many more would have been killed in the attack if not for the heroic law enforcement guarding the capitol, he added. Its important to still move forward on impeachment because theres a consequence -- theres a historic consequence and theres a practical consequence in barring this dangerous, deranged person from ever holding office again, Kildee said. People say Well, hell never get elected. I never thought hed get elected in the first place and I didnt expect that, even now, 30% of the American people still stand with him. Thats enough to win the Republican nomination if it were happening next week. That ought to scare everybody. Five people were killed in the chaos, including a Capitol Police officer. A second Capitol Police officer died by suicide over the weekend, and police categorized the death as a line of duty casualty. Two pipe bombs were found outside the Republican and Democratic party headquarters in Washington D.C. Related: Michigan Democrats support Trumps removal as House moves to start impeachment One of the officers killed was beaten to death by a fire extinguisher, Kildee said. The congressman said he saw this officer every day on his way into the capitol. The tough thing about this is the more weve learned about this attack, the more frightening it has become, Kildee said. Congress voted along party lines to accept Arizonas electoral votes with 121 House Republicans and six Senate Republicans backing the objection. Pennsylvanias challenge also failed, with 138 House Republicans and seven Senate Republicans backing the objection. Kildee reprimanded all elected officials who voted not to accept the democratic election results. The reason were in this mess is because we have a bunch of spineless members of congress and the senate and state legislators, who have put their politics, and what they thought was their partisan advantage, ahead of the truth they knew and ahead of the interest of their country for their own political wellbeing, Kildee said. This is a moment where, if anyone is thinking of the politics of the moment, youre unfit for the office you hold. Read more: Republicans pushed election lies and armed protests, but say their rhetoric didnt spur U.S. Capitol chaos Domestic terrorism represents growing threat to United States Congressman Meijer says Republicans should take responsibility for lies about election fraud after Capitol attack Syracuse, N.Y. A Syracuse man drove himself to the emergency room Sunday morning after he was stabbed several times, city police said. The 24-year-old was stabbed several times in both arms in front of a home in the 600 block of Barnes Avenue, Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Malinowski said. After the stabbing, the injured man drove himself to Upstate University Hospitals Emergency Room, Malinowski said. The victim is expected to survive, he said. Syracuse police were called to the hospital for the reported stabbing at 2:26 a.m. Officers determined the stabbing happened on Barnes Avenue, but they are still investigating the stabbing. Police ask anyone with information about the stabbing to call them at (315) 442-5222. Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:43:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Around 25,000 couriers have returned to work in the virus-hit northern Chinese city of Shijiazhuang, where more than 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases have emerged since the start of this year. All residents of Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province, have been told to stay at home to minimize infection risks. Meanwhile, local authorities have said efforts are being made to ensure the supply of daily necessities, including the resumption of delivery operations. According to a government notice issued on Saturday, Shijiazhuang has launched a second round of nucleic acid tests among couriers. Those with a negative result have been allowed to resume work since Sunday. At a courier station, Yang Donghai put on a medical mask, single-use rubber gloves, and goggles before loading parcels onto his three-wheeler. Authorities also said they have arranged for a number of supermarkets and convenience stores in the city to supply necessities to over 2,000 residential complexes. A total of 70 supermarkets have promised not to raise vegetable prices. On Sunday, Shijiazhuang reported 77 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and 49 asymptomatic cases, accounting for the bulk of the province's daily tally. 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 insurrectionist mob that stormed the at the president's behest last week was overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters, including Republican Party officials, GOP political donors, far-right militants, white supremacists, and adherents of the QAnon myth that the government is secretly controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping paedophile cannibals. Records show that some were heavily armed and included convicted criminals, such as a Florida man recently released from prison for attempted murder. The Associated Press reviewed social media posts, voter registrations, court files and other public records for more than 120 people either facing criminal charges related to the Jan. 6 unrest or who, going maskless amid the pandemic, were later identified through photographs and videos taken during the melee. The evidence gives lie to claims by right-wing pundits and Republican officials such as Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that the violence was perpetrated by left-wing antifa thugs rather than supporters of the president. If the reports are true, Gaetz said on the House floor just hours after the attack, some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters and, in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group antifa. Steven D'Antuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington field office, told reporters that investigators had seen no indication antifa activists were disguised as Trump supporters in Wednesday's riot. The AP found that many of the rioters had taken to social media after the November election to retweet and parrot false claims by Trump that the vote had been stolen in a vast conspiracy. Several had openly threatened violence against Democrats and Republicans they considered insufficiently loyal to the president. During the riot, some livestreamed and posted photos of themselves at the Capitol. Afterwards, many bragged about what they had done. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Among them was Lonnie Leroy Coffman, 70, an Alabama grandfather who drove to Washington to attend Trump's Save America Rally in a red GMC Sierra pickup packed with an M4 assault rifle, multiple loaded magazines, three handguns and 11 Mason jars filled with homemade napalm, according to court filings. He was arrested carrying a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun and a .22-caliber derringer pistol in his pockets. His grandson, Brandon Coffman, told the AP on Friday his grandfather was a Republican who had expressed admiration for Trump at holiday gatherings. He said he had no idea why Coffman would show up in the nation's capital armed for civil war. Also facing federal charges is Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., a Georgia man who in the wake of the election had protested outside the home of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump had publicly blamed for his loss in the state. Meredith drove to Washington last week for the Save America rally but arrived late because of a problem with the lights on his trailer, according to court filings that include expletive-laden texts. Headed to DC with a (s-) ton of 5.56 armor-piercing ammo, he texted friends and relatives on January 6, adding a purple devil emoji, according to court filings. The following day, he texted to the group: Thinking about heading over to Pelosi (C's) speech and putting a bullet in her noggin on Live TV. He once again added a purple devil emoji, and wrote he might hit her with his truck instead. I'm gonna run that (C-) Pelosi over while she chews on her gums. Dead (B) Walking. I predict that within 12 days, many in our country will die. A participant in the text exchange provided screenshots to the FBI, who tracked Meredith to a Holiday Inn a short walk from the Capitol. They found a compact Tavor X95 assault rifle, a 9mm Glock 19 handgun and about 100 rounds of ammunition, according to court filings. The agents also seized a stash of THC edibles and a vial of injectable testosterone. Meredith is charged with transmitting a threat, as well as felony counts for possession of firearms and ammunition. Michael Thomas Curzio was arrested in relation to the riots less than two years after he was released from a Florida prison in 2019. He had served eight years for attempted murder. Federal law enforcement officials vowed Friday to bring additional charges against those who carried out the attack on the Capitol, launching a nationwide manhunt for dozens of suspects identified from photographic evidence The FBI has opened a murder probe into the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, according to law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly. 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 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 crash in Indonesia. "I am shocked by tragic reports of Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ182 crash in Indonesia. My deepest sympathy is with the families of the victims. Ukraine stands with the people and the government of Indonesia at this difficult time," Kuleba wrote on Twitter. On Saturday, January 9, the Boeing 737-500, a Sriwijaya Air flight, crashed into the Java Sea four minutes after taking off from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The passenger plane was carrying 62 people (50 passengers, including 7 children, and 12 crew members). Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko informed that according to preliminary information from the Ukrainian Embassy in Indonesia and Sriwijaya Air, there were no Ukrainians on board flight SJ182. ish A sex beast who served just seven years in prison for the serial rape of his niece and grandniece has told the Sunday World: "I had a good old time in prison I even got my hip done in there." Michael Moran (83) looked the picture of innocence, a harmless old man, as he walked the backroads of Oldtown, Nurney in Carlow on Wednesday. Aided by two walking sticks provided to him in prison, he offered a cheery smile to passers-by and a polite lift of a finger to passing traffic. Expand Close Michael Moran (83) looked the picture of a harmless old man, as he walked the backroads of Oldtown, Nurney in Carlow / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Moran (83) looked the picture of a harmless old man, as he walked the backroads of Oldtown, Nurney in Carlow But the image Moran now presents to the public is a lie. Scratch the surface and the paedophile, who forced himself on one of his child victims by threatening her with the rape of her intellectually disabled sister, still blames those innocent children for the sex offender status he will carry with him to the grave. "Are you Michael Moran?" our reporter asked the pensioner on approaching him on the public road in Oldtown. "I am," the pensioner responded. "Is there anything you would like to say to the children you abused?" we queried. Nurses "There wouldn't be much I'd say," he responded. "But I had a good old time in there [prison]. They looked after me well. "The nurses and the officers were very fond of me. "They had a great laugh with me and everything. "By God you can tell them that from me if you're talking to them. "Because I'd never say a word wrong you see as long as I was in there. "I'm glad now to be home but I got the hip done while I was in prison and they gave me the sticks when I was coming out." Expand Close Reporter Patrick speaks to Michael Moran / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Reporter Patrick speaks to Michael Moran Our reporter also asked Moran, who during his court case seven years ago made the vile claim his innocent victims had 'instigated intercourse,' whether he was now willing to desist from this lie. "Well, that is the truth," he responded, persisting with the vile lie. Asked whether he regretted his actions, Moran relented slightly. "Oh God I do," he replied. "I am terrible sorry. It'll never happen again I was 83 there at Christmas." Details of the crimes for which Moran was convicted were heard during his sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court in November 2015. Moran, who regularly raped his niece and grandniece, pleaded guilty to three sample charges of rape of his grandniece between October 2003 and June 2009 and to seven sample charges of rape of the second victim between January 1983 and March 1989. A local garda told the court that Moran admitted to gardai that he had sex with both girls but claimed each of the victims instigated intercourse. The older woman, who is now 41, told gardai that the man raped her on a regular basis, every three or four weeks. Statement She recalled Moran first sexually assaulting her when she was eight years old and outlined specific incidents of rape in the family home. The woman told gardai that he threatened "to do the same" to her intellectually disabled sister if she refused to have sex with him. He also told her that no one would believe her if she disclosed the abuse. The younger victim, now aged 23, told gardai that Moran gave her money after raping her. The abuse began when she was 11 years old. She said on one occasion he hit her and he often told her no one would believe her if she told anyone about the abuse. The older woman stated in her victim impact statement that she wanted Moran to get the same sentence she got. "He took away my youth and innocence and I can't get it back," she said. The younger victim said in court that the man "took my childhood away from me and I will never get it back." Colman Cody SC, defending, said his client wished to offer an apology to both women in respect of all of the suffering he caused them. He asked Ms Justice Heneghan to take into consideration Moran's lack of previous convictions, his plea of guilty and a psychological report before the court. Mr Cody said the report suggested his client developed "a distorted view of what was appropriate sexual behaviour" due to both a lack of education and an isolated rural life. He said Moran also abused alcohol at the time. The garda read from the victim impact statement of the older woman that Moran made her feel dirty and the only reason she did not stop him raping her was because she was afraid he would do the same to her sister. Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan imposed a 10-year sentence and suspended the final three years on conditions. 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 Iran warned Monday its seizure of a South Korean tanker in the Gulf must not be politicised, after the US and France urged the Islamic republic to release the ship. "We have repeatedly told... the intervening parties, whether they are the United States or France, that the case does not concern them at all and that they will not help to solve a technical problem if they politicise it," said foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the Hankuk Chemi and arrested its multinational crew of 20 near the strategic Strait of Hormuz one week ago. The move came as Tehran urged Seoul to release billions of dollars of Iranian assets frozen in South Korea as part of US sanctions. The United States and France have called for Iran to release the ship. A US State Department spokesperson called the seizure "part of a clear attempt to extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions". The French foreign ministry said the seizure was "fuelling tensions in the region". South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun arrived in Tehran on Sunday for a long-planned visit. On Monday, Choi met with Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif, state news agency IRNA reported. Zarif told him that "restrictions" on Iranian funds were the "biggest obstacle" to their bilateral relations in the current situation, said IRNA The top Iranian diplomat called on the South Korean government to "take the necessary measures" to release frozen funds as soon as possible, it added. Before their meeting, Choi met with Iran's central bank governor Abdolnasser Hemmati, who called the blocking of Iran's funds in South Korea "unacceptable", according to the bank. Short link: SCOTUS grants cert on four new criminal cases, including one on FIRST STEP Act retroactivity of reduced crack sentences | Main | Montana Supreme Court talks through juve LWOP resentencing after Miller January 10, 2021 "Racial Justice Requires Ending the War on Drugs" The title of this post is the title of this new article authored by Brian Earp, Jonathan Lewis and Carl Hart along with with Bioethicists and Allied Professionals for Drug Policy Reform in the American Journal of Bioethics. Here is its abstract: Historically, laws and policies to criminalize drug use or possession were rooted in explicit racism, and they continue to wreak havoc on certain racialized communities. We are a group of bioethicists, drug experts, legal scholars, criminal justice researchers, sociologists, psychologists, and other allied professionals who have come together in support of a policy proposal that is evidence-based and ethically recommended. We call for the immediate decriminalization of all so-called recreational drugs and, ultimately, for their timely and appropriate legal regulation. We also call for criminal convictions for nonviolent offenses pertaining to the use or possession of small quantities of such drugs to be expunged, and for those currently serving time for these offenses to be released. In effect, we call for an end to the war on drugs. January 10, 2021 at 10:26 PM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Diego Rivera's mural "The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City" at the San Francisco Art Institute. (Cabrillo.HWY via Flickr) A Diego Rivera mural estimated to be worth $50 million has sparked outcry from artist Catherine Opie and others who worry that its owner, the financially troubled San Francisco Art Institute, might sell the work to keep its doors open. The school grounds and buildings but not the 1931 mural are owned by the University of California, which paid off the art institute's $19.7 million bank debt last fall in order to save the 150-year-old school from losing its Chestnut Street campus in a foreclosure sale. The art institute has up to six years to pay off this debt, plus interest and minus its lease payments, if it wants to reclaim ownership of the property, spokeswoman Sara Fitzmaurice said. If it cannot pay off or refinance that amount by 2026, UC will take possession and the art institute will vacate. The school acknowledged that if it does have to vacate, it might need to move the Rivera mural, titled The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City, Fitzmaurice said. The board has begun a feasibility study on if and how the mural could potentially be moved, she added. Filmmaker George Lucas is reportedly interested in buying the mural for the in-the-works Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in L.A. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art also has been mentioned as a party that could take ownership but leave the mural in place on campus as part of an annex. The Lucas Museum declined to comment. Pam Rorke Levy, chair of the art institute's board of trustees, would say only that a number of conversations have been taking place with several institutions about the possibility to endow or acquire the mural to ensure the future of the school and uphold our mission. In the meantime, the possible sale has prompted many to speak out, including prominent alumni such as Opie, who received her bachelor's degree from San Francisco Art Institute in 1985. In an open letter, Opie wrote that selling the mural would be an "incredibly unconscionable decision," and that as a result she will be pulling a piece of her work from an upcoming auction for alumni works. Story continues "Solely the fact that the Diego Rivera mural has become a monetary asset in the minds of the trustees; an asset thought to help the institution survive," Opie wrote. "Of course, I want SFAI to survive, but not by gutting one of the most important artworks in the history of the institution. The Diego Rivera mural has lived and inspired many generations of artists at 800 Chestnut." Whether the school sells the artwork to remain on Chestnut Street or brings the Rivera with it to a new home, the question remains: How, exactly, does one move a $50 million piece of monumental art without wrecking it? Curator and art conservator Rosa Lowinger has successfully moved large-scale architectural artworks including an exterior mosaic by Bruce Hayes at Houston Methodist Hospital and a Millard Sheets glass mosaic designed for a savings and loan building in Santa Monica. She said moving the Rivera wouldnt be easy but could be done. Lowinger said a project of that scale could take up to two years and could cost between $1.5 million and $2 million, excluding whatever repairs might be needed in the building from which the mural was removed. From a conservators point of view, the priority is the health of the artwork. A great deal of attention must be devoted to an initial exploratory phase, examining the structure and material of the wall housing the mural as well as the medium and substrate of the art itself. Is the mural a true fresco, a painting on panels, a fresco on panel or something else? The art institute was told during its feasibility study that the mural is not painted directly on the wall. If this is the case, Lowinger said, a conservator would need to know how it is affixed to the wall. "Presumably there is information on how Rivera typically did this, since he did it more than once before. But even if there is not, there are probes that can be done to ascertain the manner of attachment and how it comes apart, if it does," Lowinger said. If the mural was brought in on panels, knowing how they were installed would be crucial. Another question: Can the mural be laid on a flatbed truck for transportation? These are vertical works of art, and in order to lay them down horizontally there is a lot of reinforcement that needs to be done, Lowinger said. You dont want to create any buckling or stresses. The paint on the mural would have to be protected in some way, likely with a layer of Japanese tissue and an adhesive that would not cause damage upon removal. Lowinger generally works with a team that would include an engineer, a contractor and a qualified art-handling team. In a statement to The Times, Levy said that the boards first choice would not be to sell the Rivera mural but to endow it in place, attracting patrons or a partner organization who would create a substantial fund that would enable us to preserve, protect and present the mural to the public, as well as helping the board fulfill its fiduciary role to protect the school as an educational institution and ensure its future survival. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The View Invoking 25th Amendment will further divide nation, UB political scientist says Invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office will further divide an already-divided nation, UB political scientist James E. Campbell says. By CORY NEALON UB political scientist James E. Campbell says invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office in the wake of the violence Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol will further divide an already-divided nation. If you want to heal the nation, I cant think of a worse idea than using the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump. Its like pouring gasoline on a bonfire, says Campbell, UB Distinguished Professor of Political Science. Campbell studies polarization and has written extensively on the subject, including his book Polarized: Making Sense of a Divided America, which was named to Choices 2016 list of Outstanding Academic Titles. He says that even if lawmakers pull back from calls to invoke the 25th Amendment, the nation will remain deeply divided. I just dont see people coming together, especially after a bitterly divisive campaign and contentious post-campaign controversies, Campbell says. There is a substantial divide over whether the 2020 presidential election was a free and fair election. Though most Democrats and the mainstream media believe that it was, polls indicate about three out of four Republicans believe it was not. This will, undoubtedly, fuel further polarized conflict in the coming years. Autism service provider hires Vice President of Clinical Services Dr. Adam Hahs Dr. Adam Hahs Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One of the largest autism therapy healthcare providers in the nation, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, announced today the addition of Dr. Adam Hahs to the companys leadership team. Serving as vice president of clinical services, Dr. Hahs will be responsible for leading the clinical leadership team, continuing to enhance its leading quality of care, and helping to drive research initiatives. We continue to make investments in our leading clinical quality of care, said Hopebridge Founder & Chief Clinical Officer Kim Strunk. Dr. Hahs will be a great addition to the team with his expertise, and we have no doubt that he will make a lasting impact on the families and children we serve. Prior to joining Hopebridge, Dr. Hahs was the former Director of the MSABA Program in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University and was the President of the Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AZABA). He earned a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale where his research and clinical foci were language generativity, complex human behavior, and clinical behavior analysis with individuals with autism, traumatic brain injuries, and addiction. Dr. Hahss clinical expertise lies in language assessment and development via the Promoting Emergence of Advanced Knowledge (PEAK) Relational Training System, Relational Frame Theory, and Acceptance and Commitment Training for individuals and within organizational contexts. Dedicating over 10 years to supporting and training others in a variety of settings via behavior analytic methods, Dr. Hahs views behavior analysis as a science capable of facilitating widespread societal change. I am thrilled to be joining the Hopebridge team with the unified mission of bettering the lives of children with autism, said Dr. Hahs. This is an opportunity to work and collaborate with the best and brightest minds in behavioral health, and I cant wait to get started. Story continues Hopebridge recently announced plans to hire more than 2,700 employees in 2021 to meet the growing need for ABA therapy in six states: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio. The company also plans to add up to 20 additional locations throughout the year, an expansion that will provide more access to autism therapy services. For a complete list of Hopebridge centers and services, visit hopebridge.com/centers/. To learn more about job opportunities with Hopebridge, visit hopebridge.com/jobs/. ### About Hopebridge Hopebridge was founded in 2005 to serve the growing need for autism treatment services and to improve the lives of affected children and families. Hopebridge is committed to providing personalized outpatient ABA, occupational, speech and feeding therapies for children touched by autism spectrum disorder and behavioral, physical, social, communication and sensory challenges. Hopebridge provides a trusted place where they can receive the care, support, and hope they deserve. More than a decade later, Hopebridge continues to open state-of-the-art autism therapy centers in new communities to reach patients and families who need services. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hopebridge currently operates in six states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, with additional states planned for the future. Attachments CONTACT: Mikaela Malott Hopebridge 317.794.3231 ext. 1003 mmalott@hopebridge.com Two grass fires in Melbourne's north-west have been brought under control after residents of Taylors Lakes were told to leave their nearby homes. As temperatures peaked at 36.7 degrees in Melbourne, Fire Services Victoria were called to a car fire in a paddock at Rowlandson Place in Taylors Lakes just before 3.30pm on Monday. An air-crane drops water to assist firefighters as they battle a grass fire in Taylors Lakes on Monday. Credit:Luis Ascui The fire quickly turned into a fast-moving grass fire that spread from Calder Park in a south-westerly direction towards homes in Taylors Lakes. A watch and act warning was issued for nearby suburbs but has since been downgraded to advice level. 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! Warnock calls Senate victory a glimpse of Gods vision of a more inclusive humanity Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In his first sermon days after defeating Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a closely contested runoff election in Georgia, Rev. Raphael Warnock called his election as the southern state's first black senator on Sunday a glimpse of Gods vision of a more inclusive humanity. The longtime civil rights activist and pastor emerged victorious with fellow Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff over Republican Sens. Loeffler and David Perdue in Georgia's hotly contested Senate runoff elections last week. Their victories came two months after President-elect Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1992. Whoever would have thought that in the state of Georgia we would see the people of Georgia rise up and send an African American man who grew up in public housing, the pastor of this Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King preached and a Jewish young man, the son of an immigrant to the United States Senate, he said in a recording of the sermon shared on his churchs website. Doesnt matter if youre a Democrat or a Republican. If you look at that, it doesnt matter about your politics and your ideology. If you look with an honest eye at the history of this country and see this moment, you must know that this is a glimpse of Gods vision of a more inclusive humanity that embraces all of Gods children." Warnock, 51, is the pastor of 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. And now that hes elected, the church leader says he wants Gods glory to shine through me. Im just grateful to be a part of this. Im just grateful because I just want to serve. I just want to be a vessel," he explained. "I just want to be a prism of Gods glory so that Gods glory might shine through me and thats what you should want for your own life that Gods glory might shine through your gifts, through your opportunities to share and to serve." Before preaching his sermon based on Matthew 11: 7-15 and titled Gods Victory Over Violence, the congregation also shared how happy its members are with their pastors election to Congress. We rejoice with the state of Georgia, the nation and the people around the world as we congratulate our senior pastor the Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock on his historic election to the United States Senate," the church said in a statement. "In this pioneering moment, we are proud that Pastor Warnock has been elected as Georgias first black U.S. senator and the 11th African American senator in our countrys history. And as a congregation, we pray that God will continue to guide and protect our pastor as he embarks on this historic journey." In his sermon, Warnock highlighted from the Scripture John the Baptists work during a time of political and cultural transition. He compared it with present-day America. With the coming of John the Baptist on the scene, there was this sense that something new and something special was emerging in the world. The sense that God was up to something, he said. This was no ordinary time. It was a time of transition, inflection, a turning point, read this Gospel passage and know that this was no ordinary time and John is no ordinary man. He was a preacher to be sure but a different kind of preacher truth-telling trouble maker was he, Warnock said. The Senator-elect also highlighted the tension created by John the Baptists activism that led him to be jailed by Herod. He is an inmate in Herods prison industrial complex. He is a brother in jail. He is a brother in jail there because he is violently resisted. But the reverberations of his ministry still resound with meaning and power throughout the whole land," the preacher stated. "John the Baptist, by the time we bump into him in this text, he is already in jail. He has been caged, but the truth of his gospel cannot be caged." Warnock shared how the celebration of his victory in Georgia was interrupted by the attack on the Capitol. Georgia had elected its first black senator and its first Jewish senator. And then as we were basking in the glory of all that represented, [it seemed] like we could only have a few hours to celebrate," he recalled. "Just as we were trying to put on our celebration shoes, the ugly side of our story, our great and grand American story began to emerge as we saw the crude and the angry, disrespectful and the violent break their way into the Peoples House." Warnock added that some who stormed the Capitol were carrying confederate flags along with "signs and symbols of an old world order passing away." I asked myself, 'Lord, why could we not have a few hours to bask in the glory of what God is doing?'" the pastor said. Here it is, the old world order is surely passing away and those on the underside of history [are] arising to take their place as equal members in the human family. Thats what God intends for all of us. And if youre looking at it right, one peoples emergence ought not be a threat to your own somebodiness." Warnock compared the response of law enforcement to protesters marching against racial injustice and police brutality over the summer and the Capitol rioters last week. He then called on all of us to recognize our common humanity. The violence in this world is real yet violence does not have the last word. God is still up to something in this world and so dont give in to cynicism. Dont give in to fear. Dont give in to hatred. Dont give in to bigotry. Dont give in to xenophobia because violence will never have the last word," he assured. "Yes, John spoke up, and they beheaded John. But his voice crying out in the wilderness had already prepared the way of the Lord by the power of his moral voice. He had already paved a highway in the desert for our God." Warnock went on to state that Jesus was crucified "in order to crush his movement." But he got off the cross and got in our hearts," he continued. "Thats why nobody sings songs to Caesar. But all over the world right now in churches and cathedrals from the east to the west, from the north and the south in diverse languages and tribes, all are singing 'all hail the power of Jesus name, let angels prostrate fall" 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. SPRINGFIELD House Speaker Michael Madigan announced he would suspend his campaign for House Speaker of the 102nd General Assembly on Monday, but his statement made clear he was not withdrawing from the race. This is not a withdrawal. I have suspended my campaign for speaker, Madigan said in a statement released by his office Monday morning. As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first. The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker. The last sentence of the brief statement is indicative of the uphill battle Madigans challengers will have to climb they will need 60 votes, or 42 more than any challenger appeared to have Sunday night. The House speaker is chosen by House members, and can receive both Republican and Democratic votes. There are 73 Democrats and 45 Republicans who will be seated in the 102nd General Assembly. Traditionally, however, a majority party speaker receives votes from members of their own party. In the first closed-door unofficial ballot conducted between Democrats in a private room at the Bank of Springfield Center on Sunday night, Madigan received 51 votes, according to several reports confirmed by Capitol News Illinois. The speaker also has the endorsement of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus two key voting blocs that make up the majority of his support, although some individual members of those caucuses have said they would not vote for Madigan. The second leading vote-getter in the closed-door meeting was Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, who had just 18 votes. Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, had three votes. Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, dropped out of the race before the vote, giving her support to Williams. The official vote does not happen until Wednesday, when the 102nd General Assembly is scheduled to convene, seating new and reelected members. Until then, lawmakers are set to consider a flurry of transformative legislation backed by the Black Caucus during the final two days of the 101st General Assembly measures that have also received Madigans blessing. Over the first three days of session, the discussions of who will be the next speaker have punctuated long days of policy-oriented discussion. 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. Credit: Yannick BeauvaletMichael Fonfara, a Canadian musician who played keyboards on nearly all of Lou Reed's studio albums from 1974 through 1980, died Friday in a Toronto hospital after a two-year bout with cancer, according to a press statement from the Canadian band Downchild. He was 74. The first Reed album that Fonfara contributed to was 1974's Sally Can't Dance, which was Lou's highest-charting studio effort, peaking at #10 on the Billboard 200. He also played on 1975's Coney Island Baby, 1976's Rock and Roll Heart, 1978's Street Hassle, 1979's The Bells and 1980's Growing Up in Public, the last of which he co-produced and was listed as co-writer of every song. Fonfara also lent his keyboard talents to two songs on Foreigner's hugely successful 1981 album 4, including the hit "Urgent." Prior to working with Reed, Fonfara was a member of the bands Electric Flag and Rhinoceros, and he also played on albums by artists including The Everly Brothers and David Ackles. For the past 30-plus years, he'd been a member of the popular Canadian blues band Downchild, a group cited as one of the inspirations for Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi to form The Blues Brothers. "He's the best musician I've ever worked with," Downchild leader Donnie Walsh says of Michael. Adds bassist Gary Kendall, "[W]e lost a brother, a band mate, a co-writer and a dear friend. If you met him, you loved him. A creative genius." Fonfara received a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy, in 2018 as a member of Downchild for Blues Album of the Year. He is survived by his wife, Avril, two daughters and four grandchildren. By Matt Friedlander 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. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Royal Mail plc (RMG.L) announced that Simon Thompson, Non-Executive Director of Royal Mail plc, becomes Chief Executive of the UK business, effective January 11. Stuart Simpson, who has been acting as interim Chief Executive of the UK business since May 2020, will leave Royal Mail at the end of January. Keith Williams, who has been acting as interim Executive Chair of the Group since May 2020, will revert back to being Non-Executive Chair. Mick Jeavons, interim Chief Financial Officer for the Group, will continue in that position on a permanent basis and will join the Royal Mail plc Board as an Executive Director. Martin Seidenberg, Chief Executive of GLS, will join the Royal Mail plc Board on 1 April 2021. 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. Private doctors have been slammed for performing non-urgent operations while the NHS is under 'unthinkable pressure' caused by soaring Covid cases. Medics performing elective operations privately should be 'shamed' out of it amid concerns they are 'once again taking the p*** and walking off with the money', London's top NHS medics believe. All of London's acute hospital trusts have been told to 'think very carefully' about whether it is 'appropriate' to perform elective surgeries, when the same operations have been pushed back by the NHS. A letter - signed by top medics and several of London's hospital trusts - calls for non-urgent surgeries to be pushed back for one month to allow case figures to drop. This means private medics will instead be able to work for the NHS to help ease the strain. The UK announced a further 573 coronavirus deaths yesterday in the highest Sunday rise since April, and the third-deadliest Sunday of the entire pandemic. More than 3,800 cancer patients in London have waited more than two months for their first treatment, as the number of non-Covid patients in Britain's hospitals fell by 10,000 in less than a month, new figures reveal. Pictured: Ambulances outside the Royal London Hospital Infections also continue to be high, with 54,940 announced on Sunday - the thirteenth day in a row they have been above the 50,000 mark. NHS hospitals are treating less than half the cancer patients they usually would amid a surge in coronavirus cases. And non-Covid patient numbers have dropped by 10,000 UK-wide in less than a month while almost all planned care in the hard-hit capital is pushed off. The letter - leaked to the Health Service Journal - was signed by medical director for the NHS in London Vin Diwakar and medical directors of the Royal Free London Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare Trust and Barts Health Trust It read: 'It feels profoundly uncomfortable to us that some elective work that is not time critical is continuing in the independent sector. 'We are asking colleagues to think very carefully about the appropriateness of this, and would like colleagues not to support delivery of such work in the independent sector for a period of time, a month from the date of this letter in the first instance, until vaccination and the current lockdown take effect and the pressure on NHS services eases.' If an operation can be postponed for more than one month it should not be performed at all, the letter added. On Sunday, it was revealed that NHS England's cancer resilience plan states London hospitals need to treat more than 500 cancer patients each week. As of this week, only 122 cancer cases were treated in NHS hospitals, with another 101 attending private hospitals. Dr Tom Dolphin from the British Medical Association, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Hospitals are trying to increase capacity by reducing elective work to almost nothing but it feels that won't be enough.' But a group representing NHS trusts in England said health staff are doing everything they can ensure to emergency and cancer surgery goes ahead. Mr Diwakar said: 'Our staff are working round the clock opening hundreds of beds including the London Nightingale and some surgery is being postponed based on clinical need to ensure all Londoners continue to receive very urgent cancer surgery, making best use of existing NHS facilities and independent sector sites. 'On behalf of our NHS staff, I say to Londoners: We are depending on you. Stay at home, do everything possible to reduce the transmission of the virus, and help us save lives.' The chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said the delaying of operations was a 'temporary emergency response to a temporary emergency problem'. Footage showed the inside of St George's Hospital as Covid cases soar in Britain He said: 'Every trust will do everything it can to ensure it continues with emergency and cancer surgery. We all know how important these cases are. 'Every trust will leave no stone unturned to ensure all these operations are completed on time, including getting support from neighbouring trusts and using private sector capacity. 'Any cases that have to be temporarily delayed for a few days will obviously be rebooked for as quickly as possible. 'But no-one should confuse this with this being standard practice. It's a temporary emergency response to a temporary emergency problem'. All of London's acute hospital trusts have been told to 'think very carefully' about whether it is 'appropriate' to perform elective surgeries, when the same operations have been pushed back by the NHS. Pictured: St George's Hospital in Tooting, London A patient is prepared for transfer from the Acute Dependency Unit to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at St George's Hospital, Tooting, as their condition worsens London Mayor Sadiq Khan declared a major incident on Friday, warning that there was a risk of NHS hospitals running out of beds in the coming weeks if the virus continues to spread. Dr Rob Harwood, British Medical Association consultants committee chairman, said doctors felt 'a great sense of anxiety' at not being able to give patients the usual care. He said: 'The UK went into the pandemic with a health service that is simply too small for the country's needs. It is short of staff, beds and adequate funding, meaning the NHS was always always likely to be forced to cancel non-urgent operations and other treatments to ensure it had the capacity to deal with a pandemic - and that capacity is now being stretched to its limits. 'This has caused a great sense of anxiety for doctors, who are extremely distressed about not being able to provide the high level of care that they want to for their patients.' Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 20:12:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's accusation over the Communist Party of China (CPC) policies on religion, human rights, Tibet and Xinjiang related issues, saying that his attempt to drive a wedge between the CPC and the Chinese people is doomed to fail. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing that Pompeo had planned for and practiced the "lying diplomacy" and pursued to revive McCarthyism, which had dented U.S. image and reputation more than ever. Zhao said that the key to China's development was that the Chinese people had found a development path in line with the country's national realities under the leadership of the CPC. According to authoritative international research, the Chinese people's overall satisfaction toward the CPC-led government exceeds 90 percent for many years. Pompeo's political attacks on the CPC was tantamount to attacks on the 1.4 billion Chinese people, said Zhao, adding that Pompeo cannot drive a wedge between the Party and the Chinese people. "Any attempt to remold or even subvert the Chinese government was 'a mission impossible' and doomed to fail," said the spokesperson. ADVERTISEMENT The State Security Service (SSS, also called DSS) said it is aware of plans by some people to incite religious crises in the country. The agency made this known in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, on Monday evening. Mr Afunanya listed 12 states as the main target, urging Nigerians to shun any divisive antics. The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to alert the public about plans by some elements working with external forces to incite religious violence across the country. Targeted states include Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Oyo, Lagos and those in the South East., he said. Part of the plans is to cause inter-religious conflicts as well as use their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities, key and vulnerable points. Consequently, Nigerians are advised to be wary of these antics and shun all divisive tendencies aimed at inciting or setting them against one another. He said the agency pledges to collaborate with sister agencies to ensure that public order is maintained, urging those behind the plot to desist. However, law-abiding citizens (and residents) are encouraged to report suspected breaches of peace around them to the nearest security agencies, he said. The advisory by the SSS is coming on the hills of heightened insecurity in many parts of Nigeria. Aside Boko Haram terrorists mostly operating in the North-east, armed bandits have terrorized many parts of the North-west and North-central. Bandits have also been accused of rampant kidnappings across the country. 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 West Midlands Police chief has stood by the decision to issue seven 200 lockdown fines to people paying respects to 1974 IRA Birmingham bombing victims. The force came under fire after two West Midlands MPs said it had been 'morally wrong' to issue the fines following an anniversary convoy on November 21 last year. Campaigner Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine was among the 21 victims killed in the 1974 IRA bombings on two city centre pubs, was issued with a fixed penalty notice. Campaigner Julie Hambleton (pictured in November 2020), whose 18-year-old sister Maxine was among the 21 victims killed in the 1974 IRA bombings on two city centre pubs, was issued with a fixed penalty notice Twenty-one people were killed and another 220 injured when devices exploded within minutes of each other in two city centre pubs on November 21, 1974. The Birmingham Six were found guilty of the murders a year later but the convictions were eventually overturned after one of Britains worst miscarriages of justice. In November last year, families and campaigners organised an event to mark the 46th anniversary of the attacks and highlight the Justice for the 21 campaign. England was in the second national lockdown at the time. On the day of the memorial event, hundreds of supporters turned up and took part in a large cavalcade through the city and several people gathered. Miss Hambleton says she asked people to disperse but police issued fines which they say were 'proportionate and necessary' Beforehand, Miss Hambleton, who has led the families long fight for justice, worked with a team from WMP to ensure traffic disruption was at a minimum and that the event complied with Covid regulations. On the day, hundreds of supporters in cars and vans and on motorbikes took part in a cavalcade which threaded its way through Birmingham, ending up outside the West Midlands Police HQ at Lloyd House. There, several people from the convoy started to gather. Miss Hambleton said she went over to the group who were all wearing masks to thank them for their support and ask them to disperse. Twenty-one people were killed and another 220 injured when devices exploded within minutes of each other in two city centre pubs. Pictured: Firemen at work following the bomb attacks In a statement describing gatherings to mark the anniversary of the attacks as 'spontaneous', Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd said the fines stemmed from an inquiry into a 15-minute gathering outside West Midlands Police's Birmingham headquarters, which followed the convoy. The statement read: 'We're aware of a letter which has been sent to our Chief Constable by two local MPs. We acknowledge their concerns and would like to use this opportunity to explain our position. 'A number of fixed penalty notices were issued following a gathering outside West Midlands Police headquarters on 21 November. Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd said the fines stemmed from an inquiry into a 15-minute gathering outside West Midlands Police's Birmingham headquarters, which followed the convoy 'Following a review, the people present were found to be in breach of regulation nine of coronavirus legislation. This relates to gatherings of more than two people in a public place.' Mr Todd acknowledged that his force had been given notice of a planned convoy of vehicles, which was reviewed in advance and deemed not to be in breach of the legislation. The senior officer stated: 'The organisers were made aware that any gathering would be in breach of lockdown two regulations unless exemptions applied. Twenty-one people were killed and another 220 injured when devices exploded within minutes of each other in two city centre pubs on November 21, 1974. Pictured: Maxine Hambleton 'The convoy set off as planned and later paused in Bromsgrove Street, where there was a gathering on foot. 'We spoke to the people present and reminded them that such gatherings were in breach of regulations. They left a little while later and so no further action was taken. 'However, a short time later members of the same group gathered again outside West Midlands Police headquarters, in breach of lockdown regulations. Approximately 20 people gathered for around 15 minutes before leaving. 'On the day, we were responding to the spontaneous nature of these gatherings, their intention to gather was not communicated in advance. If this had been known, a different policing response would have been in place.' Miss Hambleton (centre, pictured in 2019) said she went over to the group who were all wearing masks to thank them for their support and ask them to disperse Officers present on the day had tried to engage and explain, Mr Todd said, adding that a review had decided that enforcement action had been appropriate. The officer said a 'proportionate investigation' had identified seven people present, who had each been issued with a 200 fixed penalty notice. He also pointed out that action had been taken against people at a protest in Wolverhampton in mid-November, where 12 arrests were made, while a rally in West Bromwich in December was under investigation. The Birmingham pub bombing victims: (top row, left to right) Michael Beasley, 30, Stan Bodman, 47, James Craig, 34, Paul Davies, 17, Trevor Thrupp, 33, Desmond Reilly, 20 and James Caddick, 40, (second row, left to right) Maxine Hambleton, 18, Jane Davis, 17, Maureen Roberts, 20, Lynn Bennett, 18, Anne Hayes, 18, Marilyn Nash, 22 and Pamela Palmer, 19, (bottom row, left to right) Thomas Chaytor, 28, Eugene Reilly, 23, Stephen Whalley, 21, John Rowlands, 46, John 'Cliff' Jones, 51, Charles Gray, 44, and Neil Marsh, 16 (no picture available) Mr Todd concluded: 'Coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread. 'We continue to encourage people to comply with the regulations to keep everyone as safe as possible. If there are breaches it's our responsibility to take action.' Nicola Richards, MP for West Bromwich East, and Gary Sambrook, MP for Birmingham Northfield, wrote to West Midlands Chief Constable Sir Dave Thompson on Friday. Accusing police of singling people out for no apparent reason, the Conservative MPs said: 'It is deeply concerning and morally wrong to fine the victim's families of a terrorist attack who are campaigning for justice. 'We hope you and the force reconsider this policy. And take note to our outrage and dissatisfaction in how the police have handled this.' Julie Hambleton (pictured in October 2020), who lost her sister Maxine Hambleton in the 1974 attack Ms Hambleton has said she did get out of her vehicle outside the police headquarters to briefly thank people and wish them well for their journeys home, while maintaining social distancing. She said of the decision to issue fines, which were issued days before Christmas: 'It epitomises the sheer contempt for us that we feel senior management at West Midlands Police have for the victims' families. 'If I pay the fine, it would be like stamping on Maxine's memory and the memories of all those who died.' An aspiring rapper who performed under the name Dank Frank wont spend any more time in jail for burning down two rental houses owned by South Carolinas governor. Frank Wilberding, 23, was sentenced Wednesday to the more than 600 days he has spent in jail in Richland County awaiting trial on arson and other charges, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported. Prosecutors said Wilberding burned the homes near the University of South Carolina in May 2019 because of a dispute with the tenants. No one was injured in the fires. Wilberding said he had no idea that Gov. Henry McMaster owned the properties. A spokesman for the governor did not comment on the case. Wilberdings family and lawyer said he had drug problems when he set the fires, but has straightened himself out. What I did was wrong, and I know that, Wilberding told the judge. I just want to have one more chance at life again to prove that I can be a good citizen. Wilberding had faced up to 175 years in prison on the arson, drug possessions and assault charges, but took a plea deal. Judge George McFaddin Jr. said Wilberdings remorse and apologies to the renters led him to decide to release Wilberding from jail on Thursday. As Dank Frank, Wilberding posted 27 songs online with titles including I Be Sellin Weed, White Champagne, Codeine & Cocaine and Yahtzee. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics South Carolina [January 11, 2021] Evosus Acquires 'How Pools Operate' Retail Training Course VANCOUVER, Wash., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Evosus, a leader in ERP business software development, announced that it has acquired the assets to the "How Pools Operate" online training course, which was originally created by Xmente Swimming Pool Retail Academy, a collaboration of swimming pool industry professionals. "This acquisition demonstrates our further commitment to businesses in the swimming pool industry," stated Dan McManus, CEO of Evosus. "Pool retail businesses across the U.S. hire thousands of seasonal employees each year. Many of these employees need fundamental knowledge of basic pool equipment, water chemistry and pool operation. 'How Pools Operate' provides this knowledge, based on research with hundreds of retail businesses. With this acquisition, the Evosus team will modernize the content, and roll it out to he pool industry in 2021." Swimming pool companies in the U.S. can learn more, and buy a 30-day license to "How Pools Operate," at evosus.com/resources/how-pools-operate . About Evosus Evosus has a reputation for building the best business software for the swimming pool, hot tub and hearth industries in North America. Over the past 19 years, Evosus has worked with 500 of the top retail & service companies in these industries. LOU is the new, cloud business software developed by the Evosus team. For more information, visit www.evosus.com/lou . Media Contact: Sheryl Smith 288710@email4pr.com, 949.777.1354 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/evosus-acquires-how-pools-operate-retail-training-course-301203450.html SOURCE Evosus 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 2020 is already unforgettable in many ways. The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. With the economy on hold, energy consumption has plummeted including demand for LNG. The price of the supercooled fuel reached unprecedented lows in the spring of 2020. Within a year, however, the revitalization of the market is a fact. Prices in especially Asia have reached astronomic heights due to a combination of factors. The most important LNG buyers-markets are in Asia and Europe. The latter, however, also enjoys a well-developed crossborder pipeline infrastructure that connects producers in Russia, North-Africa, and the Caspian to consumers. Asia, on the other hand, is much more dependent on LNG. Therefore, the top three largest importers are all Asian: Japan, China, and South-Korea. The rise in LNG prices has several explanations. First, economic activities have remained relatively strong in Asia throughout the year. China was the first country to experience a lockdown in February 2020 due to the spread of the Coronavirus. Other East Asian countries also implemented rapid and aggressive measures to mitigate the health crisis. The economy experienced a rebound while most countries were still grappling with the pandemic. Demand for commodities such as LNG, therefore, has remained strong. More important, however, is the cold winter weather that has hit East Asia. China currently is facing a cold spell not seen since 1966. Utilities in Japan and South Korea face similar issues as inventories are drained at record speeds and demand is skyrocketing. Asias LNG benchmark, the Japan-Korea Marker, rose to $21,45 on Friday which is the highest since S&P Global Platts started registering in 2009. According to Richard Holtum, global head of LNG and gas at Trafigura Group, LNG prices have had a roller coaster year. This is evidence of the increased seasonality and volatility for the fuel increasingly used together with renewables. Related: India Oil Demand Falls For First Time In 20 Years Due To COVID Another factor that has exacerbated the situation as prices have soared sevenfold, is driven by production losses. Major producers in Australia, Malaysia, Norway, and Qatar are facing challenges in maintaining capacity that has driven up prices even further. According to Chong Zhi Xin, a director at consultancy IHS Market, buyers with no alternatives are now paying top-dollar for prompt cargoes in January. The market has become extremely tight in the short term. The perfect storm hitting LNG markets is also exacerbated by problems in the shipping market. Over the past few weeks, the shipping rates have risen between 15 and 35 percent to more than $150,000 a day. It is a simple supply-demand equation where the remarkable rise in prices has reduced the availability of ships. While prices have soared in Asia, Europe is also feeling the pinch despite its cross-border pipeline infrastructure. Cold winter weather in general and Covid-19 have increased consumption as people remain inside. The high prices in Asia have echoed through Europe where the gas benchmark hit a two-year high. However, it is uncertain whether prices will remain high in the long term. Although the beginning of the end of the pandemic is in reach due to the arrival of vaccines, long-term economic predictions remain bleak. It could take years before the economy and demand for LNG are what they were before the pandemic. Russia's export to Europe, for example, hovered around 200 bcm for the last couple of years. For 2021, however, the expectation is that just 170 bcm will be exported with an increase to 183 bcm in 2022. This shows the dire state of the market in at least Europe in the short to medium term. The room for growth in Asian markets makes these countries even more important for LNG exporters. China already is on the brink of unseating Japan as the world's largest importer. The expanding market is not limited to East Asia. Countries in the south, such as India and Pakistan, are also gaining importance. The LNG market, however, remains highly volatile especially as the economic consequences of the pandemic are not yet fully understood. By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.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. If all goes as planned, students in Trenton public schools who havent seen the inside of a classroom since mid-March due to the coronavirus will be back for in-person learning in May. But even then, theyll only get no more than 14 days actually in school under a plan to reopen the buildings under a hybrid schedule. Alfonso Q. Llano, Trentons interim schools superintendent, said Monday theres a chance that all-remote learning will remain in place through June. He said his hope, though, is that students will return to classrooms, if only for a short time. Just to give them a taste of what school feels like, in the traditional sense. We feel its very important for the social and emotional health of our students, Llano told NJ Advance Media on Monday. The K-12 district announced over the weekend that all-remote learning will continue until May 3, and possibly longer, after having initially set a date of a Feb. 1 return. Prior to the pandemic, a school year in New Jersey consisted of 180 days of in-person instruction but waivers have been granted due to the state of emergency underway since mid-March. Trenton is among several prominent, urban school districts that have been unable to resume in-person instruction due to the pandemic. Jersey City is extending all-remote learning until April 21, Schools Superintendent Franklin Walker announced last Tuesday. It is the third time Jersey City has delayed the resumption of classroom instruction. On Wednesday, the Newark school district pushed back returning to classrooms until April 12. Paterson is planning to return on March 1, though Superintendent Eileen Shafer said a decision on proceeding will not be finalized until mid-February. Shafer said returning to classrooms would be worthwhile, If we can get back any time before the end of the school year, whether its one month or two months. Education is about having a teacher in the classroom and having face to face interaction, Shafer said. While in-person instruction has proceeded relatively unabated in many smaller school districts, Shafer said that it is really important to keep in mind the additional challenges facing urban, more heavily populated school districts. She said Paterson has more than 15 school buildings that are a least a century old. Things are worse now than at the start of the pandemic. Theyre trying to get the vaccine out, and that takes time. You put all that together and it develops into a doom and gloom picture, she said. When its safe, were going to be able to return. I cant tell you when that is. Id love to return March 1, Shafer said. Access to the coronavirus vaccine seems to be a sticking point. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said the local teachers union has been raising concerns. The stumbling block seems to be teachers who dont want to go back to classrooms unless they believe their safety will be optimized, Gusciora said. Gusciora said he empathizes with their concerns, but that it would be tragic if students go the whole school year without returning to classrooms. We have a high truancy rare on Zoom learning, Gusciora said, adding that students also are missing out on extra curricular activities. In Newark, the local teachers union president has said all students should be tested before they return to class in Newark. He has also asked district and state officials to consider mandating the districts 36,000 students get a COVID-19 vaccination. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Education Association, the states largest union for educators, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trenton has 12,334 students and 21 school buildings, including the new, $155 million Trenton Central High School that opened in September 2019. Llano said a Robocall was sent to parents over the weekend in English and Spanish. Now Llano is hopeful about a return in May, just to get those habits firmed up again waking up, coming to school. We feel its important to reconnect, to prepare us for a really successful opening for next year, Llano said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. New York (11-Jan-2021) An official website for a company is similarly essential like consultants, contact number, and office. Research says that mostly 6 consumers out of 10 views the information online about an organization. Individuals who entered in the online business, but still dont have a website should take help from the long island web developer to build a website as a website helps to increase the reach of work. A professionally designed website of a firm is essential for the owner. Having a professional website helps to impress more audiences results in more regular customers. Small scale business owners are unaware of the vitality of designing in a website. A websites functioning and appearance are that powerful as it can help to make or break the presence of a business online. So, to design a website more attractive, it becomes important to hire a highly skilled and qualified professional to make more permanent customers from viewers. Individuals can contact long island wordpress developer to get your desired design for the website. Better is to click here or visit our official website to know more about long island freelance web designer. Selecting a design that suits well for your firms theme will definitely help in the growth of a business, it is not only about meeting the minimum digital marketing standards. The entire team of long island software engineer builds a website with the best techniques that allow operation of the site on every device including tablets. The team always tries their best to work on a concept that lets them the browse internet differently and uniquely which you can call as future-proofs. Ken Key an engineer from the long island web designing company shared his thoughts and experience with the firm, and anyone can use its authorized website named ken key to contact him effortlessly. He was able to comprehend Spanish and other languages a bit; however, his primary language was English. Knowledge about a group of regular human languages is necessary for long island web designer. JavaScript, SQL, Node.js, PHP were some strong languages of programming adopted by him to progress java and swift programming. His belief was labels are essential, but he adopted simplicity to get an identity in long island web designing company with his work. The team with long island freelance web designer creates the best website as they are highly qualified and skilled. Beware about the firms that claim the safety and security of information which is not the thing they exactly do, they leak the personal data of the organization that could be a reason for a business owner to bear the huge loss which he/she cant afford. One of the trustworthy sites is long island web designing company as they focus more on the best results by a long island software engineer for their customers satisfaction. Individuals with expectations to know about long island software engineer and other details can feel free to visit this website. If necessary, interested people can click here or the official website for full insight Webdesign Long Island. You can also contact us by providing the information below. Website-: https://www.kennykey.com location: Long Island, New York Phone: +1 631 612 8722 Email: ken@kennykey.com Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. New Delhi: Markets closed at fresh record highs on Monday amid massive foreign fund inflows. The BSE Sensex ended 486.81 points or 1 percent higher at 49,269.32. It had touched a record intra-day high of 49,303.79. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty surged 137.50 points or 0.96 percent to finish at 14,484.75. It hit a fresh intra-day high of 14,498.20. Top gainers in the Sensex pack were HCL Tech, Infosys, HDFC, Maruti, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, M&M, ONGC, TCS, HUL, HDFC Bank, and Bharti Airtel, rising upto 6.09 percent. On the other hand, major losers were Bajaj Finserve, Bajaj Finance, RIL, LT, Kotak Bank, SBI, NTPC, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank and Powergrid, losing upto 1.92 percent. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) were net buyers in the capital market as they purchased shares worth Rs 6,029.83 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. The rupee depreciated by 16 paise to close at 73.40 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday. Live TV #mute Germany`s DAX lost 0.75%, Britain`s FTSE 100, Italy`s FTSE MIB, and France`s CAC 40 fell about half a percent each, and Spain`s IBEX fell 0.1%. With Asian stock markets also lower, MSCI`s All Country World index, which tracks stocks across 49 countries, was down 0.2%, just off Friday`s record high. Futures for the S&P 500 slipped 0.6% from record highs, after gaining 1.8% last week. EUROSTOXX 50 futures eased 0.1% and FTSE futures were flat, as per a Reuters report. Federal Judges Again Say No to Cuomos Limits on Church Attendance Gov. Andrew Cuomo lost another round in federal court when a three-judge panel from the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower courts prior decision favoring the New York Democrats severe limits on worship gatherings. In a highly unusual Jan. 5 ruling, the judges rejected an injunction against the limits sought by Catholic priest Steven Soos, but, at the same time, remanded the case to the lower federal district court. The lower court was instructed to reconsider its prior decision upholding Cuomos directive in light of the Supreme Courts Nov. 25, 2020, ruling in Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York. The high court said in that ruling that religious groups must not be subjected to more severe restrictions than other entities, such as grocery stores, gyms, bars, and casinos. Officials proposing such restrictions must demonstrate a compelling state interest requiring the regulation and that it is applied in the narrowest possible manner. Cuomos limits were issued last year as public health regulations designed to combat the spread of the CCP virus, which is also known as the novel coronavirus. The governors Cluster Action Initiative limited worship gatherings to no more than 10 people or 25 percent of a buildings capacity in so-called red zones. The limits were 25 people and 33 percent in orange zones. The district court refused to give us an injunction [against the Cuomo restrictions], but the 2nd Circuit, on our motion for an injunction, pending appeal, in view of what happened in Brooklyn Diocese didnt grant the injunction pending appeal but actually did something even better, Attorney Christopher Ferrara told The Epoch Times on Jan. 11. Ferrara is with the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based law firm that specializes in religious freedom cases and represents Soos. The decision below is vacated in light of Brooklyn Diocese, so the refusal to give us an injunction in the district court was set aside and we are being returned to the district court for reconsideration of both the in-person cap and the percentage-capacity limits, Ferrara said. Its a simple question of equality of treatment. The Supreme Court is not persuaded in Brooklyn Diocese by all these arguments that somehow churches are more dangerous than factories and supermarkets and big-box stores, and liquor stores because well, theyre sitting close together, he said. In other words, Ferrara continued, the Supreme Court said if youre allowing Costco to operate, youve got to let churches operate. Its really just that simple. There are multiple cases in the federal judiciary concerning the issue of whether state and local officials can apply disparate standards to worship gatherings and all other places of congregation and business. Ryan Tucker, senior counsel and director of Christian ministries for the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), told The Epoch Times on Jan. 11 that he believes the 2nd Circuit is very clearly telling complainants and others is that these numerical caps do not pass constitutional muster, but the lower court is being instructed to similarly review the percent-of-capacity limits as well. Asked why the capacity limit might be viewed as acceptable when the cap on attendees isnt, Tucker explained that in the Diocese of Brooklyn case looked at for example an auditorium with 1,000 seats, and the question was why is it that a thousand-seat auditorium would be limited to 10 people or 25 people versus a percentage capacity. If you have 50 percent capacity, then you can let 500 people in, as opposed to 10 or 25, so that may be the rationale. In a related development on Jan. 11, Tucker said the Supreme Court instructed Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and other state officials to respond to ADFs petition on behalf of Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley churchs appeal against worship restrictions that allow the states famous casinos to operate unimpeded, while imposing severe limits on worshippers. The respondents are directed to file a response to the petition on or before noon, Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Petitioner may file a reply brief on or before noon, Thursday, January 21, 2021, the high court said Jan. 11. While the order doesnt mean the Supreme Court will accept the Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley case for consideration, it is an indication of definite interest in it, Tucker said. Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.com [January 11, 2021] XYLEM Trading Ltd enters into a Put Option Agreement for USD 35 million with LDA Capital to acquire a controlling stake in Madison Financial Services Plc (MFIN:ZL) XYLEM Trading Ltd ("Xylem") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Put Option Agreement ("Agreement") with LDA Capital Limited ("LDA Capital"), a global alternative investment group, for the purposes of acquiring a controlling stake in Madison Financial Services Plc ("Madison" or "Company"), a diversified financial services group listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange. LDA Capital has agreed to an equity commitment for up to USD 35,000,000 ("Commitment Amount") to be utilized over the next 36 months. Under this agreement, Madison shall have the right, but not the obligation, to draw down capital as required. The Company will control the timing and amount of capital drawn down under this Agreement. This method of fundraising provides management with a flexible financing tool and allows Madison Financial the ability to deploy cash on an as-needed basis. LDA Capital will be granted warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares of up to seven-and-a-half percent (7.5%) of the outstanding common stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis, exercisable at any time during the term of the Agreement. The Chief Investment Officer of Xylem Trading (the new controlling shareholder in Madison Financial Services Plc), Mr. Grant Flanagan, stated: "This transaction, incorporating US$35m funding support from LDA Capital, puts Madison back on a strong financial footing, enabling the business to continue to operate smoothly and with the full confidence of all stakeholders. With a strengthened balance sheet, Xylem and LDA Capital's ongoing support, Madison will be well positioned to win future new business across its four operating segments. "This is an exciting transaction which has enabled Xylem to acquire a controlling shareholding, with Madison maintaining its independence and position in the Zambian and Tanzanian markets. We are delighted to be working with LDA as our funding partners." The Managing Partnerof LDA Capital, Mr. Warren Baker, said: "The 2020 global crisis has been particularly impactful on Africa, accelerating an extensive debt-trap diplomacy crisis which has delayed opportunities for regional market recovery. "We believe in protecting the interests of shareholders and the region, avoiding excessive dilution and dependency on outside leverage or influence that would further exacerbate the debt crisis. LDA Capital has a strong track record of providing flexible financing to underserved markets, while allowing companies to maintain ownership and sovereignty over their businesses. This transaction is an endorsement of, and testament to, LDA's support of Zambia's future recovery and prosperity." About LDA Capital LDA Capital is a global alternative investment group with expertise in complex, cross border transactions worldwide. Our team has dedicated their careers to international & cross border transactions having collectively executed over 200 transactions in both public and private markets across 43 countries with aggregate transaction values of over US$10 billion. For more information, please visit: www.ldacap.com; For inquires please email:info@ldacap.com. About Madison Financial Services Plc Madison Financial Services Plc is a financial services group in Zambia offering solutions for general insurance and life assurance products for personal and corporate clients in Zambia and Tanzania. The company operates in four segments: life assurance, non-life assurance, asset management and microfinance. Madison Financial Services offers a range of products; from life and term assurance to pension funds which include unitized, guaranteed, endowment and mortgage endowment options. Company subsidiaries offer a range of health insurance products, and personal, motor, household, commercial and business interruption insurance. Madison Financial Services also provides investment management services, as well as investment funds, unit trusts and brokering service. The microfinance division offers solutions for loans to small- and medium-sized companies and employees of public and private institutions. Madison Financial Services Plc was established in 1992. About Xylem Trading (Pty) Limited Xylem Trading is a South African investment vehicle with a diversified investment portfolio which includes regulated financial services in Mauritius, Zimbabwe and operations in Mozambique and Seychelles. Xylem Trading operations include a world-class commodity trading in fuel and grain in the SADC region. For more information please visit: www.xylemtrading.co.za. For inquiries contact:admin@xylemtrading.co.za. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005964/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The insurrectionist mob who stormed the US Capitol last week was overwhelmingly made up of supporters of US president Donald Trump, including Republican Party officials and donors, far-right militants, white supremacists and members of the military, an investigation shows. They came from across America, summoned by Mr Trump to march on Washington in support of his false claim that the November election was stolen and to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden as the victor. The president had tweeted a week before Christmas: Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild! Some members of the mob were adherents of the QAnon conspiracy myth that the US government is secretly controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping paedophile cannibals. Records show that some were heavily armed and included convicted criminals, such as a Florida man recently released from prison for attempted murder. The Associated Press reviewed social media posts, voter registrations, court files and other public records for more than 120 people either facing criminal charges related to the January 6 unrest or who, going maskless amid the pandemic, were later identified through photographs and videos taken during the mayhem. The evidence gives lie to claims by right-wing pundits and Republican officials such as representative Matt Gaetz that the violence was perpetrated by left-wing antifa thugs, rather than supporters of the president. If the reports are true, Mr Gaetz said on the floor of the US house of representatives just hours after the attack, some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters and, in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group antifa. Steven DAntuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Washington field office, told reporters that investigators had seen no indication antifa activists were disguised as Trump supporters in Wednesdays riot. The AP found that many of the rioters had taken to social media after the November election to retweet and parrot false claims by Mr Trump that the vote had been stolen in a vast international conspiracy. Trump supporters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. Picture: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File Several had openly threatened violence against Democrats and Republicans they considered insufficiently loyal to the president. During the riot, some livestreamed and posted photos of themselves at the Capitol. Afterwards, many bragged about what they had done. As the mob smashed through doors and windows to invade the Capitol, a loud chant went up calling for the hanging of vice president Mike Pence, the recent target of a Trump Twitter tirade for not subverting the US constitution and overturning the legitimate vote tally. Outside, a wooden scaffold had been erected on the National Mall, a rope noose dangling at the ready. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from curfew violations to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against US house speaker Nancy Pelosi. Among them was Lonnie Leroy Coffman, 70, an Alabama grandfather who drove to Washington to attend Mr Trumps Save America Rally in a red GMC Sierra pickup packed with an M4 assault rifle, multiple loaded magazines, three handguns and 11 Mason jars filled with homemade napalm, according to court filings. Also facing federal charges is Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, a Georgia man who in the wake of the election had protested outside the home of Republican governor Brian Kemp, whom Mr Trump had publicly blamed for his loss in the state. Meredith drove to Washington last week for the Save America rally but arrived late because of a problem with the lights on his trailer, according to court filings that include expletive-laden texts in which he allegedly stated he was thinking about shooting Ms Pelosi in the head on live TV. Federal law enforcement officials vowed to bring additional charges against those who carried out the attack on the Capitol, launching a nationwide manhunt for dozens of suspects identified from photographic evidence The FBI has opened a murder probe into the death of Capitol police officer Brian D Sicknick, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. The four Trump supporters who died in the riot were Kevin D Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; Ashli Babbitt, 35, of San Diego; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia. Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by US Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. Picture: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta The APs review found that QAnon beliefs were common among those who heeded Mr Trumps call to come to Washington. Doug Jensen, 41, was arrested by the FBI on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, after returning home from the riot. An AP photographer captured images of him confronting Capitol Police officers outside the senate chamber on Wednesday. Jensen was wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with a large Q and the phrase Trust The Plan, a reference to QAnon. Jake Chansley, who calls himself the QAnon Shaman and has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, surrendered to the FBI field office in Phoenix on Saturday. News photos show him at the riot shirtless, with his face painted and wearing a fur hat with horns, carrying a US flag attached to a wooden pole topped with a spear. The FBI identified Chansley by his distinctive tattoos, which include bricks circling his biceps in an apparent reference to Mr Trumps border wall. There were also current and former members of the US military in the crowd, including US army Captain Emily Rainey, a 30-year-old psychological operations officer. She told the AP she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom who travelled to Washington to stand against election fraud and support Mr Trump. Capt Rainey insisted she acted within army regulations and that no-one in her group entered the Capitol or broke the law. Derrick Evans, a Republican recently sworn in as a delegate to the West Virginia house, resigned on Saturday following his arrest on two charges related to the Capitol riot after streaming video of himself charging into the building with the mob. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The euro weakened against its major counterparts in the European session on Monday, amid risk aversion as rising coronavirus cases dampened economic growth prospects. The COVID-19 infections continue to rise across the globe, with cases exceeding 90 million, data from John Hopkins University showed on Sunday. The surge puts pressure on the governments to ramp their vaccination campaigns and extend or renew lockdowns to contain the outbreak. In Washington, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she will table a resolution in the chamber urging the removal of President Trump from the office under the 25th Amendment of the Constitution. If Pence doesn't invoke the 25th Amendment, Democrats are considering to introduce the Article of Impeachment to oust Trump. Survey data from Sentix showed that Eurozone investor confidence rose to a positive level in January for the first time since early 2020 as investors became more confident about vaccination strategy, ignoring the current lockdowns. The investor sentiment index rose to 1.3 in January from -2.7 in December. This was the first positive score since February 2020 and was above economists' forecast of 0.7. The euro fell to a 5-day low of 126.56 versus the yen and near a 3-week low of 1.2155 versus the greenback, compared to Friday's closing values of 127.04 and 1.2219, respectively. If the euro continues its fall, 123.5 and 1.20 are possibly seen as its next support levels against the yen and the greenback, respectively. The euro eased to 0.9008 versus the pound, after rising to 0.9037 at 3:15 am ET. On the downside, 0.88 is possibly seen as the next support level. The euro retreated to 1.5519 against the loonie, 1.6871 against the kiwi and 1.5749 against the aussie, off its early high of 1.5562 and 4-day highs of 1.6956 and 1.5832, respectively. The euro is likely to find support around 1.54 against the loonie, 1.66 against the kiwi and 1.54 against the aussie. The euro, meanwhile, rose to 1.0836 against the franc, compared to 1.0815 hit late New York Friday. The next possible resistance for the currency is seen around the 1.10 level. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : The recent press release and Facebook post of the former state Congress chief, V.M. Sudheeran singing praises to Kerala state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has drawn flak from his party men. Sudheeran had stated that while he and his wife were undergoing treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical college, he got excellent VIP treatment at the government Medical College. While thanking the medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, Sudheeran, who was also a former state health minister and Speaker of the state Assembly, said, "All this was done only owing to the excellent leadership trait shown by the state health minister K.K. Shailaja." A senior Congress leader, who does not want to be named, said, "This is the problem faced by the Congress party, how can Sudheeran sing praises for K.K. Shailaja when the state is reeling under a Covid surge. She has failed as a health minister and a leader. With a leader like V.M. Sudheeran singing praise for such a failure, how can a grassroots Congressman counter the narrative of the state government." G.Pramod Kumar, a former UNDP official and a political observer has in a Facebook post said, "Leaders like V.M. Sudheeran is a curse for the Congress, Kerala and India. If your work is done, it does not mean that everything is safe and sound. He has forgotten his commitment to the party and is cheating the people of the state. He should have taken up as to why the Test positivity rate is increasing in Kerala while states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have controlled it". Sudheeran was not available for comment. Roy Mathew, Senior Journalist while speaking to IANS said, "Sudheeran has been a hard critic of the Congress-led UDF government, but has not opened his mouth against the present LDF government even though several issues, including gold smuggling and data privacy had cropped up against this government. He should have first spoken about the rising Test positivity rate and how the Left government has failed in containing the pandemic and not singing eulogy to the state health minister". Many state capitols have security holes State capitols around the country remain on high alert following the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and as new threats surface online, but with less than two-thirds of them employing metal detectors, and about 20 statehouses specifically allowing guns inside, there are many security gaps that rioters could exploit. Last week, as insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump broke through U.S. Capitol windows and ransacked congressional offices, like-minded protesters gathered at state capitols around the country. Most chanted, gave speeches and carried flags without much incident. But rioters cracked a window in Arizona and were dispersed by police in Oregon. Several statehouses shuttered for the day. More violence is expected. In Washington state, where militia groups have planned to conduct an armed occupation of the Capitol this week, Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, has called in 750 National Guard members to provide security in Olympia. Perimeter fencing now surrounds the Capitol campus, less than a week after far-right demonstrators broke through a gate and stormed the grounds of the governors mansion. The occupation that organizers had called to begin Sunday evening has yet to materialize. On social media, pro-Trump activists have threatened more action at state capitols in the coming days, including an armed march planned the weekend before President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration. The chairman of the Nye County, Arizona, Republican party posted a letter online, claiming Its 1776 all over again and pledging that Biden would never become president. Many capitols already are temporarily inaccessible to the public because of COVID-19 concerns. But even after the violence in Washington, D.C., some stayed open, albeit with more screening of visitors or staff. And they cant stay closed forever, even in the face of future mobs in or near capitol buildings. We are likely to see a continuation of some of the same things we saw [last week], particularly in state legislatures, said Lindsay Schubiner, a program director for the Western States Center, a Portland-based nonprofit that monitors extremists. We're deeply concerned for what's likely to come in the coming months in state capitols, she said. There's a real risk that this type of activity intended to undermine democracy will significantly have an impact on what state legislatures are able to do. It's likely that state capitols will continue to be an epicenter of far-right organizing and activity. It's quite frightening. Security measures at state capitols range widely. About 30 state capitols employ metal detectors, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Spokesperson Mick Bullock would not elaborate, citing security concerns. On the flip side, according to the Crime Prevention Research Center, a pro-gun research group, about 20 capitols officially allow carrying legal firearms inside. The Michigan Capitol is one of them. A bomb threat early Thursday morning, a day after the insurrection in Washington, shut down the Capitol in Lansing, according to Lt. Brian Oleksyk of the Michigan State Police. The building already was closed because the legislature was not in session, the department said in a statement. No bomb was found, and the building reopened to staff later in the day. Right now the interior of the Capitol is open [gun] carry, Oleksyk said in a phone interview. There are no metal detectors at the doors. That is being reviewed by the Capitol Commission [which regulates the building]. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, tweeted Thursday: Let me repeat this in no uncertain terms: Our state Capitol is not safe. I would advise people not to go to our state Capitol if they can avoid it. Firearm-carrying protesters besieged the Michigan Capitol last April, drawing national attention as they banged on windows as lawmakers worked inside. They included some of the men arrested this fall as members of the Wolverine Watchman group who police say threatened to kidnap and kill Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said attorney general spokesperson Kelly Rossman-McKinney. Some of our state legislators have been pictured with their arms around the shoulders of some of those very Wolverine Watchmen, she said. The states Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a Republican, said he would support a ban on the open carry of firearms in the Michigan Capitol, but would not prevent concealed carry for those with a permit. The Capitol has already instituted many enhanced security measures including more cameras and more state police personnel, said John Truscott, vice-chair of the Michigan Capitol Commission. We have always tried to maintain that this building is open to the public. How do we do that? Thats where the difficulty comes in. He also said the estimated cost of magnetometers and the personnel to run them is close to $1 million a year and could hamper entry for staffers. After what happened yesterday, we need to have a much broader conversation beyond weapons, he said Thursday. What else do the state police need? The Western States Center also is concerned about a number of Republican lawmakers in the region who have expressed sympathy for the pro-Trump demonstrators. As an example, Oregon Republican state Rep. Mike Nearman opened a door to allow demonstrators into the Oregon Capitol, House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said. The Devils and Jesper Bratt finally have a deal. The left winger signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract on Sunday, ending his holdout that had lasted more than a week into training camp. The restricted free agent will carry a $2.75 million AAV for the next two seasons. While Bratt is finally under contract, there are still some steps that need to be taken before hes on the ice with the Devils. Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers Bratt is still in Sweden, so he will need to acquire his work visa before traveling to the United States. Once he arrives in New Jersey, Bratt will need to quarantine for seven days, per the NHLs COVID-19 protocols. After he finishes quarantine and continues to test negative for the coronavirus, he will be allowed to skate with the Devils. Buy Jesper Bratt Devils gear: Fanatics, NHL.com, Lids The Devils open the regular season with a game against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, and the two teams will meet again on Saturday. So Bratt will, at a minimum, miss those two games. His availability after that will depend on when his quarantine ends and how much practice time he needs with the Devils. While the Devils will still need to wait a bit for him to hit the ice, Bratts pending return will be boost for the top six. He figures to be one of the two left wingers skating on two top lines, along with Andreas Johnsson. Get Devils Insider text messages from reporters: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with Devils beat writer Chris Ryan. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook. Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Eric Lis factory making glass lampshades for companies including Home Depot Inc. is being stretched to its limits with sales doubling their pre-pandemic level.But like many Chinese manufacturers, he doesnt plan to expand operations -- a reticence that could slow the pace of Chinas economic growth this year and prolong a shortage of goods being felt around the world as demand picks up.Surging prices of raw materials means margins are compressed, explains Li, owner of Huizhou Baizhan Glass Co. Ltd., in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, which makes about $30 million in annual revenue. With the global economic recovery still uneven, the future is very unclear, so there is not much push to expand capacity, he adds.The combination of higher input prices, uncertainty about export prospects and a weak recovery in domestic consumer demand meant Chinese manufacturing investment from January to April was 0.4% below the same period in 2019, according to official statistics (comparing to 2019 strips out the distortion of last years pandemic data).Due to the vast size of Chinas manufacturing sector, that poses a risk both to the nations growth -- which is currently predicted to reach 8.5% in 2021, according to a Bloomberg tally of economists estimates -- and to a global economy thats grappling with supply shortages and rising prices.Falling ProfitsWeaker-than-expected investment could have a sizable impact on GDP growth this year, said Citigroup Inc.s China economist, Li-gang Liu. Lower investment may dent imports of capital goods and equipment from developed economies like Japan and Germany, which in turn could drag their economic recovery and rebound as well, he added.AnHui HERO Electronic Sci & Tec Co. Ltd. is one of those companies feeling the squeeze. Based in the eastern province of Anhui, the company manufactures capacitors used to make electronic circuits, with sales mainly in the domestic market. Jing Yuan, the founder, says orders are up as much as 30% year-on-year, but profits are down 50% due to increasing materials costs that are not easily passed onto clients.The company is under huge cash pressure as it needs to pay half a month in advance of delivery in order to secure copper and other metals, which they previously paid for months after receiving, he said. The commodity issue has to be addressed by the government, he added.What Bloomberg Economics Says...Chinese industry is absorbing significant cost pressures from rising commodity prices -- damping the inflationary impact for the rest of the world. Will it last? Our analysis of gross margins suggests it could for a while longer: downstream industries -- where the cost crunch is most severe -- still have a small cushion.David Qu, China economistFor the full report, click here.Input shortages mean some manufacturers arent able to make use of their existing facilities, so expansion would be of little use. Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc. suspended production at one of its factories last month, due to a shortage of microchips.Modern Casting Ltd., which makes iron and steel products in Guangdong, issued a note to clients this month saying it would not be able to meet its current orders due to high raw material costs. A member of staff who answered the phone at the companys office confirmed the note, but declined to give further details.Growth TransitionOn top of the higher input costs, Chinese companies face a bumpy transition toward domestic consumer spending to sustain its post-pandemic recovery.Exports, Chinas strong-suit last year, may begin to slow as vaccine roll-outs cause consumers in wealthy countries to shift spending back to services. Meanwhile, the growth rate of Chinese consumer spending has yet to fully recover.Investment sentiment among Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises is below levels seen even in 2018-9 when uncertainties from the U.S.-China trade war were a brake on expansion plans, according to a regular survey of more than 500 Chinese companies by Standard Chartered Plc.Demand is still mainly underpinned by exports, so domestic companies are aware that this is not sustainable, said Standard Chartereds China economist, Lan Shen.While some export-oriented sectors have been pushed to their limits, large amounts of slack remain for manufacturers targeting Chinese consumers due to subdued domestic demand.Retail sales growth was 4.3% in April on a two-year average basis, which strips out base effects from the pandemic, less than half pre-pandemic growth rates. Overall capacity use at Chinas manufacturers fell to 77.6% in the first quarter from 78.4% in the previous three months, with the automotive sector hit hardest by overcapacity following three years of declining sales volumes.Even for electric vehicles whose sales are surging, most companies have already built their capacity and will now focus on incremental upgrades. The majority of the investment has been done, said Jochen Siebert of JSC Automotive Consulting.China ordered state-owned companies to expand last year, with their investment growth of 5.3% in 2020 from the prior year easily outstripping the 1% increase in private investment. But for a sustainable pick-up in investment, the market, not the state, needs to feel confident.Carsten Holz, an expert on Chinese investment statistics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, estimates that privately-owned companies have accounted for 87% of manufacturing investment in 2015, the most recent year of available data. They are more sensitive to input costs.There is a pandemic plus insecurity about future trade given a new U.S. administration, neither of which is conducive to investment that relies on long-term growth prospects, Holz said.Mixed PoliciesTransport bottlenecks are also a challenge for export-oriented manufacturers. Gordon Gao, who exports gardening products from China, said that he has had to reject 80% of orders this year due to port delays. In one case, an order placed before mid-February could only be shipped three months later when a client finally secured a container.Beijing has tried to improve conditions for private companies by ordering a crackdown on speculation to curb commodity prices and easing access to bank loans.Yet the government continues to gradually withdraw fiscal and monetary stimulus measures introduced amid the pandemic last year. It set a relatively unambitious target of above 6% growth for this year, and the Communist Partys Politburo signaled last month it would prioritize reforms to control house prices and debt growth.The policy stance has definitely shifted away from supporting growth and back toward de-risking the financial sector, said Adam Wolfe, an economist at London-based Absolute Strategy Research. The risks for economic growth seem tilted to the downside, especially for capital-intensive, construction-linked sectors.For manufacturers such as Li, a longer period of domestic growth and control over input prices will be needed before capacity expansion is on the cards. While his company of 200 workers took on new permanent staff before the pandemic, for now hed rather pass the risks of investment on to others.I wouldnt do that now, I would rather hire some temporary workers and outsource the rest, he said.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 Massachusetts residents were rescued by authorities in the Granite State last week after encountering separate emergencies, one while snowmobiling and another while snowboarding. Around 1 p.m. Sunday, a man and a woman, both in their 20s, were snowmobiling on a private property in Croydon, New Hampshire, when they collided with boulders and lost control of the vehicle while driving down a hill, according to the states Fish and Game Department. The woman, who is from Portola Valley, California, was driving the snowmobile, and the man, who is from Hamilton, Massachusetts, was riding passenger, the department said in a statement. A member of the womans family who was riding with her and the man at the time of the collision immediately called 911, while other individuals on the property went to the crash scene to help, according to the statement. With the help of some good Samaritans, first responders were able to take the injured woman and man out of the woods and transport them to a hospital, the statement said. The California woman, who is 21 years old, was flown via medical helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon to be treated for life-threatening injuries, according to the department. The Massachusetts man, who is 20 years old, was driven to the same hospital for evaluation and treatment of his wounds, which are serious but not life-threatening, authorities noted. The operator and passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the incident, the department said, and rider inexperience is considered to be the leading cause of the crash. Two days before the snowmobile crash, authorities responded to a separate emergency involving another Massachusetts resident atop Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire. At 5:40 p.m. Friday, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was alerted of two lost snowboarders who had gone to the top of the mountain for one more run. Instead of going down the mountain smoothly, though, the snowboarders encountered white-out conditions, lost the trail and were stranded for several hours. The snowboarders - a 28-year-old man from Windham, New Hampshire, and a 25-year-old man from Dorchester, Massachusetts - became wet and cold as they were overcome by darkness while looking for the trail, the department said. Neither man had any lights, and they were bombarded by the thick woods and waist-deep snow, according to the department. Cellphone GPS coordinates placed the snowboarders on the backside of the ski area, which staff from Cannon Mountain and a conservation officer were able to use to get close to the lost mens location with a snowcat, authorities said. After being lost for close to five hours, the snowboarders were found around 10:20 p.m. The mountain staff and conservation officer helped the two men get to a ski trail and drove them to the ski lodge on the snowcat, according to officials. The two were cold and wet but refused medical treatment, the department said. Related Content: WASHINGTON - William Burns, a well-known figure in diplomatic circles around the world, is President-elect Joe Bidens choice to lead the CIA, a selection likely to be embraced by the rank and file at the nations premier spy agency. President-elect Joe Biden arrives at The Queen Theater in Wilmington, Del., Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON - William Burns, a well-known figure in diplomatic circles around the world, is President-elect Joe Bidens choice to lead the CIA, a selection likely to be embraced by the rank and file at the nations premier spy agency. A former ambassador to Russia and Jordan, Burns, 64, had a 33-year career at the State Department under both Republican and Democratic presidents. He rose through the ranks of the diplomatic corps to become deputy secretary of state before retiring in 2014 to run the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace. If confirmed, he would succeed Gina Haspel, the first female CIA director, who guided the agency under President Donald Trump. Trump expressed skepticism about intelligence and frequently disparaged the assessments of U.S. spy agencies, especially about Russias interference in the 2016 election to help his campaign. Trump also fired several career intelligence professionals in favour of loyalists, including some with little to no experience in the field. FILE - In this May 24, 2011 file photo, William Burns testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination to be Deputy Secretary of State. President-elect Joe Biden announced Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, he has chosen the veteran diplomat to be his CIA director. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Burns has never been an American intelligence officer, but he has worked with many abroad. I developed enormous respect for my colleagues in the CIA, Burns said in an online video statement Monday with Biden. I served with them in hard places around the world. I saw firsthand the courage and professionalism that they displayed and the sacrifices that their families made. Burns called intelligence the first line of defence for the country and the basis for making sound policy decisions. He also said he would deliver the intelligence to Biden and policymakers without a hint of partisanship. Burns is perhaps an unconventional choice for the CIA job that many thought would go to a career intelligence officer. However, he is also deeply experienced in the kind of cloak-and-dagger secret contacts that is a hallmark of the agency and won plaudits for his analysis and reporting abilities while he served as an American diplomat overseas. Burns was the author of some of the most insightful State Department cables that were published by Wikileaks in 2010 and is widely respected throughout the national security community. FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2012 file photo, then Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, who is in charge of policy, testifies during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in Washington. President-elect Joe Biden has chosen veteran diplomat William Burns to be his CIA director. Biden made the announcement on Monday. A former ambassador to Russia and Jordan, Burns rose through the ranks of the State Department to become deputy secretary before retiring to run the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace in 2014. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Michael Morell, a career intelligence officer and former acting director of the CIA whose name was floated to hold the top position under Biden, praised the pick, an indication that Burns likely will be embraced by the spy agencys rank and file. Ive known Bill Burns for decades. ... His command of the issues, his deep respect for intelligence, and his care for people will ensure it, Morell tweeted. Norman Roule, a 34-year veteran of the CIA and an expert on Iran in the intelligence community, concurred: Bill Burns is deeply respected for his integrity, honesty, & commitment to the workforce," Roule tweeted. "He will arrive w great respect for the IC & its work. Amid tumult in the State Department after Trump took office in 2017, Burns held his tongue until last year when he began writing highly critical pieces of the Trump administration's policies in Foreign Affairs and other publications. Burns has been a staunch advocate of rebuilding and restructuring the foreign service, positions Biden has aligned himself with. Biden said in a statement Monday that Burns shares his profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical. Ambassador Burns will bring the knowledge, judgment and perspective we need to prevent and confront threats before they can reach our shores, Biden said. "The American people will sleep soundly with him as our next CIA director. Burns was said to have been a candidate to be Biden's secretary of state. Biden chose Anthony Blinken instead. He joined the foreign service in 1982 and before being named ambassador to Russia in 2005, served as a top aide to former Secretaries of State William Christopher and Madeleine Albright as well as director of the State Departments policy planning office. He has received three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the highest civilian honours from the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community. He has doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. In his 2019 book The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal, Burns called for a revamp of American diplomacy, while recalling his days in the field, including helping to spearhead the early stages of the Obama administrations outreach to Iran in 2013. The CIA post is not expected to be a Cabinet-level post under Biden. The CIA stopped being a Cabinet-level position during the George W. Bush administration. Thats because in 2005, after 9-11, the Office of the National Intelligence Director was created to oversee and improve co-operation among all the agencies within the U.S. intelligence community. The director of national intelligence, not the CIA director, was in the Cabinet. Trump elevated the CIA director post back up to a Cabinet-level position, and both Haspel and National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe sit in his Cabinet. Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report. Surfers and water-skiers came to the rescue of a sailing school of children after their boats were capsized by a massive swell of 25ft 'king tides' at the mouth of Santa Cruz Harbor in California. The 12 children from Santa Cruz Yacht Club, aged between 7 and 12 years old, were taking part in a lesson on Sunday afternoon and were on their way to shore when turbulent waves caused their vessels to overturn, washing them overboard. Water ski units from the marine rescue teams and local surfers sprang into action to save the party of 12 little boats, after receiving a 911 call from a passerby who had spotted them in trouble. A video taken from the beach by a concerned passer-by captures the boats swaying on the waves before being knocked sideways and over, to gasps of distress from onlookers. The 12 boats from the Santa Cruz Yacht Club set out to Monterey Bay on Sunday afternoon for the first lesson of a six-week course for beginner sailors Marine rescue units and local surfers sprang into action to rescue the children after the boats began to topple over 'like dominoes', throwing the school kids into the ocean They had been returning to the mouth of Santa Cruz Harbor when they got into trouble from a massive swell caused by 25ft 'king tides' Water ski units from the marine rescue team in Santa Cruz, pictured, had already been deployed as a result of high tide warnings caused by storms in the Pacific Ocean After pulling the children out the water the rescue teams tugged the children's capsized boats back to shore Anna Ritter, who saw the boats from the beach, said: 'Sail school was coming in and the white water just tumbled them and they were just like dominoes flying through the water', as reported by CBS SF Bay Area. Among the young sailors was Linden DesJardins, 12, who was celebrating the first of her six-week beginning sailing class, after taking lessons on and off since last summer. Linden said they were being 'being tossed around' even as they began the lesson in Monterey Bay earlier that day. 'The waves were big out there', she told Lookout Santa Cruz. As the waves got higher she began to 'kind of freak'. 'Weve never had waves like this in sailing', she said. As the party returned and the boats got into trouble, she remembers her instructor and nearby surfers urging her to leap into the ocean, to avoid being sucked under the boat if it it capsized, like those of her friends. She jumped, losing a shoe. 'It was scary and it was very, very stressful,' Linden said. She was scooped up by a surfer- possibly named Sean- who reassured her everything would be ok. 'We would like to find Sean,' Liz DesJardins, Lindens stepmom, said. Surfers saved a total of five children, pulling them onto their boards and paddling them safely to shore. Santa Cruz County Fire Battalion Chief Daniel Kline, pictured, said they had 'upstaffed' on the coast due to the incoming swell and so were able to respond quickly to the 911 call Marc DesJardins, Lindens dad, said that he found the sailing program to be very professional in the past but that he was 'a little surprised that they went out past the harbor mouth.' Santa Cruz County Fire Battalion Chief Daniel Kline said the calls reporting the capsized boats and people in the water came in at 4:33 p.m. Concerned officials had already posted additional patrols along the waterfront, including two water-ski units - after receiving warnings of a swell stirred up by storms out in the Pacific Ocean, that could cause 'king tides'; large waves up to 25ft high. Santa Cruz Fire Department were on scene quickly to aid with the rescue of the sailing school Fire chiefs said that none of the children were injured and made it safely back to their parents 'With the high swell advisories that we had upstaffed a bit,' he said. 'When the call came in today, we had 2 skis in the water already.' Their preparations enabled them to respond swiftly to the call and, with the help of local surfers, pull the children safely out of the 50F water. 'No injuries, Kline added. 'Except for some wet, cold kids that needed to be handed back to their parents.' The ages of the children are not all known, but Kline said at least one was between 7 and 8 years old. While a tragedy was avoided in Santa Cruz, a search was underway for a woman swept out to sea at Pescadero State Beach while she was searching for mussels on rocks on the shoreline with her husband. Her husband was pulled to safety by a passer-by and rushed to hospital, according to the California Fire San Mateo Santa Cruz Unit Twitter account, but the woman was washed out to sea. The unit's helicopter provided air support during the search for the woman who was still missing. The same afternoon a San Jose man in his 30s went missing after being swept from the bluffs into the ocean in the Marin Headlands area off Point Bonita. The man and his friends were scrambling along the bluffs when the high surf caught him at about 2:30 p.m. National Park Rangers, Southern Marin Fire Protection District, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and lifeboat, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter were all part of the search for the man, which was hampered by extreme ocean conditions. The search was suspended after nightfall, but will resume in the morning, Golden Gate NPS reported. A spokesman for Santa Cruz Yacht Club could not be reached for comment. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will hold a virtual public hearing on Jan. 13 to take testimony regarding two permit applications for construction of Phase 1 of the PennEast Pipeline project. The PennEast pipeline is a proposed project to move natural gas from the Marcellus Shale region in northeast Pennsylvania to New Jersey. Plans call for the pipeline to cross four counties: Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe and Northampton. The total length of the pipeline would encompass 116 miles. Plans for Phase 1 of the project call for the construction of about 68 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline from Dallas Twp. through Carbon and Monroe counties into Bethlehem Twp. in Northampton County, according to a DEP news release. The permits under review include Chapter 102 for erosion and sediment control and Chapter 105 for water obstruction and encroachment. Both applications are under review by DEPs Regional Permit Coordination Office, the news release states. The hearing will be conducted remotely and will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 13. Testimony will be limited to Phase 1 of the project. Anyone who wants to register for the hearing may contact Colleen Connolly, community relations coordinator for DEPs Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre, at 570-826-2035 or by email at coconnolly@pa.gov. Registration for the virtual hearing will end at 6 p.m. on Jan. 12, which is 24 hours before the scheduled start of the hearing. A farmer has been handed a ten-year livestock ban after a court found him guilty of failing to dispose large amounts of deadstock. Harry Glyn Prosser, from Dulas in Herefordshire, has also been ordered to pay out over 5,000. The 69-year-old pleaded guilty to six animal welfare related charges in total. Council officers first attended the farm in 2019, where they found a large amount of dead cattle and sheep on the farm with many left where they had fallen. The live sheep and cattle had access to all of the farm, including the dead stock and other numerous hazards such as chemicals and broken glass. Mr Prosser was sentenced in September at Hereford Magistrates Court and received the 10 year ban, a fine of 1,800 with a victim surcharge of 180 and costs of 3,200. David Hough, Herefordshire Councils Trading Standards service manager, said the case was 'very serious'. He added that it took several visits by officers to get Mr Prosser to remove the deadstock. "The farmer has not provided a suitable environment for the livestock on the farm and allowed these animals to suffer without water and surrounded by deadstock. Herefordshire Council will continue to work with all livestock keepers to ensure that best practice is maintained on farms and small holdings," Mr Hough said. President-elect Joe Biden has named career diplomat William Burns as his choice to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency. If confirmed, Burns would be the nation's first-ever spy chief with a resume consisting mainly of State Department experience. Bill Burns is an exemplary diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage keeping our people and our country safe and secure, Biden said in a statement early Monday. He shares my profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical and that the dedicated intelligence professionals serving our nation deserve our gratitude and respect." Burns, 64, has held several senior leadership posts at the State Department under both Republican and Democratic presidents. Burns was the deputy secretary of state in the Barack Obama administration and undersecretary of state for political affairs before that. Burns also served as the US ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008, assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs from 2001 to 2005 and ambassador to Jordan from 1998 to 2001. He and Jake Sullivan, Bidens choice for national security adviser, spearheaded the secret talks with Iran that led to the landmark nuclear agreement that Tehran and world powers reached in 2015. Biden has pledged to rejoin the pact, which outgoing President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018, if Iran returns to strict compliance. At an Al-Monitor event in September 2019, Burns described Trumps withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal as a "foolish mistake" while making a powerful case for US diplomatic leadership in the region. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas doesnt apply in the Middle East, he said, adding, What happens there tends to spill over into the rest of the world. Burns retired from the State Department in 2014 to run the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a think tank in Washington. Burns has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration, penning several articles blasting what hes described as Trump's war on diplomacy. The veteran diplomat is the recipient of three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and holds the highest civilian honors from the Pentagon and the US intelligence community. After earning his masters and doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University, Burns entered the foreign service in 1982. Burns selection is in line with Bidens pattern of selecting career professionals and known quantities for top national security jobs in his administration. His nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, is a longtime aide who held senior foreign policy posts under Obama. Biden tapped Avril Haines, another familiar face who served as the CIA's deputy director under Obama from 2013-2015, as his director of national intelligence. Former CIA director under Obama John Brennan called Burns an enlightened selection with extensive experience working with the intelligence community. Bill Burns is one of the most principled & respected national security professionals of our time, Brennan tweeted. The CIA will be most fortunate to have him at the helm. Burns will replace Gina Haspel as CIA director if confirmed by the Senate. Haspel, the first woman to lead the intelligence agency, faced criticism in her confirmation hearings over the secret black site she ran in Thailand where al-Qaeda suspects were held under the CIAs controversial enhanced interrogation program. Michael Morell, a 30-year-veteran of the CIA and deputy director under Obama, was floated for the top job under Biden. Morell took himself out of the running amid progressive opposition, with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and others calling attention to his previous defense of the CIAs torture program and drone strikes. Obamas former national security adviser Tom Donilon and former CIA Deputy Director David Cohen were also reportedly under consideration to lead the agency. Biden, who takes office in less than two weeks, has asked the Senate to quickly confirm his national security nominees. Theyll have a smoother path to confirmation after Georgias runoff races last week gave the Democrats narrow control of the upper chamber. Immigration candidates were invited to apply to Saskatchewan's Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand streams. Saskatchewan issues 385 invitations in first 2021 PNP draw Immigration candidates were invited to apply to Saskatchewan's Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand streams. Saskatchewan issues 385 invitations in first 2021 PNP draw Immigration candidates were invited to apply to Saskatchewan's Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand streams. Saskatchewan issues 385 invitations in first 2021 PNP draw Immigration candidates were invited to apply to Saskatchewan's Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand streams. Alexandra Miekus Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Saskatchewan held a new draw on January 7, inviting immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited candidates from the International Skilled Worker category through two subcategories: Express Entry, and Occupations In-Demand. A total of 385 invitations were sent out to immigration candidates who had work experience in select occupations. A total of 148 were invited through the Express Entry sub-category, and 237 invitations went to Occupations In-Demand candidates. In order to be invited in this draw, candidates from both sub-categories needed to have submitted Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles with the SINP. Regardless of the category, invited candidates needed an EOI score of at least 71 in order to be invited. This is the provincial requirement, not the Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff. Invited candidates all had Educational Credential Assessments. Saskatchewan invited candidates who had work experience in one of 79 occupations. To see which occupations were included, go to the government webpage. Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration The SINP uses the EOI system to select the candidates that have the most potential to succeed in the regional labour market. Candidates need to demonstrate their commitment to building a life in Saskatchewan by showcasing their work experience, education, language ability, age, and connections to the province. Saskatchewan gives candidates a score out of 100 according to the International Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid. The highest-scoring candidates are then issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan. At the end of 2020, Saskatchewan introduced changes to its points system to give more EOI points to people who can speak English and French. Express Entry sub-category In the latest invitation round, Saskatchewan issued 148 invitations to candidates who had profiles in the federal Express Entry pool. The federal Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for three of Canadas main economic-class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. If candidates in the federal Express Entry pool also filled out an EOI for Saskatchewan, and they scored 71 on the SINPs Points Assessment Grid they may have been invited in the latest draw. Express Entry candidates who apply for and receive a provincial nomination from the province of Saskatchewan are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The same goes for any one of Canadas Provincial Nominee Programs that are aligned with Express Entry. Occupations In-Demand sub-category The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is open to immigration candidates who do not have a federal Express Entry profile. This program is for immigration candidates who have work experience in occupations that have labour shortages in Saskatchewan. There were 237 Occupations In-Demand candidates invited to apply for a provincial nomination, and like the Express Entry sub-category, candidates needed a provincial score of 71 in order to be chosen. Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. Contractor admits role in Sisseton housing project bribery scheme A contractor has admitted to his role in a bribery scheme and his partner has now been charged. Theres plenty to look forward to in 2021, like for instance leaving your house again with a bicep pumped full of vaccine. But until its safe to do so, television will be there, and thankfully 2021 holds a wealth of exciting new programming across the ever-expanding streaming landscape. Most networks dont share their full yearly release schedules, so some of these shows are only rumored to come out in 2021, but we've also included a few surefire hits that will be dropping in the next few months. Whether the coronavirus pandemic has derailed those longer-lead shows is uncertain, but with any luck, most of these shows will arrive on your screen in 2021. And if you're looking for something to binge now, check out our top shows of 2020 or the best ones we've seen so far in 2021. "Sasquatch" Hulu, April 20 The latest true crime docu-series from Hulu investigates three gruesome murders in the early 1990s on a Northern California cannabis farm that were rumored to be committed by the Sasquatch. Directed by Joshua Rofe ("Lorena") and starring gonzo journalist David Holthouse, it's more of a paranoid thriller than documentary, in which myth blends with reality in terrifying ways. "Selena" Netflix, May 4 There's no voice in Tejano music quite like Selena Quintanilla. As ubiquitous and beloved as anyone else in the genre, her legacy has also become a pop culture phenomenon that's, well, complicated. When the eponymous series dropped in 2020, it quickly became one of the most popular shows on Netflix, and the second season will likely also land immediately on the top of the streaming service's popularity list. Most of the cast will return as Selena's star continues to rise, but it's been reported that these episodes will be more about her life than death, so expect a third season to cover the end of her career. "The Underground Railroad" Amazon Prime Video, May 14 Based on the acclaimed novel by Colson Whitehead, director Barry Jenkins directs and produces this series that mixes historical fiction and fantasy, envisioning the underground railroad as not just a metaphor for routes enslaved people used to escape the South, but rather a literal series of tunnels and tracks hidden beneath the surface of the Earth. "Loki" Disney Plus, June 11 The God of Mischief has always taken a back seat to his brother Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but coming this summer on Disney Plus, Loki has the stage to himself. Tom Hiddleston, king of charismatic chaos, returns in the lead role with backup from Owen Wilson, who plays Mobius M. Mobius. Mobius' task is to enlist Loki to help protect the proper flow of time, but will no doubt fail at keeping the God of Mischief in check. Knopf "Station Eleven" HBO Max, 2021 This one might be a little too on the nose for 2021, but fans of post-apocalyptic fiction will be eager for the release of Station Eleven, regardless of whether theyve received the vaccine yet. Based on a 2014 novel by Canadian writer Emily St. John Mandel (who released The Glass Hotel in 2020, which is also great), Station Eleven follows a nomadic troupe of actors as they navigate an America thats been ravaged by a flu virus. Patrick Somerville will be the showrunner and also wrote the script (Maniac, The Leftovers), and so far the cast features Nabhaan Rizwan ("1917"), Mackenzie Davis (Halt and Catch Fire) and Himesh Patel (Tenet). AP "The Lord of the Rings" Amazon Prime, 2021 This is the big one. There would be no Game of Thrones without Lord of the Rings, be it the series of books or the subsequent HBO show, and Tolkiens epic fantasy world will be making a triumphant return sometime in 2021 (fingers crossed). At the helm are showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, who have worked on the Star Trek film franchise, other adaptations like Flash Gordon and Jungle Cruise staring Dwayne Johnson. Robert Aramayo (aka young Ned Stark) will play the lead role, and Joseph Mawle (Benjen Stark) will join his brother from the north as a villain reportedly named Oren. In terms of how it fits into the LOTR universe, well, thats complicated. It takes place in the Second Age (mostly), which is around when the one ring was created. Big baddie Sauron will be there to cause trouble, and Elrond Half-elven (Hugo Weaving in the films) and Galadriel (originally played by Cate Blanchett) will be in the mix as well. The release date is still uncertain, but theres already a large social media presence that will undoubtedly be slowly revealing more details over the next few months, including most recently a map of the world released in December. Steven Hirsch/Associated Press "Inventing Anna" Netflix, 2021 Theres few character archetypes as fun to watch on screen as a grifter. Notorious from a 2018 article in The Cut, Anna Delvey (whose real named turned out to be Anna Sorokin) cozied up to New York City socialites for years under the false guise of a German heiress, living a lavish lifestyle by fraudulently applying for and receiving multimillion dollar loans until the grift finally caught up with her and landed her in jail for four to 12 years. Julia Garner ("Ozark") is cast as the lead, and Shonda Rhimes will executive produce the series. "Devil in the White City" Hulu, 2021 Fans of true crime already have plenty in their streaming queues (not to mention a podcast list a mile long), but Hulu snagged up one of the crown jewels of the genre with The Devil in the White City, which focuses on Americas first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, who ran a "hotel" near the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago. The story was most famously chronicled in a novel by Erik Larson published in 2003, which was a best seller and attracted big-name talent to the project, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, who will executive produce the film. Other details are slim at this point, but expect it to be Hulus marquee show of the year (if COVID-19 hasnt pushed it to 2022). "Time Bandits" Apple TV+, 2021 Director Terry Gilliam has been relatively quiet since his 1980s and '90s glory helming Brazil and Monty Python (whatever you do, avoid 2013s Zero Theorem), but hopefully 2021 will be a return to form as he revives one of his most iconic films, the 1981 time travel adventure comedy Time Bandits. Hes on co-writing duties for the Apple TV+ series, alongside the New Zealand director Taika Waititi, the comedic genius behind What We Do in the Shadows, Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit. Apple hasnt released any other details about the show, but expect it to resemble the film, in which an 11-year-old boy discovers a time portal in his wardrobe that leads him to a group of dwarves traveling through history to find The Most Fabulous Object in the World. "Only Murders in the Building" Hulu, 2021 In addition to The Devil in the White City, Hulu has a second true crime trick up their sleeve. Only Murders in the Building comes from the mind of Steve Martin, who will star alongside Martin Short and Selena Gomez in a comedy that follows three true crime-addicted strangers who live in the same apartment building and, surprise, become entangled in a true crime mystery of their own (which presumably involves murder). Theres not yet a trailer or any promotional materials, but Selena Gomez was spotted on a COVID-safe set recently in New York City. "Jupiters Legacy" Netflix, 2021 Naturally this list is heavy on superhero shows, and just when you think the canon of caped crusaders has been milked dry, a new challenger flies into the arena. Its likely not many viewers have heard of Millarworld, but Netflix is hedging that the Scottish company founded in 2004 is the new frontier of superhero franchises. Their biggest adaptations to date are the offbeat 2010 film Kick-Ass (produced in conjunction with Marvel) and the Kingsman series, but Netflixs 2017 acquisition of the company means youll see many more of their comics come to the screen. First on deck is Jupiters Legacy, about a generation of heroes who gained their powers in the 1930s and their children, who are faced with living up to their parents' legacy. Acting Australian Prime Minister Critical of Big Tech Trump Ban Australias Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack has criticized social media giant Twitter for banning U.S. President Donald Trump from its platform. McCormack told ABC radio on Monday that it was not up to Big Tech to decide whose voices were heard. I dont believe in that sort of censorship, the National Party leader said. Theres been a lot of people who have said and done a lot of things on Twitter previously that havent received that sort of condemnation or indeed censorship, he added. In fact, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijians controversial Twitter post, which sparked national and international outrage, is still pinned to the top of his feed. The post featured a doctored image of an Australian soldier smiling and slitting the throat of a young child, the post was published at a sensitive time as the Australian Defence Force was investigating war crime allegations. Twitter on Friday permanently removed Trumps account claiming it violated its Glorification of Violence Policy. The move came soon after civil unrest unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said it was about time social media companies banned Trump. Its about time that people werent given a platform to spread hatred, to spread lies, which has had consequences for [other] people, he told the ABC. Social media giants Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have issued temporary bans on Trump. Meanwhile, Google, Apple, and Amazon have suspended competing platform Parler from their services, accusing the app of not properly moderating the content of its users. Parler has attracted a large following of classical liberal and conservative-leaning users. Parler CEO John Matze said there was a double standard at play. Twitter let Hang Mike Pence trend the same day Parler was banned from Google the double standard is obvious, he told The Epoch Times. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has called for clearer rules to determine what content is acceptable on social media. The ACCC has worked extensively to rein in the power of Google and Facebook in Australia, most notably it is implementing a code that will force both companies to pay news media publishers for content. Queensland Member for Parliament George Christensen has started an online petition in response to the ban. We ask that, as a matter of urgency, you (Communications Minister Paul Fletcher) legislate to ensure Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms can no longer ban, censor, suspend, fact-check or shadow ban users for posting content which is lawful in Australia, the petition read. The Taoiseach has defended the Governments response to the pandemic after figures revealed Ireland has the worlds highest incidence of confirmed new Covid-19 cases per million people. In the last week, Ireland has had 10,100 confirmed cases of coronavirus per million people, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University in the US. Irelands rate of Covid-19 has skyrocketed in recent weeks, which has been blamed on the lifting of restrictions over the Christmas period and the prevalence of the highly transmissible UK variant of the virus. It has put enormous pressure on the health service, with ambulances lined up outside Letterkenny University Hospital and a warning from Health Service Executive (HSE) boss Paul Reid that the situation is now beyond strain. It's very challenging and it's very serious and our focus really is on getting this current wave under control Micheal Martin Speaking on Monday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin rejected an assertion that he should be ashamed of his Governments performance. Im not and I think thats an unfair presentation and assertion, he told Pat Kenny on Newstalk. Mr Martin said he believes the Government has always responded effectively to the latest wave and to the latest surge of this particular virus. He continued: Of course we accept our responsibilities. But we have acted at all times, I think, effectively in responding to the various waves that have emerged. Were doing that very resolutely and very firmly and very clearly, with our public health colleagues, and with all of those on the front line. Its very challenging and its very serious and our focus really is on getting this current wave under control, getting the numbers down and getting transmission of the virus down, relieving pressures on our hospitals and protecting the vulnerable and the elderly in our community. He added: Thats my entire focus now. Over time, people can reflect on this and can make their observations and conclusions. But my focus now is working with my Government colleagues to deal with it. Ireland now ranks ahead of the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Panama in terms of weekly cases. I've always tried to balance #COVID19 messages.I know everyone is finding it all very tough.But the situation in our hospitals,(1,582 patients,145 in ICU), is now beyond strain. To avoid getting sick, protect your family & healthcare workers please, please stay at home. @HSELive Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 11, 2021 Read More Mr Martin told the programme that the UK variant of the virus was present in 45% of the most recent 92 samples that underwent additional testing. Two weeks earlier, the variant was found in 25% of cases, and in just 9% of cases a fortnight previous to that, highlighting how quickly the strain has spread. Meanwhile, HSE chief executive Mr Reid warned that hospital services are now beyond strain. Writing on Twitter, he said: Ive always tried to balance #COVID19 messages. I know everyone is finding it all very tough. But the situation in our hospitals,(1,582 patients,145 in ICU), is now beyond strain. To avoid getting sick, protect your family & healthcare workers please, please stay at home. Earlier, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said January would be the darkest month the health service has faced. The best thing we can do to help is to stay at home, if at all possible, to buy us some time so that we can get the vaccine to those who need it the most Tanaiste Leo Varadkar Mr Varadkar warned that the third wave will be worse than the first, and said the first two months of the year will be a very, very rocky period for the health service. He told Dermot And Dave on Today FM: The best thing we can do to help is to stay at home, if at all possible, to buy us some time so that we can get the vaccine to those who need it the most. The Tanaiste added: The situation is very serious, with nearly 1,600 patients in hospital at the moment, who have Covid. We still have over 500 beds available across the system. 127 in ICU with 38 available. So were very much under pressure, but we are coping. The worry that we have is the situation is still deteriorating. The latest figures on Sunday saw eight further deaths and an additional 6,888 new cases of the virus reported by the Department of Health. Hyderabad: After more than a nine-month gap due to COVID-19 outbreak, classes from 9th to 12th standard and in private and government colleges in Telangana will resume from February 1 as Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao gave the nod on Monday. "Resume classes from 9th standard upwards in all private and government educational institutions from February 1. "Classes should be held for the students of 10th, Intermediate, Degree, and other professional courses," an official release quoted Rao as saying during a meeting with ministers and district Collectors. Classes in schools and colleges have remained closed since the coronavirus induced lockdown in March in 2020. He said the Collectors should take steps to keep the educational institutions clean as they have remained closed for long and get them ready for reopening by January 25. Also, it should be ensured that food supplied to the institutions was not rotten, he said. He instructed ministers to visit SC, ST, BC welfare hostels and ensure they are fit for students to stay. On other issues, he instructed officials to immediately address all revenue department related issues and make necessary changes, including additions, to the 'Dharani' portal on land administration within a week. Referring to bird flu, he asked officials to be alert in view of the spread of the disease in other states. He directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to hold a meeting with officials on Tuesday on preventive measures, though bird flu has not hit the state so far, the release said. Live TV Brittany Cartwright opened up about how she's dealing with morning sickness amid her pregnancy. The Bravo star, 31, took to Instagram stories with a picture of a partitioned plastic container with fresh vegetables including broccoli, tomatoes and carrots, indicating it's all her stomach can handle as she's expecting. 'No large meals here anymore,' the former Vanderpump Rules personality said. 'Eating small snacks throughout the day is the only way I can keep my food down now.' The latest: Brittany Cartwright, 31, opened up about how she's dealing with morning sickness amid her pregnancy Cartwright, who's been wed to Jax Taylor, 41, since 2019, said she hoped to impart advice to other women who are expecting. 'This may help some of you other mommy to be's going through all day "morning sickness" like me too!' the Kentucky native said in a caption to the pic, as she snacked while taking a bath. Earlier in the weekend, Cartwright posted a shot in which she cradled her baby bump with her spouse who said, 'He's kicking right now?' She noted that she felt the kicking 'every time The Office theme song comes on' and the baby hears. Earlier this month, Cartwright posed in a set of glam shots, emphasizing the need for primping and self-care amid the uncertain times Happy times: The Bravo star shared fan art someone sent of her patting her baby bump Earlier this month, Cartwright posed in a set of glam shots, emphasizing the need for primping and self-care amid the uncertain times. 'I got glammed up and did a selfie shoot lol it's important to feel confident in your body especially during quarantine + pregnancy,' she said. 'Everything is growing- my lips, my feet, my belly, my boobs lol! She continued: 'Getting some makeup on and your hair done can make a huge difference in your mood, I know this first hand! Im feeling good today and getting excited for a maternity shoot!! I need ideas so comment below if you have any good ones.' Cartwright and Taylor revealed they were expecting this past September. Earlier in the weekend, Cartwright posted a shot in which she cradled her baby bump Three children have been rescued from the English Channel after Border Force sent out a boat to stop crossings following the arrival of 160 migrants on the weekend. They were among 30 people picked up in French waters, after their boat was spotted by a ferry. Border Force officers were also active off the UK coast on Monday. It comes after at least 160 migrants successfully crossed to Kent and Sussex over the weekend. Calm winds at the coast saw several small boats make it into UK waters across the two days despite the cold weather. A number of children are believed to have been among a few dozen migrants who were brought to Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on Saturday. Police and immigration officials were in the seaside town to meet the arrivals, who were wrapped up in coats and wearing face masks. A number of children are believed to have been among a few dozen migrants who were brought to Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on Saturday (pictured) A Border Force officer carries a person to shore yesterday HMC Searcher, one of four cutter ships patrolling UK waters, arrives at the Port of Dover in Kent Border Force ship was seen off the coast of Kent this morning One young migrant in a grey blanket was seen being carried by a police officer on dry land following the search and rescue operation. The latest crossings - the most so far in 2021 - come after a record 8,417 last year. Home Secretary Priti Patel and her department have made continued vows to make the dangerous Channel route "unviable". Across Saturday and Sunday the Home Office reported that 160 people made it to the UK on board 10 boats. Meanwhile, French authorities monitoring migrant activity on the other side of the Dover Strait intercepted seven boats carrying 67 people. On Monday morning, the Border Force cutter Searcher was recorded moving off the coast of Kent. On Saturday afternoon police supported Border Force staff in receiving a number of people suspected of not having authority to enter the UK, who had been on a vessel towed safely by the RNLI into Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne,' A spokesman for the force told the news outlet. 'Those detained are being taken into custody and care by Border Force for further enquiries.' Emergency services received reports of a vessel 'with approximately 30 people on board' in difficulty about 23 miles south of Beachy Head. Pictured: A person is helped ashore Pictured: Migrants arrive at theSovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, East Sussex on Saturday, after a rescue operation was launched to save a boat 'in difficulty' Facilities at the harbour were being made ready to bring the people ashore earlier today following the emergency call. In its full statement to the MailOnline, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: 'HM Coastguard has been coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident 23 miles south of Beachy Head. 'A report was received just after midday that a vessel with approximately 30 people on board was in difficulty. We sent Eastbourne and Newhaven RNLI lifeboats, and Bexhill, Eastbourne and Langdon Battery Coastguard Rescue Teams. 'HM Coastguard is only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities.' The Home Office told the MailOnline that UK authorities dealt with six incidents involving 103 people on Saturday, while French authorities prevented three boats with 29 people on board entering UK waters. Pictured: A lifeguard helps a young migrant down a flight of steps off a lifeboat on Saturday The department said it would comment later on the specific incident. Yesterday's crossing comes after the first migrants crossed The Channel last week after the UK's exit from the EU. One boat carrying around 10 people was intercepted and brought into Dover Marina, Kent, shortly before 5am on January 2. Border Force towed the blue and white rigid hulled inflatable boat into the harbour before escorting the migrants up the gangway to be processed. In 2020, four times as many migrants made the dangerous crossing than in 2019, official figures show, with more than 8,400 making the dangerous crossing, up from 1,844 the previous year. In response to the MailOnline's request for comment, Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: 'People should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and not risk their lives making a dangerous and illegally-facilitated crossing. 'The Government has taken substantial steps to tackle this unacceptable problem of illegal migration. These efforts have contributed to a 70% reduction in crossings since September on fair-weather days, by direct intervention on the French beaches. This means that we have been able to change the patterns of crossings that resulted in a surge of small boat activity 2018 and 2019. 'Post EU exit, this Government will work to fix the broken asylum system. Legislative changes to the law are being made to enable cases to be treated as inadmissible if they have travelled through a safe country. The Government will continue to seek to return those with no legal right to remain in the UK.' Democrats began the process of impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time on Monday if Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet do not remove him from office. Democrats introduced a resolution calling on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment of the Constitution and remove Trump from the White House. Republicans blocked an immediate vote on the resolution and Democrats followed up by introducing an article of impeachment of Trump for "incitement of insurrection" over his role in Wednesday's storming of the US Capitol. Trump would face a single charge "incitement of insurrection" over the riot at the Capitol, according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. A violent mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. If one vital function of art is to shake things up, look no further than an exhibition last year at the Museum of Art and Design at Miami Dade College in Florida. It was the first survey in the United States of work by Forensic Architecture, a London-based research group known for using three-dimensional renderings of buildings and streetscapes to investigate potential human rights violations and other incidents. The group had examined, for example, the fatal shooting of a Palestinian teenager by an Israeli border guard, evidence of the Russian military presence in eastern Ukraine and U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan. Now, as part of the exhibition, Forensic Architecture planned to use the small museum as a staging area for an investigation of the nearby Homestead Emergency Care Shelter. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Medical University of South Carolina to suspend clinical rotations used to train students in health care settings, Alan Snyder had an idea. He was third-year medical student this past spring and was in the middle of a dermatology rotation when he was sent home and required to transition to online learning. But instead of sitting back and letting the pandemic run its course, Snyder devised a new way to reach patients. Using an artificial intelligence model developed by Jvion, a Georgia-based health care AI firm, Snyder combined Census tract information with the MUSC patient database to identify thousands of adults who faced a high risk of developing serious complications should they contract COVID-19. But this was just the start. Snyder then mobilized more than 150 volunteers, ranging from students to retirees, across the state to call these at-risk patients and educate them about coronavirus safety protocols. Over the course of 41 days last year, these volunteers made 1,370 calls to 814 patients and were able to help more than 50 percent of "extremely high-risk patients" activate their online MyChart accounts, which are used to store electronic medical records and connect patients with their providers. Not only that, in a few cases, the volunteers associated with the project were able to pinpoint cases of elder abuse and medical emergencies and connect patients with social workers and care almost immediately. "Necessity brings out innovation," said Snyder, now completing his fourth and final year at MUSC. "I was scared. How could I help other people? Thats my job as a health care professional. It seems like something that was useful for my time." 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! Dr. Lancer Scott, the section chief of emergency medicine at the VA hospital in Charleston and a faculty member at MUSC, said when he first heard about Snyder's idea for the project, "the hairs stood up on the back of my neck." "Find me a group in this state that is working on preventive measures on the front end of COVID instead of contact tracing on the back end," Scott said. That's what makes Snyder's idea so unique, he said. "Its not just a model for COVID. ... It's a model for vulnerable populations," Scott said. "If there was a Nobel Prize for medical students, Alan should get it. Its really amazing." Snyder presented his results (remotely) during the virtual American Medical Association Research Symposium in December. He is currently applying to residency programs and crunching data collecting through his project to determine if the outreach to patients did, in fact, prevent any COVID-related hospitalizations or deaths. "There are a lot of people behind the scenes who put their heart and time into this," Snyder said. "Its something that Im really proud of." An American flag flies at half-mast above the White House (Patrick Semansky/AP) President Donald Trump faces a single charge incitement of insurrection over the deadly riot at the US Capitol, according to a draft of the articles. Politicians are set to introduce the legislation on Monday, with voting in midweek. Ms Pelosis leadership team also will seek a quick vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. The four-page impeachment bill draws from Mr Trumps own false statements about his election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden; his pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes; and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters to fight like hell before they stormed the building on Wednesday. A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing politicians to scatter as they were finalising Mr Bidens victory over Mr Trump in the Electoral College. President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government, the legislation said. The bill from Representatives David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Mr Trump threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power and betrayed trust. He will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, they wrote. Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat, said on Monday on CBS: We need to move forward with alacrity. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Mr Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to force him out, warning that Mr Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. The House should act to begin impeachment proceedings. It's the only instrument wholly within our power to remove a president who has so manifestly and repeatedly violated the Constitution. Every effort must be made to protect the country from further harm. pic.twitter.com/ym4YpiXkDd Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 8, 2021 A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska over the weekend in calling for Mr Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Politicians warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20. Mr Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Mr Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat, Ms Pelosi said in a letter late on Sunday to colleagues emphasising the need for quick action. The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action. During an interview on 60 Minutes aired on Sunday, Ms Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon: Its over. Thats what has to happen now, she said. Expand Close Mike Pence (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mike Pence (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Mr Pence has given no indication he would act on the 25th Amendment. If he does not, the House would move towards impeachment. Mr Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Mr Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of politicians say that step is necessary to ensure Mr Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Mr Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. Ms Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Mr Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Senator Roy Blunt did not go that far but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. Expand Close President Donald Trump (Evan Vucci/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Donald Trump (Evan Vucci/AP) On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Mr Biden to focus on other priorities. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to talk about ridiculous things like Lets impeach a president with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would vote the right way if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Mr Trumps presidential record, for the second time, with the indelible mark of impeachment advanced rapidly after the riot. Mr Cicilline, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Mr Trump of inciting insurrection, said his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. Potentially complicating MS Pelosis decision about impeachment was what it meant for Mr Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Mr Trump as unfit for office, Mr Biden sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did is for them to decide. 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 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! George HW Bushs Sister, Nancy Bush Ellis, Dies From COVID-19 Complications Nancy Bush Ellis, the sister of former President George HW Bush, died on Jan. 10 at the age of 94 due to complications related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a family member said. Her son, Alexander Ellis, said Sunday that she was first hospitalized on Dec. 30 with a fever before she tested positive for the disease. Ellis, the aunt of former President George W. Bush, died at an assisted living facility in Concord, Massachusetts, he told The New York Times. Although the 94-year-olds COVID-19 symptoms disappeared within days, her general health failed to improve, he said. We are sad to share that President Bushs beloved sister, Nancy Bush Ellis, has passed away. Our condolences and prayers are with the Ellis and Bush families as we remember a remarkable woman who brought joy and light to the world, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation wrote in a statement. Ellis, an environmentalist, was hugely supportive of both her brother and nephew despite being a Democrat for years and serving as the head of the New England section of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, her son said. She was a wonderfully energetic campaigner and cheerleader for her brother after George H.W. Bush announced his 1979 presidential run, Alexander told the NY Times. She was a Democrat for whom family came first, Jon Meacham, the official biographer for the 41st president, told the news outlet. Shes a part of this great American ethos thats almost entirely gone, Meacham added. She was the best kind of aristocrat. There was a sense of service without a shred of snobbery. Born in Milton, Massachusetts, on Feb. 4, 1926, Ellis graduated from Vassar College in 1946. She is survived by her 89-year-old brother, Jonathan James Bush, 89, her three sons: Alexander, John Prescott Ellis, and Josiah Wear Ellis; her daughter, Nancy Walker Ellis Black; as well as nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Alexander Ellis Jr., died aged 67 in 1989. Medical professionals have been told by national health authorities to make sure to report COVID-19 on the death certificate for victims if the disease is determined to be the cause of death. There are different sections on the death certificate for the immediate cause of death, and the conditions that led to the immediate cause of death. Most deaths among people who test positive for COVID-19 come from the elderly. The vast majority of patients survive. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. People with severe symptoms, such as an inability to stay awake and persistent pain in the chest, should immediately seek emergency medical care, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. More than 140 congressional Republicans voted not to seat electors President-elect Joe Biden duly won, even after the deadly invasion of the Capitol. One of them though, has stuck out above the rest for receiving castigation over what happened: Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. Hawley has become a symbol of how far the Republican Party went to stay in the good graces of outgoing President Donald Trump's supporters. And his critics, both on the left and a growing number in his own party, see Hawley's positions in particular as dangerous. He's lost major donors and supporters and a book deal; his home state newspaper said he had "blood on his hands"; and at least one Democratic senator has called on Hawley to resign. Here's exactly why Hawley is being singled out. - He was the first senator to sign on to challenge the results We knew for weeks before Congress met on Jan. 6 that dozens of House Republicans were going to raise objections to states' electors, based on baseless election fraud claims. But under the law governing this process, those challenges would immediately fall flat without a senator co-challenging the results. With a senator signing on, it halts the process of counting votes and forces the House and Senate to debate and vote on the challenges. There was never enough support even in the Republican-controlled Senate to sustain these challenges. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had urged his fellow Republicans not to give them more oxygen anyway. The election was over, and it would only force Republican senators into a politically difficult vote to say as much. Hawley didn't listen. He announced a week before Congress was to meet that he'd be challenging the results. His reasoning was disingenuous for two reasons. He said Democratic challenges to electoral results are common - that is true, but only on the House side. It had been 15 years since a Democratic senator challenged results. Her fellow Democrats voted then-Sen. Barbara Boxer, Calif., down rather than join in. It also didn't happen in the context of an outgoing president trying to strong-arm his way into staying in power. Hawley argued that the results in Pennsylvania in particular - perhaps the most crucial swing state Trump lost - were in question because the state changed its voting laws for the pandemic. Hawley argued that Pennsylvania wasn't following "its own election laws," ignoring the fact that the GOP legislature and Democratic governor agreed to change them. Also, many states - blue and red - changed how to vote in a pandemic. Especially in heavily litigated Pennsylvania, courts upheld those changes. The courts upheld both the new voting procedures in challenges before the election and the results after Trump's campaign attempted to challenge them. One of the Trump campaign's most brutal legal flameouts happened in Pennsylvania, at the pen of a conservative judge. - He broke the dam for other Republicans considering presidential runs Hawley is widely assumed to be running for president in 2024, and he appeared to calculate that hewing closely to Trump was necessary for his future political ambitions. A few days later, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, led 10 other senators in announcing they'd also hold up electoral college results by challenging them. Would Cruz and others have signed on to the objections without Hawley doing it first? Possibly. Trump was in talks with new Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to do it. But someone had to be first, and it was Hawley. - After the riot, he doubled down rather than back down like other Republicans Shaken lawmakers got back together in the Capitol hours after the riot - debris still strewn about and windows still broken - to resume their legal duty to certify Biden's win. Fourteen senators before the invasion had signaled they'd support challenges. Afterward, a half dozen of those changed their minds. And it was Hawley still leading the way. Taking to the Senate floor that Wednesday night, he was unapologetic about questioning election results, despite the fact McConnell had warned earlier in the day that if the objections overturned results, that would put democracy "in a death spiral." "I hope that this body will not miss the opportunity to take affirmative action to address the concerns of so many millions of Americans," Hawley said when the debate finally resumed, explaining why he was protesting Arizona's results. What he and others fail to mention, and what became sharply clear after the violence of Wednesday, is that the "concerns" Hawley speaks of didn't arise because of how the election was carried out. Trump's own former attorney general said he saw no major issues, and dozens of court challenges affirmed the results. It was Trump's unfounded claims the election was stolen, tacitly supported by lawmakers like Hawley, who raised unfounded claims there was widespread election fraud, that drove such "concerns." They ultimately manifested in a historic breech of democracy. "You say it and say it and say it and say it," Biden said in the wake of the attacks, about Senate Republicans' culpability in getting to this point. "The degree to which it becomes corrosive is in direct proportion to the number of people who say it." Hawley wasn't the first GOP lawmaker, nor will he be the last, to question democratic norms without evidence in the Trump era and post-Trump era. But he made himself the most prominent, and that's why he's getting singled out. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine)-functionalized sub-2 m core-shell microspheres for the analysis of N-phosphoproteome. Credit: JIANG Bo and HU Yechen Protein N-phosphorylation plays a critical role in central metabolism and two/multicomponent signaling of prokaryotes. Furthermore, it exists as intermediates of some important enzymes in mammals. However, the current enrichment methods for O-phosphopeptides are not preferred for N-phosphopeptides due to the intrinsic lability of P-N bond under acidic conditions. Therefore, the effective N-phosphoproteome analysis remains challenging. Recently, a research group led by Prof. Zhang Lihua and Pro. Zhang Yukui from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) proposed a rapid and effective N-phosphopeptides enrichment strategy. Their study was published in Nature Communications on Dec. 4. Inspired by naturally occurring phosphatases, which provide specific Zn(II)-central enzymatic pockets to bind phosphate units of substrates, the researchers designed bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine) molecular (DpaZn) for phosphate targets recognition under neutral conditions. Combing the fast mass transfer ability of sub-2 m core-shell silica microspheres, DpaZn-functionalized sub-2 m core-shell silica microspheres (SiO 2 @DpaZn) were designed for on-tip N-phosphopeptides enrichment under neutral conditions. In total, 3,384 N-pho sites, containing 611 pHis, 1618 pLys and 1155 pArg, were identified from HeLa cell lysates. The new N-phosphorylated proteome analysis method provides not only basic data for in-depth study of its biological function, but also technical support for promoting the development of precision medicine, synthetic biology and other fields. Explore further Researchers use nanotubes to better understand diseases More information: Yechen Hu et al. Bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine)-functionalized sub-2 m core-shell microspheres for the analysis of N-phosphoproteome, Nature Communications (2020). Journal information: Nature Communications Yechen Hu et al. Bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine)-functionalized sub-2 m core-shell microspheres for the analysis of N-phosphoproteome,(2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20026-1 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 the context of favorable conditions on the stock market which saw the indices rising sharply over the past eight months, getting listed at the moment will give banks better valuation and make it easier for them to attract greater cash flows, especially when bank stocks are now a powerful magnet constantly in the spotlight. Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB) has become the 20th bank to list on a stock exchange and the 13th active on the Hochiminh Stock Exchange. Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB) started trading more than 1.17 billion shares officially on the HOSE on December 23, 2020 at the reference price of VND15,000 each, making them the 20th bank to list on a stock exchange and the 13th active on the southern HCMC Stock Exchange. Reportedly, after their listing, MSB will proceed with a plan to offer 82.5 million treasury shares to their current shareholders. One day after MSB, 300 million shares of Petrolimex Group Commercial Joint Stock Bank (PGBank) were officially available on the UPCoM, at the reference price of VND15,500 each on the first trading day. That means after their intended merger with VietinBank had fallen through and the plan to become one with HDBank had failed to make considerable progress, PGBank went public in search of more opportunities to facilitate its capital mobilization plans more easily. Meanwhile, An Binh Commercial Joint Stock Bank has recently been granted a certificate of securities registration by the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD) with the stock code ABB. It seeks to take more than 571.3 million shares to the UPCoM in the coming time. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank) has finalized the list of shareholders and submitted the application to offer nearly 1.2 billion shares on the HOSE. Likewise, Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB) also built a plan to list on the southern bourse in end-2020. Towards the end of 2020, the fact that banks rushed to list on the stock exchange was accelerating. Earlier, Viet Capital Bank (BVB) made their stock market debut on July 9, followed by Nam A Bank (NAB) on October 9 and Saigon Bank for Industry and Trade (SGB) on October 15, all choosing the UPCoM for their initial transactions. In 2019, Vietbank was the only entity to list successfully, the number of banks active in the stock market in 2020 was much larger. In addition, banks switch of listing exchange has been on the rise recently and has also been a positive catalyst for stock prices. For example, Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) has just moved from the HNX to the HOSE, VIB and LienVietPostBank from the UPCoM to the HOSE, whereas SHB and NAB are looking to change to the HOSE soon so that their capital mobilization plans can be carried out more smoothly. Better valuation in favorable conditions Both the strategy for the development of the banking industry of Vietnam until 2025, with a vision to 2030, approved by the Prime Minister in August 2018, and the project to restructure the stock market and the insurance market until 2020, with a vision to 2025, ratified in late February 2019, require shares of all commercial joint stock banks to be listed on a stock exchange by 2020. Given that deadline, it is understandable why many banks were rushing to list on the stock market on the last days of the year. More importantly, in the context of favorable conditions on the stock market which saw the indices rising sharply over the past eight months, getting listed at the moment will give banks better valuation and make it easier for them to attract greater cash flows, especially when bank stocks are now a powerful magnet constantly in the spotlight. Statistics show that banking is among the industries posting the highest growth rates and their highly-valuable stocks have formed a group that is leading the market to a new high. The fact that a series of banks have recently listed on the stock market with a relatively high reference price forces the market to change their point of view and re-evaluate the shares of those already listed for a long time. For instance, when being listed, small banks such as BVB, NAB, and SGB set the reference price at around VND15,000 per share, equivalent to the trading price at that time of MBBanka bank with a much larger scale and greater business efficiencya move unacceptable by MBBank's shareholders. In reality, the stock price of MBBank has since then steadily gone up and is now standing at VND23,000 per share. Similarly, HDBank, VPBank, VIB and Techcombank all made a major breakthrough in the same period. As their business has been constantly brisk so far despite the impact of Covid-19, banks are in the best time to capture attention when they get listed. Take MSB for example. Before its official listing date, this bank said their 11-month accumulated pre-tax profit had reached more than VND2.3 trillion, 60% above their target for this year and up 116% year-on-year. Moreover, MSB said they would sign an exclusive insurance distribution contract in the first quarter of 2021, and then probably completely divest from FCCOM, a financial company. These positive pieces of information could be an important catalyst for MSB to attract investors when they go public. When taking into account the fact that ACB's exclusive bancassurance contract with Sun Life Insurance Company Limited and VPBank's departure from FE Credit has resulted in a sharp increase in their stock prices recently, investors are holding high expectations for the upcoming IPO of MSB. Last but not least, banking remained the leading sector in terms of profit growth in the first nine months of 2020. JP Morgan maintained their view of high growth for Vietnamese banks in a recent report, saying that Vietnamese banks were their favorite in the region. This financial institution also forecasts the earnings per share (EPS) and target price of Vietnamese banks will go up, expecting their asset quality will remain stable in the next two years. Regarding bad debts due to the impact of Covid-19, Vietcombank Securities Company believes that even when Circular 01/2020/TT-NHNN expires, the percentage of restructured loans turning into bad debts will be small, as many borrowers have seen recovery in their production and business activities. Since Vietnams economy has recently improved, a group of borrowers who have undergone restructuring in accordance with Circular 01 now regain cash flows and start paying interest again after they received some extension in the second quarter. SGT Thuy Le 2020 not a good year for bank stock debuts Debuting on a new bourse may give a boost to the stock price, but the market reactions were not quite positive for the banks doing so in 2020. Shocking footage has revealed the moment a trapped minke whale was drowned by fisherman who forced the helpless animal underwater for 20 minutes off the coast of Taiji, a Japanese town notorious for dolphin butchery. Animal rights campaigners have condemned the killing of the young whale, which was held captive in fishing nets for 19 days before its murder, according to the Humane Society International (HSI). Witness reports initially suggested the whale had been killed by an exploding harpoon, but examination of footage revealed that the animal had been held underwater to suffocate. Shocking footage has revealed the moment a trapped minke whale was drowned by fisherman who forced the helpless animal underwater for 20 minutes off the coast of Taiji, a Japanese town notorious for dolphin butchery After the killing, the whale was lifted onto a fishing boat and wrapped in blue tarpaulin before being delivered for butchering. Ren Yabuki, director of Live Investigation Agency, had been documenting the whale's ordeal and captured the moment it was killed. 'Oh, no! The fishermen have killed the minke whale now,' an emotional Yabuki can be heard saying. 'I'm so sorry... Oh no, oh Jesus.' Mr Yabuki had watched the fishermen tie a rope around the whale's tail fin and force its head beneath the water where it took around 20 minutes to die. Death in such situations is usually because the whale clamps its blowhole shut and suffocates. After the killing, the whale was lifted onto a fishing boat and wrapped in blue tarpaulin before being delivered for butchering. 'We feel saddened by this dreadful outcome. It is soul-destroying to think that by merely lifting the net three weeks ago, this poor animal could have been swimming free instead of being trapped in prolonged distress only to be killed and butchered for commercial sale in local markets,' said Georgia Dolphin, HSI Australias animal welfare program manager. The HSI believes the whale was deliberately entrapped the whale since December 24th under the guise of 'by-catch'. 'While we mourn the tragic passing of this animal, we know that a similar brutal end comes to many more whales off the coast of Japan every year. They are the silent victims of Japan's continued commercial whaling. What was rare was for it to be witnessed,' Ms Dolphin added. 'HSI believes that deliberately entrapping whales for prolonged periods under the guise of 'by-catch' is inhumane and we call on the people of Japan to speak out against this cruelty.' The minke whale pictured on the 17th day that it was trapped in a set of fishing nets in Taiki, Kapan Animal rights campaigners have condemned the killing of the young whale, which was held captive in fishing nets for 19 days before its murder, according to the Humane Society International (HSI) The commercial killing of whales is subject to a global ban, but Japan left the International Whaling Commission in 2019 which allows them to continue killing the whales. Subsequently, Japanese fishermen brought back their first whale in 31 years after commercial whaling was reintroduced following a decades-long hiatus in July 2019. Whaling has long proved a rare diplomatic flashpoint for Tokyo, which says the practice is a Japanese tradition that should not be subject to international interference. As an IWC member, Japan was banned from commercial hunts of large whales, though it could catch small varieties in waters near its coastline. But it also exploited a loophole in the body's rules to carry out highly controversial hunts of whales in protected Antarctic waters under the banner of 'scientific research'. Japanese whaling ships leaving a Kushiro Port to begin a commercial whale hunt for the first time in 31 years in July 2019 Activists said the hunts had no scientific value, and Japan made no secret of the fact that meat from whales caught on those hunts ended up sold for consumption. The country has since stopped its controversial hunts in Antarctica. 'The commercial killing of whales is subject to a global ban, but Japan has sought to escape the ban by leaving the International Whaling Commission,' Ms Dolphin said. 'Consequently, they continue to kill whales for commercial purposes completely outside of the framework of international law. 'We will continue to call on the Japanese government to bring an end to all forms of commercial whaling and dolphin hunting due to the immense animal cruelty caused.' Japan's government recently issued quotas for the country's commercial whaling operations for 2021, setting the catch limit of large whales at 383, according to the HSI. The quota allows a catch limit of 171 minke whales including a potential 'by-catch' of 37. They also allow for the capture of 187 Bryde's whales and 25 Sei whales. The Japanese town of Taiji where the most recent minke whale was killed already attracts substantial criticism since it is home to 'dolphin dive hunts'. The area is the largest exporter of wild-caught dolphins in the world, supplying marine parks globally. Alfred A. Knopf announced on Monday that Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat and former presidential candidate, will write about monopolies and her recommendations for how they should be challenged in a book slated for release in April. The book, Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power From the Gilded Age to the Digital Age, is a mix of history, law, personal anecdotes and politics, encompassing such companies as John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil, Amazon and pharmaceutical corporations. It is also a blueprint for how Congress and the incoming Biden administration might adjust the United States approach to their regulation. Corporate consolidation, monopoly power, dark money, and rising levels of income inequality are problems that require a newly invigorated pro-competition agenda, Ms. Klobuchar said in a statement. My book traces the history of Americas antitrust movement, explaining why it mattered when the Sherman Antitrust Act was passed by Congress in 1890 and why it matters even more today. It shows how new laws and more effective enforcement are essential to protecting American consumers and free enterprise. Ms. Klobuchar, a former prosecutor, sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and is the ranking member on its antitrust subcommittee. Her upcoming book sprang from a conversation about three years ago with Victoria Wilson, a vice president and senior editor at Knopf. Ms. Klobuchar had already written a memoir, The Senator Next Door, and during their talk, Ms. Wilson encouraged her to write a different kind of book. While I enjoyed things like maths, I wasnt someone who could sit in around all day long not talking, says DCU student Sean Coffey When Sean Coffey started college, he took on not only one degree programme, but also an online course in another university. The 21-year-old from Newbridge, Co Kildare was one of those students who enjoyed most of his subjects in school, so when it came to the CAO, his problem was going to be choosing the optimum post-school pathway. I wasnt sure. I knew I wanted something to do with people. While I enjoyed things like maths, I wasnt someone who could sit around all day long not talking, he says. The former Patrician Secondary School pupil sought expert advice and a guidance counsellor steered him towards the study of business. When CAO offers came around, Sean got his fifth choice, Business in Dublin City University (DCU). I was happy to get it; it was my only option at that stage and I decided to take it, knowing that if I didnt like it, it wasnt the end of the world. About a month into his four-year course, he received an email from the students union advertising a Level 7 course in Irish, hosted online by NUI Galway. I signed up for it, paid the fees and it involves an extra three hours of lectures online a week for two years. It is geared to people who want to do teaching, but Im doing it for enjoyment, says Sean. He is loving his course. If I had 625 points, I wouldnt change a thing. College is amazing, says Sean, who is also a DCU Student Ambassador. Now in third year, he has taken an option to do an 11-month internship and has been working from home with an investment bank since last June. [January 11, 2021] Tej Kohli Robotics Project Marks One Year of Helping Younger People LONDON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tej Kohli #FutureBionics program of the not-for-profit Tej Kohli Foundation has marked its one-year anniversary by delivering a new 3D-printed robotic Hero Arm to a teenage performer who has a big ambition to normalise disability in musical theatre. 18-year-old Gracie McGonigal was born without her left hand. From a young age she showed a natural talent for performance, and in 2020 graduated from the BRIT School in London, whose famous alumni include Adele, Leona Lewis and Katie Melua. In October 2020 Gracie started studying at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Gracie's story is being captured in a YouTube series at: https://youtu.be/V8jrew3nlAA Ellen McGonigal, Gracie's mother, said: "I secretly knew from about age 6 that Gracie was walking out of the door and placing her prosthetic arm into her school bag as she left. But the Hero Arm can do things that regular prostheticscannot and now Gracie feels confident and ready to take on the world!" Tej Kohli launched the #FutureBionics program in 2019 to fund 3D printed bionic arms for limb different younger people. The first recipient was 10-year-old Jacob from Blackburn, who one year on from receiving his new Hero Arm has started learning to play the guitar. Kathryn Litherland, Jacob's mother, said: "Jacob was interested in learning the guitar in primary school but was told that it wasn't practical. He was very upset. Now with his bionic arm he is finally learning to play the guitar. Jacob's motivation and confidence have grown beyond belief this year." Tej Kohli, founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation, said: "We encountered some hurdles in 2020 which temporarily slowed us down, but I am resolved not to let anything get in the way of our plans in 2021. I am going to keep giving back and keep helping these amazing young people and the many others like them." About The Tej Kohli Foundation Tej Kohli is a technologist and investor whose interests including Zibel Real Estate and dynacart as well as a $100m investment into the Rewired robotics studio. Tej Kohli set up the not-for-profit Tej Kohli Foundation in 2006 after selling his e-commerce company. The foundation is committed to rebuilding people and communities around the world using science and technology. In 2019 alone it cured the blindness of 5,736 people in India. www.TejKohli.com www.TejKohliFoundation.com Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5MTt8QX-7c 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. The "SoHo Karen" debacle continues. "CBS This Morning" broadcast the second part of their interview with 22-year-old woman Miya Ponsetto, who was arrested in Ventura County on Thursday hours after the interview was conducted. The so-called "SoHo Karen's" initial alleged assault on Keyon Harrold Jr., a 14-year-old Black teen, has given way to a PR campaign that her lawyer told Entertainment Tonight was "difficult." Ponsetto was charged Saturday on multiple counts, including attempted robbery and attempted assault. This portion of the interview was often more fraught than the initial footage released Friday with interviewer Gayle King sighing in seeming exasperation at Ponsetto's conduct. After King asked Ponsetto to recollect the details of the day, she said that, in her mind, "any person" could have taken her phone. "I wasn't racial profiling whatsoever," she said. "I'm Puerto Rican. I'm like a woman of color. I'm Italian, Greek, Puerto Rican." King responded: "Does that mean that you can't be racist because you're saying you're a woman of color? Is that what you mean?" "Exactly," Ponsetto said. Later in the interview, King told Ponsetto frankly: "You seem to be not remorseful, to have no contrition. That you're almost a little flippant about this. You have to understand, for this teenage boy who says that he was shattered, who said that he was traumatized, this is a big deal," she said. Ponsetto then cut her off to say: "I'm traumatized." "Yeah, I'm 22. I've lived probably just the same amount of life as him. Like, honestly. I'm just as a kid at heart as he is." CBS also aired an emotional interview with Keyon's parents, the trumpeter Keyon Harrold and Kat Rodriguez, who said Ponsetto's apology was "as genuine as when she shushed" King. In the interview, Harrold emphasized the racial double-standard in how Ponsetto was treated. "I'm happy that she's been arrested," he said. "But that's only the first step in a very big conversation that needs to happen here in America. ... If I had done that, what Miya Ponsetto had done to my son, I'd be in jail now." Keyon is still struggling after the alleged assault, Rodriguez added. "He tensed up," she said when she hugged him from behind. They also rebuffed Ponsetto's claims that she did not racially profile their son. "No one has to say the N-word for something to be an act of racism," Harrold said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. WASHINGTON : The decision by tech companies to clamp down on President Donald Trump 's ability to speak to followers through mainstream social media may force him to tap more traditional methods of communication or more isolated conservative online channels during his final days in office, experts say. Twitter Inc, Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc-owned Google, Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc took their strongest actions yet against Trump to limit his reach, fearing continued violence stemming from his posts after his supporters attacked the US Capitol building last week. They were joined by smaller tech companies including Twitch, Snapchat, Reddit, Shopify and TikTok. Trump, who has without evidence challenged the validity of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's Nov. 3 election victory, praised and egged on supporters before they laid siege on Wednesday to the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying the Electoral College vote for Biden. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died in the assault. Apple, Google and Amazon have suspended Parler a pro-Trump app where users have threatened more violence from their respective app stores and Web-hosting services, a set of moves that stand to severely handicap the service. The platform has 12 million users and Trump's sons Donald Jr. and Eric are active on it, but it will now have to find a new Web host to replace Amazon to even stay in business. How can Trump reach his followers? Immediately after the Twitter ban - a platform the president has been obsessed with since he first ran for office and where he regularly spoke to his 88 million followers - Trump vowed he would "not be SILENCED!" and promised a "big announcement soon." Trump also tweeted from the @POTUS Twitter account shortly after the ban and railed against the tech company, Democrats and a law protecting internet companies called Section 230, and said he was considering building his own social media platform. His tweets were almost immediately deleted by the company. But striking out on his own will take time. For the moment, Trump, who leaves office on Jan. 20, is left with alternatives such as online conservative platform Gab, a free-speech network with almost no censorship rules, that has far less of a reach. Aides and supporters are already turning to Gab and the platform MeWe to amplify his messages in the coming days, experts said. Other likely outlets are video platform Rumble and video streaming service DLive, along with alternate news sites such as American Media Periscope, said Monica Stephens, assistant professor at the University of Buffalo, whose research focuses on topics including social media. "I don't think Trump will join these smaller platforms himself. It is more likely he will create something on his own as opposed to joining something subjected to somebody else's controls," she said. In the meantime, he can tap Trump-friendly networks such as Fox News, OAN and Newsmax to get his message out. The other underutilized option is the White House press office, experts said. He can continue to hold briefings or distribute statements and videos until the end of his term. What are his followers and supporters saying? Immediately after the Twitter ban, backers such as Angela Stanton-King, a Republican supporter of the QAnon conspiracy group who ran in November to represent Georgia's 5th Congressional District, and Republican Representative Thomas Massie began sharing their Parler accounts on Twitter, encouraging followers to move there. Others such as conservative media host Rush Limbaugh deactivated their Twitter accounts. Numerous Republican lawmakers denounced the social media company decisions as an attempt to stifle conservative voices and argued the moves would further polarize the country. "We're now living in a country where four or five companies - unelected, unaccountable - have the power, a monopoly power to decide, we're going to wipe people out, we're going to just erase them from any sort of digital platform," Senator Marco Rubio said on Fox News. Some liberal free-speech activists were uncomfortable with the moves too. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group, defended the right of Twitter and others to "curate their platforms," but called for more transparency and consistency in decision making. The American Civil Liberties Union said it "should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions." Can online platforms silence Trump and his followers? Silicon Valley companies have frequently tried, often without much success, to go after those peddling harmful content - from election disinformation to hate speech and violent threats - but their actions in recent days have been the toughest so far. The First Amendment guaranteeing free speech does not generally apply to private-sector companies, allowing them to moderate speech that incites violence on their platforms. "I think there was a legitimate public policy interest over the last four-plus years in maintaining the president and his voice on Twitter and other platforms. But clearly, what he has done has exceeded any reasonable public policy interest," said Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The Michigan State Capitol Commission voted unanimously on Monday to ban the open carry of weapons in the state Capitol in Lansing. But gun owners with a concealed-weapons permit will still be able to carry concealed guns into the Capitol, and there will be restrictions on carrying guns on the Capitol grounds. Its a good first step, said state Representative Sarah Anthony, a Lansing Democrat who has called for a total ban on guns in the Capitol. The reality is that whether a gun is openly carried, or its concealed in a pocket or an oversized coat, it is still a deadly weapon, she said. And I am still unsure if the men and women who work in this building every day feel any safer because of this action. I am excited that theres a little momentum, but the work is not done. The commission, a four-member body that sets rules and approves maintenance and improvement projects for the building, said they didnt have the authority to set up the infrastructure for a total ban, which would carry a $1 million price tag, including installing metal detectors and working through the logistics of how those devices would delay access to and from the Capitol. 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. LAST Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his team made their usual weekly briefing on the status of the coronavirus in Trinidad and Tobago. Given the rise in cases, the addition of a state of emergency was added to the existing public health measures, setting a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Fluor Corporation, a global engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction and maintenance company, has announced an updated organizational and reporting structure that better aligns its business with identified growth markets and company strategy. As per the plan, Fluor will be divesting its maintenance services unit in the first quarter and continue operations in only three business segments: energy solutions, urban solutions and mission solutions. Additionally, the EPC major has also set up two newly-consolidated functional organizations: Project Execution and Corporate Development and Sustainability. Energy Solutions will be led by Jim Breuer, who will focus on energy transition, chemicals and traditional oil and gas opportunities. Breuer had previously, served as president of the downstream business line within Fluors Energy & Chemicals business group. He was also Fluor's vice president and general manager for mining and metals in the South America region. He has more than 27 years of experience in the EPC industry in a variety of markets including downstream, upstream, petrochemicals, mining and power. Urban Solutions, led by Terry Towle, will pursue opportunities in mining, metals, advanced technologies, manufacturing, life sciences, infrastructure, and will include Fluors professional staffing (TRS) unit. Towle was previously the group president of Infrastructure & Power, responsible for numerous markets including aviation, bridges, commercial and institutional, heavy civil services, ports and marine terminals, rail and transit, renewable energy, telecommunications, thermal power, and toll roads and highways. He brings with him, more than 35 years of industry experience in the areas of construction management, project engineering, and direct field construction. Mission Solutions, led by Tom DAgostino, will be primarily focused on delivering solutions to federal agencies across the US government and to select international opportunities. D'Agostino has more than 35 years of executive, leadership, management, and operational experience in a wide variety of government-related fields. Prior to joining Fluor, D'Agostino had served for more than seven years in a number of politically appointed leadership positions for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama as the undersecretary for nuclear security at the Department of Energy, and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), as well as the deputy administrator for defense programmes. Additionally, Fluor has established two newly-consolidated functional organizations: Project Execution, led by Mark Fields, and Corporate Development and Sustainability, led by Al Collins. In his new role, Fields will be responsible for major projects, engineering and technology, project controls, quality, supply chain, construction, risk, health, safety and environment (HSE), and security. Prior to this, he was group president of Energy & Chemicals, with global oversight for business development and operations in the upstream and downstream oil and gas markets as well as the chemical and petrochemical industries. Collins has more than 26 years of experience in various business development, corporate planning, engineering, procurement, and construction management positions. Prior to this, he had held various leadership positions for Fluors Energy & Chemicals business, including SVP of global operations, SVP of global business development as well as VP of operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. With a 45,000-strong workforce, Fluor aims to build a better world and provide sustainable solutions by designing, building and maintaining safe, well executed projects.-TradeArabia News Service Cumberland County recorded eight homicides in 2020, twice the number logged in 2019. Police agencies in the county solved all but one case, for a nearly 88-percent clearance rate, which is notably higher than the national average. Here are summaries of those who died by homicide in 2020: Viktoriya Aroushanova Lower Allen Township police were called to Viktoriya Aroushanovas home in the 800 block of Lisburn Road on Jan. 1, 2020, for reports of a victim of a fall. Officers found an elderly woman with severe injuries to her face and head, including cuts to her left ear and bruising and swelling to her right eye. Police did not release her age. She suffered a brain hemorrhage and died March 9 from her injuries. Police say 58-year-old Anatoli Harlamov who took care of the woman four days a week beat the woman, leaving her with the injuries that caused her death. Hes now facing homicide charges. Holden Brunson, 5 months Authorities said 30-year-old Wesley R. Brunson killed his 5-month-old baby last spring because he wouldnt stop crying. The boy was found limp and not breathing March 19 in the familys mobile home in Monroe Township, on the 1500 block of Williams Grove Road. As an investigation was launched, state police Brunson got emotional and extremely loud when he told them his son cried and cried, all he does is cry. State police said Brunsons home was in deplorable and dirty condition, with holes punched through walls. Holden Brunson was taken off life support and died less than a day after he was found unconscious. His cause of death was ruled complications of asphyxia and a homicide. At one point, Wesley Brunson was overheard telling hospital staff Why did this happen to me? I am a piece of [expletive], and They are trying to arrest us, according to state police. Wesleys wife, Chandra Brunson, said her husband punched holes in the wall when he was angry, constantly complained about Holdens crying. Wesley Brunson was charged with homicide, aggravated assault, child endangerment and reckless endangerment. Paul Laney died July 2 in Carlisle. Paul Laney, 42 No arrests have been made in a July 2 shooting in Carlisle that killed 42-year-old Paul Laney. Borough police found Laney in a car that crashed into a telephone pole around 12:10 a.m. near West Penn and North West streets. Laney was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds that eventually killed him, police said. A passenger was also injured, but fled the scene before police arrived. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident, but have not announced any suspects or arrests as of January 2021. Just hours before his death, Laney had recorded himself in a series of Facebook Live videos repeatedly calling out five people who he claimed, in ways that werent immediately clear to the viewer, had badly disrespected him. Laney, who lived in Harrisburg and was returning to his old hometown for the evening, made clear in the Facebook post that he was coming back to specifically to deal with the situation, boasting that me and my little buddy in my pocket [are] ready to see anybody. " The videos, one of which stretched for 57 minutes in the 10 p.m. hour, became one of several pieces of evidence that police combed through to try to solve the case. Carlisle Police Chief Taro Landis speaks at a press conference on Aug. 10, 2020 announcing murder charges filed against Davone U. Anderson in the killings of Kaylee Lyons and Sydney Parmelee. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Sydney Parmelee & Kaylee Lyons, both 23 Davone Unique Anderson, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of the mothers of his two children Sydney Parmelee and Kaylee Lyons, both 23. Carlisle police said Anderson confessed to shooting Parmelee in the head July 5 on the 100 block of East Louther Street because he thought she was cheating on him. Anderson said he shot and killed Lyons, who was six weeks pregnant, on July 30 because he was worried shed turn him in for killing Parmelee. Parmelee and Lyons both graduated from Carlisle High School in 2014 and were taking college classes. Anderson was taken into custody on theft charges on the night of Lyons death, when he was spotted driving her car through downtown Carlisle, police said. As of January 2021, Anderson is being held without bail in the Cumberland County Prison on two charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder of an unborn child, two firearms offenses, receiving stolen property, and two counts of endangering the welfare of children. Police investigate a possible homicide on Admiral's Quay Drive in Hampden Twp. on Oct.1, 2020. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Andrew Konetsco Andrew Konetsco, 25, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the chest Sept. 30 in his Hampden Township townhouse. Alan Daniel Williams and Crystal Lee Dupert were charged with homicide after police discovered Williams had threatened to shoot Konetsco a week before his death. Police said Williams and Dupert drove to Konetscos townhouse at 807 Admirals Quay around 8 p.m. with their two children. Williams went inside, shot Konetsco once, returned to the car and fled the scene, according to police. They said Williams hid the gun and went to a friends house, while the children were sent to a relatives. Konetscos roommate said he saw him on the phone arguing with someone before his death. Williams and Dupert admitted within 24 hours that they were involved with the shooting. Williams was charged with homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and a slew of other charges. Dupert is charged with similar offenses. Jodi Sivak, 48 Carlisle police said 48-year-old Jodi Sivak was stabbed to death Oct. 15 at a home on the 100 block of East High Street. Sean Roberts, 29, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called 911 early that morning to tell them he murdered Jodi, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Roberts surrendered at the scene and confessed to the crime, police said. He is charged with homicide and is being held at the Cumberland County Prison without bail. The relationship between Sivak and Roberts remains unclear. Sivak previously lived in Gloucester. Carlisle Police Chief Taro Landis told PennLive in January 2021 that he could not comment, as the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities confirmed Ryan Young, 36, was fatally stabbed Mon., Oct. 26, 2020 at his home in Upper Allen Township. (GoFundMe) Ryan Young, 36 Alison Morris and Ryan Youngs tumultuous relationship lasted for years before she was charged with fatally stabbing him in the leg Oct. 25 in Upper Allen Township. The couple shared multiple children and were living on the 1000 block of Nanroc Drive for just a couple of months when the stabbing happened, relatives told PennLive. According to court records, Morris, 24, and Young had been arguing. She went into the bathroom to get some time alone, according to court records, but the argument continued. As they argued, Morris said Young would occasionally open the door to say disparaging remarks, court documents state. At one point, Morris said Young entered the bathroom and approached her. Thats when she said she put both her hands in the air, ultimately stabbing Young with a kitchen knife that she had in the bathroom with her, according to court records. The knife punctured Youngs left leg. An ambulance crew treated him at the scene shortly after 7 p.m. and he was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his wounds, according to court records. Morris was later charged with homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. Youngsters who vape are three times more likely to become regular cigarette smokers. Researchers studied children and young adults and found vaping is a gateway to smoking as it causes a nicotine addiction. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in vaporised liquid. The University of California, San Diego, studied 12 to 24-year-olds over four years and found that among those who reported vaping in their first interview, their risk of daily smoking increased from 3 to 10 per cent four years later. Researchers studied children and young adults and found vaping is a gateway to smoking as it causes a nicotine addiction Professor John P Pierce said: 'This is the first paper that actually looks at progression to dependent cigarette smoking among young adults. 'In these data, e-cigarettes are a gateway for those who become daily cigarette smokers. 'The start product has changed from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, but the end product has stayed the same. 'When users become dependent on nicotine, they are converting to cigarette smoking.' 'Trying e-cigarettes and multiple other tobacco products before the age of 18 is also strongly associated with becoming daily cigarette smoking,' said senior author Karen Messer, of UCSD. You must be 18 or over in the UK to vape. Public Health England's most recent report on vaping suggests vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes and recommends people who do not vape and do not smoke should not start. But the research shows that vaping acts as a way in to smoking. Valentines Day amidst a global pandemic is not something many if any of us thought we would encounter, but here we are. Nonetheless, Airbnb experience hosts from around the state are offering activities to share with your special someone. Whether online or in-person, these hosts hope to help their guests create memories, and even help you document the experience to look back upon. You could virtually travel to places like Ireland or France, but there are many experiences available right here in New York state. Here are some Upstate New York Valentines Day date ideas that span from a picturesque hike, to a cooking lesson, to getting in snuggle time with some friendly goats. Catskills Hiking and Photo Adventure Find some of the most Instagram-worthy locations in the Catskill Park with a New York State Licensed Hiking Guide. The guide will lead you on a hike and take photos of you and your sweetheart with some of the most beautiful backdrops in Upstate New York. Weather permitting, they will also use a drone to get an aerial tour and pictures and video of your experience. Snacks will be provided as well as a backpack to carry them in if needed. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Hugs, Hike, and Hang with Rescue Goats Frederick Farm is home to several goats, each with a different rescue story. The nine-acre farm is located in the Catskill Park within walking distance to the Rondout Reservoir. Guests get a dose of hands-on goat therapy with their herd who love a lot of attention. Go on a hike, snuggle, and even take a selfie with one of their resident goats. Attendees will also get a fun fact booklet and sticker of their favorite goat. If you want to wake up with the goats, you can also stay in Fredrick Farms A-frame chalet with Catskill Mountain views. Want to enjoy the farm from the comfort of your own home? They also offer virtual animal sanctuary visits. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Experience Hamiltons New York A statue of Alexander Hamilton in Central Park. Take a virtual tour of New York and see notable locations from the Founding Father's life. Screenshot from Airbnb.com. The founder and owner of GothamGuru, a NYC based tour guide, will take you on a virtual walking tour that brings to life the Revolutionary War period in the history of New York City and Alexander Hamiltons place in history. The tour has references to the award-winning Hamilton Broadway musical interwoven through the tour with lyrics and scenes that correspond to the sites visited. Great for both history and Hamilton the musical fans alike. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Couples Ceramics and Welding Art Class Couples learn how to weld in a private art class at Hot Art Studios. Screenshot from Airbnb.com. This two-hour experience at Hot Art Studios in Romulus, NY gets participants to get creative with ceramics and iron work. The host will give instruction as well as document your experience, designed specifically for couples. Couples will also walk away with a goody bag from the host as well as their iron sculptures. For pottery, the process takes about a month, so you will get to enjoy it all over again when they arrive through the mail. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Wine Tasting and Making at Lakeland Winery Lisa Wadsworth and her husband, Shawn of Onondaga Hill try a sample from Andy Watkins, owner of Lakeland Winery located in Lakeland, NY.David Lassman | syracuse.com Lakeland Winery, located in Syracuse, NY, opened in December 2005 and has won top awards in the New York State Fair Wine Competition. Guests will get the option to taste a variety of wines made on-site and enjoy appetizers that they bring in themselves or purchase from the winery. There is also an option to have a personal wine making experience under the guidance of their staff. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Intro to Plant Based Cooking For some, food is the the way to their heart and if this describes your special person, a cooking class like Emilys in the Hudson Valley might be the ticket. Emily Amarnick, or as she calls herself: Mrs. Pleasant, is a plant based personal chef who will teach you how to make plant based appetizers and entrees. Classes are held at her home and participants will go home with a recipe packet and a list of local purveyors to help support Upstate NY businesses. Want to stay and cook? Stay in Mrs. Pleasants Airbnb on the Hudson River which provides accommodations combined with cooking classes. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Finger Lakes Wine and Photo Tour Airbnb experience host Luz will take photos of participants on a wine and photo tour in the Finger Lakes. Screenshot from Airbnb. Let someone else take the wheel, and the photos, and the planning of a Finger Lakes wine tour with host Luz in her Jeep Wrangler. Guests will get a tour of Luzs favorite wineries on Cayuga Lake and stop for special photo ops. Water and snacks will be provided in the car and guests are encouraged to enjoy sampling the wineries while having a designated driver. Previous guests say it was a unique and safe experience through the Finger Lakes. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Blacklight Psychedelic Paint Experience Take a walk on the wild side and head to Ithaca with your partner for a unique painting experience. Myztico Campo practices what he calls Visionary Shamanic UV Art and he invites couples to embark on a psychedelic journey and paint UV reactive creations either on canvas or on their own bodies. Campo will take a series of 3-D photos for you to take home along with 3-D glasses to continue to enjoy your creations. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Climb to a winter summit Take your love to the top at 3,653 feet on the summit of Twin Mountain in the Catskills. Your guide will provide hot tea, cider, and coffee as you enjoy breathtaking Catskill Mountain views. Continue on to the crest of Indian Head for more vistas and photos before heading back. Your host Jack Bynum is an experienced hiker and a wilderness first responder who will also provide Micro Spikes and make sure you have all the gear you need before heading out on your six mile adventure in the mountains. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. Restorative Contact Restorative Contact hosted by Gabrielle Revlock in New York invites guests to a virtual experience, offering deep relaxation and human connection. Screenshot from Airbnb.com. Host and creator Gabrielle Revlock will lead couples and groups in Restorative Contact, a floor-based sequence of touch and weight-sharing intended to provide deep relaxation and boost those feel-good hormones in your body. This virtual experience lasts for 90 minutes and participants are asked to wear comfy clothes in a comfy space. See more details about this experience on Airbnb. READ MORE Magical ski chalets in Upstate NY: 11 winter Airbnbs in the Adirondacks, Catskills, more Popping the question? 21 romantic places to propose in Upstate NY Sleep in a fairy forest, unleash royal dragon fantasies, pretend to be a princess and more at expanded Upstate NY hotel 12 best places to elope in Upstate NY: Get married at 1 of these beautiful places A brand-new cafe and soft play area is set to open in Norwich on May 28 run by YMCA Norfolk in its new community hub on Aylsham Road near the city centre. A brand-new cafe and soft play area is set to open in Norwich on May 28 run by YMCA Norfolk in its new community hub on Aylsham Road near the city centre. A record-breaking year for Mid-Norfolk Foodbank Wellspring Church in Dereham, Swaffham Baptist Church, and Fakenham Salvation Army centre have provided the bases for a record-breaking year at Mid-Norfolk Foodbank. Read more Transforming Norwich offers chance to meet Transforming Norwich will hold its next ministers and Christian leaders meeting on Zoom on Wednesday June 30. Read more How can our weakness be a strength? Andrew Frere-Smith explains why there can be some positive outcomes from the trials of the last fourteen months. Read more Norfolk science-faith lecture on 'dying well' Professor John Wyatt will give the next Norfolk Science-Faith lecture on the ethical guidelines for palliative care, based on issues raised by the coronavirus pandemic. The lecture and discussion will be online on June 7. Read more Walsingham Way provides a new route for pilgrims A new waymarked walking route between Norwich and Walsingham is being launched to celebrate the tradition of pilgrimage. Read more Reedham Gospel Hall goes up for sale The Gospel Hall in the Broadland village of Reedham has closed, and will be going under the auction hammer, because of a decline in attendance. Read more Christian artists host art trail in North Norfolk Three faith-filled artists in the Fakenham area are opening their studios to the public at the end of this week as part of a new initiative called North Norfolk Studios. Read more Barbara begins leadership in Wymondham with baptism of fire At a hugely challenging time, the Alive network appointed Barbara McLellan as the new pastor for their church in Wymondham. Read more Hub garden revamped by Norwich church A Norwich church has given the garden area of its community hub a makeover just in time for the reopening of the cafe at the weekend. Read more Acle prayer walk led by local churches Acle Churches Together (ACT) held its traditional annual prayer walk last Sunday, stopping at various venues in the community to recognise and pray for the work done by the staff employed by them. Read more Norfolk Healing Rooms has faith for our times Norfolk Healing Rooms, which offers free ministry for the sick in body, mind and spirit, is continuing its service through Zoom and offering free taster prophetic evenings. Read more Norwich charity for homeless ex-offenders comes of age A Norwich charity which offers supported accommodation to homeless men, many of whom are ex-offenders, has come of age and is marking its 21st anniversary. Read more GCF is an independent church in Norwich Grace Christian Fellowship is an independent, Holy Spirit-filled, Bible-based church meeting in Norwich, writes Serena Jones. Read more Yarmouth churches urged to consider spiritual care scheme Anna Chaplaincy is a spiritual support and welfare scheme for older people, and churches in the Great Yarmouth area are urged to consider how it might be a way to offer emotional and spiritual support to the older population in the borough. Read more Mothers Union welcomes Syrian refugees to Norwich The Mothers' Union has been working closely with Norfolk County Council on the resettlement of Syrian refugees. Read more Chief Executive Officer YMCA Norfolk YMCA Norfolk is seeking an exceptional leader who is deeply committed to their Christian faith and desires to put it into action to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Read more Take part in Norwich Cathedral's cycle route Norwich Cathedral is among the 42 Church of England cathedrals nationwide taking part in a new national cycling event and everyone is welcome to get involved in this brand new initiative. Read more Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 " " In a confrontation at the Statehouse in Jamestown, Nathaniel Bacon (center) demanded that Gov. William Berkeley (on steps) give him a military commission that would authorize him to attack Native Americans on the frontier. Colonial Williamsburg Bacon's Rebellion was a conflict that started like a lot of disagreements with a drunken argument. But this short-lived uprising in 17th century Colonial America is considered to have had long-term consequences for Colonial settlements, policies toward Native Americans and concepts of race in North America. The incident took place in Colonial Virginia from 1676 to 1677, and because it was 100 years before the American Revolution, Bacon's Rebellion was once posited as a sort of precursor to overthrowing tyranny. In fact, Thomas Jefferson considered rebellion leader, Nathaniel Bacon, a patriot. But contemporary historians view Bacon's Rebellion in light of the conflict between colonists and Native Americans, as well as for the effects it had on the way ideas about race developed in the American Colonies. Bacon was a relative newcomer to Virginia when he launched the rebellion. So how did he manage to rally enough support to spark a conflict that would change the course of history? Advertisement Nathanial Bacon the Man " " Nathaniel Bacon's likeness in stained glass at Preservation Virginia's Bacon's Castle in Surry, Virginia Colonial Williamsburg Born in Suffolk, England in 1647, Bacon had been packed off to the Virginia colony by his father because he had attempted to defraud a 16-year-old neighbor, according to James Rice, Walter S. Dickson professor and chair, department of history, Tufts University, who says Bacon was considered a "very unpleasant fellow." This seems to be the general consensus about the historical figure. The National Park Service website says "Bacon was a troublemaker and schemer whose father sent him to Virginia in the hope that he would mature." Personality notwithstanding, things got off to an auspicious start for Bacon. He arrived in Virginia in 1675, and thanks to his connections he was related to Governor William Berkeley by marriage Bacon received both a land grant and a seat on the Governor's Council, according to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. However, his arrival coincided with a crisis in Virginian's economic, social and political order in which he would soon become embroiled. Advertisement Trouble in Virginia Virginia's tobacco planters had experienced falling tobacco prices in a colony with economic disparity between the larger landowning planters and small planters, poor immigrants and freed slaves. Most of the locals were not involved in political life and non-landowners could not vote. In addition to these challenges to stability, Virginia colonists had varying opinions about how to manage relations with the native peoples and local tribes. At the same time, war had erupted between the Susquehannock Indians and the colonists, which started with a "petty trading dispute," Rice said in "Bacon's Rebellion in Indian Country," a 2014 piece he wrote for Journal of American History. There were two ideas about how to respond. Gov. Berkeley thought the best course of action would be to wage war against the Susquehannock but remain at peace with other neighboring tribes. Others, including Bacon, disagreed and felt that the conflict presented an opportunity to exterminate all the natives, period. And it wasn't just Bacon, Rice says. Some of the area's wealthy planters also wanted to go further than the governor's plan of limited warfare. Bacon took control of an encampment of volunteer militiamen to fight the Susquehannock and other tribes. Who were these militia? It's hard to know, according to Rice. He says there has been a myth that Bacon's rebels comprised poor Western (frontier) planters against rich Eastern planters; that it was an uprising from the bottom up. However, the socioeconomic status of the militia is difficult to pin down, and there is evidence of rich planters from the frontier, like Bacon himself and William Byrd, who was one of the men who recruited him, among them. The historiography has focused on a civil war between Virginians, and the Indians have been pushed the margins of the story, Rice says. But Bacon's Rebellion was really about fighting the Indians more than a disagreement between poor and rich colonists. " " A group of Virginian rebels led by Nathaniel Bacon set fire to Jamestown in a protest against Gov. William Berkeley. Many of the colonists were unhappy with Berkeley's failure to protect them from Native American attacks and burned Jamestown to the ground. MPI/Getty Images Advertisement Bacon's Stance What is known for sure is that in August 1676, Bacon issued a "Declaration of Grievances." In it, he took opposition to Berkeley's imposition of unjust taxes, favoritism and failure to properly promote trade. The grievances also noted the governor's inability to protect colonists from attacks by Indians, specifically: For having, when the army of English was just upon the track of those Indians, who now in all places burn, spoil, murder and when we might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open hostility, for then having expressly countermanded and sent back our army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanor of the said Indians, who immediately prosecuted their evil intentions, committing horrid murders and robberies in all places, being protected by the said engagement and word past of him the said Sir William Berkeley, having ruined and laid desolate a great part of His Majesty's country, and have now drawn themselves into such obscure and remote places and are by their success so emboldened and confirmed by their confederacy so strengthened that the cries of blood are in all places, and the terror and consternation of the people so great, are now become not only difficult but a very formidable enemy who might at first with ease have been destroyed. Bacon and his militia began to raid, loot and kill, despite Berkeley's refusal to recognize his vigilante group. Once the rebellion got going, it settled into a sort of rhythm, according to Rice. Bacon led his militia against both the Pamunkey and Occaneecheee Indians. When threatened by the governor, he turned back and trained his guns on the governor. This happened several times. "There was a lot of back and forth," says Rice. "It went on like that for months." In September, the militia captured Jamestown and burned much of it to the ground. But then suddenly, Bacon died not in battle, but of sickness possibly typhus, on Oct. 26, 1676. His body was buried in a secret location to keep the governor from putting it on display, according to Rice. But Bacon's Rebellion didn't die with him. "The underlying reasons for the rebellion didn't just disappear because he did," says Rice. However, at that point, the militia, for the most part, stopped fighting the Indians and the conflict became more of a civil war. The Berkeley loyalists were able to achieve final victory by controlling the waterways just a few days before a thousand Redcoats arrived by ship. It's in these later stages that the majority of the rebel militia was made up of poor planters and enslaved Africans, explains Rice. They had the most to lose if captured and the most to gain if they won. Advertisement The Aftermath of Bacon's Rebellion "Some of the basic issues that had been in play during the rebellion weren't really resolved," says Rice. One question was where unfree labor would come from. The General Assembly did pass laws that made it easier to enslave the native Indians, but the more general question of conquest of the Indians was left up in the air. And a division persisted between more of a "genocidal vision" and the governor's desire to remove native peoples in a slower way. Some scholars have explored the ways Bacon's Rebellion shifted overall notions of race in the colonies. Bacon built his militia with both white and Black indentured servants, and enslaved Black people who joined in exchange for freedom. The power struggle was between Bacon and his rebellion on one side and wealthy planters on the other. In an interview with PBS, historian Ira Berlin explained that before the rebellion, distinctions were made between Blacks and whites, but their lives could be relatively similar. For example, some people of African descent were landowners, while some people of European descent were indentured servants. After the Rebellion, wealthy white planters were alarmed. To protect their status, they shifted their reliance on indentured servants to favor more Black slaves. The rebellion eventually led to the consolidation of the planter class. As for the relationship between the colonists and the Indians, after England's Glorious Revolution led to a change of power in 1689, new Colonial leaders' ideas about how to deal with native peoples aligned more with those of Bacon and his followers that is they become more aggressive. Now That's Interesting Nathaniel Bacon died of the "bloodie flux" and "lousey disease," inspiring the 17th century jingle, "Bacon is Dead I am sorry at my hart That lice and flux should take the hangman's part." A woman, Rita Okungbowa, on Monday told the Edo State judicial panel of inquiry for victims of SARS and related abuses that she had not seen her husband since he was whisked away by the police eight years ago. Mrs Okungbowa, who is demanding N20 million as compensation for her missing husband, said they (defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad) might have killed him. Narrating her ordeal to the 22-member panel sitting in Benin City, she said operatives of the disbanded unit invaded their house and whisked her husband away, adding that his whereabouts was unknown to date. She said her missing husband, Osayande Okungbowa, who was a movie director, was tagged a kidnapper before he was taken away. The distraught woman said all efforts to trace him had been unsuccessful, adding that she went to the Medium Security Correctional Centre in Benin City to display his pictures but the prison authorities denied seeing any person like him. Mrs Okungbowa told the panel that having waited till date, she was left with no option than to conclude that he might have been killed by the officials of the disbanded SARS. She said, On the 12th of September, 2012, the SARS came to my own house and picked my husband, they alleged him to be a kidnapper. My mother-in-law and I went to the State Criminal Investigation Department, and immediately I mentioned the name of my husband, they drove us away. They did not allow us to see him. The next day, we also came, they did not allow us to also see him. So, one of the police officers then told us that they have taken him to the court and thereafter to prison. I asked which of the prison, they said the white house (that is the maximum Correctional Centre at Sapele road). We went there, we did not see him, we went back to the station, but they later referred us to Oko Correctional Centre, and we did not see him there. Mrs Okungbowa added, I decided to take a lawyer, and when we got to the station, the OC (Officer in Charge) then asked, who is in charge of the matter, they told us one Sergeant Esezobo was the Inspection Police Officer, IPO. When we asked for the Esezobo, they said he has gone to the canteen and we went to the canteen and immediately he saw us, he ran away. She added that she had been visiting the police station since then but had not seen him for over eight years. I have been going to the police station to search for him (my husband) and I have not set my eyes on him for the past eight years and because of that, I decided to approach the panel so that they can help me ask the disbanded SARS where they kept my husband, she said. The distraught woman pleaded with the panel to compel SARS to compensate her to enable her to give her children a better life. The panel should help me to tell them to provide my husband if he is still alive and if he is no more, the panel should compel them to come and settle me. They should pay me N20 million because I have been passing through hard times. Look at my two kids, they have not been going to school for a very long time, she pleaded. The 22-member panel headed by Ada Ehigiamusoe, a retired judge, adjourned the sitting to Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT At least 65 Americans are now infected with 'super-covid,' according to a DailyMail.com tally. Indiana on Monday became the ninth state in the US to find a case of the more infectious B117 variant first identified in the UK, where it set off a new wave of national lockdowns. The state's health department simply announced the identification of the variant through testing, and did not reveal any details about the person who has variant, if others might have it or where within the state the case was found. Indiana joins Colorado, California, Florida, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Texas, each of which already has at least one case of the new variant. Its case comes amid sharp criticism that the US is not doing enough to detect, track and prevent the spread of new more contagious variants of coronavirus. At least 65 people in the US have more infectious 'super-covid' variant first found in the UK with the addition of at least one person in Indiana, announced on Monday Regular testing can't detect a new coronavirus variant; the viral genome of a positive sample has to be sequenced, which is a more time-consuming process. But the US is moving much more slowly to do this compared to many other countries. American labs submit fewer than three genome sequences for every 1,000 cases confirmed in the US - and an average of 85 days pass between the sample being taken from a covid-19 positive person and its sequence being submitted to the international database, known as GISAID. 'It's pathetic,' Baylor College of Medicine virologist Dr Peter Hotez told CNN. 'By the time you wait [84] days, a sequence can go from being a rare variant to being half of the circulating virus in a population.' The CDC is apparently stepping up the number of viral genomes it sequences from about 3,500 in December to more than 6,000 this month. No details about the first Indiana infected with the new variant has been released, but the presence of one person with the more infectious variant suggests more will emerge there But it still lags well behind other nations. The UK, for example, submits the genome sequences of 45 out of every 1,000 samples that are positive for coronavirus - three times the rate that the US submit, and its turnaround time is 24 days. Another type of diagnostic test that happens to detect a broad mutation seen in the B117 variant isn't enough to confirm with 100 percent certainty that a sample is the new variant, but it is used as surveillance system in the UK. States like Colorado and California - the first two in the nation to report cases of the B117 strain - are catching on, using the same kind of test to do monitoring. That's perhaps helped California to find more cases than any other state in the nation. California now has at least 34 case of the newer variant, of which 32 are part of a 'cluster' in San Diego. Colorado has confirmed two National Guard members who worked in the same nursing home have the UK variant. Florida has only announced one case, but the CDC's tracker shows that 22 cases of B117 have been found there. One case was detected each in New York and Georgia last week. On Thursday, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Texas each reported their first cases, with two cases in Connecticut. As soon as the UK variant emerged there, US experts assumed it was already in America due to the close economic and travel ties between the two countries. Travelers from the UK are now only supposed to enter the US if they have an exemption as well as a negative COVID-19 test, but that's not proved enough to keep cases from surging upward here. Federal authorities in the US have done little to step up efforts to monitor and stem outbreaks of the new variant, which has caused a surge of infections in the UK and sent the nation into its strictest set of lockdowns yet. And so far, there are no travel bans affecting people coming South Africa or Brazil where other variants have been reported. In addition to regular testing for residents (pictured), Philadelphia health chief asked that anyone who has recently traveled to the UK to come in for COVID-19 testing so the city can sequence the genomes of anyone who test positive to see if if they have the new variant (file) CDC last week recruited diagnostic giant LabCorp to help bolster its efforts to ramp up viral genome sequencing. State labs and universities are also stepping up their own variant detection systems to fill the considerable gaps left by national labs. 'Pennsylvania has been preparing for this variant by working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has been sending 10-35 random samples biweekly to the CDC since November to study sequencing and detect any potential cases for this new COVID-19 variant,' Dr Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania's health commissioner said week after the state detected its first case. 'Public health experts are in the early stages of working to better understand this new variant, how it spreads and how it affects people who are infected with it. The first US person found to have the new UK variant had no recent history of travel, suggesting it was already spreading silently here. Other cases have been mixed bag: The person in Pennsylvania had recently traveled, as had both people in Connecticut - but most of those in California had not. So far, the B117 variant does not appear to make people any sicker or more at-risk of dying from COVID-19. But it is more infectious, and that alone could be disastrous in the US, where nearly 250,000 new cases are already be reported a day, and more than 3,000 people are dying on an average day. After widespread concern that the variants found in the UK, South Africa or Brazil might be able to evade COVID-19 vaccines, early evidence suggests that at least Pfizer's vaccine still generates antibodies that are effective against at least the UK and South African forms. Sixteen flights from London Heathrow airport arrived at JFK International Airport in New York City a day, prior to new restrictions that saw airlines cut down their number of flights between the cities. Now, the US only allows travelers from the UK to enter if they have an exception and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Some experts have complained that's not enough, calling for a full ban on travelers coming from the UK, where the B117 variant is becoming dominant. Like much of the country, Pennsylvania has seen new infections rise again following the holidays. Yesterday, the state reported more than 8,500 new cases. Nearly 700,000 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in Pennsylvania and 17,179 people have died. Concerned that there could be people who went to the UK and returned prior to the testing restriction in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr Thomas Farley said Wednesday that the local labs would start testing recent travelers for COVID-19. 'In the United Kingdom they're seeing an explosive growth in cases across the nation, and the models suggest that B117 is the reason,' Farley said. 'I do think it will be identified eventually.' Sure enough, a case was found a day later. It's unclear if it was a result of the Philadelphia testing program. Dauphin County is about 100 miles from Philadelphia. Farley's ask for people with travel history to get tested by Philadelphia labs was strategic. The effort employed labs run by the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and CDC, which are capable of doing the complex process required to determine if someone has a particular variant of coronavirus. Farley admitted that this process - sequencing the genome of virus found in samples of mucus to see if they have mutations that mark the new variant - is tedious and comprehensive monitoring will be a challenge - but one Philadelphia intends to rise to. 'They are getting samples from people who have already been tested in the city to do that sequencing,' he said of the sophisticated labs. 'It's not something you can do in very very large volumes, so it'll be a small number of people. Which is why I put out the call for people who have recently traveled to the United Kingdom, so we'd be more likely to find it....It's going to be difficult for us to do enough testing to get a sense of how much of this variant might be out here, and that's a national issue not just for Philadelphia.' CDC SAYS DETECTING THE MORE INFECTIOUS VARIANT IS NOT 'URGENT' DESPITE IT TRIGGERING LOCKDOWNS IN THE UK At the national level, however, that problem is not being seen as 'urgent' a CDC official told DailyMail.com. The CDC is stepping up the number of samples it sequences in search of the new variant, but it does its sequencing in large batches, which can be more time consuming. States have reported waiting up to two weeks to get results back from the samples they submitted to the agency, according to New York state health officials. '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. '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.' At the time that he told DailyMail.com the variant was in seven states, only five had announced the presence of B117. Pennsylvania is the sixth, leaving one state that has confirmed a case to the CDC but not to the public. Dr Armstrong refused to reveal the identity of the remaining states during an interview. He said that CDC expects to hear the variant is in even more states in the coming weeks, but that that doesn't change anything. '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 B117 variant 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. If it takes hold in the US, it could be disastrous. Vaccine rollout is going slowly, hospitals in many states and cities are already overwhelmed by coronavirus patients, and the US has just set another record for deaths in a single day with nearly 4,000 fatalities reported Wednesday. Patna, Jan 11 : Former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das has indicated organisational changes in the Congress in Bihar, assuring that the state unit would be attuned to the wishes of the Congress workers and the people at large. "You will see a complete makeover of the Congress state unit in a few days. Those who wish to join the Congress are welcome. The Congress doors are always open," the Congress Working Committee member told IANS in an interview. Das, who has been made the new incharge of Congress' Bihar unit, said that decisions in this regard would, however, be taken only after he visited Bihar and interacted with party leaders and workers at different levels. About leaders and workers who had left the Congress in the past but wish to return, Das said that those whose presence in politics was still relevant and helped strengthen the Congress at the grass roots would be welcome to the party fold again. As for factionalism in the state Congress, he maintained that he would be in a better position to comment on the issue only after he had been to Bihar and met the party leaders and workers. "I will visit Bihar and meet party leaders and workers, understand the issues after visiting all districts. I will talk to the common people. Overall, the organisation will be made in sync with party workers. The Congress will work according to the needs of the people." As for opposition and support within the Congress on the tie-up with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the veteran leader said that "it is the need of the hour". "We will do politics our way, but our priority will be to strengthen the organisation as a whole," the former Union Minister said. Das also said that Congress leaders and workers sitting in the comforts of their homes would soon be asked to get back in action in the field and connect with the common people. The former Minister rued that training imparted to the Congress leaders and workers in the past had been done away with for many years. "Even new party workers do not know the Congress policies now; that is why the party will re-start training programmes for its cadres and workers." Reacting to former MLA Bharat Singh's remarks that around a dozen-odd Congress MLAs were trying to break ties with the party, Das said: "Those who are not in the party are making such statement at the behest of political rivals." Das is scheduled to undertake a three-day tour of Bihar from Monday and meet party workers and leaders. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Telecom regulator ComReg is reviewing its long-term relationship with IT services provider the Evros Technology Group, after the firms agreed 80m sale to Eir. As a result of the planned merger, ComReg said it had reminded both Evros and Eir of their contractual and other legal obligations in relation to the security and confidentiality of data. The move comes as the takeover creates the potential for a conflict of interest as Evros is a provider of managed IT services to ComReg which in turn oversees Eir. ComReg has been highly critical of Eir in recent months following widespread complaints about the companys customer care services. In November, the regulator described Eirs performance in relation to its customers as completely unacceptable. It noted that Eir accounted for two-thirds of all complaints received by consumers about telecom firms in the first nine months of 2020. ComReg said it recognised that stakeholders might have concerns about the continued and necessary protection of confidential data provided to the regulator by Evros given its planned takeover by Eir. Read More A ComReg spokesperson said the regulator was also engaging with its independent IT security and risk adviser as well as having discussions with Eir and Evros to ensure that all necessary and appropriate additional measures are put in place in the short-term to maintain continued assurance of the protection of confidential data. The proposed merger between Eir and Evros, which was announced last Wednesday, is due to be formalised in the coming weeks subject to clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. ComReg said it worked with external service providers like many other public bodies to support its use of information technology. It is a priority to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of its data and of any data belonging to third parties that is in ComRegs possession, it added. ComReg said its contracts with IT service providers like Evros contained strong provisions related to the protection of confidential data. It pointed out that it is a criminal offence to disclose confidential information where it was not authorised by ComReg. Evros, which was established in 1990, employs over 450 staff and contractors at offices in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Auckland, New Zealand. Talking and eating were not an option for Anthony Jones. He couldnt even close his mouth. After months of intubation battling COVID-19, Anthony was diagnosed with macroglossia an extremely enlarged tongue that makes swallowing and speaking impossible. He spent 12 hours a day lying on his stomach for three weeks to repair his lungs. While the treatment restored his health and breathing, his tongue remained enlarged, stretching down past his lips and chin. And none of the health care specialists in his hometown of Lake City, Fla., could diagnose or heal Anthonys tongue. No one knew what to do, his wife, Gail, recalled. All of the doctors were shaking their heads. It wasnt until discovering a surgeon 800 miles away in Houston that Anthony could begin to hope for a brighter future, one where smiling would be a possibility again. A worker at a private ambulance service, Anthony came home from a summer shift one evening with a high fever and body aches. By July 2, he was feeling so sick, he went to the emergency room to be tested for the coronavirus. He was in bed, and it was like he had no energy, his wife said. On HoustonChronicle.com: UTMB receives 3-year grant to research breast milks COVID-19 antibodies His test came back positive, and his condition continued to worsen; by July 8, he was back in the hospital. The next day, he was on a ventilator, Gail recalled. And there was no contact. We couldnt see him at all. I was calling every two hours to check up on him. She had no way of knowing that his tongue had enlarged, extending more than 3 inches from his mouth. It wasnt until weeks later, during a FaceTime call, that she learned of the condition. Later, when he was released from the hospital, his tongue was still enlarged, and doctors had no prescriptions to help. Gail was charged with feeding him through a tube since he could no longer swallow. Every four hours, she wrapped his tongue to prevent it from becoming too dry and cracking. Only a couple of months earlier, Gail herself had recovered from renal failure. She was back at her job at a mental health hospital for only a short time before she had to take medical leave to care for her husband. She held onto faith that she could find a solution for Anthonys predicament. But an August visit to a Florida ear, nose and throat surgeon only added to their frustration. He told me that he didnt really know how much to cut, said Anthony. Nor could the surgeon promise to preserve his patients sense of taste or his ability to speak. On the way home from the appointment, Anthony teared up, imagining a life of feeding tubes and written communication. I guess Im better off dead, he thought. He asked Gail to take him to his parents house. He then asked his father, Leroy Jones, to come outside to pray with him. In the meantime, his mother, Mary Ann Jones, a retired nurse, Googled his condition. In her internet search, Houstons Dr. James Melville appeared like a beacon. The doctor of dental surgery and associate professor and oral surgeon at UTHealth School of Dentistry had experience with macroglossia and tongue surgery. He had even published a case study on macroglossia in the Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery in 2017. Its a relatively uncommon condition, Melville said. Only a rare subset of people develop massive macroglossia. He treated a patient who developed the condition in Houston after she too was intubated a couple of years ago. He was able to successfully treat the woman and a second patient with the disorder. Both recovered their ability to taste food and to talk. Mary Ann emailed the doctor immediately, writing, I have a very big problem that is killing me. I am the mother of a 46-year-old son that has an extreme case of macroglossia. She begged him to take their case. Melville responded in a matter of minutes. She told me his story, the surgeon recalled. I asked if she could send pictures. I told her, I can help right away. I can give him a better quality of life. That night, Gail sent Melville photos of her husband. I knew a change was coming, Anthony said. I knew it would be different because someone knew what was going on and how to help. Gail worked with a case manager to get insurance coverage for the out-of-town surgery. The Jones family and their church congregation pooled resources to cover expenses for the trip. On Oct. 13, the family flew to Houston; two days later, Anthony was ready for surgery. Melville performed a partial glossectomy, or the surgical removal of a portion of the tongue. Glossectomies are often part of the treatment for tongue cancer. Its modifying the structure, he said. You keep the portion that has motion and sensation and sew it back together. By preserving the important parts of the tongue, he is able to preserve taste and speech. Often, other surgeons are too concerned about negatively affecting one or the other and steer clear from operating on the tongue in general, Melville explained. Most doctors have never encountered this, so theyre reluctant to treat it, he said. Melville is comfortable performing the procedure. Its 45 minutes of someone knowing what to do and that can literally change their life, he said. And thats exactly what happened to Anthony. The day after surgery, he was discharged to a hotel room with his wife with a new, temporary trachea that allowed him to speak. It was amazing, Gail said. She had not heard her husbands voice since July. His face was another welcomed sight. I hadnt seen his bottom lip for so long. Anthony could drink water and Gatorade again, swallowing on his own. Eventually, he began to eat soft foods. At one point, Melville asked the Joneses to go out for some Texas barbecue to assess Anthonys sense of taste after four months on a stomach tube. He ordered a pulled pork sandwich, chopped extra fine. MORE FROM LINDSAY PEYTON: Houston doctor gets star turn singing with Demi Lovato at inauguration Now, Anthony eats pretty much anything he wants, Gail said. Hes doing really well. Melville said that Anthony is functioning normally and has even returned to work. While macroglossia is rare, Melville has received calls from COVID-19 patients in other states with the same condition. He is doing further research and looking into genomic tests to further understand treatment options. Patients dont have to suffer, Melville said. Still, Anthonys life hasnt completely returned to normal yet. He still steers away from harder foods and struggles to speak as clearly as before. Part of the problem is that his enlarged tongue pressed on his bottom four teeth, loosening them to the point they had to be extracted during surgery. He has also lost almost 80 pounds due to the hospitalization. But Anthony said the weight loss has actually helped him feel more active now. I feel great, he said. Im blessed to be able to talk and eat again. Im not depressed anymore. I dont have the trach. I dont have the tube. The experience has changed his outlook on just about everything, he added. I dont take life for granted, he said. Tomorrow is not promised. Today is not even promised. Youve got to live your life to the fullest each day. Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer. Surexport believes demand will grow on back of health and convenience trends Surexport, the Spain-based berry company that does business across western and central Europe, has sold a majority stake in itself to private-equity firm Alantra to "accelerate our growth plan", according to the strawberry supplier's CEO. Andres Morales, Surexport's chief executive, said the deal, struck for an undisclosed sum, will give the company "greater resources to simultaneously execute several organic and inorganic initiatives with the aim of becoming best partners with our clients by granting them an all-year-round supply and a best-in-class service". From its base in Huelva in Spain, Surexport supplies strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries to European retailers, mainly in the UK, Germany, central Europe and the Benelux markets, as well as to domestic customers. Get the best in data analysis & reporting - Alchemer. Please take my survey now Surexport's annual turnover stands at around EUR190m (US$231.3m), with more than 80% generated outside Spain. It has production facilities in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The company insisted it stands to benefit from the "positive growth prospects for the berry industry", which it described as "one of the fastest-growing categories in the western European fruit-and-vegetable market". Surexport said "healthier consumer habits and convenience trends" will drive higher consumption and it plans to up the availability of its products to cope with year-round demand, as well as offer a "differentiated portfolio of exclusive varieties". The group is also looking to set up a fresh-cut fruit business for its home market. Bruno Delgado, partner at Alantra Private Equity, said: "We are really impressed by the company's track-record, market positioning, level of innovation and high-degree of professionalisation. Following recent strong investment efforts, Surexport is indeed the best platform to build the European champion in the berry industry." Alantra's investment portfolio in Spain includes plant-based beverage and broth business Frias Nutricion and seafood supplier Union Martin. AMG The Stuttgart-based automaker quotes 5.1 seconds to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour), which is faster than a front-wheel-drive hot hatchback and almost as fast as the Ford Focus RS. During independent testing by YouTube channel AutoTopNL in rather damp conditions, the S 500 with 4Matic all-wheel drive needed 5.08 seconds to hit that velocity.Pulling from 100 to 150 kph (93 mph) takes 5.03 seconds, and from a standstill, the quarter-mile is over in 13.35 seconds. 200 kph (124 mph) can be achieved in 19.84 seconds according to real-time telemetry, which is hugely impressive for a car that weighs as much as this German luxobarge.The S-Class in this specification also happens to be quiet on full song, allowing only a little wind noise to enter the cabin. The S 500 4Matic is electronically limited to 250 kph or 155 mph, which is more than enough for blasting down the Autobahn without the fear of a blowout.Available from $109,800 in the United States of America, the W223 is offered with seven engine options for the 2021 model year, including a plug-in hybrid powertrain. '500' now means six cylinders arranged in a line and 48-volt electrical assistance under the EQ Boost moniker, translating to 428 horsepower and 384 pound-feet (580 Nm) of torque. The integrated starter/generator unit provides up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque in short bursts to improve fuel efficiency or acceleration.The seventh generation of the S-Class has noversions at the time of writing, but fret not. Just like the 73 e version of the GT 4-Door Coupe, the W223 will be treated to a plug-in hybrid performance powertrain with 800-odd horsepower. Donald Trump held a private ceremony awarding ally Jim Jordan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday as he continues to try making a show of business as usual while Democrats pursue impeachment. The president did not call the press into the room, which is standard procedure for these types of ceremonies, as he donned Jordan with the honor as he remains publicly silent for the fourth day in a row. Trump also plans to travel to Texas on Tuesday to visit the U.S.-Mexico border and celebrate 400 miles of wall completed during his term in a show of normal presidential actions in the nine last days. Building a wall along the southern border was one of his biggest campaign promises in 2016 to stop the flow of illegal immigration and boost national security. On Thursday, Trump is expected to award another Medal of Freedom to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Lindsey Graham spent four hours at the White House on Friday, The Washington Post reported on Monday, urging the president to participate in events throughout the week focusing more on policy. 'It's one day at a time,' the South Carolina senator and Trump ally said. 'We need to get through the next nine days and transition power.' Donald Trump held a secret ceremony Monday awarding ally Jim Jordan with Presidential Medal of Freedom The president is making a show of business as usual in his last full week in office as House Democrats pursue impeachment after accusing Trump of inciting the mob who stormed the Capitol Senator Lindsey Graham, shown being escorted by security at Regan National Airport on Friday, met with Trump at the White House for four hours Friday and advised him to participate in events focusing on policy in his last few days On Tuesday, Trump is expected to travel to Texas to celebrate 400 miles of southern wall completion at the U.S.-Mexico border Trump is also expected to award New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick with the Medal of Freedom on Thursday While Trump carries on in his final full week in office, House Democrats are moving forward with voting on articles of impeachment as even some members of the president's own party are urging him to resign. Pelosi also gave Vice President Mike Pence an ultimatum over the weekend on invoking the 25th Amendment or else impeachment proceedings would commence. Ultimately, the most likely outcome will be Trump finishing his term on January 20. Trump awarded Jordan with the highest civilian honor on Monday after the Ohio representative remained one of the president's biggest allies as he went forward with challenging the Electoral College results last Wednesday after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol. He was also one of Trump's most staunch defenders during impeachment hearings. Jordan signed a letter demanding Congress investigate the integrity of the presidential election after Trump sought to overturn the results. While House Democrats are moving to vote on another impeachment against Trump this week, the timeline wouldn't lend itself to getting the president out of the White House before his term is up next Wednesday. Due to that, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed in an interview with '60 Minutes' Sunday night that she would prefer if Vice President Mike Pence invoked the 25th Amendment to immediately boot Trump from office and take over as president for the last nine days. Pence has not commented publicly on that plan and has remained largely silent since presiding over certification of the election last Wednesday after thousands of pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol disrupting the proceedings for around six hours. The only other option to get Trump out of office before his end date is resignation, which is the least likely of all as the president would view quitting as losing. Jordan was one of the several dozen Republicans to carry on with objecting to the election results after the pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol Wednesday House Speaker Pelosi wrote to her Democrat colleagues on Sunday night explaining that if Vice President Mike Pence does not invoke the 25th Amendment, they will move forward with voting on impeaching Trump for a second time Pelosi told '60 Minutes' on Sunday that she wants impeachment for Donald Trump so he can't run for office in the future Pelosi said that if Pence does not force Trump out of office via the 25th Amendment, then Democrats will proceed with the impeachment of 'deranged, unhinged and dangerous' president this week. The House Speaker made the announcement in a letter to colleagues, framing it as an ultimatum to Pence. Trump could become the first president to be impeached twice. 'In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both,' she said, and added: 'The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.' House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday that while articles of impeachment could be drafted Monday, a vote might not take place until Tuesday or Wednesday. He also said that the House might not immediately send the articles to the Senate once a vote takes place. Clyburn, and other Democrats, want to wait until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office to send the articles to the Senate, in an effort not to start his administration off on a sour note. Pelosi said she would prefer if Pence invoked the 25th Amendment 'because it gets rid of him he's out of office' now as concerns mount that Trump could pardon the mob in his last 10 days in office Pence has not commented publicly on using the 25th and in general has remained silent since presiding over the joint session of Congress certifying the election for Joe Biden last week after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, delaying the proceedings for six hours Richard Barnett, 60, has been charged with unlawful entry Pelosi fought to contain her emotions as she told 60 Minutes how her staff cowered under desks in the dark for two hours, as a frenzied mob of Trump supporters smashed through her office. 'I think there was, universally accepted, that what happened...' she said, pausing to compose herself. 'Was a terrible, terrible violation of what - of the Capitol, of the first branch of government, the legislative branch, by the president of the United States.' Pelosi's door was smashed down, and rioters stormed her private office. 'The staff went under the table, barricaded the door, turned out the lights, and were silent in the dark,' Pelosi said, showing CBS' '60 Minutes' interviewer Lesley Stahl the damage. 'Under the table for two and a half hours,' she said. During this time in hiding, they listened to the invaders banging on that door. 'You see what they did to the mirror there? The glass was all over the place,' said Pelosi. 'They took a computer and all that stuff.' The MAGA rioter who put his feet up on Nancy Pelosi's desk was arrested along with a man who brought 11 Molotov cocktails, two handguns and an assault rifle to the Capitol on Wednesday Richard Barnett, 60, shows off a letter from Nancy Pelosi's desk which he stole Rioters draped in Trump flags are pictured rampaging through Pelosi's office 'And then the desk that they actually were at was right there that they defamed in that way, feet on the desk and all that.' One of the rioters, Richard Barnett, 60, was pictured putting his feet up on her desk. Another, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, allegedly wrote in a text to a friend that he was thinking of 'putting a bullet in [Pelosi's] noggin on Live TV'. TIMELINE OF TRUMP'S FINAL DAYS OF OFFICE Jan 10 - Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, reveals he has 200-plus co-sponsors. Jan 11 - Pelosi's leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. House Democrats are also expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. Jan 12 - A full House vote is expected on the matter on Tuesday. Jan 13- Pence and the Cabinet have until today to act. If not, the House would move forward with impeachment. Democrats plan to delay an impeachment trial for 100 days to allow Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated. Jan 20 - The inauguration; Trump leaves office and Joe Biden becomes the 46th President of the Unites States Advertisement Another text allegedly reads: 'I'm gonna run that c**t Pelosi over while she chews on her gums.' According to officials, a third text from Meredith, who is a married, father-of-two, says he has 'a sh*t ton of armor piercing ammo'. Meredith is one of 13 people who have been charged with federal crimes. Pelosi told Stahl: 'The evidence is now that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people. 'They were vocally saying, 'Where's the speaker? We know she has staff. They're here someplace. We're going to find them.'' She, and other Democrats, further fear the president could pardon those involved in the storming of the Capitol in his final days. Pelosi's plan seeks a vote on Monday on a resolution calling on Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. Under rules when the full House is not convened, any objection would reject the resolution. Pelosi would then put the resolution before the full House on Tuesday. If it were to pass, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. With impeachment planning intensifying, two Republican senators said they want Trump to resign immediately as efforts mounted to prevent Trump from ever again holding elective office in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated on January 20. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas on Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. 'Let's give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running,' Clyburn said. Pressure was mounting for Trump to leave office even before his term ended amid alarming concerns of more unrest ahead of the inauguration. The mob overran the Capitol Police shortly after Trump urged them to 'fight' on his behalf Police try to hold back protesters pushing into a doorway at the Capitol on Wednesday Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress Lawmakers and law enforcement are pursuing all available avenues to find and prosecute those involved in the Capitol riot using picture and video evidence to do so A protester struggles with a riot police officer outside the Capitol building after the 6pm curfew went into effect The president is accused of whipping up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five dead. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined his fellow Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to 'resign and go away as soon as possible.' 'I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again,' Toomey said. 'I don't think he is electable in any way.' Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trump's conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply 'needs to get out.' A third Republican, Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be 'very careful' in his final days in office. Corporate America began to tie its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group 'will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy,' Kim said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citi's head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, 'We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law.' Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did 'is for them to decide.' President-elect of the United States Joe Biden leaves Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, DE on January 9 Murkowski said that Trump should resign, saying he had done enough damage Trump supporters, egged on by the president himself, stormed the Capitol on Wednesday House leaders, furious after the insurrection, appear determined to act against Trump despite the short timeline. Mike Pence 'has not ruled out the 25th Amendment' Mike Pence and Donald Trump have not spoken since Wednesday's uprising, CNN reported, during which pro-Trump rioters charged through the Senate looking for Pence and threatening to 'hang' him. Trump was angered by Pence telling him he was not constitutionally able to overturn the election, and lashed out at his vice president on Wednesday, telling supporters: 'Mike Pence has to come through for us. If he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country.' He later tweeted: 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.' Pence has finally 'gotten a glimpse of POTUS's vindictiveness,' one source told CNN. It is the first time the normally-loyal Pence has publicly broken with the president. CNN said that Pence has not ruled out the 25th Amendment. Invoking the 25th Amendment would require Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Trump from office due to his inability to 'discharge the powers and duties of his office' - an unprecedented step. On Thursday, sources close to the VP said it was 'highly unlikely' Pence would attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment. He has not ruled it out, however. Advertisement Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Senator Marco Rubio said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to 'talk about ridiculous things like 'Let's impeach a president' with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would 'vote the right way' if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did 'is for them to decide.' While some Democrats are pushing for the impeachment route, the House Speaker told '60 Minutes' in an interview that will air Sunday night that she prefers invoking the 25th Amendment because it gets Trump out of office immediately. 'There is a possibility that after all of this, there's no punishment, no consequence, and he could run again for president,' CBS' Lesley Stahl said to Pelosi in a clip released ahead of airing the full interview. 'And that's one of the motivations that people have for advocating for impeachment,' Pelosi explained. She is, however, concerned that if Trump is not booted from the White House right now, he will use his last 10 days in office to pardon those part of the mob who descended on the Capitol Wednesday or even himself and other allies. 'I like the 25th Amendment because it gets rid of him he's out of office,' Pelosi said. 'But there is strong support in the Congress for impeaching the president a second time.' 'What if he pardons himself?' Stahl asked. 'What if pardons these people who are terrorists on the Capitol?' Pelosi shot back. Congress is moving to prosecute or punish any and all they can find who were involved in the riots at the Capitol and have already found some who were pictured prominently. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday in an interview with ABC's 'This Week' that half of the members of the House were at risk of dying during the riots. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday of the pro-Trump mob descending on the Capitol House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday that Democrats will vote on impeachment this week, but said the party might wait until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office to move the articles to the Senate WHAT DOES THE 25TH AMENDMENT SAY? CAN TRUMP'S CABINET REALLY TOPPLE HIM? The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution deals with presidential authority in the event of death or removal from office, and was ratified in 1967, in the wake of John F Kennedy's assassination. What does the 25th Amendment say? It is in four sections, all dealing with the president leaving office during his or her elected term. The first section states that the vice president takes over the Oval Office if the president dies or resigns or is removed something which the original Constitution did not clearly state. Presidents of course can be removed by impeachment, a feature of the constitution from the start. They can also be removed through the 25th Amendment - of which more below. Section II states that if the vice president dies, or resigns or is fired both the House and Senate have to confirm a new vice president. Until 1967, presidents could change vice presidents mid-term on their own if they got the vice president to agree to resign - not something that actually happened, but which was possible in principle. Section III makes clear that a president can temporarily delegate his powers to the vice president, and later reclaim them when he - or she - is capable of serving. This is most often invoked if a president is under the influence of surgical anesthetic for a short period of time. Section IV is the amendment's most controversial part: it describes how the president can be removed from office if he is incapacitated and does not leave on his own. The vice president and 'a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide' must write to both the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, saying that 'the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.' The term principal officers of the executive departments would normally mean the cabinet secretaries. So at least eight of the president's 15 most senior Cabinet members together with the vice president must agree that a president should be removed before any plan can move forward. Notifying the House Speaker and the Senate president pro tempore is the act that immediately elevates the vice president to an 'acting president' role. The deposed president can contest the claim, giving the leaders of the bloodless coup four days to re-assert their claims to the House and Senate. Congress then has two days to convene unless it is already in session and another 21 days to vote on whether the president is incapable of serving. A two-thirds majority in both houses is required to make that determination. As soon as there is a vote with a two-thirds majority, the president loses his powers and is removed, and the vice president stops acting and is sworn in as president. But if 21 days of debate and votes ends without a two-thirds majority, the president gets back his powers. What could happen to trigger the 25th Amendment? Vice President Mike Pence and eight of the 15 'principal' Cabinet members would have to agree to notify Congress that President Donald Trump was incapable of running the country. That group is made up of the Secretary of State, Treasury Secretary, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Interior Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, Commerce Secretary, Labor Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretary, Transportation Secretary, Energy Secretary , Education Secretary, Veterans Affairs Secretary and Homeland Security Secretary. Their formal notification would go to the House Speaker and, in the senate, to the 'president pro tempore', the Senate's most senior member. As soon as the letter is sent, Pence would become 'acting president.' Alternatively, Congress could set up its own mechanism to decide if he is fit for office - maybe a commission, or a joint committee. Pence would still have to agree with its conclusion and then write formally to the Speaker and president pro tempore. Or another possibility is that the pool of 'principal officers' is considered to be bigger than the 15 and a majority of that group call Trump incapable. What if Trump does not agree? If Trump claims he is capable of holding office, he would write to the House Speaker and the president pro tempore of the Senate within four days, setting up three weeks of intense debate in both houses of Congress. Trump would be removed from office if both two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate agreed with Pence and his cabal. If either of both chambers fell short of that mark, Trump would retain his powers and likely embark on a wholesale housecleaning, firing Pence and replacing disloyal Cabinet members. Are there any loopholes? The 25th Amendment allows Congress to appoint its own panel to evaluate the president instead of relying on the Cabinet the men and women who work most closely with Trump to decide on a course of action. It specifies that some 'other body as Congress may by law provide' could play that role, but Pence would still need to agree with any finding that the president is incapable of discharging his duties. That commission could hypothetically include anyone from presidential historians to psychiatrists, entrusted to assess the president's fitness for office. Another loophole is that it does not spell out that the Cabinet is needed to agree, but says that the 'principal officers' of the departments are needed. That term is undefined in the constitution. In some departments legislation appears to name not just the secretary but deputies and even undersecretaries as 'principal officers', so many more people could be called in to the assessment of Trump's fitness. But Trump's cabinet has a swathe of 'acting' cabinet officer - and it is unclear if they could therefore take part in removing him. Could Trump fire Pence if he rebelled? No. The vice president can resign or be impeached and removed - but he does not serve at the pleasure of the president. Is there any precedent for this? No. Only Section III, the voluntary surrender of presidential powers, has ever been used - and only very briefly. In December 1978, President Jimmy Carter thought about invoking Section III when he was contemplating a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush both voluntarily relinquished their powers while undergoing procedures under anesthetic. Section IV has also never been invoked, although there have been claims that Ronald Reagan's chief of staff Donald Regan told his successor, Howard Baker, in 1987 that he should be prepared to invoke it because Reagan was inattentive and inept. The PBS documentary 'American Experience' recounts how Baker and his team watched Reagan closely for signs of incapacity during their first meeting and decided he was in perfect command of himself. Advertisement 'If another head of state came in and ordered an attack on the United States Congress, would we say that that should not be prosecuted? Would we say that there should be absolutely no response to that?' the New York congresswoman told ABC host George Stephanopoulos. 'No,' Ocasio-Cortez asserted. 'It is an act of insurrection. It's an act of hostility. And we must have accountability, because, without it, it will happen again. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' she said. Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New York Representative, agreed with AOC's points in an interview with NBC on Sunday, claiming: 'Donald Trump represents a clear and present danger to the health and safety of the American people, as well as our democracy' The representative, as well as the handful of members of her progressive 'squad', are fully on board with plans to again impeach President Trump. Clyburn said Sunday that articles have already been drawn and he is expecting a vote in the lower chamber in the coming day. 'I think that will come probably Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday, but it will happen this week,' the No. 3 House Democrat told 'Fox News Sunday' when asked about the House taking action to impeach Trump. 'The rest of the articles have been drawn up.' 'If we are the people's House, let's do the people's work and vote to impeach this president,' Clyburn continued in his interview with Fox's Chris Wallace. 'And then we'll decide later or the Senate will decide later what to do with that impeachment.' Ocasio-Cortez said 'every minute' Trump is still in office, there is a looming threat. 'I absolutely believe that impeachment should be scheduled for several reasons,' she said on Sunday. 'Our main priority is to ensure the removal of Donald Trump as president of the United States,' AOC added. 'Every minute and every hour that he is in office represents a clear and present danger, not just to the United States Congress, but, frankly, to the country.' While Democrats pursue impeachment, many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are calling for Trump to step down on his own volition to prevent Congress from having to intervene. Lawmakers were forced to evacuate the House and Senate chambers and shelter in offices or other locations on Wednesday after thousands of Donald Trump's supporters breached the Capitol and rioted through the halls There are also talks of banning Trump from running for president again in the future as speculation mounts he will pursue another run for the White House in 2024. 'In addition to removal, we're also talking about complete barring of the president or, rather, of Donald Trump from running for office ever again,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC. 'And, in addition to that, the potential ability to prevent pardoning himself from those charges that he was impeached for.' Jeffries also wants immediate action against Trump, expressing concern that the president still has 'access to the nuclear codes.' 'The goal at the present moment is to address the existential threat that Donald Trump presents at this time. Every second, every minute, every hour that Donald Trump remains in office presents a danger to the American people,' the Democrat representative said on Sunday during an interview on 'Meet the Press'. 'You know, Donald Trump may be in the Twitter penalty box, but he still has access to the nuclear codes,' Jeffries said, referencing Trump's indefinite ban from Twitter. 'That's a frightening prospect.' He added: 'Donald Trump is completely and totally out of control, and even his longtime enablers have now come to that conclusion.' Clyburn, however, said Sunday that House Democrats are weighing if they should hold off on sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office. This way, Democrats would allow the new president to install key members of his team and would have a new 50-50 split Senate to work with. In an exclusive interview to Zee News, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has spoken on Nepal's ties with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indo-China dispute. The special interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary will be aired on the DNA show at 9 pm on Monday. The Nepal PM has said that the relationship between India and Nepal is not that of a bigger and smaller nation. He added that both are equal sovereign countries, adding that India doesn't 'consider itself as the boss'. Speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi he said that 'PM Modi believes in equal relations but when I say that I am the Prime Minister equal to Modiji, people feel bad'. The Nepal PM also said, "We do not use the India-China dispute for our benefit and don't play cards against each other. We keep a balanced relationship." Speaking on India-China border tension, he said, "Nepal can mediate between India and China. It will be Nepal's loss if there is tension between India and China. We want peace and development." "Nepal will not let anyone use our land and sky in the fight against anyone, stated Oli. He also said, "During the tension over Galwan Valley, India inaugurated on Nepal's land. Our land was shown in the map of India, so we opposed it." He added, "This is the century of Asia." On India's culture, he said, "Proud of India's culture. No faith in united India." He also said, "Before Newton and Galileo, we knew the theory of science and Nalanda was burnt because it was the centre of our knowledge." "We have to think with a big mind and shouldn't find loopholes. Indian siblings should agree. By applying soil of the real Ramjanmabhoomi on the forehead, welfare is achieved. A map is made keeping the disputed land in mind. When the dispute will end, the map will also be correct. Equal treatment should be done with all," added Oli. Live TV Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 15:12:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Staff members check the body temperature of visitors in front of Senso-ji temple at the sightseeing spot in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 9, 2021. (Photo by Lyu Tianze/Xinhua) Global cases hit 60 million on Nov. 25, surpassed 70 million on Dec. 11 and hit 80 million on Dec. 26. It took 16 days to climb from 60 million to 70 million, 15 days from 70 million to 80 million, and 15 days from 80 million to 90 million. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The raging COVID-19 pandemic shows no sign of abating as confirmed cases worldwide have exceeded 90 million and a new variant genome has been detected in Japan. PASSING 90-MLN MARK The global case count reached 90,045,410, with a total of 1,931,571 deaths worldwide as of 3:22 p.m. local time (2022 GMT), according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The United States has been the hardest-hit country worldwide both in terms of infections and fatalities with 22,293,281 cases and 373,588 deaths, accounting for 24 percent and over 19 percent of the global total respectively, followed by India with 10,450,284 cases, and Brazil with 8,075,998 cases but with the world's second largest death toll of 202,631. People wait to have a free do-it-yourself COVID-19 test at a walk-in test site in the city of San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, Jan. 9, 2021. (Xinhua) Countries with more than 2 million cases also include Russia, Britain, France, Turkey, Italy and Spain, while other countries with over 50,000 deaths include India, Mexico, Britain, Italy, France, Russia, Iran and Spain, according to the CSSE tally. Global cases hit 60 million on Nov. 25, surpassed 70 million on Dec. 11 and hit 80 million on Dec. 26. It took 16 days to climb from 60 million to 70 million, 15 days from 70 million to 80 million, and 15 days from 80 million to 90 million. NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS Japan's health ministry said on Sunday that four passengers who arrived at Tokyo's Haneda airport from Brazil earlier this month had been infected with a new variant of COVID-19. The ministry said the four people, who arrived at Haneda airport on Jan. 2 from Amazonas, Brazil, tested positive after the airport quarantine. Among them, a man in his 40s had been hospitalized due to breathing difficulty and a woman in her 30s had symptoms of throat pain and headaches, said the ministry. A male teenager had developed a fever while a female teenager had shown no symptoms. A senior woman hugs and chats with her relative through a "safe hug curtain" at a nursing home in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 6, 2021. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua) Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases said there was no evidence so far that the new mutant strain was highly infectious though the variant showed some similarities to those reported in Britain and South Africa. Besides, the variants earlier found in Britain and South Africa have spread to many countries during the past 24 hours. As of Sunday, France confirmed 47 cases of the new COVID-19 variant detected in Britain after seven people were diagnosed with the mutated virus in Marseille, the country's second largest city, local authorities said. Also on Sunday, Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki confirmed four people infected with the new variant of the virus have been detected and placed under quarantine. The new variants have also been spreading to India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Vietnam, among other nations. A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, southern France, on Jan. 9, 2021. (Photo by Serge Haouzi/Xinhua) VACCINATION STARTS IN MORE COUNTRIES To contain the spread of COVID-19, various countries are launching their immunization programs. Iran will start vaccinating those vulnerable against COVID-19 in the next two months, said Alireza Raisi, spokesman for the Iranian National Headquarters for Combating the Coronavirus. Around 1.3 million people, including health staff and elderly people in nursing homes, will be inoculated at the first stage of the plan, Raisi added. Israel has started vaccination for all teachers and other educational workers, the Ministry of Education said Sunday. In the first phase, vaccination will go to the teachers who work as usual during the ongoing full lockdown in the country. Jordan will start a nationwide immunization campaign from Jan. 13, Health Minister Nathir Obeidat said Sunday. Please note The Sun Chronicle is providing this story and all of our local coronavirus coverage for free so that all readers have access to this important information about the pandemic. Please visit our dedicated coronavirus coverage page for more stories. If you'd like to support our mission, please subscribe. New Delhi: Ink was thrown on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Somnath Bharti allegedly by an activist of Hindu Yuva Vahini in Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh on Monday (January 11). The police escorted the AAP MLA from the guest house of the Irrigation Department and proceeded towards Amethi district. The Hindu Yuva Vahini allegedly threw ink at Bharti as he was going to inspect some government schools. The AAP leader reached Rae Bareli on Sunday night. He was stopped from moving out of the guest house by the police. The youth who threw ink on Bharti managed to escape. The Vahini activists are said to be irked over the AAP MLA's controversial remark on the condition of hospitals in Uttar Pradesh. Live TV The AAP MLA took potshots at the condition of schools and hospitals in the wake of dogs found sitting with patients on the beds of the government hospital in Mirzapur a few days ago. The Aam Aadmi Party leaders are active ahead of the Panchayati elections in Uttar Pradesh. The three-tier rural local body elections are likely to take place in the state between March 15 and 30. Over the evening and morning of 8 and 9 January 2021, these were some of the article headlines on TheGatewayPundit's home page: ...Twitter Bans President Donald Trump PERMANENTLY ...Trump Campaign Banned From EMAILING Supporters After Being Suspended By Mail Service Provider ...YouTube Terminates Steve Bannon's War Room Podcast One of Top Podcasts in US Thousands were Watching at the Time! ...Google Removes Parler from App Store Amid Reports That Trump is Joining the Platform ...Big Tech Launches Massive Coordinated Cyber Attack on 74,000,000 Trump Voters GOP SILENT ...Parler Goes Down After Trump Joins Social Media Platform Apple Threatens to Remove Parler Unless it Enacts Draconian Censorship Policies Similar past actions by Big Tech media-providers have been challenged as a violation of the free speech rights of conservative Americans who use these services. This argument takes defenders of free speech down a legal obstacle course of pitfalls as they try to defend a conservative's right to use media services provided by private corporations. To no avail, on October 28, 2020 Congress even held hearings with the CEOs of Twitter, Facebook, and Google to discuss legal actions that may be brought against these companies if they continue to restrict speech. As Congress fiddles, the country continues its descent. There is a military art known as Electronic Warfare (E.W.), which in simple terms is the ability to use an electromagnetic spectrum capability (communication, infrared and radar systems) to conduct military operations while simultaneously preventing an enemy from using those same capabilities to maneuver his forces. Military intelligence personnel of the various service branches are typically the ones employing E.W. systems in support of operations worldwide. To understand the basic tenets of E.W. takes many months of classroom and field training in highly classified settings. However, one E.W. tactic is easily understood: jamming. In simple terms, an example of jamming is using an electronic system to broadcast a signal much stronger than the signals put out by an enemy's voice radio systems. Then all enemy radios receive your overpowering signal (such as a screeching tone over the radio), and enemy commanders can't use those radios to communicate with their forces and maneuver them on the battlefield. End result: You are using the electromagnetic spectrum to communicate while denying the enemy that ability. With this concept in mind, re-read the headlines noted at the beginning of this article. These acts by the Big Tech media providers to deny conservatives a voice are a classic case of jamming a military E.W. tactic. Instead of going down the free speech obstacle course defending why conservatives have a right to use Twitter, Facebook, and other media services, the better question to ask your congressional representatives is why Big Tech media incorporated in the U.S. are being permitted to conduct electronic warfare operations against U.S. citizens. What is the difference between Big Tech conducting these E.W. operations against American citizens and, say, China, Russia, or Iran hacking U.S. cell phone or email systems to shut down and deny these services for your use? Both are hostile acts and in some cases would be called acts of war. Both are wrong. Over the coming days and weeks, if such Big Tech actions are permitted to continue, all you will hear in the media is the screeching of leftist talking points as conservative viewpoints continue to be jammed. Given that our congressional representatives have failed to protect American citizens from such acts, we must do what old soldiers do when they hear the sound of jamming on platoon and squad radios. They don't argue their rights to use the electromagnetic spectrum. They twist the channel knob and use alternate radio frequencies, or they use other ways to communicate and thereby win the current battle. Fighting the free speech question is a strategic battle that will take a long time (if ever) to accomplish. Win the current battle first by closing Facebook, Twitter, and Google accounts now and use alternatives in Parler, Rumble, and other services that don't suppress conservative voices. That is a tactical strategy that conservatives can take to negate the effect of enemy jamming. Change the frequency and move on to communicate with fellow conservatives. To quote that time-honored statement made by soldiers before a battle, "I will see you on the high ground" or, in this case, anywhere but Facebook, Twitter, and Google applications. J. Michael is the pen name of an old soldier with decades of experience in Electronic Warfare operations. Image via Max Pixel. Police ban Indian Christian families from worship, accuse them of false conversion Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Police in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have banned 15 Christian families from gathering for worship services based on the presumption that they must have been coercively or fraudulently converted to Christianity as they are not Christian by birth. The deputy superintendent of police of Karnatakas Hassan District and his colleagues summoned the families in Bannimardatti village this week and asked them to prove that they were Christian, accusing them of availing benefits provided by the government as both Christians and Hindus, persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported. The officer then ordered the Christians to not gather for worship services in their village. This is the final attempt of Hindu radicals using the state police to clamp down on Christian activities, a local Christian was quoted as saying. They have tried everything including social boycotts and physical beatings. However, local Christians remained faithful in the midst of continued harassment. Karnataka is governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which also governs at the federal level. Incidents targeting Indian Christians have risen steeply since 2014 when Narendra Modi of this party came to power. The country is ranked No. 10 on Christian support organization Open Doors 2020 World Watch List of the countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian. Last month, Indias most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, approved a controversial anti-conversion law that experts warn will incite more religiously motivated violence as attacks on Christians and other religious minorities continue to escalate. ICC noted that historically, radical Hindu nationalists have used the specter of mass religious conversions to Christianity as justification to pass similar laws limiting religious freedom, though Christians make up just 2.3% of the population. Earlier this month, a Korean Christian, 50-year-old Mi Kyung Lee of Seoul, and three Indian citizens were imprisoned in Uttar Pradesh for providing food and other aid to the poor. Accused of fraudulent conversion attempts, the four individuals were the first to be imprisoned under the states anti-conversion law, according to Morning Star News. Raj Kumar Masih, an organizer overseeing the distribution of aid, told the outlet that he had organized relief aid to thousands of people since obtaining permission from the Additional District Magistrate on March 23, 2020. Aid was distributed in various areas, including at his church site. Similar anti-conversion laws have also been enacted in the states of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. These laws embolden Hindu militant groups to make false accusations against Christians. Police often overlook violence perpetrated against believers due to the false accusations of forced conversions. India was not named by the U.S. State Department last year as among the countries of particular concern that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. In a statement to The Christian Post, advocacy group The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America said it was deeply disappointed India did not receive the CPC designation in 2020. The national government allowed violence against minorities and their houses of worship to continue with impunity and engaged in and tolerated hate speech and incitement to violence, FIACONA said. The Indian government headed by the Hindu nationalist BJP party continues to claim so conveniently that all such violence against Christians in India is isolated incidents and not the policy of the government. Victoria's Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville has defended the government's decision to allow 1200 people into the state for the Australian Open, while thousands of Australians remain stranded overseas and Melburnians are banned from returning home from Sydney and Brisbane. Ms Neville also apologised for delays with the government's new 'traffic light' permit system for travellers seeking to enter Victoria. The scheme, which was scheduled to take effect at 6pm on Monday but was delayed by almost three hours, is a ticket back for many Victorians who had been stranded in regional NSW. Victoria recorded no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, marking the sixth consecutive day of no community transmission. There were also no cases detected in hotel quarantine. The Division of Biomechanics and Research Development announces a new on-site partnership with Innovative Prosthetics and Orthotics, the first tenant in the rapidly-growing Biomechanics Research Building at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Founded in 2006 by CEO and Board-Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist Rakesh Srivastava, Innovative Prosthetics and Orthotics specializes in providing clients a full range of prosthetic and orthotic services including custom devices and durable medical equipment. The Omaha clinic recently completed a move from 90th and Dodge Streets to their new location at the Biomechanics Research Building, joining Srivastavas clinics in Hastings, Grand Island, and Kearney. This partnership will create a unique clinical concept for Nebraska and UNO. "Our state is one of the first few to pioneer something like thiswhere the clinical side of the prosthetics and orthotics, as well as the research, is under one roof," said Srivastava. "This will not only help the university and the business, but also the patient. Through research opportunities at UNO, patients will explore newer possibilities they did not previously have access to." The on-site partnership will focus on: Development and production of low-cost prosthetics and orthotics components. Device assembly and custom fabrication. Expanded research opportunities for patients. Research and training opportunities for UNO students through hands-on experience and job shadowing, creating stronger career pathways to the field of prosthetics and orthotics. In 2014, Srivastava joined the Cyborg Beast research team, headed by UNO Associate Professor of Biomechanics, Dr. Jorge Zuniga. The Cyborg Beast team develops visually appealing, easy-to-assemble, low-cost 3D printed prosthetic and orthotic devices for children with upper and lower limb differences. Srivastava met Dr. Zuniga in his search for low-cost 3D-printed components shortly after opening his clinic at the Omaha location. "Components for prosthetics and orthotics can get pretty pricey, and I wanted to see how they could be produced not so just a few people could afford them, but thousands and thousands worldwide could afford the technology," explained Srivastava. "My first intention was to reach out to a company on the West coast. I called them and said, 'I'm from Nebraska, how do I get associated with 3D printing?' And they told me about an Omaha professor who was doing 3D research on upper extremity for kids. So that's how I got connected. I emailed Dr. Zuniga, and that's how our journey started." "I am extremely excited about this opportunity because now our research participants coming from all over the country will have access to professional prosthetic services," said Dr. Zuniga. "This unique approach of having one of the top prosthetics clinics in the state working side-by-side with UNO researchers has already produced results. Under this partnership we submitted a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health Small Business Technology Transfer and received excellent reviews. This potential federal funding will help our state to develop the next generation of affordable prosthesis and provide hands-on experience to our students." Always at the forefront of innovation, UNO Biomechanics received the two largest federal research grants in university history, and constructed one of the first stand-alone buildings in the world dedicated to Biomechanics research. In 2019, completion of a privately-funded $11.6 million expansion of the Biomechanics Research Building more than doubled the size of the original building, bringing the facility to 57,000 square feet and adding critical space for research, machining, prototyping and education. Bringing clinical partners and businesses into the Biomechanics Research Building is a vision of Biomechanics founder Dr. Nick Stergiou, and he is excited to see how this partnership will usher in a new era for researchers and students. "It was a dream of mine for many years to have scientists working together with industry, to create a hub for Biomechanics innovation and science where scientific discovery can quickly get from the lab into the hands of the general public," explained Dr. Stergiou. "I've seen it at institutions like MIT in Boston and EuroMov in Franceinstitutions that are housing companies and launching start-ups, who are working side-by-side with researchersand I thought, 'why not here in Nebraska? Why not Omaha?' The partnership with Innovative Prosthetics and Orthotics is a major accomplishment, and it is the beginning of many new possibilities for UNO." Press Trust of India Two flight surgeons will soon fly to Russia where they will get hands-on experience in space medicine from their Russian counterparts for the Gaganyaan mission, an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official said on Sunday. The flight surgeons are doctors from the Indian Air Force who have specialized in aerospace medicine. "The flight surgeons will leave soon. They will get hands-on training with flight surgeons in Russia," the official said. Training of astronauts is a critical aspect of the human space mission project. Flight surgeons are responsible for astronauts' health before, during and after a flight. The flight surgeons will also get to train with the prospective astronauts, the official said. The four test pilots of the Indian Air Force, chosen for India's first manned mission to space, have been undergoing training at the Yu A Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Centre near Moscow since February last year. Named after Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space, the Center was built to support manned space programmes, space exploration activities, space engineering, cosmonauts' training, as well as ensuring their safety in space and providing post-flight rehabilitation programmes for cosmonauts. The training of Indian astronauts has been affected due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown in Russia, and they are expected to be back in India by March. The flight surgeons will also travel to France for training. The French module of space surgeons training will be more theoretical in nature," the official added. In 2018, flight surgeon Brigitte Godard, who was with French space agency CNES then, had visited India to start the training of physicians and engineers. France has a well-established mechanism for space medicine. It also has the MEDES space clinic, a subsidiary of CNES, where space surgeons undergo training. Gaganyaan, an ambitious mission to send three Indians to space by 2022, could be slightly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit ISRO's supplies from the industry, the official said. This time, however, the search giant has returned with updates for both beta and stable builds, though the company has once again forgot to include a changelog to let us whats new.First and foremost, the beta channel is being updated to version 10.58.1 , so its a rather small revision to the build that was published last week, and this is an indication it most likely includes a small bug fix or a minor optimization under the hood.On the other hand, the new stable release that is now available for download for anyone on Android and Android Auto is 10.57.2, an important version increase from the latest build in this channel and published in early December as 10.56.2.As said, Google has only shipped generic release notes for its new updates, so without installing and closely inspecting every little corner of the app, its pretty much impossible to tell whats new.And while theres no massive change at first, theres a chance these new updates prepare Google Maps for the introduction of the new language setting we told you about a few days ago. Google is now letting users configure an in-app language thats different from the one enabled on the phone; that's something users have been requesting for years and is now finally rolling out gradually.By the looks of things, this feature is being released to users in stages, and while the new updates dont specifically activate the new language menu, it might include the necessary code allowing Google to enable it when the time comes.In the meantime, keep in mind the beta build isnt supposed to be installed on production devices, as testing versions come with an increased likelihood of bugs. How do Luxembourg's ministers reflect on the year that has passed since the start of the pandemic? Our colleagues from 5minutes sat down with Minister of Culture Sam Tanson. After long months of closed curtains, Luxembourg's cultural sector can at last return to a certain sense of normality. But a full return will still take a while, warns minister Sam Tanson. While cinemas, museums, concert halls and theatres will be able to resume their activities, certain rules will have to be respected (wearing of masks, physical distance - a full overview can be found here). It's a breath of fresh air for all those involved in the sector, and for the public who have experienced a long period of "cultural suffocation". But the crisis will certainly leave its mark, both in the short and long term. "We should not underestimate the impact of the crisis on the cultural sector, which is enormous", warns Tanson, who fears that some artists may throw in the towel for good. "Culture is essential, there is no question about it", says Tanson. The culture sector has been the first to close its doors and one of the last to reopen. Financially-speaking, the minister goes on to say, artists are one of the most vulnerable in society, because they live "day to day, project to project". If a project is cancelled there is often no other source of income. Luxembourg's cultural scene has really developed in the last two decades, and this pandemic has seen a massive shock wave that has brought down some of the progress that had been made. And in her capacity as Minister of Justice, she acknowledges the inevitable delays, even if these could be limited thanks to digitalisation. One thing that worries her is domestic violence, as studies have shown that close proximity and little breathing space in a household can lead to tension amongst children and parents, and partners towards partners. Furthermore, it is less detected, as the constant presence of a person can be a barrier for the affected individual to report it. See other interviews in this series: Paulette Lenert: The vaccine is the "start of our way out of this crisis" Lex Delles: The strength of small businesses is their "impressive spirit of questioning" Franz Fayot: "We cannot open the financial floodgates forever" Claude Meisch: "I'm proud we insisted on keeping schools open." Exclusive interview with PM Xavier Bettel Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 10:11:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close QUITO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador and Colombia agreed on Sunday to continue bilateral coordination to redirect resources from the Binational Border Development and Social Reparation Fund to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 on their common border. Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno and Colombian President Ivan Duque released a joint statement after visiting the Mataje-La Espriella highway construction project, which will facilitate the transportation of goods and services between the two countries. In the statement, both leaders expressed their concern about "the serious consequences" generated by the pandemic in the two countries, particularly in the border area, and reiterated their commitment to continue bilateral coordination on the health emergency "such as the reorientation of resources from the Binational Border Development and Social Reparation Fund." This fund, created in 2018, came into operation in May 2019 for projects in the border integration zone. Moreno and Duque also agreed to continue bilateral dialogue to adopt adequate measures for a "possible reopening of the borders in a gradual, coordinated and progressive manner." Both nations closed their borders in March to help slow the spread of the pandemic. Duque described the meeting as "very productive," noting that there is a "growing trend of win-win binational trade," and the infrastructure projects on the border represent investment and employment. The leaders met after the ninth Colombia-Ecuador Presidential Meeting and Binational Cabinet that was held online on Nov. 26 to discuss issues of bilateral interest. Enditem 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. A little boy who was mauled by a dog while saving his sister is making an incredible recovery thanks to a team of renowned doctors who have volunteered to treat his facial scars pro bono after hearing his inspiring story. Bridger Walker, six, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, bravely put himself between his younger sister and a charging dog this summer, suffering several bites to his head and face that required 90 stitches. The national hero's scars are fading day by day with the help of top dermatologists Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, Dr. Cory B. Maughan, and Dr. Sandra Lee, a.k.a. Dr. Pimple Popper who have ensured he is getting top-of-the-line laser treatments. Hero: Bridger Walker, six, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, (pictured in November) has made an incredible recovery after being mauled by a dog this summer while saving his younger sister Progress: Bridger needed 90 stitches after the dog bit his head and face in July (left). Five months later, his scars have faded thanks to the laser treatments he has been getting (right) Brotherly love: Bridger bravely put himself between his younger sister and a charging dog and managed to get her to safety despite his injuries So far, Bridger has undergone two rounds of treatments to reduce the redness and bumpiness of his scars following the incident. The Walkers traveled to New York City in August, shortly after Bridger's stitches were removed, for his first session with Dr. Bhanusali, who used Sciton erbium and Cutera excel V+ lasers to smooth the skin before the scars' curves set in. 'Every once in a while, we come across patients who do more for us than we can ever do for them,' Dr. Bhanusali said. 'Bridger inspired me and in a time where so much negativity was surrounding the world, he provided hope and represented all that is good. 'It is my greatest privilege to try and help, and while a few of us may get the credit, this story is more about the dermatology world coming together to help a little boy who is truly a hero,' he added. 'We are fortunate to be in a place where we can help heal and Im just thankful to be part of this wonderful dermatology community.' Worth it: Inspired by his story, dermatologists Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, Dr. Cory B. Maughan, and Dr. Sandra Lee, a.k.a. Dr. Pimple Popper have been treating him pro bono A month later: Bridger's scars are pictured before and after (left to right) his stitches were removed in August During Bridger's visit, Dr. Bhanusali texted Dr. Lee, who was seeing patients in California, to tell her that the little boy is a big fan of hers. 'We are about to do a laser treatment and he is so brave but, of course, is apprehensive. Can you say hello?' he asked. 'How could I say no? It's so wonderful that both Dr. Bhanusali and Dr. Maughan are helping him improve his scars,' Dr. Lee said. 'Although I am not directly involved in his care, if I can do anything to make Bridger more comfortable and remind him what a brave, kind, good young man he is, I'm there.' 'I am the lucky one that Bridger knows my name and I have the opportunity to meet him,' she added. 'He is in great hands, and I look forward to following his progress.' In October, Bridger had his second round of treatments with Dr. Maughan in Utah, which is closer to where the Walkers live. This time, he was treated with Candela Vbeam and Alma erbium lasers. Amazing spirit: Photos of Bridger's progress have been shared on his father Robert's Instagram page, and the little boy is already back to smiling Healing: The Walkers traveled to New York City in August, shortly after Bridger's stitches were removed, for his first laser session with Dr. Bhanusali Recovery: The top photos show Bridger's scars before and after (right to left) his first laser treatment. The bottom shows them before and after his stitches were removed (right to left) Dr. Bhanusali explained the various lasers are targeting two different issues the look (redness) and texture (smoothness) of the scars. Bridger is proud of his scars because they're a reminder of how much he loves his sister. The goal is not to make them disappear, but rather get them to the point that they're not the first thing people notice. 'Bridger is such an inspiration during these tough times. His courage and bravery are deserving of every accolade,' Dr. Maughan said. 'Dr. Bhanusali and I have been blessed to be part of his recovery and feel privileged to be able to use our expertise to help his scars heal the best they can.' Photos of Bridger's progress have been shared on his father Robert's Instagram page. The little boy, who is already back to smiling, is to receive a few more rounds of laser treatments this year. Most recently, his parents announced on social media that they rang in the new year with a new dog, whom their son named Loki. 'Bridger made sure we knew what his vote for the name was by putting post-it notes all over every surface of the house. How could we say no to that?!' the dad said. 'Bridger started off a little nervous, but Loki is such a sweet, mellow, and fun little puppy. Im sure it wont be long before they are best buds.' Getting there: In October, Bridger had his second round of treatments with Dr. Maughan in Utah. His scars are pictured right before and after the session (left to right) Deserves it: Bridger, who loves superheroes, has been praised for being one himself. Last month, he received a replica Mjolnir from Shield Labs So sweet: Bridger (pictured before the attack) is proud of his scars because they're a reminder of how much he loves his sister Bridger captured the hearts of thousands last year after his aunt Nicole Walker shared his incredible story in an Instagram post in July. 'My nephew is a hero who saved his little sister from an attacking dog,' she wrote. 'He, himself, took on the attack so that the dog wouldnt get his sister. He later said, If someone was going to die, I thought it should be me. He got home from the hospital last night. 'I know its a long shot,' she added, 'but Im reaching out to the Avengers and other heroes so that they can learn about this latest addition to their ranks.' Anne Hathaway responded by sharing photos of Bridger on her Instagram account, writing: 'I'm not an Avenger, but I know a superhero when I see one. I can only hope I'm half as brave in my life as you are in yours, Bridger.' The actress tagged Avengers star Mark Ruffalo, who penned a thoughtful message praising the young hero. 'Dear Bridger, I just read about what happened to you and I wanted to reach out to say this People who put the well beings of others in front of themselves are the most heroic and thoughtful people I know,' he wrote. Happy: Bridger's parents announced on social media that they rang in 2021 with a new dog Too cute: Bridger's parents said he 'started off a little nervous' with their new pet, but they quickly bonded Couldn't resist: The family named the dog Loki after Bridger left yellow post-it notes all over the house with his choice of moniker for their new pet 'I truly respect and admire your courage and your heart. Real courage isn't dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy. 'Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow.' Meanwhile, Chris Evans, who also stars in the franchise, sent Bridger a sweet video message and vowed to get him a Captain America shield. The little boy's aunt later shared photos of his stitches and scars in a follow-up post, insisting they were already 'looking so much better.' 'Hes in great spirits, and his awesome personality is intact,' she wrote. 'He cant smile too widely yet, but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him.' She made it clear that they don't blame the dog's owners for what happened, saying they 'are really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger and his family.' 'We feel no resentment toward them at all, and if anything theres only been an increase of love between our families as a result of this incident,' she added. The aunt said some people who saw the post had asked if there was a GoFundMe page for Bridger. Instead, she told them to donate to military veteran groups and send photos of rocks to Bridger because he loves geology. Apeejay Surrendra Park has signed on 320-rooms under management contract that will be launched in 2021 across its brands, The Park Collection, Zone by The Park and the newly launched Zone Connect. Apeejay Surrendra Park (ASPH) has four brands: The Park Hotels, The Park Collection, Zone by The Park and Zone Connect. Zone Connect, a limited service brand under its Zone by The Park portfolio, has been launched with four hotels, under management contract, in Coimbatore, Goa, Port Blair and Tirupathi. The are slated to open in the first half of 2021, said Vijay Dewan, managing director, (ASPH). In addition, ASPH has signed up a hotel in Dimapur under the Zone by the Park brand and one in Qila Mubarak, Patiala with the department of tourism, government of Punjab under The Park Collection brand. We are also in the process of finalizing a property in Leh. So together we have signed up a 320 rooms under management contract under Zone Connect, Zone by the Park and under The Park Collection, Dewan summed up. Like most other hotel companies, ASPH is going asset light. At present, the ratio between owned and managed properties is 60:40; in three years, the plan is to reverse it in favour of more managed properties. As we move towards more managed properties, the ratio would get reversed over a period of three years. So 60 per cent would be managed and 40 per cent owned, said Dewan. ASPH currently operates 1,937 keys and another 320 would get added in 2021. But ASPH would still be building hotels. In fact, in a sign of better market conditions, the company plans to restart its project in Pune, which was suspended during the Covid period. Its a 200-room hotel which will take 18-24 months to be completed, added Dewan. The hospitality industry, which has been hugely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, is now slowly limping back. Occupancy improved over the last quarter; in October, it was 66 per cent, which climbed up to 70 per cent in November and then in December, it went up to 88 per cent. We have had a significant comeback on the occupancy front, said Dewan. Three hotels Kolkata, New Delhi and Visakhapatnam had, in fact, clocked in more than a 90 per cent occupancy. In managed portfolio, two properties in Goa, had a 95 per cent occupancy. In resort destinations, businesses are significantly coming back. The leisure business is looking promising, explained Dewan. But even in the owned properties or city-centric properties, December has been a good month in terms of occupancy. As far as business travel is concerned, it is picking up, albeit in a gradual manner. Currently, business is being compensated by leisure. Dewan expects ARRs (average room rates), that have seen a drop of 40 per cent to be under pressure. It is improving month-on-month, but will not come back to pre-Covid levels before 2023, he said. Chinese companies and financiers, the biggest backers of coal power plants globally, are stepping up their investments in Southeast Asia's renewable power sector, thanks to the falling costs of clean energy and climate-friendly policy in the region, according to project advisers. "There is an increasing shift in focus since 2018 to invest in renewable projects," said Singapore-based Kim Hock Ang, a principal in law firm Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow's finance and projects team. "I see Chinese sponsors setting up subsidiaries focusing solely on [them]." Supported by China's solar equipment manufacturers, which have built the biggest supply chain in the world, Chinese investors are in a particularly strong position in terms of cost-competitiveness in project tenders. Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China. "Chinese bidders have had overwhelming success in recent Myanmar solar tenders," he said. "They have also been active in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos." Vietnam's policies allowing full foreign ownership of renewable projects also played a role in attracting Chinese companies, he added. Malaysia and the Philippines have foreign ownership restrictions. State-owned power plant builder PowerChina financed a 0.5 gigawatt solar farm in southern Vietnam which was the largest in Southeast Asia when it was completed in mid 2019. Vietnam, whose power demand grew at an average annual rate of 10 per cent in the five years to 2019, aims to lift the proportion of renewables in its power capacity mix to 15-20 per cent by 2030 from 10 per cent in 2020. Subsidised power tariffs could see Vietnam's wind-power generating capacity surge from 0.5GW in 2019 to 4GW by 2025, although a proposed 17 per cent tariff cut and power grid bottlenecks could dampen growth from 2022, industry body Global Wind Energy Council said. While Chinese investors and financiers are paying more attention to renewable energy, they will not stop investing in fossil fuel projects in the region, said Lucas Zhang Liutong, director of consultancy WaterRock Energy Economics. Story continues Rapid growth in demand for power means they also need to build so-called baseload plants, he noted. These are large and can produce energy at a constant rate. They include nuclear, coal and hydro plants, in contrast to wind and solar farms which are typically smaller and whose output is intermittent. These countries are still looking to invest in more efficient and "cleaner" coal power plants to meet their rising demand and replace old and inefficient ones, Zhang said. "This trend will probably continue until there are economically viable baseload alternatives," he said. "Indonesia and the Philippines do plan to invest much more in geothermal power, which can be a viable baseload option, but the development timeline can be long." Policy banks in China, Japan and South Korea provided a combined US$78.9 billion for the construction of fossil fuel-fired power plants globally between 2009 and 2019, compared to just US$9.1 billion for renewable energy projects, according to a report published by environmental campaigner Greenpeace in December. This is set to change. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation, under pressure from environmental groups, said in April last year it will stop accepting loan applications for new coal power plants. Some Japanese and Korean commercial banks have pledged the same, but Chinese banks have yet to do so. Chinese companies have been encouraged by Beijing to make sustainability a priority when assessing investment targets in 138 nations covered by its Belt and Road Initiative, including Southeast Asia. President Xi Jinping said last April that infrastructure projects built under the initiative must be green and sustainable. Southeast Asia has the biggest block of coal-fired power plants either planned or under construction outside mainland China, with a combined capacity of 79GW - seven times Hong Kong's installed capacity, according to Greenpeace. Energy demand growth in the region would create a potential market for renewable energy projects worth US$205 billion this decade, it said. The projection assumes the region will one day adopt similar pledges made by China, Japan and South Korea in recent months to become carbon-neutral - with emissions to be offset by projects capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2021 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2021. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. The legislative Judiciary Committee on Monday confirmed Supreme Court Justice Andrew J. McDonald for a second eight-year term on the states highest court, despite a handful of negative Republican votes revealing lingering animosity from his failed nomination to become chief justice in 2018. There was no debate over the 54-year-old McDonald during the committees virtual hearing. But several GOP lawmakers, including two new members of the state House of Representatives, voted against him. Two others, Rep. Doug Dubitsky of Chaplin and Sen. Rob Sampson, who recently challenged Gov. Ned Lamonts executive orders in the high court, disqualified themselves. McDonald was confirmed 32-5. The nomination now heads to the House and Senate. Opposition in the voting was led by Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, a conservative recently named ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. Fishbein, in a query indicating opposition to the proposed legalization of marijuana for adult use, asked McDonald whether Connecticut law could trump federal laws against the drug. So if marijuana is illegal for recreational use federally, how can a state such as Connecticut even contemplate recreational marijuana legalization? Fishbein asked. That a subject that obviously is going to be debated in the legislature this year, replied McDonald, a Stamford native who now resides in Hartford. Thats a policy decision for the legislature, whether they want to entertain that question, and if so, whether to pass legislation related to that. It would be something that would be litigated and if it got to our court, then I would focus on the merits of the arguments. I am not suggesting that I have studied this in any detail or formed any opinion about whether such legislature would pass statutory or Constitution muster. Eleven states have full legalization of cannabis, most as a result of statewide referendums, while 34 have medical-marijuana programs, including Connecticut. In 2018, the state Senate turned down former Gov. Dannel P. Malloys nomination of McDonald to become the nations first openly gay chief justice. Republicans criticized the high courts 2015 ruling that the repeal of the death penalty had to include the inmates on death row. Republicans charged that McDonald was an activist judge. McDonald, a former Democratic state senator from Stamford who was co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee while he held the Senate seat, was first appointed to the high court by Malloy in 2013. McDonald had been Malloys top lawyer when Malloy was mayor of Stamford and again in Malloys first two years as governor. A longtime trial lawyer, McDonald, who attended Stamford public schools, Cornell University and the University of Connecticut Law School, did not serve as a jurist in the lower courts before Malloys nomination to the Supreme Court. Opponents also included first-term Reps. Kimberly Fiorello, R-Greenwich and Donna Veach,R-Berlin; Rep. David Labriola, R-Oxford; and Rep. Cara Pavlock-DAmato, R-Bristol. State Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, who voted against McDonald in 2018, called the period two years ago a tumultuous time. I know it must have been hard not to be appointed chief justice, Kissel said, asking whether it was difficult for McDonald, who has authored 140 court opinion, to go right to the Supreme Court in his first judicial job. Not a problem whatsoever, McDonald replied. Obviously I was a trial attorney for 20 years. I was pretty versed from at least one side of the bench, on how court operations work. The process of judging is very different at the Superior Court level as opposed to an appellate court level. We have the time to research and look into things in much more detail than the trial courts have to. They have to call balls and strikes dozens of times a day. We have the ability to review the law in much greater detail than they do, as we do our job. Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the committee said in an interview that McDonald has proven himself to be a key member of the court. Justice McDonald brings a unique perspective to the Supreme Court bench as one of the few people who have served in all three branches of state government, Stafstrom said. He has proven himself a reasoned jurist and someone the state relies to serve on a variety of judicial committees to bring about reform and progress in providing access to justice for the citizens of Connecticut. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT Arnold Schwarzenegger, retired bodybuilder, former politician and actor on Sunday (local time) issued a lengthy video statement on social media, condemning Donald Trump over the violent sacking of the US Capitol. According to Fox News, the former GOP governor of California posted an over seven-minute video on Twitter addressing the siege of the Capitol building last week by a pro-Trump mob. He started talking by noting how he immigrated to the United States from Austria where he had seen a lot of heartbreak and guilt that former Nazi soldiers experienced after World War II. "I grew up in Austria, and I'm very aware of Kristallnacht, or the 'Night of Broken Glass.' It was a night of rampage against the Jews carried out in 1938 by the Nazi equivalent of the Proud Boys. Wednesday was the Day of Broken Glass right here in the United States," Schwarzenegger said. "The broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol, but the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol, they shattered the ideas we took for granted. They did not just break down the doors of the building that housed American democracy. They trampled the very principles on which our country was founded," he added. Schwarzenegger then took a trip down his childhood and revealed that his father used to come home drunk and used to abuse him and his mother. "I did not hold him totally responsible because our neighbor was doing the same thing to his family and so was the next one over. I heard it with my own ears and saw it with my own eyes," the former bodybuilder said. "It all started with lies, and lies, and lies and intolerance. So, being from Europe, I've seen firsthand how things can spin out of control," he added. He stopped short of saying that America was headed in the same direction as pre-war Germany, but noted that the current situation could lead to "dire consequences" for U.S. democracy, according to Fox News. Following this, Schwarzenegger turned directly on Trump and his Republican supporters. "President Trump tried to overturn the results of an election, and of a fair election. He sought a coup by misleading people with lies. My father and our neighbors were misled also with lies, and I know where such lies lead," he said. "President Trump is a failed leader. He will go down in history as the worst president ever. The good thing is that he will soon be as irrelevant as an old tweet. But what are we to make of those elected officials who have enabled his lies and his treachery? I will remind them of what Teddy Roosevelt said: 'Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president'," he added. The actor then pulled out a prop sword used in his movie 'Conan' and went on to explain that the more a sword gets tempered by a blacksmith the stronger it gets. He concluded by calling on everyone to rally behind President-elect Joe Biden. "We need to heal not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. Now, to begin this process, no matter what your political affiliation is, I ask you to join me in saying to President-elect Biden, 'President-elect Biden, we wish you great success as our president. If you succeed, our nation succeeds. We support you with all our hearts as you seek to bring us together'," he said, "And to those who think they can overturn the United States Constitution, know this -- you will never win. President-elect Biden, we stand with you today, tomorrow and forever in defense of our democracy and those who would threaten it'," he added. (ANI) Also Read: Indonesia's crashed plane likely ruptured when hitting waters: Chief investigator 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. Hospitals around the country are having to transport critically ill patients in ambulances to other hospitals as many intensive care units have reached capacity in recent days. Dr Michael Power, clinical lead on critical care at Beaumont Hospital described the situation in ICUs as grim and added there were just 37 free ICU beds across the system. Over the last few days there have been hospitals that have made calls to other hospitals and we have activated the mobile intensive care ambulance service and patients have been transported from one hospital to the other to alleviate pressure, Dr Power said while speaking on Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One. Read More He continued: It is grim, and it is worrying. Day on day, the figures continue to increase. 125 [the number that were in ICU] has risen to 128 overnight. The response of the system has been to increase capacity from 282 to 292. Currently, hospitals are redeploying staff that have ICU training from traditional services into the system to withstand additional surge capacity across the hospital system. Dr Power says that 19 people have been admitted to ICUs in the last 24 hours and that figures continue to rise. There were only four patients discharged from ICUs yesterday so as far as we can see there is a constant increase in the number of presentations of critically ill patients, Dr Power said. Dr Power says that the rationing of ICU care among patients doesnt yet apply at this time, though. He said the extra capacity secured from private hospitals will help the health service redeploy more resources to the stretched ICUs and added that nurses who have had ICU training since the start of the pandemic are being identified so ICU capacity can be increased to 350 if needed. I think the role of private hospitals at the moment is to deliver scheduled critical care for non-Covid patients and that frees critical care beds in public hospitals. Its the staff, its really the nursing staff [shortage]. Whats happening now is that theres an initiative right across the acute hospital system to step down scheduled care surgery except for essential or emergency surgeries and those staff then become available for redeployment to ICUs and will increase the surge capacity from 292, where it stands now, to 350. That work is underway at the moment, Dr Power said. There were 134 hospitalisations in the last 24 hours, according to the latest HSE data, a number that continues to climb daily, which will in turn put more pressure on ICUs in the future. Dr Power says hospitals are adopting an oxygen economy exercise for patients to ensure that patients get enough but not too much oxygen to ensure supplies arent squandered. German Chancellor Angela Merkel considers US President Donald Trumps eviction from Twitter by the company problematic, her spokesman said. Twitter permanently suspended Mr Trump from the microblogging platform on Friday, citing a risk of further incitement of violence in the wake of the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of the outgoing president. Asked about Twitters decision, Mrs Merkels spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said the operators of social media platforms bear great responsibility for political communication not being poisoned by hatred, by lies and by incitement to violence. He said it is right not to stand back when such content is posted, for example by flagging it. Expand Close German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump attend a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day in 2018 with Frances President Emmanuel Macron (Benoit Tessier/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump attend a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day in 2018 with Frances President Emmanuel Macron (Benoit Tessier/PA) But Mr Seibert also said that the freedom of opinion is a fundamental right of elementary significance. This fundamental right can be intervened in, but according to the law and within the framework defined by legislators not according to a decision by the management of social media platforms, he told reporters in Berlin. Seen from this angle, the Chancellor considers it problematic that the accounts of the US president have now been permanently blocked. Facebook on Thursday suspended Mr Trumps account through to January 20, the day of President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, and possibly indefinitely. Mrs Merkel herself does not have a Twitter account, although Mr Seibert does and many German government ministers do. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in the United States, nursing homes have been ground zero. During the first few months of the crisis, about two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths in Pennsylvania were among nursing home residents and staff. And today, more than a third of the 362,000 COVID-19 deaths nationwide are connected to nursing homes. It makes sense, then, that nursing home residents and staff members were included, along with frontline health care workers, in the first group of people to receive two new vaccines. But the distribution of the vaccines has not matched that high priority. The federal and state governments contracted with several huge pharmacy chains, CVS and Walgreens, to distribute and administer the vaccines to nursing homes. Yet, remarkably and indefensibly, some nursing homes have not been able to administer even the first of two required doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, because a contractor has failed to provide them. Walgreens informed St. Marys Villa, a large long-term care facility in Elmhurst Twp., Lackawanna County, that it could not provide the first round of vaccines until Feb. 1, even as some other nursing homes in the region prepared to administer the second round. According to St. Marys Villa President Nancy Newcomb, Walgreens provided no explanation and moved up the delivery date to Jan. 24 after she complained. Zack Shamberg, CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, said Walgreens dilatory performance has been a problem statewide. This is an emergency. The state Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should demand a far better performance from Walgreens. And the agencies themselves should adopt standards requiring them to vet the ability of a potential contractor to perform the work before handing them massive contracts. Brazils fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro, one of Donald Trumps most fervent international supporters, has unequivocally endorsed the January 6 coup attempt in Washington. He has already announced his intention to use the same lies about electoral fraud in Brazil to mobilize his supporters in a bid to remain in power, whatever the results of the 2022 presidential elections. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro (Credit: Agencia Brasil) In his typical contemptuous fashion, Bolsonaro declared on the evening of January 6, in response to the US developments: I followed everything. You know Im connected to Trump. You know my answer. Now, [there have been] a lot of fraud charges, a lot of fraud charges. He then repeated his own unsubstantiated claims about the 2018 election in Brazil: Mine was defrauded. I have proof of it. I should have won in the first round. On the next day, he vowed to attempt his own putsch in 2022, should he lose the presidential elections. He told his supporters: What was the problem [in the US]? Lack of trust in the vote. So there, the people voted and the mail vote was boosted because of the so-called pandemic, and some people voted three, four times, dead people voted. He concluded with a roadmap for his coup: If we dont have printed ballots in 2022, some means to audit the vote, we are going to have a problem worse than in the United States. His reaction to the events in Washington contrasted with the condemnations issued by the leaders of the Brazilian Congress and Electoral Court, whose head, Supreme Court Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, was an observer of the US elections. Outgoing House Speaker, Rio de Janeiro representative Rodrigo Maia, tweeted: The invasion of the US Congress by extremists represents a desperate act by an antidemocratic tendency which lost the elections. It is ever more clear that the only path is democracy, with dialogue and respecting the Constitution. Justice Barroso struck a stronger tone: In the sad US episode, fascist supporters showed their true face: antidemocratic and violent. Good people, regardless of ideology, dont support barbarism. I hope the American society and institutions react with vigor to this threat to democracy. In an ominous indication that preparations for a coup in Brazil are well advanced and count with the support of the US far-right, Brazils ambassador to Washington, Nestor Forster Jr., took Bolsonaros son Eduardo, the head of the House Foreign Relations Committee, to the White House on the evening of January 5. Eduardo took a picture of Trumps daughter Ivanka holding his newborn daughter Georgia. Eduardo is a close associate of American fascist ideologue Steve Bannon. As for Forster, he has worked as a bridge between Bolsonaro and Trump loyalists. The conservative daily Estado de S. Paulo revealed that the ambassador has fed the Brazilian cabinet fabricated reports from the far-right, pro-Trump US media about fraud in the US elections in order to support Bolsonaros alignment with Trump. Bolsonaro was the last of the G20 leaders to recognize the victory of Democratic candidate Joe Biden. He waited until the Electoral College cast its votes on December 14 to congratulate Biden. Bolsonaro is repeating allegations he has made for several years now that the Brazilian electronic voting system is unverifiable and inherently unsafe. These claims have been debunked several times by computer experts, with the Brazilian Army itself promoting hacking competitions to test the safety of the system. They found no security breaches enabling massive fraud. Bolsonaros main argument, made in outright bad faith, is that, by virtue of being electronic, the votes are not verifiable and cannot be recounted, and Brazil should adopt some sort of complementary print ballot to prevent fraud. Ignored in his allegations is that the ballot boxes are not connected to the internet, with votes being uploaded to the Electoral Courts internal server through private connections. Any breach of this system would require a massive attack on government servers which would be impossible to hide. Predictably, Bolsonaro has so far been unable to present a shred of evidence of what he claims was electoral fraud in 2018. There was no doubt that, as the events at the US Capitol unfolded, the chief representatives of the Brazilian ruling class were reacting with nervous uncertainty about their own future. The preparations for a coup by Bolsonaro are no secret at this point to anyone. On January 7, as Bolsonaro doubled down on his support for Trumps coup, Maia made clear his full knowledge of the implications of Bolsonaros remarks. He told the media that Like Trump, it seems to me that Bolsonaro is a player who doesnt admit defeat and is now organizing an array of threats two years in advance. These grave dangers notwithstanding, the overriding concern within the ruling class in Brazil is the same as that of its counterparts in the Democratic Party in the US and the governments of Europe, Asia and internationally: to prevent workers from drawing the necessary conclusions from Bolsonaros and Trumps threats to democracy and acting to fight against the system of which they are the necessary product, capitalism. Like the representatives of the ruling class internationally, Brazils political parties and corporate media are bending over backwards in singling out Trump and Bolsonaro as solely responsible for the massive crises engulfing the US and Brazil, effectively telling the public that there is nothing to see here. Estado de S. Paulo summed up the attitude of the ruling class towards the January 6 coup attempt in an editorial the next day: The responsibility for what happened in Washington falls exclusively on Trump, concluding, In the end, American democracy resisted the infamous attempted uprising encouraged by Trump. Its progressive rival Folha de S. Paulo also reassured its readers about Brazil on the next morning: Also in Brazil, the system of checks and balances is containing a populist of authoritarian inclinations who sees in Trump an obvious source of inspiration. In Rio de Janeiro, the mouthpiece of Brazils largest media group, Globo, backhandedly admitted that the future of Bolsonaros coup rests not with the checks and balances of Brazilian democracy, but rather with the Army. Its editorial stated: The Constitution has already guaranteed us 33 consecutive years of democracy, a record in our Republic. One does not imagine that the Armed Forces as an institution will accept its shredding and going back to a distant past. On the contrary. The three papers were enthusiastic collaborators of the blood-soaked 19641985 US-backed military dictatorship, and speak for a ruling class which has absolutely no interest in democratic rights, be it in Brazil or elsewhere. Their chief concern is to chloroform the public about the dangers of the present situation, and warn the ruling class not to allow its rifts with Bolsonaro, driven almost exclusively by differences over foreign policy, to spiral out of control. Like Trump himself and another of their close allies, Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, Bolsonaro faces the immediate threat of arrest for many corrupt practices as soon as he leaves office. These range from corruption schemes as a House member before becoming president, to possible involvement in the death squad murder of Rio de Janeiro Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) city councilor Marielle Franco in 2018. The abortive coup of January 6 in Washington, and the social crisis shattering the social basis for democratic forms of rule in the US, are mirrored in Bolsonaros own sadistic reaction to the social crisis in Brazil, which has entered an even more explosive phase with the new year. January has seen the end of the emergency relief of R$300 (US$60) paid monthly to 68 million unemployed, informal sector and poor Brazilian workers, as well as the end of furlough schemes covering some 10 million workers employed in small, medium and large companies under the Brazilian Labor Code. Poverty is expected to immediately engulf 20 million Brazilians as of this month, with a total of 24 percent of the population falling below the poverty line as of January, up from 15 percent last year. The ranks of the unemployed, already consisting of 14 million workers, are expected to double, as the jobless are forced to search for work with the end of emergency relief. Meanwhile, Brazil is back to August levels of COVID-19 deaths, over a thousand a day, with ICU units filled to capacity in major cities and a new collapse of the mortuary system in the epicenter city of Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas. On December 2, sociologist Roberto Barbosa of the Rio de Janeiro-based Instituto de Estudos Sociais e Politicos (Iesp) made the headlines of Brazilian papers with a warning that levels of social inequality will return to the figures of the 1980s, the decade that saw the industrial working class bring down the military dictatorship. In 1989, the decade closed with over 1,900 strikes, the largest number until 2013, when more than 2 million workers engaged in 2,057 strikes, marking the beginning of the decline of the then-ruling Workers Party (PT). In response to such a situation, Bolsonaro is cultivating an ever more brazen indifference to the mass suffering of workers, canceling the purchase of syringes for COVID-19 vaccinations for being too expensive, declaring publicly that the country is broken and he cant do anything about it, and that the unemployment figures are caused by a good part of Brazilians not being prepared to do almost anything. Under such conditions, mirroring the significant support for Trumps coup within the ruling class, even the unsubstantiated election fraud allegations by Bolsonaro may be viewed by the ruling class as a means of furthering a Bolsonaro coup. A recent PoderData survey showed that less than 15 percent of Brazilians believe the electronic ballot boxes are subject to fraud. Nonetheless, opposition candidate and frontrunner to succeed House Speaker Maia with the support of the PT, Luiz Felipe Baleia Rossi of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), declared on January 9 that the discussion over print ballots will have to be held, providing a democratic cover for Bolsonaros conspiracy theory. It is urgent that Brazilian workers assimilate the lessons of the January 6 putsch in Washington and its global implications in order to prepare for coming struggles. On 11 and 12 January, 2021, King Carl Gustaf, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are taking part in the digital National Defense Conference 2021 (Rikskonferensen2021). The theme of the conference is Sweden's ability to meet threats and crises in a changing world. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year's conference is not being held in Salen but as a digital production from Stockholm, which will be broadcast on SVT2 and via folkochforsvar. The King and the Crown Princess Couple are participating in the conference from the Royal Palace and Haga Castle, respectively. At the opening of the national conference on Monday morning, the King participated with a live greeting to this year's participants and audience. The conference is the foremost meeting-place for the Swedish security and defence policy community. It also involves formal and informal discussions between parliamentarians, representatives from trade and industry, political parties, government authorities, youth organizations and various NGOs. Rikskonferensen 2021 ACNE STUDIOS wool and cotton blend suit 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. Pregnant Princess Eugenie has moved out of Frogmore Cottage and in with her parents Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, a royal correspondent has claimed. Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie said Eugenie, 30, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, 34, moved into the Royal Lodge in Windsor before Christmas after spending just six weeks at Harry and Meghan's former home. In the latest episode of Scobie's podcast The HeirPod, ABC News London correspondent Maggie Rulli, said: 'We saw something in the news a few weeks ago about how Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank had moved into Frogmore Cottage. Princess Eugenie has moved out of Frogmore Cottage and in with her parents Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew as she prepares for the birth of her first child, a royal correspondent has claimed. She is pictured in Mayfair in December 'Harry and Meghan had opened the doors to the home to the couple and then mysteriously there was a report that said they had moved out. And no one really knew exactly where they were.' Scobie then explained the couple spent the Christmas holiday at the Royal Lodge, where Eugenie and sister Beatrice, 32, grew up. 'So I imagine that's probably where they will remain up until much later in the year,' he added. The tenth-in-line to the throne, who is due to give birth to her first child early this year, moved into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former UK home Frogmore Cottage late last year, but moved out within six weeks. Omid Scobie, who is the co-author of the bombshell Sussex biography Finding Freedom has said Eugenie, 30 and her husband Jack Brooksbank, 34, have moved into the Royal Lodge in Windsor with Sarah Ferguson. Eugenie and Fergie are pictured together in August 2019 at Ellie Goulding's wedding to Caspar Jopling The tenth-in-line to the throne, who is due to give birth to her first child early this year, moved into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former UK home Frogmore Cottage (pictured) late last year, but moved out within six weeks Speaking in an episode of Darlton Harris' podcast City Island last year, Sarah Ferguson, 61, confirmed that Jack and Eugenie had spent the first lockdown at the 21- acre, 30-room Windsor home she shares with ex-husband Prince Andrew. 'During this lockdown period I've really loved spending more time with Eugenie and Jack,' 'My daughter got married to Jack in, oh goodness, was it last October? No, it was October before, heavens! Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank married at St George's Chapel in Windsor in October 2018 'And so, of course once she's gone to get married, they live away. So, I haven't seen her so much and so now it's been a total joy to spend real quality time with her,' she explained. Eugenie's baby will be the Queen's ninth great-grandchild and the first grandchild of her second son, Prince Andrew, who has spend the last year surrounded by scandal due to his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Royal Lodge is about five miles from Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip have spent lockdown, while it's also just a few miles from Frogmore Cottage. Omid Scobie is the author of Finding Freedom, the bombshell biography about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's lives as senior royals before they stepped down last year. Jack and Eugenie's baby will be the Queen's ninth great-grandchild and the first grandchild of her second son, Prince Andrew Princess Eugenie gave Salvation Army safe house residents Christmas gifts of crafts and other activities to 'help with their well-being' as they stayed safe and continued to recover from their experiences of modern slavery. Pictured, during a previous visit to the charity It comes as the Salvation Army revealed Eugenie gave their safe house residents Christmas gifts to 'help with their well-being' as they continued to recover from their experiences of modern slavery. Eugenie along with Anti-Slavery Collective co-founder Julia de Boinville, personally handed out presents of crafts and other activities to the residents in December. Taking to Twitter, The Salvation Army shared a snap of a pile of gifts wrapped in red paper and a signed card from Eugenie and Julia which read: 'Thank you for welcoming Eugenie and I into our home earlier this month, and for sharing your stories so openly. 'You inspire us to keep fighting against modern slavery, and we have you in our hearts and minds every day.' The charity penned: 'This Christmas safe house residents were delighted to receive gifts from Anti-Slavery Collective founders HRH Princess Eugenie & Julia de Boinville containing crafts & other activities to help with their well-being as they stay safe and continue to recover from their experiences of modern slavery.' WASHINGTON - Pitching himself as president, Joe Biden promised to heal America's hurting soul. His experiences with suffering and healing were well known, including the deaths of his wife and two of his children, his struggle against stuttering and many political losses. On a bigger stage than ever, Biden was trying to show the country how he did it. Through his Catholic faith. "For me, faith, it's all about hope and purpose and strength," Biden said in a February video ad. "Faith sees best in the dark." "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning," he quoted from the Book of Psalms in October. Now, Biden will lead a nation deeply in need of healing - with soaring coronavirus cases, thousands dying daily and millions out of work and hunkered down in isolation. But he is facing not one America but two, each claiming with new religious fervor that God and righteousness are on its side. As divided as any are Biden's own people, U.S. Catholics, with millions who don't even see him as a legitimate Catholic at all, because of his support for abortion access and LGBT equality. The question is how the country will adjust to a man whose faith doesn't feature literal Bible-waving promises to "save Christianity" or threats that political opponents might eliminate God (all Trumpian moments). Biden presents a less common image: a devout, churchgoing liberal. The country will soon observe for the first time a president who goes to Mass every Sunday, plus on Catholic feast days, and sprinkles conversation casually with scripture, religious hymns and references to religious history but describes faith's purpose in general, inclusive terms - as sustenance for the weary, encouragement for the suffering and an obligation to welcome and care for one another. Can Biden heal today's America? Catholicism and its structures - its poetry, humor, teachings, rituals - have always been how Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has understood healing, others and himself. "Catholicism and family provide the substructure of his life. . . . That's his whole conception of how society works," said Evan Osnos, a writer for the New Yorker who recently published a book on Biden and his 2020 run for president. "It's more personal than political. That's what separates him from 2021 in Washington, D.C., where there are few ways in which religion is not part of politics. Biden doesn't go out of his way to make it that." - - - "I think he'll try very hard like he always does at everything to bring people together and build bridges," said Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat who grew up in the same Catholic community of Scranton as Biden. "He'll have more patience than I would have." Millions of Americans hungry for a faith focused on healing and inclusion will embrace it - especially on the left, where believers have felt trampled by the religious right into nonexistence since the 1970s. Millions of others will reject Biden's version of religiosity, one that's less tied to doctrine, less likely to honor religious conservatives' legal demands, less invested in America as a Christian nation. This is problematic for many on the right. A 2020 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute found sharp partisan divides on the issue of religious diversity, with 43% of Republicans preferring the country to be made up "primarily" of Christians, compared with 16% of Democrats. Some further to Biden's left will also bemoan his unwillingness to draw a direct line from the gospels to policy changes like free higher education and universal health care. But what makes Biden different, says Villanova University theologian Massimo Faggioli - whose spiritual biography of the president-elect is being published this month - is that he's unapologetic. "Joe Biden is a Catholic in the public square who doesn't take lectures from bishops about what being Catholic is about. This is totally new," Faggioli said. His desire to be a uniter will be tested quickly on the religious front. On Jan. 29, nine days after Biden's inauguration, perhaps the largest annual gathering of U.S. Catholics will take place blocks from the White House: the March for Life, where tens of thousands of mostly Catholic abortion opponents rally. The march has become heavily Republican in recent years, filled with abortion opponents willing to overlook President Trump's record-breaking number of executions and his laissez-faire approach to a virus that has killed hundreds of thousands in the United States. In 2020, Trump became the first U.S. president to speak live at the march. This year, it will undoubtedly feature many speakers and signs challenging Biden's faith. But Biden has long pushed back on the idea that, for him, faith must lead to policies. "I'm prepared to accept doctrine on a whole range of issues as a Catholic. ... I'm prepared to accept as a matter of faith - my wife and I, my family - the issue of abortion. But what I'm not prepared to do is impose a rigid view, a precise view ... that is born out of my faith, on other people who are equally God-fearing, equally as committed to life," Biden told the Jesuit magazine America in a 2015 videotaped interview. Yet Biden has bound up his promises to make significant social change in areas from health care to the environment with that to "restore the soul of the nation." If he is a healer, Biden has an epic pastoral challenge. - - - The shaping of Biden's religiosity stems from two sources - his family and his era. He was raised in working-class, Irish-Catholic communities, where faith routines and Catholic institutions such as schools and parishes were everything. When Biden talks about his Catholic upbringing, he usually repeats the word "dignity" multiple times. The dignity of work. The dignity of the poor. "My father would say, 'The cardinal sin of all sins is the abuse of power,'" Biden told America editor Matt Malone in the 2015 interview. "Whether it's a man raising his hand to a woman, whether it's economic power being evoked and asserted over someone else, whether it is the government abusing its power. And that's how I look at what this is all about." Biden was a young adult during the Second Vatican Council, when Catholicism was deliberately opening to the world - with new languages for prayer and new relations with other faiths, among many other changes. "He's a Catholic born in that period when Catholicism was exiting the Catholic ghetto. It's the end of the subculture," Faggioli said. He grew up with "a Catholicism that no longer exists." Biden thought about becoming a priest when he was 12, during an era when most Irish American Catholic youth saw priests and nuns as heroes. He raised the idea again to his mother in high school, and then to the Delaware bishop in the 1970s, after his wife and daughter died. Aside from politics, the priesthood "was the only other thing I ever thought about," Biden told journalist Jules Witcover for Witcover's 2010 biography of the then-vice president. Each time it was more of a concept than a serious pursuit. "Girls got in the way," Biden said with a laugh. Settling on a career in government, he told a group of young Catholic volunteers during a lecture in 1992, was a "means to fight the injustices that his faith taught him to work to overcome," reported a July profile in the National Catholic Reporter. - - - The role of Biden's Catholicism - prayer, as well as Catholic teachings about the role and purpose of suffering - in helping him survive the deaths of his young wife and daughter in the 1970s and then his son Beau, of brain cancer in 2015, is well known. He often uses the words "solace" and "comfort" when asked about the role of his faith. He is quick to talk with others who are pained by loss or struggle. The Rev. Leo O'Donovan, a former Georgetown University president, described to the National Catholic Reporter the moment when Biden asked him to lead the funeral Mass for Beau. "The priest's first words to Biden were, 'Joe, I am so sorry,' before he himself erupted into tears," according to the publication. "He began to comfort me. . . . He became the pastor there," O'Donovan told NCR. As strong as Biden's attachment is to Catholic beliefs and culture, his idea of religiosity is pluralistic. Rabbi Michael Beals, a Delaware cleric whom Biden calls "my rabbi," met Biden 14 years ago when the then-senator came without fanfare to sit shiva - a visit to relatives of the dead during the week-long period of Jewish mourning - for a longtime, small-amount donor. Then, six years ago, at a party at the vice-presidential mansion for the Jewish High Holidays, Beals offered to bless Biden. "He bowed his head the way a Jew never would. I put my palms on his forehead, like I would for my children, and it was such a moment. He really has a sense for respect for religion, religious leaders, deep faith. And his faith isn't a designer label. He is a Catholic but he treated me no differently than he would have a priest," Beals said, noting that Biden has his own black yarmulke. All three of Biden's adult children were married to Jewish spouses at some point. His wife, Jill Biden, attends church with him but is a Presbyterian. - - - It's not yet clear where Biden will attend Mass regularly as president. During the pre-inauguration period, he has been going weekly to St. Joseph on the Brandywine, near his home in Wilmington, Del. In Washington, where Biden lived for eight years as vice president, he attended Mass in different places, including Dahlgren Chapel at Georgetown and Holy Trinity Parish, said the Rev. Kevin O'Brien, who as a vice president at Georgetown got to know Biden starting in 2006. O'Brien celebrated Mass with Biden on the days of his two inaugurations as vice president. Because of coronavirus restrictions, Biden probably won't be able to attend Mass in a parish at first, said some of his faith advisers, and he will probably wind up celebrating it at the White House. After that, it's hard to say. Biden's churchgoing ways haven't remotely won over many of his fellow Catholics, particularly conservative ones who call him a heretic. Approval of Biden among Catholics is closely linked to partisan identity, and he only narrowly won the Catholic vote in November, by 52% to Trump's 47% - compared with about 80% of Catholics who cast ballots for John F. Kennedy in 1960. The rifts among U.S. Catholics have been building since Vatican II's liberalizing changes, and then Pope Francis's 2013 election and the arrival of a role model who puts inclusion and religious diversity over doctrinal clarity and an emphasis on abortion. Some Catholics worry - or hope, depending on their perspective - that Biden could influence the U.S. church. "What's happened with Catholics is, we got subsumed by [White] evangelicals because of the political interests," said Anthea Butler, a religion professor at the University of Pennsylvania who sat on Biden's Catholic advisory groups. "But the ways in which he's speaking about the poor - this is straight-up Catholic social teaching, and you can't get away from that." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November created a working group to deal with the "difficult" situation of the second-ever Catholic president being a strong advocate for policies the church opposes on abortion and LGBT legal rights. The bishops also noted areas of potential collaboration on immigration, climate change and racism. "I'd hope [the bishops] would make judgments about Joe Biden's presidency that take into account the whole social teaching mission of the church, not just picking a few issues like abortion," Casey said. But to Jayd Henricks, a former top lobbyist for the bishops, Biden creates a crisis: He "undermines the prophetic work of the Church and her call to witness the truth and love of Jesus Christ," Henricks wrote last month in First Things. "The bishops' crisis in this situation is not a political crisis. It is a crisis of authority, a crisis of identity, and a crisis of faith." Henricks identifies the eye of the storm of that crisis as the giving of Holy Communion, the way to "save one's soul," he writes. He concludes that U.S. bishops should deny this to Biden and thus "provide clear guidance ... on the dignity and seriousness of the moral life." However, Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington and a newly minted cardinal, has already said he will not deny Communion. As he prepares to assume the presidency, Biden has focused on faith as solace. In his Nov. 7 victory speech, he quoted a hymn beloved by his late son, "On Eagle's Wings," that paints God as protector, holding "you in the palm of his hand." Butler says Americans should prepare for such references "to be everywhere" in a Biden administration. "Biden's thing is: There is suffering in the world, and Catholicism looks grief and suffering right in the face." DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa lawmakers have begun their legislative session with no mask requirements, and many members are opting not to wear face coverings even as rates of coronavirus infections rise in the Des Moines area and much of the state. Republicans, who hold majorities in both the House and Senate, chose not to mandate masks or even require that members disclose if they have been infected by the virus. And during opening ceremonies Monday, most Republicans didnt wear masks while all Democrats were protected by a mask or face shield. More than 200 unmasked people opposing mask mandates protested before lawmakers began the session. They chanted freedom and many held signs that said coercion is not consent, and mandates belong in socialist countries. In a historic moment for Indian aviation, Air India's longest direct route flight, with all women crew landed at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Monday. The flight took off from San Francisco on Sunday, January 10 going over the North Pole and took the Atlantic route, covering a distance of 16,000 km to reach Bengaluru. Zoya Aggarwal, the captain of Air India's inaugural San Francisco-Bengaluru flight said, "Today, we created world history by not only flying over the North Pole but also by having all women pilots who successfully did it. We are extremely happy and proud to be part of it. This route has saved 10 tonnes of fuel". Pilot Shivani Manhas said: "It was an exciting experience since it was never done before. It took almost 17 hours to reach here". Captain Zoya Agarwal, Captain Papagiri Thanmei, Captain Akanksha, and Captain Shivani are the four women pilots who scripted history. They were joined by the airline's executive director of flight safety, captain Nivedita Bhasin. Captain Zoya Aggarwal, leading the crew, has more than 8,000 flying hours under her belt, including 10 years' command and 2,500 hours on the Boeing 777. Air India claims to have the highest ratio of female employees of any airline in the world. Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated the four ladies. Puri wrote on Twitter, "In a moment to cherish & celebrate, women professionals of Indian civil aviation create history. Heartiest Congratulations to Capt Zoya Aggarwal, Capt Papagari Thanmai, Capt Akansha Sonaware & Capt Shivani for flying over the North Pole to land in Bengaluru from San Francisco". In a moment to cherish & celebrate, women professionals of Indian civil aviation create history. Heartiest Congratulations to Capt Zoya Aggarwal, Capt Papagari Thanmai, Capt Akansha Sonaware & Capt Shivani for flying over North Pole to land in Bengaluru from San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/P6EvJChMGB a Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) January 11, 2021 According to Air India, the AI176 flight flew at an altitude of 37,000 feet at a speed of 557 knots/1032 kmph. The flight was operated by a 12-year-old Boeing 777-200LR, registration VT-ALG and marked with the name 'Kerala' on the exterior and painted with the Mahatma Gandhi motif. #FlyAI: here is where AI176 is..on top of the YZ world pic.twitter.com/PojUSPCUxx a Air India (@airindiain) January 10, 2021 The plane has a seating capacity of 238 seats, with eight in first class, 35 in business class, and 195 in the economy. Besides the cockpit crew, there were 12 cabin crew on board. So far, Air India operated non-stop flights from Delhi to New York, Newark, Washington DC, San Francisco and Chicago and from Mumbai to Newark and New York. The state-run carrier is also planning to start its first-ever non-stop service between Hyderabad and Chicago on January 15, 2021. Also read: Full COVID vaccine authorisation 12 months after Phase III: WHO's Swaminathan Also read: 70% need anti-bodies to stop virus: WHO's Swaminathan A family in Ellenwood, Georgia is in mourning after a 17-year-old girl was found shot to death at a cemetery about 60 miles from Atlanta on Sunday. D'Shaunti Kyanni Hunter, a black female, was found at a cemetery across the street from Unionville Church near Barnesville in Lamar County. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations was called in to probe the scene and brought Hunter's body to a crime lab. The body was found on Sunday by someone visiting the cemetery, but Hunter wasn't identified until Monday following the notification of family members. Pictured: The cemetery where D'Shaunti Kyanni Hunter, 17, was found on Sunday The Lamar County Sheriff's Office released this statement about Hunter's death In a Facebook statement from the Lamar County Sheriff's Office released just after 4pm on Sunday afternoon, it was revealed Hunter suffered at least one gunshot wound. It's not clear if she was shot and killed in the cemetery or transported there following her death. The cause of death also hasn't been confirmed. WGXA News reports that the Georgia State Patrol is also involved in the investigation into Hunter's death. Pictured: The Lamar County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction for the investigation Hunter's death comes two weeks after the shooting death of Kalecia Williams at a Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, which is about an hour drive from Barnesville. FOX 5 Atlanta reports a teenage boy was arrested in connection with Williams' death on December 26. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there were at least 155 homicides in Atlanta over the course of 2020. That marked the city's highest murder count since 1998, when 154 homicides took place. Just 99 were investigated in 2019. 'I am deeply concerned about the spike that we are seeing in our homicides,' Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told the AJC. METAvivor Research and Support announces 23 new grant awards for metastatic breast cancer research totaling over $3.6 million. METAvivor Research and Support Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), announces 23 grant awards totaling $3,650,000. These research grants will enhance the understanding of metastatic breast cancer, help improve current treatments and develop greatly needed therapeutic options to combat this complicated disease. Since its founding in 2009, METAvivor has put 100% of donations into its peer-reviewed research grant program. Metastatic breast cancer (also known as stage IV or advanced stage cancer) is the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body -- most commonly to the bones, liver, lungs and/or brain. Approximately 30% of breast cancer patients metastasize, with the mean survival after diagnosis being 33 months. In the US, only 2-5% of all breast cancer research funds are dedicated to stage IV breast cancer research yet 98% of all breast cancer deaths are caused by a metastasis. 2020 was a difficult year in many ways. We are thrilled we were able to continue our metastatic breast cancer research program in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. While so many organizations were unable to fund research in 2020, thanks to our donors and fundraisers, we are able to award critical research grants for metastatic breast cancer. said Jamil Rivers, President of Metavivors Board of Directors. METAvivor is awarding grants in three award categories. The Early Career Investigator Award program is focused on funding grants for early career metastatic breast cancer researchers with awards of up to $100,000, The Translational Research Grant and Advisors awards program are targeted at career metastasis researchers with total awards of up to $250,000 per grant. Rivers said, The 23 grants that we are presenting, bring our grand total of metastatic breast cancer-specific research awards to $17,250,000. It is our hope that these vital research grants will translate to new treatments and therapies, that will one day, end death from metastatic breast cancer. We thank our donors, fundraisers, research partners, sponsors and the breast cancer community for their ongoing support and commitment. THE METAVIVOR 2020 GRANT RECIPIENTS: METAVIVOR EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATOR AWARDS Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present - Reva Basho, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute - Tucatinib in Combination with Pembrolizumab and Trastuzumab for Patients with HER2+ Breast Cancer Brain Metastases #Lindasbug: A VW Beetle Fundraiser in Memory of Linda Kreizenbeck Presents: Isaac Chan, MD, PhD UT Southwestern Medical Center - Using natural killer cells to eliminate breast cancer metastases Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present Jessica Christenson. PhD, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Repurposing Lung Microenvironment Targeted Therapies for the Treatment of Established Breast Cancer Lung Metastases Minneapolis Metsquerade Presented in Memory of Erin Remme Erin Howe, PhD, University of Notre Dame-Harper Cancer Research Institute - Targeting endosomal trafficking to enhance immune recognition of breast cancer brain metastases Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present - Natasha Hunter, MD, University of Washington - Tissue and liquid biopsy for breast cancer patients with bone-only metastases" Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present Dennis Jones. PhD, Boston University - Targeting breast cancer plasticity and immunosuppression in metastatic lymph nodes Presented in Honor of Abbey Rapoport Srinivas Malladi, PhD, UT Southwestern Medical Center - Targeting vulnerabilities of immune-evasive HER2+ Breast Adenocarcinoma Metastasis Initiating Cells Play: CLE to Cure: MBC presented in memory of Dee Dee Miller - Diwakar Pattabiraman, PhD, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth - Differentiation therapy for metastatic breast cancer Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present Shreyas Rao, PhD, The University of Alabama Engineered biomimetic hydrogels to probe metastatic tumor cell clusterbrain microenvironment interactions facilitating tumor progression MetaRaise DENJPA Presented in memory of our friend Patty Ann Baldwin - Thu Truong, PhD, University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center - Progesterone receptor reprograms metabolic pathways to drive therapy resistant populations in metastatic breast cancer Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present - Yun Zhao, PhD, University of Notre Dame Targeting the pitfall of chemo-immunotherapy: Immunosuppressive myeloid cells induced by apoptosis Southwest Florida Metsquerade Presented in Memory of Amanda DeFiebre Guizhi Zhu, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University - Multi-epitope/di-adjuvant co-delivering albumin-binding vaccines (Medico-AlbiVax) for the combination immunotherapy of metastatic breast cancer METAVIVOR ADVISORS AWARDS We Neeta Cure Fundraiser, In Memory of Neta Meier Presents - Stuart Martin, PhD, University of Maryland School of Medicine Targeting Tau-induced microtubule stabilization to reduce outgrowth of metastatic tumors Presented by #Cancerland in Memory of Champagne Joy Danny Welch, PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, Inc. BMRS1 MSD: A potential new inhibitor of breast cancer metastasis METAVIVOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AWARDS #LightUpMBC from Moore Fight Moore Strong Presents Stacy Blain, PhD, The Research Foundation of the State of New York, SUNY Downstate Medical Center p27Kip1: A game changing target in metastatic breast cancer Southwest Florida Metsquerade Presented in Memory of Karin Petrocelli Fumito Ito, MD, PhD, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Health Research Inc - In situ radio-immunotherapy to maximize the engagement of cross-presenting dendritic cells to treat metastatic breast cancer" Presented in Honor of Beth Fairchild and Her Service to Metavivor Research and Support - Bethany Kerr, PhD, Wake Forest School of Medicine Profiling combinatorial treatment response in early and late bone metastatic breast cancer Northwest Arkansas Metsquerade Presented In Memory of Erin Leland - Traci Lyons, PhD, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - Targeting therapeutic vulnerabilities of endocrine therapy resistant ER+ metastatic breast cancer" Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present Steffi Oesterreich, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Targeting mesothelial tumor cell interaction to treat invasive lobular cancer metastases Metavivor Facebook Fundraisers Present Selvarangan Ponnazhagan, PhD, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Co-targeting immunosuppression and skeletal pathology for metastatic breast cancer therapy" Tami Bowling and METAvivors of NJ Present - Pranela Rameshwar, PhD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School - Preventing epigenetic-mediated DNA repair induced by bone marrow niche cells to eliminate drug resistance Monica Hills Be Bold and Behold, In Loving Memory of Monica Hill and Jasmine Charles, Presents - Brad St Croix, PhD, National Cancer Institute Improving the therapeutic index of ADCs targeting metastatic breast cancer 2020 New York Fashion Week Presented in Memory of Halli Lannon Alana Welm, PhD, University of Utah FORESEE: Functional precision oncology for metastatic breast cancer: a feasibility trial ABOUT METAVIVOR METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is an Annapolis-based, volunteer-led, non-profit organization founded by metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 2009. The organizations main focus is to fund critical research that will lead to advances in treatment options, quality of life and survival for patients diagnosed with MBC. Since 2009, METAvivor has awarded 129 research grants totaling $17,250,000. METAvivor is the only national organization with a peer-reviewed grant program aimed at exclusively funding MBC research, and 100% of all donations go to fund research. METAvivor also raises awareness of MBC, provides support for people living with this disease, and offers opportunities for others to help make a difference for the metastatic community. METAvivor has gained a rapidly growing following within the breast cancer community, and has become a leader the metastatic breast cancer community. Visit us at http://www.metavivor.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Do long copy ads still find favour with clients and agencies? No matter how well-written, do long copy ads manage to engage todays attention deficit audience? Adgullys premier TwitterChat endeavour, the first of 2012, dwelled on the topic Longer narratives are back, why not long copy? Joining in the discussions on Friday, January 8, 2021, were: Aalap Desai, National Creative Director, Happy mcgarrybowen KV Sridhar, Global Chief Creative Officer, Nhilent & Hypercollective Naresh Gupta, Chief Strategy Officer, Bang in the Middle Sumanto Chattopadhyay, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, 82.5 Communications It is a long held belief that long copy advertising is dead, deployed sporadically by agencies to cut through the clutter or to differentiate. 82.5 Communications Sumanto Chattopadhyay echoed the widespread sentiment in the ad fraternity on long copy, Long copy is seen as an indulgence; a tool for writing award-winning (read scam) ads. People have apparently stopped reading. But I think there are those who read. Reading has actually surged in 2020. How you read has changed, of course, from paperbacks to e-readers. Happy mcgarrybowens Aalap Desai observed, Most advertisers think long copy is dead. I feel it has evolved. Instead of a print ad, its quite often in the form of social posts. Writers express themselves differently on digital. The lingo is different and often peppered with hashtags and acronyms. It has taken a different form and maybe thats why weve stopped knighting it as long copy anymore. According to Desai, Creative posts should not be categorised as above the line or digital anymore. They should have a profile that has both a print ad and a social post in it so that they get to craft copy when needed and learn to keep quality control when they need to write posts. Bang in the Middles Naresh Gupta added here, Digital tends to call long copy blogs and completely dismisses it. Thats because platforms count words. Both are detrimental to logical crafting of copy. The swipe function on Instagram is a great way to use long copy even on visual platforms like Instagram. Creators do use the power of long copy interestingly. Follow the legendary Freddy Birdy or influencers like Karuna Ezara on Instagram, and you will realise that long copy very much alive, retorted Desai. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfyh0sF_Q8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ2apqMp_L2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link So, why are clients hesitant to leverage the power of long copy? Chattopadhyay believed, The issue is, people think that writing is irrelevant that your job is done once you crack the idea. We are going back to the days of ancient Egypt. They communicated through hieroglyphs on their pyramid walls. We communicate with emojis on Facebook walls. But still, theres room for reading and writing. Here, Naresh Gupta asked, How many writers in agencies have the ability to craft long copy ads? Veteran ad man and author, KV Sridhar concurred, How many writers can write a 300-word copy? The root cause is the language barrier. Have you ever seen a Marathi language copy ad? Long copy is dead with British English. Audiences preference 1) Video, 2) Cinema graphs, 3) Still picture, 4) Written word. As this generation is consuming more content, their attention span is getting shorter and shorter, and the context of consumption has also changed. India is a post-literate society. There are millions who cannot read or write properly, but are connecting through voice and video. But there are still those other millions who can and love to read. Lets not forget them in our effort to appeal to the Next Billion Users! opined Chattopadhyay. Adding further, Desai said, Long copy needs to evolve in regional languages. If we can enjoy Narcos and rave about it inspite of it being in a foreign language, then there is no reason why we cant read a beautiful piece of copy in Marathi and love it. It is not just long copy, longer narratives are shunned by advertisers. A guest Tweet put across succinctly the trouble with the mindset of advertising professionals and marketers. https://twitter.com/asraghunath/status/1347487998447734785 Indian Advertisings creative cluster has moved away from being depth oriented to width disorder! Consumers mostly dont even recall the brand after having been subjected to the best frequencies! tweeted @asraghunath. Because of the increase in writing for social and the speed at which it needs to be delivered, fewer writers are actually concentrating on craft. Speed is more important right now, so they end up taking shortcuts. Its a challenge that the entire industry is facing right now, explained Desai. Chattopadhyay observed, This is what happens when you have to write for an always on brand which every brand wants to be today! Sridhar had a bleaker view when he said, Visual or writing the craft itself is dying. There is a cacophony out there in the media. Save the crafts! Gupta argued that Speed is an exception, not a rule, and clients do know this. He also believed that the broader digital community are leveraging long copy in interesting ways. He said, Every celebrity is posting long descriptors on their Instagram feed, which is being lapped up by their followers. Till the written word is compelling and interesting, people read it. We, in advertising, need to be alive to it. Twitter threads are very popular and are used by many to write compelling stores. Once such is @ramkid, who is really skilled at this. https://twitter.com/ramkid/status/1347125531389489152 Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 01:10:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, the new chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attends a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 11, 2021. Hong Kong's Judiciary must remain independent and impartial and continue to safeguard the rule of law and its judges must be upright and prepared to uphold rights, Cheung said when addressing the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2021, adding the Judiciary must be professional and efficient and move with the times. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) HONG KONG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, the new chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), was sworn in on Monday, vowing continued efforts to safeguard the rule of law. Hong Kong's Judiciary must remain independent and impartial and continue to safeguard the rule of law and its judges must be upright and prepared to uphold rights, Cheung said when addressing the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2021, adding the Judiciary must be professional and efficient and move with the times. While the freedom of speech must be fully respected, there must not be any attempt to exert improper pressure on the judges in the discharge of their judicial functions, Cheung said. There are built-in features in the judicial system that ensure the Judiciary and judges are accountable to the public for their works, he said. Cheung said the Judicial Oath is a requirement under the Basic Law. "Society has every right to insist that our judges must be faithful to the Judicial Oath. On behalf of my colleagues in the Judiciary, I would like to assure the public that we expect nothing less of ourselves." In his speech, Cheung also said the Judiciary will tackle backlogs and bottlenecks more strategically and effectively, continue to strengthen exchanges with the judiciaries and judges in other common law jurisdictions as well as the counterparts on the mainland, and work to digitize legal procedures and support systems. Cheung, succeeding Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, took the judicial oath at Government House on Monday, administered by HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The new chief justice swore to uphold the HKSAR Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR, serve the HKSAR conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity, safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favor, self-interest or deceit. Lam congratulated Cheung and pledged continued support for the Judiciary. "I am confident that, under Chief Justice Cheung's leadership, the Judiciary will continue to be a bulwark of the 'one country, two systems' policy and our judges will continue to safeguard the law and administer justice without fear or favor," she said. Cheung joined Hong Kong's judiciary system in 2001 and was appointed as the permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal in October 2018. Also delivering a speech at the ceremony, Teresa Cheng, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said doxxing activities towards judges and other persons involved in the administration of justice were on the rise and must be curtailed. The public should correctly understand the national security law in Hong Kong and the Basic Law, Cheng said. National security falls within the purview of the central authorities and it is entirely misconceived to say that the principle of "one country, two systems" has been undermined due to the national security legislation, Cheng said. The HKSAR government will continue to promote the proper understanding and recognition of the rule of law, the Constitution and the Basic Law at various levels of society, through a multi-faceted approach, Cheng said. Enditem YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Two suspects are under arrest on suspicion of opening gunfire in Stepanakert City, the Artsakh presidency said, denying online reports which alleged that the perpetrators were Azerbaijanis. [The suspects] are two Artsakhi men, who, being under the influence of alcohol, opened fire in the air at midnight, Artsakh presidential spokesperson Vahram Poghosyan said. They are now in police custody and an investigation is underway. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan "This is about making markets," said Berners-Lee, who is Inrupt's chief technology officer. Inrupt introduced in November its server software for enterprises and government agencies. And the startup is getting a handful of pilot projects underway in earnest this year, including ones with Britain's National Health Service and with the government of Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Inrupt's initial business model is to charge licensing fees for its commercial software, which uses the Solid open-source technology but has enhanced security, management and developer tools. The Boston-based company has raised about $US20 million ($26 million) in venture funding. Startups, Berners-Lee noted, can play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of a new technology. The web, he said, really took off after Netscape introduced web-browsing software and Red Hat brought Linux, the open-source operating system, into corporate data centres. Over the years, companies focused on protecting users' privacy online have come and gone. The software of these "infomediaries" was often limited and clunky, appealing only to the most privacy conscious. But the technology has become faster and smarter and pressure on the big tech companies is mounting. Loading Tech companies have formed a Data Transfer Project, committing to make personal data they hold portable. It now comprises Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Twitter. The Federal Trade Commission recently held a "Data to Go" workshop. "In this changed regulatory setting, there is a market opportunity for Tim Berners-Lee's firm and others to offer individuals better ways to control their data," said Peter Swire, a privacy expert at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. Inrupt is betting that trusted organisations will initially be the sponsors of pods. The pods are free for users. If the concept takes off, low-cost or free personal data services similar to today's email services could emerge. The National Health Service has been working with Inrupt on a pilot project for the care of dementia patients that moves from development into the field this month. The early goal is to give caregivers access to a broader view of patients' health, needs and preferences. Each patient has a Solid pod with an "All About Me" form with information submitted by the patient or an authorised relative, supplementing the person's electronic health record. The pod might list that the patient needs help for daily tasks like getting out of bed, tying shoelaces or going to the bathroom. It might also include what soothes the patient when agitated perhaps country music or classic old movies. Later, activity data from an Apple Watch or Fitbit could be added. The medical goal, said Scott Watson, technical director on the pilot project, is improved health and better care that are less stressful for the patient. "And it's a fundamental change in how we share information in health care systems," he said. The initial project will begin with up to 50 patients in the Manchester region and be evaluated in a few months. In Flanders, a region of more than 6 million people, the government hopes the new data technology can nurture opportunities for local entrepreneurs and companies and new services for citizens. Personal data in pods can be linked with public and private data to create new applications, said Raf Buyle, an information architect for the Flanders government. One potential app, Buyle said, might suggest routes and modes of travel for work commutes, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Such an app, he said, could combine location data from a person's smartphone, with preferences for exercise and reducing the carbon footprint, and weather and public transport schedules and bike or scooter rental pickup sites. Loading "Most of the cool use cases will come from companies building new apps on top of the data," Buyle said. For Berners-Lee, the Solid-Inrupt venture is a fix-it project. He has spent his career championing information sharing, openness and personal empowerment online as director of the World Wide Web Consortium, president of the Open Data Institute, and an academic at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford University. His accolades include a Turing Award, often called the Nobel Prize of computer science. In his native England, he is a knight Sir Tim. "But Tim has become increasingly concerned as power in the digital world is weighted against the individual," said Daniel Weitzner, a principal research scientist at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. "That shift is what Solid and Inrupt are meant to correct." The push to give individuals greater control over their data, Berners-Lee said, often begins as a privacy issue. But a new deal on data, he said, will require entrepreneurs, engineers and investors to see opportunities for new products and services, just as they did with the web. The long view is a thriving decentralised marketplace, fuelled by personal empowerment and collaboration, Berners-Lee said. "The end vision is very powerful," he said. Whether his team can realise that vision is uncertain. Some in the field of personal data say the Solid-Inrupt technology is too academic for mainstream developers. They also question whether the technology will achieve the speed and power needed to become a platform for future apps, like software assistants animated by a person's data. "No one will argue with the direction," said Liam Broza, a founder of LifeScope, an open-source data project. "He's on the right side of history. But is what he's doing really going to work?" Others say the Solid-Inrupt technology is only part of the answer. "There is lots of work outside Tim Berners-Lee's project that will be vital to the vision," said Kaliya Young, co-chair of the Internet Identity Workshop, whose members focus on digital identity. Berners-Lee said that his team was not inventing its own identity system, and that anything that worked could plug into its technology. Inrupt faces a series of technical challenges, but none that are "go-to-the-moon hard," said Bruce Schneier, a well-known computer security and privacy expert, who has joined Inrupt as its chief of security architecture. And Schneier is an optimist. "This technology could unlock an enormous amount of innovation," potentially becoming a new platform as the iPhone was for smartphone apps, he said. "I think this stands a good chance of changing how the internet works," he said. "Oddly, Tim has done it before." The New York Times .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX The Arizona Republican Party will vote Jan. 23 on a resolution to censure Cindy McCain for publicly endorsing President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat. On Saturday afternoon, the party reported the Maricopa County GOP had voted and passed a resolution to censure McCain, the widow of former Arizona Sen. John McCain. But the state party later said in statement that there was a call, a second, and near unanimous cheering/approval but resolutions cant be amended from the floor. Cindy McCain tweeted that she is a proud lifelong Republican and will continue to support candidates who put country over party and stand for the rule of law. John McCain was censured in 2014 by the party for what they saw as an insufficiently conservative voting record. He died in 2018. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly called the move to censure Cindy McCain embarrassing and shameful, adding that she has always done what she thinks is right for Arizona and our country. Thats something we should all admire, no matter which party we belong to. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The UN permanent representative in Azerbaijan has addressed the Secretary and presented a document where our 62 Armenian POWs [in Azerbaijan] are depicted as terrorists. Ani Samsonyan, vice-chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs and an MP of the opposition Bright Armenia Party (BAP), told this to reporters Monday. "Apparently, an attempt is being madealso ahead of the [Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyans] visit to Moscowto sell the exchange of prisoners of war at a higher price to the Armenian side. (). Apparently, this is a violation of humanitarian law by Azerbaijan because to depict the prisoners of war as a saboteur is against the protection of human rights and against all the rules for the repatriation of prisoners of war during the post-war," Samsonyan added. When asked about the BAPs expectations from PM Pashinyan's visit to Moscow on Monday, Ani Samsonyan said: "We should rather worry about how the discussion will go in Moscow. (). I am deeply concerned that the [Armenian] negotiator, Nikol Pashinyan, who has been ridiculed by the president of Azerbaijan during this period, will sit down for negotiations with the same president; this can create deep moral and psychological obstacles for the [Armenian] negotiator to formulate pro-Armenian solutions in the negotiations." And asked whether she considers it realistic that, for example, an Armenian exporter will be able to go to Russia via Azerbaijan, Ani Samsonyan said: "We have not propagated hatred in our country for years, whereas today the policy of anti-Armenianism in Azerbaijan is so high, it is not only the [Azerbaijani] society but also the [Azerbaijani] political elite that shows such an attitude towards Armenia. In these conditions, it is difficult to imagine how the safety of our movement [via Azerbaijan] will be guaranteed." Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire is facing another cancer battle after a recurrence of a tumour in his lung. Appointed by Prime Minister Theresa May, Mr Brokenshire (53) replaced Theresa Villiers as Secretary of State and served in office from July 14, 2016 until January 8, 2018, when he was replaced by Karen Bradley MP after stepping down from the position on health grounds. In December 2017, father-of-three Brokenshire noticed blood in his cough and underwent testing that discovered that he had early stage lung cancer and he was forced to step back from politics. He had the upper lobe of his right lung removed at Guys Hospital but returned to Parliament five weeks later. He has now revealed that the tumour has returned, and he will now face further surgery. Frustratingly, I have a recurrence of a tumour in one part of my right lung, he said on Monday. Im taking leave for curative surgery. Im in good hands with the fantastic NHS team whove been looking after me. Im keeping positive and blessed to have the love of Cathy and the kids to support me through this. Among the first to send their well wishes to Mr Brokenshire Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long took to twitter to say: Very sorry to hear this James. Wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy and full recovery. Take care and best wishes to your family. DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson added: Thinking of you James. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Hope all goes well. And his DUP Westminster colleague Carla Lockhart said: Best wishes as you battle this again. Another former Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Julian Smith MP, tweeted: Really sorry you are having to deal with this - very very best wishes and see you soon. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland also tweeted: Sorry to hear this and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Mr Brokenshire has served as the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup in Greater London since 2010 and before that was MP for Hornchurch until the constituency was abolished. He has been serving as Minister of State for Security at the Home Office since 2020. The dead body of a farm labourer in Bihar was carried to the bank by his neighbours to demand money for his cremation, police said Thursday. Mahesh Yadav, 55, a resident of Shahjahanpur, died early Tuesday after a lengthy illness, leaving no family. His body was found by neighbours several hours later, officials said. The villagers searched his home for valuables to pay for his funeral, but unable to find any, they instead took his bank passbook that showed he had about Rs 1.18 lakh in his account. That afternoon, they took the passbook -- and Yadav's corpse -- to the nearby Canara bank, refusing to leave until the branch manager released his funds, local police officer Amrendar Kumar said. "Villagers demanded the bank gave them money from his account for the cremation or else they would not cremate him," Kumar said. "It put pressure on the bank, which finally released some money following the intervention of the local police station." Canara Bank's branch manager Sanjeev Kumar said the extraordinary scenes created panic. "It was the first such case," Kumar said. As the situation became tense, Bank authorities collected donations from the employees, and Rs 10,000 was given to the villagers to conduct Mahesh's last rites. "He has Rs 118,000 in his account. But no nominations have been made. If none of Mahesh's heirs claim this money, the bank will not give any money," he said. "They finally left the bank with his body for the cremation ground," he added. Neighbour Shakuntala Devi said Yadav did not own any land and did not receive any support from the government. "There was no-one to look after him although he had been ailing for months. We used to provide him cooked food and other things," she said. (With inputs from AFP, News18 Assam) Parler CEO: Attorneys Drop Company as Website Goes Offline Parlers website is offline on Monday after Amazon, Apple, Google, and a slew of other companies took action against the social media platform. Users trying to access Parler were notified that the site couldnt be reached. Parler CEO John Matze said on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures that companies had colluded to make sure that at the same time we would lose access to not only our apps, but theyre shutting all of our servers off tonight, off the Internet. He also revealed that other companies, including the law firm that was representing Parler, had joined in acting against the company. They made an attempt to not only kill the apps but to actually destroy the entire company. But its not just these three companies; every vendor, from text message services to email providers to our lawyers all ditched us too, on the same day, and theyre trying to falsely claim that we were somehow responsible for the events on [Jan.] 6. Matze told The Epoch Times over the weekend that the company was considering legal action against companies that had acted against it. Critics have pointed to posts on Parler that appeared to encourage violence. They also claim protesters organized the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 on Parler. The social media platform had no way to organize events, Matze said, as he noted that violent phrases were trending on Twitter the same day Apple and Google removed his application from their online stores. This illustration picture shows the social media website from Parler displayed on a computer screen in Arlington, Va., on July 2, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Parler is working to get back online as quickly as possible, but were having a lot of trouble, because every vendor we talk to wont work with us, because if Apple doesnt approve and Google doesnt approve, they wont, Matze said on Fox. Apple and Google havent responded to requests for comment. Were working and scrambling to do this, but its not something that you can do really quickly so theres a good chance that we will be down for a while, Parlers Chief Policy Officer Amy Peikoff added on Fox & Friends. Shortly after the companies removed Parlers app from their storesit was the No. 1 app in the Google store before its removalAmazon announced it was forcing Parler to move its data from Amazon servers. They gave Parler 24 hours notice to move data from hundreds of services, which is basically impossible to do, Matze said. An Amazon spokeswoman said the company did not coordinate with Google or Apple. She pointed to a letter Amazon sent to Parler, saying the company has seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms. Matze said the actions taken against Parler would put anybody out of business. They could destroy anybody. If they did any app, any company, it would completely destroy them, he added, calling for a rollback of protections in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act for tech companies. I totally see the danger here. What theyre doing, and the amount of the power they have, is not just frightening, its actually extremely scary. Washington: Congressional Democrats have formally launched their push to remove Donald Trump from office in the last days of his presidency by introducing a single article of impeachment accusing him of inciting insurrection over a violent attack on the US Capitol last week. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is expected to vote to impeach Trump as early as Thursday (AEDT). If they are successful, Trump would become the only president in US history to be impeached twice. If the move is successful, Trump would become the only president in US history to be impeached twice. Credit:Getty Images "In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both," Pelosi wrote to her fellow House Democrats on Monday (AEDT). Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, forcing the Congress members who were certifying President-elect Joe Biden's election victory into hiding. US President-elect on Monday announced that he has nominated former career diplomat William J Burns to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Burns is a career diplomat who served in the US Foreign Service for 33 years and holds the highest rank in the service, Biden-Harris transition team said in a statement. Biden said that Burns shares his profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical. "Bill Burns is an exemplary diplomat with decades of experience on the world stage keeping our people and our country safe and secure. He shares my profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical and that the dedicated intelligence professionals serving our nation deserve our gratitude and respect," the statement quoted Biden as saying. Burns served as deputy secretary of state under President Barack Obama and has held other diplomatic posts over a three-decade career in Republican and Democratic administrations. Ambassador Burns is a consummate professional full of integrity who will bring the facts and independence that our national security demands, the statement read. "Whether it's cyber attacks emanating from Moscow, the challenge China poses, or the threat we face from terrorists and other non-state actors, he has the experience and skill to marshal efforts across government and around the world to ensure the is positioned to protect the American people," it 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.) A staff member of Huaian Aucksun Optoelectronics Technology Ltd works at a chip production line on June 16. China has intensified efforts to develop chips at home so as to reduce reliance on the foreign semiconductor industry. (Zhao Qirui/For China Daily) Amid sanctions and uncertainty, domestic firms ride policy support for self-reliance This year is likely to prove fruitful for Dou Qiang. The president of Tianjin Phytium Information Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer of server chips or integrated circuits (ICs), has been busy answering incessant phone calls from prospective customers desperate to receive supplies of chips. "Demand for chips manufactured by Chinese companies has been very intense these days. The number of buy orders had already hit a record high at the beginning of last year," Dou said. Demand this year, he reiterated, has been "far more than what was expected". Dou noted the company's best-selling chip was originally estimated to reach 1 million units in shipment by the end of last year, but he did not expect the figure would be reached by August itself. His optimism knows no bounds now as the Chinese government has intensified efforts to develop chips at home so as to reduce reliance on the foreign semiconductor industry. That move toward self-reliance comes amid Sino-US trade frictions, which drove unprecedented levels of enthusiasm as well as capital of Chinese entrepreneurs into the domestic chip industry. Last year, investors poured more than 200 billion yuan ($30.9 billion)it was much higher than 70 billion yuan or more seen in 2019into the country's semiconductor industry. Venture capitalists, private equity firms, and IPOs of startups were some of the sources of funding. The annual tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference in December highlighted the importance of "technological innovations "to solve major problems that restrict the nation's economic development. The conference said China will ensure better implementation of key projects targeting breakthroughs in key technologies and solutions to bottleneck problems while encouraging businesses to focus on their areas of strength and forge new cutting-edge technologies. Zhang Yansheng, chief researcher of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said: "It's a clear sign that China, starting from this year, will take the building of self-reliant technological prowess as its fundamental guiding principle." The nature of world's leading economies has changed significantly. An industrial and supply chain that is shorter, more flexible, and more resilient will better meet the new economic pattern, Zhang said. Jia Kang, chief economist of the China Academy of New Supply-Side Economics, said that another focus of the conference was on the "bottleneck problems", which refers to technologies at the forefront of innovation and futuristic vision, such as high-end chips. "Bottleneck problems are where China lagged behind and may be restricted by other economies. It's an area wherein China must make breakthroughs over the next five years and beyond," Jia said. His remarks come on the heels of the country's latest tax incentive policies for the IC industry in December. The new policy, launched by the Ministry of Finance and three other ministries, stated that qualifying IC companies or projects that have been in operation for more than 15 years and that make 28-nanometer or smaller advanced chips, will be exempt from corporate income taxes for up to 10 years. Companies producing 65-nanometer to 28-nanometer chips will get five years of tax exemption and a 50 percent discount on the corporate tax rate for the subsequent five years. For such chip manufacturers, preferential treatment begins from the first profitable year. A visitor gathers information on the Loongson 3 series processors at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, on Nov 22. (Zhai Huiyong/For China Daily) "The fresh policies will greatly reduce the tax burden on semiconductor enterprises and encourage them to invest more into research and development and to upgrade integrated circuits," said Chen Ji, head of the industry economy research institute at the Capital University of Economics and Business. Xu Tao, chief electronics analyst at CITIC Securities, said that for Semiconductor Manufacturing North China (Beijing) Corp, a subsidiary of chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, which is abbreviated as SMIC, the new incentives will help the company save about $10 million each year in taxes. "These policies will drive companies to strive for more advanced production lines and boost the competitiveness of the nation's semiconductor industry on the global stage," Xu said. According to a report from Everbright Securities, the total income tax of A-share semiconductor companies hit 2.57 billion yuan in 2019. These companies reported a total profit of 20.96 billion yuan. "As the US government moves to impose export controls on Chinese technology firms, companies in the tech sector, including mobile phones, 5G and communications, have begun to feel an urgent need to work with domestic semiconductor companies," said Huang Qing, China managing director of Walden International, a US venture capital company focused on cross-border investments. "By serving such tech giants in the ecosystem, Chinese chip companies will have an unprecedented opportunity to grow into global players," Huang said. The US government put Huawei on its Entity List in May 2019 and said US firms were required to obtain a license before exporting domestically produced chips and software to the company. In May last year, Washington expanded these rules by requiring contract chip producers anywhere in the world that use US semiconductor equipment and technology to obtain its approval before producing chips designed by Huawei's subsidiary HiSilicon. Data from the China Semiconductor Industry Association IC Design Branch suggested that the total sales volume of China's IC design industry is expected to grow about 24 percent year-on-year to reach nearly 382 billion yuan by the end of 2020, accounting for nearly 13 percent of the total sales revenue in the global IC design market. Full-year industry data for 2020 is yet to be compiled and confirmed. Buoyed by the country's momentum, China's top chipmaker SMIC saw its revenue rise by nearly 33 percent on a yearly basis to a record $1.08 billion during the third quarter of last year, after debuting on the technology-focused STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in July. Liang Mengsong, then co-CEO of SMIC, said earlier that the company's second-generation technology N+1 is advancing steadily and is currently undergoing product verifications from customers. Compared with the existing 14-nanometer process, N+1 manufacturing technology can increase a chip's performance by 20 percent and cut its power consumption by 57 percent, industry insiders said. A man checks a chip display at the 2020 World Semiconductor Conference in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Aug 27. Demand for chips made by Chinese companies has been rising. (Su Yang/For China Daily) "The N+1 has entered a small-volume market and the applications are mainly for high-performance computing," Liang said. "SMIC is also cooperating with domestic and overseas customers on more than 10 advanced process tape-out projects, including 14-nanometer process and more advanced technologies." Founded in 2000, SMIC has successfully mass-produced a smartphone processor for Huawei Technologies Co with its 14-nanometer manufacturing process, marking a breakthrough in China's efforts to boost its chip-making industry. The 14-nanometer process is SMIC's most advanced process available as of now, and can be used in smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, artificial intelligence, radio frequency and other applications. Ding Wenwu, president of China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Co Ltd, said that although the country witnessed rising flow of money into the chip design segment over the past decade, more efforts are needed in the fields of chip materials, equipment and manufacturing. "Chip design has a lower technological threshold and quick investment returns. But chip materials, equipment and manufacturing are where China lags behind compared with developed countries including the US," Ding said. Wei Shaojun, professor from the Institute of Microelectronics at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said that in the high-end chips segment in particular, the market share of domestic chips in computer systems, general electronic systems, communication equipment, storage devices, display and video systems, still remains small in the country. "China is also expected to adjust the structure of its chip industry. Foreign countries have integrated device manufacturers, which integrate multiple steps from chip design, manufacturing, packaging, testing to sales," Wei said. "With an integrated circle, costs are suppressed to the lowest level, which further lowers the price and maintains its market advantage," he said. Chennai: Actor Rajinikanth once again reiterated on Monday that he was not interested in entering politics. The actor took to Twitter to request his fans not to pressurise him to do so. The actor issued a statement on Twitter after protests by members of the Rajini Makkal Mandram in Chennai on Sunday urging him to enter politics without any delay. "I praise and thank those members of the mandram for not participating in the protest. But I am sad and worried about those who participated in the protest despite me explaining that I will not enter politics last month," said Rajinikanth. The actor said the members of the fan club were inflicting pain on him by asking him to join politics. "I have already explained in details the reasons for not entering politics. At least after this no one must keep pressurising me to enter politics. No one must protest like this as it will inflict more pain to me," said the actor. Hundreds of Rajinikanth fans had gathered in Chennai's Valluvar Kottam on Sunday demanding the actor take back his decision to not join politics. The actor was supposed to launch a political party this month, but announced he wouldn't citing health reasons. On December 29, Rajini took to Twitter with a 3-page statement explaining the reasons for not entering politics. He made the statement after he was hospitalised in Hyderbabad for blood pressure issues. 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's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B. S. Yeddyurappa flashes the victory sign after taking oath as Chief Minister of the southern state of Karnataka inside the governor's house in Bengaluru,karnataka lok sabha polls 2019,yeddyurappa dynasty watch,yeddyurappa family The much-awaited cabinet expansion in Karnataka is likely to take place on January 13, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Sunday after he met top BJP leaders including its chief J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. "We have finalised seven names. January 14 is the festival. Most probably the oath-taking ceremony will take place on January 13 afternoon. I will confirm the names and portfolios later," the chief minister told reporters after arriving in Bengaluru from Delhi. Earlier speaking to reporters in New Delhi after meeting Nadda and Shah, Yediyurappa said that he would give good news soon. "On cabinet expansion, there was a detailed discussion. You will get good news soon," the chief minister told reporters after an hour-long meeting held at Shah's residence in Delhi during which state party in-charge Arun Singh was also present. He, however, evaded queries on whether he would be able to complete his tenure, as there has been speculation about a possible leadership change in the state following murmurs of discontent in the party. Sources said the cabinet rejig is most likely to take place before January 20. The chief minister said this was the "last meeting" to discuss the cabinet expansion and the final names will be cleared as early as possible. The state can have a total of 34 ministers and has 27 now. There was a "positive, fruitful and satisfactory discussion. I am happy with the discussion. ...we will wait for their instructions," he said, adding the central leadership has assured its support. The cabinet expansion in the state has been on the cards for over a year now, and the delay has led to some unease in the state unit. The chief minister said he suggested some names and expressed confidence that the central BJP leadership will respond positively. "A 101 per cent this is the last meeting. They are going to clear the names as soon as possible," he said replying to a query. Asked if he is confident about completing his tenure as chief minister, Yediyurappa replied, "It is a question which only you can answer." Amid reports of simmering discontentment among a section of legislators on the functioning of the government and certain ministers, the chief minister recently held region wise meetings with party MLAs for two days. All 118 BJP MLAs have expressed faith in Chief Minister Yediyurappa's leadership, state ministers had said on Tuesday, while asserting that the government was stable. However, it was not clear if the leadership issue was discussed during Yediyurappa's meetings with senior BJP leaders on Sunday. Apart from the cabinet rejig, the chief minister said there were discussions also on the upcoming bypolls in the state for one parliamentary and two Assembly seats. "They asked me to send the names of the candidates at the earliest for clearance," he said, adding the leadership also told him to ensure the party's victory on all three seats. The senior party leaders also expressed happiness over recent gram panchayat results, Yediyurappa added. Yediyurappa's son and state BJP Vice President B Y Vijayendra also stressed that the discussions on cabinet expansion were complete. "The chief minister has said clearly that there won't be...further talks on cabinet rejig. All issues have been discussed in detail," he said. Vijayendra accompanied the chief minister to Delhi but was not present during the meetings with BJP leaders. The cabinet rejig is expected to be a tightrope walk for the chief minister, considering that there are too many aspirants, from the party's old guard to Congress and JD(S) rebels who are now BJP legislators. Among those in the ministerial race in the state are MLAs Umesh Katti, Munirathna, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, M P Renukacharya, Aravind Limbavali and S R Vishwanath. Three MLCs -- C P Yogeshwar, MTB Nagaraj and R Shankar -- are too aspiring for a ministerial berth. Another MLC, A H Vishwanath, was also in the race but his hopes were dashed when the Karnataka High Court on November 30 barred him from becoming a minister until at least May this year. Bypolls are scheduled for Maski and Basavakalyan assembly seats and Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency. While Maski fell vacant due to the resignation of Congress MLA Pratap Gouda Patil in 2019, the bypoll to Basavakalyan and Belagavi seats were necessitated following the death of their representatives B Narayan Rao and Suresh Angadi, respectively, due to the coronavirus. Leer en espanol ALBANY Lino Acevedo has been on the fence about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. First, theres his age. The 57-year-old father from Albany says he feels too old to be experimented on." Then theres how quickly the vaccines were developed. Although the timeline was speeded by years of prior research and billions of dollars in government investment, to Acevedo and millions of other Americans, the vaccines sudden approval seemed too good to be true. Then there's history. As a Latino man, hes well aware of the nations history of medical experimentation on--and forced sterilization of--people of color. Theres this theory of people thinking its something about crowd control, you know? Population control, he said. Thats a big issue out here in the Latino community. People are sayin' they tryin' to get rid of us. Hes not alone in those fears. Past mistreatment of communities of color by America's medical establishment not to mention ongoing racism and inequities in health care and other fields come to mind for many Black and brown people, including those in the Capital Region, when they think about whether or not to receive a vaccine to protect against the novel coronavirus. Leaders in these communities say the key to overcoming these hesitancies and reaching critical mass with the vaccine starts with taking the time to acknowledge and validate concerns that arise from past injustices. From there, government leaders and trusted messengers can aim to build trust through education and influence campaigns that help address many of the basic safety and health concerns people have regarding the new vaccine. A troubling history and present In each of our focus groups, the Tuskegee experiment came up at least once, said Kate Strully, a University at Albany researcher who helped lead focus groups around the state last summer on the issue of vaccine hesitancy in communities of color. The Tuskegee syphilis study in which Black men in rural Alabama were never told they had the deadly venereal disease from the 1930s through the 1970s so scientists could observe what it did to them is often invoked by Black Americans when asked why they might be hesitant to receive a coronavirus vaccine. For people like Acevedo, the nations history of forced sterilizations also lingers. Between the 1930s and 1970s, roughly one-third of Puerto Ricos female population was sterilized as a result of U.S.-endorsed programs designed to reduce overpopulation on the island. During the 1960s and 1970s, Mexican-American women in Los Angeles were shamed and pressured into sterilization procedures while they were giving birth. Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 What: A panel of experts discusses vaccine hesitancy in communities of color, and what needs to happen to battle COVID-19's health disparities. Registration info: Visit EventBrite to register for this free hour-long event, which will stream live on the Times Union's Facebook and YouTube pages. See More Collapse Black and Indigenous populations have faced similar sterilization campaigns, often without consent. They just dont want to be a guinea pig, said Micky Jimenez, executive director of Capital District Latinos, a cultural organization that operates a community engagement center near Albanys Washington Park. I talked to Black men who say, Oh, we ended up with syphilis, she said. Or if they were Puerto Rican, Oh, you remember our women were sterilized. And you know what? Those were true stories. So how do you dismiss that? This kind of justified distrust does not just stem from historical events, said Carolyn McLaughlin, an Albany County legislator and Black woman who is working to build confidence in the vaccine among the countys Black citizens. Black peoples health concerns are downplayed by the medical community of today as well, she said. Acknowledge the Tuskegee incident, yes, she said. But beyond that, even closer to home, how are people dealt with by the medical community now? McLaughlin has lost nine friends and family members since the pandemic arrived in New York, she said. Most of them died after contracting COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus. And she wonders whether appropriate medical care was given to two others who, she says, died after they were sent home from the emergency room even though they had COVID-19 symptoms. Doctors in emergency rooms are so busy sending people home and then they go home and all of a sudden they have some respiratory arrest, she said. Why? I believe it was the lack of medical treatment. Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union Trusted messengers The loss of so many friends and family not to mention the mental health impacts of prolonged quarantine are why McLaughlin is working hard to try and boost trust in the vaccine in the countys Black communities. Black residents of the county are also more likely to wind up in the hospital from COVID-19 than their white counterparts, county data show. And early on in the pandemic they were dying at higher rates, too, though those have since leveled out (racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths persist both nationwide and statewide). Think about if it wasnt available to you, McLaughlin said of the vaccine. I tell people, dont self-select out of the opportunity to get the vaccine without the proper and adequate information. Thats why people like me, were trying to make ourselves available as an influencer in the community, a voice that people are gonna listen to. COVID-19 in Albany County by race Source: Data gathered from Albany County COVID-19 Dashboard as of Jan. 8, 2020, and 2019 Census ACS 5-year estimates Graphic by Cathleen F. Crowley/Times Union McLaughlin is working with the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Services and the South End Community Collaborative to circulate a survey that people can take to share their concerns about the vaccine. The survey, which is available online at is.gd/covidvx, will be used to inform educational campaigns in the community, she said. Were running up against barriers even in getting the survey out there in that we cant really go door to door right now, she said. Plus, you gotta trust whos giving you the survey. McLaughlin said the goal is to hire trusted ambassadors who can hand out a copy of the survey to people either with a self-addressed stamped envelope or to collect at a later date. Theyre trying to get to 1,000 responses but were only a quarter of the way there as of Wednesday, she said. This concept of using influencers or other trusted messengers to promote vaccine acceptance in Black and Hispanic communities has been in play since the very beginning of the vaccine rollout. The first New Yorker to receive the vaccine was a Black ICU nurse and the first Capital Region resident to get a shot was a Black clerical associate specialist who registers patients as they come into Albany Medical Centers emergency room. As a person of color, I personally am very much invested in seeing as many people as possible get vaccinated, said Dr. Angela Antonikowski, a Black woman who last summer was named Albany Meds first chief officer of health equity, diversity and inclusion. Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union The hospital, which is serving as one of 10 regional vaccine hubs statewide, has a health equity task force that is working on the issue of vaccine rollout in communities of color, she said. We are partnering with over 40 health care institutions and agencies in the region, with the stakeholders there to really identify, for example, who are the members in the communities that individuals trust in terms of information? she said. Jimenez, who heads Capital District Latinos, is one of them. At a wellness event for men of color last October, she asked everyone how they felt about the vaccine. There she encountered Acevedo, the Albany father who was unsure about whether to get the vaccine. Ms. Micky told me that she was gonna do it, Acevedo recalled. When she told me that she would do it, I was like, 'Really, you would do it?' And knowing Ms. Micky shes a good person and shes up on things, she talks to people and I have a lot of faith in her I told her, 'If you do it, then yeah, Ill take my chances and do it too.' Jimenez, who also works on the front lines helping people who struggle with addiction and homelessness, was eligible to get her shot Wednesday, and made sure photos and video were taken so she can help spread the message that the vaccines are safe. "Its great to see (President-elect Joe) Biden and to see our leadership doing it," she said. "But I think when it comes to the Latino community and men of color and people of color, its really at the ground level that they want to see it that I trust this science and that I'm willing to take it." Overcoming logistical barriers Building confidence in the vaccine will not be enough on its own, Jimenez said. Logistical barriers such as getting to a vaccine site or taking time off work or watching kids remain a major hurdle, she said. Jimenez, who is on both the state and regional vaccine task force, said she is working to try and get the Capital District Latinos community center at 160 Central Ave. designated a vaccine distribution site, since it has the space and is in an area of the city that would be easy for people of color to get to. But also, this has become a place people trust, she said. Theyve been here before. So were going to be applying for that and see how it goes. McLaughlin said the County Legislature has also been talking to religious leaders about using their sites for vaccine distribution. I havent spoken specifically to a pastor that said, Yes, well do that, she said. But the conversation has been put out there, and I think theres some who would be interested. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo this week said that when vaccine rollout to the general public begins the state will move away from hospitals as distribution sites and rely heavily on a retail network of distributors, including pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, private urgent care clinics and private doctor networks. The state has also begun building "community vaccination kits, he said, and is working with public housing officials, churches and community centers that could erect makeshift distribution sites in underserved communities. Jimenez said vaccine providers better start thinking now about how theyre going to get people back for a second dose. Migrant workers, for example, are highly transient and wont necessarily be around in the three to four weeks after their first dose is administered, she said. Theres just a lot of idiosyncrasies that I think when were looking at these populations, all these things have to be taken into consideration, she said. As much as we want to rush to reach herd immunity, we have to put time into the messaging and gaining their trust. If we do that, I really believe everyone will be better off. Editor's note: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect address for Capital District Latinos' community center. The center is located at 160 Central Ave., Albany. ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- A local chamber of commerce pledges to look out for the needs of its member businesses in many areas. Angela Barth, executive director of the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce, always seems to be on top of whatever is happening that may be of value to the chambers members. Currently, Barth is letting her members know that certain businesses can qualify for government reimbursement to help with indoor air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barth answered five questions, giving enough information for qualifying businesses to apply for the funds. 1. What is COVID-19 indoor air quality assistance? This funding allows eligible private employers/beneficiaries to receive reimbursement for eligible inspections, assessments, maintenance and/or improvements to indoor heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to control the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Eligible for reimbursement are HVAC improvements that have been installed, made operational and put into service, as well as services received for these purposes, on or after March 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. Funding for the program is part of federal financial assistance provided to the State of Ohio from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2. What is the purpose of the program? The program provides assistance to improve indoor air quality through ventilation and filtration in facilities serving older Ohioans to reduce potential infection due to COVID-19. Facilities that qualify can use these funds for eligible inspections, assessments, maintenance and improvements to HVAC systems, both installed and portable. 3. Who is eligible? Assistance is available for non-governmental nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult day centers that have a physical location within Ohio. 4. How much funding can employers/beneficiaries receive? Employers/beneficiaries can receive up to $15,000 in reimbursements only for necessary eligible expenditures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This does not cover routine expenses. Employers/beneficiaries can use the funds to inspect and assess their air quality needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, employers/beneficiaries can hire an HVAC professional to analyze a facilitys system and to identify upgrades to improve overall system performance. Employers/beneficiaries can also use funds to address improvements through portable air ventilation, filtration, enhancement of current filtration systems and other interventions. 5. Is there a deadline for spending the money or submitting documentation and receipts? Yes. March 31, 2021, is the deadline for goods to be installed, operational and put in service and for services to be rendered. All documentation and receipts must be submitted with the completed application by March 31, 2021. To apply for the funds, send an email to COVID19@bwc.state.oh.us. For more information, visit https://info.bwc.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/bwc. A new office manager Here at the Rocky River chamber, we are excited to introduce a new addition to our office, said Barth. Office manager Chris Rini Slyman. Chris and her family have lived in Rocky River for nearly 20 years, Barth said. She grew up in the area and spent much of her career fundraising for nonprofit organizations in Chicago and Cleveland. Most recently, she worked for Magnificat High School, where she was the institutional advancement assistant and gala coordinator. Barth said Slyman was in search of a change of pace in her career, and saw this opportunity with the chamber as a perfect fit. I was interested in a position where I could use my experience and skills to benefit my community, Slyman said. I look forward to learning more about our local businesses and how we can strengthen networks and promote their services. Slyman serves on the fundraising committee for the One World Shop in Rocky River and is involved with the shelter meal program at the Journey Center for Safety and Healing -- an organization that provides information and services to victims of domestic abuse. Her children, Emily and Will, attend Rocky River High School and her husband, Greg, is a commercial real estate broker for Howard Hanna Commercial Real Estate. Read more from the West Shore Sun. A runway of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has been reopened after being shut down for over six months for an upgrade. The Ministry of Transport on Sunday organized a ceremony to mark the completion of the first phase of a project on upgrading the 25L/07R runway at the airport. Vietnam Airlines flight VN1828 from Phu Quoc Island was the first to land on the runway at 3:00 pm the same day. The newly renovated runway is now 3,048 meters long and 45.72 meters wide. It is one of two runways at Tan Son Nhat. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh praised the efforts of the transport ministry, Cuu Long Corporation for Investment, Development and Project Management of Infrastructure (Cuu Long CIPM), and relevant units in the implementation of the project. Since 2017, the rapid development of the countrys aviation sector has resulted in a growing number of airlines and aircraft, including planes with large payloads, which exceeded the original capacity of the airport, Binh continued. Without a prompt upgrade, the runways may be further damaged, affecting flight operations. The existing runway and taxiway system at Tan Son Nhat does not meet the operational demand expected by 2025, which is set to reach 50 million passengers per year, the deputy PM elaborated. The upgrade project is important to boosting flight operations in the country, which promotes socio-economic development and contributes to security and defense missions, he remarked. Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (C) at the ceremony marking the completion of the runway upgrade project at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, January 10, 2021. Photo: Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre The project was initiated in June 2020 at a cost of more than VND2 trillion (US$86 million). Its second phase is expected to be finished before December 31 this year. A similar project was also carried out at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and was completed on January 1. The second phase is anticipated to conclude prior to the 2022 Lunar New Year. It is aimed at increasing Noi Bais capacity to 44 million passengers per year by 2025. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! German Chancellor Angela Merkel considers U.S. President Donald Trumps eviction from Twitter by the company problematic, her spokesman said Monday. Twitter permanently suspended Trump from the microblogging platform on Friday, citing a risk of further incitement of violence in the wake of the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of the outgoing president. Asked about Twitters decision, Merkels spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said the operators of social media platforms bear great responsibility for political communication not being poisoned by hatred, by lies and by incitement to violence. He said its right not to stand back when such content is posted, for example by flagging it. But Seibert also said that freedom of opinion is a fundamental right of elementary significance. This fundamental right can be intervened in, but according to the law and within the framework defined by legislators not according to a decision by the management of social media platforms, he told reporters in Berlin. Seen from this angle, the chancellor considers it problematic that the accounts of the U.S. president have now been permanently blocked. Facebook on Thursday suspended Trumps account through Jan. 20, the day of President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration, and possibly indefinitely. Merkel herself does not have a Twitter account, although Seibert does and many German government ministers do. President-elect Joe Biden on Monday said those that 'engaged in sedition and threatened people's lives' during last week's attack on Capitol Hill should be held accountable. Asked if President Donald Trump had been among those engaging in sedition, Biden said: 'I've been clear that President Trump should not be in office. Period.' The House is expected to impeach Trump this week but the Senate - given that it doesn't return to Washington D.C. until January 19th - is unlikely to tackle the issue before Trump leaves office, meaning the early days of Biden's presidency would be taken up with his predecessor's trial. But Biden said he has the 'hope and expectation' that the Senate could hold an impeachment trial while confirming his Cabinet nominees and working on an additional COVID relief package. 'Look, my priority is to get first and foremost the stimulus bill passed,' he said. 'I had a discussion today with some of the folks in the House and Senate and the question is whether or not, for example, the House moves forward, which they obviously are, with impeachment and send it over to the Senate, whether or not we can bifurcate this, dealing with impeachment, getting people nominated and confirmed in the Senate as well as moving on the package,' he noted. 'That's my hope and expectation,' he added. Biden takes the oath of office in nine days. If Trump would be be impeached, it would prevent him from running for another term as president. The president-elect made his remarks after he received the second dose of his coronavirus vaccine, which should make him immune to the virus. Biden pulled off his sport jacket to reveal a dark, short-sleeve T-shirt underneath when he arrived at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. He said 'Ready, set, go' to Chief Nurse Executive Ric Cumin, who administered the Pfizer vaccine. The moment played out on television cameras. Biden received his first shot on Dec. 21 - also televised. The virus has now killed nearly 375,000 people in the United States - about 60,000 more than when the president-elect got his first round of vaccination. Vice President Mike Pence, who received his first dose on Dec. 18 in a televised setting, received his second dose 'Last week on Thursday,' according to his office. President-elect Joe Biden received the second dose of his coronavirus vaccine, which should make him immune to the virus Biden said the death rate from the coronavirus unacceptable -'Three to four thousand a day is beyond the pale. It is just wrong. We can do a lot to change it,' he said The president-elect said he hopes the Senate could hold impeach President Donald Trump while confirming his Cabinet nominees and working on an additional COVID relief package He expressed confidence in his COVID-19 combating team to be able to conduct a vaccine distribution blitz after he takes office on January 20th. 'My number one priority is getting vaccine in people's arms like we just did today as rapidly as we can. We are working on that program now,' he said. 'I will be meeting on zoom call with my team later this afternoon. And I put together which I will be announcing on Thursday laying out the plan, costs of how I want to proceed, cost of what we have to do to be able to get the entire COVID operation up and running.' He said the death rate is unacceptable. 'Three to four thousand a day is beyond the pale. It is just wrong. We can do a lot to change it,' he said. Biden also told the reporters with him he wasn't afraid of holding his inauguration ceremony outside on January 20th in the wake of last Wednesday's MAGA riot, where a pro-Trump mob swarmed the stands built for his inauguration. 'I'm not afraid of taking the oath outside,' Biden said. Additional security measures have been put into place, including seven-foot anti-climbing fences around the Capitol complex, surrounding it in a ring of steel. National Guard units have arrived to help guard the building through January 20th. The head of the National Guard said at least 10,000 troops will be deployed in Washington, D.C., by Saturday, and an additional 5,000 could be requested from other states. Biden argued both parties agreed those who engaged in ransacking the Capitol and threatening the life of Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be punished. 'I think it is critically important there be a real serious focus on holding those folks who engaged in sedition and threatened people's lives, defacing public property, caused great damage, that they be held accountable. I think that's the view held by the vast majority of Democrats and Republicans in the Congress,' he said. Pence and his family could hear the angry and violent crowds shouting 'where's Mike Pence' while they stormed through the building as Trump did nothing to check in on his second-in-command's safety. The vice president angered Trump and his supporters earlier this week after pushing back against the president's incorrect claim that the VP could put a stop to the certification of Biden's victory in the Electoral College. Trump and Pence reportedly have not spoken to one another since Wednesday's riot. Joe Biden said he's not worried about taking the oath of office outside as seven-foot tall anti-climbing fence now circles the Capitol as part of enhanced security measures Members of the New York National Guard form up on the East Front of the Capitol as at least 10,000 troops will be deployed in Washington, D.C., by Saturday Joe Biden said those that 'engaged in sedition and threatened people's lives' during last week's attack on Capitol Hill should be held accountable Biden said those that threatened Vice President Mike Pence during Capitol Hill MAGA riot should be held accountable The vice president was rushed by his security team from the Senate chamber moments before the mob broke in and took over, sitting in the same chair Pence had been presiding in moments earlier. Meanwhile, Pelosi and Democratic leaders formally accused Trump of incitement to insurrection Monday morning as part of an attempt to shame him out of office at breakneck speed. Democrats introduced their impeachment resolution, first floated Friday, accusing Trump of 'incitement of insurrection' as the House met. Top Democrats say it has enough support to pass the House - and that they expect Republicans to sign on to it. And they set up fast-moving floor votes that that will force House Republicans to cast votes this week both on President Trump's fitness for office and on whether to remove him during his final days in power. On Monday morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) sought to call up a resolution that would instruct Pence to convene cabinet members to declare Trump 'incapable of executing the duties of his office' under the terms of the 25th Amendment. But he failed to get 'unanimous consent' when a House Republican objected. Pelosi says she will respond by bringing the 25th amendment resolution to the floor Tuesday - meaning Republicans will have to vote on the record on whether they believe Trump is fit for office Pelosi's plan is to first try to bring up the resolution formally requesting Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment through the request, then follow up by bringing it before the full House. The amendment provides either for the cabinet to meet to assess the president, or a special committee to be established by Congress although Congress has never created such a body. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin or Marylan began developing 25th amendment legislation months ago, and has examined the issue for years. The move puts pressure on Pence who Trump publicly sought to strong-arm at the rally that proceeded the Capitol riots. The resolution would not carry the force of law, but it would be the first test for House Republicans, many of whom served with Pence, since a vote hours after the riot split the conference on whether to count votes where Trump has claimed fraud. The House will vote on the 25th amendment legislation on Tuesday. They will vote on impeaching Trump on Wednesday. Even if the House votes Wednesday to impeach, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrote colleagues a trial would not likely begin until January 19th missing the opportunity to remove Trump from office, and also complicating the start of Biden's tenure. Unlike through impeachment, if Pence and a majority of the cabinet officers were to vote that Trump was unfit for office, Pence would immediately become acting president for a period of days that would run out Trump's term. Biden said on Friday that Trump was 'an embarrassment to the country' and if Trump was in office longer he'd support using the impeachment process or the 25th amendment to remove him. His indication that Trump should be left alone to finish out his final days in the White House puts him in opposition with many Democrats on Capitol Hill. 'If we were six months out, we should do everything to get him out of office. Impeach him again and trying to invoke the 25th amendment. Get him out of office. I'm focused now on us taking control as vice president and president on the 20th and get our agenda going,' he said. Two Dallas-area Texas House members are calling the Legislatures planned Opening Day ceremony on Tuesday a superspreader event and say they do not plan to participate. Reps. Ana-Maria Ramos and Michelle Beckley, both Democrats, said Monday they will be sworn in by Ramos husband, Johnny, who is a public notary, at an alternative location. The Texas House is requiring that attendees wear masks at the abbreviated ceremony and is encouraging them to get tested. Guests and media are required to be tested. The Texas Division of Emergency Management will be offering free COVID-19 tests outside the Capitol. Access to the House floor will be limited to lawmakers, essential staff, ceremony participants, temporary officers and approved guests. Ramos and Beckley, however, said they dont think those precautionary measures will be enough. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox I believe it is irresponsible to have all the members and guests in the House chamber for an extended period of time, especially as no new allowances have been made to address the fact that the more contagious variant of COVID-19 has been found in Texas, Beckley said. We members are supposed to only be seated three feet apart, and we are currently aware that some colleagues and staff have received recent positive COVID-19 tests. Not only can this event potentially expose my colleagues and me, along with friends and family, to the virus, but it could potentially put a further burden on the hospital region of not only Austin but all of our constituencies, she continued. Rep. Ramos and I will not participate in an unnecessary event that could lead to our staff and us being infected and our health heroes being put under further strain. Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the representatives no longer plan to swear each other in and instead will have Ramos husband Johnny, who is a public notary, administer their oaths. taylor.goldenstein@chron.com Joe Biden will lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery shortly after he takes the oath of office with former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama joining him in a show of unity. He also told reporters in Wilmington on Monday that he's not worried about having an outdoor swearing-in ceremony on January 20th in the wake of last week's riot on Capitol Hill, where a pro-Trump mob swarmed the stands built for his inauguration. 'I'm not afraid of taking the oath outside,' Biden said. After the swearing in and a military pass and review at the Capitol, Biden will head to Arlington Cemetery with most of his predecessors in the Oval Office. Jill Biden will also be there as will Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, incoming Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff - part of Biden's inauguration theme of 'America United.' It will be one of Biden's first acts as president in a display of bipartisanship. But it will also show the increased isolation of outgoing President Donald Trump, who said last week he would not attend his successor's swearing-in - a decision Biden said he agreed with. Joe and Jill Biden will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington on Biden's inauguration day - the two are seen above at a Memorial Day ceremony Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will join Biden in a display of bipartisanship and to show case the inauguration theme of 'America United' Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton will also be on hand The presidents and first ladies will come together at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery in a show of unity Trump announced Friday that he will be a no-show Biden's inauguration ceremony, a break with historical tradition. The wreath laying also highlights the growing isolation of outgoing President Donald Trump 'To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,' he declared. He is expected to leave Washington D.C. ahead of time. Biden indicated he was glad Trump wasn't attending. 'One of the few things he and I have ever agreed on. It's a good thing him not showing up,' he said. He noted Vice President Mike Pence, who is expected to attend, is welcome. The last president not to attend his successor's swearing-in was President Andrew Johnson in 1869 - who had also been impeached. Both John Adams and John Quincy Adams snubbed their successors too. Shortly after Trump announced the snub, Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton announced they would attend. George W Bush and wife Laura had already confirmed they would attend. Jimmy Carter, 96, and wife Roslynn, 93, will not attend, the first inaugural they have missed since 1977, while they attempt to keep safe from COVID. Biden's inauguration committee on Monday announced the new details of the upcoming ceremony and the events that will surround the transfer of power. The team is highlighting ways to include people even as they plan for a scaled-back event. They have asked supporters to stay home and celebrate there because of the coronavirus pandemic. The day will also include a 'field of flags' on the National Mall that will consist of approximately 191,500 U.S. flags of varying sizes, including flags representing every state and territory, and 56 pillars of light. The display will represent the people unable to travel to Washington D.C. for the inauguration because of the coronavirus pandemic. Individuals can sponsor a flag through the inauguration committee. But the fallout from Wednesday's attack is already being felt as the city ramps up its security presence ahead of the January 20th swearing in. The National Park Service said it would suspend tours of the Washington Monument, a major tourist site, through Jan. 24 due to safety concerns from threats to disrupt the inauguration. Meanwhile, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday asked for additional security with nine days to go until Biden becomes the 46th president. Bowser also asked the Interior secretary to 'cancel any and all public gathering permits in the District of Columbia, and deny any applications for a public gathering during the period January 11 - January 24' in order to avoid another situation like Wednesday when an unruly mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. She also asked all Americans to stay away from the event. She had already extended the city's 6 p.m. curfew through Inauguration Day. Her words come as Capitol Hill goes on lock down with seven-foot tall anti-climbing fencing circling the area where Biden will take the oath of office. Additional National Guard units also have arrived in the Capitol after extra security was brought in following Wednesday's MAGA riot that left five people dead. More than 6,000 members of the National Guard have already been deployed and as many as 13,000 guardsmen could be on hand for the January 20th ceremony. There is also an inside location on standby in case it's needed. But organizers are vowing the swearing-in will take place on the West Front of the Capitol, where stands have been built and seating is being arranged. A seven-foot tall anti-climbing fence now circles the Capitol as part of enhanced security measures U.S. National Guard members walk among the columns of the crypt beneath the U.S. Capitol rotunda days - more than 6,000 members of the National Guard have already been deployed to help with additional security Members of the New York National Guard form up on the East Front of the Capitol On Wednesday, the pro-Trump mob climbed to the dais where Biden will take the oath Biden, himself, said he was not worried about his swearing-in day. 'I am not concerned about my safety, security or the inauguration,' he said last week. The pro-Trump insurgents swarmed over the stands being built on the West Front of the Capitol for the upcoming ceremony. They climbed to the dais where Biden and Harris will take the oath of office. They waved flags from stand built for TV cameras to record the swearing-in. And they sat in the same stands nearly every member of Congress, three former presidents, and members of the Supreme Court will sit. Little damage was caused to the construction area however, with only some of the sheets of plastic covering the stands being ripped. A pro-Trump mob stormed the inauguration stands in front of the Capitol last week in the same area the inauguration ceremony will take place The mob climbed onto the stand built for TV cameras to record Biden's inauguration Inaugurations are classified National Special Security Event, which involves a closed air space and massive police and military presence. Several federal agencies are involved in the planning. The Secret Service is the agency responsible for the event. 'For well over a year, the U.S. Secret Service, along with our NSSE partners, has been working tirelessly to anticipate and prepare for all possible contingencies at every level to ensure a safe and secure Inauguration Day,' the agency said in a statement last week. Biden already had been planning a scaled back event because of the pandemic and his team has encouraged supporters to stay home. The National Mall is typically packed with supporters to witness their candidate become president. Workers have disbanded stands built around the White House for the inauguration parade, which will now be a virtual event. Instead, Joe and Jill Biden, along side Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff, will participate in a socially distanced Pass in Review on the Capitol's West side. Those are military traditions where Biden will review the readiness of military troops. Biden will also receive a traditional presidential escort with representatives from every branch of the military from 15th Street in Washington to the White House. That, the Presidential Inaugural Committee says, will be socially distanced too, while 'providing the American people and world with historic images of the President-elect proceeding to the White House without attracting large crowds'. Additionally, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have canceled the traditional luncheon held on Inauguration Day for the new president, sparing Biden a crowded sit down on Capitol Hill after he takes the oath of office. Paramedic Jessi Bittner inoculates Margaret Watson, 94, a resident at Oakview Place Long Term Care Residence, with her COVID-19 vaccine in the Winnipeg care home, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Watson was the first member of the public to receive the vaccine in Winnipeg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Supermarket loyalty cards cannot be used to buy alcohol while short-term discounts and promotions on booze are also banned, from this week onwards. From Monday, January 11 regulations under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act come into force. They restrict the ability of businesses to promote alcohol products at reduced prices and/or award loyalty points for the purchase of alcohol products. Loyalty card points cannot be awarded or used to buy alcohol products. It will be illegal to sell alcohol at a reduced price or free of charge to any person who buys any other product. Pubs and restaurants who offer a free or reduced-price drink with food may also be affected. It will be illegal to run reduced price promotions in respect of the sale of alcohol products for 3 days or less. Retailers and businesses who break the new rules can be fined up to 250,000 fine or face a prison term depending upon the severity of the breach. The names of those who break the new laws will be kept on record and may be used in determining if a licence to sell alcohol is renewed. The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe signed the new rules into law on January 9. Chris Lukasevich Area Agency on Aging Veterans Affairs Susan Ziegler Christine LeClair Veterans Affairs Veterans Affairs Wreaths Across America Jason Shellhammer Carbon County (TNS) Carbon County, Pa., offers its residents many programs, services and activities, but some people may not be aware of them.That's why county commissioners instituted a new social media and website policy allowing employees to engage with the public and bring awareness through its website and widely used social media platforms, such as Facebook.County employees, who are normally blocked from social media sites at work, would have permission to contribute to and edit department pages with the county's information technology people serving as administrator.The ultimate authority for the content and the sites flows from the commissioners' office, which has had its own social media presence since March when the pandemic forced stay-at-home orders. County government, however, continued and commissioners and other meetings were livestreamed, allowing residents to participate safely.Since then, numerous announcements, such as COVID-19 relief grant information, upcoming events and programs have been posted, in addition to the county meetings, on Facebook.Commissionerbegan livestreaming county meetings on his own Facebook sites while a commissioner candidate, and was eager to bring the county and its departments into the 21st Century, he said.The website and social media pages will serve as a resource for residents, but also as a way for officials to provide better communication, enhanced transparency and be more responsive to residents, Lukasevich said.Only six departments, however, were responsive to the idea of social media when Lukasevich floated the idea, but he hopes as the new social media pages roll out that department heads will see the value and commit.Among those anxious to come on board were the county's, Emergency Management, Children & Youth, Planning and Development and Geographical Information System, or mapping office, he said., who heads up Aging, isn't sure what the end product will look like for area seniors, but looks forward to being able to engage with members and get them talking to each other, especially now when pandemic restrictions keep people from gathering.But social media will also allow Aging to get information about programs, such as the state Property Tax and Rent Rebate, out to seniors, as well as post events such as the annual Senior Games, Ziegler said."It's amazing. I never thought that generation would attach themselves to this technology," she said after hearing seniors talking about Facebook. "It's refreshing to see."The pandemic is a tough time for everyone, but especially seniors, Ziegler said, and social media is allowing them to chat when face-to-face contact may not be possible. The platform will also allow centers to get information to seniors who may not be aware of programs aimed to help them, she said."It's a great thing for seniors," Ziegler said, adding that she'd like to see a site up by the end of the month., who heads, believes social media will be a great tool to help veterans stay informed and connected.Many times, veterans aren't aware that there are programs that could help help them or that they qualify for, she said."My primary focus with our presence on social media will be outreach and education," LeClair said.She plans to post information about state and federal programs, activities or meetings local veteran groups are hosting and updates on the new suicide prevention and awareness program, Together with Veterans, she said."I think it'll be a great tool to help veterans," LeClair said.A Facebook page forwent up last month, and already provides a bevy of information, in addition to calling attention to local groups taking part inThe county's GIS, or Mapping, Department also transitioned to a new page in the past month with the new policy going into effect. Directorsaid he's excited to showcase some of things that his department can do in the community.The department maintains the regional GIS, or geographical information system landbase and data warehouse, but it's more than area parcel maps or floodplain mapping, he said.Through social media, GIS will be able to map and showcase various natural, recreational and historical sites unique to, as well highlight businesses or other points of interest, Shellhammer said.The department's technology is capable of gathering and entering data to help identify and solve community problems, such as factors contributing to the opioid epidemic, he said.With COVID-19, the department was able to create a coronavirus hub, showing which stores, restaurants or services were available during the shutdown, Shellhammer said.The possibilities to use the information and technology for the benefit of the community are multifaceted and with increased awareness through social media and support of the commissioners, Shellhammer hopes the department can grow and expand its reach."GIS is the county government apparatus that acts as a facilitator to many offices and agencies to promote efficiencies, enhancements and productivity," he said. "This social media engagement will be utilized to bring awareness to these efforts." Im happy to join this influential technology group in the Dallas metroplex. McNeely Technology Solutions today announced that their president, Mary Elizabeth McNeely, has been appointed to the 2021-2022 board of Tech Titans. Tech Titans is a forum that leverages the regional technology community to collaborate, share and inspire creative thinking that fuels tomorrows innovations. Tech Titans members include the companies and individuals that create technology as well as the people and institutions that embrace, nurture and leverage technological innovation. When asked about the appointment, President Mary Elizabeth McNeely stated, Im happy to join this influential technology group in the Dallas metroplex. Their missionto collaborate to help innovation thrive in North Texas, partner to help each other succeed, drive innovation and the adoption of advanced technology in the region for higher levels of success, seek new avenues to solve real-world problems, promote the innovation and leadership that makes North Texas a leader technologyaligns with my goals as well. I have headed the Tech Titans Nominating Committee for the last 4 years, and love seeing the champions of our industry recognized. About Tech Titans Tech Titans is a forum that leverages the regional technology community to collaborate, share and inspire creative thinking that fuels tomorrows innovations. Members include the companies and individuals that create technology as well as the people and institutions that embrace, nurture and leverage technological innovation. Tech Titans serves, encourages and promotes the North Texas technology ecosystem including: developers of technology, adopters who implement groundbreaking technology, investors who fund and support innovative advancements in technology development and application, and educators who help shape the next generation of innovators. Tech Titans represents the interests of a quarter million employees through its 300 member companies. For more information http://www.techtitans.org About McNeely Technology Solutions McNeely Technology Solutions offers Oracle and SQL Server database administration and development, serving clients ranging from single-location enterprises with only one or two databases to publicly traded nationwide corporations with complex technical issues, but focused mainly on mid-sized clients in fast-paced environments with complex technical needs. McNeely Technology Solutions, Inc. is a Texas corporation, based in Dallas, and a certified Womens Business Enterprise/Historically Underutilized Business. For more information http://www.mcneelytech.com The family of George Nkencho, the man shot dead by armed gardai, have described life as a "gift" and urged people "not to waste it". A memorial for the 27-year-old, who died on December 30, was held near Mr Nkencho's home in west Dublin yesterday. There were emotional scenes as family and friends gathered to remember him and release balloons in the colours of his favourite team, Manchester United. A minute's silence was held after speeches were made and his name was read out 21 times. Mr Nkencho was described as a "beautiful guy" and a "great friend, brother and son". Challenges His sister Gloria Nkencho said: "The one thing that I've realised in all of this is life is a gift. "Every day we stand here it's a gift. It is a gift to be breathing. "We're here to think about George and as we release these balloons I want everyone to think about everything it is that's weighing them down and watch it float away. "Watch it go into the sky and never come back again. You are on this Earth for a reason. "Take the opportunity, take the gift. Don't waste it." The family thanked those who turned out. Ms Nkencho said: "Words cannot begin to describe the appreciation that my family have for each and every single one. Not all of you knew George, but some of you did. "Regardless, you're all here standing here with our family. It's the love you have for me, my parents, my siblings that's brought you here and because you know what's right." George's brother Emmanuel said: "It's hard to see him go like that. I wish that day had played out a different scenario than what I witnessed. "I personally think there's many other ways that the scenario could have played out, I wish it did." Mr Nkencho was shot multiple times outside his home in Clonee. He was allegedly brandishing a knife and threatened gardai before he was shot. (Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC on Monday said its subsidiary Vodafone UK Ltd and Telefonica UK Ltd have entered into eight-year master services agreements to commercialise Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd, a joint venture that manages the two company's UK passive tower infrastructure. The Newbury, England-based telecommunications company noted it established Cornerstone in 2012 with Slough, England-based Telefonica UK, part of Spain's Telefonica SA, to create and manage a single network of passive infrastructure contributed by both mobile network operators. Cornerstone operates 14,200 macro sites and 1,400 micro sites for the two companies. Vodafone UK said the master services agreement will establish Cornerstone as a preferred supplier of new macro and micro sites for both companies. Additionally, Vodafone UK said it plans to transfer its 50% holding in Cornerstone into its European infrastructure unit Vantage Towers this month. Vodafone's 50% stake in Cornerstone would add EUR62 million to Vantage Towers' pro forma 2020 financial year adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation after leases, it said. Vodafone said Vantage Towers, which it separated out in 2020, is "Europe's leading tower infrastructure platform", with more than 68,000 towers across nine markets. Back in July, it said it planned to list Vantage Towers in Frankfurt in 2021 and added at the time that it might add the Cornerstone portfolio into Vantage. The Cornerstone transfer will extend Vantage Towers' portfolio to 82,000 macro sites in 10 markets across Europe, Vodafone said Monday. "Cornerstone is a great addition to the Vantage Towers portfolio. Cornerstone is exactly the type of high quality grid we like to own: a number one market position, and two strong anchor tenants with network sharing agreements in place for whom we are the preferred supplier. We look forward to working with our anchor tenants to power the UK's digital transformation, enabling the roll-out of 5G networks to benefit business and consumers and ensuring greater mobile coverage for all," said Vantage Towers Chief Executive Vivek Badrinath. Shares in Vodafone were up 0.2% at 128.69 pence in London early Monday, while shares in Telefonica were down 0.2% at EUR3.56 in Madrid. By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. ADVERTISEMENT The Kano State Government, on Monday, announced more discovery of seven stolen children from the state. The children were found in Anambra and Enugu States. The states commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, confirmed that parents of the children have already identified their kids and that they will be reunited soon. PREMIUM TIMES had reported in 2019 how the police said nine children were kidnapped in Kano in separate incidents and were allegedly renamed and sold off in Onitsha, a commercial city in Anambra State. Then, after their rescue, the police commissioner in Kano, Ahmed Illiyasu, at a press conference at the police headquarters in the state, presented the children to their parents after parading the suspects. Mr Illiyasu said the police busted the syndicate behind the crime and arrested eight suspects. He said the group specialised in kidnapping, concealment and confinement of kidnapped persons, buying and selling of minors and trafficking in persons. He added that the police carried out the operation in Onitsha following a five-year public outcry in Kano over reports of missing children. The Commands tactical team of Operation Puff Adder was detailed to investigate the cases. Mr Garba on Monday told BBC Hausa Service that a committee earlier set up by the state government was responsible for the latest discovery after the team visited some childrens homes in Anambra and Enugu States. The official said pictures and videos of the missing but found children were taken and disseminated, which prompted five parents to identify their children. Mr Garba said the children would be reunited with their parents soon after scrutiny. 133 children still missing Parents Some of the parents, whose children were abducted earlier, formed a group to pressure the government with protest and consultation to expedite action towards securing the release of their children. The leader of the group, Ibrahim Ismail, expressed delight over the latest development leading to the discovery of seven more stolen children. Were happy with the discovery, only two children among the seven found are yet to be identified by their parents, however, we are still searching for 113 children that are still missing, Mr Ismail said. Robert Lewis, left, signed up to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at Broad Avenue Pharmacy on N. Broad Street in New Orleans on Monday, January 4, 2021. Lewis said he will not be surprised if he still has to wait days or weeks to actually get the shot. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) Syracuse, N.Y. Two weeks ago, Mitchell Brodey didnt know when the 450 medical professionals in his Family Care Medical Group would get the Covid-19 vaccine. In one week we went from I have no idea to everyone who qualifies has been offered one, said Brodey, chief executive officer of the group, with offices across Central New York. I think we should have pretty much everybody accounted for before the end of the week. After a shaky start, officials say, the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines in Central New York has picked up speed over the past week. Residents in nearly every Onondaga County nursing home have been vaccinated. Oswego and Upstate hospitals dispensed 100% of their first allotments. Onondaga County has set up a vaccination center and will administer more than 8,000 vaccines by Tuesday. Overall the vaccines are getting into peoples arms more or less in the order its supposed to be, which is the goal, Brodey said. As the number of people eligible for the shots swells this week, the supply of vaccine is likely to remain the bottleneck, said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. The federal government buys the vaccines from manufacturers, then passes them along to states, which distribute the vials to hospitals and municipalities. On January 18 we will have the capacity to do 18,000 shots a week, McMahon said. Whether well have 18,000 shots a week of vaccine, I dont know. Well see. The state wonders, too. More than 1 million health care workers in New York have yet to be vaccinated in the first phase, called 1A, and more than 3 million people are included in the next phase, called 1B, which begins today. In 1B are educators, first responders, public safety and public transit workers, and anyone 75 and older. The states vaccine website with information about where people in the 1B group can get shots will go live at 8 a.m. today, according to state officials. A call center will go live at 4 p.m. The state is getting 300,000 doses per week, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomos office. When we move to 1B the demand will dwarf the supply, tweeted Melissa DeRosa, Cuomos top aide. New York has received about 1.1 million vaccines from the federal government and has injected 31.2% of those, putting the state 20th in the nation, according to a Jan. 10 compilation of data from Beckers Hospital Review. The state Health Department did not reply to requests for similar figures for Central New York. Nationwide, the CDC said, 22 million doses of vaccine have been distributed and nearly 7 million people have gotten the shots. The Trump administrations goal had been to inoculate 20 million people by the end of 2020. The pace of vaccinations picked up when the state gave counties a key role, said David Larsen, a public health professor at Syracuse University. The initial deliveries went to overworked hospitals, who were obligated to start vaccinating their own staff and other high-risk groups from outside the hospitals, such as EMTs and funeral directors. Larsen noted that county health departments are already in the business of community vaccinations, and county health and emergency management agencies have logistical plans for all kinds of disasters, including pandemics. Let the county do its work and get the hospitals out of it, Larsen said. Im less concerned that distribution will be a bottleneck now. The New York Association of Counties called on Cuomo last week to allow them to activate their mass-vaccination plans, including administering doses sites established through years of planning. Those locations include large concert venues, senior centers, fire departments and other sites where there is ample parking and easy access, especially for elderly citizens, NYSAC said. Cuomos office relented, conceding last week that its initial rollout was a little helter-skelter, and that counties would play a bigger role. Thats exactly how it should be, McMahon said. This is what county health departments and emergency management departments do, McMahon said. This is what were trained to do. We have the infrastructure, so lets use it. Onondaga County started vaccinating people Dec. 28 at the downtown War Memorial. With a limited supply of vaccine, county officials initially contacted local healthcare employers one by one to have their employees sign up for shots. Late last week, in anticipation of getting more vaccine from the state, county officials publicized a link where anyone who qualifies can register for a vaccine. Slots remain limited, though. McMahon said all appointments 1,260 each day are taken through Tuesday. Well be out of vaccine at that point, he said. The county is readying a second site at the largely vacant Shoppingtown Mall, which the county agreed to buy last month. A third and fourth site could be added if theres enough vaccine supply, McMahon said. The state and county are rushing to keep up with the increasing numbers of people eligible for the vaccine. The initial rollout, done in hospitals, was limited to hospital staff who had patient contact, funeral home employees who dealt with bodies, and other high-risk groups. Last week, vaccine eligibility was expanded to doctors and dentists offices, home health care workers, physical and occupational therapists, and others who deal directly with patients outside hospitals. Nursing homes were in the highest priority group and started getting vaccinations last month through a federal program run through pharmacies. McMahon said all but one nursing home in the county had begun vaccinations. As of Thursday, about 80% of the residents at the areas largest nursing home, Loretto, had been vaccinated, said spokeswoman Julie Sheedy. The vaccines require two doses, with the second 21 or 28 days after the first, depending on the manufacturer. As the vaccine rollout widens, hospitals will continue to immunize their own staff, and the counties will be responsible for public workers. Pharmacies and doctors offices are expected to administer shots to those 75 and older. READ MORE NY making Covid vaccines available to teachers, cops, firefighters, people 75 and up starting Monday Covid-19 vaccine appointments in NY: When will website, call center go live? 4-year-old Central NY boy came down with rare Covid-related illness: Its beyond scary DES MOINES, Iowa - The start of the Iowa legislative session comes less than a week after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. It's a fact some lawmakers, staff and more are keeping in mind. "The occurrence at the U.S. Capitol, that's definitely heightened some of our awareness and things that we're looking at," said Sgt. Alex Dinkla, with the Iowa State Patrol. The ISP monitors the Iowa State Capitol complex. During the legislative session and beyond, Dinkla said large gatherings aren't uncommon. But it could be a little different starting this year. "Moving forward we're going to probably have many people that are going to try and attend our state Capitol," Dinkla said. That's something ISP is prepared for. Dinkla said in years past, people organizing gatherings at the statehouse have reached out to the Iowa State Patrol. But with Wednesday's scene at the U.S. Capitol in mind, the ISP is staying vigilant ahead of time. "We have many people and many resources that are out there just looking and monitoring the different climate that may be out there and things that are happening," Dinkla said. State lawmakers told KCCI they're not afraid of returning to the statehouse on Monday. "The Iowa State Capitol has consistently and constantly been a place of respect and the exchanging of ideas," said Rep. Bobby Kaufmann. "I have faith in the people who protect the Iowa State Capitol that we will be safe and that violence won't come to the Iowa State Capitol," said Rep. Jennifer Konfrst. Both sides of the aisle agree: Iowans have a right to voice their opinions. But they stress the need for peace. "If you can be powerful and be diplomatic and be peaceful, that's the ultimate goal that we want to make sure that we have," Dinkla said. https://www.kcci.com/article/isp-prepares-for-legislators-to-return-to-session-after-attack-on-us-captiol/35173998# BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated North Korea leader Kim Jong Un on being elected as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party, Chinese state media said on Monday. Kim was elected on Sunday, taking over the title from his late father. China is North Korea's largest trade partner and closest ally. North Korea, under the leadership of Kim, can achieve economic and social development goals and "attain greater success in socialist development", Xi said, according to China's Xinhua state news agency. North Korean state media said Xi expressed his will to safeguard regional peace and stability, development and prosperity and provide the two countries and the two peoples with greater happiness by strengthening relations. "The message stressed that it is a steadfast policy of the Chinese Party and government to successfully protect, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK relations," North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday, using the initials for the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim told a party congress last week that his five-year economic plan had failed to meet its goals. He blamed international sanctions as well as unanticipated crises including the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters, while criticising officials for mistakes that needed to be fixed. Since Kim came to power in 2011, standards of living improved for many North Koreans as markets proliferated and consumer goods became more widely available. But now the country is facing the most challenging situation since a famine in the 1990s, and projects such as tourist resorts, economic zones, and a large hospital appear stalled. Talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and improve relations with the United States and South Korea have also stalled, with Pyongyang accusing Seoul and Washington of maintaining hostile policies. (Reporting by Josh Smith; editing by Jonathan Oatis) LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Tippecanoe County Health Department's new vaccine clinic will have a mural dedicated to greater Lafayette's fight against COVID-19. Work on the painting began the night of Friday, January 8. A team led by Grace Paton has been working non-stop to get as much of the mural done as possible before the opening at noon on January 11. "We went home to sleep yesterday but we were here for like 10 hours," Paton said. The mural features a remembrance wall where visitors can sign the names of loved ones and friends who were lost to COVID-19 as a way to memorialize them. There is also a selfie wall and a massive graffiti graphic that reads "Greater Lafayette Crushes Covid". That phrase is a hashtag the team wants visitors to use when posting to social media. "We want people to feel comfortable and proud that they're helping the community," Paton said. The wall is not likely to be completed by Monday, but tweaks will continue to be added and the mural may be expanded later on. [January 11, 2021] Qamcom and Arbe Collaborate to Bring the Power of 4D Imaging Radar to A Wide Variety of Industries Including Commercial and Aerial Vehicles LAS VEGAS, Nev., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arbe, the provider of next-generation 4D Imaging Radar Chipset Solution, enabling high-resolution sensing for ADAS and autonomous vehicles, today announced a partnership with Qamcom, a leading specialist company within technology applications, that will expand their 4D Imaging Radar Solution to additional vehicle applications like trucks, buses, delivery PODS, and industrial verticals like industrial robots, security systems, ground protection, drones, traffic monitoring, and many more. Qamcom will offer the customization of the imaging radar systems based on the Arbe chipset technology that will serve the unique function of each vehicle or application, in various implementations scales. Through the partnership, Arbe's 4D Imaging Radar solution will bring a true level of safety, unmatched radar performance, and paradigm-changing perception to new industry verticals including both dynamic and static applications. Arbe's solution is the world's first radar to separate, track, and identify objects in 2K ultra-high resolution in both azimuth and elevation, achieved via a proprietary chipset of 48 receiving and 48 transmitting RF channels and a dedicated processor chip. By making the 4D Imaging Radar Solution available to additional vehicles and industrial applications, Arbe is complementing the company's product offering beyond ADAS and autonomous driving in the passenger vehicle vertical. "Choosing Arbe as a partner was an obvious choice since there is no other radar chipset solution on the market that is comparative," says Johan Lassing, Chief Executive Officer of Qamcom. "Traditional or contemporary radar solutions don't solve the challenges that autonomous vehicles face. Arbe revolutionized radar by creating a sensor that provides a never-before-seen image which is close to the image that vision based sensors achive that also has the properties of radar Arbe's 4D Imaging Radar Solution has the potential to be the primary sensor candidate for the sensor suite of any autonomous and semi-autonomous applications and next generation perception platforms." Arbe's 4D Imaging Radar Solution offers advanced perception capabilities for various applications supporting a variety of use cases including off-road, indoors, high speeds, long ranges, and a wide field of view. Arbe's technology enables accurate real time inference of the vehicle's ego-velocity, and mapping and localization in unmapped areas. Post processing the radar data allows obstacle detection and avoidance, tracking and classifying objects in the entire field of view and determines their motion vector. It also provides precise and accurate free space mapping to distinguish drivable from non-drivable environments in any weather, lighting, or challenging environment condition including debris and dust, which challenges optical sensors. These perception capabilities are particularly crucial to the agriculture, construction, transportation, and truck verticals. "We're very excited to cooperate with Qamcom in addressing new verticals, we chose them as a partner due to their unique and deep competence within hardware, software and systems and past experience with radar. Partnering with Qamcom will provide a customized solution that serve specific sensing requirements for all types of implementations like tractors, mining equipment, and delivery PODS," says Kobi Marenko, CEO of Arbe. "Each application has a unique set of use-cases and requirement from the 4D Imaging Radar Solution and Qamcom's customization capabilities will match those needs for projects in various scales." About Arbe Arbe, the provider of next-generation Imaging Radar Solutions, is leading a radar revolution, enabling truly safe driver-assist systems today while paving the way to fully autonomous-driving. Arbe's technology produces detailed 4D images, separates, identifies, and tracks objects in high resolution in both azimuth and elevation in a long range and a wide field of view, and complemented by AI-based post-processing and SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping). Arbe's patented technology empowers automakers and Tier 1 companies in development of a next-generation radar that is 100 times more detailed than any other radar on the market. Founded in 2015 by an elite team of semiconductor engineers, radar specialists, and data scientists, Arbe has secured $55 million from leading investors, including Canaan Partners Israel, iAngels, 360 Capital Partners, Catalyst CEL, AI Alliance, BAIC Capital, MissionBlue Capital, O.G. Tech Ventures, Maniv Mobility, Taya Ventures and OurCrowd. Arbe is based in Tel Aviv, Israel, and has offices in the United States and China. About Qamcom Qamcom is a leading Swedish technology specialist application company with unique and deep competence within hardware, software and system development. Qamcom offers value-driven technology solutions, products and services in the fields of advanced signal processing, artificial intelligence, wireless communications systems, industrial IoT and system safety. Qamcom's mission is quite simply to turn technology into value for society, industry and people. Based on insights and the needs of end users, Qamcom bridge the gap between technology and application for any industry and context. Media Contact: Shlomit Hacohen VP Marketing, Arbe Shlomit.h@arberobotis.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qamcom-and-arbe-collaborate-to-bring-the-power-of-4d-imaging-radar-to-a-wide-variety-of-industries-including-commercial-and-aerial-vehicles-301205172.html SOURCE Arbe [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] ALTON The Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic has opened at 1417 Washington Ave., Alton. This facility is part of a larger group called Doctors Urgent Care Group (DUCG). The group, based in Troy, Michigan, has recently expanded to 20 locations nationwide, including facilities in Granite City and Belleville. In addition, the group has more than 60 physician assistants and nurse practitioners and a staff of more than 150 nationwide. Heather Harman, Nurse Practitioner for the Alton facility, said that the idea for a facility in Alton came early in 2020. They (DUCG) definitely wanted to expand here and in other places, she said. According to Harman, what differentiates DUCG clinics to others is their fast and friendly service. We really care about what you have going on, she said. We take the time to listen and do our best to address the issue. The Alton clinic will offer free COVID-19 testing, Harman said. The current test being used is the polymerase chain reaction (PRC) test that typically take about two to four days for results. How it will be done, according to Harman, is that the patient will call the clinic ahead of time and the test will be administered in the patients vehicle. Harman said the clinic allows in-person visits but also offers telemed visits for people of high risk for COVID-19. The clinic also can test for strep throat and influenza. The facility officially opened on Dec. 28 with limited hours. As of Monday, the clinic has adopted full time hours from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. seven days a week. For more information or to schedule a telemed appointment, visit https://urgentcarealton.com/. Pradesh Committee (HPCC) president Kumari Selja on Sunday demanded 'special Assembly session to pass resolution to repeal farm laws enacted by Centre.' Slamming Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, leader has asked them to be a 'true representative of people ' and talk about the concerns of farmers. Selja lambasted Khattar over the incident in Karnal district, where agitating farmers vandalised the venue of Kisan Mahapanchayat called by Chief Minister on Sunday. "Khattar had to face embarrassment and canceled the meeting of farmers scheduled in Karnal, Police had to use tear gas on protesters," she added. The former Rajya Sabha MP said that has its stand on the laws, we have submitted more than 2 crores signature of farmers under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. State Congress decided to gherao the Raj Bhawan on January 15 in solidarity with the agitating farmers, she added. Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the capital since November 26 against the three 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. (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.) Mr. Raymond Quarcoo, General Warden of the Holy Church of the Lord (HCL), has encouraged Christians to stay away from sin to attract blessings from God. He said the act of separating themselves from sin was the only way to attract the bountiful blessings of God. Speaking at the annual New Year Thanksgiving Service of the Church, under the theme, Separation and Cleansing, he said most Christians sin deliberately with the mindset that God would always forgive them because He was a merciful God. Mr Quarcoo said that attitude was ungodly and encouraged Christians to refrain from sin no matter how tempted they got. He said the beginning of a New Year called for new ways of living and asked Christians to embrace God with their problems for solutions. This year is a new chapter in your life so you need to put all your troubles before God and he will solve them for you and lead you, he said. Speaking on fear, the General Warden said often times Christians complained of delay of Gods blessings due to lack of faith and the spirit of fear. When you get closer to God, you will never lack because God is the ultimate Provider, he 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 Flash China and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday to conduct feasibility study of a railway linking Mandalay, the country's second largest city in Myanmar's central region, with Kyaukphyu, the major town in Myanmar's Rakhine state, according to a release from the Chinese embassy in Myanmar. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said that the railway will contribute to Myanmar's economic development and the well-being of people as well as to strengthen the national reconciliation and peace process in Myanmar. China-Myanmar railway cooperation, which includes the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu section, is an important project for the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, Myanmar Transport and Communication Minister U Thant Zin Maung told the ceremony. He expressed appreciation to China for its long-term support for peace development and railway projects in Myanmar and he also believed that the cooperation between the two countries will benefit the two peoples. Companies such as Boeing would look for taxation and other stimulus relief for airlines, Salil Gupte, the president of Boeing India says, as Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman readies to unveil her third budget. It will help India recover early from the economic shock that has resulted from the covid-19 pandemic. Simplification in the administration of offsets, incentives to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to increase their research and development (R&D) activities, and increasing the local aerospace and defence (A&D) ecosystem are some of the measures that will help Make in India, Gupte says in an interview. The Atmanirbhar Bharat vision requires policies that encourage global competitiveness, he added. Edited excerpts. India is shortly going to come out with its annual budget. As a foreign OEM, what kind of signals would you look for? The signals everyone is looking for are very clear, increased stimulus for the aviation sector, maintaining capital budget commitments for military modernization and defence preparedness, and increased allocations to boost mission-readiness and modernization of the forces. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches The covid-19 pandemic has dealt a big blow to the aviation and defence industry. We project it will take about three years for travel to return to 2019 levels and it will be a few years beyond that for the industry to return to long-term trend growth. However, the fundamentals of the industry remains intact. The aviation industry is the lifeblood of commerce in India and around the world and we continue to be optimistic of its recovery, as in past crises. We urge the government to bring in much needed taxation and other stimulus relief for airlines that will position India, with its strongly recovering demand, for an early recovery from the shock caused by the pandemic. Defence policies such as the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020 lay a solid foundation to attract investments and build capabilities for the sector. When coupled with enablers, such as increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence, we believe this will go a long way to harness the potential of the Indian aerospace and defence industry. In 2021, we look forward to the realization of strong policy intent in the execution of DAP 2020 and the simplification of offsets administration based on the guiding principles of DAP 2020. The Atmanirbhar Bharat vision requires policies that encourage global competitiveness through financial and technology investments in the Indian supply chain, especially in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and by up-skilling Indias labour force in the latest techniques in manufacturing and maintenance. Weve been partnering with the government and the Indian industry on this exciting journey. From a foreign company perspective, is India still a difficult market to do business in? Indias rise as an attractive business destination has been commendable. In the recent World Banks Ease of Doing Business 2020 report, India rose for the third straight year and was ranked 63rd among 190 nations. This is encouraging for companies from other nations who see potential in doing business in India. We hope to continue seeing momentum on the governments reform agenda in 2021, especially on streamlining taxes for the aviation sector. The government has raised foreign investment limits to 74% in defence manufacturing. We are engaging with the government on the precise modalities of FDI and once these are established, we foresee new opportunities and possibilities for Indian joint ventures producing entire defence platforms in India, in the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Indias defence budget as a share of its gross domestic product (GDP) has shrunk in the past years. Given the way the pandemic has affected the economy it doesnt seem as if there is going to be much resources for modernization. How does that affect your India plans? The pandemic has affected every nation and will have a bearing on budgets and spends everywhere. In a constrained growth environment as we come out of the 2020 economic shock, defence modernization imperatives will need to be driven with efficiency in capital budget utilization. Policies such as DAP 2020 rightfully emphasize predictability and speed in acquisition and modernization through measures such as simplification of the process, flexibility and innovation in the trials process, streamlined standard contract terms and conditions. Implementation of these policy changes will be vital in 2021 to allow the industry to build business cases and for investors to finance with confidence. That said, Indias defence sector growth imperatives remain unchanged in the mid-term. The industry is poised for growth and Boeing is steadfast in our commitment to partnering with Indias defence forces towards their modernization and mission-readiness. Increasing partnership between the US and India further cements this growth. Indias economic aspirations go hand-in-hand with a desire for trade autonomy that is provided by a capable and modernizing military to support peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. This is a point of convergence between India and the US as the two countries are increasingly committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. What is Boeings reaction to the new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020? It gives a lot of encouragement to domestic companies. There is also a negative list for weapons import. Is that a negative from your perspective? DAP 2020 brings forward new concepts such as the leasing of equipment as a new mode of acquisition, smoother execution of contracts and the long-term sustainment contracts for the entire life-cycle of the product. DAP 2020 encourages building local capability through indigenous modes of acquisition, supported by the new negative import list. At the same time, new modes such as Buy Global with Manufacture in India will encourage investments in niche technologies and help develop the overall aerospace and defence ecosystem. Establishing a contract management project management unit is a progressive step to bring about execution improvements in the acquisition process. These will go hand in hand with the mandate to set more realistic GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements) for the acquisition of platforms. Additionally, the introduction of innovative contracting concepts such as leasing provides fiscal flexibility in upfront capital budget allocation. There is potential to re-evaluate the parameters for discharging offset obligations and its practical implementation. Defence offsets are regarded across the world as a key enabler of industrial development, driving economic benefits and growth by providing skilled jobs, increasing foreign investments, and enabling the transfer of advanced technologies. To fully achieve the objectives of Make in India, the country needs to provide positive incentives to OEMs towards investments in the development and growth of the local A&D ecosystem, expansion and skilling of talent pools, generation of increased employment, and upgrade of vital technologies. What about the provision for leasing of equipment? India recently leased two drones from a US company. What are the prospects of leasing platforms from Boeing? As a leading manufacturer of defence equipment and platforms, Boeing is ready to support our customers in the best way possible to meet their requirements for modernization of defence platforms and mission-readiness as outlined in DAP 2020. Were happy to engage on leasing as the defence services require. In recent months, the government has announced measures to boost manufacturing under the self-reliant India theme. How do you look at steps such as raising the cap on FDI? The move to allow up to 74% FDI in the defence manufacturing sector through the automatic route is a welcome step. Along with an enabling policy, the inclusion of forward-looking concepts in DAP 2020 is a positive step. The Atmanirbhar Bharat vision requires policies that encourage global competitiveness through financial and technology investments in the Indian supply chain, especially in MSMEs, and by up-skilling Indias labour force in the latest manufacturing and maintenance techniques. On the offset front, we request the ministry of defence to revert to the wider scope of DPP 2016 for discharging obligations. This allows for a holistic development of the Indian A&D sector as there are synergies between defence and commercial aviation. I would add that given the connection between space and defence, there is no reason why space collaboration should not be accepted as an avenue for the discharge of offsets. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Naya Gaon (Madhya Pradesh): After facing detention by police earlier on Thursday, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has been allowed by the administration to meet the families of farmers killed in Mandsaur. After a long struggle, the administration has finally ageed to allow Rahul Gandhi to meet the families of those who were killed in police firing, former Congress MP Meenakshi Natarajan told reporters outside the guesthouse where scores of Congress leaders and workers were being kept. We will try and meet them near the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border, she said. As crowds swelled outside the guesthouse of a cement company where the Congress members were taken, amongst those waiting outside the gates were the families of some of the five killed in the firing in Mandsaur on Tuesday. Gandhi was detained when he was trying to go to Mandsaur, ground zero of the farmer protests, from Rajasthan. Along with him are leaders like Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath and Sachin Pilot. Also read: Farmers' protest in MP: Rahul Gandhi leaves after being released from police custody in Mandsaur Also read: Mandsaur farmers protest: Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi only interested in waiving loans of rich For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. By Yew Lun Tian and Yimou Lee BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China condemned the United States on Monday for scrapping curbs on interactions with Taiwan officials, saying nobody could prevent the country's "re-unification", while Taiwan's foreign minister hailed the U.S. move as a sign of "global partnership". U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the change on Saturday, in the waning days of the Republican Trump administration before Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency on Jan. 20. China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, said it was "resolutely opposed" to the decision and strongly condemned it. "The Chinese people's resolve to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity is unshakable and we will not permit any person or force to stop the process of China's re-unification," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters. "Any actions which harm China's core interests will be met with a firm counterattack and will not succeed," he added. Taiwan welcomed Pompeo's decision, with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu telling reporters it was a "big thing for the elevation of Taiwan-U.S. relations". He added, "Taiwan-U.S. relations have been elevated to a global partnership. The foreign ministry will not let our guard down and hopes to continue to boost the development of Taiwan-U.S. ties." Like most countries, the United States has no official ties with Taiwan, though it is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Under President Donald Trump it has ramped up arms sales and sent senior officials to Taipei. But Pompeo's decision means, for example, that Taiwan officials will be able to hold meetings at the State Department or White House rather than in non-official locations elsewhere, such as hotels. Chinese state media lambasted the decision. The widely-read Global Times tabloid, published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, said China must send a "stern warning" to Taiwan. Story continues "Those on the island of Taiwan must not take for granted that they can seek secession with the help of the last-ditch madness of an administration abandoned by the Americans," the paper added. "On the contrary, such madness is very likely to bring them annihilation." On Wednesday, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, will arrive in Taipei for a three-day visit that China has denounced. Wu said both he and President Tsai Ing-wen would meet Craft on Thursday, adding that discussing ways to promote Taiwan's international participation would a topic during the visit. Craft's visit is highly symbolic, as Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, or most global bodies, because of China's objections. Beijing says only it has the right to speak for Taiwan on the international stage. Taiwan says only its democratically elected government has this right. Trump is a popular figure in Taiwan because of his backing for the island, though the government has reassured people that strong ties will not change under Biden, pointing to vigorous bipartisan support for it. Still, Pompeo's move and Craft's visit have prompted concern in some circles in Taiwan, where there is a broad cross-party consensus on maintaining strong U.S. ties and there have long been worries Trump may sacrifice Taiwan for a deal with China. On Saturday, former President Ma Ying-jeou told media that Craft's trip was only designed to needle Beijing, and simply a show of surface friendship with no practical use. Late on Sunday, Johnny Chiang, the chairman of the main opposition Kuomintang party, which traditionally favours close China ties, said a key test would be whether Biden's government maintained Pompeo's changes. "Let's not become a bargaining chip in the game between the United States and mainland China," he said. (Reporting by Yimou Lee; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Clarence Fernandez) German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas arrived on Sunday evening at the Cairo International Airport, to take part in a quartet meeting on efforts to revive the frozen Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Egypt, France, Germany, and Jordan, are set to convene in the Egyptian capital on Monday. Maas is making a two-day visit to Egypt. He is set to also hold a bilateral meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the meeting will focus on the peace process in the Middle East as well as ways to tap into the recently-signed normalisation agreements between Israel and the four Arab countries. The meeting will also deal with the possibility of reaching convergence between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, the statement added. Short link: MONTREAL, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. ("Turquoise Hill" or the "Company") today announced that Oyu Tolgoi LLC (Oyu Tolgoi) has evaluated the Tax Act ("2016-2018 Tax Assessment") claim for approximately US$228 million from the Mongolian Tax Authority (MTA), as announced on December 23, 2020, including the seeking of a reduction of Oyu Tolgoi's carried-forward tax losses by approximately US$1.5 billion. On February 20, 2020, the Company announced Oyu Tolgoi had been unable to reach resolution of its previously-announced dispute with the MTA with respect to the 2013-2015 Tax Assessment and would be proceeding with the initiation of a formal international arbitration proceeding (Arbitration) in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions within Chapter 14 of the Oyu Tolgoi Investment Agreement (IA) entered into with the Government of Mongolia in 2009 and Chapter 8 of the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan (UDP) entered into with the Government of Mongolia in 2015. The dispute resolution provisions call for an UNCITRAL arbitration seated in London before a panel of three arbitrators. Oyu Tolgoi has given notice of its intention to apply to the Tribunal in the Arbitration for leave to amend its Statement of Claim to include the issues raised in the 2016-2018 Tax Assessment. As many of the matters raised in the 2016-2018 Tax Assessment are of a similar nature to the matters raised in the 2013-2015 Tax Assessment, Oyu Tolgoi believes amending its Statement of Claim is an efficient and effective means of reaching resolution on both tax assessments. Turquoise Hill remains of the view that Oyu Tolgoi LLC has paid all taxes and charges required under the IA, the Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement, the UDP and Mongolian law. In addition, the Government of Mongolia has advised Rio Tinto that it is dissatisfied with the results of the Definitive Estimate, which was completed and delivered by Rio Tinto and publicly announced by the Company on December 18, 2020, and is concerned that the significant increase in the development costs of the Oyu Tolgoi project has eroded the economic benefits it anticipated to receive therefrom. The Government of Mongolia has indicated that if the Oyu Tolgoi project is not economically beneficial to the country, it would be necessary to review and evaluate whether it can proceed. The Government of Mongolia has stressed the importance of achieving a comprehensive solution that addresses both financial issues between the shareholders of Oyu Tolgoi as well as economic and social issues of importance to Mongolia, such as water usage, tax payments, and social issues related to employees, in order to implement the Oyu Tolgoi project successfully. In particular, the Government of Mongolia has expressed its intention to initiate discussions with respect to the termination and replacement of the UDP. While acknowledging Oyu Tolgoi's significant contributions to Mongolia, Turquoise Hill is nevertheless committed to engaging immediately with the Government of Mongolia and Rio Tinto to address the UDP and revisit the sharing of economic benefits arising from the Oyu Tolgoi project in the context of agreeing on a comprehensive financing plan as well as addressing the other issues raised. Proposed Class Action A legal proceeding in the Superior Court in the District of Montreal has been served initiating a proposed class action against the Company and certain of its current and former officers. The claim alleges that the defendants made material misstatements and material omissions with respect to, among other things, the schedule, cost and progress to completion of the development of Oyu Tolgoi in violation of, among other things, sections 225.8, 225.9 and 225.11 of the Quebec Securities Act. The Company believes that the complaint against it is without merit. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "could", "should", "expect", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "plan", "estimate", "will", "believe" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. These include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding: discussions with, and the nature of the Company's relationship and interaction with, the Government of Mongolia on the continued operation and development of Oyu Tolgoi, including with respect to the definitive estimate and the potential termination, amendment or replacement of the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan (the Underground Plan); the willingness and ability of the parties to the Underground Plan to amend or replace the Underground Plan; the arbitration proceedings, including the potential benefits, timing and outcome of the arbitration proceedings; the expectations set out in the OTTR20; the timing and amount of future production and potential production delays; statements in respect of the impacts of any delays on the Company's cash flows; expected copper and gold grades; the merits of the class action complaint filed against the Company; liquidity, funding sources, funding requirements and planning and the status and nature of the Company's ongoing discussions with Rio Tinto and its subsidiaries with respect to future funding plans and requirements (including as contemplated by the memorandum of understanding announced on September 10, 2020 (the MOU)); the amount of any funding gap to complete the Oyu Tolgoi Project; the amount and potential sources of additional funding; the Company's ability to re-profile its existing project debt in line with current cash flow projections; the amount by which a successful re-profiling of the Company's existing debt would reduce the Company's currently projected funding requirements; the Company's and Rio Tinto's understanding regarding the raising of supplemental senior debt and the Company's ability to raise supplemental senior debt; the Company's and Rio Tinto's understanding regarding the process for identifying and considering other funding options; the Company's and Rio Tinto's understanding regarding the scope and timing for an equity offering by the Company to address any remaining funding gap; the Company's intention to prioritise funding by way of debt and/or hybrid financing over equity funding; the Company's expectation of the anticipated funding gap; the timing of studies, announcements and analyses; status of underground development; the mine design for Panel 0 of Hugo North Lift 1 and the related cost and production schedule implications; the re-design studies for Panels 1 and 2 of Hugo North Lift 1 and the possible outcomes, content and timing thereof; expectations regarding the possible recovery of ore in the two structural pillars, to the north and south of Panel 0; the possible progression of SOPP and related amendments to the PSFA as well as power purchase agreements; the timing of construction and commissioning of the potential SOPP; sources of interim power; the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, operations and financial condition; capital and operating cost estimates, timing of completion of the definitive estimate review and the scope thereof; mill and concentrator throughput; the outcome of formal international arbitration proceedings; anticipated business activities, planned expenditures, corporate strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements and information are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements or information. There can be no assurance that such statements or information will prove to be accurate. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold and silver; projected gold, copper and silver grades; anticipated capital and operating costs; anticipated future production and cash flows; the anticipated location of certain infrastructure in Hugo North Lift 1 and sequence of mining within and across panel boundaries; the availability and timing of required governmental and other approvals for the construction of the SOPP; the ability of the Government of Mongolia to finance and procure the SOPP within the timeframes anticipated in the PSFA, as amended; the willingness of third parties to extend existing power arrangements; the status and nature of the Company's relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia on the continued operation and development of Oyu Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi LLC internal governance (including the outcome of any such interactions or discussions); the willingness and ability of the parties to the Underground Plan to amend or replace the Underground Plan; the nature and quantum of the current and projected economic benefits to Mongolia resulting from the continued operation of Oyu Tolgoi; the status and nature of the Company's ongoing discussions with Rio Tinto and its subsidiaries with respect to future funding plans and requirements (including as contemplated by the MOU) as well as the commencement and conclusion of the arbitration proceedings, including the potential benefits, timing and outcome of the arbitration proceedings. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and information include, among others: copper, gold and silver price volatility; discrepancies between actual and estimated production; mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; development plans for processing resources; the outcome of the definitive estimate review; public health crises such as COVID-19; matters relating to proposed exploration or expansion; mining operational and development risks, including geotechnical risks and ground conditions; litigation risks, including the outcome of the class action complaints filed against the Company; regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability); Oyu Tolgoi LLC or the Government of Mongolia's ability to deliver a domestic power source for the Oyu Tolgoi project within the required contractual time frame; communications with local stakeholders and community relations; activities, actions or assessments, including tax assessments, by governmental authorities; events or circumstances (including strikes, blockades or similar events outside of the Company's control) that may affect the Company's ability to deliver its products in a timely manner; currency fluctuations; the speculative nature of mineral exploration; the global economic climate; dilution; share price volatility; competition; loss of key employees; cyber security incidents; additional funding requirements, including in respect of the development or construction of a long-term domestic power supply for the Oyu Tolgoi project; capital and operating costs, including with respect to the development of additional deposits and processing facilities; and defective title to mineral claims or property. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. All such forward-looking statements and information are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company's management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are 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 statements or information. With respect to specific forward-looking information concerning the continued operation and development of Oyu Tolgoi, the Company has based its assumptions and analyses on certain factors which are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties and assumptions include, among others: the timing and cost of the construction and expansion of mining and processing facilities; the timing and availability of a long-term domestic power source (or the availability of financing for the Company or the Government of Mongolia to construct such a source) for Oyu Tolgoi; the ability to secure and draw down on the supplemental debt under the Oyu Tolgoi project financing facility and the availability of additional financing on terms reasonably acceptable to Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Rio Tinto and the Company to further develop Oyu Tolgoi as well as the status and nature of the Company's ongoing discussions with Rio Tinto and its subsidiaries with respect to future funding plans and requirements (including as contemplated by the MOU); the status and nature of the Company's relationship and interaction with the Government of Mongolia on the continued operation and development of Oyu Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi LLC internal governance (including the outcome of any such interactions or discussions); the willingness and ability of the parties to the Underground Plan to amend or replace the Underground Plan; the nature and quantum of the current and projected economic benefits to Mongolia resulting from the continued operation of Oyu Tolgoi; the potential impact of COVID-19; the impact of changes in, changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices in Mongolia; the availability and cost of skilled labour and transportation; the obtaining of (and the terms and timing of obtaining) necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; delays, and the costs which would result from delays, in the development of the underground mine (which could significantly exceed the costs projected in OTTR20); projected copper, gold and silver prices and their market demand; and production estimates and the anticipated yearly production of copper, gold and silver at Oyu Tolgoi. The cost, timing and complexities of mine construction and development are increased by the remote location of a property such as Oyu Tolgoi. It is common in mining operations and in the development or expansion of existing facilities to experience unexpected problems and delays during development, construction and mine start-up. Additionally, although Oyu Tolgoi has achieved commercial production, there is no assurance that future development activities will result in profitable mining operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are included in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's AIF, as supplemented by the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Q3 2020 MD&A. Readers are further cautioned that the list of factors enumerated in the "Risk Factors" section of the AIF and in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Q3 2020 MD&A that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements and information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements and information contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD The FBI superspy who took down Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt said he hopes his death brings "solace" to the lives destroyed by the dissident chief's reign of terror. David Rupert, who infiltrated the Real IRA before turning State witness in one of the biggest undercover agent operations in history, added that peace was "the only way forward" for those still hurting from McKevitt's violence. The 71-year-old former terror leader after a long battle with cancer. Read More He was diagnosed with the terminal illness while still serving a 20-year prison sentence in the Republic for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation handed down to him after Mr Rupert's supergrass evidence put him behind bars. The grandfather was buried close to his Blackrock home on Tuesday following a service attended by family and close friends at St Furey's Church in nearby Haggardstown. Pictures show his family, including wife Bernadette Sands McKevitt - sister of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands - escort his tricolour-draped coffin from the church. There was a heavy security presence around the area, with two checkpoints set up across the town. Gardai were visible around the route from the former Real IRA leader's home to the church. While his coffin was draped in the Irish flag, there were no signs of any paramilitary trappings or reminders of his IRA past. Among those attending the funeral was Seamus Daly, who alongside McKevitt was one of the four men found liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing. Expand Close Police officers and firefighters inspecting the damage caused by a bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh, in 1998 (Paul McErlane/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police officers and firefighters inspecting the damage caused by a bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh, in 1998 (Paul McErlane/PA) The terror chief always denied being involved in the Omagh atrocity, but in 2009 a judge ruled in a landmark civil trial that McKevitt, Daly, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy were all liable for the bomb. He ordered them to pay a total of Stg1.6 million damages to 12 relatives who took the case. A fifth man, Seamus McKenna, was cleared of liability for the bombing. No-one has ever been convicted of the 1998 Co Tyrone dissident republican bomb which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. Speaking for the first time about McKevitt's passing, Mr Rupert (69), who is still in witness protection in the US, said he had thought very hard about what he would say about the Real IRA man whose confidence he gained as a double agent. Talking to the Sunday World from his American hideaway where he remains under Real IRA death threat, he said: "I hope his passing brings some solace to the families of his victims and the victims that have been wounded by his 30 years of IRA activities. Expand Close David Rupert relaxing in protective custody in the United States / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Rupert relaxing in protective custody in the United States "To the people of Ireland and the UK that had their lives destroyed by the troves of weapons and explosives imported from Libya and elsewhere, peace is the only way forward." In 2003 the FBI/MI5 agent's sensational evidence was heard during one of the most high-profile dissident trials in history. As McKevitt sat in the dock at the Special Criminal Court, it was heard how the bankrupt businessman had gained his trust after climbing the ranks of the Real IRA in the 1990s after being recruited as a paid informant in New York. Terror The 6ft 4 tall double agent became so trusted by McKevitt and his terror gang that he was asked to bring in bomb-making equipment and move money to fund terror. All the while four-times-married Rupert, who had countless girlfriends, was being bankrolled by the FBI - to the tune of $1.25 million - to hand over intelligence on dissidents. During the trial, the spy claimed the terror chief from Dundalk, Co Louth, admitted 20 per cent responsibility for the Omagh bombing. He also said McKevitt was "horribly upset" at the August 1998 blast, the worst single atrocity of the Troubles. The supergrass told the judge-only trial how he first met with McKevitt at the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan during the autumn of 1999. Rupert said McKevitt told him the Real IRA had built the bomb and provided the car - but it had been given to the Continuity IRA to deliver. McKevitt told him his terror group was claiming 20 per cent responsibility for Omagh and placing the remainder of the blame with its republican rivals. Rupert, who was 51 at the time, said: "McKevitt was horribly upset at the nature of what happened in Omagh. "The bomb was to be placed where there was no parking. But it was moved to a place where there was, and that's not where the warning was given for. That created the atrocity." The New York-born spy said the bomb was a black mark to even the most hardcore of republicans and had posed problems trying to raise funds in America. Expand Close Michael McKevitt / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael McKevitt But now the Real IRA had "licked their wounds and gotten by Omagh". During these meetings Rupert was told to report first to McKevitt, followed by two other close associates. He said the Real IRA was planning a "campaign against the Brits and in England" that included military and financial targets. The court heard how McKevitt claimed he had taken 98 per cent of Continuity IRA members, all of the Real IRA, along with some INLA and Provos, into the new terror network. Rupert's role within the group was to be in computers as McKevitt wanted to use cyber terrorism because car bombs were "off the agenda" after Omagh. GLENS FALLS Warren County has launched a hotline for residents seeking updates about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, sign-ups and clinic information. The hotline can be reached at 518-761-6200 and will include information as it becomes available, the county said. Residents should check back often. On Monday, the hotline noted that individuals who fall into phase 1b of the state's vaccination schedule this includes essential workers and adults age 75 and older are eligible for vaccination beginning the week of Jan. 11, with the caveat that Warren County does not yet have doses to administer these vaccinations itself. "We are able to schedule these vaccinations when we receive additional doses," the hotline says. "We are working with our regional and local partners to schedule vaccination clinics as quickly as possible using vaccination doses as they are provided to us. As it stands now, vaccine supplies are extremely limited. When more doses become available we will schedule clinics immediately and publish online links and information that these 1b individuals can use to register for these clinics. We stand ready to hold as many clinics as possible to ensure that 100 percent of Warren County is vaccinated." Individuals can also check a number of different websites and social media pages to stay abreast of vaccine news, the county said. These include the county's COVID hub website at warrencountyny.gov/covidhub, Albany Medical Center's vaccine hub website at CapitalRegionVax.org, the Warren County, New York Facebook page and the Warren County NY Public Health Facebook page. We are asking people to please be patient, Warren County Health Services Director Ginelle Jones said. We are asking them to monitor our website if they have Internet, monitor our Facebook pages if they have social media, and monitor media and our vaccine information line at 518-761-6200 if they do not have a computer. Warren County Health Services has plans in place to conduct clinics as soon as vaccine supplies are available, she said. When we get vaccine, we will set up clinics and publicize them as widely as possible, Jones explained. Eligibility determinations and a list of nearby providers where appointments can be scheduled can be found through New York's new 'Am I Eligible " app. New Yorkers can begin calling the New York State Vaccination Hotline at at 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829) starting at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11. President-elect Joseph R. Biden has selected William J. Burns, a career State Department official who led the U.S. delegation in secret talks with Iran, to run the Central Intelligence Agency. In selecting Mr. Burns, Mr. Biden is turning to an experienced diplomat with whom he has a long relationship. The two men have worked together on various foreign policy issues, not just during the Obama administration, but also while Mr. Biden led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Mr. Burns has also long worked with Jake Sullivan, Mr. Bidens pick for national security adviser, and has been influential in helping foster the younger mans career. Mr. Bidens choice sends a message that American intelligence will not be influenced by politics. In a statement early Monday, the president-elect said that Mr. Burns shares my profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical and that the dedicated intelligence professionals serving our nation deserve our gratitude and respect. Mr. Burnss experience is as a consumer of intelligence, not as a producer. C.I.A. directors are expected to put aside their policy recommendations and focus on information and prediction. Still, former agency officials have asserted the most important quality in a director is not expertise in intelligence, but a relationship with the president, which Mr. Burns has. Editor's note: An incorrect link was provided by DHEC on Monday but was corrected later in the day. The proper link to register beginning Wednesday is scdhec.gov/vaxlocator. South Carolina seniors 70 and older will be eligible to make appointments to get the coronavirus vaccine starting Wednesday, officials said Monday. The news was first announced by S.C. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, in a tweet. Gov. @HenryMcMaster says that, starting Wednesday, those 70 and older may make vaccination appointments. Ive asked: who can give vaccines, how many doses are available, is VAMS the only way to make appointments? I will provide an update when I have answers to these questions. pic.twitter.com/N2sa0uuY8C Tom Davis (@senatortomdavis) January 11, 2021 All South Carolinians aged 70 or older can schedule an appointment by going online to scdhec.gov/vaxlocator or by calling the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Controls Care line at 1-855-472-3432, which includes several major hospitals, seven DHEC sites, a DHEC mobile clinic and 12 Doctors Care locations. An additional 50 locations will be added to provide the vaccines by the beginning of next week, officials said. Gov. Henry McMaster and DHEC made a formal announcement on the expansion Monday afternoon. "Beginning Wednesday any South Carolina resident aged 70 or older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, can begin scheduling their appointment to receive COVID-19 vaccine," according to the statement by the Governor's Office. State officials have reviewed data and "are confident" the majority of health care workers and others included in the vaccine's first phase have either received their shots or have scheduled an appointment, according to the statement. Out of 146,500 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the state, about 56 percent, or 82,266 doses, have been administered, officials said. In addition, there are 94,926 appointments scheduled by individuals in the first phase to receive their shots during the coming weeks. "Because weve seen a dramatic acceleration in vaccine usage and appointments in the last week, we have decided to speed things up again," McMaster said. "We know that those 70 and older are at the greatest risk of dying from COVID-19. Making sure they have expedited access to the vaccine will help save lives." Current data shows the COVID-19 mortality rate for patients 70 and older is about 655 per 100,000, a stark contrast to the 37 per 100,000 deaths for patients under 70, said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC's interim director of public health. More than 67 percent of COVID-19 deaths in South Carolina have been among those 70 and older, officials said. Those 70 and older who wish to be vaccinated should know shots can only be administered by appointment and walk-ins to a health care facility won't lead to a vaccination, officials said. Patients will be asked for their driver's license or other ID. Proof of residency will not be asked if a person is otherwise eligible for a vaccination, according to DHEC officials. As residents and staff of long-term care facilities continue to get the Moderna vaccine through a federal program, state officials will soon be able to redirect some of that vaccine and make it available to others, according to the statement. "South Carolina is committed to making the limited supply of COVID-19 available to rural and unserved communities who have residents currently eligible to receive vaccine," officials said. 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! DHEC is expanding the number of mobile clinics to serve those communities, and is working with the S.C. Vaccine Advisory Committee, Office of Rural Health, Office of Minority Affairs, S.C. Hospital Association, S.C. Medical Association, and other state and local partners to set up locations for residents of rural and underserved communities to get vaccinated, officials said. Authorities also noted that the two COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States, the Pfizer and Moderna shots, have different protocols, are not interchangeable and patients need to get two doses of the same vaccine. Both shots are needed for complete protection, officials said. Soon after both shots are administered, both vaccines are 94 percent to 95 percent effective in preventing disease. After getting the first dose, patients will get a vaccine card reminding them when they're due for the second dose, officials said. Most providers are also giving patients appointment reminders by phone, email or text messages. Until this week, access to the coronavirus vaccine was limited to front-line health care workers, residents and staff at long-term care facilities, hospital patients aged 65 or older who are not COVID-19 positive, and others included in the first phase of the vaccine rollout. DHEC has been expanding the number of people eligible to be vaccinated during the first phase in an effort to increase immunizations. Officials set a Friday deadline for those included in Phase 1A, or their employers, to schedule an appointment, or they'd have to wait until one of the later phases. Officials said they plan to evaluate how many people sign up over the coming days in order to gauge when to move forward into the next phase of the rollout. The expansion came as lawmakers voiced increasing frustrations with the vaccine's rollout. On Jan. 5, McMaster set the Friday deadline, which DHEC adopted. On Friday, McMaster said the number of health care workers "not ready to get the vaccine" has been surprising, and that "just opens the door for the next group soon." He hinted then he was ready to use his executive authority to force an eligibility expansion. "I can promise you, whatever I need to do with the executive power given to the governor to move those lines, to get that vaccine into peoples arms as quickly as possible, we will do, and I expect well be having announcements soon." Asked by The Post and Courier on Friday what he would tell seniors about why they cant get a shot in South Carolina, while other states had already made seniors eligible, the governor said DHEC was relying on guidelines and best practices issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The path that was chosen was deemed to be the best because the idea was to vaccinate the hospital workers that take care of COVID patients or who may need to be in the hospital who are very ill who dont have the virus. We wanted to have those hospitals functioning to take care of the rest of us." "But Im with you," he told The Post and Courier. "Its time to have a more simplified streamlined process to provide for the older people and those with serious conditions of any age to go ahead and get the vaccinations. The hospitals are working around the clock to find ways to accommodate more and more people, even to setting up drive-in clinics." Seanna Adcox contributed to this report. Japan is preparing to expand a coronavirus state of emergency to the western prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo by the end of the week, Jiji news agency reported on Monday, citing unidentified government sources. The three prefectures on Saturday asked the government to impose a state of emergency, which is already in place in Tokyo and surrounding regions, to include them in an effort to contain the latest spread of the coronavirus. Separately, the governor of the central prefecture of Aichi said he and authorities in the neighbouring prefecture of Gifu aimed to ask the government as early as Tuesday to expand the state of emergency to their areas. "Stronger restrictive measures as well as more decisive changes in our citizens' behaviour - that's what I am seeking," the Aichi governor, Hideaki Omura, told media. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government on Thursday declared a limited state of emergency in the capital, Tokyo, and three neighbouring prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba to stem the spread of infections. Restrictions under the one-month emergency to Feb. 7 centre on combating transmission in bars and restaurants, which the government says are main risk areas. The new curbs are narrower in scope than those imposed in April under an emergency that ran to late May. At that time, the curbs were nationwide and schools and non-essential businesses were mostly shuttered. This time, schools are not being closed. Japan has seen coronavirus cases total around 289,000, with 4,067 deaths, according to public broadcaster NHK. Since the outset of the pandemic it has tried to balance controlling the spread of the virus while limiting damage to the world's third-biggest economy. Under a law revised in March to cover the coronavirus, the prime minister can declare a state of emergency if the disease poses a grave danger to lives and if its rapid spread threatens serious economic damage. That gives local authorities legal basis to ask residents and businesses to restrict movements and work. Short link: New Delhi, Jan 11 : The central government on Monday said that a total of 96 persons have been detected with the new 'more transmissible' UK coronavirus mutant strain. They are kept in physical isolation in health facilities. "The total number of persons found infected with the mutant UK strain of COVID-19 is 96," the Union Health Ministry said in a statement. According the Health Ministry, all 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," the ministry said. Since last Friday, flights from UK have been landing in Delhi amid concerns about the mutant strain that emerged in Britain. The flights from UK resumed after the government suspended services between on December 23. On December 29, a total of six UK returnees were found to be positive with the new variant genome. These were the first cases to be reported by the country that has the second highest number of cases after the United States. The tracing and testing was initiated after UK government announced that a newly identified strain of the virus was found in their population which is up to 70 per cent more transmissible. Notably, the new UK Variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore. The union health ministry has further assured that 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 labs. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Former Leighton Holdings executive David Savage has been charged over his alleged role in the international Unaoil scandal, which involved bribery of senior officials in oil-producing nations to secure lucrative contracts. Mr Savage, the former chief operating officer of the prominent Australian infrastructure firm, was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers upon his release from hotel quarantine in Sydney's CBD on Monday morning. He was granted bail at Sydney Central Local Court in the afternoon. Former Leighton executive David Savage has been arrested over his alleged role in the Unaoil corruption scandal. The prosecution of Mr Savage, 60, is a major development in Australia's longest-running bribery investigation, focused on Leighton's bribery of Iraqi officials in order to win oil pipeline construction contracts. The investigation has discovered approximately $US77.6 million in suspicious payments channelled through Monaco-based consultancy Unaoil and other third parties. Kathmandu, January 11 The Ministry of Health and Population has informed that the countrys Covid-19 tally has reached 265,268 as of Monday afternoon. The ministry says 488 new cases were confirmed in the country in the past 24 hours. In this period, 5,309 swab samples were tested. So far, 1 million and 987,555 people have been tested in the country. As of today, 4,373 cases are active. Of the total cases so far, 258,698 people have achieved recovery whereas 1,927 died, according to the ministry. In the past 24 hours, 527 people have been discharged whereas 10 deaths have been reported. Over 250 people are quarantined across the country. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) announced today that comparable sales, including both stores and direct sales, decreased 3% for the quarter-to-date period ended December 26, 2020. Same store sales decreased 14% and sales for the Company's e-commerce businesses increased 49% on a comparable basis for that period. The Company's comp policy removes any stores that are closed for seven consecutive days or more. Therefore, comparable sales results exclude periods of time that stores were closed for seven consecutive days or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparable sales changes for each retail business for the period were as follows: Quarter-to-Date (8 weeks ended December 26, 2020) Comparable Sales (Stores and Direct) Journeys Group (4)% Schuh Group 29% Johnston & Murphy Group (34)% Total Comparable Sales (3)% Same Store Sales (14)% Comparable Direct Sales 49% The Company's stores were open for approximately 90% of the possible days during fiscal November and December, with Schuh's stores operating for approximately 50% of this period. Overall sales decreased by 8% for the quarter-to-date period ended December 26, 2020. Overall sales changes for each business for the period were as follows: Quarter-to-Date (8 weeks ended December 26, 2020) Overall Sales Journeys Group (5)% Schuh Group (9)% Johnston & Murphy Group Licensed Brands (38)% 201% Total Overall Sales (8)% Total Store Sales (21)% Total Direct Sales 48% Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco board chair, president and chief executive officer, said, "Overall, our performance this holiday selling season was very encouraging given the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic with sales coming in above our expectations. Journeys once again led the way with strong full-price selling, and we were pleased that Schuh delivered better than expected results especially as the business continues to face significant mandated store closures. Fiscal January is off to a strong start with comps turning nicely positive, providing us with optimism for a solid finish to Fiscal 2021." Genesco to Present at the 2021 ICR Conference As previously announced, Genesco management will present at the 2021 ICR Conference on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). The audio portion of the presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed through the Company's internet website, http://www.genesco.com . To listen, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the performance outlook for the Company and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include adjustments to projections reflected in forward-looking statements, including as a result of the effects of COVID-19 on the Company's business including whether there are periods of increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in locations in which the Company operates, further closures of stores due to COVID-19, weakness in store and shopping mall traffic, restrictions on operations imposed by government entities and landlords, changes in public safety and health requirements, the Company's ability to adequately staff stores, limitations on the Company's ability to provide adequate personal protective equipment to employees, and the Company's ability to maintain social distancing requirements; stores closures and effects on the business as a result of civil disturbances; the level and timing of promotional activity necessary to maintain inventories at appropriate levels; the imposition of tariffs on products imported by the Company or its vendors as well as the ability and costs to move production of products in response to tariffs; the Company's ability to obtain from suppliers products that are in-demand on a timely basis and effectively manage disruptions in product supply or distribution, including disruptions as a result of COVID-19; unfavorable trends in fuel costs, foreign exchange rates, foreign labor and material costs, and other factors affecting the cost of products; the effects of the British decision to exit the European Union and other sources of weakness in the U.K. market; the effectiveness of the Company's omnichannel initiatives; costs associated with changes in minimum wage and overtime requirements; wage pressure in the U.S. and the U.K.; weakness in the consumer economy and retail industry; competition and fashion trends in the Company's markets; risks related to the potential for terrorist events; risks related to public health and safety events, including for example, the COVID-19 coronavirus; changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers; retained liabilities associated with divestitures of businesses including potential liabilities under leases as the prior tenant or as a guarantor of certain leases; and changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period-to-period sales comparisons. Additional factors that could cause differences from expectations include the ability to renew leases in existing stores and control or lower occupancy costs, and to conduct required remodeling or refurbishment on schedule and at expected expense levels; the Company's ability to eliminate stranded costs associated with dispositions, including the sale of the Lids Sport Group business; the Company's ability to realize anticipated cost savings, including rent savings; deterioration in the performance of individual businesses or of the Company's market value relative to its book value, resulting in impairments of fixed assets, operating lease right of use assets or intangible assets or other adverse financial consequences and the timing and amount of such impairments or other consequences; unexpected changes to the market for the Company's shares or for the retail sector in general; costs and reputational harm as a result of disruptions in the Company's business or information technology systems either by security breaches and incidents or by potential problems associated with the implementation of new or upgraded systems; and the cost and outcome of litigation, investigations and environmental matters involving the Company. Additional factors are cited in the "Risk Factors," "Legal Proceedings" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of, and elsewhere in, the Company's SEC filings, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC website, www.sec.gov, or by contacting the investor relations department of Genesco via the Company's website, www.genesco.com. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this release are beyond Genesco's ability to control or predict. Genesco undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements. About Genesco Inc. Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,475 retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Schuh, Schuh Kids, Little Burgundy, Johnston & Murphy, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.journeys.ca, www.littleburgundyshoes.com, www.schuh.co.uk, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.johnstonmurphy.ca, and www.dockersshoes.com. In addition, Genesco sells wholesale footwear under its Johnston & Murphy brand, the licensed Dockers brand, the licensed Levi's brand, the licensed Bass brand, and other brands. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com. SOURCE Genesco Inc. Related Links http://www.genesco.com Those interested in studying a topic within agriculture or the wider industry are being urged to apply for next year's Nuffield Farming Scholarships. With around 20 Scholarships awarded each year, successful applicants are provided a substantial bursary to fund travel to study their chosen topic. Applications tend to be from those working across the farming, food, horticulture, rural or associated industries. A Nuffield Farming Scholarship brings fresh insight and ideas that inspire change and drive the industry forward. Mike Vacher, Director of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, explains the important role that Scholars play, especially during times of change. Nuffield Farming Scholarships provide a unique opportunity within the food and farming industry," he explained. "Not only do Scholars undertake an in-depth, global study about a chosen topic, but they are also in a unique position of influence to share these findings with the wider agricultural community and show the way forward." In light of the uncertainty surrounding travel and other restrictions, the Trust says it will support Scholars to ensure they are able to make the most of the opportunity. What are eligibility requirements? When applying for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, applicants are encouraged to begin the process well ahead of the 31 July deadline. Applicants must work within the farming, food, horticulture, rural and associated industries or are in a position to influence these industries. Applicants must be aged between 22 and 45 years (the upper age limit is 45 on 31 July in the year of application). There is no requirement for academic qualifications. Applicants should be well-established in their career, demonstrate a passion for the industry they work in and be three years post-tertiary education. Candidates must be resident in the UK and hold a UK passport or be working directly for UK agriculture. The Trust seeks people with very special qualities. Scholarships are not awarded to anyone in full-time education or to further research projects. Arlene Foster has defended the pre-Christmas easing of coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland as hospitals struggle to deal with surging admission numbers. Stormonts first minister insisted one of the new variants of Covid-19 was a key factor in rocketing case numbers witnessed at the turn of the year. Mrs Foster also suggested that the powersharing executive may have to consider introducing another curfew, similar to that deployed in the week over new year, if the current strict lockdown measures fail to suppress the virus sufficiently. Hospitals in Northern Ireland are under increasing pressure, with health chiefs warning that the worst is yet to come. The chief executives of the six health service trusts have predicted that current record high coronavirus inpatient numbers could double by the third week in January. First Minister Arlene Foster (Liam McBurney/PA) Earlier on Monday, Stormonts chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young said while the new variant had some impact on spiralling new year infection rates, he indicated the easing of restrictions pre-Christmas was the primary factor. This is the consequence of the two weeks of pre-Christmas relaxation, he told the BBC. At a press conference in Co Fermanagh on Monday afternoon, Mrs Foster was asked whether the Stormont executive had to shoulder the blame for the situation hospitals were now facing. The executive unanimously decided on our Christmas plan, as indeed did people in the Republic of Ireland, and indeed right across the United Kingdom recognising the special place that Christmas has for a lot of us, she said. I think its more than just that. I think we now know that the new variant in terms of coronavirus is here in Northern Ireland, the South African variant unfortunately appears to be in the Republic of Ireland, we have no current cases detected in Northern Ireland, we want to keep it that way. However, we do know that the virus does mutate and were seeing that now and thats why we have to take action when we see that happening. Health experts in Northern Ireland believe the peak of new infections has now passed, with daily numbers of cases beginning to fall in recent days. However, the lag period between infections and subsequent hospitalisations means the full impact of the high case numbers will not been experienced in the hospitals until later in January. A further 16 Covid-19 linked deaths and 759 new cases of the virus were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Monday. Mr Foster said the R number for new cases had dropped from 1.8 around 10 days ago to between 1.1 and 1.2 on Monday. She warned that the pressure on hospitals would continue to mount in the days and weeks ahead. We will have this pressure on the system I think now for a couple of weeks and we have to ready ourselves for that, said the DUP leader. Deputy First Minster Michelle ONeill said the worst predictions made last March were now becoming a reality (Liam McBurney/PA) Earlier, deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill said the region was now experiencing its pandemic worst case scenario. Ms ONeill said dire predictions made last March about the potential pressures the regions health service could face were now coming true. I think the developments over the weekend whilst they were predicted are still very stark and very alarming, the Sinn Fein vice president told the BBC. We are at the extreme of the pandemic right now, this is the worst situation that we have been in from the very onset. I think were now witnessing this scenario which was predicted to be the worst case scenario way back in the early part of March last year but now its a real lived experience. The Stormont executive is due to meet to discuss the situation on Tuesday and Thursday. Mrs Foster said she did not think Tuesdays meeting would see further discussion on the controversy around plans for a February 27 academic selection test for primary schoolchildren transferring to secondary schools. Northern Irelands hospital network came under intense pressure at the weekend, with two health trusts being forced to issue appeals to off duty staff to report in to work. The situation was the most extreme in the Southern Trust area, where Covid-19 infection rates are currently highest in Northern Ireland. Over the weekend, Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry were in danger of being swamped with new cases. Off duty staff coming in to help treat the influx of patients helped avoid the declaration of a major incident. The emergency department entrance to the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry (Liam McBurney/PA) Enniskillens South West Acute hospital in the Western Trust area also asked off duty staff to report into work in case there was a need to start receiving inpatients from the Southern Trust. Asked whether the executive could introduce even tighter restrictions, Mrs Foster suggested further curfews may be considered. Theres very few options left, she said. Mrs Foster added: Theres very limited ways that we can do anything further, apart from looking maybe again at curfews and doing something along those lines. Ms ONeill said she could not rule out a potential extension of the regions current lockdown, which is due to end in the first week of February. She said all options remained on the table. It's not too late to say Sorry about your bad posture. Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance on the most recent episode of Shark Tank on Friday to give an office chair the seal of approval. The 26-year-old star was featured in a surprise pre-recorded video message which aired during a pitch to Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, and others. The Yummy artist appeared in multiple frames of the promotional clip shirtless. Helping hand: Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance on the most recent episode of Shark Tank on Friday to give an office chair the seal of approval Comfy: The Grammy-nominated artist appeared in multiple frames of the promotional clip shirtless CEO Bing Howenstein appeared on the show with the clip in an effort to gain funding for his company ALL33. ADVERTISEMENT In the video, Justin rolled into the frame as he said: 'Hey Sharks, I'm Justin Bieber and this is the ALL33; it's the chair that moves like I do.' Click here to resize this module He donned a white logo T-Shirt from his clothing line Drew House with a backwards cap. Bieber continued: 'I mean, guys, look at this perfect posture! I've got my chest up, my shoulders back, I'm ready for anything. If you've gotta sit, this is it.' Pitchman: The Yummy singer was featured in a surprise pre-recorded video message Cameo: The 26-year-old star was featured in a surprise pre-recorded video message which aired during a pitch to Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, and others Man with the plan: CEO Bing Howenstein appeared on the show with the clip in an effort to gain funding for his company ALL33. Unfortunately not even Justin's star power could help the CEO gain funding from the Sharks as they ultimately passed on a half million dollars for 2.5 percent of the company. ALL33 is currently taking preorders on the the BackStrong C1 chair made from Vegan Leather for $799. Relaxing: Bieber demonstrated how comfortable he was in the chair in the clip Demo: The Baby singer sat in the chair from multiple angles in the promotional clip Strong: Bieber said, 'I mean, guys, look at this perfect posture!' Interesting: In the video, Justin rolled into the frame as he said: 'Hey Sharks, I'm Justin Bieber and this is the ALL33; it's the chair that moves like I do' Bieber continued: 'I mean, guys, look at this perfect posture! I've got my chest up, my shoulders back, I'm ready for anything. If you've gotta sit, this is it' Looking good: ALL33 is currently taking preorders on the the BackStrong C1 chair made from Vegan Leather for $799 Oh no: Unfortunately not even Justin's star power could help the CEO gain funding from the Sharks as they ultimately passed on a half million dollars for 2.5 percent of the company Meanwhile Justin has been enjoying a vacation in Hawaii with his wife Hailey Bieber. Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 test result before arriving to the islands as an alternative to the 10-day quarantine period enacted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Back home in Los Angeles, ICU's are at full capacity and Southern California is still in the most extreme, Tier 4 lockdown, with nearly one million positive tests and 12,250 deaths recorded since the March shutdown. Justin and Hailey have relished in the time off together with hikes and diving scheduled on their tropical tour of Oahu. Not a care in the world:Meanwhile Justin has been enjoying a vacation in Hawaii with his wife Hailey Bieber as they relished in the time off together with hikes and diving scheduled on their tropical tour of Oahu Yikes: As of Dec. 30, nonessential travel to Los Angeles was banned and anyone returning to LA is required to quarantine at home for 10 days. As of Dec. 30, nonessential travel to Los Angeles was banned and anyone returning to LA is required to quarantine at home for 10 days, while monitoring COVID symptoms for another 14 days post quarantine. ADVERTISEMENT The couple have taken in sunsets and relaxed on the beach while visiting with a few friends and their newborn son. During a December interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Justin admited he wanted a 'little tribe' family, but ultimately was OK with 'as many as Hailey is wishing to push out.' Budgets: Schools have been told they will have to pay for hot meals for pupils The Department of Education has said schools wishing to provide hot meals for pupils who are continuing to attend will have to find flexibility in their own budget to do so. Sinn Fein MLA Karen Mullan has called on the Education Minister to put plans in place to ensure all children who are attending schools can get a hot meal. The party's education spokesperson said she was concerned that the children of key workers who are still attending have not been receiving school meals. Only vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers are able to attend nursery, primary and post-primary schools until the February mid-term break. According to guidance issued by the Education Authority as new remote learning measures came into force, there will be no specific provision of school meals for vulnerable children or children of key workers still attending schools. "While the majority of children are not currently at school because of the Covid-19 restrictions and parents of children entitled to free school meals are receiving a direct payment, children of some key workers are still attending school and concerns have been raised that some are not receiving hot meals," the Sinn Fein MLA said. "I have spoken to the Education Authority on this issue and reiterated the importance of children receiving hot meals at school in a safe and responsible way. Expand Close Concerned: Karen Mullan has said hot meals at schools must be a priority / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Concerned: Karen Mullan has said hot meals at schools must be a priority "It is up to the Education Minister to put contingency plans in place to ensure children who are currently attending schools can get a hot meal." A Department of Education spokesperson said: "As the vast majority of pupils entitled to free school meals are learning remotely from home (except pupils at special schools), the department considers the most expedient way to ensure that families have a means to provide food for their children is to make direct payments in lieu of free school meals. "Direct payments will issue this week. School meals services will be available as normal in special schools. "Pupils entitled to free school meals attending special schools will receive free school meals at school as normal. "Although schools will remain open to children of key workers and vulnerable children, and as direct payments will issue to those parents, children attending school (other than special school), have been advised to bring a packed lunch to school. "It is normal practice for schools to cater for any child who presents to school hungry. Procedures are in place with the Education Authority to provide for this. This is required to be followed up with a referral to the Education Welfare Service. Schools should liaise with school catering staff who will be on call as necessary. "However, where a school has a number of vulnerable children attending and wishes to make hot meal provision, the school has the flexibility within its budget to provide this, liaising with its school meals service as necessary." It is also now compulsory for post-primary pupils who are still attending school to wear face coverings in classrooms and at drop off or pick up outside school unless they are exempt. President Moon Jae-in delivers a New Year address to the nation at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok By Do Je-hae President Moon Jae-in underlined an unwavering commitment to his peace process on the Korean Peninsula by improving relations with North Korea, Monday, despite rising concerns over a possible continued deadlock in both inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea relations under the incoming Joe Biden administration. In a 27-minute New Year speech, President Moon said he would sit down with the North "at anytime, anywhere" to discuss cooperation, even in a non-face-to-face manner. "This year marks the 30th anniversary of the two Koreas' simultaneous membership of the United Nations. The South and North must join hands to prove that peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is beneficial for the international community," Moon said during the nationally-televised address. "It is our duty to pass on a Korean Peninsula without war and nuclear weapons to the next generation. In line with the launch of the U.S. Biden administration, the government will strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and make a last-ditch effort to achieve a major turnaround in stalled U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korea dialogue." President Moon Jae-in delivers a New Year speech at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae The President said that there was still a lot to be achieved through inter-Korean cooperation, such as jointly taking part in a regional dialogue for healthcare and anti-pandemic cooperation. "I hope that we can start coexistence and peace in the process of responding to COVID-19," Moon said. "When cooperation gets wider and wider, we can take a step forward on the path of unification. The key driver of the peace process on the Korean Peninsula is dialogue and win-win cooperation. Our willingness to talk anytime anywhere remains unchanged, even in a non-face-to-face manner." Moon's remarks come after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said during the ruling Workers' Party of Korea Congress meeting last week that inter-Korean relations had returned to state before April 27, 2018, when Moon and Kim held a summit in the border village of Panmunjeom, the first of their three summits that year. During the party congress, the North Korean leader slammed South Korea for offering cooperation in what he called "non-essential" areas such as healthcare and tourism, and underlined his focus on improving the economy. Pyongyang has also vowed to take its nuclear weapons development to the next level, despite its pledge for denuclearization in Kim's meetings with Moon and outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore 2018. This situation is bringing into question the effectiveness of Moon's last-ditch efforts in the twilight of his presidency to achieve a fundamental breakthrough in diplomacy with North Korea. President Moon Jae-in, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrive at the Northern side of Panmumjeom for a summit in May 2018. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae HEFEI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- As his conversation in a mountain village museum proceeded, all the familiar laughs that Zimbabwean youth Albert Mhangami saw during his trip flashed into his mind, warmly and inspiringly. It was "a laugh that was shared by the people of that village, by the hundreds of millions of people that had been pulled out of destitution," as he wrote later. Also participating in the conversation were South African teacher Shaun Nish, his daughter Rebecca Nish and Malaysian media worker Michael Chick, which was the final part of their five-day trip to Jinzhai County, east China's Anhui Province. Michael Chick, Shaun Nish, Rebecca Nish, and Albert Mhangami dance with villagers at Dawan Village in Jinzhai County of Luan City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang) In the once-impoverished county, the group of foreigners experienced rural life and saw China's poverty-alleviation efforts first-hand. At the end of 2020, all of China's nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line had shaken off poverty. All of the 832 poor counties, including Jinzhai, had been lifted out of poverty. JOURNEY OF SURPRISES Back at Tsinghua University where the 27-year-old studies, Mhangami has been a keen researcher of China's fight against poverty. Immersed in macro-level, theoretical studies, he finally got the chance to have real interactions with the people that he has been researching. "I was expecting to see a lot of old people and very few young people, less technology and the infrastructure more oriented toward getting business in rather than getting business out," Mhangami said. However, a series of surprises were in store for the group. In local villages, Mhangami met many young people working in various professions, including teachers, farmers, grocery store owners, doctors, grassroots civil servants and e-commerce entrepreneurs. One of the most impressive among them was Zhang Chuanfeng, an internet celebrity whose family used to be identified as an impoverished household. Zimbabwean postgraduate of Tsinghua University Albert Mhangami and Zhang Chuanfeng sell products via livestream broadcast in Jinzhai County of Luan City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Dai Wei) Thanks to the government subsidization and favorable policies such as free rent accommodation, Zhang set up a store in 2017 that buys local specialties from many impoverished families and then sells them online to consumers across the country. "He has a massive online presence. I think he had around 50 million views for one of his videos," Mhangami said, after collaborating on two TikTok videos with Zhang to promote local goods like dried sweet potatoes and tea. Last year, the e-commerce store achieved total revenue of more than 5 million yuan (about 773,000 U.S. dollars), with a profit of about 500,000 yuan. China's development of internet infrastructure and booming digital economy in this rural area also surprised the rest of the group. Aerial photo taken on Sept. 28, 2020 shows the Hongling highway in Jinzhai County of Luan City in east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Chen Nuo) "The amount of infrastructure that is available is what really shocked me. I was expecting smaller roads and a lot less infrastructure than what there is here," Shaun Nish said. Shaun Nish and Rebecca Nish, who live in Anhui's capital of Hefei, were also delighted with the fact that there was easy access to wireless internet and TV service in the villages. "But it is not just wifi. It's internet connectivity. That's pretty much how this village is able to market its products," said Chick, who has traveled to many South East Asian countries for TV production. Aerial photo taken on Dec. 20, 2020 shows the Dawan Village of Jinzhai County of Luan City in east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Chen Nuo) BASIC NEEDS AND BEYOND While visiting local residences and tourist sites, Mhangami was greeted with a smile by village community cleaner Zhou Duanqiong. Zhou told him that her husband died many years ago, and she used to financially support the whole family by running a small shop, but the income was far from enough to live a comfortable life. But in 2016, things changed for Zhou. A new housing and infrastructure project was launched in her community, which gave her family a roof over their heads. As Mhangami learned, the government's project involved purchasing the residents' worn-down houses at a high price, building better-quality residences and then selling these new homes back to them at a lower price with additional subsidization. Besides that, the government also launched a tourism infrastructure project. The influx of tourists resulted in more income and more job openings, including Zhou's community cleaning position. In a village primary school, Mhangami talked with a class of students, whose topics ranged from the new infrastructure of the entire village to subsidized meals at school. An injured child with a sling on his arm told Mhangami how his medical bill was largely covered by the government. "There is the medical infrastructure that the government has put in a decent amount of work on," Mhangami said. "The subsidization and insurance were the guardians of the millions of jobs and assets the government had created for the people." Michael Chick takes a selfie with children at Dawan Primary School in Jinzhai County of Luan City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Cao Li) Chick's observation in a village clinic corresponded with Mhangami's comments. Chick learned that on average, villagers from impoverished households can have 95 percent of their total medical costs reimbursed. Local residents infected with COVID-19 can also have free treatment. Another memorable moment for Mhangami in the primary school was when he asked the students about their future aspirations, one of them raised his hand and replied that he wanted to study abroad. "Poverty is ultimately a conversation about options," Mhangami commented. "When a child who only five years prior would have seen the provincial capital city as the goal, but now speaks of the international community as a space for his dreams, poverty has truly been alleviated," he added. In Shaun Nish's point of view, poverty alleviation efforts should not only cover people's basic needs but also their desire for a better life, such as internet services. "Wifi may not be a need, but it can help you a lot. And that's why I think the Chinese government is very good at doing that because it can help you to fulfill your wants like TV, the internet and online shopping," Shaun Nish said. INTERACTIONS AND JOINT EFFORTS During the trip, the group saw how the locals were enthusiastically working together with the government to improve their own lives. Wang Jian, a young villager who now runs a distribution center for express deliveries, shared his entrepreneurial story with Chick. Wang's store opened in 2017. He borrowed money from the bank and his relatives and was given a financial grant from the government. "It is 10,000 yuan seed money as opposed to 300,000 yuan in personal loans. That actually shows you how much he wants to get this business going," Chick said. South African Shaun Nish and his daughter Rebecca Nish touch tea leaves as they visit a tea factory in Jinzhai County of Luan City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Bai Bin) In his conversation with the owner of a village inn where he stayed, Shaun Nish was told that her family used to be one of the poorest households in the village. Nevertheless, two years ago, she finally managed to get her own business up and running. "The government gave her some money, and she put in three times the amount the government did," Shaun Nish said. "And now she is doing quite well." The government has been constantly helping local communities and reevaluating its own work. If something does not work, then they will change it, he said. Xinhua journalist Miao Xiaojuan (1st R) interviews four foreigners Michael Chick, Shaun Nish, Rebecca Nish and Albert Mhangami (L to R) who are invited here to visit Dawan Village in Jinzhai County of Luan City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Guo Peiran) Mhangami believed that interactions and joint efforts by the people and the government are crucial to win the battle against poverty. "If your government has the political will to engage your people, to make getting people out of poverty a priority, it makes a massive difference," he said. Another important thing "is to be a part of the people. Make sure you are going there, asking them what is happening, sitting down with them and having these conversations. It immediately changes the dynamic," he added. For him, all the genuine laughs and smiles he witnessed on the journey have said a lot about China's excellent practice in that regard. It was "a laugh that showed confidence in a government that had prioritized the people in the global battle against poverty," he wrote. A shake-up at the top of Royal Mail has sparked speculation that the company could be broken up. The firm named former Ocado executive Simon Thompson as the boss of its UK operations as it grapples with falling letter numbers and an explosion in parcel deliveries. The 54-year-old, who spent some of last year running the NHS test and trace app designed to help tackle the coronavirus crisis, was put in charge yesterday, replacing interim chief Stuart Simpson. Breaking away?: Simon Thompson's appointment as boss of Royal Mail Group's UK arm only and not the whole business will fuel speculation that the company could be broken up Thompson, who has also worked at iPhone maker Apple and supermarket Morrisons, has been tasked with expanding Royal Mail's UK parcel operations after an internet shopping boom during the Covid-19 pandemic has sent demand soaring to record levels. But his appointment as chief executive of Royal Mail Group's UK arm only and not the whole business will fuel speculation that the historic company could be broken up. The changes come after the departure of former group chief executive Rico Back in May, who was ousted following acrimonious rows with unions that delayed modernisation plans and led to poor performance. Following Back's departure, the role of group chief has now been abolished. Instead, Thompson will report directly to the board and have equal status to Martin Seidenberg, the German boss of GLS, Royal Mail Group's European parcels business, a spokesman said. The pair will each get roughly equal salaries of about 525,000 per year. Keith Williams, who has been executive chairman for the past eight months, will resume his previous role as non-executive chairman. Royal Mail claims the new structure is a better fit because the UK and European businesses have significant differences and each require their own separate strategies. Williams said Thompson was the right man for a period of 'significant transition' in the UK, while adding that Seidenberg had made an 'impressive' start since taking over as GLS boss last summer. The chairman, 64, said: 'We have two excellent leaders in place for each of our businesses, focused on the opportunities which they each have to grow and succeed in the future.' Analysts said the new structure could make a break-up much easier. A spokesman for Royal Mail refused to comment on that suggestion. Daniel Roeska, a senior research associate at Bernstein, said: 'It doesn't close the door on a future break-up.' 18-y-o charged with murder, attempted murder of Alabama pastor and wife Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An 18-year-old woman turned herself in hours after a pastor, named Tim Pearson, was shot and killed and his wife, Melony, was also injured. The suspect was charged with both murder and attempted murder. Pearson, the pastor of Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Melvin, Alabama, was murdered early Saturday morning and the woman, identified as Melissa Hill, surrendered the same day, according to Newscenter 11. Total bond for Hill has been set at $1,050,000, as the investigation was underway and more details were awaited, as of early Sunday. A pastor for 14 years, Pearson was admired by the entire community, Deacon Cornelius Banks was quoted as saying. Hes like a drawing, he would draw you to him by what he believed in. He would help me out a whole lot in the spiritual realm of things, he would strengthen me. Pearson had been married to his wife for more than 34 years. He was a father of three adult children and also had a grandson. A 1993 graduate of Liberty Bible Institute in Lynchburg, Virginia, Pearson was a former Marine and retired U.S. Postmaster with over 32 years of federal service, according to the churchs website. Pearson preached for more than 27 years and served as a board member on the Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce, as the chair of Supervisory Committee at Meridian Postal Credit Union, as president of Melvin Parks and Recreation Board, and as a board member for Leadership Choctaw. Opinion NDP Member of Parliament Niki Ashton used her holidays to visit her ill grandmother in Greece. She should be commended for this act of compassion instead, she was stripped of her cabinet critic positions and subjected to public shaming for choosing to travel when non-essential travel is being limited. Elected leaders travelling to exotic locations for their Christmas holidays during the COVID-19 crisis are rightly being called out for failing to practice what they preach. But its unfortunate that there has not been greater discretion by the media, as well as Canadians, when engaging in the public judgment of travelling politicians. The COVID pandemic has taught us what many already knew that we have much work to do in the area of elder care in our country. We are clearly struggling to protect and care for our vulnerable elders, and the public shaming of politicians such as Ashton is counterproductive and appalling. Ashton travelled to Greece, a country that has closed its borders to all non-essential travel. To go there, she had to apply and have her trip approved by that country. The Greeks recognized the essential nature of her visit and granted her access. Are we really unwilling to do the same? What was no doubt a difficult visit was made unnecessarily more difficult when she returned to political censure and demotion within her party. Liberal MP Kamal Khera is another politician on the list of those who traveled over the holidays. She attended a small memorial service for her father in Seattle just before Christmas, and came home to mandatory quarantine and non-mandatory political attacks. Are we really going to let peoples jobs be threatened over attending their parents funeral? Having seen the rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 due to the interconnectedness of our globe, leaders have made efforts to restrict non-essential travel, especially across international borders. But it is wrong to suggest that compassionate care for our elders is non-essential. We are facing an elder care crisis in Canada, and multiple voices are calling attention to an epidemic of loneliness an epidemic that was present before the pandemic, with around 25 per cent of senior men and 40 per cent of senior women (1.4 million Canadians) reporting feeling lonely. The pandemic has only made this worse, and allowing business travel while deeming visits to elderly family members non-essential shows that we have no hope of turning the tide of loneliness without a massive cultural and attitudinal shift. Caring for our elders is not optional. It is an issue that requires a whole-of-society effort. This type of care by family members should be a defining characteristic of our country, a country that is rapidly aging. Politicians who use their holidays to visit ailing family members should be commended, not censured. If anything, this type of travel should be prioritized over and above business-related travel. This type of travel is why exceptions to stay-home orders exist; to allow human connection for those for whom it otherwise might be too late. When public-health orders allow us to go to work, and shop, and fly around the world on important business, but do not allow us to visit our aging and ailing family members, we are prioritizing economic health over social, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. When longstanding, committed politicians have their careers upended over traveling to visit a sick grandmother, we have lost our sense of common sense and compassion. We are repeatedly told that "were all in this together." So, lets act like it. Were all doing our best to live and work in a safe manner, and to stay connected to those we love. Our politicians are human, too, and yes, those who went on tropical vacations that they tried to keep secret deserve to face questions. But those who attended their fathers memorial or visited their ailing grandmother do not deserve to be lumped into that group. All of us, especially the leadership in our political parties, need to do a better job differentiating essential, compassionate travel from fancy vacations, and then be willing to defend those who deserve defending. Anna Nienhuis is research coordinator with the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada, and principal drafter of its latest policy report on Elder Care. A police officer said prime facie it appears to be the case of the driver losing control of the car. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa expressed shock over the accident and condoled the demise of Naik's wife. Panaji: Union minister Shripad Naik was injured, while his wife and an aide died in a road accident in adjoining Karnataka on Monday, an official said. Naik's wife Vijaya and the aide were travelling with the minister when their car met with an accident near Ankola in Uttar Kannada district, while he was returning to his home state Goa from Dharmasthala in Karnataka. Naik (68) was brought to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) near Panaji around 11.10 pm in a critical condition, sources said. In Bengaluru, the Karnataka police said Naik, along with his wife, personal assistant Deepak, his close confidante Sai Kiran, gunman and the driver were heading from Yallapur to Gokarna on Monday night. On the way, the driver lost his control over the car near Hosakambi village in Ankola Taluk of Uttara Kannada and the vehicle overturned, they said. "It was not a collision between vehicles. Prima facie it appears to be the case of the driver losing control of the car," a police officer told PTI in Bengaluru. Naiks wife was brought dead to the hospital in Karnataka, while his personal assistant succumbed to injuries at the medical facility, the sources in Panaji said. The sources said the Union Minister of State for AYUSH's car skidded and rammed into a roadside tree. All the occupants, including the driver, were taken out of the wreckage of the car, which was badly damaged. Visuals from the site showed Naik being shifted in an ambulance in an unconscious state. As the ambulance entered Goa, the state police escorted it to the GMCH. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant arrived at the GMCH before the ambulance reached the government-run hospital where medical specialists were ready to treat Naik, who is also the junior defence minister. After holding preliminary discussions with doctors, including Dean of GMCH Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Sawant took the physicians in his car to the ambulance, which was on the way to the hospital, for providing immediate attention to Naik. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sawant and asked him to ensure proper medical treatment for the minister, the sources said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Sawant about speedy medical treatment to the BJP MP from North Goa. Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa condoled the demise of Naik's wife and conveyed his wishes for Naik's speedy recovery. Shocked to know that the car which Union Minister Shripad Naik ji was travelling met with an accident in Uttara Kannada and the death of his wife. My heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Smt Naik and prayers for the speedy recovery of Shri Naik and those injured. B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) January 11, 2021 In Panaji, Goa BJP President Sadanand Tanavade, General Secretary Satish Dhond and other party office-bearers gathered at the GMCH to enquire about Naik's condition. The remains that were disturbed belonged to three military veterans. They were identified as a private in the U.S. Army and Korean War veteran who died in 1983; a sergeant in the Army and World War I veteran who died in 1988; and a man who was in the U.S. Marine Corps and buried in 1992. Another grave that was disturbed belonged to a civilian described as a good Samaritan and caretaker who died in 1988, police said. TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan is scheduled to release November numbers for current account, setting the pace for a light day in Asia-Pacific economic activity. The current account is expected to show a surplus of 1.551 trillion yen, down from 2.144 trillion yen in October. Japan also will see December figures for bank lending and for the eco watchers survey. In November, bank lending was up 6.3 percent on year, while the eco watchers survey for current conditions had a score of 45.6 and the outlook was at 36.5. 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. NDTV Insider Trading Appeal: SAT Asks Prannoy and Radhika Roy To Deposit 50% of Disgorged Amount in 4 Weeks The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) while directing Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to file a reply, has asked New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) promoters Dr Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy to deposit 50% of the disgorged amount with SEBI in four weeks. In November 2020, SK Mohanty, whole-time member (WTM) of SEBI has asked Dr Roy and his wife Radhika to "jointly or severally, disgorge the amount of wrongful gain of Rs16.97 crore along with an interest, made for a transaction in December 2007 and April 2008." Both Dr Roy and Ms Roy approached SAT against the SEBI order. One of the contentions which arise for the SAT bench comprising justice Tarun Agarwala, Dr CKG Nair and justice MT Joshi for consideration was whether there has been an undue delay in the initiating proceedings when transactions were made on the stock exchange platform. "Further whether the valuation pertaining to the reorganisation of the company as disclosed on April 16, 2008 which amounts to a deemed price sensitive information under SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992 as it amounts to changes in policy, plans and operation of the company," the tribunal noted. While asking SEBI to file its reply in three weeks, the SAT, during the online hearing, allowed the Roys to file rejoinder one week after that. Last year in November, in three separate orders, SEBI had asked Dr Roy, Ms Roy, Vikram Chandra, Ishwari Prasad Bajpai, Saurav Banerjee as well as whistle-blower Sanjay Dutt and his wife Prenita Dutt of Quantum Securities Pvt Ltd, and SAL Real Estate Pvt Ltd and Taj Capital Partners Pvt Ltd, to disgorge the amount earned through insider trading of NDTV shares. While Vikram Chandra, Ishwari Prasad Bajpai and Saurav Banerjee are barred from markets for one year, the rest are restrained from markets for two years. Mr Dutt has already obtained a stay on the SEBI action from SAT. In his orders, Mr Mohanty, WTM of SEBI had mentioned, "Typically, insider traders get an unfair advantage over people with whom they engage in securities transactions and such trades executed by the insiders are, therefore, wrong on grounds of justice and equity. The insider information is available to the insiders on account of their important corporate hierarchical position. Any fiduciary holds a position in trust for others. If the persons like the Noticees, who are obligated to observe fiduciary duties while exercising their powers fail to do so and instead use their position to their own advantage pecuniary or otherwise, it constitutes a fraud perpetrated on the common shareholders whose trust reposed in them has been blatantly breached." Interestingly, there has been a kind of war going on between the Roys of NDTV and Sanjay Dutt, who had worked as a consultant with the group from 2006 to 2008. In June 2013, Mr Dutt had alleged that chairman Dr Roy received irregular promoter funding to the tune of a massive Rs375 crore by pledging NDTV shares which, according to him, is against the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rules. The loan was made to a company called RRPR Holdings Pvt Ltd in October 2008 against the pledge of NDTV shares. Also, in the case of Prenita Dutts shares there is an allegation of insider trading despite having incurred a loss. Read: Allegations of NDTVs Many Shenanigans ) NDTV had accused Mr Dutt as holding a 'grudge' against NDTV and he had misused and distorted confidential information obtained as a consultant to level charges against the company in letters to various regulators as well as to NDTVs board of directors. ( Earlier in June 2019, SEBI, the market regulator, acting on a complaint filed by Quantum Securities in 2016-17, had prohibited NDTVs famous promoters, Dr Roy and his wife Radhika and their investment company RRPR Holding Pvt Ltd from markets for two years. SEBI also restricted the Roys from holding any post holding or occupying position as director or any key managerial personnel in NDTV for two years. The Roys were also barred from holding similar posts in other listed company for one year. Mike Schultz, a nurse at Sutter Health in San Francisco, made national headlines last May after sharing a set of photos on Facebook that concisely summed up the toll COVID-19 took on him. I wanted to show everyone how badly being sedated for 6 weeks on a ventilator or intubated can be, he shared on Instagram, along with an image showing him before his COVID-19 diagnosis alongside one in the midst of his hospitalization where he weighed 50 pounds less, his broad and jacked stature all but gone. Schultz contracted COVID-19 in March after attending Miamis Winter Party Festival, a weeklong circuit party all-night raves primarily for the LGBT community. It was held days before U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommended against gatherings of more than 50 people. At least 4,000 men attended the gathering, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. Schultz told BuzzFeed News that he traveled to Boston to see his then-boyfriend, DJ and fitness influencer Josh Hebblethwaite, a week after attending the festival together. (Hebblethwaite did not respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.) Two days later, Schultz was hospitalized and later intubated, a harrowing ordeal that spanned multiple hospitals and several weeks. The support for Schultz was massive and multilateral: An accompanying GoFundMe, coordinated by Hebblethwaite and another friend, Jon Mastronardi, raised more than $20,000. His story was told on CNN, NBC News and Fox News. Now, nearly a year after he was first hospitalized with COVID-19, Schultz has emerged as the focal point of a massive brouhaha within the gay community turmoil that is a microcosm of the diverging ways Americans have handled the pandemic amid a drastic, punishing uptick in cases and the weaponization of social media, for better or worse, in holding accountable people unwilling to adhere to COVID-19 mandates and regulations. In a matter of months, the Instagram account @gaysovercovid has become the primary crusader against the (mostly) white, fit gay men who eschewed established safety policies to attend large celebrations in homes and nightclubs here and abroad. @gaysovercovid was started by an anonymous gay man in his late 20s and began as a space, he explained in a rare interview, for people reluctant to shame their friends one-on-one to litigate their behavior in "a public forum." With incendiary callouts, targeted jabs at people the account identified and memes aplenty, it has since attracted more than 120,000 followers and shows no signs of slowing down. I began following the account during the holidays, resentful of the people who congregated en masse while I spent Christmas alone for the first time in my life. The calling-out of reckless people on the account, I reasoned, was easier to handle than the extended bouts of loneliness and grief that I endured over the past nine months. Presumably, plenty of other people did, too. By December, the accounts influence and contentiousness reached a fever pitch. A circuit party scheduled to be held on New Years Eve in Puerto Vallarta was moved after reports swirled about a dearth of hospital beds in the area. The new venue was located off Mexico's Pacific coast, an area with less stringent restrictions. @gaysovercovid and its army of supporters went to work, condemning individuals who posted themselves in the area for the circuit party as well as rallying against the organizers who enabled the mass congregation in the first place. Administrators of the account did not respond to a request for an interview from SFGATE. Around the time the circuit party began making waves online, Schultz reportedly shared a photo of himself on his personal Instagram account counting down the weeks until a trip to Puerto Vallarta ostensibly to attend the function. "Less than three weeks to (Puerto Vallarta)," the post said. "Can't wait!" Its unclear whether he ended up attending the party, or even whether he went down south for the New Year. He told BuzzFeed News that he didn't. (Schultz did not respond to multiple requests for comment from SFGATE.) But internet sleuths found more damning evidence of his seeming ambivalence to the same virus that wrecked his body earlier in the year. According to Instinct Magazine and SFist, he posted a screengrab of another persons Instagram story on New Years Eve seemingly in opposition to the callouts popularized by @gaysovercovid. You fing bitter queens always tearing down other gays! the original Instagram post read. At this point survival of the fittest, the post went on to say. Its life. Sorry. The response online to Schultzs posts, for better or worse, was swift and brutal: Many derided the hypocrisy of a man who struggled with COVID-19 eventually endorsing risky behavior and potentially exposing people in Mexico, which is currently grappling with its own coronavirus crisis, to the virus. Others called for his employer, Sutter Health, to reprimand him or fire him. A representative from Sutter Health told SFGATE that Schultz has been advised to quarantine and the situation is under further review. Schultz, it was revealed, was part of a countermovement originating from a Facebook group named CircuitBitch.com that emerged in opposition to @gaysovercovid. Its members sought to identify the people behind the calling-out account, offering a $500 reward. They went on to brand themselves as #gaysoverkarens. "For so long they have been hiding behind the screen trying to out fellow gays, making our community as divisive as ever," the post by Lan Vu read. "If they believe what they're doing is right, why be a coward and not let us know who they really are." Vu, a San Francisco-based salon owner, went on to tell reporters Taylor Lorenz and Alex Hawgood: "People stay home too long and they lose control of their lives and try to control other people's lives." All this leads to a question that has been debated throughout the pandemic: Does shaming people for their indiscretion actually work? Existing research finds that shame is not an effective strategy for changing an individuals behavior, Yale Medicine clinical psychologist Marney White points out. She told SFGATE: Punishment in general is not the ideal behavior change strategy it would be much more effective to publicly praise people for following the guidance. And while White acknowledges accounts like @gaysovercovid as "a safe way to call out without risking interpersonal conflict" and shares in the frustration of people brazenly defying COVID-19 rules, she warns that it "likely risks the opposite effect." "Public shaming could result in people developing stronger and more resolved justifications for their behavior," White noted. She also expressed concern that the account "has this flair of putting the gay community (exclusively) at fault" despite the fact that the people featured make up only a very small subsection of the gay community. (For what its worth, a lot of digital space has been given to all manner of COVID-19 rule breakers, including churchgoers, college students, swingers, local, state and federal politicians and countless influencers albeit often without a single Instagram account focusing on them.) Schultzs case, inevitably, was a perfect storm for a social media backlash. Here was a case of someone, it seemed, who received sympathy nationwide for his bout with the coronavirus but was unwilling to extend the same courtesy to those around him, even online. To be clear, calling someone out online isnt always done with safety and accountability in mind; there's certainly a tinge of resentment in seeing someone live their life as if a global pandemic is just a blip in their radar. (Some of the people who trekked to Puerto Vallarta despite online criticism ended up on a gay party cruise that capsized. No one was hurt, but parts of the internet reveled in their misery.) But when people feel unmoored and unable to control their circumstances as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take lives indiscriminately, logging on to to call someone out for being reckless is an easy, actionable salve. It is an incomplete, flawed solution wracked with myriad problems, an answer that does not even begin to address the onslaught of problems that have manifested over the course of the pandemic and the failed response to the virus on multiple fronts. That said, its hard to imagine that whatever hardship comes from being railed against online compares to the cruelties of the pandemic. The virus has infected more than 2.5 million Californians and 21 million Americans. ICUs nationwide are overrun with patients, forcing hospitals to triage and to leave their most vulnerable people to die. The death toll so far is more than 28,000 Californians and 360,000 Americans. Those who haven't died can suffer long-lasting repercussions to their health. The COVID-19 vaccine's rollout has been hampered by inefficiencies and anti-vaxxers, both online and at medical facilities. New mutations of the virus keep popping up. With this at stake, whether its right or wrong to call someone out online for ignoring COVID-19 almost feels beside the point. On Wednesday, a mob of Trump supporters, encouraged by President Donald Trump himself, converged on the U.S. Capitol, swept past law enforcement and rampaged through the halls of Congress. The insurrection resulted in the deaths of a Capitol Police officer who was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher and a rioter who was shot by a police officer as she tried to push her way into the heavily protected Speakers Lobby, just outside the House chamber. Three others died as a result of medical emergencies on the Capitol grounds, according to authorities. In the days since the riot, federal and local authorities have begun arresting people who they said were involved. More arrests are expected as investigators scrutinize photographs, videos and social media posts to identify the protesters. The FBI has received more than 40,000 tips, including photos and videos, a number that does not include tips that people have submitted by phone. On Friday, the Justice Department announced that it had charged 13 people. Dozens of others have been charged in Superior Court in Washington, D.C., with unlawful entry, curfew violations and firearms-related crimes. Here are a few of the people who face charges. Jake Angeli Angeli, a well-known conspiracy theorist whose real name is Jacob Anthony Chansley, was photographed in the Capitol on Wednesday and was arrested Saturday. He entered the building shirtless, with his face painted red, white and blue, and wore a fur headdress with horns. He also carried a spear, about 6 feet long, with an American flag affixed just below the blade, according to the Justice Department. Nicknamed Q Shaman for his propagation of baseless QAnon conspiracy theories, Angeli has been a fixture at pro-Trump rallies in Arizona since the 2016 election. He was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Adam Johnson Johnson, 36, of Parrish, Florida, was arrested by U.S. marshals Friday after a widely circulated photograph showed him smiling and waving as he hauled off Speaker Nancy Pelosis lectern. He wore a Trump knit hat with the number 45 on the front. Jail booking records from the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office offered few details about Johnsons arrest but showed that he was taken into custody on a federal warrant. The records list a few identifying tattoos, including one that reads God, wings, cross. He was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, one count of theft of government property, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Richard Barnett Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Arkansas, was photographed sitting with his feet on a desk in Pelosis office. He was arrested Friday in Bentonville, Arkansas. He is scheduled to appear in federal court Tuesday and will ultimately be extradited to Washington, D.C. He was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, violent entry, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and theft of public money, property or records. Eric Gavelek Munchel Munchel, 30, was photographed in the Senate chamber Wednesday clad in military-style clothing and holding zip ties. He was taken into custody in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday, the Justice Department said. One of the officials involved in the case said authorities had recovered several weapons at the time of his arrest. He was charged with one count of unlawfully entering a restricted building and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, the department said in a statement. The department also said that photographs of a person who appeared to be Munchel showed him carrying plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cellphone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward, ostensibly to record events that day. Larry Brock Brock was arrested in Texas on Sunday on the same charges as Munchel after he was identified as one of the people who broke into the Capitol, the Justice Department said. The department said that images of a person who appeared to be Brock showed him clad in a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches, black and camo jacket, and beige pants holding a white flex cuff, which is used by law enforcement to restrain and/or detain subjects. The New Yorker identified him as a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a combat veteran. Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. Meredith was charged with threatening Pelosi after he traveled to Washington for the pro-Trump rally Wednesday and sent a text message saying he would put a bullet in her noggin on Live TV, federal authorities said. Federal agents said he had been staying at a Holiday Inn in Washington and had weapons in his camper-style trailer, including a Glock handgun, a pistol, a Tavor X95 assault rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Meredith has connections to the QAnon conspiracy theory movement and that he erected a billboard in Acworth, Georgia, in 2018 that read #QANON along with the name of his business, Car Nutz Car Wash. He was charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to court records. Doug Jensen Jensen was captured on video pushing far into the Capitol, ignoring the warnings of a law enforcement officer. The FBI arrested him Saturday. The video, taken by Igor Bobic of HuffPost, shows the officer backing away as Jensen approaches him, moving up the stairs and through the halls of the building. Derrick Evans Evans resigned from the West Virginia House of Delegates on Saturday after participating in the storming of the Capitol. He faces two federal charges: knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Evans, a Republican who was elected to the West Virginia House in November, filmed himself entering the Capitol on Wednesday. Like many other members of the mob, he made no effort to conceal his involvement. Were in! he said in his video. Were in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol! Bradley Rukstales Bradley Rukstales, the former chief executive of an Illinois marketing company, was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, the Department of Justice said. Rukstales company Cogensia, based in Schaumburg, Illinois said in a statement Friday that he had been placed on leave. Mr. Rukstales actions were his own, the company said in a statement. He was not acting on behalf of our company nor do his actions in any way reflect the policies or values of our firm. The companys interim chief executive told CBS Chicago later Friday that Rukstales had been fired. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Announces Investigation on Behalf of Dynatrace, Inc. Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces its investigation on behalf of Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT) investors concerning the Company and its directors' and officers' possible violations of state laws. If you purchased Dynatrace stock, 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 Tom Kennedy, of GPM, 230Park Avenue, Suite 530, New York, NY 10169 at tkennedy@glancylaw.com, or at 212-682-5340. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased and held. 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/20210111005935/en/ Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Vincent Fourcaut B. G., Opalesque Geneva: Quantology Capital Management is a Paris-based hedge fund and specialist of behavioural finance. Its motto is "No beliefs, only processes". The firm believes that market opportunities are mainly linked to behavioural biases and has been developing proprietary quantitative and textual databases for the last seven years. Its investment strategy is purely rules-based. Julien Messias, portfolio manager and co-founder, will present in the upcoming Opalesque webinar, Investor Workshop: The Seven Keys to Behavioural Investing, on Tuesday, January 26th at 10 am EST. Vincent Fourcaut, chairman and co-founder, and Francois-Xavier Delorme, who created the firm's wealth management branch, speak to Opalesque about the firm's philosophy and projects. Opalesque: Please tell us about the firm's behavioural investing Vincent Fourcaut: Quantology Capital Management is an independent quantitative asset management company. We focus on exploiting behavioural biases in financial decisions by using proprietary data and algorithms. Our motto is No Beliefs, Only Processes, as we consider there is no value at timing the market. Our key principle is analysing human behaviour following corporate events in stock markets. To build robust financial products (funds, allocations, etc.), we have developed proprietary tools based on our own data and statistics. Opalesque: Your firm has grown over the last year. Can you tell us more? Vincent Fourcaut: As asset managers, we decided, with Francois-Xavier, a little over a year ago, to develop a wealth management service platform dedicated to IFAs (independent financial advisers) and family offices in order to help them to get access to state of the art investment solutions for their end customers (BtoBtoC). We see a lot of synergies between Quantology Capital Management and Quantology Wealth Management given its behavioural know-how. Our strategic focus consists in adding private wealth management to our 2.0 asset management model, which is purely quant and behavioural. Our clients are a bit on the cusp of two worlds, that is, private wealth management and family office. Indeed, there is a group of clients here that is not well served. They belong to a very specific group for which we have very specific solutions. Francois-Xavier Delorme: Our wealth management model seeks to leave behind the maximisation of fees for sales and consultancy. We consider it is key in a client relationship to avoid conflict of interests. Opalesque: What are your wealth management section's objectives and focus? Vincent Fourcaut: In our new wealth management section we aim to find tailor-made solutions. For a French IFA, we have achieved the refinancing of one of their customers with real estate assets of up to 150m; we found a German banking partner for this operation. In terms of team, we employ a hybrid model, which means we only work with people who bring in business; we have half a dozen of them so far. Francois-Xavier coordinates everything and focuses on client management while the third-party managers (IFAs and family offices) are subcontractors and work with their own clients. As a former fund of funds manager at EIM, he takes care of fund selection for our partners. The future of our wealth management firm will also be built through the acquisition of companies. Right now, we are acquiring one company and looking at a second one. Our targets are companies managing assets up to 100m and to develop a network of subsidiaries in countries like Luxembourg, Monaco and Switzerland. Quantology Wealth Management's main focus is (1) fund selection, (2) refinancing solutions and (3) access to club deals (VC, PE, Real Estate). Absolute performance allocation solutions are our main key expertise within our fund selection service. It is worth noting our flagship, award-winning fund Quantology Absolute Return, is a stand-alone solution as well as a part of other co-mingled absolute performance products. The fund is a quantitative long/short equity market neutral fund, which Share U returned almost 7% in 2020, and it strictly implements a rules-based event-driven strategy. Related articles: 02.Mar.2020 Opalesque Exclusive: Quantology Absolute Return bucks the trend with a positive start to the year 07.Apr.2020 Opalesque Exclusive: Corona Fighters - Report 2: Asset managers who delivered during the meltdown Webinar: Investor Workshop: The seven keys to behavioural investing With Julian Robertson, founder of Tiger Management, Robert Zuccaro, founder of Target QR, Roy Niederhoffer, founder of R.G. Niederhoffer Capital Management, and Julien Messias, co-founder of Quantology CM. Date: Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 at 10 a.m. EST Register here for this free webinar: www.opalesque.com/webinar/ Ireland is a peculiar society in the sense that it was a 19th century society up to about 1970 and then it almost bypassed the 20th century. Those were the words of the late, great John McGahern, who wrote frankly about sexuality and taboo subjects surrounding personal relations 60-plus years ago. For that frank piece of writing, he paid a price of ostracism and exile for quite some time. The current series of centenary commemorations reminds us of the hectic pace of change in Ireland in the first two decades of the last century. However, the latest in a series of revelations from our dark past, due for publication this week in the form of the Mother and Baby Homes Commissions heart-rending report is another reminder that very little changed in Ireland for many decades of the new States existence. A central part of the unchanging nature of the nascent State was the inordinate power of the Catholic Church interwoven with considerable failures by the Government to fulfil its storied duty and cherish all the children of the nation equally. That must be the central focus of what will be a very difficult debate in the coming days. The Sunday Independent yesterday gave us a foretaste of the horrors that are due to be outlined. Out of 18 institutions chosen for investigation, we find that 9,000 children, out of a total of 57,000 children in all, died in the years spanning the investigation. Read More It is a large number of child deaths, even in eras when rates of infant mortality were high compared to modern times. We should all be braced for tales of cruelty and neglect. This was a time when Irish society was obsessed with a particular type of respectability. Deep shame was wrought on young people more usually young women who transgressed a very tight and one-dimensional concept of sexual morality. You dont have to be old enough to remember the 1940s or 1950s to know these things. If you can remember the 1980s into the early 1990s, you more than likely can remember the mutterings about a young woman in the locality who got into trouble. Cliches about the past being a foreign country do not apply here. This is recent and it is unresolved, in terms of the issues dealt with in this weeks report. McGaherns comment about Irish society in the last century is pretty much on the money. But many observers will quibble a little with the great mans timescale, because in 1970 we were only getting a small semblance of the change that was on its way. Without labouring the issue, lets make just one point. In 1979, Charlie Haughey as health minister introduced a thing called the Health Family Planning Bill. Mr Haughey later described it as an Irish solution to an Irish problem. And the attorney general in the succeeding Fine Gael-Labour government, Peter Sutherland, wrote shortly afterwards that: The 1979 Act, whilst not saying so directly, limits the sale of contraceptives to persons who, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, are going to use them in a matrimonial relationship. In summary, in the Ireland of 1979, access to contraceptives required a doctors prescription and a marriage certificate. Of course, like so many more of these rules, if you were well off and reasonably informed, you made your own provisions by going to the North, or to Britain, and/or to contraceptive clinics which were technically illegal but operating openly. Being poor and ill-educated was entirely a different matter. And that was the story of too many people who are the subject of this weeks report. This report deserves serious consideration. The people it concerns, who are still living and who were voiceless for too long, must have their stories heard. We are told the Government will tomorrow approve the report and the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, will address the Dail on Wednesday and formally apologise to all who suffered this gross injustice. But the more urgent question is what will happen next since we have, of course, been down this road before. Back in 1999, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern apologised to all who suffered child abuse. In 2013, Taoiseach Enda Kenny apologised to those who were abused in the Magdalene Laundries. In July 2019, in the wake of the landmark European Court of Human Rights case taken by Louise OKeeffe, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar apologised to the victims of child sexual abuse in schools. The real concern here is that Ms OKeeffes case ruling is now seven years old, having been delivered in January 2014. Since then, several hundred victims of sex abuse in schools many of whose abusers were convicted in court have had hopes of success in redress-scheme claims dashed. In fact, Mr Varadkars apology was for the treatment of these victims and included a pledge for swifter moves on redress. Lets recall, also, that Mr Martin, as leader of the opposition, strongly supported these victims campaigns for compensation. Just before Christmas, an advocate for child welfare said victims of sex abuse in schools faced an official culture of obstruction and denial, leaving many survivors to die without redress. In a scathing section of a report dealing with huge delays in handling historic abuse cases in schools, Dr Conor OMahony said that money spent on lawyers fees to defend redress claims would be better spent on meeting the support needs of survivors of abuse. There was a renewed pledge of action from Mr Martins office. But it does not bode well for action on foot of these latest findings. And that, after all, is the kernel of this entire process. Be it so very belated and limited, these people deserve redress, if this report is to mean anything. President-elect Joe Biden on Monday received his second Covid-19 shot, and said that getting vaccines into people's arms would be a "number one priority" for his incoming administration. It comes as vaccine rollout has faltered badly in the world's hardest-hit country, where some 375,000 people have died from the coronavirus and about 3,000 more are dying every day. Some 25.5 million first doses of Covid vaccines have been shipped out to hospitals, clinics and nursing homes across the country, but only around 9 million have been injected, according to official data. The 78-year-old incoming president arrived at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware in the early afternoon, removed his blazer, and thanked the nurse who injected his left arm with the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. "My number one priority is getting vaccine in people's arms, like we just did today, as rapidly as we can," he told reporters, adding that he would be holding a virtual meeting with his coronavirus team later on, and announcing a new strategy on Thursday. "Three to four thousand people a day dying is just beyond the pale... it's wrong, and we can do a lot to change it." He emphasized the need to continue social distancing and mask wearing, and added that he was "appalled" that Republican lawmakers refused to wear masks when they were forced into a security lockdown during last week's Capitol attack by supporters of President Donald Trump. "I think it's irresponsible. It's not a political issue, it's an issue of public safety." Biden has also pledged to push for more direct stimulus checks to taxpayers, and said he was speaking with Republican lawmakers about moving on a second package "sooner rather than later." Short link: Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase 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 Many conservatives have announced they are leaving Twitter after the social media company banned President Donald Trump from the platform, a report says. TV and Radio personalities Greg Gutfeld, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, and Lou Dobbs made official announcements on Saturday to leave Twitter for good. For his last tweet, Gutfeld called out several big companies for their maneuvers to cripple their competition and to rid themselves of any opposition, Breitbart reported. Gutfeld enumerated the pattern he's seeing. "CNN tries to get FNC banned. Apple targets Parler. Publishers dump writers. Music labels drop artists. Twitter bans/removes thousands. Tech companies join hands." "This redefines who the true rebels are," he said and added, "if you like the purge, you're the servant." okay, this IS my last tweet: CNN tries to get FNC banned. Apple targets Parler. Publishers dump writers. music labels drop artists. twitter bans/removes thousands. tech companies join hands. this redefines who the true rebels are. if you like the purge, you're the servant. GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) January 9, 2021 Gutfeld's exit came after Twitter decided to no longer give President Donald Trump access to their platform. In a blog post, Twitter detailed the reasons for the ban. "After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them, we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence." Subsequently, other Big Tech companies were allegedly working together to get rid of Parler, Twitter's competition, but framing their action as measures to protect the public. Besides his backslash on the said companies, Gutfeld also talked about how rocker Ariel Pink got kicked out by his record label after tweeting his attendance of the "Save America March" at the White House on Wednesday. Both Google and Apple removed Parler from their app stores. This barred the app from Android and iPhone smartphones. Amazon followed suit by immediately cutting out Parler from its web hosting service on Sunday. Parler was down as a result until it managed to move to a new host. Having the same reasons as Greg Gutfeld, Rush Limbaugh also decided to deactivate his Twitter account on Friday. Mark Levin and Lou Dobbs did the same but after inviting their followers to join them on Parler. "I have suspended my own Twitter account in protest against Twitter's fascism. I ask all my followers to join me now on Parler and Rumble," says Levin in his tweet on Friday. I have suspended my own Twitter account in protest against Twitter's fascism. I ask all my followers to join me now on Parler and Rumble.https://t.co/XswC88juiGhttps://t.co/1YeTi0ywBk Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) January 8, 2021 On the same day, Dobbs also expressed his annoyance against tech censorship. "I don't believe any American should ever tolerate those who deny us freedom of speech or who would ever be so arrogant as to censor our President. I'm withdrawing from Twitter as of right now. Please join me on Parler @LouDobbsTonight. God bless you and America," he wrote. This post is longer available for viewing. As for other conservatives still on Twitter, they tweeted that they're also seeing a massive decrease in the number of their followers following the President's ban, Breitbart reported. These include Twitter users Brian Kilmeade, Terrence K. Williams, Omar Navarro (who said he spent thousands on Twitter ads), Dave Rubin, Kristy Swanson, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and Michael Malice. "As part of our work to protect the integrity of the conversation on Twitter, we regularly challenge accounts to confirm account details such as email and phone number. Until the accounts confirm additional account information, they are in a locked state and do not count towards follower counts," Twitter informed the New York Post. Undeterred, an exodus of Twitter users strike back by also announcing their exit from the social media platform and their switch to its competitor, Parler. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is searching for whoever is responsible for scraping the word 'Trump' onto a manatee's back in Florida. Manatees are endangered species and harassing one is a federal criminal offense. The harassment of the manatee - which turned the slow-moving animal into a political billboard - was revealed in an underwater video on Monday, obtained by the Citrus County Chronicle. A manatee was found swimming in a Florida river with the word 'TRUMP' etched onto its back The video shows thick, block letters spelling out 'Trump' on the manatee's back. The letters appear to have been scratched into the algae growing on the animal's back. The algae that grows on manatees is thought to help protect the animals, by helping to block out harmful UV rays from the sun, according to Dolphins.org. It's unclear if the manatee could have been injured while the graffiti was scratched onto its back. It's also unknown when or where the carving might've occurred. The manatee was seen on Sunday in the headwaters of the Homosassa River in Citrus County, Florida. The US States Fish and Wildlife Service is now investigating the incident, with senior federal wildlife officer and current investigating officer Craig Cavanna telling the newspaper that he couldn't comment on an ongoing investigation, but that the agency was following leads. Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and it is a federal criminal offense to harass the animals (stock image) The word 'TRUMP' appeared to have been carved into the algae on the manatee's back (shown) Cavanna told the newspaper that, in his experience, what was done to the manatee 'is very out of character for this community,' because 'Wildlife conservation is a core value in Citrus County.' Laws are in place to help protect manatees, which take sanctuary along Citrus County's coastlines, from harassment by swimmers and people operating vessels. Harassing a manatee, which is protected under the Endangered Species Act, could lead to a $50,000 fine and/or up to one-year in federal prison. Citrus County voted overwhelmingly for Trump in the November 2020 election, with nearly 70 per cent of voters choosing the Republican incumbent. Republicans were also elected to represent the county in the state Senate and House and a Republican candidate was elected as sheriff. At least six Citrus County residents traveled to Washington, DC, to attend the Trump rally on the day of the deadly Capitol riot. One of the Trump supporters, Steve Griffin, told the Citrus County Chronicle that he, his mother and other family and relatives had travel to DC in an effort to keep hold of their 'rights' and 'freedom.' 'Theyre trying to steal my rights, my freedom,' Griffin said on January 6, the day of the riot. 'Whats trying to be done? Theyre trying to take away the rights of Americans; theyre Second Amendment rights and freedom of speech.' He claimed that he and his friends didn't go to the Capitol building, where the riot occurred and said that the violence that occurred at the riot, where five people were killed, had been blown 'way out of proportion.' 'When we left after Trumps speech, everything was perfect, there was no violence, no nothing,' Griffin said, adding that he 'got word Pence was not going to do his lawful duty, so there was no point in going to the Capitol.' Of the media reports surrounding the riot, Griffin said: 'Theyre blowing this way, way out of proportion' and said that 'Its not like what theyre saying it is. A lot of this is propaganda.' At least 20 people have been charged with federal crimes following the riot, in which Trump supporters broke into the Capitol building. At least some of the defendants are accused of bringing weapons and bombs to Capitol Hill, while others were nabbed after being photographed as they ransacked the building and invaded congressional offices or bragged about participating in the rioting. Anyone with information about the manatee incident is asked to report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-FWCC (3922), which will pass the information along to the federal agency. Carolyn Doughty of CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate, based in Gulf Shores, Ala., has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Baldwin REALTORS. Carolyn's dedication, knowledge and professionalism have been recognized by her peers for years. It was wonderful to honor her for her long-time commitment. At its recent annual meeting, Baldwin REALTORS recognized Carolyn M. Doughty, sales director for CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate, for her 41+ years of service to the Baldwin County real estate industry. This award is presented to a REALTOR with at least 25 years of experience, with the last 10 or more serving as an active member of Baldwin REALTORS. Consideration for this award is based on member board and committee involvement, leadership, outstanding vision, dedication, commitment to Baldwin REALTORS, and honoring the REALTOR Code of Ethics. Carolyn has been and is a wonderful member of the association, said Sheila Dodson, CEO of Baldwin REALTORS. Her dedication, knowledge and professionalism have been recognized by her peers for years. It was wonderful to honor her for her long-time commitment. Doughty earned a bachelor of science degree in microbiology and worked as a registered medical technologist in the Birmingham area before moving to Gulf Shores and embarking on a real estate career in 1979. There were not many doctors in this area at that time, so my brother, who owned a title company, suggested I get my real estate license. It also gave me the chance to have somewhat flexible hours, which was good since I had three small children. Doughty joined CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate as a sales associate in 1979, and quickly transitioned to other roles, including educational director, sales manager, sales director, broker for the Fort Morgan office, broker for the Orange Beach office, compliance director, sales administration manager, and director of professional development and administration. She said continuing her career with Meyer made perfect sense, especially since her values align seamlessly with those of the companys owner, Sheila Hodges. Ive stayed with Meyer all these years thanks to Sheila and her leadership and the type of company she has created at Meyerprofessional, honest, ethical, trustworthy, fair, respectful, customer focused, innovative. All these qualities are important to me. Hodges congratulated Doughty on the award. I am so grateful that Carolyn and I met when she first moved to Gulf Shores. Her passion for learning, growing, and always doing the right thing has inspired all who have crossed her path. Her devotion to both sellers and buyers was only exceeded by her desire to train those coming into the business. She is the epitome of what a REALTOR should be. Doughtys roots in Baldwin County date back to childhood. I grew up in Citronelle, in north Mobile County. I started vacationing here with my family in the late 1940s and moved to Gulf Shores full time in 1979, she said. My parents built a little cabin on Bon Secour Bay, about halfway down Fort Morgan Road, in 1962, and that is where I moved after retiring from the Gulf Shores City Council in 2016. The Baldwin County real estate market presents many rewards as well as challenges, Doughty said. Baldwin County is such a large, geographically and economically diverse county that it offers all types and price ranges of real estate, ranging from rural and normal residential to resort and commercial. The resort market we have in our area is different in that our buyers and sellers, for the most part, do not live here. Therefore, how a real estate agent creates and builds their business is a little different than they would in a more typical residential market. Since you dont get to know people and build a relationship with them by going to church or school with them, or seeing them in the grocery store or at Little League games, an agent has to find creative ways to meet people. In todays world, that is done through the mail, phone calls, emails, texts, etc., which means it takes longer to build a trusted relationship with an individual. Also, a lot of the people who are looking for an investment property may not need the property like someone who is moving to the area. But, as I tell agents, anyone in the world may want what we are selling because they do not have to move here for it to possibly benefit them as an investment or rental property. Doughty said she was honored to have been chosen for a Lifetime Achievement Award from Baldwin REALTORS. There are so many members who have worked so hard for so many decades that I was surprised and certainly humbled and honored to receive the award this year. I just followed the example that Sheila has always set and really appreciate all of her support for allowing me the time from work to be so actively involved in Baldwin REALTORS as well as the Gulf Shores City Council and other community activities over these past four decades. In addition to her 15 years of service as a member of the Gulf Shores City Council, Doughty has also served in a number of real estate, tourism, philanthropic, educational, and community and civic leadership roles throughout her career. When asked what words of advice she would offer to real estate agents considering a career in Baldwin County, she said it is important to remember that while real estate is a sales business it is also very much a service business. An agent needs to learn everything that they can about the business and the market so that they can provide the best, most accurate information to a buyer or seller. They also need to always put the buyers or sellers interest first and provide the most professional customer service possible. Referrals and repeat business from satisfied customers is what will allow an agent to grow their business more easily. ABOUT CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate Founded in 1967, CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate, part of the SH Enterprises Inc. family of companies that also includes Meyer Vacation Rentals, is an award-winning real estate firm serving buyers and sellers of primary residences and vacation rental properties in Southern Alabama and Northwest Florida. With a focus on building trusted lifetime relationships with its clients, CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate sales professionals have proudly provided honest, ethical and trustworthy service for more than 50 years. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said last week he is reviewing legislation passed by lawmakers that would overhaul the states climate laws, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create renewable energy jobs and protect poorer communities that can be at higher risk from pollution. A highlight of the bill is the goal of attaining a net-zero greenhouse gas emission limit by 2050 in part by setting new statewide limits every five years to help the state reach the goal. The bill would also increase requirements for purchasing offshore wind energy; require emission reduction goals for MassSave, the states energy efficiency program; and write into state law the criteria used to define environmental justice populations communities with lower incomes, larger numbers of non-English speaking adults, or with a nonwhite population of 25% or more. Obviously, there are a lot of elements to that bill, the Republican Baker said. Well be reporting back on that sometime in the next 10 days. The legislation also seeks to improve gas pipeline safety and increase support for renewable energy workforce development programs including those designed to help low-income communities. Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka called the bill a historic step in the fight against climate change, putting Massachusetts on the path to creating a cleaner, greener and healthier future for the next generation. There was little opposition to the bill, which passed by near unanimous votes in the House and Senate. The bill was approved by the House and Senate last Monday evening. Approval of the bill by lawmakers followed the release last week by the Baker administration of a plan that also seeks to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, includes a requirement that all new cars sold in the state be electric by 2035 and converting 1 million homes from fossil fuel to electric heat. The plan came in two reports issued last week by the administration the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan. The bill would also prioritize access to the states solar programs by low-income communities; require an additional 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind, increasing the total to 5,600; create a pathway into the clean energy industry for minority-owned and women-owned businesses; encourage businesses to install solar systems on their premises; and increase fines for gas pipeline safety violations. The focus on pipeline safety follows the series of explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover in September 2018 that killed one person, injured almost two dozen and damaged more than 100 buildings. Federal investigators blamed the explosions on overpressurized gas lines. The explosions led to a $56 million settlement between Massachusetts and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and its parent, NiSource last year. Newly elected Democratic House Speaker Ron Mariano said the bill sends the message Massachusetts will empower our environmental justice communities, achieve net zero emissions by 2050, continue to lead on offshore wind, increase equitable access to our clean energy programs, and create pathways to clean energy jobs for underserved and low-income communities. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Climate Change Massachusetts The City of Pawtucket has filed a lawsuit against the Pawtucket Red Sox, the organization that plans to debut in Worcester in April. The eight-page complaint, which alleges the team failed to comply with maintenance and repair obligations at McCoy Stadium, was filed in Rhode Island Superior Court on Jan. 7, a day before Worcester announced its 35-year lease with the organization. The suit claims the city is now burdened by numerous, costly deficiencies and conditions in the Stadium and its systems requiring repair and/or replacement or other work. This is another unfortunate piece of the Pawtucket Red Sox saga, Pawtucket spokesperson Wilder Arboleda said in an email. The city of Pawtucket worked hard to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox here, but the long-standing team will no longer be playing here in Rhode Island. In October of 2020, the complaint said, the city of Pawtucket informed the PawSox that the organization failed to meet its obligations under the lease. In November, the team responded that it had fully complied with the lease. The Pawtucket Red Sox were stunned to learn of this unfounded lawsuit from our friends and long-time partners at the City of Pawtucket, a spokesperson for the team said in a statement. We will now allow the legal process to run its course, and therefore have no further comment at this time. McCoy Stadium is owned by the city of Pawtucket. The suit claims the organization told the city in July of 2020 that it would not be extending its lease after Jan. 31, 2021. The city and the team continue to have discussions regarding the possibility of a month-to-month lease, Arboleda said. The organization is expected to move to Worcester soon as the team will debut Polar Park in the spring. The City is always willing to continue fruitful partnerships so long as our taxpayers are protected, Arboleda said in a statement. The final season for the PawSox at McCoy Stadium was supposed to be 2020 before COVID canceled the entire season. In 2018, the team announced it was moving to Worcester. Last week, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. filed paperwork that included the finalized lease agreement and cost of the ballpark. The new overall cost for the park is $116.7 million. The citys maximum required costs are $104.5 million and any additional costs are the responsibility of the WooSox. Previously, the cost for the ballpark was estimated to be $99.4 million. In order to have the cash flow available to execute the contracts and avoid delays with the project, the organization asked the city to borrow funds on its behalf. The city agreed but retrieved benefits to bolster their lease with the organization. The lease was increased to 35 years from 30. The WooSox cant relocate any sooner than 25 years. The initial agreement was for 15 years. Related Content: I have waited decades for this moment the moment when Ireland reveals how tens of thousands of unmarried mothers, such as I, and the tens of thousands of our beloved children, such as my dear son Anthony, were torn asunder, simply because we were unwed at the moment our children were born. In my case, after my mother died when I was six years old, my 2 sisters and I were sent to a local orphanage, run by the Sisters of Mercy, where I lived for the next 12 years. I emerged aged 18, knowing nothing of the world, of life, of men, of sex so when I met Anthonys father John and I experienced fun for the first time, Anthony was conceived but I was unaware of what was happening. My pregnancy was met with horror and I was sent to the Sean Ross Abbey, Mother and Baby Home, without a clue of what was in store for me. When at Sean Ross Abbey, along with the other women and girls, I was relegated to the role of an unpaid servant, deprived of my liberty, my independence, my autonomy and was subject to the tyranny of the nuns, who told us daily, that we were shameful and sinful & that we needed to atone for that by working for our keep and surrendering our children to the nuns for forced adoption. I endured a very painful, breech birth and was taunted by the nuns, who said that my pain was a punishment for my promiscuity; they even told the other girls, to get down on their knees and pray for me as I might not survive. I loved my son immediately and I was his mother at Sean Ross Abbey and we saw each other every day. He was a beautiful boy and very, very bright and I knew he would succeed at whatever he did. In my Anthonys case, he was selected for trafficking to America without my knowledge or consent and shortly after his 3rd birthday, he was suddenly taken by the nuns along with his best friend, Mary and sent off to Shannon Airport to fly to the US for a new life, with strangers, when he had never before left my side or even the grounds of Sean Ross Abbey. In the midst of my own devastating grief, it cut me to the quick to think how Anthony and Mary might be feeling; everything they had known and loved, their mothers, their names, their friends, their culture, were gone, taken like them, never to be mentioned again. It broke my heart all over again when I discovered that Anthony (now known as Michael Hess) had returned many times to Sean Ross Abbey, looking for word of me, only to be told by the nuns that I could not be traced and that in any case, I had abandoned him when he was a few days old. I had also been at Sean Ross Abbey, along with my daughter Jane, many times, looking for word of Anthony to be told that he was untraceable and that I should live with that. Anthony would ultimately die, without hearing from the nuns that they knew exactly where I was was and most cruelly, without telling him, that he & I had lived together for 3 years, that I had loved him and without telling him that it was my dearest wish to find him, hold him & tell him how much I loved him. I also wanted this for my daughter Jane and my son Kevin, who were desperate to know their elder brother. The nuns had even accepted two substantial donations from Anthony before he died and from his partner after his death, to have a gravestone erected at Sean Ross Abbey, bearing his original name & the inscription, A man of two nations and many talents. Jane and I only discovered Anthonys fate thanks to a photograph of Anthonys gravestone taken by Judy Campbell, which Mari Steed (another Irish citizen, born in Bessboro to a loving mother and trafficked to the US) spotted in a discussion forum run by Irish adopted people and told us the tragic news. It saddens me so much to hear from the hundreds of adopted people, I meet every year at the memorial service at Sean Ross Abbey, that the Irish state, having breached so many of their human rights, seeks to prevent them from knowing the truth about their early lives and treats them no better than criminals. They are denied their own names, their own birth certs, access to their files and the truth of their family destruction. It seems to me that this is a deliberate ploy to hide from the survivors and the world the shameful way they treated our children. I have worked closely with Adoption Rights Alliance since they helped Jane, Kevin and I to discover Anthonys fate and together we established the Philomena Project in 2014. The main goals of the project are to empower the mothers and children so cruelly separated, to discover the truth about what happened to them and to hold to account the Irish State and other agents, who brought about this cruellest of separations. For the purposes of healing, I believe it is essential that the Irish State and various churches involved in the enslavement of unmarried mothers and the trading of their children, would apologise, without reservation and would compensate the many generations of families, who have suffered unbearable suffering and loss as a result of the states failure to recognise and honour the equality promised to all Irish citizens by the states founders. I can only hope that the authors of this report, recognise these facts and that those of us who were detained against our wills in Mother and Baby Homes and gave birth there are not all of the mothers nor all of the children who have suffered and that the tens of thousands, who went through State Maternity Hospitals, State Childrens Hospitals and various private institutions suffered the same fate, the unlawful destruction of their families, through forced adoption, child trafficking, forced labour etc. I am dismayed that portions of the report, have been leaked to the press ahead of the survivors having sight of it and digesting its findings. This will undoubtedly add to the heartache and trauma of those directly affected and I am concerned for the welfare of all. Irish people owe it to the memory of those mothers and children, who have died, without knowing the truth and to resolve that such atrocities will never be allowed to happen again. Telegram launched a feature called 'People Nearby' for added functionality. However, a researcher described the new feature as a loophole, which can detect a user's exact location that might impose a potential threat. Telegram's feature might cause a threat to its users The famous application Telegram rolled out its latest feature called 'People Nearby,' which would enable users to explore other nearby Telegram users who are in the section at the time. This cool feature would let interested people engage and create local groups. To use Telegram's 'People Nearby,' users have to enable location services to let the app spot their exact location and list them in the 'People Nearby' group. However, an independent researcher Ahmed Hussian claims that the new feature is a security threat. According to Tech Dator, Ahmed Hussian said that the 'People Nearby' feature could be exploited if a threat actor uses free and straightforward tools to spoof location and be discoverable by others. Hussian added that hackers could connect with targets or groups and send them hacking tools, fake bitcoin investments, stolen security numbers, and other scams. The researcher also demonstrates the possible incident using a rooted Android phone and a free GPS application and created a video. Ahmed shared his findings with Telegram, but the company responded that the 'People Nearby' feature is not a bug and does not cover their bug bounty program. Besides, Telegram said the feature is off by default and would only work for people who intentionally enable it. But it depends on how the feature will be used. The app recommended its users to keep the feature off unless they needed to use it. Also Read: Trump's Response to Permanent Account Suspension: Twitter Has Gone Further and Further in Banning Free Speech Telegram founder urged Facebook to respect users Recently, the messaging app's founder Ravel Durov made noise as he asked Facebook to respect its users. According to Money Control via MSN, Durov slammed Facebook, which also owns WhatsApp. Messaging platforms Signal and Telegram surge in popularity after WhatsApp's new privacy policy received concerns about data-sharing with Facebook. In a post on his Telegram channel, Durov said, "I hear Facebook has an entire department devoted to figuring out why Telegram is so popular. Imagine dozens of employees working on just that full-time." Within two days, Telegram saw approximately 2.2 million downloads, as per Reuters' January 8 report citing Sensor Tower data. Telegram has nearly 500 million users. Durov claims that the app turned into a "major problem" for WhatsApp. The Telegram founder also accused WhatsApp of converting marketing that Wikipedia editors recently exposed several paid bots and added biased information into the WhatsApp Wikipedia article, Money Control reported. The Russian founder sought some "myths" about Telegram after witnessing inaccurate information regarding social media platforms. Durov cleared Telegram's code as an open-source, and chats are encrypted. From 2018 to 2020, Telegram does not have offices or servers in the country and was blocked from 2018 to 2020, Durov said. Also Read: Talkspace Acquires Lasting App @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Alliance News) - British Gas engineers will complete a five-day strike on Monday, with no sign of a breakthrough in the dispute over pay and conditions. Members of the GMB union walked out last Thursday and have been mounting socially distanced picket lines across the UK after being "provoked" into taking industrial action. British Gas owner Centrica PLC said it had contingency plans to deal with the action, and was prioritising vulnerable households and emergencies. The strike involves around 4,500 service and repair gas engineers, 600 central heating installers, 540 electrical engineers, 170 specialist business gas engineers and 1,700 smart metering engineers, said the union. GMB national officer Justin Bowden said: "The only way for profitable British Gas to end this massive disruption they are provoking for their customers in the bleak midwinter is to take their outrageous 'fire and rehire' threat off the table. "Instead of lashing out at its own workforce, who overwhelmingly rejected this plan and voted to take strike action, the company should look closer to home a stop threatening to fire the entire engineer workforce and enter constructive discussions with GMB." The strike follows a 9-1 vote in favour of industrial action by members of the GMB, which accused Centrica of planning to cut pay, terms and conditions under moves to "fire and rehire" employees. A Centrica spokesman said: "We've done everything we can with the GMB to avoid industrial action. "Whilst we've made great progress with our other unions, sadly the GMB leadership seems intent on causing disruption to customers during the coldest weekend of the year, amid a global health crisis and in the middle of a national lockdown. "We have strong contingency plans in place to ensure we will still be there for customers who really need us, and we'll prioritise vulnerable households and emergencies." Centrica said it has lost too many customers and jobs in recent years, adding that it is trying to protect jobs. "If we are to avoid more job losses and continue, unlike most in the sector, to maintain a highly skilled team of engineers, employed directly by the company, these new terms and conditions are essential." "A very significant number of engineers striking will have accepted the new terms already," it said, adding that four out of five of its workforce have accepted new terms, in which base pay and pensions are protected. source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, speaks during a Senate Executive Committee hearing Sunday at the Capitol in Springfield. Lightford is one of the sponsors of a K-12 education bill that would expand resources for marginalized students and reform education policies that disproportionately harm students of color. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 San Franciscos office market had its weakest year in at least three decades in 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic bringing business expansion to a near standstill. New leasing activity plunged 71% from 2019, according to real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield. At 2.2 million square feet, down from 7.7 million, it is the lowest level on record dating to the 1990s. The pandemic destroyed a nearly decade-long real estate boom, forcing most office workers to stay home and emptying once-bustling downtown streets. Many companies such as Twitter and Dropbox sought to downsize through sublease listings, which now account for more than half of the 16.7% vacancy rate, the highest level since 2005, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Almost no new large leases were completed in 2020. The largest was signed by Vir, a biotech company researching COVID-19, which took 133,896 square feet at Dropboxs 1800 Owens St. headquarters in Mission Bay. The artificial intelligence nonprofit OpenAI expanded to 96,000 square feet at 575 Florida St. It just was a very difficult year, with everything frozen in place, said Robert Sammons, Cushman & Wakefield senior director of Bay Area research. Office projects under construction, which in recent years were often fully leased before completed, saw no leases signed last year. Brookfield Properties partially built office tower at the 5M project and its Pier 70 development are still seeking tenants. Brookfield is partnering with Hearst Corp., owner of The Chronicle, on the 5M project. Brookfield declined to comment. Oceanwide Center, planned to be San Franciscos second tallest tower, suspended construction and failed to sell to investment firm Hony Capital after months of delays, according to a public filing last week from Chinese owner Oceanwide Holdings. A slew of new offices planned in the central South of Market area have yet to move forward, with Pinterest canceling a 490,000-square-foot lease in one of them. Owner Alexandria Real Estate Equities said the project, 88 Bluxome, could potentially be build as lab space for biotech tenants, which is one of the few positive sectors in the economy. Sammons said it would be a logical change, because the projects are not far from Mission Bay, the citys hub for life sciences. Despite devastation in much of the economy, venture capital in San Francisco set an annual record of $27.2 billion last year, according to research firm PitchBook, a sign of resiliency for the tech sector. PitchBook said initial public offerings in the Bay Area also set a record with 67, led by Airbnb, which saw its business falter and then recover during the pandemic. But its unclear whether new funding will translate directly to office demand as it has in the past, said Alexander Quinn, director of research for Northern California at JLL, a real estate brokerage. Were in such an unusual time. Until we have any semblance of control of the coronavirus, were going to be struggling, especially in the office market, he said. Major tech employers including Salesforce, Uber and Facebook dont plan to have office workers return until at least the summer. Google has pushed back the return until September, and could have workers at the office only three days a week, which could further hurt local retail and restaurant spending and transit fare collection. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. At the same time, Google is still pursuing major expansion plans in San Jose, as well as Sunnyvale and Mountain View. It signed a relatively small lease of 42,000 square feet last year in San Francisco. The big tech players will be interesting to watch, to see what they do in the city and what they do in the rest of the Bay Area, Sammons said. They certainly havent given up on the Bay Area. Office rents dropped 9.6% over the past year to $75.11 per square foot annually, according to Cushman & Wakefield, and apartment rents plunged by more than 24%, according to Zumper. That discount could entice some companies to expand and residents to stay or move back eventually, Sammons said. He expects the market to recover by 2022, and it could happen sooner if there is additional federal stimulus for cities and states, and if there is a successful vaccine distribution. The first step will be for nonessential office workers to return, a time frame that is unclear after San Francisco indefinitely extended its stay-at-home orders last week. There are a lot of unknowns. Its in a wait-and-see mode, Sammons said. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Foreign Shipping Traffic 2021, March Published: 11 January 2021 Sea transport decreased in November The goods volume of foreign sea transport was in total 7.9 million tonnes in November 2020. Sea transport decreased by four per cent from last year's November. Exports decreased by 5 per cent and were 4.2 million tonnes. Import volume decreased by three per cent and amounted to 3.7 million tonnes. Foreign sea Transport by month (tonnes) in 2018 to 2020 General cargo was transported most, in total 1.4 million tonnes, which is 18 per cent of all transport. The second most transported was oil products, 1.1 million tonnes, and crude oil, 0.8 million tonnes. Container transport A total of 0.9 million tonnes of containers were transported through Finnish ports in November 2020, which is nine per cent less than in November 2019. The number of containers transported was 65,417 (116,883 TEU containers) 1) . Exports of containers went down by 10 per cent measured in tonnes and imports went down by six per cent compared to November 2019. Vehicle transport A total of 186,037 transport equipment were transported in foreign sea traffic in November 2020. Most transports of transport equipment were passenger cars belonging to passengers. In November, 87,871 passenger cars were transported. The second most transported were trucks, 57,759 and truck trailers, 37,680. Passenger traffic A total of 319,258 persons were transported in passenger traffic in November 2020. In all, 214,427 persons travelled between Finland and Estonia and 100,880 persons between Finland and Sweden and 3,950 passengers between Finland and Germany. Passengers made up only 26 per cent of the number of passengers in November 2019. In November 2020, no passengers of foreign cruise ships arrived in Finland. Vessel traffic and goods volume in the Saimaa Canal A total of 97,751 tons of transport were registered through the canal in foreign traffic. Crude minerals and cement was transported most in vessels in foreign traffic, in total 25,741 tonnes. The second most transported was timber. 1) TEU, the basic measurement unit of container traffic, refers to one container that is twenty feet long, eight feet wide and 8.5 feet high. Source: Transport and tourism, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Matti Kokkonen 029 551 3770, Sami Lahtinen 029 551 3207, matti.kokkonen@tilastokeskus.fi Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala Publication in pdf-format (166.6 kB) Updated 11.01.2021 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Foreign Shipping Traffic [e-publication]. ISSN=2670-2002. November 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 27.5.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/uvliik/2020/11/uvliik_2020_11_2021-01-11_tie_001_en.html COLUMBIA The fight over when Richland One school district students should return to classrooms amid the COVID-19 outbreak has split teachers, parents and education advocates. Now, its seeping into the capital countys legislative delegation and prompting a discussion about how far lawmakers should go when wading into local government disputes. More than 1,000 parents clamoring for a return to in-person classes took their concerns to several Richland County lawmakers, saying they were ignored by district leaders. That ultimately led to a pointed exchange between state Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Columbia, and Craig Witherspoon, head of South Carolina's ninth-largest school district, during a December webinar. What exactly was said remains unknown, but in its aftermath, one of Bernstein's political allies said the entire situation was mishandled. You dont go to the barbershop to get your coffee. Weve got to know whats appropriate and where to go, said state Rep. Leon Howard, a Columbia Democrat and chairman of Richland Countys legislative delegation. Race is playing a role in the spat, Howard said, though he did not think Bernstein, who is White, was a racist. Witherspoon is Black. For some who heard it, Howard said, the subtext of the conversation reminded them of a time when Black people were spoken to dismissively by their White peers. What triggered the escalation in the spat between Bernstein and Witherspoon is unclear because The Hunt Institute, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that hosted the Dec. 15 online session, refused The Post and Courier's requests for a recording of the webinar. Bernstein said Witherspoon was quite defensive and disrespectful during the webinar. I was astonished to be treated so rudely by him, and I can understand why parents feel their voices are not being heard, Bernstein said in a Dec. 18 letter to then-Richland One school board Chairman Jamie Devine, who asked her to apologize publicly for the interaction. Richland One's 24,000 students began returning to classrooms on a part-time basis the week of Halloween later than many of their peers. Officials made the decision based on COVID-19 rates at the time. A Sept. 14 petition signed by 1,123 parents called on Richland One leaders to immediately offer face-to-face learning after the district decided to start with all-virtual classes. After organizers felt ignored by Richland One leaders, the petition made its way to the offices of Bernstein and Republican state Rep. Kirkman Finlay, also of Columbia. The lawmakers met privately with Witherspoon on Oct. 6 to talk about the concerns raised by parents talks Bernstein described as fruitless and plagued by the superintendents dismissive and disengaged tone. Bernstein used her next opportunity to engage with Witherspoon, following up on his perceived lack of communication with parents, during the December invitation-only webinar. State Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Hopkins, moderated the forum but declined comment other than to say the webinar was not the place for that type of exchange. Howard, who is Black, said Bernsteins approach also evoked painful memories of racial mistreatment from the not-too-distant past but called her a wonderful person. Howard said he and Bernstein havent discussed the matter but added they have a cordial relationship. We came up in a different environment where we've been disrespected by White people, and I don't think Beth is that kind of a person, but that rests within the inner soul of a Black man, Howard said. Cultural diversity and understanding people's history has got a lot to do with behavior. Howard pointed to a 2019 incident between state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia, and a member of the legislative delegations staff, James Brown. Brown accused the former state Democratic Party chairman of a profanity-laced tirade that Howard told The Post and Courier left Brown with flashbacks of how White folks treated him back on the farm. Harpootlian apologized for his outburst, but not the substance behind his argument that delegation staff was a waste of taxpayer dollars. While he said Bernstein used softer language, Howard questioned her approach to Witherspoon. The big picture is respect and procedure, he said. I understand a thousand parents signed a petition, and the parents deserve to be recognized but the process and the way she went about it was inappropriate." Neither Howard nor Devine, who is also Black, were on the Dec. 15 webinar, but the school district commissioner told The Post and Courier he hasnt changed his position. I stand by my letter. This is about being able to disagree without being disrespectful, he said in short statement. Bernstein said she respects the school districts autonomy and was not trying to influence policy decisions. We wanted to stay in our own lane not get involved in school board issues since the board is elected to handle those issues but felt that Dr. Witherspoon should reach out to these parents and communicate why it wasnt feasible to go back to in-person learning if that was the districts decision, Bernstein said in an email to The Post and Courier. Howard said Bernstein should not apologize if she feels like she acted correctly, saying it would be an empty gesture. And Bernstein made it clear she has no intention of doing so. I will not be silenced or intimidated by you or Dr. Witherspoon, she wrote to Devine. Richland One spokeswoman Karen York said district officials have worked tirelessly to make the best decisions for its 24,000 students, including the creation of a reopening landing page on its website and consultations with a 100-member plus task force. We also listen to our parents. Some parents have said and still say that we should continue with virtual learning until its safe to resume normal face-to-face instruction, York said in a statement. We also listen to parents who want us to return to four or five days of face-to-face instruction now. We can appreciate all views about the circumstances we find ourselves in due to this unprecedented pandemic. All district classes are being conducted virtually through at least Jan. 19 to avoid a post-holiday spike in coronavirus cases. Prior to winter break, students were behind desks two days a week. As of Jan. 7, more than 240 students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the academic year, with 25 active cases. We look at the data, including the COVID-19 numbers for Richland County and Richland One, and we try to make the best decisions possible for our students and staff. Associated with the impact of COVID-19 on the district is the availability of staff needed to ensure safe operations, York said. ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. The Oneida County Board of Elections ignored a state law in the November election, a failure that meant 700 voters ballots werent counted for President and big statewide races. The mistake Oneida Countys latest surfaced as part of a court case between Democrat Anthony Brindisi and Republican Claudia Tenney as they fight for the 22nd Congressional District seat. The seat is the last undecided Congressional district in the country and is now divided by 29 votes of 311,695 cast for the two candidates. The 700 voters were among about 1,800 whose affidavit ballots were initially rejected by the county elections board. A ruling in early December from state Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte meant the 1,800 ballots were reviewed again, and thats when the error was discovered. The votes were restored for the Congressional race, but were not in time for the presidential and other races. The elections commissioners Democrat Carolann Cardone and Republican Rose Marie Grimaldi failed to implement a 2019 state law that allows validly registered New York voters from any county to cast an affidavit ballot when they move into a different county. In Oneida Countys case, 700 people moved to Oneida County between elections, and the law allowed them to vote without having to re-register. Elections commissioners tossed their ballots anyway. Because campaign representatives caught the mistake in the second review of the rejected ballots, the 700 votes were added to the count: 333 for Brindisi, 343 for Tenney and 24 for libertarian candidate Keith Price. The new ballots increased Tenneys lead from 19 to 29 ballots. But by that time, Dec. 30, races had been called in basically every other election in the state, including for president, state Supreme Court, state Senate and state Assembly. So that meant the 700 voters did not have their voices heard in any of those races. Those races were ultimately decided by margins well above 700 votes, so the mistake didnt cost any candidate a race. Still, Dustin Czarny, Onondaga Countys elections commissioner, called the error egregious. He pointed out that there have been four elections in Oneida County and elsewhere since the law was enacted in January 2019, including general elections and primaries in both 2019 and 2020. This has been a rough year for elections staff, he said, with huge voter turnout occurring amid a pandemic, plus a slate of complicated, statewide elections reforms. But he stressed that he knows of no other county that failed to implement the change in law. Thats bad, Czarny said. I cant defend that one. Onondaga County, where Czarny is commissioner, is not in the 22nd Congressional District. Vincent Rossi, an attorney representing one of the elections commissioners, declined to comment on the error due to the ongoing court case, even though the 700 votes are not being contested in court. The whole procedure is under review, he said. I have no comment. DelConte, the judge, said it was unfortunate that the 700 voters ballots were not reviewed in time to count for the federal and state races. He noted he didnt have the authority to make those ballots count, even though the voters did nothing wrong to result in their votes being rejected in the first place. In addition to the mistake with the 700 voters, Oneida Countys elections staff have come under scrutiny for their use of sticky notes that fell off of certain challenged ballots, in addition to failing to process more than 2,400 applications from voters who applied to register through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Reporter Patrick Lohmann can be reached at PLohmann@Syracuse.com or (315)766-6670. MORE ON THE NY-22 ELECTION Oneida County botched 2,400 voter signups, preventing their votes in Brindisi-Tenney race At least 63 voters who did everything right could see votes nixed in Brindisi-Tenney race Court case to decide winner in NY-22 House race to take at least another week Brindisi, Tenney argue, vote by vote, in epic nail-biter. How perfect does a voter have to be? Tenney keeps lead in undecided NY-22 election as ballots go to judge All eyes turned to court battle over NY 22nd election. Then it took a week off. Why? Tenneys friends question integrity of House election, raise money for recount 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 It's unlikely an Air Force veteran who entered the Senate Chamber during the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., will face a military court-martial, according to legal experts. Larry Rendall Brock Jr., seen brandishing zip-tie handcuffs during the pro-Trump siege, was arrested Sunday in Texas and charged with knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, along with one count of "violent entry and disorderly conduct," according to the Justice Department. Brock retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2014 as a lieutenant colonel, according to the service. While he faces civilian charges, he is unlikely to be recalled to go through the military justice system, experts say. Read Next: Army Investigates Fort Bragg Soldier for Attending Rally That Ended in US Capitol Breach Zachary Spilman, the lead contributor for the military justice blog CAAFlog, explained Monday that Brock is not subject to a court-martial, despite his past military service. Spilman and other experts made clear that Brock's exact status the day he entered restricted federal property matters because the Uniform Code of Military Justice applies differently to different groups. "Broadly speaking, court-martial jurisdiction over retired members is limited to retired regulars," Spilman, a Marine reservist and lawyer who specializes in military justice, said in an email, referring to those who retired from active duty. The issue is complicated: Retired members of a reserve component are subject to court-martial only if they receive hospitalization care from one of the armed forces, according to Section 802 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, said Steve Vladeck, a University of Texas School of Law professor who specializes in national security legal matters. Brock graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 and commissioned as an active-duty second lieutenant. He transferred into the Air Force Reserve in 1998, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said Saturday. Since he later retired from the Reserve, the UCMJ "did not apply" to him on Jan. 6, Spilman explained. A ruling issued by a federal district court judge in November further complicates matters, Vladeck said on Twitter. In Larrabee v. Braithwaite, Judge Richard Leon of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that it was unconstitutional to court-martial members of the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve for offenses they committed after retiring from active duty. It may even apply to active-duty retirees, Spilman added. That case concerns retired Staff Sgt. Steven Larrabee, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a bartender, the wife of an active-duty Marine, at a bar in Iwakuni, Japan, where he worked as a civilian. He had retired from active duty in 2015 but had been placed on the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve status list for three months. The assault occurred while he was in Reserve status. After a court-martial, during which Larrabee wore civilian attire, he was sentenced to eight years' confinement, a reprimand and a dishonorable discharge. In a pre-trial agreement, his prison term was reduced to 10 months. Larrabee attempted to have his conviction overturned on appeal, stating it was for a civilian -- not military -- court to decide his fate. "Based purely on Larrabee, [someone like Brock] cannot be brought back ... [and tried]," explained Gary Solis, who served as a Marine judge advocate general and taught military law at West Point and Georgetown University. Any pay and benefits Brock may still receive as a retiree probably cannot be stripped, either. "You can't do that without a judicial action [like a court-martial]," Solis said. "And since he's not subject to military jurisdiction, he's probably home free on his retirement." If the military wanted to make an example of any retirees who commit offenses, it could still pursue cases, Solis said. "If they want to get aggressive, they could bring [forth] a case in spite of Larrabee because Larrabee is not all that firm," he said. The ruling may be appealed soon, Vladeck noted. It's expected that the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces will hear arguments surrounding Larrabee this spring, as well as another case regarding jurisdiction over ex-military members who commit crimes while transitioning from active-duty orders. The second case centers on retired Chief Petty Officer Stephen Begani, who was court-martialed after leaving the Navy on charges of attempted sexual abuse of a child. Begani was picked up by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents on Aug. 5, 2017, a little over a month after he left active duty and then transferred to the Fleet Reserve. He received a bad-conduct discharge and was sentenced to 18 months' confinement. The news of Brock's Air Force affiliation was first reported by Ronan Farrow of The New Yorker. Brock was an A-10 Warthog pilot until 2007, Stefanek said. His last known position was Admissions Liaison Officer with the U.S. Air Force Academy prior to his retirement, according to credentials provided to Military.com. A list of his other unit assignments and decorations was not available. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Monday for a Defense Department investigation in cooperation with other agencies to examine how many active and retired military members may have participated in the Capitol riots. In a letter sent to Acting Defense Secretary Christoper Miller, Duckworth stressed that each service branch should initiate inquiries into "whether members of the U.S. Armed Forces, retired members of a regular component of the U.S. Armed Forces and members of the Fleet Reserve/Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, engaged in insurrection against the authority of the United States." The military typically cannot try those who have separated from the service, Vladeck added. Those who remain subject to the UCMJ must be held accountable, Duckworth said in the letter. If the department doesn't take any action, "it would be a disgraceful insult to the vast majority of service members who honorably serve our nation in accordance with the core values of their respective services," she said. -- Patricia Kime and Gina Harkins contributed to this report. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Arrested, Charged in Capitol Riot Advertisement Antifa protesters wearing helmets and carrying riot shields marched through the streets of Manhattan on Sunday amid fears of further political violence after last week's deadly mob attack by Donald Trump supporters at the Capitol. Dozens of protesters marched through Times Square in New York City with at least one waving a Black Lives Matter flag and another dressed in a mock police uniform with a pig's head. One woman held a placard saying 'Trump Lost! Fascists Get Out!' and 'Trump/Pence Out Now' amid calls for the president to be impeached a second time for inciting the Capitol riot. While the march appeared mostly peaceful, one hardline Trump supporter claimed she was 'assaulted' by protesters who allegedly egged her and harassed her with an umbrella while she tried to film the protest. An Antifa group in New York claimed the march as as an 'anti-fascist victory' after few Trump supporters turned out to challenge them, saying that 'MAGA and the Proud Boys didn't show up because we mobilized'. Fears of renewed violence have led to a crackdown by social media giants against Trump and some of his supporters, with last week's siege raising concerns over what will happen at next week's Biden inauguration. Trump supporters are feared to be targeting Biden's inauguration for more violence, and there are plans for a 'million militia march' across the country to repeat their discredited claims that the election was 'stolen' from Trump. March: Antifa protesters wearing helmets and carrying riot shields march through Times Square on Sunday in a protest that came amid calls for Donald Trump's resignation or removal after last week's violence at the Capitol Show of force: The black-clad protesters marched through the streets of New York City in a protest which they hailed as an 'anti-fascist victory' because MAGA and Proud Boys rivals failed to show up Face to face: A protester wearing a mock police uniform and a pig's head holds a microphone towards an NYPD officer on a bicycle during Sunday's Antifa protest in Manhattan The NYC protest came a day after clashes between Trump supporters and Antifa protesters in San Diego, where rocks, bottles and eggs were thrown at police during what was declared an unlawful assembly. Television footage showed black-clad Antifa protesters throwing a folding chair and spraying a chemical irritant at another group of people on the Pacific Beach boardwalk. In Washington, the Capitol has been surrounded by fencing after the Trump-supporting mob overran the scaffolding that had been put up ahead of Biden's swearing in on January 20. The inauguration has already been scaled back because of the pandemic and is further out of the ordinary because Trump will not be attending to see his successor take the oath. A few groups have submitted requests for protest permits with the National Park Service for the inauguration, including a group called 'Let America Hear Us Roar For Trump' that seeks to 'support our President.' In November, the leader of the the extremist Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, vowed send his members to the inauguration disguised as Biden supporters to sow chaos. But with Tarrio banned from DC for six months as a condition of bail and federal authorities seeking other members in connection with Wednesday's attack, it was unclear if those plans are still on Eye to eye: One protester lowered his mask to harangue a police officer during Sunday's protest, which comes amid fears of further political violence ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on January 20 Equipped: The Antifa protesters brought helmets, goggles and matching riot shields to their march on Sunday, with some of them carrying Black Lives Matter paraphernalia Protest: A man wearing a purple ski mask dragged an American flag over a pedestrian crossing during Sunday's march On the streets: A New York Antifa group praised the shield-bearing protesters who 'turned out, kept each other safe, marched, played music, chanted, and showed the world that the far-right is never, ever welcome here' Washington's mayor has asked for increased security around the inauguration amid fears that far-right extremists are planning further violence. More than 6,000 members of the National Guard from Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland will help support the Capitol Police and other law enforcement in Washington for the next 30 days. The Secret Service is also overseeing security at the event along with other federal agencies including the Department of Defense. Biden told reporters on Friday that he has 'great confidence in the Secret Service' and their ability to make sure the inauguration 'goes off safely.' The hardened-up security plans in DC come after the Department of Defense said it was aware of 'further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists in the days up to and including Inauguration Day', Congressman Jason Crow (D - Colorado) said in a statement Sunday after speaking with Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy about security preparations. The Department of Homeland Security is working with the Defense Department, local DC authorities and inauguration officials to sharpen the law enforcement response in the coming days, including by erecting non-scalable fencing and security checkpoints around Capitol Hill. 'Now that it happened people will take it much more seriously,' a senior DHS official told CNN in reference to last week's violence. 'Now, the planners, they are all going to take it much more seriously.' Federal and local authorities have faced fierce criticism for their perceived failure to crack down on Wednesday's insurrection despite evidence that they knew it was coming. Hundreds of people might now face federal charges in the wake of last week's Capitol breach, DC's acting US attorney said in an interview with NPR over the weekend, saying a massive, 24-hour-a-day hunt was on to identify suspects and bring charges against them. In the meantime, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said she is 'extremely concerned' about security on Inauguration Day in a letter to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf over the weekend. She wrote that the event 'will require a very different approach to previous inaugurations given the chaos, injury and death experienced at the US Capitol during the insurrection'. Federal and state officials are said to be working together in all 50 states to monitor online chatter about efforts to organize protests that could lead to further violence. The DHS has faced criticism for failing to step in when Capitol Police requested back-up during last week's insurrection. The Pentagon is now considering sending as many as 13,000 guardsmen to secure the nation's capital on Inauguration Day, January 20. Prior to the Capitol breach, officials had planned to deploy roughly 7,000 guardsmen With Joe Biden's inauguration fast approaching in nine days, Washington, DC, and cities around the US are bracing for violent protests similar to that which left five people dead at the Capitol last week. Pictured: Members of the New York National Guard line up on the East Front of the Capitol on Monday morning Cuccinelli suggested the agency didn't get enough notice, saying that by the time the request came in, 'it was just too close to when everything began to heat up'. But a former top DHS official dismissed that assertion, arguing that authorities were aware of the possibility of violence well in advance. 'Law enforcement was ill-prepared for an event the entire country knew was coming, and one that POTUS had been signaling for weeks,' Brian Harrell, former DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection, told CNN, referencing the president. 'The normal "layers of security", with each inner layer being tougher to breach, was nearly non-existent. It's shocking, that in a post 9/11 world, we witnessed the "people's house" be breached and ransacked with ease', Harrell said. Harrell said he expects much more substantial security will be implemented prior to the inauguration. He said the biggest threats to the event will be an active shooter scenario, vehicle ramming and the deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure. Masked protesters carried a banner saying 'United Against Racism and Fascism, NYC' past a Barclays building in Manhattan by Mathias Hariyadi Army and navy divers, dredgers, cranes and balloons used to remove aircraft wreckage. Several bodies and body parts recovered but identification has to be carried out through DNA. There were 50 passengers on the plane - 43 adults and 7 children - along with 12 crew members. Entire families are among the victims. A 24-year-old was saved by chance: at the last moment he chose the ferry over the plane because he did not have enough money to pay for a Covid test. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - In the early hours of this morning, Admiral Abdul Rasyid Kacong, commander-in-chief of the Navy, confirmed that the black box of the Sriwijaya Air SJ-182 plane that sank two days ago had been identified in the sea off the island of Seribu. The black box should be under wreckage of the plane destroyed on impact with the sea surface and the naval armed forces have prepared a team of divers, cranes and balloons to be able to move the wreckage and recover it. Admiral Kacong also confirmed that several bodies or body parts of the victims were recovered, along with other parts of the plane. The Indonesian police are working on identifying the remains and confirms the receipt of at least 40 DNA samples from the families of the passengers, all of whom are believed to be dead. Police spokesman, Gen. Rusdi Hartono said 14 DNA samples come from Jakarta, 24 from Pontianak, 1 from East Java and another from Sulawesi. There were 50 passengers on the plane - 43 adults and 7 children - along with 12 crew members. The jet, a Boeing 737-500, had departed from Jakarta for Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, but at 2.40 pm, the control tower of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport lost contact. It is believed the plane has crashed around 2.16, quickly losing altitude. Sriwijaya Air company claims the aircraft was in good condition despite its 27 years of operation. But the families of the victims claim the opposite and complain that the company changed planes at the last moment. In fact, the passengers were originally supposed to fly on an aircraft of NAM Air, a subsidiary of Sriwijaya Air. But as often happens in this difficult period of air transport, for "technical reasons" (which means for a too small number of passengers rather than real technical reasons), the passengers were transferred to another flight, with the same route, but different time. Tragic stories about the accident are piling up in the Indonesian media. Among them is the story of an entire family from Bangka Island all killed. Risky Wahyudi, 26, along with his wife Indah Halimah Putri, also 26, and their one-month-old baby, Arcana Nadhif Wahyudi were all on board the flight as were Risky's mother and her cousin were also on the plane. All are now waiting to be identified among the bodies recovered. Another family group destroyed is that of Ratih Windania, a pregnant woman, along with her 2-year-old daughter Yumna, 8-year-old grandson Athar Rizki Riawan. Uncle Tony Ismail and Aunt Rachmawati also flew with them. Yaman Zai, a native of Nias Island (North Sumatra), has lost his wife and three children. He has been working in Pontianak for a year and on Saturday morning he was waiting to see his family again, at the airport. Now instead he is waiting to identify their bodies. 24-year-old Paulus Yulius Kollo, on the other hand, was lucky. Originally from East Nusa Tenggara, he was saved because at the last moment he decided to take a ferry and not the plane to get to Pontianak: he realized that he did not have enough money to pay for the compulsory Covid test. His name was still on the passenger list. The number of Covid-19 hospitalisations in Ireland is on the verge of hitting double the peak seen in the first wave of the virus, following a surge of 45,770 new cases in the last seven days alone. Almost a third (31%) of all cases in Ireland since the pandemic began have come in the last week, sparking grim warnings of what lies ahead for hospital workers. Despite some signs of hope with the increased rollout of vaccines to healthcare workers at the weekend, HSE chief Paul Reid has confirmed the stark reality that a record 1,421 coronavirus patients are now being treated in hospitals a figure that has more than quadrupled in the past two weeks, from 321 on December 27. There were 136 additional admissions to hospitals in the past 24 hours. The HSE has begun accessing the surge capacity agreed with private hospitals as the system comes under increasing pressure. Mr Reid said private hospitals have begun providing some non-Covid urgent care to public patients in recent days. It's clear that most people have retreated to the safety of our homes. It's hard, but needed. We've early signs of the benefit of this. However our healthcare staff will be dealing with increased pressure & strain next week. What we do today helps them to save lives. @HSELive Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 10, 2021 An agreement was reached between the HSE and private hospitals last week which gives the HSE access to additional capacity, if needed. Mr Reid said that the health service was under increasing strain. "Already this week, private hospitals are taking some urgent non-Covid care and supporting us," he said. "So we have, in essence, triggered those processes already. Early this week we will likely be at double what we had in the peak of last year, which was 881 in the first phase of this. Our concern is the numbers. Our concern is the rising trend. Our health system is under increasing strain. The best support we can all now give is to avoid getting sick with Covid. This will help to get us out the other side of this. There were 37 vacant intensive care unit beds as well as 11 paediatric beds available on Sunday. In total there are 286 ICU beds across the country, an increase on 255 at the start of the surge, and the HSE is bringing in a further 16 ICU beds between this and next month. Non-urgent care has been paused at public hospitals as the health system struggles to cope with Covid-19 cases, but cancer care and cardio care continues. While the number of hospitalisations is rising, there is a significant reduction in the number of suitably qualified staff because they either have Covid-19 or are deemed to be closed contacts of a confirmed case, meaning trainee doctors are being asked to step up. Cork University Hospital was caring for 126 Covid-19 patients at the weekend around 20% of all of its inpatients. Medical staff in CUH were told there is a severe and abrupt shortage of ICU nurses. Management appealed for at least two doctors in training to step forward to cover the shifts to help ICU nurses care for a ventilated patient. Read More Number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 more than quadrupled in past two weeks UL Hospitals Group chief executive Colette Cowan said 427 staff were unavailable for work across Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary due to the virus up from 140 in just four days. In an email to politicians, Ms Cowan said the total number of Covid-19 patients within the group as of last Wednesday exceeds the maximum experienced during the peak of the first wave and that in recent days we have been admitting about 10 new Covid patients per day. There was, however, also positive developments for health workers across the country. Around 1,200 frontline healthcare workers got the Covid-19 jab at a mass vaccination clinic in Cork city over the weekend as the HSE's vaccination efforts ramped up nationwide. Images of people across Ireland receiving the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine brought a ray of hope in an otherwise grim week. pic.twitter.com/WX5uBVdYM1 RTE News (@rtenews) January 8, 2021 The single largest effort was at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, where healthcare workers, including GPs and their practice staff, National Ambulance Service paramedics, public health nurses, and members of various primary healthcare teams drawn from across Cork City and country, were vaccinated across Saturday and Sunday. SIVUH's clinical director, Dr Michelle Murphy, described it as a sign of hope for healthcare staff across the region. Shripad Naik to be discharged from Goa Medical College in four to five days Karnataka: Union minister Shripad Naik injured in road accident; wife, aide dead India oi-Deepika S Ankola, Jan 11: Union Minister Shripad Naik and his wife met with an accident near a village in Ankola Taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Monday. They were enroute Gokarna from Yellapur when the incident took place. A Police case has been registered. While the union minister is said to be critical, his wife Vijaya has succumbed to her injuries. The personal assistant of Naik also died in the accident. Shripad Naik is the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy and Minister of State for Defence. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa condoled the demise of Naik's wife and conveyed his wishes for Naik's speedy recovery. Reportedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ensure proper arrangements for the treatment of Union Minister Shripad Naik, at Goa. "Shocked to hear Hon Union Minister @shripadynaik has met with an accident near Ankola and his wife who was travelling with him has tragically died. My deepest condolences to their family and friends. Praying for speedy recovery of Shripadji and hope he will be out of danger soon," Congress MLA RV Deshpande tweeted. "Deeply saddened to hear the news of Vijaya Naik ji's death in an accident. Praying for the quick recovery of Hon'ble Union Minister Shripad Naik ji, hope God gives him & his family the strength to overcome this loss," Kejriwal said in a tweet. Scores of New York National Guard Honor Guard soldiers and airmen had far less military funerals to perform last year and the elite soldiers and airmen had to adjust the way they performed their duties. Pandemic restrictions on funeral services have resulted in New York Army and Air National Guard Honor Guard teams providing more than 2,000 fewer military funeral services in 2020 than in 2019, according to Eric Durr, state Division of Military and Naval Affairs spokesman. All former service members' funerals must include the folding and presenting of an American flag to his or her survivors and the playing of Taps. The two-person teams usually use an electronic bugle. The New York Army National Guard provides funeral honors through a centralized program. The New York Air National Guard maintains Honor Guards at its five air bases, including the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia and the Eastern Air Defense Sector headquarters in Rome. Restrictions on the number of people who could be present at funerals early in the pandemic and many families deciding to not hold a formal burial, or funeral, drove the decline , said Peter Moran, the coordinator for the New York Army National Guard's Military Funeral Honors Program. A Veterans Administration decision to discontinue graveside services and military funeral honors at National Cemeteries for part of the year, also dropped the number of funeral missions, Moran said. Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Anthony Villalon, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Honor Guard for the 106th Rescue Wing at Gabreski Air National Guard Base, said his teams also were invited to fewer funerals. "We saw a significant decline in the months of March, April and May. These months are usually are busiest months, I believe the lockdowns and the overall impact of COVID risk caused the decline," Villalon said. The 106th Rescue Wing team is traditionally the busiest in the National Guard because of the two million residents of Long Island and the fact that Calverton National Cemetery is located there. Funeral homes were conducting funerals quickly and not requesting honors, although funeral directors said they expected to request military honors at later services, according to Master Sgt. Sara Pastorello, public affairs superintendent for the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newark. The New York Army National Guard's eight Military Funeral Honors offices normally conduct 700 funerals each month, Moran said In March there were 513 funeral missions, 229 in April, 337 in May and 511 in June before climbing back up to the average when restrictions on funeral attendance were loosened, Moran said. The New York Guard has Honor Guard Offices in Latham, the Bronx, Queens, Long Island Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Horseheads. Honor Guard soldiers and airmen conducted 8,835 military honors at veteran's funerals by the end of 2020. In 2019 the New York Army and Air National Guard provided military honors for 11,006 families. A 2000 federal law mandates that former members of the U.S. military who served on active duty or the reserves and who did not receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for military funeral honors. The New York Army National Guard provides honors for those who served in the Army or, in the case of World War II veterans, the Army Air Forces. Army National Guard teams in upstate New York performed 3,415 military funeral honors in 2019. Last year, they provided honors at 2,403 funerals. In 2020 New York Air National Guard honors teams took part in 1,685 funerals. In 2019 the New York Air National Guard conducted 2,403 military funeral honors services. Both Army and Air Guard honors teams had to change the way they do things to cope with the pandemic. The Army National Guard Honor Guard soldiers immediately began wearing masks, Moran said. They also practiced staying six feet away from mourners. Air Guard Honor Guard teams also began wearing masks and practicing social distancing. The most significant change was during the presentation of the flag to the veteran's family, Moran said. Traditionally, the leader of the team kneels and presents the flag to a family member on "behalf of a grateful nation." Instead, the flag was folded and placed on the coffin or behind a cremains urn and the soldier made their remarks from 6 feet away, he said. The Air Guard made this change too and it was tough, Villalo said. "It was a learning curve not being able to be as social with the mourners as possible," he said. "It has been a unique challenge for us, because we are a people-person function of the Air Force." Veterans who had served for 25 years or more and retired from the military, those who earned certain medals for heroism, general officers, and troops who died in combat received more elaborate services. Those in this category are entitled to full military honors that include a nine member Honor Guard team and a firing party for a three-volley final salute, a bugler, and soldiers who fold an American flag and present it to next of kin. The family of a deceased veteran can have their funeral director request an Honor Guard team for a military funeral. The family must provide proof of the persons military service. That can be done by providing a copy of the veterans Department of Defense Form DD-214, a discharge document. President Rajapaksa said the political culture of ignoring the village after victory has now changed. The problems identified while in Opposition will be addressed and sustainable development will be achieved in every village, the President added. I am a person who is ready for anything. Some of our Buddhist Monks say they want Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was the Defence Secretary and not the Gotabaya who is President. They tell me I have to be stern. I can do that as well, President Rajapaksa said. He was speaking at the Discussion with the Village programme in Lathugala, Uhana in the Ampara District on Saturday (9). This marks the fifth in the series of Discussion with the Village attended by the President. When I was Defence Secretary,Prabhakaran kicked it off by carrying out a suicide attack on me at the Pittala Junction and I finished what he started,at the Nandikadal Lagoon, which ended his life. I am a person who is prepared to face any challenge. Of course, I am Nandasena Gotabaya. It is a good name. However, Nandasena Gotabaya has both these characters in him. I need to engage in politics. The Opposition should engage in politics too. But what we have to engage in is fair politics which the people expect. We came into power to solve peoples problems and to engage in good governance, the President said. President Rajapaksa said the political culture of ignoring the village after victory has now changed. The problems identified while in Opposition will be addressed and sustainable development will be achieved in every village, the President added. Punishing offenders is a function of the law. I am not ready to intervene in this process. The previous administration pursued a policy of political witch hunt. I do not condone this practice. I call on the Opposition to engage in civilised politics without misleading the public, President Rajapaksa stated. The Discussion with the Village programme commenced on 25 September 2020 at Welanwita in the Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat Division in the Badulla District. The second in the series was held in Himbiliyakada in the Wilgamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division in the Matale District while the third was held in Rawanakanda, Imbulpe in Balangoda. The fourth was held in Kanugahawewa in Kebithigollewa last week. The Lathugala village in the Uhana Divisional Secretariat, located 24km away from Ampara city was selected for Saturdays (9) discussion. The public gathering took place at the Lathugala Primary School playground in Varanketagoda. Villagers from several surrounding hamlets including Uhana, Damana, Galapitagala, Gonagolla, Padiyathalawa, Dehiaththakandiya, Mahiyanganaya, Bandaraduwa, Mahakandiya and Bokkabedda gathered to present their grievances to the President seeking redress. Lathugala is nine square kilometres in extent. Villagers say 15 families who survived the Uwa Wellassa rebellion started the settlement. Now the village has 231 families with a population of 783. Chena cultivation utilising rainwater is the main source of livelihood of the people in Lathugala and surrounding villages. They cultivate maize, cowpea, sorghum and vegetables and are now severely affected by the Fall Armyworm. A major issue in Lathugala was that these villagers were being thrown out of their traditional farmlands due to these areas being demarcated as reserves in Wildlife and Forest Conservation surveys. Meanwhile, the President said a policy decision was taken to permit farmers to engage in traditional cultivation in villages without Wildlife or Forest Conservation or any other institute imposing strictures on them. Government Agents and Divisional Secretaries were requested to act accordingly and assist the public. People living in villages view their problems from a different perspective while those in Colombo see it in a totally different way. Meanwhile, officials too look at issues in a differently, he said and urged officials not to confine themselves to offices but go to the villages and identify problems faced by the people and provide solutions. People are compelled to go to the Uhana Dispensary, 16 km away, or to the Ampara Hospital, 24 km away for treatment due to lack of facilities in the vicinity. To rectify the situation, President Rajapaksa instructed a Primary Healthcare Centre to be set up in Bokkabedda Village to serve the people of surrounding villages. Meanwhile, a decision was taken to construct a building and a playground at the Lathugala Primary School and to find a solution to the prevailing teacher shortage issue. The President also instructed officials to expedite the teacher shortage issue in Uhana Vidyaloka Vidyalaya, Walagampura Vidyalaya, Uhana Waranketagoda Maha Vidyalaya, Negethenna and Uhana Thissa Ampara National Schools. Instructions were also issued to expedite construction of roads in Ampara, the Lathugala road, the Lathugala Bokkabedda Athuloya road, Bakmitiyawa Pannalgama and Mahaoya Krunduwinna roads. Plans are underway to develop 1,150 kilometres of roadway in the Ampara District under the programme to develop 100,000 kilometres of road. He stressed that contracts should be given to contractors who would fulfil their obligations. The President directed the reconstruction of the Kotapathdamana tank to be expedited to overcome the water shortage which stifled agricultural activities. President Rajapaksa paid special attention to the drinking water problem and instructed pipe borne water to be supplied to villagers in the Lathugala village. It was agreed to supply water to Padiyathalawa from Rambakan Oya and provide water to several villages including Tampitiya, Poonawali and Malliyathivu. Several tanks including Yodakandiya, Kotapathdamana, Lathugala, Hulannuge and Handapadagama will be renovated soon, he said. A fertiliser storage facility in Lathugala was also mooted. The President handed over three computers donated by Mobitel to Principals of Lathugala and Vidyaloka Vidyalayas. State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath, Members of Parliament W. D. Weerasinghe, Thilak Rajapaksha, A, L. M. Athaullah, Chief Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, political representatives in the area, Ministry Secretaries and heads of several government institutions were present during Discussion with the Village programme. [January 11, 2021] TCL CSOT Launches Two Flexible Displays at CES 2021: Re-defining Standards for Portable Devices SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL CSOT announces the launch of two ground-breaking products, the 17-inch Printed OLED Scrolling Display and 6.7-inch AMOLED Rollable Display, at CES 2021. TCL CSOT is a subsidiary of TCL Technology, which is dedicated to driving greater innovations in semiconductor display. The flexible 17-inch Printed OLED Scrolling Display, at just 0.18mm thick, is a unique example of a larger-scale flexible display technology. Highly scrollable and portable, it can easily fit in anywhere, just like a scroll painting. Benefiting from TCL CSOT's cutting-edge inkjet printing technology, with a 100% color gamut, it significantly enhances the quality of the display. It can be widely applied across flexible TVs, curved and foldable displays, and transparent commercial displays. Its OLED RGB self-luminous devices are manufactured with high-precision inkjet printing technology, without the need for fine metal masks. As a result, the cost is 20% lower than traditional display technologies and is more applicable for large-size displays and mass production. The portable 6.7-inch AMOLED Rollable Display re-defines the standard form of a smartphone. With a rollable AMOLED display, it can be extended from 6.7-inches to 7.8-inches with a simple tap of the finger, turning it from a smartphone into a tablet and creating an entirely new user experience with its easily adaptable user interface. The smartphone is less than 10mm thick, making it significantly thinner than the foldable smartphone. Through the enhanced design of the smartphone's flexible screen, the curling and sliding radius of the flexible screen can be as small as R3mm, combined with the special sliding mechanism design. With the simple swipe of a button, the screen originally curled and hidden inside the case can be pulled out, therefore enabling the phone to stretch out and draw back. The sliding life of the device is up to 100,000 times. The software interface can be adapted accordingly for single-hand use or multi-tasking. This year, reports[1] published by Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) have further highlighted the huge potential of the display market. In its OLED material market forecasts report, DSCC projected that the AMOLED stack material market will grow from $951 million in 2019 to reach $2.69 billion in 2024 at a CAGR of 23%. Specifically, in another foldable/rollable display shipment and technology report[2], DSCC forecasted an 80% CAGR increase in foldable/rollable smartphone revenues from 2020 to 2025, reaching $105 billion. TCL CSOT focuses on the display technologies of mini LED, micro LED, and OLED/QLED. The products range from large, small and medium display panels and touch modules, interactive white boards, video walls, automotive displays, and gaming monitors, which are making further contributions to advancements in the global panel industry. After 11 years of development, TCL CSOT has now transitioned from playing catch-up in technologies to becoming one of the key players in the development of semiconductor display technologies. In the future, TCL CSOT will venture further into new applications for display technologies. The company will continue to strengthen its cooperation with upstream and downstream partners in the industry, focusing on panel microsystems, new materials and key components. TCL CSOT aims to make joint efforts towards building a semiconductor display industrial ecosystem. [1] https://xueqiu.com/3679825452/149099591 [2] https://www.displaysupplychain.com/press-release/dscc-forecasts-foldable-and-rollable-smartphone-revenues-to-exceed-100b-in-2025 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tcl-csot-launches-two-flexible-displays-at-ces-2021-re-defining-standards-for-portable-devices-301205399.html SOURCE TCL Group [ 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. NEW DELHI : Nepal has tabled a constitutional amendment for adopting a new map, which includes some Indian territory, in a move that could raise tensions between the neighbours, news reports said on Sunday. The move follows the central working committee (CWC) of the Nepali Congress (NC) directing party lawmakers to vote in favour of the proposal to amend the constitution to change the map in the national emblem. The party will now favour the bill when it is put to voting," NCs CWC member Min Bishwakarma was quoted as saying by Kathmandu Post. This has cleared the decks for the amendment to sail through the Nepalese parliament, cementing prime minister K.P. Sharma Olis credentials as a strong and nationalist leader who does not bow to Indian pressure. The development is expected to strain Kathmandus ties with New Delhi. It has surfaced at a time when India is also locked in a face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control. India and Nepal have been showing Kalapani and Lipulekh as part of their territory in their respective political maps. Kathmandu has now brought out a new map that shows Limpiyadhura, too, as its territory. The trigger for the recent rise in tensions was Nepals objection to India inaugurating a road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand. India said the road lay in Pithoragarh district and will give Indian pilgrims easier access to Kailash Mansarovar. But Oli said Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are part of Nepal and vowed to reclaim" them through political and diplomatic efforts. Nepals law, justice and parliamentary affairs minister Shivamaya Tumbahangphe was to table constitutional amendment in parliament last week, but it was removed from schedule after the NC requested time for the party to take a decision at its CWC meeting. On Saturday, NC, traditionally seen as pro-India, decided to vote for the amendment. India had on Thursday indicated readiness to engage with Nepal to resolve the border row. 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 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. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Rail Company LLC and Patriot Port Holdings, LLC (Patriot), a leading U.S. operator of short line and regional freight railroads, rail services, and integrated port logistics companies, announced the appointment of Donald Itzkoff as Chief Policy Officer. In this newly created role, Itzkoff will lead Patriot's strategic policy engagement, reporting to John Fenton, CEO. Itzkoff most recently headed global government affairs for Wabtec Corporation, and earlier led U.S. government affairs for GE Transportation. His public service includes more than five years as deputy administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. Itzkoff also served as a senior counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. "We are thrilled that Don Itzkoff has joined the Patriot senior leadership team," said John Fenton. "Don's extensive public and private sector experience will help Patriot accelerate our visionary growth strategy and further advance the Patriot brand." Itzkoff said, "I worked with John Fenton when he ran the Los Angeles Metrolink commuter rail system. It is a privilege now to be part of the terrific team John has assembled at Patriot to deliver for customers and grow new value for the company." Lt. General Richard Timmons, USA, Ret., a member of the Patriot Rail board of directors and a former president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroads Association, added, "I first met Don during his tenure at the Federal Railroad Administration. His leadership skills and deep domain expertise will strengthen Patriot's premier position as a trusted transportation partner of choice." Itzkoff holds a JD from the University of Michigan Law School and an AB from Brown University. He is a contributing editor for Railway Age, and a long-time member of the board of directors of the Center for Hearing and Communication in New York City. Story continues About Patriot Rail Company LLC Patriot Rail operates 13 regional and freight short line railroads, a scenic rail excursion train, and three rail-related services companies with over 600 total rail miles across the United States. Patriot Port Holdings LLC, a sister company to Patriot Rail, operates five breakbulk and container terminals and an off-port cold storage facility, all located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Patriot Rail Company LLC is owned by Sydney, Australia-based First Sentier Investors, which manages US $157 billion in global assets (as of September 30, 2020). https://patriotrailandports.com/ www.firstsentierinvestors.com Patriot Rail & Ports (PRNewsfoto/Patriot Rail Company LLC) Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patriot-rail-company-llc-names-donald-m-itzkoff-chief-policy-officer-301205300.html SOURCE Patriot Rail Company LLC The organization said Monday that it has opened an inquiry into whether Giuliani should remain a member. Its bylaws state that no person who advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States shall remain a member. Too many people are conflating "Trumpers" with the entire right or with conservatives and even with Republicans as if they were all the same thing. It's one thing when the left does this, but we need to be clear that the "right" is a mixture of groups with similar beliefs but distinct differences that must be understood. What matters is that we on the right all face a herculean struggle between capitalism and socialism, and between strict construction of the Constitution and judicial activism, and a host of other threats to the Republic. In the lead-up to the 2016 election, there were a lot of "NeverTrumps." Most of them came to realize that the choice in 2016 was really between corruption and socialism on the one hand and capitalism and the rule of law on the other. It was a case of electing the same old self-entitled establishment vassal, or someone who, as far as they knew, was from well outside the Beltway. They didn't like it, but they voted for Trump. By the 2020 election, after seeing everything the left had done to destroy President Trump, and seeing what he had accomplished despite that, they came to respect his accomplishments, though not necessarily his behavior. They were "Reluctant Trumpers," if you will. The true "Trumpers" saw Trump as the only man to stand up to the system. He was an outsider like them and gave them a political voice they hadn't had in a long time. He said things the way they would like to say them, even if some of those things were ridiculous and immature. His comments and tweets conveyed the sense of frustration people felt or, at least, were a good jab at someone they didn't agree with, especially in the overwhelming climate of identity politics, fake news, fact-checkers, and political correctness. Reluctant Trumpers quickly learned to ignore the silly things President Trump said, realizing that he didn't necessarily believe them himself. It appears that the left took him at his word or, for calculating reasons, tried hard to do so. And there were the "Straight Ticket Trumpers," too, who simply voted Republican no matter what. These are the people who make up the majority of the right, and a half-million of these people attended the Capital Rally on January 6. Each of these groups can be further broken down, but we need not go into that except to point out that, in the vast crowd, the bell curve dictates that, within those Trump subgroups, there were going to be small numbers of extremists, along with moderates. It was a very small group of the extremists who rushed the Capitol, likely followed by a few more moderate people who didn't stop and think in the midst of the excitement. The newly emboldened Democrats, the socialist left, and their media supporters are attempting to convince the world that all of these groups are really one big fanatical cult that worships their evil lord, Donald Trump. They want you to believe, as they do, that some 80 million Americans are even worse than "deplorables," which is pretty bad all by itself. Among other things, "deplorable" means "worthy of severe condemnation or reproach, and wretched." The leftist collective now believes we are all awful "Trump Cultists" who are racist, homophobic, chauvinistic, and delusional, and the left is organizing its resources to hold us all accountable a la AOC. Some, like ABC News director Rick Klein have even suggested they "cleanse" us from the political (if not the actual) world. Although the unity of the right is important, especially if we are to stand up to the socialist storm that is about to hit us, it is critical to understand that it has very little to do with Trump the man. Rather, we must remember that the struggle is against political and corporate corruption, socialism, judicial activism, and the identity politics the left uses to subvert our government to their own ends. And never forget our vital need to ensure that the election process is transparent and true! We must maintain our unity around defending the Constitution, our election processes, and returning to our formerly more perfect union. We need everyone on the right to stand up together and, under the banner of the Constitution and the rule of law, take action as Trump did. We must drive forward for the sake of the nation and not for any one man. It is growing dark the storm is close. Image: Four-person project by Piqsels (CC0-public domain), edited by Andrea Widburg. Syracuse, N.Y. The New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is one of several mass Covid-19 vaccination sites opening this week in New York. The site at the fairgrounds, plus others at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City and the Westchester County Convention Center in White Plains, open Wednesday. READ MORE: Covid vaccines in CNY: Supplies are finding arms, but more is needed READ MORE: See detailed list of who is now eligible for Covid vaccine in NY A site at the Utica Memorial Auditorium will open next week, according to a tweet from Melissa DeRosa, an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Other sites opening this week include Jones Beach in Nassau County on Thursday and a location at the State University of New York Albany on Friday. More sites opening next week include SUNY Stony Brook on Long Island, SUNY Binghamton property in Johnson City, the Dome Arena near Rochester, Plattsburgh Airport, SUNY Potsdam, University at Buffalo South Campus and the Aqueduct Race Track in Queens. The state is planning up to 20 mass distribution sites as eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccine expands. Starting today, millions more people can get the shots, including police officers, firefighters, teachers and other education workers and people age 75 and up. Health care workers and nursing home residents have been eligible for weeks. With eligibility for shots expanding to about 5 million people total, thousands of pharmacies, doctors offices and local health departments will also soon start providing vaccines. Onondaga County has been vaccinating people at the downtown Syracuse War Memorial since December. A new state website went live this morning that allows eligible New Yorkers to search for vaccine sites. Appointments are required. READ MORE: Where can I get the Covid vaccine in NY? Search for locations, appointment, eligibility info Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that shots will likely be tough to get until the federal government can increase the supply. He said last week New Yorkers may wait weeks or months for a vaccine if more isnt produced and shipped to New York. MORE ON CORONAVIRUS Coronavirus in NY: Cases, maps, charts and resources See detailed list of who is now eligible for Covid vaccine in NY NYS Fairgrounds among mass Covid vaccination sites opening in NY Where can I get the Covid vaccine in NY? Search for sites Complete coronavirus coverage on syracuse.com Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global Halal Pharmaceuticals Market is anticipated to reach USD 34.82 billion by 2026 according to a new study published by Polaris Market Research. The significant growth in the Halal Pharmaceuticals Market is primarily due to the rapid increase in the Muslim population, along with their improving disposable income. Increasing purchasing power and deepening belief in Shariah law together is responsible for creating a surge in demand for halal pharmaceuticals. Shariah law is derived from the Quran and is basically a collection of practices, words, habits, and silent approvals. As per the law, products containing the discharge of human beings or animals, and in direct or indirect contact with non-halal items. Moreover, it must not contain traces of things that are unfit for human consumption such as poison, and toxic elements. Halal pharmaceuticals are expected to be prepared under a controlled environment to avoid any cross-contamination with non-halal utilities, materials, and ingredient. Extra care is taken in the manufacturing of these pharmaceuticals as no contamination will be tolerated. Rapid growth in demand has encouraged the Halal Pharmaceuticals Market players to actively indulge in activities that are aimed at or new product development. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/halal-pharmaceuticals-market/request-for-sample Growing Muslim population is showcasing a high interest in halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This can be attributed to the increasing consumer awareness about the deepening beliefs and growing knowledge that pharmaceuticals contain alcohol, porcine-by products, and their derivatives, among other non-halal contents or ingredients that are against Islamic beliefs. The Halal Pharmaceuticals Market experience tough challenge in defining proper regulation and standards. Recently, American pharmaceuticals companies expressed their concerns over the guidelines by Malaysias Ministry of Health (MOH). These guidelines were focused towards defining the permissible items in pharmaceuticals in accordance with Islam. The concern was highlighted in the annual submission to the United States Trade Representative by the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). The Halal Pharmaceuticals Market has been segregated based on drug class, type, end-use, and region. By drug class, the market has been divided into allergies, endocrine drugs, pain medications, respiratory drugs, and others. By type, the market has been bifurcated into capsule, syrup, and tablet. The industry experience high demand for end-use applications such as drugs, cosmetics, healthcare, and others. The Middle East and the Asia Pacific regions Halal Pharmaceuticals Market are expected to witness significant growth in the next eight years due to the presence of a large population of Muslims. Majority of the Muslim population of the world lives in these regions, and they also comprise of emerging nations such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Pakistan that have a high population that follows Islamic beliefs. Complete Summary with TOC Available @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/halal-pharmaceuticals-market The list of key companies that are operating in the Halal Pharmaceuticals Market includes Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals, Bosch Pharmaceuticals, Noor Vitamins, EMBIL Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nutramedica Incorporated, PharmaniagaBhd, and SimporPharmaSdnBhd, among others. Halal Pharmaceuticals Market Size and Forecast by Product type Capsule Syrup Tablets Halal Pharmaceuticals Market Size and Forecast by Regions North America US. Canada Europe Germany UK France Asia Pacific China India Pakistan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/halal-pharmaceuticals-market/request-for-discount-pricing About Polaris Market Research Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Contact us- Polaris Market Research Phone: 1-646-568-9980 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com Sentencing orders, like the one banning Digga D from rapping about violence, have also been handed to other drill artists. Introduced in 2014 and known as criminal behavior orders, the measures give judges broad powers to regulate a convicted criminals life, such as by banning them from certain neighborhoods or by preventing them from meeting former associates. Judges have also used the orders to control some musicians lyrics, arguing that when rappers brag about attacks on rivals, it stokes street tensions. In January 2019, for example, a London judge sentenced the musicians Skengdo and AM to nine months in prison for breaking a criminal behavior order by performing a song with lyrics including a list of gang members who had been stabbed. Rebecca Byng, a spokeswoman for the London polices violent crime unit, said in an email that criminal behavior orders had a wide-ranging scope, and go beyond addressing lyrics which incite violence, adding that they were an important tool to steer young people away from violence. We are not targeting music artists, but addressing violent offenders, she added. Yet the London police has recently stepped up its efforts to remove drill music videos from YouTube. In 2020, the video platform removed 319 music videos at the forces urging, according to a police report obtained through a Freedom of Information request. That is more than twice the number it took down in 2019. In total, YouTube has removed more than 500 music videos over the past three years, the report says. Keir Monteith, a criminal defense attorney based in London, is advising a government-funded research project studying how rap lyrics are used as evidence in court. He said that in some ways, the authorities treatment of drill recalled the heyday of punk in the 1970s, when the police shut down concerts and the BBC banned a hit single by the Sex Pistols. The tech companies actions last week to limit such toxic content with Mr. Trump and Parler have been applauded by liberals and others. But the moves also focused attention on the power of these private enterprises to decide who stays online and who doesnt. And the timing struck some as politically convenient, with Mr. Biden set to take office on Jan. 20 and Democrats gaining control of Congress. The tech companies newly proactive approach also provides grist for Mr. Trump in the waning days of his administration. Even as he faces another potential impeachment, Mr. Trump is expected to try stoking anger at Twitter, Facebook and others this week, potentially as a launchpad for competing with Silicon Valley head on when he leaves the White House. After he was barred from Twitter, Mr. Trump said in a statement that he would look at the possibilities of building out our own platform in the near future. Ben Wizner, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, said it was understandable that no company wanted to be associated with the repellent speech that encouraged the breaching of the Capitol. But he said Parlers situation was troubling. That was because Apples and Googles removal of Parler from their app stores and Amazons halting its web hosting went beyond what Twitter or Facebook do when they curtail a users account or their posts, he said. I think we should recognize the importance of neutrality when were talking about the infrastructure of the internet, he said. In earlier statements, Apple, Amazon and Google said that they had warned Parler about the violent posts on its site and that it had not done enough to consistently remove them. The companies said they required sites like Parler to systematically enforce their rules. They declined to comment further on Sunday. 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 MANKATO, Minn. A southern Minnesota man accused of kidnapping and convicted of drug dealing is going to prison. Karl Alfredo Rosillo, 39 of Mankato, was sentenced Monday to 21 years and four months in state prison, with credit for 496 days already served. Rosillo must also pay $16,072.25 in restitution. He was arrested in September 2019. The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force was looking for Rosillo on an outstanding warrant when he was spotted in a vehicle driven by a juvenile female. Blue Earth County deputies tried to stop the vehicle but said Rosillo took control of it and drove away. The chase ended when Rosillo rammed the front of a county squad car. Investigators say 24 grams of methamphetamine where found in the vehicle. Rosillo was charged with kidnapping, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, 1st degree sale of meth, and 3rd degree drug possession. A jury in October 2020 found Rosillo not guilty of the first two charges but convicted him on the second two. Pope Francis personal doctor has died of complications related to Covid-19, the Vatican has announced. Fabrizio Soccorsi, 78, was chosen by the pontiff as his personal physician in 2015. His death was announced in LOsservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, on Saturday. Dr Soccorsi was being treated in hospital in Gemelli Hospital for cancer at the time of his death, the Vatican said. After graduating from medical school in 1968, he rose to become director of the department of liver diseases, digestive system and nutrition and of the internal and specialist medicine department at San Camillo Forlanini Hospital in Rome, according to LOsservatore. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 18 May 2021 Horse-drawn carriages drive through the mudflats near Cuxhaven, northern Germany dpa via AP World news in pictures 17 May 2021 Kanoya Onishi in action during the Cycling BMX Free Style of Tokyo 2020 Olympics test event at Ariake Urban Sports Park in Japan EPA World news in pictures 16 May 2021 Rescuers carry Suzy Eshkuntana, 6, as they pull her from the rubble of a building at the site of Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City Reuters World news in pictures 15 May 2021 A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 May 2021 Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers inside the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh AP World news in pictures 13 May 2021 Muslim girls ride on a mini train after attending the Eid Al-Fitr prayer that marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya AFP via Getty Images World news in pictures 12 May 2021 Israeli artillery fire as the escalation continues between Israeli army and Hamas at the Gaza Border EPA World news in pictures 11 May 2021 Maya Nakanishi competes in the womens long jump - T64 category during a para-athletics test event for the 2020 Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo AFP/Getty World news in pictures 10 May 2021 A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque compound, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israels takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War AFP/Getty World news in pictures 9 May 2021 Falconer Giovanna Piccolo performs with her Eurasian eagle-owl at 'Roma World' theme park, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Rome Reuters World news in pictures 8 May 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) is introduced as a starter against the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena. USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 6 May 2021 Buddhist monks and believers attend a lantern parade in celebration of the upcoming birthday of Buddha at a temple in Seoul, South Korea Reuters World news in pictures 5 May 2021 Russian MiG-29 jet fighters of the Strizhi (Swifts) and Su-30SM jet fighters of the Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) aerobatic teams fly in formation over the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin in Moscow during a flypast rehearsal for the WWII Victory Parade AFP/Getty World news in pictures 4 May 2021 An elevated metro line collapsed in the Mexican capital on Monday, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens injured as a train came plunging down, authorities said AFP/Getty World news in pictures 3 May 2021 Lightning bolts strike buildings during a thunderstorm in Bangkok AFP/Getty World news in pictures 2 May 2021 Samaritan worshippers arrive to take part in a Passover ceremony on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus AFP/Getty World news in pictures 1 May 2021 A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands in front of a burning barricade holding his hand up with an inscription calling for President Macron to resign as May Day Protest turn violent near Place de la Republique in Paris, France Getty World news in pictures 30 April 2021 A demonstrator from the Rio de Paz human rights activist group digs a symbolic grave in front of rows of bags symbolising bodybags on Copacabana beach, during a protest against the Brazilian governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 April 2021 An aerial picture shows dead carp fish flushed to the shores of al-Qaraoun reservoir in Lebanons Western Beqaa District in the countrys east. Tonnes of fish have washed up dead on the shoreline of the highly polluted artificial reservoir in eastern Lebanon in recent days AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 April 2021 Health workers wearing PPE attends to coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care centre in New Delhi AFP/Getty World news in pictures 27 April 2021 The full moon, known as the Super Pink Moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Reuters World news in pictures 26 April 2021 Balinese people lay wreaths with names of the crew on board the sunk Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala during a prayer at the sea near Labuhan Lalang, Bali, Indonesia EPA World news in pictures 25 April 2021 An Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshipper walks around the Edicule, the place believed to be where Jesus Christ was buried, during Palm Sunday celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem AFP/Getty World news in pictures 24 April 2021 Fans of Wuhan Three Towns FC cheer for their team during the 1st round match Wuhan Three Towns FC and Beijing Institute of Technology FC during Chinese Football League One in Wuhan, China Getty World news in pictures 23 April 2021 A girl prays in front of the Dome of the Rock, in the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalems Old City, on the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, as coronavirus restrictions ease around the country, in Jerusalem Reuters World news in pictures 22 April 2021 People walk through the art work 'THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS' by Yayoi Kusama, during the press preview of a retrospective exhibition of the Japanese artist at the Martin Gropius Bau museum in Berlin, Germany AP World news in pictures 21 April 2021 Hungary's Sara Peter competes in the Women's floor qualifications during European Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the St Jakobshalle, in Basel AFP/Getty World news in pictures 20 April 2021 South Korea university students gets their heads shaved during a protest against Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, in front of the Japanese embassy, in Seoul Reuters World news in pictures 19 April 2021 A spectator wearing a football jersey of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi attends the ATP Barcelona Open tennis tournament singles match between Japan's Kei Nishikori and Argentina's Guido Pella at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona AFP/Getty World news in pictures 18 April 2021 People raise their fist during a demonstration near the George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota AFP/Getty World news in pictures 17 April 2021 Security personnel stand guard outside a polling station during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections in Kolkata AFP/Getty World news in pictures 16 April 2021 Palestinians take part in the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty World news in pictures 15 April 2021 A firefighter inspects the site of a car bomb attack in Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 14 April 2021 This picture shows the 100 days countdown till the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games displayed on the illuminated Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo on April 14, 2021 AFP/Getty World news in pictures 13 April 2021 This photo taken and received courtesy of an anonymous source shows Buddhist monks gesturing while taking part in a demonstration with protesters against the military coup in Mandalay during the Myanmar New Year festival of Thingyan AFP/Getty World news in pictures 12 April 2021 An Indian holi man during the Kumbh Mela royal bath (Sacred Hindu Pilgrimage) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Thousands of pilgrims are gathering and taking holy dip in Kumbh Mela that is a mass Hindu pilgrimage which occurs after every twelve years and rotates among four locations EPA World news in pictures 11 April 2021 Nasa released images of of sand dunes on Mars captured using infrared reflections NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU World news in pictures 10 April 2021 People watch devotees pulling a chariot in Biska Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal AP World news in pictures 9 April 2021 Maintenance workers clean the monument of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Moscow on April 9, 2021. - Sixty years ago Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, marking it a new chapter in the history of space exploration. AFP/Getty World news in pictures 8 April 2021 Protesters hold a banner and burning red flares during a demonstration of called by unions of healthcare and social workers in support of their sector and to demand a bonus in their pay in Paris AFP/Getty World news in pictures 7 April 2021 Protesters laying on the street near the Election Commission office in Kolkata during a demonstration demanding the halt of the ongoing state legislative election and campaign rallies amidst the rising number of Covid-19 cases AFP/Getty World news in pictures 6 April 2021 Voters stand in queue to cast their votes at a polling booth during third phase of West Bengal state elections in Baruipur, South 24 Pargana district, India AP World news in pictures 5 April 2021 The Statue of Christ appears behind clouds from the Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon as the Portuguese government eased coronavirus restrictions AFP/Getty World news in pictures 4 April 2021 Christian worshippers light candles during an Easter service in Yerevan, the Armenian capital AFP/Getty World news in pictures 3 April 2021 Anti-coup protesters hold improvised weapons during a protest in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmars military Junta continued a brutal crackdown on a nationwide civil disobedience movement in which thousands of people have turned out in continued defiance of live ammunition Getty World news in pictures 2 April 2021 A rescue works at the site after a train derailed in a tunnel north of Hualien, Taiwan Reuters World news in pictures 1 April 2021 Man flashes three-finger salute next to burning tires during a protest against the military c Reuters World news in pictures 31 March 2021 Mannequins wrapped in barrier tape stand in front of Berlins landmark Brandenburg Gate as part of German artist Dennis Josef Mesegs Corona Memorial called It is Like it is AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 March 2021 A ship heads down the Suez Canal, in Ismalia, Egypt EPA World news in pictures 29 March 2021 Flocks of flamingos are pictured in a pond in Navi Mumbai AFP/Getty Dr Soccorsis death was announced a day before Francis said he would receive the coronavirus vaccine. "Ethically, everyone should receive the vaccine," the pontiff said in a television interview, adding that people who refused to take the vaccine when it was known to be safe possessed a suicidal denialism". The pope has appeared to resist wearing a mask during much of the pandemic, raising health fears. The Vatican amended its mask mandates in October to conform to those in the rest of Italy, requiring them indoors and out. Candles are lit near the vehicle of Libungan town Mayor Christopher Cuan, who was killed in an ambush on Jan. 11 2021, in Cotabato, Philippines. A town mayor in the southern Philippines was gunned down with his driver in a roadside attack on Monday, the police said. President Rodrigo Duterte had said that Christopher Cuan, mayor of Libungan town in North Cotabato province, was on of a list of politicians and officials allegedly tied to drug traffickers. Cuan, 46, was attacked near his residence while heading out to inspect a construction site. The police identified the other person slain as Edwin Navarro Ihao, 36, Cuans driver. The victims sustained wounds in different parts of their body that resulted in their instantaneous death, said local police investigator Capt. Jennefer Amotan, in her incident report. The suspects immediately left the crime scene after the incident. Amotan said that an assault rifle and a 0.45 caliber pistol were used in the attack, which, according to witnesses, was carried out by four men in a sport utility vehicle who were tailing the victims. Cuan had survived an assassination attempt in January 2019. He had been inside town hall when an unidentified gunman opened fire but missed, police had said. A quick investigation must be conducted into Cuans killing, said Emmylou Talino Mendoza, North Cotabato's vice-governor. I condemn in the strongest term the killing today of Mayor Amping Cuan of Libungan, Mendoza said in a statement, using Cuans nickname. His demise not only orphaned his family but his constituents who looked up to him for his leadership. We call for a speedy and thorough investigation to attain justice for the beloved mayor. Our sympathies to his family, friends, and relatives. We mourn his passing. Duterte had previously listed Cuan as a narcopolitician. Shortly after Duterte won the presidential election in 2016, police raided Cuans properties but didnt find illegal drugs. Duterte denied he had anything to do with the raid but, a year later, stripped Cuan and other local officials of the power to oversee the police force to avoid potential corruption. Cuan is the 25th politician accused of being a narcopolitician to be killed. In December, Caesar Perez, the mayor of Los Banos town, which is to the south of Manila, was felled by an assassins bullet. Duterte had also accused Perez of being a narcopolitician. The Philippine president has never divulged how he obtained the list of politicians and officials with drug ties. He has, however, waved the purported list at public speeches, saying it is proof about his seriousness in his campaign to rid the Philippines of illegal drugs. He subsequently conceded that he may not be able to meet his campaign promise of eradicating the narcotics trade by the time he steps down in 2022. The police last year said that nearly 8,000 suspected drug addicts and dealers had been killed since Duterte launched the drug war. Rights groups and activists however say that many more could have been killed. Last month, the International Criminal Court said that there was reason to believe that crimes against humanity had occurred in the Philippines, and that a final decision on whether to prosecute Duterte would be made this year. Duterte faces two murder complaints before the ICC, filed by relatives of some of those killed, and by a former police officer and a self-styled assassin who accused Duterte of ordering the deaths of opponents and criminals when he was mayor of Davao city. Colleen M. Hanycz, who has led La Salle University since 2015, will leave in June for a college presidency in Ohio, the chair of La Salles board of trustees announced Monday. Hanycz, 54, will become president of Xavier University, another Catholic university, in Cincinnati. The board will form a presidential search committee. As the first lay woman to lead La Salle, Dr. Hanycz has served the university during a dynamic and disruptive time in American higher education, which continues to this day, trustees chair William W. Matthews said in a statement to the La Salle community. Among the highlights of her leadership, he noted her review of university programs, a new Explorers are Never Lost brand campaign, and a five-year strategic plan launched in 2017. Dr. Hanyczs leadership here has been marked by an unwavering commitment to the delivery of a practical education guided by the mission of the Christian Brothers, he said. READ MORE: About 100 employees at La Salle University face layoffs or salary cuts Like many colleges, La Salle in recent years has struggled with enrollment and finances, only made more challenging by the coronavirus. In June, the university of nearly 5,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students laid off 53 employees nearly 7% of the full-time workforce and cut salaries or hours for 48 others. Another 51 vacant staff positions were eliminated. Hanycz said at the time that La Salle faced millions in losses and additional expenses. If students couldnt return to campus in the fall because of the pandemic, Hanycz said, schools like La Salle, which are lightly endowed and highly dependent on tuition, room, and board, would face a dire financial outlook. The college had few students living on campus in the fall and held almost all classes remotely. That will change this month when it welcomes students back to campus residence halls and includes an in-person component for about half its classes. Its certainly going to be helpful to be able to return to an on campus, in-person experience, Hanycz said in an interview. Not only is that better from a community perspective and from our ability to deliver on our mission, but it certainly helps the whole financial picture. Hanycz said she wasnt looking to leave La Salle. Her current contract runs to 2024. But she said she was recruited for the Xavier job and allowed herself to be considered. READ MORE: Tuition cut caps renaissance at La Salle She noted that she will be the first lay female leader to head Xavier, just as she had been at La Salle. After much discernment, I am confident that this is the right time for me to pursue this new opportunity and for La Salle to begin writing the next chapter in its nearly 160-year tradition, she said in a message to the La Salle community. Hanycz came to La Salle from Brescia University College, a Catholic school in Canada. La Salle was facing a financial crunch when she arrived in 2015. Freshmen enrollment had plummeted 18% from the year before, and 23 staff members had to be laid off. The school faced a $12 million deficit in its $132 million budget. She oversaw a restructuring. The university lowered the schools tuition sticker price in 2016, launched a marketing campaign, and announced plans to eliminate some programs, helping offset the shortfall. A 2018 plan to sell university art to fund teaching and learning initiatives sparked controversy. Under Hanycz, La Salle also garnered recognition for the value of its degree. Last year, Georgetown Universitys Center for Education and the Workforce ranked the school in the top 4% nationally in 10-year earnings, top 7% nationally in 20-year earnings, and top 6% nationally in the 30 and 40 years after graduation. Im very excited for this next chapter, Hanycz said of her new job, but Im equally excited for where La Salle will go from here. As a sixth year student, recent comments by Education Minister Norma Foley have baffled my peers and I. Her assertion that everybody involved in this situation wants a traditional Leaving Cert is simply not credible. Although this may be the unions wish, the most important educational stakeholder, the students, have been ignored. So far, 26,100 students have signed a petition to have predicted grades become an option, over 42pc of our cohort, yet this has blindly been ignored. Meanwhile, a Studyclix survey showed that 64pc of students desire predicted grades (just 22pc want the June exam). Pursuing a traditional Leaving Cert in an atypical year is unfathomable. With further closures incoming, for those who didnt do TY, at least four out of 18 months of contact time has been missed. Coursework cannot be completed. The effect of the Government pursuing this policy is devastating. That same Studyclix survey showed that 64pc of students described their mental state as very low. Sixth year students now spend every waking moment panicking about what will happen next. Personally, like many others, tears have been shed, tempers are flaring. Seemingly, mental health has become secondary to some pieces of paper. What will it take for the minister to realise the psychological impact of her decisions? The facts are irrefutable. Recent Government decisions have been uncomfortable, but here is a chance to make the easier decision, the right decision. Predicted grades must become an option. Clarity is needed fast. Bluntly, via recent comments and the current approach, the minister is ignoring students and playing with our well-being. James Burrows Kilkenny As the education landscape changes, its time to adapt It is sincerely hoped that the present Minister for Education will not make the same mistakes as the previous one with regard to Leaving Certificate 2021. Pledging that there is a firm objective to hold a Leaving Certificate in 2021 is disingenuous to the pupils facing the exams. Far better have their teachers certify their completion of their subjects at the end of the school year, allow them to apply for their preferred courses and ensure that the universities, ITs and other third-level institutions create the capacity required. The Leaving Certificate results do not determine the life chances of students. It is time now for the educational authorities to accept that university degree courses will be achieved through a mixture of attendance, research and video/internet processes. The educational landscape is changing and the Irish education system needs to adapt. Hugh McDermott Dromahair, Co Leitrim The hardworking heroes of the Irish health service For all the negative press the Irish health service receives, my familys most recent experience of it has been very positive. My wife displayed symptoms of Covid last Wednesday evening. She contacted her doctor first thing Thursday, got referred for a Covid test that evening and received her results (negative, thank God!) on Friday night. All that on a day where more than 8,000 cases were announced. Thank you to all the hardworking staff in the health service keep going, the end is in sight. Ian Browne Maynooth, Co Kildare Trumps tweets were bound to rekindle embers of racism A ban on Donald Trumps use of Twitter does not infringe on his freedom of speech. Every state and individual has a solemn responsibility to uphold the dignity and mental and physical integrity of its people regardless of sex, gender, age, social status, political persuasion, etc. Trumps incendiary speech was bound to rekindle the embers of racism, white supremacy and ethnic divisions that led to the bloody invasion of the US Congress at a critical juncture with the ascendancy of Russia and China, North Koreas possession of nuclear armaments and Irans pledge to upgrade its nuclear arsenal. Also, any act that is intended to prevent bloodshed should therefore be fought with tooth and nail. Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob London, United Kingdom The bright spark we need for these dark lockdown nights Tommy Tiernan is back again to brighten up our lockdown Saturday nights. Without doubt the worlds number one chat show. Brian Mc Devitt, Glenties, Co Donegal. Read what is in the news today: Politics Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh on Sunday sent a message of condolences to Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi over an Indonesian plane crash off the coast of Jakarta on Saturday. Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong has sent a message of congratulations to Kuwaits Emir Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad AlJaber AlSabah on the occasion of the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Kuwait (January 10, 1976), according to the Vietnam News Agency. Society A 24-year-old Vietnamese woman repatriated from Japan was confirmed as the latest case of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the national tally to 1,514 infections, with 1,361 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths. Vietnams COVID-19 patient No. 1440 hailing from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long has tested positive for the coronavirus for eight times, despite experiencing no symptoms after 16 days of treatment. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the expansion project of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant in northern Hoa Binh Province to increase its total capacity to 2,400MW by 2023 on Sunday morning. Ho Chi Minh Citys construction, natural resources and environment, and planning and investment departments have thrown their support behind the municipal Department of Transports proposal to the Peoples Committee of launching five electric bus routes in the city. A male tourist slipped and fell while climbing a high rock cliff, widely known as the 'death cliff,' at Ma Pi Leng Pass in Lai Lung Commune, Meo Vac District, northern Ha Giang Province to take pictures on Sunday. He was lucky enough to have merely sustained some wounds. Construction of the National Innovation Center (NIC) began in Hanoi on Saturday along with the opening of an international exhibition displaying leading innovations, according to the online newspaper of the Vietnamese government VGP News. Lifestyle The salt-making craft of Bac Lieu Province, located in Vietnams Mekong Delta region, has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage site, according to VGP News. A ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City Book Street establishment (January 9, 2016) on Nguyen Van Binh Street in District 1 was held on Saturday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! India expects to invest 4 trillion ($54.5 billion) in clean coal projects over the next decade as it seeks to tap domestic energy sources and curb imports, federal home minister Amit Shah said. The investment will be made in clean coal facilities, including coal gasification and coal-bed methane, Shah said at a signing ceremony to develop new mines. He said coal power will be key to achieving Indias ambition of becoming a $5 trillion economy, a goal he said would be reached despite setbacks due to Covid-19. Emissions from burning coal can be made cleaner but not totally erased. India, the worlds third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, expects coal to remain its dominant energy source for decades, even as large parts of the world shun the dirtiest fossil fuel, which is blamed for contributing to global warming and air pollution. The South Asian nation has defended its use of the fuel while also embracing large-scale renewable energy projects to transition to clean energy. We have to meet a target to become a $5-trillion economy, and for that, we have to exploit our coal reserves," Shah said to the winning bidders of Indias first auction of coal blocks for commercial mining. We should look at exploiting our coal reserves under the ground in the next thirty years to speed up economic growth. Looking at the rapid growth in alternative energy sources, the sooner we exploit these reserves, the better for us." The investment in clean coal from state-run companies will be 2.5 trillion, Shah said, accounting for almost 63% of the total. He said a roadmap has been prepared and 100 million tons of coal gasification capacity is planned by 2030. Coal helped produce about 64% of Indias electricity in the first half of the fiscal year ending March, although its share has been sliding with the growth in renewable energy. It is impossible to operate an industry or even grow crops without using some form of energy. And energy will continue to mean coal for several decades," coal minister Pralhad Joshi said at the same event. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Cafes in Melbourne's Degraves street open for dine in customers on June 01, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Months to Go Before New COVID Normal in Australia Governments will not be able to say what the new normal will look like before a COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out widely. And chief medical officer Paul Kelly doesnt expect that COVID-safe normal to appear until the second half of 2021. It is a bit hard to tell now I cant look into my crystal ball, Im afraid, Kelly told reporters in Canberra on Jan. 10. (But) every single person that gets their two doses of vaccine and get that very strong protection against severe illness, will give people more confidence, will give the public health system more confidence, will give our politiciansthat need to make these decisions in the endmore confidence. Last week the federal government brought forward the start of the vaccine rollout to February, beginning with the vaccination of quarantine and border workers, frontline health officials, aged care workers and residents, and disability workers. The government is hopeful a network of vaccination hubs will be able to deliver it to four million Australians by the end of March. Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will on Monday reveal whether there is a need to extend the states snap lockdown that has been in place over the weekend. Greater Brisbanes strict lockdown ends at 6 p.m. on Monday, but some restrictions will remain until 1am on Friday Jan. 22. Victoria also recorded zero cases for a fourth straight day on Sunday. NSW was the only jurisdiction to report new local infections on Sundaytwo in the Berala cluster and one in the northern beacheseven as restrictions were eased in the latter. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the main threat of her states clusters has subsided to some extent. She thanked the northern beaches community for their sacrifices during the lockdown that began just before Christmas. Colin Brinsden in Canberra Mr. Clyburn argued in favor of delaying the start of any Senate trial for several months to allow President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. to take office without the cloud of an all-consuming impeachment drama. It would be nearly impossible to start a trial before Jan. 20, and delaying it further would allow the House to deliver a stinging indictment of the president without impeding Mr. Bidens ability to form a cabinet and confront the spiraling coronavirus crisis. Lets give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running, Mr. Clyburn, an influential ally of Mr. Biden, said in another interview on CNN. The uncertainty underscored how little precedent those seeking to contain the president had to guide them. No president has been impeached in the final days of his term, or with the prospect of a trial after he leaves office and certainly not just days after lawmakers themselves were attacked. A two-thirds majority is needed to convict and remove a president in the Senate. But if he were found guilty, a simple majority of the Senate could then bar Mr. Trump from holding office in the future. Mr. Biden has tried to keep a distance from the impeachment issue. He spoke privately Friday with Ms. Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the top Senate Democrat. But publicly he has said that the decision rests with Congress, and that he intends to remain focused on the work of taking over the White House and the governments coronavirus response. In 10 days, we move forward and rebuild together, Mr. Biden wrote on Twitter on Sunday. At the White House, Mr. Trump remained out of sight for a fourth straight day and made no public comment on either the assault on the Capitol or the brewing impeachment threat. The White House announced instead that he would travel on Tuesday to Alamo, Texas, to promote his border wall as part of a series of activities highlighting what he sees as the achievements of the last four years. Madigan faces formidable dissent for the first time since he won for the speakers post in 1983. He got pushed out of the job for one term when Republicans managed to win a majority of seats in the Illinois House in 1994. Other than that diversion, his reign has not only been the surest of sure things, his power has expanded. San Francisco is a city of secrets. Some are buried, but some still form part of our daily landscape curiosities that Bay Area folk drive, cycle and walk by every day. We're starting a new series today dedicated to digging into the stories behind those oddities. The first is an ominous sign that watches over a block right in the middle of the city that I've been curious about every time I've walked under its gaze. It's a message that has loomed ominously over passing San Franciscans going about their days in Chinatown for more than 160 years. Old St. Mary's Cathedral, on the northeast corner of Grant and California, used to be the tallest building in California. At 90 feet, it's now not even the tallest building on the block, but the sign under the clock is lofty in its warning: "Son, Observe the Time and Fly from Evil." It's no coincidence that the Bible verse, taken from the Old Testament's Ecclesiastes 4:23, looks over what was once Dupont Street. In 1854, that block, like much of the young city, was a hive of carnality and crime. Several brothels, opium dens and dance halls lined Dupont Street when the place of worship was built. The block was also the frequent site of roving battles between rival Chinese gangs, known as the Tong Wars. The street had such a sordid reputation that after the 1906 earthquake, it was cleaned up and renamed Grant Avenue, in an early example of San Francisco neighborhood rebranding. Andrew Chamings In the early 1850s, the city's population increased fifty-fold in just two years, and nearly all of these argonauts were young men. Tens of thousands arrived in San Francisco from around the world seeking gold and often female companionship. At one point, more than 100 brothels operated in the area, largely in the nine-block region around Pacific Avenue infamously known as the Barbary Coast. The Old St. Mary's Cathedral warning served as guidance to those young men on the street frequenting the brothels, in hope that they would see it, reflect on their evenings' plans, turn on their heels and spend some time instead in the city's first Catholic cathedral, rather than the arms of one of the thousands of sex workers in the city at the time. As an unnamed "old lady" told a San Francisco Examiner writer visiting the church in 1918: "At one time this was a very wicked part of our city." The Examiner portrayed the church as, "standing upon the borders of vice, a soul oasis, a harbor of peace and consolation upon the shores of a great city's wickedness and temptation, what prayers and tears must have been breathed and shed within its sacred walls." Or as a San Franciscan Archbishop said in 1855, the church "can scarcely be approached from any direction without a shudder at the sinfulness and filth of its surroundings." The message, in gold lettering on black painted sandstone, is positioned squarely under the clock. Beyond the plea for some moral clarity, the direction to "observe the time" may act as a form of godly curfew: Look, son, it's nearly midnight, take your drunk ass home or come in and sleep on a pew. The sign and tower is impressive and rather foreboding today, but it must have seemed even more grandiose at the time when it was the tallest tower in the state. While the church withstood the earthquake in 1906, it succumbed to the fire the following day. The flames ravaged its interior at a temperature so searing, it melted the church bells and marble altar. Blair Heagerty But the tower and red brick walls survived, and the building was soon renovated. The cathedral was rebuilt again in the 1960s after another fire, the work again faithfully reconstructing the original architecture, and the warning sign again took its place watching over Chinatown. Quick pop culture aside: The sign and church make an appearance in a bonkers San Francisco movie that no one has seen 1979's "Time After Time." It would take an hour to try to describe the convoluted plot, but basically Malcolm McDowell, playing science fiction writer H.G. Wells, travels forward in time from Victorian London to 1970s San Francisco to hunt down Jack the Ripper, who also somehow ended up there. Jack does take a glance at the biblical warning, but decides not to flee from evil and instead murders some sex workers on Broadway. I watched the movie so you don't have to, but here's the trailer featuring some great '70s San Francisco shots and some special effects that make Pong look like The Matrix. Have you passed by any weird remnants of the past in the Bay Area you want to know more about? Or any modern day oddities that just don't make sense? Please send any ideas for future Obscure SF stories to andrew.chamings@sfgate.com This is a serious case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Scruggs said at the hearing, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Everyone involved in the storming of the Capitol last week needs to be held accountable for their actions, including Mr. Johnson. Posted Monday, January 11, 2021 9:10 am A former Army staff sergeant from Joint Base Lewis-McChord who killed 16 Afghan civilians, including nine children, is among eight former service members convicted of war crimes who have filed petitions seeking pardons or clemency from President Donald Trump. Robert Bales, 45, admitted to the 2012 massacre in Kandahar Province in a 2013 general court-martial in order to avoid the death penalty. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in the maximum-security wing of the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Bales spent his entire Army career with Joint Base Lewis-McChord's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and lived in Lake Tapps with his wife and two children. Bales' attorney, John Maher, told The News Tribune his legal team wanted to take advantage of the fact that, traditionally, past presidents have given pardons in the last weeks of their administration. However, he said after the events of this week, a pardon for Bales is unlikely. "Factoring out the events of Wednesday, I think the likelihood of a pardon is in the single-digit percentages," Maher said, referencing the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 by a violent mob of pro-Trump loyalists. "I do think this president has a soft spot for military and law enforcement, so we'll see." In the Dec. 2 filing, Maher asked the president to "disapprove the findings and the sentence in this court-martial, or grant a full and unconditional pardon, or commute the present sentence to 20 years confinement." Maher said he filed the petition because the current defense team, which picked up Bales' case on appeal, does not believe that Bales was "in his right mind" when he entered a guilty plea. According to Maher, Bales had been taking the antimalarial drug mefloquine, which can have adverse psychiatric effects, including a tendency toward violence, in some patients. Maher first raised the issue of Bales having allegedly been given mefloquine by the Army in a 2017 appeal, four years after he was sentenced at JBLM. Maher said Bales took mefloquine during a 2003-2004 tour in Iraq and possibly was taking it in Afghanistan in 2012. There continues to be little evidence of Bales having taken the drug, according to retired Lt. Col. Jay Morse, who prosecuted Bales seven years ago. In an op-ed for Military.com, Morse said the only evidence to support the claim is a statement from a fellow soldier "who thinks it likely that Bales was in the same unit formation he was in when he himself received mefloquine." "The truth is this: Bales and his attorneys had the opportunity to present evidence three times," Morse wrote. "On each occasion, Bales' attorneys presented zero supporting evidence that he was ever given mefloquine, zero evidence that he was provided an unfair trial, zero evidence that we should question his mental state at the time of his murders." Maher also said the Army failed to disclose information about key witnesses during the sentencing. He claims that the prosecution falsely portrayed several witnesses as farmers, rather than known associates to IED events or the Taliban. When this claim was brought up during a 2017 appeal, Morse told The News Tribune that he was aware that one witness was briefly held at a facility in Parwan, Afghanistan but he "takes a pretty significant exception that he was tied into terrorist activities." In op-ed for Military.com on Jan. 5, retired Lt. Col. David Gurfein, defended Bales' request for a pardon, calling him a "warrior." Gurfein is CEO of United American Patriots, a nonprofit that advocates for service members who believe they have been wrongly convicted of war crimes. Documents of support from UAP were included in Bales' petition for a presidential pardon, Gurfein's op-ed included multiple falsehoods, including the claim that Bales might not have killed civilians at all, a fact which is backed up by multiple witnesses and Bales' own words in his 2013 confession. ___ (c)2021 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) Visit The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) at www.TheNewsTribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Share The volume of Internet-based cyber attacks on UK businesses increased by just under a fifth (19 percent) in 2020, according to Beaming, a specialist internet service provider for businesses. Companies in the UK experienced 686,961 individual attempts each, on average, to breach their systems online last year, up from 576,575 in 2019. 2020 was the busiest year on record for cyber attacks on UK companies. The volume of attacks surged as the UK went into lockdown for the first time and remained exceptionally high during the remainder of 2020. Businesses experienced attempts to breach their systems at a rate the equivalent of once every 46 seconds last year. This compares to an attack every 55 seconds in 2019. One in ten cyber attacks received by UK companies in 2020 sought to gain control of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). Company file-sharing services, databases and web applications were also targeted more than 10,000 times each in 2020. The greatest threat to UK businesses online appeared to come from China in 2020, with Beaming analysts identifying 189,695 unique IP addresses in the country as the source of attacks throughout the year. Beaming also traced large numbers of cyber attacks to locations in Taiwan (88,221), Vietnam (81,570), the USA (79,019) and Brazil (73,183). CHART: Cyber attacks on UK businesses CHART: Attacking IP addresses by origin Says Sonia Blizzard, managing director of Beaming: The threat to UK businesses from hackers and other malicious elements online was magnified in 2020, as the volume of attacks continued to grow and the Internet became increasingly important to many more parts of the economy. We saw the best of the Internet in 2020 as businesses adapted to survive. Businesses need to do everything they can to increase their resilience to the growing threat posed by the very worst elements online. For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv Share this: Email Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Print Reddit Twitter Tumblr Pocket Like this: Like Loading... 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. KCTCS Suspends Search for New President By West Kentucky Star Staff VERSAILLES - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System says it has temporarily ended its search for a new president.The college system says the search committee completed its work and the KCTCS Board of Regents had selected four finalists. The next step of the process was to conduct in-person interviews, which were planned for later this month.Given the current situation regarding COVID-19 cases and the uncertain timetable for vaccinations, the board felt strongly that face-to-face interviews are not possible any time soon.Because the pandemic situation is so fluid, no date has been set to reopen the search. Any current applicants that would like to reapply will be welcome to do so at that time.Paul Czarapata will continue to serve as interim president until a new president is selected. Rajasthan police have arrested one a man on charges of working as an agent of Pakistani intelligence, officials said here on Monday. Satyanarayan Paliwal, resident of Jaisalmer village Lathi, has been arrested by the Special Branch of CID in Rajasthan on charges, confirmed Additional Director General of Intelligence Umesh Mishra. Paliwal was involved in activities for a long time. On the directions of officials, his activities were being monitored by intelligence officials. Sensing foul play, he was interrogated and when grilled, he confessed to being in contact with a female agent via a social media account being run by Pakistani intelligence and illegally keeping documents related to the Indian Army on his phone. Now intelligence agencies are questioning the accused, which may lead to further key revelations, confirmed officials. --IANS arc/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.) New Delhi, Jan 11 : Ahead of its protest on January 15 against the farm laws, the Congress has reached out to opposition parties to devise a joint strategy to press the demand for the withdrawal of the legislations. Interim President Sonia Gandhi has sought support from like-minded parties on the ongoing agitation by the farmers, sources said. According to the sources, she spoke to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, and CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, and they, in turn, are likely to speak other opposition party leaders to mobilise support. The Congress on Saturday announced that it has decided to organise 'Kisan Adhikar Divas' across the country on January 15 and will hold sit-ins outside the Raj Bhavans in all states. The party is also preparing a booklet to tell the people why it is opposing the farm laws. Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal said: "Now, the Supreme Court has said that the Central government failed to protect the interests of the farmers, lets hope good sense prevails with the government. The Central government should repeal the farm laws and the PM should speak to farmers and offer his apologies." After the apex court's observations, General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said that "now the government should withdraw these laws". On Monday, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice S. A. Bobde toughened its stand, saying that the court has made up its mind to stay the implementation of the three farm laws, which have led to the protest by thousands of farmers at various Delhi borders. Cheyenne Wyoming, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Federal Credit Union and Blue Foundation have fully funded its $200,000 pledge towards the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming. These funds will continue to provide disaster relief for victims of the devastating 2020 Colorado and Wyoming wildfire season. Blue and the Blue Foundation matched every dollar raised, up to $200,000, which resulted in over $437,000 raised over two months. All raised funds are designated to stay local to help support people in Colorado and Wyoming communities. Blue's vision is to be a community partner wherever we are. In a year like 2020, there were extraordinary opportunities to be a strong partner. The 2020 wildfire season wreaked havoc throughout our Colorado and Wyoming communities that will take years to recover from. It is our wish that these funds help play a role in the recovery, says Stephanie Teubner, CEO of Blue Federal Credit Union. We were honored to partner with the Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming to reach those in the most need directly. Being there for our members and communities is what both Blue and the Red Cross do best. The funds raised will assist with all fire recovery efforts from the entire 2020 fire season. However, three fires will be the primary focus, Cameron Peak, East Troublesome and the Mullen Fire. The Cameron Peak Fire is the largest in Colorado state history and the East Troublesome Fire is the second largest. Both fires were fully contained in December of 2020 but only after burning over 400,000 acres of land and destroying over 500 structures. The Mullen Fire in Southern Wyoming burned over 175,000 acres before being contained. The Red Cross has cumulatively provided over 39,000 overnight shelter stays to people in hundreds of hotel rooms. Alongside community partners, the Red Cross served over 31,000 meals. The disaster response was supported by 165 disaster workers both on the ground and virtually to provide support for those impacted by both fires. Were so thankful for Blue Federal Credit Union and the Blue Foundation for its commitment to the Red Cross through its gifts to support disaster relief towards our communities impacted by our devastating fires, said Gino Greco, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Colorado & Wyoming Region. Those gifts directly help support individuals who were evacuated and were provided with lodging, food, mental and medical services and so much more. Having incredible community partners like Blue and the Blue Foundation, allow us to do the work that matters most when people are in need. The $200,000 wildfire relief match, Blues second $200,000 fundraising match of 2020, was approved by the Board of Directors of both Blue Federal Credit Union and Blue Foundation within days. The desire to help with wildfire relief efforts grew in importance when the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires threatened Blues branch in Granby, Colorado. Attachments The National Committee on Textiles & Clothing (NCTC) has requested the government to remove (ADD) on Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) and address the VSF spun yarn availability and price issues to prevent job losses and stoppage of production across the VSF textile value chain. NCTC said that the textile industry has been facing stagnation since many years due to a lack of availability of the basic raw materials of man-made fibre / filament yarn at internationally competitive prices. Taking a serious view of the high price of VSF in India, the captains of the various segments of VSF value chain, viz Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), Indian Spinners Association (ISA) and Powerloom Development Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) under the common platform of NCTC have unanimously submitted a joint representation to the prime minister for the removal of ADD on the import of VSF to achieve global competitiveness and achieve the target of $350 billion by 2025 set by the Ministry of Textiles for the textiles and apparel sector. They have also requested the union minister of textiles and secretary, textiles to support the textile industry in this regard. NCTC observed that Owing to the growing demand for VSF and its blended textiles and clothing market opportunities, the demand for VSF has increased steeply not only in India, but also across the globe." NCTC noted, as the imported yarn price was cheaper due to high ADD prevailing on the domestic viscose staple fibre, the weaving and knitting sectors have been importing large volumes of VSF spun yarn. The import of VSF spun yarn increased from 2 million kgs during 2016-17 to 56 million kgs during 2019-20. VSF price has increased from $1.15 to $1.50 per kg during the last few months. As the domestic VSF price was expensive due to ADD (upto $ 0.512 per kg), the demand for domestic spun yarn fell leading to the availability and price affecting the entire VSF value chain, especially the knitted and powerloom sectors. All the major VSF powerloom clusters in states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc are agitating against the steep increase in VSF prices. Against this backdrop, NCTC has appealed to the prime minister to remove the ADD levied on VSF on a war footing to address the burning issue, grab emerging market opportunities and to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers employed in the VSF textile value chain. This is the second appeal to the prime minister, in this regard. The VSF value chain industry players have said, removing ADD on VSF will bring the domestic VSF prices in line with the global VSF prices making the entire Indian VSF textile value chain globally competitive and boost production and exports of these products. One Injured in Murray Collision By West Kentucky Star Staff MURRAY - A two vehicle collision on Friday sent a Murray man to the hospital.At 7:15 pm, Murray police officers were called to Arcadia Circle for a two vehicle collision with injuries.At the scene, 29-year-old Zita Jackson of Louisville, told officers she was leaving a parking lot and turning onto Arcadia Circle when she was struck by a vehicle.Officers then spoke with 19-year-old Luka Venice of Mayfield. Venice said he was driving east on Arcadia when a vehicle pulled out in front of him and struck his vehicle.Nineteen-year-old Demetria Murrell was taken to the emergency room for treatment of injuries.The Murray Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Murray Fire Department and the Murray Calloway County Ambulance Service. Today Sunshine this morning. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing this afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she wants President Donald Trump's impeachment to stop him from pardoning people involved in the storming of the Capitol and running for president again. Pelosi's proposal to a Trump impeachment came on the eve of Democrats' plans to vote on an article about it. But she noted that instead of a Trump impeachment, it would be preferable if Vice President Mike Pence used the 25th Amendment to get the president out of the White House, reported Daily Mail. "I like the 25th Amendment because it gets rid of him - he's out of office," Pelosi said, adding that there had been more support from Congress to impeach the president. Read also: Trump Vows 'Orderly Transition' After Biden Certified as Next President Pelosi said that if the president's remaining days in office were left uncontested, he could pardon the crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Trump Impeachment Proceedings Could Take Months Daily Wire reported that the articles for impeachment by Democrats have at least 180 co-sponsors and is set to be introduced on Monday. But proceedings that would follow could take months. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said on Sunday that the House Democrats might not even be able to send the articles for impeachment to Senate until at least 100 days of the Biden administration. It's unlikely that Trump would be impeached before President-elect Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20. However, a conviction from the Senate could prevent him from being president again. Trump has hinted several times that he plans to run for the White House in 2024. But the riots which caused the death of five people pushed two of the president's allies from the Republican Party to ask for his resignation, reported The Associated Press. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania called for Trump to "resign and go away as soon as possible," the report stated. "I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again," Toomey said, adding that the president doesn't seem to be "electable in any way." Sen. Roy Blunt, also a Republican, didn't go so far as to demand a resignation but told Trump to be "very careful" as he is finishing his days in office. Trump's Speech May Not Be Enough for His Impeachment George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley believes it's unlikely that Trump can be held committed to an impeachable offense, reported Fox News. Turley told "Fox & Friends Weekend" that Trump was calling for people to protest - a message that can not be easily interpreted as insurrection. He added that when the president talked to his followers, he asked them to march to Congress "peacefully." "He does not call for riots. He does not call for violence," Turley noted. Related Story: Fact Check: Did President Trump Watch Live Streams of Capitol Riot From a Private Party Nearby Turley advised the Congress to think carefully about the charges that it would carry out under constitutional means. In an op-ed with The Hill, the law professor warned that even though Trump's comments appear to be "reckless and wrong," pushing for a swift Trump impeachment will be damaging to the U.S. Constitution. Sydney University's Chau Chak Wing Museum draws you in gently. Credit:Elizabeth Farrelly I remember, as a first-year architecture student, being blown away by the idea that form and space could mean something. Id always loved the magic of place. Yet, in my whole 19 years, it had never struck me that space itself a matrix of, well, nothing could become a kind of poetry. Or that its power, like that of poetry, lay in its capacity to be glimpsed, now and then, but never defined, resolved or explained. I was hooked. The common view is that architecture began with shelter. A similar utilitarian etiology has writing originating in accounting. This can hardly be true. Our primal yearnings are not practical. Meaning is not a luxury. In our deepest, most fearful hearts, I believe, we are meaning-making creatures. As we sat in our animal skins around campfires, adrift in a careless universe, we set about defying mortality by creating a sense however illusory that life had meaning. Words create stories, weaving the stars and rivers, the trees and planets, the yearnings and petty squabbles of daily existence into a fabric of meaning to keep us warm. So it is with architecture. Like writing, architecture establishes permanence. It is a flag in the sand, a declaration: "I was here". Some scholars say the earliest architecture was, for this reason, funerary an attempt to diminish death by making it signify. Others believe that architectures first act was to centre tribal life by creating sacred space. In many ways, these urges overlap, often involving the establishment of place via the interment of remains much as Romulus founded Rome by burying his murdered twin, Remus, on the Capitoline. Practicalities such as loading docks are a challenge for architects: the Chau Chak Wing Museum, Sydney University. Credit:Elizabeth Farrelly So if we accept that architecture helps make our lives meaningful, the question becomes: how? Obviously not in the way language does, using words and sentences to ferry ideas from one mind to another. Architecture works in some way that is less precise, but more enveloping. Architecture is immersive. Frank Gehry's Dr Chau Chak Wing at UTS grabs your attention. Credit:Elizabeth Farrelly Architecture can be beautiful, of course. But even visually, it should strive to enhance our experience rather than giving an omg look at that! sugar-hit. In Venice, the Doges Palace, library and other buildings that define St Marks Square are exquisitely composed and fabulously decorated but in a way that enriches, rather than merely dominating, the public experience. This experiential enrichment is architectures core business. Its why St Marks Square is better than the, say, the Taj Mahal, which, however lovely at sunrise, is just an object. Its also why the experiential test not the speeding window test should be our habit. Architecture cannot make us good or bad people. It cannot determine our behaviour but, being experiential, it can nudge us one way or tother" . Good buildings, like well-designed clothes, should support rather than dominate our lives. Again, this is no mere utilitarian role. Its moral. Architecture can dignify us, adding a degree of nobility to our sense of self, and in so doing, it lures us from our inner murderous primate towards our inner angel. St Marks Square is better than, say, the Taj Mahal which, however lovely at sunrise, is just an object. Lets consider the two Chau Chak Wings in this light. One may be eye-catching and the other aloof, but what are they like experientially to be near, to be in? As the German philosopher Heidegger might have said, what is their being-there, their dasein? Inside the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney. Credit:Kate Geraghty Where the Gehry building grabs your attention, insisting like some toddler on a trike that you admire its gymnastic prowess, the museum draws you gently in. Subtly curating your experience, it invites your exploration, up and down and through, by eye and then by foot; taking your attention not to itself but to its staggering collections. Loading Both buildings are flawed, of course. Both trip up on reality, stumbling, in their opposite ways, in the tricky business of accommodating the idea to mundane reality. Modern architecture clung to the principles of minimalism elegant plan, flow of space, simple planes. At its best, these took it to the sublime; at its worst, it was just dull. The danger presented by the mundane fire alarms, kids toys, weather proofing was that of intrusion and mess. Post-modernism threw all that to the winds. Lets just have fun, it giggled, replacing simplicity with complexity and contradiction. Less isnt more, quipped theorist Robert Venturi. Less is a bore. It doesnt matter where your Big Idea comes from, one tutor told us as students. It can come from the shape of the chewing gum on your shoe. So the two Chau Chak Wing buildings trip on reality in these opposite ways. Architect Frank Gehry was said to have drawn a rough sketch of the design on a paper napkin. Credit:Kate Geraghty The museum strives so hard for minimalist purity that things such as COVID-19 bollards and bike racks can read as imperfections. It also has trouble making the floating box concept work. The idea itself is a bit of a modernist trope drawing on Le Corbusiers Villa Savoie (completed 1931) and Harry Seidlers Rose Seidler House (1950). JPW have often used such a strategy (for example, in Governor Phillip Tower in the CBD), differentiating the base of the building from the rest to make it "lift" from the ground. But it must be ruthless. At the museum, the big-head-slender-neck look evident in the early model photos proves difficult to realise once practicalities such as lecture theatres and loading docks are taken into account. The loading dock in particular, which gapes from the universitys sweeping drive, diminishes the buildings coherence. And although the architects use colour difference to compensate making the base a slightly darker beige the box obediently cantilevers but steadfastly refuses to float. The Gehry building fumbles with exigency in a more serious way, since its self-image the concept Gehry was said to have sketched on a cafe napkin was of lecture rooms stacked like a treehouse. Its a hard metaphor to sustain. Stacked planks of laminated timber dont really add up to tree, especially when patched with aluminium windows, fire escape signs and rubbish bins. Stacks of laminated timber don't add up to tree in the UTS Dr Chau Chak Wing building. Credit:Elizabeth Farrelly Similarly, brick is an intrinsically load-bearing material. Gehry was determined to use it in a non-loadbearing way, so every brick had to be individually tied back to a steel frame. This clever (and expensive) trickery shows in the underside soffits of the curves and bulges, where the brick comes to an abrupt and ungainly edge. More serious is the dasein. For the effect of this essentially inapt idea treehouse-cum-paper bag is constantly to compromise the spatial quality. In this glamour facade, the public street entrance is regulation aluminium door punched through like an annoyance. Inside, although the objects are all different columns rake, bend and twist, some square, some round, some angular but the experience is mundane. Inside the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS: features bend and twist but the experience is mundane. Credit:James Brickwood At the Chau Chak Wing Museum, on the other hand, the floating box idea is an easy fit with its treasure-house function, strong enough to unify these disparate collections, so the dasein remains intact. You enter beneath the great hanging box, emerge into its lofty, gentle space, climb to its heights (to explore the astonishing Gululu dhuwala djalkiri exhibition of work from 100 Arnhem Land artists in the Ian Potter Gallery), descend into the land of mummies and sarcophagi from the Nicholson collection, or, further still, into the wondrous creatures from the Macleay Museum Collection. Bloomberg photo by Eric Lee A New York lawyers group is exploring removing Rudy Giuliani from its membership over his role in the Washington protest that turned into a violent raid on the U.S. Capitol. The New York State Bar Association announced the probe on Monday. The group does not control admission to practice law in New York, which falls under the courts' authority. But the NYSBA, along with Association of the Bar for the City of New York, are prominent groups that speak for the state's legal community. Drew "BigPavelski" Soik lost a bigger portion of his short stack when a five-high flush draw missed and but he then doubled with against the of "turkey1" thanks to a board of . Fast forward a few seconds and Soik's chips were in the middle again as he three-bet jammed for 11,443,442 on the button. Paulius Plausinaitis cold-called in the big blind and "likeboy" as the initial raiser elected to fold. Drew "BigPavelski" Soik: Paulius Plausinaitis: The flop gave Plausinaitis a flush draw, which he missed on the turn. The sweat card on the river revealed a diamond well before it rolled over to expose the , sending Soik out in 11th place for $48,908. New Delhi: Good News for the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for the first time made it to the list of the worlds top 200 universities. According to the QS World University Rankings 2018 which was released on Wednesday shows that IIT-Bombay has his a century by jumping from 219th position to 179th position this year, joining IIT Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in the top 200 institutes of the world in the league. In the league of top universities the IIT Delhi has be able to grab 172nd this time. However, the IISc has at 152nd spot from 190th rank. It just like a dream to see this happening as it is the the first time in over a decade that three of the countrys universities have made it to the top 200. Devang Khakhar, Director, IIT-B, said: The improved ranking is a reflection of the continuous improvement of the quality of education and research at IIT Bombay. But the IISc is rated the sixth best institution across the globe in QSs citations per faculty metric. This metric measures the research intensiveness and research impact of a university by dividing the number of citations that a universitys research acquires by the number of faculty members at that university. QS notes that IIScs research papers were cited nearly 82,000 times over the five-year period QS used for this metric, . The QS World University Rankings was released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a British agency that ranks higher educational institutesm responsable to compare leading universities around the globe based on six performance indicators across four areas research, teaching, employability and internationalisation. Significant weightage (40 per cent of the total score) is attached to an institutes reputation. Research is another criteria that holds a high weightage at 20 per cent WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Enlightened, Inc. has been awarded a contract with the Medical Services Program Administration supporting the North Carolina Army National Guard (NCARNG), Raleigh, NC. The Medical Services Program Administration is a collaborative process documenting actions taken in assessing, planning, facilitating, coordinating care, and evaluating options and services to meet the comprehensive healthcare needs of Soldiers. Enlightened will continue to focus on enhancing the availability of resources to promote the medical readiness of NCARNG Soldiers. Enlightened, Inc. is a leading Information Technology (IT) consulting firm delivering Cyber Security, Software Development, System Integration, and Management Consulting solutions. Enlightened has been supporting the NCARNG since January 2020, ensuring that all medical databases were effectively and efficiently updated and indexed to support Medical Readiness goals and objectives. During this period, the Enlightened team maintained and updated Flight Physicals for over 100 pilots and reviewed and processed medical documentation for over 3,500 soldiers. The Enlightened team also processed 300 post deployment medical screenings for Soldiers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Enlightened is privileged to continue to support the North Carolina Army National Guard and we look forward to additional opportunities to provide solutions to the Guard in North Carolina and across the United States," said Antwanye Ford, President and CEO of Enlightened. Enlightened is an award-winning company that provides Cyber Security, IT and management solutions to resolve complex business problems for federal, state, and local government agencies. Enlightened holds GSA IT-70 and MOBIS schedule contracts and is certified as a HUBZone and Small Business by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additionally, Enlightened is rated CMMI-DEV Level 3 and CMMI-SVC Level 2 by the CMMI Institute. For more information, please visit www.enlightened.com. Contact: Arielle Kozub, [email protected], 202-728-7190 ex 317 SOURCE Enlightened, Inc. Related Links www.enlightened.com The MAGA rioters now being hunted by the authorities for storming the Capitol could argue that he told them to do it as part of a well-known legal defense known as the 'public authority' defense. Before thousands marched to the Capitol on Wednesday, Trump whipped them into a frenzy at a Save America Rally. 'We're going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, and we're going to the Capitol. We going to try to give our Republicans, the weak ones...The kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country,' he said. He didn't tell them explicitly to be violent but he told them to 'fight like hell' to overturn what he believes is a fraudulent election result. Now, legal experts writing for The Washington Post say the people who have been arrested in connection with the riot may use his encouragement to try to get lesser sentences or even have the charges dropped. Before thousands marched to the Capitol on Wednesday, Trump whipped them into a frenzy at a Save America Rally Less than two hours after Trump's speech nearby, this was the scene at the Capitol. Now, legal experts say the rioters may argue they thought they were doing nothing wrong because Trump told them to act In the past, the public authority defense has been used by a convicted felon who argued that it wasn't his fault he illegally bought a gun because the gun dealer who sold it to him said it was allowed. The fact that Trump fans were brazenly posting videos and photos from the siege shows that many had nothing to hide and may not have even known or believed they were doing anything illegal. Thousands made no attempt to cover their faces from surveillance cameras or even new crews as they stormed their way inside. The mentality that they weren't doing anything wrong was put on display by Proud Boys leader Nicholas Ochs, one of the dozens who has been arrested. Before his arrest, he boasted to CNN about breaking in: 'We didnt have to break in, I just walked in and filmed. 'There were thousands of people in there they had no control of the situation. I didnt get stopped or questioned.' He claimed he was there for journalistic purposes. Other criminal defendants who have used public authority defenses in the past also include 12 people from Fresno and San Francisco who were charged with attempting to overthrow the government of Laos. Many of the rioters brazenly took photos inside the Capitol, making no attempt to hide what they'd done or conceal their identities, which experts say is another sign they thought they were acting within the law The case was dropped after one of their attorneys argued that they were lured into the plot by undercover federal agent posing as a CIA officer. They claimed they thought they were being encouraged by the US government so presumed what they were doing was legal. The existence of the defense and whether or not it will actually work if any of the rioters chose to use it will also make it increasingly likely for Trump, Giuliani or any other Republican figures to be charged for instigating the violence. The DC Attorney General already said he would not rule out charging any of the instigators, as has the country's top federal prosecutor. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin last week vowed to to investigate all 'bad actors'. Asked specifically about Trump while on a call with reporters, he said: 'I dont want to sound like a broken record. Were looking at all actors here. 'Anyone who had a role and where the evidence fits a crime.' DC Attorney General Kevin Racine echoed his remarks. 'The real question is how far up does it go? Clearly the Capitol was ground central in all of this mob's behavior. 'Donald Trump Jr, Giuliani, even the president of the United States were calling on their supporters and hate groups to go to the Capitol and in the words of Rudy Giuliani 'exercise combat justice'. 'We're going to investigate not only the mobsters but also those who invited the violence,' he said during an appearance on Good Morning America. In 2021, spending on organ and tissue transplantation has been increased to UAH 502 million. In 2021, we have significantly increased budget spending on the implementation of a pilot transplantation project up to UAH 502 million. For comparison: in 2019, the relevant spending was UAH 112 million. This year, expenditure has increased more than fourfold. We are currently working out a mechanism for transplanting in Ukraine, conducting a detailed cost calculation, so that in the near future transplantation will become a completely standard type of medical care that Ukrainians can receive in their country," said Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, the Ministrys press service reports. He reminded that the pilot project on transplantation development is being implemented in Ukraine which provides for a change in the financial mechanism for transplanting. The Ministry now concludes contracts with healthcare facilities and covers all costs for each transplant. Earlier, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that the Ministry of Health expected to conduct at least 250 organ transplant surgeries in 2021. Every year, about 5,000 people in Ukraine need organ or tissue transplants. As part of the pilot project on organ transplantation development in 2020, the Ministry of Health doubled the number of healthcare facilities that can perform organ transplants in Ukraine. During this period, 38 healthcare and research facilities joined the project. In 2020, eight heart transplants, 19 liver transplants, 91 kidney transplants and 138 bone marrow transplants were performed (compared to 71 kidney transplants, 6 liver transplants, 1 heart transplant performed in 2019). ol Harrisburg recorded 22 homicides in 2020, making it the deadliest year for violence in the city in the past three decades. The death toll represented a nearly 60-percent increase compared to 2019. Municipalities outside of Harrisburg in Dauphin County logged three homicides in 2020, a substantially lower number than 2019, but the citys numbers lifted the countys total to 25, an increase over 2019. Cumberland County, meanwhile, also counted more killings: eight homicides, up from four in 2019. The local increase in deadly violence last year mirrors national trends showing an unprecedented one-year increase in homicides amid a pandemic and social unrest. Philadelphia saw nearly 500 people killed, a 40% increase. Chicago police reported more than 750 killings, a jump of more than 50% compared with 2019, according to NPR. By mid-December, Los Angeles saw a 30% increase over the previous year with 322 homicides. There were 437 homicides in New York City by Dec. 20, nearly 40% more than the previous year, the news station reported. When adjusted for population, Harrisburgs rate of killing stands out. The citys rate of 22 killings per 50,000 residents is higher than Chicago (13.9) and Philadelphia (15.7.) Harrisburgs tally includes one death previously not reported publicly: the stabbing of a 32-year-old man during a fight in 2019 who police say died from his injuries in May last year. Police also believe a man killed last year, fatally shot another man in the city three months prior to his own demise by gun violence. In Dauphin County, four of those killed were women; 21 were men. In Cumberland County, an equal number of men and women were killed. Prosecutors say they believe all the women died of domestic violence. The age of those killed last year ranged from a 45-day-old baby poisoned by fentanyl in Harrisburg to an elderly woman who authorities say was killed by her caretaker in Lower Allen Township. The definition of homicide For the purposes of this homicide count, PennLive relied on coroner rulings. Homicide is simply the taking of one life by another person. Not all homicides are criminal. A homicide can be legally justified (think self-defense.) This count includes two homicides that were ruled justified. The count does not include cases where prosecutors filed criminal charges in deaths that were ruled accidental by coroners but had elements of recklessness or gross negligence. For example, Cumberland County prosecutors last year filed third-degree murder charges after a 17-year-old Newville driver allegedly crossed the center line and crashed head-on into another vehicle. Authorities say the 17-year-old was driving more than 90 mph with THC and fentanyl in his system. The February crash killed a 46-year-old woman driving the other vehicle. But this review doesnt count that death, nor cases where alleged drug dealers were charged with death by drug delivery, because those deaths were ruled accidental by coroners. Police shootings For the second year in a row, there were no fatal police shootings reported in Dauphin County or Cumberland County. Fatal police shootings are counted as homicides because they involve the taking of a life by another, even if the killing is determined to be legally-justified by prosecutors. In 2018, there were eight fatal police shootings in the five-county area: 3 in Dauphin County; 2 in Lancaster County; 2 in York County and 1 in Lebanon County. The impact of COVID-19 The increase in homicides in the Harrisburg area and across the country is alarming and disconcerting, yet not very surprising, according to criminologists. Criminologists generally believe the pandemic which has disproportionately impacted communities of color has intensified existing structural factors that lead to violence, such as concentrated poverty, while also disrupting law enforcement and social services designed to respond to crime, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Jonathan Lee, associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State Harrisburg, told PennLive the pandemic brought what he considered a near-optimal condition for interpersonal violence in many urban municipalities across the nation. COVID-19 brought a number of changes to our daily lives that could contribute to conditions under which people experience differences and disagreements more frequently due to simply spending more time together in the confinement of their homes, Lee said. This entire situation was forced upon us and without much forewarning, he said. Coupled with high unemployment and underemployment, a lack of chance to vent their anxiety or stress on others in a healthy and legitimate fashion (due to social distancing and business closedowns) must have brought unprecedented and perhaps insurmountable adversities to many people. Harrisburg didnt see an increase in homicides because of any unique characteristic of homicide, Lee said, but rather, Harrisburg, like many other urban communities across the nation, suffered from a surge in all forms of interpersonal conflicts ranging from arguments to homicide. Dauphin County Dauphin County logged 25 homicides last year, a slight increase from 2019, when there were 23. The county recorded 15 homicides in 2018. The countys increase was entirely due to the uptick in city homicides, a level not seen since at least 1988, which was as far back as PennLive could trace annual data. The city came close to last years total of 22 homicides in 2013 when 21 cases were counted. The city also logged 20 homicides in 1995. District Attorney Fran Chardo said the citys most violent times were in the 1970s when totals reached the 40s in some years. City police filed charges against suspects in nine homicides last year and closed out two additional cases that were considered justified, or self-defense. That means the city police achieved a 50% clearance rate, the same rate at the end of 2019, but below the national average of 61%. The clearance rate, however, typically continues to increase in subsequent months and years as police say they do not stop investigating unsolved cases. Harrisburgs solve rate for 2019, for example, now has risen to 66%. Police expect to improve 2020s rate as well. In fact, police say they have good leads in at least three of last years 11 open cases. Outside of the city, the three homicides in other municipalities all were solved or closed last year. They included a domestic violence killing, a fatal robbery and a jail-cell fight that eventually led to the death of an inmate. Harrisburg police Sgt. Kyle Gautsch said there were no new trends with the homicides that occurred in the city in 2020. Most of the victims were young men and the violence was committed with guns. Many of the deaths occurred over drug disputes, which mostly means disputes over money. Thats why dealing in marijuana, often considered by many to be less dangerous than other drugs, still is incredibly dangerous, police say. The money generated is the same, or more than for other drugs, which can lead to opportunistic violence. At least one killing last year appeared to stem from a robbery over a small marijuana deal. One killing appeared gang-related and four are believed to be domestic violence. Cumberland County Cumberland County reported eight homicides last year, doubling the total from 2019. The county logged three homicides in 2018 and two in 2017. Three of last years homicides took place in Carlisle. Police Chief Taro Landis said some of the increased violence could be caused by people cooped up during the coronavirus pandemic, but its hard to say for sure. At least half of the homicides in Cumberland County last year could be attributed to domestic violence, said Sean McCormack, chief deputy district attorney. This is neither surprising nor an unusual trend given the continued prevalence of domestic violence incidents both in our community and nationwide, he said. We need to continue efforts to keep the issue of domestic violence in the forefront of our conversations. Silence is the ally of domestic abusers. As a veteran prosecutor, McCormack said domestic violence is a vexing and complicated issue without easy solutions. I encourage victims, and abusers for that matter, to seek out help so that they do not become one of the statistics we are discussing here-homicide, McCormack said. Detectives from Cumberland County police agencies solved all but one of last years killings by filing criminal charges, for a nearly 88% clearance rate. The legislative Judiciary Committee on Monday confirmed Supreme Court Justice Andrew J. McDonald for a second eight-year term on the states highest court, despite a handful of negative Republican votes revealing lingering animosity from his failed nomination to become chief justice in 2018. There was no debate over the 54-year-old McDonald during the committees virtual hearing. But several GOP lawmakers, including two new members of the state House of Representatives, voted against him. Two others, Rep. Doug Dubitsky of Chaplin and Sen. Rob Sampson, who recently challenged Gov. Ned Lamonts executive orders in the high court, disqualified themselves. McDonald was confirmed 32-5. The nomination now heads to the House and Senate. Opposition in the voting was led by Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, a conservative recently named ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. Fishbein, in a query indicating opposition to the proposed legalization of marijuana for adult use, asked McDonald whether Connecticut law could trump federal laws against the drug. So if marijuana is illegal for recreational use federally, how can a state such as Connecticut even contemplate recreational marijuana legalization? Fishbein asked. That a subject that obviously is going to be debated in the legislature this year, replied McDonald, a Stamford native who now resides in Hartford. Thats a policy decision for the legislature, whether they want to entertain that question, and if so, whether to pass legislation related to that. It would be something that would be litigated and if it got to our court, then I would focus on the merits of the arguments. I am not suggesting that I have studied this in any detail or formed any opinion about whether such legislature would pass statutory or Constitution muster. Eleven states have full legalization of cannabis, most as a result of statewide referendums, while 34 have medical-marijuana programs, including Connecticut. In 2018, the state Senate turned down former Gov. Dannel P. Malloys nomination of McDonald to become the nations first openly gay chief justice. Republicans criticized the high courts 2015 ruling that the repeal of the death penalty had to include the inmates on death row. Republicans charged that McDonald was an activist judge. McDonald, a former Democratic state senator from Stamford who was co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee while he held the Senate seat, was first appointed to the high court by Malloy in 2013. McDonald had been Malloys top lawyer when Malloy was mayor of Stamford and again in Malloys first two years as governor. A longtime trial lawyer, McDonald, who attended Stamford public schools, Cornell University and the University of Connecticut Law School, did not serve as a jurist in the lower courts before Malloys nomination to the Supreme Court. Opponents also included first-term Reps. Kimberly Fiorello, R-Greenwich and Donna Veach,R-Berlin; Rep. David Labriola, R-Oxford; and Rep. Cara Pavlock-DAmato, R-Bristol. State Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, who voted against McDonald in 2018, called the period two years ago a tumultuous time. I know it must have been hard not to be appointed chief justice, Kissel said, asking whether it was difficult for McDonald, who has authored 140 court opinion, to go right to the Supreme Court in his first judicial job. Not a problem whatsoever, McDonald replied. Obviously I was a trial attorney for 20 years. I was pretty versed from at least one side of the bench, on how court operations work. The process of judging is very different at the Superior Court level as opposed to an appellate court level. We have the time to research and look into things in much more detail than the trial courts have to. They have to call balls and strikes dozens of times a day. We have the ability to review the law in much greater detail than they do, as we do our job. Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the committee said in an interview that McDonald has proven himself to be a key member of the court. Justice McDonald brings a unique perspective to the Supreme Court bench as one of the few people who have served in all three branches of state government, Stafstrom said. He has proven himself a reasoned jurist and someone the state relies to serve on a variety of judicial committees to bring about reform and progress in providing access to justice for the citizens of Connecticut. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT Twelve months is the minimum time that policy makers need to study and come up with regulations for the use of new-generation cigarettes, experts have suggested. Hanois police seize smuggled new-generation cigarettes. Experts say a period of at least 12 months is needed to study and come up with regulations for the use of new-generation cigarettes. VNA/VNS Photo Then trials might be done to assess and make amendments if required, they said. There is a big ongoing debate on how to manage the use of new-generation cigarettes including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated-tobacco-products (HTPs). No solution has however been found since ministries and other relevant agencies have been unable to reach consensus. The Government has instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to draft a legal framework for new-generation cigarettes amid a rapid increase in smuggled goods in the market. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has taken a stand that the product should be banned. The Ministry of Science and Technology is considering technical criteria for the new generation of cigarettes. Globally there is no consensus on how to manage new-generation, and each country has its own different policies on managing their use. For instance, the EU is one of the markets that support the use of new-generation tobacco. Some other markets govern it like traditional cigarettes, and some are still studying the issue. There are a few countries that have decided to ban new-generation tobacco products. In the Vietnamese market a ban is not feasible because there is demand, according to experts. And, smuggled products are rife in the market. However, since there is no consensus yet, Vietnam should not issue a specific legal framework. It needs time to study and evaluate the socio-economic impacts of permitting the use of heating cigarettes and e-cigarettes, according to experts. Phan Minh Thuy of the VCCIs legal department said: We need to have careful study before compiling any policy. Comprehensive studies on all aspects including standards, technical regulations, business regulations should be considered. Bui Quang Nghiem, director of Nghiem and Chinh Law Firm, said: New-generation tobacco is still quite new, so we should be careful. He cited the examples of Grab and Uber to point out that when a new service appeared, Vietnam trialled them before adopting laws, and they are constantly updated since new management requirements arise, such as a recent one that commercial vehicles should have yellow licence plates. On heated cigarettes and e-cigarettes, there is no global consensus. Both management agencies and businesses do not yet have a clear understanding and so we need to make a careful study. He said during this period authorities in various sectors would make their own impact assessments. The Government can create a suitable legal framework that safeguards its interests and also public health in line with the national strategy on mitigating the harm caused by tobacco and containing the illegal tobacco market. 12 months, a golden time Experts suggested 12 months is the optimal period to carry out studies while still controlling tobacco smuggling, saying it is vital for Vietnamese tobacco companies because of the differences between traditional cigarettes and new-generation cigarettes. But they have not made any preparations in terms of technology, machinery, expertise, or human resources. This would have a negative impact on the industrys human resources, suppliers and tobacco farmers, they warned. The 12-month period is indispensable and should be considered carefully especially since businesses are in great difficulty due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They require time to revive the old traditional market before preparing for the production of new-generation products. The tobacco industry needs at least 12 months to prepare for competition and achieve stability before heated and e-cigarettes are imported, a representative of the Vietnam Tobacco Association said. He also emphasised that the new generation of tobacco products are all imported and have no precedence in the country. The socio-economic implications of legalising heating tobacco and e-cigarettes need to be fully assessed. This 12-month period will give the Government and regulators more time to assess the risks posed by these products to develop the most appropriate policies with long-term application. Nghiem said: It needs to take at least 12 months to research and prepare for the competitiveness. This time is also enough for the Government to assess the risks of new-generation cigarettes. Based on that, the Government can decide to legalise or continue trial to make precise impact assessments and appropriate adjustments to safeguard its interests and consumers' health and contain the illegal tobacco market. E-cigarettes and HTPs are the result of the global application of technology and still very new to Viet Nam's tobacco industry and regulators. In Vietnam, they are available on various distribution channels, ranging from traditional stores to e-commerce websites and social networks. They are smuggled and traded illegally in the country and the frequency and number of seizures of e-cigarettes and HTPs sales have been gradually increasing. VNS Cicero, NY Andy Keegan and Kristen Kopf, both North Syracuse middle school music teachers, sank nearly $200,000 into their forever home in Cicero. Multiple renovations had transformed a modest 1940s ranch on Button Road into a 2,500-square-foot dream house with a music studio, sun porch, updated kitchen and redone bathrooms. In 2015, they had one more wish: replacing a sealed-off chimney with a picture window. It was supposed to cost $6,000. But a spiraling series of events left the lifelong educators with an unbelievable result: the bulk of their newly renovated home demolished, replaced by a 15-foot, water-filled hole so dangerous it was condemned by the town of Cicero. To make things worse, Keegan, 48, and Kopf, 53, spent $115,000 on the disastrous renovation, had to live with friends for months and had huge debts filed against them in court. Kopf had to declare bankruptcy to pay off the debt she wont be free and clear for another year. Were just starting to get our lives back together, Keegan said recently. Whos to blame for turning their dreams upside down? Notorious Kirkville contractor and since-convicted felon -- Daniel Mace, according to Keegan. Daniel J. Mace, owner of DJM ConstructionMadison County Sheriff's Office Maces deceit eventually caught up to him, but not until years later: he was charged and convicted of felony grand larceny in 2019 after swindling six homeowners out of more than $100,000. Sometimes, he never even showed up to work. The state Attorney General has since taken Mace to civil court, getting a judge to monitor Maces behavior going forward. RELATED: CNY contractor who swindled $100,000 can only work in future under judges watchful eye The criminal prosecution all played out years after authorities closed an investigation into Maces work on the music teachers house, citing lack of evidence. Maces lawyer did not respond to a request for comment for this article. But Mace has previously cast himself as the victim, claiming the family didnt pay him enough. The biggest hurdle to pursuing Mace in the Cicero case, according to prosecutors? Keegan and Kopf had paid Mace $85,000 in straight cash. There was no paper trail showing what Mace did with the money. We were very trusting people, Keegan said. Indeed, texts exchanged between Mace and the family show a warm relationship that soured within weeks in late 2015 as problems mounted, costs skyrocketed and work ground to a halt. The waterlogged hole left after the demolition, caused by an undetected well beneath the foundation. Eventually, Mace walked off the job in late December 2015 after a shouting match with Keegan. When confronted by authorities, Mace blamed the family for not paying him enough to complete what turned into massive project. But the project foreman, Brad Whidby, told police that he believed the family had paid Mace too much. He quit working for Mace after becoming suspicious about how the money was being used. By that point, Mace had cut the foremans salary by more than half, claiming he was running out of money. Things just didnt add up, Whidby told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, echoing what hed told deputies at the time. Dan definitely had the money to make things right for those people. To this day, the couples former property is a grassy lot on a residential corner. A neighbor bought their lot from the bank for $30,000 for storage in their two-car garage virtually all thats left of their old house. This is all that is left of Andy Keegan and Kristen Kopf's house after a disastrous renovation. To the left is the remaining garage. The open lot is where their house used to be; the gaping hole has since been filled in. Keegan and Kopf, who met while teaching in the North Syracuse district, have since bought a new home. But their debt has kept them from taking planned vacations and theyve only recently stopped living paycheck to paycheck. So what happened? It all started with a simple plan: take down an old chimney and put in a window. Kopf had lived in the house for decades. The music teacher of 28 years had long ago paid off the house. Shed expanded it and updated it. In 2010 and 2011, she and Keegan paid a different contractor nearly $200,000 to redo the houses interior. They were happy. The exterior of the Cicero house before work began. Because the chimney project was so much smaller, they took a chance on Mace. He promised them that no one would do the work cheaper. But the project was beset by problems from the start. While inspecting the roof line around the chimney, Mace noted there were holes in the plywood under the shingles: it needed a new roof. The homeowners agreed, and paid Mace $25,000 cash to do a complete teardown and replacement. Within days, that project was done. But even bigger problems loomed: the sill joists large beams that hold up the house off the foundation were rotted. The siding was, too. Mace had a solution: jack up the house and fix them. But when he did, he discovered that all of the sill joists were rotten and there was mold on them. Keegan and Kopf decided to go the big route: tear down the original portion of the house, with its rotten beams, and build all over. They signed a new contract for a whopping $125,000, which included the money already paid. A view from the street during demolition. For that, Mace promised to tear down the bulk of the house and rebuild it on its existing footprint. That would include tearing down the familys sparkling kitchen with granite countertops, two renovated bathrooms, a dining room and a spare bedroom. It also included demolishing a large chunk of the new, $25,000 roof theyd just installed. After removing all of the cabinetry, countertops and furniture they could, Maces workers knocked down the rotten portion of the house. The demolition left a gaping hole in the ground, roughly 40 feet by 40 feet. Only a tarp blocked the elements from the remaining portion of the house. Cinderblocks sit in the pool of water at the bottom of the 15-foot hole left from demolition. Keegan and Kopf moved out of their house to stay with friends as the renovation-turned-rebuild continued. Little did they know that they would never live in their dream home again. After the tear-down, even bigger problems emerged. The demolition destabilized the foundation on the remaining portion of the house, which included a family room and the master bedroom. Also, there was damage to the remaining roof caused by the tear-down. The owners made another decision: demolish another 12 feet of remaining house, including part of a family room and their master bedroom. The contract was rewritten again, this time for $175,000. But there was one last problem, which is what ultimately doomed the project. The hole where their house used to be had filled, on its own, with several feet of water. A pump and gas-powered generator were brought in to clear out the hole. Eventually, workers discovered an abandoned well at the bottom. It was constantly pushing water into the foundation area. Thats why the sill joists had been rotten to begin with. A look at construction equipment bogged down at the bottom of the waterlogged hole. All work had to stop until the ground could be dried out permanently. Workers tried to cap the well, with little luck. As the project became more and more complex, Mace started showing up to work less and less, Keegan said. By this point, the couple had paid Mace roughly $115,000 including $85,000 in cash. The disaster came to a head two days before Christmas in 2015, when Mace and Keegan had a heated argument at the site. Keegan and Kopf demanded to know how all of their money to that point had been spent. Mace said he couldnt keep going without more money. After the argument, Mace stopped working all together. Days later, a structural engineer deemed the house unsalvageable. The couples lawyer sent Mace a letter ordering him to stop work. There was a fight over getting all of the belongings out of storage: Mace demanded more money, but eventually was forced to return everything he could find. In the end, Mace slapped the homeowners with a mechanics lien of $46,000. The town ordered the hole be filled in for safety. Keegan and Kopf scrambled to find a new place to live, taking loans from their retirement and wracking up huge credit card bills, Keegan said. Eventually, they found a builder who worked with them to get into a tidy house near Bridgeport. They were allowed to bring much of their salvaged cabinetry from the old house. Kopf who was the sole owner of the old house declared bankruptcy to structure her debt into manageable payments. Keegan was able to get a mortgage on the new house under his name. The bank took possession of their old house, selling it to a neighbor for $30,000. All told, they lost their forever home and its $200,000 in recent renovations, plus roughly $115,000 to Mace and another $200,000 (plus 4% mortgage interest over 30 years) for their new home, Keegan said. And it all started over just putting a big fricking window in, Keegan noted. In the end, Keegan said the ordeal wont keep the couple from retiring in the next few years. And their plans for a trip to Paris to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary were scrapped by the pandemic, anyway. But perhaps the biggest impact is far deeper than dollars and cents. Were not as trusting anymore, we can tell you that, Keegan said. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070. Trump is confident Vice President Mike Pence and members of his cabinet won't attempt to remove him under the 25th Amendment. Banned from social media and abandoned by some staff after inciting a riot at the U.S. Capitol, President Donald Trump and a dwindling circle of advisers plan a defiant final week in office, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump is confident Vice President Mike Pence and members of his cabinet won't attempt to remove him under the 25th Amendment, the people said. Pence is dismissive of the idea of trying to use that authority to drive Trump from office, one person said, Bloomberg wrote. The president and some allies also believe Democrats are overreaching by trying to once again impeach him over Wednesday's mob at the Capitol, and think Senate conviction would be unlikely in any event. Read alsoStorming of U.S. Capitol: Arrested rioter needs Russian interpreter mediaOne adviser called Democratic consideration of impeachment a political gift to Trump. Pence hasn't discussed the 25th Amendment beyond privately dismissing the approach as not feasible, according to a person familiar with the matter. Trump and Pence haven't spoken since Wednesday, though, when the vice president sheltered in place at the Capitol after the building was stormed by Trump supporters. Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma told the Tulsa World newspaper he'd "never seen Pence as angry" as he was after being blasted by Trump for not intervening in the congressional count of Electoral College votes. Trump tweeted that Pence lacked "courage." More news reports Reporting by UNIAN Bindi and her new husband Chandler Powell will soon welcome their first child together. And on Monday, the 22-year-old Wildlife Warrior cuddled up to her American wakeboarder husband in a loved-up photo shared to her Instagram account. Bindi and Chandler looked happier than ever as they cradled her growing belly. Not long now! Bindi Irwin, 22, (right) shared a sweet photo of her husband Chandler Powell, 24, (left) cradling her bump on Monday, as they prepare to welcome their first child The adorable couple are seen posing in front of a staircase leading into bushland. As the arrival of Bindi and Chandler's first child fast approaches, a family friend has revealed that the couple are making big plans for their baby girl. 'Bindi has a lot of ideas about how the birth will look. Her dream scenario is to have the baby at home, with just Chandler, Terri and a midwife present,' the source told New Idea. Home birth: According to New Idea, Bindi 'has a lot of ideas about how the birth will look. Her dream scenario is to have the baby at home, with just Chandler, Terri and a midwife present' 'After seeing so many animals give birth, she knows things don't always go according to plan, so she'll have her doctor on standby in case she needs to go in to hospital.' The young couple are set to welcome their first child - a daughter - this year, and last month Bindi shared ultrasound footage of her growing baby. 'Our beautiful daughter is the light of our lives. Beyond thankful that she chose us to be her parents. I can't wait for her to be here next year,' Bindi wrote on Instagram at the time. Growing baby: In the accompanying video, Bindi was seen in an ultrasound room as the camera panned across to show her unborn child projected on the screen In the accompanying video, Bindi was seen in an ultrasound room as the camera panned across to show her unborn child projected on the screen. 'This is so exciting. Look at our daughter, she's so beautiful,' she gushed. Chandler could then be heard in the background saying: 'Wow, you can see her heartbeat there. Oh my goodness, she is beautiful and very active.' A yob who sprayed a bottle of sanitising fluid in the faces of staff and customers at a Tesco store during a drug-fuelled rampage has been jailed. Father of one Adam Waring, 31, grabbed the cannister then unleashed it at shoppers saying: 'I will f***ing do you'. His victims included a seven year old girl out with her father at the Tesco store in Ellesmere shopping centre in Walkden, Salford, Greater Manchester. Several unfortunate customers and staff were hit in the face and eyes with the liquid during the 'frightening and terrifying' attack, a court heard. The sanitisier had been placed at the entrance to the supermarket for shoppers to clean baskets and trolleys as part of Covid safety measures. Waring, a delivery driver, shouted: 'Don't you try and take this f***ing bottle off me - they've got chemicals' before eventually fleeing the store. Adam Waring, 31, grabbed the sanitising fluid and sprayed it at shoppers and staff at the Ellesmere shopping centre branch of Tesco in Walkden, Salford, Greater Manchester The victims from his callous attack in October 2020 were sprayed in the face and in their eyes by the liquid, including a seven-year-old girl He was arrested at a neighbouring Subway sandwich shop after smashing a table. and being subdued by an off-duty police officer. At least four people were attacked with the spray during Waring's drug-fuelled rampage, with some suffering irritation to their skin. Shop manager Curtis Steele told police: 'I do not come into work to be assaulted and was shocked by this incident. 'I was scared and unsure what exactly was in the bottle. I thought it was cleaning fluid but I was concerned how much it stung and an optician had to clean my eye.' At Manchester Crown Court, Waring, of Lostock, Bolton, admitted affray, common assault and criminal damage and was jailed for 16 months. The incident began on October 2020 last year after he turned up at the store under the influence and picked up the cleaning spray from a table at the entrance. Prosecutor John Richards said: 'Susan Purnell was working at the tills when she heard a customer say: "do not spray me with that." She asked him for the bottle and he said: "I will give it to you" but then sprayed it at her, hitting the right side of her face and neck. 'Other members of staff came to help but the defendant was shouting and swearing. She had no visible injuries apart from irritation to her skin. Waring left the Tesco store and continued his drug-fuelled rampage. He was later arrested at a neighbouring Subway sandwich shop after smashing a table 'Manager Matthew Dolby went to the shop floor, saw the defendant with the bottle and confronted him. 'The defendant was shouting saying: "I'm going to smash faces in" and said the bottle contained chemicals. 'A seven-year-old girl was nearby, and the defendant was asked to leave the store.' Tesco staff urged Waring to leave the store, but he argued with staff when they asked for the bottle. 'Another manager Curtis Steele heard the defendant say: "Don't you try and take this f***ing bottle off me" and then sprayed him with it, hitting him in the eye and it immediately started to sting,' added Mr Richards. 'The defendant was told to leave but he struck another member of staff across the face causing injury. 'Mr Steele told police: "I do not come into work to be assaulted and was shocked by this incident. '"I was scared and unsure what was in the bottle. I thought it was cleaning fluid. I was concerned how much it stung and an optician had to clean my eye." 'Stephen Howarth was then sprayed on the back of his head, and it got into his eyes. 'The father of the seven-year-old girl heard the defendant shout 'chemicals' and 'I will f***ing do you' before hitting his daughter in the eye. Fortunately, she suffered no injuries and the defendant left for a Subway. 'The Subway waitress had been told a member of the public was causing trouble and didn't want to serve him. She told the defendant he was not making sense but he replied: "why don't you f*ck off." 'He then picked up a table and threw it at the glass counter. The defendant needed to be removed from the shop as staff were frightened. 'An off-duty police officer happened to be in the store and got the defendant to the floor before officers in uniform could arrest him. The incident took place at the Ellesmere shopping centre branch of Tesco in Walkden, Salford, Greater Manchester (file photo) 'They later told police they were worried, felt threatened and thought they could be assaulted, adding they were resentful towards the defendant for behaving in this way for no reason. 'When interviewed by police the defendant said he did not remember much of what happened and showed remorse when CCTV of the incident was played. 'He referred to his behaviour as disgusting and the interviewing officer said his remorse appeared genuine.' Waring had previous convictions for 63 offences mainly for public order, criminal damage and violence and in 2014 was locked up for 16 months for possessing an offensive weapon. In mitigation his lawyer Miss Verity Quaite said: 'His remorse was and is genuine. He was shocked and disgusted by his behaviour and began to cry. He was under the influence of drugs at the time, but he has engaged with numerous agencies to help him address this. 'He had been free of alcohol and drugs for quite some considerable time before this incident, but tragedy struck when he was denied custody of his child. 'This does not excuse his behaviour but does provide important context. He says he had a meltdown and has not been drinking or taking drugs since then. 'He has regular work, and his employers say he is polite and hardworking.' Sentencing the judge Mr Recorder Jason McAdam told Waring: 'You committed this offence in front of children and frontline workers who often earn low wages. 'This behaviour was frightening and terrifying for them and this must have been for them and you behaved in a way consistent with madness. 'While no doubt something awful happened in your life just resorting to the bottle or snorting something up your nose is only going to lead to you repeating this behaviour. ' Paulini Curuenavuli opened up about the bullying she experienced at school during an emotional conversation on Monday's episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The 38-year-old was talking with co-star Jack Vidgen when she spoke about her experience at primary school, revealing she'd been targetted because of her race. Describing the harassment as 'bad', Paulini told Jack, 23, she was often the victim of bullying simply 'for being black'. Traumatic: Paulini Curuenavuli opened up about the bullying she experienced at school during an emotional conversation on Monday's episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! She said last year's Black Lives Matter movement 'brought back a lot of really bad memories', and she was reminded of the bullying she experienced from the 'the kids and their parents and the teachers'. 'Primary school was such an awful time for me. Just racial kind of comments and racial calling...' she began. 'I would just get picked on every day. There was this one girl who would always kind of blame everything on me. Deep and meaningful: The 38-year-old was talking with co-star Jack Vidgen when she spoke about her experience at primary school, revealing she'd been targetted because of her race 'She told the teacher that I had stolen her lunch. And then I remember the mother waiting for me after school.' She added: 'I don't know if I've ever really dealt with it. I don't think I have because I feel like maybe it has a lot to do with how I am now.' Paulini said that after she found fame and success through Australian Idol, the school invited her back to talk to the students. Racially attacked: Describing the harassment as 'bad', Paulini said she was often the victim of bullying simply 'for being black' But she said her own experience at the school had been so traumatic that she refused to return. 'It's funny 'cause after Idol they had this massive banner at the school saying, "Go, Paulini!"' she recounted. 'And they were like, "Would you like to come back and talk to the kids?" And I was like, "No way in the world would I ever step near that school." Like, that's how bad the whole experience was for me.' For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Aseries of unremarkable activities a train ride from the suburbs to the city, two visits to the supermarket, a brief stop at the newsagency triggered a national health emergency with a casual cleaner at its centre. How the cleaner, a woman in her 20s who works at a Brisbane CBD quarantine hotel and lives in the southern suburb of Algester, caught the highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19 remains under investigation. But confirmation she had that strain put all Australian governments on high alert last week and triggered a snap three-day lockdown for more than 2.3 million south-eastern Queenslanders, which ended at 6pm Monday. A worker tests a resident at a drivethrough COVID-19 test centre in Brisbane on Friday. Credit:Jono Searle/Getty Images It was the first time the UK strain had been detected in the community across the country, Queensland's first community-acquired infection in nearly four months, and it sparked a strong, immediate and "unprecedented" reaction. Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said she was not entirely surprised that the state's first hotel quarantine breach stemmed from the UK variant, given it was believed to be up to 70 per cent more contagious than the original COVID-19. The cleaner had been tested on Tuesday, December 29, as part of routine swabs done on hotel quarantine workers. She tested negative and worked a shift at the hotel on January 2. Advertisement Her partner, in quarantine himself since the day Dr Young alerted the public, has now also tested positive. Genomic sequencing is expected to confirm he was also infected with the UK variant. Wednesday, January 6 Days later, she was feeling unwell and got tested again. Late that night, her test came back positive. The diagnosis sparked a massive response from authorities who believed she had probably been infectious for at least five days, including January 2 when she worked a shift at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, one of Brisbane's quarantine hotels. The question of how she became infected is still a mystery, with police and Queensland Health investigating exactly what happened and reviewing if anything needs to change in the hotel quarantine system to prevent more outbreaks. That night, the cleaner and Queensland Health contact tracers worked into the early hours to pull together a list of places she had been over the days leading up to her positive result. Advertisement Dr Young praised the woman for her efforts in working with contact tracers to make sure authorities had a full list of locations. Thursday, January 7 On Thursday morning, Dr Young stood up with a complete list of locations in hand Altandi train station to Roma Street, Central to Altandi station, two supermarkets in Sunnybank and Calamvale North, and a newsagent in Sunnybank Hills. Residents of Sunnybank Hills, Algester and Calamvale were urged to get tested and check if they had been in those areas. The Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane. Credit:Matt Dennien By Thursday evening, it was confirmed the cleaner had the UK variant and authorities were busy behind the scenes, firstly tracing the cleaner's close contacts, reviewing what had happened in the hotel quarantine protocols, and contemplating a snap lockdown. A returning traveller who was undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in the Hotel Grand Chancellor told Brisbane Times last week that those in quarantine had very little contact with any staff. Advertisement Geoff Crooks, who has been in quarantine with his wife since arriving from the United States on December 30, said the only real contact they have had with another person since had been during a COVID-19 test carried out by a nurse, with a police guard, in the doorway to their room. Mr Crooks said he was unsure how then the virus could be passed along "unless your food is contaminated or your bedding and towels [or another surface in the room]". "Thats the million-dollar question." Late on Thursday night, Dr Young called the federal Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, to discuss the new case. "We discussed this issue of the cleaner from the quarantined hotels. This is the very first time we've seen someone with this strain in the community in Australia," Professor Kelly said at a press conference on Friday, as he declared the Greater Brisbane area a national hotspot. Queensland's decision to go into lockdown was also praised by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who warned the UK strain could become the "dominant" variant internationally. Friday, January 8 Advertisement At 8am, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told more than 2.3 million greater Brisbane residents they had to enter lockdown from 6pm Friday, freezing everyone in place so contact tracers had time to find every person the cleaner had been near while infectious. "It is unprecedented, and it has to be done," she said. The media conference was barely concluded when panic buying began, thousands rushing to the shops and stripping shelves bare. An exodus north and south quickly became gridlock on the Bruce and M1 highways as people fled the lockdown. Shoppers packed local shopping centres in Brisbane after the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a three day lock down. Credit:Tertius Pickard Across Australia, the greater Brisbane area was declared a hotspot and new travel restrictions caught many travellers by surprise. By Friday, contact tracers had found 79 close contacts of the cleaner. Saturday, January 9 Advertisement Rice University engineers have designed a computational model that will ultimately serve as the engine to predict how long a hip implant could last for a specific patient. It incorporates fluid dynamics and the physics of implant wear and aims to streamline trial-and-error in the design of future implants. Credit: Wikipedia Rice University engineers hope to make life better for those with replacement joints by modeling how artificial hips are likely to rub them the wrong way. The computational study by the Brown School of Engineering lab of mechanical engineer Fred Higgs simulates and tracks how hips evolve, uniquely incorporating fluid dynamics and roughness of the joint surfaces as well as factors clinicians typically use to predict how well implants will stand up over their expected 15-year lifetime. The team's immediate goal is to advance the design of more robust prostheses. Ultimately, they say the model could help clinicians personalize hip joints for patients depending on gender, weight, age and gait variations. Higgs and co-lead authors Nia Christian, a Rice graduate student, and Gagan Srivastava, a mechanical engineering lecturer at Rice and now a research scientist at Dow Chemical, reported their results in Biotribology. The researchers saw a need to look beyond the limitations of earlier mechanical studies and standard clinical practices that use simple walking as a baseline to evaluate artificial hips without incorporating higher-impact activities. "When we talk to surgeons, they tell us a lot of their decisions are based on their wealth of experience," Christian said. "But some have expressed a desire for better diagnostic tools to predict how long an implant is going to last. "Fifteen years sounds like a long time but if you need to put an artificial hip into someone who's young and active, you want it to last longer so they don't have multiple surgeries," she said. Higgs' Particle Flow and Tribology Lab was invited by Rice mechanical and bioengineer B.J. Fregly, to collaborate on his work to model human motion to improve life for patients with neurologic and orthopedic impairments. "He wanted to know if we could predict how long their best candidate hip joints would last," said Higgs, Rice's John and Ann Doerr Professor in Mechanical Engineering and a joint professor of Bioengineering, whose own father's knee replacement partially inspired the study. "So our model uses walking motion of real patients." Physical simulators need to run millions of cycles to predict wear and failure points, and can take months to get results. Higgs' model seeks to speed up and simplify the process by analyzing real motion capture data like that produced by the Fregly lab along with data from "instrumented" hip implants studied by Georg Bergmann at the Free University of Berlin. The new study incorporates the four distinct modes of physicscontact mechanics, fluid dynamics, wear and particle dynamicsat play in hip motion. No previous studies considered all four simultaneously, according to the researchers. One issue others didn't consider was the changing makeup of the lubricant between bones. Natural joints contain synovial fluid, an extracellular liquid with a consistency similar to egg whites and secreted by the synovial membrane, connective tissue that lines the joint. When a hip is replaced, the membrane is preserved and continues to express the fluid. "In healthy natural joints, the fluid generates enough pressure so that you don't have contact, so we all walk without pain," Higgs said. "But an artificial hip joint generally undergoes partial contact, which increasingly wears and deteriorates your implanted joint over time. We call this kind of rubbing mixed lubrication." That rubbing can lead to increased generation of wear debris, especially from the plastic materialan ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenecommonly used as the socket (the acetabular cup) in artificial joints. These particles, estimated at up to 5 microns in size, mix with the synovial fluid can sometimes escape the joint. "Eventually, they can loosen the implant or cause the surrounding tissue to break down," Christian said. "And they often get carried to other parts of the body, where they can cause osteolysis. There's a lot of debate over where they end up but you want to avoid having them irritate the rest of your body." She noted the use of metal sockets rather than plastic is a topic of interest. "There's been a strong push toward metal-on-metal hips because metal is durable," Christian said. "But some of these cause metal shavings to break off. As they build up over time, they seem to be much more damaging than polyethylene particles." Further inspiration for the new study came from two previous works by Higgs and colleagues that had nothing to do with bioengineering. The first looked at chemical mechanical polishing of semiconductor wafers used in integrated circuit manufacturing. The second pushed their predictive modeling from micro-scale to full wafer-scale interfaces. The researchers noted future iterations of the model will incorporate more novel materials being used in joint replacement. Explore further A slick way to test artificial knees and hips More information: Gagan Srivastava et al, A predictive framework of the tribological impact of physical activities on metal-on-plastic hip implants, Biotribology (2020). Gagan Srivastava et al, A predictive framework of the tribological impact of physical activities on metal-on-plastic hip implants,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.biotri.2020.100156 LONDON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 2021 budget address, Prime Minister Timothy Harris revealed how St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme supported the nation over the last year. According to PM Harris, the Programme has been a significant contributor to the nation's economy. This has ensured that revenue generated under the Programme was channelled into boosting national development and protecting its citizens during the pandemic crisis. This included Sylvia Garnette Primary Health Care Facility's commissioning, St Peter's Health Centre's ongoing construction, and the Poverty Alleviation Programme's expansion. Introduced in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme enables foreign investors and their families to become citizens once contributing to its Sustainable Growth Fund the fastest and most secure route to second citizenship. After passing the necessary vetting procedures, successful applicants gain access to life-changing benefits, including increased travel freedom to nearly 160 countries and territories and the right to live and work in a thriving nation. With nearly four decades of experience within the industry, St Kitts and Nevis' CBI is considered a 'Platinum Standard' brand within the industry and continues to maintain its popularity amongst foreign investors: "Despite some setbacks related to the pandemic, the volume of applications for the year so far has improved. Applications have come from all over the world, including the USA, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. We have become the preferred choice of the discerning investor owing to our high quality of life index, the strength of our passport and the recognition of the St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme as the Platinum Brand. Our CBI Programme continues to be ranked as one of the best in the industry." The dual-island nation has also continued to adapt its CBI Programme to the market's needs by introducing a limited time offer for families of up to four and siblings' inclusion in an application. Prime Minister Harris has also announced that the legislative framework would continue to be strengthened in several ways for the next three years. [email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com SOURCE CS Global Partners 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. The New York Times For 27 years, Bill Gates has entrusted the management of his enormous wealth and the endowment of his giant foundation to a single man: Michael Larson. Larson has invested the Microsoft co-founders money in farmland, hotels, stocks, bonds, even a bowling alley. Thanks in part to Larson and the soaring value of Microsofts shares, Gates fortune has gone from less than $10 billion to about $130 billion. But Larson, 61, also engaged in a pattern of workplace misconduct at Gates money-management firm, Cascade Investment, according to 10 former employees as well as others familiar with the firm. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times He openly judged female employees on their attractiveness, showed colleagues nude photos of women on the internet and on several occasions made sexually inappropriate comments. He made a racist remark to a Black employee. He bullied others. When an employee said she was leaving Cascade, Larson retaliated by trying to hurt the stock price of the company she planned to join. Over the years, at least six people including four Cascade employees complained to Gates about Larson, according to former employees and others with direct knowledge of the complaints. (Several of them also complained to his wife, Melinda French Gates.) Cascade made payments to at least seven people who witnessed or knew about Larsons behavior; in exchange, they agreed to never speak about their time at the firm. Even as Cascade grew to more than 100 employees and to manage more money than most Wall Street hedge funds, the perception that Larson had Gates unflinching support allowed him to maintain a culture of fear inside the companys lakeside offices, the former employees said. Larson still runs Cascade. Gates reluctance to take decisive action at Cascade adds to an emerging portrait of the billionaire philanthropist that is at odds with his image as a roving global do-gooder and champion of womens empowerment. As The New York Times has reported, Gates for years regularly spent time with Jeffrey Epstein, who faced accusations of sex trafficking of girls a relationship that was among the factors precipitating French Gates recent decision to seek a divorce. And on at least a few occasions, Gates pursued women who worked for him at Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2019, Microsofts board investigated one of those cases, in which Gates acknowledged he had an affair with an employee. Gates stepped down from the board last year. Larson and Chris Giglio, his spokesman, denied some but not all instances of Larsons misconduct. During his tenure, Mr. Larson has managed over 380 people, and there have been fewer than five complaints related to him in total, Giglio said. He added, Any complaint was investigated and treated seriously and fully examined, and none merited Mr. Larsons dismissal. Giglio and Bridgitt Arnold, a spokesperson for Gates, said that Bill and Melinda Gates Investments, whose name is sometimes used interchangeably with Cascades, has robust policies to deal with employee complaints about wrongdoing. BMGI takes all complaints seriously and seeks to address them effectively to guarantee a safe and respectful workplace, Giglio said. Arnold said, BMGI does not tolerate inappropriate behavior. She added that any issue raised over the companys history has been taken seriously and resolved appropriately. Larson said, Calling BMGI a toxic work environment is unfair to the 160 professionals who make up our team and our culture. Courtney Wade, a spokeswoman for French Gates, said, Melinda unequivocally condemns disrespectful and inappropriate conduct in the workplace. She was unaware of most of these allegations given her lack of ownership of and control over BMGI. Some former Cascade employees declined to comment because of nondisclosure agreements that prohibit them from discussing their time at the company. Others spoke on the condition of anonymity because they feared retribution. Years after they left Cascade, a few found talking about Larson so upsetting that they could hardly speak. A Generic Name Before Larson, Gates financial consigliere was Andrew L. Evans, a longtime friend who had previously served a six-month prison sentence for bank fraud. (Gates visited him in jail.) But when Evans criminal record was spotlighted in a front-page Wall Street Journal article in 1993, Gates sought out a new money manager. The next year, he hired Larson, who previously was a fund manager at Putnam Investments. In 1995, Cascade was incorporated in Washington state. The generic-sounding name with no reference to Gates allowed Larson to run a vast investment operation with a low public profile. From the start, Cascade, whose sole function was to manage the Gateses money, was deeply entwined with the wider Gates universe, including Microsoft. The firm is in the same office park in Kirkland, Washington, as Gates personal office, Gates Ventures, and across the street from French Gatess own group, Pivotal Ventures. Over the years, employees have moved among Cascade, the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, the two Gates ventures and K&L Gates, the law firm where Gates father had been a named partner. In 2005, when Cascade needed a new human resources executive, the company hired a Microsoft veteran. Larson regularly hired people fresh out of college or in the early stages of their careers. Graduates of Claremont McKenna College, his alma mater, were a particular favorite. The college has several scholarships endowed by Larson. Some employees saw working at Cascade as a way to make the world a better place. Because Cascade also oversees the Gates Foundations $50 billion endowment, helping it do well meant more money for things like fighting malaria and funding education. Others said they were star-struck by the idea of working for Gates, who founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen. Throughout his tenure, Larson earned steady returns for Gates. He invested largely in undervalued, old-fashioned stocks, eschewing hot tech companies. When the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, the strategy paid off. Larson also shielded Gates assets from the steepest declines of the recession in 2008 and 2009. Larson branched out into real estate and high-end hotels. He bought a 47.5% stake in the Four Seasons chain. He acquired vast tracts of land that by some estimates make Gates the largest private owner of farmland in the United States. Chasing the highest returns was not the main goal. The mandate, according to one former employee, was: We dont want Bills name in the headlines. You Live in the Ghetto In the spring of 2004, Stacy Ybarra decided to quit her job at Cascade to join the internet company InfoSpace. Ybarra, then 30, had joined Cascade three years earlier as an investor relations analyst. After she announced her planned departure, Larson became so angry that he shorted the stock of InfoSpace, according to three people familiar with the episode. (Short selling involves placing bearish bets on the companys shares, which sometimes causes the stock to fall.) Two of the people said they saw Larsons trades on their computer terminals. Larson told Ybarra and others that he had shorted InfoSpaces stock out of spite, according to the three people, who heard about his remarks at the time. Giglio confirmed that Cascade shorted the stock but denied that Larson did it to spite Ybarra. At the same time, Larson repeatedly pressured Ybarra to remain at Cascade. She ultimately agreed to stay. On Election Day that November, Larson asked some Cascade employees in the office about the best time to go vote. Ybarra, who is Black, replied that she had voted that morning without having to wait in line. Larson responded: But you live in the ghetto, and everybody knows that Black people dont vote. The scene was described by two people who heard the comment and a third who was told about it later. Giglio denied that Larson made the remark. At least one employee at Cascade complained to human resources about Larsons remark. The complaint made its way to Gates and French Gates, who later spoke to Ybarra as part of an internal investigation, according to people familiar with the matter. In January 2005, she quit Cascade, received a small payout and agreed to not speak about the firm in the future. When these allegations were made more than 15 years ago, BMGI took them very seriously and hired an independent lawyer to investigate, Giglio said. He added that it is standard procedure at Cascade to have employees sign confidentiality agreements when they get severance packages. Potential to Embarrass In November 2006, Gates and French Gates were sent another complaint about Larson. This one was from Robert E. Sydow, a California fund manager who had been close friends with Larson and whose firm, Grandview Capital Management, had been hired by Larson to manage a $1.6 billion slice of the foundations endowment. Sydow wrote a six-page letter to the Gateses accusing Larson of abruptly severing Cascades ties with Grandview after a dispute. (The dispute, Sydow wrote, came after Sydow warned Larson that he needed to stop using his power to hurt others in anger.) The letter, reviewed by The Times, said Larson had harmed Grandviews reputation in part by spreading false and defamatory lies about it in the market. Sydow, the godfather to one of Larsons children, went on to describe multiple instances of Larson seeking to punish employees who left Cascade and retaliating against those who cooperated with the investigation into his treatment of Ybarra, among other things. Larson has the potential to greatly embarrass both you and the foundation, Sydow wrote. We exit agreements with third-party investment managers for a variety of reasons, Larson said in a statement sent by Giglio. After Ybarras departure, Cascade hired a new head of human resources, Kathy Berman. She had once worked at Microsoft, most recently as the head of executive recruiting. Around then, there were also efforts to create physical distance between Larson and some Cascade employees, including moving a number of people onto a different floor from Larsons office, according to three former employees. Giglio said employee morale was high. Cascade employees including Larson were required to undergo sexual harassment and sensitivity training. Larson didnt seem to take it seriously, one former employee said. We dont need this, the former employee recalled Larson saying. Giglio denied that. Larsons conduct did not improve, former employees said. In emails, he sometimes castigated colleagues as stupid or called their work garbage, according to several people who saw the emails. (The missives came to be known as Larson bombs.) At meetings, he would sometimes dismiss employees presentations with comments like, Thats the dumbest idea Ive ever heard. Years ago, earlier in my career, I used harsh language that I would not use today, Larson said in the statement. I regret this greatly but have done a lot of work to change. At a work Christmas party in the mid-2000s, Larson was seated outdoors with a small group of male employees after dinner, according to one of the men. Three female colleagues were standing about 20 feet away. Which one of them do you wanna have sex with? Larson asked the men, using a profane verb. When a female employee was on a Weight Watchers program, Larson asked her, Are you losing weight for me? according to someone who heard the remark. Another former employee said Larson would ask male employees whether certain women at Cascade were single. On at least one occasion in recent years, with employees looking on, Larson displayed photographs of naked women on his phone and compared them to Berman, the human resources executive, according to a former employee who witnessed the incident and another person who was told about it. (Berman left Cascade in 2015.) Another woman who worked at Cascade said Larson asked her if she would strip for a certain amount of money. Larson denied making any of those comments. This is not true, he said. A Canceled Contract About three years ago, Megan Scott, Larsons chief of staff, complained to the Gateses about Larson, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. Among her concerns was that Larson was preparing to sign a five-year contract with a recruiting firm that a Cascade employee, Pamela Harrington, was starting, two of the people said. (The proposed contract would pay Harringtons firm an annual retainer that started at less than $1.5 million and over time decreased to $400,000, said Mitchell Langberg, a lawyer for Harrington.) Scott and another employee complained to the Gateses about what they saw as the close personal relationship between Larson and Harrington, the people said. This allegation unfairly emanates from a former disgruntled employee who has tried hard to undermine the reputation of Mrs. Harrington, a highly accomplished and successful individual in her own right, Giglio said. Gates told Larson to cancel the proposed contract with Harringtons firm, the people said. Giglio said the decision was part of a broader move not to outsource many internal functions, including recruiting. By 2019, that had apparently changed. Langberg said that BMGI entered into an executive recruiting contract with Harringtons firm that December. Mrs. Harrington has been providing service under that contract since that time, he said. Around the time of the complaints involving Harrington, Larson was repeatedly propositioning, and being rebuffed by, the manager of a local bicycle store that was mostly owned by a firm, Rally Capital, that Cascade had invested in. In 2017, the manager hired a lawyer, who sent a letter to Gates and French Gates warning them that if Larson did not stop harassing her, she would sue them. The letter said Larson had told the manager that he wanted to have sex with her and another woman, according to someone who read the letter. Gates agreed to settle the matter by having a payment made to the bike store manager. French Gates insisted that an outside investigator review the incident and Cascades culture, people familiar with the matter previously told The Times. In 2018, Larson went on paid leave while the investigation took place. At the time, Gates told a Cascade employee that he doubted that Larson would ever return, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. Jessie L. Harris, a lawyer for a Seattle law firm, Williams Kastner, conducted the investigation. He concluded that the bike shop managers complaint could not be substantiated. You should know that Michael wanted to contest the allegations throughout the investigation, Giglio said. But he, obviously, was not the ultimate decision-maker. Larson returned from leave in 2019. Cascades chief operating officer had departed during Larsons absence, and Scott left shortly after his return. To curb Larsons influence over Cascade, Gates told him to hire a new chief operating officer, a former Cascade employee said. Giglio said the process included a committee and an outside search firm. The pick was Larsons college and business school classmate. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. 2021 The New York Times Company On Jan. 6, a city North of China went on lockdown after experiencing an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 cases. Christians and missionaries were blamed by netizens on social media who suspect that they brought the recent COVID strand in Hebei province. Local priests, however, decry the allegations. Asia News' report shows a quoted exchange between a Catholic priest and a parishioner over a news that circulated online suggesting that Christians and missionaries were the "carriers" of the recent virus outbreak. Per the conversation, dated Jan. 7: "Father, there is a post that reads: the village of Xiao Guozhuang, near Gaocheng is a Catholic village; 20 days ago, there was religious activity here, there were several priests from Europe and the United States ... Is this news reliable?" the parishioner asked. The local priest, who goes by the name Shanren Shenfu, replied that since it's his first time to have heard of it and he does not yet know all the facts, it's better to not draw any conclusion for the time being. Shenfu, a blogger priest as per Asia News, says that he also does not understand why one would invent such baseless news to provoke people at a crucial time when the Hebei province is battling a pandemic. "First of all, the churches in the Shijiazhuang area received a notice on Christmas Eve (December 24th), asking them to suspend the Christmas celebrations; Christmas Eve masses were celebrated by there was the priest alone in his parish, and all the preparations for Christmas were abandoned." "Secondly, exactly 14 days have passed from December 24 to today. but the experts' post says: "About 20 days ago, the village of Xiao Guozhuang organized a religious activity and there were several priests from Europe and the United States together ... "." "Thirdly, today [7 January] at 11.40am an article written by an anonymous scribe was posted, entitled 'Religious proliferation in the villages: the village of Xiao Guozhuang, in Gaocheng, what mysterious activities does it organize every Wednesday and Friday?' What was the purpose of publishing such an article at such a critical moment?" After he laid down his analysis on his blog, Shenfu added that he wonders what kind of "religious activity" could that have been that even "foreign priests" would attend as claimed by the rumor. Another priest from Shijiazhuang also aired his thoughts against the rumor saying, "The village of Xiao Guozhuang, Liu Jiazuo, Nan Qiaozhai are not Catholic villages, there are only a few Catholic residents. These villages do not have a Catholic place of prayer; they do not organize Catholic religious' meetings. To participate in the usual religious activities, all the faithful go to the adjacent village of Bei Qiaozhai, etc..." Shenfu commended this prompt action from the local priests of Shijiazhuang. "The Church of Shijiazhuang this time reacted in time, immediately issuing a statement to break through the lies and block the negative consequences," he wrote. "But I still want to ask the question again: where does this evil wind blow from?" he rhetorically asked. Shenfu said that this sort of witch hunt and blame shifting event is reminiscent of emperor Nero. On a whim, he ordered the torching of a city then passed the buck to the Christians. The blogger priest hopes that this will not be overlooked knowing how Christians got unjustly persecuted throughout mankind's history. has started COVID-19 vaccination for all teachers and other educational workers, the Ministry of Education said Sunday. The Israeli education system has more than 203,000 employees, who have daily contact with more than 2.4 million pupils when there is no lockdown. In the first phase, vaccination will go to the teachers who work as usual during the ongoing full lockdown in the country. All other teachers and staff members, such as secretaries, janitors and consultants, will be later vaccinated at medical centers across the country. The news website Ynet reported that the Ministry's target is to complete the vaccination campaign in the education system by Jan. 16. began its COVID-19 vaccination on Dec. 20, 2020. About 72 percent of those aged 60 and over were already vaccinated. (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 father-of-two has opened up about his seven-month nightmare that saw him thrown in jail and wrongly accused of being a paedophile. The man, using the pseudonym Stephen Thompson, described how his entire world came crashing down in May last year when police dramatically arrested him while he was driving to the office. He was just 200 metres from his destination when a police van and two black 4WDs marked with Public Order logos turned on their sirens. A father-of-two has opened up about his seven-month nightmare that saw him thrown in jail and wrongly accused of being a vile paedophile 'I just remember thinking: "What on earth is going on here?"... (Then one of the vehicles) came up alongside me, and it was full of people in riot gear with windows down, and (they were) screaming I was then in absolute shock as I realised it was me they were chasing,' Mr Thompson told the Daily Telegraph. The officers dragged him out of his car and pressed his face against the road while they cable-tied his hands behind his back. The stunned father was certain the officers would soon realise they had made a terrible mistake and apologise. But when he said his name to two detectives they informed him he was under arrest for dozens of child sex abuse crimes. Still reeling and in a state of utter disbelief, the grim situation quickly became even worse when he was taken to the local police station. Investigators explained he was charged with 88 crimes, many of them heinous and vile including distribution of child porn, stalking, assault and dozens of counts of raping a child under 10. 'I could just imagine the rumours circulating around the district by now and (that I was) branded a paedophile,' Mr Thompson said (stock image) Mr Thompson remained in Parklea Correctional Centre (pictured) for six days before his lawyer Simon Joyner lodged a successful bail application The family man was accused in a 20-page summary of charges of carrying out a decade-long campaign of sexual violence against a young girl, beginning in 2007. 'I felt sick the more I read, it was absolutely disgusting. It was so extreme and crazy After reading the 88 charges, I just broke down. I could just imagine the rumours circulating around the district by now and (that I was) branded a paedophile,' Mr Thompson said. As he sat in a jail cell, police raided his home while his terrified wife and children looked on. Mr Thompson remained in Sydney's Parklea Correctional Centre for six days before his lawyer Simon Joyner lodged a successful bail application. Pictured: Lawyer Simon Joyner But during that time Family and Community Services removed his children, placing them at an alternative address. For the next seven months Mr Thompson was locked in a legal battle with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as the stain of the horrific charges stuck, destroying his reputation in the community. Mr Thompson was working as a contractor and businesses partners began deserting him in droves, fearful of being associated with an alleged child sex predator. His accuser also made statements to police claiming Mr Thompson murdered six people in the Belanglo State Forest - where the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat dumped the bodies of his victims decades earlier. The accuser even alleged she witnessed Mr Thompson shoot someone and took her to see the remains of others he 'killed'. Mr Joyner argued there were not six murders in the area at that time to corroborate any of these claims. He also pointed out no remains had been found, and there was DNA evidence or anything else that suggested the young girl suffered the injuries she claimed were inflicted by Mr Thompson. Police also found no firearms or ammunition during their search of his home. His accuser had made a statement to police claiming Mr Thompson had also murdered six people in the Belanglo State Forest - where the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat (pictured) had dumped the bodies of his victims decades earlier When the case was finally heard at the Downing Centre Local Court on December 22 last year, police prosecutors informed Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley that all 88 charges against Mr Thompson were being withdrawn. 'I appreciate the difficult work and huge challenges the police face in performing their job to protect children. But, surely, the system needs to be changed so there are more checks and balances of allegations and the people making them to reduce the chance of innocent people experiencing what I have been through,' Thompson said. Mr Thompson finds it impossible to fathom how his accuser could do something 'so evil' but he hopes she gets the help and support she needs. He will return to court on February 10 where he is expected to make an application for the state to foot his hefty legal costs. His legal team are also considering whether to sue NSW Police for malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest and wrongful detention. NSW Police said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia that all accusations of abuse deserve to be investigated thoroughly. 'The abuse of children is a very serious issue and the NSW Police Force conduct investigations into each and every report,' police said. 'All victims of crime including children deserve the opportunity to have their matters investigated without prejudice.' Cheryl Valdahl, a teacher at Walker-Winter Elementary School in Canton, knows she has an amazing class of first-graders this year. She just hasnt met them in person yet. Shes been teaching online since the school year started, but is hopeful for a return to in-person learning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced teachers would be among the next in line for vaccinations, starting Monday, Jan. 11. As long as we can do it safely, Im hopeful that I can still see these munchkins in person at least part of the year, Valdahl said. Michigan focused its first available vaccines on health care workers. With many in that demographic having received their first round of the two-shot vaccination series, Whitmer and state officials announced Wednesday that by Jan. 11 some essential workers -- including preK-12 teachers, daycare workers, police officers and first responders -- would be eligible for vaccination statewide, along with anybody 65 and older. 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. Related: Michigan to vaccinate teachers, first responders, those over 65 starting Jan. 11 Related: Whos eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and what else to know about program expansion The news of their inclusion in this round of vaccines was well-received by educators. David Simpson is principal of Northern Hills Middle School in Grand Rapids and serves as the state and federal relations coordinator for Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. His school has been hybrid, in-person and fully virtual this school year, and is currently in a hybrid model. The students have been adaptable through the changes. I was wondering at first how middle schoolers would handle masks and some of the COVID restrictions. And theyve been great, Simpson said. And the same goes for teachers in his building, who have doubled their workloads to accommodate in-person and online instruction. I believe teachers are heroes, along with the frontline workers who are our health care workers, police officers, firefighters. I mean theyre in there rolling up their sleeves, Simpson said. He said a number of his staff have reached out, excited about the vaccine and saying they want it. Its peace of mind, he said, and also allows teachers and staff to stay in school and not have to be worried about the quarantines and being out of school. Not all teachers plan on getting the vaccine right away when it becomes available to them. Jason Lauterbach, a physical education teacher in Taylor School District, said after talking with his doctor he doesnt feel comfortable getting the vaccine right away. After last weeks announcement about teachers being included in the next round of vaccines, he thought, I love the option, as long as its an option. I dont think it should ever be mandatory. He said he had COVID-19 last year, and doesnt feel particularly vulnerable. He is currently teaching virtually but does want to get back to in-person school at some point, and wants to make sure vulnerable teachers and students are protected when that happens. I just want everybody to be safe, and I think thats all that most people want, Lauterbach said. Simpson said teachers inclusion in this round made them feel supported by the governors office. That sentiment was echoed by teachers unions, which put out statements praising the move. This is great news for Michigan students and educators alike. Ensuring our front-line teachers and education support professionals can be vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, and their students is a key step in safely returning to in-person instruction, said Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart. We are extremely appreciative that Governor Whitmer and DHHS Director Gordon have prioritized educators for receiving the COVID vaccine, said David Hecker, President of AFT Michigan, in a statement. Making sure educators and students are safe has been our priority. The availability of the vaccine will go a long way towards teachers and students being able to safely teach and learn in the classroom. Whitmer is also encouraging a return to in-person instruction by March. Related: Michigan governor calls for in-person learning to resume by March 1 In classrooms across Michigan, teachers and students have spent the school year adapting to education in the era of COVID-19. Valdahls class has found its online dynamic. Many of her students are able to get online and set up for class by themselves now. Theyre so familiar with the online routine theyll remind her when its time for a brain break. Still, she says, I would much rather be in person. I keep telling the kids every day, were crossing our fingers and our toes. To her, the news of a vaccine being available for educators is a step in that direction. To help you navigate this complicated fall, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up. More on MLive: Whos eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and what else to know about program expansion Michigan to vaccinate teachers, first responders, those over 65 starting Jan. 11 In-person classes dont contribute to community spread of COVID-19, report shows For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. GLASTONBURY Police are investigating a mans death after his submerged car was pulled from the Connecticut River on Saturday afternoon. First responders pulled a vehicle from the Connecticut River on Saturday after dive teams from two fire departments and a marine unit scanned the river, according to fire officials. Glastonbury police Lt. Corey Davis said the driver was a 75-year-old man from Portland. Police have not released his name. Davis said police do not believe foul play was involved in the death and are investigating how the vehicle ended up in the water. Police and fire units were dispatched around noon to the area off Tyron Street, known as Duffords Landing, for a report of a vehicle that had gone into the Connecticut River, according to Davis. Dive teams from the Middletown and Portland fire departments also responded to the scene around 1 p.m., sending crews into the water to search for the possible vehicle. Davis said the Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police responded as well. The Glastonbury Police Marine Unit used a scanning sonar to check the water. Upon investigation, evidence was shown that a vehicle had entered the Connecticut River, Portland fire officials said, adding that units found the vehicle in the area of Duffords Landing. Davis said divers found the submerged vehicle just off shore and removed the sole male occupant from the drivers seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Glastonbury detectives are investigating. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. HADDAM In 2020, Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. members responded to a total of 463 calls for emergency services. Those incidents included: 37 fires (structures, vehicles, forest, cooking), 202 medicals, 54 motor vehicle accidents (35 involved injuries), nine rescues (extrication of victims from buildings, swimming areas), 21 hazardous conditions (flammable liquid or chemical spills, gas leaks, carbon monoxide incidents, smoke scares), 32 electrical (power lines down, shorted electrical equipment), 24 public service and mutual aid, 27 dispatched and canceled en route, 46 malfunctioning or false alarm activations (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors), and 11 others (storm assessment, lock-outs, smoke removal, steam leak, etc.), according to a press release. COVID-19 was suspected on 22 of these calls, and confirmed on four, the release said. In total, 185 Haddam residents tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020, it continued. HVFC volunteers spent more than 2,120 combined hours responding to calls, and an additional 2,130 hours participating in meetings, drills, and training. Over the past year, firefighters Alison Halligan and Michael Saxton completed the Connecticut Fire Academys 180-hour Firefighter I course; Firefighter Jarrod Ramsey completed the 90-hour Firefighter II course; Chief Sam Baber completed the 40-hour Fire Service Instructor II course; Capt. Joshua Meyer completed the 48-hour Fire Service Instructor I course; Firefighter Joel Newgard completed his EMT; and Firefighter Jed Morrissey completed a 24-hour Arborist Rescue course and a 24-hour Advanced High Directional course, the department said. Amid a global pandemic, our members volunteered more than 5,000 hours of their time giving back to the community, Baber said in a prepared statement. I am extremely grateful and proud of our members for putting forth such a strong and valiant effort to helping others. In 2020, the company welcomed new probationary members Dani Rodriguez, Shannon Grimes and Dylan Kessler. Newly-promoted line officers include Capt. Joshua Meyer and Lts. Charlie Rourke and Kyle Everett. HVFC awarded years of service pins to nine members. All active members service pins every five years. Recipients include: firefighter Ron Annino, 50 years; Capt. Rich Zanelli, 45 years; firefighter John Boothroyd, 40 years; Baber, 20 years; Capt. Ed Adametz, 15 years; firefighter Kyle Vallera, 10 years; Capt. John Meyer, five years; firefighter Greg Duval, five years; and Chaplain Seth Nuzum, five years. In honor of his 50 years of service, July 6, 2020, was declared Ron Annino Day by the town of Haddam. Four life members (retired members who served for at least 15 years) passed away, including Richard Dick Williams Jr. (who served 1962 to 96); Tom Hartke (who served 1966 to 81); Erwin Birdy Burr Jr. (who served 1962 to 84); and Phillip Frick (who served 1969 to 86). In October, Haddam Town Clerk Scott Brookes, who served 25 years with HVFC and took life membership in 2002, retired as one of the towns fire marshals after 23 years. Haddam Volunteer Fire Company relies on dedicated town residents to serve as members of the fire company, the release said. Anyone over 18 is welcome to apply, and all training and gear is provided. For information visit haddamfire.com or email membership@haddamfire.org. Astana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Astana on Friday on the sidelines of the SCO summit, seen as an effort to repair ties hit by growing differences between the two countries over a host of issues including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and NSG. Got the opportunity to meet you again during SCO summit, grateful to you for your efforts and support for India's SCO membership, PM Modi said. It is the first between the two leaders after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing last month in which 29 world leaders took part. India abstained from the summit to highlight its concerns over the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and passes through Gilgit and Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Prime Minister Modi and Xi are here to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). ALSO READ | PM Narendra Modi meets Pakiatan PM Nawaz Sharif, enquires about his health and family Here are the live updates: #1:15 PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana pic.twitter.com/XCR552OQoU ANI (@ANI_news) June 9, 2017 #10:50 AM Kazakhstan: PM Narendra Modi meets President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Astana pic.twitter.com/gpQKvBVdDa ANI (@ANI_news) June 9, 2017 #10:20 AM Got the opportunity to meet you again during SCO summit, grateful to you for your efforts and support for India's SCO membership: PM Modi #10:15 AM #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Astana. pic.twitter.com/wQ8XnnVTfH ANI (@ANI_news) June 9, 2017 PM @narendramodi meets President of China #XiJinping on margins of SCO Summit in Astana, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. China is vocal about its stand to block Indias admission into the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). It had also stalled Indias move to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. After Astana, Modi and Xi are also expected to cross paths at the G20 summit to be held next month in Hamburg, Germany followed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) summit to be held in Xiamen, China in September. ALSO READ | PM Modi meets Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev in Astana, India set for SCO Modi also met Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO. Taking forward #IndiaUzbekistan coopn. PM @narendramodi meets President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan on the sidelines of SCO Summit, Baglay tweeted. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Highlights Traders body CAIT has demanded a ban on the messaging app over its privacy policies. CAIT claimed WhatsApp can access personal data under its new policy. WhatsApps new privacy policy has forced most of its users to switch to Signal. WhatsApp seems to have a tough road ahead as traders' body CAIT has demanded a ban on the messaging app over its privacy policies. The Confederation of All India Traders has written to the Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad demanding a ban on WhatsApp and Facebook for updating its privacy policies. The CAIT in their letter claimed, "all kinds of personal data, payment transactions, contacts, location and other vital information" of a person can be accessed under the new policy. As per a PTI report, the traders' body had alleged that "all kinds of personal data, payment transactions, contacts, location and other vital information of a person who is using WhatsApp will be acquired by it and can be used for any purpose by WhatsApp". It asked the government to take immediate action against Facebook and WhatsApp. CAIT demanded "government should immediately restrict WhatsApp from implementing the new policy or put a ban on WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook". It further stated that access to users' data can pose serious threats economy and security of the country. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal was quoted as saying by PTI, "The changed privacy policy of WhatsApp is an encroachment on privacy of an individual and runs against the basic fundamentals of Constitution of India and therefore the CAIT has demanded immediate intervention of the government." However, WhatsApp in a statement said that the messaging app's data-sharing practices with Facebook will not impact how users communicate with each other. "To further increase transparency, we updated the privacy policy to describe that going forward businesses can choose to receive secure hosting services from our parent company Facebook to help manage their communications with their customers on WhatsApp.Though of course, it remains up to the user whether or not they want to message with a business on WhatsApp," the spokesperson said in a statement. "WhatsApp remains deeply committed to protecting people's privacy. We are communicating directly with users through WhatsApp about these changes so they have time to review the new policy over the course of the next month," the statesman further read. WhatsApp's new privacy policy has forced most of its users to switch to Signal. The encrypted messaging service has been chosen as the more secure alternative to the Facebook-owned messaging app. However, considering Signal has never handled an onslaught like this before, minor technical glitches have hit the app. Some new users have reported slowdowns and other issues with the app. Acknowledging the issue, Signal tweeted from its official account saying, "Some new users are reporting that Signal is slow to display their Signal contacts. We're adding more capacity to keep up with all the new people searching for their friends on Signal. Hang tight!" Champaign, IL (61820) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. (@ChaudhryMAli88) BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2021) Ecuador has registered one case of the new coronavirus strain that was first discovered in the United Kingdom last month, presidential administration spokeswoman Maria Caridad Vela said on Monday. "Tests of the patient, who was suspected of having the new strain of the coronavirus detected in the UK, came back positive," the official said at a virtual press conference. The person entered the country in mid-December before the UK informed the World Health Organization of the mutated variant of the virus and tested negative for the coronavirus back then, she added. The new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is reported to be 70 percent more transmissible than other coronavirus strains. Although the new strain has not been proven to be more pathogenic, many states shut their borders and suspended travel with the United Kingdom. The closures, however, did not prevent the strain from infiltrating dozens of countries. The country is staring at a food crisis because of the "adamant" approach of the BJP to the continued agitation by farmers for withdrawal of the three new farm laws, West Bengal Chief Minister said on Monday. She also called the BJP a "junk" party for inducting "rotten" leaders from other political outfits. "The country is staring at a food crisis. If the BJP continues to remain adamant on the farm laws, there will be a food shortage in our country. The farmers are assets of our country and we should not do anything that goes against their interest," she said. The TMC supremo also demanded immediate repeal of the three farm laws, as being demanded by farmers agitating at Delhi's borders. She also unleashed a stinging attack on the BJP over the party inducting a raft of leaders from other political parties. "BJP is the biggest junk party in the country. It's a dustbin party that is filling up its rank and file with corrupt and rotten leaders from other parties. "You must have seen some (TMC) leaders switch over to the BJP. They have done it to protect the public money they had looted. The BJP runs the party like a washing machine, where corrupt leaders turn into saints the moment they join them," she said, addressing a rally here in Nadia district. She also drew a parallel between BJP cadres and supporters of US President Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol recently. "The day the BJP loses elections, its cadre and suppoters will behave like that," she claimed. New Delhi: News Nation's big expose on how rice is being adulterated with plastic crystals all across the country reaped huge dividends as the matter caught the attention of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorities. Afte taking cognisance of News Nation's exclusive coverage on the matter, FDA official carried out detailed investigations in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Haldwani to examine as to how and to what extent the rice being dubbed as 'Plastic Rice' is adulterated. News Nation's exclusive reports revealed that many housewives complained that the rice being sold in Mumbai and Bengaluru takes a long time to cook than usual. When they make balls out of the cooked rice, it bounces rather than crumbling. News Nation's investigation also revealed that sugar being sold in Haasan was adulterated with plastic crystals. In one of the many incidents that testify the claim about adulteration, Gargi Bhattacharya, a resident of Mumbai's Lokhandwala bought some rice from a general store on . While cooking the rice she suspected that the rice could be adultered as it didn't taste good and while making balls out of them, they bounced in an awkward fashion. Gargi lodged a complaint with the Food Drug Administration (FDA) to report the matter post which the FDA team reached Gargi's residence at Lokhandwala to record her statement and collect a sample of the rice which seemed adultered. FDA stated that there would be a thorough investigation to determine whether the rice was adultered or not. However, the FDA remained close guarded in their response to the incident in front of the camera and harped on the fact that an investigation would be underway to the matter. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sentencing of mathematician charged with political party office arson set for January 18 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 12:49 11/01/2021 MOSCOW, January 11 (RAPSI) The Golovinsky District Court of Moscow will deliver sentence against mathematics student Azat Miftakhov in a case over the arson of an office of the United Party office on January 18, the courts press service told RAPSI on Monday. Prosecution earlier demanded a 6-year prison term for the defendant. He is charged with the assault on the partys office in south Moscow in January 2018. According to investigators, crime figures broke the premises window and threw a firer there. A criminal case was opened over hooliganism. Miftakhov pleads not guilty. Sorry! This content is not available in your region All International Defence Exhibition (Idex 2021) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex 2021) badge holders will be exempted from the 10-day quarantine procedure on their arrival into Abu Dhabi for the show to take place from February 21 to 25. The approval for this was received by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec), the organiser of the, held under the patronage of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This step has been taken to facilitate the arrival of international delegations from all over the world. International visitors to the UAE must present their event badge, printed on A4 paper, at any border, to be exempted from the quarantine, and they will not be required to wear tracking wristbands. Detailed protocols to facilitate the entry of delegations and support their participation, are being finalised in collaboration with relevant authorities in the UAE, and an update will be published on a later stage. Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, part of Department of Health Abu Dhabi, said: Through our decision to exempt participants of the Idex and Navdex 2021 exhibitions from the quarantine period, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi is keen to promote business activity in the emirate. We worked closely with Adnec as a strategic partner throughout the pandemic on a number of initiatives that ensured the health of the community. Accordingly, we are confident of their ability to implement rigorous precautionary measures including the necessary PCR tests that ensure the health and safety of visitors and exhibitors attending this event. Participants exempt from quarantine procedures still must observe the strict guidelines in place before entering the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In doing so, they will ensure the implementation of preventative measures, safeguarding the highest standards of health and safety for all residents. We will co-ordinate extensively with authorities to facilitate the entry of participants to the conference, supporting their attendance by preserving the health of those around them, Al Nuaimi concluded. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, commented: This exemption demonstrates how Idex and Navdex are leading the recovery of business activity following the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, it will showcase how Abu Dhabi continues to lead as a regional capital for the business tourism sector. We maintain our support to welcome the world, once again, in spite of the ongoing global conditions caused by the pandemic. Al Dhaheri added: This stride demonstrates the UAEs and Adnecs robust range of flexible infrastructure and operational capabilities, capable of safely organising a global mega-event. Since the beginning of the pandemic, stringent precautionary and safety measures have been our foremost priority. This exemption has been enabled by the continued cooperation and support from our strategic partners and stakeholders. Such support has allowed us to continue to strengthen the position of this event, building on its success and continuing to attract a wider range of visitors and exhibitors. In attracting such a high calibre of international companies, Idex and Navdex will continue to showcase the latest developments in the defence sector. Through the Idex, Navdex, and the International Defence Conference, Adnec aims to attract global expertise in the land, sea, and air defence industries, localising knowledge in the UAE. The 15th edition of the Idex and Navdex exhibitions is a distinguished global platform which highlights the national defence sector and its infrastructure. Further, the exhibitions will showcase the latest in cutting-edge technology in these sectors, following the global innovation trends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. A wide raft of health and safety measures have been designed and implemented across Idex 2021, Navdex 2021 and the International Defence Conference, ensuring the safety of all participants. All those attending will be required to follow the social distancing measures and the wearing of face masks is being mandated across exhibition facilities, ensuring the safety of all attending the events. -- Tradearabia News Service The court further said it is 'extremely disappointed' with the way negotiations are going on between the Centre and the farmers on the new farm laws The Supreme Court, while hearing a batch of petitions against the farm laws, on Monday asked the government if it would suspend the implementation of the laws or whether the court should step in for the same. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde lambasted the Centre for its handling of the protests. "You (government) either tell us will you suspend the implementation of law or the court will do it (sic), CJI Bobde said. The CJI also noted that there have been deaths and suicides and women and children needed to be protected. The CJI also asked the lawyers for the farm unions to convey his exhortations to women and children "to go home", according to India Today. The court further said it is extremely disappointed with the way negotiations are going on between the Centre and the farmers on the new farm laws. We don't want to make any stray observations on your negotiations but we are extremely disappointed with the process, said the Bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian. The apex court, which was hearing a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders, said it is not talking about the repeal of these farm laws at the moment. This is a very delicate situation, the Bench said, adding, There is not a single petition before us which says that these farm laws are beneficial. The Bench further said that it is considering setting up a neutral committee to hold talks on the issue, as noted by an article in LiveLaw. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON FARMERS' PROTEST HERE According to Bar and Bench, the court said, "We will make the atmosphere comfortable and conducive for talks. Till then the farm laws can be put on hold. Who is going to be responsible for bloodshed? We need to uphold Article 21 as a constitutional court. What if some conflagration takes place?" In response, Attorney General KK Venugopal contended, "Law cannot be stayed unless it is beyond legislative competence or violative of fundamental rights of against any constitutional provision. None of the petitioners have argued on this." Venugopal also claimed that "only farmers from two or three states are protesting", and that there was no participation from southern or western India. At the end of the hearing, CJI Bobde lashed out at the Attorney General when the latter asked him not to pass orders on Monday. Why not? asked Bobde. We have given you a very long rope. Dont lecture us on patience. We will decide when to pass the order. We might pass it in part today and in part tomorrow. In the earlier hearing of the case on 17 December, the court had said that farmers have a right to continue their protest in a peaceful manner. It had noted in its order, "We are of the view at this stage that the farmers' protest should be allowed to continue without impediment and without any breach of peace either by the protesters or the police.We clarify that this Court will not interfere with the protest in question. Indeed the right to protest is part of a fundamental right and can as a matter of fact, be exercised subject to public order." With inputs from PTI Announcing a new publication for Marine Life Science & Technology journal. In this review article the authors Caiwen Li, Meng Li and Qian Huang from Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China consider the impact of the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium on aquaculture of marine crustaceans in China. Hematodinium is a type of parasitic dinoflagellate that infects marine crustaceans globally. The parasite lives mainly in the hemolymph or hemocoels of affected hosts, and results in mortalities due to malfunction or loss of functions of major organs. In recent years, the parasite has developed into an emerging epidemic pathogen not only affecting wild populations of economically valuable marine crustaceans in western countries but also the sustainable yield of aquaculture of major crabs in China. Epidemics of the parasitic disease have expanded recently in the coastal waters of China causing frequent outbreaks in aquaculture of major crab species, especially Portunus trituberculatus and Scylla paramamosain. The pathogen also infected two species of co-cultured shrimps and multiple cohabitating wild crabs, suggesting it is a significant threat to the sustainable culture of commercially valuable marine crustaceans. The polyculture system that is widely used along the coast of China may facilitate the spread and transmission of the pathogen. To provide a better understanding of the biological and ecological characteristics of the parasitic dinoflagellate and highlight important directions for future research, the authors of this article review the current knowledge on the taxonomy, life cycle, pathogenesis, transmission and epidemiology of Hematodinium spp. proposing ecological countermeasures for the prevention and control of this emerging infectious disease. ### Article reference: Caiwen Li, Meng Li and Qian Huang, The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium infects marine crustaceans, Marine Life Science & Technology, 2020, ISSN 2662-1746, https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1007/ s42995-020-00061-z Keywords: Parasitic dinoflagellate, Diversity, Life cycle, Pathogenesis, Outbreak mechanism, Ecological control Marine Life Science & Technology (MLST) provides a platform that introduces new discoveries and theories associated with marine organisms, bioresources, and biotechnology. The journal is intended for marine scientists, biological oceanographers, conservation biologists, marine technologists, policy makers and legislators. Accordingly, we publish original research papers across a broad range of marine life sciences and technologies with an emphasis on synergistic interactions of multiple disciplines. Both theoretical and practical papers are welcome, including laboratory and field experimental studies relevant to marine life science and technology. Focused reviews, viewpoints, comments, and short communications are also accepted. As the journal's aim is to foster multidisciplinary approaches to marine sciences, authors are encouraged to emphasise the relevance of their work in relation across the journals key-disciplines. For more information, please visit https:/ / www. springer. com/ journal/ 42995/ Editorial Board: https:/ / www. springer. com/ journal/ 42995/ editors MLST is available on SpringerLink (https:/ / link. springer. com/ journal/ 42995/ volumes-and-issues ). Submissions to MLST may be made using ScholarOne ManuscriptsTM (https:/ / mc03. manuscriptcentral. com/ mlst ). Abstracted and indexed in: Astrophysics Data System (ADS) CNKI Dimensions EBSCO Discovery Service Google Scholar Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China Meta Naver OCLC WorldCat Discovery Service ProQuest-ExLibris Primo ProQuest-ExLibris Summon TD Net Discovery Service ISSN 2662-1746 FORT HOOD, Texas -- Leaders responsible for Spc. Vanessa Guillen from her squad to her battalion were fired during the disciplinary action that took place last month at Fort Hood, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston told soldiers Thursday at the base. Speaking to a group of about two dozen junior enlisted soldiers, Grinston used the firings as an example of how the Army is taking action to root out leaders who allow corrosive behavior to persist in the ranks. Fourteen leaders faced disciplinary action following the Dec. 8 release of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee report that found the command climate and culture problems at the base were a result of poor leadership. At the time, only action taken against leaders in positions at the brigade level and above were identified, in accordance with Army personnel privacy policy. Leaders responsible for Guillen in her squad, platoon, company and battalion were also fired, Grinston said Thursday. Previously announced firings in Guillen's chain of command included Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, the deputy commander of III Corps who was the acting base commander at the time of Guillen's disappearance and death, and Col. Ralph Overland and Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Knapp, the commander and top enlisted soldier of Guillen's unit, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Maj. Gen Jeff Broadwater and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Kenny of the 1st Cavalry Division, which was not part of Guillen's chain of command, were suspended following the report's release, pending the results of a new investigation into the unit's command climate and implementation of a sexual assault prevention program. Guillen, who served as a small arms repairer in the regiment's engineer squadron, went missing from the base in April. During the more than two-month search for her, questions arose about the efforts to find her, the conditions at the base, and its sexual assault and harassment program. Investigators found her body June 30 and determined a fellow soldier, Spc. Aaron Robinson, killed Guillen with a hammer in an arms room, then buried her body about 20 miles from the base. In July, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy announced the civilian review committee, which found Fort Hood to have an environment "permissive" of sexual assault and harassment and lacking trust between soldiers and leaders. Further disciplinary action could follow the findings of an ongoing internal Army investigation into the actions of every level of the command related to all aspects of the Guillen case. Led by Gen. John Murray, commander of Army Futures Command, a public release date on his findings has not been announced. Fort Hood's commander, Lt. Gen. Pat White, returned from a yearlong deployment in September and initiated a "people first" training program to improve trust between soldiers and leaders. The program included a weeklong break from field training to allow leaders to sit down with soldiers and get to know them on a personal level, talk with their families and visit their living quarters. Grinston visited Fort Hood on Thursday to hear from soldiers about these efforts. Stars and Stripes was permitted to listen to a discussion with junior enlisted soldiers, with the agreement the participants would not be named. The soldiers were all members of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Cavalry Division and many of them said they appreciated the additional training because it felt more genuine than in the past. However, some of them still asked for deeper relationships built outside of Army requirements. They suggested having more teambuilding exercises, small group physical training and friendly competitions. It was during these discussions that Grinston explained last month's firings at Fort Hood. He said leaders can't take action on problems that they don't know about and he encouraged soldiers to report misconduct in the ranks. Many soldiers spoke candidly and, when asked, told Grinston that they believed he was there only to "check the box," and they didn't believe the initiatives taking place at Fort Hood now would last. "The whole U.S. is watching Fort Hood. They want to see you here," said one soldier. But another solider said Grinston seemed genuine. "Most people don't ask us questions," she said. "You asked. I think you care." "I appreciate your honesty," Grinston told the group. "There's a lot going on in the world right now ... but I'm here. I don't want to go back to what it was three months from now." Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Eric Lis factory making glass lampshades for companies including Home Depot Inc. is being stretched to its limits with sales doubling their pre-pandemic level.But like many Chinese manufacturers, he doesnt plan to expand operations -- a reticence that could slow the pace of Chinas economic growth this year and prolong a shortage of goods being felt around the world as demand picks up.Surging prices of raw materials means margins are compressed, explains Li, owner of Huizhou Baizhan Glass Co. Ltd., in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, which makes about $30 million in annual revenue. With the global economic recovery still uneven, the future is very unclear, so there is not much push to expand capacity, he adds.The combination of higher input prices, uncertainty about export prospects and a weak recovery in domestic consumer demand meant Chinese manufacturing investment from January to April was 0.4% below the same period in 2019, according to official statistics (comparing to 2019 strips out the distortion of last years pandemic data).Due to the vast size of Chinas manufacturing sector, that poses a risk both to the nations growth -- which is currently predicted to reach 8.5% in 2021, according to a Bloomberg tally of economists estimates -- and to a global economy thats grappling with supply shortages and rising prices.Falling ProfitsWeaker-than-expected investment could have a sizable impact on GDP growth this year, said Citigroup Inc.s China economist, Li-gang Liu. Lower investment may dent imports of capital goods and equipment from developed economies like Japan and Germany, which in turn could drag their economic recovery and rebound as well, he added.AnHui HERO Electronic Sci & Tec Co. Ltd. is one of those companies feeling the squeeze. Based in the eastern province of Anhui, the company manufactures capacitors used to make electronic circuits, with sales mainly in the domestic market. Jing Yuan, the founder, says orders are up as much as 30% year-on-year, but profits are down 50% due to increasing materials costs that are not easily passed onto clients.The company is under huge cash pressure as it needs to pay half a month in advance of delivery in order to secure copper and other metals, which they previously paid for months after receiving, he said. The commodity issue has to be addressed by the government, he added.What Bloomberg Economics Says...Chinese industry is absorbing significant cost pressures from rising commodity prices -- damping the inflationary impact for the rest of the world. Will it last? Our analysis of gross margins suggests it could for a while longer: downstream industries -- where the cost crunch is most severe -- still have a small cushion.David Qu, China economistFor the full report, click here.Input shortages mean some manufacturers arent able to make use of their existing facilities, so expansion would be of little use. Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc. suspended production at one of its factories last month, due to a shortage of microchips.Modern Casting Ltd., which makes iron and steel products in Guangdong, issued a note to clients this month saying it would not be able to meet its current orders due to high raw material costs. A member of staff who answered the phone at the companys office confirmed the note, but declined to give further details.Growth TransitionOn top of the higher input costs, Chinese companies face a bumpy transition toward domestic consumer spending to sustain its post-pandemic recovery.Exports, Chinas strong-suit last year, may begin to slow as vaccine roll-outs cause consumers in wealthy countries to shift spending back to services. Meanwhile, the growth rate of Chinese consumer spending has yet to fully recover.Investment sentiment among Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises is below levels seen even in 2018-9 when uncertainties from the U.S.-China trade war were a brake on expansion plans, according to a regular survey of more than 500 Chinese companies by Standard Chartered Plc.Demand is still mainly underpinned by exports, so domestic companies are aware that this is not sustainable, said Standard Chartereds China economist, Lan Shen.While some export-oriented sectors have been pushed to their limits, large amounts of slack remain for manufacturers targeting Chinese consumers due to subdued domestic demand.Retail sales growth was 4.3% in April on a two-year average basis, which strips out base effects from the pandemic, less than half pre-pandemic growth rates. Overall capacity use at Chinas manufacturers fell to 77.6% in the first quarter from 78.4% in the previous three months, with the automotive sector hit hardest by overcapacity following three years of declining sales volumes.Even for electric vehicles whose sales are surging, most companies have already built their capacity and will now focus on incremental upgrades. The majority of the investment has been done, said Jochen Siebert of JSC Automotive Consulting.China ordered state-owned companies to expand last year, with their investment growth of 5.3% in 2020 from the prior year easily outstripping the 1% increase in private investment. But for a sustainable pick-up in investment, the market, not the state, needs to feel confident.Carsten Holz, an expert on Chinese investment statistics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, estimates that privately-owned companies have accounted for 87% of manufacturing investment in 2015, the most recent year of available data. They are more sensitive to input costs.There is a pandemic plus insecurity about future trade given a new U.S. administration, neither of which is conducive to investment that relies on long-term growth prospects, Holz said.Mixed PoliciesTransport bottlenecks are also a challenge for export-oriented manufacturers. Gordon Gao, who exports gardening products from China, said that he has had to reject 80% of orders this year due to port delays. In one case, an order placed before mid-February could only be shipped three months later when a client finally secured a container.Beijing has tried to improve conditions for private companies by ordering a crackdown on speculation to curb commodity prices and easing access to bank loans.Yet the government continues to gradually withdraw fiscal and monetary stimulus measures introduced amid the pandemic last year. It set a relatively unambitious target of above 6% growth for this year, and the Communist Partys Politburo signaled last month it would prioritize reforms to control house prices and debt growth.The policy stance has definitely shifted away from supporting growth and back toward de-risking the financial sector, said Adam Wolfe, an economist at London-based Absolute Strategy Research. The risks for economic growth seem tilted to the downside, especially for capital-intensive, construction-linked sectors.For manufacturers such as Li, a longer period of domestic growth and control over input prices will be needed before capacity expansion is on the cards. While his company of 200 workers took on new permanent staff before the pandemic, for now hed rather pass the risks of investment on to others.I wouldnt do that now, I would rather hire some temporary workers and outsource the rest, he said.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P. Conspiracy theories began appearing on the Internet almost immediately in the wake of Wednesdays violent takeover of the United States Capitol, where a mob of Trump loyalists stormed the Capitol Building while both chambers of Congress were in session certifying the 2020 Presidential electoral votes. One rumor that began gaining a lot of traction in the hours after the Capitol riot, which killed five, including a police officer, was the theory that the attempted insurrection was aidedand possibly orchestratedby members of the far-left movement Antifa. While the initial media report that sparked this myth has since been retracted, the apocryphal story continues to be circulated by conservative media outlets eager to make inroads among pro-Trump audiences in the months following the 2020 election. Hours after the attack, conservative news outlet the Washington Timeswhich was founded by Unification movement leader Sun Myung Moon and until 2009 was still funded by that religious organizationpublished a story with a provocative claim: an analysis of facial recognition technology developed by software company XRVision had identified members of Antifa among other extremists at the Capitol Building siege, and the company had since shared that information with law enforcement officials. One America News Network ran this story at the top of its website on Jan. 7. OANNs report ended up being entirely false, yet the article remains on the site uncorrected. Its a ridiculous idea for a lot of reasons, chief among them that it doesnt hold up under its own logic. Considering Trump supporters openly plotted storming the Capitol on social media platforms and pro-Trump forums in the weeks leading up to the attack. Considering Trump himself pitched the electoral vote count as his last stand and incited supporters during his Save America rally that morning to march to the Capitol as the Congressional hearing was taking place. Considering many of the extremists who breached the Capitol had long been identified as Trump supporters whod been documented in photos and videos attending previous Stop the Steal rallies. Considering many of them livestreamed the Jan. 6 takeover from their social media accountsthe Proud Boys' own official Parler account confirmed the group was inside the Capitoland in some cases, were interviewed by the press afterwards, where they freely admitted why they were doing what they were doing. Given all this, the falsity of the Washington Times story, which didnt name any of the allegedly identified Antifa members or provide any further evidence to support its central thesis, shouldve been pretty self-evident. It wasnt exactly ironclad reporting. As it turns out, the story was indeed apocryphal. The day after the Washington Times report was published, XRVision issued a statement claiming the story to be outright false, misleading, and defamatory, and demanded, through the companys lawyer, that the publisher cease and desist from any claims regarding the sourcing of XRVision analytics, retract its current claims, and publish an apology. The statement also claimed the Washington Times never even attempted to contact XRVision to verify its reporting. The FBI on Friday additionally said no evidence had been found that Antifa infiltrated the crowd or were part of the provocation. Corroborating this, Fox News on Friday separately reported that Justice Department officials reported no evidence supporting the theory that Antifa members had been part of the Jan. 6 putsch. Nonetheless, a genie was out of the bottle by this point, and the rumor that the Capitol Building attack may have been a covert Antifa operation continued to proliferate across social media channels and was quickly picked up by conservative news outlets which began publishing their own version of the story. A New York Post article quoted an unnamed law enforcement "source" who claimed, entirely without evidence, that Antifa members had been present in the Capitol Building crowd. The Epoch Timeswhich is loosely associated with the Falun Gong religious movement and has previously spread QAnon conspiracy theories as well as anti-vaccination propagandacirculated a video purporting to show Trump supporters attempting to prevent Antifa vandals from entering the Capitol Building. One of the most wide-reaching installments in this game of telephone came from One America News Network, which ran a story on Jan. 7 under the headline Evidence Emerges Of Antifa Infiltrating Capitol Hill Protests. That article drew most of its source material from Rep. Matt Gaetzs (R-FL) Electoral College objection speech on the House floor hours after the attack. Citing the pretty compelling evidence from a facial-recognition company in the Washington Times report, Gaetz claimed that members of the violent terrorist group Antifa were responsible for breaching the Capitol Building while masquerading as Trump supporters. OANNs article, which didnt have a byline or feature any exclusive quotes or independent reporting, was the top story on the OANN site that day. OANN, which has previously published news segments on how Dominion Voting Systems rigged the 2020 election and also staffs reporters who have covered the Pizzagate hoax, is among the crop of once-obscure right-wing outletsalongside Newsmaxwhove stumbled upon a successful strategy for amassing viewers in recent months by essentially positioning themselves as Trump hagiographists. The San Diego-based broadcaster, which in May was described by The Atlantic as Trumps favorite cable-news network, reaches an estimated 35 million homes but still doesnt subscribe to Nielsen. On Thursday, the Washington Times admitted its reporting was erroneous, and issued a correction of its initial story along with an apology: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that XRVision facial recognition software identified Antifa members among rioters who stormed the Capitol Wednesday, the correction read. XRVision did not identify any Antifa members. The Washington Times apologizes to XRVision for the error. The Washington Times also heavily edited its article to state that the publication had erroneously reported that facial recognition technology identified two Antifa members. In fact, XRVision has not identified any members of that far-left movement as being part of the attack. Given that the crux of the Washington Times report was admittedly false, there isnt much in the way of a story here. It also means that Rep. Gaetzs claimsand OANNs reporting of itare fundamentally erroneous. Even Fox News host Jeanine Pirro wasnt buying it, excoriating her viewers on Saturday to stop looking for other people to blame, including those dirt bags Antifa! And yet, as of Monday morning, OANNs report remains uncorrected. In fact, the media company appears to have doubled down: conveniently ignoring the Washington Times correction, OANN on Saturday broadcast a segment recirculating the video used by the Epoch Times and others under the headline: Reports are emerging from numerous eyewitness accounts that Antifa was actually behind the acts of violence at the Capitol on Wednesday. ODwyers on Friday reached out to OANN to see if the company plans to issue a correction to its reporting. As of press time Monday morning, we have yet to hear a response. ODwyers additionally called Rep. Gaetzs office in Washington D.C. to see if the Congressman plans to issue a statement correcting his claim. As of press time Monday morning, we have not received a response. 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 this Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 file photo released by Tasnim News Agency, a seized South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on the Persian Gulf. AP-Yonhap Iran warned Monday its seizure of a South Korean tanker in the Gulf must not be politicized, after the US and France urged the Islamic republic to release the ship. "We have repeatedly told the intervening parties, whether they are the United States or France, that the case does not concern them at all and that they will not help to solve a technical problem if they politicize it," said foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the Hankuk Chemi and arrested its multinational crew of 20 near the strategic Strait of Hormuz one week ago. The move came as Tehran urged Seoul to release billions of dollars of Iranian assets frozen in South Korea as part of US sanctions. 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 tweet Sunday, San Antonio-area Republican state Rep. Lyle Larson said if U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz were his friend, he would "be obligated to tell him to shut the #% up" over the baseless claims of wide-spread voter fraud that may have helped fuel an angry mob storming the Capitol last week. The protest that turned violent caused major politicians, including Vice President Mike Pence to seek shelter, and resulted in at least five deaths. READ ALSO: Ted Cruz receives backlash after expressing condolences for officer who died from Capitol riot Larson admitted in his tweet that he had met Cruz twice and "never really cared much for him" before telling the senator that he needed to "be quiet and stop embarrassing himself, his family and our state." The state representative is one of many Texas lawmakers who have publicly criticized Cruz. On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said Cruz was "spectacularly irresponsible, an embarrassment to the state of Texas," while his twin brother, former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, called for the senator's resignation. Some on social media have said the bloodshed at the Capitol falls on Cruz's shoulders. U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick died after suffering a stroke while trying to stop the mob. READ ALSO: Julian Castro calls Ted Cruz 'an embarrassment to the state of Texas' According to the Associated Press, Sicknick suffered a stroke while physically engaging with protesters, and was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. He made it to his division office where he collapsed. He died the next day. "Your ranting and screaming to get the Trump supporters all fired up. You are responsible for his death," one person tweeted after Cruz shared his condolences to Sicknick's family. Cruz has defended his actions and told NBCDFW in an interview that Trump was responsible for what happened because his "angry rhetoric was reckless." Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for ExpressNews.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to make its way around Texas, advocates are concerned for communities of color. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services has shown that the virus is deadlier for people of color, with more than half of the deaths in Texas occurring among the Hispanic or Black communities. Now, advocates are concerned that the state's designated vaccination sites are being placed in more affluent areas that will give the white population greater access to the medicine. We already saw huge disparities in death rates and people getting [coronavirus] infections, and there wasn't availability of resources like health care for brown and Black communities suffering tremendously, said Kazique Prince, interim executive director for Austin-based nonprofit Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity, as reported by Juan Pablo Garnham and Mandi Cai with the Texas Tribune. I'm very nervous and anxious that this [vaccination effort] is not going to work out for us. 'CREATE SOME TRUST': Black doctors work to reduce skepticism of COVID-19 vaccine Engineer Omar Gomez shared with the Tribune that he started volunteering in Austin's Hispanic community when the pandemic first started and noticed it was more difficult to find masks and hand sanitizer, adding that "whatever happened with PPE is happening with the vaccine: disparities, inequalities. Its not a balanced approach." A letter to Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that lawmakers share similar concerns, with 38 members from the Texas House of Representatives asking for an improved vaccination distribution process. Democratic State Representative Vikki Goodwin sent requests to Gov. Abbott's office asking for more vaccinations in minority communities. "A cursory glance at my local map of vaccination locations suggests that providers are much less concentrated in areas that have a higher percentage of minority residents," said Rep. Goodwin, as reported by CBS Austin's Christian Flores. "In light of the fact that Black and Latino populations have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19, I have concerns about this pattern being replicated statewide. I ask that you take special care to distribute opportunities for vaccination widely and with an eye toward making them equally available to all Texans regardless of racial or ethnic background." In Houston's Harris County, only 6,000 vaccine doses have been received so far, compared to 224,000 being sent directly to distribution providers, as reported by the Tribune. County spokesperson Rafael Lemaitre said they're working with community leaders to reduce issues for people of color, including undocumented people. But first, experts and advocates said officials will have to first work to build trust in communities of color. It could go down as one of the most significant cyber attacks yet. Russian hackers breached a number of U.S. government agencies and dozens of private businesses through a tainted update downloaded for network-monitoring software made by SolarWinds. Potentially significant breaches hit the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, according to media reports. While the attacks will hurt on multiple levels, cyber ultimately remains insurable, experts and insiders say. Still, the risk remains a challenge to cover. Risk management approaches are ripe for improvement and coverage must be adapted continually to accommodate emerging threats, the experts add. Cyber risk is definitely still insurable. To suggest otherwise is analogous to saying property risks are not insurable after a bad hurricane season, said Meredith Schnur, Marshs U.S. & Canada Cyber Brokerage leader. The cyber insurance market continues to evolve and expand to meet the changing nature of the risk. Schnur noted that cyber coverage adapted to numerous changes from the mid-2000s onward, from new federal and state privacy laws to credit card exposure and PCI risk. The market worked it out. Underwriters learned how to underwrite and price for that risk, she said. We are experiencing the same thing now with the proliferation of ransomware. Underwriters are using third-party vendors to assist in underwriting their insureds control environment, which in turn will lead to better risk selection. Just like we have done for the past 20 years, we will ride the waves and work with the underwriters to create a sustainable market for cyber insurance. Can Handle Risks Catherine Mulligan, global head of Cyber for Aons Reinsurance Solutions business, added that in 20 years, standalone cyber insurance has matured into a $7.5 billion sector that can respond to a variety of claims. The insurance industry has a longstanding commitment to addressing emerging risks, [and] technology is an essential fabric of society and business, so the insurance industry should continue to invest in risk management and risk transfer of the cyber peril, Mulligan said. Mulligan said risk management and cyber coverage are successful only if both are designed with cooperation from multiple parties. As with any complex risk, the solutions will require cooperation among the public and private sectors, technological tools to support underwriting and pricing risks, and data on threats and claims to support stable, long-term capacity, she added. Perspective Oliver Brew, head of client services at cyber risks analytics InsurTech CyberCube, observed that the Russia/SolarWinds breaches appeared to be more political than targeting businesses. Many thousands of companies around the world of all sizes and industries buy cyber insurance, Brew said. The breaches highlightedimpact some U.S. federal governmental entities as well as potentially many private companies. At this stage, the motive appears to be espionage rather than financial, and it is not clear if any data has been destroyed or exfiltrated. Brew said insurers continue to have the ability to address cyber attacks as well as any other disaster situation. Insurers are financially stable and prepare for potential disaster scenarios where multiple companies are impacted by a single vulnerability (in this case a software update that contained malware) or failure of technology, he said. While the types of losses triggered by this latest malware attack arent yet fully known, there are steps Brew said can be taken to minimize damage and reduce their exposure. This includes installing the Hotfix update released by SolarWinds, as well as work with a forensic team to identify any indicators of compromise, Brew said. By vigilant monitoring of systems, the impact of this event can be minimized. Room for Improvement Cyber insurance currently functions well in a variety of ways and has the ability to evolve quickly, according to Mulligan. Cyber insurance can and does respond to a variety of first- and third-party exposures, and the (re)insurers that stand out are those who have invested in specialty attention to the space, she said. The insurance industry has responded to 20 years of evolving cyber threats. The products have transformed, technology has been introduced to support individual risk assessment and aggregation management, and the insurance industry has continued to provide risk management insights and support to insureds of all sizes. Still, there is always room for improvement. Mulligan noted the U.S. governments Cyberspace Solarium Commission, for example, is calling for deeper analysis to improve datasets. This would buttress work that is ongoing in the private sector, Mulligan said, adding that public and private institutes should continue conversing about ways to improve. She said Aon is recommending a government study about the potential scope of a cyber terrorism event in order to support the industry in building capacity. In the end, cyber attacks wont go away, and they continue to evolve quickly in their approach and scope. Mulligan acknowledged this, but said risks can still be minimized. While perfect prevention is unlikely, awareness and consistent cyber hygiene will support a companys ability to respond to threats, she said. Topics Carriers Cyber Corporate America halts donations to Republicans who voted to overturn the election Some of America's biggest companies are suspending donations to Republican Congress members who objected to the Electoral College's votes. Citigroup C Marriott MAR The growing list of those corporations, including BlueCross BlueShield,, Commerce Bank and, comes after a pro-Trump mob breached the US Capitol last Wednesday to fight against the ceremonial counting of electoral votes that confirmed President-elect Joe Biden's win. 147 Republicans voted against certification of the electoral votes in a joint session of Congress last Wednesday evening. They included Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, among hundreds other congress members. By Paul Mulshine One of the more amusing moments of the 2016 Republican National Convention occurred when Mike Pence was giving his speech accepting the nomination for vice president. I happened to be standing near where Chris Christie was seated with his family. As the governor of Indiana spoke, the governor of New Jersey worked his cellphone, rarely looking up. He sat through the many standing ovations for the man who beat him out for the No. 2 spot on the ticket headed by Donald Trump. That might have been a bad break for Christie, but it was a good break for the GOP. Pence was the perfect counter to Trump. Trump was from the coast while Pence was from the heartland. Trump was loud and bombastic while Pence was quiet and considered. Pence was experienced in government and well-liked by his party leaders. Trump was neither. Pence was the one who won him the election, said Joe Pennacchio, a state senator from Morris County who was a Trump delegate at the convention. He gave Trump support within the party. They basically trusted Trump based on Pence. After last week, Trump will be lucky to finish out this term, never mind run again in 2024. That means we could see a rerun of the Christie-Pence battle, this time for the No. 1 spot. The politicians and the pundits in New Jersey are already handicapping that race. Among them is Andrew Napolitano, the former judge who is the legal analyst for Fox News. Napolitano told me he likes Christies chances in the event he follows through on his speculations about taking on another presidential primary race. Christie can define what the Republican Party stands for far better than Pence, who spent three years and 11 and a half months supinely agreeing with all of Trumps excesses, Napolitano said. He straddles both camps, the never-Trumpers and the Trump people. When I asked about Trumps recent erratic behavior, Napolitano said thats nothing new with The Donald. Ive known him for 35 years. Ive gone to dinner with him, he said. Hes always been this way. Another Jersey guy who has been watching Trump over the years agrees. Thats him, Seth Grossman said of Trump. He surrounds himself with people who tell him what he wants to hear. Grossman is an Atlantic City lawyer and sometimes political candidate who heads a conservative group called Liberty and Prosperity. He disagreed that Pence will be tarnished by his association with the former casino owner. He stood with Trump as long as he could, said Grossman. But the plain language of the constitution was staring him in the face. Thats the 12th amendment, which gives the members of the Electoral College the sole power to name a president. Grossman, who has attended many a Miss America pageant over the years, offered an analogy between the role of the late host Bert Parks and the role of the vice president. Bert Parks doesnt pick Miss America, he said. Bert Parks opens the envelope and read what the judges said. He cant change the votes. Nor could Pence. In a letter to Congress, Pence said that the vice president has no unilateral authority to decide presidential contests. Thats undebatable. But it didnt spare Pence the wrath of Trump, who tweeted just before the session Wednesday that Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution. But after the riot in the Capitol, defying the Donald looked positively prescient for anyone seeking a future in Republican politics. Over the past few months Christie also broke with Trump as his behavior became increasingly bizarre. After the riot on Wednesday, he went on ABC-TV to denounce Trumps actions. Nobody who saw this today other than the president of the United States and his most blind supporters could think this was acceptable, he said on ABC News. He added, As someone who has known him for 20 years, today breached something none of us should have to put up with by anybody whos given the honor of being an elected leader in this country. That sure sounded like a statement from a guy who wants to be an elected leader once again. In his book, Let Me Finish Christie gives a blow-by-blow account of his fight with Pence for the nomination. He suggests that the opposition of Trumps in-laws, the Kushners, was key to The Donalds decision to pick Pence back in 2016. I dont know what sentiments Christie was tapping into his phone as Pence was speaking back then. But I suspect well be hearing more of the same in 2024. Paul Mulshine is a columnist for The Star-Ledger and nj.com. The protestors and vandals at the Capitol Two Republican senators now say US President Donald Trump should resign as support for the drive to impeach him a second time is gaining momentum in his final days in office. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania yesterday joined Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski in calling for Mr Trump to "resign and go away as soon as possible." Ms Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Mr Trump's conduct in office, said on Friday that Mr Trump simply "needs to get out." Mr Toomey said that even though he believes Mr Trump committed impeachable offences in encouraging loyalists in the Capitol siege on Wednesday, he did not think there was enough time for the impeachment process to play out. Mr Toomey said that resignation was the "best path forward, the best way to get this person in the rear view mirror for us." Scattered However he was not optimistic that Mr Trump would step down before his term ends on January 20. The White House had no immediate comment last night. The House appears determined to act despite the short timeline. Late Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to her colleagues reiterating that Mr Trump must be held accountable. She told her caucus, now scattered across the country on a two-week recess, to "be prepared to return to Washington this week." "It is absolutely essential that those who perpetrated the assault on our democracy be held accountable," Ms Pelosi wrote. "There must be a recognition that this desecration was instigated by the president." Republican Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat, said "it may be Tuesday, Wednesday before the action is taken, but I think it will be taken this week." Mr Clyburn said he was concerned that a Senate trial could distract from the process of confirming President-elect Joe Biden's nominees. Mr Clyburn said one option could be giving Mr Biden the "100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running and maybe we'll send the articles sometime after that" to the Senate for a trial. He said lawmakers "will take the vote that we should take in the House" and that Ms Pelosi "will make the determination as when is the best time" to send them to the Senate. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, has said an impeachment trial could begin as early as Inauguration Day. Republican David Cicilline, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles - or charges - accusing Mr Trump of inciting insurrection, said that his group had grown to 185 co-sponsors. Lawmakers planned to formally introduce the proposal today in the House, where articles of impeachment must originate. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors. If convicted, Mr Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. Complicating that decision about impeachment is what it means for Mr Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he has long viewed Mr Trump as unfit for office, Mr Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress does "is for them to decide." A mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were putting the final touches on Mr Biden's victory over Mr Trump in the Electoral College. The crowd surged to the domed symbol of American democracy following a rally near the White House, where Mr Trump repeated his bogus claims that the election was stolen from him and urged his supporters to march in force toward the Capitol. Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died as a result of the siege. Mr Trump has become increasingly isolated, holed up in the White House as he has been abandoned by many aides. The first case of the British coronavirus strain was confirmed in Russia at the end of 2020 and now the patient is no longer contagious, chief of Russias sanitary watchdog Anna Popova said. "By the end of the last year, we saw that we had a variant of the British strain that is provoking serious fears now. It was found in only one person who felt and is now feeling well. He had no symptoms. Now, he is not contagious," she said in an interview with the Vesti news roundup on the Rossiya-1 television channel. Thirty-two out of more than 7,000 people who arrived from the United Kingdom in a period from late November to the day when air service between the two countries was suspended tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection, Popova, said. "More than 7,000 people had arrived in Russia from the United Kingdom from late November to December 22 when air service [with the United Kingdom] was suspended. Thirty-two of them were found to have the virus upon the arrival," she said. According to Popova, twenty-eight of these thirty-two people had no symptoms. "Two of the remaining four people had mild forms [of the disease], and two needed hospitalization. But we have spotted all of them and took samples from them," TASS cited her as saying. The British strain of the novel coronavirus can be identified by PCR test used in Russia and the anti-coronavirus vaccines registered in Russia can ensure protection against it, Popova said. "According to our data, testing systems used in Russia for PCR diagnosis detect this virus. And the vaccines that have been registered in Russia 100-percent ensure protection against it," she said. She noted that the virus has not become more dangerous and doesnt cause more serious forms of the disease but it has become more infectious. "It means that one person can infect more people," Popova said. The United Kingdoms Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, said on December 14, 2020 that British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. Hancock said preliminary analysis indicated that the newly-discovered virus strain was spreading faster than any of those exposed previously. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told an urgent news conference on December 19 that according to the current findings the new strain might be 70% more contagious. He added that British experts had not yet found any proof that the virus mutation was fraught with a greater risk of lethal outcome. Following this news, Russia suspended air service with the United Kingdom from December 22. Nobodys lived at the Rubin Block for more than six years. Nobodys lived at the Rubin Block for more than six years. Its 21 suites sit empty, with most boarded up. The main-floor windows are obscured by plywood, hardly windows at all, more like closed doors. The 106-year-old building at the corner of Osborne Street and Morley Avenue is on a national list of "endangered" places, and without intervention, it will be in danger of disappearing at a time when housing needs to be maintained and protected, a growing chorus of neighbourhood voices says. One of those voices, a South Osborne man who refers to himself as S.O. Resident, recently put his words to paper: on Jan. 2, he glued an eight-by-11-foot treatise across the boarded-up windows, begging its owners to restore the Rubin back to its former self. "What answer to the quest will you write for Rubin Block, Dear Owner?" he wrote. "The implement is in your hands." Nearly 1,500 people have signed a petition to the city, calling for the building to be refurbished into a site for affordable housing. The buildings story began in 1914, when noted architect Max Blankstein designed it for Reuben Cohen. For 100 years, its main floor housed various tenants, including a pharmacist, confectioner, thrift store, and the office of former area MLA James Allum. Its upstairs units were occupied. But in 2014, after two fires the last one on the top floor and a homicide, the building became vacant, the boards went up, and conversations with the blocks ownership, Composite Holdings Ltd., or the city, have since failed to generate any meaningful momentum. The Free Press contacted the companys director, Alan Werier, but he would not comment about plans for the building. Neighbourhood residents, who have met with city officials in the past to discuss the building, hope now is a good time to restart the conversation. "Our hope is to have it become affordable or low-income housing, with a community-based commercial (tenant or tenants) on the main floor," said Jean Altemeyer, who has lived in the neighbourhood since 1968. "Bottom line: folks would like the building occupied." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The 106-year-old Rubin Block is on a national list of endangered places. Cindy Tugwell, the executive director of Heritage Winnipeg, says the organization got involved with the Rubin Block in 2015, and she took a tour of the top floor with the owner to see the damage, which was not catastrophic, she said. There was talk of refurbishing it, but Tugwell said since then, the ownership has paid the fees related to vacant buildings and associated inspections, but there has been minimal progress. She says growing frustration over the lack of progress has sparked renewed discussions about the block among neighbourhood residents, especially because "theres been a buyer lined up" for three years, willing to pay above market value for the property with a vow to convert it to affordable housing. The federal governments Rapid Housing Initiative has also reinvigorated interest in that idea. "By sitting on this property, (the owners) are stifling community development and urban renewal," Tugwell said. And as the building remains vacant, she said, theres a good chance property damage could decrease its potential for reuse and its value. "I really dont have a logical answer (why the owners havent been interested)." Tugwell and Altemeyer said without effective communication from the owner, the city government presents the only path forward. Coun. Sherri Rollins, who represents the ward, says she would like to meet virtually with members of the Rubin Blocks advocacy group this month or early in February. Rollins says the citys vacant building bylaw has been strengthened in recent years, including the addition of an "empty building fee," a payment of one per cent of a buildings assessed value, redirected to the citys housing investment reserve. (The Rubin was assessed at $1.4 million in April 2018.) The bylaw amendment is meant to discourage vacancies and fund housing programs, while the vacant building bylaw is "substantively about safety," she said in an email. She said shes also engaged with the owners as a member of the South Osborne BIZ and will continue to work on getting the building "unstuck." Tugwell suggested the city could explore taking the buildings title without compensation, which she acknowledged would be an arduous process. "In order to take title without compensation, the building has to be non-compliant of the vacant building bylaw, a matter proven and argued successfully, in a provincial court of law," Rollins wrote in response to the idea, which she said should not be considered lightly. "(That) is not the case with the Rubin Block. The building is in compliance, paying their taxes, and when I last inquired, are in compliance with the City of Winnipeg bylaw requirements." SUPPLIED A South Osborne resident glued an eight-by-11-foot treatise across the buildings boarded-up windows, begging its owners to restore the Rubin back to its former self. Tugwell said shes read the bylaw thoroughly, and understands its complexities, but Altemeyer and others feel the disincentive isnt strong enough if the stagnancy persists. "I guess what were saying is, if we cant fix this problem, we have to strengthen the bylaw," Tugwell said. As for the petition, its not the first time the public has put pen to paper in hopes of changing the Rubin Blocks future: a similar campaign was undertaken in the early 2010s, with Allum, who was the MLA, a vocal advocate for the revitalization of the building. Allum said he tried to reason with the blocks owners, but once the city put the boards up, "it was a clear indication (the owners) had no intention of doing anything." But Allum said he "expected much more from the city, which, with maybe the exception of bylaw enforcement, has generally turned a blind eye to the building and done nothing to rectify the situation." "As inconceivable as it seems, the building is actually in far worse shape in 2021 than it was when I first started talking to (Werier)," Allum wrote in an email. "Yet the same people still own the building. Its as ridiculous as it is outrageous." In 2019, the building was placed on the National Trust for Canadas top 10 list of endangered buildings. "(Protecting buildings) is not just about heritage buildings," said Chris Wiebe, the Ottawa-based trusts manager of heritage policy and government relations, who once lived in Winnipeg. "We have to make better use of what we already have." Local residents, and business owners, see the current housing and economic climate as an added impetus to give the building a new life. "When you let a building rot on a main route, its sad for everyone who passes it, especially a building with such a long history," said Sam Rivait, a co-owner of Good Fortune Barbershop, a new business set to open across the street. "The sheer amount of people begging for revitalization is a testimony of its importance." Rivait and others hope the owners are paying attention, and S.O. Resident is certain theyre aware of the outcry: less than 24 hours after posting his treatise, a man wearing a black balaclava stood in front of the Rubin Block, paint roller in hand, and covered the eight-by-11 grid in blue. The next day, S.O. Resident stapled a smaller version of his letter onto the blue square. "What did Joan Baez say?" he asked. "Action is the antidote to despair." ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Some subsidiaries of GAC Group were warned by their suppliers that the auto parts supply for several models will be impacted by the faltering global economic climate amid the coronavirus spread, GAC Group revealed on Jan. 8. Photo credit: GAC Group Meanwhile, GAC Honda, the joint venture between GAC Group and Honda, also noted a similar warning from its suppliers. The comment came after some local reports said in early Dec. that Volkswagen's joint ventures with SAIC Motor and FAW Group suspended production partly due to the scarcity of high-end semiconductor chips. German auto suppliers Continental and Bosch also warned about the shortage of semiconductor components shortly afterwards. It was reportedly the 8-bit MCUs (microcontroller units) that were badly required, directly leading to the production suspension over ESP (electronic stability program) and ECU (electronic control unit), two core modules for onboard computers. Although semiconductor manufacturers have already responded to the unexpected demand with capacity expansions, the required additional volumes will only be available in six to nine months, Continental said on Dec. 4, 2020. Therefore, the potential delivery bottlenecks may last into 2021. The German auto giant Volkswagen Group confirmed on Dec. 18 that it was facing production slowdowns due to a massive supply bottleneck triggered by a lack of semiconductor components for car electronics. The shortage would influence Volkswagen's production at its plants in China, North America and European during the first quarter of 2021, said the Wolfsburg-based carmaker. The MEB-based models under Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Skoda, SEAT and to a limited extent Audi were impacted. Aspen, CO (81611) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 68F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low near 40F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 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. E-commerce major has written to Sebi yet again, apprising the market regulator of the formation of the arbitration tribunal at SIAC while urging it to suspend the review of the Rs 24,713 crore Future-RIL deal. It has also filed an appeal with the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court against the December 21 order of the single member bench, according to sources. On December 21, a single member bench of the Delhi HC had rejected Future Group's plea to restrain from writing to regulatory authorities about the SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre) arbitral order but gave a go-ahead to the regulators to decide over the deal. The court had also made several observations indicating that Amazon's attempt to control through a conflation of agreements has with an unlisted unit of the Indian company will be violative of the FEMA FDI rules. Emails sent to Amazon and Future Group seeking response on these matters did not elicit a response. In its letter dated January 5 - a copy of which was seen by PTI - Amazon informed Sebi that the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) has constituted the arbitral tribunal in the Arbitration Proceedings initiated by Amazon against inter alia FRL, Mr. Kishore Biyani and Mr. Rakesh Biyani. Amazon also requested Sebi to suspend review of the Impugned Transaction as well as the scheme involving the Impugned Transaction, and not granting any no-objection for the Future-RIL deal. The letter also urged the market regulator to direct the Indian Stock Exchanges not to issue any no-objection/approval letter to Ltd (FRL). A three-member tribunal consisting - Singaporean barrister Michael Hwang has been formed at SIAC. The other two members of the tribunal are Albert van den Berg and Jan Paulsson. As per the SIAC Rule, the interim award passed by the Emergency Arbitrator (EA) automatically extended for the duration of the Arbitration Proceedings unless it is reconsidered/modified/vacated by the arbitral tribunal itself, Amazon further said in its letter addressed to Sebi Chairman Ajay Tyagi. Amazon has written a series of letters to regulators and the bourses, starting with its complaint on October 3. This is the sixth instance of the e-commerce giant writing to Sebi on the matter. Amazon had dragged Future Group to arbitration at SIAC after an indebted Kishore Biyani group firm signed a pact to sell retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing units to billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance in August last year in a Rs 24,713 crore deal. Amazon's argument is that Future violated the contract by entering into the deal with rival Reliance. In October, SIAC had passed an interim award in favour of Amazon with a single-judge bench of V K Rajah barring FRL from taking any step to dispose of or encumber its assets or issuing any securities to secure any funding from a restricted party. In its most recent letter, Amazon reiterated that FRL continues to be expressly injuncted and restrained by the interim award and is barred from taking any steps in furtherance of the transaction, including filing applications before any regulators or agencies including Sebi in India. In the ongoing tussle, Future claims that Amazon had failed to provide any help to the debt-laden Future Group that suffered a massive setback during the COVID-induced lockdown. The US e-commerce major, on the other hand, contends that there were ongoing discussions on multiple options with partners and with the promoters of Future. 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 the flagship, 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. Under the Ho Chi Minh City Housing Development Program 2021-2030, districts located along metro lines including 2, 7, 9, 12, Thu Duc and Binh Tan will be reserved for high-rise apartment buildings. Social and affordable housing is also planned to be set up in these districts. The five outskirt districts of Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Nha Be, and Can Gio will be reserved for setting up large township including eco-urban areas, new urban areas, and satellite cities. Due to decentralisation, the Central Business District in districts 1 and 3 will be limited with high-rise buildings to 2025. Other proposals will be considered after that on a case-by-case basis and must fit the citys plan. Ho Chi Minh City prioritises high rise building along metro lines. Photo Le Toan Other districts to limit high-rise buildings include districts 4, 5, 6, 11, and Phu Nhuan where population density is the highest and the infrastructure system cannot fully meet the population growth. If the infrastructure system is improved, other considerations will apply for these districts. In the next five years, Ho Chi Minh City needs a capital investment of VND420 trillion ($18.26 billion) to build houses. Ho Chi Minh City will need an additional 47 million square metres of housing to meet the demand of its 12 million population by 2030. Reports reveal that the British Government purchased millions' worth of PPEs from Chinese companies that are associated with slave labor. Nearly 150 million were given by the British Government to firms which are connected to concentration camps in China for the payment of the Personal Protection Equipments (PPE). In a report from Breitbart, Winner Medica alone received 122 million. Coincidentally, Winner Medica is the same company which supplies some of its cotton from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary group that has been banned from selling in the United States because of its alleged slave labor. An additional 19 million and 16 million contracts to pharmaceutical companies China Meheco and Sinopharm were also spent by the British Government, respectively. Similarly to Winner Medica, China Meheco credits XPCC for its labour services, as reported by The Telegraph. Sinopharm, on the other hand, has been closely involved in the Labor Transfer Program in Xinjiang--which is allegedly forcing Uyghurs to relocate throughout China. Survivors of the said labor camps revealed the extreme human rights deprivation they have received in the camp. North Koreans were also part of this unfair and unjust treatment by the Chinese government, as previously reported. In a three-month long investigation done by The Guardian, these PPEs were made by North Korean women "under modern slavery." North Korea had violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by using these women to augment the country's income. It is said to be that North Korea is in a tight situation in terms of its economy and finance. These workers had to undergo modern day slavery and work for 18 hours each day having little to no break in between. In September, the Communist Party of China denied these allegations and rebranded these slavery camps as a "facility for employment." They have also accused the United States for pushing the "forced poverty" agenda on them. Ironically, slavery was already abolished hundreds of years ago by the same British Government that bought PPEs from these modern slavery camps. Conservative Party chairman Tom Tugendhat MP said, "[Slavery's] alive and well in Xinjiang making us complicit in some of the worst human rights abuses and undercutting legal suppliers. We need to use the G7 to set global standards stopping slave-goods reaching free countries." While the British Government was busy buying off of these firms who are connected to slavery, firms coming from the British Healthcare Trades Association had alleged that the British Government continued to ignore them who were very much willing to supply the PPEs for their own countrymen. These firms were then forced to ship their own PPEs to other neighboring countries such as Italy, France, and Germany which were lacking their own supplies of PPEs at that time. Continuously sourcing the PPEs from China is a "serious failure of due diligence," Nick Davies from the Institute for Government said. In a social media post by Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves, she had received quite a number of messages coming from different manufacturers who had claimed to offer their service to the National Health Service yet they had heard nothing back from the British Government. Our decision to move our offices from Prudential to Freedom Center helps to reorganize our physical footprint as we continue to navigate the pandemic, position the company for long-term sustainability and ensure the health of our organization for the future, Tribune Publishing spokesman Max Reinsdorf said in a statement. Employees will be informed of details as they are finalized. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2021) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday will meet Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani at NATO headquarters located in Belgium's capital of Brussels, a press release, published on NATO's website on Monday, said. "The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will meet the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mr. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, on Thursday, 14 January 2021, at NATO Headquarters," the press release said. According to the press release, Stoltenberg and Ghazouani will address a video press conference following their meeting, with no journalists being allowed to enter the headquarters due to the COVID-19 related measures. NATO and Mauritania cooperate within a Mediterranean Dialogue partnership program since February 1995. The sides conduct joint activities in security and military spheres, as well as in the fields of science and diplomacy. South Africa: Government mourns Dolly Mokgatle Government has expressed sadness at the passing of Dolly Mokgatle, the Executive Director and co-founder of Peotona Group Holdings. An established business leader, Mokgatle held various leadership positions within several of South Africa's state-owned enterprises and the private sector. She was recognised for her notable contributions towards the empowerment of women. This is truly a sad day, as we have lost a leader who recognised the critical importance of gender equity and the empowerment of women. She was a staunch believer in educating and mentoring girls to achieve their dreams, said Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Director-General (DG) Phumla Williams. Mokgatle, who also served as Chief Executive Officer of Spoornet, was the first woman, first black person and first non-technical person to be appointed to the position of Managing Director of Eskoms Transmission Group. Her wealth of experience in energy-related matters played a role in her appointment as the Deputy Chairperson of the Board of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. Williams said the country had lost a great leader, a visionary and someone who was instrumental in steering energy-related matters for the country. We must all continue with her legacy and work to empower women, said Williams on Monday. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Energy ministry mulling return to formula-based pricing on gas market The Cabinet says it thus seeks to reduce tariffs for households. Reporting by UNIAN If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Government attempts to curb the growth of the Islamic Revival Party, already branded "terrorist" in 2015. Donier Nabiev, 87, was sentenced to 5 years in prison; Dzhaloliddin Mahmud to 6 and a half years old. Trials held behind closed doors and sentences handed down without readings. Dushanbe (AsiaNews) - The Ismoili Somoni district court, in the Tajik capital, has sentenced Donier Nabiev, 87 (photo 1), a former activist of the Islamic Renaissance party (PRI), now banned by the authorities, to five years in prison. News has only recently emerged of the trial, which took place behind closed doors and where the judges refused to comment on the sentence. Relatives of the accused stated that "Donier was found guilty of bringing humanitarian aid to his relatives, imprisoned for belonging to the PRI". Saidiskhok Boboev, one of the family members, in an interview with Radio Ozodi said that the sentence had been passed on December 28, but nothing had been communicated, as in the days of the Stalinist courts. Court officials then confirmed the sentence without comment, stating that the material was classified. One of the leaders of the PRI, Makhmadi Teshaev, said in turn that the elderly activist, also known as Boboj Dona, "grandfather Dona", had been arrested last September at his home in the kishlak (village) of Gulbutta, without any explanation . According to Teshaev, "Boboj Dona brought meat and fruit to his relatives in prison, and for that alone he was locked up in prison". In recent months, several trials have been held in Dushanbe and its surroundings against members of the PRI, the main party opposing the eternal president Emomali Rakhmon (in office since 1994, former local secretary of the Communist Party). The PRI is also the only explicitly Islamic party in the ex-Soviet countries, founded in 1991 after the end of the USSR. In 2015 the party was officially dissolved by the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, which called it a "terrorist organization", and its members have been operating in semi-clandestinity ever since. One of its leaders, Dzhaloliddin Mahmud (photo 2), was arrested in 2015 after the dissolution, then pardoned in 2019 and recently sentenced again to six and a half years for terrorist activities. Mahmud was in fact accused of having tried to "change the constitutional state by force", in reality for having tried to make the activities of the PRI legal again. After a period in solitary confinement, he is now serving his sentence in the Bakhdat concentration camp, a "correctional camp" set up especially for members of the PRI. It was in Bakhdat, in September 2015, that the "revolt" led by General Abdulahim Nazarzod had taken place. The then Deputy Minister of Defense had tried to take over the barracks which have now become a concentration camp. The leadership of the PRI has always rejected any accusation of connivance with General Nazarzod, arguing that the purpose of the Tajik authorities is only the exclusion of an influential political force such as their party. The exponents of the dissolved party also contest the many "baseless" arrests of their comrades and ask for their release, starting with Boboj Dona. The former Minister of Justice of Tajikistan, Rustam Shohmurod, also declared that "all the detainees are in custody for the crimes they have committed". 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 new coronavirus variant has been detected in four travellers from Brazil's Amazonas state, Japan's Health Ministry said on Sunday, the latest new mutation of the virus discovered. A ministry official said studies were underway into the efficacy of vaccines against the new variant, which differs from highly infectious variants first found in Britain and South Africa that have driven a surge in cases. "At the moment, there is no proof showing the new variant found in those from Brazil is high in infectiousness," Takaji Wakita, head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, told a health ministry briefing. Still, Brazil's Health Ministry said it has been notified by Japan's authorities that the new variant has 12 mutations, and one of them has already been identified in the variants found in the United Kingdom and in South Africa. "It implies in a potential higher virus infectiousness," it said. Of the four travellers who arrived at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Jan. 2, a man in his forties had a problem breathing, a woman in her thirties had a headache and sore throat and a man in his teens had a fever, while a woman in her teens showed no symptoms, the health ministry said. All travellers are in quarantine at Tokyo's airport, Brazil's Health Ministry said. After seeing a steep rise in coronavirus cases, Japan declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and three prefectures neighbouring the capital on Thursday. Nationwide cases have totalled about 289,000, with 4,061 deaths, public broadcaster NHK said. Also read: COVID-19 vaccination drive: PM Modi to chair key meet with CMs today Also read: Apple, Hyundai to join forces in early-2021 for electric car: report SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AccuChain, Inc. today announced that it has received an investment from Vertex Partners Inc. in Tokyo, Japan. This investment will accelerate development of AccuChain's Human Resource technology software. The funding also demonstrates Vertex Partners' long-term vision and commitment to launch AccuChain in Japan and other countries in SE Asia. AccuChain is developing a resume validation and recruitment platform. This innovative platform will allow individuals to create their own validated resumes and enable HR departments to find the best qualified candidates. AccuChain, Inc. Vertex Partners Vertex Partners, a business development firm, reveals that there is a growing need for AccuChain in SE Asia. Junichi Yukihira, Co-founder of Vertex Partners Inc., said "It is very exciting and also significant for us to have the opportunity to participate in the AccuChain investment this time. We highly value the potential of AccuChain's HR solutions based on AI/machine learning and blockchain technology, and as their business co-creation partner, we are now working together to develop markets in Japan and other Asian countries. We are confident that this investment will strengthen our relationship." Hiring in SE Asia demonstrates a growing need for qualified candidates. AccuChain will reduce bad hires using validation methodologies, immutable records, matching of jobs to qualified candidates and uncovering false information. AccuChain CEO, Tim R. Connelly adds "The Vertex Partners investment demonstrates the importance both of our organizations see in next generation HR recruitment software. The combined resources of our companies will make a positive difference in the successful launch of AccuChain in Japan and then SE Asia." AccuChain is working to improve their hiring process, and create a new standard for applicants' digital resumes. The technology will help reduce fraudulent resumes. The efficacy rate for finding the best qualified person for the job using AccuChain shows promising results. Notable Features: Key resume achievements are validated by trusted individual third parties using proprietary validation methodology Resumes are permanently stored and accessed using blockchain technology Using AI/Machine Learning, resumes are checked for fraud About Vertex Partners Inc. Founded in 2015 in Tokyo, Japan, Vertex Partners provides consulting services in various fields such as strategy/IT and recruiting. Vertex Partners combines the knowledge of many companies to create new ventures. They support initiatives related to innovation and new business creation, including planning and design, operations, collaboration, innovation programs, and business development. Luce, a recruitment firm, is a subsidiary of Vertex Partners. Website: https://www.vertex-p.com/eng/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VERTEX.PARTNERS LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/vertexpartners About AccuChain, Inc. Founded in 2019 in San Jose, CA USA, AccuChain, Inc. is a Human Resource Technology company with a resume validation and recruitment platform. AccuChain wants hiring decisions to be based on accurate and validated information. The company is modernizing HR recruitment software and changing the way applicants apply to jobs. AccuChain, a global company, will initially launch in the United States. Website: https://www.accuchain.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accuchain/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AccuChain LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/accuchain/ Media contact: Maura Sparks Email: [email protected] Mobile: 415-894-2188 SOURCE AccuChain, Inc. New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is addressing the annual press conference of Ministry of External Affairs on the eve of 3 years of Narendra Modi government. She said that the relationship between India and the United States under Donald Trump administration is progressing the way it was during the regime of former President Barack Obama. India on Monday said Pakistan cannot take Kashmir to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and asserted that the issue must be resolved bilaterally. Sushma said there was no flip-flop on part of the government in handling Pakistan. Pakistan cannot take Kashmir issue to International Court of Justice. Kashmir issue can only be resolved bilaterally, she said. She was replying to a question on reported remarks of Pakistani law officer that Islamabad will take the Kashmir issue to ICJ. We want to resolve all issues with Pakistan bilaterally but talks and terror cannot go together, the minister said. Here are the lighlights: #Will raise airspace violation issue with China #This will have no effect on our relation and agreement with Qatar: EAM Sushma Swaraj on Gulf diplomatic rift #Nothing is fixed from both sides: EAM Sushma Swaraj on possibility of PM Narendra Modi-Nawaz Sharif meeting at Astana SCO Summit #We have three pillars of our policy related to Pakistan: 1. We want to resolve all the issues through dialogues, 2. No mediator required, 3. Terrorism and talks can't happen together #We are very clear, no third party mediation in talks with Pakistan #Pakistan is a country for us but when we chalked out an outline of foriegn policy, we didn't take its name #We are talking to China on the issue #CPEC is about sovereignty. Kashmir is integral part of India, no question of compromise #Indo-US relation under Trump progressing just the way it was during Obama regime #H1B1 Visa: Yes concern is there but there are amendments that can't be made through executive order #There has been 37.5% increase in FDI in last three years #We have worked towards the improvement and expansion of passport services #80,000 people stranded abroad successfully brought back to India, in last 3 years #India is playing a major role in deciding the global agenda and PM Narendra Modi is in the list of leading leaders #There's do denying the fact that Modi government has taken various steps for the betterment of the poor 3 years of Modi Govt: Indian Economy to hit sustained 8% growth rate over next 2 years, predicts NITI Aayog #I am in front of you today after 3 years #We have harmonious relations with Cyprus and Turkey #We have good relations with Israel and Palestine. Both this countries share a sour relationship #There is a bitterness in the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, but we have better relations with both #Our relations improved with Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, considered close to Pakistan ALSO READ | 3 years of Modi govt: Rajnath says resolution of Kashmir issue will take some time 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. ALBANY After months of furor from mourning families, the administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued a report in July absolving itself of blame for thousands of COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes in New York. Although Cuomo portrayed the findings as definitive proof, six months later, his administration is refusing to back up the findings by providing copies of the records that were the basis of the reports conclusions. In response to a written request from the Times Union, the administration last week cited exemptions in the state Freedom of Information Law which the Department of Health contends allows the agency to keep the records secret. Critics of the administrations handling of the COVID-19 pandemic have been skeptical of the health department's self-exonerating report from the outset, and some epidemiologists said the data did not back up the sweeping conclusions. The lack of information also prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to demand New York and three other states with similar nursing home policies to turn over records detailing information on the nursing home fatalities. The Justice Department's request identified New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan as states which "required nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients to their vulnerable populations, often without adequate testing." At least 12 other states issued similar orders, with many governors contending they were following guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's unclear where the federal investigation stands. Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy, a fiscally conservative Albany-based think tank, said it is common for the state health department to stonewall open records requests, adding, it's fair to assume theyre doing so because theres something they dont want the world to know. Theyve made this extremely detailed analysis and are refusing to share the details necessary to fact-check that analysis, Hammond said of the July 6 health department report. I think it's fair for people to wonder: 'Why wouldn't they wouldn't be happy to share it?'" In a gubernatorial administration known for secrecy, the Department of Health has gained a particular reputation for lack of transparency. Indeed, DOH refused to detail, as required by law, why it was withholding the records from the Times Union or exactly what information was being withheld. The report on nursing homes concluded that a controversial memo issued by the agency in late March, as the pandemic was surging, was not to blame for New York having among the nation's highest nursing home fatalities from the virus. Under the memo, facilities could not deny admission or readmission to residents based solely on a positive or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis. If a COVID-19-positive patient at a hospital was medically stable and needed nursing home care, many nursing homes believed the directive required them to accept that person. The policy has been criticized by Cuomo's critics, as well as in media reports, as the cause of the widespread infection rate among a highly vulnerable elderly population. At the time the July report was issued, the death toll stood at more than 6,000. The state's report concluded the deaths occurred because staff working at the homes had brought the infectious disease into the facilities, months earlier, before the spread of coronavirus in the state was known. The report repeatedly cited as the basis DOH Facility Surveys that collected information from nursing homes; much of the information was collected in early June, about a month before the the report was issued. On the day the report was issued, the Times Union filed a Freedom of Information Law request for copies of the surveys filled out by nursing homes. But the Cuomo administration refused to provide copies of completed surveys and also would not turn over blank copies showing the survey questions. A Department of Health spokesman, Gary Holmes, refused to say why the department was refusing to provide blank copies. Based on the limited data the health department has publicly released on its website, it's unclear how the state reached its conclusions on the cause of the nursing home fatalities. The report states the incidences of a staff member at a New York nursing home exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms peaked on March 16. The report says that correlates with peak deaths among residents at nursing homes on April 8, given that the time from infection to death from COVID-19 is between 18 and 25 days. Nursing home staffers were unwittingly the driver of infections among residents, it concludes. The health department's website has data showing how many confirmed and suspected staff infections occurred among employees at each nursing home, based on a facility survey. But that data, categorized by month and not specific date, does not confirm that the first reported symptoms at nursing homes peaked on March 16. In fact, the data shows that in April, there were more than twice as many confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases among nursing home staff as in March, including 1,700 more suspected cases. Meanwhile, there does not appear to be any publicly available data showing which nursing homes first reported initial symptoms among staff or on which days. A major assertion in the report is that the peak day of nursing home resident deaths came six days before the peak day for admission of COVID-19 patients from hospitals to nursing homes. That timing demonstrates that the state's controversial admissions' policy could not have been the driver of nursing home infections or fatalities, the report concluded. The findings assert that if re-admissions of sick or recovering patients to nursing homes had been the driver, the peak deaths would have occurred after before the memo's issuance, not before. But theres also no publicly available data providing independent verification that the peak of admissions occurred on April 14. Similarly, the reports assertion that deaths peakd in nursing homes on April 8 cannot be verified. The health department maintains data on its website showing the overall number of deaths reported at each nursing home, but its not broken down by date. Hammond said the publicly available data is insufficient to verify the reports findings. The whole basis of their conclusion had to do with the timing: Because deaths peaked on this date, it was too soon for the March 25 order to have had an effect, Hammond said. But you and I cant figure out when deaths peaked because they havent shared that information. In addition, the number of deaths the state has reported does not include residents that were infected, transferred to hospitals, then passed away. If residents who died in hospitals were included, New York's nursing home death count could increase by thousands. The Empire Center has filed a court case seeking to force the Department of Health to provide the information about hospital deaths, which the think tank says is readily available in daily HERDS surveys that are filled out by nursing homes and submitted to the state. The department has asserted in ongoing responses to Hammond's request that the delays are unavoidable as its been engaged in a months-long diligent search for the material. For six months, the health department also claimed in response to the Times Unions request that it was engaged in a diligent search for the facility surveys, even though the information had been the basis of a high-profile report issued by the agency in July. In December, the Times Union filed an appeal, for a second time, arguing that the state's delays were unreasonable. A records appeals officer, David Spellman, asserted that the agency was not required to respond to the December appeal, since they had already rejected a similar appeal by the Times Union in August. Shoshanah Bewlay, the executive director of the Committee on Open Government, told the Times Union that each appeal arguing that delays were unreasonable triggers an obligation that the agency respond to it. Last Wednesday, the department formally rejected the Times Unions request for the facility surveys, arguing that releasing the information "would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy." The agency also asserted that is is not obligated to release inter-agency or intra-agency materials. In the end, the department did not provide a single page of records that were not available on its website. Holmes, the department's spokesman, declined to explain why releasing the materials would raise privacy concerns, or why the materials qualified for the exemption allowing intergovernmental materials to be suppressed. Statistical and factual information contained in inter- or intra-agency materials are not exempt from disclosure. In addition, the law allows the state to withhold certain inter-agency materials, but does not require it to do so. After the report was issued six months ago, several New York healthcare industry leaders issued statements quickly confirming the state's findings. The statements, distributed by the Cuomo administration, were from healthcare officials with close ties with the governor and who have benefited from policies and contracts in New York. This is the moment a fearless dog fights a lioness and lives before strutting away triumphantly. Footage shows a fight breaking out between a lion and a dog in the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India, on January 9. The dog, which is half the size of the lioness, constantly barks at the big cat as they fight in the National park. The dog, which is half the size of the lioness, constantly barks at the big cat as they fight in the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India, on January 9 During the scuffle, the canine gets trampled under the lioness paw, but continues its attack, despite the larger animal swiping at it with its paw. The pair battle in a cloud of dust on the ground, as the smaller of the two animals jumps to attack the face of its opponent. The animals grab each other by the neck before breaking apart and resting at two different corners of the clearing. Feeling triumphant, the dog struts away, leaving the bewildered cat standing amongst the trees. After resting for a few moments, the fight continues, however the dog runs away when a second lion enters the battleground. The pair battle causing a cloud of dust on the ground, as the smaller of the two animals jumps to attack the face of its opponent Footage of the duo fighting was taken by a group of onlookers stationed nearby while on a safari. The Gir National Park is spread across the Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Amreli districts. 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. Pedro Pascal pointed the finger at Texas Senator Ted Cruz for the violent insurrection on Capitol Hill in a tweet shared Saturday. The 45-year-old Mandalorian star shared the Republican senator's phone number with his 741K followers as social media users blamed the politician for inciting the riot in the Capitol Building, which left five people dead, including one police officer. Pascal may have had his eye out for Cruz, 50, after the senator panned his performance in Wonder Woman 1984. Calling him up: Pedro Pascal, 45, shared the office number for Texas Senator Ted Cruz on Saturday after the Republican was blamed by many on social media for inciting the violent Capitol Hill insurrection that left five people dead; seen in November 2019 in LA Although some Twitter users initially thought he was doxxing Cruz by revealing personal information, Pedro only shared the publicly listed number for the senator's central Texas office, located in Austin. ADVERTISEMENT Prior to his post, Pascal seemed to be engaged with the riot in DC on his Twitter feed. Click here to resize this module On Wednesday he tweeted, 'What incredible, profound shame,' presumably in response to the attack. 'The world is watching and history is recording. This disgrace will be FOREVER IN THE BOOKS,' he wrote on Thursday, followed by a New York Times article listing the 147 Republican elected officials who voted to overturn the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Not a fan: Pascal may have been incensed with Cruz after he shared a negative review of his performance in Wonder Woman 1984 on December 26; seen January 3 in Sugar Hill, Georgia Sickened: On Wednesday, Pascal tweeted, 'What incredible, profound shame,' presumably in response to the attack on the Capitol Building; seen in February 2020 in Beverly Hills Although Pascal was clearly incensed by Republican politicians that had cheered on the armed crowd before their attack on the Capitol, he may have also been holding a grudge against Cruz for his withering Wonder Woman 1984 review. In response to a Twitter user's asking if anyone had seen the superhero film, he replied: 'Sadly, yes. [10-year-old daughter] Catherine & I watched it last night. Gal Gadot remains terrific, but its by far Pedro Pascals worst performance,' he wrote. 'The script, was wooden, formulaic & silly (look, a fully-fueled fighter jet just sitting there for us!). 'But, watching w/ your daughter is still fun!' he added. Thumbs down: Cruz wrote that the role was 'by far Pedro Pascal's worst performance,' a sentiment many film critics seemed to share Voted down: Cruz was among eight Republican senators that objected to Joe Biden's victory in the November presidential election; Cruz seen in the House Chamber on January 6 Outraged: Multiple Democrats, social media users and even some Republicans blamed Cruz's vote and speeches for the deadly attack, in which Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick was bludgeoned to death with a fire extinguisher; seen at the Capitol on December 16 Cruz was among eight Republican senators that objected to Joe Biden's victory in the November presidential election. Cruz was lambasted by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for his attempts to overturn the election. She and other Democratic members of Congress have called on the senator to resign, claiming that his attempts to delegitimize the results of the election encouraged the pro-Trump mob to attack the Capitol. Among the dead was one woman in the mob who was shot by a plain-clothes Capitol Police officer. ADVERTISEMENT Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick was killed by members of the mob after they struck him in the head with a fire extinguisher, according to The New York Times. Big hit: Pascal has had a high-profile end to 2020, with his Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian receiving critical and audience acclaim for its second season Pascal has had a high-profile end to 2020, with his Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian receiving critical and audience acclaim for its second season. His role in Wonder Woman 1984 was less positively reviewed. The film currently boasts a 60 percent fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is considerably lower than the first film's 93 percent fresh score or the scores of comparable Marvel films (though it's an improvement over Justice League's 43 percent rotten score). Multiple reviewers criticized Pascal's over-the-top Donald Trumpinspired performance as being too hammy, though some defended his tone. A motivational speaker and author charged over the death of her seven-month-old daughter in a bath will fight to have her charge of child homicide thrown out. Fiori Giovanni is accused of an act of criminal negligence in that she left two children unattended in a bath on July 18 last year and her baby daughter drowned. Fiori Giovanni has been charged with child homicide. Credit:Instagram Ambulance paramedics attended an apartment in Southbank but the baby could not be revived and died. Ms Giovanni, who was charged about two months after her daughter's death, sat next to defence lawyer Adrian Lewin on Monday as they appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court seeking a date for a committal hearing, which will determine whether she faces trial. Angry white male rage was on full display Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds gathered determined to upend the democratic process and reinstate their failed leader who embraces the tenets of white supremacy. Many of these men are bound by the hazy notion that their privilege as whites has been usurped, and their status as men is being marginalized. Academics will spend decades examining the carcass of the siege on the Capitol, trying to understand what set it off. Heres what the historians, apologists, and sociologists will find. READ MORE: Storming the U.S. Capitol may be new to Americans, but the violence is a familiar theme White male rage has long been appeased at the price of African Americans lives and livelihood. We were the sacrificial offering in a class war that kept working white mens anger from turning on the whites who held political and economic power. From 1619 until the present day, Blacks have been forced to live within a world where white men, in the name of protecting their way of life, were allow to brutalize anyone they felt was a threat. For marginalized people including LGBTQ folks, religious minorities, and especially African Americans, the system to appease white men was toxic, but so prevalent that it became normalized. And when those who suffered under its breath-taking jackboot protested, white America refused to see its brutality. As the Equal Justice Initiative puts it on their Segregation in America website: White segregationists were not banished or shamed; they were respected and elected to some of the highest levels of national authority long after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The accommodation of people who proudly proclaimed racist ideology and white supremacy implicates these institutions and undermines the notion that racial equality has been achieved. What we saw Jan. 6 was a breach of the protection wall shielding white Americans from the worst of their compatriots rage. We saw that rage turning inward, white on white. It was the roosters coming home to roost. Among the many reasons for white students to study African American history, it is to prepare for a moment such as now. It teaches that nothing in America is more dangerous than aggrieved white men. In their frenzy, freedman have been kidnapped and re-enslaved, cities bombed and burned, and innocent people have been lynched. And with each injustice, too many to tally now, the pillars of democracy crumble a little more. Students learn the moral of the long arc of Black American history: A just and equitable democracy is our countrys best, perhaps only, bulwark against the violent injustice that would destroy us. The significance mustnt be lost that the day the mob stormed the Rotunda demanding representation without electoral victory, Georgians had voted to send their first Black Senator to Capitol Hill. Some media reports mistakenly portrayed it as a win for African Americans, when it is a win for anyone who wants a peaceful democracy to triumph. Stacey Abrams, who joined with other organizers statewide to lead a valiant fight against voter suppression a favorite tool of white supremacy had taught the entire country a lesson about the power of the vote for peaceful change. READ MORE: Trumps tactics in Georgia call are straight from the white supremacy playbook | Solomon Jones History also told us this day one of an insurrection at the Capitol, which would overshadow a massive political victory for Black Americans was coming. White anger doesnt dissipate, but regroups. White opposition to the Civil Rights Movement was equally ugly, as aggrieved whites feared losing privilege and status and set out to turn the clock back 100 years. Racist politicians enjoyed support from the majority of white voters; the Ku Klux Klan claimed many of the Souths most prominent and powerful citizens as members; and white perpetrators of vicious attacks on Black people were regularly acquitted by all-white juries, according to EJI. The battle for white supremacy reproduces itself each generation. But in this chapter, white leadership is confronting angry white men. The threat to our democratic way of life must be met not with appeasement, but by bringing angry white men into the republic on equal footing with the rest of we the people. Now we have to wait for the authentic leadership to get us there. Whos going to step up? Chad Dion Lassiter is executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. It is important to keep all schools and colleges ready by January 25, both for classes to resume as well as for ministers to visit the welfare hostels, says KCR. Representational image: DC Hyderabad: Its time for a return to schools and colleges three weeks hence drawing the curtains down on a season of prolonged shutdown. At a high-level meeting with ministers and district collectors on Monday, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao announced reopening of schools from Class IX onwards, as also Intermediate schools, degree colleges and other vocational and professional institutions from February 1. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that all arrangements are made for the reopening of both government and private schools. Keep all educational institutions, hostels, and residential schools neat and tidy. Sanitation measures including cleaning of toilets should be taken up immediately, he said. It has been a long time since schools were opened. All classrooms, furniture and laboratories should be cleaned. Provisions like rice, dal and other food materials must be taken care of. If stocks are less, go for more of purchases, he said. It is important to keep all schools and colleges ready by January 25, both for classes to resume as well as for ministers to visit the welfare hostels and make sure they would be ready for occupation, the Chief Minister said. Students were making do mostly with online classes in the past several months, with teachers and students sitting at their respective homes and interacting via video-mode. Students who did not have online facilities were in deep distress and could not pursue classes. Schools and higher education institutes are to follow guidelines issued by the Centre in September for reopening of schools: 1. No force to be exerted on students to attend classes in schools; and consent by parents will be ensured for those who are willing to attend. 2. Students, teachers, and non-teaching staff must wear facemasks and keep washing their hands at regular intervals. 3. Body temperature of all to be checked through thermal scanning. Students with symptoms of cold and cough will have to leave the school immediately. 4. A minimum of six-feet distance will have to be maintained in classes and in school premises. 5. Arrange for thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all areas, furniture, equipment, stationery, storage places, water tanks, kitchens, canteen, washrooms, laboratories, libraries etc on school campus and ensure air flow in indoor space. 6. Ensure availability in school or at contactable distance full-time trained health care attendant/nurse/doctor and counsellor to take care of physical and mental health of students. Panasonic honoured with the Best Hygiene Technology Refrigerator Award During its 50 years of presence in Vietnam, Panasonic is positioned as a leading electronic brand with state-of-the-art products and an enthusiast in community initiatives. Panasonic envisions to transform into a wellness solutions provider from its original brand positioning of a consumer electronics company in the next 50 years. Developing hygienic products is a critical step in realising this strategy to deal with air pollution and food safety that is a concern across the community. We are honoured to receive The Best Hygiene Technology Refrigerator Award by both readers and the Tech Awards Board of Judgement, which is a great encouragement for our new journey, said Azuma Yusuke, head of marketing, refrigerator and washing machine, Panasonic Vietnam. Panasonic has surpassed many electronic brands nominated for this category thanks to its unique and advanced antibacterial technologies applied in the companys modern refrigerators. Applied in the -3 Celsius degree soft freezing case, Blue Ag+ enables food to be fresh for 7 days eliminates 99.99 per cent of bacteria without defrosting NanoeX the active antibacterial technology applied for six door premium fridge Suppressing 99.99 per cent bacteria, mould, reducing pesticide by 2.8 times (after washing), and preventing odour In 2018, Panasonic adopted the antibacterial and odour purification Nanoe-X technology from air conditioners to high-end refrigerators. Nanoe-X are nano-sized ion particles generated from moisture in the air with 4.8 trillion (-OH) radicals. These ion particles spread through the air inside the refrigerator, reliably reaching bacteria and viruses, allowing (-OH) radicals to transform virus proteins to deactivate and inhibit the growth of bacteria and virus in the air. Especially, Nanoe-X is able to weaken bonds in pesticide on the surface of fruits and vegetables, allowing pesticides to be washed away easily with water, eliminating odours and 99.99 per cent of mould and bacteria. Therefore, it is safe and hygienic for fridge users. Blue Ag+ - for two- and three-door fridges eliminating 99.99 per cent of bacteria thanks to UV-A light and Ag+ ions Blue Ag+ generates a strong bacteria killer, OH radicals, through a reaction between silver Ag ions and UV-A light. The OH radicals work with the hydrogen molecules of the bacteria to transform OH radicals into water and eliminate bacteria. The Blue Ag+ technology is utilised in the -3 degrees Celsius soft freezing case, which makes this feature outstanding and unique for Panasonics fridges (PrimeFresh Blue Ag+ freezing at -3 degrees Celsius). PrimeFresh Blue Ag+ eliminates 99.99 per cent bacteria, enabling food to be fresh for seven days without the need for defrosting. Another application of Blue Ag+ is found in the cold wash hygiene for bacteria elimination in Panasonic washing machines. The Panasonics Made-in-Japan six-door fridge reduces pesticide by 2.8 times and suppresses 99.99 per cent of bacteria thanks to the exclusive antibacterial technology, Nanoe-X Ag Clean Anti-odour, anti-bacterial technology for several refrigerators Ag Clean technology applies the antibacterial power of silver ions (Ag+) coated the surface of the refrigerators inside walls to keep the refrigerator free of bacteria and provide cleaner, constant air circulation for food that directly contacts the surface of fridge inside walls. According to research studies, silver ions in Ag Clean technology can deactivate the respiration of bacteria cells, limit and inhibit the generation of bacteria from food, and prevent the spread of odours inside the refrigerator. Therefore, the food is not only preserved fresh and delicious but also ensures the health of all family members. Antibacterial external water dispensers eliminate odour with carbon filtration and antibacterial materials Panasonic refrigerators are also known for their convenient antibacterial water dispensers. Users can get cool water from the external water dispenser, instead of opening and closing the refrigerator door many times. The highlight of this feature is that the container is made of special antibacterial materials, does not contain BPA (carcinogen), effectively eliminating odours with carbon filtration. Especially, it has the largest capacity of its kind with up to 3 litres. Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company, which celebrated its 102nd anniversary in 2018, has expanded globally and now operates 528 subsidiaries and 72 associated companies worldwide. Panasonic Vietnam is the first 100-per-cent foreign-invested company to assume the role of the country headquarters in Vietnam. As of July 2013, Panasonic Vietnam Group comprises of eight companies, including Panasonic Vietnam and its sales division of Panasonic Sales Vietnam, Panasonic Research & Development Center Vietnam, five manufacturing companies including Panasonic AVC Networks Vietnam, Panasonic Appliances Vietnam, Panasonic System Networks Vietnam, Panasonic Industrial Devices Vietnam, Panasonic Life Solutions Vietnam, and Panasonic Insurance Service Vietnam. The group currently employs a total workforce about 7,000 people. 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. Federal agents spent the weekend arresting people around the nation who were allegedly part of the mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday after President Donald Trump urged a crowd to "fight like hell" to overturn the election results. But many of those charged with crimes for their alleged roles in the riot can thus plausibly raise what is known as the "public authority" defense - arguing, essentially, that Trump gave them permission to do what they did. Here's how it works. Suppose the chief of police in a town told you that you could ignore a "no parking" sign and park in an otherwise forbidden place. Suppose also that you relied on his word and parked in that place. Then, later, suppose a police officer handed you a parking ticket. You'd have a defense. Specifically, you could point your finger at the authority figure who invited you to commit the illegal act. The spotlight then turns to the authority figure: Did the chief of police have the authority to waive the parking restriction? If not, was it reasonable for you to believe that he did? Did you have reason to know that you shouldn't park there, even if he told you that you should? Each day, more evidence emerges that Trump and other elected officials instigated this riot. The rioters were lured to Washington with Trump's promise that the day would "be wild." At the rally, Rudy Giuliani - Trump's lawyer and close adviser - called for "trial by combat." Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., told the crowd to "take names and kick ass." Trump told the crowd, "When you catch somebody in a fraud, you're allowed to go by very different rules." Journalists on the scene reported that the rioters were primed and ready for "action," and many believed they should kill Vice President Pence. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) gave the crowd the sign of a power fist on his way into the Capitol for the joint session of Congress that the riot disrupted. After repeatedly telling his supporters to take action, Trump said, "We're going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, and we're going to the Capitol. We going to try to give our Republicans, the weak ones . . . the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country." When the crowd arrived at the Capitol, the guards opened the door and let them in. Trump went back to the White House and watched the coverage. He was reportedly elated. That the rioters genuinely believed they were acting at the direction of the appropriate authority figures explains their mood as they posted selfies and bragged about what they were doing on social media. If you think of yourself as a soldier doing the bidding of the commander in chief, you don't try to hide your actions. You assume you will be held up as a hero by the nation. The public authority defense is commonly used and well-known to defense lawyers. In the defining case, United States v. Tallmadge, a federally licensed gun dealer informed the defendant that his circumstances fit into an exception to the prohibition against felons owning firearms. The defendant relied on the dealer's word and purchased the firearm. The court found that licensed firearm dealers are federal agents for gathering and dispensing information about the purchase of firearms. It was reasonable, therefore, for the defendant to rely on the dealer's word. The defendant was thus found not guilty. To take another example, in 2007, 12 residents of Sacramento and Fresno, Calif., were accused of plotting to overthrow the communist government of Laos. The U.S. attorney's office dropped the charges after one of us, Mark Reichel, representing the defendants, pointed to evidence that they were lured into the conspiracy by an undercover federal agent posing as a CIA officer. The defendants reasonably believed they were acting at the urging of the American government and therefore wouldn't be found guilty of entering a criminal conspiracy. The public authority defense doesn't necessarily mean the rioters are off the hook: They can still be arrested, charged and brought to trial. But depending on the circumstances, a defense like this one can mitigate or even eliminate their culpability or lessen their punishment. The availability of this defense also makes it more likely that the instigators - including Trump - will face prosecution. After all, how would it look to a jury if the people who incited the failed insurrection go free, while the victims of lies and disinformation pay the price? Such an outcome is offensive to the idea of fairness and equal justice for all. The lies maliciously and deliberately spread by Republican leaders were a direct cause of the riots. They told people that there was widespread fraud in the election, although they knew this was not true. Their victims may not have understood that judges were throwing these cases out of court because there was no evidence, but the lawyers representing the president and someone like Hawley - a graduate of Yale Law School - certainly did. Many of the instigators of the riot - and many who spread the lies that sparked it - are now issuing carefully worded statements condemning the violence. This kind of doublespeak (instigate a riot and then disavow the resulting violence) may work in right-wing media outlets, but it should not work in a court of law, where facts still matter. Given how tenaciously some Republicans are still clinging to their right to spread lies - even now, many Republican leaders are insisting that fraud in the 2020 election was widespread - it is perhaps too much to hope that the shocking example of how these lies led to the desecration and defilement of the Capitol Building will stop them. What it may take to stop them - and deter others from spreading lies - will be seeing their names dragged into a criminal trial as part of a defense, which in turn, shines the spotlight on them. Maybe they don't care that their lies have deadly consequences. But they probably will care about their own criminal liability. - - - Kanefield is an author and a graduate of the University of California Berkeley School of Law. For 12 years, she maintained an appellate law practice in California. Reichel has been a practicing attorney for 30 years, representing clients at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts. By Ivan Ssenabulya The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr. Samuel Steven Kaziimba Mugalu, has rallied Ugandans to pray as the country heads to the polls. In his weekly Sunday Services, at his residence on Sunday, the archbishop announced prayers before and after elections asking everyone to participate wherever he is. The prayers will focus on peace during elections, but cautioned against having prayers while complaining. This comes after the Church of Uganda failed to participate in the recent three day National prayers organized by Joint Christian Council. He meanwhile also admitted to some disagreements within the Uganda Joint Christian Council. He however stressed that these differences are not as big as they are being made to look and they are being ironed out within the organisation. The archbishop has also asked Ugandans to actively turn up for voting. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates. Whats happening A violent mob of pro-Trump agitators stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, temporarily forcing both houses of Congress to suspend the formal counting of Electoral College votes certifying President-elect Joe Bidens victory. President Trump had held a rally earlier in the day during which he reiterated his baseless claims that the election was stolen. Shortly after his speech, the crowd overwhelmed police guarding the Capitol. One Trump supporter was shot and killed by police during the riot. The death of a Capitol Police officer is being investigated as a homicide. Three other people died after suffering medical emergencies. Authorities eventually cleared the Capitol, and Congress was able to certify the election result early Thursday morning. The process was extended by several hours when Republican lawmakers from both the House and Senate objected to counts from some states, while echoing some of Trumps falsehoods about election fraud. The violence has been widely condemned by members of both parties. Democratic leaders have called for Trump to be removed from office through either the 25th Amendment or impeachment for his role in inciting the violence. Why theres debate Trump has understandably received the bulk of the blame for the riot. His refusal to accept defeat and persistent inflammatory rhetoric over the course of the past two months stoked anger in his supporters that was bound to boil over. Republicans who endorsed his antidemocratic campaign most notably Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley have been accused of legitimizing Trumps dangerous lies for political gain. But many observers say truly understanding the root cause of what happened means pulling back to consider the much broader web of factors that set the stage for this weeks violence. Complicity falls not just on Trump allies who backed his recent antidemocratic efforts but on every person who knew what he was capable of and did nothing, some argue. Others have pointed their fingers at the news media and social media companies, which they accuse of failing to take Trumps ability to inspire violence seriously. Then there are those who say the foundations of the assault go even deeper, to the long history of white supremacy in America. The way that white anger is tolerated and even valorized in the U.S. allows violent groups to grow in plain sight and cause law enforcement to underestimate the threat they pose, such critics argue. Whats next Its unclear whether efforts to invoke the 25th Amendment or impeach Trump have the support needed to remove him from office. In an address on Thursday night, Trump finally acknowledged that a new president will be sworn in on Jan. 20, although he didnt mention Biden by name. It remains to be seen whether his concession will prevent further violence from his supporters. Perspectives Trump, above all else, is ultimately responsible Any accounting of blame for [Wednesdays violence] should focus ultimately on Donald Trump. Trump spread the lie that he won. Trump never wavered in repeating this lie and never shied from vilifying all who corrected him. Timothy P. Carney, Washington Examiner Mainstream media helped make Trumps extreme behavior seem normal There is a wave of panic, where people start screaming that Trump is actually dangerous and crazy. And then the news media and the public accommodate to that level of dangerousness and craziness from Trump. It is understood and framed as some type of political move or stunt from Trump. The behavior is normalized as people accommodate it. Dr. John Gartner, psychologist, to Salon Law enforcement failed to take online extremism seriously To increase public safety this decade, it is imperative that police and everyone else become more familiar with the kinds of communities that engender toxic, militant systems of harassment, and the online and offline spaces where these communities exist. Increasingly, that means understanding social medias dark corners, and the types of extremism they can foster. Aja Romano, Vox Social media companies allowed extremism to grow on their platforms [The violence is] the inevitable and ugly outcome of social media companies leaving conspiracy theories to fester and spread online. Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times The fantasy world created by right-wing media collided violently with reality Were entering a volatile moment. Those whove been cocooned in Facebook groups and fed a steady diet of lies from election-denial outlets like Newsmax and One America News are coming to a realization that there is no grand plan for Mr. Trump to magically retain office. Charlie Warzel, New York Times GOP lawmakers legitimized Trumps fraud conspiracy It is incumbent on all Republicans to call out these untruths and insist that the president, at this late date, concede the election. Instead, senators who should know better, most notably Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, have played along with the charade, feeding the delusion also promoted by Trump that it is within the power of Congress to reject electors from states won by Biden. Editorial, National Review Republicans ignored the danger Trump posed for political gain Elected Republicans decided to make a deal with the devil. Part of the bargain the part they liked was access to power and influence, this tax cut and that appointment, their silent belief that Trump would further their career ambitions. But the other part of the bargain the part they arent so eager to admit to now is what we saw yesterday, as the Capitol was engulfed in mob violence. Peter Wehner, Atlantic Americans are afraid to confront the realities of white supremacist violence Our society is permissive of white rage. That rage is constantly coddled, explained, massaged, and justified. We are forever told that white anger must be understood, white grievance must be explained, and white racism must be studied because if we just dig down deep enough, well find that its actually motivated by some other, more benign factor. Elie Mystal, The Nation The Trump insurrection is the culmination of decades of GOP attacks on democracy The Republican rot, in short, did not arise in January 2021 or even 2016. The party elite has been advocating various strains of authoritarianism for decades because they are the surest way to ensure that the unpopular policy agenda of the American elite remains politically viable. Zachary D. Carter, HuffPost The U.S. government has a long history of stoking extremism for political gain Among the protesters at the Capitol were members of white supremacy groups, including the Proud Boys. Their participation in the Jan. 6 events, egged on by Trump, reflects a long history in the U.S. of local, state and national political leaders encouraging white supremacist groups to challenge or overthrow democratic governments. Shannon M. Smith, Conversation Extremism has gradually taken over the core of the Republican Party The fringe of our politics no longer exists. Between the democratization of information and the diminished confidence in establishment politicians and institutions ranging from the media to corporate America, particularly on the right, there is no longer any buffer between mainstream thought and the extreme elements of our politics. Tim Alberta, Politico Is there a topic youd like to see covered in The 360? Send your suggestions to the360@yahoonews.com. Read more 360s Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images New figures released by KnowYourStuffNZ show that drug checking this summer resulted in the vast majority of people who attended drug checking choosing not to take the harmful cathinone eutylone, where it turned out they had unwittingly purchased it. NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says 75 per cent said they wouldnt take the substance, and a further 15 per cent said they werent sure, as a result of attending drug checking and finding out the substance they had was the more harmful substance eutylone. The percentage of people who have decided they wouldnt take the substance is significantly greater than in previous years. People have also been messaging and emailing KnowYourStuffNZ to let them know they had also independently decided not to take a substance either because of generic advice provided or because they had conducted their own tests." This season has proven the need for readily available drug checking services. The spike in harmful cathinones, along with the high numbers of people who have chosen not to take these substances because of drug checking, is evidence of the valuable role drug checking can play. "The media coverage and legalisation of drug-checking has reduced stigma and made it acceptable to seek out advice. Bringing substance use into the light has meant people have had more access to information to help them avoid harm." Changes to the law passed under urgency late in 2020 to legalise drug checking have meant those people conducting drug checking havent had to worry about being prosecuted. "At this point, KnowYourStuffNZ are legally permitted to conduct the tests but the volunteer-based operation hasnt yet been able to scale up to the extent that is needed. This season has proven that we need drug checking to be made available at all major events, and more regular and widespread clinics set up for a drop-in styled service, says Sarah. "An important component of the drug checking services being offered is advice to reduce harm. This guidance for example can result in people deciding not to take a substance, or in them choosing not to mix substances. Aside from these drug checking activities, and general information provided by the NZ Drug Foundation, there is very little proactive advice available to the many young people and other New Zealanders who use illicit drugs. It is time for that to change." The NZ Drug Foundation and KnowYourStuffNZ are being consulted by the Ministry of Health about the long-term future of drug checking. "Our drug laws are still catching up with the fact that we can prevent and reduce harms from drugs by using health approaches. The Misuse of Drugs Act was written in 1975, before eutylone was invented Bamako, Mali (PANA) -Three people were killed and two others wounded in a clash between unidentified gunmen and traditional hunters on Friday near Saboucire village in the circle of Yelimane, Kayes Region, in western Mali, PANA learned on Monday from an informed source For companies without salaried employees, the Small Business Administration, which ran the P.P.P., told banks and other lenders to look at the profit the business owner reported on their 2019 taxes even though payroll and profit are totally separate measures of a companys business activity. The loan that went to Amy Jeanchaiyaphum, a photographer in Minnetonka, Minn., illustrates the pitfalls of that approach. Ms. Jeanchaiyaphum, like most sole proprietors, doesnt pay herself a fixed salary. Any money she makes first goes to cover her companys expenses; she lives on the remainder. In 2019, her gross sales added up to a modest five-figure sum, according to her tax return. After taking legally allowed deductions for equipment, insurance, travel costs and other operating expenses, Ms. Jeanchaiyaphum reported and paid taxes on a profit of $458. Following the S.B.A.s rules, her lender, Wells Fargo, treated that as her annual salary and issued her a loan in August for the maximum amount for which she qualified: $95. (For that, the bank collected a $4.75 fee.) When she saw that number, Ms. Jeanchaiyaphum assumed she must have made a mistake on her paperwork. She tried without success to speak with someone at Wells Fargo. She also reached out to the local S.B.A. office, where she said an official told her the loan couldnt be increased. Frustrated and defeated, Ms. Jeanchaiyaphum accepted the tiny loan. S.B.A. representatives did not answer repeated questions about the rules the agency created for sole proprietors. But lenders and accountants who have spent months poring over the programs complicated and frequently revised rules noted that the relief effort was focused on minimizing job losses, not preserving struggling businesses. Whats payroll for a solo entrepreneur?, said Sean Mullaney, a financial planner in California who worked with several clients on their loans. This was created in almost in a fog of war, and theres lots of scattershot things in it. Witnesses who knew Christian Brueckner will be quizzed by police in Germany It's hoped the new interviews will unlock the 'missing piece of the jigsaw' Summit expected to be held between German, British and Portuguese police Police in Germany investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are set to interview witnesses who knew suspect Christian Brueckner. German and Portuguese investigators will carry out a series of interviews in a new push to find the 'missing piece of the jigsaw', the Mirror reports. ADVERTISEMENT It is hoped that interviews with a number of people in the Algarve who knew main suspect Christian Brueckener, 43, could help snare the paedophile. Experts see the new interviews as a step forward in the investigation and are hopeful they will lead to Brueckner himself being questioned and possibly charged. German and Portuguese investigators are set to carry out a series of interviews with witnesses who knew Christian Brueckner in a new push to find the 'missing piece of the jigsaw' in the Madeleine McCann (pictured) investigation Click here to resize this module A source told the Mirror: 'There is a real sense of new year, new hunt for clues. It's very much in everyone's minds to get the case cracked. 'There's a missing piece of the jigsaw still out there somewhere.' On top of the new interviews, a second top-level summit between German, British and Portuguese police is also expected to be held this year. A secret summit was already held by the three police services last summer to 'fine-tune' Brueckner's profile after he emerged as a suspect. It is hoped that interviews with a number of people in the Algarve who knew main suspect Christian Brueckener, 43, could help snare the paedophile (pictured) However, Brueckner has not been questioned by any police service about Madeleine's disappearance in 2007. Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, on Portugal's Algarve, on May 3, 2007. Brueckner was told last November that he will remain behind bars until 2026, after losing a bid to overturn a rape conviction. He was last year found guilty of the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in the same Portuguese resort and sentenced to seven years in a Hanover jail, at a court in Brunswick, Lower Saxony. A secret summit was already held by the three police services last summer to 'fine-tune' Brueckner's profile after he emerged as a suspect. Pictured: A general view of the hotel building where Madeleine McCann disappeared from in 2007 The 43-year-old German national - referred to as Christian B in Germany due to the country's strict privacy laws - was identified as a suspect in the Madeleine investigation last June. ADVERTISEMENT Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, on Portugal's Algarve, on May 3, 2007. In December, Scotland Yard confirmed it has no plans to end its missing person investigation, despite the belief of German prosecutors that Madeleine was murdered. Taiwan has welcomed a decision by Mike Pompeo to lift restrictions on the interactions of officials - Ritchie B Tongo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock China lashed out at the United States on Monday for lifting decades-long curbs on interactions between American and Taiwanese officials, a move which Taiwans foreign minister embraced as a sign of global partnership. Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, announced the change late on Saturday evening to scrap the complex internal restrictions that he said had been self-imposed in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing. The abrupt shift in policy comes ahead of a last-minute unprecedented three-day visit by Kelly Craft, the US ambassador to the United Nations, who arrives in Taiwan on Wednesday. The developments are likely to inflame the already hostile relationship between Beijing and Washington in the waning days of the Trump presidency. The Chinese Communist Party, which has never ruled Taiwan, claims the democratic island of 23 million as its own territory, and has threatened to invade if the Taiwanese do not accept Beijing's terms. On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry said it was resolutely opposed to Mr Pompeos decision and strongly condemned it. "The Chinese people's resolve to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity is unshakable and we will not permit any person or force to stop the process of China's re-unification," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters. Kelly Craft, the US ambassador to the UN, will visit Taiwan this week - Patrick Semansky/AP However, Joseph Wu, Taiwans foreign minister, welcomed the development as a "big thing for the elevation of Taiwan-US relations". He added: "Taiwan-US relations have been elevated to a global partnership. The foreign ministry will not let our guard down and hopes to continue to boost the development of Taiwan-US ties." The United States has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, although it is bound by law to support the island with the means to defend itself. Under President Trump, information relations have been strengthened through the visits of senior officials and arms sales have increased. Story continues The specifics of Pompeos decision remain undefined but it could mean that officials will be able to interact in more high-profile locations including the White House, which would be a sensitive issue for Beijing. Ambassador Crafts visit is highly symbolic as China has increasingly tried to squeeze Taiwans presence out of international institutions, including UN bodies. Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese president, who will meet Ms Craft on Thursday, described her trip as an important milestone. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But foreign policy analysts have questioned both the timing and motivation behind the move to redefine relations with Taiwan and to send Ms Craft, whose visit to Taiwan was initially linked to Mr Pompeos criticism of the mass arrest of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures last week. The sudden announcements have raised fears that outgoing Republican officials may be using Taiwan to needle Beijing or to complicate early relations between China and the incoming Biden administration. One of my concerns always is that Taiwan is going to be used as a means of expressing displeasure to Beijing, said Margaret Lewis, a professor of Taiwanese and Chinese law at Seton Hall University. The Biden administration was going to have to, at some point, articulate in clear terms its position on US-Taiwan relations. This move puts more pressure to articulate that framework on an accelerated timeline, she said. Drew Thompson, an Asia specialist and former US defence official, said he was conflicted about Mr Pompeos decision. I think removing arbitrary restrictions is the right approach, but this is not the right time, he tweeted. A blanket statement such as this, abrogating all of the guidance in place for years, without articulating what framework will replace it simply amplifies perceived chaos in DC. Official marketing images for Samsungs upcoming Galaxy S21 have been leaked days before its official launch. First shared by reputed tech insider @OnLeaks, the pictures show the new design of the Galaxy S21 camera bumps and two colour schemes in which the smartphones will be offered. What appears to be the standard Galaxy S21 model is shown in a violet body colour. It comes with a triple-camera configuration arranged in a straight column on a rose gold rounded rectangular bump that wraps around the smartphones edge. The second smartphone which is likely the Ultra variant appears to add two more lenses/sensors and comes in an all-black design. These images match previous reports in which leakers created renders based on descriptions of the new phones from insiders. Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S21 range on 14 January, with general availability slated for 29 January. Models and specifications As with the companys previous flagship releases, many details around the Galaxy S21 have been leaked in recent months. According to current reports, three models will be available the standard Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. The base model will reportedly boast a 6.2-inch display, powerful triple-rear camera, 4,000mAh battery, and will run on either the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 processor, depending on the region. The S21+ is expected to include the same camera and processor but will offer a larger 6.7-inch screen as well as a bigger 4,800mAh battery. The premium Galaxy S21 Ultra will supposedly feature a 6.8-inch display, a more powerful quad-camera with Gen 2 sensor, and a 5,000mAh battery. Samsung will also be adding one of the key features on its Note range support for the Galaxy S pen stylus to this top-end model. According to information received by German tech site WinFuture, the entry-level 5G capable 2021 Galaxy S model with 128GB onboard storage will start at 849.00 (R15,946) in Europe. The Galaxy S+ model with 128GB will be priced at 1,049 (R19,702), while the top-end Ultra variant will begin at 1,349 (R25,337). Following in the footsteps of Apple with its iPhone 12 launch, Samsung is expected not to include a wall charging adapter with any of its new smartphones. Below is one of the Galaxy S21 marketing images published by @OnLeaks. Now read: All the 5G smartphones you can buy in South Africa Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 3 mesi fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Reports on Saudi Arabia Provides the Trending Market Research Report on Ready Meals (Prepared Meals) Market in Saudi Arabia - Outlook to 2024; Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics (updated with COVID-19 Impact) under Food category. The Ready Meals Market in Saudi Arabia is projected to exhibit highest growth rate over report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, and competitive intelligence and industry reports. Ready Meals (Prepared Meals) Market in Saudi Arabia - Outlook to 2024; Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics (updated with COVID-19 Impact) is a broad level market review of Ready Meals Market In Saudi Arabia. Ready Meals - all types of complete meals which only require heating before being served, regardless of whether they are frozen, chilled, "shelf-stable (i.e. in cans or shelf-stable packs) or are dried. Includes noodle-based, rice-based and pasta-based dishes as well meat-based, vegetable-based or meat-substitute based dishes. Further, this includes main meat, fish and vegetable meal centres which require minimal accompaniments - e.g. tinned chilli con carne, cassoulet in jars etc. Includes "Pot Noodle" type products. Ready Meals market in Saudi Arabia registered a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.86% during the period 2014 to 2019 with a sales value of SAR 26.15 Million in 2019, an increase of 3.60% over 2018. The market achieved its strongest performance in 2016, when it grew by 4.23% over its previous year and its weakest performance in 2018, when it increased by 3.52% over 2017. Request a free sample copy of Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Report @ http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/2276967 The research handbook provides up-to-date market size data for period 2014-2019 and illustrative forecast to 2024 premised on Covid-19 hit, covering key market aspects like Sales Value and Volume for Ready Meals and its variants Ambient Ready Meals, Dried Ready Meals, Chilled Ready Meals & Frozen Ready Meals. Furthermore, the research handbook details overall market sales by Distribution Channel (Dollar Stores, Variety Store & General Merchandise Retailers, Cash & Carries and Warehouse Clubs, Convenience Stores & Gas Stations, Department Stores, Drug Stores & Pharmacies, Chemists/Pharmacies, Parapharmacies/Drugstores, eRetailers, Food & Drinks Specialists, Health & Beauty Stores, Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Direct Sellers, Others, On Trade, Vending Machines, Other Specialist Retailers, Tobacco Specialists) where ever applicable. 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Browse our full report with Table of Contents: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/ready-meals-prepared-meals-market-in-saudi-arabia-outlook-to-2024-market-size-growth-and-forecast-analytics-updat/2276967 About Us Market Reports on Saudi Arabia provides you with an in-depth industry reports focusing on various economic, political and operational risk environment, complemented by detailed sector analysis. We have an exhaustive coverage on variety of industries ranging from energy and chemicals to transportation, communications, constructions and mining to Food and Beverage and education. Our collection includes over 2000 up-to-date reports all researched, analysed and published by top-notch international research firms. Contact us at: Market Reports On Saudi Arabia Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773 Email: info@marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com Website: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. A Chinese soldier, who was apprehended by the in eastern Ladakh three days ago, was handed back to China on Monday, official sources said. The soldier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) was apprehended at the southern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh on Friday morning after he transgressed across the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The sources said the soldier was handed back to China at the Chushul-Moldo border point in eastern Ladakh at 10.10 am. Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over eight months. The faceoff began in May last year, following a clash between the two sides in the Pangong lake area. "The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area. Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops," the Army said in a statement on Saturday. (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.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Why do iconic brands like Sears, Kodak, and Blockbuster succumb to new rivals like Amazon and Netflix, while criminal organizations from drug cartels to street gangs execute seemingly seamless transformations to reinvent themselves and thrive? As entire lawful industries are disrupted out of existence, how have some organized criminal syndicates endured and grown for nearly a century despite billions of dollars of law enforcement opposition and ruthless rivals seeking to drive them out of existence? For-profit, not-for-profit, lawful, and unlawful, all types of organizations must be relentless in highly competitive and constantly evolving environments. But how do criminal enterprises seem to demonstrate so much resiliency? Violence and fraud aside, what can legal businesses and law-abiding leaders learn from observing these "mobsters" and their organizations? Relentless, a new book from authors Jerold L. Zimmerman, Ph.D., and Daniel P. Forrester combines seventy-five years of Nobel Prize-winning economics research with insights from criminal prosecutors to examine how the Sinaloa Cartel, the American Mafia, the Hells Angels, the Crips, and the Bloods approach everything from employee engagement and growth incentives to corporate culture and talent management. The authors connect learnings from these longstanding criminal organizations to the "Four Pillars" concept that can help leaders better assign tasks, measure outcomes, reward performance, and cultivate corporate culture. Successful criminal enterprises construct their four pillars to create high-performance teams with a long-term focus, enduring corporate cultures, and strong brands. They attract the "right" people while purging "vampires" individuals that take more from, rather than contribute to, an organization. Lawful managers cannot merely copy mobsters' four pillars, but they can follow the underlying economic principles to construct similar relentless organizations. Expert Reviews "In war, the better led, more effectively run team wins, regardless of moral right or wrong. In Relentless, we get a fascinating window into the murky world of organized crime from the Mafia to drug cartels and find that the same holds true. As mundane as it sounds, the frightening bosses who orchestrate the wrongdoing that simultaneously terrorizes and mesmerizes us are, in the end, talented leaders and managers. There's much we can learn from them." -General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal, former commander of the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command. "This intriguing and thoughtful book illustrates the power of sound economic thinking in understanding organizations. It takes the concepts that help us understand successful business enterprises and shows that the same concepts are at work in successful criminal enterprises. In so doing, it validates the power of the underlying economic concepts while offering a fascinating window into some of the most long-lived criminal organizations." -Charles Plosser, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia About the Authors Jerold L. Zimmerman, Ph.D., is a globally recognized microeconomist and author of seven books and has taught organizational economics, accounting, and finance at the University of Rochester's Simon Business School for more than forty years. He has consulted with numerous clients, including Fortune 500 companies and management advisory firms, to demonstrate how organizational economics principles can improve a firm's culture and, eventually, its performance. Zimmerman is also a founding editor of the Journal of Accounting and Economics, one of the most highly referenced peer-reviewed journals in economics, and has served on several public company boards of directors. His fifty published studies and books include textbooks on economics and accounting and a trade book about designing organizations that create value. Daniel P. Forrester is the founder of THRUUE, Inc, an expert consultancy that assists leaders in bridging the gap between corporate culture and corporate strategy. He works with CEOs, boards of directors, and C-suite leaders, helping them align around a clear strategy while understanding reputational and cultural risk. Daniel has spent the past twenty-five years successfully building consulting practices in the financial services, telecommunications, health, and public services sectors, utilizing his entrepreneurial approach to strategy. His previous book, Consider: Harnessing the Power of Reflective Thinking in Your Organization, examines how leaders responded to the explosion of data and hyper-connectivity impacting organizations and the role reflection can play in dramatically changing corporate outcomes. Media Contact Anna Sacca FSB Associates [email protected] 760-585-2252 SOURCE THRUUE, Inc. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, discusses the main issues that have arisen from the pandemic and how a harmonious solution to all need to be found. By Vatican News staff writer Health, work, and the environment are three of the main problems that this pandemic has brought to light according to Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer to the United Nations. Speaking to Vatican News' Giancarlo La Vella, he notes that in order to tackle the first - health - a lockdown was imposed, which in turn caused a stall in the economy and problems to many people around the world. On the other hand, continues Archbishop Caccia, the climate saw "a kind of hope" as a consequence, because there was less pollution. So, he continues, "we see three important issues: health, work and climate" competing with each other at the moment. "If you save health you lose work", he says, and "if you save work you lose the environment". The real challenge we are currently facing is being able to make these three very real issues work together, "so that they can be implemented with one another and not against each other". This, he says, "is the challenge we are forced to think about for the future". Archbishop Caccia met with Pope Francis on Monday morning in the Vatican. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) A 60-year-old man in Chennai died by suicide on Saturday while extending support to the ongoing farmer's protest along the borders of Delhi. He was identified as G Perumal, a resident of Ashok Nagar in Chennai according to a report in Times of India. Perumal had left behind a two-page suicide note stating that the farm laws passed by the Centre were neither beneficial to the farmers nor to the corporates. A report by Times Now said, Perumals son Lokesh, who is a delivery agent, found his father's body when he came home for lunch. Lokesh and his mother, who is a domestic help, had both left home for work. Perumal was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital by his son but he has declared brought dead. Meanwhile, the Kumaran Nagar police have filed a case and have initiated an investigation into the death. The farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and other states have been protesting at Delhi borders demanding that Centre repeal the contentious farm laws. So far, over 50 deaths have been reported since farmers began their protests. Many farmers have committed suicide and several others died of extreme weather conditions and severe cold at Delhi borders. 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. "I'm beginning to recognise the fact that nothing is true. Nothing. It's all down to perception," Barry Gibb says as he stands overlooking the glistening harbour from his Miami estate. George Orwell saw this coming of course. For pop stars taking stock in their twilight years though, it must be chilling. The poignant scene opens the new Bee Gees documentary, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, a two-hour montage of pain and (mostly) triumph which is part of every music legend's retirement package. One more brick in an unassailable monument against the shifting sands of popular culture. And wait now, what's this? A new Barry Gibb album? Timely. Greenfields: The Bee Gees Songbook (Vol.1) is a duets collection: a dozen country superstars joining the last surviving Gibb in an emotional backtrack though some of the brothers' greatest songs. Frrom left, Maurice, Barry and Robin Gibb with their manager Robert Stigwood in a still from Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? Credit:ANL/Shutterstock Run To Me with Brandi Carlisle is heaven. Too Much Heaven with Alison Krauss is, well, moreso. Even Keith Urban can't render Ive Just Got To Get A Message To You anything less than utterly magnificent. "Minari," an Academy Award-winning film will be screened at Tango Theaters, Micronesia Mall on the evening of May 28 as part of a cultural eve Read more Over the last six months, Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Antifa riots caused two billion dollars in property damage, killed at least 25 people, and injured over 2,000 police officers. Rioters occupied and burned a police station in Minneapolis. They attacked a federal courthouse in Portland every night for months. In Seattle, Antifa set up an "autonomous zone" where five people were murdered, including two teenagers shot to death when they drove "too fast" near an armed checkpoint. Senator Kamala Harris applauded the rioters. In June, amid the burning and looting of large swaths of Minneapolis, she said the riots were "not going to let up, and they should not, and we should not." Then she raised money to bail rioters out of jail. Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan called Seattle's Antifa autonomous zone a "summer of love" before five people died. Two months after the riots began, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley called for more "unrest in the streets." Vice President Joe Biden would not condemn the rioting for weeks. Along the way, "progressive" district attorneys have avoided prosecuting rioters. "Insignificant" crimes like arson, looting, and assaulting a police officer do not land a rioter in jail. Often, D.A.s refuse even to charge them. When serial rioters commit more serious crimes, such as throwing a Molotov cocktail at a police officer, charges are reduced or dropped. In short, Democrat politicians have condoned, rationalized, or ignored rioting by their supporters. It's no surprise that these riots continue. On the night of January 6, Antifa punched the Portland mayor, attacked a county courthouse, and smashed local businesses for the third time this year. The BLM/Antifa riots are important context for the Capitol riots and the response of Republican leadership. On the morning of January 6, many thousands of President Trump's supporters gathered near the Capitol. After a speech by the president, they marched to the Capitol grounds. Many stayed there, protesting outside. But several hundred people (including some with Antifa links) pushed past barriers and into the Capitol itself. Along the way, they assaulted dozens of police officers, smashed windows and cabinets, and looted several pieces of property, including a podium and a laptop. Police officer Brian Sicknick died of injuries following the riots. (It's unclear whether his death stemmed from a clash with rioters.) An unarmed Trump-supporter, Ashli Babbitt, died after an officer shot her in the neck. That shooting was questionable a barrier separated the officer from Ms. Babbitt, and other officers were only a few feet behind her when he fired. It's worth noting that while some Trump-supporters were rioting, others were merely protesting. Capitol police officers recognized this fact and opened the doors to the Capitol, saying they respected Trump-supporters' "right [to protest]." The occupation of the Capitol led Congress to evacuate its chambers, interrupting the certification of Electoral College votes. When police cleared the Capitol several hours later, Congress reconvened and completed the certification that same night. The Capitol riots were serious and violent. But by any measure death, injury, destruction, criminality the BLM/Antifa riots were much worse. The left avoids direct comparisons between the riots and instead implies that Trump-supporters are particularly despicable because they occupied a government building during a formal electoral ceremony. The problem is that BLM and Antifa often attack public buildings. In June, leftists celebrated reports that rioters at the White House forced Trump into a bunker. Democrats also stormed the Senate building during Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings and occupied the Wisconsin capitol in an attempt to block legislation. Finally, the Capitol riots were not particularly disruptive. Trump-supporters delayed the electoral certification for a few hours. It was, at most, a symbolic gesture. Now, after months of encouraging and rationalizing BLM and Antifa riots, Democrats condemn Trump-supporters at the Capitol riots in the harshest possible terms. "Treason," "coup," "insurrection," "sedition," "terrorism" there has been plenty of hysteria. This is wild hypocrisy. But hypocrisy is normal. Bias or bad faith often leads partisans to condemn opponents for the same behavior they excuse in their supporters. What is more interesting and concerning is Republican leadership's own hysterical response. Borrowing from Democrats, Ted Cruz called Capitol rioters and protesters "terrorists." Tom Cotton and Mitt Romney said they were insurrectionists. Lindsey Graham called for the arrest of everyone who entered the Capitol and raised the possibility of sedition charges. The RNC's communications director called the riots "domestic terrorism." These statements are overbroad and melodramatic. They fail to distinguish between rioters and protesters. They also falsely imply that anyone who smashed a window is a terrorist, cheapening the term. What explains Republicans' eagerness to join the left's hysteria? It stems, at least in part, from a basic failure to identify with their voters. Many Democrats identify with BLM/Antifa rioters and see their violence as, at worst, justifiable anger that goes a step too far in other words, a matter of bad tactics. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained rising violent crime in New York by citing parents' need to "shoplift bread" for their children. As for the BLM/Antifa riots, the congresswoman said that "[i]f you are calling for an end to this unrest ... but you are not calling for the end of the conditions that created the unrest, you are a hypocrite." In a similar vein, Congresswoman Pressley justified BLM/Antifa riots by explaining that "unrest in our lives" caused "unrest in the streets." Many Republican leaders seem incapable of relating to their supporters' anger. Based on video and initial arrest reports, most protesters were white, and most were from outside D.C. Some were contractors, some owned small restaurants, others were low-level employees all people whom lockdowns have harmed. Most people at the Capitol were normal Americans with legitimate questions about election irregularities. These people have a deep loyalty to a president who is not ashamed to call them his supporters and has consistently put working- and middle-class Americans first on issues of immigration, international trade, and foreign policy. These Trump-supporters are rightly fearful that Democrats and many Republicans are eager for a return to the pre-Trump era in which both parties joined in selling out to China, flooding America with foreign workers, and draining our treasury to fight for someone else's democracy. Trump-supporters' fears do not justify riots. But they do justify vocal protest. Perhaps that's why a snap poll on the night of January 6 found that a plurality of Republicans approved the "storming" of the Capitol. After four years of the president's record-setting popularity with rank-and-file Republicans, leaders like Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and Lindsey Graham still cannot grasp Trump's appeal and his supporters' concerns. Perhaps it's because they spend too much time in the D.C. bubble. Perhaps it's a class issue. Whatever it is, they need to fix it. Quickly. A good first step is working to understand the Republican base. A good second step is refusing to echo the left by calling everyone at the Capitol "terrorists." Republican leaders must do the following with respect to the protests and riots at the Capitol: First, condemn violence and call for the prosecution of anyone who attacked police or damaged property. Second, describe the riots and protests in sane, measured tones. Point out that Capitol Police recognized many of those on the Capitol grounds as legitimate protestors. Object to the prosecution of anyone who did nothing more than walk through the building. Stop labeling protesters "domestic terrorists." Demand an investigation into the killing of Ashli Babbitt. Third, acknowledge Trump-supporters' anger and assure them that the Republican Party will fight for its base. People are suffering and scared scared of never-ending lockdowns, a changing economy, an all-powerful Democrat party that calls them deplorable, and a weak Republican party that seems eager to abandon them. Fourth, constantly point out the difference between Republicans' and Democrats' responses to political violence. Republicans issued quick and forceful denunciations of their supporters' rioting. Many Democrats still refuse to do likewise. Forty-five percent of Republicans approved of the events at the Capitol. Republican leaders have the political capital to discuss both the protests and riots in accurate and measured terms. They just need to find the courage. Jack R. Carlsson is an attorney from Boise, Idaho. Follow him on Twitter at @jackrcarlsson. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Ministry of Communications stated in a latest update today that India has the second largest number of telephone connections in the world. As on 30th October, 2020 the total telephone connections rose to 1171.72 million out of which 1151.73 million are mobile connections. The tele-density has reached 86.37%, while the rural tele-density is at 58.85%. Internet and broadband penetration in India has kept a rapid pace. The number of Internet subscribers stood at 776.45 million at the end of September 2020, Total broadband connections have reached 726.32 million in September 2020. This has accelerated the growth in internet traffic, with wireless data usage being 75.21 Exabytes during the period of January to September 2020. The cost of data has also reduced substantially to Rs. 10.55 per GB, enabling affordable internet access for millions of citizens. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Life Upended. The coronavirus outbreak has had a devastating impact on our nation, and it has touched Staten Islanders in countless ways. In this series, reporter Tracey Porpora will share the stories of those who have been thrust into situations that were unimaginable just a few months ago -- those who have seen their life completely upended. This is the Thirtieth story of Life Upended. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After being in the restaurant business for much of his adult life, Adrian Lakja, 42, a native of Albania who immigrated to America from Europe, finally realized his dream of owning his own restaurant in December 2018 when he opened Trattoria Toscana in Great Kills. I worked in the restaurant business all over Europe before coming here. I left Albania when I was 20 years old and moved to England ... But New York was always my ultimate destination, said the New Dorp Beach resident, noting he moved here in 2001. After 17 years working in different restaurants in Manhattan and on Staten Island, the day came when he got together with his cousin, Jimmy Lakja -- also a wine sommelier -- and another partner, Ergys Kopshti, who is the chef, and opened Trattoria Toscana on Hylan Boulevard. It was always my dream to open an Italian restaurant because that is the food I know, he said of the eatery, known for good food and an atmosphere that often includes live music -- and an even livelier crowd. For this reason, Lakja and his partners in the last two years grew a loyal following of foodies from across Staten Island and beyond, who have grown to love his eclectic pasta, seafood and meat dishes. But he never thought a global pandemic would shutter his business and attempt to undo all he and his partners built over the last two years. We were doing extremely well until March 17. ... We had a lot of parties booked in our party room, said Lakja. We were so busy, there were people waiting in line to get in the door. In the immediate aftermath of the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown in March, Lakja tried to stay open for pickup and delivery, but he said it simply wasnt working to be open. We closed from March until a few days before Mothers Day, he said. Then we did pickups and deliveries, and then in July we opened for outside dining. Business increased over the summer after Lakja built a patio and put up several tents for outdoor dining. While there was a glimmer of hope when indoor dining was restored at 25% capacity in the fall, the second shuttering of interior dining in November really dealt a devastating blow to his business, he said. When we were open with 25% inside we were doing OK. But, now, I dont know, he added. NOT GOING TO GIVE UP Despite all, Lakja said he maintains a positive attitude. I am going to try my best to survive, and Im not going to give up -- thats my promise to my customers, he said. I have to pay my rent for the restaurant and mortgage on my home. Im going through hell right now. But Lakja said hes going to hold on as long as he can. I know when this is over we will be busy again, and we will have what we had before, he said. While he received some loan money from the governments Paycheck Protection Program, he said thats all gone now. I used some money to build the tent [for outdoor dining] and for payroll, he said. This is going on almost a year. TOUGH SERVING OUTDOORS Lakja said it was tough serving outdoors when it was really hot in the summer, and the winter obviously also presents climate challenges for dining outside. He has about 10 tables available for outdoor dining -- but that pales in comparison to seating for 120 patrons inside the restaurant. The eatery was also known for a large bar crowd, and since COVID-19 mandates prohibit walk-up bar service, he has also lost that business. Im grateful for the customers who are still coming to eat outdoors and those ordering for pickup and delivery, he said. OPEN FOR THE WORKERS I stay open mainly for the workers, said Lakja, who noted two of his employees succumbed to the virus early on in the pandemic. While some of his workers chose to move on to jobs in other industries, he has at least supplied part-time employment for those who wished to stay, said Lakja. I cant pay the whole staff as if we were totally open. I try to rotate them, so they arent working six days a week, but maybe four, depending how busy it is, so they can pay their bills too. I have a good team, and I really dont want to lose any workers, he said. *** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK *** OTHER LIFE UPENDED STORIES: Life Upended: DJ with no income refers to a life in limbo during pandemic Life Upended: Devastating impact of coronavirus on Bin 5 owner and his wife Life Upended: As workers stay remote, Leos Deli owner faces loss of revenue Life Upended: Im broke...I just want to hold onto my restaurant, says Portobello Cafe owner Life Upended: Physical therapist trying to tough it out to stay open Life Upended: With Broadway shuttered, Staten Island performer turns to teaching Life Upended: $125K in debt, rock climbing gym owner fears closure Life Upended: New pizzeria owner, 22, struggling to hold on Life Upended: With no cases, lawyer starts cooking business amid pandemic Life Upended: Owner of tour guide business left with no income Life Upended: Dancing school owner forced to close after 35 years Life Upended: Personal stylist adapts as clothing no longer a priority Life Upended: Trainer trying to win $20K in fitness contest to stay afloat Life Upended: No opening date in sight for devastated owner of adult day care center Life Upended: In fight to survive, gym owner launches auto business Life Upended: With live concerts banned, musician struggles for survival Life Upended: With gyms still unable to open, dojo owner on brink of ruin Life Upended: Jewelry store owner trying not to give up Life Upended: 58-year-old forced to shutter new business, then mom gets coronavirus Life Upended: Comic shop owner is driven by memory of her late partner Life Upended: Left destitute, single mom focuses on helping others Life Upended: Despite ovarian cancer diagnosis amid coronavirus crisis, nail salon owner to open Monday Life Upended: A fight to keep beloved gift shop afloat Life Upended: With clients gone, single mom takes job shopping for senior citizens Life Upended: Laid off for the first time at age 62 Life Upended: I have 3,000 dresses and no buyers Life Upended: With her business closed, single mom fears losing everything Life Upended: I might have to retire with no money, says business owner, 77 FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER Early last March, when most of the political world was focused on the Democratic presidential primary, high school social studies teacher Victor Trevino III won a race near the bottom of the Harris County ballot for justice of the peace. One of the countys many elected judicial positions, justices of the peace handle traffic tickets, small-claims disputes and other low-level civil and criminal cases. Trevino faced no Republican opposition for the Precinct 6 seat, held by retiring Justice of the Peace Richard Vara since 1974, meaning he effectively was elected in the Democratic primary. Trevino now presides over one of the two justice of the peace courts within the constable precinct represented by his mother, Precinct 6 Constable Silvia Trevino. Experts say this is an unusual and perhaps unprecedented circumstance that will put the mother-son pairing firmly in control of low-level civil process for a swath of east Houston and Harris County. The two elected offices are closely intertwined: Constables serve as the chief process servers for justice of the peace courts, meaning they serve eviction notices, summon jurors and execute subpoenas, among other actions. Constable deputies also serve as bailiffs in justice of the peace courts. You can't have one office without having the other, said Mike Missildine, a Republican justice of the peace in Collin County who previously worked as a deputy constable. There would be no way that JP court could operate without a constable. Rita Villarreal-Watkins, executive director of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University, said she was unaware of any precedent for a constable-justice of the peace pairing like this. If there is a conflict based on a case or an individual or a circumstance, then (the JP) needs to defer from making a ruling, Villarreal-Watkins said. I think that's very important for transparency. Victor Trevino IIIs election further solidifies his familys influence in east Houston politics, which began in 1988, when his father, Victor Trevino Jr., was elected Precinct 6 constable. He resigned from the post in 2014 after pleading guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property, related to allegations that he spent charity money on gambling and lottery tickets. Trevino Jr. was sentenced to 10 years of probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 150 hours of community service. Silvia Trevino had little trouble shaking off any lingering effects of the scandal, easily winning the 2016 election for her husbands seat even as her opponents questioned her role in the use of the charity money allegations she vehemently denied. Victor Trevino III defeated Houston Community College Trustee Eva Loredo by 5 percentage points in this years Democratic primary. Many Precinct 6 voters are unaware of the case or likely were convinced to voter for Trevino III based on his familys long history in the area, said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones. You have an advantage in terms of name recognition, and then you have a vast patronage network or machine that is underneath you, where many people have an incentive to make sure you win in order to keep their jobs in the constable's office, Jones said. Victor Trevino III declined multiple requests for comment. He said in a League of Women voters questionnaire that he wants to embrace educating the community of their rights and obligations under the judicial system and improve the offices civic engagement. Silvia Trevino did not respond to questions about how her relationship with her son would affect her job as constable. In a statement, she said, I love my son very much and I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments. Both my son and I will continue to serve our community with honor and integrity. Missildine said constable deputies often know just as much about the legal system as justices of the peace, because they each study the same laws. Occasionally, he said, a deputy may notice something wrong or invalid in a judges order and raise the issue. There are other opportunities for the two offices to clash, Missildine said, though such cases generally are rare. Say one of those deputies doesn't serve something right and it comes back into court. (Trevino III) being the JP, he has every right to call that officer in to question them on their service, Missildine said. What if he held one of them in contempt? That could turn into a bad situation. jasper.scherer@chron.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. Subscriber content preview But some industries added jobs in December, including construction, architecture and engineering. By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON U.S. employers shed jobs last month for the first time since April, cutting 140,000 positions, clear evidence that the economy is faltering as the viral pandemic tightens its grip on consumers and businesses. At the same time, the unemployment rate stayed at 6.7%, the first time it hasn't fallen since April. . . . Dehradun/Visakhapatnam, Jan 11 : Swamy Swatmanandendra Saraswati, a monk at the Visakha Sri Saradapeetham (SSP), met Uttarakhand chief secretary Om Prakash on Monday to offer the Visakhapatnam-based spiritual centre's services for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela on Monday. "SSP made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims going to Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela," said a statement from the spiritual centre. Swatmanandendra met Prakasah in Dehradun to discuss the matter. He told Prakash that a huge number of devotees from SSP are ready to offer food and set up free medical camps at Kumbh Mela. "Kumbh Mela officials should coordinate with Sri Saradapeetham with regard to these services," the popular monk told Prakash. Prakash reminisced that the northern state's government has a long association with the spiritual centre. Besides Kumbh Mela discussions, the young monk also conducted some rituals on the banks of the Ganges early on Monday morning. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 74F. SW winds shifting to NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A keen young coin-collector was rushed to hospital after swallowing a rare 1c coin he was given by his own dad. An x-ray showed the coin lodged in the left-hand side of the toddler's stomach. The relieved Sydney father, Scott, posted updates on Facebook in a coin-enthusiast group. 'So the son decided that his mouth was a good spot to stick a 1c coin I had found earlier and given to him to put with his coins.' Later he posted again saying his boy hadn't suffered any adverse effects and was able to pass the coin within 24 hours. A coin-collecting toddler was rushed to hospital in Sydney after swallowing a rare 1c coin (pictured, an x-ray shows the coin inside the boy's stomach) The toddler passed the coin within 24 hours without adverse affects but swallowing coins and other objects can be extremely dangerous (pictured, the coin after it passed through) 'Due to his regular bowel movements and fast metabolism, he was able to pass the coin in under 24hrs without any adverse effects,' the dad explained. The no-doubt relieved dad posted a photo of the coin after its re-emergence and even managed to crack a dry joke with fellow collectors: 'Top tip for any of you wanting to find new ways to clean coins, I wouldn't recommend using your own stomach acid to clean them,' he said. 'It doesn't end up with a good final product.' Swallowing small objects is a real danger for children and can be life-threatening - particularly in the case of batteries and magnets. According to Monash University's Accident Research Centre, choking is the second leading accidental cause of death in under 14 years. The offending coin hasn't clean up so well but luckily the child who swallowed it suffered no adverse effects (pictured after it reemerged) Coins are a common choking hazard for young children but if your child swallows a battery or magnet go straight to hospital (stock image) Government website healthdirect says: 'Those at highest risk are aged 6 months to 4 years.' It advises any parent to call 000 immediately if they suspect a child has swallowed a large coin, deemed those wider than 2.5cm, or button battery or magnet, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Any child that has swallowed a dangerous item should not be made to vomit or given food or drink before seeing a doctor. What should I do if my child swallows something? The following objects are usually passed without problems: small stones or pebbles pips or stones from fruit teeth (if theyve been knocked out) The following items are much more serious if swallowed: button batteries large objects more than 6cm long or wider than 2.5 cm a magnet, especially two or more magnets objects made of lead You should call an ambulance/go to the emergency department if your child has: trouble breathing coughing that wont stop wheezing (or a whistling sound while breathing) drooling or bringing up saliva loss of consciousness swallowed a button battery Source: healthdirect.gov.au Advertisement [January 11, 2021] MORAI Showcases Autonomous Vehicle Simulator at CES 2021 SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MORAI, a startup developing simulators for autonomous vehicles, will showcase new features and innovations for its products at this year's all-digital CES. Visit MORAI's digital exhibition booth starting January 11 for more product details. MORAI's autonomous vehicle (AV) simulation solution, by recreating roads, sensors, and even vehicles within a virtual 3D simulation environment, allows users to freely test how their algorithms and software will react to difficult or dangerous scenarios without risk to drivers or other vehicles. Simulation also grants full control of the scene to the test operator, enabling tests for drastic, diverse weather conditions and edge cases not commonly seen while driving. One of the features to be highlighted at CES 2021 is data-based scenario creation, where pre-recorded traffic data for a specific region can be used to recreate a test scenario identical to the recorded data. Instead of relying on the user to create test cases manually, real-world data can be used directly to enhance scenario realism and accuracy. Real-world data is also key to building MORAI's simulation environments, which are digital twins of specific regions of interest, based on a combination of detailed geospatial map data and satellite imagery. Simulation environments can range from single city blocks or small highway segments to entre city districts. MORAI's continued development of its core technologies and AV simulator helped the company raise around $2 million in Series A funding last November. Now, MORAI plans to grow its network of over 50 different partners and clients internationally. "Last year's CES was a valuable experience that helped to introduce our products and technology to a global audience," said Jiwon Jung, co-founder and CEO. "We hope that during CES 2021, we can show how much MORAI's core simulation has matured and connect with leaders within not just the AV industry, but from the automotive and tech industries as well." Company Profile MORAI Inc. is a South Korean startup building simulation tools and solutions for autonomous vehicles and autonomous systems. Providing engineers with detailed photorealistic scenes such as complex city intersections and test racetracks, MORAI's simulation environments help customers perform verification and validation for their autonomous vehicles. MORAI's data driven simulation approach delivers value along each step of the autonomous vehicle development process, from the project inception stage to the testing and acceptance trial stage. MORAI's core simulation platform is currently supplied to key Korean clients throughout industry, academia, and government. For more information, visit https://www.morai.ai/ Find more product videos on our YouTube https://www.youtube.com/moraisim Visit our CES 2021 digital booth at https://digital.ces.tech/exhibitor/691620f3-2e6c-4a03-b51c-0795c3aab7d0 Check out our CES 2021 Press Kit https://ces.vporoom.com/MORAI View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/morai-showcases-autonomous-vehicle-simulator-at-ces-2021-301205591.html SOURCE MORAI 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. Molly-Mae Hague has divided fans for branding her 1,950 Gucci x The North Face 'chav chic'. The Love Island star, 21, took to Instagram over the weekend to show off her new designer outerwear in the controversial post, alongside the caption: 'Chav chic and I'm here for it'. (sic) Some social media users claimed the influencer is 'toned deaf' and 'disconnected from the world' for using the 'classist term', while others insisted naysayers should 'give the girl a break' and focus on 'bigger problems' instead. Mixed reactions: Molly-Mae Hague has divided fans for branding her 1,950 Gucci x The North Face 'chav chic' Chav is a term usually used to describe a lower-class youth dressed in sportswear. However, 'chav chic' also refers to the trend of athleisure loungewear - a look previously favoured by the likes of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, who made pink velour tracksuits and Von Dutch caps a staple in many noughties wardrobes. On the topic, one slammed: 'molly mae calling her gucci tnf jacket 'chav chic' really does back my dissertation. saying stuff like that with the potential of 'influencing' her 5 mill followers to use classist terms like that really does not sit well with me.' (sic) Others agreed: 'please tell me molly mae didn't actually say 'chav chic' ... ??? how can someone be so disconnected from the outside world. Luxurious: The Love Island star, 21, took to Instagram over the weekend to show off her new designer outerwear 'Calling out molly mae for using the words chav chic to describe a 2000+ coat is not 'jealousy', I absolutely love her but she is very tone deaf and so are a lot of you on here clearly ... 'Hoping this is the year the idolising of Molly-Mae slams to a grinding halt when we add classist slurs to the mix of dreadful film taste, sh** cooking skills and buying dogs from illegal puppy farm breeders.' (sic) However, many of her fans saw the humour in her description and told the critics to 'be angry at something worth your time.' (sic) 'She is very tone deaf': Some social media users claimed the influencer is 'disconnected from the world' for using the 'classist term' They said: 'All these ppl hating on molly mae have defo said worse things than chav and are just using this for another reason to hate on her. 'I'm from a working class background from a council estate...i'm literally the epitome of the word and I can assure you the word isn't offensive. 'there's literally nothing offensive about the word 'chav' there's way bigger problems out there mate. get a grip. 'If you're on the internet greetin about molly mae saying chav you need to relax. Go for a walk. Clear your head. All will be okay, I promise. 'Get a grip': Others insisted naysayers should 'give the girl a break' and focus on 'bigger problems' instead 'Molly mae in a gucci north face jacket calling it chav chic had me rolling all day omg...People having a go at Molly Mae for saying 'chav chic' is mind blowing to me. Why not get angry at something worth your time? 'Why is it bad that Molly Mae has said chav? I've been getting called one my whole life just checking incase I deserve compensation. 'Is it surprising that the majority of the people kicking off about Molly mae saying the word chav all have 'Rose' in their twitter bios, lol no it is not. What a collection: The YouTuber also revealed she's the proud owner of a sweatshirt from the recently released line 'swear no ones had an issue with the word chav until molly mae calls a coat chav chic? Give the girl a break. 'Can't believe molly mae is getting stuck for saying chav chic get a life man why are people so bothered anout EVERYTHING it's literally exhausting to even read 'Madness mate, folk offended over that Molly Mae bird using the word 'chav' i genuinely give up with people. Laughable.' (sic) MailOnline has contacted representatives for Molly-Mae for further comment. The backlash came after the media personality celebrated her 18-month anniversary with her boyfriend Tommy Fury at home in Cheshire. Making sure it was one to remember, the boxer, 21, treated his 'soulmate' to a surprise romantic evening complete with rose petals on the floor and a bouquet of flowers. The YouTuber appeared to be very impressed with her partner's thoughtful efforts as she filmed his stunning display. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 P ubs and restaurants could be shut for another four months as Boris Johnson looks at extending Englands national lockdown, it is reported. The Prime Minister plunged the country into its third national shutdown on January 6 in response to surging coronavirus infections and hospital admissions across the UK. Mr Johnson did not offer a concrete end date at the time, instead saying that the prospect of Britains mass vaccination programme could enable restrictions to be progressively eased from mid-February. However, Number 10 officials currently view March 23 as a more realistic point at which restrictions can be lifted, according to the Sunday Times. This would mark the one year anniversary of Mr Johnsons first stay at home speech. Boris Johnson: British public must stay at home A source told the paper that thirsty Britons may have to wait even longer before returning to their local boozers. They said: The May Day bank holiday is more likely the moment you see pubs reopening. The reports come as a number of experts warn that the current lockdown measures do not go far enough, particularly in light of the more transmissible variant which has spread from across many parts of the country. Susan Michie, a professor of health psychology at University College London who participates in Independent Sage, suggested a return to the tougher measures imposed during the first wave of the pandemic last spring. She said avoiding further deaths would mean absolutely having to get right back to where we were in March, unfortunately. Meanwhile, Professor Peter Horby, chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said the new variant has made the situation more risky and that if the infection rate does not slow down then were going to have to be even stricter. But Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBCs Andrew Marr show on Sunday that he did not want to speculate on whether the Government would strengthen the current rules. The most important thing is that people stay at home and follow the rules that we have got, he said. People need to not just follow the letter of the rules but follow the spirit as well and play their part. Lockdown London 1 /14 Lockdown London In a separate interview with Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, Mr Hancock backed tougher enforcement of the new Covid laws by the nations police forces. He said: You might look at the rules and think Well, it doesnt matter too much if I just do this or do that. But these rules are not there as boundaries to be pushed, they are the limit to what people should be doing. The police are right to take very seriously the rules we have brought in. We havent brought them in because we wanted to, weve brought them in because we had to. Every flexibility can be fatal. All adults will be vaccinated by autumn, says Matt Hancock However, in what will be seen as a welcome boost to the prospect of lifting the restrictions, the Cabinet minister also said that the Government is on course to reach its target of 13 million people vaccinated by mid-February. He said that 200,000 people are being inoculated per day, with the opening of seven mass vaccination centres this week likely to increase the rate of jabs. One third of people over the age of 80 has now received a vaccination, he confirmed, while all adults are expected to be offered an injection by the autumn. Mr Hancock told Sky News that the country is likely to see a joint vaccination programme in place for the foreseeable future. I think its highly likely that there will be a dual-vaccination programme for the foreseeable this is the medium term of flu and Covid, he added. Bengaluru, Jan 11 : Karnataka BJP 'rebel' MLA, Basnagouda Patil Yatnal, who waged a lone battle against Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's style of functioning, is tipped for a Cabinet post in the long-awaited Cabinet expansion that is scheduled for January 13. Party sources told IANS that Yatnal is likely to be inducted into the Cabinet only to keep a check on the growing interference of Yediyurappa's youngest son, B.Y. Vijayendra, who has often been accused by the party leaders of taking undue advantage due to his father's position. Other than Yatnal, Aravind Limbavali, apparently being rewarded for Madhya Pradesh government toppling operation, Rupali Naik, MLA Karwar under women's quota, Umesh Katti, MLA, Lingayat quota, Munirathna Naidu who crossed over to BJP from Congress, M.P. Renukacharya and S.R. Vishwanath - both staunch loyalists of Yediyurappa, are also expected to be inducted into the Cabinet. "This list is approved by none other than Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda during Yediyurappa's meeting with them," a leader said. It is worth noting here, that Yatnal had been lashing out at Yediyurappa and his son, Vijayendra, openly and even set the date that after Makar Sankranti festival, Yediyurappa would be replaced by a leader from north Karnataka region. On his return from Delhi, Yediyurappa had said that the central leadership had finalised seven names. "January 14 is the festival (Makar Sankranti). Most probably the oath-taking ceremony will take place on January 13 afternoon. I will confirm the names and portfolios later," he said. Among those in the ministerial race in the state are three MLCs - C.P. Yogeshwar, M.T.B. Nagaraj and R. Shankar. While another MLC, Adaguru H. Vishwanath, was also in the race but his hopes were dashed when the Karnataka High Court on November 30 barred him from becoming a minister until at least May this year. At present, apart from these leaders, nearly dozen legislators are lobbying hard to secure Cabinet berths for themselves. Bypolls are scheduled for Maski and Basavakalyan Assembly seats and Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency. While Maski fell vacant due to the resignation of Congress MLA Pratap Gouda Patil in 2019, the bypoll to Basavakalyan and Belagavi seats were necessitated following the deaths of their representatives B. Narayan Rao and Suresh Angadi, respectively, due to the Covid pandemic. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bank closes $75 million in Main Street Lending Program loans and announces its participation in Paycheck Protection Program for current and new clients. FAIRFAX, Va., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Freedom Bank of Virginia (OTCQX: FDVA) announced today that it closed $75 million in Main Street Program Loans (MSLP) to businesses in the Washington DC region. Freedom is one of the few banks in the country that successfully delivered needed capital to great companies who were then able to reposition and recapitalize to manage through the most challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Freedom Bank of Virginia (PRNewsfoto/Freedom Bank of Virginia) The Bank also announced that it will be participating in the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized in the most recent economic relief package, which includes an additional $284 billion for the PPP for small businesses in 2021. Freedom Bank played a huge role in the local small business community in 2020 by originating $105 million in PPP loans for over 500 clients, 250 of which were new customers to the Bank. As a percentage of loans, this was over 20% of Freedom's outstanding loans and double the percentage provided by peer banks. The Bank is now 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% relative to the prior year comparable fiscal quarter. 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): PPP Loans under $150,000 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). Story continues PPP officially reopens today, but only for first-draw laws provided by a community financial institutions (CFI) - community development financial institutions, minority depository institutions, certified development corporations, and microloan intermediaries. Freedom is not a CFI and we think therefore that Freedom Bank will be in a position to submit borrower applications as soon as the end of this week. The SBA has provided updated forms to use for first draws and second draws and has noted that in this round of PPP there will be a time lapse between when the lender submits the PPP application information and when the SBA provides the SBA loan number to the lender. Freedom Bank will be using a powerful, proven, and completely digital solution into this next round of PPP lending via the Atlas platform provided by Street Shares and Fiserv. The platform is simple, organized, and full of technical resources. Access will be provided by a URL that will be available on the bank's website. "This is one of the hallmarks of working with Freedomwe utilize our experienced bankers to advise clients personally and leading edge technology to streamline the process. As we demonstrated in the first round of PPP and MSLP, our entire team is committed to small business' success in securing funds in this vital program for our client's continued health and success when they most need support from their banking relationship," said CEO Joe Thomas. If you are interested in a PPP loan under the renewed program or have any questions about the program, please call us at or visit our website at www.freedom.bank About Freedom Bank Freedom Bank (OTCQX: FDVA) is a next-generation community bank, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, offering commercial banking, personal banking, and mortgage banking solutions using banker expertise and innovative technology to build lead relationships with clients. Focusing on businesses, real estate owners, and professionals in the Northern Virginia/DC metro area, Freedom Bank concentrates on key industry verticals to deliver unique, sector-specific solutions to help clients meet their goals and realize their dreams. Freedom Bank had total assets of $752 million on September 30, 2020 and locations in Fairfax, Vienna, Reston, Manassas and Chantilly and a mortgage division also headquartered in Chantilly. For information about Freedom Bank, visit our website at www.freedom.bank. Contact: Joseph J. Thomas, President & Chief Executive Officer Phone: 703-667-4161 Email: jthomas@freedom.bank Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/freedom-bank-closed-75-million-in-mslp-loans-and-will-participate-in-ppp-2-301205262.html SOURCE Freedom Bank of Virginia By Ritah Kemigisa The Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera has warned that any breach of the law in the forthcoming general election on January 14th, 2021 shall lead to a nullification. Speaking at a Uganda Law society symposium on election practices, Justice Buteera says elections must be conducted in accordance with the law which must be respected. He has also called for observance of human rights by all relevant authorities insisting that there is life after elections. Justice Buteera has meanwhile launched the society Elections Petition Law Report Volume one which complies petitions from 2001 to 2011 with a reminder that the Judiciary is necessary before, during and after Elections. Uganda is currently experiencing significant human rights abuses by the army, police, and other government institutions. Those abuses include extrajudicial killings, illegal detentions, torture directed towards opposition leaders and members, activists, Human Rights Lawyers, and journalists, among others. Covid: first vaccinations in Albania, Rama criticizes EU 'Excluding western Balkan countries is unacceptable' (ANSAmed) - TIRANA, JANUARY 11 - Albania on Monday started a vaccination campaign against Covid-19 with some 1,000 doses of Pfizer, which were donated by a European Union country. Albanian Premier Edi Rama stressed that he ''can't reveal the friendly country that helped us, at its request'', adding that an additional 2,000 doses are expected in the next few days. During the third week of January, the first 10,000 doses should arrive out of a total of 500,000 vaccines that the government of Tirana was able to obtain thanks to a direct agreement with Pfizer. The vaccine will be free and not mandatory and the first to benefit will be doctors and nurses from hospitals treating coronavirus patients, to continue with all medical personnel and the elderly over 75 years of age as well as those living in old age homes. The Albanian premier criticized the European Union and its decision to leave out of its vaccination plan western Balkan countries. ''It is unacceptable not just morally and politically, but unjustifiable also from a logical point of view, given that there are countries that keep extra doses because they are unable to act fast. They could at least offer us the necessary doses for healthcare personnel operating on the frontlines against the Covid pandemic'', said the premier. Rama was among the first to get the vaccination shot on live television. ''I am only doing it to give a clear message that the vaccine is not only safe but the only weapon against this invisible enemy and also to show that all conspiracy theories around the vaccine are ridiculous'', stressed Rama. (ANSAmed) (ANSA). 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. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DAKHLA, Western Sahara Trawlers pack the bustling Western Saharan port of Dakhla, where fish scales glisten from workers arms as they roll up their nets and buyers shout bids in a sprawling auction warehouse. Nearby, turquoise waters lap wide, nearly empty Atlantic beaches and diners sip tea in sidewalk cafes. The United States plans to put its footprint in this picturesque setting. U.S. Ambassador to Morocco David T. Fischer took part in a ceremony Sunday in Dakhla, the first formal step to open a consulate, marking a turning point for the disputed and closely policed territory in North Africa. The U.S. move recognizes Moroccos authority over the land in exchange for Morocco normalizing relations with Israel. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Fischer was joined by the top State Department official for the region, David Schenker. Both diplomats wore white Moroccan robes. Our trip today to Dakhla is another historic milestone in more than 200 years of friendship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America, the U.S. Embassy in Moroccos Twitter account quoted him as saying. While this shift in U.S. foreign policy frustrates indigenous Sahrawis who have sought Western Saharas independence for decades, others see new opportunities for trade and tourism that will provide a welcome boost for the region and sun-kissed coastal cities like Dakhla. Addressing the gathering, the U.S. ambassador said the opening of a consulate is a plus for the United States, allowing it to take further advantage of Moroccos strategic positioning as a hub for trade in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Investment and development projects will profit the region, he added. A portrait of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, waving from behind his sunglasses, hangs from the crenellated archway that greets people arriving in Dakhla. The kings face is juxtaposed on a map that includes Western Sahara as an integral part of Morocco. Morocco annexed the former Spanish colony in 1975, which unleashed a 16-year war and then 30 years of diplomatic and military stalemate between Morocco and the Polisario Front, an organization seeking Western Saharas independence that is based in and backed by Algeria. The long-running territorial dispute has limited Western Saharas links with the outside world. Khatat Yanja, head of Dakhlas regional council, looks forward to the U.S. arrival opening up his city to new markets and persuading more tourists to enjoy its beaches, local wares and breathtaking sunsets. He expressed hope for U.S. investment in tourism, renewable energy, farming and especially fishing. We appreciate such a gesture, Yanja said of the future consulate. It will open a new chapter altogether when it comes to investment in this region, via employing people and creating more resources. It will also open more doors for international trade. The main fishing port is the lifeline of the local economy, employing 70% of Dakhlas work force. Thousands of boats bring in 500,000 tons of fish per year, for exports worth 2.2 billion dirhams ($249 million) annually, according to port director Bintaleb Elhassan. Beneath flocks of honking seagulls, fishermen haul sardines and mackerel to warehouses where the catch is auctioned off from neatly lined trays. In nearby processing plants, rows of women, including migrants from around Africa, clean and sort the fish. Morocco tightly polices the region. On a recent visit to Dakhla, authorities closely monitored an Associated Press reporter in the way both visitors and residents often are. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker visited Dakhla and Western Saharas biggest city, Laayoune, on Saturday. He and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita are expected to unveil a temporary diplomatic outpost on Sunday. While the consulate isnt expected to open for another six to 12 months, Schenkers trip is a way for the U.S. to cement its commitment to Western Sahara before President Donald Trump leaves office. Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, helped broker a normalization deal between Morocco and Israel announced last month, part of a series of historic accords that won Arab countries major favors from Washington in exchange. Trump said the goal of the Western Sahara consulate would be to promote economic and trade opportunities in the region, which is about the size of Colorado and is believed to have considerable offshore oil deposits and mineral resources. The Polisario Fronts representative at the United Nations, Sidi Omar, appealed Saturday for the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to reverse Trumps decision. The U.S. cannot both support the U.N.s role in resolving Western Sahara conflict and endorse Moroccan sovereignty, Omar tweeted. Western Saharas economy is run by Morocco, which has built most of the territorys infrastructure and encouraged Moroccans to settle there. But the United Nations and most world governments dont recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the land, limiting Moroccos ability to export its resources and complicating trade deals. For many people in Dakhla, at least those who are allowed to speak to visiting journalists, local concerns appear to outweigh geopolitical ones. Residents commute to work, sell clementines, shop for jewelry, enjoy local specialties in sidewalk cafes and frolic with their dogs on tranquil beaches. The U.S. recognition of Western Sahara as Moroccos drew criticism from the U.N. and Americas allies. African observers have said it could destabilize the broader region, already struggling against Islamist insurgencies and migrant trafficking. The action has particularly angered Sahrawis, who want a referendum on the territorys future, and neighboring Algeria, which hosts Sahrawi refugees and backs the Polisario. Schenker also visited Algeria in recent days. The U.S. will be joining a small but growing number of countries with consulates in the territory, the most recent representing Gambia. Gambia feels a sense of gratitude for Moroccos support, including Morocco building the new Foreign Ministry building in Gambia. Also, Morocco continues to grant educational grants for Gambian students, Consul General Ousmane Badjie told The AP in his office, where a portrait of the Moroccan king also hangs. Sahrawi activists held protests in several Spanish and French cities over the U.S. move, but Washington didnt directly address their concerns when the State Department formally notified Congress on Dec. 24 of its plans to open a consulate. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said only that the United States will continue to support political negotiations to resolve the issues between Morocco and the Polisario within the framework of Moroccos autonomy plan. ___ Matthew Lee in Washington, and Angela Charlton in Paris, contributed to this report. 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. A man is in a critical condition after being assaulted at a beach on Sydneys northern beaches. Emergency services were called about 4.30pm on Sunday to Delwood Beach, Fairlight, where they found a 26-year-old with head injuries near the rock pool. He was treated by paramedics and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where his condition deteriorated, requiring emergency surgery. Police were told the man was at the beach with friends when they were involved in an argument with four males. The injured man was struck on the back of the head, causing him to fall. His head hit the ground. It is understood the men had been drinking during the day and the groups are not known to each other. Jennifer Courson, Managing Broker of Engel & Volkers Orlando Downtown I felt it was time to take my career to the next level. I wanted to join forces with an international brand that exudes luxury and customer service...I knew their culture was exactly what I was looking for. Engel & Volkers Florida today announced Jennifer Courson has joined Engel & Volkers Orlando Downtown, one of several franchised-brokerages in Central Florida. Courson will lead the shop as its new managing broker, alongside License Partners, Pedro Marrero and Raed Abuquta, where she is responsible for talent attraction, retention and development. After 13 years as an agent in various sales roles, I felt it was time to take my career to the next level, said Courson. I wanted to join forces with an international brand that exudes luxury and customer service, and after meeting several members within the Engel & Volkers network, I knew their culture was exactly what I was looking for. Courson joins Engel & Volkers with an impressive professional history. After obtaining her Bachelors degrees in business administration and marketing from the University of Florida, she spent a decade working with David Weekley Homes, the largest privately-held custom home builder in America. During that time, she was a top-performing sales consultant and internet advisor. This experience allows her to ensure a smooth transaction process whether building, buying or selling a home. Most recently, she co-led a team at Premier Sotheby's International Realty Southeast Orlando, where she contributed to the teams over $40-million worth of transactions in 2019. When not selling real estate, she leads Tribe International, a professional women's organization she co-founded in 2018. The decision to add Jenn to the leadership team at Engel & Volkers Orlando Downtown is a significant part of our 2021 growth plan, said Marrero. We believe having a well known, experienced broker with a successful track record at another luxury brand will instill confidence and trust among local agents who want to join our brand. It will also free up time and energy for my business partner and I to further explore additional growth opportunities for the future of the brokerage. Marrero obtained the license rights to Engel & Volkers Orlando Downtown, which is located at 230 E Marks St, in January 2020. He formed a business partnership with Abuquta shortly after to accelerate growth and add other related services such as mortgage to better service their clients. Together, they have recruited twenty advisors and have goals to add 25 more full-time realtors that are closing at least nine transactions per year, with an average price of $351,000. An official grand opening is slated for spring 2021. I am honored to join Engel & Volkers Orlando Downtown to serve as their managing broker, said Courson. The way in which they service clients with a bespoke, VIP experience ensures every meaningful detail is attended to thats what really drew me in. Everyone in the company works together collaboratively to help one another succeed and outperform goals. I look forward to the opportunity to help our advisors grow professionally and take their businesses to the next level. ### Press contact: Linzee Werkmeister, Director, Public Relations & Franchise Support Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com Tel: (239) 348-9000 About Engel & Volkers: Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a bespoke, white-glove concierge client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for todays savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 175 shop locations with more than 4,000 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brands global network of over 12,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate, yachting and aviation. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit evrealestate.com. About Engel & Volkers Florida: Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive franchise model positions its license partners at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in: 30A Beaches, Amelia Island, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Olde Naples, Orlando Downtown, Orlando-Winter Park, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, South Tampa, St. Augustine, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Stuart, Wellington, and Windermere. Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global network, which is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000. For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit florida.evrealestate.com It seems anyone can get COVID-19. Two gorillas that were coughing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for the coronavirus in what is believed to be the first cases among such primates in captivity, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Other gorillas at the zoo are asymptomatic. Newsom said in his regular press briefing that the zoo is investigating the situation. "Theres some question of whether it was human-to-animal transmission," said Newsom, noting that he respects the scientific process underway to find more information. "Its an area that has long been a concern, human-to-animal transmission." The parks executive director, Lisa Peterson, told The Associated Press on Monday that eight gorillas living together at the park are believed to have the virus and several have been coughing. It appears the infection came from a member of the parks wildlife care team who also tested positive for the virus but has been asymptomatic. Veterinarians are closely monitoring the gorillas who will remain in their habitat at the park, north of San Diego, Peterson said. Courtesy of Christina Simmons While other wildlife have contracted the coronavirus from minks to tigers, the gorilla cases are believed to be the first reported from a zoo in the United States and possibly the world. The safari park tested the gorillas using their fecal matter. For now, the park's wildlife team is closely monitoring their behavior. They are being given vitamins, fluid and food but no specific treatment for the virus. The zoo officials are working closely with experts who have been treating the coronavirus in humans in case the animals' develop more severe symptoms. This is wildlife, and they have their own resiliency and can heal differently than we do," Peterson said, adding that for now the focus is to keep them healthy and thriving." The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Newser) Everyone knows pregnant women don't especially love being told to keep their weight in check and always look their best, especially right after giving birth. Except, apparently, the city government in Seoul, which is seeing backlash for posting advice for expectant mothers that's being called antiquated and sexist. Per the Guardian, the guidelines put online in 2019 by the South Korean capital's pregnancy and childbirth information center told women to do plenty of housework to stay slim and hang pre-pregnancy clothes around the house as motivation. Another nugget: "Buy a hairband so that you don't look disheveled after having the baby." The guidelines also advised women that, before they head to the hospital to give birth, they should make sure to "avoid causing inconvenience" for their families by stocking their homes with food and supplies needed in their absence. story continues below Women should also ensure their husbands are taken care ofspecifically, in the days before her baby arrives, a mom-to-be should prep meals for her spouse, who may be "unfamiliar with cooking," and lay out clean underwear and other clothes to tide him over till she gets back, reports AFP, which notes the posting was taken down last week after all the pushback. And that pushback featured plenty of incredulity. "It's hard to even breathe towards the end of a pregnancy, and they're expecting us to prepare underwear and food for our husbands?!" one user exclaimed on social media, the Yonhap news agency reports. Per the Korea Herald, the city government says it picked up the guidelines from the nation's Ministry of Health and Welfare. In a statement to AFP, the city now says it neglected to "thoroughly review" it all and will make sure something like this doesn't happen again. (Read more South Korea stories.) Sidney Powell and President Donald Trump. Getty Images Dominion Voting Systems an election-technology company implicated in false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election filed a $1.3 billion lawsuit against Sidney Powell, an architect of the conspiracy theories, on Friday. Attorneys for Dominion and Smartmatic, another election-technology company, have warned of lawsuits against President Donald Trump, Fox News, Newsmax, and One America News. Legal experts told Insider such defamation lawsuits could be big wins for Dominion. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. On January 3, two months after he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, President Donald Trump pushed Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to "find 11,780 votes." He blamed his loss in the state - and the rest of the country - in part on Dominion Voting Systems, an election-technology company that helps states and counties tabulate their votes, suggesting he lost because of "tremendous corruption with Dominion machines" and saying the company "took out machines" and "shredded" 3,000 pounds of ballots. The call sparked new calls for impeachment and criminal referrals because of the way Trump spoke with Raffensperger, seemingly using veiled threats to urge a state's top election official to overturn the results. But it has also demonstrated how deeply conspiracy theories about the election have taken root in the Republican Party. That Trump and not Biden really won the 2020 US election was not just an empty rallying cry. The president of the United States was citing a baseless conspiracy theory about an election-technology company - which has been accredited and vetted by numerous government agencies and third parties for many years - to fight democracy. Trump has also implicated Smartmatic, a rival technology company. Such conspiracy theories morphed into a mortally dangerous threat three days later, when Trump spoke with a rally in Washington, DC, telling his supporters that the election was stolen and that they should march to the Capitol and show their disapproval. Story continues His supporters did exactly that, breaching the Capitol and invading its halls and chambers, delaying the certification of Trump's loss, and leading to the deaths of five people and a deep stain on Trump's legacy as president. Dominion Voting Systems is now going on the offense, taking the battle over its reputation to court. On Friday, Dominion filed a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Sidney Powell, an architect of the conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. Rioters waved Trump and American flags on the Capitol steps before storming the building. Alan Chin/Business Insider Tom Clare, a defamation attorney representing Dominion, told Insider the company had "no choice" but to resort to legal tactics. He said the company was caught in a maelstrom of lies it believed had severely damaged its reputation. And as Insider previously reported, Dominion has sent document-retention letters to Trump's allies, including right-wing media organizations, threatening "imminent" litigation. They include Rudy Giuliani, who represents the Trump campaign as an attorney parroting those same theories, as well as to members of the right-wing media universe including Fox News, Newsmax, and One America News that have pushed the theories as well. Read more: Dominion sends letters threatening defamation lawsuits to Sean Hannity, Maria Bartiromo, Lou Dobbs, and other pro-Trump media figures The damages in these defamation lawsuits, if they are as successful, could be enormous. They are widely viewed as comparable to the "pink slime" lawsuit brought against ABC News, which scored a $177 million settlement (Smartmatic has hired J. Erik Connolly, one of the attorneys in that case). But if the lawsuit against Powell is any indication, Clare believes the damages could be greater. "The damage that has been suffered is still unfolding," Clare told Insider. "It is enormous, but it is still very much occurring in real time on the airwaves and on the internet." Some First Amendment experts view litigation as easy victories Powell - who worked on Trump's "Elite Strike Force" legal team seeking to overturn election results before striking it out on her own - has made numerous false claims about Dominion. She said that the company was "created in Venezuela at the direction of Hugo Chavez to make sure he never lost an election" and that its software featured the ability to flip votes. Trump's media allies have encouraged her: The Fox Business Network host and commentator Lou Dobbs put Powell on his show to spout those lies unchecked and called her "a great American." Dominion has no ties to Venezuela and does not modify votes. Smartmatic, the rival company Powell claims is secretly in cahoots with Dominion, does have ties to Venezuela. But its experience is the opposite of what Powell alleges: It left the country after criticizing the Chavez regime for announcing fake election results. Rudy Giuliani and Powell at a Trump campaign press conference. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Some experts say the only question is how great the damages will be. Andrew Koppelman, a professor of political science at Northwestern's law school, speculated that a jury might grant punitive damages to Dominion. "In the interest of promoting the falsehood that Trump won the election, these folks have all done pretty severe harm to an entirely innocent company," Koppelman said. "I could easily see how a jury would find that reprehensible enough for more damages." But other experts caution that defamation lawsuits are difficult to win. Frederick Schauer, a leading First Amendment scholar who is a professor at the University of Virginia, says there's a "very tough hurdle to clear" to win the kind of defamation lawsuits Dominion and Smartmatic may soon be filing. "Anybody in this situation has a very, very serious burden," he said. "That burden comes in part because of the requirement of showing by 'convincing clarity,' as the court put it, but also showing either intention of falsity or actually having a suspicion of falsity and not doing anything." Giuliani at a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters on November 19. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photos He said Dominion must show that the parties spreading false claims about the company knew their statements were false and did nothing to stop them. "Proving it has to go beyond negligence, has to go beyond a failure of due diligence, has to go beyond even the common law's function of gross negligence and reckless disregard," Schauer said. "That's why it's a tough lawsuit." In a press conference Friday, Clare said it was clear Powell acted with "actual malice," another legal standard for defamation. After Dominion sent Powell letters demanding retractions, she ignored it and later wrote on Twitter: "Haven't seen it but retracting nothing We have #evidence. They are #fraud masters!" She also repeated her claims repeatedly for months, despite all evidence and serial losses in court. "It is hard to imagine better evidence of reckless disregard to the truth," Clare said. Antonio Mugica, the CEO of Smartmatic, in December. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Powell also faces disbarment and other court sanctions in Michigan, where one of her lawsuits failed. She hasn't responded to those motions for sanctions either. If Powell loses a defamation lawsuit for her claims, those losses could form the basis of additional motions to have her disbarred, according to Jan Jacobowitz, a former University of Miami legal-ethics professor who now works as a legal-ethics consultant. Powell didn't respond to a request for comment for this story. Watch: First House GOP lawmakers announce support for Trump impeachment Can defamation lawsuits target Trump? Even before the 2020 election, Trump has frequently made false claims about voting being rigged against him. He tweeted that the process for deciding Emmys wasn't fair after "The Apprentice" didn't win. When a 2012 "Top Scot" award sponsored by a Scottish whisky brand went to a personal rival of Trump's, he decried the results, claiming that people voted multiple times and that "there is no way a result such as this could have been made by the Scottish people." As president, he said the 2016 election that he won was illegitimate, baselessly claiming that millions of people voted illegally. Trump at the rally before his supporters rioted at the US Capitol. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Trump lost the 2020 election with 232 electoral college votes to Biden's 306. He also lost the popular vote by more than 7 million. Following his loss, he and Republican allies filed more than 40 lawsuits challenging the results. Some argued only about whether election laws were duly followed (they were, judges ruled). Some were fought on factual grounds, like Powell's lawsuits alleging wild tales of Venezuelan interference and smuggled USB drives. All of them failed. Some judges decided that the parties did not have standing to bring the cases in the first place - like Texas trying to litigate election laws in other states - or that the lawsuits were based on falsehoods and lacked merit. "Plaintiff 'asks that the Rule of Law be followed,'" Brett Ludwig, a Trump-appointed federal judge, wrote in a ruling for a case brought by Trump's campaign. "It has been." Few of the more than 100 Republican congressional lawmakers supporting Trump have said the very same ballots that elected them were invalid. They've instead argued that the presidential race is in question, allying themselves with Trump's efforts to overturn the election. Sen. Josh Hawley was one of the leading lawmakers who sought to block the certification of votes for the 2020 US presidential election based on the conspiracy theory that it was marred by irregularities. Erin Schaff/Pool via REUTERS Despite the losses in court, Trump has continued to push the conspiracy theories about the election. He even tweeted "Dominionizing the Vote," a video package put together by the far-right One America News Network (before his Twitter account was suspended). It featured the QAnon advocate Ron Watkins as a cybersecurity expert. Watkins is also featured as an affiant in Powell's lawsuits, even though he has no experience in election security and has offered no evidence that he has analyzed Dominion machines. In the video, the OAN host Chanel Rion also discusses Eric Coomer, a Dominion executive, whom she describes as an "Antifa-drenched engineer hell-bent on deleting half of America's votes." Coomer is suing Trump, Powell, Giuliani, and various other right-wing figures and organizations over those claims. "Dr. Coomer's claims are personal, as his reputation has been damaged and his safety has been threatened," a representative for Coomer told Insider. "It was important to assert those claims in court now, to let those responsible know they will be held accountable." Trump's fantastical claims about irregularities in the 2020 election ultimately led to a pro-Trump mob storming the US Capitol on Wednesday to interrupt the formality of Congress certifying Biden's victory. Even after Congress resumed hours after the riot to certify the votes, more than 100 Republican members of Congress objected and called for investigations into irregularities, which no election officials or courts say exist. Vice President Mike Pence presiding over a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. Saul Loeb - Pool/Getty Images Dominion CEO John Poulos has said he did not want to go to court over the claims about Dominion but had no choice given how widespread the lies had become. He and Smartmatic CEO Antonio Mugica say they are still weighing whether to sue Trump. In December, Dominion sent a document-retention letter to Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel, asking that he retain all records about conversations related to Dominion. The Trump campaign didn't respond to a request for comment from Insider. Koppelman, the Northwestern professor, said he thought lawsuits against Trump and other people who spread conspiracy theories about Dominion and Smartmatic would most likely be successful. "It's pure recklessness," Koppelman told Insider. "Their grievance against Dominion is precisely that their voting machines work. The real object of their grievance is the voters who did not vote for Donald Trump. This is an absolutely classic case of killing the messenger." He said the one thing that might give Dominion pause is whether Trump would actually be able to pay damages. A New York Times investigation of Trump's tax returns showed that he often paid nothing in income taxes, might soon owe tens of millions of dollars to the IRS, and was set to owe additional hundreds of millions of dollars in loan repayments. "The only thing I would worry about if I were Dominion is whether Donald Trump in fact has any money," Koppelman said. Trump is also defending himself against a dozen major civil lawsuits and may face criminal investigations and charges once he leaves office and loses presidential immunity. Trump's media allies are also at risk Fox News, Newsmax, and One America News all received notices warning of "imminent" litigation from Dominion and Smartmatic. OAN doubled down, sending Dominion a letter requesting it to retain documents about its ties to Venezuela (Dominion says it has none). But Fox News and Newsmax published videos backtracking in response to Smartmatic's letter. Newsmax said it was "clarifying" its previous coverage by saying it had no evidence that Smartmatic did anything wrong, and Fox News aired a segment in which an election-technology expert said the 2020 election was sound. Asked whether similar videos about Dominion would be enough to fend off defamation lawsuits, Clare said "no" and laughed. Giuliani on Lou Dobbs' show on Fox Business. Fox Business/YouTube Experts say those types of videos might help Fox News and Newsmax limit the damages they'd be liable for if they were to lose a lawsuit but would be unlikely to save them from the merits of a case. According to Schauer, the damages could be limited to the dates between when the media organization first aired their falsehoods to when they issued walkbacks. "Newsmax has published and aired on numerous occasions that Dominion was challenging the claims made by President Trump and his attorneys," a Newsmax representative, Brian Peterson, told Insider. But Clay Calvert, a press-freedom expert at the University of Florida, said media organizations had a responsibility to investigate allegations and could not simply report baseless allegations just because someone had made them. The defendants in Dominion's lawsuits may argue that they sincerely believed the allegations and made them in good faith. Experts say arguing that the media ecosystem is filled with falsehoods would not be a sufficient defense - especially given the mountains of court cases and statements from election officials showing that the election was secure. "A jury will have to judge by a standard of what a reasonable person would consider true," Calvert said. "Being stuck in a media ecosystem is not an excuse. Just because Lou Dobbs may be wrong and never see truth doesn't mean it's acceptable." Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, oversaw three audits of his state's election showing the results were legitimate. Paras Griffin/Getty Images Established news organizations, including Insider Inc., typically have legal trainings for their journalists and multiple levels of editorial oversight to ensure the stories they publish are accurate and fair. Dominion also sent letters to individual hosts on the media networks, including Sean Hannity, Dobbs, and Maria Bartiromo of Fox News and Greg Kelly of Newsmax. Experts said that even if Dominion didn't ultimately sue individuals and media organizations it sent letters to, the letters would still serve as a way to stop "ongoing" defamation. Indeed, talk of Dominion and Smartmatic had largely receded from Fox News' coverage since late December. Tweets from hosts like Dobbs making the same claims have remained up, and Fox News opinion hosts and guests have continued to push the baseless allegation that election results may have been falsified. Fox News declined to comment for this story. A representative directed Insider to a Fox News segment from late November in which the host Tucker Carlson cast doubt on Powell's claims, a separate interview from the host Eric Shawn with a Michigan University engineering professor who said there's no evidence of wrongdoing from Dominion, and a story in which a Dominion representative said switching votes was impossible. A pro-Trump mob breaking into the US Capitol on Wednesday. Win McNamee/Getty Images Figures who are demonized in the media sometimes choose not to sue over false claims because they do not want to amplify such claims. But a lawsuit against Fox News, if successful, could be hugely damaging to the network, experts speculated. Unlike OAN or Newsmax - which Trump allies have considered buying - Fox News is extraordinarily valuable. Its parent company, the Fox Corporation, made more than $12 billion in revenue in its 2020 fiscal year. Koppelman said a jury might find that Fox News' conduct "was so reprehensible that punitive damages are in order." "Depending on how this lawsuit works out, this lawsuit could considerably increase the value of Dominion," Koppelman said. Read the original article on Business Insider Watch: Trump faces 2nd impeachment unless Pence invokes 25th Amendment, Dems. say A British appeal court has overturned an order that prevented a Nigerian construction company from enforcing parts of a $48 million arbitration award. The company is seeking damages over an abandoned hotel project at the Lagos airport. The ruling was delivered in November 2020 but PREMIUM TIMES has just obtained a copy. The award, given in favour of AIC Ltd, a construction company, was against the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. On June 1, 2010, an arbitration panel headed by late Justice Kayode Esho awarded $48 million as damages against FAAN for violating a concession agreement involving AIC Ltd, documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES show. At a hearing on December 6, 2019, Veronique Buehrlen, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge ordered that the appellant (AIC) has leave to enforce the arbitration award in its favour in the sum of $48 million, together with interest. However, a week later, on December 13, 2019, the judge allowed an application by the respondent, FAAN, to reconsider her order of December 6, and she rescinded AICs right to enforce the award. She also granted FAAN relief from sanctions. In the latest judgment, the British court of appeal allowed an appeal by the company, AIC Ltd, after finding that the lower court did not take into accounts the role of FAAN in slowing the proceedings when it reversed an earlier decision to enforce the award. Background Court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed that by a Deed of Lease dated February 17, 1998, FAAN leased parcels of land at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Ikeja to AIC Ltd. for a term of 50 years for the sole purpose of developing a flight path hotel and resort complex. However, by a letter dated May 16, 2000, FAAN directed AIC to refrain from work on the hotel development and prevented it from proceeding with the construction of the hotel and resort as planned. The company later got an award in 2010 after an arbitration panel headed by late Mr Eso was set up to resolve the concerns. Following the publication of the award in favour of AIC Ltd by Justice Eso in 2010, FAAN filed an application at the Federal High Court in Lagos to set aside the award. In its reaction, AIC filed three applications to, first, enforce the monetary element of the award, remit the award on a point of law, and establish a preliminary objection challenging the application filed by FAAN on procedural grounds. Justice Buba of the Federal High Court delivered judgment on the applications on June 19, 2013, dismissing AICs applications and setting aside the award. But AIC filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Nigeria challenging the judgment. The Court of Appeal allowed AICs appeal and remitted FAANs application to set aside the award to a different judge of the court. FAAN has since filed an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal but several years afterwards, the case is still pending at the Supreme Court. In January 2019, an apparently frustrated AIC filed an application before the High Court of Justice in England to enforce the 2010 award. FAAN challenged this application on the grounds that there is an application to set aside the award currently pending before the Nigerian Supreme Court. Following FAANs application, AIC applied for an order that FAAN give suitable security in the sum of $162 million, in the event that AICs application to enforce the award is adjourned. DOWNLOAD BRITISH COURT JUDGMENT: The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Vs AIC Limited ADVERTISEMENT The British court noted the considerable delay in relation to the enforcement of the Award in Nigeria and FAANs lack of diligence in prosecuting the pending appeal. The court thus held that there should be security as a condition of the grant of the adjournment and that it would be reasonable for this to be in the sum of $24.1 million representing 50 per cent of the Award or just under three years worth of interest on the Award. But in subsequent hearing, the British court rescinded AICs right to enforce the award and granted FAAN relief from sanctions. AIC thereafter sought to appeal the reconsidered order and was given the express approval to enforce the award against FAAN last November. It remains unclear whether FAAN would appeal the British appeal court verdict. Multiple efforts to speak to FAAN spokesperson, Henrietta Yakubu, were unsuccessful as her known telephone number could not be reached. A text message sent to her line was also not responded to. AIC, Akandes long-running battles with FAAN For many years, AIC, owned by politician and businessman, Harry Akande, battled with FAAN for the control of the controversial piece of land in Lagos. In June 2013, PREMIUM TIMES reported how FAAN claimed that Mr Akande used thugs to displace aviation workers at the site, adding that it had reclaimed a land it disputed with the late politician. The then General Manager, Aviation parastatals, Yakubu Datti, claimed at the time that Mr Akande forcefully invaded the said land with some thugs and succeeded in driving FAAN staff on the site away. In July of same year, reports said a police officer attached to AIC Limited threatened to gun down an official of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Mr. Akande, a presidential aspirant under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, extended the battles with FAAN to the courts until his death. The businessman died in the early hours of Saturday, December 5, 2020. He was 77. Horseshoe bats. Credit: orientalizing on Flickr A new study, involving the University of Cambridge and led by the Pirbright Institute, has identified key genetic changes in SARS-CoV-2the virus that causes COVID-19that may be responsible for the jump from bats to humans, and established which animals have cellular receptors that allow the virus to enter their cells most effectively. The genetic adaptions identified were similar to those made by SARS-CoVwhich caused the 2002-2003 SARS epidemicwhen it adapted from bats to infect humans. This suggests that there may be a common mechanism by which this family of viruses mutates in order to jump from animals to humans. This understanding can be used in future research to identify viruses circulating in animals that could adapt to infect humans (known as zoonoses) and which potentially pose a pandemic threat. "This study used a non-infectious, safe platform to probe how spike protein changes affect virus entry into the cells of different wild, livestock and companion animals, something we will need to continue monitoring closely as additional SARS-CoV-2 variants arise in the coming months," said Dr. Stephen Graham in the University of Cambridge's Department of Pathology, who was involved in the study. In the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic, scientists were able to identify closely related isolates in both bats and civetsin which the virus is thought to have adapted to infect humans. However, in the current COVID-19 outbreak scientists do not yet know the identity of the intermediate host or have similar samples to analyze. But they do have the sequence of a related bat coronavirus called RaTG13 which shares 96 percent similarity to the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The new study compared the spike proteins of both viruses and identified several important differences. SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses use their spike proteins to gain entry to cells by binding to their surface receptors, for example ACE2. Like a lock and key, the spike protein must be the right shape to fit the cell's receptors, but each animal's receptors have a slightly different shape, which means the spike protein binds to some better than others. To examine whether these differences between SARS-CoV-2 and RaTG13 were involved in the adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 to humans, scientists swapped these regions and examined how well these resulting spike proteins bound human ACE2 receptorsusing a method that does not involve using live virus. The results, published in the journal PLOS Biology, showed SARS-CoV-2 spikes containing RaTG13 regions were unable to bind to human ACE2 receptors effectively, while the RaTG13 spikes containing SARS-CoV-2 regions could bind more efficiently to human receptorsalthough not to the same level as the unedited SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This potentially indicates that similar changes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein occurred historically, which may have played a key role in allowing the virus to jump the species barrier. Researchers also investigated whether the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could bind to the ACE2 receptors from 22 different animals to ascertain which of these, if any, may be susceptible to infection. They demonstrated that bat and bird receptors made the weakest interactions with SARS-CoV-2. The lack of binding to bat receptors adds weight to the evidence that SARS-CoV-2 likely adapted its spike protein when it jumped from bats into people, possibly via an intermediate host. Dog, cat, and cattle ACE2 receptors were identified as the strongest interactors with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Efficient entry into cells could mean that infection may be more easily established in these animals, although receptor binding is only the first step in viral transmission between different animal species. "As we saw with the outbreaks in Danish mink farms last year, it's essential to understand which animals can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and how mutations in the viral spike protein change its ability to infect different species," said Graham. An animal's susceptibility to infection and its subsequent ability to infect others is reliant on a range of factorsincluding whether SARS-CoV-2 is able to replicate once inside cells, and the animal's ability to fight off the virus. Further studies are needed to understand whether livestock and companion animals could be receptive to COVID-19 infection from humans and act as reservoirs for this disease. More information: Carina Conceicao et al. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has a broad tropism for mammalian ACE2 proteins, PLOS Biology (2020). Journal information: PLoS Biology Carina Conceicao et al. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has a broad tropism for mammalian ACE2 proteins,(2020). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001016 EDWARDSVILLE Madison County Democratic Party Chair Randy Harris on Sunday said Madison County Republicans should denounce President Donald Trump for his role in inciting violence at the Capitol last week. Republican leaders around the country have gone on record in opposition to what President Trump said and did to encourage Wednesdays coup attempt at the United States Capitol, said Harris. But local Republican leaders, who eagerly supported and voted for Donald Trump, have remained silent. Union Minister for Ayush and Defence Shripad Y Naik was injured and his wife Vijaya and personal assistant killed when their car overturned at Ankola in Uttara Kannada district on Monday night, police said. The minister's condition was stable, they said. Police said Naik, along with his wife, personal assistant Deepak, his close confidante Sai Kiran, gunman and the driver were heading from Yallapur to Gokarna on Monday night. On the way, the driver lost his control over the car near Hosakambi village in Ankola Taluk of Uttara Kannada and the vehicle overturned. "It was not a collision between vehicles. Prima facie it appears to be the case of the driver losing control of the car" a police officer told PTI. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa expressed shock over the accident and condoled the demise of Naik's wife. "Shocked to know that the car which Union Minister Shripad Naik ji was travelling met with an accident in Uttara Kannada and the death of his wife. My heartfelt condolences on the tragic death of Smt Naik and prayers for the speedy recovery of Shri Naik and those injured," Yediyurappa tweeted. The projects free-of-charge breeds bring more profits for families Despite the piercing cold winter weather, 43-year-old Trinh Van Hoan, wakes up early to walk to his familys two-hectare pond, at which he will continue to raise black tiger shrimp and tilapias. In recent weeks he has been renovating the pond in order to begin a new season for the next two months. I am dredging the pond, sanitising it, and strengthening the ponds banks before pumping clean water into it and raising new shrimp and tilapias, Hoan told VIR. Living in coastal Nga Tan commune, located in Nga Son district of Thanh Hoa, Hoan has been raising shrimp for five years a trade that has only helped his four-member family ensure sufficient livelihoods, without creating any major savings. This has made it difficult for him to expand the trade and purchase more assets for his family. However, in July last year Hoan was supported 94,000 breeding black tiger shrimp and 1,890 tilapias breeds by a project to improve the resilience of coastal communities to climate change in Vietnam, funded jointly by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Vietnamese government, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In addition, at that time Hoans family also purchased 40,500 breeding shrimp and 810 breeding tilapias of the type from the market. Altogether he raised 135,000 shrimp and 2,700 tilapias. Last October, about 1.65 tonnes of shrimp and 900kg of tilapias were caught and sold to the market at an average price of VND300,000 ($13) and VND45,000 ($1.95) per kg, respectively, with total revenues of about VND495 million ($21,500) from the shrimp and VND40.5 million ($1,760) from the tilapias. This was the highest-ever revenue that we have earned so far, Hoan said. However, what has been more valuable is that in addition to receiving some feed for initial production, Hoan has been equipped with special knowledge from the projects professional technical training course offering modern techniques in raising black tiger shrimp and tilapias, improving the quality of water used for the pond, and enabling the farmers to increase their product sales as the stocks are free from diseases. Also in Nga Tan commune, like Hoan, the farmer family of Mai Thi Nga, 50, also benefited from the project in 2020 the first time they did that since they began raising shrimp in 2015. In early July last year, Ngas four-member household also received 94,000 breeding black tiger shrimp and nearly 1,900 breeding tilapias from the initiative. The family at that time also owned another 40,500 breeding black tiger shrimp and 810 breeding tilapias. All of them were raised together. A few months later in October the stocks were sold, with nearly two tonnes of shrimp worth over VND555 million ($24,100) and 1,100kg of tilapias valued at over VND49.5 million ($2,150). The breeds provided were far better than ordinary ones sourced from the market. The trade has been changed by the project. We have earned high incomes and especially known how to raise shrimp and tilapias in a more professional manner meaning we can ensure the trade can develop sustainably in the future, Nga told VIR. The model of black tiger shrimp farming intercropped with tilapias in Nga Tan district commune is considered a profitable trade for local residents in the context that shrimp farming is facing big risks of diseases and abnormal weather conditions. According to UNDP and VNForest experts, tilapias biologically can coexist with black tiger shrimp or white-leg shrimp. Being an omnivorous animal, the tilapia can deal with aquatic algae and discharged organic waste. This can ensure the quality of the water habitat, and reduce the risk of catching diseases for the shrimp. Moreover, this model can help farmers to take maximum advantage of the water surface and especially increase their income. Mangrove forest is the green wall to protect the people and their assets from storms, typhoons and to mitigate the risks of climate change. It can only be protected and regenerated sustainably if the local livelihood is improved and therefore local pressure on the mangrove forest is reduced, said Vu Thai Truong, UNDP programme management specialist. Intercropping benefits With its support for vulnerable people hurt by natural disasters, the project has also supported 15 households in Nga Son districts Nga Thuy commune, which borders Nga Tan district, through a model of black tiger shrimp farming intercropped with green crabs which have helped change their livelihoods. Farmer Tran Van Dien from Nga Thuy commune never thought about the fact that his family was granted last July 7,000 breeding black tiger shrimp and 70 breeding green crabs for free. Like many other beneficiaries, Dien, who has been raising shrimp since 2010, also already had 30 crabs and 3,000 shrimp of his own. We raised these 10,100 heads together. In late October, we harvested and sold them, at an average price of VND250,000 ($11) per kg of shrimp and VND400,000 ($17) per kg of crabs, Dien told VIR. All of the other 14 households also benefited from big revenues. Diens total output was one tonne of shrimp and 47kg of crabs, meaning over VND250 million ($10,900) for shrimp sales and VND18.8 million ($817) for crab sales. This model is extremely effective. Crabs can eat leftovers from the shrimp at the bottom of the pond. This is a good cycle of the feeds, helping to protect the environment, Dien said. The breeds from the project are quite good. In addition, we have also gained much knowledge and know-how from the training courses that have helped us to conduct sustainable production and business. Dien is now renovating his farm covering nearly two hectares of water surface. He will continue the new shrimp season this March. According to a report from the Project Management Unit of Thanh Hoa, after four months of raising shrimp and crabs in Nga Thuy commune, all the beneficiary households reported that the average weight of each black tiger shrimp is 26 grammes at least, with the rate of live shrimp being over 50 per cent, and the average weight of each green crab hit 310g, with the live rate sitting at over 60 per cent. Need for expansion Thanh Hoa boasts a total area of about 4,300ha for brackish fishery production and another 7,500ha for intercropping fishery and rice cultivation. The climate change impacts on the provinces fishery activities have led to changes in farming methods with farmers hoping to raise productivity, output, and economic effectiveness. The models of black tiger shrimp farming intercropped with green crabs and tilapias have ushered in big prospects for farmers as they helped the farmers approach new production techniques, with higher incomes and environmental protection, said Nguyen Viet Nghi, coordinator of the Project Management Unit in Thanh Hoa. These models need to be expanded to many other localities as they have high economic effectiveness. For example, the model of black tiger shrimp farming intercropped with green crabs is 25-30 per cent higher in economic effectiveness than raising the shrimp in monoculture. Meanwhile, the model of black tiger shrimp farming intercropped with tilapia is 35-40 per cent higher in economic effectiveness than raising the shrimp in monoculture. Pham Van Hieu, husband of farmer Mai Thi Nga from Nga Tan commune, told VIR that these models should be multiplied as many other farmers in the commune are expecting to be supported by the project. The farmers have visited our farms and learnt some experiences in raising black tiger shrimp and tilapias. The knowledge from the training courses are quite useful, Hieu pointed out. Meanwhile, farmer Tran Van Dien also said, If the intercropping model is expanded to the whole commune, it would be great as the farmers will be able to have additional incomes, meaning their livelihood will be further improved. However, they still need more support from the state. For example, the land rental timeframe should be extended to over 10 years, not several years as it is now. This will help farmers to boost investment and expand production. President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the country at 20:00 on Monday 11 January regarding the governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 20:00 today, Monday 11 January 2021, on developments in relation to the countrys response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Presidency said in a statement. The address follows meetings in recent days of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), the Presidents Coordinating Council (PCC) and Cabinet. The Presidency also stated that Ramaphosa had hosted a virtual engagement on Sunday 10 January 2020 between government and interfaith leaders on the COVID-19 Risk-Adjusted Strategy, which it said is an inclusive national effort that enables adaptive responses to the shifting pandemic. This engagement focused on the unfolding pandemic in the country and on the continent, including efforts to secure vaccines for all, the Presidency said. The Presidents address will be broadcast and streamed on a range of platforms that are accessible to South Africans and international audiences. Ramaphosas last address was on 28 December, when he announced a return to level 3 lockdown as well as an immediate ban on the sale of alcohol in South Africa. Experts call for stricter lockdown measures Health experts have called for stricter lockdown measures to reduce the load on the national healthcare system. Speaking to the Sunday Times, health experts said that another spike in COVID-19 cases could be mitigated if Gauteng is moved to lockdown level 4 for a period of 21 days. They cited concerns around an anticipated influx of holidaymakers heading back home at the end of the festive season, which could lead to a spike in cases in the country over the next three to six weeks. Gauteng is so densely populated its already a superspreader event by design. I worry that cases in Gauteng are going to rise much higher than the peaks in KZN and the Western Cape, as weve already seen in the first surge, said University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Professor Mosa Moshabela. The most important thing right now is to stop new infections. Every new infection we prevent is less pressure on our limited resources hospital beds, oxygen, and our healthcare workers. If Gauteng has to move to level 4 for 21 days to prevent new infections, they should do it. We need everything at our disposal to stop new infections. [January 11, 2021] Edgemont Partners Advises The Adaptive Group in its Sale to Help at Home Edgemont Partners ("Edgemont"), a premier healthcare investment bank and a leading M&A and capital raising advisor, acted as exclusive financial advisor to The Adaptive Group ("Adaptive" or the "Company") in its sale to Help at Home ("Help at Home"), a portfolio company of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. ("Centerbridge") and The Vistria Group ("Vistria"). Winston & Strawn LLP provided legal counsel to Adaptive. Terms of the transaction, which closed on December 24, 2020, were not disclosed. The Edgemont deal team was led by Eugene Goldenberg, Managing Director, with execution support from Vice Presidents Brandon Breslow and David Murphy, and Analysts Matt Robinson and John O'Malley. Since Mr. Goldenberg joined Edgemont last year to lead its investment banking franchise in post-acute services, distribution and staffing, the firm has closed seven post-acute care transactions. Headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Adaptive is a leading provider of home care, home health, and hospice services with 23 locations serving patients across all 92 counties in Indiana. Co-founded by military veterans Mike Root and Nick Rossano in 2011, Adaptive has posted an impressive and consistent track record of growth in the Indiana home care market. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Adaptive grew rapidly in 2020, providing reliable, high-quality care to more than 1,900 home care, home health and hospice clients. Acquiring Adaptive further solidifies Help at Home's position as the leading personal care provider in the U.S. and largest home care provider in the state of Indiana. "The winning combination of Adaptive and Help at Home not only means that we will be able to set the bar for high-quality care and service excellence in the state of Indiana, but also throughout the Midwest and across the broader United States" said Adaptive Co-Founder, Mike Root. "By partnering with Help at Home, we are better positioned to execute on our mission - to positively impact as many lives as possible through the delivery of exceptional, patient-centric home care services. This is a great opportunity to truly make a difference as the industry leader in personal care and we look forward to making that possible for our caregivers and clients" added Adaptive Co-Founder, Nick Rossano. About Adaptive Group Adaptive, comprised of Adaptive Nursing and Healthcare Services, Adaptive Companion Services, and Adaptive Hospice, is a market-leading provider of non-medical personal home care services, home health services, and hospice end-of-life care services in Indiana. Founded in 2011 by Mike Root and Nick Rossano, Adaptive has grown to 23 locations across the state, serving more than 1,900 clients through its team of 1,800+ direct care employees and administrative staff. For more information, please visit www.adaptivegroup.com. About Help at Home Founded in 1975, Help at Home is a leading U.S. home care provider delivering in-home care to seniors and persons with disabilities. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company provides home and community-based services in 13 states: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Help at Home has a long history of providing quality care to more than 50,000 clients in 160 locations by its team of dedicated caregivers and administrative employees. For more information, please visit www.helpathome.com. About Edgemont Partners Now in its 20th year, Edgemont ranks among the most active and best performing independent healthcare M&A and financial advisors in the U.S. We focus solely on providing expert strategic advice and transaction execution to healthcare and life sciences companies, bringing a steadfast commitment to our clients, driven always to prioritize their best interests. Edgemont's principals have executed 170+ transactions with an aggregate value of $65 billion+. For more information on Edgemont and how we can best serve you, contact Ben Hughes (News - Alert) at +1 (646) 632-3967, or visit our website at www.edgemont.com. Investment banking services are provided by Edgemont Capital Partners, LP, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005187/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old Illinois man who faces a number of charges after allegedly killing multiple people during a racial justice protest in Wisconsin last summer, reportedly wore a t-shirt reading Free As F--- while drinking at a Badger State bar last week. According to the Journal Times, Rittenhouse was photographed multiple times wearing the shirt shortly after he officially pleaded not guilty during a virtually arraignment last Tuesday. He was at the bar, Pudgys Pub in Mount Pleasant, just north of Kenosha, the site of the deadly shooting Rittenhouse is accused of perpetuating, with at least one of his parents, Wendy Rittenhouse. Under Wisconsin law, those 18 and over who are in bars with at least one parent can consume alcohol. Rittenhouse appears to be drinking a Coors Light in the photos. After an investigation, however, Mount Pleasant Police said Rittenhouse had not violated any of the conditions of his $2 million bond which was raised from donations from conservative groups. The conditions of his release on bond did not stipulate whether Rittenhouse was allowed to consume alcohol. Despite being from Antioch, Illinois, Rittenhouse is staying in Racine, Wisconsin, and working with a defense team in the state. Rittenhouse, who turned 18 this week, is charged with five counts, including two homicide charges and one for attempted homicide for shooting three men, killing two, during protests last August after Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake. Scott Morrison is going on annual leave for a week following the arrival of new and more contagious Covid strains in Australia from the UK and South Africa. The Prime Minister is handing over to Deputy PM and Nationals leader Michael McCormack until January 18, as health authorities plan the February roll-out of coronavirus vaccines. After a tough year battling a pandemic Mr Morrison is entitled to take a break, as state premiers had been last week, but some of the PM's harsher critics have regularly brought up his Hawaii holiday in December 2019 during the summer bushfires. Scott Morrison is going on annual leave for a week following the arrival of new and more contagious Covid strains in Australia from the UK and South Africa. The Prime Minister is pictured with his wife Jenny and their daughters Abbey and Lily With new UK and South African strains of coronavirus now in Australia, Mr Morrison said he would remain in contact with Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly even during his leave. The Prime Minister's Office released a statement on Monday explaining how Mr McCormack, a former newspaper editor, would co-ordinate the planned Covid vaccine rollout and preside over the Australian Defence Force. The AstraZeneca vaccine is due to be be administered from mid-February, with frontline health and aged care workers to get priority after the Therapeutic Goods Administration gave approval in late January. 'During my short absence, the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will be the Acting Prime Minister and undertake my duties for this period, including regular health and economic briefings, the planned roll-out of our vaccine program with the Minister for Health, as well as meeting requests from state and territory governments regarding the National Coordinating Mechanism and support from the ADF,' Mr Morrison said. 'While away I remain in contact with the Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, who will brief me on COVID-19 issues as they occur.' Mr Morrison's leave was announced as Queensland's Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ended the three-day lockdown in greater Brisbane, sparked by a hotel quarantine cleaner contracting the UK strain of Covid and travelling to and from work by train before visiting a Woolworths supermarket. The Prime Minister is handing over to his deputy, Nationals leader Michael McCormack, until January 18 as health authorities planning the February roll-out of coronavirus vaccines. They are pictured together on December 17 with New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian at New Italy in the far north of New South Wales following the Pacific Highway duplication With new UK and South African strains of coronavirus now in Australia, Mr Morrison said he would remain in contact with Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly (right) even during his leave. Health Minister Greg Hunt is pictured left The PM's leave was also announced as New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, a renowned workaholic, returned to work after a week of leave, after temporarily handing over to Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Ms Berejiklian's annual leave coincided with the state's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant revealing ten returning overseas traveller had arrived in Sydney since November 30 carrying the either the more infectious UK or South African strains of the virus. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews took a week off during the first week of the New Year, with senior Socialist Left faction cabinet minister Jacinta Allan running the state just as it closed its border with NSW, following a spate of Covid cases on Sydney's Northern Beaches and in the city's west. When Australia has a Liberal prime minister, the Nationals deputy PM traditionally runs the country during January. After a tough year battling a pandemic Mr Morrison is entitled to take a break, as state premiers had been last week, but some of the PM's harsher critics have regularly brought up his Hawaii holiday in December 2019 during the summer bushfires Canada must dismantle anti-Black racism in health care to address its harmful effects on people's health, argue authors of a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) Racism has significant negative effects on the physical and mental health of Black people and people of non-dominant racial groups. For example, there have been significantly higher death rates from COVID-19 among Black people in North America and the United Kingdom. Anti-Black racism also exists in the medical system, with stereotyping and bias by health care providers and the underrepresentation of Black physicians. First, we who work in health care must acknowledge the existence of anti-Black racism in our systems and commit to meaningful, sustained change. We can do this by listening to the voices of Black Canadians, patients and health care professionals who have been grappling with anti-Black racism for generations, and by engaging with the many communities that have made recommendations for meaningful change to address the problem." Drs. OmiSoore Dryden, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, & Onye Nnorom, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Study Co-Leads of Canada's Black Health Education Collaborative They recommend anti-racism training for health care providers, collecting race-based data in partnership with specific communities, addressing anti-Black racism in medical schools and the health system, and increasing accessibility and admission for Black students. "The field of medicine can no longer deny or overlook the existence of systemic anti-Black racism in Canada and how it affects the health of Black people and communities. It is time to acknowledge and commit to dismantling systemic racism within our institutions of care and education," they argue. Andrew Yang, who has thrown his hat into the race for New York City mayor, has been slammed for complaining about working in his two-bedroom Manhattan apartment while his children are there - something millions of New Yorkers do every day. Since the pandemic hit the US nearly a year ago, Yang has bounced back and forth between his Hell's Kitchen apartment to his $500,000 weekend home in New Paltz, New York, which is about 80 miles outside Manhattan. During an interview with the New York Times on Friday, Yang, who has an autistic son, talked about fulfilling his duties as a CNN commentator from his apartment amid the pandemic. 'We live in a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. And so, like, can you imagine trying to have two kids on virtual school in a two-bedroom apartment, and then trying to do work yourself?' That prompted several people, including parents, who go through this on a daily basis, to blast the former presidential candidate for his 'tone deaf' remarks. Andrew Yang (pictured with his family), who has thrown his hat into the race for New York City mayor, has been slammed for complaining that he can't do work in his two-bedroom Manhattan apartment while his kids are there - something millions of New Yorkers do each day During a NYTimes interview Yang talked about working from his apartment. 'We live in a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. And so, like, can you imagine trying to have two kids on virtual school in a two-bedroom apartment, and then trying to do work yourself?' 'I didn't know 2 bedroom apartments existed for working class families in Manhattan,' one person wrote. Another wrote: 'A bit comical. imagine it? that's the lives of millions in NYC --and Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia... now you're sounding silly again, Andy.' 'Lots of respect for Yang. He pushed the candidates to have a real conversation about a lot of issues that would have never made the top of a newscast. However, this run is pure ego and hubris. We don't need ideologues in this race, we need doers,' one person shared. 'Hi @AndrewYang, If you don't know that countless parents in NYC are dealing with this exact or worst circumstance (little to no access to the internet or a working computer, heating issues, unemployment, food insecurity, etc) you shouldn't be running for mayor of our city,' a third shared. 'He just lost the election with that line. I'm sorry but plenty of families manage, it's not fair but they do it. If Yang fails to acknowledge that, he's actively ignoring most New Yorkers,' one user tweeted. Another wrote: 'No one, except every parent in NYC.' 'Hi @AndrewYang, I am one of those New Yorkers who got excited knowing you'll run... but I'm also one of those parents working and homeschooling in a (very tiny) 2-bed apartment and I'm VERY proud I'm pulling this off. Be better,' one person shared. Since the pandemic hit the US nearly a year ago, Yang has bounced back and forth between his Hell's Kitchen apartment to his $500,000 weekend home (above) in New Paltz, New York, which is about 80 miles outside Manhattan During the interview Yang also talked about where he's spent most of his time amid the pandemic. 'Weve spent more time upstate than in the city over the last number of months, but I also spent time in Georgia, as you know, I spent time in Pennsylvania campaigning for Joe and Kamala,' Yang told the Times. He then suggested that his location wasn't relevant to his work at the time and that New Yorkers would be 'excited' about the work he's done. 'I was very focused on helping Joe and Kamala win, and then helping flip the Senate,' he told the Times. 'Most New Yorkers would be very excited about those goals, and are fairly indifferent to where I was doing that work from,' Yang added. But some people slammed Yang for fleeing the city amid the pandemic, especially since New York City was once the epicenter. Yang suggested that his location wasn't relevant to his work at the time and that New Yorkers would be 'excited' about the work he's done amid the pandemic But some people slammed Yang for fleeing the city amid the pandemic, especially since New York City was once the epicenter 'He literally doubles down saying it doesn't matter where one is working to run a city, yes it does. You come across as an outsider that way, someone who doesn't get it. This is his current path if unchanged,' one user said. Another shared: 'Most people in New York City, those of who lived, those of us with children, have had to imagine having kids in school and working from small apartments. I will not vote for a Mayor that fled the pandemic, no matter the reason. There's plenty of good people who stayed.' 'I have no problem with fleeing pandemic if one can work from home- lets face it, most want to protect their families. I do have a problem with a candidate using a situation millions of his constituents are experiencing as excuse for not living in the city he wants to represent,' a third wrote. Yang officially entered the race to be New York City's next mayor last month after filing paperwork with the Campaign Finance Board. CFB officials confirmed the receipt of Yang's paperwork just before Christmas Day, making him the biggest name to enter the race so far. Yang was a contender in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, gaining steam with his debate performances and promises of a universal basic income of $1,000 a month for every American adult. He promised to accomplish that goal by taxing companies that benefited from the use of automation. The entrepreneur didn't receive much support at the polls, however, leading him to drop out of the race after the New Hampshire primary in February. After that, he became a political contributor for CNN, though he remained politically active. He promised in November to move to Georgia to help deliver a Democratic Senate to President-elect Joe Biden. Yang's biggest competition in the race appear to be Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and city comptroller Scott Stringer. Yang has been living in New York City for a long time and headquartered his presidential campaign in the city. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 20:28:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military said it is looking into circumstances under which a soldier killed four people before being shot dead by colleagues on Monday morning. The shooting happened in the central Ugandan district of Waksio, deputy military spokesman Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki said in a statement. "We are investigating an unfortunate incident this morning (Monday) where one of our soldiers, a one Lance Corporal Omara Denis Awillo, shot and killed two Local Defense Unit personnel, one civilian and one police special constable," he said. Akiiki said Awillo was gunned down "to stop his wanton action." "We condemn the outrageous act of the lower commander against his subordinates," he said. "We extend our sincere condolences to those whose life have been taken and grieve with the families." Enditem A recent presidential decree concerning the weapons and other assets of Turkeys military and security bodies has generated little debate in Turkey but might have crucial consequences down the road as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan deals with growing opposition and dissent. The Jan. 6 decree amended regulations on the properties of the police and the gendarmerie forces, both attached to the Interior Ministry, the military and the National Intelligence Agency (MIT). Those bodies can now transfer moveable properties to one another without any conditions in the event of terrorist and societal incidents and violent movements that seriously threaten national security, public order and public security. The amendment also allows the army to send military equipment to allied and friendly countries." Since 2013, the governments primary internal security concern has been the eruption of a mass protest movement akin to that year's Gezi Park demonstrations, which began as a small environmentalist protest in central Istanbul but quickly grew into nationwide anti-government protests that simmered throughout the summer. The authorities have already imposed severe restrictions on street protests, cracking down even on demonstrations against femicide or child abuse. The decree came only days after a violent confrontation between police and students at Istanbuls Bosphorus University, one of the countrys most prestigious. The police battered, tear-gassed and detained demonstrators who were protesting Erdogans appointment of a member of his party with dubious academic credentials as rector of the university. The easy transfer of weapons and equipment between the military, the intelligence service, the police and the gendarmerie raises the specter of risky consequences for Turkey at a time when parliamentary oversight and public scrutiny of the government have waned dramatically since Erdogan assumed sweeping executive powers in 2018. One cannot help but recall the 1990s, when rogue groups emerged in the security forces, acting outside the law and collaborating with the underworld in the name of fighting terrorism, namely the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a designated terrorist group that has fought Ankara since 1984. Such links were publicly exposed in the memorable Susurluk scandal in November 1996. A vehicle involved in a road accident near the northwestern town of Susurluk turned out to contain guns fitted with silencers, while its passengers included a senior police chief, a wanted hit man and a Kurdish parliament member whose clan backed Ankara against the PKK. Ensuing investigations established that the police were in possession of heavy weapons taken clandestinely from the military. In February 1997, the general staff formally asked the police to hand all heavy weaponry over, and it took many months before the process was completed. What prompted Ankara to lay the groundwork now for the use of military power against protests or public unrest? The decree does not specify a reason for the amendment, while the terms and scope of the security forces response to public unrest, including the use of firearms, remains unchanged. Furthermore, the amendment sets no limits on what assets the military can hand over to the police, meaning that equipment such as F-16 fighter jets, tanks and heavy weaponry are not exempt in theory. The term movable property is rather broad and ambiguous, and the absence of any limits on the transfer of weapons and equipment typical for conventional warfare is a source of concern. Equally concerning is the broad scope of the circumstances in which such handovers can occur. The regulation bundles terrorist and societal incidents together, as if referring to crimes of equal severity. It uses the term societal incident, without specifying any particular acts, which may apply to any protest, demonstration or unrest, raising questions about the principle of proportionality in using force against incidents of disparate nature. Terrorism-related crimes are subject to Turkey's terror law, while peaceful public demonstrations are a civic right guaranteed by the constitution. Article 34 of the constitution says, Everyone has the right to hold unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission. While using their constitutional right, demonstrators may disturb public order and commit crimes, but such offenses are not treated as terrorism. The ambiguity of the decree, however, allows the government to place all peaceful protests in the scope of the regulation. The amendment also leaves important technical questions unanswered. For instance, who will make the decisions on equipment handover local governors and crisis desks or Ankara? Moreover, the return of transferred weapons appears to be out of the question, with the free-of-charge handovers permanent. Legal responsibility for the weapons and all related ownership, financial and criminal liabilities are handed over as well. In short, the executive branch is now entitled to make unilateral decisions on a highly delicate issue, free from parliamentary oversight and public scrutiny. This amounts to flouting basic principles of democratic governance such as transparence, accountability and parliamentary oversight of the military and the security and intelligence sectors. Well-meaning interpreters could argue that the amendment aims to expedite, streamline and add deterrence to the security forces response to violent unrest, but given Turkeys current governance marked by institutional erosion and the suppression of criticism and oversight, the risks largely outweigh any expected benefits. While societal incidents and violent movements are abstract terms, it is hard to imagine what public unrests unrelated to organized crime could overwhelm the police and their existing firepower to an extent that would require the transfer of weapons from the military. Clearly, citing societal incidents and violent movements to justify the handover of weapons by the military and critical intelligence assets by the MIT has nothing to do with the norms of democratic governance. All in all, Erdogans government is increasingly wary of its political fortunes and apparently does not want to leave anything to chance. Public frustration with Ankara is growing amid the countrys unrelenting economic turmoil. Many believe that the economic woes, coupled with political tension and social polarization, will prompt early elections before their scheduled time in 2023. Ankara has long abandoned tolerance to dissent and the latest amendment foreshadows further violations of the freedoms of expression and assembly and other basic democratic rights. Because you act like youre giving me an option when you send me a survey with choices, with options. But then you tell me that I dont have an option, Coleman said. We are not games. We are not meant to be played with. This is real life, and if they would value peoples lives more than they would value a dollar, we would truly not be in this situation. Some of the five major Portlaoise housing regeneration projects in the pipeline are expected to start construction in 2021. The ambitious schemes are hoped to return life to the town centre, fill housing shortages and save some of the towns iconic derelict buildings. Sites include the old convent, the former CBS school land beside Portlaoise train station, the former county hotel on Main Street, and two new housing developments . All are being funded by the Urban Regeneration Programme. Laois County Councils Director of Housing Joe Delaney this week told the Leinster Express that he hopes to have shovels in the ground this year for at least two of them. The CBS project got planning approval last July and it is in a detailed design process now. It is a turnkey project in collaboration with Cluid and the site owner. We hope it will start in 2021, and finish by 2022 or 2023, he said. That plan for 67 units also includes a council owned public carpark with 94 spaces that rail commuters can use. Mr Delaney said this will be ready at the same time the housing is finished. Also expected to start this year is a 60 house estate replacing the derelict Hepburn Court estate, adding in a disused field behind it, all on the Ballyfin road. It is possible for construction to start before the end of 2021, once we can lodge planning in the first half of 2021, Mr Delaney said. Next in line are 34 new houses for the OMoore Place Regeneration. The renovation and expansion of what is probably the oldest council estate in Portlaoise, is held up over an access issue through Dorans Field next door. There is a piece of land we are trying to acquire either by CPO or other means, discussions began last autumn, the director said. The convent site on Church Street near the new library is more complicated he said because it is a protected structure. That project would see the iconic building and its surrounding lands and buildings converted to 52 apartments and community spaces, largely for older residents. It has planning approval. Read about the 10m development with photos of plans here. We expect to start work on the main contract in 2021. We have done a lot of site investigation and further investigations will begin in January. I still think work can start in 2021, subject to department approval and procuring a contractor, the director said. Last of the five is the old county hotel on Lower Main Street. It got initial approval last September to convert it into 11 apartments. The buildings protected walkway is to be removed within weeks and replacd with a less obtrusive barrier under the eaves to stop slates from falling to the path. We hope to make progress on a design in the first six months of the year and I hope and expect to have planning approved in 2021, Mr Delaney said. He said the housing plans in the town centre fit in well with Portlaoises work to become Irelands first low carbon town. You can walk or cycle from any of these projects, and the CBS in particular is ideal for the train. The station is so close to Main Street in Portlaoise and that is a huge benefit to the town. They will enhance this transportation hub, he said. Mr Delaney said they are working on projects further down the line, such as Tyrrells land on the Stradbally road. We cant stand still, we z hope to write a masterplan for Tyrrells this year, so we can have pla anning in place for other schemes like that by 2022. I hope the country has the funds to deliver these projects. They would all be very significant interventions for Portlaoise, he said. MaKaylah Holbert looked to the Scranton School for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children in the fall to learn how to communicate with one of her life skills students who uses American Sign Language. After mastering the basics in ASL I, shes moving on to ASL II in the winter session this month. Living in Binghamton, New York, the Montrose Area School District teacher likely wouldnt have been able to take these courses if they werent offered online. That was one good thing that COVID brought me, Holbert said. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Abington Twp. school canceled its spring session for ASL classes. After finding success with online instruction in the fall, instructors will start classes back up on Jan. 20. Moving the schools community ASL classes online didnt deter students from signing up. Hannah Hart, the programs coordinator, said they welcomed one of their largest ASL I classes to date in the fall, and the format allowed some people to participate who couldnt otherwise. Its been really cool, especially because a lot of our students arent from this area, and their parents werent able to come to our in-person classes because they were just too far, she said. Now that theyre virtual, theres a lot more parents and extended family taking advantage. After witnessing the benefits for people out of the area, Hart sees a future for online ASL classes at the school in a nonpandemic world, particularly in the winter. The school attempted to hold a winter session for ASL in the past, but frequent cancellations for inclement weather made it unrealistic to continue. Now that we have this option ... were definitely thinking maybe the winter session will just be online, so that were able to offer more classes and be more of a resource throughout the year, not just the fall and spring, she said. In January, the school plans to offer ASL I, II and III at $75 per student. Classes will run every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. over eight weeks. The classes attract people for different reasons, Hart said. A student might have a deaf family member, need to know sign language for work, or just want to learn a new language. After taking ASL I, Holbert said she can communicate with her student much better. She plans to move through the classes available at the school to keep improving her signing for inside and outside the classroom. Youre going to come across it sometime throughout your life, so its just helpful to the deaf community to be able to communicate with them, Holbert said. For Hart, its exciting to see peoples awareness grow. They may not even know a deaf person, but still want to contribute to creating a more inclusive community by learning their language, she said. Weve really been able to become the resource that the community needs and especially with going virtual, our community size has kind of gotten a little bigger. Its been really cool seeing that community expand and be bigger than what we ever thought wed be able to do in places we never thought wed be able to reach, she said. Students must sign up at thescrantonschool.org at least one week before the winter session begins. For questions, contact Hart at hhart@thescrantonschool.org. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. A woman who was assaulted by her boyfriend and not allowed to leave her apartment and her 6-year-old child are safe after an hours-long SWAT standoff, according to the Houston Police Department. The woman texted her mother around 1 a.m., saying that she was being assaulted by her boyfriend and that he was holding her in her apartment on Park Row west of Houston, police said. When the Harris County Precinct 5 Constables Office arrived at the apartment in the 15300 block of Park Row, there was no response from the woman inside, said Houston Police SWAT Cmdr. Larry Baimbridge, but there was movement inside. Neighbors confirmed they had heard some kind of assault take place, police said. The man, identified as Mathew Keene, 32, had a warrant for kidnapping and aggravated robbery, said Baimbridge. They knew they had a situation that could be pretty volatile, said the commander of the responding officers, adding that the SWAT team was called in at that point. Because no one had seen or heard anything from the woman and the suspect was not responding to multiple calls, officers made the decision to breach the front door and send a robot. Keene then called police, said Baimbridge. After a bit of negotiation, he hung up on us, Baimbridge said. So, we sent a team inside. The woman and the 6-year-old girl were released from the apartment around 7 a.m. and Keene was taken into custody, police said. Keene may be facing new charges in addition to the warrants, said Baimbridge. Potential injuries to the mother and child are still being assessed, according to police. Tallinn (Estonia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Belgrade (Serbia), Bali (Indonesia), and Chiang Mai (Thailand) are the top five in the rating. Ukraine's capital city of Kyiv has ranked 20th among 50 best places for remote working in 2021. "This vibrant capital city is perfect for every type of remote worker looking to explore a unique culture over a long stay period," according to Big 7 Travel. Read alsoMICHELIN Guide inspectors see borscht as part of Russian culinary heritageExperts say not only is the wifi solid but there are loads of coworking spaces, and Kyiv has great connections to the rest of Europe, making it a practical option for those who want to indulge in budget travel. Tallinn (Estonia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Belgrade (Serbia), Bali (Indonesia), and Chiang Mai (Thailand) are the top five in the rating. More news reports Reporting by UNIAN Mark Winema / Getty Images/Mark Wineman / Getty Images A man was found shot dead in what the Harris County Sheriffs Office said was a drive-by shooting Monday afternoon west of Houston. Deputies responded to reports of shots fired around 12:10 p.m. at a strip mall in the 13100 block of Bissonnet Street near Synott Road, said Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ben Beal. 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. Watch: The next few weeks will be the worst for the NHS, says Chris Whitty Life will return to normal once coronavirus vaccines are protecting enough of the population, Professor Chris Whitty has said. The chief medical officer for England said he is confident normality will come back but added that society is quite a long way from it at present. He stressed however that rollout of COVID-19 vaccines will take months, not years, and urged anyone who is offered the jab to get one. I am confident we will go back to life as it was before at some point, thats not in doubt, he told BBC Breakfast. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Thats the life we all want to lead. And what will happen, once the vaccination has rolled out across a wide enough part of the population, so that the most vulnerable are protected but also so that enough people are protected, to actually reduce the risk for the whole society thats going to take a rather long period of time, but months, not years. Whitty said restrictions will be lifted stage by stage and not in one go, which will allow life to get to basically how it was before the pandemic. Chris Whitty has said normal life will resume. (Reuters/Simon Dawson/Pool) He has previously warned that restrictions might need to be reintroduced next winter. With reports emerging that the government is trying to toughen the current lockdown, he stressed: We really would like people to concentrate on the period now, fully accepting that we all want life to get back to normal and life will get back to normal, but it will actually get back to normal more quickly if we can get on top of this early now. If you get invited for a vaccination, please take up that offer. Around 1.96 million people have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to NHS England, with the government aiming to give 14 million vulnerable people a jab by the middle of February. Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, said authorities are learning from Israels experience at vaccinating quicker. Israels health ministry says 20% of its population have had a jab, according to Reuters. Story continues Zahawi told ITVs Good Morning Britain: One of the things we have learned is the speed at which they can actually vaccinate people through the mass vaccination centres. We want to make sure that we get to similar speeds of being able to vaccinate through mass vaccination. Watch: Why does Israel have the fastest vaccine rollout? Donald Trump is planning today to address his deplatforming by social media companies as the White House prepares for a final blitz of action against big tech. The president has been left without his social media bullhorn after he was barred from both Twitter and Facebook following the storming of the US Capitol that left five people dead. Yesterday, Amazon said it would no longer offer web-hosting services to Parler, a free-speech forum where many of Mr Trumps supporters have migrated, from midnight today. The site is likely to go offline entirely for at least a week, its chief executive said. The spate of bans has reignited debate about whether social media companies are in fact publishers exercising editorial control over content and therefore legally responsible for what is said on their websites. The president is apoplectic at the bans and plotting on spending the final days of his presidency railing against the industry, according to The Washington Post. Whether he will be able to exact the vengeance he seeks is unclear, however. Mr Trump could sign an executive order against online censorship. But the Federal Communications Commission has already said it would not enforce the one he put in place last year. Read More The president has also repeatedly called for the revocation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a US law that provides tech companies with protections, including shielding them from liability for what their users post. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate committee on the judiciary, wrote on Twitter that it was time for Congress to repeal Section 230 and put big tech on the same legal footing as every other company in America. However, the Democrats will control the Senate by the time any action would be taken, meaning it is unlikely to pass. For Ted Cruz, the influential Republican senator who has long accused social media companies of bias against conservatives, the decisions by Twitter and other social media were absurd and profoundly dangerous. Why should a handful of Silicon Valley billionaires have a monopoly on political speech? he asked. In its letter to Parler, Amazon said the platform had not been quick enough to act against violent content. Weve seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms of service, the letter read. Given the Trump-inspired riot at the Capitol last week, the letter continued, there was a serious risk that this type of content will further incite violence. Debate was also being had over the power of tech giants in the UK as Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who formerly held the culture brief, said the move demonstrated that social media companies were now taking editorial decisions. I think it raises a very important question, which is what it means that the social media platforms are taking editorial decisions, he said. And that is a very big question because then it raises questions about their editorial judgments and the way that theyre regulated. Alexei Navalny, the Russian dissident, meanwhile denounced Twitters decision to ban Mr Trump, saying that it appeared to be based on emotions and personal political preferences. Mr Navalny, an outspoken critic of the Kremlin, warned that authoritarian nations would look at the decision and use it to justify similar crackdowns of dissenting voices in their own countries. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Winnipeg lawyer Jay Prober has issued a written apology to a woman who has accused fashion magnate Peter Nygard of sexually assaulting her four decades ago, saying he did not mean to include her in a group of accusers he alleges are trying to cash in on the sexual abuse claims swirling around Nygard. Winnipeg lawyer Jay Prober has issued a written apology to a woman who has accused fashion magnate Peter Nygard of sexually assaulting her four decades ago, saying he did not mean to include her in a group of accusers he alleges are trying to cash in on the sexual abuse claims swirling around Nygard. KC Allan, 58, filed a complaint with the Law Society of Manitoba following Probers comments last year and threatened to sue him for defamation. Allan, who now lives in the U.S., alleges Nygard raped her in 1979, when she was 17, after the two met at an Exchange District nightclub. Prober, in a letter of apology shared by his lawyer Monday, said he wasnt aware of Allan when, last February, he was quoted in the Free Press as saying, "A lot of people see dollar signs and they are jumping on the bandwagon." In another Free Press interview April 21, Prober said: "And, as I predicted before, more women are jumping on what they perceived to be the money train, the gravy train. They see this as a cash cow." Prober made similar comments to CBC. "At the time of the comments I was not aware of, nor even knew of the existence of Ms Allan. I am truly sorry that she felt that the comments I made were related to her, when they were not, and for that I sincerely and publicly apologize," Prober wrote in his apology. Nygard, 79, is facing possible extradition to the U.S. on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He remains in custody. A bail hearing is set for Jan. 19. Staff Israel on Monday advanced plans to build 800 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, a move that could strain ties with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the move, saying it would include 100 homes in a settlement where an Israeli woman was killed recently in an alleged terror attack. President-elect Joe Biden is opposed to settlement expansion and has pledged a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinians view settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, a position with wide international support. Short link: Hyderabad: Cockfight underway in Hyderabad on Jan 15, 2018. The Supreme Court on 12th Jan, 2018 had dismissed the appeal against an order of the Hyderabad High Court order directing the Andhra Pradesh government not to allow cockfights during Sankran Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad: Cockfight underway in Hyderabad on Jan 15, 2018. The Supreme Court on 12th Jan, 2018 had dismissed the appeal against an order of the Hyderabad High Court order directing the Andhra Pradesh government not to allow cockfights during Sankran Image Source: IANS News Kakinada : , Jan 11 (IANS) The police in Andhra Pradesh's east Godavari district 'bound over' 912 persons, registered 296 FIRs and seized 638 cock knives as part of their efforts to crackdown on illegal activities during the festival of 'Makar Sankranti'. "So far 296 FIRs were registered in which 912 persons were 'bound over' and 638 knives were seized from January 1 till January 9," said an official. The police used tractors and JCBs to destroy the cockfight venues generally arranged near paddy fields. They personally supervised tractors and JCBs to plough the plains ideal for cockfights. Similarly, joint inspection teams of local police and revenue officials served notices to known cockfight organisers and players, including knife manufacturers and veterinary experts who treat the roosters. Many cockfight organisers and past cockfight players were 'bound over' under Section 110 (E) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPc). "'Bound over' is more of a preventive measure. It does not lead to a criminal trial like an IPC case does. It enforces good behaviour bond on the respondent, hence 'bind over', violation of which can lead to fine or even imprisonment in rare cases," Prakasam district Superintendent of Police (SP), Siddharth Kaushal, told IANS. He said 'bind over' cases could be grounds for registration of an IPC case subsequently or even just summon a person to the police station repeatedly. According to Adnan Nayeem Asmi, east Godavari SP, a 'bind over' case makes it compulsory for a person to refrain from committing any cognisable offence and maintain good behaviour. "Police official produces a suspect before the Magistrate," said Asmi. Meanwhile, east Godavari police have also served notices to some small business owners whose equipment aids cockfights and gambling. "Notices have been served to tent house managements not to lend 'shamiyanas' (tents), chairs etc for organising cockfights and other games," said an east Godavari police official. Just like in most districts, police made announcements through a public address system in the villages to raise awareness. They reminded people that cockfights, poker, 'gundata' (dice rolled board game) and others were prohibited. Tying notices on auto rickshaws, the police toured villages while making the announcements. On Sunday evening, the district police raided a gambling den at a poultry farm at N.N. Patnam village in Routhulapudi mandal under the jurisdiction of Tuni rural police station. One Medapati Bhanuchandra Murthy, organizer, and 16 more gamblers were arrested leading to the seizure of Rs 1.27 lakh cash and playing cards. The police also seized 15 cell phones and 11 two-wheelers. In the neighbouring west Godavari district, Eluru police arrested three persons and seized 500 more knives. West Godavari district, especially Bhimavaram and several villages along the JP Road such as Seesali, Kallakuru, Aibhimavaram and others are known epicentres of cockfights during the Makar Sankranti celebrations. The festival fever has already gripped several places in the state. On Sunday, festival shoppers were busy buying new clothes for Makar Sankranti in Bhimavaram. The Coastal City Centre mall and several restaurants buzzed with people preparing for Makar Sankranti. Similarly, NH-65, the major roadways from Hyderabad in Telangana to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, is buzzing with traffic as many Makar Sankranti celebrants are preferring personal transport. Ahead of the nationwide roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine from January 16, several states on Sunday said they have made all necessary preparations for the first phase of the exercise including identifying the vaccination sites and registration of healthcare and other frontline workers. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government is making arrangements to provide free COVID vaccines to all the people of the state. In an open letter to the frontline workers, Banerjee said the COVID warriors, including police, home guards, civil defence volunteers, correctional home and disaster management employees, will be administered the vaccine on a priority basis. "I am happy to inform that our government is making arrangements for reaching the vaccine to all people of the state free of any charge," the chief minister said. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the city government has finalised 89 sites to roll out the COVID-19 vaccination drive. "The Centre has finalised around 5,000 sites across the country. As per the directions of the central government, we have finalized 89 hospitals as vaccination sites. The first phase of vaccination will start from January 16," he said. Jain said 40 government hospitals and 49 private ones will have a vaccination site each. "The first batch of vaccines will arrive by Tuesday or Wednesday. In the first phase, health care workers will be vaccinated. Thereafter, frontline workers and those aged above 50 will be given the doses," Jain told reporters. Teachers will be included as frontline workers, he said. Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said around 4.5 lakh health workers will be vaccinated in the state in the first phase. Sharma said data of 4,36,146 government and private sector health workers had been uploaded on COVIN (COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network) software by 1 PM on Saturday. He said the first phase of vaccination will be conducted at 282 session sites from January 16 onwards. Of them, two sites including Jaipur and Ajmer will be interactive. "Rajasthan is all prepared for the vaccination programme... 3,689 medical institutions in the government sector and 2,969 medical institutions in the private sector have been identified for the vaccination programme in the first phase and 5,626 vaccination parties have been trained," he said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that nearly 11 lakh people engaged in COVID-19 duties, including health care and frontline personnel, will be vaccinated for coronavirus on priority in the state. About 16,000 personnel have been trained for administering the shots. He said the state had created a database of 1.2 crore people under four priority groups who will be administered the vaccine as per the Centre's guidelines. Rupani said six regional depots as well as other infrastructure, including cold chains, for the storage and supply of vaccine doses have been established. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said his government will attempt to cover each and every person in the state. "The vaccination drive will start from January 16 and we aim to cover each and every person under it. It will also be ensured that all guidelines of the Union government are followed during vaccination," Adityanath said while inaugurating a "Mukhyamantri Arogya Mela" at Sankisa in Farrukhabad. The Goa government has identified eight hospitals for the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination in the coastal state where around 18,000 health care workers will receive the doses, an official said. As many as 100 vaccinations would be done at each of these eight facilities in a day, which amounts to 800 inoculations per day, state immunisation officer Dr Rajendra Borkar told PTI. "The state government has identified five government- run hospitals and three private facilities where vaccine would be administered to health care workers," he said. Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said he would be the first person in the state to be administered the vaccine during phase-I planned for health workers, if the central government allowed public representatives also to be covered. "The first batch to take the Covaxin will be the healthcare workers, but if the Government of India allows us to take, I will be the first to get it as a health Minister," Sudhakar told reporters during the inspection of the state vaccine store in his state. Around 3.6 lakh health workers will be inoculated in the first phase in Andhra Pradesh, a senior health official said. The state machinery has successfully completed three dry runs of the vaccination programme so far and everything required for the actual drive has been put in place for a smooth run, Health Commissioner Katamaneni Bhaskar said. In all, 1,940 sites will be used for the vaccination programme, of which 1,659 have cold chain points within premises. For the rest of the sites, the vaccine will be brought from the nearest cold chain point, Bhaskar said in a release. He said 100 health workers would be vaccinated at each session site per day. Each site would be managed by a digital assistant, an ANM, an Anganwadi worker and one Asha worker. The Health Ministry held a video conference with officials from states and Union Territories on Sunday to discuss feedback on the Co-WIN software. The Centre has said that Co-WIN, an online platform for monitoring COVID-19 vaccine delivery, shall form the foundation for the anti-coronavirus inoculation drive. The meeting was chaired by Ram Sewak Sharma, the chairman of Empowered Group on Technology and Data Management to combat COVID-19 and member of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration of COVID-19. Underscoring the importance of capturing the vaccination data in real time, Sharma said, "This is non-negotiable." He also highlighted that caution needs to be exercised to ensure there was "no proxy", while reiterating that the beneficiaries of the vaccination drive need to be uniquely and undeniably identified. About the use of the Aadhaar platform, Sharma advised the states to urge the beneficiaries to seed their current mobile number with Aadhaar for registration and consequent communication through SMS. After vaccinating healthcare and frontline workers, priority will be given to those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities, together numbering around 27 crore, a government statement said. Also read: COVID-19 vaccination drive in India to begin on January 16 Also read: Bhopal organisations ask govt to stop Bharat Biotech COVID-19 vaccine trials; cite norms violation at site Cork Airport recorded an 80% decrease in passenger numbers in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It suffered a decline of around 2 million passengers. Just 530,000 people used the airport in 2020, with the majority of them (398,000) being in the first quarter of the year. From 2015 to 2019 passengers at Cork Airport had grown by 25% to 2.6 million. 2020 has been a year like no other for Cork Airport, said Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director of Cork Airport. We have gone from over fifty routes across eight scheduled airlines to two routes with two airlines. Our story is no different than other airports and other businesses across the world. Mr MacCarthy said the airport is already working on plans rebuild networks, but he added that it would be a long journey. A graphic highlighting passenger traffic at Cork Airport in the last six years. Picture: Cork Airport He said: We are already working on our recovery plans with the support of our parent group daa so that we can rebuild our UK and Continental European networks as soon as possible and reconnect Cork with the world, when it is safe to do so and when the demand is in place. In addition, this year, we will progress the largest construction project undertaken at Cork Airport since the new Terminal was built in 2006 with a reconstruction of our main runway and airfield electrical infrastructure which will extend its life and support our business over the next twenty years. The team here at Cork Airport welcome the announcement of operational and capital assistance for Cork Airport by the Irish Government to assist our recovery in 2021 and beyond as the vaccine rolls out and travel recovers. Ultimately, our vision is that the new network out of Cork in the years ahead is not just the same as the old but, over time, that it is even bigger and better whilst re-growing jobs and connectivity for the whole South of Ireland economy. The airport also confirmed that Heathrow Airport in London was the top destination from Cork last year. 91,000 passengers flew to the London station from Cork. Stansted, Amsterdam, Gatwick and Lanzarote rounded out the top five destinations. Indiana OSHA Fines Steel Mill $21,000 For Safety Violations That Lead to Workers Death Findings from inspections that occurred between July and November resulted in three fines of $7,000. The state of Indiana fined an East Chicago steel mill $21,000 for safety violations connected to a workers death in July, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana. An employee at the ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor steel mill died after being struck by a coil tractor at work. Indiana OSHA issued fines to the mill after discovering conditions that were not in line with the states Occupational Safety and Health Act. More specifically, it was deduced that the steelworkers were exposed to hazards when they walked through a high-traffic area in which the coil tractor was operating. Industrial trucks were being placed in services after the examination showed conditions adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle, said the Indiana Department of Labor. Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when defects found on the Royal Ram T600C/SP coil tractor, including a non-operational horn, was found, reported and not immediately corrected. The $21,000 fine is the result of three separately issued fines of $7,000. The first was given for the hazard involving the coil tractor, while the second was given when Indiana OSHA discovered that the coil tractor did not have a working horn. The third and final fine was issued due to the mill operating the tractor despite knowing that the horn was not working. MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. says it plans to spend US$100 million to increase tempeh production capacity with the acquisition of a food processing plant in Indianapolis. A Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto is shown on Wednesday Oct. 19, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. says it plans to spend US$100 million to increase tempeh production capacity with the acquisition of a food processing plant in Indianapolis. The company says the purchase of the plant is expected to close in early April followed by the installation of tempeh production equipment with initial capacity of about 4.5 million kilograms. Maple Leaf Foods announced plans in 2019 to build a new plant protein facility in Shelbyville, Ind., but it says development of that project has been delayed due to a number of factors including the pandemic. It says by buying an existing facility in Indianapolis, the company will be able to meet the growing demand for tempeh while allowing more time to develop its longer-term vision for Shelbyville. Tempeh is a plant-based protein made from soybeans. Maple Leaf says initial production at the plant is targeted to begin in the first half of 2022 and it is expected to employ 115 people when fully operational. The company says if demand for tempeh continues as expected the plant offers the flexibility to proceed with a second phase that could include doubling capacity. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:MFI) Investigators in Jakarta pull out a childs pink T-shirt from among the debris found in the Java Sea, where the plane crashed. AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana Investigators in Indonesia are hopeful of discovering the reason why a Boeing 737 with 62 people on board crashed into the sea, after divers yesterday located the planes black boxes. The Sriwijaya Air flight took off from the capital, Jakarta, on Saturday afternoon but soon went into a deep dive into the Java Sea. There was no sign of any survivors among the 50 passengers and 12 crew members. Ten of the passengers were children. After almost a day of searching by helicopters and warships, rescuers identified the location of the crash site and the planes flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder otherwise known as the black boxes. A navy ship had detected emergency signals sent out by the boxes. Hadi Tjahjanto, Indonesias armed forces commander, said they hoped they could lift the black boxes out soon. Rescuers had earlier found parts of the plane at a depth of 23 metres in the Java Sea, as well as debris, body parts, life jackets and childrens clothing. The area determined to be the crash site fits the coordinates of the planes last-known contact. Fishermen in the area around Thousand Islands, north of Jakartas coast, had reported hearing something explode. Read More We thought it was a bomb or a tsunami since after that we saw a big splash from the water, said Solihin, who goes by one name. It was raining heavily and the weather was so bad, so it was difficult to see around clearly. But we saw the splash and a big wave after the loud sound. We were very shocked and saw the plane debris and the fuel around our boat. All those on board were Indonesian, authorities said. The passengers included Beben Sofian (59), and her husband Dan Razanah (58). They took a selfie and sent it to their kids before taking off, the couples nephew Hendra said. Expand Close Search: An Indonesian Navy member holds debris recovered from the water that is believed to be from the plane. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Search: An Indonesian Navy member holds debris recovered from the water that is believed to be from the plane. Photo: Reuters Any hope of finding survivors was fast fading. The search and rescue agency said yesterday afternoon that it had so far filled five body bags with human remains and debris. The plane operated by Sriwijaya Air, a low-cost airline, had taken off at 2.36pm on Saturday for a 90-minute flight to Pontianak, the capital of Indonesias West Kalimantan province on Borneo island. It disappeared from radar minutes later, after the pilot contacted air-traffic control for permission to ascend to 29,000 feet, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, said. The plane had taken off late because of bad weather, according to the head of Sriwijaya Air, Jefferson Irwin Jauwena. He said the Boeing 737-500 plane, which was 26 years old and previously used by airlines in the US, was airworthy, and had flown to two other cities on the same day. For more than a decade from 2007, the US and EU banned all Indonesian airlines from operating within their borders following a series of crashes and reports of poor oversight and maintenance. Indonesia, the worlds largest archipelago nation, with more than 260 million people, has been plagued by transport accidents on land, sea and air because of overcrowding on ferries, ageing infrastructure and poorly enforced safety standards. Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] The cost of vaccinating healthcare workers and frontline workers against coronavirus will be born by the central government. Centre will pay for the first 3 crore COVID-19 vaccines administered in the country at the beginning of the vaccination drive, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. India is set to kick off its vaccination drive against COVID-19 from January 16. The vaccination drive will prioritise healthcare workers, from public and private hospitals both, the Prime Minister said during a virtual assessment meeting with chief ministers ahead of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Frontline workers, including sanitation workers, other frontline workers, defence forces, police and central forces, home guards, disaster management volunteers, civil defence personnel, revenue officials associated with containment and surveillance, will be the next to receive the vaccine in the first phase. The total number of healthcare workers and frontline workers stands at 3 crore, PM Modi said. ALSO READ: Covishield to cost Rs 200 a vial; Serum Institute receives purchase order from government "The first 3 crore people in the first and second round are people associated with our [COVID-19 management] framework engaged in this work for the past one year. We will have to continue with public awareness, but it will become more important after first and second round of vaccination when we inoculate 3 crore people," PM Modi said. PM Modi also suggested that elected public representatives should be excluded from the 3 crore recipients who will receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first and second round of Phase I in vaccination drive. Centre has already clarified in its plan for the vaccination drive that healthcare workers and frontline workers will be prioritised in the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive. After them, people aged above 50 years of age and those with co-morbidities. ALSO READ: Budget 2021: How will govt fund COVID-19 vaccination? There's a cess coming! India has given emergency use authorisation two coronavirus vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin. The former has been jointly developed by University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, and will be manufactured and marketed in India by Serum Institute of India. The latter has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV). Earlier today, Centre placed an order with Serum Institute for millions of doses of Covishield. Involved paperwork has been cleared at both ends. The vaccine manufacturer will make supply the jab to government at Rs 200 per vial. Both vaccines approved for emergency use in India will be made in the couuntry, PM Modi said, adding that they are more cost-effective than inoculations available in the foreign countries. [January 11, 2021] NeoSystems Reaches CMMC-AB Registered Practitioner Organization Status TYSON'S CORNER, Va., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoSystems, a full service strategic back-office outsourcer, IT systems integrator and managed services provider, announced today that it has been recognized by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Accreditation Board (AB) as a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO). With this designation, NeoSystems can play a more influential role in supporting clients as they look to achieve CMMC certification with authorization from the CMMC-AB. The RPO status exhibits that NeoSystems is familiar with the constructs of the CMMC Standard and is able to deliver compliant managed security services designed to ready organizations for audits and help them to meet ongoing compliance requirements. Additionally, NeoSystems' Rob Wilson, Chief Operations Officer, and Brian Giblin, Senior Director of Quality Assurance, have achieved Registered Practitioner (RP) status from the CMMC-AB. "NeoSystems is thrilled to become a Registered Practitioner Organization for the CMMC-AB and have Rob and Brian become Registered Practitioners," said Michael Tinsley, President and CEO of NeoSystems. "We look forward to supporting our growing client-ase and navigating the CMMC compliance process on their behalf." The CMMC-AB establishes and oversees a qualified, trained and high-fidelity community of assessors that can deliver consistent and informative assessments to participating organizations against a defined set of controls/best practices within the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The CMMC Model itself is created, managed and mandated by the Department of Defense (DoD). Its purpose is to validate the security of the DoD's 300,000 vendors throughout its supply chain and includes five levels of certifications. More information is available at: https://www.acq.osd.mil/cmmc/index.html. About NeoSystems NeoSystems, based in Tysons Corner, Virginia, is a full service strategic outsourcer, IT systems integrator and managed service provider delivering services and solutions to enable, run and secure government contractors, commercial entities and nonprofit organizations. Today NeoSystems maintains a 97% client retention rate, and supports over 600 companies and more than 100,000 client employees with its outsourced services. NeoSystems' experts have implemented hundreds of fully-integrated financial and business management systems, utilizing best of breed technology and leveraging in-depth domain expertise in Accounting & Finance, IT, HR, Security and Hosting (FedRAMP Ready FISMA Moderate, SSAE SOC1 & SOC2, ITAR). The NeoSystems team enables companies to improve vital operations, reduce their overhead costs and become compliant with complex requirements. NeoSystems has been named one of America's fastest growing private companies by Inc. Magazine. For more information, visit https://www.neosystemscorp.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neosystems-reaches-cmmc-ab-registered-practitioner-organization-status-301204888.html SOURCE NeoSystems LLC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The de-platforming of US President Donald Trump has sparked a debate in the US that could reshape the internet. Following the storming of the Capitol by his supporters last week Trump has been banned permanently by Twitter and indefinitely by Facebook. Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers Credit:AP Photo/Manuel Balce As Trump and his supporters tried to migrate to Parler, a small social network that boasts its lack of regulation, its apps were removed from Apple and Google app stores and Amazon announced it would eject it from its web-hosting service. With Apple and Google providing the operating systems for almost all smartphones, Parler, if it survives, faces a much-diminished future. The actions of the social media giants were an understandable response to the pressure from Democrat and Republican politicians and the broader communities in the US to avoid any repeat of their perceived role in facilitating the inciting and organising of the assault on the Capitol building. As of January 7, as many as 78 countries were in the red zone. Ukraine's Health Ministry has updated the list of countries in terms of the level of coronavirus spread and corresponding travel restrictions applied. The relevant list of countries with a wider spread of COVID-19 as of January 7, 2021, has been published on the ministry's website. The list is formed according to a single indicator, namely the number of patients per 100,000 people over the past 14 days. Countries in the red zone As of January 7, as many as 78 countries were in the red zone, including Lithuania, San Marino, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Montenegro, Russia, Italy, Belarus, Turkey, etc. Read alsoJapan detects new coronavirus variant mediaAfter returning from the red zone, Ukrainians must be self-isolating for 14 days, using the Dii Vdoma application. Early termination of self-isolation is possible after a negative PCR test. To enter Ukraine, all foreigners need an insurance policy that covers COVID-19 treatment costs. Persons arriving from the red zone countries are not subject to observation if they have a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 done no more than 48 hours before crossing the border of Ukraine. Countries in the green zone As of January 7, Ukraine and 115 other countries were included in the green zone. Neither 14-day self-isolation nor testing is required if Ukrainians return home from the green zone. Reporting by UNIAN Burma Myanmar, China to Conduct Feasibility Study on Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Rail Link Myanmar Transport and Communications Minister U Thant Sin Maung (center right) and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai (center left) witness the signing of an MoU to carry out a feasibility study for the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Railway project on Jan. 10, 2021. / Chinese Embassy in Myanmar YANGONMyanmar and China have formally agreed to conduct a feasibility study on a crucial part of Beijings strategic railway plan to connect Chinas southern city of Kunming and Myanmars Kyaukphyu port on the Bay of Bengal. Accessing the port will play a key role in Chinas move to boost its presence in the Indian Ocean through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). On Sunday, China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group (CREEG) (formerly China Railway Group Ltd) and Myanma Railways signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to begin the study of the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Railway project. The project is an important part of Beijings long-delayed US$20-billion (26.7-trillion-kyat) China-Myanmar Railway plan, which was suspended under then-President U Thein Seins administration following strong local objections. Under the BRI, Beijing plans to build a parallel expressway and railway from Ruili in Yunnan Province to Kyaukphyu, with a separate road running through northern Myanmar, the northeast states of India and Bangladesh. In 2018, Myanmar and China agreed to study a proposed line from Muse (in Shan State, across the border from Ruili) to Mandalay. This would be the initial section of the railway and a component of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), which is in turn a part of the BRI. During Chinese President Xi Jinpings trip to Naypyitaw last year, CREEG handed over a report containing its findings from this study to Myanmars Transport and Communications Ministry. If the entire project is completed, it will play a crucial role in the economic corridor, allowing Chinas imports and exports to bypass the congested Strait of Malacca and the contested South China Sea, while boosting development in Chinas landlocked Yunnan Province. A statement from the Chinese Embassy said the two sides held in-depth discussions on technology and funding methods for the railway project during the past year, and decided to continue with the feasibility study for the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu stretch. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said a railway line from Yunnans Dali (also known as Tali) to Ruili, Chinas border town, would be complete by the end of 2023. The plan is to link this line with Myanmars Muse, in northern Shan State. Chen said construction of the railway line in Myanmar will create a huge market for Myanmar and allow it to connect more easily to the vast Eurasian continent. He added that it would contribute to the economic development of Myanmar and strengthen the process of national reconciliation and peace in the country. China often touts the CMECs potential to bring development to Myanmar and claims that this development will in turn assist the peace process in ethnic areas. But experts have raised concerns that the railway project could burden Myanmar with unsustainable debt and provoke, rather than ease, armed conflict in the project areas. The railway will pass through armed conflict zones in Shan State. A press release from the Chinese Embassy quoted Transport and Communications Minister U Thant Sin Maung as saying bilateral cooperation on the railway, including the Mandalay-Kyaukphyu section, is important for the joint construction of the BRI and the economic corridor. He thanked China for its long-term support for the peace process and the development of the railway sector in Myanmar, adding that he believed the railway project will benefit the people of both countries. Both the Mandalay-Muse and Mandalay-Kyaukphyu projects are based on ideas that have been floated before. Beijing and Naypyitaw signed an MoU to build a railway between Muse and Kyaukphyu in 2011. The entire line was to run 810 km. However, Myanmar suspended the project in the face of strong local objections, and the agreement expired in 2014. Despite the suspension, China has continued with the construction of a stretch of railway from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, to Ruili, with the aim of connecting it to Myanmars network in the future. During the first term of Myanmars National League for Democracy-led government, China repeatedly pushed Naypyitaw to begin implementation of the rail projects. According to a report on the Muse-Mandalay Railway, the project will cost nearly $9 billion. Last year, the government revealed that it has been receiving assistance from a Swiss company on a review of a China-backed study of the project, including whether its cost is reasonable. In June, Myanma Railways managing director U Ba Myint promised that Myanmar is carefully evaluating the project to ensure it poses no threat of harm to the country. He said the government would not implement it if it was found to have potential negative impacts for Myanmar. Last year, Myanmar and China signed a concession agreement and shareholders agreement for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) deep seaport project in Rakhine. It also received approval for the registration of a joint venture between a Chinese company and a government-backed committee to construct the project. Located in northern Rakhine State, Kyaukphyu is a strategic hub for China, and already serves as the terminus for twin cross-border oil and gas pipelines between the two countries. Myanmar joined the BRI in 2018 by signing an MoU on the establishment of the CMEC. The 1,700-km corridor is planned to run from Kunming to Mandalay, then east to Yangon and west to the Kyaukphyu SEZ. Prabhat Dairy Gets 6 More Months with a Caveat To Complete Delisting To bookmark you need to sign in In the last week of December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granted a six-month extension to Prabhat Dairy Ltd (PDL) to complete the delisting process. Prabhat Dairy had received shareholders' nod for delisting the company on 14 October 2019. In October 2020, PDL requested the market regulator for a six-month extension for filing the final application for delisting and referred to the COVID-19 lock-down imposed in March as a reason for delay. As per SEBI norms, a company is required to make the final application to stock exchanges for delisting within one year of passing the special resolution. In a six-page order, SEBI granted an extension of six months to the special resolution passed by the shareholders for the delisting of the company till 13 April 2021, subject to certain conditions. Earlier last year, SEBI had asked for a forensic audit of the company for 2018-19 and 2019-20. However, due to the lock-down, the statutory audit process got delayed, thus delaying the forensic audit process. PDL declared its audited financial results for the year 2019-20 on 8 October 2020. While seeking extension, Prabhat Dairy also said it aims to complete the forensic audit at the earliest and the delisting of equity shares is in the interest of all public shareholders. The market watchdog said that completion of the forensic audit before the Exchanges can process the delisting proposal is in minority public shareholders' interest, directing the company to cooperate with the auditor. The extension is thus, subject to the conditions, including that the company should extend full cooperation and provide all the necessary information and documents to the forensic auditor within 10 working days from the date of SEBIs order. It has to be done on a timely basis to ensure expeditious completion of the forensic audit at the earliest. SEBI said "Completion of forensic audit (primarily delayed by not providing the requisite information and documents to the forensic auditor) and the outcome of the same appears to have an impact on the interest of the public shareholders. Since, the process of forensic audit is in progress and incomplete, it would be in the interest of the minority public shareholders of the PDL that forensic audit is completed before the stock exchanges consider the final application for delisting," A few shareholders had suspected that the company had misused funds received from the sale of its dairy business last year. After the company appealed, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) later in November quashed the SEBI order directing Prabhat Dairy to deposit over Rs1,292 crore. SEBI was asked to process the delisting application of Prabhat Dairy and pass appropriate orders within six weeks. SEBI has rightly insisted that stock exchanges consider PDLs final application for delisting only after the forensic audit of the company is completed. In view of the order of the Tribunal, this is perhaps the best that the market regulator could do. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has issued an executive order to officially direct a lawsuit challenging a voter-approved constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. The order ensures that Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Rick Miller has legal standing to sue in an effort to overturn the constitutional amendment because he was acting on behalf of the Republican governor. Lawyers defending the constitutional amendment had argued Miller did not have legal standing and asked a South Dakota judge to dismiss the case. Noem had opposed measures to legalize marijuana, but voters in November passed a pair of measures legalizing recreational and medical pot. The constitutional amendment that legalized recreational pot passed with 54% of the vote. It also legalized medical marijuana and hemp. But Miller, along with Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom, are arguing the amendment violates the state constitution by not following rules that constitutional amendments address a single subject. Broader revisions to the state constitution need to be approved through a constitutional convention. Attorney General Jason Ravnsborgs office and a group of citizens who spearheaded the campaigns backed by pro-marijuana groups are defending the constitutional amendment that would go into effect on July 1. They argue the amendment deals with one subject: Cannabis. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics South Dakota 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. How does drowning happen and to whom? Why didnt anyone hear that five-year-olds cry for help? How do you spot someone in trouble? And how proficient should Australian children be in the water? In Australia, about 40 per cent of drownings occur in summer. Between December 1 and 19, 15 people fatally drowned, and Royal Life Saving Australia chief executive Justin Scarr feared this would be a summer like no other. After a year bunkered down at home, Australians will flock en masse to swim, boat, fish, picnic at beaches, rivers and lakes, Scarr said. Crowds will force people further from safety to places without lifeguards. About 320,000 people die from drowning every year, including an average of 283 in Australia, according to the World Health Organisation. When drowning experts reviewed a video showing the boy floating face down for several minutes, they were shocked. It was nearly impossible to watch, even for people whose work is saving people from drowning. But the unconscious boy was resuscitated and survived. Unlike many non-fatal drownings, he suffered no lifelong injuries. It took more than four minutes for anyone to notice the five-year-old boy who appeared to have drowned in a small pool within touching distance of families and other children. In half the videos studied by experts, bystanders swam, walked or waded near the person in trouble. In the video of the boy, he is seen trying to reach the edge of the pool. He makes it momentarily, only to drop in exhaustion next to adults chatting in the shallows. Face down beneath the water, his limp and unconscious body is carried by the movement of the water across the pool. He comes to rest next to a woman who raises the alarm. In November, a video went viral that captured the recovery of a 24-year-old Chinese student who fell in a river. She made no noise, and floated face down until she was rescued by 61-year-old Stephen Ellison, a British diplomat and consul-general. "There was a clear debunking of that theory," says Dr Shayne Baker, a lifesaver who has pulled hundreds of people out of the water in his 25 years of volunteering on some of Queensland's most dangerous beaches. Because he didnt call for help. Contrary to the Hollywood stereotype, nobody in any of the 23 videos reviewed by international experts waved or called for help. (The videos had been sourced from closed circuit cameras and from people who had realised they had filmed a drowning only after the event.) That backs up what lifesavers see on beaches and in pools and rivers. Housework inside the home ironing and cooking were contributing causes in about 125 deaths (about 28 per cent). Hanging out washing and other outdoor jobs and chores contributed to 13 per cent, and talking, socialising and playing with mobile phones about 21 per cent, found a paper by the University of NSW, James Cook University and Royal Life Saving Society Australia. (Peden says this provides an excellent reason to ignore the chores and play with your kids instead.) Peden studied the drowning deaths of 447 children under five in which coroners ruled distraction was a factor. A child can die in the time it takes to hang out a load of washing or stir food on the stove. In the case of the boy in the video, his mother had left the pool to have a sauna with a friend, presuming he would be safe surrounded by adults and children. Not only is drowning a silent killer, but it can happen quickly, found drowning prevention expert Dr Amy Peden, a lecturer in injury prevention at the University of NSW. "The idea that you are going to get a clear sound, or indications, such as raising arms above the water, is wrong," says Baker, who is also Royal Life Saving Australia's education and training national adviser. Other videos show people swimming laps over the top of people who have sunk after only a few strokes, and children whose flotation devices have capsized, trapping the child upside down beneath the water in both a pool and a large bath. "It is bizarre," says Baker, who participated in the study . "When you are watching the videos, you think, how can you not see this child is not coping? They are not playing; they are fighting for their lives." Baker says when weak swimmers begin to tire, they usually have trouble with any over-arm action. This is followed by changing to underwater arm action and then they are more upright in the water and are looking about for the closest point of safety or exit. He says they tend to lose any capacity to propel themselves forward. They often look like they are attempting to climb an underwater ladder or pushing their arms down behind them. You have a small window of time to respond and assist or retrieve them from the water. Baker says the videos show that people who are trained to respond lifesavers and lifeguards are able to spot someone in trouble much faster than untrained bystanders. In more than half of the videos, bystanders failed to recognise any signs at all. Until the advent of mobile phone and surveillance cameras, there was only anecdotal evidence from survivors of non-fatal drownings about what happened and how they reacted. But the videos of people drowning found 19 were rescued before they became unconscious and five were unconscious. Australias former surgeon general Professor John Pearn, a pediatrician, describes drowning as a hypoxic march of events that reduce oxygen to the brain until none flows at all. While there might be great deal of arm action, it is not guiding or directing them in any particular direction. They have already begun to drown and need an urgent response and intervention to minimise the drowning cycle, says Baker. Someone who cant swim will struggle to lift their head clear of the water to breathe and will have no control or capacity to control their body position/rotation. Most swimmers don't have the experience or skills to know to float and raise an arm. It sounds obvious, but watch for people whose faces drop below the water and don't surface fully to take a breath. With this person, you know you have a small window of time to respond and assist or retrieve them from the water. When someone falls into water, they involuntarily hold their breath. That causes their pulse rate and blood pressure to rise until they reach "break point," says Pearn, who is also the national medical adviser to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia. Thats when rising levels of carbon dioxide cause a receptor in the brain to fire off an irresistible compulsion to take a breath, says Pearn. Virtually all children, though, have a brain-sparing diving reflex that delays the intake of breath to provide them with an extra 30 seconds. There comes a time, though, when everyone has to take a breath and you can't get your head above the water, says Pearn. "It is a terrible moment," he says. "Against one's will, one has to inhale, and the water hits the larynx at the back of the throat." It takes an average of two minutes for someone drowning to become unconscious. Think of what it is like to have a drop of water go down the wrong way, he says. In a drowning situation, water rushes into the lungs, causing the person to become unconscious. "At this stage, the heart is still beating, racing to overcome the lack of oxygen, up to about 200 beats a minute," he says. "Finally, the heart will slow down, because it hasn't got any oxygen. Usually they've been unconscious for three to five minutes in the water." It takes an average of two minutes for someone drowning to become unconscious. Thats about the same time as it takes to brush your teeth (properly). Would holding your breath delay this response? It may but even if you could, you shouldn't. Most people can hold their breath for only 30 to 60 seconds. Female Japanese divers can last two minutes long enough to retrieve pearls. Although schools once had competitions to see who could hold their breath longest, experts recommend against hyperventilating or breath holding before or during an endurance underwater swim. It can disable the safety receptor and cause some people to lose consciousness. Or, as Pearn describes it, if the drive to breathe is lost, unconsciousness from cerebral hypoxia may occur before the hypoxia-induced breakpoint is reached. Who drowns and where? Men. Four out of five people who fatally drown in Australia are male, with similar figures in most developed nations. The proportion of men who drown compared to women hasn't varied much since 1894, when the Royal Life Saving Society Australia began keeping records. In the past decade, 2188 men have fatally drowned. Men represent 90 per cent of all fatal drownings among people aged 25 to 44. Research by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia found 40 per cent of the men who fatally drowned in the past decade had drugs or alcohol in their systems. Of the men who had been drinking, two-thirds were above 0.05. Men who fell by accident or jumped into water off rocks, bridges or river banks and subsequently fatally drowned were far more likely to have been drinking than others. Matt Naysmith was known for being a party boy or, as he says, for making stupid decisions and taking risks when he had been drinking. His worst decision was when, as a 21-year-old drinking with workmates at Fern Pool in Karijini National Park, Western Australia, he ignored signs that said no climbing and jumped off a waterfall. He slipped and crashed onto rocks. He is now a paraplegic. Why do men drown at a much higher rate? Peden says men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour, theyre more likely to spend a longer time in deeper water compared to females, more likely to drink and swim, and eschew lifejackets. Other research has shown men overestimate their swimming abilities, and their assessment of their skill doesnt match reality. Young men are also most at risk of getting caught and drowning in a rip current, says Surf Life Saving Australia. In the past 12 years, rip currents have claimed 230 lives; half were males aged between 15 and 39. Shayne Baker often asks people about to venture across Tallebudgera Creek, where it meets the ocean at Burleigh Heads in Queensland, whether they are strong swimmers. The tidal waterway looks inviting, yet rips and strong currents have been known to carry swimmers onto rocks and out to sea. Many will say "yes". Baker will then ask "so you swim an average of 12 kilometres to 16 kilometres a week, right?" Uh, no. His definition of a strong swimmer is very different from that of most people who may swim for fun in pools and at the beach. Falling into water is also a great risk for children. Over 2019-20, 12 children under the age of five fatally drowned, representing about 5 per cent of total drownings (and a fall of 52 per cent compared to the 10-year average). Of those deaths, most were toddlers about one year of age. People (nearly all male) aged 25 to 34 represented the largest group of drowning deaths (17 per cent) followed by 35- to 44-year-olds at 14 per cent and 65- to 74-year-olds at 14 per cent. Compared to the 45 fatalities that occurred on beaches over the previous year, nearly twice as many died on inland waterways including lakes, dams, rivers and creeks. Fishing on rocks without a lifejacket also causes around 26 deaths each year. In contrast, 28 people fatally drowned in pools. Isn't all drowning fatal? The definition of drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion and/or immersion in liquid, according to the World Health Organisation. Some submersion results in death but many other people experience a non-fatal drowning that may result in lifelong injuries. In addition to the 248 fatal drownings in 2020, there were an estimated 504 non-fatal drownings, many resulting in lifelong injuries. For every Australian child under five who fatally drowns, about eight survive but many have brain injury, paralysis and other serious problems, found Australian research published in the medical journal BMJ Open. Michelle O's (full name withheld) three-year-old daughter was found unconscious in a cold pool, where she had been for an estimated 15 minutes. Nobody thought the little girl would survive. Organ donation staff were on standby. The girl lived but lost her ability to speak, which she recovered after years of work with her mother, physiotherapists and doctors. She still struggles to follow directions because the non-fatal drowning damaged her frontal lobe. Mrs O prefers the term "non-fatal" to the outdated "near" drowning previously used. "There was nothing 'near' about the change in our life," she says. "She was in the water unconscious for up to 15 minutes. Her lungs were full of water." Samuel Morris was a "happy cuddly little two-year-old" who lived for eight years after he non-fatally drowned in his family's backyard pool in 2006. He experienced a severe hypoxic brain injury and was left with a range of severe disabilities. "I will never, no matter how hard I try, get the picture out of my head how my son was," Samuel's mother, Jo-Ann, wrote on her website about the moment when she found Samuel floating in the pool wearing only his T-shirt and nappy. "The look, the taste, the smells, the sounds or the feeling will be with me forever." Who survives drowning? Survival depends on how long a person has been in the water and how long it takes before someone starts cardiac-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If chest compressions happen within five minutes, you will do better, says emergency retrieval doctor Brian Burns. The longer that [blood] doesnt flow to the brain, the worse you will do. Only 25 per cent of Australians have learned CPR, compared to countries such as Norway, where 85 per cent of adults know CPR. In Australia, most courses are run by the Australian Red Cross, St John Ambulance Australia and Royal Life Saving Australia. Survival also depends on where you are and your proximity to emergency services. In remote and rural areas where young men may get into trouble in a dam or creek, it can take too long to get help. By the time they get help to start resuscitation, it is usually too late, Pearn said. A study by Pearn reviewed 250 toddlers rescued from backyard pools with no pulse. To find why some children were resuscitated and survived and why others died, they attained estimates of how long a child could have been in the water. Those children who fatally drowned had been immersed for "somewhere between five to 10 minutes". "If we can rescue a person and get oxygen into the bloodstream again via the lungs, the brain and the heart are resilient and normal life can be resumed. "If a young child, apparently dead, is fished out of a backyard pool, a fish pond or irrigation channel [close to ambulance, or near someone who can do CPR], for example, the chance of getting a save is 50 per cent [on average], which is very good. " But if the person on the scene usually one of hysteria, shouting and crying who attempts resuscitation happens to have done a first aid course, the chance of that child surviving rises to 70 per cent. Its a wonderful thing, he says of CPR. Experts stress all kids should know how to swim, but fewer have been turning up to lessons, even before COVID. Credit:Newsday What can you do and how well should a child be able to swim? Do a first aid course, learn water-safety techniques, including how to recognise someone in trouble and call for help, teach your children to swim, and swim only at patrolled beaches, waterways and pools. Every Australian six-year-old should be able to move continuously in water for five metres, says Justin Scarr of new swimming benchmarks released early in 2020. If you have a six-year-old, and your child cant swim continuously for five metres, you need to think about doing something about it quickly, urges Scarr, who worked with Surf Life Saving Australia and other organisations to develop the nationally approved guidelines. He says being able to swim five metres no matter how means a child can probably make it to the side of a pool or its stairs if he or she gets into trouble. At that age, each child should also know how to float and identify people in trouble in the water who need help. The swimming and water safety framework was developed after research identified a huge boom in swim lessons for children aged two to four years old. But by age eight, the research found, three out of four children had quit swimming classes long before theyd learnt skills that could save their lives. Non-swimming children become non-swimming adults, and that is a ticking time bomb. Even before COVID, experts warned that Australian swimming skills were falling early school years was often when parents pulled their children out of swimming lessons to participate in other sports or to enjoy weekend birthday parties. During the height of the pandemic, participation in swimming lessons fell further. Without lessons in primary school, most children will never meet the benchmarks that recommend every 12-year-old should be able to swim 50 metres, float for two minutes and know how to respond to an emergency. If a seven-, eight- or nine-year-old child cant yet swim 50 metres and tread water for two minutes, they should be in swimming and water-safety lessons, says Scarr. Non-swimming children become non-swimming adults, and that is a ticking time bomb. Experts urge that parents check that swimming lessons include water safety skills. For example, every child of six should know how to identify people and actions to help in an aquatic emergency. Every 12-year-old should know how to rescue a person using a non-swimming rescue with a non-rigid aid such as throwing a rope or a buoy. They should also know how to perform a survival sequence wearing light clothes. By 17, the guidelines recommend, half of all Australians should be able to swim continuously for 400 metres and float for five minutes; they should also be able to signal for help, rescue an unconscious person in deep water, and perform a survival sequence wearing heavy clothing. Basic swimming skills provide some protection from drowning but not immunity, says Scarr. To increase protection, we need our young people to develop lifesaving and basic rescue skills. This was a rite of passage in high school but sadly doesnt happen often enough any more. There has also been a spike in bystander rescues, resulting in the death of both the person attempting the rescue and the person drowning. Scarr says before attempting a rescue, people need to explore all options (to talk, to reach, to throw or to call help). A swimming rescue is a last resort and should only be attempted by expert swimmers and lifesavers. Even strong swimmers should take a flotation aid, a rescue tube, a surfboard, or even an Esky lid will help in an emergency. As difficult as it is to watch a child or loved one in trouble, if you dont have expert swimming skills, you really need to find someone who has. "It is really why weak swimmers should never swim or wading at unpatrolled locations. Choose a council pool, go to a patrolled beach, even wear (or put your child in) a lifejacket if you are unsure of their swimming skills, he says. Julie Power has been awarded several fellowships by the World Health Organisation in conjunction with the International Centre for Journalists to attend world conferences on drowning and injury prevention. For more information, go to the Beach Safe website. Flash A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's accusation over the Communist Party of China (CPC) policies on religion, human rights, Tibet and Xinjiang related issues, saying that his attempt to drive a wedge between the CPC and the Chinese people is doomed to fail. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing that Pompeo had planned for and practiced the "lying diplomacy" and pursued to revive McCarthyism, which had dented U.S. image and reputation more than ever. Zhao said that the key to China's development was that the Chinese people had found a development path in line with the country's national realities under the leadership of the CPC. According to authoritative international research, the Chinese people's overall satisfaction toward the CPC-led government exceeds 90 percent for many years. Pompeo's political attacks on the CPC was tantamount to attacks on the 1.4 billion Chinese people, said Zhao, adding that Pompeo cannot drive a wedge between the Party and the Chinese people. "Any attempt to remold or even subvert the Chinese government was 'a mission impossible' and doomed to fail," said the spokesperson. MIDLAND, MI - A federally created team investigating the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams is asking Michigan residents to provide firsthand accounts of the Edenville Dams condition on the day of the collapse. Specifically, the team wants accounts of the embankment east of the concrete spillway, which failed at about 5:30 p.m. May 19, according to a news release. Despite having a video of the collapse, some photographs and interviews with witnesses, the team has limited information about that embankment regarding its condition before and during its collapse. The team asks anyone with firsthand observations, photos or videos of the embankment to reach out to it through email at michigan.dams.forensics@gmail.com. Residents can also send information through the mail to Independent Forensic Team, courtesy of Alvi Associates Inc., 110 West Road, Suite 250, Towson, Maryland, 21204. The Independent Forensic Team was created by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to look into the dam failures and has been on the case since September, MLive previously reported. Heavy spring rain led to the failure of the Edenville Dam near the Gladwin-Midland county line and subsequently led to the failure of Sanford Dam downstream in Midland County. The dam collapse caused flooding that initially displaced 10,000 people, damaged thousands of homes and caused more than $200 million in property damage. Read more: Through pandemic, floods and protests, these Michiganders helped all of us weather 2020 Michigan town devastated by 500-year flood pulls together to rebuild community Edenville and Sanford Dam investigators put out call for information LANSING, MI - The open carry of firearms inside the Michigan Capitol building is banned effective immediately after a unanimous vote Monday from the states Capitol Commission. The members of appointed state panel voted 6-0 to prohibit open carry inside the building during a short afternoon meeting on Jan. 11. This does not affect open carry on Capitol grounds outside the building. Outside of uniformed law enforcement, civilians must have an up-to-date and valid concealed carry license to bring firearms into the Capitol. The vote comes after months of debate, particularly in the wake of armed protesters storming the state Capitol in April and supporters of President Donald Trump attacking the U.S. Capitol last week. Read more: Commission vote appears likely to shift in favor of open carry ban at Michigan Capitol Commission Chair Gary Randall charged Vice-chair John Truscott and Commissioner Bill Kandler late last year with researching options for the panel to improve security measures around the building. While the Commission doesnt have the funds to install metal detectors and more at entrances themselves, Kandler said, the open carry ban was something they could do immediately. Commissioner Truscott and I spent a lot of time figuring out how security works and how we could implement things, how security works at other buildings such as the Supreme Court, Kandler said. After we reviewed all the implementation aspects, we determined the extreme limit of our real authority to actually implement was to implement a ban on open carry. We dont have the infrastructure to do much else at this time. Unlike many state Capitol buildings around the country, visitors to the Michigan Capitol arent subject to metal detectors or a security checkpoint upon entry and are allowed to bring firearms into the building. The Republican-led Legislature would need to approve an appropriation to pay for added security infrastructure. Read more: Top Republican signals support for banning open carry in Michigan Capitol, but many say thats not enough Members of the six-member appointed state panel have been hesitant to take action without legislative buy-in. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, voiced support last week for an open carry ban in the building, but Speaker of the House-elect Rep. Jason Wentworth, R-Clare, said the Commission doesnt have the legal authority to make this rule. The Speaker will be looking at options for handling that moving forward, said Wentworths spokeswoman in a statement. In the meantime, the Michigan State Police will be enforcing the new ruling. In order to ensure there is no confusion in the Capitol, Speaker Wentworth asks everyone to respect the Michigan State Police and the rules they enforce. The Commissions legal counsel agreed with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels opinion over the summer that the panel can ban firearms inside the building. Democrats, including Nessel and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday, said the new rule was a good start, but a full firearms ban in the Capitol building is the next step. The Capitol Commissions action to ban open carry guns at the Capitol is a good start, but more action is needed, Whitmer said in a statement. On a normal day, hundreds of people walk through the Capitol, including groups of fourth graders, teachers, and parents on school field trips to learn about state government. Thats why we must take action to ban all weapons at the Capitol to keep Michiganders safe. Nessel added that todays ban was simply not enough to protect Capitol staff, representatives and visitors from injury. Firearms - whether explicitly visible or concealed by clothing - possess the same capability to inflict injury and harm on others, she said in a statement. Only banning them does little to meaningfully improve the safety and security of our Capitol. In September, the commission voted 4-2 against a proposal to completely prohibit outside firearms in the Capitol. During that same meeting, members failed to pass a motion to ban open carry with a split 3-3 vote. Commissioners Bill Kandler, Joan Bauer and Kerry Chartkoff voted for the ban, while Chair Gary Randall, Vice-chair John Truscott and Commissioner Margaret OBrien opposed it. Read more: Top Republican signals support for banning open carry in Michigan Capitol, but many say thats not enough All offered brief words of support for the new open carry ban. Chartkoff, in particular, called it the biggest issue weve faced in the history of the Capitol Commission. I think its one of the most difficult ones to face the Capitol Commission or any of its predecessors, she said. I have personally received thousands of emails on this issue, many of them extremely well-written both pro and con... Many of them would like us to go further, but I think we all recognize that this is an important first step. The Commission revisited the open carry question in the wake of last weeks attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Armed protesters opposing Gov. Gretchen Whitmers COVID-19 business closures stormed the Michigan Capitol in April, prompting months of discussions over a complete firearms ban in the Capitol. Read more: Michigan extremism a dress rehearsal for Capitol riot, experts say Months later, some of those same men at the storming of the Michigan Capitol were arrested for their involvement in a plot to kidnap Whitmer and spark a civil war. Read more from MLive: 6 from Michigan arrested during riots, storming of Capitol in Washington D.C. Presence at US Capitol ahead of riot not likely to affect prospective Michigan GOP co-chairs candidacy Michigan representatives call for Trumps removal after riots in U.S. Capitol Objection against Michigans presidential electoral votes fails without support in Senate 3 Michigan Republicans object to electoral votes in Arizona, Pennsylvania Betsy DeVos resigns from Trump Cabinet, citing attack on Capitol State lawmakers who supported overturning election shouldnt be seated, Michigan Houses top Democrat says Congresswoman Slotkin says military officials are concerned about Trumps mental state Far-right activist who encouraged U.S. Capitol occupation also organized stop the steal rally in Michigan 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: Actress Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli welcomed their new baby with a post on social media. They shared the good news with their fans with a small yellow poster with the announcement on it. Virat Kholis posted the news both in English and Hindi, informing everyone that they were blessed with a baby girl on Monday afternoon and that Anushka and the baby were in good health. He further requested his fans and followers to respect their privacy. In the poster, he wrote, We are thrilled to share with you that we have been blessed with a baby girl this afternoon. We thank you all for your love, prayers and good wishes. Anushka and the baby are born healthy and we are feeling beyond blessed to start this new chapter of our lives. We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time. Check out the announcement post below: Celebrities and fans have been pouring in wishes for the couple on all social platforms to celebrate the birth of their Virat and Anushkas baby girl. The Afaglo family of Tafia Norway a suburb of Dome in the Greater Accra Region is reporting of their missing 14-year-old daughter, Miss Shanel Afaglo on Sunday January 10, 2021. According to the mother, Nana Yaa Ocran, a 38-year-old woman living at Tafia Norway told the Tafia Police that Ms Afaglo left the house at 10:00pm yesterday night and has since not return. Mrs Ocran said the daughter left the house without the conscent of anyone and the family cannot trace her whereabouts. Miss Shanel Afaglo is slim, tall and fair in complexion. The Afaglo family is therefore calling on Ghanaians and the general public to report to the nearest police station upon seeing or hearing any news of their daughter or call the family on 0244270039/026 801 3670. Attach is the extract obtained at the Tafia Police Station. 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 India should deploy ICG to protect fishermen from Sri Lankan Navy attacks : TMC Madurai, Jan 11 (UNI) Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) on Monday strongly condemned the attack and arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka Navy and urged the Centre to deploy Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Bay of Bengal to protect our fishermen. In a statement here, TMC President G.K.Vasan said the Sri Lankan Navy attacked fishing boats and arrested nine Tamil Nadu fishermen two days ago. The attacks on innocent fishermen were reported despite the recent visit of External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar to Sri Lanka. ICG should be deployed in Bay of Bengal to protect our fishermen from such attacks, he added. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain It's been three weeks since the COVID-19 vaccines began arriving at hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Operation Warp Speedthe U.S. vaccination development, testing, and distribution efforthad made 20 million vaccine doses available by the end of 2020. Yet the U.S. is only approaching 5.5 million vaccines administered so far. Public health experts, policymakers, and the leaders of Operation Warp Speed agree: The U.S. must pick up the pace of vaccination. For a closer look at the state of COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S., the Hub turned to Tinglong Dai, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. An expert in operations management and health care analytics, Dai has closely followed the rollout of vaccines in the U.S. and shares insights on what's working, what needs to be improved, and how the fractured and decentralized U.S. health care system might be able to prepare for future national health care crises. What is the current state of the vaccination effort in the U.S.? Are we where we wanted to be or expected to be when vaccine distribution began last month? We are experiencing the initial hiccups of vaccine distribution. Everyone is learning to appreciate the difficulty of getting the vaccines administered into people's arms. We will almost certainly do better in a month or two, except that we don't have the luxury of taking the time to perfect things. After all, we have hundreds of thousands of infections and thousands of deaths every day. Expectations also matter. This time last year, this novel virus was on almost nobody's radar. The fact that we're now talking about vaccinationnot just that vaccines are availableis incredible. The Pfizer vaccine has only been approved weeks ago, and the Moderna vaccine was approved just before Christmas. We know things are slow during holidays, so expectations were low. But whatever those expectations were, what we have achieved is far lower when it comes to administering vaccines. Operation Warp Speed has only shipped about half of its doses. Of those shipped doses, only 30% have been administered. In other words, we are utilizing only 15% of what we as a nation have. We have to do better than this for the U.S. to move on from being the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. What have been the greatest hurdles to distribution that you've seen? A supply chain is basically a flow of things. How fast things flow in the supply chain depends on its bottleneck, which can shift from time to time. Right now, the bottleneck of the vaccine supply chain appears to be resources needed for administering the doses. Giving COVID-19 shots is different from giving flu shotsyou have to ensure social distancing, have enough personal protective equipment, and people need to be observed for 15 minutes after getting a shot. Not to mention the Pfizer vaccine has a very specific storage requirement and has to be thawed and diluted before being administered. The Moderna vaccine is easier to store, but still requires cold storage. At this time, we simply don't have enough staffing, space, and time to give shots quickly. Of course, there are other hurdles. One is that both the federal government and hospitals are holding back doses. The federal government does this to ensure enough second doses. Likewise, some hospitals are also holding back doses because they worry second doses may not arrive on time. When doses get stuck in warehouses and freezers, we have a slow-moving supply chain. Another factor is related to nursing homes. We have about 2 million nursing home residents and staffers in the United States, and we have more doses than neededwe could, if we wanted to, vaccinate all nursing homes in a matter of days. But some states now say they need additional weeks or months to get this done. What has happened is that most of them participate in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership, which relies on CVS and Walgreens networks to vaccinate nursing homes. Unfortunately, the CVS/Walgreens program has turned out to be much slower than expected, owing to limited staffing and paperwork issues that were not addressed in advance. In Maryland, by Jan. 5, CVS and Walgreens had only administered 14% of doses for nursing homes. What else accounts for that disparity between doses received and doses administered, and how can it be corrected? States that are doing well tend to have strong statewide coordination and broad participation of various stakeholders. For example, West Virginia leads the nation for vaccinating nursing home residents and staffers. What they have done differently is that they chose not to participate in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership. Rather, West Virginia leaders used their organizational skills and connections to mobilize all the chain and independent pharmacies, not just CVS and Walgreens, to partner with nursing homes. And they used the two-week waiting period after the FDA authorization of the Pfizer vaccine to do what it takes to match supply and demand. Unfortunately, most other states chose a passive approach and allowed small problems to turn into bigger ones. To correct the situation, states and local authorities need to take proactive actions and set up the widest possible network of distribution sites as more doses are available. As in the case of West Virginia, we need to engage all chain and independent pharmacies and standalone clinics who are capable of administering vaccines. Our vaccine supply chain is as inequitable as it is slow-moving. To address that, we should establish Amazon-style fulfillment centers at the state and county levels that receive shipments from the feds and deliver vaccines to various distribution sites on an on-demand basis or following a given schedule. Think about itAmazon can deliver to 70% of the U.S. population on the same or next day. That's efficiency and equity achieved at the same time. Amazon's success relies on a network of fulfillment centers, which pool supply of and demand for millions of items. We need to create Amazon-style fulfillment centers that can deliver vaccines to sites where they are needed. This would help ensure that distribution sites holding back doses will not receive more doses. As we speed up our vaccine supply chain, we must also help distribute vaccines in a truly equitable sense. We have to rethink how we connect vaccines and people. When we hear the story of a 71-year-old woman who made 184 calls to get a vaccine appointment and failed, we know there's something fundamentally wrong with our vaccine supply chain. Finding when and where to get vaccines isn't supposed to be as hard as it is now. Large providers like Johns Hopkins use secure patient portals like MyChart to schedule vaccine appointments, but many local health departments are using sites like Eventbrite and SignUpGenius. We have such a patched system that I fear many people, especially the vulnerable groups, will be missing out. The systems connecting vaccines and people are so poorly designedif designed at allthat people have to work super hard to find vaccines. That's not how you speed up the flow of things in a supply chain. We are a nation with some of the most efficient supply chains on the earth, and we can do better. At a minimum, each state or local authority should offer a cross-provider portal that helps people verify their eligibility and schedule appointments with all the options at hand. The U.K. has decided to administer single doses of vaccine to more people and to delay the four-week booster shot that is recommended. This strategy has been likened to a wartime decisionone that reflects necessity rather than best practices. U.S. officials, including those who spearheaded Operation Warp Speed, have come out against this strategy. Do you think the strategy has merits, and should it be adopted here in the U.S.? The U.K."s strategy has its merits as it will allow more people to get their first doses. In the case of the U.S., our bottleneck at this moment is not really the supply, but the resources needed for administering what we have. I think we should stop holding back the second doses to an unnecessary extent. Vaccine manufacturers are ramping up their production capacity, and we will almost certainly see an upward supply curve. Also, we can always prioritize those who have received the first doses over those who haven't when it comes time to administer booster shots. For these reasons, I think we should stick to the standard two-dose schedule, especially because we can actually do it well by better utilizing our existing resources. We may need to hold back second doses when the general public has access to vaccineswhen the supply curve flattens because demands increases, but not now. Let's focus on fixing our vaccine supply chain and moving things faster. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Kazakhstan today for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) where India will become a full member of the organisation. India will be admitted as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during the summit of the regional grouping on June 8-9 in Kazakhstan. The Prime Minister is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit at Kazakhstans capital city of Astana. However, there is no meeting scheduled between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. In his departure statement, Prime Minister said, 'I will travel to Astana, Kazakhstan for two days on 8-9 June for the Summit meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO). Pakistan will also be admitted as a full member of the SCO along with India during the Astana summit.Indications are that the last leg of the entire process, as per the Memorandum of Obligations, which is the confirmation (of membership) by the heads of the states of the existing members of the SCO, is going to happen in Astana, G V Srinivas, joint secretary of the Eurasia division in the MEA, said. ALSO READ: SCO Summit 2017: PM Modi to share dais with Pak PM Sharif, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in Astana on June 8-9 Modi will also attend the World Expo 2017, an international exposition, in Kazakhstan. Srinivas said that there could be a couple of more bilateral meetings between India and heads of the member states. Apart from China, there is also the possibility of a meeting between India and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is the largest supplier of uranium to India.When asked whether Modi would meet Xi on the sidelines of the SCO summit, MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, There is a possibility, but the schedule is being worked out and our missions are coordinating locally. On Modi and Sharifs meeting, he said, External Affairs Minister (Sushma Swaraj) has already said that there was neither any request from their side nor any such proposal from our side. There is no change in the status on this. Srinivas said India had been an observer country at the SCO since 2005 and had applied for a full membership in 2014.Founded in 2001, the SCO currently has six members---China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and is headquartered in Chinese capital of Beijing. During Modis visit to St Petersburg earlier in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin had conveyed to India about its admission as a full member of the SCO. Highlighting the advantages of joining the regional grouping, Srinivas said one of the aspects deals with economy, connectivity and trade, while another aspect focuses on terrorism which includes protection of classified information. READ: Days before SCO summit, China terms India's NSG bid 'more complicated' He said 38 different documents have been signed by India to be a part of the body.On being asked that the SCO summit statement of 2015 had a reference to the Belt and Road Forum (BRF), a Chinese initiative opposed by India, the official said the aspect was not part of the 38 documents signed by India to become a member of the grouping. The One Belt One Road (OBOR) project under the Belt and Road Forum seeks to connect China with Europe, Asia and Africa. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is also a part of the project. India opposes CPEC as it passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). India also hopes to benefit from Tashkent-based Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (RATS).There is little possibility of India staying out of such an exercise. We hope that as we join the RATS, we will be able to benefit from this collaboration against our fight against terrorism. They (RATS) do a series of activities, including joint exercises in fighting terrorism, maintaining a data bank of terrorists and undesirable elements etc, Srinivas said. Responding to a query on whether or not India would be invited to participate in any anti-terror exercise alongside Pakistan and China, Baglay said, We work with many countries, including Pakistan, as well as in UN peacekeeping operations. Terrorism is a fight which is incumbent on the entire humanity, not just countries. Srinivas also underlined the importance of connectivity after becoming a full member of the SCO. Connectivity, for example, is the prime desire for the country as we want to connect to central Asia, he said. For better connectivity with Central Asia, the official said India has also applied for a membership of the Ashgabat agreement.The Ashgabat agreement is a multi modal transport agreement between Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan for creating an international transport and transit corridor, facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. Baglay said the SCO has member states who are neighbours to Afghanistan and it will be an institutional forum where India can engage with these nations. With PTI inputs For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Patron Capital, the pan-European institutional investor focused on property-backed investments, has closed its most recent fund, raising 844 million ($1.038 billion), including approximately 128 million ($157 million) of co-investment capital for Patron Capital, L.P. VI (Fund VI). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005227/en/ Keith Breslauer, Patron Capital's founder and Managing Director (Photo: Business Wire) Of the total 844 million raised for Fund VI, 83% came from Patrons existing investor base and existing relationships, with the majority of commitments coming from North America, followed by Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Investors included pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations and asset managers. Evercore acted as the primary placement agent. Fund VI will continue the same investment strategy as Patrons previous funds, opportunistically targeting distressed and undervalued investments, directly or indirectly related to property, across Western Europe. The fund will invest in individual properties across a range of sectors, as well as in property-backed corporate investments and credit opportunities. In recent weeks, the Fund has already completed several investments and is in the final stages of closing on several others, using approximately 25% of the Funds investment capacity. Keith Breslauer, Patron Capitals founder and Managing Director, said: This is the seventh fund that we have closed in our 21-year history. In this time, we have established a proven track record in identifying opportunities and maximising value, built exceedingly strong relationships and, ultimately, demonstrated that we can deliver attractive returns in any economic environment. This is why we have been able to close this latest fund with such a high proportion of our existing investors and relationships, as well as bring in the final tranche of capital against a backdrop of extreme uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated a number of existing trends across different real estate sectors in Europe, as well as created opportunities to acquire fundamentally sound but mismanaged assets at attractive prices. Our experienced team, granular approach and in excess of 3 billion of firepower means we are well positioned to make the most of these opportunities and we are actively looking to deploy capital. About Patron Capital Patron represents approximately 4.3 billion of capital across several funds and related co-investments, investing in property, corporate operating entities whose value is primarily supported by property assets and distressed debt and credit related businesses. Since it was established in 1999, Patron has undertaken more than 170 transactions across 84 investments and programs involving over 65 million square feet (6 million square metres) in 16 countries, with many of these investments realised. Investors represent a variety of sovereign wealth funds, prominent universities, major institutions, private foundations, and high net worth individuals located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The main investment adviser to the Funds is Patron Capital Advisers LLP, which is based in London, and Patron has other offices across Europe including Barcelona and Luxembourg; the group is comprised of 71 people, including a 40-person investment team. www.patroncapital.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005227/en/ Dont Spend It All in One Place How Much Do They Need? Washington is suddenly looking more generous. Last Tuesdays elections in Georgia gave Democrats control of the Senate. That means, among other things, there's new hope that Congress will provide additional aid to states and localities.There will be another bill, says Patrick Murphy, vice president of public finance at Arnold Ventures, a philanthropic foundation. I dont question that now.What an aid package will look like, however, is anyones guess. Over the past year, congressional Republicans and Democrats have remained far apart on the issue. Back in May, House Democrats passed the Heroes Act, a COVID relief package that included $1 trillion for state and local governments. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell balked, at one point suggesting that states having problems should declare bankruptcy.But McConnell will no longer be running the Senate. That means the prospects for additional aid, which were starting to look like a dead issue , have suddenly brightened. Once Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president, she will provide the tie-breaking vote in a chamber that will be split 50-50 after the Georgia results are certified (which will happen no later than Jan. 22).There are very basic things that states need to survive right now that are possible tonight that were not possible this morning, Anne Caprara , chief of staff to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, tweeted in response to the Georgia Senate results. These races really were that consequential.Struggling states, cities and counties shouldnt count on an enormous windfall. The fact that the stock market has held up and the economy has recovered more rapidly than anticipated in the spring means that the revenue picture is now better than anticipated. Its not just that some states are doing better than they expected based on forecasts there were developed at the darkest point economically, says Tracy Gordon, a senior fellow with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Some states are doing better than they were the previous year.Thats a minority of states, Gordon points out. And, even though revenues arent as bleak as they once appeared, expenses continue to mount, given demands on unemployment, health and other social service programs.In December, state and local governments shed 52,000 jobs, bringing the total number theyve lost since the pandemic to nearly 1.4 million almost double the amount following the Great Recession."Even though revenues might look a little bit better, that doesn't account for the unbudgeted expenditures that cities are making, such as buying personal protective equipment and paying for people to make sure restaurants are in compliance," says Michael Wallace, a legislative director for the National League of Cities. "Funding for existing priorities got shifted into things like that."But a fiscal picture that is muddy rather than drastic has dampened congressional interest in making states and localities a priority. Economists generally agree that aid to lower levels of government is among the best ways to boost the economy during a recession, having a multiplier effect on economic activity, but members of Congress are always reluctant to raise revenues and then let someone else spend it. Thats a bipartisan reality.Democrats will hold the Senate by the narrowest possible margin. Its likely that theyll have to give in to some Republican demands, assuming aid is passed as part of normal legislation that would need 60 votes to break a filibuster. Yes, the Democrats have the Senate now, but its the slimmest of slim margins, Murphy says, and that means that compromises have to be made.Still, anything is better than nothing, which might have been the continuing story if Republicans had held onto the Senate.Its been made pretty clear that Senate Democrats in particular are looking at ways to include state and local government aid in the next (relief) bill, says Dan White, director of fiscal policy research with Moodys Analytics, a financial research firm. There are a lot of blue-state senators whose states are being badly hurt.Last month, McConnell made clear his opposition to handing governors a blank check. Particularly Democratic governors. Democrats are acting like its more important to supply the governor of California with a special slush fund than to help restaurant workers in California keep their jobs, he said last month during floor debate over the most recent stimulus bill.McConnell is not alone in holding that kind of attitude. Xavier Becerra is Joe Bidens pick for Health and Human Services secretary. The last time a Democratic administration took power, back in 2009, he was vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus. He warned Obama administration officials against direct aid to states. A lot of us were saying, dont give the governors slush funds, Becerra said, according to Michael Grunwalds book about the 2009 stimulus package, The New New Deal Becerra will no doubt be on board this time around. Biden wants to see additional aid to states and localities.Perhaps as important, Joe Manchin supports the idea. Manchin is considered the most conservative Democratic senator, so his vote will be the chambers tipping point. Manchin, a former West Virginia governor, cosponsored multiple attempts to provide aid to states and localities last year, including initial provisions in the stimulus package enacted last month.Although that package did not end up including direct aid, it did provide substantial money for state and local functions. Notably, it provides $82 billion for K-12 and higher education, as well as $20 billion for states to fund vaccine distribution.Thats $100 billion states wont have to spend on those programs. Moneys fungible, Murphy says. Thats money they can use for something else.In addition, states and localities will benefit from additional dollars provided by the package in areas such as unemployment, small business loans, rental assistance and stimulus checks. They arent receiving that money directly, but it will all lead to more spending and other activity that can be taxed.The trillion-dollar figure in the Heroes Act didnt appear out of thin air. Last spring, there were various estimates that showed states, cities and counties were collectively looking at shortfalls of that magnitude over a three-year period.The combination of earlier rounds of federal stimulus, the fast-recovering stock market and the fact that the pandemics economic effects have fallen hardest on low-income workers has kept revenues from declining as steeply as initially expected.The economy is performing much better than people thought, Gordon says. In July, the Congressional Budget Office forecast that personal income would be down 6 percent in the third quarter, but in the actual data it was down by about 2 points.In December, Moodys Analytics estimated that state and local governments faced total shortfalls for fiscal 2020 through 2022 of about $170 billion, after accounting for their own reserves and the federal aid theyd already received. The money from the most recent stimulus package brings the amount needed to stave off spending cuts and tax increases below $100 billion, White says. Theres still need, but nowhere near a trillion, he says.Not all Republicans oppose additional aid. State and local government groups stress the need to work with members of Congress from both parties. "We expect to work very closely with them on both sides, to make sure they're aware of the shortfalls cities face and what layoffs are going to mean for the broader economy," says the NLC's Wallace. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has probably been the leading GOP proponent of assisting states and localities. If we do not provide stability for states, we risk wasting all the money spent to save small businesses, he wrote last May. These small businesses need basic government services.At the time, Cassidy was introducing a bill to provide $500 billion in state and local aid. He was part of the bipartisan group with Manchin that developed the framework for the most recent stimulus, which in their version would have provided $160 billion in aid.The total figure may yet be revised downward. Many lawmakers, including Cassidy, will want to put guardrails on the money, to make sure that state and local governments dont use emergency aid to backfill chronic problem areas, such as pensions.The substance of state and local aid will be debated, but its prospects are going to depend on the menu of the various other things that are being negotiated, says Scott Pattison, deputy executive director of the Multistate Tax Commission. With some Republicans supporting aid, they will have other demands that will be pushed.When state and local governments were left out of the December package, it looked like they had missed the last train out of the station. Now, with Democrats controlling all of Washington, further stimulus is a near-certainty.With a 50-50 Senate, theres no margin for error. Some money for states and localities will be part of the next package, but it will end up being a lot less than theyd hoped for last year.I dont think having a razor-thin Democratic majority in the Senate means were barreling ahead and doing something like the Heroes Act, Gordon says. Conditions have changed and a trillion dollars isnt called for 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. 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. VIEWERS of RTEs Fair City contacted the show, urging the actors to lose the facemasks now they have been back filming for more than six months since the initial national lockdown. The soaps executive producer Brigie de Courcy admitted it has been quite tricky to navigate how to incorporate Covid-19 into the soaps storylines while continuing to tell the various ongoing storylines. Weve had letters from people going, OK, enough of the Covid now; we all know you sanitise your hands, lets get rid of the masks. But the problem is, these characters, even though theyre married to each other and sleeping in the same beds, are played by actors who arent married to each other in real life, she told the Irish Independent. So they have to wear masks and stay two metres apart. "And I suppose its a testament to how well were doing that people write in and say you dont need it anymore and that really is nice, she added. Acting while wearing a face covering has also presented its own challenges and she said the shows actors have learnt new techniques in order to get around that. When they came on set at first, they were all giddy with delight and then they had to learn to control themselves and learn a new way of performing in a mask because youve lost half the expression of your face, said Ms de Courcy. The natural thing is to do more theatrical expressions but, in fact, theyve focused much more and controlled themselves much more and theres a real subtlety to the action, she explained. They are doing a wonderful job and are all so delighted to be back and working. "Acting and writing is all very solitary if youre not actually working with people. "Your function is designed to be with people and theyre very happy to be back, she added. Page Content Employers in Spain are contending with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to raise health and safety concerns after several months. A resurgence of COVID-19 cases in July prompted some parts of the country to reimplement restrictions that had been lifted earlier. "Spain was among the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus," said Brian Cousin, head of the employment practice group at the law firm McDermott Will & Emery in New York City. "At the end of January, a German tourist became Spain's first coronavirus patient. By March 20, Spain had more than 20,000 cases. Just two months later, by May 20, Spain had over 264,000 cases. As of July 13, Spain had over 303,000 cases, 28,403 deathsthe seventh highest of all countriesand 60.80 deaths per 100,000 [people], the fifth highest per capita" rate. In late April, the Spanish government announced a detailed coronavirus response plan with four phases, each of which gradually eased restrictions. "By early July 2020, about 75 percent of the country was in the final phase of the reopening plan, which, among other things, increased mobility while recommending, but not requiring, mask use; increased restaurant capacity to 75 percent; and allowed tourist activities with a maximum of 30 people to resume," Cousin said. But reopening plans were reversed when the number of new cases surged in July. "Parts of the country are moving toward stricter social-distancing and hygiene measures," Cousin confirmed. On July 13, "government officials announced that the northern cities of Zaragoza and Huesca and their surrounding areas would revert back to a flexible Phase II [plan]. Under Phase II, among other things, social gatherings are limited to 15 people, and business meetings and conferences with a maximum of 50 attendees are allowed, but only if attendees can maintain proper social-distancing measures," he explained. Strategies for Employers Employers and HR professionals in Spain should monitor news about national and local restrictions and regulations, as well as new guidance issued by local health authorities, the Spanish Health Ministry and the World Health Organization, according to Cousin. "Local and regional requirements can change on a daily basis," he said. Companies in Spain must: Have proper ventilation and cleaning and disinfection protocols in place. Provide soap and water or hand sanitizer to employees. Adapt the workplace to guarantee 5 feet of space between employees. Avoid hosting large gatherings of people. Employees who can't work because they have been infected with COVID-19 are entitled to sick pay under Spanish law. When someone is absent from work due to a medically advised quarantine, the usual sick-leave pay provisions apply as well. Workers in Spain have a legal right to take a reasonable amount of unpaid time off work to deal with domestic emergencies affecting their dependents, including a disruption to their child care arrangements. In most cases, working from home remains the safest option with the least liability for employers. Of course, telework is not possible in some job functions and industries. "The return of employees to their jobs must be done with the mindset that, whenever possible, the company should prioritize teleworking," said Juan Ignacio Alonso Dregi, an attorney with Dentons in Barcelona, Spain. "In those sectors where it has been possible to work remotely, it has been demonstrated that remote work is possible with optimum results. Spain has sufficient infrastructure and technical resources and means to enable remote work." Any companywide decisions about returning to work should consider the likely impacts on the morale and mental health of employees. "Working in a safe environment is less stressful than working in an environment without protective measures," Dregi said. "Furthermore, it is also necessary to consider the damage to a company's reputation if a source of infection occurs due to a lack of prevention measures against COVID-19." [Need help with legal questions? Check out the new SHRM LegalNetwork.] Measures to Help Tourism, Small Businesses Industries like tourism and construction, where most work can't be done remotely, are a big part of the Spanish economy. "Important measures are being taken to allow tourism-related companies, which are a driving force in Spain's economy, to benefit from a moratorium on the payment of mortgages on real estate used or affected by touristic activities," Dregi said. Travelers from other European Union countries may enter Spain without having to quarantine. Americans are not yet allowed to travel to Spain, but that could change. To help prevent the loss of jobs, the Spanish government also has allowed small businesses to defer their corporate income tax payments interest-free, and it has reduced the Social Security contributions that small businesses must pay. Leah Shepherd is a freelance writer in Columbia, Md. 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. ROME - After six months, the vessel Ocean Viking of the European search and rescue organization Sos Mediterranee is leaving the French port city of Marseille to travel towards the central Mediterranean. ''This first mission of the year - the NGO said in a statement - comes after months of costly efforts to free the ship from an administrative seizure imposed on July 22 by Italian authorities, based on new interpretations of the requirements of navigation for rescue vessels''. The year 2020, continued the organization, was ''devastating in the central Mediterranean: the void in rescue operations became increasingly clear with 779 reported deaths and a high likelihood that many other deaths have not been documented. Sos Mediterranee is relieved that it can resume rescue operations while highlighting the absolute need for European States to reintroduce a system of coordination of rescue operations that is effective and leads States''. A man has faced court in northern NSW accused of threatening to kill Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in a series of emails sent in November last year. Marco Faccio, 53, was arrested in early December after an investigation by NSW Police's Fixated Persons Investigation Unit led officers to raid a home in Nimbin, near Byron Bay. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Credit:Simon Schluter The arrest followed reports received by NSW Police late last year that a Victorian MP had received threatening emails, believed to have been sent from NSW. According to court documents, Mr Faccio sent three emails to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews over a 10-minute period on the evening of November 11. New Delhi: Actress Preity Zinta took to social media to inform her fans that certain members of her family had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus three weeks ago. She penned a long note detailing how helpless and scared she felt at the time and urged her fans to take the virus seriously and take care of their health. In the Instagram post from her verified account, without specifying who, she revealed that a family member had been admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 and that all family members are now fine. The actress posted a selfie with her sibling and mother, and captioned it saying: Three weeks ago my Mom, brother, his wife, kids & my uncle all tested positive for Covid. Suddenly terms like ventilators, ICU and oxygen machines took a new meaning. I felt helpless & powerless here in America, far away as he battled it out in the hospital. Im so grateful to the almighty and to all those wonderful doctors & nurses that worked tireless to take care of them, Preity explained. She further warned her fans saying, For all of you who dont take Covid seriously please be warned that this can become dangerous overnight so please take care, wear a mask & practice social distancing. Today, after hearing that they have all tested negative I can finally fall asleep & stop stressing. Finally the New Year feels like a Happy New year. The actress is currently in Los Angeles with her husband Gene Goodenough. She has spent her time during the COVID-19 pandemic in quarantine with him. She has also been active on her social media accounts and has shared glimpses of her life in the US. Election 2020 Claiming Electoral Fraud, Myanmar Military and Proxy Party Calls Special Parliament Session Voting in Yangon Region on Nov. 8. / The Irrawaddy YANGON While parliament prepares to convene with a newly elected assembly, Myanmars military and its proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) pressed ahead with attempts to discredit the National League for Democracys (NLD) landslide victory with claims of electoral fraud. On Monday, 160 military appointees signed a proposal calling the Speaker to convene a special session to discuss mass fraud. It was also signed by 36 lawmakers from the USDP, four Arakan National Party members, two independents and one National United Democratic Party member. The proposal was made just a few days after the military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made fraud claims about the Nov. 8 general election, supporting USDP claims of vote-rigging. In conducting an assessment after the election, unfair and dishonest practices were found, the commander-in-chief told the Command and General Staff College in Kalaw via video conferencing last Friday. He added that the military is trying to point out these mistakes because they tarnish the countrys image. The military has launched a probe into the electoral process after the USDP claimed the election was fraudulent after its heavy electoral defeat and complained that its calls for an investigation into the election and the Union Election Commission (UEC) had fallen on deaf ears. The military said it found nearly 4 million voter-list irregularities that could point to voter fraud in 179 townships. The militarys electoral fraud accusations were rejected by election commissioners as exaggerated and absurd. However, the military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy that the armed forces will continue to act to uphold the law. The military is looking to convene a special session before the new parliament convenes on Feb. 1. At a press conference at the partys headquarters in Naypyitaw on Sunday, USDP spokesman Dr. Nandar Hla Myint said: There was mass election fraud. The legislature needs to resolve these matters. If the new parliament convenes and forms the next government without addressing the issue, it will be historically damaging and could cause political chaos. He also announced the partys plan to call together with military appointees a special session before the current legislative term ends this month. According to Article 84 of the 2008 Constitution, the Speaker needs to convene a special session if a quarter of parliamentarians make a request. With the military allocated 25 percent of all parliamentary seats under the Constitution, it can easily meet the requirement to call a special session. But the attempt looks like it is too late as the Speaker needs to make a call 15 days ahead of the session and COVID-19 restrictions will extend preparation times. In the November general election, the NLD won a supermajority with 920 seats (or 82.3 percent of contested seats) in the Union, state and regional legislatures and the USDP only won 71 seats (down from 117 in 2015) or 6.4 percent. Dr. Nandar Hla Myint also called for a panel to probe the election during his Sunday press conference. This would be separate from the more than 1,200 electoral objections filed with the police and election sub-commissions by the USDP which are yet to be completed. Legal observer U Khin Maung Myint said the attempts to reserve the election outcome were likely to fail. Looking at the election results, the margins [between the NLD candidates and USDP] are quite large. So even if the cases are correct, the outcome of the election wont change, he said. The USDP went to the Supreme Court to issue a writ over the UEC chairman and commissioners over electoral misconduct. The highest court will hold a preliminary hearing on Jan. 29 to decide whether to proceed with it. However, 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. Presidents Office spokesman U Zaw Htay on Friday accused the NLDs opponents of false accusations and committing political suicide. These are the acts of those who cant accept defeat. The public knows about the election and for whom they voted, he said. He added that the newly elected parliament will convene and form a new government regardless of the complaints. You may also like these stories: No Security Guarantees Made for Rakhine Voting: Myanmar Government Myanmar President, State Counselors Pre-Poll Campaign Activities Legal: Spokesman Myanmar Supreme Court to Decide Whether to Accept Ex-Generals Parties Challenges to President, UEC Chair How the larvae of colorful clownfish that live among coral reefs in the Philippines are dispersed varies widely, depending on the year and seasons - a Rutgers-led finding that could help scientists improve conservation of species. Right after most coral reef fish hatch, they join a swirling sea of plankton as tiny, transparent larvae. Then currents, winds and waves disperse them, frequently to different reefs. During seven years of surveys of coral reef-dwelling clownfish, scientists measured how the dispersal of larvae varied over the years and seasonally, including during monsoons, according to Rutgers-led research in the journal Molecular Ecology. They found that larvae dispersal varied a lot on both timescales. Their research suggests that when scientists account for dispersal variability rather than just using data from a single year or an average over time, estimates of the persistence of fish populations will be lower. "That means when we don't account for dispersal variability, we could be overestimating the stability of coral reef fish populations," said lead author Katrina A. Catalano, a doctoral student in the lab of senior author Malin L. Pinsky, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "If we study dispersal variability in more species over greater timescales, we will better understand what causes the variation and can better design protected areas for the conservation of species." Many studies measure patterns of larval dispersal, but often in only one year, and they don't account for how dispersal might differ over time. "This is a problem for ecology and evolution because dispersal helps us understand population growth, adaptation, extinction and how species might be able to keep up with climate change by shifting habitats," Catalano said. "It's also important information for conservation and management of coral reef fish. We need to know which reef habitats are important sources of new fish for other reefs." Scientists conducted a genetic analysis to detect larval dispersal events in a common coral reef fish, Amphiprion clarkii, also called yellowtail clownfish and Clark's anemonefish. The fish and their larvae lived along nearly 20 miles of coastline at 19 reef sites in Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippines, and the surveys went from 2012 to 2018 in partnership with Visayas State University in the Philippines. "Measuring dispersal in more than one year is costly and difficult," Catalano said. "But we need to look at dispersal variation in more species to know if this variation is common, and we need to look at longer timescales like decades to understand the long-term impacts of variation. We also need to use population models." ### Rutgers co-authors include Allison G. Dedrick, a former post-doc now at Stanford University, and Michelle R. Stuart, application developer in the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Office of Research Analytics. Scientists at the University of Rhode Island and Visayas State University in the Philippines contributed to the study. WASHINGTON (AP) Two Republican senators now say President Donald Trump should resign as support for the drive to impeach him a second time is gaining momentum in his final days in office after the deadly riot at the Capitol by a violent mob of Trump supporters. Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski in calling for Trump to resign and go away as soon as possible. Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trumps conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. Toomey said that even though he believes Trump committed impeachable offenses in encouraging loyalists in the Capitol siege on Wednesday, he did not think there was enough time for the impeachment process to play out. Toomey said that resignation was the best path forward, the best way to get this person in the rear view mirror for us. He was not optimistic that Trump would step down before his term ends on Jan. 20. The White House had no immediate comment Sunday. The House appears determined to act despite the short timeline. Late Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sent a letter to her colleagues reiterating that Trump must be held accountable. She told her caucus, now scattered across the country on a two-week recess, to "be prepared to return to Washington this week. It is absolutely essential that those who perpetrated the assault on our democracy be held accountable, Pelosi wrote. There must be a recognition that this desecration was instigated by the President. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat, said it may be Tuesday, Wednesday before the action is taken, but I think it will be taken this week. Clyburn, D-S.C., said he was concerned that a Senate trial could distract from the process of confirming President-elect Joe Bidens nominees. Clyburn said one option could be giving Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running and maybe well send the articles sometime after that to the Senate for a trial. He said lawmakers will take the vote that we should take in the House" and that Pelosi "will make the determination as when is the best time to send them to the Senate. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, has said an impeachment trial could begin as early as Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. The new Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time and days before his term ends with the indelible mark of impeachment is gaining supporters. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles or charges accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Saturday that his group had grown to include 185 co-sponsors. Lawmakers planned to formally introduce the proposal on Monday in the House, where articles of impeachment must originate. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors who would ultimately vote on whether to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. Potentially complicating that decision about impeachment is what it means for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he has long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress does is for them to decide. A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were putting the final, formal touches on Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. The crowd surged to the domed symbol of American democracy following a rally near the White House, where Trump repeated his bogus claims that the election was stolen from him and urged his supporters to march in force toward the Capitol. Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died as a result of the siege. Outrage over the attack and Trump's role in egging it on capped a divisive, chaotic presidency like few others in the nations history. There are less than two weeks until Trump is out of office but Democrats have made clear they don't want to wait that long. Trump, has few fellow Republicans speaking out in his defense. He's become increasingly isolated, holed up in the White House as he has been abandoned in the aftermath of the riot by many aides, leading Republicans and, so far, two Cabinet members both women. Toomey appeared on CNN's State of the Union and NBC's Meet the Press. Clyburn was on Fox News Sunday and CNN. ___ Superville reported from Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe, Lisa Mascaro and Zeke Miller contributed to this report. Four people died after an hours-long shooting spree across the Chicago area on Saturday. The suspect was among the people who died in the horrific event. The shooting spree, which also injured multiple people, occurred at around 1:50 p.m. According to an ABC News report, a man reportedly entered a parking lot on South East End Avenue in Chicago. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) said the suspect then shot a 30-year-old man who was sitting inside a car. The victim, a college student at the University of Chicago, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said it seems that what the suspect was doing was random. Brown said in an ABC 7 Chicago report: "It seems that you have a crystal ball of what he's doing next, and we all know we don't have a crystal ball where he goes next nor do we have this on any of our POD cameras." He noted that they are responding to the scene as these crimes unfolded and "he's going to the next" while police are trying to keep up with what's happened previously. Chicago police named the suspect as 32-year-old Jason Nightengale, who was killed by Evanston police to end an hours-long shooting spree. Law enforcement said that Nightengale posted a slurred and rambling social media video before the shooting spree. Read also: Deadly Weekend: Chicago Shootings Kill 5 People and Wound 2 Cops The Shooting Spree Victims Besides the 30-year-old student, other victims include a woman who was shot after being taken hostage at an IHOP restaurant in Evanston, according to police. Law enforcement initially said that seven people had been shot and five were killed. But on Sunday, they amended the count to three people who died in the shooting spree. Police and school officials confirmed that the University of Chicago student was killed in the parking garage of the Regent Park apartment complex in South East End Avenue. According to officials, the university was informed that one of their students was shot in a car. In a statement, the university said it is harrowing news to the community and the South Side neighborhood. The university added that it would provide support for members of their community affected by the shooting. The university also identified the student as Yiran Fan, a PhD student in a joint program of the Booth School of Business and the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics. After the suspect shot the student, police said he then entered an apartment building on the same street around 2 p.m. and shot at a female security guard in the chest and a 77-year-old woman retrieving her mail. Police said the victims were rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where the security guard pronounced dead, while the older woman remains in critical condition, Buzzfeed reported. According to the police, the suspect also entered a South Halsted Street store around 3:45 p.m. and announced a robbery. The suspect then fired multiple shots at people inside the store. He struck a man, 20, in the head and a woman, 81, also in the head and back. Police said the two victims were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where the man died, while the woman remains in critical condition. The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle, and around 5 p.m., he shot a 15-year-old girl in the head. Reports said the teenager was riding in the back of a car driven by a relative along South Halsted Street. Police said she was in critical condition at the Comer Children's Hospital. The suspect then went into a CVS store in Evanston and announced a robbery, and fled to the IHOP, where he shot a woman he had taken hostage in the head. Police said the woman was taken to a hospital and in critical condition. According to a New York Times report, the shooting rampage came to an end when responding cops shot the suspect as he attempted to flee but failed as he collapsed. Read more: Chicago Postal Workers Plan to Halt Delivery Service After Mail Carrier Was Shot STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Open appointments for a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine on Staten Island are scarce on Monday, the first day that first responders, education workers, public transit workers, public safety workers and residents aged 75 and older can begin getting vaccinated. At least three of the boroughs vaccination hubs are no longer accepting appointments and many other web pages would not load, likely due to high volume, and there were long hold times at other locations. However, some residents were able to get a vaccine on Monday. Lines form for COVID-19 testing at the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham clinic located in Clifton which is also giving COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only. Jan. 11, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri) Marlis Jacobi was online at the city Health + Hospitals Gotham Health/Vanderbilt clinic in Clifton waiting to get vaccinated Monday afternoon. They released the appointments for the vaccine at 12 p.m., so I was on the computer and as soon as all the appointments were up they were gone, in less then 59 seconds, Jacobi said. Jacobi, a school nurse, said the Vanderbilt clinic was the only location that showed up on the citys website when she went to make an appointment. Im very excited because it protects the kids and teachers that I work with, my family and friends. So, I just hope that it works, she said. Lines form for COVID-19 testing at the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham clinic located in Clifton which is also giving COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only. Jan. 11, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri) Alyssa Greenberg of Sunnyside was also on line at the Vanderbilt clinic, but was waiting for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test, not the vaccine. I have to take it for my job. Every few weeks I have to get tested and I am so tired of getting tested, so I just want the vaccine, Greenberg said, adding she will be getting vaccinated once its available to the public. On Friday, the state expanded its guidelines, allowing residents in phase 1b to begin getting vaccinated on Monday, along with those already receiving vaccinations in group 1a. Although residents in phase 1b of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions vaccination schedule can now get the vaccine, those in phase 1a healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities will be the priority, the state said. In total, nearly five million residents citywide are now eligible to be vaccinated. The city launched a website, NYC Vaccine Finder, to help residents find the closest vaccination hub to them there are currently 12 Staten Island sites listed: Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city will continue to add vaccination hubs throughout the month of January, with a goal of 250 hubs citywide by the end of the month. De Blasio announced the boroughs first mass vaccination site on Staten Island, the NYC Health + Hospitals Gotham Health/Vanderbilt clinic, which will begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13. Empire Outlets in St. George will be the second mass vaccination site on Staten Island, the mayor said, but will not open until sometime next week. Also on Monday the City Workforce site, located at Susan Wager High School, opened. MULTIPLE APPOINTMENT CITY WEBSITES CAUSES CONFUSION FOR SOME Appointments can also be made here, or by calling 877-829-4692. Some residents have said the multiple websites the city Department of Health (DOH), Health + Hospitals, and private websites such as physicians offices complicates the process of making an appointment. The websites do not feed into one central data bank and users must create individual accounts for each website in order to schedule an appointment. The @nycHealthy site for signing up for a COVID vaccination is complex, burdensome, and buggy. It will present an obstacle for too many peopleparticularly seniorstrying to sign up. This is a major problem. Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) January 11, 2021 City Comptroller Scott Stringer called the websites complex, burdensome, and buggy. Stringer continued, The @nycHealthy site has a multi-step verification process just to set up an account, and then a six-step process to set up an appointment. Along the way, there are as many as 51 questions or fields, in addition to uploading images of your insurance card. Its frustrating, said Melinda H., of Mariners Harbor. I wound up having to help my mom out because she was trying to log into one website with another websites information. Its confusing, even for me, but thankfully she was able to get an appointment, Melinda said of her 77-year-old mother. STATE SETS UP WEBSITE, HOTLINE FOR APPOINTMENTS ON MONDAY On Monday, New York State also launched a website and phone number for state residents to check eligibility for vaccination and make an appointment. You can check your eligibility here. Residents can also call 1-833-697-4829 after 4 p.m. on Monday to schedule an appointment. As of Monday the only locations that were listed on the states website were those also listed on the citys website, however, the state plans to expand to pharmacies and other locations in the coming weeks. Individuals are asked a series of questions about their living situations and workplace, in addition to general information like name, age, address, and contact information. Before registering for a vaccination, you will need to complete the New York State COVID-19 vaccine form. You will also need to bring proof of employment, such as an employee ID card, a letter from your employer or affiliated organization, or a recent pay stub. Public employees, such as NYPD, MTA employees and public schools teachers will be primarily vaccinated though their respective health programs or as organized by their unions, the state said. FOLLOW KRISTIN F. DALTON ON TWITTER. Bloomberg photo by Daniel Acker Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest serving head of a state house in the U.S., on Monday announced that he is suspending his campaign for reelection. "This is not a withdrawal," Madigan said in a statement emailed by a spokesman. "As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first. The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker." 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. The real coordinated inauthentic behavior on social media made itself abundantly clear in the aftermath of the assault on Congress. The culprit isnt a troll farm or Russian influence. This time, the coordinated inauthentic behavior is coming from California. Late last week, Google and Apple both suspended Parlerthe social media platform of choice for the alt-rightand demanded a moderation improvement plan from Parler. Amazon, as of midnight, also suspended Parler from its web hosting services, citing inadequate content-moderation practices. Okta, an identity management software company in San Francisco, was notified that Parler had a free trial of its product and subsequently rushed to terminate access. Advertisement Parlers suspension should concern us all. I despise white supremacist content and its proliferation online, and the tweeted examples of comments posted on Parler are alarming and deeply unsettling to read. But as Kate Ruane, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement, it should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billionsespecially when political realities make those decisions easier.* There should be ways to bring accountability to platforms that host inciteful hate speech. Justice, however, is not achieved by endorsing other companies self-interests. Advertisement Advertisement This moment constitutes a paradigm shift in how the internet is governed. Yes, weve seen web hosting services in the past pull their services: Cloudflare, for example, decided to deny service for 8chan, the social media site with ties to the horrific Christchurch, New Zealand, attacks and El Paso, Texas, shooting.* This latest move, however, shows how the largest platforms that provide online public squares and infrastructure are taking simultaneous actions to centralize their power on the internet, not only by setting bright lines for speech but also, as ACLU lawyer Ben Wizner said, taking away the keys to the Internet. Advertisement With the profoundly disturbing power imbalances that exist in who controls our online speech, who gets to demand a moderation improvement plan from Silicon Valley? Who demanded from Facebook a road map to moderation improvements after the company itself admitted that its own app was used to incite violence, and a genocide, in Myanmar? Last I checked, Google and Apple never chucked Facebook app downloads from their stores even though violence has most certainly been incited on Facebook time and time again. Tech platforms never rushed to block access to YouTube even after it was found that it helped radicalize the Christchurch shooter. Come to think of itwhy wasnt Twitter blocked from the Google Play Store or the App Store for allowing Trump to monopolize these radical sentiments for years until we reached this breaking point? Advertisement Advertisement Yes, advertisers have prompted changes in how Big Tech thinks about content rulesYouTube, for example, revamped its extremism policies after ads from large corporations ran in front of unsavory extremist material, prompting an advertiser exodus. But do we really want the impetus to get social networks to think about what is right and fair in content moderationalready nearly impossible standardsand the subsequent impact on our speech online to be prompted by the carrot-and-stick of money and advertiser leverage? Whats most frightening about the demands from Google and Apple is that we simply dont know whats next. They have said that Parler must have content moderation plans in place. Next time, what if Google and Apple respond to a platform that has content policies and a content moderation scheme in placejust not ones that they like? Can they push for more changes to be made, or even go so far as to require that other platforms policies mimic Googles, Facebooks, and Twitters rules? Its only a matter of time before Big Tech is simply drawing the limits of permissible speech for other platforms, and if someone resists, then all Big Tech needs to do is pull them from the app store or deny them the requisite infrastructure to exist online. Advertisement Advertisement Those on the left should also be deeply concerned about the absolutely alarming decision that just took place. Lest we forget, in the public outcry and debate over the WikiLeaks scandal, Apple made a decision to pull a WikiLeaks app from its App Store, and Amazon cut off its Amazon Web Services for the WikiLeaks website. In other words, a topic that also divided so many on ideological fault lines spurred companies to act quickly to protect their own self-interests based on the dominant public sentiment. In fact, the removal of WikiLeaks from these platforms followed a sequence of political pressure and delegitimization of WikiLeaks. At the height of the controversy, thenVice President Joseph Biden himself referred to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, as a high-tech terrorist. As Harvard Law professor Yochai Benkler wrote, commercial owners of the critical infrastructures of the networked environment can deny service to controversial speakers, and some appear to be willing to do so at a mere whiff of public controversy. Advertisement Some may think that all of this is proof that we need more government involvement in content moderation. But that might not be necessarily the best way to proceed either. Looking only at the United States, the uniquely American model of free speech would make any governmental attempt to regulate online speech incredibly difficult, if not outright illegal. Other countries have stepped into the content moderation regulation space to various degrees, though these attempts have often generated significant criticism from human rights organizations. What we need is an actual content moderation improvement plan for all social media platforms, a plan that we, as users, can use to hold platforms accountable and to stop the largest, most powerful social networks from setting the terms of speech for everyone else. This may sound like an impossible, lofty goal, but most of us probably use a platform that is one of the largest experiments in democratized moderation on a daily basis: Wikipedia. Of course, Wikipedia is not perfect. But its global community of editors have the opportunity to debate fiercely and decide what information that makes it to a Wikipedia page is truthful, accurate, and able to be cited. This decentralized, democratized approach works, and others have called on similar approaches to be used for some moderation decisions in Big Tech as well. Perhaps then we could actually hold Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and even Parler accountable for all the ways their products have been used to incite violence online and in the real world. Correction, Jan. 11, 2021: This piece originally misspelled Cloudflare and Kate Ruanes last name. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Hospitals have been preparing for worst-case scenarios ahead of an expected influx of Covid-19 admissions in the coming days. One busy Dublin hospital asked staff to prepare 'ceiling of care' forms for all patients. The 'ceiling of care', which is agreed with patients and families, determines a threshold of medical intervention should a condition deteriorate. An email circulated by Beaumont Hospital in Dublin said it was critical that staff should complete such forms for all hospital patients before the weekend. Another email circulated to staff at Beaumont identified oxygen as an issue of critical importance, such that "oxygen needs to be conserved" and patient prescription for oxygen should be regularly reviewed". The hospital has experienced the highest Covid-19 admissions in the country as the numbers have risen exponentially over the past week. In a statement Beaumont Hospital said its procedures in relation to clinical care pathways and Covid-19 patient management adhere to relevant national policies and practices, and it is not just Beaumont preparing for the worst, but the entire health sector. Expand Close BALANCING CARE: Dr Catherine McGorrian, an acute physician and cardiologist and the Maters clinical director for emergency and speciality medicine. Photo: David Conachy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp BALANCING CARE: Dr Catherine McGorrian, an acute physician and cardiologist and the Maters clinical director for emergency and speciality medicine. Photo: David Conachy The Health Service Executive has recirculated guidance documents on treating critically ill patients outside of an intensive care setting in recent days. They include a document issued by Nphet in the first wave of the pandemic, following harrowing scenes in Italy of patients being administered oxygen in tents. It had lost its relevance in recent months. It reminded doctors that where ICU resources are limited because of increased demand, the continued provision of critical care will be "subject to the regular assessment of the patient's response to the treatment". "Each patient is different; their clinical status and care needs should be evaluated holistically, and interventions provided on a rational, evidence-based and ethical basis." Expand Close Northern Italy was at the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Northern Italy was at the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year Read More The Medical Council has meanwhile reissued its pandemic advice that doctors may have to perform duties outside of their current scope of practice. Doctors are once again having to prepare for difficult decisions over who gets treatment as resources dwindle. There are 282 intensive care beds across the system with the capacity to increase to 350 intensive care beds. But in a worst-case scenario painted by the HSE, an estimated 400 critically ill Covid patients may need an ICU bed by mid-January. At one point on Friday, there were only 21 intensive care beds available across the country and none were available in 13 hospitals. Health officials hope case numbers and the numbers requiring hospital admission will start peaking towards the end of this week. But the drain on intensive care beds is likely to drag on. It can take some time for Covid-19 conditions to deteriorate to a point where the patient requires an ICU bed and once there, the average stay can be up to 14 days. Read More Most hospitals already have modified ward space from the first wave where they can treat patients on ventilators outside of the ICU. But Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer with the HSE, said last week that treating patients in need of ICU outside of the ICU setting is not desirable. He suggested that if the numbers of patients in ICU exceeded 350, that "staff will do what they can and try to make the maximum use of resources for those ... most likely to benefit." On Wednesday, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said 2,500 people could be hospitalised with Covid-19 by mid-January. This weekend the numbers are shy of those worst-case scenarios but they are climbing steadily. By 8pm on Friday night, 1,214 people were in hospital with Covid-19. Cork University Hospital shouldered the burden of admissions with 118 patients. There were 96 patients with Covid at University Hospital Limerick, followed by 94 at Beaumont hospital in Dublin. Hospitals are working around the clock to free up space for patients being admitted with Covid. Most already created extra capacity where they can treat patients on ventilators outside of the ICU. There are 1,800 ventilators across the healthcare system. But as Dr Henry said, treating patients outside of ICU is not desirable. The Mater hospital in Dublin has allocated 200 beds, including ICU beds, in the 700-bed hospital for Covid-19 patients. The figure is considerably higher than in the first wave of the pandemic when the number of Covid-19 patients in the hospital at any one time was 120. Alan Sharp, the chief executive of the Mater hospital, said that 200 is a "daunting number". If numbers go beyond that, the hospital teams will simply "reconfigure again", he said. "There is a limited number of beds in hospitals and you will get to a point where the hospitals will get overrun. That is the concern that I hear being communicated out by the health leaders in this country," he said. "We are coping but we are concerned. At the moment, for us the numbers are manageable. We have moved a lot of our elective activity into the private hospitals." The biggest issue for the hospital is balancing routine care for emergencies such as strokes or cardiac problems with Covid-19 patients. There are 36 ICU and 12 cardio ICU beds - bringing the total close to 50 but as of Thursday, 39 were occupied across both, mostly with non-Covid cases. In the A&E department, the number of very sick patients attending on a daily basis has been steadily increasing too. The numbers had been averaging eight to 12 in the early part of last week before rising to 16 on Wednesday. Shocking Dr Catherine McGorrian, an acute physician and cardiologist and the Mater's clinical director for emergency and speciality medicine, said: "The increase that we're seeing even over the last week is certainly very shocking. We anticipated that there would be an increase in cases, but the scale was unexpected." Despite these numbers, she added that it is "really important for people to know that the hospital is absolutely open for people with other non Covid-19 health concerns." The pressure on public hospitals will be marginally eased by a deal the HSE has agreed with 16 private hospitals to take cases. The deal, announced by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, on Friday will see private hospitals provide up to 30pc of their capacity for public work. This latest surge presents other worries for hospital workers beyond capacity. For those working on the frontline, in emergency departments and on Covid-19 wards, the new strains of the virus identified by the National Virus Reference Laboratory are a worry, health sources say. A UK-identified strain of the virus, that has been credited with an explosion of cases in that country, was identified in around 20pc of samples in Ireland. On Friday it emerged that three cases of the highly transmissible South African strain of the virus were also confirmed here. Dr Cillian De Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory at UCD, said the South African variant was a big concern. Around 2,500 hospital workers are currently off work because they are sick or self-isolating due to Covid-19 The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called on the HSE to implement new "critical emergency" protocols for the oncoming surge and the chronic staff shortages that are further disabling the health service. It is demanding plans that would reduce footfall in hospitals, ensure additional PPE and for senior managers to be on the ground. "It is time for the HSE to ramp up safety plans and introduce critical emergency protocols," INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said. "We have safety protocols that have been tweaked since March last year - the level of pandemic we face now means many need a total overhaul or serious upgrade." Hospitals and staff are braced for what is to come but some believe there is still room for optimism. "For me, the key to protecting the hospitals comes from the community. It will all stem from how the public follows the public health advice and adheres to the restrictions," said Alan Sharp. Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates: Leaders of the protesting farmers said that they had not sought any relief from the Supreme Court, instead, their appeals are from the government Auto refresh feeds The Bench had on Monday indicated amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws and refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution saying it has already granted the government a long rope. The Supreme Court will pronounce orders on Tuesday on various issues related to the new farm laws and the farmers' ongoing protest at Delhi borders and may take a call on setting up of a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India (CJI) to find ways to resolve the impasse. BJP MP from Karnataka's Kolar S Muniswamy alleged that farmers who are protesting at Delhi borders have been paid and brought to agitation sites. "They are middlemen and fake farmers. They are eating pizza, burger and KFC products, and have set up gym there. This drama should stop," he told ANI. Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesperson Dharmendra Malik isaid the agitating farmers would also burn copies of farm legislation on that day. Malik said the BKU executive committee, in a meeting at Ghazipur-UP gate border, also decided to observe 18 January as Mahila Kisan Divas (Women Farmers' Day) during which the womenfolk of villages would lead the ongoing protest against the government. A section of farmers protesting against the three central farm laws has threatened to 'gherao' Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhavan on 23 January. On 10 January, locals near agitation site in Shajahanpur of Rajasthan's Alwar had pitched tents on one carriageway of the highway against the farmers' agitation. Sumer Singh, a protesting villager said their work and employment have been adversely affected due to the farmers' blockade and demanded its immediate removal. A day after blocking traffic on one carriageway of Jaipur-Delhi National Highway alleging that protesting farmers were creating unemployment and littering garbage in adjoining fields, local villagers returned home yesterday after Haryana police opened a slip lane on the highway. The other border routes, such as the Delhi-Gurgaon and Delhi-Faridabad stretches, can be used for travelling between the two states. The entry and exit points between Delhi and Haryana, passing through Singhu, Tikri, Auchandi, Piau Manyari, Saboli and Mangesh, have continued to remain closed. The traffic police have advised commuters to take alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu toll tax borders.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. It has been suggested to avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44. For those coming to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Chilla and Ghazipur is closed. The traffic police advised them to take routes passing through Anand Vihar, DND, Loni DND and Apsara borders which have remained mostly unaffected. The exercise is seen as an attempt to keep the flock of MLAs in the alliance together amid increasing pressure over them with the farmers' agitation dominating the political landscape in Haryana for the past one-and-a-half month. The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi Tuesday. But before that, Dushyant will hold a meeting with JJP MLAs at his farmhouse in Delhi. All JJP legislators have been asked to come to the capital on Tuesday. Top leaders of the BJP-JJP alliance in Haryana, including Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, are set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the political scenario in the state. The party has said it will stage protests outside governor houses across the country on 15 January to extend support to the ongoing farmers' agitation. The party is observing the day as 'Kisan Adhikar Diwas'. A meeting will also be held over the new laws before the start of Parliament session later this month, they said. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has spoken to leaders of Opposition parties to plan out a joint strategy in the budget session of Parliament regarding the Centre's new farm laws, sources said on Monday. The Supreme Court will shortly pronounce its verdict on pleas pertaining to issues relating to the three contentious farm laws and farmers' protests. A Bench, led by CJI SA Bobde and also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, presided over the hearings. Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said ahead of the Supreme Court's order on pleas pertaining to farm laws and farmers' protests that a core committee meeting will be held after the verdict to decide the future course of action. Advocate ML Sharma said he had submitted names like ex-CJI Khehar, Justice Singhvi and Justice Aggarwal for the committee. Bobde further said the committee will not punish anyone or pass any orders, but take a clearer picture of the ground situation and take opinions of organisations. CJI SA Bobde said the Court has the power to suspend the agricultural laws, but "the suspension of legislation must not be for an empty purpose". He said that the court-appointed committee will submit a report to the Bench and every person interested in solving the issue should cooperate with the committee. "We can't suspend the laws indefinitely. The suspension will have to run parallel to a process for resolution," he further noted. The Bench observed that no power can stop it from setting up a committee to evaluate the pros and cons of the farm laws. Bobde went on to say that after the committee gives finding which provisions to be deleted, it will deal with the farm laws. The apex court will appoint a committee and it will be a part of the judicial proceedings, CJI SA Bobde said. CJI said yesterday Dave sought posting of the matter to today so that he can come back with instruction from farmers. Today, he and other counsel have not even logged in to the virtual hearing. The four counsel - Dushyant Dave, Prashant Bhushan, Colin Gonsalves and HS Phoolka - did not appear for the hearing today, prompting the SC Bench to observe that it is not fair for the farmers to appear before them only when it suits them. The Supreme Court said it will suspend the implementation of the three farm reform laws until further orders. It also said that a committee, which shall comprise of experts of agriculture and agri economics. The committee will play a significant role in resolving the impasse between the farmers and Centre Members of the committee appointed by the Bench led by CJI SA Bobde to look into the ground situation behind the farmers' protest and solve the impasse between farmers and the Centre include: The farmer leaders said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee appointed by the Supreme Court, but a formal decision on this will be taken by the Morcha. The Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 protesting farmer unions, has called a meeting later in the day to decide the next course of action. Farmer leaders welcomed the Supreme Court's order to stay the implementation of three farm laws on Tuesday, but said they would not call off their protest until the legislations are repealed. The four names of members include Bhupinder Singh Mann, President of Bhartiya Kisan Union; Anil Ghanwat, President of Shetkeri Sangthana, Maharashtra; Pramod Kumar Joshi, director for South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute, and agriculture economist Ashok Gulati. The bench said those who "genuinely want resolution, will go to the committee" on farm laws. "This is not politics. There is a difference between politics and judiciary and you will have to cooperate", it said to farmer unions. "We are concerned about protecting the lives and property of citizens of India and we want to solve the problem," said the bench. Before pronouncing the order, the bench commenced the hearing and asked the farmers' unions to cooperate and go before the committee to be appointed by it to resolve the dispute. The observation of the bench asking protesting farmers' unions to cooperate assumes significance in view of reports that they would not go to any apex court-appointed panel for resolution of the dispute and wanted the laws to be repealed. During the hearing, the top court sought the cooperation of the protesting farmers and made it clear that no power can prevent it from setting up a committee to resolve the impasse over the controversial farm laws. Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Rakesh Tikait took to Twitter to express hi displeasure about the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel. He claimed that all four members have publically supported the contentious laws, or open market for farm produces in the past. He claimed that the agrarians were unhappy with this intervention, indicating that that the protesting farmers mistrusts the panel to be fair to them in looking for a solution to the current stalemate. "It is clear that the Court is being misguided by various forces even in its constitution of a committee. These are people who are known for their support to the 3 Acts and have actively advocated for the same," the SKM told the TV channel. Speaking to News18, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has refused to go to the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel for dispute resolution following concerns that all members have in the past expressed their support towards the three contentious laws. The union told the TV channel that the apex court has been misguided by various forces in choosing the commitee. However, in a more recent article for The Indian Express, titled To help farmers, right approach is through Farmer Producer Organisations, not APMC mandis, he advised the government to be prepared to given a written guarantee that the existing system of APMC markets and MSP will continue and be strengthened Gulati has been one of the most prominent supporters of the new farm laws among agricultural experts. In May 2020, when the laws were still in the consideration process, he compared them to 1991 liberalisation of the Indian economy in an article for The Indian Express. He wrote that the proposed "changes can go a long way in building efficient value chains and ensuring better returns for farmers. The consumers will also be ensured better products without burdening their pockets." Gulati is an agricultural economist who was awarded with the Padma Shri in the year 2015. He is an Infosys Chair Professor for Agriculture at the India Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). NCP president Sharad Pawar welcomed the Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday to stay the implementation of three farm laws and set up of a four-member panel to resolve the impasse between the government and farmer unions over the legislations. Farmers have been protesting at various border points of Delhi for more than a month now, demanding a repeal of the three laws. On 14 December, 2020, a group of farmers' organisations, under the banner of the AIKCC, had handed over a memorandum demanding that the three laws be implemented, but with some amendments. According to an article in The Hindu, the amendments proposed by the organisations were aimed to ensure that judicial recourse is ensured, and that there is a level-playing field created between private and state-run markets Bhupinder Singh Mann is a former Rajya Sabha MP, and is presently National President of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Chairman of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee. The farmers appeared unfazed with the day's development and discarded the idea of cooperating with the panel, stating that all members have been vocal advocates of the bills in some form. Farmer leader Balbeer Singh Rajewal said, "We will not appear before any committee; our agitation is against three farm laws. We never even demanded from SC to form such a committee. The government is behind all these tactics." Leaders of the protesting farmers held a press conference Tuesday, hours after the Supreme Court stayed the three contentious laws and appointed a four-member committee to resolve the dispute. The bench, however, acknowledged allegations that Khalistani protesters are also capitalising on the farmers' movement which has recieved massive support from farmers in Punjab. The Supreme Court bench, in its order, said, "Laudably, the farmers have so far carried on the agitation peacefully and without any untoward incident. But it was pointed out in the course of hearing that a few persons who are not farmers have also joined, with a view to show solidarity with the farmers". "We had issued a press note last night stating that we won't accept any committee formed by Supreme Court for mediation. We were confident that Centre will get a committee formed through Supreme Court to take the burden off their shoulders," Krantikari Kisan Union chief, Darshan Pal said in a press congference. The combined front of various farm unions, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, has declared that it will not appear before any committee, even though the Supreme Court has mandated that the first sitting of the panel should take place within 10 days, Leaders of the protesting farmers said that they had not sought any relief from the Supreme Court, instead, their appeals are from the government. Maintaining that they will not appear before the committee constituted by the apex court today, they said that this panel was not what they had asked for. The court also has the power to suo motu repeal the laws, they should have done that, they said. Surjewala also alleged that one of the committee members was also a petitioner and asked how can the petitioner be made a member of the Supreme Court-appointed committee. "We do not know who has given these names to the Chief Justice of India. Why was their background and stand not checked. All these four persons are in favour of these laws and are standing with Prime Minister Modi. How can we expect justice from such a committee," he told reporters at a press conference. The party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala sought to know whether any government lawyer disclosed the credentials of the committee members before the court. The Congress on Tuesday claimed that all four members of the committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to resolve the deadlock over farmers' agitation against three farm laws, were in favour of the legislations, and posed how could the protesters expect justice from them. Chautala and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar are scheduled to meet Shah in the national capital, and they will be accompanied by BJP state president OP Dhankar. The Centre should repeal the three farm laws or it will cost the ruling BJP-JJP alliance in Haryana "heavily", a section of JJP MLAs said on Tuesday, hours before their party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah here. Farmers would any day prefer to talk to Narendra Tomar than to such a blatantly partisan "expert" committee. Wonder how the Supreme Court could be taken for a ride into appointing such a sarkari committee. https://t.co/5uHMKeF9l7 On 14 December, 2020, a group of farmers' organisations, under the banner of the AIKCC, had handed over a memorandum demanding that the three laws be implemented, but with some amendments. According to an article in The Hindu, the amendments proposed by the organisations were aimed to ensure that judicial recourse is ensured, and that there is a level-playing field created between private and state-run markets Bhupinder Singh Mann is a former Rajya Sabha MP, and is presently National President of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Chairman of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee. The farmers appeared unfazed with the day's development and discarded the idea of cooperating with the panel, stating that all members have been vocal advocates of the bills in some form. Farmer leader Balbeer Singh Rajewal said, "We will not appear before any committee; our agitation is against three farm laws. We never even demanded from SC to form such a committee. The government is behind all these tactics." Leaders of the protesting farmers held a press conference Tuesday, hours after the Supreme Court stayed the three contentious laws and appointed a four-member committee to resolve the dispute. The Attorney General said, We have said that Khalistanis' have infiltrated the farmers' protest. We can file an affidavit by tomorrow, along with the report of the intelligence bureau. These kinds of protests can be "dangerous" he said, adding that groups like "Sikhs for Justice" are involved in these agitations. The bench told Venugopal that somebody has made an allegation here on record that there are some banned organisations which are helping the protest. "Will you confirm this or deny?" the bench asked the AG. During the hearing, senior advocate P S Narasimha, appearing for intervenor 'Indian Kisan Union' supporting the new farm laws, alleged that some banned organizations have been fuelling the protests of farmers. A bench of Chief Justice Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, which was hearing a clutch of petitions against the farm laws and the ongoing farmers protest at borders of Delhi, asked Venugopal to file the affidavit by Wednesday. The Supreme Court Tuesday asked the Centre to file an affidavit on its claim that some banned organisations including Khalistanis' have infiltrated the ongoing farmers protest against the new farm laws. Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, said that Khalistanis' have infiltrated the protest and he will file an affidavit along with the necessary inputs of the intelligence bureau (IB). The bench, however, acknowledged allegations that Khalistani protesters are also capitalising on the farmers' movement which has recieved massive support from farmers in Punjab. The Supreme Court bench, in its order, said, "Laudably, the farmers have so far carried on the agitation peacefully and without any untoward incident. But it was pointed out in the course of hearing that a few persons who are not farmers have also joined, with a view to show solidarity with the farmers". "We had issued a press note last night stating that we won't accept any committee formed by Supreme Court for mediation. We were confident that Centre will get a committee formed through Supreme Court to take the burden off their shoulders," Krantikari Kisan Union chief, Darshan Pal said in a press congference. The combined front of various farm unions, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, has declared that it will not appear before any committee, even though the Supreme Court has mandated that the first sitting of the panel should take place within 10 days, Can anyone expect the protesting farmers demanding repeal of Agri Laws to talk to such a committee? Why should they? Farmers are left with no other option than to boycott this committee? pic.twitter.com/Orclm3IJYx Leaders of the protesting farmers said that they had not sought any relief from the Supreme Court, instead, their appeals are from the government. Maintaining that they will not appear before the committee constituted by the apex court today, they said that this panel was not what they had asked for. The court also has the power to suo motu repeal the laws, they should have done that, they said. Surjewala also alleged that one of the committee members was also a petitioner and asked how can the petitioner be made a member of the Supreme Court-appointed committee. "We do not know who has given these names to the Chief Justice of India. Why was their background and stand not checked. All these four persons are in favour of these laws and are standing with Prime Minister Modi. How can we expect justice from such a committee," he told reporters at a press conference. The party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala sought to know whether any government lawyer disclosed the credentials of the committee members before the court. The Congress on Tuesday claimed that all four members of the committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to resolve the deadlock over farmers' agitation against three farm laws, were in favour of the legislations, and posed how could the protesters expect justice from them. Farmers' Protest LATEST Updates: Leaders of the protesting farmers said that they had not sought any relief from the Supreme Court, instead, their appeals are from the government. Maintaining that they will not appear before the committee constituted by the apex court today, they said that this panel was not what they had asked for. The court also has the power to suo motu repeal the laws, they should have done that, they said. The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to file an affidavit on its claim that some banned organisations, including 'Khalistanis', have infiltrated the ongoing farmers' protest against the three farm laws Leaders of the protesting farmers held a press conference Tuesday, hours after the Supreme Court stayed the three contentious laws and appointed a four-member committee to resolve the dispute. Quoting articles revealing past positions of all members of the panel on these laws, Yogendra Yadav said that the farmers will rather hold a discussion with Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar than such a 'partisan' committee. The Centre should repeal the three farm laws or it will cost the ruling BJP-JJP alliance in Haryana 'heavily', a section of JJP MLAs warned on Tuesday, hours before their party chief Dushyant Chautala is due to meet Amit Shah The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has refused to go to the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel for dispute resolution following concerns that all members of the committee have in the past supported the three laws Farmer leaders welcomed the Supreme Court's order to stay the implementation of three farm laws on Tuesday, but said they would not call off their protest until the legislations are repealed. While Attorney General KK Venugopal said there is 'huge support' for the laws in Kerala, Karnataka, etc, DMK's P Wilson said that is untrue and Vijaywada is burning with protests against the legislations. CJI SA Bobde said the proposed committee will evaluate the pros and cons of the farm laws and its findings will be a part of the judicial process. CJI SA Bobde said the Court has the power to suspend the agricultural laws, but "the suspension of legislation must not be for an empty purpose". He said that the court-appointed committee will submit a report to the Bench and every person interested in solving the issue should cooperate with the committee. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has spoken to leaders of Opposition parties to plan out a joint strategy in the budget session of Parliament regarding the Centre's new farm laws. The Haryana deputy chief minister will hold a meeting with JJP MLAs at his farmhouse in Delhi. All JJP legislators have been asked to come to the National Capital on Tuesday. A joint front of 40 agitating farmer unions welcomed the suggestion of the Supreme Court for a stay on the agricultural laws but said they are not willing to participate in any proceedings before a committee that may be appointed by it. The Supreme Court on Tuesday, rapping the Centre over its handling of the ongoing farmers protest at the borders of Delhi, said it is 'extremely disappointed ' with the way negotiations are unfolding. The apex court asked the government if it would suspend the implementation of the laws or whether the court should step in for the same. The court further stated that it will constitute a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India to resolve the impasse. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are camping at three border points of Delhi Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur for more than a month now, demanding the repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP) system for their crops. The eighth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions on 7 January appeared headed nowhere as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws, while the farmers' leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their 'ghar waapsi' will happen only after 'law waapsi'. The apex court had earlier issued notice and sought the Centre's response on a batch of pleas against the three contentious farm laws the Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. As per reports, farmers groups said they will not participate in the proceedings of a committee that the Supreme Court might appoint. "We met our lawyers this evening at length and after deliberation on pros and cons of the suggestions of the committee, we informed them that we are unanimously not agreeable to go before any committee," the Samyukta Kisan Morcha said, as per CNBC-TV18. Talking to news agency PTI, farmer leaders had earlier said they welcomed the top court's observations, but added that a stay on the implementation of the laws was not a solution as it would only be for a fixed amount of time. The leaders said that their agitation will continue till the laws are scrapped. Meanwhile, INLD legislator Abhay Singh Chautala, writing to the Haryana Assembly Speaker, said if the Centre does not withdraw the three contentious farm laws by 26 January, then he would resign as an MLA from the House. Extremely disappointed with negotiation process, says SC While hearing a batch of petitions challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, justices V Ramasubramanian and AS Bopanna, expressed disappointment at the way the government is handling the protest. "We are extremely disappointed with the negotiation process. We don't want to make any stray observations on your negotiations but we are extremely disappointed with the process," PTI quotes the court as saying. "We don't know what consultative process you followed before the laws. Many states are up in rebellion," LiveLaw quoted the bench as saying. When Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted that amendments had started during the previous regime, CJI Bobde said," Mr Attorney, please understand it will not help you that some other government started it," reported Bar and Bench. The apex court said it is not talking about the repeal of these farm laws at the moment. "This is a very delicate situation," the bench said, adding, "There is not a single petition before us which says that these farm laws are beneficial." "We are not experts on economy; you tell us whether government is going to put on hold farm laws or we will do this," the bench said. Venugopal argued that a law cannot be stayed unless the court finds it violates fundamental rights or constitutional schemes. "Our intention is to see whether we can find an amicable solution to all this. That is why we had asked you (Centre) whether you are willing to keep these laws on hold for sometime. But you wanted to buy time," the bench observed. The apex court, which said the matter is getting worse and people are committing suicides, reiterated the need for having a committee comprising representatives from the government and farmer organisations from over the country and said it will stop the implementation of these laws if the panel advises doing so. It said that the protesting farmer can tell their objections to the committee. The court asked the parties to suggest two or three names of former CJIs including former CJI RM Lodha who can head the court-appointed panel. The bench said it did not know whether the protesting farmers were observing social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic but was concerned about them getting food and water. The bench also expressed apprehension that there might be some incident which may breach the peace. "Old people and women are on the ground. Why are old people in the farmers' protests? We don't want to comment on the merit of the agitation," the bench said. It said after the implementation of these laws are stayed, the protesters can carry on with the agitation as the court doesn't want "anyone to say that we stifled the protest." We are not going to protect any lawbreakers. We want to prevent the loss of property and lives, it said. When the attorney-general told the court that next meeting between the government and farmers is scheduled for 15 January and the court should not pass any order today, the bench said, "We do not think the Centre is handling the issue correctly. We have to take some action today. We don't think you are being effective. If laws are put on hold then negotiations will have a chance to work out. " The court refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution to the issue, saying it has already granted the government a long rope. "We have given you long rope, Mr Attorney-General, please don't lecture us on patience," the bench said. "Whether you have faith or not, we are the Supreme Court of India, we will do our job," the bench told the protesting farmer unions. The court, which indicated during the hearing that it may pass orders in parts, later said that the order will be pronounced on Tuesday. 'Will continue agitation even if implementation stayed' Farmers leaders said they would continue their agitation even if the government or the Supreme Court stays the implementation, reported PTI. The farmer leaders, who said they were "sharing their personal opinion", were also of the view that a stay is "not a solution" as it is only for a fixed period of time. The farmers want the laws to be repealed completely. The protest will continue even if the government or the Supreme Court stays their implementation," Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union president Gurnam Singh Chaduni told the news agency. Bhog Singh Mansa, president of Indian Farmers Union (Mansa), said "A stay is not a solution. We are here to get these laws scrapped completely... the government has in a way already agreed to scrap the laws when it said it is willing to incorporate as many amendments as farmers want." "We appeal to the Supreme Court to terminate these laws as these are not valid constitutionally," Mansa said, adding the protest will continue till the "the laws are not repealed or the BJP government completes its tenure". Punjab Kisan Union president Ruldu Singh Mansa echoed similar sentiments, saying the agitation began with the demand for scrapping the farm laws and "it will end only when we win this fight". Darshan Pal, president of Krantikari Kisan Union, said the farmer leaders are consulting their lawyers and a formal response will be given after the court gave its verdict. Centre files affidavit 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. Tributes have been paid to a 'kind' and 'much-loved' restaurant owner who died after being run over with his own car during a carjacking - with police arresting a 14-year-old boy in connection with the incident. Haji Mohammed Hedayatul Islam - known as Nowab Miah - was delivering a takeaway on Friday evening when thieves stole his silver Mercedes. It's thought the 53-year-old was run over as he tried to stop the vehicle being taken. Mr Miah owned the Marple Spice restaurant in Marple, Stockport. On the Marple Spice Facebook page, Mr Miah's son, Shaf Nowab, posted: 'I am saddened to announce that my father, my mentor, my role model ... has sadly left this world surrounded by close family. 'Many of your know him as the boss of Marple Spice and I would like to thank you all for your prayers and heartfelt messages. Tributes have been paid to 'kind' and 'much-loved' restaurant owner Nowab Miah who died after a carjacking in Stockport while he was delivering takeaway food to a customer. Mr Miah's son, Shaf Nowab, described him as a 'father, mentor and role model' 'Me and my family ask that you keep us in your prayers and allow my family to come to terms with this loss.' Announcing the restaurant would be closed for the next few days, a later post read: 'We have been overwhelmed by the LOVE and support shown by the LOCAL community. 'Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers during this truly difficult time.' Friends and family have raised more than 7,000 in the restaurant owner's memory, with donations going to support children in Bangladesh. Organiser of the GoFundMe page, Jane Normie, said: 'As a Community we are all so saddened to hear that a precious life has been lost.' Nowab Miah was taken to hospital in critical condition on Friday but sadly died on Sunday afternoon Police were called to a report of a collision at the junction of Lyme Grove and Hazel Avenue, in Romiley, just after 9pm. Mr Miah, 53, from Hyde, Greater Manchester was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he died on Sunday afternoon. Detectives have launched a murder investigation and a 14-year-old boy, who was arrested on suspicion of robbery, remains in custody. Sheike Mohammad Zakaria posted: 'My Brother in laws younger brother Haji Mohammed Hedayatul Islam (Nowab Miah) has passed away today. 'To all our friends and family please keep him in your prayers, he did not deserve the fate that he had come to. He was a kind, loving man.' Hundreds of people also left messages for Mr Miah, who was an executive committee member for Hyde Jamia Mosque & Islamic Centre, describing him as a 'much loved man' and 'lovely, hard-working and kind-hearted'. Detectives have now launched a murder investigation and are continuing to look for the silver Mercedes which they believe was stolen in the incident, on the junction of Lyme Grove and Hazel Avenue. Police are investigating after a man was left fatally injured during a robbery. It's understood that as the victim was delivering food in Stockport, pictured, suspects jumped into his car Chief Inspector Liam Boden said: 'This is an extremely tragic case which has rocked the community and left a family utterly devastated. 'We believe there may have been others involved in the incident and a number of lines of inquiry are continuing to be carried out in order for us to find those responsible. 'We're still asking the public to come forward with any information that may assist us - even the smallest bit of information can prove vital. 'Anyone who may have seen a silver Mercedes in the area at the time or may have seen it in suspicious circumstances since is asked to get in touch - this vehicle could prove vital in our investigation. 'We're also keen for anyone with any CCTV or dash-cam footage to get in touch.; Eyewitnesses spoke of their shock following the incident. David Speed, 42, says the victim was delivering an Indian meal to his home when he saw his vehicle being taken. Mr Speed told the Manchester Evening News that he heard the doorbell ring at the home on Hazel Avenue in Romiley before he heard the victim shout 'no, no, no'. The victim ran to his car and tried to stop the thieves by clinging to the passenger window. A witness said five or six police cars arrived at the street, pictured, and an investigation is ongoing. Greater Manchester Police have issued an urgent appeal for witnesses Mr Speed, a builder, said: 'I saw him running to the passenger door. He must have had the window open. 'He grabbed hold of the car and the car reversed a little. Then it pulled out and sped off with him holding onto it. 'They then sped off, leaving the victim in the middle of the road.' Mr Speed said he grabbed some clothes and ran downstairs to help. Neighbours were out on the street helping the man who was seriously injured, with a woman holding him. He said: 'I phoned the takeaway company and got his registration. They phoned his son. 'He was bleeding everywhere. It was just horrible. I was just disgusted someone would do that.' Anyone with information should call 0161 856 9821 or 0161 856 9790, quoting log number 2499 of 08/01/2021, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Cowboys Dancehall is at the center of social distancing concerns after two concerts were hosted at the mega venue over the weekend as COVID-19 continues its rampant spread. Country musician Cody Johnson headlined two concerts at Cowboys on Friday and Saturday. Online promotions ahead of the shows urged fans to grab tickets early as capacity at each event would be limited in response to the coronavirus pandemic. RELATED: COVID Updates: San Antonio officials reported 3,002 new cases Sunday by far the most in one day However, videos and photos posted from inside the Northeast Side spot show a filled-in dancefloor as fans gathered to watch Johnson perform. The posts were met with questions of how the venue was able to host the concerts as the local COVID-19 crisis worsens and other businesses have been forced to shutter. "How is Cowboys Dancehall allowed to host a super spreader event?! Its so selfish seeing posts of people at the Cody Johnson concert," a Twitter user said. "Place looks full and of course no masks. People are dying. Our hospitals are full. Have some respect for Healthcare workers. #RantOver" Some of the takes also rebuked Johnson for the concert. The musician has yet to publicly comment on the shows. Residents are able to report businesses or groups they feel are not complying to social distancing or mask ordinances in the county. The most-recent Enforcement of Public Health Emergency Declaration data shows three complaints were made during the shows. Response teams for each call found Cowboys to be in compliance and action was not taken. "Officer made location & observed crowd. Occupancy at 791 well below ordinance capacity. Spoke with manager & observed staff enforcing mask use," the outcome description of the report says for a call made on the Saturday show. The multi-level, 70,000-square-foot business can typically hold up to 4,000 people, according to the website. The San Antonio Police Department said no formal complaints were made at Cowboys this weekend. The city was not immediately available to comment on the concerns. Cowboys could not be reached to expand on the protocols taken to ensure social distancing. Photos and video taken posted from the club over the weekend show barricades dividing the dancefloor into sections, which was not typically done in pre-pandemic times. It's unclear how many tickets were sold per show. On Sunday, Val Verde County Jude Lewis Owens said a "young lady" from the area, about three hours west of San Antonio, attended the concert knowing she was COVID-19 positive. Owens condemned her actions in a Facebook video saying the young woman was cited and he is planning on publicizing her name. The venue does not have upcoming concerts scheduled. San Antonio broke a grim record of the most COVID-19 cases in a single day with 3,002 reported on Sunday. Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @maddyskye Journal-Courier VIRGINIA Two people died and another was injured Sunday in a shooting in Cass County, according to authorities. Few details were being released late Sunday, but Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn said one person was in custody. 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 day before a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, an arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association sent out robocalls urging supporters to come to D.C. to "fight" Congress over President Donald Trump's baseless election fraud claims. "At 1 p.m. we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal," said the message first reported by the watchdog group Documented. "We're hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections." After the attempted insurrection on Wednesday left a police officer and four others dead, several GOP attorneys general have now distanced themselves from the robocalls, insisting they didn't know about the campaign. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, the nonprofit that sent out the calls, blamed the group's staffers. "I was unaware of unauthorized decisions made by RLDF staff with regard to this week's rally," he said in a statement to the Montgomery Advertiser. "It is unacceptable that I was neither consulted about nor informed of those decisions. I have directed an internal review of the matter." Those claims fell short for Marshall's Democratic counterparts, who pointed to the number of GOP officials who have repeated the president's unfounded election fraud claims. "RLDF-- and the Republican [attorneys general] who blindly take their support-- have no legal or moral ground on which to stand here," said a statement issued from the Democratic Attorneys General Association's co-chairs, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. The robocalls are the latest incident leaving GOP officials fending off criticism over their culpability in Wednesday's riots. While Republicans have roundly criticized the violence, many have stopped short of condemning Trump for his role in inciting it or for insisting on political repercussions. The calls were sent out by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, which are often called a "dark money groups" by critics because they are not required to reveal donors. The group works to elect GOP attorneys general, Documented reported. It is unclear how many people received the Tuesday robocall from the Republican group. The recording opened with the operator noting she was leaving "an important message" on behalf of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, Documented reported, before urging marchers to show up to D.C. on Jan. 6 to march on the Capitol building. Following Documented's reporting, Piper, the executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, denied the group had been involved in planning the march to the Capitol. The groups, he said in a statement on Friday, "had no involvement in the planning, sponsoring, or the organization of yesterday's rally. No Republican A.G. authorized the staff's decision to amplify a colleague speaking at the rally." Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, the former chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, also said on Friday that he had no involvement with the protests or the violence that followed. "A.G. Reyes was not involved in organizing the rally in Washington, D.C." his office said in a statement. "He support's everyone's rights to peacefully protest and, as stated previously, condemns in the strongest possible terms, all acts of lawlessness and violence at the Capitol Building last week." Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, the vice chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, also denied knowing about the calls on Saturday. "Attorney General Schmitt absolutely had no knowledge of or involvement in the robocall, and condemns the violence that took place on Wednesday in the strongest possible terms, period," his spokesperson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Despite claims from the attorneys general that the nonprofit played no role in organizing the rally, Documented reported that the website promoting the "March to Save America," rally, which was down as of early Monday morning, showed the Rule Defense Fund among the organizations listed as participants. Democratic attorneys general also noted that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who furthered Trump's baseless fraud claims in a failed lawsuit, spoke at the rally and that Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., a former attorney general, led the move to object to President-elect Joe Biden's win. "Its former chair spoke at the rally that incited the mob," the group's statement said, referring to Paxton. "And former GOP A.G. Josh Hawley led the effort in Congress to undermine the election." Biden Renews Call for $2,000 Stimulus Checks President-elect Joe Biden has renewed calls for $2,000 direct payments to be included in the next CCP virus stimulus measures. $600 is simply not enough when you have to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table. We need $2,000 stimulus checks, Biden said in a Twitter post on Jan. 10. He also mentioned on Jan. 8 the need for $2,000 direct payments for most Americans to address the CCP virus pandemic, which has devastated the country economically. We need more direct relief flowing to families and small businesses, including finishing the job and getting people $2,000 in relief, Biden said during a speech to announce his economic team nominations. Efforts to increase stimulus checks in the last COVID-19 relief measures from $600 to $2,000 failed after the Republican-majority Senate pushed back on efforts to increase the payments. The House had already voted to increase the stimulus checks following demands by President Donald Trump to boost the payments. At the time, Trump had demanded lawmakers reconsider foreign spending in the omnibus bill that he characterized as wasteful, while increasing the direct payments to U.S. families. Increase payments to the people, get rid of the pork, Trump wrote early on Dec. 27, while posting a video to say he would likely veto the stimulus package. He eventually signed the $2.3 trillion emergency relief package, after reaching agreement with Congress over stimulus checks and other demands. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 16, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) With Democratic candidates winning both seats during the Georgia runoff election on Jan. 5, Democrats will have 50 seats in the Senate. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, as president of the Senate, would cast tie-breaking votes. But at least one Senate Democrat has expressed opposition for $2,000 direct payments. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told The Washington Post on Jan. 8 that he was absolutely opposed to a new round of checks and that he was only open to checks for a narrow group of people. If they can direct money and they say, This will help stimulate the economy, Im for it, Manchin said. But basically right now, you better get them vaccinated. In a Twitter post on Jan. 8, Manchin said, If the next round of stimulus checks goes out they should be targeted to those who need it. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) had previously said that he supports Trumps demand for $2,000 stimulus checks. If Manchin opposes, Senate Democrats may need the help from Senate Republicans to pass a potential measure. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) have previously said they would back a measure for $2,000 checks. Congresss last omnibus and COVID-19 funding package garnered widespread scrutiny over its foreign aid spending. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being sent as forms of aid to foreign countries and other forms of American engagement abroad, according to the omnibus bill. Trump previously raised concerns that a significant amount was going to other countries instead of to struggling Americans. This bill contains $85.5 million for assistance to Cambodia, $134 million to Burma, $1.3 billion for Egypt and the Egyptian military, which will go out and buy almost exclusively Russian military equipment, $25 million for democracy and gender programs in Pakistan, $505 million to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, he said at the time. Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. [January 11, 2021] Introducing new Vineti PTM flexibility features: next-gen label printing and rescheduling innovations deliver critical workflow options that advanced therapies require New PTM Label Printing brings unprecedented flexibility and simplicity to a complex process that is critical to product integrity and patient safety Label Printing brings unprecedented flexibility and simplicity to a complex process that is critical to product integrity and patient safety Updated PTM Order Status Tracking provides a control tower view of each patient-specific order, with real-time status updates and the ability to reschedule key steps as needed SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vineti, developer of the leading digital platform of record for personalized therapeutics, today announced a new suite of flexibility features for its Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) solution. These new PTM capabilities deliver unprecedented real-time process controls for advanced therapy manufacturers and Healthcare Providers, ultimately providing better care for patients. Advanced therapies, such as CAR-T cell therapies, are produced via the most complex supply chain in the history of medicine, with rigorous regulatory requirements every step of the way. Manufacturing batches are typically small often just one single patient-specific product per batch and rely on highly variable manufacturing processes driven by multiple stakeholders scattered across different geographies and facilities. Orchestrating the production, transport, and patient delivery of each batch requires a high degree of flexibility, so that manufacturers can make adjustments and troubleshoot challenges in real time. Keeping each patient product moving quickly, safely, and compliantly demands digital solutions. As the leader in advanced therapy supply chain orchestration technology, Vineti knows first-hand what types of support these transformative therapies require. Vinetis new set of PTM flexibility features solves critical supply chain workflow challenges that could otherwise hinder advanced therapies and keep some patients including those facing cancer or rare genetic disorders from receiving the personalized treatments they need. We know what it takes to deliver advanced therapies at scale, and our PTM platform is making that happen through continuous updates and improvements, said Vineti CEO and Co-founder Amy DuRoss. This new set of flexibility-related features is just one of many ways well be expanding our platform, enabling standards and industrial scale for advanced therapies, and helping to provide better patient care throughout the year ahead. PTM Label Printing The new PTM Label Printing solution enables flexible in-process labeling for advanced therapies. Accurate, up-to-date patient and product information, on each and every label, is essential for patient safety. But the in-process nature of the label also has the potential to introduce a great deal of complexity and risk of error. An advanced therapy in-process labeling system requires flexibility, so that advanced therapy manufacturers can control what label content gets printed where and by whom, while maintaining rigorous compliance and quality. Vinetis new PTM Label Printing solution provides multiple options for label printing, even on a per-site basis, ranging from printing to existing on-site printers or cloud connected printers. The flexibility of the PTM labeling solution enables Vineti to support a wide range of label printing use cases. The system supports a wide variety of label content types and standars, including ISBT-128 and SEC, to provide top-tier compliance and privacy protections. Order Status Tracking and Rescheduling The updated PTM Order Status Tracking solution enables an end-to-end view of each patient product journey, while providing even more real-time flexibility and control. A wide range of biopharmaceutical teams supporting an advanced therapy, from manufacturing and supply chain management to market access and commercialization, can use PTMs Order Status Tracking to monitor and respond to key processes for the ordering, collection, manufacturing, transportation, and infusion of each patient product. Order Status Tracking enables manufacturers to check the progress of each order to see if critical steps are complete, delayed, or on time. The solution also now enables rescheduling, one of the most frequent challenges in advanced therapies. Key steps can now be rescheduled via the Order Status Tracking feature set, and those changes can then be cascaded through the rest of the patient journey to keep all milestones updated and tightly coordinated. The end result is more simplicity and greater control for each patient-specific process. Additional product information Learn more about PTM Label Printing . View a short demo of PTM Order Status Tracking and Rescheduling . Learn more about the PTM Platform solution. About Vinetis PTM Platform The Vineti Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) platform is the essential engine for advanced therapy supply chains. This industry-leading, purpose-built cloud service is trusted by biopharma clients worldwide to industrialize and scale advanced therapies, ensuring standards, patient safety, security, compliance, and a seamless customer experience. The PTM platform replaces outdated, costly, disparate, bespoke systems with a single enterprise-grade foundation for scaling personalized therapeutics worldwide. Solving the challenges of medicines most complex supply chain at every stage of clinical development and beyond, PTM accelerates access to advanced therapies and helps biopharmaceutical manufacturers transform patients lives. About Vineti Vineti is the first commercial, configurable cloud-based platform to expand patient access to life-saving cell and gene therapies. Vineti was co-founded by GE and the Mayo Clinic to solve the key challenges that patients, medical providers, biopharmaceutical companies, and regulators face in the delivery and commercialization of individualized therapies. Now a fully independent company, Vineti offers a digital platform of record to integrate logistics, manufacturing, and clinical data for personalized therapies. The Vineti Personalized Therapy Management (PTM) platform aligns and orchestrates the cell and gene therapy process and improves product performance overall. The Vineti platform supports the full continuum of patient-specific therapies, including cancer vaccines and autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. Vineti is currently serving patients, healthcare providers, and researchers in hundreds of leading medical centers and manufacturing centers world-wide, on behalf of a growing number of biopharmaceutical partners. In 2019, the World Economic Forum honored Vineti as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Vineti is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with offices in Bethesda, Maryland and Yerevan, Armenia. For more information, please visit http://vineti.com . Media Contacts Vineti Stacy Henry press@vineti.com ? [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the text of the statement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following a meeting in Moscow. We, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I. G. Aliyev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia N. V. Pashinyan and President of the Russian Federation V. V. Putin declare the following: 1. In order to implement paragraph 9 of the Statement of November 9, 2020 in terms of unblocking all economic and transport links in the region, the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin on the establishment of a tripartite Working Group under the joint chairmanship of the Vice-Prime Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. 2. The working group will hold the first meeting until January 30, 2021, based on the results of which it will form a list of the main areas of work arising from the implementation of paragraph 9 of the Statement, setting railway and road communications as priorities, and will also determine other areas as agreed between the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic Armenia and the Russian Federation, hereinafter referred to as the Parties. 3. In order to implement the main directions of activity, the co-chairs of the Working Group will approve the composition of the expert subgroups in these areas from among the officials of the competent authorities and organizations of the Parties. The expert subgroups, within a month after the meeting of the Working Group, will present a list of projects with justification of the necessary resources and activities for their implementation and approval at the highest level by the Parties, the statement added. The Working Group will submit for approval a list and a schedule for the implementation of measures involving the restoration and construction of new transport infrastructure facilities necessary for the organization, implementation and security of international traffic carried out through Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as transportations carried out by Azerbaijan and Armenia, which require crossing the territories of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Advertisement Some of the 13 requirements are essential, including evidence of handling and administering the jabs, a criminal background check and proof of employment. But other modules seem less critical, such as 'safeguarding adults' and 'data security' Concerns are mounting that red tape is still strangling Britain's coronavirus vaccine scale up, with retired medics still required to fill out 13 forms before being allowed to administer jabs. Despite the sluggish immunisation drive crying out for help to get it up to speed, former NHS staff are still having to provide proof of 'data security' training to be able to join the national effort. Liam Fox, the former Tory Cabinet minister and a doctor who has been trying to volunteer to help, said the only qualifications medical professionals should need are 'to understand the new vaccines and the risks relating to adverse reactions'. Originally, former health workers were being asked to provide 21 pieces of evidence before being allowed to take part, which included evidence of anti-terrorism training, fire safety and conflict resolution. But the Government came under huge pressure to get rid of the excessive bureaucracy, with Boris Johnson promising last Wednesday 'all such obstacles and all such pointless pettifoggery has been removed'. It was reported last night that the number of requirements had been chopped down from 21 to 15, which critics said did not go far enough. NHS sources told MailOnline today there had been confusion and that medics looking to sign up now actually only need to provide 13 documents. But retired doctors said today there was still 'too much time-wasting bureaucracy' that could put off volunteers from joining and hamper the country's ambitious plans to jab 13million people by mid-February. Some of the 13 requirements are essential, including evidence of handling and administering the Oxford University/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, a criminal background check and proof of employment. But other modules seem less critical, such as 'safeguarding adults' which is training to recognise and report potential indicators of abuse, harm and neglect and 'data security'. Retired GP Claire Barker said retired doctors were still likely to be put off by the requirements. She told The Telegraph: 'There is a balance to be struck between making sure that people are competent and over egging it by asking them to do things that they don't really, really need. At the moment I still think the requirements would be enough to put a lot of people off.' Originally, former health workers were being asked to provide 21 pieces of evidence before being allowed to take part, which included evidence of anti-terrorism training, fire safety and conflict resolution The Prime Minister promised MPs 'all such obstacles and all such pointless pettifoggery has been removed' on Wednesday. Pictured, Boris Johnson on January 7 What proof do retired medics need to become a Covid jabber? (And what was removed?) The 13 requirements Passport or proof of right to work DBS (criminal background check) Verification of professional registration online COVID-19 knowledge for vaccinators COVID mRNA Vaccine / AZ Vaccine Managing anaphylaxis Data security Vaccine Admin Vaccine Storage (combined with Above) Resuscitation level 2 (prior certification) Health and safety (Prior experience) Infection Prevention and control (revise/F2F) Safeguarding adults level 1, if required Modules removed Conflict Resolution Moving and Handling Equality & Diversity Fire safety Preventing radicalisation Safeguarding children level 1 Advertisement Last week in the House of Commons, Mr Fox urged the Government to ditch the long list of requirements to become a volunteer 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.' It comes after retired occupational physician Celia Palmer, from London, blasted the health service over its 'bureaucratic' system of approval for volunteers to help fight coronavirus on the frontline. More than 40,000 doctors and nurses applied to return to the NHS to help with the pandemic, but only 5,000 had been given jobs by July. Dr Palmer said she was contacted about returning to wards in April but it took 21 emails to be accepted and she still has to have additional training. She hit out at the checks requiring medics to prove they are educated in subjects such as counter-terrorism and racial equality. She told the Today programme: 'I was first contacted by the GMC at the beginning of April and told that my registration had been temporarily restored and inviting me to respond to the Covid crisis, which of course I did. 'Twenty-one emails later I have been accepted as a vaccinator but I've been invited to complete a survey because I have not yet been contacted with a start date or work location. 'I also have to do some more training and I don't yet know what that training comprises.' Asked if she has been asked to fill in particular forms on her background, she said: 'Nobody's asked me to do it, I haven't done it, I can't see how it is relevant to a mass vaccination programme. 'We're going to be working presumably in groups and I can't imagine that doctors who have experience in vaccination - as most of us I believe do - are going to need anti-radicalisation programmes.' She said: 'I think you need to work from first principles to say that you look at the task you've got to do, if it's fairly straightforward you can identify what the risks are and for a mass task like that there needs to be a special track which allows us to do it safely but does not delay the process of getting the vaccination programme off the ground.' She added: 'If they're going to vaccinate two million people a week as has been mentioned, I can't quite see how you can expect busy GPs who have to look after patients... how are they possibly going to do that without some additional help.' Former occupational physician Celia Palmer, from London, blasted the health service over its 'bureaucratic' system of approval for volunteers Dr Brian Cooper, 73, who used to work at Birmingham City Hospital, was one of tens of thousands of former medics to sign up to the NHS's call for volunteers when the threat of hospitals being overwhelmed loomed large. But he claims his offer to help went unanswered for seven months, despite the NHS crying out for more staff to get normal services back up and running. The NHS boss overseeing recruitment, Andrew Foster, said officials had ignored his plea to create a bank of volunteers. He said: 'everybody could see that there was going to be a second wave and a need for vaccinations' adding his team tried to create their own military reserve of workers. Mr Foster, a former hospital chief executive who co-ordinated the Bringing Back Staff programme until July, sid the plan was ignored because of its 30million cost. Dr Cooper, who has expertise in identifying cancers in the stomach and bowel, says when he finally received an answer to his appeal to work, he was asked to do a contact tracing work for NHS Test and Trace which required no qualifications. He told MailOnline: 'My beef is that the Government have had a tremendous response from doctors and nurses who are willing to go back and help, but there's no evidence that they've been using any more than a handful of such people. 'There seems to be an inability in the NHS to ease its red tape regulation to facilitate the use of doctors and nurses who are retired. Many of us are frustrated as we have skills to continue delivering non-Covid care, a lot of us are in our late 60s and early 70s. 'We can do outpatient clinics, we can do referrals on patients with suspected cancer cases. That would release younger doctors to rally around dealing with acute admissions, or we could be vaccinated and go to the front line. A company in China has been forced to axe an advertisement of its make-up removal wipes after being accused by angry netizens of 'demonising' rape victims. The Chinese cotton product brand, Purcotton, released a video appearing to show a woman turning into a man after using the wet wipe to remove her make-up, scaring off a potential attacker who was following her on the street. The advert has been pulled from Purcotton's social media account after it triggered online outrage with people slamming the firm for allegedly blaming women for sexual assault. The Chinese cotton product brand, Purcotton, released a video appearing to show a woman turning into a man after using the wet wipe to remove her make-up, scaring off a pervert The video sparked controversy after a hashtag 'Purcotton advert accused of insulting women' became a trending topic on China's Twitter-like Weibo on Friday. In the advert widely shared online, a woman can be seen walking alone on a quiet, dimly lit street as she noticed herself being followed by a masked man, who appeared to be an attacker. The woman then pulled out a Purcotton wet wipe from her bag to remove her make-up as the man began to approach her. When the man tapped her on the shoulder, the woman suddenly became a man as he turned around and asked: 'Can I help you, brother?' The word 'vomiting' was then displayed, accompanied by laughing sound effects. The next scene shows the man promoting the Purcotton product as his horrified attacker ran away. The video faced a fierce backlash from netizens and Chinese media, including state newspaper China Women's News, which condemned the advert for 'demonising the victims'. The video sparked controversy after a hashtag 'Purcotton advert accused of insulting women' became a trending topic on China's Twitter-like Weibo on Friday. A Chinese woman is seen in a file photo walking past a restaurant in the city of Beijing on August 10 'Purcotton's advert is suggesting women would be targeted by attackers at night because you put make-up on. Without make-up, the attackers would be disgusted and therefore no attacks would happen,' the outlet wrote on its Weibo account. 'Using "creativity" as a light-hearted cover, the company glorifies the offenders and demonise the victims. It's full of bias, malice and ignorance.' The comment was echoed by tens of thousands of web users who slammed the video as 'insulting and disrespecting women' and called to boycott the company. One commenter wrote: 'The brand's main audience is women, but it still uses women's fear as a selling point and promotes victim-blaming.' The Purcotton advert has been pulled from its social media account after it triggered online outrage with people slamming the firm for allegedly blaming women for sexual assault (file) Another user said: 'Poor taste and full of malice. The idea is dark and an insult to women.' Purcotton, owned by Winner Medical Group, is said to have more than 240 stores in China and over 20million registered customers. Despite initially claiming the video was a 'creative advert' with 'no intention of objectifying women', the company removed the original clip and issued a formal apology on Friday as the outrage grew. On Monday, Purcotton released a second statement, pledging to strictly scrutinise its future content. Purcotton is not the first company that has been forced to apologise over controversial advertisement against women in China. In November, a major supermarket chain, RT-Mart, faced backlash after labelling plus-size women as 'rotten' and 'horrible'. China unveiled a set of rules seemingly designed to counter sanctions from the US which ceased US investment into Chinese companies, which directly affected Chinas largest operators and saw them lined up to be removed from the New York Stock Exchange. Chinas Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, the rules countered unjustified extra-territorial application of foreign legislation, and it will assess the legal ramifications of such incidents. The department welcomes reports from Chinese citizens and companies that are restricted by foreign legislation from engaging in normal economic, trade and related activity with a third State or its citizens, within 30 days. If a company or citizen suffers significant losses by not complying with foreign laws, relevant government departments may provide necessary support. Although the US was not mentioned in the statement, recently President Donald Trump issued an executive order demanding US companies cease investment into Chinese firms deemed involved with the Chinese military, a threat to national security the administration stated. This is the latest in the running of tensions between China and the US. Last year the US imposed restrictions on vendor Huawei stating the telecoms company is a threat to national security by giving the Chinese government backdoor access to the critical infrastructure of allied nations - an accusation Huawei has long denied. The US government was reportedly moving to also ban Chinese technology giants Alibaba and Tencent, for being involved with the Chinese military, sources told Reuters. Indias government has signed a purchase order with vaccine producer Serum Institute for doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday. Television channel CNBC-TV 18 said the order was for 11 million doses. The government has also signed a purchase agreement with Indian firm Bharat Biotech for its COVID-19 vaccine, the news channel reported, citing unnamed sources. Representatives for Serum, Bharat Biotech and Indias health ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for ... Prime Minister Boris Johnson watches first responder Caroline Cook getting her vaccination as he visits a vaccination centre at Ashton Stadium in Bristol, England, on Jan. 11, 2021. (Eddie Mulholland/WPA Pool/Getty Images) Prime Minister Warns Against Complacency as UK Sets out Vaccination Plan British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday warned against false complacency as the UK government set out its plan for the largest vaccination programme in British history. In the UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan, published on Monday, the government said that tens of millions of people will be immunised against the CCP virus by the spring at over 2,700 vaccination sites across the UK. But Johnson said this is a very perilous moment because everyone can sense the vaccine is coming inmy worry is that will breed false complacency. The government and the NHS have mobilised more than 80,000 health professionals to help in the vaccine delivery programme. According to the government plan, by the end of January everyone in England will be within 10 miles of a vaccination site, and there will be capacity to deliver at least 2 million vaccinations in England per week. All adults in England will be offered a vaccine by the autumn, the government said. Across the UK, weve vaccinated over 2 million people & are on track to offer a first vaccine to everyone in the most vulnerable groups by mid-February. This vaccine delivery plan sets out how https://t.co/wFsWxlO1y3 Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 11, 2021 Last Friday, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine became the third to be approved by the UK authorities after the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs. So far, 2.4 million doses of CCP virus vaccines have been administered in the UK, Johnson said while visiting a vaccination centre in Bristol. He said roughly 40 percent of 80-year-olds in the country had been vaccinated already as well as 23 percent of the elderly residents of care homes. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the vaccine roll-out has had an incredible start and the vaccine deployment plan sets out exactly how we will harness these efforts to expand the programme quickly and safely. But he warned that it does not mean we can be complacent and it is mission critical that everybody abides by the restrictions in the coming weeks. Last week, Johnson put the whole of England under the third national lockdown since the COVID-19 pandemic began last spring. Professor Chris Whitty, Englands chief medical officer, said on Monday that the next few weeks will be the worst weeks of the pandemic, and the country must double down on lockdown measures before the vaccine roll-out begins to have an impact on the spread of the disease. Simon Veazey and Reuters contributed to this report. The state of Florida's COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been met with various challenges, ranging from supply issues, communication challenges, and disordered distribution plans. One Florida citizen who signed up for the COVID-19 vaccine administering said that the system was so disorganized, adding that she was hoping the system would be set up so there would be a systemic distribution to it. Linda Kleindienst Bruns registered for the program in late December, according to the New York Times report. Bruns is 72-years-old and her immune system is being suppressed by a medication that keeps her breast cancer in remission. She has been waiting for days waiting to hear back for her appointment. Related story: Fauci Says Vaccine Rollout Speeding Up, More Delivered Doses Expected in a Week Florida Vaccination Program Florida has been recording an upward movement of the COVID-19 cases, with about 20,000 cases reported on Friday and more than 15,000 on Friday. However, the vaccine program to everyone 65 and older has caused confusion, long lines, and disappointment. "It's not in any way surprising - to anyone who followed it closely, for sure - that there would be halting kind of progress and missteps getting something of this magnitude underway initially, whether we're talking about Florida or the entire country," Dr. Leslie M. Beitsch was quoted on a report. Beitsch is the chairman of the behavioral sciences and social medicine department at Florida State University. About 444,000 Floridians have already received at least the first dose as of Friday. This was recorded a month after the first Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine. Million more of people in Florida have faced confusion, frustration, and mixed messages as the state of Florida struggles to administer vaccines to the people who need it the most, according to Tampa Bay Times report. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proudly said that Florida is one of the first states to offer vaccines to people 65 and older who live independently. However, some seniors have crossed county lines and fought with overloaded call centers, and crashed websites just to be included of those being administered with the first shots. Some health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are still waiting to be vaccinated. DeSantis originally said these group of people would be prioritized in inoculation. Dr. Glenn Morris, director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida, said that they know they are overwhelmed but they are not seeing the smooth information being disseminated. Morris also said that the general public does not have a good sense of what's happening, including when vaccine will be available and how. In addition, Florida has not been clear about how many doses the state has received and where they have been sent. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data said that about 1.4 million doses had been shipped to the state of Florida. From Florida's data, it was said that fewer than 470,000 total shots had been used, including second doses. DeSantis also broke with CDC guidelines, which would have placed essential workers ahead of healthy seniors between ages 65-74, according to Sun Sentinel report. Dr. Marissa Levine said that local health departments do not know how many vaccines they are going to get, or when they are going to get them, until they do. Levin is a professor of public health at the University of South Florida. Related story: Coronavirus Vaccine Needs to be Administered in Two Doses, Potential Problems Seen Berkshire Gas has appointed a new president. Berkshire Gas Appoints New President, Sees Customer Ratings Rise Sue Kristjansson PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Gas is seeing new leadership as natural gas executive Sue Kristjansson has been appointed president and chief operating officer. Kristjansson is the Berkshire Gas' 12th president since its founding in 1853. Berkshire Gas provides natural gas service to 40,000 customers in 20 communities in the three most western counties of Massachusetts. Parent company Avangrid Networks made the announcement on Jan. 4, the same day she started in her new post. Kristjansson replaces outgoing President Franklyn Reynolds, who was promoted to oversee Avangrid Networks' companies in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Previously, she was president and CEO of the Oak Ridge Utility District in Tennessee. She worked with this company for about three years and has been in the gas industry for about 20. Kristjansson said she attracted by Berkshire Gas' long legacy of business and its reputation. "Once you're in the industry, the work travels and the connections are made and the discussions are had," she said. "So I was alerted that there might be an opportunity here and looking at this 167-year-old company and the reputation that it holds, and the reputation it holds of the staff that it has, how could I pass it up?" Kristjansson plans to take the next six months to a year to learn everything that she can about the area and the customer base, and meet both customers and her peers in the industry. While at Oak Ridge Utility District, she served on the Tennessee State Energy Policy Council, American Public Gas Association Board, and the American and Tennessee Gas Association Board. She will be getting involved locally by taking Reynold's position on the 1Berkshire Alliance Board of Directors and may become a member of the Berkshire CEO Roundtable. Kristjansson wants customers to know of her goals to serve them just as well or better than they have been served for the time that Berkshire Gas has been in business. Because of beginning this position during the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been able to meet plenty of colleagues virtually but looks forward to the day where they can have in-person connections. "I am a social animal, I love being around people," Kristjansson said. "So I cannot wait until that day where I can roam around and pop into peoples offices and chat, but until then we all have to make do with what we've got going on." Reynolds said Berkshire Gas has continued to serve customers as it has in the past, but at the same time, the company is recognizing the economic hardship that customers are having. He said it offers a plethora of programs so that customers can have their service maintained. These programs include forgiveness and flexible payments, as well as the statewide disconnect moratorium that has been extended to April 1. Reynolds said Berkshire Gas has made it a point to advertise these services to benefit as many customers as possible. Reynolds highlighted that Berkshire Gas has pivoted to remote work very well since the start of the pandemic. Many employees are providing customer service from home. The company just received its customer satisfaction results from 2020 which reflected the its effort during the pandemic. Ninety percent of Berkshire Gas customers rated their services as very satisfying, which is up from 82 percent in 2019. "We actually improved which is amazing, you would think that this is the year with all of the challenges with having to transition to remote work which is something that no industry has ever done before, you would expect to see some impact, maybe some erosion of service or some erosion of satisfaction." Communications and Government Relations Manager Chris Farrell said. "So not only are we doing well, but we're doing better. And if you look in the industry, a 90 percent customer satisfaction rating in the utility is top of the trade, it's literally unprecedented." Farrell credited the company's field troops for making this high rating possible. This includes call center representatives working from home and field workers. "It's been a good year, a challenging year, but a good year," Reynolds said. Farrell said that with a new leader, Berkshire Gas will see a new personality, a new leadership style, and new goals and skills. "The Berkshires are a special place," Reynolds said. "And we are going to continue to serve out customers and continue to have great customer satisfaction under Sue's leadership." The FBI is warning about the possibility of armed protests in all 50 state capitols leading to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. As of 9 January, reports indicate there are armed protests planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January, according to a Jan. 10 memo issued by the Joint Inter-Agency National Crisis Coordination Center in the FBI Strategic Information Operations Center. The memo, obtained midday Monday by Hearst Connecticut Media, indicates that threats have been made against specific individuals. Multiple reports indicate various threats to harm President-elect Biden ahead of the presidential inauguration, the memo says. Additional reports indicate threats against VP-Elect Harris and Speaker Pelosi. Though the memo warns several times of possible armed demonstrations at all 50 state capitols, there are no specific warnings for Connecticut, as there are in other states. Were monitoring it closely. We are aware of some potential events going on, on the 17th and the 20th, said Scott Driscoll, a spokesman for the state Capitol police, he said, adding he had no specific information on any planned demostration in Connecticut. Were hearing about things all across the country. Later Monday, Andrew McCabe a former FBI director, said on CNN that while threats related to presidential inaugurations are not unusual, credible threats in all 50 states was extraordinary. Alternative social media sites, beginning with Parler, have been flush with revolutionary rhetoric including mentions of demostrations on Jan. 17, warnings of violence on Jan. 19 and discussions about violent activity on Jan. 20. Users on those sites have spoken openly about bringing weapons to Washington, and of violent demonstrations around the country. One posting reviewed by Hearst Connecticut Media, which shows an image of the Statue of Liberty, is headined in all capital letters, REFUSE TO BE SILENCED. Its billed as an armed march on Capitol Hill & all state capitols on Jan. 17. It adds, Come armed at your personal discretion. Another photo shows a man with guns laid out on a table in front of him, with the caption, Half the country right now. The FBI memo says that the bureau received information on an identified group calling for others to join them in storming state, local, and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event POTUS is removed as president prior to Inauguration Day. The memo also shares a link to a website that issued a call for armed protests at the Washington Memorial and all 50 state capitols on 17 January at noon. That website now says that plans to have a demonstration on Jan. 17 are cancelled and will not move forward. Its unclear whether the two Jan. 17 protest calls were coordinated between groups. Since Parler was taken down by Amazon Web Services, users have moved to other sites, including Gab and Telegram. Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio promoted Telegram as a Parler Lifeboat, encouraging his followers to join move the conversation there. If there is a demonstration in Hartford on Jan. 17, its probable that legislative offices will be empty. We are aware of some of the proposed or planned events that might be taking place this coming Sunday, said State Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, the newly named state House Majority Leader. A protest on Jan. 6 in Hartford, opening day for the General Assembly, drew a crowd of about 500. Those numbers included pro-Trump demonstrators as well as people opposing en end to religious exemptions for traditional vaccines, as well as other causes, some on the left. They were kept at least 100 feet away from outdoor swearing-in ceremonies for the House and Senate. Authorities in Hartford are planning extensively for security measures in the days leading up to the inauguration in Washington. Gov. Ned Lamont said he did not expect any violence in Hartford. I have a high degree of confidence that Connecticut is going to stay peaceful, Lamont said during his regular Monday news briefing from the Capitol. Lamont declined to give specifics, but said the State Police are communicating with their national counterparts. Sen. Chris Murphy said Monday after criticizing the poorly coordinated security effort last Wednesday, when a Trump-incited mob stormed the U.S. Capitol that he understood there was significant coordination among law enforcement agencies now. I am hopeful that we wont see anything serious here in Connecticut, Murphy said, speaking to reporters at the south entrance to the state Capitol, but what we learned from Wednesday is to prepare for the worst case. The Sugar Land City Council started the new year on a sweet note by recognizing area fourth grader Sabrina Roesler for her successful lemonade business, Freshn Juicy. Sabrina received a certificate of recognition from Mayor Joe Zimmerman. Sabrina donates a percentage of her earnings to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, a Bellaire-based brain cancer research organization, in honor of her father who died from the disease three-and-a-half years ago. In October, Sabrina was named Lemonade Day Houston 2020 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year. Lemonade Day is a program that teaches young people how to start, own and operate their own business - a lemonade stand. It has chapters in the United States, Bermuda and Canada. Sabrinas mother Jenny said she introduced her daughter to the Lemonade Day organization because she did not want her wasting time with electronic devices. She actually learned what I learned about business when I was in college, Jenny Roesler said. I mentioned to her you might want to give back to your community because thats something that not only makes your business better but makes you better as a person. Sabrina credits her mother and grandmother for helping her create a unique lemonade recipe. The nine-year-old said her goal was to create more healthy drinks for kids. One of the things that makes our lemonade different is the raw sugar, she said. Its also from our heritage, because were from Colombia, and thats used a lot there. At the same meeting, the Sugar Land City Council approved two donations totaling $118,856.66 for two projects overseen by the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation (SLLF). Col. Raj and Kanwal Bhalla donated $100,000 which will go toward the development of the plaza surrounding the recently installed eagle sculpture at the Sugar Land Memorial Park. Col. Bhalla is a veterinarian who retired from the Indian army. The Bhallas donated $1M to charities in August 2020. I would like to thank Col. Bhalla and his wife for this generous donation, said Mayor Zimmerman. We appreciate your good work in the City of Sugar Land. Drs. Alan and Antoinette Cramer donated $18,856.66 which will be put toward more improvements to the T.E. Harman Center, namely, to enhance its outdoor patio area. The T.E. Harman Center is a Sugar Land-based senior center of which the Cramers are members. This is the Cramers second donation to the T.E. Harman Center; the first, a donation of stock in the cash amount of $57,064.86 was used to develop a fitness space in the library of the senior center. Theyve got real big hearts, said Zimmerman about the Cramers. We hope to have them in our community for a long, long time. Thank you both for your donation. Both donor couples are long time residents of Sugar Land. SLLF works on behalf of the City of Sugar Land; its mission is to promote community investment in quality of life projects for Sugar Land residents. Texas elections made history in 2020. From drive-thru to late night voting, Texas has made strides in the voting process. IMPROVING VOTING: This Houstonian is making voting better in Harris County But it doesn't stop at voting. While we've dealt with plenty of lawmakers challenging the validity of the 2020 presidential election over the last few months, here in Texas we can choose our public officials in a much easier way: with ping pong balls. Dickinson, a suburb about 30 miles southeast of Houston with a population of a little over 21,000, decided to settle a tie between mayoral candidates Sean Skipworth and Jennifer Lawrence with a random draw of ping-pong balls, each signed by one of the candidates from a top hat. While choosing a winner via ping-pong balls seems like a flaw in our government system, it actually falls in accordance with Texas law. The law permits ties to be resolved by the casting of lots, or a game of chance according to The New York Times' Michael Levenson. In the bid for mayor, the town of Dickinson had an exact tie, and each candidate received 1,010 votes. This isn't the first time such a tie has happened in Texas either. In 2012, a draw between two candidates in the running for a City Council seat in Wolfforth, Texas, was decided with the flip of a 1974 Eisenhower silver dollar. Dickinsons current mayor, Julie Masters, officiated the drawing. She enlisted the help of the mayor of Friendswood, Mike Foreman, to be an unbiased ball-picker." Skipworth was named the lucky winner at Dickinson City Hall. While excited about his win, Skipworth had skepticism about placing the fate of Dickinson's democracy in Ping-Pong balls. It was really exciting, but its a horrible way to resolve an election, Skipworth told The New York Times. Its always better to have people decide elections, not random chance. Newly-elected Mayor Skipworth now has plans in the future to amend the city charter to allow for additional runoffs instead of random drawings for ties in governmental elections. By Kim Bo-eun /K bank is urgently searching for a new figure to serve as its CEO after former chief Lee Mun-whan resigned abruptly, Friday. The digital bank did not offer an explanation about Lee's decision to step down. Lee became K bank's chief in April 2020 and his term was set to last until March 2022. The resignation came as a surprise given the efforts Lee made to normalize operations at the firm. K bank, the first internet bank established in Korea in 2017, faced obstacles in securing capital in its early years. This resulted in a virtual suspension of operations in 2019. New laws went into effect last year that enabled K bank to get back on its feet with fresh capital injections. Lee is known to have made all-out efforts in this process, pitching to shareholders last year and sharing the digital bank's vision for the future. The online-only bank appeared to be back on track in 2020 with new investments and new loan services drawing attention. Expectations had grown for the lender because Lee was formerly CEO of BC Card and had also worked as a senior executive with the telecom giant KT. Lee's background and ties raised expectations that the digital bank would experiment with and develop innovative fintech services. K bank has yet to catch up with its rival Kakao Bank, which has been growing fast. Kakao Bank achieved its first annual surplus in 2019 and aims to go public this year. K bank faces an increasingly tough business environment given the financial services platform Toss is also set to launch a digital bank this year. The next CEO will have to assume the heavy burden of securing new investments and stabilizing the lender. While BC Card has become the largest shareholder of K bank, KT is the lender's de facto controller. BC Card is an affiliate of KT. K bank's first CEO Shim Sung-hoon, as well as Lee, were with KT. Some were expecting K bank to scout experienced personnel from outside for the next CEO, as the lender is in need of a digital banking expert. But given KT's long-standing preference to give top authority to insiders, it's less likely for K bank to name an outside expert as its next chief. K bank's Executive Vice President Chung Woon-ki is serving as interim CEO. 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. Editor: In 2014, I remember reading about the Flint, Michigan, lead-contaminated water debacle and thinking how that would never happen here in Pennsylvania because our local and state officials have our backs. Our legislators, I argued, would never allow their constituents, especially children, to suffer from that kind of environmental harm. I had faith in their leadership. Fast forward to today. How naive Ive apparently been. According to a recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, there are 18 communities throughout Pennsylvania where children are exposed to lead levels that are similar to, or higher than, what was initially found in Flint. The situation in that Michigan city justifiably sounded alarms that reverberated nationwide. As a mother of four, as well as a retired public health and school nurse whose career has spanned four states, including work in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of lead poisoning, especially in children. The intellectual and physical damage is lifelong and irreversible. Why, since 2016, have bipartisan bills designed to tackle this lead exposure problem been left to die in committee never to see the light of day for discussion or a vote on the floor of the last four sessions of the Pennsylvania Legislature? Shame on our state legislators, particularly Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, both Centre County Republicans, for not aggressively focusing their attention and funding to prioritize and remedy this important health concern. This legislative negligence must not continue this year. All Pennsylvania residents, especially children, deserve better. LINDA WALLACE STATE COLLEGE Editor: Jan. 6, 2021, is a date that will live in infamy. An unruly mob in Washington, D.C., incited by President Trump, forced its way into the Capitol while Congress was in session to confirm the Electoral College votes cast on Dec. 14 by the 50 sovereign United States. After inciting the mob to action, Trump returned to his television set in the White House to watch as the rabble violated Americas most sacred citadel of democracy. As the beleaguered Capitol police struggled to restore order, Trump publicly praised members of the mob as great patriots. Section 4 of the 25th Amendment allows the vice president, together with a majority of the Cabinet, to declare in writing that the president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. The vice president would then become acting president while the president, divested of authority, remains in office. If Trump really believes he won the election, then he is delusional. But if he knows he lost, yet continues to insist that he won, then he maliciously undermines popular confidence in the electoral process for his personal benefit. Either way, he is manifestly unfit to discharge the powers and duties of the presidency. It is time some would say past time for Vice President Mike Pence to make the appropriate declaration and thereby deliver the United States from the scourge of Trump. JOHN HUDANISH ZVOLEN, SLOVAKIA Editor: In the wake of the mob invasion of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, I wonder how Trumpers feel now about their exalted ruler. Do they agree with the hordes who invaded the halls of Congress, smashing windows, unfurling their Trump and stop the steal flags? Do they agree with the desperate act to try to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote? The 11 senators and more than 140 congressmen, including local Republican Reps. Fred Keller and Dan Meuser, who signed on to contest the electoral votes in six battleground states, all have responsibility for what happened in Washington, D.C. President Trumps acolytes are all complicit in the destruction of our country, the scourge of COVID-19, race riots, violence and racism, all of it. Their roles may not be as direct as those of Sens. Josh Hawley or Ted Cruz, but their encouragement played a role in the incitement of that mob. Theres no excuses this time. Trumps entire presidency has been a disgrace and all who voted for him bear some level of responsibility. JOE MIEGOC CARBONDALE Editor: Where is the list of the 100 business applications that received approval from Lackawanna County officials for the $10,000 grants? I entered my application and didnt receive one but a person right after me dropped one off and got one. City grants were issued a week later. They have all my information from months ago and still nothing. This city is about who you know, not that you pay all your taxes on time, including city county, state, federal and mercantile levies. I shut down for six months total, just used all my savings to keep my 20-year-old bar business going. TAMMY MORAN Scranton Editor: Too bad President Trump tweeted last week that he wont be at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20. It would have been a tremendous opportunity for our incoming leader to publicly express his gratitude to his predecessor for ensuring that the White House, Senate and House all will be controlled by the Democratic Party. Biden could have called out his pouting predecessor by bellowing into a big blue bullhorn: Thank you, Donald. It may not have been how you planned it, but you truly made America greater! VINCE MORABITO SCRANTON Shareholders in Signature, formerly known as BBA Aviation, must be rubbing their hands. The board, headed by veteran wheeler-dealer chairman Nigel Rudd, has held firm, rejecting numerous bids through a tumultuous period when corporate and private jet demand has taken off. The result of his resistance is the latest offer from New York-based Global Investment Partners, which values the company at 405p a share or 3.43billion. Bidding war: Signature, provider of support services to private jet operators such as NetJets, controlled by Warren Buffett, is part of a dwindling band of UK firms in aerospace And that may not be the end of it with Blackstone in partnership with 19 per cent investor Bill Gates, and another private equity firm Carlyle, in the background. Signature, provider of support services to private jet operators such as NetJets, controlled by Warren Buffett, is part of a dwindling band of UK firms in aerospace where the UK long held competitive advantage. Among those whose future largely is determined behind closed, private equity doors are Cobham and Inmarsat. Meanwhile, GKN Aerospace is in the relatively safe custody of Melrose having been through the buy and improve stages of ownership and awaiting the clock to wind down so that it can sell. Rudd has not succumbed in the face of early sorties as has been the case for other recent overseas takeovers such as the Electronic Arts offer for Codemasters, the Canadian-Dutch break-up bid for insurer RSA and the Nvidia offer for Softbank-owned Arm Holdings. But it is hard to forget that Rudd, in spite of all his qualities, has a record of selling rather than building enterprises for the future. Pilkington, the inventor of flow glass production with a rich history in St Helens, was last heard of in Japanese hands. Boots has become a pawn in Stefano Pessina's debt-heavy global Walgreens pharmacy empire. If things had gone differently, Boots could have been a flagship ecommerce health and beauty player across the globe. If The Hut Group (THG) can be worth 7.7billion, what could a better invested and more focused Boots be valued at? Then there is Invensys, one of the UK's better-rated industrial groups sliced, diced and sold off like salami. We can be thankful that benign French control means the electronics arm bought by Schneider has reappeared on the London Stock Exchange as electronics group Aveva. So not all has been lost. By always placing short-term shareholder value above broader stakeholder and national interest, Rudd has left UK plc a poorer place. Entente Cordiale It took a pandemic to draw attention to the UK's excellence in science and pharma. As former Northern Rock chairman turned science guru Matt Ridley argued in the Sunday Telegraph, in spite of all the criticism over test and trace, the UK has 'sequenced far more viral genomes than any other country'. This made it possible to better understand Covid mutations. The value of Cambridge-based UK intellectual property is evident in the decision of French pharma group Sanofi to splash out up to 815m on Kymab, and global rights to a discovery known as KY1005. This is described as a fully human monoclonal antibody treatment shown to work in treating some forms of dermatitis. That is a great tribute to the work of Professor Allan Bradley FRS and colleagues, the innovators behind the treatment. It is also encouraging for investors in Neil Woodford's Patient Capital, rescued and now in the Schroders stable. It makes the decision of intermediary Link to dispose of the Kymab stake, held by Woodford's other funds, so speedily look crass in the extreme. As exasperating is that Sanofi, rather than British pharma, is moving into the driving seat. This, at a moment when Paris, above all others, is determined to make life as hard as possible for the UK outside the EU. Suited and booted Single brand outerwear and sports-wear firms have done brilliantly well in the pandemic, including Canada Goose, Lululmelon and Peleton. Now it is the UK's turn. Seeking to catch the wave on the London Stock Exchange is mods and hipster favourite Dr Martens with a big online presence which is being released from Permira captivity with a prospective market valuation of 2billion. The Malaysian Prime Ministers Office on Monday denied speculation that he was being treated for cancer, as Muhyiddin Yassin announced strict movement restrictions nationwide, saying a surge in coronavirus cases had pushed the healthcare system to a breaking point. Muhyiddins office sought to quash rumors about the health of the 73-year-old leader, amid trouble in his ruling coalition after a lawmaker from its largest party withdrew support for the government during the weekend. The rumor that said the Prime Minister has to undergo cancer treatment is untrue and with malice. The Prime Minister has been declared to be free from cancer by the health experts who treated him before, his office said in a statement. Muhyiddin, an unelected prime minister who came to power last March, was diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer and hospitalized during July and August 2018. Doctors had said that surgery to remove the cancerous growth was successful. His office also rejected talk that Muhyiddin was set to appoint a deputy prime minister. Rumors that there will be a Deputy Prime Minister appointed are also not true, the office said. The PM has been seen going about his work in three of the last five days in regular live telecasts from his office. On Monday, he went on national television to announce strict measures aimed at stemming the rise in new COVID-19 cases. Stringent measures were necessary because the country, at the current rate of infections, was heading towards 8,000 new coronavirus cases daily by the end of May, Muhyiddin said. Our healthcare system is at breaking point, the situation today is indeed very alarming. As I have said before, unprecedented situations call for unprecedented measures, he said. The worst is yet to come Malaysia would impose strict movement restrictions called a Movement Control Order for two weeks, starting on Wednesday, with five states and the capital under complete lockdown, Muhyiddin announced. While interstate travel will not be allowed, businesses in five essential economic sectors can stay open, although at a reduced capacity, the PM said. This order involves a Movement Control Order on six states namely Penang, Selangor, the Federal Territories which includes Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan Melaka, Johor and Sabah, he said. MCO refers to a complete lockdown where inter-district travel, religious activities, restaurant dining and school attendance wont be allowed. No employees, except those in the sectors deemed essential such as manufacturing, construction, and plantations will be allowed to go to work. The states of Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan would see a Conditional Movement Control Order during the next two weeks, Muhyiddin said. That means these states wont be fully locked down, but they will see restrictions on interstate travel, religious activities and social gatherings. Muhyiddins lockdown order came a day after Malaysias health director general warned that the worst is yet to come, noting the high number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded just nine days into 2021. Meanwhile, the government on Monday announced that it had signed a deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to procure 12.2 million additional doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Malaysia will now get 25 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which will inoculate 39 percent of the population through 2021, officials said. Coalition woes As the government struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic, Muhyiddins ruling coalition is in fresh trouble after parliamentarian Jazlan Yaakub, with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the largest party in the alliance, announced that he was withdrawing his support for it. UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had already threatened to push for snap polls before the end of March 2021, despite some senior party leaders saying elections during a pandemic was a bad idea. Yaakub said the surge in coronavirus cases was the governments fault and one reason why he would no longer back it. I, as the Member of Parliament for Machang, hereby announce the withdrawal of my support for the Government of the National Alliance and YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister, Yaakub said via Twitter on Saturday. [T]he government has failed, in planning and action, to eradicate COVID-19, he said in a Facebook post on Monday. In Malaysia, the government needs to have the support of a majority of lawmakers. While Yaakubs withdrawal of support leaves Muhyiddins government with the support of just half the lawmakers, the coalition isnt in trouble yet, Azmi Hassan, a political analyst, told BenarNews. The fact is, the numbers of those who support Muhyiddin Yassin has at this juncture is not known and validated, Azmi said, referring to how some of those parliamentarians who had not supported Muhyiddin earlier on might now support him. That is why regardless of one, two, or 10 members of parliament withdrawing their support for the prime minister, the real number of support is unknown. Because there may also be those who were previously against him but now have swung in his support. Police Investigate Shooting on Olivet Church Road By West Kentucky Star Staff MCCRACKEN COUNTY - Police are on the scene of a reported shooting in McCracken County this morning.There aren't many details at the moment, but West Kentucky Star has learned that the shooting was between a homeowner and someone on his property.The shooting reportedly took place in the 2100 block of Olivet Church Road.This is a developing story, and we will pass along new information as we get it. The amendment deals with situations in which the post of the president becomes vacant, or the president becomes incapable of discharging his or her duties As United States president Donald Trump faces growing calls for his resignation and the possibility of impeachment, there is renewed attention on the 25th Amendment to the country's Constitution. The amendment deals with situations in which the post of the president becomes vacant, or the president becomes incapable of discharging his or her duties. It allows for the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unfit for office. The vice president then becomes acting president. However, the section of the amendment specifically addressing this procedure has never been invoked. Nevertheless, the possibility of the 25th Amendment being invoked in the present situation is not a far-fetched one. The US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump. CNN has quoted a source close to Mike Pence as saying that the vice-president has not ruled out an effort to invoke the 25th Amendment and wants to preserve the option in case Trump "becomes more unstable." Pelosi made the announcement in a letter to colleagues, saying the House will first vote to push Vice-President Mike Pence to invoke the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. After 24 hours, she said, the House would proceed with legislation on impeachment. In this context, here is a look at what the 25th Amendment stipulates and its history. The provision The 25th Amendments Section 4 lays out what happens if the president becomes unable to discharge his duties but doesnt transfer power to the vice president himself, as noted by the Associated Press. The vice president and majority of the Cabinet can declare the president unfit. They then would send a letter to the Speaker of the House and president pro tempore of the Senate (meaning, the person temporarily holding the post) saying so. The vice president then becomes acting president. The president can send his own letter saying he is fit to serve. But if the vice president and majority of the Cabinet disagree, they can send another letter to Congress within four days. Congress would then have to vote. The president resumes his duties unless both houses of Congress by a two-thirds vote say the president is not ready. History The push for an amendment detailing presidential succession plans in the event of a presidents disability or death followed the assassination of President John F Kennedy in 1963. President Lyndon B Johnson in his 1965 State of the Union promised to propose laws to insure the necessary continuity of leadership should the President become disabled or die. The amendment was passed by Congress that year and ratified in 1967. However, as noted by an article in CNN, the portion of the amendment that allows the vice president and Cabinet to remove the president had in mind a leader who was in a coma or suffered a stroke. Precedents In the past, US presidents have temporarily given up power, but those instances have been generally been brief and voluntary, for example when the president was having a medical procedure. In 2002, President George W. Bush became the first to use the amendments Section 3 to temporarily transfer power to Vice President Dick Cheney while Bush was anesthetized for a colonoscopy. Section 4 of the amendment, which allow the Cabinet to declare the president unfit, has never been invoked. With inputs from AP Chief Minister will launch a signature campaign demanding the Centre to recall the Lieutenant Governor, He also threatens to hold hunger strikes in every constituency if the demand is met. "We are going to launch a signature campaign, urging the President and Prime Minister to recall her. After that, we will stage agitations in every constituency and then sit on a hunger strike," Narayanasamy said. He further said that "If Bedi is not recalled after that, we will give a call for a bandh across " Meanwhile, Chief Minister continued his sit-in protest near Raj Nivas for the third day on Sunday. He alleged that "Bedi is working in an autocratic manner, blocking welfare schemes and not allowing an elected government to function." The Chief Minister along with his cabinet colleagues, legislators of the ruling party, and workers of the alliance parties have participated in the dharna. The ruling Congress-led Secular Democratic Alliance in started a four-day protest against Bedi on Friday. (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.) Washington: Allies of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange have ramped up a push for a last-minute pardon from President Donald Trump, enlisting a lobbyist with connections to the administration, trying to rally supporters across the political spectrum and filing a clemency petition with the White House. The effort comes at a delicate moment for Assange and during a period of tension between the United States and Britain over a case that his supporters say has substantial implications for press freedoms. Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange outside his Westminster Magistrates Court trial in London. Credit:AP The Justice Department announced last week it would appeal a British judge's ruling blocking the extradition of Assange to the United States to face trial on charges of violating the Espionage Act and conspiring to hack government computers. The charges stemmed from WikiLeaks' publication in 2010 of classified documents related to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Assange's supporters had been optimistic about the prospects of a pardon from Trump, who has issued dozens of contentious clemency grants since losing his reelection bid. But they now worry that pressure over his supporters' ransacking of the Capitol last week could derail plans for additional clemencies before he leaves office on January 20. Nesting mode activated! Scheana Shay is preparing to welcome her first child with boyfriend Brock Davies, teasing nursery plans on Instagram. Read article The Vanderpump Rules star, 35, showed off the space in her home that will serve as her daughters bedroom via her Instagram Story earlier this week. Courtesy of Brock Davies/Instagram So, this is [the babys] new cupboard space, Davies, 30, told fans in the clip. We turned the desk into her new, you know, cloth table. Read article Although not much had been done in the room, Shay assured viewers the project is a work in progress. She revealed that she and Davies replaced all the knobs with small silver crystal balls and had plans to install a long clothing rack to hold all their baby girls onesies. The California native was all smiles in the video, walking through the nursery wearing a bump-concealing beige tracksuit and black Nike sneakers. Her hair was slicked back in a ponytail. Shay pointed out where the books, crib and changing table will go once the room is ready and even shared some progress pics later on. The Bravo personality showed a stuffed lion, a pink koala and a unicorn she added to the room to make it feel like a baby girls nursery. Shay has been open with fans and followers about the negative comments shes received throughout her pregnancy journey. On Wednesday, January 6, she posted a message from an Instagram user on her Instagram Story, calling it the worst one Ive ever received. The DM read, Can I push hard on your baby. To kill it. The Scheananigans With Scheana Shay host previously clapped back at critics when she revealed she planned to pierce her babys ears in a November 2020 episode of her podcast. Go ahead and judge me, she said at the time. Read article Even Shays mom, Erika van Olphen, stepped in to defend her when fans speculated Shay got pregnant as part of a trend started by her Vanderpump Rules costars Stassi Schroeder, Brittany Cartwright and Lala Kent. Olphen noted that Shay has struggled with fertility for years. NINA PROMMER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock She has gone through two rounds of freezing her eggs and while deciding to possibly do a third round, she was blessed with a pregnancy. After [she suffered a miscarriage] her doctor advised her to wait one ovulation/one period cycle and she could try again! For those who said she shouldve waited six months, she followed docs orders, Shays mother said in October 2020. After waiting over a month, to our surprise she got pregnant again. Yes, she was scared but so very grateful!! Shay and Davies announced her pregnancy early that same month. ITS ALL HAPPENING APRIL 2021!!!, she captioned her Instagram reveal. We are expecting our rainbow baby! The most amazing news of my life! Her Aussie beau commented, We did a thing honey. Im so happy I have you to balance me out, I love you, honey. Congratulations to us! 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. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro lost his aunt and uncle to COVID-19 late last year, which made him "more cautious" about the response to the virus, he has announced. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Monday, Mr Barilaro said his aunt Maria Inzillo and her husband Damiani Nesci, who lived in the Italian city of Genoa, died of the virus in December. John Barilaro at a COVID-19 press conference on January 9. Credit:Steven Siewert Once its in your family, you suddenly realise COVID-19 actually kills, it could happen to any of us," he said. Their deaths changed me, I realise[d] were not out of the woods yet, its made me more cautious. 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. SELBYVILLE, Del., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Market Insights, Inc. has recently added a new report on the aerospace landing gear market which estimates the market valuation for aerospace landing gear will cross US$ 19 billion by 2026. Increasing penetration of air traffic growth in the emerging countries will drive demand for new aircraft and the aerospace landing gear market. Aerospace Landing Gear Market size is expected to exceed USD 19 billion by the end of 2026, according to a new research report published by the Global Market Insights, Inc. Major industry players such as Safran Landing Systems are compressing their design & development cycle to reduce cost and improve product availability. Furthermore, companies are adopting innovative technologies and designs, such as additive or 3D manufacturing, to overcome functional and non-functional challenges. Steps taken by manufacturers to reduce weight, minimize volume, and enhance performance & life cycle will boost the landing gear market share. For instance, in 2017, Liebherr-Aerospace manufactured nose landing gear brackets for Airbus A350 XWB. These nose landing gear brackets are manufactured using additive manufacturing. Request a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2343 The tri-cycle segment is estimated to hold over USD 15 billion by 2026. Tri-cycle landing gears are widely used in all the latest aircraft, driving aerospace landing gear industry growth. Most jet-powered aircraft are equipped with tri-cycle gears to avoid blasts and high-speed gases from causing damage to the surface. Moreover, tri-cycle gears are easier to handle and have reduced weight & drag compared to their counterparts. Latin America will witness over 4.5% CAGR in the global aerospace landing gear market. The region witnessed high passenger growth post-government stabilization and improved economic performance. Low-cost carriers are undergoing hybridization to attract business passengers. According to CAPA, in the last ten years, the number of seats available in airlines in Latin America increased by 3.2 times. The growth of LCCs will increase aircraft demand, thereby positively influencing the aerospace landing gear market size across the region. The key players are focusing on investments in new technologies, joint ventures, and acquisitions to increase their global footprint or acquire advanced technologies to cater to the increasing demand from the aerospace landing gear market. Manufacturers are also focusing on making contracts with government authorities or aircraft manufacturers. For instance, in March 2017, AAR Corp. received a contract worth USD 909 million from the U.S. Air Force for landing gears, which will last for the next 15 years. The company will provide the Air Force with support in the distribution, purchasing, remanufacturing, and inventory control. Some major findings of the aerospace landing gear market report include: The strong aviation industry in Asia Pacific can be attributed to developing economies and an increase in disposable incomes, leading to rising air passenger traffic. can be attributed to developing economies and an increase in disposable incomes, leading to rising air passenger traffic. The constant requirement to reduce the overall aircraft weight to improve operational efficiency has led to the introduction of lightweight landing gears. They are built from aluminum and composites, boosting revenue generation over the projected timeframe. Nose/Tail LG demand highly depends on the design consideration of the aircraft. It offers a steering feature using hydraulic power to steer the nose gear. Assembly of the product with the usage of high-performance shock struts with an internal metering tube will fuel product growth. The MRO segment is expected to observe significant growth worldwide due to the mandatory check of the aircraft, thus requiring replacement of the product. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected air travel across the globe due to strict widespread lockdowns and travel restrictions by various government authorities worldwide. Moreover, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), the air cargo demand in May 2020 declined by 19%, which is likely to negatively impact the overall demand for aerospace landing gears in 2020. Request for customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/2343 Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC): Chapter 3 Global Aerospace Landing Gear Industry Insights 3.1 Industry segmentation 3.2 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.2.1 Component suppliers 3.2.2 Manufacturers 3.2.3 Profit margin analysis 3.2.4 Distribution channel analysis 3.2.5 End-users 3.2.5.1 OEM 3.2.5.2 MROs 3.2.6 Vendor matrix 3.3 Technology landscape 3.3.1 Brake System 3.3.2 Nose Wheel Steering System 3.3.3 CAX Technologies 3.3.4 Maintenance 3.3.4.1 Health monitoring 3.3.4.2 Wireless sensor network 3.3.4.3 RFID Technology 3.4 Information on the MRO market 3.4.1 Changing trend from heavy overhaul to on-condition MRO 3.4.2 MRO spend comparison between Boeing & Airbus Aircraft 3.5 Pricing trends 3.5.1 By Region 3.5.1.1 North America 3.5.1.2 Europe 3.5.1.3 Asia Pacific 3.5.1.4 Latin America 3.5.1.5 MEA 3.6 Overhaul pricing trends, by region 3.6.1.1 North America 3.6.1.2 Europe 3.6.1.3 Asia Pacific 3.6.1.4 Latin America 3.6.1.5 MEA 3.6.2 Cost structure analysis, 2019 3.7 Regulatory landscape 3.7.1 U.S. 3.7.2 Europe 3.7.3 Asia Pacific 3.7.4 Latin America 3.7.5 MEA 3.8 Industry impact forces 3.8.1 Growth drivers 3.8.1.1 North America 3.8.1.2 Europe 3.8.1.3 Asia Pacific 3.8.1.4 Latin America 3.8.1.5 MEA 3.8.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.8.2.1 Design and development challenges 3.8.2.2 High MRO expenses 3.9 Innovation & sustainability 3.10 Growth potential analysis, 2019 3.11 Porter's analysis 3.12 Competitive landscape 3.12.1 Top player's analysis, 2019 3.12.2 Strategy dashboard 3.13 PESTLE analysis About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: [email protected] Related Images aerospace-landing-gear-market-size.png Aerospace Landing Gear Market size worth over $19 Bn by 2026 Aerospace Landing Gear Market size is expected to exceed USD 19 billion by the end of 2026, according to a new research report published by the Global Market Insights, Inc. Related Links Aerospace Landing Gear Market Aircraft Fairings Market SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc. RTHK: Brazilian team pledges more data on Sinovac jab Brazilian researchers will announce more efficacy data on Tuesday for the coronavirus vaccine made by China's Sinovac, officials said, after medical experts and regulators criticised what they called an incomplete disclosure last week. Dimas Covas, director of the Butantan biomedical centre, which is running a late-stage trial of the vaccine in Brazil, said ongoing analysis had yielded a new "general efficacy" rate in addition to the "clinical efficacy" announced last week. On Thursday, Brazilian researchers said the vaccine was shown to be 78 percent effective against mild cases of Covid-19 and entirely prevented severe cases. But independent specialists called for more transparency on the findings from the Phase III trial of the Sinovac vaccine, known as CoronaVac. Indonesia gave the vaccine emergency use approval on Monday based on interim data showing it is 65 percent effective. Both the Chinese vaccine and a shot developed by Oxford University and British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca have requests for emergency use authorisation pending with regulators in Brazil, which has lost more than 200,000 lives to the coronavirus pandemic the worst death toll outside the United States. Piecemeal disclosure of results from global CoronaVac studies have contributed to concerns that vaccines developed by Chinese producers are not subject to the same public scrutiny as US and European alternatives. In an interview with news website UOL on Monday, Covas said Butantan, which is funded by Sao Paulo state, had prioritised getting its data to Brazilian health regulator Anvisa and was still analysing the results in parallel. Covas said the institute would eventually provide its full data to a scientific conference to be announced this week. Anvisa said on Saturday that a filing from Butantan seeking emergency use authorization for CoronaVac lacked some relevant information for analysis of the study, such as the age, gender and comorbidities of volunteers. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 New Delhi, Jan 11 : Chief Justice S.A. Bobde on Monday told the farmer unions counsel to convey his message to women, children and old people involved in protests against the three farm laws at various Delhi borders, to return home. The bench headed by Chief Justice and comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said the court is worried for the health of protestors sitting in severe cold and also amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation. "Let me take a risk and say Chief Justice of India wants them (protesting farmers) to go back to their homes. Try to persuade them," the Chief Justice told the farmer unions counsel. The bench noted that people are committing suicide and they are also suffering in the cold weather and the pandemic. The top court queried, why are old people in the protest? "We don't want to comment on the merit of the agitation", said the top court citing it already held the protest is valid. The bench noted that it apprehends something may go wrong at the protest site, which would breach the peace. The top court emphasised that the most serious concern before it is the loss of life and public property. "At some time, we might say in the order that old people and women need not be there in the protests", the top court told the farmer unions counsel. The bench observed that farmers can carry out the protest but the question is whether protests should be held at the same site. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing a party, said there need to be some guidelines for protestors. Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, representing farmer unions, said the farmers want to protest at Ramlila Maidan. "Why can't they be allowed to go there?" he said. The bench asked the farm unions counsel who shall be held responsible for any bloodshed on the streets. The farmer unions counsel told the apex court that they will consultations with the unions. Phoolka said he is from a village in Punjab, and 40 trolleys have come at protest site, which includes old people, who have refused to go back. The top court will on Tuesday pronounce the order on petitions challenging farm laws and also petitions seeking removal of protesters from the borders. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is investigating whether an off-duty officer attended the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday. In an interview Monday with NY1, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said there is one investigation that is active on one member. He said officials didnt know if the claims were true, but that anybody who had committed a crime certainly would have a very short shelf life with the NYPD. The city Fire Department (FDNY) meanwhile has informed the FBI that there were either active or retired firefighters present at the riot, which left a police officer and four other people dead. The department reportedly is expected to send 200 officers to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20, upon the request of the D.C. mayor, the New York Post reported. A notorious serial killer has been sentenced to death for murdering three people in the space of six days in southern China. Zeng Chunliang, 45, donned a full-body protective suit and face mask when he received capital punishment during a trial in Jiangxi Province. The criminal was reportedly arrested last August while trying to escape from a police hunt involving thousands of officers. Zeng Chunliang (centre) is seen wearing a full-body protective suit and face mask while standing trial in the Intermediate People's Court of Yichun in Jiangxi Province on Monday The court deemed Mr Zeng guilty of intentional homicide and sentenced the man to death Mr Zeng was handed the death sentence by the Intermediate People's Court of Yichun in Jiangxi Province on Monday. He killed an elderly couple and a village official during two revenge attacks while being hunted by police for suspected robbery, the court said. According to a court statement, Mr Zeng, who had been jailed for theft, was released from prison on May 1 last year and returned to his hometown in the county of Le'an. He thought of stealing again after believing that he had lost his livelihood due to the imprisonment. On the night of July 21, Mr Zeng brought tools and broke into a family in the village of Houfang to steal. He fell asleep on the ground after failing to find any money. He was spotted sleeping on the ground by a member of the family, Ms Xiong, the next morning. After being woken up, Mr Zeng pressed Ms Xiong on the floor, covered her mouth and threatened her with a screwdriver. Ms Xiong's son arrived at the room after hearing the commotion. Mr Zeng repeatedly slashed Ms Xiong and her son with the screwdriver before fleeing. Ms Xiong's son called the police afterwards. According to the court, Mr Zeng killed three people within six days at a village in Le'an, southern China's Jiangxi Province. The file picture shows the village of Likeng in Jiangxi Mask-donning people are pictured observing the trial at the local court in Jiangxi on Monday The court claimed that Mr Zeng thought of killing Ms Xiong and her family in early August after hearing that the police were looking for him. He believed that the family had made it impossible for him to live peacefully by reporting the case to the police. Mr Zeng sneaked into Ms Xiong's house on the night of August 7. He found a hammer in the storage before waiting in the kitchen for the victims to appear. When Ms Xiong entered the kitchen the next morning, Mr Zeng smashed her head with the hammer and stabbed her with a knife multiple times. Afterwards, the criminal rushed to the first floor and attacked Ms Xiong's husband, Mr Kang, who was asleep. He hit Mr Kang and another victim, Wu, in the head with the hammer. Both Ms Xiong and Mr Kang died while Wu survived with serious wounds. Mr Zeng escaped the crime scene after taking with him four watches, five silver bracelets, a silver necklace and some cash. China has seen a surge in coronavirus cases, particularly in Hebei which surrounds Beijing. Pictured, a health worker checks on test samples at a testing lab in Shijiazhuang on Saturday Hebei officials put two cities, including its provincial capital Shijiazhuang, under lockdown last week in response to the new crisis. The above picture shows a medical staff in a protective suit taking a coronavirus swab from a child near a residential area in Shijiazhuang on January 10 Less than a week later, Mr Zeng killed an official of Houfang Village, Mr Gui. He believed that he had not been able to find a place to live because of the local official. He knifed Mr Gui to death in a village office at around 8am on August 13 before being arrested in a nearby village during a large-scale police hunt three days later. The Intermediate People's Court of Yichun deemed Mr Zeng guilty of intentional homicide and handed him a death penalty on January 11. He was also convicted of robbery and theft. The former landed him 10 years imprisonment and 10,000 yuan (1,140) fine while the latter resulted in a two-year jail sentence and 10,000 yuan (1,140). The court gave Mr Zeng an overall verdict of a death penalty in addition to 20,000 yuan (2,280) of financial fine. The defendant agreed on the ruling and decided not to appeal, the court said. Contractor admits role in Sisseton housing project bribery scheme A contractor has admitted to his role in a bribery scheme and his partner has now been charged. Monster surf crashed onto Northern California beaches Sunday, sweeping several people out to sea at Bay Area beaches and capsizing multiple sailboats in Santa Cruz harbor where 12 children were rescued from the icy waters of the Pacific Ocean. Photos taken at Pacifica Pier just south of San Francisco captured the magnitude of the surf and show waves engulfing the structure that juts out into the ocean. "I have been to several big wave events near Pacifica," Bruce Doty of Redwood Shores wrote in an email. "Today was different: usually you get one or two big waves, and then several small waves to calm the sea. Today, every wave was huge, constant loud wave breaks, with sea foam splash heights of 30 to 50 feet. Relentless. Fun. A long time resident of Pacifica said she had never seen waves like today." The sea was angry today in Pacifica. Not the best video, but wave Doty drove from Redwood Shores to Half Moon Bay Sunday, and then north to Pacifica, stopping many times to take in the waves from the highway. "From Highway 1, I could see enormous waves hitting Sail Rock and Kings Rock near Mavericks." Savannah Peterson / IG: @SavIsSavvy The National Weather Service issued a high surf warning Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., advising of potentially dangerous waves that could reach up to 29 feet or higher along the coast. The high tide was especially severe today as well, pushing waves farther up the beach than usual. Savannah Peterson also took in the action from the highway at Pacific Pier. "Way too many people got too close and were in harms way," said Peterson, who took photos of the surf and posted them on her Instagram page @SavIsSavvy. "These waves are not just water, they're walls of force that throw rocks on to the promenade, sometimes breaking windows in cars and businesses. Please, please be careful if coming to watch the waves the next few days. They're a beautiful force to watch at a respectful distance. People underestimate the water that gets trapped against the seawall. It's volatile and creates sneaker waves that don't come with the warning of a swell." The turbulent surf led to multiple rescue missions around the greater Bay Area. Rescue crews pulled 12 children from the frigid waters outside Santa Cruz Harbor Sunday afternoon when multiple sailboats capsized amid dangerous surf. The rescue occurred when four boats that were part of a sailing school hit choppy waters at the mouth of the harbor, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department and California State Parks. When a large wave hit, 20 people including 12 kids were tossed into the ocean. Two people were swept into the ocean at Pescadero State Beach in San Mateo County. One person was rescued and transported to the hospital, but the other remains missing. Three people were swept into the ocean by a sneaker wave at Point Bonita while observing the waves from a restricted area. Two reached nearby rocks and were later rescued, but the U.S. Coast Guard continues to search for a man in his 30s who officials said is still missing. MOSCOW/RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has approved the main Russian vaccine against COVID-19, known as Sputnik V, for use in Palestinian self-ruled territory, Russia's sovereign wealth fund said on Monday. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila confirmed that her ministry had granted "emergency approval" for the Russian vaccine to be administered in areas under limited Palestinian self-rule. Deliveries are expected to be completed in the first quarter of this year, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad. The RDIF did not say how many doses would be shipped to the PA, which runs parts of the West Bank under interim peace deals with Israel, but said supplies would come from manufacturing partners in India, China, South Korea and elsewhere. It also did not disclose the financial arrangements of the export deal but has said previously that Sputnik V would be priced at less than $20 per dose. The price includes the first shot and the booster, which is injected 21 days later. The PA said later it was allocating $10.5 million as a down-payment for the first stage of vaccination, to arrive within two months. The final cost will be $21 million, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh's office said in a statement. Asked if Israel would permit the Palestinians to import the vaccines, Deputy Israeli Health Minister Yoav Kisch told Army Radio: "Anything to do with Palestinian Authority public health is taken care of by them, (so) I think they have that freedom." The PA said on Sunday it expected to receive its first COVID-19 vaccine doses from British drugmaker AstraZeneca in March, and accused Israel of shirking a duty to ensure vaccines are available in occupied territory. While Israel has become the world leader in vaccinations per capita, Palestinians in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip - where Hamas Islamists rule - have yet to obtain their first supplies. Outside Russia, where authorities say over a million people have now been inoculated with Sputnik V, the vaccine has also been approved for emergency use by local regulators in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia and Serbia, RDIF has said. (Reporting by Polina Ivanova and Vladimir Soldatkin in MOSCOW, Ali Sawafta in RAMALLAH; Writing by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Mark Heinrich) The Empire State Building today announced its participation in President-Elect Joe Bidens plan to memorialize American lives lost from the COVID-19 pandemic with its iconic heartbeat lighting. The Empire State Building had been lighted in red for several months during the pandemic in New York City. The heartbeat exhibited solidarity with and support for the millions of people affected by COVID-19, and specifically the emergency workers who addressed the first, great assault of the pandemic. Each night, the building played a light show along with the Alicia Keys song, Empire State of Mind that was broadcast live by iHeartMedia New York. The Empire State Building will return the red heartbeat from 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 until 2 a.m. on Jan. 20 along with the Keys song and light show. Church bells will sound, and towers and landmarks will illuminate nationwide in unity and remembrance, according to a news release. New York City has always, and will always, symbolize the hope and resilience of our great city and its people. We will come back even stronger, and the Empire State Building will be here to welcome everyone back, said Anthony E. Malkin, chairman, president, and CEO, Empire State Realty Trust. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience reopened and began to safely welcome back visitors in July, and we continue to serve as the national and international symbol of strength and the ability to overcome any adversity. The Empire State Building is 1,454 feet tall from base to the top of the antenna. It is owned by Empire State Realty Trust. This year is its 90th anniversary. READ MORE Madame Pelosi is threatening to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Trump this week. But if House Democrats go along and pass an article of impeachment, the process will not go as they may imagine. Since the charge would be incitement to riot, and the president has demonstrably never called for violence in any way, the basis of the indictment can only be that Trump incited violence by repeatedly claiming that the November election was rigged and that he was the legitimate victor. (The same claim has essentially been made already by those like Sen. Patty Murray, who have blamed Senators Hawley and Cruz for inciting the Capitol Hill riot just by objecting to the legitimacy of the electors.) This means that the central issue of the trial will be the president's claims of election fraud. Short of reversing the election itself, such a trial would be the best thing President Trump could hope for and the worst thing for the election's declared winners. The critical element of the president's defense would be the exposure of all the evidence for fraud, of which there is a lot, and a lot that the MSM has so far kept from wide circulation and discussion. What a platform for Team Giuliani. I almost wish they'd try it. Image: Master Steve Rapport. Actor has asked his fans to accept his decision of not wanting to enter now and urged them to desist from holding protests. He issued a statement a day after thousands of his fans staged a protest in Chennai asking him to reconsider his decision. In the statement asked the fans not to pain him by insisting that he enters He said he had already made his decision about not entering electoral On Sunday, fans of the actor held a demonstration urging their screen idol to plunge into Tamil Nadu politics. The actors fans held banners reading 'Va Thalaivaa Va (Come Leader Come), Ippo Illaina, Eppovum Illai (If Not Now, Never) and urged Rajinikanth to get into state politics as he had announced earlier. The actor took U-turn from his earlier stand that he would float his party in January 2021 and that an announcement in that regard would be made on December 31, 2020. On December 29, Rajinikanth announced his decision not to get into Tamil Nadu politics, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as it would risk his health condition. On December 31, 2017, Rajinikanth had announced his decision to float a political party to practice 'spiritual politics' and contest all 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu in 2021. Early last month, Rajinikanth sounded his poll bugle against the ruling AIADMK government as well as against the major opposition party DMK. Earlier he said: "The time has come to change the fate of Tamil Nadu. Political and government change in the state is important. It will surely change. Political change is important and is a compulsion of time. If not now, it is not possible ever. Everything has to be changed. We will change everything." The Police on Monday informed that Chilla and Ghazipur borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida and Ghaziabad to the capital due to ongoing farmer protests. People have been advised to take alternate routes via Anand Vihar, Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway, Bhopra and Loni borders. Besides this, the Delhi-Haryana borders at Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh have also been closed. Police have suggested commuters from Haryana to take alternate routes via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu school toll tax borders. The traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. "Traffic Alert Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli and Mangesh borders closed. Please take an alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla and Singhu school toll tax borders.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road and NH-44," the Traffic Police tweeted. It also informed about alternate routes for entering Haryana and the available open borders to the state are following- Jharoda (Only Single Carriageway/Road), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders. With concerns that farm laws would weaken the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and mandi systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, farmers have been protesting at different borders of the capital for over a month 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. (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.) Students from Holyoke Community College this week will perform a virtual staged reading of Failure is Impossible, a play celebrating womens suffrage. The free performance, directed by Holyoke Community theater professor Pat Sandoval and history professor Diane Beers, will be hosted on Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. in conjunction with Holyokes Wistariahurst Museum. First performed in 1995 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of womens suffrage, the play by Rosemary Knower dramatizes the debate leading up to passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Performers will include students from Holyoke, Chicopee and Easthampton. To see the show, attendants must register in advance through a link on the Wistariahurst Museum website: wistariahurst.org/events Knowers script draws upon archival sources, including the Congressional Record, petitions to Congress, newspapers, personal letters, diaries, and memoirs. The cast of characters include Abigail Adams, Sarah Grimke, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Clara Barton, and Frederick Douglass among others. The play was originally scheduled to be performed live on the stage of HCC Leslie Phillips Theater in March 2020 during Womens History Month, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. But that show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I think its even more significant now that were doing this piece. The play is not a work of fiction. It is filled with historical facts, so its educational and important and timely, Sandoval said. Everybody should know the struggles of the suffragettes. We take it for granted, but, as we know by recent headlines, democracy and rights are not just handed to us. The performers are students from an HCC Learning Community class taught jointly by Sandoval and Beers titled She Persisted, which combines womens history and acting. The title adopts the now-familiar expression used in 2017 by U.S. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell in defending the Senates vote to silence Senator Elizabeth Warrens objections to the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General. We chose She Persisted because all the women we study show this determination to keep on persisting, and its particularly true of the suffragettes, Sandoval said. Its only been 100 years since weve had the right to vote, and the countrys been around since 1776, so women have been struggling since the beginning for the right to vote. Sandoval and Beers will be teaching the class again this spring. The HCC cast includes Alex Santiago of Holyoke, Cassi Broga of Chicopee, Diamond Smith of Easthampton, Hannah Labreche of Holyoke, Nathan Rodriguez of Holyoke and Roxy Murphy of Easthampton. The program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant. Additional support has been provided through NEH CARES Act funding granted by Mass Humanities. LafargeHolcim Bangladesh enters aggregates market 11 January 2021 Stocks of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose 9.8 per cent after the company announced it will be entering the aggregate business. LafargeHolcim Bangladesh commenced commercial production of clear-size-graded aggregate last Saturday, the company said in a filing on the DSE. The aggregates are graded limestone chips with uniform size and shape conforming to international standards, it said. The company has set up the crushing unit with ancillary equipment on the premises of its existing integrated Chhatak cement plant, Sunamganj, Bangladesh. The plant the capacity to produce 12,000tpa of the new aggregate. The company has invested BDT401m (US$4.72m) in the business, which came from the company's own fund, the disclosure added. Bangladeshs demand for clear-sized aggregates is estimated around 15Mta and Bangladesh relies on imports from the countries such as India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Oman and the UAE for supply. Published under Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2021) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (the "Company" or "Aires") announces that it has issued 285,714 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.21 per Common Share pursuant to a consulting agreement between the Company and SC-YN Consultants Inc. (the "Consultant"), a company controlled by Yan Namer, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, dated December 5, 2019, as amended. The Common Shares were issued to the Consultant in settlement of $60,000 owing to the Consultant. The Common Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance thereof in accordance with applicable securities laws. The issuance of the Common Shares to Mr. Namer constituted a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as Mr. Namer is a senior officer of the Company. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the transaction does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the issuance of the Common Shares, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances. About American Aires Inc. American Aires Inc. is a nanotechnology company which has developed proprietary silicon-based microprocessors that reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The technology was developed by a team of highly credited scientists and confirmed by independent third-party validation including peer reviewed studies and publications in scientific journals. The technology specifically targets cellphones, computers, baby monitors, Wi-Fi radiation and general EMR emitted by consumer electronic devices. Aires has launched a full suite of consumer products under the brand name "Airestech" for use on almost all consumer electronic devices. The Company has adopted a global ecommerce and distribution platform that scales easily as sales grow. Since launching in 2019, Aires has enjoyed exuberant growth. The company has been aggressively building out their ecommerce platform which is now capable of delivering up to 10,000 shipments a day along with recent customer service center agreements. Strategically placed fulfillment centers have been secured to ensure prompt delivery around the globe (see PR Jan. 31, 2020). With the launch of 5G networks around the world, this year, we are seeing an increase of news, reports and leading health organizations discussing the potential harm of EMR and the importance of identifying solutions to reduce these harmful rays. Aires products are the solution. www.airestech.com On behalf of the board of directors Company Contact Dimitry Serov, CEO Email: dimitry@airestech.com Telephone: (905) 482-4667 Website: www.airestech.com For further information please contact: Investor Cubed Inc.: Neil Simon, CEO Email: wifi@airestech.com Telephone: (647) 258-3310 Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. 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. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person 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 common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. We seek safe harbour. 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 news release. Not intended 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 United States Securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/71762 More than 75 percent of coronavirus patients have at least one symptom six months after becoming ill, a new study suggests. Researchers found that the most common symptom of coronavirus patients was fatigue and muscle weakness, reported in at least two-thirds of patients. Additionally, of about 400 patients tested for lung function, more than half who needed ventilation had severe scores six months out - which could indicate permanent organ damage. What's more, antibody levels tested in 100 patients fell by more than half during follow-up, which the team, from Jin Yin-tan Hospital at the Wuhan Research Center for Communicable Disease Diagnosis and Treatment in China, says raises questions about the potential of reinfection. A new study from Jin Yin-tan Hospital in China found more than 75% of patients reported at least one symptom six months later, with the most common being fatigue and muscle weakness among 63%. Pictured: Dr Thomas Yadegar checks the vital signs of Mindy Cross while her husband Dr Neil Hecht (right) rests in a bed next to her at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, California, January 2021 Among 100 patients tested for antibody levels, most had levels reduced by half, which raises questions about the potential for reinfection (above) For the study, published in The Lancet, the team looked at 1,733 COVID-19 patients who were discharged from Jin Yin-tan Hospital between January 7 and May 29. They were followed up with from June 16 to September 3 with a median of 186 days after the onset of symptoms. Patients were interviewed in person using questionnaires that evaluated their symptoms and their health-related quality of life. In addition, they were given physical examinations, underwent laboratory blood tests and had to perform a six-minute walking test to gauge endurance levels. A total of 76 percent of patients - more than 1,200 - reported at least one symptom at follow-up. Results showed that the most common symptom to persist was fatigue or muscle weakness, found in 63 percent of patients six months later. The next most common long-lasting symptom was difficulty sleeping, reported in 26 percent of patients. Another 23 percent said they were experiencing anxiety or depression long after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The next most commonly reported symptoms were hair loss and taste disorder, seen in 22 percent and 11 percent of patients, respectively. Other symptoms reported - in less than 10 percent - included palpitations, joint pain, decrease appetite, taste disorder and dizziness. Researchers also found that patients who had more severe illness when they were hospitalized had reduced lung function. Of the 349 patients who completed a lung function test, 56 percent of those who had required ventilation had the most severe scores on a scale of one to six. Along with abnormalities in chest imaging, reduced lung function could indicate permanent organ damage. This was not just seen in the lungs. About 13 percent of patients who had normal kidney function while hospitalized had a reduction during the follow-up. During the six-minute walking test, one-third of those who needed mechanical ventilation walked less than the lower limit of the normal range. Lastly, researchers looked at levels of neutralizing antibodies among 94 patients tested at the peak of infection. Results showed that levels fell by more than half - 52.5 percent - after six months, which raised concerns about the potential for reinfection. 'Because Covid-19 is such a new disease, we are only beginning to understand some of its long-term effects on patients' health,' Professor Bin Cao, from the National Center for Respiratory Medicine at the Chin-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, told the Press Association. 'Our analysis indicates that most patients continue to live with at least some of the effects of the virus after leaving hospital, and highlights a need for post-discharge care, particularly for those who experience severe infections. 'Our work also underscores the importance of conducting longer follow-up studies in larger populations in order to understand the full spectrum of effects that Covid-19 can have on people.' Moldovan President Maia Sandu asked the constitutional court on Monday to review rules that limit her choice of ministerial picks in the outgoing cabinet to the sitting ministers CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2021) Moldovan President Maia Sandu asked the constitutional court on Monday to review rules that limit her choice of ministerial picks in the outgoing cabinet to the sitting ministers. "Today I sent a referral to the Constitutional Court asking it to verify the constitutionality of several laws limiting the president and the outgoing government in the exercise of their duties," she said on Facebook. Prime Minister Ion Chicu resigned last month to pave the way for an early parliamentary election. The ministers of finance, economy and health all tendered their resignations but Sandu rejected them and tapped Foreign Minister Aureliu Ciocoi as acting prime minister. Sandu said the top court should be able to stop the institutional crisis from worsening. Neither the president nor the acting prime minister are eligible to reshuffle the cabinet or make international deals until the new government is sworn in. The date of the snap vote has not been set yet. Hai Van Tunnel 2 in central Vietnam has opened to traffic Monday after four years of construction. Connecting Thua Thien-Hue Province with central hub Da Nang, the tunnel of 6.2 kilometers (3.85 miles) is the longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia and helps reduce traffic pressure on Hai Van Road Tunnel 1. The new seven-meter-wide two-lane tunnel runs alongside Tunnel 1 on National Highway 1A as part of Hai Van Pass, which rises 500 meters above sea level as the natural border between Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang. Invested by Deo Ca Group JSC, the project was commenced in 2016. Costing VND8.51 trillion ($367 million), it was carried out using Vietnamese techniques. Engineers were allowed to use explosives just twice a day in certain time frames to not disrupt traffic along Hai Van Tunnel 1, a mere 30 meters away. Framingham State University Massachusetts Bay Community College David Podell U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Massachusetts Carlos Santiago Massachusetts' Fitchburg State University Mount Wachusett Community College Berkshire Community College Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Shore Community College Salem State University Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Kay Kastner Framingham State University Javier Cevallos Katy Abel Department of Higher Education U.S. March 1 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (TNS) A new government-funded scholarship program will provide dorm beds, meal plans and case management to homeless teens who enroll atorSet to begin next fall, the "Moving to College" pilot is a continuation of another state effort, the Massachusetts Student Housing Security Pilot, launched in 2018. The difference between the programs is school officials will target homeless students who have just graduated high school, as opposed to those who've been in college for several years.It means struggling students will get a "warm hand-off from high school to college," said MassBay President"Sometimes, you receive services in high school and you come to college and it's a whole new ballgame," said Podell. "This program means that we have adjusted both the housing issue and the food issue, and connected services to make sure these students get to college and succeed."Scholarships for up to 20 incoming students will cover their housing expenses over four years of school. Those will be funded through the, marking the first timehas chosen to use those dollars to support college students.As part of the arrangement, Framingham State and MassBay will cover meal plans as well as provide case management and other services.Higher Education Commissionersaid the push to support homeless students began when the state examined data and realized a growing need."All of this is relatively new to us. This is not something most colleges do. The highest priority is to educate students and move them along, but it was pretty clear to us that students were facing significant needs that went beyond the typical tuition and books," said Santiago.According to state data, there were at least 24,071 homeless children and youth enrolled inpublic schools during the 2017-18 school year. During the 2016-17 school year, 2,959 students fewer were counted. Most officials agree the numbers are an undercount, as homeless youth tend to be a transient population and can be difficult to survey.With the pandemic and economic recession having caused some students to drop out or never apply, Podell said the "challenges will only be greater."Santiago said state officials will be looking for insight on how to best help high school students move into a college environment."We want this to be a program that helps these student transition and gives them the kinds of answers they need to succeed," said Santiago.In addition to MassBay and Framingham State, other participating institutions are:; andStudents who are registered at a community college will live at the nearest participating state university campus and commute to classes or take classes online.Each regional team will be comprised of campus staff from four-year and two-year campuses working in partnership with school liaisons and counselors and a local non-profit youth services provider.For MassBay and Framingham State, that youth services provider will be. Together, they'll function as a partnership to form a triage of support for students.Both schools are also taking part in the first program, the Student Housing Security Pilot., coordinator of student support initiatives at Framingham State, said with that participation, the university learned that these students are usually facing a storm of problems at the same time. It varies from financial issues to mental health struggles."It's multi-layered," said Kastner. "With those students, during the in-take process, we take care of the most acute problems first so they can be in a more secure situation where they can deal with one thing at one time."Scholarships will not cover tuition, fees, books, supplies and transportation. However, Kastner noted, students will have access to many services, such as the campus's food pantry and mental health counseling.Presidentis "delighted" with the program expansion."A college degree changes lives," he said. "We know the difference between a high school diploma and a college degree is about $1 million of earnings over a lifetime. Not to mention the opportunities they will have with a college degree for different types of employment are much better."Currently, school officials are working to identify students who could benefit from the program."That's easier said than done," said, associate commissioner for external affairs and special projects in the state. "Everything is remote right now, and we're finding a lot of students are dropping out of being in touch with teachers because they don't like remote learning ... we're swimming upstream in that regard."To qualify, students must meet a slew of requirements, including proving that they are homeless. They must be acitizen or a permanent resident, because the scholarship is funded with federal dollars.When in school, the student needs to maintain full-time enrollment (12 or more credits) and maintain passing grades to be eligible for a renewed scholarship. In the summer, they need to either remain enrolled in at least two courses during the summer terms, work full-time, or enroll in one course and work part-time.Applications are due by. More information is available on the statewebsite. Fallout From The SolarWinds Breach Widens Microsoft say that Britain, along with six other countries have been affected by a suspected Russian hacking attack and has been brought in by clients to assist using its antivirus software. It has been able to map some of the impact of the recently reported, SolarWinds attack. Microsoft has admitted it too had fallen victim to the attack, although it said it had not found evidence of access to production services or customer data. The US Energy Department is the latest agency to confirm it has been breached in what is being described as the worst-ever hack on the United States government. Russian hackers have been monitoring internal email traffic at the US Treasury and Commerce departments, according to some analysts. This is just the beginning. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said it has determined that the SolarWinds Orion software vulnerability is not the only way hackers compromised a variety of online networks, warning that in some cases, victims appeared to have been breached despite never using the problematic software. This will be President-elect Bidens biggest foreign policy problem that the president-elect has to deal with a a very familiar aspect - Russia. Moscows meddling in the 2016 US presidential election cast a shadow over US politics for four long years. A good defense isnt enough; we need to disrupt and deter our adversaries from undertaking significant cyber attacks in the first place, Mr. Biden said, adding, I will not stand idly by in the face of cyber assaults on our nation. British spy chiefs are investigating whether Russian hackers broke into confidential British files. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is examining potential leaks after a hacking group cracked software developed by American business SolarWinds. SolarWinds systems are used by the UK Government departments including GCHQ the Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice and other online contents suggests the Home Office is also an active user. For more than three decades, hackers linked to Moscow are believed to have tried to steal US secrets online. Those breaches of US systems have done much to define how America sees cyber-space, and how it defends itself and they have learnt it is not always possible to stop them. The first person to trail foreign hackers taking sensitive US data was not a spy, but an astronomer who was worried about an unpaid $0.75. In 1986, Cliff Stoll looked after the computer networks at his lab. and he noticed someone logging in to use the computer without paying. In the coming months, he would follow their trail and observe the unknown party searching for military-related data. In his book, Cuckoo's Egg, Stoll reveals how he eventually traced the login to a group of hackers in Germany, who had sold their access to the KGB, Moscow's intelligence service. A decade later, in the mid 1990s, the first major cyber espionage campaign conducted by a state intelligence agency was uncovered. Codenamed Moonlight Maze, some of the details remain classified. But this was a group of highly sophisticated hackers working quietly to steal US military secrets through a backdoor. The hackers took vast amounts of information and, for defence officials feared they might leave something behind to sabotage their systems. The US investigators were confident they knew who was behind it. The attackers worked 08:00 to 17:00 Moscow time (but never on a Russian holiday) and Russian language was found in the code. Moscow denied everything, and stalled the investigation. In 2008, the rogue USB stick loaded with malware - possibly found in a car park on a military base overseas, rocked Washington. It allowed hackers to penetrate classified US military systems which were supposed to be kept offline. It took four months for an analyst to spot the breach at US Central Command and even longer to fix it. It was found to be linked to the same group that was behind Moonlight Maze. This shock led directly to the creation of US Cyber Command within the Pentagon - a team set up to protect sensitive networks, but also to hunt adversaries online. In the subsequent years, China has received rather more attention, particularly with regard to stealing commercial secrets, but Russia has remained equally destructive. During the 2016 US presidential election, it turned out that not one, but two, Russian intelligence service hacking teams were inside the Democratic party. The team from the foreign intelligence agency, the SVR, stayed undercover, but the military intelligence team from the GRU, known as Fancy Bear had a different idea. It leaked the material it stole, causing disruption and, arguably, playing a role in shifting the course of the election. The problem was no one had been prepared for this kind of "information operation". In the 2020 presidential election, organisations were on their guard for election interference from Russia. But what they didn't realise was that old-fashioned espionage was carrying on unnoticed, with Russian intelligence again believed to be the culprit. Once again Moscow has denied any role. The SolarWinds operation began in March 2020, if not much earlier and the long term effects will doubtless emerge over time, but right now US federal officials talk of a "grave risk" because of the sheer scale of possible compromise of departments, companies and organisations. But others disagree describing it as an extreme example of what is actually 'routine espionage'. They also say that the US is not just the victim, but also the perpetrator of these type of hacks. The Snowden revelations of 2013 showed that both the US and th UK are effective in the way they monitor and steal secrets from other countries in ways that are no different to China and Russia. In cyberspace, the attacker normally has the advantage in finding a new way in before the defender can take protective measure and as long as there are secrets online the most capable spies, especially those from Russia, will be trying to steal them. Sophisticated attackers will prioritise surreptitious entrances and exits using hidden backdoors that avoid the wholesale ransacking of computer systems used by less expert criminal groups that serve to alert defenders. 'Quiet' hackers are typically more focused on covering their tracks and such quiet attacks can often be the most effective at gathering specific, sensitive information over a period of months. Indeed, while the details of what was taken and from whom are not yet public, the agencies and companies themselves may not even know for a while. Cyber security is currently a very difficult job under the best of circumstances and while the US National Security Agency keeps military secrets locked down, civilian agencies don't have the same resources to defend themselves. Reuters: GovUK: New York Times: The Verge: Washington Post: CNN: Guardian: Guardian: BBC: BBC: Telegraph: You Might Also Read: The Cyber Security Top Ten Power List: A Brazilian drug dealer has allegedly killed and dismembered his former girlfriend, Bianca Lourenco, due to jealousy. Bianca Lourenco was 24-year-old and was reported to vanished from the Rio housing project where she lived. She then turned up murdered and dismembered, according to a KNewz report. Her disappearance happened shortly after she posted photos of herself wearing a tight bikini on Twitter. She posted the photo with a caption saying, If I were you, I would certainly hate me, too," according to The Sun report. Local police are still looking into the young woman's death. Lourenco's body parts were reportedly found in the area. Lourenco's relatives went on to accuse her drug-dealer ex, who has been identified as either Enzo or Dalton, of killing Lourenco. Related story: "El Mencho," The Mexican Drug Kingpin Who Infiltrates Small Towns in America Suspect has a history of violence Lourenco and her ex had been together for just over a year when she ended the relationship with her drug dealer ex-boyfriend. She then posted the photos on social media on Jan. 2. People who knew Lourenco said that her ex was violent. "This guy followed her to the bus station armed to stop her from travelling," according to one acquaintance of Lourenco who wished to be anonymous, was quoted on a report. The acquaintance added that Lourenco's ex-boyfriend closed Avenida Brasil, which is a main throughfare in Rio de Janerio, to kidnap her. However, Lourenco's ex-boyfriend did not pull it off. The person added that her ex-boyfriend did not in any way accept the end of their relationship. Lourenco was known to put an end to the relationship after he became violent with her, according to reports. Bianca's aunt said she went to look for her niece and found her ex drinking alcohol, proceeding to tell her that he had killer her. The family said that they have asked for Bianca's body but the drug dealer was said to change his story, telling them that he did not do anything, according to a Daily Star report. Lourenco wrote a tweet on Nov. 22 that foreshadowed her murder and dismemberment in Rio. In a tweet, Lourenco wrote that it is better to marry 20 times than to remain 20 years unhappy with the same person. Lourenco's family declined to file a police report out of fear that her ex-boyfriend would retaliate just as what he did to Lourenco. However, it has been reported that the police have been investigating the case. Violence against women in Brazil The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights claimed that four women have been killed every year so far in 2019 in Brazil. The agency called the rate alarming in an earlier Reuters report. The IACHR said that more must be done to prevent and investigate femicides in Brazil. Brazil passed a law in 2015 to stop femicide, giving a legal definition of the crime while implementing tougher punishments with jail sentences up to 30 years for convicted offenders. Brazil was among 15 other Latin America countries to have introduced laws against femicide in the recent years. The United Nation stated that Latino America has the world' highest rates of femicide. Related story: Miss Mexico Aspirant Found Dead in Her Home After Leaving Heartbreaking Message Online by Fady Noun According to experts, the country is paying dearly for two weeks of holidays carelessness and recklessness. Healthcare facilities have hit their maximum bed capacity. The authorities have appealed to private hospitals to take COVID-19 patients, but frozen bank accounts deny access to resources and aid. Beirut (AsiaNews) - Lebanon is paying a high price for two weeks of carelessness, some would say recklessness, given the way many celebrate the holidays. Traditionally, the Christmas season is a time for families to meet up as those who live, work or study afar come home. Now Lebanons media are already conjuring up an Italian scenario. When, the pandemic broke out in the spring of 2020 in Italy, its hospitals were quickly overwhelmed. Now Lebanons rising COVID-19 cases and death rate are signs that Lebanon might be in the same situation. At least 5,000 new cases are being reported daily with an average of 15 deaths per day, but those figures are probably higher according to doctors, this in a country of just five million inhabitants. In fact, the number of deaths is expected to rise as more and more patients die at home, due to lack of space in hospitals. I spent my day getting calls from people looking for a hospital bed, said on Saturday Sleiman Haroun, president of the private hospital owners' union who was asked about hospital overcrowding. The bed occupancy rate stood at 80 per cent two months ago. It rose to more than 100 per cent today, Haroun noted. Now, hospital administrators are saying that patients who need hospitalisation are either being turned from one hospital to another, or piled up the word is not an exaggeration in intensive care units, waiting for a bed. Despite the deaths, the turnover of beds remains slow, Haroun explained, since COVID-19 patients tend to be hospitalised for a long while. They can easily remain a week, but can go up to a month. Health Minister Hamad Hassan is trying to stem the disturbing growth with what is available, pending the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine in February. To this end, he expects the country to remain locked down until the end of the month while private hospitals will be more involved in the health effort. In fact, the minister appealed to the conscience and sense of civic duty of private hospitals to put aside their rights and bank accounts and more generously join the fight against the spread of the virus. Let the state fulfil its obligations and we will fulfil ours, say private hospitals, which are demanding more than US$ 1 billion from the state for unpaid fees. Half of Lebanon's 120 private hospitals have already equipped themselves to deal with the pandemic, their union president said, who noted that the equipment of an intensive care bed requires an investment of between US$ 35,000 and US$ 50,000. Not all hospitals have this money to spend, to say nothing of investments in buildings and personnel. This controversy reflects the state of the countrys economic crisis with banks illegally exercising strict controls on bank accounts, including those of hospitals. The president of the Order of Physicians, Dr Sharaf Abousharaf, who had warned of the disaster before the holidays, spoke out against the blatant waste in the Finance Ministry, which has left the government without resources. He was flabbergasted that the authorities are demanding a greater effort without compensation on the part of private hospitals, while some government facilities, such as the one in Zahle (120 beds) in central Lebanon, have only a 10 per cent occupancy rate. Where have all the billions of pounds in aid gone? he asked. Why arent we setting up some of the field hospitals sent by different countries after the catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut on 4 August? It should also be noted that some of the private hospitals hit by this explosion, such as the Sisters of the Rosary Hospital, which received assistance from the Nunciature, and the Greek Orthodox St George's Hospital, are not yet fully operational. Faced with a wave of coronavirus-related deaths, Health Minister Hamad Hassan can now count only on the countrys lockdown. Such a decision includes a curfew, alternating traffic, limits on travellers allowed into Lebanon, but it could be upgraded to a general lockout, with the airport completely shut down for one or two weeks. Yet, people should not raise their hope too high about countering the pandemic. The battle has not yet been won, especially since some business and professional groups, such restaurateurs and hoteliers, are grumbling about the effects of the lockdown, whilst others are in a denial mode for lack of information about the virus, and the countrys poorer and undisciplined regions seem more concerned about food insecurity than infections. The steel major reported strong quarterly domestic deliveries, while exports shrinked to 11% of overall deliveries. Tata Steel's Indian crude steel production rose 2.90% to 4.60 million tons (MT) in Q3 December 2020 (3QFY21) from 4.47 MT in Q3 December 2019 (3QFY20). On a sequential basis, Tata Steel India's crude steel production has improved marginally from 4.59 MT in Q2 September 2020 (2QFY21). Tata Steel India saw strong sales momentum in 3QFY21, however, sales volumes were constrained by lower opening inventory post very strong sales in 2QFY21. As a result, deliveries were 4.66 MT in 3QFY21, lower by 8% as compared to 5.05 MT in Q2 FY21 and lower by 4% from 4.85 MT in 3QFY20. Domestic deliveries sharply ramped up to 4.16 million tons which translates to an increase of 8% QoQ (quarter-on-quarter) and 4% YoY (year-on-year). Exports shrank below 11% of overall deliveries. During the quarter, despite planned maintenance shutdowns, the company was able to ramp-up steel production at Tata Steel Europe by 22% QoQ and 4%YoY to 2.61 MT. This was aimed at replenishing inventory ahead of improving market condition and seasonally better Q4 March 2021 (4QFY21). While Q3 FY21 steel sales volume declined by 7% QoQ and 10% YoY to 2.11 MT, due to lower opening inventories and COVID-19 impact at beginning of the quarter, the mix of deliveries saw further improvements in the Automotive and Engineering sectors. "We also remain focused on aggressively managing costs and cashflows while pursuing deleveraging, the steel maker said in a BSE filing made after trading hours on Friday (8 January 2020). Tata Steel reported 49.58% decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,665.07 crore on 7.4% increase in net sales to Rs 36,475.66 crore in Q2 FY21 over Q2 FY20. The Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes per annum. It is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world. The scrip was down 1.91% to Rs 699.40. It traded in the range of 698.65 and 713.25 so far during the day. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... New COVID-19 cases in New Mexico continued to decrease over the weekend, but the seven-day case average is still climbing. The Governors Office said in a news release Sunday that the state added 1,208 COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths. Although daily case and deaths have fallen since the state recorded 47 deaths on Wednesday and 1,841 cases on Thursday, New Mexico had a seven-day case average of 1,397 on Sunday. The average has continued a steady climb since it hit 1,073 on Jan. 1. According to Sundays update, Bernalillo County had 270 new cases, Dona Ana County had 152 and San Juan County had 98. Eddy County, where Carlsbad is located, had 97 new cases, Sandoval County had 80 and Santa Fe County had 66. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ There were also 20 new cases among state inmates at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants. Those whose deaths were reported Sunday were: Five people, ranging from their 50s to their 90s, from Bernalillo County. A man in his 70s from Chaves County who was hospitalized and had underlying health conditions. A woman in her 80s from Cibola County who had underlying conditions. A man in his 60s from Curry County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. A woman in her 90s from Grant County who was hospitalized. A man in his 70s from Lea County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. A man in his 100s from Los Alamos County. A man in his 70s from McKinley County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. A man in his 80s from Sandoval County who had underlying conditions. A woman in her 40s from San Juan County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. A man in his 60s from San Juan County who had underlying conditions. A man in his 60s from Santa Fe County who was hospitalized. A male inmate at the Guadalupe County Correctional Facility in his 60s who was hospitalized. The total number of deaths in the state due to COVID-19 is now 2,749. New Mexico now has a total of 156,157 cases, with 77,731 recoveries. As of Sunday, 682 people were hospitalized around the state with the disease. U.S. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced Monday plans to boost production of its COVID-19 vaccine by 50% percent 2 million doses this year to meet the global demand. BioNTech announced the increased supply as part of a presentation at a health care conference. The company said a new production site in Marburg, Germany, expected to become operational by the end of next month, will be able to make as many as 750 million doses per year. That means a total of six facilities will be producing the vaccine three in Germany, and three operated by Pfizer in the United States. The partners have already committed 1 billion doses for delivery. Last week, the European Union announced a deal for an additional 300 million doses of the vaccine, doubling their supply. The World Health Organization (WHO) said last week it is continuing negotiations with the companies about securing doses for the vaccine cooperative COVAX, organized by the agency to provide vaccines for low-income nations. No agreement has been reached. Last week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about wealthy nations buying up the supply of vaccines and leaving none for the developing world. He has argued that the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be defeated unless vaccines are distributed equitably. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 06:40:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The top UN official in West Africa Mohamed Ibn Chambas told the Security Council on Monday that elections are one-time events, democracy is a constant process of deliberation and consultation. Against the backdrop of five presidential, three legislative and two local elections in the region which have taken place in recent months, the special representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) told the Council that electoral management bodies have "demonstrated impressive technical capacity to organize and conduct elections." In presenting the latest report on West Africa and the Sahel from the secretary-general, the UN envoy highlighted the presidential election in Burkina Faso, saying that "dialogue between political actors led to a unanimously accepted outcome, with the losing contenders congratulating President Roch Marc Christian Kabore for his second term and committing to work together to tackle insecurity." In Ghana, Chambas said that elections were nonviolent overall and commended the peaceful poll in Niger on Nov. 27, which will "usher in the country's first-ever democratic transition from one elected head of state to another." The special representative cited ongoing efforts in the Gambia to promote dialogue among political parties toward constitutional reform and lauded discussions in Cote d'Ivoire to rebuild national cohesion despite electoral turmoil. Throughout, he told the Council that "UNOWAS worked hand-in-hand" with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and other international partners. After 20 years in Guinea-Bissau, Chambas said the Dec. 31 closing of the UN field mission there, called UNIOGBIS, marked "an auspicious moment" for the country. Against the backdrop of a year of multiple challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chambas noted that most countries of the region had been plunged into recession and resources had been diverted from productive investments and the fight against insecurity. While vaccines are being distributed as the region faces a second wave, he said that "it is ever more important that we collaborate to apply the manifold lessons learnt in terms of improving governance and delivering essential services for societies to emerge more adept, secure, and resilient." Besides the challenges, he commended ECOWAS and its member states, for their overall handling of the pandemic. Enditem The first pertussis vaccines were developed and tested in the 1920s and 1930s and were in universal use by the end of the 1940s. And they worked. Dr. James Cherry, a distinguished research professor of pediatrics at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and an expert on pertussis who has done extensive research both on the disease and on the vaccines, cites more than 36,000 pertussis deaths from 1926 to 1930 in the United States, most in young infants; from 1970 to 1974, there were 52. Even so, when I started out in pediatrics, in the 1980s, the DTP was, no question, the shot we least liked giving. Of the shots that we routinely gave, this was the one that kids tended to react to with fevers, with sore arms, and sometimes, though very rarely, with more serious reactions. Reactogenic, we sometimes called it. The reactions had a lot to do with what went into the vaccine: whole inactivated Bordetella pertussis bacteria. And though bacteria are microscopically small, they are enormous and complex cells compared to viruses, which are just made up of protein and nucleic acid (DNA or RNA). In other words, a whole-cell vaccine contained many different compounds in it that the body might react to there are more than 3,000 different proteins in the bacterial cell. For diphtheria and tetanus, single toxoids were used, inactivated versions of the poisons manufactured by those bacteria, so those components were much less reactogenic. There were parents who believed that their children had been harmed by the vaccine, and strong sentiment against it in what we would now call the anti-vaccine movement, along with ongoing medical controversy over which problems had been caused by the vaccine and which were coincidences of timing in a vaccine given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, and then again at around a year and a half. Since 1999, children in the United States have been vaccinated with DTaP, rather than DTP, with the a standing for acellular. No more whole cells; these vaccine developers used specific proteins to which the body would manufacture immunity. DTaP shots are significantly less reactogenic. They also tend to be less effective in provoking a long-lasting effective immune response; in a 2019 review, Dr. Cherry wrote that in almost every clinical trial, the whole-cell vaccines were more efficacious than the acellular vaccines. That meant a certain balancing of risks and benefits, and ongoing discussion, as the changeover to DTaP has been linked to recent resurgences in the number of cases, though not necessarily in deaths, and Dr. Cherry argues that the increased number of reported cases may actually be a result of raised awareness and better testing. But even if there is more pertussis around in adults, thanks to the vaccines, this is no longer a deadly disease of young children. Although a safe adult booster called the Tdap has now been developed, there is still a great deal of pertussis infection in adolescents and adults, and it often goes undiagnosed, even among doctors, because in adults it may not look that different from other coughs and colds. (Natural News) When President Richard Nixon normalized relations with China at the ultimate expense of Taiwan in the early 1970s, over the next several decades American corporations increasingly saw the populous Asian giant as a piggy bank. Opening markets to more than a billion people was just too much to pass up, so U.S. corporations cozied up to Beijing and, in addition to outsourcing American jobs, sent trillions in American wealth to China. By the time Donald Trump ran for president, it was obvious that Chinas wealth, power and influence in the United States had reached its zenith. U.S. corporations and (mostly Democratic but not exclusively so) politicians fell over themselves to win favor with Beijing in a bid to continue having access to the countrys massive and growing consumer base. But now, President Trump is on his way out of the White House after four years of beating back Chinas advances into nearly every business sector in America, and the incoming president, Joe Biden, is reportedly as beholden to China as are American corporations. And everybody knows it, which is why New York Stock Exchange officials felt empowered enough to ignore an executive order issued last week by President Trump directing them to delist a number of Chinese telecom giants China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom Hong Kong U.S. intelligence identified as being linked to the Chinese military. This refusal is unprecedented. The NYSE noted on its parent ICEs website: In light of further consultation with relevant regulatory authorities in connection with Office of Foreign Assets Control FAQ 857, available here, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (NYSE) announced today that NYSE Regulation no longer intends to move forward with the delisting action in relation to the three issuers enumerated below (the Issuers) which was announced on December 31, 2020. At this time, the Issuers will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. NYSE Regulation will continue to evaluate the applicability of Executive Order 13959 to these Issuers and their continued listing status. The stock exchanges announcement instantly made one of the companies, China Telecom, a truckload more money; shares in the firm rose 8 percent on the news. So what does Beijing have to do with this NYSE decision? Only everything. CNBC added: China vowed on Saturday to respond to the delisting of three telecommunications giants by the New York Stock Exchange under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in November. The ministry of commerce said in a statement that China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, according to the state-run Global Times. Now, mind you, this comes as its more and more apparent President Trump will be forced out of office Jan. 20, meaning China Joe Biden will be temporarily occupying the Oval Office until the deep state disposes of him and installs Vice President Kamala Harris who is also expected to continue with the deep states China First policy. (Related: America will officially be an enemy occupied zone with the swearing in of Joe Biden on the 20th of Jan.) In fact, Beijing has already expressed hope that a Biden administration will stop playing America First hardball like Trump did for four years, which weakened China while boosting America. Reacting to the presidents executive order, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said that the U.S. was abusing national security and using state power to crack down on Chinese enterprises, adding the decision is not in line with market rules and logic, which harms not only the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises, but also the interests of investors in other countries, including the US. We hope that the US and China will work together to create a fair, stable and predictable business environment for enterprises and investors, so as to get bilateral economic and trade relations back on track, the statement added. Back on track translated means back the way things were before Trump, when we, the Chinese, were coming out on top of every economic and trade deal. Its going to be a long four years, folks. See more reporting like this at WhiteHouse.news. Sources include: CNBC.com IR.TheIce.com NewsTarget.com Congratulations, yaranehkala.ir got a very good Social Media Impact Score! Show it by adding this HTML code on your site: Yaranehkala.ir scored 75 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 4/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 1 Feb 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the yaranehkala homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if yaranehkala has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the yaranehkala homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the yaranehkala homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the yaranehkala homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the yaranehkala homepage on Twitter + the total number of yaranehkala followers (if yaranehkala has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS yaraneh, yarane, sabad, kala, sabade kala, sabad-kala, yarane kala, , , , , , OTHER KEYWORDS The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Persian UTF-8Persian SERVER Apache/2 OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of yaranehkala.ir as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. Operative System running on the server. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for yaranehkala.ir by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The type of Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Mumbai, Jan 11 : Sparking huge concerns, bird-flu has entered Maharashtra in a big way after test reports confirmed the deaths of several hundreds chicken and others birds due to the H5N1 Avian influenza infection commonly known as bird flu in five districts last week, officials said here on Monday. As per the report of the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, samples of chicken, crows, parrots, Herons and Pond Egrets have tested positive for the virus. The spread includes among hens and Herons in Parbhani, crows in Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Beed, Pond Egret and Parrots in Thane, as per the report by ICAR-NIHSAD Director V.P. Singh. Parbhani District Disaster Management Officer Pawan Khandge said that the blood samples of 800 chicken found dead in Murrumba village on Friday, were sent to the government's veterinary college here and later the reports from the ICAR-NIHSAD proved the avian influenza. "The concerned district authorities are visiting the affected village for a survey and later Collector Deepak M. Mugalikar shall take the decision to declare a containment zone and other suitable precautions to prevent further spread of the bird-flu," Khandge told IANS. However, Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar said that contrary to rumours there is no ban on sale of poultry products like eggs or chicken as of now and the state government is in a state of high alert. The state health authorities held a high-level meeting of officials from different departments to assess the situation arising out of the new threat to both animals and humans amid reports of similar poultry birds' deaths from various districts. "The samples from Parbhani were sent to Bhopal (ICAR-NIHSAD) and the news is not good," said Kedar, even as Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has summoned an urgent meeting to discuss the bird-flu situation this evening. Besides Maharashtra, the other states hit by the avian influenza include Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala with a confirmed outbreak. The bird virus has hit the sales and consumption of eggs and chicken and other poultry products in a big way in Maharashtra, with prices tumbling by nearly 35-50 per cent. Simultaneously, this has led to a shift in consumption with people opting for mutton or fish products which have shown increased demand and prices moving up, according to retailers. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed The incoming weeks will be the most challenging in many medical workers careers, the director of nursing at the South Eastern Health Trust has said. Hospitals across Northern Ireland are preparing for the third surge of the coronavirus pandemic which is expected to be the worst. On Monday morning there were 69 Covid-19 positive patients at the South Eastern Trust, mainly at its Ulster Hospital site, close to the peak of 73 during the second surge. Critical care complex of the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald (Liam McBurney/PA) The intensive care unit at Ulster Hospital had 10 patients on Monday, half of whom were positive for Covid-19. The hospitals ICU capacity is currently 16. When this capacity is reached, patients will be transferred to the Nightingale facility at Belfast City Hospital. Read More Covid-19: 16 deaths and 759 news cases in Northern Ireland Director of hospital services Dr David Robinson said the third surge is expected to be the worst of the three with pressures currently building, particularly in their inpatient wards and critical care. As part of its surge plan, the South Eastern Trust has closed most of its outpatient services with the exception of time-critical emergency patients and maternity appointments. The move is designed to free up staff to support colleagues in hospital wards. Dr David Robinson (South Eastern Health Trust/PA) Dr Robinson said the trust is maximising the number of critical care beds it has at the Ulster Hospital and supporting colleagues across Northern Ireland. The ask of us is the same as everyone else and so were meeting with colleagues in Belfast and across the region daily, he said. Director of nursing Nicki Patterson said she has been nursing for 37 years and anticipates that the coming weeks will be the most challenging of her career. For ourselves in South Eastern we are not perhaps feeling just the extent of the pressure that our colleagues in some other trusts are feeling, we have no doubt that across the region these incoming weeks are going to be extremely challenging, she said. She urged the public to follow the public health messages, for people to behave as if they have coronavirus and minimising contacts, exercising social distancing as well as washing their hands frequently. Ms Patterson also urged people to come to the emergency department when they need to, but only when they need to. The service is here for you, but for those who dont require an emergency service or a hospital, were appealing that people make (a) measured judgment, she said. In the incoming weeks, unfortunately we are not going to be able to care for everyone in the way we would normally want to, but we will do our very best. She also reassured those unable to visit loved ones in hospital that staff will be there for them. When those families cant be there, we will be, and particularly for people who may be coming to the end of their life, we will be here, we will be with them and we will be holding their hands, she said. Ms Patterson also paid tribute to their staff as remarkable. Staff have been amazing, we have been working shoulder to the wheel for months and now we are asking more of staff again. Thats difficult for everyone and we cannot thank our staff enough for the degree to which they have got behind us through this very difficult period, she said. There is no doubt it is exhausting, wearing personal protection for long shifts is physically tiring, it is dehydrating, staff find they are very thirsty. Then from an emotional point of view, many staff will speak very articulately about their personal experiences through this journey of being with people at the end. Businesses yesterday called for tougher lockdown measures, with some going as far as proposing a long curfew spanning from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. The curfew now starts at 9 p.m. and goes till 5 a.m. Businesses also called on the Government to free up the importation of Covid-19 vaccines to allow private sector participation and to allow people to travel overseas to get vaccinated. Forensic techniques are used to investigate and help solve many different crimes, including theft, drug trafficking and use, murder, and terrorism. Forensic scientists, therefore, need to use the most advanced techniques available to them to help examine evidence and secure convictions for criminals involved in crimes. This article will provide an overview of how chromatography is used in forensic science. Image Credit: borzywoj / Shutterstock.com Chromatography An Overview Chromatography is a laboratory technique for separating compounds within a mixture, first devised in Russia in 1900 by Mikhail Tsvet. There are two phases of chromatography the mobile and stationary phase. The mobile phase is where the mixture is dissolved in a fluid (either a gas, solvent, or water) which is then carried through a system (for example, a column or a capillary tube) on which is affixed a material. This is the stationary phase. Within the mixture, different compounds have different affinities for the stationary phase. Depending on their interaction with the material in question, these compounds can stay affixed to it for longer or shorter periods. Thus, the compounds in the mixture separate due to traveling at different velocities in the mobile fluid. Properties such as size and how strongly they bind with the stationary phase allow for proper separation and analysis. A compound that binds more strongly with the stationary phase moves more slowly within the mobile phase, for example. There are many different types of chromatography that can be used to analyze many different materials. These include Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) or Paper Chromatography (which are planar methods) and column-based methods such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC.) Other techniques include Ion exchange chromatography and highly specialized techniques such as reversed-phase chromatography and chiral chromatography. Use in Forensics Forensic scientists can be called upon by law enforcement agencies and other organizations worldwide to perform analysis on a vast range of compounds, from ink and lipstick to explosives used within bombs. As each compound has a unique set of chemical properties, there is no one chromatographic technique that is suitable for all purposes. Planar Chromatography Planar techniques can be used to identify substances such as ink on banknotes (and to detect the same ink on the hands of thieves) or forgeries, dyes, and different drugs. TLC is one commonly used technique for this purpose wherein analytes are drawn through a thin layer of stationary phase via capillary action at different rates, allowing for easy identification of compounds. Planar techniques are advantageous due to their quick and inexpensive nature. However, more complex chromatographic techniques are far better suited for forensic applications. HPLC The column-based technique HPLC is widely used in forensic science. In this method, the mobile phase is forced through the column at high pressure rather than dripped through it, as it is in other liquid chromatography methods. The sample which needs to be tested is injected as a solute into the mobile phase. The mobile phase, therefore, acts as a solvent. HPLC is used mainly for analyzing the contents of explosives as different substances that are used in them have different retention times due to their differing chemical and physical properties. HPLC can also be used to detect certain drugs and has been used in investigations into terrorism, drug cartels, murders, and organized crime syndicates. Gas Chromatography GC is another widely employed technique, otherwise known as gas-liquid chromatography, which differs from other chromatography methods by using a liquid stationary phase and a gaseous mobile phase. In forensic investigations, gas chromatography is used in toxicology screening to determine if a deceased person has ingested drugs or alcohol prior to death. It can also be used to tell if a victim of crime has been poisoned. When trying to determine the cause of death, this information can be crucial for investigators. Samples such as blood and fibers can also be investigated with GC. Gas chromatography is also employed in arson investigations. Most cases of arson are started with accelerants such as gasoline and kerosene, and gas chromatography can separate the hydrocarbon components of these accelerants. A unique patterned graphic can then be produced for each compound present, allowing easy visual analysis of them. Coupling Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry Chromatography is only one part of an effective forensic investigation. Whilst it separates them, it still needs a way to effectively detect and categorize the compounds. Some compounds can be easily mistaken for other similar compounds as well. An effective method that can be coupled with chromatography techniques is mass spectrometry. Samples that are separated by chromatography can then be put through the spectrometer, which separates them by size. This narrows down the range of possible substances and allows for accurate identification of them. Both GC-MS and LC-MS techniques are established in forensics, which can identify a wide range of compounds present in explosives, drugs, and many others that must be identified as part of an effective investigation. In Conclusion Chromatography methods are a well-established, powerful suite of methodologies in forensic science. They can be employed for easy identification of a plethora of chemical compounds that may be present in samples from terrorist incidents, drug busts, murders, and robberies, to name but a few. Sources Wood, M. et al (2006) Recent applications of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in forensic science J. Chromatorgr A. 13:1130(1):3-15 [Accessed Online 29th December 2020] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16716330/ Maurer, H.M (1998) Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in forensic and clinical toxicology Journal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications 713:1 pp. 3-25 [Accessed Online 29th December 2020] www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378434797005148 Sampat, A et al. (2016) Forensic potential of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 80 pp, 345-363 [Accessed Online 29th December 2020] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016599361530050 Further Reading Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro warns the public to be on guard for country-wide COVID-19 vaccine scams. As the COVID-19 vaccine is administered to Pennsylvanians, we believe scammers will begin working overtime to take advantage of consumers and attempt to steal your personal information and your money, said Shapiro. He encouraged any and all scams to be reported to his office. Anyone who believes they may have been scammed should file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General by visiting www.attorney general.gov/submit-a- complaint/scams- complaint/.As the vaccine rollout expands in Pennsylvania, scammers are looking to take advantage of consumers by attempting to steal their insurance information, money or both. Any call claiming that you can cut in line to get the vaccine by paying out of pocket is a scam, according to Shapiro. Below are some tips to avoid testing and vaccine scams: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your insurance company, hang up and call the number on the back of your medical insurance or prescription card to confirm the calls legitimacy. Scammers will claim costs are covered by insurance, but they need additional information to process the shipment. Be cautious if youre being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately. Always be wary of any unsolicited offers that require you to provide your insurance or doctors information. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Incredibly, a whole year has passed since the first emergence of COVID-19. What looked like a temporary inconvenience at first is turning into a permanent fixture that might forever change life as we knew it before 2020. But how long will people continue to comply with the measures necessary to overcome the virus as complacency and fatigue set in? As new outbreaks have cropped up in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland in recent weeks, governments have responded with stringent new measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including border closures, mask mandates and temporary lockdowns. In response, there has been some pushback. In Sydney, anti-mask protests are making a comeback, while hundreds partied on Bronte Beach in violation of distancing regulations. Others have absconded from quarantine hotels and airports. Are these isolated cases, or signs of an increasingly exhausted public growing less tolerant of restrictions with the knowledge of vaccines on the way? And could this kind of complacency could cost us the war against the virus? The NSW Health Minister has issued a furious message to people who attended a massive party at Bronte Beach on Christmas Day.https://t.co/ZVbFOX73bB news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) December 26, 2020 The importance of psychology to winning the war The absence of medical science would surely lose us the war against COVID-19. But psychology is no doubt equally important if we're going to win it. What ultimately stops a highly infectious disease is people's compliance with the measures that governments put in place. This is why self-isolation, social distancing, curfews, good hygiene and face masks have become ingrained in our daily lives over the past year. One might think these hard-learned behaviors will become habits that stick no matter how long the pandemic continues. But behavioral science warns us that dashed hopes, uncertainty, changing goalposts and broken credibility can play a major role in how long people strictly follow rules and maintain good habits. A battle of willpower The sacrifices that governments are continuing to ask people to make require self-control. Willpower has been likened to a mental muscle that can tire. There is some evidence that exercising self-control takes so much mental effort, it can eventually deplete people's willpower. Evidence also shows that as willpower wanes, people are more likely to make decisions that can pose risks to themselves and harm others. Participants in one study, for instance, were asked to perform a tedious task. For some of these participants, the task was also designed to require more concentration. These participants later registered a higher willingness to take risks. In another study, a tedious and complex task made participants more likely to behave dishonestly. Depleted willpower undermined their ability to tell right from wrong. These controversial results from experimental situations may not be directly applicable to today's circumstancesthey may not tell us anything about people's long-term determination to fight the virus. However, they do show us how important psychology is when assessing people's abilities to comply with rules that go against their natural instincts and inclinations. Shifting goalposts and false hope Performing a task, like following complex COVID rules and regulations, also depends on clear and achievable objectives. Vague or shifting goalposts and a lack of feedback on people's progress toward a specific goal tend to undermine people's motivation. Shifting goalposts and mixed messages have been a consistent feature of governmental responses to COVID-19not just in Australia, but everywhere. This is partly related to our evolving understanding of the virus and the most effective ways to stem transmissions. For instance, there has been much debate about the effectiveness of face masks, which has sown acrimony and confusion. Governments have also made plenty of mistakes, such as providing incorrect COVID exposure sites to the public or mistranslated or out-of-date information to migrant communities. All of this has can affect compliance. From a psychological standpoint, consistency plays an important role when it comes to people's trust in authority and their willingness to follow rules, particularly when it comes to the type of long-term response required in a pandemic. What people are willing to sacrifice also depends on their expectations. This is why optimism can be such a powerful tool to help people get through hard times. But if optimistic messages from governments begin to sound like false hope, this can have the opposite effect. Dejection can cause many to abandon good habits. Anyone who took courage from Prime Minister Scott Morrison's goal of making Australia "whole again by Christmas", for example, may feel disheartened now that borders are once more closed, just a week into the new year. This could, in turn, sap people's motivations to continue to behave in the right way. Balancing the message As we enter a new year with no end in sight to the pandemic, many will surely wonder what the endgame is. Yes, vaccines will hopefully bring a return to normal life, but this may take considerable time. We may be living with COVID restrictions longer than we think. What is clear is that government messaging continues to matter greatly. People need to be informed how we are traveling in the fight against the virus and how long the journey will take. But this kind of messaging must be done with extreme care. Governments face the unenviable task of communicating enough positivity to motivate people to continue the fight without eventually losing credibility when unexpected bad news or delays occur. With many more months of lockdowns, mask mandates and quarantining in our futures, we all need to manage our expectations appropriately, too. We need to remember the long game is what matters. Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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. 1,281 new cases Monday, three deaths: At the start of January, hospitals were caring for 1,100 patients, 328 of whom needed intensive care and 178 relied on ventilators to breathe. Those figures have soared since then: Hospitals on Monday were caring for 437 patients who needed intensive care and 260 relying on ventilators to breathe. Patients with COVID-19 now make up nearly 38 percent of all those hospitalized in San Antonio more than double the 15-percent threshold that triggers the business occupancy restrictions and bar closures. Area hospitals were caring for 1,520 patients with COVID-19 on Monday 253 more than the record set this summer, when state leaders shut down bars and mandated masks to stave off the virus. January 17 Hospitals at the brink: In the past 24 hours, San Antonios hospitals admitted 130 people with COVID-19, pushing the total number of infected patients to 1,439, six patients higher than the previous record that was set a week ago. Officials also reported 1,676 new cases on Sunday, plus 536 backlogged cases from more than two weeks ago. As of Sunday, 436 patients with COVID-19 are receiving intensive care, up from 424 Saturday, and 244 patients need a ventilator to breathe, a slight increase from 241 Saturday. January 16 COVID-19 update: Coronavirus cases continue to infect thousands of San Antonians daily, with 2,840 new cases and six new deaths reported by Metro Health on Saturday. More than a third of hospital patients Saturday tested positive for the coronavirus, making up 1,394 patients seven more than Friday. The most coronavirus patients hospitals have seen so far was 1,433 patients just a few days before on Jan. 11. January 15 Severe risk: Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced 2,889 newly diagnosed coronavirus cases and six more deaths of people who tested positive for the virus. San Antonios new seven-day rolling average of cases has exceeded 2,000 for the first time and now stands at 2,041. The citys risk level is classified as severe. COVID-19 pandemic leads to layoffs: Frost Bank cut 68 jobs this week, its first layoffs in 20 years and said pandemic related recession was to blame. The layoffs were across all of the banks regions and departments, and it is unknown how many of them were in San Antonio. January 14 COVID-19 numbers: The 1,829 cases added Thursday tipped the countys total since the pandemic began to 140,614. Half of those cases about 70,000 have been reported within the last two months. Yet the number of cases confirmed by positive test results represent just a fraction of the number of people currently infected across Bexar County. Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger, San Antonios coronavirus czar, said Thursday that health officials estimate there are nearly 18,000 active infections this week alone. January 13 Increasing deaths: Officials on Wednesday reported a staggering death toll of 25 residents killed by COVID-19, the second highest number recorded in a single day since the pandemic began. There were 1,378 new cases, down nearly 1,000 from the previous days tally of 2,303. Cowboys Dancehall faces shutdown: The City of San Antonio has warned Cowboys Dancehall that it will shut the entertainment venue down if it receives another COVID-19 citation. On Monday, the dance hall, located at 3030 N.E. Loop 410, was given two citations for not adhering to safety guidelines set by the city, bringing its total to seven since the city's emergency declaration went into place March 18 to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. January 12 COVID-19 numbers: Bexar County added 2,303 new COVID-19 cases the second-largest daily number of new cases. Eleven more residents have died of the virus, officials reported Tuesday. As case numbers and hospitalizations climb, University Health System is putting tighter restrictions on who can visit patients at University Hospital, allowing only visitors deemed necessary to the patients care. January 11 COVID-19 numbers: San Antonios coronavirus hospitalizations continued on a frightening upward trajectory Monday, as officials reported a record number of pandemic patients for the seventh straight day. Officials reported 1,585 new cases Monday and a rolling seven-day average of 1,769 cases per day. One new COVID death was reported on Monday. New strain reaches Texas: A new strain of COVID-19 initially discovered in the United Kingdom and thought to be more contagious has been found in Nueces County, officials said Sunday. A Corpus Christi resident, a male between 60 and 70 years old, tested positive for variant B.1.1.7. The man returned from the United Kingdom in late December after traveling for a family emergency. He believes he contracted the virus there, officials said. January 10 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. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Lots of sunshine. High 76F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 43F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. A fast-casual beverage chain that bills itself as inspiring patrons to live healthy, active lifestyles has come to the Lehigh Valley. Smoothie King made its debut Jan. 5 at MacArthur Commons, 2701 MacArthur Commons Road, in Whitehall Township. The location is across from Giant Food Stores. Humza Tanvir of the South Jersey area, franchise owner, already owns four other Smoothie King locations in Feasterville in Bucks County; Marlton, New Jersey; Delran, New Jersey; and West Berlin, New Jersey. Tanvir earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He has previous work experience as a consultant in computer software. As the first Smoothie King in the Lehigh Valley, Im very excited to show locals the healthy and delicious menu items Smoothie King offers, Humza said. Each Smoothie King location matches their community, so I know the Whitehall location will be a great success. The Dallas, Texas-based chain is known for its 70 blends in four categories: fitness, slim, wellness and break time. Fitness is blended with protein-rich ingredients to help patrons fuel up or recover faster; slim is blended in a way to help patrons stay on track of their goals with under 350 calories for every 20-ounce concoction; wellness is blended with vitamins essential to maintaining a healthy body; and break time is blended as a reward for patrons or simply for them to enjoy the day. Theres also six different smoothie blends for children, featuring such choices as the Apple Kiwi Bunga, Choc-A-Laka, and Strawberry Bluegirt Blitz. Smoothie King in recent years implemented its Clean Blends promise as part of its mission to be more transparent about which ingredients go and dont go into each smoothie. The commitment also meant more whole fruits and organic vegetables, such as mangoes, blueberries, kale and spinach in menu items. The No-No list includes zero added sugar in many purpose blends and a menu with absolutely no artificial preservatives, flavors, colors and other ingredients. The full list can be found here and the commitment was last updated in December 2020, according to the chains website. Smoothie King during the coronavirus pandemic is offering contactless services, such as carryout, pick-up and delivery. Theres also a healthy rewards program, in which patrons through the chains mobile app receive points with each purchase toward free smoothies, exclusive offers and personalized discounts. Orders also can be placed for pickup in advance through the app. Smoothie King was founded in 1973 by Steve Kuhnau, whose mission was to help people in obtaining health goals, according to the chains website. Currently, the chain has more than 1,000 locations worldwide. In July 2012, Kuhnau sold the brand to SK USA, Inc., headed by Wan Kim, a successful franchisee with more than 100 stores throughout South Korea. The Whitehall location, featuring a drive-thru, is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Smoothie King joins several other restaurants and retailers at MacArthur Commons, a nearly 400,000 square-foot shopping center owned by Montgomery County-based Abrams Realty & Development. The center includes T.J. Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory, Dicks Sporting Goods, Planet Fitness, Qdoba Mexican Eats, Burger King, Arbys and Panera Bread. 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. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The aviation industry was devastated in 2020. Thats not going to be immediately rectified in 2021. Though there are positive signs a recovery is imminent, it will be a long, turbulent road until we once again reach the lofty heights (and huge passenger numbers) of pre-Covid 19 travel. Demonstrating this in startling fashion, is a recent photo taken by frequent flyer expert and Flight Hacks founder Immanuel Debeer. Posted to his Instagram account on Sunday, the image (along with a bunch more, which you have to click through to see) has evoked a great sense of loss in many of his followers, bringing home how hard aviation has been hit by Covid 19 in a way statistics fail to convey. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Immanuel Debeer (@flighthacks) If you wondered where airlines hide their aircraft during a global pandemic; Ive found them! These jets are all wrapped up in the middle of the desert, Debeer captioned the post. Why? Corrosion is an aircrafts worst enemy so when they cant fly, finding a dry environment is key to their preservation. Wow, amazing but saf [sad as fuck], another frequent flyer, James Asquith, commented. Great shots of a sad sight, wrote another. Other users asked Debeer how he took the pictures, with one suggesting it may have been via drone. Haha no way you could fly a drone around the airport! I circled around in a chopper, Debeer responded. No doors [in the chopper] just me hanging in a seatbelt. Good thing it didnt pop open or they would have had to scrape me off one of those A380 wings. Notable airlines spotted included the Singapore Airlines A380 first class suites, and the Cathay Pacific 777 fleet. When you come in to land for the first time it will give you chills to see so many airplanes parked in the dirt, Debeer told DMARGE. It leaves an impression, and ASP isnt even the biggest storage facility. Even if youre no an #avgeek, airplanes are awe inspiring machines that demand respect no matter if you like them or not. These machines are one of the most significant things that have impacted humanity in such a big way. They provide a gateway to the world and whatever comes with that freedom. To see them parked up in the sand is pretty sobering and shows the vast destruction our governments around the world have caused the aviation and travel industry. This is not the first time the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage facility in Alice Springs has been photographed. Plane spotter @aviation_tommy_ spoke to DMARGE last year after taking some mind blowing photos of his own. Many aircraft from different Asia[n] countries have been sent to Alice Springs; this is sad to see to be honest, but it was a good experience to see these birds in the middle of Australia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tommy NG (@aviation_tommy_) Debeers photos come at a crucial moment for airlines. Though last year was brutal, this year could be even trickier. RELATED: Photographer Captures One Of The Saddest Moments In Aviation History CNBC reports, Passenger volume fell from over 2 million daily at the beginning of March to a bottom of about 90,000 in mid-April, according to TSA checkpoint statistics, as stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions hit. While that number has since recovered, even the busy holiday season saw passenger volume at less than half what it was a year ago, with 1.2 million people traveling on Dec. 27, versus 2.6 million last year. Through initiatives like Antarctica Flights and Uluru sightseeing tours have helped bring Australian airlines like Qantas a little extra revenue, with international flight still very much up in the air, Australian airlines will remain budget-conscious this year, earning money largely via domestic flights and on-ground frequent flyer schemes. According to the ABC, Qantas reported a $1.96 billion loss in August 2020, down from 2019s $840 million profit. Virgin Australia notably went into voluntary administration in early 2020 and will continue to rebuild itself as a leaner, meaner airline in 2021, with airline advisors telling DMARGE it will take between 2 and 5 years for the airline to become profitable again. Read Next Professor Emerita Wynetta Devore, 92, died December 19, 2020, at the Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Greensboro, N.C., she was raised in Metuchen, N.J. and graduated from Hope College in Holland, Mich. She earned a masters degree in social work followed by a doctorate in education from Rutgers University, according to her obituary. She worked at several public welfare programs and taught at Kane College in New Jersey. She joined the faculty at Rutgers where she developed the social work program. In 1980. She then joined Syracuse Universitys School of Social Work where she taught foundational courses which included human diversity, human behavior in the social environment and foundations of social work practice. She was a long-standing member of the Park Central Presbyterian Church who went on several long-term mission trips to New Orleans, Haiti and South Africa, according to her obituary. If you have a suggestion for a feature obituary, please email the link and any other information youd like to share to bduncan@syracuse.com More recent feature obituaries: Contact Brenda Duncan anytime: 315-470-2265 | Email | Twitter Economy ministry projects decline in GDP in Q1 2021 The domestic economy may enjoy positive dynamics in Q2. Reporting by UNIAN If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter ISTANBUL - A court in Istanbul has sentenced the controversial Turkish Islamic preacher Adnan Oktar to over 1,000 years in jail for creating a criminal sect. Oktar hosted very popular television shows for years. The author of dozens of anti-Darwinist publications under the pseudonym Harun Yahya, Oktar has been detained for over two years and was on trial with 235 followers on several charges, including criminal association, attempted espionage, fraud and sexual abuse on minors. In his show, which was broadcast by pirate TV A9, the 64-year-old preached a controversial interpretation of Islam, which is not recognized by local religious authorities, surrounded by scantily dressed dancers whom he called ''kittens''. According to the judges, who sentenced him to 1,705 years and three months in jail on 10 different charges, many of the girls on the show were reduced into a state of slavery. Police found weapons and armored vehicles during the operation to arrest him in his luxurious villa in Istanbul's Cengelkoy, a district where he recorded his programs. After a military coup in the 1980s in Turkey, Oktar was detained in a psychiatric hospital. Who will be the next CM of Assam? Sarbananda Sonowal or Himanta Biswa Sarma? Assam elections 2021: Dont assign poll related duty to officials charged for lapse India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Guwahati, Jan 11: Gearing up for elections in five states in the coming months, the EC has reminded these states not to assign any poll-related duty to officials who have been charged for any lapse in any election in the past. In an advisory to the chief secretaries of Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Election Commission (EC) has also said that officers against whom it had recommended disciplinary action in past and which is pending or has resulted in a penalty should also not be deployed for poll-related work. BJP chief JP Nadda on two-day visit to Assam; All set to address rally today The advisory, sent last month, said any officer, who is due to retire within the coming six months, should not be associated with any election-related duty. The terms of the legislative assemblies of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are coming to an end on different dates in May and June this year. Assembly elections are likely to take place sometime in April-May. The poll watchdog also asked these states to ensure that officers directly connected with the conduct of elections are not posted in their home districts and those who have spent three years in a district in the last four years. It is usual for the poll panel to issue such directions ahead of Lok Sabha or assembly polls to ensure that officials do not interfere in the election process in any way and the exercise remains free and fair. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News "To ensure free and fair election, the Commission has been following a consistent policy to the effect that officers directly connected with conduct of elections in an election going state/UT are not posted in their home districts or places where they have served for considerably long period," the advisory said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 9:46 [IST] Republican Blocks House From Bringing Up 25th Amendment Resolution Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) on Jan. 11 blocked Democrats from introducing a resolution via unanimous consent to call on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump. The Democrat-backed resolution calls on Pence and the Cabinet to declare what is obvious to a horrified Nation: That the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office. Democrats can now bring the resolution up for a vote on Jan. 12. Last week, Mooney was among the Republican lawmakers who didnt vote to certify key states for President-elect Joe Biden. Mooney said Pelosi should not attempt to adopt a resolution of this magnitude without any debate on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, noting that it is wrong to have sent members of Congress home and then try to adopt without any debate a precedent-setting resolution that could imperil our Republic. The U.S. House must never adopt a resolution that demands the removal of a duly elected president, without any hearings, debate, or recorded votes. Pence hasnt issued a public comment on the matter. The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House for comment. It came after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Jan. 10 said lawmakers need to act with urgency and said Trump is an immediate danger to the Constitution. The move came after protesters breached the U.S. Capitol building, with Democrats claiming that Trump incited violence. In a Jan. 11 statement after the resolution was blocked, Pelosi stated: The House Republicans rejected this legislation to protect America, enabling the Presidents unhinged, unstable and deranged acts of sedition to continue. Their complicity endangers America, erodes our Democracy, and it must end. The House will next take up the Raskin legislation in regular order to call upon the Vice President to activate the 25th Amendment to remove the President. We are further calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours after passage. On Jan. 10, Pelosi said on CBS News 60 Minutes that she prefers using the 25th Amendmentwhich requires Pence and a majority of Cabinet members to initiateover impeachment. On Jan. 11, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), head of the campaign arm for House Republicans, said it would be better if Democrats and Republicans worked to resolve differences before Jan. 20. The violence we saw unfold in our nations capital last week has no place in our democracy, Emmer said. It was a disgusting and dangerous spectacle that ultimately cost people their lives. It is a politically motivated effort by Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats that will fracture our nation even more instead of bringing us together. The lawmaker noted that the anger that sparked the Capitol breach was, in part, triggered by years of fomenting the type of vitriol that has been dividing our nation over the course of many years, and it has to stop. Trump told the crowd beforehand that their protest suggests the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country and let us walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. The president didnt tell the protesters to breach the Capitol or commit acts of violence and later condemned the violence that occurred. Trump told the protesters to peacefully and patriotically make your voices be heard. Also on Jan. 11, House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment and charged the president with incitement of insurrection. He also willfully made statements that, in context, encouragedand foreseeably resulted inlawless action at the Capitol, the resolution stated. Members of the crowd he had addressed, in an attempt to, among other objectives, interfere with the Joint Sessions solemn constitutional duty to certify the results of the 2020 Presidential election, unlawfully breached and vandalized the Capitol, injured and killed law enforcement personnel, menaced Members of Congress, the Vice President, and Congressional personnel, and engaged in other violent, deadly, destructive, and seditious acts. Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz said Democrats in the House have virtually no chance of succeeding. The case cannot come to trial in the Senate. Because the Senate has rules, and the rules would not allow the case to come to trial untilaccording to the majority leaderuntil 1 p.m. on Jan. 20, an hour after President Trump leaves office, Dershowitz said in a Jan. 10 Fox Business interview. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 04:21:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Security staff are seen near the U.S. Capitol building a day after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed it in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Resolved to impeach Trump for the second time after they did so in December 2019, House Democrats are expected to expedite the impeachment process by holding a floor vote on the resolution on Wednesday the earliest. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House Democrats on Monday formally introduced the article of impeachment against President Donald Trump, taking the first step to impeach the president the second time during his presidency. The single article of impeachment, contained in a resolution introduced while the House gaveled into a pro-forma session, charged the president with "incitement of insurrection," pointing to his repeated false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. Those claims and a speech Trump delivered to supporters in Washington on Jan. 6 incited a group of rioters to breach the Capitol as Congress convened a joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the election, the resolution said. The resolution also cited Trump's phone call on Jan. 2 with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which the president urged the secretary to find enough votes to overturn the election results in the state, as one of a series of efforts by the president to subvert and obstruct the certification of the election results. "In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government," the resolution said. "He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States." Concrete road barriers are seen near the U.S. Capitol building a day after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed it in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Citing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the resolution noted that the law "prohibits any person who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion against' the United States" from holding office. Calling Trump "a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office," the resolution said the president "thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States." Resolved to impeach Trump for the second time after they did so in December 2019, House Democrats are expected to expedite the impeachment process by holding a floor vote on the resolution on Wednesday the earliest. Before unveiling the impeachment resolution, House Democrats sought to pass a separate, nonbinding resolution through unanimous consent asking Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment of the Constitution with a majority of Trump administration Cabinet members to remove the president from office. A security staff member is seen near the U.S. Capitol building a day after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed it in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) That effort was shot down by Republicans in the chamber. As a result, Democrats will hold a floor vote on Tuesday on the resolution requesting the direct removal of the president absent the impeachment and the subsequent Senate trial. Pence, who initially inclined not to invoke the 25th Amendment but who per a more recent CNN report hasn't ruled out that possibility, was given 24 hours to respond to the resolution, or the impeachment will proceed. The introduction of the impeachment resolution came not only as calls for Trump to resign or be forced out grew among a majority of Democrats and some Republicans following the violent intrusion of the Capitol, but also at a time when Trump has less than 10 days left as the occupant of the White House. House Majority Whip James Clyburn said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that while the House is poised to impeach Trump this week, Democrats may wait until after the 100th day since Biden assumes office to deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial. Such a tactic is aimed at not letting the trial complicate congressional proceedings of the incoming president's policy agenda, including Senate confirmations of the president-elect's nominations for key administration posts. Biden's inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 20. The U.S. Capitol building is seen a day after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed it in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a memo circulated among Republicans last week that he would not call the Senate - now in recess -- back in session before Jan. 19, meaning that the earliest possible time for the chamber to conduct the impeachment trial is on Biden's inauguration day. If that were to happen, Trump would be the first U.S. president in history to be tried on impeachment charges in the Senate trial after stepping down. Michael Gerhardt, a law professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said he didn't see "any constitutional problem with the Senate acting fast or slowly," suggesting that for a president to be tried during an impeachment trial as a defendant after he leaves office doesn't violate the Constitution. The enthusiasm for impeaching and convicting the president remained low among many Republicans. Meanwhile, a number of GOP senators, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, have called on the president to resign in the wake of the Capitol insurrection. Nebraska GOP senator Ben Sasse publicly said he would "definitely consider whatever articles (of impeachment)" the House delivers to the Senate, for he believed that Trump "has disregarded his oath of office." The number of small companies forecasting a reduction in profitability for the next three months has spiralled over the past year, rising from 38% to 58%. Photo: Getty More than a quarter of a million UK small businesses are set to collapse over the next 12 months, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSBs quarterly Small Business Index (SBI) shows business confidence at the second lowest ebb in the reports ten-year history, the lowest point was recorded in March 2020. The UK SBI confidence measure stands at -49.3, down 27 points year-on-year. The majority of those surveyed (80%) do not expect their performance to improve in the next quarter. Of the 1,400 respondents, 23% have cut their headcount over the last three months. This is up from 13% at the beginning of 2020. One in seven (14%) say theyll be forced to cut numbers in the next quarter. According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) around 16.8 million people work in UK small firms. The study shows that 5% of small firms say they expect to close this year. But, the figure does not reflect the threat of closure faced by companies hoping to survive despite having frozen their operations, staff cuts or taken on significant debt. The number of small companies forecasting a reduction in profitability for the next three months has spiralled over the past year, rising from 38% to 58%. The figure is at an all-time high. 49% of exporters expect international sales to drop this quarter, up from 33% at this time last year. READ MORE: Most services firms facing slump even before new UK lockdown FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: The development of business support measures has not kept pace with intensifying restrictions. As a result, we risk losing hundreds of thousands of great, ultimately viable small businesses this year, at huge cost to local communities and individual livelihoods. Cherry said that a record number of small firms who are planning to close this year, were already planning to do so before the prime minister announced a third lockdown. At the outset of the first national lockdown, the UK government was bold. The support mechanisms put in place werent perfect, but they were an exceptionally good starting point. Thats why its so disappointing that its met this second lockdown with a whimper, He added. Story continues The chairman pointed out that company directors, the newly self-employed, those in supply chains, and those without commercial premises are still being left out in the cold. He said that the group which represents small firms in Britain has published a five-point plan to address gaps in the support landscape. Cherry called on the government to act now to stem losses and protect the businesses of the future. Action in March will be too late to stem closures. He continued: We also have to look again at how we treat emergency debt facilities over the coming months. Many of those who have borrowed significantly have done so in order to innovate. It would be a shame to lose the top businesses of tomorrow because of a failure to extend grace periods today. Speaking on Brexit, he said that exporters urgently need direct funding in the form of a transition voucher to help them manage new UK-EU obligations. WATCH: 10 ways to Brexit proof your finances Two people are dead Monday following a shooting at a UPS facility in Chicago, according to police. Police responded to reports of shots fired in the employee parking lot of the sorting facility located at 1 UPS Way, in Hodgkins, at around 12:51pm local time. When officers arrived, they found two people laying not the ground unresponsive and immediately secured the scene, a spokesperson for Hodgkins Police Department told DailyMail.com. Paramedics then examined the victims and immediately pronounced them dead. They had both suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Officials said a firearm was recovered from the scene. Aerial images captured by NBC5 appear to show a tent being erected over a white sedan Police responded to reports of shots fired in the employee parking lot of the sorting facility located at 1 UPS Way, in Hodgkins, at around 12:50pm local time It's unclear if either of the two victims were employees of UPS, with an investigation on-going The victims have not yet been identified by police, and its unknown at this time if they were employees at the UPS facility. Police said they do not believe a gunman is on the loose and there is no immediate wider concern for public safety. 'We do not anticipate any further danger to the public at this time,' Rodney Cummings, administrative assistant to Chief Ernest Millsap, told DailyMail.com. An investigation remains on going. Hodgkins PD said they will be releasing more information as it comes available. Aerial images captured by NBC5 appear to show a tent being erected over a white sedan. The doors of the car are open, and a blue tarp appears to be covering an object - possibly a body - near the trunk of the car. Paramedics immediately pronounced both victims dead from apparent fatal gunshot wounds Police said they do not believe a gunman is on the loose and there is no wider concern for public safety at this time The sorting facility employs around 11,000 people and is located 17 southwest of Chicago near I-55 and I-294. In a statement to DailyMail.com, UPS spokesperson Matthew O'Connor said: 'We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this afternoon, and we are cooperating with the responding authorities. 'We will not comment further during an ongoing investigation. Any further questions should be directed to the local authorities.' The factory trade remains steady, with just a little tinkering here and there on prices. The expectation was that numbers would fall off as we turned into the new year, yet reports from agents over the last week tell a different story. My sources on the ground suggest the kill could remain around 30,000+. While numbers are not overly plentiful, the factories dont seem to be intent on raising prices in pursuit of extra supplies, preferring it would appear to sit back and see how the supply and retail sales sides develop. Thats not to say they dont want stock they do and you will have them gone out of your yard in less than 24 hours once the deal is done, but they appear unwilling to break the bank on price. So despite a belief among farmers that supplies of finished stock are diminished and the temptation to assume that the renewed Covid lockdown will see another surge in beef sales to the British market no two years are ever the same. Base quotes for bullocks over the weekend remained on 3.70-3.75/kg with heifers on 3.80-3.85/kg, with those higher figures reserved for loyal suppliers or those with numbers. Expand Close Factory quotes / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Factory quotes Its a similar story on the bull and cull cow side, with U-grade bulls operating from 3.80-3.85/kg and R-grades 3.70-3.75/kg, while continental Os are on 3.65 with Friesian Os 3.50-3.55/kg. With cull cows, Rs average 3.20/kg, while O grades improve a bit, with 3.05/kg reported, while better Ps continue on 2.80-2.90/kg. I was accused last week by one winter finisher of being too generous to the factories in my assessment of how the trade has developed post-Brexit. My critic pointed out that Teagasc calculates that a base price of 4.50/kg is required for winter finishers to break even. For those without a contract or the scale of bigger operators who can secure discounts on feed while securing more favourable sale prices, the winter finishing business is very difficult. How many cattle men have abandoned winter finishing and returned to the more traditional system of buying autumn stores and summer fattening, thus eliminating that huge winter meal bill? Dont get me wrong, I agree that those in the winter finishing game are not adequately rewarded for their work or investment. But are we breeding the wrong type of cattle for the market as it now is? Last week in Australia one sales yard sold over 3,600 Angus yearling bullocks averaging 346kg to finishers at an average price of 1,100 Australian dollars (696) thats just over 2/kg. But the tops made 3.00-3.60/kg. Here at home, good Angus stores bought by feedlots before Christmas sold from 2.20-2.30/kg, with heifers making up to 2.40/kg. At the other end, factory prices for R-grades were 4.10-4.20/kg. JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) says an orderly transfer of power is the best way for the country to heal and move past last weeks events in Washington, D.C. Wicker issued the statement as many lawmakers push for the removal or impeachment of President Donald Trump whose term ends at noon on Jan. 20. U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) | Source: guest.house.gov U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) | Source: guest.house.gov Related - House preps impeachment; GOP blocks ouster-by-Cabinet call In accordance with our Constitution, the orderly transfer of power will occur at noon on January 20. The best way for our country to heal and move past the events of last week would be for this process to continue, Wicker stated. In a similar statement, U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), said he opposes the actions of House Democrats to unseat the president and calls for national leaders to instead focus on uniting the country. Full statement from Rep. Guest: Last week was one of the more difficult weeks for our nation in recent history. The pictures that appeared across the nation on television and computer screens will never rest easily in the minds of Americans. Now, it's vitally important that we turn our attention toward healing our nation following the events that took place at the Capitol, and I encourage all Americans to focus on the common values we share as citizens of this great country and to put aside our perceived differences. In this spirit, I believe the resolution urging Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Trump and the articles of impeachment that are being discussed in the House of Representatives would be counterproductive and divide our country even further. As we begin preparing for a transfer of power from one administration to another in less than 10 days, I believe it is vitally important to allow our nation to heal, and I believe these actions that are being pushed on the House floor would prevent our nation from beginning the healing process. At this decisive moment in our history, we must focus on uniting our country and avoid stoking the fiery tensions currently consuming our nation. Open this link to learn more about the 25th Amendment. Many blame the president for inciting the riot on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol where rioters broke into the federal building and destroyed property in response to the election of President-elect Joe Biden. Congress met on Jan. 6 to certify Biden's win. However, 147 lawmakers objected to the certification. A total of 377 lawmakers did not object. Guest objected, alongside Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Reps. Trent Kelly and Steven Palazzo, all Republicans from Mississippi. Wicker and Rep. Bennie Thomspon (D-Miss.) did not object. Open this link to view a list of lawmakers who objected. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Gardai have reunited stolen dog "Ruby" with her family in Midleton, Co. Cork after being found in the UK. In June 2020, Detective Gardai in Midleton received a report that a springer spaniel had been stolen from her kennel in the greater Midleton area. Detectives began investigating and an appeal was made via the Garda Southern Region Facebook page in an attempt to find her. Also read: Lanesboro student scoops prize at BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition The post was viewed by nearly 100,000 people and was spotted by an eagle eyed lady in the UK. The lady made contact after she had seen Ruby was up for sale on a website in the UK. With the assistance of Somerset Police, Ruby was recovered and made the some 500km journey via Rosslare back to Midleton in time for Christmas. Ruby's owners, Bernard and Liz Ahern said "We are absolutely thrilled to have Ruby back home. We are so grateful to the lady who spotted Ruby for sale, the Somerset Police, and our Gardai here in Midleton." Also read: Webinar for owners of historic buildings in Longford Superintendent of the Midleton District, Adrian Gamble said "We are delighted to have been a part of Ruby's safe return to her loving family and appeal to all pet owners to take all extra security precautions and ensure their pets are microchipped. I especially wish to thank everyone for sharing the social media appeal to help find Ruby, and the lady in the UK who spotted Ruby for sale- these people are the real heroes of the investigation. The services of our Crime Prevention Officers and Community Garda are freely available upon request through any Garda Station across the country. We are ever present in our communities to keep people safe and offer crime prevention advice". After being stolen, Ruby had her microchip removed and was in poor health when retuned to the Ahern Family. Today, Ruby is back to her old self and was finally able to thank Gardai in Midleton. A photo is attached. The investigation into the theft of Ruby is still being actively investigated. Also read: Irish Rail publishes revised timetable to operate on rail network from Monday [January 11, 2021] The "Cherry" Release of O-RAN Open Software Moves the O-RAN Ecosystem Closer to Deployment in Mobile Networks Around the Globe In December 2020, the O-RAN Software Community (OSC), working with the Linux Foundation (News - Alert) , published its 3rd open software release within 18 months, dubbed "Cherry". This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005829/en/ O-RAN Logical Architecture (Graphic: Business Wire) Cherry moves the O-RAN ecosystem closer to commercial deployments in mobile networks around the globe. On top of new functions aligned with the latest O-RAN specifications, such as the E2, A1 and O1 interfaces, this release also features significant advancements in the end-to-end integration of O-RAN Architecture components to meet the needs of early adopters. In addition, new software projects in the area of Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) have been initiated to drive the development of auto-configuration and management of O-RAN elements. The main use cases delivered in Cherry include: Policy based Traffic Steering using the A1 and E2 interfaces Automated Monitoring and Health check of selected components using the O1 interface Configuration, Fault and Performance Management Services aligned with OAM models and specifications newly approved by O-RAN Life Cycle Management Framework of rApps and xApps using SMO O-DU Low and High pairwise testing in O-RAN Software Community lab Simulators for testing and integration, such as E2, A1, Open Test Framework, and more "It is gratifying to see the continued momentum of the OSC's open-source O-RAN implementation," said Jack Murray, co-chair of the OSC Technical Operating Committee (TOC) and Assistant Vice President of AT&T (News - Alert) . "AT&T is proud to have continued its contributions to enable RAN AI/ML through the Near-Real Time RIC implementation, and to provide a platform for software testing and integration." "We are glad to see Cherry has made big progress by building on the base of Bronze," said Chih-Lin I, the Co-Chair of O-RAN Technical Steering Committee. "It not only realizes more 3GPP-defined models, but also brings O-RANdefined interfaces including E2 and A1 closer to commercialization. More ML and AI technologies are implemented in the RIC, RICAPP and NRTRIC projects to push the traffic steering e2e use case forward, which makes it a more intelligent RAN. The newly created SMO project is also worth special mention for the quick momentum that it has gained in contributing to O-RAN automation and management within just 3 months." " Nokia (News - Alert) continues to be very active in O-RAN and a major contributor to the O-RAN specifications," said Pasi Toivanen, Head of Edge Cloud Platforms at Nokia. "With the Cherry Release, Nokia is contributing to the Near-Real-Time RIC and the E2 interface to advance RAN programmability, network openness, and the introduction of AI/ML intelligence to the network. The contributions also deliver increased robustness, more xApp framework capabilities and enhanced manageability of RIC platform and xApps." "Radisys continues to contribute actively to O-RAN standardization and open source development. In the Cherry release, Radisys enhanced O-DU L2 implementation to support UE attach, and integrated with PHY (O-DU Low) through the FAPI interface to enable end-to-end testing," said Ganesh Shenbagaraman, Head of Integrated Products and Ecosystems at Radisys. "highstreet technologies substantially contributes to O1/OAM within both O-RAN and OSC," said Alfons Mittermaier, Managing Director of highstreet technologies. "We expect the disaggregated O-RAN architecture to become a door opener for small and medium sized enterprises and will deploy the Cherry release in a 5G reference network in Berlin." "HCL has contributed to the O-RAN Software Community across different Work Groups starting with the Cherry Release," said Ramesh Sriraman, the Head of Telecom Center of Excellence at HCL. "We Improved Near-Real-Time RIC platform CI/CD deployment, automation, performance & scale; introduced AI/ML intelligence to RAN network via xApps; and contributed the initial implementation of the O-RAN O1 interface in the O-DU. It is a great honor for HCL to develop together with the OSC team." To learn more about the O-RAN Software Community Cherry release please read this O-RAN Blog post, and to access the code, check out the O-RAN Software Community website. The O-RAN Software Community continues to be open to any participants that want to get involved in the creation of software for future RAN - for more details please visit https://www.o-ran.org/software. About O-RAN ALLIANCE The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a world-wide community of more than 240 mobile operators, vendors, and research & academic institutions operating in the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry. As the RAN is an essential part of any mobile network, the O-RAN ALLIANCE's mission is to re-shape the industry towards more intelligent, open, virtualized and fully interoperable mobile networks. The new O-RAN standards will enable a more competitive and vibrant RAN supplier ecosystem with faster innovation to improve user experience. O-RAN based mobile networks will at the same time improve the efficiency of RAN deployments as well as operations by the mobile operators. To achieve this, the O-RAN ALLIANCE publishes new RAN specifications, releases open software for the RAN, and supports its members in integration and testing of their implementations. For more information please visit www.o-ran.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005829/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A Peninsula couple were swept into the ocean off the San Mateo County coast Sunday, and another man was lost in the sea off the Marin Headlands amid dangerous surf conditions. In the San Mateo County case, the husband and wife from the Redwood City area were on the rocks at Pescadero State Beach at about 3:15 p.m. when a large wave pulled them into the water, according to the county Sheriffs Office. Both were wearing waders and appeared to be fishing or searching for mussels, according to first responders. Their names were not released. The husband made it to shore and was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, said Rosemerry Blankswade, a spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office. His wife, however, was lost in the water, prompting an hours-long search by public safety agencies that enlisted a helicopter and drone as they tried to find her. As the evening wore on, hopes of recovering the wife alive began to fade. At this stage, it looks like it is more so going to be a recovery than a rescue, Blankswade said. Just based on how long shes been in the water and also the conditions of the surf. Officials covered a huge, vast amount of space trying to find the missing woman and had seen no sign of her or her body, Blankswade said. Separately, officials said three friends were swept into the water near the Point Bonita lighthouse in the Marin Headlands. Two of them made it back to the cliffs and were rescued, but the third person, a San Jose man in his 30s, was lost in the ocean, said Matt Barnes, battalion chief for the Southern Marin Fire Protection District. The three, who were not identified, had reportedly ventured beyond the trailhead and into a restricted area, climbing down rocks into a small cove just west of the lighthouse, Barnes said. Authorities looked for the man via helicopter and boat for several hours but eventually suspended the search until morning after darkness fell. A high surf warning for much of the states northern and central coastline began at 7 a.m. and lasted through 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The weather service said there was an increased risk of large breaking waves, with heights reaching up to 30 feet in some places. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris Bhopal: On the seventh day of farmers agitation on Wednesday, widespread violence, including several incidents of arson, were reported from western Madhya Pradesh, especially Mandsaur and Dewas districts. The Centre rushed 1,100 anti-riots police personnel to Mandsaur district where five persons were killed on Tuesday allegedly in police firing. Though the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of five farmers, it didnt seem to have mollified the protesters who are demanding better prices for their produce and a complete farm loan waiver. The BJP government also announced a loan-settlement scheme which it said will cover around six lakh farmers with accumulated dues of Rs 6,000 crore. The government is contemplating a formula wherein it may waive interest on crop loans. Also, an Agricultural Costs and Marketing Commission to ensure better prices for farm produce would be set up, minister Archana Chitnis said after attending a meeting chaired by chief minister Chouhan. The bandh called by the main Opposition Congress received a mixed response. Curfew remained in force at Pipaliya Mandi areawhere five farmers were killed and six others were injured yesterday -- and in Mandsaur town. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC are still on in place in rest of the district, Inspector General of Police V Madhukumar said. Also read: Mandsaur farmers demanding debt relief heckle DM, torch vehicles, indulge in stone pelting; IG says situation under control The six injured persons were out of danger while the slain farmers were cremated, Madhukumar told PTI. Tension prevailed in Mandsaur town again today, where all business establishments and offices remained closed. Police detained the former Mandsaur MP Meenakshi Natrajan who was not allowed to enter the district to meet families of the slain farmers. Mandsaur collector S K Singh was heckled when he tried to persuade protesters to lift road blockade in Berheda Pant area. Shops were torched in Suasara town in the district. Inspector Shyambabu Sharma of Suasara police station received head injuries when the police were trying to bring under control a mob which was throwing stones at Guratiya Pratap square. A warehouse was set ablaze in Badi Choupati area and Mhow-Neemuch highway was blocked for hours in Mandsaur. In Dewas district, protesters threw stones and set on fire four passenger buses running between Indore-Bhopal and eight other vehicles in Newari Fata area. Passengers in the buses got down and were safe, but Indore-Bhopal bus services were suspended. A mob also torched vehicles parked outside the Hat Pipaliya police station in Dewas district. Also read: Mandsaur farmers protest: PM Modi calls emergency meeting, Rahul Gandhi to visit MP tomorrow Protesting Congress workers stopped a train in Dewas. Shops and offices in Neemuch district adjoining Mandsaur also remained shut. Protesters set on fire a police outpost in Harkiya Khal Phanta area. In Ujjain district, around 10 policemen, including Mahal Kal police stations inspector Ajeet Tiwari, were injured in stone-pelting. Protesters threw vegetables and fruits on road in Sanwer and Simrol areas of Indore and emptied milk containers. In Khargone district, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh workers led by Gopal Patidar burnt an effigy of state home minister Bhupendra Singh in protest of alleged police firing in Mandsaur. In Sehore district, car of additional collector of Barwani district Jayendra Kumar was pelted with stones. Protesters blocked the Indore-Bhopal highway at Ashta. Violence was also reported from Dhar, while other areas of the state remained peaceful. Congress legal cell chairman and Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha announced that the party would extend legal help to 450-odd farmers against whom false cases have been registered during the agitation. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. However, we must not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. Community ethics tells us we must do the greatest good for the greatest number, which in this circumstance means vaccinating as many high-risk people as quickly as possible. People in the next distribution phase 1b in Illinois (people over age 65 and front-line essential workers) are at high risk from COVID-19 death and long-term complications. A substantial number of them come from underserved communities across the city. Thus, the correct ethical and moral action at this point is to overlap the first two distribution groups. The Matakana link road is due to open around May next year. Auckland Transport (AT) has released drone footage of the new Matakana link road, currently under construction, which it says shows positive progress on the project. The link between State Highway One and Matakana Road is a 1.35km route that will provide an alternative around the frequently congested Hill Street intersection for traffic heading to Leigh, Omaha and Matakana. Progress made during the current earthworks phase includes completion of two kilometres of haul roads required to bring construction materials to the site, and completion of erosion and sediment controls. In addition, more than 17,000 cubic metres of topsoil has been stripped about 90 per cent of the required total, and 90 per cent of the clearing and tree felling has been done. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the work is difficult to see from State Highway One but good progress is being made. He adds that the project will employ up to 120 staff over the construction period. The construction contract was awarded to Wharehine Construction, which has been in business in Wellsford since 1955 and has committed to sourcing products locally. Rodney Local Board chair Phelan Pirrie says the project means locals will be able to move much more easily to and from the beaches and the towns north-east of Warkworth. With the population in the area expected to jump by 20,000 over the next 30 years, the Matakana link project comes at an important time for the future development of the area, he says. AT hopes to have the link road built in time for the opening of the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway, scheduled for May next year. The $62.2 million road is funded by AT ($30.5 million) and the NZ Transport Agency ($31.7 million). It provides for four lanes of traffic, plus a cycle path, footpath and stream crossing. To view the drone footage visit, youtu.be/3o7__CgwVgM Freshly found artefact from Laminia, Senegal. Credit: Eleanor Scerri Fieldwork led by Dr. Eleanor Scerri, head of the Pan-African Evolution Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany and Dr. Khady Niang of the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal, has documented the youngest known occurrence of the Middle Stone Age. This repertoire of stone flaking methods and the resulting tools includes distinctive ways of producing sharp flakes by carefully preparing nodules of rock, some of which were sometimes further shaped into tool forms known as 'scrapers' and 'points." Middle Stone Age finds most commonly occur in the African record between around 300 thousand and 30 thousand years ago, after which point they largely vanish. It was long thought that these tool types were replaced after 30 thousand years ago by a radically different, miniaturized toolkit better suited to diversified subsistence strategies and patterns of mobility across Africa. In a paper published in Scientific Reports this week, Scerri and colleagues show that groups of hunter-gatherers in what is today Senegal continued to use Middle Stone Age technologies associated with our species' earliest prehistory as late as 11 thousand years ago. This contrasts with the long-held view that humanity's major prehistoric cultural phases occurred in a neat and universal sequence. The "Last Eden?" "West Africa is a real frontier for human evolutionary studieswe know almost nothing about what happened here in deep prehistory. Almost everything we know about human origins is extrapolated from discoveries in small parts of eastern and southern Africa," says Dr. Scerri, the lead author of the study. Lithics from Laminia (A-D) and Saxomununya (E-H). (A) unretouched flake; (B) bifacially retouched flake; (C) Levallois core evidencing a step fracture; (D) side retouched flake/scraper; (E, F) Levallois cores; (G) bifacial foliate point; (H) bifacial foliate. Credit: Jacopo Cerasoni. Figure licensed under CC-BY-4.0. To redress this gap in the data, Scerri and Niang put together a research program to explore different regions of Senegal. The program ranges from Senegal's desert edges to its forests and along different stretches of its major river systems: the Senegal and the Gambia, where they found multiple Middle Stone Age sites, all with surprisingly young dates. "These discoveries demonstrate the importance of investigating the whole of the African continent, if we are to really get a handle on the deep human past," says Dr. Niang. "Prior to our work, the story from the rest of Africa suggested that well before 11 thousand years ago, the last traces of the Middle Stone Ageand the lifeways it reflectswere long gone." Explaining why this region of West Africa was home to such a late persistence of Middle Stone Age culture is not straightforward. "To the north, the region meets the Sahara Desert," explains Dr. Jimbob Blinkhorn, one of the paper's authors. "To the east, there are the Central African rainforests, which were often cut off from the West African rainforests during periods of drought and fragmentation. Even the river systems in West Africa form a self-contained and isolated group." Team fieldwalking along the Gambia River, Senegal. Credit: Eleanor Scerri "It is also possible that this region of Africa was less affected by the extremes of repeated cycles of climate change," adds Scerri. "If this was the case, the relative isolation and habitat stability may simply have resulted in little need for radical changes in subsistence, as reflected in the successful use of these traditional toolkits." "All we can be sure about is that this persistence is not simply about a lack of capacity to invest in the development of new technologies. These people were intelligent, they knew how to select good stone for their tool making and exploit the landscape they lived in," says Niang. An ecological, biological and cultural patchwork The results fit in with a wider, emerging view that for most of humanity's deep prehistory, populations were relatively isolated from each other, living in subdivided groups in different regions. Accompanying this striking finding is the fact that in West Africa, the major cultural shift to more miniaturized toolkits also occurs extremely late compared to the rest of the continent. For a relatively short time, Middle Stone Age using populations lived alongside others using the more recently developed miniaturized tool kits, referred to as the "Later Stone Age." "This matches genetic studies suggesting that African people living in the last ten thousand years lived in very subdivided populations," says Dr. Niang. "We aren't sure why, but apart from physical distance, it may be the case that some cultural boundaries also existed. Perhaps the populations using these different material cultures also lived in slightly different ecological niches." Around 15 thousand years ago, there was a major increase in humidity and forest growth in central and western Africa, that perhaps linked different areas and provided corridors for dispersal. This may have spelled the final end for humanity's first and earliest cultural repertoire and initiated a new period of genetic and cultural mixing. "These findings do not fit a simple unilinear model of cultural change towards 'modernity,'" explains Scerri. " Groups of hunter-gatherers embedded in radically different technological traditions occupied neighboring regions of Africa for thousands of years, and sometimes shared the same regions. Long isolated regions, on the other hand, may have been important reservoirs of cultural and genetic diversity," she adds. "This may have been a defining factor in the success of our species." Explore further Middle Stone Age populations repeatedly occupied West African coast More information: Eleanor M. L. Scerri et al. Continuity of the Middle Stone Age into the Holocene, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Eleanor M. L. Scerri et al. Continuity of the Middle Stone Age into the Holocene,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79418-4 Kishore Biyani Indias Future Group expects swift regulatory approval of its $3.4 billion deal to sell its retail assets, its chief executive said, even as its warring business partner Amazon.com Inc intensifies efforts to block the deal. Future and Amazon are at loggerheads over the Indian groups August deal with Reliance Industries Ltd. The U.S. giant alleges the deal breached some of its pre-existing contracts with Future. A New Delhi court in December dismissed Futures request to restrain Amazons repeated attempts to get authorities to stall the deal. But the judge left the fate of the transaction with the regulators. The court has already given their view that every institution can take a view on the sale, Future Group founder and CEO Kishore Biyani told Reuters in an interview. So there is no reason why things should be delayed. Amazon declined to comment on Biyanis remarks. Reliance did not respond to a request for comment. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the market regulator that has been reviewing the deal for months, did not respond to a request for comment. SEBI and Indias stock exchanges could still reject or take more time in approving the deal, which is critical for the survival of Future Retail , whose more than 1,700 outlets were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Retail has warned that failure to close the deal could lead to the companys liquidation and job losses for more than 29,000 employees. We have restored businesses to a certain extent, but there are challenges, said Biyani, dubbed Indias retail king for transforming the countrys retailing in recent decades. Amazon protests The outcome of the dispute embroiling Future, Reliance and Amazon is seen shaping Indias retail landscape, especially in deciding who will have an upper hand in the groceries market expected to be worth around $740 billion a year by 2024. Following Amazons 2019 deal with a Future unit, the Indian retailers groceries and fashion products are offered for sale on Amazons website, while Future stores also act as local warehouses serving the U.S. giants food supply chain. Biyani said he had no intention of changing his business ties with Amazon despite the souring relationship. Criticising Amazon, however, Biyani said he was confused what Amazon wanted to achieve by blocking his deal. I am disappointed, he said. What do they want? They want so many employees to suffer, business to go down? Amazon also took Future to a Singapore arbitrator, which passed an interim order in October saying the Reliance deal should be halted. Although Future says that order is not binding, the U.S. e-commerce giant is continuing its efforts to block the deal. In a letter on Tuesday, Amazon asked Indian stock exchanges BSE and NSE to suspend their review of the deal in light of the ongoing Singapore arbitration. To buttress its case, Amazon on Dec. 30 shared with the exchanges a confidential 63-page legal opinion signed by a former chief justice of India, Dipak Misra. In the opinion, seen by Reuters, Misra said SEBI or any other statutory authority cannot ignore the interim order passed by the arbitrator. Misra and the NSE did not immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment. BSE declined to comment. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... It was Bruce King, New Mexicos famously folksy cowboy governor, who once told a legislator that a proposed amendment could open up a whole Box of Pandoras. And while Kings malapropism got the Greek mythology backwards (it was Pandora who opened the box), you get the point he was trying to make namely that you really dont know what will happen when you take the lid off. Which brings us to the recent case in which state District Judge Lucy Solimon of Albuquerque ruled that a prisoner serving a sentence under what amounted to a form of house arrest for aggravated DWI couldnt have his community custody status revoked for marijuana possession because he had a card issued under the states medical marijuana program. It has been fairly standard procedure in probation cases for courts to prohibit use of alcohol and drugs as a condition of release, and after community custody officers found the marijuana they determined that Joe Montano, 49, would have to finish his 90-day sentence inside the Metropolitan Detention Center. Solimon concluded otherwise. She ruled that under a 2019 version of the states medical marijuana law, formally known as the Lynn and Eric Compassionate Use Act, a person serving probation or parole or who is in the custody or under the supervision of the state or local government pending trial as part of a community supervision program shall not be penalized for conduct allowed under the act. Montano wasnt awaiting trial. He had pleaded guilty. But he was under state supervision. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ His lawyer, state Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, argues the ruling along with the language of the 2019 version of the statute has much broader implications in other words, a lot more Pandoras flying out of that box. He says the law applies to all medical marijuana patients in state custody whether on probation, parole, or in the MDC or a state prison system. It is the responsibility of the county or state, he says, to pay for and administer medical marijuana the same way it pays for other medications. Of course there are some differences. For example, with traditional pharmaceuticals, a physician typically prescribes a particular medication and dosage. FDA-approved drugs have undergone rigorous testing and trials. In New Mexico, a medical marijuana card that can be obtained by having a licensed provider attest that an applicant meets any one of 29 conditions is more akin to a card that lets you shop at the mall for whatever you and the cannabis seller agree is the best product for your condition from smoking to edibles to topicals. Not to mention which strain might be best anything from Amnesia Haze to Grandaddy Purple. Would the state be obligated to provide whichever one a prisoner has decided he or she needs? An internet search finds any number of possible drug interactions between other medications and cannabis products. Who would sort all of that out for people in custody and under state medical care? When performing medical intake evaluation would the state or county be required to basically issue a card to a prisoner who wanted it and who might qualify? The state had 104,655 medical cannabis enrollees at the end of 2020. The program has grown by leaps and bounds from one designed to ease the side effects of chemotherapy to one that now covers dozens of ailments. And according to Ultra Health, a major provider, at the current rate the program is experiencing a net gain of more than 2,000 patients each month. Neither the state corrections system nor the Metropolitan Detention Center currently is in the business of dispensing medical cannabis products to inmates. But they are responsible for inmate and prisoner medical care, and that includes medications. At MDC alone the bill for medications was $746,000 in fiscal 2020. There are about 7,000 prisoners inside the states prison system with thousands more on probation or parole. There are significant problems with contraband and smuggled drugs like Suboxone and Fentanyl already. The current prisoner population at MDC is about 1,100, with similar challenges. Candelaria says the state and county should start developing policies that would allow the use of cannabis products by prisoners provided by and at taxpayer expense. But there is still time to close this box of Pandoras. Lawmakers need to think long and hard about just how far they want to obligate the state and counties to go in allowing the use of or providing cannabis products to people in custody. 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. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Indiana Veterans' Home is the latest long-term care facility in Tippecanoe County to experience a COVID-19 outbreak. But officials are hopeful vaccines administered there Monday will bring an end to the concerning chapter. Tamara Smith, director of admissions at the veterans' home, was the first in line to be immunized. "I just felt proud as being one of the front members, getting on and getting our vaccine completed today," she says. "Anyone that can go out and get their COVID vaccine, I feel we all should do it. Just a duty to help others that can't fight for themselves." One hundred and sixty-five staff members and 60 residents on Monday received the first round of the vaccine. The second round will take place Feb. 8 and Feb. 9. Many other residents received antibody infusion treatments which make them ineligible for the vaccine until March. "All the staff have put in a lot of hours, their blood, tears, sweat," Smith says. "We care for the residents here at the veterans' home like we do our family." Forty residents have tested positive and six have died since Dec. 4, according to the Indiana COVID-19 dashboard, making the vaccine rollout crucial, says veterans' home Superintendent Joy Grow. "I think we've all been working really hard this whole year and it kind of feels like we're maybe getting to that light at the end of the tunnel with that vaccine here," she says. Grow says she's worked with the local health department on a weekly basis for guidance to control the spread. "We're trying to properly cohort residents, keep positive residents away from healthy residents so that we can kind of contain and prevent that spread," she says. "And of course, we're focusing really hard on treatment, like, what can we do to make sure that the residents, that they recover?" Dennis Wimer, director of the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs, was on hand to receive his COVID-19 vaccine. He says the VA and the staff at the veterans' home have worked hard to understand best practices for infection control. He says it's important to vaccinate those who have served, and those who serve them. "We've done all of the things that we can and when it did hit here, it did like everybody else, it hit very hard, and they're doing everything they can to protect, to serve the veterans that are here and the staff that are here," he says. Vaccinations began earlier this month at long-term care facilities across Tippecanoe County. As News 18 previously reported, these facilities were next in line for the vaccine after front line health care workers. MILAN, JAN 11 - A former member of the now-defunct centrist Italian party Union of the Centre (UdC) was sentenced to four years in jail Monday for taking a bribe from two Azerbaijan politicians to get the Council of Europe to pull a critical report on political prisoners in the Caucasus republic. Luca Giuseppe Volonte is a former member of the parliamentary assembly of the European human rights body. He was found guilty of taking about two million euros from the Azeri politicians, who were given the same four-year sentence. (ANSA). Truong Chi Tai (left) is arrested (Photo: VNA) An Giang - Police in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang said on January 9 that they have arrested two other men to further investigate their role in the illegal entry of COVID-19 patient No. 1,440. The men are 30-year-old Truong Chi Tai and 31-year-old Le Van Dinh, both from An Giang. Previously, 42-year-old Phan Phi Hung, 26-year-old Pham Thanh Hap, and 32-year-old Trang Van Ut, all from An Giang, were detained for the same charge. According to preliminary investigation results, Hung set up links with people at home and abroad, including Hap, Ut, Tai, and Dinh, in an effort to illegally brought to Vietnam a 33-year-old man, who was later defined as patient No. 1,440, and eight others. Four out of the nine illegal immigrants tested positive for the coronavirus, patients No. 1,440, 1,451, 1,452 and 1,453. On December 23, 2020, Hung received a phone call from Cambodia informing the arrival in Vietnam of the nine people in early morning the next day for further travelling to Chau Doc and Ho Chi Minh City. Hung, in turn, called to inform Tai, Dinh, Hap, and Ut and told Ut to find a 7-seat car to carry the group. After the group illegally entered Vietnam, Tai and Dinh picked them up from a river wharf, then drove them to Haps house. The investigation team also found that Tai and Dinh also played a role in guarding the road to avoid the detection of competent forces. The case is under further investigation. The US and Vietnam are working to resolve trade issues to pre-empt the imposition of Section 301 tariffs, the article reported, citing a source familiar with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR)s twin investigations into Vietnamese trade practices. USTR in October launched Section 301 investigations into Vietnams currency valuation and timber practices. After holding hearings for each last week, USTR gave interested parties the opportunity to submit post-hearing comments. The Inside US Trade learned that the US Trade Representative Office has less than two weeks until the new presidents inauguration ceremony on January 20 to complete the investigation process, followed by a proposal submitted to the Presidential Office and an open hearing on the proposal. The article also mentioned the phone talks between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as the phone talks between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer. Anh said the investigation could cause many unwanted effects that may not only harm bilateral relations, strategic trust, and efforts to enhance cooperation but also adversely affect thousands of enterprises and millions of workers and consumers in both Vietnam and the US. Lighthizer said the USTR Office is still in the investigation process and considering all opinions, and has yet to talk about any conclusions with Vietnam. In related news, more than 150 companies and 50 associations have sent a joint letter to President Donald Trump, asking for not imposing Section 301 tariffs on Vietnamese goods, saying that it may hamper the US global competitiveness and US businesses and consumers alike in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They said Vietnam remained a large export market of the US and an important supplier of raw materials for US manufacturers. As a result of the Exchange Vetting process, DAR is able to identify actual economic activity to accurately report a market price based on transactions between a real buyer and a real seller. Digital Asset Research (DAR), a leading provider of crypto data and research, today announced the results of its January 2021 Exchange Vetting and Asset Vetting processes. After the latest evaluation, no changes were made to the 12 exchanges on the Contributing Exchanges list, while one exchange was removed from the list of Watchlist Exchanges. On the asset side, two were removed as benchmark assets and 14 were removed from the non-benchmark asset list for not meeting trading pair requirements, among other changes. DARs vetting processes bring institutional-level diligence to crypto markets. The Exchange Vetting process combines data science and traditional due diligence to identify exchanges reporting accurate volumes and eliminate exchanges that are not appropriate for determining an accurate market price. During the Asset Vetting process, digital assets trading on Vetted Exchanges are evaluated to determine if they meet institutional investor standards for codebase construction and maintenance, community, security, liquidity, and regulatory compliance. The results of the Exchange Vetting and Asset Vetting processes are used by DAR clients to determine accurate asset prices and to identify safe venues in the market. Results are also used in the FTSE DAR Reference Price, a robust hourly reference price for digital asset market performance. DARs vetting processes meet the need for reliable crypto data that was highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article. Bitcoin and hundreds of other cryptocurrencies trade on independent exchanges around the world, Paul Vigna wrote in What Is Bitcoin Worth? There Is Little Consensus in Fragmented Market. Every exchange manages its own data feed, comprising millions of trades. Some are regulated and transparent; others are notorious for unreliable volume numbers and fraudulent trading. Over 400 exchanges were evaluated during the latest vetting process and the following Vetted Exchanges are considered Contributing Exchanges for the FTSE DAR Reference price: Binance US, Bitfinex*, Bitflyer, Bitstamp, Coinbase, Gemini, Itbit, Kraken, Liquid, LMAX, Luno, and OKcoin. Eighteen exchanges are now designated as Watchlist Exchanges for potential future inclusion on the Vetted Exchanges list. The Asset Vetting process evaluated over 500 digital assets to identify 14 benchmark assets and over 400 non-benchmark assets. The benchmark asset list now includes BAT, BTC, EOS, ETH, KNC, LINK, OMG, OXT, REP, XLM, XMR, XTZ, ZEC, and ZRX. The crypto asset space has seen wide variations in market prices across its lightly regulated exchanges. These variations can lead to investors trading at disadvantageous prices or with less liquidity than believed. As a result of the Exchange Vetting process, DAR is able to identify actual economic activity to accurately report a market price based on transactions between a real buyer and a real seller. Prices based on economic activity have often deviated from widely reported prices by over 1% for Bitcoin and much greater amounts for so-called alt coins. DARs Exchange Vetting and Asset Vetting processes are used for individual asset pricing and DAR Sector Indexes. They are also used in its partnership with FTSE Russell for the FTSE DAR Reference Price, which is designed to meet the requirements of the EU Benchmark Regulation (EU BMR) for benchmark assets. DAR performs its vetting processes quarterly. Results will next be announced in April 2021. *Indicates exchange(s) on Enhanced Review About DAR Digital Asset Research (DAR) is a specialist provider of crypto research and data. Since 2017, DAR has combined its expertise in traditional financial services and the crypto space to meet the needs of institutional investors across the spectrum, including family offices, venture capital firms, asset managers, and banks. In 2018, DAR began a partnership with FTSE Russell to provide crypto pricing and indicative indexes. DARs core offerings include Clean Pricing Data, a Crypto Events Calendar, a Reference Data Asset Master, an Industry Taxonomy, Exchange Diligence, and Token Diligence. For more information: pr@digitalassetresearch.com Board of Education hears from parents asking to keep Cascade open The Washington County Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible closing of Cascade Elementary School. New COVID-19 variant: Four more UK returnees test +ve in Bengaluru India oi-Briti Roy Barman Bengaluru, Jan 11: Four passengers, who returned from the UK on Sunday, tested COVID-19 positive at the city airport. "Of the 289 passengers who took the RT-PCR test on arrival from London, 4 turned positive. They have been quarantined," Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said in a statement. "Swab samples of the infected passengers have been sent to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans) here to ascertain the strain of the virus," said Sudhakar. Of the total, 273 were passengers (146 men, 95 women and 32 children) while 16 were crew members. The returnees were the first batch of passengers who flew into the city from London after flights from the UK resumed on January 8. Flights were suspended since December 23 due to the detection of a new Covid virus strain there. Of the 3,965 passengers who returned to the state from the UK between December 9-22, 40 tested positive, with 11 of them having the new UK virus strain. Some of their primary contacts also tested positive and have been quarantined. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News As per the revised guidelines of the Union Home Ministry and the standard operating procedures of the Union Health Ministry, all UK returnees to the state have to undergo the RT-PCR test at the airport on landing even if they flew in with a negative test report, which has been mandatory. "If passengers do not carry a negative report, they will be tested on arrival at the airport through the RT-PCR method and quarantined for 14 days if they are Covid positive," the state Health Department has said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 9:56 [IST] Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 11:49:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, Nov. 18, 2020. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) House Democrats have announced they plan to bring forward at least one article of impeachment against Trump this week, accusing him of "incitement of insurrection" at the Capitol. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Sunday that Democrats are ready to start proceedings to impeach outgoing President Donald Trump for a second time in just over a year. In a letter to her colleagues, Pelosi said Democrats will introduce a resolution on Monday urging Vice President Mike Pence to "convene and mobilize the Cabinet to active the 25th Amendment to declare the President incapable of executing the duties of his office," after which Pence would immediately exercise powers as acting U.S. president. "We are calling on the Vice President to respond within 24 hours," the top congressional Democrat wrote. "Next, we will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation to the Floor." Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The announcement came as Trump is facing fierce bipartisan criticism for a role in massive demonstrations on Capitol Hill last week that led to at least five deaths and dozens of injuries following a chaotic and violent breach of the historic building when Congress was certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 White House race. Trump addressed a rally outside the White House shortly before the deadly violence unfolded, urging his supporters to march toward the landmark to encourage Republican lawmakers to contest the Electoral College results, as he had refused to acknowledge their legitimacy with unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. House Democrats have announced they plan to bring forward at least one article of impeachment against Trump this week, accusing him of "incitement of insurrection" at the Capitol. Meanwhile, several Republicans have joined Democrats in calling upon the president to resign over the Capitol violence. The U.S. Constitution provides that the House "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" and that "the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments." Through the impeachment process, the U.S. Congress charges and then tries an official of the federal government for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Photo taken in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Aug. 27, 2020 shows screens displaying U.S. President Donald Trump delivering his acceptance speech during the 2020 Republican National Convention. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Conviction can only happen in the Senate and requires at least two-thirds of its members, or 67 senators, to vote in favor of at least one article of impeachment after a trial. The chamber could try the impeachment of an official after he or she leaves office, legal experts said. The House, led by Democrats, impeached Trump in December 2019 after an inquiry triggered by a whistleblower complaint that raised concerns about the White House's interactions with Ukraine. The Republican-led Senate later acquitted the president, allowing him to continue holding office. No U.S. president has ever been removed from office via impeachment by Congress, nor has the House impeached any president more than once. On Jan. 7, the U.S. Congress affirmed the 2020 Electoral College votes, in which Biden won 306 versus 232 for Trump. It takes at least 270 electoral votes to win the White House. Biden also won the popular votes by 7 million and more than 4 percentage points. After the congressional certification of Biden's victory, Trump acknowledged defeat and promised to ensure "a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power." [January 11, 2021] ZF's Data Venture Accelerator puts Data Business on Fast Track LAS VEGAS and FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Data is fast becoming the new currency of global business. Harnessing the power of data into tangible products and services that provide value to both the market sellers and end consumers, along with other entities such as governments, educators and service providers, has enormous potential and holds great promise to make future mobility more efficient, safe and convenient for all. ZF has proven data-based businesses in the areas of Truck & Trailer Telematics and Wind Energy. Data that are already driving the mobility of the future and ZF is ready to meet the challenges of the further development and deployment of data businesses with its new Data Venture Accelerator. The Data Venture Accelerator is a global venture hub within ZF's Innovation & Technology organization. It is being established to expand products that have successfully shown value and technology feasibility from Innovative Proof of Concepts, to Mature Data Products. Turning such promising ventures into mature Data Businesses is the goal of the Data Venture Accelerator. "ZF has had great success innovating valuable digital & data initiatives, and we now want to expand these approaches into scalable business offerings," said Dr. Dirk Walliser, Senior Vice President Corporate R&D, Innovation and Technology. "With the Data Venture Accelerator we have developed an operational model which will allow such initiatives to more quickly and effectively translate into product offerings that will meet the needs of our customers and society." There are three major elements to te Data Venture Accelerator: Venture "Speedboats" Independent, autonomous, multi-disciplinary teams established solely to accelerate incubated data business to the market. Ventures are run like start-up companies and managed with Venture Capital-like governance. Data Business Centers of Excellence (CoE) Expert resources to ensure consistent application of processes, methods, and tools to each of the Venture "Speedboats". Joint Market Team A paired team of ZF product-facing and dedicated Data business market experts, which will collaboratively work to address the needs of both existing and new customers. Dr. Dirk Walliser sees the Data Venture Accelerator as a key contributor to ZF's future: "ZF is able to generate added value and revenue for its customers with digital end-to-end data solutions and they will see more data product & service offerings from ZF resulting from the Data Venture Accelerator. As we develop greater Data Business proficiency, ZF will have expertise which will more effectively address customer and industry data needs." Using Existing Data Intelligently As more and more components in vehicles are equipped with sensors and become "smart" components, vehicles themselves become an enormous data source because sensors collect data by design. This data can help to make mobility safer, more efficient and more convenient. And this also gives rise to new business models: Making data economically viable for customers is one of ZF's goals. Value is no longer only created by developing, selling and manufacturing a product, but can be monetized throughout its life cycle separately from hardware. By monetizing data, customers can increase their earnings and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive market. ZF, as a system supplier with software and data competence, has already created an innovative ecosystem for this purpose and the Data Venture Accelerator will help to put data business squarely on the fast track. Photos: ZF is able to generate added value and revenue for its customers with digital end-to-end data solutions. Photo: ZF ZF Friedrichshafen AG ZF is a global technology company and supplies systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility. ZF allows vehicles to see, think and act. In the four technology domains Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility, ZF offers comprehensive solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies different kinds of vehicles. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions and protecting the climate. ZF, which acquired WABCO Holdings Inc. on May 29, 2020, now has 160,000 employees worldwide with approximately 260 locations in 41 countries. In 2019, the two then-independent companies achieved sales of 36.5 billion (ZF) and $3.4 billion (WABCO). For further press information and photos please visit: www.zf.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zfs-data-venture-accelerator-puts-data-business-on-fast-track-301205276.html SOURCE ZF [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. 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. ARTC announced that WinBus, Taiwan's first homegrown, pure-electric, and a SAE LEVEL-4 autonomous minibus, won a license for an one-year experimental "sandbox" operation sponsored by "Unmanned Vehicles Technology Innovative Experimentation Program" under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. Initial stages of the experimental operation has included a two-month self-driving test operation for collecting related technical and operational data; then began providing free-experiencing shuttle services to the general public in June 2020. The WinBus Developed and built by ARTC, the WinBus is a 100% Made-in-Taiwan autonomous vehicle achieving SAE LEVEL-4 driving automation; meaning that the autonomous minibus does not require human interaction in most circumstances; however, a human still has the option to manually override. With an eye-catching, oval-shaped and streamlined body, the "MIT" WinBus was crafted by ARTC and a group of more than 20 suppliers in local supply chain, including chassis, powertrain, battery, body, and key systems for sensing, decision-making, connection etc. The self-driving minibus features many most-advanced technologies and key-systems supplied by Taiwanese suppliers, while integrated by ARTC. Its onboard systems make immediate decisions to control different sub-systems, such as steering, brake, acceleration, through various types of sensors, including camera, Lidars (32-layer), and radars (77GHz) etc., as well as other high-techs like high-precision positioning, AI sensor-fusion, and intelligent decision-makingetc. Challenging World's Longest-range Self-driving Shuttle Service A tie-up between ARTC and other local partners, including Kingwaytek Technology, Chunghwa Telecom, and Acer ITS; is challenging the world's longest-range public shuttle service through the "sandbox" operation. In the experimental operation, the WinBus has to overcome a big variety of traffic conditions and complexities throughout a 12.3-km fixed route with different scenarios (comparing to most 10 KM-less similar projects worldwide); including T intersections without traffic lights, adaptive vehicle braking by encountering pedestrians or other objects, fast/slow-lane switching, adaptive braking again front vehicles, traffic-light identification & reaction, turning at intersections, stopping at bus-stopsetc. The project will be even meaningful and milestone-setting, as it is tested under the very complicated traffic conditions in Taiwan, and need to showcase the vehicle's capabilities in providing safe and comfort shuttle services in-between key scenery spots in Lukang, central Taiwan. A Key Part to Industry Development Jerry Wang, president of ARTC, points out that actual verification is the most vital part for a vehicle from development to commercialization. Under the sponsorship from Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) under MOEA, he adds, ARTC has completed the construction of the WinBus, and will continue to tie up with local partners for creating new and innovative business models that are crucial in future's self-driving vehicle industry development in Taiwan. ARTC is scheduled to kick off a commercial operation project with private companies, offering shuttle-transport services in the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park for accumulating more operation credits. Finally, Wang stress, our goal is the export of key systems and innovative business models of the WinBus to global customers. To meet the WinBus before you get onto it: https://youtu.be/TLbXy3iTiVI WinBus, New Milestone in Intelligent Transportation https://youtu.be/DWM7OUuRGDQ SOURCE Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), Taiwan Twitter has removed a tweet by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggesting coronavirus vaccines made in the United States and Britain are "untrustworthy", saying the post violated its rules. "Importing vaccines made in the US or the UK is prohibited. They're completely untrustworthy. It's not unlikely they would want to contaminate other nations," said a tweet posted Friday on Khamenei's English-language Twitter account. "Given our experience with France's HIV-tainted blood supplies, French vaccines aren't trustworthy either," the Iranian leader added in the tweet with the hashtag #CoronaVaccine. Twitter later removed the tweet and replaced it with a message that said it was "no longer available because it violated the Twitter Rules". The US social media company announced a policy in December to crack down on what it described as potentially "false or misleading information" about Covid-19 vaccinations. The Islamic republic has reported more than 1.2 million cases of the novel coronavirus, which have caused over 56,000 deaths. It has accused arch-enemy the United States of hampering its access to vaccines through tough sanctions. Last month, President Hassan Rouhani said Washington had demanded Tehran pay for the drugs through US banks, adding he had feared the US would seize the money. France was singled out by Khamenei on Friday because of a scandal in the 1980s in which blood infected with HIV was distributed in France, and later abroad. Hundreds of people in Iran were among those infected. Khamenei's ban concerns vaccines made by pharmaceutical giants Pfizer of the US and its German partner BioNTech, American firm Moderna and the vaccine produced by multinational company AstraZeneca and Britain's Oxford University. Coronavirus vaccine news live updates on DH The World Health Organization granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the end of December. The WHO's experts and others found the vaccine to hold "the must-have criteria for safety and efficacy set out by WHO and that the benefits of using the vaccine to address Covid-19 offset potential risks", it said. On Wednesday the organisation's experts warned it could take months before vaccines turn the tide against the pandemic. "We've got another three or six months of hard, hard road ahead of us. But we can do it. The cavalry is coming, the vaccines are coming," said Michael Ryan, WHO's emergencies director. Twitter had said in December that "vaccine misinformation presents a significant and growing public health challenge -- and we all have a role to play". Khamenei's tweets are managed by his office and usually contain statements he made during sermons, which are later published by Iranian media. The English-language account @khamenei_ir has more than 873,000 followers, including the verified accounts of top Iranian officials such as Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. The ministry has also recommended relaxing detention norms to prevent drop-outs this year as well as a slew of measures to address learning loss due to the coronavirus-induced shutdown of schools. (Representational file photo) New Delhi: The Education Ministry has asked the states to conduct a door-to-door survey to identify out-of-school children and prepare an action plan for their enrolment as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on migrants, according to officials. The ministry has also recommended relaxing detention norms to prevent drop-outs this year as well as a slew of measures to address learning loss due to the coronavirus-induced shutdown of schools. The move is particularly aimed at identification, admission and continued education of migrant children who have been affected during the pandemic, they said. "In order to mitigate the impact of challenges thrown by the COVID-19 pandemic for out of school children, it was felt necessary for every state and UT to devise a proper strategy for preventing increased dropouts, lower enrolments, loss of learning and deterioration in the gains made in providing universal access, quality and equity in the recent years," a senior ministry official said. "The states and UTs have been advised to carry out proper identification of Out-of-School Children (OoSC) for 6 to 18 years age group through a comprehensive door-to-door survey and prepare an action plan for their enrolment," the official added. The ministry has also issued guidelines for offering support to students during the closure of schools and when they reopen. "To ensure that school-going children have access to education with quality and equity and to minimize the impact of the pandemic on school education across the country, the Ministry of Education has prepared and issued detailed guidelines on steps to be taken by the States and UTs during school closure and when the schools reopen," the official said. Exploring the option of classroom-on-wheels and classes in small groups at the village level, increasing the access of children to online and digital resources, use of TV and radio to reduce learning losses and ensuring easy and timely access to the provisions of uniforms, textbooks and mid-day meals are among the recommendations made by the ministry for student support during the closure of schools. Similarly, the guidelines for student support when schools reopen after prolonged closure include preparation and running of school readiness modules and bridge course for the initial period so that they can adjust to the school environment and do not feel stressed or left-out. Identifying students across different grades based on their learning levels and relaxing detention norms to prevent drop out this year have also been recommended. The ministry has also suggested encouraging children to read books beyond the syllabus and indulge in creative writing and problem solving for ensuring reading with comprehension and numeracy skills. Large-scale remedial programmes and learning enhancement programmes should be held to mitigate learning loss and inequality, it recommended. Haiti - FLASH : Luis Abinader met Jovenel Moise in the border area Sunday, Luis Abinader President of the Dominican Republic was on a supervisory tour of the southern border area of the country, where he notably visited the inter-agency border complex in Carrizal and the detachment of Antonio Duverge Province of Elias Pina. The Dominican President took advantage of his visit to the border area of Elias Pina to meet the President of Haiti Jovenel Moise, a meeting which was no accident and which had been planned with complete discretion. Moise confirmed this meeting on his Twitter account "Today I met Dominican President Luis Abinader to discuss the priorities of the bilateral agenda : security, health, trade, migration, energy, as well as developments of the political process in Haiti. A joint statement will be published shortly." Abinader also confirmed this meeting on his official Twitter account "Today I held a meeting with the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise, to review the bilateral agenda : security, health, trade, migration, energy and evolution of the political process in Haiti. We will publish a state of the agreements in the coming days." HL/ HaitiLibre [January 11, 2021] International tea brand Gong Cha taps SiteZeus to accelerate its U.S. expansion TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UK-based Gong Cha is one of the most recognized bubble tea brands in the world. The company has carefully crafted that success on a foundation of premium quality teas sourced from the finest tea estates in Taiwan. Since it was founded in 2006, Gong Cha has expanded to over 19 countries with nearly 1,400 locations worldwide, including 105 stores in the U.S. SiteZeus is excited to be helping the company rapidly and efficiently scale up its multi-unit footprint across the U.S. International brands often face some tough challenges when stepping into the competitive U.S. market. Brands need to adapt market planning and location strategy to fit what are often drastic differences in culture and consumer behavior. For Gong Cha, identifying pockets of customers who have an affinity for bubble tea in a country where there is a coffee shop on every corner is no easy task. Gong Cha will deploy SiteZeus' machine learning technology to gain valuable insight on the unique behavioral characteristics of their U.S. customer. SiteZeus delivers highly accurate predictive models that identify key drivers to aid Gong Cha in both its portfolio strategy and individual location decisions. "We believe having the right tools and technology in place is essential to meeting our growth goals in the U.S.," says Einar Gustafsson, CEO of Gong Cha America/Europe. "We chose to work with SiteZeus, because their platform helps us to very quickly understand not only where to locate our stores, but why those locations are the best suited. The reasoning behind those location decisions is an important key to success in today's data-driven business environment," added Gustafsson. market penetration studies. How many Gong Cha stores can a market such as Miami or Tampa support? Where should new stores be positioned to avoid cannibalization of sales on existing locations? SiteZeus' A.I. powered platform helps conduct studies to determine the optimal number of stores in a given market. SiteZeus has the ability to run these studies accurately within minutes, allowing multi-unit brands such as Gong Cha gain a speed to market advantage and move ahead confidently with its go-to-market strategy. "Brands are fascinated at the speed and accuracy at which A.I. platform builds market planning models. They also get tremendous value from the on-demand support services that comes along with that SiteZeus subscription," said SiteZeus CEO Hannibal Baldwin. "Our support services help users hit the ground running with highly sophisticated analysis, which allows them to focus their attention on the decision making that drives thoughtful, strategic and successful expansion." For more information on how SiteZeus can help your brand grow, visit: www.sitezeus.com About SiteZeus SiteZeus is a predictive modeling platform that helps multi-unit brands with location-based decisions. The location intelligence platform is powered by A.I. to create fast and accurate predictive models. Brands leverage the platform to make confident, data-driven decisions to solve for infill expansion, greenfield growth, remodel analysis, relocation analysis and closure analysis. For more information around how SiteZeus' A.I. platform can help your company grow, contact info@sitezeus.com . About Gong Cha Founded in 2006, Gong cha is one of the most recognized Taiwanese tea brands in the world. Gong cha, which translates to "tribute tea for the emperor," provides quality tea, products and services, sourcing ingredients from selected suppliers and offering customers freshly brewed tea. Gong cha's leading product is its famous Taiwanese-style bubble tea, which is sweet milk tea infused with pearl-shaped tapioca. Gong cha also offers a variety of seasonal and specialty tea-based drinks. There are more than 1,300 Gong cha stores in 19 countries, including Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.gong-cha.com/en. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-tea-brand-gong-cha-taps-sitezeus-to-accelerate-its-us-expansion-301204873.html SOURCE SiteZeus [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Thousands of Victorians desperately trying to get a permit to enter their own state were left empty-handed after the website crashed hours after strict border rules came into effect. Anyone wanting to enter Victoria must now apply for a permit which will be coloured red, orange or green, based on the Covid risk in the area they arrive from. This applies to every arrival in the state, even those from Covid-safe states and territories which have experienced no virus outbreaks in months. Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement just four hours before the new rules came into effect at 6pm Monday. The news sparked confusion for many travellers as they scrambled to log onto the Service Victoria website to obtain a permit to avoid a hefty $4,957 fine. But the permit system wasn't available online until 9pm, leaving frustrated travellers stranded and unable to log on for three hours. Anyone wanting to enter Victoria border must have a permit or they will be fined $5,000. Pictured are passengers after arriving at Melbourne Airport last Friday 'The new permit system will be available shortly. Please check back here later today,' a message on the website stated shortly after the new rules were implemented. The Victorian government later confirmed there were technical issues with the new system. 'Service Vic and DHHS are very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience,' the Department of Health and Human Services later tweeted. The state's chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton hit back at claims the delay was caused by legal directions to enforce the new system not being signed on time. 'Directions were signed on time,' Professor Sutton tweeted on Monday night. It takes five minutes to apply for a permit, according to the government website. The new system enforced within hours of being announced has sparked widespread confusion for those who have recently entered or will soon cross the border. 'I returned from Brisbane on the 3rd. Tested negative on the 7th. Have been isolating for 4 days. Am I still in isolation or not? One simple, clear, unambiguous answer please! Your communication on this is as clear as mud! No wonder people are confused,' one Victorian tweeted. Another asked: 'We are going to the ACT next week for holidays and we are worried upon returning to Victoria as we have to travel through parts of regional NSW and we might have problem about the border. Can anyone clarify this for me. Do we need to face quarantine?' The Department of Human Services apologised for the delays and inconvenience caused to stranded travellers after the permit system crashed online on Monday night Anyone coming from or has been in a red zone will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception or exemption, which currently includes only the Greater Sydney and Brisbane areas. An orange zone means you can apply for a permit but need to take a coronavirus test within 72 hours upon arrival in Victoria and self-isolate until a negative result. A green zone means you will be able to apply for a permit and enter Victoria but should remain alert for symptoms once they cross the border. Regional NSW areas, including the Central Coast north of Sydney were reclassified from a red zone to orange at 6pm Monday. It means residents, as well as Victorians holidaying in these areas, will be able to enter Victoria if they isolate upon their arrival, get tested and stay home until they receive a negative result. Premier Andrews described the new traffic light system as 'common sense'. 'It serves as advice for any Victorian travelling to other parts of the country. This is based on public health advice and gives to our public health team and every single Victorian clarity about what the status of every other part of our nation is,' he said. Returned Victorian travellers arriving by plane or by water without a valid reason or exemption will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days and will receive a fine of $4,957. The new Victorian permits will be coloured red, orange or green, based on where you're coming from and where you've been. Pictured are passengers being checked upon arrival at Melbourne Airport Interstate residents presenting at an airport or seaport without a valid reason or exemption will also be fined $4,957 and returned to their destination on the next available flight. Substantial penalties apply for anyone who turns up to the Victorian border without a permit. 'If you turn up here and you should not be here, if you have not bothered to apply for one and you were rejected and turn up the face that $5,000 fine, that is significant because we don't want a situation where people are not playing the part, everybody has to play a part this,' Mr Andrews said. Greater Sydney remains a red zone, as does Brisbane, despite a three day hard lockdown ending at 6pm Monday. COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR NEW SOUTH WALES: Western Australia - All NSW residents are banned from entering WA. Anyone who enters the state will be 'sent back', according to Premier Mark McGowan. In reality, all arrivals from NSW must have a special exemption and then have to quarantine for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. - All NSW residents are banned from entering WA. Anyone who enters the state will be 'sent back', according to Premier Mark McGowan. In reality, all arrivals from NSW must have a special exemption and then have to quarantine for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. Victoria - Regional NSW was declared an 'orange zone' on January 11, and locals will be allowed into Victoria from 6pm with a permit. On January 18, Greater Sydney was also deemed an orange zone. People from ten Sydney LGAs, including Blacktown and Liverpool, which are deemed red zones are still banned. - Regional NSW was declared an 'orange zone' on January 11, and locals will be allowed into Victoria from 6pm with a permit. On January 18, Greater Sydney was also deemed an orange zone. People from ten Sydney LGAs, including Blacktown and Liverpool, which are deemed red zones are still banned. Northern Territory - The state has declared greater metropolitan Sydney as a Covid-19 hotspot, and travellers will need to undergo 14 days of supervised quarantine. - The state has declared greater metropolitan Sydney as a Covid-19 hotspot, and travellers will need to undergo 14 days of supervised quarantine. South Australia - Harder border closure to all NSW residents from midnight on New Year's Eve. Returning South Australians must quarantine for 14 days. A 100km border buffer zone, including Broken Hill and Wentworth, will be exempt. - Harder border closure to all NSW residents from midnight on New Year's Eve. Returning South Australians must quarantine for 14 days. A 100km border buffer zone, including Broken Hill and Wentworth, will be exempt. Queensland - Queensland has shut its borders to Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast. Locals returning to the Sunshine State from a hotspot must isolate. - Queensland has shut its borders to Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast. Locals returning to the Sunshine State from a hotspot must isolate. ACT - Anyone travelling to the ACT from a Covid-19 hotspot in NSW will now require an exemption. People from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong will not be legally permitted to enter the ACT without a valid pass from midday on Saturday January 2. - Anyone travelling to the ACT from a Covid-19 hotspot in NSW will now require an exemption. People from Sydney's Northern Beaches, Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong will not be legally permitted to enter the ACT without a valid pass from midday on Saturday January 2. Tasmania - Northern Beaches residents banned. All people from Greater Sydney must also quarantine upon entry. Advertisement 'The public health team is not 100 per cent confident we can have people from Brisbane returned to Victoria,' Mr Andrews said. 'We will again monitor that each day, there are still many close contacts that have not been tested, it's a relatively new outbreak we are very pleased for our friends in Queensland with such positive results over the weekend, many tests and no additional cases. 'But the public health team are not yet in Victoria, comfortable to have people from the greater Brisbane area coming back or travelling to Melbourne regardless of where they might live.' He thanked those in current red zone areas for their patience in the last fortnight and hopes to provide more promising news later in the week. Pictured are passengers at Melbourne Airport on Friday after arriving from Brisbane, which remains a red zone The new system (explained above) aimed to keep Victoria safe was announced on Monday afternoon and enforced just four hours later It's understood the traffic light system could be remain in place for much of 2021. 'Until we have a vaccine, we'll need to continue to react and respond to changing circumstances. This system will make sure we can do just that, while supporting the rapid response of our contact tracing team,' Mr Andrews said. The announcement comes after Victoria recorded zero new locally acquired coronavirus cases for a sixth consecutive day on Tuesday. Around 18,139 tests have been conducted across the state in the last 24 hours. Victoria currently has 38 active cases, down from 45 two days ago. Health authorities are now confident contact tracers are winning the battle against the recent 27-case outbreak linked to a Thai eatery in bayside Melbourne, which sparked fears of a third coronavirus wave for Victoria. Ireland is to join in an international effort to designate a third of the Earth as a protected area within a decade in a push to halt the spiralling losses of habitats and species. Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan will confirm Irelands participation in the 30 by 30 endeavour when he takes part in the One Planet Summit hosted by France today. Mr Noonan and Biodiversity Minister Pippa Hackett will take part remotely in the summit, which is a forerunner to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to be held later in the year. Around 50 countries have committed to a High Ambition Coalition on Nature and People as part of the summit. Read More The key ambition is to protect 30pc of the earths land and seas by 2030. Participants also pledge to promote farming methods that protect ecosystems, commit funding to biodiversity and, in light of Covid-19, to focus on the links between deforestation, species and human health. The current health crisis posed by Covid-19 has challenged the scope and ability of countries to act collectively for nature and biodiversity, Mr Noonan said. It has also, however, led to a re-evaluation of humanitys relationship with nature, particularly in the context of how future zoonotic pandemics can be avoided. Facing up to and addressing the damaging loss of biodiversity is vital if we are to do this, he said. A shocking report from the Worldwide Fund for Wildlife last year showed wildlife populations had plummeted by almost 70pc in 50 years. Padraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust welcomed the ministers comments but pointed out that just 13pc of Irelands land and 2.5pc of the seas were designated as protected. He said the commitment to the coalition must be backed by creating Marine Protected Areas, restore bogs, rivers and forests, and to create a nature-friendly farming system. Weve had decades of talking so we really need to start acting in a way that reflects the state of emergency declared by the Dail nearly two years ago, he said. Were still waiting on delivery of commitments made in the 1990s and 2000s, which were to have seen extinction and pollution as a thing of the past. Chinese residents do not need to pay for COVID-19 vaccines or the service fees for the vaccination, a senior health official said on Saturday. Li Tao, deputy director of the National Healthcare Security Administration, said as more COVID-19 vaccines receive conditional government approval, the costs for mass vaccination will be covered by the accumulated deposits of the medical insurance fund and the government's public finance. The costs will not influence the current medical insurance fund or people using the fund for reimbursement of other diseases, she said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office. Zeng Yixin, vice-minister of the National Health Commission, said China has started offering free shots of COVID-19 vaccines among some key groups of individuals since Dec 15 and the costs have been covered by local governments. Free vaccination means the vaccines are free and getting inoculated is also free, he said. Several places had charged people for the vaccination and they have been asked by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council to rectify the practice, he added. They both worked in a pharmaceutical factory. The owner, Mohammad Naeem, and the supervisor Mohammad Imtiaz pressured them for marriage, promising wealth and demanding their conversion to Islam. But the women, married to two Christians, had refused. Lahore (AsiaNews) - Two Christian sisters, 28-year-old Sajida and 26-year-old Abida, both married and with children, were kidnapped, raped and brutally murdered all because they refused to convert to Islam and marry their kidnappers. Their mangled bodies were found in a sewer on 7 December. At present, only one of their murderers, Mohammad Naeem, has been arrested, has confessed and is now free on bail. The other, Mohammad Imtiaz, is still at large. Sajida's husband, Mushtaq Masih, told AsiaNews: This murder took place because we are poor Christian workers. We want these monsters [the two kidnappers] to be put in prison, according to the law. So others will be able to learn how women must be treated and respected, even if they are poor or belonging to a minority. On November 26, Sajida and Abida went to work in a nearby pharmaceutical factory. They both reside at Makhan Colony in Kahna (Lahore). But they never returned home and were only found on 7 December in the Rohi Nullah, a sewer canal. Christian human rights lawyer, Sharjeel Masih, recalls the shock of the family members at seeing the bodies of the two women, who for months had refused the advances of the boss and supervisor of the drug factory. Saleem Iqbal, an activist, says the two women have often complained of the owner of the factory, Mr. Mohammad Naeem Butt and supervisor Mohammad Imtiaz who were pressuring them to marry them by promising riches, and to convert to Islam. They refused and said they were married and happy with their families, even if they had little. But after their refusal, Mohammad Naeem and Mohammad Imtiaz began to threaten them and then kidnapped them to achieve their purpose. Their family now fear that the justice system is too slow or that it will never be served. Punjiab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has promised to take a personal interest and asked for a full report of the incident from the police. He also expressed his deep involvement in the family's mourning and assured him that he will try to do justice at any cost. Meanwhile, Mushtaq Masih, the husband of one of the two murdered women, Sajida, speaks of the sadness of having to raise her three small children: We are very worried - he tells AsiaNews - about our children. It is very difficult to rear them without their mothers . (S.K.) I was awakened that September 1986 morning in my cramped East Village apartment by a phone call from my 12th grade AP English teacher, Bill Ince. Tom, I have a class I want you to teach this afternoon, he said. Is it the journalism class? I said. Id be delighted to be a guest lecturer. I had just graduated from Columbia Journalism School and planned to embark on a career as an editor. No, its 10th grade English, Bill said nonchalantly. I want you to teach that class for the whole semester. But I dont have any experience or a teaching license, I pleaded. Dont worry, Ill take care of that. Five hours later, Ince, Stuyvesant High Schools English Department Chairman, introduced me to a class of 35 sophomores. The classroom looked familiar to me. Oh, this was my homeroom for four years I thought to myself, as I stood there waiting to follow Bills glowing introduction. Thus began my brief public school teaching career at Stuyvesant High School. That first week as I walked the 5th-floor hallway between classes, I heard another teacher wave me over to join him. Get out while you can! Frank McCourt said in his world-famous Irish accent. Its five shows a day and the toughest audience youll ever face. Boy, was he right. In my three-and-a-half decade career as a teacher, reporter, editor, publisher, CEO and entrepreneur, the two years I spent behind the desk facing 175 high school sophomores and seniors every day was by far the toughest of all. The beginning of the next semester, as I got my sea legs under me and began to feel more comfortable teaching, I looked at the curriculum for the American Literature class I was assigned to teach. Gulp! I havent read half these books, I thought to myself as panic enveloped me. I went down to the third floor to see if Ince was available for a chat. He was in his office alone, eating a sandwich and listening to classical music, one of his favorite pastimes. Bill, I need your advice, I said hesitantly. I havent read half the books in the American Literature class curriculum. What should I do? Tom, Im going to impart to you the secret to teaching literature but you cant tell anyone, OK? Bill said looking at me conspiratorially. Yes, please! I pleaded. Just stay 30 pages ahead of the kids, Ince said with a wink and a smile. All these memories came flooding back last week when I learned that Ince, my mentor and a proud resident of Staten Island for more than five decades, passed away. In his retirement years he moved to Sarasota, Florida, but always came back to his beloved Staten Island for the summer. When I was a senior at Stuyvesant and a student in Inces AP English class, we focused on existential philosophy and read everything from Doystoyevskys The Brothers Karamazov to Robert Pirsigs 1970s cult classic, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I loved that class because Ince treated us like college students and expected us to think deeply about weighty books like Victor Frankls Mans Search for Meaning. Ince took me under his wing that year and brought me along to some of his teaching conferences I later realized he had plans for me after I got out of graduate school. At one conference, Eugene Maleska, The New York Times puzzle editor, lectured about how to incorporate innovative ideas like crossword puzzles into the citys high school English curriculum. After the lecture, Ince asked me to join him in approaching Maleska to ask a question. Could you teach this young man how to design a crossword puzzle? he asked, motioning to me. Id like him to design one with the names of all the public high schools in Manhattan. Maleska said yes and I was thus indoctrinated into another secret society: puzzle writers. Bill often asked me if Id spent much time in Staten Island. Its bucolic beauty is breathtaking, hed say. Id nod my head as an obedient disciple, even though I hailed from the then-raffish Upper West Side of Manhattan. But now, four decades later, Ive vowed that once the pandemic ends, Im going to stroll in Inces beloved Staten Island neighborhood in pilgrimage to his memory. He was a teachers teacher and I learned so much from him. Im happy I picked up the phone that innocent September day in 1986 and heeded his invite to teach at Stuyvesant. May his memory be a blessing to his family, his students and to all his Staten Island neighbors who were touched by this exquisite scholar and gentleman. Tom Allon is an alumnus of Stuyvesant High School and also taught there in the late 1980s. He is currently the publisher of City & State. SARATOGA SPRINGS Since the beginning of the year, cases of COVID-19 at Wesley Health Care Center have more than doubled. On Dec. 31, the total number of cases at the nursing home and residential rehabilitation center was 34. On Monday, the resident caseload stood at 72 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The spokesman for Wesley said that those who tested positive have been isolated on a designated floor. The affected residents are receiving comprehensive care from staff following strict health and safety protocols, CEO Brian Nealon wrote in an email. COVID-19 deaths there also continue to climb. At the end of the year, 13 deaths were suspected to be related to COVID-19. That number, as of Monday, had risen to 20 resident deaths. We expressed our sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones during this unprecedented time in modern history, he said. Nursing homes around the state began administering vaccinations to residents and workers in the middle of December. Administration of the vaccine started at Wesley on Dec. 22, 2020. The necessary second dose, needed for efficacy, will administered at Wesley on Tuesday. Currently, 32 staff members are positive for the virus, he said. Those staff members have been placed on a paid 14-day leave. Before returning to work, they must test negative for COVID-19 and be symptom free, he said. State Department of Health spokesman Jeffrey Hammond said the state made two unannounced visits to Wesley one on Nov. 16 and another on Dec. 22 to "ensure compliance with infection control practices and CDC-supported guidelines issued by New York State." "No deficiencies were cited," he said in an email. "The facility has reported to DOH that it has sufficient PPE and that it continues to test residents and staff. DOH has been in communication with the leadership at Wesley Health Care Center and will continue to monitor this situation. The virus is not just affecting those at Wesley. The Home of the Good Shepherd in Moreau sent a note home to families on Jan. 1 saying that a third resident died from COVID-19; and in the past 48 hours there were two new positive cases from residents. This brings (our) totals to 34 positive residents and 23 positive staff since the first case on Dec. 3, the letter to families read. That positivity rate for residents at the Home of the Good Shepherd, which has five different locations in Saratoga County, is similar to what Wesleys was experiencing on Dec. 31. But on Monday, CEO Denise Cote said that there are no positivity cases in their two Saratoga Springs and one Malta locations. She did not know how many have tested positive in Wilton, but said that the vaccine is being distributed to residents. At Wesley, Nealon said, more than 440 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered to staff and to 80 percent of its residents. Those who have been sick with COVID can get their first vaccination shot on Feb. 2, Nealon said. Since the earliest days of the pandemic, it has been our utmost priority to keep our residents safe, his statement read. Prior to November, the Wesley Health Care Center had not experienced a single positive case amongst our residents. The dramatic increase in positive cases over the past several weeks speaks to the extreme contagion of the virus and its devastating impact on the senior population in our region, and throughout the world. Contractor admits role in Sisseton housing project bribery scheme A contractor has admitted to his role in a bribery scheme and his partner has now been charged. An investigator with Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said the Sriwijaya Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea with 62 people on board over the weekend possibly broke apart when it hit waters based on debris found so far. 'We don't know for sure, but if we look at the debris, they're scattered in an area that is not too wide,' Nurcahyo Utomo said on Monday. 'It possibly ruptured when it hit waters because if it had exploded midair, the debris would be distributed more widely,' he added. Health workers spray disinfectant over body bags containing human remains recovered from the crash site of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 at the port in Jakarta on January 10 Indonesian Navy sailors are seen on the KRI Semarang as it is docking and preparing to continue rescue process for Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182 A health worker sprays disinfectant at a large part of a plane recovered from the waters off Java Island where Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 crashed on Saturday, at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia Ratih Windania posted a selfie with her three children laughing as they boarded a plane in Indonesia on Saturday Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 took off from Soekarno-Hatta international airport for a 90-minute flight over the Java Sea between Jakarta and Pofntianak in West Kalimantan. But at 2.40pm - just four minutes after takeoff - the Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 10,000ft in less than 60 seconds, with witnesses claiming they heard two explosions. Soerjanto Tjahjanto, head of Indonesia's transport safety agency, said authorities have found the two black boxes in the sea and divers are now trying to retrieve them, along with body parts and plane wreckage. It comes as the tragic final messages and posts have been revealed as they shared photos on the plane before the crash. Ratih Windania posted a selfie with her three children laughing as the family boarded the plane. She said: 'Bye bye family. We're heading home for now.' The family's final message was sent just before they boarded the plane from the Indonesian capital after a three-week holiday They were originally planning to take a different flight but they changed at the last minute Rescuers have discovered body parts and pieces of clothing during a desperate search for Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 Indonesian rescue members check a body bag as a huge team continues their search to find wreckage and passengers The message was sent just before they boarded the plane from the Indonesian capital. 'Pray for us,' her brother Irfansyah Riyanto posted on Instagram with a picture of the family. He said his family were originally planning to take a different flight but they changed at the last minute. Like dozens of other desperate relatives, Irfansyah rushed to Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta airport late on Saturday. On Sunday, he was still hoping for good news about his sister and four other family members on the flight, including his parents. Officials are seen inspecting one of the engines recovered from the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ18 Rescuers are seen bringing up one of the engines. At 2.40pm - just four minutes after takeoff - the Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 10,000ft in less than 60 seconds Navy divers are seen retrieving wreckage from the aircraft. Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday said authorities launched a widespread search for the Boeing 737-500 after narrowing down 'the possible location of the crash site' The Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 3,300 metres in less than 60 seconds to an altitude of just 75 metres. Pictured: debris discovered in the ocean Navy divers pull out a part of an airplane out of the water during the search operation for the Sriwijaya Air passenger jet 'We feel powerless, we can only wait and hope to have any information soon,' Irfansyah told reporters. Irfansyah said his relatives had originally been due to take an earlier flight operated by Sriwijaya's unit NAM Air and he was unclear why that was changed. His sister and her two children had been at the end of a three-week holiday and were taking the 740 km (460 mile) trip home to Pontianak on the island of West Kalimantan. 'I was the one who drove them to the airport, helped with the check-ins and the luggage ... I feel like I still can't believe this and it happened too fast,' Irfansyah said. Irfansyah said his relatives (pictured at the airport) had originally been due to take an earlier flight operated by Sriwijaya's unit NAM Air and he was unclear why that was changed A medical officer sprays disinfectant onto the washed up debris as rescuers desperately search for survivors The National Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia (BASARNAS) conduct a search and rescue operation Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples. At the police hospital, the brother of co-pilot Diego Mamahit said he had been asked for a blood sample. 'I believe my younger brother survived, these are just for the police procedure,' Chris Mamahit said. 'Diego is a good man, we still believe Diego survived.' On his LinkedIn profile, Mahamit had written 'I really love to fly.' A plane flies over Indonesian search and rescue teams scattered in several points as they look for debris Underwater divers have found parts of the wreckage in the sea and have pulled up clothes and body parts Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples He and pilot Afwan, who goes by only one name, had nearly two decades of commercial flying experience between them. Afwan had previously been an air force pilot. 'We the family still hope for good news,' a family member of Afwan, a devout Muslim, told Detik.com. President Joko Widodo offered sympathy on Sunday. 'We are making our best efforts to find and rescue the victims and we all pray that they can be found,' he said. Panca Widiya Nursanti, a middle-school teacher in Pontianak, had been returning after a vacation in her home town of Tegal in Central Java. In Pontianak, her husband Rafiq Yusuf Al Idrus recounted the last contact he had with her. 'I was joking by saying that when she arrived in Pontianak we would eat satay together,' he said. 'She contacted me via Whatsapp at 2.05 p.m with laughter. She was already boarding the plane and she said the weather conditions were not good. I said pray a lot, please.' These pieces were found by the SAR team between Lancang Island and Laki Island, National Search and Rescue Agency Bagus Puruhito said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday said authorities launched a widespread search for the Boeing 737-500 after narrowing down 'the possible location of the crash site'. 'These pieces were found by the SAR team between Lancang Island and Laki Island,' National Search and Rescue Agency Bagus Puruhito said. Personnel on the Rigel navy ship detected a signal from the fallen plane, in line with the coordinates from the last contact made by the pilots. 'We have immediately deployed our divers from navy's elite unit to determine the finding to evacuate the victims,' Indonesian military chief Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said. Captain EKo Surya Hadi, commander of a local life boat, told local television that human remains were found, saying: 'We found body parts, life jackets, avtur (aviation turbine fuel) and debris of the plane.' A fisherman, named Solihin, told the BBC that he had been at sea when he witnessed the plane crash into the water near to his ship. 'The plane fell like lightning into the sea and exploded in the water. It was pretty close to us, the shards of a kind of plywood almost hit my ship. 'We thought it was a bomb or a tsunami since after that we saw the big splash from the water. 'It was raining heavily and the weather was so bad... We were very shocked and directly saw the plane debris and the fuel around our boat.' Locals on a nearby island said they heard two explosions before discovering metal pieces, cables and fragments of a pair of jeans floating in the sea. Fifty-six passengers - including seven kids and three babies, two pilots and four cabin crew were on board the 26-year-old plane. Indonesian search and rescue officers inspect a bag with wreckage believed to be of the missing plane at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia The plane - believed to be a Boeing B737-500 - is understood to have fallen 10,000 feet in less than 60 seconds just four minutes after it took off The missing plane is an older model than the Boeing 737 MAX jet involved in two earlier fatal crashes - including the Indonesian Lion Air crash in 2018 which killed 189. Mr Sumadi said the doomed flight was delayed for an hour before it took off at 2.36pm. But the aircraft disappeared from radar four minutes later, after the pilot contacted air traffic control to ascend to an altitude 8,839 meters. A dozen vessels - including four warships - were deployed in a search and rescue operation centered between Lancang island and Laki island, part of the Thousand Islands chain just north of Jakarta. 'Sriwijaya Air flight #SJ182 lost more than [3,000 metres] of altitude in less than one minute, about 4 minutes after departure from Jakarta,' the tracking agency said on its official Twitter account. China imposes strict lockdowns on city of 11M amid rise in COVID-19 infections Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment China has imposed a strict lockdown in Shijiazhuang, the largest metropolis in northern Chinas Hebei Province, barring its 11 million residents from leaving the city after it reported 63 coronavirus infections. On Thursday evening, the citys Vice Mayor Meng Xianghong announced that all residents and vehicles will not be permitted to leave the city, according to The Epoch Times. Residents and vehicles of Gaocheng district, a heavily populated high-risk region, were further restricted and not allowed to leave the district's borders. Right now, Hebei faces a serious situation to get the pandemic under control and our responsibilities are heavy, Ma Xiaowei, director of the National Health Commission, told a meeting with Hebei officials on Tuesday. City officials had previously announced that a full lockdown would begin on Thursday but still allowed people to leave by plane, train, and private cars if they presented a negative nucleic acid test result that was issued within the past 72 hours. The 63 infections announced on Wednesday prompted a top Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention official to warn that infections will likely rise in the coming days. On Tuesday, Beijing announced that if any passenger or their belongings were on the same flight as someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, the traveler must serve an extra seven days of quarantine on top of the 14 days required for all people arriving in the capital, according to the South China Morning Post. Chinese authorities have announced few domestic infections since late March 2020. However, local citizens have reported severe outbreaks in different cities and regions throughout the past year. Some residents told The Epoch Times that they had been locked down at home since Jan. 2. This disease is spreading very quickly, said Lin Guo (pseudonym), a villager in Xiaoguozhuang of Gaocheng district. Many of my fellow villagers felt sick and were diagnosed at hospitals, he added. China has been heavily criticized for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, from demonstrating a lack of transparency regarding positive infections to imposing overly harsh lockdowns. Chinas Communist Party has also repeatedly silenced whistleblowers doctors and citizens who sounded the alarm about the virus. In December, Chinese Christian journalist Zhang Zhan was sentenced to four years in prison for her coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. At the height of Chinas outbreak in February, the 37-year-old citizen journalist and former lawyer had traveled from Shanghai to Wuhan to witness the severity of the virus firsthand. In addition to criticizing the CCP for its response to the virus, Zhan shared widely-circulated videos that showed crowded hospitals, empty streets, and citizens worried about their finances. In her final video, Zhang stated, The governments way of managing this city has just been intimidation and threats. This is truly the tragedy of this country. After several months in detention, she was found guilty by Shanghai Pudong New Area Peoples Court of picking quarrels and provoking trouble. Zhang was the first citizen journalist known to face legal proceedings for her activities. Other citizen journalists who disappeared without explanation included Fang Bin, Chen Qiushi and Li Zehua. Chen Jiangang, a Chinese human rights lawyer, told The New York Times that the length of Zhangs sentence showed the CCPs commitment to preserving its narrative of the outbreak. Any time the Chinese Communist Party thinks of a case as political, what they use is suppression. Extremely cruel suppression, said Chen. What was Zhang Zhans crime? he asked. She just went to Wuhan, saw some things, talked about them. Thats it. The FBI is warning about the possibility of armed protests in all 50 state capitols leading to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. As of 9 January, reports indicate there are armed protests planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January, according to a Jan. 10 memo issued by the Joint Inter-Agency National Crisis Coordination Center in the FBI Strategic Information Operations Center. The memo, obtained midday Monday by Hearst Connecticut Media, indicates that threats have been made against specific individuals. Multiple reports indicate various threats to harm President-elect Biden ahead of the presidential inauguration, the memo says. Additional reports indicate threats against VP-Elect Harris and Speaker Pelosi. Though the memo warns several times of possible armed demonstrations at all 50 state capitols, there are no specific warnings for Connecticut, as there are in other states. Were monitoring it closely. We are aware of some potential events going on, on the 17th and the 20th, said Scott Driscoll, a spokesman for the state Capitol police, he said, adding he had no specific information on any planned demostration in Connecticut. Were hearing about things all across the country. Later Monday, Andrew McCabe a former FBI director, said on CNN that while threats related to presidential inaugurations are not unusual, credible threats in all 50 states was extraordinary. Alternative social media sites, beginning with Parler, have been flush with revolutionary rhetoric including mentions of demostrations on Jan. 17, warnings of violence on Jan. 19 and discussions about violent activity on Jan. 20. Users on those sites have spoken openly about bringing weapons to Washington, and of violent demonstrations around the country. One posting reviewed by Hearst Connecticut Media, which shows an image of the Statue of Liberty, is headined in all capital letters, REFUSE TO BE SILENCED. Its billed as an armed march on Capitol Hill & all state capitols on Jan. 17. It adds, Come armed at your personal discretion. Another photo shows a man with guns laid out on a table in front of him, with the caption, Half the country right now. The FBI memo says that the bureau received information on an identified group calling for others to join them in storming state, local, and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the event POTUS is removed as president prior to Inauguration Day. The memo also shares a link to a website that issued a call for armed protests at the Washington Memorial and all 50 state capitols on 17 January at noon. That website now says that plans to have a demonstration on Jan. 17 are cancelled and will not move forward. Its unclear whether the two Jan. 17 protest calls were coordinated between groups. Since Parler was taken down by Amazon Web Services, users have moved to other sites, including Gab and Telegram. Proud Boys Chairman Enrique Tarrio promoted Telegram as a Parler Lifeboat, encouraging his followers to join move the conversation there. If there is a demonstration in Hartford on Jan. 17, its probable that legislative offices will be empty. We are aware of some of the proposed or planned events that might be taking place this coming Sunday, said State Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, the newly named state House Majority Leader. A protest on Jan. 6 in Hartford, opening day for the General Assembly, drew a crowd of about 500. Those numbers included pro-Trump demonstrators as well as people opposing en end to religious exemptions for traditional vaccines, as well as other causes, some on the left. They were kept at least 100 feet away from outdoor swearing-in ceremonies for the House and Senate. Authorities in Hartford are planning extensively for security measures in the days leading up to the inauguration in Washington. Gov. Ned Lamont said he did not expect any violence in Hartford. I have a high degree of confidence that Connecticut is going to stay peaceful, Lamont said during his regular Monday news briefing from the Capitol. Lamont declined to give specifics, but said the State Police are communicating with their national counterparts. Sen. Chris Murphy said Monday after criticizing the poorly coordinated security effort last Wednesday, when a Trump-incited mob stormed the U.S. Capitol that he understood there was significant coordination among law enforcement agencies now. I am hopeful that we wont see anything serious here in Connecticut, Murphy said, speaking to reporters at the south entrance to the state Capitol, but what we learned from Wednesday is to prepare for the worst case. JACKSON, MI Henry Ford Allegiance Health and the Jackson County Health Department are working together to coordinate community vaccination efforts. As a result of the announcement by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to expand immunization efforts across the state starting Monday, Jan. 11, the two organizations said in a statement they are actively preparing to meet the expanded demand in the Jackson community. Vaccinations are available by appointment to individuals age 65 and older, as well as frontline and essential workers with frequent or ongoing exposure as a part of their work, including first responders, police officers, jail and prison staff, pre-K12 teachers, and workers in childcare centers and protective services. Related: Whos eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and what else to know about program expansion However, Jackson County is not yet ready to move on to this next phase of vaccinations due to its supply of vaccine, and vaccination of the first group of healthcare workers is still underway, health department officials said. The amount of vaccine received in Jackson County has not allowed us to provide a vaccine yet for all who want it in those groups, Rashmi Travis, Jackson County Health Department health officer, said. The need to target the appropriate groups and ensure that the correct amount of supplies and vaccine are available means everyone receiving a vaccine will need to have an appointment. Both the health system and health department are already reaching out to additional eligible workers through their employers, according to a news release. Beginning Monday, Henry Ford Allegiance Health began immunizing employees of Jackson County school districts and critical infrastructure workers from Consumers Energy, the officials said, adding that other essential frontline workers will be immunized by the Jackson County Health Department. We are excited to be giving vaccine to the community, but are asking for partnership and patience while we work through priority groups as outlined by MDHHS and the Center for Disease Control, said Courtland Keteyian, Henry Ford Allegiance Health vice president of population health. The demand from our community for vaccines has been incredible, and we want to reassure everyone we are working through the MDHHS priority list as diligently as possible. We are moving as quickly as possible to complete immunizations for all priority groups. As soon as Henry Ford Allegiance Health and Jackson County Health Department can broaden their efforts, we will share that information far and wide, including how to request an appointment time. Related: For Michiganders newly eligible for vaccine, excitement is high but details are few Organizations such as the Center for Family Health, local pharmacies and some area physicians will all be able to provide vaccinations when they become available, officials said. Until then, we will work to maximize vaccine allocations, so they have the most positive impact on keeping our community safe and well, Travis said. As of Monday morning, Henry Ford Allegiance Health had administered 2,979 vaccines to essential health care workers, with the Jackson County Health Department administering an additional 800 doses, officials reported. Information regarding the vaccination process is available on the Jackson County Health Department COVID-19 vaccine page. Residents may also call the COVID-19 Vaccine information line at 517-817-4469. Eligible individuals should not go to any of the clinics without an appointment, officials said. READ MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Man faces terrorism charges after threats to Michigan lawmaker, Capitol building Seniors receive COVID-19 vaccinations during Ann Arbor facilitys first clinic COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Michigans long-term care facilities; first round targets 91,000 Advertisement A mother who lost her 25-year-old daughter to a rare form of severe asthma, has begun spending hours each day restoring teddy bears to raise funds towards Asthma UK. Tina Rush has amassed more than 12,500 bears at her 18th century Pickering forge, which she used to run as an antiques and curiosity shop for 14 years. As interest for the bears surged online, she took an early retirement to care for them full time and now spends hours each day doing restoration work - with some bears being as tall as seven feet and others as old as 77. Tina Rush spends hours each day carefully restoring teddy bears in an 18th century forge in Pickering. Pictured: Tina with her teddies in her front room Tina (pictured) who ran an antiques and curiosity shop for 14 years, retired to focus on teddy bears after seeing their popularity Sales are entirely online and Tina has racked up over 1,000 members on her Teddy Rescue Facebook page. Tina lost her 25-year-old daughter Jofi to a rare form of severe asthma in 2016, and has since begun donating funds raised through any sales to Asthma UK. Tina said: 'Bears have always been popular, but this year many people have needed a little comfort. 'We are absolutely driven by nostalgia. It's a phenomenal thing.'. She revealed a great number of requests come for memory bears, or bereavement bears. Teddy Rescue also offers responsibility bears for children, or people with additional needs. Tina (pictured) donates funds from sales to Asthma UK, following the death of her 25-year-old daughter Jofi to a rare form of severe asthma She explained teddy donations come from all over, including charity shops, car boots and even left on the doorstep of the 1760s forge, which now serves as a bear orphanage as well as family home. She said: 'Sometimes they are pushed in under the porch. 'All our bears are rescued, some have no limbs or eyes, or need stitches or restuffing. 'Some of the older bears, made from mohair of sheepskin, need new paws and pads which are much more difficult to work on, or amber-glass eyes. 'Every bear gets the same treatment. I sit and hand stitch them, and they all come with a little card telling their story. Tina said the teddies (pictured) come from a variety of places including charity shops, car boot sales as well as being pushed in under the porch Tina revealed all of the bears arrive having no limbs or eyes, or in need of being restuffed. Pictured: Tina with her teddies in her front room Tina said she hand stitches each teddy and writes a card telling their story. Pictured: A teddy from Tina's collection 'I just do it because I want to really. Not everybody can go to a shop and buy an expensive bear.' Tina's first bear was 77-year-old Button Rush, gifted to her by a neighbour for a hospital visit as a child, who she says is 'well-worn, but still very well dressed'. She said: 'I have bears that are worth 50p and others that are worth thousands. 'I keep saying 'no more' to my long-suffering husband Scott, but then I get more. We live with bears. It's a full time job, you've got to care for them properly.' Tina (pictured) who has 400 bears in her living room, said the collection has some for 50p and others that cost thousands There are 400 bears in Mrs Rush's living room alone, with some being seven feet tall and others just an inch high. There are artist bears, retro bears, bears that stand up and sit down. One was left in the doorway of a designer store in Leeds, and rescued by a shop worker who had watched anxiously all day to see if it would be reclaimed. Another was a sweetheart's gift from a soldier killed in war in the Second World War. A final mohair, Big Ted, complete with flat cap and neckerchief, was donated by an elderly gentleman who wanted to ensure his beloved childhood toy went on to a deserving home. Among the collection are retro bears, artists bears and one that was a sweetheart's gift from a soldier killed during the Second World War. Pictured: Tina with her teddies Tina (pictured) said many of her elderly customers have struggled with loneliness throughout the pandemic Tina revealed that many of her loyal customers are elderly, and have struggled throughout the isolation period of this past year due to the pandemic. Tina said: 'We know so many people are lonely, especially now. 'It's nice to pass them on, and even more so in these difficult times. It's just a wonderful thing to do. You have to live your life with a little glimmer of hope. 'The teddy bear is one of the most traditional toys in the world. 'Across nations, from all walks of life, everybody recognises it. You never forget your bears. 'Just because something is second-hand doesn't mean it's second best. Life isn't perfect and shiny. Sometimes it's more endearing.' Cancer Focus Northern Ireland's specialist bra-fitting service has helped more than 3,000 women who have had breast cancer surgery over the past five years - and now it needs your help. The service is currently available to women via Zoom, phone and in person to those in the wider Belfast, Ballymoney, Newry and Londonderry areas. It normally caters for more than 700 women each year, but during 2020 was scaled back due to the impact of Covid 19. During the current restrictions, face-to-face appointments with full PPE are being offered to clients who prefer to attend in person. The charity is also offering more online support via phone and Zoom, and is planning an online store where women can browse bras and swimwear. Breast cancer survivor Eileen McCay said: "I had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and hormone treatment, which finished in April 2018. There was always the worry that it might have spread. I'm very into fitness, weights and bootcamp, so I am aware of how I look. "I decided not to have reconstruction, but I attend the Cancer Focus NI's wonderful bra-fitting service for special bras, so I can feel and look like myself and be comfortable in my own clothes." She added: "I think that Cancer Focus NI's bra-fitting is an excellent service. Many women who undergo breast cancer surgery can lose confidence in how they look and a well-fitting bra is the first step to feeling more like yourself again." Cancer Focus NI is now appealing to the public to help raise funds for this important service by taking part in its New Year, New You competition with a prize worth 200. It includes a virtual styling session with Cool FM presenter and stylist Rebecca McKinney, 50 voucher for Victoria Square Belfast, and an Afternoon tea for two at Maryville House in the city. Rosie Forsythe from the charity said it was "90% dependent on fundraising, but most of our events have had to be cancelled, postponed or scaled down significantly". "We hope everyone will get involved to help us raise much-needed funds for our valuable and bra-fitting service." To enter text STYLE and your full name to 70145 (you can enter as many times as you like and each text costs 5, plus your standard network rate). The competition will close at noon on March 10. The winner will be announced on March 12. For more visit www.cancerfocusni.org/newyou. We are thrilled to expand into this region of the country and join forces with a best-in-class partner, said Carmine Schiavone, CEO of SavATree. We welcome Arborwells talented team to the SavATree family." SavATree, the industry leader in professional tree and shrub care, announced its largest merger to date with Arborwell Professional Tree Management of California and Washington State. Operations include a corporate office in Hayward, CA plus six core branches strategically located in Oakland, Redwood City, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose and Seattle. Founded by Peter Sortwell in 2001, Arborwell has rapidly grown to become the leading provider of commercial tree care and management services on the West Coast by cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with customers and employees. Arborwells experienced ISA certified arborists serve marquee commercial clients, property management companies, real estate developers, contractors, municipalities, homeowner associations and homeowners. We are thrilled to expand into this region of the country and join forces with a best-in-class partner, said Carmine Schiavone, CEO of SavATree. We welcome Arborwells talented team to the SavATree family. Arborwells extensive knowledge of the West Coasts unique tree care needs and experience working with an impressive scope of clientele will add a great partner to the SavATree family. Peter Sortwell, CEO and Founder of Arborwell stated, SavATree shares our same core values and high-quality standards, making this a great fit to move the company forward and provide clients with continued expert service and our employees with additional professional growth opportunities. Alabama's Republican Gov. Kay Ivey suggested Rep. Mo Brooks deserved a primary challenger for his role in riling up President Donald Trump's supporters Wednesday before they barged into the Capitol Building. 'If the people of the 5th District believe their views are not properly represented, they need to express their disappointment directly to Rep. Brooks and, if necessary, hold him accountable at the ballot box,' Ivey said, according to CNN. 'He does not speak for all Republicans - much less all Alabamians.' Brooks had appeared at the morning's 'Save America March' as a warm-up act to Trump and told the MAGA crowd, 'today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.' A watchdog group wants the Office of Congressional Ethics to look into Rep. Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican who called on the crowd at the 'Save America Rally' to 'fight' in the moments leading up to the Capitol Hill siege Alabama's Republican Gov. Kay Ivey suggested Rep. Mo Brooks deserved a primary challenge after his role in the Capitol Hill riots President Donald Trump's supporters are photographed climbing the west wall of the U.S. Capitol Building Wednesday, as a MAGA mob broke into the Capitol Building as Congress was trying to certify the Electoral College vote for President-elect Joe Biden He devoted a portion of his speech to fellow Republicans who planned to vote in favor of certifying the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden, the winner of the race. 'America does not need and cannot stand, cannot tolerate, any more weakling, cowering, wimpy Republican congressman and senators who cover the power and prestige the swamp has to offer while groveling at the feet and the knees of the special interest group masters,' he said. Brooks later asked the crowd if they'd be willing to fight. 'Now our ancestors sacrificed their blood, their sweat, their tears, their fortunes and sometimes their lives to give us, their descendants, an America that is the greatest nation in world history,' Brooks told the crowd. 'Are you willing to do the same? My answer is yes! Louder! Are you willing to do what it takes to fight for America? Louder! Will you fight for America,' Brooks went on. Democratic Reps. Tom Malinowski and Debbie Wasserman Schultz introduced a resolution to formally censure Brooks. 'Representative Brooks knew perfectly well what he was doing - and whom he was inciting --when he encouraged the mob set on storming the Capitol to commit violence on Wednesday,' Malinowski said in a statement. 'His actions endangered the lives of his fellow members of Congress, the Vice President, and the police officers who bravely tried to defend the Capitol, and he deserves at the very least the formal condemnation of the House.' The Democrats were also angered that Brooks tried to deflect the blame from far-right groups, labeling the rioters 'fascist Antifa forces' later Wednesday. Malinowski also wants to censure Rep. Louie Gohmert, Punchbowl News reported Monday night. Earlier, Monday a liberal watchdog group asked the Office of Congressional Ethics to probe Brooks for the comments he made at the 'Save America March' in the lead-up to a MAGA mob storming Capitol Hill. The group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint asking the OCE to look into whether the Alabama Republican broke federal law or violated House rules for his role in riling up the crowd in the minutes before the Capitol break-in. The Campaign for Accountability complaint says Brooks may have broken federal laws that prevent Americans from inciting riots or partaking in a 'seditious conspiracy.' The complaint also points to a section in the 14th Amendment that bars individuals from serving in government who 'engaged in an insurrection or rebellion' against the United States. It also points to a rule in the House Ethics Manual that requires members behave in a way that reflects credibility on the House. 'Rep. Brooks explicitly and repeatedly called on the protesters to "fight," resulting in an armed insurrection,' Campaign for Accountability's Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said in a statement. 'Rep. Brooks is as culpable as those who stormed the Capitol and must be held accountable.' Another Alabama Republican, the newly seated Rep. Barry Moore, deleted his Twitter account after writing controversial tweets that minimized the riot. His chief of staff told AL.com that Moore deleted his Twitter account 'because of the censorship of conservative voices he saw happening.' Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 05:34:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for a new type of multilateralism to address global challenges and stressed the need to reduce inequality and injustice. In a virtual speech for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly, Guterres noted that 97 percent of respondents to a UN-sponsored global survey called for improved global cooperation to find multilateral solutions to today's global challenges. "While the need for international cooperation continues, we must expand our idea of what that means," he said. "In our interconnected world, we need a networked multilateralism, so that global and regional organizations communicate and work together towards common goals. And we need an inclusive multilateralism, based on the equal representation of women, and taking in young people, civil society, business and technology, cities and regions, science and academia." In his speech, Guterres lauded the General Assembly's achievements and lamented its failures. "The General Assembly, where states have gathered for 75 years to debate the most important issues of our age, has seen many historic moments. And its daily work has played an enormous part in formulating and upholding laws on key global goods, from human rights and environmental protection to arms control and war crimes." The work of the General Assembly has helped to boost global health, literacy, and living standards, and to promote human rights and gender equality, he said. There has not been a Third World War. Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945 on the ashes of the Second World War, the world has enjoyed the longest period in recorded history without a military confrontation between major powers. That in itself is a great achievement, of which the United Nations and its member states can be rightly proud, he said. "While we are proud of our collective achievements, we are also aware of our failures," he cautioned. The global response to the climate emergency has been utterly inadequate. The past decade was the hottest in human history. Carbon dioxide levels are at record highs. Apocalyptic fires and floods, cyclones and hurricanes are becoming the new normal. Biodiversity is collapsing, he said. "This is a war on nature -- and a war with no winners." Meanwhile, conventional wars are growing more entrenched and difficult to resolve. Geopolitical tensions are escalating. The threat of nuclear proliferation and confrontation has returned. Inequality is growing. Hunger is on the rise, he noted. Transformative technology has opened up vast new opportunities, but also new threats -- from cyberwarfare to rampant disinformation; from hate speech to political subversion and mass surveillance, he said. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the deep fragilities in the world. To tackle these fragilities, there is a need to reduce inequality and injustice, and to strengthen the bonds of mutual support and trust. "At the international level, I have called for a new global deal. Power, resources and opportunities must be managed better and shared more equitably. Developing countries must have a proportionate role and more relevance in global institutions. At the national level, I have called for a new social contract between people, governments, the private sector, civil society and more, to tackle the roots of inequality with fair taxation on income and wealth, universal benefits, and opportunities for all." Guterres emphasized the importance of quality education for all and of access to digital technology as powerful equalizers and enablers. Investment in the recovery from COVID-19 must put economies and societies on stronger foundations: human rights and dignity; peaceful cooperation; respect for other species, for our planet and its boundaries, he added. The pandemic is a human tragedy. But it can also be an opportunity. The blueprint already exists: the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said Guterres. "We now need increased ambition and action to deliver -- beginning with the climate emergency." The first meeting of the UN General Assembly was convened on Jan. 10, 1946, in London. Sunday's virtual event was organized by the British government. Enditem NPP Director of Communications and former Member of Parliament for Adentan constituency, Yaw Buaben Asamoa has called on Ghanaians to cooperate with President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has long become the bane of the country. Ghana has, as at 7th January, 2021, recorded 56,230 cases with 54,631 Recovered/Discharged and 338 unfortunately dead, according to the Ghana Health Service. The nation's active cases currently stand at 1,261. Nonetheless, Primary and Junior High Schools will reopen on Friday, January 15 after the students and pupils' long months stay in the house. Following the announcement of reopening of the Primary schools and JHS by President Akufo-Addo in his 21st update on COVID-19, there are concerns and fears that the government is treading on dangerous grounds. Speaking to the issues during a panel discussion on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Yaw Buaben Asamoa allayed the fears of parents of the students and pupils. He was optimistic the government has assessed the situation and installed measures to safeguard the school children. He however advised all Ghanaians including the school children, teaching and non-teaching staff of the various schools not to overlook the COVID-19 safety protocols such as the wearing of masks and use of hand sanitisers among others. He charged the citizenry to help overcome the pandemic disease this year. "We have to promise ourselves that we will beat COVID in 2021. We have to put measures in place to live our lives and overcome COVID," he said. 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 JAKARTA -- Indonesian divers on Monday will try to retrieve the data recorders of a Sriwijaya Air jet that plunged into the sea two days ago with 62 people on board minutes after take off from Jakartas main airport. The SJ 182 was headed on a domestic flight to Pontianak on Borneo island, about 740 km (460 miles) from Jakarta, on Saturday before it disappeared from radar screens four minutes after take-off and crashed into the Java sea. Authorities pinpointed the area where the data recorders, known as black boxes, are located on Sunday as they lifted chunks of the Boeing 737-500 fuselage off the sea bed. Rescuers have also found human body parts and their personal effects. One of the navy divers aboard a rescue ship said the search would resume on Monday with weather conditions improving. We can narrow the search area today to 200 to 500 metres from the point location, he told Kompas TV channel. On the first day, we had been scouring 1.5 kilometres to 1 kilometres (from the main coordinates). Weve looked through the outer areas now. A debris found off the sea which believed as the remain turbine of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182, which crashed to the sea, is seen as a member of Indonesian Navy walks at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia, January 11, 2021. Photo: Reuters Nurcahyo Utomo, an investigator at Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), said authorities hoped to find the black boxes today. He told Reuters the jet may have been intact before it hit the water, given that debris found so far had been scattered in a relatively tight area underwater. One of the jets turbines was found and shipped back to a port in Jakarta on Sunday. The incident is the first major air crash in Indonesia since 189 passengers and crew were killed in 2018 when a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 also plunged into the Java Sea soon after take-off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The Sriwijaya Air plane had 12 crew and 50 passengers on board, all Indonesians and including 10 children. Indonesian Navy sailors are seen on the KRI Semarang as it is docking and preparing to continue rescue process for Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182, which crashed to the sea, at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia, January 11, 2021. Photo: Reuters Tracking service Flightradar24 said the aircraft took off at 2:36 p.m. local time (0736 GMT) and climbed to reach 10,900 feet within four minutes. It then began a steep descent and stopped transmitting data 21 seconds later. There were no immediate clues on what caused the sudden descent. Most air accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors that can take months to establish, safety experts say. The pilots had decades of experience between them with the flight captain a former air force pilot and his co-pilot at Sriwijaya Air since 2013, according to his Linkedin profile. The planes takeoff had been delayed by heavy rain. The Sriwijaya Air plane was a nearly 27-year-old Boeing 737-500, much older than Boeings problem-plagued 737 MAX model. Older 737 models are widely flown and do not have the stall-prevention system implicated in the MAX safety crisis. Larry Rendall Brock Jr., an Air Force veteran seen brandishing zip tie handcuffs during the pro-Trump siege at the U.S. Capitol, was arrested Sunday in Texas and charged with knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, according to the Justice Department. Brock, who wore a Kevlar helmet and military patches on his flak jacket on the Senate floor Wednesday, retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2014 as a lieutenant colonel, service spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Military.com on Saturday. The DOJ also charged Brock with one count of "violent entry and disorderly conduct," according to a news release. "[The Brock] cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ's National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas," the DOJ said. The department also charged Eric Gavelek Munchel of Tennessee with the same charges, per Sunday's announcement. Read Next: Air Force Demotes Former General as IG Report Reveals Details of Illicit Affair The cases are being investigated by the FBI's Washington, Dallas and Memphis field offices and the United States Capitol Police, the announcement states. The news of Brock's Air Force affiliation was first reported by Ronan Farrow of The New Yorker. He had been an A-10 Warthog pilot until 2007, Stefanek said in an email. His last known position was Admissions Liaison Officer with the U.S. Air Force Academy prior to his retirement, according to credentials provided to Military.com. Brock began his career as an active-duty airman in 1989 before transferring to the Air Force Reserve in 1998. A list of his other unit assignments and decorations was not available. Farrow, who spoke with the former airman and confirmed his participation in the riot, reported that Brock said that he found the handcuffs on the floor and picked them up, then regretted it; and that he denied entering House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office suite, despite video that appeared to show him emerging from it Citing a since-deleted LinkedIn profile and information provided by Brock, The New Yorker story reported he had graduated from the Air Force Academy; deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan; and received awards including six Air Medals and three Aerial Achievement Medals. The story also notes that Brock sported a patch with the insignia of the 706th Fighter Squadron out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where he claimed he had served as a flight commander. Others who were present during the riot had military ties, including two people who died -- one a police officer, the other a rioter. The Capitol Police officer who sustained injuries during the event was a member of the Air National Guard. Brian D. Sicknick enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1997 and served for six years, said spokeswoman Lt. Col. Barbara Brown. Sicknick's duties included serving as a fire team member and leader with the 108th Security Force Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Brown said. He deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1999 as part of Operation Southern Watch and to Kyrgyzstan in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was honorably discharged in 2003 as a staff sergeant, she said. The Capitol Police said Thursday that Sicknick, 42, "passed away due to injuries sustained while on duty," but did not offer details on his cause of death. Sicknick's eldest brother told ProPublica, "he spent his life trying to help other people." "This political climate got my brother killed," the brother added. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, said she has petitioned the Pentagon to have Sicknick buried at Arlington National Cemetery with posthumous special honors. "Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer but did so living up to the oath he swore in the military: to protect and defend the Constitution," Slotkin said on Twitter over the weekend. "He has paid the ultimate sacrifice & he & his family should be recognized for all he did for his country." A former Air Force Security Forces airman also died after she was shot allegedly trying to climb through a broken window of the Speaker's Lobby inside the building. The service identified her as Ashli Babbitt, 35, who served under the name Ashli Elizabeth McEntee. -- Hope Seck contributed to this report. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: Rioter Seen on Senate Floor in Body Armor Is Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro again called for impeaching President Donald Trump as a signal that last weeks insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is unacceptable in domestic politics and to convince other countries the U.S. is capable of dealing with its own democratic crises. People have to know that there are consequences to that kind of reckless, detached-from-reality behavior that incites a riot, an insurrection against the United States government, Castro said on an episode of the Express-News Puro Politics podcast published Monday. So if you do nothing, then theres this perception that, Well, there wasnt any price to pay for what we did. So maybe well try it again. Castros remarks came as House Democrats on Monday secured enough votes 218 to impeach the president for inciting the insurrection, which left five dead including a female rioter and a police officer. So far, no Republicans have signed on to the effort. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has threatened to move forward with impeachment if Vice President Mike Pence does not try to remove Trump using the 25th Amendment by Wednesday. Puro Politics is a weekly podcast hosted by columnist Gilbert Garcia, covering the drama and nuance of local government issues. Produced by Luis Vazquez and Joy-Marie Scott. Listen and subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS | All Episodes Trump has less than two weeks remaining in office, prompting some Democrats to wonder whether impeaching the president for his role in inciting the mob is worth the effort. But others have argued the step is necessary to dissuade others from resorting to similar tactics in the future and to keep Trump from seeking office again. Holding the president accountable for his role in Wednesdays violence, Castro said, would discourage other leaders from legitimizing and elevating unfounded conspiracy theories for example, that the election was stolen from Trump for their own gain. That in turn would provide less fuel for violent political division, Castro said. To not attempt to punish Trump would also damage the United States credibility abroad when trying to enforce democratic norms and behaviors and combat authoritarian regimes in other countries, said Castro, vice chair of the House Foreign Affairs committee. They can point to you as an example and say, You and your own country, when it came down to it, you didnt do the right thing. There were no consequences for an insurrection, Castro said. On ExpressNews.com: Listen to Puro Politics' interview with Castro here Castro had harsh words for Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who led the charge to overturn the election results in the Senate and who Castro has called on to resign. Despite overwhelming evidence that there was no widespread fraud in the November election, Cruz still tried to hand the election to Trump in a play to win the presidents base in the 2024 Republican primary for president, Castro said. Hes willing to do anything, Castro said. It doesnt matter how it hurts the country, how it hurts the people of Texas, Americans, who it divides. He was willing to do it. And I think he should pay a price for that. Beyond impeaching the president, Castro is drawing up legislation that would prevent any federal buildings from being named after Trump when he leaves office an attempt to prevent Trump from gaining institutional legitimacy after he inspired a mob, an insurrection that was essentially a failed coup. The idea is to prevent Trump from gaining reverence in American history the way that leaders of the Confederacy did in the aftermath of the Civil War, Castro said. I dont want Donald Trump to become the Confederate hero or symbol of a future generation, Castro said. Many of those Confederate folks didnt have things named after them until decades after the Civil War. They were not honored in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. So if its up to me we dont want to leave open that possibility for folks 40 or 50 years from now. So that 60 or 70 years from now, you have to go try to erase it. On ExpressNews.com: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says enough blaming antifa for Capitol attack Outside of Wednesdays unrest, a growing number of Democrats have called for launching congressional and Justice Department investigations into any potential lawbreaking on the part of Trump, his family and allies after he leaves office. Possible areas for investigation, per a New York Times report, include pressure on Georgia election officials to give the state to Trump despite Bidens win there, tax fraud and the presidents potential profits from foreign governments while in office. On that front, Castro demurred. Potential criminal activity by Trumps circle should be probed where there is a serious and credible evidence that a crime may have been committed, he said. But Bidens biggest priority should be on fighting the pandemic including speeding up delivery of vaccines and dealing with the virus economic fallout, Castro said. Still, Castro said, We cant ignore what this president has just done. Weve got to make sure that theres consequences for that. Castro warned that Trumps planned visit to the Rio Grande Valley Tuesday could prompt more unrest or lead to further spread of COVID-19 in the region, hard hit by the pandemic, as the presidents supporters gather to see him. The whole situation is combustible, Castro said. I think its better that he doesnt come to Texas. Pfizer blamed "extremely short notices" and "time-zone limitations" for its inability to secure approval for its coronavirus vaccine in India. Despite the arguments against it, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine was one of the three products being considered by Indian authorities for emergency use approval. However, the company has been a no-show at the last three meetings of subject expert committee (SEC) under Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Following recommendations from the expert panel, Indian drug regulator, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), approved Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use in the country. Centre has already placed an order for Covishield with Serum Institute of India, which has been licensed to manufacture and market the jab in India, and is expected to receive the first consignment in days to come. ALSO READ: European Union doubles COVID-19 vaccines order with Pfizer-BioNTech Meanwhile, additional data was sought from Pfizer for the vaccine it has developed in collaboration with BioNTech. The company is yet to provide the same. It, however, has assured that responses to queries from Indian authorities are being compiled. "Pfizer sought an opportunity to participate in the SEC consultations towards an Emergency Use Authorization for our COVID-19 vaccine. However, the company representatives have been unable to participate in previous meetings due to extremely short notices of a few hours or less and time-zone limitations given that the participating team is primarily based out of the United States," a Pfizer spokesperson said. ALSO READ: Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine becomes third vaccine approved for use in UK As India marches on to kick-start its pan-nation coronavirus vaccination drive, Pfizer reiterated its intention to roll out its COVID-19 vaccine in the country. The US pharmaceutical major said that it remains committed to working with the Indian government to introduce and ensure equitable access to its COVID-19 vaccine in India. "In the meantime, we are in the process of compiling responses to queries raised by the regulator on the data provided. We remain committed to engaging with the Government of India to make this vaccine available for use by the government in the country," the company pokesperson further added. ALSO READ: COVID-19 vaccine: WHO recommends two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's jab in 21-28 days A male tourist sustained minor wounds after he slipped and fell while climbing a high rock cliff, widely known as the death cliff, at Ma Pi Leng Pass in Lai Lung Commune, Meo Vac District, northern Ha Giang Province to take pictures on Sunday. According to preliminary information, a group of tourists, including Mai Thuy H., 29, hailing from northern Son La Province, visited the well-known rock cliff early on Sunday afternoon. While H. was climbing the cliff, which is dubbed a must-visit destination in Ha Giang for its breath-taking photography opportunity, he lost his footing and tumbled down to a lower cliff. Dong Van Districts general hospital sent an ambulance with medical workers to the scene to collaborate with local people and authorities to rescue the man. H. was then rushed to the general hospital for treatment, a representative of the hospital said on Sunday evening. Medical screening results show that H. did not sustain any broken bones, but [has] a wound on his right thigh. Currently, H.s health is stable, the representative said. The death cliff did not gain its name for no reason, with authorities warning against climbing it for photography, especially in the ongoing cold in the northern mountainous region that makes the cliffs more slippery. Defying the odds, many visitors still risk the climb on the death cliff for a stunning photo opportunity. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ukraine to consider issue of restoring water supply to Crimea only in context of its de-occupation Kuleba Ukraine will consider the issue of restoring water supply to Crimea exclusively in the context of the peninsula's de-occupation, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said. "The Russians are creating information noise, trying to blame everyone, but in fact, they can only blame themselves. It was Russia that pushed Crimea over the edge and made problems with water supply there. Ukraine will consider its restoration exclusively in the context of the de-occupation of the peninsula," Kuleba said in an interview to the Obozrevatel Internet publication on Sunday. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said in accordance with international law, the occupying state bears full responsibility for the situation in the temporarily occupied territory. "This is a general rule. Ukraine is not responsible for problems with water supply in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Russia's attempts to turn this into a Ukrainian problem, accuse us of 'genocide,' appeal to the UN are absolutely futile. Russia's appeals on this issue to international organizations are as successful as the appeal to the League of Nations," he said. At the same time, Kuleba said, according to the polls, the reactions of the media, and foreign policy experts, Ukraine hit the mark concerning the initiative to create the Crimean Platform. "Despite the position of Russia, as if the issue of Crimea is closed for them, their reaction to the Crimean Platform showed that Crimea is an open wound for Russia. We added insult to injury well, and I am happy with that. Crimea is exactly the issue that should hurt Russia very much," he said. The minister also said that he would not mind if Russia agrees to take part in the summit of the Crimean Platform. "Let them come. We need a negotiation process on the return of Crimea. There will be only one issue on the agenda of the negotiations, the modality of Russia's withdrawal from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and jurisdiction in this territory. We will not discuss any other issues with them. I invite them," he said. Home Search ICH Question Everything! Purpose and Intent of this website: Dont Dismiss US Coup By Finian Cunningham January 11, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - Many commentators are dismissing the extraordinary events at the US Capitol as something much less serious than an attempted coup. Some have even joked about it as if it were a carnival of crazies high on Trumpism. Five people died on January 6 when thousands of Trump supporters forced their way into the seat of US government. Thats hardly a picnic gone awry. And lets be clear, the seizure of the Congressional buildings came right after President Trump fired up an angry crowd to march down Pennsylvania Avenue in order to save American democracy because you cant win by being weak. Perhaps many among the crowd swarming the Capitol had no malign ambitions against lawmakers inside who were at that time certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden. However, there is no doubt it was Trump and his most ardent supporters intention to overturn the electoral process. Overthrowing the political process is getting close to a definition of coup. It is also clear that among the invading throngs were members of Neo-fascist militia who were armed and carrying zip ties. That suggests there were plans to kidnap people within the Congressional building and forcibly detain them. No Advertising - No Government Grants - No Algorithm - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter Carrying nooses and shouting, Hang Mike Pence, Hang Mike Pence, is also something that puts a more sinister twist on the events. Only hours before Trump and his cronies called for marching on the Capitol, the president had fingered Vice President Pence as weak and a traitor after it emerged he would not do Trumps bidding in sabotaging the Congressional certification of votes for Biden. Similar vitriol was expressed by the crowd towards Democrat leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. If the mob had been able to apprehend any of those politicians, the events would likely have ended up with a lot more blood on hands. After several hours of besieging the Congress, Trump reluctantly told his supporters to go home peacefully. The National Guard had arrived and escorted the protesters from the building in a strange atmosphere of calm; strange considering the extraordinary breach of public order that had just occurred. There is a suspicion of some level of collusion with the state security agencies and the Trump mob. There had been no threat warning issued by the FBI before the event. The seat of government on a momentous day was oddly under-protected even though there were ample notices across social media of a major rally by Neo-fascist militia groups. There are also reports of Pentagon chiefs standing down the National Guard prior to January 6. The slow response to take back control of the Capitol is further disturbing. And dont think thats the end of the affair. The same far-right militia involved in seizing the Capitol are subsequently warning through their media networks that they will return on January 20, the day Joe Biden is inaugurated this time heavily armed. Groups like Bugaloo Bois and Proud Boys are calling that date Round 2. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. -- " 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. 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. Russias Cabinet approves 2021 legislative drafting activities plan RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 17:32 11/01/2021 MOSCOW, January 11 (RAPSI) Russias Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a plan of legislative drafting activities for 2021, the Governments press service told RAPSI. This year, Russias Government, ministries and bodies are to prepare 153 draft laws added to the plan. In particular, nearly 30 bills concern creation of conditions for the economical development; 3 initiatives are related to the digitalization and science and technology development; 68 draft laws touch improvement of the good governance. Australia's oldest Irish pub has warned the developer behind a $125million revamp of one of Sydney's most famous public housing blocks to install soundproofing so residents won't have grounds to complain about its new rooftop bar. The Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks is concerned residents of the Sirius building just metres away could complain once the outdoor area is up and running. The pub gained approval at the end of 2019 to build the rooftop bar and restaurant which will hold up to 150 patrons until 10pm every night. As part of the conditions of the upgrade, the pub is not allowed to have any live music on the rooftop. Nestled among The Rocks markets, the Mercantile is believed to be the oldest Irish pub in Australia and is a popular haunt for locals and tourists alike. Meanwhile, 76 newly built apartments are currently being planned for the famous Sirius building, which sits at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks (pictured) has had its plans for a rooftop bar approved The Mercantile Hotel detailed its concerns in a submission to the NSW government. 'It is obvious that some of the lower level apartments of the Sirius building adjacent the Hotel will be impacted by the future rooftop development of the Hotel,' the submission said. 'The owners of the Mercantile Hotel are concerned that future residents may complain in regards to noise and disturbance, and compromise any future ability to operate within the permitted trial periods for hours of operation.' The hotel said they reviewed the Noise Impact report carried out by Sirius but believed it didn't take into consideration the potential level of noise that could come from the venue. The pub said the report needed to be updated to ensure all bedrooms and living rooms within 100m to the hotel were fitted with glazed windows and acoustic seals. 'We would also recommend that any external balconies or habitable rooms that overlook the Mercantile Hotel are fitted with appropriate privacy screening to avoid any future complaints from residents in relation to loss of privacy or overlooking from the rooftop of the hotel,' the submission said. Developer JDH Capital's director John Green said all the apartments would have glazed windows, doors and acoustic seals, and the ones closest to the hotel would have screens on their balconies. The Irish pub is just metres away from the Sirius building and owners are concerned the new tenants of the revamped units (pictured, the current facade) will complain about the noise from the rooftop bar The redevelopment of the Sirius building, which was built in the 1970s, sparked controversy in Sydney when the last of the public housing tenants were removed in 2018. The block sits beside the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, looking out over Circular Quay and the Opera House. The last Sirius resident, Myra Demetriou, then 91, moved out in February 2018 after fighting a long battle to stay when the NSW government revealed plans to sell the building to developers in 2014. The legally blind great grandmother was the face of the long-running Save Our Sirius community campaign which tried to save tenants from being evicted. Ms Demetriou had lived on the top floor of the high-rise block for 10 years before she was relocated to Pyrmont. The building was then sold to JDH Capital for $150million last year. Many including Sydney Mayor Clover Moore were concerned the redevelopment would take away a public housing facility for residents. Campaigners pushed for the site to become heritage-listed but it was never added. JDH Capital plans to revamp the building by adding a gym, a pool, 70 car spots, a cafe and commercial spaces. Top observations by Supreme Court on farmer protests India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: The Supreme Court today made several observations while hearing the matter pertaining to the deadlock between the government and farmers. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, S A Bobde said that they are not experts on agriculture and economic. Tell us if you will put these laws on hold or we will do it. What is the prestige issue here. Farmer protests: If laws are put on hold negotiations would be better says SC Top observations: We have an apprehension that someday maybe, there might be a breach of peace. Each one of us we will responsible if anything goes wrong. We don't want any injuries or blood on our hands. The CJI told the farmers, that even after the court stays the implantation of the laws, you carry on with your protest. We do not want any criticism stating that the court is stifling the protest. Do you want to carry on with protest at the same venue or move a little so that it does not trouble the citizens, Justice Bode also said. We hear from newspapers that the government wants to discuss the issue clause by clause and the farmers want the laws repealed. We will stay the implementation of the laws and ask the committee to look into it, CJI Bobde also said. We are proposing a committee to look into the laws and hear out the grievances. We will stay the laws in the meantime if the government does not stay the same, the court also said. Whether you have faith in us or not, we are the Supreme Court and we will do our job. We do not why there is an insistence on the implementation of the laws. We do not know whether you are part of the solution or problem. There is not a single petition filed here which says that the laws are beneficial, the court also said. Our intention is to see if we can bring an amicable solution to the problem. This is why we had asked the government to put the implementation of the farm laws on hold. If there is some sense of responsibility on the government's side, the laws should be kept in abeyance, the court further said. The court also said that if the laws are put on hold, the negotiations would be better. We are not saying we know to resolve every situation. We are only trying to break the tensions and make the atmosphere more conducive for negations. We are a Constitutional court, which is going to be responsible if the sabre rattling goes on, CJI Bobde said. The court also said that it is sorry to say that the Centre has not been able to solve the problems. The CJI told the farmers' unions that the court is concerned about the loss of lives. CJI Bobde asked the advocates to convey to the senior citizens to go home. They need not be associated with the protest.Let me take a risk, tell them that the CJI has asked them to go home. Convey it to them, the CJI also said. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 15:54 [IST] Hundreds of pro-monarchy protesters on Monday clashed with the security forces during a march toward central administrative secretariat Singha Durbar in Kathmandu to pay tribute to Nepal's late king Prithvi Narayan Shah on his 299th birth anniversary. The clashes broke out when the riot police stopped the pro-monarchy protesters while they were heading toward the statue of the late king in front of the Singha Durbar to place garlands on it as it is a restricted area, the Kathmandu Post reported. Some protestors were injured in the clashes, the paper said. Carrying the national flag and pictures of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the protestors demanded the establishment of a Hindu nation and monarchy. Nepal was declared a secular state in 2008 after the success of the people's movement of 2006 that saw the abolition of its 240-year-old monarchy. Meanwhile, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli paid tribute to the late king and recalled the special contribution of the unifier of modern Nepal. "The contributions made by King Prithvi Narayan Shah to the unification of Nepal is beyond comparison. Today, on the occasion of his 299th birth anniversary, I recall his special contributions and pay him respect, Oli tweeted. Prithvi Narayan Shah was the King of Gorkha when he began the national unification campaign in 1745. He is credited for Nepal's unification. Nepal's main Opposition party Nepali Congress has in the past accused the Oli government of tacitly supporting pro-monarchy rallies that have recently surfaced in different parts of the country, demanding reinstatement of constitutional monarchy. Earlier this month, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged an anti-government rally in the national capital, demanding the restoration of constitutional monarchy and Hindu state in Nepal. Some across social media are not happy with a recent Vogue cover featuring Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Harris is featured in two covers for the magazine's February issue. The images are being criticized for showing the 56-year-old in a casual black suit with her signature Chuck Taylors. Some say the look "isn't worthy of the country's first Black woman to be elected vice-president," according to Ronnie Koenig with Today.com. ACEVEDO SLAMS CRUZ: HPD Chief Art Acevedo slams Ted Cruz for 'fanning flames of mistrust' in U.S. Capitol attack The alternate cover showing Harris in a blue suit is being criticized for appearing "washed out," according to Oscar Holland and Jasmine Wright with CNN Style. Holland and Wright note that "the Vice President-elect's styling choices were her own," and that the image "reflects Harris at her casual best." Vogue confirmed the images through an Instagram post on Sunday after it began stirring up backlash on Twitter. Many questioned whether the covers were real. "Making history was the first step. Now Harris has an even more monumental task: to help heal a fractured Americaand lead it out of crisis," wrote Vogue in its Instagram caption. Many took exception to the overly casual look of the cover. Some are calling for Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour to step down and for Vogue to pull the cover. "Vogue loved the images Tyler Mitchell shot and felt the more informal image captured Vice President-elect Harris's authentic, approachable nature," according to a Vogue emailed statement to the CNN Style authors. According to CNN, Vogue said the images were meant to "honor Harris's college days and the powerful women who comprise the ranks of sororities like Alpha Kappa Alpha." Representatives for Harris expected the image with the more casual attire would appear inside the magazine and the other image featuring her in the light blue suit would be the main cover photo, the CNN authors said. "The same source said the Harris team has asked for a new cover, though the print version of the magazine went to press in mid-December." All of Pennsylvanias 67 counties continue to show substantial spread of the coronavirus, but the rate of positive COVID-19 tests has dropped slightly, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration said Monday. The percentage of positive coronavirus tests dipped to 14.4% during the week of Jan. 1-7, which is down from 15% the previous week, according to the Wolf administration. The positive test rate has now dropped for four consecutive weeks after hitting a high of 16.2% in December. Still, health officials have previously said a positive test rate of 5% is a worrisome sign of community spread. Wolf said he was glad to see a drop in the percentage of positive tests, even if it is a small decline. Although I am grateful to see our statewide percent positivity decrease for yet another week in a row, we still have more work to do to keep our friends and loved ones safe from further spread across our communities, Wolf said in a statement. As Pennsylvanians travel within their communities, I want to take the opportunity to remind them to stay safe by wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding gatherings of people, Wolf said. If you travel somewhere where they are not doing so, I encourage you to make the right choice to leave. The state has seen substantial spread of the virus in every Pennsylvania county for the past five weeks. The Wolf administration uses three categories to gauge the spread of COVID-19: low, moderate and substantial. State officials have asked school officials to consider the extent of community spread in determining whether students should be in school or educated remotely. Last week, the Wolf administration said it is recommending that school districts focus on returning elementary school students to classrooms, even in counties with a substantial spread of the virus. The states guidance calls for high schools and middle schools to continue with remote instruction in counties with substantial spread. But local school leaders continue to have the authority to decide if schools should hold classes in person, remotely or employ a mix of face-to-face and virtual instruction. After seeing a dip in cases for a few weeks, the number of new infections started rising last week. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported more than 10,000 new daily cases in two consecutive days last week. More than 5,300 patients with COVID-19 are being treated in hospitals, according to the states online tracker. The number of hospitalizations hit a peak of more than 6,300 in December and has dropped in recent weeks. Still, health officials have said they worry about another uptick in hospitalizations and infections related to holiday travel and gatherings. Last week, the state health department reported the first appearance of a variant of COVID-19 Pennsylvania with a case found in Dauphin County. That individual has recovered. On Monday, the state reported 186 new deaths over a two-day span (the health department doesnt released updated numbers on Sundays). The state has seen a significant rise in deaths tied to COVID-19 in the past several weeks. The health department reported nearly 5,600 deaths in December, the most of any month by far. More than 726,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in Pennsylvania and more than 17,800 deaths have been tied to COVID-19, according to the health department. The state has received more than 827,300 doses of the two federally-approved COVID-19 vaccines, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday. So far, the state has administered 285,671 vaccines, mostly to health care workers at hospitals. About 48,000 of those who have been vaccinated are staff and residents of nursing homes. So far, a little more than 21,000 people have now received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and are fully immunized, Levine said. Most of those who are infected with the coronavirus recover after dealing with relatively mild symptoms but health officials stress COVID-19 poses risks to everyone, especially seniors and those with health complications. More from PennLive When can you get the COVID-19 vaccine? Heres what you need to know Harrisburg logged more killings in 2020 than in 30 years; Cumberland County homicides doubled Gigi Hadid showed off her postpartum physique in a pair of tight spandex leggings less than six months after welcoming her first child. The 25-year-old rocked a curve-hugging casual look as she headed out to Party City to pick up soiree supplies with her baby daughter in New York City on Monday. The supermodel's mother, former Real Housewife Yolanda Hadid, is celebrating turning 57 and was also seen out in the Big Apple the same day with her beau Joe Jingoli. Slim and trim: Gigi Hadid showed off her postpartum physique in a pair of tight spandex leggings less than six months after welcoming her first child while out in New York on Monday Out for the mother-daughter day, Gigi and her little girl ran some party errands to grab decorations that are likely for Yolanda's birthday celebration later that night. The five foot ten catwalker showcased her long legs in a pair of black spandex leggings with flared ankles that fluttered over a pair of neon green Nike sneakers. Her impossibly flat tummy was on full display as she adjusted the high waisted workout pants. Gigi kept warm in a matching black puffer coat and black facemask. Her long sandy blonde hair was styled in two loose braided pigtails secured with black rubber bands. Hot mama: The 25-year-old rocked a curve-hugging casual look as she headed out to Party City to pick up soiree supplies with her baby daughter Model vibes: The five foot ten catwalker showcased her long legs in a pair of black spandex leggings with flared ankles that fluttered over a pair of neon green Nike sneakers Dynamic duo: Out for the mother-daughter day, Gigi and her little girl ran some party errands to grab decorations that are likely for Yolanda's birthday celebration later that night While the model and her beau Zayn Malik have chosen not to share photos of their baby with the public, Gigi made sure they still matched with an all-black stroller and stroller cover. As Gigi picked up all the necessities for an intimate birthday celebration for her mom, the birthday girl was out and about in another part of the city. Yolanda made quite the fashion statement on her special day in a stunning camel colored Louis Vuitton printed coat, jeans and a pair of lace-up suede beige combat boots. She rocked a pale toned silk facemask and a knit beanie with the word 'love' stitched on the front and a furry pom-pom on top. Too cute: Gigi kept warm in a matching black puffer coat and black facemask. Her long sandy blonde hair was styled in two loose braided pigtails secured with black rubber bands So chic: While the model and her beau Zayn Malik have chosen not to share photos of their baby with the public, Gigi made sure they still matched with an all-black stroller and stroller cover Bump-free: Gigi's supermodel genetics got her body back to her pre-baby shape The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star spent the day out with her boyfriend of two years Joe Jingoli. For her birthday, it appears the mother of three is already being spoiled as a massive bouquet of white flowers was seen being delivered to Yolanda's Manhattan apartment. Hadid and Jingoli recently celebrated their anniversary and the reality television personality posted a number of photos to her Instagram account to celebrate. The photos showed various moments that the two had shared together over the course of their relationship, which is still going strong. Happy times! Gigi flashed a peace sign while strolling with her daughter She's got it covered: As Gigi picked up all the necessities for an intimate birthday celebration for her mom, the birthday girl was out and about in another part of the city Party vibes: Yolanda will likely have a low-key 57th birthday due to the pandemic but her eldest daughter seems to be making sure it is special The caption for the celebratory post began with the message: 'All my life I prayed for someone like you!!' 'Thank you for being such a bright light in my life, the calm in my storm and for being the most honorable man that I know,' she penned. 'Happy 2 year anniversary Joey Jingoli, I love and appreciate you.' The couple reportedly first met when he rang the doorbell at her Pennsylvania farm. At the time, Hadid was still dealing with her then-recent divorce from her former husband, record executive and musician David Foster. Birthday girl! Yolanda made quite the fashion statement on her special day in a stunning camel colored Louis Vuitton printed coat, jeans and a pair of lace-up suede beige combat boots Lovebirds: The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star spent the day out with her boyfriend of two years Joe Jingoli Presents! For her birthday, it appears the mother of three is already being spoiled as a massive bouquet of white flowers was seen being delivered to Yolanda's Manhattan apartment The former couple tied the knot in 2011 only to separate four years later; they finalized their divorce in 2017. The media personality was also previously married to real estate developer Mohamed Hadid from 1994 until 2000. Yolanda and Mohamed share three children; Gigi, aged 25, Bella, aged 24 and Anwar, aged 21, all of whom have followed their mother into her former profession of modeling. The Dutch beauty has much to celebrate these days, in addition to her thriving romance she became a grandmother for the first time in September when Gigi and Zayn Malik welcomed their baby. Going strong: Hadid and Jingoli recently celebrated their second anniversary and the reality television personality posted a number of photos to her Instagram account to celebrate The couple has chosen not to reveal the name of their daughter. Malik and Hadid spent Christmas at mom Yolanda's farm in Pennsylvania and seemed to have a low-key New Year's. In May - right after it was announced the on and off pair of six years were expecting - the former One Direction member reportedly purchased a neighboring farm, per Hadid's mom's recommendation. Largely absent from the spotlight in recent years, it seems as if the farm life seemed more enticing to Zayn, and also gives them a home base near their baby's grandma. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. The pioneer and leader in agency banking, Fidelity Bank Ghana, rewarded its best performing agents in an awards ceremony in Accra, themed The relevance of Agency Banking in a Pandemic (COVID-19). The bank also used this important occasion to announce the introduction of an insurance scheme for all of its over 4000 agents across the country to protect their businesses against burglary and theft. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Nana Esi Idun-Arkhurst, the Divisional Director, Retail Banking of Fidelity Bank Ghana, explained that the introduction of the insurance scheme for its agents attests to the Banks commitment to the welfare and success of its stakeholders. She furthered stated that, We appreciate the efforts and contributions of all of our agents towards the provision of convenient financial services and the promotion of financial inclusion in Ghana. Within the past six years, our Agency Banking Model has stimulated economic growth by creating employment and providing easy access to financial services to many Ghanaians. She added that Fidelity Bank will continue to find innovative ways to provide Ghanaians with convenient methods of banking through digital financial inclusion strategies. The highlight of the evening was when the top prize of Overall Best Agent for 2020 was announced and that top honour went to S-Duah Enterprise from the Ashanti territory. For their excellent performance, S-Duah Enterprise was rewarded with a cash prize and certificate. The other top awardees from each of the five (5) territories Western, Northern, Eastern, Accra, and Ashantiincluded Tigger Phones, Kcehcs Rehoboth Enterprise and Mupaason Enterprise from the Western territory; Mubak Enterprise, Blessed Dabern Enterprise and Peoples Phones and Trading from the Northern territory; Antwi F. Ventures, Nyame Nanim Enterprise, and ANB George Ventures from the Eastern territory; St. Johnson Commerce Point, Wofa Toda Ventures and Adipa Royal Enterprise from the Accra territory; and Kofhay Mobile Money Ventures, Global Excellence Distribution Services and Paul i537 Ventures from the Ashanti territory. The Head of Agency Banking, Fidelity Bank Ghana, Dr. David Okyere, revealed that the Bank will continue to improve its Agency Banking Model with an expansion drive to include more agents, new digital improvements and other value-added services. He also assured the agents that the Bank will continue to provide them with access to capacity building programmes to help them keep abreast of the ever-evolving changes in the financial services industry. He added that Fidelity will not relent on its commitment to help bridge the gap between the banked and unbanked population in Ghana. Mrs. Idun-Arkhurst concluded the awards ceremony by thanking the agents for their hard work and support and she stated that 2021 would yield new and exciting initiatives for Fidelity Agency Banking. About Fidelity Bank Ghana In a little over a decade, Fidelity Bank Ghana has grown from a discount house to a Tier One Bank and is now the largest privately-owned Ghanaian Bank. The bank currently serves its customers in 75 branches across Ghana and is a leader in the digital banking revolution. Fidelity Bank also revolutionized the agency banking space in Ghana with over 4,000 Agents across the country and is the undisputed champion of inclusive banking in the country. The bank has two subsidiaries, Fidelity Asia Bank Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary in Malaysia and Fidelity Securities Limited. In a short period of time, Fidelity Bank has become a household name in Ghana by adopting a customer-centric culture and delivering consistently on the promise of making a difference in the lives of all stakeholders. The Fidelity Bank brand has an infinitely positive outlook on life and the brands tagline of Believe with Us speaks to this. The bank believes that if all stakeholders come together, nothing can stand in the way of progress because Together, Were More. 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 12 opposition parties extend support to farmers protest call on May 26; urge Centre to hold talks with farmers New signages, names of freedom fighters at famed protest site India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 11: The farmers protesting at the Singhu border against the new farm laws have installed a green signage near the main stage. The organisers say that the signage has been installed to remember the freedom fighters of the country and is a symbol of the cultural movement at the border. The 10 kilometre long protest spot has been divided into seven areas and have been named after freedom fighters-Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Kartar Singh Sarabha and Sikh warrior Banda Singh Bahadur. Remove farmers from borders immediately: Petitioner files affidavit in Supreme Court The agitation is not just a protest by the farmers, but a cultural movement as well. We need to remember the legacy of our freedom fighters and leaders and this is why we have given their names at key points, Harinder Singh, media coordinator of the Samyukt Kisaan Morcha said. The government's negotiations with farm unions to end over-a-month-long agitation appeared heading nowhere at the eighth round of talks on Friday as the Centre ruled out repealing the three contentious laws claiming nationwide support for reforms while the farmer leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their 'ghar waapsi' will happen only after 'law waapsi'. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News The next meeting has been fixed for January 15, amid indications that any headway will now depend on a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January 11 on a batch of petitions related to the protest. 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. Sputnik V meets the primary endpoint of safety in the phase-2 clinical trials in India, said Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd The company has submitted the mid-stage trial safety data to India's drug regulator for review and approval to continue late-stage trials, Dr Reddy's said in a regulatory filing. Dr Reddys in a statement said that it has submitted the phase-2 safety data for Drugs Controller General of Indias approval to continue phase-3 clinical trials. Data and safety monitoring board recommended phase 3 recruitment and continue Sputnik V clinical trial without any modifications, the statement further added. G V Prasad, Co-chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Reddys Laboratories said, The Indian clinical trial being conducted by Dr. Reddys and RDIF is an adaptive design phase 2/3 trial. It is a bridging study to the larger global phase 3 study on 31,000 subjects. The phase 2 study in India showed a very good safety profile. This further reinforces our confidence in the safety of Sputnik V, which has now been administered to more than 1 million people in Russia and more than 300,000 people in Argentina. We are working closely towards fast-tracking the launch of the Sputnik V vaccine in India." Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said, The safety data from the phase 2 clinical trial from India is very positive, and confirms the safety profile of Sputnik V in the international markets. The Sputnik V consistently shows safety and high efficacy in international clinical trials as it is based on safe human adenoviral vector platform." The clinical trials are being conducted by JSS Medical Research as the clinical research partner in India. Dr. Reddys has partnered with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for advisory support, THSTI (Translational Health Science and Technology Institute) for further immunogenicity data characterisation, and to use BIRACs clinical trial centres for the vaccine. In September 2020, Dr. Reddys and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) entered into a partnership to conduct the clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine and the rights for distribution in India. Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the worlds first registered vaccine against COVID-19 based on the established human adenoviral vector platform. It currently ranks among top 10 candidate vaccines approaching the end of clinical trials and the start of mass production on the World Health Organizations (WHO) list. The vaccines efficacy is confirmed at 91.4% based on data analysis of the final control point of clinical trials in Russia. Currently, the vaccines clinical trials are underway in the UAE, Egypt, Venezuela and Belarus while it has been registered in Algeria, Argentina, Belarus, Bolivia and Serbia for inoculation. Meanwhile, India's drugs regulator 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. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted the approval on the basis of recommendations by a COVID-19 Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The vaccination drive in the country is set to start from 16 January, 2021. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Nao Spirits and Beverages on Monday said it has raised USD 2 million (around Rs 15 crore) in a funding round led by existing investors, family offices and a boutique VC firm. The company which is into premium craft gin space has now raised a total of USD 5 million (over Rs 35 crore) since inception in 2015. The company however did not disclose the investors of this funding round. The fresh Series A investment is expected to be utilized for expanding to new markets in India in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya along with new export markets, the company said in a statement. Besides, it will also be used for brand promotion and marketing efforts, it added. "It has further been heartening to receive a very tangible vote of confidence from our new and existing investors who have got behind us in this time which has proven to be challenging for most," Nao Spirits and Beverages Co-Founder & CEO Anand Virmani, said. The company will now be able to step into a new chapter as it looks to realise the true potential of Gin in India and from India, he added. Nao Spirits and Beverages Chief Operating Officer Abhinav Rajput said in the last 24 months, the company has been able to drive "serious volumes across all our markets". Although the pandemic certainly played its part in impacting the economy, he said, "we continue to look upwards on our growth plans over the next 3-5 years, the current fundraise has come in at a great time as we unlock our next phase of growth by further strengthening and streamlining our operations and supply chain, growing our team and expanding our footprint in India and the overseas markets. (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.) BERLIN: Simon Rattle, the British former conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, will return to Germany to take up the baton guiding Munichs Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra from 2023. The move, just three years after he returned to Britain to direct the London Symphony Orchestra, comes as musicians complain that Brexit has limited their professional horizons, with new visa requirements making it harder to perform to Europes music-hungry public. Rattle, who turns 66 this month and is known for his shock of white curly hair, shot to prominence in the 1980s when he guided Britains City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from provincial obscurity to international renown. An appointment to run the Berlin Philharmonic, one of the worlds leading orchestras, followed in 2002. Rattle announced in 2015 that he would return to London, a year before Britains vote to leave the European Union. My reasons for accepting the role of Principal Conductor in Munich are entirely personal, enabling me to better manage the balance of my work and be close enough to home to be present for my children in a meaningful way," said Rattle. He still lives with his wife, Czech soprano Magdalena Kozena, and their children in Berlin. Rattle, in a statement issued by the LSO, added that he still planned to carry out major projects before leaving London. In his last appearance as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic in summer 2018, on an outdoor stage in a forest, he expressed sorrow at the outcome of the Brexit referendum. Hopefully, Brexit wont last Brexeternally," he told the audience at the time, before leading the orchestra in a bittersweet medley of British patriotic favourites including Edward Elgars Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 - Land of Hope and Glory - and the theme to 1970s sketch show Monty Python. He stands like no other for finding new ways of getting people enthused about music," said Ulrich Wilhelm, head of the Bavarian Public Broadcaster. The Ugandan military and police have stepped up security in and around the capital Kampala ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for this Thursday. In the city, military men were seen moving on foot and patrolling the streets while others had been stationed in some streets known to be violence hotspots. The campaign period is coming to an end and we are now proceeding to the next level of voting. We have now upgraded our security and deployed police officers who are being supported by the army, Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson told Xinhua in an interview on Monday. Security is key to the protection of every persons right to vote and maintain confidence in a safe, secure and accurate election, Mr Onyango said. He added that there were also more motorised police and military patrols unlike before the election period in the East African country. We now have a multi-layered security response of patrol groups on foot, motorcycles and patrol vehicles, said Mr Onyango. We have practised active drills on several scenarios including violent riots, radical youth groups, cyber harassment, clashes between rival groups etc. The teams will respond to any emergency, he added. Heads of security agencies last Friday warned all those intending to cause chaos during and after the election that they would suffer its consequences. Adolf Mwesige, the minister of defence and veteran affairs, said political candidates must accept the choice of the people as would be declared by the electoral commission. The only channel you can use to oppose the results is the courts of law and not violence. This is not the first time we are having elections, Mwesige said. Foreign missions here have already alerted their citizens to take extra care during and after the elections, warning of possible election violence. Police routinely use force, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, to disperse protests. Demonstrations throughout Uganda are likely to remain common and may escalate to violence, U.S. Embassy here cautioned Americans, urging them to avoid demonstrations and crowds. The presidential campaign period, which started in early November and ends on January 12, has been characterised with violent protests with some being fatal. The arrest of opposition presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, on November 18 sparked off violent protests in some parts of the country leading to the killing of 54 people by the security agencies. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni while speaking about the fatal riot regretted some of the deaths and promised to institute an investigation. He said some of the deaths were as a result of protesters attacking security personnel and also destroying private property. The presidential race is largely between Mr Museveni, who has been in power for over 30 years and Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, a music star turned politician. There are also nine other candidates in the presidential race. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Museveni and the security agencies accused Bobi Wine of being under the influence of foreign agents to destabilise the countrys peace and security while Bobi said that the heavy security deployment was meant to intimidate his supporters. (Xinhua/NAN) The New York State Bar Association is investigating whether President Donald Trumps attorney, Rudy Giuliani, deserves to be booted from its membership after months of baseless election claims in court and his suggestion Wednesday that Trump supporters engage in trial by combat just hours before a violent mob infiltrated the U.S. Capitol in an attack that left five dead. The presidents lawyer, earlier today: Lets have trial by combat pic.twitter.com/DxQDX4JIGs Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) January 6, 2021 Giuliani already appeared to be in hot water with the bar association, which said Monday that it had received hundreds of complaints in recent months for advancing his clients baseless efforts to cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election and to overturn its legitimate results. In nearly 60 court cases, Republican and Democratic judges have tossed cases brought by Giuliani, the Trump campaign and other GOP allies. Bipartisan local, state and federal election officials, and even Trumps own Department of Homeland Security and former Attorney General say no widespread fraud or irregularities impacted election. The claims of illegal voting and irregularities were appropriately dismissed by the courts in which they were brought, NYSBA said Monday in a statement. Yet Giuliani, in a Save America March speech near the White House Wednesday as Congress prepared to formalize Joe Bidens victory, reiterated baseless election claims and said, If were wrong, we will be made fools of, but if were right, a lot of them will go to jail. Lets have trial by combat. The ensuing mayhem saw a mob many donning Make America Great Again hats and shirts, carrying American flags and thin blue line flags in honor of law enforcement battering and pepper spraying police, smashing Capitol walls, doors and windows and vandalizing the halls of Congress. Many exclaimed that they wanted to execute Vice President Mike Pence, who rejected Trumps requests to twist the Electoral College count in his favor. Five people died, including a Capitol Police officer. The NYSBA strongly condemned the violent uprising, saying it was orchestrated by individuals bent on subverting the will of the voters. But the group said it must address the root cause of this abhorrent incident, and while the blame lies first and foremost with Trump, the president did not act alone. As the nations largest voluntary state bar association, NYSBA has a responsibility to defend and protect the rule of law, the group said. Based on these complaints, and the statement Mr. Giuliani uttered shortly before the attack on the Capitol, NYSBA President Scott M. Karson has launched an inquiry pursuant to the Associations bylaws to determine whether Mr. Giuliani should be removed from the membership rolls of the Association. The group said Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and GOP presidential candidate, will have an opportunity to explain and defend his words and actions if he so chooses. This decision is historic for NYSBA, and we have not made it lightly, NYSBA said. We cannot stand idly by and allow those intent on rending the fabric of our democracy to go unchecked. The move by the association comes as Democrats in the House of Representatives prepare articles of impeachment. Lawmakers say a vote could come as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. More than half of Americans say Trump should be removed from office before his term ends on Jan. 20, according to a handful of polls conducted since his supporters sieged the Capitol. Related Content: BELGRADE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th January, 2021) North Macedonia will receive 800,000 doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and over 5,800 doses will be delivered in February, the republic's Health Ministry said on Monday. The population of North Macedonia is estimated at about 2 million, while the last population census has been conducted in 2002. "The Republic of North Macedonia will receive 800,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed Pfizer. Minister Venko Filipce has secured vaccines for the entire 2021 in direct negotiations with the manufacturer. The agreement was reached this morning during a telephone conversation between Minister Filipce and a high-ranking company representative," the statement said. It is noted that the first 5,850 doses of Pfizer vaccine will be delivered in February, followed by large shipments in March, April, and further dynamics will be determined later. Special refrigerators for storing vaccines at a temperature of -70 degrees Celsius will be delivered to North Macedonia in the coming weeks, the ministry added. Read this and attempt to comprehend, the left is in denial of the truth because they are stupid as fuque. From the National File: EXCLUSIVE: Constitutional Attorney Says Pence, Congress, Violated Constitution, Trump Can Use EAS To Circumvent Censorship "There is an insurrection going on inside of the entire government, funded, supported and fomented by foreign actors," said Attorney Ivan Raiklin. Speaking exclusively with National File on January 7, Constitutional Attorney Ivan Raiklin explained that President Donald Trumps only option to defend the Constitution is to activate the Emergency Alert System. This comes as Big Tech companies have banned President Trump and many of his supporters from using their platforms just days after Congress certified the fraudulent Electoral College results on January 6. He also pointed out multiple Constitutional violations by states, Congress, and Vice President Mike Pence. Everyone consummated the violations to the Constitution across the board, said Raiklin. According to Raiklins legal analysis, the states violated the Constitution on December 14 when they sent their slates of electors to Congress. You had the fraud going on at the precinct level. The states violated Article 1, Section 4, which is time, manner and place of running federal elections. They went outside those bounds. Then Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2, the states violated that component of the Constitution, which is the Electors Clause, because they didnt select their electors in the manner that the state legislatures mandated under their election laws. Then you have Article 4, Section 2, which is the Supremacy Clause of Constitution, meaning that the Constitution and federal laws supercede any state laws in contravention to that federal law, by running their elections in the manner that they did and it goes alongside of Article 1, Section 4. Also, they violated the 14th amendment, the individual folks that legally and legitimately voted, because their votes were diluted by the fraud. It couldve only just been one dead person, at the end of the day it occurred and they need to have pristine elections, and thats not what happened. He also said that Vice President Pence violated the Constitution on December 23, by not sending a letter to those states, demanding that they correct the fraud. As National File reported, US Code actually prohibited Pence from accepting electoral votes from fraudulently certified states. Additionally, Raiklin said that Pence violated the Constitution a second time on January 6 by not setting up an environment to correct the fraudulently certified electoral slates from these six contested states. The United States Congress yesterday, facilitated the violation of all those parts of Constitution and in addition to that, they violated the 5th amendment, the Due Process clause, because the 5th amendment applies to the federal government. Id argue that they also violated the 12th amendment, the manor that they voted in the House on the objections, said Raiklin. According to Raiklin, these Constitutional violations, along with the extensive censorship of the President by Big Tech and Big Media, who are still protected by Section 230 courtesy of the Senate Republicans, has left President Trump with one last option activating the Emergency Alert System. His only option in order to be able to defend the Constitution is to activate the Emergency Alert System, to be able to convey his message to the American people across television, radio, internet, and phones, since hes being banned on everything. In that message he needs to lay out the case to America that we are being attacked by foreign adversaries, particularly China, in terms of cyber. Theres also a Russian and Iranian component. Im saying this with a high degree of confidence, based on all the reporting that Ive seen, and its all unclassified, said Raiklin. He needs to lay out the case of a foreign attack based on national security grounds, which is what youd usually use the EAS system for, and articulate that under the framework of Executive Order 13848. Raiklin recommended that the President take his time and articulate everything, and to use the entire executive department, declassify things that you need to declassify, to let folks know. Because there is an insurrection going on inside of the entire government, funded, supported and fomented by foreign actors, he needs to lay out that case as well, of any evidence of that, said Raiklin. Why would Nancy Pelosi call for an impeachment of the President when he specifically said there was going to be a peaceful transition, with less than two weeks remaining, saying they will impeach him unless the cabinet throws him out of office using the 25th amendment? There must be something that will implicate her, that is already in the hands of the President, and she needs him out of office to not be able to activate the Emergency Alert System, to communicate to America what she is also potentially complicit in. There is something there, said Raiklin. That something may be somehow associated with Eric Swalwell being on the intel committee, and his relationships that have been exposed recently of potential ties with China. Raiklin noted that it would be strategically advantageous and possible for China to co-opt US politicians, such as California Representative Eric Swalwell, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, in order to influence their decision making in a manner that is most favorable to Chinese interests. It is my assessment that there is a potential nexus there, from what Ive seen, thats worth looking into further, in auditing these individuals on their ties to foreign connections, potentially, foreign intelligence services and foreign governments. Unfortunately we dont have a FBI that does that. One of the reasons that they dont do that, I would suspect, is that the committee that has oversight over the FBI has an agent, potentially, of its own, that would apply pressure to those same agents that would be investigating them, ie: Swalwell on HPSCI, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Raiklin said that the Presidents main focus should be restoring election integrity in the United States, regardless of the politics. He recommended that President Trump use the EAS and activate federal forces under the Insurrection Act, send them to the swing states that violated the Constitution, and tell the state governors that those federal forces will remain in place until the state legislatures actually vote on an electoral slate of their choosing. Such a move would force states to conduct their elections in the manner that is consistent with Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which they have yet to do, according to Raiklin. In terms of the US Constitution, Ive sworn an oath several times in my career, and that thing doesnt expire. It is my obligation to advise the President that he has also taken an oath to defend the Constitution. Right now, under these circumstances, that is the only mechanism that he has legally, said Raiklin. It would be Martial Law in those states until the those legislatures actually voted and complied with the Constitution. It wouldnt be against the people. Let me frame it this way, it would be solely deployed to those state Capitols, like the actual Capitol building, to make sure that the legislators voted how they wanted to. Its not coercion. If the states certified Biden as the winner after this, Raiklin said that he would be willing to accept the results of the election as being Constitutionally valid, even though he would still have his doubts as to whether or not the underlying ballot numbers were legitimate. This would require further litigation and audits of ballots and machines, which the President must seize and have the Military conduct a forensic audit for foreign ties in order to address these doubts, according to Raiklin. National File has learned that Raiklin banned Twitter from all of his devices, and is also in the process of deplatforming Apple, YouTube, Amazon, and Google in the coming hours. Additionally, Raiklin has demanded that Parler move off of Amazon Web Services by midnight on Sunday. Raiklin continues to allow Gab and Telegram to broadcast his content, and will return to Parler when they fully move off of AWS. In a democratic country like India, where freedom for individuals and media appear to have reached ,what some people think as an absurd level, the popular view is that any non violent protests should be considered as legitimate. by N.S.Venkataraman The agitation by section of farmers and their associates in Punjab against the recently enacted farm laws in Parliament by Government of India have been now going on for over 45 days, with no sign of ending too soon. Obviously, these protests are carried out by a section of farmers ,middle men and their associates in Punjab and Haryana states and millions of farmers in India have not joined the protest. The Government of India has been extremely patient in dealing with this agitation, in spite of the huge economic loss to the country and millions of common men being inconvenienced due to several acts of the protestors such as blocking the highway etc. Several agriculture economists have justified the farm laws clearly stating that it is the need of the day and it is a necessary agricultural reform measure. The Government of India has called the protesters for meeting nine times so far and explained the justifiable need for these farm laws and how the interests of the farming community have been protected. However, the protesters are adamant and are sticking to their stand. In such a situation, very disturbing news are appearing in sections of the media that the protesters are really egged on by the middle men and traders who are affluent and have the money power and staying power and may be by some motivated anti government elements too. The protestors, though are sitting on the highway and are exposing themselves to cold conditions, are very well fed and have enough warm clothings with a variety of convenient conditions specially created. Many people wonder how these protesters have been sustaining themselves for such a long period and what appears to be in nearly comfortable conditions. Obviously, they are being funded by some agencies , which the government should be aware of. The statement of Canadian Prime Minister and some members of Parliament in the UK and some senators in the USA supporting the agitation by the protesters make one suspect whether some international agencies are involved in this episode. It is said that members of the Khalistan Movement,who are demanding separate state out of India for Sikhs ,are reported to be participants in this protest and several slogans hailing the Khalistan Movement have been voiced. Some opposition political parties in India too have been supporting the agitation against the enactment of farm laws, though the clauses in the farm laws are almost exactly the same as advocated by several political parties in the past. Now, the scene appears to be that the protest against farm laws looks like an anti Modi government agitation. In a democratic country like India, where freedom for individuals and media appear to have reached ,what some people think as an absurd level, the popular view is that any non violent protests should be considered as legitimate. At the moment, the matter of highest concern is as to whether the protestors would become violent, emulating the rioters in Capitol Hill in the USA, where they entered the building which is the official seat of power and caused huge violence and the death of a few people.. Some of the protesters in Punjab have said that they would continue the agitation ,even if it has to be prolonged for six months and more and some have said that they would not mind even being killed in the process. Further, they have said that they would disturb the forthcoming Republic Day celebration in Delhi by entering Delhi. Recently, they organized a tractor procession and some have said that it was the rehearsal for the protest that would be launched on Republic Day. This condition is disturbing and certainly causes concern ,particularly after seeing the unruly behavior of the rioters in Capitol Hill. Will the protesters in Punjab take the cue from the Capitol Hill protest and model their actions in similar fashion? So far, Govenrment of India has given no indication that it would put down the agitation by force, even creating an impression that it would be soft towards the agitators at any cost. It is very necessary that the Government of India should not take a chance and allow the protesters to become violent, which may be the objective of some of the external and separatist forces directly or indirectly associated with the protest . The Government of India should not be caught napping, just as the police force in Capitol Hill did. In recent times, in India as well as in several other countries, mob agitations have been unruly and caused violence and anarchy, Let it not happen in the case of protest against farm laws in India. Let the Government of India remain forewarned and take necessary preventive measures to ensure law and order. Let not the Government of India cry over the spilled milk later on, as it has just happened in the USA. Four passengers, who returned from the UK on Sunday, tested Covid positive at the city airport, Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar said. "Of the 289 passengers who took the RT-PCR test on arrival from London, 4 turned positive. They have been quarantined," he said in a statement. Of the total, 273 were passengers (146 men, 95 women and 32 children) while 16 were crew members. "Swab samples of the infected passengers have been sent to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans) here to ascertain the strain of the virus," said Sudhakar. The returnees were the first batch of passengers who flew into the city from London after flights from the UK resumed on January 8. Flights were suspended since December 23 due to the detection of a new Covid virus strain there. Of the 3,965 passengers who returned to the state from the UK between December 9-22, 40 tested positive, with 11 of them having the new UK virus strain. Some of their primary contacts also tested positive and have been quarantined. The Minister, who is a doctor himself, visited the Kempegowda international airport on Saturday to inspect the screening arrangements for Covid test of passengers returning from London and San Francisco on early Monday. As per the revised guidelines of the Union Home Ministry and the standard operating procedures of the Union Health Ministry, all UK returnees to the state have to undergo the RT-PCR test at the airport on landing even if they flew in with a negative test report, which has been mandatory. "If passengers do not carry a negative report, they will be tested on arrival at the airport through the RT-PCR method and quarantined for 14 days if they are Covid positive," the state Health Department has said. HP has announced a lot of new laptops at CES 2021, in both the Elite series and the Envy series. They include the new HP Elite Dragonfly G2, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max, the HP Elite Folio, the HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero, the HP ENVY 14 and more. The Elite Dragonfly G2 is an ultra-light convertible business laptop that is powered by 11th Gen Intel Core processors and Intel integrated graphics, with 5G and 4G-LTE connectivity options. The laptop has Tile tracking built into a convertible 2-in-1 chassis that weighs less than 1kg, and it features HPs Tamper Lock which is their intrusion detection technology. The Elite Dragonfly Max laptop has many features that are designed for collaboration, including four wide-range microphones with AI-driven audio optimization, 5 MP + IR camera for high quality video conferencing and HPs Eye Ease display. The HP Elite Folio is a 13.5-inch laptop with a pull-forward form factor in a magnesium unibody design and vegan leather covering. The laptop is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G compute platform, offering 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 support and up to 24.5 hours of local video playback. The HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero can be configured with 11th Gen Intel Core processors, features integrated Tile capabilities, integrated 720p HD camera, top-firing speakers, Wi-Fi 6 and optional 5G LTE connectivity options. The Envy 14 is a laptop that can be configured 16:10, 1920 x 1200 multi-touch enabled IPS display that boasts a colour accuracy of Delta E <2. The laptop is powered by 11th Gen Intel Core processors, up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q design graphics, and it claims a battery life of up to 16.5 hours. Along with this, HP also announced a range of monitors at CES 2021, among which the notable ones are the E24u G4 and the E27u G4 USB-C monitors, featuring multi-port connectivity, four-way ergonomics and USB-C charging up to 65W. The HP ENVY 14 is expected to be available in January for a starting price of $999 (Approx. Rs. 73,364). The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 and HP Elite Dragonfly Max are expected to be available in January, EliteBook 840 Aero G8 is expected to be available in March, and pricing for all these laptops will be revealed closer to their availability. Darjeeling: The Army was deployed in the restive Darjeeling town on Thursday after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters indulged in violence and arson while attempting to march to the venue of a cabinet meeting presided by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The troops were brought in after the protesters damaged police vehicles and set some of them ablaze, prompting the police to fire teargas and lathicharge the violent GJM supporters who are opposing imposition of Bengali language in schools in the hills. The hill town, which is at present full of tourists, had remained peaceful for several months as the GJM-spearheaded agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland had taken a backseat. Fresh violence erupted this afternoon with the Bimal Gurung-led party calling a protest march towards the Raj Bhavan, where the cabinet meeting was taking place. The GJM supporters tried to break the barricades put up by the police and hurled bricks at them. They also damaged a number of police vehicles and set some of them on fire, police sources said, adding that some security personnel were injured. An Army spokesperson said, A requisition from the state government was received. Two Army columns (each consisting of around 80 personnel) based in Darjeeling have moved out. The GJM supporters were protesting among other issues alleged imposition of Bengali language in the schools in the hills. Darjeeling (WB): Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha protests against state govt's proposal of making Bengali language compulsory in government schools pic.twitter.com/dpixrt8aek ANI (@ANI_news) June 8, 2017 This is the first time that the chief minister is holding a cabinet meeting in Darjeeling. Banerjee said the state government would set up a new secretariat here. The GJM supporters staged a dharna and raised slogans against the chief minister. Shopkeepers at some places, including the Mall, downed shutters while the traffic came to a halt, causing inconvenience to tourists. The GJM has accused the TMC government of trying to disrupt peace in Darjeeling by its divide and rule policy and called a 12-hour shutdown in the hills tomorrow. The TMC is systematically trying to use police and its goons to disrupt peace in the hills. Today the police resorted to unprovoked baton charge and firing of tear gas shells, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told PTI. We condemn the state-sponsored violence. We have decided to call a 12-hour shutdown in the hills tomorrow. If the situation deteriorates further, then we may go for an indefinite shutdown, he said. Giri said the GJM would never compromise on the fight for the identity of the people of the hills. Also Read | West Bengal civic poll results: Trinamool bags 4 municipalities, wrests Mirik from GJM; Mamata says 'the hills are smiling' Asked about the GJMs agitation programme, the chief minister said, They have the democratic right. Let them do it. They have no issue. Let there be competition for development. On the GJMs opposition to the alleged imposition of Bengali language in schools in the hills, she said that Bengali was not made a compulsory subject. Rather, we gave recognition to Nepali language, she said. The people in the hill areas have been demanding development. Nothing had happened during the Left rule of 34 years, but things have changed after our government took over. We have done so many development works here. I am proud to say that I am the first chief minister to visit the hills for more than 100 times, she said. CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said, The condition in the hills is a matter of grave concern. The Darjeeling policy of our chief minister is just a replica of the Kashmir policy adopted by our prime minister. The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Adbul Mannan, accused Banerjee of betraying the people of the hills through false promise. What the chief minister has been doing in the hills for the last two years is nothing but a political gimmick. The Gorkhas are our brothers, they fight for the nation and sacrifice their life. The CM is using a divide and rule policy in the hills, he alleged. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jagan said the government is also introducing computer literacy courses from Class 8 to allow poor students to compete with the children from the affluent families. (DC Photo) Nellore: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday said the beneficiaries of the Amma Vodi scheme, whose children are studying in Class 9 to 12, can opt for a laptop instead of the financial assistance of `15,000 from the next academic year. Addressing a large gathering after formally launching the second year Amma Vodi programme at Nellore on Monday, Jagan said the option is available for students availing Vasati Deevena scheme. He also reminded his audience that the poor children missed online classes during lockdown because they did not have gadgets like a laptop or smartphone. He said the government is also introducing computer literacy courses from Class 8 to allow poor students to compete with the children from the affluent families. Previous governments ignored the welfare of children because they are not voters. But today their paternal uncle has become the Chief Minister and he will protect their interests the CM said. He dwelt at length on the special attention being paid by his government to provide the best infrastructure in government schools to offer quality education. Recalling the days of his Padayatra, Jagan said he had observed the pathetic conditions of the poor and labourers who failed to educate their children and he has now decided to support such children. He said the government had last year supported 42 lakh Amma Vodi beneficiaries and this number has increased to 44.48 lakh this year. He said the government had also focussed on mid-day meals and improved the quality of food for the health of the students. Because of such programmes, the Chief Minister claimed that the number of students who have migrated from private schools to government schools has been increasing significantly. Stressing that the government has introduced the English medium in government schools for the benefit of the poor, the Chief Minister said it has launched a massive exercise to give a facelift to state-run schools by spending huge amounts of money on infrastructure. Pointing to the measures to prevent dropouts and improve attendance in the government schools, he said village volunteers would visit the homes of the students not attending school for more than three days. He said the government is deducting `1,000 from `15,000 for toilet maintenance in the schools as contribution gives a right to parents to question the bad conditions. In case of poor maintenance of the toilets, Jagan said students can call 1902 and his office would follow up on the complaints. Malta, NY -- A Saratoga County town is getting some unexpected attention after one of its town officials was identified as a woman being led away from the U.S. Capitol riot last Wednesday in handcuffs. Sharon Pineo, 70, of Round Lake, was identified by a local Republican lawmaker and media outlets as the woman seen in separate photos: an unidentified social media photo of a woman being led away in handcuffs, and an Associated Press photo (above) of police helping up a woman during the protests. Pineo is an appointed member of the zoning board of appeals in the town of Malta, according to news reports. ... it has come to my attention that a member of the Malta Zoning Board of Appeals was involved in the protests in Washington DC and was detained by law enforcement, Republican town council member Tim Dunn wrote on Facebook this weekend. While my understanding is that this individual has not been charged with a crime, the actions and intentions of the group that stormed the Capitol are reprehensible and not consistent with the values of our community. Its unclear if Pineo was taken into custody at any point, or simply removed from the area. Theres no record of Pineo being arrested by D.C. authorities. Pineo organized a bus trip to the protest, according to a Facebook post on the Upstate Conservative Coalition. Our President asks that we, the people, assemble at the Capital (sic) to declare to Congress that we do not support a stolen election, Pineo wrote on Dec. 22. A mother-of-two has won her High Court battle for a slice of an 8million property empire her rags-to-riches ex promised in letters written from behind bars two decades ago. Nicola Oberman, 53, took multimillionaire buy-to-let mogul Shaun Collins to court claiming she was an equal owner of a string of more than 40 Kent and London properties built up over their 22-year relationship. The pair had only been dating for a year in 1997 when then-estate agent Mr Collins was jailed for six months for false accounting, London's High Court heard. But while behind bars, a besotted Mr Collins sent Mrs Oberman a series of letters mapping out plans for their future together and outlining the business they would build, her lawyers said. He made good on his promise and, two decades and two children later, the couple sat atop a 40-strong property empire. But the pair, who never married, split in 2015. Though they agreed to share the 28 properties in both of their names, they entered into a court battle over 12 homes written solely in his name. A High Court judge has now ruled that seven of the 12 properties - most of which are on the Thames riverside in London - should be shared. Nicola Oberman, 53, took multimillionaire buy-to-let mogul Shaun Collins to court claiming she was an equal owner of a string of more than 40 Kent and London properties built up over their 22 years together The pair had only been dating a year in 1997 when then-estate agent Mr Collins (pictured) was jailed six months for false accounting, London's High Court heard During the trial at London's High Court in October, the judge heard that the couple had only been together a year when Mr Collins, then working as an estate agent, received a six-month jail sentence for false accounting, which he served in 1997. While behind bars, her ex had sent Mrs Oberman a series of letters mapping out plans for their future together and the business they would build, her barrister Jack Watson told Judge Tom Leech QC. 'While in prison, Mr Collins sent a number of letters to Ms Oberman and they discussed the business they would build together,' he said. 'Mr Collins wrote to Ms Oberman informing her that there would be "much to do and organise" and that he was "actually getting very excited about doing so much together".' Mr Watson said the letters made it clear it was a joint business, with Mr Collins telling her they needed to 'push on' so that their family could be 'strong and successful'. 'Ms Oberman's evidence is that from this she understood that the business would be owned jointly,' he added. Mr Watson said following Mr Collins' release from prison, he came to live with Ms Oberman and was 'reliant upon her for financial support'. He told the court she sold her flat in Wessex Drive, Erith, and poured the money into the joint business. Ms Oberman also invested money gifted by her parents, and put in unpaid work on the basis that the property portfolio they were building was equally owned, Mr Watson said. He said Mr Collins had 'continuously represented' that they were joint owners of the portfolio, starting at the very birth of the business in his letters from prison. Ms Oberman's lawyer Jack Watson claimed the mother sold her flat (pictured) in Wessex Drive, Erith, and poured the money into the joint property business The couple split in 2015 and, despite agreeing that they shared many of the properties in the portfolio, ended up in court in a fight over those held in Mr Collins' sole name. Pictured: Three of the properties are in Greenhaven Drive Mr Collins insisted that she had no rightful claim to 12 properties - mostly on the Thames riverside in London - which had been bought and had only his name on the deeds. Pictured: Two of the properties are in Redbourne Drive The couple split in 2015 and, despite agreeing that they shared many of the properties in the portfolio, ended up in court in a fight over those held in Mr Collins' name. Mr Collins had accepted that properties held in both of their names were held jointly, and that as a shareholder she had a right to a share of others held in the name of the company. However, he insisted that she had no rightful claim to 12 properties - mostly on the Thames riverside in London - which had been bought and had only his name on the deeds. But ruling against him, Judge Leech said he was convinced that all of the properties - whether in both names, the name of the company, or Mr Collins' alone - were part of the business. Mrs Oberman understood from what Mr Collins had told her that the entire portfolio, including those in his name, were held for them jointly and so were to be equally shared. Acting on that belief, she had allowed him to control the properties, while herself working on them and allowing herself to become subject to financial liabilities based on them. Judge Leech rejected Mr Collins' claim that he had only transferred a 47 per cent stake in the property business, Bluegen Ltd, to Mrs Oberman out of 'love and affection' rather than because she was entitled to it as a partner in a joint venture. 'It was inconsistent with his letters from prison and his description of Mrs Oberman as his business partner,' said the judge. 'I have found that it was the common intention of the parties that the portfolio of properties acquired in the name of Bluegen and their joint and sole names were to be held on behalf of Mr Collins and Ms Oberman jointly and equally,' he said. 'I have also found that Ms Oberman relied on that common intention to her detriment by her financial commitment, working in the business and by assuming financial liabilities in relation to the portfolio and giving control over it to Mr Collins. 'In my judgment, these findings are sufficient as a matter of law to give rise to a common intention constructive trust of the properties in the portfolio.' At all times between 2008 and 2015, all of the properties had been treated as part of 'a single portfolio in common ownership' and there had been an 'express agreement' about that, he said. The judge made a declaration that seven of the 12 properties held in Mr Collins' name should be shared equally. However, the other five are subject to claims by third parties and the judge did not make any declaration in relation to them. The judge also found that Mr Collins had conducted the business in a way that was 'unfairly prejudicial' to Mrs Oberman's interests as a member of the company. He ordered that she be bought out by Mr Collins and she also receive her share of money made from the properties over the years. 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 11, 2021] New Survey Reveals Troubles Persist: Enterprise Technology Leaders View IT Services More Positively than Employees Experience Them Nexthink, the leader in Digital Employee Experience (DEX) management, released its Pulse (News - Alert) Report that reveals the growing importance of digital experience for today's workforce. Though technology leaders continue to recognize the importance of DEX, the results show a disconnect between the way IT views its services and how employees experience them. 96% of the technology executives surveyed agree that DEX is an essential part of what IT teams do, yet more than a third (34%) rely on manual methods to collect experience information and nearly half (46%) don't measure their employees' digital experience at all. "Since the start of forced remote work in March, IT has been thrust into unfamiliar territory," said Yassine Zaied, Chief Strategy Officer of Nexthink. "Many IT teams have been asked to deliver flawless remote digital experiences for employees overnight, and while many have made exceptional transitions, others continue to flounder. The delta between success and failure lies in the understanding of the employees experience - if end-user computing teams don't have insight into what employees are experiencing, they cannot effectively do their job." In the Nexthink Pulse Report: Exploring IT's digital experience challenges during the pandemic, 70% of tech leaders polled said their ticket and call volume continue to spike, with a majority of those reporting increases up to 50%. The top IT challenges reported by employees overwhelmingly point to VPN connection issues (77%), poor video calls (65%) and Wi-Fi connection (51%). However, this i where IT and employees diverge- a significant number of IT execs feel confident their teams can address those very problems: 63% think they can handle video issues, and nearly half (40%) think they can address VPN performance. We know from Nexthink's past research that earlier this year a little more than half (56%) of IT leaders felt confident accurately measuring the impact of new technology rollouts in a remote or work anywhere setup. The latest Pulse Report shows confidence is low in key components related to transformation experience: digital transformation (only 11% are confident they have insight into experience related to change) and business services deployment (only 6%). Technology leaders now are less confident in their ability to properly deploy new applications and IT services. For more details on the findings, and to download the full report, visit: https://www.nexthink.com/resource/pulse-survey-report-work-anywhere-challenges-pandemic/ The report, conducted by independent research firm Pulse, surveyed 142 technology executives during September - October 2020. Respondents came from North America & EMEA, and from companies with +1k employees and a variety of industry sectors. The report examines how IT is handling their Digital Employee Experience (DEX), what problems still persist, and where their focus is for 2021. About Nexthink Nexthink is the leader in digital employee experience management software. The company gives IT leaders unprecedented insight into employees' daily experiences of technology at the device level - freeing IT to progress from reactive problem solving to proactive optimization. Nexthink enables its more than 1,000 customers to provide better digital experiences to more than 10 million employees. Dual headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland and Boston, Massachusetts, Nexthink has 9 offices worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005116/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A Capitol Police officer is being hailed as a hero amid increasing evidence that he single-handedly steered an angry mob away from the Senate chambers during Wednesdays riot at the U.S. Capitol by a group of President Donald Trump supporters. Video of the officer had gone viral on Wednesday, but CNNs Kristin Wilson identified the officer on Sunday as Eugene Goodman while it suddenly became clear that there was more to what on its face looked like just another terrifying video of the angry mob that stormed the Capitol. Advertisement His name is USCP Officer Eugene Goodman. Remember his name. He almost certainly saved lives on Wednesday. My thanks, Officer Goodman. THANK YOU. https://t.co/DwvUqCkW8M Kristin Wilson (@kristin__wilson) January 10, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Heres the scary moment when protesters initially got into the building from the first floor and made their way outside Senate chamber. pic.twitter.com/CfVIBsgywK Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021 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 video shot by Igor Bobic, a politics reporter at HuffPost, shows how Goodman, who was by himself and only had a baton for protection, dealt with an angry mob. After going up some stairs, the officer put himself between the lead rioter, a man wearing a black QAnon shirt, and the hallway leading to the Senate chambers. Apparently realizing it was wide open, the officer then shoved the man wearing the QAnon shirt, a move apparently designed to lure the rioters to the left rather than the right and away from what was an open doorway that would have led them straight to the Senate chambers. The sequence of events became clear in a revealing tick-tock of events published by the Washington Post that detailed how the riots on Wednesday could have been a lot more deadly. The officer was struggling to hold the mob back just as other officers were running around trying to lock more than a dozen doors. The Post explains why the way the officer went was so key: Advertisement Had the rioters turned right, they would have been a few feet away from the main entrance into the chamber. On the other side of that door, had they made their way into the Senate, were at least a half-dozen armed officers, including one with a semiautomatic weapon in the middle of the floor scanning each entrance for intruders. Instead, the groupall White menfollowed the Black officer in the other direction and met a group of police in a back corridor outside the Senate. Officer Eugene Goodman stopped a mob of white rioters from entering the chambers of the United States Senate. At this perilous moment in our nations history, he was the one person standing between democracy and the rule of tyrants. (Photo Credit: New York Times) pic.twitter.com/vTjvVp9SLe Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) January 10, 2021 Advertisement Those seconds seem to have made all the difference, as a reporter inside the chamber noted that mere seconds earlier the Senate had been sealed. Even Bobic didnt fully comprehend the importance of the sequence he captured on video until the Post story was published. Just now realizing how much of a close call it was in the Senate, he wrote Saturday. Literally seconds. He then posted another screengrab of the video that shows how the lead rioter for a second appears to consider going the opposite direction before he chooses to follow the officer. Many were quick to praise Goodman. Now it seems clear that this officer tricked the mob away from the unguarded door to the Senate, using himselfa Black manas the bait, wrote ProPublicas Pamela Colloff.* He is a national hero. Advertisement Advertisement Looking again at the video I took of the mob storming the Senate, theres a moment when the lead rioter looks right for a second, before continuing to follow the officer left, away from the immediate entrance to the Senate. This happened at 2:14. pic.twitter.com/8oetsPvhIb Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 10, 2021 This guy is an absolute hero. https://t.co/7hvP08Yk1T Ryan Clinton (@ryanclinton) January 10, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Goodman wasnt the only one receiving praise for his actions Wednesday. Several Capitol Police officers found themselves having to deal with a situation they were unprepared for, as they faced off against rioters who seemed determined to cause harm. BuzzFeed News talked to two Black officers who described just how chaotic and dangerous the events of Wednesday were and how their superiors had not prepared them for what could happen that day. And on top of fighting off an angry mob, the officers often had to do it while also enduring racist abuse as they were repeatedly called the N-word. That was a heavily trained group of militia terrorists that attacked us, one of the officers said. They had radios, we found them, they had two-way communicators and earpieces. They had bear spray. They had flash bangs. They were prepared. Mary Berry has reportedly used binoculars to judge BBC's new series of Celebrity Best Home Cook, set to air later this year. In a new interview, contestant and Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson claimed the chef, 85, checked in on the competitors from a balcony as the BBC enforced the measure in a bid to limit the possibility of contracting coronavirus. The former Great British Bake Off star fronts the panel alongside Gordon Ramsay's former protegee Angela Hartnett, 52, and fresh producer importer Chris Bavin, 40, while Strictly's Claudia Winkleman, 48, presents the programme. Extreme: Mary Berry has used binoculars to judge BBC's new series of Celebrity Best Home Cook (pictured with Chris Bavin, Claudia Winkleman, Angela Hartnett in 2019 show) On Mary's unique judging stint, actor Tom, 34, told The Sun: 'Mary, for the whole thing, because of Covid, was on a kind of beautiful mezzanine that they built for her. ADVERTISEMENT 'And they gave her a pair of beautiful opera glasses so she could look over and see what we're up to, which was just great. I couldn't be happier about her being there.' Click here to resize this module According to the publication, the 15ft-high platform has been built above the cast's kitchen. This year's edition will mark the show's third series, with Tom, former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, First Time Mum star Ferne McCann and actress Ruth Madeley leading the line-up. Safety comes first! The chef, 85, is believed to have checked in on the competitors from a balcony in a bid to limit the possibility of contracting coronavirus (pictured last September) 'I couldn't be happier about her being there': Contestant and Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson has teased details about the upcoming show (pictured in September 2019) CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, Boris Johnson's sister Rachel, ex Corrie star Shobna Gulati, former Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas, and comedians Ed Byrne and Desiree Burch will also go head-to-head on the hit. It is understood that Mary joins the rest of the socially-distanced group when she samples the stars' dishes with her fellow judges. Best Home Cook first aired in 2018 and saw oncology research biobank technician Pippa Middlehurst win the series, before returning to screens two years later, when accountant Suzie Arbuthnot took home the coveted title. The line-up: (L-R) Rachel Johnson, Shobna Gulati, Desiree Burch, Gareth Thomas, Ed Byrne, Tom, Ed Balls, Karim Zeroual, Ruth Madeley and Ferne McCann are this year's contestants MailOnline has contacted representatives for Mary and the BBC for further comment. Presenter Mary recently discussed filming the show during the global crisis, telling You magazine: 'I'm obeying the rules, as we all should. We should do all we can to stop the spreading. 'When it comes to filming, I've already had a test, I'm having another one tomorrow before we start Britain's Best Home Cook again, and we will keep our distance as we film. ADVERTISEMENT 'When I'm home I avoid going out, other than into the countryside, and someone gets our groceries for us so we haven't been to any shops.' 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. NASA shared captivating aerial imagery of the US city of Boston illuminated with lights. The night time photograph of the US city was taken from the International Space Station (ISS) as it orbited 263 miles above Connecticut. Sharing the picture that appeared like spider's web, NASA wrote on Instagram, "Much like the delicate filaments of a spider's web, the glowing lights of the city of Boston seemingly spread from a central point." The space agency informed that the image was captured by the crew onboard the ISS as it was exactly orbiting 263 miles above Earth's surface. "What city would you want to look at if you were fluttering about in space on a Friday in January?" NASA asked the space aficionados, alongside the Boston picture. NASA's ISS crew has often taken mesmeric images of the cities as they appeared from space to give the viewers a unique perspective about the Earths territorial experience from several thousand feet above. Read: 'Beginning Of Brand New Day': NASA Shares Photo Of Sun Rising Over Canadian Provinces Read: NASA Shares Stunning Image Of Lonely Neutron Star Spotted Outside Milky Way; See Pic 89 miles lit-up stretch One can see the bright candescent lights that lit up in Central Park in the Big Apple and street lights that illuminated Boston roadways looked mesmerising from the Space. Last week by day, and this week by night, either way, #Boston beholds quite a sight. Goodnight Boston, Meir wrote in her Instagram post. Boston city in Massachusetts stretches 89 miles and inhibit the population of 685,000 citizens. The photo rendered the viewers wonder-struck as they admired the beauty of the city at night. Earlier, Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA had shared a spectacular nighttime image of Dublin on March 17, 2017, from the ISS on St. Patricks Day. The image, taken at night, similarly featured a heavily lit up city shrouded with parade decorations that could be witnessed by the ISS crew. Bostons photos were also shared across NASAs handle on Twitter and Instagram of Boston, New York City and Philadelphia by the Swedish-American astronaut from Expedition 61, Jessica Meir. Read: NASA's New Project Can Help To Estimate What A Supernova Sounds Like; Read More Read: NASA Astronauts Recreate Times Square's Ball Drop In Zero Gravity | Watch Can't live without Didi: BJP's Sonali Guha wants to rejoin TMC Cyclone Yaas: How mangrove forest in Odisha acted as protective barrier against Nature's fury yet again? Poll gimmick says BJP on Mamatas free vaccination promise India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Kolkata, Jan 11: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government is making arrangements to provide free COVID-19 vaccination for people in the state, an announcement the opposition BJP and Congress made light of, dubbing it as "poll gimmick. In an open letter, Banerjee said COVID warriors, including police, home guards, civil defence volunteers, correctional home and disaster management employees, will be administered the vaccine on a priority basis. "I am happy to inform that our government is making arrangements for the vaccine to reach people of the state free of any charge," the chief minister said. PM Modi to meet chief ministers today over Covid-19 vaccine rollout The Union government had earlier said free coronavirus vaccine would be provided in the first phase to the most prioritised beneficiaries, including one crore healthcare and two crore frontline workers. India is set to launch its COVID-19 vaccination drive from January 16. Banerjees announcement comes ahead of the assembly elections in West Bengal, which are likely to be held in April-May. The opposition, however, slammed the Trinamool Congress supremo for trying to politicise the drive ahead of the polls. "The Centre has announced free priority vaccination for frontline workers across the country. The TMC government is trying to take credit of it. The state government would distribute the vaccines supplied by the Centre and say it is providing free inoculation, just like renaming other central schemes," West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said "She is trying to turn it into a poll sop," he added. The state''s Congress president Adhir Chowdhury, too, spoke in the same vein, alleging that it is yet another attempt by the TMC to fool the masses. "The TMC is well aware its days are numbered, so these are desperate attempts," he said. The ruling party, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations as baseless. "The TMC government has done a splendid job in COVID management. If we have announced about providing free vaccines, what is the harm in it?" state minister Subrata Mukherjee said. How states are preparing to roll out COVID-19 vaccines? SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently made a similar announcement. The southern state will also go to polls along with Bengal. The Bihar government, too, has given the cabinet nod to provide free vaccine to every citizen of the state, a promise the saffron party made in its manifesto for the assembly elections held in October-November. Mr Guse said global reinsurers evaluated the level of risk posed by extreme weather in jurisdictions around the world each year. Previously, the Australian market had been an attractive opportunity for reinsurers to diversify their portfolios but increasingly severe local weather patterns had pushed prices up. "Our track record has not been good," he said. "If you look over the past probably decade, you would say that reinsurers have made a loss in total in Australia. "Every year, we seem to have either cyclones or floods or bushfires that have created a level of reinsurance cost that has surpassed the actual premiums the insurers have collected from Australian businesses." QBE said the increased allowance would mean the probability of the group breaching its catastrophe allowance is now lower than last year. However, Morningstar analyst Nathan Zaia said last month it was "proving impossible" to accurately provision for these extreme weather events. QBE is Australia's largest insurer in terms of market capitalisation and provides services such as agricultural crop protection across North America, Europe and Asia. Last year's Californian bushfires decimated winemakers in the Napa Valley, causing a spike in claims that contributed to the group's extreme weather bill breaching its annual allowance by at least $US130 million. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the latter's residence in Delhi. BJP chief JP Nadda and party's incharge for Karnataka, Arun Singh were also present (Twitter/ANI) New Delhi/Bengaluru: The much-awaited cabinet expansion in Karnataka is likely to take place on January 13, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Sunday after he met top BJP leaders including its chief J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. "We have finalised seven names. January 14 is the festival. Most probably the oath-taking ceremony will take place on January 13 afternoon. I will confirm the names and portfolios later," the chief minister told reporters after arriving in Bengaluru from Delhi. Earlier speaking to reporters in New Delhi after meeting Nadda and Shah, Yediyurappa said that he would give good news soon. "On cabinet expansion, there was a detailed discussion. You will get good news soon," the chief minister told reporters after an hour-long meeting held at Shah's residence in Delhi during which state party in-charge Arun Singh was also present. He, however, evaded queries on whether he would be able to complete his tenure, as there has been speculation about a possible leadership change in the state following murmurs of discontent in the party. Sources said the cabinet rejig is most likely to take place before January 20. The chief minister said this was the "last meeting" to discuss the cabinet expansion and the final names will be cleared as early as possible. The state can have a total of 34 ministers and has 27 now. There was a "positive, fruitful and satisfactory discussion. I am happy with the discussion. ...we will wait for their instructions," he said, adding the central leadership has assured its support. The cabinet expansion in the state has been on the cards for over a year now, and the delay has led to some unease in the state unit. The chief minister said he suggested some names and expressed confidence that the central BJP leadership will respond positively. "A 101 per cent this is the last meeting. They are going to clear the names as soon as possible," he said replying to a query. Asked if he is confident about completing his tenure as chief minister, Yediyurappa replied, "It is a question which only you can answer." Amid reports of simmering discontentment among a section of legislators on the functioning of the government and certain ministers, the chief minister recently held region wise meetings with party MLAs for two days. All 118 BJP MLAs have expressed faith in Chief Minister Yediyurappa's leadership, state ministers had said on Tuesday, while asserting that the government was stable. However, it was not clear if the leadership issue was discussed during Yediyurappa's meetings with senior BJP leaders on Sunday. Apart from the cabinet rejig, the chief minister said there were discussions also on the upcoming bypolls in the state for one parliamentary and two Assembly seats. "They asked me to send the names of the candidates at the earliest for clearance," he said, adding the leadership also told him to ensure the party's victory on all three seats. The senior party leaders also expressed happiness over recent gram panchayat results, Yediyurappa added. Yediyurappa's son and state BJP Vice President B Y Vijayendra also stressed that the discussions on cabinet expansion were complete. "The chief minister has said clearly that there won't be...further talks on cabinet rejig. All issues have been discussed in detail," he said. Vijayendra accompanied the chief minister to Delhi but was not present during the meetings with BJP leaders. The cabinet rejig is expected to be a tightrope walk for the chief minister, considering that there are too many aspirants, from the party's old guard to Congress and JD(S) rebels who are now BJP legislators. Among those in the ministerial race in the state are MLAs Umesh Katti, Munirathna, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, M P Renukacharya, Aravind Limbavali and S R Vishwanath. Three MLCs -- C P Yogeshwar, MTB Nagaraj and R Shankar -- are too aspiring for a ministerial berth. Another MLC, A H Vishwanath, was also in the race but his hopes were dashed when the Karnataka High Court on November 30 barred him from becoming a minister until at least May this year. Bypolls are scheduled for Maski and Basavakalyan assembly seats and Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency. While Maski fell vacant due to the resignation of Congress MLA Pratap Gouda Patil in 2019, the bypoll to Basavakalyan and Belagavi seats were necessitated following the death of their representatives B Narayan Rao and Suresh Angadi, respectively, due to the coronavirus. It looks like President Trump will not keep a low profile with plans to visit Alamo, Texas on Tuesday in support of the border wall. The appearance will come less than a week after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol that left five people dead including one Capitol Police officer. RELATED: 'Symbol of his defiance': President Trump visiting Alamo, Texas - not the Alamo - on Tuesday Many people took to Twitter expressing their safety concerns including a Hidalgo County Judge and the McAllen mayor. Others on Twitter wanted to state the obvious about the Trump administration choosing a city visit that is easily misinterpreted for the Alamo City. Read their reactions below. A woman was gang-raped and murdered by a Hindu priest and two of his 'disciples' before her body was dumped outside her home in an attack in India. Police arrested the priest on Thursday for the alleged rape and murder of the 50-year-old woman at a temple in the Budaun district on Sunday. His two male followers had been arrested on Wednesday by police, according to CNN. The priest was found in a hut in a forest near to his village after police received reports he had been hiding there. Two of the three suspects were arrested by police on Wednesday in the Budaun district of India. The suspected attackers claim that the victim had fallen down a well and that they saved her before leaving her outside of her house District magistrate Kumar Prashant said the victim had gone to the temple, in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, before being allegedly being attacked and her body being left outside her home around midnight. Prashant said: 'The family frequented the temple so the accused knew where the victim lived.' The priest claimed the victim had fallen into a well and he and his 'disciples' had rescued her and dropped her home. However, Prashant said the victim was already dead when she was found by her family outside their home. The alleged rape and murder took place at a temple in the Budaun district on Sunday Prashant said: 'According to the post-mortem report, she died due to shock from excessive internal bleeding and her rib was fractured ... She also had injuries and lacerations to her private parts.' Senior district police official Sankalp Sharma said that all three men have been accused of gang rape and murder. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, said on Wednesday that 'stringent legal action will be taken.' 'The accused cannot be spared at any cost,' he wrote on Twitter, adding that he had asked the state's special task force to coordinate with the district police in the investigation. India is one of the world's most dangerous places for women, with a rape occurring on average every 15 minutes based on federal data (stock image) Budaun police have also launched an internal inquiry at the Ughaiti Police Station after officers failed to register the complaint from the victim's family members. The officer in charge of the station has been suspended. The news comes less than a month after it was revealed that a 35-year-old woman was gang raped in India, only to then be raped by a 'police worker' when she reported the crime. India is one of the world's most dangerous places for women, with a rape occurring on average every 15 minutes based on federal data. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... BILLINGS, Mont. In the closing months of the Trump administration, energy companies stockpiled enough drilling permits for western public lands to keep pumping oil for years and undercut President-elect Joe Bidens plans to curb new drilling because of climate change, according to public records and industry analysts. An Associated Press analysis of government data shows the permit stockpiling has centered on oil-rich federal lands in New Mexico and Wyoming. It accelerated during the fall as Biden was cementing his lead over President Donald Trump and peaked in December, aided by speedier permitting approvals since Trump took office. The goal for companies is to lock in drilling rights on oil and gas leases on vast public lands where they make royalty payments on any resources extracted. Biden wants to end new drilling on those same lands as part of his overhaul of how Americans get energy, with the goal of making the nation carbon neutral by 2050. Companies submitted more than 3,000 drilling permit applications in a three-month period that included the election, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Officials approved almost 1,400 drilling applications during that time amidst the pandemic. Thats the highest number of approvals during Trumps four-year term, according to APs analysis. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ In Colorado, a dozen permits are approved or pending to drill in Pawnee National Grassland, a birding destination where wildflowers and cactuses bloom below the buttes. In Wyomings Thunder Basin National Grassland, a prairie expanse that abounds with wildlife and offers hiking, fishing and hunting, oil companies EOG Resources and Devon Energy which amassed the most federal permits this year have permission to drill three dozen wells among fields of sage brush. The administration issued more than 4,700 drilling permits in 2020 comparable to approval numbers from early last decade when oil topped $100 a barrel, roughly twice the current price. INVITATION TO DRILL Making it easier to drill was a centerpiece of Trumps effort to boost American energy production in part by enticing companies onto lands and offshore areas run by the U.S. departments of Interior and Agriculture. Under Trump, crude production from federal and tribal lands and waters increased sharply, topping a billion barrels in 2019. That was up by almost a third from the last year of the Obama administration. But this year the coronavirus pandemic and crashing oil prices caused many companies to curtail their activity. With markets still in flux and oil producers slashing budgets, major companies nevertheless have been acquiring enough permits to keep pumping through Bidens upcoming term. The government approved about 500 new drilling permits in September, more than double the same month in 2019. The oil industrys fear is that Biden will follow through on campaign pledges and make it impossible or much harder to drill on public lands. You go from having a champion in the White House, who steers the entire federal apparatus to wanting you to be successful, to someone who is hostile to the industry, said Tom Pyle, a former Republican aide on Capitol Hill who now leads the industry group American Energy Alliance. For Biden supporters, the stockpiling threatens parts of an ambitious climate agenda before the Democrat can get into the White House. Oil and gas extracted from public lands and waters generates the equivalent of almost 550 million tons (500 metric tons) of greenhouse gases annually, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a 2018 study. Trump administration critics say officials enabled the industry to reach its goals, noting that Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and others have boasted how speedily permits were processed. Bureau of Land Management spokesman Chris Tollefson said the agency had streamlined permitting while still following environmental laws. Markets, not the BLM, determine how oil and gas developers decide to acquire and develop leases, he said. Processing times for completed applications to the BLM have dropped from almost 140 days on average in the last year of Obamas administration to 44 days in fiscal year 2019, according to congressional testimony by Interior officials. In 2020, some companies had permits awarded in a little over a month, AP found. Other permits took longer but an average could not be determined. YEARS WORTH OF PERMITS To undo the late-term awarding of so many permits, a former senior Interior Department official said the Biden administration could be forced to pay millions of dollars to companies to get them to relinquish drilling rights. Such a scenario played out in pristine areas of Montana where officials spent decades trying to buy out companies with drilling leases near Glacier National Park. This is classic, end of administration stuff, but for the Trump administration its on steroids, said Jim Lyons, deputy assistant secretary of Interior under Obama. Houston-based EOG Resources amassed the most permits this year 1,024 including 549 since September, according to APs analysis. In total, EOG has about 2,500 federal permits approved or in progress. If he (Biden) tries to impose some regulations on how new federal permits are issued, we certainly already have an inventory, a large inventory, of existing federal permits that will sustain activity for several years, company CEO Lloyd Helms told a November investors conference. Oklahoma-based Devon Energy collected the second-highest number this year. As the presidential campaign wore on this summer, Devon executives assured investors that the company was amassing permits. By October, Vice President David Harris said the company had enough federal drilling permits in hand that essentially cover all of our desired activity over the next presidential term. Devons more than 500 permits secured this year resulted from a long-term business strategy, not a political calculation, said spokeswoman Lisa Adams. It was something in the works for years, Adams said. POTENTIAL MORATORIUM Biden is nominating New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary. And Haaland, who co-sponsored the Green New Deal by liberal Democrats, has said she opposes fracking and drilling on public land. Even if Biden doesnt immediately ban new permits, he could place a moratorium on them to study the situation in more detail, said Leo Mariani, managing director of equity research at KeyBank Capital Markets. Most companies have up to two years to act on federal permits, so a one-year moratorium wouldnt have much impact on oil supply and they could shift production to private or state-owned land, Mariani said. But such a shift would come at a cost, because royalty rates on private or state-owned land can be twice as much as federal land. Because the break-evens are so much lower, youre not going to see every dollar re-allocated to other places, said Parker Fawcett, analyst for S&P Global Platts Analytics. With a ban on new federal drilling permits, U.S. production could fall by about 1 million barrels per day, or about 10%, by 2024, Fawcett estimates. You will have a supply impact. Producers started talking about mitigating their risks about a year ago after Democratic presidential candidate and Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she would ban fracking on federal lands, said Artem Abramov, partner and head of shale research at Rystad Energy. Then companies began amassing federal drilling permits at more than $10,000 apiece. More than 60% of the permit applications filed over the past year were in New Mexico, where about a quarter of the state budget comes from oil and gas revenues. And 20% of the permit applications were filed in Wyoming, where Gov. Mark Gordon says the state budget has taken a one-third revenue hit mainly because of the oil downturn. I definitely wouldnt expect the New Mexican state government to support radical moves, Abramov said. They would push Biden toward a more gradual approach to the oil and gas industry. ___ Bussewitz reported from New York. Associated Press writers Morgan Lee in New Mexico and Mead Gruver in Wyoming contributed to this report. ___ On Twitter follow Matthew Brown: @MatthewBrownAP and Cathy Bussewitz: @cbussewitz A farmer from Punjab at the Singhu border protest tried to kill himself on Monday evening and was rushed to hospital where his condition is critical, officials said. This is the the sixth incident of attempted suicide during the ongoing farmers' protests. Labh Singh, from Ludhiana's Sirthala, drank poison at the protest site, and was later admitted to the Frank Institute of Medical Sciences, Sonepat where his condition is said to be critical. There have been four suicides in the 47 day long agitation. Portlaoise hospital has urged the people of Laois to stay home to help the frontline following confirmation that all staff have received the first dose of the Pfizer BioNTech jab. As of Monday, January 11 the vaccination team in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise had administered 562 vaccines. Vaccination began at the Laois hospital on Thursday, January 7. This represents the completion of the first delivery of vaccines to the hospital," said a statement issued on behalf of the hospital the HSE's Dublin Midland Hospital Group. "The roll-out of the vaccine programme will continue for health care workers in hospital and community services with further deliveries expected later this week," said the statement. The hospital used the completion of a crucial stage in the battle against Covid-19 to appeal to the public to stick with the measures designed to control the virus. "Hospitals across the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group are very busy, with increasing numbers of patients with Covid-19. Hospitals are asking the public to continue to support our frontline by staying at home and staying safe, said the appeal. There were 16 patients in Portlaoise hospital by 8 pm on Sunday, January 10. Three were in critically ill and being treated in the hospital's ICU. Portlaoise hospital staff will receive their second jab in three weeks time but the vaccine beings to offer protection within a week of the first dose. Community health staff have also been vaccinated. There are few things more terrifying for a European ruler to hear than "the Vikings are at it again." By the early 17th century, Sweden's King Gustav II Adolf had elevated his nation to one of the dominant navies on (or around) the continent. So when the king was told it was time to build more modern ships, he launched the greatest warship of its time. That time being roughly between 4 and 5 PM on a Thursday. On August 10th, 1628, the harbor of Alvsnabben near Stockholm witnessed the maiden voyage of the Vasa, the new flagship of the Swedish navy. Under the supervision of the king himself, the Vasa was the most impressive warship ever constructed, a 1,210-ton behemoth with 64 canons over two gundecks and a hull and gallery replete with brightly colored sculptures of Roman emperors, Egyptian gods, and even Gustav's ancestors. But none of that pomp and circumstance did it any good when, with less than one nautical mile on its odometer, the flagship had already reached the end of the line and sank. Continue Reading Below Advertisement What happened to the Vasa was less of a maritime epic of storms and gunpowder and more akin to the Challenger Disaster. After encountering a somewhat strong gust of wind, the Vasa tipped too far to the side. For just a moment, the ship's lower gunport dipped underneath the waves, and that was it. The ship was unable to right itself, and, only a few minutes later, the waterlogged Vasa had sunk, taking with it thirty souls into the icy waters of the Baltic. It was a fate that no one had seen coming. Except for every single shipwright standing on the shore, sighing: "We told you so, dumbass" under their breath. Math Shoddy craftsmanship? From the land that gave us IKEA? Simply shocking. Continue Reading Below Advertisement While Gustav II had tried to build the Cadillac of warships, he instead had created the exploding Ford Pinto. When the Swedish shipwrights were told to make a flagship ASAP, they had to cut corners, repurposing a partly finished but smaller warship instead of starting fresh. This refurbishing caused the Vasa to be more "unstable" (wibbly wobbly) than other ships of its caliber. Then, engineers had to quietly nod and despair while their king kept adding more and more features to the upper part of the ship, like the overcompensating 64 bronze cannons (which are denser than iron) and roughly five hundred sculptures, some as huge as 10 feet. That resulted in a ship of such unrealistically top-heavy proportions they might as well have rechristened it The Barbie. Continue Reading Below Advertisement And it's not as if the shipwrights hadn't given the navy plenty of warning. Well before the Vasa's maiden voyage, they had conducted a supervised rolling trial, a Medieval crash test, where a few dozen men run across the deck from port to starboard to get the ship a-rocking. How often they could do it without starting a capsize proved the stability of the ship. Here's a 100% accurate historic reenactment of that process: ADVERTISEMENT The Ugandan military says it is looking into circumstances under which a soldier killed four people before being shot dead by colleagues on Monday morning. The shooting happened in the central Ugandan district of Waksio, deputy military spokesperson, Deo Akiiki, said in a statement. We are investigating an unfortunate incident this morning (Monday) where one of our soldiers, one Lance Cpl. Omara Denis Awillo, shot and killed two Local Defence Unit personnel, one civilian and one police special constable, he said. Mr Akiiki said Mr Awillo was gunned down to stop his wanton action. We condemn the outrageous act of the lower commander against his subordinates. We extend our sincere condolences to those whose lives have been taken and grieve with the families, he added. (Xinhua/ NAN) Angola, IN (46703) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain. Low 48F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Healthcare and education are some of the important sectors that are usually not given the attention they deserve in Indias Union Budgets. It has been so for many years. But the situation this time is different. At a time when the country indeed, the entire world is working to tide over a health crisis presented by the coronavirus pandemic, will make a departure from the trend and place its expenditure focus on these sectors? In the fifth episode of Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB, Business Standards special video series in the run-up to Budget 2021, we discuss about the expenditure side of the Budget and look at sectors that have traditionally not been India's top expense areas but are now in the spotlight because of recent developments. The government needs to loosen its purse string in this pandemic Budget and spend more on the health sector, says our in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya. Tune in to learn why it's time the government expedited the process to create world-class healthcare infrastructure. Also it might need to spend more on defence, given that the situation along the LAC has not been looking good, says AKB. One of Europe's leading executives said he is giving a 'vote of confidence' to post-Brexit Britain and predicted that the economy will enjoy a 'rapid bounce-back' in 2021. Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete, the chief executive of Spanish giant Telefonica, which owns O2 in the UK, welcomed the Brexit deal signed over Christmas, saying it 'marks an exciting new chapter in Britain's history'. Leaving the EU will give Britain added independence and 'renewed self-confidence,' and an opportunity to 'blaze the trail' in the digital revolution. Alvarez-Pallete, 57, called on the Government to put 'rocket-fuel' into the recovery by taking steps to boost connectivity. He said the Brexit trade deal is 'a good one for consumers in the UK and offers much-needed reassurance and certainty for a number of sectors'. Backing Britain: Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete, the chief executive of Spanish giant Telefonica, which owns O2 in the UK He added: 'The deal will provide foundations for consumer confidence and coupled with encouraging news on the Covid-19 vaccine front. There is every reason to believe that 2021 can see a rapid bounce-back for the British economy.' Telefonica in May announced a 31bn merger of its O2 operation in the UK with Virgin Media, which is owned by US giant Liberty Global. The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a full probe into the proposed deal, which would combine the UK's largest mobile phone operator with its second-biggest broadband player. O2 has 34m mobile phone customers while more than 5m have signed up to Virgin Media for broadband, pay TV and mobile services. The CMA is concerned that a merger could lead to a worse deal for British consumers. Telefonica and Liberty have said they will invest 10bn in the UK if the merger goes ahead. Investing in digital infrastructure will bring 'clear benefits' for businesses and consumers, he told the Mail. Having left the EU, Britain must modernise its economy to capitalise on the digital revolution including by Ruth Sunderland Business Editor 5G, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence. 'Now, with an added degree of independence in decision-making and renewed self-confidence, it has the opportunity to blaze the trail there are some clear things the United Kingdom can do to put rocket-fuel in that recovery,' Alvarez-Pallete said. Advancing arguments that would favour the merger with Virgin Media, he called on regulator Ofcom to focus on boosting investment in the sector. 'We want to help Britain win a race to the top, not preside over a slide in the opposite direction,' he said. He also called on the Government to modernise planning policy so that better coverage is easier to deliver. 'The industry often must go through a complex planning application processes to undertake even basic upgrades of existing infrastructure.' Francescas Holdings Corp. will move forward with an auction after clearance from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, which authorized the move on Friday. The auction is scheduled for Friday, the company said in an email. The company also said its holding off on plans to close its corporate offices in Houston and lay off hundreds of local employees. The Houston-based womens clothing retailer announced a plan to auction off its core retail locations when it filed for bankruptcy protection last month. At the same time, the company reached an agreement with Tiger Finance, an existing lender, for a $25 million debtor-in-possession financing facility that would allow it to continue operations. It also entered into a letter of intent with TerraMar Capital, a Los Angeles investment firm that provides debt and equity capital to middle-market businesses. On HoustonChronicle.com: Francescas to close Houston corporate office, lay off hundreds amid bankruptcy Francescas announced late Friday it executed the stalking horse agreement with TerraMars affiliate, Francescas Acquisition, and with Tiger Capital Group. The minimum bid for company assets and subsidiaries is set at $17 million cash. The transaction is subject to court approval, the company said. Other bids must be submitted by Wednesday. The company foreshadowed the shuttering of its Clay Road office last month in a notification to the Texas Workforce Commission, telling the agency it planned to lay off 223 employees by Jan. 31. The company said Monday it issued the notification to be compliant with regulations but the plans are not set in stone. Since filing for bankruptcy, we have not had any layoffs or closed our headquarters, it said. Following Friday's auction, we look forward to new ownership who will help us continue to provide our customers with a unique, fun and personalized shopping experience. Interested bidders could make offers on individual retail locations or offer to buy assets as a package deal, depending on how negotiations pan out, said Venky Shankar, research director for Texas A&Ms Center for Retailing Studies. The assets could have value for other clothing retailers and private equity firms, Shankar said. Larger mall owners such as Simon Properties and Brookfield Properties may also be interested. They may have to close down locations because there may not be any takers, Shankar said. Francescas already planned to close some 237 stores as part of its restructuring. At the time of its last quarterly report, for the period ended Aug. 1, 2020, the company had 700 stores. amanda.drane@chron.com Twitter.com/amandadrane NIH-supported pilot study found team-based approach may improve buprenorphine care. WHAT: A collaborative approach to treating opioid use disorder that relies heavily on community pharmacists is feasible and may increase adherence and participant satisfaction, according to a pilot study published today in Addiction. The study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, through the NIDA Center for the Clinical Trials Network. Most people with opioid use disorder who would benefit from medication do not receive it. Buprenorphine is a safe and effective medication that has been used in opioid addiction treatment for nearly two decades, but providers must complete training and receive a special waiver in order to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. In the United States, fewer than 10% of primary care providers are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine, and more than 20 million people in the United States live in a county without a buprenorphine-waivered physician. This lack of access is a significant barrier to treatment, especially to people in underserved communities. To help address treatment gaps, investigators studied the transfer of care of 71 participants using buprenorphine maintenance therapy for opioid use disorder from waivered physicians to trained community pharmacists. About 90% of people in the United States live within five miles of a community pharmacy. Researchers from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, and their collaborators found nearly 89% of participants remained in the study and 95.3% adhered to the daily medication regimen. During the 6-month trial, no opioid-related emergencies or hospitalizations were reported. The proportion of opioid-positive urine drug screens was less than 5% at month 6 among participants who completed all urine drug screens in the study. Participants, physicians, and pharmacists alike reported high rates of satisfaction with the program. Investigators recruited 71 adults currently receiving office-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area from March to December 2018. Six physicians and six community pharmacists took part in the trial. The initial treatment phase, in which the buprenorphine dose is gradually increased until a satisfactory daily dose is reached, was carried out under the care of a waivered physician. Then, participants attended monthly maintenance visits in which pharmacists dispensed buprenorphine, assessed how well the medication was working, and provided counseling and referrals to specialists as needed. Pharmacists then provided feedback to the partnering physician to adjust buprenorphine dosage as needed. The researchers concluded that the pilot study offers strong support for advancing physician-pharmacist team-based approaches to leverage the abundant resource of community pharmacies in expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment with buprenorphine. Larger clinical trials are needed to establish strategies and approaches to most effectively implement team-based buprenorphine care and respond to the needs of diverse clinical settings and populations. ### Article Wu, L-T et al. Buprenorphine physician?pharmacist collaboration in the management of patients with opioid use disorder: Results from a multi-site study of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Addiction. January 11, 2021. The paper will be available at https:/ / onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ abs/ 10. 1111/ add. 15353 . WHO: Nora Volkow, M.D., director of NIDA, is available for comment. To learn more about NIDA's National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network, go to NIDA's Clinical Trials Network website: https:/ / www. drugabuse. gov/ about-nida/ organization/ cctn/ clinical-trials-network-ctn . For more information, contact the NIDA press office at media@nida.nih.gov or 301-443-6245. Follow NIDA on Twitter and Facebook. About the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): NIDA is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world's research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy, improve practice, and advance addiction science. For more information about NIDA and its programs, visit http://www. drugabuse. gov . About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www. nih. gov . NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health Gena enjoyed greeting guests and never stopped going, said son Michael Quast. It was hard to stop her. She was always running from one place to the other, but they also took time to soak in the pools and just relax. The couple enjoyed a quiet life but were also involved in a homeowners association, which partially transformed into the Chamber of Commerce. The couple operated and lived at the resort until they retired in 1997, and the resort has been run by their son, Michael, and his wife, Kathy, ever since. After they retired, Gina and Max moved off the resort property and into a house built by Max and Michael only a few blocks from the resort. They still frequented the pools most evenings throughout the year, and visiting with long-term guests. Max and Gena enjoyed traveling, and visiting friends and relatives in Europe and Canada. They took driving trips, cruises, and toured Asia, the Soviet Union, England, the Caribbean and much of the U.S. and Mexico. Max died in 2008. Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 Parler is facing an uncertain future after Amazon cut off the companys servers, knocking the free speech app offline. Now, Parler has responded by suing Amazon Web Services for antitrust in a last-ditch attempt to restore its service. In court documents, Parler claims that Amazons actions are motivated by political animus and designed to reduce competition in the microblogging services market to the benefit of Twitter. The suit, filed Monday, asks for a temporary restraining order against AWS. Amazon declined to comment on the filing. In a letter to Parler published by BuzzFeed News, Amazon told Parler that its clear that Parler does not have an effective process to comply with the AWS terms of service, and that the app poses a very real risk to public safety. Parlers lawsuit highlights how dire the situation has become for the service, which has faced a massive backlash for its role in the riot in Washington D.C. last week. Before AWS cut off Parler, both Apple and Google kicked it out of their app stores, citing the companys inability to deal with violent threats from its users. And the companys CEO, John Matze, told Fox News over the weekend that even the companys lawyers were fleeing. Without AWS, Parler is finished as it has no way to get online, the lawsuit states. Prior to going offline, Matze told users that the service had few remaining options to get back up and running. As of Monday afternoon, Parlers website was down and its app was no longer functional, even for those who had downloaded it prior to its removal. Parler CEO announces their entire system has been shut down, no vendors will touch them, and that will be offline for the foreseeable future. pic.twitter.com/gQKsKWX9GR Don Winslow (@donwinslow) January 11, 2021 Amazons, Googles and Apples statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well, Matze wrote. And most people with enough servers to host us have shut their doors to us. Though Parler appears to be unavailable for the foreseeable future, it seems much of the services data will live on. Large swaths of Parler data, including the violent threats and videos posted by participants in last weeks riots, has reportedly been archived by a researcher. Gizmodo reported that a self-described hacker who uses the Twitter handle @donk_enby was able to capture around 99 percent of all public Parler content, before the service was taken offline. Update 1/11 9:39pm ET: A spokesperson for AWS provided the following statement: There is no merit to these claims. AWS provides technology and services to customers across the political spectrum, and we respect Parlers right to determine for itself what content it will allow. However, it is clear that there is significant content on Parler that encourages and incites violence against others, and that Parler is unable or unwilling to promptly identify and remove this content, which is a violation of our terms of service. We made our concerns known to Parler over a number of weeks and during that time we saw a significant increase in this type of dangerous content, not a decrease, which led to our suspension of their services Sunday evening. Flash As observers and scholars alike scramble to predict the future of U.S.-China relations under the incoming Biden administration, President Trump once again successfully proved that he is still the one who calls the shots. Being totally engrossed in his loss in the election, plotting schemes to overturn the election result, and continuously staying blind to his country's spiking COVID-19 cases; on January 5, Mr. Trump found the time to sign an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Alipay and WeChat Pay, according to the White House. Once again, national security is the outgoing administration's major concern cited behind the move. On his watch, President Trump has successfully altered the country's China strategy with his signature erratic and haphazard decisions and moves. Starting a trade war, levying duties, sanctioning Chinese tech firms, and even attempting to delist Chinese telecom companies from the New York Stock Exchange, the Trump administration has almost used up all the tools in its arsenal to contain China, defying international practices and WTO rules. All seems to be an obvious attempt to serve his election campaign by pandering to his supporters. And National security is the major stated reason. Thanks to the administration's relentless efforts to stigmatize, slander, and demonize the world second largest economy, Trump did successfully sell his tough stance on China, which has been widely accepted in both Republican and Democratic parties, further evidenced by the record high level of the American people's unfavorable attitudes toward China. Nonetheless, despite the last salvos of the commander in chief in his waning presidency, people now seem more concerned about the incoming administration's stand and strategy on China. Is China the biggest national security threat to the U.S. for the new government? Will China-U.S. relations take a U-turn? Rules and order "I think the biggest threat to America right now in terms of breaking up our security and our alliances is Russia. Secondly, I think that the biggest competitor is China. And depending on how we handle that will determine whether we're competitors or we end up being in a more serious competition relating to force." Biden first clarified his stance about China in an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" in late October, responding to the interviewer's question, "Which country is the biggest threat to America?" Biden has been known for his endorsement of the U.S. granting China the status of permanent normal trading partner in 2000. He contended that integrating China into the global trading system would make China play by international rules and benefit American workers. Biden is right about his speculation of China in this sense. Since its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has further improved its socialist market economy system, aligned its policies with multilateral trade rules in all areas, honored its commitments by removing barriers for trade in goods and services, and strengthened intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. China has reviewed and revised laws and regulations to make them in line with WTO rules, involving 2,300 laws, regulations, and departmental rules at the central government level, and 190,000 policies and regulations at the sub-central government levels, according to the white paper China and the World Trade Organization released in July 2018. Since 2001, intellectual property royalties paid by China to foreign copyright holders has registered an annual growth of 17 percent, reaching $28.6 billion in 2017, the white paper states. In addition, China has led the world in invention patent applications for nine consecutive years. "Notwithstanding COVID-19, the pace of opening-up in China has continued to quicken this year," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the third China International Import Expo in early November 2020. He pointed out that the items on the national negative list for foreign investment have been cut from 40 to 33; the number of pilot free trade zones has increased from 18 to 21; the Master Plan for the Development of Hainan Free Trade Port and the Implementation Plan for Further Reform and Opening-up in Shenzhen have both been released and taken effect. Right before the beginning of 2021, China and the EU reached an investment deal. "The balanced, high-quality, and mutually beneficial agreement demonstrates China's resolve and confidence to promote high-level opening-up," President Xi said. It will promote recovery of the world economy, facilitate global trade and the global economy, boost the international community's confidence toward economic globalization and free trade, and make important contributions to building an open world economy, he added. Since China's entry to the WTO, China has become closely integrated with the world as a firm supporter and defender of international multilateralism rules. Biden is also known as someone who respects the international rules. At an interview with CNN in early December, Biden elaborated his approach toward the U.S.-China relationship, "If you (China) play by the international rule, we'll play with you; if you don't, we're not gonna play." As for whether the U.S.-China relationship will take a U-turn, we still need to wait and see. The president-elect indicated in early December he would conduct a full review of the trading relationship with China and consult with allies to develop a coherent strategy before making changes to America's trade terms about China. "I'm not going to make any immediate moves," he said. In spite of the many uncertainties, the volatile state of the bilateral relations is believed to soon come to the end as a stable situation seems to be coming into sight. A false proposition "The conventional wisdom these days is that U.S. policy on China will not change," A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute Bruno Macaes pointed out in his article published in the Foreign Policy in December.With the zero-sum mentality, some politicians in Washington cannot seem to tolerate an ascendant China. They firmly believe that when it eclipses the U.S. economically, technically, and militarily, China will dominate the world. To make sensible decisions, those American politicians should at least know something about Chinese culture and policies. Chinese culture values inclusiveness, harmony, and coexistence. Aggressiveness and combativeness has never been a trait of the Chinese nation. As the country's symbolic monument, the Great Wall signifies, the country has paid more attention to securing peace by erecting fortifications to avoid war, instead of starting a war. As for China's foreign policies, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy makes clear the guiding principle, core values, and missions of the country's diplomacy. Xi's thought emphasizes that China should carry out its diplomacy with the mission to realize national rejuvenation, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humankind with the aim to maintain world peace and promote common development, instead of seeking hegemony, waging wars, and bullying the weak. Besides, China is still far from being a match for the United States in terms of economic and technological strength. For example, in the field of artificial intelligence, a study released in August 2019 by the Center for Data Innovation, a research institute based in Washington and Brussels, found, "The United States still leads in absolute terms." The United States ranked first in four of the study's six key metrics: talent, research, development, and hardware. China led in the other two, adoption of AI technology and access to data that feeds it. However, U.S. policy today is, "To find any tool to act unilaterally against China from tariffs to controls on US technology exports," a CNN commentary piece by Michael Hirson and Paul Triolo states on December 6. It suggests to the next administration to "avoid seeing China as the bogeyman behind every corner," as now American politicians portray virtually every issue touching China now as a national security threat. It further points out that taken too far, such arguments undermine US moral authority or are counterproductive in other ways. Cooperation, the right option Antagonizing China has not brought any benefit to the United States, but has taken a toll on American consumers and investors and the economy on the whole. Influenced by the trade war, "U.S. economic growth slowed, business investment froze, and companies didn't hire as many people. Across the nation, a lot of farmers went bankrupt, and the manufacturing and freight transportation sectors have hit lows not seen since the last recession. Trump's actions amounted to one of the largest tax increases in years," the Washington Post correspondent Heather Long observed. A study by Moody's Analytics in September 2019 found that the trade war had already cost the U.S. economy nearly 300,000 jobs and an estimated 0.3 percent of real GDP. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University released in May 2020 found that U.S. companies lost at least $1.7 trillion in the value of their stocks as a result of U.S. tariffs imposed on imports from China. As Ryan Hass, formerly the Director for China on the National Security Council during President Barack Obama's second term, pointed out in his article "More pain than gain: How the U.S.-China trade war hurt America," numerous studies have found that U.S. companies primarily paid for U.S. tariffs, with the cost estimated at nearly $46 billion. At the time of writing this article, the U.S. Capitol was besieged by rioters venting their dissatisfaction with the presidential election result and trying to thwart the power transfer. As a December 2020 CNN opinion piece goes, "Competing against China won't heal our political divides, but both parties should strive to show that the United States can govern itself competently." Once in the Oval Office, containing the COVID-19, reinvigorating the economy, and coping with issues related to climate change are expected to be the incoming president's top priorities. Bringing U.S.-China relations back to the normal track through dialogue and restarting bilateral cooperation in various fields will be a wise option for the new government. "China's policy towards the United States is always stable and consistent. With deeply interwoven interests between the two countries, neither can do without the other, remodel the other, or replace the other. The bilateral relationship is no zero-sum game; the success of one does not have to entail the other's failure. While China-U.S. cooperation can make great things happen for the two countries and the entire world, China-U.S. confrontation would definitely spell disaster not only for both countries but also humanity as a whole," China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on the evening of December 18, 2020, during a videoconference with the Asia Society in Beijing. A new police unit to stamp out illegal gun use by organised crime has already netted 80 firearms since its inception in September last year. Victoria Police's illicit firearms unit is made up of 22 officers and has vowed to focus on disrupting firearm-related crime, including trafficking by "outlaw motorcycle gangs and Middle Eastern organised crime groups". Detective Inspector Mick Daly shows Police Minister Lisa Neville an illegal guns seized by police during the launch of the illicit firearms unit in Melbourne. Credit:Simon Schluter The unit is also able to forensically trace the seized weapons and link them to crimes committed in Victoria and across the country. Police Minister Lisa Neville said there was up to 260,000 illicit firearms currently circulating nationwide, causing "serious harm". (Newser) Two of the so-called alleged "zip-tie guys" from Wednesday's breach of the US Capitol have been arrested, CBS News reports. The FBI arrested Eric Gavelek Munchel, 30, of Nashville on Sunday, News Channel 5 reports. He was allegedly one of the men pictured inside the Capitol building carrying zip-tie handcuffs, leading to speculation the rioters intended to take hostages. Another alleged "zip-tie guy," earlier identified as a retired Air Force officer, has also been arrested. They join other such notable arrests as the guy who put his feet up on Nancy Pelosi's desk, the West Virginia lawmaker who later resigned, the guy who stole a lectern, the oddly dressed "QAnon Shaman," and another QAnon fan. story continues below The AP took a deep dive, looking at 120 people who have either been arrested in relation to the Capitol incident or who have been identified via photos of the event, and determined the mob was "overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters," many of whom openly bragged about their involvement on social media. Many were found to be adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory. At least 90 arrests have been made so far, and the FBI is still searching for more suspects. Two Virginia police officers are on administrative leave after allegedly attending the riot, WSLS reports. (The assault was a more sinister attack than it first appeared.) OSAKA, Japan, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At CES 2021, Panasonic Corporation announced the future opening of AkeruE, a new center dedicated to providing creative learning experiences for children. AkeruE is an expansion of RiSuPia, the science museum for the next generation of leaders, located in the Panasonic Center Tokyo (3-5-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo), a Corporate Global Communications Hub for Panasonic and is set to open April 3, 2021.1 In 2006, Panasonic opened RiSuPia, a hands-on museum, with the goal to increase children's interest and curiosity in science and mathematics and to support the educational development of the next generation as part of its corporate citizenship activities. Since then, RiSuPia has welcomed a total of 4.6 million visitors, including educational institutions, children and their parents, and has contributed to the improvement of math and science skills as well as supporting human resources development in society. AkeruE, an expansion of RiSuPia, will serve as a space to foster creativity in children, provide engaging learning experiences and equip them with skills to create new solutions. As represented by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 by the United Nations, it is becoming more important to develop the skills to identify and take positive actions to resolve various social issues in an era of increasing unpredictability and dramatic changes. AkeruE will deal with a wide range of crossover subjects in STEAM2 education. In its initial year, Panasonic will promote joint activities with Katie Ledecky, World Champion swimmer and Olympic Gold medalist, who serves as Panasonic's official ambassador promoting STEM education opportunities in the United States.3 Panasonic will continue to contribute to society by supporting children's creative actions and next-generation development. The current schedule may change depending on social conditions. STEAM education: STEM education is an educational method by which students learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education is sometimes amended to include the arts, and referred to as STEAM. Panasonic has been promoting a unique STEM education program entitled "Katie Ledecky's Dive Into STEM Education Powered by Panasonic." What is AkeruE, Panasonic Creative Museum? The name AkeruE refers to opening up (akeru in Japanese) the potential of children's intellectual curiosity and inspiring (Eureka4) them to take creative actions. Story continues As a space to develop children's intellectual curiosity and their inspiration, AkeruE provides children with hands-on learning experiences, and creating works and solutions. The exhibited works combine elements of a science museum where children learn scientific principles and elements of an art museum where children find issues in the beauty of the works. By creating spaces and offering workshops that help children participate in projects where they create works and come up with solutions, AkeruE will provide them with opportunities for giving shape to their ideas. Furthermore, AkeruE will explore ways to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including young people, educators, and local activists, aiming to develop opportunities and communities for all human resources and generations, including children, to learn together and create the future. At AkeruE, Panasonic will offer opportunities for children to come up with new inspiration based on their curiosity and inquisitive minds. 4. Eureka is the Greek term meaning inspiration. AkeruE, Panasonic Creative Museum: Area overview Main areas [2F] ASTRO: Understand the joy of creation by combining things Exhibits consist of art works created by combining science, technology, and art, and scientific principles explaining the elements of their structures. While alternately observing these two exhibits, you learn the composition of art works, and think of what they express. COSMOS: Have fun by giving shape to own ideas generated based on a given topic When you create your own work using your favorite materials and arrange it on the stage, it will be in harmony with other people's work and become one big work as a whole. You can also get inspired by comparing your work with others and having a look around all exhibits. PHOTON: Communicate ideas by using video, photos, and animation This is a space to assemble your own ideas and creations as a story and express it as a video. You can accumulate experience for communicating your ideas and receiving a response by sharing your ideas. [3F] TECHNITO: Have experience of creating works by using professional-grade equipment There are digital fabrication devices, such as 3D printer and a laser cutter, which can create various works from data. In addition, STEAM lectures will be offered, which allow you to create products that combine programing and electronic work. CHAOS: A wide range of creators from children to adults gather in this space to communicate People of different ages or professional backgrounds can network and exchange ideas. [Open] 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Closes early for the time being to prevent the spread of COVID-19) [Closed] On Mondays [Admission] To be determined [Address] 2F and 3F, Panasonic Center Tokyo 3-5-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0063 [Official URL] https://www.panasonic.com/global/corporate/center-tokyo/en.html [Planning and production] Loftwork Inc. https://loftwork.com/en/ [Visual identity design] Tomohiro Okazaki, SWIMMING http://www.swimmingdesign.com/ About Panasonic Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018, has expanded globally and now operates 528 subsidiaries and 72 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.49 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2020. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global. Above: Chart showing the positioning of AkeruE as a creative museum, which includes elements of science and art museums where children can experience learning and creating works and solutions AkeruE, Panasonic Creative Museum: Area overview ASTRO COSMOS PHOTON TECHNITO CHAOS Panasonic Logo Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/akerue-a-museum-dedicated-to-creative-learning-experiences-for-children-set-to-open-in-the-panasonic-center-tokyo-in-april-2021-301205373.html SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America President Donald Trump may turn to Rudy Giuliani to defend him against possible impeachment over his role in last weeks violent siege of the U.S. Capitol, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of the sources, an outside adviser to the White House, said Giuliani was expected to play a lead role in any impeachment effort. The other source familiar with the situation said Giuliani, a personal attorney of the president, would likely provide the kind of representation Trump wants. Giuliani, 76, led the legal team that tried unsuccessfully to overturn Trumps election defeat. It failed to produce any evidence of significant fraud and lost dozens of court cases in key battleground states and at the Supreme Court before President-elect Joe Bidens victory was confirmed. Giulianis own reputation was battered during the often chaotic legal campaign. In one news conference, brown dye dripped down his face as he laid out false claims of election fraud, and he was ridiculed for another event held in the parking lot of a Pennsylvania landscaping company next to a sex shop. The former mayor of New York City did not respond to requests for comment on his role in a possible impeachment trial, and the White House declined to comment. Democratic members of the House of Representatives are expected to introduce articles of impeachment this week, accusing Trump of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. If the House votes to impeach Trump, he would then face a trial in the Senate. While a House vote could come quickly, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has suggested that there would be no Senate trial until after Trump leaves office. House Majority Whip James Clyburn also said on CNN that lawmakers might wait to send the impeachment article to the U.S. Senate for a trial to give Congress time to approve Bidens Cabinet nominees and other agenda items. Trumps choice of lawyers to defend him may be limited. He has had trouble attracting top-notch legal talent dating back to former Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and the widespread condemnation of the violence at the Capitol may discourage others from signing up. White House counsel Pat Cipollone helped lead the defense team during an impeachment trial last year, when Trump was accused of abusing his power by asking Ukraines government to announce investigations to discredit Biden, his Democratic political rival. But Cipollone considered resigning last week after the siege at the Capitol, according to a source, and he and other White House lawyers will be out of their jobs anyway when Trump leaves office on January 20. Longtime personal lawyers for Trump such as Jay Sekulow are not expected to defend the president, people familiar with the matter said, although Sekulow has been involved in everything from the Mueller probe to the impeachment over Ukraine to fighting a subpoena for Trumps tax returns. Alan Dershowitz, the Harvard Law professor emeritus who argued as part of the defense in Trumps impeachment trial last year, told Reuters on Friday that he would be honored to help defend Trump given the First Amendment issues, if asked. But on Sunday, he said he had not made a decision. He also said he did not think there would be a meaningful role for a lawyer this time around, with a quick impeachment in the House and unlikely trial in the Senate. Giuliani has been an outspoken Trump supporter since his first run for president. He became a personal lawyer for him during the Mueller probe, which found that Trump impeded the investigation but stopped short of concluding he had committed a crime. Giulianis own pressure on Ukraine helped lead to Trumps impeachment trial last year and he also played a role in events leading to the violence at the Capitol, which led to the deaths of five people, including a police officer. At a rally before the riot, Trump repeated his false claim that he had won the election and told supporters to march to the Capitol and stop the steal." Giuliani also gave a speech at the rally, saying, Lets have trial by combat." Some lawmakers have said Giuliani should be disbarred. Other lawyers who defended Trump in the earlier impeachment including Ken Starr, Jane Raskin and Robert Ray would not say whether they would do so again. Ray, a former independent counsel, said he saw inciting violence as a viable legal theory, but that Trumps defense would likely be that he was trying to make a political point, not harm anyone or incite violence. Reasonable people could disagree about that," said Ray. But, he added, going forward with impeachment was not in the countrys best interest." New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Congress on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's observations on the three farm laws while hearing a bunch of petitions, and demanded that the government should repeal the contentious laws. Speaking to IANS over phone, Congress Lok Sabha MP and former Union minister Manish Tewari said, "The Supreme Court should stay the operation of these farm laws and hear the constitutionality of these laws on a daily basis." He said that the Supreme Court should do this because this impacts 65 per cent of the population of the country. The Congress leader's remarks came after a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde toughened its stand on the farm laws and said the court has made up its mind to stay the implementation of the three farm laws which have led to protests by thousands of farmers at various Delhi borders. "We do not believe the Centre is handling the situation correctly. We do not believe your negotiations are effective. We are attempting to make the atmosphere conducive by keeping the implementation of the laws in abeyance," the Chief Justice told Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre. The Attorney General insisted that the top court should not pass any order in a hurry. The CJI replied: "You should not lecture us on patience." Four senior lawyers -- Dushyant Dave, Prashant Bhushan, H.S. Phoolka and Colin Gonsalves -- represented eight farmer unions before the top court. The Chief Justice told these lawyers to ask the protesting old men, women and children to go back home. Speaking to media here, Congress General Secretary and national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala welcomed the top court's observations and demanded that the three farm laws should be repealed immediately. Surjewala claimed that for the last three months "crores of farmers" of the country are agitating peacefully. "While coming to Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the government stopped them at the borders of Delhi. In the last 46 days, 65 farmers have died," he said. He said that farmers are demanding justice in the shivering cold and by braving the rains in the chilling weather. The apex court has taken note of the failure of talks between the farmers and the government and has shown its anguish. "The court said that if you cannot hold talks, then we will stay the farm laws. In the last 73 years no government would have shown such arrogance. Modiji it is time as the Supreme Court has lambasted your government and questioned the failure of talks. He should apologise to farmers, and he should repeal these farm laws," Surjewala said. "The three farm laws should be repealed. And nothing less is acceptable to the farmers," he said. He further said that when the government is ready to make 18 amendments then the law is not good. "Why is the government not repealing these laws?" he asked. "And we demand the Prime Minister should come forward and speak on the farm laws and wipe the tears of farmers and immediately announce the repealing of these farm laws," Surjewala added. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal slammed the government saying the Supreme Court has noted that the central government has failed to protect the interests of farmers and the government must repeal the farm laws and the Prime Minister should speak over the issue. In a tweet, Venugopal said, "Now, the Supreme Court has said that the central government failed to protect the interests of the farmers. Lets hope good sense prevails with the Govt. The central govt should repeal the farm laws and the PM should speak to the farmers and offer his apologies." Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also took to Twitter and wrote, "Supreme Court observations and hearing today has completely exposed BJP government '3M: Mismanaging, Mishandling and Maligning' blunders on farmers issue and has sent a strong signal to government that they do not have licence to bulldoze farmers' rights and consultative process preceding legislation." Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a jibe at the Prime Minister saying its all about 'ME' -- "Modi's ego". Ramesh tweeted, "The Supreme Court has rightly asked today in relation to putting the farm laws on hold: What's the ego? The answer is obvious. It's all about ME (Modi's Ego)!" Speaking to IANS, Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, said, "The country witnessed how the farm laws were brought in through an ordinance. How it was bulldozed in the Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha members were barely given time and how farmers were given empty promises and called vile names. As the protest continues, heartening that Supreme Court has taken note." Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh have been sitting on protest against the three farm laws since November 26 last year demanding the repealing of the three farm laws passed by Parliament in September last year. The farmers are also demanding the government to ensure the guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP). Since November 26, over 60 farmers have lost their lives while protesting against these farm laws. The government and the farmers have held eight rounds of talks but the stalemate has continued on these farm laws. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed WASHINGTON (AP) They came from across America, summoned by President Donald Trump to march on Washington in support of his false claim that the November election was stolen and to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden as the victor. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th, Trump tweeted a week before Christmas. Be there, will be wild! The insurrectionist mob that showed up at the presidents behest and stormed the U.S. Capitol was overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters, including Republican Party officials, GOP political donors, far-right militants, white supremacists, members of the military and adherents of the QAnon myth that the government is secretly controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophile cannibals. Records show that some were heavily armed and included convicted criminals, such as a Florida man recently released from prison for attempted murder. The Associated Press reviewed social media posts, voter registrations, court files and other public records for more than 120 people either facing criminal charges related to the Jan. 6 unrest or who, going maskless amid the pandemic, were later identified through photographs and videos taken during the melee. The evidence gives lie to claims by right-wing pundits and Republican officials such as Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that the violence was perpetrated by left-wing antifa thugs rather than supporters of the president. If the reports are true, Gaetz said on the House floor just hours after the attack, some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters and, in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group antifa. Steven DAntuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Washington field office, told reporters that investigators had seen no indication antifa activists were disguised as Trump supporters in Wednesdays riot. The AP found that many of the rioters had taken to social media after the November election to retweet and parrot false claims by Trump that the vote had been stolen in a vast international conspiracy. Several had openly threatened violence against Democrats and Republicans they considered insufficiently loyal to the president. During the riot, some livestreamed and posted photos of themselves at the Capitol. Afterwards, many bragged about what they had done. As the mob smashed through doors and windows to invade the Capitol, a loud chant went up calling for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence, the recent target of a Trump Twitter tirade for not subverting the Constitution and overturning the legitimate vote tally. Outside, a wooden scaffold had been erected on the National Mall, a rope noose dangling at the ready. So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Among them was Lonnie Leroy Coffman, 70, an Alabama grandfather who drove to Washington to attend Trumps Save America Rally in a red GMC Sierra pickup packed with an M4 assault rifle, multiple loaded magazines, three handguns and 11 Mason jars filled with homemade napalm, according to court filings. The truck was found during a security sweep involving explosives-sniffing dogs after two pipe bombs were found and disarmed Wednesday near the national headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties. Coffman was arrested that evening when he returned to the truck carrying a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun and a .22-caliber derringer pistol in his pockets. Federal officials said Coffman is not suspected of planting the pipe bombs, though he was charged with having Molotov cocktails in the bed of his truck. His grandson, Brandon Coffman, told the AP on Friday his grandfather was a Republican who had expressed admiration for Trump at holiday gatherings. He said he had no idea why Coffman would show up in the nations capital armed for civil war. Also facing federal charges is Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., a Georgia man who in the wake of the election had protested outside the home of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump had publicly blamed for his loss in the state. Meredith drove to Washington last week for the Save America rally but arrived late because of a problem with the lights on his trailer, according to court filings that include expletive-laden texts. Headed to DC with a (s-) ton of 5.56 armor-piercing ammo, he texted friends and relatives on Jan. 6, adding a purple devil emoji, according to court filings. The following day, he texted to the group: Thinking about heading over to Pelosi (C's) speech and putting a bullet in her noggin on Live TV. He once again added a purple devil emoji, and wrote he might hit her with his truck instead. Im gonna run that (C-) Pelosi over while she chews on her gums. Dead (B) Walking. I predict that within 12 days, many in our country will die. Meredith, who is white, then texted a photo of himself in blackface. Im gonna walk around DC FKG with people by yelling Allahu ak Bar randomly. A participant in the text exchange provided screenshots to the FBI, who tracked Meredith to a Holiday Inn a short walk from the Capitol. They found a compact Tavor X95 assault rifle, a 9mm Glock 19 handgun and about 100 rounds of ammunition, according to court filings. The agents also seized a stash of THC edibles and a vial of injectable testosterone. Meredith is charged with transmitting a threat, as well as felony counts for possession of firearms and ammunition. Michael Thomas Curzio was arrested in relation to the riots less than two years after he was released from a Florida prison in 2019 after serving an eight-year sentence for attempted murder. Court records from Florida show that he shot the boyfriend of his former girlfriend in a fight at her home. Federal law enforcement officials vowed Friday to bring additional charges against those who carried out the attack on the Capitol, launching a nationwide manhunt for dozens of suspects identified from photographic evidence The FBI has opened a murder probe into the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, according to law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly. He died at a hospital. The Trump supporters who died in the riot were Kevin D. Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; Ashli Babbitt, 35, of San Diego; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia. Boylands sister told the AP on Friday she was an adherent of the QAnon conspiracy theory that holds Trump is Americas savior. Her Facebook page featured photos and videos praising Trump and promoting fantasies, including one theory that a shadowy group was using the coronavirus to steal elections. Boylands final post on Twitter a retweet of a post by White House social media director Dan Scavino was a picture of thousands of people surrounding the Washington Monument on Wednesday. She would text me some things, and I would be like, Let me fact-check that. And Id sit there and Id be like, Well, I dont think thats actually right, Lonna Cave, Boylands sister, said. We got in fights about it, arguments. The APs review found that QAnon beliefs were common among those who heeded Trumps call to come to Washington. Doug Jensen, 41, was arrested by the FBI on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, after returning home from the riot. An AP photographer captured images of him confronting Capitol Police officers outside of the Senate chamber on Wednesday. Jensen was wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with a large Q and the phrase Trust The Plan, a reference to QAnon. Video posted online during the storming of the Capitol also appears to show Jensen, who is white, pursuing a Black police officer up an interior flight of stairs as a mob of people trails several steps behind. At several points, the officer says get back, but to no avail. Jensens older brother, William Routh, told the AP on Saturday that Jensen believed that the person posting as Q was either Trump or someone very close to the president. I feel like he had a lot of influence from the internet that confused or obscured his views on certain things, said Routh, of Clarksville, Arkansas, who described himself as a Republican Trump supporter. When I talked to him, he thought that maybe this was Trump telling him what to do. Jensens employer, Forrest & Associate Masonry in Des Moines, announced Friday that he had been fired. Tara Coleman, a 40-year-old mother who lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was arrested at the Capitol for a curfew violation and for unlawful entry. On her Facebook page, Coleman re-posted articles supporting the QAnon beliefs about a deep state conspiracy to target children. The AP could not find a working phone number for Coleman and her attorney, Peter Cooper, did not respond to an email seeking comment. And Jake Chansley, who calls himself the QAnon Shaman and has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, surrendered to the FBI field office in Phoenix on Saturday. News photos show him at the riot shirtless, with his face painted and wearing a fur hat with horns, carrying a U.S. flag attached to a wooden pole topped with a spear. Chansleys unusual headwear is visible in a Nov. 7 AP photo at a rally of Trump supporters protesting election results outside of the Maricopa County election center in Phoenix. In that photo, Chansley, who also has gone by the last name Angeli, held a sign that read, HOLD THE LINE PATRIOTS GOD WINS. He also expressed his support for the president in an interview with the AP that day. The FBI identified Chansley by his distinctive tattoos, which include bricks circling his biceps in an apparent reference to Trumps border wall. Chansley didnt respond last week to messages seeking comment to one of his social media accounts. There were also current and former members of the U.S. military in the crowd. Army commanders at Fort Bragg in North Carolina are investigating Capt. Emily Raineys involvement in the Wednesday rally. The 30-year-old psychological operations officer told the AP she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom who traveled to Washington to stand against election fraud and support Trump. She insisted she acted within Army regulations and that no one in her group entered the Capitol or broke the law. I was a private citizen and doing everything right and within my rights, Rainey told the AP. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr. of Texas was charged in federal court on Sunday after he was identified in photos showing him standing in the well of the Senate, wearing a military-style helmet and body armor while holding a pair of zip-tie handcuffs. The insurrectionist mob also included members of the neofascist group known as the Proud Boys, whom Trump urged to stand back and stand by when asked to condemn them by a moderator during a presidential debate in September. Nicholas R. Ochs, 34, was arrested Saturday after returning home to Hawaii, where he is the founder of the local Proud Boys chapter. On Wednesday, Ochs posted a photo of himself on Twitter inside the Capitol, grinning broadly and smoking a cigarette. According to court filings, the FBI matched photos of Ochs taken during the riot to photos taken when Ochs campaigned unsuccessfully last year as the Republican nominee for a seat in the Hawaii statehouse. Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio was arrested Monday in Washington on weapons charges and ordered to stay out of the nations capital. Tarrio is accused of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church last month. Jay Robert Thaxton, 46, was arrested near the Capitol for curfew violations on Wednesday. A North Carolina man with the same name has also been linked to the Proud Boys. He told The Stanly News & Press in 2019 that he was a Proud Boys supporter but wouldnt say if he was an official member of the group. Another North Carolina newspaper, The Jacksonville Daily News, published a photo of Thaxton wearing a Make America Great Again hat at a 2019 protest over the removal of Confederate statues. A man who answered a telephone number associated with Thaxton hung up on an AP reporter. The recipient of a text message to the same number responded with an expletive. Also arrested at the Capitol was William Arthur Leary, who owns a manufactured housing business in Utica, New York. In an interview Friday, Leary told the AP that he strongly believes the election was stolen from Trump and that he went to Washington to show his support. Leary said he doesnt trust information reported by the mainstream media and that one of his main sources of information was Infowars, the far-right conspiracy site run by Alex Jones. He denied he ever set foot in the Capitol and complained that he was held for more than 24 hours and had his cell phone seized. They treated us like animals, he complained. They took all our phones. I didnt get to make a phone call to tell anybody where I was. Leary said he remembers seeing a woman, Kristina Malimon, 28, sobbing at the detention center because she had been separated and not allowed to translate for her mother, who primarily speaks Russian. Both women had been charged with curfew violation and unlawful entry. According to a video posted on her Instagram account, the younger Malimon says she was born in Moldova, where her family had faced persecution under the Soviet-era regime for their Christian beliefs. Malimon, who traveled to D.C. from Portland, Oregon, is vice chairwoman of the Young Republicans of Oregon, according to the groups website and is also listed as an ambassador for the pro-Trump group Turning Point USA. Her social media feeds are full of photos taken at Trump events, including the earlier Million MAGA March held in Washington last month. She also posted photos of herself posing with Donald Trump Jr. and Roger Stone, who was convicted of crimes including obstruction of justice and pardoned by Trump on Christmas Eve. Media reports from Oregon quoted Malimon in August as the primary organizer of a Trump boat parade on the Willamette River, where big waves created by speeding boats flying Trump flags swamped and sank a smaller boat that was not participating, throwing a family into the water to be rescued by the sheriffs department. Oregon, today you came out and showed your love and support for our wonderful President, Donald J. Trump thank you! Kristina Malimon wrote on Facebook following the parade. Malimon also served as a Republican poll watcher in Georgia and spoke at an event organized by the Trump campaign in December, claiming to have seen voting machines and tabulation computers in Savannah, Georgia, with suspiciously blinking green lights she interpreted as a sign they were being secretly controlled by outside hackers a claim debunked as false by GOP election officials in the state. A phone number listed for Kristina Malimon rang without being answered on Friday. At the address listed for her in southeast Portland on Friday night, her teenage brother answered the door as other family members, including young children, ran around. The family spoke Russian to each other and the brother, Nick Malimon, translated. He said his sister was still in Washington but had called the family following her release from jail and didnt seem upset about her arrest. Others are facing consequences even beyond arrest. A Texas sheriff announced Thursday that he had reported one of his lieutenants to the FBI after she posted photos of herself on social media with a crowd outside the Capitol. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Lt. Roxanne Mathai, a 46-year-old jailer, had the right to attend the rally but hes investigating whether she may have broken the law. One of the posts Mathai shared was a photo that appeared to be taken Wednesday from among the mass of Trump supporters outside the Capitol, Not gonna lie......aside from my kids, this was, indeed, the best day of my life. And its not over yet. A lawyer for Mathai, a mother and longtime San Antonio resident, said she attended the Trump rally but never entered the Capitol. Brad Rukstales, a Republican political donor and CEO of Cogensia, a Chicago-based data analytics firm, was arrested with a group of a half-dozen Trump supporters who clashed with officers Wednesday inside the Capitol. Campaign finance reports show Rukstales contributed more than $25,000 to Trumps campaign and other GOP committees during to 2020 election cycle. He told a local CBS news channel last week that he had entered the Capitol and apologized. He was fired Friday and did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment. Derrick Evans, a Republican recently sworn in as a delegate to the West Virginia House, resigned Saturday following his arrest on two charges related to the Capitol riot. He had streamed video of himself charging into the building with the mob. Theyre making an announcement now saying if Pence betrays us you better get your mind right because were storming the building, Evans, 35, says in the video, as the door to the Capitol building is smashed and rioters rush through. The door is cracked! Were in, were in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol! On Saturday he issued a statement saying he regretted taking part. I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians, the statement said. North Carolina State University-led researchers have developed an analytical measurement "framework" which could allow organic solar cell researchers and manufacturers to determine which materials will produce the most stable solar cells prior to manufacture. Organic solar cells have increased in efficiency over the past decades, but researchers and manufacturers still struggle with determining which material combinations work best and why, as well as with achieving stable morphology and operation. "There is still a lot of 'trial and error' guesswork involved in identifying promising materials for these solar cells," says Harald Ade, Goodnight Innovation Distinguished Professor of Physics at NC State and co-corresponding author of the research. "However, we found that if you understand two important parameters for the materials being used, you can predict how stable the active layer morphology will be, which in turn affects efficiency over time." The parameters in question are the elastic modulus and glass transition - essentially how stiff the material is and at what temperature the material transitions from a rigid state to a rubbery or viscous fluid state. "The most efficient solar cells are composed of a blend of materials that typically have poor miscibility," says Brendan O'Connor, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State and co-corresponding author of the research. "Ideally, these blends need to be mixed during fabrication to an optimized composition, but over time they can separate or diffuse into domains that are too pure, which leads to device degradation. "We wanted to understand what drives this instability in composition. We found that the molecular interactions that fundamentally drive diffusion behavior could be captured with the 'proxy-parameters' of elastic modulus and glass transition temperature." The team, led by NC State postdoctoral researcher Masoud Ghasemi, used secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), to measure the diffusion behavior of small molecules into a pure polymer layer. They also used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a wrinkling metrology approach to measure the glass transition and elastic modulus of a number of materials that are commonly used in organic solar cells. Overall, the team found that the most stable organic solar cells contained a small molecule with a high glass transition temperature and a polymer with a large elastic modulus; in other words, a highly rigid material. "The more rigid materials also have the lowest inherent miscibility," Ghasemi says. "Interestingly, this means that the materials that do not like to mix have the lowest diffusion when forced to do so, resulting in the most stable solar cells." "Our findings are fairly intuitive," Ade says, "but finding that there is a quantitative relationship between elastic modulus, glass transition and the molecular interactions inside these materials allows us to capture interaction forces at a local level, predicting stability in these systems without requiring trial and error." ### The research appears in Nature Materials and was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research and the National Science Foundation. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Kentucky, Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, U.K., also contributed to the work. Note to editors: An abstract follows. "A molecular interaction-diffusion framework for predicting organic solar cell stability" DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-00872-6 Authors: Masoud Ghasemi, Nrup Balar, Zhengxing Peng, Huawei Hu, Yunpeng Qin, Taesoo Kim, Aram Amassian, Brendan T. O'Connor and Harald Ade, North Carolina State University; Jeromy James Rech, Wei You, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Matthew Bidwell, Imperial College, London; Walter Mask, Chad Risko, University of Kentucky; Iain McCulloch, University of Oxford, U.K. Published: Online in Nature Materials Abstract: Rapid increase in the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs) has been achieved with the development of non-fullerene-small molecule acceptors (NF-SMAs). Although the morphological stability of these NF-SMA devices critically affects their intrinsic lifetime, their fundamental intermolecular interactions and how they govern property-function relations and morphological stability of OSCs remain elusive. Here, we discover that the diffusion of an NF-SMA into the donor polymer exhibits Arrhenius behaviour and that the activation energy Ea scales linearly with the enthalpic interaction parameters H between the polymer and the NF-SMA. Consequently, the thermodynamically most unstable, hypo-miscible systems (high ) are the most kinetically stabilized. We relate the differences in Ea to measured and selectively simulated molecular self-interaction properties of the constituent materials and develop quantitative property-function relations that link thermal and mechanical characteristics of the NF-SMA and polymer to predict relative diffusion properties and thus morphological stability. Advertisement One in five people in England may have already had Covid, according to modelling which estimates the true number of infections is five times higher than the official toll. The Government's Covid-19 dashboard says there has been 2.4million cases of the disease since the outbreak began to sweep the UK in January, or four per cent of the country's population. And Public Health England estimates through its random blood testing that 6.9 per cent of the population has had the disease around 3.8million people. But figures produced by data analysis firm Edge Health suggest that the actual number of infections may be as high as 12.4million, the equivalent of 22 per cent of people. This could mean that Britain is closer to some degree of herd immunity than previously thought. Scientists believe that once a significant proportion of the population has been infected with Covid already, the virus won't be able to spread as fast because most of them won't get re-infected. But this isn't expected to last forever. The model used to arrive at the figure compares Covid-19 deaths in each area of England against an estimated infection fatality rate (IFR) the proportion of people who catch the virus who die and the age breakdown of each borough. Experts worked backwards from the death count for local areas around the country, calculating how many people must have had the virus to cause that many deaths using fatality rates of between 0.00045 and 13 per cent, depending on age. It revealed that estimated cases are more than five times the official count in 77 places in England, just over half the 149 local authorities analysed. In some parts of London and Essex which were the initial hotspots in spring and are now struggling again with the highly infectious new strain the true infection toll could be eight times higher than the official count, with up to one in two people estimated to have contracted the virus. In Manchester and Liverpool, which became the epicentres during autumn as the epidemic shifted north, the actual case number is thought to be six times higher than the Government's count, with four in 10 having had Covid. George Batchelor, co-founder and director of Edge Health, said it was 'incredible' how out of whack the official testing regime was with the country's epidemic, saying it was only painting 'a fraction of the picture of total infections'. It's widely accepted that the actual number of Britons who've had the disease is far higher than the official toll because of asymptomatic cases and a lack of testing or people not coming forward for tests. This was particularly true at the start of the pandemic when Britain's lacklustre testing scheme meant swabs were reserved for the sickest Covid patients in hospital. Scroll down to see the true number of infections in YOUR area The Government's Covid-19 dashboard says there has been 2.4million cases of the disease since the outbreak swept the UK in February, or four per cent of the country's population. But analysis by Edge Health suggests that the actual number of infections could be as high as 12.4million, the equivalent of 22 per cent of people HOW DID THEY WORK OUT THE 'TRUE' INFECTION RATES? Edge Health calculated its estimates of the real number of people to have been infected with Covid-19 by looking at death numbers and the populations of local areas. By counting the number of people who have died in a local authority, then comparing the age breakdown of its population with fatality rates for different age groups, the analysts estimated true case counts. University of Cambridge and Public Health England researchers estimate death rates from coronavirus vary from 0.00045 per cent in under-fives to 13 per cent in over-75s. To give a simple example, in a community made up entirely of over-75s, with a death rate of 13 per cent, if there were 130 Covid deaths, you would expect there to have been 1,000 cases of the virus, because 130 is 13 per cent of 1,000. The true calculations are more complex because areas have a much broader mix of age groups, but would follow the same rules. The team's estimate took into account the lag it takes for patients to become seriously ill, with deaths occurring from cases that happened up to three weeks before. Advertisement Edge's data suggests the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham Newham and Redbridge, and Thurrock in Essex, have had the highest proportion of Covid cases of anywhere in England. The model found 54.2 per cent of the population had caught the virus since the pandemic began in Barking, 49 per cent in Newham, 45.4 per cent in Thurrock and 42.9 per cent in Redbridge. The raw infection data highlights the disparity between the official tally by Public Health England which is uploaded to the Department of Health dashboard every day and the true number of cases. In Barking, Edge Health estimates 115,460 people have previous had Covid, compared to just 14,665 confirmed PHE cases. There was a similar theme in Newham, where there were an estimated 173,058 infections to PHE's 21,683. In Thurrock the figure was 79,223 versus 12,007 and in Redbridge it was 130,806 compared to 22,125. The model estimates 39 per cent of the populations in Liverpool and Manchester have had Covid at some point, with 193,428 and 213,389 infections, respectively. Those estimates are six times higher than the official tolls. The four areas with the lowest infections are all in the South West in Devon (5.9 per cent), Dorset (5.8 per cent), Cornwall (4.8 per cent) and Torbay (7.5 per cent). Because Covid relies on dense populations and lots of social interactions to spread, rural areas have been spared the worst of its effects. Edge Health estimated the total cases by looking at the total number of Covid-19-attributed deaths, published by the Office for National Statistics, in each local authority area. The team then worked backwards to estimate the number of cases that must have occurred in order to lead to the deaths. They did this using modelling which took into account the age demographic in each area. Chris Whitty warns 'next few weeks will be worst' yet as ministers may 'only allow people to leave home ONCE a week, ban chat in supermarkets and bring in curfews' amid fears of 2,000 deaths a DAY Chris Whitty today warned the next few weeks are set to be the worst yet for the NHS as the government begs people not to 'push the boundaries' of the lockdown - and threatens to make it even tougher. The chief medical officer took to the airwaves to highlight the scale of the threat, saying that there are 30,000 people in hospital compared to the peak of 18,000 in April. Amid a crackdown on stopping to chat in the street and in shops, Prof Whitty urged people to remember that 'every unnecessary contact' was an opportunity for the virus to spread. He insisted that although the the NHS was in the 'most dangerous situation anyone can remember' vaccines mean the UK can be back to normal in 'months not years' - but he cautioned that the situation is a long way from that currently. The intervention came amid fears that the number of daily deaths is on track to rise to 2,000, with Boris Johnson looking at tightening the national lockdown rules even more dramatically if cases keep surging. A Whitehall source told MailOnline ministers have discussed going as far as saying people can only leave the house once a week - although No10 today denied this was on the cards. Other ideas include compulsory mask-wearing outdoors and a ban on extended bubbles. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi this morning suggested that shops are in the firing line, stressing the need for everyone to wear masks and follow one-way systems in supermarkets. He appealed for people not to stop and chat to friends they bump into while outside their homes. Limits on individuals from different households exercising together also look to be in the pipeline as the government scrambles for ways of lowering transmission. Prof Whitty told BBC Breakfast: 'We have a very significant problem. The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of the numbers into the NHS.' He added: 'This is everybody's problem.' Prof Whitty said: 'This is the most dangerous time we have really had in terms of numbers into the NHS at this particular time.' The UK announced a further 573 coronavirus deaths yesterday in the highest Sunday rise since April, and the third-deadliest Sunday of the entire pandemic as it emerged as many as one in five of all people in England may have had coronavirus. It could be as high as one in two people in some areas of east London and Essex, the modelling by Edge Health claims. Infections also continue to be high, with 54,940 announced yesterday - the thirteenth day in a row they have been above the 50,000 mark. Advertisement George Batchelor, the co-founder and director of Edge Health, told the Guardian: 'Reported tests are only a fraction of the picture of total infections, which show how badly hit London and the north-west have been during the pandemic. 'It is incredible that the level of understanding of where and how infections are occurring is not greater at this stage, since it would allow control measures to be more targeted. 'Even with imminent vaccinations, it is crucial to develop this understanding so that future variants of the virus can be effectively controlled and managed.' The greater the number of people who have been infected with Covid-19, the more likely it is that some communities have a level of natural protection from the illness. People generally do not get Covid-19 a second time within at least a year of their first infection, scientists have found, which means previously-infected people act as roadblocks for the virus as it tries to spread between people. If enough people are immune in this way, or immune through vaccination, the spread of the virus is slower because its pool of potential victims is smaller. When this applies to a significant section of the population, communities can start to develop what's called herd immunity. For Covid, however, it's likely that more than 60 per cent of people would need to be infected for this to take effect. It comes as Chris Whitty today warned the next few weeks are set to be the worst yet for the NHS as the government threatened to make lockdown even tougher. The chief medical officer took to the airwaves to highlight the scale of the threat, saying that there are 30,000 people in hospital compared to the peak of 18,000 in April. Amid a crackdown on stopping to chat in the street and in shops, Prof Whitty urged people to remember that 'every unnecessary contact' was an opportunity for the virus to spread. He insisted that although the the NHS was in the 'most dangerous situation anyone can remember' vaccines mean the UK can be back to normal in 'months not years' - but he cautioned that the situation is a long way from that currently. The intervention came amid fears that the number of daily deaths is on track to rise to 2,000, with Boris Johnson looking at tightening the national lockdown rules even more dramatically if cases keep surging. There are claims ministers have discussed going as far as saying people can only leave the house once a week - although No10 today denied this was on the cards - as well as compulsory mask-wearing outdoors and a ban on extended bubbles. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi this morning suggested that shops are in the firing line, stressing the need for everyone to wear masks and follow one-way systems in supermarkets. He appealed for people not to stop and chat to friends they bump into while outside their homes. Limits on individuals from different households exercising together also look to be in the pipeline as the government scrambles for ways of lowering transmission. Prof Whitty told BBC Breakfast: 'We have a very significant problem. The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of the numbers into the NHS.' He added: 'This is everybody's problem.' Prof Whitty said: 'This is the most dangerous time we have really had in terms of numbers into the NHS at this particular time.' The UK announced a further 573 coronavirus deaths yesterday in the highest Sunday rise since April, and the third-deadliest Sunday of the entire pandemic as it emerged as many as one in five of all people in England may have had coronavirus. It could be as high as one in two people in some areas of east London and Essex, the modelling by Edge Health claims. Infections also continue to be high, with 54,940 announced yesterday - the thirteenth day in a row they have been above the 50,000 mark. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 11:32:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A China-Europe freight train runs through the national gate at Erenhot Port in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) HOHHOT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The number of China-Europe freight trains via Erenhot, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border, reached a record high in 2020 despite the impact of COVID-19, local railway authorities said. A total of 2,379 trains passed through the port, an increase of 53.3 percent year on year, carrying 355,193 twenty-foot equivalent units of goods, up 32 percent year on year, according to the China Railway Hohhot Group. Among the total, the port handled 1,232 inbound trains, an increase of 49 percent year on year, while 1,147 outbound trains were recorded, up 58.2 percent. The imported and exported goods carried by freight trains through Erenhot include timber, auto parts, textile products, glass objects and others. Analysts said that as some international flights were suspended and some cargo ships were denied entry to ports due to COVID-19, trains continued their transcontinental routes from China to Europe and have become an important support for stabilizing the international supply chain. Erenhot Port, an important channel for international cargo in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has 43 China-Europe freight train routes passing through it. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Guangzhous Liwan district carried out nucleic acid tests throughout Wednesday night and Thursday in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19. The southern metropolis is under pressure to prevent imported infections, after a person was confirmed Friday to have contracted a strain of the coronavirus first found in India. The city reported three new cases, one local and two imported, on Wednesday May 27, 2021 05:09 PM 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 Tong Kim In a report to the Eighth Congress of the Workers Party last week, Chairman Kim Jong-un declared that North Korea has completed a reliable strategic nuclear arsenal that includes a tactical nuclear weapon, in addition to an intercontinental ballistic missile, but it will continue to advance the capability of its weapons by new technology, according to the state-run KCNA. Details on the North's plan to bolster its defense capabilities included research and development projects for a nuclear powered submarine, solid fuel engines, and "perfecting the guidance technology for a multi-warhead rocket at the final stage (multiple-reentry vehicles)." The report also said the North is getting ready to test and produce "hypersonic gliding flight warheads for new type ballistic rockets." While Kim's report said the North's nuclear weapons were solely for defense in the case of "the hostile force's attempt to use its nuclear weapons against the DPRK," its strategic doctrine covers both preemptive and retaliatory strikes. There is no guarantee for the North to survive a massive first strike. The report hailed the regime's arms buildup as the most significant achievement of the party for the last five years since its 7th Congress. In the economic sector, the party previously admitted that it had failed to meet the goals set forth in the previous five-year plan. Yet, the report reconfirmed that the North will stay the course for building a self-reliant economy for self-sufficiency. The cabinet is in charge of the economy, which has not much say on the matters of weapons development or diplomacy. A tighter state control of commercial activities is expected to maintain the framework of a planned economy and socialist commerce. More hardships lie ahead for the people in the North. In diplomacy, the DPRK will maintain good relations with China, Russia and other "socialist" countries and even with progressive parties abroad. Toward the United States, the Party would deal with it "based on the principle of answering force with toughness and good faith in kind." The report continued, "We should focus our external activities on containing and subduing the U.S., the fundamental obstacle to the development of our revolution and our foremost principal enemy.The entity of the U.S. and the real intention of its policy toward the DPRK will never change, whoever comes into power in the U.S." Kim, however, did not close the window of diplomacy completely. He said, "A key to establishing a new relationship between the DPRK and the U.S. lies in the U.S. withdrawal of its hostile policy towards the DPRK." This was the first time that Pyongyang has broken its silence on the tumultuous aftermath of the U.S. presidential election in November. Many had hoped that Kim might convey a more conciliatory message to Washington. That hope has been shattered. Toward the South, the report sent a mixed signal: offering an opportunity of dialogue at the expense of joint exercises with the U.S. and the ROK's defense modernization program that includes acquisitions of cutting-edge military hardware. The North knows its proposition is unacceptable to the South with the current security environment and incompatible with the perceived threats from the advancement of its own nuclear and conventional weapons. The Seoul government's offers of cooperation for the coronavirus pandemic, a humanitarian project, and individual tourism were "nonessential issues" to the North. Neither did the recently enacted legislation banning sending leaflets to the North suffice its need. "A new road toward improvement of the North-South relations can be paved only when the South Korean authorities strictly control and root out any abnormal anti-reunification conduct," by which the North refers to those who oppose North Korea. An impossible demand for a democratic society. Kim said in his report that the prospect of restoring inter-Korean relations "entirely depends on the attitude of the South Korean authorities and they will receive as much as they pay and try." He was right when he said, one side alone cannot resolve the issue of inter-Korean relations. The two sides should meet and work together. But, the North is only firing a salvo of insurmountable demands on its part. The outlook for inter-Korean dialogue appears as gloomy as it does for U.S.-North Korea relations. In the United States, which is going through a constitutional crisis due to a mob insurrection incited by the sitting president with less than two weeks left in office, North Korea is hardly a foreign policy priority for the incoming administration. It has been pushed behind the pandemic, the economy, climate, cyberattacks, human rights, China, etc. Now, the new developments in North Korea deserve the attention and interest of the new leadership in Washington. Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a visiting professor with the University of North Korean Studies, a visiting scholar with Korea University, a fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, and a columnist for The Korea Times. Advertisement Melania Trump on Monday broke her silence on last week's mob attack on the Capitol, saying she 'absolutely condemns the violence' incited by her husband and calling for 'healing' as the couple prepares to leave office. Five days after the attacked that resulted in five deaths, the first lady published a statement that acknowledged the deaths of her husband's supporters before the deaths of two Capitol Police officers - and lashed out extensively at 'gossip' about her. 'My heart goes out to: Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbit, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Rosanne Boyland, and Capitol Police Officers, Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. I pray for their families comfort and strength during this difficult time,' she wrote. But in her 600-word essay published by the White House, she quickly turned the situation to herself, slamming the 'salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me' - a reference to reports she was conducting a photo shoot in the White House during the MAGA mob scene. 'I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain,' she wrote in the message entitled Our Path Forward. The essay is filled with spelling errors - Babbit's name was spelled wrong - it was Babbitt - and grammatical mistakes. It also cast no blame for Wednesday's riot on her husband, who, at a rally earlier that day had encouraged his supporters to march on Capitol Hill. It emerged early in the morning of a day when: Democrats introduced an article of impeachment accusing her husband of 'incitement of insurrection'; Republicans blocked a 'unanimous consent motion' demanding Mike Pence use the 25th Amendment, meaning the House will vote on it Tuesday - putting Republicans on the record individually about whether they want him removed; Trump himself tried to give an impression of business as usual, planning to give a Medal of Freedom as early as Monday to Jim Jordan, the 'freedom caucus' Republican House member who was all-in on overturning the election results; More MAGA rioters were swept up by police around the country, but questions mounted over the police failures which let them storm the Capitol; Joe Biden unveiled more of his plans for his inauguration, including laying a wreath at Arlington with former presidents Bush, Clinton and Obama in a very public demonstration that Trump is an outcast; The Supreme Court declined to fasttrack Trump's one-time attorney Sidney Powell's 'Kraken' compendium of discredited voter fraud claims, while the New York Bar Association started investigating Rudy Giuliani over his 'trial by combat' speech to the MAGA rally before they desecrated the Capitol. Melania Trump broke her silence on last week's mob attack on the Capitol, saying she 'absolutely condemns the violence' incited by her husband The first lady issued a 600-word statement called Our Path Forward which was published on the White House website early on Monday Insurrection: Trump supporters invaded the Capitol on Wednesday shortly after the president had repeated his false claims of election fraud in a fiery speech near the White House Melania Trump Statement on Capitol Riots First Lady Melania Trump: Our Path Forward Like all of you, I have reflected on the past year and how the invisible enemy, Covid-19, swept across our beautiful country. All Nations have experienced the loss of loved ones, economic pain, and the negative impacts of isolation. As your First Lady, it has been inspiring to witness firsthand what the people of our great Nation will do for one another, especially when we are at our most vulnerable. With nearly every experience I have had, I found myself carrying many individuals stories home with me in my heart. Most recently, my heart goes out to: Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbit, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Rosanne Boyland, and Capitol Police Officers, Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. I pray for their families comfort and strength during this difficult time. I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week. I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain. Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nations Capitol. Violence is never acceptable. As an American, I am proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution. It is one of the paramount ideals which America is fundamentally built on. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right. With that in mind, I would like to call on the citizens of this country to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives. I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a persons skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us. It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence. Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are. Our countrys strength and character have revealed themselves in the communities that have been impacted by natural disasters and throughout this terrible pandemic that has affected all of us. The common thread in all of these challenging situations is Americans unwavering resolve to help one another. Your compassion has shown the true spirit of our country. As I said over the summer, it is these defining moments that we will look back and tell our grandchildren that through empathy, strength, and determination, we were able to restore the promise of our future. Each of you are the backbone of this country. You are the people who continue to make the United States of America what it is, and who have the incredible responsibility of preparing our future generations to leave everything better than they found it. It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your First Lady. I want to thank the millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past 4 years and shown the incredible impact of the American spirit. I am grateful to you all for letting me serve you on platforms which are dear to me. Most importantly, I ask for healing, grace, understanding, and peace for our great Nation. Every day let us remember that we are one Nation under God. God bless you all and God bless the United States of America. Sincerely, Melania Trump Advertisement Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late senator John McCain and a frequent critic of the president, blasted Melania Trump for her statement. 'Five people died in a domestic terror attack on our own republic last week incited by her husband but Melania Trump is the victim in this?! Every morning I think I cant get more disgusted....,' Meghan McCain tweeted. While Melania has largely stayed quiet during Donald Trump's attempts to illegally reverse the election results, she has echoed the president's misleading language of 'counting legal votes' and has not publicly acknowledged Joe Biden's victory. But she wrote in her latest message that 'it has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your first lady', a tacit acknowledgement that her term is nearly over. Biden takes the oath of office on January 20th. It's unclear what's in store for Melania Trump after life in the White House. She has been reportedly looking at schools for son Barron in Florida but has made no indication she plans to keep up her 'Be Best' campaign or her work with the military once her husband leaves office. The first lady has been spending her final days in the White House behind closed doors. She and her husband have rarely been seen since their return from Florida on December 31st, where they were spending the holidays at Mar-a-Lago. Melania's message was published early on Monday morning, three days after the president was permanently banned from Twitter - with Trump not showing his face since promising an orderly transition in a video message on Thursday. And while Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump had appeared at a campaign rally Wednesday morning where the president whipped his supporters into a frenzy shortly before they besieged the Capitol, the first lady stayed out of sight during the day of chaos. Two of her staff quit in protest of the president's handling of the riots: her chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham and social secretary Anna Cristina 'Rickie' Niceta. As a White House source told The Mail on Sunday that during Wednesday's siege of the Capitol, the first lady was in the East Wing of the White House overseeing a photoshoot for a new coffee table book about presidential artifacts. 'The heart of US government was under siege, our very democracy on the line, but Mrs Trump was calmly arranging porcelain figurines for the photographer,' the source said, saying even the most loyal remaining Trump staffers were left 'dumbfounded' by her actions. Aides even asked Melania to intercede on Wednesday, to force her husband to publicly decry the insurgency, but she refused. 'She said nothing. She remained silent and carried on arranging a vase for the shoot. She checked out of this presidency and her marriage a long time ago.' Additionally, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who worked in the East Wing in the early days of the administration and then wrote a memoir of her time there that painted Melania in an unflattering light, wrote in The Daily Beast over the weekend that she is 'ashamed' to have ever worked for the first lady. I cant believe how blind I was to the depth of her deception and lack of common decency, Wolkoff wrote. Without mentioning those claims directly in her statement on Monday, Melania condemned what she said were 'false misleading accusations on me' from 'people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda'. The first lady said she was praying for the families of the four protesters and two Capitol Police officers who died in the hours and days after the attack. She added that 'our nation must heal in a civil manner', after President Trump initially praised the mob as 'very special' but later condemned the violence. 'Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation's Capitol. Violence is never acceptable,' she wrote. Police casualties: Officer Brian Sicknick was murdered, allegedly by being hit with a fire extinguisher. Officer Howard Liebengood took his own life on Saturday morning Dead rioters: Ashli Babbitt was shot by a Capitol Hill officer as she tried to smash her way into the Speaker's Lobby. Rosanne Boyland died in the Rotunda; she is thought to have been trampled to death by the mob Dead rioters: Benjamin Philips organized a bus trip of MAGA fanatics from Bloomsburg, PA, and died, possibly of a stroke, having posted that it was'the first day of the rest of our lives.' Kevin Greeson had a heart attack. In recent days he posted on Parler: 'Let's take this f***ing country back,' posed with two AR-15-style rifles and a handgun and spewed abuse about Nancy Pelosi Trump supporters rampaged through the halls of the Capitol on a day of chaos which left America's reputation as a beacon of democracy in tatters The mob invasion of the Capitol brought a halt to what used to be an uncontroversial democratic ritual, the counting of electoral votes in Congress She went on: 'As an American, I am proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution. It is one of the paramount ideals which America is fundamentally built on. 'Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right. With that in mind, I would like to call on the citizens of this country to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives. 'I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a person's skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us. 'It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence. 'Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are.' A CNN report claimed that Melania, pictured, was supervising a White House photoshoot while a violent mob rampaged through the halls of Congress, but she appeared to deny this Melania Trump attended her husband's 2017 inauguration with Barack and Michelle Obama - but the outgoing president is boycotting Joe Biden's swearing-in on January 20 this year Praising Americans for their 'strength and character' during the pandemic, Melania also voiced thanks to the 'millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past four years'. In November, she had drawn ire by writing on Twitter that 'every legal - not illegal - vote should be counted', implying that the result hinged on illegal votes as President Trump was falsely claiming. But she concluded Monday's message by saying: 'Most importantly, I ask for healing, grace, understanding, and peace for our great Nation 'Every day let us remember that we are one Nation under God. God bless you all and God bless the United States of America.' . The call for unity comes amid a last-ditch attempt to remove Trump from office or at least to brand him with the disgrace of being the first president impeached twice. Leading Democrats have said that the president should 'not hold office one day longer', even with his term due to expire next Wednesday. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to bring forward a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet to declare Trump unfit for office under the 25th Amendment, removing him temporarily. If Pence does not agree to invoke the amendment, 'we will proceed with bringing impeachment legislation' in the House, Pelosi said. News Washington, DC - Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin released the following statement related to the Aug. 23, 2020, shooting of Jacob Blake: As previously announced, a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Jacob Blake is ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. The federal investigation is being overseen by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office and the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division who will make an independent charging decision. Federal authorities are committed to investigating this matter as thoroughly and efficiently as possible. Also ongoing are federal investigations into the arson, rioting, and other violent crimes that occurred in Kenosha in August 2020. U.S. Attorney Krueger and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband urged everyone to act peacefully and abide by the law. 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. Schools open State governments will have the onus of getting school-dropout migrant children back into the education fold. In its list of directions to State governments, the Education Ministry has said that States and Union Territories (UTs) will have to carry out door-to-door surveys to identify out-of-school students in the 6-18 age group. Moneycontrol has reviewed a copy of the circular sent to the various State governments to this effect. Once the children are identified, the States/UTs will also have to prepare an action plan on how to re-enrol them in schools. Amid the Coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown, 10.5 million migrant workers had returned to their hometowns and villages along with their families. Their absence led to many children being de-enrolled from their schools. While two-thirds of migrant workers are estimated to be back in the cities, dropout rates of their children from schools has been a matter of concern. Re-enrolment measures The Education Ministry has told the States that they have to devise a strategy to prevent the rise in dropouts and fall in enrolment. Here, children with special needs will have home-based education that will be driven through volunteers or special educators. The Education Ministry said that enrolment drives could also be clubbed with government awareness campaigns such as School Chalo Abhiyan, which aims to increase school enrolment among children aged 6-14. When it comes to out-of-school children of migrant workers, local teachers and community associations of the States will have to impart online training till the child is able to return to school. Considering that schools are also slowly reopening across the country, the States also have to create awareness among parents for enrolment. The government circular to the States said that an added focus will be on prevention of the coronavirus spread, including six feet physical distancing, masks and frequent washing of hands. Counselling facilities would also be provided through home visits by volunteers and the government-run, mental-health focussed Manodarpan portal. The government has also asked the States to explore the option of classrooms on wheels and classes in small groups at the village level, increasing the access of children to online/digital resources, TV and radio. What about schools? At the school level, there could be bridge courses for the initial period (4-5 weeks) when schools re-open so that students can adjust to the school environment and do not feel stressed or left out. There will be identification of students across the different grades based on their learning levels. Schools could also be asked to relax exam-passing norms to prevent dropouts this year. Turkey rejects Pastor Andrew Brunsons claim of unlawful arrest, rights violations Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Turkeys constitutional court this week rejected as inadmissible American Pastor Andrew Brunsons appeal over rights violation for unlawfully arresting him and exceeding the legal limit of his detention. He was imprisoned for his faith for two years in that country. Although he now lives in the United States, the prison sentence against Brunson, who was arrested in October 2016 and charged with espionage and committing crimes in the name of a terrorist organization as a non-member, remains. Brunson's appeal was made on the basis that his arrest was illegal and beyond the legal limit of detention. When the characteristics of the concrete case are taken into account, it cannot be said that the judicial control measure implemented by the Izmir 2nd Heavy Penal Court on the applicant was disproportional, the court said Thursday, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. The court added, It has been concluded that the allegations as to the violation of personal liberty and security due to the unlawfulness of the arrest and exceeding the permitted period are inadmissible due to prescription. Brunson is a Wheaton College graduate who served as the leader of a Protestant church in Izmir for over 23 years before he was arrested in October 2016 along with his wife, Norine. Norine was released soon after, but Brunson was thrown in prison, accused of plotting to overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government. In 2018, Brunsons family and U.S. officials who visited him in prison expressed concern with the fact that he had lost at least 50 pounds and was suffering from anxiety and depression. In July that year, after the U.S. raised tariffs on certain metals and imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers responsible for his detention, a penal court in western Izmir issued an order for his release, allowing him to return to his home in Izmir but on the condition that he couldnt leave his house or the country. Jay Sekulow, the chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice and a lawyer of President Donald Trump, said in a statement at the time that the house arrest was a critical first step to what he believed could result in the freedom of Pastor Brunson to return to his family in the U.S. The president has played a critical role in securing the freedom of Pastor Brunson, Sekulow declared at the time. We have worked closely with the president on this matter and are grateful for his efforts. We look forward to the ultimate release of Pastor Brunson. Brunson was finally released in October 2018 after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey. At times, Brunson was jailed with as many as 21 other men in a cell intended to only hold eight. He was also usually the only Christian in his cell. During a recent virtual event, called Global Prayer for U.S. Election Integrity, the pastor shared details about his imprisonment in Turkey, revealing he experienced a crisis of faith while in detention. I was actually very afraid, he admitted. The issue, actually, is what we do when were afraid. There are things to be afraid of. At the event, the pastor also predicted that persecution of Christians in the United States would intensify due to hostility toward people who embrace Jesus Christ and His teaching. WASHINGTON - The 36-year-old West Texas florist and self-described "conservative die hard patriot" always took to Facebook when she had something to say. So just hours after Jenny Cudd and scores of fellow Trump supporters swarmed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday during a violent insurrection, she launched a live stream with a Trump flag draped over her shoulders and boasted, "We did break down . . . Nancy Pelosi's office door." Nearly 1,700 miles away in Midland, Texas, Heather Bredimus watched in disbelief. She knew Cudd. Quite well, in fact. The two women had bitterly feuded over pandemic mask ordinances. In recent weeks, Bredimus had grown frightened for her personal safety after she said Cudd, an anti-masker, became increasingly obsessed with targeting those who supported mask ordinances and openly discussed buying ammunition and a coming "revolution." Still, Bredimus says it has been truly stunning to see her "arch nemesis" in footage boldly claiming involvement in an attempted takeover of the fortress of American democracy. "I didn't think she would take it that far," Bredimus said of watching the footage of Cudd in Washington. "You don't think the people from your hometown are going to be the crazy ones on TV and in the news." Cudd did not respond to requests for comment for this report. Four days after the Capitol riot, similar realizations have unfolded in communities across the country as social media sleuths, local news accounts and, in some cases, newly filed court records have begun to fill in the identities of thousands of individuals who descended upon Washington to trumpet their support for President Donald Trump's false and incendiary claims that the U.S. presidential election was rigged. Those who made their way to the grounds of the Capitol on Wednesday hail from at least 36 states, along with the District of Columbia and Canada, according to a Washington Post list of more than 100 people identified as being on the scene of the Capitol. Their professions touch nearly every facet of American society: lawyers, local lawmakers, real estate agents, law enforcement officers, military veterans, construction workers, hair stylists and nurses. Among the crowd were devout Christians who highlighted Bible verses, adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory and members of documented hate groups, including white nationalist organizations and militant right-wing organizations, such as the Proud Boys. The list is just a limited cross section of the thousands of people who descended upon the area, yet some striking commonalities are hard to ignore. Almost all on the list whose race could be readily identified are White. Most are men, yet about 1 in 6 were women - also almost all White. Many left extensive social media documentation of their passions, ideologies and, in some cases, disillusionment and vendettas. Their paths to the nation's capital were largely fueled by long-standing grievances and distrust, and yet planned in spontaneous and ad hoc fashion. Several reported pulling together their travel funds and schedules in just a few days. Some took a solitary journey, including flying from coast to coast alone, only to find a shared community upon their final destination in Washington. Others traveled in buses that departed Wednesday at dawn, filled to the brim with other Trump supporters. In the wake of the violent mob's collective actions, five people have lost their lives. Ashli Babbitt - an Air Force veteran - was shot and killed by Capitol Police. One Capitol Police officer died of injuries and three other individuals died due to medical emergencies during the riot. Some of the most distinctive rioters captured in viral images quickly left the District of Columbia, only to be taken into custody closer to home: Authorities have charged Richard Barnett, the 60-year-old Arkansan pictured with a foot on a staffer's desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office; Jacob Anthony Chansley, a QAnon evangelist from Arizona also known as Jake Angeli, who roamed the Capitol shirtless with a horned headdress; and Adam Johnson, a 36-year-old Florida man who held a lectern in photographs. Before he was arrested, Chansley told The Washington Post that he had not committed any violent acts. Barnett told The New York Times that he had just been knocking on the door when he was pushed in by the crowd. Several of the most notorious rioters, including a man who carried a Confederate flag over his shoulder through the Capitol, have not had their identities publicly confirmed by law enforcement. Dozens of people have been arrested - some for minor offenses including breaking curfew or unlawful entry, while others face more serious federal charges, including firearm possession, violent entry and disorderly conduct at the Capitol. The count is expected to grow rapidly in the coming days. On Sunday morning, Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told NPR that his staff is working round-the-clock to sort through "potentially thousands of people that may have information about crimes . . . meaning there could be hundreds of people charged." One of those whose actions have drawn law enforcement scrutiny is Cudd, the Midland florist who spoke on camera about breaking down Pelosi's door. Bredimus and her husband confirmed that FBI agents recently interviewed them about Cudd's behavior. The acrimony between Bredimus and Cudd began in November, when Bredimus, a 37-year-old graphic designer, squared off against Cudd during a contentious city hall meeting debating the merits of a mask ordinance. They soon led rival mask groups: Bredimus, who is married to a hospital official, leads the pro-mask "Masks in Midland" club, and Cudd leads those opposed to masks. By December, Bredimus said anti-maskers began circulating photos of her van and license plate number, leading to anonymous death threats. Later that month, Bredimus says, Cudd stood outside of Bredimus's residence - with Bredimus's four children inside and home alone - and began live-streaming to her followers. Bredimus said she alerted the Midland Police Department to voice concerns over what she viewed as Cudd's erratic and potentially threatening behavior but was told that there was nothing officers could do. Cudd denied wrongdoing in an interview Friday with a Midland television station, saying she did not mean for it to be taken literally when she said "we" broke into Pelosi's office. She deleted her Facebook account late Saturday amid growing scrutiny of her digital footprint, which contained a Jan. 3 post that warned: "No matter what Trump will be President for 4 more years. Enjoy the show." Such a purge became the norm over the weekend as people who attended the Capitol event made largely fruitless attempts to scrub lives that were lived online. At least 15 people who attended the rally have been fired or suspended from their jobs, or preemptively resigned amid growing outrage, according to a Post tally. One of the fired is 41-year-old laborer Doug Jensen of Des Moines, Iowa, who is facing federal charges after he was recorded leading rioters up a staircase as a police officer attempted to hold back the crowd. Jensen's boss, Dick Felice, who owns Forrest & Associate Masonry, said he terminated Jensen's employment. "He committed a crime as far as I'm concerned," Felice said. Jensen could not be reached for comment. Some participants pleaded for forgiveness. "It was the single worst personal decision of my life," Bradley Rukstales, former CEO of a Chicago-area data analytics company, wrote in a public statement. Rukstales was fired from his job and faces two federal charges stemming from his actions inside the Capitol. He did not respond to a Post reporter's requests for comment. Others said they had been unfairly maligned. Amilee Stuckey, a 55-year-old lawyer from central Florida, said she stayed put outside the Capitol for about two hours, wanting to bear witness to what transpired. She said the resulting violence left her in tears, feeling "just appalled." Still, she scoffed in the face of social media critics who have written that Stuckey's law firm should fire her. She does not reply to them, but takes a grim satisfaction in the fact that "I own the damn firm." A Huntington Beach, Calif., hair salon owner, 32-year-old Kristopher Drew Martin, said that a viral video in which he said "we stormed" the Capitol has been taken out of context and that he did not personally storm the building. He later said those who entered the building were wrong. Martin blamed "the left" and the media for the backlash to his video, which he says has included death threats and bad reviews online about his business. "They enjoy hurting people, especially a Trump supporter," he said. "It feels so good to watch me suffer right now, but I never wanted them to suffer." Most who were interviewed by Post reporters remained resolute. Glynnda White, a 58-year-old retired local government worker and Army veteran from Winter Haven, Fla., said she had no regrets about making the trip. "We were invited by the president" to Washington, said White, who says she stood outside the Capitol but did not enter the building. "And we went." - - - Several who traveled to Washington to support the "Stop the Steal" rally told The Post that they were driven by two primary grievances: their opposition to the election results and the restrictions in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, which can cause the disease covid-19. A 39-year-old entrepreneur from Salem, Ore., Lindsey Graham, said her eventual path to the Capitol began last spring, when the six small businesses she and her husband own, including tanning salons, a gym and hair salon, were suddenly shuttered because of coronavirus restrictions. Graham said she voted for Trump in 2016 but did not become politically active until her family was financially struggling last year. She defied state orders and reopened her salon in May, racking up thousands of dollars in fines for violations. Since then, the mother of three has posted online under the moniker "Patriot Barbie," frequently railing against mask mandates and selling trucker hats, red lip glitter and American flag earrings on her personal website. "It has become a passion since my rights were taken away in March," she said. "Before this, I had nothing to do with politics." In early November, she traveled to Huntington Beach, Calif., for her first Trump rally. After the election, she said, she grew increasingly convinced that Trump's claims about election fraud had merit. "I believe that he won the election," she said. In mid-December, she sued Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, for $100,000, claiming her civil rights were violated by the state's enforcement measures. And, on New Year's Eve, Graham made her next plans clear with a simple post on Facebook: "See you in DC!!!!" She traveled alone and said she stayed at the home of a welcoming Virginia resident whom she had never met. On Wednesday, she said she watched Trump speak with great excitement and followed "the planned agenda" by marching to the Capitol. Once there, she said she stayed outside for three hours, clapping and chanting "U-S-A!" Graham said she was "peacefully protesting" with thousands of people. She said she did not enter the building and does not condone violence. "I'm glad I was there because I am one of the people that can vouch for the crowd," she said. Like Graham, 47-year-old construction worker Pete Harding said he was drawn to the Capitol by his disdain for restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Until last year, the Upstate New York resident said he had largely confined his strong political opinions to the Internet, describing himself as just a "keyboard warrior." That's all changed now, in radical fashion. The first days of 2021 found him - by his own account - charging through the chemical irritants that Capitol Police meant to deter him from entering the Capitol, rambling through the building, and then attempting to set fire to journalists' equipment outside. Last year, in his hometown of Cheektowaga, N.Y., he began regularly protesting prevention measures for individuals and businesses and was eventually arrested for refusing to leave a liquor store where staffers asked him to wear a mask. "We know that if Biden-Harris was going to get into office, they've said they're going to make the lockdowns mandatory and mask-wearing mandatory across the country," he said. Hoping to prevent a president who would take stronger action against the virus, he joined the MAGA demonstrations in November in Washington, which he described as "gorgeous" and "inspired." He drove to D.C. again for Wednesday's action. After listening to Trump's speech and marching to the Capitol, he found that "our people," as he described the mob, had already pushed police back up to the top of the Capitol steps. He waded through the crowd to join them, and he persisted up the stairs, though he says police repeatedly deployed irritants to try to deter the mob. Harding describes himself as a "peacekeeper" who charged up the Capitol stairs to protect police officers and rioters. "I started to see everybody going up the stairs at that point, and I decided I needed to be up there. . . . I knew that things could escalate and I needed to be there to de-escalate things," he said. "I was there to protect and keep the peace. That's what I do every single place that I go." Harding said the only weapon he carried was a dinner fork, which he put in his pocket because he believed he might need it to confront "antifa" or "Muslim brotherhood" fighters. It stayed in his pocket. "Fortunately, I didn't have to wield the kitchen fork menacingly," he said. Once he left the Capitol, he saw journalists with cameras protected by barricades. He says he walked over twice to taunt them, saying, "You're responsible for this" and "There's a woman shot - this is on your hands." Harding claims that only after he walked away did other Trump supporters harass the journalists to the point that they fled, leaving behind their equipment. He was delighted. "I was kind of happy about it, to be honest with you, not going to lie, because they deserve it. But that's not a crime," he said. He said he came back and piled up the abandoned equipment, then used a lighter to try to set it on fire, though he believed most of it was metal and would not burn. "The visual and the imagery was for the media to see, that they have started our country on fire," Harding said, "with their constant lies about covid and about Trump." Harding maintains that he did nothing illegal Wednesday. He said he contacted his local FBI office and offered to talk and has consulted with a lawyer. - - - Many attendees described a fervor that drew them to the Capitol. For 48-year-old Leonard Guthrie, it manifested in his faith in God. The Cape May, N.J., resident has not often been well enough to work since having two surgeries on his back. In the absence of employment, he has heavily leaned into his Christian beliefs and conservative political views. When he heard about the rally, Guthrie thought he could combine his two passions. If he and other Christians had been able to pray outside while senators voted inside, he feels certain it would have changed their votes. "I know it would have," he said. So despite the misfiring nerves in his back that made sitting in a car for hours a painful endeavor, he made the journey. And for him, it ended in the D.C. jail. He said he broke through a police barrier to reach the U.S. Capitol steps and readily admits his transgressions, bluntly saying: "I broke the law." Still, he feels aggrieved. "We've been silenced for so long," he said. "For years, because I voted for Trump, I'm called a racist, a Nazi, a bigot and all that stuff, and it's not right." Others squarely cited their fealty to the president as the force that pulled them to the nation's capital. Some, like David Ray Fitzgerald of Roselle, Ill., identified as relatively new Trump supporters. The 48-year-old tattoo artist and father of seven said he does not usually vote but became a staunch Trump fan over the past year as he spent days in quarantine reading up on the president's attitudes toward trade agreements and abortion. He posted Facebook messages and memes chastising liberals for being what he characterized as too sensitive, railing against "fake news," and glorifying Trump. "I'm not a 'deranged Trump supporter,' " he said. "I'm an American supporter, and I think that there's only one person on the ticket that has the same values as I do." Fitzgerald and friends pooled their resources to organize the drive and book a hotel room for the Jan. 6 rally, driven by their hope that Trump could still win the election. Fitzgerald said he watched the chaos from the grass and did not venture into the Capitol. Later that night, he was arrested for a curfew violation and unlawful entry as he stood in the parking lot. Fitzgerald said he hated his experience in jail but made the right decisions Wednesday. "You can't say, 'I'm here until things get difficult,' " he said. "I'm here to support everything to the end, regardless of what happens to me." Rick Saccone, a former Pennsylvania state legislator and Republican who in 2018 narrowly lost a race for Congress after campaigning alongside Trump, boarded a bus in Pittsburgh before 7 a.m. Wednesday, bound for Washington. Saccone said he believed that voting irregularities had surfaced during his own campaigns - and he suspected that Trump had fallen victim to much worse in the November election. "People are just mad,'' Saccone recalled in an interview. "I think I speak for many people: They wanted their vote counted." Saccone, 62, was not among those arrested in Washington. Nor did he join those who vaulted, squeezed and rushed into the Capitol. Instead, he said he remained outside on the l. Wearing a Trump-emblazoned, royal blue beanie, he posted a video message on his Facebook page with the caption, "We are storming the capitol. Our vanguard has broken thru the barricades. We will save this nation. Are u with me?'' Saccone took down his Facebook post later Wednesday and told The Post that the people who stormed the Capitol should be prosecuted. On Thursday, St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., where Saccone, who holds a PhD in international relations, had taught since 1999, announced his resignation amid a growing outcry. Asked whether he had regrets about his trip to Washington, Saccone cited a scarcity of portable toilets across the city, which he attributed to Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat. "I blame the mayor for that,'' Saccone said. "I think she was trying to torture us.'' Bowser's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the mayor has no authority over toilets on federal property. - - - The images from the Capitol violence have left not just a stain on the nation but disappointment that a love one chose to show up for such an event. When Robyn Sweet saw the violence break out at the Capitol on Wednesday, she immediately suspected her father, Douglas Sweet, was part of the mayhem. She and her relatives spent hours trying to reach him and eventually learned that he'd been arrested and accused of unlawful entry. She described her father as a self-employed handyman in his late 50s who lives in rural Virginia and became increasingly fixated with conspiracy theories after Barack Obama was elected president. That escalated when Trump rose to power, Sweet said. Her father attended the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 and has discussed concerns about child pedophile rings and adrenochrome, a chemical compound they believe is extracted from captive children's blood - baseless conspiracy theories spread by QAnon followers. "He wholeheartedly believes this stuff," Sweet said. "I feel like he is under a spell. Trump has got these people under a spell," said Sweet, a 35-year-old health-care worker who helped organize a Black Lives Matter protest after George Floyd's death in Minneapolis and launched a Facebook group, Bigotry Exposed, in 2018. Douglas Sweet, who could not be reached for comment, posted a message on Facebook after his arrest, saying he was released on his own recognizance and described the unlawful entry charge as "a citation equal to ticket." His daughter provided The Post with a copy of the message, which was also shared on Twitter. "Our Goal was to speak to the house and Senate about 'stop the steal' and infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party of our government," Douglas Sweet wrote. "I feel strongly about defending our Constitutional rights and will not sit on the sidelines and watch as both parties trample our Rights and commit treason with foreign enemies and Governments." Robyn Sweet said there are many people from their community in Mathews County who support her father's beliefs and she thinks the arrest will further radicalize him, rather than serve as a wake-up call. "They are hailing him like he is a martyr," she said. "It's sickening." Sweet said the relationship with her father is strained - he asked her in June whether she was a member of antifa and blocked her on Facebook - but she said they still love each other. She is isolating after being exposed to the coronavirus, which causes covid-19, a disease she said her father does not think is real. - - - The Washington Post's Julie Tate, Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson, Alex Horton, Maria Sacchetti, Amar Nadhir, Justin George, Paulina Villegas, Rachel Weiner, Alice Crites, Devlin Barrett, and Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report. SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE The 375th Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base is doing its part to make sure the bases population is getting its share of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Wednesday, the 375th Medical Group began administering a limited supply of the Moderna vaccine to first responders and healthcare workers as outlined by a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) distribution plan. Vaccinations are by appointment only so we can control the flow and make sure the appropriate people and part of the targeted tiers are here, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Andreoli, COVID-19 vaccine coordinator for the 375th Medical Group, said on Friday afternoon. We book their appointments through their commanders and process them here. They check in at a registration table. We ask them to fill out a form ahead of time and a screener will check that. They receive a vaccine fact sheet in case they have any questions, and after that, they come down to a socially distancing waiting area for the next immunizer. The facility has three separate rooms for immunizing, where a patients form is reviewed again to make sure there are no complications to receiving the vaccine. Along with the immunizer, there is a documentation tech who puts the information into the patients medical record. They also get a Be Safe card from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with follow-up questions about the vaccine. After they have received the shot, they are directed to a holding area for 15 to 30 minutes to make sure there are no adverse reactions to the vaccine. They are also scheduled to return for a second dose of the vaccine in 28 days. As with the civilian population, DOD personnel at Scott Air Force Base are currently receiving vaccinations as part of Phase 1A of the CDCs distribution plan for the vaccine. The Department of Defense has released a prioritization schema that directs us to prioritize patients for the vaccine, said Andreoli, who is also chief of pharmacy for the 375th Medical Group. It goes hand in hand with the CDC recommendations, but it also incorporates DODs readiness mission. The first target for a limited dose of vaccine is Phase 1A, which is our first responders such as fire, police and emergency medical services, and medical personnel, which includes the majority of people that work in this building. Col. Richard Woodruff, 375th Medical Group commander, added that months of planning have gone into the vaccine distribution plan at Scott. With the wing commander, Col. (Jeremiah Scot) Heathman, we sat down with all of our partners on the installation as well and did a table-top exercise how we would do this in an orderly and safe fashion, Woodruff said. At the time, we did not know how many vaccines we would get at any given point, but we knew it would be a process of different shipments over time. Woodruff saluted the teamwork that has gone into the vaccine distribution effort at Scott. Im really proud of the team and all of the members that have wanted to be vaccinated, Woodruff said. Its voluntary, but the service members have really taken to not only maintaining their medical readiness by receiving the vaccine, but also by helping and protecting others by getting it. Scott is one of the first few DOD installations to receive the vaccine. In order to test the process and to validate DODs mass distribution of vaccine, it was initially released to several larger bases, and Scott was part of the next wave, Andreoli said. Andreoli and Woodruff are hopeful that their work on distributing the vaccines at Scott will result in smooth larger-scale efforts, both for DOD installations and for the general public. The DOD and the Air Force have a lot of experience in mass immunization, so it was easy to put together, but then you have to deal with the particular nuances of this vaccine and the pandemic, Andreoli said. There is the social distancing, the storage requirements and the two-dose requirement and the screening that is involved. We have routine meetings on the phone with a lot of the local communities on what they have learned and how that would help us, and were giving them lessons learned as well, Woodruff added. With relatively small amounts of the vaccine now available, Woodruff believes it may take a few months before either the general population or the majority of the bases population receive the vaccine. My gut feeling is that it will be longer than spring break and longer than Easter, Woodruff said. Staff Sgt. Kori Rosemann is the non-commissioned officer (COC) in charge of the immunization clinic at Scott. Three days into vaccination distribution at Scott, Rosemann is impressed by what she has seen. Its been very hectic with all the guidelines changing day by day, but were excited to start helping the community and hopefully stop the spread of the virus with the vaccine, Rosemann said. We did some strict planning on how the layout was going to be so we could keep people moving through. We started a little slower so we could see how the process worked and we identified some things that we needed to tweak. Jenny McDonald, a contractor at Scott, was among the people who received the vaccine on Friday. I have a son that has medical issues and family that have medical issues, so I didnt want anybody to get infected, said McDonald, who lives in Mascoutah. I havent had COVID, but Ill do anything to help stop the spread of it. It was a very simple procedure and it didnt hurt. Ill be coming back for a second dose on Feb. 5. The medical staff at the immunization clinic included Staff Sgt. Gibbs Bellamour and Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Tahir, who were working together in one of the three immunization rooms. Im one of the medics administering the shot itself and Im making sure its the right vaccine and the right dose, Bellamour said. Weve gone through about 50 people today and once we establish a routine, we can do it pretty quickly. Airman Tahir is a great partner and we collaborate and make sure we cross-check one another. Once we bring a patient in, we verify that all of their documentation is correct and I put into the electronic record that they are getting the vaccine, Tahir said. Sgt. Bellamour gives those vaccinations on the dime and hes able to make sure the patients are not feeling any kind of harm. For people who are still unsure about whether they want to receive the vaccine, Woodruff urges them to become better informed. If you have any questions, my advice is that you make sure you go to reliable sources of information and education, Woodruff said. The CDC has a lot of good information, and Pfizer and Moderna, who are producing vaccines, have a lot of good information as well. You can also ask your medical professionals. ADVERTISEMENT Gunmen have killed a Saudi Arabia-based oil worker, Ogacheko Atanu, at his Idah residence in Kogi State. Mr Atanu was shot on Saturday night while a woman, who was with him at the time, was abducted. The deceased, was billed to travel out of Idah on Sunday for Abuja, from where he was expected to board a flight to Saudi Arabia. The Kogi State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), William Aya, who confirmed the incident, said the command received a report about the killing in the early hours of Sunday. The security man of the deceased reported the incident to Idah Police division today at 05:00hours. Unknown masked men numbering about four entered the compound of the deceased through the fence. They told the security man to open the gate while the deceased was relaxing with his friend inside the compound. The gunmen told all of them to lie down. They later told the owner of the house to stand up and (then) shot him. He also confirmed that the woman abducted has been found in a village unconscious and she is currently receiving medical treatment. Mr Aya noted that the police have commenced investigations and will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Idah LGA, Abuh Odoma, said journalists will be briefed about their findings later. The uncouth incidence does not deserve bizzare reportage. All the issues around the forceful demise of Mr Atanu Ogacheko especially those that matter to you would be communicated to all of you, Mr Odomas spokesperson, Odaudu Isah, stated. The local government head also commiserated with the family of the deceased, promising that his killers will be caught. Parler CEO John Matze warned in his final post before the 3am deadline that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' as tech firms distance themselves from the site Parler on Monday moved its domain name to a right-wing web-hosting firm after announcing it will sue Amazon for antitrust violations for scrubbing the site from the web overnight. The social media site had already vanished from the Apple and Google app stores after they cut ties with the platform in the wake of the deadly mob attack at the US Capitol. Parler then went offline shortly after 3am EST Monday after Amazon booted the platform off its web hosting service, effectively shutting the site down until it can find a new hosting partner or fund its own servers. The site has since moved its domain name from DreamHost to Epik, domainnamewire.com reports. Web services company Epik hosted Trump friendly Gab.com when it was dropped by GoDaddy in 2018 and had helped 8chan get back online. CEO Robert Monster previously said: 'De-platforming a haven of free speech is not about left or right.' Epik had said Sunday 'no communication has been received by them for discussion of future service provision.' It also emerged Monday that all of Parler's deleted posts have been archived. The hacker who has gathered them together, @donk_enby, told Gizmodo they provide 'very incriminating' evidence. But Parler CEO John Matze said he was doing more than Facebook and Twitter to try and remove violent content from his app. In a statement Monday morning self declared libertarian Matze said: 'Evaluated objectively, our system worked as well or better than the methods used by our competitors, while adhering to our principles.' Parler then announced it will sue Amazon and ask a federal judge to order the tech giant to reinstate the platform, The Hill first reported. The 18-page suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle against Amazon Web Services (AWS). It claims: 'AWS's decision to effectively terminate Parler's account is apparently motivated by political animus. It is also apparently designed to reduce competition in the microblogging services market to the benefit of Twitter.' It notes: 'Friday night one of the top trending tweets on Twitter was 'Hang Mike Pence.' But AWS has no plans nor has it made any threats to suspend Twitter's account.' AWS said there was 'no merit' to the claims. 'AWS provides technology and services to customers across the political spectrum, and we respect Parlers right to determine for itself what content it will allow,' a spokeswoman said. 'However, it is clear that there is significant content on Parler that encourages and incites violence against others, and that Parler is unable or unwilling to promptly identify and remove this content, which is a violation of our terms of service. 'We made our concerns known to Parler over a number of weeks and during that time we saw a significant increase in this type of dangerous content, not a decrease, which led to our suspension of their services Sunday evening.' Parler are thought to have targeted AWS, rather than Apple and Google, as 'both the apps and the website are written to work with AWS's technology'. 'Without AWS, Parler is finished as it has no way to get online', the suit adds. Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple severely limits Parler's reach to millions of smartphones. Losing Amazon Web Services means Parler needs to find another web host to be accessed on a browser. Matze argued 'up until Friday afternoon it seemed Apple, Amazon and Google agreed' the app had been effective in their efforts to remove 'objectionable content', adding: 'You can expect the war on competition and free speech to continue, but don't count us out.' Matze had initially said that Parler might be unavailable for 'up to a week as we rebuild from scratch', but now says it might be offline for longer. Google and Apple both booted Trump friendly Gab from their app stores in 2017 and it was left internet-homeless for a time. It now hosts through its own servers. Critics have continued to slammed the big tech giants for purging free speech in the wake of Donald Trump's Twitter ban. Fox New host Jeanine Pirro later argued Parler's deplatforming 'is akin to a Kristallnacht'. In 1938, Nazis in Germany and Austria vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses during an attack that became known as Kristallnacht. She said: 'They gave us a taste of this pre-election when they suppressed the Hunter Biden story. And now that they've won, what we're seeing is a kind of censorship that is akin to a Kristallnacht, where they decide what we can communicate about.' Pirro later tweeted: 'Although book burning started earlier, Kristallnacht included the destruction of Jewish stores, homes & synagogues containing rare Jewish books & Torahs. My reference was in context of books.The Holocaust was the greatest hate crime the world ever tolerated. I abhor all violence.' Scroll down for the full suit against AWS Hailed by Donald Trump supporters as a conservative-friendly alternative to Twitter, Parler is seen as a magnet for the far right and was accused by Apple, Google and Amazon of continuing to allow messages inciting violence after Wednesday's attack at the Capitol Shortly after 3am EST, Parler disappeared from the web with an error message saying 'we can't connect to the server' after Amazon pulled the plug The app was removed from the Google app store after conservative social media users flocked to the site in the wake of the Capitol attack In his final post before the 3am deadline, Matze said that 'most people with enough servers to host us have shut their doors to us' What are Parler's options now? Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple whose operating systems power hundreds of millions of smartphones severely limits Parler's reach, though it had continued to be accessible via web browser. The decision by Amazon Web Services to remove Parler means it now needs to scramble to find another web host in addition to 'rebuilding the site from scratch'. Google and Apple both booted Gab from their app stores in 2017 and it was left internet-homeless for a time the following year due to anti-Semitic posts attributed to the man accused of killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Microsoft also terminated a web-hosting contract. It now hosts through its own servers, so that is an option. Or it can find another server willing to host the site. Max Aliapoulios, a computer science Ph. D candidate told Business Insider: 'It is realistic to expect that Parler will find another provider to host their services like AWS. 'That being said, now the precedent is set and Parler will likely always have an uphill battle with finding a home to host them on the internet.' Advertisement Donald Trump Jr. said it was a 'purge of conservative ideas and thought leaders.' Piers Morgan wrote: 'It has been quite sinister to witness the speed in which the tech world has conspired to use the Capitol riot to silence not just Trump but entire right-wing social media platforms like Parler which has been effectively driven offline by Google, Apple and Amazon.' American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Ben Wizner told The New York Times: 'There is a difference between a social media platform like Twitter...deciding who its members are and what its guidelines should be, and a company like Amazon that really hold the keys to the internet.' Wizner also pointed to a 2017 quote by CloudFlare CEO Matthew Prince when he took down The Daily Stormer who said: 'I woke up in a bad mood and decided someone shouldn't be allowed on the internet No one should have that power.' Journalist Glenn Greenwald on Sunday accused the tech giants of 'feigning offense to destroy' to Parler. He claimed 'far more violence' has been planned on Facebook. He tweeted Monday to pan liberals as 'overwhelmingly supportive' of big tech using 'brute force 3 times in 3 months to manipulate US politics' Greenwald wrote: 'Tech monopolies -- FB, Google, Apple, Amazon -- have more concentrated wealth & power than any in history. They have used brute force 3 times in 3 months to manipulate US politics: censoring NY Post, banning Trump, destroying Parler. And liberals are overwhelmingly supportive. 'That these Silicon Valley monopolies are grave menaces to political freedom & economic well-being is *not* a right-wing view. 'Authoritarians never believe they're authoritarians, no matter how much censorship, surveillance, jingoism, & imprisonment they demand. They tell themselves their enemies are so uniquely evil and dangerous - terrorists - that anything done in the name of fighting them is noble.' Twitter saw its shares drop by 12 per cent Monday as the company braced for pro-Trump protesters outside its San Francisco headquarters. The tech giant lost $5 billion on the first day of trading after it permanently suspended Trump. Trump friendly platform Gab.com tweeted Monday: 'Twitter lost $4 Billion today. LOL.' Hailed by Donald Trump supporters as a conservative-friendly alternative to Twitter - which permanently suspended the president on Friday - Parler is seen as a magnet for the far right and was accused by Apple, Google and Amazon of continuing to allow messages inciting violence after Wednesday's riot. Parler, which Apple claims was used by some of the rioters to help plan the insurrection, was the most-downloaded app in the Apple store on Friday before both Apple and Google cut off its access to their app stores. CEO John Matze warned in his final post before the 3am deadline that 'we will likely be down longer than expected' as tech firms distance themselves from the 'free speech' site. 'Amazon's, Google's and Apple's statements to the press about dropping our access has caused most of our other vendors to drop their support for us as well,' said Matze, who has labeled the Big Tech moves to isolate his app 'absolutely disgusting'. 'Parler is my final stand on the Internet. I won't be making an account on any social. Parler is my home,' he said. He later issued a press release condemning violence and arguing the app has 'worked hard' to 'remove prohibited content'. Following Parler's removal the president's eldest son retweeted a post which read: 'The internet was a hell of a lot safer before @Twitter, @Apple, @Google, and @Facebook started protecting us from it'. Don Jr. added: 'This times 1000.' Republican congressman Devin Nunes, who had an account on Parler, raged at what he said was 'political censorship' after Apple and Google removed the app. 'Spread the word so your fellow Americans know about this,' he urged his three million followers on the site. Right-wing pundit Ben Shapiro warned on Twitter that 'the tech bros are making a horrible and dangerous moment significantly more horrible and dangerous'. 'There are no consistent standards being applied. There is reactionary deplatforming in the name of one side,' he claimed. 'Everyone on the right is correctly concerned that these same companies are five minutes away from simply removing the ability of conservatives to host content anywhere.' The social media crackdown has revived a debate over whether tech giants should be treated as 'publishers' with the same liability as news providers. John Matze founded Parler in 2018 as a 'free-speech driven' alternative to mainstream platforms. He is pictured with his family Twitter saw shares drop 10 per cent in early trading on Monday Trump friendly platform Gab.com tweeted Monday: 'Twitter lost $4 Billion today. LOL' The fallout of Twitter's permanent ban on Trump continued over the weekend, as his eldest son lashed out at the social media site and loyalists fled to alternatives such as Gab and Parler. 'The world is laughing at America & Mao, Lenin, & Stalin are smiling. Big tech is able to censor the President? Free speech is dead & controlled by leftist overlords,' Don Trump Jr said in a tweet on Saturday, urging followers to join his mailing list, 'In case I'm next.' Parler is bankrolled by prominent conservative donor Rebekah Mercer Parler, which styles itself as a 'free speech-driven' space, is bankrolled by hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer's daughter Rebekah, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. Rebekah has described her as a co-founder of the site with CEO John Matze. 'John and I started Parler to provide a neutral platform for free speech, as our founders intended, and also to create a social media environment that would protect data privacy,' she wrote in a post on the site this fall. 'The ever increasing tyranny and hubris of our tech overlords demands that someone lead the fight against data mining, and for the protection of free speech online,' she added. Hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer is pictured with his daughter Rebekah in 2017 Matze replied to the post: 'Bekah is a great friend, an American patriot, and most importantly committed to the Parler vision of neutrality and data privacy. We are grateful for her support since 2018, and her early faith in the founders has enabled us to reach these heights. #transparency.' After WSJ reported Rebekah's links to Parler she issued a statement saying that her multi-millionaire father Robert was not an investor in the site - while sources close to the clan claimed that the investment was a family affair. Rebekah referred to herself as a co-founder of Parler in a post on the site in November Advertisement On Friday, Twitter also permanently banned two Trump loyalists former national security adviser Michael Flynn and attorney Sidney Powell as part of a broader purge of accounts promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory. Its CEO Jack Dorsey reportedly made the extraordinary call to permanently suspend Trump's account while he was vacationing in French Polynesia. After Twitter red-flagged some of Trump's posts last year, the president demanded that the website be stripped of a 'liability shield' known as Section 230. Fox News personality Dan Bongino, a supporter of Parler, raged that 'the greatest threats to liberty are the destructive tech tyrants who have acted as publishers in their ongoing wars on conservatives and free speech'. 'This will be my final post on this anti-American platform,' he wrote on Twitter on Friday. But concern over Big Tech's power is not confined to the American right - with Angela Merkel's spokesman today calling it 'problematic' that free speech could be obstructed by 'decision of the management of social media platforms'. Lionel Barber, the former editor of London's Financial Times, said on Sunday that 'now we can agree that platforms are publishers and that there are some limits to free speech, we need a serious debate about social media's influence in a modern democracy'. And UK government minister Matt Hancock said the Trump ban 'raises a very important question, which is it means that the social media platforms are taking editorial decisions'. Many Democrats also want to rein in the power of Big Tech, with dozens of attorneys general launching a lawsuit last month in a bid to break up Facebook. Launched in 2018, Parler operates much like Twitter with profiles people can follow and 'parleys' instead of tweets. 'Our mission is to create a social platform in the spirit of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,' it boasts. 'We prefer that removing community members or member-provided content be kept to the absolute minimum.' The site claims more than 12million users in total, although analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at10 million worldwide, with eight million in the US. Founded by computer engineer Matze and Republican donor Rebekah Mercer, it attracts a mixture of far-right users and more traditional Republican voices - and is already used by the president's children Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka. Fox News star host Sean Hannity has 7.6million followers on Parler, while his colleague Tucker Carlson has 4.4million. There are also elected officials, including Nunes and South Dakota's Republican governor Kristi Noem. Trump supporters flocked to the app after the president was banned from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other sites in the wake of the violence at the Capitol. But despite speculation that Trump himself would join Parler, he had no known account by the time the site was shut down today. Late on Friday, Google announced it was banning Parler from its app store because of posts inciting violence and a casual approach to moderating content. Apple followed suit a day later after alleging that Parler was being used to 'plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities'. Apple had given Parler 24 hours to submit a detailed moderation plan, claiming that participants had used the service to co-ordinate Wednesday's siege. Public safety issues will need to be resolved before access to Parler is restored, Apple said. The moves by Apple and Google drastically limited Parler's reach but did not completely block the app, because people who already had it could keep using it while new users could access it on a web browser. But Amazon's decision to strip Parler of access to its Amazon Web Services hosting platform directly threatens the site's online presence. The president's daughter Ivanka Trump was among those who had set up a Parler account as conservatives dissatisfied with Twitter flocked to the site Sean Hannity, the Fox News host favored by Donald Trump, also had an account on the page The journalist tweeted Sunday to accuse the tech giants of 'feigning offense to destroy' the app after Donald Trump was on Friday kicked off of most mainstream social media platforms Greenwald tweeted Monday to pan liberals as 'overwhelmingly supportive' of big tech using 'brute force 3 times in 3 months to manipulate US politics' Amazon said it had informed Parler of 98 examples of posts 'that clearly encourage and incite violence' and said the platform 'poses a very real risk to public safety.' 'We've seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms of service,' said an Amazon letter first reported by Buzzfeed. Given the riot at the Capitol this week, the letter continued, there was a 'serious risk that this type of content will further incite violence.' Parler was given 24 hours to find an alternative host but, Matze said, 'Where are you gonna find 300-to-500 servers in a 24-hour window... It's an impossible feat.' 'What they are doing is unprecedented, unfounded and absolutely disgusting. Shameful,' Matze said of the tech giants. 'Our mission is free speech, democracy and us the people having the power. The elite don't want us to be free, they want hate, division and power.' Tech giants have moved to shut down what they say is dangerous online content after a Trump-incited mob overran the seat of American democracy (pictured) As the crackdown gathers speed, conservative sites might have to follow the example of another site popular on the far right, Gab. That platform drew fierce criticism in 2018 when investigators found that the shooter who killed 11 people in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue had earlier posted anti-Semitic messages on the site. Gab, already at loggerheads with Apple and Google, subsequently installed its own servers so as not to be dependent on outside providers. Meanwhile, the DLive video streaming service, used by several protesters during the invasion of the Capitol, has closed seven of its channels and pulled more than 100 videos off the site. How Parler CEO John Matze married 'Russian he met during her US road trip' before founding 'free-speech' platform that is now bankrolled by conservative donor Rebekah Mercer and used by MAGA fans By Lauren Fruen for DailyMail.com John Matze founded Parler in 2018 as a 'free-speech driven' alternative to mainstream platforms. The self described libertarian soon began courting right-leaning users as prominent supporters of Donald Trump moved there. And Parler had been the leading candidate for the president to continuing voicing his opinion, at least until Google and Apple removed it from their app stores and Amazon decided to boot it off its web hosting service Sunday. Not much it known about Matze's personal life but he is reported to have married Russian Alina Mukhutdinova after the pair are said to have met in Las Vegas. She was said to have been on a two week road trip around the United States, TED Talk host Dave Troy reported in November. Alina's Instagram pictures show the couple have at least one child. In one picture she hold rifles and wears a t-shirt which reads: 'Trust me, I'm a Russian spy.' The couple appear to live a luxury lifestyle with numerous vacation pictures taken with their young child. Not much it known about Matze's personal life but he is reported to have married Russian Alina Mukhutdinova, pictured, after the pair are said to have met in Las Vegas Alina's Instagram pictures show the couple have at least one child After graduating in 2014 Matze, who studied math, German and business at the University of Denver,teamed up with fellow alumni Jared Thomson, now chief technical officer, to create Parler. Matze told Forbes in July last year: 'I don't have too many friends, but the ones I do have, we just talk amongst ourselves about ideascrazy ones, easy ones, whatever.' He told the magazine he 'does not watch TV' but instead 'gets everything off Parler'. Alina shared this image of her husband appearing on Fox News to her Instagram account One of Alina's Instagram picture shows her promoting her husband's app Parler Matze's app is now bankrolled by hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer's daughter Rebekah, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. The two-year-old magnet for the far right claims more than 12 million users, though mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower puts the number at 10 million worldwide, with 8 million in the U.S. Rebekah has described herself as a co-founder of the site with Matze. She is also thought to have studied at the University of Denver. 'John and I started Parler to provide a neutral platform for free speech, as our founders intended, and also to create a social media environment that would protect data privacy,' she wrote in a post on the site this fall. 'The ever increasing tyranny and hubris of our tech overlords demands that someone lead the fight against data mining, and for the protection of free speech online,' she added. Matze replied to the post: 'Bekah is a great friend, an American patriot, and most importantly committed to the Parler vision of neutrality and data privacy. We are grateful for her support since 2018, and her early faith in the founders has enabled us to reach these heights. #transparency.' After WSJ reported Rebekah's links to Parler she issued a statement saying that her multi-millionaire father Robert was not an investor in the site - while sources close to the clan claimed that the investment was a family affair. Those who have joined Parler include commentator Candace Owens, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who handcuffed herself to the door of Twitter's New York office in November 2018 to protest a ban on her by the site. Trump's sons Eric and Don Jr. are also already active on the site. Not much it known about Matze's personal life but he is reported to have married Russian Alina Mukhutdinova after the pair are said to have met in Las Vegas. She was said to have been on a two week road trip around the United States, TED Talk host Dave Troy reported in November. The couple appear to live a luxury lifestyle with numerous vacation pictures Parler hit headwinds, though, on Friday as Google yanked its smartphone app from its app store for allowing postings that seek 'to incite ongoing violence in the U.S.' Apple followed suit on Saturday evening after giving Parler 24 hours to address complaints it was being used to 'plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities.' Public safety issues will need to be resolved before it is restored, Apple said. Amazon struck another blow Saturday, informing Parler it would need to look for a new web-hosting service effective midnight Sunday. It reminded Parler in a letter, first reported by Buzzfeed, that it had informed it in the past few weeks of 98 examples of posts 'that clearly encourage and incite violence' and said the platform 'poses a very real risk to public safety.' Matze decried the punishments as 'a coordinated attack by the tech giants to kill competition in the marketplace. We were too successful too fast,' he said in a Saturday night post, saying it was possible Parler would be unavailable for up to a week 'as we rebuild from scratch.' 'Every vendor, from text message services, to e-mail providers, to our lawyers all ditched us too on the same day,' Matze said Sunday on Fox New Channel's 'Sunday Morning Futures.' He said while the company is trying to get back online as quickly as possible, it's 'having a lot of trouble, because every vendor we talk to says they won't work with us, because, if Apple doesn't approve and Google doesn't approve, they won't.' Losing access to the app stores of Google and Apple whose operating systems power hundreds of millions of smartphones severely limits Parler's reach, though it will continue to be accessible via web browser. Losing Amazon Web Services will mean Parler needs to scramble to find another web host, in addition to the re-engineering. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has announced that Telkom has withdrawn part of its court application against it. Following the recent media reports about Telkom launching a court application in respect of the Invitation To Apply (ITA) for high demand spectrum or International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum as well as the ITA for the Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN), the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) hereby informs all stakeholders that Telkom has decided to withdraw Part A of the court application, the authority said in a statement. Part A of Telkoms application was meant to compel the Authority to inform all parties who may have an interest in applying for spectrum licences through the International Mobile Telecommunications (Auction ITA) and the WOAN ITA of Telkoms application. However, ICASA noted that Telkom is still proceeding with Part B and Part C of its application. Telkom previously highlighted two key points in its court challenge against ICASA. Firstly, the digital dividend bands of spectrum in the 700Mhz and 800MHz categories are not currently commercially viable, it said. This is because broadcasters like MultiChoice, e.tv, and the SABC are still using those frequency bands for terrestrial television signals. Secondly, Telkom argued that ICASA has not taken into account the lack of competition in South Africas cellular market. ICASA said it remains committed to seeing this spectrum licensing process to its completion for the benefit of all South Africans. Our efforts are geared towards licensing the high demand spectrum through an auction by no later than the end of March 2021. We have adequately consulted relevant stakeholders and the public throughout this process and cannot do so to a point of regulatory paralysis, said ICASA Chairperson Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng. 5G myths around COVID-19 ICASA also denounced conspiracy theories that linked the advent of 5G communications to the coronavirus pandemic. The Authority continues to note media reports with regards to the deployment of the Fifth-Generation (5G) technologies and infrastructure and its purported relation to the spread of the novel coronavirus, it said. The Authority would like to urge all South Africans not to be swayed by these conspiracy theories that are hell-bent on bringing instability and fear within the nation. ICASA noted that South Africa adheres to the relevant standards prescribed by both the ITU and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it confirmed that type-approved electronic communications facilities provided in the country adhere to the prescribed standards and that there is no evidence that they pose any health risks to the country or citizens. We all need to rely on scientifically-based evidence and refrain from these baseless theories, Dr Modimoeng said. Some of the frequencies earmarked and trialled for 5G deployment by industry players were previously assigned to various operators in South Africa way before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in 2020. Such fake theories can only cause despair and unnecessary technophobia among South Africans and must be strongly condemned, he said. The year 2020 was among the worst years for the global economy in more than 70 years. HDFC Securities Retail Research expect 2021 to be a year of restoration as some segments have reached near-normalcy, while others will attain so in the coming months. It brings 10 stocks from different sectors that are likely to benefit from the rebound in economic activities. These companies are likely to witness superior earnings growth and outperform the benchmark indices. Bandhan Bank | The bank has consistently demonstrated a strong track record in growing its balance sheet/earnings (AUM grew by CAGR 44% FY10-20) and maintained a robust market share/cost leadership with superior return ratios, pristine asset quality and low-cost DSC (door-step service centres) network. HDFC Securities Retail Research expect the bank to deliver RoA in the range of 3.3-3.5% and RoE of ~ 19-20%. At CMP of Rs 410, the bank trades at 3.2x FY22E ABV. It believes the bank will continue to trade at premium valuations given the huge opportunity in the MFI business. Birla Corporation | The company has 4.2% market share in the Indian cement industry. It has a 15.58 MTPA of cement capacity, 52,631 metric tons of jute and 3,750 metric tons of iron & steel casting installed capacity. Its 34% cement capacity is located in Madhya Pradesh followed by 26% in Rajasthan and remaining in other regions. Its debt-funded expansion and ownership fight can create pressure on valuation and performance. HDFC Securities Retail Research expect the company to benefit from the regionally diversified position with upcoming capacity. It likes Birla Corp due to its extensive retail presence in the lucrative north and central regions, substantial ongoing cost reduction and a healthy balance sheet despite significant expansion plans. GAIL (India) | HDFC Securities Retail Research expects GAILs ongoing pipeline projects to enhance its dominant market position over the medium term. GAIL owns 70% of Indias gas transmission network, which is its stable, non-cyclical and regulated business. This is likely to remain the key operating income contributor over the medium term, generating stable cash flows. Cost-effective operations, experienced management, attractive valuations and sound financials are key advantages offered by the stock apart from a decent dividend yield. The stock trades at 10.2x FY22E EPS. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) is one of Indias top-three oil marketing companies. HPCLs marketing business is the strongest among peers, with consistent market share gains in the auto fuel segment despite rising private competition. HPCL is targeting the completion of the Mumbai and Vizag expansions in 2021, followed by upgradation at Vizag in 2022 and Rajasthan (Barmer) refinery in 2023. The company expects all pipeline projects to be completed in time. The stock is trading at 5.3x FY22E EPS. Hindustan Unilever | HUL is a play on consumption growth in India. The company has proved its ability to implement effective price hikes and to grow ahead of the market. HDFC Securities Retail Research believe HUL will be able to overcome short-term economy led hurdles as it has done in the past. Disruptive times are particularly hard on unorganised players, which may lead to HUL gaining market share. HUL has the best of breed earnings growth potential in the longer term owing to its diversified portfolio, execution strengths, and RoCE levels well ahead of peers. All these factors indicate that premium multiples are likely to sustain, the stock is trading at ~54x FY22E earnings. Infosys | HDFC Securities Retail Research remains optimistic on the company's revenue and profitability trajectory as well as cost rationalisation efforts. It expects a repeat of past post-crisis opportunities for IT services when it benefitted from a wave of fresh outsourcing and offshoring demand, given Indias large pool of engineers and low-cost advantage. In the medium term, Infosys sees opportunities around vendor consolidation and large rebadging deals, which it can capitalise on, given its ability to seamlessly transition to work from home and strong balance-sheet position. Nippon Life India Asset Management | A complete exit of ADAG and promoter backing of global giant Nippon gives HDFC Securities Retail Research confidence in the companys future. Extensive expansion to newer locations and industry-leading B30 AUM augurs well for NAM India. Given the massive under-penetration of financial products and inclusion in India, there is enough scope for AMCs like NAM India to continue to expand profitably. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation | ONGC enjoys a dominant market position in the domestic crude oil and natural gas production business with large proven reserves, globally competitive cost structure and stable performance of its subsidiary ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL). The government is looking to provide a package of measures to help domestic oil producers pull through the price crash and the uncertainty in the global oil market. Any relief in this regard could be positive for ONGC to add to its profitability. Acquisition of a majority stake in HPCL fits well into the groups integrated energy strategy. State Bank of India | SBI is almost immune to any liability-side risks at this juncture, given its expansive, granular deposit base and governments majority holding. It is better placed to curtail asset-quality worries than many other large banks because of the quality of its loan book. Moreover, ample provision coverage will curtail incremental loan loss provisions. SBI has one of the strongest deposit franchises along with inexpensive valuations. New Delhi: U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's has lost the majority in British Parliament after her election gamble backfired. However, Conservative will still remain the single largest party predicted the U.K. general election exit poll. The Exit Poll predicted 314 seats for the Conservative party, down by 17 seats won by the party in the 2015 general election. The Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour Party is expected to bag 266 seats, up from its last tally of 232.The shock exit poll result could plunge domestic politics into turmoil and delay Brexit talks. Key Updates: # Following the results Pound took a dip on prospect of British hung parliament #NEWSGRAPHIC Pound takes a dip on prospect of British hung parliament @AFP pic.twitter.com/Hs4qg0QCIB AFP news agency (@AFP) June 9, 2017 # UK PM May hangs by a thread as no clear winner seen in GeneralElection # The gamble has backfired as May loses the majority in the British Parliament. # PM Theresa May says Conservatives will ensure much-needed "stability" for Britain as the party reels from a string of losses PM Theresa May says Conservatives will ensure much-needed "stability" for Britain as the party reels from a string of losses pic.twitter.com/LBIx3HK1EI AFP news agency (@AFP) June 9, 2017 # British PM May loses overall majority in British parliament # 192 female MPs have been elected so far - that's a record high for the UK parliament. And there are still 45 seats left to declare. # Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says his positive campaign has changed the UK politics. Whatever the final result, our positive campaign has changed politics for the better. pic.twitter.com/EHLta2rnIW Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 9, 2017 # Election results indicate U.K. Conservatives have lost majority projects #FLASH Election results indicate U.K. Conservatives have lost majority projects Sky News ANI (@ANI_news) June 9, 2017 # Former Scottish nationalist leader Alex Salmond loses seat in British election #BREAKING Former Scottish nationalist leader Alex Salmond loses seat in British election AFP news agency (@AFP) June 9, 2017 # British PM Theresa May says Conservatives will ensure 'stability', despite election losses #BREAKING Conservatives will ensure 'stability', British PM May says despite election losses pic.twitter.com/tviWwWOD6s AFP news agency (@AFP) June 9, 2017 # Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to quit after election losses: AP Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to quit after election losses: AP pic.twitter.com/kM9RyC3faf ANI (@ANI_news) June 9, 2017 # Theresa Mays Conservatives are set to be the largest party, the BBC forecasts, but may have lost their majority. # Just over a hundred constituencies have been counted. Labour takes 53 seats, Conservatives 35 and SNP 7. If the Conservative party does not get a majority of seats, it raises questions about who will govern the U.K. in the future. If that happens, two or more parties can form a coalition and agree to govern the country together. The elections were held amid tightened security after recent attacks on London Bridge and Manchester Arena. The general threat level in the country is set to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely as the country faces unprecedented times, according to a senior police official. Security around polling stations is constantly being reviewed and updated by local police forces. Plans are in place to make sure that resources are appropriately allocated and that these plans are flexible and can be enhanced at short notice should it become necessary, Lucy DOrsi, deputy assistant commissioner and head of protective security at the National Police Chiefs Council, said ahead of the election. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington DC's mayor has said she and her team are 'extremely concerned' about security for Joe Biden's inauguration, following the deadly violence on Wednesday when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Muriel Bowser wrote to Chad Wolf, the acting Homeland Security Secretary, to express her concerns as Biden's team intends to continue with his swearing-in on the steps of the Capitol, as planned. 'We are confident in our security partners who have spent months planning and preparing for the inauguration, and we are continuing to work with them to ensure the utmost safety and security of the president-elect,' said a senior Biden inauguration official last week. 'This will mark a new day for the American people focused on healing our nation, bringing our country together and building it back better.' Muriel Bowser, the mayor of DC, has written to the DHS to express her concerns about Jan 20 Joe Biden, pictured on Sunday, is said to want to continue as planned with his inauguration A seven-foot-high fence has now been erected around the U.S. Capitol The fence is designed to prevent a repeat of Wednesday's violence and destruction The fence around the Capitol is designed to be 'unscalable' and prevent another riot Scenes of insurrectionists scaling the walls of the Capitol were beamed around the world A mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, sparking shock and horror Plans could change in the 10 days until his January 20 inauguration, but Biden is thought to want to continue with the ceremony as planned. Donald Trump on Saturday said he would not attend, becoming the first president since 1869 to skip his successor's swearing in. Mike Pence, the vice president, will be there. Bowser's letter, sent on Saturday, said that the inauguration 'will require a very different approach to previous inaugurations given the chaos, injury and death experienced at the US Capitol during the insurrection.' Bowser asked Wolf for the Department of Homeland Security to extend the National Security Special Event beyond its planned three-day designation. She wants the phase - and the additional security it brings - to run from January 11-24, rather than January 19-21, as planned. Bowser is also requesting a pre-disaster declaration under the Stafford Act for the Inauguration. Furthermore, she wanted the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with other departments, including the Justice Department. A seven foot fence has now gone up around the Capitol, which is designed to be impossible to scale. Images of Trump supporters clambering up the walls of the Capitol - supposedly one of the most secure buildings in the United States - and smashing their way in with little resistance shocked the world on Wednesday. The mob overran the Capitol Police shortly after Trump urged them to 'fight' on his behalf The mostly maskless crowd flooded the halls of the Capitol with little resistance from police Trump supporters, egged on by the president himself, stormed the Capitol on Wednesday QAnon fanatics, Proud Boys, and white supremacists all participated in the rampage Prosecutors say these charges are just the beginning. Authorities said Friday that additional cases remained under seal and dozens of other people were being sought by federal agents Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, echoed Bowser's concerns in a statement following his conversation with FBI Director Christopher Wray on Saturday. 'The threat of violent extremist groups remains high and the next few weeks are critical in our democratic process with the upcoming inauguration at the U.S. Capitol to swear in President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,' Schumer said. 'Given that the same incendiary, dangerous rhetoric online that occurred before Jan. 6, which proved to be a warning of the insurrectionist attack, has only escalated since, I impressed upon Director Wray the vitalness of the FBI to work with other federal and state agencies to remain highly proactive and extremely vigilant to defend our democracy.' Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund announced his resignation on Thursday, a day after protesters breached the Capitol. The Sergeants-at-Arms of both the House and Senate also resigned, at the request of Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi. Wednesday's violence cost the lives of six people: one Capitol Police officer killed in the chaos, another who committed suicide days after being on duty, and four rioters. One of the four, a woman from California, Ashli Babbitt, was shot dead by Capitol Police while attempting to swarm into private rooms. It forced Congress to halt its joint session, certifying the vote to elect Biden. Members of Congress were hastily ushered into a secure location, while their staff cowered behind desks in the offices and barricaded themselves in as the mob rampaged through the halls. At least 25 people are facing domestic terrorism charges. More than 80 people have been arrested so far. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Strong thunderstorms likely, some with very heavy rain during the afternoon hours. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) For more than 25 years, generations of children enjoyed the carousel at NZ Shoes, opened in July 1969 by a recently married, 20-something Mike Enzi new to Gillette. They rode slow circles on colorful wooden horses named Beauty, Flicka, Furry, Ginger, King and Silver. Never imagining doing anything other than selling shoes, Enzi expanded, opening stores in Sheridan and Miles City, Montana. Now more than a half-century later, a 76-year-old Enzi is still a little discombobulated after his own decades-long political carousel ride thats finally come full circle. What started as an impromptu decision to run for Gillette mayor in 1974 ended Jan. 3 when Cynthia Lummis was sworn is as his successor after 24 years representing Wyoming in the U.S. Senate. ADVERTISEMENT And after 42 years combined in local, state and federal politics, Enzi said he has no intentions of sticking his fingers in other political pies. Jan. 3, which is a Sunday, is when Cynthia Lummis will be sworn in to take my place in the U.S. Senate, he said during a visit at the Gillette News Record after returning from the Senate for the last time for the holidays. So, the day after that, in every way, I am officially retired. My Senate ID is canceled. All of my offices already had to shut down. While he spent nearly all of his 24 years on Capitol Hill trying to pass budget reform, the most daunting task ahead of him now is unpacking dozens of boxes filled with memorabilia and mementos collected over the decades. And hes back where it all started with that shoe store and carousel more than 51 years ago, the Gillette News Record reported. An urging from Sen. Simpson Born Feb. 1, 1944, and raised in Thermopolis, Enzis down-to-earth, quiet demeanor belies a top-notch education, which includes an undergraduate accounting degree from George Washington University and a masters in retail marketing from the University of Denver. An Eagle Scout, he graduated with the Class of 1962 from Sheridan High School. On June 7, 1969, he married Diana and a week later, the newlyweds moved to Gillette and opened their first NZ Shoes store. Gillette was a small town of about 7,000 then and on the verge of a boom that would transform it into one of the most important energy hubs in the United States, earning it the nickname Energy Capitol of the Nation. Before that could happen, though, Gillette had to prepare for the unprecedented growth on the way. ADVERTISEMENT Diana and I got married and the next week we moved here, Enzi said. What we were intending to do was start a life, and we started our shoe store. Then we got to build a community. Then I got to do some things at the state level, then the federal level. It all started here and is based on what I learned while I was here (in Gillette). But it wasnt until then-Sen. Al Simpson caught up with a young Enzi at a state Jaycees convention. Enzi had just given a speech about the value of being a leader in your community and Simpson saw potential. I dont even know what party youre in, but its time you put your money where your mouth is on this leadership stuff and get into politics, Enzi recalled Simpson telling him. That town you live in, Gillette, needs a mayor. After spending the four-hour drive back to Gillette talking about it with his wife, he decided to run. After two terms as mayor, he served 10 years as a state lawmaker before running for Simpsons seat in the U.S. Senate when he retired in 1996. But it was his time as mayor that Enzi credits for preparing him for tackling problems at the state and federal levels. Then, Gillette was much different, he said. At the time I was mayor, I was having to sell people on preparing for growth and welcoming growth, he said. Now, were on a possible downturn, although were more fearful of it than whats actually happening. The key to preparing for the boom that transformed Gillette was forming a Future Directions Committee and the ability of people here to not only talk about solutions to problems, but to get things done. This is the only town Ive been in anywhere that really dreams ahead, visions ahead, futures out what were missing, he said. And then they get it, and they get it faster than any place Ive ever seen. And I hope that never changes. An example of that is the Optional 1% Sales Tax, which was first passed in 1976. Since, Campbell County has been the only Wyoming county to extend the tax every time its come up for renewal. That money over the the past 44 years was absolutely essential in transforming Gillette and the county, Enzi said. We couldnt have survived those early years without it, he said. And a lot of the things we have now that we appreciate came because of that. Only 29 when he was first elected mayor in 1974, Enzi credits a young attitude and spirit for making change happen. The advantage of young people is they dont know what cant be done, he said. They just go ahead and do it. The YES House is a prime example of this, he said. While he was mayor, Enzi said a group approached him about creating a place that could be an alternative to incarcerating minors with adults. That sounds really good, he recalled saying at the time. I think thats really innovative. What did they want from the city? Nothing, he said. They just wanted to let him know what was happening. Two weeks later, the group already had bought the house and were looking for house parents to staff it. Now, the facility serves northeast Wyoming. People have good ideas, Enzi said. One of the tragedies I see is more and more, were expecting government to do it. Solving problems Over his four six-year terms in the U.S. Senate, Enzi estimates his office has helped people with more than 15,000 problems and concerns. And while he now acknowledges that individual attention is the foundation for being a congressman, that wasnt what he thought when first elected. One of my biggest surprises on becoming a senator was the casework, he said. I went to legislate, and then I found out that probably our most important work is casework, where people are having a problem with the federal government. Often it can be solved, because theres not a lot of common sense in the federal government. One of the most frequent requests has been from family members of Vietnam veterans seeking the decorations they earned during their service. They need Enzis help because all to often theyre denied by a bureaucracy thats geared toward not helping them. Theyre told, Oh, those (records) burned up in a fire in St. Louis, and thats not what happened, Enzi said. First off, the government doesnt keep only one copy of any record, especially on paper, like those from the Vietnam era. He said sometimes it takes a kick in the pants from the office of a U.S. senator to go dig through the old, dusty boxes. Energy and AML money While concerned for the thermal coal industry that has transformed the Powder River Basin, Enzi said doom-and-gloom predictions are worse than the reality. It wont disappear, it cant disappear, he said of PRB coal. The nation cant get along without it. We will be coming up with alternative uses for coal. One possibility that excites the senator is rare earths. While the refining of rare earth elements has become a national security issue with China now being the only place to have it done, Enzi said research is ongoing on a process that can extract rare earths from coal and burn it after. Along with the rare earths that can be taken out of fly ash and from the clays above and below coal seams, coal remains valuable. We have the biggest supply anywhere of just rare earth, he said. He also doesnt buy the push to blame coal and fossil fuels for climate change, at least not predominantly. Groups like the Sierra Club, which want to eliminate all fossil fuels, see putting coal out of business as the solution to climate change, Enzi said. I think people driving automobiles or wearing clothes or doing any number of things that require electricity are equal culprits. He also said that President-elect Joe Bidens aggressive anti-coal, oil and gas policies may have more bark than bite to them. He urges people to not overreact to what people say. There have been wars on fossil fuels before, he said. In the 70s, somebody from the federal government made a bad comment about Saudi Arabia and they cut us off. We had gas lines, and at that time we promised we would become self-sufficient on energy. We eventually did, but it was a painful time. People bought filling stations to get the gas that was in the tanks underground. For Biden or any administration to put an end to fossil fuels isnt something thats possible now, he said. To say that were going to get rid of fossil fuels, theres a lot of inventing that has to be done in the meantime and theres not a lot of emphasis on that, Enzi said. Theres only an emphasis on taxing. Taxing might stimulate it, but a prize works better. Thats one of the nice things thats happening north of town here. Theres a prize for coming up with better ways to take CO2 out (of emissions). He was referencing the Integrated Test Center, a research facility tied into the Dry Fork Station power plant. Its one of two sites for finalist research teams competing in the NRG COSIA Carbon XPrize competition, which has offered a $20 million prize pool for projects that demonstrate viable ways to capture and reuse carbon dioxide emissions. One of Enzis most notable accomplishments during his time in the Senate was securing hundreds of millions of dollars for Wyoming and other states owed through the Abandoned Mine Land program. A tax of 35 cents per ton of coal is paid by energy producers with half earmarked for the federal government and half supposed to go back to states. Well, we werent getting it, Enzi said, adding that because of Wyomings huge coal production, that meant big money. Thats one of the first things I checked on when I got back there (in Washington, D.C.). When he approached other senators and government agencies about releasing the money from the AML trust fund, they said it had already been spent. They said, Well, youll have to find some way to put some money in there, Enzi recalled. I said, No, no. The companies have been putting money in there. They said, No, no, thats not how it works here. That moneys already been spent. I never heard of a trust fund that works that way. As it turns out, all of the (federal government) trust funds worked that way. Technically, its there. Theres a bond in the drawer, theres just no cash backing up the bond. It wasnt until he chaired a committee tasked with pension reform that Enzi was able to release that AML money. And he credits Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy in helping get it done. As the pension bill was wrapping up, the leaders in the Senate came to Enzi with a raft of other bills they wanted to attach. Because the pension bill had to pass, their tagalongs also would. Id been trying to get money for AML and had been told it cant be done, Enzi said. So, if youre going to put your bills on there, Im going to put mine on there. They said, Oh, no, no, thats not how it works. Thats when Kennedy pulled Enzi aside. Sen. Kennedy said, No, Mike. Youre the chairman. You can do what you want. So I put it on there and it passed along with the other stuff, he said. Thats how we started getting the AML money. One last ride In retirement, Enzi will have plenty of time for his other passions in life: fishing and hunting. Hell also have time to go through the dozens of boxes making the trip from Washington, D.C., to his new office, the house across the street from his Gillette home. Enzi bought it and plans to use it as his base of operations in retirement. While he said now is the perfect time to call it a career, it nearly ended six years earlier. Thats because he didnt initially plan to run for a fourth term in 2014. As he was traveling around Wyoming visiting communities, he found himself in three different churches on consecutive Sundays. And while all three were of different denominations, the messages of the sermons were the same. Three weeks in a row, the sermon was the same, he said. The word retirement is not in the Bible. Well, Enzi said he had his answer. He ran and won again. It was similar to how he became a senator in the first place. When Simpson retired, the race to replace him was wide open and Simpson had urged Enzi to go for it. He had had open-heart surgery a few months before and didnt know if he was up for it. I kept saying no, he said. Then, we were in church and singing the last song. It was about leaving your boat on the shore and Im thinking, Man, I have missed out on a lot of fishing and hunting. Its time I got to do more fishing and hunting. After church that day, he had a realization. I got this little nudge that said, I didnt keep you alive to hunt and fish. I guess Im supposed to run, Enzi said. Thats why before making his retirement announcement in May 2019, Enzi said he was paying attention to those inner voices. This time, no messages, he said. Its time to leave. Ive always had a lot of things I want to get done, but the capability of doing them is changing. And while hes the one in the spotlight as an elected official, Enzi credits the work and support of his wife over the decades. None of this wouldve happened without her, he said. The best thing that ever happened to me is when she said shed marry me. He also said there were a couple of times he didnt take Dianas advice. But inevitably, I regretted it. His signature ice cream and root beer float socials were his wifes idea. While campaigning at all levels, Enzi would hold wholesome socials that were family friendly. Over time, hed meet people as adults who would say they remembered having root beer floats with him and their parents. With more than 100 of his bills signed into law, Enzi said he doesnt have any grandiose notions about his legacy. I suspect that in less than 20 years, nobody will know who I am, and thats never been my purpose, he said. I hope some people are commenting about some good piece of legislation that got passed. Theyll have no idea who did it, because I didnt run right out and do press releases on it or go to the press gallery with it. Ive always known that the people that were affected by it knew about it. But to say you really need this for a legacy? No, my legacy is what I do every day, not what I get publicity for. In 20 years, they wont be reading about me, but I hope theyll enjoy the fruits of what I got done. Now Enzi will have plenty of time to hunt, fish and enjoy the occasional root beer float. He also can relive a little of what brought him to Gillette in the first place. That old NZ Shoes carousel is still here on display at the Rockpile Museum. Police on Monday arrested lawyer and opposition Movement for Democratic (MDC) Alliance party spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, and charged her with inciting or promoting public disorder or public violence after she allegedly tweeted about the abuse of a minor by a police officer. In a tweet, Mahere said, Arrested. This regime will never break my spirit. We need new leaders. Advocate Mahere, who is detained at Harare Central Police Station, allegedly violated Section 31(a)(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), police also pressed an alternative charge against the MDC-Alliance party spokesperson of publishing or communicating a false statement with the intention of undermining public confidence in a law enforcement agency as defined in Section 31(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Mahere, who is represented by David Drury and Andria Dracos of Honey and Blanckenberg Legal Practitioners and assisted by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, is expected to appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The ZLHR said Mahere is the third person to be arrested following the apprehension last week of freelance journalist Hopewell Chinono and Zengeza West constituency legislator, Job Sikhala, who were all charged with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State as defined in section 31(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Prosecutors claim that Chinono and Hon. Sikhala shared some statements on social media platforms falsely alleging that a child had been beaten to death by a police officer after law enforcement agents assaulted the mother of the child in Harare. FORT ATKINSON, Wis., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisconsinites looking to save time, optimize space, or improve security in their workplace have new resources to call on. Bradford Systems, Spacesaver's Chicago-based distributorship, has expanded its sales territory into Wisconsin as of January 1, 2021. "Bradford Systems has been a great partner to Spacesaver since our founding nearly 50 years ago," said Spacesaver President and CEO Mark Haubenschild. "We look forward to many more decades of shared success and the Bradford team helping organizations right in our backyard." With clients like Northwestern University, The Field Museum, the Chicago Public Library, and hundreds of businesses, police departments, hospitals, and more, Bradford brings a wealth of space planning experience and expertise to Wisconsinwith a new, Wisconsin-based team and office in place. "Our goal has always been to help our clients become more efficient through better design," said Dave Bradford, principal at Bradford Systems. "We specialize in helping make sure that everyone has what they need, when and where they need itand we are thrilled to be bringing that to the Badger state." Spacesaver's office and factory are located in southern Wisconsin, so finding the right distribution partner was essential. "Wisconsin is our home, and we want to provide the very best partner for our neighbors," Haubenschild said. "Bradford Systems is that partner." Wisconsin businesses, architects, and others looking to optimize space and workflows can contact us at 800.255.8170 to arrange a free, no obligation space assessment with the combined Spacesaver and Bradford team. About Spacesaver Spacesaver manufactures a full range of innovative storage solutions. In-house teams of engineers, project managers, and manufacturers work with an extensive distribution network to provide clients with reliable, well-designed storage solutions that optimize space, streamline workflows, and integrate seamlessly into any space. Spacesaver is a subsidiary of KI. Learn more at spacesaver.com. About Bradford Systems Bradford Systems was founded in 1968 and became one of Spacesaver's original seven distributorships soon afterward. The firm sells and supports Spacesaver's high-density mobile shelving, steel lockers, museum cabinets, and other products in Illinois, eastern Missouri, northern Indiana, and Wisconsin. Learn more at bradfordsystems.com. Contact: Amanda Wollin Director of Marketing 920.563.0717 [email protected] SOURCE Spacesaver Corporation Related Links www.spacesaver.com Challenging Star Darshan's 44th birthday on February 16, 2021, is going to be a low-key affair. The actor recently interacted with his countless fans and followers through Facebook live on Sunday, and requested them not to celebrate his birthday this time. Revealing that he won't be celebrating his birthday at home, Darshan requested his fans to spend their money on themselves and their families instead of his birthday celebration. The Yajamana star added that 2020 was a very difficult year to survive for everyone including him, therefore his fans' hard-earned money should not go waste, and must be spent on a good cause. Asking fans to bless and wish him from wherever they are, Darshan said that the fans should not gather outside his house as he will be out of station for a while. Well now, the actor's innumerable fans have expressed their support to his decision. Another section of social media users is praising the actor for his unconditional love for his followers. On the work front, he will next be seen in Roberrt, written and directed by Tharun Sudhir. The action-thriller is bankrolled by Umapathy Srinivasa Gowda under his banner Umapathy Films. The Darshan-starrer featuring Jagapathi Babu as the antagonist, was initially slated to release in April 2020. However, the makers had postponed the release owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. The film also features an ensemble cast including Ravi Kishan, Asha Bhat, Devaraj, P Ravi Shankar, Vinod Prabhakar, Sonal Monteiro, Chikkanna and Shivanaraj KR Pete. Darshan is also a part of Rajendra Singh Babu's Gandugali Madakari Nayaka. The period drama will have the actor playing the role of the 17thcentury warrior Madakari Nayaka, the last ruler of Chitradurga (Karnataka). Also Read: Dr Vishnuvardhan's Statue Row: Sudeep To Darshan; Sandalwood Celebs Demand Action Against Miscreants Also Read: Challenging Star Darshan Is All Set To Play Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka In His Next 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. Press Release 11 January 2021 Global 'The 2021 Upgrade Report' from Hotels.com, identifies spike in last minute reservations and upgrading following a lost year for travel Advertisements 89% of Americans reveal they intend to be more spontaneous than ever in 2021(1) Hotels.com announces new global report, 'The 2021 Upgrade', revealing spike in spontaneous travel to defy a year of rules and restrictions Hotels.com booking data reflects impulsive trend, with same-day bookings up 10% from June - August 2019 vs 2020(2) Eager U.S. travelers state they would do all the cleaning in their house (29%), give up sweets (24%), not leave the house (23%), and even stop shopping (22%) or drinking alcohol (22%) for a month to be able to get away and live their best hotel life again DALLAS - Spontaneity will be the word of the year for 2021 travelers as a new global study reveals 89% of U.S. travelers intend to be more impulsive than ever, following 2020's cancelled trips, boredom and all round 'year of nothing'. The new report from Hotels.com, 'The 2021 Upgrade', has uncovered how this new lust for spontaneity will have a ripple effect on the hotel and travel industries, as travelers say 'yes' to more. Take me awayand quick! The global study showed that 32% are dubbing 2020 the 'lost year' for travel prompting more than a third (35%) to be more likely to drop everything to vacay if they can in 2021. Hotels.com's booking data supports this, with almost half of bookings in June 2020 (when lockdown rules eased for the first time for many) being made three or fewer days from the time of search. It's all about being spontaneous AF these days with over a quarter revealing they would say yes to more last-minute trips (28%). All rules are out the window with one in five (26%) saying they would take off on a long-haul trip for just a few days or make no plans for the trip in favor of being spontaneous when they arrive (25%). A further 17% are ready to live their best luxury #HotelLife and will be booking a five-star hotel for their 2021 getaways. Experts at Hotels.com also predict this extravagant attitude will have a dramatic impact on hotel booking behavior, with 2021 being the year to really 'treat yo self'. Compared to pre-pandemic times over a quarter (26%) would now book a better hotel room, and nearly a quarter would spontaneously say yes to a room upgrade if offered when booking (24%). "2020 was the year of staying home, postponing trips and posting old vacation pictures on social media. This year, travelers are ready to 'seize the stay' when travel returns and they feel comfortable to take the trips they missed out on" shared Josh Belkin, Vice President, Global brand Hotels.com. "We saw that when travel restrictions eased for many in July and August 2020, over half of bookings were made three days or less ahead of their stay, compared to 40% in 2019. People are ready to channel their inner spontaneous self, dropping everything at the last minute to get away and enjoy the best that hotel life has to offer." Dear hotel, we miss you Travelers are ready to get in that robe and raid the mini bar again with a quarter of people saying the thing they miss most about traveling is being able to stay in an awesome hotel. They have been craving that sweet #HotelLife, missing relaxing in a plush robe (13%), the peace and quiet (30%) breakfast buffets (23%), hotel restaurants and bars (29%), rooms with a view (26%), ordering room service (18%), visiting the hotel pool (20%), treating themselves to the hotel spa (17%) and of course the incredible hotel bed (18%). This craving means travelers will take a different approach to hotel bookings in 2021 - it will be all about upgrading the experience. When asked what new experiences they would say 'yes' to, around one in five (20%) would splurge on a spa treatment, uber-luxe hotel restaurant (20%), or a fancy cocktail in the hotel's bar (24%). Travelers will also be finding ways to 'seize the stay' as much as they can, with nearly one in five stating they would spontaneously book a fancy hotel for a staycation for the weekend (24%) or take advantage of a mid-week deal in their local trendy hotel (23%). The rise in spontaneous travel To plan or not to plan? Travelers want to be carefree and relaxed by making spontaneous decisions (32%), not having to plan and just doing what they wanted (28%) and saying 'yes' to new experiences (24%). Time to turn on the 'out of office' and switch off for that vacation. The research also revealed the lengths that many will go to for a vacation and a hotel stay in 2021, with travelers admitting do all the cleaning in their house (29%), give up sweets (24%), not leave their house (23%), social media apps (17%) and even sex (16%) for a month. 2020, you have pushed us to our limits! Same day travel driven by need to be spontaneous Travel-hungry hotel-lovers are ready to commit to spontaneity, with 29% claiming they'd be ready to drop it all and leave the same day if given the opportunity. With spontaneity comes packing pressure. Most would go nowhere without their digital lifelines, with over half (55%) prioritising their phone, laptop and charger - beating out a change of clothes (46%), a swimsuit (29%) and sleepwear (30%). Hotels.com is one of the most rewarding ways to book a place to stay and we even have a 'Reward Winning' loyalty program that includes free cancellations should your travel plans change. Check out our Hotels.com Rewards* program and see for yourself how to bag a reward night. Notes to Editors 1Research was conducted by One Poll in December 2020. 1,000 respondents across the United States. 2Statistics from Hotels.com booking data pulled on 10th December 2020 Xu Guixiang, a deputy spokesperson for the Xinjiang regional government, looks up near a slide showing a photo of Uighur infants during a press conference (Ng Han Guan/AP) A Chinese official denied Beijing has imposed coercive birth control measures among Muslim minority women, following an outcry over a tweet by the Chinese Embassy in Washington claiming that government polices had freed women of the Uighur ethnic group from being baby-making machines. Xu Guixiang, a deputy spokesperson for the Xinjiang regional government, told reporters that birth control decisions were made of the persons own free will and that no organisation or individual can interfere. The growth rate of the Uighur population is not only higher than that of the whole Xinjiang population, but also higher than that of the minority population, and more significantly higher than that of the (Chinese majority) Han population, Mr Xu said. As for the so-called forcing ethnic minority women in Xinjiang to wear IUDs, or undergo tubal ligations or abortions, it is even more malign. An investigation in June found that the Chinese government was forcing draconian birth control measures on Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including IUD fittings, contraceptives, and even abortions and sterilisations. Chinas fascist government is now openly admitting and celebrating its use of concentration camps, forced labour, forced sterilisations and abortions, and other forms of torture to eliminate an ethnic and religious minority Nihad Awad The measures are backed by the threat of detention, with parents with three or more children swept into camps and prisons if they are unable to pay massive fines. As a result, the birth rate in Xinjiangs minority regions plummeted by over 60% in just three years, even as Beijing eases birth restrictions on the Han population ahead of a looming demographic crisis. Twitter took down the Chinese Embassys January 7 tweet following protests by groups that accuse Beijing of seeking to eradicate Uighur culture. Users complained the tweet was a violation of rules set by Twitter, which is blocked in China along with Facebook and other American social media platforms. Chinas fascist government is now openly admitting and celebrating its use of concentration camps, forced labour, forced sterilisations and abortions, and other forms of torture to eliminate an ethnic and religious minority, Nihad Awad, national executive director of The Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in an emailed statement. China has been waging a years-long campaign against what it calls terrorism and religious fanaticism in Xinjiang and the embassys tweet referenced those polices, saying: Study shows that in the process of eradicating extremism, the minds of Uygur women in Xinjiang were emancipated and gender equality and reproductive health were promoted, making them no longer baby-making machines. The tweet cited a study by Li Xiaoxia, a Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences researcher who has asserted that the birth control measures in Xinjiang are voluntary. Ms Lis papers in past years laid the theoretical foundations for justifying mass birth control measures. In one 2017 paper, Ms Li said having many children was a sign of religious extremism and ethnic separatism. Expand Close China is rejecting claims of forced birth control measures against Uighur women (Ng Han Guan/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp China is rejecting claims of forced birth control measures against Uighur women (Ng Han Guan/AP) Ms Li worried that predominantly minority districts were breeding grounds for terrorism, calling it a big political risk. Mondays news conference was the latest attempt by Beijing to deflect rising international criticism over its policies in Xinjiang, particularly over alleged forced labour and the detention of more than one million Uighurs, Kazakhs and others in prison-like centres for political indoctrination. China says the centres are intended to combat extremism and teach job skills, but former residents and rights groups say they target Islam and minority languages and culture. Elijan Anayat, another regional government spokesperson, said all those at the centres had graduated as of October 2019, countering reports that China continues to expand the system. With the help of the government, they have achieved stable employment, improved the quality of life and lived a normal life, Mr Anayat said. At present, there is no education and training centre in Xinjiang. 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. President Donald Trump departs on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Dec. 12, 2020. (Al Drago/Getty Images) Stripe, Shopify Join Companies Moving Against Trump Campaign, Organization Stripe and Shopify have joined the group of companies that have moved against President Donald Trump, his campaign, and his business. Stripe, a payment processing company, told news outlets that it wont process payments for Trumps campaign because of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach. According to Stripes website, it doesnt allow certain groups of businesses to use its services. That includes any business that engages in, encourages, promotes, or celebrates unlawful violence or physical harm to persons or property. Shopify, meanwhile, took down online stores for both the Trump Organization and Trumps campaign. Shopify does not tolerate actions that incite violence, a Shopify spokesperson said in a statement to outlets. Based on recent events, we have determined that the actions by President Donald J. Trump violate our Acceptable Use Policy, which prohibits promotion or support of organizations, platforms, or people that threaten or condone violence to further a cause. As a result, we have terminated stores affiliated with President Trump. The Trump campaign has not responded to requests for comment. Jason Miller, a Trump campaign adviser, said in a tweet on Sunday: 75 million Americans voted for President Trump. Aside from their votes, their pocketbooks are their most powerful means of communication. We dont have to spend our money with any companies participating in cancel culture. Corporate America is about to learn this the hard way. In all, at least 13 companies or services have taken action against Trump and his supporters following the Capitol breach. Twitter permanently banned Trump and axed one of his campaigns accounts, while Facebook banned the president until at least Jan. 20. Snapchat and Twitch disabled the presidents accounts. Instagram banned Trump. YouTube is taking heightened action against Trump. Pinterest and TikTok are limiting hashtags related to Trump. Discord and Reddit banned Trump supporters. And the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) terminated an agreement that would have seen the 2022 PGA Championship held at Trumps golf course in New Jersey. Additionally, Apple, Google, and Amazon removed the social media platform Parler from online stores and servers. Conservatives had flocked to Parler after a wave of bans on Twitter and other websites. Below Deck previews indicate that the crew is clearly concerned not only about Isabelle Izzy Wouters health but possibly their own. Captain Lee Rosbach |Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank The upcoming episode description drops some hints that perhaps the crew worries that Wouters had COVID-19 (coronavirus). Izzy must play musical bunks, leaving Francesca and Eddie to address professionalism on deck with Elizabeth and James, according to the episode description. Meanwhile, Izzys condition worsens, and shes put into quarantine, the description continues. Below Deck Season 8 was shot as COVID was emerging as a public health threat. The crew is seen getting information from loved ones on land, looking concerned but not alarmed yet. Izzy Wouters started showing symptoms she was ill Wouters symptoms emerged during the previous episode. She was exhausted and had a feeling of overall malaise. While she insisted she would power through, she was visibly struggling and feeling unwell. Wouters ends up in her bunk toward the end of the episode. Viewers instantly wondered if Wouters had COVID. Izzy feeling ill does she have #Coronavirus? one person tweeted during the episode. Wouters only replied, Youll have to keep watching. RELATED: Below Deck: Captain Lee Reveals the Real Reason Why He Was So Furious the Charter Guest Jumped in the Water Wouters also previously disclosed she had Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves. She said she couldnt walk for a period of time and had to rebuild her strength and stamina. While crew members have shared that yachting is akin to being isolated, providing unique travel opportunities during a global pandemic, Wouters could have contracted the virus during a crew outing. The crew was filmed at dinner on land, plus they ventured to a farm animal sanctuary. Chef Rachel knew the pandemic would be a serious threat Bosun Eddie Lucas seemed to be very dialed into the pandemic that was unfolding in the United States. However, chef Rachel Hargrove had deeper insight as she and her boyfriend were based in Italy. She was filmed discussing the pandemic with him, while Italy went into lockdown. I was actually in the know [about COVID], she told Showbiz Cheat Sheet. She said Italy was way ahead of the U.S. in terms of the threat level. So I dont think the American public realized the actual progression and how fast it was and how big it was, she said. Because it came to light in February. And then it took down all of Europe like straight away. RELATED: Below Deck: Chef Rachel Knew COVID Was a Serious Threat Before She Boarded My Seanna I was actually furious that it took that long for America [to take action], she said. Im very upset about it. She was also shocked by how Americans were reacting to the virus. Oh yeah, [theyd say] it was influenza, she recalled. It really hurt me to actually say something. Like I was gobsmacked. I was literally gobsmacked that no one had urgency or thought of a way to wrap your head around it, she said. Its quite a lot to wrap your head around. But also what options do we put in place to deal with it? Below Deck is on Monday at 9/8c on Bravo. | Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rupee surges 17 paise to close at 72.60 (provisional) against US dollar. West Bengal to hold Class 12 board exams in late July, Class 10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. History has acknowledged Jackie Kennedy was one of the most glamorous and elegant first ladies ever to live. Though she was married to one of the most ambitious men in our nations history, Kennedy had goals of her own. Though Kennedys marriage to JFK appeared to be a romantic whirlwind, she was very resistant at first. In fact, with her own career aspirations and hopes, she absolutely hated the idea of becoming a housewife. Mrs. John F. (Jackie) Kennedy | Howard Sochurek/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images) Jackie Kennedy attended Vassar College and George Washington University The eldest daughter of a stockbroker and a Manhattan socialite, Kennedys parents groomed her to marry well. She was educated at Miss Porters School in Farmington, Connecticut, where she graduated at the top of her class. She wanted to attend Sarah Lawrence College. However, her parents vetoed the idea, so she spent her first two years of college at Vassar. She hated the isolation of Poughkeepsie, New York, and spent the majority of her weekends in Manhattan. She would eventually earn her degree in French literature from George Washington University. RELATED: Surprising Secrets We Never Knew About JFK and Jackie Kennedy Until Now Jackie Kennedy was extremely ambitious and reluctant to marry John F. Kennedy Marrying a United States senator who was plotting his path toward the White House, meant that the George Washington University alums dreams and ambitions were going to be put on the back burner. In addition to being hesitant about marrying JFK because of his womanizing ways, Kennedy also wanted her own career. During her third year at Vassar, Kennedy convinced her parents to let her study in France for a year. She spent her time studying at the University of Grenoble in Grenoble and at the Sorbonne in Paris. After graduating from George Washington University in 1951, Kennedy worked as a junior editor at Vogue magazine, landed a role as Inquiring Camera Girl at the Washington Times-Herald. She covered Queen Elizabeth IIs inauguration in 1953. Jackie Kennedy hated the idea of being a housewife When the late first lady met JFK in 1952, he was already a member of the House of Representative, the next year, they were married, and he became a United States senator. The Kennedys dealt with infertility in the early years of their marriage, and JFK often traveled for work. Since Mrs. Kennedy had no interest in being a housewife, she continued her studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., to occupy her time. Maybe Im just dazzled and picture myself in a glittering world of crowned heads and Men of Destiny and not just a sad little housewife, Kennedy wrote in a letter to an Irish priest, Joseph Leonard via The Washington Post. That can be very glamorous from the outside but if youre in it and youre lonely it could be a Hell. She also told the priest that it took her over a year to adjust to becoming Mrs. Kennedy. I love being married much more than I did even in the beginning, she wrote in 1954. NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors that purchased or acquired the securities of K12 Inc., (K12 or the Company) (NYSE: LRN) between April 27, 2020 and September 18, 2020 (the Class Period). The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you purchased K12 securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit K12 Shareholder Lawsuit or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or MGuarnero@bernlieb.com. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operations and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) K12 lacked the technological capabilities, infrastructure, and expertise to support the increased demand for virtual and blended education necessitated by the global pandemic; (2) K12 lacked adequate cyberattack protocols and protections to prevent the disabling of its computer systems; (3) K12 was unable to provide the necessary levels of administrative support and training to teachers, students, and parents; (4) and K12's officers lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. On August 26, 2020, reports emerged that K12's training for teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the country, had been ineffective and unacceptable. On this news, K12's shares fell by 7% over the course of two trading days. When classes in Miami-Dade started on August 31, 2020, K12's platform experienced major technical issues, disruptions, and a series of cyberattacks. In response, the district's superintendent revealed that the district had never executed its $15.3 million contract with K12. On this news, the price of K12 shares fell by 10.5% over the course of two trading days. A week later the Miami-Dade County Public School's Board voted to terminate their contract with K12. On this news, the price of K12 common shares once again fell drastically, by 11.5% to close at $30.55 on September 10, 2020. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 19, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. If you purchased K12 securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/k12inc-lrn-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-stock-fraud-333/apply/ or contact Matthew E. Guarnero toll free at (877) 779-1414 or MGuarnero@bernlieb.com. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2020 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information Matthew E. Guarnero Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (877) 779-1414 MGuarnero@bernlieb.com A staff member (L) scans to register personal information at Xiangyue West sampling site in Shunyi District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) Beijing has tightened rules for the city's taxi and ride-hailing services after a new asymptomatic COVID-19 case was reported Saturday involving a driver on a ride-hailing platform. The driver lives in Shunyi District, which saw a recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases. He had recently contacted with 144 passengers, all of whom have been notified, according to Zhi Xianwei, deputy head of the district. Following the case, Beijing requires passengers of taxi and ride-hailing platforms to register their health status through a phone app when using the services. Drivers can deny services to passengers who refuse to register, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport. The commission has also suspended the taxi and ride-hailing services of drivers living in Shunyi District. Ride-hailing platforms are required to avoid orders from or to the district. Police have appealed for community support as they try to catch the 'cowardly criminals' behind recent shootings in Derry. Two men have been shot in separate attacks in the Creggan area of the city in the last five days. Both men suffered gunshot wounds to their legs but their injuries were not life-threatening. In the latest attack, a man was shot at Creggan Heights shortly before 8pm on Friday night. A video shared on social media showed the man hobbling to an ambulance after the shooting. A car believed to belong to the victim was also set on fire during Friday's attack. Just two days earlier, a man in his 30s was shot in the leg in the Southway area of Creggan. Police said that attack had the hallmarks of a paramilitary-style attack. However, no organisation has claimed responsibility for the shootings. The PSNI have described those responsible as 'violent criminals'. Superintendent Clive Beatty said: Thankfully the injuries are not life threatening but leave everlasting physical and psychological scars, not only upon the victims but their families and communities too. In a statement to the Derry News, Superintendent Beatty, condemned the recent shootings. These cowardly criminals who carry out these attacks to exert fear and control societies for their own selfish gains, do not represent the interests of any community, nor do they care about the long-term physical and emotional damage they are inflicting. Superintendent Beatty said the fact the attacks had been carried out during the coronavirus pandemic was 'particularly repugnant'. The majority of people are working hard to keep their community safe and to protect the NHS; meanwhile these violent criminals are endangering lives and increasing pressures on our emergency services and frontline workers. My message is simple; It is clear that the vast majority of people in our city have chosen to support law and order through legitimate and collaborative policing. Policing works for communities, especially those that engage and work with us, because ultimately we all have a role to play in creating a safer society and only when we work together can we rid our streets of this criminality and build a safe, supportive and engaged community where everyone prospers. Superintendent Beatty appealed for community help in trying to stop such attacks. The Police Service of Northern Ireland along with our partner agencies will continue to proactively investigate and operate against these groups and individuals we suspect are responsible for the attacks. I understand there are obvious difficulties in getting victims and witnesses of these attacks to come forward due to fear, but communities can choose to give these offenders up and my plea is that those small groups of individuals who continue to try to terrorise people and commit criminal acts must be isolated from communities and face the full rigors of the law. Anyone with information about the Creggan attacks is asked to contact investigating officers on 101. People can also pass on information through the reporting section of the PSNI website or anonymously through the Crimestoppers line 0800555111. The Moderna vaccine must be given in two doses but it can be stored at lower temperatures than the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. Photo: Reuters The first batches of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine are due in Ireland this week, it has emerged. Moderna announced that deliveries to Europe will begin from today. Ireland has ordered around 880,000 doses of the vaccine but health officials said last week only around 4,000 are expected initially. The vaccine must be given in two doses but it can be stored at lower temperatures than the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is the second jab licensed for Europe by the European Medicines Agency. The HSE will remain reliant on Pfizer BioNTech which has promised 40,000 doses a week to Ireland until the end of February. Read More About 35,000 people have got the first dose of this vaccine so far, mainly health workers, including more than 3,000 residents and staff in long-term care homes. This week the HSE is to concentrate on delivering the vaccine to long-term care homes and expects that 20,000 doses will be sent to 156 such homes. A spokeswoman for Moderna said today all shipments of its vaccine would be conducted by Kuehne Nagel, a world-leading logistics company, and would originate from its centralised hub in Europe. Dan Staner, vice-president of Moderna, said: This is a really exciting milestone and we are proud of the role Modernas vaccine will play in tackling this pandemic in Europe. Meanwhile, about 3,000 Pfizer staff who are essential and must work on-site are to be offered the vaccine. These vaccines are not part of the supply to the HSE. These staff cannot work from home and are key to maintaining the supply, not just of the vaccine but other medicines. The staff are working in Ringaskiddy, Cork, Grange Castle, Dublin and in Kildare. A spokeswoman for Pifzer said today: Pfizer has begun offering on-site vaccinations against Covid-19 to its site-essential employees, for example in manufacturing, who are critical to the vaccine effort and the continued supply of all Pfizer medicines. Ensuring supply of our medicines and continuation of critical research and development work across therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, is a priority for global health, particularly given the current burden on health systems around the world as a result of Covid-19. Site-essential employees are those based at our manufacturing and R&D sites whose presence is required at a Pfizer location to ensure supply of our medicines and vaccines, the continuation of critical research and development programmes, and to maintain and keep secure our labs and buildings. Vaccination of site-essential employees started this week at our manufacturing sites in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Puurs, Belgium. We will expand to other Pfizer sites on a rolling basis. There are approximately 15,000 employees and contractors across Pfizer sites in the EU who are considered site-essential. The vaccine doses to be used for this programme are separate and distinct from those committed by Pfizer to governments around the world and will not impact supply to national governments in any way. Barn destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. Fire destroyed a barn about five miles southeast of Watertown Wednesday, according to a report from Watertown Fire Rescue. There have been more than 214,000 doses of the vaccine for the coronavirus administered in New Jersey as of Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced. The current statewide total is 214,433 including 199,293 first dose shots and 14,984 people who got their second shot as health officials continue to roll out the vaccinations in phases. Murphy made the announcement as he toured a vaccination mega-site in Gloucester County. The doses given out to people is out of more than 572,250 doses the state has received from the U.S. government, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials have announced the following vaccination totals in recent weeks: 46,217 on Dec. 28 62,901 on Dec. 30 101,417 on Jan. 1 137,829 on Jan. 6 200,204 on Jan. 9 CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage New Jersey has been slower than other states in administering the vaccines which officials are partially blaming on delays in reporting. Murphy said his administration believes more people have received shots than what has been reported to the state Department of Health. The first vaccines were administered Dec. 15 in New Jersey. Currently, only those who work in health care and those in long-term care facilities and other congregant living settings, such as prisons, are eligible to be vaccinated in the group dubbed 1a. Police and fire professionals on Thursday became the first people in group 1b to be eligible. Officials have not announced when the eligibility in that group would expand. But the state is planning six mega-sites for vaccinations across New Jersey, in addition to more than 200 smaller satellite locations. The first two mega-sites opened Friday, in Morris and Gloucester counties. The states goal is to vaccinate 70% of its eligible population about 4.7 million people by the end of May, which officials admit is a large undertaking. There are about 650,000 health care workers and 55,000 police and fire personnel in the state to be vaccinated. Officials have said people at nursing homes should be fully inoculated by early February, while vaccines should be available for the general public by April or May. New Jersey on Tuesday opened its online preregistration portal for residents to get the vaccine when the eligibility is expanded beyond health care workers and long-term care facilities. More than 450,000 people registered by Wednesday, which overwhelmed the system at times and resulted in error messages. That has increased to 1 million registrations by Monday, state officials said. New Jersey health officials reported 5,042 new confirmed positive tests Monday and 51 additional deaths as the state continues to see a post-holiday surge in the outbreak. The seven-day average for new confirmed positive tests increased to 5,577 the highest it has been during the outbreak, though a lack of testing availability in the spring likely undercounted the extent of the infections. The seven-day average is up 28% from a week ago and 13% from a month ago, when the state was seeing an increase in cases following Thanksgiving. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. The National Assembly (NA)s Standing Committee convened the 52nd session on November 11 under the chair of NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. An overview of the sitting In her opening remarks, Ngan said that the first sitting of 2021 will focus discussions on preparations for the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level Peoples Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure. Several draft reports on the work of the State President, the Supreme Peoples Court, the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, and the State Audit of Vietnam during their term of office in 2016-2021 will also be tabled for consideration. The NA Standing Committee is expected to debate a number of proposals, including the change of investment form for several components in the Eastern North-South Expressway project from 2017-2020, the financial settlement solution for the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group when paying for the price subsidy in the product consumption of the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC as committed by the Government. It will also hear Government reports on the enforcement of Item 22, Article 4 of the Law on Public Investment, and make a decision on the administrative boundary adjustment of several commune-level administrative units in Dak Nong, Binh Dinh, Bac Ninh and Hoa Binh provinces. After the opening ceremony, under the chair of NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, the NA Standing Committee discussed and approved a resolution on detailed regulations and guidance the organisation of voter meetings, the process to nominate candidates for all-level Peoples Councils and the NA, and another guiding the expected structure and quantity of nominated candidates for People's Council at all levels./.VNA SUV Obviously, being fooled by a fabricated image of a car and believing it is real isn't the worst thing in the world that can happen. There are other areas where false information can have a much more serious impact, and the term "fake news" may have been overused lately, but it's an actual phenomenon that should be taken seriously.So should this photoshoot of the Lamborghini Urus, even though it doesn't involve the actual car, but rather a 1:18 scale model; not that you could easily tell. In fact, the quality of the final images is a credit to the fine work of both the photographer and the company that put together the tiny collectible model of theThe ingenuity of the photographer is also worth noting. His name is Kunaal Kelkar, and he lives in India. He's been a lifetime Lamborghini fan and he was actually supposed to fly to Italy last year and get the chance to drive the Urus. However, 2020 happened, and those plans got canceled.That meant Kunaal had to settle for pointing his camera at the scale model of the Urus that Lamborghini India had sent him instead. Instead of letting that get him down, the photographer decided to make the most of the opportunity.So, without even leaving his home - which, it has to be said, did contain a swimming pool - he managed to capture a few images of the Urus that make up for the missed chance of actually shooting the SUV on Italy's Amalfi Coast.Obviously, getting the result meant Kunaal had to get creative (and wet). He used the SUV model's acrylic casing to partially submerge his camera into the water while the vehicle was resting on a rock placed carefully on the pool's steps.The sight of the camera sitting below water will give some people a minor panic attack (it sure makes me at least a little anxious), but in the end, you could say it was worth it. Obviously, a different background was added in the editing software for the final touch. You can browse through the pictures in the gallery and see a "making of" video below. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close [January 11, 2021] Home State Health and Babylon Partner to Bring App-based, 24/7 Healthcare to Southeast Missouri ST. LOUIS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Home State Health has partnered with Babylon , a technology and healthcare company, to deliver additional access to primary care to health plan members living in 10 counties in Southeast Missouri. Through the partnership, Babylon will serve as the Primary Care Physician (PCP) via its mobile application-based telehealth platform. Home State Health members assigned to Babylon will have access to their PCP through their smartphone any time, day or night. "At Home State Health, we meet our members where they are and remove barriers which have prevented them from receiving care," said Nathan Landsbaum, President and CEO, Home State Health. "By working with Babylon, we are able to bring the latest technology and innovation in patient care directly to our Medicaid members living in rural areas of Missouri." Home State Health members will be supported by a 20-person interdisciplinary Babylon care team including nurses and community health workers. They will help ensure continuity of care and guide members through their healthcare journey. Patients can log their symptoms, have remote consultations and check-in calls, manage chronic conditions, and access health history all without leaving their homes. The virtual care option aligns with current COVID-19 recommendations to limit travel and contact, while reducing wait times for appointments and urgent care matters. However, if an in-person visit is needed, the Babylon care team can also help connect Home State Health members with community resources that provide services like transportation for an appointment. "On behalf of the Babylon team, I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with Home State Health o offer Missourians a personalized, end-to-end, and human-centric care experience," said Dr. Ali Parsa, Founder, Babylon. "There has never been a greater need for a digital healthcare solution that can go directly to the source; meeting patients exactly where they are and when they need care most." Babylon's services for the program in Southeast Missouri will be available to Home State Health members living in Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Wayne, Scott, and Stoddard counties. Babylon has started outreach to Home State Health members that have been assigned to them. Home State Health members with questions about telehealth options should call (855) 694-HOME (4663). TTY 711. About Home State Health Home State Health is a Care Management Organization that serves the needs of Missourians through a range of health insurance solutions. Home State Health serves the Medicaid population in partnership with MO HealthNet. The organization also focuses on under-insured and uninsured individuals by performing operations for Ambetter, a federal insurance marketplace product, underwritten by Celtic Insurance (an affiliated company). Additionally, Home State Health provides insurance for the Medicare population through a Medicare Advantage plan, Allwell. Home State Health exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. Home State Health is owned by a joint venture of Centene Corporation and Missouri Community Health Access. Centene Corporation, is a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise. For more information, visit www.homestatehealth.com . About Babylon Babylon is a global-leading technology and healthcare company with the ambitious mission to put an accessible and affordable health service in the hands of every person on Earth. We combine technology and medical expertise to bring doctors and people closer together, with digital healthcare tools designed to empower people with knowledge about their health. Through a range of digital health services such as AI-backed digital health tools and video doctor appointments we give people around-the-clock access to affordable, holistic healthcare services. We work with governments, health providers and insurers across the globe, and support healthcare facilities from small local practices to large hospitals. Babylon covers 20 million people across the globe, and has delivered more than 8m virtual consultations and AI interactions. We have teamed up with 170 impactful worldwide partners including Mount Sinai Health Partners, the NHS, Telus Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Government of Rwanda to fulfill our vision of accessible and affordable healthcare, for all. For more information, visit https://www.babylonhealth.com/us . View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/home-state-health-and-babylon-partner-to-bring-app-based-247-healthcare-to-southeast-missouri-301203280.html SOURCE Home State Health [ 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 MUMBAI: US private equity investor KKR on Monday said it has achieved final close of $3.9 billion for its maiden infrastructure fund in Asia--KKR Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors SCSp--focused on infrastructure-related investments across Asia Pacific. In Asia, KKR has so far committed $1.8 billion across six investments as part of the its dedicated Asia Pacific infrastructure strategy, which was launched in 2019. KKRs Asia Pacific infrastructure portfolio includes India Grid Trust, a publicly traded infrastructure investment trust, Virescent Infrastructure, a renewable energy company in India, Eco Solutions Group, an environmental services provider in South Korea, First Gen, a Philippines power producer, TSK Corporation, an environmental services management company in South Korea, and Pinnacle Towers, a telecommunications infrastructure provider in the Philippines. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches We believe that Asia Pacific contains some of the most favorable macroeconomic dynamics in the world, and that the region is expected to account for more than half of the worlds economic growth in the coming years. However, the demand to develop or upgrade critical infrastructure assets outpaces the available public funding in many markets. Private capital is playing an increasingly important role to fill the gap in the region, and through our new fund, KKR is committed to investing in essential infrastructure solutions over a long-term horizon," said Ming Lu, head of KKR Asia Pacific. The fund has a broad investment mandate across both emerging and developed Asia Pacific, in sectors including waste, renewables, power and utilities, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure. "The Fund, which was significantly oversubscribed and closed at its hard cap, received strong backing from a diverse group of prominent global infrastructure investors, including public and corporate pensions, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, private banking platforms, family offices, and high net worth individual investors," KKR said in a statement. KKR had first established its global infrastructure team and strategy in 2008 and has since been one of the most active infrastructure investors around the world. Over this period, the firm has deployed more than $24 billion across approximately 40 infrastructure investments. It currently has a team of approximately 45 dedicated investment professionals. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Syracuse, N.Y. The Common Council Monday voted unanimously to adopt a plan that gives a group of citizens the power to shape the citys electoral districts. That means an independent group of city residents will be tasked with drawing the boundaries for the Councils five electoral districts, starting this year. I thought it was a smart move...to take a shot at putting the power back in peoples hands, said Councilor Khalid Bey, who sponsored the legislation. " This was a great win for the city of Syracuse. Councilor Ronnie White Jr. also applauded the effort and called on his colleagues in the Onondaga County Legislature to adopt a similar plan. The legislature last year rejected a plan to turn over redistricting power to a group of citizens. The vote split along party lines in a meeting marred by hostility and name-calling. The redistricting legislation has been more than a year in the making. It comes after voters passed a referendum in 2019 allowing the council to put district-drawing power in the hands of citizens. Councilor Joe Carni, the bodys lone Republican, originally voted against the charter amendment paving the way for independent redistricting in 2019. But Monday, he voted in favor of the plan outlining the details. Carni said he hadnt supported the charter change, but the voters approved it. He voted in favor of the plan Monday because it was the will of the people. I still think [redistricting] falls under the duties of the legislature, but this vote today was about the changing of the process going forward, he said. The panels members will be selected at random from a group of pre-screened volunteers. The adopted plan calls for a panel of 14 citizens to re-examine district lines every 10 years starting in 2021. It limits membership on that panel to regular voters who have lived in the city at least five years. People with ties to city government, like major political donors, city employees or elected officials, cannot serve. Anyone who does serve cannot run for office for two years after the panel convenes. The legislation initially called for a five-year moratorium, but was reduced in recent weeks. The city auditor is in charge of advertising for and selecting a pool of applicants for the panel by May 22 of this year. Eight panelists will be chosen at random from that pool, and will then vote to appoint another six. Bey said giving citizens oversight on electoral district eliminates even the appearance of partisan gerrymandering. Theres some comfort to the people in letting them know that they are now making the determination of the lines and that partisanship will not be the determining factor, he said. The much-awaited cabinet expansion in will take place on January 13, said Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday. The Chief Minister further said that seven new members may be inducted into the Cabinet. The final decision on this matter will probably be taken tomorrow (Monday) morning, he added, while talking to media in Bengaluru. This comes after BS Yediyurappa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the latter's residence in Delhi on Sunday to discuss the political situation in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda and the party's in-charge for Arun Singh were also present at the meeting. Yediyurappa had arrived in the capital on Sunday. The chief minister had earlier suggested some names and expressed confidence that the central BJP leadership will respond positively. Apart from the cabinet expansion, the chief minister also held discussions on the upcoming by-polls in the state for one parliamentary and two Assembly seats. (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 pastor with the Christ Embassy Church and one of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's proteges, Biodun Lawal, has said that heaven is ashamed of Christians and pastors who wear the facemask and even dare to wear it in the house of God. In a video that has gone viral, Lawal who is based in the church's branch in Ghana said ''If you still want to wear a mask, wear it but do not call yourself a man of God. He is a baby of God. We can't even call you son. You are a baby of God. Son is too high. We can't even call you child of God. You can frown if you liKe. I have seen some people wearing mask to pray inside church. Heaven is ashamed of you. Inside the house of God, you wear mask and you are praying to God?'' he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial) 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with Chief Ministers of all states to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination rollout procedure in the country. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout will kick off in India starting January 16 with the first phase to begin with healthcare and frontline workers. During his interaction, PM Modi also spoke about the Co-WIN app that is designed by the central government to ensure a smooth vaccination drive in India. He indicated that the online platform would be the foundation for the anti-coronavirus inoculation drive in India. "Co-WIN app will ensure that people get the second dosage of the vaccine on time. The app will generate a certificate after the first dosage of vaccine and the final certificate will be issued after the second dosage," PM Modi said on Monday. The prime minister further stated that this model would be followed by other governments across the world. He added that with the help of Aadhaar, beneficiaries will be identified as well as timely second dosage will be ensured. Previously, the central government had explained that the Co-WIN app comes with five modules, namely - Administrator module, Registration module, Vaccination module, Beneficiary Acknowledgement module, and Report module. The mobile app is essentially an upgraded version of the eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) that would be available to download for free via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, though its availability details remain unclear. The app may also launch on Jio phones that run on KaiOS. #CoWIN will ensure that people get the second dosage of the vaccine on time. The app will generate a certificate after the first dosage of vaccine & a final certificate will be issued after the second dosage. The world will follow what India will do: PM Modi. #IndiaFightsCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/hCBHyXF3Y3 News18 (@CNNnews18) January 11, 2021 Citizens will be able to register for the vaccine via the 'Registration Module' (once the app is available). Photo identity and Aadhaar card details will be required for registration. As expected, the admins via the 'Administrator module' will be able to track the information provided by citizens in India. "It will upload bulk data on co-morbidity provided by local authorities or by surveyors," the government had explained in December. Admins will also be responsible for creating sessions, and the respective vaccinators and managers will receive relevant notifications and alerts. The Vaccination module on the Co-WIN app will then verify the beneficiary details and update vaccination status. The 'Beneficiary Acknowledgement Module' will further send SMS to beneficiaries and also generate QR-based certificates after one gets vaccinated (for all stages). Lastly, the Report Module will prepare reports of how many vaccine sessions have been conducted, how many people have attended those, how many people have dropped out etc. PM Modi during his interaction on Monday further urged state governments to oversee that real-time data is fed on the Co-WIN app, to ensure a smooth vaccination drive across India. Dear Annie: My sister is 75 years old. She is a hoarder. She has lived at home her whole life and started accumulating junk soon after my dad died 10 years ago. If something comes into the house, it isnt going out, as it is with most hoarders. So, you can imagine what an appalling situation it has become. My sister took care of my mom, who was in a wheelchair until she died two years ago at age 93. I spent thousands of dollars between the time when my mom became ill and when she died, driving a 50-mile round trip every day for six years to help my sister take care of her. And I continued to do so every other weekend after our mom died, bringing my grandsons to visit so my sister wouldnt feel lonely. Recently, I took a tumble at the dog park and fractured my kneecap. I asked my sister whether I could borrow one of Moms wheelchairs for a while. She told me to go look for one at Goodwill. I figured that her mounds of precious junk must be more important to her than my many years of loyalty, and I dont want to ever visit her again. And she cant visit me because she cant bear the thought of getting rid of her broken-down Buick to buy a new one. Do you think she would get help with her problem if I stopped seeing her, or would she just be happy alone with her stuff? -- Snuffed Out by Stuff Dear Snuffed Out by Stuff: Hoarding is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The disorder does not operate in the realm of logic. You cant reason with it. And you shouldnt take it personally -- because as much as it might seem to you that your sister is choosing her stuff over you, shes not really choosing anything at this point. Shes simply acting on compulsions. If you want to stop visiting her for the sake of your own well-being, I applaud the boundary-setting. But it sounds as though you want to stop visiting her because you hope it would spur her to get help. If thats the case, you want to control the uncontrollable, and youd most likely end up even more frustrated. Instead of basing decisions on how they might or might not impact her hoarding behavior, base your decisions on whats healthy for you. Visit the hoarding section of the International OCD Foundations website for information on what causes people to hoard and how you might be able to help. Dear Annie: I recently filled a prescription for cough syrup that called for a 10-milliliter dosage. We do not use liters in this country. I had to go online to convert the amount to teaspoons. Could you give a shout to physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists to let them know how dangerous this practice is to the patient? -- Irked Dear Irked: I did some research to figure out why the pharmaceutical industry would use the metric system in the United States, where it might as well be Greek to many people. According to the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, a nonprofit standards development organization, the International System of Units, known as SI, is better for designating dosages than the U.S. customary system. The reason is consistency. While the U.S. system has 300 different units, the SI has just seven base units. From the NCPDP: The use of multiple volumetric units (e.g., teaspoons, tablespoons, droppersful) and multiple abbreviations ... (increases) the likelihood of dosing errors. That said, the most important thing is that the patient understands how to take the medication he or she is prescribed, and its health care providers job to see to that. The next time you pick up a prescription, ask your pharmacist for help with converting the dosage. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2018 CREATORS.COM On Tuesday, the Rev. Raphael Warnock made history when he defeated Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a runoff election in Georgia. He will become the first Black person to represent the state as a U.S. senator and the 11th Black person from any state to serve as one. Warnock not only made history; he was part of history, too. As the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the same church the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped lead, Warnock stands in a long line of Christian leaders who saw political participation as part of their role as minister. Historically, Black Christians have not hesitated to get involved in politics because policies - from voting rights to anti-lynching laws to health-care practices - enacted by legislators have often been closely tied to their safety and opportunities. Warnock's political pursuit stands out since he serves as the pastor of a storied and well-known church. Christian political engagement in the 21st century has adapted to technological changes and changing approaches to social justice. Black Christians today can get involved in politics by signing online petitions, organizing protests via text message and conducting hashtag campaigns to support certain causes. Contemporary activism does not necessarily rely on a singular figurehead, such as a church pastor, for leadership or mobilization. Yet, even with the advent of new ways to engage in political action, the Black church remains a cornerstone in Black communities and a crucial ally in the fight for freedom. The Black church has for centuries served as a bulwark against bigotry. It gave Black people the spiritual, economic and political tools they needed to protest racial oppression and organize for uplift. Warnock represents the Black liberation theological tradition that emerged in academic circles through the work of James Cone and others in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a tradition that takes the Black experience as a vital part of understanding and reinterpreting Christianity in a way that addresses racial oppression and leads to greater freedom for Black people. While Warnock reflects one expression of political activism, the history of Black Christian political engagement in the United States stretches back centuries. Many historically Black churches and denominations - such as the First African Church of Savannah, Ga., first gathering in 1773, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, formally organized in 1816 - formed as a refuge against the brutality of race-based chattel slavery and to develop greater independence from White people and their institutions. The Black church became the most autonomous entity within the Black community at a time when Black people were seldom permitted to congregate and organize on their own. In 1865, Charles H. Pearce, a Black minister, moved to Florida as a missionary to help start new African Methodist Episcopal congregations during the Reconstruction era. He was also an outspoken political leader who was elected several times as a state senator. "A man in this state cannot do his whole duty as a minister," Pearce said, "except if he but looks out for the political interests of his people." Only a few years later, Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi became the first African American U.S. senator when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat in 1870. Before holding that position, he had served as a minister in the AME Church. He also served as a chaplain in the Army during the Civil War. More than half a century later, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. walked in the footsteps of his own father to become minister of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in 1937, one of the largest Black Baptist congregations, in New York City. Shortly thereafter, the younger Powell entered the political arena. The support from his congregation proved indispensable in his career as a member of Congress from 1945-1971. Beyond honing individual leaders, Black churches also served as the primary and most important site of political organizing. During the 20th century, Black activists found a space in these churches to plan and strategize as they worked to advance the cause of civil rights. King joined other ministers in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to lead various marches and protests to challenge Jim Crow and advocate for political rights. They often met in churches, where they shared with local residents their plans and visions for the future. The Montgomery bus boycott lasted just over one year from Dec. 5, 1955, to Dec. 20, 1956. During that time leaders had to organize a complex alternative to the city's public bus transportation system. It called for families to lend their cars and volunteers to drive routes to pick up Black passengers. Much of the planning for the boycott - from regular meetings to mimeographing fliers - happened in Black churches. Whenever the morale of the protesters began to fail, mass meetings held at churches roused their spirits and encouraged them to keep up the boycott. King did not run for political office, but his platform as a leader was built upon the Black church. His much-lauded oratorical abilities were refined in the choir lofts and pulpits of the Black church. Black churches hosted King and others to talk about civil rights and leaders depended on local Black churches to mobilize crowds. In 1962, Fannie Lou Hamer, then an impoverished Black sharecropper, heard a message by Baptist minister James Bevel and civil rights activist James Forman at William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Ruleville, Miss. They talked about voting rights and how Black sharecroppers such as Hamer could register to vote for themselves. Hamer attempted to register to vote for the first time later that year and spent the remainder of her life as a political organizer and voting rights activist. Activists James Lawson and Bob Moses, who were part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, respectively, chose a church as the location to make their appeal. In the Jim Crow South, Black churches provided one of the few spaces where Black residents could congregate and construct plans for collective action. Although many Black churches distinguished between the spiritual mission of the church and the workings of political bodies, they have always seen the inter-relatedness of justice and faith. Black Christian political participation has not gone without opposition. White people recognized Black churches as spaces that threatened the racist social order. In 1904, a white lynch mob strategically chose a location that would inflict maximum fear on the Black populace; they tortured and murdered Luther and Mary Holbert on the grounds of a Black church. On Sept. 15, 1963, just two weeks after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a white supremacist terrorist planted a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., and killed four girls - Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley - all between the ages of 11 and 14. Some of the resistance to Black Christian political participation has been nonviolent but no less destructive. In the Senate runoff, Loeffler leveled attacks at Warnock's interpretation of the faith. She circulated a clip from a 2011 sermon when Warnock said, "America, nobody can serve God and the military." While Warnock was making a larger point about putting God before any other allegiances, Loeffler used it as an opportunity to label the preacher as a "radical liberal." Labels such as "socialist," "communist," "Marxist" and lately "critical race theorist" have also been used to undermine the theological credibility of Black Christians working for racial justice in the political realm. Not all Black churches have a favorable view of their pastors participating in politics, nor do they agree on the methods of social justice transformation. Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Warnock pastors, is part of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a denomination that split off from the more politically conservative National Baptist Convention in 1961. While there is a diversity of views, historically the Black church has navigated the tension between the United States as it should be and the nation as it is. Black Christians have leveled the most trenchant critiques of the failures of American policy while at the same time working vigorously to make the promise of democracy real for all people. Warnock's election to the U.S. Senate demonstrates continuity with the historic Black Christian tradition of attending to the spiritual needs of Black people while also working to change their material conditions through political action. His victory is directly attributable to the mobilization of the Black church. As sites of organizing, voter registration, leadership development and inspiration, Black churches continue to be the nucleus of Black political participation. - - - Tisby is the author of "The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism" and "How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice." He is a PhD candidate in history at the University of Mississippi and founder and CEO of The Witness, Inc. Indian banks may see bad loans double despite signs of an improvement in the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a report from the Financial Stability and Development Council said on Monday. The gross Non-Performing Assets of banks may increase from 7.5% in September 2020 to 14.8% under a severe stress scenario. Even under a baseline scenario it may rise to 13.5% by September 2021, the council said. "It is assessed that the worst is behind us, though the recovery path remains uncertain," the council's Financial Stability Report released by the Reserve Bank of ... There was an announcement before Christmas that you might have missed: The city of New Orleans is trying to be more like Stockton, California. This weeks joint session of Congress shaped up as President Donald Trumps last chance however far-fetched to subvert the November election results and claim victory for another term. And he counted on the continued loyalty of Vice President Mike Pence, who formally presided over the proceeding Power supply was restored across Pakistan Sunday after the country was hit by a massive electricity blackout, officials said. The electricity distribution system in the nation of more than 210 million people is a complex and delicate web, and a problem in one section of the grid can lead to cascading breakdowns countrywide. The latest blackout, which lasted roughly 18 hours in most areas, was caused by "an engineering fault" in southern Pakistan at 11:41 pm local time on Saturday (1841 GMT), which tripped the system and caused power plants to shut down, power minister Omar Ayub Khan told a press conference in Islamabad. Experts were however trying to determine the precise details of what happened as well as "the exact location of the fault," the power minister said, adding that it would take time as the area was still covered in dense fog. A spokesman from the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) reported that "all 500KV and 200KV grid stations and transmission lines have started supplying electricity" and that "the power supply has been restored across Pakistan." Jokes and memes flooded Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp, mostly ridiculing Prime Minister Imran Khan's government and its performance after the breakdown. "Power breakdown in Pakistan is blackmailing Imran Khan," tweeted Musarrat Ahmedzeb in reference to the premier's recent statement accusing Shiite protesters of blackmailing him after the killing of 10 miners. "What a start for the new year... let us seek Allah the Almighty's mercy," read another tweet, while a message on WhatsApp said: "new Pakistan sleeps in a night mode". There were no immediate reports of disruption at hospitals, which often rely on backup generators. Netblocks, which monitors internet outages, said web connectivity in the country "collapsed" as a result of the blackout. Connectivity was at "62 percent of ordinary levels", it said in a tweet. The outage marked Pakistan's second major power breakdown in less than three years. In May 2018, power was partially disrupted for more than nine hours. In 2015, an apparent rebel attack on a key power line plunged around 80 percent of Pakistan into darkness. That blackout, one of the worst in Pakistan's history, caused electricity to be cut in major cities nationwide, including Islamabad, and even affected one of the country's international airports. Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday toured another of the states six planned mega-sites being set up for mass vaccinations for the coronavirus. The governor was at Rowan College in Gloucester County, which opened Friday. Murphy already visited the first such site to open in a former Sears department store at a Morris County mall on Friday. Boom. Well done, Murphy said after he witnessed a first responder getting a shot. Congratulations. The governor toured the 30,000-square-foot facility, giving applause and thumbs up to workers and people getting their vaccines. Officials there said the process for people getting their vaccine will take about 30 minutes, which includes a 15 minute observation period after people get their shots. The other four sites in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, and Middlesex are expected to open in the coming days. Vaccines will be available at 119 locations throughout the state including local health departments, ShopRite stores and pharmacies, and that list has continued to grow. Those are six mega-sites but they will be among 300 different points of distribution when were completely up and running, Murphy said. Governor Phil Murphy greets Sergeant Brian Patrick McKnerney of New Jersey State Police while he receives a COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccinations begin Friday, Jan. 8 at one of six planned mega-sites in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy toured the opening of the site at Rockaway Townsquare mall.Sarah Blesener for the New York Right now, though, the inoculations are restricted to health-care workers and police and fire personnel. There are about 650,000 health-care workers in the state and thousands of more people living and working at nursing homes, which are also the first to be vaccinated. Murphy announced over the weekend more than 200,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered out of the more than 572,250 doses the state has received from the U.S. government, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Today is a day of hope, state Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said on Monday. There will be many more long days ahead of us, she said. When the vaccine becomes available, New Jersey will be ready. The Gloucester County site will be able to handle more than 2,000 people a day once vaccines are widely available in the state, she said. The state has been slower than others in administering the vaccines. Officials are partially blaming that on delays in reporting. They also stressed late last week that all states are at the mercy of the federal government for vaccine supply. Asked Friday if the states rollout is going as planned, Murphy said: We dont have the supply from the feds that we need. Within the context of a large supply/demand imbalance, I like everything were doing inside the state to get prepared. But they dont have the doses they could use at full capacity. This is gonna take some time. New Jersey on Tuesday opened its online preregistration portal for residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine when the eligibility is expanded beyond health care workers and long-term care facilities. More than 1 million people have registered, Persichilli said on Monday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Stone from Sita Eliya in Sri Lanka to be used for making Ayodhya Ram temple Foundation work of Ayodhya Ram temple to begin in January India oi-Deepika S Hyderabad, Jan 11: Work on the foundation for the Ram temple at Ayodhya would begin this month and construction of the temple complex is expected to conclude in about three-and-a-half years, Swami Govinda Dev Giri ji Maharaj, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, said on Monday. "How the foundation shall be built, that has been decided just now. The excavation has begun but the actual foundation construction has not begun.It will start ithis January," he said at a press conference during a visit here. He was asked if the formal construction of the temple has begun, and if not, when it is going to begin. Asked about the total cost of the project, he said he "guessed" that the cost of the main temple within the boundary should be between Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 crore. The total cost could be over Rs 1,100 crore, which includes the Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 crore for the main temple and the development of 67 acres (at the complex), he said. He said the construction of the temple is likely to be completed in three to three-and-a-half years. Giri ji Maharaj said more than Rs 100 crore of donations has been collected as per accounts in Ayodhya. Asked if donations for temple construction would be accepted from foreign countries as well, he said they are not being allowed at present as FCRA (Foreign Contributions Regulation Act) facility is not available. However, FCRA facility (permissions as per FCRA) is expected to be available in two months, he said. "We don''t want to build just a temple of stones and bricks.We want to build the nation.We want to build the national spirit.The spirit of love, the spirit of philanthropy, the spirit of universal brotherhood and at the same time, spirit of might," he said. People would listen only if the country is strong, he said. The temple would belong to the whole nation with donations received from all, he said. He recalled that an industrialist had offered that his family would bear the cost of construction. Saying that Ayodhya would be the cultural capital of the world after the construction of Ram temple, he said youths from neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan would be invited to Ayodhya every year and they will be allowed to tour thecountry, with a view to bringing people together and promote their understanding of India. Bandari Ramesh, convener in Telangana for Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan, said they would reach out to three crore Hindu families in the state as part of the campaign to collect donations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhumi Puja and Shila Puja on August 5 at the Ram Janmabhoomi. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 18:54 [IST] New Delhi, Jan 11 : Who is Rana Kapoor and, more importantly, what role did he play in the rise and fall of YES Bank? On September 28, 2018, after announcing that he was going to step down as the managing director of YES Bank, Rana Kapoor had claimed: "Diamonds are forever. My promoter shares of YES Bank are invaluable to me." However, in a span of just 14 months, Kapoor did a complete U-turn. He sold his entire stake in the bank, even as the shares continued to get hammered by investors. Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapur had founded YES Bank in 2004. On March 5, 2020, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took control of it in an attempt to avoid the collapse of the bank, which had an excessive amount of bad loans. In "The Banker Who Crushed His Diamonds" (Penguin), journalist Furquan Moharkan takes you right to the start of Rana Kapoor's career as a banker, charting his meteoric rise, his mercurial personality, the lavish lifestyle and the unravelling of it all. Kapoor's story runs parallel with that of the fourth largest private bank in India. In what feels like a story straight from a financial thriller, the book uncovers the rot deep within YES Bank's glittering success story. It serves as much as a cautionary tale as it exposes the chink in India's armour against financial chaos. It's truly a gripping tale of one of modern India's biggest banking failures and the man behind it all. The herd immunity policy pursued by the United States government and its counterparts around the world is producing ever spiraling heights of mass death. There have been more than 28,895 deaths in the US since the new year began. The number of lives lost each day is rapidly increasing. The highest the average number of daily deaths recorded before the holiday lull in reporting was 11,731 worldwide. That number has now increased to 12,680 and increasing. A similar trend is seen in the United States, where two consecutive days of more than 4,000 reported deaths have shot the weekly average past 3,000. EMT Giselle Dorgalli, second from right, looks at a monitor while performing chest compression on a patient who tested positive for coronavirus in the emergency room at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) At this rate, more than a quarter million people will die across the globe before the end of January, including more than 60,000 in the US alone. Whatever hopes workers and youth around the world had that 2021 would provide some relief are quickly being shattered. Such sentiments have been further dashed in light of the new and more infectious variant of COVID-19 first detected in Great Britain. It has been estimated to be about 56 percent more infectious and has already spread to many parts of the United States, Europe and other parts of the world, 47 countries so far. It is expected that this variant will become the dominant version of the coronavirus wherever it emerges. One person infected with the already existing variant might cause 39 new cases after one month if the spread of the virus is uncontrolled. One person infected with the new variant could cause 150 new cases, nearly quadrupling the inevitable increase of illness, hospitalizations and death. The surge in cases is also placing even greater strain on the distribution of the vaccine. The development of multiple vaccines to the coronavirus in less than a year is a triumph of modern medical science and those deemed safe and effective should be administered and taken as widely as possible. But this achievement is being gravely undermined by the total lack of any other controls on the spread of the virus. Testing has remained stagnant in the US even though more than 12 percent of all tests nationally come back positive. Contact tracing has been all but abandoned. Were losing the race with coronavirus its infecting people much faster than we can get vaccine into peoples arms, and its overcoming our social distancing, said University of Florida biologist Derek Cummings, an expert in emerging pathogens, to the Los Angeles Times. Now theres this variant that will make that race even harder. Moreover, the vaccine distribution rollout has been an unmitigated disaster. After initially promising 100 million vaccinations by the end of 2020, the Trump administration ultimately only prescribed about 3 million doses by the new year. Bloomberg estimates that only 7.73 million doses have been given across the country. At the current rate, it will take years to vaccinate the entire population. In the meantime, hundreds of thousands will die. There have also been new, potentially more infectious variants of the coronavirus found in South Africa, as well as in patients that had traveled from Brazil to Japan. So far, initial research into these variants has found that the vaccines are effective against these new strains of the virus. Scientists are increasingly worried, however, that this will not hold. Every new infection turns a person into a potential incubator for a vaccine resistant strain of the virus. Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization recently said that COVID-19 is not the big one. What was left unsaid is that the more infections occur, the more the virus mutates and the more it has the potential to become the big one, to turn into a pandemic that is even more infectious and even more lethal. Such an outcome raises all the more urgently the need to implement every possible measure to contain the pandemic. What measures have been put into place, mostly limiting large gatherings of individuals, have proven to be wholly inadequate. Above all else, schools, businesses and nonessential production must be shut down, with full compensation for those impacted. Workers must not be forced to choose between sacrificing their livelihoods and the lives of themselves and their loved ones. Lockdowns and vaccinations must be combined with the implementation of a mass testing program to detect the virus and serious contact tracing to track down cases. The resources to do so must be seized from the ill-gotten gains of the major banks and giant corporations who collectively received at least $6 trillion in bailouts last year. These funds, combined with a moratorium on rent and mortgage payments, could be used to provide everyone in the country with $2,000 each month for six months, while providing more than $2 trillion for the necessary supplies and personnel to care for those who are sick and end the pandemic in the US and internationally. That such sums were given to Wall Street and not used to end the pandemic back in March speaks to the political and social orientation of both the Republicans and Democrats. After the lockdowns in March and April, which were ultimately forced by workers themselves taking strike action to shut down factories, every effort has been made by Trump and his ilk to eliminate any restrictions on the reopening of businesses and schools. They have been aided and abetted by the Democrats, who falsely claim that schools and nonessential production can be safely open during a pandemic. Such claims are absurd on their face. The United States has suffered nearly 23,000,000 confirmed cases of the pandemic virus. Even allowing that up to five times that many total cases, with the others going unreported, that still indicates that 217,000,000 people have not been infected. Using that same estimate, globally there are about 450 million people who have been infected and about 7.4 billion people who have not been infected. Every effort must be made so that they remain healthy. Alongside the mass deaths that have occurred in the past eleven days, the fascist coup attempt of January 6 cannot be ignored. The pandemic exacerbated what had already been a massive social crisis that existed at the end of 2019 and produced an even greater catastrophe. The United States remains with 9.8 million fewer jobs than at the start of the pandemic, when the US experienced the most rapid employment decline in its history, even when compared to the Great Depression. Millions more face homelessness and destitution. Both Trump and the Democrats are fully aware that such staggering levels of social inequality are incompatible with social and democratic rights. At the same time, they are aware that the only way they can maintain capitalist rule is by maintaining such levels of inequality through increasingly authoritarian forms of rule. Presidential dictatorship, established under Donald Trump, is one option. Whether or not Trump succeeds at carrying through a coup detat, which is still an open possibility, it is the product of the ongoing rightward shift of official American politics for decades. The growth of fascistic forces at the very apex of the American state is the result of the protracted decline of American capitalism as a whole. As such, it is against that social order and economic system that workers and youth must direct themselves. This has taken embryonic form in the strikes taken by workers in the US and internationally against school and factory reopenings, as well as the numerous rank-and-file safety committees established with the help of the Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site . Now, such actions take on increased urgency. The fight against the pandemic is not primarily a medical or scientific question, but a political one. The past year has demonstrated that capitalism is incapable of containing the disease, and in fact the profit motive spurs on the spread of the deadly virus through near universal policies of herd immunity. PEORIA (AP) No matter how intricate the art or meaningful the message, Andrew Hattermann says his studios work comes down to one simple thing: Beauty. We try to make a church more beautiful than its ever been, the Peorian says. Thats our goal. And for nearly 20 years in more than 50 churches across more than a dozen states, the Peoria artists of Murals by Jericho have done just that beautified religious spaces in myriad ways and methods. Hattermanns artistic journey is long and winding. The 56-year-old Limestone grad had studied art for years but his life truly changed 20 years ago when he met business partner Robert Hill while teaching a drawing class at Bradley University. Hill then worked at Adams Outdoor Advertising and brought Hattermann on board to help on mural projects for restaurants, homes and malls. We were getting whatever work we could, Hattermann said. One of the jobs was painting some simple interior murals for Byblos, a Lebanese restaurant located on the Peoria riverfront. Seemed simple enough. Yet the work caught the eye of some of the priests from St. Mark Catholic Church in Peoria as they grabbed lunch one day. After plenty of phone tag, Hattermann and Hill eventually connected with the church, which hired them to work a complete overhaul of the churchs interior. We werent looking to get into this business, we were just looking for work at the time its changed our lives dramatically, Hattermann said. Its kind of divine providence the way things have worked for us. Included in the work for St. Marks was reproduction of paintings from Italian renaissance artist Fra Angelico, also the patron saint of arts. The work impressed Bishop Daniel Jenky, who in 2002 rededicated the church. Two years later, when the work was completed, Jenky designated the church as a shrine to Angelico. This all has been word of mouth, Hattermann said, and all been started by this one project. Since, Murals by Jericho has taken on projects in 13 states, including multiple churches in Texas and Illinois, including five total in Peoria. The work reaches as far west as California and Oregon, stretching east to Vermont and Virginia. Hattermann said hes currently working on projects for churches in Alabama and Australia. And its not just fine art paintings. The studio also designs furnishings, frames, stained glass and inlaid flooring. Plans for each church vary. Sometimes the leadership has specific ideas, other times they lean into the studios artistic expertise. Mostly, its a partnership. This is my work. I dont do anything else, really, Hattermann said. The individual paintings arent as important as the overall affect we create by putting the artwork inside the space. For an artist to have his work be seen and mean so much to other people, I cant think of anything better. Its a family business for Hattermann and Hill, both of whom get help from spouses and children be it as business managers or as models for paintings. Most of the art is done in home studios and then installed on site at the churches. Paintings are done on canvas with artist oils and then glued to church walls with wallpaper paste. Its like hanging a giant piece of wallpaper, 22 feet wide getting bubbles out and getting it flat with dry paint rollers and plastic smoothers, Hattermann said. Ive lost some sleep over that. Hattermann feels blessed to be making a living in art, but especially doing so in faith. Its transformed our lives, he said. We do this a lot of times seven days a week . The incredible people we deal with, you cant help but be affected by that. Our faith has grown a lot since this has all started. I still walk into St. Marks and Sacred Heart, and I am humbled they would let us do that. Our work is meant to inspire the faithful, and beauty inspires. I feel blessed. The Haryana police on Monday booked Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Gurnam Singh Charuni and dozens of other protesters after the stage chairs, tables and flower pots of the venue of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's rally were ransacked by them. According to a police official in Karnal, where the Kisan mahapanchayat was to be held, a case has been registered against 71 people by name, including Gurnam Singh Charuni, while 800-900 unnamed people have also been booked. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches They have been booked for rioting, assault on a public servant, damaging public property, criminal conspiracy and other charges, police said. Nobody has been arrested yet as the police is busy collecting evidence, including video clips, related to the charges. Khattar blames Charuni The complaint came after Khattar accused Charuni of instigating people for vandalising the programme venue. "Administration had spoken to their (protesting farmers) people yesterday. They had agreed to hold a symbolic protest but no agitation. Trusting them, administration had made all preparations. Over 5,000 people were present at the event today. But some youth failed to keep their promise," said Khattar about the cancellation of 'kisan mahapanchayat'. Vandalism at venue Protesting farmers on Sunday vandalised the venue of a 'kisan mahapanchayat' programme at Kaimla village here where Khattar was to address people to highlight the benefits" of the Centre's three agriculture laws. The Haryana Police used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells to prevent the farmers from marching towards the village. The farmers, however, reached the venue and damaged the makeshift helipad where Khattar's chopper was to land despite elaborate security arrangements made by the police. They later took control of the helipad and squatted on it. Some protesters also uprooted the tiles of the helipad. The farmers disrupted the kisan mahapanchayat programme by damaging the stage and breaking chairs, tables and flower pots at the venue. In the melee, stones were also pelted as police personnel ran for cover. A purported video of Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Charuni, making an appeal to "end the arrogance of the CM" by not allowing him to address the mahapanchayat, was circulating on social media. On January 6, the BKU (Charuni) had threatened to oppose the 'kisan mahapanchayat'. With inputs from agencies. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. WASHINGTON Defense leaders are reviewing restrictions on the use of force by National Guard members and could allow troops to carry batons or guns in Washington, D.C., as they brace for more protests and possible violence around the Jan. 20 inaugural, The Associated Press has learned. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The AP Friday that any changes will be determined by the intelligence gathered in the coming days about potential threats. But he said they are looking at allowing troops to carry their M-4 rifles or 9 mm Berettas, and he will know more in a day or two. The review reflects concerns about the safety of the Guard troops in the wake of the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and would also consider the legal restrictions that prohibit the use of the military for domestic law enforcement. Allowing troops to carry deadly weapons would run up against deep-seated fears about the optics of anything suggesting that U.S. military forces were being used against Americans on U.S. soil. And it would require the permission of various authorities, depending on where the Guard members were stationed. For example, D.C. city officials would have to agree in order for the Guard to carry weapons within the citys jurisdictions, such as at checkpoints or Metro stations. Federal approvals would be needed for locations on federal land, parks, monuments and places like Capitol Hill. Well be looking at the intelligence, and make a determination over the next day or so, McCarthy said. Its just going to require us to get better intel, and then well have to make a risk assessment. In June, after a chaotic law enforcement response to Washington street protests over the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, some critics warned of an overly militarized approach to containing the problem. This was in part due to the military-style clothing worn by some federal law enforcement personnel, including security forces of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and their failure to wear identification markings. In a letter to Trump just days after the June chaos, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanded answers from the administration. We are concerned about the increased militarization and lack of clarity that may increase chaos, she wrote. I am writing to request a full list of the agencies involved and clarifications of the roles and responsibilities of the troops and federal law enforcement resources operating in the city. As a result, deployment of the Guard in D.C. this week has included a number of restrictions, including that they will not carry weapons. Because they are unarmed, they are generally limited to tasks that prevent them from having direct contact with potentially violent protesters, such as staffing checkpoints. McCarthy also said they expect better intelligence on protests and crowds. He complained earlier this week that the intelligence on the potential crowd size Wednesday was all over the board ranging from about 2,000 to 80,000. He said Friday that there are new plans to have more frequent meetings with law enforcement to go over the intelligence reports so that law enforcement is better prepared. He added that he has already allowed one change. As of Thursday evening, he said Guard members in D.C. are being allowed to wear their ballistic helmets. That decision comes amid news that a U.S. Capitol Police officer died as a result of injuries he got during the riot. Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, two law enforcement officials said. The officials could not discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Four other people died during the riot, including one rioter who was shot by police. As the chaos at the Capitol played out, the Pentagon moved to activate Guard members in five nearby states, to bolster the D.C. National Guard and law enforcement already in the city. All together, 6,200 Guard members have been activated, and are expected to arrive in D.C. over the next few days. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson said Friday that he has also reached out to all the other states, asking them what capabilities they might be able to contribute if needed. So far, McCarthy said, they are going to have 850 National Guard members on the Capitol grounds, doing 12-hour shifts, as well as 90 more at various checkpoints. He said there has also been a request from the Park Police for a 150-person quick reaction force, which is likely to be approved. And he said other requests are pouring in. National Guard leaders from nearby states said their troops are well trained, equipped and prepared for the deployment to D.C. They said their soldiers will deploy to D.C. with all their equipment and weapons, and it will be up to the local commanders to determine if the troops will be authorized to carry them, depending on their specific task or situation. Brig. Gen. David Wood, from the Pennsylvania National Guard, told reporters during a call Friday that his troops will bring the equipment they have. He added that the goal will be to de-escalate any situation, and the way weapons will be used will be based on the situation and the commanders intent. Maj. Gen. Timothy Gowen, adjutant general for Maryland, said his troops have deployed in these types of volatile circumstances in the past and will have the equipment they need to protect themselves. Ill be happier when theyre home, he said. But I think weve done everything we can to mitigate the risks. ___ Lolita C. Baldor of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP National Security Writer Robert Burns 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. President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the return home of four Ukrainian sailors detained in Libya and promised that Ukraine and Turkey will continue to cooperate on such issues. "My treasured friend Volodymyr Zelensky, we are pleased that Ukrainian sailors have returned home safe and sound. Together, we will continue to struggle for all our friends, for all our brothers and sisters anywhere in the world," Erdogan wrote on his Twitter account in response to a tweet from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As reported, on January 7, the press service of the President's Office reported that four Ukrainian citizens - members of the crew of the tanker Captain Khayyam, which was detained in the territorial waters of Libya on February 13, 2016, were returning to Ukraine. Sailors Yevhen Morar, Volodymyr Tostohan, Oleh Voynerovsky and Pavlo Chaika are already on their way home. In December 2017, a Libyan court sentenced four Ukrainians and other crew members of the tanker Captain Khayyam to five years in prison. As two Ukrainian sailors have health problems, representatives of Ukraine have repeatedly raised the issue of their release for humanitarian reasons in negotiations with the Libyan party. President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the release of Ukrainian citizens and noted that they would finally be able to celebrate Christmas with their relatives and friends. Zelensky also separately expressed gratitude to Erdogan on the social network for his help in the evacuation of Ukrainian sailors. The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department COVID-19 reports five new cases of COVID-19 in Benzie County and four new cases of COVID-19 reported in Leelanau County. The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department has reported 37 new cases (Benzie- 13; Leelanau- 24) of COVID-19 since Saturday, Jan. 9th. Below is a summary of ur cumulative cases for the timeframe 1/9/2021 -1/11/2021: Age: o 0-12 years 1 case o 13-19 years 2 cases o 20-29 years 10 cases o 30-39 years 3 cases o 40-49 years 4 cases o 50-59 years 9 cases o 60-69 years 3 cases o 70-79 years 4 cases o 80-89 years 1 case o 90+ years 0 cases Symptomatic 100% of new cases that case investigations have been completed Recovered 29 new recovered (Benzie-12, Leelanau-17) Hospitalization 1 new reported COVID Associated Deaths 1 new reported (Lee, Male, 80s) Unlike flu clinics, which thousands of residents have attended over the years, the health departments COVID-19 clinics will look quite different due to the specific requirements of the vaccine, and the necessary safety measures for administration during the continued pandemic response. Here are some frequent questions asked by the community: How do I get an appointment to receive my vaccine? o Those interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination should complete the Pre-Registration Vaccine Information Form. Seniors who are not able to complete the form should call the Senior Vaccination Hotline at (231) 715-5557. Complete either the form or call the hotline; it is not necessary to do both. How do I know when its my turn to get the vaccine? o Once the Pre-Registration Vaccine Information Form is complete or a senior has called the Senior Vaccination Hotline, their name and contact information is part of a database and used to schedule upcoming clinics. What happens if someone does not show up to get their shot? o All clinics require patients to be registered and given an appointment. If someone is not able to attend their scheduled appointment, a standby list is activated. How are the vaccines stored? o Each vaccine manufacturer requires different storage and handling requirements. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be stored at a "normal freezer temperature and all local health departments have those storage capabilities. The Pfizer vaccine has the deep freeze storage requirements and only two local health departments in northern Michigan have the capability to safely store the Pfizer vaccine. Both of these health departments serve as hub facilities to store and then safely distribute the Pfizer vaccine to other area health departments. This process takes up a lot of planning and coordination among the health departments. Does the health department receive a certain amount of vaccine each day? o The health departments request vaccines on a weekly basis from MDHHS. The state determines the number of vaccines received locally. Once the vaccines are received by the local health departments, they are logged, stored, and appointments are scheduled for those doses or in some cases, doses may be transferred to other enrolled providers in the region to increase the number of access points available. Why cant I get an appointment now that I am eligible, and why does it seem to take so long to get an appointment? o The department understands there may be frustration, but due to the demand for the vaccine and weekly allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine, it will take time to get all residents in Phase 1B vaccinated. The department is excited to have received more than 3,000 requests to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and are trying to match these requests with the supply. The department asks for patience as it works to vaccinate everyone quickly and safely. Why do I need an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine? o The department must continue to protect our staff/volunteers and anyone receiving the vaccine, so they must schedule appointments for vaccination to maintain safety of all in attendance including maintaining social distance recommendations, cleaning procedures, and PPE needs. Another main reason the department needs to schedule appointments is to ensure all doses available for that clinic are utilized, the department does not overbook the clinic, and it allows the department to follow the required storage and handling for the vaccine. We want to set the realistic expectations of what the general public can expect as they get ready to receive their vaccine, said Dr. Joshua Meyerson, Medical Director. This process is not going to happen immediately, and we need residents to be patient as we continue to vaccinate those in the first priority groups. Phase 1B will begin shortly and we will start with those at the top of our list. First and foremost, our goal is to safely administer this critical vaccine to our community residents. We thank you for your patience as we plan through all of the complexities of changing guidance and limited vaccine allocations. As of 4 pm, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is reporting: Total COVID-19 cases in the following counties: Benzie 742, Leelanau 716 Active COVID-19 cases in the following counties: Benzie 151, Leelanau 173 Recovered COVID-19 cases in the following counties: Benzie 563, Leelanau 534 Confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the following counties: Benzie 28, Leelanau 9 Hospitalized: 99 total; 5 current The State of Michigan has reported 523,618 cases and 13,401 deaths. Visit the COVID-19 Data Dashboard at www.bldhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19 for the latest local information including recovered data and contact tracing. Additional and updated information can be found at www.bldhd.org and Facebook or by calling (231) 882-2197. People with COVID-19 related questions can fill out a quick survey and email questions to hotline@bldhd.org. Alexandria Flanigan, a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, is the new Miss Alabama USA. Flanigan, who competed as Miss Cullman, was crowned Sunday night during a ceremony at the Auburn Hotel Grand Ballroom in Auburn. Shell move on to compete in the Miss USA pageant later this year. Flanigan was one of 26 women vying for the title of Miss Alabama USA 2021. She competed in interview, swimsuit and evening gown segments on Saturday, and moved on to the Saturday finals. Kelly Hutchinson, Miss Alabama USA 2020, crowned her successor on Sunday. This is my first pageant ever, a victorious Flanigan said in an Instagram video posted by pageant producer RPM Productions. The pageant was streamed online via PageantsLive. Flanigan, the daughter of Renee and Jeff Flanigan, was born in Birmingham, and raised in Cullman, according to a website for Miss Cullman USA 2021. Shes in the pre-law program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, majoring in philosophy and minoring in political science. Flanigan, the pre-law honor society treasurer, also is involved in the university chapter of the NAACP. Shes an advocacy ambassador for Filter of Hope, an organization that helps poor families get filters for clean drinking water. Flanigan plans to attend law school, focusing on corporate and securities law. Shes also done some modeling, as evidenced by photos on the website for Talent Tribe Management, a company that focuses on career-building for models and actors. The Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant also was held this weekend at the Auburn Hotel Grand Ballroom. Dailyn Swann, who competed as Miss Sherling Lake Teen USA, won that competition, besting 40 other contestants. Swann is a graduate of Greenville High School. Shell move on to compete for Miss Teen USA 2021. HP has adapted 2018s consumer-oriented Spectre Folio into a business-class device, the new Elite Folio, which features the same leather-wrapped 2-in-1 design, but has swapped Intels Core chip for a Qualcomm Snapdragonand swiped the pen design from the Microsoft Surface Pro X. HP has thus transitioned the 13.5-inch Elite Folio laptop from a statement PC to one designed more for practicality. Though the Snapdragon 8cx lineup has suffered somewhat in terms of performance, theres no question that it can offer massive battery lifeand though HP didnt specify the exact size of the battery, executives claimed that it can offer up to 24.5 hours of local video playback, in a laptop weighing just 2.85 pounds. HP HP's Elite Folio can work in a traditional laptop mode... The pen design marks the second major improvement. Tablet makers have struggled with pen design for years, from including a pen loopas the Spectre Folio didto the pen holsters Samsung prefers. Microsofts Surface Pro X (and the Dell Inspiron 7000 2-in-1) introduced a third option: placing a flat, rechargeable pen into a narrow cubby that could be hidden under the display. The Elite Folio adopts that design, and allows you to instantly launch an app (such as the Windows Whiteboard app, presumably) when the pen is removed from its cubby. HP hasnt said how long the Elite Folios AES pen will last, though since it recharges every time you put it back into its cubby, that duration may be academic. HP ...or pushed forward into what HP refers to as "media mode," where all but the touchscreen is obscured. It's a laptop! It's a tablet! Though the Elite Folio isnt actually a tablet, it manages to transition between a traditional clamshell form factor, pulling forward into what HP refers to as media mode. The latter leaves the touchpad exposed, allowing you to still interact with the touchpad or the 10-poingt 13.5-inch touchscreen, protected with Gorilla Glass 5. You can see how it all works, in our interaction with the previous Spectre Folio, below. (Our Spectre Folio review adds more insight.) Youll find a few other interesting touches within the Elite Folio, too: of note is the optional HP Privacy Screen, which uses reflective technology to essentially black out the screen when viewed at an oblique angle and protect prying eyes from seeing what youre working on. The Elite Folios keyboard is spill-resistant, too. The Elite Folio has not two but four Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers, which should promise a solid audio experience; and theres 5G support, too, compliments of the integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon x55 modem. Otherwise, the specs are practical: HP doesnt offer anything more than a basic 1080p resolution, 16GB of LPDDR4X memory, and up to 512GB of M.2. NVME SSD storage. HP The SIM card tray actually slides into the end of the pen cubby. Oh, and does the Elite Folio still maintain that luxurious leather look? Well, sort of. Instead of leather, HP chose to use vegan leather instead. Thats code for 100 percent poly vinyl. Heres what we know of the HP Elite Folios specs. Note that the processor isnt the only thing thats changed within the basic Folio design; connectivity options have improved, too, from 802.11ac to 802.11ax, and from Bluetooth 4.2 to Bluetooth LE 5.0. The webcam, too is also Windows Hello certified, with a mechanical privacy shutter. HP An overview of the Elite Folio's keyboard and pen cubby. What we dont know is what the HP Elite Folio will cost. Were told HP will provide that information around February, when it will ship the Elite Folio in North America. Display: 13.5-inch (1920x1080) touch 13.5-inch (1920x1080) touch Processor: Qualcomm 8cx Gen 2 Qualcomm 8cx Gen 2 Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno Qualcomm Adreno Memory: up to 16GB LPDDR4x up to 16GB LPDDR4x Storage: up to 512GB M.2. NVME SSD up to 512GB M.2. NVME SSD Ports: 2 USB-C 3.2, 1 nanoSIM, 3.5mm jack 2 USB-C 3.2, 1 nanoSIM, 3.5mm jack Camera: HD (Windows Hello) HD (Windows Hello) Battery: undefined, though with 24.5 hours of video playbck undefined, though with 24.5 hours of video playbck Wireless: WiFi 5 (802.11ax, 2x2 MIMO), BluetoothLE 5.0 WiFi 5 (802.11ax, 2x2 MIMO), BluetoothLE 5.0 Operating system: Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro Dimensions (inches): 11.7in x 9.0in x 0.63in. (15.95mm) 11.7in x 9.0in x 0.63in. (15.95mm) Weight: 2.85lbs 2.85lbs Color: Shadow Black ISTANBUL Turkeys Competition Board launched an antitrust investigation into Facebook and its popular messaging service WhatsApp Monday after the application updated its privacy policies and raised concerns among local users, many of whom sought alternative messaging services over the weekend. In a statement, the Competition Board ruled that WhatsApps new usage requirements, which will allow the app to share more data with Facebook starting Feb. 8, should be suspended until the investigation is completed. The board stated it would assess whether the policy change violated Turkish competition laws designed to prevent companies from abusing positions of market dominance. WhatsApp, which has over 2 billion users worldwide, issued a policy update last week in which users must agree to share their phone numbers and location data with its parent company Facebook for marketing purposes or lose access to the messaging service. Yaman Akdeniz, a law professor at Istanbul Bilgi University and a founder of the Freedom of Expression Association, said Facebook would have to comply with the boards suspension request. They are forcing the users to accept a dubious amendment that involves sharing and matching your personal data from WhatsApp with other Facebook companies, Akdeniz told Al-Monitor. The threat is that if you do not accept the changes, then you cannot use the service any longer after Feb. 8. This is at the very least blackmail and not acceptable." Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp at Facebook, responded to such criticism in a Twitter thread Saturday, stating the messaging service would continue to provide end-to-end encryption on private communications. Instead, Cathcart said the updated terms reflected new online shopping and payment features on WhatsApp designed to facilitate customer to business communications. It's important for us to be clear this update describes business communication and does not change WhatsApps data sharing practices with Facebook, Cathcart said in a tweet. It does not impact how people communicate privately with friends or family wherever they are in the world. Though some digital media experts noted WhatsApp has shared users data with Facebook since 2016 unless they chose to opt out, the new terms sparked backlash among Turkish officials and citizens. Social media hashtags such as #WhatsAppSiliyoruz ("We are deleting WhatsApp") trended over the weekend in Turkey. Over the same period, downloads surged for competing services such as Signal and Telegram, prompting the latter to post celebratory memes on Twitter. Meanwhile, Turkish Presidential Digital Transformation Office head Ali Taha Koc urged citizens to switch to Turkish-made messaging apps, such as BiP and Dedi. Citing disparities in WhatsApps data collection terms for European users and those applied to the rest of the world, Koc said Turkish citizens should stand against digital fascism and remove the app from their devices. We need to protect our digital data with local and national software and develop them in line with our needs, Koc said in a tweet, adding in another tweet that BiP and Dedi had more to offer than foreign messaging services. In the last three days, 4.6 million new users joined the BiP app, according to a statement Monday by its parent company Turkcell, the nations largest cellphone operator. In June 2020, the Turkey Wealth Fund took a majority stake in Turkcell. Prior to the latest developments, BiP had been downloaded 53 million times and had 10 million active monthly users. Over the weekend, several state ministries and offices announced they would begin using BiP instead of WhatsApp. Among them was the Presidential Communications Directorate, which on Jan. 10 said it would use the Turkish app to communicate with journalists. Amid the mass move to BiP, which saw Turkcell stocks rise as much as 3%, digital rights activists have raised concerns over the privacy policies offered by the messaging app, noting its user terms were not necessarily more secure than those offered by WhatsApp. BiP doesnt use end-to-end encryption, which gives them the power to collect users chat data along with their phone number, contact list and location, Isik Mater, research director at Turkey Blocks, a nonprofit organization that tracks online censorship, told Al-Monitor. Mater added she had seen many false rumors regarding the WhatsApp policy update, including misguided fears the app would have access to personal bank account information among other user data. She also noted that many Turkish users, like others around the globe, felt betrayed by the new user terms. At the same time, Mater said mistrust of alternative messaging apps runs high in Turkey, particularly after a 2016 coup attempt resulted in mass arrests in which suspects use of a clandestine messaging app often served as evidence for membership of the group behind the putsch. As a result, there is a sense that theres nowhere to go, which will likely fuel marketing and investment in domestic alternatives like BiP in the coming days, Mater concluded. Tamil Nadu: Following arrests, fishermen plan protest January 11,2021 | Source: The Hindu Fishermen associations in Ramanathapuram have announced that they will go on strike from Monday and have passed three resolutions at a meeting in support of the nine fishermen, from Thangachimadam and Rameswam, reportedly arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for crossing the IMBL in the early hours of Sunday. According to sources in the Fisheries Department, 517 mechanised boats had obtained tokens from Rameswaram and ventured into the sea on Saturday, and over 2,000 fishermen from Rameswaram, Thangachimadam, Mandapam and other hamlets had gone for fishing in them. In a mechanised boat owned by A. Kirubai, son of Abaranam, of Manthope, Thangachimadam, nine fishermen, including Kirubai, 37; Valan Koushik, 24; Micheyaas, 30; Kingston, 28; Sam Stiller, 21; Nijaan, 30, and Brighton, 22, were sailing. They were arrested, said P. Sesu Raja, a fishermens association leader, adding that the Navy nabbed them while they were fishing in the Indian waters, closer to Katchatheevu. He said according to information reaching here, the arrested fishermen were taken to a camp in Kankesanthurai. Speaking to The Hindu, a senior official in the Fisheries Department, Chennai, said a total of 36 fishermen, in four mechanised boats from Rameswaram, had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, in less than a month. With Saturdays arrest, 45 fishermen and five boats have been taken by the Sri Lanakn authorities. When asked about a report that the Sri Lankan government had released seven of the 36 fishermen, he said they were yet to be handed over, as they were all quarantined in a camp due to COVID-19. Resolution passed Fishermen leaders, in a resolution passed at the meeting, condemned the Sri Lankan government for repeatedly arresting the fishermen, who, they claimed, were fishing only in the Indian territory. They insisted that both the Central and State governments should to consider their demands, immediately, and take steps for the release of the arrested fishermen. Until then, they have announced that they would remain off the sea. At a time when the pandemic has driven them poorer, such arrests, under the guise of crossing the IMBL, have only forced them to consider giving up fishing, Mr. Raja said. China sales rise 20% QoQ and 19% YoY Jaguar Land Rover marked the end of 2020 with a second successive quarter-on-quarter recovery in sales, despite the continuing impact of Covid-19. Retail sales for the quarter ending 31 December 2020 were 128,469 vehicles, 13.1% higher than the 113,569 vehicles sold in the preceding quarter, but down 9.0% on the same period last year. China sales were particularly encouraging, up 20.2% on the prior quarter and 19.1% year-on-year. Retail sales in most other regions also continued to recover and were up significantly on the prior quarter in North America (+31.7%), Overseas (+26.6%) and Europe (+20.5%). However, sales in these regions have not yet recovered to pre-Covid levels with sales for the quarter lower than a year ago in North America (-17.2%), Overseas (-20.0%), Europe (-16.3%) and the UK (-8.9%). The sales ramp-up of the new Land Rover Defender saw retails rising to 16,286 vehicles in the October to December quarter, up 66.0% on the preceding quarter with sales of the shorter wheelbase Defender 90 having started. For Jaguar, retail sales of the multi award-winning all-electric I-PACE were up 69.3% year-on-year with 7,807 sold in the quarter, as demand for electric vehicles continues to grow. For the calendar year 2020, Jaguar Land Rover retail sales were 425,974, down 23.6% on 2019, reflecting the industry impact of Covid-19 particularly in the first half of the year when plants were shut down for more than two months. However, the company has since seen sales increase quarter-on-quarter by over 53% in the quarter ended 30 September, followed by the 13.1% increase in the most recent quarter. In response to strengthening global demand, Jaguar Land Rover has continued to roll out its exciting new range of 21 Model Year vehicles, incorporating the very latest technologies. The company remains committed to its electrification strategy and has a growing portfolio of electrified Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and mild hybrid (MHEV) vehicles, as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and petrol engines, giving its customers even more choice. Following the significant expansion over the year, electrified options now extend to 12 models across the Jaguar and Land Rover portfolios, with PHEV available on 8 vehicle lines and MHEV on 11, as well as the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE. With sales of new electrified vehicles including the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque PHEVs ramping up through the October to December quarter, a total of 53% of the company's retail sales for the three-month period were electrified. This included 6.1% all-electric, 5.5% PHEV and 41.4% MHEV. This brings the share of electrification to 43.3% of the company's sales for 2020, with that figure poised for further growth in 2021 and beyond. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today announced it will be participating in the 2021 ICR Conference, which will be a virtual event this year. Bruce Thorn, President and CEO of Big Lots, Jonathan Ramsden, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, and Jack Pestello, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 which will be broadcast live beginning at approximately 9:30 AM Eastern Time. A webcast will be available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website at https://www.biglots.com/corporate/investors/. If you are unable to join the live webcast, an archive will be available at https://www.biglots.com/corporate/investors/ on January 13, and will remain available through midnight January 20, 2021. About Big Lots, Inc. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a neighborhood discount retailer operating 1,411 stores in 47 states, as well as a best-in-class ecommerce platform with expanded capabilities via BOPIS, curbside pickup, Instacart and PICKUP with same day delivery. The company's product assortment is focused on home essentials: Furniture, Seasonal, Soft Home, Food, Consumables, Hard Home, and Electronics, Toys & Accessories. Big Lots' mission is to help people Live BIG and Save Lots. The company strives to be the BIG difference for a better life by delivering unmatched value to customers through surprise and delight, being a "best place to work" culture for associates, rewarding shareholders with consistent growth and top-tier returns, as well as doing good in local communities. For more information about the company, visit www.biglots.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "approximate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Forward-looking statements that the company makes herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, developments related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, the inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on customers and the company, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the company makes on related subjects in public announcements and SEC filings. SOURCE Big Lots, Inc. Related Links http://www.biglots.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! Priyanka Chopra Jonas is every bit proud as Vogue Magazine honoured Americas next Vice President elect, Kamala Harris. The Democrat party Senator from California is the cover girl for Vogues February months issue. The 38-year-old actor posted the latest magazine cover on her Instagram handle on Sunday and wrote a heartfelt caption dedicated to Harris. Priyanka also mentioned that Harris tenure as Vice President comes right after the US witnessed unprecedented violence at the Capitol Hill building in Washington DC. She mentioned that it is promising that in just ten days, America will be led by a positive example of leadership. Mentioning all the intersections of feminism that the 56-year-old former attorney general of California represents, Priyanka said that the Vice President elect has become an icon for young girls. The actress mentioned that Harris, being both Indian and Black and a woman, will make young girls believe that they are also represented in the American leadership. Concluding her caption, Priyanka said that coming from India, which has had several female leaders, it is hard to believe that this will be the US first. But it surely will not be the last. Priyankas post has garnered over 5,05,852 likes. In her latest post, the actress shared her cover pictures for the Sunday Times Style magazine. Priyanka is seen exuding her chic style in the latest pictures as she wears a JW Anderson, Maison Margiela and Vashi creations in the cover pictures. Priyanka was last seen in Netflix original movie We Can Be Heroes that released in December 2020. She will next be seen in another Netflix movie, The White Tiger that also stars Rajkumar Rao, Adarsh Gourav and Mahesh Manjrekar. In another Instagram post, Priyanka shared a picture from the sets of her upcoming movie Text for You. The actress wrapped up the shooting for the movie in England. Text For You stars Sam Heughan and Priyanka in lead roles. Lin Wood on Thursday made death threats against Mike Pence Pence has suddenly become a figure of hate for Trump supporters after he refused the president's demand to block Wednesday's vote certification Wood, a pro-Trump lawyer, has been banned from Twitter since Wednesday when he said the riot at the Capitol was 'staged' by Antifa Wood switched to Parler and posted: 'Get the firing squads ready. Pence goes FIRST' The Secret Service has confirmed they are investigating A pro-Trump lawyer banned by Twitter is being investigated by the Secret Service for calling for Mike Pence to face the firing squad. Lin Wood, a Georgia-based conspiracy theorist and high-profile Trump supporter, had his Twitter account removed on Wednesday for a series of provocative tweets, including saying that the Capitol riot had been staged by Antifa. ADVERTISEMENT Wood then switched to Parler, the 'free speech platform', to continue his rant. 'Get the firing squad ready,' he posted. 'Pence goes FIRST.' Pence infuriated the president and his supporters by refusing to block the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory, and by telling Trump he did not have the constitutional power to overturn the election result. Lin Wood, a pro-Trump lawyer, is being investigated by the Secret Service for his threats Wood on Thursday posted that Pence should face the firing squad The vice-president, pictured on Thursday, enraged the president and his supporters by refusing Trump's demand that Pence halt the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory The message was deleted by Parler, the CEO, John Matze, confirmed to Mediaite. Yet Parler itself appeared likely to be shut down, after Apple and Amazon.com suspended the app from their services, saying the social networking service popular with many right-leaning social media users has not taken adequate measures to prevent the spread of posts inciting violence. Click here to resize this module The action by Apple and Amazon follows a similar move by Google on Friday. On Sunday the Secret Service confirmed they were investigating Wood for his tweet. 'We are aware of the comments and take all threats against our protectees seriously,' a Secret Service spokesman told Fox News. They are also investigating other individuals seen on a video inside the US Capitol telling: 'Hang Pence!' Pence was on Wednesday ushered into a secure section of the Capitol as the building was stormed. Trump did not get in touch with him, to check on his safety - something which reportedly left the vice president's aides furious. Trump and Pence have not spoken since Wednesday. Supporters of the president posed with a ceremonial noose, threatening to hang Pence Pence is said to be still considering whether to invoke the 25th Amendment, to remove Trump from office, but it is believed to be unlikely. ADVERTISEMENT Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has said that unless Pence moves ahead with the 25th Amendment on Monday she will proceed with impeaching Trump for the second time. Twitter stepped in to stop 'Hang Mike Pence' trending in the wake of the MAGA mob riot, after the phrase began trending on the platform in the early hours of Saturday morning. The social media giant permanently banned Trump on Friday night, citing risks of 'further incitement to violence'. A screenshot shows that of 1.26am, over 14,400 Twitter users had used the phrase. Twitter confirmed in a statement to Newsweek that it had moved to block the phrase because it violated rules on trending subjects. Twitter has been forced to step in and stop 'Hang Mike Pence' trending in the wake of the MAGA mob riot where Donald Trump supporters called for the Vice President's execution and strung up a noose outside the Capitol 'We blocked the phrase and other variations of it from trending. We want trends to promote healthy discussions on Twitter. This means that at times, we may prevent certain content from trending,' a spokesperson said. 'As per our Help Center, there are Rules for trends - if we identify accounts that violate these rules, we'll take enforcement action.' The phrase was no longer trending later in the day and it does not appear on the Twitter Trending USA site, which tracks trending topics. On Twitter's Help Center, it has a rule to prevent violent threats against individuals as well as the glorification of violence. The threatening phrase surfaced online in the wake of Wednesday's riot where Trump supporters - among them white supremacists, QAnon fanatics and Proud Boys - violently broke into the Capitol building in an attack that left five people dead. ADVERTISEMENT Horrifying footage from the scene of the siege shows a mob chanting 'Hang Mike Pence' as they stormed the building. A Reuters' photographer covering the riot also claimed he heard at least three Trump supporters speak about hanging the Vice President from a tree as a 'traitor'. Jim Bourg, the Reuters News Pictures Editor in DC, tweeted Friday that he heard 'many more' speak about executing Pence as they stormed the Capitol and tried to hunt him down. 'I heard at least 3 different rioters at the Capitol say that they hoped to find Vice President Mike Pence and execute him by hanging him from a Capitol Hill tree as a traitor,' Bourg said. London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jan, 2021 ) :Every adult in Britain will have been offered a coronavirus vaccination by the autumn, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Sunday, in the UK's biggest ever inoculation campaign. Hancock said public health officials are currently vaccinating 200,000 people daily, as they race to meet a target of inoculating 15 million of the most vulnerable by mid-February. The government is initially prioritising the elderly, their carers and health workers, but the health secretary insisted everybody eligible would be offered the jab this year. "We are going to have enough to offer the vaccine to everyone over the age of 18 by the autumn," Hancock told the BBC, adding it was vital to have started with the most vulnerable. British health regulators have so far approved two vaccines -- the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs -- which are already being administered. This week they also approved US firm Moderna's inoculation, and it will be rolled out from the spring. Jabs have mostly been administered at hospitals and doctors surgeries, but seven mass vaccination centres will open next week, with more in the pipeline, according to Hancock. "The rate-limiting factor at the moment is supply, but that's increasing," he told Sky news. "We're making significant progress, but there's still further expansion to go." The vaccination drive is ramping up as a coronavirus variant has pushed infections and deaths to unprecedented levels. - 'No clear strategy' - Britain on Saturday passed the grim milestone of three million cases during the pandemic, after the government announced another 59,937 new cases. It also recorded another 1,035 fatalities from the virus, taking the total death toll to 80,868, one of the highest in Europe alongside Italy. Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a third national lockdown for England at the start of the week, with similar levels of restrictions in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Medical chiefs across the UK are racing to boost treatment capacity as hospitals risked being overwhelmed, while the government has launched a fresh publicity drive urging people to stay at home. "Of course we are all tired of restrictions, but we must find the collective strength to get through this critical stage and save as many lives as we can," England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty wrote in the Sunday Times. However, some public health experts continue to criticise the government's pandemic response. "The UK has no clear strategy beyond reactive lockdowns whenever hospitals are under pressure," Devi Sridhar, head of global public health at Edinburgh University, told Times Radio. She urged ministers to learn from other countries, namely those in east Asia and the Pacific, which are "largely back to normal". Sridhar also cautioned against an overreliance on vaccines alone to end the restrictions. "It's not a strategy in and of itself and relying on it alone is highly, highly risky, especially with all the new variants and mutations. "We need to have a plan and the vaccine supports that plan." New Delhi: The illegal mining problem of Rajasthan is again in the news after a dumper carrying stones from an illegal mine ran over a police constable who was trying to stop it. 30-year-old Rajasthan police constable Lalaram had gone to an illegal mining site in Bhiwadi area of Alwar district where he spotted a truck carrying stones from the mining. He tried to stop the dumper but the driver did not stop and ran over him causing his death. He tried to stop the dumper, which was carrying stones from the mine, but the driver did not stop and crushed him," circle officer Bhiwadi Siddhant Sharma said. Police have arrested dumper owner, Tamim, and his brother, Wasim, who was driving the vehicle, Sharma said. Lalaram's body was kept at the mortuary in Bhiwadi from where it was handed over to his family after a postmortem. He was posted at the Chupanki police station in Alwar. Also Read: NGT directs MoEF to ensure no illegal mining takes place on river Gaula Illegal mining is an old issue of Rajasthan and according to a Central govt data of 2015, there were 2,339 illegal mines were operating against which only 72 court cases were filed. The cases of illegal mining are on the rise in Rajasthan under Raje govt despite Centre's guidelines for regular monitoring and setting up of task force at state and district level. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Iran has asked Interpol to issue "red notices" for the arrest of four individuals allegedly involved in the November killing of prominent Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, police spokesman Mehdi Hajian said Monday. "A request for red notice issuance has been filed with Interpol concerning four of the perpetrators of martyr Fakhrizadeh's assassination," Hajian said at a press conference, as quoted by Iran's ISNA agency. Fakhrizadeh, who headed the Iranian Defense Ministry's research and innovation center, was gunned down in the northern Iranian city of Absard on November 27. Iranian officials have previously accused Israel of being involved in the attack. Iranian lawmakers passed a bill in late November with the aim of revitalizing the country's nuclear activities in the wake of Fakhrizadeh's death. loading......... Vancouver, Jan 12, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report we speak with Jordan Trimble, CEO of Skyharbour Resources ( CVE:SYH ) ( OTCMKTS:SYHBF ) as the company reports an expanded high grade uranium resource at the East Maverick Zone of the Moore Uranium Project in Saskatchewan, Canada....along with an update on partner JVs and the uranium sector.To view the announcement, please visit:About Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Skyharbour Resources (CVE:SYH) (OTCMKTS:SYHBF) holds an extensive portfolio of uranium and thorium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with six drill-ready projects. In July 2016, Skyharbour acquired an option from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, to acquire 100% of the Moore Uranium Project which is located approximately 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced stage uranium exploration project with high grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone. Drill results have returned up to 6.0% U3O8 over 5.9 metres, including 20.8% U3O8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Skyharbour has signed option agreements with Orano Canada Inc. and Azincourt Energy whereby Orano and Azincourt can earn in up to 70% of specific segments of the Preston Project through a combined $9,800,000 in total exploration expenditures, as well as $1,700,000 in total cash payments and Azincourt shares. Preston is a large, geologically prospective property proximal to Fission Uranium's Triple R deposit as well as NexGen Energy's Arrow deposit. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Falcon Point Uranium Project which hosts a high-grade surface showing with up to 68% U3O8 in grab samples from a massive pitchblende vein, the source of which has yet to be discovered. The Company's 100% owned Mann Lake Uranium project on the east side of the Basin is strategically located adjacent to the Mann Lake Joint Venture operated by Cameco, where high-grade uranium mineralization has been identified. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. There was no revolution. There was no pro-Trump coup attempt. Everyone knows it. A couple of crackpots who pranked at the Capitol are now being called a revolution. As if that crazy, painted-face shaman with the buffalo-horn hat was leading -- what are they calling it? Ah yes, an insurrection. There was a call by millions of Americans for election integrity. It was met with shoot to kill behavior and then a great purge. It wasnt a revolution; it was more like an ambush. No one is asking who gave the shoot-to-kill order or who gave the order to invite protesters into the Capitol building. We do know that the January 6, 2021 Capitol protesters were invited in. See the video here. And here. What we do know is that there were scores of Trump rallies attended by hundreds of thousands of people, with not one incident. What we do know is our people are peaceful, respectful and law-abiding. What we do know is we are a subclass -- Untouchables -- who have been brutally punished at every turn, most especially this past year, by Democrat despots. We do know is that we witnessed months of insurrection -- burning cities, government buildings, streets, and even sometimes homes, and were told it was peaceful and necessary. That was insurrection. We watched Democrats take over the Hart Senate Building and State Capitol buildings and were told it was beautiful. On September 24, 2018, during the Kavanaugh hearings, NARAL tweeted: RIGHT NOW: Large crowd of activists & allies in black are occupying the Hart Senate building to make sure our lawmakers know we will NOT be silenced. We need our senators to step up to the plate -- Brett Kavanaughs nomination must be withdrawn. #StopKavanaugh #CancelKavanaugh And according to political consultant Mike Yoder, In 1983, Susan Rosenberg planted a bomb outside the US Senate chamber to assassinate Republican senators. House Judiciary Committee Chairman @RepJerryNadler got Pres. Clinton to pardon Susan Rosenberg. Shes now a board member of Black Lives Matter Network, Inc. We do know that all talk of the greatest election theft in history has utterly and absolutely ceased. There was no revolution. There was a call by the people for election integrity. It was, it must again be emphasized, met with shoot to kill behavior and then a great purge. Were all being terminated on social media. For years we warned for years as social media did this to conservatives with the courage of their convictions. The soft Right either ignored us or worse, quietly nodded in assent. The Garland, Texas free speech event we held in Texas in May 2015 was purely in defense of free speech. But we were painted as anti-Muslim, agitators, provocateurs, etc. Just as the young mother shot down in the Capitol in cold blood, we were told we had it coming. Overnight, the great purge began, and the CCP-Democrats havent even taken the reins of power yet. The Democrat totalitarians mean to impose one-party rule. They are criminalizing political dissent as domestic terrorism and mean to criminalize it in ways one can only imagine (leaf through non-PC history books). The biggest conservative voices have been exterminated on Twitter. President Trump, his son, General Mike Flynn, Sidney Powell, and a great many others have been banned from Twitter. Rush Limbaugh deleted his account in disgust. Hundreds of thousands of followers are being shaved from conservative accounts. Facebook is threatening to shut down my pages. Even Senator Josh Hawley was cancelled. Oblivious to the irony, Simon and Schuster killed the Missouri Republicans upcoming book, The Tyranny of Big Tech. I chose to leave Twitter. For years we were told, if you dont like it, build your own social media platform! And we did. Parler. But the totalitarians didnt think we actually would, so now Google and Apple have removed Parler for their platforms. But even that wasnt enough; now Amazon is disabling Parlers servers. The Chief Executive Officer of Mozilla, Mitchell Baker, said in a statement that the internet needs more than deplatforming and that change requires more than just the temporary silencing or permanent removal of bad actors from social media platforms. Again, remember: they don't have their grubby fingers on the levers of power yet. Patriots who attended the protest are being hunted down like dogs, fired from their jobs, shamed in the public square. Were there a couple of bad actors in the million-person march for America? Of course. But there were also agitators from Antifa. You'll read nothing of that, either. So why the desperate frenzy? They fear Trump. They fear us. But mostly because its an opportunity for totalitarians. It provides the context -- the optics -- to put down the people, as CNN and the rest of the Goebbelsesque media want to do. It is the Democrat version of the Reichstag fire. They will force us underground. We will communicate like Germanys White Rose Society (aka Leaflets of the Resistance). If you think I am exaggerating, look around. I was right about it all. The Great Purge is hardly new. It is used in all totalitarian seizures of power. Think Hitler, Stalin, Mao et al.... destroy the opposition. Crush dissent. For now, subscribe to news curators and information disseminators you trust. Stay away from the nuts. Subscribe to the Geller Report here. For the record, I support President Trump. The pile-on, especially from the right, is most foul. Trump saved the right, saved the Republican party, and he delivered in spades. Trump is the greatest President in modern history. But he is more than that. He is akin to a biblical figure -- Job. Pamela Geller is the President of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), publisher of The Geller Report and author of the bestselling book, FATWA: Hunted in America, as well as The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administrations War on America and Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. MAGE: Four-person project by Piqsels (CC0-public domain), edited by Andrea Widburg. An incident X-ray or electron pulse hits the sample, thus creating atomic vibrations. The response of the solid to the incident pulse is seen by the detector, an X-ray or electron camera. Credit: Aditya Prasad Roy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay Theoretical and experimental scientists have come together to watch solids vibrate. Atoms or molecules constitute everything around us. In many solids, like common salt or iron, they are neatly arranged as repeated structures, called 'crystal lattices.' The behavior of a solid to any external factor, like applied force, is determined by the collective behavior of the lattice, not individual atoms or molecules. Small vibrations of the constituents determine the collective response of the lattice. Instead of the individual constituents, it is this collective response that determines various natural phenomena, including how heat transports through solids and how materials change states between solids, liquids, and gases. In a new study, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have devised a theoretical method to predict variations of the lattice structure in response to external disturbances. This study, published in the journal npj Computational Materials, was partially funded by the IIT Bombay-Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (now Ministry of Education), Department of Atomic Energy, and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Scientists probe variations in the lattice structure, or its dynamics, by first creating an external disturbance on the structure and then observing how the disturbance changes with time. The disturbance is often induced by short flashes of laser light. "If you disturb a solid by flashes of laser, its atoms start vibrating," says Professor Gopal Dixit, one of the authors of the study. X-ray light or electrons can reveal the information about the position of the atoms and molecules in the lattice. Scientists bombard the solid with multiple X-ray or electron pulses at instances separated by a few femtoseconds that is, one thousand of a trillionth of a second. Thus, they can obtain images of the solid at these instances, which they stitch together to film the vibrating atoms. Such experiments are challenging to design, involving sophisticated instruments that are more expensive than standard laboratory microscopes and available in a few, rare facilities around the world. Only in the last decade have scientists been able to conduct such advanced experiments. On the other hand, studying the molecular arrangement of undisturbed solids is easier. For more than five decades, scientists have bombarded solids like silicon with X-ray or electrons beams and observed how this beam interacts with its lattice. "The response of the solid to the beam leaves specific imprints on the outgoing beam, revealing the atomic vibrations in the lattice," says Professor Dipanshu Bansal, another author of the study. An innovative mathematical technique first invented by Joseph Fourier, called "Fourier analysis," helps them in studying the small structures of the lattice in both space and time. In the current study, the researchers carried out mathematical calculations and demonstrated that one could use a similar technique to study solids subject to a temporary, external disturbance. They used an extended version of Fourier's method along with the laws of quantum physics. Additionally, they used the fundamental idea that time flows in one direction. These led them to calculate a mathematical quantity which determines how the lattice structure reacts to the external disturbance. Using this mathematical quantity, also called the "response function," the researchers predicted how solids would behave in time, down to a few femtoseconds, and space, down to fractions of a nanometre. Then, they calculated the response function from images available from experiments conducted over the last decade with lasers. This quantity, the researchers of the current study demonstrated, exactly matches the theoretical response function. Their calculation shows for the first time that there is no need to carry out the sophisticated experiments to study the dynamics of solids. There are other advantages. "Our proposed method does not require separate X-ray or electron pulses separated by fractions of picoseconds to study the dynamics. Instead, a single pulse is enough," asserts Professor Dixit. The calculations take only a few days on personal computers, whereas the experiments can take days to months. The study has also brought together theorists and experimentalists. "Our work is a real success of collaborative efforts," says Professor Bansal, an experimental scientist. "We needed the insight into the exact experimental conditions that were unexplained by theory, and theoretical physicists to rise to the task," adds Professor Dixit, who is a theorist. "Although there are challenges in conducting experiments, the theoretical calculations have no limitations," admits Professor Bansal, the experimentalist. The researchers assert that their method is applicable for solids in different environments like in a magnetic field, under external pressure, or high temperature. "This is not possible via even the most sophisticated microscopic experiments," says Professor Bansal. While it is not easy to estimate the response function from the limited data available in experiments, rapid technological advancements are making it easier to conduct investigations. The researchers are planning to put their theory to the test for these experiments too. Explore further Physicists observe competition between magnetic orders More information: Navdeep Rana et al. Four-dimensional imaging of lattice dynamics using ab-initio simulation, npj Computational Materials (2021). Navdeep Rana et al. Four-dimensional imaging of lattice dynamics using ab-initio simulation,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41524-020-00475-4 Provided by IIT Bombay 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 health workers who are among those first in line to receive a coronavirus vaccine are choosing to delay having a baby until more is known about any potential side effects during gestation, with the federal government yet to advise whether pregnant women should have the jab. Melbourne obstetrician Nisha Khot said there was little information she could offer to her patients about the vaccines, as pregnant women are typically excluded from clinical trials. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has called for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding to be included in the clinical evaluation of the COVID vaccination, with a view to making this available to that group of people when safety is assured. A range of unknowns and concerns have arisen over the coronavirus vaccine during pregnancy. While there have been no signs Australias vaccine candidates pose a danger to expectant mothers or their babies, the lack of information is of concern to some front-line staff who will be eligible to receive a jab in the first round of vaccination, due to begin in just a few weeks. Tilcon Connecticut recently donated $22,000 worth of food to local food pantries. Food pantries in Durham, Wallingford, New Britain and Newington will each receive $2,500 worth of food. Another $12,000 will be donated to food pantries in Plainville and North Branford. Tilcon supplies crushed stone, asphalt and concrete throughout the state. The donations were made possible by Tilcon employees, who worked together to collect the food. Employees at Tilcons North Branford location also donated almost $3,000 in Stop & Shop gift cards. At Tilcon Connecticut, we find the positives by helping others in need around our communities during this crisis. We are fortunate and enriched in more ways than I can say to do for others in such an unprecedented time, said Tilcon president Gary Wall. The company also contributed to the drive on behalf of its customers. Instead of sending out holiday baskets this year, Tilcon used the money to match what was collected by the employees. With the number of people in need of food, there has never been a better time to demonstrate the companys commitment to giving back to local communities where employees work and reside, said Tilcon commercial sales manager Bill Linehan. It's heartbreaking to see that people are struggling to obtain food, something so basic." nKorytnikova@record-journal.com203-317-2444Twitter: @n_korytnikova Kensington Twice Named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree Kensington, the worldwide leader of desktop computing and mobility solutions for IT, business, and home office professionals and The Professionals' Choice, today announced that it has been named a CES 2021 Innovations Awards Honoree for two products: StudioDock and UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Disinfection Compartment. The announcement was made ahead of the first-ever, all-digital CES 2021, the world's most influential technology event, happening Jan. 11-14, 2021. The CES (News - Alert) Innovation Awards program, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products across 28 product categories. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers and more, reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design. Kensington StudioDock is the ideal desktop solution for people who want to maximize their productivity and creativity while using their USB-C-based iPad Pro or iPad Air. The iPad magnetically attaches to StudioDock in portrait or landscape modes and allows the use of a wide range of accessories that can be connected via USB(Type-A and Type-C), HDMI 2.0 video and Gigabit Ethernet ports, 3.5mm audio jack and SD 4.0 card reader. In addition to charging the iPad, the StudioDock includes Qi wireless iPhone and AirPod charging, and an optional Apple (News - Alert) Watch charging accessory. Kensington UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Disinfection Compartment incorporates fully-contained UVC LEDs to safely, easily, and efficiently sanitize keyboards, mice, trackballs, cellphones, and other devices, by eliminating up to 99.9 percent of bacteria within 10 minutes. The spacious disinfection compartment accepts most full-sized keyboards and can be used to store desktop items to reduce desktop clutter. In addition, UVStand promotes healthy posture and optimal comfort, supporting one 34-inch monitor or two 24-inch monitors with a 40-pound weight capacity. "We are very excited that the CTA has recognized our new StudioDock and UVStand as being among this year's most innovative products," explained Louie Yao, Director of Global Product Management at Kensington. "The selection of these products validates the ongoing efforts of our incredible engineering and design teams to bring to market products that increase productivity, maximize efficiency and promote the health of computer and mobile device users in home and office environments." The CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. Additional honorees will be revealed during CES 2021 on Jan. 11, 2021. Resources StudioDock Landing Page UVStand Monitor Stand with UVC Disinfection Compartment Follow Kensington on: About Kensington Kensington is a leading provider of desktop and mobile device accessories, trusted by IT, educators, business, and home office professionals around the world for more than 35 years. Kensington strives to anticipate the needs and challenges of the ever-evolving workplace and craft professional-tier award-winning solutions for organizations committed to providing peak professionals the tools they need to thrive. The company prides itself as The Professionals' Choice, and on its core values surrounding design, quality, support, and sustainability. In office and mobile environments, Kensington's extensive portfolio of award-winning products provides trusted security, desktop productivity innovations, and ergonomic well-being. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Kensington is the inventor and worldwide leader in laptop security locks. Kensington is a division of ACCO Brands (NYSE: ACCO), one of the world's largest designers, marketers, and manufacturers of branded business, academic, and consumer products, sold in more than 100 countries across the globe. Kensington is a registered trademark of ACCO Brands. Kensington The Professionals' Choice, StudioDock and UVStand are trademarks of ACCO Brands. All other registered and unregistered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2021 Kensington Computer Products Group, a division of ACCO Brands. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005447/en/ America and the world would be foolish to embark on a vengeful hunt of Trump's legacy instead of dealing with the real danger to free speech: Big Tech, the new colonisers. In his 2001 movie, Taking Sides, Hungarian master filmmaker Istvan Szabo shows how tyrannies are often overthrown and replaced by other tyrannies. The film is set in Germany during Denazification after the Second World War. It tells the story of a petty and power-drunk US Army general out to indict legendary music composer Wilhelm Furtwangler for being complicit with the Nazi regime. Szabos message resonates in the United States of 2021. An irresponsible, whimsical, megalomaniac, divisive and loose cannon of a president has been dethroned in an election which he has since been claiming was a fraud. His claims as the mainstream media, authorities and even judges have rejected seem to be high on conjecture and low on facts. Some of his supporters were angry enough to storm the Capitol Hill in an unprecedented and dangerous lack of respect for rules. Five people, including 35-year-old Iraq war veteran Ashli Babbit, died in the clashes with the police. While Trump even in his message to pacify his supporters kept claiming without much evidence that the election was stolen, his opponents pounced on him, accusing him of inciting the Capitol riots. They, ironically like the president himself, leaned heavily on innuendo and extrapolation. It is still not proven that Trump had given his supporters a direct call for violence. But the hunt for Trump had begun. Big Tech struck first. Facebook and Twitter suspended his account permanently, displaying their immense power in silencing free speech. It also shows their spectacular hypocrisy in taking away Trumps megaphone while he is losing power but allowing Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan to carry on hatred and incitement against communities like Kurds and Hindus. Lie after lie of Chinese official handles and inflammable posts of Islamists from Ilhan Omar to Ayatollah Khomeini go uncensored as well. Google, Amazon and Apple have pulled the Parler app a growing platform that encourages the conservative voice off their stores. The Left has thrown away its sheep skin of tolerance and is not just demanding Trumps impeachment in his last days. Stooping to extraordinary pettiness, it wants Hollywood to delete the scene in Home Alone 2 in which Trump appears for a few seconds to guide the child inside a grand luxury hotel. In a nation that leads the rest of the world in free speech, the extent of witch hunt and banning is disturbing, even sinister. It is as if the Communist Party of China has hacked into the US' software. It has even got many Democrats and free speech activists worried. We understand the desire to permanently suspend him now, said Kate Ruane of the American Civil Liberties Union in a statement. But it should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield the unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions especially when political realities make those decisions easier. While rivals cheered when Trumps megaphone was snatched away from him, many Democrats realise that Big Tech has grown too big for its boots. It wields a scary amount of reach and power. It functions in opaque, iron-curtained algorithms that do not respect a nations laws. It is entirely possible for shadowy powers and networks to work their influence through Big Tech. A very controversial President is on his way out. But America and the world would be foolish to embark on a vengeful hunt of his legacy instead of dealing with the real danger to free speech: Big Tech, the new colonisers. Insurance companies performed well in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their shares have not attracted much attention from investors. Share prices of BVH decreased more than 4 percent despite an increase of 29.4 percent in the company's profit after taxes. (Photo: baoviet.com) There are 11 insurance firms listed in Vietnam's stock market with three companies on UPCOM. In 2020, Bao Minh Insurance Corporation (BMI) shares recorded a growth of nearly 22 percent, while Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) and BIDV Insurance Corporation (BIC) decreased by 4.3 percent and 9 percent respectively. In the third quarter of 2020, BMI reported revenue from premiums of 905.48 billion VND, an increase of 2.1 percent year-on-year, while profit before tax increased nearly 47 percent to 78.89 billion VND, according to third quarter financial results. In the first nine months of 2020, profit after taxes reached more than 158.4 billion VND, up 15 percent year-on-year. BVH and BIC also witnessed big returns during the same period. BVH earned 9,593 billion VND from premiums in the third quarter, up 6.2 percent year-on-year, while profit after tax up 29.4 percent to 473.31 billion VND. Similarly, BIC saw an increase of nearly 13 percent year-on-year to 697.3 billion VND in premiums revenue, with profit after tax of 755.9 billion VND, up nearly 21 percent. Data from the Ministry of Finance showed in the first eleven months of 2020, premiums revenue from insurance firms rose 16 percent year-on-year to 449.4 trillion VND. Of which, revenue from non-life insurance reached 54.2 trillion VND, and from life insurance 111.6 trillion VND. In 2020, total premiums revenue was expected to reach 182.7 trillion VND, up 15 percent year-on-year. The growth of the insurance market has been stable so far, but its size in the market is still small compared to its capability. Experts see further room for the market to expand. According to a report from Bao Viet Securities, Vietnam is among countries with the fastest growth in the insurance sector during the 2016 2020 period, on the back of diverse needs in social welfare and medical care, as well as rising insurance needs in retirement, especially in a health crisis like last year. Some companies, such as BVH, PVI Holdings (PVI) and Post-Telecommunication Joint Stock Insurance Corporation (PTI), have attracted more new customers than others. With potential in expanding activities in many areas and connecting to big financial organisations, the demand for capital among insurance providers will increase gradually. Focus on small companies Instead of big companies, investors sought more interests in small insurance firms such as Bao Long Insurance Corporation (BLI), Agriculture Bank Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (ABI), PTI or Petrolimex Insurance Corporation (PGI). In 2020, the price of small insurance companies' shares also rose sharply, such as BLI shares price increased nearly 49 percent, ABI rose 34.8 percent, PTI up 24.3 percent, and PGI up nearly 20 percent. However, the growth can not be compared to other sectors like banking which was up more than 100 percent, such as Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) which increased more than 153 percent. Since insurance is a part of the financial sector, it's market expectation is as high as banking or security, Nguyen Hong Khanh, head of analytics of Vietnam International Securities Joint Stock Company (VISE), told tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn. But the number of insurance stocks in the market is still low, so investors' attention is diverted to other sectors. While investors are still searching for new and promising investments, there is a possibility they will only focus on well-known insurance firms with a proven track record and high potential for growth./.VNS Despite of freezing cold weather in the northern part of Vietnam, four types of travels listed below could be ideal choices for short trips at the weekend. The year 2021 will see the big changes in travel trade, not only in the destination but also in the types of tourism that tourists will choose. There are four types of tourism would become trendy among Vietnamese and expat tourists this winter or even for the entire of 2021, according to the prediction of booking.com. Having an onsen bath Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh The type of relaxation that many tourists look for is onsen or hot spring bath. Originating in Japan, taking an onsen bath would bring back a delicate balance, helping to re-energize the body and mind of the travelers after a year full of fluctuations. Not only being a trend to relax in winter, onsen is also an ideal cure, which could be performed both outdoor or in private. This type of relaxation is great for groups of friends or families, especially for 71% of Vietnamese tourists on a survey conducted by Booking.com, who see travel after the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to connect the emotion between loved ones. Lets go trekking Trekking through the jungle or mountain is a great way to stay active and healthy during the cold winter months instead of staying at home watching TV or on the phone. Hiking not only brings great physical benefits such as strength, balance, flexibility and rapid warmth, but spending time outdoor can also help people to combat seasonal sadness syndrome" in the gloomy weather in the North. Fansipan moutain trekking. Photo: Viet Trekking Moreover, trekking is also a great opportunity to take photos of floating clouds and watch the starry sky shining on the mountain tops. Immersing yourself in the wild nature is an ideal way for spiritual relaxation. In recent years, Ta Nang-Phan Dung is the most beautiful trekking route in Vietnam. With a length of more than 50 km, Ta Nang - Phan Dung forest road spans through three provinces of Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan in the southern part of the nation and said to be always hiding miracles for those who love nature exploring. Beginners can also explore Lang Biang - the highest of the three mountain peaks in Dalat, stretching four kilometers across the pine forest. In the North, trekking tours to explore Bach Moc Luong Tu, Pu Ta Leng or Fansipan moutains are always interesting suggestions. Taking a trekking tour seems to be suitable for 57% Vietnamese travelers who have pledged to not take luxury travel for granted in the future. There is only 10% are now actually planning a luxury getaway (such as a villa, 5-star hotel), while 43% others plan a normal relaxing trip to get rid of the pandemic concerns, as Booking.com survey conducted. Getaway at the weekend with a campfire Winter get warmer when you are with friends. Photo: Da Lat Travel What is "not cold winter"? Getting around a campfire always brings a very interesting feeling. Furthermore, camping at the beach during the low season also offers an opportunity to enjoy the feeling of "getting out of the crowd" for discerning travelers. Having an outing at the weekend seems to be in ideal choice for travelers who wish for a short escape of the bustling city. Sixty-seven per cent of Vietnamese travelers want to take more shorter breaks in 2021. A further 38% also revealed their preference of a weekend breaks during the pandemic, showing travelers desires to be able to escape reality, even for just a few days. Food for thought Trying local specialties is a must when traveling around. Photo: Booking.com Travelers desire to explore the world has not diminished but traveling abroad is still being avoided by a majority of Vietnamese travelers (73%) even when travel restrictions are lifted. That is why local travel is the new way of exploring the world, with culinary delights being top of the list. And with taste buds at the ready, 53% of the travelers are keen to taste and indulge in local cuisine while traveling, with 45% wanting to eat out more often with the money saved from not travelling abroad. According to Anthony Lu, Regional Director, Vietnam at Booking.com, the effect of COVID-19 pandemic has evolved and will continue evolving the way people travel, impacting their choices and decisions in the near future. While travel in 2021 will be different, it is reassuring to see that Vietnamese are still optimistic about its possibilities and have found creative ways to fulfil their wanderlust despite the pandemic. The findings of the Booking.com research and emerging trip types are testament to the fact that travel is a vital part of people lives and when the best, and safest, possibilities permit, travelers will confidently take a step forward to chase their travel dreams once again. Hanoitimes Thuy Duong Unmissable experiences nationwide this winter There are an array of wonderful things to do for travelers this winter, with plenty of locations offering a relaxing break for those looking to spend time with their families. Hyundai Motor Group's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group By Nam Hyun-woo Hyundai Motor gave a rare confirmation that it was in "early stage talks" with Apple over a strategic partnership under which the Korean car manufacturer may assemble the Cupertino-based iPhone designer's forthcoming electric vehicles (EVs), but questions are being raised on the feasibility of the two companies' cooperation. This is because if the partnership actually happens, the Korean carmaker could give Apple the initiative in the EV industry and end up being a mere "contractor." Apple was moving forward with its "Titan projects," calling for the company to develop self-driving EVs. Hyundai confirmed media reports on the matter, but issued a separate statement without any specific mention of Apple. Rather, it said it was in talks with "multiple companies" over self-driving EVs. Unsurprisingly, the news heavily boosted the share prices of the company and its affiliates as a flurry of overseas media reports described Hyundai as a good match for the tentatively named iCar, but Hyundai is treating the possibility with extra caution while looking closer into the actual partnership. Though it is unknown how the partnership will look, some analysts are saying Hyundai will be in charge of hardware and Apple will provide software the business model seen in Apple's arrangements with Samsung and TSMC. Hyundai and its affiliate Kia Motors have plants in the U.S., each capable of producing 370,000 and 340,000 vehicles a year respectively. In addition to these U.S. plants, Hyundai Motor Group has manufacturing bases all around the globe, giving it a competitive advantage in terms of on-time global distribution. The company's EV supply chain is also makes it a favorable partnership for Apple. As Apple normally asks its key suppliers to operate "Apple-only" manufacturing lines just as Samsung Display and LG Display do, it's been thought Apple may ask Hyundai to operate designated manufacturing lines assigned to manufacture only Apple vehicles strictly based on designs provided by it. Or else, the two firms could create a joint venture somewhere in the United States. "Hyundai Motor is capable of producing nearly 7 million vehicles a year and has its own EV platform, the E-GMP. The automotive group's status is being recognized as an attractive partner too," Hana Financial Investment analyst Song Sun-jae said. Not only Song but also other industry officials have suggested the company's E-GMP platform is one of the key factors enticing Apple. Carmakers have been relying on platforms in producing cars, as they allow multiple models to be assembled on the same basis. Through this, carmakers are able to save costs. When it comes to EVs, however, not many carmakers have original EV platforms, thus multiple brands are sharing a limited number. For example, Ford will use Volkswagen's MEB platform, and Honda will use General Motors' BEV3 platform for its new EVs. Because of this, having an EV platform is considered the next cash source for carmakers. When Hyundai Motor unveiled the E-GMP in December, its president and head of R&D, Albert Biermann, said a number of companies have already contacted Hyundai over using E-GMP. If a Hyundai-Apple EV is assembled using the E-GMP, however, questions are remaining whether Hyundai will end up being a contractor or original design manufacturer (ODM) for Apple, and in this case, how Hyundai EVs can distinguish themselves from Apple-branded cars. "We have to think whether Apple is considering an electric autonomous driving system or a self-driving EV as an end product," IBK Securities analyst Lee Sang-hyun said. "Apple has been pursuing end-products in its businesses, and it is highly likely be the case in its automotive business, so that the company can set up its own ecosystem." In this case, industry officials said Hyundai's role in the partnership may end up being an ODM for Apple, like Foxconn assembling devices for Apple. This could help Hyundai bulk up its annual volume in the global EV market. This would be a contrasting scenario with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun's earlier plan to take the leadership in the global EV market. From the Ioniq EV series debuting this year, the company plans to roll out 23 EVs by 2025. "There seems to be no reason for Hyundai to turn down partnership with Apple, but at the same time, there could be risks for Hyundai-branded EVs being cannibalized by Apple cars," an industry official said on condition of anonymity. "To distinguish its vehicles from Apple cars, there has to be something else that can only be found in Hyundai's self-driving EVs." Connecticuts U.S. senators said Monday they believe violent threats against the federal government will persist, raising particular concerns about President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration next week and pressing for investigations into the security collapse that led to a siege of the Capitol. I think you have to assume that this insurgency against the federal government is going to continue into 2021 and there will be many other moments when the White House or the Capitol complex will be at risk, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said at the state Capitol in Hartford. Congressional leaders are now speaking with federal officials to amp up security around the inauguration on Jan. 20. The National Guard said Wednesday it will increase troops in Washington D.C. to at least 10,000 by Saturday to boost security ahead of the inauguration four days later. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said people should beware what may happen on Jan. 20 because domestic terrorism is a growing threat in this country. An FBI bulletin issued Sunday, obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media, said various groups planned armed demonstrations in Washington D.C. and all 50 state capitals in the days leading up to and including the inauguration. Multiple reports indicate various threats to harm President-elect Biden ahead of the presidential inauguration, the memo says. Additional reports indicate threats against VP-Elect Harris and Speaker Pelosi. Murphy, who has spoken with Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and the outgoing Capitol Police chief about the attack last week, said it was clear that approval was needed from too many people before the National Guard could be deployed to the U.S. Capitol. That delayed the Guards arrival by several hours and left the Capitol Police defending without much back-up. The approval process involved the Capitol Police chief, the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms, Washington D.C. mayor and top Department of Defense officials. Murphy said he hopes to simplify the required chain of approval before the inauguration, so one person will be in charge. He and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., asked the Pentagon Monday to speed up future deployments of armed forces to the Capitol. You have to be much more worried about the upcoming activities and whether they are going to be heavily armed, Murphy said. One of our fears is law enforcement will get outgunned. RELATED: Himes, DeLauro were in House chamber breached by Trump mob Many members of Congress are furious about the breach of the Capitol Wednesday, which forced lawmakers into lockdown and left five people dead after President Donald Trump encouraged thousands of his supporters to march on the Capitol. Democrats plan to impeach Trump for inciting violence against the government and some Republicans support the idea too. All members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation back a second impeachment for Trump something which would be a first for any U.S. president. Members of Congress are also investigating how the U.S. Capitol was left so exposed when clear evidence pointed to the possibility of violence before the attack Wednesday. House Appropriations Chair, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, announced last week that her committee, which funds the Capitol Police, will review law enforcements response and hold hearings to question officials about it. We recognize the bravery of the Capitol Police and law enforcement officers who protected members and essential workers in the Capitol Complex, DeLauro said. At the same time, it is obvious that there was a severe systemic failure in securing the buildings perimeter and in the response once the building was breached. Murphy, a ranking member on the Senate subcommittee that funds the Capitol Police has also promised an investigation. Blumenthal, by contrast, advocated for an independent commission to look into the issue, like the 9/11 Commission after the attacks in 2001. The U.S. Capitol Police has primary responsibility for security of the Capitol complex. On Wednesday, 1,400 Capitol Police officers were on duty to respond to 8,000 Trump supporters descending on the Capitol, the Washington Post reported. They were overrun in 15 minutes. In a press conference Monday, Murphy challenged an account Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund gave to the Washington Post about how he pleaded for back-up help two days before the breach of the Capitol, but was rebuffed by the sergeants-at-arms for the House and Senate. Murphy said he spoke to the outgoing Sund last week on Wednesday night and Thursday, and Sund did not say he wanted back up from the National Guard either time they spoke. I was surprised to see his comments today, Murphy said. Members of the National Guard did eventually provide reinforcement at the Capitol, as did local police, Park Police and Federal Bureau of Investigations officers. emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Texas elections made history in 2020. From drive-thru to late night voting, Texas has made strides in the voting process. IMPROVING VOTING: This Houstonian is making voting better in Harris County But it doesn't stop at voting. While we've dealt with plenty of lawmakers challenging the validity of the 2020 presidential election over the last few months, here in Texas we can choose our public officials in a much easier way: with ping pong balls. Dickinson, a suburb about 30 miles southeast of Houston with a population of a little over 21,000, decided to settle a tie between mayoral candidates Sean Skipworth and Jennifer Lawrence with a random draw of ping-pong balls, each signed by one of the candidates from a top hat. While choosing a winner via ping-pong balls seems like a flaw in our government system, it actually falls in accordance with Texas law. The law permits ties to be resolved by the casting of lots, or a game of chance according to The New York Times' Michael Levenson. In the bid for mayor, the town of Dickinson had an exact tie, and each candidate received 1,010 votes. This isn't the first time such a tie has happened in Texas either. In 2012, a draw between two candidates in the running for a City Council seat in Wolfforth, Texas, was decided with the flip of a 1974 Eisenhower silver dollar. Dickinsons current mayor, Julie Masters, officiated the drawing. She enlisted the help of the mayor of Friendswood, Mike Foreman, to be an unbiased ball-picker." Skipworth was named the lucky winner at Dickinson City Hall. While excited about his win, Skipworth had skepticism about placing the fate of Dickinson's democracy in Ping-Pong balls. It was really exciting, but its a horrible way to resolve an election, Skipworth told The New York Times. Its always better to have people decide elections, not random chance. Newly-elected Mayor Skipworth now has plans in the future to amend the city charter to allow for additional runoffs instead of random drawings for ties in governmental elections. In other words, youll tune in to that live feed from Scotland and actually see digital replicas of the rest of the audience in the same single shot, as controlled from Glasgow. And when Silven wants to use an audience volunteer, which is the cornerstone of his show, he thus can pull them from his own walls, which is probably about as close as it is possible to get right now to asking someone in the orchestra section to come on up to the stage. India will certainly achieve the dream of $5 trillion economy, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, adding that the ongoing pandemic has slowed down the pace of economy. "Reforms have been done in many sectors including the pharma, infrastructure and space sectors during COVID-19. The pandemic may slow down the speed to realise the dream of becoming a $5 trillion economy but we will certainly achieve it," Shah said. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches The Union Minister was speaking during the launch of the 'Single Window Clearance System', an online platform to obtain clearances for smooth operationalisation of coal mines. He said the coal sector of the country needed transparency and utilisation of its full potential and under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government the much-needed push was given to the sector. "The coal sector of the country needed transparency and utilisation of its maximum potential. Looking at the coal sector from a distance, there used to be a feeling that the contribution of the coal sector to the country's economy is not getting even a third of its contribution. There were many hurdles, but policy changes started from the time the government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, which gave momentum to the sector," Shah said. He explained that removing inconsistency in the coal sector and bringing transparency was the aim of PM Modi. Union Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi was also present on the occasion. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. How those assets are designated for charitable purposes is important to be sure they are distributed as desired. Giving to favorite causes, churches, colleges, or other charitable organizations is very meaningful to many. Including charitable giving in an estate plan helps assure that chosen causes or institutions continue to benefit when the grantor passes on or becomes incapacitated and the San Luis Obispo estate planning attorneys at Toews Law Group, Inc. have recently announced their strategies for including charitable giving in estate plans. Strategies for including charitable giving in an estate plan include: Setting up a private foundation with the mission to provide charitable assistance to specific causes, organizations or institutions Establishing a trust that holds assets to benefit the charitable causes, including gift annuities. California law requires a separate trust for gift annuities Identifying specific assets, or proceeds from the sale of certain assets, be donated to favorite organizations and institutions Any asset specified in an estate plan can be designated for the benefit of favored causes and institutions. Assets include cash, retirement accounts, insurance policies, all or portions of a stock portfolio, real estate, collections of value such as art, antiques, jewelry, and more. How those assets are designated for charitable purposes is important to be sure they are distributed as desired. For example, the best way to gift a retirement account is usually to list the charitable organization as a beneficiary. However, there is always the possibility of complications when retirement account beneficiaries include relatives as well as charitable organizations. The experienced San Luis Obispo estate planning attorneys at Toews Law Group, Inc. can advise about the best strategies designating a charitable organization as beneficiary of a retirement plan. Before deciding how and what to give, it is important to consider all of the implications so that the estate continue to benefit the grantor while still alive and that all beneficiaries, including charitable institutions benefit in the best way possible. Implications to an estate plan can include: Personal, estate and beneficiary tax benefits Future benefits for charities that may be best served through a private foundation Reducing the chance of challenges to a will Reducing the chances of any part of the estate going into probate The San Luis Obispo estate planning attorneys at Toews Law Group, Inc. can review a current estate plan, help inventory assets, identify those to bequest as charitable giving and help make sure all wishes are met. Toews Law Group, Inc. 1212 Marsh Street, Suite 3 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 781-3645 France has detected 180 active clusters of the pathogenic H5N8 bird flu virus since November 2020, Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie told France Bleu broadcaster on Monday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2021) France has detected 180 active clusters of the pathogenic H5N8 bird flu virus since November 2020, Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie told France Bleu broadcaster on Monday. Last week, Denormandie announced the acceleration of mass culling of infected poultry in the country's southwest, which is known for duck-breeding and foie gras production, in a bid to contain the epidemic that has rocked the area since late 2020. "[To date], there are six proven outbreaks in the Gers [southwestern French department], and 180 in France," Denormandie said. He also reiterated the necessity of the preventive culling of ducks within a five-kilometer zone around infected farms to curb the virus. Affected farmers are expected to be compensated for the measure. The first case of the major virus strain was reported by the French Agriculture Ministry in Haute-Corse (Upper Corsica) in mid-November 2020. Avian influenza, which is not transmissible to humans, has been circulating in different parts of Europe since then. WhatsApp has started rolling out a new terms of service contract to global users. Its simple message: sign off on all the data we are asking, or sign out, which is hardly an option for nearly half the Indian population addicted to the encrypted messaging platform. To many, the threat seems stark. But that is only because WhatsApp has so far allowed users the option to not share their data with Facebook. Such indulgence if one could call it is hardly the industry norm. Most set all-or-nothing terms, and we are used to signing off on the terms for software services ranging from Gmail to Microsoft Office with barely a thought. With websites, consent has become slightly more nuanced since the European Unions GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) came into force in 2018. So, some websites offer users a range of data-sharing options. In reality, it is meaningless because online users have no time, inclination or understanding to read the fine print. This is why the onus is on regulators to protect users from one-sided, and often arbitrary, contracts. Global regulators have lagged in waking up to the threat from large tech and in building consensus. They are likely being outfoxed, too. Indian regulators, in particular, have been extremely tardy. We still dont have a data privacy law, with Coronavirus adding to the delay. But the draft Bill being evaluated by a parliamentary panel has not considered any curbs on use of cross-platform data such as Facebooks access to data across its eponymous social network, Instagram and WhatsApp, or the kind Google aggregates across search, mail and a zillion other things. In more regulated Europe, some individual countries, and in some cases courts, have sought to limit Facebooks cross-platform data-sharing but policymakers have not put anything in law that prevents Facebook from aggregating the data across its social networks. Only recently, European regulators explored curbs on that practice when reviewing Googles proposed acquisition of Fitbit, a maker of wearable fitness monitors. For the price of signing off, European regulators sought and received a commitment from the Internet giant to not use Fitbit users data for any advertising for a period of two years. That decision may have prompted Facebook to exempt WhatsApp users in the EU and United Kingdom from the new data-sharing terms, and deter any regulatory retaliation. The truth is, Facebook remains several steps ahead of regulators. It has often done this by saying one thing, and doing quite another. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has been quite the master of deflection. For example, when privacy heat grew, he wrote a 3,237-word post, outlining his vision of a privacy-focused world. But then he began tweaking WhatsApps branding, adding a Facebook logo into it, and went about integrating the three messaging platforms WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. WhatsApps recent amendment of its terms of service likely has come about for two reasons. One is the sweeping privacy change Apple is introducing next month, requiring all apps to disclose far greater details about data collection. Early reports detailing WhatsApps data gathering are mind-blowing and likely far ahead of other tech giants. Zuckerberg fought a losing battle with Apple with full-page ads in leading American dailies denouncing the privacy changes. But he likely decided to bite the bullet and win user consent for WhatsApps data guzzling policies. The second reason is monetisation of the free messaging platform. WhatsApp already has business users and a payments platform. But commercialisation is at a nascent stage and progress has been slow maybe deliberately so, to not draw needless attention from regulators and critics. A WhatsApp spokesperson who declined to speak on the record told Ars Technica the recent change is part of a previously disclosed initiative to allow businesses to store and manage WhatsApp chats using Facebook's infrastructure. In effect, the change is primarily to feed the user data to businesses, and drive revenue. Users, of course, have the option to not engage with any businesses on the platform or even block businesses from chats. Consequently, the spin offered by WhatsApp is that ordinary users will be unimpacted by the new terms of service. For all the flutter about the new terms of service, it could quickly be back to business as usual on WhatsApp until regulators step in. According to a national report, undergraduate enrollment has seen a sharp decline across the country with data showing how different demographics have been affected. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported on Oct. 22 that community colleges showed a 9.5% drop in enrollment across the country during fall 2020. They also showed a drop in every student demographic but one. In Texas, they recorded a 7.1% decrease in the number of undergraduates at public two-year colleges and 1% for four-year public universities. According to Laredo College Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Federico Solis Jr., following a record-setting enrollment period in 2019, the fall 2020 semester did see a lower enrollment count, but not as drastic as it may be in other colleges across the country. With over 10,000 students last year, the fall 2020 enrollment landed at approximately 9,500, which Solis said was admirable considering the pandemic. The drop in enrollment is believed to be caused by several dual credit and workforce credit courses being dropped by local school districts, Solis said. Since the courses would have expected students to be transported using buses from their campus to the college, the courses were ultimately dropped. The estimated number students who were expected to participate in the dropped courses was around 570, which would have continued the record for enrollment, Solis said. Overall, approximately 43% of LC students are part of the dual enrollment program, with the rest making up traditional and workforce students. Plans for the 2021 semesters are continuing, but like most other plans in the pandemic, they are tentative. However, Solis said that most classes, current and planned, will continue to be online. With the Wintermester showing favorable numbers and being around the corner, Solis hopes it is a good representation of improvements to enrollment for spring. The one demographic Surprisingly, while undergraduate enrollment rates suffer, the NSCRC stated that graduate program enrollment for the semester have increased, in some cases dramatically, since 2019. According to their data, four-year public universities saw a 2% increase across the nation, with private-for-profit four-year universities seeing a 7.4% increase compared to a 0.4% decrease in 2019. Despite bachelors degree students seeing a decrease of slightly over 1%, masters, doctorates and certificate programs all saw a decent increase, specifically certificates, which rose from 0.8% to 5%. TAMIU stated that of their total enrollment of over 8,500 students, 1,440 of them were enrolled in the graduate school, an increase of 16% over previous years. Weve seen a 300% growth in Information Systems, 55% in our Online MBA and 12% in our Online Criminal Justice program, said Jennifer Coronado, TAMIU Graduate School dean. Some of that has been driven by students telling us that the pandemic had them working from home and having more time to enroll in online graduate programs. Some said they had been laid off and enrolled to increase their market value for future job prospects. We continue to have a strong core of students who are educators, and they saw this as a chance to enroll in graduate programs that will help them ascend into administrative positions. She added that while the semester ended Nov. 25, more programs are currently in development for the following semesters. These programs are said to have been transitioned to an online-only format which attracts students to them. We transitioned our MS in Information Systems and our MS in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in special education, Coronado said. We also added some popular new specializations to the MSCI in educational technology especially relevant as teachers use of technology has dramatically increased and in educational leadership. Our nursing programs Masters in Family Nurse Practitioner continues to expand in importance to nurses looking to advance their career. christian.ocampo@lmtonline.com Sorry! This content is not available in your region A China Daily newspaper box is with other free daily papers in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 6, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times) Rep. Hinson Urges Pelosi to Halt Distribution of Chinese Communist Propaganda Paper A member of the House of Representatives recently urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to stop the distribution of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda newspaper. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) said in a letter (pdf) to Pelosi that she received a copy of the paper to her official office in the Longworth House Office Building, despite neither she nor her staff requesting it. This dangerous propaganda is owned, paid for, and written by the CCP, Hinson wrote. I am appalled that this could happen. I write to insist you use the control you have as Speaker of the House of Representatives to stop the CCP from distributing its state-run publication within our hallowed halls. This offensive garbage should not be automatically distributed to Congressional offices at the cost of American taxpayers. China Daily is designated as a foreign mission, which identifies it as a propaganda organ of the CCP. Its also registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. That registration prevents its employees from having access to congressional press galleries, but the paper found a loophole to get access to members of Congress. How can we expect the American people to trust that Congress will take on the Chinese Communist Party when its dangerous propaganda is being delivered right to our doorstep? I wrote to the speaker immediately and asked her to address this issue, Hinson told the Washington Free Beacon, which obtained the letter. Then-Republican candidate for Iowas First Congressional District Ashley Hinson speaks to supporters at Jimmy Zs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 3, 2020. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette via AP) Pelosis office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times. China Daily, which is headquartered in Beijing, is owned by the Publicity Department, an internal division of the Chinese Communist Party. China Daily is disseminated to millions of Americans outside of Congress through inserts in major newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Foreign Policy. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) has previously pushed for China Daily to not be distributed to members of Congress. What people dont know is that every morning, we receive a packet of journals and newspapers, and, while that is very helpful to me as a policymaker, the China Daily being included on an almost-daily basis in that packet is a dangerous precedent, Banks told The Epoch Times last year. Not just because its a propaganda rag, but because of who owns it and how its paid for, and for that to show up on the doorstep of every member of Congress, to be distributed to every member of Congress team, and oftentimes to be lying around for constituents visiting offices to read, which is what most of these newspapers end up doing, is almost an endorsement of them as a legitimate news source, which they are not. A House officer said the packet is distributed by a company called the National News Agency, which is based in Maryland. Dave Gasperetti, National News vice president for public relations, initially denied in an interview that China Daily is among the publications his company distributes to congressional offices, then said, What we deliver is proprietary, and I dont have to tell you. Mark Tapscott contributed to this report. In late 2019, Russia revealed the results of its investigation into corruption that crippled efforts to complete construction of the new Vostochny space center (Cosmodrome). The aftershocks of that report are still being felt. The arrests and prosecutions for related corruption continue as does the replacement of senior officials for not being able to do the job. The most recent firing took place in November 2020 when Andrei Okhlopkov, the head of TsENKI (Center for Operation of Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities), was removed for failure to make much progress in fixing the problems with the still (after a decade) unfinished Vostochny launch center. Okhlopkov had only held the job since mid-2018, when he replaced a man who had also failed to deal with the Vostochny mess. At the same time Okhlopkov was dismissed so was Evgeny Rogoza, who was in charge of Vostochny. Also dismissed, and arrested for corruption, was Roman Bobkov, who, since early 2019, headed the government-owned construction company building Vostochny. Bobkov was accused of fraud and bribing a Defense Ministry inspector to not report the fraud and misconduct still present at Vostochny. President Putin recently interviewed the senior officials of the space program and those responsible for new construction and pointed out that it should be clear by now that anyone involved with space program operations, especially construction of the new Vostochny facility, should remember that over 70 space program officials have been convicted for corruption so far, and that will continue until they and their subordinates realize that continued corruption and mismanagement will be discovered and punished. What Putin found incredible was that even with the dozens of dismissals and corruption prosecutions that resulted from the 2019 investigation, many replacement officials kept making stealing and deceiving and getting caught. Construction of Vostochny has been underway for a decade and is still not finished. Costs have risen as a result and are now over five billion dollars. The corruption uncovered so far involved dozens of officials stealing nearly $200 million. About a third of that was recovered before it could disappear into offshore bank accounts or investments. New regulations have been enacted to make it more difficult for officials to set up offshore bank accounts or invest personal funds outside Russia. These investigations and prosecutions have been underway since 2014 and since then nearly 20,000 violations have been uncovered. Many of these were due to incompetence or sloppy managements. Too many of these violations were criminal in nature, involving theft or misuse of government funds. The Russian space program is run by Roscosmos, a state-owned corporation that has a budget of nearly three billion dollars a year and provides employment for about 250,000 people, including the many contractors employed. Russian officials have noted that the United States gets by with about 30 percent as many people. More importantly Roscosmos has not been able to offer competitive pay to attract and retain qualified personnel. Since 1992, when the post-Cold War version of Roscosmos was created, personnel quality has kept declining and the average age of personnel has risen. The end of the Soviet Union meant the end of a state-run economy. Russia as a whole prospered once people could work for whoever could offer them the best pay and professional opportunities. Roscosmos was seen as an employer of last resort for scientific and engineering personnel and those who manage that kind of work. Most of the damage at major projects like Vostochny was the result of incompetence but a lot of the poor work was deliberate. That was often the case when the use of substandard materials was involved. This occurred with a new launch pad and the defective concrete that had to be laboriously removed and replaced with concrete capable of handling large rocket launches. Another major source of corruption involved payroll, as in reporting more workers working more hours that was actually the case. Procurement was another profitable area for the corrupt as items that did not exist or were substandard were paid for rather than what was needed. The government auditors admitted that a lot of the problem was the result of Russia still keeping details of such projects secret. Many of the scams would have been obvious if, as in the West, financial details of construction were public, and available for anyone to examine, records. Classified (secret) projects are always more prone to corruption or incompetence that goes undetected longer because few people are monitoring how the money is spent. Vostochny is for commercial, not military, launches and keeping construction details secret does not encourage potential foreign customers. Vostochny will only be profitable if there are a lot of foreign customers. The government wanted to make Vostochny a project demonstrating how the Russian space program is making a comeback. Instead, Vostochny is turning out to be a reminder that not much has changed in Russia. There have been some successes at Vostochny. In early 2016 the first satellite launch at Vostochny went off without a problem. A Soyuz rocket put three civilian satellites into orbit. The second launch took place in late 2017 and failed. The third launch, in early 2018 was a success. Another launch in late 2018 was a success as was one in early 2019. However, that is only five launches in five years. A second, larger, launchpad is under construction and by 2020 nearly half of Russian satellite launches were supposed to be carried out at Vostochny. That did not happen. This new Cosmodrome is in the Russian Far East (Amur Province, just north of Manchuria), unlike the Soviet era site in what is now the independent state of Kazakhstan. Construction of the Amur site began in 2010 as Russia realized Kazakhstan was becoming a very difficult landlord. Construction of Vostochny initially moved quickly because the site used to be Svobodny 18, an ICBM base that was shut down in 1993 as part of the START disarmament treaty. Svobodny 18 was not completely abandoned in the 1990s or allowed to fall apart. Amur Province was ultimately selected because of weather; the area averaged only 50-60 overcast days a year, had a dry climate and calm winds. There was also an absence of earthquakes. Construction went according to schedule as the first launches were planned to begin in 2016. This was made possible by the government acting quickly when the first signs of corruption surfaced. Three construction executives were arrested for corruption and many others threatened. Construction continues, mainly to build equipment and facilities for handling heavier cargoes, including supplies and components for space stations. In 2018 there were signs that the corruption arrests had not eliminated corruption and that a lot of it was still going on undetected. Until the release of the 2019 report, it was unclear how extensive the corruption was and how much damage it was doing to the construction effort. While Vostochny will get Russian commercial launches, military launches will largely remain at Plesetsk, near the Arctic Circle. While Plesetsk's location is good for some types of launches, like high inclination, polar, and highly elliptical orbits, the place is frozen most of the year and more expensive to operate because of the climate. In 2013 Russia agreed to remain in Baikonur after the Kazakh government agreed to reduce its demands for higher rent. Russia had threatened to cut launches at Balkinor from 75 percent of the Russian total to ten percent by 2020. Kazakhstan originally demanded a lot more money and threatened to shut down Balkinor if the Russians did not pay it. At the time Russia paid Kazakhstan $115 million a year for the use of Balkinor, in addition to the $50 million a year spent to maintain the facility. Many Kazakhs saw Balkinor as an ATM and anytime there was a cash shortage, they could make a withdrawal and the Russians would be forced to pay. The Russians convinced the Kazakhs that plans to leave Balkinor were real. It was pointed out that Balkinor was where the commercial satellites were launched and Russia sold these launch services to a growing list of foreign customers. If Russia paid the higher fees the Kazakhs were demanding the foreign customers would have to pay more than what other competitors charged and Russia would have to abandon Balkinor as uneconomical. Russia can turn Baikonur into a big cash cow via commercial launches but the Kazakhs were not convinced until of Vostochny began and moved ahead with unusual speed. The Kazakhs agreed to more reasonable rent and, for the moment, Russia's largest satellite launch site is still in Kazakhstan. When Vostochny is fully operational the Kazakhs have to pay more attention to being a good landlord. Founded in 1955 by the Soviet Union, Baikonur was long the main satellite launch facility for the Russians. But after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Baikonur found itself in the newly minted Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan. There it became more expensive and difficult for the Russians to use. Russia has leased the Baikonur complex from Kazakhstan since 1991 but this has led to periodic disputes over lease terms and the danger to locals from launch accidents. These disputes were settled but the costs kept rising. The Russians valued the Baikonur launch site as it is very efficient for some types of launches; geostationary, lunar, planetary, and ocean surveillance missions, as well as all manned missions. But having your main launch site in a foreign country was seen as untenable. Russia began building a replacement site to the east, in Russian territory. Its manned space programs did not get moved Vostochny by 2020. That means Russia cannot yet abandon Baikonur. This is not a disaster because the current lease lasts until 2050. If the Russians leave, they will take or destroy all their gear with them. No point in leaving anything to help a competitor launch satellites. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. New Delhi: Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operations commander was on Friday convicted and sentenced for 15 years by a Pakistani court in a terror-financing case. The US has welcomed the conviction of Lakhvi on terror financing charges but called for action against him for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The US state departments Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said on Twitter, We are encouraged by the recent conviction of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. However, his crimes go far beyond financing terrorism." It further added, Pakistan should further hold him accountable for his involvement in terrorist attacks, including Mumbai attacks." India had termed the conviction as a farcical action made with an eye on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In an official statement, MEA said, UN proscribed entities and designated terrorists act as proxies for Pakistani establishment to fulfil its anti-India agenda. Its for the international community to hold Pakistan to account and ensure that it takes credible action against terror groups, terror infrastructure and terrorists."Lakhvi was arrested soon after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 when 10 heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan created mayhem in the city, killing 166 people and injuring over 300 others. Also Read: Trump orders US flag at half-mast in respect of fallen Capitol officers Cotton University team from Assam wins online Regional Red Ribbon Quiz Competition JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, M. Stanley to delist some Hong Kong products after US ban A Virginia town suspended officials who attended Washington events that led to the Capitol riot. Two off-duty officers attended a rally that led to the violent Capitol riot On Wednesday, two off-duty officers from the Rocky Mount Police Department were at the "event" in an apparent reference to a rally by the MAGA group that turned violent. According to the Washington Times, the Virginia town of Rocky Mount stated on Sunday. "The Town of Rocky Mount fully supports all lawful expressions of freedom of speech and assembly by its employees but does not condone the unlawful acts that occurred that day," it said. It added that the Rocky Mount Police Department put the two officers on administrative leave. They notified the federal officials that two officers attended the events. An angry and violent mob of rioters overpowered police and rampaged through the Capitol Wednesday. Five people, including a Trump supporter and a Capitol Police Officer, died in the chaos. James Ervin, town manager, did not respond to an email asking for further information regarding the town's officers acting in Washington or entering the Capitol during the riot. The Rocky Mount Police Department's non-emergency phone line remained unanswered and did not immediately respond to an email request for added details. Also Read: West Virginia Delegate Faces Federal Charges for Being Involved in the Capitol Riot Virginia officers claim they did not do anything wrong However, one of two Virginia officers, which have been put on an administrative level for attending "events" that lead to the Capitol riot, reportedly said he did not do anything wrong or illegal. Newsweek via MSN reported a photo circulates on social media and local news portals showing Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson; both Rocky Mount police officers posed together inside Capitol Hill. Later, the police officer department released a statement saying two of its officials "are [resent in a Washington D.C. event" on January 6 and were on administrative leave. The authorities did not mention the officers' identity, and Newsweek contacted the force for comment. On Wednesday, swathes of Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill and are now being arrested or outed. Robertson first appeared to share the now-deleted photo. Robertson was seen pointing at Fracker, who holds up his middle finger to the camera while standing in front of John Stark's statue. 10News shared another image showing Robertson's post of the image with the caption: "The Left and CNN are mad because we attacked the government who is the problem and not some random small business." Robertson told Richmond Times-Dispatch that he and Fracker did nothing illegal and that he had nothing to hide. The paper said that Robertson and Fracker put on paid leave, and the photo was initially sent to other employees in the police department only. However, it leaked to social media when Robertson reposted it on his Facebook page. Also Read: Washington DC Airports Tighten Security Following Suggestions to Ban Rioters From Flying @ 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. FP Trending Apple Inc recently revealed that they have plans of entering the automotive world with a fully-electric car. Following the revelation, Hyundai Motor Group reportedly disclosed that it is in talks with the Cupertino giant to produce its first EV. Hyundai Motor and Apple Inc will apparently sign a partnership deal for self-driving car as early as March, and start production by 2024 in the US, according to a report by Korea IT News. Another report by the Financial Times reported that Hyundai is in talks with a variety of global carmakers, thus playing down its certainty over the potential partnership. After dropping a hint about being in conversation with Apple, Hyundai later tried to rectify its comments stating that they are getting requests for potential co-operation from various companies about autonomous electric vehicles. According to news agency Reuters, before Hyundai amended their comments, had said that the companies planned to build the cars at Kia Motors' factory in Georgia, or invest jointly in a new factory in the United States to produce 1,00,000 vehicles by around 2024. The full annual capacity of the proposed plant would be 4 lakh vehicles. Hyundai too recently reported about Hyundai Motor Group's aim to lead the EV movement and introduced an all-new dedicated EV platform that will underpin a range of upcoming Hyundai, Kia as well as Genesis EVs. Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2021 shows the Chinese national flag and the police flag hanging on helicopters in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China is steadily advancing the efforts to build a peaceful China and the rule of law under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the latest instruction to raise the levels of the Peaceful China initiative and the rule of law in China on eve of the first Chinese People's Police Day, which falls on Sunday. He called on all police officers to take concrete actions to make new greater contributions to safeguarding people's happiness, national security and social stability. The call followed another instruction Xi made last November, urging a greater focus on solving prominent problems, as well as efforts to make the implementation of the Peaceful China initiative more scientific and raise its levels of public participation, rule of law and intelligence. Xi's guidance has powered the initiative through the past eight years with a series of positive results. Overall, China is considered one of the safest countries in the world by more and more people. The number of criminal cases involving the deaths of individuals per 100,000 people in China is among the lowest in the world. About 95.55 percent of the Chinese people are satisfied with the current status of public order. By the end of November 2020, police had busted more than 3,500 mafia-style criminal organizations over three years. Special policewomen pose for photos at a shooting training gym in Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Golog, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Jan. 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) Xi's latest instruction was heeded by members of the police and judiciary, who pledged efforts to consolidate the Peaceful China initiative and the rule of law in China. Sun Andong, a police officer from Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, said that being careful and patient is crucial for primary-level police officers to better handle disputes. "In the new year, I will continue to work hard and make new contributions," Sun added. Li Peng, a judicial police officer of the Supreme People's Court, vowed to start from details to let the public have a stronger feeling of warmth and justice of the law throughout judicial process. The people's court will fully play its role in punishing crimes, resolving conflicts and maintaining justice, said Liu Li, a Beijing district court official. Efforts will be made to better deal with disputes and defuse risks in accordance with laws, as well as press ahead with campaigns to fight organized crime, Liu added. Deng Yong, a senior official from southwest China's Sichuan Province in charge of judicial, procuratorial and police work, said that they will comprehensively implement Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and strive to meet people's new demands and expectations of fairness and justice. Deng also said sustained efforts will be made to create a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment. Peniya exposes the tip of the iceberg of the problem By Chula Goonasekera View(s): View(s): Health sector ministers promoting spurious syrups (S-R-D Peniyas) is a rare exposure of the direct consequence of politicisation and undermining of science by the politicians. COVID-19 has a natural death rate of 4% whether you treat or not. What Peniya is trying to do is it to give it to 100 people and claim benefit for curing or preventing 96 from dying. Science does exactly the opposite. Science wants to see clear evidence of any intervention that would prevent or curtail the four deaths. The recent sacking of members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is another tip of the iceberg consequence of attempts at politicization. The SLMCs function is completely apolitical and its core duty is to ensure that the medical profession is disciplined to maintain the benchmarks and standards not just of academia or competence but also the behaviour. The ultimate tool it uses to regulate is the registration to practice medicine in Sri Lanka. The SLMC is expected to ensure that training programmes are fit for purpose and that criminals posing as doctors will have no access to patients. What politicians want to do is to bring politics into this and create a pathway for their stooges to jump the queues or access facilities in demand at the expense of another citizens right. To do that they need a handle, at least to be able to threaten the doctors who do not comply with the erasure of their registration to practice. If they succeed, a day will come where the politicians decide who should not be given access to services such as intensive care or cardiac services. That would be the day of the demise of professionalism in our medical practice. If the people are happy to be tolerant of these practices, not just in medicine but also in other professional services that need to maintain quality and discipline independently, that would be the beginning of the end of the pearl of this Indian ocean. (The writer is a medical academic) Mexico City, Jan 11 : Mexican authorities have confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus variant as the country's caseload and fatality toll continues to increase unabated. On Sunday, Secretary of Health of Tamaulipas Gloria Molina Gamboa said that the 56-year-old patient was identified when he arrived from Mexico City on December 29, 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. The official called for implementing "extreme" precautions and strengthening preventive measures against the disease such as the use of face masks, frequent hand washing, and staying home when possible, as it has been confirmed that the variant is more contagious than the original strain. The B.1.1.7 variant that the patient carries appeared for the first time in Britain late last year. All passengers and crew from the patient's flight were tested, though no other test came out positive. Mexico reported 10,003 new cases with 502 more fatalities on Sunday, according to Health Ministry data. The country's overall caseload and death toll currently stood at 1,534,039 and 133,706, respectively. Mexico's Covid-19 caseload now ranks the fourth among Latin American countries, following Brazil, Colombia and Argentina in order, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University. The death toll is the fourth highest in the world, after the US, Brazil and India. The Mount Hot Pools will be closing their doors for scheduled maintenance and an upgrade to their external facade in late January. The upgrade will align the external appearance of the facility with its reputation as a high-quality Mount Maunganui destination. The new facade will include illuminated signage to increase visibility, seating for passing visitors, a Pou and a segment of palisade fencing to acknowledge the cultural significance of the land on which the facility resides. The pools will be closed from January 25 for 10 weeks. Bay Venues Ltd, the caretaker of the Mount Hot Pools, have been in discussions with mana whenua to co-design aspects of it. Bay Venues is also using the time to undertake scheduled maintenance to the facility. February and March are the quietest months at the Mount Hot Pools says Bay Venues interim CEO Justine Brennan. While its a busy time for The Mount, we find most visitors and locals head to the beach rather than soak in the hot pools in hot weather, so our patronage over this time is over 40 per cent less than the winter months. Its the perfect time to close our doors to undertake the facade update, along with essential maintenance work on this outdoor facility that ensures we are ready for our busy winter months. The Mount Hot Pools will re-open in time for the busy Easter and April school holiday period. The length of the closure will allow for important remedial and maintenance work to the facility as part of the pools three to four yearly aquatic closure schedule. Maintenance work includes resurfacing of the childrens pool, a new shade sail over a seated section of the active pool, and planned maintenance to the plant room, pool and bore pump and pools themselves, which requires the operating system of the facility to be off and the pools to be emptied for an extended period. Underground pipes will also be replaced following the discovery of leaks which has led to water loss and could result in colder pools in winter due to complying with geothermal bore pool heating resource consent thresholds. Its essential we close for 10 weeks to undertake the plant room and bore pump maintenance, as well as remedy the pipe leaks which have resulted due to incorrect substrate being laid underneath the pipes pre-Bay Venues ownership. says Justine. We are the kaitiaki of this facility and though the length of the closure may attract some criticism, its in the best interest of the facility and future visitors that we undertake these works now to mitigate the risk of unplanned outages and potentially cold pools in winter. The Mount Hot Pools project will allow us to continue providing a high level of customer service to the Tauranga community and visitors to the region. Sheehan died of complications from Parkinson's disease, said his daughter, Catherine Sheehan Bruno. His account of the Vietnam War, ``A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam,'' took him 15 years to write. The 1988 book won the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction. Sheehan served as a war correspondent for United Press International and then the Times in the early days of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War in the 1960s. It was there that he developed a fascination with what he would call ``our first war in vain'' where ``people were dying for nothing.'' As a national writer for the Times based in Washington, Sheehan was the first to obtain the Pentagon Papers, a massive history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam ordered up by the Defense Department. Daniel Ellsberg, a former consultant to the Defense Department who had previously leaked Vietnam-related documents to Sheehan, had allowed the reporter to see them. The Times' reports, which began in June 1971, exposed widespread government deception about U.S. prospects for victory. Soon, The Washington Post also began publishing stories about the Pentagon Papers. The documents looked in excruciating detail at the decisions and strategies of the war. And they told how involvement was built up steadily by political leaders and top military brass who were overconfident about U.S. prospects and deceptive about the accomplishments against the North Vietnamese. Sheehan revealed in a 2015 interview with the Times, which first appeared Thursday because Sheehan asked that it not be published until after his death, that Ellsberg did not give him the Pentagon Papers as is widely believed. He had actually deceived his source and taken them after Ellsberg told him he could look at the papers but not have them. Made ``really quite angry'' by what the papers revealed, Sheehan made up his mind ``that this material is never again going in a government safe.'' Sheehan smuggled the documents out of the Massachusetts apartment where Ellsberg had stashed them, and illicitly copied thousands of pages and took them to the Times. Ellsberg would be blindsided when excerpts of the papers were published verbatim. But Sheehan said he feared that Ellsberg's recklessness would ruin the project. ``You had to do what I did,'' Sheehan said. ``I had decided: `This guy is just impossible. You can't leave it in his hands. It's too important and it's too dangerous.''' Soon after the initial stories were published, the Nixon administration got an injunction arguing national security was at stake, and publication was stopped. The action started a heated debate about the First Amendment that quickly moved up to the Supreme Court. On June 30, 1971, the court ruled 6-3 in favor of allowing publication, and the Times and The Washington Post resumed publishing their stories. The coverage won the Times the Pulitzer Prize for public service. The Nixon administration tried to discredit Ellsberg after the documents' release. Some of President Richard Nixon's aides orchestrated a break-in at the Beverly Hills office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist to find information that would discredit him. When Sheehan and Ellsberg bumped into each other in Manhattan in 1971, Ellsberg accused Sheehan of stealing the papers, just as he had. ``No, Dan, I didn't steal it,'' Sheehan remembered saying in the interview published Thursday. ``And neither did you. Those papers are the property of the people of the United States. They paid for them with their national treasure and the blood of their sons, and they have a right to it.''' For leaking the Pentagon Papers, Ellsberg was charged with theft, conspiracy and violations of the Espionage Act, but his case ended in a mistrial when evidence surfaced about government-ordered wiretappings and break-ins. After the publication of the Pentagon Papers stories, Sheehan became increasingly interested in trying to capture the essence of the complex and contradictory war, so he set out to write a book. ``The desire I had is that this book will help people come to grips with this war,`` he said in a 1988 interview that aired on C-SPAN. ''Vietnam will be a war in vain only if we don't draw wisdom from it.'' At the center of his story, Sheehan put John Paul Vann, a charismatic lieutenant colonel in the Army who served as a senior adviser to South Vietnamese troops in the early 1960s, retired from the Army in frustration, then came back to Vietnam and rejoined the conflict as a civilian helping direct operations. Vann was convinced the U.S. could have won the war if it had made better decisions. To Sheehan, Vann personified the U.S. pride, the confident attitude and the fierce will to win the war _ qualities that clouded the judgment of some on whether the war was winnable. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, a Vietnam veteran, told an audience at a 2017 screening of a Vietnam documentary that he never understood the full extent of the anger against the war until he read ``A Bright Shining Lie,'' which showed him that all the way up the chain of command ``people were just putting in gobbledygook information, and lives were being lost based on those lies and those distortions,'' according to a New York Times account. Neil Sheehan was born Oct. 27, 1936, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and grew up on a dairy farm. He graduated from Harvard, and worked as an Army journalist before joining UPI. Peter Arnett, who worked for The Associated Press in Vietnam, recalled that working with the enthusiastic Sheehan and other reporters in Vietnam amid threats of censorship and physical abuse by government forces and other perils of warfare, drew the competitors together. ``Our fraught experiences bound us together in a unity of purpose, and gave rise to close friendships that lasted through our lives,'' Arnett said. After Sheehan left Vietnam, he worked for the Times in Washington as a Pentagon reporter and later at the White House, before leaving the paper to write his book. Early in the research for ``A Bright, Shining Lie,'' Sheehan was involved in a near head-on car crash that broke multiple bones and put him out of action for months, but writer friends urged him to continue his book project. He and his wife, Susan, a writer for The New Yorker who would later win a Pulitzer Prize, sometimes struggled to make enough money to pay the family's bills while he was working on the book. He combined fellowships with occasional advances from his publisher to get by. Once Sheehan launched into the project, the intense and driven writer found it dominated his life. ``I was less obsessed than I was trapped in it,'' he told The Harvard Crimson in 2008. ``I felt a great sense of being trapped.'' Sheehan wrote several other books about Vietnam, but none with the ambitious sweep of ``A Bright Shining Lie.'' He also wrote ``A Fiery Peace in a Cold War'' about the men who developed the intercontinental ballistic missile system. Neil and Susan Sheehan had two daughters, Catherine Bruno, and Maria Gregory Sheehan, both of Washington and two grandsons, Nicholas Sheehan Bruno, 13, and Andrew Phillip Bruno, 11. 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 NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. President Donald Trump plans to visit Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday. The trip to the Rio Grande Valley, intended to highlight his administration's work on the border wall, comes with just over a week left in Trump's presidency. "President Trump is expected to travel to Alamo, Texas, on Tuesday to mark the completion of more than 400 miles of border wall a promise made, promise kept and his Administrations efforts to reform our broken immigration system," White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said. READ ALSO: Trumps border wall falls short of his campaign promise but leaves behind a legacy The small town of Alamo was named after the famed mission 240 miles north in San Antonio. On social media, the planned trip drew comparisons to the November news conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia which led to speculation that Trump's campaign meant to book the luxury Four Seasons Hotel instead and Alamo Rent a Car jokes. Others thought the destination was much more intentional. "Trump's decision to travel to Alamo named after the San Antonio mission where a small group of Texans fighting for independence against the Mexican government were defeated after a 13-day siege served as a symbol of his defiance as he faces the most volatile end of any presidency in modern history," the Associated Press wrote. The Tuesday trip will mark Trump's 18th stop in Texas since he took office in 2017. Several of those, plus a 2015 campaign trip to Laredo, have been to the border. More than 400 miles of border wall have been completed during Trump's time in office. However, only 30 miles are in new areas, according to a Customs and Border Protection report obtained by the Express-News. Most of the construction has replaced older fencing and vehicle barriers, largely from the El Paso area west to California. The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alamo, was protected from border wall construction in 2019 after local protests. The man seen chasing a Black Capitol Police officer up the stairs during Wednesday's insurrection and riot is Doug Jensen, according to a CNN comparative analysis of his booking photo and posts on social media. Jensen is one of the individuals now facing federal charges. On a Twitter account bearing his name, Jensen twice identified himself in one of the pictures that was circulating online after the riot and insurrection. His neighbor in Des Moines, Iowa, also confirmed to CNN affiliate KCCI that the man in the photos was Jensen. Jensen -- dressed in a QAnon t-shirt -- is also seen in an Associated Press photo taken by photojournalist Manuel Balce Ceneta -- gesturing toward another Capitol Hill police officer. In the video captured by the Huffington Post's Igor Bobic, Jensen -- wearing the same QAnon t-shirt -- is seen chasing the unidentified officer with a mob of rioters following him. Once at the top of a set of stairs, the officer glances toward a doorway to his left that leads to the Senate floor and moves away from it and toward the camera, steering the mob away from the Senate floor. Jensen posted on Twitter on November 12 that he was 'ready for 4 more years' and 'will do whatever it takes.' Jensen, 41, was arrested for his involvement in a violent crowd breaking into the Capitol, according to the FBI and local authorities in Iowa. Local authorities were not called to assist with the arrest and FBI officials presented Jensen to Polk County Jail for processing on Saturday. He was booked into the jail at approximately 1 a.m. Central Time. According to the FBI and the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Jensen faces five federal charges -- of unlawfully entering the Capitol, disrupting government business, violent entry, parading in a Capitol building and blocking law enforcement during the riot. CNN also reached out to the Polk County Jail to try to contact a lawyer for Jensen, and they deferred to federal officials. No further information about Jensen's case was available at the time of publication from the Justice Department. KCCI went onto report that Jensen has since been let go from his job at Forrest & Associate Masonry. Company President and CEO Richard Felice told the station the company does not agree with Jensen's actions. DENVER, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors"), a national Registered Investment Adviser ("RIA"), today announced the acquisition of McGee Wealth Management, Inc. ("MWM"), a respected wealth management firm located in Portland, Oregon. MWM serves approximately 800 clients with assets under management ("AUM") of approximately $815 million. MWM was founded by Judith A. McGee, L.H.D., CFP, ChFC ("Judith") joined by her daughter D. Linette Dobbins, CFP ("Linette"), focusing on delivering comprehensive wealth management services to their high net worth (HNW) clients. MWM has four shareholders that include Judith, Linette, Jennifer Currin Gutridge, CFP ("Jennifer"), and Sarah Elise Berry, Vice President ("Sarah"). In all, fifteen (15) MWM team members will be joining the Mercer Advisors' team. The MWM transaction closed December 31, 2020. MWM is a woman led and founded RIA that has been an industry leader for decades. A multi-family office of financial experts providing industry leading financial guidance for their clients. Judith A. McGee, L.H.D., CFP, ChFC has been recognized among the nation's top wealth managers by leading industry publications. Among other recognitions, Judith was inducted into Research Magazine's Advisor Hall of Fame in 2015. Commenting on the transaction, Judith A. McGee, Founder, stated: "Throughout our history, McGee Wealth Management has been dedicated to making a positive, enduring difference in our clients' lives by employing our knowledge, experience, wisdom and passion for financial planning and wealth management. We serve our clients at the highest level and act as a generational advisor. Thus, in looking for a partner to discuss possible succession planning, finding one that shared our mission, vision and values was most important. After speaking with David Barton, Vice Chairman and head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Mercer Advisors, I knew we had found the right partner." Linette Dobbins, Co-Founder added, "I've worked closely with Dave Barton and the team over the last several months and they have guided us well through the sale and transition process. We couldn't be more excited about joining the Mercer Advisors' Team." David Barton, who led this transaction on behalf of Mercer Advisors, added: "Judith, Linette, Jennifer, and Sarah have built an exceptionally strong and growing business in a highly desirable and competitive market. McGee Wealth Management's reputation is beyond reproach and Judith is a recognized leader in a myriad of women's initiatives across the United States. Judith and Linette also realized they needed a succession plan, and they wanted scale and leverage to better compete. They were referred to me by an industry colleague and we addressed those concerns in detail and developed a game plan to accomplish our joint objectives. Our business combination is a true win-win." Dave Welling, Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Advisors said, "Judith McGee is a well-known advocate of women's issues including financial literacy, independence, and equality. We share her passion on these subjects and look forward to her adding her voice to our nationally recognized InvestHERs and Women & Wealth programs which focus on the advancement of women professionals in our industry and tailoring our services for our female clients. We are proud to partner with Judith and Linette and the rest of the MWM team augmenting our existing presence in Portland, Oregon." About Mercer Advisors Established in 1985, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors") is a full service wealth management firm that specializes in providing investment advice, financial and estate planning, and taxes, and corporate trustee and trust administration services. It is one of the largest Registered Investment Advisers and financial planning firms in the U.S. with over $25.5 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Denver, Mercer Advisors is privately held, has approximately 500 employees, and operates nationally across the country with 45+ locations. Mercer Advisors, Inc. is a parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (RIA), majority owned by both Oak Hill Capital and Genstar Capital. Mercer Global Advisors has a related insurance agency. Mercer Advisors Insurance Services, LLC (MAIS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercer Advisors Inc. Employees of Mercer Global Advisors serve as officers of MAIS. For Mercer Global Advisors clients who wish to purchase insurance products, MAIS has entered into a non-exclusive referral agreement with Strategic Partner(s). More information about MAIS and our Strategic Partners may be found in our Form ADV 2A. Visit us at www.merceradvisors.com. Data as of December 31, 2020. AUM includes affiliates and wholly owned subsidiaries announced to date. Contact: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC 914-834-4334 SOURCE Mercer Global Advisors Inc. Related Links http://www.merceradvisors.com Many people have found innovative ways to stay active in their home during the pandemic. Similarly, older adults can be creative when choosing activities to keep them moving while staying in. As temperatures drop, and snow and ice begin to appear across much of the U.S., many of us will be spending the next few months inside. While passing time relaxing on the couch is preferred by many, it is especially important that older adults remain active during the winter season. According to the CDC, physical activity can help manage, delay or even prevent many chronic diseases prevalent among adults over age 50. As older adults avoid frigid temperatures and icy conditions, it is crucial to find creative ways to exercise and stay moving while remaining safe and warm indoors. While the combination of COVID-19 restrictions and winter weather will make it difficult for older adults to exercise outdoors, staying active is still an incredibly important part of safeguarding overall health for the aging population, said Lakelyn Hogan, Ph.D., gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead. Even though going on a walk or stretching outside may be out of the question for some until spring, there are several other options to get your recommended daily dose of physical activity this season. Many people have found innovative ways to stay active in their home during the pandemic. Similarly, older adults can be creative when choosing activities to keep them moving while staying in. Here are a few recommendations for activities and exercises to implement into your schedule this winter: Choose low impact activities. Dont underestimate the countless health benefits associated with walking. Walk around your home, do light housework and chores for cardio exercise. If able, and while taking the proper precautions, for an additional challenge, walk up and down the stairs for a quick and effective workout. Recreational activities. Recent research from AARP shows that 44% of adults 50 and older enjoy playing video games at least once a month. And gaming systems like Wii, Nintendo Switch and Xbox are great for older adults who wish to exercise indoors. You can even interact with other players virtually, which can be an opportunity to connect with children or grandchildren. GrandPad is another great device option to keep in mind, designed specifically for seniors. For those without equipment or consoles, access YouTube on your smart TV and turn on your favorite artist and do some light dancing or find an age appropriate yoga tutorial. Fitness apps. There are more options than ever before to help maintain your physical health, even from the comfort of your own home. No matter your fitness level or what exercises you find enjoyable, there is an app for you. Consider trying a few options to find the best fit for you and your needs. Bring the gym home. Investing in home equipment is a great and easy way to incorporate cardio and strength into your daily routine. Even light weight dumbbells can help build muscle. And there are many low-cost strength training equipment options available, such as resistance bands. Similarly, ellipticals and stationary bikes can improve cardiovascular health. Attend virtual group classes or activities. For those missing exercising with others, there are several virtual workout classes available online, which you can also stream through your smart TV. These interactive sessions offer something for everyone. Take advantage of classes like the YMCAs Active Older Adult s or Silver&Fit. Exercise is beneficial for the mind, body and soul. While COVID-19 restrictions and winter weather will make it difficult for older adults to exercise outside their homes, staying active is still an incredibly important part of safeguarding overall health. For more tips and creative ideas on how adults can stay healthy and fit during cold weather, visit https://www.caregiverstress.com/fitness-nutrition/get-mom-moving/. ABOUT HOME INSTEAD Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, the Home Instead franchise network provides personalized care, support and education to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, the network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for older adults, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 80 million hours of care annually throughout the United States and 13 other countries. Local Home Instead offices employ approximately 90,000 CAREGivers worldwide who provide basic support services that enable older adults to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Home Instead franchise owners partner with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimers care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. Visit HomeInstead.com. Connect with us on Facebook and 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. [January 10, 2021] HSBC Joins MioTech's Series B Financing Round HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Jan. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MioTech, the AI-based sustainability data and technology provider, announced today that HSBC has invested in the company in an additional financing round to its Series B, further expanding the company's stellar investor base which already includes ZhenFund, Horizons Ventures, Moody's and TOM Group. In 2020, MioTech successfully expanded its environmental, social and governance (ESG) data coverage to more than a million public and private companies in the Greater China region. It has implemented supply chain, portfolio, and energy monitoring systems across many different sectors. MioTech plans to launch more datasets covering Asian and European markets. It will also develop more software to address the climate and sustainability challenges faced by financial institutions, corporations and governments. "HSBC brings us a wealth of knowledge on ESG and green finance," said Jason Tu, Co-founder and CEO of MioTech. "With the new round of financing, MioTech looks to invest more into developing sustainability data and technology, and will further expand its product offerings and geographic coverage." The investmentwas made by HSBC's Strategic Innovation Investments team, a corporate venture capital unit which takes minority holdings in early stage technology companies, following MioTech's work with HSBC Global Asset Management. Catherine Zhou, Global Head of Venture, Digital Innovation and Partnerships at HSBC, commented "We are excited to have made an investment in MioTech, and look forward to building on our relationship with the company as they continue to scale. MioTech have already established impressive ESG capabilities across Greater China with the ability to expand into further geographies in the future and capitalise on the wealth of opportunities within this growing market." Xavier Desmadryl, Global Head of ESG Research at HSBC Global Asset Management, said "This investment underlines our commitment to ESG and Asia and we look forward to working alongside MioTech to build on our capabilities in this space and extend these offerings to our client base". ABOUT MIOTECH MioTech uses artificial intelligence to solve the sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility challenges faced by financial institutions, corporations and governments. Its datasets cover massive amounts of alternative sources to capture ESG performances in real time. Its software helps monitor, manage, and analyze sustainability data across different sectors and geographies. MioTech has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Singapore. It is invested by world-renowned investors such as ZhenFund, Horizons Ventures, Moody's, TOM Group, and HSBC. Press Inquiries: Maya Li, pr@miotech.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hsbc-joins-miotechs-series-b-financing-round-301204754.html SOURCE MioTech [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi: Bird flu has now been confirmed in Delhi, as eight samples sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory for testing confirmed bird flu in the national capital. All eight samples -- four from a park in Mayur Vihar Phase 3, three from Sanjay Lake, and one from Dwarka -- have been found positive for avian influenza, Dr Rakesh Singh from the animal husbandry unit of the Development Department told PTI. The report of the test results reportedly arrived on Monday morning. A drive to cull ducks has begun has also been launched at the Sanjay Lake, where 10 ducks were found dead recently, Singh added. Around 50 crows had earlier died in Central Park, Mayur Vihar Phase 3 in a span of three to four days, according to officials. A few samples were also sent to a lab in Jalandhar, but their results are awaited. The Delhi Development Authority has already closed Hauz Khas Park, Dwarka Sector 9 Park, Hastsal Park, and Sanjay Lake as a precautionary measure in view of the bird flu scare. Live TV Hauz Khas Park in south Delhi has a huge water body and attracts a large crowd every day. However, no death of birds has been reported there. The poultry market in Ghazipur has also been shut down temporarily. Amid an avian influenza scare in several states, nearly 200 birds, mostly crows, have been found dead in Uttarakhand's Dehradun and Rishikesh. A total of 165 birds were found dead in different parts of Dehradun on Sunday, including 121 crows in the Bhandari Bagh area only. There were 162 crows, two pigeons, and an eagle among the dead birds found in Dehradun, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rajiv Dhiman told PTI. The samples of the dead birds have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly to ascertain the cause of their death. More than 30 birds were found dead at different places in and around Rishikesh, triggering a bird-flu scare in the town. 28 crows and a pigeon were found dead on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) premises, one avian death was reported from the Bees Bigha locality and two such deaths were reported from the Raiwala station. Confirming the avian deaths, Rishikesh Municipal Commissioner Narendra Singh Quiriyal told PTI that a temporary ban on the sale of bird meat can also be imposed in public interest, if necessary. Raturi said though 28 crows and a pigeon were found dead on the AIIMS premises, the security guards at the facility handed over the carcasses of only five crows and the pigeon to officials and buried the remaining ones as the birds were long dead. In Maharashtra, bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of death of around 900 hens in the last few days at a poultry farm in Parbhani district. The district administration has now decided to cull nearly 8,000 birds in Murumba village where these hens died, Collector Deepak Muglikar told PTI. Earlier on Saturday, Muglikar said around 900 hens had died at a poultry farm, run by a Self-Help Group (SHG), in the village and their samples were sent for testing. The outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza has already been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. On Sunday, the Central government said that it has directed zoo managements to submit daily reports to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) till their area is declared free from the disease. The CZA issued an office memorandum saying avian influenza is a scheduled disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, and reporting such a disease is obligatory for taking appropriate preventive measures against its spread. (With Agency Inputs) The mysterious disappearance of a 'high risk' mother the day before New Year's Eve has gripped thousands of Australians and baffled police. Amy Schulkins' family reported her missing after she was last seen at a home in Caboolture South, north of Brisbane, on the night of December 30. Queensland Police said the 36-year-old appears to have 'vanished off the face of the earth'. The mother-of-five's disappearance has sparked a state-wide police search and has gained the attention of more than 16,000 people across the country. Amy Schulkins' (left, with partner Rebecca) family reported her missing after she was last seen at a home in Caboolture South, north of Brisbane, on the night of December 30 Queensland Police said the 36-year-old appears to have 'vanished off the face of the earth' Volunteers have already combed through bushland across Mount Hallen, Crossdale, Lowood and Atkinsons Dam - 100km west of Brisbane Police described Ms Schulkins as a 'high risk' person, and said they had no 'starting point' to work with in their search for her. Ms Schuklins had about $300, food and a tank of petrol with her before she disappeared. 'We have followed up every reported sighting and there's been a lot of incorrect feedback,' Sergeant Richard Curran told the Sunshine Coast Daily. Ms Schulkins' sudden disappearance has captured the hearts of thousands of Australians who have banded together to find her 'Zero positive sightings, either not been here or someone else. It's frustrating. 'We are doing all we can but it's like she completely vanished off the face of the earth.' Ms Schulkins' sudden disappearance has garnered an outpouring of community support from Australians who have banded together to find her. Sixteen thousand people have joined The Search Team for Amy Schulkins Facebook group, with locals offering to pay for drones to canvass the area for traces of the missing mother. Volunteers have already combed through bushland across Mount Hallen, Crossdale, Lowood and Atkinsons Dam - 100km west of Brisbane. The campaign describes Ms Schulkins as a 'loving and devoted' wife and mother with the 'most infectious spirit and laugh'. 'Although the financial strain of searching for someone could never compare to the emotional one, it is a significant additional stress at a time when a family should be able to focus only on their missing loved one,' the page reads. Ms Schulkins is believed to be travelling in a white 2001 Nissan Patrol, with 257VTN license plates. Creators of a Go Fund Me said Ms Schulkins said they won't stop until Ms Schulkins is found. They created the page on behalf of Ms Schulkins' partner Rebecca. 'We need all the support we can find from generous and kind hearted people just like the 6000 new friends on our search team,' the page reads. 'We won't stop until we find Amy, and we believe someone out there has seen or knows something that will help us find her.' Ms Schulkins is believed to be travelling in a white 2001 Nissan Patrol, with 257VTN license plates Anyone who has seen Amy or has further information about her whereabouts is urged to contact police Ms Schulkins has a large distinctive sleeve tattoo on her arm of a woman's silhouette against a sunset Sgt Curran said Queensland Police's investigation will focus on doorknocking and looking over Bribie Island beach CCTV footage. Officers have spoken to her family and friends, who have been assisting police with their enquiries. Ms Schulkins is caucasian, about 160cm tall and of a larger build with short spiky brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing boxers and a white singlet. She has a large distinctive sleeve tattoo on her arm of a woman's silhouette against a sunset. Anyone who has seen Amy or has further information about her whereabouts is urged to contact police. The United Kingdom supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will continue to do so in the future. This was said in a statement by the British Embassy in Ukraine on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on January 10. "Today marks the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Ukraine. The UK strongly supports Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity and will continue to do so in the future," the embassy posted on Twitter. The diplomats also recalled that Ukraine and the UK signed a "historic" strategic partnership agreement last year, which opens up new opportunities for deepening British-Ukrainian relations and cooperation. As Ukrinform reported, on October 8, 2020, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed the Agreement on Political Cooperation, Free Trade, and Strategic Partnership between the countries. ish Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer has filed criminal charges against a York County construction company for allegedly misclassifying its workers on a Delaware County project, officials announced Monday. The case against G&R Drywall and Framing is a striking move on the part of Stollsteimer and his office, which worked with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiros labor-focused prosecutors to develop the case. Since 2011, when Pennsylvanias Construction Workplace Misclassification Act went into effect, its been illegal to misclassify construction industry workers, but Stollsteimers office says this is the time criminal charges have been filed for such an offense. Its a reflection of how local prosecutors are increasingly cracking down on employers who mistreat workers. The lack of enforcement of this statute really ends today, Stollsteimer said, adding that he wanted to send a message to contractors that you cant rip off your employees and get away with it. Worker misclassification when employers attempt to cut costs and avoid responsibility for worker protections by treating workers as independent contractors instead of employees is common in the construction industry. Employees have legal rights, such as workers compensation and the right to be paid minimum wage; independent contractors do not. In Philadelphia, workers who are either undocumented or misclassified as independent contractors make up 15% to 25% of the local construction industry, according to estimates in a 2018 report from the Office of the City Controller. READ MORE: Why the gig workers delivering your groceries and beer dont have any labor rights But worker misclassification has recently become a hot topic because of how app companies such as Uber and Lyft treat their workers. In California, Uber, Lyft, and other gig companies spent more than $200 million backing a ballot measure called Proposition 22 to override a state law that required them to classify their workers as employees instead of independent contractors. Stollsteimer said hed need a state law to prosecute app companies for misclassifying their workers the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act is focused only on the construction industry but if the legislature passed one, we certainly would be interested. In October 2019, State Rep. Danilo Burgos (D., Phila.) introduced a bill to classify app-based workers as employees, but it didnt go anywhere. It must be reintroduced in this years legislative session to be considered again. READ MORE: Philly DAs Office launches a unit to prosecute employers for crimes against workers The worker misclassification case brought by Stollsteimer and Shapiro is part of a broader trend of prosecutors using their powers to protect workers rights. In 2019, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner hired a lawyer to focus on crimes against workers. The offices economic crimes unit is now in the final stage of an investigation of a contractor, Krasner spokesperson Jane Roh said. Shapiro is one of several state attorneys general who has prioritized holding employers accountable for their treatment of workers. Stollsteimer said his offices economic crimes arm has generally focused on white-collar crime, but will now also focus on crimes against workers. Were policing the beats we usually police, he said. Weve now added this beat. A new strain of the virus is putting pressure on Britain's health service Scientists at the World Health Organization warned that mass vaccinations would not bring about herd immunity to the coronavirus this year, even as one leading producer boosted its production forecast. Infections numbers are surging around the world, especially in Europe where nations have been forced to ramp up virus restrictions even as vaccines are rolled out. The WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan warned Monday that it would take time to produce and give enough shots to halt the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 90 million people worldwide with deaths approaching two million. "We are not going to achieve any levels of population immunity or herd immunity in 2021," she said, stressing the need to maintain physical distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing. Experts are also concerned about the rapid spread of new variants of the virus, such as the one first detected in Britain which is feared to be significantly more transmissible. England opened seven mass vaccination sites Monday to fight a surge fuelled by that variant, which is threatening to overwhelm hospitals. But England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty told the BBC: "The next few weeks are going to be the worst weeks of this pandemic in terms of numbers into the NHS (National Health Service)." The streets of the southern French city of Marseille are empty after the overnight curfew comes into force Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal was facing a new lockdown because of a spike in cases and deaths, as the President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tested positive for the virus. The 72-year-old was asymptomatic and isolating in the presidential palace in Lisbon, his office said. Slovakia was preparing to start a new round of mass testing, Prime Minister Igor Matovic said late Monday, following a first nationwide screening in November. "From next weekend at the latest, we will run a mass test every week until we get the situation under control. There is no other way," said Matovic, who tested positive himself in December after an EU summit. 'Endemic disease' warning German company BioNTech, which partnered with Pfizer to produce the first vaccine approved in the West, said it could produce millions more doses than originally expected this year, boosting the production forecast from 1.3 to two billion. The announcement was a boost to countries struggling to deliver the shots, but the company also warned that Covid-19 would "likely become an endemic disease", with vaccines needed to fight new variants and a "naturally waning immune response". World map showing countries with at least one case of the new coronavirus variant first detected in the UK, as of Jan 11 Officials in Russia said they would trial a one-dose version of country's Sputnik V vaccine as part of efforts to provide a stopgap solution for badly hit countries. India, with the world's second-highest number of infections, is set to begin giving shots to its 1.3 billion people from Saturday in a colossal and complex undertaking. US President-elect Joe Biden, who has pledged to devote all available resources to fight the pandemic, received his second vaccine dose on Monday. Environmental impact There have been surges in Asia as well, where many nations avoided the high death tolls and infection rates seen in Europe and the United States in the early months of the pandemic. Malaysia's king declared a nationwide state of emergency Tuesday to fight a coronavirus surge that is overwhelming hospitals, but critics charged it was a bid by an unstable government to cling to power. The last time an emergency was declared nationally in Malaysia was in 1969, in response to deadly racial riots. Portugal is facing a new lockdown because of a spike in cases and deaths, as the President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tested positive for the virus With more than a year gone since the first known outbreak of the coronavirus, the fallout from the worst pandemic in a century has become clearerfrom the economy and society to culture and the environment. The masks that have become ubiquitous and necessary to save lives, for example, are proving a deadly hazard for wildlife, with birds and marine creatures ensnared in the staggering number of discarded facial coverings littering animal habitats. Single-use surgical masks have been found scattered around pavements, waterways and beaches worldwide since countries began mandating their use in public places to slow the pandemic's spread. Worn once, the thin protective materials can take hundreds of years to decompose. "Face masks aren't going away any time soon," Ashley Fruno of animal rights group PETA told AFP. "But when we throw them away, these items can harm the environment and the animals who share our planet." Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 2021 AFP The Akyem Abuakwa State on Friday (January 08, 2021) organised a special thanksgiving service at Kyebi for President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo. The service which was organised in collaboration with the Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and the local council of churches was attended by the President and his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo. Also in attendance was Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his spouse, Samira Bawumia, family members of the President, chiefs, NPP supporters and a host of former ministers of state. In a brief address, President Akufo-Addo called on Ghanaians to continue to pray for him and his government to help develop the country and also ask for God's courage and wisdom. He appealed to Ghanaians to continue to have confidence in him, saying that the belief in him meant he was going to work for Ghanaians and would never disappoint them. Commissioned Project and donation President Akufo-Addo who had earlier commissioned an auditorium for the Kibi Presbyterian College of Education which has been named after him, thanked all who have supported him in all his endeavours as President. He specifically mentioned Vice President Dr Bawumia, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, ministers, NPP MPs and the NPP for the continuous trust reposed in him. He also thanked the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin for organising the thanksgiving in his honour. President Akufo-Addo who donated GH50,000.00 promised to continue working hard for the betterment of Ghanaians as a whole. Commendation The Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin who extolled the virtues of the President said "you have done well in the last four years but some people would say you have done nothing. We thank God for giving you to Ghana as a President". According to him it was an undisputable fact that the president has done well for Ghana with his policies, including Planting for Food and Jobs, Free SHS, provision of ambulances among others. He was hopeful that at the end of the President's second term of office Ghana will be prosperous, adding "let us as a nation support the President since he is selfless and with time, truth, goodness would triumph over evil". Parliamentary incident In an exaltation, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah expressed regret over what happened in parliament in the early hours of Thursday during the election of the Speaker of Parliament. He said the year 2020 was very challenging as a result of the outbreak if the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and praised the leadership of the country for its proactiveness in handling the situation. He commended President Akufo-Addo for always giving thanks to God and prayed that goodness and mercy will follow him and the Jubilee House all the days of his life in 2021 and beyond. He congratulated the President on his re-election to continue his dedicated service to the people of Ghana. 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 Samuel Corum/Getty The FBI has warned local officials of potential violence from the Boogaloo Boys and other far-right groups at all 50 state capitols over the next week and a half. Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January, one FBI bulletin reads, according to ABC News, which obtained a copy of the memo. The bulletin reportedly goes on to tell authorities that one unnamed, armed group has warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment a huge uprising will occur. The memo comes just days after a riot at the U.S. Capitol, in which supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building in an effort to stop the Electoral College certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. While this effort was unsuccessful, five people died in the attack. One Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, died after reportedly being assaulted with a fire extinguisher by rioters. N.J. Congresswoman Who Had to Shelter With Maskless Pols During Riots Now Has COVID Another FBI memo obtained by Yahoo News states that some members of the Boogaloo movement planning Jan. 17 rallies indicated willingness to commit violence in support of their ideology, created contingency plans in the event violence occurred at the events, and identified law enforcement security measures and possible countermeasures. The Dec. 29 report details threats of violence specifically at the Minnesota and Michigan state capitolstwo states that President Trump instructed his supporters to liberate in April amid COVID-19 lockdowns on his since-deleted Twitter account. According to that report, Boogaloo supporters in Minnesota identified law enforcement sniper locations and considered breaking into federal buildings for use as firing locations, if fighting occurred. Another follower considered attaching duct tape to his back to pose as law enforcement, the report read. At least one follower expressed his willingness to die for the Boogaloo movement, the memo reportedly states. Story continues The Boogaloo is a far-right movement thats called for a second civil war to overthrow the government. According to the Anti-Defamation League, their name comes from the 1984 movie Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo. In Michigan, Boogaloo members discussed using a gasoline-based device with a tripwire to cause a distraction while other individuals take the capitol building, the report read. In October, 13 men were arrested in relation to an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Some of the men arrested in connection with the plot were linked to a local far-right militia group, according to NBC News. On Monday, the Detroit Free Press reported that Michigans state capitol commission voted to reverse the states policy allowing open-carry in the legislature, effective immediately. It is unclear if that vote was related to the FBI reports. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here 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. Parler has sued Amazon after the tech giant kicked the conservative-leaning social media app off its servers. In court papers Parler claimed that Amazon Web Services violated antitrust law by shutting down its account and breached their contractual agreement. Parler, which is popular with supporters of Donald Trump. was suspended by Amazon amid concerns it could not screen out material that may incite violence. Right-wing groups behind the storming of the Capitol reportedly used the app to co-ordinate their actions to try and prevent the certification of Joe Bidens election victory over Mr Trump. Now Parler has asked a federal judge in Seattle to order Amazon to reinstate its service. In an 18-page complaint filed by their lawyers, Parler accuses Amazon Web Services of political animus and double standards compared to the treatment given to Twitter. AWSs decision to effectively terminate Parlers account is apparently motivated by political animus, states the lawsuit. It is also apparently designed to reduce competition in the microblogging services market to the benefit of Twitter. Parler saw a huge surge in membership following last weeks Trump riot at the Capitol Building, which saw five people killed. Parlers court filing states that their increase in popularity means its reinstatement online is urgent. "It will kill Parlers business at the very time it is set to skyrocket," the filing states. AWS cut off Parler from its servers on Sunday night, shortly after Apple and Google took similar action. In 2020 around 10 million people dowloaded Parler, with 80 per cent of users in the US. Parler says that its usage has increased in 2021 with a 355 per cent surge on Friday alone, the day Twitter banned Mr Trumps account. "If Parler is not available, people will turn to alternatives, or perhaps return to Twitter or Facebook," reads the complaint. "And once those users have begun to use another platform, they may not return to Parler once its back online." SPRINGFIELD The Illinois House of Representatives continued to debate a massive criminal justice omnibus bill Sunday that would transform policing practices in the state. A 611-page amendment to House Bill 163 would heavily revamp use-of-force guidelines, mandate body cameras for every law enforcement agency, end cash bail, remove some qualified immunity protections, and strip collective bargaining rights relating to discipline from police unions. Further language could be added in a future amendment as well. The legislation, which is the culmination of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda to end systemic racism, faces opposition from law enforcement groups and Republican lawmakers. This has been a 400-year-plus journey that we have been on, Rep. Justin Slaughter, a Chicago Democrat who helped craft HB163, said in a news conference held Sunday morning by the Black Caucus. We want to go from protest to progress, he repeated three times with increasing emphasis. Slaughter chairs the House Criminal Judiciary Committee, which must accept the amendment before it can go to the House floor for a vote. The committee heard testimony and debate on the bill from law enforcement, municipal representation, legal experts and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Use of force HB163 would amend the acceptable forms of force by officers, banning chokeholds and restraints that can restrict breathing as well as severely limiting the situations where deadly force is authorized. The reforms were strongly opposed by the law enforcement coalition during the hearing. Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle, representing the Illinois Sheriffs Association, called the proposed reforms catastrophic to law enforcement and said they would make policing impossible for officers that have to make split-second decisions. Crystal Lake Police Chief James Black, who serves as president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, said he supports reforms to use of force but HB163 is not the answer. We do not want to be obstructionist; we want to affect positive change in our communities. But we do not support the bill, the bill will destroy law enforcements ability to keep communities safe, he said. When pressed by Slaughter on what changes to the use-of-force guidelines they would accept, Black and VanVickle did not have an answer, but replied the five days provided in the lame duck session were not enough time for their legal experts to craft alternative measures. The sentiment was echoed by the ranking Republican on the committee, Rep. Terri Bryant. No one is asking this to be slow rolled. Lame duck session is not the time to hash out a 600, now maybe 800, maybe 1,000-page issue on something that is this important, she said. Too often the Legislature wants to do something even if thats the wrong thing. So lets do the right things and lets do this the right way. Slaughter and Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, who also crafted the legislation, have pushed back on the notion that the bill is rushed, pointing to the nine hearings held by the Black Caucus on criminal justice reform. Most topics discussed in those hearings, which neared 30 hours in collective length and included both the IACP and ISA at times, are in the amendment. Our state makes international news regarding police brutality and misconduct, Slaughter said during the hearing, invoking the 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police. Body cameras Body cameras would be mandatory for all law enforcement agencies under the law. Larger agencies would be required to have cameras in place by Jan. 1, 2022, and all agencies would need to have cameras in place by 2025. Any municipality or county whose law enforcement agency does not comply would have its Local Government Distributive Fund contributions from the state reduced by 20 percent each year until it meets the requirements. The LGDF is the portion of state income tax revenue that goes to cities and counties. Law enforcement groups, including the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police and the Chicago FOP, have referred to the Black Caucus legislation as the Defund the police bill because of this provision, a notion repeated by Chief Black, of Crystal Lake. Slaughter and other members of the Black Caucus have disputed the characterization, given that law enforcement agencies are given time to comply and do not have funding cut outright. We cannot afford not to make the changes were calling for, Sims said during the Black Caucus Sunday news conference, pointing to a 2020 study by economists at Citigroup that says the U.S. lost $16 trillion in GDP since 2000 due to racism. The Black Caucus has pointed to the losses in potential tax revenue due to racist practices, as well as the massive settlements cities pay out each year due to police misconduct, as the cost of not passing their legislation. The amendment as written does not provide law enforcement agencies any monetary assistance for acquiring and implementing body cameras. VanVickle and Black both testified their law enforcement agencies would have no issues with body cameras being mandatory if they received fiscal support from the state and the funding penalty for noncompliance was removed. Brad Cole, executive director of the Illinois Municipal League, which represents towns, villages and cities across the state, said IML opposes any measure that would negatively impact LGDF. However, it supports mandatory body cameras as long as the timeline for departments was extended by a few years. Collective bargaining A provision in the amendment would remove the ability of law enforcement unions to collectively bargain with their employers on any issue besides wages and benefits. Tamara Cummings, general counsel for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, said the measure would make law enforcement second-class citizens, noting they already have some restrictions on their collective bargaining powers that no other private or public worker union is subject to. Cummings called the idea that police unions prevent bad cops from being fired a myth and testified that only 2 percent of discharge cases for officers are appealed to arbitration by unions. Cole told the committee that the IML supports the measure, and that giving municipalities more power over discipline and termination of officers was a positive reform. The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the U.S., released a statement saying it stands strongly behind the efforts of the Legislative Black Caucus to address social justice and comprehensive criminal justice reform, as soon as possible. But it added, We oppose current language in one component of the legislative package that would strip critical collective bargaining rights for union members across Illinois, including for the Black and brown communities that legislators are trying to uplift. Qualified immunity In a provision called the Police Integrity and Accountability Act, HB163 would make police officers personally liable for lawsuits for violating the rights of a person guaranteed under the Illinois Constitution, while explicitly removing qualified immunity as a defense. Qualified immunity grants government officials and employees immunity from civil suits in the course of their duties. Law enforcement groups have claimed removing qualified immunity would leave police officers open to frivolous lawsuits. Cummings said it would eliminate the ability to protect the majority of law enforcement officers who are trying to do a good job. They will lose their homes for simple mistakes, she said. Peter Hanna, legal adviser for the ACLU of Illinois, testified in favor of eliminating qualified immunity, saying opponents of the provision have incorrectly defined what qualified immunity actually does. According to Hanna, officers would still have legal protections, but now victims of police misconduct whose constitutional rights were violated would be able to obtain remedy from the individual officers responsible in civil court. Cole and the IML opposed the provision on the grounds it would mean absolute liability for officers and could lead to Illinois municipalities losing their insurance that helps pay out settlements for officer misconduct. Other developments Another bill backed by AG Raoul, which overhauls state certification of law enforcement, is also a part of the Black Caucus agenda and was discussed during the Judiciary Committee hearing. Both that bill and HB163 contain language on police certification, the duty of officers to intervene, and the process for anonymous complaints against law enforcement. Lawmakers crafting the omnibus bill say they will either remove competing language from their legislation or reconcile it to match what is in the AGs bill. The latter has support from law enforcement groups, which collaborated with Raoul, Gov. JB Prtizkers office and other stakeholders in its development. The House Judiciary Committee will meet again Monday to further discuss the collective bargaining dispute in HB163 and a provision that grants additional rights to detainees in police custody. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. 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 full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. [January 11, 2021] IDTechEx Predict the AR/VR/MR Market to be Over $30Bn by 2030 BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- By 2030, IDTechEx predicts the augmented, virtual, and mixed reality market to be over $30Bn. With COVID-19 limiting physical interaction, virtual communication and interaction will be the norm for many years to come. Although seen as futuristic by some, augmented, virtual, and mixed reality devices have shown they have an important part to play in many different industries. They are truly the technology of the future, today. Through deep analysis of both key players and technologies, IDTechEx's most recent report on Augmented and Virtual Reality can provide you with the trends this market will face in the coming decade. This article distills the key aspects of the report for the full in-depth analysis, please see "Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality 2020-2030: Forecasts, Markets and Technologies". Over the past two decades, there have been big strides in the technological development of XR products. In the early '90s, a number of headsets were released that allowed the user to view a video on a headset from an external device. Then in the next decade, devices such as the Google Glass Explorer were released. These captured the imagination of many people, and it was one of the first "augmented reality" products available to consumers. Although this did not take off, it paved the way for other products to be developed. Later in the decade, more VR and AR products were released; for example, in 2019, Magic Leap released its first product after years of funding. Oculus also released a VR headset that does not need to be connected to a computer the Quest proving that VR does not need to be tethered to a computer. IDTechEx has created a market research report which combines deep industry knowledge and insights to provide you with the information to understand ths complex market. In IDTechEx's portfolio of market research reports, there are two which focus on augmented, virtual, and mixed reality products. These are "Optics and Displays in AR, VR, and MR 2020-2030: Technologies, Players and Markets" and its parent market research report "Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality 2020-2030: Forecasts, Markets and Technologies". Together, these reports provide an overview of the whole market, as well as the key technologies to their wider adoption (optics and display technologies). The report "Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality 2020-2030: Forecasts, Markets and Technologies" covers one of the key markets of the future: the AR/VR/MR market. VR, MR, and AR products are used in many different settings, for example, for day-to-day workflow management, and on production lines. This market, which IDTechEx forecasts predict to be over $30Bn by 2030, will impact many different industries, and future innovations will continue its growth in the wearables market. The report reviews and analyses over 100 products and details of over 80 companies to create succinct and detailed conclusions about the future of this market. This market research report includes market forecasts, player profiles, investments, and comprehensive company lists are all provided. This report is an essential read for those looking for a deep understanding of the AR/VR/MR markets. The report "Optics and Displays in AR, VR, and MR 2020-2030: Technologies, Players and Markets" offers a concise overview of the markets of optics and displays in both the AR/MR and VR technologies. It includes the forecasts for both the optical and display markets in AR/MR and VR markets. The current state of these markets is discussed and analyzed with long-range forecasts from 2020-2030 for revenue and volume by technology in AR/MR Optics, VR Optics, AR/MR micro-displays, VR micro-displays. For more information on both these market research reports, please email research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/WT. About IDTechEx IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com. Media Contact: Natalie Moreton Digital Marketing Manager press@IDTechEx.com +44(0)1223 812300 Social Media Links: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/IDTechEx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idtechex/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDTechExResearch Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478371/IDTechEx_Logo.jpg View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idtechex-predict-the-arvrmr-market-to-be-over-30bn-by-2030-301205420.html SOURCE IDTechEx Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni on Sunday said that his organisation did not let Chief Minister hold a rally in Karnal and asserted that they will continue to protest against BJP rallies. "Yes, we didn't allow Khattar Sahab ( CM) to hold the rally in Kaimal. BJP said that they will hold 700 rallies to break our movement and we will protest against such BJP rallies," Chaduni said. Khattar's Kisan Mahapanchayat was called off on Sunday as agitating farmers vandalised the venue at Kaimla village in Karnal district. Protesting farmers also damaged the helipad where Khattar was scheduled to land. Police used tear gas shells and water cannon to disperse the protesting farmers. Later, the Chief Minister accused the BKU chief of attempting to instigate the people. "Today's incident gave a message to people, bigger than what I had intended to give. These people have defamed the farmers because a farmer doesn't have such nature. A farmer can be less educated or simple but he is sensible," he said. "If I have to hold someone responsible for this, then a video of Gurnam Singh Chaduni (Bharatiya Kisan Union chief) has been circulating since the day before yesterday wherein he had tried to instigate people," he added. Farmers have been protesting at different borders of the capital since November 26 last year against the three 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. (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.) CHICAGO A man who police say killed three people and wounded four others during a series of shootings in and around Chicago posted nonsensical and expletive-laced videos in the days and hours leading up to the attacks. Investigators on Sunday were trying to determine a motive for the Saturday afternoon attacks in which police say 32-year-old Jason Nightengale apparently chose his victims at random. Police killed Nightengale in a shootout just north of the city about four hours after authorities say he shot his first victim in the head in a South Side parking garage. Those killed included a 30-year-old University of Chicago student from China named Yiran Fan, Anthony Faukner, 20, and Aisha Nevell, 46, a security guard. Wounded were a 77-year-old woman, 81-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl, according to Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown. Another woman was shot in the neck in Evanston, police in the suburb said. Authorities didnt release many details about Nightengale, a Chicago man whose LinkedIn page listed work over the years as a janitor, security guard and forklift operator. But a series of disturbing videos posted to Facebook over two years under Nightengales middle name, Oliver, offered clues as to his state of mind. In one posted Thursday, Nightengale held a gun to the camera and muttered unintelligible statements as he appeared to be driving. A police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation confirmed it was Nightengale in the video. No music. No. No music, Nightengale says in the video, his speech slurred. I dont need no seat belt. Im coming, girl. He posted dozens of other short videos, including several in the hours before the first attack, which were viewable until the page was taken down Sunday. In one, he says, Im going to blow up the whole community. In another, Nightengale appears to groove to the Bee Gees Staying Alive while laughing. The shootings began shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday with the killing of Fan, who was shot in the head while sitting in his car in a parking garage in the Hyde Park neighborhood, Brown said. After that, Nightengale just randomly walked into an apartment building a block away, where he shot the female security guard and the 77-year-old woman, who was getting her mail, Brown said. The guard was pronounced dead at a hospital and the other woman was hospitalized in critical condition. From there, Nightengale went to another nearby building and stole a car from a man he knew. He then opened fire at a convenience store, killing the 20-year-old man and wounding the 81-year-old woman in the head and neck. The woman was in critical condition. After leaving the store, Nightengale shot a 15-year-old girl who was riding in a car with her mother, leaving the girl in critical condition, police said. He then went back to the convenience store and fired on officers who were investigating the earlier shooting. None of them were injured, Brown said. Nightengale then drove about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north to Evanston, which borders Chicago, where police responded to a report of shots that had been fired inside a CVS. Nightengale had apparently walked into the pharmacy, announced that he was robbing it and fired off shots that didnt hit anyone, authorities said. He then went across the street to an IHOP restaurant, where he shot a woman in the neck. She was in critical condition, Evanston police Chief Demitrous Cook told reporters. Nightengale left the restaurant and was confronted by officers in a parking lot, leading to a shootout in which he was shot and killed, Cook said. Evanston police Sgt. Ken Carter said Nightengale appeared to have a connection to Evanston, but he did not have further details. He said Sunday that an outside agency would take over the investigation since Evanston police were involved in the fatal shooting. Chicago police released an October 2018 booking photo of Nightengale that was taken after he was charged with multiple driving-related offenses, including driving on a suspended license. His criminal record started in 2005 and included arrests for gun and drug violations, aggravated assault, and a 2019 domestic battery case, according to WLS-TV. An attorney for Nightengale couldnt be located Sunday. Friends were shocked to hear of the shootings, describing Nightengale as a devoted father to twin girls who had a charismatic personality and a sense of humor but who had been through tough times. Tommy Taylor remembered meeting Nightengale at a movies in the park event in Rogers Park, a Chicago neighborhood that borders Evanston. They hung out over the years. From all the years I knew him, he had always been a good guy and funny guy, Taylor said. Something had to happen in order for him to break him like that. University of Chicago officials said Fan was working toward a doctorate in a joint program between the universitys schools of business and economics, and that his family in China had been notified of his death. We know that this shocking incident brings grief to our entire community and concern for the wellbeing and safety of others, the university said in a news release. In the days ahead we will come together as a community to mourn, and to lift up fellow members of our community in this difficult and very sad time. Please join us in wishing consolation and healing for our students loved ones.' Brown said the information he shared at the news conference was preliminary and could change. He said investigators had little information about Nightengale but plan to release more details as they get them. When you hear this whole story, it seems that you have a crystal ball of what hes doing next, and we all know we dont have a crystal ball where he goes next nor do we have this on any of our police surveillance cameras, Brown said. We are responding to the scene as these crimes are happening, getting information, and again, hes going to the next while we are trying to keep up with whats happened previously. A California woman claims she was attacked by a man who then stole her puppy while she was out walking her two dogs last week. Sarah Vorhaus alleges the man, dressed in a hoodie and face mask, twice told her to give him the dog and showed her a gun, before he punched her in the face two times near her home in the San Francisco area on Jan. 5, according to SFGate. Then he grabbed Chloes leash, put her in the car and took off, Vorhaus told the news outlet. I started screaming as loud as Ive ever screamed in my entire life. My nose was gushing blood. Apparently, someone on Nextdoor posted that a woman is screaming bloody murder outside. Sarah Vorhaus and her French bulldog, Chloe. Sarah Vorhaus and her French bulldog, Chloe. Chloe is a 5-month-old French bulldog. Vorhaus was also walking an 8-year-old shiba inu at the time of the alleged incident. The San Francisco Police Department said in a report that two other people were believed to be outside the car, with a fourth driving the vehicle. Vorhaus now plans to leave San Francisco after the alleged assault, and hopes to be reunited with her dog. I would have given him so many other things, but not Chloe, Vorhaus told SF Gate. Thank God, they didnt take our other dog, she said. 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. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a proclamation ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the two police officers who died following the riot at the Capitol building. The two Capitol officers are just some law enforcement members who came in close encounters with Trump supporters during the siege, where at least five people died. In his proclamation, Trump said that lowering the U.S. flags was a sign of respect for the Capitol officers. The U.S flag would be flown at half-staff at the White House, all public grounds, and U.S. military facilities and naval vessels worldwide, including international embassies and consular offices, reported Bloomberg. The Associated Press added that U.S. flags would stay as such until sunset on Wednesday. Read also: Google, Apple Suspend 'Free Speech' Parler App in Wake of Capitol Riot Trump's proclamation made no mention of the Capitol riot, but he cited Capitol officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. Sicknick died from injuries while fending off the angry rioters, and the proclamation came just days after his death. Trump said that the action was also a sign of respect for "all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement across this great Nation." Capitol Flies US Flags at Half-Staff for Capitol Officers The Capitol has flown its flags at half-staff after Sicknick's death as ordered by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. There were also increasing calls for Trump to do the same for federal facilities. One of the people who urged him to do so was Republican Representative Nancy Mace, who told Trump on Sunday that Sicknick "laid down his life in protection of our democracy" and deserved the half-staff. Since Sicknick was a resident of the northern Virginia suburbs, the state's Governor Ralph Northam also ordered state and U.S. flags to be flown half-staff earlier on Sunday. Governor Phil Murphy of Sicknick's home state New Jersey did the same.Despite the urging from others, the president decided on the proclamation independently, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Trump did not issue the order only from pressure from his advisers, said the source. The White House's flag was lowered in the early afternoon. Biden Speaks with Capitol Officer's Family An official from the presidential transition said President-elect Joe Biden has spoken with Sicknick's brother on Sunday. Trump has not yet offered them his condolences. Meanwhile, Lienbengood's death was announced by authorities on Sunday. Two sources, who requested anonymity, told the Associated Press that the officer's death was an apparent suicide. Related story: [Video] Lawmaker Seen Opening Door for Demonstrators in Oregon Capitol A report from Crime Online noted that death's time and manner are still unknown and whether his suicide is related to the violent Capitol riot. Liebengood, 51, was assigned to the Senate Division and has worked with the department for more than 15 years, said a report from WMUR-TV. His father was an aide to former Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker and served as the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms from 1981 to 1983. A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump wearing a face mask takes part in a rally at Beverly Hills Gardens Park in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. January 9, 2021. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu Federal agents have arrested two more rioters whose images went viral during the attack on the US Capitol, of one carrying off the House speakers lectern and another who wore horns and a fur pelt. Dozens of people have been charged following the storming of the Capitol last Wednesday, with the FBI asking the public to help identify participants, given the proliferation of images of the riots on the internet. Five people have died, including a police officer. Jacob Anthony Chansley, who featured prominently on social media wearing horns, a fur pelt, face paint and brandishing a spear adorned with the US flag, turned himself in to police. Mr Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, told agents he came as part of a group effort with other patriots from Arizona, at the request of president that all patriots come to DC on January 6. Expand Close A protester holding a cut out head of U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in an anti-Trump demonstration in Pershing Square, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 9, 2021. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A protester holding a cut out head of U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in an anti-Trump demonstration in Pershing Square, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 9, 2021. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu Federal agents also arrested Adam Christian Johnson, whose photo as he smiled and waved as he carried off House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosis lectern also went viral. Mr Johnson, of Parrish, Florida, also streamed live video on Facebook of himself as he walked the halls of the Capitol. The video has been removed from online platforms and all of Mr Johnsons pages have been taken down. Read More On Saturday, Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat who is the incoming chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote to the chief executives of 11 mobile carriers and social media companies, urging them to preserve content and associated meta-data connected to the riot, which erupted as lawmakers gathered to certify the election of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. In his letters, Mr Warner emphasised how the rioters documented the event and shared it through social media and text messages to celebrate their disdain for our democratic process. Before his arrest, Mr Chansley gloated about how the crowd infiltrated the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to flee. The fact that we had a bunch of traitors in office, hunkered down, put on gas masks and retreat to their underground bunker, I consider that a win, he said to NBC News. Expand Close Jacob Anthony Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, of Arizona, poses with his face painted in the colors of the U.S. flag as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in Washington DC on January 6, 2021. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jacob Anthony Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, of Arizona, poses with his face painted in the colors of the U.S. flag as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in Washington DC on January 6, 2021. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Reuters Mr Chansley faces several federal charges including violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. He had often been seen at rallies supporting Mr Trump. Mr Johnson will appear in federal court today. One man who was arrested in connection with the events at the Capitol and threats to lawmakers told FBI agents he arrived in Washington on Thursday, a day late for the rally, after being delayed en route in Ohio, federal court documents showed. Cleveland Meredith was found with a Tavor X95 assault rifle, a Glock pistol, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He was detained in connection with making threats to Ms Pelosi after an FBI agent read January 7 text messages in which Meredith talked about putting a bullet in her noggin and running her over with his truck. At least a dozen other people were facing criminal charges in US District Court for the District of Columbia in connection to the riot, and at least another 40 people faced lesser charges in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Many of them were charged on Thursday and released, with an order from the judge not to return to Washington unless for court appearances or meetings with their lawyers. They included Richard Barnett, the Arkansas man who was photographed with his feet on a desk in Ms Pelosis office. Nicholas Ochs, the self-professed leader of the Hawaii chapter of the far-right Proud Boys group and who made a failed bid for a seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives in November, was arrested on his return to Honolulu and charged with unlawful entry into restricted buildings or grounds. Chief of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Mission in Korea Johnny Reinoso-Vasquez talks about his country's most celebrated painter Oswaldo Guayasamin during an interview with The Korea Times at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Eunpyeong-gu, northern Seoul, Jan. 6. The museum will extend the exhibition, originally scheduled until Jan. 22, to Feb. 6, as it has been popular among Koreans and foreign residents here. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk World's largest showcase to mark Guayasamin's birth centenary to be extended to Feb. 6 By Yi Whan-woo The first solo exhibition of Ecuador's most cherished painter Oswaldo Guayasamin in Korea has been in the limelight among art lovers, overcoming COVID-19 and other challenges since it opened Dec. 19. The exhibition began at the peak of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a negative factor in promoting Guayasamin (1919-1999) dubbed the "Picasso of Latin America" but little known here, on the occasion of his birth centenary. The venue the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art is located in a district in the extreme northwest of Seoul, making it pretty tricky for visitors from other parts of the capital and much of the country to visit as admitted to by some museum staff members. With Korea in the middle of ideological, political and social divides, the intention of the exhibition as witnessed from a conservative newspaper headline that highlighted him as a leftist was somewhat viewed politically because Guayasamin was a friend and admirer of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro and a committed leftist since his youth. Nevertheless, the exhibition, which opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. by reservation only, has been fully booked every day. The museum accordingly doubled the maximum number of people allowed per hour from 10 to 20 beginning from this year. Additionally, the exhibition, which was originally scheduled to end Jan. 22, has been extended to Feb. 6. Expats from various countries have also visited the exhibition, including the ambassadors of Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and the United Arab Emirates. And why is Guayasamin so popular in Korea as he is in rest of the world? "Because his works, regardless of the time they are drawn, are ultimately a message that we as a humankind should stop hating but love each other," Chief of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Mission in Korea Johnny Reinoso-Vasquez told The Korea Times during an interview at the museum, Jan. 6. "The exhibition of Guayasamin is therefore not political per se but psychological per se and can appeal to anybody, whether they are right-wing, left-wing, capitalist or communist." "I am happy to see that the collection of Guayasamin is accepted by the audience in Korea," he added. Chief of the Ecuadorian Diplomatic Mission Johnny Reinoso-Vasquez poses before first and second pieces of "The Scream," a three series of paintings by Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin, at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Eunpyeong-gu, northern Seoul, Jan. 6. "The Scream" (1983) is a representative artwork from the "The Age of Anger," the second of Guayasamin's three main phases. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk She arrived in Australia in September last year to begin production on the Marvel sequel Thor: Love and Thunder. And Natalie Portman enjoyed some downtime with her family in Sydney on Sunday, as she took a break from filming at Fox Studios. The actress, 39, and her husband, Benjamin Millepied, were spotted at the beach with their three-year-old daughter, Amalia. Beach day: Natalie Portman enjoyed some downtime with her family in Sydney on Sunday, as she took a break from filming Thor: Love and Thunder at Fox Studios Natalie dressed casually in a purple top and denim cut-offs, and concealed her gaze behind stylish sunglasses. She collected seashells with her little girl, who dressed for the sunny weather in a red top and striped skirt. Elsewhere, the Oscar winner was seen ramping up the PDA with her dance choreographer husband. Bonding time: She collected seashells with her three-year-old daughter, Amalia, who dressed for the sunny weather in a red top and striped skirt Lovebirds: Elsewhere, the Oscar winner, 39, was seen ramping up the PDA with her husband, dance choreographer Benjamin Millepied Canoodling: In a rare public display of affection, the couple, who also share a nine-year-old son named Aleph, were seen cuddling on the shoreline Relaxed: Natalie dressed casually in a purple top and denim cut-offs, and concealed her gaze behind stylish sunglasses Chic: The mother of two styled her brunette hair in a tidy bun at the nape of her neck In a rare public display of affection, the couple, who also share a nine-year-old son named Aleph, were seen cuddling on the shoreline. Benjamin, 43, blended in with other beachgoers in black boardshorts, a matching cap and a vintage Led Zeppelin T-shirt. The sighting comes after Natalie arrived Down Under in September to start filming Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Chris Hemsworth. Come here! Natalie smiled as she reached out to her daughter, who was standing on a rock Exploring: At one stage, Natalie ventured under the shade of a rock as she searched for shells Mummy duties: She clutched a handful of her daughter's toys while presenting a tiny seashell On location: The sighting comes after Natalie arrived in Australia in September to start filming Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Chris Hemsworth By her side: She brought along her husband and children while filming the movie Down Under Her rock: She placed a hand on Benjamin's arm as they explored the beach together Stepping up: Thor: Love and Thunder sees Natalie's character, astrophysicist Jane Foster, take up the mantle of Thor after transforming into a female version of the Norse god The film sees Natalie's character, astrophysicist Jane Foster, take up the mantle of Thor after transforming into a female version of the Norse god. 'It's going to be really silly and funny and great,' Natalie recently said of the project. Explaining how she was approached for the film, she told ET last year: 'They came to me with the idea and said, "We have this idea for you that was a storyline in some of the comics where Jane becomes Lady Thor," and I was like, "This is very exciting!"' Natalie appeared in 2011's Thor and the 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark World, but skipped 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. Optimistic: 'It's going to be really silly and funny and great,' Natalie recently said of the project Back in the saddle: Natalie appeared in 2011's Thor and the 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark World, but skipped 2017's Thor: Ragnarok TCL has an impressive lineup of TVs internationally and was the first to introduce Mini-LED TVs in the US. At CES 2021, the company has showcased some of the TVs we can expect to see launching during the year. TCLs 2021 TVs will also bring with them support for the new Google TV UI. Sony has also announced that its 2021 TVs will come with support for the new Google TV UI. We are excited to partner with TCL to bring Google TV to customers around the world. Google TV is a more helpful and delightful TV experience that helps users find the content they love, said Shobana Radhakrishnan, Senior Engineering Director, Google TV. The introduction of TCL Google TVs will take our partnership with Google to the next level, said Kevin Wang, CEO of TCL Industrial Holdings and TCL Electronics. Our theme at CES this year is Experience More and by combining cutting-edge displays with smart and convenient content powered by Google, I am confident we will allow people around the world to do just that in 2021. Moving over to the TVs that TCL has announced at CES, we have the 4K Mini LED TV C825, TCL 4K QLED TV C725, TCL 4K HDR TV P725. TCL C825 4K Mini LED TV This will be TCLs second-generation mini-LED TV, and it will be interesting to see the performance of the TV. To begin with, TCL says, C825 adopts straight down backlight mode reducing the grain size of traditional LED to 100 ~200 m. Put simply, this means that with more LEDs will power the backlight source and full-array local dimming, one can expect better brightness and contrast from the TV. The C825 also features Quantum Dot Technology which should help enhance the colours and overall picture quality of the TV. In addition to supporting HDR and Dolby Vision, the TCL C825 also supports Dolby Vision IQ. So, what is Dolby Vision IQ? Well put simply, Dolby Vision IQ uses the metadata from the content being consumed along with the TVs light sensor to give viewers an optimal viewing experience. This means that the settings of the TV can be adjusted automatically to offer the best possible viewing experience based on the lighting of the room. It will be interesting to see this in action. The TCL C825 also supports HDMI 2.1 which should be great for gamers as the TV will support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and 4K at 120Hz. You can also use the TV for video conferencing as it features A magnetic split-type camera (4M Pixel). C725 QLED TV Next up we have the TCL C725 which is a QLED TV. TCL claims that With nearly 100% ultra-high colour gamut (DCI-P3), the Quantum Dot Display Technology in the C725 will deliver even more vibrant and diverse colours without the limitations of lower colour volume or shorter lifespans found in other colour technologies. The TCL C725 supports HDR 10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos along with audio tuned by Onkyo. The TV also boasts of hands-free voice, a feature we first experienced on the TCL C715 (review). It also supports HDMI 2.1 along with offering content from all popular streaming services. The TV also supports the Google Assistant. TCL P725 Last up, we have the TCL P725 which is a 4K TV with support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The TV does not have QLED backlighting but does support hands-free commands. It is an LED-backlit LCD TV with support for all popular streaming services. In addition to the TVs and partnership with Google TV, TCL will also debut its OD Zero Mini-LED technology at CES 2021. Users can expect TCL TVs with OD Zero Mini-LED to be very slim. According to TCL, ODZero represents the optical distance between the Mini-LED backlight layer and the LCD display layer (diffuser plate), which has now been reduced to an astonishing 0 mm, to create an ultra-thin high-performance backlight module. This means we can expect the TV to have numerous dining zones and offer deep blacks and good contrast. Yemen's Iran-backed rebels on Monday dismissed the US move to designate them a terrorist organization in the final days of the Trump administration while a leading aid agency warned such a designation would deal another ``devastating blow'' to the impoverished and war-torn nation. The planned designation, announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo late Sunday, would take effect a day before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. It was not clear whether Biden would overturn the decision. Yemen is mired in a disastrous humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in wide swaths of the country on the brink of famine as a result of six years of civil war. Pompeo said he was proceeding with the designation of the rebels, known as Houthis, along with separate terrorist designations for the three top rebel leaders. At the same time, he pledged the US would help absorb the impact on aid groups and allow humanitarian assistance to continue to flow into Yemen. Hours later, several senior rebel figures slammed Pompeo's announcement. ``We are not fearful,'' tweeted Mohammed Ali al-Houthi. ``America is the source of terrorism. It's directly involved in killing and starving the Yemeni people.'' Others said the designation was an attempt to deflect attention from the US political crisis in the wake of the deadly Capitol rioting and efforts to impeach President Donald Trump. ``We are honored to be terrorists and the world's gangsters,'' tweeted the Houthis media official Abdel-Rahman al-Ahnoumi. In Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned the designation as a ``doomed-to-failure`` action at the end of Trump's administration. He said the US would eventually have to enter into negotiations with the legitimate representatives of Yemen _ referring to the Houthis _ to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Yemen's internationally recognized government described the Houthis as a ``terrorist militia'' and in a statement issued by its foreign ministry called for a ``continuation of the escalation and intensification of the political and legal pressures on the Houthis to pave the way for a peaceful solution to the conflict.'' Yemen, on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is the scene of the world's worst humanitarian disaster. The war, has killed more than 112,000 people, has left the majority of the country's nearly 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid. The war The conflict started in 2014 when the Houthis overran the north and the capital, Sanaa. The following year, the Saudi-led coalition intervened to wage war on the Houthis to try to restore the internationally recognized President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government to power. In early January, Hadi's government accused the rebels of firing ballistic missiles that targeted a plane with Cabinet members after landing in the southern port city of Aden, an attack that killed more than 25 people. The Houthis denied they were behind the strike. Following the attack, Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed told The Associated Press the rebels need to ``realize that if they continue these criminal and terrorist operations, there will be no path to peace.'' At the time, Abdulmalik said a terrorist designation would be a step ``of great importance'' and would ``help establish peace in Yemen.'' Past rounds of peace talks and cease-fire agreements have faltered and aid agencies, which mostly operate in Houthi-controlled areas, fear any targeting of the rebel group would impact the entire population. The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the main humanitarian agencies active in the country, said Monday that Pompeo's planned sanctions ``will hamstring the ability of aid agencies to respond'' to the humanitarian needs of millions of Yemenis. ``Yemen's faltering economy will be dealt a further devastating blow,'' said Mohamed Abdi, the group's director for Yemen. ``Getting food and medicine into Yemen _ a country 80% dependent on imports _ will become even more difficult.'' Relief organizations have long warned that sanctions could prove catastrophic for efforts to help starving Yemeni civilians caught in the conflict between the Houthis and the Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition at war with the rebels. In his announcement, Pompeo said the US recognizes the designation could impact the humanitarian situation and would take action to counter that. ``We are planning to put in place measures to reduce their impact on certain humanitarian activity and imports into Yemen,'' he said. Those measures will include the issuance of special licenses by the US Treasury to allow American aid to continue to flow to Yemen and for humanitarian organizations to continue to work there, he said. Separately, the US has suspended millions of dollars of its aid donations to Houthi-controlled areas after reports of theft and looting of aid. UN agencies have long complained of rebels stealing and rerouting food aid. Short link: The trawler Kirkella, which has been described as the pride of the UKs distant-waters fishing fleet (UK Fisheries Ltd) An MP has urged the Prime Minister to step in as the trawler which normally catches up to 10% of all the fish sold in the UKs fish and chip shops remains tied up in port waiting for new distant-waters fishing deals. Hull East MP Karl Turner said it seems the Government is hell-bent on putting the last nail in the coffin of distant-waters fishing as the 100-strong crew of Kirkella wait for negotiations to be completed with Norway and others. Kirkella which has been described as the pride of the UKs distant-waters fishing fleet has been tied up in St Georges Dock, Hull, since returning from its last trip at the beginning of December. Despite the Brexit trade deal having much to say about the UK-EU fishing arrangements, it meant agreements are still needed with the non-EU countries involved in the distant-waters arrangements. The 52 million state-of-the-art Kirkella can freeze up to 780 tonnes of cod and haddock on each of its trips to the seas off Norway, Svalbard and Greenland. Fishing communities like Hull cannot tolerate any more dither and delay when their industry is on hold and jobs are at risk Karl Turner, Labour On Monday, Hull East MP Karl Turner asked Boris Johnson to step in, saying the city was increasingly alarmed at the potential loss of the UKs distant waters fishing fleet. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Labour MP Mr Turner said: The industry and local leaders have been alerting government to this for over two years, yet here we are with no ability to fish. It seems as if this Government is hell-bent on putting the last nail in the coffin of distant waters fishing, just at the time we are meant to be taking back control and giving a desperately needed boost to the fishing sector. Mr Turner said he wanted to know the Governments plan to secure continued access to the quotas the UK has caught historically in the Norwegian Economic Zone (NEZ) in and around the Barents Sea. The MP said he also wanted to know about plans to secure access to the waters around Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland. He said: My constituents desperately require answers to these questions and are expecting your Government to return to the negotiating table and make constructive progress as soon as possible. Fishing communities like Hull cannot tolerate any more dither and delay when their industry is on hold and jobs are at risk. I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency. Expand Close The trawler Kirkella, which has been described as the pride of the UKs distant-waters fishing fleet (UK Fisheries Ltd) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The trawler Kirkella, which has been described as the pride of the UKs distant-waters fishing fleet (UK Fisheries Ltd) Chief executive of UK Fisheries Jane Sandell said: Were grateful to Karl and indeed to all the people of this tight-knit community who have expressed their alarm at seeing Kirkella tied up in Hull when she should be at work fishing in the distant waters. Talks between the UK, the EU and Norway are only beginning now, and there is no certainty unless the Government seriously raises its game that we will get anything like the quota we need in distant waters that will make fishing economically viable for us. Without specific assurances on these quotas then we cant start reassembling our crews a difficult and time-consuming enough process given the current Covid situation. The UK has secured Fisheries Framework Agreements with Norway and the Faroe Islands which provide the basis for detailed negotiations about quotas. Defra said the Government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Greenland to boost co-operation on fisheries matters. It said UK Fisheries already has access to fishing opportunities in the waters around Svalbard as a result of separate arrangements between the UK and Norway. A UK Government spokesman said: As an independent coastal state, the UK has put in place new arrangements to further influence the management of near and distant fish stocks, to best serve the interests of the British fishing industry. The UK has secured a Fisheries Framework Agreement with Norway and the Faroe Islands, which provides the legal basis for annual negotiations on fishing opportunities and potential access to each others waters. Negotiations for fishing opportunities in 2021 will be concluded as soon as possible. Scottish fishermen have voiced concerns over whether a deal with Norway which would benefit UK Fisheries would be detrimental to their interests if it allowed more access for Norwegian ships to Scotlands waters. | Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rupee surges 17 paise to close at 72.60 (provisional) against US dollar. West Bengal to hold Class 12 board exams in late July, Class 10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI10 tests in mid-August: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 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. A New Jersey county commissioner attended the pro-Trump protests held in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday but says she did not participate in the violent insurrection at the Capitol building that resulted in five deaths. Susan Soloway, who earlier this month was unanimously elected director of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners by her fellow Republican commissioners, said she attended Wednesdays pro-Trump rally with several other members of the Hunterdon County Federated Republican Women. She provided NJ Advance Media with an emailed statement but did not respond to follow up questions. Our group was shocked, outraged, and frankly scared, when it became apparent that a group of thugs were using the rally as a pretense to attack the U.S. Capitol, Soloway wrote. As those actions unfolded, concerned for our own safety, we quickly left the area. Soloway did not provide an approximate time for when she left after the barricades surrounding the Capitol were breached. 18 Aftermath of Capitol building insurrection Rioters injured dozens of police officers and forced legislators, staff and media into hiding as they mobbed the Capitol on Wednesday. The five people who died as a result of the violence included a Capitol police officer originally from New Jersey and a woman shot by police as she climbed through a window near the House chambers. Soloway captured video on her phone of people in the crowd pushing to try to enter the Capitol grounds, which she said she subsequently submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I do not support the attack on the Capitol and believe the perpetrators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Soloway wrote. New Jersey Globe published an article featuring a photo of Soloway at the rally that she reportedly posted on social media but later deleted. Soloway has previously expressed her support for President Trump on her Facebook page. In July, she wrote that she would wear her Trump mask to ShopRite in place of attending portions of the GOP convention as an alternate delegate after Republicans reduced its number of in-person delegates as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Soloway has served as a commissioner for Hunterdon County since 2019. She previously was a member of the Franklin Township Committee, including being appointed mayor for two years. She is a board member and regional chair of the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women and a member of the Hunterdon chapter of the group, according to her biography posted on the Hunterdon County website. Neither the state Federation of Republican Women nor its Hunterdon County chapter responded to requests for comment. Angelique Scholl, president of the state Federation of Republican Women, said her group did not play a formal role in organizing members travel to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, but were supportive of the efforts, it was reported by New Jersey Globe. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. 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. A view from Wrexhams Member of Parliament This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 11th, 2021 Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. Today, Wrexhams MP Sarah Atherton writes 2020 has been a year like no other. We have all experienced challenges in a shared way, probably unlike anything since the Second World War. But Wrexham residents have rallied together to tackle this unprecedented situation as a community. A new year brings fresh hope for the future; the roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine is doing just that. Last week, 82 year-old Brian Pinker became the first man in the United Kingdom to receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which is being made jab-ready here in Wrexham. Great news for the UK as a second vaccine is approved, of which the @GOVUK has already secured 100million doses. Im proud of the role that @WockhardtUk here in #Wrexham are playing in the production of the vaccine! https://t.co/Xbnz5YcsmG Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) December 30, 2020 Despite some initial hiccups the UK has vaccinated 2 million people to date, more than the whole of the European Union combined. Whilst a considerable number of constituents have contacted me about their concerns, I have raised these directly with senior health board officials who have given reassurances that as we go forward, that the vaccination programme will meet their target of vaccinating all those in the first two priority group by the first week of February. Im sure residents will join me in praising all of our dedicated doctors and nurses who have been working around the clock to care for those who have fallen ill with coronavirus and to administer the vaccine. Furthermore, I am encouraged that two new drugs, tocilizumab and sarilumab, have been approved to help treat people with coronavirus and is currently being used across the United Kingdom. https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1347214335253368834?s=20 Although this encouraging news and offers us hope, we must make sure that all of our hard work and sacrifices are not in vain, and we must ensure that we continue to follow local restrictions to suppress and control the virus in order to save as many lives as possible. In the words of Sir Captain Tom Moore, who has been an inspiration to us all throughout the pandemic and who, I believe, exemplifies the best of Britain, tomorrow will be a good day. Over the Christmas period we saw that same community spirit shine through in Wrexham. I had the pleasure of meeting with the volunteers at PPE Hwb Wrecsam who have been working around the clock to produce and distribute face visors to the community since the beginning of the pandemic. It is fantastic to have been able to witness the great work of @PPEhwbWrecsam throughout the pandemic. They are a shining example of #Wrexham residents rallying to support one another and I am so pleased that their great work is continuing.https://t.co/0qBnfmR7va Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) December 21, 2020 In 2016 the people of Wrexham voted to leave the European Union. It was an honour to represent their views by voting in favour of the Prime Ministers UK-EU post-Brexit deal which represent a new chapter in our nations long history. The deal delivers on the promise made to residents at the election last December, taking back control of our laws, border, money, trade and fisheries, and ends any role of the European Court of Justice. Opening new trading opportunities globally, whilst also protecting the integrity of the UK internal market and Northern Irelands place within it. https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1344782085001781251?s=20 Once again, Id like to wish everyone across Wrexham a happy new year. Im sure you will join me in hoping for a better and more prosperous 2021. https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1344801435536531458?s=20 As always, if there is anything I can do to support Wrexham residents please dont hesitate to contact me on the details below: Email: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk Phone: 020 2719 4885 | 01978 291742 Post: Office of Sarah Atherton MP, 65 Regent Street, Wrexham, LL11 1PF The situation is developing rapidly, visit my website for up-to-date information, guidance and advice with regards to coronavirus and the vaccine: https://www.sarahatherton.org.uk/coronavirus-homepage Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Welsh and UK Parliament representatives to write a monthly article with updates on their work and closer to home you can find them all here. Beijing: Chinas state-run news agency Xinhua has announced a USD one million fund to institutionalise media cooperation among the BRICS countries including awards for journalists from the five member states. This was announced on Wednesday by Cai Mingzhao, president of Xinhua and executive president of the BRICS Media Forum. Cai said the participating media organisations all agree to select news stories for the BRICS news reporting award and continue to hold joint photo exhibitions. Xinhua would like to host the first event for selecting BRICS news reporting award winners, and help other BRICS media to prepare the second joint photo exhibition, Cai said. According to Cai, participating media organizations agree to explore cooperation in areas such as integrative development, video, new media and social media. Last year, Xinhua established the cooperative and sharing platform On-Scene Cloud, which can offer its members media content, channels, technologies and other services. We are willing to open that platform to BRICS media free of charge, he noted. Cai said Xinhua is willing to provide funding to invite 20 BRICS media reporters every year to visit Chinese media and exchange views with them and conduct news reporting in China. Liu Qibao, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the committees Publicity Department, urged BRICS media to promote win-win cooperation and push the international order in a fairer and more reasonable direction. Sharing a common destiny, BRICS countries form not only an interconnected community of interests, but also a community of joint actions, said Liu while addressing the forum. There are misinterpreting and misreading voices in the international public opinion that are sceptical of the development prospects of BRICS countries and even BRICS itself, Liu said, urging BRICS media to maintain composure and consolidate confidence, and pass on the message of confidence in BRICS countries development. Liu called for pragmatic cooperation among BRICS media, including conducting joint interviews on major topics, promoting cooperation in information services, professional training, human resources and think tank exchanges, as well as sharing experiences in meeting the challenges of the Internet and promoting integrated media development. Journalists from 27 media organisations from BRICS countries today promised to deepen cooperation and contribute to the BRICS framework at the ongoing two-day BRICS Media Forum which was kicked off in Beijing on Wednesday. The forum with the theme Deepening media cooperation among BRICS countries, promoting equity and justice in international media was proposed by Xinhua and jointly initiated with Brazils CMA Group, Russias Sputnik News Agency and Radio, the Hindu Group of India and South Africas Independent Media. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. FDA vows safety first THAILAND: The permanent secretary for public health, Kiatiphum Wongrajit, yesterday (Jan 10) defended the use of the Sinovac vaccine, saying the Chinese-made product is produced with reliable technology and no reports of serious side effects have emerged after its use. CoronavirusCOVID-19drugshealthSafety By Bangkok Post Monday 11 January 2021, 09:31AM Graphics: Bangkok Post. Earlier, the deputy chairwoman of civil society group FTA Watch, Kannikar Kijtiwatchakul, voiced her concerns about the Sinovac vaccine, saying its efficacy and safety remain unclear, as it has yet to progress beyond Phase 3 trials. To ensure its safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has pledged to prioritise patients well-being when it evaluates the vaccine, which is expected to arrive next month. The decision to approve that vaccine will depend on its safety and efficiency, said Surachoke Tangwiwat, the FDAs deputy secretary-general. Our experts will look into the scientific evidence that will be sent to us. Dr Surachoke said the FDA is waiting for Sinovac to send documents for the FDA to review and insisted officials will not fast-track the approval process. He admitted that the plan to administer the vaccine next month may still change, as the FDA will have to adhere to the strictest health and safety principles. And if we dont have all required documents to verify its safety, it is possible we wont approve it, he told the Bangkok Post. He noted that Sinovacs vaccine is still awaiting approval from Chinese authorities. Thailands FDA is currently reviewing the COVID-19 vaccine developed by US company AstraZeneca in partnership with the UKs Oxford University and has received all relevant documents it requested. It has not, however, asked to be sent documents relating to the vaccines developed by US companies Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna. The director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, Supakit Sirilak, said that before deciding to buy from a vaccine manufacturer, the government takes into account several factors, which include the vaccines properties, its price, as well as the manufacturers capacity to produce and deliver them. However, Dr Supakit said, the government is expected to purchase the vaccine from no more than three manufacturers. There will be enough vaccine for everyone, free of charge, he said. Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry has confirmed that people in four high-risk groups - including the elderly and frontline medical workers - will be the first to be inoculated against COVID-19 when Sinovacs vaccine arrives in Thailand next month. Director-general of the Disease Control Department, Opas Kankawinpong, said yesterday the vaccination programme will be managed in a prudent manner, taking into account the experiences of other countries in deciding which part of the population should be inoculated first. Among those who will receive the first doses are frontline medical and/or public health workers; sufferers of congenital diseases who are obese; senior citizens aged 60 and above; and officials working to contain the virus in the hotspot provinces of Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Trat and Samut Sakhon, the ministry said. The first, which will run from February to April, will see 2 million doses for 1.32 million people distributed across the hotspot provinces. The second, from May to June, will see at least 26 million doses rolled out to cover vulnerable, high-risk groups across the country. The ministry expects the final phase, which will see the vaccines being made available to the general public, to begin either late this year or early next year. Dr Opas said each person will receive two jabs, a month apart. To ensure the efficiency of the rollout, two vaccine distribution hubs will be set up - one at the Public Health Ministry and the other at the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. From there, the vaccines will be distributed to community hospitals in the provinces by local public health agencies. In Bangkok, the vaccinations will be carried out at public health centres, he added. Some personnel training will be required, as the vaccine must be administered again within a certain period to ensure its efficacy. A follow-up session will be scheduled about four weeks after the first dose to see if the recipients develop any side effects. She recently confirmed her relocation to Dubai alongside her boyfriend Danny Flasher and son Beau. And Chloe Lewis displayed her petite figure on Sunday in a pastel blue bikini and complementing shirt as she headed to the beach in the UAE city. The former TOWIE star, 30, looked effortlessly stylish in her chic swimwear before capturing a snap of her beau and their son, 14 months, in a pool together. Stunning: Chloe Lewis displayed her petite figure on Sunday in a pastel blue bikini and complementing shirt as she headed to the beach in Dubai Chloe framed her visage with classic black shades and she styled her caramel tresses in a natural loose wave. She added a slick of make-up as she posed by a palm tree while clutching her favourite drink from Juice Rehab London. In another image uploaded to her Instagram later on Sunday, her beau Danny planted a kiss on their son Beau as they went swimming in a local pool. Chloe recently marked her 30th birthday in style as she rocked a gold cut-out dress for a celebratory dinner with pals in Dubai. Sweet: The former TOWIE star, 30, looked effortlessly stylish in her swimwear before capturing a snap of her boyfriend Danny Flasher and their son, Beau, 14 months, together in a pool The mother-of-one looked sensational in her strappy Bronx and Banco gown which boasted a halterneck top and two tortoiseshell loops to hold the skirt's material. The beauty also teased a glimpse at her toned pins through the dress' sexy thigh-high split and she added some extra height to her frame by donning sparkling heels. She wore her blonde locks down and perfectly styled into curls as well as donning a slick of makeup to complete her sizzling look. Not forgetting her accessories, Chloe wore a selection of stylish gold bracelets and painted her nails a chic rouge colour for the evening out. The reality star shared several snaps from her birthday celebrations, revealing a large cake which read :'Happy 30th Birthday Coco', which had been given to her. Sizzling! Chloe recently marked her 30th birthday in style as she rocked a gold cut-out dress for a celebratory dinner with pals in the United Arab Emirates city Last month, Chloe revealed she had officially moved to the sun-soaked country with Danny and Beau. During a Q and A, one follower asked: 'How comes you have moved to Dubai? Is it for work? Is it temp or permanent?' To which Chloe replied: 'Danny was offered an amazing job here we talked about it & seemed like an amazing opportunity. 'We havent put a time frame on how long we will be here for. But for now its home.' Chloe added Beau was 'loving life' in Dubai. She said: 'He's absolutely loving life. Hes goes swimming everyday & we spend the afternoons playing on the beach.' The former TOWIE star gave birth to her son in October last year. Below is my column in the Hill newspaper on my concerns over the planned snap impeachment this year. In my view, impeaching on the speech alone would raise serious concerns over the use of impeachment in the future. Many Democrats, including members of Congress, refused to accept Trump as the legitimate president when he was elected and refused to do so as rioting broke out at the inauguration. Many of the same members have used the same type of rhetoric to take back the country and fight for the country. The concern is that this impeachment will not only create precedent for an expedited pathway of snap impeachments but allow future Congresses to impeach presidents for actions of their supporters. The point of this column is to call for greater caution and deliberation before we take this step to consider the basis and implications of this impeachment. As with the calls to use the 25th Amendment, there are real dangers to any opportunistic or hurried use of this option. There is also the alternative of a joint and bipartisan condemnation of both houses, which would be both justified and unassailable. As I have said, there could be evidence to support impeachment on the proposed incitement article but it would have to be found before or after the speech to show an intent to spark rioting or to allow it to continue. As with the 25th Amendment claim, such evidence would be found from within the White House and through a traditional impeachment inquiry. Here is the column: Author Franz Kafka once wrote, My guiding principle is this: Guilt is never to be doubted. Congressional Democrats appear close to adopting that Kafkaesque standard into the Constitution as they prepare for a second impeachment of President Trump. In seeking his removal for incitement, Democrats would gut not only the impeachment standard but free speech, all in a mad rush to remove Trump just days before the end of his term. Democrats are seeking to remove Trump on the basis of his speech to supporters before the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol. Like many, I condemned that speech as it was still being given, calling it reckless and wrong. I also opposed the challenges to electoral votes in Congress. However, Trumps speech does not meet the definition of incitement under the U.S. criminal code. Indeed, it would be considered protected speech by the Supreme Court. When I testified in both the Clinton and Trump impeachment hearings, I noted that an article of impeachment does not have to be based on a clear crime but that Congress historically has looked to the criminal code to weigh impeachment offenses. In this current controversy, any such comparison would quickly dispel claims of criminal incitement. Despite widespread, justified condemnation of his words, Trump never actually called for violence or a riot. Rather, he urged his supporters to march on the Capitol to express opposition to the certification of electoral votes and to support the challenges being made by some members of Congress. He expressly told his followers to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. Such electoral-vote challenges have been made by Democrats in past elections under the Electoral Count Act, and Trump was pressing Republican lawmakers to join the effort on his behalf. He stated: Now it is up to Congress to confront this egregious assault on our democracyAnd after this, 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. He ended his speech by saying a protest at the Capitol was meant to try and give our Republicans, the weak ones the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country. So lets walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. Such marches are common on both federal and state capitols to protest or to support actions occurring inside. The governing legal standard for violent speech is found in Brandenburg v. Ohio. As a free speech advocate, I have long criticized that 1969 case and what I consider its dangerously vague standard. However, even Brandenburg would treat Trumps speech as protected by the First Amendment. Under that case, the government can criminalize speech that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action. There was no call for lawless action by Trump. Instead, there was a call for a protest at the Capitol. Moreover, violence was not imminent; the vast majority of the tens of thousands of protesters present were not violent before the march, and most did not riot inside the Capitol. Like many violent protests we have witnessed over the last four years, including Trumps 2017 inauguration, the criminal conduct was carried out by a smaller group of instigators. Capitol police knew of the planned march but declined an offer of National Guard personnel because they did not view violence as likely. Thus, Congress is about to seek the impeachment of a president for a speech that is protected under the First Amendment. It would create precedent for the impeachment of any president who can be blamed for the violent acts of others after the use of reckless or inflammatory language. What is even more unnerving are the few cases that would support this type of action. The most obvious is the 1918 prosecution of socialist Eugene Debs, who spoke passionately against the draft in World War I and led figures like President Wilson to declare him a traitor to his country. Debs was arrested and charged with sedition, the new favorite term of todays Democratic leaders to denounce Trump and Republican members who challenged the Biden victory. In 1919, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote for a unanimous bench in one of the most infamous decisions to issue from the Supreme Court. The court dismissed Debs free speech rights and held that it was sufficient that his words had the natural tendency and reasonably probable effect of deterring people from supporting the war. That decision was a disgrace but Democrats are now arguing something even more extreme as the basis for impeachment. Under their theory, any president could be removed for rhetoric deemed to have the natural tendency to encourage others to act in a riotous fashion. Even a call for supporters to protest peacefully would not be a defense. It would be as if Debs first denounced the war but also encouraged people to enlist. This standard would allow for a type of vicarious impeachment attributing conduct of third parties to a president for the purposes of removal. Democrats are pushing this dangerously vague standard while objecting to their own statements being given incriminating meaning by critics. For example, conservatives have pointed to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) calling for people to confront Republican leaders in restaurants; Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) insisted during 2020s violent protests that there needs to be unrest in the streets, while then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said protesters should not let up even as many protests were turning violent. They can all legitimately argue that their rhetoric was not meant to be a call for violence, but this is a standard fraught with subjectivity. The damage caused by this weeks rioting was enormous but it will pale in comparison to the damage from a new precedent of a snap impeachment for speech protected under the First Amendment. It is the very danger that the Framers sought to avoid in crafting the impeachment standard. In a process meant to require deliberative, not impulsive, judgments, the very reference to a snap impeachment is a contradiction in constitutional terms. In this new system, guilt is not to be doubted and innocence is not to be deliberated. It would do to the Constitution what the rioters did to the Capitol: Leave it in tatters. Shocking footage reveals moment the trapped minke whale was drowned Fishermen tied a rope around the whale's tail fin and forced its head beneath the water where it took around 20 minutes to die Animal rights activists have condemned the killing off the coast of Taiji, Japan Shocking footage has revealed the moment a trapped minke whale was drowned by fisherman who forced the helpless animal underwater for 20 minutes off the coast of Taiji, a Japanese town notorious for dolphin butchery. Animal rights campaigners have condemned the killing of the young whale, which was held captive in fishing nets for 19 days before its murder, according to the Humane Society International (HSI). ADVERTISEMENT Witness reports initially suggested the whale had been killed by an exploding harpoon, but examination of footage revealed that the animal had been held underwater to suffocate. Shocking footage has revealed the moment a trapped minke whale was drowned by fisherman who forced the helpless animal underwater for 20 minutes off the coast of Taiji, a Japanese town notorious for dolphin butchery Click here to resize this module After the killing, the whale was lifted onto a fishing boat and wrapped in blue tarpaulin before being delivered for butchering. Ren Yabuki, director of Live Investigation Agency, had been documenting the whale's ordeal and captured the moment it was killed. 'Oh, no! The fishermen have killed the minke whale now,' an emotional Yabuki can be heard saying. 'I'm so sorry... Oh no, oh Jesus.' Mr Yabuki had watched the fishermen tie a rope around the whale's tail fin and force its head beneath the water where it took around 20 minutes to die. Death in such situations is usually because the whale clamps its blowhole shut and suffocates. The minke whale was wrapped in blue tarpaulin after it was killed and delivered for butchering Fishermen listed the whale onto the fishing boat and wrapped it in blue tarpaulin 'We feel saddened by this dreadful outcome. It is soul-destroying to think that by merely lifting the net three weeks ago, this poor animal could have been swimming free instead of being trapped in prolonged distress only to be killed and butchered for commercial sale in local markets,' said Georgia Dolphin, HSI Australias animal welfare program manager. The HSI believes the whale was deliberately entrapped the whale since December 24th under the guise of 'by-catch'. 'While we mourn the tragic passing of this animal, we know that a similar brutal end comes to many more whales off the coast of Japan every year. They are the silent victims of Japan's continued commercial whaling. What was rare was for it to be witnessed,' Ms Dolphin added. 'HSI believes that deliberately entrapping whales for prolonged periods under the guise of 'by-catch' is inhumane and we call on the people of Japan to speak out against this cruelty.' The minke whale pictured on the 17th day that it was trapped in a set of fishing nets in Taiki, Kapan Animal rights campaigners have condemned the killing of the young whale, which was held captive in fishing nets for 19 days before its murder, according to the Humane Society International (HSI) The commercial killing of whales is subject to a global ban, but Japan left the International Whaling Commission in 2019 which allows them to continue killing the whales. ADVERTISEMENT Subsequently, Japanese fishermen brought back their first whale in 31 years after commercial whaling was reintroduced following a decades-long hiatus in July 2019. Whaling has long proved a rare diplomatic flashpoint for Tokyo, which says the practice is a Japanese tradition that should not be subject to international interference. As an IWC member, Japan was banned from commercial hunts of large whales, though it could catch small varieties in waters near its coastline. But it also exploited a loophole in the body's rules to carry out highly controversial hunts of whales in protected Antarctic waters under the banner of 'scientific research'. Japanese whaling ships leaving a Kushiro Port to begin a commercial whale hunt for the first time in 31 years in July 2019 Activists said the hunts had no scientific value, and Japan made no secret of the fact that meat from whales caught on those hunts ended up sold for consumption. The country has since stopped its controversial hunts in Antarctica. 'The commercial killing of whales is subject to a global ban, but Japan has sought to escape the ban by leaving the International Whaling Commission,' Ms Dolphin said. 'Consequently, they continue to kill whales for commercial purposes completely outside of the framework of international law. 'We will continue to call on the Japanese government to bring an end to all forms of commercial whaling and dolphin hunting due to the immense animal cruelty caused.' Japan's government recently issued quotas for the country's commercial whaling operations for 2021, setting the catch limit of large whales at 383, according to the HSI. The quota allows a catch limit of 171 minke whales including a potential 'by-catch' of 37. They also allow for the capture of 187 Bryde's whales and 25 Sei whales. ADVERTISEMENT The Japanese town of Taiji where the most recent minke whale was killed already attracts substantial criticism since it is home to 'dolphin dive hunts'. The area is the largest exporter of wild-caught dolphins in the world, supplying marine parks globally. We moved home last summer into a house that we consider a project and needs totally refurbishing and extending. It's not quite a Grand Design but we intend to completely transform the house. Our plan was to get a small selection of architects round in the New Year to give us their thoughts on what could be done and draw up some plans. Can we still do this in the new lockdown, as they would obviously need to visit our home? Are architects among the property professionals still allowed to work? We will also need to work on finding a builder and put in for planning permission, is this likely to be harder? Builders and architects can still come to your home in England, Wales and Northern Ireland Helen Crane, of This Is Money, replies: You will be pleased to know that your project can still go ahead - if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The Government has been clear that the planning system should keep moving, and councils are still accepting applications. Architects are allowed to carry out site visits in people's homes, because this is an essential part of their job that cannot be done remotely. According to industry regulator the Architects' Registration Board: 'Where it is necessary to work in other people's homes, such as a site visit, then [architects] may do so. Social distancing must be maintained at all times.' And builders and tradespeople are also allowed to continue working throughout lockdown too, as long as they carry out their jobs in a Covid-secure way. If you live in Scotland, though, the rules on construction work are stricter. The Scottish Government has said that tradespeople are only allowed in homes 'to carry out repairs and maintenance that would otherwise threaten the household's health and safety'. Guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland says that construction workers should social distance, and try to work in the same groups every day to limit their contact with other people. Be prepared for higher costs The Government rules also say that workers should wear face masks, keep spaces well-ventilated, clean shared tools and equipment regularly, and use the NHS Track and Trace system. Complying with Covid protocols means that fewer workers may be able to be in your home at any one time. As in almost every industry, the practicalities of working from home, social distancing and people needing to self-isolate might slow things down - so your project might take longer than usual, and therefore cost more. An architect will still be able to visit your home and draw up plans for your renovation project This could apply to both the cost of the architect drawing up the plans, and the building work being done. The Federation of Master Builders published the following guidance: 'Consumers should not pressurise their builder to cut corners in relation to protecting health and safety in order to get their building project completed. 'It is highly likely that working in accordance with current coronavirus guidance, which is over and above the existing health and safety law, will mean that building projects take longer to complete, and will therefore cost more. 'This requires collaborative and open discussion between the parties to agree a plan to get the work completed safely.' Watch out for rogue traders It also said that homeowners should beware of rogue builders who offered to get their project finished more quickly or cheaply during the pandemic. 'The coronavirus crisis has unfortunately created conditions where fraudsters and people who are not skilled or professional builders will seize the opportunity to make money from homeowners who want to get work completed. 'If you are approached by anyone offering to finish work quickly and cheaply, be very careful of this. Trading Standards are reporting increased levels of such activity. It is better to be patient than to risk using rogue builders.' As well as the Government guidance, industry bodies have issued guidelines to builders, tradespeople and architects that outline the best practice around working in other people's homes during the pandemic. If they do not follow these rules, and they are registered with a body such as the Architects Registration Board or the Federation of Master Builders, you can contact that body and make a complaint. The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 this week is likely to reach double the numbers at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic here, HSE chief Paul Reid has warned. The health service will come under increasing strain in the early part of this week, as the numbers requiring in-patient treatment has given rise for concern. That pressure has already been seen at Letterkenny University Hospital in Donegal yesterday evening where at least seven patients had to be assessed in a queue of ambulances outside because there was no space for them in the Emergency Department. All of the patients are understood to have respiratory issues. Read More Figures released yesterday showed the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) was notified of 6,888 new Covid-19 cases, with 1,452 patients hospitalised. A total of 125 people were in intensive care units (ICU). There had been 100 extra hospitalisations over the previous 24 hours. In addition, eight new deaths were reported. Of the cases reported yesterday, 2,088 were in Dublin, 862 in Cork, 469 in Limerick, 405 in Wexford, 320 in Waterford and the remaining cases were spread across all other counties. Early this week, we will likely be at double what we had in the peak of last year, Mr Reid said yesterday, adding there was concern at the rising trend. He said there were 37 vacant adult ICU beds and 11 vacant pediatric ICU beds across the health system yesterday morning. Speaking on RTEs This Week, he said a surge agreement reached with private hospitals to access beds and give further capacity for patients had already been triggered. Private hospitals are already taking some urgent care, non-Covid care and support, so we have in essence triggered those processes already, Mr Reid said. Last night, Neal Donohue, INMO industrial relations officer for the north west, said more healthcare staff were urgently needed in Letterkenny. "Our members are reporting unprecedented pressure on Letterkenny Hospital. Beds are closed due to staffing shortages and the emergency department is packed. "We have reached a stage where at least seven patients are being treated in ambulances because there isn't space in the hospital. This is the biggest outbreak the hospital has ever faced." Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One this morning, Mr Donoghue said the whole of Letterkenny Hospital has been under immense pressure for weeks. He continued: Letterkenny has been under extreme pressure for a number of weeks before Christmas and there just has been no let up. So, theyre trying to run a non-Covid and Covid-positive pathway and it is putting serious pressure on staffing resources. Our staff are reporting burnout. A spokesperson for Letterkenny University Hospital said: Throughout the weekend there has been a large number of patients presenting with suspect or confirmed Covid-19, many of whom required admission to the hospital. They said as a result, there were delays in admission for patients going to the dedicated Covid-19 ward and clinical teams assessed patients from ambulances. Saolta, the hospital group that runs Letterkenny, issued a statement saying staff have been secured to ensure an extra 11 beds can be opened. The hospital says the ambulances are now being released as the patients can be treated in the hospital and Saolta apologised for any stress that the delays caused. The hospital has secured additional staff this evening, which enabled it to open a further 11 beds in order to respond to the demand, they said last night. Meanwhile the chief executive of one of the countrys largest hospital groups, UL Hospitals, warned the pattern of Covid-19 was rapidly worsening across the mid-west region, with 427 of her staff unavailable for work due to the virus. Read More Baidu has already developed autonomous vehicle tech, but now plans to produce electric vehicles in partnership with Geely, the Chinese automaker that owns Volvo and Polestar, according to MSNBC. The idea is that Geely will design and manufacture the EVs, while Baidu, Chinas search equivalent to Google, will supply the technology. China has become the world's largest market for EVs, and we are seeing EV consumers demanding next generation vehicles to be more intelligent, said Baidu CEO Robin Li in a statement. Chinas EV market is getting more crowded every day, thanks in part to government subsidies and rapidly expanding charging infrastructure. On top of incumbents like Tesla and domestic companies Nio, Xpeng Motors and others, other tech companies like Foxconn (with Byton) and Alibaba are jumping in. In November 2020, Tesla delivered over 20,000 EVs in the nation, up nearly 80 percent over a single month. Baidu, meanwhile, is attempting to expand its business beyond search and advertising. The company has been working on autonomous vehicle tech since 2017 and previously teamed up with Geely-owned Volvo in 2018 on self-driving cars. The goal at the time was to achieve Level 4 status, though that still seems many years away. Nevertheless, the Baidus tech was recently approved for fully driverless road tests in Beijing. Colin Powell has said that he can no longer consider himself Republican' (CNN) Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that he can no longer consider himself Republican in light of the partys continued allegiance to Donald Trump in the lead up to the riot on the US Capitol. Im not a fellow of anything right now, Mr Powell said on CNN while agreeing that certain Republicans refusal to condemn the president encouraged this wildness to grow and grow". Im just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat throughout my entire career, and right now Im just watching my country and not concerned with parties, he added. Pro-Trump rioters stormed Capitol last week amid protests in Washington, DC, vandalising and looting the building while demanding officials overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Mr Powell, who served as secretary of state for George W Bush from 2001 to 2005, argued that Republican party representatives failed to speak out against the president in an attempt to protect their own political careers. I do not know how he was able to attract all of these people. They should have known better, but they were so taken by their political standing and how none of them wanted to put themselves at political risk, he said. They would not stand up and tell the truth or stand up and criticize him, or criticise others. They are here for our country. They are not here simply to be reelected again. Come on, guys. At least 13 senators and potentially more than 100 House members planned to challenge Democrat Joe Biden's victory in at least six states during the electoral certification ceremony when the riot erupted. The president has faced increasing calls for removal in the days following the shocking breach, having been widely accused of inciting the violence. Following the riots at the Capitol, on Thursday Mr Powell called for the president to resign as soon as possible in an interview on the TODAY Show. "Those who are suggesting impeachment or the article, 25th Amendment, that's time-consuming. I wish he would just do what Nixon did and then step down," Mr Powell said. Story continues That way, he would not only step down; he would in addition sort of cut the guts out from underneath this group of people he has working for him, he continued. Mr Powell, a staunch Trump critic, said he believes the president is responsible for one of the most disgusting things he had ever seen in his years as a government employee. He should be totally ashamed of himself, and he should take that shame and turn it into a resignation as soon as possible, he said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed in a statement on Sunday that Democrats in the House of Representatives will proceed with legislation to impeach Mr Trump a second time. Read More Twitter bans Trump allies Flynn and Powell in QAnon purge Melania Trump finally condemns Capitol riots Controversial app Parler removed from internet after pro-Trump riots Pence still considering invoking 25th amendment on Trump - live From former staff to top Republicans, the GOP faithful turn on Trump (CNN) -- Shares of Twitter fell Monday after the company announced late Friday that it had permanently banned President Donald Trump from the platform. Twitter joins a growing list of companies distancing themselves from Trump following the deadly attack at the Capitol last week by a mob of the president's supporters, many of whom believe Trump's false assertion that the election was stolen from him. From a financial perspective, investors may believe banning Trump could hurt Twitter because some former followers of his feed may decide to leave the platform due to their belief that the company is silencing conservative voices. There's also the fact that even before Trump's ban, advertisers may have decided they want to avoid sponsoring content on a platform that has become polarizing. Twitter shares fell as much as nearly 10% early Monday before paring some losses and trading down 4% by midday. Plus, Twitter and other social media companies may also come under more pressure from the Biden administration and Democrats who will soon control the House and Senate. They may seek to crack down further on the more incendiary content on the platform, not to mention the outright lies tweeted by politicians and other verified account holders. Even after Monday's big drop, though, shares of Twitter are still up about 45% over the past 12 months. That's a bigger return than Facebook's 20% gain during the same time period -- although it lags the more than 200% surge for Snapchat owner Snap. Twitter reported a healthy jump in earnings for the third quarter but investors are worried about a slowdown in user growth. And the platform remains the preferred method for many users to share breaking news and commentary. "I think we have an opportunity to show people a much broader aspect of Twitter than just what they see with news and politics," said Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during a conference call with analysts in October. "People are coming for one reason and staying because they find relevant topics that are interesting to them," Dorsey added. Many Twitter users have attracted massive followings, and their tweets are not just newsworthy. They can also move markets. Case in point: Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has nearly 42 million followers, helped to inadvertently spark a significant rally in a tiny stock last week when he simply tweeted "Use Signal," an endorsement of the encrypted messaging service. Shares of a health tech company named Signal Advance, which is not the owner of the Signal app, soared more than 525% Thursday following Musk's tweet. It nearly doubled again Friday and was up another 400% Monday after a strategist at Deutsche Bank noted the increase in a report. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Twitter's stock falls after Trump's account is suspended" SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty Income Corporation (Realty Income,NYSE: O), The Monthly Dividend Company, today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 10,500,000 shares of common stock. The company also plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,575,000 additional shares of common stock. The joint book-running managers for the offering are BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Securities and Citigroup. The company intends to use net proceeds from the offering, along with available cash and additional borrowings as necessary, to fund property acquisitions. As of January 8, 2021, the company had entered into agreements or letters of intent to acquire additional U.S. and U.K. properties with an aggregate estimated purchase price of approximately $676.8 million. Moreover, from January 1 through January 8, 2021, the company has acquired properties with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $130.7 million, which, when combined with the properties under agreement or letter of intent as of January 8, 2021, equals an aggregate estimated purchase price of approximately $807.5 million. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital, which may include additional acquisitions, developments or expansions and/or repayment of borrowings under the company's $3.0 billion revolving credit facility and/or the company's $1.0 billion commercial paper program. Acquisitions are subject to uncertainties and there can be no assurance that these planned property acquisitions will be completed at the prices or on the timetable or other terms currently contemplated, or at all, or that the company will enter into binding agreements to acquire properties as to which the company has entered into letters of intent. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the public offering of these securities have been or will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, when available, may be obtained from BofA Securities, Attn: Prospectus Department, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001 or email: [email protected]; or Morgan Stanley, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014; or Wells Fargo Securities, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 500 West 33rd Street, New York, New York, 10001, at (800) 326-5897 or email: [email protected]; or Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, at (800) 831-9146 or email: [email protected]. These securities are offered pursuant to a Registration Statement that has become effective under the Securities Act. These securities are only offered by means of the preliminary prospectus supplement related to the offering and the related prospectus. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities, in any state or other jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, the offer, solicitation, or sale of these securities would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding planned acquisitions, are "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the company's actual future results to differ materially from expected results. These risks include, among others, general economic conditions, domestic and foreign real estate conditions, tenant financial health, the availability of capital to finance planned growth, volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, property acquisitions and the timing of these acquisitions, charges for property impairments, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to limit its impact, the effects of pandemics or global outbreaks of contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, the company's tenants' ability to adequately manage its properties and fulfill their respective lease obligations to the company, and the outcome of any legal proceedings to which the company is a party, as described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as reflections of the company's current operating plans and estimates. Actual operating results and property acquisitions may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date these statements were made. SOURCE Realty Income Corporation Related Links http://www.realtyincome.com ADVERTISEMENT The Kano State Fire Service says three persons from the same family died in an early morning fire incident on Monday at Rijiyar Zaki in Ungogo Local Government Area of the state. The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Saidu Muhammed, said the incident, which occurred at about 3.18 a.m., also razed a dwelling house. We received a distress call from Malam Salisu Muhammed at about 3:18 a.m that fire has gutted a dwelling house in his area and three persons were trapped. On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at about 3:22 a.m. They were rescued unconscious and conveyed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital where the doctor on duty confirmed them dead, Mr Muhammed said. He said the victims, who were from the same family, were Hauwa Musa, 25; Mubarak Musa, 13, and Salamatu Musa, 20. Mr Muhammed said that the cause of the incident was being investigated. (NAN) The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. 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 significant return of consumer traffic to the on-premise in Australia points the way to a mid-2021 recovery for Western alcohol markets hit by the coronavirus lockdown, an analyst has forecast. Restaurants in Australia are busier than this time last year, according to a new analysis Australian restaurant bookings on reservation app OpenTable are up 50% on last year, according to a note to clients from Bernstein's Trevor Stirling today. Unlike in many Western markets, the on-premise in Australia is no longer locked down and is operating almost as normal. In a new report called 'European Beverages: State of the On-Trade', Stirling describes Australia as the "one bright spot" in the developed world for on-premise performance. Commenting on the table booking data, the analyst added: "Hopefully, this is a harbinger of what may come for the rest of [the industry] in 2021." Stirling also said the roll-out of vaccines in developed markets should release an "enormous pent-up demand to socialise" that will see the on-premise begin to recover from the middle of this year. "The human desire to interact face-to-face with friends and family is incredibly deep-seated," he writes. The alcohol industry has seen an increase in off-premise sales as consumers move to home consumption, although for most companies, this has failed to offset the loss of the bar and restaurant trade. In the UK, which has seen the gin category soar in recent years, total gin sales were down 16% in the 12 months to 3 October because of the on-premise slump. What's coming up in wine in 2021? - Predictions for the Year Ahead - Click here for a just-drinks comment Boeing said on Saturday that the company was in contact with its airline customer and stands ready to support them after the Indonesian Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ-182 crashed. "We are aware of media reports from Jakarta regarding Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182. Our thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families," the company said in a statement. Indonesia's Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has confirmed the crash of a Boeing 737-500 plane of the Indonesian airlines, which lost contact with the air traffic controller on Saturday. The aircraft, flying from the capital Jakarta to Pontianak city in West Kalimantan province, crashed into the Java Sea off the Seribu District in north of Jakarta. It was carrying 50 passengers, including seven children and three babies, and 12 crew members. The pace of COVID-19 vaccines in Alabama is picking up. Todays update from the Alabama Department of Public Health shows the state administered 41,778 coronavirus vaccines in the week ending Jan. 9. Of those recent vaccines, 22,228 were the Pfizer brand; 19,550 were manufactured by Moderna. In all, Alabama has administered 87,138 COVID-19 vaccinations roughly 32% of its total allotment - since its program began the week of Dec. 12, 2020. Front-line medical workers were the first to receive the vaccine followed by first responders. Starting Jan. 18, the state is expanding its program to include people age 75 and older and more categories of essential workers. That planned rollout has had its issues, however. In its first day of operation, the states COVID-19 vaccination hotline received more than 1.1 million phone calls as many people complained they were unable to reach anyone to schedule their appointment. Hospitals were flooded with calls and state officials pointed out that vaccine demand still far outweighs supply. There are roughly 300,000 healthcare workers in the state and 350,000 people age 75 and older that qualify for the vaccine, according to the ADPH. Alabamas vaccine allotment was 271,925. On Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the state will launch a site for online vaccine registration but she has not given a date for its start. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. President-elect Joe Biden campaigned on aggressive goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the U.S. electric grid by 2035, and then economy-wide by 2050. The federal government will need a broad range of new programs, projects, regulations and possibly laws to set the nation on a path to reach those goals, with potentially $2 trillion in government spending over the next four years. That will be an uphill battle in Washington, D.C., where Republicans and Democrats remain sharply divided over the countrys energy policies. But there are many things Biden can pursue through executive orders and regulatory measures, such as streamlining the permitting process for transmission and new renewable energy projects and opening up a lot more federal land for clean energy development, said John Hensley, vice president of research and analytics for the American Clean Power Association. There are vast swathes of federal land throughout the West where renewables havent been built, in many cases because of siting and permitting issues, Hensley said. The Biden administration can do a lot more to prime those lands for renewable development. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Federal fast-tracking for transmission development will also be key to remove bureaucratic hurdles that have immensely slowed upgrades to current lines and construction of new ones in recent years. That aging infrastructure is in dire need of modernization to replace lines, build new ones and expand capacity around the country, Hensley said. Faster approval is critical, because today, opposition in just one state can kill regional projects, making it difficult to develop strategic, multi-state transmission corridors needed for renewable energy. Biden can also undo many executive Trump decisions that have slowed clean energy development, such as revising tariffs on solar panels and steel and setting higher fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles to accelerate deployment of electric cars. New federal building codes and funding to convert heating systems from fossil fuels to electricity could also help cut emissions from homes and businesses, which account for about 14% of U.S. greenhouse gasses. Biden will need congressional support for things like federal mandates to lower carbon emissions through fees or to set new renewable requirements for electric utilities. Congress must also approve any major funding for climate initiatives. But bipartisan agreements are possible. In December, for example, Congress approved an array of clean energy initiatives. That included extension of existing tax breaks for wind, solar and carbon-capture projects; a new 30% tax incentive for offshore wind development; and a new mandate for industry to reduce super-warming hydrofluorocarbon emissions by 85% over the next 15 years. Congress also authorized $40 billion for research and development of natural gas and industrial carbon-capture technology, new systems to directly capture carbon from the air, and next generation nuclear, renewable and storage technologies. New Mexico hopes to partner with federal agencies on many initiatives, said Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst. Weve had conversations with colleagues across the country on the relationship between the state and federal governments and how we can work together on specific things with the Biden administration and Congress, Cottrell Propst said. We can advance things like grid modernization and transportation infrastructure for electric vehicles much more quickly by working in partnership. Days ahead of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, the city's first patient urged people on Monday to get immunised without hesitation and listen to the scientific community, and not get swayed in by naysayers or those "spreading misconception" about it. The massive drive, whose first phase will begin from January 16 with healthcare workers to be the top priority group to receive the dose, will comprise 89 vaccination centres in Delhi. With final preparations underway and the vaccine set to arrive in the national capital in the next couple of days, Rohit Datta, who was the first person to be diagnosed with infection on March 1, said "it feels surreal". "Till a few months ago, we were struggling, people were dying in large numbers and fear of an unknown virus was at its peak. But our doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers fought a tough battle in 2020. And the first dose is rightfully to be given to all those corona warriors," he said. Datta, 46, a businessman and resident of east Delhi's Mayur Vihar, praised the scientists who have worked tirelessly in labs to make these vaccines a reality. "When I had been detected with COVID-19, a lot of lay people had sort of become self-proclaimed medical experts, giving their opinions on the new virus, many spread misinformation and wrong information about it, even though the scientific community was struggling to understand this novel virus. Now, same thing is happening about the COVID vaccine too," he said. "Many are spreading misconceptions about it even before the roll-out. Let us give our scientists a chance," the leather businessman said. India's drugs regulator has approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and the indigenously-developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country. "I would appeal to fellow citizens to not hesitate and get vaccinated, whenever an opportunity presents itself. The Queen of England and her husband Prince Philip just got vaccinated, and Indian leaders also should come to the forefront and lead the way, to instil confidence among people," Datta told PTI. He cautioned that many "misconceptions" with no scientific basis are being spread about the vaccine by a section of lay people, including by some religious leaders, and urged people to be wary of it and "not get swayed in by those unscientific arguments". "Even introduction of polio vaccine had faced resistance by many in the beginning, but today, we take our children to the booths for getting its dose. When vaccine to treat small pox was made by Edward Jenner, he also had given it to his son. We have to trust the scientists. What other options do we have," said the 46-year-old, who has a son (12) and a daughter (8). "If there is trust deficit, no amount of 'dawa' or 'dua' will work," he said. Datta, who became quite spiritual after completing his 14-day isolation at Safdarjung Hospital, argued that in Delhi, residents breath "highly polluted air" but some people are getting uneasy about a vaccine and its efficacy. The fear among some people is about any possible side effects of the vaccine, but Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said that an "emergency room" will be there at all vaccination centres where the vaccinated person will be kept under observation for 30 minutes. Among the 89 centres in Delhi, 40 will be government hospitals and 49 private facilities, Jain told reporters on Sunday. Delhi recorded 399 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the seventh time the daily incidence count stood below the 500-mark in January, even as the positivity rate dipped to 0.51 per cent. The infection tally in the city stood at 6.3 lakh and the death toll mounted to 10,678 with 12 new fatalities. Datta said he was waiting for his turn after the priority groups are first vaccinated, but "I am ready to take the jab, whenever the government tells us to get the vaccine". A senior doctor at a Delhi government hospital, which earlier was a fully COVID-19 facility, said human psyche tends to reject the unknown or accept it with reluctance or be afraid of it. "People were afraid of the novel and then accepted the new normal. Now, this vaccine is going to be administered for the first time, so there is a sense of unease among many. But, why that fear, the vaccine's efficacy we will get to know about later, but it is not unsafe. I will be in the forefront to receive the jab," he said. World leaders and doctors in countries like the US and the UK have received the vaccine approved for emergency use in their countries. Datta, who was diagnosed with the infection much before the nationwide lockdown was implemented from March 25, said it was strange that when the time for vaccination has come, bird flu has hit many parts of the country, including Delhi. Datta, whose house is near Sanjay Lake where several ducks have been found dead, hopes 2021 will be kinder to all creatures unlike the year gone by, which saw a pandemic of the century after the Spanish Flu of 1918. "I did quarantine for 14 days at the hospital, and then 14 days of home isolation, when these were technical jargons. Now, these are household terns. Similarly, getting Covid vaccination will, I hope become a routine affair like polio vaccine," 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.) President Moon Jae-in said Monday that the government will provide all Koreans with free coronavirus vaccines starting next month. "We will make sure that all Korean people will be inoculated free of charge in accordance with priorities," he said in his New Year's address at Cheong Wa Dae. Moon also apologized for difficulties due to soaring home prices and pledged to come up with "various measures" to supply new housing. 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. Representative Image Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) enables subscribers to make withdrawals from their EPF Account. The members must have the correct bank account in the records in order to ensure hassle-free withdrawals. There have been cases where people close their bank accounts but forget to change or update the new bank account in their EPF Account. Wrong bank account information can lead to unsuccessful credit transactions. With the help of the EPFO portal, subscribers can rectify their wrong bank account information. Update your bank account details in the EPFO record - Here's how -Go to Unified Member Portal and Login with Username and password. -Click on the 'Manage' tab. -Select 'KYC' from the drop down menu. -Select the bank and fill ' Bank Account Number, Name and IFSC code'. Click 'Save'. -Once it gets approved by the employer, updated bank details will be visible in the approved KYC section. Komodo Health today announced its acquisition of Mavens, a leader in cloud-based technology solutions. The acquisition brings together Komodo's Healthcare Map and software suite with enterprise applications from Mavens, creating the most advanced data-driven, enterprise platform for healthcare and life sciences. This deal will enable customers to more efficiently and seamlessly put life-saving therapies into the hands of patients who need them most. Deal terms were not disclosed. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005413/en/ Komodo Health acquires Mavens, a pioneer in cloud computing for the life sciences industry. The acquisition brings together Komodo's Healthcare Map and software suite with enterprise applications from Mavens, creating the most advanced data-driven, enterprise platform for healthcare and life sciences. Together, Komodo Health and Mavens will transform systems of record into systems of insight. (Photo: Business Wire) "This acquisition disrupts the status quo, unlocking a fundamentally different opportunity for life sciences companies to gain access to differentiated insights through technology," said Arif Nathoo, MD, CEO and co-founder of Komodo Health. "Purchasing fragmented and costly data assets, custom solutions and expensive consulting projects will be a thing of the past as Komodo Health delivers a seamless, data-driven platform across R&D, Commercial, Medical Affairs and Patient workflows." "Customers will benefit from our cloud-based enterprise platform that offers access to a suite of software solutions powered by our industry-leading Healthcare Map," added Web Sun, President and co-founder of Komodo Health. "This will revolutionize the value that healthcare and life sciences companies can now realize." "We are excited to join forces with Komodo Health to create a next-generation solution for the industry," said Prasad Kanumury (PK), founder and CEO of Mavens. "Together, we will transform the way life sciences companies support patients and providers, ultimately reducing the burden of disease across the globe. This raises the bar and changes the expectations of the entire healthcare ecosystem." Together, Komodo and Mavens will expand their software capabilities, powered by insights from Komodo's Healthcare Map -- which tracks more than 320 million de-identified patient journeys. As the industry shifts toward a patient-centered data model, enterprise healthcare companies can end their reliance on legacy data aggregators. The acquisition will also accelerate Komodo's global expansion, as Mavens currently operates in the U.S., U.K. and India. The acquisition of Mavens also comes on the heels of continued financial investment in Komodo Health, which raised $44 million in Series D funding led by ICONIQ Growth. Previous investors Andreessen Horowitz, Oak HC/FT, IA Ventures, Felicis Ventures, and McKesson Ventures all participated in the round. This funding will accelerate Komodo Health's ability to expand its Healthcare Map, platform, and solutions and further accelerate its mission to reduce the global burden of disease. "We have long admired Komodo's achievements and we believe the company's unique approach has finally linked robust patient journey data with crucial workflows to achieve greater efficiency and better outcomes in healthcare," said Caroline Xie, General Partner, ICONIQ Growth. "With the acquisition of Mavens, Komodo extends its strategy deeper into the life sciences enterprise and remains well capitalized to accelerate its impact across the entire healthcare ecosystem." About Komodo Health Komodo Health believes that smarter, more innovative use of data and analytics is essential for reducing disease burden. We apply artificial intelligence and other advanced data science techniques to our first-of-its-kind Healthcare Map, which tracks the unique patient journeys of over 320 million patients. We empower a multitude of healthcare stakeholders - life science companies, healthcare payers and providers, patient advocacy groups, and others - to create a more cost-effective, value-driven healthcare system. For more information, visit www.komodohealth.com. About Mavens Mavens is the pioneer in building trusted software products and implementing cloud-based technology to help biotech, rare disease, and specialty pharma companies navigate the challenges of commercialization. The company was founded by two Salesforce alumni - Prasad Kanumury (PK) and Billy Ho - with a simple goal to demystify and unlock the power of cloud technology for life sciences. The Mavens team has designed, built, and implemented globally compliant software in life sciences for more than 13 years. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005413/en/ 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. Comedians stealing each others jokes is unfortunately a common problem. Some of these are innocent mistakes while others represent outright theft. But its a hard thing to prove. The same goes for television comedies, where writers will recycle jokes or storylines from old shows with or without permission. The most recent example comes courtesy of British filmmaker and TV writer Richard Curtis, who just accused Friends creators of stealing a comedy bit from the hit series Mr. Bean. But is it true? Did Friends really rip off the turkey head bit without permission? Two Friends castmates put turkeys on their heads during Thanksgiving Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green | Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Thanksgiving episodes of Friends are some of the best and the turkey head storyline is no exception. In The One With All the Thanksgivings, the group competes to determine who had the worst Thanksgiving memories starting with Chandler discussing the time his parents told him they were getting divorced. Then Phoebe recalls the time Joey got a turkey stuck on his head while trying to scare Chandler. Repeated attempts to get the poultry unstuck were unsuccessful. After hard truths get uncovered via a series of flashback scenes, Monica reveals that she accidentally dropped a knife and severed Chandlers toe after a misunderstanding. By way of apology (and to be silly) she goes over to his apartment wearing a turkey on her head in the present day. Chandler accidentally slips and tells Monica he loves her for the first time while the turkey is still on her head. And, she scares Joey with her hilarious headpiece. Mr. Bean did the turkey head joke first RELATED: Friends: The 1 Story Arc That Had the Entire Cast, Especially Matt LeBlanc, Complaining to the Creators The One With All the Thanksgivings aired for the first time in Nov. 1998. But in 1992, Mr. Bean put a turkey on his head and possibly inspired the iconic episode of Friends. In Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean, the titular character (Rowan Atkinson) loses his watch inside the turkey carcass and goes a little too far trying to find it. He gets the turkey stuck on his head just as his girlfriend Irma arrives for Christmas dinner. Mr. Bean writer Curtis reflected on the joke theft during a documentary interview, Yahoo Life reported. Im absolutely dazzled by the Friends thing. I only saw it the other day. I literally cant believe what happened there. Bizarre, he said. Meanwhile, Atkinson is little less offended by the incident. But in the end you cant steal jokes. Jokes are there to be stolen or to inspire, the actor said. Friends is still capitalizing on the original joke There were plenty of popular gags on Friends but Monica with the turkey on her head is one of the most popular. Courteney Cox even revisited the bit, in part, on her Instagram when she put together a short video recreating the gag. Once again, in her kitchen at home, she donned a turkey carcass and danced provocatively. Fans loved her sense of humor and nostalgia, which helped fuel excitement for the upcoming Friends reunion special on HBO Max. So far, theres no word on whether Mr. Bean plans on putting a turkey on his head again. British Grinders Shine in the partypoker Big Games January 11 2021 Matthew Pitt partypoker runs a trio of Big Game tournaments every Sunday. There is a $2,600 High Roller Big Game, $530 Big Game, and a $55 Mini Big Game. Players calling the United Kingdom home shone brightly in these three events on January 10 with an outright victory, runner-up finish, and final table appearance. Tommy Deane took down the $55 Mini Big Game which saw 2,337 players buy-in. Deane emerged victorious with a $12,538 score in tow. This could have been larger but Deane was part of a three-way deal before marching onto victory. Two other British stars navigated their way to Deanes final table. Stuart McCormack and Jason Williams crashed out in eighth and seventh-place for prizes worth $1,698 and $2,143. There was a near-miss in the $530 Big Game that saw 444 players create a guarantee-busting $221,050 prize pool. Tyler Goatcher almost came out on top but ultimately had to make do with a runner-up finish worth $27,383. It was a similar story in the $2,600 High Roller Big Game where Conor Beresford and Stephen Chidwick reached a star-studded final table. Chidwicks tournament ended in a fifth place finish worth $19,868 while Beresford went one place deeper, his fourth-place resulting in a $26,898 addition to his bankroll. You Don't Need a Huge Bankroll to Become partypoker's Legend of the Week Deep Runs and Big Scores at GGPoker Gavin Cochrane showed his pot-limit Omaha prowess in the GGPoker WSOPC High Rollers: $2,500 Blade PLO. Cochrane fell in fourth place and turned his initial investment into $15,529. Arwizzz also reached a final table at GGPoker. They were one of 1,340 entrants in the WSOPC Series: $126 Deepstack Bounty Turbo, a finish that came with a $3,783 prize when bounties were taking into consideration. The WSOPC Series: $315 Bounty King Circuit was an event that had a Union Jack displayed at the final table. It wasnt there for long, however, because Sea View was the first player out of the door. Their demise in ninth place was worth $6,099 thanks to almost $3,200 worth of bounty payments. Having collected almost $20,000 for his final table appearance in the partypoker High Roller Big Game, Stephen Chidwick helped himself to $26,482 as part of a heads-up deal with Finlands Joni Jouhkimainen in the High Rollers Sunday PLO Main Event. Chidwick crashed out in second place, narrowly missing out on yet another major title. Irish grinder drunkbaby kept sober enough to finish ninth in the GGMasters $150. They can purchase plenty of booze with the $6,731 they collected from that event. Lastly, for the GGPoker round-up, is the third-place finish in the WSOPC Series: $400 Sunday Forty Stack for sharKKJito. This impressive result saw a prize weighing in at $19,744 winging its way to their poker account. GGPoker Launch Daily $30,000 GGCare Flipouts Impressive Blowout Series Results PokerStars proved to be a happy hunting ground for our players, MR-T2411 in particular enjoying themselves at the tables. Mr-T2411 finished third in the $109 NLHE 8-Max Blowout Series 54-L for a cool $40,849, dwarfing the $9,909 Irelands purrrt collected for their seventh-place exit. Tyler wonderboy222 Goatcher found himself at another final table, this time that of the $1,050 NLHE 8-Max Blowout Series 54-M event. Goatcher ran out of steam in sixth-place and scooped $19,052. These are some of the other juicy prizes won by players calling the United Kingdom and Ireland home at PokerStars on January 10. LeROYal 09 fifth-place in the Blowout Series 56-H: $530 NLHE 8-Max Turbo for $16,684* Andy wiisssppppaa Taylor fifth-place in the Blowout Series 53-M: $215 NLHE 6-max for $13,061 Luke Bit2Easy Reeves sixth-place in the Blowout Series 52-H: $530 NLHE for $12,006* 3betwizkid first-place in the Hotter $109 PKO for $7,340* sakodadi_14 first-place in the Bigger $109 for $6,760 DuTTiFruTTi9 fifth-place in the $215 Sunday Supersonic for $5,736 Phemo sixth-place in the $215 Bounty Builder for $5,236* Kashmir_uzi fourth-place in the $215 Fat Sunday for $4,002 chtrumfeinz seventh-place in the $215 Sunday Supersonic for $3,264 Harry Iamapoopie Lodge seventh-place in the Hotter $109 for $1,396 Follow the biggest Blowout Series action here 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. Today's electronics waste energy by using separate chips to process and store data. New algorithms enable energy-efficient hybrids to work together as one mega-chip. Smartwatches and other battery-powered electronics would be even smarter if they could run AI algorithms. But efforts to build AI-capable chips for mobile devices have so far hit a wall - the so-called "memory wall" that separates data processing and memory chips that must work together to meet the massive and continually growing computational demands imposed by AI. "Transactions between processors and memory can consume 95 percent of the energy needed to do machine learning and AI, and that severely limits battery life," said computer scientist Subhasish Mitra, senior author of a new study published in Nature Electronics. Now, a team that includes Stanford computer scientist Mary Wootters and electrical engineer H.-S. Philip Wong has designed a system that can run AI tasks faster, and with less energy, by harnessing eight hybrid chips, each with its own data processor built right next to its own memory storage. This paper builds on the team's prior development of a new memory technology, called RRAM, that stores data even when power is switched off - like flash memory - only faster and more energy efficiently. Their RRAM advance enabled the Stanford researchers to develop an earlier generation of hybrid chips that worked alone. Their latest design incorporates a critical new element: algorithms that meld the eight, separate hybrid chips into one energy-efficient AI-processing engine. "If we could have built one massive, conventional chip with all the processing and memory needed, we'd have done so, but the amount of data it takes to solve AI problems makes that a dream," Mitra said. "Instead, we trick the hybrids into thinking they're one chip, which is why we call this the Illusion System." The researchers developed Illusion as part of the Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI), a $1.5 billion program sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. DARPA, which helped spawn the internet more than 50 years ago, is supporting research investigating workarounds to Moore's Law, which has driven electronic advances by shrinking transistors. But transistors can't keep shrinking forever. "To surpass the limits of conventional electronics, we'll need new hardware technologies and new ideas about how to use them," Wootters said. The Stanford-led team built and tested its prototype with help from collaborators at the French research institute CEA-Leti and at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The team's eight-chip system is just the beginning. In simulations, the researchers showed how systems with 64 hybrid chips could run AI applications seven times faster than current processors, using one-seventh as much energy. Such capabilities could one day enable Illusion Systems to become the brains of augmented and virtual reality glasses that would use deep neural networks to learn by spotting objects and people in the environment, and provide wearers with contextual information - imagine an AR/VR system to help birdwatchers identify unknown specimens. Stanford graduate student Robert Radway, who is first author of the Nature Electronics study, said the team also developed new algorithms to recompile existing AI programs, written for today's processors, to run on the new multi-chip systems. Collaborators from Facebook helped the team test AI programs that validated their efforts. Next steps include increasing the processing and memory capabilities of individual hybrid chips and demonstrating how to mass produce them cheaply. "The fact that our fabricated prototype is working as we expected suggests we're on the right track," said Wong, who believes Illusion Systems could be ready for marketability within three to five years. ### Subhasish Mitra is a professor of electrical engineering and of computer science. Mary Wootters is an assistant professor of computer science and of electrical engineering. H.-S. Philip Wong is the Willard R. and Inez Kerr Bell Professor in the School of Engineering. Additional co-authors include graduate students Andrew Bartolo, Paul C. Jolly, Zainab F. Khan, Pulkit Tandon, Yunfeng Xin and Tony Wu. Researchers from San Jose State University; CEA-Leti, Grenoble, France; Facebook Inc., Menlo Park; and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, also contributed to the paper. This research was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation, the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the Stanford SystemX Alliance and Intel Corporation. New Delhi, Jan 11 : A farmer from Punjab at the Singhu border protest tried to kill himself on Monday evening and was rushed to hospital where his condition is critical, officials said. This is the the sixth incident of attempted suicide during the ongoing farmers' protests. Labh Singh, from Ludhiana's Sirthala, drank poison at the protest site, and was later admitted to the Frank Institute of Medical Sciences, Sonepat where his condition is said to be critical. There have been four suicides in the 47 day long agitation. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman was hospitalized Monday after testing positive for the coronavirus that she said she may have caught during last weeks violent protests by supporters of President Donald Trump. Watson Coleman and other lawmakers were whisked to a secret location during the violent protests, but some of the Republican lawmakers in the safe room with her eschewed masks, and photographs showed most of the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday didnt wear them either. The Capitols attending physician warned of possible COVID-19 risk and urged lawmakers and staff to watch out for symptoms and get tested. I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time, Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., said in a statement. While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents. She tweeted later that she was on my way to a local hospital for monoclonal antibody treatment at the advice of her doctor. I want to update everyone. While I feel ok, on my doctor's advice I'm on my way to a local hospital for monoclonal antibody treatment. I thank you for the outpouring of supportive messages. The love you've sent has been overwhelming. Please, wear a mask and social distance. https://t.co/TAK9Nf7lvN Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) January 11, 2021 Watson Coleman, 75 and a cancer survivor, said she had received the positive result from the antigen test and was waiting for the results from the more accurate PCR test. She said she had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Several other New Jersey lawmakers also were forced into a secure location, but none of them have reported positive tests. President-elect Joe Biden said Monday that Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., had tried to hand out face coverings to the maskless lawmakers. When they were hiding from the mob, she was going around trying to hand out masks to everybody, Biden told reporters, according to pool reports. And her Republican colleagues wouldnt wear a mask. I think its irresponsible. In October, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th Dist., quarantined after her child care provider tested positive for COVID-19, though she tested negative. She also was tested for the coronavirus in April after her husband, Jason Hedberg, tested positive for the virus. That test also was negative. Two other New Jersey lawmakers, Reps. Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., and Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., were tested after coming in close contact with people who later were found to have COVID-19. Both lawmakers tested negative after self-quarantining. 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. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause By Long Island Published: January 11 2021 The directors of several food pantries in Suffolk County stated that the number of food insecure clients depending on their services has doubled over the past year, due to the pandemic People are struggling because of unemployment, because of underemployment, because of the effects of COVID on the economy, said Marc Soto Executive Director of Pronto, a non-profit organization located in Brentwood. As of March, we have cut down on our intake services, and focused strictly on food distribution. We have fed close to anywhere between 9-14,000 clients on a monthly basis. Maidaya Maldonado, Operation Director for Adelante in Brentwood, said the non-profit community centers food pantry usually serves about 200 food insecure people a month, but over the past seven months that number has doubled. Maldonado added that there is a fear in the mostly Hispanic community to receive government assistance, so people rely more heavily on the food pantry. Its not easy trying to find food or trying to find funds to cover all the needs that we have in our community, she said. We are looking for some partnerships or grants that can help our organization to try and meet our needs. New York City philanthropist and patron of the Heart of the Hamptons Food Pantry Jean Shafiroff agreed that Feeding America, a nonprofit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, estimated that in 2020, 50 million individuals in the United States would be food insecure and 17 millions of those are children. Were looking for grant opportunities, donations, partnerships and all the things necessary to continue to meet the demand that we are experiencing., said Soto. This is a very challenging time. For information about volunteering, or how to make a donation, contact: Adelante of Suffolk County 631-434-3481 or visit http://www.adelantesc.org. Pronto of Long Island 631-231-8290 or visit https://www.prontolongisland.org. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A Limavady man has been told that he will be sentenced next month for an assault charge linked to the death of Darren McGurk after it emerged a charge of murder has been dropped. Mr McGurk (23) died four days after an altercation at a house in Glenbeg Walk in Limavady in March 2019. Karl Mark John Watson, from Dowland Road in the Co Londonderry town, was initially charged with murdering Mr McGurk on 21 March 2019. At the time, he was in a relationship with Mr McGurk's half-sister. The 34-year old window cleaner was also charged with perverting the course of justice two days later, namely "during the course of a telephone call made from a police custody suite instructed a person to relay a message to a witness that the said witness cease in assisting police with their investigation into the killing of Darren McGurk". Watson denied the murder charge and was due to stand trial. However, due to information from pathology reports, a decision was made not to proceed with this charge. The accused appeared at a remote hearing at Belfast Court Court today via a videolink from his solicitor's office. When the charge of perverting the course of justice was put to Watson, he replied "guilty". When a second charge of unlawfully and maliciously attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr McGurk with intent to do him grievous bodily harm was put to Watson, he again entered a guilty plea. Crown prosecutor John Orr QC told Mr Justice O'Hara: "In light of that plea, I would ask that the murder charge should be left on the books of the court, with the usual order not to proceed without leave of this court or the Court of Appeal." After it was confirmed that the Crown will be submitting a Victim Impact Statement from Mr McGurk's family and that a pre-sentence report will be compiled on Watson, Mr Justice O'Hara said he would sentence the defendant next month. Watson, who served around a year in custody before being granted bail, was released on continuing bail ahead of sentencing, which will take place on Monday 15 February. By Park Ji-won The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of numerous live music venues for performing artists, but its impact has been particularly tough for indie musicians centered around Hongik University in western Seoul, also known as Hongdae, the center of Korea's independent music scene. On Jan. 4, Evans Lounge, a live music venue that had been hosting regular indie rock and jazz concerts in Hongdae since Dec. 5, 2011, closed its doors for good. A post on Evans Lounge's Instagram account read, "Evans Lounge, which opened on Dec. 5, bids farewell as of Jan. 4. We express our deepest gratitude to the musicians and audiences who brightened our venue. We hope we can meet again at a better time in the future. Happy New Year." The owner of Evans Lounge was quoted by Yonhap News as saying that the company was forced to pay rent from its deposit money from August and after the implementation of the level 2.5 social distancing measures last year, it was unable to stay afloat. The shuttering of Evans Lounge followed the closing of a number of live music venues in recent months in Hongdae, such as MUV Hall, amid a burgeoning deficit. V-Hall, the successor to concert hall Ghost Theater founded by legendary rocker and composer Shin Hae-chul in 2007, closed in November last year. Queen Live Hall has also shut down, as well as DGBD which had been founded in 2004 by the owners of legendary Hongdae venues Drug and Blue Devil. A busy street near Hongik University in western Seoul, host to many clubs, is seen in this Nov. 13 file photo. Korea Times photo by Kim Young-hoon Venues in other parts of the city are affected too. Once In a Blue Moon, a jazz club in Cheongdam-dong, a posh district in southern Seoul, also closed Nov. 14 after 22 years. The jazz club opened in 1998 enjoyed popularity amid diversifying music preferences in Korea. GBN Live House, a venue for extreme metal and punk in the metalworking district of Mullae-dong in southwestern Seoul, announced its closure on Nov. 26. The number of concerts canceled between February and December last year numbered 416, at a cost of 2 billion won ($1.8 million), according to the Record Label Industry Association of Korea. Insiders worry about the closure of the live music venues because it not only means losing a source of income, but also opportunities to promote hidden artists. "The Hongdae indie scene has been serving as an incubator for the entire music industry. It gave chances for indie musicians to perform and get used to performing, which later becomes a source of confidence and allows them to become bigger musicians in the future. Famous musicians such as Hyukoh and BOL4 used to perform in Hongdae when they debuted and became more popular after that," an organizer of musical events said. Insiders point out that the government's social distancing guidelines have aggravated the situation and called for the easing of rules to save the music scene. "Under the current Level 2.5 distancing rules, venues for performing arts such as plays and musicals, as well as movie theaters must leave two seats empty after every occupied seat. But live music venues with standing room only, which make up most indie concert halls, must shut down. It is not fair We hope that the government will ease guidelines for those venues to help the indie music scene," an indie musician said. 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #02 Posted on 10 January 2021 by John Hartz Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... Story of the Week... Coming attraction: IPCC's upcoming major climate assessment Look for more emphasis on 'solutions,' efforts by cities, climate equity ... and outlook for emissions cuts in a hoped-for global economic recovery from pandemic. John Kerry then U.S. Secretary of State, and now set to be the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate signs the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on April 22, 2016, at UN headquarters, with his granddaughter in tow. The upcoming IPCC Sixth Assessment Report will be released ahead of the 2023 deadline for nations to update the emission cuts they pledged under the agreement. (Photo credit: United Nations / Flickr) Despite the speed bump posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is rolling toward completion of its Sixth Assessment Report, the latest in a series that began in 1990. IPCCs assessments, produced by many hundreds of scientists volunteering countless hours, have long been the worlds most definitive statements on human-induced climate change from fossil fuel use. Rather than carrying out its own research, the IPCC crafts its consensus assessment reports based on the vast array of peer-reviewed work in science journals. The draft reports are scrutinized by experts and officials in UN-member governments before they become final. Its too soon to know exactly what the authors will conclude in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), to be released in 2021-22, but the chapter outlines suggest a more interwoven look at how society is affected by, and responds to, the climate crisis. The report could also end up tipping its hat toward a narrowing range of potential outcomes, as reflected in recent key papers and greenhouse-gas emission trends. If the most dire scenarios of past reports are a bit less likely than it seemed a decade ago, some of the tamer scenarios also might be increasingly out of reach. Nations will draw on the new assessment as they prepare to revise their emission goals in the Paris Agreements first five-year stocktake, set for 2023. Click here to access the entire article as originally posted on the Yale Climate Connections website. Coming attraction: IPCC's upcoming major climate assessment by Bob Henson, Article, Yale Climate Connections, Jan 6, 2021 Toon of the Week... Hat tip to the Stop Climate Science Denial Facebook page. Coming Soon on SkS... Reviewing the horrid global 2020 wildfire season (Jeff Masters) (Jeff Masters) How we work: Getting input from scientists (Baerbel et al.) (Baerbel et al.) SkS New Research for Week #2 (Doug Bostrom) (Doug Bostrom) Getting involved with Climate Science via crowdfunding and crowdsourcing (Baerbel) (Baerbel) How to fairly share emissions from goods traded around the world (Dr Michael Jakob, Dr Hauke Ward & Dr Jan C Steckel) (Dr Michael Jakob, Dr Hauke Ward & Dr Jan C Steckel) 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #3 (John Hartz) (John Hartz) 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #3 (John Hartz) Poster of the Week... Andrew Emory Dessler is a climate scientist and Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research subject areas are atmospheric chemistry, climate change and climate change policy. Wikipedia SkS Week in Review... In addition, Pay Theory is excited to bring on board local business leader Ed Rigaud as an advisor. The first Black line vice president in the history of Procter & Gamble , Rigaud is known as a trailblazer in and a pillar of Cincinnati business. "We are grateful and excited to bring Ed onboard to the Pay Theory team," says Hoeweler. "Given his vast experience in business and devotion to the Cincinnati community, he will be an indispensable voice in guiding Pay Theory." Beyond his new role with Pay Theory, Rigaud was the first executive director of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and has served on the boards of such foremost organizations as the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland , Xavier University , the Cincinnati Zoo , the Ohio Board of Regents , and Children's Hospital of Cincinnati . "Pay Theory is an important step in closing the gap for the unbankable and underbanked population, who are doing their best to succeed in this time of economic and family health stress," says Rigaud. "This is the type of innovation that our country needs to put all of our families on a firm footing. I am proud to be a part of this important bridge to economic empowerment for all of our families." These partnerships between Pay Theory and the Cincinnati business community will help the family tech startup further its goal of leveraging financial technology to help schools and families reach their goals a mission that dovetails well with that of Fintech Frontier. As part of the industry organization's efforts to advance Cincinnati as a financial technology hub, Fintech Frontier hosts an annual pitch competition for local startups, with a total of $60,000 awarded to three rising firms. One of the themes of the 2020 competition was "Closing the Gap: Enabling financial security for consumers at every life stage and from every walk of life by expanding access and/or affordability of financial tools." Given Pay Theory's product and platform, this messaging goes hand-in-hand with Fintech Frontier's efforts to leverage fintech to benefit the greater good. Given Brad's role as a fintech entrepreneur, he will shape and inform the group's efforts to foster fintech as an innovator in the area of social responsibility and economic inclusion. Some one-third of families with students in K-12 public education are under- or unbanked , making school-related payments difficult and at times uncomfortable for children. Students are left having to bring cash to school, which sparks concerns about bullying and theft. As for schools and school systems, keeping track of cash payments can be burdensome. Yet upgrades to school districts' incumbent administrative payment software might isolate underbanked families even more, as they are unable to use credit cards and other digital payments online. Amid COVID-19 and virtual learning, this situation has only been exacerbated, as students are left unable to pay school-related expenses in person. Pay Theory gives underbanked families an option to access digital systems for schools using cash. At one of nearly 45,000 retailers across the US, including leading chains such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, a parent can receive a barcode to pay for school expenses to be scanned by the cashier upon receipt of the cash payment. The Pay Theory system keeps a digital record of the transaction, meaning an immediate reconciliation for the school, and eliminating the need to send a student to school with cash. Some 90 percent of homes in the US are located within a mile of participating retailers. The platform comes free to schools, vendors, and families, unlike other platforms that charge for use. "Pay Theory and Fintech Frontier have a shared vision for the fintech sector and Cincinnati's role as a hub for innovation in payment platforms," says Hoeweler. "Cincinnati has an amazing group of large fintech companies and a growing group of startups looking to make their mark in the space. We look forward to being a part of this great story of growth and collaboration." Interested in partnering with Pay Theory? Visit https://www.paytheory.com/home/orgs/ to learn more. About Pay Theory Pay Theory is a family tech company that breaks down barriers between vital service providers and the families they serve through a platform of simple, responsive and impactful financial solutions. For schools and other family service providers, we build tools to help them save time by integrating with their systems and processes. For parents, we offer cash access, ease of use, and simple ways to see and manage balances. We envision a world where cashless schools and underbanked families coexist, saving everyone time. To help build our vision, our team has a background in edtech and payments. Our goal is to make the difficult conversations around school fees simple and painless. Learn more at PayTheory.com . Media contact: Anne Szustek Talbot BX3 [email protected] SOURCE Pay Theory Related Links https://www.paytheory.com Serj Tankian makes statement on Azerbaijans displayed horrific racism Man detained in US for intending to commit attempt on Biden Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD continues disseminating disinformation Erdogan to visit Baku and Shushi Two Armenia legislature committees to hold closed joint meeting regarding tense situation on Azerbaijan border Holy Etchmiadzin on capture of Armenia soldiers: Such behavior of Azerbaijan authorities is strongly condemnable Gegharkunik Province village border area situation very tense, says Armenia enlarged community leader Armenia opposition MP: Shots are heard Gegharkunik Province Armenian National Congress party electoral list is announced Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan leadership bears responsibility for consequences of actions by its armed forces Opposition Bright Armenia faction in parliament demands convening Security Council special session 140 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Acting premier: Our servicemen were abducted from Armenia territory Armenia MOD announces names of 6 Armenian servicemen captured by Azerbaijan military early morning Armenia parliament majority leader to CSTO: Our international partners do not call it like it is Armenia parliament manages to have quorum in 2nd attempt World oil prices falling Newspaper: Armenia acting PM Pashinyan popularity rating consistently drops over the past week Newspaper: Russia peacekeepers commander does not return from Azerbaijan with encouraging news for Armenia MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning William Shakespeare, 1st man in world to get approved coronavirus vaccine, dies aged 81 Spain Congress of Deputies committee accepts pro-Armenian motion Ex-PM comments on double-digit growth in Armenia economy Facebook calls Russia, Iran leading purveyors of disinformation Erdogan says meeting with Biden will mark 'start of new era' in relations with Washington Armenia acting Deputy PM on creation of third high-voltage electric communication line with Iran Vladimir Zaynetdinov: CSTO has taken note of application submitted by Armenia acting PM Armenia's Pashinyan says addressing UN Security Council not ruled out Armenia acting FM: International pressure on Azerbaijan is growing Netanyahu tells Blinken that Israel is against reopening US consulate for Palestinians 23 political parties and 4 alliances apply to Armenia Central Electoral Commission ahead of snap parliamentary elections Instagram launches ability to hide likes Iran FM on solutions to problems in the region, territorial integrity Bloomberg: Support for Erdogan's ruling party hits record low Inter-agency commission sums up reports on implementation of roadmap for EU-Armenia CEPA Armenian acting PM on CSTO and Russia and their duties as Armenia's allies Slovakia allows use of Russian vaccine Sputnik V Armenia acting PM on situation in Syunik Province: CSTO still hasn't clearly expressed its position Armenia's Pashinyan: It's very rarely that Baku made provocations in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on its own Armenia acting PM: There will be no demarcation of borders until Azerbaijani troops are pulled out of territory Record-setting number of political parties register to run in snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Blinken describes Egypt as a "real and effective partner" Armenia's Pashinyan slams opposition again Yerevan court ends trial over Armenia 3rd President's nephew Hayk Sargsyan Armenia President expresses condolences on passing away of Catholicos-Patriarch Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan Armenia President hosts Iran FM-led delegation Armenia acting PM doesn't see need to declare martial law in the country Iran to send delegation of intellectual companies to Armenia EU demands to fine AstraZeneca for not fulfilling contract Zakharova: Russia is closely participating in settling Armenia-Azerbaijan border incident Armenian soldier killed by Azerbaijan, electoral lists for snap elections submitted, May 26 digest Armenia 1st President Levon Ter-Petrosyan heads Armenian National Congress Party's electoral list Armenia acting PM: Acting defense minister to visit Moscow soon Taliban oppose establishment of US bases in region after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan Two new videos showing incidents between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers Central Bank to raise Armenia economic growth forecast for 2021 Acting minister: Armenia MOD, Russian peacekeepers dismiss Azerbaijan statements Armenia Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to Tunisia President Dollar goes up in Armenia Newly appointed Ambassador of Jordan presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President Karabakh President receives multiple Guinness record setter Ashot Khanoyan Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Laurence des Cars to become Louvre director Armenia State Revenue Committee and Iran Chamber of Commerce chiefs meet in Tehran Armenia ruling party electoral list top 30 names are made public Armenian government officials answering MPs' questions in parliament (LIVE) Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Argentina Ambassador, presents situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Armenia opposition MP: Turkey and Azerbaijan want to push Russia and CSTO out of the region "Armenia" bloc submits electoral list to central election commission MOD: Armenia army did not fire at all on Azerbaijan in mentioned days Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Georgia PM on National Day Armenia President congratulates Georgian counterpart on occasion of Independence Day Armenia acting PM, Iran FM discuss steps aimed at resolving situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Prosperous Armenia Party MP on snap parliamentary election: We will not form coalition with anyone Armenia ruling bloc MP on applying to CSTO: I do not rule out us reaching also Article 4 of the treaty Armenia ruling party submits electoral list to Central Electoral Commission Armenia legislature majority: No discussion about declaring martial law, canceling elections Armenia parliament majority leader on appointment as ambassador: There is confirmation from American side Health ministry: Wearing face masks in open spaces no longer mandatory in Armenia as of June 1 Rouhani says Iran has agreed on positions on key issues of nuclear deal Armenia legislature elects members of economic competition and public services commissions Lepekhin: Russia is a huge unique resource that Armenia has but does not use IAEA chief: Level of development of Iran's nuclear program requires reliable verification system Several Armenia 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 Armenian FM to Iranian counterpart: 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 A new series, which will look at some of the most iconic relationships throughout Irish history, will start with an insight into the love-life of Michael Collins. Scealta Gra na hEireann is a six-part series which is being brought to TG4 by Bo Media, a Cork-based company. The first episode, which will air on Wednesday at 8.30pm, will look at 'Irelands greatest and most tragic love story,' the love triangle between Michael Collins, Kitty Kiernan and Collins best friend Harry Boland. The series aims to bring old love stories back to life, with the help of never-seen-before colourised photos, restored by the people behind Old Ireland in Colour and the award-winning team at My Colourful Past. Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan wrote more than 300 love letters to each other. Photo: Bo Media These stories echo through time and each one has played a major part in the formation of modern Ireland, said a spokesperson for Bo Media. Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of History at UCD, discussed the love between one of Irelands best-known revolutionaries and his fiancee. Theres no doubt that Collins was the love of Kiernans life, perhaps that becomes even more pronounced as a result of the way that he was lost to her, said Mr Ferriter. Read More Here are the most-watched shows on Irish TV in 2020 It is understood that the couple had planned to wed in November 1922, however, Collins was assassinated in August of that same year. Other episodes in the series will look at the love stories of such icons as Grainne Ni Mhaille, the Pirate Queen, and her husband Risteard an Iarainn, Oscar Wildes doomed love affair with Lord Alfred Douglas and perhaps the better-known story of Maud Gonne and WB Yeats. Each episode, each powerful love story is anchored by a tangible item that represents and reflects the relationship in each story. For example, the love letters, over 300 in all, written by Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan during the most violent period in Irish history, said a spokesperson for Bo Media. It is understood that Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan had planned to wed in November 1922, however, Collins was assassinated in August of that same year. Photo: Bo Media These items give the viewer a direct connection to these historical stories and all of the items in the series can be seen today in museums or in the landscape throughout Ireland, they added. According to the shows producer, Derek Nagle, the first episode will give us an insight into Michael Collins' life which is rarely seen. We always learn about the work he did, but we often overlook his personal life. He had a relationship. He was like us all, he wanted love, and this shows the emotional side of the man, Mr Nagle said. The director says he has a feeling Irish viewers will enjoy the series and the discoveries it brings. Irish people love to gossip. We love to gossip about people's love lives even better. And these are historical figures which everyone already knows about and has an opinion on, he added. BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message to Kim Jong Un, congratulating him on election as the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Xi said he is glad to hear that the 8th WPK Congress has elected Kim as the WPK general secretary, and would like to extend warm congratulations to Kim and the WPK Central Committee on behalf of the CPCCC and in his own name. MGM Northfield Park has announced a $25,000 guaranteed Pick 5 total pool for Tuesdays (Jan. 12) race card. Beginning in Race 6, the $25,000 guarantee includes a carryover of $4,140. The guarantee is being offered at part of the Strategic Wagering Program through the United States Trotting Association. The evenings eighth race starts the 50-cent (non-jackpot) Pick 6, offering a $2,045 carryover. Northfields Pick 3s, Pick 4s, Pick 5, Pick 6 and 20-cent Super High Five offer a reduced take-out rate of just 14 percent. Tuesdays post time is 4:20 p.m. (EST). Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday will launch the 'Single Window Clearance System', an online platform to obtain clearances for smooth operationalisation of coal mines. The 'Single Window Clearance System' will be launched at 11 am. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches In a tweet, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed about this virtual ceremony, which will be held in the presence of Union Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi. "Home Minister Amit Shah will be launching 'Single Window Clearance System' tomorrow. It will be an online platform to obtain clearances for smooth operationalisation of coal mines," Joshi tweeted. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. ADVERTISEMENT A female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Akwa Ibom State was on Sunday beaten and stripped in Uyo by a mob which accused her of killing a man she reportedly spent a night with. The woman, identified as Odume Paschaline, said to be a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was naked in a video as she was being beaten and cursed by some men who appeared to be from the community where the incident occurred. The video, sent to PREMIUM TIMES via WhatsApp, was recorded by a man who witnessed the mob action. The arrival of armed police officers at the scene prevented the mob from lynching the woman who was later driven out of the place in a police truck. Photos showed the murder victim, identified simply as Akwaowo, lying in a pool of blood inside his room. A crowd gathered around the community for several hours, till late in evening, discussing the incident. A source, who said he spoke with the corps member at the police custody, said she claimed the slain man tried to rape her and that she attacked him in self-defence. She went to the boys house. If it were her house, it would have been a better case (for her), the source said. Ms Paschaline on her Facebook page described herself as a nice, good at heart person, but with zero tolerance to (for) bullshit. She is from Udi and lived in Enugu State before her deployment for the NYSC programme, according to her profile on the social media site. She wore a NYSC uniform in a December 17 photo she posted on Facebook. Meanwhile, the NYSC spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, Linus Edor, said he could not speak on the case for now until he is able to confirm Ms Paschalines identity as a corps member. The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko MacDon, told PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday night, he was not aware of the incident. A troop of gorillas at the San Diego Zoo has become the first in the world to test positive for the coronavirus. On Wednesday, 6 January, two gorillas from the troupe began coughing, which prompted zoo staff to test fecal matter for the virus. On 8 January, it was found the gorillas had become infected with the coronavirus. The US Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the positive test on 11 January. Lisa Peterson, the executive director of the San Diego Zoo, told The Associated Press the gorillas were doing well, all things considered. This is wildlife, and they have their own resiliency and can heal differently than we do, Ms Peterson said. Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well. She said the park's main concern was keeping the gorillas "healthy and thriving". This is the first known transmission of the virus to gorillas, although other wildlife have become infected with the virus. Cats, dogs, mink, tigers and other animals have been infected with the virus as well. The gorillas at the San Diego Zoo are western lowland gorillas, which are extremely endangered. Mink farms particularly those in Denmark have been devastated by the coronavirus. United States, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Greece and Lithuania have all reported mink with coronavirus infections, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Unlike other animals that have become infected with the virus, mink are the only confirmed creatures other than humans that can become severely ill and die as a result of the virus. In Denmark, mink farming has been banned for 2021 over fears the mink could pass the virus along to humans. 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. DUBLIN and GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Perrigo Company plc (NYSE; TASE: PRGO), a leading provider of Quality, Affordable Self-Care Products, announced today a formal partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), connecting the university's clinical and research expertise with Perrigo's product innovation, manufacturing scale and retail partnerships to empower consumers to take control of their self-care needs. This collaboration brings together premier industry and academic thought leaders that share a passion for enhancing the health and well-being of society, with a focus on research and clinical outcomes, retail and pharmacy experiences and technology and product innovations. "We speak frequently about making self-care more accessible and inclusive for everyone through our product portfolio," said Rich Sorota, Perrigo Executive Vice President and President, Consumer Self-Care Americas. "We believe our partnershp with Michigan State University has the potential to yield customized transformative self-care solutions that can help our retail partners and our consumers make informed health and wellness decisions that are best for themselves and their families." "Our mission is to bring health and healing to all," said MSU Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS. "In Perrigo we have found a partner who is a leader in delivering quality, affordable self-care products that consumers trust to individuals and communities across the globe. Public-private partnerships align resources and expertise recognizing that together we can do so much more for those we were established to serve. We are committed to find solutions that best meet the needs of patients and consumers and to do so at a pace that people deserve." Dr. Beauchamp previously spearheaded similar public-private partnerships focused on academic, technology and product innovation while serving in academic medicine leadership positions at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Washington. About Perrigo Perrigo Company plc (NYSE; TASE: PRGO) is a leading provider of Quality, Affordable Self-Care Products and over-the-counter (OTC) health and wellness solutions that enhance individual well-being by empowering consumers to proactively prevent or treat conditions that can be self-managed. Led by its consumer self-care strategy, Perrigo is the largest store brand OTC player in the U.S. in the categories in which it competes through more than 9,000 SKUs under customer 'own brand' labels. Additionally, Perrigo is a Top 5 OTC company by revenue in Europe, where it markets more than 200 branded OTC products throughout 28 countries. The Company also commercializes and manufactures generic prescription products in the U.S. Visit Perrigo online at www.perrigo.com. SOURCE Perrigo Company plc Related Links http://www.perrigo.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. A Chinese soldier apprehended by the Indian Army at the southern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh on Friday after he transgressed across the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was handed back to China on Monday. The capture of the soldier comes amid a massive deployment of troops by the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) in eastern Ladakh in view of the tense border standoff that erupted following a clash between the two sides in the Pangong lake area in early May. "The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area. Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops," the Army said in a statement. "The PLA soldier is being dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated," it said, adding the soldier was apprehended in the early hours of Friday. Around four months ago, Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rechin La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of the Pangong lake after the Chinese military attempted to intimidate them in the area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naranave last month visited various high-altitude forward areas in eastern Ladakh including certain positions on the southern bank of Pangong lake and reviewed India's overall military preparedness. Indian troops had captured Corporal Wang Ya Long of the PLA on October 19 last year after he "strayed" across the LAC in the Demchok sector of Ladakh. The corporal was handed back to China at Chushul-Moldo border point in eastern Ladakh following laid down protocols. Nearly 50,000 troops of the Indian Army are deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero temperatures as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. Last month, India and China had held another round of diplomatic talks under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs. Now Open 11 January 2021 Scandic Arlandastad has now opened following an agreement that Scandic signed in November 2020 to take over the hotel. With 150 rooms featuring Scandinavian design with natural, light-colored wood and textiles in a subdued palette, Arlandastad is next door to Arlanda Airport and counts the Scandinavian XPO international meeting and event center among its neighbors. Located in the fast-growing Arlanda Airport City, Scandic Arlandastad is the first hotel in the Swedish market that Scandic has opened in close proximity to one of Swedavia's airports. The hotel, which was originally opened in November 2016 by another hotel operator, has now been rebranded as a Scandic hotel and is now ready to welcome guests from all corners of the world, regardless of whether they are about to start a journey or work in the local area. At Scandic Arlandastad, guests will be able to get a head start on their holiday by gathering their travel companions to enjoy themselves in a calm, comfortable hotel environment before ending the day by relaxing in the sauna. The next day, when it's time to leave for Arlanda Airport, guests will be able to take the free shuttle bus that stops outside the hotel entrance. As at all Scandic hotels, accessibility is in focus at Scandic Arlandastad and 18 of the hotel's 150 rooms have been specially designed as accessible rooms with a dedicated handicapped parking space. During the summer of 2021, Scandic Arlandastad will be tested to comply with the new, strict environmental and climate requirements of the Nordic region's official environmental certification, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. In total, 83 of Scandic's 85 Swedish hotels have Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification. 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. AmTrust, a leader in digital innovation, who joined forces with Bold Penguin in Q2 2020, has expanded its in-app binding capabilities on the Bold Penguin Terminal. The company will leverage Bold Penguin's newly launched Terminal and Software Development Kit (SDK) products built to power faster and more accurate quoting in the small commercial insurance market for small business owners, agents, and brokers. "AmTrust is an incredibly forward-thinking organization," said Ben Clarke, co-founder and Chief Data Officer of Bold Penguin. "We are thrilled to work with their teams to expand our integrations, leveraging AmTrust's suite of APIs to build out more robust capabilities around data, underwriting, and user experience." The Bold Penguin platform will also provide several AmTrust payment plan options, including payment in full, installments and PAYO (pay-as-you-owe) and expand its technical integrations with AmTrust's suite of APIs in order to gather additional underwriting and rating information around employee categories such as executives and officers. "The Bold Penguin Terminal gives us the flexibility and speed needed to both supercharge our growth and customer experience," said Chris Foy, EVP & Head of North American Commercial for AmTrust. "Our customers and our agents will benefit from the digital efficiencies we're able to launch with Bold Penguin." About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, business owner's policy (BOP), general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustfinancial.com About Bold Penguin Bold Penguin is where technology enhances the human touch in commercial insurance. With a heavy focus on agents, Bold Penguin upgrades the user experience for businesses, creates an easy tool for agents, and offers a streamlined process of underwriting for carriers. Bold Penguin was founded in 2016 by a group of entrepreneurs who spent their early days working with Allstate, Nationwide and Progressive alongside regional carriers and established insurance agencies. For more details, please visit www.boldpenguin.com. CONTACT: Amber Wuollet, Director of Marketing, [email protected] SOURCE Bold Penguin Related Links https://www.boldpenguin.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. The Daily Beast NBCSeth Meyers on Wednesday reacted to the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorneys office has convened a grand jury to consider issuing indictments in the investigation into former President Donald Trumps business dealings.Meyers began by drawing a throughline from this case to all the other figures in Trumps orbit who ended up in trouble with the law.Its just basic logic that if youre surrounded at all times by that many criminals, theres a solid chance youre also a criminal, Meyers said. He then likened Trumps situation to that of the frontman of a band denying that hes actually in a band.Still, Meyers said he wouldnt be surprised if the ex-president emerges relatively unscathed.Trump always manages to wriggle out of a jam, the late-night host said. Hes like the David Blaine of crime. If he ever goes to trial, hell just regurgitate a frog that has Not Guilty written on its back. If the feds ever come for him, hell hide out in a glass box over the [River] Thames.But if Trump himself may end up OK, that might not be the case for his family.Meyers said he would totally believe it if this investigation caused Trump to throw those close to him under the bus. You think he named his eldest son after himself for sentimental reasons? Meyers asked. He did it so there would be a second Donald Trump to pin the blame on.Commentators have also been discussing the likelihood that Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg will flip on Trump.Im guessing when you work for Trump, you start thinking about flipping as soon as you get the gig, Meyers said. Its like when youre in the middle of a job interview at Little Caesars and youre already fantasizing about how youre going to quit.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. Delivery of genetic molecules such as mRNA into cells is vital with important applications such as vaccine development. Various agents have been developed for mRNA delivery. However, conventional mRNA nanocarriers mainly focus on their physical interaction with mRNA molecules, or protection / delivery of mRNA, such as adjusting physical properties of nanocarriers to control binding with mRNA or cellular uptake. Moreover, effective mRNA delivery in hard-to-transfect APCs remains a challenge. The hard-to-transfect nature in APCs is partly attributed to the suppressed mRNA translation associated with the intrinsic high intracellular glutathione (GSH) level. Thus, tetrasulfide bond bridged DMONs modified with polyethylenimine (PEI) have been reported to oxidize GSH to GSSG (oxidized GSH) to upregulate mRNA translation in APCs. However, the intrinsic cellular regeneration of GSH from GSSG catalyzed by glutathione reductase (GR) could hinder the regulatory efficiency. Besides, the PEI modification to induce endosomal escape raises unwanted cytotoxicity. Therefore, it is highly desired to develop a new mRNA delivery platform with good biocompatibility and long-term bioregulatory capability towards mRNA translation. ZIF-8 is a type of metal organic frameworks and an emerging delivery system for a variety of molecules, including amino acids, proteins and plasmids. These biomolecules are generally encapsulated by biomimetic mineralization of ZIF-8, where ZIF-8 are mainly used as delivery vehicles. To date, ZIF-8 has not been applied for mRNA delivery. Recent research indicates each components of ZIF-8 can possess great potential to regulate mRNA translation and enhance mRNA delivery: the acidic pH responsive breakage of zinc-ligand bonds in ZIF-8 is expected to release zinc for GR inhibition and GSSG reduction, and imidazole for endosomal escape. In a new research article published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, the research team led by Professor Chengzhong Yu from the University of Queensland reports the confined growth of ZIF-8 nanocrystals partially in the large mesopores of DMONs (DMONs-ZIF-8) for long-term upregulated mRNA translation. Different from previous works, this delivery system avoids the use of cytotoxic polymer modification. All components in DMONs-ZIF-8 contribute to mRNA delivery: (a) high mRNA loading capacity enabled by large mesopores for cellular uptake; (b) successful endosomal escape contributed by imidazole group in ZIF-8; and as a translation regulator for (c) synergistic GSH depletion by tetrasulfide-induced GSH oxidation and zinc-mediated inhibition of GR and GSSG reduction; (d-f) deactivated GAPDH involved mRNA translation inhibition and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) activated mTORC1 pathway; and consequently (g) enhanced mRNA translation. DMONs-ZIF-8 exhibited higher mRNA translation modulation and delivery efficiency compared to polymer modified control (DMONs-PEI) and commercial products (in vitro: lipofectamine, in vivo: in vivo-jetPEI). This research provides new understandings in the rational design of functional nanocarriers for mRNA delivery towards APCs and paves the way to advance mRNA applications such as the development of mRNA vaccines. ### This research received funding from the Australian Research Council (DP200102962). See the article: Yue Wang, Hao Song, Chao Liu, Ye Zhang, Yueqi Kong, Jie Tang, Yannan Yang and Chengzhong Yu Confined growth of ZIF-8 in dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles as bio-regulators for enhanced mRNA delivery in vivo Natl Sci Rev, 2020, doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaa268 https:/ / academic. oup. com/ nsr/ advancearticle/ doi/ 10. 1093/ nsr/ nwaa268/ 5936582#209340881 The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China. J ustin McLeod fell in love the old-fashioned way by getting drunk first. And then fell out again. But finally back in. All of which helps to explain how he came to set up Hinge, the contemporary dating app for people in search of a happy ending. The first time he set eyes on Kate, one night in the early noughties, he was not seeing too clearly since he was being carried back to his campus room in an inebriated state by a couple of friends after escaping from rehab and celebrating with a few stiff drinks. The next time they met was in a class on mathematical economics at Colegate University in upstate New York. Romance finally sparked when they were thrown together by a Middle Eastern Politics seminar. One night McLeod was trying to revise for an exam. Kate was at a party next door. She stopped by and asked him to walk her home. When they parted, they had their first kiss. For 30 blissful days we were inseparable, McLeod says. After which the summer vacation kicked in and he went back to full-time partying and decided he didnt really need a steady girlfriend. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 19:16:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for ensuring a good start for fully building a modern socialist country. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials. Enditem Democrats begin push to remove Trump from office National Guard troops patrol outside the US Capitol after last week's violence. Photo: Reuters 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) As many as two million Americans were expected to descend upon Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 for the March for Trump rally in support of President Donald Trumps ongoing battles to get election irregularities recognized by the courts and for illegal votes to be thrown out. Unfortunately for the pro-Trump protesters who wanted to attend the event, Apple put their foot on the scale and prevented Americans from exercising their right to free assembly. According to many users of their smartphones, Apple Maps is allegedly blocking directions to the nations capital. On Jan. 5, as many supporters of the president were converging upon Washington, Apple Maps disabled its ability to provide directions to the district. Screenshots began circulating around social media websites like Twitter showing people opening Apple Maps on their smartphones and asking for directions to Washington, D.C. only to be met with this statement: Directions Not Available. Directions are not available at this time because of current road conditions. Very odd in advance of the big DC Trump rally Apple Maps has blocked directions around the nations capital. pic.twitter.com/NOGEDJSOzc toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) January 5, 2021 Many pro-Trump personalities, such as conservative syndicated radio host Todd Starnes and Trump administration member Kyle Hooten have commented on the fact that this may hinder the ability of many of the presidents supporters to safely make their way through the nations capital to participate in the rally. (Related: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell accuses Fox News of trying to overthrow the Trump administration and says network staff should go to prison at Stop The Steal rally in DC.) In particular, Hooten even mentions that Apple Maps has prevented people from being given directions to neighboring Arlington, Virginia, which is considered to be a suburb of Washington. Other people online have claimed that Apple Maps is preventing people from entering Washington because of ongoing road closures connected to the upcoming protest. The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia has announced street closures for Jan. 5 and 6 ahead of multiple rallies and protests. The president himself is expected to speak on Wednesday at The Ellipse grounds right in front of the White Houses south lawn. The decision to restrict vehicles will be based upon public safety and if safe to do so, vehicles will be allowed to enter the restricted area if they are on essential business or traveling to-and-from their residence, said the D.C. police in a news release. This begs the question of why Apple Maps wouldnt similarly block their services to people who wish to participate in protests and rallies in D.C. and other cities whenever police departments in those areas block off roads. Listen to this special Situation Update breaking news episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how Congress even the elected Republican officials within it will most likely betray the president, and patriots will need to step up in order to rescue Trump. Apple stealthily retracts decision to block Washington, D.C., makes no official statement acknowledging wrongdoing Following intense public backlash on social media, Apple seems to have reversed its decision to block people from entering Washington, D.C. At around 5 p.m. on Eastern time on the same day, directions to the nations capital have been restored on Apple Maps. The corporation has not released any kind of statement explaining the behavior of its app. Furthermore, tech websites have worked quickly to explain away the situation as nothing more than some kind of natural technical issue or glitch. Its likely that a technical issue or current road conditions caused the problem, wrote Mike Peterson of tech website Apple Insider. Washington is bracing for protests ahead of Congress voting to certify the 2020 election results, and officials have closed many roadways in the area. The culprit being a technical glitch is also supported by the fact that retrieving directions from My location didnt work, though navigating to Washington from nearby [Alexandria, Virginia] did, Peterson added. Theres also a chance that a surge in users trying to get directions to the U.S. capital snarled Apples system. Apples oversized power and influence over the daily life of Americans can even directly affect the ability of people to exercise their right to free assembly. Learn more about big tech corporations like Apple by reading the latest articles at TechGiants.news. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com NationalFile.com Twitter.com WTOP.com WUSA9.com AppleInsider.com It hasnt yet been a month since Oregon received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines. How are we doing? In typical Oregon fashion were doing OK. Better than some states, not as well as others, but demand for the vaccine is outpacing supply, and even supplies arent reaching Oregonians and their arms as quickly as anyone would like. On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, reporter Aimee Green talks about the vaccine rollout in Oregon so far. We talked about where we rank nationally in terms of administering vaccines, which states are doing well, how Oregon could improve and why some health care workers are frustrated about the rollout. We talked shortly after Gov. Kate Browns Friday news conference where she announced the National Guard would be activated in Salem to assist with a weekend vaccination clinic. Heres the full episode: Episode transcript This is a rush transcript produced primarily through voice-to-text software. It may contain inaccuracies and may be updated or revised. Time notations are approximate. Andrew Theen: [00:00:00] It hasnt yet been a month since Oregon received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines. So how are we doing? In typical Oregon fashion, were doing OK -- better than some states, not as well as others, but demand for the vaccine is outpacing supply, and vaccine supplies arent reaching Oregonians and their arms as quickly as anyone would like. Im Andrew Theen, and this is Beat Check with The Oregonian. Up next, reporter Aimee Green talks about the vaccine rollout in Oregon so far. We talked about where we rank nationally in terms of administering vaccines, which states are doing well, how Oregon could improve, and why some healthcare workers are frustrated about the rollouts. We talked shortly about Gov. Kate Browns Friday news conference, where she announced the National Guard would be activated in Salem to assist with a weekend vaccination clinic. Heres our conversation. Aimee Green, thanks so much for taking time to talk today. Aimee Green: [00:01:06] Absolutely. Andrew Theen: [00:01:08] So were a few weeks into the COVID-19 vaccine era in Oregon. How are things going so far? Aimee Green: [00:01:15] Well, theyre going much, slower than expected. The goal was to inoculate 100,000 healthcare workers and nursing home residents by the end of December. And that didnt happen. We didnt even reach that goal halfway. And right now were at about as of end of the first week of January, were at about 75,000 doses administered, which is about 29% of the available stock on hand, that weve actually jabbed into the arms of recipients. So I think theres a lot of feeling that were behind. If we step back though, and look at the rest of the country, we can see a lot of states are struggling. Oregon certainly is not alone with its problems in getting the vaccine into peoples arms. Its a little bit ahead of California. Its a little bit behind Washington. Nationally, Oregon ranks about 40th for per capita vaccinations. About 1.7% of our population has been vaccinated so far. Nationally. The average is a little bit above 2%. Theres places in this country though. Certain states that have done relatively well. I think the big surprise for many people was North Dakota and South Dakota, which just had a raging problem this fall leading the nation in cases and positivity rates and you know, up there, high on the list. North Dakota and South Dakota have managed to use at times up to 70% of their vaccines on hand. About 4% of their populations of their populations have been vaccinated. So the U.S., like I said, is a little bit above 2% of the population has been vaccinated so far. And that is way way behind the leader in the world, which is way, way ahead of most, every- well, actually, every other country, and thats Israel, which is about at 20% of its population vaccinated, really because of really intense organization and planning and a drive to make this happen quickly. Andrew Theen: [00:03:32] What factors are leading to slow rollout here in Oregon? Aimee Green: [00:03:38] Well, some of it, I think, has been blamed on the holidays in Oregon. On Christmas Day, just over a dozen people received a dose , compared to other days before and after Christmas, where it was in the thousands. And I think some people have seen that. Theyve been very critical of that. The best Christmas gift that any of us could get is to get vaccinated, so why slow down operations? I think theres also been a lack of planning by the Oregon Health Authority, which I will say cant fully be blamed for this. There was definitely a lack of federal guidance and federal funding to get these vaccination clinics up and running. There was so much focus on lets get the vaccine to the States, to the hospitals, to these vaccination sites. And somehow it was just going to happen that the vaccines ended up in the arms of recipients but. (With ) a new vaccine, theres definitely protocols that need to be followed in administering it needs to be kept at certain temperatures warmed up diluted before its injected. We need to watch people who received the vaccine for 15 to 30 minutes after in case they do have severe allergic reactions. Back to the state, I think there was though a lack of planning and that were just going to arrange for the federal government to deliver these vaccines to hospitals and health systems and emergency services, departments, and pharmacies that have a contract with the federal government to deliver the vaccines to nursing homes. And then those entities were just kind of left to figure it out on their own. The problem, especially with hospitals and health systems, of course, is not only that this is a new vaccine and theres all these protocols that they need to follow, but they have been overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients. And some of the people who were going to be running these vaccination clinics, who were going to be administering the doses, are busy with their daily work of treating COVID patients. Andrew Theen: [00:05:44] Yeah, so a lot going on, and obviously were, you know, were talking on a Friday, it hasnt even been a month since we first received these doses, but it feels like you, you want these vaccines and you want them now. And there are valid questions about how this has all been handled. Aimee Green: [00:06:00] Yeah. Every day I think is precious. It may seem like, oh, its just, you know, it takes awhile to get things up and running. And I agree with that. That is, I understand that. I think many people understand that. On the other hand were dealing with record numbers of people this week in the nation dying , high numbers in Oregon- well, for Oregon - dying. And also just the people who come down with the disease, there are major side effects and we dont even know what they all are, but there are concerns about permanent taste and smell loss. And even some reports of months later, people having problems with their circulatory systems, just like a tooth will randomly fall out because blood has been cut off to the gums. Andrew Theen: [00:06:47] Scary stuff. So lets go back to the vaccine. So, so who do we know in Oregon has been vaccinated as of, you know, were talking on Friday the eighth? Aimee Green: [00:06:55] So Oregon largely he followed the recommendation of the CDCs advisory committee in who to vaccinate first in phase 1A. Thats healthcare workers, which is very broad category of people, as well as long-term care residents. So people who live in nursing homes who Oregon decided as part of phase 1A would later be followed by people who live in other, other congregate care, residential facilities, like assisted living and independent living. Andrew Theen: [00:07:27] Right. But that, you know, the proportion of people who have, who live in those facilities, whove been vaccinated, you know, its, its pretty small, right? Compared to the total population. Aimee Green: [00:07:37] Yeah. So Oregon has a little over 4 million residents and the state is estimating that maybe theres somewhere around 360,000 400,000 people in this initial phase 1A group, which I should also mention does include some other people, like first responders. And to my surprise, I didnt know until recently in reading through Oregon had added corrections employees, not the actual inmates, but the workers who are employed in jails and prisons in the state Andrew Theen: [00:08:10] And obviously jails and prisons have been some of the largest outbreak sites in both Oregon and around the country. Aimee Green: [00:08:18] Yes, definitely. Andrew Theen: [00:08:20] So the governor and healthcare officials with the state had a big news conference Friday, where they talked about how things are going so far, and theyve committed to ramp up the number of vaccinations per day. What is that figure that theyre hoping to hit by the time people listen to this podcast? Its 12,000 a day, right? What is that supposed to represent? Aimee Green: [00:08:43] Well the, state governments figuring that theyre going to receive anywhere from, I think about 70,000 to 100,000 doses each week from the federal government. And so if they inoculate about 12,000 people a day, thats about 84,000 people a week. They figure if they can get to that level, therell be using essentially all the doses that come in, theyll be using them right away. So they. The doses wont be sitting idle in refrigerators and freezers. Andrew Theen: [00:09:13] Youve spent this past a week reporting on some of the issues with the rollout. I mean, what are some of the stories youve heard from people who are frustrated, whether theyre providers or patients who want to receive a vaccine and cant. Can you just talk a little bit about some of the issues that youve heard about? Aimee Green: [00:09:32] Yeah, well, I think its great to hear there are so many people who wants the vaccine, who believe the vaccine will turn around this pandemic. I truly believe the vaccine is the answer to the pandemic. And everybody- well, there have been many, many people who want it people in the general population, but especially the people in phase 1 A, they know its their turn and, and, and they should be getting it. And largely many of them have if theyve worked for a hospital or a health system. So OHSU, Providence, Legacy, Kaiser Permanente, Salem Health, those are some of the bigger health systems. Their employees have had access to it. I will say to an extent each entity has had to learn about the vaccines and build a process for administering them and figure out how to schedule employees. And some of them have been very successful that and others have really struggled. So for example, OHSU has done very well in getting the vaccine into the arms of its workers with , as of Friday, about 67% of its vaccines used. But then we can look at Kaiser , which has been struggling more . Its used about 31% of its vaccines, Legacy about 26% of its vaccines, and its employees who work for those entities that are struggling. Theyre struggling with their frustrations that the rollout has been slow for them. That just recently in the last few days, the state has said, OK, anybody who is a healthcare worker can get the vaccine, not just frontline healthcare workers, which was part of the problem because if an organization could only schedule a very narrow segment of its employees, it was inefficient. It wasnt filling all the slots. For example, Legacy was very aware that they didnt want to schedule a people to get inoculated unless the next day was their day off, because the Legacy was aware of side effects and didnt want staff calling in sick if they were needed. I mean, they wanted people to have that day off to recover from the vaccine in case they had side effects. Andrew Theen: [00:11:56] So that opens- when youre trying to keep that staffing a need in mind, then you want to get those vaccines into peoples arms, as he said earlier than maybe that means some people who arent, the frontline workers are getting vaccinated, which is something that you know, is frustrating for people outside the system. Aimee Green: [00:12:15] Oh yes. Institutions like OHSU thought we want to do this in the most efficient way possible. And we are seeing that were having these scheduling difficulties with just frontline workers. And we did at first offer the vaccine just to frontline workers. And now were going to open it up to everybody who works for us. And then you would see people who work for Legacy or Kaiser, for example, saying, hey, Im actually a frontline worker. Im someone who works directly with COVID patients. Im very concerned about my health and the health of my family, that I might bring the coronavirus home to them. And I havent gotten vaccinated yet, but Im seeing on social media these very cheerful posts that people who work for OHSU or who work for Providence who are in the IT department, maybe, or theyre in marketing or theyre working from home and theyve already gotten their first dose. That, that just doesnt seem fair. Im angry. Andrew Theen: [00:13:12] Yeah. And I know from helping out on this story over the weekend that there are people in private practice who are frustrated as well, right? Because as we noted the the first wave of vaccines went to these big hospital systems. So your neighborhood primary care physician, whether youre in a forest Grove or Medford or Bend, who might be outside that healthcare system, you might not have access to, to a vaccine and day. The provider might not have access either. Aimee Green: [00:13:40] Yeah, actually, I think thats very likely the situation we , you and I, and our colleagues have heard from many people in healthcare who arent associated with hospitals or health systems, maybe theyre in private practice. Theyre, theyre a nurse, a doctor, theyre a dental hygienist or a dentist. Their offices- or, or they work for a smaller clinic. Their offices have yet to receive vaccine shipments, or maybe theyre so small that vaccines wouldnt be sent to them and they would go to a vaccination site, but where do they go? And I think that was a major problem with the states planning in that it didnt really think about that. OHA has conceded, yeah, thats something that we should have thought more about, about reaching these people. Andrew Theen: [00:14:24] Well, lets take a break and come back and talk more with Amy Green reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLife. All right. So, Aimee, theres been a lot of questions just in the first couple of weeks about where is the National Guard? Wheres the National Guard. Why arent we calling the National Guard? And on Friday, Gov. Brown said, well, we are going to call the National Guard at least to Salem, right? Aimee Green: [00:14:51] Yeah, thats right. I think that was one of her bigger announcements out of Fridays news conference. One of the things that hospitals and health systems that have vaccination sites up and running, they, some of them have said, we are having trouble doing this because we dont have the staffing to run these vaccination sites. And certainly wheres the staffing to run vaccination sites for people outside of hospitals and health systems? So the governor said that she was gonna call in the National Guard and that there were going to be vaccinated sites opened to reach other eligible vaccine recipients in phase 1A. So those dental hygienists, the dentist, the doctors, the nurses, the the health interpreters, all those people in healthcare who have not had access. Andrew Theen: [00:15:43] What happens after phase 1A? Where do we go from here? And whos next in line? Aimee Green: [00:15:48] Pat Allen, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, told me earlier this week that he thinks itll probably be somewhere around mid February to late February before were through phase 1A, and then well move on to phase 1B, a new group of people who will be eligible for the vaccines. And the governor has said that will be K-12 teachers. It also could be other groups at the same time, simultaneously. They could be receiving the vaccine. We just dont know. The governor hasnt said who else will be eligible, if anybody . But there is a vaccine advisory committee that the state has just convened. Its first meeting was Thursday and they will spend about the next six weeks - its 27 members - discussing who should get the vaccine and when. And theyll make a recommendation to the Oregon Health Authority and the governor, who will have the final say. Well see. I know that the CDC advisory committee has recommended people ages 75 and older be next to get the vaccine. Well see if theyre added to phase 1B at the same time teachers are. Andrew Theen: [00:17:02] Yeah. Gov. Brown kind of talked a little bit, as well as educational leaders, about that calculus, talking about teachers versus people in their seventies, and didnt give a lot of definitive answers. I mean, I think they just said thats a tough decision on all, on all sides. And theyre trying to weigh the benefits of getting students back in school. Which, you know, from our vantage point here in the Metro area, seems like a long way away. Aimee Green: [00:17:31] Yeah, its a really tough and difficult discussion to have. And I think its a very emotional one for Oregonians too, because were talking about the health of people and the lives of people. Literally its a life and death matter, particularly for people in that age group, 75 and older. And so how do we weigh that? Our childrens education, theyve been out of classrooms for 10 months now and been doing online learning, and some kids have done well with that, and other kids have really struggled. The general feeling is that overall children are far behind in their learning and we want to get things started again, and we, we dont want them to fall any farther behind. But at the same time we dont want our elderly dying and, and, or, you know, surviving, but suffering side effects for the rest of their lives. Andrew Theen: [00:18:27] So I know that this task force advisory committee met for the first time, but I mean what can we say about this effort? Cause its really supposed to be trying to address these populations that have been hardest hit racial or ethnic groups in the state that are historically marginalized, you know, also historically distrustful, and for often good reasons, for interactions with health officials or the government in general. Like how do we, how do we know that these efforts are actually going to be successful in getting vaccines to people who need them next? Aimee Green: [00:19:08] We hope, I mean, there is a lot of diversity on the vaccine advisory committee and we hope through hearing Input from all these different voices that we all come up with a plan that the community feels is a good plan and that they can trust the plan and that they feel like its been well thought through. And that members of the vaccine advisory committee support the vaccine and the, and they want people to get vaccinations that I think that, that will help. We wont really know how it goes, though. We can try our best by involving people of many diverse communities in the conversation. And when people do get vaccinated, they become examples of of whos getting vaccinated and showing that they believe in the vaccine, Andrew Theen: [00:19:58] There have been reports elsewhere, Aimee, that people eligible to be vaccinated, like healthcare workers, are refusing it. Is that something that we have any knowledge or documentation of having in Oregon? Aimee Green: [00:20:11] Well, last I heard- we were asking about that. I have report heard reports from other states that maybe half or two-thirds of long-term care employees were refusing vaccines. And some of those numbers were much higher in minority communities. Which is just evidence of what we were talking about before that there is a distrust of vaccines and healthcare among some minority communities because of historic wrongs. But yeah, I dont, I havent heard numbers in Oregon about whos refusing to get it, get a vaccine. Andrew Theen: [00:20:53] And we dont have any sense that that is a contributing factor or a significantly contributing factor in why weve only used 29% of our supply? Aimee Green: [00:21:03] Yeah. And I actually dont think at this point that thats a big factor because we just cant even meet demand right now. Theres so many people who do want the vaccine. I get emails even from- I get the most from people complaining, like, where am I? Like Im in phase 1A, I want the vaccine, I cant get it scheduled. Where do I go? Andrew Theen: [00:21:27] What do you say to those people? Aimee Green: [00:21:29] Thats a tough question. The story that Im working on right now, which will be published this weekend not only looks at where Oregon went wrong in swiftly rolling out vaccines, but how do we make this better? And at the press conference on Friday , the governor and Pat Allen did to date I guess offer the most specificity about how we will get more vaccines into the arms of Oregonians. Some of that was well, one that were opening it up to all healthcare workers, not just frontline healthcare workers. So hopefully there wont be as many scheduling issues and trying to fill available spots. Theyre going to call on retail pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS to start inoculating healthcare workers and others. Theyre like we said, theyre going to call them the national guard. And hopefully these measures therell be able to show some success in the next week or so. Andrew Theen: [00:22:29] How long until, you know, the general population, people who arent these essential workers arent in a high risk group can just go down to their neighborhood Rite Aid or clinic or pharmacy or Walgreens or whatever, and get a vaccine? Do we even know at this point? Is that on the horizon? Aimee Green: [00:22:46] I found what was interesting on Friday, Pat Allen, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, he said, you know, I think we keep hearing nationally dates that are much more optimistic. We hear maybe April, May, June. Maybe June, well be reaching herd immunity in the United States. And I got the sense from Pat Allen he, he does not think so in Oregon. Hes looking more like toward the fall. So, you know, maybe well enter a phase 1B with teachers and whoever else is in that group by mid or late February. Not quite sure how that long theyll take. Maybe March, sometime in March, before we move on to the next group and before the general population actually has access. So healthy adults who , yeah, theyre not elderly. They dont have underlying health conditions. Theyre not essential workers. I dont know, maybe were talking may or June or July before the vaccines become available to that group. Now I will add one other thing. The governor and the Oregon Health Authority, they keep stressing that, and theyre right, we dont have enough vaccines right now to meet demand. And what theyre asking people to do is really just be cautious. Like the pandemic is not over. You still need to keep physical distance from others. Dont socialize indoors with others, wear a mask, always, when youre around others outside your household. And you know, one of the things that they said, was for the elderly, you know, if we do inoculate teachers first you know, stay home, just be, be cautious. And thats kind of a hard message, I think, to accept. I mean, everybody should be following those, met these measures, but I think its extra scary for those elderly who feel like maybe even, you know, Im risking my life when I go to pick up groceries, which I have to do. Andrew Theen: [00:24:42] So its not going, as they said, when when they announced that these vaccines were arriving, the end is not here. The end may be somewhere in sight, but its a long ways away. Aimee Green: [00:24:54] Yeah. Maybe, maybe fall. And I also should add that is that, and do you reach herd immunity, which could be anywhere from 70 to 85 to 90% of people inoculated? Do we reach herd immunity by fall? Because we still have this big question mark: what about our children? What about people under age 16? Neither the Pfizer or the Madrona vaccines have been approved for that group. So right now there are trials going on in children. And well wait and see if the vaccines are approved for them. Theyre, theyre a huge chunk of our population, but also I, you know, I feel a lot better about herd immunity and society and where we are knowing that all the children get the protection from the vaccine as well. Andrew Theen: [00:25:42] And theres no mention Friday on you know potentially additional help with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, if that you know, is approved sometime this month or the next month maybe. But thats not even factoring into our equation right now. Aimee Green: [00:25:55] Yeah. But there will be other vaccines coming out throughout the year, I think that could receive emergency use authorization. So theres hope there too. Andrew Theen: [00:26:06] Well, thanks so much for documenting all this and taking time to talk about it. Aimee Green: [00:26:11] Yeah, absolutely. Sure. Happy to do it. Andrew Theen: [00:26:15] Thanks for listening to Beat Check with The Oregonian. I shared a link to Aimees story about Oregons vaccine rollout in the episode notes. If you liked this show, leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or tell a friend. The best way to support our journalism, though, is with a subscription to The Oregonian and OregonLive. You can do that at oregonlive.com/podsupport. Until next time. Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen Doctible enables practices to retain patients and grow through its comprehensive communications suite. The suite helps practices boost their online reputation and leverage HIPAA compliant texting for more efficient communication. Doctible also provides web tools and website design to bring the practice into the modern era. Components of the suite include: Reputation Management In an era when online reviews are increasingly used to select a healthcare provider, this easy-to-use platform helps enhance a practices reputation. 2-way HIPAA Compliant Texting This platform ensures patients receive messages where its most convenient for them text. Phone calls at the practice can be dramatically reduced as texting helps to eliminate long hold times, missed calls, and voicemail overload. Patients and staff create a seamless experience that allows both parties to respond and reach out when timing is most optimal. Scripps Mercy Partners is dedicated to providing their members quality solutions and we are excited to share what Doctible has to offer with their group said Doctible CEO Ajit Viswanathan. The landscape of healthcare is changing and we know technology tools that allow a practice to be nimbler are critical. The Physician Resource Center was formed by Scripps Mercy Physician Partners to foster a high quality, dynamic, cost-effective healthcare community of physicians and the organizations that support them. The mission of the Physician Resource Center is to unite excellent service providers as a resource for their San Diego independent physician community, offer exceptional education programs, and improve the viability of their physicians private practices. We are excited about our partnership with Doctible. We know now more than ever how important patient communication can be for a practice. Doctible is well positioned to support our members with valuable technology to help them succeed. Said Dustin Brown, Executive Director at Scripps Mercy Partners. Doctible actively engages in discussions with interested partners as part of its broader business development strategy. If you or your organization is interested in partner opportunities, email partner@doctible.com for more information. About Doctible: Doctibles mission is to help private practices grow and be efficient using technology. By offering its leading patient relationship management platform, practices can easily manage patient communication and increase patient retention through Doctibles integrated platform, thereby increasing practice efficiency and reducing administrative costs while attracting new patients. Founded in 2013, Doctible is currently deployed at thousands of healthcare practices across the nation and is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. Learn more at http://www.doctible.com. Barn destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. Fire destroyed a barn about five miles southeast of Watertown Wednesday, according to a report from Watertown Fire Rescue. JASPER, FL The Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County has issued a statement concerning distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. It reads as follows: "The Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners is providing COVID-19 vaccination sites. In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County will continue to issue this update every week. County health departments have an important role to play in administering vaccine. Heres a summary of some of our top efforts this week. Provided 2,399 vaccinations (1,329 first dose and 1070 second dose) to date in Hamilton County Partnered with Hamilton County Commission for logistical support The Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County continues to fight to protect health and safety as the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine continues. About the Florida Department of Health The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov." A South Florida doctor's death weeks after receiving his coronavirus vaccine is under investigation by Miami-Dade medical examiners. Dr. Gregory Michael, 56, an OB-GYN at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, died after a hemorrhagic stroke due to a lack of platelets, said a report from USA Today. The doctor's death was a shocking revelation for his widow who told CBS Miami that her late husband who had his coronavirus vaccine two weeks earlier was "a very healthy 56-year-old loved by everyone in the community." It's still unclear if the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine contributed to the doctor's death. The widow, Heidi Neckelmann, said on Facebook that Dr. Michael helped hundreds of women give birth and worked tirelessly during the course of the pandemic. She then urged people to be aware that "side effects can happen." Related Story: Portuguese Health Worker Dies Two Days After Receiving Pfizer Vaccine, Autopsy Results Unknown If Dr. Michael's death was indeed due to the vaccine, this would be the country's first death linked to the vaccine. Local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working together to find out more about the cause of his death. State health department communications director Jason Mahon in an email that they will continue to provide information to the CDC as the investigation continues. The examiner department's director of operations Darren Caprara also told CW-affiliated PIX 11 that samples from Dr. Michael's autopsy have been sent to the CDC. Doctor's Death Could Be Caused by Unusual Condition Dr. Michael had his first vaccine dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on December 18 at Mount Sinai. About three days after getting the coronavirus vaccine, Michael sought emergency care when he saw dots on his body indicating internal bleeding, Neckelmann said. She added that her husband had an unusual case of severe thrombocytopenia, which is a condition that affects the blood's ability to clot and stop internal bleeding. The doctor's blood count was said to be "far below normal ranges," according to CBS affiliated WKRC Local 12. Then, after a last-resort surgery, he suffered a stroke and died. Pfizer Believes Doctor's Death Not Directly Connected to Coronavirus Vaccine Pfizer said in a statement that it was aware about Dr. Michael's death. "We are actively investigating this case, but we don't believe at this time that there is any direct connection to the vaccine," the company's statement read. So far, there have been no indications from large clinical trials or vaccine recipients that the vaccine could be connected to thrombocytopenia, the company said. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Aileen Marty said people should not be discouraged from taking the vaccine. "There is nothing in the clinical trials that would indicate this is a likely outcome from the vaccine itself," she said. Read Also: California in Dire Need of Medical Workers Due to Worrisome Shortage of Volunteer Health Corps She also pointed to the millions of individuals who were vaccinated throughout the world and compared it to the morbidity that came with not getting immunity from COVID-19 at all. Dr. Marty also placed confidence in the state's Medical Examiner, saying it will "provide us details that will explain exactly what happened." Pfizer and the CDC both extended their condolences to the family. Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-11 10:38:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PYONGYANG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has endorsed its top leader Kim Jong Un as the general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea at its eighth party congress, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday. "The eighth congress ... decides to hold Kim Jong Un in high esteem as the general secretary of the Workers' Party Korea," the report said. The congress "fully approved" a proposal for promoting Kim to general secretary of the party, the KCNA said, calling the position "head of the revolution and centre of guidance and unity." The election took place at the sixth-day session of the ongoing party congress in Pyongyang on Sunday, it said. On Sunday, the congress decided to change the party's "Executive Policy Council into Secretariat." The decision would lead to party officials to relinquish the current titles such as chairman and vice chairman and start using titles such as secretary or vice secretary. The party also held elections for its Central Committee, a key governing body that includes the powerful politburo, the KCNA said. Jo Yong Won, a senior party official who was often spotted accompanying the leader during his field trips last year, was promoted to a member of the standing committee of the political bureau to replace Pak Pong Ju. The congress opened on Tuesday with expectation of announcing a five-year economic development plan and new diplomatic and military policy and make key personnel decisions. The KCNA said the congress was to continue with a seventh-day session on Monday. The 7th party congress was held in May 2016 and ran for four days. Enditem A bride who wanted to look her best while walking down the aisle has been left with second-degree burns after trying a fat-freezing treatment. Telithia Ha, a high school teacher from Adelaide, decided to try the beauty treatment because she wanted to get into better shape ahead of her nuptials. But the 27-year-old was instead left with a permanent scar to her stomach after her skin began to bubble from the fat-freezing treatment. 'She [the beauty therapist] looked at me and said ''that's perfectly normal, that will go away''. I looked at her and i said ''I've got blisters, it's a second-degree burn, I don't think this is very normal'',' Ms Ha told A Current Affair. Telithia Ha has been left with second-degree burns (pictured) after trying a fat-freezing treatment Ms Ha, who said one session on the stomach area can set you back $600, is now coping with the emotional toll of the botched beauty treatment. 'For me it wasn't even a consideration that I would get scarred because I thought she was trusted,' she said. 'When I got those scars, I was a lot more emotional than I expected to be. Just because that was another thing I had to deal with.' Mother-of-two Noor Gabriel is also facing a similar fate after suffering second-degree burns to her face from another beauty treatment gone wrong. Ms Gabriel, who speaks limited English, put her trust in a beauty therapist at her local shopping centre and underwent a skin-lightening treatment called Hifu. But four months after the treatment, her cheeks and chin remain scarred and she struggles to look at herself in the mirror. The high school teacher from Adelaide decided to try the beauty treatment because she wanted to get into better shape ahead of her nuptials 'I can't go outside because everyone who sees me, ''what happened?'' she said. The morning after her treatment Ms Gabriel said her face was swollen. She then visited a GP, who told her she had suffered second-degree burns. The Australian Medical Association is calling for increased regulation of these types of treatments amid an increase in horror stories. Those seeking beauty treatments are urged to consult medical professionals first. 'Have a talk to your doctor first and consider seeing a dermatologist, a cosmetic dermatologist, who you know has medical training,' AMA NSW president Dr Danielle McMullen said. Mother-of-two Noor Gabriel is also facing a similar fate after suffering second-degree burns to her face when a skin-lightening treatment called Hifu went wrong Last month, A Current Affair spoke to an MMA fighter who almost lost both her legs after she felt them burn during a muscle recovery treatment. Athena Martinez from Sydney regularly undergoes cryotherapy sessions before her jiu jitsu competitions and decided to go to a different clinic for her treatment on November 26. The athlete says she was left in the liquid nitrogen tank with temperatures of -140C for six minutes, which she claims is three minutes longer than usual. Shocking images following the procedure show horrific burns to her lower legs and thighs. Last month, A Current Affair spoke to an MMA fighter who almost lost both her legs after she felt them burn during a muscle recovery treatment Allergan Aesthetics issued a statement following the airing of the A Current Affair episode on January 11. 'It was stated that a patient was treated with CoolSculpting. Following further investigation, it has been found that this patient was not treated with the a CoolSculpting system,' the spokesperson said. 'At Allergan the safety of our patients is a priority and we take any reports of adverse events seriously. 'As the leading non-invasive fat-reduction treatment worldwide, CoolSculpting has a well-established safety and efficacy profile which has been demonstrated in 60+ peer-reviewed publications. 'CoolSculpting systems are controlled cooling devices designed with inbuilt safety technology. 'If sensors detect that the skin is getting too cold, the system will stop the treatment automatically.' Matt Hancock has ruled out axing Covid support bubbles helping families cope during lockdown. The Health Secretary was previously among ministers who refused to rule out the drastic step along side other measures to counteract the appalling surge in Covid cases and deaths. But facing the public at a Downing Street press conference he explicitly said they were too important to struggling families to remove. 'I can rule out removing the bubbles that we have in place; the childcare bubbles, the support bubbles are very important and we are going to keep them,' he said. 'I know how important they are to people. They are an important part of the system that we have got to support people whilst also having these tough measures that are necessary.' But Mr Hancock warned the public to stick with the people they chose to form a bubble with. The Health Secretary was previously among ministers who refused to rule out the drastic step along side other measures to counteract the appalling surge in Covid cases and deaths Boris Johnson 's future mother-in-law Josephine McAffee (pictured) has been visiting Downing Street to help look after her baby grandson Wilfred That's our boy: Boris Johnson, Carrie Symonds and Wilfred inside Downing Street last year 'The bubbles are there for individual specific people - for instance if you bubbled with someone that is the person you have bubbled with, you cannot keep moving bubbles, it's very important,' the Health Secretary said. They essentially become part of your household so it is important people stick to the same bubbles, but the bubbles policy will stay.' Under lockdown rules, people can form a support bubble with another household of any size if they live on their own or if their household includes a child who was aged one or under on December 2 last year. Charity AgeUK welcomed the news, saying the policy had given hundreds of thousands of elderly people the strength to carry on. Caroline Abrahams, the charity's director, said: 'Getting the balance right between infection control and wellbeing has been a constant challenge throughout the pandemic. 'But there's no doubt that for many older people living on their own the opportunity to form a 'support bubble' has made a huge difference, giving them the strength to carry on.' She added: 'Hundreds of thousands of older people will be profoundly relieved to hear the Government say it intends to keep them.' One person benefiting from being in a support bubble is the Prime Minister himself. His future mother-in-law has been visiting Downing Street to help look after her baby grandson Wilfred, it emerged last night. Carrie Symonds' mother Josephine McAffee has reportedly formed a 'household bubble' with her daughter and the Prime Minister to provide childcare. She is said to be helping to look after eight-month-old Wilfred in the spacious flat above 11 Downing Street. Mr Hancock warned tonight that while support bubbles are safe, rules on two people from different households being able to exercise outdoors together could be torn up if people keep abusing them. 'If too many people keep breaking this rule we are going to have to look at it but I don't want to do that,' Mr Hancock told a No10 briefing this evening. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi raised concerns that people were not complying with the rules closely enough in supermarkets and when exercising. There are mounting suggestions that the restrictions may need to be toughened as the Government launched a drive to ensure the public abide by the rules. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to have discussed the prospect of introducing tougher controls to ensure the public abide by the restrictions. And England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty urged the public to 'stay at home unless you absolutely have to' go out. The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained an emergency court order freezing assets of a San Juan Capistrano, California-based company and its founder, who allegedly were carrying out an ongoing investment fraud. According to the SEC's complaint, filed on December 21, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and unsealed on January 7, 2021, Justin Robert King and his company, Elevate Investments LLC, raised about $7.4 million from investors since at least June 2019. The complaint alleges that King and Elevate were offering interests in the Elevate Investment Fund despite the fact that no such fund entity exists. The complaint further alleges that all investor money was held in brokerage and bank accounts in the name of King, his wife, and/or Elevate. As alleged, Elevate's website stated that, from June 2019 through June 2020, King's trading resulted in returns of 61% for all his clients' accounts. In fact, the complaint alleges, King's trading across all known accounts associated with him resulted in losses of $3.8 million during that period. The website also allegedly represented that King had historically generated profits for his clients year after year, but according to the complaint, King had consistently generated losses. Finally, the complaint alleges that Elevate's website made false statements about its affiliations with well-known securities industry participants when, in fact, certain purported affiliations had been terminated by the securities industry participant or had never existed. From September 2020 to December 1, 2020, King allegedly transferred almost $400,000 from the brokerage accounts to the bank account of his wife, who is named in the complaint as a relief defendant. On December 28, 2020, the district court granted the SEC's request for a temporary restraining order against King and Elevate. The court's order freezes the assets of King, Elevate, and Shannon King, appoints a temporary receiver over Elevate, and orders King, Elevate, and Shannon King to provide an accounting, among other relief. The court set a hearing on the SEC's motion for a preliminary injunction extending the emergency relief through the conclusion of the case for January 11, 2021. The SEC's investigation was conducted by staff in the SEC's Los Angeles Regional Office and supervised by Robert Conrrad. The SEC's litigation will be led by Lynn M. Dean, Kathryn Wanner, and Amy Longo. 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. Vanessa Hudgens delighted social media followers after she used a High School Musical 2 meme to address Donald Trump's Twitter ban. The original scene saw Vanessa's character Gabriella Montez receiving a personalized 'T' necklace from her boyfriend Troy Bolton (Zac Efron). But in light of the recent political controversy, Vanessa, 32, hilariously used the moment to address Trump's permanent social media suspension. 'T as in Trump's Twitter is suspended': Vanessa Hudgens delighted social media followers after she used a High School Musical 2 meme to hilariously address Donald Trump's Twitter suspension 'T as in Troy?' Gabriella asks her boyfriend as he clasps the necklace around her neck. 'No Gabriella,' Troy responds. 'T as in Trump's Twitter is suspended.' Vanessa tagged the magazine Nylon in the photo, indicating she did not create the meme herself. Either way, the post drew countless likes and comments from fans, praising her for throwing it back to her High School Musical days. T for Troy: Zac Efron's character famously gave his girlfriend Gabriella a custom 'T' necklace as a token of his affection 'You win the internet!' Fans expressed their appreciation for the post in the comments section 'YOU WIN THE INTERNET W THIS BB,' commented actress Ana Villafane. 'YES', commented another. 'Best one!' remarked Francia Raisa. 'Why am I so happy she posted something with Zac Efron?' chimed in another, adding two heart eye emojis. Banned: Twitter permanently banned Trump's account last week, claiming in a blog post that it was due to the risk of 'further incitement to violence', after the president's supporters rioted through the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday Twitter permanently banned Trump's account last week, claiming in a blog post that it was due to the risk of 'further incitement to violence', after the president's supporters rioted through the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. 'After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence,' the company wrote. The account had 88.7million followers, which is nearly half of the company's total base of monetizable daily active users. In addition to his Twitter account, Trump's Facebook account was also banned by the social media platform. 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 Schools that have lost students during the pandemic would see their funding cut under a proposal Gov. Doug Ducey outlined Monday in his annual state-of-the-state address, a speech that hardened his longstanding resistance to school and business closures. The Republican governor warned schools that he expects them to offer in-person instruction as teachers gain access to the coronavirus vaccine. We will not be funding empty seats or allowing schools to remain in a perpetual state of closure, Ducey said. Children still need to learn, even in a pandemic. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Ducey wants to fund public and charter schools based on their actual enrollment, not at pre-pandemic levels, said Getchen Conger, Duceys deputy chief of staff. That could open up big holes in the budgets for schools, which statewide have seen enrollment decline by about 4%, according to the Department of Education. Duceys comment were initially interpreted by many to mean he wanted to cut funding for remote learning. The governor wants all children to have an option for in-person learning but he would not defund virtual education, Conger said. Ducey has refused pressure from Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, a Democrat, to pause in-person learning amid a rise in coronavirus infections that is crushing hospitals. But Mondays speech was the most aggressive he has delivered in pushing for schools to fully reopen their doors. Hoffman said Ducey was ignoring the reality of COVID-19 and its effects on schools, teachers and students, saying schools had gone above and beyond to ensure learning continued during the pandemic. Duceys funding plans wont sit well with them, she said. I think many educators will take that as a slap in the face, especially those who have been teaching from home since March under these very difficult circumstances, she said. In his seventh and shortest state-of-the-state address as governor, Ducey spoke directly to a camera from his office in the state Capitol. The pandemic-era precaution came in place of the traditional pomp and circumstance of a speech that is normally delivered to a joint session of the Legislature, state Supreme Court justices, agency heads and foreign consuls. Ducey called for more money to help children falling behind because they have been away from their classrooms, a problem he said has affected particularly low-income students and children of color. Resources could include funding for summer school, longer school days and one-on-one tutoring. Duceys 22-minute speech focused almost entirely on the pandemic. He acknowledged pressure to take a tougher or lighter response. Public health officials and hospital leaders have pleaded in vain for Ducey to close bars and restaurants, impose a curfew or take other actions to limit interactions between people. If were really all in this together, then we have to appreciate that for many families lockdown doesnt spell inconvenience; it spells catastrophe, Ducey said. Meanwhile, some of Duceys fellow Republicans are pushing to end the public health emergency that has expanded the governors power to impose restrictions on businesses and individuals and opened access to federal funding. A resolution to end the emergency with a majority vote in the Legislature, which would not require Duceys signature, could be among the first items that lawmakers address this year. Ducey said he would fight that effort, if only to prevent cities from imposing their own restrictions. Im not going to hand over the keys to a small group of mayors who have expressed every intention of locking down their cities. Ducey said. Following early fears that the pandemic would cause an economic calamity and strain the state budget, Arizonas finances have been relatively unscathed, with a nearly $1 billion rainy day fund intact and a large projected state budget surplus. Ducey called for tax cuts, a move minority Democrats and school-funding advocates are sure to fiercely oppose. I propose, in this session, we work together to reform and lower taxes and preserve Arizonas good name as a responsible, competitive state, Ducey said. During his first campaign Ducey pledged to cut taxes every year in office. Years of tax cuts starved schools of money coming out of the Great Recession, leading to teacher walkouts in 2018 and a promise from Ducey and lawmakers to increase teacher salaries. Voters last year overwhelmingly approved an income tax hike on wealthy taxpayers to boost school funding, a measure that infuriated Duceys allies in the business community. The Legislatures Democrats lamented the call for tax cuts, saying the state needs the revenue to help those affected by the pandemic. We know that theres an ineffective unemployment insurance program, we need to fix our housing assistance program and also expand child care subsidies, said Rep. Reginald Bolding, the House minority leader. The last thing we need to do is take dollars out of the general fund. The governor spoke shortly after newly elected lawmakers were sworn in and began the 2021 legislative session amid unprecedented security measures around the Capitol. In the wake of mob violence by insurrectionist backers of President Donald Trump who broke into Congress last week in Washington, and new threats of further violence at statehouses, the entire state Capitol complex is now ringed by a double-layer of fencing. The general public was not allowed into the Senate or House or into the plaza between the two buildings and only a limited number of invited guests were on hand. Rep. Rusty Bowers of Mesa was chosen for a second term as House speaker, overcoming a threat by several of his fellow Republicans to vote against him over anger that he refused to back Trumps unfounded claims that he won Arizonas electoral votes. Republican Karen Fann of Prescott will serve a second term as Senate president. Republicans hold a one-seat majority in both the House and Senate. ___ This story has been updated to correct the explanation of Duceys education comments. Gretchen Conger, Duceys deputy chief of staff, said the governor did not call for schools to lose funding if they continue virtual learning, rather he said they wont be funded at their pre-pandemic levels. Moxie Marlinspike, Signal app owner, and co-author of Signal Protocol encryption used by different messaging apps has faced numerous questions about the implications of his igneous codes to privacy and law enforcement. Which among the two does he adhere to? Who Own Signal App? Meet Moxie Marlinspike Marlinkspike, who also goes by the name Matthew Rosenfeld has had a long impressive track record before he has ever laid his hands on the famous Signal Protocol encryption that is being used today by WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal, and Skype. He has gone through long lengths before he has made a bold move to hopefully bring back privacy to the world, according to the New Yorker. He founded Signal app along with Brian Action, a co-founder of WhatsApp. As a teen from the state of Georgia, USA, Marlinspike went to San Francisco to work for several tech companies and infrastructure software makers. By 2010, he was already the chief technology officer and co-founder of Whisper Systems. During that time, Marlinspike's company already utilized TextSecure and Redphone, which used end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling. In late 2011, Twitter acquired the company. The purpose was to allow Marlinspike to help the then starting social media company in the security startup system. During that time, Marlinspike became the head of cybersecurity in the now famous app Twitter. In 2013, he left Twitter to launch Open Whisper Systems to continue the development of textSecure and Redphone. During that same year Marlinspike, along with his co-founder Trevor Perrin started improving systems for the Signal Protocol. By 2015, the two apps TextSecure and Redphone were conjoined into a single application as Signal. Shortly after, they have worked with Whatsapp, Google, and Facebook into integrating the technology to messaging services for a more secure platform. It was not until 2018 that MarlinSpike and Brian Acton, the co founder of Whatsapp has launched the Signal Foundation. Signal app owner and Privacy Controversies Today, the entrepreneur, computer security researcher, and cryptographer has been faced with numerous questions and interviews about what secure coded communication system may imply for both users and the government. In an interview with Marlinspike via Wired, the Signal founder shares his sentiments about privacy and government. According to the interview, he says "Perhaps law enforcement shouldn't be omniscient. They already have a tremendous amount of information. He notes that the FBI already has access to users' call logs. "What the FBI seems to be saying is that we need this because we might be missing something. Obliquely, they're asking us to take steps toward a world where that isn't possible. And I don't know if that's the world we want to live in." He highlights that disallowing end-to-end encryption would make the world an unlikable place to live as it would be too intruding of users' privacy. Furthermore, he has made his philosophy known: that government should not know everything, that they should not be omniscient. See more: UK Government Wants Access To WhatsApp: 'There Should Be No Place For Terrorists To Hide' Furthermore, what makes MarlinSpike truly interesting is his firm stand on what this secure communication system might bring. He admits that it may cause people to do illegal things. "I actually think that law enforcement should be difficult, And I think it should actually be possible to break the law.", he says boldly. This is reflective of his recent blog, "We Should all have something to hide". Although this has created controversies online, many still believe that this has been a cutting-edge discovery for privacy, including Whatsapp co-founder Brian Acton. He says "Moxie has brought us a world-class, state-of-the-art, end-to-end encryption system. I want to emphasize: world-class." So far, governments have been struggling to deal with various apps such as Facebook, Apple, and Whatsapp in their legal privacy dealings. None of these have been surpassed by the government so far, and therefore Signal, although next in line, still has more time in their hands. Is the Signal creator anti-government? Or is he the modern-day hero who can finally bring back privacy? The opinion is yours to make. See related article: Telegram vs Signal App: One MAJOR Security Flaw Gives One Advantage Over the Other! This article is owned by Techtimes Written by Nikki Delgado 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. MJ Insurance has hired Holden Crossland as employee benefits consultant, Branden Bushelle as database analyst and Matthew Young as risk transfer specialist at the independent agencys Indianapolis headquarters. As an employee benefits consultant, Crossland will consult with existing and prospective clients to understand their business needs. He will identify potential risks and develop strategies to manage costs and drive results for the clients employee benefits program. Crossland most recently served as a sales consultant for Paychex Inc. where he promoted the Paychex software platform and consulted with existing clients to upgrade services and total contract value. He received several distinguished achievements while serving at Paychex, including Rookie of the Year. Crossland earned a degree in economics and psychology from Miami University. As a database analyst, Bushelle will be responsible for developing methods to obtain and analyze data to improve the quality and efficiency of data systems. He will create, execute and troubleshoot complex queries to clean, manipulate and normalize datasets. Bushelle previously served Zotec Partners as an integration engineer. In this role he provided clients with personal support and analysis to resolve any issues during and after the implementation process. He also maintained 14 Mirth appliances in AWS and local data centers. Bushelle earned a degree in management information systems and marketing from Butler University. As a risk transfer specialist, Young will analyze, negotiate and review quotes from key carriers. He will own the risk transfer process in order to develop the best program to match the clients risk tolerance, including alternative funding programs. Young previously worked at Origin Specialty Underwriters as an Underwriter, where he was responsible for managing a large book of business and fostering agent relationships. Young earned his degree in business marketing from Eastern Illinois University. With offices in Phoenix and Indianapolis, MJ Insurance is a commercial and personal insurance, risk management and employee benefits consulting agency that since 1964, has grown from a two-person start-up to an agency with more than 170 employees. Source: MJ Insurance Topics Indiana Against the wisdom of the ages, you can tell a book by its cover. You can usually tell one by its title, too. Summerwater is Sarah Mosss new novel. Her title is taken from the The Ballad of Semmerwater, a poem by the Englishman William Watson (1858-1935). It suggests density and perhaps difficulty, in the manner of the word riverrun, which appears in the first sentence of Finnegans Wake. As titles go, its mildly pretentious. Yet Moss, except in flashes, is anything but a pretentious writer. She writes beautifully about English middle-class life, about souls in tumult, about people whose lives have not turned out the way theyd hoped. She catches the details of ordinary existence in a manner thats reminiscent of the director Mike Leigh: the peeling roof tiles, the cheap plastic teakettles, the beans on toast. She never condescends, and her fluid prose is suggestive of larger and darker human themes. Malin Andersson has reflected on accepting her body despite a month of excess during her recent trip to Dubai. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the Love Island star and body confidence advocate, 28, shared a stunning lingerie-clad snap alongside an impassioned message. She made a plea to her followers to join her in learning to love their bodies, while admitting that she is still content in her body despite her boozy antics. Happy: Malin Andersson has reflected on accepting her body despite a month of excess during her recent trip to Dubai Malin penned: 'There are a ton of journeys Ive been on and one of the longest & toughest ones was learning how to love the skin Im in.... 'It was a rollercoaster ride that consumed all my teenage and early adult years, a journey which I wouldnt wish on any of you... 'Coming back from Dubai after a month of no routine, alcohol and unlimited food - I looked in the mirror earlier and was pleasantly surprised at the fact I didnt feel an ounce of shame or guilt.. (we all have our days, but mine are happily over.) 'With the added pressure of lockdown again, we all feel that we have to incorporate a strict routine and eat well in fear of gaining weight.. and honestly I think its great to be healthy - but healthy doesnt mean putting PRESSURE on yourself... Speaking out: Taking to Instagram on Monday, the Love Island star and body confidence advocate, 28, shared a stunning lingerie-clad snap alongside an impassioned message Goodbye: Last week, Malin took to Instagram to reveal she was leaving the UAE after extending her stay, sharing snaps of her 'last supper' 'I did about 15 mins of exercise and felt sick today and then stopped.. I then said to myself cool, Ill do 20 tomorrow. 'Finding balance in everything is important for us to be able to flow through this thing called life without carrying any negative or draining emotion. Allowing yourself the freedom to choose, and to make choices best for yourself, nobody else. 'Today choose to be kinder to you. Let go of societys expectation and go at your OWN steady pace.. this isnt a race - this is your precious mental health.. take away any comparison to others appearances and keep your eyes on your journey. 'Your journey is valid. You are important.' 'Out of touch': Malin was slammed by her followers for uploading a video of herself living it up in Dubai, mere hours after the U.K's national lockdown was announced Her post comes after Malin slammed trolls as she returned home from Dubai, after receiving criticism for posting a holiday video hours after the UK entered lockdown. She was branded 'out of touch' earlier in the day after posting a video of herself frolicking in a private pool in a blue bikini while lockdown restrictions increased amid spiralling infection rates. Malin took to Instagram to reveal she was leaving the UAE after extending her stay, sharing snaps of her 'last supper' and rooftop pool before filming a video from her taxi en-route to the airport in which she called out a troll. She posted a screenshot of a message from a follower which referenced the tragic death of her newborn daughter Consy in 2019. Message: Malin vowed to expose 'vile' trolls as she posted the message she had received The message read: 'I appreciate a lot that you are always trying to cheer people up but your Dubai posts were really demotivating. 'People feel locked in and were not able to see their loved ones for months now. You probably wouldn't appreciate either watching someone else enjoying life with their healthy child when you lost yours.' She said: 'I've extended way too long I've got loads of work to do. Also I started randomly getting loads of abuse yesterday after being here for a month 'I will expose any more p****s that message me because that is not on. When you're bringing other stuff in. That is very disgusting. But we stay positive, I'm not letting this negative energy affect me. I need to repel all this dark energy.' It comes after Malin extended her stay in Dubai last week, before Boris Johnson's announcement, however she has now returned. (Newser) "We need to help induce national calm NOW." So read an internal memo reportedly sent Wednesday by a media-company executive in the wake of the violence at the Capitol. Except in this case, said media company was an unexpected one: talk-radio giant Cumulus Media, which has some of America's leading conservative talk-radio hosts in its fold. Per the email attributed to Executive Vice President of Content Brian Philips, the company informed its on-air talent that they will be terminated if they make "any suggestion that the election has not ended. The election has been resolved and there are no alternate acceptable 'paths.'" Phillips was unequivocal, reportedly writing: "If you transgress this policy, you can expect to separate from the company immediately." story continues below The Washington Post calls it "a stunning corporate clampdown on the kind of provocative and even inflammatory talk that has long driven the business model for Cumulus and other talk show broadcasters." Among those driving the election-fraud narrative are Cumulus' Mark Levin and Dan Bongino, per the Post, which notes word of the internal memo was first reported by Inside Music Media. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that with its 416 stations, Cumulus is second only to iHeartMedia in its size. (Read more Cumulus Media Networks stories.) 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. Fish populations tend to do better in places where rigorous fisheries management practices are used, and the more measures employed, the better for fish populations and food production, according to a new paper published Jan. 11 in Nature Sustainability. The study, led by Michael Melnychuk of the University of Washington's School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, draws upon the expertise of more than two dozen researchers from 17 regions around the world. The research team analyzed the management practices of nearly 300 fish populations to tease out patterns that lead to healthier fisheries across different locations. Their findings confirmed, through extensive data analysis, what many researchers have argued for several years. "In general, we found that more management attention devoted to fisheries is leading to better outcomes for fish and shellfish populations," Melnychuk said. "While this won't be surprising to some, the novelty of this work was in assembling the data required and then using statistical tools to reveal this pattern across hundreds of marine populations." The research team used an international database that is the go-to scientific resource on the status of more than 600 individual fish populations They chose to analyze 288 populations that generally are of value economically and represent a diversity of species and regions. They then looked over time at each fish population's management practices and were able to draw these conclusions: In regions of the world where fish and shellfish populations are well studied, overall fisheries management intensity has steadily increased over the past half century As fisheries management measures are implemented, fishing pressure is usually reduced toward sustainable levels, and population abundance usually increases toward healthy targets If fish populations become depleted as a result of overfishing, a rebuilding plan may be implemented. These plans tend to immediately decrease fishing pressure and allow populations to recover If strong fisheries management systems are put in place early enough, then overfishing can be avoided and large, sustainable catches can be harvested annually, rendering emergency measures like rebuilding plans unnecessary The study builds on previous work that found, by using the same database, that nearly half of the fish caught worldwide are from populations that are scientifically monitored and, on average, are increasing in abundance. The new paper takes a closer look at specific management actions and how they have impacted fishing pressure and the abundance of each population examined, Melnychuk explained. "All fish populations have their own unique contexts that might dictate what management tools would be most helpful and promising to use," he said. "Despite the great diversity in their management objectives and various strategies to meet those, we focused on key management tools in common to many fisheries around the world." The international research team chose to look at a spectrum of fish populations, such as hakes in South Africa and Europe, orange roughy in New Zealand, tuna species on the high seas, anchovies in South America and scallops off the Atlantic coast of North America. Most of the populations they examined had a history of being depleted at some point, usually due to historical overfishing. For example, with U.S. mid-Atlantic population of black sea bass, a rebuilding plan instituted in 1996 brought fishing rates down from three times the sustainable level to below this mark, which led to a steady rebuilding of the fishery and full recovery by 2009. "Fishers targeting black sea bass in the northeastern U.S. are finally reaping the rewards of harvest caps that allowed the population to rebuild," said co-author Olaf Jensen of the University of Wisconsin--Madison. "The 2020 catch limit of more than 6,000 tons is the highest since catch limits were first imposed more than 20 years ago." This analysis omits fisheries that lack scientific estimates of population status, even though these account for a large amount of the world's catch. These include most of the fish populations in South Asia and Southeast Asia -- fisheries in India, Indonesia and China alone represent 30% to 40% of the world's catch, most of which is essentially unassessed. Although fisheries in these regions could not be included in the analyses, the paper's authors conclude that lessons learned can equally apply to data-limited fisheries: Greater investment in fisheries management systems is expected to lead to better outcomes for the fish populations upon which our fisheries are based. ### A full list of paper co-authors is available in the paper. This research was funded by The Nature Conservancy, The Wildlife Conservation Society, the Walton Family Foundation and a consortium of Seattle fishing companies. For more information, contact Melnychuk at mmel@uw.edu. Peter Navarro, director of the White House National Trade Council, at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on March 1, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Navarro: Trump Itching to Defend Himself Against Impeachment President Donald Trump is eager to defend himself against accusations laid out by Democrats in a fresh impeachment push, a top adviser said Monday. The president is just itching to defend himself on this issue and we have the receipts, Peter Navarro, a staunch Trump ally who advises the president on trade issues, said on War Room: Pandemic. Bring it on, because weve got the receipts, he added. Democrats on Monday released a resolution charging Trump with incitement of insurrection, accusing Trump of inspiring the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump in a speech that day called for supporters to go to the Capitol, but stressed they should stay peaceful. Democrats have been trying to pressure Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to remove Trump via the 25th Amendment. A source told The Epoch Times that Pence doesnt support invoking it, and Housing Secretary Ben Carson said Democrats should drop the matter, noting that few days remain until Trumps term ends. A House Republican on Monday blocked a resolution calling on Pence to invoke the amendment. If Pence and a majority of the Cabinet dont invoke the amendment, Democrats plan on proceeding with another impeachment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told colleagues in a recent letter. A host of Republican lawmakers have urged Democrats to think hard about the push, saying pursuing impeachment will further divide an already divided country. A presidential impeachment should not occur in the heat of the moment, but rather after great deliberation, a group of House Republicans said in a letter on Saturday to President-elect Joe Biden. We respectfully urge you to encourage Speaker Pelosi to set aside this partisan effort immediately. Democrats successfully impeached Trump last year but the Senate voted to acquit him. No president in U.S. history has been impeached and convicted. Navarro said that the push to impeach Trump a second time just opened a huge door. Theyre overplaying their hand. They always overplay their hand. This is going to bite them you know where, he said. Jack Phillips, Janita Kan, and Samuel Allegri contributed to this report. A seized South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on the Persian Gulf on Jan. 4, 2021. (Tasnim News Agency via AP, File) South Korean Delegation in Iran Over Seized Ship, Frozen Funds TEHRAN, IranA South Korean diplomatic delegation arrived in Iran on Jan. 10 to negotiate the release of a vessel and its crew seized by Iranian forces amid an escalating financial dispute between the countries, Iranian state-run media reported. The South Korean-flagged tanker was seized by Irans Revolutionary Guard in the crucial Strait of Hormuz as Iranian officials have been pressing South Korea to release some $7 billion in assets tied up in the countrys banks as a result of U.S. sanctions. It appeared the Islamic Republic seeks to boost its leverage over Seoul ahead of South Koreas pre-scheduled regional trip, which included a stop in Qatar. Iran maintains the tanker and its 20-member crew were stopped in the mouth of the Persian Gulf because of the vessels environmental pollution, a claim rejected by the vessels owner. The crew, which includes sailors from Indonesia, Myanmar [Burma], South Korea, and Vietnam, remain in custody at the port city of Bandar Abbas, near the Strait of Hormuz. A South Korean diplomat based in Iran met with one of the crew members, a South Korean, two weeks ago, according to South Korean Foreign Ministry Spokesman Choi Young-sam. The crew member told the diplomat he and 19 other sailors were all were safe and hadnt suffered any mistreatment. South Korea has requested that Iran provide evidence to back up its claim that the South Korean ship violated environmental protocols, he added. Diplomats from Iran and Myanmar, which had 11 citizens on the ship, were meeting separately in Delhi, India, to negotiate the release of the Burmese sailors aboard, according to a semi-official ISNA news agency. Irans state-run media announced First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-Kuns arrival with a photo showing him meeting with his Iranian counterpart. It wasnt clear how long the visit would last. The South Korean delegation, including representatives from Seouls Central Bank, were set on Jan. 11 to meet with Irans Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati to discuss the trapped funds, semi-official Mehr news agency reported. In recent weeks, Hemmati has complained that Iran was struggling to transfer some $220 million held in South Korean banks to pay for COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX, an international program designed to distribute coronavirus vaccines to participating countries. The seizure occurred as South Korea, in accordance with sanctions reimposed by the United States in 2018 after withdrawing from the Obama-era nuclear agreement, continues a freeze on $7 billion from Irans oil exports in two Korean banks. Tehran has been calling on Seoul since July 2020 to release the money. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, calling it one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Two weeks ago, Iran ramped up uranium enrichment levels at Fordo, its key underground nuclear facility, bringing the country a technical step away from weapons-grade purity levels of 90 percent. Iran has a record of seizing foreign ships traveling near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a method of gaining advantage in sanctions talks. In 2019, Iran held a British tanker for two months after the United Kingdom seized an Iranian tanker that was suspected of carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. By Amir Vahdat. The Epoch Times contributed to this report January 11, 2021 in Image Editing (E) [prMac.com] Toronto (ON), Canada - Zevrix Solutions today announces the release of Graphic Inspector 2.5.2, a feature update to company's quality control solution for images and vector graphic files. The software solves the problem of checking entire folders of documents for potential problems according to specific workflow requirements. Graphic Inspector is the only tool on the Mac market that lets the graphics industry professionals inspect both raster images and Adobe Illustrator documents. The new version adds the ability to report the image print size based on file's resolution and pixel dimensions. Users can also preflight images by their width and height values which appear in two separate columns and represented in system's measurement units. The update also adds a contextual menu that lets users scan the selected folder directly from the system tree panel. "Graphic Inspector displays every bit of useful information about vector or raster graphic files and flags the ones that match rules you define," writes Jay Nelson in Layers magazine. "With its combination of price, utility, and thoughtful design, Graphic Inspector is a rare gem." Graphic Inspector is designed to help users of any trade, whether it's prepress, print, web design, or digital photography. For example, users can quickly locate files whose color mode is RGB, format - TIFF, resolution is below 300 dpi, ICC profile is "US Web Coated" and so on. The app offers the following key features: * Check multiple images and Illustrator files for potential problems * Customizable checkup presets * Professional prepress checks: spot colors, fonts in vector files, image compression and more * Search image EXIF, IPTC and GPS metadata * Common checks such as resolution, color mode, ICC profile Pricing and Availability: Graphic Inspector can be purchased from the Zevrix web site for $19.95 (USD), as well as from authorized resellers. Trial is also available for download. The update is free for users of version 2 ($10 to upgrade from version 1). Graphic Inspector requires macOS 10.9-11.0 (Big Sur). Located in Toronto, Canada, Zevrix Solutions provides automation and productivity solutions for Adobe Creative Cloud and Creative Suite software, PDF workflows, graphic file diagnostics and Microsoft Office output on Mac OS. Zevrix is dedicated to help professionals increase their profits through automating everyday tasks, producing error-free documents, saving disk space and cutting production costs. For more information, visit their website. Copyright (C) 2021 Zevrix Solutions. All Rights Reserved. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners. ### Co-culture: stimulate the metabolic potential and explore the molecular diversity of natural products from microorganisms Announcing a new publication for Marine Life Science & Technology journal. In this review article the authors Xiao-Yue Peng, Jin-Tao Wu, Chang?Lun Shao, Zhi-Yong Li, Min Chen and Chang-Yun Wang from the Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China consider the metabolic potential and molecular diversity of natural products from microorganisms. Microbial secondary metabolites have long been considered as potential sources of lead compounds for medicinal use due to their rich chemical diversity and extensive biological activities. However, many biosynthetic gene clusters remain silent under traditional laboratory culture conditions, resulting in repeated isolation of a large number of known compounds. Co-culture strategy simulates the complex ecological environment of microbial life by using an ecology-driven method to activate silent gene clusters of microorganisms and tap their metabolic potential to obtain novel bioactive secondary metabolites. In this article the authors review representative studies from 2017 to 2020 on the discovery of novel bioactive natural products from co-cultured microorganisms. A series of natural products with diverse and novel structures have been discovered successfully by co-culture strategies, including fungus-fungus, fungus-bacterium, and bacterium-bacterium co-culture approaches. These novel compounds exhibited various bioactivities including extensive antimicrobial activities and potential cytotoxic activities, especially when it came to disparate marine-derived species and cross-species of marine strains and terrestrial strains. The authors conclude that co-culture can be an effective strategy to tap the metabolic potential of microorganisms, particularly for marine-derived species, thus providing diverse molecules for the discovery of lead compounds and drug candidates. ### Article reference: Xiao-Yue Peng, Jin-Tao Wu, Chang-Lun Shao, Zhi-Yong Li, Min Chen and Chang-Yun Wang, Co-culture: stimulate the metabolic potential and explore the molecular diversity of natural products from microorganisms, Marine Life Science & Technology, 2020, ISSN 2662-1746, https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1007/ s42995-020-00077-5 Keywords: Co-culture, Microorganisms, Secondary metabolites, Chemical diversity Marine Life Science & Technology (MLST) provides a platform that introduces new discoveries and theories associated with marine organisms, bioresources, and biotechnology. The journal is intended for marine scientists, biological oceanographers, conservation biologists, marine technologists, policy makers and legislators. Accordingly, we publish original research papers across a broad range of marine life sciences and technologies with an emphasis on synergistic interactions of multiple disciplines. Both theoretical and practical papers are welcome, including laboratory and field experimental studies relevant to marine life science and technology. Focused reviews, viewpoints, comments, and short communications are also accepted. As the journal's aim is to foster multidisciplinary approaches to marine sciences, authors are encouraged to emphasise the relevance of their work in relation across the journals key-disciplines. For more information, please visit https:/ / www. springer. com/ journal/ 42995/ Editorial Board: https:/ / www. springer. com/ journal/ 42995/ editors MLST is available on SpringerLink (https:/ / link. springer. com/ journal/ 42995/ volumes-and-issues ). Submissions to MLST may be made using ScholarOne ManuscriptsTM (https:/ / mc03. manuscriptcentral. com/ mlst ). Abstracted and indexed in: Astrophysics Data System (ADS) CNKI Dimensions EBSCO Discovery Service Google Scholar Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China Meta Naver OCLC WorldCat Discovery Service ProQuest-ExLibris Primo ProQuest-ExLibris Summon TD Net Discovery Service ISSN 2662-1746 Texas lawmakers will reconvene this week with a less-dire budget outlook than first expected, buoyed by federal relief dollars and rebounding sales tax revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic state Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Monday. The state is currently projected to end the 2020-2021 biennium in August with a $950 million deficit, down from the $4.6 billion hole forecast this summer. Revenue for the next two fiscal years is also expected to essentially keep pace with the current biennium, though that projection could shift as the economic recovery from the pandemic and declines in the oil and gas industry last year continue, he said. The announcement was a major improvement from what Hegar, had forecast just months ago as the states economy appeared to be in freefall. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox This revenue estimate highlights the resiliency of our Texas economy, Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound and the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement. Tough decisions remain, but I am confident we can pass a budget that meets our essential needs, maintains our commitment to education and follows the principles of fiscal responsibility that put us in a stronger position than other states to withstand this unprecedented pandemic. Hegar attributed the boost to consumer spending on home improvement projects and other retail purchases, and a jump in tax revenue from online sales. Tax collections on other goods and services, including alcohol and hotel occupancy, have remained low, he said. Additionally, the state expects to be able to use at least some of the unspent federal relief money it received during the pandemic to fill general revenue gaps. Lawmakers still face a daunting task as they return to Austin on Tuesday to open the next legislative session. Setting the next two-year budget is expected to be all consuming, with Republicans expected to weigh additional cuts to those they imposed last year amid the health crisis. Hegar said the Legislature will likely be able to fill the current $950 million budget gap with those savings they implemented last year, which included cuts at the Health and Human Services Commission and leaving thousands of state jobs vacant. BUDGET CRUNCH LOOMS: Deficit of up to $20 billion points to no-frills 2021 Texas legislative session Lawmakers will also have several billion dollars to pull from the states Economic Stabilization Fund, also called the rainy day fund; Hegar projected it will grow to $11.6 billion by the end of 2023. Democrats have been calling on the Republican-controlled legislature to use the fund in order to avoid further cuts, though its unclear how much appetite there is for that. The money is there to use and we need it now, said Dick Lavine, a budget expert at the liberal think tank Every Texan. We should use it now. The Legislature is expected to have about $112.5 billion in usable revenue over the next biennium, which is a $440 million drop from the 2020-2021 cycle. One of the biggest priorities will be funding an increase adopted two years ago that gave pay raises to teachers and other school employees while also slowing property tax increases for schools. That is expected to cost upward of $13 billion over two years. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who heads the Senate, committed Monday to maintaining the education boost and meeting the growing cost of health care. He called Hegars forecast welcome news. We believe that with a continuing healthy economy, a growing Economic Stabilization Fund and federal COVID-19 relief, we will be able to move forward on our budget priorities this session and balance the budget by session's end, Patrick said in a statement Stephanie Rubin, CEO of Texans Care for Children, said the improved forecast and tools including the rainy day fund, expanded Medicaid dollars from the federal government and future aid packages that the incoming Biden Administration is looking to pass, should give lawmakers every reason to fully fund services, especially those for kids and families. Given the way that the pandemic has disrupted student learning, knocked families off of health insurance, traumatized kids, and more, legislators need to make kids and families a priority this session, she said in a statement. jeremy.blackman@chron.com Matt Chandler, Samuel Rodriguez call for repentance in sermons after Capitol storming Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment On the first Sunday since a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, influential pastor Samuel Rodriguez called on the Church to repent for making the person who occupies the White House more important than God. Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and pastor of New Season in Sacramento, California, told his congregation Sunday that America needs to hear a message of repentance. We must all repent; even the Church needs to repent. The American nation will be healed when the American Church repents, he said. Do you realize the great things that happen when we repent? he asked. When we repent ... there is perfect restoration of everything that was lost ... The moment Gods people repent, this nation will be healed . To repent is to invite revival. Rodriguez, who previously advised Trump, stressed we must repent for making the person who occupies the White House more important than the one who occupies our hearts. We must repent for permitting the donkey and the elephant to divide what the Lamb died for on the cross, he said. We must repent for voting for individuals whose policies run counter to the Word of God and the spirit of the living God. We must repent because our children are watching. The pastor said he was praying for a season of instead of: Instead of riots, revival ... Instead of destroying property, building altars. Instead of confrontation, conversations . Instead of storming the Capitol, storming the gags of Hell ... Instead of many under fear, one nation under God. Earlier in the message, Rodriguez said that if John the Baptist were alive today, he wouldve been blocked from social media because his message of repentance is too controversial. I'm going to preach the saving grace of Christ, he said. I'm here to tell you that before Facebook, the Gospel of Jesus was around. You can't cancel the cross, you cant cancel the upper room. You can't cancel the blood of Jesus. So I'm here to tell you, if you don't see us on social media platforms, let not your heart be troubled. We will continue to preach the Gospel, Jesus like never before. Rodriguez was not the only evangelical leader to decry Wednesdays riots, which took place when Congress was scheduled to count Electoral College votes and confirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Five people died amid the violence. The Rev. John Hagee of Cornerstone Church on Sunday called those who assaulted Congress a rebellious mob. The Secret Service had to escort the vice president of the United States to safety out of the Capitol building. Gunshots were fired. Tear gas was deployed in the Capitol Rotunda. People were killed ... This was an assault on law. Attacking the Capitol was not patriotism; it was anarchy, Hagee said. This is what happens when you mob the police. This is what happens when you fire the police, he added. This is what happens when you watch a policeman shot and belittle his sacrifice for the public. Wake up, America! America and democracy cannot function without the rule of law. We back the blue. In Flower Mound, Texas, Village Church Pastor Matt Chandler led his congregation in prayer for the deceit that plagues this culture ... and the deep divisions that even divide your bride. Chandler, who is also head of the Acts 29 church planting network, urged his congregation to examine their own complicity in the division currently seen across the U.S. Have you over the last few years misplaced your hope? he asked. If you have, you've participated in the unrest. Have you with your online persona participated in the unrest? Have you with your prayerlessness participated in the unrest? Has a lack of seriousness around real discipleship of really following after Jesus helped you to participate in the unrest? If we don't know how to take that stuff to [God], then it oozes out of us onto our online platform, into our kind of picking a team rather than going, Im on the Lords side, Chandler emphasized. And we'll need to repent of that, personally own our stuff. I don't want to be a subject matter expert in everyone else's send. I do want to be pretty dialed into my own. It'll keep me in a place where the Lord can bless me, where I can get a sense of His presence more richly, and ... walk in the power that He's promised me. One of Irelands largest suppliers of mock exam papers for Junior and Leaving Certificate students will not provide sample papers in 2021. Dublin-based DEB Exams said it had taken the decision not to produce any papers this year in order to fully comply with the latest Government announcements regarding Covid-19 and tighter level 5 restrictions. The companys managing director Senan Kelly said the decision meant it would not be in a position to fulfil orders already placed for the 2021 round of State exams. We would like to sincerely apologise to you, your colleagues, your students and their families for this grave decision, Mr Kelly said, adding that the decision had been beyond our control. Mock exams by DEB @debexams have been withdrawn?! "Pause all operations" - what does this mean? "Comply with govt restrictions"? There are many twists and turns to play out before #LC2021. pic.twitter.com/WRuqlBs20y Robert Chaney (@RobertChaney) January 11, 2021 Commenting on the decision, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) Clive Byrne said that while DEB are among the bigger ones in terms of groups supplying sample questions, they are not the only such company. He cited the example of ExamCraft, another Dublin-based company specialising in mock exam papers, which intends to operate as normal for the remainder of the academic year. The pre-Leaving and pre-Junior Certificate examinations are normally held in February or March to give students experience of a State exam sitting ahead of the real thing three months later. Mr Kelly said his company would continue to allow teachers access to its archive of past papers and marking schemes. Mr Byrne, meanwhile, suggested that given the ongoing Covid health emergency countrywide, mock exams are not likely to be at the forefront of most students minds. Its been the first day back of remote teaching, I doubt it will be particularly on peoples minds, he said, adding he had no clue why DEB had taken its decision. Im not sure what effect itll have on the State exams, he said of that decision, adding that people are committed to holding a conventional exam in as near to a traditional a manner as possible in June. Read More State Examinations Commission to discuss contingency planning for Leaving Cert 2021 Last years Leaving Certificate sittings were eventually cancelled in May, leading to a system of calculated grades for students. However, that system itself became the subject of much scrutiny last October after it emerged that some 6,000 students had received incorrect markings due to a flaw in the calculating algorithm. Meanwhile, a number of disability and family carer groups have welcomed a commitment by Education Minister Norma Foley to the prioritisation of students with special educational needs in terms of the eventual return to school. It had initially been planned by Government for both those with special needs and Leaving Cert students to continue to attend school in a scaled-down capacity, a decision which was eventually reversed last week. A complete withdrawal of educational services would be intolerable for children with additional learning needs. To view our press release and letters please see below.https://t.co/WSPDEQNbuf AsIAm.ie (@AsIAmIreland) January 5, 2021 Ms Foley made the commitment during a meeting with groups including Down Syndrome Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, and autism advocacy group AsIAm. We sought a firm commitment that students with SEN [special educational needs] would be back in the classroom as soon as possible, and the minister has undertaken to do all she can to deliver on that, a spokesperson for the groupings said. They added that Ms Foleys further commitment to examine a range of interim measures for children requiring SEN was also welcome. However, what we need to see now is delivery and follow-through on these commitments, they said. The Government must not let our vulnerable students and their families down again, the spokesperson added. Update: On Jan. 12, the state added eligibility for those 65 and up and those with compromised immune systems. New York State on Monday broadened the array of people eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations under its Phase 1B. Phase 1B now includes public-facing grocery store workers, school staff aside from teachers, in-person college instructors, child care workers and individuals living and working in homeless shelters, according to a news release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. Those already announced as being part of Phase 1B were teachers, police, firefighters, public safety and public transit workers and those 75 and older. Limited vaccine supplies across the state means even though individuals may be eligible to receive the vaccine, it may be weeks or longer until vaccine doses are available. Here's the state's full list of who's eligible: First responders/support staff of first responder agencies Corporate America rethinks political donations Big businesses often donate to both political parties and say that their support is tied to narrow issues of specific interest to their industries. That became increasingly fraught last week, after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and some Republican lawmakers tried to overturn Joe Bidens win in the presidential election. A flurry of companies have since reviewed political giving via their corporate political action committees. Some big banks are pausing all political donations: Goldman Sachs is freezing donations through its PAC and will conduct a thorough assessment of how people acted during this period, a spokesman, Jake Siewert, told DealBook. JPMorgan Chase is halting donations through its PAC for six months. There will be plenty of time for campaigning later, said Peter Scher, the banks head of corporate responsibility. Citigroup is putting all campaign contributions on hold for a quarter. We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law, Candi Wolff, the banks head of government affairs, wrote in an internal memo. Some companies are pausing donations to specific politicians: Marriott said it will pause donations from its PAC to those who voted against certification of the election, a spokeswoman told DealBook. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boston Scientific and Commerce Bancshares are taking a similar, targeted approach to donation freezes. The newsletter Popular Information is tracking the responses of these and other companies that donated to lawmakers who challenged the election result. A pause is not permanent. The suspensions coincide with the first quarter after a presidential election, which is typically light on fund-raising anyway. Efforts by some companies to pause PAC donations to all lawmakers those who voted to uphold the election as well as those who sought to overturn it are raising eyebrows. And companies can still give to dark money groups that dont disclose their donors but often raise far more money than corporate PACs. Heres an intriguing question: Will companies ask for their money back? Ken Gross, a partner at the law firm Skadden, said he hadnt seen evidence of that, but he noted that the pauses may be prolonged, depending on how the dust settles on potential impeachment proceedings and the nature of the debates over Mr. Bidens cabinet nominees. Corporate PACs arent the only groups under scrutiny. The Republican Attorneys General Association is taking heat following reports that a fund-raising arm, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, urged people to march on the Capitol. Several companies told DealBook that they were reviewing their support of the group, though none said they planned to cut ties. (Most noted that they supported attorneys general from both parties, an issue Andrew addressed in a column last year.) A representative for the association said that it and the Rule of Law Defense Fund had no involvement in the planning, sponsoring or the organization of Wednesdays event. Heres what we heard from some of the big corporate donors to the group: We are appalled and condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms and have communicated that to R.A.G.A., said John Demming, a spokesman for Comcast, which donated $200,000 last year, according to Documented. The company would seek assurances that they take steps to ensure that nothing like this would happen again, he said. Randy Hargrove, a spokesman for Walmart, which donated $140,000, said: As we conduct our review over the coming months, we will certainly factor last weeks events into our process. Ann Moore, a spokeswoman for Coca-Cola, which donated $50,000, said: We continuously re-evaluate our memberships, and we will continue to do so with last weeks event in mind. In other fallout: The P.G.A. of America said it would no longer hold its signature championship at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.; the social app Parler, popular among conservatives as an alternative to Twitter, went dark this morning after Amazon cut it off from computing services; the payment processor Stripe banned the Trump campaign from using its services; YouTube blocked Steve Bannons podcast channel; and the debate continues over tech giants influence over public speech. Image HERES WHATS HAPPENING U.S. states struggle to roll out coronavirus vaccines. New York abruptly loosened its guidelines, after medical providers were forced to discard doses because of difficulties finding qualified patients. Floridas distribution plans are in disarray as demand far outstrips supply. And federal officials are being criticized for supplying syringes that cant efficiently extract all the liquid from vials. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is launching a COVID vaccine locator on the DPH website at https://dph.georgia.gov. The tool allows users to search by county for a vaccine provider in their community, and provides location and contact information for the provider. This is not a centralized scheduling tool. County health departments and private providers are included in the locator. Additional locations statewide will be added when providers are ready to safely administer vaccine, and as vaccine supply allows. All health departments and most other providers require appointments for vaccine administration. Because vaccine supply is limited, providers may not have immediate appointments available. Effective Monday, Georgia will be in phase 1A+ of vaccine administration. That phase includes: healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, EMS personnel, laboratory technicians, environmental services, etc.); residents and staff of long-term care facilities; adults aged 65+ and their caregivers, as applicable; and law enforcement, firefighters, 9-1-1 dispatchers and first responders. The process of administering COVID-19 vaccine is more complicated than other common vaccines, such as flu vaccine, and requires providers to have more resources available, including an area where individuals can be monitored for 15 minutes after being vaccinated. Many providers with vaccine are still vaccinating their own staffs and patients and are not open to the public for vaccination yet. As both Pfizer and Moderna are able to ramp up production of vaccine in the coming weeks, supply should better meet demand for each phase of allocation and administration. Until that time, providers and the public are urged to be patient as we work together to get vaccine distributed in the most efficient and equitable way possible. All Georgians, including those who are vaccinated, are urged to continue to follow basic COVID-19 prevention measures: wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and follow the guidance of Public Health and the guidelines in the Governors Executive Order. For updates on COVID-19, follow @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook. Trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would begin on January 1st 2021, with a market of 1. 2 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.5 trillion would usher in a new era of development. So far more than thirty countries of the 54 who have signed the AfCFTA agreement and have thus far ratified it and are full state parties to the agreement. The AfCFTA should be made to work as it is the continents only path to sustainable development, David Luke, Coordinator of the Economic Commission for Africas (ECA) African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) has said in a webinar. He said all societies only developed when their productive capacities, productivity and competitiveness were expanded, driven by trade, and Africa could not be an exception. Lets not underestimate the importance of this AfCFTA initiative, Mr. Luke said, adding that Theres no plan B, we have to make this AfCFTA work. Revenues from trade were in multiples of receipts from sources like investments, remittances, foreign direct investment and foreign aid, he said. The AfCFTA aims to create the world's largest free trade area with the potential that brings together more than 1.2 billion people with a GDP of over $2.5 trillion. It has the potential to generate a range of benefits through economy of scale, trade creation, structural transformation, productive employment, and poverty reduction. The agreement entered into force on 30 May 2019 after the treaty was ratified by 22 countries the minimum number required by the treaty. To date, 34 countries have submitted their instrument of ratification to the African Union Commission (AUC). Trading is due to commence on January 1st, next year after the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to be postponed from July 1st, this year. Yinka Adeyemi, ATPC Senior Adviser appealed to journalists not to allow external forces to take control of the AfCFTA narrative by amplifying disputes that would arise from the agreement rather than emphasising the opportunities the agreement would bring. AfCFTA is our own story to tell; we must not allow others to take control of the narrative, he said. The ATPC, the ECA has been working with the AUC and member states to deepen Africa's trade integration and effectively implement the agreement through policy advocacy and national strategy development. The ECA also works closely with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and a selection of independent trade experts with the financial support of the European Union (EU) to support its implementation across the continent. The AfCFTA is anchored on the philosophical and intellectual foundation of a Pan-Africanism and a good sense of advancing the imperatives. Africa is on the cusp of a historic milestone, which started when the AfCFTA was signed in Kigali, Rwanda in March 2018. Today, 41 countries/customs unions have submitted their tariff offers, including the EAC and ECOWAS who submitted their offers in the last few days. This positions the AfCFTA for a truly commercially meaningful start of trading on January 1. Glowing tribute must be paid to the unwavering leadership and commitment of President Mahamadou Issoufou, the Champion and Leader of the AfCFTA. Africa continues to be trapped in a colonial economic model, which requires that we aggressively implement the AfCFTA as one of the tools for effecting a fundamental structural transformation of Africas economy and placing Africa on a path of long term industrial development. Now is the time to take action to dismantle this colonial economic model by accelerating our industrial development objectives. For the AfCFTA to be inclusive and to ensure shared growth across the continent; women, young Africans and SMEs have to be at the heart of its implementation. AfCFTA is partnering with the UNDP to ensure that the Agreement contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030. The Afro-Champions deployment of a digitally enabled platforms to connect SMEs, women in trade and young entrepreneurs to new markets on the African continent, is another plus. In revitalising Africas economy, particularly the services sector AVRIVA the Africa CDC Trusted Travel Initiative is critical. Indisputably, Afreximbank has been a strong strategic partner to the AfCFTA. A Pan-African Payments and Settlement Platform has been launched in 2019 in Niamey, with the additional development of an Adjustment Facility, which are both instruments that would support the implementation of the AfCFTA puts Africa in readiness to roll. Again, fruitful discussions held with Zenith Bank about a trade portal and Standard Bank about the establishment of a US$1 billion Trade Finance Facility, which would be aimed at expanding partnerships among SMEs primarily have been assured. The exploration of the possibility of this Trade Finance Facility being jointly underwritten by governments, African banks and African multilateral development institutions. As much progress as was made, integrating 55 markets would be difficult, it is a daunting task but collective Africa will succeed as Ghana hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat. 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 The coronavirus was supposed to turn the 2020 election cycle into a national fiasco, but despite some glitches and some presidential twaddle about fraud, the system held. In a year that may be remembered for its jaw-dropping bureaucratic failures, this was something to celebrate and enhance. Access to early voting played a large part in it: More than 100 million Americans voted before the polls opened on Election Day nearly three-quarters of the 138 million votes cast in all of 2016. Democracy, catch the fever. Many filled out a mail-in ballot and dropped it off, as 3.6 million of us did in New Jersey. Or, they schlepped to their polling stations in the days and weeks before Nov. 3 to cast votes, which was done in 38 states. Except New Jersey still isnt one of those 38, which is vexing. Once again, the Legislature is crafting a bill that would provide for early in-person voting, and since this is the year when virtually everyone in Trenton is on the ballot including Gov. Murphy this means we are running out of time. Murphy recently said that he would love to add in-person early voting. . . .getting back to machines, and that would take an investment. Youd still have a robust mail-in piece. Senate president Steve Sweeney says, We all want to get this done, we just havent had a chance to get together. I personally have never been a fan of vote-by-mail. If people want to vote on a machine, they should be able to. And prominent Republican lawmakers notably Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick have voice enthusiastic support for early, in-person voting. But the bill slid into limbo again Thursday, when the Assembly Appropriations Committee took it off its hearing agenda. The chief sponsor, Asm. Andrew Zwicker (D-Somerset), says stakeholders are still working on amendments, and that he is optimistic theyll get something done. "We all believe that voting should be easy, convenient and accessible. Our democracy depends on participation of the people," says @AndrewZwicker on his bill to require in-person early voting by machine for future general elections pic.twitter.com/BVn5tX08fK NJ Assembly Democrats (@njassemblydems) October 19, 2020 Except if they want to have the system ready to go by November, we probably need to get it done this month, he added. The holdup is largely about money: The state needs dozens of electronic poll books, computers that record signatures and votes in real time, so poll station workers can see whether a person has already voted. That would allow each county to set up three to seven polling locations depending on the volume of registered voters and they can open their doors for early, in-person voting for 15 days before the general election, including weekends. But the cost is somewhere between $20 and $35 million; one expert quoted in NJ Spotlight put the price tag closer to $60 million. Steep? Ask some Georgians if they think its worth the investment. Sweeney, for one, doesnt flinch: Poll books are expensive, but its mostly a one-time cost, he said. Well find the money for it. The expansion of vote by mail was a success in New Jersey and a great way to boost turnout. Other states should follow suit and expand vote by mail for future elections. https://t.co/jo0kC19KjT Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) November 9, 2020 He added that he hopes they can seal a deal sometime in February, and we hope he keeps to that commitment. Because the research is unambiguous: Voters want to vote early, and many of them want to do it in person. Besides the obvious benefit expanding access it reduces lines and stress levels on Election Day. Election officials say it also improves performance among poll workers, and provides time to diagnose and correct errors with ballots or machinery. As Brennan Center researchers once deduced, Early voters are happy voters, and Election Day voters are grumpy voters. If theres any positive message we can take from 2020, its that greater voter participation strengthens a democracy. But now its 2021, and times up. Whole-heartedly agree @SenatorGill! Grateful for your leadership on this. We need early voting and electronic poll books NOW. https://t.co/bZM3njjOUJ Henal Patel (@henal214) December 20, 2020 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. Former Leighton Holdings executive David Savage has been charged over his alleged role in the international Unaoil scandal, which involved bribery of senior officials in oil-producing nations to secure lucrative contracts. Mr Savage, the former chief operating officer of the prominent Australian infrastructure firm, was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers upon his release from hotel quarantine in Sydney's CBD on Monday morning. He was granted bail at Sydney Central Local Court in the afternoon. Former Leighton executive David Savage has been arrested over his alleged role in the Unaoil corruption scandal. The prosecution of Mr Savage, 60, is a major development in Australia's longest-running bribery investigation, focused on Leighton's bribery of Iraqi officials in order to win oil pipeline construction contracts. The investigation has discovered approximately $US77.6 million in suspicious payments channelled through Monaco-based consultancy Unaoil and other third parties. Mike Lindell, a.k.a. "the MyPillow guy," vaulted to national fame for his loud and proud support of President Donald Trump and the commercials for his bedding company that have aired in heavy rotation on Fox News, making him the network's top advertiser in 2020. Lindell has emerged in recent weeks as a loud critic of Fox even as his company runs MyPillow advertisements on the network. Lindell is among the Trump supporters who have accused Fox News of hurting the president's chances of winning a second term and who claim baselessly that he was the victim of widespread voter fraud. "Fox News does it again!" Lindell tweeted Tuesday, perturbed that Fox had cut away briefly from the president's Monday night rally in Georgia. "We expect this from CNN and others...! Wonder why Fox keeps suppressing the evidence and election fraud!" Last month, sharing a grievance common with Trump supporters who have turned away from the network for more conservative competitors such as Newsmax, Lindell criticized Fox's decision to report that Joe Biden had won in Arizona on Election Day. "Shame on Fox News for calling Arizona with only 14% votes in!" he wrote Dec. 17. And two months earlier, Lindell accused Fox News - and "almost all the networks" - of refusing to run advertisements for his book, which chronicles his journey "from crack addict to CEO." Despite his unhappiness, Lindell told The Washington Post that he will continue advertising his products on Fox, which finished 2020 as the most-watched channel on cable. "I am not changing my advertising," he said. "I make all of my advertising decisions based on what is best for MyPillow, my customers and my employees." A spokesperson for MyPillow reaffirmed on Wednesday that Lindell has not changed his position and plans to continue advertising on Fox despite his increasingly frequent critiques. On Tuesday night, several MyPillow ads ran during Tucker Carlson's show, which has been the brand's primary venue for advertising. MyPillow ads also aired during Hannity's Tuesday night show and continued airing on Fox's Wednesday morning programming. Sleeping Giants, a social activism organization that has discouraged large corporations from advertising on Fox News, encouraged Lindell to act on his displeasure with Fox. Responding to Lindell's Tuesday morning tweet criticizing Fox, the group replied, "You should definitely pull all of your advertising from Fox, Mike!" After a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday afternoon, Lindell chose Newsmax, not Fox, to make unsupported allegations about the cause of the violence. "All that stuff they're putting on these other stations, like, 'Oh, it was the biggest riot in history,' " Lindell said. "No, it wasn't. People were out there, and it was very peaceful. There were probably some undercover antifa that dressed as Trump people and did some damage to windows." The theory that left-wing agitators, including those motivated by the loose-knit ideology known as antifa, were responsible for the outbreak of violence at the Capitol was heavily promoted by many right-wing politicians and pundits last week, but no evidence to support that claim has emerged. "We are on a journey to transform our organization and the communities we serve," said Brian Lane , president and CEO of The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS. "We are strategically positioning our team to meet our mission as a convener, collaborator, influencer, and innovator while achieving operational excellence. These steps are necessary to drive sustainable growth within but also to leverage the talents of our people in support of our partners in the region and across the country." Under the new structure, Mario Franco has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Center and CHAMPS. Formerly The Center's senior vice president of finance and operations, Franco will provide the necessary leadership to ensure success across the organization. Franco will oversee the execution of the strategic plan for The Center and its business affiliates. "Since joining The Center, Mario has proven himself an exceptionally talented, innovative and forward-looking leader with a keen understanding of the critical details of the organization. His leadership and strategic aptitude are unparalleled," said Lane. "More importantly, Mario is a leader who served our country for 20 years as a member of the U.S. military and continues to serve our community as a board member of Esperanza . He is a true example of our values . I am confident Mario will position our core businesses for success for another 100 years." Tracy Wise has been promoted to senior vice president of business operations and administration for The Center and CHAMPS. In her new role, Wise will lead business operations, including The Center's shared services teams, to enhance operational excellence and generate new revenue opportunities for the organization. Wise formerly served as vice president of CHAMPS Group Purchasing. This new structure provides the opportunity to promote Maria Summers to director of CHAMPS Group Purchasing. Summers will assume the responsibilities of managing the GPO field team and daily operations of the business line. "These promotions are great examples of our commitment to growing our talent," explained Franco. "As leaders on the GPO team for more than 10 years, Tracy and Maria have set the bar for exceptional customer service and a commitment to adding value for our members. Their creativity in providing value was most recently on display through the creation of a give back campaign that brings savings to Northeast Ohio businesses on the supplies necessary to operate a business, enabling them to invest the savings back into their organizations, while donating a portion of their earnings to select Northeast Ohio nonprofits." The organizational changes also include the promotion of Lesley Forneris to People Officer. Formerly the director of human resources, Forneris in her expanded role will provide leadership of The Center's commitment to diversity and talent development. "We have been honored as one of the 2020 Crain's Best Employers in Ohio under Lesley's leadership," stated Lane. "She is an advocate for The Center's employees and has a passion for enabling others to achieve professional growth goals and empowering them to contribute to the future of The Center." Several key team members who support the operations of The Center have also moved into new positions to create a strong organizational foundation. Collectively representing more than 100 years of service to The Center, these team members include: Ariel Rhea , director, Commercial Operations , director, Commercial Operations Chris Zupancic , fee analyst, Financial Operations , fee analyst, Financial Operations Debbie Curtis , director, Financial Operations , director, Financial Operations Denise Fore , office administrator, Commercial Operations , office administrator, Commercial Operations Jan Elder , director, Contracting Services , director, Contracting Services Jeremy Funnel, network infrastructure lead, Information Technology John McLeod , director, Information Technology , director, Information Technology Kevin Disbrow , business data analyst, Data Hub , business data analyst, Data Hub Mike Williams , IT user support and cyber manager, Information Technology , IT user support and cyber manager, Information Technology Tim Andrejcak , business process lead, Commercial Operations The newly aligned roles will enable The Center to meet its ambitious strategic objectives, explained Lane. With this new path forward, The Center seeks to create clear lines of communication, elevate the awareness of operational efficiencies and, most importantly, increase client and member support. About The Center for Health Affairs The Center for Health Affairs: With a rich history as the nation's first regional hospital association, The Center for Health Affairs has served as the collective voice of Northeast Ohio hospitals for more than 100 years. The Center works collaboratively to increase the efficiency of healthcare delivery, providing insightful healthcare information to the public and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the health of the community. The Center's business affiliates include CHAMPS Oncology, CHAMPS Group Purchasing and The Essentials Group. Press Contact: Lynn Eastep 2165010051 http://www.neohospitals.org SOURCE The Center for Health Affairs New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (January 11, 2021) held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of all the states and said that the Central government will bear the expenses for the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination of 3 crore corona warriors. "If you look at the number of health and frontline workers across all states, it stands at around 3 crores. It has been decided that state governments will not have to bear the expenses of vaccination of these 3 crore people in the first phase. The Government of India will bear these expenses," stated PM Narendra Modi. "We aim to vaccinate 30 crore people in the next few months," said the Prime Minister and added that around 3 crore healthcare workers and frontline workers will be administered the COVID-19 vaccines in the first phase of vaccination, whereas, in the second phase, those above 50 years and those under 50 years with co-morbid conditions will be vaccinated. "Health workers - government as well as private - will be vaccinated first. Sanitation workers, other frontline workers, defence forces, Police and other paramilitary forces will also be vaccinated in the first phase," said PM Modi. He also said that he's satisfied that we worked together by standing united during coronavirus crisis. "I'm satisfied that we worked together by standing united in COVID crisis, quick decisions were taken with full sensitivity. As a result, COVID has not spread in India on the scale, on which it spread anywhere else in the world," said PM Modi. Speaking at the interaction with CMs on vaccination rollout. https://t.co/gbWZ4LsQGB Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2021 He reiterated the fact that the two 'Made in India' vaccines have been given emergency use approval. PM Modi's meeting comes ahead of the 'world's largest vaccination program' that is scheduled to begin on January 16. The meeting was moderated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also participated in the meeting. Nations in Action, a good-government advocacy group, reports that a prosecutor in Naples is working on a case involving hacking of the U.S. presidential election by a foreign power. Sadly, that prosecutor works in Naples, Italy, not Naples, Florida. An attorney in the case has issued an affidavit attesting that Arturo D'Elia, an Italian tech expert working "under instruction and direction of U.S. persons working from the U.S. Embassy in Rome," used cyber-systems satellites to switch votes in what would have been a "significant margin of victory from Donald Trump to Joe Biden[.]" D'Elia was the head of I.T. for Leonardo SpA, the tenth largest defense company in the world. Its U.S. division, which contributes more than half of the company's revenues, is headed, coincidentally, by William Lynn III, a former undersecretary of defense during the Clinton administration. Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte and U.S. ambassador to Italy Lewis Eisenberg may have been personally involved in this voting heist, according to Riccardo Corsetto of L'Unico newspaper. Imagine a prime minister, an ambassador, and a defense giant conspiring to take down an American president. It sounds like a Tom Clancy thriller, but I've seen nothing about this in the media. General Michael Flynn has commented on this case, but his video was removed by YouTube. It would be comforting to think our FBI and Department of Justice are investigating this, but they don't comment on pending cases, so we have no way of knowing. In any event, the Biden administration is unlikely to pursue any leads. U.S. justice is less transparent than Italian justice. We needn't depend solely on the federal government, however. Local prosecutors can work the case from the ground up by investigating the very public violations of election laws in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Detroit, and elsewhere, and indicting local election officials as appropriate. Such prosecutions would send a message across America: if you break election law, you will be punished. Threatened with prison terms, local officials will implicate those higher up the chain who gave them their instructions. Ultimately, we may discover the true extent of this conspiracy to overturn an election for the president of the United States. At the very least, a string of prosecutions will help ensure that future elections will be counted honestly. Let's pray that there are a few prosecutors out there who are as appalled by U.S. election fraud as this fellow in Naples, Italy. Image: Pixabay. BRIDGEPORT A recently retired city police officer, awaiting trial for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl, pleaded not guilty Monday to allegedly sexually assaulting another girl more than a dozen years ago. Ivan Delgado, a 13-year member of the Bridgeport Police Department, had been arrested in November on a warrant charging him with first-degree sexual assault. His plea hearing had been delayed because of the pandemic. Delgado pleaded not guilty virtually before Superior Court Judge Kevin Russo and asked for a jury trial. The judge continued the case to Feb. 25 when a pretrial conference is scheduled for Delgados other pending case. Delgados lawyer, John R. Gulash, declined comment. Delgado was on administrative leave without pay after his first arrest in September and then retired from the department. On Aug. 29, police said they received notice from the state Department of Children and Families that the mother of an 11-year-old girl was reporting her daughter had been allegedly raped by Delgado, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. During a forensic interview, the girl told them Delgado, who is acquainted with the girls family, allegedly touched her inappropriately a number of times earlier and the severity of the assaults had increased recently to rape, the affidavit said. In September, Delgado pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of risk of injury to a minor. He was released after posting $250,000 bond. In the second case, police said a 32-year-old woman complained that she had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by Delgado from 1993 to 2005. According to the arrest warrant, the woman said she had gone to live with Delgado and his wife when she was 6 because of domestic unrest in her home. Soon thereafter, she said Delgado allegedly began sexually assaulting her in a basement room in his home that he had converted into a gym, the affidavit states. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 74F. SW winds shifting to NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Mahurangi recorded zero deaths on its roads during the Christmas/NewYear holiday period despite a surge in fatalities nationally. This year, 11 people died on New Zealand roads during the holiday season, compared to four last year. Police Senior Sergeant Roger Small says that in addition to zero road fatalities in Mahurangi, there was no spike in crime. This was despite a number of large music festivals including Highlife at Ascension Wine Estate, Northern Bass in Mangawhai and Hidden Valley in Matakana. There was not the anticipated level of disorder and drunkenness, despite the fact that there was obviously thousands and thousands of people out and about, he says. Snr Sgt Small says medical tents at festivals did treat a number of people for alcohol intoxication and those suffering from the adverse effects of illicit drugs, though this was no more than usual. He says police try to educate young people in such cases in an effort to reduce harm rather than prosecuting them. Police take a harder line on drug dealing, but there was little evidence of it at the festivals. Snr Sgt Small says the death of 29-year-old Tuituu Junior Vaiangina at the Hidden Valley festival was being investigated by the coroners office. Earlier police said the army second lieutenant had died after suffering a medical event. Snr Sgt Small describes traffic through Rodney during the holiday period as bedlam with frequent nose-to-tail traffic heading north from Puhoi to as far as Wellsford. He says the gridlock meant police had little trouble with speeding but did have to contend with frustrated drivers undertaking dangerous overtaking and running red lights. From an eyesore to a work of art By Sarath Chinthaka View(s): View(s): One mans trash is another mans treasure. Lalith Senanayake,a resident of Hendala, Wattala has created astounding arts using waste plastics that have been accumulating on the beach for months. Lalith and his wife Ruwanthi Perera, daughter Yani Varanasi and son Sega Pawan have been collecting plastics for months and then turned this waste into designs that beautify the beach. Senanayake was a journalist and cartoonist working for several leading newspapers in the country. He later worked as a graphic designer for those newspapers and later, he built his identity as an artist and was tempted to create something wonderful. At the Uswetakeiyawa beach in Wattala, he created an elephant using tons of plastic bottles, electronic waste, plastic pieces, rubber pieces, etc that were floating in the sea. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Senanayake said: I was inspired to design when I saw things lying around the shore, and decided to turn them into art. If you look at the Hamilton Canal today, you can see how much plastic is added to the sea just from that. A truckload of plastic is accumulated into the ocean every minute, of every day, for a year. Can you imagine how much plastic washes up ashore? Walk on any beach, anywhere, and the plastic waste spectacle is present. I previously teamed up with a group of young people in Wattala and created a turtle out of plastic waste on the beach. Sadly someone stole that design, he added with dismay. Lalith is an expert in the fields of assembly and painting. He gained much from mentors such as P Charles, Prof Sarath Chandrajeewa, and Dr Kalam. Laliths design exhibitions have been held in Sri Lanka, India, England, Kuwait and Dubai. Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has praised Lalith Senanayakes designs and said he intended to collaborate with him on future programmes. The artist, his work, and family. Pix by Prasanga Perera DOUG MILLS /NYT On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will be visiting Alamo, Texas to highlight his administration's work on the border wall. While his visit to the Rio Grande Valley comes on the cusp of intense times between Trump supporters and opponents, officials in Texas are making sure the President's arrival remains peaceful. Here are things to know about the President's arrival in Texas. 1. Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez is asking for people to keep their passions in check. In a statement he said, "Passions are running dangerously high among supporters and opponents of President. I urge both sides to keep those passions in check because ultimately the Rio Grande Valley has a unique opportunity to demonstrate the wort that peaceful public discourse is far more effective than public violence." (@ChaudhryMAli88) German company BioNTech, which developed the first coronavirus vaccine approved in the West, said Monday it expects to produce 2 billion doses in 2021, up from the previous forecast of 1.3 billion doses Frankfurt am Main, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :German company BioNTech, which developed the first coronavirus vaccine approved in the West, said Monday it expects to produce 2 billion doses in 2021, up from the previous forecast of 1.3 billion doses. "We now believe that we can potentially deliver approximately 2 billion doses in total by the end of 2021, which incorporates the updated 6-dose label," said the company, referring to the additional dose that could be extracted from each vial of the vaccine. A new factory in Marburg, Germany, is also expected to open in February, and would help to ramp up its production capacity. The Supreme Court on Monday declined to expedite consideration of eight Trump-related cases challenging the election results Among those cases was one 'Kraken' lawyer Sidney Powell had fired in Michigan Three of the cases had been filed by President Donald Trump's campaign in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin It already was clear that the court had no intention to intervene because it had not acted before Congress certified President-elect Joe Biden's victory The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday steered clear of more cases involving bids by President Donald Trump and some Republican allies to overturn his election loss. The justices, as expected, declined to expedite consideration of eight Trump-related cases including three filed by his campaign challenging the election results in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, two of the states he lost to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. ADVERTISEMENT The high court also wouldn't listen to a Michigan-based case that 'Kraken' lawyer Sidney Powell was shepherding through the court system. The Supreme Court refused to expedite considering eight Trump-related election cases, including from the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin Trump ally, lawyer Sidney Powell, was not successful in getting her Michigan case expedited by the Supreme Court President Donald Trump's bid to overturn the 2020 election results has been unsuccessful in court In December, Powell threatened to 'release the Kraken,' which she said amounted to evidence that the election was stolen from Trump. The case includes conspiracy theories that Powell has tried to publicize, including that Dominion Voting Systems were 'created to achieve election fraud,' she wrote in the filing. Powell has claimed Dominion was created in Venezuela for the late leader Hugo Chavez and the machines switch votes. Dominion sued Powell for defamation on Friday. It already was clear that the court had no intention to intervene because it had not acted before Congress last week certified Biden's victory in the Nov. 3 election. Trump has falsely claimed he won the election. A mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, interrupting congressional certification of Biden's victory. The court also turned away a Democratic effort to expand mail-in voting in Texas. Texas state law makes mail-in ballots available only for people age 65 and older or for voters who meet specific disability guidelines. The state Democratic Party and some voters sued the Republican-governed state, arguing that by treating voters differently by age, the Texas law violated the U.S. Constitution's 26th Amendment guarantee of the right to vote for American citizens age 18 and above. But the Supreme Court left in place a lower court ruling that sided with Texas in the lawsuit. The Democrats had gone to court to try to enable all eligible voters in Texas to vote by mail during last year's election cycle, including the presidential election, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. ADVERTISEMENT In June, the high court rebuffed an earlier emergency request by Democrats seeking to allow broader mail-in voting. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier that month blocked a ruling by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in favor of the Democrats and in September threw out Biery's decision. Click here to resize this module Democrats have accused Republicans in various states of pursuing policies intended to make it more difficult to vote. There was a nationwide surge in voting by mail in the 2020 election as voters concerned about COVID-19 sought to avoid crowds at polling places. The election results showed that Democratic voters in particular relied upon mail-in ballots, with Trump and other Republicans making unfounded claims about fraud with such voting. Biden's victory over Trump was propelled by voters who cast ballots by mail in crucial battleground states. Trump won in Texas. The Supreme Court has kept its distance from Trump's post-Election Day efforts to stay in office. ADVERTISEMENT Last month it rejected a long-shot lawsuit filed by the Republican attorney general of Texas and backed by Trump seeking to undo Biden's victory by throwing out voting results in four states. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser asked the Department of Homeland Security for enhanced security ahead of President-elect Joe Biden s inauguration ceremony following last weeks attack on the U.S. Capitol . The 59th Presidential Inauguration on January 20 will require a very different approach than previous inaugurations given the chaos, injury, and death experienced at the United States Capitol during the insurrection," Bowser wrote in a letter to Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf posted to Bowsers Twitter account. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches A mob of pro-Trump extremists overwhelmed the U.S. Capitol Police force on Jan. 6, storming into the Capitol and forcing their way into the House and Senate chambers and lawmakers offices. The failure to protect the seat of American democracy was unparalleled in modern times. Bowser is asking that the FBI provide daily intelligence briefings to the agencies and officers responsible for securing the event, and that the National Park Service cancel all public gathering permits from Monday through Jan. 24, and not issue new ones. We have made this request repeatedly since June 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this week demonstrated the National Park Services willingess to approve last-minute permits and major adjustments," she said. Bowser also asked DHS to extend the coordination of a special event period for the same days. The initial timeline would only have covered the days just before and after inauguration. She also recommended that Homeland Security get permission from Congress to include the Capitol and its grounds in the security perimeter. And she said shed ask President Donald Trump to issue a pre-emergency declaration for the district to allow for further federal coordination. I will tell you that, given the events of last week, that this inauguration preparation has to be different than any other inauguration," Bowser said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation." For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. On Monday, House Democrats released an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump, and the New York State Bar Association said it will consider kicking out Rudy Giuliani as the fallout continues from last weeks devastating riot at the U.S. Capitol. But if you thought the buck stopped at Trumps inner circle, or even with the four complicit members of New Yorks congressional delegation who voted to overturn the election after they were forced to hide from an attempted coup, youd be wrong. Here are some smaller New York political players who took an active role in last weeks mayhem. Mark Szuszkiewicz This QAnon supporter was almost elected to a southern Brooklyn Assembly seat in 2020, and he has spent the past week posting a bunch of selfies from the Trump rally that preceded the Capitol riot. Mark Szuszkiewicz also violated the Washington, D.C., curfew to stick around past sundown, as seen below. Szuszkiewicz claimed he was among the peaceful protesters outside the Capitol who were tear-gassed, and he seemed to flip back and forth between implying the rioters were fellow Trump supporters who went off message while also alleging that the rioters were actually left-wing antifa members a popular right-wing conspiracy not supported by any evidence. Szuszkiewicz is no stranger to unfounded conspiracies. His Instagram bio includes this falsehood: Ahead 9% on election night. Received more votes than any other candidate of any party in history but lost. Elisa Nahoum The latest Queens Republican candidate to run against state Sen. John Liu was also present outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Elisa Nahoum claimed she didnt approach the building because shes a married woman and (has) kids. She said she believes last weeks rioters were antifa in disguise and were let into the Capitol intentionally by the police, according to an interview with the Queens Daily Eagle. She didnt come nearly as close to victory in her 2020 state Senate race as Szuszkiewicz did in the Assembly, but she still received 36.5% of the vote. Sharon Pineo A member of the Zoning Board of Appeals in the upstate town of Malta was not only present at the Trump rally last week, she helped organize a chartered bus trip! The cat was let out of the bag when The Associated Press published two photos of Pineo outside the Capitol. In one photo, she appeared to be in the process of being detained by several police officers. Although she hasnt been charged with a crime yet, a Republican Malta town board member and a Democrat from the zoning board have both called for her resignation. Michael Sweet The mayor of Bath, New York, went to Trumps rally as a chance to set eyes on the 45th president for the last time. Sweet told WETM 18 News in a lengthy interview that he left the rally that preceded the Capitol riot 15-20 minutes before Trump finished speaking because the audio quality was bad and the crowds were too big. He added that he never thought for once that the election results were going to be overturned. He went on to continuously absolve Trump of any culpability for the rioting, and tried to draw false equivalencies between last weeks events and last summers Black Lives Matter protests. Aaron Mostofsky This son of a Kings County Supreme Court judge breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 and gave a video interview with the New York Post from inside the building. Aaron Mostofsky said he believes the election was stolen, and he broke into the Capitol wearing dead animal pelts to express (his) opinion as a free American. As reported by Gothamist, his father is Steven Shlomo Mostofsky, who was elected to the Supreme Court with the backing of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, and his brother is a district leader in Brooklyn. On Tuesday morning, Mostofsky was arrested by the FBI at his brothers home in Brooklyn, according to the Daily News. He was charged with stealing government property, entering a restricted building without lawful authority, impeding government business as well as disorderly conduct. Sam Pirozzolo Sam Pirozzolo, an optician and City Council candidate for District 50 on Staten Island, who is hoping to succeed Council Member Steven Matteo, went live on his Facebook page as he headed toward the U.S. Capitol following the Trump rally. We just left the staging area where Donald Trump made a speech, and were heading over to the Capitol building, and were still quite a bit away, but theres a lot of people, Pirozzolo said of the people walking from the rally to the Capitol. And if those people from over there are coming over here, its going to be tremendous. Pirozzolo then flipped his camera around to show the mass of people in front of the Capitol, before proceeding to say that Trump laid out a convincing argument that voter fraud had taken place during the election. The City Council candidate also said he knows Rep. Nicole Malliotakis will be inside the Capitol and that he hoped she does the right thing. Others The New York City Fire Department has already confirmed that multiple members of the department were at the riot, and it is cooperating with the FBI. An NYPD off-duty cop is also currently under investigation, according to Commissioner Dermot Shea. There was also a Metro-North Railroad worker who called out sick on Jan. 6 but was then photographed inside the Capitol, and he has been suspended without pay as the agency seeks to fire him. And of course, Heshy Tischler was in Washington, D.C., that day, albeit outside of the rioting this time, because what else would you expect of him. Paramedics take away an elderly patient at the Tendercare Living Centre, long-term-care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scarborough, Ont., Canada, on Dec. 23, 2020. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) Orange County Records 50 New Virus Deaths Orange County reported 50 new deaths from the CCP virus on Jan. 10, and the number of intensive care unit (ICU) patients has hit a new record. The number of patients hospitalized with the virus was 2,216, slightly below the record 2,221 people admitted to hospitals Jan. 9. Meantime, an unsurpassed 547 patients were being treated in intensive care units (ICU), according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. Of those reported dead Jan. 10, nine lived in skilled nursing facilities, and 11 were residents of assisted living facilities. One person was a skilled nursing employee. There were 140 fatalities reported in Orange County last week. The death reports come from a variety of sources, so theyre staggered and happened last month. There were 17,080 tests reported Jan. 9, raising the cumulative to 2,223,962, according to the OCHCA. There have been 111,854 documented recoveries. Orange County chief executive Frank Kim, referring to the expected surge of Christmas and New Years-related cases, said the current wave of the pandemic is going to get worse. People were not behaving around the holidays, so Im fearful the numbers will be worse, Kim said. Our case rates have not come down, and the testing positivity rates are climbing. Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said the county had only 41 ICU beds available. They are starting to put patients in cath labs and other parts of the hospital, Bartlett said. There arent available rooms and space so theyre using every single opportunity of space within a hospital environment for patients. State officials are pushing hospitals to get patients who are recovering into assisted living facilities or elsewhere to free up hospital beds, Bartlett said. Hospital officials are also instructing staff on rationed care and to prepare for it, Bartlett said. And we have not yet hit the Christmas and New Years spikes, Bartlett said, adding that the beginning of that surge is happening now. Orange County Fire Authority firefighters have been trained to vaccinate frontline workers, and state officials have recently widened the pool of available medical workers who can inoculate residents, Bartlett said. Nursing students and physician assistants are among those who can now vaccinate residents, she said. We have a new pool to choose from for vaccinators, she said. County officials are working on setting up two super sites, which will be announced next week, where vaccines will be distributed. Kim said its an effort to help hospitals dole out vaccines as doctors and nurses are too overwhelmed with caring for patients now. The Orange County Jails recent outbreak saw a steep decline on Jan. 8 with the number of infected inmates dropping from 1,020 to 465. The county is awaiting the results of 979 tests. The number of hospitalized inmates remained at six, according to Orange County Sheriffs Department Sgt. Dennis Breckner. Part of the reason the number of infections has come down is Health Care Agency officials are catching up on analyzing test results, Breckner said. The Southern California region is at zero ICU capacity. Outbreaks at the countys skilled nursing facilities and elderly assisted living facilitiesdefined as two or more cases within 14 daysare an ongoing problem for the county. The county has seen 46 outbreaks at skilled nursing facilities and at 28 elderly assisted-living facilities. Chancellor Austin A. Lane, left, and Arthur R. Culver, East St. Louis School District 189 superintendent, celebrate an agreement that will provide mentoring and educational opportunities, summer camps and potential scholarships for junior high and high school students in the district. (Photo provided) SIU to provide educational opportunities for East St. Louis junior high, high school students CARBONDALE, Ill. An agreement between Southern Illinois University Carbondale and East St. Louis School District 189 will provide mentoring and educational opportunities, summer camps and potential scholarships for junior high and high school students, many of whom depend on their schools to make a difference in their lives. Chancellor Austin A. Lane today (Jan. 11) signed two separate memorandums of agreement (MOAs) between SIU and East St. Louis School District 189 and with Girls Incorporated of St. Louis. Joining Lane in the ceremonies were SIU Carbondale Director of Admissions John Frost and Associate Chancellor for Diversity Todd S. Bryson. School District 189 Supt. Arthur R. Culver and Girls Inc. President and CEO Cheryl Jones represented their organizations in East St. Louis and St. Louis, respectively. The agreement with the East St. Louis school district is similar to one with Girls Inc. announced last month. We look forward to welcoming more students from East St. Louis as future Salukis, Lane said. "We will continue School District 189s work of making a difference in students lives by bridging any gaps to a first-rate, hands-on education where they will receive personal attention. Between the quality of programs offered by both SIU Carbondale and SIU Edwardsville, students in the East St. Louis area will have an abundance of options giving them even more access to higher education." The agreement involving students in the East St. Louis district includes: SIU will provide virtual or in-person educational and mentoring opportunities for East St. Louis junior high and high school students in any academic areas of interest. School district students will have opportunities to attend summer camps on campus. High school sophomores to seniors can participate in on-campus SIU Day opportunities such as shadowing SIU students, attending classes as guests and touring the campus. Students who enroll at SIU Carbondale will have opportunities and receive materials to return to the school district and serve as mentors and discuss their SIU experiences. SIU will work to establish scholarship opportunities for School District 189 students who meet established criteria. If they meet certain criteria, the students may also be eligible for the Saluki Commitment, the universitys pledge to guarantee that tuition and fees will be fully covered for eight consecutive semesters at no cost to students or families. High school seniors in the program will receive a personal visit from the SIU chancellor during the fall of their senior year. SIU staff will explore opportunities for collaboration with the school district under the Illinois Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act, including college and career pathway endorsements. Culver is enthusiastic about the agreement and the potential for the nearly 5,400 students who live in the district, which serves residents in East St. Louis and portions of Alcentra (formally Alorton Village and Centreville Township), Fairview Heights and Belleville, Washington Park and Caseyville. According to the 2019 Illinois School Report Card, 97.1% of students are African American and 1.3% are Hispanic. "This strengthened partnership will provide East St. Louis students with meaningful opportunities to learn about SIU and determine if the institution and educational programs are a good fit for them, Culver said. Additionally, our partnership will explore creating college and career pathway endorsements that provide a continuum of educational services for students. On behalf of the School District 189 Board of Education, staff and students, I thank Chancellor Lane for realizing the value East St. Louis students can offer to SIU. According to city data, 64.1% of East St. Louis children live below the poverty level; the median household income in East St. Louis is $23,072, compared to Illinois $63,575. All students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Despite the challenges, the students, like their community, are vibrant, resilient and strong, Culver said. John Frost, director of SIU Carbondales undergraduate admissions, is also excited for what the partnership can bring. The partnership with School District 189 and SIU is a natural fit for the mission of both organizations, Frost said. We are excited to provide hands-on opportunities for East St. Louis students, which will result in a long-lasting and fruitful partnership. While announcing that the Centre will bear the full cost, he also said politicians should not opt for the vaccine in Phase 1, which begins on January 16 and is meant to cover frontline workers, which include health workers (both private and government), security and armed forces staff, and sanitation workers. Modi was interacting with chief ministers of all states to discuss the Covid-19 situation and the preparations for the vaccine roll-out in the ... 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 Joan Burton hopes the commission will give adopted people the right to their own information. Photo: Frank McGrath My adoptive mother, Bridie King Burton, told me everything she knew about adoptions, orphanages, mother and baby homes, baby homes and institutions for children. One comment she made has always stuck in my mind. Children, she said, died like flies in those places. This week the Report of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes will reveal in forensic detail just how true that remark was. Read More We will learn that 9,000 children died in the care of those homes. Bridie met me as a lively two-year-old in the Sisters of Charity baby home at Temple Hill in Blackrock, Co Dublin. From there, the St Patricks Adoption Society gave babies to Catholic adopters from Ireland and America. Apparently, I reached out to Bridie from my cot with my bandaged fingers, and it was love at first sight on both our parts. Both she and her older sister, my auntie Maggie, told me that the bandaged fingers were to stop me sucking my thumbs and finger. Sadly, by the time I was 20, Bridie was dead from cancer. But when I started my quest for my own birth story, it turned out that what she told me was amazingly accurate. Ireland is one of the few countries in the world which still resolutely denies adopted people the legal right to their own information and files. Ironically, the writ of the supreme ecclesiastic of modern Ireland, Dr John Charles McQuaid, who was the essential overseer of adoption practice and law in Ireland, still runs. Both Church and State set out to erect barriers akin to the fabled Walls of Jericho to people who wanted simple answers to their questions of identity. For me, and for many of the 50,000-plus people adopted after legal adoption was introduced in the early 1950s, the journey of discovery took almost three decades. In my search for my own story, I sat repeatedly in rooms under holy pictures of Gentle Jesus Little Lamb, meeting nice nuns and difficult nuns. I recall one who almost shouted at me: What do you want? Havent you got two arms and two legs go home. I promised your mother on this side of the grave Id never tell. By the time I was finally given information I was in my fifties, had graduated, married, given birth, served as a TD and minister. I had started the search in my mid-20s, about to get married. I sent a letter to the adoption society to pass on to the parish priest of the church where I had been baptised, to let my birth mother know I was alive and well and getting married. A year or so later, the letter was returned unopened by the society. The casual brutality of Irelands systems for dealing with to use the language of the day unmarried mothers and illegitimate babies, was cruel beyond belief. This weeks report of the Commission into Mother and Baby Homes will be a landmark event. The report will reveal, particularly to a new generation of younger people, what Ireland once did to women who had the audacity to love outside of marriage and to bear children who had to be given up. It will give us as a society an opportunity to ask why this form of brutality was tolerated for so long. Or was this the religious madness of an Irish Salem for whom sex outside of marriage was an abomination and the child of such a union illegitimate? I hope the commission will recommend that adopted people have the basic right to information and to see their files, as children in most countries can once they reach 18 years of age. As a politician, it has been my privilege and responsibility to be a campaigner for key social changes in Ireland divorce, marriage equality, and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. But the right of adopted people to their own information has never been conceded. It is amazing that this legacy remains in an era of so much progressive change. I do hope the commission will address this astonishing omission. Perhaps sometime too, well also get the full story of the American adoptions and why hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of babies in Irish institutions were shipped to America. Did money change hands, and how much? One of the stories that Bridie always told me was that I was meant to go to America, but wasnt strong enough and the arrangements for my adoption to the US fell through twice. When I asked about this, it was vehemently and repeatedly denied, until finally in the late 1990s I was called to another meeting with St Patricks Guild. Lo and behold, what was taken from my file but an Irish passport for me as a child with an entry visa to Newfoundland and the US. On that day when Bridie came to Temple Hill, there were two possible paths in life for me, one to the unspeakable cruelties of a Magdalene Laundry when I came of age, the other through adoption into a loving and caring family, one which ultimately led to the office of Tanaiste. This week will bring many tears, as did the earlier Ryan and Murphy Reports. I will welcome the public apologies and justifiable redress schemes. I will welcome even more the essential law reforms that must come as the true memorial to Irelands banished babies. It's not too late to say Sorry about your bad posture. Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance on the most recent episode of Shark Tank on Friday to give an office chair the seal of approval. The 26-year-old star was featured in a surprise pre-recorded video message which aired during a pitch to Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, and others. The Yummy artist appeared in multiple frames of the promotional clip shirtless. Helping hand: Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance on the most recent episode of Shark Tank on Friday to give an office chair the seal of approval CEO Bing Howenstein appeared on the show with the clip in an effort to gain funding for his company ALL33. In the video, Justin rolled into the frame as he said: 'Hey Sharks, I'm Justin Bieber and this is the ALL33; it's the chair that moves like I do.' He donned a white logo T-Shirt from his clothing line Drew House with a backwards cap. Bieber continued: 'I mean, guys, look at this perfect posture! I've got my chest up, my shoulders back, I'm ready for anything. If you've gotta sit, this is it.' Pitchman: The Yummy singer was featured in a surprise pre-recorded video message Cameo: The 26-year-old star was featured in a surprise pre-recorded video message which aired during a pitch to Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, and others Man with the plan: CEO Bing Howenstein appeared on the show with the clip in an effort to gain funding for his company ALL33. Unfortunately not even Justin's star power could help the CEO gain funding from the Sharks as they ultimately passed on a half million dollars for 2.5 percent of the company. ALL33 is currently taking preorders on the the BackStrong C1 chair made from Vegan Leather for $799. Relaxing: Bieber demonstrated how comfortable he was in the chair in the clip Demo: The Baby singer sat in the chair from multiple angles in the promotional clip Interesting: In the video, Justin rolled into the frame as he said: 'Hey Sharks, I'm Justin Bieber and this is the ALL33; it's the chair that moves like I do' Bieber continued: 'I mean, guys, look at this perfect posture! I've got my chest up, my shoulders back, I'm ready for anything. If you've gotta sit, this is it' Looking good: ALL33 is currently taking preorders on the the BackStrong C1 chair made from Vegan Leather for $799 Oh no: Unfortunately not even Justin's star power could help the CEO gain funding from the Sharks as they ultimately passed on a half million dollars for 2.5 percent of the company Meanwhile Justin has been enjoying a vacation in Hawaii with his wife Hailey Bieber. Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 test result before arriving to the islands as an alternative to the 10-day quarantine period enacted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Back home in Los Angeles, ICU's are at full capacity and Southern California is still in the most extreme, Tier 4 lockdown, with nearly one million positive tests and 12,250 deaths recorded since the March shutdown. Justin and Hailey have relished in the time off together with hikes and diving scheduled on their tropical tour of Oahu. Not a care in the world:Meanwhile Justin has been enjoying a vacation in Hawaii with his wife Hailey Bieber as they relished in the time off together with hikes and diving scheduled on their tropical tour of Oahu Yikes: As of Dec. 30, nonessential travel to Los Angeles was banned and anyone returning to LA is required to quarantine at home for 10 days. As of Dec. 30, nonessential travel to Los Angeles was banned and anyone returning to LA is required to quarantine at home for 10 days, while monitoring COVID symptoms for another 14 days post quarantine. The couple have taken in sunsets and relaxed on the beach while visiting with a few friends and their newborn son. During a December interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Justin admited he wanted a 'little tribe' family, but ultimately was OK with 'as many as Hailey is wishing to push out.' Source: Xinhua| 2021-01-12 04:10:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. "All countries need credible mid-term goals and plans that are aligned with this objective," the UN chief said, addressing the virtual COP26 (the UN Climate Change Conference) Roundtable on Clean Power Transition. "To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, we need an urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy." Noting that all nations need to be able to provide access to electricity for all, Guterres said that the energy needs to be "clean and renewable," so it does not contribute to the dangerous heating of the human planet. "That means strong commitment from all governments," he noted. "We need to end fossil fuel subsidies, put a price on carbon and shift taxation from people to pollution," said the secretary-general. "We need a commitment to build no more coal-fired power plants anywhere," the top UN official added. "And we need to see adequate international support so African economies and other developing countries' economies can leapfrog polluting development and transition to a clean, sustainable energy pathway," Guterres stressed. "That is why, today, I repeat my appeal to developed nations to fulfill their longstanding pledge to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars a year for developing countries to support both mitigation and adaptation," the UN chief said. The World Bank, the African Development Bank and national development banks must develop financial instruments that can reduce investment risks and attract private capital to African countries, the secretary-general underscored. Guterres said that "with climate disruption already upon us, we must not neglect the vital importance of adaptation." "Africa's vulnerability is plain to see, from prolonged droughts in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa to devastating floods in southern Africa as it is the case in many other parts of the world," he said. "Adaptation is a moral imperative," he added. "To limit global temperature rise to 1.5-degrees Celsius, emissions need to fall by 7.6 percent every year between now and 2030," he said. "This translates to an annual 6 percent decrease in energy production from fossil fuels." Noting that "we have the opportunity to transform our world," the secretary-general said that "to achieve this we need global solidarity, just as we need it for a successful recovery from COVID-19." "Africa must be at the center of this engagement," he added. Enditem INLD legislator Abhay Singh Chautala wrote to the Haryana Assembly speaker on Monday, saying if the Centre does not withdraw the three recent farm laws by January 26, then his letter may be considered as his resignation as an MLA from the House. In a letter to Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Chautala, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA from Haryana's Ellenabad, slammed the Centre for imposing the "black laws" on farmers in an "undemocratic way" and said the farming community in the entire country is opposing these legislations. A farmers' agitation against the laws has been going on for over a month and the protesting farmers have been camping at Delhi's borders in the cold weather conditions, he pointed out. More than 60 farmers have "attained martyrdom" because of the intense cold weather but the Centre has paid no heed to their demands, Chautala wrote in the letter. Despite holding eight rounds of talks with the farmer leaders, the government has not shown any sign of agreement on the withdrawal of farm laws, he said. The INLD leader said it does not seem that being a responsible member of the House, he can play any role to protect the rights of farmers under the kind of conditions created by the government. "Considering all these situations, if the government of India does not withdraw these three 'black laws' by January 26, then this letter should be considered as my resignation," he wrote to the speaker. A couple of days ago, Chautala had said he would resign from the Assembly if the demands of the farmers were not accepted by the Centre by January 26. Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are camping at three border points of Delhi Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur for more than a month now, demanding a repeal of the three farm laws and a legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP) system for their crops. BEIJING, Jan. 11 -- January 11th marked the 10th anniversary of the maiden flight of China's J-20, a domestically-developed stealth fighter jet nicknamed "Black Ribbon" by military fans. Here are important events of the aircraft: At 1:11 pm, Jan. 11, 2011, a black-painted J-20 fighter jet took off from an airport in Chengdu, Southwest China and made its successful maiden flight. At 10:20 am, Nov. 1, 2016, two J-20 fighter jets made their first public flight demonstration at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. On July 30, 2017, three J-20s in a wedge formation flew over the parade field in the Zhurihe military training base in north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at the military parade to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. It was the first time for the J-20 fighter jet to appear with combat-readiness posture in public occasions. On February, 2018, a spokesperson of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced J-20s started to serve in the air force's combat units, an important step towards forming full combat capability. On Oct. 1, 2019, five J-20s in a wedge formation streaked across the sky in a military parade to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. By 2035, J-20s will surely be the best in the back bones of the PLAAFs family of fighter jets, and will get further developed to be more advanced, according to Yang Wei, chief designer of J-20. Angola, IN (46703) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain. Low 48F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. 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. Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Monday introduced an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump, accusing him of riling up a mob that breached the U.S. Capitol in an attack that left five dead, including a police officer. The Washington Post and the New York Times reported that lawmakers charged Trump with incitement of insurrection over his role in encouraging followers to amass in Washington, D.C. and march on the Capitol as Congress prepared to formalize Joe Bidens victory. Trump this week could become the first president to be impeached twice, with Democrats pressing for a vote as early as Wednesday. If the House votes to impeach, a move that has some bipartisan support, it remains to be seen whether the article will be sent to the Senate for a trial, with some Democratic leaders wary of hamstringing the first weeks and months of the incoming Biden-Kamala Harris administration. Republicans blocked a measure that would have called on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, which would have required Cabinet support, to begin the process of removing the president. Related Content: 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. During Mr. Trumps presidency, Mr. Stryk, who is well connected in Trump administration circles, has developed a lucrative business representing foreign clients in precarious geopolitical situations. He has worked for a jailed Saudi prince who had fallen out of favor with his countrys powerful de facto leader, as well as the administration of President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, which the Trump administration considers illegitimate. Mr. Stryk also worked for Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angolas former president, who is accused of embezzling millions of dollars from a state oil company she once headed, as well as the government of the former Congolese president Joseph Kabila, which had faced American sanctions for human rights abuses and corruption. Mr. Stryk said that he was representing Blueprint for Free Speech to seek a pardon for Mr. Assange without pay because of his belief in free speech, and that he would continue pushing for the pardon in the Biden administration if Mr. Trump did not grant it. This is not a partisan issue, Mr. Stryk said. The contract, which he said he had disclosed to the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, calls for his company, Stryk Global Diplomacy, to facilitate meetings and interactions with the president and the president-elects administrations to obtain a full pardon for Mr. Assange. Mr. Davis said Mr. Stryk had been chosen partly because of his entree into Mr. Trumps administration, which the group sees as its best chance to secure a pardon. Mr. Davis noted that Mr. Assange, 49, was indicted during Mr. Trumps presidency. We are unabashedly reaching out to the Republican Party on this issue in the final weeks to correct something before its too late, and before it become part of Trumps legacy, Mr. Davis said. He said, If Joe Biden is sympathetic, thats well and good, and we certainly hope he is. But, he added, its a far simpler process for an outgoing president than an incoming president. (Natural News) The news comes one day before the Georgia Senate election run-off, and just hours after local state authorities attempted to ensure the public that their votes were fairly and equally counted. (Article republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Under Georgia law, a person must be Registered as an elector in the manner prescribed by law, and A resident of this state and of the county or municipality in which he or she seeks to vote. Registering a number of voters at one address is by its nature opening the vote up to people who may not be legal residents of the state, or the county or municipality where they are registered. Caught on camera, Kimberly Parker of the Central Outreach and Advocacy Center in Atlanta says: The majority of the people we serve dont have an address, so we allow them to use our address if they register to vote, and to get Georgia State ID. The process appears to be criminal under Georgia law with a penalty of imprisonment for up to 10 years. Parker goes on to admit: Although were not a shelter, we do allow them to use 201 Washington St. Thats the organizations office address. I cant even begin to tell you how many people have that address on their ID. The news also flies in the face of attempted cover-ups by Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger and his assistant Gabriel Sterling who during a call with President Trump insisted that they had conducted a perfect election. Sterling did so again during a press conference on Monday after the call with the President was leaked to the Washington Post. Another employee at the center Adam Seeley admits probably a couple thousand people had our address registered on their mailing address for their voter registration. Watch: BREAKING: @CentralOAC Exec Admits Org Registers Thousands Of Homeless To Vote At Same Address In Fulton Co. "Can't even begin to tell you how many people have that address on their ID" "Board members got windthought were doing things not on the up and up"#GAVoterFraud pic.twitter.com/5j2uJ2XV4T James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) January 5, 2021 Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com Listen to article Selected petitions and written correspondence between Igbo women and British officials between 1892 and 1960 shed fresh light on how women navigated male-dominated colonial institutions and structures of the time. African women acted in varied and complex ways to the situations they found themselves in. This ranged from subtle to overt opposition, and sometimes violent resistance. One response was through petition writing as women took to the pen to articulate their concerns. In my research , I examined several petitions written by Igbo women to British officials during the colonial period. I found that petition writing was part of the complex power politics between the women and the colonial state. On June 5, 1885, Great Britain proclaimed Nigeria as a colony. It declared a protectorate over territories on the coast between the British Protectorate of Lagos and both banks of the Rivers Niger and Benue (The London Gazette, June 5, 1885). Although treaties were signed with rulers by 1885, actual British control of northern and southern Nigeria was not attained until 1900. Colonial rule lasted until 1960 and was resisted in various forms. In Igboland, this included warfare, protests, tax evasion and petition writing. The petitions enable us to understand the circumstances under which women turned to the government for assistance and under which the authorities granted or rejected their requests. Women opened up debates and dialogues using petitions. This offers insights into their relationships with indigenous men and with British officers. My research shows that petition writing granted women agency and opportunities for far greater female assertiveness and civic engagement. In this sense, petitions served a political purpose and proved a powerful tool for the disenfranchised a group that included more than just women. The petitions The political context of the time was that women were not incorporated in colonial administration. Petition writing was therefore a means by which women could influence, resist, negotiate and counteract policies within the colonial framework. It also challenged the outmoded narrative of the passivity of women in the colonial power structure. They were actively involved as individuals or groups in shaping public policies in the colonial era. In Igboland, women regularly approached British officials with personal requests and complaints. The focus of their petitions was on socio-political and economic issues such as taxation, politics, policies, price control, cost of living, family issues, representation, marriages and so on. These excerpts are drawn from a pool of petitions which I have dubbed voices on ink. On September 12, 1928, Igbo women led by Madam Chinwe petitioned the Lieutenant Governor of the Southern Provinces over the frustrations that the colonial economy placed on them. (The British National Archives (TNA), FCO 141/13669/2. Petitions and Complaints: Madam Chinwe) In view of the fact that Aba women at the present time suffer significant hardships regarding the high cost of staples, could you consider fixing the prices of foodstuff at certain fixed rates? (Aba Progressive Union Petitions, 9/12/1928, National Archives, Enugu (NAE), Abadist 13/12/15. File No. 99/28) On November 16, 1937, Mary Nna of Ohambele petitioned the Senior Resident, Owerri Province, concerning what she perceived to be an unfair judgement against her in the group native court of Ikwueke. She wrote: I respectfully submit that the annulment of the Native Court judgment by the Reviewing Officer is bad in law The evidence of the defendant is a tissue of lies and the defendant set up the defence as an afterthought in order to frustrate the course of justice and bring to ridicule and contempt British justice and fair play. (Petition from Mary Nna of Ohambele, Aba Division, 12/11/1937, NAE, Abadist 9/1/95, File No. OW. 3041/5) On September 7, 1940, Maria Olumo petitioned the Resident to help restore her ownership of a piece of land that she alleged the Chiefs of Umuezi had taken from her and unlawfully transferred to a European firm, the United Africa Company. (Abadist 14/1/31. File No. 31 Vol. XVII. Maria Olumo (F): Petitions and Complaints: General) What the petitions tell us Petition writing demonstrates the politics from below which regularly featured resistance by women during the colonial era. Women, along with their male counterparts, took advantage of opportunities to seek redress and inform the government of their needs and complaints. Petitioning was an avenue to interact with colonial authorities despite the social distance that separated ordinary subjects from the colonial ruling elite. Seeking redress through petitions was a powerful tool that helped bridge the gap between men and women in a rigidly patriarchal colonial system. While women understood and respected this distance, they certainly were not entirely powerless or voiceless. Petition writing also offered a legal means to bridge the gap. It gave female subjects, who generally had no other direct contact with the authorities, a legal mechanism to press the government to fulfil its obligations. Additionally, they demonstrate that women were not passive and voiceless subjects of the empire, as much of the colonial historiography would have one believe. On the contrary, women understood their qualifications as petitioners and their rights even as they stood before an administration that was male dominated. Petitioning allowed women to occupy (as much as possible) colonial spaces that were constructed as quintessentially male. Since they occupied substantially diminished roles, Igbo women evolved their roles into a semblance of their precolonial expressions of political and socioeconomic power. By petitioning, they could be heard in the corridors of power that were otherwise unapproachable to them. Sometimes they managed to get the upper levels of colonial government to address a manifest wrong. Even when the administration did not resolve their problems, analysis of these sources reveals a pattern of interaction between the coloniser and colonised, one that hasn't been recognised before. Indeed, a study of female voices on ink demonstrates the need to shift narratives and focus on neglected but unsung female heroes of the colonial period. We must recognise these women for who they were contestants and agents of power in a male-dominated, British colonial society. Photo: Leaders of the Aba womens protest against a tyranical warrant chief in Nigeria in 1929. National Museum of Unity, Nigeria Bright Alozie, Lecturer in History, West Virginia University This article is republished from The Conversation , a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Bright Alozie , West Virginia University . Bright Alozie is grateful for funding received in 2018 from the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) and the Eberly College of Arts and Science Doctoral Research and Conference Grants, West Virginia University. "This is about making markets," said Berners-Lee, who is Inrupt's chief technology officer. Inrupt introduced in November its server software for enterprises and government agencies. And the startup is getting a handful of pilot projects underway in earnest this year, including ones with Britain's National Health Service and with the government of Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Inrupt's initial business model is to charge licensing fees for its commercial software, which uses the Solid open-source technology but has enhanced security, management and developer tools. The Boston-based company has raised about $US20 million ($26 million) in venture funding. Startups, Berners-Lee noted, can play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of a new technology. The web, he said, really took off after Netscape introduced web-browsing software and Red Hat brought Linux, the open-source operating system, into corporate data centres. Over the years, companies focused on protecting users' privacy online have come and gone. The software of these "infomediaries" was often limited and clunky, appealing only to the most privacy conscious. But the technology has become faster and smarter and pressure on the big tech companies is mounting. Loading Tech companies have formed a Data Transfer Project, committing to make personal data they hold portable. It now comprises Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Twitter. The Federal Trade Commission recently held a "Data to Go" workshop. "In this changed regulatory setting, there is a market opportunity for Tim Berners-Lee's firm and others to offer individuals better ways to control their data," said Peter Swire, a privacy expert at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. Inrupt is betting that trusted organisations will initially be the sponsors of pods. The pods are free for users. If the concept takes off, low-cost or free personal data services similar to today's email services could emerge. The National Health Service has been working with Inrupt on a pilot project for the care of dementia patients that moves from development into the field this month. The early goal is to give caregivers access to a broader view of patients' health, needs and preferences. Each patient has a Solid pod with an "All About Me" form with information submitted by the patient or an authorised relative, supplementing the person's electronic health record. The pod might list that the patient needs help for daily tasks like getting out of bed, tying shoelaces or going to the bathroom. It might also include what soothes the patient when agitated perhaps country music or classic old movies. Later, activity data from an Apple Watch or Fitbit could be added. The medical goal, said Scott Watson, technical director on the pilot project, is improved health and better care that are less stressful for the patient. "And it's a fundamental change in how we share information in health care systems," he said. The initial project will begin with up to 50 patients in the Manchester region and be evaluated in a few months. In Flanders, a region of more than 6 million people, the government hopes the new data technology can nurture opportunities for local entrepreneurs and companies and new services for citizens. Personal data in pods can be linked with public and private data to create new applications, said Raf Buyle, an information architect for the Flanders government. One potential app, Buyle said, might suggest routes and modes of travel for work commutes, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Such an app, he said, could combine location data from a person's smartphone, with preferences for exercise and reducing the carbon footprint, and weather and public transport schedules and bike or scooter rental pickup sites. Loading "Most of the cool use cases will come from companies building new apps on top of the data," Buyle said. For Berners-Lee, the Solid-Inrupt venture is a fix-it project. He has spent his career championing information sharing, openness and personal empowerment online as director of the World Wide Web Consortium, president of the Open Data Institute, and an academic at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford University. His accolades include a Turing Award, often called the Nobel Prize of computer science. In his native England, he is a knight Sir Tim. "But Tim has become increasingly concerned as power in the digital world is weighted against the individual," said Daniel Weitzner, a principal research scientist at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. "That shift is what Solid and Inrupt are meant to correct." The push to give individuals greater control over their data, Berners-Lee said, often begins as a privacy issue. But a new deal on data, he said, will require entrepreneurs, engineers and investors to see opportunities for new products and services, just as they did with the web. The long view is a thriving decentralised marketplace, fuelled by personal empowerment and collaboration, Berners-Lee said. "The end vision is very powerful," he said. Whether his team can realise that vision is uncertain. Some in the field of personal data say the Solid-Inrupt technology is too academic for mainstream developers. They also question whether the technology will achieve the speed and power needed to become a platform for future apps, like software assistants animated by a person's data. "No one will argue with the direction," said Liam Broza, a founder of LifeScope, an open-source data project. "He's on the right side of history. But is what he's doing really going to work?" Others say the Solid-Inrupt technology is only part of the answer. "There is lots of work outside Tim Berners-Lee's project that will be vital to the vision," said Kaliya Young, co-chair of the Internet Identity Workshop, whose members focus on digital identity. Berners-Lee said that his team was not inventing its own identity system, and that anything that worked could plug into its technology. Inrupt faces a series of technical challenges, but none that are "go-to-the-moon hard," said Bruce Schneier, a well-known computer security and privacy expert, who has joined Inrupt as its chief of security architecture. And Schneier is an optimist. "This technology could unlock an enormous amount of innovation," potentially becoming a new platform as the iPhone was for smartphone apps, he said. "I think this stands a good chance of changing how the internet works," he said. "Oddly, Tim has done it before." The New York Times MANZINI The Tubercolosis (TB) Hospital wing for COVID-19 patients is complete, but not functional despite the high number of people who need medical care. Following the recording of the first case of COVID-19 in the country last year in March, government presented strategies that were set to deal with the coronavirus and the TB Hospital, located at Moneni, was one of the health facilities earmarked for isolating and treating these patients. This was pronounced in May last year. At the time, the hospital was said to be in need of structural reforms and to ensure that this was achieved; government solicited the services of Construction Associates, a subsidiary company of Inyatsi Construction Group Holdings. This was confirmed by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Simon Zwane. He said the contract price for the refurbishment of the wing that would cater for COVID-19 patients was E88 702 969.65. This publication gathered that the contractor handed over the wing to government after completion in the first week of December 2020. Satisfaction When asked about this, Dr Zwane said: The project handover was done to our satisfaction and we are currently putting up a gas plant that is an integral part of the hospital. The TB Hospital wing is envisaged to accommodate 100 beds based on previous submissions by the ministrys senior personnel. In a previous interview, Dr Zwane said the setting up of the gas plant could take between three and five weeks. Following a reported shortage of oxygen in medical facilities, Dr Zwane said given the envisaged scramble for oxygen in the region as the COVID-19 cases surged, government saw it fit to have alternatives for the sourcing of oxygen. Among them, he said, was what was known as on-site oxygen generation. According to Generon, an oxygen production company, on-site oxygen generators are a cost-effective alternative to purchasing cylinder oxygen from industrial gas suppliers. By producing your own oxygen gas, at your facility, you can save up to 80 per cent of traditional gas contract prices. Almost 500 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine have arrived at Bantry General Hospital. The HSE confirmed to West Cork TD Christopher OSullivan that vaccinations would commence for frontline staff this afternoon. Bantry General Hospital now joins other hospitals in the Cork region that have been vaccinating healthcare workers at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19. It comes following the news that the vaccination programme, which commenced in nursing homes in the past week will be further accelerated to deliver the first dose of vaccinations to all nursing home residents and staff over the coming two weeks. The HSE have confirmed to me that almost 500 doses of the vaccine have arrived at Bantry General Hospital and vaccinations will commence for frontline staff this afternoon. Christopher OSullivan TD (@COSullivanTD) January 11, 2021 Welcoming the development, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler said: I want to commend the HSE and everybody involved in the roll out of the vaccination programme, particularly the 65 vaccination teams that have been established to administer the vaccine to some of the most vulnerable members of our society in the coming weeks. After many dark months, we can see light and real opportunity for hope in our battle against this deadly virus. On the current epidemiological situation in relation to nursing homes, Minister Butler said that where community transmission is high, the risk to nursing homes increases. With new variants of COVID-19 identified in Ireland recently, we must maintain an even higher-level of vigilance in the coming weeks and ensure that all of the public health guidance is strictly followed. It is particularly important that nursing homes continue to fully apply the infection prevention and control guidance working with the State authorities as necessary. Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has today defended the Government's response to the pandemic after figures revealed the country has the world's highest incidence of confirmed new Covid-19 cases per million people. In the last week, Ireland has had 10,100 confirmed cases of coronavirus per million people, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University in the US. Ireland's rate of Covid-19 has skyrocketed in recent weeks, which has been blamed on the lifting of restrictions over the Christmas period and the prevalence of the highly transmissible UK variant of the virus. It has put enormous pressure on the health service with Health Service Executive (HSE) boss Paul Reid warning that the situation is "now beyond strain". Covid -19 vaccinations of healthcare workers commenced at Mercy University Hospital. Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Taoiseach Micheal Martin rejected an assertion that he should be "ashamed" of his Government's performance. "I'm not and I think that's an unfair presentation and assertion," he said. Mr Martin said he believes the Government has "always responded effectively to the latest wave and to the latest surge of this particular virus". He continued: "Of course we accept our responsibilities. But we have acted at all times, I think, effectively in responding to the various waves that have emerged. "We're doing that very resolutely and very firmly and very clearly, with our public health colleagues, and with all of those on the front line. "It's very challenging and it's very serious and our focus really is on getting this current wave under control, getting the numbers down and getting transmission of the virus down, relieving pressures on our hospitals and protecting the vulnerable and the elderly in our community." Taoiseach Micheal Martin rejected an assertion that he should be "ashamed" of his Government's performance. Photo: Julien Behal Photography He added: "That's my entire focus now. Over time, people can reflect on this and can make their observations and conclusions. But my focus now is working with my Government colleagues to deal with it." Ireland now ranks ahead of the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Panama in terms of weekly cases. Mr Martin told the programme that the UK variant of the virus was present in 45% of the most recent 92 samples that underwent additional testing. Two weeks earlier, the variant was found in 25% of cases, and in just 9% of cases a fortnight previous to that, highlighting how quickly the strain has spread. Meanwhile, HSE chief executive Mr Reid warned that hospital services are now "beyond strain". Writing on Twitter, he said: "I've always tried to balance #COVID19 messages. I know everyone is finding it all very tough. "But the situation in our hospitals, (1,582 patients,145 in ICU), is now beyond strain. To avoid getting sick, protect your family & healthcare workers please, please stay at home." Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. There may be a split brewing in the local Republican party, which has endured one controversy after another over the past year. FASTag has been in the news these days. With the government extending the deadline for making FASTag mandatory on highways, people have been hearing a lot about FASTags in the news, on the internet, and around their own social circles. Given that the topic is trending, India's Paytm Payments Bank took the opportunity to boast about its feat of becoming the leading issuer of FASTag in the country with over 6 million FASTags being issued via Paytm Payments Bank. Further, Paytm said that its Payments Bank has enabled cashless toll payments across 250 toll plaza's in the country. In its announcement, Paytm said that Paytm FASTag has become the country's most preferred toll payment method as it allows users to directly pay from the Paytm Wallet. Users do not need to create any separate account or download a wallet to recharge their FASTags. Tags issued by other banks require buyers to provide multiple documents like ID proof, photographs, share personal details, and maintain separate accounts and login credentials. Also, unlike tags from other banks which may require a couple of hours to get activated, Paytm FASTags are activated instantly from the moment users receive it. All FASTag transactions can be monitored on the Paytm app. Users can raise complaints on the app itself which are addressed by a dedicated customer support team working 24x7, the company said. FASTag contactless payments system is now mandatory for all vehicles for paying the toll charges while crossing any toll plazas across national highways in India, from February 15. This comes as part of the governments push for enabling contactless and electronic toll payments at all toll plazas on national highways. It is expected that this will increase efficiency of processing transactions and reduce waiting time at toll plazas for vehicles, in comparison with the time taken to process cash transactions. Efficient versatile ready-for-rapid building system of MCM will serve as both a triage unit and bridge center in emergency medical situations A team from KAIST has developed a low-cost and ready-for-rapid-production negative pressure room called a Mobile Clinic Module (MCM). The MCM is expandable, moveable, and easy to store through a combination of negative pressure frames, air tents, and multi-function panels. The MCM expects to quickly meet the high demand for negative pressure beds in the nation and eventually many other countries where the third wave of COVID-19 is raging. The module is now ready to be rolled out after a three-week test period at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital. Professor Tek-Jin Nam's team swung into action, rapidly working together with researchers, engineers with expertise in mechanical design, and a team of clinical doctors to complete the MCM as one of KAIST's New Deal R&D initiatives launched last July. Professor Nam cites 'expandability' as the key feature of the MCM. Eventually, it will serve as both a triage unit and bridge center in emergency medical situations. "The module is a very efficient and versatile unit building system. It takes approximately two hours to build the basic MCM unit, which comprises four negative pressure bed rooms, nurse's station, locker room, and treatment room. We believe this will significantly contribute to relieving the drastic need for negative pressure beds and provide a place for monitoring patients with moderate symptoms," said Professor Nam. "It will also be helpful for managing less-severe patients who need to be monitored daily in quarantined rooms or as bridge stations where on-site medical staff can provide treatment and daily monitoring before hospitalization. These wards can be efficiently deployed either inside or outside existing hospitals." The research team specially designed the negative pressure frame to ensure safety level A for the negative pressure room, which is made of a multi-function panel wall and roofed with an air tent. The multi-function panels can hold medical appliances such as ventilators, oxygen and bio-signal monitors. Positive air pressure devices supply fresh air from outside the tent. An air pump and controller maintain air beam pressure, while filtering exhausted air. An internal air information monitoring system efficiently controls room air pressure and purifies the air. While a conventional negative pressure bed is reported to cost approximately 3.5 billion KRW (50 billion won for a ward), this module is estimated to cost 0.75 billion won each (10 billion won for a ward), cutting the costs by approximately 80%. The MCM is designed to be easily transported and relocated due to its volume, weight, and maintainability. This module requires only one-fourth of the volume of existing wards and takes up approximately 40% of their weight. The unit can be transported in a 40-foot container truck. "We believe this will significantly contribute to relieving the drastic need for negative pressure beds and provide a place for monitoring patients with moderate symptoms. We look forward to the MCM upgrading epidemic management resources around the world." Professor Nam's team is also developing antiviral solutions and devices such as protective gear, sterilizers, and test kits under the KAIST New Deal R&D Initiative that was launched to promptly and proactively respond to the epidemic. More than 45 faculty members and researchers at KAIST are collaborating with industry and clinical hospitals to develop the antiviral technology that will improve preventive measures, diagnoses, and treatment. ### -About KAIST KAIST is the first and top science and technology university in Korea. KAIST was established in 1971 by the Korean government to educate scientists and engineers committed to the industrialization and economic growth of Korea. Since then, KAIST and its 64,739 graduates have been the gateway to advanced science and technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. KAIST has emerged as one of the most innovative universities with more than 10,000 students enrolled in five colleges and seven schools including 1,039 international students from 90 countries. On the precipice of its semi-centennial anniversary in 2021, KAIST continues to strive to make the world better through the pursuit in education, research, entrepreneurship, and globalization. LANCANG ISLAND, Indonesia Hendrik Mulyadi was checking his crab traps when he heard a huge explosion on the water nearby. The sea suddenly rose, lifting the Indonesian fishermans boat as smoke filled the air. Im lucky it didnt hit me, he recalled on Monday, sitting at his home on Lancang Island and still visibly shaken by what he saw. It was like lightning, very fast. It exploded when it hit the water. I saw debris floating. It was airplane debris. Mr. Hendrik, 30, was one of five crab fishermen who were out working on the water Saturday afternoon when Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 fell from the sky minutes after takeoff with 62 people onboard, 10 of them children and babies. The plane crashed into the Java Sea, about 300 feet from where Mr. Hendrik was fishing. Normally a sleepy island with relatively few visitors, Lancang has become a base for the aircraft search and recovery operation led by Basarnas, Indonesias national search and rescue agency. The crash site is less than a mile from the islands mangroves, coconut and banana trees. Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic said in a televised speech on March 15 that his country could only seek China's help as the EU has placed a ban on exports of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to non-EU states. Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson replied,as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Serbia share unbreakable iron-clad friendship. Now as the Serbian people are also facing the challenge of the pandemic, we will stand firm and fight side by side with them. We will provide protective suits, masks, ventilators and other supplies and send a team of medical experts there to share our experience and practice in diagnosis and treatment. The first batch of 1,000 new coronavirus detection kits donated by China has been delivered to the Serbian capital Belgrade,to help Serbia fight a new outbreak of pneumonia and this is the first time Serbia has received supplies for the epidemic from abroad. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Chinese netizens took to social media to call on the Serbian embassy in Beijing to open a weibo official account and announce donation channels. In less than an hour, the number of fans reached 200,000. Chinese netizens expressed their concern about the pneumonia outbreak in Serbia and expressed the hope that Serbia could overcome the difficulties as soon as possible. Yvanlee said,"Chinese people will stand with Serbia together to fight the virus!" Kimi said,"The Chinese people will not forget the Serbian people's firm support for China during the difficult times in China. We are brothers and I look forward to traveling to beautiful Serbia after the epidemic is over.Come on Serbia, Come on China!" Myss22333 said,"We are all in this together! Come on bro! We can work it out!! Our friendship is everlasting!!!" Vivian said,"Hi! We are all in this fight against virus. A friend in need is a friend indeed.We Chinese people including I want to try our best to help you! Cheer up! We will make it." ergen said,"The Chinese people will always stand with Serbia." Virus respects no borders but brings out the best in human nature. China and Serbia are good brothers, partners, friends and comrades. The two countries share unbreakable iron-clad friendship. Supporting each other in times of adversity has always been the defining feature of China-Serbia relations. [ Editor: WPY] The fourth installment of 150,150 Pfizer BioNTech vaccine doses arrived today in Romania by air at the airports of Otopeni, Cluj-Napoca and Timisoara, the National COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination Committee (CNCAV) informs. According to a release, the manufacturing company ensured the transport under "optimal" safety conditions, the land transport included, with the vaccines packed in special dry ice containers and sealed in foil. The vaccination continues in the centers in Bucharest and across the country with doses supplied in the second and in the third shipment, according to the requests sent to the national and the regional storage centers through the County and Bucharest Public Health Directorates. The vaccination is currently underway, according to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, for the workers booked for inoculation in stage I - public and private system health and social workers, CNCAV mentions. 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. Irish whiskey brands are to continue to bolster their online e-commerce stores as the sales channel grows in importance through the Covid-19 pandemic Irish whiskey brands are to continue to bolster their online e-commerce stores as the sales channel grows in importance through the Covid-19 pandemic. The Irish Whiskey Association listed e-commerce as a growth opportunity for whiskey companies in its "Irish Whiskey 2010-2020" report published in December. It includes a forecast that e-commerce will account for 14% of all retail sales, not just whiskey, in 2021. Co Antrim's Bushmills Distillery has an online shop. William Lavelle, head of the Irish Whiskey Association, said the rise in e-commerce sales in Asia, and the African continent's digitisation, meant Irish whiskey could reach consumers in markets where sales were historically negligible. "2020 has seen an explosion in online sales of Irish whiskey, and this has played a vital role in protecting many jobs in our industry which would otherwise have been lost," he said. "While Covid-19 may have been the stimulus for this shift in consumer behaviour, it looks like this shift is here to stay. "E-commerce is going to be an increasingly-important sales channel for the future, and it is already offering unique opportunities for Irish whiskey brands to breakthrough into new markets and new consumer segments." Mr Lavelle said many brands across the country had already benefited from an increase in their e-commerce sales. Irish Distillers, the largest whiskey firm in Ireland, said global sales from its Jameson's online store were up 200%. Simon Fay, the business acceleration director at Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers, said: "The pandemic has fundamentally changed how we think, behave and consume, which in turn has changed how we engage with our consumers. "While we remain hopeful for the day that we can welcome guests from all over the world back to our Brand Homes, for now, the team in Midleton are very focused on replenishing orders coming through online," he added. Other brands also reported benefits from their investment in e-commerce. Darryl McNally, the master distiller at the Dublin Liberties Distillery, which is behind brands such as The Dubliner, said it bolstered its online sales platform in April last year. It has since sold 6,000 bottles online. The Dubliner whiskey also has a new US e-commerce website for consumers in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Colorado, and Texas. Moves online have also made new jobs. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Jacqueline Antonovich thought that she was dusting her fireplace mantle. But in reality, she was dusting off history. The Muhlenberg College history professor, going about her domestic chores last month, noticed something she hadnt before a metal box stowed in the corner of her kitchens stone fireplace. She pulled it out and was, at first, shocked and then delighted. It was covered with a couple of inches of dust, Antonovitch said. I could tell it was back there forever. I pulled it out and wiped off the dust. I was excited to see it was a military first aid kit for gas casualties. I could tell right away it was from World War II and I imagined I would find some old-timey medical supplies that I could use in my teaching. But when she opened up the box, the first thing she saw was a flash of red. I knew immediately what it was, she said. It was a Nazi flag. Horrified, Antonovich was seized by the thought that this home that she and her husband recently bought might have been a haven for a white supremacist. As she pulled out the symbol of hate, she then noticed the writing on the back signatures from the men from the U.S. Armys 385th regiment with a note from one of the signers reading may this flag never fly again. When I unfolded it and saw all of the signatures, it literally took my breath away, Antonovich said. Among the signers was the late John Jack Schallehn of Saratoga Springs. He and the others, one signer noted, captured the enemy flag on March 29, 1945. It doesnt say where they tore down the banner, but military records at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs indicate that on that date his regiment was engaged in house-to-house combat in Kamberg, Germany. All this is news to his nephew Bernie Schallehn of Altamont who said the discovery of the flag, as documented by Antonovich on Twitter, is bringing back fond memories of his Uncle Jack and his four brothers who all served in the military during World War II. Aside from his Uncle Leonard, who was a captured by the Nazis and escaped with the help of the French, he knows little his father Gene and his other uncles war experiences. Rather, he remembers Jack Schallehn as a New York City accountant who would ride home for the holidays on the train, leading his cars passengers in Christmas carols. Uncle Jack was the essence of cool, his nephew said. V-neck sweater, a GQ look, hair parted perfectly. He used to tell my father to come to the city Well go see Babs (Barbra Streisand). But Schallehn had a more sober military life before that. Courtney Burns, director of the Military Museum, who looked up Schallehns record, said at the time Jack Schallehn lived at 10 Russell St. in Saratoga Springs. He entered the Army as a draftee in June 1942, even though he got into some trouble with city police for crashing his car in 1939 on New Year's Eve. He trained at Fort Meade in Maryland where he was assigned to a medical detachment. He then was sent to Billings General Hospital in Montana to train another two months before being sent to Japan. His division the 76th was to be sent to Japan, but was sent instead to France. His regiment eventually crossed the Rhine River to enter Kamberg. He ended his military career as a sergeant and died over two decades ago, family members said. He never married. Antonovich, who would like to see the flag and medical box go to a museum, said she is documenting all the names and plans on setting out to find the relatives of the signers. And while she hasnt yet connected with any of the families most from the northeast her Twitter posts documenting her find have been liked by thousands and has been highlighted in the media. This whole thing has been so interesting, Antonovich said. There is real value in this. As a teacher of history, Im excited about this. For Bernie Schallehn's it means more than that. "I'm proud to know my uncle fought on the front lines," he said. "He's a true patriot and I'm feeling nostaglic about that." Note: Story updated to clarify timeline of Schallehn's service. Ahead of the Union Budget 2021-22, the Narendra Modi government is considering easing classification norms for non-performing assets, a move aimed at providing relief to industry and especially smaller businesses in light of Covid-19. Currently, a loan becomes non-performing if the interest or instalment of principal remains overdue for more than 90 days, with the exception of accounts eligible for the Covid-19 moratorium provided by the Reserve Bank of India. The Centre is considering easing it to between 120-180 days, thus making permanent a measure adopted during the pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, a top government official told Moneycontrol. The person added that such a move would require legislative changes. There have been a number of consultations on the matter, including with industry and stakeholders. A decision will be taken soon and it may be announced in the upcoming budget, the official said. It is understood that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may announce an intention to bring about these changes in the budget. The legislative process can then happen in two different ways. Either the Banking Regulation Act, which contains the current provision of 90 days for declaring NPAs, can be amended through the Finance Bill 2021 in the Budget Session itself, or it can be amended later separately. The 90-day asset classification rule was given legal backing by amendments to the Banking Regulation Act in 2017. It is also part of the Reserve Bank of Indias rules for banking operations. The budget-makers believe that such a move will be beneficial for businesses as well as banks. For businesses, especially in light of Covid-19, it will certainly provide them additional time to pay interest and not be named a defaulter. In the case of micro, small and medium enterprises, India has a very different business culture . Here so much of business is carried out on credit and trust. Hence a small business owner can run the risk of being declared an NPA without any fault of theirs, the official quoted above said. For banks, their NPAs are expected to rise once the Covid-related moratorium ends. The Centre feels that making the change permanent will help banks maintain their capital adequacy ratios even with the Covid-related defaults. In September, the RBI extended the loan moratorium till December 31. The 90-day non-performing asset (NPA) norm excludes the moratorium period for the eligible accounts. However, the banks have to maintain an additional provisioning of 10 per cent on such accounts. The bad loan classification period for accounts eligible for the moratorium was also changed from 90 days to 180 days. Zoe Foster Blake, the beauty mogul wife of comedian Hamish Blake, moved into a $9million home in Vaucluse, Sydney, last month. And it seems the journalist-turned-businesswoman, who previously lived in Melbourne, has already settled into her new neighbourhood. Zoe, 40, stepped out on Sunday in a colourful maxi dress as she visited a local cafe with her children, son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three. New neighbourhood: Zoe Foster Blake happily snapped photos while heading to a local cafe with her children on Sunday, just weeks after buying a $9million home in Sydney's Vaucluse The best-selling author teamed her look with oversized sunglasses, a nude Louis Vuitton shoulder bag and metallic pink sandals. The mother of two held hands with her little ones and documented their sunny stroll by taking photos on her iPhone. Just before Christmas, the Blakes spent $8.925million on a property in the upmarket suburb of Vaucluse. Weekend vibes: The Go-To skincare founder, 40, stepped out in a colourful maxi dress as she held hands with her children, son Sonny, six, and daughter Rudy, three Stylish mama: The best-selling author teamed her look with oversized sunglasses, a nude Louis Vuitton shoulder bag and metallic pink sandals The five-bedroom, six-bathroom estate sits on 885 square metres and features two sets of garages. While the four-level home does not have ocean views, it is considered architecturally noteworthy and was featured on Grand Designs Australia in 2013. The beauty guru and her husband, 39, inspected 'a number of properties' across the eastern suburbs before finally settling on their home. Nice digs: Zoe and her husband, comedian and TV host Hamish Blake, spent $8.925million on a property in the upmarket suburb of Vaucluse just before Christmas The house is just a short drive from the Surry Hills headquarters of Zoe's highly successful Go-To beauty company. Before the big move, Hamish had announced on social media his family was moving from Melbourne to Sydney. 'Exciting times ahead: we are moving to Sydney baby! For a long time I have known that stealing my wife from Sydney would mean one day we'd venture there to live for a while,' wrote the Lego Masters host. 'The loose plan is for a few years, but however long it's for, we're excited for this adventure with our little family.' Fancy: While the four-level home does not have ocean views, it is considered architecturally noteworthy and was featured on Grand Designs Australia in 2013 Relocating: Before the big move, Lego Masters star Hamish (left) had announced on social media his family was moving from Melbourne to Sydney The family's move comes after Zoe made her debut on Australia's 2020 Young Rich List. She has an estimated net worth of $36million after her skincare company enjoyed a boom in sales during the Covid-19 pandemic. In August, Go-To's peach-packaged facial oil named Face Hero was crowned the number one skincare product in Australia. Zoe founded Go-To six years ago, and the brand launched in the U.S. in 2018. The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, states that it is absolutely reprehensible to link the issue of Armenian servicemen in captivity in Azerbaijan with territorial issues and to obviously politicize it. As per Tatoyan, this is a gross violation of the post-war humanitarian process and international demands guaranteeing human rights. This is noted in a statement issued by the Human Rights Defender. "Therefore, initiating criminal proceedings against 62 Armenian servicemen in captivity in Azerbaijan, arresting them and, moreover, calling them terrorists, is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and of international human rights law in general. The Human Rights Defender of Armenia also considers it necessary to make a special statement that it is inadmissible to politicize human rights or humanitarian issues in the post-war process. The return or release of prisoners is independent of any political process. This must be ensured immediately after the cessation of hostilities. Moreover, the Human Rights Defender notes that in practice there have already been cases when the Azerbaijani armed forces have captured Armenians after the November 10 tripartite statement, but they later were returned to Armenia. It is obvious to the Human Rights Defender that the Azerbaijani authorities are clearly abusing the legal processes in order to achieve their goal. This behavior of the Azerbaijani authorities also directly contradicts the intentions of the parties that signed the trilateral statement on November 10. The Azerbaijani authorities initially are artificially delaying the release of the captives on the Armenian side and of otherwise deprived of their liberty, they continue not to report the true number of captives. The absolute urgency of the issue of the release of captives must also be considered in the context of the organized policy of propaganda of anti-Armenianism and hostility in Azerbaijan," the Armenian ombudsman's statement adds in particular. New York vaccination guidelines program in human history is now underway. But several delays already slowed plans to provide vaccines to up to 330 million people. On Friday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo extended the eligibility groups to include three million more persons, including those 75 and older, under rising pressure to alleviate a backlog of hundreds of thousands of unused coronavirus vaccine doses. Governor Cuomo had adhered to strict rules that prioritized health care professionals, nursing homes, and community home tenants and employees. But on Friday, after persistent criticism from Mayor Bill de Blasio and local officials across the state. The government announced that as soon as Monday, one month after New York City got its first doses, this new community also includes many essential staff, will start scheduling vaccinations. Restricted initial stocks, supply chain mistakes, and more than a dozen states disregarding federal priority directives have resulted in vaccines being received by just slightly more than 3 million people in the U.S. before the end of 2020. That is less than 1% of the U.S. population and 17 million less than the government's 20 million targets set late last year. Where does all of this leave the people, and when do they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccines. The reason why the CDC releases vaccination guidelines to follow up distribution. The fact is that most individuals in the U.S. would have to wait at least several months until they have access to a vaccine against coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released vaccination guidelines. A list of priority groups to be vaccinated first, with health care professionals and nursing home residents and employees at the very top, beginning in December. However, the CDC's recommendation is not a law; many states have drawn up their vaccination guidelines, several of which places teachers and other vital employees and older adults of different age groups above or below the CDC's recommendations. The CDC recommendations also state that, unless physicians have approved them, someone who has previously had an acute allergic reaction of some severity to any Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines component should not be vaccinated. According to Mr. Cuomo, health care staff in any reservation system will still have priority under these guidelines. ALSO READ: Washington DC Airports Tighten Security Following Suggestions to Ban Rioters From Flying In compliance with the CDC guidelines, frontline health care staff who are especially at risk of coronavirus exposure, including around 20 million U.S. physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, EMT, and hospital employees, are at the top of most state lists. They are prioritized as phase 1a by the CDC and most states and staff and residents in care facilities such as nursing homes. Because so few COVID-19 vaccine doses are available initially, vaccination with COVID-19 will take a staggered approach as stated on the vaccination guidelines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or the (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the priority groups that will get the COVID-19 vaccines first. The purpose of the initial, small doses of COVID-19 vaccines is to protect those exposed to COVID-19 regularly from what they do, who they care about, or where they live. The COVID-19 vaccine suppliers will have to make doses available every week so that vaccination will continue to pass through phases. Several other classes in the next priority stages for coronavirus vaccines, named 1b and 1c by the CDC. Phase 1b of critical employees communicate with the public (i.e., frontline staff, teachers, grocery store clerks, and transit workers) and people over 75 years of age. Then, step 1c involves adults older than 65, people aged 16 to 74 with underlying medical conditions, and another primary (non-frontline) finance, I.T., and media staff. Mr. Cuomo has been following the leadership of country-wide governors who have recently open protocols due to criticism of the rate of vaccinations and increasing demand. Federal officials have, for their part, urged states to extend eligibility. @ 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. 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. 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 Pets and e-commerce are a natural combination, and that's been especially true during the pandemic. More than two-thirds of American households own at least one pet. As pet owners increasingly opt to shop from home, pet-related companies are stepping up their game to grab a share of industry expenditures forecasted for 2020 to reach approximately $99 billion in the U.S. The E-Commerce Times spoke with various experts in the field of online pet product sales and services to get their take on trends in this market. "Right now, in the middle of a pandemic, and certainly true during the early stages of the pandemic, many pet owners have been shopping online out of safety precautions," Steve King, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association, told the E-Commerce Times. "While pet retailers are deemed essential and have remained open during the pandemic for the most part, many pet owners are choosing to play it safe, stay home and order online." Both pure-play e-commerce companies and those with a combination of physical stores and digital sales are seeing an increase in demand for online purchasing. "There are a few key online-only retailers such as Amazon and Chewy.com contributing significantly to this trend, who are marketing heavily to pet owners online and really focusing on customer service and retention, competitive pricing, and quality products," said King. "Also, other major pet retailers like Petco, PetSmart and Walmart are doing more to expand their accessibility to customers and increase their online presence," he added. Convenience is a large factor driving online pet-related sales. It's often simply easier to shop for pet supplies online, particularly for larger items and products needed regularly. "From a pet owner's perspective, there's a lot of attraction in having bulky, heavy items delivered right to your doorstep," explained King. "With items like food and litter, for example, that people know they need on a regular basis, being offered an often-reduced pricing on an auto-ship subscription is tough to compete with. "Pet product manufacturers can target their customers online via influencers or advertisements, and pet owners can click right there on a direct link to read reviews, find out more about the product and ingredients, and have it shipped to their door in just a few days." Essential Products Mindful of consumer demand, pet-related companies are increasingly offering a variety of shopping, shipping, delivery, and pick up methods. "We know safety and convenience remain top priority for consumers, so we continue to enhance our online and app experiences to ensure pet parents can shop safely, without hassle or shipment delays," Darren MacDonald, chief digital and innovation officer for Petco, told the E-Commerce Times. "From a logistical perspective, we believe focusing on BOPUS, curbside, ship-from-store, and online booking processes are crucial to remaining competitive." Many pet products, after all, are essential -- even when consumers are cutting back in other areas. "Consumers may not be spending on vacations or trips to the movies, but they're taking great care of their pets, and we expect that to continue," said MacDonald. Virtual Dog Training It's not only pet product e-commerce that's seeing a boost. Services such as dog training are increasingly moving online, as well. "The approaches and techniques taught in online dog training are the same as a trainer would teach to a client in-person," Steffi Trott, owner and founder of SpiritDog Training, told the E-Commerce Times. "We emphasize the same key aspects: making training positive, keeping the reward rate high, motivating the dog to do well, preventing him from rehearsing bad and unwanted behaviors. "The difference lies in how the content is communicated. While an in-person trainer can literally take the leash into his or her own hands, an online dog trainer has to demonstrate in videos how behaviors are taught. This comes with additional challenges and requirements: only very good teachers can relay information through digital means as well as hands-on." While the pandemic boosted the demand for online dog training, it's likely that the field will continue seeing expansion even after the pandemic is over. "The pandemic jump-started online dog training -- as it did many e-learning businesses," explained Trott. "Owners are realizing the value and convenience of training their dog from home. It saves time and money. "A five-minute session with your dog in your living room can be just as effective as driving to a dog school, spending one hour in a group class and driving home. Because online training lets great training happen with just a little bit of daily time commitment, it makes dog training accessible and feasible for a huge amount of dog owners." Customer Retention Programs As the world of pet-related e-commerce continues to grow and develop, experts say the future looks bright for those companies with creative and competitive strategies. "Online businesses are looking for creative ways to attract and retain customers with the use of trending e-commerce features," Jimmy Rodriguez, COO of 3dcart, told the E-Commerce Times. "A good example is offering an auto-delivery service, allowing pet owners to subscribe to receive pet food or other supplies on a recurring basis. "For stores with a physical presence, the ability to buy online and pick up in the store has become a unique differentiator and displaying this at checkout is key for this strategy. Some stores, like Lambert Vet Supply, which runs on the 3dcart e-commerce platform, allow customers to create a 'pet profile' and save their pets to their account to allow them to easily order food, supplies, and even prescription medication for their pets." Online products and services will continue to connect pet owners with e-commerce businesses that give them what they need and want, during the pandemic and beyond. "Considering pets are family, if owners don't feel comfortable entering the brick-and-mortar pet stores, they'll have to look online," Brian Wright, vice president of The Green Pet Shop, told the E-Commerce Times. "That's why I believe now more than ever it's important for consumers to have an easy and reliable site they can go to for quality products for their pets. We feel lucky to be able to provide such a space for them." Vivian Wagner has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2008. Her main areas of focus are technology, business, CRM, e-commerce, privacy, security, arts, culture and diversity. She has extensive experience reporting on business and technology for a variety of outlets, including The Atlantic, The Establishment and O, The Oprah Magazine. She holds a PhD in English with a specialty in modern American literature and culture. She received a first-place feature reporting award from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and is the author of Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys, published by ECT News Network in May 2020. Email Vivian. City and US officials pressed law enforcement authorities to safeguard President-elect Joe Biden's Washington inauguration from more violence by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump who stormed the US Capitol last week. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser on Sunday called for a different approach to security before the Jan. 20 event after what she called last week's "unprecedented terrorist attack." Adam Schiff, chairman of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said he expected law enforcement to ensure a safe event. The threat of ... New York Bar Association Begins Probe to Expel Trump Lawyer Giuliani The New York State Bar Association on Jan. 11 announced the start of an investigation into removing President Donald Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani from the organization. Before the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, Giuliani told a crowd at the White House about claims of election fraud in the presidential election and Georgias U.S. Senate runoff elections. If were wrong, we will be made fools of, but if were right, a lot of them will go to jail. Lets have trial by combat, Giuliani said. The state bar association (NYSBA) said it has received hundreds of complaints about Giuliani in recent months regarding his representation of Trump in the presidents push to challenge election results in key swing states. Legal cases brought by Giuliani were dismissed by courts, primarily for lack of standing. Protesters storm the Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2020. (Ahmed Gaber/Reuters) As the nations largest voluntary state bar association, NYSBA has a responsibility to defend and protect the rule of law. Based on these complaints, and the statement Mr. Giuliani uttered shortly before the attack on the Capitol, NYSBA President Scott M. Karson has launched an inquiry pursuant to the Associations bylaws to determine whether Mr. Giuliani should be removed from the membership rolls of the Association, the organization said in a statement. Those bylaws say that any person who advocates for the overthrow of the U.S. government or of any state by force or other illegal means shall not be a member of the association. The association claimed Giulianis words quite clearly were intended to encourage Trump supporters unhappy with the elections outcome to take matters into their own hands. Giuliani will be provided due process and have an opportunityshould he so chooseto explain and defend his words and actions, the association added. Giuliani, who on Twitter last week called the violence at the Capitol shameful, didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. It was as criminal as the rioting and looting this summer, which was not condemned strongly enough by the Left. This violence is condemned in the strongest terms. Our movement values respect for law and order and for the Police, he wrote. The officers told him to calm down, and at least one of them told Morales they were merely trying to sort out what happened. He was then escorted to the back of a police vehicle. Why are you putting me in the car? You should put him! Morales shouted. 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. 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. By Nam Hyun-woo Il-Yang Pharmaceutical CEO Kim Dong-yeon has received the top prize in the healthcare segment of the 6th Korea Awards, for his firm's contribution to developing the leukemia treatment Supect. According to the World Federation of Power Leaders, the organizer of the awards, Monday, Kim was chosen as the winner of the award in acknowledgement of Il-Yang Pharmaceutical's achievement in developing the treatment, which won domestic approval in 2012 as the 18th novel drug developed in Korea. Supect won keen attention among as one of the substitutes for Novartis' Gleevec, due to its comparatively cheaper price. Supect's cost for a monthly course is 1.79 million won, while that of Gleevec ranges from 3 million won to 6 million won in Korea. In February last year, a team led by Kim Dong-wook of Seoul St. Mary's Hematology Hospital published an article in the British Journal of Haematology, and stated Supect has been statistically proven to have a better therapeutic effect in more patients than Gleevec in a four-year study tracking 241 chronic myelogenous leukemia patients in 24 hospitals in Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. According to the article, patients with newly diagnosed myeloid leukemia in its chronic phase demonstrated significantly faster and higher rates of major molecular response at 86 percent compared to 75 percent for Gleevec. Recently, the efficacy of Supect in treating other diseases has been studied. In October, Il-Yang said it won approval from France's National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) on a Phase 2 clinical study using Supect as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. In May, Il-Yang won Russian approval for a Phase 3 trial to evaluate Supect's efficacy in treating COVID-19. It marked the first case of a treatment developed in Korea being approved for overseas clinical trials to treat COVID-19. Along with Supect, the organizers acknowledged Kim's contribution in leading the firm during its development of peptic ulcer treatment Ilaprazole and a number of flu vaccines. Kim earned his doctoral degree at Ajou University in medical chemistry. He joined Il-yang in 1976 as a researcher. Along with Kim, the 6th Korea Awards were presented to 12 awardees for achievements in 10 segments national innovation, legislation, science, economics, local development, education, healthcare, tourism, social contribution and culture. has been confirmed as the cause of death of around 900 hens in the last few days at a poultry farm in Maharashtra's Parbhani district, a senior official said on Monday. The district administration has now decided to cull nearly 8,000 birds in Murumba village where these hens died, Collector Deepak Muglikar told PTI. Earlier, Muglikar on Saturday said around 900 hens had died at a poultry farm, run by a Self-Help Group (SHG), in the village and their samples were sent for testing. "The cause of the death has been confirmed as Hence, we have decided to cull all the birds in one-km radius of the place where these deaths took place," the collector said. "We have created a prohibitory zone in 10 km radius of the area where the birds died. No birds will be transported from there to any other place. Our medical team is stationed there and it is examining all people of the village," he said. There is no need to be panic and the district administration is taking all precautions. The outbreak has already been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The central government on Sunday said it has directed zoo managements to submit daily reports to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) till their area is declared free from the disease. The CZA, under the environment ministry, issued an office memorandum saying is a scheduled disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, and reporting such a disease is obligatory for taking appropriate preventive measures against its spread. (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 the 1970s, my constitutional law professor, Gerald Gunther, was invited by the West German government to visit that country and to lecture on the American Constitution. Gunther and his family had fled Germany in the 1930s. When he returned home to California, Gunther commended the Germans as hosts and for what they were accomplishing as a society. However, he added that they still didnt quite understand the importance of free speech. These days, though, they understand it better than corporate America does admittedly a low bar. CNBC reports: German Chancellor Angela Merkel blasted Twitters decision to ban U.S. President Donald Trump. The right to freedom of opinion is of fundamental importance, Steffen Seibert, Merkels chief spokesman, told reporters in Berlin on Monday, according to Reuters. Given that, the chancellor considers it problematic that the presidents accounts have been permanently suspended. Seibert said that, while Twitter was right to flag Trumps inaccurate tweets about the election, banning his account altogether was a step too far. Nor is Merkel the only European standing up for Americas freedoms. Jazz Shaw notes that both UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock and EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton made similar comments. Nor is it only the U.S. President who has been banned from various social media outlets. Scott has covered the silencing of other conservative and/or populist voices in his shapes of things posts. I hope that one of two things will happen. Either the barons of social media will relent of their own accord or due to pressure or else conservatives, including Trumpian ones, will find other ways to disseminate their opinions widely on something like an equal basis with other viewpoints. But if neither happens, a third thing might a genuine insurrection, as opposed to the less drastic event that occurred at the Capitol last week. Amsterdam/'s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, 11 January 2021 Van Lanschot Kempen today announced that Karl Guha has resolved to step down from his posts as Chairman of Van Lanschot Kempen's Statutory and Executive Boards by the end of 2021. Karl Guha: "After eight intense years, I think that it is time for the next generation to take over and guide this great organisation into the future. In 2013, we embarked together on a journey to transform Van Lanschot Kempen into a well-capitalised wealth manager with a clear purpose and view of the future. Our transformation is nearly complete; we are today a leading, fully integrated wealth management house with a robust capital base. This is the right time for both me and the firm to make way for a new chairman." Frans Blom, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, added: "We respect Karl's decision and are exceedingly grateful for his contribution, but it is way too early to say our farewells. His timely announcement should give us scope to find a suitable successor and ensure a smooth transfer." Media Relations: +31 20 354 45 85; mediarelations@vanlanschotkempen.com Investor Relations: +31 20 354 45 90; investorrelations@vanlanschotkempen.com Elements of this press release contain information about Van Lanschot Kempen NV and/or Van Lanschot Kempen Wealth Management NV within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No. 596/2014. About Van Lanschot Kempen Van Lanschot Kempen, a wealth manager operating under the Van Lanschot, Kempen and Evi brand names, is active in Private Banking, Asset Management and Merchant Banking, with the aim of preserving and creating wealth, in a sustainable way, for both its clients and the society of which it is part. Listed at Euronext Amsterdam, Van Lanschot Kempen is the Netherlands' oldest independent financial services company, with a history dating back to 1737. For more information, visit vanlanschotkempen.com Attachment RYE, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GAMCO Investors, Inc. (NYSE:GBL) announced today that GAMCO International SICAV (Luxembourg), managed by Gabelli Funds, launched a new sub-fund, GAMCO Convertible Securities. GAMCO Convertible Securities' objective is to seek to provide current income as well as long term capital appreciation through a total return strategy by investing in a diversified portfolio of global convertible securities. The Fund leverages the firm's history of investing in dedicated convertible security portfolios since 1979. Multiple share classes will be available at launch and are tailored for Global institutional investors as well as select non-US retail investors. At the onset, the Fund will launch with an institutional founder's class at a reduced fee. Michael Gabelli, Managing Director and Director of Global Business Development for Gabelli noted, "The GAMCO Convertible Securities fund offers investors access to one of Gabelli's core strategies within a UCITS compliant structure, providing daily liquidity via accumulating share classes and a distributing class. We are excited to bring an actively managed fund to the European and Global marketplace that will be dedicated to global convertible securities while factoring in ESG guidelines." Also commenting on the launch, Thomas Dinsmore, Co-Portfolio Manager said, "We are delighted to apply our combined 60+ years of convertible portfolio management experience to this new offering affording investors across the globe access to our active approach to converts. The convertible markets continue to provide a strong flow of new issuances as well as attractive investment opportunities." Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, call +1-914-921-5135 or visit www.gabelli.com/sicav. NO REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "SEC") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO THIS OFFERING. THE SHARES OF THE FUND HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT"). THE SHARES MAY ONLY BE OFFERED AND SOLD IN OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE ACT) TO NON - U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE ACT). SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Our disclosure and analysis in this press release contain some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements are subject to contingencies and uncertainties, some or all of which may be material. We direct your attention to the cautionary statements regarding forward-looking information set forth in documents on Gabelli's website. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements. US President-elect has recently announced a controversial shift in Covid-19 vaccination strategy, aiming to release all available doses as soon as possible. According to a CNN report, it could also be a risky strategy as both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines require two doses, administered at specific intervals and vaccine manufacturing has not ramped up as rapidly as many experts had hoped. "The President-elect believes we must accelerate distribution of the vaccine while continuing to ensure the Americans who need it most get it as soon as possible. He supports releasing available doses immediately, and believes the government should stop holding back vaccine supply so we can get more shots in Americans' arms now," TJ Ducklo, a spokesman for Biden's transition team, told CNN in an exclusive interview. "He will share additional details next week on how his administration will begin releasing available doses when he assumes office on January 20," Ducklo added. The Biden team believes that vaccine manufacturers will be able to produce enough second doses in a timely fashion while administering first doses to more Americans, a transition official said. It also plans to use the Defence Production Act to produce vaccine materials and other supplies in order to ensure there's enough vaccine for both doses. The official added that the Biden team may hold back a small amount of doses in case of unforeseen circumstances. Outgoing President Donald Trump's administration also does this -- in addition to holding back the second doses -- in the event of incidents such as shipment errors or vaccine spoilage. The comment from Biden's transition comes after a group of governors wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Operation Warp Speed Chief Operating Officer Gen. Gustave Perna pressing the federal government to distribute "reserved doses" of the Covid-19 vaccine to states that need them. --IANS vc/ksk/ (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 Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has issued new banknote denominations; 20 rials, 10 rials, 5 rials, 1 rial, rial, and 100 baisa for circulation in the market, a media report said. This issuance is a completion of the sixth issue of the Omani banknotes (1441 H-2020G) which began by circulating the RO50 ($129.5) banknote as of July last year, reported state-run Oman News Agency (ONA). The new banknotes will be legal tender and circulate side by side with other banknotes currently in circulation starting from January 11. The CBO is currently working, in coordination with banks operating in the Sultanate, to make ATM, CDM, vending and all other withdrawal and deposit machines compatible with the new banknotes, the report added. Malevolent as ever, House speaker Nancy Pelosi told 60 Minutes she's still all in for getting President Trump, either through the 25th Amendment or else through impeachment. Speaking to CBS's 60 Minutes' Lesley Stahl (who claimed earlier that Hunter Biden's emails describing his pay-to-play activities were "not really stories"), Pelosi, 80, laid it out for Stahl, 79, and her marshmallow questions. According to the Daily Mail: While some Democrats are pushing for the impeachment route, the House Speaker told '60 Minutes' in an interview that will air Sunday night that she prefers invoking the 25th Amendment because it gets Trump out of office immediately. 'There is a possibility that after all of this, there's no punishment, no consequence, and he could run again for president,' CBS' Lesley Stahl said to Pelosi in a clip released ahead of airing the full interview. 'And that's one of the motivations that people have for advocating for impeachment,' Pelosi explained. This is unlikely, according to this BBC analysis, as well as this op-ed that ran in The Hill by legal expert Jonathan Turley. To paraphrase Pelosi, voters are free to elect whom they elect. It was the same deal with President Obama, even as activists tried to present evidence that his birth certificate was supposedly fake. It was a dead-end campaign, given that the majority of voters wanted to elect him. But it does reveal a lot about what's going through Pelosi's mind and the weak hand of cards she holds. First, notice her first preference: she wants Mike Pence to do her dirty work for her and invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. Let him do it for her. That certainly spares her a lot of effort and headache. It also sounds lazy, yes, but more likely, it sounds like someone who's got some problems and wants to get other people to fix them for her. Problem One: Impeachment won't work. First, it looks vindictive, and Democrat already shot their bolt once. As the Wall Street Journal wrote in its Jan. 7 editorial calling on President Trump to resign (I don't agree with it, but it's a good read anyway): Democrats would have more impeachment credibility now if they hadnt abused the process in 2019. A parade of impeachers that includes Russian-collusion promoters Reps. Adam Schiff and Jerrold Nadler would repel more Americans than it would persuade. The mission would look like political revenge, not constitutional enforcement and Mr. Trump would play it as such until his last breath. Mr. Biden could gain much goodwill if he called off the impeachers in the name of stepping back from annihilationist politics. That won't win them any polling points with voters. Second, there are less than ten days left of President Trump's term, and while the House can act today and rush through another kangaroo court vote as they did last time, with no serious evidence presented, the timing of the Senate isn't so optimal. The soonest the Senate can look at this is Jan. 19, with a transition to the Democratic Party leadership on Jan. 20. That's zero time for anything to happen before Trump is out of office. All Pelosi can do is muscle through a House impeachment resolution less than a year from her last one, and then a long delay in the Senate. Why, again, is she rushing this, then? Why not have the House wait, same as the Senate? The rush to impeach is actually a signal of her party's desperation. She knows she isn't going to get Trump out. Adding fat to the fire, she also knows that Trump's approval numbers soared during the Democrats' last impeachment fiasco a year ago, once the bogus caper fell through. That left the Democrats' move a waste of time, just a self-stroking virtue-signal. Now she's trying to save face by saying the timeline has moved: the House will bolt to impeach, even faster than they did last time, while the Senate will take...100 days to even start. She'd probably been hearing from Biden, who did have a meeting with her, and learned from him that he didn't want to have the first days of his term all focused news-wise on Trump. Biden wanted the headlines to be focused on himself as president, with the Congress operating in concord. So now her Democrats are leaking out this: But senior House Democrats say that the party may not send any articles of impeachment to the Senate until after Mr Biden's first 100 days in office. That would allow Mr Biden to confirm his new cabinet and kick-start key policies including tackling coronavirus something that would have to wait if the Senate had already received the impeachment articles. Constitutional experts are split on whether impeachment can proceed to a Senate trial after a president has left office. But 100 days is a long time in politics. The public mood may be very different after Democrats approve tax hikes, see the economy tank, dole out reparations, see the border surge come, hand out free health care to illegals, enact regulations, target energy production, see Iran rampage, and other unpopular events that will happen as Democrats begin implementing their agenda. But kicking the can to Day 100, for a pointless impeachment on a man out of power that probably can't even be legally done, can only signal vengeful vindictiveness to voters. It's bound to be unpopular, if not illegal, and the aim of halting Trump from running from office is what third-world dictatorships do to dissidents. Just ask Nicolas Maduro. The Venezuelan Marxist dictator does that so much that it's his modus operandi. An act like that can't redound well to Pelosi. Pelosi, though, is generally indifferent to what voters think, even if it hurts her own moderate Democrats. She's riding a tiger with barking jackals such as Reps. Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez baying for Trump blood all around her. She can't afford to displease them, so off she goes with another hopeless impeachment that is virtually certain not to take Trump from power. It's an impeachment she can't win. An ouster that won't happen. A litany of scraps for the jackals 100 days down the road, with no one sure what the public mood will be. This one will fall apart, too, and take Democrats down with it. With just days left in office, President Trump can only gain from another failed impeachment, making Democrats look like two-time losers in the eyes of voters. This isn't strength. Pelosi implicitly admitted how bad her position is, poised to become a two-time loser on impeachment in her 60 Minutes interview. It's pathetic. Image credit: CBS 60 Minutes via shareableYouTube video, screen shot. He received a manuscript for the first book and managed to sell it to Bloomsbury The literary agent who launched JK Rowling to international stardom has passed away, his representatives said last night. Christopher Little, 79, was credited with finding a publisher for Rowling's first novel, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, in 1996 after 12 major companies had turned it down. Rumour has it that Miss Rowling, then a poor 29-year-old single mother, picked Mr Little from a list of literary agents because he sounded like a character from a children's book. Christopher Little, 79, was credited with finding a publisher for Rowling's first novel, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, in 1996 He received a manuscript for the first book and managed to sell it to Bloomsbury for 2,500. In 2007 Mr Little recalled: 'I wrote back to JK Rowling within four days of receiving the manuscript. I thought there was something really special there, although we could never have guessed what would happen to it.' He would go on to reap millions of pounds as a result of the series' extraordinary international success. However, his relationship with Miss Rowling soured in 2011 when she decided to part company with his agency. At the time, a spokesman for his agency said he was 'disappointed and surprised' with the move but that he 'greatly admires her'. Mr Little's death was confirmed by a spokesman for his agency last night. Two lights should be added to street light poles its single lanterns according to a Laois councillor but county hall has said installing extra lights on poles does not comply with health and safety. Cllr Aisling Moran called on Laois County Council to consider the erection of three arms on each pole for public lights to increase the quality of lighting and improve the effectiveness. In a motion to the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting in December, she also proposed that the council consider the possibility of a system where a box could be wound down to make it easier to replace bulbs in street lights. Fahran Nasiem, Acting Senior Executive Engineer at Road Design, replied in writing. There are design standards and specifications for the installation of street lights which we follow. The type of lanterns and poles are selected using best practice and lighting guidelines. Installation additional lanterns on existing poles will not comply with lighting design and health and safety requirements, he said. She inquired as to what could happen in the future because the street lights are not providing sufficient lighting. You are in darkness. With three or two arms or even two it gives more light, she claimed. She added that a simpler method of changing lights would mean faster repairs. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson watches first responder Caroline Cook receiving an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) The U.K. opened seven mass vaccination centers Monday as it moved into the most perilous moment of the COVID-19 pandemic, with exhausted medical staff reeling under the pressure of packed hospitals and increasing admissions. England's chief medical officer, Dr. Chris Whitty, warned people to strictly follow measures to prevent the spread of the virus while they wait their turn for a vaccine shot. The government is trying to vaccinate some 15 million people by Feb. 15but Britain's National Health Service is struggling to treat those who are ill now. "I think everybody accepts that this is the most dangerous time we've really had in terms of numbers into the NHS,'' Whitty told the BBC. People in the U.K. already face severe coronavirus restrictions but political leaders are considering tightening the rules further as a new, more transmissible variant of COVID-19 aggravates the health care crisis. Leaders want to vaccinate the country out of the crisis, but with hospitals under siege, they must persuade the public to take prevention methods more seriously. "We don't rule out taking further action if it's needed, but it's your actions now that can make a difference: Stay at home!" Health Secretary Matt Hancock said during a press conference Monday. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks to Hazel and John Watson at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) Britain, with over 81,000 dead, has the deadliest virus toll in Europe and the number of hospital beds filled by COVID-19 patients has risen steadily for more than a month. English hospitals are now treating 55% more COVID-19 cases than during the first peak of the pandemic in April. "Everybody knows what they need to do. And I think that's the key thingminimize the number of contacts," Whitty said. England last week entered a third national lockdown that closed all nonessential shops, schools, colleges and universities for at least six weeks. The lockdown is slightly looser than the one in the spring with many more workplaces and businesses open, but police across the country have issued fines for breaking rules that require people to stay home except for essential reasons such as exercise or grocery shopping. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks to Hazel and John Watson at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative government hopes the restrictions will reduce the strain on the NHS while it ramps up a nationwide mass vaccination program using vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and a second from Oxford-AstraZeneca. A third vaccine that has been approved for use, by Moderna, won't arrive until the spring. Seven large-scale vaccination centers are opening, joining around 1,000 other sites across the country, including ones at hospitals, general practitioners' clinics and drugstores. At one vaccination center in Stevenage, north of London, medical workers administering shots described the mood as marked by relief and joy. "They've been quite emotional actually, really pleased that there is some hope at the end of this tunnel, this very long tunnel for everybody," said Caroline Shepherd, clinical expert for immunizations at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. "A few people (were) quite teary, saying 'I'm really pleased to be here, thank you so much, we're really grateful for the NHS.'" A Covid-19 AstraZenaca vaccine is prepared at the NHS Nightingale facility at the Excel Centre, London, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jeremy Selwyn/Pool via AP) People wait in line for their injection of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at the mass vaccination centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. The centre is one of the seven mass vaccination centres that opened Monday as the government continues to ramp up the coronavirus vaccination programme. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Medical staff treat an arriving patient at the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) A volunteer carries chairs at the NHS Nightingale facility at the Excel Centre, London, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jeremy Selwyn/Pool via AP) People queuing to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS Nightingale facility at the Excel Centre, London, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jeremy Selwyn/Pool via AP) People queuing to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS Nightingale facility at the Excel Centre, London, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jeremy Selwyn/Pool via AP) Colleen York receiving a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS Nightingale facility at the Excel Centre, London, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jeremy Selwyn/Pool via AP) Medical staff treats an arriving patient at the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks to staff during a visit to the mass public vaccination centre in Bristol, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The government has opened seven mass public vaccination centres across the nation to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) Medical staff treat an arriving patient at the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Health Secretary Matt Hancock meets staff during a visit to the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up in the grounds of the horse racing course at Epsom in Surrey, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP) Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, listens during a visit to the mass public vaccination centre in Bristol, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The government has opened seven mass public vaccination centres across the nation to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up in the grounds of the horse racing course at Epsom in Surrey, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP) Health Secretary Matt Hancock meets a patient after being vaccinated during a visit to the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up in the grounds of the horse racing course at Epsom in Surrey, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP) Ambulances queue outside the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) People wait to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up at Millennium Point centre in Birmingham, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The centre is one of the seven mass vaccination centres now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jacob King/Pool via AP) Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up in the grounds of the horse racing course at Epsom in Surrey, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The center is one of the seven mass vaccination centers now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP) Ambulances are parked outside the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) People wait to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the NHS vaccine centre that has been set up at Millennium Point centre in Birmingham, England, Monday Jan. 11, 2021. The centre is one of the seven mass vaccination centres now opened to the general public as the government continues to ramp up the vaccination programme against Covid-19. (Jacob King/Pool via AP) Ambulances are parked outside the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) A queue of people wait in line for their injection of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at the mass vaccination centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. The centre is one of the seven mass public vaccination centres that opened Monday as the government continues to ramp up the coronavirus vaccination programme. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Ambulances are parked outside the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Ambulances are parked outside the Royal London Hospital in London, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 during England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. The government has imposed a national lockdown while allowing schools to open, with freedom to exercise and shop for food and essential items.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Nearly 2.3 million people in the U.K. have received a COVID-19 vaccine so far. The government's goal is to vaccinate the most vulnerable by mid-February, targeting people over 70, front line healthcare workers, nursing home residents and staff and others who are especially vulnerable. That will protect the people who account for almost 90% of coronavirus-related deaths and may allow restrictions to be eased, the government says. "(But) we cannot be complacent,'' Johnson said during a visit to a vaccination center in Bristol. "The worst thing now would be for us to allow the success in rolling out a vaccine program to breed any kind of complacency about the state of the pandemic." 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. Sorry! This content is not available in your region [January 11, 2021] Accenture Acquires Real Protect, Brazil-Based Information Security Company Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Real Protect, a privately held, Brazil-based provider of managed security and cyber defense services (MSS), extending its cybersecurity presence and capabilities in Latin America. Financial terms were not disclosed. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005089/en/ Accenture acquires Real Protect (Graphic: Business Wire) Founded in 2005, Real Protect is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro and has an office in Sao Paulo. Powered by two security operation centers, its managed security services business provides custom and packaged solutions to clients across Brazil. ?The company's portfolio also includes threat monitoring, detection and incident-response capabilities, which will complement Accenture's managed detection and response offerings. "According to Accenture's research, Brazil continues to be a hotspot for cybercrime, which we estimate could cost companies more than US$100 billion in lost revenues by 2023," said Kelly Bissell, who leads Accenture Security globally. "The acquisition of Real Protect is a natural complement to our existing Managed Security Services business, which offers tailored industry-focused solutions to help clients rapidly anticipate, detect and respond in real time to cyber threats. We welcome Real Protect to Accenture and are excited about what we can achieve together to help organizations be more resilient." Real Protect's approximately 90 cybersecurity professionals, who serve a variety of clients in the healthcare, energy, oil & gas, and financial services industries, will join Accenture Security's global workforce of nearly 7,000 professionals. Real Protect CEO Daniel Lemos will lead Accenture's Managed Security Services business in Latin America. "We are excited to join Accenture? and tap into their breadth of MSS capabilities, building on the success we have achieved in our business to date," said Lemos. "Together, our shared commitment to providing market-leading cybersecurity solutions positions us well to drive growth in the adoption of these services in Brazil and across Latin America." Real Protect was the first in Latin America to receive the international unified certification standard by the MSP Alliance (News - Alert) , the world's largest industry association and certification body for cloud computing and managed services professionals. "Brazil is home to a variety of cybercriminal groups with specific tactics, which is a cyber threat that can be tackled with specialized Brazilian cyber defense and incident response specialists," said Paulo Ossamu, Accenture Technology Lead for Latin America. "Real Protect will bring this expertise to complement our teams all over the region and enhance our commitment to help secure our clients' businesses across their entire ecosystems in Latin America." Accenture became one of the leading global providers of managed security services as a result of its January 2020 acquisition of Symantec's Cyber Security Services business, then further strengthened its cyber defense capabilities through its acquisitions of Context Information Security/a> and Revolutionary Security in March and April 2020, respectively. 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. Accenture Security is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including advanced cyber defense, applied cybersecurity solutions and managed security operations. We bring security innovation, coupled with global scale and a worldwide delivery capability through our network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Helped by our team of highly skilled professionals, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Follow us @AccentureSecure on Twitter (News - Alert) or visit us at www.accenture.com/security. This document makes descriptive reference to trademarks that may be owned by others. The use of such trademarks herein is not an assertion of ownership of such trademarks by Accenture and is not intended to represent or imply the existence of an association between Accenture and the lawful owners of such trademarks. Copyright 2021 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture, and its logo are trademarks of Accenture. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Many of the following risks, uncertainties and other factors identified below are, and will be, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been significantly adversely affected and could in the future be materially adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company's services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; if Accenture is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture could face legal, reputational and financial risks if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue to expand in its key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key alliance partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture's results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; Accenture might be unable to access additional capital on favorable terms or at all and if the company raises equity capital, it may dilute its shareholders' ownership interest in the company; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005089/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. ATLANTA, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeBrite, an acclaimed national hospital, laboratory, and research and development company, strives to increase COVID-19 testing in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama as the pandemic continues. Its affiliates LifeBrite Hospital Group and Better to Know work together to provide on-site and mobile testing. Test collection is available at hospitals, healthcare provider offices, and places of employment. Christian Fletcher, CEO of LifeBrite, continues dedicating his career to improving community health in urban and rural areas. He sees expanding COVID-19 testing as an opportunity for LifeBrite to rise to the moment and further fulfill its mission to ensure that quality care and ancillary health service offerings are available to all regardless of geographical location. "Our primary concern is meeting the healthcare needs of the communities we serve," says Fletcher. "In the midst of the COVID-19 era, testing is paramount. We're incredibly grateful to have access to multiple resources, which allows us to provide increased testing opportunities and quicker results. We are fortunate that our hospitals are located in prime opportunity areas to provide testing in areas that are often overlooked." LifeBrite and its affiliates administer thousands of COVID-19 and RPP tests weekly. To date, they have administered more than 200,000 tests. They employ RT-PCR tests, which experts cite as the most reliable for diagnostics. LifeBrite's Better to Know division spearheads the mobile COVID-19 testing efforts. Its representatives travel to businesses, colleges, places of worship, and other locales throughout the Southeast to host testing drives. Additionally, LifeBrite Hospital Group offers testing at LifeBrite Community Hospital of Stokes in Danbury, North Carolina and LifeBrite Community Hospital of Early in Blakely, Georgia. All COVID-19 patient samples are processed at LifeBrite's state-of-the-art laboratory in Atlanta. It provides location-based servicing and continues working to increase turnaround time. This includes operating on Saturdays. "Since we already had the instrumentation, staff, and knowledge of the processes, LifeBrite had the ability to act fast and ramp up testing quickly. As a result, we offer a more stable and reliable testing source." For more information visit: BetterToKnow.com, LifeBriteHospitalGroup.com, and LifeBriteLabs.com. About LifeBrite Laboratories LifeBrite Laboratories is an accredited medical laboratory based in Atlanta, Georgia. We provide laboratory testing services including toxicology, chemistry testing, and molecular pathology. In addition to delivering results, we work with health care professionals to implement cost-effective medication monitoring solutions. LifeBrite Laboratories was voted the best lab in Atlanta 2016-2020. Our laboratory serves healthcare organizations across the United States. Whether your practice is primary care, pain management, substance abuse recovery or OB/GYN, we can provide the information needed for the diagnosis and treatment of each patient. The LifeBrite Laboratories team handles every sample with the utmost care and provides outstanding customer service, while working to deliver accurate results in a timely manner. Contact: Jon Waterhouse | Lenz, Inc. 678.770.9561 [email protected] SOURCE LifeBrite Related Links https://lifebritelabs.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 Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-30920 According to this study, over the next five years, the Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine business, shared in Chapter 3. This Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine market by type, application, key manufacturers, key regions, and countries. The key manufacturers covered in this report: Breakdown data in Chapter 3. AGCO Corporation GEA Big Dutchman Kuhn Delaval Holding TAD Others To inquire about report customization, feel free to reach out to our team of expert analysts @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-30920 This study considers the Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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. Basic Systems Complete System Segmentation by application: breakdown data from 2015 to 2020, in Section 2.4; and forecast to 2025 in section 11.8. Poultry Swine Fish Ruminants Equine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-30920 Research Objectives To study and analyze the global Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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 Automatic Animal Feeding Machine 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-automatic-animal-feeding-machine-market-report-industry-trends-growth-business-challenges-analysis-2020-2025/ Three Mayfield Women Face Kidnapping, Meth Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff GRAVES COUNTY - A Mayfield woman was arrested Sunday night on kidnapping and assault charges, and two others are facing methamphetamine charges.The Graves County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a home on Central Road where the victim said she was assaulted and dragged by the hair inside the home, threatened and forced to stay.During a search of the home, deputies allegedly found methamphetamine, various other drugs and drug paraphernalia. Deputies arrested 47-year-old Stephanie Thomas, 28-year-old Emily Wood and 27-year-old Lauren Munsell, all of Mayfield.Thomas is charged with kidnapping, 4th degree assault and 3rd degree terroristic threatening. Wood and Munsell were each charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.All three were lodged in the Graves County Jail. India has struggled long and hard to industrialise and turn into a developed, high-income and prosperous economy like the US, many European countries, Japan, South Korea and others but has consistently failed. In 1950-51, industry contributed 11.1% to national income (GDP) - as per the 2004-05 GDP series, constant prices - and 9.3% to employment (EPW, December 3, 1966). Manufacturing, its main component (others being mining and utilities), contributed 8.9% to national income (GDP) and 8.8% to employment. More than seven decades later, their contributions have improved, but not significantly, and are confined to a very narrow band, nowhere close to those of industrialised nations. Poor contribution to GDP and employment The following graph maps the share of industry and its main component, manufacturing, in the GDP (national income) since 1950-51. Industry's share of GDP never touched 25%; manufacturing's share never touched 20%. The rest 75% or more of the national income (GDP) comes from agriculture and services - the most neglected sectors of the Indian economy. The services sector virtually grew on its own to contribute more than 60% to the GDP. (For more read "Rebooting Economy 56: Why India should follow agricultural development-led industrialisation growth model ") When it comes to employment, it is even worse. The industry's contribution never touched 14%, peaking at 13.1% in FY05, and manufacturing peaking at 12.2% in the same fiscal. The rest 86% or more comes from agriculture and services - which never received the attention and care that industry has. The first two graphs demonstrate how India's economic policies have spectacularly failed to make India a developed and prosperous economy, even in the post-1980 reform era. Make no mistake, industry has been pampered for decades through policy supports; virtually free land, mines and minerals (until the Supreme Court intervened in 2013 and asked for auctioning of natural resources after the 2G scam); tax cuts, tax holidays and fiscal stimulus; liberal bank credits/liquidity infusion and routine write-off of loan defaults (NPAs) etc. The primary policy focus continues firmly on industry, particularly on manufacturing. Growth without jobs There is a good case for promoting manufacturing though, because that is how industrialised countries grew rich and prosperous. The last plan (12th Five-Year Plan) of the erstwhile Planning Commission, which was released in 2013, made its case for boosting manufacturing through the following two graphs. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 55: Farmer producer organisations best bet for small, marginal farmers The first shows the growth of India's manufacturing was lower than that of its GDP during 1999-2009, while the reverse was true forpost-war success storieswhich witnessed rapid industrialisation. The second shows the share of India's manufacturing stuck at about 15% of its GDP, which is considerably lower than the others (double or more than that in China, South Korea and Thailand). The 12thPlan acknowledged the manufacturing's failure, particularly in providing employment, which, it said, saw a decline in absolute terms from 55.8 million to 50.7 million (loss of 5 million jobs) between 2004-2005 and 2009-10, although, the total employment during this period had grown from 457.5 million to 460 million (gain of 2.76 million). This was the genesis of the infamous "job-less growth" narrative during the UPA-II because those were the years when India's growth was at its peak. During this period, the GDP growth was an annual average of 6.9%, as per the 2011-12 GDP series and 8% as per the 2004-05 series (both at constant prices). Manufacturing growth was also robust then - 10% growth in manufacturing-GVA as per the 2011-12 GDP series and 6% growth in manufacturing-GDP as per the 2004-05 series (both at constant prices). When the Planning Commission released a fresh datasheet on sector-wise employment a year later in 2014, it turned out that the job loss in manufacturing was 7.2 million during 2004-05 and 2009-10 (from 55.77 million to 48.54 million) - more than 5 million that the 12th Plan had said. The total employment remained unchanged (from 457.5 million to 460 million) in this datasheet. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 54: Will bypassing APMC-based procurement improve farmers' income, ensure food security? Why jobs matter if economy is growing? Jobs are the primary means of redistribution of wealth. If an economy is growing and generating wealth but not creating enough jobs, it means the benefits of growth are not reaching the rest of population and the wealth is concentrating in the hands of a few. To address job-loss in manufacturing, the 12th Plan said "emphasis should be given to creation of appropriate skill sets among the rural migrant and urban poor" and raise manufacturing sector growth to 12-14% over the medium term "to make it the engine of growth". As for the industry as a whole, the 12th Plan said "architecture of the industrial policy" needs to change to boost its growth. Instead of a hands-off approach of the reform era India should learn and adopt the approach of post-war success stories (Japan, South Korea, China) in growing competitiveness and scale of their manufacturing: Close coordination between producers and government policymakers, with governments playing active role in providing incentives for domestic industrial growth and in relieving constraints on industrial competitiveness. This marked a significant change in India's approach to industry/manufacturing in the 'era of planning' that continues today. In the first few decades of India's independence, state (government) actively participated in production, exercised tight control over resources and private enterprises and then adopted import substitution policy to protect local manufacturers. In the post-reform era starting with 1980s, private enterprises were given a free hand to manufacture and trade with policy and financial incentives. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 53: Why crop insurance is losing traction in India More of the same in post-planning era After the UPA-II government was replaced with the NDA-II, the Planning Commission was dismantled, ending the era of planning - centralised or otherwise. But the old policies and practices continued. The first Economic Survey of 2014-15 of the new government acknowledged the problem of 'job-less growth' but couched it differently on the plea that long-term employment trends are difficult to interpret because of bewildering multiplicity of data sources, methodology and coverage. It said: "One tentative conclusionis that there has probably been a decline in long run employment growth in the 2000s relative to the 1990s and probably also a decline in the employment elasticity of growth: that is, a given amount of growth leads to fewer jobs created than in the past." It did, like the Planning Commission, build up a case for skilling the Indian workforce, which is largely unskilled. The new government adopted the UPA-II era National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) of 2011, which set the goal of raising manufacturing's share to 25% of the GDP, although it was re-christened and re-launched as "Make in India" in 2014 with the same stated goal. In 2019 came the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of 2017-18 (the previous one was the PLFS of 2011-12) which showed India's unemployment rate had touched 45-year high at 6.1%. Analysis of its unit-level by the Azim Premji University concluded that India had lost 9 million jobs during 2011-12 and 2017-18 and that "this (job loss) happened for the first time in India's history". Manufacturing had lost 3.2 million jobs - 37% of the total job loss of 9 million. The magnitude of the job loss would have been far greater had the services not added 17.1 million jobs. A year earlier, in 2018, the Azim Premji University had published another study that showed a clear disconnect between growth and job creation. That study said in 1970s and 1980s, when the GDP growth was 3-4%, the employment growth was 2% but since 1990s and particularly in 2000s the GDP growth had accelerated to 7% but the employment growth had slowed down to 1% or less. Why this happened or would continue to happen is known: Technological advances (automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning etc.) are rapidly displacing humans with machines for work. Also Read: Rebooting Economy 52: The unfinished agenda of land reforms nobody talks about Is India industrialising or de-industrialising? This is a basic question not many dare to ask or answer. Former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Arvind Subramanian did in his very first Economic Survey of 2014-15 mentioned earlier. In a segment titled "Expansion or Pre-mature non-Industrialisation?" Subramanian wrote that it was a stylised fact that the process of development included stages of industrialisation followed by de-industrialisation after which the services sector becomes more important. But about India, he wrote: "...the sobering fact is that India seems to be de-industrialising too (like some low-income African economies). In fact, to call the Indian phenomenon de-industrialisation is to dignify the Indian experience, which is more aptly referred to as premature non-industrialisation because India never industrialised sufficiently in the first place." To prove his point, he presented the following two graphs - one on South Korea, "a poster-child for manufacturing-led growth", and the other on India. The graph on South Korea showed a "typical shape", he wrote, that is, the share of manufacturing started very low at 5% and rose to almost 30% before starting to decline but not before a fairly high level of GDP was reached. Also read: Rebooting Economy 51: Where is India's vision, plan for sustained agriculture growth and farmers' welfare? In contrast, the pronounced U-shape of South Korean graph was missing for India, that is, the share of India's manufacturing in output and employment "had hardly changed in 30 years". The state of manufacturing in states was equally sobering even among the leaders. Some of the key findings of the 2014-15 Economic Survey were: Gujarat is the only state in which manufacturing surpassed 20% of GSDP; Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu peaked at 18-19% of their GSDP. In no state manufacturing's share of employment reached more than 6.2% in past 30 years; in Gujarat, it has been 5%. Except Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, all states have seen a decline in manufacturing share; in Maharashtra it peaked in 1980s and in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in 1990s. Manufacturing has been declining in poorer states that never effectively industrialised, like West Bengal and Bihar, they are de-industrialising. The reasons for such a situation are: (i) distortions in labour, capital and land markets and (ii) shift of manufacturing to a fairly skill-intensive activity while India has abundant supply of low-skilled labour. None of these reasons is unknown or unaddressed, but no significant impact has been noticed (the first two graphs have demonstrated). Subramanian sought to address the second part (ii) and advocated that instead of trying to revive unskilled manufacturing (which "would be history-defying achievement because there are not many examples of significant reversals of de-industrialisation") India should skill its workforce (like the 12th Plan) which "will at least ensure that future generations can take advantage of lost opportunities". Also Read: Rebooting Economy 49: Who needs corporates to run banks and how will it help Indian economy? The "Skill India" programme was launched with big fanfare in 2015 by re-christening the existing skilling programme that was kick-started during UPA-I with the establishment of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in 2008. It made big promises, set high targets but soon lost steam and is now forgotten. A visit to its website shows the programme has been reduced to a dashboard of myriad numbers with no credible achievement to show. AatmaNirbhar Bharat is no solution The only new initiative to boost industrial production is the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan launched on May 12, 2020 (FY21) at 8 pm live telecast. This programme takes India back to 1960s and 1970s when import substitution was pursued to protect local industries from global competition and ended up as a big failure: Indians were saddled with inferior goods; there was perennial shortage of supply (waiting for phones or scooters); India's goods were not competitive globally and hence export did not grow. That inward-looking, regressive policy had to be dismantled. The fate of AatmaNirbhar Bharat is unlikely to be different. (For more read " Rebooting Economy 45: What is AatmaNirbhar Bharat and where will it take India? ") Now there is an additional problem. Post-liberalisation, export has improved and Indian manufacturing is better in quality and more competitive. However, it is heavily dependent on imported inputs. Called "import intensity of export", India's export of manufacturing goods now comprises of 51% of inputs imported from abroad. Thus, import restrictions that the AatmaNirbhar entails will harm export and limit India's growth prospects. (For more read " Rebooting Economy 50: Economic reforms for whom and for what? ") What next? There is no fresh policy thinking or solution on the table to boost manufacturing or industry yet. Nobody seems to be looking for it either. Until a new policy decision is made, here is an idea to ponder over: How about giving proportionate attention to agriculture that provides the maximum employment (more than 40% of the total workforce) and services that provides the maximum income (more than 60% of GDP), instead of disproportionate attention to industry/manufacturing that has done neither in the past 70 years? Defence Minister on Monday spoke to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and enquired about the condition of Union minister Shripad Naik who was injured in a earlier in the day. Naik, the minister of state for defence, was injured in the in Karnataka and is being brought to "I am shocked and extremely saddened by the news of the Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik being injured in a I have had a conversation with the Chief Minister of Shri Pramod Sawant. The state government is properly managing the treatment of Shripadji," Singh tweeted in Hindi. Sources said Singh discussed with the Goa chief minister the option of bringing Naik to Delhi for better treatment, if required. The vehicle in which Naik was travelling met with an accident near Ankola in Uttar Kannada district, while he was returning to Goa from Dharmasthala in Karnataka, according to officials. (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.) MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- A 39-year-old Mobile, Ala., man is in custody after police say he robbed Singing River Credit Union via use of a fake bomb Friday afternoon. Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday, a white male walked into the credit union branch in Moss Point and handed a teller a note demanding money. He also had a small package which he placed on the counter, claiming it contained a bomb. The teller complied with the suspects instructions and handed the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash before he fled the scene. All those inside the credit union were evacuated and police and bomb disposal personnel arrived on the scene, determining within an hour the bomb was a fake. Witnesses were able to provide police with a description of the suspects vehicle, a white Pontiac. About 8:40 p.m. that night, Alabama Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle matching the description and took the driver -- identified as Jeremy Branch of Mobile -- into custody. Moss Point detectives traveled to Mobile to interview Branch, ultimately issuing an arrest warrant for armed robbery. Branch remains in the Mobile Metro Jail awaiting extradition. Anyone with additional information on this crime is asked to call Moss Point Det. Kim Snowden at 228-475-1711 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898. Map of the four sites where the interviews took place in the Caylloma Province of Peru. Credit: Erwin et. al, 2020 New research focuses on the fact that individuals, households, and groups within the agricultural sector of Peru often adapt in different and unequal ways to the challenges that result from the changing climate. This study promotes comprehensive solutions that do not further compound the marginality that rural Indigenous people have long faced. The authors draw on the concept of intersectionality to examine inequalities in this region. Within the framework of intersectionality, elements of social inequality, such as gender, ethnicity, age, and class, are not separate and distinct, but interacting elements which compound each other. In an interview, members of the research team told GlacierHub that they "used an intersectionality theoretical framework, understood here as the ways that different identities intersect within systems of power, to collect new perspectives from women, migrants, indigenous people, and older residents." The research suggests that the intersection of elements of social inequality can affect how people adapt to numerous social-ecological changes, such as water scarcity and crop loss. The research is part of a collaborative social science project with the Arequipa Nexus Institute, an international research partnership between Purdue University and the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa, in Peru. The findings were published last month in the journal World Development. The study authors traveled throughout Peru's Caylloma Province, conducting interviews with people who work in agriculture to gain an understanding of the different adaptation methods they use to cope with the social and environmental changes that result from the changing climate. The interviewees included small-holder farmers, commercial farmers, farmworkers, irrigators, and pastoralists from across the Province. "We analyzed the different adaptation experiences that exist across four different districts in the Caylloma Province of Peru, where communities are facing glacial melt, water scarcity, and devastating crop losses due to a rapidly changing climate," the team told GlacierHub. The team conducted 130 interviews with farmers in highland and lowland districts they selected across the Caylloma Province of Peru, including Caylloma, Madrigal, Cabanaconde, and Majes, which are all sites experiencing changing climatic and ecological conditions. A semi-structured interview style allowed the interviewers and subjects to develop open-ended conversations built on individual experiences and concerns, rather than keeping to a strict question-answer format. The team found gender, age, language and livelihood to be identities that intersect to create different adaptation outcomes. The ways that these identities intersect in an individual can decrease one's capacity to adapt to social and ecological changes like migration, climate change, loss of herds and crops, and water scarcity. Credit: Professor Peter Hopkins, Newcastle University The authors told GlacierHub that their team found that "community institutions were often catered to the needs of Spanish-speaking men who are landowners." This is a significant finding, for the majority of people in this region speak Quechua, an Indigenous language. When gender, age, language, and livelihood compound, these factors "create additional obstacles for migrants, women, and indigenous people, reducing their adaptive capacity, making them more susceptible to social ecological changes induced by climate change." Specifically, the study found that men have more options to diversify their incomes than unskilled women. This is an important advantage when it comes to adapting to changes in the agricultural sector, caused by varying climate. Women's vulnerability is essentially associated with fewer adaptation options, and programs to address vulnerabilities are often catered to the needs of men. Both men and women often diversify their income, a common adaptation practice, through agricultural labor, but men have more options to work for wages in mining, construction, and other sectors. Age was also found to impact one's ability to pursue income diversification, with both men and women over 50 facing significantly more difficulty in diversifying their income than younger individuals with similar livelihoods. Older pastoralists and farmers usually resist migrating to pursue other lines of work established by market economies and are often ignored by many firms, hindering their ability to diversify their income. Lastly, the study found that migration status and landownership intersect, impacting water access in already water scarce areas. Those who own land are given access to water for domestic and agricultural use, while those who live in informal settlements lack access, creating obstacles to adapting to social and ecological change. These challenges are currently unaddressed. Norms and social structures also reinforce these existing inequalities, making people with these identities more vulnerable to changes than other people. Therefore, they are more vulnerable to stressors, because they cannot engage in key adaptation strategies, like income diversification, policy making in community institutions, and migration. The group told GlacierHub that their findings "illuminate the need for national-scale policies that take into account the socio-economic and environmental realities of different communities within Peru." They continued, saying "these contextual policy designs could reduce root injustices and create conditions where there is less inequality both in adaptation and in socio-economic conditions more broadly." In addressing these presented obstacles using an intersectional lens, it is important to take a step further when designing adaptation programs in order to ensure that they not only meet the needs of women but also the needs of Indigenous migrants and older women. Meeting these needs could be achieved, according to the study authors, by "offering programs in Quechua and/or by redesigning community institutions to include migrants. It also means partnering with people in different spaces, like migrant organizations and women's groups, where marginalized groups have power." Intersectionality in this research is essential to understand and tackle the systems that are oppressing certain groups of people. In light of the growing global climate movement, the research touches upon the overarching question of why the fight for climate justice is truly a fight for justice itself. Poverty, political marginalization, and racial and gender oppression are injustices that create barriers to climate change adaptation for those affected most. The study authors importantly noted that, "these injustices also create challenges for entire communities, even for people who do not directly experience these injustices, because injustice creates conflict and decreases the chance of collaboration in the face of change." The research group believes that if drivers of injustice like poverty and racism can be reduced, the root issues that make marginalized groups more vulnerable to climate change can be decreased. "Using an intersectional lens could allow us to see these trends and redesign the climate movement to be more inclusive," they note. The team continued, stating "if we continue to give precedence to the same voices in the climate movement, like farmers, white people, and/or people from the Global North, we risk narrowly addressing the problem from just one perspective, further marginalizing people from the Global South and other communities that are most impacted by climate change." Explore further Empowering women could help address climate change More information: Anna Erwin et al. Intersectionality shapes adaptation to social-ecological change, World Development (2020). Anna Erwin et al. Intersectionality shapes adaptation to social-ecological change,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105282 This story is republished courtesy of Earth Institute, Columbia University http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu. 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 High care respiratory unit expanded to completely different part of the hospital to help deal with influx of cases This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 11th, 2021 Medical Director at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has described the situation at the hospital pretty hectic. He said the hospital is largely focused on medical inpatient work of which a big chunk of that is obviously focused on COVID. Dr Stanaway spoke with BBC Radio Wales this morning and said, Theres been an awful lot of rearrangement and more deployment of staff which creates a lot of issues on its own despite the flexibility that our staff show. The hospital is working under quite a lot of pressure at the minute, people are tired, people are having to get used to new working environments and that in itself makes the hospital an unusual place to work compared to what were used to. He said the hospital has had to step down elective (pre planned) surgery which has been a big disappointment to everyone in the health board, not just in the hospital. That has created a bit more feeling of stress and anxiety not least for the people who are hoping to get their surgery this week. Weve got a particular stress and pressure on our critical care unit and our high care respiratory unit which have both had to deal with rapidly increasing numbers coming through the doors. Case rates within Wrexham and Flintshire are numbers which are really quite alarming and just to put them into context, the current Welsh average rate per 100,000 is sitting at around 450 on Sundays figures Wrexham is 897 per 100k. In Wrexham, were about double the Welsh average and that puts us just behind places like London on a UK basis, thats a huge amount of disease burden within the community. Dr Stanaway said there are 125 people with Covid as inpatients currently in the hospital. He said: 14 are now sitting in critical care, receiving either what we call level two or level three care, level three being people who are technically with invasion ventilation. Weve also got 16 people in what we call our high care respiratory unit which is next door to the critical care unit. Dr Stanaway said the numbers in the high care respiratory unit have increased since Wednesday by 45%. We have so many are now on that unit weve had to expand into a completely different part of the hospital, and thats very logistically difficult for the staff and the management He said. The number of inpatients being treated for Covid has risen by nearly 117% since Christmas Eve. You can see the impact this has and the numbers if you look at the graphs, its exponential and quite a terrifying graph to look at. Asked if he fears the worst could still be yet to come Dr Stanaway said: I think weve asked ourselves that a little bit but I want to try and reassure the public the hospital and the health board are working flat out to ensure that we are at the most efficient. We have never experienced anything like this before, our team have had a tough week both mentally and physically, we are here for you and your families. Please please stay at home. @wrexham @BetsiCadwaladr pic.twitter.com/U8k1uOXRTj Itunurseswxm (@itunurseswxm) January 11, 2021 Dr Stanaway said management and clinical teams are working very much together to make sure they are ready for the next phase of what might hit us. There does come a point of course where you wonder yourself how bad will it get He said Wrexham Maelor already had 112 Covid patients admitted in the first nine days of January and it is predicted that could be around 360 by the end of the month. Compare that to April at the height of the pandemic, we had 286 people, so its a lot more. Said Dr Stanaway. The worry from the staffs point of view is how much more stretching we can go to, thats why the plea to the public is to use the hospital only if you absolutely need to. We absolutely want to see you if youre unwell, but if you can wait or seek care somewhere else such as a GP, pharmacy minor injuries unit or NHS111 then please do that to give us that little bit of headspace. Dr Stanway said he expects things to get worse before they get better and the other thing they are tackling is staff shortages due to self isolating and illness. He said: Latest figures show weve got 149 staff self isolating at the moment. That does land heavily on nurses and doctors who are very much the front line and patient facing. I will just pay absolute tribute to our staff, in all the years Ive worked for the NHS which is 27 years now, 17 as a consultant four and a bit as a medical director, the resilience, dedication and professionalism that our staff is showing is absolutely unbelievable. It makes me and a lot of all my colleagues hugely proud to be part of this effort to fight this, we have never faced what were facing before as a health service, let alone as a hospital. The way that the NHS has rallied around particularly locally is just a sight to behold but we do have to bear in mind that people are tired, people are stressed and it does put a strain on. Asked about people not following the rules and restriction which are in place to protect them and the NHS, he added, I think what people have got to realise, and I know people hear this all the time from politicians and journalists, but this virus is dangerous, it is hurting people. Weve lost a lot of people to this in Wales, across the UK and locally within Wrexham and Flintshire. I cant say strongly enough, that we will get through this, but for now people just have to play by the rules. Viruses dont spread on their own, they live in human beings, this one does anyway and it spreads from human being to human being. Yes possibly by surface contact with inanimate objects but generally it is between human beings. The new variant is hugely transmissible even compared to the old variant that we were working with up until December. If you are in contact with people you dont need to be in contact with you run the risk of spreading it, even if your practice is safe. Practises we were using before the new variant may no longer be adequate, staying home and staying away from others is the way to stop this. Youve got to take this seriously, we cant deal with this any other way. An update from the Countess of Chester Hospital was also published last night: The G7 Ambassadors Ukraine Support Group, chaired by the United Kingdom this year, will continue to support our state in implementing reforms that boost economic development for the benefit of all Ukrainians. The UK Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors Support Group in Ukraine informed this on its Twitter account on January 11. "We will continue to engage with the Ukrainian authorities, experts and civil society to support Ukraine in delivering reforms which boost economic development for the benefit of all Ukrainians. This will include improvement of the investment climate, promoting equitable development, eliminating corruption, and strengthening the rule of law and transparency," the report reads. The diplomats promised to share their full list of priorities for 2021 later this month. As Ukrinform reported, the G7 Ambassadors called for the continuation of corporate governance reforms of Ukraine's state-owned company Ukroboronprom. ish It might be hard to find even a budget desktop graphics card at MSRP these days, but gaming laptops are very much in style and in stock. And today we've got a deal on a great one: Walmart is selling an HP Pavilion laptop with an Intel Core i5 CPU and an Nvidia GTX 1650 for $589Remove non-product link. That's more than $100 off the usual price and an overall fantastic deal. This gaming machine features a 15-inch 1080p display with an Intel Core i5-9300H, which is a four-core, eight-thread CPU with a base frequency of 2.4GHz and a boost to 4.1GHz. It also has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard NVMe storage. The graphics, as we mentioned earlier, are handled by an Nvidia GTX 1650. This GPU is good for entry-level performance for AAA titles, as well as solid performance for e-sports and older games. For ports, it has one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C, three standard USB 3.1 Gen 1, a media card reader, Ethernet, and HDMI. HP says you can expect about 8 hours of battery life with mixed usage or up to 5.5 hours of wireless video streaming. All said this is a very good little laptop for under $600, especially when you consider that Nvidia GTX 1650 are selling for as much as $250. [Today's deal: 15-inch HP Pavilion with an Nvida GTX 1650 for $589 at WalmartRemove non-product link] ALMA captures distant colliding galaxy dying out as it loses the ability to form stars Galaxies begin to "die" when they stop forming stars, but until now astronomers had never clearly glimpsed the start of this process in a far-away galaxy. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), in which the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is a partner, astronomers have seen a galaxy ejecting nearly half of its star-forming gas. This ejection is happening at a startling rate, equivalent to 10 000 Suns-worth of gas a year -- the galaxy is rapidly losing its fuel to make new stars. The team believes that this spectacular event was triggered by a collision with another galaxy, which could lead astronomers to rethink how galaxies stop bringing new stars to life. "This is the first time we have observed a typical massive star-forming galaxy in the distant Universe about to 'die' because of a massive cold gas ejection," says Annagrazia Puglisi, lead researcher on the new study, from the Durham University, UK, and the Saclay Nuclear Research Centre (CEA-Saclay), France. The galaxy, ID2299, is distant enough that its light takes some 9 billion years to reach us; we see it when the Universe was just 4.5 billion years old. The gas ejection is happening at a rate equivalent to 10 000 Suns per year, and is removing an astonishing 46% of the total cold gas from ID2299. Because the galaxy is also forming stars very rapidly, hundreds of times faster than our Milky Way, the remaining gas will be quickly consumed, shutting down ID2299 in just a few tens of million years. The event responsible for the spectacular gas loss, the team believes, is a collision between two galaxies, which eventually merged to form ID2299. The elusive clue that pointed the scientists towards this scenario was the association of the ejected gas with a "tidal tail". Tidal tails are elongated streams of stars and gas extending into interstellar space that result when two galaxies merge, and they are usually too faint to see in distant galaxies. However, the team managed to observe the relatively bright feature just as it was launching into space, and were able to identify it as a tidal tail. Most astronomers believe that winds caused by star formation and the activity of black holes at the centres of massive galaxies are responsible for launching star-forming material into space, thus ending galaxies' ability to make new stars. However, the new study published today in Nature Astronomy suggests that galactic mergers can also be responsible for ejecting star-forming fuel into space. "Our study suggests that gas ejections can be produced by mergers and that winds and tidal tails can appear very similar," says study co-author Emanuele Daddi of CEA-Saclay. Because of this, some of the teams that previously identified winds from distant galaxies could in fact have been observing tidal tails ejecting gas from them. "This might lead us to revise our understanding of how galaxies 'die'," Daddi adds. Puglisi agrees about the significance of the team's finding, saying: "I was thrilled to discover such an exceptional galaxy! I was eager to learn more about this weird object because I was convinced that there was some important lesson to be learned about how distant galaxies evolve." This surprising discovery was made by chance, while the team were inspecting a survey of galaxies made with ALMA (https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ teles-instr/ alma/ ) , designed to study the properties of cold gas in more than 100 far-away galaxies. ID2299 had been observed by ALMA for only a few minutes, but the powerful observatory, located in northern Chile, allowed the team to collect enough data to detect the galaxy and its ejection tail. "ALMA has shed new light on the mechanisms that can halt the formation of stars in distant galaxies. Witnessing such a massive disruption event adds an important piece to the complex puzzle of galaxy evolution," says Chiara Circosta, a researcher at the University College London, UK, who also contributed to the research. In the future, the team could use ALMA to make higher-resolution and deeper observations of this galaxy, enabling them to better understand the dynamics of the ejected gas. Observations with the future ESO's Extremely Large Telescope could allow the team to explore the connections between the stars and gas in ID2299, shedding new light on how galaxies evolve. ### More information This research was presented in the paper "A titanic interstellar medium ejection from a massive starburst galaxy at z=1.4" to appear in Nature Astronomy (doi: 10.1038/s41550-020-01268-x). The team is composed of A. Puglisi (Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University, UK and CEA, IRFU, DAp, AIM, Universite Paris-Saclay, Universite Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, CNRS, France [CEA]), E. Daddi (CEA), M. Brusa (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Universita di Bologna, Italy and INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna, Italy), F. Bournaud (CEA), J. Fensch (Univ. Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ. Lyon 1, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon, France), D. Liu (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Germany), I. Delvecchio (CEA), A. Calabro (INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma, Italy), C. Circosta (Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, UK), F. Valentino (Cosmic Dawn Center at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen and DTU-Space, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark), M. Perna (Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB, CSIC-INTA), Departamento de Astrofisica, Spain and INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Italy), S. Jin (Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias and Universidad de La Laguna, Dpto. Astrofisica, Spain), A. Enia (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Universita di Padova, Italy [Padova]), C. Mancini (Padova) and G. Rodighiero (Padova and INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Italy). ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of ESO, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its Member States, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). ALMA construction and operations are led by ESO on behalf of its Member States; by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), on behalf of North America; and by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) on behalf of East Asia. The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides the unified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA. Links Contacts Annagrazia Puglisi Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University Durham, United Kingdom Email: annagrazia.puglisi@durham.ac.uk Emanuele Daddi Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA) Saclay, France Email: edaddi@cea.fr Chiara Circosta Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London London, UK Email: c.circosta@ucl.ac.uk Barbara Ferreira ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6670 Cell: +49 151 241 664 00 Email: pio@eso.org This story has been published on: 2021-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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. Nitin Gadkari takes on Congress for its guarantee to nullify CAA in Assam if voted to power Instead of just 1, more firms should be allowed to make vaccines: Gadkari After saying more firms should be allowed to make vaccination, Gadkari clarifies Need to place regulator as big street, cement firms operating as a cartel: Gadkari India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mumbai, Jan 11: Big players in the steel and cement industry are indulging in cartelisation to jack-up prices, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has said, pitching to place a regulator for the sectors. It will be difficult to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of making India a USD 5 trillion economy if the steel and cement prices keep going up, Gadkari said, pointing out the target of investing Rs 111 lakh crore on infrastructure projects in the next five years to aid the economy. It can be noted that allegations of such cartelisation have been made in the past as well, especially by the real estate industry, which is impacted through higher input prices because of it. Rs 28k crore industry development initiative for J&K likely to get Cabinet nod today "Regarding steel and cement, this is really a problem for all of us Actually, I feel this is a cartel by some big people are doing in cement and steel," Gadkari said while speaking at a virtual event organised by the Builders Association of India on Saturday. The minister said he has discussed the issue with the Prime Minister and had a lengthy discussion on it with the Principal Secretary in the PMO as well. Stating that all the players in the steel industry have their own iron ore mines, and do not have to face any hikes in labour or power rates, he wondered how the steel industry has been hiking prices. He said the cement industry is exploiting the situation by hiking up the prices, and underlined that the stance of both the industries is not in the national interest, given the infrastructure spends lined up. "We are in the process of finding out the solution for that. Your (BAI's) one of the recommendations is for a regulator for steel and cement, which is also a good suggestion. I will look into it," Gadkari said. The minister, however, conceded that having a regulator is not in his hands and promised to speak with the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister to get the proposal moving. SC SLAMS Centre: Stay farm laws or we will do it | Oneindia News " It is also one of the important issues where I am also very much worried about," he reiterated. As per an official statement, BAI also requested for a mechanism for the early release of bills against the government contracts, streamlining in GST implementation, and royalty payment to be taken care by the state governments during the meeting with the minister. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2021, 11:33 [IST] MARLBOROUGH, Massachusetts, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioFocus, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib), announced today that it has expanded its existing French distribution partnership agreement with MicroPort CRM in France to include both Spain and Portugal. "We are pleased to be represented by MicroPort CRM in France and have been very impressed by MicroPort's launch of HeartLight X3," said Burke T. Barrett, Chief Executive Office & President of CardioFocus. "Based on the success in France, we believe MicroPort will achieve rapid HeartLight X3 adoption in both Spain and Portugal." "We are convinced our collaboration in Europe with CardioFocus is a win-win partnership," said Philippe Wanstok, SVP Global Sales and Marketing at MicroPort CRM. "The HeartLight X3 ablation system is the perfect complement to our MicroPort EP range of catheters and Columbus 3D imaging system. Innovation leading to simplifying AFib ablation procedures, while gaining in efficiency, is key to success." "The precision of the HeartLight X3's laser technology is truly remarkable," said Dr. Jean-Marc Sellal, from the University Hospital of Nancy. "The HeartLight X3 System has become my tool of choice for pulmonary vein isolation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. It allows the cells responsible for the arrhythmia to be destroyed very effectively while preserving the surrounding atrial tissue." More than 33 million patients worldwide suffer from AFib,1 which has been associated with significant symptoms, functional impairment, stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure, and reduced longevity. In Europe alone, it is estimated that the number of patients may rise up to 17 million by 20302. In 2019, European CE Mark approval for the next-generation HeartLight X3 System was obtained. Extensive clinical studies of the HeartLight System and the new HeartLight X3 System demonstrated that AFib patients can be treated quickly and with excellent procedure time predictability3. During the pivotal confirmatory study of 60 patients, the HeartLight X3 System achieved very rapid pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), in as few as three minutes for a single pulmonary vein. About the HeartLight System The HeartLight X3 System is a treatment option for some patients whose Afib is insufficiently controlled with medication4. The HeartLight X3 System is a next-generation AFib ablation technology, building upon the advanced features of the HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System. The system performs pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using laser energy to create lines of scar tissue to block the abnormal electrical pathways that cause AFib. Using direct tissue visualization, titratable laser energy and compliant balloon technology, the HeartLight X3 System offers a unique RAPID mode. This third generation HeartLight X3 System offers a unique RAPID mode, which includes precise motor control that enables uninterrupted, high-speed, circumferential lesion creation under direct visual control of the physician resulting in consistently reduced procedure times5. About MicroPort CRM MicroPort CRM is a pioneering company in the field of Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), whose world headquarters are in Clamart, France. Through our long-standing expertise in CRM, MicroPort CRM develops, manufactures and markets around the world cardiac pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization systems and ECG diagnostic solutions for the management of cardiac rhythm disorders and heart failure. MicroPort CRM also distributes the Electrophysiology and Coronary Stents products of the MicroPort group in Europe. For more information, please visit www.microport.com. About CardioFocus, Inc. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Marlborough, MA, CardioFocus is a medical device innovator and manufacturer dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common heart arrhythmia. The HeartLight balloon catheter, endoscope, sheath, console and balloon fill media are all manufactured in the USA. For more information, visit www.CardioFocus.com . 1 Chugh SS, Havmoeller R, Narayanan K, et al.; Worldwide Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: A Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Circulation. 2014 Feb 25;129(8):837-47. 2 Zoni-Berisso, Massimo et al. "Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: European Perspective." Clinical Epidemiology 6 (2014): 213-220. PMC. Web. 25 July 2017. 3 X3 total procedure time was statistically significantly shorter than the original HeartLight and irrigated radiofrequency ablation (RF) ablation based on a comparison to the original HeartLight pivotal study (historical control). 4 In the United States, the HeartLight System is indicated to treat drug refractory, symptomatic, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib). 5 Predictability is determined by the standard deviation of the procedure time. Contact: Helen Winkler 1-949-606-2008 helen@bentoncommunications.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/412298/CardioFocus_Logo.jpg The much-awaited cabinet expansion would take place soon, hinted Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa after meeting the ruling BJP's national leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Sunday. "There was a detailed discussion on cabinet expansion. You will get good news soon," Yediyurappa told reporters after an hour-long meeting with Shah, party's national president J.P. Nadda and party's Karnataka unit in-charge Arun Singh at the Home Minister's residence in the national capital. Declining to respond to a query on leadership change as speculated due to discontent in a section of the party over his style of functioning, a defiant Yediyurappa said he was happy with the discussions, as they were positive, fruitful and satisfactory. "We will wait for instructions on cabinet expansion from the party leadership, which has assured its support to our government," asserted Yediyurappa. Speculation is rife again 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 7 vacancies in the 34-member ministry has been delayed over the months for some or other reason, including rumours over bid to replace Yediyurappa as he was 78 years. Singh, however, recently claimed that Yediyurappa would continue in the post and ruled out change in the leadership till the next state legislative assembly elections in 2023. Party sources told IANS that the cabinet expansion could take place after Shah's visit to the state next week to participate in party and official events. "Shah is due to visit Karnataka after Sankranti to meet party's state leaders in the city and unveil training centres of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Bhadravati and Hospet in the state's central region and visit the world heritage site at Hami in Ballari district," said the source. 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 December 5, 2019 by-elections, caused by their resignations in July 2019, which led to the fall of the 14-month JD-S-Congress coalition government on July 23, 2019 and return of the BJP government on July 26, 2019. The first cabinet expansion, in which 17 ministers were inducted, took place on August 20, 2019. Yediyurappa was sworn-in as BJP chief minister for the third time on July 26, 2019. The Chief Minister also discussed with Shah on the ensuing 3 by-elections in the southern state, including one for the Lok Sabha from Belagavi and 2 assembly seats from Basavakalyan in Bidar district and Maski in Raichur district in the northern region. "The leadership has asked the party's core committee to send a list of candidates for contesting in the by-polls, due to be held soon to fill their vacancies," added Yediyurappa. 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 least 23 people were killed in a police operation that took place Friday to Saturday in a poor neighborhood in Venezuela's capital Caracas, a human rights organization and local press said Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2021 ) :At least 23 people were killed in a police operation that took place Friday to Saturday in a poor neighborhood in Venezuela's capital Caracas, a human rights organization and local press said. The special forces operation occurred in the western La Vega neighborhood, according to Marino Alvarado, director of the PROVEA human rights NGO, in a post on Twitter Sunday that cited family members of the deceased, police sources and local press reports. Authorities haven't commented on the incident, which Alvarado called a "massacre." Daily newspaper Ultimas Noticias also reported 23 deaths. Special forces chief Miguel Dominguez shared videos on social media of heavily armed personnel wearing balaclavas patrolling the streets around makeshift homes typical of the slums that dot the mountainsides around Caracas. "We continue on constant patrols, obliged to guarantee our public's safety," Dominguez wrote. The South American country recorded 12,000 violent deaths in 2020, according to the Venezuelan Violence Observatory (OVV) -- a rate of 45.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, which is seven times the global average. The OVV says more than a third of those were killed by the security forces. The special forces have been accused of multiple extra-judicial killings by various rights groups. Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, has called on the Venezuelan special forces unit to be disbanded, but it has received backing from President Nicolas Maduro. This comes a day after his fans held an agitation in Chennai, in a bid to make him reverse his recent decision. The actor said he has already explained the reasons for not taking the political plunge Chennai: Top star Rajinikanth on Monday urged his fans not to organise any events insisting on him to reconsider his decision against political entry and hurt him more, saying he has already made known his position. A day after his fans held an agitation in Chennai in a bid to make him reverse his recent decision, the 70-year old actor said he has explained the reasons for not taking the much-awaited political plunge. "Kindly do not organise such events to insist that I should enter politics and make me sad more and more," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter handle. He noted that the event on Sunday was held by some people in association with several expelled office-bearers and members of Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM), once considered the precursor forum of his political party. Appreciating the organisers for maintaining discipline and decorum while conducting the event at Valluvar Kottam here, he expressed anguish that it was held violating the diktat of the high command. He conveyed his heartfelt ''thanks'' to the RMM members who did not take part in the event. A call was given largely in social media by ''fans'' urging the actor''s admirers to congregate at Valluvar Kottam, to prevail upon Rajinikanth to reconsider his decision. Organisers, apparently considered the agitation as a show of strength and hoped for a change in the actor's stand. The actor had declared on 29 December last that he would not enter politics and apologised to the people and RMM members as he made a U-turn, weeks after announcing that he would launch a party and contest assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Citing his health condition vis-a-vis the coronavirus pandemic, the actor, who underwent a renal transplant in 2016, had opted out of an innings in politics, bringing the curtain down on over two decades of expectation and speculation about his electoral plunge. Prompted by the protest seeking a reversal of decision, Rajinikanth made it clear within a fortnight that he stuck to his earlier position of ''no'' to politics. The actor had last month camped in Hyderabad to shoot for his Tamil flick ''Annathe'' when four of the crew members tested positive for coronavirus . He was hospitalised in the Telangana capital in view of fluctuations in his blood pressure. While announcing his decision not to venture into politics, he had pointed out the Hyderabad episode as a God-sent ''caution'' against foraying into politics and said only he knew the pain in going back on an earlier promise. He had then indicated he did not want to sound chivalrous by saying he will join politics despite severe health concerns and that he did not want to make his supporters "a victim". Rajinikanth's ''no politics'' announcement last month came as an anti-climax to his fans, admirers, and people who were confident of his political foray. There were others who did not expect him to launch a party and state Congress Committee President KS Alagiri had opined that Rajinikanth''s political innings was unlikely since the actor was spiritually oriented. Chad Wolf. Greg Nash/Pool via Associated Press Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of homeland security, has resigned, multiple outlets reported Monday. He is the third Cabinet secretary to leave the Trump administration after the president incited a deadly insurrection at the US Capitol last week that resulted in five deaths. Wolf condemned the violence in a statement last week, and President Donald Trump subsequently pulled his nomination for a permanent role overseeing the Department of Homeland Security. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of homeland security, announced in a letter to employees Monday that he is resigning, Fox News and NBC News reported. "I am saddened to take this step, as it was my intention to serve the Department until the end of this Administration," Wolf wrote in the letter. He is the third Cabinet secretary to depart the Trump administration in the wake of a deadly riot at the Capitol that the president incited on January 6. Transportation secretary Elaine Chao and education secretary Betsy DeVos also announced their resignations in the days following the insurrection. Wolf condemned the violence, saying in a statement last week: "We now see some supporters of the President using violence as a means to achieve political ends. These violent actions are unconscionable, and I implore the President and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that took place yesterday." Wolf also pledged to stay on at the department until President-elect Joe Biden was inaugurated, saying, "I will remain in my position until the end of the Administration to ensure the Department's focus remains on the serious threats facing our country and an orderly transition to President-elect Biden's DHS team." Shortly after his statement was released, the White House announced that Trump had withdrawn Wolf's nomination to be the permanent Department of Homeland Security secretary. Story continues Other officials who resigned after Wednesday's chaos include the former White House press secretary and first lady Melania Trump's chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham; deputy White House press secretary Sarah Matthews; deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger; White House social secretary Rickie Niceta; the US's special envoy to Northern Ireland and former White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney; and other officials from the Commerce Department and National Security Council. CNN reported that former national security officials called senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, and national security advisor Robert O'Brien, to urge them not to resign. The former officials reportedly said that the departures could pose serious risks to US national security during an already rocky transition period. Last week's insurrection at the Capitol sent shockwaves through the world and left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer who Trump supporters beat with a fire extinguisher as they swarmed the US Capitol. Vice President Mike Pence and senior lawmakers were immediately evacuated as security officials discovered the seriousness of the breach, while other members of Congress, Hill staffers, and reporters sheltered in place or hid behind makeshift barricades for safety. Additional footage and media reports that have come out since the siege indicated that many of the rioters were active law enforcement personnel and ex-military members with tactical training, some of whom were seen carrying zip ties that could be used to take hostages. A Reuters photojournalist said he heard three insurrectionists saying they wanted to hang Pence "from a Capitol tree," and Trump supporters also set up a gallows with a noose on Capitol grounds. Dozens of pro-Trump mob members have been arrested on federal charges since the attempted coup, including: Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., a Georgia man who threatened to "put a bullet" in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Eric Gavelek Munchel, a Tennessee man who was photographed roaming the Senate chamber wearing military gear and carrying zip ties. Larry Rendell Brock, a US Air Force veteran who was also seen on the Senate floor in a helmet and bulletproof vest, and carrying zip ties. Richard "Bigo" Barnett, a self-described white nationalist who was photographed with his feet up on Pelosi's desk after her office was broken into. Derrick Evans, a newly-elected West Virginia state lawmaker who filmed himself swarming the Capitol with other pro-Trump rioters. He has since resigned. Adam Johnson, a Florida man who was photographed carrying Pelosi's lectern out of the Capitol. Jacob Angeli, a popular QAnon influencer known as QShaman who was seen on the Senate floor with red, white, and blue face paint, a fur hat, and a spear. In the wake of the deadly riot, the US law enforcement and intelligence apparatus came under considerable scrutiny as lawmakers, security experts, and media outlets investigate how thousands of the president's supporters were able to break into the Capitol with relative ease. The New York Times reported that "poor planning and communication" played a significant part in hamstringing the response from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the DHS. The report also said that the Capitol Police reached out to DHS for additional backup but not until well after the siege was underway. Wolf's departure, meanwhile, is particularly notable given his allegiance to the president throughout his tenure. The Government Accountability Office, an independent government watchdog, said in August that Wolf was illegitimately appointed and was not eligible to serve in his current role under a 1998 law known as the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. After former Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in 2019, Trump bypassed a senior homeland security official who was legally designated to temporarily lead the agency by tapping Kevin McAleenan to be the department's acting head. Wolf's subsequent appointment to be acting chief represented an apparent continuation of the violation of the order of succession, GAO determined. Federal judges also backed up the GAO's conclusion, but the Trump administration dismissed the GAO report and the president nominated Wolf to be the permanent head of DHS in August. Beyond questions over Wolf's eligibility to lead DHS, he also generated controversy over the deployment of federal agents to Portland, Oregon, amid ongoing anti-racism protests over the summer stemming from the police killing of George Floyd. At the time, Wolf said he had the authority to deploy federal agents to US cities "whether they like us there or not." With Wolf stepping down, FEMA administrator Pete Gaynor is set to take over as acting head of Homeland Security. Expanded Coverage Module: capitol-siege-module Read the original article on Business Insider A new Covid test centre is to open in Carrick-on-Shannon this Wednesday, January 13 as cases increase. Situated at the North West Business & Technology Park, Castlecarra Rd., Carrick on Shannon, N41 D7P3 this new test centre offers free testing for anyone referred for COVID test by a GP. The test centre will commence testing as of Wednesday 13th January 2021. The test centre aims to provide a service to the population of Leitrim and will complement the well established community testing centre based at Finisklin, Sligo town. It will open on weekdays initially and opening days/ times will be reviewed regularly based on ongoing demand for testing in local area. This week 40 appointment slots will be offered each afternoon in Carrick-on-Shannon (from Wednesday). Testing capacity will be reviewed weekly and can be increased or decreased depending on local demand. Speaking about the new centre, Emma Ball, CHO 1 Primary Care General Manager, Sligo/ Leitrim says: This is part of the HSE's drive to ensure timely access to coronavirus testing in Leitrim. We continue to build our system to meet the increasing community demand, with the recruitment of dedicated testing staff and taking preventative action in our community by increasing capacity during periods of high demand. In the overall CHO1 area, 97% of people are now being offered either a same day or next day appointment for testing. Since Christmas, we have been able to offer up to 480 appointments per day for COVID-19 testing in Sligo/ Letrim. The addition of this test centre demonstrates the commitment of the HSE to provide testing in all counties of Ireland. This latest testing centre is part of the HSEs planned expansion of testing facilities to meet the rising demand for COVID-19 testing. Across the country, there are now 34 community test centres, as well as 5 pop up testing sites and mobile units for outbreak management and home testing provided by the National Ambulance Centre. People can only attend for testing if they have been referred for a test and have been texted appointment details. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face-covering throughout the test appointment (including travelling to and from the testing centre). Anyone testing positive for the virus will be contacted by HSE contact tracers to help them track their contacts. Close contacts will receive a notification by SMS that they must restrict their movements for 14 days and if they develop symptoms, they should call their GP or GP Out of Hours service and arrange a test. The HSE strongly encourages all members of the public identified as requiring a COVID-19 test to attend for their appointment. In this way, we can identify quickly those who will have contracted the virus and take steps to prevent its spread across families and community.A HSE video sets out the patient journey from swabbing through to contact tracing https://youtu.be/Nu7tVoFKieE For what to do when youre waiting for a test, when you get a result and when you need to isolate, please see here. President Donald Trump is likely to serve out his last nine days in office without being removed and will carry on with an appearance of business as usual On Monday, Trump held a private ceremony awarding ally Jim Jordan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom He plans to travel on Tuesday to the U.S.-Mexico border wall to celebrate 400 miles of wall competed On Thursday, Trump plans to award another Medal of Freedom to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick Senator Lindsey Graham held a four hour meeting with Trump on Friday where he advised the president to engage in events all week focused on policy At the same time, House Democrats are pursuing impeachment against Trump Donald Trump held a private ceremony awarding ally Jim Jordan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday as he continues to try making a show of business as usual while Democrats pursue impeachment. The president did not call the press into the room, which is standard procedure for these types of ceremonies, as he donned Jordan with the honor as he remains publicly silent for the fourth day in a row. ADVERTISEMENT Trump also plans to travel to Texas on Tuesday to visit the U.S.-Mexico border and celebrate 400 miles of wall completed during his term in a show of normal presidential actions in the nine last days. Building a wall along the southern border was one of his biggest campaign promises in 2016 to stop the flow of illegal immigration and boost national security. On Thursday, Trump is expected to award another Medal of Freedom to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Lindsey Graham spent four hours at the White House on Friday, The Washington Post reported on Monday, urging the president to participate in events throughout the week focusing more on policy. 'It's one day at a time,' the South Carolina senator and Trump ally said. 'We need to get through the next nine days and transition power.' Donald Trump held a secret ceremony Monday awarding ally Jim Jordan with Presidential Medal of Freedom The president is making a show of business as usual in his last full week in office as House Democrats pursue impeachment after accusing Trump of inciting the mob who stormed the Capitol Senator Lindsey Graham, shown being escorted by security at Regan National Airport on Friday, met with Trump at the White House for four hours Friday and advised him to participate in events focusing on policy in his last few days On Tuesday, Trump is expected to travel to Texas to celebrate 400 miles of southern wall completion at the U.S.-Mexico border Click here to resize this module Trump is also expected to award New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick with the Medal of Freedom on Thursday While Trump carries on in his final full week in office, House Democrats are moving forward with voting on articles of impeachment as even some members of the president's own party are urging him to resign. Pelosi also gave Vice President Mike Pence an ultimatum over the weekend on invoking the 25th Amendment or else impeachment proceedings would commence. Ultimately, the most likely outcome will be Trump finishing his term on January 20. Trump awarded Jordan with the highest civilian honor on Monday after the Ohio representative remained one of the president's biggest allies as he went forward with challenging the Electoral College results last Wednesday after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol. ADVERTISEMENT He was also one of Trump's most staunch defenders during impeachment hearings. Jordan signed a letter demanding Congress investigate the integrity of the presidential election after Trump sought to overturn the results. While House Democrats are moving to vote on another impeachment against Trump this week, the timeline wouldn't lend itself to getting the president out of the White House before his term is up next Wednesday. Due to that, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed in an interview with '60 Minutes' Sunday night that she would prefer if Vice President Mike Pence invoked the 25th Amendment to immediately boot Trump from office and take over as president for the last nine days. Pence has not commented publicly on that plan and has remained largely silent since presiding over certification of the election last Wednesday after thousands of pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol disrupting the proceedings for around six hours. The only other option to get Trump out of office before his end date is resignation, which is the least likely of all as the president would view quitting as losing. Jordan was one of the several dozen Republicans to carry on with objecting to the election results after the pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol Wednesday House Speaker Pelosi wrote to her Democrat colleagues on Sunday night explaining that if Vice President Mike Pence does not invoke the 25th Amendment, they will move forward with voting on impeaching Trump for a second time Pelosi told '60 Minutes' on Sunday that she wants impeachment for Donald Trump so he can't run for office in the future Pelosi said that if Pence does not force Trump out of office via the 25th Amendment, then Democrats will proceed with the impeachment of 'deranged, unhinged and dangerous' president this week. The House Speaker made the announcement in a letter to colleagues, framing it as an ultimatum to Pence. Trump could become the first president to be impeached twice. 'In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both,' she said, and added: 'The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.' ADVERTISEMENT House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday that while articles of impeachment could be drafted Monday, a vote might not take place until Tuesday or Wednesday. He also said that the House might not immediately send the articles to the Senate once a vote takes place. Clyburn, and other Democrats, want to wait until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office to send the articles to the Senate, in an effort not to start his administration off on a sour note. Pelosi said she would prefer if Pence invoked the 25th Amendment 'because it gets rid of him he's out of office' now as concerns mount that Trump could pardon the mob in his last 10 days in office Pence has not commented publicly on using the 25th and in general has remained silent since presiding over the joint session of Congress certifying the election for Joe Biden last week after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, delaying the proceedings for six hours Richard Barnett, 60, has been charged with unlawful entry Pelosi fought to contain her emotions as she told 60 Minutes how her staff cowered under desks in the dark for two hours, as a frenzied mob of Trump supporters smashed through her office. 'I think there was, universally accepted, that what happened...' she said, pausing to compose herself. 'Was a terrible, terrible violation of what - of the Capitol, of the first branch of government, the legislative branch, by the president of the United States.' Pelosi's door was smashed down, and rioters stormed her private office. 'The staff went under the table, barricaded the door, turned out the lights, and were silent in the dark,' Pelosi said, showing CBS' '60 Minutes' interviewer Lesley Stahl the damage. 'Under the table for two and a half hours,' she said. During this time in hiding, they listened to the invaders banging on that door. 'You see what they did to the mirror there? The glass was all over the place,' said Pelosi. 'They took a computer and all that stuff.' The MAGA rioter who put his feet up on Nancy Pelosi's desk was arrested along with a man who brought 11 Molotov cocktails, two handguns and an assault rifle to the Capitol on Wednesday Richard Barnett, 60, shows off a letter from Nancy Pelosi's desk which he stole Rioters draped in Trump flags are pictured rampaging through Pelosi's office 'And then the desk that they actually were at was right there that they defamed in that way, feet on the desk and all that.' One of the rioters, Richard Barnett, 60, was pictured putting his feet up on her desk. Another, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, allegedly wrote in a text to a friend that he was thinking of 'putting a bullet in [Pelosi's] noggin on Live TV'. TIMELINE OF TRUMP'S FINAL DAYS OF OFFICE Jan 10 - Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, reveals he has 200-plus co-sponsors. Jan 11 - Pelosi's leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. House Democrats are also expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. Jan 12 - A full House vote is expected on the matter on Tuesday. Jan 13- Pence and the Cabinet have until today to act. If not, the House would move forward with impeachment. Democrats plan to delay an impeachment trial for 100 days to allow Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated. Jan 20 - The inauguration; Trump leaves office and Joe Biden becomes the 46th President of the Unites States Another text allegedly reads: 'I'm gonna run that c**t Pelosi over while she chews on her gums.' According to officials, a third text from Meredith, who is a married, father-of-two, says he has 'a sh*t ton of armor piercing ammo'. Meredith is one of 13 people who have been charged with federal crimes. Pelosi told Stahl: 'The evidence is now that it was a well-planned, organized group with leadership and guidance and direction. And the direction was to go get people. 'They were vocally saying, 'Where's the speaker? We know she has staff. They're here someplace. We're going to find them.'' She, and other Democrats, further fear the president could pardon those involved in the storming of the Capitol in his final days. Pelosi's plan seeks a vote on Monday on a resolution calling on Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. Under rules when the full House is not convened, any objection would reject the resolution. Pelosi would then put the resolution before the full House on Tuesday. If it were to pass, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. With impeachment planning intensifying, two Republican senators said they want Trump to resign immediately as efforts mounted to prevent Trump from ever again holding elective office in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president's actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated on January 20. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas on Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results. 'Let's give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running,' Clyburn said. Pressure was mounting for Trump to leave office even before his term ended amid alarming concerns of more unrest ahead of the inauguration. The mob overran the Capitol Police shortly after Trump urged them to 'fight' on his behalf Police try to hold back protesters pushing into a doorway at the Capitol on Wednesday Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress A protester, who has since been identified, is pictured carrying Pelosi's lectern through the Capitol Another protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate chamber on Wednesday A protester struggles with a riot police officer outside the Capitol building after the 6pm curfew went into effect The president is accused of whipping up the mob that stormed the Capitol, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five dead. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Sunday joined his fellow Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to 'resign and go away as soon as possible.' 'I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again,' Toomey said. 'I don't think he is electable in any way.' Murkowski, who has long voiced her exasperation with Trump's conduct in office, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply 'needs to get out.' A third Republican, Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be 'very careful' in his final days in office. Corporate America began to tie its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers all Republicans who supported challenges to Biden's Electoral College win. The group 'will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy,' Kim said. Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump's effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citi's head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, 'We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law.' Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did 'is for them to decide.' President-elect of the United States Joe Biden leaves Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, DE on January 9 Murkowski said that Trump should resign, saying he had done enough damage Trump supporters, egged on by the president himself, stormed the Capitol on Wednesday House leaders, furious after the insurrection, appear determined to act against Trump despite the short timeline. Mike Pence 'has not ruled out the 25th Amendment' Mike Pence and Donald Trump have not spoken since Wednesday's uprising, CNN reported, during which pro-Trump rioters charged through the Senate looking for Pence and threatening to 'hang' him. Trump was angered by Pence telling him he was not constitutionally able to overturn the election, and lashed out at his vice president on Wednesday, telling supporters: 'Mike Pence has to come through for us. If he doesn't that will be a sad day for our country.' He later tweeted: 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.' Pence has finally 'gotten a glimpse of POTUS's vindictiveness,' one source told CNN. It is the first time the normally-loyal Pence has publicly broken with the president. CNN said that Pence has not ruled out the 25th Amendment. Invoking the 25th Amendment would require Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Trump from office due to his inability to 'discharge the powers and duties of his office' - an unprecedented step. On Thursday, sources close to the VP said it was 'highly unlikely' Pence would attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment. He has not ruled it out, however. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Senator Marco Rubio said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to 'talk about ridiculous things like 'Let's impeach a president' with just days left in office. Still, some Republicans might be supportive. Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would 'vote the right way' if the matter were put in front of him. The Democratic effort to stamp Trump's presidential record for the second time with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors. The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice. Potentially complicating Pelosi's decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did 'is for them to decide.' While some Democrats are pushing for the impeachment route, the House Speaker told '60 Minutes' in an interview that will air Sunday night that she prefers invoking the 25th Amendment because it gets Trump out of office immediately. 'There is a possibility that after all of this, there's no punishment, no consequence, and he could run again for president,' CBS' Lesley Stahl said to Pelosi in a clip released ahead of airing the full interview. 'And that's one of the motivations that people have for advocating for impeachment,' Pelosi explained. She is, however, concerned that if Trump is not booted from the White House right now, he will use his last 10 days in office to pardon those part of the mob who descended on the Capitol Wednesday or even himself and other allies. 'I like the 25th Amendment because it gets rid of him he's out of office,' Pelosi said. 'But there is strong support in the Congress for impeaching the president a second time.' 'What if he pardons himself?' Stahl asked. 'What if pardons these people who are terrorists on the Capitol?' Pelosi shot back. Congress is moving to prosecute or punish any and all they can find who were involved in the riots at the Capitol and have already found some who were pictured prominently. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday in an interview with ABC's 'This Week' that half of the members of the House were at risk of dying during the riots. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday of the pro-Trump mob descending on the Capitol House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday that Democrats will vote on impeachment this week, but said the party might wait until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office to move the articles to the Senate WHAT DOES THE 25TH AMENDMENT SAY? CAN TRUMP'S CABINET REALLY TOPPLE HIM? The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution deals with presidential authority in the event of death or removal from office, and was ratified in 1967, in the wake of John F Kennedy's assassination. What does the 25th Amendment say? It is in four sections, all dealing with the president leaving office during his or her elected term. The first section states that the vice president takes over the Oval Office if the president dies or resigns or is removed something which the original Constitution did not clearly state. Presidents of course can be removed by impeachment, a feature of the constitution from the start. They can also be removed through the 25th Amendment - of which more below. Section II states that if the vice president dies, or resigns or is fired both the House and Senate have to confirm a new vice president. Until 1967, presidents could change vice presidents mid-term on their own if they got the vice president to agree to resign - not something that actually happened, but which was possible in principle. Section III makes clear that a president can temporarily delegate his powers to the vice president, and later reclaim them when he - or she - is capable of serving. This is most often invoked if a president is under the influence of surgical anesthetic for a short period of time. Section IV is the amendment's most controversial part: it describes how the president can be removed from office if he is incapacitated and does not leave on his own. The vice president and 'a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide' must write to both the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, saying that 'the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.' The term principal officers of the executive departments would normally mean the cabinet secretaries. So at least eight of the president's 15 most senior Cabinet members together with the vice president must agree that a president should be removed before any plan can move forward. Notifying the House Speaker and the Senate president pro tempore is the act that immediately elevates the vice president to an 'acting president' role. The deposed president can contest the claim, giving the leaders of the bloodless coup four days to re-assert their claims to the House and Senate. Congress then has two days to convene unless it is already in session and another 21 days to vote on whether the president is incapable of serving. A two-thirds majority in both houses is required to make that determination. As soon as there is a vote with a two-thirds majority, the president loses his powers and is removed, and the vice president stops acting and is sworn in as president. But if 21 days of debate and votes ends without a two-thirds majority, the president gets back his powers. What could happen to trigger the 25th Amendment? Vice President Mike Pence and eight of the 15 'principal' Cabinet members would have to agree to notify Congress that President Donald Trump was incapable of running the country. That group is made up of the Secretary of State, Treasury Secretary, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Interior Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, Commerce Secretary, Labor Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretary, Transportation Secretary, Energy Secretary , Education Secretary, Veterans Affairs Secretary and Homeland Security Secretary. Their formal notification would go to the House Speaker and, in the senate, to the 'president pro tempore', the Senate's most senior member. As soon as the letter is sent, Pence would become 'acting president.' Alternatively, Congress could set up its own mechanism to decide if he is fit for office - maybe a commission, or a joint committee. Pence would still have to agree with its conclusion and then write formally to the Speaker and president pro tempore. Or another possibility is that the pool of 'principal officers' is considered to be bigger than the 15 and a majority of that group call Trump incapable. What if Trump does not agree? If Trump claims he is capable of holding office, he would write to the House Speaker and the president pro tempore of the Senate within four days, setting up three weeks of intense debate in both houses of Congress. Trump would be removed from office if both two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate agreed with Pence and his cabal. If either of both chambers fell short of that mark, Trump would retain his powers and likely embark on a wholesale housecleaning, firing Pence and replacing disloyal Cabinet members. Are there any loopholes? The 25th Amendment allows Congress to appoint its own panel to evaluate the president instead of relying on the Cabinet the men and women who work most closely with Trump to decide on a course of action. It specifies that some 'other body as Congress may by law provide' could play that role, but Pence would still need to agree with any finding that the president is incapable of discharging his duties. That commission could hypothetically include anyone from presidential historians to psychiatrists, entrusted to assess the president's fitness for office. Another loophole is that it does not spell out that the Cabinet is needed to agree, but says that the 'principal officers' of the departments are needed. That term is undefined in the constitution. In some departments legislation appears to name not just the secretary but deputies and even undersecretaries as 'principal officers', so many more people could be called in to the assessment of Trump's fitness. But Trump's cabinet has a swathe of 'acting' cabinet officer - and it is unclear if they could therefore take part in removing him. Could Trump fire Pence if he rebelled? No. The vice president can resign or be impeached and removed - but he does not serve at the pleasure of the president. Is there any precedent for this? No. Only Section III, the voluntary surrender of presidential powers, has ever been used - and only very briefly. In December 1978, President Jimmy Carter thought about invoking Section III when he was contemplating a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush both voluntarily relinquished their powers while undergoing procedures under anesthetic. Section IV has also never been invoked, although there have been claims that Ronald Reagan's chief of staff Donald Regan told his successor, Howard Baker, in 1987 that he should be prepared to invoke it because Reagan was inattentive and inept. The PBS documentary 'American Experience' recounts how Baker and his team watched Reagan closely for signs of incapacity during their first meeting and decided he was in perfect command of himself. 'If another head of state came in and ordered an attack on the United States Congress, would we say that that should not be prosecuted? Would we say that there should be absolutely no response to that?' the New York congresswoman told ABC host George Stephanopoulos. 'No,' Ocasio-Cortez asserted. 'It is an act of insurrection. It's an act of hostility. And we must have accountability, because, without it, it will happen again. 'Perhaps my colleagues were not fully present for the events on Wednesday, but we came close to half of the House nearly dying on Wednesday,' she said. Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New York Representative, agreed with AOC's points in an interview with NBC on Sunday, claiming: 'Donald Trump represents a clear and present danger to the health and safety of the American people, as well as our democracy' The representative, as well as the handful of members of her progressive 'squad', are fully on board with plans to again impeach President Trump. Clyburn said Sunday that articles have already been drawn and he is expecting a vote in the lower chamber in the coming day. 'I think that will come probably Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday, but it will happen this week,' the No. 3 House Democrat told 'Fox News Sunday' when asked about the House taking action to impeach Trump. 'The rest of the articles have been drawn up.' 'If we are the people's House, let's do the people's work and vote to impeach this president,' Clyburn continued in his interview with Fox's Chris Wallace. 'And then we'll decide later or the Senate will decide later what to do with that impeachment.' Ocasio-Cortez said 'every minute' Trump is still in office, there is a looming threat. 'I absolutely believe that impeachment should be scheduled for several reasons,' she said on Sunday. 'Our main priority is to ensure the removal of Donald Trump as president of the United States,' AOC added. 'Every minute and every hour that he is in office represents a clear and present danger, not just to the United States Congress, but, frankly, to the country.' While Democrats pursue impeachment, many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are calling for Trump to step down on his own volition to prevent Congress from having to intervene. Lawmakers were forced to evacuate the House and Senate chambers and shelter in offices or other locations on Wednesday after thousands of Donald Trump's supporters breached the Capitol and rioted through the halls There are also talks of banning Trump from running for president again in the future as speculation mounts he will pursue another run for the White House in 2024. 'In addition to removal, we're also talking about complete barring of the president or, rather, of Donald Trump from running for office ever again,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC. 'And, in addition to that, the potential ability to prevent pardoning himself from those charges that he was impeached for.' Jeffries also wants immediate action against Trump, expressing concern that the president still has 'access to the nuclear codes.' 'The goal at the present moment is to address the existential threat that Donald Trump presents at this time. Every second, every minute, every hour that Donald Trump remains in office presents a danger to the American people,' the Democrat representative said on Sunday during an interview on 'Meet the Press'. 'You know, Donald Trump may be in the Twitter penalty box, but he still has access to the nuclear codes,' Jeffries said, referencing Trump's indefinite ban from Twitter. 'That's a frightening prospect.' He added: 'Donald Trump is completely and totally out of control, and even his longtime enablers have now come to that conclusion.' Clyburn, however, said Sunday that House Democrats are weighing if they should hold off on sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate until after Joe Biden's first 100 days in office. ADVERTISEMENT This way, Democrats would allow the new president to install key members of his team and would have a new 50-50 split Senate to work with. The United States is designating the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday, after the Houthis are believed to be behind several recent attacks on oil tankers and oil facilities in the Middle East. The U.S. Department of State will notify Congress it will designate Ansarallahalso referred to as the Houthisas a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on January 19, Secretary Pompeo said. This would be the last day in office of the Trump Administration, which has been increasing pressure on Iran during its term. These designations will provide additional tools to confront terrorist activity and terrorism by Ansarallah, a deadly Iran-backed militia group in the Gulf region. The designations are intended to hold Ansarallah accountable for its terrorist acts, including cross-border attacks threatening civilian populations, infrastructure, and commercial shipping, Secretary Pompeo said in a statement. Terrorist designations of Ansarallah in Yemen confront its terrorist activity and seeks to deter further malign activity by the Iranian regime in the region, he said on Twitter. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been essentially fighting a proxy war in Yemen, where the Saudis lead a military Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in the country, while the Houthi movement, which holds the capital Sanaa, is backed by Iran. The Houthi rebels have often claimed they had hit oil infrastructure assets in Saudi Arabia, and have taken responsibility for several high-profile attacks in the region. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the September 2019 attacks on Saudi Aramcos oil facilities that cut off 5 percent of daily global supply for weeks. But Saudi Arabia and the United States have said that it was Iranand not the Houthiswho was responsible for the attack. More recently, the Houthis said in November they had fired a missile against a target in the Saudi city of Jeddah and had hit it. Back then, Saudi Arabia confirmed, via its Saudi Press Agency, that there was an explosion at the petroleum products distribution terminal in Jeddah. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.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. In a rarely seen move, a federal appeals court has removed a Baton Rouge federal district judge from the case of a convicted cocaine trafficker because the judge at three prior sentencing hearings failed to consider the local man's "extraordinary cooperation" with the government. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday threw out Broderick D. Mathes' sentence of 13 years and four months, which was twice imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick after Mathes pleaded guilty, and ordered her to reassign the case to one of her colleagues. The appellate court noted that its authority to order reassignment is an extraordinary power and should "rarely be invoked." "We do not question the good faith or integrity of the sentencing judge," the court stated. "Nonetheless, under these rare and unusual circumstances, we instruct the district court to reassign the case to another judge for resentencing." Dick said Friday it would be inappropriate for her to comment on an appeals court ruling. Mathes' attorney, Franz Borghardt, expressed respect for the judge and said she is consistently fair and just. "We feel the decision speaks for itself and we will prepare for resentencing," he added. The 5th Circuit back in 2018 tossed out the 17 1/2-year prison term that Dick initially dealt Mathes. Baton Rouge man's 17 1/2-year drug sentence tossed by appeals court that cited his cooperation A Baton Rouge man's 17 -year prison term for cocaine trafficking was thrown out Friday by a federal appeals court that cited his "extraordina The appellate court noted in its most recent ruling that Mathes, of Baton Rouge, assisted the federal government for four years by testifying against his brother, Wilbert Mathes, at his 2016 trial; arranging controlled drug purchases; interpreting phone calls; and providing information about homicides and other drug distribution activities in the area. "In response, his brother twice threatened to kill him and once claimed he `had put a hit out' on Mathes," the appeals court wrote. 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 5th Circuit said Dick has failed on three occasions to account for Broderick Mathes' "years-long reliable and substantial cooperation with the Government." "In each of the three sentencing hearings, the district court did not once mention Mathes's cooperation," the appellate court stated. "The district court abused its discretion because the sentence does not take into account Mathes's extraordinary cooperation." When the 5th Circuit threw out Mathes' 17 1/2-year sentence in 2018, the appeals court cited his "extraordinary cooperation" with the government and the unreasonableness of the sentence, which was more than 10 years above the top end of the applicable guideline range of 70 to 87 months. Dick later sentenced Mathes to 13 years and 4 months in prison. The judge explained then that she once again gave him a prison term above the guideline range because his brother is serving a 27-year sentence for essentially the same conduct in the same criminal conspiracy. Dick said she was trying to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities. Last January, the 5th Circuit tossed Broderick Mathes' sentence of 13 years and 4 months which was more than 6 years above the upper end of the guideline range and sent the case back to Dick for another resentencing. Baton Rouge cocaine trafficker to be sentenced a third time in federal court Perhaps the third time will be the charm for a Baton Rouge cocaine trafficker whose case has been sent back to a federal judge for resentencin "The transcript of the re-sentencing hearing makes it clear that ... the disparity the court perceived as unwarranted was a major factor in its decision. But that disparity was warranted here Mathes risked his life by cooperating with the government," the appeals court wrote a year ago. Dick proceeded to hand Mathes the same sentence 13 years and 4 months at the final resentencing she presided over. At each of Broderick Mathes' sentencings, federal prosecutors noted his substantial cooperation and requested a reduction of his sentencing level. Wilbert Mathes' cocaine trafficking conviction and sentence were affirmed by the 5th Circuit in 2018. His sentence included forfeiting nearly $600,000 in drug proceeds. (Natural News) Federal health officials have announced that severe allergic reactions to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are happening at a higher rate than similar reactions to flu vaccines. This announcement was made by health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who came out with a study, published in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, saying that the allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, are happening at a rate of 11.1 per million doses administered. Seventy-one percent of the reactions are occurring within half an hour of vaccination. On the other hand, flu vaccines are only estimated to cause 1.3 cases per million doses. CDC insists coronavirus vaccines are still safe Despite the fact that people are multiple times more likely to get an allergic reaction to a coronavirus vaccine than the flu vaccine, CDC officials still want to call the incident very rare. The anaphylaxis rate for COVID-19 vaccines may seem high compared to flu vaccines, but I want to reassure you, this is still a rare outcome, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier during a call with reporters. Messonnier is the director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its still a good value proposition, she added. Even if the rate is higher than what we see after routine immunizations, anaphylaxis still remains rare. Despite the reassurance, Messonnier said that the CDC has been constantly updating its recommendations as allergic reactions and other adverse events are reported. The CDC has further advised people who experience an allergic reaction to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to not get the second dose. Health workers who administer the vaccines have also been directed to observe anyone with a history of anaphylaxis or a history of allergic reactions to vaccines for at least 30 minutes after they are vaccinated. (Related: UK to deploy resuscitation facilities in coronavirus vaccination centers to treat wave of allergic reactions caused by vaccines.) CDC messaging regarding the matter of vaccinations for people with a history of allergic reactions has also been very confusing. While they stress that the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the risks, they have warned people with a history of allergic reactions to any of the components in the vaccines to not get them. Our vaccine safety systems havent picked up any worrisome signals, claims Messonnier. This means that right now the known and potential benefits of the current COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the known and potential risks of getting the COVID-19. That does not mean, however, that we couldnt see potential serious health events in the future. The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued emergency-use authorizations for big pharma companies that have developed coronavirus vaccines, like Moderna and Pfizer. They are reviewing the data regarding serious adverse events and are trying to disprove the fact that there is a connection between them and the vaccines. Messonnier herself believes that the reactions could be coincidental. Messonnier also briefly addressed reports that many healthcare workers are considering not getting vaccinated, saying that it was definitely concerning. It makes it exceedingly important that we get the correct information to healthcare workers and we quickly dispense with misinformation. We need them not only to protect themselves, but to educate their patients so everyone understands these vaccines have a good safety profile, they are working and they can help us end the pandemic. Watch this special episode of Brighteon Conversations with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he and cancer researcher, vaccine skeptic and health freedom advocate Ty Bollinger discuss the falsehoods regarding coronavirus vaccines and rip apart the global conspiracy surrounding them. Number of severe allergic reactions to coronavirus vaccine rising rapidly As of press time, the CDC has reported that there have been at least 21 cases of anaphylaxis from the nearly 2 million people who have received the first shot of Pfizer and BioNTechs COVID-19 vaccine between mid to late December. We closely monitor all reports suggestive of serious allergic reactions following vaccination and update labeling language if needed, said a Pfizer spokesperson to mainstream news outlet CNBC. Of the 21 cases that the CDC has published, 18 have a documented history of allergies or severe allergic reactions to drugs, medical products, food or insect stings. Seven of these people also have a history of anaphylaxis, including one who had an anaphylactic episode following a rabies vaccine, and another following an influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. Nineteen of the cases were treated with epinephrine, 17 were treated at a hospitals emergency care department. Worse still, four were hospitalized, including three who were sent to intensive care. The CDC notes that an additional 83 vaccine recipients have experienced allergic reactions that were not considered to be severe. These symptoms include rashes, excessive itching and scratchy and irritated throats. These symptoms occur within half an hour after receiving the first dose of the vaccine. Similar to the patients who experience anaphylaxis, these cases also have a history of allergic reactions. There is no federal database for confirmed severe allergic reactions, and the CDCs current data is missing reported incidents coming out from Dec. 24 to the present day. As of Wednesday, Jan. 6, nearly 5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been administered. This means that, at a minimum, there have been 55 severe allergic reactions to the vaccines. The CDC also reports that they have received 4,393 reports of side effects or other serious reactions following receiving a shot of the vaccine through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a federal government program for vaccine safety co-managed by the FDA and the CDC. The federal government has ruled out most of these cases, stating that they arent serious enough to be considered an allergic reaction or are unrelated to the vaccines. As federal and state governments continue to roll out the coronavirus vaccines over the next few months, it is likely that more people are going to report experiencing reactions to the vaccine. Learn more about the ongoing rollout of coronavirus vaccines in the United States and in the rest of the world by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CDC.gov MedPageToday.com CNBC.com NBCNews.com Pennsylvania reported 12,884 new COVID-19 infections and 186 new deaths on Monday. The numbers cover the weekend, when reporting delays and less testing typically cause numbers to be artificially low. The recent trend has been a surge in cases, likely related to Christmas and New Year holiday gatherings. The state reported more than 10,000 new cases on Saturday along with 273 new deaths, continuing a trend of daily deaths numbering well over 200. The new infections bring Pennsylvanias total to 726,154 since the start of the pandemic and its death toll to 17,853. RELATED: When can you get the COVID-19 vaccine? Heres what you need to know As of late Sunday, 5,201 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, including 1,062 in intensive care. Both numbers were slightly lower than Saturday. Nearly 4,700 intensive care beds remained available statewide and no parts of the state were facing shortages of beds. However, in the region of counties that includes Harrisburg, York and Lancaster, 41% of hospitals said they expected staffing shortages within the next week. Still, the percentage of available beds, 14%, and the local level of COVID-19 cases, were low enough that the state isnt requiring hospitals to reduce elective surgeries to free up resources for COVID-19 patients. One positive trend is a slow decline in the rate of positive COVID-19 tests. The rate has fallen to 14.4%, down from about 15% a week earlier. The rate is still high; a positivity rate above 5% is a sign of significant ongoing COVID-19 spread. 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 Kvadrat is going solo. Ending an 18-year distribution partnership with Maharam, the Danish fabric giant is spinning up its own operations across the United States in 2021. Its plans suggest that the company is intent on growing its stateside business with a design-forward approach: Kvadrat has hired two buzzy industrial designers (Erwan Bouroullec and Jonathan Olivares) to create statement showrooms in New York and Los Angeles. This is a natural evolution, Kvadrat CEO Anders Byriel tells Business of Home. We have a lot of respect for Maharam and this has been a journey, developing together. [Now] were in a position where we have to be closer to the US market. Kvadrat's collaboration with Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons has been a hit with residential customers. Courtesy of Kvadrat The move follows a period of growth for Kvadrat. Byriel says the company has tripled its business in the last decade and made serious incursions into the Asian commercial interior design market. Kvadrat also has contracts with several blue-chip U.S. corporations, and part of the appeal of going solo in America is to establish direct local relationships. Another factor behind the split with Maharam is maintaining Kvadrat as what Byriel calls a neutral player. Maharam was acquired in 2013 by Herman Miller, and while the company will continue to work with the Michigan-based contract furniture giant, it will now also be able to pursue independent relationships with other furniture manufacturers, free of entanglement. The move comes with its challenges. Byriel says that customer service expectations in the U.S. are among the highest in the world, which necessitates entering the market with a strong presence right off the batin addition to the New York and Los Angeles locations, the company will have a showroom in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a network of independent reps. (Some of the companys U.S. staff will come from Donghiathe now-defunct multiline had represented Sahco, the German textile brand that Kvadrat acquired in 2018.) Then, of course, theres COVID. Most of Kvadrats business is in the commercial design world, a sector that has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Byriel says the companys commercial sales are only down 15 or 16 percent as a result of the pandemicnot a terrible figure, given how much the contract market has suffered overall. Hes also seen encouraging growth on the residential side, driven by collections from Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons and through Sahco. Indeed, the residential sector of Kvadrats business is one that Byriel is keen to grow, especially in the U.S. And with a market increasingly obsessed with performance fabrics, bringing commercial expertise to the table is no small advantage. The vast majority of Kvadrats U.S. sales are woolens, and Byriel expects that the companys ability to coax performance-level quality of natural fibers will hit the sweet spot for a customer base interested in both natural materials and contract-grade durability. Were getting quite strong on the residential offering, says Byriel. We just have to get deeper into the American market and keep having conversations with our clients and keep evolving. Were extremely entrepreneurial and we love to develop new businesses and collaborate and find whats next. Homepage photo: Kvadrat textiles on every state | Courtesy of Kvadrat Its official; fans will be getting a reboot of Sex and the City. The original shows stars, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis, all took to Instagram to share a brief trailer about the upcoming HBO Max offering, And Just Like That. Fans of the show might notice that one big star was missing from the announcement. Kim Cattrall, who portrayed Samantha Jones for all six seasons of the original series, will not be reprising her role. So, how will the team behind the upcoming project deal with Samanthas absence? No announcement has been made yet, but writers could go in a few different directions. Writers for the project could choose to use the real-life feud as inspiration Cattrall has said that she wont return to Sex and the City because she thinks shes taken the part as far as she can. Thats not what most people think is going on, though. Cattrall has been incredibly outspoken about her dislike for her former castmate, Parker. Over the years, Cattrall has lashed out at Parker and made claims of mean girl behavior on the set of Sex and the City. RELATED: Is Kim Cattralls Feud with Her Former Sex and the City Co-Star, Sarah Jessica Parker, All About Money? Since the feud has been made public, the writing team could choose to use the real-life rivalry as inspiration when writing the 10-episode series for HBO Max. A falling out between Samantha and her three besties could be an easy way to explain Samanthas absence while simultaneously making room for a new or returning character. Some fans would like to see Jennifer Hudson return to reprise her role as Louise from Sex and the City: The Movie. Samantha Joness absence could be explained away by a move In 2017, Cattrall sat down and discussed her time on Sex and the City, as well as her decision to walk away from her famed character with Piers Morgan. Cattrall told Morgan that she played the part past the finish line and thought it was best if the production team recast the role. Cattrall suggested recasting a Black actor into the role. The cast of Sex and the City | James Devaney/WireImage While fans largely agree that only Cattrall could be Sammy Jones, casting a Black actor into a similar role would certainly change the shows dynamic for the better. That still leaves Michael Patrick King grasping at ways to explain Samanthas absence. The least dramatic option would be to have had Samantha move away. Reddit users note that Samantha moved to Los Angeles once, so it seems plausible that she could move to London or Australia. A long-haul flight would make it more difficult to visit her friends. Fans dont want to see Samantha Jones killed off in the Sex and the City reboot When news that Sex and the City 3 was not going to happen, fans were upset. Now, the scrapping of the movie might have been a good thing. The third script was rumored to focus on the death of Mr. Big, Carries longtime love. In theory, the shows writers could use the same theme to explain Samanthas absence. RELATED: Would A Sex and the City Reboot Ruin The Magic Of The Original Series? Fans of the series, and Samanthas character, dont want to see her killed off, though. Killing off the character would make it impossible for Cattrall to reprise the role in the future. Sex and the City fans would like to see the door left open for her return, however unlikely it seems at the moment. Supplies of the Moderna vaccine are expected in Ireland this week, an expert said (Moderna/PA) Supplies of the Moderna vaccine are expected in Ireland this week, an expert leading the State programme said. The Government has pre-ordered hundreds of thousands of doses. The European Commission authorised the jab earlier this month. The Republic is battling a surge in the number of admissions with Covid-19 to hospital but the country has turned a corner in the number of new infections, those modelling disease spread said. Professor Karina Butler, chairwoman of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, added that the authorisation process for another vaccine made by AstraZeneca had commenced and data had been submitted to European regulators. AstraZeneca are primed to have very significant quantities of vaccine available to us at that time Karina Butler They anticipate that they will have a decision by the end of the month, she said. Then AstraZeneca are primed to have very significant quantities of vaccine available to us at that time. That will allow acceleration for the rollout. She said everything is being done to maximise the vaccine given and to ensure there is no wastage. That includes extracting an extra dose from a vial. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said Ireland had pre-ordered 875,000 shots of the Moderna vaccine. If we all stay home and keep to the public health advice, we can bring #COVID19 back under control - which ultimately will protect our essential services such as health and education and most importantly save lives. Dr Tony Holohan (@CMOIreland) January 5, 2021 Moderna is an American biotechnology company. It takes two injections over several weeks to reach maximum effectiveness. It requires storage only at minus 20C rather than around minus 80C for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. That makes it easier to transport and administer. AstraZenecas version can be stored at normal fridge temperature. Professor Butler said immunity could last from six to 18 months. Meanwhile, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the situation in hospitals continued to deteriorate. He added: While we are seeing the first glimmer of hope in respect of our daily case figures and positivity rates, the situation in hospitals and ICUs around the country continues to worsen day on day. We know that hospitalisations occur some weeks after a confirmed case is notified, and mortality after that again. That means we are unfortunately set for a period of time where the situation in our hospitals gets worse before it gets better. Of the cases notified today: a2,250 are men / 2,641 are women a59% are under 45 years of age aThe median age is 39 years old a1,513 in Dublin, 695 in Cork, 320 in Limerick, 305 in Wexford, 225 in Galway and the remaining 1,871 cases are spread across all other counties. Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 11, 2021 Eight more people have died with Covid-19. Another 4,929 cases were confirmed. A total of 146 people are in intensive care in hospital. Professor Philip Nolan is modelling progress of the disease for the State. He said Ireland was stabilising at around 6,000 cases per day. His modelling indicated numbers in hospital will peak at between 2,200 and 2,500 in 10-14 days. Between 200 and 400 people could be in intensive care units. He said the figures were unprecedented but it looked like they were beginning to turn a corner and the positivity rate of tests had fallen in recent days. My daughter, sister and brother are all front-line healthcare workers. I'm so proud of them. They each received their first dose vaccine today; they'll be protected a week after the second, as the excellent leaflet explains. I'm relieved and grateful. Well done @HSELive #Hope pic.twitter.com/qRF1SKHuQl Professor Philip Nolan (@President_MU) January 8, 2021 He added: We are beginning to see early signs of improvement in the situation but that improvement is from such a high level of disease that our health services remain very much under strain and under threat and will be so for a number of weeks. He said the situation was stabilising and case numbers would begin to decline. Some of the researchers who had been working on the UQ COVID-19 vaccine have turned their focus back to their "day job" of trying to rid the world of deadly mosquito-borne diseases. Associate Professor Daniel Watterson from UQs School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences was one of the designers of the "molecular clamp" technology that was the key technology behind UQs vaccine. The 1G5.3 antibody (green) bound to both Zika (red) and dengue (blue) NS1 proteins. Credit:Professor Daniel Watterson/ UQ The vaccine did not progress past the first stage of human trials, however the molecular clamp was shown to be effective in creating spike proteins for vaccines, and is expected to be used again in the future. While the halting of the teams vaccine candidate was disappointing, Professor Watterson and his colleagues have now published research into a different type of vaccine, which could have major ramifications for millions of people. "This research was actually our day job, and then the need for a COVID vaccine suddenly arose and we threw all our effort into that," he said. The new treatment the team has developed targets flaviviruses, such as dengue fever, Zika and West Nile, which are usually transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue alone affects an estimated 390 million people across the world every year, with half a million on average developing the serious form of the disease that can be fatal. Previous vaccine treatments for the viruses targeted the main body of the viral particle, but could also sometimes enhance the infection. Read the full story here. THE Mayor of County Cork says she is waiting with bated breath for the State apology to survivors of Mother and Baby Homes by the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin this week. A spokesperson for the Taoiseach confirmed to The Echo that he will make an apology in the Dail on Wednesday, following tomorrows publication of the report compiled by a Commission of Investigation. Mayor of County Cork, Mary Linehan Foley, was just six weeks old when she was adopted from Bessborough Mother and Baby home in Cork city in 1966. She said: I await the apology with bated breath, and I am happy that it is finally being recognised that an apology is needed from the State for all involved and I will see what it entails. Issues including forced adoptions and placing children in vaccine trials have been linked to the Mother and Baby Home in Bessborough. Details of the Mother and Baby Home report have been leaked in advance of tomorrows publication and were published in the Sunday Independent. The report is expected to reveal that an estimated 9,000 children died in 18 institutions between 1922 and 1998, when the last such home closed. The report will focus on 14 mother-and-baby homes and four county homes. The report due to be published tomorrow will focus on 14 mother and baby homes and four county homes. The commission was set up after local historian Catherine Corless discovered that 796 infants had been buried in an unmarked mass grave in the Bon Secours mother and baby home, in Tuam, Co Galway. UK-based Laura Angela Collins said that her grandmother, Angela Collins, was taken from a halting site in Galway and put into a county home, before being sent to St Vincents Magdalene laundry in Cork City, because she was an unmarried mother of three children. Laura Angela said that she and her mother Mary are feeling nervous ahead of the publication of the report, and the apology. Mary was among those who was interviewed for the report, and also contributed to the 2013 McAleese Report on Magdalene laundries. Leaking of report criticised Social Democrats Cork South West TD Holly Cairns said deeply disturbing details have been leaked before survivors of the homes got a chance to read the report. She said: It reveals harrowing information like some women being taunted while in the act of giving birth. Social Democrats Cork South West TD Holly Cairns. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins These taunts linked their childbirth pain to their unmarried status. It is scandalous that this is such a spectacle these are the crumbs of information survivors get because the State has refused to allow them access to their own, and the States, records. And throughout these decades of abuse, they have also been refused the ordinary democratic mechanisms of the state courts, criminal justice, academia, debate to function in relation to these abuses. I am so, so angry at the leaking of these details. I actually cant put it into words yet except to say people deserve truth, dignity, and justice. Not this. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also criticised the leaking of the report. She said a formal State apology was long overdue and necessary, and also said that redress needed to be provided to survivors. The Minister for Children, Roderic OGorman, criticised the leaking of the report in a Sunday newspaper in advance of its publication tomorrow. Last night, he tweeted: I am deeply angered to see sensitive details of the Commission Report leaked in a newspaper this morning. It is completely unacceptable that the people affected by the Report have found out elements of the Report in this way. Im seeking an investigation of how these sensitive details came into the public domain and will be raising it with Government colleagues. I am deeply angered to see sensitive details of the Commission Report leaked in a newspaper this morning. It is completely unacceptable that the people affected by the Report have found out elements of the Report in this way. Roderic OGorman TD (@rodericogorman) January 10, 2021 He said a webpage with information specifically for former residents of mother and baby homes has been set up. It is available here. A handout photo made available by the Iranian Foreign Ministry shows Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, right, greets his Korean counterpart Choi Jon-kun during a meeting in Tehran, Jan. 10, 2021. EPA A senior Iranian diplomat has claimed that Tehran's financial assets in Korea remain frozen more due to Seoul's lack of political will than U.S. sanctions, an Iranian media outlet reported Monday, amid tensions over Iran's seizure of a South Korean oil tanker. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the claim during Sunday's talks with Seoul's Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun, saying the freezing of the assets means "giving in to the U.S. excessive demands," according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Choi is visiting Tehran to discuss the seizure of the MT Hankuk Chemi that Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps seized a week ago on environmental pollution allegations and Iran's frozen money estimated at US$7 billion. "Freezing of Iran's foreign exchange resources in Korea is more due to a lack of political will on the part of the Korean government than the U.S. sanctions," Araghchi was quoted by the news agency as saying. SEBEWAING The Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District announced Jan. 7 that there has been another confirmed COVID-19 case in the district. The positive case is a student, and a second student has also been presumed positive, according to the district. USA Superintendent George Rierson said the district sent communications out to the parents of students and have begun contact tracing. Weve taken measures to make sure students are more than six feet apart for more than 15 minutes, Rierson said, adding that desks are more than six feet apart and that teachers are careful about being in close contact. The school district does teacher interviews and watches video from cameras to be as accurate as possible in identifying students and teachers who may have been in close contact with contagious persons. The school district is coordinating with the Tuscola County Health Department to assure the communitys health and safety. With these latest cases, the USA School district now has had 10 students and nine staff members since Oct. 27 either test positive for COVID-19 or be probable for it. The USA High School reopened for in-person learning as of Dec. 20th, after being online for the month beforehand. Kindergarten through eighth grade has consistently been open for in-person since school started, except for three days due to staff shortages. Rierson said the biggest challenge the district has faced so far is getting students that have quarantined back to school without compromising other students. They do everything they can keep them up in their school work, Rierson said. Rierson does not expect that the district will go back to online learning completely because of these new cases. He does consult the local health departments and local physicians on the issue. If at any point they reach a consensus for the health and safety of students, absolutely well close, Rierson said, adding that students would go back to remote learning if that occurred. I dont anticipate well be closing, but conditions can change daily. Rierson recommends that parents get in contact with the Huron or Tuscola County health departments with any questions they have. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... PHOENIX Two Phoenix police officers have been injured after a car crashed into their cruiser early Sunday morning, authorities said. Police said the officers were working a separate deadly crash in the area around 5 a.m. The two officers were sitting in their cruiser when a driver went through barricades and hit the police vehicle, which had its lights activated. Police said the 21-year-old driver of the car involved was arrested for allegedly driving impaired. The name of that person wasnt immediately released. Both officers were taken to the hospital as a precaution for non-life threatening injuries, police said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Advertisement Fewer than 100 people are believed to have been arrested in connection with Wednesday's MAGA riot and police are now scrambling to catch up with the many who got away thanks to the outnumbered Capitol Police letting them all walk free from the scene. Some 85 people have been arrested and 55 have been charged in total across different jurisdictions but many of the indictments have not been made public. There are ongoing investigations by the Capitol Police, FBI, DC Metropolitan Police. The Department of Justice is assisting them all. The Secretary of the Army also revealed on Sunday that 25 domestic terrorism cases have been opened. Because of the scale of the operation, hundreds of agents and cops are being deployed to track down the rioters who got away. It is being described as an 'unprecedented' effort that was hindered from the start because the vast majority of the rioters were able to leave Washington DC last week without being arrested and have now scattered back to their various home states across the country. On Friday, the Department of Justice released information on 13 of the people they had charged to date. Since then, some of the more prolific culprits - like QAnon Shaman Jake Angeli, who stormed the Capitol wearing a horned furry hat - and stay-at-home father Adam Johnson, 36, who stole Nancy Pelosi's lectern - have also been taken into custody. Multiple others have been named as persons of interest but they haven't yet been tracked down, including one man who is reportedly in hiding after being linked to the riots. At least two cops are also under suspicion of having some role in the riots, including an NYPD officer. It's almost an impossibility that the many thousands who stormed the Capitol will all be caught. Those who have been arrested and charged face prosecution for an array of offences including unlawful entry, firearms possession, assault and making threats. No one has been charged with murder. Four rioters died in the chaos, as did one cop who collapsed after allegedly being hit over the head with a fire extinguisher. A second cop killed himself days later. Among those who have been arrested or connected to the riot so far are; Bradley Rukstales, Chicago CEO of suburban tech company Brad Rukstales heads up Chicago-based data analytics firm Cogensia Rukstales issued a groveling apology after being charged by the Department of Justice along with 12 others in a sweeping indictment. He said it was the 'single worst decision of my life'. He was fired from the company he worked for - Consegnia - who said his actions did not align with their stance as a company. 'This decision was made because Rukstales actions were inconsistent with the core values of Cogensia. Cogensia condemns what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and we intend to continue to embrace the values of integrity, diversity and transparency in our business operations, and expect all employees to embrace those values as well,' said Joel Schiltz, who was promoted from senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer to acting CEO after Rukstales was fired. Proud Boys leader who took a selfie smoking inside the Capitol Proud Boys leader Nicholas Ochs who shared an image of himself smoking while inside the Capitol last week, was arrested in Hawaii Nicholas R. Ochs was arrested in Hawaii. He claimed that he took part in the MAGA raid as a 'professional journalist'. Shortly after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday, Ochs shared the photo of himself smoking with another man. 'Hello from the Capital[sic] lol,' the caption reads. Ochs was arrested Thursday evening after he landed at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Before his arrest, he boasted to CNN about breaking in: 'We didnt have to break in, I just walked in and filmed. 'There were thousands of people in there they had no control of the situation. 'I didnt get stopped or questioned.' On Friday, the Justice Department unsealed a criminal complaint against Ochs, charging him with unlawful entry into restricted buildings or grounds. His initial appearance will be in federal court in Honolulu. A lawyer for Ochs could not be identified. According to court filings, the government will seek his removal to the District of Columbia to face this charge. Unhinged retired Texas cop who took cable ties onto the floor of the Senate and was turned in by his ex-wife Retired Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock Jr., 53 Retired Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock Jr., 53, was among the violent mob of Trump supporters who stormed the US Capitol Wednesday in a riot that left five including one police officer dead. The father-of-three, who now lives in Dallas, was pictured on the Senate floor Wednesday after the group had broken through barricades, pushed back law enforcement and sent lawmakers fleeing for safety. Images show him wearing a combat helmet, body armor and a vinyl tag with the Punisher skull on - a symbol adopted by white supremacists and believers of conspiracy theory QAnon. He carried zip-tie handcuffs and appeared to be speaking with fellow rioters, several of which were dressed in MAGA caps. He was arrested Sunday in Texas and charged with knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, according to the Justice Department. Brock's family members and a former Air Force comrade have painted a concerning picture of the veteran - one of a man who has become increasingly radical and been influenced by white supremacy in recent years. 'Torch got all in on Trump. He went all in on the alternative-news-source world,' said Leake. 'He actually believes liberals and Democrats are a threat to the country. You can see how the logical conclusion to that is, "We've gotta take over",' one former colleague said. Trump fan who also went to Charlottesville rally in 2017 Douglas Sweet, asked if he regretted being there, replied: 'From our actions, come reaction' Douglas Sweet from Hudgins, Virginia, was held in jail for eight hours and then released. He told WKTR he traveled to Washington because 'Trump asked all the patriots to show up, so I did.' He said: 'I didn't go with any malice or intention of malice of those that committed those the fights - the tear gas and just, you know, throwing stuff at police. 'That wasn't in my game plan at all.' Asked if he has any regret, being involved in a riot where four people died, Sweet said: 'From our actions, come reaction.' Sweet had also attended the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, his daughter, Robyn Sweet, told BuzzFeed News on Thursday. Doug Jensen, 41, led mob that charged at cop Eugene Goodman Jensen from Des Moines, Iowa, was filmed leading the mob that chased officer Eugene Goodman up a flight of stairs at the Capitol. He was booked into the Polk County Jail early Saturday on five federal charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct counts, according to news releases from the FBIs field office in Omaha, Nebraska and the county sheriffs office. Sgt. Ryan Evans of the county sheriffs office said Jensen was being held without bond and that he didnt know if he had an attorney. Doug Jensen was arrested on Saturday, having led the mob against Eugene Goodman. He was booked into the Polk County Jail early Saturday on five federal charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct counts, according to news releases from the FBIs field office in Omaha, Nebraska and the county sheriffs office. In a seven-second, expletive-laced TikTok video posted Thursday under the username @dougjensen, a man who appears to be Jensen suggests hes being made a poster boy for what happened and ends by saying, 'Dont believe the news.' Video posted online during the storming of the Capitol on Wednesday showed a man who appears to be Jensen, who is white, pursuing a Black officer up an interior flight of stairs. A mob of people trails several steps behind. At several points, the officer says get back, to no avail. The rioting has raised serious questions about security at the Capitol and the treatment of the mainly white mob compared to the often aggressive tactics used last year at protests over the killings or shootings of Black people by police. Richard Barnett, 60, who put his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk Barnett has been charged for breaking into Pelosi's office. The self-proclaimed White Nationalist boasted about it afterwards. He even left a threatening note on Pelosi's desk which read 'we will not back down'. Barnett, 60, left the Capitol unstopped. He was eventually arrested in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he is from. Richard Barnett, 60, who put his feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk. knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison He has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Jake Angeli Chansley aka QAnon Shaman, 33, who was living at home with his mom Jacob Angeli Chansley was arrested on Saturday in connection with the riot. Jacob Angeli Chansley was arrested on Saturday in connection with the riot. His mugshot has not been released He was one of the stand-outs from the insurrection because of his outlandish outfit. He has been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. DailyMail.com tracked Chansley down last week to his mother's home in Arizona. He was photographed over the weekend without any of his rioting gear. The 33-year-old has no job and, say neighbors, is often seen wandering the streets near her $199,000 Glendale home dressed in his horned shaman get-up. Another neighbor, who asked not to be named, said he often sees Chansley dancing on the roof of his mothers home describing it as bizarre. Adam Johnson, 36, stay-at-home dad who took Pelosi's lectern Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. Johnson, a psychology graduate turned furniture maker from Bradenton, Florida, was seen parading through the Capitol on Wednesday with Pelosi's lectern. Johnson is a stay-at-home dad to five children; his wife is a doctor, according to The Bradenton Herald. He has previously faced possession of marijuana and violation of probation charges, the paper reports. Adam Johnson, 36, was arrested by federal marshals in Florida on Friday and is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail, according to arrest records. The Parrish, Florida, resident's charges are pending Photos on his now-deleted social media accounts show him posing next to a sign reading 'closed to all tours' inside the building. Johnson, who was pictured inside the Capitol making off with a lectern, appears to have removed his social media platforms in the aftermath of the siege. Court documents reveal that the FBI consulted with members of the Speaker's staff to determine that the lectern was stored in the Speaker's Suite, located under a staircase to the third floor on the House side of the building. The lectern was found on January 7 by a member of the Senate staff in the Red corridor of the Senate wing off the Rotunda in the Capitol building. It is worth more than $1,000, according to the House of Representatives' curator. West Virginia Delegate who filmed himself inside the Capitol West Virginia Delegate Derrick Evans was was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds. Evans was taken into custody Friday. He was shown leaving court in a grey sweatsuit. West Virginia delegate Derrick Evans was charged on Friday. He is shown left, in a Facebook live from the riot, and right, leaving court He broadcast his participation in a Facebook Live video he took of himself as he entered the Capitol building during the riots, shouting: 'We're in! We're in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!' He was among those charged on Friday. Nashville bartender who brought zip ties to the Senate pictured in the Senate chamber on Wednesday clad in military-style clothing who went with his MOTHER Eric Munchel has been named as the man pictured with a bundle of flex-cuffs. He told The Times of London that both he and his mother wore bullet proof vests. 'We wanted to show that were willing to rise up, band together and fight if necessary. Same as our forefathers, who established this country in 1776. It was a kind of flexing of muscles.' Munchel, 30, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. It carries a one year prison sentence. Eric Munchel has been named as the man pictured with a bundle of flex-cuffs. He was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds MAGA RIOTERS MAY CLAIM TRUMP TOLD THEM TO ACT OUT AS DEFENSE Some of the Trump MAGA rioters may use what is known as a public authority defense to try to get out of jail sentences if and when they are caught. According to opinion writers for The Washington Post, they may argue under the defense that because Trump whipped them up into a frenzy at the rally beforehand. It has been used in the past by a convicted felon who argued that a guns dealer told him he was allowed to have the weapon when he wasn't. The felon used it as a defense. Advertisement NOT PICTURED BUT CHARGED Lonnie Coffman, 70 Possession of an unregistered firearm and carrying without a license. He had 11 Molotov cocktails in his truck. Michael Curzio Charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. Mark Leffingwell Charged with entering a restricted building and punching a cop Christopher Alberts Charged with carrying a 9mm handgun into the riot Joshua Pruitt Charged with entering restricted building Matthew Council Charged with entering restricted building and disorderly conduct Cindy Fitchett Charged with entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct and violent entry Terry Brown Charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct Thomas Gallagher Charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct NOT CHARGED BUT LINKED TO THE RIOTS Virginia welder who wore Camp Auschwitz sweater Robert Keith Packer, the Virginia welder wearing an anti-Semitic sweater Robert Keith Packer is among the most despised members of the mob. He wore a sweater with the words Camp Auschwitz and 'Work brings freedom' which is a known translation of a Nazi German phrase about prisoners in concentration camps. Shockingly, he has not yet been arrested despite being identified yesterday by the public. His neighbors in Virginia told CNN he was a known extremist with a long criminal record. 'He's been always extreme and very vocal about his beliefs,' the source said. His criminal record includes a conviction for forgery. It's unclear why he has not yet been arrested. Stop the Steal organizer now 'in hiding' Ali Alexander is in hiding and has had his Twitter account suspended after being connected to the riot on Wednesday The Daily Beast reports that Ali Alexander is in hiding and has had his Twitter account suspended after being connected to the riot on Wednesday. The Beast reports that he, on December 19, said his group wasn't violent 'yet'. 'One of our organizers in one state said, "Were nice patriots, we dont throw bricks." 'I leaned over and I said, "Not yet. Not yet!" Havent you read about a little tar-and-feathering? Those were second-degree burns!' He is a convicted felon who previously admitted property theft and credit card fraud in 2007 and 2008 respectively. He previously tweeted that Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was 'not American Black'. The post was retweeted by Donald Trump Jr. As of Monday morning, he had not been named by any law enforcement agency as among those charged in connection with the riot last week. MTA worker suspended after being recognized by his boss Metro North employee Will Pepe, 31 was suspended by his boss Will Pepe who worked at Metro-North's Brewster rail yard in upstate New York is now being investigated by the FBI who are looking into what role he played during the rally. Pepe, 31, from Beacon, New York, had been with the MTA for seven years earning $74,000-a-year but decided to call out sick to head to the event which in itself is a 'false use of sick leave'. He has now been suspended as the agency looks to fire him in the coming days. 'Effective immediately this individual has been suspended from Metro-North without pay and will be disciplined in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement pending an investigation,' said MTA spokesman Ken Lovett in a statement. 'This alleged conduct is abhorrent and goes against the values of Metro-North, New York and the nation.' 'We had no knowledge of this individual's participation in the events of that day, and we are disappointed that anyone would engage in that type of conduct,' said Dean Davita, a rep for Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Rocky Mount Police Sgt. T.J. Robertson and Officer Jacob Fracker were pictured in front of a statue of John Stark. Cops including one from NYPD two off-duty North Carolina officers who posed for a Facebook photo inside the Capitol but say they did nothing wrong An unidentified NYPD cop has been linked to the riots. 'There is one investigation that is active on one member,' Commissioner Demot Shea told NY1 on Monday morning. 'There is no name yet released because we dont know if its true or not. But I can tell you anyone committing crimes certainly would have a very short shelf life with the NYPD.' Rocky Mount Police Sgt. T.J. Robertson and Officer Jacob Fracker were pictured in front of a statue of John Stark. The image circulated on Facebook over the weekend, then Fracker defended it in a now-deleted post. The pair were off-duty and say they did not engage in any violent activity. The police force they work for contacted the FBI. It's unclear if either has faced any disciplinary action. Social media networks Twitter and Facebook have finally done what many had been calling for months, if not years. That is, ban the now-outgoing US president Donald Trump from social media. Twitter has finally banned Donald Trumps Twitter account, and indeed when he tried to circumvent the ban with other accounts, two of those got detected and had tweets deleted--@POTUS and @TeamTrump. Facebook meanwhile has said that it is making Trumps ban on Facebook and Instagram indefinite. But why did it take so long for Facebook and Twitter to act, just as the presidency term for Trump is in its last leg with just a few more days remaining for Trump in the White House. Over the last few years, time and again, Facebook and Twitter have particularly been at the receiving end of criticism for giving Donald Trump and his views platform, free to use as he pleased. We may not have to go too long into the past to understand how these big tech companies, now trying to get good PR by de-platforming Donald Trump, are very much a part of the problem. The first real cursory move that Twitter made against Trump, hoping to garner some love and support, was back in June 2020 when the protests in the US cities were peaking after the absolutely shocking video of 46-year-old Minnesota resident George Floyds death by the police, led to angry reactions. n the tweet that Twitter took semi-hid behind a public notice, Trump wrote the line, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Theres a historical significance attached to that phrase. In December 1967, violence had broken out during the Republican National Convention in Miami. The then Miami Police Chief Walter Headley had reportedly said when the looting starts, the shooting starts. He introduced a get tough policing policy that involved the use of shotguns, dogs, and aggressive stop and frisk tactics in black neighborhoods in an attempt to reduce the crime rate. The New York Times quoted him at the time, saying, We dont mind being accused of police brutality. Before you paint Twitter as the savior of all things humanity with a newly found conscience, the good fighting the evil and what not, let us drive down the memory lane to see how Twitter has chosen to deploy a completely different policy to such tweets by world leaders. In early 2018, Twitter had taken pains to explain that Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions. It had also cited global, public conversation. In 2019, Twitter said that they would label tweets from politicians that break the community guidelines, but still leave them available for viewing. And followed through on it steadfastly, till now. Trump, in the meantime, has pretty much gone to war with anyone who has disagreed with him, using Twitter as his megaphone. He has mocked people, he has shared what can be lightly put as his version of facts, he has attacked individuals and establishments and pretty much gauged public opinion with his tweets. The thing is, you cannot probably hold that against Trump, or any world leaderTwitter gave him that platform and he used it. Twitter has so-called community and content policies for the rest of us but decided that world leaders are above the law. Like Twitter, Facebook has also very much been a part of the problem. In 2016, Facebook announced a policy which said their content moderation would allow newsworthy posts to remain visible, even if they violate the content standards. In the weeks ahead, we're going to begin allowing more items that people find newsworthy, significant, or important to the public interest -- even if they might otherwise violate our standards, Joel Kaplan, VP of Global Public Policy at Facebook, had said in an official post at the time. While this was packaged around the controversy of removing a photo of historical significance, it gave Facebook enough cover to not apply strict rules to Trump and posts made by Trump supporters. The Washington Post had chronicled how Facebook had started to alter its personality to better suit the Donald Trump agenda, since the time he was a candidate for the presidency. Trump had then posted something that said people of a certain religion should be banned from entering the United States of America. Facebook employees wanted that post taken down, Facebook executives believed the post didnt violate any content policies, which allow government figures to post about the use of force or strict measures. Facebook had talked tough from time to time. I know many people are upset that we've left the President's posts up, but our position is that we should enable as much expression as possible unless it will cause imminent risk of specific harms or dangers spelled out in clear policies, said Mark Zuckerberg, during the #BlackLivesProtest and further went on to say, Although the post had a troubling historical reference, we decided to leave it up because the National Guard references meant we read it as a warning about state action, and we think people need to know if the government is planning to deploy force. Our policy around incitement of violence allows discussion around state use of force, although I think today's situation raises important questions about what potential limits of that discussion should be. But this is the same Zuckerberg who has also said that Facebook would rather err on the side of greater expression and defend free speech while speaking at Georgetown in 2019. And then in May 2020 when Twitter did a till then rare fact-check of one of Donald Trumps tweets, Mark Zuckerberg in an interview with Fox News said that social media platforms should not try to become arbiter of truth. This makes one wonderis the currently in force de-platforming of Donald Trump from Facebook and Instagram anything more than a PR exercise, because other social media and web platforms have finally taken a stance? One wonders, what happens to the stance the social media firms are taking, akin to baby steps, if Trump announces himself as a candidate for the 2024 presidential race. Jacques Villeneuve says members of Ferrari's driver development program would succeed even without the backing of the Maranello-based 'academy'. The 1997 world champion says the notable exception is Charles Leclerc. "Except Leclerc, the rest of the academy drivers all had money in their pockets before getting there," he told Sky Italia. Current high-profile Ferrari academy members are Mick Schumacher, Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman and Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi. "Only Charles had problems with financing," Villeneuve insists. "Sooner or later, all of these drivers will have to go forward on their own. But even without Ferrari they would be where they are now." As for Mick Schumacher, Villeneuve can relate to the German as he too had a famous father in the form of Ferrari legend Gilles Villeneuve. "Mick has been under considerable pressure due to his surname for several years now," he said. "That's a big difference with the other guys in the academy. "A well-known surname helps in part, but it also gives you a lot of pressure. People want to see results from you immediately and how the media treats you is not easy - you get a lot of questions about your father. "It's difficult to give answers, like when you are asked who you want to thank after a good result. They want to hear that you are thanking your father or something like that, but that's a difficult question for someone like Mick." Villeneuve admits that reigning Formula 2 champion Schumacher, 21, has "done well" in recent years. "But in Formula 1, everything starts from scratch and he will have to prove himself again," said the Canadian. (GMM) The total value of the Romanian acquisition and merger market (M&A), including transactions that did not have a communicated value, was between 3.7 and 4.3 billion Euro in 2002, dropping from 2019, when it had a total between 4 and 4.4 billion Euro, according to the estimates made by Deloitte Romania. The transaction, the value of which was communicated, totalled 1.5 billion Euro in 2020, as opposed to 1.7 billion Euro in 2019. The Deloitte analysis shows that last year there were 91 registered transactions, in comparison with 110 from 2019, of which 36 were with a communicated value, as opposed to 24 in 2019. The average value, calculated for transactions with a communicated value, was of 42 million Euro in 2020, as opposed to 52 million Euro in 2019. "2020 marked a drop in the number of transactions at last year's level, which represented a record for the period since after the financial recession, but, considering the context given by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, we can actually say that these results are good," Radu Dumitrescu said, coordinating partner for the Financial Consulting of Deloitte Romania, in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday. According to the analysis, the biggest transactions of 2020 were: Acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) of a portfolio of assets owned by CEZ in Romania (value was not communicated); takeover by Czech developer Property Group of a minority package from Globalworth shares, the biggest owner of office buildings in Romania and Poland, in a series of successive transactions, the highest one having a value of approximately 280 million Euro; the acquisition by Orange Romania of the majority package of 54% of Telekom Romania Communications share (transaction value: 268 million Euro). The most active sectors, from the perspective of the number of transactions was the real estate one (including constructions), energy and financial sectors. Combined, they generated 50 transactions. From the value point of view, first place was once more occupied by the real estate sector, followed by technology and energy. About 16 lakh frontline workers in will be administered COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase starting from January 16, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Monday. A second dose will be given 28 days after the first jab, he told reporters here after attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual meet with Chief Ministers of various states on the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination roll-out. "During the first phase three crore people in the country will be given vaccination. In Karnataka, the first phase of administering vaccination to about 16 lakh frontline workers- of health, revenue and police department - will begin from January 16," Yediyurappa said. Vaccination will be undertaken at 235 sites in the state, the Chief Minister said, adding both Covaxin and Covishield would be used. Cold chain arrangements have been made and the state and district level task forces will oversee the activities, he said. The second dry run, an exercise for end-to-end testing of COVID-19 vaccination process, was conducted "successfully" in 281 facilities of 31 districts in the state on January 8, after the first round in five districts on December 2. State Health Minister K Sudhakar said there was no need to worry and the vaccines were "completely safe", adding several rounds of clinical trials have been conducted. All the necessary arrangements have been made in the state for the vaccination and the Centre has also assured the state additional walk-in freezers, he said. "We have made all the necessary arrangements, once it comes, vaccines will be sent to all the districts," he said, adding that people with comorbidities will be vaccinated on priority in the second stage, after the frontline workers. As of Sunday, has reported 9,27,559 COVID-19 positive cases and 12,140 deaths while the active cases stood at 9,649. (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.) Claro Brasil has selected Ribbons SBC Software Edition to expand and secure their extensive Voice over IP network. Roberto Beghini, Engineering Manager from Claro Brasil, said: Deploying the SBC SWe in our network will enable us to expand our SIP services across Brazil, and help guarantee secure and reliable interconnects. Ribbons SBC SWe replicates the features and capabilities of its award-winning appliance-based SBCs in a cloud-native, software footprint. Customers deploying the SBC SWe benefit from secure real-time communications on any private or public cloud environment, without compromising scale or performance. The SBC SWe eliminates Capex spend on unused capacity and delivers flexibility by allocating virtual cloud resources on demand. Julio Villafane, Ribbons Vice President of Sales for the Caribbean and Latin American Region, said: Our cloud-native SBC SWe will support [Claro Brasil] efficiently as they continue to grow their capabilities in this dynamic geography. Silchar : , Jan 11 (IANS) BJP's national President J.P. Nadda said on Monday that the saffron party has been winning all the elections in the country from Jammu and Kashmir to Telangana, and it would return to power in Assam once again with 100 plus seats in the upcoming state Assembly polls due in April-May. Kick starting the Assembly election campaign for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nadda, while addressing a public rally here, said that the BJP would return to power in Assam as the current dispensation has ensured all-round development of the state in the last five years, ensuring peace and ethnic harmony. He said that BJP became the single largest party in the recent District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir besides managing excellent results in various elections and by-elections in Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar. Coming down heavily on the main opposition party, the BJP leader said that during the 15-year rule of Congress in Assam, terrorism devastated the state and 2,155 civilians and 284 security personnel had been killed while over 1,200 people were kidnapped. "There was no electricity in 51 per cent households and 56 per cent people had no toilets. Out of the 11 crore toilets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sanctioned 35 lakh toilets for Assam. "During the governance of BJP, Assam became 100 per cent ODF (open defecation free). Lakhs of people in Assam have been benefited by central governemnt's various flagship schemes," the BJP chief said. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP national Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda, who is in-charge of the party's Assam affairs, and Assam BJP President Ranjeet Kumar Dass accompanied Nadda and also addressed the public gathering at the Police Parade Ground in Sinchar. Expressing his confidence to secure 100 plus seat in the 126-member Assam assembly polls, Nadda said that the state leadership, including Chief Minister Sonowal, Sarma and Dass, have done excellent works for the development of the state and welfare of the people. He said the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established long lasting peace in Assam and also resolved the decades old Bodo movement by signing the Bodo peace accord last year. "It is the responsibility of the BJP to safeguard the culture, language and traditions of Assam and the party has always given utmost importance to these vital and basic issues," the BJP President said, adding that Assam's language is one of the most vibrant languages. "The NDA government has given recognition to all the aspects of Assam and established peace by taking forward the development works in all the sectors - health, education, and infrastructure. Rs 22,000 crore has been sanctioned for the Numaligarh Refinery. More than 15 new national highways have been approved and five vital bridges were constructed over the Brahmaputra river," he said. Nadda said the BJP-led Central government has also resolved the decades old problems of 36,000 internally displaced Reang tribal refugees who fled from Mizoram to Tripura in 1997 after ethnic troubles. Political observers said that for the past many years, the BJP has carved out a political base in southern Assam's Barak Valley region, comprising three Bengali dominated districts of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj. In the coming polls, the party aims to win all the 15 seats in Barak Valley. That's why the BJP national President would start his election campaign from there, political commentator and writer Uttam Saha told IANS. Panda, who is in-charge of BJP's Assam affairs, told the media in Guwahati that the party is confident of securing 100 plus seats along with its allies in the Assam elections. "The BJP along with its allies will retain power in Assam by securing at least 100 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections," Panda said. The 126-member Assam Assembly is likely to go to the polls in April-May, along West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Deaths from ischemic heart disease and hypertensive diseases in the United States increased during the COVID-19 pandemic over the prior year, while globally, COVID-19 was associated with significant disruptions in cardiovascular disease testing. These findings are from two papers publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that examined the indirect effects of the pandemic on cardiovascular disease patients and their care. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been substantial, but there are concerns about the indirect impact of the pandemic as well, particularly for heart disease patients. Many reports have suggested that large mortality increases during the pandemic cannot be explained by COVID-19 alone. During the height of stay-at-home orders in the U.S., hospitals reported a decline in the number of heart attack and stroke patients being diagnosed and treated at the hospital. The assumption was that some patients feared contracting COVID-19 at a hospital and were choosing to delay care or not seek care at all for emergencies, including heart attacks. The American College of Cardiology issued a statement and infographic on the safety of hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged people to seek immediate care if needed. Cardiovascular Deaths During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States In this study, researchers examined whether population-level deaths due to cardiovascular causes (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertensive diseases, cerebrovascular disease and other disease of circulatory system) changed in the U.S. during the early phase of the pandemic, relative to the same period in the year prior, and if these changes were more pronounced in states that experienced the initial surge of COVID-19 cases. Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics, researchers looked at death rates from cardiovascular causes in the U.S. from March 18, 2020June 2, 2020 (the pandemic) and January 1, 2020March 17, 2020 (before the pandemic) and compared them to the same periods in 2019. They found that deaths from ischemic heart disease and hypertensive diseases increased after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, compared with changes over the same period in 2019. In contrast, deaths caused by heart failure, cerebrovascular disease or other diseases of the circulatory system did not change nationally. New York City experienced the largest relative increase in deaths due to ischemic heart disease (139%) and hypertensive diseases (164%) during the pandemic. The remainder of New York state, New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois also experienced significant increases in deaths due to these conditions, while Massachusetts and Louisiana did not see a change in cardiovascular deaths. "Our findings suggest that the pandemic may have had an indirect toll on patients with cardiovascular disease, potentially due to the avoidance of hospitals out of fear of exposure to the virus, increased health care system strain and the deferral of semi-elective procedures and care," said Rishi K. Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, lead author of the study, a cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. "U.S. public health officials and policymakers should improve public health messaging to encourage patients with acute conditions to seek medical care." International Impact of COVID-19 on the Diagnosis of Heart Disease The COVID-19 pandemic caused health care delivery disruptions across the globe in 2020, including delays in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and timely treatment. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and outcomes are dependent on early and effective diagnosis to determine the best possible treatment. In this study researchers sought to determine the full magnitude of reductions in diagnostic heart disease procedures in 2020 and how that might impact long-term cardiovascular disease outcomes. Surveys were submitted from 909 inpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures in 108 countries. According to researchers, procedure volumes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Specifically, transthoracic echocardiography decreased by 59%, transesophageal echocardiography by 76% and stress tests by 78%. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased 55%. Researchers also classified countries into four economic levels (low, lower-middle, upper-middle and high) and found that location in a low/lower-middle income country was associated with an additional 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less availability of personal protective equipment and telehealth. "These findings raise serious concerns for long-term adverse cardiovascular health outcomes resulting from decreased diagnosis," said Andrew J. Einstein, MD, Ph.D., lead author of the study, associate professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a cardiologist at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. "Efforts to improve timely patient access to cardiovascular diagnosis in this and future pandemics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are warranted." Explore further COVID-19: avoiding hospital caused heart disease death rise 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. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eyeris Technologies, Inc., a world leader in vision AI for in-cabin sensing, today announced its collaboration with Texas Instruments (TI) on an industry-first in-cabin sensing AI solution, using TI's Jacinto TDA4 processors and 2D RGB-IR image sensors, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021. D3 Engineering designs products and integrates technologies from TI and Eyeris using its DesignCore platform to show this advanced in-cabin monitoring solution for autonomous and highly automated vehicles. This fully integrated in-cabin sensing AI solution will be demonstratable to select customers. Eyeris' and TI's Collaboration Offers a Complete, Advanced In-Cabin Monitoring System The TDA4 SoC processor enables efficient inference of the Eyeris deep neural network (DNN) portfolio from multiple RGB-IR cameras simultaneously. This complete in-cabin monitoring solution, integrated into the D3 Engineering DesignCore platform is designed for rugged, field-deployable and production-intent units. In addition, RGB-IR image sensors are quickly becoming an industry requirement because of their unique ability to accurately capture the in-cabin space under the widest range of lighting conditions. Eyeris DNNs are carefully designed for functional safety standards, flexible camera placements, and efficient inference on low-power edge processors. Eyeris in-cabin sensing portfolio of AI algorithms includes driver monitoring system (DMS) and occupant monitoring system (OMS) features that adhere to global NCAP requirements. "As we continue to expand our hardware partnerships, teaming up with a well-established automotive processor company provides our automotive OEM customers with another compelling option for mass production," stated Modar Alaoui, founder and chief executive officer of Eyeris. "Collaborating with TI is another step forward where Eyeris continues to raise the bar for a complete in-cabin sensing solution. We are also delighted that D3 Engineering is providing our joint technology on their DesignCore platform." TI's TDA4VM processors include embedded analytics acceleration to enable efficient deep learning performance within a low-power envelope. Additionally, these processors are able to perform safety-critical operations up to an ASIL D compliant level while also performing non-safety critical operations on one chip and function at an automotive operating junction temperature of 125 degrees Celsius. The SoC has built-in ISP and vision processing accelerators that help achieve more efficient system performance and reduce development costs. "Leveraging specialized machine learning software, such as Eyeris' in-cabin sensing AI algorithm, on our TDA4 processor enables our customers to bring high-performance computing inside the vehicle cabin," stated Curt Moore, general manager of Jacinto processors, Texas Instruments. "Our Jacinto processors enable both machine vision and deep learning capabilities to help customers more easily develop their ADAS solutions." "We are pleased to work together with Texas Instruments and Eyeris to offer a robust in-cabin monitoring solution on our DesignCore platform," said Jerome Barczykowski, Business Development Operations Manager at D3 Engineering. "The DesignCore platform incorporates proven collections of hardware, software, applications, and testing. Combined with Eyeris AI algorithms, the solution accelerates time-to-market while reducing the cost and risk of production product development." Automakers and tier-1 suppliers such as Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, Hyundai Mobis, Karma Automotive, Panasonic Automotive, Bosch, Veoneer and Mitsubishi Motors have licensed Eyeris in-cabin sensing AI solutions. Eyeris expects its in-cabin sensing AI software portfolio to go into vehicle mass production in late 2022. About Eyeris Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., with an R&D lab in Mountain View, Calif., Eyeris is a world pioneer and leader in vision AI for automotive in-cabin sensing. EyerisNet is the company's vision AI portfolio of advanced Deep Neural Networks, which includes state-of-the-art driver monitoring system (DMS) and occupant monitoring system (OMS). Eyeris, a Silver Award winner in two categories at the AutoSens Awards in 2019 and a finalist in the TU Automotive Awards for the last six years and a winner in 2017, holds the world's largest in-cabin dataset for vehicle interior monitoring solutions. Visit www.eyeris.ai. SOURCE Eyeris Related Links http://www.eyeris.ai There is one thing that unites "FOBs, Asians and white people", says writer Winnie Dunn, and that is pork rolls. The ubiquitous Vietnamese snack happens to be a convergent and climactic plot point for a Quentin Tarantino-esque multi-channel art installation premiering at Sydney Festival that explores the lived experience of growing up in multi-cultural western Sydney. Inspired by life in western Sydney, the creators of Sex, Drugs and Pork Rolls on the streets of Bankstown. Credit:Steven Siewert Sex, Drugs & Pork Rolls is the first directorial project of S.Shakthidharan since his debut play, Counting and Cracking, swept the Helpmann awards. It features the talents of Prime Minister Literary Award winner Omar Sakr and novelist Michael Mohammed Ahmad. The personal statement required by UCAS is the applicants opportunity to sell themselves and to persuade a college to choose them. While including any work experience or extra-curricular activities that are relevant to the course is important, applicants must also give an idea of their academic interests and work style. Showing that the applicant has an understanding of the skills, qualities and aptitudes necessary for an area of study as well as examples of where the applicant has used or developed the same skills, qualities and aptitudes is very helpful. Applicants should be prepared to write and rewrite their personal statement. They should show it to as many people as possible and get advice on how to improve it. Whether its a parent or friend, teacher or guidance counsellor, you do not know where a helpful comment may come from. A personal statement should not read like a list of what you have done. Make of note of everything you want the college to know about you and make sure you include it, but try to make it flow rather than reading like a CV. It can be helpful to explain what you learned from an experience and how this relates to your chosen area of study, rather than simply listing experiences. Include work or volunteer experience, academic interests and projects, outside reading and interests. Your personal statement will go to each institution and course for which you apply, so be careful if youre applying to more than one subject area or institution. You should avoid naming institutions or talking about things that are not relevant to particular courses for which you are applying. Also steer clear of cliches and humour. Think of this as your first introduction to your course. Set a professional or formal tone. As with any application ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that your referee has a copy of your statement. It is very helpful for them to match the reference to it. Additionally they may not be aware of all your experience, or interests and this will really help them. If there are any personal circumstances relevant to your performance or achievements, these should also be included in your personal statement. For example, if a student has been ill and missed large amounts of school or if they have a learning difficulty they can mention these in the personal statement so that the university has an understanding of their journey. Two PSNI officers were injured as a result of accidental firearm discharges in the past six years. In total, there were 25 "negligent" shootings between 2015 and 2020 involving officers. They occurred for a range of reasons, such as mishandling by another person; storing; cleaning; unloading; loading; holstering; carrying; making the firearm ready, and during practice drills. Two of the incidents were described as "unknown". In 2015 an officer suffered a leg injury due to an accidental discharge. The following year another received an injury to a leg and a finger. The details were released to the Belfast Telegraph following a Freedom of Information request. Policing Board member Dolores Kelly said she was "worried and disappointed" by the figures. Last month two policemen were handed suspended sentences over an incident at a house party in June when, while both were heavily intoxicated, one fired the other's gun. Constables Samuel David Beattie (23) and Paul Coulter (24) were told by District Judge Rosie Watters that their actions, when a bullet was fired through a kitchen ceiling, was a "grossly stupid thing to have done". Three of the accidental discharges detailed in the FoI response involved rifles, while all other incidents involved a handgun. Only one round was fired in each incident. There were six incidents in 2015; another six in 2016; two in 2017; four in 2018; five in 2019, and two last year. Separately, there were three incidents of a police firearm being discharged to challenge an armed assailant. No injuries resulted. And there were 10 incidents involving an officer using a firearm to humanely destroy an animal. In 2019 in the Fermanagh and Omagh district, a Remington shotgun and a sniper rifle were used to kill an animal. Upper Bann SDLP MLA Mrs Kelly said she plans on raising the accidental discharge figures at the performance committee of the Policing Board to see what lessons have been learned and how training can be made more robust. "I hope that, and I'm pretty confident to say, lessons have been learned," said Mrs Kelly. "There will always be a risk of human error, but nonetheless, any of the findings from the Police Ombudsman investigations should feed into any protocols within the training college and how officers learn." She added that it was "fairly unique" on these islands that officers were armed, but said that has continued due to the threat of dissident violence. Expand Close Concerns: Dolores Kelly is to raise level of accidental shootings at the Policing Board / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Concerns: Dolores Kelly is to raise level of accidental shootings at the Policing Board The Police Federation for Northern Ireland said the injuries to the two officers was a "matter of deep regret". Mark Lindsay, chair of the organisation, said officers received comprehensive weapons training and were constantly reminded of the need to exercise maximum care and vigilance. "Twenty-five accidental discharges in this six-year period, or 4.1 per year, has to be set in the context of the number of serving officers, which stood at an annual average of 6,300," he said. "Various incident types are highlighted, including cleaning, practising, and unloading weapons. "Every officer is conscious of the very real dangers involved in firearms, something they are reminded of on an ongoing basis." The PSNI said it took the safe and secure storage, and operation of personal protection weapons (PPW), "extremely seriously". "The 25 negligent discharges recorded over the past six years should be taken in the context of the current number of almost 7,000 serving PSNI officers, all of whom are armed with a PPW," it added. "Every PSNI officer undergoes an initial intensive 10-day firearms training programme whilst at the police college, and each is required to undergo further additional refresher training at least twice a year throughout their service." It added that the Police Ombudsman will be notified in cases where an officer has discharged a firearm, except in training situations or in connection with negligent discharges within the confines of a police station resulting in no injury to another person. "All such occurrences will be thoroughly investigated and the officer involved may be subject to disciplinary procedures if appropriate," it said. Kitchen staff at Los Brothers was busy at work Saturday morning prepping food for the days orders. Advertisement Advertise With Us Kitchen staff at Los Brothers was busy at work Saturday morning prepping food for the days orders. Like many other Brandon restaurants, theyve adapted to current health restrictions by offering take-out and delivery service. A plastic barrier separates the till from customers, hand sanitizer is prominently displayed and the dine-in area is off limits. Unlike most local restauranteurs, however, the group of family and friends who own Los Brothers have never operated the space outside of COVID-era realities, having opened in early October. "Were just waiting to get things normal," manager Ben Castro said. "We cant complain. Were paying the bills, rent and utilities. We hope itll be better once things go back to normal." A return to normal appeared further on the horizon last week, when the province announced level red restrictions in the Pandemic Response System were being extended to at least Jan. 22. Paradoxically, the fact that now is not the best time to open a restaurant also made it more feasible, Castro said, in that they got a good deal on their building because few people are interested in opening right now. The restaurant operates out of rented space at the former Hansel and Gretel Schnitzel House at 363 First Street, which closed last year. Castro said that despite their current constraints, the community has been supportive of their business, which specializes in foods with a Latin American flair. "More customers are coming every day," he said. Despite Los Brothers early success, it has been more common to hear of businesses close than open since the pandemic began. Although Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Spencer Day said he didnt have the exact numbers, hes confident the business community is in "a negative situation." Most recently, this includes the Hallmark Gold Crown store at Shoppers Mall, whose last day of business will be Feb. 14. This, co-owner Darlene Appleyard said, is when their lease is up for renewal. "This past year, being closed throughout December, we just cant renew not with our hands being tied with what we can sell and being closed for so long and not knowing when well be able to reopen to sell even at a reduced capacity." Rick Yanes is seen next to the safety guard and health guidelines in place at Brandon's Los Brothers restaurant. (Tyler Clarke/The Brandon Sun) Appleyard and her husband, Vern, also own four Hallmark stores in Winnipeg and one in Stonewall. In addition to their Brandon location, they are also closing their St. Vital store in Winnipeg. She said they have strived to keep their business spaces as safe as possible throughout the pandemic, even exceeding government regulations in order to keep their staff and customers protected. Although shes supportive of what the government is trying to do protect the health and safety of Manitobans Appleyard said shes confused by some of the regulations that led to business such as hers, deemed "non-essential," to close. Part of her frustration relates to the hypocrisy of some rules, such as Christmas cards being considered "essential," but sympathy cards for someone dying of COVID-19 are not. The main point of contention, however, relates to safety. "Small businesses have been going above and beyond to protect people," she said. "Were not the ones breaking the law, were not the ones gathering, were not the ones spreading COVID, and we have always gone above what we need to do to keep people safe." In addition to feeling as though she has let her dedicated staff down, Appleyard said she will miss being part of Brandons business community. The Brandon Chamber of Commerce has been fielding the local business communitys complaints and suggestions and has undertaken some "real heavy lobbying efforts" with the province, Day said. They prepared "quite a document" they sent to Premier Brian Pallister and chief medical officer Dr. Brent Roussin on Dec. 22. This correspondence included modified level red restrictions, which Day said he still hopes to see some incarnation of come to fruition. "They do want to work with us moving forward," he said. "The COVID task force has been really receptive to our recommendations and were hoping that theyre going to take some of that under consideration." Although theyve joined the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in lobbying the province, the local chamber has also been striking out on their own in recognition of their belief that a regionalized approach is best. If theres a silver lining, its that the public has become well versed on how to shop locally, even during level red restrictions, and Day said the hope is that they continue doing so. The support is very much needed. "If were measuring things from a workforce or a GDP standpoint, were not in a good situation out here and a lot of people have reached a tipping point in the last little while. You can see the frustrations grow," he said, adding that the key message for the general public is for them to continue supporting one another. In the meantime, he said the Brandon Chamber of Commerce will continue compiling public feedback into plans they put forward to the province. "Were here, were listening, and we continue to engage with everyone on a daily basis." tclarke@brandonsun.com Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB EMILY ST. LAWRENCE, Chariho girls lacrosse, senior: St. Lawrence tied a school record for goals in a game with nine in a win over Smithfield. St. Lawrence scored 17 goals for the week and has 32 for the season. CARLY CONSTANTINE, Stonington softball, sophomore: Constantine singled home Shea OConnor with the winning run to hand Waterford, the states No. 2 ranked team at the time, its first loss of the season. For the week, Constantine was 5 for 15. GREG GORMAN, Westerly baseball, junior: Gorman, a junior, hit a massive home run in a win against Barrington. The homer went over the fence in center field and landed in a nearby road. Gorman was 3 for 3 with four RBIs in the game. He is hitting .571 with 10 RBIs for the season. BRADIN ANDERSON, Wheeler baseball, freshman: Anderson, a freshman, pitched a complete-game shutout to beat Grasso Tech. Anderson struck out three to earn the first win of his varsity career. Vote View Results Tapestry Pooling, the initiative developed by the team from Mumbai, is today a finalist in the Open Innovation Track of the $500,000 XPRIZE, a worldwide COVID-19 testing competition About five years ago, Manoj Gopalkrishnan, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, heard about the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus or MERS-COV outbreak. He read news stories discussing the shortage of testing kits and wondered if pooling as a form of testing, where samples are mixed together in a batch and only tested further if the combined sample tests positive, could be used to accelerate testing. But back then, the idea remained only in his mind. In early 2020, as COVID-19 virus raged across the world, Manoj saw, yet again, a shortage of tests. But this time there was a lot more interest in sophisticated pooling methods. Manoj, with help from his PhD student Sabyasachi Ghosh, colleague and mathematician Ajit Rajwade, and several other volunteers at IIT-Bombay, used mathematical modelling and developed an algorithm to set rules on how to pool samples for large-scale screenings. Their intiative, Tapestry Pooling, is today a finalist in the Open Innovation Track of the $500,000 XPRIZE, a worldwide COVID-19 testing competition. How it works Manoj uses an analogy to explain: The problem of testing, he says, is like finding a needle in a haystack. Labs receive thousands of samples that may have to be individually tested to determine who is infected. One method is to go through the haystack blade by blade till you find or dont find a needle, that is, an infected patient sample. Or you can perform an exponential search using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). But as large populations are infected with COVID-19 , the problem, according to Manoj, is not of diagnosis or of finding one needle in a haystack, but identifying which haystacks or pooled samples have needles. Dorfman technique is a widely-used method of testing samples. Under this, an equal number of samples are pooled and tested once. If the pool or group tests negative, it is understood that all samples test negative. But if it tests positive, each sample in that group is retested individually. Manojs team is asking if all the tests could be performed in one round. Under Tapestry Pooling, samples are mixed in different groups and tested simultaneously to identify positives. Tapestry has also released an android application that can help labs implement their testing protocols. Shampa Singh, former volunteer and now product manager with Tapestry Pooling, has been involved in collecting information from testing centres to help build this protocol. Shampa says: We conducted surveys to understand their end-to-end testing process: how many samples were they collecting, how many were positive, what kind of equipment they had, were they following manual or automatic processes. Shampa designed a questionnaire and a team of volunteers began to call up testing centres to collect answers. Meanwhile, Manojs team conducted pilot studies at the Harvard Medical School and InStem Bangalore using synthetic RNA. Results of their pilot study show that Tapestry accurately identifies the status of each individual sample with a single round of testing in fewer tests than simple two-round pooling. Implementing the method But when volunteers began to talk to testing centres about implementing their protocol, they realised that the android app wasnt quite useful to centres used to working on spreadsheets, so they started to build a web app. Shampa explains that the testing centres were aware of pooling methods. But large-scale pooling is challenging. If a thousand samples have to be tested, they can either be individually tested or pooled to perform 100 reactions. In each sample, say, 10 individuals RNA is added. Person ones RNA may be in vial 1, 2, and 3, so unless all are positive, we cant say person one is positive. Similarly, for person 2 to person 1,000. Labs cannot do this manually, which is where Tapestrys system of pooling comes in, Shampa says. The team created a dashboard where the labs can enter their testing parametres such as number of samples and prevalence rate (proportion of a population that has the disease) while the algorithm configures a pooling matrix and runs the tests. It took Tapestry three months to build this web app, Akanksha Vyas, who was involved in the process, says. We had to figure out how we could provide pooling instructions simply and efficiently without being prone to errors, she adds. But apart from the matrix that helps testing centres pool samples and trace it back to the individual through patient ids or numbers, Tapestry also worked on improving existing pipetting techniques through multi-channel pipetting, Shampa says. Pipetting is a lab technique of measuring and transferring small amounts of liquid using a slender tube called a pipette. This was done to optimise the testing process and save time. Tapestry claims that its pooling is beneficial for screening large populations at low prevalence (< 1 percent), where it performs up to 10 times better in terms of savings than the simple pooling strategy which is conventionally used for this purpose. They have reported these results after a study of pooled RNA extracted from patient samples that were previously tested for Covid19. But theres no large-scale deployment of their methods yet. Creating the algorithm and web app, Manoj says, has been easier than receiving regulatory approval. As they await a nod from The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Tapestry is planning to initiate a field study at IIIT-Hyderabad through an internal clearance from the institutes ethics committee. Now that the vaccine is here, the prevailing attitude is that the pandemic is over. But Phase IV trials of vaccines are left. At such a time, the need for a large-scale testing system becomes very important, Manoj says. Tapestry might not be recognised by Indian regulators, but they are the only Indian team to reach the finals of the XPRIZE. The global competition has given further impetus to their work; they are now initiating talks with multiple institutions from IIT-Jodhpur to the Indian Institute of Science. But without regulatory approval, Tapestrys efforts of improved mass testing might remain unrealised. Advertisement Overflow mortuaries have been created across the country as hospitals have run out of room to store all the bodies of people who have died from coronavirus. Some 170 bodies are being kept in the temporary mortuary at Headley Court in Leatherhead, which first opened in April to alleviate pressure during the first wave of the pandemic. Similar temporary mortuaries have also been built in Lincolnshire and Lancashire. And another has reopened on the grounds of the Breakspear Crematorium in Ruislip, London. More than half of those kept at the Surrey facility died with coronavirus, a Local Resilience Forum spokesman said. The county's hospital mortuaries have the capacity to store 600 bodies but are currently full, while the temporary facility has room for 845. Pictured: The tented temporary mortuary facility at Headley Court near Leatherhead Some 170 bodies are being kept in the temporary mortuary (pictured) at Headley Court in Leatherhead, which first opened in April to alleviate pressure during the first wave of the pandemic Another has reopened on the grounds of the Breakspear Crematorium in Ruislip Pictured: The temporary mortuary site in Woodhall Spa More than half of those kept at the Surrey facility died with coronavirus, a Local Resilience Forum spokesman said More than half of those kept at the facility died with coronavirus, a Surrey Local Resilience Forum spokesman said. Pictured: The county's hospital The number of patients with Covid-19 in hospital has reached a record high in England. Pictured: Defence medical rehabilitation centre at Headley Court in Surrey It comes as a temporary mortuary on a former RAF site is being used in Lincolnshire. The site, at Woodhall Spa (pictured) was constructed during the first wave of coronavirus earlier this year The Surrey Local Resilience Forum spokesman said the county would be left in 'real difficulty' if the 1,445 capacity is exceeded in the coming weeks. He said: 'To put some perspective on this, during the first wave, they had 700 bodies go through that (temporary) facility. 'The first wave lasted approximately 12 weeks from mid-March to mid-May. 'Since December 21, after just two-and-a-half weeks, they have had 300 bodies go through it.' Jerry Kirkby, who works for the Surrey Local Resilience Forum told the BBC: 'The numbers have increased dramatically and rapidly over the last two and a half weeks and that is causing us some concern.' He added that there are no signs that the number of infections will decrease and that the emergency mortuary is 'testament' to how people are 'failing' to stick to government guidelines. Firemen and police officers have been brought in to help at the emergency facility. ELMBRIDGE: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began ELMBRIDGE: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality EPSOM AND EWELL: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began EPSON AND EWELL: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality GUILDFORD: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began GUILDFORD: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality MOLE VALLEY: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began MOLE VALLEY: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality REIGATE AND BANSTEAD: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began REIGATE AND BANSTEAD: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality RUNNYMEDE: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began RUNNYMEDE: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality SPELTHORNE: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began SPELTHORNE: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality SURREY HEATH: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began SURREY HEATH: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality TANDRIDGE: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began TANDRIDGE: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality WAVERLEY: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began WAVERLEY: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality WOKING: Department of Health figures show how many coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the borough every day since the pandemic began WOKING: Government statistics show how many Covid deaths have been registered each day since the UK announced its first fatality One worker, Kirsty Walker - a detective on Surrey's murder squad - said: 'It's been a dreadful year for everyone. However, working here I can see the numbers are increasing not decreasing.' It comes as a temporary mortuary on a former RAF site is being used in Lincolnshire. The site, at Woodhall Spa was constructed during the first wave of coronavirus earlier this year. More than 300 deaths were recorded in the county in the second week of December - twice the area's usual death rate. The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, which co-ordinates action between public bodies, said the move was necessary due to there being 'less capacity at crematoria'. And another temporary mortuary, with the capacity to house up to 210 bodies, went under construction in mid-November. The facility will be constructed on the car park of the Farington Environmental Education Centre at Lancashire Enterprise Business Park near Leyland. County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: 'I hope this facility will never need to be used and that we'll be able to cope without it as we did during the first wave of the pandemic. 'However, we can't predict what will happen over the winter and it's vital that we're prepared in order to ensure the deceased are treated decently and with respect.' The number of patients with Covid-19 in hospital has reached a record high in England, while the official coronavirus death toll for the UK passed 80,000 at the weekend and lab-confirmed cases hit more than three million. As of Sunday, a further 563 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK total to 81,431. Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 97,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK. In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) addresses the virtual convention on Aug. 27, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images) Democrat-Turned-Republican Jeff Van Drew Calls on Biden To Unite the Nation, End Impeachment Talks Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), the former Democrat who switched parties over the House Democrats first attempt to impeach President Donald Trump, has called on President-elect Joe Biden to unite the nation. Im calling on the president-elect, Joe Biden, to say, Enough. Lets try to come together,' Van Drew said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. The New Jersey congressman blamed talks of a second Trump impeachment on very pro-left Democrats, calling it a divisive and unbelievable move. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in recent days has pushed efforts to impeach the president for the second time, a move denounced by House Republicans because it will undermine any efforts by Biden to unify Americans. The way to [achieve unity] is not to call for another impeachment [due to] the waste of money, the waste of time, the division that it will cause in the United States of America, Van Drew explained, adding that, Tens of millions of people still did vote and still do support Donald Trump. Van Drew told host Maria Bartiromo that Trump would be out of office by the time Pelosi could follow through on the Democrats impeachment threats. The impeachment talks came after civil unrest and acts of violence marred a largely peaceful protest at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. A group of rioters and a minority of protesters waving American and Trump flags illegally stormed the Capitol building as lawmakers were counting electoral votes in a joint session of Congress. Mayhem on Capitol grounds that day left at least five people dead, including one police officer, and dozens of officers injured. Thousands of protesters had followed Trump to gather around the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon after his speech outside the White House, during which he asked protesters to peaceful and patriotically make your voices heard at the Capitol and urged Vice President Mike Pence to send contested Electoral College Votes back to state legislatures. Both of these things did not eventuate. Rioters ended up breaching the Capitol building, and other protesters followed. Trump has since condemned the heinous attack by intruders on the Capitol, saying the demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), on behalf of seven House members, said in a letter on Saturday that he believes a second impeachment only days before Trump is scheduled to leave office is as unnecessary as it is inflammatory. A presidential impeachment should not occur in the heat of the moment but rather after great deliberation, the group said in its letter. The impeachment would be a further distraction to our nation at a time when millions of our fellow citizens are hurting because of the pandemic and the economic fallout, they wrote. We respectfully urge you to encourage Speaker Pelosi to set aside this partisan effort immediately, the letter said. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) also said Friday he was opposed to impeaching Trump, adding that it would further divide the country. Impeaching the President with just 12 days left will only divide our country more. Ive reached out to President-elect Biden today & plan to speak to him about how we must work together to lower the temperature & unite the country to solve Americas challenges, McCarthy said in a Twitter statement. Janita Kan contributed to this report. Your browser does not support the video tag. Parliament has refuted claims that one of its staff tried to stuff a ballot box with papers during the voting to elect the Speaker for the eighth Parliament. A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Ms Kate Addo, indicated that it was practically impossible for such a thing to happen due to the nature of the voting system in Parliament. While admitting that it was a difficult night and most staff including the Clerk of Parliament bore the brunt of some actions from the floor, she stated that the staff at all times during the night remained calm and saw a peaceful resolution of all issues which culminated in the successful selection of the Speaker. Parliament would like to assure all citizens that its staff are dedicated to assisting the Speakership, Leadership and the entire membership of Parliament in the discharge of their duties, Mrs Addo stated. No rigging Ms Addo explained that since the number of voters participating in the exercise was already known to be 275, it was practically impossible for anyone to introduce any voting material, indicating that such action would have exacerbated the already volatile situation. Additionally, she indicated that staff of Parliament did not participate in proceedings which included voting on the floor of the house. Parliament would like to put on record that the Officer, a Deputy Marshal, was stationed at a particular spot in the chamber to protect the ballot box. As things started getting out of hand, the marshal was reaching for his taser which was hanging behind his belt to use in the protection of the ballot box, Ms Addo said. She went on to add that the deputy marshal then looked at the taser to turn it on and actually went on to use the taser to prevent one member from forcefully taking the ballot box, which at the time had two votes cast in it. The box in question, she said, was taken away and examined in the presence of some leaders of the house. She added that the leader in question later came to the chamber to assure his side of the house that nothing untoward had happened. Maintaining peace Ms Addo further pointed out that the marshal in Parliament were mandated to maintain peace and order in the house, hence doing anything contrary to that would be at variance with the dictates of their job. Indeed, it was the same marshal who intercepted the honourable member who snatched the ballot papers at the time of collation after the votes had been cast , she said. 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. Gum Rosin Market size is forecast to reach $1,437.43 million by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 3.50% during 2020-2025. Major factors driving gum rosin demand include increasing demand from key application industries such as adhesives and rubber, growth in the construction project, and increasing automotive production. Factors such as economic growth, industrial growth, rising consumer disposable incomes, and standards of living have levied high pressure on the automotive and building & construction industries for higher output and better-quality products. This has led to the increasing procurement of gum rosin by players of these end-use industries over the past few years. In addition, various key players and heavily investing in research and developments for developing efficient tapping methods and development of genetic changes that would increase the flow of resins in the trees, which will help the players to increase the overall product output and cater to the steadily-growing demand. However, fluctuation in raw materials prices is expected hinder market growth. Report Coverage The report: Gum Rosin Market Forecast (2020-2025), by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Gum Rosin Industry. By Product Type: WW, WG, X, N, M and Others. By Application: Rubber Softener, Adhesives, Paper Sizing, Paints and Coatings, Inks, Others. By Geography: North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and RoW. Key Takeaways Asia-Pacific dominates the global Gum Rosin market, owing to increasing construction activities in the region and growing focus by the government and end-use industries to curb carbon footprints and develop environment friendly products. Speedy growth of synthetic rubber and adhesives industries is expected to act as a major factor driving the global gum rosin market during the forecast period. However, volatility of gum rosin and fluctuation in prices of raw materials are restricting gum rosin market. However, operations in various industries such as paints and coating, automotive, construction and so on is being significantly affected due to the COVID-19 epidemic, as most of countries have issued stay at home guidance i.e., lockdown. And it is expected that the outbreak of COVID-19 will be seen in the whole year of 2020, and a few months in 2021. This is limiting Gum Rosin market growth. Product type - Segment Analysis X Type segment held the largest share in the Gum Rosin market in 2019. The Gum Rosin X is extensively used as a raw material in fabricating coatings and inks as it is extremely chemically active and can be soluble in a number of organic solvents. Gum Rosin X grade has a softening point of 78 C and volatile oil content of 2%. The Gum Rosin X can be further processed as modified gum rosin such as hydrogenated rosin, disproportionated rosin, polymerized rosin, and others. Therefore, owning to these properties of gum rosin X, its demand is high as compared to other types. Application - Segment Analysis Adhesives application held the largest share in the Gum Rosin market in 2019 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.03% through the forecast period. Gum Rosin is used as a binder in adhesives to enhance the strength, plasticity, and viscosity of adhesives. The growth in construction activities and motor vehicle production is driving adhesive usage, which in turn is supporting gum rosin market growth. According to OICA, in 2018 the production of light commercial vehicles and heavy trucks increased by 5.9% and 3.5% from 2017. In addition, according to the International Energy Agency, in 2018, 3.29 million electric vehicles deployed globally, and the number will increase up to 125 million by 2030. In addition, adhesives dominance in several adhesives-intensive industries including electronics, footwear, furniture, and machinery is further expected to boost the market growth in the coming years. Geography - Segment Analysis Asia Pacific held the largest share in the Gum Rosin market in 2019, up to 57%, owning to growth in construction projects and rising automotive production in the region. In 2019, China government invested 1.9 billion on 13 public housing projects. In addition, in February 2020, the Asian Development Bank approved a loan of $631 million to develop the Vishakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor. Furthermore, construction projects such as 100 smart cities and Housing for All by 2022 in India are influencing Gum Rosin market growth. In addition, according to OICA, automotive production in countries such as India, Indonesia, and Malaysia have increased by 8%, 10.3% and 12.2% up to 5,174,645, 1,343,714 and 402,085 from 2017. Gum rosin is extensively used as softeners in the synthetic rubber industry and as a key raw material in the paint & coating industry owing to its dissolving property with solvents. As construction and automotive industry is the key application area of synthetic rubber and paints and coatings, the growth in these is indirectly supporting gum rosin market growth. Drivers Gum Rosin Market Increasing demand from key application industries Gum rosin is extensively used as a binder in adhesives, and as softeners in the synthetic rubber industry, as it enhances softness, strength, and adhesion of adhesives, which are used in the manufacturing of rubber boots and furniture, bookbinding, and packing industry. According to Rubber Board, in India synthetic Rubber (SR) production increased to 380,772 tonnes during 2018-19 from 331,221 tonnes during 2017-18, registering a considerable growth of 15.0%. Whereas, synthetic rubber consumption increased to 686,325 tonnes during 2018-19 registering a growth of 8.3% as against 633,975 tonnes consumed during 2017-18. Therefore, speedy growth in synthetic rubber production is driving the global gum rosin market. Gum rosin, on account of its chemical property, is used in manufacturing soap as a replacement of aliphatic acid. It is also used in the food industry, to make chewing gum and other confectionaries, slowly it is evolving as one of the most emergent ingredients in confectionery. It is also used in making varnishes, sealing wax, driers, soldering fluxes, and pitch. Furthermore, gum resin is finding growing adoption in printing inks formulation and also preferred over traditional materials due to its better sticky properties, which help in efficient printing. Moreover, new developments are also taking place in end-use industries across the globe in order to increase the application scope for gum rosin which will further support gum resin market growth. Challenges Gum Rosin Market Better performance capabilities of tall oil resin and economic benefits of petroleum resin over gum rosin Gum rosin-based resin is widely used in the manufacturing of offset printing inks, because of its robust chemical and physical properties. However, the other by-product obtained in the kraft pulping process, by distillation of crude tall oil is tall oil rosin. The rosin acid content in the tall oil rosin makes the resin made from it especially of interest to the ink maker. In addition, tall oil resin offers some economic benefit over gum resin. Therefore, the use of tall oil is increasing as an effective substitute for gum rosin, particularly in package printing purposes, which requires ink having good gloss and quick-drying properties. Thus, affecting gum resin market growth. In addition, the readily available petroleum resin substitutes such as C5, C9, and Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) with better performance capabilities and low price is also restricting gum resin market growth. The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic The emergence of COVID-19, which is declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, is having a noticeable impact on global economic growth. According to the International Monetary Fund, the global GDP is expected to decline by 4.9% in 2020. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), global trade volumes are projected to decline between 13% and 32% in 2020 as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, as of 15 July 2020, the total number of global confirmed cases has reached 13,285,640. Therefore, most of the countries have issued stay at home guidance i.e., lockdown due to which operations of various industries have disruptively stopped. The global spread of COVID-19 has disrupted global supply chains and decreased labor availability, thus impacting manufacturing plants globally. This is eventually impacting the gum rosin industry. According to the Society of India Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle sales declined 51% to 143,014 units in March 2020 in India. Also, sales of commercial vehicles declined 88% to 13,027 units, those of two-wheelers fell 40% to 866,849 units. The COVID outbreak has crashed the automotive industry tremendously. The U.S. is anticipated to witness a decline of 27% in automobile sales in 2020. This decline has affected the tire and automotive coatings demand. As synthetic rubber and paint and coatings industries are the key application areas of gum resin the decline in these is affecting gum rosin market growth. Moreover, it is expected that the outbreak of COVID-19 will be seen in the whole year of 2020, and a few months in 2021. Market Landscape Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Gum Rosin Market. Major players in the Gum Rosin market are Gum Chemical Solutions, S.A., Jinggu Forestry Chemical, Sharda Industries, Punjab Rosin & Chemicals Works, Guangdong Komo Co., Ltd, Resin Chemicals Co., Ltd, and Manish Minerals & Chemicals, among others. Agreement/Technology Launches NEW FAIRFIELD As local first responders are in the process of getting vaccinated for COVID-19, First Selectman Pat Del Monaco says the town is awaiting word from the state on whats to come next. Stage 1A of COVID vaccination is currently underway in Connecticut and over 100 healthcare workers, first responders and nursing home residents have been vaccinated statewide, Del Monaco announced Saturday. She said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made recommendations for Phases 1B and 1C of the COVID-19 vaccination program, and the state is expected to adopt the recommendations, with minor changes, on Monday. Vaccination of individuals in Phase 1B is expected to begin in the next few weeks and will include adults over the age of 75, teachers and school staff, childcare providers, food service workers, grocery workers and other front-line workers, Del Monaco said. She said Phase 1C is expected to begin in early March, and will include adults over 65, those individuals with underlying health conditions and remaining essential workers. Del Monaco said she is awaiting details from the state on how people can make appointments to get vaccinated, and the town of New Fairfield expects to have a local vaccine clinic operating by Feb. 1. Last month, the town approved a $200,000 budget for COVID-related expenses, including vaccination services. Del Monaco said the timeline for vaccinations, however, is tentative and may change slightly before implementation. Once information becomes available, Del Monaco said it will be shared with residents via New Fairfields AlertNow service, Facebook page and on the towns website. In the meantime, she said, New Fairfields COVID-19 infection rate continues to climb, and she is urging residents to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing and avoiding gatherings outside their households. On Thursday, New Fairfield reported 88 active COVID-19 cases and an infection rate of 44 cases per 100,000 people, according to the town. As of 8:30 p.m. that day, there had been 193,991 laboratory-confirmed cases in Connecticut and 6,324 COVID-associated deaths, according to the states Jan. 8 COVID-19 update. WASHINGTON (AP) When some Democrats were pushing for President Donald Trumps impeachment in early 2019, it took around five months for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to back the idea. Not this time. On Monday, Democrats in the House introduced articles of impeachment, just days after pro-Trump supporters violently breached and ransacked the Capitol. The riots Wednesday came after Trump egged on the crowd at a rally near the White House. Trump faces a single charge incitement of insurrection in an impeachment resolution that could go to a vote by mid-week. A congressional effort to impeach Trump would be unlikely to remove him from the White House, which he'll vacate Jan. 20 when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. There's little chance that the Republican-led Senate would hold a trial and vote on convicting Trump in less than two weeks. Still, action by the House would still make Trump the first president in history to be impeached twice. And it could include a ban on holding public office, ending Trumps ability to run in 2024. A look at how impeachment works, and what Congress can do in the short amount of time until Trumps term ends: THE BASICS OF IMPEACHMENT In normal order, there would be an impeachment investigation and the evidence would be sent to the House Judiciary Committee, which would hold hearings, draft articles and send them to the full house. Thats what happened in 2019, when the House impeached Trump over his dealings with the president of Ukraine. It took three months. This time, with so few days to move and a feeling among Democrats that there is little need to investigate what happened, since most members of Congress were in the Capitol when the mob broke in Pelosi would likely hold a floor vote with no hearings or committee action. Once the House votes to impeach, the articles and evidence are sent to the Senate, where a trial is held and there are final votes to convict or acquit, as the Senate did in early February of last year. WHAT ABOUT THE 25th AMENDMENT? On Monday, a House resolution calling on Vice President Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove Trump from office was blocked by Republicans. However, the full House is set to hold a roll call vote on that resolution on Tuesday, and it is expected to pass. After that, Pelosi said Pence will have 24 hours to respond. Pence has given no indication he is ready to proceed on such a course, which would involve invoking the 25th Amendment to the Constitution with a vote by a majority of the Cabinet to oust Trump before Jan. 20. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., offered the resolution calling on Pence to invoke his authority during a brief session Monday. He said lawmakers must act to ensure that Trump is removed from the ability to repeat the seditious action that he took. It was blocked by Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., joined by at least one other GOP lawmaker. Pelosi said the Republicans, in rejecting it, were enabling Trump's "unhinged, unstable and deranged acts of sedition to continue. Their complicity endangers America, erodes our Democracy, and it must end. A QUICK IMPEACHMENT VOTE If Pence does not invoke the 25th Amendment, the House would proceed to impeachment. A vote could come Wednesday. Any member of the House can introduce articles of impeachment and trigger a procedural process that allows them to be considered almost immediately. Approving them takes only the majority. Democrats narrowly control the House, 222-211. ABUSE OF POWER The impeachment bill from Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ted Lieu of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and and Jerrold Nadler of New York draws from Trump's own false statements about his election defeat to Biden. Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, have repeatedly dismissed cases challenging the election results, and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, has said there was no sign of widespread fraud. The impeachment legislation details Trump's pressure on state officials in Georgia to find him more votes and his White House rally ahead of the Capitol siege, in which he encouraged thousands of supporters last Wednesday to fight like hell and march to the building . The mob overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Bidens victory over Trump in the Electoral College. While some have questioned impeaching the president so close to the end of his term, Democrats and others argue he must be held accountable for his actions and prevented from ever again seeking public office. He would be the only president twice impeached. SENATE POLITICS Timing of a trial in the Senate is uncertain. The Senate is not set to resume full sessions until Jan. 20, which is Inauguration Day, and its hard to see the benefit of impeaching Trump while Biden is being sworn into office. Republican Sen. Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again. I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again, Toomey said. I dont think he is electable in any way. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply needs to get out. A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be very careful in his final days in office. On impeachment, House Democrats would likely delay for 100 days sending articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, to allow Biden to focus on other priorities. WHAT IMPEACHMENT WOULD MEAN Republicans, even those who have criticized Trump, say impeachment would be unhelpful. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said it would do more harm than good. But Democrats say they believe they have to try anyway. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted on Friday that some people might ask why they would try to impeach a president with only a few days left in office. The answer: Precedent, he said. It must be made clear that no president, now or in the future, can lead an insurrection against the U.S. government. JOHANNESBURG (AP) The United States ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, spent 10 days in intensive care with COVID-19 and is now recuperating at her residence, she announced Monday. After first experiencing fever, chills, a sore throat and fatigue, Marks went into a hospital on Dec. 28 when her symptoms worsened to receive supplemental oxygen and therapeutic treatment, she said in a statement on Twitter. She was quickly moved to an intensive care unit where she stayed for 10 days and then spent a further three days in the COVID-19 unit, she said. Marks said she was discharged late last week and is continuing to recuperate at the ambassador's residence. Her condition is improving and the doctors are confident that she will eventually make a full recovery, she said. Marks said she will forever be grateful for the excellent level of care that I received from the South African doctors and nurses," who cared for her in the hospital. I am just one of tens of thousands of COVID-19 patients that South Africas health care workers and hospitals have treated with the utmost professionalism, putting their own lives at risk in order to practice their calling, she wrote. Having seen them on the front lines of this battle for nearly a year, and now having had my own life in their hands, I will always remember their heroism and dedication and all that they sacrifice and risk as they fight this dangerous illness on behalf of their countrymen, she said. The ambassador's announcement comes as South Africa is battling a resurgence of COVID-19 that has filled many hospitals to capacity and the numbers of new confirmed cases and hospitalizations are continuing to rise. She said she made the statement to further de-stigmatize discussions around COVID-19. Only through sharing information about the virus can we understand how to prevent its spread and treat it. She urged all in South Africa to take precautions to prevent getting the disease and to abide by South Africa's regulations including a night curfew and limits to public gatherings. These regulations are in place to save lives and to keep hospitals available for those who truly need it, she said. I am fortunate to have had a bed and a medical team available for me in my time of need. We must all do our utmost to give that same opportunity to those who need it. Key workers have been told to keep their children at home after it was revealed that up to 60 per cent of schools are full despite the national lockdown. One in 10 schools had between 40 and 60 per cent of students attending during the first week of the new lockdown, according to a poll conducted by the National Association of Headteachers. This is despite schools being closed to all but the children of key workers. The union has now called on ministers to introduce a cap on the number of students allowed in school, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock also urging key workers to keep their children at home if possible. Mr Hancock said that key workers whose partners do not work should leave their children at home. Data reveals one in 10 schools had between 40 and 60 per cent of students attending during the first week of the new lockdown There was confusion among parents today after they were told that, despite being key workers, they must send their children to school Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged key workers to keep their children at home if possible More than 60% of pupils are still going to school, poll finds One in 10 schools had between 40 and 60 per cent of students attending during the first week of the new lockdown, according to a poll conducted by the National Association of Headteachers. The new NAHT poll also found that more than a third (34%) of school leaders say they had 31% or more of their normal roll attend school in person on Thursday. The NAHT is calling on the Government to tell heads how many pupils on-site is 'too many' as it says high pupil attendance could 'seriously undermine' the impact of lockdown and risk longer closures. Nearly three in four (74%) school leaders say demand for places has 'greatly increased' compared to the lockdown in March last year. Nearly half say they have had to prioritise places for children of key workers or vulnerable pupils in their school 'due to an excess of demand'. The survey, of 4,964 school leaders in England, comes amid reports of councils and schools seeking to prioritise places for parents who are both key workers, or who work in emergency life-saving services. Nearly two in five (37%) heads, questioned last Thursday, said 1-10% of all the pupils who attended school came in as a result of vulnerability due to a lack of devices or quiet space. But the majority (53%) of school leaders said they had no children attend for specifically for this reason. Advertisement Mr Hancock told Sky News: 'It's always been the guidance that schools are there for key workers' children where key workers need to have the children in school in order to be able to get to work. 'If you're a key worker and your partner doesn't work then you shouldn't be sending your children to school.' The new NAHT poll also found that more than a third (34%) of school leaders say they had 31% or more of their normal roll attend school in person on Thursday. The Government's 'confused' message to parents on school attendance risks defeating the national aim of suppressing the virus, the leader of the NAHT warned. Pupils in schools and colleges in England - except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils - have been told to learn remotely until mid-February due to tighter restrictions. Department for Education (DfE) guidance currently says schools should not limit the number of children of key workers or vulnerable pupils on-site during lockdown, and only one parent needs to be a critical worker for their child to attend class - even if parents are working from home. But it also says parents who are critical workers should keep their children at home 'if they can'. Jade Stanley told MailOnline that her son was 'promised' a place at school, before it was revoked. She said: 'My son is on the autistic spectrum and I was told that he had a priority place for it then to be revoked in favour of other critical/key worker children. 'The school he attends is very small and I know the majority of the parents who I can say are not critical/key workers and yet they have not had their hours/days dropped - just my autistic child. 'With autism, routine is paramount and yet the chair of the governors told me that my son's needs were not a priority. 'I'm absolutely disgusted at this situation and the detrimental effect it is having on my child.' The NAHT is calling on the Government to tell heads how many pupils on-site is 'too many' as it says high pupil attendance could 'seriously undermine' the impact of lockdown and risk longer closures. Nearly three in four (74%) school leaders say demand for places has 'greatly increased' compared to the lockdown in March last year. Another mother, Melanie, told MailOnline that her daughter attends a small village primary school in Kent, which has 104 children in total. She added: 'During the first school closure in March the key worked child attendance at the school was between 8-12 children a day. 'This time round there are over 45 children still in attendance - nearly half the school. 'The head emailed all parents asking them to reconsider their position and pleaded with them [asking] if they have a partner who can assist with child care.' Department for Education (DfE) guidance currently says schools should not limit the number of children of key workers or vulnerable pupils on-site during lockdown Calls to close nurseries Calls for nurseries across the country to close along with primary and secondary schools have been led in recent days by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Most infected children display no symptoms of coronavirus and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said today that the risk to children 'is very low'. But Sir Keir said nurseries 'probably should be closed', adding: 'I think there is a case for looking at nursery schools, we're talking to the scientists about that.' Nursery industry body Early Years Alliance has urged the Government to explain how nurseries can be safe while primary schools must remain shut. Schools are currently only open for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers, and there is a possibility this could be extended to nurseries. However Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has insisted that it was important to keep nurseries open so children's parents can still work. Advertisement Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed to MPs last week that children who do not have access to technology are seen as vulnerable and can attend school in-person during lockdown. EU transition workers have also been added to the list of parents who are eligible for school places. On the high attendance figures, NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: 'In these circumstances it is understandable why quite so many parents with children at home are questioning, with some degree of frustration, why their children are being asked to stay at home when so many aren't.' He added: 'This situation is incredibly difficult for parents. The increase in demand for places compared to the national lockdown last March is very concerning. 'It is critical that school places for the children of key workers are only used when absolutely necessary in order to reduce the numbers in school and stem the spread of the virus.' Government guidance says vulnerable children may include 'pupils who may have difficulty engaging with remote education at home' due to a lack of devices or quiet space to study. Nearly two in five (37%) heads, questioned on Thursday, said 1-10% of all the pupils who attended school came in as a result of vulnerability due to a lack of devices or quiet space. But the majority (53%) of school leaders said they had no children attend for specifically for this reason. Mr Whiteman said: 'The government must be clear on what it intends schools and families to do. If the national priority is to suppress the virus then it must provide schools with clear guidance so that reasonable levels of attendance can be set.' He added: 'At present, the government's confused message to parents on school attendance risks defeating the national aim of suppressing the virus.' The Children's Task and Finish Group, which reports to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), published a report in December when schools were fully open to all pupils saying 'accumulating evidence is consistent with increased transmission occurring amongst school children when schools are open, particularly in children of secondary school age'. It said it was 'difficult to quantify the size of this effect, and it remains difficult to quantify the level of transmission taking place specifically within schools compared to other settings'. A youngster begins the new school term of 2021 at home by watching an online introduction from his teacher Year 9 student Isla Stanton, 14, begins her home learning in Ashford, Kent A separate Schools Infection Study from Public Health England (PHE), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), also published in December, found there were similar levels of infection in schools as in the community. Teachers and pupils from 105 primary and secondary schools were tested at the peak of the second wave in November when they did not have any coronavirus symptoms - which means they were tracked in a normal daily school environment. The findings showed that 1.24% of pupils and 1.29% of staff overall tested positive for current infection - similar to the 1.2% reported in the community. A DfE spokeswoman said: 'Schools are open for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. We expect schools to work with families to ensure all critical worker children are given access to a place if this is required. 'If critical workers can work from home and look after their children at the same time then they should do so, but otherwise this provision is in place to enable them to provide vital services. 'The protective measures that schools have been following throughout the autumn terms remain in place to help protect staff and students, while the national lockdown helps reduce transmission in the wider community.' Indian authorities recently banned a Christian community from gathering for worship services On Jan. 4, Indian police officials banned the Christian community in Bannimardatti village from gathering for worship services. The authorities asked the believers to show proof that they are Christians and later accused them that their Christianity was not acquired by birth but officials alleged that they were just converted believers. The Deputy Superintendent of Police gathered 15 Christian families in Bannimardatti village, located in the Hassan District for a meeting. During the meeting together with police officials, DSP falsely accused the Christians of availing government benefits for Hindus and for Christians as well, the International Christian Concern (ICC) reported. The DSP challenged the believers to prove that they are truly Christians by showing proof. The superintendent later said that since none of the approximately 50 believers were born Christians, they probably were converted to Christianity by fraud. By accusing that the group of believers was not Christians by birth, officials justified that it is right in the constitution for them to prevent the people from gathering for worship service. The ban on worship gathering was immediately implemented for an indefinite duration. Meanwhile, local Christians believe that the ban on worship service is not about the false accusations that they are collecting government benefits as Hindus and Christians. They see it more as an effort to suppress their freedom to exercise religion. "This is the final attempt of Hindu radicals using the state police to clamp down on Christian activities," a local Christian who refused to be named told ICC. "They have tried everything including social boycotts and physical beatings. However, local Christians remained faithful in the midst of continued harassment," the anonymous believer added. Christians that go through the same experiences of persecution and tight rule implementation because of their faith rely on Article 25 of the Indian constitution for their protection. Article 25 says that Indian citizens have the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate any religion that they would prefer. However, citizens of the Bannimardatti village do not see the protection that Article 25 of the constitution provides them. Instead, they fear that the latest order will only make things harder for believers like them. "There is no freedom whatsoever to gather for worship and practice the faith of our choice," said a local pastor from the community. "The divide between communities is growing and the anti-conversion law that the state government of Karnataka is trying to enact will worsen the situation for religious minorities," the pastor added, according to ICC. The order from the village's DSP adds up to Christian persecutions worsened by the pledge to enact a law from Karnataka's state government. The pledge headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians aims to criminalize fraudulent religious conversions and to have clear rules of implementation on religious conversions. Reports reveal that Radical Hindu nationalists often abuse laws similar to the DSP's order. False accusations of Christians forcefully or fraudulently converting citizens often become a justification for harassment and assault. However, ever since the anti-conversion law was implemented in 1967, India still does not have any record of individuals convicted of forced conversion. Investigator said plane could have broken apart when it hit the water Rescuers discovered body parts and pieces of clothing during a sea search Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 took off from Soekarno-Hatta airport on Saturday Four minutes after takeoff the plane plunged nearly 3,300 metres in 60 seconds Locals on a nearby island heard two explosions before discovering metal pieces An investigator with Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said the Sriwijaya Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea with 62 people on board over the weekend possibly broke apart when it hit waters based on debris found so far. 'We don't know for sure, but if we look at the debris, they're scattered in an area that is not too wide,' Nurcahyo Utomo said on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT 'It possibly ruptured when it hit waters because if it had exploded midair, the debris would be distributed more widely,' he added. Health workers spray disinfectant over body bags containing human remains recovered from the crash site of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 at the port in Jakarta on January 10 Indonesian Navy sailors are seen on the KRI Semarang as it is docking and preparing to continue rescue process for Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182 A health worker sprays disinfectant at a large part of a plane recovered from the waters off Java Island where Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 crashed on Saturday, at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia Ratih Windania posted a selfie with her three children laughing as they boarded a plane in Indonesia on Saturday Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 took off from Soekarno-Hatta international airport for a 90-minute flight over the Java Sea between Jakarta and Pofntianak in West Kalimantan. But at 2.40pm - just four minutes after takeoff - the Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 10,000ft in less than 60 seconds, with witnesses claiming they heard two explosions. Soerjanto Tjahjanto, head of Indonesia's transport safety agency, said authorities have found the two black boxes in the sea and divers are now trying to retrieve them, along with body parts and plane wreckage. It comes as the tragic final messages and posts have been revealed as they shared photos on the plane before the crash. Ratih Windania posted a selfie with her three children laughing as the family boarded the plane. She said: 'Bye bye family. We're heading home for now.' The family's final message was sent just before they boarded the plane from the Indonesian capital after a three-week holiday They were originally planning to take a different flight but they changed at the last minute Rescuers have discovered body parts and pieces of clothing during a desperate search for Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 Indonesian rescue members check a body bag as a huge team continues their search to find wreckage and passengers The message was sent just before they boarded the plane from the Indonesian capital. 'Pray for us,' her brother Irfansyah Riyanto posted on Instagram with a picture of the family. He said his family were originally planning to take a different flight but they changed at the last minute. Like dozens of other desperate relatives, Irfansyah rushed to Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta airport late on Saturday. On Sunday, he was still hoping for good news about his sister and four other family members on the flight, including his parents. Officials are seen inspecting one of the engines recovered from the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ18 Rescuers are seen bringing up one of the engines. At 2.40pm - just four minutes after takeoff - the Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 10,000ft in less than 60 seconds Navy divers are seen retrieving wreckage from the aircraft. Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday said authorities launched a widespread search for the Boeing 737-500 after narrowing down 'the possible location of the crash site' The Boeing B737-500 plunged nearly 3,300 metres in less than 60 seconds to an altitude of just 75 metres. Pictured: debris discovered in the ocean Navy divers pull out a part of an airplane out of the water during the search operation for the Sriwijaya Air passenger jet 'We feel powerless, we can only wait and hope to have any information soon,' Irfansyah told reporters. ADVERTISEMENT Irfansyah said his relatives had originally been due to take an earlier flight operated by Sriwijaya's unit NAM Air and he was unclear why that was changed. His sister and her two children had been at the end of a three-week holiday and were taking the 740 km (460 mile) trip home to Pontianak on the island of West Kalimantan. 'I was the one who drove them to the airport, helped with the check-ins and the luggage ... I feel like I still can't believe this and it happened too fast,' Irfansyah said. Irfansyah said his relatives (pictured at the airport) had originally been due to take an earlier flight operated by Sriwijaya's unit NAM Air and he was unclear why that was changed A medical officer sprays disinfectant onto the washed up debris as rescuers desperately search for survivors The National Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia (BASARNAS) conduct a search and rescue operation Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples. At the police hospital, the brother of co-pilot Diego Mamahit said he had been asked for a blood sample. 'I believe my younger brother survived, these are just for the police procedure,' Chris Mamahit said. 'Diego is a good man, we still believe Diego survived.' On his LinkedIn profile, Mahamit had written 'I really love to fly.' A plane flies over Indonesian search and rescue teams scattered in several points as they look for debris Underwater divers have found parts of the wreckage in the sea and have pulled up clothes and body parts Police asked families to provide information to help identify any bodies retrieved such as dental records and DNA samples He and pilot Afwan, who goes by only one name, had nearly two decades of commercial flying experience between them. Afwan had previously been an air force pilot. 'We the family still hope for good news,' a family member of Afwan, a devout Muslim, told Detik.com. President Joko Widodo offered sympathy on Sunday. 'We are making our best efforts to find and rescue the victims and we all pray that they can be found,' he said. Panca Widiya Nursanti, a middle-school teacher in Pontianak, had been returning after a vacation in her home town of Tegal in Central Java. In Pontianak, her husband Rafiq Yusuf Al Idrus recounted the last contact he had with her. ADVERTISEMENT 'I was joking by saying that when she arrived in Pontianak we would eat satay together,' he said. 'She contacted me via Whatsapp at 2.05 p.m with laughter. She was already boarding the plane and she said the weather conditions were not good. I said pray a lot, please.' These pieces were found by the SAR team between Lancang Island and Laki Island, National Search and Rescue Agency Bagus Puruhito said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Sunday said authorities launched a widespread search for the Boeing 737-500 after narrowing down 'the possible location of the crash site'. 'These pieces were found by the SAR team between Lancang Island and Laki Island,' National Search and Rescue Agency Bagus Puruhito said. Personnel on the Rigel navy ship detected a signal from the fallen plane, in line with the coordinates from the last contact made by the pilots. 'We have immediately deployed our divers from navy's elite unit to determine the finding to evacuate the victims,' Indonesian military chief Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said. Captain EKo Surya Hadi, commander of a local life boat, told local television that human remains were found, saying: 'We found body parts, life jackets, avtur (aviation turbine fuel) and debris of the plane.' Click here to resize this module A fisherman, named Solihin, told the BBC that he had been at sea when he witnessed the plane crash into the water near to his ship. 'The plane fell like lightning into the sea and exploded in the water. It was pretty close to us, the shards of a kind of plywood almost hit my ship. 'We thought it was a bomb or a tsunami since after that we saw the big splash from the water. 'It was raining heavily and the weather was so bad... We were very shocked and directly saw the plane debris and the fuel around our boat.' Locals on a nearby island said they heard two explosions before discovering metal pieces, cables and fragments of a pair of jeans floating in the sea. Fifty-six passengers - including seven kids and three babies, two pilots and four cabin crew were on board the 26-year-old plane. Indonesian search and rescue officers inspect a bag with wreckage believed to be of the missing plane at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia The plane - believed to be a Boeing B737-500 - is understood to have fallen 10,000 feet in less than 60 seconds just four minutes after it took off The missing plane is an older model than the Boeing 737 MAX jet involved in two earlier fatal crashes - including the Indonesian Lion Air crash in 2018 which killed 189. Mr Sumadi said the doomed flight was delayed for an hour before it took off at 2.36pm. But the aircraft disappeared from radar four minutes later, after the pilot contacted air traffic control to ascend to an altitude 8,839 meters. A dozen vessels - including four warships - were deployed in a search and rescue operation centered between Lancang island and Laki island, part of the Thousand Islands chain just north of Jakarta. ADVERTISEMENT 'Sriwijaya Air flight #SJ182 lost more than [3,000 metres] of altitude in less than one minute, about 4 minutes after departure from Jakarta,' the tracking agency said on its official Twitter account. Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei province, will soon launch the second round of citywide nucleic acid testing, Meng Xianghong, vice mayor of the city, told a press conference on Sunday. Meng said the testing will take two days to complete, adding there will be sufficient professional personnel for sampling, information input and order maintenance at every sampling site to ensure the sampling work is carried out in an orderly and efficient manner. Shijiazhuang reported 40 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and six asymptomatic cases in the first 12 hours of Sunday. From Jan. 2 to noon on Sunday, the city has reported 369 confirmed COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic cases, all of whom are treated at designated hospitals. 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. Bahrain has opened its airspace to Qatar. The move is a sign that relations are further improving between Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council states following the summit last week. On Monday, Bahrains aviation and transport authorities opened the countrys airspace for Qatar-registered aircraft, the state-run Bahrain News Agency reported. Bahrain and Qatar do not share a land border, but Bahrain is only about 50 miles north of Qatar in the Persian Gulf. The decision follows the solidarity and stability deal that Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait signed last week. The agreement constituted a major step toward ending the diplomatic rift in the Gulf. In 2017, Bahrain along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and also Egypt closed their air, land and sea borders with Qatar and severed diplomatic relations. The quartet alleged that Qatar was supporting terrorism, which Qatar denied. Amid encouragement from the Trump administration to end the rift, the Gulf states penned the agreement at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on Jan. 5. A day before the signing, Saudi Arabia agreed to open its borders with Qatar. The UAE reopened its borders with Qatar shortly after the meeting. Gulf relations are not totally mended yet, however. A top Emirati diplomat said last week that the states will first resume trade and travel ties before moving up to official relations. Bahrains decision on its airspace indicates the kingdom is on the same page as its Saudi and Emirati allies with regards to Qatar. A woman (R) gets a nucleic acid test at a testing booth outside the Red Cross hospital in Wuhan, China, Jan. 11, 2021, as the city marks the first anniversary of when China confirmed its first death from the new coronavirus. AFP China said Monday that a group of experts from the World Health Organization are due to arrive this week for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. A one-sentence announcement from the National Health Commission said the experts would arrive on Thursday and meet with Chinese counterparts, but it gave no other details. It wasn't immediately clear whether they would be traveling to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first detected in late 2019. Negotiations for the visit have long been underway. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed disappointment last week over delays, saying that members of the international scientific team departing from their home countries had already started on their trip as part of an arrangement between the WHO and the Chinese government. China's government has strictly controlled all research at home into the origins of the virus, an Associated Press investigation found, and state-owned media have played up reports that suggest the virus could have originated elsewhere. Australia and other countries have called for an investigation into the origins of the virus. After Tedros' statement, China's Foreign Ministry said the country was open to a visit but that it was still working on ''necessary procedures and relevant concrete plans.'' China's disease experts are currently busy, with multiple small-scale clusters and outbreaks reported in the past couple of weeks, ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. ''Our experts are wholeheartedly in the stressful battle to control the epidemic,'' Hua said. Adding to the sense of urgency, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ''is fully supportive of Dr. Tedros' and WHO's efforts to get a team in there.'' ''It's very important that as the WHO is in the lead in fighting the pandemic, that it also has a leading role in trying to look back at the roots of this pandemic so we can be better prepared for the next one,'' Dujarric said. ''We very much hope'' that China's reported comments that it is working with WHO and looking for a smooth visit ''will happen.'' (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have begun trilateral talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Moscow. During the meeting initiated by the Russian leader Putin said the agreements of November 9, 2020, which ended the Karabakh war, are being consistently implemented. Putin expressed gratitude to Aliyev and Pashinyan for responding to his initiative to discuss the implementation of the trilateral statement and further steps to overcome existing problems and establish a peaceful life in the region. "Russia values the partnership and good-neighborly relations that bind our countries and peoples, so we followed the outbreak of an armed conflict with sincere concern for the fate of people. Large-scale hostilities, unfortunately, led to significant human casualties, exacerbated the already difficult situation in Transcaucasia, increased the risks of the spread of terrorism," he said in the first place. The Russian President also thanked the heads of Azerbaijan and Armenia for their positive reaction to the active mediation efforts undertaken by the Russian side aimed at helping to stop the bloodshed, stabilize the situation and achieve a sustainable ceasefire. "We were in constant contact, we were looking for a compromise together. It was as a result of our common efforts, after intensive negotiations on November 9 that a trilateral statement was agreed. As you know, in the first place this basic document orders a complete cessation of hostilities, sending Russian peacekeepers to the region and, which is especially important, providing the civilian population affected by the clashes with all-round and effective assistance in returning to normal life," he said. "Today we can note with satisfaction that the trilateral agreements are being consistently implemented. This creates preconditions for a long-term and full-scale settlement of the long-standing conflict in the interests of both the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples," the Russian leader said at the beginning of the meeting. "An effective ceasefire control system has been created. The situation in the region is now calm," he said. Speaking about the agenda of today's talks, Vladimir Putin said they would be devoted to the tasks of the Russian peacekeeping mission, clarifying the lines of demarcation and solving humanitarian problems, including the protection of humanitarian heritage, the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reports. "Particular attention will be paid to unblocking transport links in the region, opening borders. These will be dealt with by a special trilateral group chaired by the prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia," the Russian leader noted, expressing hope that the current negotiations will be meaningful. "We are all certainly interested in peace and security in the region," he concluded. The Kremlin press service said earlier that the parties planned to discuss the implementation of their November 9 statement on Nagorno-Karabakh and consider future steps to resolve the regions issues. Putin, Aliyev and Pashinyan are also expected to touch upon the need to provide assistance to locals affected by military activities and boost trade, economic and transport ties. The talks mark Putins first international meeting of 2021 and his first face-to-face meeting with foreign leaders in the past two months. More than 1 million New Jersyans have registered to get their vaccine for the coronavirus when they become eligible as of Monday, the states top health official said on Monday. The registration website launched last week and was hit with slowdowns and some technical issues because of the number of people who were trying to access it, officials said. The more than 1 million people who have signed up is a healthy chunk of the 4.7 million the state hopes to vaccine within seven months assuming New Jersey receives enough doses. Of those who have registered they have been categories into the four eligibility groups: 1a - 7% - This includes health care workers, longterm care and other congregant living settings 1b - 31% - This includes critical and essential workers like police and firefighters, along with those over 75 years old. 1c - 43% - This includes those between the ages of 16 and 64 with high-risk conditions and other adults aged 65 to 75 2 - 20% - This includes the general population. The website is covid19.nj.gov/vaccine. State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli made the announcement Monday morning as she and Gov. Phil Murphy toured another mega-site in the state that will be used to vaccine large numbers of people. The site in Gloucester County is one of six mega-sites that are slated to open, along with about 300 other locations across the state where people will be able to get their vaccine. Today is a day of hope, Persichilli said. Vaccines are currently available at 119 locations throughout the state including local health departments, ShopRite stores and pharmacies, and that list has continued to grow. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Right now, though, the inoculations are restricted to health-care workers and police and fire personnel. There are about 650,000 health-care workers in the state and thousands of more people living and working at nursing homes, which are also the first to be vaccinated. Murphy announced over the weekend more than 200,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered out of the more than 572,250 doses the state has received from the U.S. government, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. A man accused of stealing Noah Donohoe's laptop allegedly made two attempts to sell it while a major search for the Belfast schoolboy was continuing, the High Court heard today. Prosecutors claimed Daryl Paul tried to pawn the computer at a city centre store and also offered it to someone at a party. Further details emerged as a judge was told the 33-year-old defendant intends to plead guilty to the theft of a rucksack containing the tragic teenager's device. But refusing bail again after Paul breached his curfew four times in a week, Mr Justice Scoffield said: "He has had more than enough last chances." Paul, previously of Cliftonville Avenue in Belfast, is not suspected of having anything to do with Noah's disappearance on June 21 last year. The St Malachy's College pupil went missing during a bike trip from his home in the south of the city. His body was found in a north Belfast storm drain six days later following a massive operation to locate him. A post-mortem examination established that he died as a result of drowning. Expand Close Tragedy: Noah Donohoe / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tragedy: Noah Donohoe Paul faces a charge of theft based on his alleged actions after finding the backpack Noah took with him when he left home. Crown lawyer Adrian Higgins said staff at Cash Converters in Belfast informed police on June 24 that a man and woman had tried to sell the computer at Cash Converters in Belfast on June 24. Paul was subsequently identified on the store's CCTV. Later that day an anonymous caller reported being at a party where a man believed to be Paul was in possession of a rucksack containing a green North Face jacket, school books with the name Donohoe on them and the laptop. "The male had offered the laptop for sale to the person who made the call to police," Mr Higgins said. Police forced entry to Paul's flat on June 25, recovering the rucksack and school books with Noah's name on them. The defendant was in custody at the time for unrelated matters, and was spoken to as a witness. He told police that he found the laptop and gave it to a female friend to look after for him. The computer was then located at her home, the court heard. Paul spent a number of months in prison, but was eventually charged following his release in November. It was stressed that neither Paul nor the woman are believed to have spoken to Noah or been in his immediate space on the day he went missing. "Police believe the bag was discarded by Noah and located by Daryl Paul," Mr Higgins added. During voluntary police interviews the woman stated that she stayed at Paul's home on June 23. "When they were leaving his home address the following morning he lifted a laptop and told her he wanted to pawn it in the city centre," the prosecutors submitted. "She said she assumed the laptop belonged to Mr Paul and he did not say otherwise." Paul told police he found the bag containing the laptop propped up against a wall. According to his account he took it home, realised there was a laptop inside but couldn't switch it on. "He stated there were a number of books in the bag which he didn't look at in any detail, he didn't know the bag or laptop belonged to Noah Donohoe and if he had known he would have made efforts to return it immediately," Mr Higgins said. "He said that while he didn't make positive efforts to unite the bag and contents with its owner, he was always planning to try and return it at some stage." Defence barrister Taylor Campbell argued that bail had only been revoked due to curfew breaches which involved going outside for a smoke or being late home by a matter of minutes. "This is essentially a theft case by finding a computer," he emphasised. "Although there is this overlap with very tragic and dreadful events, none of that has anything to do with the defendant." Mr Taylor also disclosed: "He has given my instructing solicitor clear instructions that he is going to plead guilty... to some form of theft." However, denying the application, Mr Justice Scoffield ruled: "I'm not persuaded this is a man who can be trusted to adhere to conditions of bail." The Army is investigating a psychological warfare officer for leading a group of people from North Carolina to the MAGA rally in Washington that led up to the deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Commanders at Fort Bragg are reviewing Captain Emily Rainey's involvement in last week's events in the nation's capital, but she said she acted within military regulations and that no one in her group broke the law. 'I was a private citizen and doing everything right and within my rights,' Rainey said on Sunday. Rainey said she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom, which describes itself online as a nonpartisan network promoting conservative values, to Washington to 'stand against election fraud' and support Trump. She said the group attended the rally but she didn't know of anyone who entered the Capitol and that they were headed back to their buses hours before an emergency curfew took effect. Commanders at Fort Bragg are reviewing Captain Emily Rainey's (pictured) involvement in last week's events in the nation's capital, but she said she acted within military regulations and that no one in her group broke the law. On her Facebook, Rainey made a post in remembrance of Ashli Babbit, was shot dead by Capitol Police as she tried to climb through a window President Donald Trump speaks at 'Save America March' rally in Washington D.C., United States on January 06, 2021 Rainey, 30, is assigned to the 4th Psychological Operations Group at Fort Bragg, according to Maj. Daniel Lessard, a spokesman for 1st Special Forces Command. Known as PSYOPS, the group uses information and misinformation to shape the emotions, decision-making and actions of American adversaries. Rainey made headlines back in May after she posted a video online of her pulling down caution tape at a playground that was closed under North Carolinas COVID-19 restrictions. Police in Southern Pines, a community about 30 miles west of Fort Bragg, charged her with injury to personal property over the incident. The police told WRAL-TV that they let her off with warnings twice before after she tore down the tape closing off the playground. In Washington on Wednesday, insurrectionists took over the House and Senate chambers, smashed windows and waved Trump, American and Confederate flags. The riot followed the rally where Trump repeated false claims that the election had been rigged against him and said he and his supporters are going to have to 'fight much harder' to protect democracy. Rainey (left) said she led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom, which describes itself online as a nonpartisan network promoting conservative values. Pictured: Rainey and another woman wearing a t-shirt with the group's logo on In an earlier post on the group's Facebook page, Rainey was down as the person to reserve a seat on a bus going from North Carolina to Washington for a 'DC Trump Rally' on Dec. 12 Pictured: people listen as President Donald Trump speaks during on Wednesday So far, at least 90 people have been arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanor curfew violations to felonies related to assaults on police officers, possessing illegal weapons and making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Rainey said that her group and most people who traveled to Washington 'are peace-loving, law-abiding people who were doing nothing but demonstrating our First Amendment rights.' Members of the U.S. military are permitted to take part in political organizations and events out of uniform. However, there are caveats. The Department of Defense directive prohibits active-duty servicemembers from sponsoring partisan organizations. It is unclear if Raineys participation with her group on Wednesday went against DOD policy. Rainey said she attended the Trump rally while on leave and didnt advertise that she was an Army officer. She said Sunday afternoon that her commanders had not inquired about her time in Washington, but she did not immediately respond to a subsequent inquiry about the Army's investigation. 'I told my bosses before I went that I was going, and I told them when I got back,' she said. In Washington on Wednesday, insurrectionists took over the House and Senate chambers, smashed windows and waved Trump, American and Confederate flags The Army is investigating a psychological warfare officer for leading a group of people from North Carolina to the MAGA rally in Washington that led up to the deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington On its Facebook page, the Moore County Citizens for Freedom group claims to be 'a non partisan network of Moore County Citizens dedicated to the promotion of conservative values in Moore County, NC through education and activism.' However, it has posted about pro-Trump rallies including slogans such as 'Stop the Steal' - backing the president's unfounded claims of voter fraud during the election in November last year. It has also made anti-coronavirus restriction posts, including ones that encourage people to not wear masks, as well as posts that invite its members to take part in 'range days' to practice shooting. Emily Rainey, known as Emily Grace on the page, has posted a number of talking-to-camera videos to the group, and is listed as the organizer for the group's events. In a post for a rally in DC on December 12, she was listed as the person to contact to reserve a seat on a chartered bus. On her own Facebook page, Rainey shared a video on Sunday from conspiracy theory group Info Wars that alleged Antifa - the anti-fascist group - instigated the violent coup on January 6. 'I wasn't close enough to see anything, but this makes complete sense to me. I don't know any violent Patriots,' she wrote along-side the video. 'I don't know any Patriots who would smash the windows of National jewel like the Capital.' Prosecutors across the U.S. have vowed to bring to justice those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, sending lawmakers into hiding as they began their work to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The group included white nationalists, neo-Nazis and QAnon conspiracy theorists, coming from states as far-flung as Arizona and Oregon, while photographs from the riot have shown people wearing clothes with a range of antisemitic messages. On Sunday, Ryan McCarthy, Army Secretary, said that at least 25 domestic terrorist cases have been opened up following Wednesday's assault on the Capitol. Trump addressed 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' The FBI is said to be investigating whether any of Trump's supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol were conspiring to hurt lawmakers or take them hostage. 'We're not looking at this as a grand conspiracy, but we are interested in learning what people would do with things like zip ties,' a law enforcement official told The Washington Post. The FBI has asked for help in tracking down those responsible for 'rioting and violence' in the Capitol, with some of the mob already identified online. The top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia has said 'all options are on the table' for charging the rioters, many of whom were egged on by President Donald Trump's speech hours earlier at a rally over his election loss. TIMELINE OF TRUMP'S FINAL DAYS OF OFFICE Jan 10 - Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, reveals he has 200-plus co-sponsors. Jan 11 - Pelosi's leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment. House Democrats are also expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. Jan 12 - A full House vote is expected on the matter on Tuesday. Jan 13- Pence and the Cabinet have until today to act. If not, the House would move forward with impeachment. Democrats plan to delay an impeachment trial for 100 days to allow Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated. Jan 20 - The inauguration; Trump leaves office and Joe Biden becomes the 46th President of the Unites States Advertisement Investigators are combing through photos, videos and tips from the public to track down members of the violent mob. A Capitol Police officer died after he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher as rioters descended on the building and many other officers were injured. A woman from California was shot to death by Capitol Police and three other people died after medical emergencies during the chaos. The U.S. attorney's office for D.C., which handles both local and federal cases in the district, had filed 17 cases in federal court and at least 40 others in the Superior Court by Saturday. The cases in Superior Court mainly have to do with things like curfew violations and gun crimes. Those being tried in federal court, where prosecutors can generally secure longer sentences, are charged with things like violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Prosecutors say these charges are just the beginning. Authorities said Friday that said additional cases remained under seal and dozens of other people were being sought by federal agents. US attorneys in several states, including Kentucky, Ohio and Oregon, said people could face charges in their home states if they traveled to Washington and took part in the riot. Investigators will also consider whether there was any concerted plot targeting Vice President Mike Pence, who enraged Trump and his loyalists by refusing to illegally intervene in Congress to overthrow the election. A violent mob stormed the Capitol, breaking through police barricades and smashing windows to enter the building. Lawmakers were forced to go into hiding for several hours as Capitol police grappled to take back control while the mob defecated in the Senate and House, invaded Nancy Pelosi's office and looted items potentially including state secrets. One female Trump supporter, US Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, was shot dead by Capitol Police as she tried to climb through a window. Three other Trump supporters died after 'medical emergencies' related to the breach and Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick died Thursday from injuries sustained in the attack after the thug allegedly hit him over the head with a fire extinguisher. The trial of Franco-Israeli diamond magnate Beny Steinmetz, accused of having paid millionaire bribes to close an important agreement with Guinea in 2008. The BBC reports this in Switzerland. Investigators accuse the billionaire of having obtained permits to dig in the African country's iron mines by bribing one of the four wives of former Guinean president Lansana Conte. Steinmetz secured the clearances in exchange for a $ 160 million investment and then sold half, 18 months later, to Brazilian mining company Vale, for $ 2.5 billion, making a huge profit. The financial press called it the "jackpot" deal, but they also began to question the reasons for granting the initial permits to Steinmetz so cheap. The tycoon, who has always denied corruption charges, faces up to ten years in prison if convicted. Bribery trials are a rare occurrence in Switzerland, especially against residents or former residents. (Unioneonline / vl) BROOKLYN, New York, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 - Andre Taylor, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has been honored by the Community of Scholars as one of 1,000 Inspiring Black scientists in America . The list is published by the Cell Press Cell Mentor , a professional site for scientists and researchers. Taylor, a leader in energy conversion and storage technologies, joins an elite list of researchers that includes NYU faculty members Andre Fenton , Aisha Langford , Azizi Seixas , and Girardin Jean-Louis . For Taylor, who came to NYU Tandon following a tenured professorship at Yale, where he headed the Transformative Materials and Devices Group in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, exploring the possibilities of renewable energy for the benefit of society is a longtime passion. At NYU Tandon, Taylor leads an initiative focused on the development of industrial systems to make petrochemical manufacturing more sustainable by integrating electrochemical systems (e.g. fuel cells) and energy storage innovations, key research areas for his lab, with clean electrochemistry. An important part of this initiative are projects to cultivate diversity and inclusion within the chemical industry. But he also has his eye on the sun: much of his work involves designing revolutionary photovoltaic systems and envisioning new ways to fabricate them at scale, using sustainable, longer lasting, and more durable materials. For example, over the past decade Taylor and researchers in his lab have pioneered a new family of organic solar cells -- such as those using natural photoactive materials like perovskite -- that could be cheaper to fabricate than silicon-based cells, more efficient to use, durable enough to withstand the ravages of weather, and flexible for applications in everything from electric vehicles to wearable electronics, or even backpacks that charge cell phones. Most industries are benefiting from rapid advances in battery technology. Taylor's work in this area includes innovations in low-cost rechargeable battery designs, including one using electrodes coated with easy-to-obtain asphalt . This research could, for example, make rechargeable sodium-ion batteries based on low-cost, abundant, easily processed, and non-toxic materials a reality -- a cost-effective and greener alternative to high-cost lithium-ion batteries. Taylor's lab is also addressing the dangers that electromagnetic radiation poses to mobile devices, by developing a cost-effective process for making strong, flexible films that allow light in but keep electromagnetic interference (EMI) out. The novel approach, using a unique family of EMI-blocking materials called MXenes, led to a 38% enhancement of EMI-shielding efficiency over conventional methods. A paper on his lab's work on MXenes, published in Advanced Functional Materials, was cited as one of the journal's most downloaded for the year. Taylor is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding young scientists and engineers. ### About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences as part of a global university, with close connections to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. NYU Tandon is rooted in a vibrant tradition of entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and innovative solutions to humanity's most pressing global challenges. Research at Tandon focuses on vital intersections between communications/IT, cybersecurity, and data science/AI/robotics systems and tools and critical areas of society that they influence, including emerging media, health, sustainability, and urban living. We believe diversity is integral to excellence, and are creating a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable environment for all of our students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu . Just last week, Mercedes-Benz decided to showcase one of the main attractions of its upcoming all-electric EQS flagship limousine the new iteration of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system, now dubbed the MBUX Hyperscreen Now its time for its major rival from Bavaria to highlight its alternative. Its the well-known iDrive, of course, teased as a new paradigm shift in the interaction between driver and vehicle on the brink of its 20-year anniversary.Believe it or not, two decades have passed since BMW first introduced the now-iconic display and operating system assembly. The company is now gearing up for the next chapter, which is said to transport driver-vehicle interaction into a new digital and intelligent age.We'll find what exactly that means later this year because, for the time being, the German automaker is only bringing a preview of the next-generation iDrive at the 2021 edition of CES. Said preview does include a video thats meant to be funny, showcasing the meeting between an E65 BMW 7 Series and the newly minted iX.Oddly enough, we find ourselves rooting for the older sedan, the one that was bashed as the perfect example of the way Chris Bangle loved to style BMWs! Well, never mind this encounter because were here primarily to deal with the iDrive.The company came up with these particular models because the 2001 7 Series originally premiered the first iteration of the iDrive, while the iX will arrive on the market this very year with the new generation of the UX (user experience) interface. And BMW claims the new version will further tap into the potential of an intelligently connected vehicle to make the experience safer, even more comfortable and convenient, and even richer in variety.By the way, because were dealing with a digital event, BMW has actually created its personalized CES portal, with all content available directly through a dedicated platform 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. HKM Saharan (Hibbathul Kareem Mohammed Saharan) is a teenager from Sri Lanka, South East Asia. He was born in Colombo on the nineteenth of June 2000. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT Becoming an influential personality from scratch requires great and unrelenting responsibilities, this was the story of HKM Saharan who inspires wonders and encourages youths to influence passion as well as determination, commitment, and hard work in whatever chosen field of career. His passion to pursue his vision without looking back result in earning honors as well as breaking records to become the first South Asian to be on a Tea with GaryVee (Gary Vayner-Chuck) in the mid of year 2020. Who is HKM Saharan? HKM Saharan (Hibbathul Kareem Mohammed Saharan) is a teenager from an Island called Sri Lanka, South East Asia. He was born in Colombo on the nineteenth of June 2000. He is an extremely enthusiastic and innovative person who has used social media as a turning point in his life. He always wants to make videos, designs, and creative things to change rule his world. HKM Saharan began his first YouTube channel (HKMS) when he was 16, his enthusiasm to make recordings at that point started. He builds his followers from zero to thousands. Education history HKM was a great student during his schooling. He had different visions that he desires to accomplish. But his teachers could not withstand his passion and commitment, they just needed him to accomplish school-related work. He was an HND in Software Engineering student for over a year, before he dropped out to pursue his dream. Saharan demonstrated that school life and certificate are not the major priority of fulfilled life. Also, his fantasies dont stop there, he has his marking plans for his future. And HKM esteems his enthusiasm above an endorsement. Yet, this young guy didnt allow any odds to obstruct him from his goals. He continued transferring recordings as well as hustling. HKM Saharan is currently a Creative Director in an organization called Pufferfish in Sri Lanka. Also, he is working under an Intensive Communications Program by Pufferfish. He was an awful understudy, yet now he is chipping away at an Educational Industry. Bigger Picture HKM Saharan is a passionate prodigy in content creation and social media activist, who is an expert in designing and editing. Presently, he has a decent adherent base on his Social Media and he has teamed up with a ton of Big Celebrities around the world which includes GaryVee, ZOX, Daraz.LK, etc.). Moreover, Saharan collaborated with some of the internationally recognized people in the field of branding, causing him a great fortune of taking his name as well as the countrys name worldwide. Conversation between HKM Saharan & GaryVee during Tea with GaryVee HKM Saharan become the first South Asian on Tea with GaryVee. He was privileged to take part in the live talk show known as Tea with GaryVee. A live talk that boosts his vision, and GaryVee, became the mentor and the inspiration of HKM Saharan. Moreover, Gary Vayner-Chuck is a Belarusian-American business visionary, a New York Times top-rated creator, web character, and speaker. Hes the administrator of the New York-based interchanges organization called VaynerX as well as the CEO of the auxiliary organization Vaynermedia. HKM Saharan hustled his way through on Twitter to get featured on the Tea with GaryVee show and found the opportunity to converse with Gary Vayner-Chuck (GaryVee) that will make GaryVee be his follower, and HKM proved his skill, as well as hard work, consistently pays off which led to followed by GaryVee on both Twitter and Instagram which is the high points of Saharans achievement because being on Tea with GaryVee isnt an easy task. GaryVee valued him for asking, and GaryVee followed HKM Saharan! ( hkmsaharan). Other teamwork of HKM Saharan HKM Saharan has partnered with a lot of internationally recognized people and companies, for instance, Daraz.lk, CraftACase, as well as ZOX. Worked with various Sri Lankan celebrities such as Iraj, DKM Music, Maniya, Kalumalli, and Gappiya. One of his Instagram accounts world_record_hopper got recognized by a lot of celebrities and Sri Lankan companies like Ramod Malaka, Kaizer Kaiz, SL Geek, Sheshadrie Priyasad, Tehani Imara, Roar Media, Pulse LK, Rohitha Rajapaksha, Otara Gunawardene, Yureni Noshika, Bhanuka Harichandra, Chanuka Mora and more. A Quote from HKM Saharan Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and all the big names begin the journey with a dream what was once just a thought. The beginning of my journey is no different. Finally, according to HKM Saharan, my dream was born at the age of 16. A passion grew up inside me to build an audience. In the backdrop, I built my personal brand i.e., HKM Saharan ( hkmsaharan), with having more than 10,000 followers on Instagram, I have a YouTube channel Gon Athal with more than 550,700 total views and more than 7000 Subscribers. My content mostly concerns Tech, Graphics, and Editing videos. I also happen to have an equal number of followers on other social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. This justifies my expertise in social media. One of my greatest strengths is I know how to make relatable content for various clients. I also show considerable dexterity to help you build your personal as well as business brand. Whilst working with me, you will learn the hidden aspects of social media and give a right to your social presence. HKM Saharan added! Contact of HKM Saharan: Website: www.linktr.ee/hkms They have only been dating for a few weeks. But Brian Austin Green and Dancing With The Stars pro Sharna Burgess have already made their relationship Instagram official. The 35-year-old Australian professional ballroom dancer posted a picture of the couple passionately kissing on Monday, along with the caption 'him' and a red love heart emoji. Sealed with a kiss! Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess have made their romance Instagram official. The Dancing With The Stars pro shared a picture of the couple passionately kissing on Monday The photo was taken during the couple's recent Hawaiian holiday. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star was captured cupping Sharna's face and pulling her in for the kiss as they stood on the balcony of their hotel. The actor is certainly smitten with the blonde beauty, recently gushing about their budding romance in a TV interview. While appearing on Access Daily the 47-year-old hunk told Mario Lopez that he and Sharna share a business manager, who in fact introduced them. He also spoke about their recent romantic getaway to the Big Island of Hawaii, spilling that 'we had a great time. We had a really good time.' Happy: The actor is certainly smitten with the blonde beauty, recently gushing about their budding romance in a TV interview Brian continued: 'Hawaii is an amazing place and it's all going really well right now. You know, it's early on so we don't have any labels for anything obviously but we're really enjoying each other's company, and she's an amazing woman.' He added: 'She's super responsible and she's super sweet and caring and compassionate and fun to be around, so I feel blessed right now.' Brian shed some light on how they met: 'Yeah, so we have the same business manager and she was like: "Hey, I've got a client that you should meet." And I was kind of in a place of like, you know: "Okay," and I begrudgingly went and we met.' However his mind was changed upon actually being introduced to Sharna as 'we had great conversation so it's been great so far.' There she is: While appearing on Access Daily the 47-year-old hunk told Mario Lopez that he and Sharna share a business manager, who in fact introduced them; Sharna is pictured in 2019 He also clarified that she was not a big watcher of his star-making turn on Beverly Hills, 90210, which was created by Darren Star of Sex And The City fame. 'No, she actually - I haven't actually asked her why she didn't watch it but I know she didn't watch much of it when she was younger,' he added. Sharna was previously much more private about the romance, avoiding the subject when a fan asked her about it on Instagram this week. 'Lol. Yall dont give up on this one,' wrote Sharna after someone brought up Brian during an ask-me-a-question segment on her Insta Stories. 'Let it go': Sharna was previously much more private about the romance, avoiding the subject when a fan asked her about it on Instagram this week 'Its almost impossible to fish out real questions amidst ones about my relationship status. I say with love and kindness. Let it go.' She and Brian set off romance rumors when they were glimpsed at LAX together on Christmas Day and then were seen passionately kissing on their Hawaiian holiday. His 12-year age gap with Sharna is par for the course - Megan is 13 years his junior and last year he dated Maxim model Tina Louise who is reportedly 39. He emotionally announced his split from his wife Megan Fox last May and she finally filed for divorce the day before Thanksgiving. Hard at work: Sharna rose to fame as a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars and is pictured on her Insta Stories during the most recent season She has since moved on with the svelte blond rapper Machine Gun Kelly and even got a tattoo reading 'el pistolero' apparently in reference to him. Meanwhile since his marital separation Brian has dated and broken up with Tina Louise. There were also rumors of a fling with Courtney Stodden after she posted a video of them in a hot tub together, but he has suggested they were never an item. The way they were: Brian emotionally announced his split from his wife Megan Fox last May and she finally filed for divorce the day before Thanksgiving Brian and Megan have been married since 2010 and are the proud parents of three sons - Noah, eight, Bodhi, six, and Journey, four. Megan filed for divorce from Brian in 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, but she was back with him and pregnant with Journey the following year. Three years after they got back together, Megan took the legal step of filing to dismiss the divorce petition in April 2019. RTHK: Trump 'eyes Giuliani for impeachment battle' US President Donald Trump may turn to Rudy Giuliani to defend him against possible impeachment over his role in last weeks violent siege of the US Capitol, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of the sources, an outside adviser to the White House, said Giuliani was expected to play a lead role in any impeachment effort. The other source familiar with the situation said Giuliani, a personal attorney of the president, would likely provide the kind of representation Trump wants. Giuliani, 76, led the legal team that tried unsuccessfully to overturn Trump's election defeat. It failed to produce any evidence of significant fraud and lost dozens of court cases in key battleground states and at the Supreme Court before President-elect Joe Biden's victory was confirmed. Giuliani's own reputation was battered during the often chaotic legal campaign. In one news conference, brown dye dripped down his face as he laid out false claims of election fraud, and he was ridiculed for another event held in the car park of a Pennsylvania landscaping company next to a sex shop. The former mayor of New York City did not respond to requests for comment on his role in a possible impeachment trial, and the White House declined to comment. Democratic members of the House of Representatives are expected to introduce articles of impeachment this week, accusing Trump of inciting a mob of his supporters to storm the US Capitol last Wednesday. If the House votes to impeach Trump, he would then face a trial in the Senate. While a House vote could come quickly, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has suggested that there would be no Senate trial until after Trump leaves office. House Majority Whip James Clyburn also said on CNN that lawmakers might wait to send the impeachment article to the US Senate for a trial to give Congress time to approve Bidens Cabinet nominees and other agenda items. Trump's choice of lawyers to defend him may be limited. He has had trouble attracting top-notch legal talent dating back to former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and the widespread condemnation of the violence at the Capitol may discourage others from signing up. At a rally before the riot, Trump repeated his false claim that he had won the election and told supporters to march to the Capitol and "stop the steal." Giuliani also gave a speech at the rally, saying, "Let's have trial by combat." Some lawmakers have said Giuliani should be disbarred. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-01-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kainos Capital, a private equity firm specializing in acquiring and managing food and consumer businesses, today announced that Alex Stanek has joined the firm as a senior associate of supply chain, further expanding its operations management capabilities. Andrew Rosen, Managing Partner of Kainos, said: "We are excited to officially welcome Alex to the Kainos team. We have worked with Alex over the past several years as an outside consultant and she has been a great resource in our efforts to drive efficiencies throughout our portfolio company supply chains. Alex will work directly with Kim Homa, our Director of Supply Chain and long-time member of the Kainos Operations Team. Our Operations Team plays a critical role in Kainos' investment strategy, and the active management of our portfolio company supply chains not only results in significant profit improvement opportunities but greater reliability, especially in the current pandemic environment." Ms. Homa said: "Alex is a trusted partner to management teams and suppliers and will help execute our strategic purchasing initiatives and implementation of supply chain best practices across the portfolio. We look forward to her joining the Kainos Operations Team and believe she will be a great addition to the Kainos culture." Ms. Stanek was previously a project manager at USC Consulting Group where she oversaw internal and client project teams' supply chain and spend management practices with a focus on food and consumer businesses. About Kainos Capital Kainos Capital is a middle market private equity firm with an exclusive focus on the food and consumer products sectors. The Kainos team has extensive investment and operating experience in the industry, having invested over $2 billion of equity in more than 70 transactions with a total transaction value in excess of $10 billion. The firm's strategy is to build a diversified portfolio of growing and strategically relevant food and consumer businesses that trade buyers would like to acquire. For more information, visit Kainos Capital's website at www.kainoscapital.com. Contact: Mark Semer Kekst CNC (917) 439-3507 SOURCE Kainos Capital Related Links http://www.kainoscapital.com Schools in regional NSW are scrambling to find staff for crucial roles ahead of the school term, with some principals turning to social media to fill positions as teacher shortages continue. One principal had given up on finding teachers in key disciplines and instead took to Twitter to invite "anyone who wants to have a crack at teaching science and is an enthusiastic and competent teacher" to apply. NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said many regional and rural schools that had begun trying to find staff last year were still searching 12 months later. "We now even have principals desperately taking to social media, trying to fulfil a function that is ultimately the responsibility of the government," he said. "We now even have principals desperately taking to social media," says NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Several school leaders in regional NSW have been posting advertisements for teachers on Twitter or commenting about their difficulty filling roles. One western NSW high school was looking for four teachers to start in term one next year. Columbia, MO (65201) Today Strong thunderstorms likely, some with very heavy rain during the afternoon hours. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Leapmotor recently entered into a strategic partnership with Hefei municipal government for an all-round in-depth cooperation on new energy vehicle (NEV) business. The agreement made the company the second Chinese EV startup supported by the capital of Anhui province following NIO. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hangzhou, Leapmotor owns many core technologies developed in-house, which are related to battery, electric motor, electrical control unit, intelligent connectivity as well as autonomous driving. Leapmotor C11; photo credit: Leapmotor Leapmotor has to-date rolled out into the market three mass-produced models, namely the S01, the T03 and the C11. Unlike most startups who choose SUV as their first mass-produced model, Leapmotor's first production vehicle, the S01, is positioned as a small-sized all-electric coupe. The startup announced the presale of the C11, its third production model, would begin on Jan. 1, 2021, coming with three trim levels. Guiding prices range from 159,800 yuan ($24,650) to 199,800 yuan ($30,820) after subsidies. As the company's first all-electric SUV, the C11 measures 4,750mm long, 1,905mm wide and 1,650mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 2,930mm. Leapmotor sold 11,391 new vehicles through 2020, including 1,125 S01s and 10,266 T03s. For the month of December 2020, its auto sales leapt 49% month on month to 3,024 units. According to an internal letter released by Zhu Jiangming, chairman of Leapmotor, the company is ambitious to crack the top three among Chinese EV startups in 2023 and seize 10% of domestic NEV market share in 2025. The EV manufacturer intends to be listed on the technology-focused Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR market) in the second half of 2021 or early 2022, according to Wu Baojun, co-founder and president of Leapmotor. The investment in Leapmotor demonstrates Hefei's demands in industrial transition and introduction of supporting new industries. The city eyes an internationally advanced level in core technologies of NEVs, power batteries, electric motors, in-car operating system, and an annual NEV capacity of 1 million units by 2025, according to a document Hefei government issued in last November. Gasgoo not only offers timely news and profound insight about China auto industry, but also help with business connection and expansion for suppliers and purchasers via multiple channels and methods. Buyer service: buyer-support@gasgoo.com Seller Service: seller-support@gasgoo.com All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce, copy and use the editorial content without permission. Contact us: autonews@gasgoo.com. DETROIT, MI The North American International Auto Show on Monday announced the Detroit 2021 Auto Show was canceled and the organization was shifting gears toward Oakland County, where it will host an outdoor event at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac. The new "Motor Bella" event will be held from Sept. 21-26, 2021. The M1 Concourse, which officials described as an "87-acre playground for auto enthusiasts," will feature a 1.6 million-square-foot vehicle and technology display space including terrain for showcasing off-roading capabilities. "The pandemic has caused changes in our society and world in ways not previously imagined, and we all should be looking for new and highly creative ways of doing business," North American International Auto Show Executive Director Rod Alberts said. "This new event captures that creative spirit. It will provide new mobility experiences and increasingly innovative approaches to tapping into the industry and its products." Related: North American International Auto Show To Move To Fall 2021 The event typically is held in the winter months, but in March 2020 organizers canceled the event amid coronavirus concerns with plans to hold it in September 2021. Event Chairman Doug North said that the M1 Concourse was already considered as part of the 2021 Motor Bella activities. Motor Bella was originally conceived as a celebration of Italian and British supercars and classic vehicles and was to have debuted at the June 2020 NAIAS, officials said. "With our new program for 2021, we will take the Motor Bella concept to the next level with multiple brands and mobilities represented, from hometown to international nameplates, autonomous vehicles to high-performance supercars and everything in between," North said. "It will be a mobility-filled event. One that will provide our show partners with a cost-efficient backdrop to share all of their brands, products and technologies in a fun and festival-like atmosphere that's completely outdoors." Story continues Jordan Zlotoff, CEO of M1 Concourse, said Concourse is proud to hosting the event. "Motor Bella will allow journalists, industry executives and the public to interact with vehicles in a fully dynamic and experiential format, well beyond the limitations of static displays," he said. "As the largest Private Garage community in the world, we at M1 Concourse share the enthusiasm for creating a unique automotive environment built specifically for car enthusiasts." A charity initiative, which will continue the NAIAS' and Detroit Auto Dealers Association's longstanding commitment to children and families in need, will also be part of the six-day Motor Bella, officials said. This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the Lagos State University (LASU) has commended the decision of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos to cancel the process for the selection of a new vice-chancellor for the university. They described the selection process as flawed, error-ridden, and inevitably controversial. They made this known in a statement released on Sunday co-signed by the unions secretary, Tony Dansu, and the assistant secretary, Adeolu Oyekan. Ordinarily, such a decision, backed by glaring facts and logic, should not have been difficult to take. We are however not unmindful of the peculiarity of our environment, and the outsize role of politics and intrigues on decisions that are supposed to be strictly, or at least mostly decided by transparent, unambiguous procedures, they said. The officials said they were aware of certain vested, powerful interests in the University who, exploiting their privileged access to information in an attempt to preempt the governor by using the media. The statement said ASUU recognised the powers of the Senate, just like the Council, to choose those it deems fit as its representatives on the Selection Committee in accordance with the University Law, including those who served on the previous Committee. However, we do not feel it is within the powers of any vested interest, no matter how powerful or desperate, to cherry-pick aspects of a flawed, canceled process for implementation. We see such as an attempt to undermine the Visitors overriding aim of restoring confidence and transparency in the process and making it acceptable to all stakeholders, they said. The officials also said they hope the governing council will elect its own representatives to the committee under an open process, and carefully develop a clear set of objective, verifiable criteria for the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor in line with best practices, as opposed to the controversial advert and criteria that has brought embarrassment to the university. They also said they hope that the Chairperson of the governing Council and past selection committee, Bayo Ninalowo, would step down from his position and stay away from the new selection process meant to correct the inconclusive one he midwifed. It is on record that Professor Ninalowo as the Chairman of the 10th Governing Council in 2015, Chaired the Selection Committee that produced Lanre Fagbohun as the 8th Vice-Chancellor of LASU, before it eventually came to public knowledge that his claim to being a Professor of the University since 2008 was spurious, they said. According to them, The recent controversies confirm the now widespread belief that Professor Ninalowo is incapable of presiding over a transparent process. As the Visitor seeks to rebuild confidence in the process by ordering a fresh exercise, it will be incongruous and highly out of place for him to seek to be involved in the corrective process. Canceled selection process Mr Sanwo Olu officially canceled the selection process for the VC appointment on Friday. He said a fresh selection process, which would end in 45 days, should begin immediately. This was contained in a statement signed by the governors Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Friday. Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council. After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process, he said. Mr Akosile said the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, had been directed to convene an emergency Senate meeting to appoint one of the Deputy VCs, who was not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting VC from Monday, January 11 when Mr Fagbohuns tenure ends. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the ASUU leadership wrote a letter of complaint to Governor Sanwo-Olu over what it described as non-transparent, the ongoing selection process for the institutions 9th substantive vice-chancellor. The letter, dated January 1, 2021, and signed by both the secretary and his assistant, Tony Dansu and Adeolu Oyekan, respectively, also passed a vote of no confidence on Mr Ninalowo. ADVERTISEMENT The union also kicked against Mr Ninalowos chairmanship of the selection committee, and urged the governor, who doubles as the Visitor to the institution, to cancel the selection process if the allegations that the selected candidates are unqualified for the job are found to be true. A couple abducted at Uso, along Akure-Owo expressway in Ondo State, last week, have denied that they were rescued by security agencies. They said they paid a ransom to secure their freedom. Gbenga Ibikunle and his wife were returning from Ebonyi State last week when they were kidnapped by gunmen. The police had promised to rescue then unhurt, while the abductors demanded a ransom of N10million. But on Saturday, the couple regained their freedom after spending about four days in captivity. The police quickly announced their release, claiming it was made possible by the efforts of the police, NSCDC, the military and Amotekun Corps. We heard they were asking for N20 million ransom, but we are not interested in that. We rescued the couple and we are going to get the perpetrators, Leo Tee-Ikoro, the police spokesperson, said. But Mr Ibikunke told journalists in Akure on Monday that no security agency was involved in securing their release. He said N2 million was paid to their abductors before they were released. I am surprised with the claims that we were rescued by the police, he said. This is nothing but a lie coming from the pit of hell. I can say it boldly that, no security agency came to our rescue. We were released around 1 a.m. after ransom was paid to them. They collected the ransom along the road without being jittery. In fact, they counted all the money before they released me to my brother, who brought the N2 million. We were in the bush with them for three good days without food. They treated us like criminals. They beat us with stick and cutlass. We met a man in their den, who was also released the same way we were. His own family parted with N10 million before he was released. At a point they wanted to rape my wife, but she tricked them that she was pregnant. Mr Ibikunle also said his abductors were Fulanis and lamented that Nigeria is in a big mess. We dont have security in this country anymore. It is sad that our security agencies are not effective. The kidnappers carried out their operations with impunity. They boasted that they will kill any policeman that wanted to rescue us, he added. I am weeping for this country because we are not safe. We can no longer travel. In a related development, the police in Ekiti on Monday confirmed the abduction of one Suleiman Akinbami at a fuel station in Ado Ekiti. ADVERTISEMENT A statement by Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the victims wife, Mariam Akinbami, made the report of the incident at Odo-Ado Divisional Police Headquarters, Ado Ekiti. He said four armed men quietly approached Mr Akinbami at a petrol station along Ijan/Ado Road at about 8.30 p.m. on Sunday and ordered him into his Toyota SUV and drove him away to an unknown destination. ALSO READ: Nigeria police recover two corpses during search for abducted Indians Upon receipt of the information, the DPO led his team to the scene but the abductors had already gone, Mr Abutu said. Meanwhile, the Command has deployed a Special Team of Policemen to be assisted by the Amotekun Corp, the Local Hunters and the Vigilantes to comb the bush for possible tracking of the suspects and the release of the victims. The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Tunde Mobayo, while calling for calm, assures the good people of Ekiti State that the Police will do its best to ensure the rescue of the victims and the tracking of the abductors. The commissioner also advised everyone to be wary of strange and suspicious faces around their domains and implored everyone with useful information to contact the nearest police station. Kidnapping for ransom has become rampant in many parts of Nigeria as insecurity worsens across the country. Tamil Nadu opposition parties including Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and MDMK staged a protest outside the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission at Nungambakkam against the removal of a war memorial (commemorating the Mullivaikkal massacre of 2009), at the Jaffna University in Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu leaders have strongly condemned the demolition of the memorial. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami handled a Twitter message to strongly condemn the demolition and said, "The news that a monument erected at the Jaffna University campus in memory of university students and the general public who were mercilessly killed in the final phase of the war in Mullivaikkal, Sri Lanka, has been demolished overnight is shocking." The decision to remove the Mullivaikkal War Memorial at the Jaffna University was taken by Vice-Chancellor of Jaffna University Professor Satkunarajah, said University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Sampath Amaratunga on Saturday. The memorial in Jaffna University was built in 2018 in memory of the people and students who died in the Mullivaikkal war in 2009 between the Tamil extremist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lanka government forces. Tamil Nadu: 3 people killed in jallikattu ceremony Preparations underway for Tamil Nadu assembly elections, AIDMK announces CM candidate Will Kangana start new chapter by joining politics? The fight to conquer the electric vehicle market in China intensifies with both Tesla and Baidu planning their launch soon. Tesla Inc, which is planning to expand in China, is searching for a design director in the country, a Reuters report said. Meanwhile, Chinas search engine giant Baidu Inc said it will set up a company to partner with carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to make smart electric vehicles. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches Tesla sources told Reuters it plans to open a full-function studio in Shanghai or Beijing for designing electric cars tailored to Chinese consumer taste. The U.S. carmaker's human resources managers, as well as several headhunters, have been trawling the industry over the past four months, the sources said. They are looking for "bi-cultural" candidates with 20 or more years of experience who are familiar with Chinese tastes and can bridge the gaps between China and the United States, they added. However, the sources also revealed Tesla's plans for the design studio are not fully developed and will likely wait for more clarity on strained U.S.-China relations under a new U.S. president before making a final decision. Elon Musk's interest in developing cars in China is part of a broader push by Tesla to boost the company's global sales volume well past the 500,000-vehicle-a-year mark, which it came just 450 short of hitting in 2020. He said, the company is confident it would be able to hit the market with "a very compelling $25,000 electric vehicle that's also fully autonomous". Baidu plans to create an intelligent EV company Baidu Inc. and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. are teaming up to make electric vehicles for the Chinese market, a Baidu statement said on Monday. Chinas internet search leader picked the fast-growing carmaker after discussions with potential partners including closely held WM Motor, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. and FAW Group, sources revealed earlier. It will control the venture with a majority stake. The tie-up marks a significant expansion into auto-making for Baidu, which has for years touted its Apollo open-sourced platform to help manufacturers build autonomous driving and connectivity into their products. Baidu, which has been developing autonomous driving technology and internet connectivity infrastructure, said the new EV company will count on Baidus intelligent driving capabilities and Geelys car manufacturing expertise. China is the world's biggest auto market, plus the largest for all-electric vehicles with sales volumes expected to reach roughly 1.5 million vehicles there this year, according to consultancy LMC Automotive. It is also Tesla's No.2 market after the United States. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during the first day of the Republican convention at the Mellon auditorium on Aug. 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Indian American former envoy is among the latest from her party to denounce President Donald Trumps comments stoking supporters to mount a violent assault on the Capitol. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) When you take your car to a mechanic, the first thing he might do is to rev it up. The sound of the engine can tell him straight away if somethings off. Its the same in factories, where experienced technicians can make out when a machine doesnt sound right. But now, instead of relying on the human ear, the emerging field of industrial sound analytics uses microphones and artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate what an experienced mechanic does to spot trouble. A startup based in Pune and Bengaluru, Asquared IoT, has developed machine learning models to detect anomalies that can predict failures in machines and processes. Japanese multinational company Konica Minolta and Pune auto parts manufacturer Sharada Industries are among early adopters of its edge computing device Equilips, whose embedded algorithms can analyze sounds on site without requiring connectivity to cloud-based processing. Also Read | The curious case of the glowing beaches We do predictive maintenance," says Anand Deshpande, co-founder and chief executive officer of Asquared. In many instances, when a machine is about to fail, it makes a characteristic sound. For example, electric motors and generator pumps make a whining noise." Ambient noise The biggest challenge to overcome in sound analytics is the ambient noise in a factory setting. Although there are techniques to cancel or reduce the noise, it can affect the underlying signal from the machine being monitored as well. Another approach is to start with a recording of a clean signal from the machine, and then keep adding noises and training the neural network to distinguish the clean signal from the other sounds. We are using both approaches, but each one has its own challenges," says Aniruddha Pant, co-founder and chief data scientist at Asquared. It will take a couple more years of research by everyone in this field for it to become as mature or widely deployed as a vision-based system." Asquared has also been doing video analytics on the edge for a beverage companys bottling plant in Thailand. Were looking to combine both vision and sound analytics because there are cases where just one or the other may not give adequate results," says Kanchan Pant, co-founder and business development head of Asquared. The startup expects to receive US patents on deploying its sound analytics models on edge devices as well as for combining sound and video analytics. Its channel partner is Japanese systems integration multinational company NTT Data. It has also partnered with Intel to develop its solutions using the American giants edge computing stack and beta tools. Building sound analytics models is an ongoing process, as the neural network or AI brain is periodically trained with fresh data and learning captured on the edge devices. An idiosyncrasy in this business is that you have to wait for a machine to fail in order to record what that sounds like in a specific setting. You cant have an out-of-the-box algorithm that works everywhere because each factory has different sounds," explains Deshpande. Its easy to record data of how a machine sounds when its working well in the factory, but failure data is hard to get." For example, one of Asquareds clients is a large oil and gas company that needed to predict the failure of ball bearings in chemical reactors. The usual failure rate of these ball bearings is nine months, so imagine the wait involved to record the sounds of faulty bearings. Supervised learning in AI requires labelled data to be inputted, which would have to include both the normal and anomalous sounds. In AI parlance, thats a two-class or multiclass model. But Asquared ran into problems in getting access to recordings of anomalies or failures with most of its clients. Then it changed tack to build an unsupervised or one-class model. This records only the normal sound of the machine to train the AI model, which flags deviations from that normal. Its harder to get a robust model this way, because it can easily become oversensitive or under-sensitivethat is, it will predict failures without sufficient basis or fail to spot trouble. Trial and error We really had to play around with several parameters, but in 2020 we mastered the one-class model at a relatively low cost," says Deshpande. This means the model is robust enough not to give an unacceptable rate of false leads despite being trained only on the normal sound of the machine. The sound analytics devices can thus be deployed even if a client finds it hard to provide recordings of faulty machines. Deshpande has a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado and worked on AI modelling and reliability prediction at TCS, Motorola and Intel Labs before launching Asquared in 2017. Pant, with a PhD in control systems from the University of California, Berkeley, was already an entrepreneur by then. He founded Algo Analytics in 2008 whose initial focus was on providing investment advisory services based on machine learning. It then provided services to apply AI in multiple domains. Deshpande and Pant were buddies from their college years and decided to put their heads together to tackle an area of industrial IoT that no other Indian company had ventured into. Pants wife Kanchan is the proprietor of Sharada Industries, which became the first test bed for Equilips. Kanchan also came on board as a co-founder of Asquared. Smart factories rely on sensors capturing data that can be analyzed. One of the challenges is wiring up legacy machines, which are still functional and costly to replace. This is where sound analytics has an advantage, because microphones can be placed three feet away, unlike sensors that are embedded in machines to capture vibration or other data. A metal trading company in Japan, for example, deployed Equilips for its sawing machines which had no sensors that a modern IoT system would require. Sound analytics made it a smart factory, which included automatic logging of operations, doing away with the earlier manual books. Sound is one of the most untapped areas in manufacturing," says Deshpande. The bootstrapped startup, which is cash-flow positive, has been exploring new areas where its sound analytics can be used. Our USP is that were introducing analytics with data that had never been captured earlier," says Kanchan Pant. For example, were doing a PoC (proof of concept) for a cement company by analyzing the sound of air leakage, which is also one of the major contributors to the power bills of malls and other places using central air-conditioning systems." A booster to this nascent field will come from a collaborative effort to build a repository of industrial sounds, just as ImageNeta large, hierarchical, annotated database of imagestransformed the application of AI algorithms to visual data. Sumit Chakraberty is a Consulting Editor with Mint. Write to him at chakraberty@gmail.com Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. 2021-01-09 Maeci The Minister attended a working dinner in Amman with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. On Sunday, the Minister will have a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Jordan, Bisher Al Khasawneh, which will be followed by a further meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. After their meeting, the two Ministers will make statements. Minister Di Maio will then meet the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Nasser Shraideh and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Maha al-Ali. On Sunday afternoon, Minister Di Maio will move to Saudi Arabia, where, in Al Ula, he will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. 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. 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[January 11, 2021] Nokia to accelerate Tele2's digitalization with distributed cloud core Press Release Nokia to accelerate Tele2s digitalization with distributed cloud core Nokia to replace existing solutions and deploy new solutions to further enhance Tele2s network reliability and improve infrastructure efficiency and speed 11 January 2021 Espoo, Finland Nokia today announced that it has been selected by Tele2 to deploy Standalone (SA) 5G Core and Voice over 5G (Vo5G) to enhance its cloud infrastructure and improve data and voice connectivity for Tele2s subscribers in Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Deployment is expected to start in 2021. Nokia core offers near zero-touch automation capabilities that drive greater scale and reliability, allowing Tele2 to cost-effectively lay the foundation for 5G and enable faster time to market with new services. Nokias open architecture also provides the flexibility to be responsive to market demands while controlling costs at a time of growing network complexity. As part of Tele2s core evolution, Nokia will deploy its Cloud Packet Core products to support both 4G and 5G core network functions and enhance network scale, performance and reliability. Nokias further enhancements include deploying new Subscriber Data Management software to streamline Tele2s network operations. To support Tele2s strategy of delivering Voice over 5G (Vo5G), Nokia will further deliver Vo5G services to support connectivity and reduce operating expenses for both 5G and 4G. Nokia is leading the market in CSP core network deployments with 25 of the top 40 service providers relying on Nokia Core Network products. As part of the core transformation partnership, Nokia will deploy cloud and network management products from its CloudBand, Network Services Platform (NSP) and NetAct product portfolios to further secure, automate and scale network management operations. As a vendor-agnostic, multi-technology and multi-domain platform, CloudBad enables Tele2 to easily integrate existing and future solutions. Nokia solutions will be deployed across Nokia Container Services, a cloud-native solution that integrates multi-vendor and multi-technology environments. To help further improve the security of this digitalized network infrastructure for Tele2, Nokias NetGuard Security products will be deployed. Thomas Helbo, CTO, Tele2, said: We looked for a knowledgeable partner to successfully and efficiently handle the rollout of our 5G core in a reliable way, and we found just that in Nokia. With Nokia handling the integration and their ability to leverage years of experience, our team is able to concentrate on enabling new services for our customers, while running a smart and reliable network. Raghav Sahgal, President of Nokia Cloud and Network Services, said: We are proud to be expanding on our long-standing relationship with Tele2 as we move into the 5G era. With our relationship stemming back to the mobile core days of the 1990s, we look forward to collaborating with Tele2 to support new 21st century digital services and unlock even more reliable network experiences. Resources Webpage: Nokia 5G Core Webpage: Nokia Vo5G Webpage: Nokia CloudBand Webpage: Nokia Cloud Packet Core Webpage: Nokia NetGuard Security Webpage: Nokia Container Services Webpage: Nokia Subscriber Data Management Webpage: Nokia NetAct Webpage: Nokia Network Services Platform About Nokia We create the critical networks and technologies to bring together the worlds 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. Media Inquiries Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 E-mail: press.services@nokia.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek said it has secured six hospitality contracts in the one to three years range valued at AED7.56 million. These include key properties such as the five-star Fairmont Dubai hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, the three-star 230-room Revier Hotel, situated in Business Bay, the four-star S Hotel in Al Barsha and the deluxe Sonder JBR Suites, on the Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence. In addition, it also secured two restaurant contracts, The Mood Rooftop Lounge in The Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba and the Cloud Lounge in the Studio One Hotel in Dubai Media City, said the statement from Farnek. In total, over 65 staff have been mobilised to manage a range of services from cleaning, housekeeping, security as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) maintenance, it added. Director of Business Development Khaldun Aburok said: "To secure these contracts, some of which are for three years, we not only offered a broad-based proposition, which was commercially competitive. We also demonstrated a high degree of technical training, development and professionalism, offering a well-trained and cost-effective, tech-savvy workforce." Due to the onset of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had to fully comply with all government and public health directives, to ensure that their guests experience a safe, healthy and comfortable stay, as well as protecting the wellbeing of their own staff. And earlier this year, Farnek achieved GBAC Star accreditation for its head office facility in Dubai, the first FM facility to be accredited by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, the global cleaning industry trade association, in the Middle East. Through that certification, Farnek has established an internationally recognised cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention programme that minimises risks associated with infectious agents like the novel coronavirus. This illustrates that we employ appropriate cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices to combat biohazards and infectious disease. "To maintain those standards training is essential and the Farnek training centre comes complete with a fully fitted elevator, bathroom, kitchen, lobby, and a staircase," said Aburok. "The walls and the floor are partially covered in a variety of materials such as carpet, rubber, linoleum, slate, marble, wood and ceramic tiles, enabling our staff to be fully trained on every surface they could potentially come into contact with," stated the top official. In terms of maintenance, Farneks MEP training centre is equipped with a variety of typical assets including split unit a/cs, distribution boards, pumps and associated systems, in order to maintain best practice and identify new approaches to generating efficiencies, he added. BRIGHTON, MI Five men robbed a T-Mobile store in Brighton Saturday, according to police. Two of the men were caught following a chase. At 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, five men entered a Brighton T-Mobile store, 8712 W. Grand River Ave., and stated they were robbing the store, according to the Brighton Police Department. After forcing employees into a backroom, the group gained access to a large amount of cellphones and electronic equipment, stealing multiple devices before fleeing the scene in a silver Ford Fusion, police said. No injuries were reported, no weapons were seen and and the group did not imply they were armed, police said. The Ford Fusion, which was reported stolen, was found abandoned a short distance from the store several hours later, police said. Two of the five suspects were later arrested after Livingston County Sheriffs deputies and Michigan State Police spotted a Ford Escape that had been reported stolen and gave chase, police said. Police chased the fleeing vehicle on I-96 into East Lansing where they were able to bring the vehicle to a stop and arrest the two suspects, police said. Police recovered several devices from the vehicle that were reported stolen from the T-Mobile robbery, police said. The three remaining suspects are still at large and the incident remains under investigation. Police released an image from security cameras that recorded the robbery in an effort to help identify the suspects. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact detectives at the Brighton Police Department at 810-227-2700 or email arntzm@brightoncitypolice.org. The Ingham County Sheriffs Office, the Eaton County Sheriffs Office, the East Lansing Police Department and the Michigan State University Police Department assisted in the incident. More from The Ann Arbor News: Michigan Medicine blames low supply for COVID-19 vaccination delay 2 weeks, 200 miles: Missing dog returned to Ann Arbor with the help of farmers Arrests made in one home invasion, another under investigation in Ypsilanti The left's bulk-ballot fraud strategy works By Mark Alexander A slim majority of Georgia voters last week returned control of the nation to leftist Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who will be restored as Senate Majority Leader with the tiebreaker vote of incoming VP Kamala Harris by the end of January. Schumer will then work with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the Biden/Harris regime to rapidly undo the Trump administration's initiatives and reset the nation's course back toward the tyranny of statist socialism. How did that happen in Georgia? As I asked ahead of the runoff: Given that the state's leading leftist protagonist, Stacey Abrams, has registered more than 115,000 additional Demo voters since November in a state that Donald Trump failed to carry, can either GOP Senate candidate win? While the contested presidential election was sucking all the Republican air out of the room, Georgia Democrats hit the ground with a winning strategy for Schumer the same strategy they used in November. And that strategy succeeded in the election of two far-leftist candidates, radical Raphael Warnock and nothing-burger John Ossoff, in a state that has been otherwise generally conservative. What strategy? Well, it was not the election fraud the president has been focusing on for the last two months rigged voting systems and state legislatures not performing their constitutional duty. Then what happened? What follows is an explanation of the real impending threat to American Liberty and the election strategy in November and in Georgia this week, which has successfully turned our political system to the hard left. That strategy has, and will continue to, pay rich power-shifting dividends if not stopped. By the latest accounting, Joe Biden received a record 81,283,098 votes (51.3%) in the November 3 election, while Donald Trump received 74,222,958 votes (46.8%), with 2,926,539 votes (1.8%) going to third-party candidates. In a nation of 333 million Americans, almost 160 million (66%) of its 239.2 million eligible voters cast votes. That's the highest voter turnout rate (if one considers bulk-mail balloting "turnout") among eligible citizens since 1900, when 73% of voters actually turned out in person to cast ballots in the race between Republican President William McKinley and Democrat challenger William Jennings Bryan. Elections were close then, too, with McKinley winning with a little more than Biden's margin 51.6% of that vote. Six months into his second term, in September 1901, McKinley was assassinated and succeeded by Vice President Teddy Roosevelt. For different reasons, as I noted soon after Biden selected Kamala Harris as his Black (check box) female (check box) Left Coast (check box) running mate, she will also replace him making her the titular head of the Democrat Party's enemies of the people. How did we get here? Democrats attempted two, in effect, coup d'etats to take down Trump during his presidency. The first was the "Russia collusion" delusion, and the second was the Pelosi/Schiff impeachment charade. Having failed at both, their third and final effort, using a bulk-mail balloting strategy to overwhelm Trump's electoral support, succeeded. While President Trump has been focused on electronic hardware and software manipulation, which could account for election fraud, I believe those concerns, while legitimate, are a diversion from the real mass-voting fraud millions of bulk-mail votes that have, ostensibly, been authenticated. The bulk-mail and absentee ballot authentication problem is twofold: First, there is the question of proper identification for the person registered to vote by mail, particularly if that registration was part of bulk-registration initiatives. Second, there is the question of actual signature authentication, be it human or electronic. Before further explanation of those two problems, let's review the election just past. Regarding the identification of a voter, states have varying ID requirements. Some 35 states have laws requesting or requiring voters to show some form of identification at the polls. The remaining 14 states use other methods to "verify" the identity of voters, most often a signature comparison with a signature on file. The biggest states requiring NO voter ID are, to one degree or another, Democrat-controlled: California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Oregon, and North Carolina. Of the 15 states that do require voter ID, but do NOT require a photo on the ID, the bigger states are Washington, Colorado, Missouri, Virginia, and Connecticut. Only six states still have a strict requirement for an ID with photo: Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. Democrats pretentiously protest that requiring a valid ID to ensure voter eligibility is solely about "voter suppression." Need I list the number of basic activities that require a photo ID you know, like buying a beer, or driving a car, or boarding a plane, or attending the NAACP National Conference? Worse than not requiring and affirming identification of in-person voters is the Democrat strategy to expand bulk-mail voting by millions of, in effect, unidentified voters. Currently, voting by mail is an option in 33 states and the District of Columbia. In 2020, five states Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington held elections almost entirely by mail, with Hawaii and Utah adopting full vote-by-mail elections in 2020. In 45 states plus DC, provisions, some temporary and some permanent, allowed voting by mail without an excuse, and other changes were also made to make voting easier. In nine states and DC, bulk-mail ballots are now mailed to the last known addresses of all "registered" voters the so-called "universal voting" process. Those states included major Demo strongholds: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, and New Jersey. The number of bulk-mail ballots skyrocketed to more than 65 million in 2020, 65% of the 101 million early votes cast and that total was the equivalent of 73% of all votes cast (136.6 million) in 2016. In that election, only 25% (33 million) of votes were the result of "universal voting" or absentee ballots. Predictably, the number of mail ballots cast for Democrats far exceeded the number cast by Republicans. Some 81% of Democrat voters say they supported voting by mail. And, no surprise here: Almost twice as many Biden supporters as Trump supporters indicated they voted by mail in 2020. California was a model for voter registration efforts, yielding record voter turnout. As a result, almost 87% of the state's 17,785,151 votes were not cast in person. Moreover, almost 99.5% of those ballots were accepted a historically low rate of rejection. Notably, of mail-in ballots, the rejection rate for primary ballots in 2020 was far higher than in 2016. And yet in the general election, with its record number of mail-in ballots, the rejection rate dropped dramatically. Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub insists, "There is simply no basis for the conspiracy theory that voting by mail causes fraud." Got that? This is the year that Democrats figured out how to rig elections "universally" taking their cue from Barack Obama and his former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, who declared: "You don't ever want a good crisis to go to waste; it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before." Leftists have masterfully used the ChiCom Virus crisis as national justification for their mail-vote ground game. As I noted in our "ChiCom Virus Timeline, the Left's biggest benefactor, billionaire socialist George Soros, asserted early on that the ChiCom pandemic would provide a "revolutionary moment": "I would describe it as a revolutionary moment when the range of possibilities is much greater than in normal times. What is inconceivable in normal times becomes not only possible but actually happens. People are disoriented and scared." Bulk-mail balloting would have been broadly inconceivable way back in 2019 which seems like an eternity ago. But as I wrote in April of that year, the Democrats were busy then formulating an electoral strategy to guarantee perpetual rule, as they have every year for the past century. The Demo objective in 2020 was to register millions of new "victims" and "group identity" constituents who aren't politically informed or engaged. In many states, registrations require only the loosest criteria for identification. Democrats choose those who would not otherwise vote in person. In states that are not bulk-mailing ballots to every registered voter, they have ensured the new registrants are signed up for bulk requests to receive absentee mail ballots. But motivating those constituents to vote requires a massive effort to reinforce their victim and/or group-identity status, and last summer they accomplished this with their "systemic racism" canard, dutifully and endlessly piped through every Leftmedia medium into the soft brains of those voters. This helped ensure that they returned those ballots. Finally, back where I started. What's the problem with mail-in ballots, particularly those bulk-mailed to all registered voters in some states? Beyond the loose identification requirements for voters in many states, the authentication of those ballots is done by signature comparison. The Democrat assertion that the vast majority of November's mail-in ballots contain authentic signatures is patently unverifiable. I've been a collector of signatures, both contemporary and historic, for my entire adult life. Authenticating signatures, whether that of George Washington or Donald Trump, requires time and expertise. That authentication process is both an art and science. The notion that 65 million signatures have been authenticated by rooms full of bureaucrats and hourly contract workers who have only the most tangential instruction on signature verification and very limited time to do so is utterly absurd. More absurd is the notion those signatures were sufficiently authenticated by electronic signature scanners. The only legitimate mail-in ballot vote must be from a voter who has been thoroughly authenticated on the front end, and whose signature is expertly validated on the back end. Counting votes as authentic under any other circumstances constitutes massive mail-ballot fraud. This is not so much the willful casting of fraudulent votes as the willful counting of votes that have not been properly vetted on both the front and back end. What should concern every American who believes the integrity of our elections is important is this: If Democrats can use their bulk-mail strategy to get 81,283,098 votes for dullard and senile Joe Biden, who has accomplished next to nothing in his almost five decades in Washington, what can they do with a candidate who has some merits? To be clear, Democrats are not interested in election integrity. The only way to ensure the integrity of our election process is to require in-person voting, requiring the voter to present proper identification, and perhaps resorting to paper balloting. But that time is long gone. The Democrats now have a three-pronged attack plan to control the results of future elections: Expand their bulk-mail "universal voting" strategy, pack the Supreme Court after retaking the Senate (if they can keep Joe Manchin (D-WV) in their column), and, ultimately, eliminate the Electoral College, so the voters of a few massive urban centers can rule the nation. Regarding the current lack of confidence in our electoral system, political analyst Ash Staub writes in "A Legitimacy Crisis of the Left's Own Making," "The official narrative that no widespread voter fraud occurred has yet to win over a good portion of the electorate." A Quinnipiac University poll found that 77% of Republican voters "believe there was widespread voter fraud during the presidential election." And "of voters overall, only 60% believe the election to be legitimate." Those finding were largely duplicated in a Politico survey, which "found that 79% of Trump voters believe the election to be stolen through illegal voting and fraud." Staub observed, "The solutions required to legitimize the electoral process, let alone legitimize the media as arbiters of truth, seem to be beyond the capabilities of the very institutions that require legitimacy. It's too early to tell exactly what this will mean, but it's clear that the trend of the right's declining faith in democratic institutions shows no signs of leveling off." Legal and political analyst John Hinderaker adds: "Over the next two years, the election will be investigated and books will be written. Some will argue that Donald Trump actually won the election, while others will try to show that Biden's victory was legitimate. In all likelihood, the question will never be definitively resolved, but the questions about Biden's legitimacy probably will grow." Hinderaker concludes, "Will that scenario bring about demands for electoral reform so that future elections do not end in a cloud of doubt? I hope so, but I doubt it, at least in states where Democrats have substantial power. The Democrats like voter fraud. That has been true for a long time. In 2020, they saw how helpful to their cause lax voting procedures, that both enable fraud and make it hard if not impossible to prove, can be. They will fight tooth and nail to preserve their fraud advantage in future elections. All of which could make the bitterness over last year's election a mild preview of things to come." Republicans should and will seek to roll back "universal voting," but that will be met with leftist protests of "voter suppression," much as they have protested affirming the identity of a person to ensure voter eligibility. Meanwhile, next up in the Demos' black bag of election fraud tricks: Voting online and via apps. For the moment, it's back to 2008, when Barack Obama's Demos held the House and Senate until they got hit by the Tea Party wave in 2010... The good news is that 26 state GOP attorneys general are banding together to hold the line against the Biden/Harris regime. And that could lead to a more rigorous alliance to create a Constitutional Confederation of States. Fellow Patriots, some of you are discouraged. But let me encourage you to stand fast and firm! Hold the line. Remember who YOU are, brothers and sisters who WE are together and from what stock you come. Let me remind you: You are NOT alone. There are more than 80 million grassroots American Patriots across our nation, most of us armed, and our ranks are growing. The BIG difference between conservative and leftist voters is that most of those Demos are dullard urban voters and elitist "white privilege" suburban benefactors, all of whom depend in large measure on working Patriots across our country for their basic needs. Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. US has given out 8.02 million coronavirus vaccine doses as of Monday; 150,000 second shots had been given by Sunday Only 2.5% of the US population has received a first dose, compared to over 20 percent of people in Israel Israel had a broad first-priority group for vaccination and a national health system that makes tracking and notifications seamless In the US, vaccination plans were left to the states, most of which have rigid plans to vaccinate only health care workers and nursing home residents first States with flexible plans like West Virginia, North Dakota and Connecticut are moving fastest, with more than three percent of their populations vaccinated Rigid state plans like New York's have floundered. Only 2.85% or residents there have gotten shots, prompting Governor Cuomo to expand priority access to over 75s, first responders and transit workers Monday Israel has vaccinated more than 20 percent of its population against COVID-19, leaving the rest of the world - including the US and the UK - in its dust. The small nation has deployed its military to help run mass vaccination sites 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ADVERTISEMENT As a result, it has vaccinated 1.8 million out of its population of 8.65 million residents, according to data tracking by Bloomberg News - and Israel began its vaccine rollout about a week after the US and the UK did. The US lags shamefully behind. With 8.02 million doses administered, according to Bloomberg tracking, less than 2.5 percent of all Americans have been vaccinated through a disjointed set of state-run programs, which are so rigid that doses go unused because an 'eligible' recipient can't be found, as happened in New York. Some elite institutions rare going rogue, however, with vaccines going to young programmers and graduates who are far from the front lines at places like Columbia University, New York University and Vanderbilt University, the New York Times revealed. Vaccination is struggling to keep up with the spread of the virus in the US. Nearly 214,000 new cases were reported yesterday, as well as 3,233 deaths, bringing the total fatalities to nearly 375,000. More than 22 million Americans have been infected. While Israel is moving onto second doses for nearly all its highest priority groups, the US has only administered some 150,000 second doses, according to the Times. Only an average of about 200,000 Americans have received vaccines a day since the rollout started on December 14 (though the pace is gradually picking up) with more doses shipped to states than they can work out how to give, with West Virginia and South Dakota leading the pack and vaccinating five percent of their populations, while Mississippi, Alabama and Nevada struggle to make it over one percent. ADVERTISEMENT The UK has the opposite problem. Vaccination sites hope to give a jab every 45 seconds - but keep running out of doses. Just three percent of people there have been vaccinated - only slight ahead of the US rate. By contrast, Israel vaccinated more than 300,000 people in the last 24 hours, according to Our World in Data. What distinguishes Israel's plan? It still aims to get the shot to the most vulnerable people first, but has defined that broadly - including anyone over 60, health care workers and anyone with underlying conditions, a highly-coordinated effort and an information campaign that generated trust among even hard-to-reach groups, an official told CNBC. Israel has raced ahead of the rest of the world in its effort to vaccinate its population. Already, 20% of people there (top, yellow) have had at least one dose, while fewer than 2.5% of people in the US have had theirs (lavender) BEST AND WORST: States with flexible plans, like West Virginia and the Dakotas (dark red) have vaccinated about five percent of their populations, while Alabama, Nevada and Louisiana have barely surpassed one percent of the state vaccinated The US quickly shipped out doses of its vaccines, with more than 22 million distributed, but many states, including California, Texas and Florida have more than a million doses sitting unused WHAT IS ISRAEL DOING RIGHT? A NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND A BROAD GROUP OF TOP-PRIORITY VACCINE RECIPIENTS ARE SETTING ITS FAST PACE Israel's small size gives it an immediate leg-up in the race to get citizens vaccinated. With 331 million people living in the US, the American initiative has more than 38-times as many people to vaccinate as Israel. But the smaller nation also has nationalized health systems and a unified method for tracking medical records and vaccines. Israel's system for registering everyone's health information makes it far easier to notify people that it's their turn to get shots and when it's time to come for a booster vaccine. Already, Israel has vaccinated almost all of its highest-priority residents - a broad group that includes over-60s, health care workers and those with underlying conditions. Elderly inmates are the only group listed as high-priority who have not widely already received their first shots, according to the Jerusalem Post. ADVERTISEMENT The country is well-positioned to hit its goal of vaccinating two million people by the end of January. At long last, the US is setting up mass 'vaccination superstations' like this one in San Diego in an effort to speed the rollout Click here to resize this module Israel considered all people over 75 to be top-priority, meaning it was able to quickly roll out its vaccines in organized, drive-thru sites The pace of Israel's vaccine rollout has only increased week over week, while other nations' programs remain flat In fact, the rollout of its vaccine doses went so smoothly that it was desperate to buy more to keep up its breakneck pace. Another 700,000 doses are due to arrive in Israel on Monday, facilitating its plan to expand vaccinations to people 55 and older. On Tuesday, teachers will be able to get first vaccinations too, so long as they present a recent pay slip. One criticism of Israel has been leveled against it by human rights groups: Israel is not including nearly five million Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in its vaccination plan, despite the wild-fire spread of coronavirus cases in the latter, according to the Washington Post. WHAT IS THE US DOING WRONG? 50 DIFFERENT PLANS AND RIGID PLANS IN STATES LIKE NY HAVE SEEN JUST 2.5% OF AMERICANS VACCINATED Americans are furious over the glacial pace of the US COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Only eight million people have gotten their first vaccine doses according to Bloomberg's tracker. That is a sorry showing, considering that Operation Warp Speed officials spent months promising that 20 million people would get their first doses before the end of 2020. Now, nearly two weeks into 2021, fewer than half that many doses have been given out. More than 22.1 million doses have been distributed to states, but in most they have hit massive bottlenecks. New York, for example, has given out just 46 percent of the 1.2 million doses sent there by the federal government. Governor Andrew Cuomo, who became something of a self-appointed poster boy for COVID-19 pandemic response after New York got its massive outbreak under control, came under fire last week for the poor rollout of vaccines in his state. New York's vaccination plan was so rigid about giving out no doses to lower priority groups until all health care workers had gotten theirs that four doses had to be thrown out in Harlem last week, and the rollout slowed to a crawl. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo finally said Friday he would expand vaccine eligibility to over-75s, first responders and transit workers, beginning Monday Uncertainty still looms about who qualified and lines for vaccination hundreds of people long stretch down New York City blocks Under pressure from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and public health experts - not to mention his constituents - Cuomo finally announced the expansion of eligibility to all New Yorkers 75 or older, teachers and school staff, first responders like firefighters and police and transit workers. The rule-change took effect Monday. New York City also set up mass vaccination locations over the weekend, in Brooklyn and the Bronx, which opened Sunday. The mass sites were open for part of the day on Sunday before they start operating round the clock, seven days a week on Monday as part of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to set up 250 vaccination locations to meet the ambitious goal of inoculating one million New Yorkers by the end of the month. Three other smaller sites also opened on Sunday in Brooklyn, the Bronx and in Queens. In New York, like in much of the United States, efforts to get the two vaccines that have so far been authorized into the arms of Americans have moved slower than hoped due to a slew of issues. They included strict rules controlling who should get inoculated first, with some healthcare workers at the front of the line declining the shots, and a lack of planning or direction on the federal level. As of early Sunday, New York City had administered 203,181 doses of the vaccines to its residents out of more than 524,000 doses that have been delivered, data from the city's health department showed. By Monday morning, 400 NYPD officers had already gotten their first shots, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a statement. US BEGINS TO WIDEN PRIORITY GROUPS TO SPEED VACCINATIONS - BUT STATES LIKE WEST VIRGINIA ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff should have priority for the limited supply of vaccines. The agency softened that guidance on Friday, recommending that states move to those next on the list - people over age 75 and so called 'essential' workers - to accelerate lagging vaccination programs. Some states, including West Virginia North Dakota and Connecticut, foresaw the need for flexible vaccination plans. West Virginia has used more than 70 percent of its vaccine doses and vaccinated five percent of its population - about twice the rate the US is vaccinating people as a whole. It, like Connecticut, considered a broad swath of people eligible in the first wave of vaccines. West Virginia has also tapped up local, trusted pharmacies to vaccinate nursing home patients, while every other state is doing so through the federal partnerships with Walgreens and CVS. At elite institutions like Vanderbilt University (front-line staff members pictured after getting their COVID-19 shots) are giving shots to staff members who are not front line workers as well, in an effort to speed the rollout and avoid wasting doses, though the Tennessee health department says the doses should got to other priority groups Connecticut considered everyone from health care workers to school custodians to-priority vaccine recipients. Crucially, when on vaccination site has leftover doses, the state has a plan to redistribute those to another, to ensure they don't go to waste. Connecticut ranks fifth in the nation, using up 65 percent of the doses allocated to it and has vaccinated 3.26 percent of its population against COVID-19. At the back of the pack are Arkansas, Massachusetts and Mississippi. They have each used just a third of their vaccine doses. North Carolina and Virginia both set one-day records for new cases on Saturday. They are among 22 states that have set records for daily infections this month, and health experts warn new variants of the virus may lead to an even greater surge in infections. A highly transmissible variant of the novel coronavirus first detected in the United Kingdom in December has now been found in at least nine US states, adding further urgency to the push to vaccinate more people. Dr Scott Gottlieb, former head of the US Food and Drug Administration who sits on the board of Pfizer Inc which makes one of the U.S. authorized vaccines, warned of the need for a better system to detect and combat new COVID-19 variants from the UK and South Africa. ADVERTISEMENT 'We're going to have to update our vaccines and our antibody drugs and other therapeutics regularly to keep up with these new variants as they emerge,' Gottlieb said in an interview with CBS' 'Face the Nation' on Sunday. [January 11, 2021] Atlantic Broadband Launches WiFi Your Way, Powered by Plume HomePass Atlantic Broadband, the eighth-largest cable operator in the U.S., today announced that it has launched WiFi (News - Alert) Your WayTM, a best-in-class managed home WiFi solution powered by Plume HomePass that will provide expanded WiFi coverage with enhanced reliability and superfast speed in every area of the home. 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Other company and product names are used for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111006033/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi, Jan 11 : The farmer agitation on the borders of the national capital entered the 47th day on Monday as the farmers have taken to the streets protesting against the three central farm laws. But now all eyes are glued on the Supreme Court which would conduct a hearing on various pleas related to the farmers' agitation and the new farm laws on Monday. Under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the farmer organisations, which have been spearheading the protests have chalked out a strategy to intensify the movement in which they have announced to carry out a 'Farmers' Parade' on January 26 in New Delhi and across the country. Farmer leader and General Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, Hannan Mollah, however, said that the 'Farmers' Parade' would not cause any hindrance in the Republic Day celebrations observed in the country. In a special conversation with IANS, he said when the Republic Day celebration in New Delhi ends, the farmers would carry out a 'Farmers Parade' driving their tractors across the country. Asked about the hearing on the petitions by the Supreme Court related to the roads blocked due to the farmer protests, Mollah said, "We have not blocked the routes. The Centre has stopped the routes with the help of barricades." The lawyers of the eight people who have been issued notices in the petition related to blocking of roads would go to the court, he added. On the question of refusal to go to the Supreme Court during the last round of talks with the central government on the issue of three farm laws, Mollah said the farmer organisations have already said that their complaint is to the government which the people of the country have chosen. Therefore, it is the government's job to hear the plea of the public and the court should not intervene in the matter. He said while the court intervenes in the legal matters but this is a matter related to the central government's policy in which the apex court must not intervene. Apart from pleas admitted before the SC related to blocking roads due to farmer agitation, leaders of some political parties have also filed petitions challenging the new farm laws. A farmer organisation in its petition has said the agricultural reforms are in the interest of farmers. After eight rounds of negotiations with the Centre, the next round of talks with the farmer organisations is to be held on January 15. The farmer organisations have earlier devised a strategy to intensify the protest through various programmes on Lohri (January 13) and Makar Sankranti (January 14). Asked if the next round of talks also fails, what will be the farmer union leaders' strategy moving forward? Mollah said, "Our agitation is quite peaceful and will continue in a peaceful manner going forward. Farmers will stage a protest at district headquarters from January 20 across 719 districts of the country as well as from January 22 to January 25 at the Governor House. Then on January 26, a 'farmers' parade' will be held." He said the farmers' parade would also be peaceful and entry to the national capital would be in a peaceful manner. The farmer unions are demanding the repeal of the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 implemented by the central government, as well as a legal guarantee for procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The other two demands of farmer unions have already been accepted by the central government concerning the provision of heavy fines and jail sentences in the ordinance related to stubble burning and electricity grants for irrigation. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text ROME, JAN 11 - Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for political unity. "The executive class is entitled to have differing points of view and to also have political struggle," he said amid continuing tensions in the Italian government. "But at this time one must play for unity, always," Francis told the prime-time news programme on Silvio Berlusconi's flagship Canale 5 station. "At this time there is no right to move far away from unity. "For example, political struggle is a noble thing, and the parties are the instruments. "What matters is the intention of making the country grow. "But if politicians stress more their personal interest over the common interest, they ruin things". Premier Giuseppe Conte's government is under sustained attack from ex-premier Matteo Renzi and his centrist Italia Viva (IV) party, part of the ruling coalition, with the row centering on the implementation of Italy's COVID Recovery Plan to use 209 billion euros of EU grants and loans. Conte is said to be mulling a reshuffle to try to ward off a crisis, although the row may come down to a showdown in parliament. (ANSA). The Centre is in talks with Serum Institute of India (SII) to slash the price of Oxford-AstraZeneca's vaccine against COVID-19, people aware of the matter said. India has allowed emergency use of the vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and another developed by Bharat Biotech. Senior officials have been discussing the terms of the deal with the Serum Institute for weeks, hoping to bring down prices below Rs 220 ($3) per shot, one of the sources with direct knowledge told Reuters. "Any government would do this, we need to keep costs down," the source said. "Price is an issue with Serum. The government needs to control it," another official told Reuters. SII chief executive Adar Poonawalla has said earlier the vaccine would be priced at about Rs 1,000 per dose for the private market in India and would cost the government about Rs 220 per dose. Some officials are seeing the possibility of a further lowering of prices, the source said. Vaccinating a country of over 1.3 billion people involves a large cost and every rupee saved would help, the source added. The government has announced the nationwide immunisation programme will begin on January 16. The plan is to cover 300 million people in the first part of the programme, kicking off with health workers, frontline staff such as police and then people over the age of 50 and those with comorbidities. The AstraZeneca shot, locally branded as COVISHIELD in India, is expected to meet 90% of India's mass immunisation programme, the official said. The government aims to secure 600 million doses for the country's vaccination drive aimed at inoculating 300 million citizens over the next six to eight months. Also read: Full COVID vaccine authorisation 12 months after Phase III: WHO's Swaminathan Also read: COVID-19 vaccination drive: Preps at full throttle for vaccine roll-out from January 16; check out details KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2021 - 21:26 | All, Coronavirus, Japan Japan will decide this week to expand a state of emergency declared over the coronavirus pandemic to Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, government and ruling party sources said Monday. The governors of the three western prefectures had asked the central government to extend the state of emergency, which took effect Friday for the Tokyo region, to their areas in response to a resurgence of the virus. The expansion will be decided possibly on Wednesday, the sources said. Meanwhile, Aichi and Gifu prefectures in central Japan will also make a similar request together, their governors said. Over 4,800 daily coronavirus infections were reported nationwide Monday, after topping 6,000 on Sunday. The recent resurgence of infections has been increasing the strain on the country's medical system. In Tokyo, the metropolitan government reported an additional 1,219 coronavirus cases, continuing to mark a four-digit increase since Jan. 5. The latest figure brought the cumulative total in the capital to 76,163, while the number of patients currently hospitalized with severe conditions rose to a record 131. In Osaka, daily infections reached 480, according to local authorities. Hyogo, whose capital is Kobe, and Kyoto marked increases of 150 and 142, respectively. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Sunday on a television program that the three prefectures "are in a tense situation" and that the government is "ready to respond immediately if necessary." By declaring a state of emergency based on a law to address the spread of the virus, the central government enables local authorities to urge people to stay at home as much as possible and to call on eateries to shorten opening hours. In April, Japan declared a state of emergency for some of the country's 47 prefectures and later extended it nationwide. The government fully lifted it in late May. Suga last week declared the one-month state of emergency covering Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama in response to a request from their governors. Related coverage: Japan confirms new coronavirus variant in arrivals from Brazil Osaka, Kyoto likely to come under expanded virus emergency Japan PM Suga declares state of emergency in Tokyo area as virus surges The Centre for Posterity Interest Organisation (COPIO), an alliance of rural community women, Monday called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to appoint more women into leadership positions in his second term of governance. Poor women empowerment and participation in governance, according to the NGO, remain a huge national challenge that threatens Ghanas fledgeling democracy. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Techiman in the Bono East Region, Mr Mustapha Maison Yeboah, Chief Executive Officer of COPIO, congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his re-election. He also commended Ghanaians for embracing and helping to consolidate the gains of the nations multi-party democracy. Women constitute about 51.2 per cent of the national population, adding that without their active participation in public discourse and decision-making process, it would be extremely difficult for the country to progress. He also noted that without the full participation of women in the national discourse, President Akufo-Addo government might not be able to achieve the countrys vision. Unfortunately women participation in governance and at all levels of decision-making in the country is very low, hence appointing more women will motivate younger women to brace themselves up for leadership positions, he said. The absence of more women in politics and governance can be attributed to male dominance, which is a key aspect of the Ghanaian social system and that is why we are calling on you as the listening president to appoint more women in your government. Women representation in governance is not encouraging as it still fell short of the minimum UN recommended threshold of 30 per cent deemed satisfactory by activists at the Beijing Conference of 1995. We will, therefore, commend President Akufo-Addo for appointing two women as District Chief Executives for Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South in your first term, he said, and called on him to maintain them and also appoint more. However, Mr Yeboah expressed regret that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not have any female parliamentary candidate in the Bono East region during the 2020 general election. He called on the government to empower and motivate women to aspire higher in politics. Womens role and status are recognizably inferior to those of men in almost all aspects of social, political and economic life, he said. He added, Custom, law and even religion have been used to rationalize and perpetuate these differential roles to the extent that women themselves seem to have accepted and internalized it. Its worth noting that the legal frameworks of the country give equal opportunities for both men and women to register to vote or to exercise their franchise, and to stand to be elected as presidential candidates, Members of Parliament or Assembly representatives in both local and national government structures, but unfortunately such fairness is not seen in the area of political appointment. The unequal playing field created by political parties always disadvantages women because they dont have the required resources or financial muscle to do political campaigns and sell their ideologies to the voting masses. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 acknowledges this fact and therefore has a target to ensure womens full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life. Mr Yeboah said, So since President Akufo-Addo is the Co-Chair of the SDGs, we are humbly reminding him of his pledge because incidence and depth of poverty are greater among particularly rural women. This, among several reasons, he explained was why COPIO was implementing a three-year project to empower women to go into active politics and enhance their participation in governance, both at local and national levels. The project is titled: Creating access to social and economic opportunities among women by empowering them in various leadership and socio-economic activities in the Bono East Region of Ghana. It was funded by Global Affairs Canada and Plan International Ghana. It was being implemented concurrently with a six-month COVID-19 response project. It aimed at providing accurate information to fight the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable women. Mr Yeboah advocated a legal framework that would give equal opportunity for both men and women in national politics to help alleviate sufferings, abuses and oppressions of women and girls. COPIO which collaborates with rural community women who believe and practice women empowerment assures your government the needed support to achieve your vision for the nation and deepened Ghanas democracy, he added. 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 In the debris of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack Americans are left asking, Where do we go from here? Because while the Capitol still stands, the state of American democracy seems a little less solid. Obviously, the President and his loyalists must be held accountable for their actions in inciting this attack. They must be stripped of their power and barred from ever serving public office. They must be brought to justice. But that is only part of the solution. Deeper and more haunting questions still linger: What do we do when our fellow Americans turn against the values of their country? What do we do when they have been led astray and dont seem to want to come back? As someone who is young, overly optimistic, has both a deep fascination and reverence for American history and politics, and who also happens to study human psychology I can presently see five important actions that must be undertaken if we are to heal as a country. The first is that we must face the current political climate head on. While this may seem like it would be easier to do after Jan. 20, it must happen now. We must treat America and her democracy as a marriage, one in which there can be no divorce. The democratic ideals on which this country is built are woven so tightly into the fabric of America that to try to separate the two would be to unravel the other. It is because of this that there is no other path to take than the one that leads forward. We must confront our differences. We must address our different hurts, angers, and fears. This involves confronting our emotions about this election. The left must recognize that for 74 million Americans, Donald Trumps presidency promised safety from a growing number of threats, even though they were threats he drummed up. By continuously drumming up fears and then offering himself as the antidote to them, Trump convinced his base that he was the one thing that stood between them and a very dangerous world. Make no mistake, this is a popular tactic used among serial abusers and cult leaders, as well as dictators and strongmen. It is popular because it is so successful. By continuously applying and then releasing intense psychological pressure, Trump has conditioned his base to turn to him for safety. Not to be ignored, however, are those on the right who must recognize that for 81 million Americans, the rhetoric of Donald Trump was unacceptable, and his presidency was viewed as incompetent and dangerous. The right must ask themselves why it is that 81 million Americans voted against Trump. They must ask themselves why it is Trump lost the popular vote both times. Could it be because the left saw something the right missed? Could it be because the left recognized his rhetoric as divisive and his behavior as self-aggrandizing and dictatorial? It is only by confronting our differences that we can begin to heal. But to confront these differences honestly and effectively we need to be able to communicate. That is why the second step in our long journey towards healing is communication. More specifically, we must look at what we are communicating and where are getting our talking points from. We, as a country, must have a serious conversation about how we balance our rights to freedom of speech with our responsibilities to it. Yes, we have a right to free speech, but we also have a responsibility to keep that speech safe. We have a responsibility to make sure that our opinions of the world are at least oriented by facts. And who among us would not like a more accurate and informed opinion? After all, individual opinions are inexplicably valuable in a democracy. They set the stage for debate, the hallmark of the democratic process. The facts, therefore, give us a common ground from which we can diverge to form our opinions. Therefore, we must be cautious of the types of media we consume. We should not look to fringe media groups to tell us the truth. Rather, we should seek to get our information from reliable news outlets- outlets like NPR and PBS. Because just as individual opinions lead to a more perfect union, ill-informed and misguided opinions that spread rapidly and promote hate, lead to ruin. Furthermore, we must recognize these types of dangerous ideas when they emerge, and we must take a vow to guard our minds against them with reason and logic. Ideas that are based in fact can stand up to critical thinking and scrutiny. That is why, while it may be noble to break away from popular thought in favor of individual ideas, it is important that we make sure we can support those ideas with information that can be independently verified. We must train ourselves to be literate in the scientific process so that we do not look at an absence of evidence as proof of a conspiracy, but rather be willing to see the mountains of evidence that contradicts what so many of these extreme groups are espousing. Third, we must meet our fellow Americans where they are. We must extend ourselves across party lines and begin the process of reconciliation. But as I said in the beginning of my letter, this does not mean we stop the pursuit of justice against those responsible for inciting this attack. Those in power must be held responsible. However, what about those who followed the marching orders? What about those who obeyed, complied, and conformed? Certainly, they must be brought to justice under the law. But isnt it also important that we recognize that any human being is subject to radicalization given the right circumstances? No one is completely safe from the darker urges of implicit and explicit bias. We must keep in mind that members of radical groups are in many ways victims themselves. They are the victims of lies, of false information, all perpetrated by those in positions of power. We must remember that our quarrel is not with our fellow Americans, who have been deceived, but with the people in power who perpetrated the deception. It is those high-ranking officials which bear the ultimate responsibility. And just as they can be radicalized, they can be deradicalized. Extreme views can be replaced with moderate views. Fear can subside. And harsh politics can be traded in for more inclusive and kinder beliefs. It takes some time, but it can happen. That brings us to our fourth endeavor; we must create a political environment that fosters unity instead of division. We must elect officials who value and encourage critical thinking and who listen to the facts. We must relearn that democracy is a synonym for unity, and we must bring a renewed sense of unity into American politics. We must overcome partisanship. Because America is at its best when we work together. It is for this reason that George Washington warned against forming political parties in his farewell address; he saw parties as antithetical to the cause of democracy. To bring back this sense of unity we must elect leaders in both parties who encourage compromise. To have two resolute political parties, while it may appear balanced, is only another cause for division. By entrenching ourselves in party lines we subject ourselves to unprecedented biases. We immediately view any policy raised by the other party with skepticism and disdain. We put ourselves constantly on guard of the other instead of working together. We must stop seeing parties and instead see people. We must build a moderate congress. We must stop voting for those who scream the loudest and instead vote for those who speak the truth, even when we dont like to hear it. We should always vote for candidates that seek to protect the rights of all and who seek to unify the people, not divide them. We should all be able to agree on the basic principles of human rights and equality. And we should be able disagree on other subjects while still recognizing the humanity in the other. We should be able to laugh while we debate. And finally, we must recognize the profound importance that can be seen in the simple and sometimes almost trivial workings of our democracy. We must recognize the importance and power of simple customs. We must recognize that we are a nation of laws, but also a nation of unspoken truths. The two go hand in hand and Lady Liberty balances them perfectly. We must reinfuse our government with the same dedication to rational thought that our forefathers had when they wrote that the truths of our democracy were self-evident. Because while their logic was certainly flawed in many places, they at least understood that attitudes and thinking would change over time. They recognized that democracy required constant scrutiny and revising to ensure justice and equality, to ensure a more perfect union. They knew that times and attitudes would change. They knew that what worked then may not work later, and so they crafted the constitution to be amendable. They ensured that, should America ever find itself at a crossroad in its history, the ideas enshrined in our constitution would lend themselves to the times and would bend with them to advance the pursuit of justice- the pursuit of unity. And now, like it has so many other times in its history, the current climate in America finds itself at a crossroad. Many of us may feel lost, but it is because of our countrys history that I feel certain we will choose the right path. It is my belief that the American peoples better angels will win out and America will once again unite to strengthen the bonds of our democracy, to bend the moral arc of the universe, and to form a more perfect union as it has so many times before. Byron Russell * * * Rarely in my 63 years have I so identified with a public statement from another citizen as I do with this excellent editorial from Byron Russell. For the last four years I have been working with a bi-partisan group of distinguished national leaders on restoring confidence in government. Obviously things have gotten worse not better during this administration but hopefully the pendulum has hit the wall. Last week's assault on the U.S. Capitol should be a red alert to many in our still great nation for the need to come together around shared values, standards and expectations. While it doesnt appear so from last week's seditious attack, we all have a lot more in common than we do separating us but leadership is sorely lacking in both parties at the national level to reset norms and unify once again. Our national motto is E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one). We can all be very different yet still have a sense of responsibility and shared commitment to freedom if we follow the words of Byron Russell. Our democratic Republic is resilient in many ways yet fragile in others. We must protect it or lose it. Mr. Russell well articulated what must be done to restore the United States of America. Not sure who he is or where he lives, but I ask that he reach out to me so we might join hands to make America the shining city on a hill once again. Zach Wamp Member of U.S. Congress 1995-2011 * * * I must say that I am amazed and delighted after reading this article from this young man Mr. Russell. Its just, I am at a loss for words, how he explained all that we once were and how we could become again. The actual plan of our forefathers to create the most powerful, most wonderful nation on this planet was planned and how we have strayed from it. While some of us who submit opinion pieces on this medium I find that we always disagree on things and that is what his article is trying to correct. We are all the same and feel our love to this country the same way so why are we divided by political parties. This young man just gave us the answer. Why don't we begin to practice his ideas and discuss and not fight over differing opinions and come to reasonable solutions that benefit us all. Thank you, Mr. Russell, for one of the best articles I think I have ever read. You are a smart young man that should get into politics because we need so many more people with your reasoning and ideas. God Bless You. Clifton Duggan Dayton, Tn. * * * Mr. Russell, You have written one of the most naive responses to the current constitutional crises I have ever read. Mr. Wamp, a former U.S. representative and Sunday School teacher and Mr. Duggan sho uld both re-examine the positions they have espoused in the past before siding with leftist Democrats. Here's a point by point refutation: 1. The first is that we must face the current political climate head on. Here's where we are-Leftist Democrats now hold the House, Senate and presidency. They have forged an intimate partnership with all media and Big Tech (Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Amazon et al). Big Tech is shadow banning and deleting ALL conservatives from their platforms as well as sites such as Parler. This is being done to censor and silence all opposition; an act of totalitarian oppression applauded by leftist politicians. Mr. Wamp/Russell/Duggan do you favor totalitarian oppression? Do you accept Big Tech censorship? 2. We must address our different hurts, angers, and fears. This involves confronting reality of this election. The left must recognize that for all Americans, Donald Trumps presidency was a giant step forward. The power of the American economy was unleashed and ALL Americans benefited. Needless regulations that block progress for highway improvement, bridges, employees and businesses were rolled back. Manufacturing jobs returned to our shores to employ Americans causing unemployment figures to plummet to all time record lows. Never forget under Donald Trump we became energy independent! Americans support Donald Trump because he articulates what we believe and feel in our hearts and guts not due to any psychological pressure. Continuously drumming up fears and then offering constitutional crushing solutions is a tactic of Leftist Democrats--exactly what is in control today. Since you mentioned the popular vote, the Electoral Voting system was invented by our founders as a means of representation and fairness to prevent the popular vote from electing our president. Are you wiser than our founders Mr. Russell? Probably not. In case you have forgotten we have a democratic republic, not a democracy. 3. That is why the second step in our long journey towards healing is communication. You must be the most naive person on earth suggesting we get our facts from NPR and PBS! Our media have been on a crusade to destroy truth and to morph facts to suite any narrative they choose. Our media has destroyed journalism exchanging it for agenda driven advocacy. Most all media operates on agendas to one degree or another. 4. We must train ourselves to be literate in the scientific process so that we do not look at an absence of evidence as proof of a conspiracy, but rather be willing to see the mountains of evidence that contradicts what so many of these extreme groups are espousing. Do you know what a scientific process is? So literally the status quo position is always the correct one regardless of the facts? If you are referencing the 2020 presidential election there is more than enough proof that cheating occurred. Scientific Process: Define purpose, Construct hypothesis, Test the hypothesis and collect data, Analyze data, Draw conclusion and Communicate results. Try it, you may like it. 5. That brings us to our fourth endeavor; we must create a political environment that fosters unity instead of division. The basis of Leftist Democrat policy has been dividing everyone into identity groups; nothing has been more divisive. We are a nation of Americans, a melting pot of many ethnic groups if unity is to be achieved Leftists must abandon their identity group policy. Intersectionality is another hallmark of liberals, giving value to persons via sex, ethnicity, race etc., this too must be abandoned if we expect to achieve unity. 6. And finally, we must recognize the profound importance that can be seen in the simple and sometimes almost trivial workings of our democracy. God was important when men and women of conviction founded this nation. Where is God today? He's not in the hating of President Trump. He's not in the cancelling of conservatives from social media. God is not in dividing America via race, sexual orientation or identity groups used for political advantage! If we expect our nation to unite we will have to humble ourselves before God, ask his forgiveness and seek his guidance in order to establish a true and lasting United States of America. We must re-establish moral, political and economic opportunity for all citizens. Comments are invited. Walter (Doug) Howerton * * * Sure, Mr. Russel's letter is naive. But not for the reasons Mr. Howerton suggests. Mr. Russell's letter is naive because it requires those who share Mr. Howerton's views to step back from the propaganda they are absorbing in the bubbles they have built. They need to witness to truth. These truths include: Free and fair elections are foundational to a Constitutional republic. Therefore, claims of election fraud are extremely serious and must be accompanied by provable fact. To date, no material facts have emerged to support the assertion the results of the most recent Presidential election are fraudulent. Claims they were fraudulent have been examined and unanimously rejected by multiple state election officials, multiple state legislatures, and multiple state and federal courts. Just because a segment of the population wants to believe the election was rigged (and the loser constantly claims as such in every forum afforded him) does not make it so because, in a nation of laws, such wrongdoing must be proven. Conservative voices are not being censored as evidenced by the publication of Mr. Howerton's letter. Voices spouting falsehoods and calling for sedition and violence are being removed from some platforms but none of these actions have been dictated by government. Media provides information from places that we have no other access. Being of human creation, all media exhibits bias, both in their choice of the facts they present and the manner in which they present them. It is incumbent on the consumer of media to understand this and diversify their sources to ensure they avoid those happy places where what they believe and feel in their hearts and guts contradicts reality. So yes, Mr. Russell's letter is naive, but not in its prescriptions for a path forward. It is naive in its assumption that the many who refuse to acknowledge truth have any interest in joining him on that path. Patrick McFadden In a democracy, you can't legislate everything. Some things are left to mere human decency. America is a country where the "honor system" is expected to prevail and thrive. That is why people are expected to resign from public positions when they cross certain ethical lines, even though their actions or behavior may not be illegal. In the four years, I spent in graduate school in America, there were no proctors for our examinations. However, no student attempted to cheat or even ask his/her classmate a question. When you enter a bank or other public places where people are waiting to be served, you don't jump the line. When you are stuck in rush hour traffic, you are expected to remain in the queue and not use the shoulders of the road or highway. These are some unwritten rules that guide this great society. However, no matter how organized society is, there would be some outliers. And definitely, President Trump falls into this category. President Trump and his enablers have pushed American democracy and governance system to its limit. They have done some damage. But this system has survived for nearly two hundred fifty years and hasn't been destroyed. Trump came to the political spotlight by questioning the citizenship of his immediate predecessor. He smeared the former president by claiming Obama scammed the American people by frequently claiming he was born in America. The entire Republican Party knew this was a lie. But they either kept quiet or ran with the conspiracy that the former President had to publicly release his birth certificate at some point. Trump didn't stop there. When he came down his golden escalator in Trump Tower five years ago to announce his candidacy for the presidency of the United States of America, Trump called Mexicans rapists and drug traffickers. When he demonized minorities, women, immigrants, and even people with disabilities, he was receiving endorsements from high profile Republicans like Senator Jeff Sessions. Trump's attacks would not only be limited to Obama, Mexicans, other minorities, and people with disabilities. As his support swelled across the country and he secured more endorsements from top Republicans in Washington, he became emboldened and directed his attacks at military veterans like Senator John McCain, a Vietnam veteran and also a "Gold Star" family. Unwritten rules in America revere these categories of citizens for the sacrifices they or their family members made for the country. Some even laid down their lives in defense of a peaceful and democratic America. But Trump, a privileged American, attacked and ridiculed these extraordinary people on the campaign trail without any remorse. The more he broke these unwritten rules, the more he was cheered by his supporters. As Trump steamrolled his way to the Republican nomination in 2016, he was doing sufficient damage to the honor system in America. As if the damage he did during the campaign wasn't enough, he interpreted his presidential victory on November 8, 2016, as the country's endorsement of his assault on American decency. From the very onset of President Trump's administration in January 2017, it became abundantly clear that a new sheriff was in town. A sheriff who traffics in lies and misinformation! A sheriff who compelled his first press secretary Sean Spicer to lie to the American people from the White House conference room that Trump's inauguration crowds were the largest in American history! A sheriff who scolded his lieutenants for speaking the truth once it made Trump to look bad! A sheriff whose administration introduced "alternative facts" to the American people! A sheriff who calls the press "enemies of the people," simply because they dare holding him to account and pointing out his lies! A sheriff who puts kids in cages to send a message to their parents not to cross the southern borders! A sheriff who takes the words of President Putin over his own intelligence agencies! A sheriff who calls white supremacists and neo-Nazis "good people"! A sheriff who cozy up with dictators around the world but rebuffed America's democratic allies! A sheriff who can only accept an electoral victory but not a loss! A sheriff who came to power on the mantra of "draining the swamp", which actually means undermining American institutions and creating an imperial presidency! A sheriff who riles up his supporters and looks the other way while they carry out terror and mayhem in the nations capital! All this culminated into the domestic terrorist attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. President Trump has dealt a great blow to the honor system in this country. He has injured American democracy. But America will nurse its wounds, heal, and move on. The Biden administration has work to do both at home and abroad. At home, the administration has to work to restore Americans' faith and confidence in their institutions. And abroad, the new administration needs to reposition the United States as an authentic world leader again. These can only be achieved if decency, the honor system, and confidence in Americas democratic institutions are restored. The world cannot second guess Americas commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. The world needs reassurance from America and the Biden administration has to step up to the plate and start to deliver on day one. Samuel Barbay Gaye, Jr. BBA, M.Div. New Jersey, USA This month we will celebrate Republic Day, which is different from Independence Day. The difference may not be fully understood or appreciated. On August 15 we mark the anniversary of the day that India stopped being ruled by outsiders. We refer to this as freedom. On January 26, Republic Day, we mark the day when we put in force the laws that make the people of India sovereign. It must be noted that for some reason we mark Republic Day with a celebration of militarism. The marching in formation of armed men and their machines. We might want to ask those in parts of India which have experience of the military, such as the Northeast and Kashmir, what they make of this celebration or whether they consider this a proper way to mark the formation of the republic. A republic is more than a democracy. A democracy is a system of majority rule government through elected representatives. Universal adult franchise -- meaning the right to vote for these elected representatives -- is only one aspect of being a republic. The other two aspects are guaranteed fundamental rights and civil liberties. These are equally important and without them you can have a democracy but not a republic. These include the right to freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly, right to freedom of religion, right to form associations and to practise any occupation and the right to life and liberty. You could have a nation where adults can vote and elections are carried out, but none of these rights and liberties exist in a meaningful way. It would be a democracy, but it would not be a republic. The rights would not really be with the people but with the State, meaning the government and those who run it. To give you an example, Indians have the right to peaceful assembly. It is actually a fundamental right, meaning one that enjoys a high degree of protection from encroachment. But do Indians have the right to peaceful assembly? They do not. They have the right to make an application to the police and the authorities seeking permission for a peaceful protest. The State has the right to approve, reject or not respond. Similarly, the right to occupation does not exist (there is a Supreme Court judgment which says the rights of the cow surpass those of a butcher), nor does the right to freedom of religion as the new laws in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and several old laws and judgments show. The freedom of expression is legally criminalised in India through laws on sedition, defamation and contempt. Indeed, none of the rights and liberties that the Constitution saw initially as being fundamental are present in the original form today. It is safe to conclude that India is a democracy, but is it a republic? The reality is that today the rights are not with the citizen, they rest in the main with the State. This has happened with the passage of time. The Constitution initially gave Indians all the rights referred to above in more or less unrestricted form, as they exist in other republics like the United States. It was the amendments that came later which began to cut away the freedoms to the extent that it can now be honestly said that they do not exist at all. The State appropriated sovereignty from the people. This happened, as many will know, through footnotes to the Constitution, added as amendments to Part 3, which is the part on Fundamental Rights. The right to freedom of speech was now qualified. And the footnote reads that nothing shall prevent the State from making any law imposing reasonable restrictions on free speech which affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. Who will determine whether these restrictions are reasonable? The State. The people, who through the Constituent Assembly had granted themselves the right to freedom of expression, were now made subordinate to their government. The restrictions came not because of popular demand but because the government felt that it could not allow people too much freedom. Similarly footnotes and their interpretations took away the real meaning of other rights, including the one to life and liberty. The State in India can jail individuals without a crime having been committed. This is called preventive detention, and it upends Articles 21 and 22 through a footnote. What is the difference between a government that wants this power over citizens and the British Raj? The question is what can be done about this. The solution is obviously to get the State to undo the damage it has done over the years. Article 13 says that the State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights conferred by this Part and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of the contravention, be void. Clearly, the State has committed overreach against its citizens. Our pledge on this Republic Day must be to use those parts of the Constitution that are still on our side and take back our rights and liberties lawfully from the State, which has usurped them. That would be truly worth a celebration. The writer is a columnist and a senior journalist Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : The Kerala unit of Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has called upon the Central government to bring in a legislation to ban quality control, certification and marketing in the name of religious beliefs. The SJM, in a statement here following a virtual conference, said it is unconstitutional for different sections to bring in different product certification systems. "Halal certification is enforced when food is exported to Islamic countries due to the compulsions of the government in that country. The need for the same in India will be tantamount to the creation of parallel systems within the country, which we will oppose at any cost," Ranjith Karthikeyan, Chartered Accountant and State Convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Kerala unit, told IANS. The SJM said those who market Swadeshi goods will have to see the emergence of different types of certifications as a transition to foreign systems. Karthikeyan further said: "It is not acceptable for a category of food products to become foreign. Also, it is not acceptable to give religious preference to food items made under the same law." "The claim that Muslims should not eat food prepared by non Muslims should be seen as another form of untouchability and is not at all acceptable, we have already forwarded the resolution to the central government," he added. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. After storm Filomena swept across the south of Spain at the weekend a significant amount of snow fell on parts of the interior of Malaga province on Sunday - particularly affecting the Serrania de Ronda. From the early hours of the morning, the peaks of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, the Montes de Malaga and the Ronda area including the Sierra de las Nieves registered significant snowfalls. In Ronda the snow intensified at around 10pm and affected several roads where the use of snow chains became mandatory on three routes - the A-397, between Ronda and San Pedro; the A-367, near the port of Saltillo, in Cuevas del Becerro; and the A-366, between Ronda and Coin. In addition, the control centre also recommended caution on the A-369, near Ronda, due to the presence of snow between kilometre points 4 and 11 in both directions. However no serious incidents were reported nor was it necessary to cut any traffic routes. During Sunday, workers had to rescue four vehicles that were trapped by the snow between Yunquera and Ronda. Hail also left scenes to remember on Sunday and bleached the beaches of Fuengirola and Torremolinos white. It happened at midday but lasted barely an hour. The last time a similar phenomenum was experienced was in January 2018, when a strong hailstorm covered the Carvajal area. In terms of rainfall, the rains were generally continuous but not very abundant. Torrox recorded the highest in the province with up to 16 mm in 24 hours, while in Malaga city 11.2 mm were collected in the Atabal area. You are here: Business Container throughput at China's major ports continued upward momentum in late December, data from an industrial association showed. From Dec. 21 to 31, container throughput at China's eight key ports increased 4.1 percent year on year, with the growth rate at Tianjin, Ningbo Zhoushan and Shenzhen ports exceeding 20 percent, according to the China Ports and Harbours Association. For December, the container throughput at eight key ports rose 6.4 percent year on year. Specifically, the container throughput for foreign trade rose 7 percent from a year earlier, said the report. The boom in container throughput for foreign trade came amid the rapid expansion in China's exports, which jumped 21.1 percent year on year in November in U.S. dollar terms, the fastest growth since February 2018. A 17-year-old has been charged in a deadly shooting on Birminghams west side. Birmingham police on Monday announced the arrest of the teen. He is charged with murder in the Jan. 3 killing of 52-year-old Brian Keith Fleming. Authorities are not releasing the teen suspects name because of his age and have not released a motive or any details surrounding Flemings slaying. Fleming was found unresponsive on a sidewalk in the 2100 block of Warrior Road about 9 p.m. that Sunday. West Precinct officers responded to the area on a report of a person down. After that call came in, several citizens began calling 911, reporting that they heard gunshots fired in the area,' said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. Officers located the Fleming on the ground just outside the parking lot of an apartment complex. He had been shot and was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. The teen suspect will be held in the Jefferson County Jail on $100,000 bond. Fleming was the citys third homicide of 2021. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After anti-Semitic flyers were discovered in New Dorp earlier this month and in the wake of violence at the U.S. Capitol last week, a candlelight walk and vigil was held on Staten Island Sunday evening denouncing the presence of the white supremacist propaganda. The purpose of this walk and candlelight vigil is for Staten Island clergy and community leaders to stand up to racism and white supremacy, said Rev. Karen Jackson, an inter-religious leader. Were responding specifically to the distribution of anti-Semitic flyers here in the New Dorp neighborhood, but also, of course, to the violence we witnessed at the Capitol. The flyers, posted in New Dorp by a purported white supremacist group, spewed vitriolic language that was condemned by community leaders and the entire bi-partisan Staten Island elected delegation in a letter last week. President and CEO of Project Hospitality Rev. Terry Troia holds a sign that reads, "Love Your Neighbor," during the march. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Sundays walk, which was attended by more than two dozen people, began at the intersection of Hylan Boulevard and Beach Avenue and progressed down to the parking lot of St. Charles R.C. Church on Penn Avenue not far from where the most recent anti-Semitic posting was found. Just blocks into the route, the group of about two dozen marchers encountered a flyer identical to the material discovered recently. The flyer was removed by the NYPD. John McBeth, a deacon at St. Philips Baptist Church in Port Richmond, shook his head in disgust as he passed the flyer en route to the church. On one side its important that we continue to show that this thing does still exist, that were still living with it, but on the other hand it also has the potential to incite or invite others, said McBeth. So, the sooner we take it down, the better. It is unbelievable in this day and age ... how we still have this animalistic connection to our vile past, said McBeth. We live on an Island. Were all here on this same Island ... Its really important we do everything we can to make this Island a better place for everybody. John McBeth, a deacon at St. Phyllis Baptist Church in Port Richmond, during the vigil. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) The presence of the flyer during the march underscored the sheer frequency of white supremacist postings across the borough, specifically by the New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA), a group the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has designated as a white supremacist group. An ADL study showed that NJEHA, along with two other groups, are responsible for approximately 90% of the distribution of white supremacist propaganda in the United States. While the ADL said NJEHA was responsible for approximately 9% of all white supremacist propaganda incidents in the United States in 2019, data tracked by the Advance/SILive.com indicates their influence is more pronounced locally. The Advance/SILive.com previously reported NJEHAs main form of exposure is through the distribution of flyers and stickers, which the group encourages followers to print out and place in their neighborhoods. Rev. Karen Jackson, an inter-religious leader, speaks during the vigil. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Jackson said she felt the attempted insurrection at the Capitol building and the flyers found on Staten Island were undoubtedly part of an ideology of white supremacy that is being emboldened even when it is not new and it is disturbing seeing it emboldened by people who represent us, and so we need to be the voice that says no to white supremacy and racism. Dana Koenigsberg, a New Dorp resident who attended the vigil, said the flyers were something painful to see, and echoed the sentiments of Jackson and others at Sundays gathering. Koenigsberg, who is Jewish, said, rhetoric matters, words matter, and even if youre emboldening people in small ways, that leads up to a tidal wave. The event Koenigsberg described as a tidal wave occurred last Wednesday, when supporters of President Donald Trump violently gaining access to the U.S. Capitol building, physically pushing past police in an effort to disrupt Congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election. Rabbi Michael Howald, of Temple Israel Reform in Randall Manor, delivered a speech Sunday. (Staten Isalnd Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Rabbi Michael Howald, of Temple Israel Reform in Randall Manor, delivered a speech Sunday while holding a cap that read, U.S. Capitol, and spoke of his last visit to the building and said, the thought of it being desecrated as it was last week is just heartbreaking. Weve come here today with what seems a dual purpose, Howald said. To condemn the anti-Semitic flyers recently found on our Island and to address the shocking assault on our nations capitol. These two outrages are however really one seamless phenomenon in our country with a common source in the same violent bigotry, added Howald. We gather this evening to offer another vision of America. Where they offer hatred of anyone who doesnt look or worship as they do, we proclaim love for each facet of the jewel of humanity, Howald said. As they stand in the shadows and scurry to deny their responsibility, we proudly stand to declare our commitment and our unity. Sundays vigil was attended by representatives from the Council of Jewish Organizations, Staten Islands NAACP chapter, Communities United for Respect and Trust, the staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership, Staten Island Immigrants Council and Roman Catholic Vicariate of Staten Island. The NYPD escorted the march down Hylan Boulevard and Staten Islands top cop, Assistant Chief Frank Vega, spoke at the procession. Marchers make their way down Hylan Boulevard Sunday evening. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Groups such as NJEHA often veil white supremacy with a patriotic slant, Oren Segal, ADLs vice president for the Center on Extremism, previously said. The flyers posted by NJEHA, which commonly refer to an unsubstantiated conspiracy that white people are facing extinction, urge viewers to Reclaim your nation and Reclaim your heritage. Gab a lightly-censored social media site the group primarily uses revealed that flyers and other propaganda were placed at dozens of locations across the borough, from Tottenville to Mariners Harbor in 2019. During former Rep. Max Roses tenure, he called NJEHA absolutely a threat, adding that the group spreads vitriolic, hateful, disgusting material. Sally Jones, a St. George resident, holds a sign during Sunday's vigil. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Imam Tahir Kukaj, of the Albanian Cultural Center in Tompkinsville, said the same mentality that is shared by those who post white supremacist flyers are shared by those who committed acts of violence like the ones seen at the U.S. Capitol building and the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh in October of 2018. This rhetoric is poison,[it] is a machine that plays with peoples minds and destroys connections, destroys the relationships between communities, Kukaj said. Gab, the site where the group primarily posts, has been associated with anti-Semitic and hate speech before. On Oct. 27, 2018, Robert Bowers allegedly barged into a Pittsburgh synagogue and opened fire, killing 11 people in one of the deadliest attacks on Jews in U.S. history. Before the shooting, Bowers reportedly expressed virulently anti-Semitic views on Gab. The cover photo for his account featured a neo-Nazi symbol, and one of his recent posts included a photo of a fiery oven, like those used in Nazi concentration camps to cremate Jews during World War II, before the account was suspended by the social media site. When observed by the Advance/SILive.com in 2019, multiple users who followed NJEHA had similar profile pictures, including photos of the flag of the German Reich. Bishop John OHara, who delivered remarks electronically to those at the vigil, spoke optimistically of Sundays gathering saying, The beautiful thing is we come together as good people from many different traditions because we want to recognize the beauty and dignity of each and every single human person and do whatever we can to rid our society of the pernicious pandemic of racism. Rev. Rafael Garcia, of Christ United Methodist Church in Graniteville, bows his head during the vigil. (Staten Isalnd Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Rev. Rafael Garcia, of Christ United Methodist Church in Graniteville, said, It is important that we make visible tolerance, this love, fellowship that we are here to tell those who have the capacity to hate, that there are others who have a bigger capacity to love and overcome all those forces of darkness and destruction with the forces of goodness, compassion and generosity. It is not clear how many, if any, Staten Islanders are members of the NJEHA, a group that has attended purported white supremacist rallies and demonstrations and has placed fliers across the country. However, the frequency of postings raises the question of its membership on Staten Island. When previously contacted for a story, a man who picked up the phone for a number listed on one of the NJEHA posters declined to speak to an Advance/SILive.com reporter, saying they dont want to talk, adding, you guys are liars and fake news. Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island, speaks during the vigil. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island, said that while the recent months clouded with the despair of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak have been dark for the borough, we became a Staten Island one family. He said that cohesion among the community was reaffirmed by Sundays vigil, despite the evil postings made on the boroughs streets. The only way we can overcome the sickness of hate, said Mirocznik, is by making clear and unequivocal: We will not allow hate to torpedo into fear, impinge on the progress of making this world a better place. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon has previously spoken out against the anti-Semitic postings on Staten Island and said his office was monitoring the incidents. The NYPD also previously confirmed it was aware of the posters and the purported connection to a specific group that has engaged in hate speech, adding, The matter is being investigated. President and CEO of Project Hospitality Rev. Terry Troia said it was vital to have anti-bias education in schools and in our churches, in our mosques, in our temples, in our synagogues with our children, adding, We need to be able to start young and continue on, creating the path for people to know, understand and love people who are different than we are. That is the only way to eradicate the seeds of violence and hatred that threaten each persons lives. PepsiCo unveils latest cohort A start-up that treats cognitive disorders through "mind-tracking technology" and a firm that performs tests on gut health are among ten companies to have been selected as finalists in PepsiCo's latest accelerator programme. The Quaker cereal and Lay's crisps owner is giving each of the ten firms US$20,000 and has awarded each a place on a six-month business programme, working with PepsiCo executives in R&D, supply chain and design. In June, one of the ten will be awarded an additional $100,000 in funding. Each of the ten companies chosen as finalists in PepsiCo's Greenhouse Accelerator operate in the broad field of consumer health. "There's no question that Covid-19 has renewed consumer interest in taking control of their personal health and wellness, and we continue to explore how this evolves in the food and beverage space," Antonio Tataranni, senior vice president for R&D and chief medical officer at PepsiCo said. "Our research and development team continues to look for emerging and disruptive solutions that address consumer needs, such as creative innovations in personalised nutrition, functional foods and supplements, and new technologies that enable vitality." Of the ten companies selected, five are located in Europe, including Barcelona-based Braingaze, which PepsiCo says has developed "a scientifically proven and clinically validated digital solution to detect and treat cognitive dysfunctions using mind-tracking technology". Sweden-based Carbiotix, which looks at "microbiome healthcare through modulators and gut-health-testing services" has also been chosen. Four of the start-ups are based in the US, including BioLumen, a firm in San Francisco that "engineers 100% natural structured fibre that absorbs sugars and fats in the stomach", PepsiCo said. The tenth firm is India-based Biosustain Labs, which develops sustainable functional food products for consumers "looking for specific health benefits from their foods", the company added. The fledgling business offers supplements designed to help in areas such as weight management and gut health. PepsiCo first launched an accelerator in Europe in 2017, running a second programme in North America in 2018. Previous winners include Spudsy, a fledgling US snacks business making sweet-potato puffs from upcycled ingredients, and Yofix, an Israeli company manufacturing dairy- and soy-free yogurts. Read: Hatching new ideas - Big Food's incubator and accelerator programmes. Trump yelled IM NOT GOING TO RESIGN before saying Democrats would regret their impeachment push. With nine days left in his presidency and a looming historic second impeachment, President Donald Trump has been silenced on social media, but he is reportedly fuming inside the White House. According to The Daily Beast, Trump yelled, IM NOT GOING TO RESIGN before saying Democrats would regret pushing to impeach him for the second time and that they would hurt the country if they did. President Donald Trump greets the crowd at the Wednesdays Stop The Steal Rally in Washington, D.C., where his supporters gathered to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory before they stormed the Capitol Building. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) The report also claims Trump is livid at having his personal Twitter account permanently suspended. He is said to be seeking legal recourse against the social media giant. However, there are few options against compelling the private company to restore his account, which had nearly 90 million followers. Be careful of what you wish for, Trump campaign aide Jason Miller told The Daily Beast. Big Tech, Big Media, and their friends in the national Democratic Party have a unique ability to overreach, resulting in a strengthening of President Trumps political base. Read More: Ex-police chief suspects pipe bombs were used to distract from Capitol attack Sources tell the news outlet that despite Wednesdays riotous incident last week at the Capitol which resulted in the death of five people, including a Capitol Police officer Trump is excited and keen on sitting for interviews in the coming days. He is hoping to highlight the amazing achievements of his disgraced presidency. Next Tuesday, Trump is reportedly scheduled to touch down in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to visit a section of 450 miles of fencing at the U.S. border with Mexico. Read More: Donors wary of working with electoral objectors like Cruz, Hawley Mark A. Morgan, the acting commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection department, has said he plans to confirm as many new contracts for an additional 300 miles of fencing before Jan. 19 to lock the government in for completing it or risk a messy legal battle with contractors. Story continues Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas said he thinks Trump has much bigger issues than coming over and seeing his 14th-century solution called The Wall. But, as you know, Cuellar contended, he started his campaign attacking Mexico and building the wall and all that. And I think he wants to end his term the same way. Neither Texas Republican governor, Greg Abbott, nor Dan Patrick, its Republican lieutenant governor, will join Trump at his border appearance. Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today! The post Trump considering media tour, refuses to resign: report appeared first on TheGrio. LAKE CITY, FL The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County has issued a statement concerning distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. It reads as follows: "The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Division of Emergency Management, and Columbia County Board of County Commissioners is providing COVID-19 vaccination sites. In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County will continue to issue this update every week. County health departments have an important role to play in administering vaccine. Heres a summary of some of our top efforts this week. Provided total of 8,877 vaccinations (5,697 first dose and 3,180 second dose) to date in Columbia County Doses administered by non-CHD sites in Columbia County: Baya Urgent Care 22; CVS 2, Lake City Medical Center, 609; Publix 90; Walmart 155. Partnered with Columbia County Emergency Management for their use of Columbia Countys Everbridge Communication system and social media sites. Partnered with Florida Gateway College for their assistance of Nursing and EMT program instructors and students during vaccination events. Partnered with Century Ambulance Service and Excelsior Ambulance Service to provide onsite medical assistance at vaccination site. The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County continues to fight to protect health and safety as the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine continues. About the Florida Department of Health The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov." Dr. Joseph Doyle, SGF Canada Program Director, will present on the benefits of seeking donor egg treatment in America at the virtual Canadian Fertility Show on February 6, 2021. SGFs donor egg program provides patients with a highly effective treatment option to overcome infertility, with a greater than 60 percent clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer. Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) proudly joins the fourth annual Canadian Fertility Show as a Gold Sponsor on February 6, 2021, where reproductive endocrinologist and SGF Canada Program Director, Joseph Doyle, M.D. will present on the benefits of seeking donor egg treatment in America. The annual event is following a virtual format this year, offering the opportunity to reach more Canadians and support them on their journey to parenthood. The virtual fertility show will feature lectures from medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, practitioners, lawyers, and more about a variety of topics related to family planning, fertility, donor egg treatment, adoption, and much more. By moving to a virtual format, attendees have unlimited access to recorded lectures and virtual booth visits for 30 days following the event, including SGFs booth where attendees can learn about the advantages of traveling to the United States for donor egg treatment. Early bird admission is available until January 18, 2021, at CA$10. The Canadian Fertility Show is a wonderful opportunity for SGF to connect with its neighbors up north who may face obstacles conceiving, shares Dr. Doyle. SGFs donor egg program provides patients with a highly effective treatment option to overcome infertility, with a greater than 60 percent clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer. SGF Offers International Donor Egg Program for Canadian Patients SGF is one of only a few centers in the United States that recruits, selects, and prescreens (medically, psychologically, and genetically) its own ready-to-cycle egg donors prior to making them available on their de-identified donor registry. Further, SGF offers an exclusive 100% refund guarantee program for donor egg treatmenta significant differentiator among other programs. As Canadians, we do not have the same access to donor services as the United States, shares Cindy, an SGF patient who traveled from Toronto for donor egg treatment. Our options were to use eggs from someone we knew, travel abroad to another country where we often know very little about your donor, or select a donor from a frozen egg bank. We knew that we wanted to use a de-identified donor and liked SGFs donor programWe were so impressed and felt that we were in the best possible hands. SGFs International Donor Egg Program for Canadian patients offers concierge-level care, unparalleled support, and an esteemed medical team. The practice has had 5,000 babies born and counting through this program. As part of SGFs International Donor Egg Program, patients work locally with select Canadian fertility centers, while gaining access to SGFs ready to cycle donors through their donor registry. Only two visits to the U.S. are needed. SGF offers Canadians and all international patients multiple ways to access SGF egg donors: Traditional, Non-shared, Egg Donors: All eggs the donor produces for that donation cycle will be assigned exclusively to one patient. Shared Egg Donors: The egg donor will divide her eggs between either 2 or 3 recipients who will then split the financial responsibility. Frozen Egg Bank Donors: These donors have already completed their donation and their resulting eggs were frozen and placed on the database. Meet SGF Canada Program Director, Dr. Doyle SGFs Dr. Doyle, earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, USA. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, MA. Dr. Doyle then completed a 3-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Massachusetts General Hospital. During his training, Dr. Doyle received several teaching and clinical excellence awards. His research efforts focused on oocyte cryopreservation; he presented numerous times at national and international meetings and has authored multiple publications. Dr. Doyle has also been the recipient of numerous excellence in patient care awards, including most recently the Washingtonians Top Doctors for Infertility (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). One of Dr. Doyles patients shared, After 6 years of trying to get pregnant using my own eggs we were referred to Shady Grove Fertility. That is where we got to meet Dr. Doyle. He is such a compassionate man who really cares about his patients. He made sure I was informed every step of the way. I have never been happier than the care I received while working with Dr. Doyle. To learn more about SGFs International Donor Egg Program, visit http://www.shadygrovefertility.co.uk/. To register for the Canadian Fertility Show, visit http://www.canadianfertilityshow.ca/. About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 37 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, we offer patients virtual physician consults, deliver individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com. Cooper, Robinson paint contrasting portraits of North Carolina RALEIGH As Gov. Roy Cooper enters his second term as governor, he sees North Carolina dragged down not just by the COVID pandemic, but by racism, unaffordable health care and unequal opportunity. In a sharp contrast, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson cast himself as an example of North Carolinas successes as he was sworn in as the states first black lieutenant governor. In his North Carolina, the people of the state are locked in a larger, national battle for freedom. These radically different views of the state and its trajectory, illustrated in the two mens inaugural addresses, set up another conflict between the states top executive branch leaders. Again, North Carolinas governor and lieutenant governor are of differing parties Cooper a Democrat, Robinson a Republican. Robinson was elected in November to succeed Republican Dan Forest, who served for the past eight years. In Coopers brief speech Saturday, he described the need to pull together to improve a state awash in disinformation and lies and hampered by lack of access to doctors, good schools and good jobs. He said the states resilience and strength would be enough to succeed. Lets reach together to find ways all North Carolinians can afford to see a doctor, to get a quality education and a good paying job, to reform our systems that hurt people of color and to live and work in an economy that leaves no one behind, no matter who they are or where they live, he said. In Robinsons estimation, North Carolina is a lot further along that path. He described the poverty of his own humble upbringing and praised the state and the country for giving him the opportunity to rise. Anybody that does not believe that the United States of America is the greatest country on earth I have a story to tell you, Robinson said at the conclusion of his swearing-in ceremony last week. I have a story of pride, I have a story of overcoming all the bad things and raising up into good things. I have a story, and I intend to tell that story and I intend to fight for the freedom that God has given us. These two views are likely to clash repeatedly in the coming years as North Carolina navigates its recovery from the coronavirus and its associated economic restrictions, as well as the states perennial fights over education funding and Medicaid expansion. Already, Robinson has used his perspective on the nations history to push back against proposed social studies standards in his new position on the State Board of Education. Coopers address did little to forecast his policy priorities in the upcoming long session. But Robinson foreshadowed his approach to governing. Much like his grassroots-heavy campaign for office, the new lieutenant governor indicated he would try to mobilize popular support to influence the General Assembly. Those of yall that got the number of the legislative building over there, I want you to call them and I want you to tell them that justice is coming, Robinson said. Righteousness is coming. Good is coming. Common sense is coming. Tell them the people of North Carolina are coming and they want their freedom, and theyre going to keep their freedom, come hell or high water. -30-